ADVOCATES CALL FOR PAID SICK LEAVE
A group seeking to make paid sick leave mandatory for employers in the city kicked off a campaign with a rally on May 30 at Pierce County Central Labor Council’s headquarters. Healthy Tacoma Coalition is lining up support at city hall for an ordinance that, if enacted into law, would require employers to grant paid sick leave. Those working for an employer with less than 10 employees would earn one hour of paid time for every 30 hours worked, for up to 40 hours in a year. Those working for an employer with more than 10 employees would accrue one hour of paid time for every 30 hours worked, for up to 72 hours. Employers with more than 250 workers would provide one hour for every 15 hours worked for up to 108 hours.
Alma Gutierrez discussed problems she encountered at a restaurant where she worked for nine years. She was not allowed to leave work when one of her children had a medical emergency at school and was taken to a hospital. And after having surgery, Gutierrez was ordered to work the next day or risk losing her job. “This is very real.”
Other cities with such policies include Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, New York City and Washington, D.C. “I think it is high time Tacoma does too,” said Tacoma City Councilmember Anders Ibsen.
OLD TOWN DOCK REOPENS WITH CELEBRATION
The City of Tacoma and Metro Parks Tacoma have teamed up to restore Old Town Dock, and their work will be celebrated at the grand reopening on June 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The City of Tacoma Arts Commission will dedicate a new interactive public artwork and Pearl Django will provide acoustical entertainment to complement the beautiful scenery.
In addition to the new artwork, visitors to the restored historic dock can enjoy breathtaking views from the new benches, improved lighting, and those arriving by water now have access to two slips that can moor vessels up to 40 feet and 60 feet and low, free-board floats extending off the main dock to accommodate kayakers. The salmon population down below will appreciate the dock grating, which increases light penetration beneath and around the dock by 30 percent.
Artwork on the dock offers a unique learning experience. “Droplets,” by artist Chandler O'Leary, is an illustrated scavenger hunt at the Dock – a challenge to discover the history, importance and beauty of this location. Each of the 24 vignettes is like a window, providing a glimpse of the sheer number of true stories that have unfolded on or near this site over the years.
Old Town Dock has been host and witness to a wide variety of industries, events, neighborhood dynamics, natural history, celebrations, tragedies and everyday narratives – all on one small patch of land. These stories are as commonplace as raindrops, yet as precious as the water that sustains and defines our city. How many “Droplets can you find?”
WEYERHAEUSER FAMILY GIVES $1 MILLION TO MOG
Museum of Glass (MOG) has announced a gift of $1 million from the Weyerhaeuser Family to start the George Weyerhaeuser, Jr. Memorial Endowment Fund for the museum. An additional $500,000 has been pledged in matching funds for gifts up to $100,000 each to the museum’s endowment.
“This amazingly generous gift is a fitting tribute to George Weyerhaeuser, Jr.,” notes MOG Executive Director Susan Warner. “For me, George was a professional colleague and mentor, and most importantly, a friend. George was a magnificent trustee for museum of Glass and was deeply committed to the museum and its mission. He served on the museum’s board from 1999 until his death, and served as board chair from 2004 to 2008. George provided sage counsel to the museum’s first two directors, and to me when I became executive director in 2012. I miss him deeply.”
LEMAY CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY
A crowd of more than 500 museum supporters turned out June 1, to celebrate the first anniversary of LeMay – America’s Car Museum (ACM). Titled “Jazz!” the ‘40s and ‘50s-themed gala/dinner included live music, auctions and the first public viewing of the museum’s new exhibit, “Legends of Motorsports: The NASCAR Story.”
"Now that year one is history, our over-arching goal is to maintain momentum and continue to grow and evolve as an attraction," said ACM President and CEO David Madeira. “And if the excitement at this gala is an indicator, we’re off to a sensational start. We raised more than $300,000, which is vital to our future, because philanthropy helps us fund key programs and exhibits.”
More than 250,000 people from 50 states and 26 countries visited the four-level, 165,000-square-foot museum during its first year of operation. To maintain its forward movement, Madeira says the plan is to continually refresh the museum with new events and exhibits “that celebrate America’s love affair with the automobile.” As such, upcoming ACM happenings include the Summer Drive-In Series on the museum’s outdoor Haub Family Field (Back to the Future is June 15); the 60th Anniversary of Corvette display (debuting Aug. 9); the second annual Vintage Motorcycle Festival (Aug. 24 and 25) and the U.S. Bank Kirkland Concours d’Elegance (Sept. 8).
