Issaquahpress120116 by The Issaquah Press

Issaquah’s only locally owned newspaper

THE ISSAQUAH PRESS

117th Year, No. 48

issaquahpress.com

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Commission: Facilities plan ‘not accurate or helpful’ Planning Policy chairperson says city is basing plans for the future on 10-year-old data By Lizz Giordano lgiordano@isspress.com Issaquah’s Planning Policy Commission is urging the City Council to update its master plans, such as the 2014-2019 Capital Facilities Plan, and impact fees to ensure adequate infrastructure is provided for the

existing community as growth continues. In a letter sent to the City Council dated Oct. 13, commissioners said, “Our work was frustrating this year, as the data we needed to make solid and thoughtful plans was not available.” Joan Probala, the chair of the Planning Policy Commission, said,

“The city is basing plans for the future on data collected in 2006. “Get the extra data, because the future of the city depends on it.” The CFP, passed by the City Council in 2013, is a tool the city uses to set proprieties for projects to maintain a required level of service in the city’s transportation networks, utility services, parks and public buildings. In the letter, the commission called the level of service established by the CFP “not accurate

or helpful for decision-making.” Stacy Goodman, the president of the City Council, said councilmembers don’t keep track of impact or mitigation rate studies. She has requested more information from the city’s staff regarding how often rate studies are required to be updated and when the last time rate studies were done for specific impact fees. Probala said the city has evolved over the last few years and any future plans should take into consideration today’s traffic

congestion. Probala, a real estate broker and past president of the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, has sat on the Planning Policy Commission for more than 10 years. Probala said this year the commission had to approve the city’s updated GMA plan based on old data. According to the letter, an update to the impact fees for police See PLAN, Page 8

TWELVE DOWN, ONE TO GO

Mark Mullet

Chad Magendanz

5TH DISTRICT SENATE Mark Mullet (D) ✔ 37,301 50.3% Chad Magendanz (R) 36,792 49.7% Results as reported by the Secretary of State through Nov. 27. Final election results were certified Nov. 29, after press time for this edition.

Magendanz concedes; Mullet retains Senate seat By Stuart Miller smiller@isspress.com Mark Mullet unofficially won re-election to the 5th District’s state Senate seat Nov. 21, 13 days after Election Day. Challenger Chad Magendanz conceded after waging a significant comeback, narrowing the margin between the two candidate to less than 600 votes. The first election results Nov. 8 opened with Mullet leading Magendanz by nearly 3,000 votes, but every subsequent release of results from King County Elections saw Magendanz chipping away at the gap. Mullet’s shrinking lead inspired both candidates to examine disqualified ballots in last-ditch efforts to secure votes. Results released through Nov. 27 had Mullet with a 509-vote edge. In a Facebook post, Magendanz implied the presence of Donald Trump on the ballot was detrimental to the former state representative’s candidacy. “Losing by such a tight margin is always difficult to accept,” Magendanz wrote, “but we ran a great campaign that in any other year would have won handily.” Mullet’s victory keeps the Republicans from gaining a Senate seat the party desperately wanted. The GOP will still retain control of the Senate by a one-vote margin — 25-24 — because Sen. Tim Sheldon, a conservative Democrat, caucuses with the Republicans. Next year, the 45th District’s Senate seat held by the late Andy Hill will be up for election. A Sammamish-based group called Working Families funded by the political action committee set up by Republicans in the state Senate spent more than $600,000 in attack ads against Mullet. Issaquah Press editor Scott Stoddard contributed to this report.

Scott Stoddard / sstoddard@isspress.com

Liberty players dash toward their fans waiting in the stands at Yakima’s Zaepfel Stadium as they celebrate their 2A football state semifinal victory over Ellensburg on Nov. 26. The 12-0 Patriots defeated the Bulldogs 35-26 and advance to Saturday’s 1 p.m. championship game at the Tacoma Dome against 13-0 Archbishop Murphy, which made national headlines this season as five opponents decided to forfeit games instead of taking the field to face the Wildcats. SEE STORY AND PHOTOS, PAGE 9; MORE PHOTOS ONLINE AT ISSAQUAHPRESS.COM FOLLOW OUR LIVE COVERAGE OF SATURDAY’S TITLE GAME ONLINE AT ISSAQUAHPRESS.COM, ON TWITTER (@ISSAQUAHPRESS) AND ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

City Council approves property tax increase By Lizz Giordano lgiordano@isspress.com The Issaquah City Council unanimously approved a 1 percent property tax levy increase for 2017.

With the increase, the city expects to collect about $81,000 in additional property taxes citywide next year. “For me, that 1 percent means an extra $7 for my home,” said Councilmember Paul Winterstein

during the council’s Nov. 7 meeting, when the 2017 increase was first discussed. State law says a city can raise its property tax by no more than 1 percent of the previous year’s tax revenue.

No other tax increases are proposed in the preliminary version of the city’s 2017 budget. After a brief presentation by the See INCREASE, Page 8

Her bottom line — collect 30,000 diapers in a month By Christina Corrales-Toy ccorrales-toy@isspress.com

Christina Corrales-Toy / ccorrales-toy@isspress.com

Bethany McKinnon, seen here at Eastside Baby Corner, is hoping to donate 30,000 diapers to the nonprofit over the next month.

Bethany McKinnon was born with a maternal instinct, and it shows as she lovingly eyes a wall of diaper-lined shelves at Eastside Baby Corner’s Issaquah hub. Motherhood was always a goal for the 1999 Issaquah High School graduate, but that’s not in the cards after she was diagnosed

with chronic illnesses that require consultation with doctors at the Mayo Clinic’s Arizona campus and daily intravenous medication. “I’ve always wanted to be a mother,” she said. “I’m not in that place, but I have an abundance of love to give.” Over the past four years, that See DIAPERS, Page 2 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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One Dollar

2 • Thursday, December 1, 2016

The Issaquah Press

FRONT AND SUNSET

Embracing the past to make downtown experience unique

ime for a quiz: Can you name a historic building in downtown Bellevue? How about downtown Redmond? Didn’t think so. It might surprise you, but there are a few buildings on Main Street in Bellevue and on Gilman and Leary streets in Redmond that date to the early 20th century. But there are two very big differences between the old buildings in those cities and our historic structures in Issaquah. For starters, we have maintained our small-town atmosphere (at least when the commute isn’t in session). Elsewhere, vintage architecture is overshadowed by glass skyscrapers (Bellevue) and seven-story condo buildings (Redmond). Plus, the older structures in the other cities have been remodeled and gussied up to all but erase any sign of historic architectural detail. And there, friends, is what makes Issaquah unique compared to everywhere else east of Lake Washington. Yet instead of capitalizing on what makes our city stand out from the crowd, we’re letting it languish. Take a walk up one side

Issaquah could learn a thing or two from Wenatchee, which unabashedly promotes its business district’s past as a positive.

of Front Street and back down the other and report back here on how much you learned about the history of the buildings that make up our venerable business district. We already know the answer: You won’t learn anything. There is zero interpretive signage describing our distinctive collection of structures, some of which are more than 100 years old. On our recent visit to Wenatchee, we were struck on how that city proudly harkens back to the heyday of its historic buildings. Today, the shops and eateries lining the main drag through downtown are more lively than those in many mid-size cities. We don’t need vinyl banners hanging from lampposts. Any

town — literally — can do that. Instead, tell our visitors about the Odd Fellows hall. Explain that it was built in 1888 and hosted the first silent films played in Issaquah. Describe how it was the venue for town dances, plays and musical performances. Let people know this building is much more than a barbecue joint. Surprise visitors with a view of the Bank of Issaquah building before it was covered in terra cotta and Granux in 1949. Reveal the past of the Grange Mercantile building as a single enterprise before the structure was carved up into multiple business spaces. Let sidewalk wanderers dive into the ancestry of the Rollin’ Log, the Shell station, the Grand Central

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We’ve had the opportunity to see Liberty football coach and educator Steve Valach in action on a few occasions this season. His rapport with players and the positive attitude he instills in the group as a whole is remarkable. If we had children in high school, we’d want them learning from Mr. Valach. Send your tips, complaints, praise and missives to frontandsunset@isspress.com. Twitter: @frontandsunset.

