TRANSPORTATION PLANNING SEEKS FEEDBACK
The City of Tacoma is developing its first ever Transportation Master Plan (TMP). The Transportation Master Plan will be the city’s roadmap for accommodating walking, biking, transit, truck freight and auto traffic as it grows over the next 20 years, and beyond.
Tacoma City staff are seeking resident input to help address transportation issues that exist today and could be projected to arise, if not addressed, in the future. Residents attending community events in July are invited to interact with transportation planners, draw on transportation maps, ask questions, and complete surveys. Transportation Master Plan outreach booths will be available:
Saturday, July 12 at the Tacoma Pride Festival
Saturday, July 26 at Ethnic Fest
Wednesday, July 30 at the Tacoma 2025 Community Visioning Workshop
Residents may learn more and complete a transit survey available online at http://www.cityoftacoma.org/tmp.
COMMUNITY TO HELP SHAPE TACOMA’S FUTURE
Public input has been pivotal to the “Tacoma 2025” strategic planning process, and anyone who is interested in sharing their ideas for how Tacoma could evolve over the next decade is invited to a community visioning workshop at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center (1500 Broadway in Tacoma) on Wednesday, July 30, from 6-8:30 p.m. (with doors opening at 5 p.m. for an open house reception). Event parking will be available at no charge in any of the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center’s garages.
The information gathered throughout the “Tacoma 2025” strategic planning process will result in a citywide strategic plan which will outline steps to achieve a shared community vision for Tacoma’s future. It will also help inform decision making regarding the City’s resource allocations to ensure that funding is available to actualize community priorities identified in the plan.
The “Tacoma 2025” Plan will focus on seven key areas
Public health and safety
Quality of life and livability
Economic vibrancy
Culture, arts, and recreation
Educational opportunity and attainment
Government performance
Infrastructure, mobility, and environmental sustainability
In addition to the upcoming visioning workshop, the City has also provided other opportunities for the community to get involved in the “Tacoma 2025” strategic planning process:
An online community forum at tacoma2025.com where visitors can comment on key topics and respond to other community members’ ideas.
Informational booths at a variety of community events this summer, including the South Tacoma and Proctor Farmer’s Markets and Ethnic Fest.
ART MUSEUM HOLDS FREE COMMUNITY FESTIVAL
Tacoma Art Museum invites the community to explore how sculptures come to life at the Best of the Northwest Free Community Festival on Sunday, July 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s theme spotlights Tacoma Art Museum’s growing sculpture program. Make your own three-dimensional art with hands-on projects throughout the day. At noon, be sure to see the premiere unveiling of “Soul of the Forward and Faithful,” a life-like bronze sculpture that powerfully memorializes the World War II Marine Raiders. The sculpture debuts at Tacoma Art Museum and will be on view only through July 27, before traveling to its home at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. During the afternoon, learn how sculptures are made and get a sneak peek at some of the new works coming to Tacoma Art Museum’s collection.
“Rarely do you witness sculptures taking shape. This festival features artists, fabricators and curators talking about the fascinating process of creating bronze sculptures. We’re giving visitors a close-up look into the sculpture process that most people don’t get to see,” offers Stephanie A. Stebich, Tacoma Art Museum director.
How do 400 blankets transform into a bronze outdoor sculpture? Walla Walla Foundry is currently working with artist Marie Watt to fabricate her sculpture “Blanket Stories: Transportation Object, Generous Ones, and Trek,” crafted from blankets contributed by the community. The sculpture will be installed along Pacific Avenue in front of the new Haub Family Galleries this November. Along with Watt’s new work, the museum has commissioned a playful outdoor bronze sculpture by Scott Fife, whose loveable giant “Leroy, The Big Pup” has become the museum’s mascot; and Julie Speidel, whose large-scale installation will evoke the region’s ancient geological history with elegant recreations of glacial erratics.
Speakers at the festival will include:
Dave Anderson, from Walla Walla Foundry, explaining the process of fabricating bronze sculptures, from making the mold to the pour and finishing
Rock Hushka, Tacoma Art Museum’s Director of Curatorial Administration and Curator of Contemporary and Northwest Art, revealing details about the museum’s new outdoor sculptures by Marie Watt, Julie Speidel and Scott Fife
Laura Fry, Tacoma Art Museum’s Haub Curator of Western American Art, sharing stories of Western bronzes in the Haub Family Collection (to open at the museum on Nov. 16)
Take advantage of this rare chance to see how sculptures take shape. Carve your way through clay to create a relief and walk away with your very own tile. Admission is free all day. Donations are accepted and benefit the Tacoma Art Museum Annual Fund, supporting the non-profit museum’s educational programs. Best of the Northwest is generously supported by the Dan & Pat Nelson Family Foundation, Bill Driscoll and Lisa Hoffman.