PTA RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEERS, EDUCATORS
At Tacoma Council PTA’s Awards Banquet held May 29 at Truman Middle School, past and present volunteers, advocates and educators were honored for their outstanding contributions to children in our community. Tacoma Council PTA presented two Outstanding Educator Awards, an All-City Golden Acorn Award, an Outstanding Advocate Award and an Honorary Life Membership Award. Local unit PTAs also recognized and honored their award recipients at the banquet. The special volunteers were joined at the annually held banquet by local unit PTA officers, principals, Tacoma Schools Superintendent Carla Santorno, school board members Debbie Winskill and Karen Vialle and past award recipients from the 1970s to the present.
When a PTA presents awards, the recipient receives an award pin and a special certificate. A financial contribution is made in the recipient’s name to the Washington State PTA Scholarship fund, which provides $1,000 to $2,000 grants to Washington high school seniors pursuing post-high school education.
The following is a list of Tacoma PTA Local Units that presented awards during the banquet: Fawcett, Sheridan, Sherman, Skyline, Whitman and Whittier Elementary Schools; Truman and First Creek Middle Schools; and Foss High School.
Tacoma Council PTA President Kellie Bennett presented an Honorary Life Membership Award to Marilyn Beale. Beale has always kept children “in the center” of all she does. She is a substitute teacher in the district. She has been involved with Tacoma’s PTAs since 1969, was a Tacoma Council PTA president from1989-1991 and remains active with PTA, currently serving on the Tacoma Council PTA Board as Reflections co-chair.
The council’s Golden Acorn Award was awarded to Jamie Devereaux, the outgoing president of Gray Middle School PTA. She has been involved with the PTA since the early 1990s and has served in leadership roles at four Tacoma PTAs over the years, as well as at the Council PTA level.
Highly Capable teacher Kathleen Casper was presented an Outstanding Educator Award for her work with students, foster children, and her advocacy in the community. Casper received the 2012 Golden Apple Award from KCTS, Channel 9, and was one of the honorees of Business Examiner Media Group’s “40 Under Forty” program that recognizes those making significant contributions to the South Sound community.
Tacoma Council PTA awarded Shari Shelton an Outstanding Educator Award. Shelton was recognized for her many contributions to students across the school district as well as her pivotal role in ensuring student artwork is regularly featured in Tacoma Weekly.
This year’s All-City Outstanding Advocate Award was given to Jennifer Boutell for her advocacy efforts for students and the community. She is known for her work with the PTA, Parents and Friends for Tacoma Public Schools, the No on I-1240 campaign, assistance in school bond and levy campaigns as well as her internet presence, which includes http://www.Tacomamama.com.
PIERCE TRANSIT ADJUSTS BUS SCHEDULES
Effective June 9, Pierce Transit bus service and shuttle service for people with disabilities will have several changes made to current schedules. In an effort to maintain as much service as possible, some reduction needs to be made now before the major service cuts occur on Sept. 29.
Beginning June 9, a number of routes will begin later in the morning and end earlier in the evening. In addition, during weekday peak hours, some routes may have fewer trips. This service change impacts a number of routes on all days of service, so it is important for riders to check individual route schedules for exact times. These changes reflect an approximate 4 percent reduction from the current service level.
Detailed route-by-route information about the June 9 and the Sept. 29 service changes is now available on the Pierce Transit website at http://www.piercetransit.org or by calling Customer Service at (253) 581-8000. The Pierce Transit route and “The Bus Stops Here” schedule book and Rider Alerts are available on-board buses, at Bus Shops, and at the regular distribution sites.
“These reductions, which continue the system-wide downsizing of service, are a result of the recession and the two-time rejection of Proposition 1, which would have increased funding for Pierce Transit,” stated Pierce Transit CEO Lynne Griffith. “We continue our commitment to finding everyday efficiencies and seeking new revenue sources in order to provide as much service for our customers as resources allow.”
GOODWILL OPENS STATE-OF-THE-ART STORE
Goodwill held a June 6 grand opening of a new 25,000-square-foot store in the heart of South Tacoma’s Hosmer district. Opening festivities continue through Sunday, June 9, with live entertainment, face painting, food and drink. New customers can enter in-store during the same period to win a new flat screen TV, $250 Goodwill shopping spree, and grocery store gift cards.
