Scrapbooking Festival at Sumner High School

On May 10th from 9:00 till 9:00 the High School FCCLA (1707 Main Street) will be hosting a Scrapbooking Festival.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served. There will be drawings for door prizes. If you don't have your own scrapbooking supplies, there will be supplies available for purchase.

Cost is $15 for up to six hours and $20 for up to twelve hours.Childcare costs will be $10 for the first child and $5 for each addition child.

R.S.V.P. janine_sather@sumner.wednet.edu

For more information visit the district website at http://www.sumner.wednet.edu/Headlines/districtevent.html.

Sumner Mexican Restaurants

In honor of the upcoming Cinco de Mayo I thought I would provide you with a list of local Mexican restaurants, but first a little history.

Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not a celebration of Mexico's Independence Day but is actually a celebration of the initial victory of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Hence the name, which means 5th of May in English.

In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is primarily a regional holiday. However, in the United States it is a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry and is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnicity.

• El Charro (15422 Main Street E)
• Los Panchos (16202 64th Street E)

Build a Moss Basket at Windmill Gardens

Windmill Gardens general manager, Ben DeGoede, will help you create your own moss basket with plants of your choice on Saturday, May 3rd at 10:00 am. The class will be $55.

Also, if you bring the kids along they will have a class at 11:00 on planting in unusual containers for Mom. The containers, soil and plants are provided. The class is only $10.

You can register for either class by calling (253) 863-5843 or for more information visit the Windmill Gardens website at http://www.windmillgarden.com//classes/month_cat.cgi?category=E.

For a list of local nurseries and garden centers please read my previous post: http://sumnerwashington.blogspot.com/2008/04/local-garden-centers-and-nurseries.html.

Two Free BECU Seminars

BECU is offering two free seminars at the Sumner Library (1116 Fryar Avenue):

1. How to Find or Sell Your HomeThursday, May 1st from 6:00 till 8:00Some of the things you will learn include:

• What to be looking for as a home buyer
• How to choose an agent
• What services to expect from an agent
• What are your rights
• What to know about 'For Sale By Owner'

Refreshments will be served.

2. The New Retirement--Is Your Money Ready?Wednesday, May 7th from 6:00 till 7:30Some of the things you will learn include:

• Pensions and Social Security
• Healthcare Costs
• Taxes and Inflation Market Uncertainty
  

To regesiter call 206-439-5720 or visit the BECU website at www.becu.org.

Sumner In the News

Steve Bell, chief executive officer of Sumner's Pacific Crest Industries, will speak at the 30th Annual Pierce County Prayer Breakfast on May 2nd. To read the full article in the News Tribune visit http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/religion/story/345037.html.

The Enumclaw Hornets beat our Sumner Spartans in girls' fastpitch on April 16th. To read the full article in the Herald visit http://www.puyallup-herald.com/102/story/2170.html.

The Sumner/Pacific Master Trail Plan continues to be updated showing the planned trail connections as well as the completed portions. To read the full article in the Herald visit http://www.puyallup-herald.com/110/story/2185.html. To read the previous post about Sumner's Bicycle Trails visit http://sumnerwashington.blogspot.com/2008/04/bicycle-trails-and-shops.html.

Local Garden Centers and Nurseries

With Spring here, in fits and starts anyway, I thought it would be an ideal time to provide a list of local nurseries and garden centers. Also, don't forget about the Community Garden. (To read the post about the Community Garden visit: http://sumnerwashington.blogspot.com/2008/04/sumners-own-community-garden.html.)

• Barker Enterprises - 6611 166th Avenue E
• Emerald Turfgrass Farms LLC - 1710 136th Avenue E
• Gorders Nursery - 2110 E Valley Highway E
• McLendon Hardware - 1111 Fryar Avenue
• Rhododendron Patch Nursery - 16428 88th Street E
• Wesspur Tree Equipment - 16320 John Deere Drive
• Windmill Gardens - 5823 160th Avenue E

Sumner High School Presents Peter Pan the Musical

Our local high school drama department is presenting a musical version of Peter Pan on May 1st, 2nd at 7:00 pm and May 3rd at 2:00 and 7:00 pm. The play will be presented at the Performing Arts Center (1707 Main Street).

Adult tickets are $9. Students and Seniors are $6. Seniors will receive a special dollar discount for the Thursday night performance.

For more information visit the Sumner High School website at http://www.sumner.wednet.edu/ourschools/sumner_hs/pages/Headlinedrama.html.

Sumner In the News

Cecelia Goodnow with the Seattle PI toured Sumner's own Secret Garden and Windmill Gardens. To read her evaluation of Sumner's charms visit http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/getaways/360086_shorttrips24.html.

Early returns show voters approving the consolidation of Sumner Fire District 1 and East Pierce Fire and Rescue. To read the full article in the News Tribune visit http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/342257.html.

Sumner In the News

President Bush's thank-you to Sumner resident Captian Kobes on the game show "Deal Or No Deal" is still making the news. The story appears in the Los Angeles Times (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/04/president-bush.html), RTE Entertainment (http://www.rte.ie/arts/2008/0421/bushg.html), and The Vancouver Sun (http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/arts/story.html?id=81c34575-859d-4181-929c-0ae121e2327b).

This story also appeared in yesterday's "In the News" and Saturday's "In the News".

