Point Ruston $3 million In Payments Approved

The News Tribune is reporting (here) that on Tuesday the Tacoma City Council approved a $3 million payment for sewer utility work already completed on the Point Ruston site. This was an amendment to the existing agreement for improvements to the former smelter property.

Super Moon

Along the Ruston Way waterfront on March 18, 2011

FuSE Music

Our own local music and cafe will be hosting another great band on Saturday night. The Weekly Volcano lists the details here... Stop in and listen to some great blues with Billy Roy Danger and the Rectifiers at 8 pm at the Point Defiance Cafe!

Tacoma Council Agenda

Point Ruston is on the agenda for the Tacoma City Council meeting today. They are considering an earlier reimbursement for some of the LID costs, among other things. Read more about it at the News Tribune here...

Tree Dedication

The dedication of the memorial for Phil Parker went well on Saturday, with many family, friends and town residents coming out despite the rain to honor a man who served Ruston with all his heart. Thank you to everyone who shared this special time!
Fire Chief Don Torbet opens the ceremony with introductions and some memories of Phil.
Town residents Patty Hardin and Edie Tallman brave the showers with Councilmember Lyle Hardin.

The Ruston Fire Department came out in full force to honor Phil, who was a fellow member of the department.

Phil's children Aaron, Courtney and Kimley all came to honor their dad.

Phil's former fiance Patty Mannie unveils the plaque.

Yours truly shared some of Phil's contributions to Ruston and thoughts about his legacy. Thank you to Sherri Forch for capturing the event with these photos.

Tree Dedication Tomorrow: 11 am

Friends and family will gather with others in the Ruston community who never knew Phil Parker tomorrow to dedicate a living memorial to the former mayor. The ceremony starts at 11 am on the Winnifred Street median at 54th Street.

Phil served on the Ruston council and as mayor for almost two decades. His death in 1995 left a hole in many hearts and meant the loss of seasoned, reasonable, intelligent and caring leadership for Ruston. One of his dying wishes was to have trees planted on the former Asarco smelter site using the money he donated, a hope for green life on the barren soil that he would never see.

No one envisioned in 1995 that we would still be looking over a barren site in 2011. So the time has come to plant a tree elsewhere in Phil's honor. I don't think he would have wanted the fuss of a plaque or dedication or even a tree "in his honor". I believe he just wanted to know there would be life again in the empty dirt along Ruston's shore.

But we, the living, need to honor him. We need to remember him. We need to pass along some of his legacy of quiet love for this town to those who never knew him. May generations to come look at this beautiful tree, read the plaque and know there once was a man named Phillip Parker who loved Ruston with all his heart...

A Day Late...

It's a day late, but here is the agenda for the meeting last night. You can get more details on the town's web site here... What do you think of the new town logo?

More Tenants For Point Ruston

Once things get rolling on the Point Ruston development, we'll have a movie theater in addition to the Silver Cloud and restaurants. Several have already signed letters of intent. The News Tribune has more details here...

Another Loss

We lost another one of our caring souls late last month. Jon Anderson passed away unexpectedly on February 28th. Jon served on the Ruston Civil Service Commission and his wife Cherrie is a planning commission member. Jon was retired from The News Tribune when he and his wife built their home in Ruston in the early 1990s.

Jon always spoke his mind and cared deeply about our community. His commitment and energy will be missed. Rest in peace, Jon.

Eagles and Rainbows

Our friends at Point Ruston see some spectacular sights out on their large expanse. Last week was exceptional - a bald eagle on the Point Ruston ferry and rainbows all around. Thanks for sharing guys!

Good Things In The Neighborhood

This Sunday will feature special enrichment activities at the zoo in celebration of Saint Paddy's Day. A full list of special happenings throughout the day can be found on the zoo's web site here....

And your views are being solicited for the future plans for the "triangle" area that borders Ruston's northern edge. Should the area be developed? Or remain as a maintenance and storage area? What's the best use of this piece of prime real estate? Details for how to make your voice heard are listed below.

More Details

The Bellingham Herald and Tacoma Daily News had more details on the discussion between Point Ruston and the City of Tacoma, including the cash flow and project cost overrun problems. Read more here.... and here... The News Tribune article is here...

Council Meeting Tonight

On the agenda tonight are several appointments to fill vacancies on the planning and civil service commissions. And dates will be set "for code city discussion". More details for the meeting are available on the town web site here... Stop by at the community center (5219 N. Shirley) at 7 pm to give your input...

Human Bones At Owen Beach

Tacoma police are investigating the discovery of what appears to be human bones found at Point Defiance on the beach at Owen Beach in February. You can read the News Tribune coverage here...

Ruston Shoreline Master Program Meeting

The Ruston planning commission will hold a public meeting next Wednesday, March 9th at 7 pm (in the community center - 5219 N. Shirley Street) to discuss the update of Ruston's Shoreline Master Program. Given the recent discussion of selling the shoreline to Tacoma, now is a good time to give your input...

More details are available on the town's web site at www.rustonwa.org.

Part of Point Ruston For Sale?

The Tacoma Daily Index is reporting that the City of Tacoma and Point Ruston are considering the sale of the waterfront promenade through the site to the city for $6 million. The move would cover the cost overruns on the LID work.

Of particular interest is the fact that Tacoma would own the land even within Ruston's boundary. Tacoma city manager told his council this week. "What this means is the city would have ownership of the entire length of the esplanade, including the portion that is in Ruston, and have full control." You can read the details here....

Party!!!

One of Ruston's great new shops is celebrating their first year. Secondhand Hound (pictured with the rainbow below) is hosting an anniversary party Saturday March 12th through Sunday March 13th from 10 am til 5 pm each day. There will be raffle prizes, goodie bags for people and pets and more.

Stop by with your pooch and check it out just up the hill from N. 51st and Winnifred. You can respond to the Facebook invite here....

Beautiful Color

It's been the month of wild weather... Perri from Highland Street caught these beautiful colors during an intense rainstorm that mixed with brilliant sunshine a few weeks ago. Thanks for sharing!