Marketed as the first business-to-business marijuana trade show in the nation, CannaCon Northwest seemed like any other trade show, with vendors of insurance, swag bags of T-shirts and hats and small business owners swapping business cards.

“It’s like any home and garden show,” organizer Bob Smart said. “Except no home and garden.”

Vendors showcased lighting systems, soil samples, marijuana-related products and business services as well as breakout seminars on legal issues and business practices in the industry that was made legal with the passage of Initiative 502 that legalized recreational marijuana use. There were more suits and ties than tie-dye shirts and no Bob Marley ballads piped through the speaker system.

“This is a business show about a business,” Smart said.

Only business owners were allowed into the first day of the four-day show, while members of the general public were allowed to walk the aisles Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Like any industry, it has its own trade publication.

David Tran publishes Dope Magazine, a glossy monthly publication that concentrates on marijuana-related articles that range from recipes to reviews, methods of testing potency and maximizing yield. The three-year-old magazine has a circulation of 30,000, mostly in Washington, Oregon and Colorado.

Some of the harder-hitting articles deal with tips on business practices for this young industry since there is a flood of people joining what some call “the next gold rush.” Tran shakes his head as he predicts that many of the newcomers will fail.

“You must be a good businessperson, like in any other industry,” he said. “Anyone can open a business, and a lot of people are jumping in who have no idea what they are doing. Those people are going to get weeded out.”

The trade show came as the first of Tacoma’s retail marijuana shops opened their doors, while the nearby city of Fife is headed to court to fight to uphold its ban against retail marijuana shops within city limits. The city is expected to argue that allowing retail pot shops would violate federal law, which still lists marijuana as an illegal drug. That designation, the city contends, means the state law allowing marijuana sales is invalid.

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office and the American Civil Liberties Union are challenging that contention since state voters approved the retail sales of marijuana products in 2012. A hearing for a summary judgment by Pierce County Superior Court Judge Vicki Hogan is set for Aug. 29.

The first question for Hogan to decide will be whether I-502 overrides local zoning rules and requires local governments to allow marijuana businesses. An Attorney General’s opinion on the matter issued in January concedes the initiative doesn’t force cities to allow retail pot businesses but the reasoning behind a city’s ban can’t be based on a legal argument that states federal law trumps local laws on such matters.

“We are intervening in this case to ensure that Washington’s marijuana law goes forward as the voters intended when they adopted it,” said Alison Holcomb, ACLU of Washington criminal justice director and the author of I-502, the state’s marijuana law. “Federal law does not preempt our state’s marijuana law, nor can individual cities opt out of state law.”

Military personnel and those who support them took to the streets on Saturday, Aug. 16, for the second Celebrating Military Service Parade put on by the Daffodil Festival in conjunction with the City of Tacoma.

Pierce County serves as home to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, one of the largest joint bases in the country, as well as one of the most prominent employers of the county, with more than 44,000 active military members on base. With the local veterans organizations and families of soldiers adding onto the military population of Pierce County, there are plenty of men and women worth celebrating in the community.

Hence, the parade: a call to action, away from the casual philanthropy of supporting a cause from your couch cushions, to celebrating these men and women up close and personal on the streets of Tacoma.

Previous to last year’s inaugural Celebrating Military Service Parade, nearly 60 years had divided the downtown celebration from the area’s last military service parade. As last year’s efforts proved to be a resounding success, such a positive response from the community warranted a repeat of the festivities this year.

While the crowd didn’t swell to the size parade organizers might have liked to have seen, the presence of the parade in Tacoma was still enjoyed by all those who attended, with what police estimate to be about 2,500 to 3,000 attendees gathered at the heart of the parade.

The parade began at 6 p.m. at South 17th Street near Tollefson Plaza, traveling along Pacific Avenue, towards South 10th Street. Armored vehicles from Joint Base Lewis-McChord intermixed with convertibles touting celebrated officers, including this year’s parade grand marshal Brigadier General Oscar Hilman. Hilman retired from active duty in 2005 after 37 years in the military. As the third Filipino service member to advance to the rank of general, his last assignment was commanding the 81st Brigade, based at Camp Murray, south of Tacoma. Just 10 years ago, in 2004, he was responsible for taking the brigade to Iraq in the largest deployment of Washington National Guard troops since WWII. After leading so many, leading a parade proved to be pretty easy.

Featuring around 70 military units from around Western Washington, the parade shined a spotlight on those both in notable active duty, as well as retired military personnel, be they conveyed in marching units, community floats, bands, convertibles, motorcycle units, and military vehicles.

The Daffodil Festival Queen’s Float, normally used to display Daffodil Royalty through the annual Grand Floral Parade every Spring, was instead decked out in red, white and blue, and transporting a very different set of VIPs: servicemen and women who have been wounded in the line of duty.

2014 Daffodil Festival Queen Marissa Modestowicz joined several members of her Court in the parade; however, their attendance wasn’t heralded by a flashy float, the likes of which they’re used to arriving in. Instead, they carried the banners of fallen warriors alongside mothers, sisters, and family members who had lost loved ones in the military.

For 2014 Fife High School Princess Kayla McElligot, the cause being celebrated was one close to her heart. “My family has been in the service for as long as I can remember. We are one of the most patriotic families, and we have been for a while… it wasn't until 2011 when we were hit hard by the sacrifice a soldier makes.”

In fact, she attended Saturday’s festivities, not in regular Princess attire, but wearing a tee shirt honoring her fallen family member. “My cousin, Sgt. Alexander James Bennett was KIA in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. I remember the details the day we found out as if it happened just yesterday.”

“Having family who currently serve, a family member who lost his life to serve, and seeing so many people honor those who have served... it made my heart swell with gratitude.”

Other local festival participants included the Marysville Strawberry Festival and the Seattle Seafair Commodores, while the Seahawk’s mascot, Blitz, led the Blue Thunder drum line down Pacific Ave.

The Washington State History Museum was also open, with a display of World War collections in the exhibit “Seeds of Victory,” where a special presentation was given on the historical importance of the items presented, as well as activities for children and families, a gallery tour, WWI re-enactors, and a color guard presentation of the flag

An after-parade block party followed the festivities on Pacific Avenue from South 7th to 9th street, allowing parade-goers an up-close-and-personal experience with active-duty and retired military personnel and their vehicles, with local area restaurants open to the parade-goers, as well.

All in all, while the parade didn’t quite draw all the attention it would have wanted, those who took part in the festivities voiced a clear support for the many service members who call Pierce County home.

Join friends and family at Cheney Stadium for the 1st Annual First Responders softball game featuring local firefighters versus local policemen on Thursday, Aug. 28. Rainiers will present a trophy to the winning team. Tickets for the game are available for purchase the day of the event at the gate ($10) or for free after purchasing a first responders premium or regular ticket for the Tacoma Rainiers vs. Iowa Cubs game on Aug. 27. All ticket purchases will have $5 donated to the charity of choice of the firefighters side and the police side. Visit http://www.TacomaRainiers.com for Aug. 27 tickets.

Puyallup Tribal Police arrested a Washington’s Most Wanted fugitive early Saturday morning, Aug. 17. Derek Oatman had been on the run from King County Sheriff’s deputies since he was featured on WMW July 2. The 26-year-old had five warrants for his arrest for drugs and having a stolen car. One of those stemmed from an incident on Jan. 28, 2013 when Kent police responded to a 911 call about a man asleep with food in his hands inside a Burger King. Officers found Oatman in the driver’s seat of a car with the engine running and a small child in a car seat in the back. Oatman agreed to a field sobriety test, which he failed. Officers said they found a prescription bottle in his jacket containing 3.5 grams of black tar heroin. When asked about it, police said, Bateman laughed and said, “That’ ain’t mine. I found it.” He then said that he “bought it from some guy at Winco. He told me it was chocolate.” A blood test came back positive for heroin, morphine, benzodiazepines and opiates.

Oatman was arrested again the next month by Renton police for possession of meth and heroin with intent to distribute. Three months later, Renton police again arrested him for illegally having 20 tablets of Xanax. He also was accused of having a stolen motorcycle from Federal Way after crashing it and running from the accident.

Puyallup Tribal Police received information on Oatman’s whereabouts from a bail bonds agent, took him into custody and booked him into the Pierce County Jail. “I’m glad we could help apprehend this dangerous criminal,” said Joe Duenas, chief of the Puyallup Tribal Police Department. “It’s nice to have the help of outside agencies, including bail bondsmen who also work hard to help apprehend some of these folks.”

