Quantcast
Channel: Tacoma Weekly
Viewing all 8311 articles
Browse latest View live

And the funniest moment from last night’s Weird Al show is ...


Tacoma Murals Project offers community groups creative solutions to blight and vandalism

Get Amber alerts this weekend? Here’s why

News Haiku: end times

Changes come to Weekly Volcano

Waterfront walk set for Wednesday

Still time to get tickets to D.A.S.H. Center’s Masquerade Extravaganza

Quick second-half goal leads Wilson past Mount Tahoma


Wilson tops Foss to punch ticket to districts

State again tops nation in bike friendly list

May 3rd School Page

Tacoma Art Museum celebrates building’s 10th birthday

City Council seeks applicants for Sustainable Tacoma Commission

Audio: Our “nerd panel” deconstructs “Iron Man 3”

Cops step-up Cinco de Mayo DUI and liquor enforcement


What’s Right With Tacoma: Paint Tacoma-Pierce Beautiful

0
0

Paint Tacoma-Pierce Beautiful began transforming Tacoma in 1985, sending out teams to paint homes for free, raising the standards in neighborhoods, restoring dignity to low-income seniors and people with disabilities.

The program is now reinventing itself.

The original concept was pure Tacoma: Give a bunch of volunteers the materials to make one person’s home lovely again. Service clubs, paint suppliers, schools and congregations rallied to it, and Associated Ministries added it to roster of community initiatives. Every year it grew. It expanded into Lakewood, University Place, unincorporated Pierce County.

But members of many of the original congregations have aged, and younger people have not stepped in. City and County grant money has become scarcer. When long-time director Sallie Shawl retired, so did some of the teams she had kept faithful.

You can think of that as waning, or as evolution. The new leaders have chosen the latter, and are adapting the program to new conditions. Amy Allison and Megan Shea are finding ways to meet fresh needs and work with new partners. The buzzword for that is collaboration – a smart strategy driven by dwindling resources.

When Paint was founded, Tacoma was a “Father Knows Best” kind of town. City leaders made policy that city workers carried out with city money. People in tougher neighborhoods felt abandoned – in part, because they were. They demanded better policing, and worked with cops to develop it. In the process, they earned respect, and power, from their new partners. They tried out fresh ideas, including the Broken Window Theory. It maintains that a broken window is a sign that people don’t care about the area, and that it’s open to crime and more blight. Fixing the window demonstrates that the residents claim ownership.

That led to a natural partnership between police and code inspectors.

It is a brilliant success.

Police, alerted to high-crime houses, call in the code inspectors, and they work on the property together. The cops use arrests. The inspectors use code violations. Together they can force the owner to clean it out and clean it up. Tacoma’s neighborhood associations think of the people on these teams as rock stars.

That brings us to the neighborhoods, where groups stemming from Safe Streets, Tacoma Neighborhood Council, community gardens and individual issues are the first to notice trouble spots.

If a long-time neighbor’s grandson has moved in to move drugs, they notice, report and document. If a household has fallen into neglect, or hoarding, they notice, figure out what’s going on, and report.

Paint Tacoma-Pierce Beautiful is a fine fit in this new web of partnerships.

Last year, organizers noticed an odd phenomenon. When they knocked on the doors of homes in bad shape and offered to paint them for free, homeowners declined. Seniors, especially those who are not connected to churches or community groups, didn’t know about Paint. They thought it was a scam.

This year, Shea and Allison are spending their evenings at neighborhood meetings. In the past, Paint reps attended the same meetings, and asked the people at them to form teams and help. Allison and Shea recognize that the people at the meetings are already doing more than their share. Instead of asking them to paint, they are asking them to refer neighbors who need it. They are explaining the applications and leaving copies, and using the website: www.paintbeautiful.org.

They have given Tacoma and Puyallup Tribal police, and code inspectors, applications to hand to homeowners.

That means a trusted neighbor, or a public servant, can offer the free paint job. It also means that the houses that most need the work get applications into the program.

It’s a new, smart approach, and, because Pierce County did not fund the program this year, it is centered on Tacoma and Lakewood.

Paint has made another smart move. In the past, it only painted for low-income seniors or disabled people. It will now paint for any homeowner who meets the low-income guidelines.

While Allison and Shea have been adapting and collaborating, they have been listening and responding.  Metro Parks ‘ Laura Rodriguez of Portland Avenue Community Center and Christine Lucey of Communities in Schools at Oakland High School have told Paint Tacoma that young people are desperate for meaningful, structured summer programs, especially on Tacoma’s East Side. Over the past two years, that neighborhood has lost a summer day camp, a library and a Boys and Girls Club.

