When the new Washington Interscholastic Activities Association enrollment numbers came out late in January of last school year, there was a bit of surprise and grumblings emanating from the center of Tacoma. After crunching their numbers over the previous years, the WIAA issued a net enrollment number for each school and the result could very well move a high school into a higher or lower state classification.
While it wasn’t much of a surprise to see Stadium High School move back down to 3A, it came as quite a shock to many folks when it was announced that Henry Foss High School would be moving to the 2A classification this school year.
What it meant for Foss was a sudden change of scenery, and it wasn’t necessarily embraced by the entire Falcon family.
The move to 2A would uproot Foss from competing in a league with their city rivals and their new home would be the 2A South Puget Sound League. Regular league matchups with Lincoln, Wilson, Mt. Tahoma and Stadium would now be replaced with new league showdowns with Fife, Franklin Pierce and Washington.
One might wonder how this happened. While the four other Tacoma public high schools have enrollments all within 114 students of each other, Foss has seen its enrollment drop dramatically over the years. With a WIAA net enrollment number of 686.22 students, Foss actually sits in the middle of the pack in the 2A classification.
Looking at these digits, and some other important factors, it’s no wonder that the Falcons were having a difficult time on the playing fields and courts against their 3A cohorts. When your school has around 500 fewer students than their league foe just down the road, the pool of available athletic talent is going to be much smaller. Mt. Tahoma has the largest enrollment in the city with a 1,217.61 number. It is followed by Stadium (1,196.69), Lincoln (1,183.09) and Wilson (1,013.63).
Of course, there is also the fact that the majority of students attending Foss are drawn there for the outstanding academic programs offered. It’s something that the Foss folks are very proud of and it’s probably not that widely known by most of Tacoma.
“Our enrollment gives us some slim pickings,” said new Foss athletic director Korey Strozier. “It’s a huge challenge for us. We don’t have the kids that are here for sports. We have the kids who are here for academics, who also like sports or may be interested in playing sports.
“One of my biggest goals is to use sports as a vehicle to get what they want. We get some kids who are extremely athletic, but academics isn’t their focus... Athletics will hold you accountable with your grades. When you have a kid who is a 3.0 student, chances are they’re going to remain a 3.0 student because he has to remain accountable. Because if the grade check comes out, and you’re not where you’re supposed to be… you’re going to sit out for five weeks.”
It seems like it was just a few years ago when it looked like the Tacoma School District was going to be shuttering the doors at Foss forever. The students, parents, faculty and Tacoma residents rallied and saved the school from closure. If things had gone the other way, Foss would have been closed now for five years.
Foss is a bit of an oddity among the other inner-city, neighborhood schools in Tacoma. The campus is bordered by Cheney Stadium, the Heidelberg Complex, Snake Lake and Fred Meyer. Sure there are neighborhoods nearby, but it’s nothing similar to the neighborhood campuses of Stadium, Lincoln and Wilson. Even Mt. Tahoma is a bit more of a true neighborhood school than Foss. Also, with the closure of Hunt Middle School, there is really no “feeder school” in the Foss area any longer.
In recent years, the Falcons have had difficult seasons spanning throughout nearly all of their athletic teams. Some teams fought tooth and nail to just hang a single victory in the win column for their efforts.
“When all you know is losing,” said Strozier, “how can you get excited about the next season? How do we change the culture? It starts at the top. When I came in here, I had conversations with the staff. Our season and school year isn’t going to be defined by what happened last year. Eyes forward at all times.
“Let the kids know you’re there for them. We offer our teachers free admission to all the games so that can change the culture in the classroom. We get our teachers at the games. The kids see their teacher in the front row. They have something to talk about now. They can see their teacher out of the classroom element. It’s the little things like that.”
One thing that can be counted on is that the Falcons will continue to grow together and fight on. If you talk to any of the coaches and players, there is a recurring theme among them. They truly view their teammates and coaches as a family. They also talk about fighting for each other. It’s a refreshing attitude in a modern era that seems to be moving in the opposite direction.
Strozier, along with his athletics staff, are truly dedicated to helping change the lives of their student athletes for the better. Without a host of recent trophies and accolades, they continue to press forward with an attitude of togetherness.
There is another aspect of athletics that Strozier believes can push a student-athlete even further with his studies. While you’ll find multi-sport athletes at every school in the area, the fact of the matter is that It’s a bit of a dying breed. Many athletes focus on just one sport that offers them just a single athletics season during the school year. That leaves two entire seasons where the student is no longer accountable to their teammates to keep their grades up.
“It takes a village right?” said Strozier. “If a kid is participating in athletics in every season, chances are they are going to be 80 percent more successful with their grades than someone just focused on say a fall sport. Because then you have two seasons to let your grades drop. It’s very rare that we have multi-sport athletes and that’s one of the things that we’d like to push. The accountability lasts the entire school year.”

IT'S ‘A MIRACLE’

Tacoma Little Theatre brings to life the classic story of “Miracle on 34th Street,” directed by Maria Valenzuela. It's the story of Kris Kringle, a retirement home resident who gets a job working as Santa for Macy's. He ends up in a court competency hearing, putting at stake one little girl's belief in Santa. The play will run through Dec. 24 with showings at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, plus special performances at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23 and 2 p.m. Christmas Eve. Tickets are $20 to $24 and may be purchased by calling the venue's box office at (253) 272-2281 or online at www.tacomalittletheatre.com.

FESTIVAL OF TREES

This week, the Festival of Trees brings the sights and sounds of the holidays to the Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center, 1500 Broadway. This annual event benefits children and families at Mary Bridge. Each tree is uniquely themed and trimmed with holiday presents, trips and other marvelous gifts. General admission is $6, $2 for students aged 13 to 18 and free for children ages 12 and younger. Learn more about the related “Breakfast with Santa” and the black tie gala, during which participants can bid on trees Saturday, online at  www.multicare.org/festival.

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS

Celebrate “A Victorian Country Christmas” starting at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at the Washington State Fair Event Center, 110 Ninth Ave., SW. Participants will step back in time into a Victorian village where holiday music fills the air, shop in more than 500 stores, and enjoy gourmet food, wine, and tasty treats throughout the festival. Visit two beautiful theaters and see countless professional stage shows, a signing nativity and concerts. Admission is $8 to $12, cash only. Parking is free. Learn more at www.avictoriancountrychristmas.com.

THURSDAY WILL BE DIFFERENT

Author Maria Semple will discuss her new novel, “Today Will Be Different” (Little Brown and Company, $27) on Thursday, Dec. 8, at King's Books, 218 St. Helen's Ave. Semple's story follows Eleanor Flood who is forced to abandon her small ambitions and awake to a strange, new future. She's a mess, but just when it seems things can't go more awry, an encounter with a former colleague produces a graphic memoir whose dramatic tale threatens to reveal a buried family secret. Thursday's reading starts at 7 p.m., and it is free and open to the general public; www.kingsbookstore.com.

SPEAKING OF ‘CHRISTMAS PAST’

Tacomans can ring in the holidays like the pioneers did from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Point Defiance Park's Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. The highlight of 19th Century Christmas is the arrival of the Yule log, towed in by young visitors at 1 pm. Everyone can join in greeting the Yule log with toasts and Christmas carols. Guests will have a chance to take home a piece of the log for their own holiday fire. Throughout the day, visitors of all ages can join in parlor games, make ornaments, and create pomanders. Father Christmas will be available for visits and photos. Admission is $5 to $8 for ages 5 and up, free for ages 4 and younger. Call (253) 591-5339 to learn more.

