Author Archives: brucesmith49

Judy Spiers’ column: To the one percent – do you feel me?

by Judy Spiers I visited a young family this week I hadn’t seen since spring.  The husband had been unemployed, but the wife had a job so they cut expenses and kept going.  Now, the toddler is starting to talk … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Culture, Events, Politics | 16 Comments

Tacoma “occupied” as hundreds protest corporate greed, unemployment and poverty

  Tacoma joined the ranks of cities nationwide – and globally – to witness a home-grown protest movement that included downtown street marches and an overnight encampment in a city park.

Posted in Cops and courts, Culture, Events, Politics | 2 Comments

Tacoma Film Festival delivers for movie lovers and Rainier Connect

  The 6th Annual Tacoma Film Festival concluded this week, and early reports indicate that the fete was a success both for film buffs and industry professionals.  107 films were shown at the festival, and about half had principals from … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Culture, Entertainment, Events | 1 Comment

Former NTCC church worker convicted on child rape charges

by Bruce A. Smith  Michael Fontenot, a former lay minister of the New Testament Christian Church in Graham, and also a part-time choir leader and the former publisher of the church’s pamphlet, The Trumpet, has been convicted on child rape … Continue reading

Posted in Cops and courts, Culture, Graham News, NTCC, Spirituality | 53 Comments

Wall Street protests trigger local demonstrations, commentary and concerns

by Bruce A. Smith  The protests that have been occurring in New York City for the past few weeks, known as “Occupy Wall Street,” have ignited a global surge of demonstrations that include a growing number of communities in the Pacific … Continue reading

Posted in Culture, Events, Paula Morris, Politics, Self Reliance, Tari Parker | 13 Comments

Eatonville News: new traffic light, co-op has fundraiser, free movie tickets, self-reliant community launches

  A number of events are occurring in Eatonville this week that give cause for special notice.  Perhaps the most visible is the installation of a traffic signal on Mountain Highway at the intersection of the Eatonville Cut-Off Road and … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Eatonville News, Entertainment, Events, Self Reliance | Leave a comment

Freddie Fest delivers a world of fun in Frederickson

  Under darkened and damp skies, the 1st Annual Freddie Fest burst forth with plenty of family fun Saturday, and even ended with sunshine streaming through the racing clouds.

Posted in Business, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Frederickson, Pets and livestock | 4 Comments

Central Pierce firefighters go pink!

  Starting Saturday, October 1, members of Central Pierce Fire & Rescue – from support staff to firefighters to chiefs – will be donning pink shirts to their show support for breast cancer awareness, Assistant Chief Randy Stephens announced this … Continue reading

Posted in Cops and courts, Culture, Events, Nature, Politics, Science and Technology, Self Reliance, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Freddie Fest coming to Frederickson this Saturday, Oct 1

by Bruce A. Smith Reflecting the imagination and grit of the Frederickson-Clover Creek Community Council to create a free, fun-filled day for local families when circumstances dictate otherwise, the 1st Annual Freddie Fest will be held this Saturday at the … Continue reading

Posted in Business, Culture, Entertainment, Events, Frederickson | 4 Comments

Gov Gregoire uninjured in car accident on I-5 as wind plays havoc on area roads

  Governor Chris Gregoire was involved in a traffic accident this afternoon, but was not injured, the Washington State Patrol has announced.

Posted in Cops and courts, Culture, Nature, Politics | 1 Comment