What is "Frank Herbert Park?"
I remember as a kid opening up “Dune” and seeing a picture of Frank Herbert, with his big bushy beard. His short author bio listed him as being from Tacoma. I was blown away. I was pretty young, and for some reason it hadn’t occurred to me that someone “famous” would have come from Tacoma. For some reason, I’ve always held that with me: Frank Herbert was a Tacoman. Which is why I was so excited to read his biography and discover what a life he lived while here, and how important Tacoma was to him and his writing. I Read more…
Parks Are For Everyone
This article from The Atlantic about the history of London's private parks opening to the public during WWII is fascinating. In the early 1940s, in the name of the war effort, the British government ordered citizens to tear down the tall, black railings that surrounded London's many private gardens. Cast iron barriers were cut from all the city's exclusive parks, supposedly bound for munitions factories and then, in another form, to the Continent. George Orwell hailed the removal as a "democratic gesture." Formerly private gardens like Russell Square spent several years during the war open to everybody. At the Read more…
Tacoma Action Figure
I woke up this morning to discover I’ve been immortalized as a “Tacoma Action Figure” by cartoonist RR Anderson. It’s an honor. Thanks RR.
An update on Metro Parks billboard advertising
At tonight's Park Board meeting, the board unanimously voted to ask staff to draft a resolution that would prohibit new advertising placements on non-conforming billboards in Tacoma. So, it's not the final decision. That will be at a vote at the next meeting on this policy. But I heard a lot of support from my fellow commissioners and I think the unanimous vote to put a policy on our agenda next week speaks loudly. So thanks to everyone who emailed or testified about this! I feel good about the direction we're headed.
Metro Parks Billboard Advertising in Tacoma
Next Monday night, I'm bringing a motion forward for consideration by the Metro Parks Board to prohibit us from further advertising on non-conforming billboards in Tacoma. As many people have noted, MPT has some big billboards in town for the Zoo and Trek. If passed, this motion wouldn't immediately remove those, since they are currently under contract, but it would prohibit entering into any further arrangements on non-conforming billboards. We would still be able to advertise on any remaining billboards that are in compliance with the City's regulations. I think this would be a good fit with the District and Read more…
Big year.
Today's my birthday! It's been a very chill day. A little excursion to Pacific Grill (thanks to my sister for watching Hannah while we went!) and some hanging about the place. I spent some time on a new side project I'm working on (more on that later). I watched some good TV. I played with Hannah. All in all, a pretty nice day. And really, a pretty nice last year. What a year between May 22, 2011, and today. I ran for office, got elected (ahem, retained), published The Marinara Murders, wrote 62,000 words in a sci-fi novel (that is Read more…
The new STAR Center in South Tacoma
South Tacoma has a new community center! It’s a great space, thousands of square feet, of unique opportunities. Workout areas, dance areas, kids areas, event space, and even this cool demonstration kitchen which can be used for classes, parties, and competitions. The grand opening was yesterday and a flash mob took the opportunity to break out in dance after the ribbon cutting. What a great new facility for Tacoma.
Next steps for the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
I would encourage you to check out the Tribune article from last week about plans for the Zoo. The North Pacific Aquarium is almost 50 years old, and it's time we start planning ahead, either to build a new aquarium, or to close the one we have. The concrete building has held salt water for that whole time, and salt water and concrete just don't mix over the long term. Discussions about the aquarium are part of the bigger picture planning we've been doing for the last couple of years: what species do we want to focus on, what facilities Read more…
Talking Parks at City Club
Two worlds are colliding! This Wednesday, City Club's lunch will be about the future of funding for local and state parks. I'll be moderating the panel, which will have people from the state, from Pierce County Parks, and from Earth Economics, a non-profit that specializes in innovation for parks and open space. I think it will be an interesting lunch program! (the picture of the Wright Park lion is from our 2005 park tour)
Clean-up at Northwest Trek
When I called the Park District on Monday to find out about tree damage, I called the Natural Resources Manager. I did not call out to Trek, but it turns out I should have, because that we had some significant damage out there, including damage to exhibit as well as many other animal areas, viewing pavilions, fencing and pathways that were severely damaged. The director reported to the board that in 30 years, he'd never seen so much damage out there. We expect that Trek will be closed through February 17. Above is the beaver, who was cleaning up her own Read more…
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