Community briefs

Gateway news services

Taylor Shellfish allowed to harvest geoducks

Shelton-based Taylor Shellfish Farms has received the go-ahead from the Pierce County Land and Planning Services Department to harvest its current geoduck crop near Joemma Beach State Park.

The company was not allowed to perform any geoduck farming at the Foss Farm property after the county found that Taylor’s substantial shoreline development permit expired in March.

In July, Taylor Shellfish spokesman Bill Dewey told the Gateway that the company was losing $20 million because of the county’s decision.

“It’s been a substantial loss,” he said. “There’s two years of lost crops. And we’re not realizing any revenue off the farm because we can’t harvest anything.”

According to news reports, the county decided last week that Taylor could harvest mature geoducks but could not seed for more. Taylor is currently suing Pierce County in Thurston County Court for $25 million in lost revenue stemming from the March decision.

Although the company may have access to the Foss farm again, Taylor Shellfish is still unable to farm on Totten Inlet in Thurston County. The Department of Natural Resources is investigating possible boundary violations in the area.

Bayshore Garden Club to host planting party next week

Bayshore Garden Club will host a volunteer planting party at the Longbranch Fire Station from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 12-13. Free lunch will be provided to volunteers.

The club will plant two commemorative gardens, one for the Blue Star Marker, which honors veterans, and another for community members from the garden club.

Volunteers should bring gloves and a shovel. Call Judi Cleghorn at 253-884-3744 for more information.

KPHS Pioneer Picnic moved to next weekend

The annual summer picnic of the Key Peninsula Historical Society has been rescheduled for Sept. 13 at the Dale Boquist home.

Boquist, a longtime collector of antique logging equipment who is a third-generation logger, will show and talk about some of his tools and machinery.

Beverages will be provided. Attendees are asked to bring something to share and their own plate service.

The meeting is open to members and others interested in local history.

For more information, call 253-884-3702 or 253-884-3272

Mushroom workshop scheduled at Penrose Point

Penrose Point State Park will hold a mushroom identification workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 20-21 and Sept. 27. Participants will learn characteristics of mushrooms that will be helpful for identification.

A short walk will be involved, if conditions are right.

Group sizes are limited to 15 people and reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

There is no charge. To register, call Dan Christian at 253-884-2514.