When you roll into a season-opening basketball game and leave a couple of hours later feeling as though you just witnessed a playoff showdown, it’s safe to say that you’re off to a good start. As has been the case in recent years, the Lincoln Lady Abes have made it a practice of scheduling historically tough teams to round out their non-league schedule. When the Lincoln schedule first came out, the name Cleveland sat atop the schedule like a bright red warning sign. The perennial powerhouse was set to bring their game down south for a visit to Lincoln on Tuesday, Nov. 29, and it was safe to say that they were probably going to put the Lady Abes to the test.
By the time the smoke had cleared on a barnburner of a finish, it was clear that both teams had put each other to the test, with Lincoln holding on for a 38-34 victory.
It certainly wasn’t the crispest and clean game one could witness. As opening nights go, mental miscues are pretty much a given. Both teams looked off and even confused as to what they were supposed to do, or where they were supposed to go, at times. On the other hand, the defensive pressure both teams applied upon each other certainly forced a bevy of errors by each team.
Defensive pressure was the name of the game early for the Lady Abes. While most fans come out to games to see big scores and high-flying acrobatics, one can’t help but have a couple of raised eyebrows when observing the Lincoln defensive pressure when it’s really clicking. Their guards are incredibly quick and just when it looked as though a passing lane had opened, a pair of Lincoln hands would often snatch the ball out of the air at the last moment.
Lincoln will probably not have the tallest guards on most nights this season, but their tenacity, speed and guile on defense is really quite impressive when they’re clicking as a unit.
Neither team was exactly shooting out the lights in the first quarter, or for the entire game, for that matter. With Lincoln holding an 8-5 advantage going into the second quarter, it was difficult to come to grips with the amount of action displayed in the first eight minutes, versus a fairly tiny score. While Cleveland clearly had a height advantage on Lincoln, the Lady Abes defensive pressure was forcing the Cleveland guards into bad passes, quick shots and turnovers. Meanwhile, Lincoln missed a handful of easy buckets on the other end to even things out.
The second quarter was all Lincoln. After surrendering the first two points of the period to Cleveland, the Lady Abes held their opponent without a single point for nearly six and a half minutes. By this time, the Lady Abes had built a 20-9 lead. A basket and foul with a few seconds left on the clock closed the gap to 20-12 by the time the teams hit the halftime locker rooms.
Lincoln was able to carry over their defensive pressure into the third quarter, but Cleveland was beginning to make a few adjustments to counteract the Lady Abes traps. However, it wasn’t immediately paying dividends at the basket for them. By the end of the third quarter, Lincoln had stretched their lead to 31-19, but it looked as though Cleveland was beginning to build a little momentum.
By the time that momentum hit its peak in the fourth quarter, Cleveland had trimmed the Lincoln lead to four points at 33-29 with 3:30 remaining in the contest. It wasn’t necessarily a huge crowd at the Lincoln Gymnasium, but at this point the fans could feel the games pressure and the place was beginning to get loud and excited.
A baseline drive and bucket by senior Morticia McCall gave the Abes a six point lead with 2:45 left. Fifteen seconds later, Cleveland’s Kiera Bush drove the lane, flipped up a runner that caught nothing but net, and she was fouled on the play by Lincoln junior Kondalia Montgomery, who would have to leave the game with her fifth foul. After a successful free throw, the Lincoln lead was now just three points at 35-32.
Both teams powered to the finish line as players dove for loose balls and the action certainly didn’t have a first-game feel any longer. With 1:40 left, Lincoln junior Azallee Johnson took an inbounds pass from McCall underneath the basket and managed to get the ball up and over some much taller defenders to give the Lady Abes a five point lead at 37-32. Cleveland would answer 30 seconds later with their own basket and the game was back to a three-point margin.
With 30 seconds remaining, Cleveland had a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer, but the ball skipped off the rim. After a scramble for the rebound, Cleveland would get the ball back out of bounds underneath their own basket. It was time for one last burst of defensive pressure by the Lady Abes, as they closed down all the passing lanes and Cleveland turned the ball back over after a five-second call by the referee. A free throw by Lincoln junior A’shia Donahue gave the Lady Abes a four point lead with 17.3 seconds left. Lincoln’s defense kept Cleveland from a shot attempt on the other end and the game came to a close.
Up next for Lincoln is a home game against Gig Harbor on Thursday, Dec. 1, followed by a Pierce County League opener hosting Mt. Tahoma on Wednesday, Dec. 7. Mark your calendars for Monday, Jan. 16 for the MLK Girls’ Basketball Showcase at Lincoln High School. The Lady Abes will be hosting the defending 3A state champion Bellevue Wolverines at 5:15 p.m.

Existentialists contend that humanity has a streak of irrational absurdity that defies logical understanding. The Donald Trump presidential victory rouses that feeling.
Ever since election night, I’ve felt like a Franz Kafka character caught in incomprehensible circumstances that make no sense.
Whatever possessed 61 million Americans (one-fourth of voting-age adults) to trust their nation to an off-the-wall kook?
Republican leader Mitt Romney called Trump “a phony, a fraud.” Republican leader Bobby Jindal called him “a madman who must be stopped.” Republican leader Jeb Bush called him a “jerk.” Republican leader Lindsey Graham called him “a race-baiting, xenophobic religious bigot.” Republican Sen. Ted Cruz called him “a serial philanderer, and he boasts of it.” Former Republican Gov. Tom Ridge called him “an embarrassment to my country.” Republican executive Meg Whitman called him “a dishonest demagogue who plays to our worst fears.”
Yet Trump is preparing to install his national administration, and most news media treat it as normal.
Will he be the worst president in U.S. history – even worse than George W. Bush, who started the needless Iraq War on false pretexts? So far, the 2017 prospect looks ominous:
Trump vows to appoint Supreme Court justices who will make it a crime again for desperate girls and women to end pregnancies. He vows to find and deport 11 million undocumented Hispanics. He vows to halt America’s participation in international efforts against the menace of global warming. He vows to give the wealthy a colossal tax break, which will force cutbacks in people-helping programs. He called for a ban on Muslims entering America. He vows to kill the Affordable Care Act that provides health insurance for 20 million.
Trump is filling his incoming administration with known racists like Jeff Sessions and Stephen Bannon, plus a loose cannon, Mike Flynn. Incredibly, Romney, the Republican who called Trump a phony and fraud, is under consideration for secretary of state.
Welcome to the Twilight Zone.
Does America face four ugly years that will reverse human rights progress and damage the national safety net? With Republicans in complete control of Washington, how much harm will occur?
Already, House Speaker Paul Ryan wants to turn Medicare over to commercial insurance corporations. All other advanced nations have liberal democracies that protect citizens. Will America lose standing in this regard? Or will reality convince the GOP that it can’t undo a century of hard-won progress?
At least, everyone should hope that Trump doesn’t start an unnecessary war, as Bush did.
America is the strongest nation on Planet Earth, with the most powerful economy. It can endure almost anything. Presumably it will suffer through the coming four years in some fashion. Hold on.

James Haught, syndicated by PeaceVoice, is editor emeritus of West Virginia’s largest newspaper, The Charleston Gazette-Mail.

CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER TO BETTER MEET NEEDS

The City of Tacoma’s Customer Support Center – which provides a “one-stop shop” for City services, and offers a concierge feel in the way of reception, face-to-face interaction, 311 telephone support, online resources and mobile app connectivity – is relocating to a larger space on the second floor of the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market St., Room 220). As part of continued efforts to further the “one-stop shop” experience, the City's Tax and License Office is also relocating to the new Customer Support Center location. Both moves are scheduled to take place in December 2016. Staff will continue to be available throughout this time period at each of the original locations to ensure that customers are able to access services without interruption. 


"Since launching in the fall of 2013, the needs of more than 136,000 Tacoma community members have been addressed by the Customer Support Center," said Customer Support Center Manager La'Toya Mason. "Now, we’re strategically consolidating frontline City services into the Customer Support Center and working to improve overall customer experience by making those services easier to access."


"Tax and License moving to the more centrally located Customer Support Center will definitely make things more convenient for the thousands of taxpayers and community members who visit our counter each year to pay their City taxes, apply for or renew their City business or animal licenses, or seek to better understand the City's minimum employment standards," said Tax and License Division Manager Danielle Larson.
Customers can continue to utilize TacomaFIRST 311 online resources to access more than 700 answers to commonly asked City-related questions, submit and track more than 70 types of requests for City services, and direct questions to City departments.
The TacomaFIRST 311 mobile app – available for both Apple and Android devices – continues to be available to customers who wish to make and track non-emergent City service requests, and find answers to frequently asked questions, from anywhere with smartphone connectivity.
Customers can continue to dial 311 within Tacoma city limits or (253) 591-5000 from anywhere else.
Community members are invited to visit the City’s new Customer Support Center location – which will include the newly relocated Tax and License Office – on the second floor of the Tacoma Municipal Building (747 Market St., Room 220) starting on Jan. 3, 2017. 

More information is available at cityoftacoma.org/customersupportcenter.

