Yelp is loving Tacoma!

According to Yelp, Tacoma is the most romantic city in its database. http://bit.ly/YelpCupid

BE Green South Sound/ Shift Happens, Jan. 31

Like many business people, you may be intrigued by sustainability. You may be enticed by the savings offered by lean operations. You may want to know why your clients or customers are spending their money on green products and services. Maybe you want to save the planet. Maybe you plan to start small, and see where it goes from there.

Whatever compels you, this event will provide you with all the tools, information, free and low-costs resources, connections, and inspiration needed to propel your own sustainable business initiatives. This event is in collaboration with the Business Examiner Group, Pecha Kucha, ISIRIS, Go Local, The City of Tacoma and TacomaACTS.

Visit www.begreensouthsound.com for event details, speakers and to register.

Take Part in the Urban University

Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011
7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
William W. Philip Hall
University of Washington Tacoma campus

This dynamic forum will examine the role of urban universities, offering insights into how communities and universities interact, work together, and enable social and economic change. All events are free and open to the public; however advance registration is required. For a detailed schedule and to register go to: tacoma.uw.edu/events/urban

Free local government education sessions

For the seventh consecutive year, the City of Tacoma’s Neighborhood Council Office, in cooperation with the University of Washington Tacoma’s Urban Studies Program, is offering six free public sessions of the Government Leadership Institute (GLI) on Mondays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the UWT campus, Keystone Building Auditorium, 1900 Commerce St. No registration is required.

This year the GLI will focus on the theme: Planning the Economic Future of Tacoma. The purpose of these sessions is to provide an opportunity for the general public and students to share time in the classroom and educate each other about the impacts of various municipalities on the development of the city. It will also provide an opportunity for both citizens and students to consider real-life perspectives rather than hypothetical situations.

The following sessions will be provided, and will include presenters from various agencies and organizations:

• Jan. 24: Financing Development in Tacoma
• Jan. 31: Strengthening and Expanding the Local Labor Market
• Feb. 7: Human Capital Development in Tacoma
• Feb. 14: The Port and the City
• Feb. 28: Land Use Politics and Real Estate Development
• March 7: Urban Power and Decision-Making

For detailed information about each of these sessions, call Elton Gatewood at (253) 591-5229 or visit the Neighborhood Council's website.

New Tenant Downtown

Medical Imaging Northwest (MINW) and Diagnostic Imaging Northwest (DINW) corporate operations, currently housed in Lakewood, will soon move to a new downtown address in the Wells Fargo Building on Pacific Avenue. The MINW/DINW operations team supports 25 fellowship-trained, board-certified radiologists who provide sub-specialty professional services and onsite coverage in radiology departments. DINW represents the three joint-ventured, outpatient imaging centers under the name Diagnostic Imaging Northwest. For more information visit, http://www.minw.com/ or http://www.mydinw.com/

Microenterprise Community Forum

February 11, 2011 from 1 – 5 pm

Microenterprises can generate economic opportunity in the U.S. even during tough times. But to thrive, entrepreneurs and very small businesses often need support in the form of training, technical assistance and capital. This community forum will bring together people and organizations to explore support for microenterprise in Pierce County.

For registration and more information, visit: tacoma.uw.edu/clsr/microenterprise

Hilltop gets a new hot spot

Check out what's new in the Hilltop neighborhood: 1022 South, http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/04/a-hilltop-apothecary-1022-south/

Big win for Tacoma!

Full-service grocery store coming to downtown Tacoma's Pacific Plaza
Read more: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/business/2011/01/04/full-service-grocery-store-coming-to-downtown-tacomas-pacific-plaza/#ixzz1AIYES8kz

What's brewing on 6th

According to a post on the Seattle P.I. blog, the Liquor Control Board recently received a Microbrewery license application from the Old Mill House Micro Brew for a commercial location on 6th Avenue.

Welcome Figure celebration, Sept. 18

You're invited to a celebratory event hosted by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma Art Museum at Tollefson Plaza (17th Street and Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma), Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. - noon, as a Welcome Figure designed and carved by Shaun Peterson (Qwalsius) is blessed and raised. Call (253) 591-5192 for more information.

September Economic Gardening Business Workshop: A Financial Check-up for your Business

This workshop will teach the fundamentals of financial statements and explain how businesses can use this information to ensure positive cash flow...and profitability. Economic Gardening workshops are FREE to any business that is located in Tacoma.

Date/Time:
Thursday, Sept. 16 , 2010

Location: Evergreen State College – Tacoma Branch (1210 Sixth Avenue, Room 105) Refreshments and light snacks will be served and there is free parking in campus parking lot.

