PECHA KUCHA

A group of designers and graphic artists have been working to bring a fantastic event called Pecha Kucha Night here to Tacoma. The first PK Night is Wednesday June 3rd at the New Frontier Lounge and we would really appreciate your support. Please spread the word!

Pecha Kucha (peh-cha ka-cha) is the Japanese term for chit chat or the sound of conversation. The event is devised and shared by Klein Dytham architecture and was conceived in Japan in 2003 as a place for creative people to meet, network and show their work in public. Each presenter is allowed 20 images, 20 seconds per image, giving 6 minutes and 40 second for each presentation with no go back or pauses and definitely no do-overs. Pecha Kucha nights now takes place in 200 cities across the world!

Some of Tacoma’s creative finest are set to present at Tacoma’s first PK Night. Volume 01 celebrates our hometown, the Dusty Jewel, the City of Tacoma and those who influence it.

Take a look at www.pecha-kucha.org for more information then click on the link to Tacoma’s site. You can also email the organizer at pechakucha.tacoma@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to present at a later PKN.

See also Facebook Group

And don't forget to follow ELG on Twitter! @EmgLeadGrp

- text near verbatum from Kate Burnham e-mail

T-town & ELG Happenings

There are so many things happening in this city. Sometimes keeping up with the various sites to keep your calendar full can be quite daunting. Having information spread throughout the web leads some to believe that nothing happens here until the last minute. It just seems that way because Tacoma has a problem with getting information out about events early enough for people to plan on coming!

We're trying to counteract that pattern via this blog but have been as good in our duties as we'd like. Let's try to change that! Here are some exciting events happening over the next week. If you know of more that those in the building industry might be interested in, shoot me an e-mail at oleary_caroline@hotmail.com and I'll get them posted.

Young Professionals Network of Tacoma-Pierce County
Power Lunch with Liz Heath
"Liz will be speaking on how young professionals can benefit from being on a non-profit board. Liz Heath is considered the local expert on this topic."

Wednesday, May 27
12:00-1:00 @ Pacific Grill Events Center
$25 for members, $35 for non-members

View E-Vite at http://tinyurl.com/poe85o

Cascade Land Conservancy
Tacoma Community Stewards Campaign Kick-off Party

See Kelly's post below for additional information on this event. It's a great opportunity to make a difference in the future of Tacoma's built environment!

Artifakt
Multi-Genre Art Show

"Artifakt is a Seattle-based arts group and clothing designer that aims to promote up-and-coming artists and musicians in a variety of styles and genres. Artifakt's multi-genre art shows fuse visual and performance art to create a positive environment that fosters artistic expression and mutual appreciation."

Friday, May 29th
8:00 PM - 2:00 AM @ Robert Daniel Gallery, 2501 Fawcett, Tacoma

AIA/ELG/Habitat for Humanity
Build Day

The AIA Southwest Washington Chapter and the Emerging Leaders Group are teaming this summer to build with Habitat for Humanity Tacoma/Pierce County. All 2009 build dates take place on Saturdays; May 30th, June 13th, July 11th, and August 8th, and you do not need to be a member of either organization to participate.

If you have a desire to participate in any of this year’s build dates, please RSVP to Marianne Wombacher mwombacher@bcradesign.com so a roster can be started. You can also email Marianne with additional questions and location information. You must have completed the orientation prior to being able to build with us.

Saturday, May 30th
@ Larabee Terrace, Tacoma

Creative Class Happy Hour
First Ever!

See E-Vite at http://tinyurl.com/qf35c7

Thursday, June 4th
@ The Hub, 203 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma

Tacoma Community Stewards Network

I have gone to a few of the Tacoma Community Stewards events where Tacoma citizen issues were identified then group leaders volunteered to head each issue to research, set goals, determine who would interested in the issue and how to achieve that goal to make a positive impact in the community.

The issues that were identified were:

- Turn surplus city property into community gardens and parks

- Link disconnected bike trails and walking paths into and through Tacoma

- Transform the Dome District into a vibrant, walkable and livable community


I think that as design professionals we can provide insight to help guide change within our community and this could be a positive group to be involved with.


The next event is next week on Thursday May 28th from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Hub. At this event campaign leaders will present their research and plans and show how you can get involved to make the change you want to see in Tacoma.

I plan on going to hear what these folks have to say and talk with other neighbors that want to be involved in positive change in Tacoma and of course partake in some good food and beverages at the Hub.

- Kelly Myles Braun

Quality AutoCAD Masonry Details from the Masonry Institute of Washington

A number of weeks ago I went to a lunch-n-learn at Bellevue Community College that was put on by the Masonry Institute of Washington. They have created a new website www.masonrydetails.com where you can download masonry details for free in both DWG as well as PDF formats. The website is intuitive and very easy to navigate. There are brick, CMU & Stone details showing typical wall sections, parapet details, details around windows, expansion joints etc. Prior to providing the info on the website, the details are created and reviewed by both architects and masonry contractors. The idea is that the site will expand and more details will be added as well as more info will be added in the future with suppliers and possibly a forum.

www.masonrydetails.com seems to be a great resource to for masonry details to start from when developing construction document sets.


- Kelly Myles Braun

Young Professionals Network - Prospective Members Meeting

Tonight is the Young Professionals Network Prospective Members Meeting. Like Love Tacoma, this is another opportunity to network outside of the building profession. Click on the title of this post to learn more about the group. Hope to see you tonight!

- Caroline N. O'Leary

Habitat for Humanity

Today was orientation for Habitat for Humanity. Marianne is organizing the event(s) but you need not be a member of either ELG or AIA to participate, although you must attend an orientation prior to participating unless you've already worked with them.
The turn out was great. I estimate we had 40 people attend. Build dates are May 30th, June 13th, July 11th, and August 8th. ELG is also working on participating in the build at the Puyallup Fair this September. That event will be contingent upon Habitat for Humanity but we will let you know as soon as we find out.
If you're interested in working any of the above dates please e-mail Marianne at mwombacher@bcradesign.com.

- Caroline N. O'Leary

Love Tacoma!

I'm not sure how many of you have heard of Love Tacoma but if you click on the title of this post you can view their website, including photos from past events.

Kelly Braun (Myles) and I have attended a few of these events and really enjoyed them. The group is very lively and social and seems to consist of a large portion of the "creative class" in this city. What has been really great about it is expanding our network outside of architecture. We've met people from the Chamber of Commerce, realtors, Derek who started Exit133 (my personal favorite T-town blog, that is until we get this one rocking!), numerous young entrepreneurs, etc. All share one thing in Tacoma - we love it!

Check out their site and keep up with our calendar here to join us at the next event!

- Caroline N. O'Leary