SR-302, Capitalism lights up

NewsKPCS has new director . . . . .2KP traffic study . . . . . . . . . . .5Residents fight landlocking . .7New Allyn water park . . . . .12Volunteer spotlight . . . . . . . .15From Pioneer Stock . . . . . . .17Key Pen lodging . . . . . . . . . .19Winery to open soon . . . . . . .20Lodge takes care of pets . . . .21The Genuine ARTicle . . . . . .24Friday Night energy . . . . . . .24Out & About . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

SectionsPeninsula Views . . . . . . .4Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Community Works . . . . .14People & Lifestyles . . . .17Summertime . . . . . . . . .19Business . . . . . . . . . . . .20Arts & Recreation . . . . .24From the Experts . . . . .26

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage Paid

Vaughn, WA 98394Permit No. 2

BOX HOLDER

Vol. 32 Issue 6 From The Key Peninsula Civic Center Circulation 8,300 JUNE 2005

TOUR DE LONGBRANCHPAGE 13

The voice of theKey Peninsula

Livable Community Fair,page 8

▼▼

In this issue

Summer Guide, Inside

Transportation package includes SR-302 funding

By William C. DietzKP News

It takes 46 seconds to drive through KeyCenter at the legal limit of 35 mph. Duringthat period the motorists will pass a smokeshop, a liquor store, a restaurant that sellsalcohol, a saloon that sells food, and arestaurant with an upscale cocktail lounge.They will also whiz by a trading post, a realestate office, a combination hardware storeand lumber yard, a combination nurseryand florist, a medium-sized market, anespresso stand, a charitable organization, acomputer repair shop, bank, Safe Streetsoffice, furniture store, dog grooming busi-ness, a library, a fire station, three differenthair salons/barber shops, plus a variety ofmedical services including a doctor,dentist, chiropractor, physical therapist,

and a holistic healing practitioner. And why are those particular businesses

where they are? Is it because someoneplanned it that way? Nope. Like so manysmall unincorporated Rural ActivityCenters (RACs), Key Center was built bysuccessive generations of entrepreneurs allacting in what they believed to be theirown best interests. Key Center’s newest

business, the KP Smoke Shop, is an excel-lent example.

Over the years, the building located atthe intersection of Olson Road and theKey Pen Highway housed a gas station, agarage, and an auto parts store. So, whyturn the structure into a smoke shop?

By Rodika Tollefson KP News

Key Peninsula residents who have triedfor years to attract attention to the safetyproblems of State Route 302 may considerthe funding for the highway in the newlyadopted transportation budget long-overdue. But the apparent good news isfar outweighed by concerns regardinghow the transportation package is funded— and the small return local residents

would receive from the new taxes.The $8.5 billion transportation package

signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire in Mayincludes $5 million for establishing a new302 corridor, a project estimated to cost$143 million.

“Those are design dollars, for thestate Department of Transportationstaff to research and design a newcorridor, and not much more,” saidPierce County Councilman Terry Lee.“The good news is that improvements to

302 are finally on the radar screen, andthey haven’t been (before).”

The package includes an additional$5 million toward widening 302 fromPurdy to Creviston.

The last time 302 got major attentionwas in 1992, when lawmakers appropriatedfunds to study the corridor. One of thereport’s recommendations includedconstructing, in the long term, an alterna-

Capitalismlights upnewest ‘shop’

Photo by Mindi LaRoseKey Center is one of only two Rural Area Centers on the Key Pen (the other being LakeKathryn).The KP has an additional five Rural Neighborhood Centers.

Skateboards may roll in Key Peninsula parks By Danna WebsterKP News

Kids who live on the Key Peninsulaneed something they can drop in and do,something that is not organized. A skatepark is good for kids of all ages. That isthe belief of Chuck West. Building a skatepark for KP kids is his dream.

Back in the early ’90s, the West familytook a vacation and, while travelingthrough Idaho, stopped at skate parks.West’s 12 year-old-son, Zech, loved doingmaneuvers with his skateboard. Henoticed the kids in Idaho were real goodskaters, thanks to all their practice at theparks. Zech wanted to know why thepeninsula didn’t have anything like that.

When the family returned, Westcontacted the park board and the boardoffered half of the tennis-court area forskating. Some fund-raising effortsbrought in $25,000, which was used tobuild a small, wooden half-pipe for theskaters.

(See SKATE PARK, Page 23)

(See SR-302, Page 18)

(See KEY CENTER, Page 25)

HappyFather’s Day June 19


Key Peninsula CommunityServices/Food Bank Executive DirectorCristi Watson passed her torch to LukeSnyder. Snyder was hired in May, afterWatson announced she was leaving thestate to be closer to her family.

Snyder, who plans to move to the KeyPeninsula, is not a complete stranger tothe area. He has visited the Key Pen onseveral occasions as a volunteer dentalhygienist with the Northwest MedicalTeams’ dental van, which provides freeservices to local residents in need.

“I really started to know the patients andtheir way of life. It seemed like anawesome place,” he said.

Snyder has been volunteering with thedental van for about a year, traveling todifferent areas. He says he saw greaterneeds on the Key Peninsula compared toother places.

On his third trip or so, Snyder started

thinking that this wouldn’t be a bad placeto live. Attracted by the people, the historyand the sense of community, he said thejob of the director was “an amazing oppor-tunity.”

Snyder has networked with varioussocial services organizations around theregion and plans to draw on his experi-ence to bring more services to KPCS, andhelp seniors and others “use their talents.”

He has to give up the trips on the dentalvan — but looks forward to working onthe other side of the chair, organizing thevisits instead. When asked how he likedthe busy environment of the CommunityHouse, he said: “I am used to the pace,after working 16 hours in the (dental)van.”

2 www.keypennews.com • Key Peninsula News

To subscribe, please write, call or fax:

Key Peninsula News17010 S. Vaughn Rd.

P.O. Box 3, Vaughn, WA 98394Phone (253) 884-4699Fax: (253) 884-4053

Email [email protected]

Executive editor: Rodika TollefsonAssistant editor: Danna WebsterAd sales: Karen HaleStaff writers and contributors:William C. Dietz, Karen Hale,Hugh McMillan, Christina Moore,Colleen Slater, Frank Slater, IreneTorres, Mindi LaRose, ConnieRenz, Paula Moore

Distribution: Phil BauerProduction: September HydeWeb master: Paul Pattee

Unsolicited submissions deadlineincluding press releases: 17th ofeach month

www.keypennews.comKey Peninsula News is published monthly by the Key Peninsula Civic Center Association at the Key Peninsula Civic Center in Vaughn, Washington. Copyright 2004 with all rights reserved. Reproduction of editorial or graphiccontents in any manner without permission is prohibited. Annual subscriptions (12 issues) are available for $20.00 and are mailed first class. Copies are mailed presort standard to residents and post office box holders of the KeyPeninsula. Single copies are available at the newspaper office in the basement of the Civic Center annex and at various distribution points located on the Key Peninsula. Approximately 18,000 people live in the distribution area.STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, AND OPERATION OF THE KEY PENINSULA NEWS1. THE KEY PENINSULA NEWS is a community newspaper, owned and published by the KEY PENINSULA CIVIC CENTER ASSOCIATION, a nonprofit, 501-C3, corporation with main offices in Vaughn, Washington. Thename, goodwill and any copyright assets that may exist pertaining to the NEWS are among the financial assets of the KEY PENINSULA CIVIC CENTER ASSOCIATION.2. The objective of Key Peninsula News is to support and create community by reporting news and features and providing a forum for local information. News and editorial coverage focuses on the Key Peninsula and immedi-ately adjacent areas within Fire District 16.OUR GRATEFUL THANKS TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTE TO THE KEY PENINSULA NEWS!The opinions expressed herein are the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers or staff. All letters to the editor must be signed and include a daytime phone number for verification. Noanonymous letters will be published. Submissions are used on a space available basis and may be edited if used. THE KEY PENINSULA NEWS reserves the right to edit all submissions for length and content. Mail letters to: P.O.Box 3, Vaughn, WA 98394, or email to [email protected]

Photo by Mindi LaRoseNew KP Community Services Director Luke Snyder, left, and board member Ty Hardinlook at a multitude of donations brought after a U.S. Post Office food drive.

Key Pen Community House has new director

Story and photo by Danna WebsterKP News

The Gig Harbor/ Key Peninsula ArborDay Foundation celebrated its fifthanniversary April 23 with a program titled“Planting Hope and Trees.”

Gig Harbor Mayor Gretchen Wilbertinvited guests on an afternoon nature walkthrough “one of the greatest urbanforests,” Grandview Forest Park next to theGig Harbor Civic Center.

The program presented awards toPeninsula School District students forwinning poetry, photo and poster contestsand honored Key Peninsula resident

Nancy Lind with the Arbor Day GoodStewardship Award. Lind’s award recog-nized her many contributions: being thefirst person in Pierce County to put her 80acres of land in a conservation easement,being the key person in creating HomePark, and for her leadership and success insaving the Rocky Creek Conservation Area.

“We admire and appreciate such vision,dedication and leadership in our commu-nity,” said Holly D’Annunzio, foundationpresident. Lind’s plaque read, “He WhoPlants a Tree Plants a Hope.”

Minter Creek Elementary studentsreceived poster contest awards. The $50first-place winner was Kathleen Moffitt, 9;

second place ($25), Schuyler Hale, 9; andtwo winners tied for third place ($15):Ramona Mikelson, and Aaron Klumker,both age 10. Honorable mention went toLucas Kovatch. Lucas’ poster was selectedas the cover for the event’s poetry book.

According to D’Annunzio, Arbor Dayoriginated in Nebraska 133 years ago. Shewas inspired to create an Arbor DayFoundation in Gig Harbor five years agobecause she observed that trees were beinglost. “Trees give people hope: the poor,hungry, and hurt. When they go out innature, it helps them heal,” she said.

The foundation has a powerful moviemicroscope available for loan to areaschools. Information about the micro-scope, the poetry book, and next year’scontests is available by calling 761-7800.

“I really started to know thepatients and their way of

life. It seemed like anawesome place.”

-Luke Snyder

Arbor Day celebration features Key Pen residentsKathleenMoffitt,

postercontest

first-placewinner,

and NancyLind,

“GoodSteward”honoree.


As the statewide transportationpackage, which includes some fundingfor State Route 302, was being criticizedafter legislative approval, the point ofsafety on SR-302 was underscored inMay by a rash of accidents. At leastseven accidents were recorded on 302between May 1 and 19, and several morefarther south on Key PeninsulaHighway.

According to Washington State Patrolofficials, there were no fatalities or life-threatening injuries on the statehighway although several peoplereceived injuries of various degrees.

The string of crashes started at theend of April, with a five-car collision onApril 26 near Moreland and Sons autorepair shop on Key Pen Highway.Witness reports said a vehicle waiting toturn into the shop was rear-ended byanother, then side-swiped a third one inthe oncoming lane. Two of the hit carswere parked at the shop. Fire District 16paramedics said five people were trans-

ported to hospitals.The following day, a 60-year-old Gig

Harbor resident who failed to stop at astop sign struck a vehicle with a womanand a child inside on SR-302 near Lakeof the Woods. The driver was arrestedon suspicion of drunken driving.

On May 1, a head-on crash near LakeMinterwood on KP Highway was causedby a female driver who crossed thecenter line. The second vehicle hadthree children in addition to a maledriver. Paramedics had to use the “jawsof life” to extricate the woman; thehighway was closed for five hours.

Three separate collisions occurredthe next day on SR-302 near 118thAvenue within a two-hour period. Thefollowing day, May 4, a motorcyclist wascritically hurt on SR-302 near “TheFarm” after being rear-ended andcaught between two vehicles.

