Tacoma celebrates 10 years of arts and culture this November

November 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of Art at Work: Tacoma Arts Month – a community celebration of the arts that includes more than 250 community-hosted arts and culture events, exhibits and workshops for all ages taking place every day throughout the month. Programming includes music, theater and dance performances; visual art exhibits; film screenings; literary readings; lectures; and workshops. All events are open to the public and many activities are free. Information about programming for the entire month is available at www.ArtAtWorkTacoma.com.

IID receives Online Trust award

Tacoma-based Internet Identity (IID) has received the Online Trust Alliance's online trust leadership award. IID was recognized in the "excellence in business solutions" category for its ActiveTrust Resolver product. IID has been providing technology and services that secure the Internet presence for an organization and its extended enterprise since the company was founded in 1996. www.internetidentity.com

Hotel Murano wins accolades from Conde Nast Magazine

Hotel Murano ranked 17th best hotel in the country, right between the Carlyle in New York and the Inn on Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C. Read more:
http://blog.thenewstribune.com/business/2011/10/12/once-again-downtown-tacoma-hotel-murano-wins-accolades-from-readers-of-conde-nast-magazine/

Three Tacoma employers win Governor’s Commute Smart Awards

Two decades of saving commuters money, curbing air pollution, conserving fuel and easing traffic congestion was celebrated yesterday at the 2011 Governor’s Commute Smart Awards. Among the recipients of this year’s awards were three Tacoma employers.

- Todd Badham and Nicole Mulhausen, employee transportation coordinators (ETC) at the University of Puget Sound, received the Commute Smart ETC Leadership Award.
- Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community was recognized with a Commute Smart Employer Champion Award.
- And Gordon Thomas Honeywell, an active participant in the Pierce Trips program for small employers since 2001, was presented with a Commute Smart Employer Champion Award for Voluntary Employers.

The Commute Smart Awards recognize innovation and dedication by communities, businesses, agencies and workplace transportation coordinators as they promote transit, biking, walking, ridesharing and other smart transportation options.

More details about the Governor’s Commute Smart Awards and the list of winners are posted online at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Transit/PT_Features.htm#CSA.
For more information about Commute Trip Reduction in Pierce County, visit www.piercetrips.com

Business Leaders Gather Locally to Talk Bizz

About 15 Northwest credit union leaders, some of them small business owners, will gather in Tacoma's Hotel Murano to talk about ways they can boost business lending, in hopes of adding more jobs to the region. Read more...

Dome District launches new website

Check out the Dome District's new website. This new website will promote all the Dome District has to offer from business services and eating establishments to excursions and attractions. It’s also a great way to stay connected to the Dome District community through news updates and business district information. Visit www.tacomadomedistrict.com.

Construction on South 9th Street scheduled to start on Sept. 12

The South 9th Street Improvement Project, which runs between Commerce Street and Market Street in Downtown Tacoma is scheduled to start Sept. 12. The project includes removing and replacing the concrete panels in the street and sidewalk as well as construction of bulb outs and crosswalks.

Construction will require the contractor to close two of the four lanes on 9th Street. The remaining two lanes will provide one-lane of travel in each direction.

Pedestrian safety and mobility will be improved with new ramps and bulb outs at Court C, between Broadway and Market Street, and at South 9th Street. These improvements will require a change in traffic direction on Court C from one-way southbound to one-way northbound between South 9th and South 11th streets.

Work in this area will take place between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. The project is scheduled to be completed by Nov. 10, 2011. Weather and unknown site conditions may impact the schedule. For more information, visit the project website at www.cityoftacoma.org/South9thStreet.

New Alliance Aims to Help Businesses Become Green

The Environmental Business Alliance (EB Alliance) of Tacoma-Pierce County has been formed to help businesses become green in two ways: by improving their environmental performance and increasing their profitability.

The EB Alliance is a partnership of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, Citizens for a Healthy Bay, Go Local and the City of Tacoma. The alliance provides businesses with access to resources and information about environmentally sustainable practices.

Membership is free. Businesses that join the alliance will help the environment, enhance the community, and improve their own bottom line by saving utility resources and reaching more customers. For more information, visit www.eb-alliance.org.