Be sure to watch “Washington’s Most Wanted” Fridays at 10:30 p.m. on Q13 FOX and 9:30 p.m. on Joe TV.

An important part of growing up is realizing that your parents aren’t the only ones that make the rules. An underage criminal caught shoplifting on 72nd Street on Aug. 17 found this out the hard way. After being caught trying to steal $7 worth of items, police questioned the suspect asking why they couldn’t get a hold of her mother. The criminal responded that she no longer lived with her mother, because she had to follow rules in that scenario, not quite realizing that rules also exist in the outside world, oftentimes with more serious consequences. The criminal was transported and booked into Remann Hall.

It should be clear to most people that police officers are different from your buddies who sit around smoking marijuana in your basement, but one criminal traveling on Schuster Parkway on Aug. 15 didn’t quite get this distinction. After police attempted to pull the suspect over for more than a mile, the officer approached the driver’s side window and immediately smelled both alcohol and marijuana. During the stop, the man continuously laughed, smiled and made jokes with the officer, while admitting he had both consumed alcohol and smoked marijuana earlier in the evening. After conducting DUI tests, the driver was arrested and booked into Fife Jail.

Compiled by Derek Shuck

ART QUILTS

American Art Company (1126 Broadway) is currently hosting the 12th annual Northwest Contemporary Art Quilt Exhibit. See a wide selection of quilts in many different styles and themes, all of which are intricate works of art amazing to behold. Show runs through Oct. 4.

FAMILY MARCH

Tacoma Ministerial Alliance presents its annual Family March on Aug. 30 in conjunction with the TMA Gospel extravaganza. Starting point is at Martin Luther King Jr. Way and 23rd Street at New Covenant Pentecostal Church. March begins forming at 9 a.m. and will commence at 10 a.m. Ending point is People’s Park, 900 MLK Jr., Way. Sponsored by Pacific Lutheran University Office of Admission. Bring the kids and come walk to build stronger families. Info: Rev. Dr. Purter at (253) 381-4549 or tmafamilymarch@gmail.com.

SUMMERPLAY 2014

The Changing Scene Theatre Northwest, in partnership with Tacoma Little Theatre, presents its 12th annual festival Summerplay 2014: A Festival of New Works, Aug. 22-30, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 24 at 2 p.m.; and Thursday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Summerplay 2014 is directed by Pavlina Morris and features world premieres each performance such as "Luck of the Irish" by Charlie Birdsell, "Life-Changing Email" by John C. Davenport, "Spring Cleaning" by Scott Gibson and more. Performances will be at Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 N. 'I' St. All tickets $14. For reservations, call (253) 272-2281 or purchase online at http://www.tacomalittletheatre.com.

VINTAGE BIKES

LeMay-America’s Car Museum (ACM) will host its third annual Vintage Motorcycle Festival, “The MEET at ACM” Aug. 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Held on ACM’s Haub Family Field, The MEET is expected to attract 450 vintage motorcycles and scooters from owners across the nation and will feature pre-1981 motorcycles; judged classes with an awards ceremony; used Bike Corral and Swap Meet; vendors offering apparel, bike accessories and restoration services; motorcycle brands offering new motorcycles for test rides; observed trials demonstration (motorcycle balance and control through varied terrain) by the Puget Sound Trialers Club; precision group formation demonstrations by the Tenino Motorcycle Frill Team; and more. The festival continues with a 70-mile, three-hour scenic ride for vintage and modern motorcycles and scooters that begins at ACM on Aug. 24 at 9 a.m. (registration opens at 8 a.m.) and finishes back at the museum with a barbecue lunch. Cost for participants is $15.

COURT C MEGASALE

A full weekend mega-sale will be happening at Court C Studios Aug. 22 and 23 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Aug. 24 from noon-4 p.m. featuring fabric, art, yarn, kimonos, painted furniture, books, jewelry, Mexican folk art, supplies, vintage stuff, art dolls, quilts, frames, clothing, and Fibers Etc. will be having their annual yarn sale. Address is off the corner of 7th Street and Opera Alley in downtown Tacoma between Broadway and St. Helens.

Seriously, what is the deal with Tacoma and festival planning? Last month, locals had to put their party plans together with Art on the Ave, Tacoma Pride and the Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival all going on at the same time; and last weekend heads were spinning with the possibilities again with Music and Art in Wright Park, the Opera Alley Block Party and McKinley Hill Street Fair all falling on Aug. 16, to name just a few. Fortunately, Tacoma Weekly managed to catch these three, and here's some of what we saw for those of you who didn't manage to clone yourselves over the weekend. Find a larger version of this gallery online at http://www.tacomaweekly.com.

Foss Waterway Seaport

705 Dock St.

Wed.-Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, noon-4 p.m.

Info: http://www.fosswaterwayseaport.org/

The mission of the Foss Waterway Seaport is to celebrate Tacoma's rich maritime heritage past, present and future. Located on the waterfront in a century-old wooden wheat warehouse, built for cargo arriving by rail and departing by sail ("where rails met sails") during the early years of Tacoma. The Foss Waterway Seaport is Puget Sound's premier maritime heritage, education and event center where families, students and entire communities come to discover, explore, work and play. The development partners of this project, the Foss Waterway Seaport and the Foss Waterway Development Authority, are dedicated to creating a venue that will continue to bring the downtown waterfront to life as a place for everyone.

All About Steam Weekend

Sat., Aug. 23 – Sun., Aug. 24

This weekend event will feature the Seaport's wonderful "steam" exhibit and is geared to area families and steam enthusiasts. The Northwest Steam Society will bring a collection of their steamers to moor at the Seaport's dock. The boat owners plan to share their steamers with museum guests. They will demo and explain how steam engines work, and be available to answer questions. The numerous steam whistle sounds coming from the event are sure to attract the curious. If you have never seen these delightful boats, now is the time to come to the Seaport. The group plans to race their boats on the Thea Foss Waterway (time TBA). Guests will also be able to go for a short cruise. For the younger generations, plan to purchase a steamboat kit. Build it and race it in our large pond located in the Seaport's parking lot. We will have many steam activities for kids of all ages.

Peek into Our Attic and Share Our Dream

The Seaport is a place where stories are told with artifacts gathered on extended loan. Our hands-on activities blend the history of our region's working waterfront with the science of Puget Sound's waterways. Many of our new exhibits will be linked to schools' social studies, history, science and economics curricula and state standards.

Balfour Dock Building Exhibit

Our building is the last remaining intact section of a continuous heavy timber frame warehouse that defined Tacoma’s waterfront for almost a century. The Balfour Dock Building Exhibit is a key exhibit in our permanent collection. The exhibit showcases the history of our building complete with a piece of the heavy timber truss that supported the original wharf. Learn more about our building's history while viewing this amazing structure.

Boats for all Occasions

See our wonderful collection of classic recreational boats in an exhibit called "Boats for all Occasions," which includes original Andrew Foss rowboats; Willits canoes: Faith, our Columbia gillnetter outfitted for youth boater education; hand-built small craft for cruising local waterways, and impeccably restored Poulsbo boats. Also included are a number of models from the Mosquito Fleet era.

Boat Shop

Our active Heritage Wooden Boat Shop allows Seaport volunteer boatbuilders to celebrate and preserve traditional maritime construction and craft.

Our boat shop provides: "Hot shop" activities for guests to observe when our Museum is open. A showcase for traditional maritime crafts and construction skills. Workshops by master boat builders who are part of the Seaport volunteer boat building team. Copies of historic vessels for the Seaport’s boat livery to be offered as rentals in the future. Opportunities to learn about restoring and maintaining boats and maritime artifacts. Volunteer opportunities are available for people at all skill levels.

Washington State History Museum

1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, WA 98402

Wed.- Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Info: http://www.washingtonhistory.org/

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum

Point Defiance Park, 5400 N. Pearl St.

Wed.-Sun., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Info: http://FortNisqually.org

Tacoma Art Museum

1701 Pacific Ave.

Wed.–Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)

http://www.tacomaartmuseum.org

Museum of Glass

1801 Dock St.

Wed.-Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun.,
noon-5 p.m.