On May 7, a three-vehicle collisionoccurred in the same general area ofthe May 3 accident, on SR-302 near118th. Two other crashes were reportedon SR-302 on May 17 and 18.

“When the weather gets nicer and the

roads dry out, people tend to drivequicker,” says FD-16 Division Chief PaulBosch. “State Route 302 and section of

Key Peninsula Highway definitely haveareas that pull higher danger thanothers.”

Photo by Hugh McMillanRescuers had to use the so-called “jaws of life” to extricate the driver after this flip onKP Highway near Lake Minterwood on May 1.

SR-302 plagued by accidents in MayJune 2005 • www.keypennews.com 3

‘Promises’ to keep

Miscellaneous “unfinished business”appeared to keep KP Parks and RecreationDistrict commissioners from voting inearly May on a resolution to dissolve. Atthe following meeting, the commissionersvoted to repay the KP Metropolitan ParkDistrict an “overpayment” for its transferof assets. The new Metro board had paidKPPRD for Home and Volunteer parks,with the money to be used to make KPPRDsolvent so it can go out of business.

KPPRD is now solvent, and has no assetsor business left. Recently, discussions havebeen held regarding keeping the lameduck district on the books for the benefitof other local organizations. That is notwhat the voters are expecting. Despite theargument over the technical meaning ofthe word “promise,” many voters andmetro creation committee membersbelieved that KPPRD would disappear ifthe Metro Parks District were formed.Although the word “promise” was neverused, as one or two of the KPPRD commis-sioners argued, it was, in fact, an impliedpromise. Even the Municipal Service andResearch Center of Washington (MSRC),a clearinghouse of local government infor-mation, states KPPRD “will be dissolvedand assets transferred to new MetropolitanPark District.”

The repayment in May was one of thebiggest steps in the right direction,helping KPPRD tie remaining loose ends.The public should encourage the commis-sioners to continue on this path in an effi-cient manner, so that everyone’s effortscould then be focused on supporting theMetro Parks district. The MPD has bigwork ahead, as it looks at a comprehensiveplan for Volunteer Park and has loomingacquisitions of a 350-acre park and otherpotential properties. There is no need tohave two park districts on the KeyPeninsula.

If KPPRD is allowed to remain in busi-ness, it will foster public distrust, putting injeopardy any future support from voters,contributors and volunteers.

4 www.keypennews.com • Key Peninsula NewsPeninsula Views

Editorial

The opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily those of the KP News. We neither endorse nor oppose issues or proposals discussed on this page and present these views for public information only.

By Linea LairdWSDOT

The Washington State Department ofTransportation chose to install rampmeters on five eastbound State Route 16on-ramps in response to public requeststo reduce congestion during bridgeconstruction. We anticipated questionsabout ramp meters in general, andabout the Purdy ramp meter specifically.After all, SR-16 congestion does notreach that far west.

WSDOT addresses highway conges-tion with two primary tools 1)increasing highway capacity (thusincreasing supply); or 2) managing thenumber of cars on the highway (thusmanaging demand). In the case of SR-16, WSDOT is doing both – increasingsupply by building HOV lanes and thenew bridge; and managing demand byregulating traffic with ramp meters. Bymanaging demand, WSDOT can

reduce the time the highway iscongested, and increase safely byreducing accidents at merge points.

During peak morning hours, thePurdy ramp delivers between 800 and1,100 vehicles each hour onto SR-16,more than any other ramp west of thebridge. Because of those volumes,metering at Purdy is key to managingdemand. We are not metering at Purdyto relieve highway congestion at Purdy.No congestion exists there. We aremetering at Purdy to manage demandon the overall corridor.

Metering is a balance between driverson the highway and drivers at ramps. Weare aware of potential backups at thePurdy on-ramp. The new traffic cameraswill give WSDOT a real-time view oftraffic, allowing adjustments to rampmeter rates as necessary

Traffic modeling shows the morningcommute from the Purdy ramp to thebridge will be 14 percent faster with

meters than without. The timesavingsinclude the wait at the ramp.

Meters will not eliminate congestion.Traffic volumes are too high to see reliefuntil we complete the SR-16 projects.Our goal in metering is to soften theedges of morning eastbound conges-tion. Even that small benefit to drivers isworthwhile.

Ramp meters may not be popular, butthey are effective. We know throughyears of experience metering in Kingand Snohomish counties that a smallinconvenience for drivers at the begin-ning of their trip leads to a faster andsafer overall trip.

Linea Laird is WSDOT’s Tacoma NarrowsBridge Project Manager. She brings experiencein project management and project engi-neering, maintenance operations and otherWSDOT specialties. As a resident of Silverdaleand a daily SR-16 commuter, she is veryfamiliar with the highway’s traffic patterns.

Ramp meters mean faster, safer travel

By Derek KilmerSpecial to KP News

I voted against the transportationbudget that would invest over $9 billion intransportation projects and wanted to tellyou why.

I share the concerns of many of youabout our high gas prices. I cannotstomach any gas tax increase unless theproposal provides a fair deal for the area Irepresent (which includes Gig Harbor,the Key Peninsula, and South Kitsap).

Unfortunately, despite improvementsin the final budget, both Pierce andKitsap counties will pay substantially morein new gas taxes than they get back in theform of new transportation investments.

The starkest example of inequity,though, is that our area has the only“mega-project” in the state – the NarrowsBridge – that will be funded almostentirely by tolls. It’s just not right that wewill pay for the Narrows Bridge and willalso be asked to pay additional taxes topay for megaprojects in other areas.

Many Peninsula residents think weshould get more state funds to reduce theneed for tolls on the bridge. I agree 100percent, and have been working closelywith Rep. Pat Lantz, Sen. Bob Oke, and

others in support of this goal. I offered an amendment requiring state

funding for the bridge - demandingequity. When that amendment didn’tpass, I couldn’t support the budget.

The battle for equitable funding is diffi-cult. An independent commission hasidentified over $50 billion in unfundedtransportation projects across the state.Because most Narrows Bridge construc-tion bonds have been sold and the bridgeis more than half constructed, most folksin the Legislature perceive the project asalready funded. I am working hard tochange this perception, and I willcontinue to fight for equitable funding;however, it is a steep hill to climb.

I am also advocating for the equitableuse of tolls.

At nearly every transportation hearing,I asked that tolls be used on other projects— not just on SR 16. I offered an amend-ment to require the use of tolls on the 520Bridge, the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and I-405. I’m pleased the final budget assumedtolls on these projects as well as a study oftolling equity.

I don’t begrudge the need to fix theAlaskan Way Viaduct and the 520 bridge.Both are an earthquake away fromcollapse. Should either structure fail,

there would be dramatic repercussionsfor the economy of our entire state.

However, while the Narrows Bridge isalmost entirely toll-funded, tolls will likelycover less than one-third of the cost of the520 Bridge and even less of the AlaskanWay Viaduct. I couldn’t support that.

While Rep. Lantz and I opposed theproposal, we succeeded in gettingfunding for some local priorities. Thebudget includes funding for improve-ments on Highway 16 as well as designdollars for a new corridor off Highway 302to promote safer transportation on theKey Peninsula.

Additionally, I’ve been working to pass abill to exempt the Narrows Bridge projectfrom the sales tax on construction, savingfuture bridge users nearly $50 million intolls. The bill passed the House withstrong bipartisan support. Hopefully nextyear, the Senate will pass it, too.

These are steps in the right directionbut are only a small piece of the larger pieI believe our region deserves. It’s not rightfor folks who will already be paying tolls tohave to pay increased gas taxes to pay forother people’s projects.

Derek Kilmer is state Representative for26th Legislative District.

A ‘No’ vote for the transportation proposal

Do you know a KP resident who hasrecently returned from Iraq or is currentlyserving on active duty anywhere around

the country or the world? We’d like tofeature them in a special tribute to soldiers.Please email [email protected] orleave your name and number at 884-4699

by June 13.

June 2005 • www.keypennews.com 5


Drivers have likely noticed what looklike black, rubber hoses stretched acrossthe road around the Key Pen this spring.The “hoses” are traffic counters thatPierce County routinely places, on arotating basis, on its roads.

“The primary purpose is to be able tomonitor changes in the operation of theroads,” said Traffic Engineer Jim Ellisonwith Pierce County Public Works. Trafficvolume changes are collected over time,and the studies are shared with otherinterested parties such as developers.

The counter is an electronic devicethat operates off a pneumatic air hose.When a vehicle travels over it, a pulse ofair is sent to the counter. In someinstances, two hoses are used side by sidefor more detail data, such as vehicle typeand speed.

At least 48 hours of data collection is

done per location. Ellison said the keylocations are studied every year, and theroads with less volume every two to threeyears. On the Key Pen, about half-dozenlocations are studied yearly, and 68 everyother year; a permanent count station,embedded into the highway south of KeyCenter, does counts every day.

“We canvass the entire county arterialsystem,” Ellison said. About 800 to 1,000locations are done per year.

The Traffic Volume Report, forexample, shows that in 1996, 8,075 vehi-cles per day traveled through the inter-section of Key Pen Highway and StateRoute 302; by 2004, that number grew to9,075. Another heavily used area, Wright-Bliss Road south of SR-302, had 2,050vehicles in ’96 and 2,200 in ‘04. Thereport was presented in May to the KeyPeninsula Community Planning Board,which is looking at various KP statisticsand other elements as it plans for a 20-year growth.

Residents asked to be vigilantas fire season approaches


Key Peninsula Fire District 16 respondedto two suspicious fires on May 8, followingother recent suspicious incidents.Although no one was injured, fire officialssaid that with the approaching fire season,residents should be on alert.

The first fire involved a large traveltrailer near Rocky Creek area, on the sameproperty where a boat trailer was previ-ously stolen and a vehicle was vandalized.Later in the evening, firefighters werecalled to the second blaze, at a vacantmobile home in Home. Neighbors said thehome had been vacant for about a year,following a methamphetamine lab bust.Arson was suspected at both structures.

A garbage can, mailbox, and gardenshed were involved in suspicious firesearlier, and are being investigated inde-pendently. “The size of the fires gettingbigger is a concern,” said FD-16 Division

Chief Paul Bosch. “We encourage peopleto remain vigilant and pay attention towhat’s going on in their community. … If ithad been August, it could have been a lotworse.”

The lack of rains this winter has createdprime drought conditions, and Bosch saidlast year the fire district “got off easy”during the fire period, but this year a diffi-cult season was anticipated.

Residents can do several things to mini-mize the danger to their homes:

• Secure the property so it doesn’t givepotential criminals a chance to access it.

•Provide a defense perimeter aroundthe house of 30 feet to allow firefighters todefend the home if necessary, as well ashelp minimize the spread of the blaze.Dead plants, trees and shrubs should beremoved from the entire site, along withexcess leaves and other dry materials.

• Choose fire-resistant trees and shrubs,such as hedging roses, currant, maple,cherry and poplar. Keep plants greenduring the fire season, watering regularlyand trimming grass.

• Store flammable materials and stackedwood 30 or more feet away from the home.

County studies trafficon the Key Peninsula

Arson suspected in 2 fires

Story and photo by Hugh McMillan

The first Saturday in May, happy boatingenthusiasts Maudie Lucas, Carol Ptak,John Glennon, and Peg Bingham enjoyedthe annual Opening Day of Boating break-fast at the Longbranch ImprovementClub’s dock on Filucy Bay. It was also theoccasion for the “Any Direction Race,” inwhich sailboat competitors exercise“skipper’s choice” to circumnavigate eitherEagle Island or Anderson Island beforereturning to the marina for trophies,awarded to the first three of five winners.The first place winner’s name goes on thePerpetual Trophy plaque.

