Tacoma has experienced a recent surge in all things independent film in 2010. Two local filmmakers, Rick Gratzer and Isaac Olsen, have released their  full-length films, which were filmed and produced in Tacoma, to local audiences at the Grand Cinema and the Rialto Theater. The Grand’s annual 72-Hour Film Festival continues to see growth in both submissions and attendance. The Tacoma Film Festival received a record number 195 submissions to its poster-design contests. And now, the biggest independent film event to ever come to the South Sound is launching this weekend, also thanks to the Grand: The 25 New Faces of Independent Film, as chosen by Filmmaker Magazine.

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By Clare Jensen

The largest floods in recorded history are impacting Pakistan – and by shopping in Tacoma, you can help. During the week of August 16-22 Laughing Lotus gift, an imports retailer, will be donating 10 percent of their sales to Mercy Corps Pakistan Emergency Fund. They are also accepting cash donations for the fund through the end of August. Donations can also be made directly through Laughing Lotus’ fundraising page on the Mercy Corps website:  http://www.mercycorps.org/fundraising/laughinglotus About 20 million Pakistanis are affected by the massive flooding, more than the Asian tsunami and Haiti earthquake combined.  Many of these people had been uprooted last year by fighting between militants and government forces, and were just beginning to reestablish themselves when the deluge hit. Now another flood surge has swelled the Indus River further, threatening additional towns farther south. Cholera, a deadly waterborne disease, has broken out in at least one town. Many more deaths may result from this disease.  An area of the size of Florida is now covered with water. The need will be ongoing since not only are homes and villages destroyed, but also the agricultural crops in the area that provide food and livelihoods. Laughing Lotus has many beautiful items from Pakistan, from wall hangings made of vintage wedding dresses to handcrafted baskets to hand hammered copper in many shapes and sizes.  Laughing Lotus is located at 3013 6^th Avenue in Tacoma.  Open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until 7 on Friday and Saturday.

Tacoma’s first Sonic Drive-In opened this week and it didn’t take long for people to find out, as about 1,000 transactions were done in the first few hours. The restaurant famous for its burgers, fries and shakes is located in a shopping center on 6^th Avenue near Orchard.

Dockyard Derby Dames season 4, bout 3 poster (ARTWORK BY JAMES STOWE.)

Tacoma’s original roller derby league, the Dockyard Derby Dames, move to historic Foss Waterway Seaport for their third bout of season four.

The roller derby bout takes place on Saturday, May 22. Doors open at 5 pm with the bout starting at 6 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $15, or pre-purchased for only $12 at brownpapertickets.com/event/111926. Children ages, seven and under are free. This is a family-friendly event. A portion of the proceeds benefits Pierce County AIDS Foundation.

The league is excited to bring derby back to the heart of Tacoma. “Foss Waterway is a perfect location that ties in well with Dockyard’s nautical theme,” said Sarah Miani, Co-Chair of the league’s Bout Production Committee. “It’s right on the water in a dockyard. How perfect is that?”

The Dockyard Derby Dames is comprised of four teams: Femme Fianna, Hellbound Homewreckers, Marauding Mollys and Trampires. The championship-bound Trampires play the Hellbound Homewreckers, while the Femme Fianna and Marauding Mollys battle it out for a spot at the championship bout in June.

Because of the limited parking at Foss, fans are encouraged to park at the Tacoma Dome Park and Ride next to Freighthouse Square. A shuttle will be provided to transport attendees to and from the venue.

Three Chicks Catering, Inc. will be serving plates of barbecue grilled on-site with their new BBQ Rig. There is also a beer garden serving $3 wine and beer for attendees ages 21 and over.

Seabury School is hosting a fashion show at Maxwell’s Speakeasy May 15 highlighting spring fashion along with a sure-to-be delicious buffet.

Seabury parent and owner of Vixen’s House of Shoes and Apparel is coordinating the event that will feature spring looks found at the 6^th Avenue Shop on professional models as well as Seabury staff. Dinner includes salmon, chicken, salad, roasted vegetables and potatoes and dessert. A no-host bar is also available. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased in advance by contacting Katherine Overton at katherineo@seabury.org. 1-3 p.m. May 15, Maxwell’s Speakeasy 454 Saint Helens Ave.

Black Violin. (COLIN BRENNAN PHOTOGRAPHY )

The 24th annual international performing arts festival, Giant Magnet is May 11-15 at Seattle Center and May 17 in Tacoma.

Like a Giant Magnet, this festival attracts people of all ages and backgrounds to its global attractions and  provides an opportunity to experience cultures from around the world through authentic theatre, music, dance,  puppetry, and circus performances.