“This new retail location will offer an improved thrift shopping opportunity that we term fashion forward merchandising – a step up from traditional thrift retail without any raise in prices,” said Terry Hayes, president and CEO of Tacoma Goodwill. “This will be a win-win for consumers and the area unemployed as revenue from this store will generate job center training and placement for 50 Tacoma residents each year.”
The new store is a bargain and treasure hunters dream featuring major departments for clothing, housewares, glassware, books/media, toys and furniture. The new store manager, Gloria Eubanks, has more than 30 years of retail experience, including retail management at the Bon Marche’/Macy’s and Meier & Frank.
“This new opening represents exciting new employment and job training for residents in south Tacoma,” said Tacoma Councilmember Joe Lonergan. “Our city adds 25 new area jobs in store retail, management, warehouse, custodial and maintenance positions, while retail revenue will generate additional Goodwill job center training and placement for our city.”
The South Tacoma Goodwill is the newest of 32 stores in southwest and central Washington raising revenue for free job placement, career training and education for low income and underserved people. Goodwill boutiques, retail stores and outlets, along with partnerships with more than 800 regional businesses and funding partners, are helping nearly 9,000 area residents and families to connect with a higher quality of life.
“The chamber is very happy to report that 25 new area jobs will translate into approximately $503,000 in store wages and benefits for families, which also means paychecks that are spent in our area businesses,” said Tom Pierson, President and CEO of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. And each new employee that comes off of unemployment and other programs saves business and individual taxpayers about $13,000 per year.”
FIRST CHRONICLE GIVES VOICE TO MIXED-RACE AMERICANS
Until now, no one has examined the collective stories of the 20th century’s older, mixed-raced Americans. “Stories of younger people of mixed heritage are out there,” says sociologist, professor and author Cathy J. Tashiro. But, “Standing on Both Feet: Voices of Older Mixed Race Americans” takes the story one step further, analyzing how previous generations worked to find their place in decades when their very existence violated entrenched societal beliefs and legally enforced color lines.
As a healthcare provider, sociologist and researcher, Tashiro has published articles and has presented at international conventions giving her first person perspective on mixed race identity, health disparities, and social justice. She is associate professor emeritus at the University of Washington Tacoma’s Healthcare Leadership and Nursing Program.
In “Standing on Both Feet: Voices of Older Mixed Race Americans,” Tashiro interweaves the experiences of 20 people born between 1902 and 1951 who are mixed African American/Caucasian or Asian American/Caucasian. The book’s title refers to a frequent theme in their stories – a life with one foot in each culture; but a society that checked the box of racial identity for them based largely on rigid definitions of race.
“I heard many secrets during my interviews,” says Tashiro. “Until the 1967 Supreme Court decision, many mixed-raced couples defied the law to marry. Their racially ambiguous children faced everything from hostility to awe and the ‘what are you?’ questions familiar to Americans of mixed ancestry – even today.
“I discovered that what was happening in society when a person was coming of age shaped their options, identities and family relationships.” In the book’s final chapter, Tashiro uses her research to predict trends for the rapidly-growing numbers of mixed-race Americans.
“Like the people in my book, I am of mixed race. My parents got together at the end of World War II when there was a lot of anti-Japanese sentiment. My mother was disowned by my white grandfather for a time, for marrying my father. We are living witnesses from a time when people like me didn’t often have their experiences validated or named, to an era with a mixed-race president. But even he self-identifies as black and is widely known as ‘America’s first black president,’ which has created controversy and proves the enduring power of ideas about race.”
Tashiro will lead a discussion on her book and the broader issue of mixed-race Americans June 14th at Elliott Bay Company, 1521 10th Avenue, Seattle, 7 p.m. This event will commemorate the 8th year of Loving Day marking the anniversary of Loving v. Virginia, the June 12, 1967 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized interracial marriage. Tashiro’s appearance is co-sponsored by MAVIN, a Seattle non-profit working to build healthier communities by educating about mixed heritage experiences.
LOCAL LEADERS JOIN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
WorkForce Central announces several new appointments to the Tacoma-Pierce County Workforce Development Council (WDC) and the WDC Youth Council. The Pierce County WDC is one of 12 workforce development boards in Washington, which joins a network of 600 nationwide. The purpose of these organizations is to oversee the implementation, local planning and management of the federal Workforce Investment Act. Working on behalf of and in coordination with the local elected officials, the Pierce County council represents a broad cross section of the local community interested in workforce development issues.
