All Posts in "srmedia"

If you are a veterans organization in Pierce County and you are not listed here, please contact bdickson@lcsnw.org or call (253) 722-5687.

AXPOW (American Ex-Prisoners of War): Tacoma chapter potluck/meeting, Amvets Hall, 5717 S. Tyler, Tacoma; 2nd Mon, 11:30 a.m.; (253) 565-0444.

Disabled American Veterans:  Service Officers offer free help with earned VA benefits, transportation and advocacy. Contact them at (253) 752-2970. www.davtacoma.org.

Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity is expanding its capacity to serve veterans and active military as homeowners and volunters.  Contact Ashley Habitat for Humanity Veteran outreach coordinator 253-627-5626. www.tpc-habitat.org.

Heroes to Hometowns: A networking group for active duty and veteran service members to connect them and their families with the many service agencies available.  Over 115 agencies and many civilian volunteer groups that provide support to military personnel and their families attend the once a month meeting.  www.waheroestohometowns.org  offers links and phone numbers.  Meetings are 2nd Tues from 9:30 to 11:30 at Downtown Tacoma Goodwill Millgard Work Center.

Luncheon Workshop:  The Masonic Retirement Center, 23660 Marine View Dr. S. in Des Moines, WA, will hold a luncheon workshop (lunch provided) on July 10 from 12:30 to 2 p..m.  Lunch is provided.  If you or your staff refer residents for veteran benefits, make sure they know who is scamming and who is not.  The workshop will cover accreditation requirements for representing vets, how and when different types of trusts are used in VA and Medicaid planning and when annuities are appropriate.  Speakers include, elder law and estate planning attorney, Mark Albertson, insurance and planning planner, Britt Burkhart and the Director of Masonic Outreach Services, Mary Craves-Hollands.  For information or to RSVP, call 877-684-0765.

Major Home Repair:City of Lakewood & City of Tacoma programs for owner-occupied residences offer low income, diaabled or elderly the ability to repair or replace a failed component such as roofing, heating or electrical systems. Tacoma: contact Dan Rome at (253) 591-5236/drome@cityoftacoma.org.  Lakewood: contact  Pat Chubb at pchubb@cityoflakewood.us or (253) 983-7785.

Minor Home Repair: Tacoma program offers disabled, elderly or very low income the ability to pay for inexpensive components.  Repairs must be under $400 to fix.  Call MDC at (253) 591-7020.

PCMARVETS: Veterans assisting veterans.  Mobile Service Office in Pierce County to enable Veteran Service Officers to reach out to vets unable to get to a Service Officer to file a claim or find out what benefits are available for them.  www.pcmarvets.com or email at pcmarvets504@hotmail.com or (253) 283-1712.

The Soldiers Project Northwest:  Provides free, no report mental health counseling for and (OEF/OIF) military personnel, their family and loved ones in Washington state.  Call (206) 290-1035 or northwest@thesoldiersproject.org.

Veterans Homelessness Prevention Program:  For veterans at risk of losing their current housing or have been homeless for less than 90 days.  Must be at or below 50 percent of Area Median Income, willing to pay 30 percent of their income towards rent and engage in weekly supportive services.  (855) 468-8387.  Please have a copy of your DD214, a copy of lease and eviction notice, and verification of income.

Tacoma Goodwill’s Veteran’s Employment Program:  Offers veterans and their families job development, individual & family counseling, resume writing, skills analysis, family financial strengthening, job retention and more.  Contact Alexis Burrus at (253) 573-6821 or t-aburris@tacomagoodwill.org or Mike Tassin at (253) 573-6653 or mtassin@tacomagoodwill.org.

srmedia by — June 29, 2012 in Everything Else

Tacoma Nature Center and and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has two summer programs aimed at helping children and adults learn more about Puget Sound’s beaches and the creatures that live there.

The Nature Center will host the second of its 2012 “Tiptoe through the Tidepools” on July 3 from 10 to 1 p.m. at Titlow Beach, 8425 Sixth Ave. The zoo’s “Explore the Shore” programs are set for varying times on June 21, July 2, July 31 and Aug. 29 at Owen Beach in Point Defiance Park.

All are timed to take best advantage of the low minus tides that reveal many of Puget Sound’s most interesting shoreline creatures.

The events and programs are free and open to the public and reservations are not required. Bring sunscreen and wear shoes and clothing appropriate for walking on rough beach terrain.

All programs have meet-up times so participants can get a brief introduction to the day before the walk begins. They’re designed to last about two hours, though people may want to explore the beach for a longer time.

For more information about Tiptoe Through the Tidepools call 591-6439 or go to www.metroparkstacoma.org.

For more information about Explore the Shore, go to www.pdza.org.

srmedia by — June 11, 2012 in Everything Else

By Julie E. Lee

Fortunately, pedestrian accidents, like many traffic accidents, are preventable. Yet 47,000 people were killed and 688,000 were injured while crossing or walking along a street over the last decade. This means that a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle nearly every seven minutes in the U.S.

