Tacoma PTA Celebrates 100 Years of Service

I was a Lowell Leopard, a Mason Mustang, and a Wilson Ram; a born and raised Tacoma Public Schoolsgraduate. Besides my own experiences as a student, I also got a taste of the behind the scenes work that went on through my own mother who served on the Parent Teacher Association (PTA)board. All of the fun events, interesting activities, community projects, and much needed equipment and materials were all generated from the hard work, dedication, and spirit from PTA. As an adult and local parent now, I marvel at how PTA has grown and changed to keep up with changing times and current events. The most important thing I learned is that PTA integrates community and families to take ownership of our public schools and to make them the best they can be for everyone. This is an exciting part of the education and the community building process. Yet, as we move forward with an army of wonderful PTA volunteers that donate their time and talent, it's important to look back on the roots of PTA because the foundations I just described have always been there. It's these roots that give us a rich texture of history, innovation, and experience. Here in Tacoma, our PTA roots are plentiful and deep. So deep, that Tacoma PTA celebrates it's centennial year in February of 201l. 

I marvel to think that PTA has been making its mark on our community for 100 years; what an accomplishment. Think of how many students and their families have been touched by the efforts of PTA whether it's a school carnival, a fund raising events, special school guests, community service projects, or replacing playground equipment, PTA has always been there, working hard to give value to their schools.

Now as we kick off the new year, it is time to celebrate the extraordinary progress of Tacoma PTA. On February 17, 2011 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Tacoma's Lincoln High School cafeteria and auditorium located at 701 S. 37th Street, Tacoma PTA is hosting a free event for everyone to partake in. The first hour of the event is a reception followed by a special program for the second hour. Citizens are invited to come see Tacoma history in action through interactive displays, audio visual presentations, and good conversation. What's even better is that local students are a big part of creating this party by using their talents and gifts. Anyone that has been touched by our schools and/or that revel in our city's multi-layered and intricate history, should mark their calendars for one of the most important history events this year.

And speaking of history, some of the treasures you will witness are hand bound ledgers from the early 1900's, historic documents that depict the budgets, events, and interest that captured the spirit of each decade here in Tacoma, media and press clips of the people, places, and ideas that made things happen in our city, and pictures that depict a vast celebration of teacher and students working alongside families to make things extra special. 

Special—that's what we have here in Tacoma in our schools, past, present and future. Despite changes in our community structure, politics, world, national, and local events, mass changes in our society whether they are big or small, the schools have always been there in rough times and in happy times. And when we see the great activities of PTA in conjunction with the students, it feels good. In today's times, amidst all the bad news and strife and the sense of urgency to focus on what doesn't work, we need feel good stories like this that make us smile and remember. We need stories about learning, teaching, dedication, endurance and fun NOW. Tie that in community pride, and you've got a win-win situation for all citizens of this amazing area in which we live in and love. Further, I'll bet you probably didn't know that Tacoma PTA coined some important phrases and processes that still exist today at a national level? You bet! And there's so much more. All the more reason to come join the celebration and revel.

And for this writer, I am reveling in bringing you updates on this event and giving bits and pieces of past eras. It will be a great journey for all of us. 

For additional information, contact School Board Member Kim Golding, chair of the 100-year event committee, at (253) 906-8827 or email her at tacomapta@nventure.com.

KTAC Christmas Eve 1980

It's Christmas Eve 2010. Earlier this week longtime Northwest radio personality "Sugar" Bruce Cannon passed away. Word of his death quickly circulated among Facebook friends, fans, and family.

I worked for KTAC as Jaynie Dillon and KBRD-FM as Jane Robbins for several years and had done the afternoon show with Bruce back then doing traffic reporting and news as his sidekick for a time. A memorial tribute page was set up so that people could post their favorite photos of Bruce and share memorable stories about him. Amidst the swirl of reminiscing, it has taken me back in time to ...

Thirty years ago tonight, right now, I was on-the-air at KTAC.

Christmas Eve 1980 I was filling in for one of the other members of the air staff and working the 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. on-air shift.

As with most live radio and TV news stations there are the traditional stories of NORAD tracking Santa on his deliveries across the US and around the globe. That evening I engaged in the same banter, confirming on-air that Santa had made it to Tacoma.

I had in fact just seen Santa passing through the parking lot at Tacoma Mall. That was not fiction. A sleigh with a Santa on-board had passed through the mall parking lot moments before I reported it. I had seen Santa through our KTAC/KBRD studio windows from the 6th Floor of the Tacoma Mall Office Building.

A listener called in when he heard me talking about seeing Santa in Tacoma. The young man sounded profoundly depressed. He told me did not believe that Santa would visit his apartment home. He told me of being out of work, of having a precious, loving, wonderful, young wife, and a 3-week-old baby girl at home. He was ashamed that he was broke, out of work, and yet had the rich blessings himself of his sweet wife and baby, but no gifts to give to either of them. It was breaking his heart. He wanted so much to be able to gift each of them a gift as an expression of his love for them.

Even though Tacoma Mall and stores all around were closed, quite fortuitously there were some Christmas gifts at the radio station.

