TACOMA TRUCKING COMPANY HONORS FALLEN MILITARY
Trucking played an essential role in the Wreaths Across America (WAA) annual wreath-laying event Dec. 13, which honors America’s fallen military. Every year, professional truck drivers donate their time and motor carriers donate their trucks and fuel to deliver the wreaths.
Interstate Distributors was proud to have a special send-off from its yard in Tacoma for two of its driving teams. Behind the wheel, and in the passenger seats of two brand new Kenworth T680s, were husband-and-wife driver teams that had served in the country’s military, making them ideal choices to pick up and deliver donated wreaths in the WAA program sponsored by the Truckload Carrier’s Association (TCA).
According to Marc Rogers, Interstate’s president and CEO, it was the first time the company had participated in the program but it won’t be its last.
“It is really a special program, and with our emphasis on hiring veterans, plus our proximity to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, we felt the need to volunteer our equipment and drivers for this special project,” said Rogers. “We will never forget our military’s sacrifices. We would like to thank all our Interstate veterans and their families for their service and patriotism in honoring our fallen heroes.”
Each Kenworth featured a special graphics wrap donated by Kenworth Truck Company to help commemorate the WAA program. The graphics focused on the theme of “Honoring Our Heroes” with a silhouette of military figures in a waving American flag. Team drivers Rick and Donna Fogt, who have been with Interstate since 2003, drove a matte black tractor to Columbia Falls, Maine. After their arrival, they joined a caravan of 60 big rigs traveling to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. where wreaths were laid on each gravesite by volunteers.
“I’m so honored for us to represent Interstate,” said Donna, who served six years in the Army. “This opportunity is a dream come true.”
Allen and Patricia Erwin, who joined Interstate in April 2012, were the other team, driving a signature green tractor to Kansas City, Mo., where they picked up donated wreaths to deliver to the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Allen served six years in the Army National Guard. His father and step-father also served. The extent of Patricia’s service was that of a military “brat” awaiting the safe return of loved ones from maneuvers and deployments. Patricia’s father and step-father served in the military. “It is an honor to represent Interstate during the Wreaths Across America event. We consider it a privilege for us to be able to donate our time to be of service to those who have served us so well. It is both an honor and a privilege to be able to represent those military dependents who are unable to place wreaths at the resting place of their loved ones themselves.” Patricia Erwin said.
Sponsored by the TCA, close to 240,000 wreaths were laid at Arlington National Cemetery alone this year, which covered every grave marker at the cemetery. Last year, more than 540,000 remembrance wreaths were placed in all 50 states. Eighty trucking companies volunteered their services. To learn more about Wreaths Across America, visit http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
15 NOW TACOMA GATHERING SIGNATURES
15 Now Tacoma has issued a citywide invitation to join campaign organizers and head out to area shopping centers and grocery stores to begin gathering signatures. The effort needs approximately 3,100 valid signatures to get the initiative on the ballot. There will be a brief training on the signature gathering rules, voter registration, and how to answer frequently asked questions about the minimum wage. Coffee will be provided. IBEW Hall, 3049 S. 36th St. in Tacoma, just west of South Cedar Street, on Saturday, Dec. 20, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm. Like "15 Now Tacoma" on Facebook for updates on events. Contact 15nowtacoma253@gmail.com or call Sarah at (253) 973-8153 for more info.
15 Now Tacoma is endorsed by: Pierce County Central Labor Council, South Sound Jobs with Justice, Tacoma A. Philip Randolph Institute, Pierce County Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, The Harry Bridges Club, and Coffee Strong.
HELP MONKEYSHINES RING IN THE YEAR OF THE RAM
Monkeyshines began in 2003 when a group of anonymous artists in Tacoma banded together to produce glass balls and medallions emblazoned with the Year of the Monkey logo. Two-hundred pieces of artwork were hidden throughout the city to encourage our community members to get out and explore our beautiful city. The artists have been creating glass gifts for 11 years, and this year, the Year of the Ram, marks the final cycle of the 12-year Chinese New Year calendar. The artists would like to fill the city with glass gifts, and with help, they will be able to hire local artists to produce over 1,000 pieces of glass.
