Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Springbrook Park Picnic Photos
Wanted to share some photos from the picnic sponsored tonight by Lakewood First Lions and the city to brighten the day for folks in the Springbrook neighborhood. There was a shooting in this park a couple weeks ago. Folks had been skittish about being there. The one photo of the gent with a book shows him a few seconds after someone gave him the book. The volunteers who help give grants for human services in Lakewood talked to residents about the needs of their neighborhood.
This was all part of an effort to get some survey information and help the city better target the human services giving. Fellow Councilman Don Anderson and I met some nice folks and heard a lot of interesting stories.
One idea: put in some soccer posts so kids can play soccer on a marked field.
This park is all the neighborhood has; kids go to school at Tyee Park, located clear over and well past the highway overpass. There's no neighborhood community center or anything like that.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Planning for Roads
If this day had not been a bit of a mess, I would have tried to share a preview of some of the things that might come up tonight in City Hall between the council and our volunteer traffic advisory commission. The basic message: the roads are going to heck and the advisory committee wants the council to consider asking voters if they want to pay more. If you have PowerPoint or Open Office or some other program that opens slides, I'd encourage you to take a look at presentation that is scheduled to be made tonight: http://walterneary.net/documents/2009_2014_roads.ppt
No final decisions will be made at this meeting, and I'll try to share highlights soon.
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No final decisions will be made at this meeting, and I'll try to share highlights soon.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Old is New: Returning to the Afternoon Model of Newsgathering?
The return of the afternoon newspaper model? And this idea is coming from some of our youngest and brightest journalists? The ones who grew up on the Internet?
How 'bout that ...
Here's the background before the story: A long time ago in a land far, far away, a nation had a lot of afternoon newspapers. These newspapers 'hit the streets' at lunch or in mid-afternoon, culminating in a late edition that you would read at home after dinner.
That was sure a long time ago. Afternoon papers have largely disappeared. The trend has been going on for decades; just look at a story from way back in 1991. Most folks want their news first thing, or so it seemed when print papers ruled the roost.
Afternoon papers were definitely a different animal. I worked for an afternoon newspaper in Salinas, Calif., for several years. You'd write or finish your stories in the morning, and turn them in before noon. That's way different from a morning newspaper, where stories were submitted to an editor usually by dinnertime and published 12 hours later.
There were advantages and disadvantages from a news perspective; bear in mind this was long before folks relied on the Internet for news. An awful lot of events happen or culminate late in the day. It can be many hours before the news at, say, 4 p.m. on one day arrived in our afternoon paper in the early afternoon the next day. And our paper competed against morning papers in Monterey and the largest big city, San Jose, that could have the news earlier.
At the time, I covered the courts system. That was back when newspapers actually had full-time reporters covering the courts system, if you can believe such a thing. A lot of juries hand down their verdicts in the late afternoon or early evening, to get home for dinner. So what would happen is that high-profile verdicts would be described on TV, morning papers would follow the next day .. and then our afternoon paper came out.
But here's the advantage I had: What working at an afternoon paper meant for me was that I had the evening and morning to study the implications or the verdict and gather reaction to the verdict before I had to turn in the story. So we at the afternoon paper liked to think that while our afternoon paper did not have the news first, it had more context.
But so went the dinosaur. Our afternoon paper converted to a morning paper while I was there to try to compete against the onslaught of the other morning papers.
So here's why this all comes to mind ... The Spokesman-Review in Spokane gave several of its newest reporters the chance to study the future of newspapers. The S-R has been suffering, like so many other local papers, from the pain of the industry. It's a big, nationwide problem. Here's just one example: The jobs that I held in journalism between 1987 and 1989, and then 1993 and 1999, have since disappeared: courts reporter at the Salinas paper, editor of The Lakewood Journal and business and technology editor of The Olympian. There are examples all over the place. Newspapers are in trouble.
For further context, I'd encourage you to read the Spokesman-Review editor's post, but especially read the actual report. The young journalists call for a return of the afternoon newspaper model. They say it gets news out earlier and more effectively. They list other advantages as well. The print edition of the paper would still be published in the morning.
'Course it's what to early to say what, if anything, will happen to these recommendations. But everyone who ever worked at an afternoon paper that went out of business or shifted to morning publication .. well, we will all be smiling at what could be a cycle of history.
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How 'bout that ...
Here's the background before the story: A long time ago in a land far, far away, a nation had a lot of afternoon newspapers. These newspapers 'hit the streets' at lunch or in mid-afternoon, culminating in a late edition that you would read at home after dinner.
That was sure a long time ago. Afternoon papers have largely disappeared. The trend has been going on for decades; just look at a story from way back in 1991. Most folks want their news first thing, or so it seemed when print papers ruled the roost.
