Don’t miss Tacoma’s Jazz and Blues Festival
The streets of downtown will be filled with music this weekend courtesy of the Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival, taking place May 23 and 24 at various locations. For more information, visit the Tacoma Jazz and Blues Festival Web site.
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Chihuly showcase takes over Traver Gallery
The William Traver Gallery is featuring their first solo exhibit for Dale Chihuly. This showcase of his new work will take up the entire gallery space from now until June 8. For more information, visit the William Traver Gallery Web site.
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Bridge of Glass ‘Made in America’ segment rescheduled
The Travel Channel’s episode of “John Ratzenberger’s Made in America” that will include Dale Chihuly, the Museum of Glass and the Bridge of Glass will now air on at 12:30 p.m. on May 31. For more information, visit the Made in America Web site.
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Community Based Services program expands to Eastside, South End
The City of Tacoma’s Community Based Services (CBS) program will expand in June to the Eastside and South End, including the Dometop, Lincoln LAWG (Lincoln Area Watch Group), Lincoln South and Whitman neighborhoods.
The CBS program has also defined a stronger focus. Rather than working to meet any community need, with this new area, the CBS team will partner with the community in the lead to reduce crime, eliminate blight and increase community education and involvement.
This expansion will add a dedicated code enforcement officer, one community liaison police officer, and a program development specialist to the area, with full support from the City of Tacoma as a whole.
The rollout of the new area will begin with a community meeting at 6 p.m. on June 2 at the Lincoln High School Auditorium, 6229 S. Tyler St. In the months of June, July and August, as staff is trained on the City side, community cleanups will take place. In September, citizen engagement training and priority setting will occur in the expanded area.
To view a presentation that was offered to the Tacoma City Council Public Safety and Human Services Committee, that includes information on the new area and an update on the four current CBS areas, visit www.cityoftacoma.org/cbs.
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New Business Update: Dialed In NW Fitness, Jewell Day Spa, Serenity Spa
• Dialed In NW Fitness has opened at 3813 6th Ave.
• Jewell Day Spa will hold a grand opening function at 6 p.m. on May 30 at 2501 6th Ave.
• Serenity Spa has opened at 706 Market St.
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EDB releases 2008 top major employer list
The Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development Board recently released its list of top major employers for the Pierce County area. To view this list, visit the Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development Board Web site.
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Children’s Museum seeks community feedback on new location search process
The Children’s Museum of Tacoma is outgrowing its storefront location and has been looking for a new home for over two years. In an effort to ensure that plans and site search criteria are still valid, the museum has launched a survey that seeks community input on this search process.
The survey includes questions about the current museum, programming, early learning, and site priorities. At the completion of the survey there is an opportunity to share contact information for site updates and win a $50 gift certificate to the museum store. For more information, visit the Children’s Museum of Tacoma Web site.
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City holds public hearing regarding Revenue Development Area
Be sure to save the date for a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on June 10 in the City Council Chambers, 747 Market St., that will gather feedback from the community on the creation of a Revenue Development Area (RDA) for the city of Tacoma.
This Revenue Development Area is a step in the process for the City of Tacoma to apply for Washington State’s Local Infrastructure Financing Tool (LIFT) funding.
Through LIFT, up to $1 million a year in state funds over 25 years may be invested in infrastructure improvements in the RDA. LIFT does not increase local or state sales and use tax rates or property tax rates.
Eligible LIFT public improvements include:
• Parking structures
• Right-of-way and streetscape improvements such as streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, lighting, landscaping and traffic controls
• Utility infrastructure
• Sustainable storm drainage
• Transit Authority Park and Ride facilities
• Terminal and dock facilities
• Affordable Housing as defined in RCW 43.63A.510
For more information regarding LIFT and the RDA, including a map of the proposed downtown Tacoma area, visit www.cityoftacoma.org/rda.
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Tour Tacoma’s business districts each Thursday
Exit133.com and the Cross District Association of Tacoma are hosting a summer-long tour of Tacoma's local businesses. Each Thursday evening at various locations in the city, people will gather to visit their neighborhood businesses, build community and learn how easy it is to Go Local. The summer events will also feature an ongoing bocce tournament, prize giveaways and more.
The next gathering will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. on May 29 where the Ruston/Point Defiance Business District will welcome visitors with music and soda fountain specials at Don's Market, 5102 N. Winnifred St., Ruston. The giveaways include a three-day, two-night trip to Ocean Shores, kayaking, and a Zumba party.
For more information, visit www.exit133.com/showcase.
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Downtown Tacoma Farmers Market returns
Each Thursday from now until October, the Downtown Tacoma Farmers Market will grace the streets on Broadway between 9th and 11th streets. This market features freshly-picked fruits and vegetables, handcrafted artisan breads, quality hand-made gifts, toe-tapping music, fresh flowers, and a Local Living Lounge that offers plenty of ideas on how you can Go Local. For more information, visit the Tacoma Farmers Market Web site.
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South 5 delivers more fun Tacoma love
Take just five minutes from your busy schedule for some local comedic reprieve to watch the latest South 5 production, “Tminus72,” which was recently featured at the Grand Cinema’s 72-Hour Film Festival. For more information, visit Tminus72.
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