Sumner In the News

There was another news article about President Bush's thank-you to local Sumner resident Capt. Joseph Kobes published by Reuters. This article contained more detail than the previous articles but still no mention of how Kobes did on the show. To read the full article visit http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN2035607520080420.

For information about the previous articles about Kobes or to see all of Saturday's "In the News" (I could find no mention of Sumner for Sunday) visit http://sumnerwashington.blogspot.com/2008/04/sumner-in-news_19.html.

Spotted in Sumner

Image courtesy of Bayview Limousine Service (http://www.bayviewlimo.com/).

Spotted yesterday evening: a stretch Lincoln Town Car. The black limousine was headed north on Valley Avenue before turning left onto Washington Avenue.

I don't know about the rest of you but that is the first limousine I recall seeing in Sumner.

If there are any other unusual sitings, whether machanical or organic, please let us know.

The Coffee Barn Closes Its Doors

A local coffee shop, the Coffee Barn, has closed it's doors despite loyal customer support. The property (5021 East Valley Hwy East) is to be the new site of a business park.

However, all you coffee aficionados, there are still a number of local coffee shops, including the relatively new Starbucks (though it does not have a drive-thru).

• Associated Espresso - 3819 142nd Avenue East
• Castle Perk - 1008 Zehnder Street
• Dillanos Coffee Roaster - 1607 45th Street East
• Fox Hollow Coffee - 3104 42nd Avenue East, Suite 104
• Gypsy Wagon Espresso - 823 West Main Street
• Just Next Door -13624 Valley Avenue East
• McClendon's Coffee Stand - 1111 Fryar Avenue
• Midtown Station Espress - 813 Academy Street
• Northwest Java Group - 1003 1/2 Main Street
• Starbucks - 15005 Main Street East
• Whole Latte Love - 16008 60th Street East
  

I plan to add a picture but it is taking longer than I anticipated. Therefore, I've decided to post this news now (before it is no longer news) and add the picture later.

Sumner In the News

Local Sumner Capt. Joseph Kobes receives a presidential thank-you on the game show "Deal or No Deal". To read the full article in the Houston Chronicle visit http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5713120.html. To read the full article on ABC news visit http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/04/lame-duck-bush.html.

The Spartans fastpitch team defeated Bonney Lake for the first time in history. To read the full article in the Herald visit http://www.puyallup-herald.com/102/story/2135.html.

Sumner High School Alumnus Cory Devela advances in his Mixed Martial Arts fighting career. To read the full article in the Herald click visit http://www.puyallup-herald.com/102/story/2136.html.

Sumner In the News

The Herald recently published an editorial about how Sumner should annex into East Pierce Fire and Rescue.

The author believes that the savings to the city budget and the potential for better training and equipment access would outweigh any negative affects of handing over control of the city's fire department.

What are your thoughts? Would handing over control result in a lessening of service or would it provide us with better trained personnel?

To read the full article visit http://www.puyallup-herald.com/105/story/2110.html.

Bicycle Trails and Shops

As you may or may not know there are plans in place to create Sumner trails that will link the Interurban Trail and the Foothills and Puyallup Trails. The Confluence Trail, accessed to right of the Waterwaste Treatment Plant is currently open and the Sumner Trail is the current focus of construction.

For more information about the Sumner Trails and to view the updated trails plan visit the City of Sumner website at http://www.ci.sumner.wa.us/Living/Trails.htm.

For those of you interested in starting an exercise regime there is currently one bicycle shop here in Sumner, the Bonney Lake Bicycle Shop of Sumner on 1406 Main Street. They sell the bicycles and provide repairs. Plus they hold free repair classes.

I personally bought my bicycle there. The staff was very helpful, taking the time to discover my bicycling needs and explain my best options. As I had not biked since I was a kid they really had to walk me through each step. They took the time to fit me for a helmet and explain why some helmets cost more.

They provided excellent service and I highly recommend them.

Sumner In the News

The presentation of a new calendar by the Sumner School District made the Herald. To read the full article visit: http://www.puyallup-herald.com/110/story/2104.html.

The hand off of Bonney Lake emergency calls from the Sumner Police to the Puyallup Police made the News Tribune. To read the full article visit: http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/337469.html.

Local Sumner High School Alumnus Kyle Ritz was quoted regarding the Qwest Field soccer match in the News Tribune. To read the full article visit: http://www.thenewstribune.com/front/topphoto/story/337501.html.

For Local History Attend Sumner University

To learn more about Sumner, it's history, government and traditions, the city is again offering Sumner University. Classes will be April 29th and May 6th for 6 to 9 in the evening.

The registration is free and includes refreshments and a course book. Also if you attend both days you receive a diploma and an official t-shirt.

Space is limited so if you are interested contact Sally Abrams at 253-299-5520 or email her at sallya@ci.sumner.wa.us.

For more information you can visit the City of Sumner website at http://www.ci.sumner.wa.us/Living/SumnerU.htm.

Sumner's Own Community Garden

Sumner's community garden is open for business. The plots are being assigned on a first-come first-served basis so sign up soon.

For the application and guidelines visit the City of Sumner webpage: http://www.ci.sumner.wa.us/Recent2.htm.

Returning gardeners will be allowed to keep their previous site if their application is received by March 10. You will have until November 15th to enjoy your garden.

Happy Gardening!