FILL 'ER UP >>>

The South Sound has been on a slow crawl toward a food truck culture downtown. Permanent taco trailers are scattered here and there. A mobile food court in downtown Olympia officially opened in the summer of 2011. Moveable Feasts, a pop-up food truck festival, saw long lines this past summer at Cheney Stadium. Last month, Lumpia World parked outside UW Tacoma.

As of September another meal on wheels joined the ranks, brought to you by Nate Daep and Melanie Querubin. Big Boys Filipino Food Truck delivers compelling and flavorful Filipino inspired cuisine in Puyallup.

On the cusp of Milton and Puyallup, Big Boys sits in a lot next to a Chevron station on Stewart Road S.W. It's a busy strip of traffic with loads of commuters and truckers zipping by, hard to pull out into traffic during rush hour windows but well worth a visit.

Big Boys serves up Filipino fusion flavors in sandwich and burrito form stuffed with hash browns, egg, cheese, a secret sauce (not ketchup, not mayo, perhaps something in between) and a meat or your choice: bacon, sausage, beef, Spam and longanisa. Longanisa, for those unaware, is a sausage-like patty with a delectable salty sweet flavor marinated in Filipino spices. It may be my new favorite meaty go-to. The longanisa packed loads of flavor between ooey-gooey cheesy bites with the salty sweet meat and piping hot egg. The bun was a divine Pandesal bread, a sweet bread, toasted to perfection.  Though built with breakfast staples like egg and hash browns, these sandwiches are good any time of day.

I also opted for a crispy chicken jalapeño popper sandwich. Ka-pow! Talk about a flavor explosion. It packed a spicy punch with sliced jalapenos, cheese, fresh mixed greens and their special sauce served on the same Pandesal bun.

While only a month old, the little food truck has been gaining popularity using Facebook and word of mouth as a vehicle of spreading tasty rumors. I think the congenial crew with its big personality adds to the experience.

BIG BOYS FILIPINO FOOD TRUCK, HOUR VARY (CHECK FACEBOOK), 174 STEWART ROAD SW, PACIFIC

RUNNING HORSES AND TROMPE L'OEIL PAINTINGS >>>

A friend posted a photo on Facebook this morning. It was a sculpture of two horses mounted on the wall in such a way to create the impression that they were coming out of the wall in a powerful burst of motion. The form of the horses was skeletal, a mass of open-weave flowing lines like bones and muscles and the horses' flowing manes but no skin. The viewer sees into and through the horses much like those by Deborah Butterfield - the primary difference being that Butterfield's horses are static and these horses by Sayaka Ganz are depicted as in fast motion. Of the hundreds and hundreds of horses she has created, nearly every one stands in an almost identical position as if reaching his head down to munch on hay.

I saw a few Butterfield horses at Greg Kucera Gallery a few years back, and I was suitably impressed. But this morning while perusing a page filled with images of her horse sculptures I quickly grew bored.

Ganz's horses are dynamic. The forms and lines are free-flowing, lyrical and dramatic. My only criticism is that they may be a little too romantic and fanciful. Given time I suspect I might get bored with them as well. But here's the interesting thing: the comments on my friend's Facebook post were all about the movement and the smoothly flowing lines. Nobody even bothered to mention the fact that the sculptures were made out of recycled plastic utensils - knives, forks, spoons, colanders and spatulas, a veritable garbage heap of used kitchen ware.

I love that nobody mentioned that. I get rather disgusted at times when people rave over how clever it is that an artist can make art out of odd found materials. Granted, it takes a certain amount of skill, in some cases a huge amount of skill. And it's nice when waste material can be put to use as art rather than tossed in the landfill. But that's not what art is about. Art is about the emotions and the ideas expressed and about the aesthetic arrangement of shapes and colors. At least the people commenting on Ganz's sculpture were talking about the artistic quality of the work and not just how cool it was that it was made out of plastic utensils.

My disgust with people who gush over recycled art without consideration of the artistic merits of the work is equaled only by my disgust with people who gush over photo-realistic paintings regardless of any merits or lack thereof of anything other than how "real" it looks. I can admire the technical skill, but that's not what art is about.

It used to be called trompe l'oeil, a French phrase meaning fool the eye. The phrase comes from the baroque period (around 1600), and it was a kind of visual trickery or optical illusion created by a combination of deep perspective and smooth modeling of light and shadow. In the hands of giants like Carravagio it was art of the highest order. In the hands of many others it was trickery and nothing more.