Mark Jones, LIC marina dock master,reported that Derek Heib aboard “FlashFriday” took first place, Dylan Lippert wassecond in “V-21,” and Pat Thompson tookthird in “Lavender Bleu.” Jones laughedthat no one finished the race.

“They were fighting the tidesthroughout the day, and there was nowind,” he said. The 11-foot tide wasmoving them all toward Olympia - andthat’s definitely not where the finish linewas located.

“When the racers finally returned to thedock, they were greeted with the terrific

music of Mark Runyans’ band, JazzMusette,” Jones said.

“We had 20 boats registered, the largestnumber ever despite the fact that severalsailors went to Seattle for opening daythere. All in all, it was a great day.”


LIC marks boating season opening

Cheyanne Hampton, 7, came to the eventwith her grandma to watch grandpa SandyBlack aboard his sailboat, “Helicity.”


Editor’s note:The Key Peninsula News first reported in

October 2003 about residents on so-called144th Street who are not able to use their prop-erties in any way that requires permits. Sincethen, they’ve continued to search for answerson how they can end the situation, and theyfeel their elected officials have turned theirbacks on them while they pay taxes on proper-ties with greatly diminished values. The KeyPeninsula News is looking for answers as well,and will present the three sides — the resi-dents’, the county’s and Tacoma Power’s — ina series of articles starting with this June issue.


Lance and Tina Lott moved to the KeyPeninsula in 2003 from Minnesota.Attracted by the same features that bringsnewcomers here — proximity to the water,quiet lifestyle, birds roaming —theysettled on more than an acre of land. Thehome was even Tina’s favorite color:yellow.

“We fell in love with the Key Peninsula,”she said. “It gives you a sense of beingaway.”

Just a few weeks after their move, theyhad the first sign of what would laterbecome a fight for their property rights.As they eventually found out, some oftheir neighbors have held the same fightfor years.

The Lotts live off a gravel right-of-waythat on many maps is called 144th Streetand is nicknamed Pole Line Road, a utilityroad used by Tacoma Power to service itspower line that stretches from Tacoma tothe Cushman Dam. For years, the resi-dents used the road to access their homes,develop their property and get their mail.Many of them say they had no idea that,

according to Tacoma Power, they wereusing the road “illegally.”

“We saw an article in the Key PeninsulaNews (October 2003) and we thought thatwas weird,” Tina said. The articledescribed a landlocked situation theirneighbors found themselves in, and theLotts asked their realtor to look into it.

“We didn’t think anything of it andwent about our married life, and one daycame home and there is a gate,” TinaLott said.

The gate, installed off 118th Street, isone of several on the right-of-way. TacomaPower spokesperson Chris Gleason said ata neighborhood meeting that the utilityneeded to protect the area but that itwould provide residents and emergencyservices with access.

It costs the utility between $30,000 and$50,000 to clean up junk cars and othergarbage along the road, she said, and “it’sreally not reasonable to send crews toclean up the property.”

For many residents, however, the gatesare the least of their worries. For severalyears, Pierce County stopped issuingpermits to all property owners who cannotshow alternative access to their plats.

Joe Geier learned about the problemnearly two years ago, when he tried to helphis son build a home on a portion of his 15acres. What he found, he said, was adilemma going back 80 years, after alawsuit that condemned portions of theproperties on 144th for the utility road.Geier believes the lawsuit never took theresidents’ right of using the road. He ques-tioned why the county issued permits twoor three decades ago and not now. Thereis no exact count on the number of prop-erties affected, but residents estimatebetween 50 and 80.

“We’ve asked the county not to issue any

more permits because we are liable for theright-of-way,” Gleason told the residents.

According to Pierce CountyCouncilman Terry Lee, the county hasnever done title reports to guaranteeaccess for issuing a permit, and the parcelsare flagged “only when someonecomplains” and “it comes on the radarscreen.” However, a July 2003 letter toJoseph J. Geier written by countyExecutive John Ladenburg and signed onhis behalf by Chief of Staff Lyle Quasimstates: “Section 503 of the UniformBuilding Code and Chapter 12.03 of thePierce County Code require that appro-priate access be provided in order toobtain a building permit.”

Back in 1971, Pierce County PublicWorks Director WM. R. Thorntondescribed the situation in a letter to theBoard of Commissioners: “Residents wereable to purchase land in the area andtherefore were able to obtain buildingpermits from the County. There is no waythat we know of whereby the County canrefuse a building permit to any residenteven though, to the best of our knowl-edge, there is no access to the property”except “via this City Light road.”

When Max and Joann Aikins moved tothe area nearly 40 years ago, they said theywere told by county officials that 144th wasan undeveloped county road, and that itwould be developed once more residentspopulated the area. The Aikins evenpurchased an additional 5-acre parcel in1988 in order to have legal access to theirhome — via 144th. On their “Declarationof Boundary Line Revision,” a map showstheir access from the right-of-way, calledC.D. Rowley Road, running alongTacoma’s transmission line. The map hasthe stamp of approval of the boundaryrevision by the county Planning

Department. It is one of several docu-ments and maps that make reference tothe road.

“It is a transmission right-of-way, it’s nota road, it will never be a road,” TacomaPower Superintendent Steve Kline said. “Idon’t refute somebody illegally calls it aroad…It is our property, I don’t care whatthe maps say.”

Two to three decades ago, there werediscussions between the county and theutility about making the right-of-way acounty road. Today, both the county andthe utility say that doesn’t appear to be anoption, and each side says they’ve tried tocooperate with the other but the otherdoesn’t.

“The county has washed their hands ofit. We don’t see it as Tacoma Power’sresponsibility to maintain the right-of-way,” Gleason said at the neighborhoodmeeting. “We’ve been trying for years tocooperate with the county and they’re justnot with it.”

Lee said at a different neighborhoodmeeting the following month: “It doesn’tlook like Tacoma Power is interested inplaying ball.”

In the meantime, the two jurisdictionshave agreed to share the cost of installingelectronic gates, answering the residents’concerns about safety with manual gates.The jurisdictions also appear to agree onone thing: Residents must find an alterna-tive access, via easements and other ways.The residents are racing against the clock:According to one neighbor, TacomaPower will only allow them to use the roadfor access for two years while resients findanother way.

Next month: A look through the years at thediscussions between the three involved parties,and the impact of the situation on the ownerstoday.

Prisoners on their own land?‘Landlocked’ residents want answers

Civic Center staff would like to hear from everyone whoattended the Friday Night Skating this year, or those whodidn’t attend but would have liked to.

Staff want to be sure it is the best program it can be. Please fill out this survey,and return to the Civic Center office or to the box marked “survey” during SkateNight. Call 884-3456 with any questions.

1. Did you participate in Skate Night this year? About how often? If not, why not? 2. What did you like about Skate Night?3. What would make Skate Night a better experience for you?4. Would you participate in a Family Skate Night on Sunday afternoon if it were offered? 5. Any other comments, suggestions, ideas, questions?Optional: Please add your name and contact number (phone, email) for follow-up,

if you wish.

Photos by Hugh McMillan Above, Minter Elementary students entertained fair-goers with various musical acts.Left, A would-be clogger tries to keep up off-stage to the beat of the magnificentRhythm-n-Shoes Cloggers.


Fair spotlights

livablecommunity

Right, Nancy Morrison withthe county’s Solid Waste

division talks to Michele Hillabout the new recycling bins,

which happened to arrive inmany Key Pen neighborhoods

the same morning. Kiki, 5,and Kyle, 7, listen in.

Below right, Judie Holleywith Pierce County

Neighborhood Action TeamProgram and Lt. LarryBauer of the PeninsulaDetachment visit with

Jeannine Lutge.Photos by Hugh McMillan

The Key Peninsula CivicCenter was abuzz with

activity on May 8, whenseveral dozen organizationswere featured at the annual

Livable Community Fair,organized by Safe Streets

and the Civic Center. Morethan $1,000 was raised forthe Civic Center through

the event.

Four-year-oldLilly West spendssome time at the“live display”presented by the4H.

Photo by RodikaTollefson


Story and photos by Rodika TollefsonKP News

On a recent Thursday in May, EvergreenElementary students had their chance tomix concrete, hammer nails and build ascaled-down version of a house wall. As

they moved from discussing the processwith builder Ron Hendrickson to buildinga frame and looking at tools, they usedconcepts they learned in school, includingmath and fractions.

Hendrickson’s visit to Evergreen waspart of a six-week program sponsored by

the Master Builders Association of PierceCounty. Hendrickson, of HendricksonConstruction Co. from University Place,was one of six industry professionals whovisited the school for one hour each weekas part of the after-school programAFTER ‘OURS. An architect, a supplier, a

remodeler, a real estate agent and alawyer also visit with the students as partof the program, discussing how theirwork fits within the home buildingprocess, and how things the kids learn inschool — like math and creative writing— would apply.

Schools10 www.keypennews.com • Key Peninsula News

Evergreen students learn the art of home building

Photo by Hugh McMillanStudents from Kelly Reynolds’ and Susan Brummit’s classes at Evergreen Elementarystand proudly before the sign “Coins For Cancer” proclaiming that they’d raised$643.63 in the week ending May 13 to support efforts to find a cure for the dreadeddisease. On learning that one of their favorite teachers had been diagnosed with cancer,they decided to do something about it — and did. Some emptied their piggy banks,others gave up allowances, some contributed their lunch money, and they all successfullyencouraged their classmates to support the effort.

Students cash in for cause

SchoolsJune 2005 • www.keypennews.com 11

Right, Ariana Smithshares her Sumi

painting with thestudents.

Above: Artwork by Joel Fandel.

KPMS classshows offartistic worksPhotos and story by Jerry LibstaffSpecial to KP News

On May 11, more than 50 studentsfrom Key Peninsula Middle School readpoetry and described Sumi paintingsthey created. Teachers Connie Nelsonand Cindy Knisely combined their classesto allow the students to share their artprojects.

Two local artists, Reni Moriarty andDebra McElroy, completed residencies inthe classes, working with the teachers toprovide a “different educational experi-ence” for the students through theArtists in Schools program sponsored bythe Two Waters Arts Alliance (see relatedarticle on page 24).

Student Rebecca Sarr said she had“never really drawn before” but “it wasfun, a good experience.”

The work created by the students,along with art projects from six other KeyPeninsula classes, will be featured at theKey Peninsula Library on June 7.

Photo by Danna WebsterL-R: Port of Allyn Commissioners Judy Scott, Ben Meservey, and Linda Blackwell tookpart in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the North Bay Kayak Park grand opening onMay 6.The park is part of the Cascadia Marine Trail, which is a National RecreationalTrail with over 50 sites along Puget Sound shorelines.


Legislative issues and bills addressed in ‘05By Rodika Tollefson KP News

When the Democratic-led Legislatureadjourned at the end of April, lawmakerswent home after passing a two-year, $26billion operating budget relying heavily onnew “sin tax” (on tobacco and hardalcohol) and a $8.5 billion transportationpackage that will be funded by a 9.5-centtax increase over four years (see relatedstory on cover).

The KP News takes a look at a few bills.(Note: Sen. Bob Oke was unavailable foran interview due to starting his treatmentfor cancer; Rep. Pat Lantz did not returnKP News phone calls.)

House Bill 2266, signed by Gov.Christine Gregoire, was called a major steptoward fighting methamphetamine. Thelegislation will require cold and allergymedicines that contain meth productionprecursor drugs to be kept behind thecounter at pharmacies or locked. Thosewho purchase the medicines must be atleast 18 years old, show a photo I.D., andhave a limit of two packages per 24 hours(one package for some dosages). Theirnames will be recorded in a log.