Paint has a pilot plan to meet part of that need – a youth mentorship summer paint program. Teams of 10 to 15 young people, mainly in middle and high school, would work with teams of five to six adults to paint several homes on the East Side, near the community center. The young people would earn volunteer hours – and make a visible, positive impact on their neighborhood. They’ll end the summer paint-spattered and proud of it.

Shea and Allison are working with the city, Metro Parks, Pierce County Labor Council and United Way to sort out the details. They intend to start small, but see ways to work with other partners as they expand. They also are getting the word out that they need adult leaders. Teachers, church and service club members, adults who have summer weekdays free are all welcome.

It’s more than a fresh approach. It’s the evolution that will keep a Tacoma treasure strong, fresh and transformative.

Photo Contest: Send us photos of your favorite potholes

City Briefs

0
0

CHANGES COME FOR WEEKLY VOLCANO

Weekly Volcano publisher Ron Swarner has announced that the newspaper will no longer be printing as its own publication. Instead, the popular alternative weekly will be an entertainment supplement inside the Ranger and Northwest Airlifter publications. Tacoma Weekly wishes all the best to the fine folks at the Volcano during this transition period, and we look forward like everyone else to continue enjoying the Volcano’s one-of-a-kind coverage of area arts and entertainment.

Here is a letter Swarner posted on the Weekly Volcano Facebook page over the weekend:

Greetings South Sound campers,

This may come as a shock, but the news isn't a surprise. The Weekly Volcano will no longer stand alone as an alternative newsweekly, but rather be converted into the entertainment supplement to the Ranger and Northwest Airlifter, the weekly newspapers serving the South Sound military community. The Volcano will continue to be distributed exactly as it has been for the last 12 years — inside bars, restaurants, coffee shops, colleges, businesses, purple and green boxes on the streets, as well as inside the Ranger and Northwest Airlifter newspapers.

By every measure not related to advertising sales, the Weekly Volcano has been a success. Unlike many newspapers and magazines, we didn't suffer from declining readership, online or in print — only declining revenue. But in the end the money is what matters, it pays for the news department, fancy special sections, expansive arts coverage, marketing, daily happy hour in our fifth floor lounge and, sadly, http://weeklyvolcano.com and its blogs.

The Weekly Volcano will continue to report on and review South Sound music, culture and craziness without a change in circulation or attitude. The Volcano website — http://www.weeklyvolcano.com— will merge with our sister site, http://www.northwestmilitary.com, over the next week. Restaurant reviews? You will find them on http://www.northwestmilitary.com. Theater reviews? They’ll be there too. Event calendars? Yup. We’ll even resurrect 5 Things To Do Today on a new entertainment blog.

To all of you who supported us over the years by picking up our feisty alt rag or read us online, who shared our work or shouted at it: we can never thank you enough.

Ron Swarner

Publisher

Weekly Volcano

MURALS PROJECT SEEKS NEIGHBORHOODS NEEDING BEAUTIFICATION

In support of the City of Tacoma’s ongoing efforts to combat blight and vandalism, the Tacoma Murals Project would like to hear from community groups interested in collaborating with local artists who will design and implement murals that reflect positive neighborhood themes or messages. The deadline for submissions is May 28, 2013.

“These community-based murals have proven to be positive community catalysts, bringing neighbors together, helping them find common voices, and enlivening areas that were previously neglected,” said Tacoma Arts Administrator Amy McBride. “It is inspiring to see how artists have been able to work within each community to develop murals that are unique and responsive to the characteristics, stories, history and future of each neighborhood.”

Each selected community group will receive a funded mural that includes artist supplies and artist compensation, an artist/artist team from a roster provided by the City, technical assistance and general promotion of the project.

In return, each selected community group would be responsible for contributing in-kind services and materials as required to prepare their mural wall, participating in the selection of an artist/artist team from a City-provided roster, coordinating community meetings and the dedication of their completed mural, and maintaining their mural after completion.

Community groups must, with property owner’s permission, propose specific mural walls. Proposed mural walls must be on commercial or public property and located within Tacoma city limits. Priority will be given to sites located within Community Based Services areas in Tacoma or sites located in areas without a good representation of public art.

For project details and additional information, please contact Naomi Strom-Avila at nstrom-avila@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5191.