Since the 1960s a lot of American realists have painted what came to be known as photo-realist art, a form of trompe l'oeil. Probably the best of these is Phillip Pearlstein who paints nudes in interior scenes. Pearlstein has referred to himself as an abstract artist because even though his nudes look strikingly realistic his major concern is the arrangement of forms on a flat surface - pure abstraction.

I recently discovered a local painter of ultra-realistic scenes who may warrant attention. His name is Charles Salak. He lives in Gig Harbor and his work is currently included in a group show at Pierce College Puyallup. I have seen only a handful of his paintings and those only in photographs, so I can't judge them, but at least one of them, "Orange Still Life" rivals some of the best still life paintings from the baroque era in both composition and richness of color. It would be nice to think that he could be another Pearlstein, but I will withhold judgment until I get to see more.

ONLINE CHATTER >>>

Yesterday's comment of the day came from artist Becky Knold in response to Weekly Volcano art critic Alec Clayton's column describing various shows around the South Sound, including the Fall Invitation Exhibition at Pierce College's Puyallup campus.

Knold writes,

Thanks for the write-up. I'm pleased to be included in the Pierce College Fall Invitational Exhibition. The small Gallery space there sits in the cavernous, yet soaring, light-filled space of the new Allied Arts Bldg on the campus. A fine place to view art. Particularly enjoyed meeting fellow Olympian artist, Barlow Palminteri. Show's up until Dec.15!

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28 2012 >>>

1. No one knows for sure when the first Paleolithic cave-dweller stuck a wholly mammoths tail in crushed-up berries and began painting stick figures on the wall of his rocky abode, but you can bet the market value of the neighboring caves instantly went up. Nothing gentrifies a neighborhood, for better or worse, like the addition of a group of freewheelin' artists. Join Arts Leadership Lab from 6-8 p.m. at The New Frontier Lounge for a panel discussion and question and answer time exploring what live/work space is, some of the issues and benefits related to artist live/work spaces, how it can be done sustainably and affordably, ways to use/reuse Tacoma's current architectural assets, and other related topics. Want to inject a little life into your urban blight? Bring in a bunch of artists.

The Weekly Volcano bets the men out there are happy the Victorian Country Christmas opens this morning at 10:30 a.m. We're sure the reminders from the better halves have been tiresome that the largest Christmas festival in the Pacific Northwest was coming up. By the way, if guys are forced to watch the Red Hat Day fashion show Thursday, and sit through the Cinderella Scholarship Pageant Showcase, the show organizers could at least provide a few amenities. The Weekly Volcano's official recommendation is a keg every 15 feet, just to keep up morale. And if alcohol is deemed too negative an influence on children, how about the strolling carolers dressed a little more like Victoria's Secret models?

3. Parents and Friends for Tacoma Public Schools will meet at 6:30 p.m. inside King's Books. The meeting's agenda will include a review of election results and how they may impact education, explore areas of interest to form committees and learn more about the Tacoma Public Schools' Bond campaign.

4. The University of Puget Sound will host an open figure drawing session from 6-9 p.m. in Kittredge Hall 201.  The session is free and open to the public. 

5. Author Aaron Dixon will discuss his new book, My People Are Rising: Memoir of a Black Panther Party Captain at 6 p.m. inside Orca Books. Dixon dedicated his life to the struggle for change, founding the Seattle chapter of the Black Panther Party in 1968 at age 19.

LINK: Wednesday, Nov. 28 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area

Barring any new Movember drunken people donning mustaches photos, the Weekly Volcano is going to use the holiday as an excuse to take a rare day off. So, please people, for our sake, dig out that ol' music box that plays "Born Free," open a new doughnut shop or start your own Pacific Avenue Streetscape Project.

And we totally want photos of your family's fight to the death over who has the damn Tupperware. The Weekly Volcano knows every year someone brings Tupperware to collect leftovers and every effing year it disappears.

We'll all see you back here tomorrow for 5 Things To Do, The Weekend Hustle and other glorious posts.

Remember: baste often.

LINK: Movies

I, Cream Puff, am often misunderstood. Doughnuts can get in the way. They're insincere. They aren't authentic. But they're pastries, too. I know that. I know, in some ways, they're pastries as much as I am. Just flour, yeast and sugar. Lord, how many times I've heard that snickered at me. Being a Cream Puff is the loneliest, strangest thing. Oh, I apologize. I'm all worked up. Another doughnut joint is opening up in the area. Apparently Epic Donuts is opening on Puyallup's South Hill early next month. The owners are Tom and Erin Dobrinski, South Hill residents, who plan to sell "The Tastiest Treats in the Galaxy" including donuts, coffee, hot chocolate, and a variety of sodas and juices.

