Stories for Spanaway
Big crowd enjoys Sprinker ice rink’s opening day
Posted by | CommentsA slideshow from the Jan. 28 opening ceremony is available here.
More than 400 skaters of all ages and abilities tried out Sprinker Recreation Center's new-and-improved ice rink on Jan. 28, which opened to the public after an eight-month renovation.
County Executive Pat McCarthy cut the ribbon by driving the Zamboni ice resurfacer through it, heralding the start of a new era at the 35-year-old rink, which was threatened with closure in 2010.
"This rink has been a great resource for recreation and exercise for hundreds of thousands of people over the years. Groups like the Lakewood Winter Club and Friends of Sprinker made it clear they wanted us to find a way to solve this problem," McCarthy said. "I'm really proud of my team for zeroing in on the priority needs, and then identifying existing funding to pay for it. I appreciate that the County Council approved this cost-effective, common sense solution."
Sprinker’s new ice rink is open
Posted by | CommentsAfter an eight-month renovation, Pierce County opened its new ice rink at Sprinker Recreation Center on Saturday, Jan. 28.
The $6.5 million project included a new roof, a new rink and refrigeration equipment for the 35-year-old facility in Spanaway. The ice rink portion of the building had been threatened with closure in 2010 due to structural concerns, but Executive Pat McCarthy and the County Council found a way to address critical needs with existing funding.
Doors opened at 9 a.m. for an open house. County officials and a special guest – Olympic ice dancing silver medalist Ben Agosto – delivered brief remarks at 10:30 a.m. before McCarthy drove the Zamboni through a ribbon across the ice, signaling the start of a new era of recreation at Sprinker. The rink is now read for public skating.
New Date of Feb. 1 for Lyle Quasim Talk on “The Fire Within”
Posted by | CommentsMartin Luther King Jnr. Day event cancelled during the snowstorm will now be held 7–8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, in Kilworth Memorial Chapel
Lyle Quasim ’70, Hon.’05, the retiring president of Bates Technical College and longtime social activist and political leader, will present a talk on “The Fire Within” at University of Puget Sound on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012.
Quasim’s keynote speech for Martin Luther King Jnr. Day was delayed last week due to inclement weather. The free public event will now be held in Kilworth Memorial Chapel, 7–8:30 p.m. The celebration will also include gospel music from local artists Navele Davis & Friends. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Chili feed will raise money to honor returning single soldiers from war
Posted by | CommentsDoing something about the high number of suicides among young soldiers and airmen, the local chapter of the Association of the United States Army is spreading the love the moment single service members return home to base. AUSA provides welcome home baskets in the rooms of each returning single soldier and airman to Joint Base Lewis McChord. Prior to this program, it was common for returning warriors to spend their first night back from war in an empty barracks room without their possessions (because they travel in a different shipment), devoid of even sheets and a shower curtain. Typically, only those married soldiers and airmen with families living here are greeted by loved ones after stepping off the airplanes back in the South Sound. Our single troops' families usually don't travel for this homecoming because arrival dates are too last minute to coordinate flights. It is also too expensive for some families to travel here. Finally, these troops often arrive after duty hours, so food services are closed down on the base.
Learning Is ForEver class for January - “A Chinese Worldview” by Dr. Gregory Youtz
Posted by | CommentsLearning Is ForEver class for January - “A Chinese Worldview” by Dr. Gregory Youtz
Posted by | CommentsSheriff’s Community Academy accepting applicants
Posted by | CommentsThe Pierce County Sheriff's Department's Community Academy, which provides an opportunity for citizens to learn about local law enforcement, is accepting applications for two sessions this winter.
South Hill Academy: The Wednesday evening classes begin Jan. 25 and will meet once a week at the South Hill Precinct, 160th and Meridian.
University Place Academy: The Thursday evening classes begin Feb. 23 at the University Place Police Department, 3609 Marketplace W.
Both sessions meet from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Library Board to hear about record checkouts of e-books and discuss other issues
Posted by | CommentsAt its January meeting the Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees will hear about the significant boom in people checking out e-books, Pierce County READS, the Board’s calendar of work, and discuss other issues. The Board of Trustees will meet at the Library’s Processing and Administrative Center, 3005 112th St. E., in Tacoma, on Wednesday, Jan. 11, from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
Slew of county parks and recreation activities
Posted by | CommentsBy Cara Cross, Pierce County Parks & Recreation
Youth Indoor Soccer - Boys and girls ages 4-7 can play soccer inside with this Pierce County Parks and Recreation indoor soccer program. The fee for the program is $45 per participant, register January 9-20. Registration, practices, and games are held at the Lakewood Community Center, 9112 Lakewood Drive SW in Lakewood. Volunteer coaches are needed for this program. For more information or to register call 253-798-4177 or on line at www.piercecountywa.org/parks
Muri to run in new 10th district
Posted by | CommentsSteilacoom, WA -- 10th Congressional District candidate Dick Muri welcomed the news that the Washington State Redistricting Commission has drawn the new congressional district map, placing him at the heart of the Pierce County centered 10th district.
Dick Muri said, "The proposed map is good news for my campaign for the United States House of Representatives. I am looking forward to challenging an entrenched insider like Denny Heck, in a district that knows me and my record of leadership in local government."
Fantasy Lights offers family fun and new displays
Posted by | CommentsAbout 5,000 people have visited Fantasy Lights - the light show by the lake - since the annual event opened on Nov. 24.
The beautiful 2 1/4-mile drive is held nightly from 5:30 to 9 p.m. through Jan. 1, 2012 at Spanaway County Park, 14905 Gus G Bresemann Blvd. in Spanaway, just west of 152nd/Military Road and SR 7 (Pacific Ave).
Parkland/Spanaway Pierce County Library closed: Dec. 5-18
Posted by | CommentsTo bring customers improved service, Parkland/Spanaway Pierce County Library, located at 13718 Pacific Ave. S., in Tacoma, will be closed Monday, Dec. 5 – Sunday, Dec. 18.
During the closure workers will install one central customer service desk. From this help desk, library staff will answer people's questions and help them find books and other materials. The library will add another movie tower, to give customers more choices for movies and keep up with the public’s growing demands for new releases.
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→
Fantasy Lights opens November 24
Posted by | Comments
In its 17th year, Fantasy Lights has dazzled viewers with new themes and yearly additions to the largest drive-through display of lights in the Northwest. Fantasy Lights operates for 39 nights, November 24-January 1, 2012, nightly from 5:30-9:00pm. The beautiful two and a quarter mile drive takes place in Spanaway County Park, 14905 Gus G Bresemann Blvd., just west of 152nd/Military Road and SR 7 (Pacific Ave) in Spanaway, WA. The fee per car is $13; $28 for a mini bus (16-24 passenger); and $45 per bus (25+ passengers). For more information call 253-798-4177 or for driving directions call 253-798-3330, or www.piercecountywa.org/parks
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.
Campaign kick-off celebration for Paul Pastor
Posted by | CommentsPlease join your friends and neighbors as guests of Paul Pastor as he kicks off his campaign for Sheriff of Pierce County. An evening of hors d' oevres, beverages and fellowship awaits.
The event is scheduled for November 18, 2011 from 4:30 - 7 p.m. The main presentation will take place at 5:45 p.m.
