SANTA SAYS >>>>

My magic crystal ball came clean many weeks ago that Local Life Executive Director Justin Mayfield planned to convert his annual Two Five Trees Christmas tree lot in Tollefson Plaza into a European-inspired winter market this season. With the talent of Tacoma artist Jeremy Gregory, the market will include a 27-foot long holiday mural - a "Bavaria meets Whoville"-inspired village, humorously called "Twoville." Expect multicolored blobs baboodle. Swoopy purple panels pandiddle. Random red renderings renduddle. If the Grinch slithered into downtown Tacoma's Tollefson Plaza and caught a glimpse of the mural, his eyes would grow three times as big.

The Grinch would also lace up his skates, as the Franciscan Polar Plaza ice rink Tollefson Plaza will be part of the mix.

Today, Local Life unleashed the official press release for its magical holiday vision. Read it after the jump:

Tacoma, WA, 11/4/2011 - Two Five Trees, the community-oriented Christmas tree lot in Tollefson Plaza, returns for its third year with a 27-foot long holiday mural and European-inspired winter market to ensure a full holiday experience for Franciscan Polar Plaza ice skaters. All profits from the trees are helping fund the launch of Local Life - a nonprofit that advocates for strong neighborhood identities.

The mural is a "Bavaria meets Whoville"-inspired village, humorously called "Twoville," designed and painted by accomplished Tacoma muralist, Jeremy Gregory. It will be mounted to a wood frame surrounding the Christmas tree lot office trailer. "We've always supported Two Five Trees and it's great to see it evolving. The mural will give the plaza such a boost of holiday atmosphere," says Judi Hyman of neighboring restaurant, TWOKOI Japanese Cuisine. Judi helped arrange for the mural to be painted in the vacant space next to the restaurant.

Two Five Trees began as a grassroots community project but has since joined other events created by its founders to umbrella under the nonprofit, Local Life. "Local Life's built on the idea that humans function best in walkable environments, scaled to include work, housing and community life. It's local to the max," says tree lot founder and Local Life executive director, Justin Mayfield. There's a practical side to the decision too, "We had to find a way to sustain these projects that we do. The nonprofit vehicle and established Local Life brand made most sense to help us continue inspiring neighborhood thinking in Tacoma." Those projects include the Downtown Block Party, Go Local or Die with Jim Diers, and Urban Design with Howard Kunstler. The trees have become a fundraiser for Local Life.

Holiday markets are a staple of the European holiday tradition starting to make their way to this side of the water. New York city saw a slew of makeshift shopping villages spring up last December. The plaza market, slated for the first two weekends of December, will be small, worthwhile for its first year. A Czech bakery has signed on to offer a smattering of European holiday treats and planners are working with Tacoma Farmers Market to feature artisans whose wares have been turned away for being a bit too high-end for the weekly summer markets. The Downtown Cutters Point's arranging to bring a selection of warm, holiday-themed drinks.

The tree lot, whose organizers have stated its profit to be more community spirit than dollars, has garnered an odd amount of support since its launch in 2009. From notorious civic bloggers, R.R. Anderson and Kevin Freitas, to members of city council, David Boe and Marty Campbell, buying their holiday trees at the plaza, the Christmas tree lot has seemed to be more a symbol of Downtown revitalization and civic pride than a tree dealer. Some bloggers and city leaders alike have called it "the best use of the plaza ever." Of course the organizers aren't arguing that the ice skating rink is a major upgrade.

"We always saw Two Five Trees as a flag planted for rebirthing the holidays Downtown. The ice skating rink is exactly what we hoped for," says Mayfield.

Local Life is a Tacoma-based nonprofit that promulgates strong neighborhood identity, neighborhood cohesion and human-scale development. The organization produces educational and cultural events designed to give participants tacit experiences of creative neighborhood collaboration and equip them with knowledge of best neighborhood development practices. Two Five Trees, Urban Design with James Howard Kunstler and the Downtown Block Party are Local Life productions.

LINK: Santa Says RSS feed

LINK: Arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Give the Weekly Volcano a "LIKE" present