Stories for Fircrest
Tacoma Nature Center and Tahoma Audubon February events
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Bird Walk
All ages welcome, free
Find out which of our avian friends call the Adriana Hess Wetland Park their home on a guided walk through the park. No registration needed. Call 253-565-9278 for more information.
February 13 noon – 1:30pm
Tahoma Audubon Just for Kids
Budding Scientists
Ages 5-7, $9 per student
Young homeschoolers and other children begin science and nature exploration through games, walks, and crafts. Register two days prior to the session.
This class is held at the Adriana Hess Audubon Center in University Place.
February 1 10:30am – noon Who’s Who
February 15 10:30am – noon Animal Families
February 29 10:30am – noon Bunches & Groups
What to do with extra garbage, recycling and storm debris
Posted by | CommentsLast week’s storm affected almost everyone’s trash and recycling collection and many of you are wondering when to set out your containers.
American Disposal, DM Disposal, and Murrey’s Disposal, Lakewood Refuse, LeMay Enterprises, and Pierce County Refuse
For no additional charge, the company will accept twice your normal amount of garbage and recycling on your next regularly scheduled pick up day. If this requires you to use an additional container, please make sure you label it “Garbage” or “Recycling”. Drivers will be on the lookout for these extra containers.
Dump your winter storm debris at U.P. Refuse for $5 per yard
Posted by | CommentsThe January snow and ice storm left plenty of trees, branches, and other debris in its wake. In order to help expedite the community clean up, U.P. Refuse has agreed to allow residents to dump large storm debris (yard waste items) at a reduced rate of $5 per yard. See below for additional information on how to dispose of storm debris in your yard.
- Curbside Yard Waste Toters – the best and easiest option is to collect wood debris, such as fallen branches, and cut them to fit inside your curbside yard waste toters, which will be picked up according to the regular schedule.
- Large Debris – If the debris collected is too large or heavy to fit in the curbside toter, residents can take the debris to one of the following locations:
U.P. Refuse – 2815 Rochester (off 27th Street) in University Place
- Storm items will be accepted at a reduced rate of $5 per yard for a limited time and special Saturday hours will be offered on February 11.
Victimizing deployed soldiers’ families would bring stiffer penalties
Posted by | CommentsLetter: It's behind us for now
Posted by | CommentsThe snow road problems our over for now. We are happy to say as of Saturday night we had everyone picked up with the exception of a few because of some unique circumstances such as downed wires, and those were picked up today. We thank you for your patience with us during this unusual snow storm. Hopefully that's it for the year. 
I want to thank our U.P. Refuse Operations Manager Ron Backmon for the almost 60 hours he put in this week and the entire crew (routes, shop, office, and helpers) for getting it all done by Saturday night.
Roger Gruener, U.P. Refuse/Westside Disposal
Snow Pics!
Posted by | CommentsSeveral readers sent in photos of what their world looked like covered in snow and ice this week. Enjoy!
We made great use of all that snow we had...this is our 'Eski-Pino' Igloo we built on Jan 18th. We started sometime after 7am and finished by bout 2:30. It was an all day build but as you can see was worth it. We named it Eski-Pino because.. I am an Alaskan Native and my hubby is Filipino so we call our kids ESKI-PINOS. Donna & Alex Ruff
Here's a couple of photos we wanted to share, while dreaming of Florida sunshine. Ruth & Lynn
Here's a couple of photos we wanted to share, while dreaming of Florida sunshine. Ruth & Lynn
Clover Park Technical College frozen over. Kevin Rupprecht
Herre is an icy one. Alan Billingsley
Water skiing snowman on Steilacoom Lake dock. Photo by cub reporter Gregory Horn
U.P. Refuse/Westside Disposal operations cancelled for Jan. 19
Posted by | CommentsBy Roger Gruener, University Place Refuse/Westside Disposal
Weather Update for Wednesday January 18th and now Thursday January 19th: Operations are cancelled, based on current (10:00am) continued unsafe road conditions and the forecast through the day remaining very cold. However, PLEASE leave your containers out. By Saturday however Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays containers, should be picked up. Please stay tuned. You can visit our website www.uprefuse.com or our facebook page www.Facebook.com/uprefuse for constant updates.
Denny Heck Named One of the Top Democratic Candidates in the Nation
Posted by | CommentsEarlier today the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the organization charged with electing Democrats to the United States House of Representatives, named Denny Heck one of the first members of the Red-to-Blue Program.
