Stand in Silence, Wear Black to honor and mourn all Casualties of War. Stand for Social Justice. Stand for Peace. Men in solidarity with Women In Black always welcome. No formal commitment. Bring your heart and your intention. Come and stand whenever and however long you can. Rain or shine. In front of The Turning Point one block west of Sprague, between State and Trafton. for history and more general information: www.womeninblack.org.

The Turning Point Integrated Therapies
2211 6th Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98403
(253) 272-7876

Event Hours

5:30-6:30 pm

Event Price

Free

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012 >>>

1. Woody Guthrie is undeniably the most revered songwriter to ever strike a chord. Following his death in 1967, his son, Arlo, emerged as an anti-establishment songwriter and performer. He was a key component in the '60s folk protest scene as he penned socially conscious songs about his personal political leanings with humor and candor, and in doing so, he established himself as an artist; not just Woody's son. Come hear him sing "Alice's Restaurant" and other tunes at 7:30 p.m. inside the Pantages Theater.

2. Directly following the Daffodil Parade this morning, the Tacoma Events Commission and South Sound Blues Association will host the Gray Sky Blues Music Festival at venues all over Tacoma, like The Swiss, Stonegate Pizza, the Harmon Brewery and Cutter's Point Coffee. Performers include headliners The Karen Lovely Band, Chester Dennis Jones Band, James King and the Southsiders, The Billy Shew Band and a boatload more. The Harmon Brewery will also be hosting the Third Annual Custom and Rod Car Show. And the after party will be at Stonegate Pizza with an all-ages and adult jam, both kicking off at 8:30 p.m. For more information, read our Q&A with South Sound Blues Association King Gary Grape.

3. The GLBT Book Club was founded by Matt Lemanski in May of 2011, but recently teamed with Tacoma Book Club magnate King's Books. Read the Weekly Volcano's interview with Lemanski in our Arts Section. This afternoon at 2 p.m. the GLBT Book Club will thumb through Becoming a Man by Paul Monette. Don't be surprised if the club hauls the chairs outside on the sidewalk.

4. In the summer of 1787, delegates from the 13 states convened in Philadelphia and drafted a remarkable blueprint for self-government - the Constitution of the United States. The first draft set up a system of checks and balances that included a strong executive branch, a representative legislature and a federal judiciary. After they kicked some British ass, the American people wanted strong guarantees that the new government would not trample upon their newly won freedoms of speech, press and religion, nor upon their right to be free from warrantless searches and seizures. So, the Constitution's framers heeded Thomas Jefferson who argued: "A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference." Tonight from 5-9 p.m. inside King's Books, Timothy Smith, national vice president of the Bill of Rights Defense Committee, will lead a discussion on the future of government surveillance and detention in the Pacific Northwest along with several organization. At about 7:30 p.m., most of the room will wish they were at the Arlo Guthrie show.

5. Tacoma's burlesque troupe the Gritty City Sirens take it off and shake it twice tonight at Jazzbones in performances that includes ballet dancer Joel Myers plus returning Siren Miss Pistolita. For the sweet details, read our Q&A with Gritty City Siren Rosie Cheeks.

PLUS: More entertainment options today in our Weekend Hustle

LINK: More arts and entertainment events in the South Sound

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: South Sound happy hours

WHAT WE HAVE FOUND TODAY >>>

Tacoma City Council: It's expected to impose a 5 percent tax on admissions to some of Tacoma's largest nonprofit museums, theaters and performing arts groups tonight - a long-term sustainable solution for Tacoma's arts programs, but not popular with the large arts organizations. (News Tribune)

Lacey Shooting: The gunman is still on the loose. (News Tribune)

Pugnetti Park: Jerry Pugnetti says the park named after his father should be saved. (News Tribune)

GOP Presidential Primary: The pressure is on Mitt Romney in Illinois today. (CNN)

Justice Department: It's investigating the fatal shooting of an unarmed 17-year-old boy by a crime watch volunteer last month in Florida. (The New York Times)

Housing For The Homeless: 14 smart and sensitive solutions. (Web Urbanist)

Daniel Radcliffe: One of his first post-Hogwarts roles will be Beat poet Allen Ginsberg. (Slash Film)

Burger Battle: Wendy's unseats Burger King as country's second biggest hamburger chain. (Huffington Post)

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations behind-the-scenes TV crew videos. (Laughing Squid)

Yes!: 29 of fashion's mysteries solved. (Refinery 29)

When Critics Mattered: Kael, Ebert and '70s film. (Boston Review)

Is Slactivism Better Than Doing Nothing at All?: Watch to find out. (Mother Jones)

FIGHTING HOMELESSNESS >>>

During the week, Jerri Rennaker bundles up and ventures out to explore the places everyone else in the community usually stays away from.

