Author Archive
Kaleidoscope of color at Mad Hatter's Tea Party
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The perfect time for an afternoon tea? Any afternoon. The perfect time for a Mad Hatter's Tea Party? 2:13 p.m., Saturday, January 15. Despite a rainy Northwest winter weekend, spirits were not dampened by the deluge. Dressed in their 'Wonderland best' ladies wearing a kaleidoscope of colorful hats and costumes filled the Parkside Lounge for the party at Bridgeport Place. Dainties such as Crab Salad Sandwiches, Scones, Orange Creamsicle Cake with Fresh Raspberry Filling, and an array of teas complemented the menu at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Among the ladies who attended were the residents of Bridgeport Place, their children, and grandchildren. Curtis High School Honor Students helped with seating the seniors and their families at the tea.
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Seniors volunteer time for Chamber mailings
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Monique Shields (standing) of the Tacoma – Pierce County Chamber of Commerce introduces Jaynie Jones, Community Relations Coordinator from Bridgeport Place, to the senior volunteers processing the Chamber’s newsletter mailing.
By Jaynie Jones
The Tacoma - Pierce County Chamber of Commerce holds the University Place - Fircrest Division meetings each month at the University Place Presbyterian Church. The Chamber helps hold down its membership costs by utilizing volunteers to process the monthly mailing of the Chamber's newsletter. Half a dozen senior citizens give of their time to ensure that the mailings are assembled to meet all USPS mailing guidelines. Bridgeport Place Retirement and Assisted Living in University Place, provided lunch to the volunteers Wednesday.
One volunteer mentioned during the lunchtime break having been involved in the monthly task for the past ten years; another quickly announced that he has been helping with the mailings for twenty years. Kudos to the volunteers for their loyalty and dedication in serving the Chamber businesses in their quiet, behind-the-scenes way year after year while enjoying a unique camaraderie.
Lions feed those in need
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Joye Bucklin of University Place Lions Club at Bridgeport Place.
By Jaynie Jones
Dotty Vowell Jackl of the University Place Lions Club invited Bridgeport Place to participate in a community effort to gather groceries for holiday food baskets. Needy families in University Place were selected to receive the gifts.
Dazzling Chamber Wake UP!
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Jeff Evans, magician, performs to a delighted early a.m. audience
By Jaynie Jones
Jeff Evans (above) of Amazement Productions performed at the University Place / Fircrest Division of the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber Wake UP! on Friday morning, putting on a show that dazzled, amazed, and amused the delighted audience. It was stunning that anyone could be so funny and engaging at 7:30 a.m. while simultaneously putting on a free-wheeling "strolling" magic show. What a performer! He does 275 shows a year and boasts a "100% on-time reliability record."
Crystle Rivera, community employment specialist of CenterForce checks out the Bridgeport Place booth
The December meeting was a combination holiday season celebration and a business showcase. Member businesses were given an opportunity to host a table or tradeshow booth display promoting their businesses during the event.
Race to fill UP Holiday Food Baskets
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By Jaynie Jones
Only days away from the finish line – December 17 -- and it’s a race now to fill the Holiday Food Baskets. University Place Lions Club has partnered with Bridgeport Place to collect non-perishable foods for eleven (11) needy families in UP.
Serendipity Spa welcomes Jami E. Smith, LMP
Posted by | CommentsBy Jaynie Jones
Jami E. Smith, LMP is the new massage therapist on-staff in Serendipity Spa at Bridgeport Place. The spa is open to the public by appointment. Smith's passion is "helping others feel better" and she loves working with seniors. She has a radiant, engaging personality that inspires confidence. Clients praise her skill.
Champagne Harvest Brunch delights
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Chef Terry at the omelet station
By Jaynie Jones
Residents of Bridgeport Place and their guests kicked-off the beginning of the holiday season Saturday with a Champagne Harvest Brunch. University Place Councilman Javier Figueroa and his wife attended, as did Nancy Covert, freelance writer from Steilacoom, and a broad cross-section of multi-generational families. Covert is a prolific writer and the author of Kaniksu Magic, an intriguing mystery set in a small town in northern Idaho. She donated a copy of the book to the Bridgeport Place library. University Place resident Kia Hanson, owner of The Healthy Buzz, stepped-up to volunteer serving Champagne, Mimosas, and Sparkling Cider to the guests. There were two seatings for the brunch (11:00 and 12:30) featuring an omelet bar, freshly baked breads; bacon, sausage, roast turkey, and all the trimmings; pumpkin and pecan pies. Each seating was filled close to capacity, but even so there was a relaxed atmosphere, pleasant music, good conversation, and fabulous desserts.
Free financial planning seminar on Saturday
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Recent planning session for seminar (left to right) Jaynie Jones, Greg Hollmann, Ryan Stueber, Victoria Hankwitz, Katrina Hardeman, and Sharon Jaffee
By Jaynie Jones, Community Relations Coordinator, Bridgeport Place
Seniors and their families are invited to a non-commercial, 90-minute overview of how to plan and prepare for retirement, assisted living, and long-term care on Saturday afternoon, October 16, 1:30-3:00, Bridgeport Place, 5250 Bridgeport Way West, University Place. Seven dynamic guest speakers include: Read More→
Healthy Buzz in UP
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In addition to bi-weekly networking meetings, there are also open house events such as this one at the dental office of Dr. Jeffrey Stewart (shown on the far right).