TACOMA SERTOMA HOLDS PICNIC FOR THE DEAF

On Friday, June 7, Tacoma Sertoma will hold its 38th annual picnic for the deaf. There will be hot dogs, clowns, face painting, police vehicles, fire engines, entertainment and more. Those planning to attend are asked to contact the organizers by May 17 so they don’t run out of hot dogs. Email Linda Dobner at lldobner@msn.com; (voice): (253) 863-1857; (text): (253) 442-9810. The picnic will be held at Birney Elementary School, 1202 S. 76th St. For directions, call (253) 571-4600.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD MOVES TO NEW LOCATION

Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest (PPGNW) has moved its Tacoma health center to a new location at 1515 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, just six blocks east of the old location. The new health center opened last week.

“We are extremely pleased to be opening our new facility in Tacoma,” said Chris Charbonneau, CEO of PPGNW. “The new health center is more spacious and we’ll be able to serve more clients who need affordable, quality health care in Tacoma and Pierce County. It’s a busy health center and we’re committed to providing the best care for the women and men in our community.”

The new facility has been completely remodeled and updated to provide quality and efficient medical care for our Tacoma clients. Unlike PPGNW’s older facility, the new health center has a light and airy feel, and ample parking to better accommodate clients. 

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading reproductive health care advocate and provider and has been delivering essential women’s health care in Tacoma since 1972. One in five women will come to Planned Parenthood at some point in her life and rely on the high-quality health care she receives there. 

The new health center will continue to offer a full range of high-quality reproductive health care, including affordable access to birth control, well-woman visits, breast and cervical cancer screening, emergency contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment, abortion services, and comprehensive sexual health education and information.

PPGNW will offer a seamless transition to the new location and clients will have no lapse in service. Hours of operation will remain the same -- Monday through Saturday.

The new Tacoma health center is part of a larger plan to expand access to health care for Pierce County clients as national health care reform is implemented. Planned Parenthood is preparing for increased numbers of clients as more individuals obtain health insurance and are able to access reproductive health services.

The Tacoma health center will be open six days a week – Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment at any of PPGNW’s health centers, call 1 (800) 230-PLAN or visit http://www.ppgnw.org.

253 COLLECTIVE SEEKS MEMBERS

The 253 Collective is a group of diverse artists and they are looking for more members. If you would like a unique opportunity to network, meet other artists, market and sell your art without any commission taken out of your sales, email three to five samples of your artwork to 253Collective@gmail.com.

253 Collective is located at 1901 Jefferson Ave. across from the Swiss restaurant on the University of Washington Tacoma campus. Gearing up for summer months and longer, warmer days, the group will be having their regular meeting in early May and they invite the community to come meet them and learn more about the operations of the group.

For more information, send e-mail to 253Collective@gmail.com or visit

http://253collective.com/about-membership.

253 Collective is open Saturdays from noon-5 p.m. and third Thursdays from 3–8 p.m. Lobby hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

GRAND CINEMA HAS YOUR GOLDEN TICKET

For the next three months The Grand Cinema will be selling up to 250 raffle tickets per month. At the end of each month there will be drawings for one grand prize winner and five runner-up winners. The monthly grand prize will be a Golden Ticket that grants unlimited access to movies at The Grand Cinema for an entire year and the runners-up will receive a Grand Cinema bucket loaded with goodies.

Each raffle ticket is $20 and raffle tickets will be sold only at The Grand Cinema box office. You don't have to be present to win and the first drawing will be on June 3.

All proceeds from the Golden Ticket Raffle will go directly to The Grand’s Digital Cinema Challenge campaign to complete the cinema’s conversion to digital format.

CONTROVERSIAL RABBI TO SPEAK IN TACOMA

Rabbi Brant Rosen, a congregational rabbi from Evanston, Ill., will speak in Tacoma on Tuesday, May 7, 7:30 p.m. at Fircrest United Methodist Church (6308 South 19th – just west of Pearl Street, Tacoma). He will be talking about his book “Wrestling in the Daylight,” which deals with his difficult and controversial public questioning of Israeli policies with regard to Palestinians.

As a man who has “identified deeply with Israel most of my life,” Rabbi Rosen began this public questioning during the assault on Gaza in December of 2008. He began his blog on Dec. 28 of that year with, “The news today out of Israel and Gaza makes me just sick to my stomach,” and ended it with: “So no more rationalizations. What Israel has been doing to the people of Gaza is an outrage. It has brought neither safety nor security to the people of Israel and it has wrought nothing but misery and tragedy upon the people of Gaza. There, I’ve said it. Now what do I do?”

