PACIFIC LUTHERAN’S WILD RIDE ENDS IN WEST REGION FINALS

The 2016 Pacific Lutheran baseball season has come to a close, but not after the Lutes advanced to the NCAA Division III West Regional championship game. The Lutes finished the season 29-19 after dropping the regional final game to Trinity University (Texas) 12-7 on Saturday, May 21 in Spokane.

Three Lutes earned West Regional All-Tournament Team honors following their performances this past week. Senior relief pitcher Garrett Brown appeared in three of the four games for PLU, pitching 10.1 innings and only allowing six hits and three runs with eight strikeouts.  Brown picked up two saves and a win during the tournament. Fellow Alaskan, senior Tyler Thompson extended a hit streak to 25 games going 11 for 21 with five RBIs, six runs scored and a double to complete his time in a PLU uniform.

"It means a lot to earn this honor," said Brown.  "I wanted to end on a high note and I think we all did that.  We made it to the regional championship game and getting all tourney honors means a lot because I really left it all on the field. I gave it all I had and I have no regrets.  I love this team."

"To end with the hitting streak and then making the all-tournament team means a lot to me," said Thompson.  "I've put a lot of time in the cage this year with Drew Oord and Tanner Bogart and we've always tried to make each other better players. So to see the hard work payoff is a great feeling."

Lastly, junior Ben Welch went 8 for 22 with five runs scored, but it was his defense at shortstop that earned him the honor.

"This senior class has showed us how to compete and play the game the right way," said Welch. "You can't replace the guys that graduated. I've played with them for three years and they will be lifelong friends of mine. I want to say thank you to them."

PLU came out swinging, going up 4-0 in the bottom of the first as Tyler Thompson scored Ben Welch on a single to left. Two pitching errors brought in Drew Oord and Thompson before Brett Johnson scored on a fielder's choice.

Trinity (39-7) chipped away at the lead scoring a run in each of the first four innings before putting up four in the top of the fifth with three singles and double to make it 8–4.  An RBI single in the top of the sixth and sacrifice fly in the seventh made it 10-4.

A rain delay and field change delayed the game, but the Lutes returned in the bottom of the seventh with a three run inning to cut into Trinity’s lead. With Cole Johnson on first, a single by Connor Cantu to right scored Kory VanderStaay and Johnson followed by a fielder's choice to bring in Frank Airey and make the game 10-7 Trinity.

However, the third-ranked Tigers responded with two runs in the top of the eighth to make the final score 12-7.

"It was an emotional day," added Thompson. "I enjoyed every minute of it. I'm so proud of this team and the fight that we put up this year. We battled through so much adversity and to make it to the regional championship was an amazing accomplishment. It's been a fun ride this year. It sucks that it's over but we've had an amazing season and I wouldn't change one thing.

"We fully expect to be back in a regional next year and get over that hump and get to the World Series," added Welch. "Like I said, you can't replace the seniors, but we will reload and be back."

TWO LUTES EARN ALL-REGION HONORS FOR BASEBALL EXCELLENCE

A pair of Pacific Lutheran baseball players received all-region honors following the conclusion of the 2016 season. Garrett Brown was named first team All- Region as a relief pitcher, and sophomore Cole Johnson was named second team. 

"Any time you have multiple players selected for all region, it means you probably had a successful season," said Nolan Soete, PLU head coach.

Brown finished his senior season tied for second in the nation with 12 saves and a 2.09 ERA with 45 strikeouts. During the west region tournament, Brown made four appearances pitching 10.1 innings with eight strikeouts and only allowed six hits and three runs.

"Garrett is a workhorse," said Soete. "He is a very competitive and mentally tough individual that deserves to be an All-American, in my opinion. He pitched in every big game for us this year. Every time we needed him, he showed up and performed at a high level."

Johnson finished his first season with the Lutes making an impact as an everyday player both on the mound and at the plate. He finished 2016 with a .304 batting average with seven doubles and three home runs and 38 runs batted in. On the bump, he finished 5-4 with a 4.76 earned run average, but his 6.2 innings in the elimination game against UT-Tyler helped catapult the Lutes to the west region finals.

"Cole Johnson had a great year," added Soete. "He went through some early struggles, but really played well in the second half of the year. He was asked to do a lot for this team as a pitcher and first baseman and he did a really great job."

Brown was previously named to the All-Northwest Conference First Team, while Johnson earned honorable mention honors.

PACIFIC LUTHERAN TRACK AND FIELD EARNS FIVE ALL-WEST NODS

Five Pacific Lutheran men's and women's track & field student-athletes have been named to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA) All West Region Team.

To be named All-Region, an athlete must either be ranked in the top-5 of an individual event in the region or be a part of a top-3 relay team.

Junior Lucas Hatton received the honor for two men's events, the shot put and hammer.  Junior Richard Johnson was honored for his performance in the 100 meters, and freshman Brad Hodkinson competed in the 1,500 meters.

Sophomore Annie Waldrop earned a position in the women's shot put.

Junior Erik Swartout received the honor in men's javelin and is heading ot the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships this weekend at Waverly, Iowa.  Swartout competes at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 28.

PUGET SOUND TRACK AND FIELD SCORES FIVE ON ALL-WEST REGION

Five Loggers earned All-West Region honors for the 2016 outdoor track & field season, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced early this week.

Cameron Braithwaite, Geremia Lizier-Zmudzinski, and Tyler Shipley earned the honor on the men's side. Elizabeth King and Allanah Whitehall received nods for the Puget Sound women.

Lizier-Zmudzinski, Shipley, and Whitehall are set to compete in the NCAA D-III Outdoor Championships, May 26-28, in Waverly, Iowa. Wartburg College is the host school.

Lizier-Zmudzinski will compete in the 5,000 meters, while Shipley will run in both the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters. One month ago, Shipley became the first Northwest Conference student-athlete to win league titles in both the 5,000 meters and the 10,000 meters for four consecutive years.

Whitehall set the NWC Championship record in the 100 meter with a time of 11.88 seconds on April 22, and she was named the Women's Track Student-Athlete of the Meet. The senior will run in the 100 meter on the national stage, and she will also race in the 200 meter.

Cameron Braithwaite earned All-West Region in the pole vault and decathlon, while Elizabeth King was named an All-West Region recipient in the pole vault.

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SOUNDERS WOMEN DOMINATE VANCOUVER IN WPSL LEAGUE OPENER

The Sounders Women took on Vancouver NSGSC to open the 2016 Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) season. The young, eager group wasted no time getting on the board with Kaycie Tillman hammering home goal number one for the Sounders Women. Becca Candler then stepped up to bury a penalty kick to make the score 2-0.

The game saw several corner kicks for the Sounders Women as they poured the heat on Vancouver.
Megan Connolly and Maddy Schultz peppered the Vancouver defense with multiple shots on target that just missed. Cassie Miller was called into service but made the save late in the first half for the Sounders Women. The teams went into halftime at 2-0 for the Sounders Women.

The second half started much like the first half with the Sounders Women attacking the Vancouver end. Kate Bennet just missed a shot over the bar and in the 72 nd minute, Kelli Sullivan powered home a shot with an assist to Candler. The game ended with a 3-0 victory for the Sounders

The Sounders Women play again at home on Saturday, June 4 as they host the Issaquah Gunners. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila. Tickets and more information can be found at www.sounderswomen.com.

The Sounders U23 and Sounders Women teams are owned and operated by owners Lane Smith, Cliff McElroy, and Mike Jennings.

The Sounders U23 play in the Northwest Division of the Premier Development League (PDL) and the Sounders Women play in the WPSL. Featuring current college age amateur players with former international and professional stars, both the PDL and the WPSLprovide elite amateurs the opportunity to compete while maintaining their eligibility as college student-athletes. Both the PDL and the WPSL are recognized throughout the world for providing superior competition for players, while offering affordable family entertainment for fans throughout North America.

With the passing of Initiative I-502 in 2012, many medical marijuana shop owners decided to close their doors and try their hand at the new recreational business. One of these early adopters was Thomas Kaapana, general manager of Emerald Leaves, a recreational marijuana shop located at 2702 6th Ave.