“If you look at the impact meth has onour community, it’s important that we fightthis issue,” said Rep. Derek Kilmer, addingthat after a similar bill in Oklahoma, methlab production was reduced by 70 percent.Asked about privacy issues regarding thisbill, he said compared to the taxes citizenspay for prisons and related services,signing the log “is a minor inconvenience.”The bill was co-sponsored by Lantz.

Senate Bill 5048, sponsored by Oke,would have made it illegal to give awaytobacco products at public events —where teens report being offered thesamples even though they can’t legallybuy it. “We are going to save lives with thisbill,” Oke wrote to his constituents in asession review. “Cigarettes kill people.There is no good reason why handing outfree samples of a deadly product shouldbe allowed to go on in this state.” Thebill died in the House after passing twocommittees.

HB 1864, introduced by Kilmer and co-sponsored by Lantz, creates a citizen advi-sory committee comprised of residentsaffected by the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.Previously the advisory board’s memberswould have been from Western

Washington, Kilmer said. The group willadvise on future toll collections andconsider feasibility of discounts to seniors,students and frequent users. The bill hadoverwhelming support; it was signed intolaw by Gregoire.

HB 1865, co-sponsored by Kilmer andLantz, would exempt the bridge construc-tion from sales taxes, reducing tolls. Itdied in Senate and Kilmer said he willcontinue to pursue it. “We’re going to paya toll to pay sales tax that goes back to the

state, when the state isn’t paying muchtoward the project,” he said. Oke wrote inhis update that Gregoire told him shewould sign the bill if the provision thatexempts projects from tax that are fundedby a minimum of “80 percent” by tollswould be changed to “90 percent.”

SB 5139, sponsored by Oke, wouldallow the use of traps for moles. Initiative713 did not exempt moles from theprohibition against body-gripping traps.“Right now honest people are breakingthe law to protect their property,” Okewrote. “We have athletic fields that can’tbe used because of damage by moles. Wehave unsafe conditions in our parks andat airports because of how the initiativehas tied our hands.” The bill died in aHouse committee.

Gov. Gregoire signed in May the $3.3billion capital budget, which includesfunding for a 350-acre park on the KeyPeninsula (see KP News, May issue).The bill also increases the amount ofmatching funds schools will receive forconstruction projects. “It’s the first timein decades that the school constructionfunding has increased,” Kilmer said.

North Bay has a new water parkBy Danna WebsterKP News

The North Bay Kayak Park is locatedon the water side of State Route 3, justpast Allyn, before Sherwood CreekBridge. This area was a swimming holemany years ago. It recently received anextreme makeover and cleanup, andnow offers a sandy beach, a kayaklaunch, an ADA-approved path, and hasan ADA accessible restroom. The park,which celebrated its grand opening inMay, will be open most of the year.

“[It’s] kind of great to bring it back,full circle, to the public again,” saidBonnie Knight, executive director ofthe Port of Allyn.

Allyn resident Sara Germaine walkedto the park with her 19-month-olddaughter, Ruby, in a stroller.

“(I’m) really glad that this park ishere,” Germaine told Knight. “I’ll bringmy kids down to build sand castles…Ican’t thank you enough.”

Want to contact yourlegislators?

Rep. Pat Lantz (D): (360) 786-7964Rep. Derek Kilmer (D): (360) 786-

7802Sen. Bob Oke (R): (360) 786-7650Kilmer will report on the legislative

session on June 22, 7 p.m., at thePierce County Library in Key Center.

Do you have a legislative bill or issuequestion you’d like Key Pen News tocover? Call us at 884-4699 or [email protected] (please leaveyour name).


By Hugh McMillanKP News

More than 300 racers, competing onbicycles comparable to those used byLance Armstrong and his teammates inthe Tour de France, competed in May inLongbranch.

The Washington State Bicycle RoadRace Championship, hosted bymembers of Gig Harbor’s Old TownBicycle Road Racing Team, includedevents in the juniors and masters levels(men’s and women’s).

Juniors are youth who are just begin-ning the sport of competitive bicycleracing. Masters, many of whom haveextensive experience in competitivecycling, are all over 30 years of age. Steven P. Breaux, volunteer coordinatorfor the Old Town Bicycle Racing Teamand one of the event organizers, said,“The annual race, which attractshundreds of competitive cyclists fromaround the state, and some from out ofstate, is a major event on theWashington State Bicycle Associationroad racing calendar.”

The race started at the LongbranchImprovement Club, followed KeyPeninsula Highway north, where it madea sharp left turn onto Whiteman Road,followed Whiteman Road, including achallenging mile-long climb, until it

curved onto 76th Street, then turned leftback onto the KP Highway passing theFilucy Bay Marina before returning tothe LIC start/finish area.

The race was broken into a series ofevents in which riders of similar ability

competed with one another on the chal-lenging 10-mile circuit. The event wasofficiated by the U.S. CyclingFederation, which ensures thatnumerous rules and safety measures areenforced. Race volunteers acted ascorner marshals, temporarily haltingtraffic as groups of racers passed inter-sections, and also drove lead and followcars with flashing lights to protect eachgroup of racers within a “rolling enclo-sure.”

“We’re really glad that theWashington State Bicycle Associationonce again gave us the honor of hostingthe state championships,” Breaux said.“It’s become a real tradition among thestate’s top-level cyclists to come to theKey Peninsula every spring for thisevent. It has also become a tradition forthe people of the Key Peninsula. Wecouldn’t do it without their support —especially that of the LIC.”

The Old Town Bicycle Racing Teamhas members throughout South PugetSound and is sponsored by Old TownBicycle with shops in Gig Harbor andTacoma.

Bicycle race comes to Longbranch

Photo by Hugh McMillanMasters, all over 30 years of age, complete the exhausting race in front of theLongbranch Improvement Club.

Community Works14 www.keypennews.com • Key Peninsula News

Planning board meetings

The next meetings for the KeyPeninsula Community Planning Boardare scheduled for Wednesday, June 1 andTuesday, June 21. Meetings are held at 7p.m. in the Key Peninsula Middle SchoolLibrary.

The Community Planning Board isworking on policy development for theKey Peninsula Community Planregarding the Economic Developmentand Land Use. Members of the generalpublic are encouraged to attend themeetings. For more information, seewww.piercecountywa.org/landuse.

News fromTOPS#WA1325, LakebayEncouragement and discussions about

sensible eating are a winning combina-tion in the Morning Take Off PoundsSensibly (TOPS) group. We meet atMcColley Hall in the Key PeninsulaLutheran Church (on the corner ofLackey Rd. and Key Peninsula Hwy.),every Tuesday morning at 9 a.m.Congratulations to our new boardmembers Gloria Bowman, Leader; JondaSmith, Co-Leader; Dolores Argabright,Secretary; Daniel Boone, Treasurer; Betty

Mayer, and Patty Lahoe, WeightRecorders; Lena Bradford, Chapter Joy.

During a private weigh-in, the rest ofthe members socialize and greet guestuntil the meeting begins at 9:30 a.m.Those with losses are recognized; gamesand contests come next, followed by aprogram on subject of interest andencouragement to all. Men and Womenboth take active part in the meetings ages7 to infinity are welcome. Cost to joinTOPS is $20 a year and dues are $5 amonth. After the meeting, some membersof the group go for a walk down JacksonLake Road and everyone is invited to goon the walk. Come and join us. For moreinformation on a great support group callGloria 884-2554 or Jonda 884-1335.

Angel Guild elects officersAngel Guild has a new slate of officers

and board of directors. Pat Kunzl is ournew president. The new officers wereinstalled at a beautiful luncheon presentedby a very capable group of ladies. We aremost appreciative of their talents.

There are many talented people in ourgroup. Evidence of this was shown at theLivable Community Fair. We value theirdedication.

Summer is coming and if you need

shorts, jeans, sandals, swimsuits oranything else connected with summer,shop Angel Guild Thrift Store first. Ourprices are the lowest in the area. Ourselection is the best. This is due to dona-tions our community gives to us, and inturn enables us to give to the community.Isn’t it a good feeling to help someone?We all gain by it.

—By Betty Barkubein

Vaughn author talksabout publishing

Friends of the Library present ReneeRiva on Thursday, June 9 at 7 p.m. in theBrones Room. Riva will hold a discussionon getting written work published. Herrecently published children’s books,“Guido’s Gondola” and “Izzy the Lizzy”went on sale May 17. Riva is holding abook signing at the KP Civic Center onSaturday, June 4 from noon to 2 p.m.

The Bloodmobile will be inPurdy in June

The Bloodmobile will visit the KeyPeninsula and Gig Harbor in June. TheKey Peninsula visit is sponsored by thePHS Senior Project at Peninsula HighSchool, on June 10 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.,

14105 Purdy Dr. NW off 144th Street. Ifyou’re interested in donating blood andwould like to find out about other loca-tions, call Cascade Regional BloodServices at 383-2553 or see www.cascade-bloodcenters.org.

Civic Center Earth Dayevent rescheduled

The Earth Day work party date for theCivic Center was rained out. The KPCCAboard is now inviting residents to comeon Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 2p.m., to help with cleanup and beautifica-tion of the buildings and grounds at theCivic Center in Vaughn. Call 884-3456 forinformation.

TOPS in Vaughn invitesnew members

Hey Friends, it’s not too late to thinkabout shedding those extra pounds forsummer. Come join us at TOPS (that’sTake Off Pounds Sensibly)! We areworking on losing our extra weight andyou can too, the sensible way! We offer nofads, gimmicks or crazy stuff. Losingweight is hard work, we all know that, butit can be fun the TOPS way! We will bethere to support, encourage and lend a

June 2005 • www.keypennews.com 15Community Works

Get InvolvedChildren’s Home Society is seeking

teen and adult volunteers for theannual Summer Fun program. Good forschool community service hours. Call884-5433 for more information.

The Peninsula Adult BasicEducation Program through TacomaCommunity College is looking for volun-teers to help people improve basiceducation skills or obtain a GED. ContactJenny Jesch at 851-2424.

Key Peninsula CommunityServices desperately need a passengervan driver for senior shopping trips,twice a month. Call 884-4440 for details.

Habitat for Humanity is building onthe Key Peninsula. All men and womenvolunteers are appreciated. Constructionexperience is desirable, but not neces-sary. Call 627-5626.

Fire District 16 will have an openenrollment period for volunteer fire-fighters until June 30 and from Oct. 1 toDec. 31. No experience is required;must be 18 or older and U.S. citizen.Other minimum requirements apply; callDivision Chief Paul Bosch at 884-2222or stop by FD-16 in Key Center.

helping hand as you succeed in yourweight loss goals. Don’t be shy, come visitus on Tuesday nights at the Key PeninsulaCivic Center, VFW Room, 7:00 p.m. We’reanxious to meet you. For further informa-tion, call Jena at KPCC 884-3456.

—By Jo Wickline

Victor holds annual fleamarket

The annual flea market at the VictorImprovement Club, behind the firestation off State Route 302, will be heldon June 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meetthe neighbors and hunt for treasures!

LIC Marina hosts‘Odyssey Cruise’

Tour South Puget Sound on June 18 onthe SSS Odyssey, a 90-foot yawl built in1938 by Sparkman & Stephens. The cruiseis hosted by the LIC Marina and organ-ized by the Boy Scouts. The $30 ticket perperson includes $5 toward a raffle for ascale replica. Call 884-5137 for details.

For more June events, see the SummerGuide special insert.

