See heavy machinery up close at Touch-A-Truck event on Sept. 7

See heavy machinery up close at Touch-A-Truck event on Sept. 7

Does your child have a love for trucks and large vehicles? Then check out Pierce County's annual Touch-A-Truck event. The fun takes place on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sprinker Recreation Center, 14824 South C Street. A special “no horns” time is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. for sensory-sensitive children. Kids of all ages will love to climb, run around, sit in and even honk horns of many types of trucks and vehicles. They can explore a fire engine, dump trucks, command center, bucket truck, striper, tractor, military vehicles, school buses and many more. New solid waste and LeMay vehicles, including a mobile shredder unit, have been added to the lineup. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Also, bring your personal documents to be shredded for free. Food donation bins will also be set up to accept canned food items for the food bank. Big Truck T-shirts will be on sale for $8 the day of the event. Don't miss your chance to buy one. For more information, please call Parks and Recreation at (253) 798-4141.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrea Clay, Parks and Recreation 253-798-4703 aclay@co.pierce.wa.us

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Why the AIA Board Needs You!

by Belen Schneider

Though January seems a long way off, our deadline to gather board candidates is looming. Our organization is at a critical time in it’s evolution, and now - more than ever - AIA needs your support.

In recent years, interest in some AIA offerings has waned, and the organization as a whole has drifted a long way from it’s roots as a “homeowners association.” In re-examining the ByLaws, the Board is also making an effort to hone in on the areas where we bring the maximum benefit to the community, and rethink how we support those events. It’s an exciting time, with fresh ideas brewing for how to take the activities you love and improve them in many ways!

While the details aren’t final yet - and will be shared in their entirety in the November Sounder, following Board approval - I CAN share this little preview, our new Mission Statement:

The Anderson Island Association’s mission is to encourage the “Good Neighbor” spirit of Anderson Island and foster a broad sense of community by sharing community news, sponsoring events, and providing civic-minded community support.

To make this vision true, we will be looking at every aspect of our organization and structure. I am reaching out to our membership and asking each of you to consider supporting AIA in a more active way. We will need:

• New Board Members who have energy to be a part of crafting & executing the upcoming changes
• Event Committee Chairs to take bite-sized responsibility for coordinating the events you love, like the Ice Cream Social, Starlighting, Island Clean-ups, and more
• Sounder Reporters and Moderators to contribute to the newsletter, blog, and other island communication efforts

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a board member or contributing actively to our efforts, please reach out to any of the current AIA board...we’d love for you to become part of our future!

AIA Seeks New Sounder Editor

by Belen Schneider

Yes, it’s true...our fearless editor is ready to step down and focus on new things. I’m sure all of you join me in expressing to John Mollan our heart-felt appreciation for his dedication, talent, humor, and tireless work bringing us the island news every month. John’s last Sounder publication will be the November Sounder.

In the meantime, we are now asking you - the readership who love this newsletter - to help us find our new Editor by September 30. The Editor’s role is undergoing a bit of re-definition in our ongoing organizational review, which includes a plan to bring in more volunteer reporters to share the island’s breadth of news. The Editor role would continue to focus on editing, laying out, and publishing a newsletter for printing by our Production Maestro, so the ideal candidate is savvy with technology, writing, and managing deadlines, as well as helping us build a stronger communication function.

If you or someone you know wants more information, feel free to contact John (islandsounder@gmail.com) for the skinny on what the Editor does, or Belen (belen.schneider@gmail.com) for more information about the Editor’s role in AIA and the board.

Island Fair Schedule Aug 31

Partial walking trail closure on Chambers Creek Road

Partial walking trail closure on Chambers Creek Road

A portion of the East Slope Walking Trail located near the north entrance of the Chambers Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant in University Place will close Aug. 7-15 so crews can install water and electrical utilities as part of the ongoing expansion of the plant. The portion of trail that will close runs parallel to the Chambers Creek Road West. Wooden barricades with “Trail Closed Ahead” signs will be placed at each end of the closed portion of the trail. The $353 million plant expansion will increase sewer capacity, enable Pierce County to repair and replace aging infrastructure, and introduce new technologies that help protect the environment. The expansion is expected to be completed in fall 2016. More information about the expansion can be found at www.piercecountywa.org/sewerexpansion.

Countywide Stage 1 burn ban effective July 29

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 29, 2013

Countywide Stage 1 burn ban effective July 29

Due to the continuing hot and dry weather, Pierce County Fire Marshal Warner Webb announced that a Phase One burn ban was implemented at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, July 29. All burning permits are suspended and outdoor burning is prohibited, except for small recreational fires less than three feet in diameter, fires in barbecues and cooking appliances, outdoor fireplaces and campfires in approved fire pits and locations at established campgrounds. Persons with approved Department of Natural Resources burn permits are advised to call 800-323-BURN (2876). For additional information or instructions, please contact your local fire department or the Pierce County Fire Marshal's office at (253) 798-7179.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Hunter George, Pierce County Communications director 253-798-6606 hgeorge@co.pierce.wa.us

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Hospitality sales begin for 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay

Hospitality sales begin for 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay

The United States Golf Association (USGA) has opened corporate hospitality sales for the 2015 U.S. Open Championship at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash. The U.S. Open will be conducted June 15-21, 2015, which includes three practice-round days and four championship-round days. The USGA is planning on total attendance of 235,000 spectators, volunteers, media, vendors and staff. General-admission ticket sales begin in June 2014. The U.S. Open has sold out for 27 consecutive years.