Info: http://museumofglass.org

Slater Museum of Natural History (currently under renovation)

University of Puget Sound

1500 N. Warner St. #1088


slatermuseum@pugetsound.edu

Collins Memorial Library

University of Puget Sound

1500 N. Warner St

http://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/collins-memorial-library/

Scandinavian Cultural Center

Pacific Lutheran University

Hours: Sun. 1-4 p.m., Tue. and Wed. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Info: http://www.plu.edu/scancenter/

Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum

407 S. G St.

Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Info: http://www.rain.org/~karpeles/taqfrm.html

Foss Waterway Seaport

705 Dock St.

Wednesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.

Info: http://www.fosswaterwayseaport.org/

Buffalo Soldier Museum

1940 S. Wilkeson St.

Wed. and Sat., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Info: http://www.buffalosoldierstacoma.org

LeMay America’s Car Museum

2702 E. D St., Tacoma, WA 98421

Mon.-Sun., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Info: http://www.lemaymuseum.org/

JAZZBONES: Daniel Kirkpatrick & The Bayonettes, Kara Hesse, Whitney Monge (rock) 8 p.m., $10

B SHARP COFFEE: LAZ (spoken word) 7 p.m., NC, AA

GREAT AMERICAN CASINO: Grinder (dance) 9 p.m., NC

KEYS ON MAIN: Dueling pianos, 9 p.m., NC

MAXWELL'S: Lance Buller Trio (jazz) 7 p.m., NC

STONEGATE: Rockbot (live band karaoke) 9 p.m., NC

THE SWISS: Kry (rock covers) 9 p.m., $5-$10

TACOMA COMEDY: Kermet Apio (comedy) 8, 10:30 p.m., $15

UNCLE SAM'S: Law Dog Productions presents nine bands (rock) 8 p.m.

JAZZBONES: Randy Hansen (Jimi Hendrix tribute) 8 p.m., $10

B SHARP COFFEE: Kareem Kandi Band (jazz) 8 p.m., NC, AA

DOYLE'S: Champagne Sunday (folk, pop) 9:30 p.m., NC

GREAT AMERICAN CASINO: Grinder (dance) 9 p.m., NC

KEYS ON MAIN: Dueling pianos, 9 p.m., NC

PEOPLE’S PARK: Hilltop Street Fair featuring Peace Lutheran Choir, Deathbed Confessions, Dockyard Derby Dames and more (eclectic) 10 a.m., NC, AA 

STONEGATE: Real Time (dance) 9 p.m.

THE SWISS: The Hipsters (pop covers) 9 p.m., $5-$10

TACOMA COMEDY: Kermet Apio (comedy) 8, 10:30 p.m., $15

UNCLE SAM’S: Abate Luau featuring The Motors (rock) 8 p.m.

TACOMA COMEDY: Emo Phillips (comedy) 8 p.m., $20, 18+

DAWSON'S: Tim Hall Band (open jam) 8 p.m., NC

NEW FRONTIER: 40 Grit (bluegrass jam) 3 p.m., NC

THE SPAR: Anni Piper (blues) 7 p.m., NC

THE SWISS: Crazy Texas Gypsies (blues) 9 p.m., NC

B SHARP COFFEE: Creative Colloquy with Lucas Smiraldo (spoken word, literary) 7 p.m., NC, AA

GIG SPOT: Monday Mash-Up open mic and trivia, 8 p.m., NC, AA

JAZZBONES: Rockaroke (live band karaoke) 11 p.m., NC

NEW FRONTIER: Open mic comedy, 9 p.m., NC

JAZZBONES: Ha Ha Tuesday with host Ralph Porter (comedy) 8:30 p.m., $5

ANTIQUE SANDWICH CO.: Open mic, 6:30 p.m., $3, AA

DAVE'S OF MILTON: Jerry Miller (blues, rock) 7 p.m., NC

NEW FRONTIER: Open mic, 7 p.m., NC

STONEGATE: Leanne Trevalyan (acoustic open mic) 8 p.m., NC

JAZZBONES: The English Beat, The Georgetown Orbits, DJ Dubmatix (ska, rock, pop) 8 p.m., $25

DAWSON'S: Linda Myers Band (open jam) 8 p.m., NC

STONEGATE: Dave Nichols' Hump Day Jam, 8:30 p.m., NC

TACOMA COMEDY: Comedy open mic, 8 p.m., NC, 18+

TOWER BAR & GRILL: Michelle Beaudry (jazz guitar) 4:30 p.m.

THE SWISS: Barleywine Revue (bluegrass, country) 9 p.m., NC

CHARLEY'S: Blues jam with Richard Molina, 8 p.m., NC

DAWSON'S: Billy Shew Band (open jam) 8 p.m., NC

KEYS ON MAIN: Dueling pianos, 9 p.m., NC

NEW FRONTIER: Crater (rock) 9 p.m., $5

TACOMA COMEDY: Gabriel Rutledge (comedy) 8 p.m., $10, 18+

UNCLE SAM'S: Jerry Miller (blues, rock) 7 p.m., NC

BRING THE FAMILY TO 63rd ANNUAL BUSCH’S DRIVE-IN REUNION

The 63rd annual Busch’s Reunion will be held on Aug. 24 at Griot’s Garage, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day will be packed full of vintage cars, hot rods, customs and muscle cars looking their best, with car owners coming from far and wide to visit and talk all about their prized ride and good times at Busch’s. There will be music from the fabulous ‘50s, awards and everyone who registers, $15, will receive a commemorative dash plaque of Busch’s 1955 menu cover; a color copy, suitable for framing, of Mayor Marilyn Strickland’s official 2013 proclamation for Vintage Vehicle Appreciation Month in Tacoma; and the Aug. 15 Tacoma Weekly with its front page story on this summer’s historic National Street Rod Association appreciation day.

Known as the car cruising capital of the West Coast back in its heyday, Busch’s Drive-In was the place to be during the 1950s and to this day it remains a beloved icon for those who grew up during those carefree times. Back then students at Lincoln High School made Busch’s their home away from home, as on any given Saturday night it was commonplace to see teens in hot rods and customs from throughout the Northwest and Canada lined up at Busch’s, the largest drive-in north of San Francisco. Many of these youngsters continued their love of the automobile as serious experts in auto detailing and restoration. Even though this cruising hot spot is no more, and owners Bill and Thelma Busch have since passed away, their spirit and the great memories of Busch’s will be honored at the 63rd reunion. Bring the family and enjoy the summer day with friendly people and Tacoma’s great legacy as the cruising capital of the West Coast.

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS ‘STUFF THE BUS’ FOR STUDENTS

Communities In Schools of Tacoma will be hosting its 10th annual Stuff the Bus Campaign to collect school supplies for local students whose families struggle to afford them. On Thursday, Aug. 21, a big yellow school bus will visit many local businesses and organizations that are holding school supply drives at their workplace, they are asking their clients and vendor to collect donations. Community members will be sorting and stuffing backpacks on Friday, Aug. 22, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Baker Middle School.

This event will be one of several Communities In Schools back-to-school supply drives taking place around the country to help low-income families prepare for the new school year.

School supplies cost more than ever, according to the latest “backpack index,” recently released by Huntington Bank. The cost of equipping K-12 public school students for the 2014-2015 school year has jumped as much as 20 percent, says the Huntington study. And according to the National Retail Federation, total spending on back-to-school items is expected to reach $74.9 billion this year—up about 3 percent from $72.5 billion in 2013. (A downloadable infographic with highlights of the Huntington study can be found at http://www.communitiesinschools.org/about/publications/publication/backpack-index.

“We see far too many low income children coming to school without the proper tools to learn and strive. The simple act of giving a child what he or she needs to fully participate in school demonstrates the commitment to kids that our community cares about their future," said Teresa Maxwell, Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Tacoma.

According to the Huntington Backpack Index, parents can expect to pay:

$642 for elementary school children, an 11 percent increase compared to 2013

$918 for middle school children, a 20 percent jump compared to 2013

$1,284 for high school students, a 5 percent increase compared to 2013

“It has become irrefutably clear that poor students lag well behind their more affluent counterparts, even when the educational basics appear to be the same,” said Dan Cardinali, President of Communities In Schools, the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization. “We need to level the playing field and make sure that students get what they need to succeed, including school supplies, food, clothing, health and dental care, and other services such as counseling and academic assistance.”

Communities In Schools also offers the following tips to parents to offset the cost of school supplies:

Reuse folders, backpacks and other items from previous school years

Organize a swap with neighbors of new or gently used school supplies

See if donations are available from your school or local community organizations

Shop around and compare prices on goods at different retailers

A downloadable infographic highlighting these tips for parents can be found at http://www.communitiesinschools.org/about/publications/publication/back-school-shopping-tips.