Afternoon papers were definitely a different animal. I worked for an afternoon newspaper in Salinas, Calif., for several years. You'd write or finish your stories in the morning, and turn them in before noon. That's way different from a morning newspaper, where stories were submitted to an editor usually by dinnertime and published 12 hours later.
There were advantages and disadvantages from a news perspective; bear in mind this was long before folks relied on the Internet for news. An awful lot of events happen or culminate late in the day. It can be many hours before the news at, say, 4 p.m. on one day arrived in our afternoon paper in the early afternoon the next day. And our paper competed against morning papers in Monterey and the largest big city, San Jose, that could have the news earlier.
At the time, I covered the courts system. That was back when newspapers actually had full-time reporters covering the courts system, if you can believe such a thing. A lot of juries hand down their verdicts in the late afternoon or early evening, to get home for dinner. So what would happen is that high-profile verdicts would be described on TV, morning papers would follow the next day .. and then our afternoon paper came out.
But here's the advantage I had: What working at an afternoon paper meant for me was that I had the evening and morning to study the implications or the verdict and gather reaction to the verdict before I had to turn in the story. So we at the afternoon paper liked to think that while our afternoon paper did not have the news first, it had more context.
But so went the dinosaur. Our afternoon paper converted to a morning paper while I was there to try to compete against the onslaught of the other morning papers.
So here's why this all comes to mind ... The Spokesman-Review in Spokane gave several of its newest reporters the chance to study the future of newspapers. The S-R has been suffering, like so many other local papers, from the pain of the industry. It's a big, nationwide problem. Here's just one example: The jobs that I held in journalism between 1987 and 1989, and then 1993 and 1999, have since disappeared: courts reporter at the Salinas paper, editor of The Lakewood Journal and business and technology editor of The Olympian. There are examples all over the place. Newspapers are in trouble.
For further context, I'd encourage you to read the Spokesman-Review editor's post, but especially read the actual report. The young journalists call for a return of the afternoon newspaper model. They say it gets news out earlier and more effectively. They list other advantages as well. The print edition of the paper would still be published in the morning.
'Course it's what to early to say what, if anything, will happen to these recommendations. But everyone who ever worked at an afternoon paper that went out of business or shifted to morning publication .. well, we will all be smiling at what could be a cycle of history.
Friday, July 11, 2008
What the New Lakewood History Museum Might Look Like
The local architectural firm BCRA was kind enough to send along a couple drawings that they did for a study of potential Lakewood museum sites. Both illustrations convey the potential of the Mueller-Harkins Hangar very well, and I wanted to share them.
You'll note the second illustration showcases two of the most exciting aspects of 'recent' Lakewood history: the Tacoma speedway and the airfield.
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You'll note the second illustration showcases two of the most exciting aspects of 'recent' Lakewood history: the Tacoma speedway and the airfield.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Digging the Scene at the Byrd School Site
Last night, my son and I joined local historican Glen Spieth at the site of the old Byrd School. Glen has been digging away at the site for years; at this link, you can read a bit of his story and the story of Byrd School as described by Steve Dunkelberger in the Lakewood history book.
The reason Glen is digging now, with the kind permission of the landowner, is that housing is planned for the site. It's a lovely area, and I know lots of folks are going to just hate it when construction begins. But private property is private property. It's a bit extra sad that the original site of the Byrd School will be covered; but then again, it did burn pretty well in 1885. The pieces of metal Glen has found, mostly the size of a couple fingers, are pretty fused and charred. The destruction was pretty complete.
But on the other hand, there are reminders of the past that will someday be housed in the Lakewood museum. Glen has found lantern sconces, the metal feet where desks were anchored to the floor and and a crushed oil lantern. Last night, Glen was pleased to find one piece of a door hinge. Something I find both odd and cool is that Patrick and I found what could have been the other plate of the hinge in another and separate hole five feet away. We can't be sure they were part of the same hinge, but it was exciting to watch as Glen matched the two pieces together for what could have been the first time since 1885.
Glen is, by the way, glad to have a little help in his digging. Look up the number for Museum Antiques and give him a call, if you are interested.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
New Web Site about Local History
Fellow volunteers at Fort Steilacoom here in Lakewood have done just an amazing job with the new Fort Steilacoom web site. I was particularly impressed with the detailed history of the fort; I guarantee anyone who reads that page and all the profiles will learn something new about Lakewood history.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Flying High into Our Future: the Future Home of the Lakewood Museum
It's taken so many years .. but now the Lakewood Historical Society has chosen the location for its permanent museum. The site is a historic airplane hangar on the grounds of Clover Park Technical College.