For more information, visit http://www.tacomaartmuseum.org/Page.aspx?nid=129 or contact Julianna Verboort at (253) 272-4258 x3011 or JVerboort@TacomaArtMuseum.org.
ZOO OFFERS HALF-DAY FOR HALF-PRICE
What’s greater than a mid-summer bargain? How about a mid-summer bargain that includes tigers, polar bears, harbor seals, walruses, red wolves, penguins, sharks, stingrays and all manner of other animals?
That’s what Pont Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is serving up on Friday, July 18. It’s called Half-Day for Half-Price, but it’s a bit sweeter than that. Half-Price General Admission gets visitors four-and-a-half hours of SHARKMANIA!, stingray touching, polar bear, tiger and meerkat watching and my, oh my, so much more.
All for special general admission prices of $4.25 for tots, $6.50 for youths, $8 for seniors and $8.50 for adults. Children 2 and younger get in free.
July 18 visiting hours for the general public are 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The zoo closes early so The Zoo Society can prepare for its annual gala fundraiser, Zoobilee.
The zoo resumes regular summer hours, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturday, July 19.
ONLINE VERSION OF CITIZEN SURVEY NOW AVAILABLE
The City of Tacoma wants to hear from residents. Recently, 3,000 randomly selected households were asked to report how they feel about the quality of life and services in Tacoma when they receive a comprehensive questionnaire in the mail from the City of Tacoma. An online version of the citizen survey is now available at http://www.n-r-c.com/survey/tacomasurvey2014.htm.
The citizen survey is meant to assess the City’s performance in major service areas, and will help the City better understand residents’ perceptions of service areas. The survey findings will help define the community’s current priorities and will aid the City’s ongoing operational planning and improvement processes.
For more information about the citizen survey, call the Customer Support Center by dialing 311 within Tacoma city limits.
CITY, METRO PARKS PARTNER TO MAXIMIZE PUBLIC ASSETS
Schuster Slope. As a slice of undeveloped open space that’s primarily been left in a natural, undeveloped state, it provides important environmental benefits. It helps manage stormwater, provides wildlife habitat and protects water quality.
It’s for these reasons that the City’s Environmental Services Department is caretaker to select open spaces, such as the Schuster Slope, throughout Tacoma. Yet, perhaps such spaces could further nurture surrounding neighborhoods. The City of Tacoma and Metro Parks Tacoma have entered into an agreement to find out. They want to determine how the needs of the community can be served by these spaces through the fostering of volunteer stewardship, quality vegetation, and natural resource management plans.
At an open house on Wednesday, July 16, staff will ask for feedback to weigh the various interests that need to be considered as part of managing the Schuster Slope open space, such as vegetation, slope stability, forest stewardship, public access, safety, views, and passive recreation. The open house will be from 6-8 p.m. at the Landmark Convention Center’s Rooftop Garden Room, 47 St. Helens Ave. in preparation for the creation of a natural resource management plan.
The partnership will work to address Mason Gulch next year plus volunteer and maintenance assistance in Wapato Hills and Julia’s Gulch. Metro Parks is a natural partner for the City in this cause as they already manage 2,000 acres of open space and natural areas across their district area and have an established Natural Resources Division.
TCC PRESIDENT TO RETIRE AT YEAR-END
Pamela Transue, president of Tacoma Community College, has announced to the Board of Trustees her plans to retire on Dec. 31. Transue started at TCC in July of 1997 and has served as TCC’s president and CEO for the past 17 years.
Since Transue began her presidency in 1997, Tacoma Community College has won local regard and national recognition. Increasingly, TCC is a college of first choice for Tacoma-area residents.
Focused on student success, Transue guided Tacoma Community College toward an evidence-based approach to student learning and assessment. Results include improved completion rates and instructional innovation. Tacoma Community College is an Achieving the Dream Leader College, and its “Declared and Prepared” advising structure has become a model for colleges nationwide.
"Under Pamela's leadership, TCC transformed into a nationally recognized community college,” said Chad Wright, chair of the Tacoma Community College Board of Trustees.
“This was made possible because of her exceptional vision and her capability to work well with the trustees, faculty and staff through good times and some of the most difficult times in the history of the community college system. Her imprint will forever be a part of this college. I wish her all the best in her retirement."
