Calling All Asarco Retirees

How good is your memory? How many Asarco retirees do you know? Robert Mester is working on an in-depth research project and needs to access the memory of any former Asarco employee who worked at the Tacoma Smelter during the 1940's or 1950's. If you are one or know one, please read on....

To:   Retired ASARCO Employees

I would like to talk with ASARCO employees that worked at the Tacoma plant during the 1940’s and 1950’s. We are doing a research study and would appreciate an opportunity to hear from you.  This is not connected with any environmental matters but deals with historical events.

Please call me at 253-370-6980.

Thanking you in advance.

Beloved Ruston Principal Dies

They say in the end it's relationships that truly matter. They say it's lucky to live a good, long, full life. But I don't know if that makes it any easier to say goodbye. If ever a person met those conditions - who lived a long, full life that touched hundreds and had a positive impact - it was Ruston School Principal Rod Larson. Larson ran the school for 30-odd years in the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Almost every picture from that era shows a tall smiling man standing guard in the back, watching over his kids.

When a Ruston School reunion was held in 2008, Rod Larson was able to attend and hear from countless adults about how he had influenced them as children. His legacy of care and leadership was passed to new generations, who in turn have passed them on again. His attendance at the reunion was the most talked about part of the event and very important to those who were able to see him.

A service will be held this Thursday, April 4th at 1pm at New Tacoma Cemetery. Mr. Larson's family wants all former students to know they are welcome to attend and say a final goodbye.The obituary from Sunday's News Tribune is available here. You can leave comments and well wishes for the family.

Rodney Larson's life is a testament to how teachers/coaches/mentor touch us and change us and improve our world. His life was important to Ruston even if most of our current residents (including me) never met him. Well done, Mr. Larson, well done. Thank you for your legacy. May your footsteps echo long in the hallways of the still-standing school building you loved and your voice echo long in the hearts of the students who loved you.

1949 field trip to visit Washington Governor Monrad Wallgren

Larson both taught and served as principal (undated)

Meetings: Mix of Old and New

UPDATE, 4:30pm: Town planner Rob White clarified that the planning commission open house is for public input on where the changes should be made to the comprehensive plan. This is your chance to say want you want to see in our future.
__________________________________________

Two meetings this week offer a mix of forward planning and historical remnants:

• Comprehensive Plan: Wednesday, March 27th at 7pm at the Joyce Community Center, the Ruston Planning Commission will hold a hearing on changes to the Comprehensive Plan. This plan lays out the guidelines and scope for all the zoning codes and future development. If you can't make the meeting, written comments can be emailed to robw@rustonwa.org. The current 2003 plan can be viewed here... The discussion materials from the planning commission meeting on the issue are available here...
• New Yard Replacement Program: Thursday, March 28th, 6:30-8:30pm at Point Defiance Elementary School, Washington State Department of Ecology will host an open house to outline their new yard cleanup program. The project includes reviewing the EPA cleanup on Ruston yards and potential replacement of some of those yards. More details are available here... 

Get Your Bunny Hop On!

The renewed tradition of hunting for candy-filled Easter eggs in front of Town Hall continues this year on Saturday, March 30th. Bring the little bunnies over at 9am, rain or shine. The hunt usually takes all of 10 minutes, then we gather at the Joyce Community Center to warm up with coffee and a bake sale. It's a great way to celebrate the holiday!

Get The Latest SAMI Scoop

Sewer Project More Than $.7 Million Under Budget

The council will formally adopt the bonding and finalize the loan from USDA at its regular meeting tonight. The estimated loan of $4.9 million has been reduced to just under $4.2 million. Mayor Hopkins was able to reduce the interest rate as well after rates dropped while the sewer was being installed.

Full documents for tonight's actions are on the town's web page here... The meeting starts at 7pm at the Joyce Community Center, 5219 N. Shirley Street.

Ruston Rooster

UPDATE: 8:10am - The Ruston Rooster is on the move again! Look closely at the top of fence in front of the door...

 

Be on guard, the Ruston Rooster is on the loose in the neighborhood. We had the elf with gifts last Christmas, not a rooster has been spotted in local yards. If you capture the elusive creature in your garden, please shoo him along to a new spot and share the fun!

Time to Dust Off Those Pruning Shears

Here is your chance to warm up your pruning skills and help beautify the town at the same time. This email came in today, so put it on the calendar! 
_______________

Heads up!  Shauna Cozad (certified arborist and 3-yr resident of Ruston ) will be presenting a pruning workshop on Sunday March 24 at 1:00 in the afternoon.  We’ll meet in front of the Town Hall.  This hands-on workshop will last about 2 hours—rain or shine.  Plan to bring your pruning tools—no chainsaws please—and gloves so we can practice on trees and shrubs on Winnifred Street .

 

This pruning workshop will:

•   Review the tools, terminology and basic biology of trees
•   Review the 5 essential steps in training young landscape trees (2-5 years)
•   Learn the pruning types - crown cleaning, trimming, raising and reduction
•   Dispel myths about outdated practices - heading or topping, flush cuts and sealing wounds
•   Review corrective pruning techniques for mature trees
•   Pruning conifers or "evergreens"
•   Build confidence to take your skills home with some hands-on pruning practice time
•   What to bring: hand tools; no chainsaws please; notebook and a pair of gloves

Shauna Willett is a certified arborist and landscape designer with seven years experience consulting, climbing, pruning and teaching about trees and urban forestry. She has a BS in Landscape Architecture and an MA in Geography and Urban Forestry from UC Davis. She has lived in Ruston for 3 years with husband Chris and baby daughter Harper.

Call Ginger, 752-3041 with questions.

Shoreline Work Complete

The News Tribune reported on March 6th that the shoreline sediment capping along Point Ruston was almost complete. The crane and barges have been gone for several days now, so this phase of the work may indeed be done. You can read the article here...