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Kaapana opened up Emerald Leaves last February and believes his staff’s prior experience in the medical marijuana field, low prices and wide selection draw customers to the store.
“My goal is to get [the customer] to come back because I have stuff of good quality for a fair, reasonable price. I think as far as our selection goes, we’re good when it comes to that,” Kaapana said.
Emerald Leaves fosters a relaxed atmosphere. Customers are free to peruse custom printed menus on the comfy sofa situated right inside the door.
“It’s not exactly a small little store, and it’s not a rushed experience,” Kaapana said. “We have a lot of our products on display so people can look at it, and you can get a smell of it.”
Kaapana uses his own experience as a smoker to try and find the best product for the lowest price, as well as having a staff that can help new customers find exactly what they are looking for.
“I’m a smoker first, then the business side comes in. Part of my buying process is buying stuff I would want to smoke myself, and buying good quality stuff for a good price out the door,” Kaapana said.
Kaapana and his team ran Ancient Medicine in south Tacoma and have taken the experiences and lessons learned there and applied them to the recreational space. Emerald Leaves has been approved for a medical marijuana license, and Kaapana plans to split his store between a recreational side and a medical side, making his shop as versatile as possible.
“I’ve been in this industry for awhile. You evolve or you go away,” Kaapana said.
Emerald Leaves places a heavy emphasis on employee knowledge, so the wide variety of products filling the 5,000 square foot building doesn’t overwhelm customers.
“What sets us apart is our knowledge about this stuff” Kaapana said. “I try to take a lot of our medical philosophy and apply it to retail here.”
Emerald Leaves is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call (253) 507-4591.

The owners of the ethnic eateries, curio shops and specialty retailers that make up the collection of the 50 or so shops at the historic Freighthouse Square are preparing for the coming construction of the Amtrak station at the former railroad warehouse turned lunch hour hub.

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Construction starts next week and will last through the fall of 2017. Some shop owners fear the construction-related road closures and lost parking will lead then to lean times and even closed doors.
“I have scared merchants down here and want to know where to go to be heard,” Freighthouse publicist Douglas Campbell said. “They are going to circle us with fences and food trucks, but we are going to be open.”
The restaurants in the food court rely heavily on downtown workers fleeing their offices for a quick bite to eat away from their cubicles, so signs of construction and lost parking spaces along the length of the 1,000-foot destination could lead some of that lunchtime crowd to eat elsewhere. Some eatery owners fear they won’t return once construction ends.

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“It seems like it will be a big downfall,” Rag Singh said, owner of RJ’s Burgers and Little India Express. “It’s going to be a big impact. There’s no doubt about it.”
Barber Pete Lira knows all too well the impacts construction outside of his shop will have on his business. He left his shop in Lakewood when the city installed sidewalks along Bridgeport Way some 15 years ago. He moved to downtown Tacoma only then face road closures as the city installed landscaping. And now he faces construction hassles after just two years at Freighthouse. After 51 years in the business, however, he has a client list of some 350 people who come to him by appointment only, no matter where he is.
“We’ll fnd each other,” he said. “It’s not like we rely on walk by traffic.”

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Washington State Department of Transportation selected Freighthouse Square as the new Amtrak station site. The shuffle from the current station to the Freighthouse Square facility is needed so Amtrak trains can shift to tracks inland between Tacoma and the Nisqually Delta rather than the current waterfront tracks.
Known as the Point Defiance Bypass Project, passenger trains will use tracks along the west side of Interstate 5 through south Tacoma, Lakewood and DuPont. These are the same tracks Sound Transit’s Sounder trains use through the area. The shift will increase safety and shorten commute times.
Construction of the new $10.3 million Amtrak station, which will be located next to Sound Transit’s Sounder train station at the center of Freighthouse, was in jeopardy after the state agency and Freighthouse Square owners couldn’t arrive at a price. An agreement allows for work to move forward and have the sale price set by a judge under the eminent domain process. Delaying construction with a legal battle could have voided federal grants used to construct the new station, which has a deadline of late 2017.

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"This is a major milestone in our work to enhance the passenger rail experience in the Pacific Northwest," said Ron Pate, director of WSDOT's Rail, Freight and Ports Division. "We're excited to see this station being built and look forward to the benefits it will bring our Amtrak Cascades passengers. By creating an even more vibrant multimodal hub in the Dome District, we know this station will be an asset to Tacoma and its vision for the future."
The $149 million in improvements will allow passenger trains to use the inland tracks without being delayed by freight or Sounder trains. After the completion of other capital rail projects, two additional daily round trip passenger trains could be added for a total of seven daily round trip passenger trains through Tacoma, Lakewood, and DuPont. The project is part of some $800 million in federal dollars the state received to improve rail service and safety.

A new event, called Track 01, will showcase music videos created by some of the area's hottest bands and filmmakers on June 1 and 2 at the Grand Cinema. Then afterward, a related concert will give many their first glimpse at the soon-to-be-renovated Carpenters Building before it officially opens as a multiple-use arts space next year.  
“We were very inspired by the number of filmmakers we have been meeting through our outreach work,” the Grand Cinema's Assistant Executive Director Katy Evans said. “And there are a couple of really great local music video showcases that happen in Seattle. We (thought) that's a really cool idea. We should bring some of that energy to Tacoma. We have so many great musicians and bands, and they're all working together. This is a scene that's really starting to come together that deserves a platform.”
Screening will start at 6:30 p.m. each day, and among the music videos and short films being showcased at the event will be the following:

- “Impasse” by Mirrorgloss, directed by Jack Saffle - “Grown Man” by Fly Moon Royalty, directed by Bryan Campbell - “Something New” by DJ Phinisey, directed by Peter Berkley - “Home” by Bruce Leroy, directed by Silong Chhun and Brian Robinson - “Good is in the Graveyard” by Trees & Timber, directed by Sean Downey - “Tu” by Ben Von Wildenhaus, directed by House Plants/Brendan Harman - “The Woah Song” from the musical “Lizard Boy” featuring Justin Huertas, directed by Laura Marshall - “Streets Don't Love Me” by TNT featuring Sir Mix-A-Lot and LIK, directed by James Winters - A short Kris Krews directed documentary about family indie-rock band, Pig Snout

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Musicians and directors will participate in Q & A sessions at each screening. “We're really excited because we like to put as much exposure into what's going on locally,” Evans said. “We're just crossing our fingers that people decide to show up.”
Indie-pop trio Mirrorgloss, rapper Bruce Leroy and DJ Press Play (an alias of director Silong Chhun) will perform at an after party down the street at the Carpenters Building, which is located at 1322  Fawcett Ave. For most in attendance, it will be their first peek inside the converted union hall since a group called Alma Mater started remodeling for an upcoming arts space.
Construction will begin in earnest this fall with plans to be open for business next year. Rachel Ervin – who formed Alma Mater with Jason Heminger and Aaron Spiro – outlined her group's vision for the building.
“Jason, Aaron and I have been working together for about a year now developing the ideas and the vision around this project,” Ervin said. “The name in Latin technically means 'spirit mother' or 'nurturing mother,' but it also gives you kind of that scholastic feel. Our building is very institutional looking. It looks like an old school, so it kind of plays on both of those things.”
The Track 01 after party will be held in the Carpenter Building's 500-capacity auditorium. Ervin said the venue will also eventually house a restaurant, a craft cocktail bar, a smaller cafe and all-ages venue, a recording studio and more. Organizers are also planning an “artist incubator” program where aspiring local musicians can get hand on experience with various elements of the music industry.  

“Right now, we don't see a lot of places in Tacoma where people can just hang out and experience a lot of different things,” Ervin said. “So, in a way, we're providing that. You can come and hang out for a while. It will have a rotating gallery, and it will have a lot of different events going on every night of the week. So it's just providing more options in Tacoma for people in Tacoma to experience art and music and food under one roof.”

Organizers also have a bare-bones web site up and running at www.almamatertacoma.com.
Tickets for next week's screenings are $15 general admission, $12.50 for Grand Cinema members. They may be purchased online at www.grandcinema.com or at the theater, which is located at 606 S. Fawcett Ave. Admission to the after party at the Carpenters Building will be $10 at the door.