Great.

FOOD NETWORK VS THE SOUTH SOUND >>>

There's been some excitement buzzing around the South this week about a certain 1967 Chevy Camaro SS Convertible cruising through Tacoma, Puyallup and Olympia. Not because it's a sexy hue of red and hot, but rather it sports the license plate FLVRTWN.

Wait.

Guy Fieri - champion of season two's Next Food Network Star, and host of the Food Network series Guy's Big Bite AND the ever-popular Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives - has been known to appear in one such vehicle.

Yup.

Fieri and the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives crew spent the last week interviewing, eating and hugging the South Sound.

Nearly two months ago Chef Charlie McManus learned Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives was interest in the neighborhood pub he and his partner, Jacqueline Plattner, transformed from a beloved breakfast joint then semi-beloved steak joint into their street-food slinging, buttermilk fried chicken cookin', craft cocktail pouring Crown Bar on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue.

Then nothing. Nil. Not a peep from food-centric producers. The word out of food central was as dark as the paint on the Murray Morgan Bridge.

TGIFood Channel. Word came the preceding Friday the show's crew would be arriving Sunday, Oct. 28. McManus and his fellow chef spent that Sunday in the kitchen preparing dishes for close-up shots; Monday, producers filmed crowd responses while long-time cheerful Crown employees Chelsea and Kevin darted between cameras; Fieri dropped Thursday sharing his humor, appetite and amped-up rasp of a voice with McManus and crew.

After the Crown Bar, the cast and crew jumped into the convertible and drove down the street to Dirty Oscar's.

Though almost neighbors, both "dive"(?) bars prove that approachable ambiance and comfort does not equate to having to serve up traditional bar grub. As a matter of fact both establishments use adventurous ingredients and unconventional flair to make dishes anything but what one expects from bar bites.

Chef Aaron Grissom of Dirty Oscar's tells me of Fieri that the guy has a sense of humor. Boys will be boys after all and jesterly behavior is expected in a kitchen. Fieri was no exception. If you've every viewed the show Fieri's playfulness and exuberance is not merely showmanship.

After Dirty Oscar's, Fieri headed toward Puyallup to Crockett's Public House for pub style nibbles. Crockett's posted photos on Facebook of its Diners, Drive Ins and Dives entrees - including its signature Public House Meatballs.

After a stint at Tacoma's Bruno's European Cafe for authentic German cuisine, the convertible drove south for visits with Fish Tale Brew Pub and Darby's Café in downtown Olympia.  At Darby's someone may have overheard some talk about Oysters Creole, though one of its many vegan delights as a feature wouldn't surprise me. The tiny café has quite the selection for the non-meat eaters.

Word on the street is the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives crew whooped it up once filming finished. Apparently some South Sound fans died and went to Food Network groupie heaven.

During all of the filming and noshing Fieri made time to do some good by making an appearance at Saint Martin's Gala, held in Lacey's Saint Martin's University, where he hosted a black tie auction with proceeds benefiting student's scholarship funds. Fieri also met with soldiers and culinary specialists at Madigan Army Medical Center.

Though no date has been announced you can expect the show to be featured in the spring with a start of a new Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives season.

Pappi Swarner contributed to this story.

SAD >>>

The Weekly Volcano walked past the now closed O'Henry Sports Bar on River Road in Puyallup and the only item left inside – right inside the front window - has been captured in the above photograph.

Purdy Good Pickles

Watch out, pickle aficionados. There's another local pickle option to put on your radar. Purdy Pickle Company has hit the scene with a selection of pickled items made with local and organic ingredients.

Owners Sis LaVigne and Gail Reed started Purdy Pickle in March of 2011. Both avid organic gardeners, they have been canning and pickling for a combined total of more than 50 years. After finding themselves unsatisfied with the lack of organic preserved foods, they created their business using recipes handed down from Gail's mother that have been in her family for generations.

"People have a nostalgic connection with our products," Sis and Gail told me. "They are different from other pickles because we buy our organic produce from local Washington farmers."

That's not the only thing that makes Purdy Pickles different. Besides their sweet, spicy and dill pickles, they also sell their popular pickled beets, onions, carrots and relish. The pickled beets are their biggest seller and have a complex spiced, tart and sweet flavor.

