Luzon Unlocked

St. Helens Going One Way Next Week (29. August 2008, 09:42 by Derek Young) ~ Hmmm...

Ahhh … do you remember that old discussion about St. Helens Avenue becoming a one way street? Well, the time is now.

Next Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, St. Helens Avenue will be redirected to one-way southbound into downtown Tacoma. This is the first step to making St. Helens one-way indefinitely. This traffic flow redirect is necessary for work to continue on schedule with the Broadway Local Improvement District project.

Flaggers and signs will be in place to direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Be cautious.

For all you bicyclists out there … work on those hill sprinting legs.

More information at www.cityoftacoma.org/broadwaylid

King's Books Sale This Weekend (29. August 2008, 09:40 by Whitney) ~ Literary Retail Therapy

Not going out of town? Neither are we. Sigh. Luckily there’s always something to do in Tacoma. Our favorite independent bookstore is have a sale in honor of the long weekend and in order to prevent me from dying of boredom.

King’s Books is offering 20% off all books in store.

That’s heaven for me.

Details
King’s Books
218 St Helens Ave
Sat. Aug. 30 – 10 – 7
Sun. Aug. 31 – 10 – 6
Mon. Sept. 1 – 10 – 5

Wintergrass Leaving the Murano? (28. August 2008, 11:54 by Whitney) ~ Sigh

Last winter during the transformation of the Sheridan to the Hotel Murano we spent a lot of time there. Especially while the Orizon was constructed and we made our video of Costas Varotsos. Wintergrass happened to be on one of these weekends and listening to musicians jam in every corner of the hotel was truly a delight.

However, the Volcano is reporting that Wintergrass in that location may be no more. Apparently the hotel wants to limit the amount of activities outside of the meeting rooms that make this festival so iconic. Organizers are currently looking at relocating their main venue to the Broadway Center or another location that would be more accepting of the impromptu music.

While the organizers have no plans to move it out of Tacoma, part of the magic was the 11pm meeting of two musicians in the elevator who play till 2am.

Sigh. Changes.

Link to the Volcano

Input Wanted on Water Management Manual (28. August 2008, 10:30 by Caitlin) ~ Opinions on Flow Control?

Tacoma’s revised 2008 Surface Water Management Manual is going through its final review – and you’re invited to comment. The manual sets forth the minimum standards for new development and redevelopment projects including updated requirements for flow control, water quality, low-impact development techniques, and erosion and sediment control.

The revision is required by the Department of Ecology to bring Tacoma’s manual up to par with Ecology’s 2005 manual. A draft of the manual can be read by going to CityofTacoma.org and the final draft will be submitted September 22.

To have your voice heard on the subject of water management, attend the public meeting next week, or submit your comments in writing.

Details
Public Meeting
September 4, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Wheelock Library
3722 N. 26th St.

A revised draft of the manual is available at CityofTacoma.org/surfacewater. Click on “Surface Water Manual – FOR REVIEW.”

Can’t make it to the meeting?
People may submit written comments until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, to
City of Tacoma, Science & Engineering Division
Attn: Merita Trohimovich Pollard P.E.
2201 Portland Ave
Tacoma, Wa 98421

Jake Sterino versus American Fast Freight - An Update (28. August 2008, 09:08 by Derek Young) ~ Good Luck To You

The News Tribune is reporting on the latest, and apparently darn-close-to final, developments in the Richter / Sterino / American Fast Freight story coming out of the ‘farmlands’ of Fife. The bottom line, after a long day of mediation, the 20 acres are going away. The lease that Jake Sterino thought he assumed when he purchased the assets of George Richter Farm, wasn’t actually available to him. The lease isn’t valid. He’s walking away.

While AFF was legally in the right, paving over some of the world’s best berries just short of harvest can’t be good for one’s karma … or community ties.

Link to The News Tribune

Previously on Exit133

Bocce for Thursday - August 28th (27. August 2008, 14:08 by Derek Young) ~ Game On!

Last week we found ourselves playing bocce in Fireman’s Park. It was a decent evening with balls rolling over hills, around rocks, through the gravel, and Whitney flinching at every throw. After three rounds of intense bocce play, the final round between Derek and Rick was … a bit less exciting. Rick controlled the game and easily took first place for the night.

So, this week, we’re heading to Titlow Park. For those that don’t know where that is, head west down Sixth Avenue. Just before you hit the water … park. Folks may be eating at Steamers first. Balls roll at 6:00.

It’s a friendly game. All are welcome!

Current Standings

#1 Justin (21 points)
#2 Derek (18 points)
#3 Rick (17 points)
#4 Aaron (10 points)
#5 Mike H (9 points)
#5 Ann (9 points)
#7 Whitney (5 points)
#7 Michael Buchanan (5 points)
#9 Doug (3 points)
#9 Rob (3 points)

Who’s it going to be this week?

City Council Meeting - August 26, 2008 (26. August 2008, 19:56 by Caitlin) ~ Support a Walker!

Tonight’s meeting began with a proclamation that Saturday, September 6, is AIDS Walk Day. You can register for the walk or support someone you know by visiting piercecountyaids.org.

Consent Agenda
Resolution # 37578 authorizes the execution of an interlocal agreement with the Town of Ruston for paving, streetlighting, and utilities improvements associated with the Point Ruston neighborhood development.

Resolutions
Resolution # 37580 authorizes an amendment to the agreement with Seattle Northwest Securities Corporation to include financial advisory services for the Point Ruston Local Improvement District.

Resolutions # 37578 and # 37580 are both related to the interlocal agreement with Ruston for Tacoma to help fund improvements in Ruston. The plan is to fund this project with a LID assessment and have no long term cost for Tacoma, but there is the possibility that the LID doesn’t go through. That’s where # 37580 comes in – to receive financial advisement so that the treasury office can appropriately calculate the financial risks of this project and plan accordingly.

Resolution # 37581 authorizes an amendment to the agreement with VIA Architecture, in the amount of $50,000, for a cumulative total of $150,000, budgeted from the General Fund, to complete revised and additional planning work items associated with the downtown plan update to include the implementation of the International Financial Services Area and public outreach for the Tacoma Dome area.

This resolution amends an existing contract to pay for planning analysis that wasn’t budgeted for in the original agreement.

Councilmember Lonergan gave an update on last week’s Resolution # 37574. There are currently 99 jobs at Belina Interiors, but this resolution will cause 37 new jobs to be created.

While the creation of new jobs is good news, the highlight of the evening was Alan Douglas’ Garth Brooks t-shirt. It’s nice to know Mr. Douglas is avid in all areas of his fandom.

Maritime Fest Coming Sept 13th (26. August 2008, 14:02 by Caitlin) ~ Boat Cost: $17.63

Coming up this September is the 16th Annual Commencement Bay Maritime Fest. Expect a remodeled Foss Waterway Seaport, Seafair Pirates, and the Quick and Dirty Boat competition. Take a free train ride compliments of Tacoma Rail on Saturday and a free Port of Tacoma Harbor Tour on Sunday. The event will also include art, food, music, and dragon boat races.

Details
September 13 and 14, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thea Foss Waterway
For more information, visit MaritimeFest.org.