FICRA Flash November 2019
Fox Island Upcoming Events:

  • Nov 12 - Chapel Chat
  • Nov 19 - Author Night at Chapel
  • Nov 23 - FI Amateur Radio Club
  • Dec 1 - Tree Lighting & Concert
  • Dec 7 - Santa at the Museum
  • Dec 14 - Yuletide on Echo Bay
Click on the Calendar icon (left) to view the all-island event calendar. If you have a Fox Island event that you would like to include, send email to [email protected] .
Santa Arrives by Fire Truck!
Santa will be arriving for the FICRA Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration by fire engine between 6:05 and 6:10pm courtesy of the volunteers at Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One. Make sure to be there in time to see Santa make his grand appearance!
Christmas Concert
Join us for our annual Community Christmas Concert with the Wickline Family & Friends on Sunday, Dec 1 at the Nichols Community Center. After getting your photos with Santa, settle in for some lovely Christmas music. You might even be invited to sing along!
Helping Neighbors at Christmas
Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One is participating in the Gig Harbor/FISH Food & Toy Drive to help children who need help to have a Merry Christmas. Please bring food, unwrapped gifts and/or cash donations for the Food & Toy Drive to our Christmas Tree Lighting event on December 1st to help your neighbors. Nonperishable food, and new or excellent condition used games, books, clothes, and toys are needed for all ages.  
Fall Clean-up Help Still Needed!
We got some important jobs accomplished at the fall cleanup in October: blackberries cut back off the Sports Field and Par Course and scotch broom plants pulled out, too. The new garden at the south parking lot has been planted (with sod to be planted on the foot path, there) plus indoor labeling and vacuuming. And, of course, the garden clubs have done their usual fine work on the building and gazebo gardens.

Below are some other jobs folks can take on. Contact Jim Braden (253) 459-5588 for facilitating that work.

Fall Cleanup Jobs:
  • Repair limping picnic bench.
  • Weed-eat the area behind the garage.
  • Transfer sod from behind the Sports Field backstop to the new garden at the south parking lot.

Larger jobs:
  • Repair hose box on NCC south wall.
  • Repair the split-rail fence near the gazebo.
  • Repair north deck bottom step.

Projects:
  • Rebuild old basement stairs cover on west NCC outside wall (an important project because it allows rainwater to get into the basement).
  • Repair and resurface NCC south side doors.
  • Finish installation of video camera system.
  • Install Sports Field brick walk.
  • Install Scout bench at Play Area.
  • Install irrigation system around NCC building.

The Nichols Community Center is a wonderful resource for Fox Island residents completely run by volunteers. Please pitch in if you are able!
Attention Pet Owners
Please remember that the NCC outdoor area is open to dogs ON LEASH ONLY. This rule is for the protection of people, especially children, at the Nichols Community Center (NCC). We have already had incidents where rambunctious dogs have played with children and if a child erroneously grabs a dog wrong there is the possibility of the dog reacting with a bite. Lawsuits we don’t need!
As long as pet owners comply with the rules and clean up after their animals, and take the waste material and the bags home they are welcome to be at the NCC. Please be a good neighbor: leash your pets and clean-up after them.
New Fox Island Sign
The Fox Island Garden Club celebrated last week with key players in the creation and installation of our new sign at the bridge, welcoming all to Fox Island!

They also had occasion to celebrate with the Fox Island Museum Board, as the Museum has received and preserved the venerable old painted map of our island that was the old sign.

While the new sign's design was generated within the garden club, and kind husbands and offspring helped remove the old sign, it was the community support of spring plant sales over many years that actually generated funds for this new installation.

The Fox Island Garden Club is very grateful for all of the Fox Island community support, and we hope you will continue to come to the plant sale, which also benefits the Sand and Soil Garden Club and FICRA too!
Update on the Bridge
We are awaiting the latest word on when the County will be ready to make a presentation on the repair/replacement of the Fox Island Bridge. As stated in the October Flash, the meeting, to be held here on Fox Island, will be our chance to get answers on where this project is going regarding design options and, even more importantly, financing options.

