Greetings, Fox Islanders! Now that we have dug ourselves out of the snow, ice and fallen branches, it’s time to celebrate! Join FICRA in their 2nd Annual Wine & Cheese Night: A Membership & Auction Event Saturday, January 28th at 7:00. For more detail, check out the Flash email here: JANUARY FLASH EMAIL
Below is a text-only version of the email:
Home FICRA Events Calendar Nichols Community Center Nature Center
Visit us at FICRA.org
In This Issue
Wine & Cheese Night
Important Numbers to know
2012 Dues
Gettin Foxy! Spa Night for Ladies
Game Night!
Ongoing Events at NCC
Board Meeting
Music at the Fox Island Chapel
January Garden Tips
Crime Watch
Rent the NCC
Your Ad on FICRA.org
Thanks for reading!
Click for the FICRA Events Calendar
Greetings!
Greetings Fox Islanders! Winter sure blew on to the Island this week. In fact, this Flash is being written by hand (gasp!) on paper (wow!) by lantern-light (really!), all to be retyped later when the power (and heat!) is back on. *Thank you, PenLight, for working your tails off today!
We hope you all have stayed safe and warm during this snowy weather. Please be sure to check out the links we have compiled below for some great resources for winter weather, school closures and other Island info.
Even though we all have snow on our minds, FICRA is very excited to invite you all to the 2nd Annual Wine and Cheese Night: A Membership and Auction Event, coming January 28th to the Nichols Center. We are thrilled to share with our members all the exciting things that have gone on at the Old Schoolhouse, welcome you to more events and activities, and just enjoy some time chatting with neighbors. We are also very grateful to Tacoma Screw Products for their generosity in helping to sponsor this event! This event is open to all FICRA members who have paid their 2012 dues. It’s easy to get your dues up-to-date, you can pay online here: 2012 FICRA Dues or pay at the door at the event. Due to Pierce Co. Health Dept. regulations, this must be a “members only” event, but what better way to pay your dues and enjoy an evening of fun, right?
Many more activities and events are listed below. We look forward to seeing you all soon! Your 2011-12 FICRA Board
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2nd Annual Wine & Cheese Night: A Membership and Auction Event!
Saturday, January 28th 7:00-10:00 at the NCC
Come grab an auction card, a glass of wine, a plate of hors d’ouvres and join in! The FICRA Board, Building Committee and Activities Committee are all thrilled to share with everyone all the recent “Spruce Up” updates that have been done at the Old Schoolhouse. Fresh plaster and paint grace the hallways and the bathrooms, vintage Island photos will line the hall walls, and many more touches have been done, all keeping with the feel of our 1934 schoolhouse. Plus, we have some amazing items that are being auctioned! All proceeds will help further the restoration of the old schoolhouse and help FICRA to continue events and activities on the Island. There will also be Fox Island schoolhouse items and t-shirts for sale. We are very grateful to the folks at Tacoma Screw Products for their generous donation, which helped make this event possible.
This event is open to all members who have paid their 2012 FICRA dues. If you haven’t paid your dues yet (a bargain at only $25.00 per year), it’s easy to do online by clicking right here:
You may also pay at the door (and shop for some great Fox Island merchandise while you are there!).
FICRA membership grew to 350+ members in 2011 and we would love to see many more members join in for 2012. Our members are our most valuable resource!
Printed invitations have been sent to members who paid their 2011 and 2012 dues and we encourage everyone to invite their friends and neighbors. Because of Health Department regulations, this must be a private event for members who have paid their 2012 dues (remember, you can pay online, via mail or at the door!). We truly look forward to seeing everyone. If you have any questions, please contact FICRA at info@FICRA.org
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Important Numbers, Emergency Info. and Tips
This January storm of snow, ice and wind has been beautiful at times, but a bit of a mess for many Islanders. Here are some links and tips to help you out when the weather gets rough:
* School Closures and Delays: Peninsula School District
* PenLight: (253) 857-5950 and online outage info at PenLight Outage Info
* Local Weather from NOAA: Fox Island Weather
* Fox Island Mutual Water: 549-2671
* Fox Island Post Office: 549-2517
* Emergency Preparedness Info: Pierce County Emergency Preparedness
* Emergency Numbers & Info from PEP-C (print this one!)
* We also do our best to keep Islanders updated with news, events and pictures on our Facebook page. Click on over to www.facebook.com/foxislandficra and follow along!
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2012 Dues are due! *Plus, they get you into the Wine & Cheese Event!
