All Posts in "Everything Else"

Blessings can sometimes be hidden by what appears to be a problem.  Such was the case for Eileen Hudak whose job as a web developer was outsourced.  The hidden blessing was that she now had an opportunity to dream, to create the kind of job or position that would be fulfilling in a new way.  Her husband, Mark Hudak, a potter with 27 years’ experience behind him, was ready to embrace the dream, too.  After careful consideration and some physical work, this North End husband and wife team opened shop last March in Old Town as the Throwing Mud Gallery. The name of their enterprise embraces all aspects of their business, which has a fine crafts gallery in its street front, a middle room with potters’ wheels, and a back room with a cone 6 kiln.

There are 50 artists whose work is shown in the storefront gallery. Eileen has done a remarkable job of arranging all the work so that there is not a crowded sense, having so much to show in a relatively small space.  Often the work of one artist delightfully shows off the work of another in a mutually beneficial way.  Some people are happy to learn that there is quite a range of prices, so that it is possible to own original work.

Pottery classes are taught in the middle room where, Mark says, “We teach basics; we are not a college course, for example, so we don’t teach raku or sculpture.”  Included in the basics is a 25-pound block of clay that the student can use on the wheel or for hand-built items.

In the process of creating, firing and glazing, students learn about the properties of their medium, the characteristics of their clay and the glazes they can use.  For example, the glazes are locally formulated to meet the characteristics of the clay and the kiln.  Sometimes the lesson that must be learned is to not slather on a thick coat of glaze, for the glaze and the clay will be drying at different speeds, creating an unfortunate polka-dot effect.  By carefully heeding instruction, a student can produce a useful item that is pleasant to look at, will hold water, and is food service safe to use.  During September these factors came together as they created bowls for the annual Empty Bowls festival.

The classes are spread out over a six-week time span.  The hands-on instruction is for 2.5 hours per week and the student can schedule to work during open studio time for another 2.5 hours.  The cost of the classes includes all materials.  Students are asked to purchase a set of tools (usually costing around $18), which will become their personal items.

If you think you might be interested in a class, for $50 you can take a two-hour session on the wheel to see if that is something you’d like to do.   At present, the majority of students are women, (one of those random events), and the pleasant result of that is the sense of community that has evolved out of some of the classes.

In November, during Art at Work month, Mark will have a studio tour on Nov. 5 and 6.  At that time the gallery will be featuring those artists who live/work in Tacoma.  The Art Bus that usually runs for the Third Thursday Art Walk will be running for the studio tours so be sure to watch for information regarding schedules, etc.

Throwing Mud Gallery

Owners/Operators:  Mark and Eileen Hudak
Location:  2212 No. 30th, Tacoma
Phone: 253-254-7961
Web:  www.throwingmudgallery.com

Class schedule:

Evenings:  6–8:30, M., Tues., Thurs.
Mornings:  10–12:30, Tues., Thurs., Sat.

 

Maggie Kelly by — September 26, 2011 in Everything Else
Elections are over for now but not the voting process

Julie Anderson talks to Enoch Robertson about updating his voter registration form at the Senior Citizen's Awareness Day event at Mt. Tahoma High School, Aug. 13.

What does it mean to be an American? For some perhaps it just means that you cheer the home team during the Olympics. But for many not born in this country, being an American is a dream they may risk everything including their life to pursue.

There are only two ways to become an American by law or by birth. If you are lucky enough to be born here you must do nothing to be American but if you were born elsewhere you must do many things including but not limited to taking an oath, taking a citizenship test and meeting certain residential and moral obligations.

So, why this citizenship lesson? Pierce County will celebrate “I am an American Day” on Sept. 17. Originally, this day was celebrated in May but in 1952 it was moved to Constitution Day to honor the signing of the United States Constitution, which occurred Sept. 17, 1787. Tacomans last celebrated “I am an American” Day in 1949. This year, a special naturalization ceremony for approximately 100 of Pierce County’s newest citizens will occur at Mt. Tahoma High School Auditorium from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Some individuals are choosing to renew their citizenship, similar to renewing their marriage vows, and they will be part of the day’s activities as well. If you would like more information on this event contact the Pierce County Auditor’s office at (253) 798-3189.

It’s not too much of a stretch to hope that those new citizens will take part in one of the greatest responsibilities of being an American, which is to vote. Senior citizens are the most reliable group of U.S. voters so it may have seemed counterintuitive to find Pierce County Auditor, Julie Anderson at the Senior Citizen Awareness Day celebration in August. But as Anderson said, she wasn’t at the event to promote voting to seniors, she was explaining to them why they needed to update their signatures. Illness, age and medications are just some of the reasons signatures change over time. Election personnel are required by Washington state law to verify signatures on the return envelope that contains the security envelope and absentee ballot.

The law also requires that personnel assigned to verify signatures must receive training on statewide standards. This training allows staff to recognize forged signatures, for example the difference in shaky handwriting caused by true tremors caused by age or disease versus those by someone forging a signature. Some variation may exist between signatures on the return envelope and the signature in the registration file; however if your signature has changed and you want your vote or your signature on a petition to not be called into question, consider updating your registration file.

