Issaquahpress122216

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Merry Christmas!

From The Staff of The Issaquah Press

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Issaquah’s only locally owned newspaper

THE ISSAQUAH PRESS

117th Year, No. 51

Thursday, December 22, 2016

issaquahpress.com

Skyline softball parents tell district they’re ready to sue Playing field that is inferior compared to baseball program’s is Title IX violation, group says

By David Hayes dhayes@isspress.com A group of parents representing Skyline High School softball players are poised to file a Title

IX lawsuit against the Issaquah School District and the school if measures are not taken to put the program’s facilities more on par with the boys baseball program.

The group first filed a complaint with Mariah Banasick, the district’s internal auditor and Title IX officer, on June 20.

After contact with district officials that the parents considered

minimal and unsatisfying, the group took its message directly to the Issaquah School Board during public input at its regular meeting Dec. 14.

“The letter originated in June due to longstanding neglect and inequities between Skyline softball and baseball and other schools’ softball programs,” said the group’s lead spokesperson,

Stacy Arellono-Bowman, at the meeting.

Newly elected School Board President Lisa Callan said in an interview the following day this was the first the board had heard of the situation.

“We certainly want to be See LAWSUIT, Page 12

NEXT STOP: OREGON

IN-DEPTH EDUCATION COVERAGE

The Seattle Times Education Lab is dedicated to exploring solutions to the most urgent challenges facing public education.

Read the Education Lab team’s stories at seattletimes.com/education-lab.

Council supports scaled-down plan for Central Park

By Lizz Giordano lgiordano@isspress.com Six members of the City Council gave the goahead for a scaled-down version of the Central Park project in the Issaquah Highlands.

The $3.7 million plan — which includes two turf fields, lighting and an interim parking lot — is $1 million less than what City Administrator Bob Harrison previously said the full project would cost.

Councilmembers unanimously agreed to support the reauthorization of $1 million in parks mitigation funds for Central Park improvements that were originally approved in the 2016 budget.

No action was taken during the Dec. 12 work session, but the council was expected to vote on the See PARK, Page 3

MERRY CHRISTMAS ISSAQUAH Jake Olsen-Jacobsen / Issaquah Valley Trolley

The body of an Italian interurban trolley car is hoisted off the tracks alongside Rainier Avenue North at the Darigold plant to be placed on a large flat-bed trailer for a trip to Brooks, Ore. The interurban car, which needs a complete restoration, was acquired by the Issaquah History Museums in 2002 and had sat next to the Issaquah Valley Trolley barn since May 2003. It is going to Oregon as part of an equipment swap between the Issaquah museum and the Oregon Electric Railway Museum in Brooks. Logistical challenges had foiled two previous attempts to trailer the car.

More areas in city parks opened to leashed dogs

By Scott Stoddard sstoddard@isspress.com It’s the dawn of a new day for dogs at Issaquah’s city parks.

Signs that limited dogs to sidewalks and paths at city parks have been removed, and their replacements are more welcom-

ing and less restrictive.

“DOGS WELCOME,” the new signs say, in addition to reminders to leash and clean up after pets.

The previous incarnation of the signs stated, “LEASHED PETS PERMITTED ON PARK TRAILS AND SIDEWALKS ONLY,” fol-

lowed by, in red letters for extra emphasis, “PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN OTHER PARK AREAS.” If that wasn’t enough, the old signs also listed a phone number See DOGS, Page 5

The new signs in city parks welcome dogs.

ICS ensures donations fully benefit local families

By Christina Corrales-Toy ccorrales-toy@isspress.com Thanks to a team of 26 Issaquah Community Services volunteers, every penny donated to the Merry Christmas Issaquah fund goes to a local family in need.

ICS does its due diligence to ensure your donation is safeguarded through a series of processes, beginning with a client application at its Issaquah Community Hall office.

After a client identifies the scope of his or her need, ICS volunteers review the application and contact landlords and utility companies to confirm See DONATIONS, Page 6

Staples pulling out of Issaquah on Jan. 7

By Scott Stoddard sstoddard@isspress.com

Scott Stoddard / sstoddard@isspress.com

The Staples store at 628 Front St. N. in Issaquah is closing Jan. 7. The building dates to 1973, when it opened as a Safeway grocery store.

Signs in the windows of Staples on Front Street North indicate the office-supply retailer will be shuttering its Issaquah store on Jan. 7.

A store representative directed all questions to the company’s corporate communications team, which did not respond to a re-

quest for comment.

Records on file with the county Department of Assessments list the building’s owner as Pacific Resources LLC, an affiliate of PacTrust of Portland. According to its website, PacTrust owns approximately 12.6 million square feet of buildings and 355 acres of undeveloped land, primarily in the Pacific Northwest.

The site’s future is unclear. A

message left for a PacTrust vice president who oversees the company’s Washington assets was not returned.

County records say the 27,000-square-foot building was erected in 1973. The county’s most recent valuation of the building and the 2.5-acre lot, See STAPLES, Page 9 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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One Dollar

2 • Thursday, December 22, 2016

The Issaquah Press

FRONT AND SUNSET

Highlands design on valley floor? It was the plan all along

T

he Inneswood Apartments complex hasn’t even been built, but it’s already rapidly gaining on bluebox Atlas in the race for The Most-Hated Building in Issaquah crown.

Inneswood’s design, location and hyperdensity have many locals up in arms. Our City Hall reporter Lizz Giordano wrote how Issaquah’s land development director, Lucy Sloman, rebuffed criticism from the Development Commission as its members asked about paint colors and architectural style.

If you need an indication of Sloman’s influence on the new-look Issaquah, look no further than the ribbon-cutting

at Atlas a couple of weeks ago.

Before Mayor Fred Butler did the snipping at what very few people in our city regard as a positive step forward, he called up Sloman by name to stand alongside him.

In January 2015, KUOW-FM published a story about parkand-rides. It featured Sloman and the Issaquah Highlands, and a telling paragraph in that piece read: “Sloman wants to bring the

design principles of Issaquah Highlands into central Issaquah, where 75 percent of the existing land is paved over with parking lots.”

You read that right: the Highlands’ design principles brought down to the valley floor. The monstrosity that is Inneswood ... yep, it would fit right in as part of our baby Bellevue up on the hill, wouldn’t it?

Once completed, the Atlas, Vale and Inneswood projects will jam a total of 547 new residences — 547! — onto land where two single-family residences and a strip mall were before.

See a pattern here? Just when we were ready to rename our fair

city East Bellevue, now it seems South Issaquah Highlands might be more apropos.

Consider yourselves warned.

• • •

Kudos to the Grange Supply, which capped its fall festival by making a donation of $905 to the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank.

• • •

It was pointed out to us that the Issaquah School District is poised to repeat history in a less-thanpositive way.

In 1950, the district tore down the 60-year-old Issaquah Methodist-Episcopal Church building because it wanted more space for parking on Schoolhouse Hill.

In 2017 or perhaps 2018, the district will in all likelihood tear down the 55-year-old Providence Heights College chapel to make way for a high school.

The M.E. church’s bell, as we reported on our front page last week, survived. Will the soaring Gabriel Loire-crafted stainedglass windows at Providence Heights be so lucky?

Preservationists cling to hope, but district officials have given no indication whatsoever they are interested in retaining any portion of the former divinity school.

Send your tips, complaints, praise and bad poetry to frontandsunset@isspress.com.

Twitter: @frontandsunset.

Callan elected new president of Issaquah School Board The Issaquah School Board kicked off its Dec. 14 meeting by electing new leadership for the 2017 school year.

Lisa Callan, entering her fourth year representing District 4, was unanimously elected as president.

“I appreciate the opportunity to share the load in terms of setting the agenda, being responsible to community concerns and responding to appeals,” Callan said.

Harlan Gallinger, elected

from Gift s the Heart...

in 2015 to represent District 3, was selected as the board’s legislative representative.

Lisa Callan Marnie Maraldo, a board member since 2009, was selected to return as its representative in the Federal Relations Network.

In other board business:

Surplus land The board authorized the administration to declare as surplus .89 acres of land it owns at 8400 136th Ave. SE in Newcastle. The authorization is the first step

required to sell the land, to either a private or government entity.

The land was originally purchased in 1999 to use with the Newcastle Elementary School. However, the property was divided by a roadway following the acquisition of the school site, leaving the little patch of land unusable for school purposes.

Declaring the land surplus allows the superintendent to schedule a public hearing, provide public notice and take other actions required under public statute to dispose of the property.