KTAC had been a drop-site for Toys for Tots that year. Someone had dropped off toys after the for the end of the campaign when the donations would have already been delivered to children for Christmas.

I asked the caller if he could come over to the Tacoma Mall Office Building. I told him that even at that late hour I could guarantee him that Santa had some gifts for his wife and baby. Granted, the toys were for the baby. But I quickly created a little gift basket for his wife with an assortment of tea and packets of hot chocolate.

He arrived at KTAC within the hour shortly before the midnight transition from Christmas Eve into Christmas Day. His spirits were buoyed by the surprise gifts for his baby and his wife. I had never seen anyone more grateful for anything.

The following summer I left Tacoma radio to do The Overnight Club on KOMO Radio.

Even after changing stations and leaving the Tacoma area, that young man and his family kept in contact and sent me Christmas cards for years reflecting back on that bleak winter for them in 1980. Year after year they shared their progress and how they'd been able to turn their lives around with steady employment and even the purchase of a home.

We often hear the expression that 'life comes full circle' and it certainly has for me. Thirty years later I now live where not only Mount Rainier and Tacoma Mall are in view, but also the Tacoma Mall Office Building. As I look out at the Tacoma Mall Office Building tonight (image attached), it takes me right back to Christmas Even 1980.

I remember the years at KTAC and KBRD-FM ("K-Bird, Tacoma's beautiful bird...") and among the cherish the special privileges and memories of those years of working with Bruce Cannon, Ric Hansen, Chuck Bolland, Greg Cook, Sean Carter, J.J. Reagan, and others. Bruce Cannon was renowned for his efforts on behalf of community and charitable organizations. He had a good heart, too.

There is no more precious memory to me than of Christmas Eve 1980 when Santa really and truly did deliver just before midnight in Tacoma.

Hazy Full Moon Provides Elegant Light

Above: The darkly quiet night sky over December. No other words needed.

Copyright 2010 by Mizu Sugimura.

Local Students Write Love Letters to Their South Sound Hometowns: Tacoma

Readers and South Sounders: Tacoma School of the Arts Humanities students are participating in writing "love letters" to their hometowns. The writing exercise combines creativity, editing, and getting the letters published. Join me in celebrating these students and their wonderful letters in the upcoming letter series featured on the In Your Neighborhood blog. Read on and enjoy!

Dear Tacoma,

You are my muse. You are my life force. I live in and among your many lush forests, your quiet suburban neighborhoods. I adventure through your many backstreets completing quest after quest. Your everlasting rain brings the fruits of your forest. Your summer sun bakes my skin to a crisp. You are my muse. You are my life force. Tacoma.

Adam

The Closure of Dr. Martin Luther King Library

I stopped at the Martin King Library last night because I had heard that it was going to be closed. I wanted the librarians there to know that I appreciated how they had always welcomed me there and went out of their way to help me find books that would help me to grow intellecutually and emotionally. I found out then that the library would close for go on January 31.
So this grey Saturday afternoon I went back to the library to sit and think and just be. Silly, huh! Well, it's the best I could do... the library is one of those special places... I see many people, old, young, every race... working at the computers, getting books or cds or dvds...reading newspapers and magazines.
For four years I have been coming to the library...borrowing Walter Mosley and Robert Parker thrillers... checking out Nikki Giovanni and Langston Hughes poetry, delighting in Denzel Washington and Sidney Poitier films...feeling alive and proud and moved to put my best foot forward.So very proud to join others at this wonderful, warm place named after Dr. King.











I hear the closure is done... still I wonder what would happen if a whole lot of folks like me just took time to let folks know... our children, senior citizens, and people of all races love and need this library. I have learned a little bit more because of the librarians and the resources at the library how to be a proud, loving man. I really want this library to stay open and continue challenging us to become thoughtful and compassionate citizens.If we do not know where we have come from, we shall not be able to discover where we need to go from here!
If you would like to let your interest known, contact: Media Relations: David Domkoski, 253 591-5688, ddomkosk@tacomapubliclibrary, org, and/or Suden Odencrantz, Library Director, 253-591-5606, sodencrantz@tacomapubliclibrary.org

Game Time

I have always loved basketball. From the time I was a chubby grade schooler who always sat on the bench to the wonderful days in Sheridan, Oregon, when I used to play passing guard with other young mean training to become Jesuits. My greatest moment... being applauded by Bellarmine High School students here when I tried to make a jump shot from the right side and missed to that low moment in Spokane when I faced off against a young man, ten years my senior, a foot taller than I, who just plouged over me and quickly ended our one on one game, 12 to nothing.

Last night I enjoyed being with parents and other teachers at the Bellarmine's women's high school basketball team fought its way to a very tough victory... lots of defense, Bellarmne High and Olympia High folks going head to head in a game where the score doesn't reflect the tremendous defense, the passing and running and cool headed free throwing of both teams.

Thoughtful, fast moving, and sweet shooting game. I loved it...

Merry Christmas Grandma Grump Grump

Here's one Gritizen's take on relatives during the holiday season. South Sound, you can check it out HERE.


How do our relatives and friends shape our holidays?