Among other things, he has written a book of his subsequent blog posts and the responses back and forth from members of his congregation and others. It's an incredible and open conversation about an extremely difficult topic within the Jewish community.

He wants to have conversations with more people in the Jewish community. He has taken positions that some would consider outside the limits of acceptable public discourse, but he believes deeply that “we must have a respectful and authentic conversation within the broader Jewish Community.” He invites all to come and be a part of that.

Rabbi Brant Rosen is a congregational rabbi in Evanston, IL, the co-founder of Jewish Fast for Gaza and the co-chair of the Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council. A longtime activist for social justice and human rights, Rabbi Rosen has led/participated in delegations to Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Iran, Rwanda, Uganda, Nigeria and the former Soviet Union. His writings appear in his popular blog, "Shalom Rav." His book "Wrestling in the Daylight: A Rabbi's Path to Palestinian Solidarity" was published in 2012 by Just World Books.

Rabbi Rosen’s visit to Tacoma is sponsored by the Tacoma Chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace. For more information, write Tacoma@JewishVoiceforPeace.org.

ADDRESSING HUNGER IN PIERCE COUNTY

“A Place at the Table,” a powerful new documentary that investigates and proposes solutions to incidents of hunger experienced by millions of Americans, will be screening at The Grand Cinema from May 3-9. Emergency Food Network and Immanuel Presbyterian Church are co-sponsoring a post-film discussion following the 4:20 p.m. screening on May 5. The discussion will be led by Helen McGovern, executive director of Emergency Food Network, and will draw connections between the film and work being done to address hunger in Pierce County. Tickets are available at http://www.GrandCinema.com and more information about Emergency Food Network can be found at http://www.efoodnet.org. Non-perishable and canned food donations will be accepted at each screening.

TACOMA LITTLE THEATRE WELCOMES NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Tacoma Little Theatre’s Board of Directors announced this week the appointment of Chris Serface to the position of managing artistic director.

“We are very fortunate to have a leader like Chris Serface taking the helm,” said George McClure, TLT’s board president. “He brings a breadth of experience with him, both on and off stage. With Chris as managing artistic director, TLT will continue to enhance the Tacoma theatre scene.”

Tacoma Little Theatre is the oldest operating community theatre west of the Mississippi. According to Serface, “TLT is so close to its 100th anniversary that when this opportunity became available, I knew that I had to be a part of it. Simply put, big things are going to happen at Tacoma Little Theatre.” Serface will officially take his place as the new managing artistic director on May 1.

A Pacific Northwest native, Serface was passionate about theatre at an early age and became involved with the local Puget Sound community theatre scene. He attended Weber State University in Ogden, Utah as part of their Theatre and Education programs. During that time he also began working in the business world for Hollywood Entertainment where he spent seven years as a district supervisor in Arizona, California and Washington.

Serface has worked with many theatres across the country as an actor, technician, director, manager, educator and musician. He serves on the boards of The American Association of Community Theatres and The Washington State Community Theatre Association. He is currently the director of Tacoma Musical Playhouse’s education program, which has thrived under his guidance.

“Chris has been a great asset to the TMP family, and we are sorry to see him leave,” said Tacoma Musical Playhouse Managing Artistic Director Jon Douglas Rake. “With Chris’ energy and creativity, TMP’s education department has grown into one of the largest theatre education programs in the Puget Sound. We wish him the best in his new position at TLT.”

MEDINA TO SERVE AS SCHOOL DISTRICT’S TOP FINANCIAL OFFICER

Rosalind Medina will become the interim chief financial officer for Tacoma Public Schools beginning July 1 for at least the 2013-14 school year. She replaces Ron Hack, who has announced he will retire at the end of June.

The early announcement by Superintendent Carla Santorno allows for a seamless and orderly two-month transition, although Medina has in-depth familiarity with the district’s finances.

She has served as the district’s budget director since 2007, helping manage the district’s budget during the nation’s worst economic downturn in generations and during a time when the district closed two schools, among other painful cuts, to save money.

“I have confidence in Rosalind’s abilities and her understanding of helping me and my senior leadership team set and fund priorities that truly lead to the academic improvement of our students,” Santorno said. “We recently started a new process to better link our budgeting to key initiatives in the strategic plan the school board has set for the district. Rosalind will lead that process.”

The year-long interim tag – a frequent approach for internal appointments – will allow Santorno to review Medina’s performance and evaluate the long-term future of the district’s top financial job.

