FICRA News May 2016
Fox Island News & Updates
Please welcome our new FICRA Board and Trust Members! Here are the  election results:
 
FICRA: (The activities organization)
President: Jim Braden
Vice President: Hal Goodell
Treasurer: Mimi Miller
Secretary: Denise Parrish
Immediate Past President: Uwe Krohn
Director: Howard Stapleton
Director: Bob Bowser
 
FICRA BUILDING TRUST (The organization that owns and maintains the properties)
President: Tony Moore
Vice President: Jim Braden
Treasurer: Mimi Miller
Secretary: Ray Kittelberger
Director: Gina Olson

Many thanks to these wonderful volunteers who make things happen on Fox Island! We are including a picture of our newest member for those who have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Denise Parrish:
Jeff Feagin Memorial Plant Sale
Saturday, May 7
The annual Jeff Feagin Memorial Plant Sale will be held from  12:00 to 3:00 at the Nichols Community Center on Saturday, May 7. Set up will be on Friday, May 6. Donated plants for the sale may be delivered from 5:00-7:00 PM on Friday or from 9:00-11:00 AM on Saturday. Plants include perennials and annual bedding plants, vegetable starts, especially a large variety of tomato seedlings; foundation plantings, ground covers, herbs, large shrubs, berries and whatever the gardeners of Fox Island have to contribute from their overflowing gardens. All priced at a fraction of what you would pay anywhere else. Don't miss it!
Ballance School Recital
Want to see what some of our youth are accomplishing? Come to the string recital on 
May 17 at 7 PM  and enjoy the inspirational performances of the Ballance School's students. You will see a wide range of ages and find yourself relaxing to the music of these gifted musicians.
 
It's at the Nichols Community Center, 690 9th Avenue, Fox Island.  No charge, and light snacks are included!

Relive Beatlemania! 
The Fox Island Chapel on Echo Bay continues its 2016 concert series on Saturday, May 21 with a nostalgic evening saluting 1964 and Beatlemania. The Fab Three, already popular with many locals, will present a repertoire of classic Beatles hit and memories. 

The 7:00 pm concert will be preceded by a 6:00 reception with food and beverages hosted by the Hub at Gig Harbor. Tickets are on sale now at brownpapertickets.com or by calling the Chapel at 253-549-7039. 

Join us on for this fabulous concert at the Chapel, 400 6th Ave. Tickets are $30 for chapel memb ers and $35 for non members. Proceeds benefit the "Save the Steeple" campaign.
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Guitar Lessons Anyone?
Have you always wanted to learn to play the guitar? Well here's your chance, and its free! FICRA is offering a five-week introductory course for the first 5 to 8 residents to sign up; the instructor will be local musician Bill Welty, a recent Fox Island transplant from California.The course will cover the guitar, basic music theory, how to form basic chords, strumming, and practicing techniques.The course is geared towards beginning seniors--over 55. Students will be required to have a guitar. If you have an interest in playing the guitar, a desire to learn, and time to practice, signup at  info@ficra.org. The f irst class will be held at the NCC, on Tuesdays mornings starting June 14, through July 19, from 10:00 - 11:00 am.

Memorial Day on Fox Island
The annual Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast will be held at the Fox Island Historical Society Museum on Monday, May 30. Come out for some yummy pancakes between 8:00 and 10:30 am.

After you enjoy a hearty meal and chance to visit with friends old and new, join us at the Cemetery for a service honoring our veterans.

Crime Watch Tips & Updates
We are getting closer to summer and schools being out so let's all remember some safety tips for walkers, runners and bicyclists on Fox Island. Walkers and runners should face  oncoming traffic; bicyclists go with the flow of the traffic. Be on the lookout for the new portable speed feedback machines along  Island Blvd. We are working with the County to attempt to slow down traffic to the posted speed limits and ensure everyone's safety.

