All Posts in "Everything Else"

Tacoma @ TAGRO
2201 Portland Avenue, Gate 6
June 9, 10-Noon: Garden Bugs: The Good, the Bad, and the Slugly
July 14, 10-Noon: Planting and Planning Your Fall Garden
July 26, 6-8 p.m.: Recycled Arts and Crafts for the Garden

Gig Harbor @ Sehmel Homestead Park
10123 78th Avenue NW
June 19, 6-8 p.m.: Garden Bugs: The Good, the Bad, and the Slugly
July 21, 10-Noon: Planting and Planning Your Fall Garden
July 31, 6-8 p.m.: Recycled Arts and Crafts for the Garden

Puyallup @ WSU Master Garden Demonstration Garden
2606 West Pioneer
June 12, 6-8 p.m.: Garden Bugs: The Good, the Bad, and the Slugly
July 10, 6-8 p.m.: Planting and Planning Your Fall Garden
July 17, 6-8 p.m.: Recycled Arts and Crafts for the Garden

To give us an idea of how many students to expect,
please call or e-mail Kristen McIvor to put your name on the list
kmcivor@forterra.org
(253) 363 1846

For more information, go to www.growlocaltacomapierce.com

Press Release by — May 23, 2012 in Everything Else

William Bender holding "Abbadon." Photo by Joan Cronk

The Fred Oldfield Heritage Center in Puyallup, with its old west theme was the perfect venue for the recent showcase of the South Puget Sound Woodturners.
Joella Oldfield, Executive Director of the Fred Oldfield Heritage Center at the Puyallup Fairgrounds, said that the art of wood turning has been done for “hundreds of years.”
Members of the South Puget Sound Woodturners (SPSW), invited woodturners from three other states Oregon, Idaho and Montana to join them and over 100 pieces were displayed at the art show.
Ed Quesnell, a member of SPSW said, “The purpose of the show is to educate the public about woodturning and the art and the procedure that you go through.”
Ninety-four-year old Oldfield, a well-known local artist, was in attendance, as was SPSW member and founder Ted Bartholomew, who is 92. The two had never met before and Joella Oldfield got a real kick out of watching them interact.
Fred Oldfield has been referred to as the “Granddaddy of Western Art,” and his generosity with his craft is well-known.
Bartholomew is also generous with his knowledge of woodturning. Not only is he an extremely proficient woodturner, he also has built many lathes and taught classes for years.
“There is something about people from that generation that makes them tough and strong,” Joella said.
SPSW member Bill Bender won the Judge’s Choice award for his piece, “Abbadon.”  This was the first time Bender had entered a piece and he was pleased with his win and encouraged to enter more events in the future.
Bartholomew walked away with an Honorable Mention ribbon for his turned hat with a knit band.  The People’s Choice award went to Paul Crabtree for piece called “Majestic.”
SPSW President Dan Stromstad said it was a great event. “It was really nice of Joella to put that on for us,” he said, adding that they have received many positive comments from folks who attended.
SPSW has over 200 members, the youngest being 11 years old and the oldest, Bartholomew. Both genders are well-represented within the group.
“Our club teaches a lot and I think that is why we are so popular because we have a constant source of great teachers, plus our own teachers within our own club,” said Stromstad, adding that everyone is willing to share.
“We have done a great deal to improve the meetings themselves by purchasing a new lathe and equipment and a better sound and video system,” said Stromstad proudly, adding that the SPSW is the largest club in the State.
The friendly nature of members and their willingness to share are two of the things that make the SPSW a very popular club.
“I joined the club and went to meetings and learned a great deal and tried and tried, but when people took the time to hands on teach me, then I really excelled. Now I’m doing that for other members,” said Stromstad.
This was the first year for the woodturners event at the Fred Oldfield Heritage Center and members hope to make it an annual event.