LOTS TO DO THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

When you need a break from shopping this Holiday season, you have lots of choices for fun activities and quality family time in Tacoma and Pierce County.
Here are some suggestions for local holiday fun when the dinner leftovers are put away. Grab gloves and a coat – some of these activities are perfect for #OptOutside family fun.
1. Put a twinkle in your eye at the holiday light displays. You can drive the 2.5-mile Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park now through Jan. 1 from 5:30-9 p.m. Or, walk through the animal- themed displays at Zoolights inside Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Zoolights is open now until Jan. 1 from 5-9 p.m.
2. Glide through the afternoon at the CHI Franciscan Polar Plaza outdoor ice skating rink in downtown Tacoma. Rent skates on-site and don’t let bad weather stop you – the rink is covered and partially surrounded by a tent. Open through January.
3. Enjoy Sumner’s small-town heritage with self-guided tours through its historical landmarks and artwork. The historic Meeker Mansion in Puyallup is decked out for the holidays and offers self-guided and guided tours (groups of eight or more).
4. Walk where pro golfers played last year’s U.S. Open at Chambers Bay Golf Course. The more than three miles of paved trail at Chambers Creek Regional Park includes small hills and beautiful views of the Puget Sound.
5. Ogle at muscle cars, NASCAR legends and all sorts of work-related vehicles at LeMay- America's Car Museum. See more landmark vehicles and car memorabilia from Harold LeMay’s collection at Marymount in Spanaway.
6. Escape gray skies with an overload of color. Hundreds of poinsettias and other winter blooms fill the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory from Dec. 2 to Jan. 8. Or enjoy a free art walk with the brightly colored pieces that make up the Chihuly Bridge of Glass.
7. Paint small rocks and hide them around town as part of the Tacoma Rocks! movement. Or keep your eyes open on a walk around town and you might discover cheerful rocks someone left for you to find!

LOTTER WINNER PLANS NEW YORK GETAWAY

A Tacoma resident is nailing down details for a winter vacation with his girlfriend after winning $50,000 playing “$50,000 Double Play Crossword” Scratch. The winner was at a 7-Eleven (4701 S. Oakes St., Tacoma with his cousin when he decided to purchase the ticket. It wasn’t until he got home later that day when he realized he had won.
With holiday time off right around the corner, the man told Washington’s Lottery officials he plans to use his prize money to take his girlfriend on a last-minute trip to New York City. 
“I’ve never been to New York before and my girlfriend has some family that lives there, so I thought it’d be the perfect destination for the holidays,” said the winner. 
He’s also planning to use his winnings to travel to Europe, as he’s wanted to visit the area for quite some time. “I really want to see Italy, Spain and France. This money will definitely help me get there,” said the winner. 
Proceeds from Washington’s Lottery benefit the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account, providing grants to college students statewide. To learn more about Washington’s Lottery, its beneficiaries and to review all up-to-date winning numbers, please visit www.walottery.com. 

ENJOY CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AT FORT NISQUALLY

Take a break from the bustle of the modern holiday and partake in the rich pleasures of an old-fashioned Christmas celebration at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. A 19th Century Christmas takes place on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A highlight of the event is the arrival of the yule log, towed in by young visitors at 1 p.m. Everyone can join in greeting the yule log with toasts and Christmas carols. Guests will have a chance to take home a piece of the log for their own holiday fire. 
Throughout the day, visitors of all ages can join in parlor games, make ornaments, and create pomanders. Father Christmas will be available for visits and photos. 
19th Century Christmas has its roots in the history of the Hudson’s Bay Company trading post. On Christmas, Fort Nisqually’s manager regularly gave “the best rations the place could afford” – typically meat, flour, molasses, sugar and tallow – to the Fort’s laborers. The Native Americans named the holiday “Hyas Sunday,” Chinook jargon for “Big Sunday.” Dancing and singing were recorded in the Fort’s historical journals.
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. Guests experience life in Washington Territory during the 1850s. Nine buildings are open to the public, including the Granary and the Factors House, both National Historic Landmarks, and a Visitor Center.
Event admission is $5-$8, and children 4 and younger are free. For more information call (253) 591-5339.

GUIDANCE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY IN 2017

Social Security is the cornerstone of retirement plans for most Americans. The program continues to evolve and will do so, especially in light of projections about the solvency of Social Security. For individuals preparing to start their Social Security benefits, current and future changes may impact their retirement plans. A little advance knowledge and a few simple tips might save thousands of dollars. 
“Social Security Retirement 2017” is a free, fast-paced presentation for anyone anticipating their benefits in the year ahead, as well as those currently receiving benefits. This informational workshop will be presented 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Evergreen State College-Tacoma, 1210 6th Ave. in Tacoma.  
The presentation will be given by Kirk Larson, Western Washington Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration. Larson has worked with the agency over 24 years in both technical and supervisory roles, has presented Social Security information throughout the west coast, and has appeared on numerous TV and radio shows to discuss Social Security issues.  
One of the best ways to understand benefits is by opening and using your mySocial Security Online Account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount/. Before attending the workshop please open an account and print out and bring your Social Security Statement. If you need assistance in setting up your account, Kirk Larson will be available after the presentation to help.  
“The Social Security program has been much talked about,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources manager. “Current and prospective beneficiaries need to get the facts so they will know what’s coming. It is especially important for individuals planning on retirement in the next year or two need to be accurately informed. We are fortunate to have a Social Security expert explain the changes and how best to navigate the system.” 
The workshop will present strategies that can maximize benefits including when to begin receiving benefits and the advantages of making claims based on spousal work history. Participants will also learn how to negotiate the rules about working, either full or part time, while receiving benefits.
“Social Security 2017” is jointly sponsored by the Pierce County Community Connections Aging & Disability Resource Center and the Social Security Administration. The presentation is free and RSVP is not required. For more information contact the Aging & Disability Resource Center at (253) 798-4600 or (800) 562-0332.

250 VOICES JOIN SYMPHONY FOR ‘SOUNDS OF THE SEASON’

More than 300 performers, including the Tacoma Youth Chorus, Symphony Tacoma Voices and the full Symphony Tacoma, will present “Sounds of the Season” at the spectacularly decorated Pantages Theater. A beloved annual tradition in Tacoma, the pageant-style concert features stories, carols, hymns and songs-including Vince Guaraldi's "Christmastime is Here," Mannheim Steamroller's unforgettable arrangement of "Silent Night," a delightful setting by Fred Waring of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and music by Mozart, Handel, and Vaughan Williams, among others.
Held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, the performance is conducted by Dr. Geoffrey Boers and Judith Herrington. For tickets, starting at $12 for students and $19 for adults, visit symphonytacoma.org or call (253) 591-5894 or 800-291-7593. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Broadway Center Box Office, 901 Broadway, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
Both Symphony Tacoma Voices and the Tacoma Youth Chorus have been featured in “Sounds of the Season” in prior years, but this is the first time in recent memory that both have been on the same program together. The concert will include such highlights as "Gesu Bambino," the famous 1917 carol by Pietro Yon; the "Wassail Song," a traditional English carol; Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus," as arranged by Mozart; and such favorites as "Angels We Have Heard on High," "O Come All Ye Faithful," and more.
"Tacoma Youth Chorus is looking forward to once again sharing our music with the Symphony Tacoma and its audience for the ‘Sounds of the Season’," Judy Herrington stated. "Geoffrey Boers is a remarkable conductor, and I know our singers will be inspired by his artistry and technique. We are excited to share in this collaboration." The choral arts program for boys and girls, kindergarten through high school, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this season.
Symphony Tacoma Voices, formerly known as Tacoma Symphony Chorus, features 70 auditioned adult singers from throughout the community who perform as volunteers. Its ranks include professional singers and gifted amateurs. The Voices sings in concert frequently as the primary choral forces associated with Symphony Tacoma, and is featured on tour and in solo concerts as well. On Dec. 15 and 16, the Voices will join the chamber core of Symphony Tacoma for performances of Handel's “Messiah” at Chapel Hill Presbyterian in Gig Harbor and St. Charles Borromeo Church in Tacoma, respectively. 