Rennaker and her PATH (Program in Assistance to Transition from Homelessness) team members from Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare scout heavily wooded areas near railroad tracks and creeks, spots behind abandoned buildings and dumpsters or known homeless encampments throughout Lakewood and east Pierce County.

The homeless outreach program doesn't let inclement weather stop it.

"It can get pretty icky," said Rennaker, the PATH team leader who has worked at Greater Lakes for 12 years, including long days and nights with PATH members Carol Doolittle and Claudia Garza.

The benefit the team provides to some homeless people can be lifesaving.

"Just because they're homeless right now doesn't mean they want to stay that way," Rennaker said.

Identifying themselves as outreach workers before entering any encampment, Rennaker and her two team members come armed with socks, gloves, tarps, sleeping bags, hygiene items - and most importantly, packets of information about local support agencies that can help the homeless.

"When we go out, they're surprised to see us," she said. "We start out by just asking them how they are doing."

Once the team finds out if the person would like assistance, then the support process can commence.

"The major piece is gaining their trust," Rennaker said. "Usually they haven't trusted anyone for a long time. Our going out there is letting them know we are there for them."

Many homeless are open to support the team offers them.

"They are human, and usually they're not treated that way," she said.

A scene from Puyallup Nazarene Freezing Night program.

The team also reaches out to the Freezing Nights Program in Puyallup, visiting various churches where the homeless stay when the temperature drops below 40 degrees.

"We can touch upwards of 45 people in one night," Rennaker said.

Besides the PATH program, Rennaker's staff also man's stations at the Greater Lakes headquarters in Lakewood, which allows them to council the homeless, give out resources for the homeless who walk in to Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare.  We try to get them into direct services to be assigned case managers if we find they have Medicaid.

"Everyone on my staff knows how to do everyone else's job, so even if a person is away, we can get them assistance right away," she said.

Greater Lakes, located at 9330 59th Ave. SW, is a community-supported nonprofit organization that began in 1964 with a group of volunteers dedicated to providing mental health services in southwestern Pierce County. Since incorporation in 1965 when it served 175 persons, Greater Lakes has grown to become a comprehensive mental health agency that served more than 10,000 individuals in 2010.

For those looking to support the PATH program, Rennaker is always looking for sleeping bags or tarps to hand out. For more information or to donate, email jerrir@glmhc.org. 

You can help

Homelessness and access to affordable housing is a critical issue for our community.  In 2010 - during a 24 hour annual "count" - 1,807 persons were counted as homeless. However, it is estimated that four to five times more people will be homeless during any year than can be counted on any given night. 

To donate money to United Way's effort to provide affordable housing to those in need, text HOUSE to 20222 and donate $10 to provide housing for all.

For more information on United Way's housing programs, click here.

LINK: Help Habitat for Humanity

LINK: Pierce County Community Connections

LINK: Salvation Army Tacoma keeps displaced families together

FOR A GREAT CAUSE >>>

A gaggle of 20- and 30-somethings will throw down - and maybe throw up (unlikely) - on behalf of United Way Pierce County tomorrow night. The tenderhearted tipplers known as Project: U will takeover the Varsity Grill as a fundraiser and food drive for United Way.

The Varsity Grill has generously agreed to donate 20 percent of all sales proceeds from the evening to United Way in the fight to improve the lives of all in Pierce County.

Although Project: U is driven by 20- and 30-somethings, you can certainly join the fun if your main project is getting your old bones to move.

In addition to the donated sales, Project: U is collecting canned food donations that will be donated to the F.I.S.H. food banks in Pierce County.

Visit www.facebook.com/UWPCprojectu for more information. 

[Varsity Grill, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 5:30-9 p.m., no cover, 1114 Broadway, Tacoma, 253.627.1229]

Fight homelessness

Homelessness and access to affordable housing is a critical issue for our community.  In 2010 - during a 24 hour annual "count" - 1,807 persons were counted as homeless. However, it is estimated that four to five times more people will be homeless during any year than can be counted on any given night. 