Joan Cronk by — May 23, 2012 in Everything Else

Around the Sound bus“Early is on time, on time is late, and late is not acceptable.”  Around the Sound non-emergency transportation is not like your cable company who gives you a four-hour window.  Around The Sound gives you a 15-minute window for pick up.  Getting where you need to be has never been so simple, timely and pleasurable.
Steve Hutchins has operated this business since 2003 and bought the company late in 2006 with his partners.  The goal is to build Around the Sound into the Nordstom of senior transportation.  Hutchins has been in the transportation business since graduating from college in 1977.  The things learned over those years have given him an advantage in customer service.  He knows what his customers expect and need.  Around the Sound has the cleanest vans with polite, uniformed drivers who address their passengers by “Mr.” or “Mrs.”
The office for Around the Sound hums with efficiency.  Office employees answer the telephone and schedule rides on a sophisticated computer system.  Looking at the computer screen tells the Around the Sound staff where each of their 20 vans are at any time.  The office is staffed Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for information or to schedule transportation or contact them online at www.around-the-sound.net.
When the van arrives to pick you up, you’ll be greeted by a courteous driver.  With a minimum of 80 hours of training, the drivers have, not only a squeaky clean driving record with no criminal background, they are, most importantly, trained to provide exceptional customer service.  The majority of the trips consist of just you and your driver, so expect one-on-one attention, an easy smile, and the comfortable service you deserve for your trip. Each driver is trained for accommodating passengers with special needs, including wheelchairs and scooters, crutches and walkers, and Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as ambulatory passengers.
Around the Sound has expanded to serve Pierce, Kitsap, Mason, Clallam, Jefferson and South King Counties.  With all of the driving they do, it is imperative that each of their 20 vehicles is in top working order.  Brian Reid, “their personal, in house mechanic” keeps every van in tip top shape.  Preventative maintenance is the rule of order for all vehicles.
This transportation service is so popular that repeat business is normal for them. One of their long-time customers, Eugene Hudspeth, says the drivers are like family.  They know just how to handle him and what vehicles suit him best.
Frequent travelers like Hudspeth can get discounts off the regular rates.  Packages of 10, 25, 50 and 100 rides receive these discounts.
Around the Sound is your local shuttle specialist in transporting you to and from appointments, weddings, parties, church and special events. Transportation is offered seven days a week from 4 a.m. to midnight.  You may schedule a pick up any day of the week online or you can schedule a trip via the office staff Monday through Saturday.  It is recommended that you make your reservations ahead of time, especially for Sunday.  Whether it’s a doctor’s appointment, or a special event, Around the Sound will be there for you.  Costs start at $36 for wheelchair riders, 10 miles or less.  Non-wheelchair riders pay $21 plus mileage.  Call 253-858-7088 or 360-874-0055.  You may also visit them online at www.around-the-sound.net.

Contributing Author by — May 23, 2012 in Everything Else

For folks residing in nursing or retirement homes, the days can be long and lonely. Fortunately there is an organization whose mission is to match volunteers with residents to visit one on one.
Marilyn Soderquist, Program Director for Friend to Friend, said that many seniors residing in facilities have their physical needs taken care of, but what they lack is a friend.  Friend to Friend started in 1974 in Des Moines, WA. They now serve King, Kitsap, Snohomish, Pierce and Thurston counties.Friend to Friend draws their volunteers from a variety of areas said Soderquist, such as reading about Friend to Friend on the internet, in the newspaper or word of mouth.
“We ask for two references for every person who volunteers and they are all subject to background checks,” said Soderquist.
Some residents prefer their visits to take place within the facility, while others enjoy an afternoon out for coffee or to shop.  “One resident in Bellevue asked to go to a tavern for oysters and beer,” said Soderquist.
Volunteers take the residents to do things they might not otherwise be able to do.  “Right now, many are planting gardens in their own flower boxes. Some watch ballgames together,” she said.
Connie Benjamin began volunteering with Friend to Friend five years ago and finds the experience, “Absolutely wonderful.”  The lady she volunteered with was named Dottie.
“We saw each other every week and we had a wonderful rapport and when her health failed and she moved to another facility, I followed her there,” said Benjamin.
Dottie has since passed away at age 95, but Benjamin said, “It was good to share my life with her. We shared all of our adventures.”  Benjamin said she learned all about Dottie’s past. “We were almost like family,” she said.
Soderquist said the program is unique. “It is the only program that does this work in five counties. Every facility can meet the physical needs of the residents and they do a good job, but there is no way they can reach the emotional needs of every resident.”
Volunteers visit at least twice a month at their convenience for one year and the visits benefit the volunteers, residents and the staff who care for them Soderquist said, adding, “We went to a volunteer appreciation the other night and one of the volunteers who had been visiting her friend for six years said it was the most rewarding thing she had ever done.”
To learn more about Friend to Friend contact Marilyn Soderquist at (206) 870-4266.

Joan Cronk by — May 23, 2012 in Everything Else