HOLIDAY WREATH LAYING TO HONOR VETERANS

Tahoma National Cemetery will host Wreaths Across America, a holiday wreath-laying ceremony to honor and remember our nation’s Veterans. The Washington Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Veterans service organizations and citizens are coordinating the event to honor Veterans of each branch of the military, the Merchant Marines as well as Prisoners of War and those still Missing in Action (POW/MIA).
Keynote speaker will be Jay Rodne, U.S. Marine Corp Colonel and Washington State Representative, 5th Legislative District.
The event happens on Dec. 17 at 9 a.m. at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St., Kent, 98042 at the Flag Pole Assembly Area. For more information, contact Thomas Yokes, Cemetery Director at (425) 413-9614.
The Worcester Wreath Company, through a campaign called Wreaths Across America, began donating holiday wreaths in tribute to Veterans laid to rest at VA’s national cemeteries and state Veterans cemeteries in 2006. Since 1992, they have donated wreaths for gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery. The Washington Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary”, is coordinating the wreath ceremony as a part of Wreaths Across America. For more information on this event, visit the National Cemetery Administration website at www.cem.va.gov. 
For more information on Wreaths Across America visit their website at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

FORT NISQUALLY SEEKS HELP PLANNING NEXT 20 YEARS
If you have an interest in the future of Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, you may want to apply for a new committee designed to help the Fort navigate through its 20-year Capital Development and Program Plan.
Jim Lauderdale, who supervises the museum inside Point Defiance Park, is recruiting members to serve two-year, volunteer terms on the new Fort Nisqually Constituency Committee. Seven to 13 people will be invited to join, including at least one member of the Fort Nisqually Foundation and one member of the staff of Metro Parks Tacoma. Lauderdale will serve as chairman of the group, which will meet at least four times a year.
The plan, completed earlier this year, aims to diversify and expand the museum’s audience and upgrade the museum site with a new Visitor Center and other capital improvements including parking areas, new restrooms.
Plans also call for an enlarged agricultural area outside the Fort walls, a barn and laborers’ dwellings in the meadow. Renovations to the museum’s aging structures also are planned. To supplement the experience of living history, alternative interpretive techniques have been suggested.
The new constituency group is set up to offer guidance. It will be “a sounding board to support the success of the museum’s mission, providing feedback and advice,” Lauderdale said.
Besides helping carry out the 20-year plan, the committee may be asked to weigh in on other Fort initiatives as they arise.
Prospective members should be familiar with the museum’s operation, actively involved in living history or other history-related pursuits, or have related expertise.
“Fort Nisqually is a great place to learn about Puget Sound’s past,” said Tim Reid, one of five members of the Metro Parks Board of Commissioners. “If you’re a history buff, I encourage you to participate in planning for its future.”
Fort Nisqually Living History Museum is a restoration of the Hudson’s Bay Company outpost on Puget Sound. Visitors travel back in time and experience life in Washington Territory in the mid-19th century. Nine buildings are open to the public, including the Granary and the Factors House, both National Historic Landmarks, and a Visitor Center with Museum Store.
Applications for participation in the committee are due Thursday, Dec. 1. To download one, go to the Fort Nisqually web page at www.metroparkstacoma.org/fort-nisqually-living-history-museum.

Dear Editor,

Thanksgiving. A time to focus on being grateful. My family always goes around the table (of plenty) and says what we are thankful for.  This year I like the idea of saying what I am grateful for and adding how I can help others in our world have these same gifts. Here are my Grateful Eight:

1.  I am thankful for my kind parents who raised me and taught me compassion by their example. I can support the Reach Every Mother and Child Act, which would work to end the millions of preventable deaths of mothers and children in our world, thus giving everyone a chance at life’s blessings.

2.  I am grateful for my good health and positive attitude that keep me going. More people now receive health care because of the Affordable Care Act. In our world, better health care comes from initiatives like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. In addition to battling these three pandemics, the Global Fund strengthens the health care systems of over 100 countries through grants to local groups and agencies. President Obama recently made a generous pledge to the Global Fund that the entire Washington State Congressional Delegation asked for in a letter to him.

3.  I am thankful for my family and friends, who offer love and support, sharing the smiles, laughs, and tears. Some of these people are in RESULTS (results.org) with me and have taught me to use my voice to help others in our country and our world to have the same opportunities we have.

4.  I am grateful for a home to live in and the belief that everyone in our world deserves one. There are many groups actively working to end homelessness and its causes.

5.  I am thankful to live in the American democracy where I am free to vote and then follow up with my representatives. Listening to constituents is how the Earned Income Tax Credit was made permanent, keeping 16 million Americans from falling into or deeper into poverty.

6.  I am grateful for my education that has helped me understand my world and be able to support myself.  The Education for All Act that will help give every child that chance to go to school was recently passed by the House and awaits passage in the Senate.

7.  I am thankful that I have enough to eat. When one out of five people in my state are hungry and millions in our world don’t have the food they need to thrive, I know there is still work to be done.

8.  I am grateful for the United Nations, a place countries can come together for the benefit of all. The United Nation’s recent Sustainable Development Goals are a plan to help everyone everywhere to have enough to eat, good health, a home, work, and a planet that will support us.

“Each of us has so much to be thankful for,” my parents always said. To which they added, “What can we do to help others?” Let’s start by counting our blessings and then take action to make a difference in our country and our world.

Willie Dickerson
Snohomish, WA

A 19th Century Christmas 2016
Dec. 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fort Nisqually, 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma, WA 98407
www.metroparkstacoma.org/fort-nisqually-living-history-museum

Take a break from the bustle of the modern holiday and partake in the rich pleasures of an old-fashioned Christmas celebration at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. A highlight of the event is the arrival of the Yule log, towed in by young visitors at 1 p.m. Everyone can join in greeting the Yule log with toasts and Christmas carols. Guests will have a chance to take home a piece of the log for their own holiday fire.
Throughout the day, guests of all ages can join in parlor games, make ornaments, and create pomanders. Father Christmas will be available for visits and photos.
19th Century Christmas has its roots in the history of the Hudson’s Bay Company trading post. On Christmas, Fort Nisqually’s manager regularly gave “the best rations the place could afford” – typically meat, flour, molasses, sugar and tallow – to the Fort’s laborers. The Native Americans named the holiday “Hyas Sunday,” Chinook jargon for “Big Sunday.” Dancing and singing were recorded in the Fort’s historical journals.
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. Guests experience life in Washington Territory during the 1850s. Nine buildings are open to the public, including the Granary and the Factors House, both National Historic Landmarks, and a Visitor Center with Museum Store.
Event admission is $5-$8, and children 4 and younger are free. For more information call (253) 591-5339.

Author Pat Chapman book talk and signing
Dec. 4, 1 p.m.
Foss Waterway Seaport, 705 Dock St., Tacoma, WA 98402
www.fosswaterwayseaport.org

Pat Chapman researched and authored the book, "The Willits Brothers and Their Canoes in Washington State, 1908-1967.” As the authority on Willits canoes, Chapman will discuss the background on the Willits family and how they came to Tacoma. He will also speak about why they, their manufacturing process and above all why Willits canoes are an important part of Tacoma's maritime heritage and why Willits Canoes are a great Pacific Northwest Story. An autographed copy makes a great gift for the holidays.

Scrolls, Language of Lace, Stitched Text, Sculptural Pages – A New Definition of the Book
Dec. 5, 5 p.m.
The Collins Library, University of Puget Sound, N. Warner St., Tacoma, WA 98416
www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/collins-memorial-library/

The Collins Library, Puget Sound Book Artists Association, with support from the Chism Fund will host a presentation by Diana Weymar, visiting artist, to discuss her unique fabric and stitched books. Diana Weymar is a textile artist whose work examines the intersections between material culture, craft-based methodologies and the gender stereotypes of the traditionally female embroidery work. Her books showcase a variety of materials and techniques. For more on Weymar visit dianaweymar.com.

Elected officials from around Pierce County received a snapshot briefing from Joint Base Lewis-McChord's top brass so they could better understand operations at the Army-Air Force installation as well as understand the challenges and projects ahead.
Any news about JBLM is big news since the combined Army and Air Force Base not only represents more than 50,000 military personnel but more than $3.3 billion in local paychecks and annual purchases that require coordination with state, county and local officials especially since the number of veterans settling in surrounding communities is on the rise. About half of military personnel who retired from JBLM in 2013 remained in the region. That number jumped to two out of every three last year, which gives rise to military-support efforts around the South Sound.
"It's about relationships," said JBLM’s Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza.
Soldiers and airmen at the base are largely shifting away from the pattern of often year-long deployments experienced during the last decade to a sustained-readiness model, which means military personnel are rotating through shorter training schedules and shorter, more defined deployments such as humanitarian efforts and disaster response missions. This is a shift from a schedule of two years of training followed by 12 months of deployments to three months of training followed by three months of deployments and three months of training for future missions. That means civilian neighbors could expect more noise associated to live-fire exercises and more rapid flows of soldiers and airmen in and out of the installation.
"We have a lot of missions coming up," Lanza said. "The military will always be ready to do the missions we are asked to do."
While personnel conduct some training in the South Sound, the larger-scale exercises occur in Eastern Washington, a fact that ties all of the bases in the state together.
"The military value of JBLM is tied to Yakima," Garrison Commander Col. Daniel Morgan said of the 327,000-acre Eastern Washington location.
The next major exercise locally will come in July and August with Army, Air Force, Reserve and Guard units as well as units from allied nations training in airlift skills. Military personnel from JBLM will also be training in Thailand, Japan, South Korea and Australia. Air Mobility Command's first Mobility Guardian readiness exercise, formerly known as Rodeo, will involve 45 military units from 25 countries in one of the most realistic, real-world exercises the command has ever done.
The exercise comes as operations with local ties have never been faster, with flights from the 62nd Air Wing taking off from an airfield around the world every three minutes and airmen with local ties located on six of the seven continents on the globe at any one time, said Col. Stephen P. Snelson, 62nd Airlift Wing Vice Commander.
But those missions are being complete with aging equipment with the youngest B-52 still in use, for example, dating back five decades. The average age of all Air Force aircraft is 27 years old, making the planes older than the pilots who fly them or the mechanics who maintain them.
That said, the base innovates when possible. Madigan Medical Center, for example, is a center of military innovation with digital record keeping so military-affiliated patients not only have quick access to their medical records for themselves but have them available to their civilian specialists, which provide two thirds of medical services for military personnel. Madigan also provides medical exams and services in area schools with high numbers of military dependents such as Lakewood, Puyallup and Steilacoom, saving them from time away from school for routine medical appointments School Based Health Centers that range from immunizations, physical exams, diagnosis and treatment of minor illnesses and injuries and referrals for specialty care services.
“This way the classroom becomes their waiting room," Madigan Commanding Officer Col. Michael Place said.
Madigan is also forming a Center for Autism Resources, Education and Services through a partnership with the JBLM Armed Forces Community Service that will provided patient-centered care for military children with special needs and their families when it opens next year. The JBLM CARES program will serve as a one-stop shop for all pediatric special needs services.
JBLM also just opened a $91 million, state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant after two years of construction to upgrade the Solo Point location, according to release statements. The upgraded plant serves JBLM, Camp Murray and the American Lake Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Healthcare System American Lake Division in Lakewood with the most current technologies to meet future discharge requirements to protect Puget Sound water quality. The plant is now capable of treating wastewater to meet Class A drinking water standards, setting the stage for reclaimed water usage in the future.

