MATT DRISCOLL: GRANT WRITING 101 >>>

If Bates Technical College in Tacoma doesn’t offer a grant writing program, they probably should. It seems they’re pretty good at it.

Bates just sent out a letter to all press types in the area with the news that several recent grants the school has received are going to change and improve the work the technical college is able to do.

Thanks to a grant from the state, on May 1 Bates will begin implementing IBEST (Integrated Basic Education and Skill Training) into their career education programs. Basically, IBEST allows qualified basic skills students to complete basic education, get their GEDs and learn English as second language while at the same time working towards a degree from Bates and preparing for employment.

“Basic skills students often struggle to follow lectures and textbook assignments in the technical classroom.  In the I-BEST program, basic skills instructors and career education faculty will work together to integrate basic skills competencies into technical programs to better ensure student success,” says the press release. “Many of Bates programs require trades-related skills, such as welding.  In the I-BEST program, students can concentrate on improving their math skills while acquiring welding competencies and apply those credits toward a certificate and degree to transition more easily into a skilled trade such as machining, welding, boat building,  sheet metal or  HVAC maintenance.”

Bates also announced today that they’ve received an opportunity grant from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges that will allow the school to offer a second full-time swing-shift machinists program beginning in the Fall 2008 quarter. This grant is designed to allow low income adults receive training intended to lead to high demand jobs.

A third and similar grant will go towards supporting low income adults enrolled in Bates’ welding, facilities maintenance engineer and truck driving programs â€" all considered fields of high demand. 

BOBBLE TIKI: PIPING IN ON WALKABILITY >>>

Izenmania wrote about it. The Trib's Real Estate blog ran some numbers on it. Even Matt Driscoll has it on his mind.

Walkability.

Bobble Tiki is all for a walking friendly city. Even though he has a constant spring in his step, Bobble Tiki is just as concerned regarding Tacoma's walkability factor as the rest of the city.

First problem to solve â€" sidewalk hogs.

Bobble Tiki has a bone to pick with all of you sidewalk hogs out there.  He doesn’t think he needs to name names.  You know who you are.

Bobble Tiki had a particularly frustrating encounter with a group of sidewalk hogs Saturday night.

He was heading down to one of his favorite watering holes on Sixth Avenue â€" Crown Bar. Bobble Tiki wasn’t exactly looking his best â€" Why bother dressing up or showering, even, when it's raining!   That’s just crazy talk.  He had on a pair of his finest dirty jeans, and his hair was done up in its usual Nerf-ball fashion when he got stuck behind a group of ultra decked out UPS hotties.

It took Bobble Tiki 10 minutes to get from his car by Masa to the Crown Bar.  Why, you ask?  Because these girls were “cruising” for a place to eat, hang out, and hookup. It was almost as if they were blocking Bobble Tiki’s way on purpose due to his shabby looks. Every time Bobble Tiki shifted to one side they all managed to migrate to the same side. He would fake right and dodge left, but they were always there to block his way.

Just as Bobble Tiki was about to explode with indignation he saw the light (of his Crown Bar). In a moment of sheer luck, the glitter girls moved to the right (there was probably a shiny coin on the ground that distracted them) and Bobble Tiki was able to run into the safety and warmth of bartender Dino's Manhattan.

As you just read Tacoma has huge walkability issues.  Bobble Tiki suggests moving sidewalks to contain sidewalk hogs so the rest of us can move along quickly. Or more Chopstix clubs to keep the hotties off the streets. Of course, Bobble Tiki was the sidewalk problem after the Crown Bar closed.

STEVE DUNKELBERGER: THE BATTLE CONTINUES >>>

Tickets to Capital Playhouse’s production of Man of La Mancha have been such a hot item that the Playhouse has released tickets to two added performances: Wednesday, May 28 and Thursday, May 29, both added performances at 7:30 p.m. Man of La Mancha stars Artistic Director Jeff Kingsbury as the 16th century Miguel de Cervantes who is arrested by the Spanish Inquisition, along with his manservant, and finds himself cast into a dungeon of unruly prison mates. The prisoners plot to hold a mock trial for Cervantes with the intention of stealing and burning his possessions.

In a desperate attempt to save his treasured manuscript, Cervantes stages â€" with costumes, makeup and the participation of fellow prisoners â€" an unusual defense: the story of Don Quixote. Starring Kingsbury and featuring several returning Capital Playhouse stars, including Jerod Nace as Sancho Panza and Deanna Barrett as Aldonza as well as Erica Penn, Matthew Posner, Bruce Haasl, and Adam Randolph â€" this is a solid cast filled with remarkable talent. Man of La Mancha boasts an award winning score, including the ever-popular "The Impossible Dream."

[Capital Playhouse, through May 31, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, $21-$33, 612 E. Fourth Ave, downtown Olympia, 360.943.2744.]

BRAD ALLEN: AHOY, MATE >>>

Me sees the tickets for Tall Ships Tacoma will go on sale Monday, May 19. I can't waited to see the sticks of those masts sail into Tacoma again. The sight of them bobbing over the waves of Puget Sound makes me aging timbers shiver with excitement.

Me leg is hobbled. Me eye be gone, and me hand be nothing but a hook. But I can still toss down a few pints and still run a landlubber clean through with the blade of me cutlass whenever I feels like it. Arrrgh.

Some 30 wooden ladies are set to arrive July 3 and stay for a five-day layover during the Independence Day weekend for a little Arrr and Arrr, if you get me drift.

Stop, stop, STOP!