Community report The administration un-

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Warm their spirit all year long

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district’s thought exchange engagements on the bell time change discussions and the last year for the community polling study.

“It’s packed with so much information and you can go as deep or high a level as you want,” Thiele said.

ing Channel Science Innovation $800 for Early Learning Provider training $9,168 for GLAD training for High School ELL $10,560 for GLAD training for Middle School ELL $2,758 for Challenger ASAP $25,000 for Career Cruising Gifts to the district $15,000 for Shakespeare In the consent agenda, Alive the school board approved $18,000 for High School the following gifts to the Robotics school district that exceeded $15,000 for Middle School $5,000: Robotics 4Cascade Ridge El$33,000 for Financial Litementary School PTSA — eracy, Junior Achievement $20,000 to help purchase a $5,000 for College Bound playground structure $25,000 for After School 4Cougar Ridge ElOpen Library ementary School PTSA $15,000 for Briarwood — $15,964.16 to fund the ASAP purchase of Kindles, iPads $8,560 for Echo Glen and laptops Math 4Pine Lake Middle $5,000 for Issaquah School PTSA — $15,097.16 Middle School Breakfast to fund curriculum grants Pilot 4Issaquah High School $14,000 for Writing SupPTSA — $5,085.36 to help port, Matt Glover purchase equipment to set $4,000 for Career and up a radio station Technical Education Certi4Issaquah Schools Foun- fication dation — $312,416 to fund $8,000 for Scratch Coding the following enrichment Club programs: $5,000 for PSAT/AP/IB/ $60,000 for elementary CTE testing scholarships math adoption $26,070 for Gibson Ek $7,500 for Boeing/Teach- extracurricular support

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O P I E

(Susan O’Connor)

Merry Christmas!

The day is close and we are even closer – with our dreams and hopes still burning. I am lucky to have such a great wife and mother for me to be with at Christmas. You are my dream and hope forever –

Merry Christmas My Darling

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veiled its new online Annual Report to the Community.

OSPI requires the superintendent prepare an annual progress report to the public that includes: 4Student achievement 4Programs and services 4Revenues and expenditures None of the information within the online format is new. Rather, it takes information away from an old, printable scorecard and puts it all in a more, accessible format easier to break down, according to Superintendent Ron Thiele.

“What’s really different is the format and certainly the scorecard change. It had grown old and stagnant,” Thiele said. “The feature I really like is the ability to break all the academic data by ethnicity, gender, free lunch and the like. It’s hard to know the areas where there are gaps if you don’t know data.”

The link can be found on the district’s homepage issaquah.wednet.edu by clicking on the Community Report link. From there, community members can also navigate through OSPI’s report card on each individual school, the annual parent survey, the

Love Forever, Your Miko (Michael O’Connor)

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By David Hayes dhayes@isspress.com

Dance with Miss Sue 425.443.5737

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H O B O

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The Issaquah Press

Thursday, December 22, 2016 •

3

Senior center members want ‘everyone to feel welcomed’

By Lizz Giordano lgiordano@isspress.com

dissolving by the end of the year. In February, the City Council cut municipal fundSpirits were high during ing to the center. lunch at the Issaquah ValWhen the city reopens the ley Senior Center Dec. 13 center Jan. 3, the parks and as Mayor Fred Butler and recreation department will representatives of the city’s run the center during an staff assured members that interim phase. programming and services “We want unity and would continue next year. everyone to feel welcomed,” “It’s a new day,” Butler said Lu Clay, a member said. “Members of the seof the center. Many other nior center can finally speak seniors echoed the need for freely and not be intimiunity moving forward. dated.”

“Bring that unity back,” After several clashes with member Colleen Perry the city, the Issaquah Valley said.

Senior Center’s board of Jeff Watling, the city’s directors announced Nov. parks and recreation direc8 the nonprofit would be tor, stressed the importance

of continuity of services and that “come Jan. 3, seniors feel welcomed and know it’s their place.”

He plans to form a senior advisory board to assist in the interim operation and help develop a long-term plan for the center. Watling anticipates the interim phase lasting nine to 12 months.

Watling said the twiceweekly lunches would continue at the current price, and in 2017 there would be no membership fee.

Katie Moeller, a recreation specialist who currently works at Julius Boehm Pool, will be tempo-

rarily reassigned to supervise day-to-day operations at the facility.

“I’m looking forward to connecting the community,” said Moeller.

She said the center will host a coffee talk on Mondays in January so members can share ideas with the city’s staff. Moeller wants to expand programming and has already begun reaching out to new service providers. Moeller received requests from members ranging from bringing back computer classes to hosting political discussions.

The board meeting

scheduled for Dec. 13 was canceled. The board announced via a sign posted on the center’s door that a special membership meeting would be held Dec. 21 at 3 p.m. Distribution of assets, financial information and the status of former Executive Director Courtney Jaren’s resignation letter were listed as topics the board would address during the meeting.

In the senior center’s December newsletter, the board said all items at the center purchased with public bond money and any items donated or obtained by the center will remain.

Board members originally told members some items would be donated to other organizations during the November board meeting.

According to a plaque on the grand piano dated November 2016, the piano was donated to the Issaquah Singers from the Issaquah Valley Seniors. It remains at the senior center.

David Kappler, a member of the senior center, obtained a temporary restraining order Dec. 9 barring the Issaquah Valley Seniors board from liquidating any assets.

The board didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Scott Stoddard / sstoddard@isspress.com

As seen through the City Council chambers’ doors facing East Sunset Way, Issaquah Highlands residents and members of the ISC Gunners soccer organization pack the room Dec. 12 in support of the Central Park project.

Park

remaining fund balance would be less than $2,000.

Jennifer Olson, the city’s finance director, corrected from page 1 that figure Dec. 12, saying some mitigation money was 2017 city budget, which double-counted. She said includes the Central Park that if $2.4 million was used project, during its Dec. from the parks mitigation 19 meeting. The meeting fund for the project, the was held after the press balance would be closer to deadline for this edition. $1 million.

Councilmembers halted Central Park supporters spending any parks packed the City Council mitigation funds for the chambers at City Hall South, project during a previous encouraging members of budget work session held the council to fully fund the Dec. 3. They cited the project. depletion of the parks Issaquah Highlands mitigation fund and the lack resident Peter Kim said of an update to the Park, it was clear there was Recreation, Open Space overwhelming support Trails plan for pulling parks from the community for the mitigation funding from the project.

Central Park improvements “During the winter project. season, you can’t use Councilmembers were the grass fields,” Kim originally told that if $2.4 said. “Starting in October million in parks mitigation through February, March, fees were used for Central no one is out on the fields.

Park improvements, the It’s a bog.”

“The kids literally practice on postage stamped-sized fields because there is no space,” Kim said.

Other audience members echoed Kim’s remarks.

Brad Book, the Parks Board chairperson, told councilmembers the city’s master parks plan would establish this project as a priority.

“It’s already been established to be a priority with the bond of 2013 that was approved,” Book said.

He also voiced concerns about the potential loss of grant funding if the project did not go forward.

“There might be extensions, but we don’t know if that would occur,” said Book. “I think there is a huge risk factor of losing over a million dollars.”

The council settled on a $3.73 million plan to build two turf fields, install standard lighting, build an interim parking lot,

construct a stormwater a picnic shelter and fund “If we are going to move filtration system and add additional amenities. They forward with this, my plea a few amenities, such as also considered dedicating to you is we do it right,” paths and seating. money for a road-widening said Highlands resident The proposed project project for Central Park Mark Burles. “If you use includes funding from a Lane. The additions were the cheap option, you are variety of sources — $1.55 ultimately rejected but going to put a lot of cost and million from the 2013 could be reconsidered as burden on the residents park bond, $1.18 million the project goes to bid. around Central Park.” in various grants and $1 Several residents “I think everyone here is million in parks mitigation supported the installation of really supportive of getting funds.

LED lights to cut down on this done,” Councilmember Councilmembers the impact of light pollution Bill Ramos said. “The debated adding $315,000 on neighboring houses. question is how we are to the project to install They were also in favor going to do it. How we are LED lighting instead of of widening Central Park going to fund it?” standard lighting, build LAURA Lane.

