MATT DRISCOLL: SANFORD AND SON HAS THE SPIRIT >>>

At the urging of Sanford and Son owner and Tacoma icon Alan Gorsuch, I headed down to his shop this afternoon. He told me there was something I really needed to see.

And boy was he right.

You could call it a "dead Christmas tree lot," or some seriously funny shit, but either way Alan - and, of course his wife Cheryl - have one hell of a holiday spectacle going, and all are invited to revel.

A grouping of perhaps twenty dead and wilted Christmas trees sits in front of Sanford and Son. Some of the trees are decorated with themes, such as the "shaken Barbie syndrome tree," and some are just sad and deceased. All of them are there because Gorsuch - who says Cheryl has banished him to sleeping on the couch for this stunt, and who wasn't letting his Santa costume stop him from enjoying a Corona when I stopped by  - knows how to stir the pot. He also knows how to get people's attention, which is exactly what his dead trees are doing.


Is it art? Alan's not sure. But if it's not art, it's definitely something.

The Sanford and Son dead Christmas tree lot has been up and going since yesterday, and according to the Gorsuchs they'll be back at it tomorrow. After Sunday, your only other chance to see the magic will be at next weekend's Winterfest, where Alan and his trees have been invited to join in the festivities.

Now you know. If you get a chance, this is a very Tacoma event, and very worthy of a few moments of your attention. Seriously. If you don't believe me, allow these photos to persuade you.