Novelties, assorted oddities and a precious pup

The St. Helens neighborhood has a new neighbor! The Brownie Morrison boutique just moved in at 711 St. Helens #104. If you're looking for that perfect gift or something sassy for yourself, check it out and be sure to say hello to April - the mastiff rescue.

Tacoma Arts Commission keeps community art alive

The Tacoma Arts Commission recently awarded $45,000 in 2010 Arts Projects funding to 19 different Tacoma organizations in support of public outreach projects in the fields of music, dance, film, theater, literary and visual arts. The awards range in value from $1,000 to $4,000 and serve a cross-section of Tacoma’s community. For a complete listing of funding programs, publicly accessible funded projects and information about the Tacoma Arts Commission, visit www.tacomaculture.org.

McMenamins sets tentative opening date

The countdown can begin! McMenamins, the Oregon-based hotel and entertainment company, has tentatively set an opening date of St. Patrick's Day 2012 for its new restaurant and entertainment venue in the old Elks Temple. McMenamins plans restaurants, a brew pub, an entertainment venue and hotel rooms in the 93-year-old temple. Read more...

Local bizz is finalist for Inner City 100 list

SiteCrafting, a website design and web application development company with 24 employees, is a finalist for the Inner City 100 list of fastest growing inner city companies in America. The growing company has been headquartered in the Tacoma since 1998 and operating in Spokane since July 2009.

The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is a national not-for-profit organization founded. ICIC's mission is to promote economic prosperity in America's inner cities through private sector engagement that leads to job, income and wealth creation for local residents.