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OPINION

THE ISSAQUAH PRESS

Thursday, December 22, 2016 • 4

TO THE EDITOR

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

I

Local publisher’s column didn’t tell the whole story

Growth

Thanks to city planners, our individualism is lost forever

t’s been a brutal 2016 not even trying to veil the for honest journalpiece’s unspoken ulterior ism and a big year motive. As in the Issaquahfor what’s come to Sammamish version of be popularly known the column, readers are as “fake news” — stonot told Black Press will ries published online by be one of the profiteers politically charged groups when money is spent with or individuals that give the Connect2Classes. appearance of legitimate Shaw’s column not reporting but instead cononly violates a basic tenet Scott tain outright falsehoods.

Stoddard of journalism (disclose Local residents were even the appearance of Press editor recently the target audia conflict of interest), it ence of a local newspaper also damages the trust column, published on the Issaquahlegitimate journalists are constantly Sammamish Reporter’s editorial striving to maintain with readers. page, that I wouldn’t call fake, but it Shaw, a longtime Issaquah certainly was deceptive. resident, is the vice chairman of the William Shaw, the publisher of the Greater Issaquah Chamber of ComReporter, wrote in his paper’s Dec. merce’s board of directors. Along 9 edition about Connect2Classes, a with his duties as publisher of the Seattle startup.

Issaquah-Sammamish Reporter, he In his column, Shaw wrote that is also the publisher of the Redmond his employer, Sound Publishing, was Reporter, the Kirkland Reporter, “committed to supporting growing the Bothell-Kenmore Reporter, the businesses” and that his company’s Mercer Island Reporter, the Bel“new partnership” with Connectlevue Reporter and the Snoqualmie 2Classes “is a natural fit because Valley Record, according to those the online class marketplace emnewspapers’ mastheads. powers learners.”

Also worth noting: The IssaquahShaw goes on to say Sound PubSammamish Reporter is the official lishing “will be publishing stories newspaper of the City of Issaquah. about new and exciting classes, The Issaquah Press, it should be workshops and bootcamps in our pointed out very plainly, is a compapers in the upcoming months.” petitor of the Issaquah-Sammamish There’s just one fact that was Reporter. Some might see Shaw’s conveniently omitted from Shaw’s column as a shrewd business macolumn: Sound Publishing’s parent neuver instead of an instrument of company — British Columbia-based deception.

Black Press — purchased a “sigRegardless, local readers deserve nificant stake” in Connect2Classes to know the whole story. Newspain September, according to the pers exist in part because readers startup’s website. trust them, and violations of that So we have a newspaper pubtrust are unacceptable. lisher shilling for a company that is co-owned by his employer, which From The Editor’s Desk stands to profit from business it is Scott Stoddard’s column. steers to Connect2Classes.

A similarly worded but unsigned You can email the editor at editorial in the Redmond Reporter sstoddard@isspress.com. was headlined “Broaden your Twitter: @scottstoddard horizons with Connect2Classes,” Facebook: facebook.com/presseditor

OFF THE PRESS

A tax based on the miles your vehicle travels? It’s a clunker

I

t appears the state But people like me in Legislature has fuel-efficient cars, or othhatched a scheme to ers in — gasp — electric keep me in Issaquah cars, are depriving the and never let me go state of its almighty gas anywhere unless it’s by tax revenue. Whether public transportation. those dollars actually go Let me explain. toward infrastructure or First, it seems the road projects is a topic to most popular way to pay argue on another day. for more spending is by Rather than do more David increasing the gas tax. with less, or even less with Hayes It’s now at 49.4 cents per less, state legislators have Press reporter gallon — sitting at No. 2 latched onto the Vehicle in the nation, only behind Miles Traveled Tax. Pennsylvania’s 50.4 cents per gallon.

That’s right, they now want to Well, combine that with the fedcharge you for every mile you drive, eral gas tax of 18.4 cents, and that’s not just how many gallons you put why it’s so expensive to fill your in your vehicle’s tank. car’s tank here in Issaquah.

KIRO-TV aired a story recently So, to reduce the costs of comand did some math for a couple of muting between where I live in commuters they met at a gas staKirkland and work here in Istion. Both, interestingly, would pay saquah, I ditched the old car, a “gas- less under the new plan. guzzling” Toyota Rav4, and went I did some of my own rudimenwith the fuel-efficient Fiat. Now I’m tary math — I am a journalist, after getting at least 10 miles-per-gallon more per tank and crushing it on See TAX, Page 10 long highway trips to Oregon.

THE ISSAQUAH PRESS AN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER

PUBLISHED EACH WEEK SINCE JAN. 18, 1900

To the city planners: You have really blown it. You had the most extraordinary palette to work with. There were mountains for a backdrop, land caressed by streams and a beautiful lake for a topper.

What happened? Now we have tall tin-looking buildings with garish colors, and on the Newport hillside we will have more of the same, and I’m sure the beat will continue because you have allowed a free rein to all developers. The hotel on 12th and Maple is the worst piece of architecture that I have ever seen, and the colors chosen are sickening.

On Southeast Newport Way, there is a residential building, the Monohon. Its façade has large, wooden vertical beams that give a nod to the land that it sits on. This is a look that would have worked, and from there could have come other ideas fitting our amazing and unique palette. A somewhat Bavarian look would have been so exciting. Imagine what we could have become. Now it’s lost forever.

Shame on the planners! You have really let Issaquah down.

Milicent Savage

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.

Alternatively, mail your letter to: Editor, The Issaquah Press, P.O. Box 1328, Issaquah, WA 98027

nationwide and global terrorism has become a staple.

And have we forgotten Sandy Hook’s massacred first-graders or 22 year-old white-supremacist Dylann Roof’s desire to start a race war when he killed church members in South Carolina?

Issaquah is no longer insulated from the outside world. Its culturally diverse population explosion requires heightened sensitivity. It’s a task made more difficult since some, emboldened by the election, seem willing to take action whenever they see fit.

We normalize gunshots in our midst. Can normalizing hateful rhetoric be far behind? Both are constitutionally protected. We can’t eliminate either, but they must never compromise our morals.

Millie Vierra

Issaquah

Government

Issaquah

Community

Secular nonprofits lose and religious groups are funded? Sportsmen’s Club serves array of responsible users A tepid OK for Inneswood.

Really, Development Commission members? If it doesn’t say Issaquah, why say yes?

To the Human Services Commission: Cutting funding for five (secular) local nonprofits while giving $37,500 to Catholic Community Services, St. Vincent De Paul and the Renton Ecumenical Association of Churches (religious groups) is OK because ... ?

Judi Schrager Issaquah

Community

Heightened sensitivity now a requirement in Issaquah Randy Harrison’s piece in last week’s issue of The Issaquah Press was well-written.

His explanation to preserve the Issaquah Sportsmen’s Club was logical and somewhat charming. He wrote of the need for a safe, supervised environment where gun owners might practice, while suggesting its value as enshrining days gone by.

Our family moved to Issaquah in 1998, a decade later than Randy. We too were smitten by its small-town feel, a reminder of Redding, Conn., where our daughter was born, and the town from which we had relocated.

Our daughter entered the sixth grade at Issaquah Middle School. After completing seventh grade, however, she left to attend a private, nonprofit conservatory in Redmond where she studied ballet. After graduation, she went on to dance professionally on the East Coast for 11 years.

Because our daughter chose a different path, I didn’t experience the concern other mothers had about gunshots resounding in the background while their children sat in nearby Issaquah High School classes. I’m grateful for missing out on that singular experience. That was 18 years ago; for Randy, it’s been 27 years since he settled here.

Times have changed. Shootings are daily occurrences

General manager CHARLES HORTON

In response to Kristen Ragain’s request for Sportsmen’s Club dialogue (Letters, Dec. 1): We would like to update the community about some major improvements the club is undergoing. We are currently in the middle of creating sound baffles, which partially encapsulate our firing positions with acoustic materials specifically designed to reduce noise. These improvements are under construction and expected to be completed by early spring. Moving forward, we plan to increase the size of the structure behind the firing positions, which will further reduce noise. We have taken on these costly and timeconsuming projects without any requests from the community, and we will continue to improve the range, specifically because we care about the community and our role within it.

Now let’s pause for a moment to discuss the role our range plays: Law enforcement: The ISC is utilized by multiple lawenforcement departments to train their officers due to the high costs required to maintain their own ranges. We will continue to encourage and promote law-enforcement training at our facility.

Firearm safety: Although we understand that not all citizens are interested in owning firearms, we firmly believe that those who do should have adequate gun-safety training opportunities. One of the most critical components of learning proper safety is to have a controlled environment with trained supervision where you can learn to shoot your firearm safely. Without facilities like the club, shooters find accommodations that are not safe or supervised.