You can find Purdy Pickle Company products at Tacoma Food Co-op, Harbor Greens, The Pacific Northwest Shop and the Proctor, Puyallup and Gig Harbor Farmers Markets, as well as on their website, purdypickle.com. They will also be at the Tacoma Farmers Markets as soon as they open. 

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012 >>>

1. If local boy done good Donald Glaude is spinning in Tacoma that means it's either Christmas or an Ocean Grooves anniversary. Happy 13^th anniversary Ocean Grooves. It's hard to tell who is having a more time of your life experience - the crowd or Lakewood-raised now internationally famed DJ Glaude. He has an intoxicating energy about him. It's contagious. His lust for life shines on his face. Is that pure joy we see when a particularly tasty beat mixes lushly with an incoming track and fans voice appreciation for the talent it takes to make that magic happen with deafening cheering and dancing, dancing, dancing? Pure joy indeed. Joining the Ocean Grooves house music explosion with Glaude will be, of course, DJ dAb and Omar, as well as Mr. Clean beginning at 10 p.m. inside Encore Boutique Nightclub.

2. The Puyallup Spring Fair opens at 2 p.m. today for a four-day run. Organizers say that this year's edition, while shorter than its late summer edition, is crammed with more attractions than ever. For urbanites who need convincing, here's a handy checklist: Monster Trucks Friday, demolitions Saturday-Sunday, Rock U interactive music exhibit, Northwest Jr. Rodeo, Dock Dogs water jumping NASCAR race with an authentic simulator, Fiesta Mexicana, rides, fried foods and more. Go ahead: Leave your laptop behind, shimmy into that old pair of Wranglers, pull on those dusty cowboy boots, slap on a 10-gallon hat and prepare to spend yourself a day - or four - at this year's wingding.

3. "It's always the last place you look," people say about lost objects. Well, of course it is. As some comedian from decades ago (probably David Brenner) used to say, you wouldn't continue to search for something once you've found it. Sheesh. Anyway, the Tap into T-Town folks will make looking for hidden items fun Saturday, June 2 with a benefit scavenger hunt throughout downtown Tacoma. Afterward, you and your teammates (the hunting is done in groups of four) are invited back to the starting line at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center for a reception, and if you were very, very good at sniffing things out, an award might await. Team pre-registration sign up for the Tap into T-Town scavenger hunt is tonight from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Office Bar and Grill in downtown Tacoma. The Office will serve specials during the sign-up. Tonight's an awesome opportunity to meet other participants and strategize with your team. 

4. Riding a wave of positive vibes, the Third Thursday ArtWalk ART BUS is back this month with more art venue stops, launching from the Tacoma Art Museum at 6 p.m. The April bus is partnering with the local poetry community to celebrate National Poetry Month. Its celebrity guest tour guides are poet laureates and the VIP riders ($20, instead of $10) will receive a free, limited edition poetry booklet with poems from local poets about galleries, culture, writing and the muse. Each one is handcrafted, signed and numbered by local artist and writer, Maria Chong Gudaitis. Two buses will hit the street visiting 253 Collective, Wright Park Observatory, B2 Fine Art Gallery, A Touch of Magick, Anew Thyme, Brick House Gallery, Embellish Multispace Salon, City Grocer, Grassi's Garden Café, Merlino Arts Center, Nine Lives Vintage Wears, Throwing Mud Gallery, The Social and The Swiss. Remember, art is in the eye of the bus rider.

5. Baseball may no longer be the "national pastime" if judged by TV ratings. Judged by the quantity and quality of writing it inspires, however, baseball is still the champ. Paul Dickson is author of several mammoth baseball books including the indispensable Dickson Baseball Dictionary. His latest book, Bill Veeck: Baseball's Greatest Maverick, will be released in late April. Dickson will discuss his books, and sign autographs, at 7 p.m. inside the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch, as part of the Tacoma Reads Together campaign to read and discuss the W. P. Kinsella's classic baseball novel, Shoeless Joe.

BONUS EVENT: Do you love Bob's Java Jive? Do you like wearing bunny ears? Join the bunch of weirdos at 8 p.m. for the "Bad Bunny" Java Jive Appreciation Night party at the historical tavern. Yes, there will be usual karaoke. Yes, there will be cheap beer. Yes, one guy will dress up as the rabbit from Donnie Darko and rap "Lose Yourself."

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: South Sound happy hours