The link for Zoolights is
http://www.pdza.org/page.php?id=435
And the link for the zoo is http://www.pdza.org/
I’d write more, but I want to go watch the eclipse!
It must be a weekend for going to nice bakeries, because today’s new place is Corina’s Bakery at 510 6th Avenue in the Merlino Art Center Building. It is a wonderful bakery with cakes, cupcakes, scones, coffee drinks, etc. There are tables and a saw folks visiting, knitting and working on laptops.
Here is a great article about the bakery.
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/a-piece-of-cake.htm
The building was constructed in 1924 as an Odd Fellows Hall. If you want to see a photo of the building from 1977, look here:
http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/buildings/bldg1image.asp?j=2&o=2&n=14172&i=1856#text
Today the ladies and I lunched at Affairs Cafe & Bakery and listened to a great program about the Broadway Center. I’ve been coming to Affairs on occasion for years and remember when they had a fire in October 2000 that closed them for some time. They are justly known for their truffles, cheesecakes, catering and delicious breakfasts and lunches.
Oh, and I also included a photo of a cool dinosaur that we discovered today!
2811 Bridgeport Way W # 15
University Place, WA 98466-4602
(253) 565-8604
http://www.affairs-chocolate.com/
4/2013 Update On March 16, 2013 Affairs closed. The owner, Gay, retired. Good for her, but I’ll miss the place! The opened on 12/10/1985.
Today’s new place is the Tom Schuster Memorial Park, located on the southeast corner of McKinley Avenue East and East Division Lane. The original marker says Ray C. Roberts Post No. 969 V.F.W. and over that is a newer sign that says Tom Schuster Memorial Park. This is a relatively small park with some benches, a marker dedicating the park to veterans and a flag pole. It is nicely landscaped and well kept.
Information on the history of V.F.W. 969 can be found here http://webspace.webring.com/people/dv/vfw969/HistoryPost969.html
and their facebook site is here
http://www.facebook.com/pages/VFW-Post-969/450529600007#!/pages/VFW-Post-969/450529600007
Tacoma Public Library Northwest Room was kind enough to provide the following information. “The park was renamed in honor of Thomas M. Schuster, after his death on Nov. 5, 2000. According to his obituary, Tom Schuster was a lifetime member of the Ray C. Roberts Post #969 VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and had been very active with fundraising and numerous leadership duties within the VFW. His obituary states that he was “instrumental in acquiring the mini park near the post home, which is being renamed in his honor for the many accomplishments achieved with distinction as a #969 Comrade.”
http://www.tpl.lib.wa.us/Page.aspx?nid=7
I like the glacier green stone on the Seafarers International Union building. Per the union’s website they represent Atlantic, Gulf, Lakes and Inland Waters District/NMU, AFL-CIO, unlicensed United States merchant mariners sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels in the deep sea, Great Lakes and inland trades. The union also represents licensed U.S. mariners in the Great Lakes and inland sectors.
The building was constructed in 1962 and was originally the National Bank of Washington.
Seafarers International Union
3411 South Union Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98409-3139
(253) 272-7774
Flying Boots Restaurant & Spur
614 South 38th Street
Tacoma, WA 98418-6716
(253) 475-9628
Not every new place of the day can be culturally, historically and/or architecturally interesting. Sometimes it is just practical. And so soon before the holidays, nothing says practical like a battery store.
4027 Tacoma Mall Blvd (Rainier Place Shopping Center)
STE M, Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 476-2666
Their website says “We are a non-denominational church that’s committed to loving Christ. Our congregation is ethnically diverse and committed to the unity of all the saints of God.”
I thought it was interesting that their website has audio sermons. This week’s sermon is “Sexual Immorality is Killing the Church”.
http://www.hilltopchristiancenter.org/
I was driving around today, taking advantage of a little daylight and a break in the rain when I spotted this building up on the hill. I hadn’t noticed it before, but it looked interesting so I figured out how to get there. Oh! It is Oakland School! I wondered where that was. It is a 8th – 12th grade alternative school for Tacoma students.Oakland School (3319 S. Adams Street) was built in 1912 by Heath and Gove and qualifies for, but is not yet on, the local register of historic places. The architect was F. H. Heath, who was also the architect for Stadium High School, Lincoln High School, Pythian Temple (all in Tacoma) and Paradise Inn at Mt. Rainier. The architectural style is Jacobean Gothic.
Per Wikipedia, the school served elementary students until 1988, at which time it became an alternative school for high school students. During 2009-10, approximately 250 students attended Oakland. OHS also added a middle school component in the 2009-10 school year.
According to the Washington State Report Card, the school has 235 students, with more boys (58%) than girls. The annual drop out rate is 43%, which is dramatically higher than the 7% figure for the district as a whole. The program at Oakland is designed to meet the needs of students struggling with traditional high school, through an alternative schedule and small school environment.
http://www.tacoma.k12.wa.us/Schools/hs/Pages/Oakland.aspx
Today I made a quick stop at World Market to pick up some Christmas cards. The place was packed! But, still in all, I got through the line in good time and the cashier was cheerful.
http://www.worldmarket.com/home/