Perceval, the Tacoma Weekly’s beloved pothole purveying pig, remains missing.
Folks, we are worried.
The swift, yet often sweaty, swine of the streets was last seen the morning of Nov. 9 in the Stadium District. A nearby surveillance video captured a clip of the three-legged wonder strutting toward a particularly large street ulcer at 8:34 a.m. The perfect pothole porker neither reported to the office later that morning nor has been seen since.
The only clues to the case rest at the location of his last pothole: his press pass, a lens cap and a half-eaten Frisko Freeze burger. His tab at Tacoma Brewing Co. remains open.
The “F.B.Fry” are on the case of our loved bacon bundle. His Facebook and Twitter accounts have not been updated. The “sow-seeking swine” hasn’t swiped right on his Tinder account in weeks. His debit cards have not been used, calls to his Galaxy 7 go straight to voicemail, and the straw in our buddy boar’s sty remains used, which is puzzling considering what a cleaning freak that pig is.
As avid readers know, Perceval has highlighted Tacoma’s potholes for years. Named after one of King Arthur's famed Knights of the Round Table, Perceval was the first knight to seek the Holy Grail, a chalice referenced in Biblical stories that Jesus of Nazareth used during Last Supper. Our Perceval Pig, however, is – or was? – on an endless quest for the “perfect pothole” with adventures throughout Tacoma.
We will keep our readers updated as this vexing story unfolds.

Words have more impact than just the sum of letters added together to form them. Trunks of secondary meanings and connotations are packed into the simplest of terms to define larger concepts or periods of time.
Word jockeys use specific words to play off those larger meanings or coin new ones to mask unfavorable truths with sanitized terms such a “collateral damage” for civilian deaths, or layoffs being repackaged as “staff re-engineering,” or “employment right sizing,” through “involuntarily workplace separations.”
With that in mind, we as a society would be wise to ponder what the “words of the year” say about us as we move into 2017 with a Donald Trump presidency.
Oxford Dictionary’s international Word of the Year is “post-truth,” a term that first received a spike in online searches when Britain shocked much of the free world as its citizens voted to leave the European Union. “Post-truth” then peaked during the final leg of America’s presidential campaign that brought questionable “truths” and contradictions during debates that failed to win or lose supporters for either of the main presidential candidates.
Oxford defines the term post-truth as “relating to, or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” The idea is that America is in a societal period when truth takes second place to unsubstantiated emotions, fears or beliefs regardless of facts.
Dictionary.com notes the nation’s shift away from logic and reason for emotion and rhetoric with its selection of “xenophobia” as its word of the year selection. The word, meaning a “fear or hatred of foreigners, people from different cultures, or strangers," saw Internet searches spike when associated with news of Syrian refugees, the presidential debates and the looming wall Trump pledged to make Mexico buy to shield the United States from illegal immigrants.
Adding to the list of less-than-diversity-friendly terms coined in 2016 is “alt right” as a way to address the ultra-conservative arm of politics voiced by white supremacists, Neo- Nazis and otherwise fear mongering, homophobic, racist and misogynistic movements. 
The top words of 2016 do not bode well for the better parts of human nature as the world marches to face the global challenges of 2017, particularly since previous years had otherwise trivial terms such as last year’s “emoji,” or 2014’s “vape” or 2013’s “selfie.”
As the nation seeks to heal its wounds and patch its political divides through discussions both large and small, let’s all strive to be aware of the words we use and the multiple meanings they have or the connotations they strive to mask.

Jackie Casella is a creative bartender with a literary bent, and management of the Brix 25 in Gig Harbor is wise enough to take advantage.
“Here's one – I call it 'To the Lighthouse,'” Casella said. “You use scotch, Earl Gray-infused honey, Fernet Branca, Velvet Falernum and an orange twist. It’s kind of earthy, and I named if for Virginia Wolfe's book, 'To the lighthouse,' which was set in Scotland.”
A 37-year-old Tacoma mother of four – two children in their late teens, two others age seven and three – Casella uses her literary ability for more than drinks. She has written since childhood, and for the past three years has created, maintained and grown a group for writers called Creative Colloquy.
“It’s my baby, a passion project from the beginning,” Casella said “We meet at the B Sharp Coffee Shop at 7 p.m. every third Monday of the month. We have four or five featured writers read, then hold an open mic where anyone can read some of their work.”
The group’s first meeting, in 2014, drew 60 members. Average attendance is between 35-60 people, she said, and most come to listen, not read – including her husband Chris.
“We’ve published a volume of short stories, essays, poems and local art the past three years,” Casella said. “This year, we’re releasing it Dec. 19.”
There are no membership fees, no reading or publishing fees. The downside, Casella said, “is we can't compensate anyone for posting their work or using it in the book. We're not a non-profit, but we operate like one.”
The group is no vanity project for Casella.
“I’ve written the forward in all three volumes, but haven’t had anything published, haven’t even submitted anything,” she said. “I emcee our meetings, introduce the writers, but I’ve never done a reading.”
Why not? Casella laughed at the question.
“That wouldn’t be me,” she said. “When I first emceed the meetings, I’d get almost physically ill standing up there.”
Casella nurtures writers, encourages them and enjoys talking about writing. Her own, however, is mostly professional or personal.
“I’ve written all my life, but five years ago I became a professional writer – meaning I got paid for it,” she said.
She wrote for City Arts magazine and the Daily Volcano, and has successfully freelanced in print and online.
“I've got two projects I'm working on,” Casella said. “The first is a cocktail book, with recipes, photos of the drinks and stories from behind the bar. I'm probably 90 per cent finished with that.
“The other one is a memoir, which you have to write when you're 37, right? I'm probably 60 per cent done, and it's a little darker than I thought it would be. I sent one chapter to my dad to read, and afterward he kept saying, 'I'm so sorry!' I told him the point wasn't to make him feel bad.”
The darkness began in childhood, when a stepmother nearly convinced her she was stupid, unloved and worthless. Her father worked long hours, was largely unaware of what his daughter was enduring.
“The reason I wrote wasn’t just to vent the feelings; it was with the hope that it might help one person reading it,” Casella said.
Neither the cocktail project nor the autobiography is Casella’s first book.
“The first one I ever wrote I wrote in third grade, and the subject was the Oregon Trail,” she said. “I wrote about a rocking chair that fell out of a covered wagon, and its adventures afterward.
“My teacher acknowledged me for being so creative, and that was it. I loved the process.”
On occasion, she is able to recreate that joy in others, helping them get published online or in print for the first time. There’s a Creative Colloquy website – CreativeColloquy.com – that accepts submissions.
“Each month we post as many as six new works,” Casella said. “And everything we’ve ever used is on the website, and that’s a lot.”
As with submissions to the annual book, website submissions are reviewed by a group of six people, including founder/director Casella and a three-member board. The volumes are all available at Kings Books and Amazon.com
“This year we had 60 submissions and accepted 19,” Casella said. “We also accepted art from local artists.”
That book launch will be Dec. 19th at B Sharp Coffee Shop, 706 Opera Alley. In the meantime, Casella will continue her own writing and let her imagination flow – whether behind the bar or on a city bus.
“When I ride a bus, I'm always making up stories about the people I see around me,” she said. “That woman is secretly a princess … that man holds ferret fights in his basement …”