To donate money to United Way's effort to provide affordable housing to those in need, text HOUSE to 20222 and donate $10 to provide housing for all.

For more information on United Way's housing programs, click here.

A WIN FOR PIERCE COUNTY FAMILIES >>>

Last November the Weekly Volcano announced Emergency Food Network Executive Director Helen McGovern was a finalist for a "Harlequin: More than Words" contest. If she beat the other "real-life heroines" across the nation, she could bring thousands of dollars to needy families of Pierce County.

Well, McGovern won.

After more than 111,000 online votes and 7,800 Facebook shares, McGovern is one of three winners. The other winers are Mindy Atwood of Hilliard, Ohio - who runs Patches of Light - and Sally Spencer of Toronto, Ontario - who manages a mentoring program that rescues at-risk children.  

According to a press release, "Each of the honorees will receive $15,000 for her charity, equaling a total contribution by Harlequin of $45,000. Three of Harlequin's authors also donate their time and talent to write short stories inspired by the life and work of the recipients.  The short stories will be available in 2013 in ebook format to download at no cost."

Congratulations Helen!

LINK: Emergency Food Network

ALERT >>>

MoveOn, a political action group, will host a "Stand for the Dream" rally at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 at downtown Tacoma's Fireman's Park. Tomorrow marks the two year anniversary of Citizens United v FEC - the Supreme Court's decision that enables special interests - including foreign governments - to sway elections with money.

What can you expect at the rally?

According to MoveOn Tacoma host Janet S., "The street theater will be powerful - professional stage hands and actors are members of Occupy Tacoma and Bill Moyer of the Backbone Campaign is sending a beautiful Bill of Rights to lead the parade. Corporate robots will be dancing and speaking and Supreme Court justices will address the Citizens United ruling. Special guests will include We the People and Representatives (around 4 p.m.)."

The closing?

"... an incredible closing event in lights that will dazzle the human spirit," promises Linda Frank of Washington Public Campaigns.

YEAR-END LIST OF A DIFFERENT SORT >>>

While most of you spent your post Christmas-Festivus-Hanukkah-holiday storing away fuzzy decorations or tyring to restore your belief that your children are the moons to your tides, Emergency Food Network Director Helen McGovern crunched numbers. From her Lakewood office, she threw some additional coal on the fire and compared this past year's bounty to 2010. Here is what she discovered:

In 2011, area food programs distributed 19,396,885 pounds of food, which equates to 15,517,664 meals - more than 1 million more meals than 2010.

Emergency Food Network provides 80 percent of Pierce County's emergency food. EFN distributes nutritious, staple food to 67 food banks, shelters, and hot meal sites in Pierce County.

Area food programs see an average of 147,000 visitors each month.

Demand for emergency food in our community increased 43 percent from 2008 to 2010, and then grew an additional 6 percent in 2011.

Total visits to food banks, meal sites and shelters topped 1,285,000 visits, an increase of 74,000 over 2010.

In 2011, the Gottfried and Mary Fuchs foundation contributed $100,000 to help EFN purchase food.

The Gary E. Milgard Foundation granted EFN $75,000 to support warehouse operations

Washington Women's Foundation contributed $50,000 towards food purchase.

EFN's Abundance charity auction raised mor ethan $200,000 for the organization

Pierce County Hunger Walk raised an additional $130,000.

EFN received $100,000 from the Murdoch Charitable Trust to help replace its roof, along with $50,000 from the Puyallup Tribe and $50,000 from an anonymous donor to help with roof construction.

EFN also receives funding totaling more than $400,000 from the federal government, the State of Washington, the City of Tacoma, the City of Lakewood and Pierce County.

Widows of the four fallen officers in Lakewood worked with the Lakewood Police Department to raise more than $40,000 and more than 40,000 pounds of food during the 2^nd annual Fallen Officers Food Drive.

Emergency Food Network received other gifts around the holidays, including $25,000 from the Walmart Foundation, $10,000 from the Safeco Insurance Foundation and $5,000 from the William Kilworth Foundation.

EFN also received $10,000 from the Hendrix Foundation and $5,000 from Quadrant Homes for Mother Earth Farm.

For information about the Emergency Food Network, to donate, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, visit www.efoodnet.org.

Nice work Helen.

LINK: Hey! Didn't she ...

