While We Were Out

We here at Exit133 took a bit of an unplanned summer vacation, and missed a few things while we were off gallivanting on foreign shores. We feel really awful about being so irresponsible, really we do. So, by way of an apology, we bought our readers a “we’re so sorry for everything we did wrong bauble” wrapped in shiny paper and tied with an elaborate bow. But it got confiscated going through customs, so instead we threw together a list of what we think are the most important stories we didn’t cover, and we’re prepared to sit quietly and listen closely to everything you have to say about them (and anything else we missed). Go ahead, talk about your feelings. We’re listening…

Stories We Missed (and feel really bad about it):

City Council members gave Tacoma residents opposed to digital billboards in our neighborhoods something to celebrate by approving a ban on the flashy signs. However, storm clouds gather on the horizon and ominous legal rumblings from Clear Channel about “reimbursement” for the removal of signs suggest that this isn’t over yet.

Apparently moratoriums have been big news in the last few months. Our dreams of putting up a few digital billboards are on hold. And, with the City Council approved moratorium on new medical cannabis dispensaries, we’re going to have to postpone our dreams of getting in on that craze while a task force named in August comes up with feedback and recommendations. Then, we find ourselves with an anti-Walmart big box store moratorium. Let’s all pause for a bit …

Speaking of pausing, the Tacoma teachers strike lasted eight days while union and district representatives haggled, threatened, stonewalled, picketed, shouted, bargained, and finally arrived at a truce. For now …

Fortunately life has been going on elsewhere in Tacoma, including the opening of new places to buy your eggs and bread. The Tacoma City Grocer opened last month, providing a long-awaited, and much-debated place for the masses in downtown Tacoma to grab a sandwich (and apparently even the occasional wine tasting). And if Pacific Avenue isn’t your scene, or you’re looking for a less corporate option for your lunch and other food needs, the Tacoma Food Co-op is finally up and running on 6th Avenue. Co-op board elections are currently underway with a last chance for member-owners to be heard at the annual meeting on October 17th.

Oh, right – elections. About that… Well, you probably know what happened. In case you missed it too, here are the August 16th primary results. And apparently there’s an election coming up that includes a couple of former Exit 133 writers.

And then there are the restaurant and bar openings we missed. In no particular order Stink, Pho 701, Zara, Social, Marrow, Medi’s, and others, it’s good to see your doors open for business.

What have we been up to the last few months? Other than sampling the offerings of the aforementioned restaurants (it’s tough work, but someone’s got to do it), we’ve been listening to Vicci Martinez. Tacoma’s pint-sized vocal powerhouse blew the competition away on NBC’s The Voice, and even though she didn’t win, suddenly every time we hear Rolling in the Deep or that Pink song (both of which we thought she performed with more soul than the originals) we can’t help thinking that she should have.

Speaking of news involving local ladies, the Goddess of Commerce statue was unveiled at 6th and St. Helens, after an epic search through our downtown blocks for a place to kick off her shoes and call home.

There’s more, of course, but we’ll stop for now. Now it’s your turn…