The new WDC members are Jo Ann Baria, Vice President Workforce Education in Economic and Professional Development for Pierce College District; Anne Goranson, Regional Director at Washington State Employment Security Department; Deb Shanafelt, Career and Technical Education Director at Clover Park School District and Dr. Ron Langrell, President of Bates Technical College.
New members of the WDC Youth Council are Nerissa Woodruff, AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteer with the WA Department of Social and Health Services, Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration; Michelle Ledbetter, Director of Pierce County Skills Center and My'Kaila Young, Lincoln High School senior who will serve as the council's Youth Ambassador.
These leaders join others in business, education, government, labor and community organizations to work collaboratively to bring innovative training, education and business solutions to further the economic growth of Tacoma and Pierce County. This public and private partnership convenes to identify skill and training gaps within the local workforce and to develop strategies to address those gaps. The end goal is the development of a job-ready workforce.
"Pierce County's local leaders recognize that workforce development programs are valuable tools with long-term benefits for the economic growth of the region," stated Linda Nguyen, CEO of WorkForce Central. "More and more company executives are citing a skilled, trainable workforce as a primary reason for relocating to the area. We are fortunate so many of the region's leaders are willing to join the WDC and the WDC Youth Council to develop value-added services to build this quality workforce."
APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR CITY EVENTS AND RECOGNITIONS COMMITTEE
The Tacoma City Council is looking for nine members for a newly established City Events and Recognitions Committee (CERC). The CERC serves as an advisory and action committee on matters pertaining to city-hosted events and special recognition programs. The committee is responsible for planning, reviewing and evaluating events, engaging the community in its fundraising efforts, and soliciting corporate and private sponsorships to leverage funds for city-hosted events such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and the City of Destiny Awards.
The nine members appointed to the CERC will consist of Tacoma residents, with representatives from each of Tacoma's five Council Districts, and bring a range of perspectives and expertise that focus on the City’s commitment to celebrate civic engagement and special observations.
Regularly scheduled meeting dates and times have not yet been established for this committee. Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by Friday, June 21, 2013. To apply, visit http://www.cityoftacoma.org/cbcapplication or contact April Larsen at (253) 591-5167, City Clerk’s Office, Room 220, Municipal Building, 747 Market St., Tacoma, WA 98402.
COUNCIL SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
The Tacoma City Council is looking for 11 members for the newly established Transportation Commission. The Transportation Commission will advise the council on transportation-related matters such as short-term and long-range transportation planning, compliance with local, regional and federal transportation regulations, bike, pedestrian and mass transit-related planning initiatives and parking and capital improvement plans.
The commission will consist of 11 members – nine voting members appointed by the City Council who are city residents, with representatives from each of the city’s five Council Districts, who bring a range of perspectives and expertise that focus on the city’s long-term vision for mobility options throughout the city, and two non-voting members appointed by the City Manager. It is recommended that the members appointed reflect the following categories of special interest/discipline: professional engineering sector, construction/private business sector, bike and pedestrian/mass transit sector, planning/urban growth sector, environmental/sustainability sector, general community and ADA community.
Regularly scheduled meeting dates and times have not yet been established for this commission.
Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by Friday, June 21, 2013. To apply, please visit http://www.cityoftacoma.org/cbcapplication or contact April Larsen at (253) 591-5167, City Clerk’s Office, Room 220, Municipal Building, 747 Market St., Tacoma, WA 98402.
PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICATIONS DUE JUNE 14
The Planning Commission has three openings available for Tacoma residents: (1) a position for someone residing in Council District 4 (Eastside), (2) a position for someone with expertise in environmental issues, and (3) a position for someone with a background in architecture, historic preservation and/or urban design.
The term period for each of these volunteer positions is July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2016. An application form is available online, and applications are due by no later than June 14, 2013.
The Planning Commission advises the City Council on issues related to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, mixed-use centers development, land use and development regulations, transportation, capital facilities and other planning studies. Members meet at 4 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of each month in Tacoma Municipal Building North (733 Market St., Room 16).
Those with questions about the application process, or who need an accommodation in the application process, may contact the City Clerk's Office at alarsen@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5167. People with hearing or speech impairments may contact the City Clerk’s Office through Washington Relay Services (800) 833-6388 (TTY or ASCII), (800) 833-6386 (VCO) or (877) 833-6341 (STS). The City Clerk’s Office is located in the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market St., Room 220), and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday–Friday, excluding holidays.