Unusual tides in June

Thursday, June 23, will have unusuallyhigh tides:

Vaughn Bay: 1:23 p.m., minus 4.1 feet;9:02 p.m., plus 16.1 feet

Devil’s Head: 1:16 p.m., minus 4.3 feet;8:51 PM, plus 15.9 feet

Henderson Bay: 1:10 p.m., minus 3.9feet; 8:42 p.m., plus 14.8 feet

Allyn: 1:25 p.m., minus 4.2 feet; 8:59 p.m., plus 16.1 feet.

June 22, will also have unusual tides. Source: NOAA 2005 tide tables with calcu-

lated location offsets per NOAA publishedformulas.

Story and photo by Danna WebsterKP News

Living on the Key Peninsula puts BobDeLaney and his wife, Anne, close totheir grandkids. It also makes themconvenient resources for the GigHarbor/Key Peninsula Chapter ofHabitat for Humanity.DeLaney had beeninvolved with Habitatin SouthernCalifornia beforemoving here.

It is DeLaney’s jobto recruit andorganize the volun-teers for the organiza-tion’s Gig Harbor/Key Peninsulachapter. He calls himself the nominalchair of a committee team that includesPat Ellis and Gordon Sund. He has beenthe Volunteer Committee chairmansince the chapter’s inception in 2001.

“Every time we need a few extravolunteers, whether for publicity eventsor for construction, Bob always comesthrough. His attention to detail is agreat example to the rest of us and he is

truly a pleasure to work with,” saysWarren Hendrickson, GH/KP Chapterchairman and vice president of theTacoma Habitat for Humanity AffiliateBoard.

DeLaney says the chapter has anextraordinary network of volunteersand they try to get everybody out onbuilding site. They got a lot of volun-teers from the Habitat sign that wasacross from the new Burger King andfrom publicity in papers. Sometimespeople see them working and stop tosay they are interested in volunteering.“[We have] always had many profes-sionals and well-experienced peoplevolunteer to advise us,” he says.

The chapter finds and partners withfamilies who live in substandardhousing. They find property to buy, raisethe funds to buy the property, recruit thevolunteers, and build the houses.

When DeLaney was asked aboutvolunteering his retirement time tothe Habitat chapter, his response was,“…Just do it for fun. It’s a realpleasure working with the families andother volunteers. (I’m) blessed, beinga blessing.”

Volunteer spotlight: Bob DeLaney

DELANEY

Calendar is now online! See www.keypennews.com


Key Peninsula CommunityCouncil seeks new directors

The Key Peninsula CommunityCouncil has set the date for its secondelection since the council’s inception inMarch 2004.

The council was established as anonpartisan, nonpolitical organizationrepresenting the entire peninsula. The14 council members are becoming activein promoting improved safety, provideinput to community planning efforts,expanding more diverse opportunitiesfor youth, and may become involved inactivities to improve public health, jobopportunities and input to PierceCounty.

The council is funded by a variety ofsources including donations, member-ships and a small grant from PierceCounty.

On Sept. 17, the KPCC will elect sevendirectors. The council has four districts,which correspond to the U.S. Censustracts on the Key Peninsula.

Barbara Schoos and Arlene Williamswill coordinate the election. The elec-tions will include candidates from eachdistrict.

Council directors say this is an oppor-tunity for residents to help improve thequality of life on the Key Peninsula.

Qualifications to serve as a directorinclude being at least 18 years old andliving or owning property on the KeyPeninsula. Candidate forms and districtmaps may be obtained by calling theKPCC at 884-0557 or President JeffHarris at 884-467.

Applications are due by Aug. 12. Thecouncil meets the second Wednesday ofeach month at the Key Peninsula MiddleSchool from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and thepublic is encouraged to attend.

Rep. Kilmer to presentreport at KP library

The public is invited to attend a sessionfocusing on a legislative report by Rep.Derek Kilmer at the Key Peninsulabranch of the Pierce County Library inKey Center.

The event, sponsored by the KP LionsClub, is free and starts at 7 p.m. onWednesday, June 22.

Contributions of nonperishable foodfor the KP Food Bank, used eye glassesand used hearing aids for recyclingunder the Lions’ Sight and HearingConservation programs will be collected.

News briefs


By Colleen SlaterKP News

Phyllis Anker is pleased to recall growingup in the community she still calls home.Her roots go deep.

Her grandfather, Andrew Olson, arrivedto homestead in 1886. The Buckell great-grandparents and her Bill grands andgreat-grands came from Alberta, Canada,in 1908 and 1911 to settle in Vaughn.

Today many think Sunnycrest Farm is inKey Center, but Olson considered itVaughn. Phyllis, born where sister JoyceNiemann now lives, says her birth certifi-cate reads Vaughn.

Olsons had a chick hatchery whenPhyllis was young. Her mother checkedeggs for embryos and threw out those thathad none. “It was really the only farm workMother did, because she was busy with fivekids, cooking and all the rest,” she says.The children were put to bed on bales ofhay in the hatchery if necessary.

Phyllis’ dad sold his “Sunnycrest Chicks”all over the peninsula. Most people raisedchickens, but his was the only chickhatchery around.

Phyllis recalls being fascinated by thevisit of the “sexer” who arrived when thechicks were a day old. He divided theroosters from the pullets, and put them inseparate bins.

“We always had plenty to eat and work todo,” she says of the depression years.“People didn’t have much money, but myfolks did all right. They bought a new carin 1934, another in ‘36, and another in ‘37.

“The barber (Ray Bond) traded haircutsfor eggs,” Phyllis says. The Schaak familybrought soda pop and left with eggs. “Dadhad a big bull with a ring in his nose, andmany people on the peninsula had familycows. They brought them to Dad to beserviced. He charged $2,” she says.

The kids were excited when someonebrought his cow, because it meant theycould go to the movies. “We went to a lot ofmovies,” Phyllis remembers. “Port OrchardTheatre was closest. They sent out post-cards with the features for the month. OnFamily Night, you could take the wholefamily in for $1. Grandpa Frank used toload his car with kids. Or our folks would.”

There was always work on the farm.Phyllis and brother Don packed a case ofeggs every day, and to earn money for 4thof July fireworks, hosed potatoes. A dollareach was a lot of spending money then.

The Olson siblings, with their Froelichcousins, went to Glencove School through

eighth grade. Eight grades with 16 to 20children, no electricity, no running water,outhouses down the hill. A pump was onthe porch for water.

“Everybody played everything — base-ball, touch football...” because there wereso few students.

“Track Meet Day” each spring was a bigevent. The whole school participated, andthey practiced for weeks ahead. “Running— 50 and 100 yards — ball throw, shot put,pole vaulting — we had it all,” she says.

Glencove, Vaughn, Lakebay, andLongbranch grade schools competed, andribbons were awarded. The top threewinners for each event later went to GigHarbor to compete.

“I think summers were longer and hotterand winters were colder then,” Phyllis says.They did a lot of ice skating and sleddingin the winter. Summer meant swimming,bonfires, beach parties, picnics, “and ballgames on Sunday afternoon,” oftenumpired by Uncle D’Arcy.

Phyllis loved the community danceswhere children were taken. When thedance floor wax was sprinkled, the chil-dren were encouraged to slide around tomake it ready for dancing. Young oneswent to sleep on benches along the walls.

“Mother insisted we have music lessons,”Phyllis says. She took piano for awhile, butit didn’t last. In the ‘30s, Florence Holmanhad a harmonica band and all the kidsloved it.

Phyllis took accordion lessons. BrotherEd played trombone and Don had atrumpet.

“We were never bored,” Phyllis says. “Wehad lots of cousins and friends around.There was always something to do.”

Phyllis is glad she’s lived where and whenshe has. “I had roots,” she says with a smile.And still does.

From Pioneer StockPhyllis Anker appreciates her roots

People & Lifestyles

Photo courtesy of Phyllis Anker Phyllis Anker, age 8, with new haircut.


tive route. The report said that “as thisformerly rural region becomes moresuburbanized, pressure on existing trans-portation facilities will continue to erodethe level of service along SR-302.”

The transportation package will cost resi-dents 9.5 cents per gallon in new taxes,implemented over four years. Based on the2000 U.S. Census, about 72 percent of KeyPen residents commute to work 30 ormore minutes. About 20 percent commutefor 45-59 minutes, and about 26 percentcommute more than one hour. For aperson driving to work 35 miles in a car, forexample, it will cost about $67 per year justto drive to work and back. That’s in addi-tion to the roughly $36 (for commuting)this person is paying into the “nickel tax”adopted in 2003 for road improvements.

But that’s not all. The projects proposedfor King, Pierce and Snohomish County,including SR-302 corridor, Alaskan WayViaduct replacement, 520 floating bridge,and Interstate 405, must receive matchingfunds from the tri-county RegionalTransportation Investment District, or thestate funds will be diverted to other areas.

That means voters in those counties mustapprove additional taxes. A $13.2 billionRTID proposal dated March 2004 estimatedthe cost burden for a household with themedian income of $40,000 to $50,000 (KP’smedian is $49,000) at $271 per year. Add tothat $720 per year in tolls those commutingover the Tacoma Narrows Bridge would bepaying (actually $960 per year by the timethe entire 9.5-cent tax is in effect in 2010).Assuming the RTID taxes would kick in by2010, this KP commuter would pay a total of$1,063 per year to get to work, and a lotmore for going grocery shopping, kids’games etc. Additional costs would incur asbusinesses pass the tax to consumers.

Kjris Lund, executive director of theRTID, said the board will “reshape thepackage in light of the legislativeapproval.” The latest RTID proposalincluded widening part of 302 andbuilding a new corridor from the vicinityof 144th Street NW, with 2015 as the esti-mated midpoint of construction.

“We are assessing with Department ofTransportation staff what exactly did theLegislature fund,” she said. “In general,people have been concurring that projectsidentified on the RTID are priorities, butsome projects can emerge as new priori-ties.” The RTID board includes representa-tives from all the counties. (Lee is an alter-nate member for Pierce County.)

Of the $8.5 billion transportationfunding, a big portion is dedicated toSeattle-area projects. “There is greatconcern about fairness when it comes to

our area,” said Rep. Derek Kilmer, whoalong with Rep. Pat Lantz and Sen. BobOke voted against the transportationbudget. “I don’t want our area to pay addi-tionally until we see benefits from it.”

The new gas tax would cost rural resi-dents such as those on the Key Pen farmore than those in Seattle, says local resi-dent Rich Hildahl, because rural residentshave to drive bigger vehicles by necessityand drive much farther. But Seattle resi-dents are the ones benefiting the most.

“The 9.5-cent tax is only a downpayment,” he said. “For a rural area likeKey Peninsula, it’s horrible legislation.”

Hildahl said he would support more taxeshad the process been more transparent andhad the legislators disclosed the truth. As is,much of the funding goes toward “urbanrenewal” in Seattle and projects that willhave almost no impact on local transporta-tion, he says, and taxpayers are asked to payfor projects that don’t have defined plans.South Sound residents are essentially beingheld hostage, said Hildahl, who has workedon development projects for The WorldBank with countries including China andRussia. “There have been so many gamesplayed with the transportation package”without addressing obvious and funda-mental concerns, he said.

An effort that nearly made it throughthe Legislature may have provided somerelief to Gig Harbor/Key Pen residents. Abill to allow counties to exempt areas fromthe regional transportation tax had strongsupport but died at the last moment. RTIDdirector Lund said when the board looksat next year’s work plan, it could considerthe boundary adjustments and makerecommendations. When asked whethereliminating an area like the Peninsulafrom the RTID taxation proposal wouldalso eliminate any Peninsula projects fromfunding, Lund said it would be up to theboard but both possibilities existed.