Medina, a certified public accountant and certified fraud examiner, earned her bachelor of science in business administration and her master of science in accountancy from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She earned her certificate in school district business leadership from the University of Washington.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to provide both innovation and continuity to our district’s finance department,” Medina said. “Our primary goal is producing positive outcomes for students and that cannot be done without adequate financial support and strong leadership. With this in mind I will work to better align our funds to support the district’s priorities. ”

The Finance Department currently consists of Financial Services, Accounting Services, Payroll, Budget, Contracts and Purchasing, Information Technology, Instructional Technology, Technical Support and Student Information System.

FORT NISQUALLY HIGHLIGHTS 19th CENTURY CONSTRUCTION

Fort Nisqually Living History Museum's new exhibit, “A Good Piece of Work to be Done with the Axe,” exposes the unique "post-in-sill" construction of the Fort's 1850 Granary, one of the few surviving American examples of this style. The exhibit opens April 27 during Sewing to Sowing Living History Day, an event which highlights mid-19th century sewing techniques and agricultural practices with hands-on activities for the whole family, and will be on view through Aug. 4.

Fascinating examples of the 19th century hand tools, such as axes, adzes, hand saws, augers, froes and mallets, are featured in the exhibit. "It's something to imagine how, with a handful of basic tools, these men built a substantial building in the wilderness, without the benefit of sawn boards," said curator Bill Rhind.

"Post-in-sill" was the favored construction method of the Hudson's Bay Company, which operated Fort Nisqually. The finished product was more weathertight and finished looking than a traditional log cabin. The exhibit illustrates how post-in-sill differed from the other construction styles of the mid-19th century.

The Fort's Granary is one of oldest standing buildings in the Puget Sound area, and is a National Historic Landmark. The exhibit serves to kick off a restoration project of the Granary scheduled for later this year. The special exhibit is free with paid admission to the Fort. For more information, visit http://www.FortNisqually.org or call (253) 591-5339.

Located in Tacoma's Point Defiance Park, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum is a restoration of the Hudson's Bay Company outpost on Puget Sound where visitors travel back in time and experience life in Washington Territory during the fur trade era. The site includes a Visitor Center and Museum Store. (Historic Tacoma)

MCCARTHY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF PUGET SOUND REGIONAL COUNCIL

Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy has been elected president of the Puget Sound Regional Council, which coordinates growth planning in a thriving four-county region.

McCarthy, serving her second term as county executive, was elected on Thursday, April 25, during the PSRC’s annual General Assembly. Redmond Mayor John Marchione was elected Vice President.

“The PSRC plays a vital role in knitting all of the communities of central Puget Sound together and planning for our future,” McCarthy said. “Over the next year we’ll be focused on improvements to our transportation system, boosting job growth, and ensuring the region continues to grow in ways that reflect our shared Northwest values.”

As president, McCarthy chairs the PSRC’s Executive Board and serves as the leader in guiding the PSRC’s budget and work program. The agency is preparing to update the region’s long range transportation plan, produce new data to monitor the region’s performance toward the goals in the VISION 2040 growth strategy, and select projects for federal transportation funding. PSRC’s Executive Board also will select a new Executive Director because of the retirement of Bob Drewel, who has led the agency for nine years.

McCarthy succeeds Kitsap County Commissioner Josh Brown as president of the PSRC.

The region’s General Assembly includes elected representation from all the members of the PSRC, including King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties, as well as more than 80 cities, towns, state agencies, transit agencies, ports, and Tribal Governments. The Assembly meets at least annually to adopt the agency’s budget and elect leadership. Typically, the president of the PSRC serves for two years.

PIERCE COUNTY FERRIES START PEAK SEASON RATES

Peak season on the Pierce County ferry will bring changes to fare rates and the schedule. Peak season runs May 1 to Sept. 30.

Peak season fares started May 1 for Pierce County ferry passengers that drive a vehicle or motorcycle onto the ferry. Walk-on passenger rates are the same year-round, and bicycles can be walked on at no extra cost. Riders will not be able to use non-peak season tickets once peak season begins.

Passengers driving vehicles 21 feet in length or less will see their rates increase from the non-peak season rate of $16.80 to the peak season rate of $21, while passengers driving motorcycles will see an increase from $9.05 to $11.30. Rates for seniors or disabled drivers will increase from $14 to $17.55.

The five-trip commuter pass for vehicles 21 feet in length or less remains at $67.15, while the five-trip pass for motorcycle commuters remains at $36.10.

During peak season, the Thursday run leaving Steilacoom at 8:40 p.m. does not operate. Similarly, the runs leaving Anderson Island at 9:10 p.m. and Ketron Island at 9:30 p.m. do not operate. These runs were added to the schedule in 2013 primarily to accommodate those attending school events.

