Monthly Archives: November 2011

McDonalds in the Evening Light

According to Wikipedia, McDonald’s is “the world’s largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries”.  Today I stopped to snap a photo of the McDonald’s at 2203 North Pearl in Tacoma. We didn’t actually go inside, but admired the almost art like display created by the Big Toy.

Candy, Tofu, Guitars, Law

The building at 1546 Market Street was constructed in 1928 as the Burton Confectionery (Jean Burton, operator).  I’m sure it had several use. For instance it once housed Tofu Company Food Products and more recently the Vashon Guitar Company.  It appears to be an attorneys office now.

Herbal Wellness

Sacred Plant Medicine at 1912 Center Street has some great signs on their exterior walls. The building was constructed in 1928 and was occupied by the Northwestern Bakery. In 1937 it was occupied by Butler Canning and in 1940 Buffelen Furniture Co. was in place and then closed. In 1944 there was a fire. In 1955 it was Buffelen Woodworking Co. Seems to me that in the past few years it was a cabinet shop and then vacant for a while. And now it is Sacred Plant Medicine. `

Transpire

Lakewood Transit Center has this dramatic piece of public art known as Transpire by Mark Calderon. The website for the center http://projects.soundtransit.org/Projects-Home/STart-Public-Art-Program/Public-Art-Projects/Lakewood-Station.xml states the following:

Three intertwining spires create a radiant and elegant design inspired by the early history of settlement in the Lakewood area. Speaking of his inspiration, artist Mark Calderon said, “To me [the campfire] represents the center for food, warmth and community – in a way, the hub of the settler’s existence. I want my sculpture to be attractive in the same way—a place that is comfortable and enlivening where people may gather and where community forms.”