You can obtain a Signature Update Form by visiting the Pierce county elections office at 2401 S 35th St, Room 200 in Tacoma or by registering online at www.vote.wa.gov. For additional information, call the Washington State Elections Office at 1-800-448-4881 or the Pierce County Elections Center at (253) 798-7430.

The Citizenship Oath

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

 

Trivia

Originally, NASA intended to call its first Space Shuttle the “Constitution” and dedicate it on Constitution Day. A write-in campaign by Star Trek fans to then President Gerald Ford asked that it be named after the Starship Enterprise. Ford, who had served during World War II with the “USS Enterprise” claimed he too was partial to the name. The shuttle was dedicated on Constitution Day 1976.

 

Bonnie Dickson by — August 24, 2011 in Everything Else

The very first email that flashed up on my computer monitor came June 9 and said  “Tacoma Police Department needs volunteers for their Active Mall Shooter exercise to be held August 12.”  Anyone that was interested should send an email.  That sounded like a lot of fun, so I signed up.

In my mind I saw the entire exercise unfold, with me in an active, starring role.  Since the mall is closed for this after-hour exercise all stores are closed, but I’m one of 50 volunteer “shoppers” for this scenario.

A man wearing a black ski mask jumps out.  He starts firing randomly.  All of us volunteers dive for cover, some start to run towards the doors.  There is chaos, women are screaming, people are shouting.  Everyone is trying to see where the shots are coming from.

Since I’m in the starring role, I call 911.  I am whispering to the dispatcher what is going on, and all of the vital information the police need.  The police mobilize.  The swat team moves in.  The shooter grabs a group of us.  We’re being held hostage.  The police swat team frees the volunteers, take down the shooter and everyone gets home in an hour.  That’s what always happens on television.

July came and went.  No email.  Did they forget about me?  Did they decide I wasn’t suitable for their exercise?  Okay, I’ll give up the starring role.  Finally I receive details on time and directions for the exercise.  And for added impact, the day before the exercise volunteers were asked to let them know if they could not make it and an alternate would be called.

The day of the exercise I woke up with a severe head cold.  My head ached.  My throat hurt.  I ached all over.  I cannot go into work this sick so I go back to sleep.  I wake up at noon.  I’m still not feeling better.  Back to sleep.  I wake up at 5.  Am I well enough to go?  I still have to go into work to catch up so should I participate in the exercise?  WAIT A MINUTE!  It’s the POLICE department!  They have my name!  They know who I am!   I sent emails saying I’d be there!  I even re-verified the day before!  What if I don’t show!  They’ll be on the lookout for me!

I decided I should go.  I showered, put on my jeans and the required sneakers and a jacket.  By the time I got into my truck, I had a fever and was sweating.  This was not a good start.

Locating a parking space was a whole lot tougher than locating the sign-up tent.  There was a mass of uniforms:  Police, fire, K-9 handlers, the K-9 dogs, the SWAT team – impressive!  I managed to park illegally with the blessing of an officer participating in the exercise.  Walking towards the tent, lost in a sea of police… well I started to get nervous.  I could feel my heart beating faster.  I could feel myself panic.  Oh NO!

Now WAIT A MINUTE!  I am here as a volunteer!  I didn’t DO anything!  Calm down.  You are NOT in trouble.

I give my name at the sign up tent and am handed a yellow nylon “vest”.  The vest really wasn’t a vest.  It’s more like a flimsy football jersey with a white faded number, no sleeves, and if you were tall enough, it would be cropped right above your belly button.  I pulled my vest over my head.  It fit like a shirt on me.

There was a table loaded down with various snacks, donuts (of course), and a cooler with juices and water.  I silently cursed myself for being sick.  All these great treats and my head is throbbing.

Waiting for the start of the exercise, police and volunteers alike stayed with their respective groups.  I looked around at the different vests.  There were vests lettered ‘CONTROLLER’, ‘OBSERVER’, ‘SAFETY, ‘PIO’, so many I forgot half of the labels.  Who WERE these people?  In the middle of my musing we’re all called around the tent, volunteers and police alike.  We’re all given the briefing.  Everyone entering the mall must check their weapons; no guns, no knives, no ammunition; you are then scanned with a wand metal detector; and finally prior to stepping through the mall door, you are given a pat down.

It’s time to start.

Five volunteers were given a script to follow, five volunteers were having make up applied since they were gunshot victims and the gunman was a police officer.

The group of us walked through the food court–away from the ‘shooting’ area so we weren’t scanned or patted down–to the other side of the mall.  Then we waited.  The gunshot volunteers went into the mall, through the wanding and putdowns, and disappeared into the mall.  Those of us not specifically selected to be a victim stood outside of the mall doors.  WHAT??!!  Wait a minute!  I am supposed to be in there!  I have a starring role!

