Oral history interview of Ben Brooks conducted on February 25th, 2023, as part of the Archiving South Tacoma Communities event located at the South Tacoma Branch

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Alfonso “Al” Brown conducted by dindria barrow on November 3, 2022. In this interview, Al shares his philosophies on life as well as the key tenets that have helped him survive failure, pain, suffering and homelessness to ultimately find that hope is what is needed to transform your own life as well as others’. Al talks about his work in the community and how he plans on making a difference bringing collegiate theory into real-world practice. Al has been featured in news stories by City University and KBTC about his life experience. Al shares his triumph in getting degrees despite the gatekeepers and about how education is the pinnacle change agent.

Christina Butcher is a freelance writer, podcaster and veteran from Chaparral, New Mexico. She has a passion for storytelling and community involvement, and her debut poetry collection, Still Clutching Maps, was published in May 2017. She holds a bachelor's degree in anthropology from New Mexico State University and a certificate in storytelling and content strategy from Washington State University. She lives and writes in Tacoma, Washington.

Glenn Buttkus is a lifelong actor and poet who has contibuted to Live at the Auricle at B Sharp Coffeehouse.

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Lorenzo Cervantes conducted by dindria barrow on August 23, 2022. In this interview, Lorenzo talks about his passion for HIV Prevention as well as education overall. Lorenzo describes how education was the primary way that his life changed and that it was a gift given to him by his immigrant parents. He knew at a young age that he loved differently and was gay. He also knew about injustice at a young age because he was ignored for not speaking English or looking white. Lorenzo leaves us with this advice: “A child needs advocates when they go to school… Education is key for everything…a way of getting out of poverty…we need to support our youth to be able to have the schooling that they deserve to have. [and] About HIV right now, is that we don’t hear about it as much as we should; it’s still an epidemic…talk about it with your friends, talk about it with your family, and even with your mom.” Lorenzo is the Prevention Director of the Pierce County AIDS Foundation (PCAF).

Oral history interview recorded on April 18, 2023 at the Anderson University Center on the campus of Pacific Lutheran University. Interviewees were invited to participate in the interview based on their involvement with the Chambers-Clover Creek Watershed and included (pictured from left to right) Professor Adela Ramos, Don Russell, Fred L. Tobiason, Richard "Muggs" McGinnis, Sheri Tonn, and Al Schmauder. The interview was recorded as part of the 2023 Earth and Diversity Week/Steen Family Symposium events.

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Shondea Chapman conducted by dindria barrow on August 16, 2022. In this interview, Shondea describes the places she calls home and her childhood memories between Los Angeles, California, Yakima, Washington and Muskogee, Oklahoma. Shondea has had multiple homes over the course of her life and she is glad that she has had them. Her story is an example of how we are connected to our geographies and our communities. Shondea continues to ask the question, “Who am I going to be?” which propels her into the future.

Interviews with cartoonist Charles M Schulz and musician John Denver. Last segment on this cassette is about the Tacoma City Council building.

Chinook Jargon songs sung:

• “Jesus Loves Me”

• “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” (could be different song with same melody since a verse mentions "Steilacoom")

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Folk songs sung with guitar:

• “I'm Never Going to Cease My Wandering”
• “The Old Settler (Acres of Clams)” – Pacific Northwest song
• “The Housewife’s Lament”
• “The Frozen Logger” – Pacific Northwest song
• “Stupid’s Song”
• “Portland County Jail” – Pacific Northwest song
• "My Sweetheart's the Mule in the Mines"
• “The Moonshiner”
• “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye”
• “The Sow Took the Measles”
• "Good Old Bowling Green"
• “Sugar Hill”

Murray Morgan interviews UW professor and fish geneticist Dr. Lauren Donaldson about his career raising and breeding Chinook salmon and trout. (1 of 2)

Jennifer writes poetry, fiction and nonfiction with work in anthologies, magazines, a letterpress print and in the award-winning pop-up book, SNOWFLAKES. She's honored to be included in this project and hopes to connect with you at www.byJenn.com.