HOW TO HELP

love has manifested in the form of 43,808 diapers for Eastside Baby Corner, a local nonprofit that collects children’s items and distributes them free of charge through service organizations. Her annual holiday diaper drive netted more than 14,000 diapers last year, and the Talus home she shares with husband Brendan was the storage facility for most of them. It took two SUVs filled to the brim to shuttle the whole inventory down to Eastside Baby Corner last year. And even though she can’t have children, in that moment when they deliver the diapers, she feels like a mother. “I sort of imagine all of the parents in the middle of night changing diapers, and maybe there’s a little part of me there in the nursery, kind of giving them support,” she said. Infants require up to 12 diapers per day, while toddlers need about eight, according to the National Diaper Bank Network. Most childcare centers require parents to provide disposable diapers. The price of formula and

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Mail donations of disposable diapers, sizes 2, 5, 6 and pull-ups to Eastside Baby Corner at 400 NW Gilman Blvd. P.O. Box 712, Issaquah, WA, 98027. You can also donate money online at babycorner.org. When donating, mention Bethany McKinnon or this Issaquah Press article to ensure the diapers are counted toward Bethany’s goal.

diapers alone is a stretch for many families in need. Eastside Baby Corner and these donations offer a much-needed boost. As someone who has had to rely on caregivers through her health struggle, McKinnon knows just how important that boost, however small, truly is. “I want to pay it forward and return that, because I know those little things do go a long way to make you not feel alone,” she said. Through it all, McKinnon insists she gets more out of her annual drive than Eastside Baby Corner and its providers do. “I’m on disability, I’m not able to work and I’m

not able to contribute in traditional ways, so this diaper drive really gives me purpose,” she said. McKinnon’s holiday drive has mostly been a wordof-mouth affair among friends and family, but she’s reaching out to the community this year with a lofty goal. She wants to collect 30,000 diapers from Nov. 25 to Dec. 31. Not only would that number put her well above 50,000 over five years, it also has a purpleand-gold significance for the lifelong Washington Husky fan. “I think I’m going to set a really wild, wild goal,” she said. “My goal is going to be about 30,000, because that would put my overall total at about 70,000 — the capacity of Husky Stadium.” Disposable diapers sizes 2, 5, 6 and pull-ups, are among the items Eastside Baby Corner needs most. Learn how to donate diapers or money at eastsidebaby.org. When donating, mention Bethany McKinnon or this Issaquah Press article to ensure the diapers are counted toward her goal. “This has been a crazy, amazing season,” she added. “If the Huskies can go all the way, I can go all the way. It’s just going to be our year.”

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The Issaquah Press

At transportation summit, mayor says traffic is a crisis By Lizz Giordano lgiordano@isspress.com Issaquah’s traffic congestion has reached a crisis level because of pass-through traffic clogging up local streets and lengthening commute times, Mayor Fred Butler told attendees of a regional transportation summit hosted by the city on Nov. 22. Issaquah is not alone. Representatives from other Eastside cities said they are suffering from traffic congestion that often starts outside of their city limits. “Pass-through traffic heading to and from the Issaquah-Hobart Road is suffocating our local streets and city cross-streets,” Butler told Eastside mayors and officials from various transportation agencies, who gathered to discuss the impact of regional traffic on communities. King County Executive Dow Constantine, Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoff, Metro Transit General Manager Rob Gannon and King County Councilmembers Kathy Lambert, Reagan Dunn and Claudia Balducci were among the officials present for the summit. Butler called the summit a turning point for addressing the problem, saying, “Finding regional solutions to addressing regional traffic flow is essential.” Constantine said with more than 260 people moving to the region each day, traffic congestion was an ongoing challenge. “And we have a limited ability to add appreciably to the road capacity,” Constantine said. Constantine said Sound Transit, Metro and other public transportation will help move people, but that is not enough. “We really do need to address the road system,” he said. “We need to optimize, we need to maintain, we need to repair, we need to ensure we are getting the most value out of every stretch of highway, arterial and side street.” Constantine said the recently passed King County budget includes funding for more than 300,000 additional hours of Metro bus services, but money for the network of roads in the county has been decimated over the years. “Property and gas tax revenue provides about $100 million a year for county roads,” Constantine said. “That’s enough to address immediate safety issues, to do a little bit of repair and not much else. It would take about another $400 million a year to optimally restore and maintain our $40 billion investment in this roads network.” The King County Road Services Division attributes declining gas tax revenues, annexations and the passage of voter initiatives to the continued underfunding of the county road network. According to data presented by the Puget Sound Regional Council, travel times along Issaquah-Hobart Road have increased by about 10 minutes during the morning commute over the past two years. During the same period, travel times along State Route 18 between Interstate 5 and Interstate 90 has seen an increase of seven minutes during morning peak hours, with I-90 between Eastgate and SR 18 seeing a five-

minute increase. Mayors were given five minutes to share the top transportation issues facing their respective cities. Butler said the majority of Issaquah’s congestion starts beyond the city borders as regional traffic passes through to reach I-90, SR 900, Issaquah-Hobart Road, SR 18 and Issaquah Fall-City Road, which is causing commute times to grow. Mayor Don Gerend of Sammamish said his city has about 4,000 Microsoft employees trying to get to Redmond every morning without the benefit of highoccupancy vehicle lanes. “So there is no added advantage for going on transit or car pools or van pools,” Gerend said. Gerend said while other cities’ park-and-ride lots are filled to capacity, only about 50 percent of the spaces in Sammamish are occupied because of cuts in direct bus service to Seattle. In the next five years, Sammamish wants improved transit services and choke points north and south of the city to be addressed, Gerend said. Newcastle Mayor Rich Crispo said between 20,000 and 30,000 drivers a day use local arterials in his city to avoid Interstate 405 or the interchange between I-90

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Thursday, December 1, 2016 •

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and I-405. Some towns have take matters into their own hands. Since incorporation in 1997, the City of Covington has been investing developer impact fees and bond funding into State Route 516. This has resulted in over a mile of improvements to the corridor, according to Mayor Jeff Wagner. Covington residents have nicknamed congestion along SR 516 the “Covington crawl.” The transportation summit ended with a brainstorming session. Ideas such as tax increases to fund additional road projects, allowing cities to loan money for projects and evaluating debt-to-cash requirements, which could speed up project timelines, were suggested. No audience comments were allowed during the summit. Butler said the next step was to form smaller coalitions to further discuss the issues, and he plans to reconvene participants in the spring. Constantine said we are all in this together. “As today’s summit shows, this is not a jurisdiction-byjurisdiction problem,” he said. “We need a genuine solution to funding and that requires collaboration across governments and sectors.”

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OPINION

THE ISSAQUAH PRESS

Thursday, December 1, 2016 • 4

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

A donation to Merry Christmas Issaquah helps locals in need

t amazes me how generous we can Readers of this newspaper have be when moved by the spirit of the contributed more than $1 million over holiday season. the course of those 35 years through Coat drives, toy drives, food drives, Merry Christmas Issaquah, and for that, you name it — when Thanksgiving we cannot thank you enough. and Christmas roll around, our city’s This year, the goal for Merry Christmas residents are ready to help out those who Issaquah is $100,000. Through the last are less fortunate. full week of November, we’re about 16 One group that assists families in need percent of the way there. is Issaquah Community Services. When We have many amazing nonprofits Scott basic expenses like rent or a utility bill in our growing city, but Issaquah or a repair bill is in danger of not being Stoddard Community Services rarely makes paid, Issaquah Community Services is headlines. There are no gala dinners, no Press editor there to help. silent auctions. The Merry Christmas Issaquah fund And there is no payroll. Issaquah is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. First Community Services is an all-volunteer group that launched in 1981, Merry Christmas Issaquah uses 100 percent of the donations it receives to accounts for much of Issaquah Community assist people in need. That’s right: Every nickel of Services’ annual budget — around 80 percent. It that $1 million the group has received since it was is without question the group’s most important founded has gone to help people seeking assistance fundraiser. make ends meet. The Issaquah Press has spearheaded the Hundreds of families — all of them local — have fundraising effort for Merry Christmas Issaquah relied on Issaquah Community Services for more since its inception, at no cost to Issaquah than three decades. You can be a part of this Community Services. Many newspapers help charitable group’s good works with a simple taxcommunity groups raise money during the deductible donation of any amount. Nothing is too holiday season. The Seattle Times has its Fund small. See the box at right for details on how to make for the Needy, which distributes donations to this Christmas a merry one for all of Issaquah. local community agencies, and The SpokesmanReview in Spokane asks readers to contribute to From The Editor’s Desk is Scott Stoddard’s column. its Christmas Fund, which helps Catholic Charities and the Volunteers of America provide toys You can email the editor at sstoddard@isspress.com. for children whose families who are struggling Twitter: @scottstoddard. financially. Facebook: facebook.com/presseditor

City of Issaquah Mayor Fred Butler: fredb@issaquahwa.gov Council President Stacy Goodman: stacyg@issaquahwa.gov Deputy Council President Mary Lou Pauly: maryloup@issaquahwa.gov Councilmember Paul Winterstein: paulw@issaquahwa.gov Councilmember Eileen Barber: eileenb@issaquahwa.gov Councilmember Tola Marts: tolam@issaquahwa.gov Councilmember Bill Ramos: billr@issaquahwa.gov Councilmember Mariah Bettise: mariahb@issaquahwa.gov

THE PRESS ON TWITTER Join more than 9,800 Twitter users who follow @issaquahpress to stay on top of the latest local news and sports stories seven days a week. You can also follow members of our news staff to see their most recent updates. Christina Corrales-Toy, digital editor: @ByChristinaCT Lizz Giordano, reporter: @lizzgior Neil Pierson, reporter: @eastside_neil Greg Farrar, photographer: @GregFarrarIP Scott Stoddard, editor: @scottstoddard

ICS offers emergency aid to residents of the Issaquah School District in the form of utility payments, rent assistance, bus tickets and other miscellaneous expenses depending on specific need and the emergency. Last year, ICS assisted 353 households, helping 194 avoid eviction and keeping the lights and/or water on for another 104. The organization currently has an annual budget of about $130,000 and every penny goes to a person who needs it, thanks to an all-volunteer staff. Most of the organization’s money comes from the Merry Christmas Issaquah fund, an annual holiday campaign spearheaded by The Issaquah Press since 1981. Organizers set a $100,000 goal for 2016. Issaquah Press readers have contributed more than $1 million to the fund since its inception.

