Stories for University Place
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.
‘Xanadu’ may be no pleasure dome but what a hoot!
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by Lynn Geyer
Somebody made a mistake and dropped the Muse in Venice, California, in 1980, where they collided with “Starlight Express!”
Tacoma Musical Playhouse’s Director/Choreographer Jon Douglas Rake confesses that “Xanadu” is “a Dumb…Stupid… show!” But, it’s SO entertaining!
In a nutshell, this unbelievably campy musical is about a sidewalk artist who isn’t satisfied with his mural of the Greek Muse so he figures he’ll commit suicide. The youngest muse, Clio decides to help him. However, she must disguise herself or break Daddy Zeus’ rules of not revealing herself to a mortal. So, she changes her name to “Kira” and puts on a pair of roller skates, leg warmers and an Australian accent. Sonny, our hero, is instantly inspired and plans to ask location owner, Danny, to donate the old, never opened Xanadu Movie Theater to him to use as a roller disco!
Customers can pay their utility bill in person or by phone on Jan. 28
Posted by | CommentsCustomers of Tacoma Public Utilities may pay their bill in person in the utility building lobby or by phone this Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
While the lobby and phone center are normally closed on Saturdays, they will be open Jan. 28 to help customers who couldn’t reach the administration building during last week’s inclement weather or make a payment by phone due to the focus on storm-related calls.
This Saturday, customers may pay their bill in the lobby, at 3628 S. 35th St., Tacoma, or by phone at (253) 502-8600.
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
TCC Ways2Pay4College workshops coming up
Posted by | CommentsTacoma Community College is offering Ways2Pay workshops for high school and college students starting tomorrow night. Students can get help with tax preparation, filling out the FAFSA, scholarship essay writing and more. The Ways2Pay events are free and open to all students. See poster at this links for dates, times, and workshops offered.
For more information contact Communications Consultant Rachel Payne at 253.460.4381.
Book signing with local author at University Place Pierce County Library
Posted by | CommentsPeople will meet a local author during a free event at University Place Pierce County Library, 3609 Market Place W., on Thursday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m.
About 600 to 800 customers still without power
Posted by | CommentsAs of Sunday afternoon, between 600 and 800 Tacoma Power customers were without power.
Crews from neighboring utilities have joined Tacoma Power to help restore power to that group.
Tacoma Power customers should call (253) 502-8602 or visit www.mytpu.org/outagereport to report an outage.
Tacoma Power will continue to send updates and will keep our Facebook and Twitter sites updated with current information.
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 to Kickoff Campaign in Pierce and Thurston Counties
Posted by | CommentsDenny Heck will hold two kickoff events in Pierce and Thurston Counties this upcoming weekend. Heck will speak at both events and discuss his background, his views on the current Congress and his plans to help create jobs and grow the economy.
Pierce County Gives Congress Heck will occur at 2 PM on Sunday, January 22nd at the Lakewood Senior Activity Center located at 9112 Lakewood Drive SW Lakewood, WA 98499. Heck will be introduced by State Representative Tami Green and Lyle Quasim, the President of Bates Technical College. The event will be emceed by retired State Representative Dawn Morrell.
POSTPONED – U.P. Police Headquarters Open House
Posted by | CommentsThe Open House and Ribbon Cutting for the City’s new Police Headquarters, originally scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 19, has been postponed due to inclement weather. The City of University Place will reschedule the event for a later date. For more information, please visit the City’s website at www.CityofUP.com.
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.
Caring for Kids Happy Hearts Dinner Auction is Feb. 11
Posted by | CommentsThe Happy Hearts Dinner Auction is just around the corner. February 11th at the McGavick Center at Clover Park Technical College at 5:00 P.M. we will be holding our annual fundraiser to help kids in need in our community. Remember we are an all volunteer organization, so all the money we raise goes directly to help the kids, as we work through our local schools and organizations. We provide school supplies, clothing, hygiene products, food, books and ready to learn materials. In addition we also collaborate with the Methodist Church Friday Dinners, the Fish Food Bank and the Food Connection Food Truck in Springbrook. The tickets are only $35.00 and we want to fill the McGavick Center with 500 people! So email us at carekids@comcast.net, call 253-279-9777 or send a check to 237 Eldorado Ave., Fircrest, WA 98466 and we will get the tickets out to you immediately. This is our major fundraiser so please help us! Auction donations are welcome. Website carekids.org
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.
