The Suburban Times » Dave Sclair

The Bair is back

Dave Sclair — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 23:56:28 +0000

If you live in Steilacoom or know anything about the town, you know The Bair has been a central gathering post for many, many years. Unfortunately, the place closed down a couple years ago and only recently was it reopened as The Bair Bistro.

We stopped in the other day for a late lunch and were pleasantly surprised to see the place nearly full at 1:30 pm. Actually, the inside had several full tables but the outside seating was packed except for a single table for two.

===> Posted on July 19, 2010 by Dave Sclair. 2 comments.

Steilacoom Sunset from Sunday

Dave Sclair — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 02:53:55 +0000

Sunset from the deck of Steilacoom’s Mary Lou and Dave Sclair taken Sunday, June 27.

===> Posted on June 30, 2010 by Dave Sclair. One comment.

Lakewood Rotary installs new president, honors volunteers

Dave Sclair — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 02:39:43 +0000

Mick Johnson (left) was installed president of the Rotary Club of Lakewood during ceremonies Saturday, June 26. He succeeds Greg Horn (right) who was honored along with his wife Mary Horn with a Paul Harris Fellow.Read more...

===> Posted on June 29, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Lakewood SummerFEST a hit

Dave Sclair — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:39:33 +0000

Lakewood’s Summerfest drew a huge crowd Saturday, June 26, at Ft. Steilacoom Park. The event included stage shows, exhibits from a wide variety of commecial businesses as well as community organizations. There were play areas for kids plus military and fire department exhibits and a huge car show.Read more...

===> Posted on June 28, 2010 by Dave Sclair. 2 comments.

Site nearly cleaned after fire

Dave Sclair — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:21:59 +0000

Clean up is virtually complete at the site of the fire on South Tacoma Way near 84th St. The building was completely destoyed in the fire that occurred several months ago. In Steilacoom, Town Administrator reported an application to clean up the fire destroyed marina at Saltar’s Point has been sent back for additional detail. No time has been set for a resubmission of the permit for demolition and cleanup.

===> Posted on June 24, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Lakewood Lions name president, member of year

Dave Sclair — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 02:54:44 +0000

Fae Crabill (left) has been selected president of the Lakewood First Lions and Barb Reames (right) has been named Lion of the Year by the group. Both were recognized during recent installation ceremonies. Lakewood First Lions meets Wednesday mornings at 7 am in Burr’s Restaurant. Crabill has been an active club member and community supporter for many years and Reames was recognized for her ongoing dedication to the Lions Club as well as her consistent efforts throughout the community.

===> Posted on June 20, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Save the Date: April 9 is Lakewood Rotary dinner, auction

Dave Sclair — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:53:56 +0000

The annual Lakewood Rotary Club Sportsman Dinner & Auction has been scheduled for April 9, 2011, according to Tony Robinson, chairman. “Mark your calendar right now,” the spokesman suggested, “so you contact a club member to make sure you are able to get tickets before the event sells out.” The event is a major fundraiser for the club and allows the 130-member Rotary Club to provide community organizations and students with contributions and scholarships. The club has donated back into the community thousands of dollars annually.

===> Posted on June 17, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Two Byrd School markers

Dave Sclair — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:03:22 +0000

Byrd School, the first school building north of the Columbia River, was built in 1855. Recently, developers of Lakewood’s Echelon Apartments at Steilacoom Boulevard and Lakewood Drive, erected a marker recognizing the school’s site inside the apartment complex. Additionally, another marker noting the school’s nearby location was erected years ago on what today is the Clover Park Technical School campus. The marker is on the north side of a building at the west end of the campus behind the fence next to Steilacoom Boulevard. The new marker will be formally unveiled in the near future.

===> Posted on June 17, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Mellom installed at CP Rotary president

Dave Sclair — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 05:56:57 +0000

Georgene Mellom was installed as president of the Rotary Club of Clover Park during ceremonies Wednesday evening at Tacoma Country & Golf Club. She succeeds Dee Ebsen who has served during the last year.

Other offices of the club installed by Tom Faubion are Randy Black, president-elect; Bob Edington, vice-president; Bonnie Boyle, secretary; Judy Maier, treasurer; and directors Bob Lawrence, Tom McClellan, Marilee Johnson, Ken Sharp, Ken Gunther, Jack Roffler and Maria Johnson. Ernie Heller served as master of ceremonies.

