Monday, January 20 at 7:00 PM:   RENAISSANCE to BAROQUE: The ITALIAN CANZONA @ Mason United Methodist Church - 2710 North Madison Street in Tacoma
www.salishseafestival.org/tacomaSuggested Donation $20 to $30

This is the inaugural 2025 program at Mason United Methodist Church in the Proctor District, the Salish Sea Early Music Festival features the Italian Canzona and demonstrates the evolution of the instrumental musician's perspective from the Renaissance to the Baroque, with Vicki Boeckman on renaissance recorders of various sizes, Tina Chancey on renaissance viols also of various sizes, Jeffrey Cohan on renaissance transverse flute, and Anna Marsh on dulcian, the renaissance bassoon. 

This in-depth exploration of the Italian four-part canzona, will trace its development from 1529, when commercial music printing was just beginning in Europe, to 1636 when more “baroque” stylistic forms began to emerge. All is to be performed on renaissance winds of three distinct families along with the fretted viols, providing an exciting blend and a distinct character to each of the four intertwining musical lines.

Learn more and event dates at www.salishseafestival.org/tacoma

The Washington State History Museum will temporarily close from January 13 through February 17, 2025, to conduct limited demolition in the Great Hall of Washington History in preparation for the installation of a new permanent exhibition, This is Native Land. The museum will re-open on February 18, 2025, with contained construction continuing on the third floor until the new gallery opens in the summer of 2025.

The current phase in the installation requires a full museum closure to accommodate logistical tasks, heavy machinery usage, and noise abatement. The entire building, including the museum store, will be closed to the public during this limited time. While the museum is closed, the organization will continue with business operations, supporting research requests, and programmatic efforts in the community. Affected frontline staff have been offered temporary work assignments during the closure.

The museum's temporary exhibitions on the fifth floor are open through Saturday, January 12, 2025, with a 50% admission discount. Exhibitions on view include What is Native Art? Eugene Landry and the Creative Spirit, Collections Selections: A Parachute from the D.B. Cooper Investigation, and the Model Railroad. And this will be the last opportunity for the public to view the special exhibitions The Mountain Was Out and MAKERS ON THE TIDE: The Willits Brothers and Their Handcrafted Canoes.

For updates and more information on the project, please visit www.WashingtonHistory.org.

Don't miss your chance to purchase tickets to the Artist Reception, Wine Tasting and Goblet Sale.

January 18 | 5:30–7:30pm | $60 General Admission / $40 for Museum Members 5 wine tastings + light bites

MOG cordially invites you to join an Artist Reception + Wine Tasting and Goblet Sale on Saturday, January 18. Guests will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with each of Goblet Week’s participating artists and enjoy light bites and wine tastings from select wineries. Additionally, one-of-a-kind goblets created by the featured artists will be available for purchase. We encourage attendees to visit the Museum in the late afternoon, prior to the reception, to watch Jason Christian create goblets in the Hot Shop. Event ticket price includes Museum admission. This event is 21+.

→ Purchase tickets here

Anna Smyrk, one of Australia’s most exciting up and coming musicians, is coming to the Pacific Northwest for the very first time, to play shows in Portland OR, Tacoma WA, Bellingham WA and Coyle WA.

With a voice described as ‘truly astonishing’ by Rolling Stone, Anna Smyrk is a powerful singer and songwriter from Melbourne, Australia. Her songs are indie bombshells, pairing vulnerable lyrics with explosive arrangements and undeniable hooks.

The last 12 months have been huge for Anna. In winter 2024, she toured the US for the first time, including official showcases at SXSW (Austin, Texas). She returned in the summer for a massive run of dates including the Mile of Music Festival in Appleton, WI. 

“Touring in the USA is a dream come true for me,” says Anna. “It’s wild to think that I get to play my songs to audiences all over the Pacific Northwest and Mid-West this winter.”

Presenters will show images as they speak:

Ron Stevenson: Reimagining the Art Gallery IN TACOMA!

Teruko Nimura: Wasteland Dreams - An Artist’s Journey to Understanding the Story of Solid Waste

Rebecca Solverson: How the City supports Arts & Cultural Vitality in Tacoma
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Doors open at 6:30.

Please, a $4 donation (a heads-up, rent just increased) Parking nearby can be challenging . . so come early.

To see last month's TRIPOD on YouTube: bit.ly/tripodarts
Visit our Facebook page: bit.ly/tripodwebsite

Michael Magee will read from Shiny Things, a new poetry collection. Reading and Book Signing. 

Michael Magee’s plays and poetry have been produced and published in the U.S., England, and Greece. His other chapbooks include: Ireland’s Eye, A Trip to Jerusalem. His play Shank’s Mare was produced at Northwest Actor’s Studio and later became a movie which won a best actor award at the Bare Bones, Script to Screen Film Festival in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A Night in Reading Gaol With Oscar Wilde was produced here and in Derby, England. He was co-editor of 2020 Tacoma: In Images and Verse and is editor and publisher of Beaux Arts Press. Recent work has been published in Cirque, Journal of Wild Culture, When It Rains It Pours Anthology, KindofaHurricanePress and VerseDaily.Org. He originally appeared in Poetry Northwest when David Wagoner was editor. 

