The header above is the original 2018 site banner — its links are part of the picture. To move around this archive, use the “Site navigation” menu just below, or the “Start here” links at the top of the page. The photos for the guide will be re-added over time.
Examples & Exemplars
Recovered from the Internet Archive capture of 15 March 2018. Images not recovered: 11.
'indi' as a Northwest Lifestyle
image: PictureClick for more on indi
Independent creation with the mark of one's own original touch - this I call the Northwest's 'indi' character that sets our regional ways of life apart in the world.
All around Tacoma and the South Sound you will encounter this bold form of expression in the handiwork of our artists, and in the shops, restaurants and venues run by those who followed that voice each one of us must call our own. Many of them have changed our lives forever. |
Our Culture & Your Money Matters
image: Picture
Spending with our people means you benefit from a better experience and our local culture thrives. The lifestyles that enrich our lives are encouraged, and our Northwest ways grow.
Click the pic and read one striking example of how exactly this system works, and how focusing your spending provides the better experience for us all: You get the better cup of coffee - we get a culture encouraging expressive good life. |
Indi Craftimage: PicturePhoto courtesy of Post Defiance
Valhalla Coffee Roaster's Aj Anderson bought the machine he learned his craft on, created his own way of roasting bean and pioneered the world-class, hand crafted coffee culture that now exists in Tacoma's local landscape. Absolutely original, his work has immeasurably enriched our lives and added to our quality of Northwest life.
Community Businessimage: PictureMad Hat's policy is to sell exclusively to local businesses - you simply cannot buy their high quality teas and custom-made herbal blends and remedies outside our local economy. This substantially adds to the reputation of both their own clients and our local community culture as a whole.
Paramount Integrityimage: PictureIn an industry dominated and directed by some of the most aggressive companies anywhere - the insurance companies, Russ Wyman and Mike Huber of Paramount Centre established a repair facility that exceeds at every level the quality standards of their industry's status quo.
Specifically dedicated to your family's deepest personal interests, a decade later they continue the work of maintaining the highest quality standards of repair available to us, ensuring our safety and highest value be maintained. |
Arts, Value & Cultureimage: PictureOur city has dedicated itself to becoming a hub and access point for the creative arts, and at the ground level our independent artists and dedicated community are doing the same. The result is dynamically changing our local landscape in positive ways as we understand in real time how our artists and teachers shape our lives.
Facilitating Baronsimage: PictureOpera Alley's metamorphosis from a dilapidated Court C to its current condition is much due to the dedicated work of Ruby and George Chambers, whose vision and efforts have created an artistic landscape in Downtown's Theater District possibly without equal in the South Puget Sound. The Business of Politicsimage: PicturePatricia Lecy-Davis' dedication to spreading awareness about the importance of spending dollars locally has done much to foster real understanding of the power our dollars have to shape our community and create for our loved ones the kinds of life we desire most. |
Establishing Excellenceimage: PictureDeanna Bender pioneered development in Downtown's Theater District, establishing an enchanting, personable, high-end café where few of us 8 years ago would have even dared to walk. Her efforts and success stand proof that dedicated, local visionaries courageous and daring enough to pursue their dreams can better life for us all.
Access iS Progressimage: Picture2nd Cycle & The MLK Ballet both facilitate access to practical knowledge and real world experience for those normally unable to experience the joy of life involved in the bicycle culture and dance community.
The Musical Frontierimage: PictureTacoma's music scene is anchored in the independent tradition fostered and encouraged by the spirit of the New Frontier.
From the Portland Cello Project to the Cave Singers, our community has been enriched with sounds from all over the Pacific Northwest, across the nation and around the world. Presenting music ranging from every genre of sound, the NFL is a stationed gateway portal situated at the forefront of our independent musical roots. |