===> Posted on June 16, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Windermere Paragon UP car wash to benefit Playground

Dave Sclair — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:52:21 +0000

A car wash benefiting the University Place Playground by the Sound will be held Friday, June 18 at the Classy Chassis Car Wash at 6915 27th St. Windermere Paragon Real Estate office in University Place is holding the event as its Community Service Day. The car wash will be held from 1-4 pm and all proceeds will go to the Playground, according to Jeff Allen, a spokesman for the playground and Chris Barrett of Windermere. Windermere has been sponsoring a Community Service Day annually since 1984 as a way for its employees and agents to give back to the community in which they work and live.

===> Posted on June 16, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Saunders joins Lakewood Historical Society board

Dave Sclair — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 22:51:52 +0000

Larry Saunders, former Lakewood Police Chief, has joined the board of directors of the Lakewood Historical Society. He is filling out the term of Gary Hess, who has resigned due to business commitments. Society President Becky Huber said she feels Saunders will be a strong addition to the growing historical society and museum. The organization recently employed a professional director on a part-time basis and is currently involved in its annual fund raising campaign.

===> Posted on June 15, 2010 by Dave Sclair. 5 comments.

Help identify these people and building

Dave Sclair — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:39:10 +0000

This photo was made available to the Lakewood History Museum recently. The only identification is that which is written on the back of the picture. The writing says the building is “across from ice arena at Steilacoom Lake at old Hallam home.” Directly identified are (in center of photo) “Mrs. Geehan in white apron (pinafore)” and the man at the far right is identified as Shep Kelley. The writing also names (but without any order) Bechers, Hallams, Kelleys and Dolmans. There’s no indication for the photograph’s occasion other than the notation “A happy group.” Do you recognize the house or any of the people? Please send any information you have to Becky Huber, president, Lakewood Historical Society.

===> Posted on June 15, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Bad Boys of McNeil Island

Dave Sclair — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:57:22 +0000

The monthly programs produced by the Lakewood Historical Society have proven a major attraction during the last year and the June 15 session will be no exception. Joan Curtis, Steilacoom historian and author, will speak about “The Bad Boys of McNeil Island.”

Curtis said her program describes some of the prisoners of “fame” who spent time at the island prison when it was operated by the federal government. Among the more notable inmates were Robert Stroud, known as “The Bird Man of Alcatraz”; Roy Gardner, a notorious train robber; Alvin Karpis, gangster in league with the “Ma Barker Gang”; Frederick Emerson Peters, a notorious swindler and impersonator; Roy Olmstead, king of the Puget Sound bootleggers; Mickey Cohen, called by Time Magazine “the undisputed boss of Los Angeles gangdom”; Charles Manson, responsible for the Sharon Tate murders; and Dave Beck, Seattle labor leader.
Read more...

===> Posted on June 13, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Firing range construction

Dave Sclair — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:37:09 +0000

Anyone driving the DuPont – Steilacoom road has to have noticed the construction going on at the firing range. The firing position shelters are being torn down and a lot of the hillside appears to be being excavated. The sign at the site declares the small arms range is being repaired – recovery. Does that mean the excavated soil will be sifted and lead from bullets recovered?

===> Posted on June 8, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Do you remember typewriters?

Dave Sclair — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 20:35:51 +0000

It may be hard to believe, but as recently as 25 years ago most offices and businesses were using typewriters for preparing documents and letters and other material. Oh, wait a minute, you don’t know what a typewriter is?

According to Wikipedia, a “typewriter is a mechanical or electromechanical device with a set of keys that, when pressed, cause characters to be printed on a medium, usually paper. From their invention before 1870 through much of the 20th century, typewriters were indispensable tools for many professional writers and in business offices. By the end of the 1980s, word processors and personal computers had largely replaced the tasks previously accomplished with typewriters in the western world. Typewriters, however, remain in use in various areas of the world.”

===> Posted on June 7, 2010 by Dave Sclair. One comment.

Open house June 14 to air shoreline update

Dave Sclair — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 04:48:38 +0000

The Steilacoom Planning Commission will host an open house June 14 to hear a presentation from the Department of Ecology on the Shoreline Management Act and the Town’s update process. The session will be held at the Steilacoom town hall starting at 6:30 pm and will include a presentation from Steilacoom’s shoreline consultant, ESA Adolfson, on the draft inventory and characterization report.