In addition to your Citizen Patrol members driving around the island and doing home checks, they will also be an integral part of our Emergency Planning group. If you are  not aware, June 8th will be the Cascade Subduction Zone drill for the entire state of Washington. Some of our Crime Patrol members will be participating in this very important drill.

Since they are familiar with the ins and outs of the island, they would be driving and reporting back with handheld radios to the command center at the NCC. Reminder, this  is a good time to review your family's emergency plan and supplies!

Crime Watch has purchased 11 signs that will be displayed at prominent school  bus stops throughout the island. This is another move by Citizen's Patrol to improve  safety for our kids. We also patrol school bus schedules in the morning and afternoon.

In 2015 we outfitted our patrol members with jackets and caps with our logo, and also  new signage on our vehicles, so that kids and their parents are made aware of our presence. 

Lastly, we are recruiting new members for the patrol to beef up our efforts on behalf  of all residents. Reply to this email if you are interested in volunteering.

Your Citizen's Patrol Members

Meet & Greet Derek Young

Our County Representative, Derek Young, spent the evening of April 19 at the Nichols Center visiting with Fox Island residents. Accompanying Derek were: Derek's Assistant, John Jolibois; County Engineer, Bryan Stacey; Department of Emergency Management Director, Peggy Lovell-Ford, Rory Grindley, Public Works, and Brian Ward, Deputy Sheriff. Here are some of the highlights from the meeting as reported by Jim Braden:

1.  The replacement, or upgrade, of the Fox Island bridge is not happening soon. The County is working on getting engineering for the basics like siting as a first step. The County will not be able to bear the cost of the bridge, so getting the siting done is needed for getting in line for Federal funding.

2.   Our Congressional Representative, Derek Kilmer is interested in trying to get the boat launch cleaned up and in control by our Parks Department.

3.   Derek Young is working on an amendment to better control the geoduck industry. There are significant ecological problems with the industry practices in addition to the devastating impact to the views of shoreline residents.

4.   The Shoreline Act compliance for Pierce County is likely to be achieved with the passage of our Shoreline Plan late this year.

5.   Derek Young plans to vote "Yes on 1". He believes allowing marijuana business in the County will bring taxes that will do more to manage marijuana misuse than sweeping it under the rug. (Education on marijuana and drugs similar to what is being done with tobacco.)

6.   In response to several questions regarding speeding and pedestrian safety, the County is preparing to have portable speed feedback machines located on the island. No shoulder work is planned for the high pedestrian traffic areas (store, NCC). There are plans to square up the stop lane on 11th at Island Blvd.

The slides from the meeting are available at ficra.org. Click here to view them.
The FICRA Fair - August 13
The annual FICRA Fair will be held  Saturday August 13th, from  11 AM to 6 PM!! T he Fair is an Island tradition and our biggest community event of the year. Last year we expanded the Music and Food Court and had more local talent and food vendors. As the Fair continues to grow we are to extending the fair hours. This years' Fair will be open from 11 am to 6 pm.   

We have already lined up the music talent for the entire seven hours. The music will feature "Minus Tim", "Ranger and the Re-Arrangers", "Two & Fro", "Dan Spencer" and the "Twang Junkies". Limited off street parking will be provided for vendors and the public. 

We will continue the popular Raffle Room, the Flower show and special FI Emergency Preparedness and Crime Watch displays. An opening ceremony will be held at  noon. The Fox Island Honor and Color Guard with present the colors followed by the singing of the national anthem by Sarah Tweet and the "World's Shortest Parade" to honor this years' Grand Marshall(s). We welcome you to join in the fun and reserve your booth at the fair.

The Booth reservation form and instructions may be found at  www.ficra.org.
Fox Island Emergency Plan
Our  Emergency Preparation Team (EP Team) is preparing for Fox Island participating in the Cascadia Subduction Zone (earthquake/tsunami) state wide drill in June. The EP Team is working with representatives from Peninsula Light, Gig Harbor Fire District 5, Fox Island Mutual Water Company, Fox Island Yacht Club and the Pierce County, including their  Medical Reserve Corp.  The FICRA Building Trust and the EP Team have constructed the Ham operator station at the Nichols Community Center (NCC),  We expect to test the communication system during the month of May to be ready for the big test in June.  Prior to the June drill we will post on FICRA.org, and Facebook, more on our  game plan for participating in the test. We will also publish a post-mortem evaluation.