Other clubs and events: Entities using the club facilities include state-mandated hunter education, USA Archery, Boy Scouts, 4-H, Cascade Mountain Men and many more.

Yes, it is true the club has been in this location for nearly

100 years. We care about the community and work hard to ensure we remain a valuable destination for not just sportsmen but the community as a whole. If Kristen or anyone else would like to tour our facility, please stop by and our friendly and helpful range staff will give you a tour and explain our safety procedures and the ongoing improvements.

Pat Moore

President, Issaquah Sportsmen’s Club

Civility

Now is time to prove city is a welcoming place to all I do not know how to get the word out, but I felt that this needed to be shared. Today, I was walking through Northwest Maple Street in Issaquah, where 12th Avenue Cafe and Target are, for those who need the image. I walked across the street on my way to use a free Chipotle coupon I acquired over the summer when I crossed paths with a homeless man. His sign read “18 years old, homeless, barely surviving winter.”

I realized he needed the free meal more than me. I approached him and asked if he was hungry. He flinched.

An 18-year-old whose stature matched mine flinched at my approach.

He began to tear up and said that he didn’t know why but people were driving by and cussing at him and throwing things at him. He flinched because I had a drink in hand and he only assume I was going to do the same.

I asked if he would join me in going to Chipotle and I would get him some food. He said he could not because he was getting the bus nearby to North Bend and it came once every 90 minutes. He also said this was his first time in Issaquah.

I have now been a resident of Issaquah-Sammamish for over 16 years. Like many, I take pride in where I was raised. To know that a stranger and a guest was treated like this in my town, our town, was embarrassing. Though it is one person with one negative opinion of Issaquah, that is one too many.

It is the season for giving.

Help someone because they, too, are human, like you. If you see a human being cussed out or having things thrown at them because they are 18 and looking for bus fare or food, please speak up and help them.

On multiple occasions, that teenager experienced people who believe actively harassing someone in need is considered acceptable behavior. His one experience of Issaquah is now that people in Issaquah throw things at those in need and swear at those asking for help.

Please prove this impression is not what happens in Issaquah and Sammamish.

Please prove this is not what human beings do to each other.

Be the difference, start the change, and prove the world can be a better place.

Editor

SCOTT STODDARD

Ben Morgan Sammamish

ALL CONTENTS © 2016 THE ISSAQUAH PRESS phone:

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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

Thursday, December 22, 2016 •

Master Chorus Eastside hosting auditions

RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS

PETS OF THE WEEK

Master Chorus Eastside is scheduling auditions in all sections for the remainder of its 2016-17 season. All interested singers must have choral experience and basic music reading ability.

This season’s concert lineup includes: 4Fauré’s “Requiem” as part of its Sing Me To Heaven concert

Walter C. Kirk Jr. Walter C. Kirk Jr., age 84, of Issaquah passed away December 2 at home. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne, and his children, Ken and Elle, and his grandchildren Kevin, Rachel and Marissa.

A service will held 10 AM, Dec. 27 at Tahoma National Cemetery. Full obituary and online guestbook at flintofts.com.

Scott Stoddard / sstoddard@isspress.com

Before they were replaced earlier this month, signs at Issaquah’s city parks told dog owners their pets weren’t allowed anywhere other than sidewalks and park trails. Above, the scene at Confluence Park this summer.

Dogs

veying information to dog Park, owned and operated owners. by the Issaquah Highlands “The change came out of Community Association, a departmental review of is the only off-leash area from page 1 signage and communication within the city limits, while pertaining to dogs within city parks in Sammamish for reporting violations. city parks,” Watling wrote in (Beaver Lake), Bellevue It’s a significant change an email. “In reviewing our (Robinswood), Mercer for dog owners. Obeying the prior approach, we wanted Island (Luther Burbank and old signs to the letter of the to provide a clearer mesWildwood) and Snoqualmie law meant it was illegal to, sage and make sure that (Three Forks) feature spesay, spread a blanket on the Issaquah residents and our cific off-leash areas for dogs. grass at a city park and read park users understood that “As we engage residents a book with your leashed dogs (on leash, of course) with the park strategic plan dog by your side. Those are welcome within city next year,” Watling wrote days are now over. parks.” in an email, “we will be “Leashed dogs are alAn off-leash area someexploring in more detail the lowed on the grass areas,” where within the city’s park options for locating one of wrote Jeff Watling, the city’s system could be coming more off-leash dog areas new director of parks and in the future, too, Watling within the Issaquah park recreation, in an emailed said. Today, the 2-acre Bark system.” reply to questions about the switch.

The new signs refer to IsFamily Law saquah Municipal Code 6.08, which is the section on aniCriminal Law mal control. The pertinent Probate and Estate Planning subsection on parks says: “It Landlord-Tenant Law is unlawful for the owner or custodian of any domestic Gunn Law Offices General Litigation animal to cause, permit or – PLLc – allow such animal to: a) enter any city park where Call 425-606-9410 posted; or b) enter in or 22525 Southeast 64th Pl, Buillding H • Issaquah, WA 98027 upon any public fountain.”

Watling said the old signs www.gunnlawoffices.com weren’t doing the job con-

Art, a devastatingly handsome 1-yearold Great Pyrenees mix, is a sweet and well-behaved gentle giant. He is Art intelligent, sits on command and has excellent leash manners. He also loves cuddles and being scratched.

Due to his large size, Art would be happiest in a home with children 14 years and older. To make sure your resident dogs will get along, a meet-and-greet is required prior to adoption.

Meet Annie, a loveable 3-year-old black and white spotted female kitty! Annie is a social girl who Annie lives for affection and when you approach her she’ll roll over to her belly and sweetly ask for chin scratches. Annie is waiting to meet you at PetSmart in Bellevue, a Seattle Humane satellite location.

Annie is spayed, microchipped, vaccinated and been tested against Feline Leukemia/FIV. 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.

Gilman Village is open Mon - Sat till 7pm for the holidays!

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4A playful take on songs about food and drink called Eat, Drink and be Merry!

4And a focus on the nation’s founding mothers in with All-American Independence Celebration.

For an audition appointment, call 3928446. For more information on the chorus, go to masterchoruseastside.org.

OBITUARIES

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Inspections were performed Dec. 5-11 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.

12th Avenue Cafe, 775 NW Gilman Blvd.

Dec. 5: Routine inspection, 5 red, 5 blue Bloom Juice, 317 NW Gilman Blvd.

Dec. 6: Routine inspection, satisfactory, 0 red, 0 blue The Boarding House 317 NW Gilman Blvd.

Dec. 6: Routine inspection, satisfactory, 0 red, 0 blue Hilton Garden Inn 1800 NW Gilman Blvd.

Dec. 6: Routine inspection, 10 red, 0 blue Issaquah Hilton Homewood Suites 1484 Hyla Ave. NW Dec. 6: Routine inspection, 10 red, 5 blue Jack In The Box, 740 NW Gilman Blvd.

Dec. 5: Routine inspection, 10 red, 0 blue Panera Bread, 775 NW Gilman Blvd.

Dec. 5: Routine inspection, 15 red, 0 blue Papa John’s Pizza 6160 E. Lake Sammamish Parkway SE Dec. 9: Routine inspection, 15 red, 0 blue Regal Cinemas at Issaquah Highlands 1011 NE High St. Dec. 8: Routine inspection, satisfactory, 0 red, 0 blue Subway, 1012 NE Park Dr. Dec. 6: Routine inspection, 10 red, 0 blue Subway, 1145 NW Gilman Blvd.

Dec. 5: Routine inspection, 25 red, 0 blue Taqueria La Venadita 730 NW Gilman Blvd.

Dec. 5: Routine inspection, 40 red, 5 blue

5

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Walter Kirk Jr.

Roy Otis Yockey Capt. Roy Otis Yockey, ret. USN. A resident of Issaquah, WA, Roy was born Jan 22, 1916, in Ballard, the son of Roy and Emilie Yockey. He passed away peacefully on Nov 10, 2016 in Bellevue. He was 100 years old. Roy’s committal service with military honors will begin 2pm, Jan 23, 2017 at Tahoma National Cemetery.

Full obit and guestbook at flintofts.com.

Flintoft’s Funeral Chapel, 425-392-6444.

Roy Yockey

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

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The Issaquah Press

LET’S GO!

