Category Archives: WA State – Pierce County

Inspiration at Tacoma Public Library

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 Today dear daughter and I went to the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch to hear William Kamkwamba who co-wrote the incredible book The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope). Both of us had enjoyed the book, finding it uplifting. William, a young man of 23, is inspirational. More about the Tacoma Reads program here.

http://www.tpl.lib.wa.us/Page.aspx?hid=239

It was the first time that I had been in a Tacoma Public Library on a Sunday and it felt good to see all the people there. The history of the library can be found here.

http://www.tpl.lib.wa.us/page.aspx?hid=42

Currently in the gallery of the library there is an exhibit of art tiles, old and new, that is well worth seeing. That link can be found here http://www.tpl.lib.wa.us/Page.aspx?nid=64

Macy’s at the Tacoma Mall, are they on strike?

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I’ve been honoring the strike at Macy’s at the Tacoma Mall, though they probably haven’t noticed because I go there so infrequently anyway! But I needed a nice dress for an upcoming event and I don’t have time to order something online. So, feeling particularly mean I dragged my poor husband to Macy’s. It ended up that I didn’t find a dress that I liked in my price range, but I did buy a nice pair of jeans for $24, which seemed reasonable to me. The sales associates were pleasant, but the racks of clothes were a mess with sizes all mixed in together.

The UFCW Local 367 members voted to strike Tacoma Macy’s in May 2010 and I’m not readily finding information to see if the strike is settled. I haven’t seen one of the trucks that had been driving around promoting the strike for a while.

Jack in the Box, Open Late

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Jack in the Box, Open Late

Originally uploaded by Gexydaf

The first Friday that feels like Spring and we decide to celebrate with milkshakes, one chocolate mint and the other vanilla. This Jack in the Box at 2420 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, is pretty much like the rest. I haven’t gone into this store in forever because, to be honest, it doesn’t feel completely safe to me especially in the evening. But the drive through is fine and the drive through workers are friendly and do a good job.

Puget Sound Nuclear Free Weapons Zone

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This home is dedicated to being a Nuclear Free Weapons Zone and its sign declares “40 miles from the largest single stockpile of nuclear warheads in the U.S.”

I confirmed this in an online article that states “The Trident submarine base at Bangor, just 20 miles from Seattle, has become home to the largest single stockpile of nuclear warheads in the U.S. arsenal“.

Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Bangor-an-indicator-of-military-intentions-1231416.php#ixzz1J3hw2g00

Recently in Tacoma five peace activists, the Plowshare Five, were sentenced to time in jail because of their form of political protest. It is a fascinating story and one well worth reading. The best source of information is their blog at http://disarmnowplowshares.wordpress.com/

My hat is off to them for living their beliefs.

   

Seasonal Delights Cafe & Espresso Co.

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Days when everything goes right deserve a treat, so dear daughter and I stopped at a new to us place in Freighthouse Square called Seasonal Delights Cafe & Espresso Co. We shared this wonderful, still warm cinnamon bun and half was plenty. Next time we’ll go for dinner or lunch and try the crepes!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seasonal-Delights-Cafe-Espresso-Co/135368629853945?sk=photos

Ha!  Nobody has ever accused me of being cutting edge, but two days after we were there the Tacoma News Tribune reviewed this restaurant 🙂

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/tntdiner/2011/04/08/butter-me-up-the-waft-of-cinnamon-returns-to-tacomas-freighthouse-square/

Update June 2013: Sadly when I stopped by this week to buy a pie, Season Delights was gone. It appears that they vacated the space in April or May.

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Borders Books in Tacoma

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I really debated using Borders Books in Tacoma as one of my new places of the day. But today I stopped in to say goodbye. This is the closest bookstore to my house and my family has spent hours here. Its practically a family tradition to go on a rainy Sunday for a cup of coffee and to read the magazines in the cafe. And of course, we’d always end up with a book or two. I’m pretty sure my daughter has never walked out of the store without a book!

But our Borders, which is almost always busy, is closing no later than the end of May. The cafe is closed, items are heavily discounted and some of the shelves are pretty empty. The GIg Harbor and Federal Way Borders are also closing with only Puyallup Borders to remain open in Pierce Co. Across the country Borders is closing 200 of its 643 locations as part of a bankruptcy reorganization.

So, goodbye Tacoma Borders. We’ll miss you.

For Sale $275,000

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For Sale $275,000 by Gexydaf
For Sale $275,000, a photo by Gexydaf on Flickr.

When I see property like this for sale I wonder what happened. Somebody obviously had a vision for the site as some kind of multifamily living unit but now it is for sale with an asking price of $275,000. The concrete footings will only have value if a new buyer has a very similar vision. For now, this property on the southwest corner of Yakima Avenue and South 15th Street awaits purchase and development. Oddly, I couldn’t locate information about the Delaurenti Realty Co. on the internet.

Japanese Garden at Point Defiance

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The new place of the day for yesterday was the Japanese Garden at Point Defiance (5400 North Pearl Street). Their website says “Azaleas, rhododendrons, Japanese cherry trees, crabapples and large and small pines flourish in the Japanese garden. An oriental footbridge, waterfall, Japanese lanterns and a small “tea house” further enhance the grounds. The garden provides a peaceful area to enjoy a bit of solitude and is especially enchanting in early spring. The Capital District of Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs helped to establish the garden in 1965 and continues to provide support.”

Pagoda at Point Defiance Park

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I love driving around Point Defiance Park. It soothes my soul. Today I stopped at the Pagoda at 5801 Trolley Lane and took a couple of rainy photos. It was sensibly locked, but looking through the windows worked pretty well. One window shot makes it look like Mother Nature is taking over the building!

Per the Metro Parks Tacoma website “the Pagoda was built in 1914 as a replica of a 17th century Japanese Lodge. It was originally a waiting room for streetcars. Now this magnificent structure functions as a rental facility for weddings and other private parties as well as a venue for garden shows, lectures and concerts.”

http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=62

   

Update 4/15/2011  the pagoda was badly damaged by a suspicious fire.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/04/15/1627154/report-tacoma-fire-responding.html

Update 12/5/12 A community grand re-opening celebration is scheduled for January 12, 2013.

AAA Tacoma Gets Me There

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We have been members of AAA for years now. Some years we don’t need any road service and one recent year I used it four times (once on the Narrows Bridge on a Saturday night when my friend’s car got a flat). It is worth the price to have the piece of mind. And they are invaluable for trip planning, supply my family with maps, guide books and good advice

Note, the AAA Tacoma office looks nicer than this lackluster photo!.

www.aaa.com