By Marianne Lincoln

If you are a music lover near Spanaway, you may already know why Uncle Sam’s American Bar & Grill is so packed with cars and motorcycles regularly. The owner, a musician himself, cares a great deal about the vibes at his bar.

Craig Arrowood’s life began with a father who played bass guitar for Count Basie and Duke Ellington among others. He grew up knowing  many of music’s elite. When he was young, his father taught him to play bass. At age 14, he opened for The Doors. For ten years, he was Elvin Bishop’s road manager. The love of his life is music and that is what he is trying to bring to Spanaway through Uncle Sam’s.

Motorcycles are also something you will see a lot at Uncle Sam’s. It is a biker friendly, CoC bar. That stands for Confederation of Clubs. It is neutral when it comes to motorcycle groups. When bikers come in, they “turn their colors around.” That is an expectation for all who enter. It is a place for a good time, great music and a place to work on common issues.

On Tuesday nights, ABATE meets at 7p.m. at Uncle Sam’s. ABATE (American Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments) is a non-profit organization dedicated to freedom of choice. They have been particularly focused on motorcycle legislation. On Thursdays, ABATE has a social there at 7p.m. They are also a Veteran and Military friendly bar, not that the name give you a clue. Even local firefighters and businesswomen show up there regularly, because according to a patron, Paul, “They feel safe there.”

On June 23, bands like Jerry Miller, Randy Hansen, Seth Freeman, Jane’s Sanction, Sub-Vinyl Jukebox, Flashback and Dixon Boots played for a fundraiser for “Beerman” Craig Arrowood with medical expenses. He is in need of treatment and doesn’t have health insurance, a common problem among small business owners. It’s just too expensive. The bands started at noon and played all day! It was only $5 to get in. The parking lots and side streets were packed. The rain didn’t stop them from being there, they danced in it. It wasn’t until the lightning started, that the crowd began to thin out, about 9:30 p.m., but the music continued for those who braved the weather.

There is a lot of fun and good music going on at Uncle Sam’s. However, an incident from last year came back to haunt the Beerman this past week. Mr. Atwood was contacted by the ATF and the bomb squad about their success in arresting a suspect who was apparently plotting to bomb the popular bar. The suspect lived nearby on B Street in Spanaway. Karl Wayne Twileager was arrested and charged June 13 in federal court. He is being held on $250,000 bail. Agents found a dozen guns, blasting caps and an explosive called Emulsion in his home. Twileager, 66, has previous felony convictions including a 1994 second degree murder conviction from Grant County.

Although the Tribune article on the incident say there was some kind of confrontation that led to the shooting incident in 2012, Arrowood says the suspect was asked or reminded to “turn around his colors” when he arrived at the bar last year because that is a standard practice. The event, Metalfest was a benefit to support Bikers Fighting Cancer. Instead of cooperating, the suspect, pulled a gun and shot one of the patrons in front of the Payless Shoe Source with a semi automatic weapon. The victim was shot in the shoulder and has recovered, although according to Atwood, the bullet could not be removed during surgery. The suspect, Derek Warren Harms, 63, is being held in the Pierce County jail on $250,000 bail on charges of first degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.  The trial is currently scheduled to take place July 15 in Pierce County Superior Court.

This is a YouTube video from that night in 2012.

The discovery of the weapons and arrest of Twileager coincides with the release of the State’s list of witnesses in that 2012 case. Atwood acknowledged this correlation in our discussion. On June 28, the News Tribune ran a story about the arrest of a suspect planning to bomb Uncle Sam’s Bar & Grill. That prompted me to stop by and arrange to meet with Craig Arrowood, owner of Uncle Sam’s.  He had John, Paul and Kevin, regular customers, there to add details and perspective to the conversation.

Arrowood and his wife Kathy leased the Silver Dollar from Rick Komko and changed the name to Uncle Sam’s. The name came from a favorite bar he knew in from his younger days near Sebastapol, California. He loved the great music they had and is trying to replicate that here in Spanaway. He allows non-profit organizations to hold fundraisers at his establishment. His spirit of community is profound. When the four Lakewood policemen were shot in Parkland, Atwood held a fundraiser for their families.

Arrowood wants Uncle Sam’s to be best known for the music. On Sunday’s they have Rock Jam for aspiring musicians and those who love the chance to play. On Monday’s, it’s Billy Pease. Tuesday’s are the ABATE meetings. Wednesday’s is Strange Pleasure or occasionally another Rock Jam. On Thursday’s, it’s the legendary Jerry Miller playing. This is the day for the ABATE socials. Fridays and Saturdays, the music will vary.

On Sunday July 14, Uncle Sam’s will hold a CPR and First Aid Class for a minimal fee of $5. Once again, trying to help the community.