SATURDAY, DEC. 24 The Community Center is closed for the Christmas holiday Issaquah Alps area hike, 9 a.m., easy 4-6 miles, 800- to 1,200-foot gain, meet at 175 Rainier Blvd. S., issaquahalps.org, 369-1725 Classic Holiday Movies: “It’s a Wonderful Life,” noon, Regal Issaquah Highlands Stadium 12, 940 NE Park Drive, $5 “Singin’ in the Rain” presented

by Village Theatre, 1 p.m., $35-$78, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front

SUNDAY, DEC. 25 The Community Center is closed for the Christmas holiday Chanukah on Fire, an annual celebration hosted by Chabad of the Central Cascades featuring fire juggling by artist Matt Sol, potato latkes, doughnuts, chocolate gelt, dreidels, music, dancing and more, 5 p.m., Blakely Hall, 2550 NE Park Drive, $5 suggested donation per person, $180 to sponsor, chabadissaquah.com

MONDAY, DEC. 26 The Community Center is closed for the Christmas holiday Issaquah city offices are closed for the Christmas holiday CSI Seattle event at the Issaquah Library has been canceled The Park Board meeting has been canceled

TUESDAY, DEC. 27 Birdwalk in the Park, 8 a.m. to noon, 2- to 3-mile walk in Lake Sammamish State Park, meet just inside the main entrance, 2000 NW Sammamish Road, $10 to park for those without Discover Pass, lakesammamishfriends.org/events Issaquah Alps area dog hike, 10 a.m., easy 4-6 miles, up to 900 ft. gain, meet at 175 Rainier Blvd. S., issaquahalps.org, 481-2341 Teen Open House, homework

and tutoring help for teens, 3-5 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 One-on-One Computer Help, for adults, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 The Council Committee of the Whole, Library Board and Human Services Commission meetings have been canceled Chanukah Celebration and Menorah Lighting, 6 p.m., Grand Ridge Plaza next to Ulta, featuring hot cocoa, latkes decorating, music and chocolate gelt The Rovin’ Fidders, 7-9 p.m., Issaquah Highlands Fire Station, 1280 NE Park Drive, rovinfiddlers. com “Singin’ in the Rain” presented

by Village Theatre, 7:30 p.m., $35$78, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., villagetheatre.org, 3922202

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28 Winter Break Camp: Kids’ Nutrition & Cooking Class, for ages 5-9, 9 a.m. to noon, Blakely Hall Kitchen, 2550 NE Park Drive, $200, limited to 10 students “Singin’ in the Rain” presented

by Village Theatre, 2 and 7:30 p.m., $35-$78, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., villagetheatre.org, 392-2202 Citizenship Classes, for adults, 4:30-6 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Double Play with Rick and John, 6-9 p.m., 21 and older, no cover

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

charge, Pogacha, 120 NW Gilman Blvd., pogacha.com

THURSDAY, DEC. 29 “Singin’ in the Rain” presented

by Village Theatre, 2 and 7:30 p.m., $35-$78, Francis Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N., villagetheatre.org, 392-2202 Teen Open House, homework and tutoring help for teens, 3-5 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 One-on-One Computer Help, for adults, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Chanukah Celebration and Menorah Lighting, 6 p.m., at the corner of Front Street North and Northwest Dogwood Street, featuring children’s games, music, chocolate gelt, latkes and sufganiot Talk Time Class, for adults, 6:308 p.m., Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way, 392-5430 Double Play with Rick and John, 7-9 p.m., Vino Bella, 99 Front St. N., vinobella.com

East Lake Sammamish Trail segment closes for a year The south segment of the East Lake Sammamish Trail closed starting Dec. 19 as construction crews widen and pave the trail.

King County expects this segment, between Southeast 43rd Way to Southeast 33rd Street, will remain closed for about a year.

To ensure safety of the public and construction crew, no one will be allowed on this segment of trail during construction, according to King County Parks.

Once completed, the trail will be a 12-foot paved path with 2-foot shoulders on each side. The improvements will also enhance safety and water drainage, according to a press release from King County.

Contractor work hours are weekdays between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. No work is allowed on Sundays.

The north segment, between 187th Avenue Northeast to Northeast Inglewood Hill Road, was completed in 2015. The middle segment, between 33rd Street to Inglewood Hill Road, is still in the design phase awaiting application approval.

When finished, the ELST will complete a 44-mile regional trail that connects the Puget Sound in Ballard to the foothills of the Cascades.

Tickets are now on sale for Village Theatre’s next production, Alfred Hitchcock’s “The 39 Steps.”

The play, adapted by Patrick Barlow, runs from Jan. 19 through Feb. 26 at Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front St. N. This fast-paced Hitchcockian whodunit with a little Monty Python flair thrown in, stars four actors, in more than 150 roles — Village Theatre veterans

Orion Bradshaw (“Crimes of the Heart”), Emily Cawley (“Fiddler on the Roof”) and regional veteran actors Chris Ensweiler and Aaron Lamb.

Tickets range from $35 to $70. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday.

To purchase tickets go to villagetheatre.org or call the box office at 392-2202.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ISSAQUAH 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 Dec. 18: $48,135 Rosemarie and Fred Butler, Dick and Carol Levinthal, Kris Colliander in memory of Chip Colliander, Dorothy Kittleson, Valerie Moore, Helene Moran Eberts in memory of Paul Eberts, Lucille and Gerald Hersey, Mary Ann Hult, Elizabeth Permann, Christel Dozé, John Katz, Lee and Shirley Koger, Susan Spinella, Kiwanis Club of Providence Point, Jeanne Lawson in memory of Regina Poirer, Joseph and Jayne Alkana, Dennis Hall and Tony Simmons, Nancy and Danny Scarborough in memory of Brenda Woodworth, Dan and Dar Boni in memory of Darla Boni, Jacquelyn Campbell, Gail Phillips, Jennifer and Thomas Pfeiffer, Pat and Jeff Randall, Kathryn Bush, Charles and Jean Cerar, John and Marilyn Pinkley, Douglas and Victoria Trigg, Richard and Helen Scott in memory of Vern and Merle Scott, Bessie and Robert Burton, AAUW Book Group, Oscar and Suzanne Wallem, Mike Nishi, Connie Harris, Edwin Werner, Katie and Mike Richardson, Barbara and Dick Cheatham, Jean and Bruce Sillers

Donations

since 1981. The fund is 50 percent shy of its $100,000 goal as of Dec. 18.

Your donation goes to from page 1 help people like Emily, a local single mother overclient information and need. whelmed with the stress of The most requested forms eviction, late utility bills and of aid are rent and utilities broken glasses. assistance.

This working mother If everything checks out, of three was in tears and ICS makes a pledge to the afraid when she came to landlord or utility company. ICS because she knew that The ICS treasurer then even though she was bringissues funds and all checks ing home a regular payare mailed directly to the check, it wasn’t enough. entities owed money. Clients “On top of everything do not receive any payelse, she had some of her ments. wages garnished due to a ICS receives about 500 dental bill for one of the requests for emergency aid children,” according to each year. The all-volunteer the ICS newsletter. “The organization currently has bill was left unpaid by her an annual budget of about ex-husband and he couldn’t $130,000. be located by the collection “We just don’t want to agency.” spend money on things She had already paid that do not directly benefit part of her monthly rent people,” said ICS secretary and ICS was able to speak Jane Krum. “We don’t have with her landlord and arpaid staff, we don’t have ranged to cover the rest of paid fundraisers, we give it her rent. all back.”

“I have seen time and Most of the organization’s again how we keep families money comes from the and individuals from being Merry Christmas Issaquah homeless and kept their fund, an annual holiday utilities on,” said ICS voluncampaign spearheaded teer Susan Spinella. “That is SCOTT Z.ePROOF.IP.CMYK.

by The Issaquah Press a good feeling.”

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The Community Center closes at noon and will remain closed through Dec. 26 for the Christmas holiday Issaquah city offices are closed for the Christmas holiday 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 Shaggy Sweet, 7:30-11:30 p.m., Vino Bella, 99 Front St. N., vinobella. com Kerry and the Keepers, 8-11 p.m., 21 and older, $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

St. N., villagetheatre.org, 392-2202

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FRIDAY, DEC. 23

Tickets on sale for Village Theatre’s ‘The 39 Steps’

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6 • Thursday, December 22, 2016

LIVING

THE ISSAQUAH PRESS

Thursday, December 22, 2016 • 7

Liberty rallies around former student Silent auction, dinner raises funds for former student

HOW TO HELP Support Jonathon Ha’s recovery through his GoFundMe page at goo.gl/fsERwJ.