Our lead on working with the County is FICRA Building Trust's Jim Braden who can be contacted at [email protected] or [email protected] if you have any questions or input. We will keep you posted as we get news from the County.
Citizens' Patrol Tip of the Month

We are posting this a little earlier this year – Holiday shopping is already underway for some of our fellow islanders. Let’s defeat the porch pirates this year! If you have a P.O. Box, have your packages delivered there. Perhaps your neighbor can receive them or send them to your office?

Also, be aware that we tend to have an increase in mailbox thefts at this time of the year. If you see something suspicious, contact the non-emergency number of the Sheriff’s department: (253) 798-4721.

Don’t forget - if you plan on being away at the holidays, you can put a mail hold at the Post Office (this can be done online too!). You can also have Citizens’ Patrol Home Check service. Please go to the FICRA website and fill out the form online.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on our hotline, (253 549-7744).
Your Citizens’ Patrol Members
Fox Island Emergency Preparedness

Do you want to be of value in an emergency situation affecting all of Fox Island?
We are working to get full coverage of block coordinators for the island. Please consider volunteering to be a block coordinator. It's a great way to meet your neighbors and is not a complicated, nor time consuming, job. The two chief duties are as follows:

  1. Prepare yourself and family, and inspire neighbors to better prepare for unplanned disruptions due to power outages or severe natural catastrophes.
  2. In the event of a major event, be a link to communicate your's and your neighbor's status and needs to the Emergency Response Team for action.
That's it!

If there is ever a major event, every minute spent in preparation will be paid back in hours of reduced trouble and stress. You will receive a monthly newsletter on preparation topics, training opportunities, and news concerning EP. No regular meetings, no dues, just neighbors being there for neighbors!

The picture below shows our current block coordinator coverage. You can also use the interactive map to zoom in to your neighborhood. Click here to see the map. Is your neighborhood covered?

Please email us at [email protected] if you are interested in helping as a block coordinator.
Fox Island Amateur Radio Club (FIARC)
The Fox Island Amateur Radio Club (FIARC) is a committee of the FICRA Building Trust. In addition to the fellowship and learning opportunities the Club provides, the FIARC ham members will be the main communications for our Emergency Preparedness (EP) Team's response if and when a major emergency occurs. The membership is growing and the EP Team is acquiring more equipment to maximize coverage on Fox Island.

You too can belong to FIARC! It is open to anyone interested in learning about radio communication. Classes are available several times a year for those who would like to be certified to operate HAM frequency equipment. If interested please send a email to [email protected] and we will get back to you.

The Fox Island Amateur Radio Club (FIARC) holds their meetings on the 4th Saturday of each month at the Nichols Community Center. The meetings begin with a social gathering with coffee and treats and a chance to get to know one another at 9:30 am. The business meeting starts at 10 am which we try to limit to an hour.
Holiday Shopping Reminder!

AmazonSmile  is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on  AmazonSmile , the AmazonSmile  Foundation donates 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice. Please use smile.amazon.com for your Amazon shopping and designate your support for FICRA Building Trust. Thank you!

Save the Date!
Help Wanted
Party Planners
We are seeking some fun-loving people to help organize the annual FICRA Trust "Party with a Purpose" that will be held in January. Please reply to this email if you can help out.

** Auction Donations **
Seeking some awesome items and experiences (boat rides, theater tickets, etc) for the Party with a Purpose silent and live auctions. An independent review of last year's event recommended that we reduce the number of items so, we will need to be a little more selective this year. We are seeking unique, quality new (or very gently used) items. If you would like to help but don't have anything to donate, the committee would gladly accept cash donations to purchase auction items. Please reply to this email to help.

Publicity
Seeking a volunteer to step up to take over FICRA publicity. This includes creating this newsletter monthly. Other tasks include updating the FICRA Facebook page with information on events and the Instagram account with photos, creating flyers and posters for the FICRA window at the store and creating and posting the bridge signs. If you are interested in all or part of these tasks, please reply to this email.
What's Happening at the Chapel?
All the World's a Stage
Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00pm
Presented by island resident Doug Kerr. Doug and his wife Villa have lived on Fox Island since 1988. Before he retired in 2001, Doug was involved in more than 200 theatre productions as an actor, director, designer, technician, and producer. He has written and produced three plays. After retirement he has directed and designed locally and served as the Interim Artistic Director of Tacoma Little Theatre, helping to save it from permanent closure.