FICRA dues are only $25.00 per year/per family and are due January 1st for the 2012 year. We cannot express how much we appreciate your support. Your dues are what allow FICRA to put on so many events, keep the Nichols Center up and running, and remain a central gathering place for all Fox Islanders.
Donations can also be made to Crime Watch and the FICRA Building Trust for the Nichols Center “Spruce Up.” If you would like to add a donation to your dues and would like it to go to a specific cause, please be sure to make a note of that in the “message” section. Thank You!
Click here to pay :
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Gettin’ Foxy! Ladies Spa Night & FICRA Fundraiser – Saturday, February 11th
4:00 – 8:00 at the Nichols Center
Fox Island Ladies – this is a night for you! Come on over to the Nichols Center and spend some time getting pampered from head to toe. Island and local business owners have come together with FICRA to put on this fun event.
For a small entry free of just $5.00, you get 4 hours of treatments, classes, drinks and fun!
Just a few things that will be waiting for you at the door:
* Babysitting (whew!)
* Yoga Classes
* Chair massage
* Facials
* Foot soaks
* Jeans fitting
* And MUCH more – Stay tuned for details!
* Raffle tickets!
And there are some awesome raffle items! Plus, bring 2 bottles of wine and get more raffle tickets (one bottle for the event and one to go in the auction).
All proceeds go towards helping FICRA in creating and putting on more awesome events for Fox Islanders and their friends. Grab a friend and join us for a fantastic evening that’s all about YOU!
For more information, click on the event site: Gettin’ Foxy! Ladies Spa Night & FICRA Fundraiser
Do you run a business that is all about pampering and bettering ones body and self? Let us know if you would like to be a part of this event! Contact us at Info@FICRA.org and be sure to mention you are interested in the the Gettin’ Foxy Event!
Stay tuned: There will be much more info. to follow, including links to all the Ladies who are donating their time and talents for this event. Can’t wait to see you all there!
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Game Night! January 27th at 7:00 at the Nichols Center
Come out to the FICRA Game Night Friday, January 27th for a fun evening of trivia and games. The Old Schoolhouse will be decorated for the Wine and Cheese Night the next day, so you will get a sneak peak. Join other Islanders at the NCC at 7:00 for an evening of fun and camaraderie with other Fox Islanders. So, grab some friends or come alone and the Game Night volunteers will make sure you have a team to join and that you have a great time. Everyone is welcome and you are sure to have a great time.
Coffee is provided, but please feel free to bring other beverages and snacks. A $1.00 donation towards prizes is appreciated (and makes things even more fun!)
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Ongoing Events at the Nichols Center
Check out what’s happening all month!
* Wednesday Morning Guys’ Coffee from 9:00 – 11:00
All Island guys, of all ages, are welcome! Just to note, the current snow on Fox Island didn’t stop a few of the die-hard coffee-drinkers from trekking to the NCC at 9 am! Here’s a pic from their morning:
* Game Night! Join in Game Night at 7:00 on the last Friday of every month for a great time.
* Mom and Me at the NCC: Mom and Me is back at the Nichols Center, each Tuesday starting January 10th. Thank you to Karrie Avak for all her volunteer hours creating this great group!
Each week there are many events that happen at the Community Center, please check our new and improving (it’s always a work in progress!) Events Calendar to find out more.
For more information on any of these events, please email us at info@FICRA.org
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FICRA Board Meeting Thursday, February 2nd
The February Board meeting is on February 2nd at the Nichols Community Center (690 9th Avenue). The meeting starts at 7:30, with a coffee social beginning at 7:00. Come early and meet with your neighbors! A free-will donation for coffee and cookies is appreciated.
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The Good Lovlies at the Chapel on Echo Bay!
Friday, February 3rd at 8:00 pm
The Good Lovelies will appear live in concert at the Chapel on Echo Bay, on Friday, February 3 at 8:00pm. The Good Lovlies are not your run-of-the mill “all girl” band. At a time when too many of us are affected by gloom, doom and recovering from recession, these three women are the perfect antidote. Winners of the 2010 Juno-Roots Album of the Year (Group) and New Emerging Artists Award from the Canadian Folk Music Awards, the Good Lovelies are making waves across Canada and the US.
Described as folk-roots and western swing, the Toronto-based trio rely on unerring three-part vocal harmonies, clever songs and, onstage, convulsively funny repartee. Check them out here:
The Good Lovelies ‘Lie Down’ music video
The Chapel on Echo Bay is proud to present this exciting trio as part of our Music by the Bay series, now in its 8th year. The Chapel is a 111-year-old venue located on Fox Island, and is owned by a community-based nonprofit board of directors.