By Christina Corrales-Toy ccorrales-toy@isspress.com When friends Jonathon Ha, Quincy Loreen, Alex Wilsey and Ryan McNeil gathered at Renton’s Lord of Life Church on Sunday, it was as if nothing had changed for the 2016 Liberty High School graduates.

They talked fantasy football — Ha’s team has the inside track at winning the league — and jokingly coaxed a shy Ha, known as the quiet one of the group, as he nervously answered questions.

Things are different, though.

Loreen and Wilsey are fresh from Pullman, while McNeil is back from Gonzaga, all three having wrapped up their first semester of college.

Ha, meanwhile, never made it to Central Washington University after a serious swimming accident at Seattle’s Discovery Park kept him hospitalized for two months.

Ha struck his head and fractured his neck while diving into the water in August. Damage to his spinal cord left the lower half of his body paralyzed.

“It was definitely pretty hard,” Ha said. “It was definitely a struggle to get through all of that stuff.”

It was hard on his friends, too, especially Loreen and Wilsey who learned of the accident right before they were ready to depart for Washington State University.

“We didn’t really know what was going to happen,” Wilsey said. “There was a lot of uncertainty at that point. We felt like we were just leaving him behind, which definitely sucked.”

McNeil, who had not left for school yet, was regularly commuting to Seattle for work, but Harborview became a frequent stop. At first, he made the visits alone, but as more and more

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

Liberty High School graduates Alex Wilsey, Quincy Loreen and Ryan McNeil helped organize a fundraiser to support their friend Jonathon Ha (second from left) as he recovers from a serious swimming accident. classmates heard about the accident, he accumulated passengers.

“People started asking for rides,” McNeil said. “It showed

how everyone cared about him.”

Doctors discharged Ha from Harborview in October. He’s staying positive through it all thanks

to the help of his family and a group of friends that are more like brothers.

Wilsey, Loreen and McNeil,

along with several other Liberty families, organized a Dec. 18 dinner and silent auction to raise money for Ha’s medical expenses.

“With an injury like this, the battle does not end a month from now,” Wilsey said. “The support that we get now is hopefully going to last for as long as possible, but we’ve just got to keep pushing, keep giving him support.”

About 100 members of the Liberty community, past and present, gathered at Lord of Life, just a few minutes from the high school. Families donated auction items, while local businesses including Tapatio’s Mexican Grill and Doofers Bar and Grill contributed their own donations. The event raised $13,754.

That showing says a lot about the Liberty High community, Ha said.

“It just shows we’re a tight-knit community, with good friends and good people,” he said.

Ha has started regular physical and occupational therapy at Harborview. He’ll start taking Bellevue College classes online in January. He almost always has visitors at his home, a testament to Ha’s popularity, Wilsey said.

The four friends regularly keep in touch through text messages and FaceTime calls, and they come home to visit when they can. The experience has been a life-changing one for all involved, and the way Ha has handled it has been an inspiration, Loreen said.

“Something he said that really struck me was, ‘There’s always somebody worse off than me,’ ” Loreen said. “He has that mindset. He knows that what he’s going through is super-hard, but it could be way worse and he’s making the most of it.”

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8 • Thursday, December 22, 2016

The Sammamish Symphony Orchestra’s annual Youth Concerto Competition recognizes and encourages outstanding young musicians ages 19 and younger. The competition program

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has had a long history of success, with more than 150 applicants spanning the last several years.

Musicians who play woodwinds, brass, strings, harp, piano and classical guitar are encouraged to

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Drawing by Anike, 3rd grade, Grand Ridge Elementary

Drawing by Valenina Cadena, 3rd Grade, Discovery Elementary

Your Local Issaquah Team

Wishing You a Happy & Joyful Holiday Season!

Issaquah Education Association

Drawing by Martin, 3rd grade, Creekside Elementary

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www.fischermeatsnw.com

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Drawing by Allyn Harman, 5th grade, Timber Ridge Elementary

Drawing by Nithya Marimuthu, 4th grade, Sunny Hills Elementary

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

425 Rainier Blvd N, Suite 3 Issaquah, Washington, 98027

425-369-ABVC (2282) 52.18326.IP.R

Accomodates 200 Stage for band or DJ

425.392.3131

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425-392-2126

issaquahea.washintonea.org

www.pinelakecommunityclub.com

Pine Lake Community Club 425.392.4041

85 Front Street North • Issaquah

1065 12th Ave NW #E9 • Issaquah, WA 98027

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third-place finishers. The application deadline is Jan. 13, 2017.

Entry requirements and application are available online at sammamishsymphony.org.

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Drawing by Mia Parker, 4th Grade, North Bend Elementary

705 NW Gilman Blvd • Issaquah, WA 98027 425-427-1715 www.umpquabank.com

apply. Vocalists are also encouraged to apply.

The first-place award includes a solo performance with the Sammamish Symphony Orchestra. Cash prizes are also awarded for first-, second- and

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Applications are now being accepted for the Sammamish Symphony Orchestra 11th Annual Youth Concerto Competition on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, at Eastlake Performing Arts Center.

1085 12 th Ave. N.W., Suite D1 • Issaquah, WA 98027

www.issaquahpress.com

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Apply now for youth symphony orchestra competition

The Issaquah Press

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Drawing by Joy Deng, 3rd grade, Grand Ridge Elementary

Drawing by Bella Welch, 4th grade, Challenger Elementary Drawing by Alvina, 3rd Grade, Endeavour Elementary

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Drawing by Jessica Lien, 3rd Grade, Endeavour Elementary

Dr. Baptista Kwok DDS Dr. Ann Hua DMD

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y p p a H ys! a d i l o H

Dr. James Ma DDS Dr. Kiki Chow DMD

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425.837.0383

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Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

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Michèle G. Pearson & Jerry D. Pearson Attorneys at Law

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Drawing by Sophie Enkhbold, 4th Grade, Grand Ridge Elementary

~Luke 2:14

Drawing by Miya, age 8, & Anna, age 13.

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The Issaquah Press

Thursday, December 22, 2016 •

9

Staples from page

located at 628 Front St. N., is just shy of $3.5 million.

Erica Maniez, executive director of the Issaquah History Museums, said the building originally opened as a Safeway grocery store.

One of the older homes removed from the land became the impetus for the collection of historic former residences that now make up the Gilman Village shopping center.

The closure will leave a second significant vacancy on the downtown district’s primary thoroughfare. The Shanghai Garden Restaurant at 80 Front St. N. has been closed since March.

The restaurant’s owner indicated a new dining concept was coming to the space in September, but now “for lease” signs have been placed in the windows.

A message left for Keith Niven, the city’s director of Scott Stoddard / sstoddard@isspress.com economic development, was not immediately returned.

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10 • Thursday, December 22, 2016

The Issaquah Press

ALL TOGETHER NOW

Tax

government.

Also, what’s to stop them from doing to routes like they’ve done to 405 with from page 4 a variable pay-to-go fee in the car-pool lanes? I’m not all, not a mathematician driving enough? Crank up — and surprise, surprise, the fee on my monitoring my share of the tax burden device. And does that device would increase from about automatically shut off if I $8.88 a month to $15.93 a cross state lines? month.

The easy work around I hate taking public transto the VMT tax? Move to portation because ... reasons. Issaquah and commute less.

Now they want me to hate But I’m in the same boat as driving my own car and many of the school district’s settle for the lesser of two teachers. I can’t afford to live evils, public transportation. here.

Now this is only a proOption B? Set up a cot posal at this point. The here at work in Issaquah plan is to institute a pilot and only go home to program next fall, monitorKirkland on the weekends. ing 2,000 volunteers. The But then the state would first hurdle is how are the probably just come up with bean-counters going to track a Time Spent Away From these volunteers? An honor Home Tax. system lets them log their Let me know how you feel miles and turn in the paper- about a VMT tax. I’d like work regularly. More likely, to compile the results for a a monitoring device will be future column. installed.

This opens a whole other Email reporter David Hayes can of worms beyond what’s at dhayes@isspress.com. appropriate taxation — Off The Press is a weekly namely, privacy. No way am column by members of The I going to allow the governIssaquah Press news staff. ment to track my whereThe viewpoints expressed Christina Corrales-Toy / ccorrales-toy@isspress.com abouts in my car. If my wife do not necessarily represent Issaquah Arts Commissioner threw on a Santa hat and led the community through a series of holiday songs at an Issaquah Train Depot doesn’t care to know where the editorial views of the sing along event Dec. 15. Watch video of the event online at issaquahpress.com.

