I’m off for the weekend with cohorts Amy and Charlie to check out the Surfrider Foundation’s Clean Water Classic – the largest surf contest in the Pacific Northwest.

The event is a benefit for the Pacific Northwest chapters of the Surfrider Foundation. Proceeds from the Clean Water Classic directly fund campaigns and programs of the Foundation, and they work to better the aquatic environments of Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia.

You can check out the happenings of the Seattle Surfrider chapter here.

Pretty cool stuff. I’ll be back with more details from the event next week!

- Shawn

It’s Friday… why not give you free music?

That’s Coldplay’s thinking, anyway. They’re giving away an album, LeftRightLeftRightLeft, as a “thank you for the fans” both online and at their 2009 tour stops (festivals excluded).

Click here to get your hands on the free tunes.

- Shawn

Anya Marina and I have a lot in common, except for one tiny difference. She’s a rock star:

Check out Anya’s great disc Slow & Steady Seduction: Phase II, available everywhere!

- Shawn

Here’s a little look at last night’s Flight Of The Conchords show. It’s about the only segment where they stood up! Suga-lumps, sweet.

And you will be happy to know that DJ Hotstockings and her mysterious companion DJ GoldToe did make an appearance at the show, went back stage where they saw “one of the members of Pearl Jam” steal FOTC’s dressing room door sign and were escorted out after DJ Hotstockings was caught trying on Bret’s robot costume. Typical night for The Hotstockings.

- Shawn

Here’s the new Howie Day song.

HOWIEDAY

Marty Riemer complains he’s sick of the sensitive male singer songwriter thing. Are you? Leave a comment by clicking right up there where it says “Comment”.

- Shawn

Here’s another “installation” (Geniuses can not be bothered with proper terminology) of “Hey Genius,” my effort to get great ideas out into the world. Kudos to the folks at Pet Airways for picking up the idea in “Hey Genius” Part 1. And the same to all the Etsy puppet masters who are stitching away at couplepuppets.com, aka “Hey Genius” Part 2.

How, it’s your turn. Watch this 2-minute video, complete with a hot t-shirt model and a devout demonstrator and then, you can go make me my Pete Townsend watch. Say it together, people. “Who?”

- Shawn

Hey Tweeps! Check out the MD on Twitter: twitter.com/askthemd

From the desk of VP of Content, Kat…

Dearest Amy,

There’s no better way to say “I love you but not in that way” like a brief letter that can be read by the general public.

Like a great library, you’re a community hallmark. You’re can solve almost any great office mystery, like “where are the keys to the vehicle?” or “who ate all of the taquitos?” 

Thanks for being such a great asset to the station – and of course, a great friend!

Hamburgers could not express how much I love you.

- Kat

Not to get all medieval on you, but it is a dark day in Mountain Town. Today, we say goodbye to our beloved King Of The Mountain host Amy, AKA AmyTooCute, AKA DJ Supportstockings. Amy is graduating from UW next month and taking her vast talents over to the folks at Bumbershoot. (curse you @bumbershoot_jen!)

If you have ever won a prize from The Mountain, been to a Mtn Music Lounge, concert, or Mtn event, you’ve met our Amy. And if you’ve met her… well, you know she’s not easily forgotten.

DJ Hotstockings, SuperIntern Kat, and World’s Greatest Dog Charlie Trout want to thank Amy for her hard work and attention to detail that included but was not limited to: photographing iPods, cakes, and CDs; dancing on demand; deciphering my cryptic emails; studio delivery of vanilla-vanilla Trophy Cupcakes; cleaning up messes (mine & Charlie’s); being beaten in tennis; finding room for my personal guests in Music Lounges; managing DJ Hotstocking’s ego; shopping for gifts; not wearing pants; and loving Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head.

Here are a few Amy highlights:

Lifeguard Amy & DJ Hotstockings (on a typical work day)

Amy ensures DJ Hotstockings does not get poisoned (on a typical work day)

Amy models and poses with celebrities (on a typical work day)

And finally, Amy and her 3rd favorite dog, Charlie Trout.

We love you Amy! We will miss you.

Follow Amy’s new life on Twitter! She’s @ame_less.

- Shawn

You’d think I would learn, but instead, I’ve decided that my new motto is “hugs are us” and by us I mean me and DJ Hotstockings. Come to Seattle and we are going to hug you. Period. Ham-demic be damned.

Here’s Ben Lee getting hugged and speaking about his nuptials. He married the ever so lovely Ione Skye, the actress at the receiving end of John Cusack’s “In Your Eyes” moment.

Of course, Ben couldn’t get away without a visit to the lounge… You can hear his set from the Carter Subaru Mountain Music Lounge here.
- Shawn

Meet Rocco Deluca, guitar god and good sport. His new album “Mercy” lives up to its title. It’s big and intense and forgiving all at once. He dropped by for his third visit into the lounge and I accosted him. Who needs mercy now??

The MD has been flagged for these inappropriate activities:

1. Excessive use of hugging
2. Personal questions about the greatest producer of all time
3. Borderline Stalker Personality
4. Creating discomfort (see above)
5. Monopoizing artist’s time

- Shawn