To Register Online:
Morning Session (8-10a): http://www.eventbrite.com/event/779170520
Lunch Session (12– 2p): http://www.eventbrite.com/event/779186568

Tacoma kudos!

Special thanks to PubliCola for some serious Tacoma love in "Oh, Les Elites de Tacoma": http://bit.ly/c5APOd

Final opportunity to give parking pay station feedback, Sept. 2

Learn more about the status of on-street parking pay stations in Tacoma at a public meeting this Thursday, Sept. 2 starting at 5 p.m. at the Pantages Theater (9th Street and Broadway). This is the last public meeting before the pay stations are operational on Sept. 20, 2010. For more information about the pay stations, visit www.downtowntacomaparking.com.

“Seaside Opera” to inhabit Tollefson Plaza

On Monday Aug. 16 at 2p.m., A.K. Mimi Allin will introduce her site-specific performance piece created for the plaza - 10 to 15 minute performances will occur on the half-hour from 2–7p.m. each day through Aug. 21. The piece was inspired by the physical space of Tollefson Plaza, its proximity to water and Allin's passion for sailing on Puget Sound.

Audience members may watch from the steps beside the plaza’s cascading pools where an array of wind-up water toys, miniature sampans, water guns and fishing rods invite play. Seaside Opera is funded by Tacoma Arts Commission as part of Spaceworks Tacoma.

Spanish Steps are getting a makeover

On Aug. 2, rehabilitation of the Spanish Steps started. While construction is underway, the stairs will not be accessible. The scope of work includes:

· Rehabilitation of urns, baluster, newels, post and railing
· Installation of pedestrian furnishings and signage
· Installation of a new retaining wall to support the steps
· Streetlights and landscaping

The Spanish Steps are on the National Historic Register and are modeled after the famous steps in Rome. The steps are used as a pedestrian connection between major roadways in Tacoma and also serve as an elegant backdrop for celebrations held by residents and visitors.

The project is scheduled to be complete in November 2010.

Spaceworks Tacoma block party, July 29

Celebrate artists and arts organizations using their creativity to liven up vacant spaces on July 29 at the Spaceworks Tacoma block party. The event marks the program’s official opening and will be held at 9th Street and Broadway in downtown Tacoma and at the participating venues.

The festivities will run from 5 to 8 p.m. and will celebrate the artists, their work and active life in downtown. The party will include guided walking tours, theatrical performances, live dance performances, an ongoing screening of short films and a season preview for the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts. For more information about Spaceworks Tacoma, artists and activities, visit spaceworkstacoma.com.

Spaceworks Tacoma takes shape, opening set for July 29

Artists and arts organizations have started to inhabit formerly vacant spaces in downtown Tacoma as the Artscapes component of Spaceworks Tacoma. Spaceworks Tacoma is a joint initiative of the City of Tacoma, Shunpike, and the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce to activate empty spaces with creative use.

On July 29, Spaceworks Tacoma will host a ‘block party’ style opening at the Theater on the Square and at the participating venues to celebrate the artists, their work and active life in downtown Tacoma.

Site specific art installations are at 906 Broadway across from the Pantages Theater, the Woolworth Windows, Commerce and 11th streets and in the corner of the windows at 950 Pacific Ave. Look for many more installations throughout downtown Tacoma in the coming months. For more information about Spaceworks Tacoma, visit spaceworkstacoma.com.

Brewery District gets new art foundry

Up from the ashes, Tacoma’s new art foundry, Two Ravens Studio, recently opened in Tacoma’s Brewery District. Two Ravens can do everything from conceptualizing a sculpture to finishing it and everything in between. Artists who work in any sculptural medium can have molds created and their works cast in bronze, aluminum or resin. Or if you have never created a sculpture but would like to design one, they can help. Two Ravens worked with the City of Tacoma’s Community & Economic Development Department through their Economic Gardening and Arts programs to gain assistance in establishing themselves. For more information, check out www.2RavensStudio.com.

Gritty City Gets Pretty

Great Tacoma write up in the Vancouver Sun: Tacoma - treasures beyond the Dome.

Safeway Grand Re-opening Events in Hilltop

Hilltop Safeway, Preview party: Friday, June 11 from 4 to 8 p.m.
All are welcome to attend a community preview party at the store with a variety of entertainment, food and product demonstrations, promotional discounts, customer and employee recognitions and some welcoming comments from Safeway store manager Chris Smith and Council member Lauren Walker.

Hilltop Safeway, Ribbon cutting ceremony: Saturday, June 12 at 8 a.m
Regional Safeway corporate executives and Council member Lauren Walker will speak and there will be in-store special promotions and demonstrations throughout the day.

Come celebrate a win for the Hilltop!