I am 24/7, neither should the newspaper.

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POLICE & FIRE Lending an ear At 5:38 p.m. Dec. 14, an officer spoke with a citizen at the police department in the 100 block of East Sunset Way over his various concerns about traffic, local government leaders and idiots.

Mischief at the ballfield

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Classifieds

At 9:56 a.m. Dec. 9, a city employee called to report that the ballfields in the 500 block of Northwest Holly Street had been experiencing an increase in drug paraphernalia and theft, including a game camera he had set up a while ago.

Cat triggers motion detector

At 8:37 p.m. Dec. 15, a resident in the 200 block of Northwest Cherry Place

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reported the motion light came on in her backyard and feared there may be someone there. Investigating officers determined the light was triggered by a cat in her backyard.

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SERVICES

Record LP’s, 45’s, Reel‑to‑Reel Tapes, CD’s, Old Magazines\Movies

At 9:15 p.m. Dec. 8, an officer contacted two male subjects in a vehicle on Mountain Side Drive smelling of marijuana. Both subjects were 20 years old and voluntarily gave up the rest of their marijuana and paraphernalia.

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At 11:44 a.m. Dec. 12, an officer arrived to check in on a man in the 1800 block of 12th Avenue Northwest who had been struck in the parking lot by a vehicle driven by an elderly female.

Request to investigate a crime list

At 6:31 p.m. Dec. 13, a citizen came to the Issaquah Police Department in the 100 block of East Sunset

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Washington State Construction

Contractor law requires that all advertisers for construction related services include the contractor registration number.

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A resident at Providence Marianwood called 911 at 10:43 p.m. Dec. 11 saying he or she had been trying without success to contact the staff there in the 3700 block of Providence Point Drive Southeast.

Police dispatchers could not reach staff by phone.

An officer made in-person contact with the staff, which promised to check in on the resident.

Harassing notes At 8:46 p.m. Dec. 12, a resident in the 100 block of East Sunset Way reported for the second day in a row now a resident of her building had left notes in public view saying uncomplimentary things about her.

Suspicious package At 6:50 a.m. Dec. 13, a suspicious large salad container was found in the 1700 block of Northeast Park Drive. The contents were discovered to be garbage.

Wallet stolen

Vandalism

Coyote caution

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Car prowl

Sometime before 9:42 a.m. Dec. 14, someone caused $100 damage to a water pipe in the 100 block of Front Street South.

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4A pair of shoes and a bicycle was reported stolen at 6:35 a.m. Dec. 11 from the 800 block of Lingering Pine Drive Northwest.

4At 11:57 p.m. Dec. 11, $100 in clothing was reported stolen from the 1600 block of Northwest Gilman Boulevard.

A wallet was reported stolen at 10:45 p.m. Dec. 13 from the 1800 block of 10th Avenue Northwest.

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DOWN 1. Figure specialists: abbr.

2. Songbird 3. Town in Italy 4. Haloed mlle.

5. Merchant 6. Part of the skeletal system 7. Smelly 8. Facial problem 9. Chicken __ king 10. Alarm 11. Tramp 12. Is sneezy and feverish 13. Delight 19. Spaniard’s cash, once 22. Topsy-turvy era?

24. Unaided 25. E. T., for one 26. Elegant 27. Barbed spears 28. City on the Rhone 29. Stratum 30. Type of committee 31. Kitchen item 32. Backstreet 33. Actress Sharon 35. River creature 38. Luxembourg’s neighbor 39. Part of a refrain 40. Variable star 46. Machine wheel 47. “La Bohème” and “Tosca” 48. Trout features 49. Walks the floor 50. Examination 51. Mayberry resident 52. Word with Blue or White 53. Manicure kit item 54. Cosmetics name 55. Elected officials: abbr.

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Burglaries

A laptop computer was reported stolen at 8:51 a.m.

Dec. 8 from a vehicle in the 700 block of Northwest Gil#5369 man Boulevard.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS 1. Group of students 6. Miss in Mazatlán: abbr.

10. ’70s carpet style 14. Sticky stuff 15. Metal container 16. Wind 17. Russian workers’ group 18. Lacking the necessary skills 20. Piece of sports equipment 21. Lean 23. Uneven 24. In need of moisture 25. Domed church wing 27. In abundance 30. Lotion ingredient 31. Remain behind 34. Russian lake 35. Wordsworth or Shelley 36. Word with American or around 37. Become violently angry 41. Charge 42. Tell the misdeeds of 43. Bravos 44. Former div. of a large nation 45. Sir Guinness 46. Flocks of birds 48. Snarl 49. Father 50. Pick-me-up 53. Notoriety 54. Inquire 57. One who has a disorder of the nervous system 60. Torn apart 62. Ledge 63. Part 64. Solitary 65. Golf shop purchases 66. Singles 67. Rationality

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At 11:03 a.m. Dec. 10, an officer helped a motorist in the 1400 block of Highlands Drive Northeast regain entry into her car after locking herself out while her autistic daughter was still inside.

No harm, no foul

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Call TODAY!

Way with a list of crimes he wished to report. The responding officer noticed all but two of the crimes on the Warranted arrests list needed to be handled by A 22-year-old woman was the FBI. The two crimes the arrested on an outstanding IPD could help the citizen warrant at 12:35 p.m. Dec. with did not occur to him, 9 in the 100 block of West but his friend. The officer Sunset Way. encouraged him to have his friend come to the IPD to report the crimes.

Lockout assist

Underage smoking

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He stated he was not injured.

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At 1:05 p.m. Dec. 14, a resident in the 23200 block of Southeast 58th Street requested information about protecting her animals in the presence of coyotes spotted in the area.

SPORTS

THE ISSAQUAH PRESS

Thursday, December 22, 2016 • 11

Skyline swimmers achieve historic win over Newport BOYS SWIMMING SKYLINE 101 NEWPORT 68

By Neil Pierson npierson@isspress.com It may have included a minor asterisk, but the Skyline Spartans weren’t about to downplay their victory over the Newport Knights on Dec. 15.

With the start of the Washington State Senior Championships club meet just a day away, some of Newport’s top swimmers chose to not compete against Skyline in a Class 4A KingCo Conference meet at Julius Boehm Pool.

The Spartans, however, had their full arsenal on display and recorded seven winning times on their way to a 101-68 triumph over the three-time defending 4A state champions.

Skyline coach Susan Simpkins said it’s the first time the Spartans (3-0) have won a dual meet against the Knights since she began coaching on the plateau in 2002.

Skyline senior Jacob Leahy, who had first-place times in the 100yard freestyle and 100 backstroke, said his team is looking to follow in the path of the school’s girls team, which successfully defended its 4A state title last month.

“We want to do that – we want Skyline to have boys and girls win state,” Leahy said.

SPARTANS SWEEP EAGLES Above: Issaquah junior forward Mariah Van Halm puts up a shot looking for two points as Skyline senior guard Kailey Kassuba (left) and senior post Gina Grossi (3) defend during the third quarter of their Dec. 16 basketball game. Issaquah led the Class 4A KingCo league contest by two after the first quarter but Skyline had a seven-point advantage at the half, and the Spartans outscored the Eagles 23-6 in a big third quarter en route to a 63-45 victory.

Right: Issaquah senior forward Brent Wilson (40) takes a shot and misses as he is defended by Skyline junior wing Ashish Manda (23) and senior wing Ryan D’Arcy during the third quarter of their Dec. 16 basketball game. The Spartans led after each quarter and won the Class 4A KingCo league contest on their home court in a 63-55 victory.

Photos by Greg Farrar / gfarrar@isspress.com

Despite loss, Patriots have high hopes for season WRESTLING LAKE WASHINGTON 41 LIBERTY 34

By Neil Pierson npierson@isspress.com There were a lot of things to like about Liberty’s performance Dec. 15 despite a 41-34 loss to Lake Washington on the wrestling mat.

Forfeits in the 120- and 170-pound classes gifted the Kangaroos 12 points, and Liberty was without star 132-pounder Jacob Holm, who didn’t wrestle due to another commitment.

But the Patriots more than held their own, winning seven of the 12 contested matches during a Class 3A/2A KingCo Conference dual in Kirkland. And they’re looking to build toward big things at the conclusion of the season in February.