If you really believe, anything can happen! That's the motto of Tacoma Little Theater's production of “Miracle on 34th Street” directed by Maria Valenzuela and inspired by the 1947 movie.
Before the play begins, the cast is greets the audience with cheerful carols in the lobby as people gather to enjoy specialty drinks like “Santa's Milk” – just the right thing to get toasty with on a cold winter's evening.
The story is just in time for the holidays and brings the story of Kris Kringle, Macy's newest employee, filling in as Santa Claus after the first Santa is too drunk to perform at the annual Thanksgiving Day parade.
Kringle, who is convinced to be the real Santa and considered deluded, turns the New York City shopping empire around by releasing his genuine sense of goodwill onto Macy's customers and recommending they visit other stores to find just the right toy for their child. In the midst of it all, a little girl's Christmas spirit awakens as Kringle works toward making an impossible wish come true for her. In a dramatic court trial, Kringle's fate is decided and with that, Christmas for kids around the world.
“I come down from the North Pole and go on stage,” says white-bearded actor Michael Dresdner about his preparation for the play, and his character Kris Kringle. The combination of cast members from novices to stage veterans offers a diverse range of characters. With an age range from five to 75, chemistry and Christmas spirit captivate the audience from start to finish and doesn't hold them back from booing at the court judge threatening to lock up Santa.
“Those with the experience were able to help the newer people navigate rehearsals, and how to interact backstage,” says Valenzuela whose priority it was to make everyone feel included and welcome, regardless of skill level. Navigating the different sets was a whole new challenge in itself – but the elves were on it. “Me and the other elves have to move the sets, and that was definitely a huge thing to do,” says multi-functional elf Jayda Slack, who gracefully rearranged the various sets with the help of fellow elves and theater staff.
Through the various set changes, the audience explores many magical places ranging from the Macy's store, the streets of New York, a courtroom, the Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital and much more. All sets are created with much love to detail and effortlessly lead the audience into 1940's New York City. Like the set, the costumes aid in the development of characters, ranging from eccentric grand dames to classy gentlemen, and the audience can expect to see many costume changes arranged by resident costume designer Michele Graves.
“Doing stage versions of familiar films is not easy,” says Valenzuela about having to live up to the hype and turning the holiday classic into a new on-stage version. Although the audience can expect to encounter the familiar storyline, Valenzuela put a new touch to it by introducing “elf magic,” and leaving the audience wonder if these elves are real, or just Macy's employees in costume.
An additional fun asset is that actors stayed in character before, during, and after the play as they posed for pictures with audience members, presenting a beautiful Christmas tree background for photos in the theater's lobby. “Just come, enjoy yourselves, treat each other nicely and enjoy Christmas,” says Dresdner, or perhaps Tacoma Little Theatre's “real” Santa Claus.
“Miracle on 34th Street” continues through Dec. 25 at Tacoma Little Theatre. Showings are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. There will be a special “Pay What You Can” performance on Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available $24 for adults, $22 for seniors, students and military, and $20 for children 12 and under. They are available in-person, by calling the box office at (253) 272 -2281, or online at www.tacomalittletheatre.com.

Tacomans will have plenty of reminders this month that Christmas is almost here: The shimmery spectacle of “Zoolights” at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium; the heart-warming sounds of Tacoma boy Bing Crosby's 1942 classic, “White Christmas,” dusted off for its yearly spin on the turntable; local weeklies that dedicate their entire features section to Christmas happenings.
But nothing fills local punk and garage-rock fans with Christmas cheer quite like Countdown to Christmas, the holiday gala that Tacoma bands Girl Trouble and The Dignitaries have been bringing to the New Frontier Lounge since 2009. 
Countdown will return on Friday, Dec. 2; and after six installments (they took a year off) the show is starting to feel like a lasting tradition.
“I never thought it would be more than one show with Girl Trouble,” Dignitaries singer Reylan Fernandez confessed. “But people kind of look forward to it. We're always stoked and honored to play with them and share this little Tacoma tradition.”
Expect Girl Trouble's flamboyant front man K.P. Kendall to be decked out in fuzzy Santa gear, which he'll gradually shed as he shimmies and go-go dances around the venue. “Gifts will be tossed, laps will be sat on, and sweat will produced,” he joked. “So get the oxygen tanks ready. Did I mention oxygen tanks? Yeah, um – those are for me.”
Girl Trouble – also drummer Bon Von Wheelie, guitarist Bill “Kahuna” Henderson and bassist Dale Phillips – generally split their set between original material, Tacoma classics like “Bring on the Dancing Girls” and “My Hometown,” and some of their favorite holiday tunes. Expect to heart cuts like “Linus & Lucy” (a.k.a. The Charlie Brown song) and “Sleigh Bells” played in the style of the classic, 1965 “Ventures' Christmas Album,” in homage to Tacoma's best-selling rock band.
In 2013, Girl Trouble and the Dignitaries released their own split Christmas single, featuring grumpy cuts in the spirit of The Sonics' “Don't Believe in Christmas” and the Fabulous Wailers' “Christmas Spirt.” So expect to hear Girl Trouble's “A Letter to Santa” - a song inspired by Sam the Sham and the Pharoah's “I Couldn't Spell !!*!” - and the The Dignitaries' “I Know Why Santa Is Drunk.” Fernandez described latter as a dystopian vision of Christmas inspired by “the part of Tacoma we don't like to talk about.”
The Dignitaries have been uncharacteristically AWOL this year, something Fernandez attributed to family obligations and other musical projects. So fans will be especially delighted to hear a couple of new cuts, the provocatively named “British Columbian Necktie” and a scooter anthem called “Rubber Side Down.” (Members of the band can be seen zipping around town on Vespas with the F--- Yeah Scooter Club.)
Opening the show will be popular power trio the Cody Foster Army (CFA), guaranteeing Friday night will be anything but silent. Seriously, bring earplugs, and get ready to rock with Tacoma's “Sons of the Soil.”
“They are all three very funny and nice guys,” Kendall said. “(Guitarist) Dave Takata is a laugh riot, Mr. Entertainment; and since the Dignitaries have been on hiatus for a while, it will be good to see them as GT are big fans. For me, they hark back to bands from that early 90’s garage period here like The Fallouts, Nights and Days, and The Mono Men.”
The cover charge is $7. CFA will kick the show off around 9 p.m. For more info, call (253) 572-4020 or visit www.thenewfrontierlounge.com.

