Monthly Archives: January 2011

McKinley School, under 300 students

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Tacoma Public School has announced that it may close schools in order to save money. Foss is the high school they are considering and elementary schools with less than 300 students are also possibilities. These elementary schools are Franklin, Lyon, Roosevelt, Stanley, McKinley, Wainwright and Geiger. Geiger has had a program change and has been taken off the table. I thought over the next week or so, I’d take photographs of the mentioned schools and use them as my new places of the day.

Read more: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/01/19/1509242/foss-students-fret-over-possible.html#ixzz1Bn2OnEp6

The first is McKinley Elementary School at 3702 McKinley Avenue in Tacoma’s Eastside. Their school mascot is the Roadrunner. The original building was constructed in 1908 with additions in 1910 and 1954. It was designed by Frederick Heath, architect and named after the 25th President of the United States, William McKinley. Fredrick Heath was a busy architect! He also designed

http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=2012 Oakland School

http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=1961 Urban Grace

http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=1335 Titlow Lodge

http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=2370 Tacoma Public School’s CAB

McKinley School is considered a high priority to be placed on the historic register. http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1889351&more=0

To see a darling photograph of McKinley first graders from 1927 go to

http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/images/dt6n.asp?un=2&pg=1&krequest=McKinley&stemming=On&phonic=&fuzzy=&maxfiles=5000

Note that there are 30 desks in that classroom!

For more historic photos, check out this page from Tacoma Public Library.

http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/images/dt6n.asp?krequest=subjects+contains+McKinley%20School%20and%20Tacoma

Tacoma Public Schools, CAB

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Tacoma Public Schools, CAB

Originally uploaded by Gexydaf

Tacoma Public School houses most of its administrative functions out of building at 601 S. 8th St. The original part of this building was constructed in1912 and in December 2010 it was placed on Tacoma’s historic register. For more information see http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1889351&more=0

The architect was Frederick Heath who also designed:

http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=2012 Oakland School

http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=1961 Urban Grace

http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=1335 Titlow Lodge

http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=2370 Tacoma Public School’s CAB

The architectural style of the building is Collegiate Gothic.  The 8 story building was originally known as the Central School and it functioned as Tacoma’s first high school.

To see how the building looked in 1919, go here

http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/buildings/bldg1image.asp?j=7&o=12&n=1307&i=4785#text 

Allstar Fitness

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I had no excuse not to go to the gym today, so off I went. I was too late to take the class I wanted, but I worked the machines for a while and felt like I accomplished something. The building has over 70,000 square feet and includes a pool/hot tub/saunas, class spaces, plenty of exercise machines, a woman’s only workout area, a child care spot, a rock climbing area and an Emerald City Smoothie.

And the link for AllStar is http://www.allstarfitness.com/

The link for Emerald City Smoothie is http://www.emeraldcitysmoothie.com/ViewStore.aspx?store=3e704783-47b3-4067-84d9-bda8f59396a8

As a side note, I remember going to see movies at this location when I first moved to Tacoma. Then the movie theater failed and Allstar purchased the building and complete remodeled it. They really did a top notch job with the remodel!

The other photo is of the sunset tonight. I was pretty excited to see that it was after 5 and the sunset was in progress. I guess the days are getting longer.

Dorky’s Arcade Pinball Food Drinks

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Dorky’s is one of the newer businesses in downtown Tacoma. It is a multilevel arcade that as of tomorrow will offer food and in the future will have a liquor license. For a couple of dollars, you can have a lot of entertainment with machines like Ms. PacMan, Frogger and Asteroids.

I love the PacMan on the wall that they made out of keys!

Their Facebook page says “Dedicated to Old School Video Games and Pinball Machines we are working to have a place to play all the fun machines from our youth that you can’t find any where. 80’s and 90’s Classics All Video Arcade Games and Vintage Pinball Machines are 25 cents Newer Pinball machines are 50 Cents.”

754 Pacific Ave
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 627-4156

 
  

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library is Closing

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For Martin Luther King Day, I went to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library at 1902 South Cedar Street, Tacoma, WA 98405 . As of January 31, 2011, this branch of the Tacoma Public Library System will close, leaving eight locations. The Swan Creek Branch is also closing and the main branch will also have its hours reduced from 66 to 54.

There are news reports of the closures here http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/12/16/1467131/2-small-tacoma-libraries-to-close.html?storylink=rss

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/01/16/1504222/library-to-serve-fewer.html

The library’s previous sign has been replaced with the sign in the photograph. There is also a notice on the door that states “Tacoma Public Library Service Alert. As a result of a $1.8 million dollar shortfall in the Library’s 2011 – 2012 budget, the Tacoma Public Library will close two branch libraries and reduce hours at the downtown Main Library effective Monday, January 31, 2011.” Per the news report, the MLK Branch has some of the lowest circulation figures and has considerable deferred maintenance. While I an see the logic of the closure, it is a certain loss to the families in the area.

The closing of this branches no doubt would have saddened Dr. King, who is know to have said “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” Sounds like the function of a public library to me.