The seeds of park improvements planted by the $198 million parks bond voters approved in 2014 will bloom in a big way, with a busy construction calendar at key projects this summer.
Chief among those projects is the first phase of a new 11-acre park along Commencement Bay at the eastside of Point Defiance Park. The grassy, waterfront park will take shape courtesy of hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of soil that will be relocated from remediation sites that will be dug up during enhancements elsewhere in the park. Work on the redesign of the nearby Pearl Street entrance to Point Defiance will also streamline traffic flows into and through the park, which will be the subject of public meetings this summer under the banner of Destination Point Defiance.
“That’s going to be a big part of this,” parks spokesman Mike Thompson said. “This is going to be busy.”
The parks district has hired its first Park Ranger to oversee Point Defiance and answer park-related questions alongside volunteers with the newly formed Friends of Point Defiance Park.
Elsewhere at Point Defiance, work is in the offing to improve the historic Fort Nisqually attraction, to reconstruct the Japanese garden in front of the Pagoda in the traditional style and to replace the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium’s 52-year-old aquarium and aging Rocky Shores exhibit. Scenic viewpoints around the park will also undergo erosion control work. Construction will begin this summer on the school district’s new, two-story Environmental Learning Center, which is being developed through a partnership with Tacoma Public School’s Science and Math Institute and the zoo.
Across town, the $30 million Eastside Community Center will take shape in early 2017 now that design concepts have been developed and the fundraising effort closes in on its goal. The center comes from a partnership involving Metro Parks, the City of Tacoma, Tacoma Housing Authority, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, and the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, Tacoma Schools and a host of other agencies. The much needed facility will serve as a community hub through a pooling of resources that will be a bit of a departure for the district since it will house programs not directly provided by Metro Parks.
“We have never done what we are trying to do here,” Parks District Communications Director Hunter George said.
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The district’s STAR Center, for comparison is collocated on 75-acres of land South Tacoma that also has Gray Middle School, the Boys & Girls Club's Topping Hope Center and Metro Parks’ SERA athletic complex, but each facility manages its own programs and buildings.
People’s Community Center Pool in downtown is under renovation and set to reopen later this year with new offerings that include an expanded pool at the center, a lazy river and a water play zone.
Open space improvements entering their final stages include the purchase of land at Swan Creek Property Acquisition to provide more direct access to the park from Portland Avenue and the extension of the Prairie Line Trail through downtown and along the Thea Foss Waterway.

Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard – a.k.a. popular country duo Florida Georgia Line – is headed for Tacoma. Fans can expect to hear “This is How We Roll,” “Round Here,” “Cruise” and other hits when they take over the Tacoma Dome on Nov. 11. The show will kick off at 7 p.m., with Granger Smith and Chris Lane adding support. Tickets are on sale now with prices ranging from $37.75 to $57.75.
Find tickets for that and these other events at www.ticketmaster.com, expect for where otherwise indicated.
▪ Afroman with Visionary Tribe: 8 p.m. June 16, Jazzbones, $10 to $13; www.jazzbones.com.
▪ Maxwell: 8:30 p.m. June 18, Emerald Queen Casino, $50 to $105.
▪ Alice in Chains: 8 p.m. July 8, Paramount Theatre, Seattle, $65.75; www.stgpresents.org.
▪ Todrick Hall's “Straight Outta Oz”: 7:30 p.m. July 8, Pantages Theater, $19 to $10; www.broadwaycenter.org.
▪ Taste of Chaos Tour with Taking Back Sunday and Dashboard Confessional: 6 p.m. July 9, Xfinity Arena, Everett, $39.95 to $59.95; www.xfinityarenaeverett.com.
▪ Nick Swardson: 7 p.m. July 19 and 20, Tacoma Comedy Club, $37.50 to $50; www.tacomacomedyclub.com.
▪ Avett Brothers: 8 p.m. July 23, Showare Center, Kent, $35 to $55; www.showarecenter.com.
▪ Travis Tritt: 8:30 p.m. Aug. 6, Emerald Queen Casino, $35 to $85.
▪ Josh Turner: 8:30 p.m. Aug. 19, Emerald Queen Casino, $35 to $80.
▪ “I Love the '90s” featuring Salt N' Pepa, Color Me Badd and more: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26, Tacoma Dome, $25.50 to $99.50.
▪ Greg Proops: 8 and 10:30 p.m. Aug. 26 and 27, Tacoma Comedy Club, $16 to $22; www.tacomacomedyclub.com.
▪ Dave Matthews Band with Lake Street Drive: 5 p.m. Sept. 2 to 4, Gorge Amphitheatre, George, $48.50 to $85.
▪ Kid Rock with Unkle Kracker: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 3, Washington State Fair Event Center, Puyallup, $95 to $120; www.thefair.com.
▪ Tim McGraw: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 4, Washington State Fair Event Center, Puyallup, $85 to $350.
▪ Smash Mouth: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8, Washington State Fair Event Center, Puyallup, $30.
▪ Drake with Future: 7 p.m. Sept. 16, Tacoma Dome, $49.50 to $129.50.
▪ Dolly Parton: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21, Showare Center, Kent, $39.50 to $125; www.showarecenter.com.
▪ Dierks Bentley with Tucker Beathard: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22, Washington State Fair Events Center, Puyallup, $65 to $100; www.thefair.com.
▪ Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23, Washington State Fair Event Center, Puyallup, $55 to $80; www.thefair.com.
▪ Art Garfunkel: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24, Pantages Theater, $29 to $85; www.broadwaycenter.org.
▪ Flo Rida with Natalie Rose: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24, Washington State Fair Event Center, Puyallup, $40 to $68; www.thefair.com.
▪ Sia with Miguel and Alunageorge: 7 p.m. Sept. 29, KeyArena, Seattle, $61 to $121.
▪ Def Leppard with REO Speedwagon and Tesla: 7 p.m. Oct. 1, Tacoma Dome, $29.50 to $125.
▪ Five Finger Death Punch with Shinedown, Sixx:A.M., and As Lions: 6 p.m. Nov. 5, Tacoma Dome, $36.75 to $56.75.
▪ Julión Álvarez: 8 p.m. Nov. 18, Tacoma Dome, $63.50 to $163.50.

It's a bird, it's a plane... it's a tweet! Yes, we're going to talk about Twitter today. It seems like most people are already a whiz at Twitter or they don't know anything about it. And if you're wondering if you should take the Twitter plunge, the only thing you really have to consider is that every other major business and celebrity or public figure has an active account there, so it's probably a good idea to join the club. It's easy to sign up and even if you're already signed up, make sure you go in and fill out all the details of your profile including a nice profile picture of your logo or your face, and don't forget the big background image as well. For your bio, make it to the point and try to mix in a little something that will make people smile. =) Once you're all set up, just start with one tweet a day. What to tweet? Don't just say what you're doing or give random information, make it something meaty that your customers or clients will find interesting or stimulating someway, like a new product you're carrying on your shelves, or a sale that runs through Monday, or a quote from a famous person with an inspiring photo. There's much to learn about Twitter, but like everything, you gotta start somewhere, and today's the day to do it! Happy Tweeting! @allaboutgroove #thatsmyhandle

B2 Fine Art Gallery
711 St Helens Ave, Ste 100
Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Info: (253) 238-5065 or www.B2FineArts.com

Symbiosis in Black & White
Work by master artist Weldon Butler and emerging southwest artist Carla Keaton
Through June 11

{body_image_2} Weldon Butler: Butler is a master artist originally from Philadelphia who moved to Seattle in 1973 to be closer to his mentor Jacob Lawrence. Butler's early training in art began in middle school when he was invited to attend Fleischer Art Memorial in Philadelphia. His sister brought him art books, and he got to know the groundbreaking imagery of Jacob Lawrence, among others. Vocational school provided Butler hands-on skills. Later, art courses at Green River Community College pushed him to keep experimenting with new tools and imagery. Butler took classes at Green River Community College under the instruction of Bernie Bleha.
A thoughtful artist whose striking abstractions carry their meaning through references to everyday things, Butler has worked over the years as a sign painter, a silk-screen technician, an auto-body repairman, a race-car driver and a Boeing toolmaker.
Weldon Butler’s work is in permanent collections of the Seattle Art Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, University of Delaware Museum, Brandywine Workshop, Safeco Insurance, City of Seattle, Seattle University, University of Washington Medical Center, Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects and presented in Gallery exhibitions throughout the country.

{body_image_1} Carla Keaton: Keaton was born in 1969 in Chicago Illinois. She is the daughter of a small town Mississippi sharecropper and to a woman of a strict southern Baptist upbringing. Keaton was raised in Minneapolis. She recalls growing up in an environment where very little was ever said and feelings were rarely expressed. Work was her parent’s sole companion. They worked long, and they worked hard. Bills had to be paid, and children had to be fed. Quality time was not affordable. Keaton, the youngest of the three, spent most of her time in her room reading and drawing. “Inspiration for my paintings come from a need to capture, define, record and communicate the histories, stories and moments in time of diverse groups of human populations globally. These recorded “moments” serve as a portal, offering the viewer access to the lives and souls of those captured on canvas and the lives and souls of us all.”
Keaton received her degree in Painting and Physical Anthropology from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. Her work has been featured in several art galleries across Arizona. Keaton is a commissioned portrait artist and has also illustrated two published children’s books. She is also a muralist and has created several murals across the In Arizona. Her paintings have been compared to the famous American realist painter Edward Hopper.