HOW TO HELP

Make a tax-deductible donation to Issaquah Community Services. The organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Send donations to Issaquah Community Services, P.O. Box 669, Issaquah, WA 98027. You can also donate to the cause using PayPal on the ICS website: issaquahcommunityservices. org.The names of donors — but not amounts — are published in The Issaquah Press unless anonymity is requested. Call ICS at 837-3125 for more information.

DONORS

Goal: $100,000. As of Nov. 25: $15,925 Mary Pigott, Paula Benari, Richard Weisberg, Elizabeth Williams Callan, Amy Hammingh, Christian Manley, Lisa Bialek, Thomas and Natalie Leach, Joyce L. Johnson, New Life Christian Fellowship Inc., Jack and Merle Madeoy, Gisela and Peter Smutny, Janet and Kim Flanary, Beverly Huntingon, Virginia Miller.

TO THE EDITOR

SHARE YOUR VIEWS How to contact your elected representatives.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ISSAQUAH

Community

We need a conversation about gunfire at Sportsmen’s Club Sounds of gunfire represent different things to different people. For some, it is associated with hunting, recreation and time spent outdoors. Others may associate it with military combat or police activity. And some people may think of America’s massshooting epidemic as represented in tragic events such as Sandy Hook and Orlando. For those that associate gunfire noise with pleasant or neutral experiences, the noise may affect them very little. For those that associate gunfire with unpleasant experiences, the noise could be disturbing and, in some cases, re-traumatizing. This is a topic I suggest our community discuss since many residents of and visitors to Issaquah are impacted by the consistent sound of gunfire in the neighborhoods, schools, sports fields and trails surrounding the

JOIN THE CONVERSATION: WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR Something on your mind about your city? Tell us about it. The Issaquah Press welcomes letters to the editor about local issues — 300 words at most, please. Please note: We do not publish letters that have been printed in other publications. We may edit your letter for length, clarity or inappropriate content. Include your phone number (it will not be published). Send letters via email to editor@isspress.com, and please write “Letter to the Editor” in the subject line of your email.

Issaquah Sportsmen’s Club. I’ve heard a number of people say that they are used to the gunfire. I’ve heard others comment that it is one of the things they dislike most about the community

(next to traffic). And I’ve heard others say that the Sportsmen’s Club has been in Issaquah for so long, it doesn’t really matter what anyone thinks. I’ve also heard people wonder if there is any research out there that looks into psychological impacts of repeated gun noise on children, teens and animals. Should the community just accept the gunfire noise, as is, five days week? Should there be consideration taken to enclose the shooting range or move it altogether? Should the shooting range close one weekend/ month allowing for no gun noise (similar to car-free days on streets to allow for safe/enjoyable bicycling)? What do you think? I encourage you to contact The Issaquah Press to share your views, experiences and/or suggestions about the gunfire noise in Issaquah. A community conversation on the topic seems long overdue.

Kristen Ragain

Issaquah

OFF THE PRESS

Kids listen to adults — even those with abhorrent values

t’s fair to say a lot of people were disgusted when they read Sandy Ringer’s account of the Liberty-Ellensburg football game in The Seattle Times over the weekend. Unfortunately, not everyone was disgusted, or the story would’ve been written differently. In the fourth paragraph of the story, Ringer talked about the impact Liberty senior Isaiah Owens had on the game and the adversity he had to fight through after “he was hit in the mouth and was the target of a racial slur after making a tackle on the Ellensburg sideline late in the third quarter.” Owens, who is black, helped seal the Patriots’ 35-26 victory and a trip to this week’s Class 2A state championship with two fourth-quarter interceptions. As a

wide receiver and defensive back, he has been an integral piece for a team that’s 12-0 and faces fellow unbeaten Archbishop Murphy for Neil the title. Pierson But he had Press reporter to control his temper after the alleged incident as he was flagged for a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. “I know my team needs me and I couldn’t cost my team,” Owens said. “I had to regain my composure and go out there and do what we prepared for.” It’s puzzling that the Ellensburg

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player or coach who incited Owens wasn’t penalized or ejected. The likely explanation seems to be that officials didn’t hear them. Another Liberty player backed up Owens’ account of what happened on the field. “Ellensburg is BY FAR the most disrespectful team we have ever played,” senior Dulin Hayden, who is also black, wrote on Twitter. “When you call the other team (the N-word) you need to rethink your program.” It’s not just a shame that African-Americans living in 21stcentury America have to face such cruelty — it’s also sickening. But maybe it’s not so surprising considering the politics of Klickitat County, where Ellensburg is located. Our president-elect received 53.8 percent of the vote for

General manager CHARLES HORTON

president in Klickitat County. And I personally witnessed many campaign signs supporting him while driving through there prior to the election. One of the important lessons to be taken from this presidential election is that experts vastly underestimated the power of the rural voter. I won’t call them the silent majority because I don’t believe they are the majority — just look at the results of the popular vote. Voting for Donald Trump doesn’t mean someone is racist. But it shows that his countless offensive remarks about blacks, Latinos, Muslims and gays weren’t a dealbreaker. And they should’ve been. It’s encouraging that 63 percent of voters under age 30 cast their ballots for someone other than

Trump, a sign that our future leaders have differing attitudes. But the ugliness Owens and his Liberty teammates say they faced exists, and it’ll continue to be emboldened as the president-elect chooses people like Steve Bannon to influence his policies. The best thing we can do is teach our kids to reject that thinking. They’re listening to what we say. Email reporter Neil Pierson at npierson@isspress.com. Twitter : @eastside_neil Off The Press is a weekly column by members of The Issaquah Press news staff. The viewpoint expressed does not necessarily represent the editorial views of the newspaper.

Editor

SCOTT STODDARD

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We are committed to accuracy at The Issaquah Press and take care in our reporting and editing, but errors do occur. If you think something we’ve published is in error, please email us at news@isspress.com.

The Issaquah Press

RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS Inspections were performed Nov. 14-20 by Public Health, Seattle and King County. A food establishment inspection is only a snapshot of the operation during a limited time. Readers should look at more than one inspection (view inspection reports online at theeastside.news/inspections) to get a better idea of the overall operation. Red violations: High-risk factors are improper practices or procedures identified as the most prevalent contributing factors of foodborne illness or injury. One red critical violation equals an unsatisfactory inspection. County environmental health specialists work with operators to make sure these violations are corrected before they leave the establishment. Blue violations: Low-risk factors are preventive measures to control the addition of pathogens, chemicals, and physical objects into foods. 435 or more red violation points require a reinspection within 14 days. 490 or more red violation points or 120 total violation points (red and blue) require closure of the establishment. Issaquah Brewhouse, 35 W. Sunset Way Nov. 14: Routine inspection, 10 red, 5 blue Subway, 98 Front Street N. Nov. 14: Routine inspection, 10 red, 5 blue Yum-E Yogurt, 96 Front Street N. Nov. 14: Routine inspection, 10 red, 13 blue

Thursday, December 1, 2016 •

ENGAGEMENT Johnson, Polonis Donna Johnson of Issaquah announces the engagement of her son Michael Johnson to Sheila Polonis. The future groom graduated from Issaquah High School in 2007 and has a degree in electrical engineering from Gonzaga and a master’s from Washington State University. He works at Puget Sound Energy. The bride-to-be, the daughter of Doug and Teresa Polonis, graduated from Eastside Catholic in 2008 and the University of Washington in 2013. The duo will marry Jan. 7, 2017, in Kirkland.

Sheila Polonis and Michael Johnson

Get in the holiday spirit at depot caroling event Dec. 15 Issaquah Arts Commissioner Fred Hopkins will lead a chorus of Christmas carolers at the Issaquah Depot Museum, 78 First Ave. NE. Join Hopkins and other residents from 6-7 p.m. Dec. 15 as they sing the classics,

including “White Christmas,” “Jingle Bells” and more. Bring a ukulele or tambourine or just yourself and be prepared to sing. Caroling will continue through downtown to local businesses if weather permits. All ages are welcome to participate.

OBITUARIES

PETS OF THE WEEK

Edward Herman Schroeder Edward Herman Schroeder, 81, died November 22, 2016, in Issaquah. Funeral service at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 3, 2016, at Flintoft’s Funeral Home, 540 E. Sunset Way, Issaquah, Wash. Private interment at Tahoma National Cemetery.

Meet Sobe, a 1-year-old American pit bull mix. She’s a happy girl who loves a good Sobe long play. She will cheerfully follow you anywhere with her tail forever wagging. When Sobe is feeling affectionate, she’ll lean up against you and roll over for tummy rubs. She’s sure to be a sweet and loyal member of your family. Come meet this happy girl today. Children 10 years and older and resident dogs are required to meet Sobe prior to adoption to a cat-free home.