For information on the Swan Creek Library closure, go to http://blog.firsttries.com/?p=2099

 

Lakewood Veteran’s Memorial

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I’ve driven past this sculpture in front of the Lakewood City Hall numerous times, but today I actually got out of my vehicle and took a good look at it. There is a lot going on with this piece, nine figures representing people in the military, a large globe, five benches, signage, inscribed bricks and landscaping. The sculpture honors veterans. Among the large metal figures are a Chaplin, a medical person, a foot soldier with his gun, a mechanic and others. The figures are stylized, but it is still apparent the jobs they represent. The primary construction materials are steel and bronze and the sculpture was completed in May 2003.

Per information provided by the Washington City/County Management Association, The project was spearheaded by the Lakewood Veterans Memorial Committee and reminds us of the sacrifices and services of the local military community. It also serves as a link between Lakewood and the large number of active duty, former and retired military personnel in our community. “More than 96,000 veterans reside in Pierce County with over 10,000 living in Lakewood. The memorial is the creation of Gig Harbor artist and military veteran Jim Mattern. (http://www.wccma.org/newsletter/0304wcmanews.pdf)

Here is the link to a story about the piece.
http://www.komonews.com/news/archive/4093906.html

Jim Mattern: Sculptor
Lakewood Veteran’s Memorial
6000 Main St. SW
Lakewood, WA 98499

  

  

 

Bair Bistro in Steilacoom

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Today I had lunch with my dear friends at Bair Bistro (Living Museum, Restaurant & Country Store) at 1617 Lafayette Street in Steilacoom, WA 98388, (253) 588-9668. Everyone in the group seemed to enjoy their meals and the service was good.

This building, which was constructed in 1895 used to be Bair Drug and Hardware. Information provided by the business via Yelp states “The Bair Drug and Hardware building has been in existence since 1895. Since that time, it has been a post office, drug store, hardware store and restaurant. Currently, the Bair Drug and Hardware building is home of The Bair Bistro. However, the dining area is full of relics, tools and gadgets from its earlier days.”

The newest use, The Bair Bistro, opened on Mother’s Day in 2010
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/02/18/1075176/historic-bair-drug-to-reopen-as.html

Their Facebook page is here
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1247456349#!/pages/The-Bair-Bistro-at-The-Bair-Drug-and-Hardware/372346062940?v=info

Tacoma Firestation #11

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Today I took a moment to photograph Tacoma Fire Station No. 11 at 3802 McKinley Avenue. It is a relatively small, two story fire station and was placed into service on April 17, 1909. Looking at a photo of the station from 1910 (http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/buildings/bldg1image.asp?j=3&o=3&n=20900&i=6243#text), it looks much the same, though of course nowadays the fire trucks aren’t pulled by horses!

The particularly nice weathervane was dedicated on October 28, 1978.  The station was place on the National Historic Register on May 2, 1986.

There are 17 fire stations in Tacoma.
http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=8023

The City of Tacoma placed 11 individual fire related properties (9 stations, 1 ship and an alarm system) on the national historical register in 1983. The nomination form is located here:
http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NRHP/Text/64000904.pdf

 

Al Davies Boys & Girls Club

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I really admire today’s new place of the day. Al Davies Branch of the Puget Sound Boys and Girls Club is located at 1620 S. 17th St., Tacoma, WA 98405, (253) 502-4631.  This facility provides a safe and enriching place for children between the hours of 2:30 and 7, Monday – Friday.

The organizations webpage says that  Boys & Girls Clubs provides our community’s children with:
1. A safe place to learn and grow
2. Ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals
3. Life-enhancing programs and character development
experiences
4. Hope and opportunity

This is a Kids At Hope facility and the children recite the Kids At Hope pledge daily:
I am a kid at hope.
I am talented, smart and capable of success.
I have dreams for the future, and I will climb to reach those dreams and goals every day.

No child is ever turned away for economic reasons.

http://www.bgcsps.org/home

How long has that ACE Hardware been there!?

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This morning I’m driving around looking for a cup of coffee because it is that kind of day when I notice that there is an ACE hardware on Sprague.  Where did that come from?  My husband said that it use to be a lawn mower store and maybe it still is to a point because the secondary sign said Agrishop (see link http://www.agrishopinc.com/) and they seem to have lawnmowers and more.  It is a small hardware store and a nice alternative to the megastore.  Not that ACE isn’t a big chain.  Their website says they have more than 4,600 stores in 50 states and 70 countries!  There are 30 ACE locations within 30 miles of this one!  Who knew?

 

 

 

AGRISHOP TACOMA
2012 S 12th St.
Tacoma, WA 98405

 

 

phone: (253) 833-0870
toll free: (800) 805-0513

http://www.acehardware.com/mystore/storeDetail.jsp?store=14923&saddr=47.2492065,-122.4747276%2898405%29&daddr=47.2499,-122.4633%282012%20S%2012th%20St%20Tacoma,%20WA%2098405%29

And yes, I did take some photos of it!  And they are happily living on my camera’s memory chip.  But the memory chip and the laptop had words and now they aren’t talking!  So I tried rebooting (no), I tried taking the chip in and out a dozen times (no), I found one of those cords that connects the camera & the computer (no), I tried all the same things on my husband’s computer (no, no, no), I considered throwing the computer in the bay (maybe).  I gave up and used an image off the internet and will try at work tomorrow using their computer (yes).

In the meantime, here is a photo I took with my phone!