Every 26 seconds, a young person in America drops out of school, resulting in a staggering 1.2 million student dropouts each year. Individuals who do not finish high school earn nearly $1 million less over a lifetime than college graduates. Each year’s dropouts will cost the nation billions in lost wages, taxes and productivity over their lifetimes. Much of this can be avoided through proven dropout prevention programs like CIS.

Learn more about CIS at http://www.communitiesinschools.org.

CATCH A RIDE TO THE FAIR AND HELP KIDS

The Washington State Fair opens at the Puyallup Fairgrounds on Sept. 5 and runs through Sept. 21. Let the Kiwanis Club help you get to the fair gates round-trip throughout the fair’s run. Follow the Kiwanis signs to the Best Western Hotel parking lot on South Hill every day of the fair. On Saturdays and Sundays you can also come to the Park-N-Ride lot on South Hill or the Goodwill lot on River Road. A van will be there to give you and your family a ride to the fair. A suggested donation of $5 per person or $10 per family is requested. Your donation will be used to help Kiwanis better serve our children, schools and community. Kiwanis thanks the Puyallup Elks and the Lions Club for their help and donated hours to provide this transport service.

ANNIE WRIGHT OFFERS YEAR-ROUND EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING PROGRAM

Annie Wright Schools has announced changes that impact the schools’ Early Childhood program for boys and girls, ages three to five. Beginning with the 2014-2015 academic year, pre-school and pre-kindergarten will be offered year-round, only closing on major holidays, with no impact to the current tuition costs.

Annie Wright Schools will still offer the same educational curriculum rich in discovery, exploration, play and inquiry, integrated with program highlights that include Spanish, swimming, lab science, art, library and physical education. Early Childhood families now have the additional convenience of extended care and programming before and after the school day begins, with no added fees. Early Childhood students will also be cared for during the schools’ typical breaks, closing for major holidays 10 days per year. Classes will remain small, with 16 students maximum and two teachers per class.

“Annie Wright Schools have decided to make a further substantial investment in the education and care of our youngest students,” says Christian G. Sullivan, Head of Annie Wright Schools. “We understand that families, especially dual working parent homes, thrive on more options and flexibility for their younger children. This is a very significant addition to our current program aimed at meeting those needs.”

Tuition rates for Annie Wright Schools’ Early Childhood program will not change, giving families the option of learning and care from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Half-day and full-day options are available. The schools are still accepting applications on a space available basis for the 2014-2015 academic year. Families interested in learning more about the Early Childhood program at Annie Wright Schools should contact Joy Phelps, Day School Admissions Director, at joy_phelps@aw.org or (253) 284-8602.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR INNOVATIVE MENTORING PROGRAM

University researchers call it "The 9th Grade Shock." The transition from eighth grade to the freshman year of high school, statistics show, is when students fall behind and drop out in the greatest numbers.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound has partnered with Tacoma Public Schools for a pilot project to pair 30 ninth-grade students with local adult volunteers for one-to-one mentoring – and battle the transitional shock. 

The mentoring pairs will meet once a week, every week, throughout the school year at Stadium and Foss high schools, where mentors and students will enjoy lunch together, talk about school and personal goals and build relationships.
"Ninth grade is a critical year," said Amy R. Mack, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound. "Ninth graders have barely reached adolescence yet every decision they have made and will make going forward will dramatically affect their future. A stable, consistent mentor provides a critically positive impact on these kids at this crucial point in their lives."

Big Brothers Big Sisters will work closely with each school, and the school counselors and teachers will refer the students.

“We have a responsibility to help every student discover his or her own successful path in life,” said TPS Superintendent Carla Santorno. “Through our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, caring adults will invest in the lives of our ninth graders, supporting academic success and development of the whole person.” 
Big Brothers Big Sisters needs 30 mentors to help build the self confidence necessary for a ninth-grade student to successfully transition into high school. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound will interview potential mentors, run background checks and require Washington state identification for this site-based pilot program. Mentors must be 21 or older for the Foss and Stadium program, willing to commit for one year and employed or a full-time student.
Mentors will attend a one-hour informational session and two hours of training with ongoing support during the school year. Case managers will keep in touch with the mentors through monthly calls and on-site visits to ensure the mentors and ninth graders are a good fit and find ways to connect.

Community information sessions will take place at 621 Tacoma Ave. S., Suite 302 on Sept. 6 and 27 at 10 a.m. 

Those interested in attending an information session should RSVP to StartSomething@bbbsps.org.

TACOMA AREA RESIDENT STOCKS SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR KIDS IN NEED

As a new school year approaches, traditional back-to-school activities ramp up and families fill the aisles shopping for school materials, clothes and all the right digital gear to help students return to the classroom ready to learn. For many Tacoma-area residents, however, the season for student discounts and school supplies also presents a great opportunity to help other children in need. 

“It is an opportunity for the local community to come together for the greater good and to reach out beyond the boundaries of the town,” said Laura Roddy of Tacoma.

Roddy is one of more than 100,000 year-round volunteers nationwide – including six in Tacoma – who serves with Operation Christmas Child, which delivered nearly 9.9 million gift-filled shoeboxes last year in more than 100 countries to children struggling from war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution. The shoebox gifts included toys, school supplies and basic hygiene items.

“Back to school shopping is the perfect time to stock up on key items for OCC. Often notebooks, crayons and pencils are marked down so you can get more for less and have the opportunity to reach more children,” said Roddy.

This November, Operation Christmas Child volunteers like Roddy will support thousands of drop-off sites nationwide, where gift-filled shoeboxes will be collected and transported with a wide variety of resources, including bicycles, camels and canoes. Each shoebox will eventually be hand-delivered to a child in need. For many children, this represents the first gift they have ever received.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 113 million children in more than 150 countries. In 2014, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 10 million children.

For more information about how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (253) 365-3433 or visit http://samaritanspurse.org. National Collection Week for gift-filled shoeboxes is Nov. 17-24; however, shoebox gifts are collected all year at the Samaritan’s Purse headquarters in Boone, NC. Participants can also build a shoebox through an online tool offering a personalized and convenient way to send a gift to a child in one of the hardest-to-reach countries.

Using special tracking technology, participants can follow their boxes online and discover the country to which their gifts will be delivered to children in need. To register a shoebox gift, use the online donation form at http://samaritanspurse.org.

PLU HOSTS U.S. MODERN ART PREMIERE

Pacific Lutheran University’s Scandinavian Cultural Center will host the exclusive U.S. premiere of a modern-art exhibition commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution.

The exhibition, “1814-2014: Red White and Blue – Norwegian Constitution, American Inspiration,” is made up of works by 10 renowned Norwegian modern artists. Together it’s a visual exploration of themes ranging from freedom and stability to the struggles facing democracy and globalization. Each of the 10 chosen artists submitted several works: bold, colorful graphics; subtle ink drawings and photographs; and oil paintings, sculptures and mixed media. The exhibit opens Aug. 24 at 1 p.m. and runs through Sept. 28. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free.
During the Napoleonic war in 1814, Denmark lost control over Norway, a territory it had held for more than 300 years. Norwegian leaders quickly came together to craft a constitution that would establish their land as an independent country.
Inspired by the still-relatively new Constitution of the United States (and by older French philosophy), Norway's constitution, signed in the mountain retreat of Eidsvoll on May 17, 1814, created a democratic government with a balanced federal authority. With only a few amendments, it has been in continuous force ever since, making it the oldest such constitution in Europe.
An exhibition celebrating this remarkable document opened on May 17, 2014 (the constitution’s 200th anniversary), at the Eidsvoll Center in Norway – and now that same exhibition will come to PLU.
“The U.S. premiere of these specially commissioned artworks at the Scandinavian Cultural Center is a particular honor,” said Dr. Elisabeth Ida Ward, director of the SCC. “We have a deep historic connection to Norway here at PLU, but this exhibition is also about looking forward to create a more inclusive democracy today. We think it will resonate with students and the public.”
Accompanying the show is a scholarly volume of essays by leading authorities on the history and importance of the Norwegian constitution. (The book, also titled “1814-2014: Red White and Blue,” is available at Garfield Book Company at PLU.) Trond B. Olsen of ArtPro, Norway, curated the exhibition and the publication, and the U.S. tour is supported by the Royal Norwegian Consulate.
The Consul of Norway in Seattle, Kim Nesselquist, facilitated the exhibition’s Tacoma premiere. “The relationship between Norway and the United States is very strong and continues to be critical for Washington State,” he said. “ It was important we get the exhibition here.”
After the exhibition closes at PLU, it will move to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, where a scholarly symposium on the relationship between the constitutions of Norway and the United States will be held.
More information: http://www.plu.edu/scancenter.