Event: 2/14/25 - 6:00pm - King's Books - 218 St Helens Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402

There is $50,000 available to fund a project in the South Tacoma neighborhood – and your vote counts! The Neighborhood Planning Program is working with the South Tacoma community to help implement a shared vision for a vibrant neighborhood.

Some of the proposed projects are:

- Adding trees, signage and street furnishings to enhance South Tacoma Way Business District

- Festivals, pop ups and youth friendly events

- Programs and spaces for youth and seniors

- Interpretive signage

- Tree planting

Vote for your favorite here!

Wright Park, a 27-acre arboretum in Tacoma, is home to around 600 trees from over 350 species. Tucked within this green space is the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory, a stunning Victorian-style structure built in 1908. The conservatory features exotic plants, including a Ponderosa lemon tree, rare ferns, palms, and orchids, along with a koi pond, a poison dart frog habitat, and a living wall. It serves as a tropical escape amidst the often gray and rainy Pacific Northwest weather.

Tyra Shenaurlt, a 25-year veteran of Metro Parks Tacoma, is the horticulture resources supervisor and the first Black woman to manage the conservatory. She oversees plant care, educational events, and the building's upkeep, including a $2.7 million renovation completed in 2022. The restoration, funded by a voter-approved bond, improved visitor facilities and essential infrastructure, like heating and venting systems. Shenaurlt, who has deep roots in the park's history, is proud to represent diversity and inspire future generations.

The conservatory was funded by William Wolcott Seymour, who donated $10,000 in 1908 after a business deal led to a successful financial outcome. Though Seymour was not particularly passionate about horticulture, his wife continued to support the conservatory after his death. Today, the conservatory remains a vital part of Tacoma’s cultural heritage, drawing visitors with its lush tropical plants and family-friendly atmosphere, all while being a free, accessible resource for everyone. And, you didn’t hear it from us, but the area is often a spot to find monkeyshines and rogues.

Tacoma just secured $10.6 million in grant funding for the following six road infrastructure projects!

- Puyallup Ave. Corridor Improvements with Pedestrian Access to Fife

- 6th Ave. and Tacoma Ave. Pavement Preservation

- Tacoma Mall Neighborhood Loop Road Active Transportation Plan

- S. 11th St. and S. Sprague Ave. Signalized Intersection Improvements

- E. Roosevelt Ave. Arterial Improvements

- S. 56th St. Crossing Improvements

We’ll use the 2015 voter-approved Streets Initiative 1 dollars to fund the estimated $3,741,880 in matching funds required to unlock this grant, highlighting a prime example local dollars allowing us to leverage significant outside funding. Updates on the progress of these projects will be posted at cityoftacoma.org/capitalprojects as they become available.

Crowley has acquired vessel mooring company Main Line, allowing it to offer both mooring and ship assist services at the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. This expansion enables Crowley to provide more seamless and coordinated port operations, reducing delays and enhancing reliability for customers. The acquisition includes Main Line's employees to ensure service continuity. Crowley aims to improve port operations with its fleet of eco-friendly tugboats, further bolstering its reputation for efficiency and reduced emissions. The financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

On January 14, 2025, the Pierce County Council appointed Bryan Yambe as the new Democratic District 5 council member after a lengthy debate and three failed partisan votes. Yambe, who is currently the deputy mayor of Fife and serves his fourth term on the Fife City Council, replaces Marty Campbell, who was elected Pierce County Assessor-Treasurer. District 5 includes several communities such as Fife, Tacoma’s Eastside, Parkland, and Spanaway.

The council initially struggled to appoint a candidate, with votes split along party lines. After failed attempts to appoint candidates Kimber Starr and Jeremy Williams, the council went into an executive session and then unanimously voted 6-0 to appoint Yambe. He will serve through the end of 2025, with the position up for election in 2025 and 2026. Yambe expressed his intent to run for the position in both elections.

The process was marked by frustration from Democrats, who voiced concerns about the delay in filling the seat, while Republicans argued for more time to consider the candidates. Despite the disagreements, the council finally reached a decision. Additionally, new council leadership was appointed, with Jani Hitchen named chair, Paul Herrera as vice chair, and Robyn Denson as executive pro tempore.

The American Leadership Forum (ALF) Tacoma-Pierce County has announced T’wina Nobles, former state senator and current president of the Tacoma Urban League, as its new executive director. Nobles was selected after an extensive search, praised for her financial management skills and commitment to the community. As executive director, Nobles aims to focus on sustainable growth, responsible resource management, and fostering stronger connections among community leaders. She plans to enhance fundraising efforts, develop a senior fellows network, and refine the organization’s fellows program. ALF Tacoma-Pierce County, part of the national ALF network founded in 1980, works to unite and strengthen leaders across sectors to improve the public good.

The Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma has officially rebranded to Parks Tacoma as part of an effort to improve public recognition and clarity. A 2019 survey revealed significant confusion about the agency's role in operating community centers, sports leagues, and other facilities. The rebrand follows years of planning, which were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The name change aims to better reflect the agency's services and strengthen its connection with the community.

Along with the name change, Parks Tacoma unveiled a new logo featuring a green salal leaf, symbolizing a native plant found in Point Defiance Park. The new branding simplifies the agency’s identity to make it more recognizable in a crowded information landscape. The organization has also updated its website to parkstacoma.gov for better security and clarity.

Parks Tacoma will gradually replace old signage, which hasn't been updated in 25 years, at a cost of $72,000. A follow-up survey will be conducted in 2026 to assess the effectiveness of the rebranding.

Tacoma City Manager Elizabeth Pauli announced her retirement, effective July 1, 2025, after nearly 30 years with the city, including eight years as city manager. Pauli, 65, began her career in Tacoma in 1998 as a deputy city attorney and was appointed city manager in 2017. She made history as the first woman to hold the position. In her statement, Pauli expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community and praised the accomplishments made during her tenure. The Tacoma City Council will discuss plans for an interim replacement during a study session on January 28. Pauli emphasized her commitment to ensuring a smooth leadership transition with the help of Mayor Victoria Woodards and other city officials.

The Pierce County Arts Commission supports arts activities in Pierce County through its Art Grant program. The Commission works with a limited budget to assist projects that provide arts education, art programming, or art experiences to lower-income youth or underserved individuals who reside in Pierce County outside the City limits of Tacoma.

The application period for the Art Grant 2025 Funding Cycle opens December 2, 2024, and will close January 21, 2025, at 2 p.m. PST. 

Tacoma has received a $4 million state grant from Washington's Community Reinvestment Project to promote economic growth in communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. Administered by the Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority, the funds will support around 50-60 local businesses through collateral-free loans and grants.

The grant includes $2.6 million for revolving loans and $1.1 million for commercial rent support, asset grants, and technical assistance. Funding applications will be open from January 21 to March 14, with review by city staff and community representatives to ensure alignment with the needs of targeted communities.

Available programs include:

Commercial-rent and asset grants for businesses operating since January 1, 2024.

Uplift loans (up to $100,000) for businesses and nonprofits that have been in operation for at least three years.

Accelerator loans (over $500,000) for those with at least five years of operation.

Mayor Victoria Woodards emphasized that the initiative aims to address past injustices and create lasting economic opportunities in historically marginalized communities.

We’re looking for an artist or teams of artists to design a large-scale mural for the Pierce County Election Center!

Your canvas would be about 2,200 square feet of bare exterior walls. The mural should visually welcome the community who want to participate in the electoral process.

Up to four artists or artist teams will be chosen to create site specific mural designs for the Election Center and will receive $1,000 for their work.

Portfolio submissions are due by Feb. 3, 2025. To get you started, we have information available at PierceCountywa.Gov/ElectionsMural.

Recent regulatory changes are set to remove medical debt from Americans' credit reports. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has finalized a rule that prohibits credit reporting agencies from including medical debt in credit reports and bars lenders from considering such debt when evaluating borrowers. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden of medical debt on consumers and improve access to credit.The rule is scheduled to take effect on March 17, 2025.

The CFPB estimates that this change will eliminate approximately $49 billion in medical bills from credit reports, potentially increasing credit scores by an average of 20 points for about 15 million Americans. This improvement could lead to the approval of an estimated 22,000 additional mortgages annually.

It's important to note that while unpaid medical bills will no longer appear on credit reports, the debts themselves remain valid and are still owed. Credit card debts used for medical expenses will also continue to be reported. The rule is scheduled to take effect on March 17, 2025.

This development is part of broader efforts by the Biden administration to address the impact of medical debt on consumers' financial well-being. However, the rule may face potential legal challenges and could be subject to changes depending on future administrative decisions. As of now, former President Donald Trump has not provided specific comments regarding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) recent rule to remove medical debt from credit reports.

Tacoma will be one of nine official fan zones for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across three countries (Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.). The fan zone in Tacoma will offer interactive events, live match screenings on giant screens, entertainment by local musicians, and soccer clinics. This is part of a broader initiative to make the World Cup experience accessible to as many people in Washington state as possible. Mayor Victoria Woodards highlighted the opportunity to showcase Tacoma’s vibrant community and spirit to a global audience. The fan zone is part of a wider effort that includes locations in Bellingham, Bremerton, Everett, Olympia, Tri-Cities, Spokane, Vancouver, and Yakima. The World Cup matches at Seattle’s Lumen Field will take place from June 15 to July 6, 2026, with Tacoma playing a key role in welcoming fans from near and far.