The state’s Shoreline Management Act requires all cities, towns and counties to adopt a master program in cooperation with the state ecology agency. The regulations cover such issues as public access, bulkheads, docks and other shoreline activity. Information concerning the town’s master program update is posted online at www.ci.steilacoom.wa.us, To find it, after logging onto the website point to the town officers and click on Administration Offices and then click on Shoreline Master Program. Questions can also be directed to Doug Fortner by phone at 253-581-1912.

===> Posted on June 3, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

TNT executives speak at Lakewood United

Dave Sclair — Thu, 27 May 2010 22:16:16 +0000

The top executives of The News Tribune gave an update on the newspaper’s operations to those at the Thursday morning meeting of Lakewood United.

Publisher David Zeeck and Executive Editor Karen Peterson told the group of approximately 35 that the newspaper has evolved over its 125-plus years from a print only publication to a 24/7 continuous news operation. Zeeck pointed out that the newspaper had looked at news distribution via alternative means years ago by operating both radio and television stations.

===> Posted on May 27, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Lakewood museum fund drive seeks $25,000

Dave Sclair — Mon, 24 May 2010 22:29:32 +0000

The 4-year-old Lakewood Historical Society museum will kick off a fundraising campaign June 1 with a goal of $25,000, according to Treasurer Gary Fowler.

“This year’s campaign is already off to a great start with advance pledges or contributions totaling nearly 20 percent of the goal,” the Society spokesman said. Fowler explained that members of the board of directors and a few additional supporters kicked off the campaign with their early gifts.

===> Posted on May 24, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

CPTC Foundation celebrates

Dave Sclair — Fri, 21 May 2010 03:54:04 +0000

A crowd of about 200 students, parents, siblings, community members and college foundation trustees filled the Clover Park Technical College’s McGavick Center Thursday evening for the 4th annual CPTC Foundation Scholarship Banquet.

Four students were scheduled to speak about their experiences in changing their lives by attending the college but only three attended; the fourth, Morell Nelson, had to miss the event because he had just started work at a job in his new career, automotive upholstery. The others, Anessa McClendon, Kristina Bedford and Leah Rose all credited the Foundation and the scholarship sponsors for providing them the assistance to continue in courses aimed at providing them new careers. McClendon is in the culinary arts course, Bedford will enter the medical esthetics field and Rose plans to be an interior designer.

===> Posted on May 20, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Dozing the mill

Dave Sclair — Sun, 16 May 2010 18:27:09 +0000

The former paper mill in Steilacoom is rapidly giving way to the bulldozers and other equipment intent on removing the buildings and other facilities on the Chambers Bay site. Although demolition of the long shutdown paper mill continues, no word has come out on the future use of the site.

===> Posted on May 16, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Pierce College dedicates new building

Dave Sclair — Thu, 13 May 2010 03:57:48 +0000

Dedication: The new Rainier Science & Math Building is the background for a dedication crowd at Pierce College Wednesday afternoon.

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom dedicated its new Rainier Science and Math Building Wednesday afternoon on a sunny afternoon with a crowd of students, faculty, college administrators, staff and board members, local politicians and general public on hand. Following the ceremonial ribbon cutting by several groups of college folks, the building was open for guided tours or personal exploring of the 80,000 plus square foot building. Of prime significance is the environmentally friendly construction, materials and operation of the building which is registered with the US Green Building Council and is expected to receive gold certification.

===> Posted on May 12, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

CPTC Foundation to recognize scholarship winners

Dave Sclair — Mon, 10 May 2010 23:10:19 +0000

During the last year more than 90 students received scholarships from the Clover Park Technical College Foundation enabling them to study at the college. The students, foundation board members and interested community members will participate in a recognition program Thursday, May 20. Debbie Ranniger, the foundation’s executive director of resource development, explained the event will celebrate the achievements of the scholarship winners as well as build relationships throughout the community.

===> Posted on May 10, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Steilacoom’s Bair Drug open

Dave Sclair — Sun, 09 May 2010 21:18:30 +0000

Steilacoom’s Bair Drug opened for business on Saturday. A steady procession of ice cream lovers reportedly checked it out.