Many Tacoma-area teachers, including Christina Vernon, have something in common. They earned their teaching degrees in a social justice-focused Master in Teaching (MiT) program offered by The Evergreen State College. Evergreen is currently accepting applications for its fall 2017 MiT program, which will be offered at the college’s Tacoma location in the Hilltop neighborhood. Evergreen’s upper division Tacoma Program, which helps undergraduates complete their bachelor’s degrees, will share its classrooms and facilities on 6th Avenue with the 2017 MiT students.
According to director Pat Naughton, Evergreen’s MiT program is aimed at college graduates who want to make a difference in the world. The program is producing well-qualified teachers who are ready to help a diverse range of children and teens become critical thinkers and successful students.
In 2016, 100 percent of Evergreen’s June MiT graduates seeking teaching jobs were employed by fall.
Evergreen’s two-year MiT program is distinct from traditional teacher education programs. First, while it incorporates all the state required areas for certification in curriculum planning, assessment and teaching methods, it does so in an intense interdisciplinary format rather than in separate courses taught in isolation. Second, candidates stay together and are supported by the same faculty in a learning community throughout the program. Finally, time is taken for extensive hands-on experience working with school-age students, including two full quarters of student teaching, more than most degree programs. This helps prepare effective and successful teachers.
2014 Evergreen MiT graduate Christina Vernon, who taught for two years at Lakewood’s Lochburn Middle School and moved to Nisqually Middle School this year, said the program is a win-win for anyone who wants to become a teacher. “It was intense, but it definitely helped me become the teacher I am today,” Vernon said. “MiT prepares you for the realities of teaching.”
As a middle school language arts and social studies teacher, she appreciates that her job is to equal the playing field for every one of her 79 students – many of whom come from military families. That’s a challenging job, she said, because no two students are exactly alike.
Vernon said that Evergreen’s MiT program equipped her for classroom success through a hands-on interdisciplinary approach that focuses each quarter on a different set of strategies. Because Evergreen students spend more time working with each other and with students in the classroom, she said the strategies are easily remembered when they are needed most – for curriculum planning and for helping students overcome learning challenges in the moment.
Vernon graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in history. She’d always wanted to become a teacher, but hadn’t pursued a teaching certificate there. Evergreen’s unique program allowed her to obtain both her teacher certification and Master’s degree in just two years.
What Vernon loves most about her new life as a teacher are the changes she sees in her students. Her goal is to transform youngsters into critical thinkers who take pride in their own achievements.
“I love it because every day is unique. No day is like the other. As a teacher, you make a difference and the kind of difference you make is up to you.”
For more information about the Evergreen MiT program, including the fall 2017 offering in Tacoma or fall 2018 offering in Olympia, and to see a list of scheduled information events, visit evergreen.edu/mit. Or call (360) 867-6559 to request materials. To learn more about Evergreen-Tacoma’s undergraduate degree completion options, visit evergreen.edu/tacoma.
The Evergreen State College in Olympia is a public four-year liberal arts college nationally recognized for its distinctive interdisciplinary approach, strong academics and focus on undergraduate teaching. The college also has an upper division bachelor’s degree program in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood. In addition to undergraduate education, Evergreen offers three graduate degrees: Master in Teaching, Master of Environmental Studies and Master of Public Administration, including a distinctive tribal governance concentration. www.evergreen.edu.
Individuals interested in learning more about Evergreen’s fall 2017 Master in Teaching program in Tacoma are invited to attend any of the following information sessions:
Tuesday, November 29, 6:30-8 p.m. Information Workshop at Federal Way 320th King County Branch Library meeting room, 848 S 320th St., Federal Way.
Monday, December 5, 7-8:30 p.m. Information Workshop at South Hill Pierce County Library Branch meeting room, 15420 Meridian E, Puyallup.
Tuesday, December 6, 2-8 p.m., advising appointments, Evergreen-Tacoma, 1210 6th Ave., Room 114, Tacoma. Email foranm@evergreen.edu to reserve a half-hour slot.
Tuesday, December 13, 6-7:30 p.m. Information Workshop, Evergreen-Tacoma, 1210 6th Ave., Room 104, Tacoma.

Car enthusiasts from around the Northwest showed off their holiday spirit of giving at Pacific Raceways in Kent. Thousands attended the Lexus of Bellevue NorthWest Toy Run to benefit Toys for Tots Marine Corps Reserve Program in Tacoma.
"We brought a little Lion King toy set so there's some fun little things for little kids on there,” said Ashley Elness. Organizers say it was the biggest turnout in 12 years. "I am completely amazed. The public is much more generous than is commonly known,” said Pierce County Toys for Tots Coordinator Chuck Wharton.
Lexus of Bellevue presented the charity with a $5,000 check and brought five SUV’s filled with toys. "These toys will be going to the children within the next four weeks, all before Christmas,” said Wharton. They are trying to raise enough toys to give to thousands of Pierce County kids. Two years ago, it was 39,000. Last year it was 43,000 so I expect probably about the same amount of increase,” said Wharton. Amvets Post 1 in Tacoma provides about a third of the volunteers with help from the Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers program. The Marine Corps League detachment 504 does a lot of the technical work.
"One or two toys may not seem like a lot but to some kids, that's all they get at Christmas. It gives them a happy holiday, a Merry Christmas and that's what the goal is, that's what the mission is,” said Retired Marine Corps Sgt. Jeff Brennan. There are 135 donation boxes all over Tacoma and surrounding areas. “I get emails from people saying, ‘We’re gonna have a toy drive at our business. We’ve got 25 employees.’ So, they come and pick up a box and they bring it back with a box full and then there’s two or three more bags full,” said Wharton.
Money that is donated is used to buy toys for 11 to 13 year old girls and boys because many people don’t think of the older kids when they are buying gifts to donate. If you would like to make a donation or find out where to drop off a toy, go to pierce-county-wa.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx.

In 2013, the Tacoma Fire Department lost the driving force behind their
“Put A Sock In It” drive to ensure warm feet for the homeless. That's where Nathan Jensen comes in. “They didn't have anyone to do it, so I volunteered to run it,” says Jensen, son of a former fire chief. At 13 years old, he decided to take over the sock drive. “I just wanted to help the community somehow,” the now 17-year-old says.
While other boys his age might be more interested in video games, Jensen spent his time dropping off donation boxes at Tacoma fire stations, his church and school, Life Christian Academy. Last year, Jensen counted 500 pairs of socks but is hoping to surpass the number this year, with his eyes set on a target goal of 800 pairs.
A new, dry pair of socks, can make a big difference this time of the year, as it can help prevent getting sick in a time where homeless people are already struggling to stay warm. “I hope that a lot of people think about wanting to donate more. Sometimes people just go through the holiday season and not think about that stuff,” says Jensen, who is also a member of the National Honor Society.
During a previous mission trip to Portland, Jensen and his classmates served the homeless by providing food, clothes, haircuts and washing their feet. “It just opened my eyes, and I realized that something needs to be done to help them more,” he says. He quickly found confirmation, and motivation, to know that he was doing the right thing. Now, Jensen has no interest in stopping and plans to keep the sock drive going for an indefinite amount of time.
“Every pair of socks helps. If you are in the store, you can buy a pair of socks for $1 and drop them at any fire station and help the community,” Jensen says about the socks that will benefit the local homeless community. When he is not collecting socks, Jensen likes playing baseball and attending school.
An organization especially looking forward to new socks is the Tacoma Rescue Mission. As the mission relies on donations of all kinds, including much-needed items like socks, donation drives and the collected items can help offset operating costs and provide vital assistance to individuals facing homelessness.
During the 2015/2016 fiscal year, the mission served about 2,300 people. Socks are an item always in demand, as feet tend to be the primary method of transportation for homeless individuals and therefore need to stay warm and healthy.
Jensen will continue checking the bins for socks until Jan. 13, 2017.

Tacoma Fire Stations
Tacoma Weekly, 2588 Pacific Highway, Fife, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekdays.
Tacoma Life Christian Academy, 1717 S. Union Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405
Graham Fire & Rescue 23014 70th Ave. E., Graham, WA 98338

The family of Tacoma Police Officer Reginald "Jake" Gutierrez appreciates the flow of support from around the world following his murder last week. His funeral is set for Dec. 9 at the Tacoma Dome, where the public is welcome to further pay their respects.
“We would like to personally thank the City of Tacoma for the outpouring of love that has been shown for my brother…,” wrote Antoinette Gutierrez-Nevada in a statement. “We are humbled by the amount of support he has received from the community and the love we have received from his family in blue. It is quite evident that he has had a tremendous impact on the community. Although we cannot turn back the clock, I hope everyone can find comfort in the fact that my brother loved his job – he ran toward danger while others ran away. He was my hero before this happened and will be a hero forever in this community. With a heavy heart, my family would personally like to say thank you.”
Donations to the Officer Jake Gutierrez Memorial Fund can be made at any Wells Fargo location, through Crime Stoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County or at the Tacoma Police Department. Donations of food for Emergency Food Network are being accepted at the Lakewood Police Department, which has extended its annual “Fallen Officer Food Drive” through next week and has already collected 7,767 pounds of food and $9,500. 
Gutierrez, a 17-year veteran of the department, was killed in the line of duty on Nov. 30. He was 45 years old and left behind a fiancé and three children. Gutierrez was responding to a domestic violence call at a house along the 400 block of East 52nd Street. Bruce Randall Johnson II, 38, reportedly shot Gutierrez during the incident and then barricaded himself in the house while other officers rescued Gutierrez, who was rushed to Tacoma General Hospital for emergency surgery. He later died of his wounds. Johnson used his own children as human shields during an 11-hour standoff before a Pierce County Sheriff’s deputy shot him while he passed in front of an upstairs window. Johnson’s two children, 6 and 8, were not injured and were removed from the house. Johnson has been described as a troubled man, who had just been fired from his job at a downtown barbershop and experiencing mounting family troubles.
Tacomans responded to Gutierrez’s shooting death with two candlelight vigils in the Eastside neighborhood the 45-year-old officer patrolled. Both vigils, one at the Tacoma Police Substation where he worked and at nearby Sheridan Elementary last Thursday, drew hundreds of mourners. More mourners then lined city streets Friday morning to pay their respects when members of law enforcement agencies and fire departments motorcaded through the city to escort Gutierrez from the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office to the funeral home.
The final funeral procession to honor him will held before the funeral on Dec. 9, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The procession will travel from Joint Base Lewis-McChord along South Tacoma Way to the Tacoma Dome for the memorial service.

