RON SWARNER: HOW TO MAKE A ROBOT OUT OF PLASTIC BOTTLES >>>

Here is the first episode of Tacoma artist Joe Kephart's Wicked Art Show.

The Wicked Art Show from Joseph Kephart on Vimeo.

Now I know how to make a robot out of plastic bottles. This is good to know.

TAMMY ROBACKER: GRAND IMPROMPTU INTERPRETS DARWIN >>>

A family tree of area artists has sprouted an inventive show at the Grand Impromptu Gallery. Evolutionary Tales is a provocative and unique exhibit of South Sound artists interpreting Darwin’s theory of evolution and other scientific contributions to advance humanity. Join the artists and studio owners for a party as they commemorate Charles Darwin’s 200th birthday at their gallery in the Merlino Arts Center on Thursday, Feb. 12.

As Darwin Day descends upon us, the ongoing debate between creationism and evolution still continues all these decades later. Grand Impromptu’s artists offer their own corporeal perceptions on evolution, Darwin’s science and even spirituality. Mirroring the Darwinian concept of phylogeny â€" that all forms of life are related to one another genealogically through pedigree or "family's roots” â€" the Grand Impromptu Gallery developed the show by selecting their own family line of artists to celebrate his birthday and reveal the evolutionary process of their artistic selections and work.

“This show houses a diverse body of works. Many of these pieces explore Darwin’s ideas, theories and even his life. Since his birthday is this month, we thought it was important (to) show a rich artistic interpretation of his science,” says Dorothy McCuistion, gallery co-owner and lithograph artist.

While many of the artists are locally rooted in the Tacoma, Olympia and Peninsula areas, all 46 artists are Washington state residents. Each one contributed a piece that specifically interprets Charles Darwin or his scientific theory that populations evolve over generations through natural selection. The theory of evolution was controversial in Darwin's time and remains controversial in the United States today. 

From marble sculpture to Sumi watercolors, the Grand Impromptu Evolutionary Tales show exhibits how the power of Darwin’s idea may not be popular with the big bang theorists, but indeed, it has changed the world.

[Grand Impromptu Gallery, Thursday, Feb. 12, 5-8 p.m., 608 S. Fawcett, Tacoma, 253.572.9232]

LINK: ViVA South Sound arts and entertainment calendar

Photo: Darwin’s Dream, monotype on Rives BFK: photocopy lithography, draw-through, chine colle, 22” x 32”, 2009, by Dorothy McCuistion

BOBBLE TIKI: BREAKFAST WITH BOBBLE TIKI >>>

Is President Obama scaring the crap out of us into supporting the $800 billion-plus bailout bill? WashTimes has the skinny on the unpresidentialness of “doom” rhetoric.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department says it will stop investigating crimes at state-owned facilities in the county due to time and money. Bikini barista robbers beware.

Can’t believe that in the year 2009, they’re still playing the Pro Bowl.

On a night where collaborations of all types were the norm, all you really need to know about last night's Grammys is that Robert Plant & Alison Krauss cleaned up, Jennifer Hudson cried, and Chris Brown got arrested.

Caffé Latte? Caffé-a-lot is more like it. Yes, the South Sound loves its coffee, and nobody knows that better then Starbucks, the unstoppable coffee magnate that has turned small into "tall" and made venti ... well, venti. Starbucks is trying to be more recession-friendly. It has announced $3.95 breakfast pairings â€" “a tall latte and an oatmeal or a slice of reduced-fat cinnamon swirl coffee cake” beginning March 3.

Here's a fat kid on a slip 'n' slide:

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: CAMPBELL HEADS NORTH >>>

It is no shock to anyone in the South Sound's theater scene that Tacoma Little Theatre continues to struggle after its staffing purge of a year ago and a few decisions that weren't well thought out before that.

Times are not good there. But there is hope. One great sign that the theater is seriously on the mend is that it has hired Scott Campbell as its new managing artistic director.

I admire this guy. He had been the associate managing artistic director at Lakewood Playhouse for the past six years, where he worked under another great guy, Marcus Walker.

Prior to working in live theater, Campbell worked as a television producer, director, and writer and as a communications consultant.  He is also the winner of two Emmy awards.

LINK: The Crucible now playing at TLT

LINK: Izenmania's take on TLT

LINK: Catch a play this week

He is a community minded guy, with an artist's heart and a developer's mind. I expect great things from him. Get ready to be awed. But it might take a while for him to undo the mess others created for him to clean up. But he can do it.

PAUL SCHRAG: FINDING PASSION WITH WARM PIE ON VINYL >>>

These days it’s more appropriate to take your beloved to Olive Garden for some ravioli than it is to spend the evening in a cold, empty diner reading Pablo Neruda, eating warm pie and drinking coffee. There was a time when romance happened in dark corners, between people who were so in love they didn’t care where they were. These days, folks are more likely to spend Valentine’s Day feeling guilty that they couldn’t get a table at El Gaucho than being simply in love, somewhere senseless.