Tickets for this concert can be purchased by calling 549.7039 or emailing ChapelonEchoBay@comcast.net, and are just $30 each. Chapel members are invited to our Meet the Artists receptions following the concert (memberships are tax-deductible and are also available). For more info., please click on the Chapel events page: Chapel Events
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January Garden Tips from Master Gardener
and Islander, Linda Dodds
These are worth a read if you missed them in the last FICRA Flash email!
Don’t let the cold weather and the rain get you down! Dream a little dream of Hawaii with Master Gardener Linda Dodds!
Check out Linda’s great tips and advice for Northwest gardens on the FICRA Blog:
Click here: JANUARY 2012 TIPS
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Crime Watch Updates and Information and Past Crime Watch Reports
FICRA’s Crime Watch site is on FICRA’s new website, www.FICRA.org
Crime Watch page is here: CRIME WATCH
Or call the Crime Watch Hotline: 253-549-7744
During the months of November and December, Fox Island saw an increase in burglaries and attempted burglaries, as well as vandalism to the Nichols Center and the Chapel on Echo Bay. If you know anything about these incidences, please contact FICRA and the authorities. For past reports, please click: Past Reports
Did you know that the FICRA Crime Watch Citizen’s Patrol offers vacant house monitoring? If you plan to be away and would like them to drive by periodically and check your house, please contact info@FICRA.org
We thank you for your continued support of this great Island asset. It costs FICRA over $8000.00 a year to fund Crime Watch and the hiring of off-duty officers to help patrol our community and aid in keeping it safe. With increased donations from Islanders, we would be able to fund more patrols and continue with crime prevention on the Island. Through donations and the incredible work of dedicated volunteers, we are able to keep this great Island asset going, thank you! Crime Watch is in need of more people to help, if you would like to volunteer, please contact us at info@ficra.org
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Rent the Nichols Center for your Next Event!
The Fox Island Nichols Center is available for your private event! And wait until you see how great it looks these days! The NCC is available for birthday parties, family reunions, or any special event. There are discounted rates for paid FICRA dues members, too. Contact our new rental coordinator, JJ Bland for more details. Visit Nichols Center Rentals or call 253.228.8161
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Advertise on FICRA.org!
Did you know you could advertise your local business on FICRA.org? Advertisements can be seen in the “Island Businesses” link for $25.00 a YEAR (yep, that’s it!) and if you would like your business to rotate through the main home page, it’s only $50.00 per YEAR!
All proceeds from advertising sales go toward the website costs and advertising for our local events. Click here to see our Local Businesses page: Local Businesses
Email us at info@FICRA.org to get your ad online!
And, don’t forget, FICRA has a blog, where all new events, updates and other news items are posted. Check it out here: The FICRA Blog and don’t forget to check the Events calendar to see what’s coming up to do on the Island! Fox Island Events
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If you have any question or have events you would like to see in this email, please let us know by emailing us at info@FICRA.org
Sincerely,
The FICRA Board
www.FICRA.org
FICRA is very proud to have the world renowned Magical Strings performing for us in our very own Nichols Community Center on March 9th at 7:30. This promises to be an amazing concert with these incredibly sought-after artists.
have created the distinctive music of Magical Strings, described by The Washington Post as “warm, graceful and sonically gorgeous.” Centered around a tightly-knit blend of Celtic harps and hammered dulcimers, their performances are colorfully augmented by pennywhistles, concertina, valiha (Malagasy harp) and storytelling. Over the past 25 years they have drawn a large and loyal following worldwide, captivated by their energetic arrangements of Celtic music and their own engaging compositions, intertwining Celtic roots with classical/world music influences.
Annual Wine and Cheese Night and we are looking forward to Frebruary events and activities. The Gettin’ Foxy Spa Night is really taking off!
Thank you to Gig Harbor Girl Scout Troop 40145 for their excellent volunteer service on Saturday, January 28th. The Girl Scout troop, made up of Kopachuck Middle School students, did a fantastic job and their hard work is much appreciated. The Scouts spent a lot of time cleaning up branches from our recent windstorm, raking brush into piles, weeding, restacking the woodpile and they even helped with trash pick up around the playground. The girls also helped FICRA take down the Christmas Tree leftover from our Tree Lighting Event. The troop is welcome to come back to do more volunteer community service projects with FICRA. Our grounds look neat and tidy thanks to these young volunteers. It was great to have it looking so nice before that evening’s Wine and Cheese Event!