I don't care what Pappi Swarner says â€" I can't do this pirate crap.  Go here on Monday to buy your damn Tall Ships tickets.

LINK: Tall Ships Tacoma Web site.

ALTERNA-POP
The Posies
If you haven’t heard, the Posies are turning 20 years old, and they’re celebrating with a string of Northwest shows to celebrate the occasion. They’ll bring that celebration to Hell’s Kitchen tonight.

Though the band started in Bellingham and has earned a spot on the lengthy list of acts that have come from the Northwest and gone on to national and international success, a Tacoma birthday party isn’t as easy as it once would have been for the Posies. For one, Ken Stringfellow lives in Europe â€" and has for the last five years. He’s a frequent traveler, but still. That presents some logistical difficulties. Secondly, these guys are busy. Super busy. Stringfellow and his Posies partner, Jon Auer also play in Big Star. Not to mention they both have solo careers and Stringfellow is about to release a new record with his Paris-based band the Disciplines.

There are plenty of reasons why the Posies could have decided a 20th birthday party in Tacoma was too much work. But the important thing is they didn’t. They’ll bring the same jangly, alterna-pop power to Tacoma that made Frosting on the Beater a classic, and has given the Posies enough staying power to survive 20 years in the music business. Read my interview with the band here. â€" Matt Driscoll
[Hell’s Kitchen, the Posies, The Joshua Cain Band, Bumma Stooge, 9 p.m., $12, 3829 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.759.6003]

LINK: Billy Farmer and others in the clubs tonight.
LINK: Let’s eat Mexican today.

BOBBLE TIKI: BREAKFAST WITH BOBBLE TIKI >>>

THE DAILY WORD

Sanctum \SANK-tum\, noun;
plural sanctums or sancta::
1. A sacred place.
2. A place of retreat where one is free from intrusion.

USAGE EXAMPLE: In Bobble Tiki’s often times miserable life, he considers his only reliable sanctum to be the crapper. For ten or fifteen minutes every morning, like clock work, Bobble Tiki is at peace with the world. He’s also pooping.

MORNING NEWS

TACOMA: What the Fricke?

OLYMPIA: Measles outbreak

SEATTLE: He's sorry

UNITED STATES: Does it matter?

THINGS TO DO TODAY
FILM LISTINGS: Look here
MUSIC LISTINGS: Here’s what’s happening

CARMEN JONES: FLUEVOG FOR LESS >>>

Tomorrow, May 15, is International John Fluevog Day, which coincidentally is John Fluevog's actual birthday. I'll be donning some of my favorite new Fluevog stilettos until my feet bleed. As I've told Fluevog himself and all of his staff: "You break the foot in, not the shoe."

All of his shoes are 15 percent off tomorrow in honor of this great international holiday.

So, rock 'em if you've got 'em.

SUZY STUMP: IT WILL BE THE GREATEST DAY EVER >>>

Unless you’ve lived under a rock for the last bazillion years, you should know the Tacoma Farmers Market starts tomorrow to make Thursday mornings a lot sweeter. But fresh fruit (where it’s impossible to shy away from free samples) isn’t all you’ll encounter. The market is all about supporting local growers and producers. In addition to gourd birdhouses and handmade soaps, look for locally processed specialty cheeses, baked goods and a million honey products.

This year, the Living Local Lounge debuts at the Tacoma Farmers Market. Check out all the juicy details here.

[Tacoma Farmers Market, Thursday. May 15, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Ninth and 11th streets on Broadway, downtown Tacoma]

LINK: Special events at the market.

MATT DRISCOLL: SPACKLE FOR SPRINKER >>>

Sprinker Recreation Center in Spanaway is in a state of disrepair, at least according to Pierce County Councilmember Barbara Gelman. That’s why during next week’s County Council meeting she will introduce plans to renovate the 32-year-old facility which sits inside District 5 â€" conveniently enough the district Gelman represents. In fact, next week’s County Council meeting will happen at Sprinker Recreation Center, so other council members as well as the community can get a firsthand look at just what work needs to be done.

According to a press release which surfaced this morning, Sprinker is in need of between “$21 and $28 million in structural, seismic and Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades and its ice rink needs major repairs.” Gelman has sponsored a resolution asking the Pierce County Executive to develop a financing plan for these renovations within a year, and also ask the parks department to study the possibility of adding an aquatics center at Sprinker.

“Sprinker is such an asset to this community, but it hasn't been treated like one," says Gelman in the press release. "This is a regional recreation center that belongs to the entire county â€" not just to Spanaway â€" and keeping it safe and usable is everyone's responsibility."

Annually, the Piece County Council holds seven in-district meetings â€" one for every district. The council get together at Sprinker will be the second such in-district meeting of the year.

KEN SWARNER: GO AIR ARMY >>>

Though it seems to be “all quiet on the Western front” at Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base, officials announced earlier this month that the two installations will merge in 2009.

According to a law passed in November of 2005, Fort Lewis and McChord, as well as 10 other active duty installations, will be combined with one base of the combined pairs assuming responsibility for base operating support functions and the operations and management portion of sustainment, restoration and modernization. Here, that installation is Fort Lewis.

For years, comments from Fort Lewis and McChord fell along the lines of everything is still in the planning stages with Base Realignment and Closure.   

In a performance work statement issued by Fort Lewis’ Contracting Office in 2006, the report stated that a “Joint Base Lewis-McChord implementation study was accomplished between 28 July and 15 November 2005.”

Results of that study have yet to be made public.