Performers come from countries all around the world, including Germany,  Colombia, Senegal and Korea. Last year’s festival welcomed the 35,000 children and families in attendance over the  week.

Tacoma performances include:

• Circus INcognitus from Quebec, Canada-

The triumphant return of this hilarious, well traveled circus star; veteran of Cirque du Soliel, Cirque Éloize, and his own solo career that’s had audiences cheering around the world and garnered him major prizes in Paris and New York.  This is world class clowning, juggling and balancing that will astonish and delight.

• Black Violin from the United States-

The two Miami-born frontmen for this hip-hop combo, 2005 Champions on tv’s Night at the Apollo, display breathtaking virtuosity while blending classical music with contemporary beats; all the time emphasizing a message of dedication, self-determination and empowerment.

• Cimarron from Columbia-

This widely traveled ensemble plays the festive dance music called joropo, a fiercely virtuosic display of rippling melodies played on harp, bandola and cuatro accompanied by bass, cajon and maracas. This rapid and joyous music supports lively and colorful dance.

• Bunraku Bay Puppet Troupe from Japan/United States-

Kotobuki Shiki Sanbaso and The Lion Dance.

Bunraku brings traditional Japanese customs to the stage along with celebratory dance, joyful stories and whole lot of humor.  The puppets will bless audience members with good fortune, share a tale of what happens to a child who gets bit by a lion, and leave you with sore cheeks from excessive giggling.

Tickets are $10-$15. Tickets and information available at: www.GiantMagnet.org

Two historic sites in Tacoma are in the running to receive preservation grants. The Spanish Steps, the pubic stairway adjacent to the old Elks Temple, and Titlow Lodge are among 25 finalists in the Puget Sound area competing for $1 million in restoration grants from National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express.

Anyone can vote once per day at www.partnersinpreservation.org through May 12. The winner will receive full project funding, up to $125,000. Distribution of the remainder of the $1 million will be determined by a selection committee.

Fire at Occupational Medical Clinic (photo courtesy Fife Police Department)

On April 24, Tacoma Fire Department and the Fife Police Department responded to the Occupational Medical Clinic in Fife at approximately 11:40 a.m.

Upon arrival, Officers found that the structure was fully engulfed in the portion of the building that was occupied by Occupational Medical.

A quick response by Tacoma Fire Department allowed a quick containment of the blaze, which saved the adjoining business.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by a joint investigation team of Tacoma Fire Department, Fife Police Department, and the ATF personnel.

Students of the Bryant Montessori Peace committee have teamed up with Etta Projects, a local non-profit to provide clean water and fresh vegetables to the children of Las Maratos, Bolivia.

The Peace Committee is hosting an Earth Day celebration at Bryant Montessori from 4-7 p.m. April 22 in order to reach our goal of $600,000. These funds will go towards providing a water distribution system to each home and to the school of Las Maratos as well as one year of training and supplies for a school garden.

The event will feature vendors selling a variety of goods, ranging from earth friendly toys to vegetable starts. The peace committee will be selling their own Peace in Every Drop multipurpose spray and soft scrub, earth friendly cleaning products. Students from the University of Puget Sound as well as other members of the community will be organizing fun activities and games related to water and the environment.

717 S. Grant Ave., Tacoma.

The College Success Foundation (CSF), in collaboration with the City of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Utilities, announces six new college scholarships to benefit the youth of Tacoma. The CSF Leadership 1000 Scholarships, three funded by the City of Tacoma and three funded by Tacoma Public Utilities, will be awarded to six students for a maximum of four years and will be in amounts of up to $5,000 for each of those years.

Deadline to apply is May 1.  To be eligible, students must be:
High school seniors in a Tacoma public high school, or college freshmen or college sophomores who have graduated from a Tacoma public high school who intend to pursue or are already pursuing a degree in science, engineering or energy efficiency at a college in Washington State and demonstrate a financial need.

Awards are expected to be announced during June.
Recipients will participate in a one-week unpaid internship either at the City of Tacoma or Tacoma Public Utilities at the end of each academic year.  Recipients will also attend one formal meeting of the City of Tacoma Council or the Tacoma Public Utilities Board to describe their progress towards obtaining their degree.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to help the young people of Tacoma dream big, attend and graduate from college, achieve success in their careers and life, and give back to their community,” said James Donaldson, director of the Tacoma branch of the College Success Foundation.

To apply go to: www.collegesuccessfoundation and click on Scholarships/Leadership 1000 and follow the links.