The museum will highlight all aspects of Lakewood history, from the story of Chief Leschi to more modern developments. What may be most exciting in the long run is that the museum will also be uniquely positioned to highlight a then-world-famous institution that was located on these same grounds nearly 100 years ago, the Tacoma Speedway. You can still see the outline of the speedway in aerial views of Clover Park Tech's campus. Just imagine how modern museum technology will allow us to interpret the exciting history of this racetrack .. not to mention all the other aspects of Lakewood history.
As a board member who has had a museum as a goal for a long time, I couldn't be more thrilled. The space will offer an enormous amount of flexibility. And it highlights two of our more exciting periods: the racetrack and the airfield. Here is the release from the Lakewood Historical Society:
LAKEWOOD, WA - In only 10 years, the Lakewood Historical Society has managed to collect a wealth of material, organize a storefront museum in the Lakewood Colonial Center and set the wheels in motion to create a permanent home in the historic Mueller-Harkins Hangar on the Clover Park Technical College campus.
Museum Society President Becky Huber said the society's board of directors reviewed a number of potential sites and decided the former airport hangar would suit its needs best.
Built in 1928-29, the hangar was part of what was then the Tacoma Airport. More recently, Tacoma architectural planning firm BCRA studied eight potential sites and recommended the hangar as the best. The hangar features enough space to display Lakewood history as well as host Society and community activities. It's a location that has easy access for visitors and the society expects a long-term lease can be negotiated. Additionally, the site offers the unique advantage of partnering with the college.
Huber and museum task force chair Glen Speith met in April with CPTC President Dr. John Walstrum and Tony Robinson, college vice president for operations and facilities, and the college's board of trustees subsequently approved the concept.
Planning for developing this major new facility will now get under way, as will public relations and fund-raising projects, Huber said.
Photos:
Right, The Mueller Harkins hangar building as it appears today from Steilacoom Boulevard in Lakewood on the Clover Park Technical College campus. Photo by Dave Sclair
Above: The numerous airplanes in front of the hangar indicates the extent of business at the airport in Lakewood years ago. Photo is from the Tacoma Public Library collection
I should note, there have been other buildings proposed for the museum. We all have a soft spot for the Colonial Center, but it is under private ownership and plans have not come together yet for the reuse that has been discussed for many, many, many years. It's certainly a great home for the current museum.
A pioneer structure on 112th, probably Lakewood's oldest home, was also under consideration. The Boatman house would be the ideal house museum; but it's a pioneer home and could not fit a lot of displays. I know from my work at Fort Steilacoom, where we have nothing to work with but cottages, that it helps to have extra space.
If you look at the current photo of the hangar, you can see there will be a lot of work to do in the future. But it's thrilling that we have taken a giant step to what will be a future Lakewood institution.
There's probably more to say, but in the meantime, here are some interesting photos of the hangar, airfield and speedway from the joint history project of the wonderful Tacoma Public Library and The News Tribune:
Speedway:
http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/southsound/southsound.asp?now=04/JUL/06
And you will recognize this from the Lakewood history book. It's probably my favorite photo in the book:
http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/southsound/southsound.asp?now=02/SEP/00
Airfield:
http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/southsound/southsound.asp?now=26/JUL/02
http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/southsound/southsound.asp?now=13/JUL/05
http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/southsound/southsound.asp?now=05/APR/03
These are two photos I had never seen before, and yes, I really wish Steve Dunkelberger and I had seen these to consider them for the Lakewood history book:
http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/southsound/southsound.asp?now=01/MAR/05
http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/southsound/southsound.asp?now=13/JUN/03
What Qualifies for the Ballot?
It's 4:30 a.m. as I type this, and surely all the good little politicians should be tucked into their beds. What's got yours truly up and sipping warm milk in his spiffy Tacoma Historical Society coffee mug is a question.
It's the next interesting question related to the minicasino debate. Supporters of a ban on them are trying to gather enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot. Last night in their speeches and applause, the supporters were pretty clear that they expect the Lakewood council to put the question up no matter whether they collect the signatures they need to legally qualify for the ballot.
The signatures they have collected so far have not been validated yet. But just in glancing at the list of names provided by the group, the number clearly seems to number well over 2,000. The number before validation is 2,400. Should the number be enough to put the question on the ballot? The threshhold right now is about 3,700, based on a percentage of overall voters.
As I've said often enough to qualify as a genuine target for these folks, I do support the right of minicasinos to exist. But to me, it's a lot less clear at what point a measure should qualify for a ballot. It's a question that has less to do with gambling and minicasinos, and more about at what people the voters should be voting directly on issues.
If the council puts the minicasino measure on the ballot without requiring the stated number of signatures, it's a pretty clear sign that we're willing to put pretty much anything up for initiative and referendum if folks put up a good showing to gather signatures. Clearly, one can dig in one's heels and demand consistency and that people follow the rules as stated now. But is that good? Should there be a lower threshhold, so people can vote directly more often on matters? Should Lakewood have lots of initiatives and referendums?