This event is free and open to the public. Please plan to join us!

A member-only Chowder Cook-off and Potluck will be held before this chat starting at 5:30. Members, please bring a dish to share.
Author Night with Larry Pratt
Tuesday, November 19 at 7:00pm

Larry Pratt is a native of the Pacific Northwest. While watching technology and industrial advancement effect the well-publicized change of our climate, he has also watched and witnessed the man made changes such as the rise and fall of the mighty Kingdome complex in Seattle. Come enjoy listening to how Larry decided to create the novel and how inspirational it has been already to others!

This is a free event, open to the public. A reception will follow Larry’s presentation. Questions: Stephanie Hulcher, 253-370-9303 or [email protected].
Tickets are now on Sale!
Our annual Christmas concert fundraiser will be Saturday, December 14th with Puget Sounds Wind Quintet. Visit BrownPaperTickets to reserve your spot for this wonderful event!
What's Happening at the Museum?
santa-kiss.jpg
Santa at the Museum
December 7th
Stop by to spend some quality time with Santa on Saturday, December 7th from 1:00 to 4:00pm. There will also be fun projects for the children! Free and open to the public.
Current Exhibit
Come by the museum to see our current exhibit about the Fox Island Bridge construction. Many historical photos are on display.
Silent Auction
Our annual Silent Auction will be held from Wednesday, December 11 through Saturday, December 21st. You can stop by during museum hours, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday between 1:00 and 4:00 to view and bid on silent aution items. If you have something to donate to the auction, please send us a message to [email protected].
Recurring Island Events
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.

Nature Center Work Parties
You're invited to help keep our Nature Center in shape. Work parties are held once a month on the 3rd Saturday at 9:00am.

Guitar Clinic 
Tuesdays at 10:00am at the Nichols Community Center. Free!

Quilters  
The Fox Island Quilters meet on the first and third Thursday of the month (Nov 7th & 21st) at the Nichols Community Center from 10 to 2. A ny interested quilters are welcome to drop by. Contact: Sue Lester, 253-549-4428, [email protected]

Monthly Adult Game Night @ NCC
No Team Trivia for November or December.

Island Yoga & Exercise Schedule:  (all classes are on a donation basis)
  • Monday at the NCC at 9:30 with Sara 
  • Wednesday at the UCC at 9:30 with Katie
  • Friday at the NCC at 9:30 with Sara

Sand & Soil Garden Club Meetings
Meetings held the 2nd Thursday of the month at 11:00am at the Chapel followed by potluck luncheon.

Fox Island Art Group
Wednesdays at 10:00 at the NCC 

FICRA & FICRA Trust Board Meetings
Second Thursday of the month at 7:00pm at the NCC.

Fox Island Historical Society Museum Board Meetings
Normally the last Monday of the month at 7:00pm at the museum.
FICRA Membership
Our annual Trunk or Treat event was just held for Halloween and our Christmas Tree Lighting and Community Concert is coming up on December 1st. These free events are made possible by the dues paid by members of FICRA. If you haven’t had a chance to renew your membership or if you wish to join FICRA you may do so via the online membership form at ficra.org/dues.htm and pay with a credit card. Forms and envelopes are also available at the Fox Island Store along with a drop box. FICRA Membership dues support the many FICRA activities that happen throughout the year. Join/renew and become part of our Island community!

FICRA and the FICRA Building Trust are always looking for volunteers to assist with our various programs. Come join us in making Fox Island the wonderful place that it is. Please also consider a tax deductible donation to FICRA Building Trust and/or the Citizen Patrol Program along with your FICRA Dues payment.
Helpful Numbers
  • Animal Control: 253-798-7387
  • Dead Animals: 253-798-3669
  • Injured Animal-West Sound Wildlife: 206-855-9057
  • Road signs: 253-798-6000
  • Road crews (potholes, etc.): 253-798-6000
  • Down trees on county roads: 253-798-6000
  • Code Enforcement: 253-798-3737
  • Health Department: 253-798-6500
  • Traffic Control: 253-798-4940
  • Fire Department Non-Emergency & Burn Permits: 253-851-3111
  • Pierce County Sheriff’: 253-798-4721 
logo
2012FICRAlogo
Connect with us!