What would you do if you knew that some of your friends were carelessly putting themselves at the risk of dying?
When Stanzi Hay, a senior at Asotin High School, conducted an observational survey, she found that nearly nine out of every ten students and adults arrived at school buckled up; but she was concerned about those who weren’t. These were her friends and classmates, and she didn’t want their loved ones to experience a tragic loss simply due to a negligent decision to drive or ride unbuckled.
“Unsafe behavior behind the wheel is a big deal. The decision to not buckle up while driving kills teens just like me every day across America,” said Hay, reflecting on what drove her to dedicate her senior year to promoting seat belt usage and teen driving safety.
She decided to tackle this issue through the development of a yearlong safe driving campaign. One of the many projects she led this year was a three-week-long seat belt campaign at Asotin High School called, “Buckle Up: Your Family is Waiting for You!” She wanted her peers to understand that the decisions made within a vehicle impact countless others’ lives and those of their family members.
The campaign resulted in increased seat belt use among fellow-students, and by the end, 96 percent were arriving to school protected by seat belts.
That’s a bit higher than our state seat belt use rate of 95 percent. So for the next few weeks, Hay is taking her message statewide and joining the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to encourage drivers across the state to buckle up every time.
“Your family is waiting for you,” Hay reminds drivers and passengers. “For their sake, buckle up.” After all, Hay points out, “The use of seat belts has saved the lives of nearly 300,000 Americans since 1975.”
Washington law enforcement officers will join the national Click It or Ticket campaign aimed at encouraging everyone to wear their seat belt on every trip. Extra patrols will run from May 23 to June 5. In Pierce County, the Bonney Lake, Fife, Fircrest, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Puyallup, Sumner, Tacoma and University Place Police Departments, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, and the Washington State Patrol will be participating in the extra patrols through the coordination of the Pierce County DUI and Traffic Safety Task Force.
These extra patrols are part of Target Zero – striving to end traffic deaths and serious injuries in Washington by 2030. For more information, visit www.targetzero.com. Additional information about the Washington Traffic Safety Commission can be found at www.wtsc.wa.gov.

THURSDAY, MAY 26 - TRACK & FIELD
State 2A, 3A & 4A Track & Field Meet
Mt. Tahoma Stadium – 3:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, MAY 27 – TRACK & FIELD
State 2A, 3A & 4A Track & Field Meet
Mt. Tahoma Stadium – 11 a.m.

SATURDAY, MAY 28 – TRACK & FIELD
State 2A, 3A & 4A Track & Field Meet
Mt. Tahoma Stadium – 9:30 a.m.

TUESDAY, MAY 31 – BASEBALL
Salt Lake vs. Tacoma Rainiers
Cheney Stadium – 6:05 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1 – BASEBALL
Salt Lake vs. Tacoma Rainiers
Cheney Stadium – 11:35 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 2 – BASEBALL
Salt Lake vs. Tacoma Rainiers
Cheney Stadium – 7:05 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 3 – BASEBALL
Salt Lake vs. Tacoma Rainiers
Cheney Stadium – 7:05 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 3 – SOCCER
Lane United vs. Sounders U23
Sunset Stadium, Sumner – 7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 4 – FOOTBALL
Spokane vs. Puyallup Nation Kings
Chief Leschi Stadium – 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 4 – FOOTBALL
P.S. Outlaws vs. P.C. Bengals
Sunset Stadium, Sumner – 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 4 – SOCCER
Women – Fuerza FC vs. South Sound FC
Curtis Viking Stadium – 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 5 – SOCCER
Portland Timbers U23 vs. Sounders U23
North Thurston HS – 2 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9 – BASEBALL
Reno vs. Tacoma Rainiers
Cheney Stadium – 7:05 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 10 – BASEBALL
Reno vs. Tacoma Rainiers
Cheney Stadium – 7:05 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11 – BASEBALL
Reno vs. Tacoma Rainiers
Cheney Stadium – 5:05 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11 – FOOTBALL
Tri-City Rage vs. Pierce County Bengals
Sunset Stadium, Sumner – 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11 – FOOTBALL
Renton Ravens vs. Puget Sound Outlaws
Orting HS – 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11 – BOXING
Battle at the Boat 105
Emerald Queen Casino – 7 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 12 – BASEBALL
Reno vs. Tacoma Rainiers
Cheney Stadium – 1:35 p.m.

Dear Editor,

It was with great interest that I read the editorial “The Reach Act, The Global Fund and the Zika Virus” (by Willie Dickerson, TW April 29). Particularly disturbing are the statistics showing that in our day there are still 289,000 mothers and 5.9 million children dying of unnecessary causes each year. The Reach Every Mother and Child Act (HR 2706 and S. 1911) will hold USAID accountable for plans to accelerate progress in preventing these deaths. Without requiring additional funding, the Reach Act will ensure USAID: 1.) develops a U.S. government strategy to help end preventable child and maternal deaths with ambitious, clear and measurable goals; 2.) increases accountability and transparency at all levels, and 3.) focuses on the poorest and most vulnerable populations and recognize the unique needs within different communities and countries.
I echo Mr. Dickerson’s call for contacting our senators and representatives asking for their support of this bill. Let’s raise our voices in support of mothers and children everywhere.

Barbara Williams
Tacoma RESULTS
Tacoma, WA

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B SHARP COFFEE: 322 Jazz Collective (jazz) 8 p.m., $7, AA
CULTURA: Latin Fridays (Latin DJ) 9 p.m.
G. DONNALSON'S: James Haye (blues) 8 p.m., NC, AA
GREAT AMERICAN CASINO: Nite Crew (dance) 9 p.m., NC
JAZZBONES: Erotic City (Prince tribute) 7:30, 10:30 p.m., $15-$20
KEYS ON MAIN: Dueling pianos, 9 p.m., NC
LOUIE G'S: Juliet Tango, LocoMotive, Lust Punch (rock, alternative) 8 p.m., $5, AA
REAL ART TACOMA: Tmarie, Nate Jerz and Kenny Sauve, Ayoblasian, Paper Gang, Awall, Sic Ill, 8-Bit, Leattle Shakur (hip-hop) 6 p.m., $10, AA
THE SWISS: Bumpin' Uglies, The Ill-Legitimates, Big Blue Van (hip-hop) 9 p.m., $12
TACOMA COMEDY: Corey Holcomb (comedy) 7:30, 10:30 p.m., $24.50-$30.50, 18+ early show
UNCLE SAM'S: Harrison Street Band, 8 p.m.
THE VALLEY: Bazooka Benny and the Pfefferle Hillbillies, Highway Gospel Preachers, Tef Pa (Americana, country, blues) 8 p.m., NC

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DOYLE'S: Luke Stanton Band (indie-folk, rock) 9:30 p.m., NC
G. DONNALSON'S: James Haye (blues) 8 p.m., NC, AA
GREAT AMERICAN CASINO: Nite Crew (dance) 9 p.m., NC
JAZZBONES: Karlous Miller, Boe Blast, Josh Firestone, Sweeng One and host Ralph Porter (comedy) 8:30 p.m., $15-$40
KEYS ON MAIN: Dueling pianos, 9 p.m., NC
LOUIE G'S: Girls Love Rockets (rock, indie-pop) 8 p.m., $10, AA
NEW FRONTIER: Harrison Street Band (rock) 9 p.m., NC
THE SWISS: Hair Nation (rock covers) 9 p.m., $5-$10
TACOMA COMEDY: Corey Holcomb (comedy) 7:30, 10:30 p.m., $24.50-$30.50, 18+ early show

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DAWSON'S: Tim Hall Band (open jam) 8 p.m., NC
NEW FRONTIER: Bluegrass Sunday, 3 p.m., NC
REAL ART TACOMA: Keeping it Real II Real with Childsplay Kidd (hip-hop) 6 p.m., $5-$15, AA
TACOMA COMEDY: Corey Holcomb (comedy) 7:30, 10:30 p.m., $24.50-$30.50, 18+ early show

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DAWSON'S: Heather Jones and the Groove Masters (R&B, soul, funk) 8 p.m., NC
JAZZBONES: Rockaroke (live band karaoke) 9 p.m., NC
REAL ART TACOMA: Kimmirhane, D-Dazh, Malisa Jones, The Means (hip-hop) 8 p.m., $5-$10, AA
THE SWISS: Chuck Gay (open mic) 7 p.m., NC

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ANTIQUE SANDWICH CO.: Open mic, 6:30 p.m., $3, AA
B SHARP COFFEE: Peeled Bananda (comedy) 7:30 p.m., NC, AA
DAVE'S OF MILTON: Jerry Miller (blues, rock) 7 p.m., NC
DAWSON'S: Doug Skoog and Brian Feist (blues) 8 p.m., NC
JAZZBONES: Ha Ha Tuesday (comedy) 8:30 p.m., $5
NORTHERN PACIFIC: Stingy Brim Slim (blues) 7 p.m., NC, AA
REAL ART TACOMA: Lizard Kingdom, Quieter, Trunks, Tigerhawk, Deep Sleep (metal, emo, punk, alternative) 5 p.m., $8, AA
ROCK THE DOCK: Dustin Lefferty (open mic) 8 p.m., NC
STONEGATE: Leanne Trevalyan (open mic) 8 p.m., NC
TACOMA COMEDY: Tacoma Comedy Academy Graduation Show (comedy) 8, 10:30 p.m., $10-$16, 18+ early show

DAWSON'S: Linda Myers Band (R&B, blues, jazz) 8 p.m., NC
G. DONNALSON'S: James Haye (blues) 7:30 p.m., NC, AA
HARMON TAPROOM: Open mic with Steve Stefanowicz, 7 p.m., NC
NORTHERN PACIFIC: Open mic, 7:30 p.m., NC, AA
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.