Patricia Brundage Patricia Brundage, age 84, a 1950 graduate of Issaquah High School, passed away on November 13, 2016. Patricia lived her entire life in the Issaquah/Sammamish area. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Brundage and her son Kevin Brundage. She is survived by three other children, Steve Brundage of Lake Stevens, Terri Klopfenstine of Sammamish, Brett Brundage of Edmonds and their families. A private memorial was held on November 19th for the immediate family. Friends are invited to share memories at flintofts.com. Flintoft’s Funeral Home and Crematory, 392-6444.

Meet Clarice, a sweet 2-year-old gray and white female kitty. This reserved and loyal gal likes to work undercover Clarice to keep an eye on the household, slipping into the shadows as she investigates. But once Clarice knows you, she’ll come out and be your personal purring machine. If you need a loyal cat that knows how to stay out of trouble and will always keep your secrets, come down to Seattle Humane and see if Clarice is the cat for the job.

Thomas C. Doonan Tom passed away peacefully and comfortable on Nov. 18, 2016. Tom is survived by his daughter Debbie, his son Wesley and his grandson David/Harley plus numerous friends and family members. Online obituary: bit.ly/2gPnMzN Thomas Doonan To place a paid obituary in The Issaquah Press, call Claire Cook at 392-6434, extension 232, or visit us at issaquahpress.com.

To adopt these or other animals, call the Humane Society for Seattle/King County at 641-0080 or go to seattlehumane. org. All animals are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated, and come with 30 days of pet health insurance and a certificate for a vet exam.

Issaquah Philharmonic plays free concert Monday The all-volunteer Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra will play a free public concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Skyline High School, 1122 228th Ave. SE in Sammamish. The 90-minute concert program includes Ambroise Thomas’ Mignon Overture, Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 “Reformation,” Malcolm Arnold’s English Dance No. 5 and Victor Herbert’s March of the Toys from “Babes in Toyland. The concert is sponsored by the City of Issaquah Arts Commission.

540 East Sunset Way, Issaquah 425-392-6444 • www.flintofts.com

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ISSAQUAH SCHOOL DISTRICT Parents and Community Are Invited to Attend FLASH and HIV/AIDS Curriculum Information Sessions for all Elementary Schools, specifically Discovery and Sunset.

Thursday, December 8, 2016 | 6:00 p.m. presentation lasts 1.5 hours

Saturday, December 10, 2016 | 9:00 a.m. presentation lasts 1.5 hours

FLASH and HIV/AIDS Curriculum Information Sessions for Your child’s teacher will be teaching the district adopted FLASH HIV/AIDS curriculum. This public viewing will give you an opportunity to examine the instructional materials and view the videos that will be used.

All information sessions will be held at: Issaquah School District Administration Building Boardroom A | 565 NW Holly St., Issaquah, WA 98027

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It is not necessary for parents to attend a public review session if they do not intend to exempt their child from FLASH HIV/ AIDS instruction. The Washington State Omnibus AIDS law requires a parent to attend a public viewing session and review the materials before exempting their child from this instruction. This must be done each year. District representatives will be available to answer questions.

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LET’S GO!

THE ISSAQUAH PRESS

Thursday, December 1, 2016 • 6

FRIDAY, DEC. 2

SATURDAY, DEC. 3 Breakfast and photos with Santa benefiting Eastside Fire & Rescue, 8:30-10:30 a.m., $10/adults, $5/ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and under, University House Issaquah, 22975 SE Black Nugget Road, 557-4200 Skyline High School Bazaar, featuring 60 local artisans, a raffle and bake sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1122 228th Ave. SE, skylineboosterclub.com Learn Amateur Radio for Fun and Emergency Preparedness, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., $15 test fee, City Hall, 130 E. Sunset Way, w7bi.com or issaquahcitizenscorps. org

ONLINE CALENDAR Submit details for your event to our online calendar at theeastside.news/calendar.

a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $14.50/general admission, $12.50/seniors, $10.50/ children 2-12, Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th St., cougarmountainzoo.org City Council regular meeting, 7 p.m., City Council chambers, City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Concert, 7:30-9 p.m., free, Skyline High School, 1122 228th Ave. SE, Sammamish, iphil.org Chase Chang

The Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a free holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Skyline High School in Sammamish. Council Committee Work Session, sixth budget review, 9 a.m., City Council chambers, City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way Fused Glass Workshops, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $45/members, $50/ nonmembers, artEAST Art Center, 95 Front St. N., register at arteast.org Tradition Plateau Loop hike, 10 a.m., easy, 6 miles, 500-foot gain, meet at 175 Rainier Blvd. S., issaquahalps.org, 206245-3787 Issaquah Reindeer Festival featuring Santa, his elves and his reindeer, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $14.50/general admission, $12.50/seniors, $10.50/ children 2-12, Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th St., cougarmountainzoo.org Sensitive Santa Holiday Party at Springfree Trampoline featuring an autismfriendly visit with Santa, all ages, free, noon to 4 p.m., 1975 NW Poplar Way, 654-1306 “Singin’ in the Rain” presented by Village Theatre, 2 and 8 p.m., $35-$78, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., villagetheatre.org, 392-2202 Winter in the North Countree by Master Chorus Eastside, 3 p.m., Pine Lake Covenant Church, 1715 228th Ave. SE, Sammamish, $20/general admission, $15/seniors, students and veterans, masterchoruseastside.org/concerts Holiday Beach Party, Bonfire and Lighted Boat Parade, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Tibbetts Beach, Lake Sammamish State Park, 2000 NW Sammamish Road, Discover Pass required for parking or pay $10 park admission per carload, lakesammamishfriends.org Shaggy Sweet, 7:30-11:30 p.m., Vino Bella, 99 Front St. N., vinobella.com Ricky Venture Review, ages 21 and

older, 8-11 p.m., $5 cover charge, Pogacha, 120 NW Gilman Blvd., pogacha.com

SUNDAY, DEC. 4 Cougar Mountain hike, 9:30 a.m., very easy, 4 miles, 350-foot gain, meet at 175 Rainier Blvd. S., issaquahalps.org, 4538997 15th Annual Jingle Bell Cruise and Toys 4 Tots car show, 10 a.m., Triple XXX Root Beer Drive-In, 98 NE Gilman Blvd., triplexrootbeer.com Issaquah Reindeer Festival featuring Santa, his elves and his reindeer, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $14.50/general admission, $12.50/seniors, $10.50/ children 2-12, Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th St., cougarmountainzoo.org Christmas in Sammamish concert by the Sammamish Symphony Orchestra, 2 p.m., $20/adults, $15/seniors and students, $10/children 10 and younger, Eastlake Performing Arts Center, Eastlake High School, 400 228th Ave. NE, Sammamish, sammamishsymphony.org, 206-517-7777 “Singin’ in the Rain” presented by Village Theatre, 2 and 7 p.m., $35-$78, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., villagetheatre.org, 392-2202

MONDAY, DEC. 5 Figure Drawing Open Studio: short pose 9:30-11:30 a.m.; long pose noon to 2 p.m., ages 18 and older, Mondays through Dec. 19, artEAST Art Center, 95 Front St. N., arteast.org Issaquah Reindeer Festival featuring Santa, his elves and his reindeer, 10:30

TUESDAY, DEC. 6 Play & Learn: Chinese, ages 2-5, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Issaquah Reindeer Festival featuring Santa, his elves and his reindeer, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $14.50/general admission, $12.50/seniors, $10.50/ children 2-12, Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th St., cougarmountainzoo.org Story Times: toddlers, ages 24-36 months, 10:30-11 a.m.; preschool, ages 3-5, 11:30 a.m. to noon, Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Teen Open House, 3-5 p.m., homework and tutoring help for teens, 3-5 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 3925430 One-on-One Computer Help, for adults, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Issaquah Open Mic, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Issaquah Depot Museum, 78 First Ave. NE, signups at 6:15 p.m. River & Streams Board meeting has been canceled Urban Village Development Commission meeting, 7 p.m., City Council chambers, City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way Seasonal Cooking Workshops, for teens and adults, 7-8:30 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7 Issaquah Garden Club meets to discuss Delights of the Season, 10 a.m. Tibbetts Creek Manor, 750 17th Ave. NW, issaquahgardenclub.org Issaquah Reindeer Festival featuring Santa, his elves and his reindeer, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $14.50/general admission, $12.50/seniors, $10.50/ children 2-12, Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th St., cougarmountainzoo.org

THURSDAY, DEC. 8 Spanish Story Time, ages 3 and older, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Issaquah Reindeer Festival featuring Santa, his elves and his reindeer, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $14.50/general admission, $12.50/seniors, $10.50/ children 2-12, Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th St., cougarmountainzoo.org Recycle-Repurpose-Reuse and Ugly Sweater Contest, Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, $25/members, $40/ nonmembers, prizes for ugliest sweater and Golden Dumpster Award, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Issaquah Brewhouse, 35 W. Sunset Way, issaquahchamber.com Teen Open House, 3-5 p.m., homework and tutoring help for teens, 3-5 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 3925430 Anime Club, for teens, 3:30-5 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 3925430 One-on-One Computer Help, for adults, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Special meeting of Economic Vitality, Human Services and Planning Policy commissions: Discussion of Issaquah’s housing strategy, 6 p.m., City Council chambers, City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way Tagore Commemorative Event celebrating first non-Caucasian Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore with singers, musicians and artists, City Council chambers, City Hall at Sammamish Commons, 801 228th Ave. SE, Sammamish Talk Time Class, for adults, Issaquah Library 6:30-8 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 “Singin’ in the Rain” presented by Village Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $35-$78, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., villagetheatre.org, 392-2202

