Updates from Fife Free Press http://fifefreepress.com George Shrader, Jr., Fife's first police chief, died April 27 at the Veterans Administration Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle. He was 72. Shrader was hired as a patrolman by the Fife Police Department in 1968 along with James Paulson, who was appointed to chief after Shrader. He was appointed the first chief of police for the city a year later. Shrader is credited with laying the foundation for what the department is today. http://fifefreepress.com/article/357 http://fifefreepress.com/article/357 Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) Two months ago, the Fife School District Family Resource Center could not find volunteers to keep its doors open to provide needy families with food and clothes. Billie Leitner, who previously coordinated the Resource Center, had announced that after 11 years she had to step down. Because Leitner had almost single-handedly overseen the operation of the center, she had no clear replacement, and no one expressed an immediate willingness to step up and take over the time-consuming, difficult job. http://fifefreepress.com/article/358 http://fifefreepress.com/article/358 Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) Milton's Paidion Youth Center, a drop-in youth center along Milton Way where students in the Fife School District often go for a care-free, safe place, turned five years old this month. The center has for the past several years been a hangout for Fife School District students ages 12 to 19 who are seeking a place free of parental and peer pressures to go after school. "We wanted to provide a safe place where kids would feel comfortable," said Abe Mouracade, who was a chaplain with the Fife Police Department when he opened the center in 2003. http://fifefreepress.com/article/359 http://fifefreepress.com/article/359 Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) The spring sports season is coming to an end, and that means just one thing: time for playoffs. Fife High School has watched its teams experience big-time success this season on the diamond for both baseball and softball. Next for both squads is a trip to districts, and a chance to make a run in the state playoffs. http://fifefreepress.com/article/364 http://fifefreepress.com/article/364 Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTbmiller@tacomaweekly.com(Ben Miller) - Where are you going to college? http://fifefreepress.com/article/365 http://fifefreepress.com/article/365 Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTbmiller@tacomaweekly.com(Ben Miller) On May 20, Fife School District will host one of the nation's leading minds in education for "An Education Summit in the Valley: An Evening with Best Selling Author and National Speaker Dr. Phillip C. Schlechty." The event, which will be held in the Columbia Junior High Performing Arts Center, will be both a celebration of the district's successes in its partnership with Schlechty Center for Leadership in School Reform and a community engagement forum intended to inform the public about the work the district has been doing for about the past eight years based on the center's uniquely comprehensive and systematic approach to school improvement. The public is invited to attend this event by picking up a free ticket from any of the sponsors: Fife Lions Club, Fife Milton Area Rotary, Fife Regional Chamber of Commerce, Fife Education Association (teacher's union), Fife Kiwanis, Discovery/Endeavour PTA, Hedden PTA, Surprise Lake Middle School Partners in Education (PIE), and the Columbia Junior High and Fife High School Boosters. Seating is limited and only ticket holders will be admitted. http://fifefreepress.com/article/360 http://fifefreepress.com/article/360 Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTmattnagle@tacomaweekly.com(Matt Nagle) You do not have to go to Scotland to experience the fabled greens of St. Andrew's. Milton resident Chris Johnson and his business partner Bob Gelinas have brought 26 of the world's most famous golf courses to the area - and they will teach you how to play them. Johnson and Gelinas, both Professional Golfers' Associa-tion (PGA) professionals for about a dozen years, opened their Concept Golf Studio late last month in South Hill as a way to bring golf instruction and activity to area residents. http://fifefreepress.com/article/361 http://fifefreepress.com/article/361 Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) The Milton Senior Center Advisory Board and Milton Fire Department are hosting a fundraising breakfast May 10 to buy housewarming gifts for Edgewood's future Civic Center. All-you-can-eat pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, juice, tea and coffee will be cooked up by the pros that morning in order to help their closest neighbor have a suitable kitchen of their own. http://fifefreepress.com/article/362 http://fifefreepress.com/article/362 Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTcjensen@tacomaweekly.com(Clare Jensen) Taking different routes to the same destination, Lonestar first came together in 1992 in Nashville. All four members grew up in Texas, and though none received any substantial musical training, each made their way through a series of garage bands in high school. With the exception of drummer Keech Rainwater, who devoted himself to the pursuit of a music career, everyone went on to college or day jobs, though they continued to play in bands at night. Their paths eventually crossed in Texas. Rainwater and guitarist Michael Britt both wound up in the band Canyon. Lone-star's original singer, Richie McDonald, opened for Canyon and met Rainwater and Britt backstage. http://fifefreepress.com/article/363 http://fifefreepress.com/article/363 Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(Staff Writers) About a dozen volunteers turned out to spruce up Fountain Memorial Park for Parks Appreciation Day April 19. The group planted flowers, pruned bushes, laid down fresh mulch and generally spruced up the grounds. The morning was cold and overcast and a few bursts of snow fell from the sky, which many suspected affected the turnout. http://fifefreepress.com/article/349 http://fifefreepress.com/article/349 