For every donation of $100 or more, Monkeyshines will thank you with an exclusive 2015 Year of the Ram candle cup (pictured above). The cups will be available in January for pick-up at Creative Forces in the Hotel Murano Tacoma.
Let’s help make this amazing community event happen for the final year of the cycle. Donations are gratefully accepted through the Monkeyshine Project PayPal account.
TAKE ONLINE SURVEY, HELP TACOMA’S CREATIVE COMMUNITY
Are you an artist or engaged in creative pursuits? Do you lead an arts or cultural organization or creative business? Do you need affordable space to live, work, create, rehearse, perform, or conduct business?
If so, you are invited to take a comprehensive online artist market survey that will help the city and local developers understand the needs of the creative community in Tacoma. The goal is to maintain and develop new affordable space for living, working and creating in Tacoma. Data from the survey will show the need, build support, help secure funding, and assist developers and creative space providers like Spaceworks Tacoma to help them make decisions that best benefit creative use within existing and future developments. Your input and a large response are critical to the project’s success – help spread the word!
Take the survey at http://www.creativespacetacoma.org by Feb. 9, 2015. You’ll even get a piece of original letterpress art created by Jessica Spring, while supplies last.
This survey is a partnership between the City of Tacoma, The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, and Artspace with generous support from JPMorgan Chase. The survey is being conducted by Artspace, the nations’ leading non-profit developer of affordable artists’ live/work spaces. Artspace has been hailed by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ford Foundation and others as an inspiration for the emergent creative placemaking movement. For more than 30 years, Artspace has brought its expertise to more than 200 cultural facility planning efforts from coast to coast.
COUNTY DISTRIBUTES UNCLAIMED ASHES AT SEA
Due to an excess of cremated remains, the Pierce County Medical Examiner will scatter the unclaimed ashes of deceased individuals at sea on Dec. 18.
“Many of these cases go back decades and by law we have to do everything we can to try and find the next of kin,” said Dr. Thomas Clark, who has served as Pierce County’s medical examiner since 2010. “However, many of the leads have been completely exhausted and either no friends or relatives can be found or are they not interested in claiming the remains. We’re left storing them indefinitely and that practice has become unsustainable.”
The Medical Examiner’s office arranged to use the Pierce County Sheriff’s patrol boat to carry the cremated remains of 23 people to an undisclosed location on the waters of Puget Sound. (By law, the ashes must be scattered within three miles of the state’s shoreline.) Clark’s office employed chaplains Larry and Dianne Huffman of West Pierce Fire & Rescue to say a few words, after which the names of each individual will be read aloud before the ashes were scattered.
“We deal with death every day in our office, and always in the most respectful and professional manner,” Clark said. “Regardless of the circumstances, it’s our duty to ensure that – as fellow human beings – they are treated with dignity.”
Among those whose ashes were being scattered were several whose remains were found in newly-purchased and rented homes, on the steps of a church, on a stranger’s porch, in the back of a pickup truck, on the side of the road, and in a store parking lot. The medical examiner’s office has listed the names or details of each individual whose ashes will be scattered on its website, http://www.piercecountywa.org/medicalexaminer.
Any individuals who are confirmed by the Medical Examiner’s office to be U.S. military veterans are entitled to interment in a veteran’s cemetery, and such arrangements are made.
TLT REDEFINES ITS EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH
Tacoma Little Theatre is taking a key step in redefining its educational mission, with the trial of a new program that will be part of its upcoming production of Simon Levy’s stage adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.”
Teachers can use the performing arts a relevant tool to enliven their classroom curriculum. This is an essential component of every performing arts company’s mission. Tacoma Little Theatre (TLT) produces educational programming in the form of special weekday performances reserved specifically for schools. These productions are taken from its main stage season. Such programs come with curricular materials to assist the teachers in connecting their class time focus with the in-theater experience. For TLT’s production of "The Great Gatsby," these materials will be realized in an exciting three-dimensional format available to educators and members of the community.
TLT is partnering with Seanchai Library, an organization specializing in spoken word presentations of literature in immersive virtual environments, to create a computer simulation based on "The Great Gatsby." This simulation will be accessible to the general public via the Internet, and will feature interactive links to resource materials on the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and the influences reflected in the featured work. It will also spotlight TLT itself, showcasing its 97-year history of building community through creating theater.