FERN HILL READERS EXPLORE CAMPUS LIFE
On May 31, students from University of Washington Tacoma (UWT) who serve as tutors at Fern Hill Elementary School met their students on the UWT campus to give them a personal tour of the campus and host them for lunch. The Fern Hill students also got the opportunity to attend a mock classroom lecture, experiencing what it feels like to graduate from high school and move on to higher learning.
Communities in Schools of Tacoma worked this year for the first time with UWT Professor Dr. Marcy Stein who has been able to successfully match aspiring teachers with at-risk students at Fern Hill. The result: students whose reading skills dramatically improve, and tutors who leave the program with substantial experience in their field of choice. It is a unique and exciting opportunity, according to reading tutor Catherine Wilmot, who says of her experience: "Kids are excited to do well when they are encouraged to do well. Learning how to encourage students to get excited about learning and goal-setting was an amazing experience and I feel one step closer towards the kind of teacher that I'm setting out to be."
The Fern Hill students have responded equally enthusiastically. According to Fern Hill student Phuong Pham, "We learned new skills on how to write every day." Fellow student Michael Schweich agrees, explaining that, "The more you read the better you get." The program even helps students succeed in their school’s Accelerated Reading program.
“All students who participated in our CIS UWT extended day reading program this year made some growth in the area of reading. We are excited to see this support was beneficial. Both the students who participated and the tutors committed a huge chunk of time to this intervention; 4 days a week October through May,” said Tammy Larsen, principal of Fern Hill Elementary School.
For more information about how Communities In Schools works with students to help them stay in school and achieve in life, please contact them at 253-571-1114. You can also go to their website and Facebook page at http://www.tacoma.communitiesinschools.org and http://www.facebook.com/CISofTacoma.
PIERCE COUNTY READS CELEBRATES SUCCESS
Approximately 500 people laughed and learned from New York Times best selling author Paula McLain at the final 2013 Pierce County READS’ event on May 17.
This year’s Pierce County READS book, the award-winning “The Paris Wife,” by McLain, flew off of the shelves at Pierce County Libraries and community partner libraries and bookstores. In all people checked out 4,684 print, e-book and audiobook copies of “The Paris Wife” from Pierce County Library during the nine-week community one book program.
McLain shared with the audience how she researched and wrote the book primarily from a Starbucks in Cleveland, Ohio. She used Google maps to see Paris, where she had never travelled. Since her book hit the New York Times best seller list and sold more than one million copies, she has traveled to the streets of Paris and has now seen first-hand the sights she described in her book.
“The Paris Wife” weaves an intriguing account of one of the world’s greatest authors, Ernest Hemingway, seen through the eyes of his first wife, Hadley Richardson. As McLain has traveled and talked about the book she has met Richardson’s family who has given her great praise for the personal and telling story.
Hundreds of people participated in 40 free events, where they learn how to write and get their books published, plan trips to Paris, and make art deco jewelry. Throughout the program, people donated nonperishable food items to a Pierce County READS’ community partner, Emergency Food Network.
SLEVIN APPOINTED ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIRECTOR
Tacoma City Manager T.C. Broadnax has announced the appointment of Michael P. Slevin III to the permanent position of Environmental Services Director. Slevin has been serving on an interim basis for the past eight months, and will step into his new role effective June 3, 2013.
“Our Environmental Services team handles important work in some very core areas,” said Broadnax. “I am confident that Mike’s experience and demonstrated leadership in these areas will help them continue to provide an outstanding level of service to Tacoma's residents.”
“I am very excited and pleased to be appointed as the new Environmental Services Director,” said Slevin. “I have spent the last 18 years working on projects to provide value and a safe environment for the citizens and rate payers of Tacoma. I look forward to providing the best leadership and service I possibly can.”
Over his 18-year career with the city, Slevin was part of the teams responsible for several major capital projects including the Foss Waterway superfund cleanup, Tacoma Landfill superfund cleanup, Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center construction, Central Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades, Center for Urban Waters construction and Pacific Plaza redevelopment. He also managed several major sustainability programs and initiatives for the City, relating to its TAGRO biosolids program, every other week garbage collection, community gardens, food waste collection, stormwater low impact development, compressed natural gas, alternative fuels and open spaces.
Slevin graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Washington State University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Washington. He is a licensed professional civil engineer in Washington state, and a graduate of the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School Water and Wastewater Leadership Center. He was recently named a University of Washington Tacoma Milgard School of Business Distinguished Alumnus.
Retired from the Washington Army National Guard after 28 years of active and reserve service, Slevin completed three overseas combat tours – Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was awarded two Bronze Star medals for his actions during combat deployments.