Networking is a valuable way to connect business-to-business whether you're an architect, dentist, caterer, chiropractor, graphic designer, handyman, electrician, insurance agent, real estate mogul, or other entrepreneur. On Saturday, August 14, the Healthy Buzz networking group will be buzzing at Bridgeport Place, 5250 Bridgeport Way West, in University Place. Meetings are only every other Saturday (not weekly) at 8:30 a.m. and were formerly held at The Greener Bean, in Fircrest, but outgrew the space. University Place resident Kia Hanson is the owner of the Healthy Buzz. The bright yellow newsletters have become familiar around Tacoma. Recently, an edition has been launched featuring Lakewood and University Place businesses. The networking events include an opportunity for each person to speak briefly about their business and to share business cards, brochures, samples, etc. It is a meaningful way to build the relationships that are at the heart of successful business endeavors today.
What's wrong with this picture?
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When she arrived for work Friday morning at the University Place Senior Community Center, Recreation Supervisor Jennifer Robinson was stunned by the barren appearance of the building. Hanging baskets of summer flowers had been thriving and adorning the building's entrance. Not only had there been four massive colorful baskets flourishing, but also a planter on the concrete sidewalk at the entrance that had been overflowing with flowers and which Robinson estimates weighed more than 200 pounds. Friday morning all of the hanging baskets and the planter were gone. This is not the first time that a hanging basket has been stolen from the Senior Community Center, but Robinson states that it is the first time that all of the baskets -- and the planter itself, too -- have been stolen.
Junk in Your Trunk rummage goes on despite rain
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Despite the deluge on the day of the Junk in Your Trunk rummage sale at Narrows Plaza Bowl, those who had made the commitment to sell showed up early and set up their wares in pairs of parking spaces. The $25 registration fee was to support the University Place Senior Center. Bridgeport Place not only paid the $25 registration fee, but also gave 100% of its gross sales ($350) to the programs for seniors at the UP Senior Center. Buyers scored terrific bargains in the rain as sellers were eager to negotiate so they would not have to take any items back home at the end of the sale.
Ace the Amateur business seminar
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Tina Janni and Becky Metcalf (shown in the accompanying photo during their PowerPoint presentation) were the presenters of a power-packed, well thought out seminar for business people at the Town Hall. It was called "Ace the Amateur". The presentation featured in-depth insight into how to not only put the best possible face on University Place when it hosts the 2010 US Amateur golf tournament, but also how to involve employees in creating a seamlessly welcoming environment to visitors. Suggestions included T-shirts, caps, and other golf-themed ideas. The attendees at "Ace the Amateur" were also given a whimsical trivia quiz on their knowledge of golf terminology.
Approximately 20 people attended the lunchtime workshop. Box lunches were catered by Jonz Catering. The 2010 US Amateur will take place at Chambers Bay golf course during August. Part of rallying the community spirit in support of the event is a Window Dressing Contest. Contest rules and registration forms are available from Metcalf at the City of University Place; call 253.460.5442 for full details.
Classic Car Show and BBQ on Father's Day Weekend
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Saturday, June 19, Father’s Day Weekend the community is invited to Bridgeport Place for a BBQ and Classic Car Show. Three trophies will be awarded: Best in Show, 2nd Place, and 3rd Place. Owners of Classic Cars who want to compete for one of the trophies pay a $10 entry fee (enter by June 7). Call Activities Director Linda Janicki at 253.565.1960 to register. All money raised from the entries has been pledged to the University Place Senior Community Center. Bridgeport Place continues its strong support for day-to-day operations of the center and its programs for seniors.
Steilacoom Chamber's Wine Tasting Tour
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As part of community outreach Bridgeport Place holds membership in three Chambers of Commerce: Steilacoom, Lakewood, and the University Place/Fircrest Division of the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce.
To familiarize the local business community with the facilities and amenities at Bridgeport Place, an early evening Business after Hours networking event was held with members of the Steilacoom Chamber of Commerce as guests. The Wine Tasting Tour included Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio in the Parkside Lounge, Chardonnay in the Activities Center, Merlot in the Gallery, and a dessert buffet in the Private Dining Room.
UP Senior Center free Internet access
Posted by | CommentsThe University Place Community/Senior Center now has a computer center. Two computers are available, with internet access, for your use. Please call Jennifer Robinson, City of University Place Recreation Supervisor to schedule an appointment for free computer use, 564-1992. Also available are computer classes, call for times and fees.
Junk in Your Trunk community-wide rummage sale
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Jennifer Robinson, Recreation Director, University Place Senior/Community Center is taking registrations now for the Junk in Your Trunk community-wide rummage sale. The site of the sale will be in the parking lot at Narrows Plaza Bowl, 2200 Mildred Street, in University Place, Saturday, June 19; setup/check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m.; sale hours 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Here's how the Junk in Your Trunk rummage sale works: sellers are asked to pay $25 for two parking spaces in the lot to use as their selling ‘booth’ space. That $25 stays entirely with the University Place Senior/Community Center S.O.S. "Support Our Seniors" program. All proceeds from sales by individual sellers are to be retained by the sellers. It is only the $25 fee for the space that goes to support the seniors’ programs at the Center. Call Jennifer Robinson at 253.564.1992 to register.
UP seniors benefit from Festa Italiana
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By mid-afternoon this past Wednesday there was an energy building in the air as the University Place Senior Center was being transformed almost magically into the setting for a community fundraising lasagna dinner dubbed Festa Italiana. Red and white checkered tablecloths alternating with white linen ones stretched down row after row of banquet tables adorned with colorful bouquets of fresh flowers. Seniors and their friends and families began arriving early.
Festa Italiana was sponsored, prepared, and served entirely by Bridgeport Place Retirement and Assisted Living – including all of the floral arrangements -- and University Place Care Center. http://soundcareinc.com Sixty-six lasagna dinners were served, more than $700 was raised, and every cent will support continuing programs for seniors at the University Place Senior Community Center.
