Thanks Volcano, for writing smartly....

about the scam that is Community Based Policing/Services...Weed & Seed.
It should always be: #1 is Social Services, #2 is a Clean Sweep.
People always put these things in the wrong order.
Help for business owners and homeowners, renters and citizens is very important for quality of life in the Urban density cities, to be sure! But, until we fertilize the underfed roots of crime and poverty, drug use and prostitution, we will not grow the Flower Of Beauty in The City.... a flower...a garden of flowers!
This is why I don't much applaud "Taking Back" "Night Out" and other such white middle-class semi-efforts to "reclaim" the streets.....
they don't really work, and if they "work" they just push bad stuff to someone else's n'hood. And that ain't nice!

I was taking law classes at the time the City was choosing a new manager...to replace Pee Pants Ray.....and I went to all the public Q&A's for the 3 top candidates...I knew who Tacoma would choose. He was the slickest of the Snake Oil Men....and since he came from DesMoines, I-o-Way.....I have a friend in DesMoines.....and she told me all bout the shallow efforts .....same thing...condos, bistros, bars and no cars......that Tacoma now gots......I knew it was coming...when the anonymous blogger-pal asked about my thoughts on the 1/2 crime reduction plan...I just rolled my knowing eyes!!

I just spent a half hour chatting with "Jim & Kathy" who used to live in Stadium-area apartments until about 10 years ago,before they had a child. They are Tacoma natives. They've seen it all. They now live in Graham.
They told me of more crime and homelessness! homelessness and crack and meth sales/addicts....and the activities that go along with it.....
showing up near the Roy Y.....near S. 176 th!!
That's what I mean.
And the mess around 72nd and Portland near KMart.
Sure, it ain't downtown anymore, but there are still huge problems.
Until we fund social services properly....and truly help to Rise the Tides to Lift All Boats.....we are not really good citizens.
All I gotta say is.....He ain't heavy.....he's my brother.

Me Need Barbies.....

Hi arty folks....
for an art project now in the works....to be done by the queen of funkoma vintage....
I could use bunches of old barbies, kens, and any and all of their friends....even some bratz....as long as they're about 12" tall.
I don't care what condition they're in.....
any old plastic dolls are welcome also...





I will be your new BFF...if you leave your name /email/and/or phone number, with your donation, I'll be happy to include your name in a drawing for a special prize worth actual importance.....that you can show off/wear/ebay.
You can bring them by the shop at 712 Broadway, or drop them off for me at Friesenburgers....slip in my mail box.....at 306B E. 26th even.....
Thanks for supporting the arts.....
your arty pal,
Tressie

;-)

See My 'Hood on the TV Screen.....

Some planet-destroying car company will be driving aimlessly around downtown T Town on Sunday....on my street ! As Derek exit133 has mentioned, they taped a notice to our doors informing us that business as usual is over on Sunday.
I can't park at my shop to unload fresh new vintage......and neither can you.
My notice said they'll be driving up Broadway between ninth and seventh, and looping back around Angel, er, Whore, er, Opera Alley.......around and around for 4 hours.
Just so you can see how pretty a new car looks while driving in the edgy urban environment......
You'll catch a glimpse of Tully's, Sanford and Son, Me, Parking Garages, and a peek-a-boo view of The Tideflats, The Elks Building, A few empty buildings and sweet lil Soiled Dove Alley........

So, speaking of the gays, and Out In The Park......
I wish this was my ebay auction:
ANTIQUE-BOX-4-CLEAR-RECTAL-DILATORS-DILATOR-DRS-ESTATE
that's a pic of them up there!

Dumb Asses .... Terry Lee, Shawn Bunney, Dick Muri and Roger Bush

Chairman Terry Lee and council members Shawn Bunney, Dick Muri and Roger Bush casting the “no” votes. They’re all Republicans......voted against saying: a proposed proclamation supporting Out in the Park, a celebration of the South Sound’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community Saturday in Tacoma.

Apparently....Lee, Bunney, Muri & Bush didn't get the memo!
This is 2008. Gay-Hating is over.
How embarrassing...to go on record as a hater.....
What are you so afraid of?
Voting to support a gayness-day in a park is not the same as......
paying for sex in a bathroom......
paying for sex in an east Washington town.....
or even actually being gay.....
It's about acceptance...
and.....acting like a human in the modern world.