Transue directed the single largest physical transformation in the history of TCC. Construction of quality, modern buildings and sustainable landscape has been a major focus of her capital vision. TCC has received local and national accolades, awards and recognition for LEED Silver and Gold building designations, recycling and waste reduction, solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling and green parking lots.
Transue has served as chair of the board of the American Association of Community Colleges, secretary of the board of the American Council on Education, president of COMBASE, a national organization devoted to community-based learning, and president of the Washington Association of Community and Technical College Presidents.
Throughout her career at TCC, Transue has taken an active role as a leader in the Tacoma community. She has served on a number of boards including Tacoma Goodwill Industries, Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Pierce County, the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, the Pierce County Regence/Blue Shield Advisory Board, and Rotary 8.
The presidential search will begin immediately under the direction of the TCC Board of Trustees.
TACOMA AUTHOR RELEASES NEW BOOK
How does it feel to be different from everyone else? First time author, and Tacoma resident, Tracey M. Hook answers this question and more in her newly released young adult novel “Natural Elements,” a drama/romance about an 18-year-old boarding school student of black/Caribbean-South Asian descent. Geeta often feels isolated although she has the love and support of her mother. But her mother has a secret that will change her life – a secret that, once revealed, informs the heroine of her mother's long ago affair and of a sister she has never known. The story takes place in India and Trinidad during the early 1980s as well as the early 1960s.
“Natural Elements” covers the struggles of two generations, a mother and daughter as they fight against the prejudice of a society where skin color plays an important role in daily life, marriage and where you belong. Geeta recalls childhood experiences in which she often suffered from stares and chuckles from behind covered mouths that left her feeling unwanted because of the hue of her skin. But worst of all are the harsh words spoken by relatives who oppose her parent's marriage – a marriage that defied the tradition of one arranged.
Hook was born in Brooklyn and enjoys eating, (her favorite dishes are the Chinese/Latino dishes only found in the neighborhoods of Manhattan), reading and traveling the world. She reads at least two books per week and loves watching everything on HGTV. Hook is a former Seattle and New York City high school teacher as well as a case manger for the City of New York foster care system. She holds a BA in English from The College of Staten Island, completed a secondary education certification program at Antioch University in Seattle, and holds a MA in Creative Writing from City College of New York. She currently resides in Tacoma. Hook has traveled to Bombay, India in order to complete research of her book.
“Natural Elements” was voted eighth place on Goodreads May-August 2014 New Book Releases, fourth on Goodreads list of Popular Books Recommended by Friends, and voted one of the Best Books of May 2014 on Goodreads.
Ms. Hook can be found on Facebook and Linkedin. Her Twitter handle is traceyhook@geeta86 and email is brownglasses41@yahoo.com.
COUNTY COUNCIL RENOUNCES HUMAN TRAFFICKING
With a unanimous vote July 1, members of the Pierce County Council approved Resolution R2014-83 which declares the County to be a “Not in My County” anti-human trafficking area.
The resolution originated with the Coalition Against Trafficking (CAT), a collection of organizations working to protect children and prevent victims of human trafficking by promoting “Not in My City” and “Not in My County” campaigns. The resolution’s sponsor, 4th District Councilmember Connie Ladenburg, says it’s one of those issues many people don’t realize is happening right in their backyards.
“It’s frightening how often this happens in Washington,” Ladenburg said. “Victims are often threatened with violence, made to pay off a debt, fraudulently promised a job that does not exist, or even led to believe they are entering a romantic relationship. It’s sickening, and I strongly urge everyone in Pierce County to support laws that crack down on this horrible crime.”
R2014-83 also recognizes the good work being done by the various local anti-trafficking organizations, which have achieved a higher public profile in recent years.
According to CAT’s website, human trafficking is an emerging, complex issue that is widely misunderstood. For example, not all trafficking is sexual in nature. While many women and children are trafficked throughout the world today, some are exploited for forced labor and involuntary domestic servitude. Nearly all victims are held against their will to endure the crime.
Ladenburg notes that Washington State was the first in the nation to make human trafficking a crime; the first law of its kind. Washington now has some of the nation’s most stringent anti-trafficking laws and is continually working to tighten them even further.
To report suspected human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-373-7888. For more information on what Pierce County is doing to help those in need, please visit the county’s Community Connections website.
