In Your Neighborhood: Take Me To The Tropics!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Take Me To The Tropics!

Above: This decidedly tropical looking plant can be found at Tacoma's Seymour Botanical Conservatory. Photo copyright 2008 by Mizu Sugimura.

I don't know about you, but too many days of non-stop cold winter weather such as we've been having makes me want to think about something warmer like the tropics. But where can one go for a quick fix of a tropical balm in the temporarily snowed-in environs of greater Tacoma and vicinity?

The city where art and nature meet is way ahead of us on this one, particularly the folks at the Seymour Botanical Conservatory, 316 South G. Street, at Wright Park where a number of our plant friends (see above) who prefer decidedly warmer temperatures are hanging out to celebrate the facilities 100th year celebration with some 250 or more pieces of bright and brilliantly colored glass art (see below) through February 22, 2009.

The beautiful glass is part of an installation from the studios of favorite son and international glass art star extraordinaire Dale Chihuly from 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday during regular botanical garden hours.

Evening viewing times will be available on January 15 and February 19 through 8:00 p.m. in conjunction with Thursday Night Art Walks and admission to the exhibition is delightfully free. For more details check this link.

Below: Similar but graceful lines of tropical climes are beautifully evolked in this stunning tribute to Nature's bounty throughout this decidedly warm and organic sculpture. Photo copyright 2008 by Mizu Sugimura.

4 comments:

Lorraine Hart said...: I'm really excited about this and plan on going. I loved all the other pix at your "Liquid Muse NW" blog for this event Mizu!; December 24, 2008 at 7:48 AM
Kim Thompson said...: This is a Tacoma gem!; December 24, 2008 at 8:15 AM
JosephMcG said...: Mizu: thank you. I look forward to visiting Wright Park in January.
Joseph; December 26, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Stephanie Frieze said...: Thank you, Mizu. It's wonderful to hear about what's happening in Tacoma. For being a non-resident, you have your finger on the city's pulse!; December 26, 2008 at 2:56 PM

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Stephanie Frieze

Stephanie Frieze
…has always liked to write. Her experience includes three years at the University Washington School of Communications studying journalism. She had a stint at the Chinook Observer in Long Beach. Raised in Bellevue, she’s lived in Gig Harbor for nearly 18 years. She and her husband have a home in Ilwaco, where they spend as much time as possible. This mother of four loves books, spending time with family and the color purple. Contact her at dbandstefery@comcast.net.

Lorraine Hart
…was born a nomadic mutt. She spent her life observing, writing and making music. She’s an unabashed carrier of the titles “hippie,” “feminist” and “liberal.” She’s resided in the South Sound since 1996 and is currently living above Joe’s Bay in Home. She juggles her time between being a caregiver, a writer, an artist, a musician, a minister, a wife, a mother, an advocate, a friend and a pilgrim – not necessarily in that order. Contact her at matlox@cablespeed.com.

Jaynie Jones
…is a Tacoma resident with diverse career tracks in broadcasting, journalism, teaching, health care, desktop publishing, floral design, special event planning and photography. She’s best known as long-time KOMO radio personality Jaynie Dillon and was once a familiar voice on Tacoma stations KTAC, KBRD-FM, KTNT and KNBQ-FM. Formerly a resident of Tacoma’s East Side, she’s volunteered in the Eastside Substation and with Safe Streets. Contact her at jaynie.jones@gmail.com .

Tracy Lebenzon
...is a blog contributor from Greenwater. Greenwater is the last stop before Crystal Mountain, Mount Rainier and the surrounding wilderness areas. When not exploring the next mountain peak or forest trail, Tracy also contributes to the Greenwater Community Council and the Explore-Greenwater.com web site. He writes about topics ranging from favorite foot, bike, and snow trails to community events, local merchants and politics. Contact him at dmountains@explore-greenwater.com.

Joseph McGowan
…is a chaplain who supports patients, families, friends, nurses and doctors at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Being 67, he’s learned this about living: Meet people on their own ground and you will discover that this Earth is our special place to meet and support each other. His motto: Live now. Share yourself now. Every living thing you experience is a pure gift. Love all life unconditionally. Contact him at mcg9940@yahoo.com.

Mizu Sugimura
…is a third-generation Japanese American living in Federal Way. She’s married and a parent of one adult child. A lifelong resident of the Puget Sound area, she graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Washington School of Communications. and served on Federal Way’s Diversity and Art Commissions. Her interests are politics, art, the history of minorities in Washington and family history. She’s written a self-published family history about her paternal grandfather. Contact her at mizusugi@yahoo.com.

Kim Thompson
…is a Grit City native who was born and raised in Tacoma’s Old Town neighborhood by the gulch. She boasts that she’s a former Lowell Leopard, Mason Mustang and Wilson Ram, a short-time PLU Lute and a longtime UW Husky. This former corporate businesswoman is a wife, a mom, a school volunteer, a substitute teaching assistant, a writer and a born-again distance runner. She has convinced friends from Bellevue that Tacoma is worth the drive. Contact her at kimricksy@comcast.net. ugi@yahoo.com.