HOUSING FOR ALL >>>

The trauma that comes with a family being evicted due to a home foreclosure or the inability to pay rent is great enough, but when added to fact that it might mean splintering the group in order to better find temporary shelter, things can really get dire.

Families all over the South Sound have had to deal with this reality as the economic downturn dealt a crushing blow to those who were already on the edge.

The Salvation Army's family housing program in Tacoma has been providing emergency housing, improvement of life skills and assisting families and single women with securing permanent housing since 1983. The facility, located at 1521 Sixth Ave., features 14 two-bedroom temporary housing units for families, as well as a few dormitory-style rooms for single women. The family units can house a family of eight.

"(Families) are traumatized enough anyway to have to come to a shelter, and for them to come into a shelter where they can stay intact is huge," says Maj. Warren Dabis, the Tacoma location's commanding officer.

While families must go through an assessment before moving into temporary housing, Dabis said many have a strong desire to change their situation.

"They are really wanting to get into a more permanent home," Dabis says. "They have a desire to improve their family situation. (The program) gives them a good chance to get permanently housed."

During the 90-day program, parents are enrolled in a class that teaches them how to budget and make smart financial decisions, as well as learn how to find more permanent housing and how to work with a landlord. The family is also fed three meals a day.

"They usually have a little income coming in, so this time gives them a chance to save up," he says.

Families looking to the Salvation Army for housing have been constant over the last few years. There is currently a waiting list for shelter.

"Eighty-seven percent of families that have come through here have found permanent housing," Dabis says. "That's great to see. We want to make sure we keep the ball rolling."

While the program can always use donations, it can also use those are anxious to donate their time. The ageing facility that contains the temporary units is always in need of a little TLC.

"It's an older building; it needs a lot of small fixes done to it," he says.

Dabis routinely has church or volunteer organizations come in and lend a hand to keeping the units in top shape for the tenants.

"People of all skills can help," Dabis adds.

For more information on volunteering, call Martha Alcantar at 253.572.8452 ext. 116.

You can help

Homelessness and access to affordable housing is a critical issue for our community.  In 2010 - during a 24 hour annual "count" - 1,807 persons were counted as homeless. However, it is estimated that four to five times more people will be homeless during any year than can be counted on any given night. 

To donate money to United Way's effort to provide affordable housing to those in need, text HOUSE to 20222 and donate $10 to provide housing for all.

For more information on United Way's housing programs, click here.

HOUSING FOR ALL >>>

As the administrator for homeless programs for Pierce County Community Connections, Troy Christensen works hard every day to eliminate homeless in the county and the surrounding areas.

But that goal is getting much tougher these days.

The programs Christensen oversees were making strides three years ago, as homeless in Pierce County dropped by 68 percent from 2005 to 2008.

"We were making great progress," Christensen says.

Then the national economy took a hit, wreaking havoc on many in the county. The wave not only shook those who got laid off, but it also struck a blow to many federal and state programs that provide people on the very edge of the poverty line much-needed income, Christensen says.

It also hurt small, local shelters and organizations that provide services to the homeless.

"It completely overwhelmed the network of our many providers," he says. "They have much smaller budgets to work with."

Those budgets are getting taxed mainly due to wave of new people seeking help.

"The majority of people that have requested services are repeat customers, but there is a lot more people affected by the economy calling for the first time," Christensen adds.

The administrator believes those numbers will continue to rise.

While the unemployment rate might be officially around nine percent in Pierce County, Christensen said that number is likely much higher.

"You could make a case for it being around 15 percent due to the fact it's not counting the people whose unemployment benefits have run out," he says.

And since the state has yet to balance its budget, more support programs could be on the chopping block, he adds.

But there are plenty of ways people can help out this holiday season when it comes to providing for the homeless.

There are several local agencies that work with Pierce County Community Connections: Associated Ministries (www.associatedministries.org), Metropolitan Development Council (www.mdc-tacoma.org), Helping Hand House (www.helpinghandhouse.org), Tacoma Rescue Mission (www.rescue-mission.org) and Shared Housing Services (www.shstac-pc.com).

"They can always use donations," Christensen says. "Homelessness is expanding and there are fewer resources to help people in Pierce County and on the Key Peninsula."

You can help

To donate money to United Way's effort to provide affordable housing to those in need, text HOUSE to 20222 and donate $10 to provide housing for all.