We encourage our residents to follow the work of your EP Team. The aim is to provide assistance for our residents in the event of a major disruption. HOWEVER, remember that the cornerstone of our surviving a major incident is family self-sufficiency.

We also need many more volunteers to support the neighborhood groups. Go to FICRA.org to enlist. The membership dues you pay to FICRA are not used for this program.  Rather, the program  is sponsored by the FICRA Building Trust - and your donation is tax deductible as the Trust is a 501(c)(3). Go to FICRA.org to donate. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT.
Recurring Island Events

Little Foxes Playgroup @ NCC  
The Little Foxes Playgroup meets on Monday mornings from  10:00-12:00 at the Nichols Community Center. Come out and play!

Men's Coffee @ NCC
Men's Coffee is every Wednesday morning from  9:00 to 11:00am. Bring your friends and meet new ones. Get and share expert opinions on all sorts of topics and stay for the camaraderie.

Monthly Adult Game Night @ NCC
The monthly team trivia adult game night is held on the last Friday of the month at  7:00pm  at the Nichols C enter.  The next game night will be held on May 27.  
Island Event Calendar

Memorial Jeff Feagin Plant Sale
Nichols Community Center
Saturday, May 7, 12:00-3:00

Ballance Recital 
May 17 at 7:00
Nichols Community Center

The Fab Three Concert
Chapel on Echo Bay
Saturday, May 21 at 6:00pm

Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast   
Fox Island Museum
Monday, May 30, 8:00 to 10:30am   

Father's Day Breakfast
Fox Island Yacht Club
Sunday, June 19

Fox Island Music Festival
Fox Island Yacht Club
Saturday, July 30
Tickets go on sale May 4
T uesday Morning Vinyasa Yoga
Chapel on Echo Bay at 9:15 am
It's free, but a donation is appreciated

Monday & Thursday Morning Yoga
Fox Island UCC at  9:30 am
It's free, but a donation is appreciated

Sand & Soil Garden Club Meetings
2nd Thursday of the month
Chapel on Echo Bay at  11:00am
Followed by potluck luncheon

Guitar Lessons Begin
June 14
Nichols Community Center

Annual FICRA Fair!
Saturday, August 13

Save the date!
Caspar Babypants
Saturday, September 17 at 10:30am



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About FICRA
 
FICRA stands for Fox Island Community and Recreation Association.  FICRA was formed on February 24, 1970. Its purpose is to promote matters pertaining to the health and safety of Fox Island residents, to promote the welfare and development of Fox Island, and to provide recreation and social activities of a non profit nature as a public service to the residents of Fox Island.
 
The FICRA Building Trust operates and maintains the  Nichols Community Center, the Fox Island Playground and the adjacent  Fox Island Nature Center. FICRA and the FICRA Trust are volunteer organizations that are here to serve our Island community by providing many great social and recreational activities for islanders to enjoy.
   
FICRA relies on its many volunteer members to make it all happen, from the Easter Egg Hunt, The Plant Sale and student speaker competition in the Spring, Fox Island Fair in the Summer, concerts, Christmas Tree Lighting and our Party with a Purpose event in the Winter. Come join us and see how you can help FICRA continue to provide many great activities for our community to enjoy.  Go to  ficra.org  and click on the 'contact us' button, or e-mail us directly at  info@ficra.org . We are always looking for volunteers. 

To become more familiar with what these organizations do and their great value to the Fox Island community, attend a monthly Board meeting (open to the public).  We'll be glad to show you around. You may also call the Trust President, Jim Braden, at 253-459-5588 for more information.
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