In the spirit of visceral romance, I suggest dining at the Southern Kitchen Restaurant on Valentine’s Day in hopes that you will spend the day feeling in love and being present â€" instead of waiting in the lobbies of places that aren’t nearly as impressive as a solid kiss or a good conversation.  

Southern Kitchen isn’t new, but it doesn’t get its due as a romance spot. If you’re going there anyway, leave work early, change into something comfortable and warm, and go to the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory at Wright Park. It’s open only until 4:30 p.m., so get there by 4:15. This time of year you’ll walk into a sea of cinerarias, hyacinths, cyclamen, tulips, orchids, clivias and azaleas in so many gorgeous colors that you’ll forget where you are.

Then head to Southern Kitchen, which is just up the street. The menu is dripping with soul food favorites â€" from fried okra to Cajun catfish. There is something amazing about walking through a flimsy screen door and seating yourself at a nondescript, laminate-top table while the owner Gloria Martin wipes the counter and talks to customers. I highly recommend the fried frickin’ chicken. It will haunt you with its sublime blend of smokin’ spices and downright nasty crisp outer layer. Not skin but outer layer. You can choose three sides from real mashed taters, homemade mac ‘n’ cheese, collard greens, black-eyed peas, red beans and rice, buttered corn, cornbread dressing, fried okra and candied yams, which have the perfect hint of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.

If you can still breathe, split some of their award-winning peach cobbler.

[Southern Kitchen Restaurant, 1716 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.4282]

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

Since King Solomon’s Reef in Olympia is out of action due to a fire, where else should one spend Valentine’s Day that off the beaten path?

MATT DRISCOLL: A-ROD IS A SCHMUCK. WHAT ELSE IS NEW >>>

Remember the good ol' days of Alex Rodriguez, when the talented and young ballplayer called Seattle home, and the potential of his just beginning career seemed limitless?

I don't.

Nope. Alex Rodriguez has long since erased any good will most baseball fans held for him. The ridiculous contracts and obvious greed hurt him. Diddling Madonna (who's old enough to be his mom) didn't help. And last week's Sports Illustrated story revealing the infielder with the frosted tips used steroids while with the Texas Rangers may have sealed his fate.  At the very least if forced him to admit his mistake.

Will this be the end of A-Rod? Will fans ever forgive the dreamboat ballplayer?

Probably not, as Tom Marchman of Slate points out today.

RON SWARNER: FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS TRIFECTA >>>

Band manager Murray has scored a third show for Bret and Jemaine in Seattle. Flight Of The Conchords have added a May 13 show at the Paramount Theatre. The $35.50 tickets are on sale now at tickets.com.

LINK: Previously on Spew

STEPH DEROSA: PESTO PASTA SALAD >>>

Price: $9.99
Rating: Three out of four croutons
 

I was having a hard time finding quality salad for less than 10 bucks that didn’t involve sliced lunchmeat. Fortunately Tacomachicakadee, my new lunchtime gal pal, steered me in the direction of Capers in downtown Tacoma. Although I hear their Caesar and house salad are surprisingly delish, it was their daily special that drew me in.

Description: Strips of tender grilled chicken prop themselves atop pesto-tossed ziti pasta and fresh spinach. Glazing the faultless leaves of spinach is a creamy balsamic dressing and pieces of delicately shaved Parmesan cheese. Best part of it all: No croutons.

Taste: Anyone could easily tell this salad is entirely homemade. It doesn’t take too close of a look to find pieces of just-cut basil inside Capers’ homemade pesto wrapped around wonderful al dente pasta. A light amount of creamy balsamic dressing barely hides itself in every bite, making me stumble as I try to guess the dressing’s ingredients. As a special treat, almost like a dessert within the meal, you can pick a piece of that shaved Parmesan I mentioned earlier and let it rest upon your tongue and melt away in your mouth.

Conclusion: This salad has all the food group elements. Or at least the food groups I care about in my lunchtime salad. There’s fresh lettuce, tender meat, robust flavor (or “flavour” for all you Canadian readers), and varying texture to stimulate my tongue. I love being able to write about these delicious salads. I get to use the word “tongue” repeatedly without anyone second guessing my perverted intentions.

Dressing on the Side
Top sayings that need to cease:

1. Git ‘R’ Done
2. Don’tcha Know?
3. (Not Sayin’) Just Sayin’
4. Anything where an “izz” is inserted within the word, or a “z” at the end
5. Seacrest OUT
6. Diva, Rock Star, Porn Star, Bling, Pimped
7. We’re pregnant

[Capers, 701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.2240]

LINK: Wine and beer tastings