Java Tacoma Perks Again November 4-19

Above: Three cast members from "Java Tacoma: Episode 38" courtesy Dukesbay Productions. (Photo by Jason Ganwich)

One of Tacoma's youngerand totally homegrown theatre production companies takes the stage to bring South Sound audiences a second annual helping of Java Tacoma November 4-19 during an exclusive engagement at Trinity Presbyterian Church.

Dukesbay Productions , dedicated to showcasing talented area playwrights and artists of all ethnicities headed up by Tacoma actors and entertainment professionals Aya Hashiguchi and Randy Clark commissioned the series starting last year in 2010.

They are both delighted to share the original debut of their newest theatrical prodigy, yet another hilarious and heartwarming romp through the coffee grounds with local playwright Curtis B. Swanson aptly entitled "Episode 38: Friends, Neighbors and Siblings".

"Episode 38" continues to explore the lives and adventures of three lifelong female friends and coffee aficianados who daily touch bases, drink their brew and share, support and encourage each other at their all-time favorite and totally fictional Tacoma coffee house.

The plot involves notice that Perky's Coffee has just lost their lease. Java's own Kate and Jeri spring from their regular seats and into action hoping to completely rescue ot their beloved java joint. Strong performances are racked up by equally talented members: Samantha Camp, Mick Flaaen, Aya Hashiguchi, Demetrick Louis and Betzy Miller,

For tickets go to www. dukesbay.org. Readers will be pleased to note Java Tacoma is reasonably priced at $15.00 per person for audiences aged 13 (due to mild language and adult humor) and up and comes complete with complimentary cup of coffee or tea, and your choice of delicious locally prepared baked goods from the popular Blue Moon Tea in Tacoma.

World Food Day...October 16th

I have never had to worry about where my next meal was coming from. My grandmother ran a wonderful restaurant in Houston, Texas in the early nineteen forties... "Mary Lou's Cafe." She always had a big pot of chilli and beans with wonderful cornbread on the stove for me when I came home from grade school in Houston and high school in Seattle.

These days I am having to learn how to eat healthily rather than "keep my stomach full." And I am glad I lived long enough to appreciate the difference between feeling full and being spiritually satisfied.

So many of our sisters and brothers have never had a chance to make that choice. And one of the time you and I are asked to reflect on their needs is this Sunday, October 16th.

That is the focus of Archbishop Tutu's Oxfam Reflection below.

Meet Our Neighbors at Fife's 2nd Hand Treasures!

Above: A street view from Pacific Highway South of Fife's newest shopping destination! All photos posted with this blog copyright 2011 by Mizu M. Sugimura.

As I was unable to take a picture of Reggie Starkey and John Brehmer while visiting their new retail consignment venture 2nd Hand Treasures in Fife, WA it was necessary to do so as soon as possible. What's the point of writing about "In Our Neighborhood" if we can't be introduced to the wonderful people who make up the area?

While I've enjoyed shopping second hand and collectible stores for more years than I can count with and without friends, being that this little treasure in the heart of Fife has become my most recent favorite shopping destination I'm happy to report that this bit of unfinished business "In Your Neighborhood" has been speedily taken care of.

So without further ado, may I introduce you to the guys. Better yet, plan a trip to the store and let them know you've come visit on a tip!

Above: 2nd Hand Treasures Owner, Reggie Starkey.

Above:2nd Hand Treasures Owner, John Brehmer.

Local Men From Fife's 2nd Hand Treasures Aim High To Warm Hearts, Build Community

Above: Not without a sense of humor, independent minded Fife entrepreneurs Reggie Starkey and John Brehmer include a bit of time to coax a smile from patrons touring constantly changing inventories in the South Sound store as evidenced by this recent sign on display.

Above: Much loved items such as this beautiful wooden hutch vie for attention at Fife's newest shopping destination - a thrift and consignment bonaza by the name of 2nd Hand Treasures which aims to pair much loved donated items with brand new owners , supporting several local charities and building a bit more community paralell to a busy section of I-5 S. and along an equally bustling section of Pacific Highway S. Photo copyright 2011 by Mizu M. Sugimura.

While big rigs and commuters daily fly through the busy intersection in front of Fife's famous Poodle Dog restaurant (a local destination and hangout for several generations of patrons since 0000) the new owners of 2nd Hand Treasures a local non-profit have been dedicating much time and careful effort Reggie Starkey and John Brehmer have pooled a thick resume of retail skills and highly polished people skills to pump much needed life and energy into the community west of this highly popular and bustling corner.

Having spent a good many of their formative years growing up in the South Sound communities both men have returned to the fold to gather a team of volunteers and help raise much needed funds in a challenging economic era for a number of local charities as well as contributing to the health, wealth, vigor and sense of community that were sorely challenged since the closing of the previously loved and fondly remembered pharmacy and postal outlet at the same location in years past.

Starkey is especially pleased to fund among their selected charities research and resources dedicated to persons suffering symptoms related to vitiligo, a condition related to depigmentation of patches on the skin of which one of the most famous persons having to deal with it was the late, great showman and entertainer Michael Jackson.

Vitiligo has regretfully made a personal appearance in Starkey's own family. He and one of his siblings have been challenged by the condition since they were teenagers, especially difficult because the original diagnosis came in the late 1970's years before the more widespread publicity and media coverage which surrounded Jackson.

2nd Hand Treasures' Starkey and Brehmer paint for this bloggeer a vision of a friendly, warm, welcome and informal gathering place where people, resources and helpful solutions to the basic and everyday concerns of area residents of all ages can be addressed in a caring new community remiscient of the city's rich historical past.