“There’s a bunch of us who think we can go to state and even place at state,” said senior 152-pounder Juan Flores. “We should send, like, six guys to state this year, probably place four of them.”

Flores, a linebacker on the Liberty’s 2A runner-up football team, opened the meet with a pin of Lake Washington’s Tristan Brady

Greg Farrar / gfarrar@isspress.com

Liberty’s Juan Flores wrestles Lake Washington’s Tristan Brady in the 152-pound bout to win by pin during the Dec. 15 dual. in 1 minute, 45 seconds.

“I had a good shot (at Brady’s legs) but didn’t really make anything out of it,” Flores said. “I was just in a good position, got him on his back and took advantage of it.”

Flores started the wrestling season late due to football commitments but has started 2-0 and is among those with aspirations of qualifying for the Mat Classic state tournament.

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“He has great hips, keeps his position really well,” Liberty coach Wright Noel said of Flores.

“He was a state alternate last year. He has set his goals to place at state. He’s very capable. Just a great athlete, good in the classroom, just a pleasure to have on the team.”

Liberty had an 18-12 lead after 160-pounder Jacob Lex pinned Colby Coco in 1:14 and 195-pounder Brendon Nguyen

pinned Isaiah Simonian with 1 second left on the first-period clock.

The Patriots won two decisions as 285-pounder Jakob DaSilva picked up four team points with an 8-0 win over Ronan Freed, and 106-pounder Will Slaton battled to beat Max Reisman, 9-5.

Liberty had a 25-18 lead at that point.

But the Kangs went on to win four straight bouts and 23 of 24 available points, sewing up the team victory in the process.

Marton Teichner (113) won an 18-3 technical fall against Liberty’s Brent Haynes. Logan Heenan got the forfeit win at 120, Elijah Lux (126) pinned Nick Gumm in 27 seconds, and RJ Hetges handed Liberty 132-pound backup Kyle George a tough loss, overcoming a 10-6 deficit in the third period for a pin at 5:36.

Noel was pleased with what he saw from DaSilva, an exchange student from Germany who wrestled his first match.

“He played American football in Germany, so he played on Liberty’s football team,” the coach said. “And he’s here trying out everything. Strong as an ox.”

Slaton and Reisman exchanged takedowns, escapes and reversals for the better part of six minutes.

Slaton got the winning points with a takedown in the final minute, then added a near fall as Reisman tried desperately for a tying reversal.

“We teach our kids that you stay basic, you keep grinding and good things happen,” Noel said. “And Will did that. It was an example of the way we want to wrestle: Keep your position, keep attacking, keep attacking, wear them out and we come out on top at the end.”

Lake Washington’s team win had already been cemented, but Liberty closed out the meet with wins at 138 and 145 pounds.

Ethan Le (138) got takedowns in the first two periods to beat Hunter Giffard, 4-1, and Cooper Murch (145) took a 5-0 lead on Gabe Bivens before completing the pin in 2:15.

Liberty’s lone state qualifier from last season, sophomore Carson Armstrong, isn’t eligible yet but is expected to compete at some point and will only add to the Patriots’ stockpile of talent.

And Holm, a transfer from Illinois, might be the team’s best wrestler at this point. His absence was felt against Lake Washington.

“We’re pretty sure that would’ve been, like, a 12-point swing,” Noel said.

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12 • Thursday, December 22, 2016

The Issaquah Press

Photos by Greg Farrar / gfarrar@isspress.com

Clockwise from top left: The Skyline baseball field, the Skyline softball field, the softball scorer’s box, and the baseball scorer’s box. Parents of Skyline softball players say the disparity in facilities constitutes a Title IX violation.

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“The timeline between filing the complaint and waiting for a response was frustrating to families from page 1 involved going into the upcoming season,” said Blake compliant with Title IX, not Harnick, whose daughter only because it’s the law, plays for the Spartans. “It but it’s the right thing to was delivered four months do,” she said. from ISD only after several The list the group proemails and phone calls. But vided Banasick was extenthen no timeline was given, sive, alleging the the girls’ and it didn’t create any field was so inadequate goodwill on what solutions compared to the boys’ field, were offered.” it rose to the status of a Title Superintendent Ron IX violation. Chief among Thiele agreed communicathe complaints was the lack tion could have been better of a dedicated field for the during the process between girls’ program while the the parent group and the boys did have a dedicated district. field.

“My question back to staff Other complaints inwould be, ‘Why did it take cluded: that long?’ As a supervi4Temporary fences and sor, it makes me raise my foul poles on the softball eyebrows.” Thiele said. “If field versus permanent you’re looking into somefences and foul poles for thing, you have to take a baseball. moment to let the group 4No batting cages or know you have not forgotpitching lanes. ten about them. It’s a step 4More storage options people often miss. If you’re for baseball equipment than on the side waiting to hear softball. back, you tend to feel for4Exclusive use of the gotten.” baseball field by Skyline and On Oct. 26, Banasick proother baseball programs vided an in-depth report, only, while the softball including an executive sumprogram must share its mary acknowledging the field with other community complaints, finding there sports programs. were inequities between the 4Inadequate equipment, boys and girls programs. including scoreboard, pitch“Some other areas have ing machines and safety us concerned about the bases. depth of the investigation, Tiffany Parker, whose as well, if this matter has fifth-grade daughter parbeen fully addressed,” Harticipated in Skyline softball nick said. “Nowhere in the clinics in the past year, told report does ISD say if there the board she was quite is actually a Title IX violasurprised by the condition tion. That was a baseline of the softball facilities. question that was supposed “I’ve been trying to to be addressed.” explain to my 11-year-old The administration did daughter why the baseball meet with the group of team has a locked, excluparents in November with sive field with fences all a PowerPoint presentation the way around to home outlining the steps the displate, with dimensions that trict is planning to address exceed Safeco Field, while the inequities. Attending the the softball team plays on meeting for the district in a substandard community addition to Banasick were field,” Parker said. “How Skyline’s softball coach is it equitable the school Lindsay Sullivan, athletic district spent approximately director Brent Kawaguchi $400,000 in 2011 to imand assistant principal Anprove the exclusive-access drew Brownson. baseball field while the In summary, the district softball team doesn’t have promised by the 2017 its own dedicated field to season: play on? How is it equitable 4To fix or replace the to move fences on and off scoreboard and pitching the field in order to conduct machine. practice or games? The 4To provide new safety boys don’t have to do this. bases and foul poles.

The bottom line here is it’s 4To provide designated not equitable.” batting cages and pitching Banasick acknowledged lanes receipt of the group’s 4To provide new storage complaint on June 24 and areas and a scorer’s box launched an investigation 4To upgrade the pitching into the allegations. Parents mound took exception, however, to The district promised to a lack of updates, leaving address the following issues them in the dark as to the for the field by the 2018 status of a report. season:

4New turf on the field 4New fencing 4Upgraded design 4Return maintenance to the school district 4Continue to get feedback from the coach and athletic director However, the parent group feels the proposed solutions continue to ignore what it sees as the bottom line — no designated space for the softball program, rather than continuing to share space with the City of Sammamish events.

“The players and families are grateful for the 2017 proposed fixes, but we need a road map to equality.

Otherwise we will be forced to file a suit against Skyline and the ISD,” Harnick said.

To prevent the parent group from filing suit, Bowman added it would have to take some quick action by the school district, including acknowledging there has been an incomplete and unacceptable response regarding the field integrity, security and quality issues and setting a timetable for creating a field of their own.

“Whether this is a redo of a corner of the Skyline community fields or a new field altogether, that will have to be negotiated,” Bowman wrote by email. “The field would have to be Skyline softball’s field for both varsity and JV with both of these sports having priority scheduling during the season and offseason.”

The sticking point to accomplishing that goal is the joint-use agreement between the school district and City of Sammamish.

Currently, the district owns the land, but the city maintains it and schedules its use.

While there is no cutoff date to the agreement, Thiele said the city needs at least a one-year notice to terminate it. The administration initiated that process a few weeks ago because of the change in bell times Thiele just approved for the 2017-18 school year.

“If we were going to push out the school day by 35 minutes, then we needed to push out 35 minutes on fields,” he said. “We’ve kind of mutually agreed it would be beneficial for the district to take it back. Once we’re off it, we’d love it if outside community groups still use it.”

“Equity is really important to me,” Thiele added.

“You can’t guarantee no inequities in a system. But when you hear about them, you expect something to be done about it.”

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