What is it about Republicans and their worries over their butts?
Sure Dems can be all about Gay-Hating.....
But this is now and here.
Funkoma Vintage is proud !
to be partners with the gays, selling to the gays, and renting ....
between Tacoma's 2 downtown gay bars...
I don't count that toilet bowl....down on Pacific....that place is just gross and yuk.

Let me tell you what Steve's sign says:
Notice !
No sex allowed in this Restroom unless you are a U.S. Republican Senator

Stolen from Funkoma Vintage. RARE RWB 70s Aviators

If someone you know suddenly showed up in the last few days wearing these
in Red, White & Blue plastic....made in Japan:



...they are most likely stolen from me. These are very rare. Since the 80s I've only seen 3 pair & I see a lot of vintage!! It would be real nice if they suddenly showed up.....back in my shop.




Outside is navy blue, inside is red, and the middle is a white stripe. They are labeled Japan.





The mirrorized shades are in good shape without visible scratches.

Measures: 6" across x 2" down
Bridge of nose measures: 4/8" across
Arms measure 5-7/8" long

Listening to Joni Mitchelll ....again.....

Ladies Of The Canyon...on vinyl....just youtube or google that and listen.....
these are the songs of my supple girlhood...when I was a Woman in Training....
Willy still gives me the big chills.

I had a boyfriend when I was 20-21 yrs old.
Ben Taylor. Artist. Flake. Sex. Pot & Hash. Too much money from a prominent family.
He introduced me to many things. He was my first big city boyfriend....we spent a lot of time in SF. And he was my second unrepairable broken heart. Big Time. That one took years.....but I learned what I liked and didn't like in a man. So that's why I knew the instant I laid Eyes on Mark.....he was The One For Me For Always. Thank goodness we were both single.

And Rainy Night House. Spooky.
For Free. You won't ever pass a street busker and think the same again.
This .....and more is why Joni is a Visitor From Another Planet......
that's what I call people who are too talented .....for the planet...they seem to come from some other place.....and they grace us with their presence and presents.....and we are mostly undeserving.........
And of course, Big Yellow Taxi, Woodstock....
The Circle Game.
Joni and I both had children far too young.....we chose different paths to cope.
I kept the baby, she kept the faith.

The Helm/Fulcrum party.....Group Hug....Saves Art.....

OOOh boy. Art, View, Beauty, Youth, Age......Smartness and Talent.....
TacomaOpolis.....was too much fun......Saturday night....
It is so much more wonderful to meet in person...To see and chat in Real Time.....


Got to meet Laura H....wow! The amazing Andrea.....another wow! The makeup and hair created for the fashion show was mesmerizing......
And Erik, the Booster, shot me.....and Laura.....I always look red...like red wine. And really, it is OK to disagree on issues.....that really gets the Ideas a'flowing......
Erik knows this......(hellooo) Winky!

Always a pleasure to see Trish and Julie.....and so many more that I didn't get to say Hi! to.....


Now being part of the downtown scene of Art.....Music......Merryment.....and General TacUrban Life.....

Mark was there too.....He spent a lot of time chatting with Ryan.....who just arrived in Our Fair City from the other Washington.....DC .....that is....
Ryan was just hired by Lemay to oversee the proper restoration of The Cars.....
That is a big Job.....Ryan stopped in to amocat/funkoma checking out the n'hood....we meet so many people late in the day.....(so much is closed after 5....not us!)
I told Ryan about the party and he decided to go.. I think it was a wonderful and weird and wild intro to the best side of Tacoma.....


I'm biased.....but Antique Row....that chunk of Broadway is the best street in Tacoma..... The only other street that might vie for that title.....

was/is 11th Street.....Murray Morgan bridge into the Tideflats......that street...that bridge...that destination...is the Heart of Tacoma...
to me, it's the Real Gateway.....
fuggedabout Pt. Defiance....Job Carr's cabin....BORING.


We got it all....From the Stadium district to the Eastside as it curves around the Dome... and back around up the hill and over the E. 34th st Bridge....and down Tacoma Ave past the Cop Shop, thru Old Town to Stadium......and back down Broadway.....
Ummm, Yummmmmmmy !