The DCCC’s Red-to-Blue Program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country, and offers them financial, communications, grassroots, and strategic support. Candidates for the program are chosen based on proven success at meeting and surpassing fundraising, organizing, and infrastructure goals and skillfully demonstrating to voters that they are problem-solvers who will protect the middle class when elected to Congress.
U.P. Refuse/West Disposal Snow Operations Update
Posted by | CommentsBy Roger Gruener, U.P. Refuse/Westside Disposal
We have revised our operation schedule for Wednesday January 17th. As of 10 am the road conditions have improved dramatically. We have begun operating on a limited basis. We will get as much of our operating area done as possible. We are asking that EVERYONE leave their containers out until they get dumped.
AGAIN, We are asking that EVERYONE leave their containers out until they get dumped.
Thank You for your patience.
Carrell asks for more detail on questionable DOC purchases
Posted by | CommentsSen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood, is asking the state Department of Corrections for a more detailed explanation regarding several purchases made at the end of the previous budget year. Specifically, Carrell wants to know why a number of what he feels were unnecessary purchases were made at a time when state government is short on funds.
“Late last year I sent an e-mail request to all employees at the department asking for their input on how the state can better streamline its correctional operations,” Carrell said. “I received more than 500 responses, and one of the most intriguing had to do with these last-minute purchases made at the Stafford Creek Corrections Center.”
Sen. Mike Carrell sponsors Deelyn Cheng
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Deelyn Cheng worked as a page for Sen. Mike Carrell and other senators last week in Olympia.
Deelyn Cheng, a sophomore at Steilacoom High School, participated last week in the Senate Page Program at the state Capitol during the first week of the 2012 session. Cheng was sponsored by Sen. Mike Carrell (R-Lakewood).
The Senate Page Program is an opportunity for Washington students to get first-hand experience working in the Legislature. Pages get a variety of experiences in their week-long stay in Olympia, including running errands, delivering mail, and paging in the Senate Chamber. Pages are also taught about parliamentary procedure and the legislative process. Cheng was one of 18 students chosen to participate last week.
Read More→
Carrell child-abuse reporting bill takes first step toward becoming law
Posted by | CommentsThe Senate Human Services and Corrections Committee heard public testimony today on a bill which would require people in supervisory positions who receive reports of child abuse or neglect to forward them to law enforcement within 48 hours.
Senate Bill 5971, sponsored by 28th District state Sen. Mike Carrell, came about after Carrell learned of alleged sexual abuse of children by a former Penn State University coach.
Community Emergency Response Team classes scheduled
Posted by | CommentsWest Pierce Fire & Rescue is taking registrations for Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) classes for those who live or work within the West Pierce area. This FREE, 20-hour CERT course aims to teach citizens how to prepare for, and respond to, disasters or extreme emergencies.
Check out free passes for four area museums at local libraries
Posted by | CommentsWith a Pierce County Library card, Puyallup Public Library card, or Tacoma Public Library card people may now check out free passes to visit the Museum of Glass. The libraries offer the new pass in addition to free passes to three other Pierce County museums. Read More→
Tacoma Power advises customers to prepare for outages
Posted by | CommentsWith windy and wet weather anticipated over the next few days, Tacoma Power recommends that customers prepare for possible outages.
One of the first and easiest actions to take is to put together an outage kit that includes the following items: Read More→
Pierce County Library System closed on Thanksgiving
Posted by | CommentsThe Pierce County Library System will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25, to observe Thanksgiving.
Stuff the Bus November 26th Clover Park High School
Posted by | CommentsBy Diane Formoso
The annual Stuff the Bus Celebration is less than two weeks away. This is your opportunity to help Caring for Kids prepare for the Holiday Fair on December 10. Working directly with the schools the goal is to help 640 families in need with food and gifts. Volunteers, mostly students, will be out on the street in front of Clover Park High School asking for donations of new clothing and new toys. Monetary donations will be gladly accepted. In Clover Park School District alone 71% of the kids are on free and reduced lunch with approximately 95% of that statistic being free. There are 7 schools over 90% free and reduced lunch. You can help us make difference in our community. Caring for Kids is a 501c3 non-profit all volunteer organization. Donations can also be sent to Caring for Kids, 237 Eldorado Ave., Fircrest, WA 98466.