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LEMAY’S CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE TO HOST 150+ VEHICLES**

The Pacific Northwest Concours d'Elegance (formerly known as Kirkland Concours d'Elegance) happens Sept. 5-7 at the LeMay – America’s Car Museum (ACM) Haub Family Field, 2702 E. D St. The three-day Concours will host more than 150 vehicles, including classic, brass and muscle cars. Attendees can also participate in a classic and sports car tour and attend a dinner catered by award-winning chef Tom Douglas. Proceeds support the Hagerty Education Program at America’s Car Museum, a nonprofit that provides hands-on training to young adults interested in collectible vehicle restoration.

The event schedule is as follows:

Friday, Sept. 5 (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Tour d’Jour – A 100-mile classic and sports car drive begins at ACM and travels through the scenic country roads of Puget Sound. Breakfast and lunch are provided.

Pricing: $80 per car

Saturday, Sept. 6 (6:30-10 p.m.)

Silent auction with wine and hors d’oeuvres

Dinner with live jazz

Live auction highlighted by an all-electric BMW i3

Pricing: ACM members $150; general admission $175

Sunday, Sept. 7 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Pacific Northwest Concours includes Classic Car Club of America Classics, BMW motorcycles, Shelby Mustangs 1965-1970, Mustangs 1964 ½-1973, muscle cars 1964-1972, vintage flathead hot rods, Pre-1920 antique cars, European cars with American engines and American tail fins of the 1950s.

Pricing: Adults $35; ACM members $25; students $25; youth $10; family of four $50; children under 5 free; seniors/military/AAA/Hagerty/State Farm $30

For further information, please visit http://www.pnwconcours.org.

SHERIFF’S COMMUNITY ACADEMY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

The Pierce County Sheriff's Department is looking for interested citizens to attend its fall Community Academy program. The Parkland-Spanaway academy begins Sept. 18 and will meet each Thursday evening from 7-9:30 p.m. for 13 weeks.

The academy is an opportunity for participants to learn first-hand about law enforcement in Pierce County and to meet the Sheriff and other department members. The course seeks to familiarize the public with all aspects of the Sheriff's Department and provides insight into the practices of law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

The class covers topics such as the law, patrol procedures, use of force, detectives, narcotics, K-9, domestic violence, hiring and training and more. Field trips are scheduled to the 9-1-1 Communications Center, Pierce County Jail, Sheriff’s headquarters.

Pre-registration is required and applications are accepted on a first come first served basis until the class is filled. You can register online or print out and mail in the application. Details on the class will be sent once your application is received.

Applicants must be at least 16 years old. Fingerprinting and a photo I.D. are required after preliminary acceptance to the academy. Visit the Community Academy’s page at http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/ to learn more.

ARTEMUS TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS HOLDS TRAINING COURSE

ARTEMUS Transportation Solutions, a leader in the web-based trade compliance software industry, will be holding its Global Commerce-International Transportation and Trade Shipping 101 Course on Sept. 15-19 in the Seattle-Tacoma area. This is the third time the Shipping 101 course will be hosted by the Marine Exchange of Puget Sound in Seattle/Tacoma.

The Marine Exchange of Puget Sound is a non-profit association that provides members certain communications and information services relative to local commercial vessel activities. Founded in 1981, members consist of Puget Sound-based steamship agents and operations, tug boat operators, ship chandlers, port authorities, and state and federal agencies.

"We have had truckers, Port employees, lawyers and teachers take this course and they all have a common goal to understand the basics of shipping," said John Veentjer, Executive Director of Marine Exchange of Puget Sound. "Through the course, they are able to effectively apply the information at their respective workplace, which is why we think it is beneficial for the community."

"The shipping industry is so diverse and that is why this comprehensive course is beneficial to anyone in the industry," said Steve Pniewski, President and CEO of Artemus. "Of course we have the entry-level employees from the shipping companies come in but we also see NVOCC/FF staff, Importers, Exporters, insurance agents, professors or lawyers in the maritime industry take this course so they have a better understanding of their clients."

The comprehensive, four-and-a-half day course began in Virginia in 2004 and has since expanded to New York, New Jersey, Atlanta and Houston as well as Seattle/Tacoma. Students who complete the course have a solid foundation in international trade and transportation, including critical work processes, compliance requirements and different modes of transportation.

The course is also eligible for credits. For continuing education students, participants will be eligible to receive 3.2 CEU from Old Dominion University post completion of the program. The course also carries 20 CCS/CES Credits through the National Customs House Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association.

For more information, visit http://marexps.com/about/shipping_101 or contact Artemus directly at (866) 744-7101. Also visit http://www.artemus.us.

COMCAST OPENS NEW XFINITY STORE

Comcast will be opening a new XFINITY store at 5935 6th Avenue in Tacoma on Monday, Aug. 25. The 4,600-square-foot center provides Comcast customers with an opportunity to explore, learn about and interact directly with the latest XFINITY products and smarthome services. It becomes the seventh XFINITY store of its kind with the new design in Washington after stores in Federal Way, Factoria, Puyallup, Auburn, Redmond and Spokane.

The new location is only a few blocks from the current location at 5401 6th Avenue S. The new store is near the L.A. Fitness and in the same complex as Safeway.

Just to be clear, the current location is still in business until the new store opens.

The new service center will feature 55-inch flatscreen TVs and a comfortable seating area. Customers also can try out Comcast’s converged services and popular apps on iPads, like the XFINITY TV app. Kiosks around the center will also provide customers with the opportunity to experience XFINITY TV and try out next-generation XFINITY Home smarthome services.

In addition, customers receive personalized service from trained and knowledgeable Comcast service consultants and more time-saving offerings, including a self-service kiosk for quick bill pay and a queue system that allows customers to explore and be entertained instead of waiting in line for service.

The XFINITY customer service center will be open Mondays thru Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Customers have been notified of the move through posters and leaflets at the current location, and other messages. Comcast currently has 14 service centers located throughout Western Washington and Spokane.

The last time the two teams squared-off it was the “game of the year.” This time, with the Western Washington Football Alliance championship trophy on the line, the two teams went and topped it with the “upset of the year.”

The Pierce County Bengals (10-2) capitalized on two second-half interception that went for touchdowns and held the undefeated Puyallup Nation Kings (10-1) high-scoring offense in-check on their way to a 21-9 WWFA championship game victory in front a big crowd at Renton Memorial Stadium on Aug. 16.

Receiver and strong safety Junior Meade was the Tacoma Weekly Player of the Game as he stole the show for the Bengals. Meade got his hands on a blocked punt and two interceptions for Pierce County that put a decisive 14 points on the board for the underdogs.

From the outset things looked good for the fourth-ranked Kings though. On the opening kick-off Kings cornerback Nico Curran recovered a fumble by the Bengals’ Blue Zurel at the 14-yard line. After stalling-out on three plays, Puyallup opted for a field goal attempt, but Ryan Burks’ 30-yard try was tipped at the line and fell a few yards short of the goal post.

Following a three-and-out defensive stand, the Kings got the ball back again deep inside Bengals territory after a miscue by Meade. Three plays later, Kings’ quarterback Justin Southern rolled-out to his left and hit a wide-open Sam Solomon in the back-left of the end zone and the Kings were on the board 7-0 with 8:39 left in the first quarter.

It would also mark the final time the Puyallup offense would find the end zone.

The teams traded punts for the remainder of the first quarter as the defenses began to assert themselves on both squads. Lightning struck on the final punt of the quarter as Meade blocked Burks’ punt and Isaiah Martin dove on the ball in the end zone for a Bengals touchdown. It was 7-7 with 48.3 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

The teams failed to move the ball significantly against each other in the second quarter, but it was a penalty that may have changed the course of events. Standing at his own goal line, Ronald Purdue attempted to field a deep punt by Burks, and the ball squirted out of his hands and into the end zone where Kings’ linebacker Vikah Lefau fell on the football and the Kings took the lead momentarily.

There was a yellow flag back near the line of scrimmage. The points were wiped off the board and the Kings had to kick it again. In a heart-stopping moment, with teammates and coaches yelling to not touch the ball, Purdue again attempted to field the punt at the goal line and fumbled for the second-straight play.

