Like many people in a military family, Warren Smith Sr. spent much of his childhood on the move. His family went from base to base, living in eight states and overseas in Germany.
The experience gave Smith perspective on public education. He attended schools in poor and affluent communities, and he learned that not all schools are created equally.
“What I got from that is that it’s very important for every student to have a high-quality, equitable education,†said Smith, who resigned in March from the Bethel School Board due to health issues. The remaining board members expect to appoint his successor in May.
Smith had two stints as a board member — from 1986 to 1999 and again from 2013 to 2018 – and served with a philosophy that “it’s amazing what kids can do when you give them a chance.†That attitude took on a more personal meaning when, in his second tenure as a board member, he presented high school diplomas to his grandchildren during their schools’ graduation ceremonies.
In addition to the big moments with his grandkids, presiding as a School Board member over his son’s high school graduation ceremony was a high-water mark in Smith’s life.
He also has had his share of grief. In 2011, his wife of 34 years died after a long illness. It was a devastating blow that Smith wasn’t sure he’d ever recover from.
“For the first four years after she passed away,” he recalaled, “it was like I was in a cave, but then I woke up one morning and I said, ‘Wait a minute, this is a beautiful world. There’s still life out there.’â€
He reconnected with an old high school sweetheart, and their engagement has rejuvenated him. “Our families say we’re like two teenage kids,” he said.
Warren Smith wondered if he’d ever recover from the death of his wife of 34 years. “Then I woke up one morning and I said, ‘Wait a minute, this is a beautiful world. There’s still life out there.” (Courtesy photo/Bethel School District)
The Gig Harbor resident turned 97 on May 7. And he’s still a competitive bowler at Narrows Plaza Bowl in University Place, where his friends and fellow keglers threw a birthday party for him April 30.
Clyde Fye is still a competitive bowler at the age of 97
His average scores are 158 per game in the weekly Villa Seniors League. Over the years, he has rolled one perfect game of 300 and come close two other times with 299s.
This article is sponsored by the City of Tacoma, its Environmental Services Department, and the Make a Splash grant program.
Some changes in how you maintain and care for your garden or yard can help it look good, give you more time to enjoy it, and score points for the environment.
Pointers on how to do all that are available at the City of Tacoma EnviroHouse, a model home showcasing green building and natural-landscape ideas.
By championing the benefits of sustainable living, EnviroHouse – a program of the city’s Environmental Services Department — plays a key role in helping homeowners, builders, and landscapers minimize, if not eliminate surface-water runoff that can pollute waterways, including Puget Sound. Gardening techniques that are spotlighted include:
A water-efficient irrigation system that uses low-evaporation spray heads and drip irrigation that applies water to the root zone, avoiding wasteful runoff
An irrigation controller that applies water according to the weather.
Rain barrels barrels to capture and recycle rain water.
Native/adaptable plants that prevent erosion and flooding and improve water quality.
Composting that helps make landscaping weed-resistant, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides that can make their way into water systems.
The less water that’s spent on gardens and landscaping, the better for the environment. Water is critical throughout the life of a plant, but deciding when and how much water to provide each plant can be a bit overwhelming. The task can be easier with simple strategies that conserve water and guard against runoff.
Start by selecting plants suited to your climate, soil moisture and average rainfall.
Next, incorporate organic matter such as compost into the soil prior to planting. This helps the soil absorb rainfall and irrigation water. Less runoff means less water wasted. Adding organic matter also increases the ability of fast-draining soil to hold moisture, extending the time between watering.
Check out the TAGRO (short for “Tacoma Growâ€) soil products marketed by the City of Tacoma. Made from wastewater byproducts called biosolids and other weed-free gardening components, TAGRO has the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s highest rating for use in landscaping and vegetable gardens and gets rave reviews from customers. (For information about TAGRO or to place an order, call 253-502-2150).
Mulch the soil with organic materials such as shredded leaves, evergreen needles or woodchips. Mulching helps conserve moisture while suppressing weeds and improving the soil as it decomposes. Plus, you’ll be recycling landscape trimmings back into the landscape and the environment. Green gardening!
Providing the right amount of water at the right time can be a challenge. Doing it efficiently to avoid wasting time or water can help ensure your gardening success.
You can see efficient watering systems in action at EnviroHouse, which features a fully integrated rainwater management system that starts by collecting rainwater in roof gutters, then into rain barrels that are linked to provide water for the yard and landscaping that can be controlled by the weather. This water-efficient system features low-evaporation spray heads and drip irrigation that applies water directly to roots to greatly reduce wasteful runoff.
Stormwater runoff from homes, streets, sidewalks and parking lots is the main source of pollution in Commencement Bay and Puget Sound, so EnviroHouse was designed to minimize its impact with a rain garden that deals with all runoff that isn’t used for irrigation.
EnviroHouse also displays examples of permeable pavers and pathways that absorb and filter runoff, as well as direct it into a rain garden. Also on display are examples of non-toxic paint, siding, and roofing that can greatly reduce the pollutants and chemicals that get into stormwater runoff.
You can see it all for yourself at 3510 S. Mullen St., where EnviroHouse is open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The use of appropriate irrigation, mulching and organic matter can make a huge difference in the quality and enjoyment of your garden and landscaping. And the environment will thank you.
Melinda Myers, a gardening expert and writer who has written more than 20 gardening books, contributed to this report.
A new survey reveals that grandchildren enjoy having grandma and grandpa on Facebook, but some secretly want to unfriend their grandparents because they post embarrassing stuff. The survey conducted by Visiting Angels, an in-home senior care company, uncovered the top 5 Facebook no-nos for grandparents:
Posting personal stuff
One in four in 4 survey respondents say their grandparents post TMI (too much information) about their love life, social life or sex life. More than one-third of grandkids say grandma or grandpa post dirty laundry about family feuds or finances.
Rant and rave
One out of five grandchildren say grammy goes “Emoji crazy†in comments or posts. Thirty-three percent of the kids say they don’t like it when grandparents get too political or go holy-roller by posting too much about religion (28 percent).
Treading on personal turf
One in four respondents say it’s not cool when grandma tries to friend their friends. Thirty percent of grandkids say it’s embarrassing when mimi or pops post personal comments in public places, like the grandkids’ timeline. Half of surveyed kids say they don’t want grandparents commenting on their social life. And a big one: Please, grandma, don’t comment about my appearance – whether it’s my hair, weight or clothes.
Spreading doom, gloom and guilt
Twenty-five percent of grandkids don’t like to see grandparents post that they are lonely, unhappy, sick or sad. Also, one out of five survey respondents say they don’t like to comments about grandparent’s health, medical issues or procedures, and one in four say they feel guilty when grandma posts “Why don’t you visit or call more?â€
Trying to act cool
Twenty-two percent of the grandkids say it’s not cool when grandma or gramps try to act cool. And one respondent said he wants to hide when grandparents COMMENT IN ALL CAPS.