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) The city of Fife has taken another step toward its vision for 20th Street. City staff have developed a preliminary standard for the street's design, which would incorporate a two-lane roadway, wide sidewalks and on-street parking. The design standards are an attempt to align future development of the street with the city council's vision, to create a downtown area for a variety of activities including shopping, civic, cultural and recreational activities. http://fifefreepress.com/article/350 http://fifefreepress.com/article/350 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) Fife's newest Assistant Police Chief Mark Mears is settling into his new job, preparing for the challenges the city faces. Mears, who comes to the department from Sumner, is ready to take them on. Some of the city's challenges are due in large part to its industrial nature - there is a good deal of identity theft, fraud and traffic issues, Mears said. The city also struggles with a transient population and drug and prostitution issues. http://fifefreepress.com/article/351 http://fifefreepress.com/article/351 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) Along with Fife's rich and colorful history is a long tradition of businesses, both big and small. The Fife History Museum is celebrating commerce in Fife in a new exhibit, and businesses are invited to participate. So far, nine businesses have contributed their stories and photos to the museum. Some of the businesses have histories that go back to - or even before - the incorporation of the city, such as the Poodle Dog restaurant and the Pick Quick Drive-In. Others are newer additions, but nonetheless important to the city and its residents - Rushforth Construction, for example, and Murray's Disposal Company, Inc. http://fifefreepress.com/article/352 http://fifefreepress.com/article/352 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) Due to the bad weather that has seemed to be the calling card of this spring so far, the Fife Trojans baseball team met up with the Washington Patriots for a double header April 17. With No. 2 starter C.J. Poole on top of his game, the Trojans were able to score a victory in game one of the set. Poole pitched six innings, giving up two runs and striking out 10 Patriots while earning the win. After a 28-pitch first inning that saw Washington plate one run to get on the board first, Poole settled down to help lead Fife to a 5-2 win. http://fifefreepress.com/article/356 http://fifefreepress.com/article/356 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTbmiller@tacomaweekly.com(Ben Miller) A group of 30 eighth-graders from Columbia Junior High, and six chaperones, spent their spring break learning all about American history in our nation's capital. History teacher Joe Storholt organized the trip to Washington, D.C., Mount Vernon, Jamestown, and colonial Williamsburg in Virginia and other historic sites in the region, which he has done annually for the past eight years. "I enjoy taking the kids to the places we actually talk about in class," Storholt said. "They get to see where some of the revolutionary thoughts and ideas took place, the first successful settlement at Jamestown, then to D.C. for the museums and archives and to see where our government works." http://fifefreepress.com/article/353 http://fifefreepress.com/article/353 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTmattnagle@tacomaweekly.com(Matt Nagle) Louie and Andrea Galarza know just how hard it is to start their own business. Last September, the couple bought out The Pizza Experience, a long-standing pizzeria on Pacific Highway, and turned it into Louie G's Pizzeria and Pasta. And they have not had a break ever since. The couple spent a busy two months renovating the restaurant and updating everything, from the plumbing and electricity to the floors, lights and kitchen. http://fifefreepress.com/article/354 http://fifefreepress.com/article/354 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) Loose Gravel and the Quarry are set to release their new album, a labor of love that reflects the good mesh of personalities and sense of fun in the band. It consists of Steve "Loose Gravel" Luhtala on lead vocals, harmonica and guitar, Steve Cooley on guitar and vocals, Johnny Burgess on keyboards and vocals, Rich Nesbitt on bass and vocals and Gary Marcello on drums. http://fifefreepress.com/article/355 http://fifefreepress.com/article/355 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTjlarson@tacomaweekly.com(John Larson) It might not be a coincidence that in a county where obesity has climbed over the last decade, 84 percent of its citizens reportedly eat out on a regular basis. Restaurant frequenters are often exposed to inflated portions and high fat, calorie and sodium levels. http://fifefreepress.com/article/344 http://fifefreepress.com/article/344 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTcjensen@tacomaweekly.com(Clare Jensen) It's that time of year again: the birds are returning and the flowers are blooming. This time of year means one other thing: it's daffodil season, and time to prepare for the annual Daffodil Parade. That's just what Fife Councilmember Dick Godwin and a handful of other area residents are doing. Godwin and his partners have been working tirelessly since early January to put together the daffodil float that is shared by Fife and Milton. http://fifefreepress.com/article/341 http://fifefreepress.com/article/341 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) More than 20 delegates from Fife area businesses and organizations returned to Washington after spending 10 days on a trade mission and familiarization tour in China. The delegation visited the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an in an effort to establish business relations and familiarize themselves with China's culture. http://fifefreepress.com/article/342 http://fifefreepress.com/article/342 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) Fife has entered into an agreement with developer SGA Corporation regarding land owned by the corporation along 20th Street. The agreement paves the way for several of the city's goals in the area, including