Luckily for Purdue and the Bengals, this time the ball bounced right back to him and the disaster was averted.

The game remained tied at 7-7 until 6:09 in the third quarter. Following a punt to the five yard line by Burks, the Kings took immediate advantage of the Bengals desperate field position and swarmed quarterback Octavis Walton in the end zone for a safety. The Kings now led 9-7 and would get the ball back at their own 44-yard line following the Bengals kick-off.

Five plays later the game changed quickly as Jimmy “Butter” Burkley stepped in front of a quick pass down the line from Southern and sprinted untouched 58 yards down the field for a 14-9 Bengals lead with 3:46 remaining in the third quarter. It was Burkley’s ninth interception of the season.

“He did the same signals two plays before,” said Burkley. “So he called it again and threw it to my side and I just read it. That was the game changer right there I think. That set the tone. It definitely woke us up.”

The Kings went for it on fourth down on the next possession but came up short at their own 46-yard line. They forced the Bengals to punt on the next possession and regained control of the ball at their own 20 yard line. Eleven plays later, the Kings faced a fourth-and-ten from the Bengals 13 yard line and opted to go for it. Southern was quickly bottled-up for a sack and the ball went back to the Bengals with 8:30 remaining in the game.

Three minutes later, the Bengals were forced to punt and the Kings would start work from their own 32 yard line. Six plays later, Southern dropped back from the Bengals 37 yard line and lofted a pass toward the end zone that was intercepted by Meade, who brought the ball out to the seven yard line with 2:10 left in the game.

The Kings defense forced another three-and-out by the Bengals and took over at the Bengals 43 yard line following the Meade punt with 1:38 remaining in the game. Following a quick seven-yard connection to Reggie Woods, Southern aired it out on the next play and Meade intercepted the ball at the 27 yard line.

However, this time Meade took it all the way back 73 yards for a Bengal touchdown and a 21-9 lead with 1:16 left in the game.

“My coach told me to play my position, stay deep and watch the quarterback,” said Meade. “That’s what I did and played to the ball, got the interception and took it to the house.”

On a fourth-and-15 play with time nearly gone, Southern was picked-off by safety Michael Willis and the game was over.

The victory marked the first WWFA title and first league championship for the Pierce County Bengals in 26 years and the enormity was not lost on head coach Ron Baines.

“I’m really happy right now,” said Baines. “I’m happy for the way that they played. The big time is where you’re at, right here, right now. I got that from Frosty Westering. The big time isn’t the big game at the end of the season. The big time is every day, every practice to get to that game.

“We treated each day and each game like it was the big time and we finally got here and we treated this one like it was the big time and now that we won we are the big time. I’m awfully proud of them. This really is a sweet victory for me, the team and my coaches.”

Were you planning on catching a Tacoma Rainiers game this summer? Well, you had better make it quick as the hometown boys begin their final two series of the season after returning from tilts against New Orleans and Round Rock, Texas with a 5-3 record.

The Rainiers welcome two clubs that are in the midst of a serious late-season competition in the American Northern division of the Pacific Coast League. Tacoma hosts the Omaha Storm Chasers from Aug. 20-23 and the Iowa Cubs from Aug. 24-27. Omaha (69-61) currently sits atop its standings, just two games ahead of second-place Oklahoma City and three games in front of Iowa (67-65).

Tacoma (68-63) would need some major help to close-out and win the Pacific Northern division, but it’s still mathematically possible as the Rainiers sit five games behind division-leader Sacramento (73-58) with 12 games to play.

One thing that is keeping some hope alive is the improved play of the Rainiers who boast an 11-7 record in August, following an impressive 18-12 showing in the month of July. Throw in some Seattle Mariner players in the club for rehab assignments and anything is possible.

That sounds like some good reasons to get down to Cheney Stadium soon.

Speaking of which, the Mariners roster is going to be expanding very soon and many current Rainiers are inevitably going to be called-up to finish the season in the Big Leagues. With the improved play of the Mariners and a playoff atmosphere brewing around the Puget Sound, it’s safe to say that some of these Rainiers players will see some action, great or small, before it’s all said and done.

This is just one more reason to get out for the final Rainiers push.

Mariner regulars Michael Saunders and Justin Smoak are still playing for the Rainiers and both have been solid. Saunders has been on a rehab stint and has batted .327 while he’s been in Tacoma. Smoak was sent down from the Mariners to work on his game and has responded with a .305 batting average and has significantly cut-down on his strike-outs.

Expect outfielder James Jones’ feet and glove to get him back on the Mariners roster before the season is out. The rookie has already played in 83 games for Seattle and led-off for the club for much of the season. Jones was sent back down to Tacoma to make room for recently acquired center-fielder Austin Jackson from the Detroit Tigers.

This home stand may also be the last time you get to see Taijuan Walker in a Rainiers uniform. The 22-year old top-prospect has been a dynamo on the mound over his last two starts and may finally be finding his groove. Walker has struck out 22 batters over 13 innings in the last two games while giving up just one earned-run in each victory. With a call-up likely to the Mariners followed by the next spring training, it’s possible we may never see Walker down here again.

First baseman and designated hitter Jesus Montero may be a season-ending wild card. It’s no secret that Montero arrived at spring training grossly overweight and that was one of the bigger reasons he was sent to Tacoma and didn’t make the big club. He was called-up for six games earlier in the season and saw 17 at-bats before being shipped back down to Tacoma where he has battled .286 in 97 games with 16 home runs and 74 runs batted in.

Montero won the Minor League Baseball Player of the Month award for July and he has slimmed-down significantly since opening day. If Mariners’ skipper Lloyd McClendon decides to let Montero out of his dog house, he could possibly be a factor for the M’s before it’s all said and done.

The new “R” Yard seats in left field at Cheney Stadium are fantastic and highly recommended. However, as Cheney faithful will attest to, there is not a bad seat anywhere in the ball park.

With eight games remaining, perhaps it’s time to stop talking about going out to Cheney Stadium and instead grab your ball cap and glove and hit the door. Tickets are available online at http://www.tacomarainiers.com, by phone at (253) 752-7707 or in-person at the Tacoma Rainiers box office.

I regret that, even as a kid, I never could do a cartwheel.

I needed that particular skill a couple of weeks ago when, instead of pulling a cheerleader stunt, I merely walked out of the Tacoma General Hospital procedure room where a jolly medical crew removed my port.

For those of you who have never rented a condo in Cancerville, ports are the implants into which nurses infuse us with the chemotherapy that’s saving our lives. Mine was purple, triangular and about the size of a Brach’s chocolate-covered orange crème. Getting it removed means that chemotherapy is over, that I don’t need the weekly bags of chemicals that terrorized and killed the cancer that was jumping beyond my right boob. It means I can move on to radiation, which, in turn, means that after daily zaps every weekday for seven weeks, I’ll be sprung from the hard part.

Like I said, cartwheels.

And some weird mixed feelings.

The chemicals that helped save my life made it miserable at the same time. I managed to nail just about every side effect in the Welcome to Cancer manual, from the top of my bald head to the tips of my numb neuropathic toes, with stops at nausea, raspy voice, a lost sense of taste, fatigue and creepy separated fingernails in between. And yet… I am alive to whine about it.

From the beginning, the people who ordered up those chemicals dreamed of the day when they would never see me again. Sure, they gave us warm blankets so we would be comfy in our recliners in the infusion suite. They had juice and ice water to keep our fluid intake up, and roast beef sandwiches and tapioca pudding if we were there around lunchtime. We shared books, which introduced me to Dean Koontz’ golden retriever Trixie – kind of a gateway dog to his tales of Frankenstein fighters. They checked our I.D. bracelet code and triple checked our meds to protect us from any errors. They asked us about our side effects and symptoms, and sent word to our doc if they thought we couldn’t handle our meds that week. They listened to us, and shared bits and pieces of their lives as if we were old friends. They warned us that if we ran into each other at Costco, we’d have to make the first move because federal privacy regs forbid them from saying hi to us unless we invite it. As if we would not bolt to them and hug.

Toward the end of chemo, I began to realize that when it was over I would not see them again, unless I began stalking in Costco. Which gave me an idea. I looked up how to say “thank you” in the languages – 16 of them – that infusion center staff could speak. I ordered two big Costco cakes with all of them, plus roses, written on them in icing. We brought them to my final chemo appointment as a lovely parting gift.

Except, I didn’t go away.