“The USGA is excited to bring the best players in the world to Washington State to compete for our national championship in 2015,” said Danny Sink, USGA championship director. “Our hospitality options offer companies and golf fans a unique place to watch the action and enjoy this world-class event. We look forward to continuing our work with Pierce County and University Place to make this championship a success for fans and the community.” Pat McCarthy, the championship’s general chairman and executive of Pierce County, which owns Chambers Bay, said the USGA offers hospitality options for companies of every size. “Business owners and managers can provide the experience of a lifetime for clients, customers, vendors and employees,” she said. “I encourage business owners to contact the USGA’s sales team and explore the opportunities to develop deep and lasting business relationships.” Locations within the hospitality venues are determined by the site-selection number assigned by the USGA as deposits are received. “Since this is the first time the U.S. Open will be held in the Pacific Northwest, we expect demand to be high for hospitality sales. The initial response has been tremendous,” said Mimi Griffin, director of marketing for the U.S. Open Championships and president and CEO of MSG Promotions, the USGA’s exclusive corporate hospitality marketing and management company. “We are ready to help business leaders evaluate their needs and secure their best choice.” Options range from a table for one day in a shared hospitality venue to private facilities overlooking the first, seventh, 10th and 18th holes. More information is available atwww.msgpromotions.com. Chambers Bay is a public, Scottish-links style course on the beautiful shores of Puget Sound. Its 18 holes wind through tall, windswept dunes and feature native fescue grasses. It hosted the U.S. Amateur Championship in 2010. About the USGA The USGA conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as 10 national amateur championships, two state team championships and international matches. Together with The R&A, the USGA governs the game worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, Equipment Standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings. The USGA’s working jurisdiction comprises the United States, its territories and Mexico. The USGA is a global leader in the development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game’s history and funds an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” charitable giving program. Additionally, the USGA’s Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org. MEDIA CONTACTS: Jeff Altstadter, USGA Communications 908-326-1880 jaltstadter@usga.org

another AI Facebook Group

Did you know that there is another Anderson Island group dedicated to buying, selling, swap and garage sales?
It can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/362537050519207/

Anderson Islanders Buy sell swap garage events

• Here is a place for Anderson Islanders to post Garage or yard sales, Items for sale or barter. Administrator accepts no responsibility for fraudulent posts and will remove anyone who hurts others in a...
• 331 members

To Supporters of the AIHS Archival Building

To Supporters of the AIHS Archival Building

 

We just received an email from Senator Honeyford informing us that our requested funds in the state budget for the new archival building at the Johnson Farm, was approved in the final budget.  This is really great news for the Historical Society and allows the project to now move forward into the construction phase.  We still have a long way to go but this is a major step toward our goal to have an adequate repository for island historical artifacts.

 

We owe our success in this to Senator Honeyford who championed this request through the legislative process and we really appreciate the efforts made by Dave McGoldrick and Rick Anderson in making sure our representatives Tami Green in the house and Steve O’Ban in the senate were kept focused on this. Mark and Rosemary Zilmer provided the model of the building in the attached photo.

 

The Steering Committee will soon be meeting with the architect to firm up the final plans for the building prior to submitting our application to the county for permits.  I will keep you informed of our progress as we proceed.  Your support is needed and greatly appreciated.

 

Ed Stephenson for

Steering Committee

County Council blocks pot industry until rules are ready

County Council blocks pot industry until rules are ready

The Pierce County Council unanimously voted Tuesday, July 2, to delay the start of the marijuana market until state licensing rules are set and the county adopts permanent zoning regulations. Last fall, Washington state voters approved Initiative 502, which creates a framework for the licensing the production and sale of recreational marijuana. The state Liquor Control Board is expected to release rules governing the process later this year. The seven-member Council wants to make sure there is adequate time to consider whether additional local regulations will be needed in unincorporated areas. "Like other local communities around the state, we need to act now to ensure that the marijuana industry doesn't get started before we have the opportunity to consider its impacts on our citizens," said Councilmember Doug Richardson (District 6). Ordinance 2013-26 puts marijuana-related activities on hold for six months. During that time, a working group of representatives from five areas of county government - the Council, Executive's Office, Sheriff's Department, Prosecutor's Office, and Planning and Land Services - will work on draft regulations for the Council's consideration this fall. "There are a lot of unanswered questions. This temporary delay gives us time to study our options for local regulations," said Councilmember Jim McCune (District 3).

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Councilmember Doug Richardson

(253) 798-3308

drichar@co.pierce.wa.us

Councilmember Jim McCune

(253) 798-6626

jmccune@co.pierce.wa.us