Summit unites Tacoma and the world
The first annual World Affairs Summit will take place from April 19 to 21 throughout downtown Tacoma, at locations along the Link Light Rail.
The summit will include special events and more than 40 speakers on various topics regarding how to make Tacoma, and the world, better places to be.
For more information, visit the World Affairs Summit Web site.
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Daffodil parade jazzes up downtown
The 74th Annual Daffodil Parade will sweep through the streets of Tacoma starting at 10:30 a.m. on April 21. This year’s theme is “Daffodils and All That Jazz.” The parade starts at South 11th Street and Pacific Avenue and travels along Pacific Avenue to South 21st Street where it finishes.
The American Daffodil Society will also be holding its annual convention April 20 to 23 at the Sheraton Hotel, 1320 Broadway Plaza. The Daffodil Festival and the City of Tacoma invite everyone to attend the many horticulture and photography displays and classes that will be held during the convention.
For more information, visit the Daffodil Festival Web site.
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Festival fills Tacoma’s streets with music
After the Daffodil Parade, stick around downtown for the 4th Annual Jazz and Blues Festival from noon to 6 p.m. This festival features great jazz and blues performances as well as street entertainers, food and vendors and other activities located all around the University of Washington, Tacoma, campus including the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, The Harmon, The Swiss, and Tacoma School of The Arts. For more information, visit the Jazz and Blues Festival Web site.
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Public and Private entities unite on Tacoma Change a Light, Change the World Campaign
The City of Tacoma has partnered on a crusade to protect the environment through the ENERGY STAR® Change a Light, Change the World campaign.
Through the combined efforts of the City of Tacoma, the Boys and Girls Club of the South Puget Sound, JC Penney, Tacoma Power, Tacoma Rainiers, and New Energy Technology, citizens of Tacoma will pledge to replace at least one incandescent bulb or fixture at home with one that has earned the government’s ENERGY STAR label, thus reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Never before has such a diverse group of public and private entities come together with a single focus of protecting the environment by utilizing the ENERGY STAR campaign.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of the South Puget Sound are leading the community by setting a goal of 1,000 kids making a pledge. Every member of the Boys and Girls Club who takes the pledge will receive a free compact fluorescent light bulb provided by Tacoma Public Utilities. In addition, New Energy Technology will donate $1 to the South Puget Sound Boys and Girls Clubs for every pledge made by a club member.
With that, the Tacoma City Council has proclaimed April 22 as Tacoma’s Change a Light, Change the World Day.
The campaign will end on Earth Day, April 22. For more information, visit on Tacoma’s Change A Light, Change the World efforts, visit www.change-a-light.org.
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Earth Day celebration planned for Middle Waterway
An Earth Day celebration that looks back at the first habitat restoration along Commencement Bay and looks ahead to the new initiative to clean up Puget Sound will take place on April 21 at the Middle Waterway, which is east of the Thea Foss Waterway.
The day features a restoration workday sponsored by Citizens for a Healthy Bay and a visit from U.S. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.).
Volunteers will work at the Middle Waterway Shore Restoration Project, the first site restored under the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process led by National Oceanic and Atomospheric Administration. The site is owned by Simpson Tacoma Kraft Co., a major partner in the clean up. Since that project was completed more than 10 years ago, six additional projects have been completed along the Middle Waterway, including several led by the City of Tacoma.
A program at noon will focus on the history of the site and the benefits of collaborative efforts to restore marine habitat, as well as highlighting the contributions of volunteers to the restoration process. The celebration will also note the launch of the Puget Sound Initiative and what it promises for the future.
People interested in volunteering to assist with the workday should contact Gina Quiram at (253) 282-2429 or e-mail gquiram@healthybay.org.
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Volunteer on Parks Appreciation Day
This year’s Parks Appreciation Day will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at designated parks to celebrate Earth Day, Arbor Day, National Parks Week and local parks in one fun event. This is a major county-wide effort with nearly 2,000 people working and volunteering on projects in their local parks at the same time. For more information, visit the Metro Parks Tacoma Web site.
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City of Destiny Awards recognize outstanding volunteers
Be sure to join the City of Tacoma in celebrating this year's City of Destiny award winners – community members who have made outstanding contributions to Tacoma. The City of Destiny celebration will be held at 7 p.m. on May 1 at Jason Lee Middle School, 602 N. Sprague Ave. For more information about the awards and this year’s winners, visit the City of Destiny Awards Web site.
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Tacoma gets smart together
The Joint Municipal Action Committee—a collaboration of the City of Tacoma, Tacoma Public Schools, Metro Parks Tacoma and Pierce County—is engaging the community in a dialogue aimed at deciding what future for Tacoma might look like and the role that education and learning will play in that future. To help achieve this, the JMAC is hosting a Tacoma Learning Summit May 4 and 5 at Stadium High School, 111 N E. St., as a part of the “Get Smart Tacoma!” campaign. For more information, visit the Get Smart Tacoma! Web site.
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University of Puget Sound scores top honor, visit from Peace Corp director
Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter will visit Tacoma on April 26 from 5 to 6 p.m. to formally recognize the University of Puget Sound for claiming first place in the Peace Corps’ “Top Schools” categories.
The University of Puget Sound earned the spot with 30 alumni Peace Corp volunteers currently out in the field. More than 220 Puget Sound alumni have joined the Peace Corps since its inception in 1961.
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Community gardens conversation grows
A conversation about the future of community gardening in Tacoma will take place at 7 p.m. on April 19 at Commencement Bay Coffee Co., 2354 Jefferson Ave. This discussion will include a panel of representatives from the Seattle P-Patch, Metro Parks Tacoma, the City of Tacoma and many others who are passionate about enhancing and revitalizing the local community gardens movement. For more information, contact Alicia Lawver, City of Tacoma Community Relations Specialist, at alawver@cityoftacoma.org or (253) 591-5414.
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Make a Splash grants now available
Make a Splash environmental grants are now available. City of Tacoma Environmental Services awards up to $50,000 a year in environmental grants to help educate residents and protect and restore surface water resources. Grants may be up to $2,500 and are open to anyone considering a project within Tacoma city limits. Projects may be educational and should focus on preventing pollution and protecting or restoring clean water. The deadline for these applications is May 18. For more information, visit the Make a Splash Web site.
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Junior League of Tacoma sizzles with culinary fundraiser
The Junior League of Tacoma is offering A Cook’s Tour fundraiser on April 21 starting at 10 a.m. This $40 event includes:
• A personal escort to five of Tacoma’s most beautiful, inspiring and unique homes, with recently remodeled kitchens.
• An opportunity to meet and talk to five of Tacoma’s chefs from Babblin’ Babs Bistro, Gayle Orth Catering, Masa, Pour at Four and Stadium Bistro.
• Insider tips on decorating dining spaces and remodeling homes.
Proceeds from the event will support the Junior League of Tacoma’s community programs to support literacy throughout Tacoma and the surrounding areas.
For more information, call (253) 383-1030 or e-mail jltacoma@qwest.net.
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