Metal-Urge heats up this weekend

Metal-Urge, a city-wide celebration of the metal arts, gets underway this weekend and continues through Sept. 20. This unique event offers 23 venues exhibiting the work of more than 100 artists whose metal work includes jewelry, sculpture, vessels, hardware, home décor, enamel and artifacts. In addition to art exhibits, there's opening parties, community festivals, workshops, lectures and moreTo see the entire Metal-Urge lineup visit http://www.tacomaculture.org/. You can also pick up a copy of the brochure at many galleries and museums around Tacoma. See related post.

Today's forecast: It's raining in Water Forest

Although crews will continue to fine-tune the water and fiber optic systems in the days ahead, the replanting of Water Forest is complete. And it's raining again! This weekend might be a good time to cool off in Water Forest.

Know your cash flow

It's not too late to sign up for "Cash Flow Planning for your Business," on June 10. The City of Tacoma's Community and Economic Development Department's Economic Gardening workshop is free for Tacoma business owners. Register online for one of these free sessions—8-10 a.m. or 5:30-7:30 p.m. See related post.

Water Forest: Replanted

Crews began work today reinstalling Water Forest, a public art piece by Howard Ben Tre', in its native habitat at the Esplanade plaza in front of the Museum of Glass. The renewed art piece features safety and stability improvements, and by July 1, the water should again flow from the unique glass-like and bronze cylinders.

The newly engineered cylinders are made of acrylic instead of Pyrex® glass. And each of the 20 cylinders includes four stainless steel rods that connect the acrylic tube with its bronze base. In the previous version, the two pieces were glued together. Each cylinder will be bolted to the ground rather than welded.

The City hired Seattle-based Pinwheel Corporation to reengineer and fabricate the refurbished piece. City Public Works crews will complete the installation within a couple of days and will fine tune the electrical, fiber optic and water systems throughout June. For more information, contact amcbride@cityoftacoma.org.

DaVita stays in Tacoma

DaVita, the city’s second-largest private employer with 900 employees, announced May 29 that the company will stay at its current location in Tacoma and will sublease at least three floors in the Columbia Bank Center building.

“DaVita’s future expansion plan will help to strengthen our local employment picture, it will contribute to keeping our local higher education options strong, and the company’s presence in and contributions to our community will enhance the vitality and livability of our city,” said Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma.

Over the past year, DaVita had explored the possibility of moving its headquarters to other locations in the South Sound. In a statement issued by the company, DaVita Vice President and Controller Jim Hilger said, “The City of Tacoma and the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County have gone out of their way to assist DaVita during our search for solutions to our local office space needs.”

Ryan Petty, director of the City of Tacoma’s Community and Economic Development Department, celebrated the decision. “DaVita recognizes that, even during this time of slower economic growth, the City and its partners are working together to set the table for the economic recovery that’s ahead. We are working hard and working smart to prepare for future growth, and their decision shows they desire to be a part of that,” he said.