The 2006 Legislature is slated to bringthe RTID bill back, but in the meantime agroup of citizens is trying to recall the 9.5-cent gas tax altogether. They must collect225,014 signatures by July 8 to qualify theinitiative for the November ballot. The taxwill make Washington top in the nation forgasoline taxes, but will not provide realtransportation solutions, the group says.

“We already have the fifth-highest gaso-line tax in the country. Obviously, thestrategy is to have a little bit for everybodyto sell the big subsidy for Seattle. Seattleresidents will not have the burden ofpaying because they don’t commute,”Hildahl said. “If our legislators have thecourage of their convictions, they will signthe petition calling for the rescinding theproposed 9.5-cent tax and start over with asound and fair plan in the next session.”

(From SR 302, Page 1)

By Irene TorresKP News

If you have family coming to visit thissummer and are looking for accommo-dations, or hope to “escape” yourself fora day but don’t want to drive far, here isa roundup of the hospitable bed &breakfast facilities on or near Key Pen.

Westwynd Motel in Purdy: Pets arewelcome at the Westwynd Motel, locatednear the gateway to the Key Peninsula.Owner Ed Taylor says, “I’ve been oper-ating this motel for about 20 years. In allthat time, I’ve never had a dog or catsteal towels, bedclothes, silverware orpictures off the walls. I’ve never had toevict a dog in the middle of the nightfor being drunk and disorderly. AndI’ve never had a cat run out on a hotelbill. Your dog or cat is welcome at myhotel. And, if your pet will vouch foryou, you’re welcome to stay here, too.”Call 857-4047 for information aboutrates and other details, or go online to

www.westwyndmotel.com; reservationsmay be made by calling 800-468-9963.

Aloha Beachside in Wauna: Hawaii iscloser than you think, at the AlohaBeachside. Hosts Greg and Lalaine Wongsay, “Capture the spirit and experienceHawaiian hospitality at its finest. Whetherit’s for a romantic getaway, honeymoon,anniversary celebration, or extendedbusiness stay, we will recreate those fondmemories of our 50th state.” [email protected] or call 1-888-ALOHA-BB

Bear’s Lair in Wauna: A Bear’s Lair is “aslice of heaven right here on the KeyPeninsula,” say its hosts, Giulio and JenSantori. “Our guests experience the ulti-mate getaway. From the 5-star accommo-

dations with custom woodworkingthroughout, or stroll the breathtakinggardens and relax in the island gazebo,”they say. Featuring award-winning break-fasts, the Bear’s Lair is the most uniqueestate-style B & B in the Puget Sound,entirely designed and built by theSantoris. Says Jen, “Our guests are alwayswelcomed by Buddy, the GoldenRetriever, official Bear’s Lair greeter!”Call toll-free 877-855-9768, local 253-857-8877; www.bearslairbb.com

The Olde Glen Cove Hotel in GlenCove: Hosts Larry and Luciann Nadeaurecently said, “We cater to people from allaround the globe. We have folks fromEngland staying with us this weekend...”Built as a resort hotel in 1896, it has beena National Historic Place since 1978.Nestled above a quiet cove on PugetSound, it features weddings and recep-tions in an elegant and historical setting.The hotel has a rich history. www.glencov-ehotel.com or call 858-7797.

A Bed on the Bay in Vaughn: A perfectgetaway from the city, an elegant 12,000-square-foot facility, with gazebo andguesthouse overlooking Vaughn Bay, ABed on the Bay is hosted by RoseSacdalan and Michael Nadel. For reserva-

tions, phone 884-9664 or [email protected]. This propertywas listed for sale at press time, but will beopen for the summer.

Frog Creek Lodge in Lakebay:Innkeeper Suzanne Dircks says, “FrogCreek Lodge is a uniquely decoratedlarge log home with each bedroomhaving a different theme. The facility is ina tranquil environment, which will bringyou to close to nature. The labyrinth andtrails through the woods provide a goodsetting for reflection and relaxation.”The lodge rents out the entire building ata time; call 884-3188 or [email protected]

The Selah Inn in Belfair: The Selah Innis featured in three books: “Best Places toKiss in the Northwest,” “Romantic PacificNorthwest,” and “Absolutely Every B&Bin Washington.” From romantic getaways,to family beach parties, to large groupevents and seminars, its elegant countryinn and the adjacent guest houses offerthe ultimate of luxurious comfort andrelaxation and fully catered meals in thebreathtaking setting of pristine HoodCanal, hosted by Bonnie and PatMcCullough, innkeepers. Contact 360-275-0916, toll-free 877-232-7941, [email protected]

SummertimeJune 2005 • www.keypennews.com 19

Lodging on the KP suits everytaste and nearly every pocketbook

For stories about things to do thissummer on the Key Pen, see the KeyPeninsula Summer Guide 2005, aspecial section in this issue.

Business20 www.keypennews.com • Key Peninsula News

Winery opening soon near youBy Danna WebsterKP News

Every bottle of wine has a story to tell.It is the adventure of grapes throughthe seasons with characters created bysoil and climate. The right time andgood seasons make a great wine. It is thetask of the winemaker to get the storytold. Claude Gahard is a winemaker anda great storyteller. Trillium CreekWinery is where his stories begin, andthe setting is the Key Peninsula.

Gahard specializes in a dry, clear,crisp and delicious white wine fromMuller Thurgau grapes. These grapesbegin their story with the spring, whentheir leaves come out, and their flowerpods blossom. In the summer, thegrapes ripen and achieve a higher sugarcontent than acid. Gahard’s wife andpartner, Claudia, says, “Grapes are ripewhen the seeds turn brown.” The fall isthe time for harvest, the crushing ofgrapes, and for fermentation to begin.Over winter the wine must sleep. “Youdon’t want to disturb it,” warns Claude.

Making wine became a hobby for the

Gahards early in their marriage. Whileliving near Walla Walla, they stockedtheir cupboards by gleaning potatoes,plums, and asparagus. When Claudiagleaned grapes in the Tri-Cities, theydecided they should try to make wine.One of their first lessons was that theyeast Claudia used for baking bread wasthe wrong yeast for wine. They madeplum, raspberry and concord wines and“started making wine that was prettydecent,” Claudia says.

Some of the concord seeds from WallaWalla are growing along the driveway ofthe winery. Claudia likes to grow things.She is good with “dirt stuff,” she says.

The Gahards left Eastern Washingtonbefore it became famous as winecountry. When asked about theirtiming, Claude laughs and says, “Well,we started it.”

Gahard studied how-to books andclaims his wine-making success is “texttaught.” When the Gahards retired andClaude left his aviation career, theyasked themselves what they should donext. The fact that friends at partieswere choosing Claude’s wines over

commercial wines influenced that deci-sion. Claude’s answer was, “We need todo something. How about we get seriousabout making wine.” Claudia replied,“If we make wine, we have to growgrapes.” When they moved to the KeyPeninsula, they began growing grapesand got serious about winemaking.

Along with his text taught expertise,Claude brings a discriminating palatethat he attributes to his birthplace,Paris. He says Paris is the “standard ofall good things and the center of all finefoods.” He left Paris when he was 10 andremembers fondly seeing the Statue ofLiberty on his journey to a new home inNewark, New Jersey. However, peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches washeddown with milk offended his Parisiantastes.

He says “the grandeur of the Statue ofLiberty and what she represents,” alwaysstayed with him. Later, as a pilot forContinental Airlines, he often finishedflights to Newark with a fly by thatstatue.

At the winery, Claudia’s gardens growbelow the vineyard hills. There arepaths to stroll, a bridge to cross, and atable where guests may picnic or restawhile. At the entrance to the winerystands the tasting room and, next to it,the excavation for the barrel cellar.

Gahard says guests are welcome tocome and watch the winery progress. Itis a story unfolding. The door into thetasting room has been carefully chosen.It is not an ordinary door. It hints theremay be story inside. The Gahards inviteanyone to open the door and begin anadventure.

His career in aviation gave Gahardcolorful story material, like flyingpipeline into Alaska and landing ongrass strips and cow pastures in the SanJuans while delivering the mail. Helooks to the winery for new stories totell.

Trillium Creek wine will be for salethis summer after the official grandopening of the tasting room, located inHome. Owners Claude and ClaudiaGahard invite visitors to watch theprogress toward the opening.

By Danna WebsterKP News

The first impression of the BaysideAnimal Lodge is of a clean, orderly andattractive establishment. A front porchwith country charm invites visitors inside.There, they are greeted warmly and theirneeds are immediately met in the quietatmosphere of a small pet-supply store.Gradually, the shoppers become aware ofclassical music playing in the back-ground. It takes a full tour to appreciateall the details that make the lodge apleasant experience for animals and theirowners. “Tours are available any time, noappointment necessary,” says RobertMcCrossin, the owner of Bayside.

Many details go into specialty roomsaround the lodge. The cat room hasdouble-decker condos with views out of afloor-to-ceiling picture window of the“Shade Garden.” The Shade Garden is amanicured landscape along the dog-walkpath.

There are clean, well-equipped bathingand grooming rooms that smell of soap.Past these rooms are the housing facilitiesfor the overnight dog guests.

“I walk through here every single dayand talk to every animal that’s here,” saysMcCrossin as he leads a tour. He pointsout the runs with their outside patios.They can house up to three large dogs orfive to six small ones. Many owners bringmore than one dog to stay. He explainsthe music. Studies have shown that dogslike classical music and the heartbeatsound. McCrossin figures listening to asteady heartbeat all day would drive thestaff crazy so he opted for classical music.

In a small, clean kitchen area,McCrossin shows the logs kept on eachanimal with a record of meds, foods anddaily services provided and, of course, the“cookies” at midday. This is all part of the“standard package” for the dogs, whichincludes taking them out twice a day.Added services may include extra middaywalks, grooming, playtime in the playyard, baths, haircuts and professionaltraining opportunities.

McCrossin bought the business in June2001, leaving his work as a manager ofveterinarian hospitals in Seattle. His newbusiness took a nosedive after the Sept.11 tragedy. He spent the downtimewriting letters of introduction to all theveterinarians in the area. Businessimproved.

“We stay full,” he says and is pleasedthat there is a waiting list for prime dates.

He has over a dozen reservations forChristmas 2005 already. He says most ofhis customers are referrals from veteri-narians and from other customers.

Key to McCrossin’s business success ishis concern for the staff and employees.

He introduces the kennel manager,Tammy Jacobson, as “ the most importantperson here except for my dog Rosie.”Jacobson went to work for McCrossinsoon after her move to Key Pen fromAlaska, where she bred Siberians and rana dog team. She recently wrote a note ona card to McCrossin that read, “Thankyou for making my dream job a reality.”Jacobson enjoys learning more every dayabout how to “read” the dogs. One jobbenefit is “when a scared nervous dogcomes — to see that dog change andbecome happy,” she says.

McCrossin has an additional fivekennel employees that include agroomer, a trainer, and PHS high schoolstudents. McCrossin meets with parentsbefore students are hired.

The loyalty and enthusiastic work ofthe high school students has inspiredMcCrossin to add an unexpected dimen-sion to the business. He has set up schol-arship funds with a $250 reward for eachyear they work. Freshman student TassoSolandros will earn his $250 reward thisyear. Senior students Kayla Shelton andRebecca Gillespie will each receive a$1,000 scholarship award.

McCrossin says that each of thestudents has a unique trait about thework. “Kayla always runs with the dog.Becca has overcome her fear of dogs. Tasscame to work with an overabundance ofenthusiasm for dogs. He has learned thatsometimes you have to put the enthu-siasm back and be the leader of the

pack…be the boss,” says McCrossin.Shelton is going to college next year.