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5 Chamber Breakfast featuring Mercer Island, Newcastle, Issaquah, Sammamish and Snoqualmie Chambers of Commerce, 7:30-9 a.m., University House Issaquah, 22975 SE Black Nugget Road, $20/members, $35/nonmembers, issaquahchamber.com Issaquah Reindeer Festival featuring Santa, his elves and his reindeer, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $14.50/general admission, $12.50/seniors, $10.50/ children 2-12, Cougar Mountain Zoo, 19525 SE 54th St., cougarmountainzoo.org Play & Learn: Chinese, ages 2-5, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Family Discovery Story Time: Who Lives in the Snow? for ages 3 and older, 11 a.m. to noon and 1:30-2:30 p.m., Lewis Creek Park Visitor Center, 5808 Lakemont Blvd. SE, register at 452-4195 Dive-In Movie Night, 7-9 p.m., $5/ adults, $4/youth, $12/families, Julius Boehm Pool, 50 SE Clark St. Youth Art Workshop Series, ages 7-16, three sessions 4-6 p.m. Dec. 2, 9 and 15, $85/members, $90/nonmembers, artEAST Art Center, 95 Front St. N., register at arteast.org Very Merry Sammamish, featuring choral and orchestral performances from seven area schools, tree-lighting ceremony, petting zoo, face painting, crafts, treats and more, free, 5 p.m., Sammamish Commons Plaza at City Hall, 801 228th Ave. SE Pizza & Picasso, ages 6-9 and 10 and older, 6:30-8:30 p.m., $29, Museo Art Academy, 300 NE Gilman Blvd., museoart. com Harmonious Funk, 7:30-11:30 p.m., Vino Bella, 99 Front St. N., vinobella.com Troy Kline and The Medicated Trio with special guest Faith Beattie and an ugly sweater contest, 8-11 p.m., $5 cover charge, Pogacha, 120 NW Gilman Blvd., pogacha.com “Singin’ in the Rain” presented by Village Theatre, 8 p.m., $35-$78, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., villagetheatre.org, 392-2202

Story Times: toddlers, ages 12-24 months, 10:30-11:30 a.m.; infants, ages newborn to 12 months, noon to 1 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 3925430 Citizenship Classes, 4:30-6 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 3925430 Study Zone, homework and tutoring help for teens, 6-8 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Development Commission meeting with public hearing: Inneswood multi-family site development permit, 7 p.m., City Council chambers, City Hall South, 135 E. Sunset Way “Singin’ in the Rain” presented by Village Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $35-$78, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., villagetheatre.org, 392-2202

LIVING

THE ISSAQUAH PRESS

Thursday, December 1, 2016 • 7

HO, HO, HELLO

Reindeer Festival takes over zoo this month By David Hayes dhayes@isspress.com Once a year, the Cougar Mountain Zoo closes for business for a whole month. Each December, the reins of the operation are turned over to a certain jolly fat man in a red suit, and he opens the annual Reindeer Festival. Cari McKinstry is promotions and public relations coordinator for 11 months out of the year. But in December, she’s just one of Santa’s elves. “This is the best holiday festival in the Pacific Northwest,” McKinstry said. “Because it’s the only one of its size and its length — 23 days. Plus, it’s a daytime festival. Most are at night, but the Reindeer Festival is scheduled so families can have something to do during the daytime.” While the Cougar Mountain Zoo has a year-round World of Reindeer enclosure, McKinstry said Santa shows up Dec. 1 to personally ensure they’re ready to go fly their routes by Christmas Eve. The festival, now in its 28th year, features many activities revolving around Santa Claus. He’ll be in his Santa House from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m. daily. Be sure to get a photo with Santa for just $15 for the first photo in a special Reindeer Festival photo folder and $10 for each additional photo. Or you can take your own three photos with your camera for just $5. While in Santa’s House, kids are invited to write a letter to Santa and then hand-deliver the message to the jolly man himself. Other activities include sitting in the Grand Travel-

IF YOU GO Cougar Mountain Zoo Reindeer Festival Monday through Sunday 10:30 a.m. to dusk (about 4:30 p.m.) 19525 SE 54th St. cougarmountainzoo.org ing Sleigh, holiday stories read by Santa’s elves in Story Time Theater and face-painting. McKinstry said the Reindeer Festival is also hosting a toy drive. If you bring a toy, it will be donated to Eastside Baby Corner. In return, kids receive a free admission voucher for a return trip in 2017. She said the festival remains the most popular time of the year for the community to visit the zoo. “If you look at the video of the festival on our website, you’ll see the type of crowds we get,” she said. “We just don’t get those kinds of crowds during the summer time. Only in the festival.” As you wander through the Magic Forest and visit all the other animals, you’ll also be able to enjoy coffee and hot cocoa. And if you stop by the gift shop for souvenirs, new this year are sweet offerings from festival sponsor Boehm’s Candies. McKinstry said the Reindeer Festival is bigger and more popular than ever. “It’s a great fundraiser that supports the community for a great cause and allows us to continue to teach conservation through education with our zoo programs throughout the whole year, whether it’s in our community or the entire Puget Sound,” she said.

Scott Stoddard / sstoddard@isspress.com

As faux snow fills the air, Santa Claus greets a young girl following his arrival at the Grand Ridge Plaza shopping center in the Issaquah Highlands on Nov. 25. Saint Nick rode in aboard a sleigh that was mounted atop an Eastside Fire & Rescue truck. See more photos at issaquahpress.com.

Scott Stoddard / sstoddard@isspress.com

A wide array of interesting, locally made gifts are for sale at the Historic Shell Holiday Shop on Front Street North downtown.

Downtown pop-up shop features gifts by local artists By David Hayes dhayes@isspress.com

With little fanfare, a new seasonal venue opened in downtown Issaquah Nov. 25 at the Historic Shell Station, marking the occasion with a simple banner that read “Shop here.” Regardless of the amount of saturation the “pop-up shop” got on social media, friends Kate Carson of Redmond and Martha Willard of Issaquah were there when the doors opened. “I got an email and wanted to see what was going on,” Carson said. Willard, too, was intrigued by the shop, which is sponsored by the Downtown Issaquah Association. “I like the concept. It’s a good idea,” she said. The shop, run by artist Alison Lang, features creations from 32 artists and makers from Issaquah and the region, including Seattle and Portland. “There’s everything from Greg Farrar / gfarrar@isspress.com jewelry and clothing to Santa Claus and reindeer Dancer join Cari McKinstry (left) and game designers and print F.FINAL.IP.CMYK. Logan Hendricks in preparation for SANDY/LAURA last year’s Reindeer Festival. artists,” Lang said, whose

IF YOU GO Historic Shell Holiday Shop Hailstone Feed Store 232 Front St. N. Noon to 6 p.m. Friday to Saturday through Dec. 23 Learn more about the Historic Shell Holiday Shop online at facebook.com/ shellholidayshop own letterpress cards, journals and glassware are on display.

“We like to focus on usable, functional gifts, things you can wear and things that are more giftable. So you can get something that reminds you of someone rather than just getting another gift of art.” Fellow artist Britt Greenland out of Renton stopped by to do some shopping of her own during the opening. “I think it’s beautiful,” she said of the shop’s setup inside the historic filling station. Lang said the DIA hosted a call for art and was pleased to find she’s never worked with more than half

of the artists involved. “I’ve tried to put together a cohesive look with a compelling story across the board,” Lang said. “A lot of artists have other shows on the weekends during the holidays. So this just gives them another place to have their stuff so they don’t have to be here.” The pop-up shop will also feature free gift wrapping, even if items are bought at other stores downtown. She plans to offer free coffee and fruit while other businesses pop up outside the shop under the awning during weekends closer to Christmas.

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8 • Thursday, December 1, 2016

The Issaquah Press

A voluntary subscription payment of only $1 per week supports independent community journalism in Issaquah. Call 425-392-6434.

OCTOBER STUDENTS OF THE MONTH Pauline Andrews

Rebecca Bakony

Samantha Kelderman Liberty High School

Liberty High School

Math department. Girls in STEM award, Yale Law award. AP Calculus AB as a sophomore, AP Calculus BC as a junior, earning A’s and 5’s on the AP exam. Continues to demonstrate these qualities as a senior in AP Statistics. She shows creativity, adaptability and depth of knowledge.

Science department. AP Scholar with distinction, co-founder and vice president of Women in Science and Engineering club. Scholastic work in chemistry and physics. Swim, four-year varsity track, scholar-athlete. Peer tutor for first-year physics class and a classroom leader.

Science department. National Honor Society, AAUW Science award, 3.88 GPA. LHS aquaponics team researcher. Varsity track and field and team captain for varsity basketball and cross country. Embodies hard work, attention to detail, resourcefulness and perseverance daily.

Math department. National Merit commended, AP Scholar in ten classes including Calculus AB (scored 6 on the exam), Calculus AB and Statistics. 4.00 GPA. A stellar math student who understands difficult concepts, is eager to learn, produce quality work and help others.

