All Posts in "Everything Else"

Eric Dobner, activities director at Narrows Glen, rides a stationary bike to earn money for the Alzheimer’s Association Walk.

The rest of the country is sweltering but this is Tacoma on a July morning so you know it’s cold. Cold enough that the residents of Narrows Glen and Laurel House that brave the cold do so for only brief periods of time usually to drop a bill in a jar or to give Eric Dobner, the activities director at Laurel House some advice or offer treats. No one wants to spray him with one of the two soaker guns he has sitting in a bucket of water because no one wants to make him catch a chill despite the fact that after an hour of riding his stationary bike, Dobner would welcome the opportunity to cool off if even just a bit.

This is the second year Dobner and his team from Narrows Glen have raised money for the Alzheimer’s Association by selling opportunities to soak him with what surely must be a quart of water wrapped up in the colorful plastic shell of a water gun.  Last year, the team raised $1600.  This year’s goal is $2000.   Dobner said he got the idea from someone that does something similar at Safeco Field all the time.  “It took me about a year to suggest it to my team,” he said.  Last year he was training for the Seattle to Portland (STP) and so the long ride (8:30 to 3 p.m.) was just more training on top of the 22 miles he rides to work a couple times a week.  But the weather was even stormier last year so that he had to ride while holding down the canopy set up over his stationary bike.  This year, it’s just cold but only if you are just standing around.  Under the canopy, Dobner and the rest of the team hold their morning roundup and while talking about what’s for lunch, staffing, and getting ready for a new resident, Dobner sheds his lightweight jacket and breaks open his first energy drink and hopes someone will come along willing to shell out the $40 to soak him.

Bonnie Dickson by — July 30, 2012 in Everything Else

On a hot July day in downtown Tacoma, I was determined to park my car in a spot of shade.  Ready to give up hope after driving around and around, I finally found a shade patch on the south end of Broadway, at the corner of 13th.  Shady and an easy walk to my destination.

Four blocks later on Commerce Street I found Mad Hat Tea, an “urban tea house in the heart of Tacoma.”  I passed through the golden-framed doorway into a dim interior, pausing for a few moments to give my eyes a chance to get accustomed to the change in light.  I began slowly to identify objects in the room:  a bar along the left wall, flanked on both ends by white paper lanterns (think Ikea) and faced by five, tall bar stools; a pale wooden floor with rugs scattered here and there; two nondescript tables with nonmatching chairs; a sofa or loveseat, probably being able to seat three; various art pieces on the wall to the right; small table with two chairs, waiting for someone to play chess.  All in all, it had that cluttered yet comfortable look that invited long tenancy by the guests.  One feature I especially enjoyed was the telephone booth.  Signs request that all guests refrain from using cell phones but one young patron used her cell phone—and had stepped into the phone booth and closed the door before doing so.  I silently applauded that step toward civility.

Like the bar in the television sitcom, Cheers, this tea house seems to be one of those places where everyone knows your name.  At least, that is how it feels.  Perhaps, in part, that feeling is due to the fact that co-owner Tobin Ropes says, “I have the best job in Tacoma.”  He sets a comfortable pace as the chief cook and bottle washer, or, in this case, chief greeter, steeper, and tea server.  Any help he gets is from student interns who volunteer because they want to learn the business or more about tea itself or they just enjoy the easy camaraderie that exists across generations.

The other co-owner of the shop is nutritionist and herbalist, Maureen McHugh.  She develops tisanes (herbal teas) from combinations of  leaf, flower and root, designed to target specific conditions or symptoms.  She does not dispense medical advice, but has a well-deserved reputation among her peers for the combinations she has developed over the years, some 200 of them listed in their 3-ring binder catalog that can be referenced at the shop.

By this time, you might be thinking that I have my assignments mixed up since I seem to be reviewing a tea shop instead of talking about art.  Luckily for our local arts community, the two are tied together.  That is, in the six years’ existence of the shop, Ropes estimates, the works of some 30 artists have been on display for various lengths of time.  Some have shown for two or three times.  In addition to supporting the arts community by helping develop an audience, Ropes is generous in donating product to various art events and/or organizations.  Furthermore, Ropes has been building his own personal collection of the work of local artists.