After the victims disappeared, the leaders of our group gave us our instructions.  When they give us the signal, we are to run out into the parking lot as fast as we can.  They will be standing at the back of the lot and we are to scream and run, like we are trying to get away.  The only thing we want to do is to get out of there.  WHAT??!! There obviously is some huge mistake!  I am supposed to be in the mall on the phone with 911!

With so many police officers going through checking their guns procedure and the victims being made up, there was quite a bit of waiting.  Two police officers were assigned to guard the door.  No unauthorized people could enter and if they were authorized, they received a pat down.

After watching this process numerous times, I couldn’t stand it any longer.  I just had to ask, “Why are you going through back-packs and doing pat downs?  They have all checked their guns and have been wanded.  What’s the story?”

“We have to make sure no live weapon gets into the mall.  The only weapons used inside are paint guns.  Although they look like real weapons, they aren’t and we can’t have someone make a mistake.  The volunteers don’t like it when we shoot them with real bullets”.

“OKAY EVERYONE.  PAY ATTENTION.  THEY ARE STARTING NOW.  WE WILL TELL YOU WHEN TO RUN” the leaders yelled out to us.  I looked up.  Police cars screamed into the lot and stopped in various positions.

“RUUUUNNN!”  I took off running as fast as I could.  I reached the leader at the end of the parking lot with a kink in my ankle and a throb in my knees.  I just might be a tad old for this.

Since we finished our part and provided the initial mass confusion for the police, we walked back up towards the mall doors.  We stood behind the first parking lot tire blocks, and watched as the police brought out the victims.

The volunteers with the scripts, began in earnest. Screaming, crying, yelling at the police to help the victims.  It was pandemonium.  The fire trucks raced in.  Medic trucks raced in.  The scripted volunteers were screaming, “Help them!  They’re dying.  Why won’t you help them?  Get someone here now!”

Our group stood watching the whole event unfold with each player doing their part in the play.  Triage was set up in the parking lot.  Backboards were brought out.  Gurneys were rolled out.  Overhead a plane circled the mall providing live video of the entire scene to the command center located in a trailer.  The bomb squad was trying to locate a bomb hidden in a car.  The swat team was making sure the mall was clear.  We even managed to see the shooter taken away in handcuffs.  It was fantastic.

Although I didn’t get the starring role in the exercise, it was a worthwhile experience and one that I absolutely would do again.

Miska, Senior Scene
Contributing Author by — August 24, 2011 in Everything Else

They call themselves “Loners on Wheels” (LoWs) and they travel far and wide—single folks who love to RV and socialize with other singles. The Pacific Northwest Chapter (Nor’West LoWs RV Club) consists of mostly Western Washington, Canada and Oregon participants.

Carol Ortiz, who lives in Olympia, owns an Airstream and is one of the rally coordinators for the group’s upcoming event from Aug. 30 to Sept. 6 at Washington Land Yacht Harbor, an RV park in Lacey, WA where Ortiz resides.
“We often say we are not a matchmaking club,” said Ortiz, “just singles who enjoy camping together.”
Campouts and rallys include trips to local attractions, opportunities to play cards and games, campfires, lots of great conversation and of course, food and fun.

The upcoming rally will offer senior driving classes, fire extinguisher seminars, RV maintenance seminars, crafts, entertainment, happy hours, games, a variety show, remote car races, a silent auction and hay ride, a pet parade and more.

April through October Nor’West LoWs try to have a campout each month. “There is a secure feeling traveling with a group,” said Ortiz who has been a member for about three years.

Ortiz enjoys exploring new places and appreciates the camaraderie of the group. She just turned 70 and said the age of members ranges from 50 to 80. “We have some inspiring older folks in their 80s who are still RVing,” said Ortiz, adding “They are my heroes!”

Chapter President Inez Hybholt, who is 84 years old and still drives her RV to events, joined in 1991. “LoW’s was formed in 1969,” she said, “as a group for single people to get together that liked to RV.” LoW’s chapters exist throughout the United States.

When asked why she joined Nor’West LoWs, Hybholt said she was in her early 60s when she realized she always wanted to travel the U.S.

“I thought it would be fun to RV so I looked in the newspaper for RVs and saw clubs listed in Seattle.” She went to a Nor’West LoWs rally in Shelton and was hooked. “I thought these are my kind of people. I went out and bought a used Class B in September of that year and was ready to hit the road in October.”
Now on her third RV, Hybholt has clocked well over 100,000 miles in her adventures.

Acknowledging that the security of traveling with a group is important, Hybholt likes the company of other folks as well. Now everyone has a cell phone, but when she first joined every member had a CB to stay in touch.

Anyone interested in joining LoW’s can call membership chair Al Cottler at 253-906-8222 or e-mail him at alinwa@earthlink.net. The website for the group is www.norwestlows.com and the national group’s website is www.lonersonwheels.com.

Loners on Wheels has 50 regional chapters in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Joan Cronk by — August 24, 2011 in Everything Else