During peak season, a later run is added on Sunday nights to accommodate summer visitors. The run departs Steilacoom at 10 p.m.; Anderson Island at 10:30 p.m.; and Ketron Island at 10:50 p.m. The non-peak season run departing Ketron Island on Sundays at 9:30 p.m. will be replaced by the 10:50 p.m. run.

On Fridays from July 1 through Labor Day, the last trip of the day will run one hour later. This means the 10 p.m. departure from Steilacoom will shift to 11 p.m.; the 10:30 p.m. departure from Anderson Island will change to 11:30 p.m.; and the 10:50 p.m. departure from Ketron Island will shift to 11:50 p.m.

The schedule will change Memorial Day, July 3-4, and Labor Day to accommodate holiday travelers.

The Pierce County Ferry System provides service between the town of Steilacoom, Anderson Island and Ketron Island. Visit http://www.piercecountywa.org/ferry for the ferry schedule and a full list of vehicle and motorcycle fares.

COUNTY COUNCIL TAKES GOVERNMENT ON THE ROAD

Pierce County Council will hold upcoming meetings in North Tacoma and Parkland as part of its practice of taking government on the road.

The council, which normally meets Tuesdays in its chambers in the County-City Building in downtown Tacoma, holds at least one meeting a year in each of the seven council districts, as required by the Pierce County Charter.

The May 21 "in-district" meetings will be at 5:30 p.m. at Anna Lemon Wheelock Library, 3722 N. 26th St. The meeting will be hosted by District 7 Councilmember Stan Flemming. The May 28 meeting will be at

5 p.m. at Garfield Community Room, Pacific Lutheran University, 208 Garfield St. S. in Parkland. The meeting will be hosted by District 6 Councilmember Doug Richardson.

Meetings for the remaining four districts will be announced as dates are confirmed. More information, including Council agendas, is available at http://www.piercecountywa.org/council.

PIERCE COUNTY TO WORK ON REDUCING ALL WASTE

Pierce County will use findings from its recent research on food waste management to develop tools and programs to cut 10 percent from the waste disposal stream over the next five years.

Pierce County will focus on overall waste reduction, create a voluntary food waste collection program for restaurants, grocery stores and cafeterias, and divert materials such as metal and wood from the landfill. Tools and programs in these three areas will be developed in 2013, and implemented in 2014.

“Based on our research and community feedback, we have decided to work on reducing all waste, not just food waste,” said Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy. “This will enable us to address the complex issue from multiple angles and provide educational resources tailored to our residents’ and businesses’ needs. This fits with our goal of encouraging sustainable practices that protect our community for generations to come.”

Waste reduction

The county will develop resources to educate residents on how to reduce wasteful consumption of all materials, including food.

“One of our findings is that we have a shared responsibility to address issues of waste,” said Steve Wamback, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities sustainable resources administrator. “For consumers, that responsibility starts in the aisle at the store as they decide what and how much to buy, and continues as they decide whether to throw an item away, recycle it or find a new use for it. We hope to help our residents make informed choices about their consumption.”

For example, resources on meal planning would help residents learn how much food to buy – reducing the likelihood that the food will spoil before it is used.

 “The average Pierce County household throws away 50 pounds of food each month,” said Rick Johnston, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities project coordinator. “Waste reduction efforts can have a big impact on reducing the amount of food going into trash cans in the first place.”

Based on its findings, the county will not provide a residential food waste collection and composting program. The county will continue to accept only vegetative yard waste, such as leaves, grass clippings, weeds and small branches. The complete list of items is available at http://www.piercecountywa.org/yardwaste.

Pierce County’s research found that composting facilities around the country have experienced unpleasant odors and longer processing times after they’ve added food waste to their compost, and that the compost produced often can’t be sold.

Voluntary program for businesses

The county will, however, create a voluntary program for restaurants, grocery stores and cafeterias that would allow them to have food scraps collected and composted. The type of food scraps collected will be only those that are compatible with current composting processes, such as fruit and vegetable trimmings and coffee grounds.

“This program will allow businesses to divert food scraps from their trash containers but won’t affect the quality of our finished compost,” said Johnston. “It also won’t create negative impacts in the neighborhoods near the composting facilities.”

PREP compost, made from yard waste collected and composted in Pierce County, is high quality and in demand. The county found that adding food waste to PREP reduced its quality while adding to the cost of operating the compost facilities.

