Stories for Pierce County
VETPAC endorses Heck
Posted by | CommentsThe Veterans' Alliance for Security and Democracy (VETPAC) has endorsed Democrat Denny Heck in Washington's newly formed 10th district against Republican challengers Stan Flemming and Dick Muri.
Small business startup and finance workshops
Posted by | CommentsBy Mary Getchell, Communications Director, Pierce County Library System
People will learn important fundamentals of starting and financing a small business during free workshops at Pierce County Library System, between Tuesday, May 15 and Tuesday, June 19.
Dispute resolution training coming up
Posted by | CommentsWould you like formal training in solving conflicts? Mediation training at the Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution is the place for you. The non-profit center is offering a 40-hour Basic Mediation Training on the following dates: July 16-20, or October 12-14/26-27 in Tacoma. This training is certified by the Washington Mediation Association and teaches mediation skills to promote community conflict resolution. Also, 38.25 Continuing Legal Education and 40 clock hour credits are available. For more information contact Marc at 253-572-3657.
Russell Gaining Key Endorsements in Race for State Representative
Posted by | CommentsLakewood, WA – Republican Malcolm Russell is campaigning for position #2 in the 28th legislative district. This means Russell will challenge the incumbent Democrat Tami Green. Russell said, “We are very pleased with the positive responses we’ve received from both doorbelling citizens and picking up key political endorsements."
Russell has already confirmed the following endorsement for his campaign; they include Don Anderson, Deputy Mayor of Lakewood. Denise McCluskey, Mayor (pro tem) University Place, Jason Whalen, Lakewood City Council, Kent Keel, University Place City Council, Marie Barth, Lakewood City Council, Steve Garber, PCO 28-419 University Place, Dick Muri, Pierce County Council and Dr. Marty Shafer, Clover Park School Board.
Malcolm Russell currently serves on the Lakewood Public Safety Advisory Board; he is the chairman of the Pierce County Planning Commission, and the new President of Keep Lakewood Beautiful. He previously served on the Tacoma Planning Commission and was a member of the Community Council.
Malcolm Russell is a fourth generation resident of Pierce County. His great grandfather was noted architect Ambrose Russell, his grandfather Admiral James S. Russell (USN), his father was Captain Ken Russell (USN).
The 28th LD includes Lakewood, University Place, Steilacoom, DuPont, McNeil & Anderson Islands, and portions of Tacoma, Fircrest and Pierce County.
Prevent Nature Deficit Disorder
Posted by | CommentsUniversity Place, WA – Tahoma Audubon Society announced the launch of two new day camp and residential camp options for youth in Pierce and Thurston Counties. After a decade of successful summer day camps for youth at Adriana Hess Wetland Park in University Place, camp offerings are being significantly expanded in 2012.
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Posted by | Comments
Premera tries to gut drug benefits, Kreidler says no
Posted by | CommentsBy Office of Insurance Commissioner Public Affairs
Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has denied requests from Premera Blue Cross (Premera) to strip some of its health plans of vital prescription drug coverage.
Premera filed a request last week to remove all prescription drug coverage from its small employer plans. These are plans sold to employers with 1-50 employees. It also filed rates for adding several benefits to its individual plans but did not file the required contract language.
Plant sale benefits juvenile offender program
Posted by | CommentsWith spring in full bloom, flowers and plants grown by juvenile offenders will be on sale every Friday and Saturday at Remann Hall. The annual plant sale - featuring annuals, perennials, hanging baskets and veggie starts - benefits the YMCA Friends and Servants program, which has offered work experience to juvenile offenders for more than 20 years. Sales started on Friday, April 27, and will operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays until July 21. Remann Hall is located at 5501 6th Ave., Tacoma.
Muri hosts successful Thurston County event
Posted by | CommentsCandidate for U.S. Representative in the newly created 10th Congressional District and current Pierce County Councilman Dick Muri threw a successful Thurston County Lift-Off Tuesday night at the Abigail Stuart House (most commonly known as the Women’s Club of Olympia). With the attendants gathered around the various speakers, an outsider would have assumed that a family reunion was occurring, as a group of people all intent on rallying around a cause naturally creates a familial atmosphere.
Pets of the Week
Posted by | Comments
Libby (460627) is a love! This 10 month old spayed lab/pit mix came into the shelter as a stray with a number of skin issues that caused her to lose a great deal of her fur. Nearly naked, Libby was a sad looking puppy. Our wonderful shelter vet staff quickly diagnosed the problems and began treatment right away. Now, a little over a month later, Libby’s coat has grown back and she looks gorgeous! Libby is better now and ready to find a home of her own. Libby is social and playful, already knows how to ‘sit’ and loves to go for walks. She’s a fast learner and eager to please. Come meet Libby today!
