Lake ecology conference October16-18

The Washington State Lake Protection Association (WALPA) and the Oregon Lakes Association (OLA) are co-hosting a lake ecology conference October16-18 at the Hilton hotel in Vancouver, Washington. The theme for this meeting is Collaborative Lake Management. This conference provides an exceptional opportunity for local, Native North American, lake volunteers and state organizations to exchange information…

Spring plant sale at Chase Garden, April 13-14

The Spring Plant Sale at Chase Garden will take place April 13-14, 2013. The selection includes perennials, groundcovers, ferns and native forest wildflowers from specialty nurseries and our garden. The location is on 264th just before descending into the Puyallup River valley, near the old town of Kapowsin. Free admission for all during the sale. …

Summer camp for kids with autism spectrum disorders

By Ben Aaronson, UW Autism Center The UW Autism Center is expanding its summer camp program, providing a 4 week long day-camp for 7-12 year olds with ASD and their peers. Our summer camp program focuses on building children’s social skills and self-esteem within the context of structured recreational and learning activities in a fun and…

APRIL 11 Tacoma Smelter Plume cleanup workshop & open house

Tacoma Smelter Plume Yard Sampling & Cleanup Program Public Comment Period: March 14 – April 29, 2013 This year, Ecology will begin sampling and cleaning up residential yards.  This “Yard Program” will focus on the most contaminated areas of the Tacoma Smelter Plume—Ruston, west Tacoma, and southern Vashon-Maury Island. Comment period information and program service…

Washington High needs portfolio reviewers for graduating seniors

Washington High School seniors will be presenting their senior culminating project April 22-26. We would like to invite you to be a panel member for these very important presentations. Seniors will be sharing their academic journey, the influences that shaped them, and their plans for the future. All Franklin Pierce School District graduating seniors are…

County Council considering some voter precinct changes

Proposal No. 2013-15, An Ordinance of the Pierce County Council Amending Ordinance No. 2012-12s and Adopting New Voting Precinct Boundary Maps, Pursuant to Chapter 29A.16 of the Revised Code of Washington. Sponsored by:  Councilmembers Stan Flemming, Connie Ladenburg and Douglas G. Richardson Department contact persons:  Auditor’s Office – Mike Rooney, (253) 798-2148 and Mary Johnson-Hall, (253)…

County Council moving forward on Parkland Sheriff precinct

Background:  The County Council Rules and Operations Committee heard this proposal Monday, April 8. The 2.15 million dollar bond will be to build the Parkland Precinct. In early 2013, R2012-142S the council expressed it’s intent to issue the general obligation bonds to pay for the purchase of the property and the renovation of the property. In this ordinance they will…

Open House at James Hardie plant discusses expansion and road closure

Monday, April 8, the James Hardie plant in Frederickson hosted their residential neighbors for an Open House. Kit Mattson of Puget Sound Properties and Engineering Manager Chris Davis of James Hardie described the issues the plant is facing in terms of increasing business levels, the need for expansion, the jobs they expect to create and the process…