Issaquah High School

Sabrina Suen

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update the rate studies at three-year intervals so the data the City uses in its decision making and fee collection is current and accurate.” “There has to be some kind of sense of planning,” Probala said. Probala said now is the

2008 and the fire protection impact fee was last updated in 2006. In the letter, commissioners requested councilmembers “fund the updates for all impact fee and mitigation fee rate studies that are over three years old” and “then

time for the city to take an active rule in the permitting process and write codes to help guide development in the city. Autumn Monahan, the assistant to the city administrator, did not respond to a request for comment.

Seniors petition board to request general meeting By Lizz Giordano lgiordano@isspress.com More than 50 seniors, including Mayor Fred Butler, signed a petition asking the Issaquah Valley Senior Center’s board of directors to hold a general membership meeting. The letter was not wellreceived by the center’s current interim co-executive directors Craig Hansen and Carmen Llewellyn, according to Toni Patterson, a former board member of IVSC. Both Llewellyn and Hansen refused to accept the petition, Patterson said. According to IVSC bylaws, a general membership meeting may be called if a written request is received from 20 members. At the requested meeting, the petitioners want the board to release financial records and a resignation letter from the former executive director, Courtney Jaren. They also want to discuss how the board will deal with furniture and other property inside the senior center while the board goes through a dissolution process. The city plans to take over the senior center starting in January. Hansen and Llewellyn did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

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The Rotary Club of Issaquah names local students of the month. Students are nominated for the honor by department heads at their respective schools.

from page

Social Studies department. National Honor Society, AP Scholar with distinction, AP Government, Contemporary Issues and Psych. National Merit commended, History Club president, Key Club president, Junior Statesman of America president. Patriot Press politics and global news editor.

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English department. Editor-in-chief of Patriot Press. AP Scholar in Language and Composition, Literature, National Honor Society, DECA, Junior Statesman of America. Shows love of literature, clear and sophisticated writing style, depth of understanding and strong discussion skills.

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ACROSS 1. Dandruff site 6. Nincompoop 10. Mid-10th-century year 14. Papal court 15. __ out; supplements 16. Hilarious person 17. Flat-tailed mammal 18. Victoria’s Secret purchase 20. Parker or Montgomery 21. Uzbekistan’s location 23. William and Sean 24. Underground passage 25. Equal 27. Hurt 30. Rhine feeder 31. Figure specialist: abbr. 34. Particle 35. Bitter 36. “__ Father” 37. City named for a French king 41. Friend 42. Is too inquisitive 43. Nautical direction 44. Ed Begley and Lon Chaney: abbr. 45. Edible casings 46. Swarms 48. Kelly or Barry 49. Babies’ favorite seats 50. Trained horse 53. Glory 54. Long, long __ 57. Hat or purse 60. Oxidizing agent 62. Inflammation: suff. 63. Palm, for one 64. Occasion 65. __ about; speak very highly of 66. Lucia, Francisco or Jacinta of Fatima 67. Lets 5

Social Studies department. AP Scholar in multiple classes, National Honor Society, varsity soccer scholar athlete maintaining a GPA above 3.75. Questions, reasons, studies and fully grasps every course concept and then shares them. Plans to attend the U.S. Naval Academy.

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THE ISSAQUAH PRESS

Thursday, December 1, 2016 • 9

LIBERTY 35, ELLENSBURG 26

DOMEWARD BOUND

Photos by Scott Stoddard / sstoddard@isspress.com

Liberty’s Cameron Spaeth leaves the Ellensburg defense in his wake as he races for a 75-yard touchdown run to open the scoring in the Patriots’ 35-26 victory over the Bulldogs on Nov. 26 in Yakima.

Semifinal victory sends Patriots to Tacoma, where they’ll meet Archbishop Murphy for state title LIBERTY (12-0)

By Michael Anderson Special to The Issaquah Press Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 15 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 19 Nov. 26

Taking advantage of four big plays and dashing to a 35-7 lead, the Liberty Patriots advanced to the Class 2A state title game with a 35-26 win over Ellensburg at Yakima’s Zaepfel Stadium on Nov. 26. The Patriots (12-0) will face Archbishop Murphy (13-0) in the title game at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Tacoma Dome. The Wildcats, who won five games by forfeit this season, handled Lynden, 52-14, in the other semifinal game. Nov. 26 The win sends the Liberty 35, Ellensburg 26 Patriots to the title game Archbishop Murphy 52, Lynden 14 for the fourth time, the Saturday first since 2009. Liberty’s Liberty (12-0) vs. Archbishop Murphy lone championship came (13-0) at Tacoma Dome, 1 p.m. in 1988 when the Patriots defeated Cheney, 31-0. “They made it hard. Even at 35-7 I knew with a team like them they were going to come back and battle,” Liberty coach Steve Valach said. “Their QB made all kinds of big plays after they stopped us a couple of times. “In a game like this against a team like that, it’s the little things that can make a difference. And they got back in it.” Actually, in the first 25 minutes, it was the big things that put Liberty in control of the contest.

2A FOOTBALL

See PATRIOTS, Page 11

Cedarcrest Mercer Island at Roosevelt Cleveland at Nathan Hale at West Seattle Ballard at Sammamish Blaine Steilacoom River Ridge at Ellensburg

W, 42-7 W, 42-21 W, 19-6 W, 48-10 W, 38-0 W, 63-27 W, 48-0 W, 51-0 W, 27-24 W, 20-13 W, 21-14 W, 35-26

ARCHBISHOP MURPHY (13-0)

Khalil Manning (left) celebrates with Liberty teammates Dulin Hayden (8), Jake Wright (29) and Isaiah Owens (9) after returning an Ellensburg fumble 36 yards for a touchdown.

Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 22 Oct. 28 Nov. 5 Nov. 11 Nov. 19 Nov. 26

Issaquah W, 73-0 at Bishop Blanchet W, 59-0 King’s W, 38-0 at South Whidbey W, 2-0* at Sultan W, 2-0* Granite Falls W, 2-0* Cedar Park Christian W, 2-0* Olympic W, 48-0 at Cedarcrest W, 2-0* Burlington-Edison W, 55-6 at North Kitsap W, 34-0 at Tumwater W, 48-10 Lynden W, 52-14

*denotes forfeit

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Go Liberty Patriots! Good luck in the state championship game! — From your friends at PC Fix

10 • Thursday, December 1, 2016

The Issaquah Press

Liberty tries to build on its ‘record-breaking year’ in double figures, we’re going to be really, really difficult to guard against and I think, potentially, that’s what we’re looking at.” Chung felt the Patriots can win regardless of the tempo of the game, though they prefer running as much as possible. And they’ll let anyone on the floor lead the offense. “Basically, if you’ve got an open shot, we’re going to let it fly if that’s your shot,” he said. “And if you’re feeling hot, we’ll keep feeding you the ball.” The Patriots are testing themselves with quality nonleague games against Skyline and Hazen, which should make them better in the long run. “I think that expectations should be high,” Parker said. “We’ve talked about being tough and together, and I think we understand those two things. We have a very unselfish group that have been through the battles.”

Issaquah Eagles 2016 record: 22-5 overall, 15-1 Class 4A KingCo Conference Head coach: Chris Lyle, first season

Scott Stoddard / sstoddard@isspress.com

Senior forward Tanner Davis (left) is the only returning starter from last year’s Issaquah squad that went 15-1 in KingCo play and 22-5 overall. Conference opener: 7:15 p.m. Dec. 6 at Mount Si It’s not often a program goes through a coaching change after finishing sixth at the state tournament, but that’s what happened to the Issaquah boys basketball team last spring. Jason Griffith joined KingCo rival Mount Si so he could be closer to his family. His friend and assistant coach, Chris Lyle, was given the task of keeping Issaquah among the state’s top 4A programs. The Eagles have major personnel changes as guard Trevon Ary-Turner and forward Dominic Postle transferred elsewhere, and leadership beacons Scott Kellum and Jason Crandall graduated. But the Eagles believe they’re still among the deepest teams around, and that will carry them out of KingCo and into the regional round of 16. “We’re going to carry 14 kids full-time on varsity, which is a lot,” Lyle said. “But the way I view it is more of a competitive nature, not to just have kids in spots. We’re going to have to be pretty deep this year to win games. It comes with that lack of experience.” Tanner Davis, a 6-foot6 senior forward, is the only returning starter. The other likely members of the starting five have, at best, limited varsity minutes in reserve roles. They include sophomore point guard Bijon Sidhu, junior shooting guard Garrett White and senior forward Brent Wilson. Sidhu projects stately confidence in being able to guide the Eagles to more success. “It’ll be a great opportunity for me,” he said. “Last year, I got a little bit of an opportunity. I was in a great position behind Trevon AryTurner and he taught me a lot on how to run a team, different nuances of the game.”

Lyle thinks Wilson could have a breakout season because of his length and vertical jump. Sidhu also sees improvement in the big man. “The main thing I’ve seen from him is less fouls and more rebounding,” Sidhu said of Wilson. “Last year, he was a decent rebounder. This year, I think he has improved a lot. He attacks the glass really well.” Sidhu said he has good chemistry with White – the two have played together since seventh grade – and he thinks players like Cam Roorda and Blake Adams will give Issaquah a boost off the bench. The first test isn’t far away: Issaquah opens the KingCo 4A season in Mount Si’s gym against Griffith and his new team. Lyle offered a glimpse of what’s to come: “That first five minutes of the game, keeping those kids calm because of all the nerves.”