“Our patrons are always interested in the stories behind the plot,” said TLT Managing Artistic Director Chris Serface. “The themes and cultural influences that drive the plays. We want to blow the box completely open and make this kind of information available to more than just educators. I want to make it possible for anyone who wants to see the play to explore the literature fully to enhance their play-going experience.” Serface added, “I am excited to see what Seanchai Library will create for us.”
With the download of a free viewing program, EXPLORE Gatsby will be an Educational Study Guide brought to three-dimensional life. Patrons will walk through the world of Fitzgerald’s novel using an avatar, and click on objects that link to information about the period and social issues the work. They can also participate in discussions, and enjoy live presentations of the source text by accessing EXPLORE Gatsby from the comfort of their homes.
For more information visit: http://www.tacomalittletheatre.com/gatsby.php, email tlt@tacomalittletheatre.com, or call the box office at (253) 272-2281.
PIERCE TRANSIT TO ADD 16,000 NEW SERVICE HOURS
At its regular meeting on Dec. 8, Pierce Transit’s Board of Commissioners approved the Agency’s 2015 budget as presented with 4,000 new service hours included in the $160.7 million dollar budget. The Board also unanimously approved a staff proposal to add 12,000 additional annual service hours to address capacity issues on the Route 1, improve weekend service and some targeted weekday frequency. The proposal brings the total annual increase for 2015 to 16,000 service hours, and the Agency’s total service hours to 443,000 hours by June 2015.
The Board also approved Planning staff’s recommendation to allocate the new hours as follows:
About 6,000 hours to restore Weekend span of service so that customers can get to and from weekend work and activities and make connections to regional and local service.
About 6,000 hours to improve weekday frequency on Route 1 to address capacity issues, and during the peak on routes 402 and 500 to improve connections for commuters
About 4,000 hours already in the 2015 budget for the new Route 4 – combines Routes 204 and 410 into one super route traveling along 112th Street so that customers have a one seat ride from Lakewood to South Hill Mall Transit Center/Pierce College Puyallup.
An innovative strategy for funding the additional service hours included the use of excess reserves from outer years, elimination of certain capital expenditures, elimination of vacant positions and, if necessary, the issuance of debt to finance future capital purchases. A budget amendment incorporating the additional hours and revenue and expense adjustments will come before the Board at its March 2015 meeting.
JAYRAY ANNOUNCES NEW SERVICE FOR SINGLES
Just in time for sleigh rides and watching romantic comedies by the fireplace, JayRay introduces a new service: Merry Singles.
Savvy singles and merry makers are flocking to the online dating service launched at http://www.merry.singles with four seasonal dating profiles and a sizzling success story.
Visitors to www.merry.singles may vote for their favorite single on JayRay’s Facebook page by Jan. 5 and be entered into a drawing. The winner will receive a $50 Visa gift card, and JayRay will donate $50 to the chosen charity of each featured cheery single:
Ru Dolph: Humane Society of Tacoma & Pierce County (protecting animal welfare and making sure Ru’s furry peeps can join in reindeer games)
Candi Cane: Community Health Care (providing medical and dental care for low-income and uninsured Pierce County residents, including those who overindulge a sweet tooth)
Doug Fur: Washington’s National Park Fund (helping protect Mount Rainier National Park for mistletoe hunters and adventure seekers)
Holly Day: Citizens for a Healthy Bay (cleaning up and restoring Commencement Bay and the surrounding waters Holly so enjoys)
“Our objective is to find these characters a match before the holiday lights come down,” said Kathleen Deakins, JayRay president of this spoof holiday fun. “Preparing to launch Merry Singles, we conducted exhaustive research, visiting dating sites, studying online engagement data and conducting in-depth interviews. Though it was arduous, the team spirit at JayRay made it jolly fun.”
JayRay partners with national and regional clients on branding, advertising and strategic communication programs from its office in Tacoma. JayRay crafts strategy and integrates services to help improve lives through thoughtful, provocative communications. For more information, visit http://www.jayray.com.