SUBWAY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO OSO
Subway restaurants are partnering with the Oso Chapel Mudslide Disaster Relief Fund to provide support to the Oso, Darrington and Arlington communities of Snohomish County in the wake of the devastating March 22 mudslide.
Beginning July 1 and continuing throughout the month, Subway restaurant patrons can donate to relief efforts at any participating Western Washington Subway restaurant locations. Donations can be made in any denomination and do not need to be tied to a purchase. One hundred percent of the donations received will be awarded to the Oso Chapel Mudslide Disaster Relief Fund to aid in continuing disaster relief efforts.
“Local Subway restaurants support the Oso Chapel Mudslide Disaster Relief Fund’s ongoing commitment to providing long term support to victims and rebuilding the community,” said Paul Armour, Subway advertising board chairman.
“The slide not only resulted in loss of life and home, but also has negatively impacted the local economy, transportation routes, and many family budgets. Our task is to lead in the rebuilding process by providing comfort, encouragement and counseling, along with material and practical aid,” said Gary Ray, chairman of the State of Washington Long Range Community Development Team and pastor of the Oso Chapel. “We would like to thank Subway and Subway customers for their continued support.”
CHENEY GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE A HOME RUN
Tacoma continues to receive attention for its leadership role in surface water issues. The Association of Washington Cities has presented Tacoma with a 2014 Municipal Excellence Award in the “Making a Difference in Your Environment” category for the Cheney Stadium Sustainable Stormwater Project.
The Environmental Services project retrofitted the Cheney Stadium parking lot, reconstructed Clay Huntington Way and revamped the stadium’s Tyler Street entrance over two off-seasons using green infrastructure to reduce stormwater runoff and improve access for bicycles and pedestrians. As a result, Cheney Stadium now has about six acres of permeable pavement, three rain gardens, sustainable landscaping, new pedestrian walkways and seven acres of new tree canopy. The ballpark also has two electric vehicle charging stations and LED lighting along Clay Huntington Way.
The site, which was finished this spring, serves as a model for commercial development, demonstrating the effectiveness of green infrastructure elements, which can be installed for about half the cost of traditional stormwater improvements.
The Municipal Excellence Award recognizes innovative and effective city programs that improve the quality of life in their communities. In addition to being featured on Association of Washington Cities web site, the project was featured in the Municipal Excellence Showcase at their annual conference and in a video available on YouTube.
BLACK BEARS GET THEIR NAMES AT NORTHWEST TREK
Two new black bears at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park now have names chosen by the public in an online survey. Benton and Fern were picked from among four sets of names for the male and female bears, which came to the wildlife park from the Topeka Zoo in May.
It’s the first time in many years that animals at Northwest Trek have names by which the public will know them. At the moment, the two bears are the only publicly named animals at the wildlife park.
In addition to Benton and Fern, the name choices in the survey – all submitted by staff members – were: Tahoma and Olympia; Sitka and Madrona; and Ridge and Meadow.
Benton and Fern were the informal names staff members at the Topeka zoo used for the two American black bears, which are siblings.
The black bears can be seen in their 1-acre forested exhibit, which includes tall trees for them to climb, pools for them to swim in and lots of logs and brush for them to sit on and ramble through.
The bears were orphaned as cubs in Oregon and have lived at Topeka Zoo for most of their lives.
Northwest Trek also has two grizzly bears.
The wildlife park is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
PEANUT BUTTER DRIVE BENEFITS ST. LEO FOOD BANK
Titus-Will Ford, in conjunction with the Ford Focus on Child Hunger campaign, recently collected jars of peanut butter to support the summer demand for kid-friendly foods at St. Leo Food Connection.
The peanut butter drive was prompted as a response to the increased demand for this expensive staple during the summer months, when many children lose access to school nutrition programs. Only about one in ten children that receive breakfast or lunch at school have access to summer meal programs.
“We’re pleased to support St Leo Food Connection and the community members it serves,” said Graham Tash, owner, Titus-Will Ford.
This drive was part of a five-state campaign in the Pacific Northwest by Ford dealers to support their community food banks and to make sure no child goes hungry this summer.
TIME-TESTED FAMILY FUN AT FORT NISQUALLY
Gleeful children dashing after saltwater taffy shot from a “candy cannon” is just one of the experiences in store during Fort Nisqually Living History Museum’s Family Fun Night, July 18, 6-9 p.m.
Families are invited to bring their own picnic dinner to the Fort, located in Point Defiance Park, and join in games, dancing, and relay races with the Fort’s re-enactors. For information and admission, call (253) 591-5339 or go online to http://www.fortnisqually.org.