The Spartans were a streaky squad during the 2015-16 season, starting the KingCo 4A season with three losses, winning eight of their next 12, then losing five in row. Fithian hopes to smooth out the bumps and he’s planning to do it with an uptempo style that averaged 60-70 points during summer games. Skyline competed at Central Washington University, where it beat teams like O’Dea, Ferndale, Enumclaw and Bainbridge. It helps that Skyline’s personnel hasn’t changed much. Key players like Przybylski, Ryan D’Arcy and Ben Smith are back for their senior seasons. And reserves like Ashish Manda, Freddy Jarvis and Bradley Kim seem poised to play more minutes than they did. Skyline won two playoff games last season under former coach Ben Williams and that was a confidence boost, said D’Arcy, who figures to shift from point Skyline Spartans guard to small forward. 2016 record: 10-13 overall, 6-10 “I think we just gained a Class 4A KingCo Conference lot of experience, which is Head coach: Joe Fithian, first nice,” he said. “Just being season able to play more together, Conference opener: 7:15 p.m. getting our chemistry up, Dec. 6 at Bothell that’s the main thing that we gained.” Fithian was left scratchSmith, who has orally ing his head, puzzled at why committed to play baseball the returning players from at Bucknell University, said last year’s Skyline squad he’s ready to fill whatever didn’t put up more impres- role Fithian asks. sive statistics. “By the end of (last) year, “I’m thinking, ‘How do I played four of the five you score one or two points positions, so I think it’ll be a game? You’re a great kind of similar to that again shooter,’” said Fithian, who this year – pretty versatile coached the Skyline girls in what I’ll be,” he said. for two years before taking Przybylski has drawn over the boys’ program dur- praise as one of KingCo’s ing the offseason. top shooters. He set SkyThe explanation was line’s single-game record simple: Last year’s lineup with eight 3-pointers relied heavily on the post-up against Bothell last season. play of Braden Ahlemeyer But he’s trying to be more and the 3-point shooting of well-rounded as his prep Kellan Przybylski. The other career comes to a close. players weren’t asked to “Last year, I was pretty score. much just a 3-point shoot“It took me a while to get er,” he said, “so I’ve tried them out of the mindset of, in the offseason to develop ‘Oh, I’m not supposed to the rest of the parts of my shoot,” Fithian said. game.”

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ver Park), and we advanced all the way to the district final and to the Sweet 16.” Eight returning lettermen By Neil Pierson are back for the Patriots, npierson@isspress.com who have designs on the program’s first-ever state trophy finish. Liberty Patriots Junior point guard Nick 2016 record: 13-12 overall, 4-8 Chung, an All-KingCo Class 3A/2A KingCo Conference honorable mention pick last Head coach: Omar Parker, fifth winter, is at the forefront of season Liberty’s efforts. Conference opener: 7:15 p.m. “I’m just trying to make Dec. 6 vs. Redmond sure our guys are in check,” Chung said, “and we all Some teams who appear have good chemistry and to be muddling their way good relationships with through the season are each other, so that really often the most dangerous translates both on the court come playoff time because and off the court, in how no one expects them to be we play and how we hold tough. ourselves.” Count the 2015-16 LibThe Patriots think they’ll erty boys basketball team have a balanced attack among that group. The Pa- centered around senior triots went 10-10 during the guards Cody Hughes and regular season and were Bo Moawad, senior forward anything but world-beaters Blake McAllister and junior down the stretch, losing forward Chris Hanson. seven of their last nine. In past years, Parker said, Then they caught fire. the Patriots have force-fed “We had a record-break- the ball to one player, hoping year last year,” Parker ing to get 20-25 points per said. “Liberty hasn’t been game from them. known previously for bas“I’m really excited about ketball. Last year, we beat this group because we’re the No. 1 team in the state not going to have to rely on for 2A in River Ridge. And that,” he said. “If our box we beat the No. 9 team (Clo- score has four or five guys

BOYS BASKETBALL PREVIEW

The Issaquah Press

Thursday, December 1, 2016 •

New coach aims to speed up Skyline’s approach GIRLS BASKETBALL PREVIEW By Neil Pierson npierson@isspress.com

Skyline Spartans 2016 record: 11-11 overall, 8-8 Class 4A KingCo Conference Head coach: Stacie Erfle, first season Conference opener: 5:45 p.m. Dec. 6 at Bothell Erfle, who teaches television production and web design at Skyline, is a first-time head coach. She was the JV coach last season under Joe Fithian, who took over the Skyline boys’ program, so administrators didn’t have to look far for his replacement. “I’m pretty new to the whole coaching aspect, but it’s been an easy transition with the girls just because we’ve had a prior relationship,” said Erfle, who played at Auburn Riverside High School. “Being in the school is pretty huge. I’m a firm believer in coaches being in the building. You see probably our two most successful programs here, which are football and soccer, and both of those guys and most of their staffs are in the school.” It also doesn’t hurt that Erfle has some naturally gifted players to work with. They include junior wing Jade Loville (team-high 14.2 points per game last season) and senior wing Kailey Kassuba (10.3 points, 6.4 rebounds). The Spartans are adamant they’ll be a good transition team that creates lots of easy points while limiting the opponents’ ability to do the same. “We’re running a lot in practice,” Loville said. “We’re building up our stamina and we’re going

to be pretty quick, so hopefully that’s how we’re going to get our wins this season. “… There’s a lot of teams that like to run and they’re also bigger than us, so if we can equal it out by being just as quick, I think it’ll help us a lot in the long run.” Skyline lost its standout post, Taylor McKerlich, to graduation but senior Gina Grossi, a defensive specialist who figures to get more shots, and senior Alexa Kirton, a soccer standout who returns to basketball after a year’s hiatus, could help bridge the gap. Erfle praised junior guard Julia Mitchell, who could be the team’s top perimeter shooter. She was among the best 3-point shooters on all the teams attending a summer camp at Oregon State University. “She has got one of the sweetest shots I think I’ve probably ever seen,” the coach said. Like Kirton, Mitchell is working back into basketball shape following Skyline’s lengthy run in the soccer playoffs. And she didn’t have an opportunity to work with Erfle until tryouts. “We’ve got a lot of new plays that we’re going to start running and then we’ve worked a lot on team bonding, so it’s just working together to get there,” Mitchell said.

Issaquah Eagles 2016 record: 15-10 overall, 9-7 Class 4A KingCo Conference Head coach: Jackie Bykonen, first season Conference opener: 7:15 p.m. Dec. 7 at Mount Si The Skyline-Issaquah rivalry will add a new chapter as Bykonen – a former head coach at 1A Coupeville High and assistant at 3A Meadowdale – will coach the Eagles against her

good friend, first-year Skyline coach Stacie Erfle. The pair played together at Auburn Riverside. “We’re both just kind of looking to build the programs and unite the programs – have a friendly rivalry, but at the same time build some strong females in our community,” Bykonen said. Skyline and Issaquah split two tooth-and-nail regular-season games a year ago. The Eagles then won a third matchup at the KingCo tournament, 51-46, ending the Spartans’ season. Issaquah will likely have to go through powerhouses Bothell and Eastlake if it hopes to capture one of two berths to state this season. A year ago, the Eagles fell one game short, falling to Skyview in a crossover playoff game, 54-48. “I feel like we let ourselves down halfway through that game and it got to us, so we need to keep our head high and push through,” senior center Raiya Mastor said. The Eagles graduated seven seniors from that squad, including starters Lauren Longo, Tatum Dow and Ellen MacNary, but have a major threat returning in junior Mariah Van Halm. Van Halm is a virtual Swiss Army knife, filling any role the team needs. “She’s a great player – she can shoot, she can be a post, she’s a point guard,” Mastor said. “She’s very strong and we need her.” Bykonen said Van Halm’s ability to create mismatches with other guards is something Issaquah can exploit. “She’s fundamentally sound,” the coach said. “Just depending on who we’re playing, her role might be a little bit different.” At point guard, the team has a pair of newcomers in junior Amanda Ferguson and sopho-

Patriots from page

more Lucy Stewart, a transfer from Newport. Maya Witherspoon and Mackenzie Day will also see time on the perimeter. “We’re very guard-heavy, which is great, because I like to play fast,” Bykonen said. But in games played at a slower pace, Issaquah will look to Mastor and freshman Katie MacNary – Ellen’s sister – to inflict some punishment under the basket. Mastor said she’s ready for increased minutes after mostly backing up Ellen MacNary a year ago. “I feel like I have a path to follow and I feel they trained me well for it,” she said. “And I have a good coach to help me push through it.”

Liberty Patriots 2016 record: 10-15 overall, 4-8 Class 3A/2A KingCo Conference Head coach: Nathan Winegar, first season Conference opener: 7:15 p.m. Dec. 7 vs. Redmond When Liberty administrators cast a line for the school’s new girls basketball coach, they wound up catching someone awfully close to shore. Winegar, who spent five years coaching boys and girls at nearby Maywood Middle School while serving as Liberty’s offseason varsity coach, will be at the Patriots’ helm this winter. He has had previous experience with every member of the current Liberty roster. “It has been a lot of fun and we’ll see how this year goes,” Winegar said. “We built a really good program and they’ve been on a little bit of a downslide the past couple years, so hopefully we can change the trajectory of that.”

LIBERTY IN PAST STATE FINALS 1980: Centralia 39, Liberty 26 1988: Liberty 31, Cheney 0 2009: Bellevue 23, Liberty 17

On the first play of Liberty’s second possession, Cameron Spaeth took a handoff on a simple dive play at the Patriots’ 25yard line — and with Ellensburg jamming eight players within a couple yards of the line of scrimmage — once Spaeth cleared the line there was no one in his way. “Cameron’s huge run, oh man, we needed that,” quarterback Austin Regis said. “That boosted our confidence right away.” And on Liberty’s next drive, Regis found Dulin Hayden wide open on a second-and-13 play. By the time two Ellensburg defenders wrangled Hayden to the Scott Stoddard / sstoddard@isspress.com ground at the Bulldog 5-yardline, Liberty was in business After Ellensburg fumbled the second-half kickoff, Liberty’s Isaiah Owens swooped in again. for the recovery. The Patriots scored on the next play to extend their lead to 35-7. One play later, Jacob Thoresen dashed into the end zone around the right end and after the PAT, philosophy would give his unit ond period and zipped 34 yards the Patriots led 14-0 against an some chances. for another touchdown. Ellensburg team that had allowed “We have some really good Manning said that after hanjust 16 points in its two previous running backs,” he said. “When dling his primary assignment playoff games. the inside was jammed up, we — filling a gap on the weak side More importantly, according to were able to bounce it outside of Ellensburg’s line — he saw the Regis, the confidence of the ofand get some yards.” ball squirt loose after a teammate fensive unit was sky-high. Not to be outdone, the Patriot clawed it from Sherwood. “The big pass really set the defense contributed its own first“We practice that drill every tone and sparked everything,” half big play — there would be day on defense,” he said with a Regis said. “Our other guys just others in the second half — when smile, noting that it was the first fed off that and it helped us a lot.” Khalil Manning scooped up a time the practice emphasis had Regis also said the team Mason Sherwood fumble on the paid off in a game. LAURA F.PROOF.SR.BW.PDF 1123 LAM believed Ellensburg’s defensive third scrimmage play of the secEllensburg drove 68 yards in RVS/PDF 1128 LAM 49.18152.THU.1201.2X5.LAM

just under seven minutes for its first score. Sherwood did the majority of the work, carrying the ball 10 times. Quarterback Bryce Helgeson, who would give Valach some serious second-half indigestion with his feet and his arm, hit hulking tight end Major Moffat on a five-yard pass for the score. Liberty answered in the remaining time, methodically marching 63 yards on 11 plays with help from an Ellensburg late hit. Regis, who as a senior is benefiting from his baptism by fire in the 2015 playoffs when Nate Solly was hurt, powered in on thirdand-goal from the 1-yard line. Knowing Ellensburg could score quickly and wanting to stretch his lead, Valach went with some trickeration to start the third period. Kicker Holden Kooiker perfectly placed a bloop kickoff between lines of Ellensburg’s receiving team and Isaiah Owens made his first of a handful of big plays, recovering a fumble by Ellensburg’s Nate Andaya at the 7-yard line. Regis carried for the TD on a sweep to the right side and after the PAT, the Patriots had a 35-7 lead.

Although the Patriots are coming off a sub-.500 season, the cupboard is far from bare in terms of talent. Junior guard Sydney Argosino and senior wing Samantha Kelderman have already proven their worth in past seasons, and they’ll have more help this season in the form of freshman point guard Grace Moawad. Moawad is an experienced player at the select level and Winegar’s only concern is how quickly she can adjust to the speed of high-school varsity basketball. “She has great command of the ball,” he said. “She can see the floor really well, can shoot the 3.” “I think she’s going to be a really strong scorer and defensive player,” Kelderman added. “I’m excited to see what she brings for the team.” The Patriots have four other returning varsity players in guard Taylor Kaszycki, wings Jasmine Baker and Sloane Zerda, and forward Kylie Kirksey. Argosino and Kelderman are trying to become more versatile players. For Argosino, that starts with being more than a shooting specialist. “It definitely is my game, but this year I definitely want to drive, go to the hoop, get fouled, go to the free-throw line,” she said. And for Kelderman, she’s shifting away from the back-tothe-basket moves and integrating speed and dribbling ability as a wing. She likes the way the girls are approaching the new season. “I would say it’s more unified all around,” Kelderman said. “Last year was a little disorganized … This year, people are more focused. People want to be here. People want to play and people want to work hard.”

“We do that all the time and they just didn’t play it right,” Valach said, noting that when practice started this season he didn’t know who Kooiker was. “He’s been unreal. He’s a total self-starter.” Helgeson got the Bulldogs moving quickly and made the final minutes tense. He scored the final two Ellensburg TDs but uncharacteristically threw interceptions on two other possessions. Ellensburg cut the deficit with a 10-play drive that covered 51 yards. Helgeson started the drive with a 15-yard-pass to Andaya and kept it alive with a 13-yard dash on third-and-seven at the Patriot 22 before hitting Christian Mcdonnell with a 5-yard pass for the score. Liberty’s only real mistake wiped another TD off the board early in the fourth period. After Manning’s second fumble recovery of the day, Spaeth broke free and dashed 46 yards for an apparent score. The play came back due to a penalty and the Patriots went three and out. Owens seemed to be everywhere Liberty needed him to be. The senior defensive back had two later interceptions in addition to his key fumble recovery. “Isaiah Owens, I’m really proud of him,” Valach said. “He took a shot on the other sideline and his mouth was bleeding. He was over spitting out blood on the sideline and he came up with two huge, huge interceptions for us.”

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The Issaquah Press

EASTSIDE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Center back Elfstrom was critical cog in Liberty’s defense a solid partnership along the back line. Elfstrom spoke with The Issaquah Press as the Patriots trained for their 2A semifinal Taylor Elfstrom game against Archbishop Murphy, which Liberty won 6-2.

transition into high-school varsity soccer? Do you notice older players being faster or more physical than what you’ve seen? A: I’ve been playing soccer for a

Q: Do you have any Liberty teammates who’ve inspired you or taught you something new? A: I’ve played with (forward)

Heading into the 2016 girls soccer season, the Liberty Patriots weren’t sure they could sustain the long time, so I know the game a Myka Carr for a really long time. levels of success they’re used to. lot and I knew there was going to It was really awesome to make Ten players from last year’s be a lot of competition going into the team with her as a freshman. squad that finished third at the high-school season. We’ve just been playing soccer the Class 2A state tournament I recently transferred to the together forever and since I’ve graduated. Then the Patriots Washington Crossfire ECNL (Elite moved clubs, we haven’t been able lost two veteran players, Sydney Clubs National League) team. to play together, so being on this Willoughby and Marissa Mills, to The girls from my old team have team with her has really been fun. season-ending knee injuries. Question: When did you start playgiven me more of a challenge, so But the newcomers who’ve I was kind of ready for it, but it Q: Are there any professional players ing soccer and have you played other stepped into coach Tami Nguyen’s sports as well? was also a little bit of a shock. I you enjoy watching? lineup barely missed a beat. And think I’ve adjusted to it. A: I really like Alex Morgan. Answer: I started playing soccer no one epitomized Liberty’s youth when I was about 3. My dad was She’s just really creative and has movement more than freshman my coach through rec soccer and Q: Have you always played center her own style, I feel like. center back Taylor Elfstrom. I also played basketball later on. back? The Patriots finished 15-5-3 I tried to balance both of those Q: What allowed Liberty to succeed A: I used to play center forward. and finished second in the state sports, but recently I quit basketI loved scoring goals and I still do. this season? 2A playoffs, losing a penalty-kick ball so I can focus more on school Sometimes, my club coach will A: I feel like, since it’s a whole shootout to Columbia River in the and soccer. still put me at forward if we need new team this year, we had to NEIL.PROOF.IP.CMYK.RVS2 1123 LAM championship match. Elfstrom and a goal, but I think center back adjust by everyone being welPDFformed 1123 LAM Q: How difficult has it been to LAURA PDF 1123 LAM coming and nice to each other, so senior Callen Mackey have has F.noPROOF.IP.CMYK. gotten me more places. 49.18172.THU.1201.2x2.LAM

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Q: Do you have any favorite teachers or subjects at Liberty? A: I really like language arts

with Mr. (Steve) Valach. It’s not like it’s an easy class, but it’s just fun to be there because it’s a good environment. He makes the class fun and doesn’t make you feel like you’re at school.

Q: Do you have any favorite movies, music or activities outside of sports? A: I like listening to music

whenever I need to relax. I also like art, but I’m not really good at it. It just gets me out of being stressed.

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we don’t have any complications with that. From the beginning, we had to learn how to work together and figure out everyone’s style of play so we can be successful. And I think we’ve done a really good job of that, so we’re going places.

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