Landfill diversion

The county plans to work with the private landfill operator to find ways to divert materials such as wood and metal from the landfill. These materials don’t break down quickly and take up a lot of space in the landfill.

“The popular assumption is that diverting food waste from the landfill to a composting facility will save landfill space for the future,” Johnston said. “The food waste study found this isn’t true, because food breaks down so quickly that any space it takes up is quickly recovered. We need to focus on diverting materials such as wood and metal.”

Research and public outreach

Pierce County began investigating reasonable options for food waste management in 2010 when a waste audit found that nearly one-third of Pierce County’s waste is food, making it the largest category of material entering the landfill.

The county then began a year-long study of available options to manage and reduce food waste, and presented three options in 2012 at 18 public workshops held around the county to gather feedback. An online workshop was created for those unable to attend in person. More than 3,000 residents participated and offered feedback.

“Waste management is a complex issue, so it was important that we researched the problem and gathered feedback from the community before implementing any new programs,” Wamback. “Feedback from our residents was instrumental in helping develop these recommendations for managing our overall waste.”

Pierce County’s solid waste management system includes all unincorporated areas of the county and all cities and towns except for Tacoma, Auburn, Ruston and Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

More information about the recommendations is available at http://www.piercecountywa.org/foodwaste.

Live Music

0
0

Friday, May 3

EMERALD QUEEN: 4 More (Top 40) 9 p.m., NC

C.I. SHENANIGAN’S: Collaborative Works Jazz, 8 p.m.

DAWSON’S: Rock ‘n Roll Magic (Classic rock) 9 p.m., NC

EAGLES LOUNGE: Darrell Data (Vocals/guitar) 6 p.m.

GREAT AMERICAN CASINO: Chapter 5 (Top 40) 9 p.m., NC

JAZZBONES: Pearl Django (Jazz) 8 p.m., $10

LOUIE G’S: Vividal, Late September Dogs, Pretty Enemy (Rock) 8 p.m., $5, AA

PARADISE BOWL: Just Dirt (Rock covers) 9:30 p.m.

MAXWELL’S: Lance Buller Trio (Jazz) 7 p.m., NC

NEW FRONTIER: The West, guest, 9 p.m.

STONEGATE: Ghost 311, 9 p.m.

SWISS: Afrodisiacs (Disco covers) 9 p.m.

UNCLE SAM’S: Nemesis, Path To Ruin, 8 p.m.

UNCLE THURM’S: Gary Cook (Jazz guitarist) 5:30 p.m., NC, AA

VARSITY GRILL: Rock-Bot live band karaoke, 8 p.m., NC

Saturday, May 4

EMERALD QUEEN: Spike & the Impalers, 8:30 p.m., $30-55

C.I. SHENANIGAN’S: Collaborative Works Jazz, 8 p.m.

DAWSON’S: Rock ‘n Roll Magic (Classic rock) 9 p.m., NC

EMERALD QUEEN: 4 More (Top 40) 9 p.m., NC

GREAT AMERICAN CASINO: Chapter 5 (Top 40) 9 p.m., NC

JAZZBONES: Folsom Prism (Johnny Cash tribute) 8 p.m., $10

MAXWELL’S: Kareem Kandi Band (Jazz) 8 p.m., NC

STONEGATE: Ghost 211, 9 p.m.

SWISS: Spazmatics (80s covers) 9 p.m.

UNCLE SAM’S: Unhailoed, Beyond Theory, MPB, 8 p.m., $5

VARSITY GRILL: Rock-Bot live band karaoke, 8 p.m., NC

Sunday, May 5

STONEGATE: Rich Wetzel’s Groovin’ Higher Orchestra (Jazz) 5 p.m.

ANTHEM: Taxi Driver (Jazz) 7 p.m.

DAWSONS: Tim Hall Band (Blues jam) 8 p.m., NC

NEW FRONTIER: (Bluegrass jam) 3 p.m.

STONEGATE: Bobby Hoffman & All-Star Band, 8 p.m.

TACOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Brass Unlimited, Kareem Kandi (Jazz) 3 p.m., NC, AA

UNCLE SAM’S: Remedy (Rock jam) 7 p.m.

UNIVERSITY OF PUGET SOUND: Rob Hutchinson Quartet, Kareem Kandi (Jazz) 8 p.m., NC, AA

Monday, May 6

STONEGATE: Rafael Tranquilino (Blues jam) 8 p.m.

FULCRUM GALLERY: Qui Vive, Beans & Rize, Crazy Monk (Hip-hop) 6 p.m., $10, AA

JAZZBONES: Rockaraoke, 9 p.m.

