Multicultural Night Feb. 16, Spanaway Elementary PTSA

By Marianne Lincoln When I attended Bethel schools, there wasn’t much diversity. Aside from the fact that many of my classmates at Elk Plain were multigenerational descendants of local tribes, there were not many Asian, Hispanic or African American classmates. Years later, I discovered the connection of our community to mixed blood families from Fort…

Would Mackenzie Scott help us?

Spanaway is just a little place really. It is an unincorporated community with very little in the way of amenities compared to other areas of the county. We have no voice on the Pierce County Regional Council because we are not a city. We share a fraction of a County Council person with other communities,…

What the 2020 Census reveals about Pierce County

The 2020 Census was released late this decade, somewhat caused by squabbles about how it would be conducted and somewhat caused by working through the pandemic. Where the population numbers land impacts representation, number of Congressional Districts, and how the new lines are drawn to balance the population in legislative and county districts. The population…

Renaming Bethel High School’s Mascot

By Marianne Lincoln BETHEL SCHOOL DISTRICT — On June 8, 2021, the Bethel School Board unanimously voted to appoint a Bethel High School Mascot Committee. The purpose of the committee was to follow a new State of Washington law that passed the State House 90-8 and the Senate 40-9 and was signed by the Governor…

Community input sought for aging and disability services

PIERCE COUNTY — The Pierce County Human Services Aging and Disability Resources (ADR) division is initiating a survey to gather community input for the two-year update to the 2020-2023 Area Plan. As the designated Area Agency on Aging for Pierce County, ADR must develop and oversee long-term services and supports for older adults and adults…

5 Ways Recent Immigrants Can Embrace Their New Community

[Guest Post] By Meredith Jones 5 Ways Recent Immigrants Can Embrace Their New Community If you’re a recent immigrant to the United States, you may feel overwhelmed as you try to adjust to your new lifestyle. Even though you likely miss your family and your hometown, you’re probably excited about experiencing everything the US has…

Corrections Celebrate the Holidays Too

[Editor note: From 1990 to 1993, Editor Lincoln was an instructor for Tacoma Community College at the Washington Corrections Center for Women. She taught computer operating system and software courses at the institution. She also helped start the Purdy Prison Chapel Project which, in 1995-96, funded, built and dedicated a chapel for the women at…

Swedish Traditions – kids participating in Lucia Event at PLU

In the weeks ahead of the Christmas season, the Scandinavian Cultural Center holds rehearsals for young people to participate in the Sankta Lucia event held there each year. Sankta Lucia is a Christmas tradition in Sweden and with Americans of Swedish decent. Rehearsals begin Sunday, October 27. There is also a chance for a student…

Training- Marijuana Trends

BETHEL SCHOOL DISTRICT — High In Plain Sight, is a training to inform adults on current marijuana trends and what to look for with youth. This training is great for school staff, nurses, youth serving organizations and the general public. Register here.  August 13th 9-3:30 a.m., Pioneer Park Pavilion, Puyallup 330 S Meridian, Puyallup WA…