making 20th Street a pedestrian-oriented town center and building a new truck route to keep trucks off 20th Street. The agreement was approved by the Fife City Council at its meeting April 8. http://fifefreepress.com/article/343 http://fifefreepress.com/article/343 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) After the Fife Trojan softball team started its Nisqually League slate with three straight wins, it got a chance for a tune-up against the Bellarmine Lions April 3 in non-league action. With a pitcher on the mound who had only played for the junior varsity squad so far this year, the Trojans took the game 6-2 to extend its winning streak to four. Sophomore Tessa Wagner pitched four innings and gave up just four hits in her varsity debut. Wagner had previously only pitched on the varsity squad in a three-inning jamboree before the season. http://fifefreepress.com/article/348 http://fifefreepress.com/article/348 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTbmiller@tacomaweekly.com(Ben Miller) The Kids for Kenya Club at Endeavour Intermediate School has been busy getting ready for the big event they are planning called African Experience Night on April 25, as part of Global Youth Services Day which is being recognized in schools across the country. Numerous speakers, presenters and even an African daily living experience exhibit will be featured at this first-time event to be held in the gymnasium and multi-purpose room at Surprise Lake Middle School (SLMS). Thanks to a State Farm Good Neighbor Service Learning Grant and a grant from the Summit Uniserve Council Community Outreach Program, the students have been able to include a lot into African Experience Night, which is also a fundraiser for Shammah Academy, a primary school in Machakos, Kenya. http://fifefreepress.com/article/345 http://fifefreepress.com/article/345 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTmattnagle@tacomaweekly.com(Matt Nagle) In the words of Fife's Parks, Recreation, and Community Director Kurt Reuter, it is time for the community to come out and "give the parks a spring cleaning." On April 19, the citizens of Pierce County will have a chance to do just that. In 52 sites throughout the county, residents of all ages will be able to trim limbs, comb beaches, and plant more flowers and trees from 9 a.m. to noon at local parks for Parks Appreciation Day. http://fifefreepress.com/article/346 http://fifefreepress.com/article/346 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(Tiffany Richards) The South Sound Classical Choir is truly old school. This group of about 50 performers is diverse in both the level of their skill and in their backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common: a love for classical music. The choir was founded in 2003 under the umbrella of the Valley Arts Society, founded in 1994 to educate and increase the interest of the general public in various types of music and drama. http://fifefreepress.com/article/347 http://fifefreepress.com/article/347 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) The city of Fife is considering changes to its noise code, adopted in 1983, which the city considers to be out-of-date. The subject came about after residents expressed concern about the city's ability to enforce its noise code. The current code calls for enforcers to obtain a decibel reading by the building official or a code enforcement officer in order to issue a violation. Those designees are available only during the day, and therefore no one is available during peak complaint times - at night and on weekends - to issue a violation. http://fifefreepress.com/article/332 http://fifefreepress.com/article/332 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) The city of Fife is finalizing the design for its first passive-use park. Brookville Gardens, located off of Valley Avenue adjacent to the new FedEx site, will total 15 acres and include paved pathways, large and manicured lawns, picnic shelters and picturesque views of Mt. Rainier. The Fife City Council reviewed and discussed the preliminary site plan drawings by HDR Architecture at a recent meeting and by and large supported the elements in the design. http://fifefreepress.com/article/333 http://fifefreepress.com/article/333 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) A group of Fife-area delegates and their family members departed March 25 for a trade mission and familiarization tour in China. A total of 23 delegates from chambers of commerce around the state are participating in the tour. The Fife Regional Chamber of Commerce signed on to the tour for the first time this year, and about half a dozen representatives from the chamber are taking part. Those traveling through the Fife chamber include Richard Garchow of Great American RV; Katie Flannigan of Reservation Outpost; Phil Waldner of Fife Towing and Recovery; Beth Willis of the World Trade Center Tacoma; and Lori Leisner and Brenda Willis of Rushforth-Taylor Construction. Jim Reinbold, Fife's assistant city manager, is also joining the group, but not as an official city delegate. http://fifefreepress.com/article/334 http://fifefreepress.com/article/334 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) Still burning timber in an old wood stove? If your stove was manufactured before 1995, keeping your home cozy could be a major contributor to Pierce County's increasing air pollution issue. http://fifefreepress.com/article/335 http://fifefreepress.com/article/335 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PDTcjensen@tacomaweekly.com(Clare Jensen) One might call Tammy Blount Pierce County's newest cheerleader, or its biggest fan. Blount's newest job as executive director of the Tacoma Regional Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB) means she has to be a little bit of both. Blount, a Vancouver, B.C., native, returned to the Pacific Northwest about a year ago after spending six years in Texas. The main goal of the CVB is to put heads in Pierce County's hotel beds, and that requires a strong advocate to encourage visitors to come to the area. http://fifefreepress.com/article/337 http://fifefreepress.com/article/337 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen)