10 Years Ago 1997

Bars and fights formed an ugly alliance as soon as the first saloon keeper hung out a shingle. Within two months of a new owners shingle, police responded to six fight reports at State Avenue Bar and Grill. This contrasts with other bars in Marysville, like Saigon Gardens where police responded four times in all of 1996. The bar formerly incarnated as Billy-Bobs is no stranger to police calls, but the three young owners have been trying to remake the clubs reputation, according to James Thompson, one of the owners. Some of the new bars troubles are a hangover from Billy-Bobs, he said. Patrons havent caught on to the new efforts. Customers used to the raucous atmosphere of the old place show up expecting more of the same, he said. They have not had any trouble attracting business. Thompson said some weekends the bar attracts over 500 revelers. To discourage amateur boxing, the bar hired five security people to diffuse the tension when big crowds and alcohol are stirred in the same glass. An effort by the owners to hire off-duty police officers was stymied by the city. Police Lt. Dennis Peterson said the department spends a lot of time and money on programs to discourage drinking. He said they didnt want to contradict themselves by telling people to drink responsibly while having police officers work in a bar. We dont want to support [drinking] by having them down there, he said. Thompson said they have been trying to remake the image of the bar. Better wines and micro beers have apparently not impressed the city of Marysville. The State Bar owners had asked the city for permission to have an 18 and over night without alcohol. The plans, Thompson said, were to have a place where younger people could spend time dancing, playing video games or shooting pool without alcohol. Similar nights at a Silverdale, Wash., bar have attracted huge crowds he said, where the kids drink water and pop and dance all night long. Thompson and his partners, Mike and Mary Tilley, also applied to the city for permission to open a beer garden during the citys Strawberry Festival. These ideas and improvements are apparently not enough for the city. Marysvilles Mayor, David Weiser, sent the owners, known as Triple T, a letter denying the beer garden and underage night. The bar has not done enough to cut down the fights at the bar, the Mayors letter stated. Police Sgt. Jarl Gunderson said six visits in two months was not out of the ordinary, but added the city needs to closely watch the bar and is working with the owners. Meanwhile, the owners have to deal with swirling rumors, including one that says the city is on the verge of shutting them down. Thompson said they knew from the beginning that they would be under scrutiny and would have to be extra vigilant. There are two things that will kill us, he said, serving under-age kids and over serving. Bars cant serve drunken customers anymore than ones under 21-years-old. Indeed, some of the attention State Bar and Grill has garnered comes from those two issues. The citys police blotter has often included evidence of over-serving. In its first month of operation, police showed up to deal with fights between drunken customers. Thompson gave several examples in which he thought the troublemakers had showed up at State Bar and Grill having had too much to drink elsewhere. He cited one colorful incident, which involved a patron attacking a police officer. That person had one drink at his bar, Thompson said, and may have been on cocaine or speed. Thompson maintained one drink would not usually provoke an assault on a police officer. Thompson said his bar was visited by an inspector for the states Liquor and Control Board. Carter Mitchell, spokesperson for the agency, said they did not cite the bar and the inspector had been working with the new owners. Thompson said the inspectors came back three times to check the age of customers and found all those on the premises to be at least 21-years-old. The incidents point out the difficulties in taking over a bar with certain repute in a town with its share of bar-related problems. An Associated Press story last fall reported Dannys Midway Pub in Smokey Point as the eighth most named bar by drunk drivers when asked where they were last drinking.

25 Years Ago 1982

When Joey Belinc graduates, he is confident he will have done the right thing. With a promising career already beckoning, two part-time jobs to keep him in spending money, a steady girlfriend and a smooth running automobile, others might have rushed ahead into the future. But the 17-year-old senior realizes the value of a formal education. I want to go to the Olympics; thats my main goal, said Belinc, a past national junior boxing champion who could be in line for some international competition this summer. But I also want to continue my education. Ill probably go to college at ECC for two years, then take a look at things. Maybe Ill become a policeman, like dad. I dont want to be on an assembly line. Joey, who will turn 18 Sept. 7, 1982, is the son of Joe and Barb Belinc. His dad is a sergeant in the detective division of the Snohomish County Sheriffs Department. One of young Joeys biggest tasks in the years leading up to graduation was coordinating his busy schedule, but the ability to work with people and handle stress is something he has learned in and out of the classroom. It has been pretty busy for me, all right, but things should slow down a little after graduation, said Joe, who decided to forego a trip to the Olympic training site at Colorado Springs, Colo., in favor of participating in graduation ceremonies. It only happens once, and I want to be with my friends for that special occasion, he said. There is a golden rule hidden somewhere in his decision. It seems he may have his cake and eat it, too. Young Joey was pretty specific when he told the Amateur Boxing Federation and U.S. Olympic Boxing Commission he would have to decline their invitation to attend a training camp leading up to selection of a U.S. team for the international competition. It hurt him to have to say no, but the relationship he had established with the organizations, and their respect for his ability in the ring, convinced the boxing powers they could work something out. So, the Olympic Boxing commission and the ABF worked out a schedule whereby Joey flies out to the Olympic training site at Colorado Springs for a week and returns for three days so he can take part in commencement exercises and join his friends for the senior party. Its a once-in-a-lifetime deal and he feels its an important function to take part in, said his dad prior to Joeys departure for training camp. But they wanted him to come down, and they worked out an arrangement, so, hell fly back for another week following graduation. Thats a good indication someone has his eye on him. During his second week back in Colorado Springs, the national team will be chosen for the approaching North American championships at Las Vegas. Head coach Troy Summers, who heads the Marysville-based Firefighters amateur boxing program, also will spend some time at the Olympic training camp. Joey will return to the Olympic training site in early July for another week of training leading up to the U.S. Sports festival at Indianapolis. All of his trips, and room and board, will be paid for by the U.S. Olympic Committee an indication he is a serious candidate for future international competition, including the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. But first things first and first is graduation. Young Joey may not have to look too far for funding to pay for his higher education. The Belinc family recently received a letter from the Amateur Boxing Federation indicating it is trying to set up a scholarship program for 20 24 of the nations top amateur boxers. They would gain an education while working toward the goal of making the Olympic team. You know, if Joey werent working, good ol pop would be footing the bill, laughed his father. The nice thing about all this is that everyone has been so understandingfrom the teachers to Joeys employers. Theyve all been so supportive. The people I work for are very understanding, said Joey, singling out Kirk Taylor, manager for Godfathers Pizza and Del Neubecker, owner of Marysville Deli. Theyve been great! Theyve given me time off whenever I needed itand I still have the jobs when I get back. Despite all the arrangements, Joey is still somewhat saddened he wont be able to be with his girlfriend, Monica Neff, for a very special day. Im going to miss our anniversary, he said. Monica and I will have been going together two years in June.


50 Years Ago 1957

An estimated 5,000 people watched the Strawberry Cup slough races Sunday, which were jointly sponsored by the Everett and Marysville marinas and The Globe. Crowds lined the bank of Ebey Slough, the high highway bridge and any vantage point along the course of the races, which followed Ebey Slough eastward and around through Steamboat Slough, past Priest Point and to the starting point. The best in small boats, motors and accessories were demonstrated, providing continual action around the pits between races. In the well publicized grudge race between two Globe staffers, Ray
Ghost Treichel and Red Sal Lundstedt, the first heat was won by Lundstedt, the second by Treichel. Lundstedt won the third when Treichels tiny boat sank in 12 feet of water in rough far side of the course in Steamboat Slough. The boat was soon recovered by the crew from The Globe press boat which attended to rescue work. Treichel was wet but uninjured. The afternoon was a family affair. Friends met and visited along the banks as they watched the marine activity or viewed the afternoons events from boats anchored along the coast. Highlight of the afternoon to many was the breath-taking ascent by kite of the Bat-Man, George Quinn of Lake Stevens. His performance was the cause of many ohs and ahs and bursts of enthusiastic applause. In perfect weather, Marysvilles first attempt at a water festival was deemed successful, to judge from the many congratulatory comments.