What A Great Place To Live

Yesterday from the Point Ruston Waterwalk...

You're Invited!

Metro Parks is hosting meeting to gather input on the future of Point Defiance Park and you are invited. If you'd like to attend, follow this link to RSVP.

Final Baltimore Street Work Finally Begins

The long-awaited water line work underneath Baltimore and 49th Streets has begun. Although it means gravel and messy roads again, once the water line is complete, the new road surfaces go in, Point Ruston can install the curb and gutter along the east side of Baltimore and the Baltimore connection to Ruston Way can finally open. All work is scheduled to be completed by June 30th at the latest.

2013 Ruston Way 5k

One of our newest Ruston traditions occurred over the weekend - the Ruston Way 5k. Even though only a small portion of the route is in town, the name includes Ruston so we get to claim it. The event this year added a 10k run for stronger runners, and a 1k for the youngest. Despite the cold, it was a great chance to peek inside the new Copperline building and walk a newly opened stretch of the Waterwalk - and run your heart out. A great new Ruston tradition...

New apartment building welcomes racers

Full Copperline lobby before the race

Fleet Feet sponsor mascot

He's everywhere

Elite runners start the race (including the infamous 'shirtless' Ft. Lewis runners

The full crowd followed

First male runner

First female runner

One of the younger 5k racers

Youngest runners ready, set...

GO!!!

Lots of colorful runners

Earth Day With Our Furry Neighbors

It's a great weekend to visit the zoo. Here is their latest announcement:
____________________________

Join us for a bear-y fun Party for the Planet Earth Day Weekend, April 20 - 21. Learn how to shrink your carbon pawprint, get up-close to animals and talk with the keepers who care for these incredible animals. 

Find your favorite activity among a world of fun scattered around the zoo, including:

• Polar bears devour a block of ice topped with a marshmallow creation - a sight that's a "must see" for bear lovers.
• Sharks investigate a dive cage that visitors will use this summer for Eye-to-Eye Shark Dives.
• Primates chow down on special "cookies" while their keepers discuss ways people can help their wild counterparts.
• Shellfish science: Enjoy a fun chemistry demonstration.
• Survival in the Arctic: See if you can survive as a polar bear.
• Be a scientist: Match photos of animals caught with a camera "trap."
• One paw print at a time: Learn how to shrink your carbon footprint.

Earth Day fun and activities are FREE with admission and generously sponsored by Tacoma Power who will be on hand to provide visitors with information about energy efficiency and will also be giving away compact fluorescent lights bulbs.

See the schedule and plan your Earth Day fun! 

Fastest 5k-10k Around

The Ruston Way 5k - 10k is billed as the fastest race in the Puget Sound. Featuring a flat course, runners can produce some of their fastest times. The second annual event will be held this Saturday at Point Ruston. Runners will be the first to preview the last stretch of unopened Waterwalk and get up close to the almost-complete Copperline Apartment building.

Registration is still open. The race features the 10k route for runners only, a 5k walk/run and a 1k kids run. The race starts at 9am, with the kids run at 10:15am. Gathering starts at 7am at the Grand Plaza, near the playground at the end of the current open section of the Waterwalk. It's an awesome sight to watch the elite runners race, so plan on spending the morning down the hill if you can.

Business District Launches New Web Site

The Ruston-Point Defiance Business District has launched a new and improved web site (www.explorenorthpearl.com). There are details about our great local businesses, a place for community announcements and a list of retail space just waiting for new life. There is even a page to connect to district leaders. Check it out and chime in. How does it look? Are there improvements you want to see?

Mary K. Joyce: 1929-2013

The News Tribune has a wonderful article (here) outlining Mary's many contributions to Ruston and to our greater community. There are few in this town, perhaps none, who have given or impacted Ruston more. Mary and I were often on opposite sides of political issues and she was a formidable opponent. But she was always respectful and gracious.

I remember Mary describing collecting water for her family from local streams as a child. She walked these hills before there were streets. She knew this town better than anyone. She seemed to always have an opinion. She was a strong leader and caring neighbor who touched many in this community.

I pray for peace for her family knowing her's was a life well-lived. I pray for continued inspiration from her decades of service for our town leaders in determination and vision. I pray for this community that Mary loved with all her  heart, that we honor her legacy with honesty, civility and grace in our public discourse - and a balanced budget. God's speed Mary, rest well. You've earned it.

Mary Krillich Joyce

There are reports around town that Mary Joyce had died. Mary has been called the mother of Ruston. She served on the town council for decades and even ran for mayor before there were many women in elected office. Mary's father and uncle were one of the first residents in Ruston. The community center is named in her honor.

I will confirm more details tomorrow.

Mary with former councilmember Bradley Huson in 2010.

Point Ruston Playground Open

Last Friday, another piece of the spectacular Waterwalk at Point Ruston was opened to the public. The walkable area now extends about three-fourths of the way along the shoreline, stopping just short of the Grand Plaza staircase (enter from ferry side). The playground for the youngest walkers is at the end of the current open section. Runners in the second annual Ruston Way 5-K run will be allowed to run the full length of the Waterwalk on Saturday, April 20th. More details are in Point Ruston's latest newsletter (link here). Whether you walk or run, a stroll along the new shoreline is well worth going out of your way...

Changes Proposed to Stack Hill

Point Ruston is proposing some changes to the development on Stack Hill. You can read the details of their proposal here and attend the public hearing on April 17th if you want to comment.

Ruston Views

Tuesday evening's view from Ruston was very nice, despite the garbage truck and electrical wires...

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)