To that end the pair recently secured permission to serve as a new postal outlet by offering residents a place to both send and receive packages via the US Postal Service and will be offering area citizens wishing to rent a post office box in town another opportunity to do so. Coming just ahead of the opening of a new city library a few months into the future, 2nd Time Treasures will deliver it's own brand singularly new energy coursing through the veins of town as Fife heads toward the middle of her second decade in this new century.

From a newly arrived young retail employee on her lunch hour looking for a boxspring to support a recently purchased mattress in her new apartment to a seasoned gentleman of indeterminate years hoping to add to his highly discriminating collection of vintage memorabilia, both Starkey and Brehmer believe they can offer area residents a variety of viable options by combining value as well as thrift in one great single package!

Above: All items in this snapshot are previously owned.

Photo copyright 2011 by Mizu M. Sugimura.

Recent customers may have noticed some changing developments in products and services being offered at the location over the stores initial transitional phase. One of the initial store-within-a-store tenant RJ'S Helicopters has already left the fold to set-up elsewhere. Brehmer has undertaken an inititative to offer Avon Products through the store and undertaking a new working relationship for this time-honored company for which he has shown increasing enthusiasum.

Another fairly new and budding development involves an application for the store to become a dealer for U-Haul and offer products and services associated with the brand under the same roof. More innovations may soon follow as the owners assess the skills of their volunteers and developing needs of newly acquired store customers and friends.

As such Brehmer and Starkey represent perhaps the best and most positive attributes of newer activity in the area of local retail in these changing economic times which ought to be watched -for these gentlemen insist that it must irrefutably be linked with the overall health and welfare of local shoppers, city residents, visitors, neighbors, nearby businesses, family and friends.

Below: This vintage typewriter was spotted by this reporter is an all-together quaint, welcome and friendly reminder of a fondly

remembered collegieate past, although my own Royal typewriter in the 7o's was even more aged

than the veteran machine shown below in this picture. Picture copyright 2011 Mizu Sugimura.

Below: A varied store inventory including gift items and card rack shown here will appeal to those customers looking for a quick and appropriate rememberance for some special someone! Photo copyright 2011 by Mizu Sugimura.

Random Acts of Camera

Late afternoon sunlight caresses Quan Yin, Chinese Goddess of Compassion.

Sometimes it's not about a picture of the whole subject, but about having some fun with cropping.

Early morning...and a rose bush gone wild.

 

 

Purple asters mixed in with fennel for a Fall cascade.

Sunday, October 2, 2011... Associated Ministries Hunger Walk

This Sunday,October 2, the Thirty First Annnual Associated Ministries Hunger Walk will be happening. The mighty runners and walkers will be putting those boots on the ground in Fort Steilacoom Park, 9601 Steilacoom Boulevard, Lakewood, Washington 98498.

Has this walk helped in feeding the hungry? This comes right from the website: "This annual event raises more than a quater million dollars for hunger relief!" The wonderful folks at Associated Ministries say that much more money is needed.
This is what Helen McGovern, Executive Direcotr of the emergency Food Network says: "Money raised through the Hunger Walk will allow us to purchase at least even semi-trucks full of nutritious food for those in need." She contines: "they have never seen the demand on local food banks as high as it is right now."
Here's the schedule:
12:00-1:30 p.m. -Registration
1:30 p.m. -Run Starts
2:00 p.m. -Walk starts
3:00 p.m. -Food and fun!

for map and directions:
http://www.associatedministries.org/

Variety and Color In Plenty At Federal Way Farmers Market

Above and below: Surely nothing hits the spot in the summer quite like fresh produce brought home direct from

the Federal Way Farmer's Market! All photos copyright 2011 by Mizu Sugimura.

The Federal Way Farmer's Market (FWFM) has become a popular Saturday stop for many area residents over the past few years between the hours of 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. One of my dear friends is such a market stalwart that she actually made it into a frame in this year's FWFM video online.

Two weeks ago I was invited to accompay her to the market, set up now at it's second location at the north side of 320th Street (just up the gentle incline kitty corner to the Federal Way Transit Center) on a roomy site overlooking busy mall shoppers at The Commons. This year market organizers began experimenting with a select sample of vendors to cater to area crowds on Wednesday nights between 4:00 pm - 8:00 p.m. creating a different yet exciting vibe through the end of September.

Above: MMMMMMN! Now THIS is a peach! Photo by Mizu Sugimura.

Arriving there at mid-morning we discovered that whatever warm summer sun shone overhead the previous week had all but disappeared, dampening down the temperatures and painting the skies overhead into a scene resembling a typical Pacific Northwest day in mid-October. This year market managers have experimented with a distinct sample of vendors to cater to nearby crowds on Wednesday nights. The Wednesday's evening market creates yet more opportunities for local residents to enjoy something different in the heart of the town.

Fortunately the liquid sunshine that fell that day couldn't damper our spirits. One of my favorite produce purchases that afternoon was a novelty to me. It was round like an onion but varigated like a watermelon so I asked if it was a squash! After I inquired the vendor pulled out a trusty pocketknife, selected one of his samples and both peeled and sliced a sample for my tasting pleasure. Wow! It was both tart and lemony. Salads will never be the same at my house again!

Above: Dreaming of radishes.

Above: Who says ears of corn can't hear!

Above: There's simply no end to all of these

heartbreakingly perfect potatoes!