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ANTHEM COFFEE: Live Roots (open mic) 5 p.m., NC, AA
G. DONNALSON'S: Kareem Kandi Band (jazz) 8 p.m., NC, AA
KEYS ON MAIN: Dueling pianos, 9 p.m., NC
TACOMA COMEDY: José's Hammer Time (comedy) 8 p.m., $10-$16

Tacoma sports icon Stan Naccarato passed away Wednesday, May 25. He was 88 years old.
Naccarato was born in Tacoma in 1928 and graduated from Clover Park High School in 1946. By graduation he had already been playing semi-professional baseball for four years. He was soon signed by the Cincinnati Reds as a pitcher for the Ogden Reds in the Pioneer League where he compiled an impressive 33-10 record in three seasons before hanging up his glove due to a shoulder injury.
Naccarato’s early involvement with youth baseball branched out to nearly every corner of Tacoma athletics. He was a two-time chairman of the Tacoma Athletic Commission and a commissioner and chairman governing boxing and wrestling. He was the master of ceremonies and chairman of the Tacoma Golden Gloves tournaments for several decades. For 20 years, Naccarato was president and general manager of the Tacoma Twins, Yankees, Tugs and Tigers, winning several national awards along the way. He was also one of the leading figures that brought about the voter approval and construction of the Tacoma Dome.
“Stan was a wonderful friend and mentor, a leader of not only this organization for decades, but for the entire city,” Tacoma Rainiers team president Aaron Artman said. “He loved Tacoma maybe even more than he loved the Rainiers. We will honor him for the remainder of the 2016 season and remember the impact that he had on this city and this franchise forever.”

Democratic socialism used to be a vibrant force in American life. During the first two decades of the 20th century, the Socialist Party of America, headed by the charismatic union leader Eugene V. Debs, grew rapidly, much like its sister parties in Europe and elsewhere: the British Labour Party, the French Socialist Party, the Swedish Social Democratic Party, the Australian Labor Party and dozens of similar parties that voters chose to govern their countries. Publicizing its ideas through articles, lectures, rallies and hundreds of party newspapers, America’s Socialist Party elected an estimated 1,200 public officials, including 79 mayors, in 340 cities, as well as numerous members of state legislatures and two members of Congress. Once in office, the party implemented a broad range of social reforms designed to curb corporate abuses, democratize the economy and improve the lives of working class Americans. Even on the national level, the Socialist Party became a major player in American politics. In 1912, when Woodrow Wilson’s six million votes gave him the presidency, Debs – his Socialist Party opponent – drew vast, adoring crowds and garnered nearly a million.
This promising beginning, however, abruptly came to an end. Socialist Party criticism of World War I led to a ferocious government crackdown on the party, including raids on its offices, censorship of its newspapers and imprisonment of its leaders including Debs. In addition, when Bolshevik revolutionaries seized power in Russia and established the Soviet Union, they denounced democratic socialist parties and established rival Communist parties under Soviet control to spark revolutions. In the United States, the Socialists fiercely rejected this Communist model. But the advent of Communism sharply divided the American Left and, worse yet, confused many Americans about the differences between Socialists and Communists. Although the Socialist Party lingered on during the 1920s and 1930s, many individual Socialists simply moved into the Democratic Party, particularly after its New Deal programs began to steal the Socialist thunder.
The Socialist Party’s situation grew even more desperate during the Cold War. With the Communists serving as cheerleaders for the Soviet Union, Americans often viewed them as, at best, apologists for a dictatorship or, at worst, subversives and traitors. And the Socialists were often mistakenly viewed the same way. By the 1970s, the once-thriving Socialist Party was almost non-existent. Some of its remaining activists, led by Michael Harrington, broke away and organized the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee, which later morphed into Democratic Socialists of American--a group that dropped third party campaigns, called attention to the value of democratic socialist programs, and worked with progressive forces in the Democratic party to secure them. But, for several decades, it made little headway.
And, then, remarkably, democratic socialism began to revive. Of course, it had never entirely disappeared, and occasional polls found small-scale support for it. But, in December 2011, a startling 31 percent of Americans surveyed by the Pew Research Center said that they had a positive reaction to the word “socialism,” with young people, Blacks, and Hispanics showing the greatest enthusiasm. In November 2012, a Gallup survey found that 39 percent of Americans had a positive reaction to “socialism,” including 53 percent of Democrats.
Why the rising tide of support for socialism in recent years? One key factor was certainly a popular backlash against the growing economic instability and inequality in America fostered by brazen corporate greed, exploitation, and control of public policy. In addition, college-educated young people--saddled with enormous tuition debt, often under-employed, and with little recollection of the Soviet nightmare--began to discover the great untold political story of the postwar years, the remarkable success of European social democracy.
Of course, Bernie Sanders played an important role in this public reappraisal of democratic socialism. Once a member of the Young People’s Socialist League, the youth group of the old Socialist Party, Sanders forged a successful political career as an independent, serving as a popular mayor of Burlington, Vermont, a U.S. Congressman, and, eventually, a U.S. Senator. During these years he consistently attacked the greed of the wealthy and their corporations, assailed economic and social inequality, and stood up for workers and other ordinary Americans. For many on the American Left, he provided a shining example of the continued relevance of democratic socialism in America.
Sanders’s plunge into the Democratic Presidential primaries, though, drew the attention of a much larger audience--and, as it turned out, a surprisingly sympathetic one. Although the communications media were quick to point out that he was a socialist, a fact that many assumed would marginalize him, he didn’t run away from the label. Perhaps most important, he presented a democratic socialist program in tune with the views of many Americans: universal healthcare (Medicare for All); tuition-free public college; a $15/hour minimum wage; increased Social Security benefits; higher taxes on the wealthy; big money out of politics; and a less militaristic foreign policy. 
This sounded good to large numbers of voters. In June 2015, shortly after Sanders launched his campaign, a Gallup poll found that 59 percent of Democrats, 49 percent of independents, and 26 percent of Republicans were willing to support a socialist if he were the candidate of their party. This included 69 percent of Americans 18 to 29 years of age and 50 percent of those between 30 and 49 years of age. To the shock (and frequent dismay) of the political pundits, Sanders’s poll numbers rose steadily until they rivaled those of Hillary Clinton, the presumed Democratic nominee, and he won 20 of the Democratic state primaries and caucuses conducted so far. Indeed, polls showed that, if he became the Democratic nominee, he would win a landslide victory in the race for President.
But whether or not Sanders reaches the White House, it’s clear that democratic socialism has made a comeback in American life.
 
Dr. Lawrence Wittner, syndicated by PeaceVoice, is Professor of History emeritus at SUNY/Albany. His latest book is a satirical novel about university corporatization and rebellion, What’s Going On at UAardvark?

