STEPH DEROSA: LOOK AT ME! I’M TAKING IT BACK! >>>

Before I realized it was going to snow on the 28th of March, I committed myself to supporting my Tacoma community at an official “Take Back The Park.”

Every Friday a growing number of people are meeting at Frost Park on the corner of Ninth and Commerce in downtown Tacoma for lunch.  Historically, it’s been fairly pleasant weather.  Not so much today.  While I was on the treadmill in the a.m. hours at the downtown YMCA, the snow started to fall.

I felt something warm for these vigilante Tacomans was in order, so I phoned up ol’ Jim at Puget Sound Pizza. Unfortunately he is in jury duty this week, but that didn’t stop Melinda from hooking us up with a donation of two very large pizzas.  I cannot thank PSP enough â€" and am ever so grateful that they are a part of the Tacoma community.

Thomas from Woody’s on the Water showed up with some delicious cheesecake to share.  I really enjoyed talking to him and look forward to seeing him again at Woody’s.

The kids got to run around, and I was especially happy to shake hands with some of Tacoma’s finest citizens.  Appearances were made by RR Anderson, Kevin Freitas, Cassioposa, Mandiferous, Tacomachickadee and her brother Adam the Alien, Trish from Embellish, Jamie from Thrice All American, Joe and Don Izenman, Ensie and Franklin from No Rhubarb!, sweet pea, and Erik from Tacoma Urbanist, just to name a few.  (Thank you Girlfriend in Tacoma for the help with identification.)

As though we weren’t cold enough and ready to get into something warmer, a stroll down Broadway sounded in order.  That’s when we saw it: someone crazier than us.  Scott Franklin at NW Lending Professionals had had enough of the crappy weather.  With spring on their minds, they made it look cool to be bar-be-queing in the snow. 

I was honored to be a part of all the foolish freaks out there in that nasty weather today.  And as usual, I’m honored to be a part of such an amazing community.  Snow BBQers and all.