===> Posted on May 9, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Unusual Sight

Dave Sclair — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:11:53 +0000

UNUSUAL SIGHT – Monday evening this obviously old ferry boat was tied up parallel to the shore at Ketron Island, just south of the ferry landing. The tug boat and a small powerboat checked it all around and then left. Later that evening the Rhododendron ferry came in and made its regular stop at the island. It remained at the ferry landing for a lot longer than usual before leaving and heading toward Anderson Island. Never previously has two ferry boats been at the island at the same time and the one tied up next to shore showed a Washington DOT logo on its stack but from its dirty appearance it looked as if it had not been in service for some time. Anyone got updated information on this?

===> Posted on April 28, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Block wall at Waughop Lake

Dave Sclair — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:09:38 +0000

One of the more ambitious projects at Ft Steilacoom Park during the recent Parks Appreciation Day was building this cinder block wall. Located at Waughop Lake in the park, the wall will keep the road from further deterioration. It will also provide a prime sitting area for those watching the regular radio control boats that run on the lake or folks watching those fishing at the spot on the lake.

===> Posted on April 26, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Pouring a sidewalk

Dave Sclair — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:24:32 +0000

Lakewood Rotarians poured cement for a sidewalk at the Playground @ Ft. Steilacoom Park Friday afternoon. Thursday they got it ready for the cement and Saturday club members and others in the community will add new wood chips to the 5-year-old playground and perform other maintenance. The projects are all part of the citywide Parks Appreciation Day. Lakewood Parks Department staff members formed up the sidewalk in preparation for the work. A concrete block wall is also slated to be finished Saturday at the lake inside the pond. If you have a photo you’d like to share from Parks Appreciation Day, send it, and a caption to editor@thesubtimes.com.

===> Posted on April 25, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Another Bloomin’ Trade Show

Dave Sclair — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 05:15:54 +0000

Lakewood Chamber of Commerce attracted a large group of local businesses and members for its “Another Bloomin’ Trade Show – Show Case Lakewood at the Great American Casino in Lakewood. The chamber holds this table-top trade show twice a year offering an evening of relaxed networking, fabulous hors d’oeurves and tons of door prizes.

===> Posted on April 21, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

LHS needs web help

Dave Sclair — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:10:23 +0000

Can you do web pages? Are you willing to help the Lakewood Historical Society? The LHS has a web page that contains a lot of information and good material. Unfortunately, what it doesn’t have right now is excitement and the latest whistles and bells (that’s because no one at LHS knows what or how to direct our highly capable web master to do it).

Unfortunately, the organization isn’t in position to pay someone to get this updating accomplished so we’re hoping to find someone willing to tackle this project as a community service. If you are capable, interested and willing, please contact Becky Huber or Dave Sclair.

===> Posted on March 31, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Lakewood resident helps recover B-17

Dave Sclair — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:03:11 +0000

The heat and humidity, let alone the swamp, has Glen Speith drenched with perspiration.

Glen Speith, Lakewood historian and military aviation enthusiast has been involved for years recovering a B-17 that has been sitting in a swamp in Papua, New Guinea since WW2. Speith got involved in the search and recovery when he started looking for the plane which was flown by a wingman of his father. The airplane is currently on a ship on the way to Los Angeles and is expected to arrive there in mid April. It will then be trucked to Tucson, AZ to the Pima Air Museum.

Speith operates a private museum on Steilacoom Boulevard just east of Bridgeport Way. The link is to a story in the Philadelphia (PA) Daily News, hometown of the individual who is primarily responsible for recovering the airplane. Speith sits on the board of directors of Lakewood Historical Society. For additional background on the story, check out this Philly.com story.

The B-17 was brought to the top of the swamp using air bags and then wings and tail were removed in order to get the plane out.

The virtually intact B-17E sitting atop the swamp after it was raised to the surface.

Glen Speith's Museum Sign off Steilacoom Blvd at Bridgeport.

===> Posted on March 31, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.

Smith talks of hiking adventures

Dave Sclair — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:55:56 +0000

Bart Smith, a Lakewood resident who has successfully hiked all 11 National Scenic Trails, captivated a large audience Tuesday evening at a Lakewood Historical Society program at the Lakewood Library. He spoke about his experiences as he showed hundreds of photos from his treks around the United States.

Smith hiked thousands of miles over a 16-year period to cover the trails and photograph the scenery. For much of his travels he carried a 50-pound backpack containing his camera gear and other supplies. Smith has published several coffee table books featuring his photos of the scenery, animals and flowers he observed.
Read more...

===> Posted on March 24, 2010 by Dave Sclair. No comments.