ECONOMIC SHOWCASE EXPECTS BIG DRAW

Highlighting recent and planned developments, as well as opportunities for developers and investors, the City of Tacoma’s Community and Economic Development Department will host an Economic Showcase on June 1, from 8-11 a.m. at LeMay: America’s Car Museum (2702 E. D St. in Tacoma). The event is currently expected to draw more than 150 brokers, developers, investors and tech-savvy businesses.
At the event, there will be remarks from Mayor Marilyn Strickland on the more than $275 million in planned investments from foreign developers, Portland-based brewer McMenamins on plans for the restoration of the Historic Elks Lodge, local residential developer Loren Cohen on the success of the Point Ruston mixed use development and why it makes more sense now than ever before to develop housing in Downtown Tacoma, and University of Washington Tacoma real estate director Patrick Clark on the organization's blueprint for expansion in the future. Representatives from the City's Community and Economic Development Department, and other community leaders, will also be in attendance to share information and answer questions.
"Tacoma is seeing tremendous economic growth," said Community and Economic Development Director Ricardo Noguera. "We're seeing a vacancy rate of less than 2 percent in downtown residential properties and residential rents that have risen above $2 per square foot. Residential rents for newer units are now at more than $2.30 per square foot. We're also seeing a dramatic upswing in development activity in our Brewery District, which is evolving steadily into an area much like Portland’s Pearl District or San Francisco’s South of Market. Now is the time to invest in Tacoma."
Event details are available through Chrisy Vindivich in the Community and Economic Development Department, by emailing cvindivich@cityoftacoma.org or calling (253) 591-5141.

TWO PALESTINIAN REFUGEES TO SPEAK IN TACOMA

On May 14, 1948, as Zionist leader David Ben Gurion was proclaiming a Jewish state in Palestine, his heavily armed troops seized the ancient Palestinian Arab town of al-Zeeb and drove out most of the inhabitants. Eighteen-year-old Mariam Fathallah was one of them. She and her young husband and their families were forced to flee to Lebanon, along with most of the town. By the end of the year, the 4,000-year-old community had been leveled to the ground. More than half the Arab Palestinians in Palestine were killed or expelled and more than half of the cities, towns and villages of Palestine were made to disappear, a crime that Palestinians call al-Nakba (the Catastrophe).
Mariam, now 86 years old, wants to meet you and tell her story in person. So does Amena Ashkar, the granddaughter and great granddaughter of other Nakba survivors, who has known no other home than refugee camps.
The Palestinians that Jewish Voice for Peace has brought to Tacoma over the years all have been from the West Bank. Because these two women are from refugee camps in Lebanon, their experiences are different, and their perspectives and their stories are different. This will be an unusual opportunity. Come and hear their stories and ask your questions on Thursday, May 26, 7:30 p.m. at Fircrest United Methodist Church, 1018 Columbia Ave. (faces S. 19th, near Pearl). Facebook page: www.facebook.com/events/256713268013638. Sponsored by Jewish Voice for Peace (Tacoma chapter) and The Rachel Corrie Foundation. Questions? Tacoma@JewishVoiceForPeace.org.

TAHOMA NATIONAL CEMETERY HONORS MEMORIAL DAY

Each Memorial Day, Tahoma National Cemetery and other National Cemeteries hold a ceremony to honor the men and women that have served and are serving our great country. This year the community is invited to a Memorial Day program to remember and honor all military members who have served or are currently serving our nation. Tahoma National Cemetery is a commemorative partner with the Department of Defense for the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. This year we will have a special segment to recognize and hold a commemorative lapel pinning ceremony for Vietnam War era veterans, those who served between (Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975).
Keynote speaker will be Lourdes E. ‘Alfie’ Alvarado-Ramos, director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. Alvarado-Ramos was born in Puerto Rico and served 22 years on active duty retiring in August 1993 as the Command Sergeant Major of Madigan Army Medical Center and Troop Command, Joint Base Lewis McChord. During her military career, she was the recipient of awards and decorations that include the Legion of Merit. She is alumni of the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Program, the University of Washington Executive Management Program and holds a Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration. She is a member of Governor Jay Inslee’s Executive Cabinet and chairs the Washington State Military Transition Council. She also serves as lead for the Governor’s Healthy and Safe Communities Goal Council.
Guest speaker will be Nataly Morales representing Senator Patti Murray.
This event will be held at 1 p.m. at the Tahoma National Cemetery main flag pole assembly area. Parking space is limited in the cemetery. Visitors should plan on walking to and from your parking spot to the ceremony. Parking is available for disabled passengers and drivers with a shuttle to and from the ceremony assembly area.
Tahoma National Cemetery is located at 18600 SE 240th St. in Kent. For more information, contact the Tahoma National Cemetery office at (425) 413-9614.
 
HOWARD L. SMITH NAMED NEW DEAN OF MILGARD SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

The University of Washington Tacoma has named Dr. Howard L. Smith as the new Gary E. and James A. Milgard Endowed Dean of the Milgard School of Business.
Smith served as dean at the University of New Mexico for both its Anderson School of Management and School of Public Administration. He led both schools to national and international rankings including multiple mentions as one of the top 15 business ethics programs in the world for 2003-2004. While at the University of New Mexico, Smith collaborated with the Anderson School’s board to provide access to local community leaders and small business owners.
He spent six years at Boise State University. Due to his leadership and fundraising success as dean of the College of Business & Economics, Smith was asked by the president to serve as vice president for advancement, where he initiated the university’s first comprehensive fund raising campaign in 2007, raising $175-million over a seven-year period, the largest such campaign in Idaho history.
Most recently, Smith served as the founding dean of Pacific University College of Business, located in Cottage Grove, Ore.
His new position marks a return of sorts for Smith: he received his Ph.D. in 1976 from the University of Washington Foster School of Business. “It’s extremely gratifying to me to be able to return to the Pacific Northwest and an exceptional opportunity to serve as the dean of the Milgard School,” said Smith.
The Milgard School was recently accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the first time it has been accredited separately from UW’s Foster School of Business. “That accreditation shows the depth of the work of the school’s faculty and leadership,” said Smith. “It’s a significant accomplishment. I have the deepest respect for those leaders that preceded me, and I look forward to working with the faculty to continue the Milgard School’s tradition of excellence.”
Smith will have a tenured appointment as a full professor. He will begin his new role on July 1.

SCIENCE BEHIND PREVENTION FOCUS OF FREE CONFERENCE

Marijuana dependence can begin at an early age. According to the State Liquor and Cannabis Board, one in eight youth who uses marijuana by age 14 becomes dependent. State experts say the legalization of recreational marijuana in Washington contributes to increased youth usage.
At a free conference on June 10, Marijuana Prevention Conference: Science of Prevention for Professionals, educators, counselors, mental health providers, and youth workers have an opportunity to learn how to steer youth toward making healthy choices. This first-ever conference, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, 1500 Broadway, will connect professionals with regional and national experts.
“Professionals who work with youth need proven strategies to intervene early,” said Tutrecia Baker, health promotion coordinator at Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. “This conference is a way for professionals to learn how to apply the science of prevention to have a positive effect in schools and the community,” Baker said.
While the long-term effects of marijuana on intelligence are unclear, according to the Washington State Department of Health, marijuana can alter brain chemistry and affect academic achievement in youth. The conference includes several speakers who will explore these issues:
Workshop facilitators: Kevin Haggerty, expert in marijuana use and youth development from the University of Washington; Jason Kilmer, explores youth health behaviors, including marijuana use, from the University of Washington.
Keynote speakers: Kevin Sabet, advisor to three U.S. presidents on drug policy and co-founder of Project SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana); and Larry Cohen, founder and director of the Prevention Institute.
In addition, a youth panel will offer professionals first-hand accounts of marijuana use.
The free conference includes a free breakfast and lunch. Register at: tinyurl.com/YMPProfessional. Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department partnered with Puget Sound Educational Service District to co-sponsor the event. Chemical dependency professionals can earn continuing education credit through the National Association of Addiction Professionals for attending the conference.