Attention Foodies: Restaurant Watch 2011

A lot of restaurants have opened up since June in Tacoma! Keep in the know at blog.the newstribune.com/tntdiner

Super Best of Tacoma 2011

Check out the Weekly Volcano's super best of Tacoma list!

Fire Safety Loan Program now available for business and property owners in Tacoma

Small business and commercial property owners required to make unanticipated, costly upgrades to structures to meet the fire and building codes now have some help available. In an effort to assist with fire and life safety requirements, City Council and the Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority have established a Fire Safety Loan Program (FSLP).

The FSLP loan is available to any business owner or property owner within Tacoma city limits to upgrade an existing retail, office or mixed-use building to adhere to current fire safety codes. Residential units are not eligible under this program.

Funds can be used for:

• Fire detection systems

• Fire suppression systems

• Improve or add means of egress

• Fire-related mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems

• Kitchen hoods

• Other fire and life safety code requirements

For more information about FSLP criteria, terms and conditions, contact Genal Gavaldon with Community and Economic Development at (253) 591-5213 or by email at g.gavaldon@cityoftacoma.org.

Four Ways to Grow Your Bizz Workshop

You are invited to attend the City of Tacoma’s upcoming July Economic Gardening Business Workshop: Four Ways to Grow your Business.

In this fast-paced workshop, you will learn about the four cornerstones of growing your business. Speaker Audrey Godwin, CPA will share the secrets of creating long-term success for your business. The workshop will focus on developing a selling strategy and pricing your product appropriately.

Economic Gardening workshops are FREE to any business that is located within the City of Tacoma limits.

Date/Time: Wednesday, July 13th, 2011,Choose a morning or evening session, 8am – 10am or 5:30 – 7:30pm

Location: Family Investment Center – Salishan, 1724 East 44th Street, Room 104, Tacoma, WA, 98404

To Register Online:
Morning Session (8 - 10 am): http://july13morningsession.eventbrite.com/

Evening Session (5:30 – 7:30pm): http://july13eveningsession.eventbrite.com/

For questions or to reserve by phone, please contact Christine Clifford at 253.573.2435 or cclifford@cityoftacoma.org.

2011 Summer Events Calendar now available

The City decided to produce the very popular 2011 Summer Events calendar only in a PDF this year in an effort to reduce cost and waste. Please share, post, print and distribute the 2011 Summer Event calendar freely. http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/CRO/summerevents2011.pdf

Need some spice in your life?

Organic Spice Traders just opened! Their selection of organic products are of the highest standards of freshness, purity and quality. Organic Spice Traders is located at 1127 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma. http://www.organicspicetraders.com/index.cfm

BCRA is all a Twitter

Apple is using BCRA as their Design Firm case study and coming to do a photo shoot in their Tacoma office on the use of their iPads in marketing. For the latest, follow: @BCRADESIGN

On par for the U.S. Open

Reflect on the success of the U.S. Amateur and build on the excitement about the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay! Watch the video: http://rainiercountry.s3.amazonaws.com/rc_pc_amateur.wmv

Tacoma selected to participate in Creative Vitality Study

The City of Tacoma, led by the Tacoma Arts Commission, was one of five groups throughout Washington selected through a competitive application process to participate in a Creative Vitality Index (CVI) study led by the Washington State Arts Commission (WSAC) and WESTAF (Western States Arts Federation). The study is intended to explore how the CVI can inform and advance local efforts to define, support and advance the creative economy in communities across the state. http://www.arts.wa.gov/resources/creative-vitality-index.shtml.

Cool news!

Our very own Mayor Strickland is one of 15 individuals from across the country to have been appointed to the U.S. Small Business Administration's Council on Underserved Communities. Check it out... http://www.businessexaminer.com/blog/strickland-appointed-to-national-sba/

Seitel Systems branches out to Tacoma

Seitel Systems, an IT solutions company, recently opened a Tacoma branch on Pacific Ave. Seitel provides network, server, telecommunications, and desktop services that include system design, implementation and support. Welcome to Tacoma! Stay tuned for info about an open house. http://seitelsystems.com/

Wingman Brewers now at Red Hot

Wingman Brewers, a niche brewery located on the edge of Tacoma's Historic Brewery District, just held their first public tap! After a release party on April 21, Wingman beer is now available at the Red Hot.