When you’re in the driver’s seat, avoid an accident by abiding by these five AARP Driver Safety tips:

1. Always be on the lookout. Pedestrians can and will be found anywhere, even places where you are not expecting them (like highways or busy, multiple-lane intersections). It is therefore crucial that you frequently scan the road ahead of you, including shoulders and sidewalks, to spot pedestrians before you approach them.

2. Stay alert and avoid distracted driving. Assuming they have the right-of-way, many pedestrians walk into the street without confirming that oncoming traffic is aware of their presence. Pedestrians—especially children—are often hidden in between parked cars or behind other objects, including stopped or turning vehicles. To avoid an accident, stay alert by avoiding distractions. Do not eat or drink, fiddle with the radio or navigation units or use a cell phone while driving.

3. Show caution. There are likely areas in your community where you can anticipate pedestrians. At crosswalks and intersections, drive slowly and stop for pedestrians looking to cross—even if they are not at a marked crosswalk. When stopping at an unmarked point, stop far enough in advance so that the drivers behind you can also prepare to stop. Furthermore, when approaching a red light, be sure to stop far enough behind the line for pedestrians to cross safely.

4. Be respectful. Do not show hostility or aggression to drivers who are yielding to pedestrians. Never honk when the driver in front of you has stopped, and do not attempt to pass the stopped vehicle in front of you.

5.Watch for children. Because of their small size, children can be difficult to spot. Drive slowly and be on the lookout in school zones and residential neighborhoods.

 Safe walking is sometimes just as important as safe driving. If you’re on the pedestrian-side* of the road, adhere to these five safety tips:

 1. Use the sidewalk. If the street is not designed for pedestrians, avoid walking on it. Do not walk on highways or in restricted zones.

2.  Obey “walk” and “do not walk” signs. Jaywalking is an illegal offense for which you can receive a ticket.

3. Do not make assumptions. Don’t assume that a vehicle will stop for you just because you are waiting to cross. Try to make eye contact with the driver before initiating crossing. Do not cross multiple lanes of traffic without making sure drivers in all lanes see you. If you’re in a busy city, do not cross without looking both ways—even when you have the pedestrian “walk” symbol—as drivers do occasionally run red lights.

4. Do not walk long distances under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Just as you should never drive under the influence, do not walk long distances or in traffic-heavy areas when you are under the influence. Call a taxi or use public transportation.

5. Be courteous. When a driver stops to allow you to cross, give him or her a quick wave to demonstrate your appreciation.

 For more resources and additional information on how to stay safe on the road, consider taking a driver improvement course, such as AARP Driver Safety’s classroom or online courses, available in both English and Spanish.  You may even be eligible for an insurance discount upon completion of the AARP Driver Safety course.  Check with your insurance agent for details.  For more information, visit www.aarp.org/driving45 or call 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888-227-7669).

Julie Lee, Vice President and National Director of AARP Driver Safety, has more than 30 years experience in management, strategic planning, transportation and safety. With AARP for over eight years, Lee directs the largest driver improvement course designed for drivers age 50 and older.

*RCW 46.61.250-When there is no sidewalk, pedestrians must walk on the left side of the road.

srmedia by — April 30, 2012 in Everything Else

Anthony’s at Point Defiance
5910 North Waterfront Drive
Tacoma, WA 98407
(253) 752-9700

Monday to Thursday:
11 a.m.–9:30 p.m
Friday and Saturday:
11 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Sunday:
10 a.m.–9:30

One of a chain of 21 restaurants in the Puget Sound Area, Anthony’s at Point Defiance has a beautiful location, plenty of free parking, and is handicap accessible. An early dinner on a Friday evening was ordered and the experience, in spite of decent service, was so negative there will not be a return visit.

The view was wonderful on this clear afternoon, but beware the afternoon sun since there are no shades. Regular prices range from a side of sourdough bread at $1.95 to Dungeness Crab Cakes at $24.95. There are plenty of specials, including the Sunset Special with a shrimp cocktail (small) a choice of entrees and a dessert for $19.95. The plain shrimp cocktail wasn’t interesting so the general menu was used to order the shrimp, crab and artichoke dip for $10.95, the ling cod and chips which came with slaw for $16.95, with an extra order of coleslaw at $1.95 and diet coke for $3.00. The food tasted just fine, but there were a lot of problems with preparation and portion size.

The dip came with little pieces of buttered toast, and was good, but the serving in a small ramekin was disappointing, and the 12 little toast pieces appeared to be the left over ends of other orders, every size and shape. The coleslaw, made with red and Napa cabbage was cut in very uneven pieces, many a couple of inches across and impossible to eat. The dressing was a tangy vinaigrette with poppy seeds, but was very sparse. The ling cod was tasty but the three little pieces, about the size of rolls of quarters, would have been very greasy if they had not been served blazing hot. There were plenty of thin cut fries but they did not make up for the lack of quality of the dinner. For this much money there should be more attention to detail and larger serving sizes. Generally the meal was disappointing in quality and value.

srmedia by — April 30, 2012 in Food, People