Monthly Archives: December 2010

Zoolights @ Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

 Most holiday seasons we make our way to Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. We had good weather (no rain) and the display was as delightful as always. On the way out, we saw a zoo owl with its human.

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!

     

Corina’s Bakery


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.

http://www.corinabakery.com/

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

 

Affairs Cafe & Bakery

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.

Tom Schuster Memorial Park


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

 

Seafarers International Union


Seafarers International Union

Originally uploaded by Gexydaf

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

http://www.seafarers.org/log/

Flying Boots Restaurant & Spur Room

Flying Boots Cafe and Spur Room, so tonight I stopped to take a photo and consider it as my new place of the day. Tacoma Public Library shows the Flying Boots Cafe opening in 1930 and the new cafe opening in 1955 after remodeling. The bar part of the restaurant is called the Spur Room, and yes they have Karaoke. At night the neon wings on the boot turn on and off.

Flying Boots Restaurant & Spur
614 South 38th Street
Tacoma, WA 98418-6716
(253) 475-9628

 

Batteries Plus +

 

 

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.

http://www.batteriesplus.com/

4027 Tacoma Mall Blvd (Rainier Place Shopping Center)
STE M, Tacoma, WA 98409
(253) 476-2666

Hilltop Christian Center

On my way to a holiday gathering, I stopped at Johnson’s Candy for treats to share. Drat, I’ve already used Johnson’s Candy! Oh, look, an interesting church just kitty corner from where I’m standing. That will do! The Hilltop Christian Center is on the corner of 10th & M.L.K. Jr. Way in the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma, Washington. 1016 S. 10th. Street, Tacoma, WA 98405. The assessor’s office indicates that the building was constructed in 1950.

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/

For Students that need an alternative, Oakland School

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

Cost Plus World Market for the Holidays

 

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/