KILMER APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH BILL
A major defense bill containing an initiative championed by Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) to support the creation of small businesses was approved by the Senate on Dec. 12. The legislation, passed by the House last week, is now headed to the President’s desk. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (NDAA) contains funding for a pilot program within the Department of Defense (DOD) that would make it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to utilize scientific research from the military.
“Research conducted by and for the military can improve lives and create jobs,” said Kilmer. “Many commercial technologies – including innovations like ultrasound – originated from Department of Defense research. But too often, entrepreneurs who come up with great ideas don’t have the chance to show investors how they could use it to start a new venture. Giving military facilities in the Pacific Northwest the ability to widen the impact of their innovations will help Washington state continue to be the center of America’s 21st century knowledge economy.”
The DOD program will be authorized by funds allocated by the secretary of each service department to accelerate and increase the commercialization of research within that department. The 2015 annual spending bill passed by Congress also allocates $10 million for the pilot. It will encourage the validation of concepts discovered in military facilities in a way that shows businesses and entrepreneurs that the research is financially viable in the private sector.
“As one of America’s top federally-funded, public research universities and a leader in tech transfer and in moving innovations to positive impact, we understand how challenging it can be to transform basic research into commercial products and new businesses,” said Vikram Jandhyala, Vice Provost for Innovation at the University of Washington. “We have been happy to work with Representative Derek Kilmer to create a program that will bridge the ‘valley of death’ within one of nation’s largest research agencies, the Department of Defense. We look forward to continuing our efforts with Representative Kilmer to allow more creative and innovation ideas make ever easier transitions from ideas into companies and jobs.”
“WSU is among the top land grant research universities in the US where internationally recognized faculty in many academic areas conduct cutting edge research resulting in discoveries and technologies with commercial potential,” said Anson Fatland, Associate VP of Economic Development at WSU. “We are grateful for Congressman Kilmer's leadership in ensuring that DOD has the tools to support the innovation and economic development in the Pacific Northwest.”
The final bill that cleared Congress also includes Kilmer-backed investments in key local military installations. The NDAA sets funding levels, expenditures, and other authorizations for the Department of Defense.
BROADWAY CENTER SEEKS ACTORS FOR TOURING PRODUCTION
Broadway Center for the Performing Arts seeks actors for paid roles in a touring production of “Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical,” directed by Tyrone Brown.
This production is a sassy, sultry musical celebration of legendary jazz great Fats Waller. Assembled under the expert eye of director/lyricist Richard Maltby, Jr., “Ain't Misbehavin'” is one of the most popular, well-crafted revues of all time and was the winner of the 1978 Tony Award for Best Musical.
The inimitable Thomas "Fats" Waller rose to international fame during the Golden Age of the Cotton Club and that jumpin' new beat, swing. Although not quite a biography, “Ain't Misbehavin'” evokes the delightful humor and infectious energy of this original American composer as a versatile cast struts, strums, and sings the songs Fats made famous in a career that ranged from uptown clubs to downtown Tin Pan Alley, to Hollywood, and concert stages in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Character need is for five African/African-American actors. Men and women of all ages are encouraged to audition.
Audition date is Monday, Dec. 22, 6-9 p.m. Callbacks are tentatively scheduled for Monday, Dec. 29. Audition location is Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, Studio 1 915 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402.
Rehearsals will run Monday–Thursday, Saturday, and occasionally on Sundays starting on Jan. 20. Tech rehearsals will run from Feb. 22 to March 4. Broadway Center student matinee previews will occur on March 5 and 6. Public performances will be as follows: Tacoma, March 7; Edmonds, March 21; Bellingham, March 27; and Olympia, March 28 and 29. All rehearsals will be held at Tacoma’s Broadway Center for the Performing Arts.
Please bring 16 bars of a jazz standard song and a contemporary monologue of your choice. Be prepared for movement. Please bring your personal calendars to note any possible conflicts.
Actors will receive a small weekly stipend during rehearsals, a stipend per performance, and a per diem for touring shows to Edmonds, Bellingham and Olympia.
To reserve an audition slot send headshot and resume to Kathryn Philbrook at kphilbrook@broadwaycenter.org.