SWISS: TBA (Blues) 8 p.m.

UNCLE SAM’S: Bill Pease, Paul Buck, Chris Gartland (Blues) 8 p.m.

Tuesday, May 7

STONEGATE: Leanne Trevalyan (Acoustic open mic) 8 p.m.

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

DAVE’S OF MILTON: Jerry Miller (Blues) 7 p.m., NC, AA

DAWSONS: Jho Blenis, Shelly Ely (Blues jam) 8 p.m.

LOUIE G’S: (Acoustic open mic) 6 p.m.

NEW FRONTIER: (Open jam), 9 p.m., NC

UNCLE SAM’S: Blenis/Ely Band (Blues jam) 7:30 p.m., AA

Wednesday, May 8

SWISS: Kareem Kandi Band (Jazz) 7 p.m., $5, AA

DAVE’S OF MILTON: Rubber Band (Jam session) 8 p.m.

DAWSONS: Crazy Texas Gypsies (Jam session) 8 p.m.

GIBSON’S (STADIUM DISTRICT): Ephraim Richardson (Open mic) 7 p.m.

STONEGATE: N.M.W.P. (Rock jam) 8:30 p.m., NC

Thursday, May 9

OLIVE BRANCH CAFÉ: Michelle Beaudry (Jazz guitarist) 4 p.m., NC, AA

DAVE’S OF MILTON: Powercell (Jam session) 8 p.m.

DAWSON’S: Billy Shew Band (Jam session) 8 p.m., NC

EAGLES LOUNGE: Biff Moss (Ukelele/guitar) 6 p.m.

PARADISE BOWL: Just Dirt (Rock jam) 9:30 p.m.

ROCK THE DOCK: (Open mic) 8:30 p.m.

STONEGATE: Billy Stoops (Jam) 9 p.m.

UNCLE SAM’S: Jerry Miller (Blues) 7 p.m.

The Things We Like

0
0

DASH CENTER MASQUERADE

There’s still time to get tickets for D.A.S.H. Center’s Masquerade Extravaganza, May 4 at Cultura Event Center. In celebration of the center’s 10th anniversary, this will be a party to remember – catering by Flavors of the Caribbean, a cash bar, music by DJs Eddie (ES) Sumlin and Omar DJOmarvelous, and performances by Candi Simone, Blak, Emmanuel Frayer and more. Dress to impress for Red Carpet interviews and photos 8-9 p.m., Belle/Beau of the Ball contest and Best Mask contest. Tickets will not be sold at the door. $20 general admission, $35 VIP admission (private VIP area, champagne, wine, more). Info and tickets: http://www.thedashcenter.org/event/masquerade.

GOOD STORIES WELL READ

Who says adults are too old to enjoy listening to a good story well read? Come and experience the joy of listening to a good story with local author and storyteller Judy Cullen. Cullen will read from various literary works, including her own, and two music-related stories that Cullen specifically wrote for this event entitled “Walking to the Music” and "Mute Impact." Sunday, May 5, 1-2:30 p.m. at Proctor Art Gallery, 3811 N. 26th St. Learn more about Cullen at http://jdcstoryteller.blogspot.com.

BOLLYWOOD NIGHT

Come join the Asian Pacific Islander Student Union (APISU) for Bollywood Night on Friday, May 3 from 7-10 p.m. in Longshoreman's Hall at UW Tacoma. The night will be comprised of a dance featuring Bollywood music and a henna artist. Tickets $5 for both students and non-students.

MUSIC, ART & SPAGHETTI

You can pig out in support of this year's Music & Art at Wright Park on May 9. From 4-8 p.m., Louie G's Pizza, 5219 Pacific Highway E., in Fife, will offer all-you-can-eat spaghetti for 10 bucks, with proceeds benefitting Tacoma's annual D.I.Y. music festival, which Tacoma Weekly will co-sponsor on Aug. 10 at Wright Park this year. The event will also feature acoustic performances and is open to all ages. Visit http://www.sites.google.com/site/mawpfestival for more info on donating to the cause. 

REMEMBERING PAULA JOHNSON

Those who were lucky enough to know Tacoma art maven Paula Johnson are invited to share in a celebration of her life on May 5, 12:30 p.m. at Asia Pacific Cultural Center, 4851 South Tacoma Way. There will be music, photos, family, friends and more. If you have a special picture of Paula, or you with Paula, please bring a copy to leave in a special keepsake box the family is putting together. Info: aljc911@yahoo.com or (360)229-0915.

Viewing all 8311 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images