When asked how working four years atBayside contributed to her life, she said,“Just the way I’ve grown… entering thework force, first job. … I learned somuch more [than kennel care]… aboutworking with clients and otheremployees, how a well functioning

company should be run — as far as howemployees are treated. And I loveworking with the dogs.” She is a consci-entious worker and a serious studentwho prepared a scrapbook for the PHSscholarship program and has beenoffered a scholarship at the Universityof Montana, McCrossin’s alma mater.She plans to major in communityhealth.

In addition to taking care of a busi-ness, McCrossin is an avid communitysupporter. Since many of his customersare from out of the area, he refers themto local restaurants and the parks. Healso refers to other kennels when hislodge is full. Last year he sponsored a T-ball team, a co-ed adult softball teamand a wrestling team for the PeninsulaYouth Wrestling Club.

But the heart of his business is qualitycare for the animals and the staff. Allthe work is a team effort, he says, andadds that the dogs leave happy after astay. His kennel manager agrees. “Whenowners see how happy their dogs are,then they know they were treated right,”says Jacobson.

BusinessJune 2005 • www.keypennews.com 21

Bayside Animal Lodge takes care of pets…and ownersPHS students arekennel staff atBayside. FreshmanTasso Solandros(back row) andseniors Kayla Shelton(far left) and RebeccaGillespie pose withowner RobertMcCrossin and dogRosie by the ShadeGarden. Rosie movedin with McCrossinafter she was aban-doned at one of theSeattle veterinaryhospitals.Photo by Danna Webster



With the middle school next door, therewas lots of interest. But as the kids grewolder, and the wooden half-pipe deterio-rated, interest faded for most of the kids.But not for Zech. He carried his love forthe sport with him as he entered the Navyand he drew crowds in Italy when he rodehis board.

Tragedy struck the West family lastsummer, when Zech and his new bride,Adrienne, were killed in a car accidentshortly after their wedding.

Chuck West, a captain with the KeyPeninsula Fire District, watched his familyand himself go through the phases of griefand tragedy for which he was trained tohelp others.

“As soon as something bad happens, Istart resolving to do something to stabilizethings,” says West. “I didn’t have anyanger.”

But he was looking for some resolution.Zech’s skate park became his focus. It waswhat he wanted. “After he died, I neededto resurrect that, make that happen —make it permanent,” West says.

“I want to do something permanent thatwill be here for my lifetime and beyond, asa memorial to Zech and Adrienne. And I

want to do something for the community,too, and the kids here. I’m tired of seeingkids playing in the parking lots.”

West says baseball built Volunteer Parkbut it is time to add more options for kids.He wants a skate park with a concrete-onlyskate area, with restrooms, good parkingand a small-kid play area — where a familycan come with older and younger kids.

Last year, West began the research. Hetalked with the Gig Harbor city managerand with the mayor about their skatingfacilities. His was initially directed to a spotat Volunteer Park (KP Sports Center andFairgrounds). It is a good location, but

with the planned Department of NaturalResources land acquisition on the northside of the peninsula, there are two attrac-tive locations to consider. West says the KPMetropolitan Parks board has to makethose decisions. A metro-park surveyshowed high interest in a skateboard park.West doesn’t think anyone on the parkboard is strongly against it.

The new director for the KPMPD, ScottGallacher, says the park district has agreedto look at the idea and do research withWest. Gallacher says a skate park is a “verycomplicated project with all the necessarycollaboration of many different partners.”

“It’ll take some time,” he says. “We needto plan… make sure we’re looking for notjust today and tomorrow but for 15 to 20years.” According to Gallacher, KPMPDwants it to work and the main questions areabout location and timeline.

West says it is time to get the communityinvolved. “I need kids who will use it to beinvolved with the design process. I needthe whole community involved to apply forgrants… Different groups to help raisemoney. Once the design is in hand, we canapply for grants,” West says.

He hopes that different organizationswill be liaisons to the park district and helpfind resources. “I’d like to see this progresswithin the year,” he says.

(From SKATE PARK, Page 1) If you’d like to helpChuck West has a rare truck to raffle

for the fund, a 1977 Leata, one of threeprototypes for the 43 Leatas eventuallybuilt in 1978. Leata information is avail-able at www.Leata.com. Sound CreditUnion in Key Center has a Zech andAdrienne West Memorial Fund, wheredonations can be made. The fund-raisingcommittee meetings are held on the thirdWednesday of each month at 7 p.m. atthe fire department in Key Center.

Fire District 16’s Capt.Chuck West serves Waunaresident JenniferWicklund at Harbor RockCafé in Gig Harbor inMay.The Gig Harbor andKey Pen firefightersorganized a fund-raiser atthe restaurant for theskateboard park Westhopes to build.

Photo by Mindi LaRose


Artists in Schools chalk up another successBy Jerry Libstaff

Local artists have completed anotherseason in area classrooms sharing theirtalents. An associa-tion betweenPeninsula SchoolDistrict and TwoWaters Arts Allianceawarded nine artistsin residence to KeyPeninsula schoolsthis year. The innova-tive program pairsprofessional artistswith teachers toenhance art appreciation and educationfor the students at no cost to the schooldistrict. Artist instructors are funded byTwo Waters.

Projects in visual arts, theater arts, poetryand writing skills were provided. Fifthgraders at Evergreen worked with RodikaTollefson to design and produce a schoolnewspaper. Lorina Schaufler presented anafter-school program teaching mosaics,and Kathy McGilliard from EncoreTheater worked with Elva Brandt to teachperformance arts through a play.

Reni Moriarity helped sixth, seventhand eighth graders at KP Middle Schoolcreate Sumi paintings (Japanese brushart), while Debra McElroy worked withsixth graders to develop poetry. Both

joined with Mrs. Knisely, Mrs. Nelson andMrs. Buday to teach in their classes.

Paddy Gilson contributed to Mrs. Woodand Mrs. Peterson’s Vaughn Elementarykindergarten classes to develop dramaticplaying. A total of 325 students benefitedfrom the classes offered by the artists.

Artists in Schools was brought to thepeninsula by the founders of Two WatersArts Alliance. TWAA was established toenhance the arts for the Key Peninsulacommunity, but in the early days, classesdidn’t reach as many children as organi-zation members had hoped. Kathy Bauer,past president, says Artists In Schools wasdeveloped to “have a greater impact onthe young people of the Peninsula andsupport local artists in the process.”

Paddy Gilson, a teacher for 30 years, 20

of those on the Peninsula, heard aboutthe project. She was about to retire fromthe school district but still wanted to beinvolved with students. Gilson became amember of Two Waters and beganworking with the group to develop andinstitute Artists in Schools. “The artsplayed a big role in my teachingthroughout the years,” so she thought theposition “would be a perfect match,”Gilson says.

They first enrolled local artists who werecomfortable teaching, then designedprocedures, forms and evaluations tosupport the program. After months ofeffort the idea was presented to the schooldistrict and won approval. The programwas piloted in 2004.

The pilot curriculum was extremely well

received. Evaluations from teachers, artistsand most importantly the students spokevery highly of the Artists in Schoolsprogram. Last year, Two Waters won a pres-tigious award and financial backing tocontinue the instruction this year. At thesame time, demand from teachers grewand more artists showed a desire to partic-ipate.

All indications point to anothersuccessful year for Artists in Schools andstrong desire for future growth. Gilsonsays, “Art helps children find their indi-vidual capacity to feel and imagine. Artmakes discovery possible.” That discoveryenhances creativity in all aspects oflearning.

If you’re an artist, interested in workingwith Artists in Schools or a teacher whowould like more information, pleasecontact Two Waters Arts Alliance at 253-884-9200.

Jerry Libstaff, a writer who lives in Vaughn,is president of Two Waters Arts Alliance.

Artist Connie Nelsonduring a class.

Photo by Jerry Libstaff

By Edie MorganSpecial to KP News

I might be getting old, but I’ll tell youone thing: If we could harness the energygenerated at the Civic Center Skate Nighton Friday evenings, there would be noenergy shortage in this country ever again.There is a positive charge of electricity inthe air, magnified by the booming musicand reflected in the many faces of youthpresent and interacting. Most are onwheels, some are not, but everyone ismoving and talking, and there is more lifeconcentrated in the gymnasium of that oldbuilding on Skate Night than anywhereelse on the Peninsula, by a long shot.Visualize a perpetual motion machine.

Skate Night is a program of the KP CivicCenter. It runs nearly every Friday nightduring the school year. This year it’s sched-uled to end June 10 or 17. Children and

youth from kindergarten through eighthgrade are welcome, with parental presencerequired for those under 8. Cost is $4 perperson, with snacks available for purchase.There is a dedicated group of about 15volunteer high school students and adults,who facilitate the lively and upbeat scene,and four paid staff. Attendance rangesfrom an average of 90 to a capacity of 150.

The sparkplugs of this energy source areShawn and Leslie Etheredge, longtimeSkate Night managers. Shawn moves aboutthe gym and waiting area like the mostcongenial host of the most enjoyable partyyou’ve ever attended. One moment he’spouring coffee for waiting parents andvolunteers, the next he’s skating aroundthe gym floor, stopping to chat and tradedance moves with kids and adults, thenhe’s moving around the tables on theupper level area, greeting newcomers andchecking in with Leslie. When I visited

skate night a few weeks ago, Leslie was busyin the kitchen, deep-frying pizza rolls, butshe graciously took time to answer myquestions at length.

Shawn and Leslie have been at this fornine years. Their children have grown upat Skate Night. Now their son, Scott, runsthe skate room. In fact, there is a smallgroup of high school students who havegrown out of the program, and now comeback to help out, just for the fun of it.Shawn says, “They work really hard allnight long. We only let kids volunteer whotake it seriously.”

As Leslie says, “It gets easier through theyears. We know the kids, the kids know us,and they know the rules. Generally thingsgo well. Sometimes we have to asksomeone to leave, but usually we havemore trouble with adults than with any ofthe kids. We do have boundaries and theyare clear. We’re firm on the rules.”

“It’s all about the kids, and making it funfor them. We would really like to praiseand thank our volunteers because wecouldn’t do it without them,” adds Shawn.

The truth of the matter is that the entirecommunity owes Shawn and LeslieEtheredge, the Skate Night staff, and thevolunteers a huge and heartfelt thank you.Together they perform a tremendouspublic service by providing a weekly socialand recreational opportunity for childrenand youth in this community — not tomention the creation of an alternativepower source for the future, by channelingthe unlimited energy of 100 pre-teens onwheels.

Sylvia Haase contributed to this article.

Friday Night Skate energizes kids, adults

Arts & Recreation

TWAA June ClassesJune 4: Learning to See with Robin

PetersonJune 11: Introduction to Watercolor

with Carolyn Scott ArnoldJune 18: Watercolor-Staying Out of

the Mud with Carolyn Scott ArnoldCall 884-2029 to sign up.

The GenuineARTicle

The Civic Center would like to hearfrom parents and youth who haveparticipated in Skate Night this year, orwho have not participated for somereason. Please fill out the survey, onpage 7, and leave it in the Civic Centerdrop box or in the “Survey” box atSkate Night.

to our readers for supporting the KeyPeninsula News with your contributions.


Because a pack of Marlboros costs $3.89 atthe smoke shop (before tax) — and thesame pack of cigarettes is $4.89 over at thePeninsula Market (before tax). That’s a $1per pack competitive advantage!

Is the smoke shop a good addition to KeyCenter? Smokers, reeling from constantlyincreasing prices, might very well answer,“Yes!” And it’s consumers who ultimatelydetermine which businesses will live andwhich will die — thereby defining the char-acter of the community.