ANNUAL TOURNAMENT RAISES $36,000 FOR JBLM CHARITIES
America’s Credit Union (ACU) held its 14th annual Turkey Shoot, a golf tournament to support three local charities on JBLM, at Eagles Pride Golf Course. Many local businesses and over 170 golfers participated to help raise money for Santa’s Castle, the Food Basket Program and the Madigan Foundation.
The history of the tournament has evolved throughout the years. It was originally created to help the founder of Santa’s Castle get her program off the ground. Then it was expanded to help make sure our JBLM military families have enough food for the holidays by supporting the Food Basket Program. The final piece was to help pay for military families’ medical costs, not covered through insurance, by donating to the Madigan Foundation. Because of the generous donations from the sponsors and the success of the Turkey Shoot golf tournament we were able to raise a record $36,000 to donate to all three charities.
ACU wishes to thank the following sponsors for their support of this tournament: our presenting sponsor Northwest Motorsport, Toyota of Olympia, Tacoma Dodge, Tacoma Nissan, and Fiat of Tacoma for being our Big Turkey Sponsors. We would also like to thank Sunset Chevrolet & Hawks Prairie Rotary for being our Banquet Sponsors; the Nacho Bar was very much appreciated. Our Trophy sponsor was Tags Trophies and Awards. Our Little Turkey Sponsors were; BMW-NW, Print NW, Tactical Tailor, The Fort Lewis Ranger and Airlifter, and Cascade Print Media. Hole Sponsors were Car Pros, Proforma Strategic Advantage LLC, The Madigan Foundation, Omni Financial, Cook Security Group, Albers & Company, US Family Health Plan, Sound Credit Union, Designer Decal, CUNA Mutual, Allied Solutions, Geico, West Coast Publishing, AUSA Captain Meriwether-Lewis chapter, the Puyallup Subchapter of CML Chapter of AUSA, USO NW, Costco, CU Direct, INSI, Raddon Financial Group, The Cart Sponsors were Evergreen Home Loans, ACU Financial Services, Boom Creative, Clear Channel Outdoor, and Lakewood Ford. This year, all the military that played were sponsored by businesses including Immedia, Access Softek, Arrow Cleaning, Clear Channel Outdoor, Edward Jones, The Defense CU Coalition, USO NW, the Madigan Foundation, and Evergreen Home Loans. We’d like to thank Walmart Lakewood Store for donating 20 turkeys, Costco for bringing hand warmers and Dimitri’s Gourmet Mixes for continuing to make the event one that helps our golfers brave the elements in the spirit of charity.
Kenneth S. Leonard, President/CEO of ACU, shared with everyone the meager beginnings of the tournament and the commitment he has to our military. Leonard is quoted as saying, “It’s a passion to grow this event each year in support of our military and all they do on a daily basis.” Leonard and all the sponsors are honored to contribute to the morale and welfare of our military and their families.
JINKINS REAPPOINTED TO CHAIR HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, an attorney and Public Health expert, has been reappointed by her colleagues to chair the House Judiciary Committee.
Last session was Jinkins’ first year chairing the House Judiciary Committee. She led the committee through some very difficult, complicated issues; including Initiatives 591 and 594, the pro and con universal firearm background check initiatives, as well as animal cruelty laws and legal financial obligations.
Jinkins, who just returned from the inaugural meeting of American State Legislators for Gun Violence Prevention, noted, “I am honored and excited to continue leading this committee. We've had a strong history of working in a bipartisan manner and I'm excited to continue working together on mental health, landlord-tenant and gun violence issues.”
The Judiciary Committee handles the largest bill volume of any policy committee. As Chair, Jinkins will oversee critical issues such as civil commitment, firearms, landlord tenant law, family law and the Consumer Protection Act, among many others.
Jinkins, who received her law degree from Seattle University, has a long history in state government. She began her career in the Attorney General’s office litigating child abuse and neglect cases. She then shifted towards public health, eventually serving as an assistant secretary of health at the state Department of Health. She currently works for the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
In addition to chairing the Judiciary Committee Jinkins will serve on the Healthcare & Wellness and Appropriations Committees.