Contact: Nicolette Paso Pastoral and Program Associate, Urban Grace Tel: 253-272.2184, x106 E-mail: npaso@urbangracetacoma.org *TAMMY ROBACKER ANNOUNCED AS 2010 POET LAUREATE OF TACOMA* TACOMA, WA --Urban Grace: the Downtown Church is excited to announce that Tammy Robacker is the winner of the Soul of the City Poetry Competition and the new Poet Laureate for the City of Tacoma. After thoughtful deliberation, a panel of five local judges chose Robacker’s application for its excellence in poetry, commitment to the Tacoma arts community, and strength in leadership. Judges included current Laureate Antonio Edwards, former Laureate William Kupinse, Emily Noelle-Ignacio, Grace Livingston, and Holly Senn. As Poet Laureate, Robacker will perform once a month at Urban Grace, by request at Urban Grace events, as well as lead two FREE public poetry workshops in Tacoma for the community. Over the next year, Robacker will also participate actively by supporting poets, poetry and literary arts education in the local community. Already an accomplished poet, Robacker published her first book, *The Vicissitudes*, in 2009 and she co-edited *In Tahoma’s Shadow*, an anthology of poetry from Tacoma. She is also involved as a volunteer with non-profits such as Puget Sound Poetry Connection and Exquisite Disarray. Raised in Pierce County and currently a local resident of Tacoma, she received her BA in Creative Writing from The Evergreen State College and has worked as a Communications and Writing Instructor and a Copywriter in the past. Currently Ms. Robacker runs her own freelance writing company, *Pearle Publications*. Her editorial work has appeared in City Arts, SHOWCASE Magazine, and The Weekly Volcano. If you are interested in working with Robacker or having her read for your school, organization or event, please visit her website: www.tammyrobacker.com and send her a personal request. If you would like more information about the Soul of the City Poetry Competition or the Poet Laureate position, please email Nicolette Paso, Urban Grace Program Associate at npaso@urbangracetacoma.org, call 253.272.2184 x106, or visit www.urbangracetacoma.org