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TACOMAWEEKLY 24 YE A R S O F SE R V I C E BE C A U S E CO M M U N I T Y MAT T E R S
Successful year for store
20th
Anniversary
Tacoma
Tacoma Food Co-op marks year in business
Maritime Fest
TACOMA MARITIME FEST CELEBRATES 20 YEARS Come and enjoy this free weekend of waterfront fun and education OFFICIAL GUIDE INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF TACOMA WEEKLY
By Matt Nagle
hop, lots of food vendors and a beer garden, a pirate costume contest, a free screening of “Dolphin Tale” at Thea’s Park with food provided by Taco Time, a catch and release fish tank, and a lot more. Buzz about the fest has been steadily building about town, especially among clam chowder lovers who took part in Maritime Fest’s first annual Clam Chowder Challenge. From among the seven area restaurants that participated in the challenge, congratulations go to Katie Downs for taking first place for serving the best clam chowder in Tacoma according to those who voted at www.TacomaWeekly.com. Steamers took second place and The Spar took third. Congratulations and well wishes are also due to Port of Tacoma Commissioner Clare Petrich, who is stepping down this year as chair of Maritime Fest. As founder of the fest all those years ago, Petrich was – and continues to be – a gift to Tacoma, its waterfront and its people through her tireless efforts to build strong foundations of community pride. The opening ceremony for Maritime Fest 2012 is on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Vigor Main Stage featuring
matt@tacomaweekly.com
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s Maritime Fest reaches a milestone anniversary this year, organizers have all kinds of things planned to celebrate – and everything is free and open to everyone who wants to join the fun. Visitors will learn some new things too, as this year’s fest is highlighted by many featured events aimed at educating the public about Tacoma’s vibrant waters. Throughout the weekend of Aug. 25 and 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thea’s Park and Foss Waterway Seaport on Commencement Bay will be full of activities that all ages can participate in without breaking the family budget. Even the parking is free. Read all about what’s on board for the fest in the official Maritime Fest guide and schedule inserted inside this issue of Tacoma Weekly. The weekend includes: more than 20 ships to explore, hydrofoil demos and sailboat races, a kids zone with arts and crafts, more live entertainment than ever before, port harbor tours, roving performers, music ranging from classic rock to country, folk and hip
See FESTIVAL / page A8
PHOTO BY HENRI PARREN
SHOPPING. Dan Buhl, with Simone,
peruses items during a recent trip to Tacoma Food Co-op. By John Larson jlarson@tacomaweekly.com
In 2006, some Tacoma residents began bouncing around the idea of a cooperative food store. They formed a board of volunteers crafting the vision of what the store would be. Last Aug. 26 Tacoma Food Co-op opened at 3002 6th Ave., after completing negotiations to purchase an already-existing small grocery store. Tacoma Food Co-op is owned by memberowners that pay dues to ensure the market continues to promote good health through good food. This provides them and the rest of the community access to natural, healthy food. General Manager Henri Parren discussed some of the goals for the first year and where the organization stands in achieving them. He said the co-op passed the $1 million mark in revenue See STORE / page A6
Billboard offer made By John Larson
jlarson@tacomaweekly.com
FILE PHOTO
BOAT TOURS. Walk the docks and board the boats at Maritime Fest. This year more than 20 sailing ships and motor vessels will be docked for tours, photos and a chance to meet the crew.
The city of Tacoma and Clear Channel Outdoor may be putting their legal contest on hold. The city has offered a deal to the billboard company in which 17 billboards would be torn down, perhaps in three months. Clear Channel would also give up permits to erect more billboards. City Manager T.C. Broadnax announced the proposal at the end of the Tacoma City Council meeting on Aug. 14. As of press time the two parties had not signed the agreement. If Clear Channel accepts the deal, it would be allowed to keep some of the 190 signs deemed non-conforming by city code. The proposal would put legal battles See BILLBOARD / page A8
Options presented for light rail expansion routes Open house for public commentary set for Aug. 22 By John Larson jlarson@tacomaweekly.com
Tacoma Link light rail has been quite popular since it began in 2003. Nearly a
Expensive cleanup A6 NEW LEADER: Bennish Brown arrives to lead Tacoma Convention + Visitor Bureau. PAGE A6
million riders used it in 2011. The system has one line, going 1.6 miles through downtown. Expanding it has been a topic of much interest since voters in the region approved some funding with passage of a
Sound Transit ballot measure a few years ago. The topic was discussed during the Aug. 8 meeting of Tacoma City Council’s Environment and Public Works Committee.
Coach of the Lions A9
Dining spot A7 Local News ..............A2 City Briefs................A3
Chelsea Levy, who works in government and community relations for the agency, noted a stakeholder group was formed to study expansion. Goals for See EXPANSION / page A8
Sports ......................A9 A&E ....................... ..B1
North Slope B5 Make A Scene ........B5 Calendar .................B6
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