It is from this personal collection that Ropes drew for the work currently on view at Mad Hat.  If you have ever wanted to update your acquaintance with work that is labeled as “underground” or even “subversive” or that can charm you in unusual ways, Mad Hat is the place to go.   To name just a few artists included, you can find:   Jeremy Gregory (graphics to comic strips); Daniel Blue (poetry, music, street banners); Kenji Fulmer (screen printing);  Zach Marvik’s wide array of work . . .Chris Sharp, Shaw Alexander, Fred Novak. . . This is a unique opportunity to view the work of all these artists in just one place and time.

Maggie Kelly by — July 30, 2012 in Everything Else

Sheila Joynes, Assistant Manager of Debbie Macomber’s A Good Yarn Shop in Port Orchard, said their Knitted Knockers have been a huge hit with women who have breast cancer.
Knitters who frequent the popular knitting shop in Port Orchard couldn’t wait to jump on board for the project of providing this alternative for women, even expanding on the pattern and providing a pocket so women could add some filling if necessary. The pattern they use can be knit or crocheted and the filling can be removed for washing.

The Knitted Knockers are a simple idea that has given women a wonderful alternative to the prosthesis that is prescribed after breast surgery.

There is no charge for the knockers and donations go right back to purchase yarn so knitters can whip up more of them. Some generous folks donate yarn as well and that keeps the needles at A Good Yarn Shop clicking as folks gather to drink coffee, knit and visit.

Customer and knitter Christine Peterson is enthusiastic about the project.

“Think about it. We all know someone who has breast cancer,” she said, adding that for the first six to nine months many women cannot wear the prosthesis provided from the medical community, so there is nothing to fill out their clothing.

Many women don’t have insurance that would cover the medical prosthesis and the knockers come free of charge.

“This little cotton yarn knocker is extremely comfortable and just sits in the bra. We make them in different sizes and can custom make any size,” added Peterson.

The knockers are a good alternative to women who swim as they fit in comfortably and dry quickly, they absorb sweat and Peterson said they can be hand washed and re-stuffed at a moment’s notice.

The medical prosthesis is often bulky and uncomfortable.

Joynes said “We have had women take out their prosthesis and say ‘try to pick this up.’ They are heavy, hurt their backs and make them sweat because they are thick rubber.”
The knockers said Joynes are lightweight, easy to care for and fit right into their regular bra.

Cerease Teter’s breast cancer was diagnosed in 2002 and she is thrilled to have access to the knockers.

A regular knitter, she has taken classes at A Good Yarn Shop and now uses the knockers pretty much all the time.

Teter volunteers at various health events spreading the word about the free knockers.

“I’ve heard so many stories from women and different things they were doing and how their clothes didn’t fit right anymore,” said Teter. She added that women were so grateful to have this comfortable, free alternative.

Women can pick the knockers up at A Good Yarn Shop at 1140 Bethel Avenue Suite 101 in Port Orchard or call them at (360) 876-0377. The shop is willing to mail them free of charge. The knockers also appear at many local cancer events and have been designated by Debbie Macomber as one of the three organizations to distribute donations in her 2012 Knit 1, Bless 2 charity outreach program.

The pattern is available on line on www.agoodyarnshop.com.

Joan Cronk by — July 30, 2012 in Everything Else

Peter Adams
For Senior Scene

As we prepare for the upcoming 2012 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, scheduled for Sept. 8 at Thea’s Park on the Tacoma waterfront, The Tacoma Rainiers and the Alzheimer’s Association (Western and Central WA chapter) are joining forces to celebrate the sounds, sights and tastes of summer while helping fundraise for a great cause.   Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m., the Rainiers will be hosting the Las Vegas 51’s in an epic battle for the ages.  The night has also be designated as Alzheimer’s Association night, where for just $15 baseball fans get a reserved seat, hot dog, chips and a soda with proceeds going to the Alzheimer’s Association.   Join up with other supporters of the Alzheimer’s cause and kick back with great baseball in the beautiful Cheney Stadium.   Call either Justine Stevens with the Association (206-529-3878) or Peter Adams with Cascade Park (253-318-9857) for more info or vouchers.
NOTE:  Vouchers need to be purchased through either the Association or a Walk Committee member for proceeds to go to the Association.  Tickets purchased directly from the Rainiers will not benefit the Alzheimer’s cause.

Contributing Author by — July 30, 2012 in Everything Else