“This is an evening of time-tested fun,” said Event Coordinator Chris Erlich.
Families can learn and play 19th century games such as hoop and graces. Children can participate in a three-legged race and a sack race. In the cup and plate race, they will compete while trying to keep water in a cup on a plate on their head. They receive ribbons for participating in the various races.
Fort volunteers will give dancing lessons to live music and serve up ice cream and lemonade, while supplies last.
In addition to these activities, all of the Fort’s historic buildings and grounds will be open, with re-enactors in period clothing interpreting the history of the fort. Kids visit the kitchen garden, see the chickens scooted into their coop for the night, and visit with trappers, traders, and ladies from the 19th century.
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 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.
NORTHWEST TREK FEATURED ON ‘DIG IN SEATTLE’
Think of a cool, refreshing dessert with the taste of nature and a flavor unlike anything that might be found in the grocery store, or even on a high-end restaurant menu. Now, imagine a beautiful green pesto slathered on crusty bread. And made from plants that carry a nasty sting when they brush the skin.
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park horticulturist/arborist Jake Pool makes both, and his work is highlighted on “Dig In Seattle,” a television show hosted by local gardening expert and newspaper columnist Marianne Binetti.
Part 1 of a two-part show featuring several segments about Northwest Trek aired on June 21. A podcast of that episode is available at this link: http://diginseattle.com/category/podcast/
Part 2 is scheduled to air Saturday, July 5, on JOEtv (check local listings for channel and broadcast time). The show also will be available on the ‘Dig In Seattle’ website at http://diginseattle.com/.
t’s scheduled to feature a variety of animals at Northwest Trek, as well as Pool’s recipe for Stinging Nettle Pesto.
For Part 1, Pool whipped up his Forager’s Delight Sorbet (made with Douglas fir tips). There’s not a more beautiful cooking backdrop, either. Pool made his recipes on the deck at the wildlife park’s Hellyer Center overlooking Horseshoe Lake.
During the episode, he also talked about native Northwest plants while showing off many of them in the wildlife park’s rain garden.
Native plants are attractive, easy to grow and take advantage of the Northwest’s temperate climate and rainfall, he told Binetti.
“Once they’re established, after two or three years, they don’t require as much water, and you don’t have to use herbicides or pesticides on them,” Pool said.
They also naturally handle insects, he added.
The often colorful plants don’t require much fertilizer either, a fact sure to make home gardeners happy.
Part 2 of “Dig In Seattle’s” visit to Northwest Trek includes a tour of the wildlife park’s 435-acre Free-Roaming Area, showcasing American bison, Roosevelt elk, Columbian black-tailed deer and other animals.
It also features Pool’s recipe for Stinging Nettle Pesto. But not to worry; cooking the nettles takes the sting out and leaves only the flavor.
GLOBAL SECURITY & COMMUNICATION OPENS NEW REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS
Global Security has opened its new Regional Headquarters in Tacoma. Global Security will also bring along with them some key players in the field such as Samsung, Bose, GE, Soundcast, and http://Alarm.com just to mention a few.
The new 6,500-square-foot building will be fully staffed adding a dozen new jobs to the area. Global also has announced a new Vice President, Matt Smith, who will be driving the success of the Tacoma branch. Smith comes to Global with 16 years of experience in the industry and has a proven track record of success.
Global Security will also be featured in the Parade of Homes this year, which is held in southwest Washington. Global will be showcasing some of the top brands they carry and custom work they offer. Global has been showcased in the Parade of Homes for over 10 years and continues to rise above the standard for in home technology. The company’s success does not stop there either; they’re also a major player in the commercial industry as well. Global Security protects thousands of commercial properties from Seattle, Portland and Eugene but they don’t stop there. Global also works in the medical field. That’s right the company offers two-way voice communication pendants. The pendants are able to communicate with first responders with a push of a button and that alone is a big sigh of relief to seniors and to the healthcare industry. Your local Global Security Company has made a huge turn in the low voltage industry and is proving that in today’s world with offering state of the art technology, cutting edge electronics and excellent customer service local is the only way to go.
Global Security is a Vancouver-based Low Voltage Services Provider with roots in Security, CCTV Systems, Home Technology, Home Automation, Fire, and Medical Systems. Founded in 1988, Global has been dedicated to providing safety and Peace of Mind to the Pacific Northwest for over Two Decades. Active in the Security Industry, Global has been recognized for seven years in the SDM 100, a ranking of the top 100 Security Companies in the US.