Want to help or need help? 

Donations to the memorial service can be dropped off at any police station or mailed to Tacoma Police Department, 3701 S. Pine St., Tacoma Wash. 98409. Donations to the Officer Jake Gutierrez Fund are being accepted at any Wells Fargo location and through Crime Stoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County at tpcrimestoppers.com. Donations of food for Emergency Food Network are being accepted at the Lakewood Police Department, 9401 Lakewood Dr., which has extended its annual “Fallen Officer Food Drive” through next week. The City of Tacoma has opened the Lighthouse Center, 5016 A St. through Dec. 9 for people to gather to discuss the death of Officer Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez. Clergy and grief counselors will be available from 6-8 p.m. nightly to help facilitate conversations and provide resources for people at least through the end of the week.

CITY ANNOUNCES PLANS TO RENOVATE TACOMA DOME

Mayor Marilyn Strickland and the Tacoma City Council recently approved $21.3 million to renovate the iconic Tacoma Dome in the 2017-18 Biennial Budget presented by City Manager T.C. Broadnax. The City- owned facility will be revitalized with new seating, exterior beautification, renovated restrooms, modernization of backstage areas, and upgrades to loading docks and security systems.
“The Tacoma Dome is an icon, a ‘must-play’ venue hosting world-class events for more than 33 years,” stated City of Tacoma Director of Tacoma Venues & Events Kim Bedier. “We are looking forward to this exciting transformation and setting the stage for the Dome’s continuing legacy as the premier arena for live entertainment in this region.”
“Investing in the infrastructure and long-term future of the Tacoma Dome is vital to the continued growth of arts and tourism in the region,” said Strickland. “The sustained economic vitality of the Dome will continue to advance Tacoma’s reputation as a destination.”
“The City of Tacoma is committed to excellence and high standards in service,” said City Manager T.C. Broadnax. “The revitalization of this legendary venue will not only impact the skyline but also boost community pride.”
Renovations will begin in summer of 2017. New seating will be installed during summer of 2018 with all renovations completed by fall of 2018.
State of the art telescopic seating will be installed, eliminating the portable seating from parking lots and providing a more comfortable experience for fans while improving operational efficiency and safety. Upgraded and additional restrooms will further elevate the guest experience. Modified loading docks, offices and dressing rooms will redefine the experience for promoters, event producers and artists. Exterior renovations include new siding, paint, and signage. Fire alarm and security advancements will further augment safety measures put in place earlier in 2016.
Since opening in 1983 with David Bowie, the Tacoma Dome has hosted the world’s top touring artists including Drake, AC/DC, Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, U2, George Strait, Paul McCartney, Kenny Chesney, Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5 and countless more. Renowned for its unique wooden roof and excellent acoustics, the Tacoma Dome is the largest indoor arena in Washington. Along with touring shows, the Tacoma Dome hosts 125 events annually, including community events like state high school football championships and 27 graduations each year. The facility welcomes more than 500,000 guests annually and is consistently ranked by music industry publications amongst the top venues in the country based on gross ticket sales. Events already confirmed for 2017 include Eric Church, Bruno Mars, Roger Waters, Tim McGraw + Faith Hill, Blake Shelton, and Chris Botti. The improved efficiency and modernization of the facility are expected to increase the number and variety of events, guest satisfaction, and overall attendance.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES MUMPS OUTBREAK

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has issued an alert after Public Health Seattle-King County confirmed several mumps cases and are investigating several more suspected cases, most within the Auburn School District. Auburn is north of the Pierce County line.
Pierce County health care providers may also see cases of mumps. Symptoms of mumps include pain, tenderness, and swelling in one or both parotid glands (cheek and jaw area). Nonspecific prodromal symptoms may precede parotitis by several days, including low-grade fever, myalgia, anorexia, malaise, and headache.
For patients with symptoms of mumps, collect a buccal swab and urine for viral PCR and culture at Washington state Public Health Lab. Buccal swab should be collected within three days of symptom onset.
Mumps outbreaks are occurring in several states. Unvaccinated persons are at risk, and immunity from MMR vaccine wanes somewhat over time. Most cases during outbreaks are fully immunized. The most commonly
reported complication of mumps is orchitis, which affects up to 50 percent of infected males who have reached puberty.
Report suspect cases to Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department at (253) 798-6410. 

TACOMA POWER NAMED A LEADER IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Two Tacoma Power employees who created the utility's video chat inspection program earned this year’s Leadership in Energy Efficiency Award for Innovation from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.
Sara Bowles and Jordan Whiteley, who work in Conservation Resources Management for Tacoma Power, picked up the award yesterday.
“It’s an honor to receive recognition from NEAA, a regional leader in energy efficiency,” said Tacoma Power Superintendent Chris Robinson. “We encourage innovative thinking, so it feels great to be recognized for it.”
For a customer to receive a rebate for certain energy efficiency improvements, utility employees must first inspect the work at the customer’s home. Bowles and Whiteley developed a video chat inspection program that allows them to conduct their portion of the work from their office. The change reduces the amount of inspection time for customers, eliminates travel time for utility employees, and is more convenient for contractors.
“We have technology that can make our work more efficient and create less of a burden on customers, so it makes sense to use it,” Robinson said.
Tacoma Power received the inaugural award in the same category from NEEA last year for a ductless heat pump study in partnership with Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity.
“We are fortunate to have such experienced leadership that brings innovation and collaboration to our alliance. Their dedication makes a huge contribution to energy efficiency in the Northwest,” said Susan E. Stratton, NEEA’s executive director. “As we celebrate 20 years of working as an alliance, these are exactly the types of leaders who will move our region forward.”

Detectives are trying to identify whoever fired shots at the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department's Foothills Detachment building in the Bonney Lake area last Saturday while two deputies were inside.
"It’s somebody we want to get caught right away because obviously they have a grudge against us personally or police in general, ” said Det. Ed Troyer.
At 10:21 p.m., the building at 11107 214th Ave. E. was struck by five bullets. All five shots went into an office window in the front of the building; the deputies were not injured. Investigators believe the suspect(s) likely parked a vehicle, walked into the parking lot then fired directly at the building from less than 100 feet away.
“I heard something that sounded like pop pop pop pop,” said Diane Metzger who lives next door with her husband Tim. “We want to get our concealed weapons permit because we’re scared. We don’t want anything like that happening here. We want to protect ourselves,” she said.
At the time of the shooting there were three fully marked patrol vehicles parked at the detachment inside a fenced area that were clearly visible. Investigators believe the suspect knew there were deputies inside the building when the shots were fired.
"This crime is a direct attack on our deputies. But it is also an attack on the entire community. If you attack the people who keep citizens safe, you attack the foundation of safety in the community. Whatever the motivation for this action, it is dangerous and it is flat unacceptable. If someone has the twisted idea that this is an opportune time to strike out at law enforcement, they will learn that they are sorely mistaken," said Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor.
If you have any information on this shooting, call the Crime Stoppers of Tacoma-Pierce County hot line anonymously at 1 (800) 222-TIPS.

Diamond Green, one of Tacoma’s premier marijuana shops located at 4002 S. 12th St., continues to grow, opening up a new glass shop right next door last month.
Diamond Green has been operating since early last year, and has become a favorite in the Tacoma area for their knowledgeable staff and wide open floor space.
“We mainly pride ourselves on customer service. Since there are so many shops in the area we try through service to get them to come back to ours. Our budtenders are very knowledgeable about the product, and a lot of regulars we’ll greet by name when they come in – just little things to let them know they’re appreciated,” employee Adam Crittenden said.
Now, two doors down sits their new glass shop, filled with not only a variety of glass product, but also Diamond Green merchandise in the form of shirts and other memorabilia emblazoned with the Diamond Green logo. This has opened even more space in the main marijuana store, giving customers an opportunity to relax and view products without feeling cramped. It also allowed room for Diamond Green to add their medical marijuana counter this last summer.
“We keep one of the widest varieties around Tacoma. We carry a lot of local brands, and some of the lowest prices on things like eights and grams of hash oil,” Crittenden said.
“We also try and keep a wide variety of product. If someone wants high-end stuff, we have that, and low-end stuff, we have that,” owner Malkit Singh said.
Diamond Green is a sponsor of the “Old School Night at the Dome” event on Dec. 16 featuring artists like Busta Rhymes and DMX performing at the Tacoma Dome. Digital Underground will be stopping at the store that day from 2-3 p.m. hang out.

The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call (253) 301-3148 or visit diamondgreentacoma.com.