Grady (461039) came to the shelter looking and feeling under the weather. This poor guy had been in a cat trap and had wounds on his forehead. A little TLC and some time and Grady is all better and ready to find his furrever home. Grady is a 1 1/2 year old neutered male. He can be very shy at first, but he warms up to people very quickly. All it takes to win Grady’s trust is some head scratches. Once you hear the rumble of his purr, you know you’ve made a friend for life. Come meet Grady today, you will be glad you did!
Contact The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, (253) 383-2733 for more information. You can now see all shelter pets online.
"Growing Up" Classes
Posted by | CommentsTACOMA, Wash. (April 26, 2012) – Pre-teens and their parents will soon be able to take an evening class at Annie Wright Schools that will help them successfully maneuver through adolescence together. “Growing Up” will be offered for both boys and girls between the ages of 10 and 12 by Great Conversations and is available for public registration.
Classes will take place May 7 and 14. The course cost is $70 for two sessions. The cost includes one parent, or trusted adult, and one child for both evenings as well as a copy of the book Will Puberty Last My Whole Life?
Medicare/Medicaid integration proposal submitted
Posted by | CommentsWashington State has submitted its final design plan to integrate care for individuals who are eligible to receive services from both Medicare and Medicaid. The plan was delivered to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on April 26.
Workshop provides tools for communication with people who have hearing loss
Posted by | CommentsPierce County News Release
As much as we may tease about it, hearing loss can be a serious issue. More than 37 million Americans - and approximately 4% of the population of Pierce County - live with hearing loss significant enough to affect not only their lives but the lives of those around them; family, friends, co-workers, service providers and more.
Pierce County Community Connections Aging & Disability Resources is sponsoring a free informational workshop, "Solving the Mystery of Hearing Loss." It will be held four times:
- May 7 - 12:10-12:50 p.m. - Pierce County Annex, Main Conference Room, 2401 35th Street, Tacoma
- May 9 -12:10-12:50 p.m. - County-City Building, 7th Floor Rainier Conference Rm., 930 Tacoma Ave S., Tacoma
- May 10 - 6:30-7:30 p.m. - Gig Harbor Library, 4424 Point Fosdick Drive NW, Gig Harbor
- May 12 - 9:30-11:30 a.m. - TACID, 6315 South 19th St, Tacoma
Christine Seymour, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resource Specialist, will present this interactive and informative presentation. It will change how you view hearing loss and give you the tools to support effective communication.
While hearing loss is the second most common condition in seniors, it is a growing problem among younger generations as well. Of 37 million adults with hearing loss 8.4 million are between 18-44 years old.
Knowing "how to" communicate with someone with hearing loss will dramatically change your relationship. Whether it's a spouse, co-worker or friend. Everyone knows someone with hearing loss and nobody is immune. Hearing loss can occur at birth and with aging; it has many contributing factors such as work, illness, medications, hobbies and lifestyle.
Volunteers needed for Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Posted by | CommentsPierce County News Release
Pierce County is seeking volunteers to apply for a seat on a committee that recommends how to spend tax revenues dedicated to promoting tourism.
If selected, the volunteer would serve a four-year term on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, which meets several times a year to make a recommendation to the County Executive and County Council regarding the allocation of taxes collected by the excise tax on lodging.
Peak season ferry rates take effect May 1
Posted by | CommentsPierce County News Release
Peak season rates apply starting Tuesday, May 1, for Pierce County ferry passengers that drive a vehicle or motorcycle onto the ferry. Peak season runs from May 1 to Sept. 30. Walk-on passenger rates are the same year-round, and bicycles can be walked on at no extra cost.
Church library group to host annual meeting in May
Posted by | CommentsThe annual meeting of the Tacoma Area Chapter of PNACL will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church at 114 20th Ave. SE in Olympia (May 19 at 9 am) with coffee and fellowship followed by the business meeting where we will have election of officers, just our Chapter Representative this year is to be elected. Each member is asked to bring a book to review and any books they wish to exchange.
The purpose of PNACL is to assist in the establishment and operation of church libraries in the Pacific Northwest. The organization strives to bring together people who are interested in church libraries in the hopes of making each church library a vital part of the total church program. For additional information contact Dee Ann Hoff, Secretary of the Tacoma Area Chapter at 253-232-9793, or deehoff@msn.com