No one is putting his stamp on Seattle’s music scene at this moment quite like Tacoma native Erik Blood. In recent years, the visionary musician and producer has manned the boards for recordings by the likes of Shabazz Palaces, THEESatisfaction and this year’s breakout act, Tacocat; but on June 4, he’ll make the short trip home to showcase psychotropic sounds from his own new album, “Lost in Slow Motion,” which surfaced on April 29. Hear it at www.erikblood.bandcamp.com.  
Blood took a moment to revisit his musical roots, describe his process and praise some of his favorite collaborators in the days leading up to his homecoming show. 
Tacoma Weekly: I’m guessing Erik Blood may be a stage name.
Blood: No, that’s my name.
TW: Oh, it is? You have a very striking name.
Blood: (Chuckling) I got it from my dad.
TW: You’re actually from Tacoma, right? Where did you grow up, and where did you go to school?
Blood: I grew up in Tacoma near Point Defiance and went to Point Defiance Elementary (and) Wilson High School.
TW: Before you moved, did you work with different bands down in this scene?
Blood: Nah, not at all, man. It was all just bedroom recording and working on my own stuff in Tacoma.
TW: You’re coming down to play music from your new album, which I’ve been digging. When and where did you record it?
Blood: I recorded that mostly at my studio up here in Seattle. Let’s see, I finished it in February of last year.
TW: This album is more ethereal than previous recordings, and it sounds like you have more electronic drums and that sort of thing. Tell about how your sound has developed.
Blood: It’s hard for me to know, honestly, how the changes come about or why they come about. I used to have a big band, and I stopped being able to write for the big band and was wanting to write something less constrictive.
For this one, I let the sounds kind of guide everything. I didn’t think about performance. I really didn’t think much about the end product even. (I was) letting the sound take me wherever it would take me.
TW: There seems to be a longing in the new songs. Maybe you can take me into your creative head space and what sorts of feelings or experiences fueled what you put down on tape (though I guess it’s not tape anymore.)
Blood: Some of it is tape. I’m old, so I still like tape. But yeah, the record is just what it is. It’s kind of a breakup record. I was ending a relationship at the time, so I’m sure that comes through a little bit. Some of the songs are about the situation. But I don’t know. I don’t really think about that when I’m making music. I try not to ascribe any sort of preconceived emotional baggage to anything. I just wanna channel as much of an instinctual mood as possible.
TW: I’ve read blurbs comparing what you do to My Bloody Valentine, but you hear snippets of so many other things in there, too. A song like “Early Days” could be influenced by old Motown, and on the new album there are more pronounced electronic elements.
Blood: I grew up in a house where all we listened to was Motown and disco. In the ‘80s, my sister was six years older than me, so she was bringing in New Wave stuff. Then hip-hop came around and destroyed everything. (I was) obsessed with hip-hop for years until I ran into My Bloody Valentine and Cocteau Twins. That changed me really heavily. But this record more so than any of ‘em is a culmination of all of those things for me. This is exactly how I hear my music, way more so than the other records.
TW: What songs surprised you the most as far as what you ended up with?
Blood: The most genuinely surprising thing is the last track, “Out This Way.” That was the one where I brought in Otis, (aka Seattle hip-hop artist) OC Notes. I really wanted him on the record, and he came up with that verse just completely out of nowhere. It was just the most beautiful, heartbreaking thing ever. It spoke to me, and I think it almost defines the record to me.
TW: You have other people making cameos on your record. Who is actually in your live band, and what should people expect when they see you at 733?
Blood: You’re just gonna see me and Irene (vocalist Barbaric.) You get to see us in our costumes and doing our dances and gettin’ down.
TW: I’m gonna have to pull up some performance video to see what you’re talkin’ about.
Blood: I don’t even know that there’s any performance stuff up anywhere. I haven’t really checked recently. November was when we first brought in the look. It seems like people are getting into it. It’s a visual as well as sonic thing now, which I’m really happy about.
TW: Was there some sort of epiphany you had in November with the live show?
Blood: You know that show, “Band in Seattle? We got asked to do that. … If you’re a phenomenal performer, that’s cool; and if you have an energy that’s even cooler, but that’s hard to convey on video tape or whatever. It’s different from being in a room with a band. So it was really just me and Irene sitting around talking about it, and I wanted it to look like something.
TW: So there’s a dance element, and maybe some projections.
Blood: Yeah, yeah, we’ve got this guy Kevin Blanquies who does these really cool projections. It’s very psychedelic, very pretty. Then me an Irene are looking like ghosts.
TW: Ishmael (Butler) is on the new album for a little bit; and, aside from your own solo stuff, you’ve gotten kudos for some of the bands you’ve produced, including that last Shabazz Palaces record, “Lese Majesty.” How did you wind up hooking up with those guys?
Blood: I met Ish through a mutual friend years ago – many, many years ago. He heard a record (by) my old band, the Turn Ons. He heard that record that I was working on then, and he dug it. We talked about working together for a while. He did the Cherrywine record (2003’s “Bright Black.”) Then we got together for a few weeks and did the first two Shabbazz EPs. Yeah, we’ve been working together ever since.
TW:“Lese Majesty” came out a couple of years go. Are you working on the follow up?
Blood: Yeah, there’s new Shabbazz in the works.
TW: Can you say anything about it, or is that under wraps?
Blood: Nope. Very wrapped up. (He laughs heartily.)
TW: Fair enough. You definitely came up with something that is hard to compare to any other hip-hop albums that have come out in recent memory. What stands out about making and recording that music?
Blood: Just working with Ishmael. He’s a brilliant musical mind. He’s a brilliant mind in general; but musically, there’s no one comparable. He’s a poet beyond words, man. He owns the English language. It’s like we’re all just renting it. He’s one of the most inspiring people to work with, and his ideas are, in my opinion, beyond avant-garde.
TW: What’s coming up for you for the rest of the year? Do you do a lot of touring as a solo act?
Blood: This year, I’m definitely trying to get out on the road. I’m talking with booking agents, trying to get around the country – trying to get over to Europe. If I had my way, I would tour nine months out of the year and just make music. That’s all I wanna do. I have the blessing of being able to record music with amazing, amazing people who make amazing music. That feeds me, musically. That feeds me spiritually, even. So to be able to make that my life, that’s what I want.

8 p.m. June 4
The Elevator, 736 Pacific Ave.
Tickets are $8 in advance, starting Friday, $10 at the door
Info: (253) 344-3104 or www.733arts.com

If you’ve seen more Tacoma Rainiers and Seattle Mariner caps sitting atop smiling, if not bewildered, heads around the Puget Sound these days, you are not alone. There seems to be a sense of baseball euphoria going around and if it wasn’t all grounded in truth, one might think the average baseball fan around these parts has lost his or her mind.

Apparently, this is what happens when your teams grab hold of first place in their respective divisions and continue to rack up victories. Throw in some late-inning dramatics and the old fans are going to start coming back around, while the new fans begin to wonder how they were ever getting through this life without experiencing all this goodness.

Before we start getting too overly dramatic, let’s take a quick gander at the state of affairs in the Seattle Mariners’ baseball organization.

It’s crazy times we’re living in with the three teams within the organization that are currently playing baseball right now.  As the hometown team for Seattle’s Triple-A club, Tacoma fans have been flocking to Cheney Stadium this season, and the Rainiers have been dishing up heaping helpings of wins and excitement. As this new issue of the Tacoma Weekly goes to press, the Rainiers are currently sitting pretty atop the Pacific Coast League’s Pacific Northern division with a 28-17 record and already own a 6.5 game lead over the second-place Reno Aces (21-23).

Meanwhile, just a short distance (but exceptionally long drive) up Interstate-5, the Seattle Mariners are quickly becoming the toast of Major League Baseball’s American League. With a bevy of new faces and talent, the Mariners have been winning series after series since the start of the season on their way to a 27-18 record and a 1.5 game lead over the second-place Texas Rangers (26-20). Probably the most surprising thing about this new-look ball club has been their resiliency and their heart. In 2015, the Mariners had six victories when trailing after the seventh inning. As of press time, Seattle already has five this season in just 45 games.

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While they’re not playing baseball in this neck of the woods, the Double-A Jackson Generals should garner some attention from local baseball fans. In the years to come, many of these players will be suiting up for Tacoma, and it’s more than likely that some may even see the bright lights of Seattle’s Safeco Field. The Generals sit atop the Southern League’s North division with a 27-17 record and command a 3.5 game lead over the second-place Montgomery Biscuits (who also have one of the coolest names in baseball).

Naturally, some of us are waiting for one of these teams to slip, because the baseball amongst these three ball clubs is just too good right now. It’s almost ridiculous.

Just two months ago, many baseball writers and prognosticators considered the Mariners’ farm system to be depleted and pretty much a wreck in progress. Two months later, the Mariners and their affiliates are knocking their fans’ socks off and turning heads wherever they play.

If you were thinking of hopping on the bandwagon, there’s plenty of room and nobody’s going to give you any grief about it right now. We’ve been so starved for some awesome baseball up here in the Pacific Northwest that there’s absolutely no room for the type of shaming that has greeted so many new Seattle Seahawks’ fans in recent years by the old school fans that stuck it out through all the bad times. People love a winner and that’s just the bottom-line fact.

The recent Tacoma home stand was nothing short of spectacular. The Rainiers hosted the Omaha Storm Chasers for four games, took a day off, and then welcomed the Iowa Cubs to Cheney for another four. When the dust settled, and both teams had headed back East, Tacoma had rolled up seven wins versus one loss. The four-game tilt against Iowa was something special.

