Almost $2 million in federal housing money is headed for Tacoma to help build a community center in the Hilltop neighborhood.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the grant Friday. The Tacoma Housing Authority was one of just five agencies nationwide to receive part of an overall $14.5 million from a HUD program for education facilities.

Tacoma’s share of that money, $1,881,652, will be added to another $900,000 HUD grant and $114,000 from THA funds to build a facility near the Hillside Terrace public housing community. The building will be two stories and about 8,500 square feet, …

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Khleo Thomas, a singer, rapper and actor known for his role as Zero in the 2003 movie “HOLES,” will be in the Tacoma area today to talk about his entertainment career and to discuss the importance of participation in the Census.

His visit is sponsored by Pacific Lutheran University and you can get details here.

PLU officials believe young people “gravitate toward actors, rappers, etc.,” so bringing Thomas to town will add oomph to the university’s project to raise awareness of Census, said associate director of admission Melanie Cunningham.

“Thomas has truly made a name for himself in the film and music business,” she added, offering up this clip of his work:

The first two events are open to the public; space is limited at the third. Here’s the schedule:

• 1 to 1:45 p.m.: Meet and greet with Thomas in the University Center 201 at PLU. Light refreshments will be served.

• 2 to 3 p.m.: Q&A with Thomas, Xavier 201 at PLU.

• 5:30 to 7 p.m.: A conversation with youth at the D.A.S.H.Center for the Arts, 1504 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way.

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Intercommunity Mercy Housing broke ground on the Hilltop Tuesday for its first senior housing project in Tacoma.

New Tacoma Senior Housing, with 73 units for very low income seniors will rise on a half acre at 1709 South G St.

The new apartments will feature wide corridors, grab bars, wheel-in showers and 24-hour security, all the safety and accessibility features residents will need to age comfortably in place. Beyond that, residents will have on-site activities, including classes, clinics, tax help, even pet therapy.

They’ll get chances to volunteer and go on field trips. They’ll be welcome to

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I’m resisting posting the entire Zina Linnik park story because there have been a few tweaks to what they’re going to do and because I want to get the permission to publish the architect’s renderings, but here’s a list of some of the renovations planned:

�–� Tetherball courts, since it was one of Linnik’s favorite games.

�–� Birch trees, because they remind Linnik’s family of their native Ukraine.

�–� Large egg sculptures to honor her Ukrainian heritage.

�–� The unused, in-ground swimming pool would be transformed into a garden.

�–� Linnik’s first name written

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Folks from the Hilltop Action Coalition are meeting with Gov. Chris Gregoire today to discuss budget recommendations based on task force recommendations stemming from the Zina Linnik killing.

I left a message with the HAC folks to get their take on what happened.

The coalition also wrote there is a group “now meeting in a collaborative way to transform the McCarver Playfield into the Zina Linnik Celebration Park, hoping to encompass aspects of Zina’s life while providing a safe, wonderful place for children to play.”

If you’re interested, e-mail hac@harbornet.com.

A Tacoma center promoting clean and healthy living could close soon because of financial shortfalls.

The city recently told management at the nonprofit Thee Turning Point that it needed upgraded fire systems – a sprinkler system and slow-burning ceilings – for its 4,000-square-foot building at 2534 Tacoma Ave. Chief executive director Norm McWeeny said it could cost between $20,000 and 50,000.

The club, which services Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, offers a coffee shop and meeting places for those recovering from substance addictions. There’s also a play area for children. It has held up to 500 people

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They spent a month not eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset, so a group of Tacoma Muslims broke the fast with plenty of good food. They were celebrating Eid al-Fitr to celebrate the end of Ramadan, the holiest month of Islam.

The celebration at the City Association of Colored Women’s Clubs on South Yakima Avenue started with Imam Amir Abdul-Matin reciting from the Koran – in lyrical Arabic and English – and leading the group in prayers of thanks.

Then it was time to hit the spread: plenty of fried fish, salmon, baked chicken, salad, fruit and pies. Someone arrived later with some Krispy Kreme donuts. Dawud Hassan Mateen then played saxophone for crowd.

That meant most of us ate too much (in a good way) while talking about everything from politics to religion to football.

During Ramadan, Muslims are required to abstain from food or drinks (including water) during sunlight hours. On the Eid, they wake up before sunrise, attend morning prayers and then begin celebrations.

And it was a pretty happenin’ celebration Saturday.

There are more snapshots after the jump:

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