My numbers, and the numbness in my toes and fingertips, were worrisome. Skip this week, my doc ordered. Come back next week. We’ll schedule a time to get your port out then.

I was horrified. Fighting cancer is all about getting poked. Blood out for testing. Meds in. Blood out. Meds in. Swab with sanitizer. Repeat. That, said my doc, is over. I needed a week to believe him. We’d talk at the next, the last, appointment.

“There will be cake. Again,” I thought.

There was. It read, “Thank you. This time I’m going. Really.”

And I did, finishing up six tough months with celebratory hugs and retro plastic leis from Marianne and Maiken, and an odd sadness. I was done with the worst part and, with luck, I would never spend quality time with these lovely friends again.

Not such a cartwheel thought in itself, but one with joy built into its bones.

Tacomans looking for a new lunch spot are in luck. After a successful first few months, French restaurant the Aviateur, located at 1498 Pacific Ave., has expanded to be open during lunch hours Tuesday through Saturday from noon-2 p.m., adding to their traditional 5-9 p.m. dinner hours. The Aviateur is one of the few places in the city where you can find genuine French cuisine, a perfect spot for a date or a getaway from work for a distracting lunch.

“It’s the perfect place to take someone. It’s nice and roomy,” owner Bertrand Young said of the restaurant. “It’s a nice place for someone to relax during the day.”

On the other end of the spectrum, for the night owls the bar remains open until midnight with a small bistro menu for food orders.

The Aviateur has also evolved its menu to keep up with the new hours. This includes introducing items like crepes to appease customers looking for something sweet early in the day. The Aviateur offers more traditional lunch items as well, like hamburgers, but adds a twist to the American burger in the form of bleu cheese.

The Aviateur has maintained its famous dinner menu that has very quickly made the restaurant a staple in the Tacoma community. The adventurous can try the Carré d'agneau grillé, a grilled rack of lamb with herbs served with horseradish, bordelaise sauce, seasonal vegetable and potatoes au gratin for $32.

Other unique items include the Marget De Canard – roasted maple leaf duck breast served with potatoes gratin, seasonal vegetable and a black bean ginger infusion for $31.

Wine is a nice treat for lunch or dinner, and the Aviateur offers a wide variety of choices by the glass or bottle from all across the world, including, Argentina and Italy.

The Aviateur is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m., with the bar open until midnight. For more information or to make a reservation, call (253) 573-9000.

THURSDAY, AUG. 21 – TRIPLE-A BASEBALL

Omaha Storm Chasers vs. Tacoma Rainiers

Cheney Stadium – 7:05 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 22 – TRIPLE-A BASEBALL

Omaha Storm Chasers vs. Tacoma Rainiers

Cheney Stadium – 7:05 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUG. 23 – PRO BOXING

Battle at the Boat 97

Emerald Queen Casino – 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, AUG. 23 – TRIPLE-A BASEBALL

Omaha Storm Chasers vs. Tacoma Rainiers

Cheney Stadium – 7:05 p.m.

SUNDAY, AUG. 24 – TRIPLE-A BASEBALL

Iowa Cubs vs. Tacoma Rainiers

Cheney Stadium – 5:05 p.m.

MONDAY, AUG. 25 – TRIPLE-A BASEBALL

Iowa Cubs vs. Tacoma Rainiers

Cheney Stadium – 7:05 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUG. 26 – TRIPLE-A BASEBALL

Iowa Cubs vs. Tacoma Rainiers

Cheney Stadium – 7:05 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27 – TRIPLE-A BASEBALL

Iowa Cubs vs. Tacoma Rainiers

FINAL HOME GAME

Cheney Stadium – 7:05 p.m.

ROCKY MAKES A COMEBACK!

We’re happy to have our resident photographer extraordinaire back in the USA. Rocky Ross spent the last couple of weeks hopping around the Alps. Look for his High School Football Preview and Battle at the Boat 97 shots in next week’s edition of the Tacoma Weekly.

BATTLE OF THE BOAT 97 RETURNS TO EQC AUGUST 23

The gloves will be laced-up once again Aug. 23 at the Emerald Queen Casino showroom. The ten round main event will feature former IBF Light Middleweight World Champion Kassim Ouma (28-8-1, 17 KO’s) versus rising star Osumanu Adama (22-4, 16 KO’s) in what is expected to be one of the most thrilling main events in years at the EQC. The six-round semi-main event will feature local undefeated star and knockout artist Marcelino Pineda (4-0, 4 KO’s) versus a tough Virgil Gree (8-2, 2 KO’s).

Also appearing on the card will be local rising stars Jeremy McCleary (4-0), Cameron Sevilla-Rivera (4-0, 4 KOs), and Harrison Bevens (2-0, 2 KOs).  Tickets are available online through Ticketmaster and can be purchased in-person at the Emerald Queen Casino box office.

SOUTH TACOMA SOCCER CLUB MERGES WITH TACOMA UNITED

Youth soccer organizations South Tacoma Soccer Club and Tacoma United have announced that they will be merging to form one club.

In order to effectively serve the youth soccer players in the South Tacoma area, STSC President, Joe Knittel and the board of directors, worked to achieve a bond with Tony Echaniz, President of Tacoma United. He and his board of directors hope that the newer, much larger, club can build a place for all soccer players to develop their skills. Both clubs want to offer the most to young soccer players in the area and feel that this will benefit both clubs greatly.

STSC is Tacoma’s oldest youth soccer club, and has served Tacoma since 1954. It has had many successes this past season and is looking to grow and expand its membership. Tacoma United, is a club that serves a large portion of the Latino community. It has many successful teams including this year’s boys U-15 National Champions, Chelsea Academy. Both feel that working together is the best way to build a strong sustainable club.

“We don’t want to compete with our allies,” says Knittel. STSC and Tacoma United share the boundaries and players have to make a choice. Since STSC generally offers more recreational competition, it serves as a developmental program. Meanwhile many players with advanced skill end up outgrowing the developmental stages and want to move to more competitive play. Tacoma United has many skill levels and many competitive teams that already exist. With both clubs working as one, the developmental players can have a chance to play and improve, but also move to a higher level, without moving neighborhoods.

Both clubs are run by committed parent volunteers, skilled coaches and referees. Echaniz believes that this is the only way that all kids South Tacoma can play at their level and in the area they live in.

The club’s new name will be South Tacoma United and all information about our club is available online at http://www.stsoccer.org and http://www.facebook.com/southtacomaunited.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE AND PLU YOUTH CLINIC COMING SOON

Registration for the RAGE Girls Volleyball League in the Puyallup and Spanaway-Parkland communities will be held on Sept. 13 at Franklin Pierce High School from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and again on Sept. 20 at Puyallup High School from 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. League play is offered for girls in grades 3rd-9th in both the elementary and junior high divisions. Cost is $45 if registered before Sept. 13 or $50 afterwards and includes a T-shirt, an instructional clinic, and seven matches.

An instructional clinic by members of the Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team will be held on Sept. 13 from 9-10:30 a.m. for students in grades three to five and from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. for students in grades six to nine.  Players who register will be entitled to attend PLU’s home match on Sept. 20 at no charge.

Another similar clinic will be held on Sept. 20 at Puyallup High School conducted by members of the Puyallup Vikings high school team. Volunteer coaches are also being sought. Over 240 girls participated in the league last year.

For further information go to http://www.recre8.org and click on Rage Volleyball League or contact Justin Luckman at (253) 298-3026 or at jluckman@fpschools.org

Advanced therapeutic massage works wonders on veterans and anyone suffering from hypertension, muscle aches, migraines and more

Earlier this summer, the Tacoma Dome hosted an employment and health fair for area veterans, sponsored by a group of veterans agencies to offer new hope for about 500 veterans who attended, many of them homeless. Health, education and employment were on the agenda, and local clothing stores provided much needed aid for the veterans including new shirts, dress pants, shoes and other amenities that were given to the vets who were in dire need.

J. Steven Hanna of Executive Massage provided advanced therapeutic massage for 39 soldiers. “I was able to diminish the stress, pressure and pain associated with post-traumatic stress (PTS),” Hanna said. “I asked the stressed out, those who suffer from migraines and the PTS survivors to line up for a free massage.” While Hanna said it was slow going at first, as word got around the Dome that the massages really alleviate a lot of what these men and women are suffering from, more vets lined up for a therapeutic massage.