The new smoke shop belongs to YongLim, who, along with his wife, Chang Lim,operates the Shell gas station on KeyPeninsula Highway. They chose to live onthe peninsula for the same reasons thatmany relative newcomers do. “I like smallcommunity or town,” Lim says. “Everybodyis friendly. People know each other. That’sthe way we grew up (in South Korea).”

When asked about his reasons foropening a smoke shop, he says, “If I don’topen down there (Key Center), someoneelse will.” He says when the smoke shop atthe former space of KP Video on KeyPeninsula Highway opened, the gas stationstarted to lose cigarette customers.

“It’s their choice. People come in if theywant to,” says Lim, who quit smoking aboutfive years ago.

That sums up the way Key Center andthousands of similar business communitiesoriginally came into being. Entrepreneurstook a chance and their businesses either

flourished or failed. But, is the traditionalall-American free-for-all the right way to gofrom this point forward?

Dennis Taylor with Safe Streets says, “Idon’t think it’s the kind of business that’sgood for any community. It’s a legitimatebusiness, and if he wants to be there hecan, but from a health perspective andwhat’s good for the community, smokeshops are not a good addition. Smokingmakes people sick.”

But, the notion of viewing businessdevelopment through the prism of what’shealthy or not healthy is a relatively newway to look at things. And, to be fair, otherretailers in the Key Center RAC sell ciga-rettes too, and do so without fear of criti-cism. Of course they don’t sell bongs(pipes that are frequently used to smokeillegal substances) while the KP SmokeShop does. When asked about that prac-tice, Lim replied, “If we don’t have it,people won’t come to our store, they godown street. I don’t like it, but we are incompetition with other businesses.”

In other words, a business person’s gottado what a business person’s gotta do, tomake a profit. That is and has been theAmerican way.

Still, the notion of thinking about whatsort of community Key Pen residents wantto have in the future is gaining traction.Mike Kruger, a Pierce County planner, anda community planning board comprised ofKey Peninsula residents are already hard atwork. The process includes five compo-nents: The first, which involved looking atissues related to the natural environment, isnow complete. Discussions about economicdevelopment started in early May. Oncethat effort is complete the board will turntheir attention to land use, communitycharacter, and facilities/services.

Later, once the overall plan has beenapproved by the county council, Krugersays the plan “will guide growth and devel-opment on the Key Peninsula for the next20 years.” Meaning that what the Key

Peninsula Community Planning Boardrecommends, and what the Pierce CountyCouncil approves, will have the force oflaw.

How do people in Key Center feel aboutthe creation of such a plan? Joyce Tovey isa real estate broker, co-owner ofWindermere Realty in Key Center, amember of the KP Business Association,and vice president of the KP CommunityCouncil. When asked if there should besome sort of plan for Key Center, Toveyreplied with an unequivocal, “Yes! I guessto put the longer perspective on it, theplanning group is going into the economicdevelopment part of their activity now.Whatever comes out of that will help deter-mine what will happen to Key Center… Ithink when Doug Fabre built the KCCorral (the Key Center business strip), hisvision was great… People liked the way itlooked. If you go to Leavenworth, or aplace like that, they draw because everyonecooperates to establish a common appear-ance. I think that would be very nice. Idon’t want to say cute… But somethingthat would draw the eye.”

Others seem to agree and would like tosee Key Center become something morethan a place to get some nails, have theirhair done, or buy a pack of smokes.

“If we were looking to the future,” Taylorsays, “one of the things I would hope to seehappen would be for a park where the bigparking lot is presently located. If there wasa town square, there would be a placewhere people could gather… Rather thanjust drive through, people would pause tointeract with each other. My role has to dowith community safety, but also building asense of community, which makes acommunity more livable.”

According to county data, Key CenterRAC’s 94 acres include 43 acres ofcommercial developments (including 3acres of apartments), 19 underdevelopedacres and 29 acres of vacant land.

So, do people want to see Key Center

grow? According to a county-sponsoredsurvey that was done in conjunction withthe KP community planning process, 50percent of respondents agreed with thestatement that “Key Center should be thefocal point for economic development onthe Peninsula,” while 29 percent wereneutral, and 16 percent disagreed.

Under the heading “Land Use,” thesurvey concluded that 67 percent ofrespondents agreed that “The commercialarea at Key Center should be expanded toaccommodate new retail uses”; 18 percentwere neutral, and 10 percent disagreed.

In the belief that at least some supportexists for a revitalized Key Center, the KPBusiness Association recently formed acommittee to provide the planning boardwith input regarding economic develop-ment. (The committee is expected tomake a presentation at a board meeting.)

But there are obstacles, not least ofwhich is the fact that outside of its designa-tion as a RAC, Key Center has no legalstatus, and with no population to speak of,lacks a tax base. Dale Harrison, owner ofHarrison Homes and a member of theplanning board, points to infrastructureproblems as potential barriers to furtherdevelopment.

“We have constraints relative to infra-structure,” he says. “Sewer, water, stormdrainage are normally associated witheconomic development.” All of which arelacking where Key Center is concerned.(That’s why the post office has a big catch-ment for storm water next to it.)

Real though such problems are, anextreme makeover of Key Center could becarried out without improvements to infra-structure, and, when asked about thatpossibility, Harrison was supportive.“Absolutely. I think we should have a visionfor how Key Center should look, so long aslocal business owners buy in,” he says.

In spite of the problems, Tovey remainshopeful, and urges interested citizens toprovide the KP Community PlanningBoard, the KP Community Council, andthe business association with input.

Having started a new business in KeyCenter, would Lim support an effort tomake the RAC all that it can be? “Yes,” hesays. “I would support it. You help me — Ihelp you.”

(From KEY CENTER, Page 1)

KP community planningNext month, read about economic

development and land use, in our contin-uing effort to provide Key Pen residentswith information related to the currentcommunity planning. We will also archivethese stories online in a special section.

For information about the KP PlanningBoard, including a list of members, thework program, progress to date,agendas, maps, and an opportunity toprovide input, see www.piercecoun-tywa.org/landuse or call 798-2700. Themeetings are twice at month, at 7 p.m.at the KP Middle School library. TheJune meeting dates are 1 and 21.

Key Center got its name around 1931, when a group of merchants sponsored acontest to create an official name for the peninsula. Ed M. Stone of Lakebay is creditedwith coming up with “Key Peninsula.” The business community liked it, and once the newmoniker was adopted, the community located halfway down the peninsula becameknown as “Key Center.” Source: “Early Days of the Key Peninsula” by R. T. Arledge

Thank yyou

From the Experts

By Christine Matter-RinehartTacoma-Pierce County Health Department

The Health Department’s Septic SystemOperation and Maintenance Program hasa new “staff member.” Septic Sam encour-ages you to keep your septic system F.I.T.

this summer by following three simplesteps:

Find it! Know where your septic systemis located, so you can maintain and protectit. Contact the Health Department at 798-6577 or visit www.tpchd.org/septic torequest a copy of your “as-built,” a diagram

showing the location of your system anddetails about it. A basic system includes aseptic tank and a drainfield. Your systemmight also have a pump or other compo-nents necessary to safely handle and treatwastewater.

Inspect it! Periodically inspect your septicsystem to make sure it’s working properly.Check it at least once every three years, andhave it pumped as often as necessary. Youcan hire a certified inspector or check ityourself. See www.tpchd.org/septic or call798-4788 for a list of certified inspectors orfor details on how to inspect your system.Walk your drainfield a few times a yearunder different weather conditions andmake sure there aren’t any spongy spots onthe ground or odors.

Take care of it! Simple things you can doevery day to keep your septic systemworking properly and extend its workinglife include conserving water, reducing useof harsh cleaning chemicals, and limitingthe types of items that go down your drain.

When you’re working in your yard thissummer, don't cover the drainfield withlandscaping plastic or construct a patio,driveway, or sport court over it. Don’t let

your guests park on your drainfield, as thepipes cannot support heavy loads and mayburst under the pressure. Keep your sprin-kler system at least 10 feet from the edge ofyour system, and never drain hot tubs orpools onto the drainfield or into yourseptic tank. Cut back blackberries, smalltrees, and other large or deep-rooted vege-tation in your drainfield area. Instead,landscape your drainfield with grass andshallow-rooted plants. These plants receiveoxygen to break down bacteria, absorbwater, and prevent soil erosion.

For more information, contact Environ-mental Health Specialist Chris Matter-Rinehart, [email protected] or 798-4459.


Summer septic system maintenance tips SepticSam giveshelpfuladvice in abrochureavailableto thepublic.

Illustrationcourtesy ofthe TPCHD


APPLEBY PLUMBING & DRAINService, Repairs, and Remodels,Hot Water Tanks. 253-884-9827

WATKINS PRODUCTS are available, callMarvin and Myrtle Keizur at

884-3566. VISA/MC

Debbie's Office Aide Bookkeeping and Proofreading Services:

253-884-6622.

Law Offices of Merry A. KogutGuardianships, discrimination, and

personal injury. 253.884.8484

HOME FEED & GROCERY1809 KPN, Home. 884-2321

Open 8 AM - 10 PMHolidays 10 AM - 6 PM

Part time Assistant Fair Director - Will direct,coordinate, develop and oversee all aspectsof the Key Peninsula Community Fair whileserving as the spokesperson for the fair.Supervises layout of the annual advertisingtabloid; provides sponsorship solicitation;coordinates advertising displays and serves asMarketing Manager. Secures and handles allentertainment and oversees the ordering,distribution and storage of all Fair supplies.

See www.keyfair.com. Submit resume to KeyPeninsula Fair Association, PO Box 520,Wauna 98395.

Key To Learning Childcare: Great friends,activities! Fantastic playground w/newRainbow Castle Climber. Flex. hrs., 25 yrsexp. 3 mins W of Purdy. 253-858-3460.

For Rent: 2 BR 1 BA house, Longbrancharea. Bch access, NS, pets negot.$850/mo., deposit. 1-800-277-9024.

To place a classified call Karen at 858-8623.

Classifieds


Photo by Mindi LaRoseLeft to right: Pam Cottrell, Debbie Ehrhardt, Vicki Ross, Donna Keast and Vicki Biggsare “Tea Time” ladies working on quilts to donate to Evergreen Elementary’scarnival/auction.Tea Time started about three years ago as an add-on to the AFTER‘OURS program at Evergreen to provide social and craft time for women. It meetsTuesdays and Thursdays, 3:45 - 5 p.m.

Photo by Mindi LaRoseSadika Lively takes a picture of her son, Cha’Tar Green, on their first-ever canoe ride.The two came from Tacoma to YMCA Camp Seymour in May for the camp’s “SummerSampler” event that offered free activities. Photo by Mindi LaRose

Sunnycrest Nursery was getting ready in May to design a garden including this “beachhouse” and drought-tolerant plants for the Point Defiance Garden and Flower Show.Theshow, at Point Defiance Park, is June 3-5. Sunnycrest’s “Timeless Beach Retreat” isamong several “grand marquee display gardens.”

Out & About

Three KeyPeninsula artistswere selected to

participate inSalmonChanted

Harbor, a benefitprogram for a Gig

Harbor artsprogram and envi-ronmental educa-

tion. Pictured hereare Laura

McClintock(bottom) with“Copper RiverSalmon” and

Wendy Dudley with“That Was Then”

at the unveilingceremony in lateApril at the Gig

Harbor CivicCenter. Not

pictured is BeverlyPedersen with

“Salmon Spirit.”The 14 salmoncreated for the

project are beingdisplayed around

downtown GigHarbor businessesuntil Oct. 29, andwill be auctionedoff in November.

Photos by Rodika Tollefson

The LakebayFuchsia Societymembers arebeautifying theirgarden at theKey Pen CivicCenter groundsin May.

Photo by DannaWebster

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SR-302, Capitalism lights up