I offer no answers at 4:30 a.m.. That's good because most times I tried to come up with answers at this hour, I haven't been super successful. But the question of when something belongs on a ballot is a good one. The question will be around for a few more weeks until the deadline comes to get measures on the ballot.
What do you think?
Forward this post
It's the next interesting question related to the minicasino debate. Supporters of a ban on them are trying to gather enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot. Last night in their speeches and applause, the supporters were pretty clear that they expect the Lakewood council to put the question up no matter whether they collect the signatures they need to legally qualify for the ballot.
The signatures they have collected so far have not been validated yet. But just in glancing at the list of names provided by the group, the number clearly seems to number well over 2,000. The number before validation is 2,400. Should the number be enough to put the question on the ballot? The threshhold right now is about 3,700, based on a percentage of overall voters.
As I've said often enough to qualify as a genuine target for these folks, I do support the right of minicasinos to exist. But to me, it's a lot less clear at what point a measure should qualify for a ballot. It's a question that has less to do with gambling and minicasinos, and more about at what people the voters should be voting directly on issues.
If the council puts the minicasino measure on the ballot without requiring the stated number of signatures, it's a pretty clear sign that we're willing to put pretty much anything up for initiative and referendum if folks put up a good showing to gather signatures. Clearly, one can dig in one's heels and demand consistency and that people follow the rules as stated now. But is that good? Should there be a lower threshhold, so people can vote directly more often on matters? Should Lakewood have lots of initiatives and referendums?
I offer no answers at 4:30 a.m.. That's good because most times I tried to come up with answers at this hour, I haven't been super successful. But the question of when something belongs on a ballot is a good one. The question will be around for a few more weeks until the deadline comes to get measures on the ballot.
What do you think?
Monday, July 07, 2008
Gambling on some excitement at tonight's council meeting
Unless some surprises surface, surely one of the most interesting events tonight will be discussion about the proposed initiative to ban minicasinos. The News Tribune story has background, and you can see comments posted about the story here.
One sentence in the story caught my eye: "Churches generally are opposed to gambling and view it as a vice that can lead to addiction, debt and broken families." I guess I should say again, for the record, that if I thought this petition would do anything about gambling addiction, my position might be different. But I continue to think government cannot ban gambling addiction any more than it can ban alcoholism, smoking, adultery, obesity and a bunch of other vices and problems. Despite what some have suggested, the petition is not about gambling. It's about government forcibly closing businesses that are presently operating legally. And some of us just don't think government should close businesses that are operating legally.
A ban on minicasinos would simply drive folks to easily available alternatives like the Internet and nearby Native American-managed casinos. And that may be why churches may be only partly involved in the petition drive. I have never been in a church where someone said it was an element of their faith that government should close down legally operating businesses.
But I digress ...
Presumably the proponents of the ban will make remarks at the council meeting. On the one hand, it's exciting that we finally had an initiative drive in our town. So the participants have every right to be proud and pleased with themselves. Some of us fought long and hard to give Lakewood citizens the right to participate in initiative and referendum.
But on the other hand, if I worked hard to gather signatures and felt like I was behind my goals, I would be personally disappointed. So it will be interesting to hear what folks have to say. I'm hoping no one launches any personal attacks on those of us who did not sign the petition ... I'll keep you posted.
Forward this post
One sentence in the story caught my eye: "Churches generally are opposed to gambling and view it as a vice that can lead to addiction, debt and broken families." I guess I should say again, for the record, that if I thought this petition would do anything about gambling addiction, my position might be different. But I continue to think government cannot ban gambling addiction any more than it can ban alcoholism, smoking, adultery, obesity and a bunch of other vices and problems. Despite what some have suggested, the petition is not about gambling. It's about government forcibly closing businesses that are presently operating legally. And some of us just don't think government should close businesses that are operating legally.
A ban on minicasinos would simply drive folks to easily available alternatives like the Internet and nearby Native American-managed casinos. And that may be why churches may be only partly involved in the petition drive. I have never been in a church where someone said it was an element of their faith that government should close down legally operating businesses.
But I digress ...
Presumably the proponents of the ban will make remarks at the council meeting. On the one hand, it's exciting that we finally had an initiative drive in our town. So the participants have every right to be proud and pleased with themselves. Some of us fought long and hard to give Lakewood citizens the right to participate in initiative and referendum.
But on the other hand, if I worked hard to gather signatures and felt like I was behind my goals, I would be personally disappointed. So it will be interesting to hear what folks have to say. I'm hoping no one launches any personal attacks on those of us who did not sign the petition ... I'll keep you posted.