“I was able to treat the vets for hypertension, muscles tightness and even injuries they received in Desert Storm more than 10 years ago. Several female soldiers related some of the horror stories they experienced in seeking help from the traditional agencies, and their thanks were sincerely heartfelt. But most of all, the majority wished they had met me 10 years earlier.”

When he’s not out providing massages at special events like this one at the Dome, Hanna sees clients at his Tacoma Mall location, where he treats veterans as well as the general public.

“Recently I was able to help a Marine who had ‘strokes’ every day until they put him out of the service,” Hanna said. “I know this young man and just luckily ran into him at the mall. I knew something was wrong with him immediately. I have known him since he was 14 years old and now he is 21. I gave him one 20-minute session and he has had no more strokes since. That was three months ago and now he has a new job and can take care of his wife and child. The most important aspect is I was able to get rid of the stress and serious anger he had because no one else could help him.”

Hanna felt that same satisfaction after the Dome event knowing that his techniques truly help those who need it the most.

“Afterward, as I thought about the accomplishment of the combined agencies at the Dome that day, I was very glad for learning the advanced massage techniques that have helped a lot of Tacoma and Pierce County residents. I made a promise to those vets that I won't stop fighting until PTS becomes a priority in healthcare nationwide.”

Contact Steven Hanna at (253) 756-0876.

The Beat was among England's most infectious musical exports of the Thatcher-era, at the forefront of the country's ska revival movement in the early '80s with a string of breezy, genre-blurring hits that included “Save it for later” and “Mirror in the Bathroom.”

But by the time the sextet had gained serious traction in the States – adopting the name The English Beat to avoid confusion with the American power-pop group of the same name – it had started to split into factions that would go on to form Fine Young Cannibals and General Public.

Today, though, The Beat goes on. Granted, original band members remain in different camps. Vocalist Ranking Roger leads the British version of the band while singer-guitarist Dave Wakeling runs the Redondo Beach-based incarnation, which will headline Jazzbones on Aug. 27.

Wakeling promises a dynamic mix of old favorites and new cuts from the forthcoming “For Crying Out Loud” disc, his band's first studio album in more than three decades. Here's some of what he had to say about making a new record and what it would take to totally patch things up with his old band mates.

Tacoma Weekly: What is your recollection of the events that led to the first lineup breaking up?

Wakeling: There was a genuine movement in parts of the band that they needed to get back to roots and do some living ... so as not to end up writing songs about being in a pop group. So some of the band did that … and then Fine Young Cannibals appeared (featuring bassist David Steele and guitarist Andy Cox).

Me and Roger carried on as General Public, really having just a few months gap after the end of The Beat. It had run its course in the same way it had magically come together with such a disparate set of people and musicians. There was an age range of 16 to 58 when we started the band ... and a whole hue of different colors and generations within that.

TW: What are the odds of the original lineup ever getting back together?

Wakeling: Every time I've asked most have said yes, but enough have said no to make it not happen. I've said yes every time anybody's mentioned it to me. More than that, to be honest, I think there should be a Dance Craze 2 tour next summer with The Specials, Madness, Selecter … while most of us have still got two legs and one of them, at least, that works.

TW: Are you in touch with any of the other guys?

Wakeline: Yes, somewhat. We seem to be vaguely in touch over publishing.

TW: But not so much in a “how's it going?” catching up kind of way.

Wakeling: No. Do you keep in pretty regular contact with the first person you dated?

TW: Not so much.

Wakeling: Same thing, you see. We've been in touch, I feel, a bit more than I expected. We gather reluctantly every few years to re-license the catalog; and we're always, it seems, pleasantly surprised that the catalog's gone down in history even better than (expected.) So there's always a little bit of friendship to start with, and it doesn't take long until we realize why we got sick to death of each other in the first place. All those personality traits that we began to dislike in each other have now had 30 years to get far more extreme. (He laughs heartily.)

TW: But 30 years later people still love the music that you made. What is it about songs like “Save it for Later” or “Mirror in the Bathroom” that they've stood the test of time?

Wakely: Well, we really, really, really, really meant them at the time. I think that helped a bit in longevity terms. They're quite complicated songs, but they come across as simple, so they're easy to connect to. I like that rather than the opposite way. I hate really simple songs that come across as really complicated. So they're nice and direct; “Mirror in the Bathroom” particularly with the bass line being in 2-2 time signature. That's the secret of it, and “Save it for Later” because of its odd tuning. They're both kind of original. They don't really sound like much else.

TW: You been raising money for a new album on the Pledge Music site where I see you've got 25 demos posted. What's the status of the record?

Wakeling: We just finished the pledge and got 100 percent of it. When we go on tour now … we're going to try to carve out a rendition of the songs that gets all of our favorite bits in and either makes it sound like the best song you ever heard in a disco or the best live concert you've ever been to and you can't really tell the difference. That's the idea that we'll be doing whilst we're on tour until September; and then back on the West Coast until the New Year. We're going to majestically put all the pieces of that together including some bits we might record whilst on the road capturing that certain “joie de vivre.”

TW: There's always been a sociopolitical aspect to what the band did, and I see one of the newer songs has the working title “Gaza: If Killing Worked, It Would Have Worked By Now.”

Wakeling: It does get growingly frustrating each passing decade of my life to see the same ritualistic melting of children in Gaza and the same reasoning and excuses trotted out every few years.

I remember seeing the Six-Day War (the 1967 conflict between Israel, Jordan and the United Arab Republic). I remember seeing it on black and white television thinking, “I'll bet you it'll be good when I'm a grown up, because all of this stuff will have stopped by then.” It hasn't, has it? It's much worse, and you start to take personal responsibility for your part of a generation that just stood by and watched this. It's just awful.

So, in simple terms, “If Killing Worked, It Would Have Worked By Now.” (He recites a few lyrics.) “You turn on the TV and you see what they've done/ They make our culture seem like a setting sun/ But we're better than that because we know how/ If killing worked, it would have worked by now.” I'm just stunned really, now. I have to start squinting to watch the TV news across a wide room nowadays, but it's still the same melting of other people's babies. I thought we'd have moved on, 'cause it doesn't work.

TW: Are you doing a lot of new material in Tacoma? What should we expect from the set list?

Wakeling: Expect the unexpected, of course. But, particularly, there will be new songs, and there's no set list. It's all very (improvised). I measure the audience (and think), “Oh, I know what you'd like.” I mean, there's certain songs that tend to come in clumps now because they work one after the other. … But the last few shows, I've been starting with a new song – whoah, hello – for that sort of shock value. So I may do that again. We'll see.

TW: What else is coming up for you? Maybe after the new record you can have a General Public reunion.

Wakeling: Well, I wish. I thought that would be good fun. We seem to try quite a lot of stuff, me and Roger; and we get awful close, but it never quite comes off. So I've sort of left it as “if anybody would like to do anything, give me a shout.” It gets embarrassing after a bit if you try and organizing something and then it nearly gets there and it doesn't happen.

My take on it is it would be worth doing … simply because the people who paid for every meal that me and Roger and our children and grandchildren have eaten, ever since they bought the record in the first place, they'd like to see us again. So I think we should just do it again.

The English Beat

in concert with the Georgetown Orbits and DJ Dubmatix

8 p.m. Aug. 27

Jazzbones, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma

$25

(253) 396-9169 or http://www.jazzbones.com/ for further details

About 100 parents, grandparents, children and twenty somethings held a solidarity rally at Pugnetti Park at the corner of Pacific Avenue and 21st Street Tuesday night in support of the ongoing protests in Ferguson, Mo.

Holding signs of “Don’t Shoot” and “Stop Killing our babies,” protesters wanted to raise awareness of institutionalized racism, police brutality and called for justice and to show support for fellow protesters against injustice in Ferguson. A similar protest occurred on Saturday. Both ended without incident.

Pugnetti has become the center of protest in recent years because of its high-profile location and size. It was redubbed “Occupation Park” in 2011 when the local offspring of the “Occupy Wall Street” took over the site for four months and 11 days with a makeshift encampment that later disbanded over health and safety concerns.

“Support Ferguson” rallies have sprung up in cities around the country as the protests in the Missouri town continue after the shooting death of an unarmed African American teen, Michael Brown, at the hands of a police officer on Aug. 9. Shows of force by police, Missouri Highway Patrol and National Guard soldiers and clashes with protesters have been constant on Twitter, Facebook and newscasts ever since. Brown’s death is now being investigated by the Justice Department. Attorney General Eric Holder is personally part of the investigation.