Renowned Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon Will Play with University of Puget Sound Jazz Band Feb. 28

The Jazz Journalists Association in 2011 named him Trombonist of the Year—a title he has earned five times in a decade.

Reverse Mortgage Workshop Coming to University Place on Feb. 15

Pierce County Community Connections Aging & Disability Resources is sponsoring "Reverse Mortgages: A Primer for Consumers."

VIEWFINDER: Mixed Martial Arts Helps Soldiers Prepare For Close-Quarters Combat

The 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, University Place's Community Connector, tells Patch the training helps soldiers improve hand-to=hand combat skills through ground and striking scenarios.

Tuesday's Curtis Boys Basketball Game Against Puyallup Will Be Streamed Live Online

The Vikings are on the road. Game begins at 7 p.m., tonight and will be broadcast on gametimenorthwest.com.

POLL: Magazine Names Chambers Bay Best Municipal Golf Course in the Country

LINKS Magazine chose the University Place golf course - site of the 2015 U.S. Open - over such courses as New York's Bethpage State Park Black.

Pierce County's New Ice Skating Rink Welcomes Hundreds on First Day

Sprinker Recreation Center opened the rink after an eight-month renovation.

VIEWFINDER: Pierce County Holds Cupcake Workshop in University Place

The county held a Creative Cupcake Workshop at the Environmental Services Building at Chambers Creek Properties.

Douglas and Forza: A Story of Friendship

Douglas Swan visited the Forza on Cirque Drive West in University Place every day. He might not have had any family, but co-owner Amy Booth, the baristas and anyone else he met seemed happy to make him part of theirs.

VIDEO: Here's How You Post an Announcement on Patch

It's free. It's easy. And your announcement will be posted on the site instantly and be included in the daily newsletter.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Gets a Technological Oasis With New Warrior Zone

On Friday, JBLM service members and their families got their first look at the base's new recreation center, which features everything large, flat-screen televisions to video games to a spacious sports bar. "It's the biggest and best," center the Army has

Sprinker Ice Rink Reopens This Saturday

The Spanaway facility underwent an eight-month, $6.5 million renovation. The public can skate following a 10:30 a.m., ribbon-cutting with Zamboni.

Love You Some Cupcakes? Hit up the Environmental Services Building in University Place This Weekend

A cupcake workshop highlights our picks for the top activities and hot spots to hit this weekend.

You Can Meet 'Atlas of Love' Author at University Place Library

Seattle author Laurie Frankel will discuss her new book at 7 p.m., Feb. 9.

Former Police Chief Rusty Wilder Says He's Pleased With University Place's Direction

As Patch first reported earlier this week, Wilder is taking on a new assignment with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, working with some of its countywide "strategic initiatives," he said.

Tacoma Public Utilities Customers Can Pay Their Bills in Person or By Phone on Saturday

The lobby and phone center are usually closed on Saturdays, but the utility wants to help customers who couldn't reach the building because of last week's snow and ice storms.

University Place Refuse & Recycling Reduces Rate of Storm Debris Disposal to Help With Storm Cleanup

The local garbage company says it will take storm debris at its facility during normal business and on Feb. 11. The cost has been reduced to $5 per yard of material.

POLL: Alaska Airlines Eliminates In-Flight Prayer Cards

The Seattle-based airline company responded to consumer complaints.

MILITARY: Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's Statement on Seal Team 6 Rescue

Members of the same group that carried out the successful night raid on Osama bin Laden last year.

Self-Defense Class Coming to University Place

Pierce County Sheriff Deputy Dan Hacker will lead the Feb. 9 class at the Environmental Services Building in University Place.

Tacoma Home & Garden Runs Today Through Sunday

This year, the expo at the Tacoma Dome features a "Vintage Market," kitchen & bath trends, spectacular gardens, how-to seminars and more.

TIERRAWATCH: Tierra Crockrell Sprints Against College Runners (and Holds Her Own)

The University Place track-and-field phenom finished 51st out of 59 of the West Coast's best college runners.

Authorities to Conduct DUI Patrols This Weekend Near University Place

Local, Pierce County and state law enforcement will be looking for drunk drivers in and around Lakewood.

Flood Watch Issued For Pierce County For Tuesday Through Thursday

The National Weather Service predicts up to almost two inches of rain in the lowlands by Thursday night.

E-MAIL TO THE EDITOR: Facebook User Thanks Curtis High Staffers for Pool Party

University Place Patch Facebook user Adrian Brown said Holly with the Curtis High Aquatic Center, as well as Terry Jenks, made her daughter's birthday party a reality.

UPDATE: Pierce County Hopes Anyone Affected By Storms Will Report Damage

Federal aid may be available if enough businesses and residents in Pierce County were damaged.

University Place Police Chief Takes New Assignment

The city is working with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department to find a replacement for Chief Rusty Wilder, who was appointed to the position in 2010.

POLL: About 450 TPU Customers Still without Power

The utility says it has been working diligently since last week's snow and ice storm.

MILITARY: Ferndale Man One of Six Marines Killed in Afghanistan

Capt. Daniel B. Bartle was 27 years old. The group was assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, HI.

ROADS UPDATE: Pierce County Dispatches Crews Today

At 6 a.m. Public Works road crews dispatched 42 two-person crews that are focusing on road clearing county-wide

Oh Yeah. Mother Nature Forgot About the Wind

The National Weather Service in Seattle issued an overnight wind advisory for the South Sound.

West Pierce Responding to Collapsed Roof at Allied Ice in Lakewood

Three employees were inside when it collapsed, but no injuries have been reported.

UPDATE: All Lanes Open on Tacoma Narrows Bridge

After shutting off the bridge for six hours, the Washington State Patrol opened all lanes Friday night.

VIEWFINDER: How Do Your Neighborhood's Trees Look?

For Patch blogger and University Place business owner Colleen Kaleel-Matzen, the limbs from the trees in her back yard ended up, well, in her back yard. if you have stories or photos, please feel free to share them.

VIDEO: Don't Want to Drive? This Guy Admired the Snow From The Trains

A local YouTube user spent all day Wednesday riding three rains in the South Sound and produced a nice slideshow.

IT AIN'T OVER YET: Pat McCarthy Signs Emergency Proclamation

Snow and freezing rain is now projected to last into about 4 a.m.

Take Note of What's Around and Above You, West Pierce Warns

The death of an ATVer in King County serves as a reminder, officials say, to take note of your surroundings, especially around trees.

UPDATE: TPU Dealing with About 100 University Place Customers without Power

Tree branches coated with ice following the recent snowfall are falling on power lines.

MYSTERY SOLVERS: Here are Your Weekly Answers

Our Mystery Solvers game this week captured the very beginning of our snow event. Thanks to all of you for your great participation! And we have winner!

University Place's Torsen Necessary Wins Tacoma Concert Band Competition

He won in the Student Soloist competition, which carried a $500 prize and the opportunity to be the featured soloist at the Celebrating America's Musical Diversity concert in February.

UPDATE: Are There Igloos Everywhere Now?

After, user Denitta Ortiz shared this picture of the great artwork produced by her son, Gabe, in University Place, another Patch user, Lisa Rockwell, shared the picture of the igloo she made in Steilacoom.