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In game one on Thursday, May 19, Tacoma would welcome a modest crowd of 3,318 fans to Cheney Stadium and it was a tight contest. Starting pitcher Donn Roach threw 6.2 innings of lights-out baseball, giving up just one earned run, striking out seven and issued zero walks. A homerun by right fielder Mike Baxter in the second, followed by an RBI single by Luis Sardinas in the sixth inning would wrap up the 2-1 victory for Tacoma, as the Rainier pitching staff held the Cubs to just four hits.

The following night’s game would be capped by a fireworks show and the combination drew an incredible crowd of 7,048 to Cheney. Mike Zunino hit a three-run homerun in the first inning, as Tacoma put five on the board to open the game. The Rainiers would tack on another four runs in the sixth inning on their way to a 9-4 victory in front of an elated crowd.

Rain was falling around Tacoma early on Saturday, May 21, but by game time things had dried up a bit with some gloomy clouds overhead. The Rainiers jumped out to a 5-0 lead after the third inning, and it looked as though Tacoma was not only going to cruise to victory, but also secure a series win. Iowa would have other plans as they knocked in four runs in the fourth inning to pull within one run at 5-4. Tacoma would get one more run back in the bottom of the fifth, only to see Iowa tie the game up in the sixth inning at 6-6.

It began sprinkling around the seventh inning and the atmosphere amongst the 5,755 in attendance was energetic as the hometown fans anticipated something special from their team. It had been happening all season, so why shouldn’t it unfold as such on a chilly, wet Tacoma night?

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The game entered the ninth inning still knotted at six runs apiece. Relief pitcher David Rollins shut down the Cubs in the top of the ninth and it was time for some more dramatics. After walking the bases loaded, while also registering two outs, Cubs’ reliever Giovanni Soto faced Sardinas at the plate. Still fresh from being sent down to Tacoma from Seattle, Sardinas continued to make the most of his increased playing time by rapping a hot single into left-center field, scoring Mike Baxter for the 7-6 victory and the Cheney Stadium crowd went rightfully nuts.

Smelling a sweep, the Rainiers kept their foot on the gas in their final game against Iowa the following afternoon. In front of another incredible crowd of 6,688 fans, Tacoma pounded the Cubs by the score of 8-1. It was a fitting end to a dominating home stand.

Tacoma returns home on Tuesday, May 31 for a four-game home stand against the PCL Pacific Southern leading Salt Lake Bees (25-18). The Friday, June 3 game will be followed by a fireworks show, so gather up the kids and some blankets. Games are an awful lot of fun when you’re team is the big dog and sitting in first place.

Since establishing Breo International LLC in October of 2015, Yevgeny Gil, CEO and founder, has worked tirelessly to develop a skin care product that will outshine all others like it on the market today. Next week Breo International LLC will launch its first product, Vivacity Calendula Foaming Facial Wash with Ginkgo Biloba. This facial cleanser is paraben-free, dye-free, fragrance-free, sulfate-free and irritant free. It is a gel substance, but the viscosity is not too thick like many other products of its kind. It washes off with ease, also taking along with it the impurities and excess oils leaving skin feeling fresh and rejuvenated. Deep cleansing for normal-to-oily skin, this cleanser contains natural ingredients like calendula, rose distillate, ginkgo biloba, and vitamin E known to reduce inflammation, redness and irritation of skin. Vivacity Skin Care with BREO launched its skin care line with this product and is going live on sale online Monday, May 30.
Breo International and Vivacity Skin Care with BREO were inspired by a young person struggling with acne. Yevgeny Gil wondered and hoped that there were something out there that could help with skin issues and this inspired the research for the products and the birth of Breo International and Vivacity Skin Care with BREO.
Gil states, “Many people struggle with conditions like acne and dryness, and our focus is to provide products that can help or relieve just that. Our products are natural and made from natural ingredients, and that's more than many other skin care companies can claim.”
Vivacity Calendula Foaming Facial Wash with Ginkgo Biloba, going on sale this coming week online, is available in 4-ounce and 8-ounce bottles. Many acne and skin care products are very expensive but Gil wanted to make Breo International LLC’s products accessible to the masses with the 8-ounce cleanser priced at $32.99 and 4-ouce cleanser at $21.99.
The future of this skin care company is bright. “Our vision for the next few years is to have a complete line of products for men and also for women as well as having vitamins and supplements to add into your skin routine available,” Gil said. “By the end of the year, we hope to have three more products to add to our Vivacity Skin Care with BREO product line.”
Gil makes it a point to contribute to the community in a variety of ways. “Donations to Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, toward the cause of skin cancer, will be made for every 8-ounce bottle sold on our website,” he said. “Also we take requests from people in our community (once per month) whether it is to pay a phone bill, or groceries. Life is precious, and we wish to help people preserve theirs.”
The definition of vivacity is "the quality of being attractively lively and animated." Gil states, “We believe that our products make the consumer livelier and more animated, full of glow and life. This is the spirit of our line, and we wish to spread our passion for skin care through our products.”
Breo International LLC is a local company with a mission to help each of their customers feel confident and happier with their skin but also to give back to the community to make a difference for the future.
Coming up the first week in July is the Vivacity Skin Care with BREO Launch Celebration. Come out to Lakewold Gardens on July 7 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and enjoy an evening of celebration to learn more about the future of BREO International LLC, enjoy a professional photographer, videographer, DJ, catered food and lots of fun.
To shop and learn more about BREO International LLC and all their products visit, vivacityskincarewithbreo.com/our-products when the site launches on May 30.

(Re: “Community gets first look at future Eastside rec hub,” TW May 20) This story included erroneous speculation about the center’s future name. A Metro Parks Tacoma spokesperson said the process for naming the center has not begun. Tacoma Weekly apologizes for the error.

May 20 saw the opening of Tacoma Musical Playhouse’s “The Wiz,” the penultimate main stage production of TMP’s 22nd Season. “The Wiz” originally ran on Broadway in the 1970s, and was the source of the 1978 movie of the same title (starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell and Richard Pryor). The spectacular production is a musical retelling of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
TMP’s production is noteworthy for its spectacular stage sets and numerous ensemble scenes in which the cast are decked out in colorful, fantastic costumes that delight the eye – hats off to costume manager Jocelyne Fowler. There are characters dressed as tornados, sensual poppies, comical crows and frightening kalidahs (creatures that are half tiger and half bear). There are even figures in fancy yellow outfits and yellow wigs that are the anthropomorphized incarnation of the yellow brick road itself. The citizens of the Emerald City, with all their finery in shades of green, are strikingly beautiful.

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The stage lighting and props are all nicely handled, especially the giant, steam-venting head of the pseudo wizard with its moving mouth and green, flashing eyes. It is the great stage props that transport the audience from Dorothy’s rustic Kansas farm, through fantastical forests and all the way to the Emerald City (not Seattle) during the course of the show.
While the story is focused on Dorothy and her companions, the three witches really steal the show. Jamelia Payne is scintillating as Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West. Payne inhabits her role from her stomping high heels to the tips of her fingers. Her song, “Don’t Nobody Bring Me No Bad News,” featuring Payne’s rich, brassy voice is one of the high points of the show.
The magic-challenged, yet good-natured, Addeperle, the Good Witch of the North, is played to the humorous hilt by Sheila “Kay” Blackwell. Roshawn Johnson handles the role of Glinda the Good Witch of the South. Johnson’s vocals blend a silvery brilliance with a velvety smoothness.

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Alexandria Henderson has the lead role as Dorothy. The role does not let her talents reveal themselves in their full glory, however, until the final number, “Home.” It is not until this last song of the entire show that the audience is finally treated to the bedazzling, full-throated power of Henderson’s vocal chords.
Charles Simmons as the Scarecrow; Matthew Dela Cruz as the Lion; Jimmy Shields as Tin Man; Duwayne Andrews as The Wiz and Russell Campbell as the Gatekeeper are all given their moments to shine during the course of the production. Marion Read, who plays Aunt Em, is the first to get things started with a lush rendition of the wistful “The Feeling We Once Had.”
“The Wiz” is punctuated by several dance numbers like the “Tornado Ballet,” “Emerald City Ballet” and the great rejoicing in the wake of the demise of the Wicked Witch of the West. These ensemble dances, however, often seemed to lack the edgy frenzy of energy that they seemed to want. There were also occasional technical difficulties with some of the microphones.

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TMP’s “The Wiz” has many good, colorful, lyrical and well-crafted moments that make it worth seeing, but the audience is kept waiting for great gushes of song and energy that fail to materialize with much frequency.
“The Wiz” runs through June 12 with Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances. For further information visit tmp.org. If your browser cannot access the website try the TMP facebook page at www.facebook.com/TacomaMusicalPlayhouse.