Saturday, October 31, 2009

Pantages


One of Tacoma's historic theatres,
a testimony to the age of elegance in movie venues


now home to special events.

I saw Queen Latifah there.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

We're Not in Kansas Anymore (or Tacoma either)


Oops. How did this get in here?


Just wanted to say
that I'm back from Egypt
with a souvenir that I hadn't intended to bring home
(a nasty cold).

Historical Society



In my wanderings,
I came across the


It's on a bluff
overlooking Commencement Bay.

I didn't know it was there.


Wednesday, October 28, 2009

CJ's Salon


What is now CJ's Salon


was a diner a few short months ago.

Everything changes.


Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The Answer to Yesterday's Question


Do you know where to find the chef,
the one with a window to the world?

Sixth and St. Helens.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Chef on Display


I caught this chef
working on the evening's menu.


Can you guess where?


Sunday, October 25, 2009

Twelfth Street


Twelfth Street (or is it Avenue?)


has its own little graphic and textural thing
going on.

Between Pacific and Fleet.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Vent


I normally don't think of duct work as beautiful

but this shiny guy
reflected the colors of the sky.


Friday, October 23, 2009

Broken at the Slender Place


Is there someone,
some kind-hearted person,
that can fix this silly goose's


broken neck?

You can see the Heritage Bank building in the background.



Thursday, October 22, 2009

Toys for Boys


These are big toys

for big boys.

The diggers and the fillers.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Port of Tacoma


From here
you can't sense

the hustle and bustle
of the busy


Port of Tacoma.


Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Fleet Street


Not exactly London's Fleet Street.


But these buildings have a view of the Foss Waterway.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Architectural Detail



It looks like this ornamental detail
on the federal building


has been clamped down tight
in case of earthquake.


Sunday, October 18, 2009

Suffer for Beauty


The White River Valley Museum
has brought back an intriguing exhibit


You can read about it here.


Saturday, October 17, 2009

Roller Derby


How about something a little different
for sheer entertainment value?


Next Saturday night.

You won't see me there, though.
I'm in Egypt.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Old and New


The old is reflected

in the windows of the new.


Thursday, October 15, 2009

Tollefson Plaza


Come on, Tacoma.

There's got to be some way
to make this plaza

a more beautiful and welcoming
gathering space.


Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Wells Fargo Building


Not particularly graceful


but interesting against the blue sky.


Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Pierce Transit


Public transportation
bus-style

in Tacoma.
The old post office is in the background
and there's an "available" sign.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Tacoma Art Museum Plaza


Here's the entrance plaza
for the Tacoma Art Museum.


A design has been chosen to enliven the space.
Someday I'll show you the transformation.


Sunday, October 11, 2009

Skyline from the 21st Street Overpass


When you exit I-705 at 21st Street,
here's the view from the stoplight.

Turn left for downtown.
Turn right for the Port of Tacoma.

And bless all sunny days!


Saturday, October 10, 2009

Theater District


Tacoma has a couple of theater venues
in the grand old style.


This banner identifies
the Theater District.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Details, Details


Sometimes the impact in design
comes from small details.


This sculptural relief is high up on the exterior wall
of Old City Hall.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

More Graffiti



Here's another example of authorized graffiti.



When there's a masterpiece on the side of a building,
guerilla artists steer clear
and building owners don't have a daunting clean up job.


Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Looking Up the Hill


Looking up the hill
on 13th

from Pacific Avenue,
past Pacific Plaza.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Demolition Man


There's always something
going up


or coming down
in Tacoma.


Monday, October 5, 2009

Fountain Court


There are shops and offices


below street level
at Pacific Avenue and Thirteenth.

Get a sandwich and talk to a lawyer.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

One of my Favorite Colors


I caught this guy
sprucing up a snack cafe

in a gorgeous shade of blue.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Where the Wild Things Are



Though Tacoma qualifies as a city
by anyone's definition

we still live close to the places
where the wild things are.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Having Lunch With a Friend


It's always fun


to lunch with a friend
and to see yourself
in all your reflected glory.

Or in this case,
to see others in reflected glory.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Greek Festival


If you're looking for something to do

try the Greek festival
and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

October 2, 3 and 4.

1523 South Yakima Avenue in Tacoma.

Admission is free.