KFnet in T-Town
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Feb. 8, 2010 at 7:22am
8 versus 5.8
It's the little things...
Sometimes I do believe Tacoma gets the shaft for being "it's just Tacoma" to folks that live elsewhere. But I don't believe it's so bad being the underdog sometimes since it gives us something to strive and fight for. In this case, this very minor, mostly insignificant case, I reveal how the very signs that help guide people here seem to thumb their nose at us.
On so many days for so many people driving south on I-5 after work to their abodes here in Tacoma they pass a sign they could care less about. Just around where you cross over the King County line, near where the signs turn to jumbotron TV screens, a regular, green and white way-marking road sign hearkens "Tacoma 8"! You're almost there, just a handful of miles to go!
On a couple recent trips from that direction I decided to see for myself. I could swear it didn't seem like 8 miles stood between the edge of the lit-sign mecca that is Fife to the downtown Tacoma exit. So I reset my trip odometer and watched the tenths tick away. Higher and higher they climbed until I soon realized that I was just exiting toward the city center. Had I followed the sign that previously told me I had 8 miles to go I wouldn't think I was there yet because my odometer only told me 5.8 miles had passed. A full 2.2 miles short of what the WSDOT is telling folks.
I don't think the Nisqually quake tectonically shifted things that much so am a little confused why this number wouldn't point to the edge of Tacoma that comes first (the Portland Ave exit) but instead appears instead to pass East Tacoma, downtown and lead one to the 38th Street exit. The mall.
I don't expect to push for any legislative action nor guerrilla campaign to spray paint the signs to read a more accurate number but thought I would point this oddity out in hopes it only defiantly furthers the pride locals already feel. Be proud, Tacoma, even when the odds seem pointlessly stacked against you.
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Feb. 1, 2010 at 8:57am
Live Blog ~ Running the Red Hot Gauntlet
Fellow Tacoman and CLAW member, and illustrator extraordinaire (just check out that awesome banner above!) Stowe and I will put our very lives on the line tonight and run "The Gauntlet". What is this challenge of which you speak, you may wonder? It's a straight up, at the bar, no bathroom breaks test of will against The Red Hot's nine(!) signature dogs. Stowe's recently birthday and my stomach-stretching food binge in New Orleans make this the perfect chance to get our names up on the plaque on their wall and into a small slice of Tacoma history.
Follow along my updates in the comments below and keep your eyes here for photos and possibly even live video of the main event around 5:30pm tonight. Wish us luck!
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Feb. 1, 2010 at 7:07am
A Little Less Teriyaki
Kobe Teriyaki on 6th Ave just across from the beloved Red Hot is closed. Dark windows last Monday night clued me in but the "Available" sign is a dead giveaway for this standalone restaurant. Since we all know how much teriyaki and Tacoma go together it's sad to see a piece of that identity shuttered.
I suppose one man's trash is another's treasure, though, as this spot has a decent amount of off-street parking associated with it and is right in the heart of the most active/hip/happening part of 6th Ave.
So what would you like to see go in there?
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Jan. 28, 2010 at 7:22am
Photos ~ Stadium Thriftway Progress Update
The new layout of Stadium Thriftway is coming together but still a work in progress. I stopped by the other day for some flowers and snapped a few pics of what's new. Follow along from the diagram I previously posted if you want!
Looking toward the area the store is expanding into. Previously, there wasn't much beyond that beer case on the left.
Frozen food cases (left) and a significantly expanded wine section.
Looking toward the new meat case and butcher area.
Looking back into the "old" store area where the produce sits in a temporary spot before the aisles are rotated 90 degrees in the final configuration.
Previously on KFnet: Stadium Thriftway's New Layout, 9/29/2009
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Jan. 27, 2010 at 6:58am
The Proctor Fashion Shuffle
That proprietor of purses, pants, and plenty more in the purple house just off Proctor has moved...
...to the former space next to Nick 'n Willy's that was, until recently, occupied by swanky clothier Julia Ellen right on Proctor. Megs & Mo is having the grand re-opening this Sunday.
