Father Bill

There was a time when the Gallagher name was synonymous with Ruston. The elder Gallaghers were one of our first residents and built the family home with their own hands at N. 52nd and Winnifred. Son Owen followed suit by building his house down the block, and he served over 30 years as Ruston's mayor. Brother Bobby and Owen followed in their father's footsteps and worked their whole career at the smelter down the hill. The rebel brother, William decided on a different path and became a priest.

Father Bill and Bobby shared their sister's former home after retirement across the street from Point Defiance Park. They traveled to Hawaii each winter, kept the extended family together and carried our history in their hearts. Owen and Bobby have been gone for a few years now, but Father Bill held on until this week. His obituary is in the News Tribune and condolences can be left via this link. Services will be held this Wednesday, October 2nd at 11am at Saint James in Seattle. Ruston has lost another generation of our heritage. Rest in peace, Gallagher brothers.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. James Cathedral in Seattle - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tribnet/obituary.aspx?n=william-gallagher&pid=167235562&fhid=6435#fbLoggedOut

Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tribnet/obituary.aspx?n=william-gallagher&pid=167235562&fhid=6435#fbLoggedOut#storylink=cpy

One Of Fall's Highlights

Link for tickets here

Sunday Fun

Link to learn more

Dome To Defiance

Hundreds of bikers, joggers and walkers braved the rain yesterday to trek up the new asphalt at Point Ruston and into Point Defiance. The new pedestrian path and the connection between the Waterwalk and Yacht Club Road was open for a organized walk/run/roll event from the Tacoma Dome to the bowl at Point Defiance. Everything from vintage bikes to skateboards to a huge petal-powered contraption that a dozen-plus elected officials rode all the way was seen along the route. Despite the rain, the new route that finally runs primarily thru Ruston's boundaries was enjoyed by all. The route was closed again at 6pm last night so crews can put the finishing touches on roadway over the next couple of weeks. The News Tribune has more here...

Roads were closed from the Tacoma Dome to Point Defiance all morning.

Waterwalk gates opened for the day, but closed again for a couple weeks so crews can finish the road.

 

The elected officials were the loudest group, cheering when they reached the top on the new path and again when they finally reached the end of the ride. Even Tacoma Mayor Strickland helped push the machine up the hill.

Boundaries

We now have something tangible to mark what many locals already know, Ruston is its own space. Point Ruston installed a boundary marker on the Waterwalk this week so everyone can know. After the fight against annexation a few years ago, this rock on the shoreline is meaningful. We may still be less than a thousand residents and only slightly larger than 5 square blocks, but Ruston is unique and set apart from the big city next door. Ruston - small town America surrounded by urban Tacoma. Official Ruston map here...

Another Milestone

Registration link here...

Go Carts Going?

Another local icon is fighting to remain open for business. The local go cart operation has been told they cannot renew their lease with Metro Parks. The new plans for that area don't include laughing kids racing around the track. In some ways, the go carts are the last vestige of the old Funland amusement park that once filled that same space. The News Tribune has more details here...

$33 to $58 Monthly Sewer Rate Increase

Ruston has a new sewer system after decades of debate and hand-wringing. It took about a year to install all the lines and there are several shiny new streets as a result (along with a functioning sewer system). It's time to start paying back the $4.1 million loan that paid for the project, which equates to every residential connection being charged an additional $33 and each business $58 per month for the next 40 years. The increase will be begin next month. More details about this decision are available on the council meeting minutes from August 20, 2013 (link here).

You Can Help

UPDATE: Thursday, Sept. 5th: The News Tribune has a great article on Jenny's travel plans and fund raiser on Sunday. Read all the details here or to donate here.

One of the real treats at this year's Ruston Family Fair was a visit from Jenny Adams, Miss Wheelchair America. Jenny lives in Tacoma but won the national crown this summer. She will travel around the county spreading her cheer, energy and joy along with her anti-bullying message.  Jenny is open with her challenges, comfortable in her own skin and inspirational in her quest to live life to the fullest. See yourself, watch Jenny dance here... KING 5 did a great story on Jenny's accomplishment too.

Her travel costs are partly covered, but she needs to raise money in order to live this dream. Maxwell's will host a fund raiser this Sunday night. Come hear Jenny sing, bid on lots of great things in the silent auction and help send this ray of Tacoma sunshine around the country. Tickets available here...