MEDIA RELEASE November 20, 2014 [Tbirds coolbird2.jpg] Art, Ice, and Everything Nice: Franciscan Polar Plaza Outdoor Skating Tradition Opens November 22 Tacoma, WA – Franciscan Polar Plaza<http://www.polarplaza.com/>, Tacoma’s open-air ice skating rink, is back for a six-week winter run at Tollefson Plaza thanks to presenting sponsor CHI Franciscan Health and organizing partner Tacoma Art Museum (TAM). Gather friends and family and join the fun beginning November 22. A free on-site photo booth will capture your memories of this beloved annual tradition. Those who are new to ice skating can use double-bladed skates or skate aids (a walker for use on the ice) for stability. The rink is open during the evening too; after-dark skaters can enjoy twinkling city lights and crisp night air. Hours vary so be sure to check PolarPlaza.com<http://www.polarplaza.com/> to time your visit. General admission is $8.00, $4.00 for children age 5 and under. Skate rental is $2.00. Franciscan Polar Plaza offers a punch card; for every 7 admissions, earn one free skating session. With each skating ticket, TAM is offering a $4.00 discount on museum admission Tuesday through Sunday between now and January 11, so skaters can take advantage of the opportunity to see the newly expanded museum and exciting exhibitions. “The Franciscan Polar Plaza has become a holiday tradition for families and this year’s activities have something for everyone,” says Dianna Kielian, Vice President of Mission with CHI Franciscan Health. “We are proud to continue as the presenting sponsor of the Plaza because we understand that events that bring people together help us build healthier communities.” Samantha Kelly, TAM’s Director of Education, echoes that sentiment. “Seasonal sports and holiday music tap into a special winter-time joy. I can’t wait to bring my daughter and her friends to skate and take advantage of the rink’s proximity to the museum. Visitors can make a healthy day of it, exercising muscles at the rink and exercising creativity at TAM!” Take a look at the snowy scenes in TAM’s new exhibition Art of the American West before or after fun at the rink, and make your own art in the new TAM Studio. If all that skating and creating work up an appetite, try the tasty new menu at TAM Cafe, including $5.00 kids meals such as grilled cheese on artisan bread and the all-beef Leroy hot dog, served with chips or fruit. Special Events on the Ice: · Sunday, November 23 is a very special event, with a visit from the Seattle Thunderbirds<http://www.seattlethunderbirds.com/> hockey team; skate with them from 2:00−4:00 pm. · Each Sunday from 10:00 am–12:00 pm, children can join a Skate Party, coordinated by the Children’s Museum of Tacoma; please register via the Children’s Museum website<http://www.playtacoma.org/>. · Watch competition on the ice during the second annual Tacoma Broomball Tournament, beginning December 1 at 6:00 pm. · Face painting is available every Saturday and Sunday, and weekdays during Tacoma School District’s winter break. · Rhythm & Ice: Down Home Holiday Hoedown - Live music concert series, 7:00−9:00 pm Saturday nights, presented by the Weekly Volcano. The Cottonwood Cutups will kick off the series on Saturday, November 22. For holiday multi-taskers, TwoFiveTrees<http://www.locallifetacoma.org/twofivetrees/> will sell Christmas trees on the upper side of Tollefson Plaza. Find ideal gifts among the artful items in the new TAM Store, including everything from children’s art kits and books to Pendleton blankets, one-of-a-kind ornaments, beautiful note cards, hand-crafted jewelry and more. Nearby restaurants include Harmon Brewery and Eatery, TwoKoi, The Old Spaghetti Factory, Swiss, and Indochine. Franciscan Polar Plaza is a unique opportunity to connect with downtown Tacoma and connect through art during the holidays. Bring your out-of-town guests to skate and see all that is new at TAM. [rinkoutside.jpg] [double blades.jpg] For more details about Franciscan Polar Plaza, check the website at www.polarplaza.com<file:///C:\Users\jverboort\Desktop\Opening%20Press%20Release\www.polarplaza.com>. For more information about what you can see and do at TAM, visit www.TacomaArtMuseum.org<file:///C:\Users\jverboort\Desktop\Opening%20Press%20Release\www.TacomaArtMuseum.org>. · Franciscan Polar Plaza officially opens November 22, 2014. · Closing day is Sunday January 11, 2015. · Hours: 10 am−10 pm Saturdays, 10 am−8 pm Sundays (except Sunday November 30, open thru 10 pm), Open weekdays, hours vary, check the schedule online at www.polarplaza.com<http://www.polarplaza.com> · Closed on Thanksgiving Day · Open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day; check website<http://www.polarplaza.com/> for hours. · Follow Franciscan Polar Plaza on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/FranciscanPolarPlaza The presenting sponsor for this delightful winter tradition is CHI Franciscan Health. Generous support is provided by Columbia Bank, City of Tacoma, and Titus-Will. Additional support is provided by Annie Wright Schools, Gordon Thomas Honeywell, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, Korsmo Construction, and Murray Pacific Corporation. [FPP.jpg][broomball victors.jpg] ### Media contact for Franciscan Polar Plaza: Tonia Reed, Franciscan Polar Plaza Manager, 253-444-7049 or visit www.PolarPlaza.com. Media contact for Tacoma Art Museum: Julianna Verboort, Public Relations and Communications Manager, 253-272-4258 x 3011 or jverboort@tacomaartmuseum.org<mailto:jverboort@tacomaartmuseum.org>. Image credits, top to bottom, left to right: Kids enjoying time with Seattle Thunderbirds’ mascot. Photo courtesy of Tacoma Art Museum. Franciscan Polar Plaza open air ice rink is located at Tollefson Plaza across from Tacoma Art Museum, at the corner of Pacific Avenue and 17th Street in Tacoma. Photo courtesy of Tacoma Art Museum. A youngster learns to skate on double blades at Franciscan Polar Plaza. Photo courtesy of Tacoma Art Museum. Franciscan Polar Plaza, a holiday tradition. Image courtesy of Franciscan Polar Plaza and Tacoma Art Museum. Broomball Tournament. Photo courtesy of Tacoma Art Museum.