Also, just around the corner on 26th, Jasminka shoes, clothing, and accessories store that also recently met its demise is rising from the grave under new management.
The sign says they'll be back up and running in April. I'm just so glad both of these spaces appear to be turning into retail and not an insurance/finance/payday loans kinda' place.
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Jan. 26, 2010 at 7:01am
MultiCare Cold vs. Flu Live Chat
Local hospital and health care system MultiCare is hosting their first ever web chat today at 11am. Dr. Fadi Aljabi will take your questions about how to tell the difference between colds and flu and whether or not you should be worried. This could be a great, ongoing community service!
Full disclosure: My team at work built this tool and can't wait to see it being used in the wild!
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Jan. 25, 2010 at 6:58am
Quick Bites - That Babs Is a Babbler
Of great food, that is!
Not Your Mother's Chicken Fried Steak (above) made for a surprisingly not stupid filling nor greasy breakfast. A sweet and delightfully bitter blood orange juice (below) topped things off nicely. Chef William Mueller's ever-changing and nearly salt-free menu is a welcome change from the norm and may very well use the freshest ingredients and spices in Tacoma. Keep and eye out for Chef William as he'll be featured soon on TV Tacoma's Business Matters and live doing the dish Libby ordered (called the Meatless Wonder) on an upcoming live broadcast of KCTS Cooks Feb. 6.
Babblin' Babs Bistro [ map ]
253-761-9099
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Jan. 15, 2010 at 1:18pm
SiteCrafting Buys Downtown Building
After teasing with a little taste of our plans the other day it's now official! SiteCrafting has signed on the 615 Commerce building at the north end of downtown just across from the Elks Building and next door to Old City Hall. Via Twitter:
Under contract. 615 Commerce.
For those not familiar with the space, here it is:
(as seen from Commerce)
(as seen from Pacific)
Can't wait to move in! Plenty of due diligence remaining but it's ours if we want it and everything checks out OK.
(Full disclosure: If you hadn't already guessed, I work at SiteCrafting)
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Jan. 14, 2010 at 7:31am
Vertical World Tacoma Opening This Week
May the sewer gods have mercy their permitting process
A post from Tuesday on their website excitedly announces that the new Vertical World climbing gym on the corner of 24th and "A" Street will be opening this week! On my daily drives by to and from work I've noticed the walls have gone up, been painted all different colors, and splattered with dashes of neon from all the holds put in place. It looks fantastic!
Check out some of the photos they've posted on their Facebook:
Sounds like the only thing they're waiting for is some sewer related stuff with the City. Check out this tweet from last week:
For those who don't know, we are at the mercy of the sewer Gods. The City found out, after only 50 years of flushing, that the building was never hooked up to the system. Next time you swim in Commencement Bay, give us a thought. Now we are waiting on them to sort this out.
Welcome to the neighborhood (port-a-potty and all)!
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Jan. 13, 2010 at 9:50am
Il Fiasco on 6th Ave Closed
More sad news in the Tacoma business closures department. Via Twitter:
The restaurant that I had my first real date is closed. My heart hurts a little bit.
Il fiasco on 6th.
@Clydetreeroots yep they are selling every thing in the place. Big signs in the window. That place had been there for a while too.
Shame to see them go but I suppose if any space has a chance get filled it would be on 6th Ave.
About
Although I have another home on the web I thought it might be nice to lead by example a bit and put this blog system up to the test myself.
So far, so good... Funny how I build web tools for other people that are far better than the one's I have setup over on KFnet.
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Advantage: Tacoma
Quick Bites
Recent Posts
| 2/8 | 8 versus 5.8 [7] |
| 2/1 | Live Blog ~ Running the Red Hot Gauntlet [33] |
| 2/1 | A Little Less Teriyaki [27] |
| 1/28 | Photos ~ Stadium Thriftway Progress Update [9] |
| 1/27 | The Proctor Fashion Shuffle [4] |