Newcastlenews012014

Water polo club features Newcastle residents Page 14

Maywood student goes into overdrive for food drive Page 12

Marijuana moratorium goes up in smoke

January 3, 2014 VOL. 16, NO. 1

Police blotter Pat Detmer

Page 5

Page 7

By Christina Corrales-Toy

change through the transition, Biancofiori said, but users might have to pay anywhere from $25 to $57 a month to become Y members.

Classes formerly labeled as SilverSneakers programs will still be available, she stressed, but they won’t be called SilverSneakers classes.

“It’s really about the business side of it,” she said. “We’re still serving them. We’re still offering programs. They’re going to become Y members versus membership through the

The Newcastle City Council decided to continue its waitand-see approach when it comes to the Initiative 502-induced recreational marijuana industry, voting down a motion to establish a moratorium on marijuana licenses at its Dec. 17 meeting.

They elected instead to wait for a forthcoming attorney general’s opinion about a municipality’s right to ban or impose strict land-use regulations on the drug.

“I still think, on balance, the better thing is to do nothing for now and to preserve your options whether they be ban, or moratorium or zoning regulations,” Councilman Bill Erxleben said.

Councilmen Gordon Bisset and John Dulcich supported a moratorium, seeing it as a proactive move, rather than a reactive one just in case the state received any Newcastle license applicants, which it hadn’t at the time of the Dec. 17 meeting.

“I hate moratoriums, but this is one instance where there are the dynamics of this law and there are so many changes and so many unknowns,” Dulcich said.

“This is asking for a timeout period where we can get our ordinances and our zoning codes into place so we really understand this.”

A moratorium won’t stop people from applying for licenses, though, Erxleben said, referring to an Issaquah man who applied despite that city’s moratorium.

“While the city of Issaquah is refusing to issue a license, this guy’s got grand plans for as soon as that moratorium ends,” he said.

Just a week later, a Newcastle address appeared on the Washington State Liquor Control Board’s list of

See YMCA, Page 3

See MARIJUANA, Page 3

Now you see ’em

See the photos of the year you never saw.

Page 8

By Christina Corrales-Toy

Retiring Councilman Bill Erxleben (left) shakes hand with his successor, John Drescher, at his final City Council meeting Dec. 17.

Councilman Bill Erxleben retires

By Christina Corrales-Toy

Freshmen phenoms

Liberty’s youth athletes take fall’s center stage.

Page 14

You should know Parents and staff of the Renton School District can receive text messages from their schools and the district by texting “Yes” to 68453. Get school notices, alerts, emergency messages and more.

Contact us: newcastle@isspress.com 392-6434, ext. 239

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Councilman Bill Erxleben’s time on the Newcastle City Council officially came to an end at the council’s Dec. 17 meeting.

His colleagues said goodbye with a cake and a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.

Just before he rode off into the sunset of retirement, again, Erxleben answered a few Newcastle News questions.

Q: How was this second term different from the first?

A: The difference between night and day. My first term was not particularly rewarding.

I spent most of my time try-

ing to convince a majority of the council that they were taking unwarranted risks with the finances of the city, particularly in assuming full responsibility for construction cost overruns and the future maintenance of Coal Creek Parkway. Spending on staff and consultants for a See RETIRES, Page 3

YMCA discontinues senior program

By Christina Corrales-Toy The approximately 600 seniors who enjoy use of the Coal Creek Family YMCA through their SilverSneakers insurance benefit must purchase a direct-pay Y membership to continue using the facility beginning this month.

In a November letter to SilverSneakers participants, the YMCA announced it would no longer contract with the senior program, which provides fitness center memberships to Medicare-eligible users through their health care plans.

“We evaluated our agreements with the health plans and then realized that the current agreement wasn’t sustainable from a business perspective,” said Sara Biancofiori, the Coal Creek Family YMCA’s associate executive director.

SilverSneakers members previously received use of the YMCA and its senior programs as a benefit paid through their regular insurance costs. Participants will now have to pay the YMCA directly to use the facility.

The senior program offerings, classes and the YMCA’s commitment to them will not

Newcastle News

PAGE 2

Former city clerk passes away Former Newcastle City Clerk Bob Baker passed away Dec. 18, the city announced on its Facebook page a day Bob Baker after his death.

Baker worked at the city for nearly six years before resigning to take a position as the Lynnwood deputy city clerk in 2011.

“He will long be remembered as a person who brightened the lives of everyone he knew,” city staff wrote on the Newcastle Facebook page.

“Thanks, Bob, for your service to Newcastle, and for the memories.”

Under his watch, the clerk’s office started offering streaming audio of all City Council meetings on the Internet, as well as online accessibility to minutes, agendas, resolutions and ordinances.

He also served as the Washington Municipal Clerks Association president for a term during his time with the city.

JANUARY 3, 2014

Weed Warriors hosts wildlife habitat meeting Newcastle residents can learn how to make their yards wildlife-friendly at a 10 a.m. Jan. 18 gathering.

The Newcastle Weed Warriors will host a meeting to share information about a citywide effort to earn National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat Certification.

To obtain the certification, residents must commit to providing food, water, cover and a place for wildlife to raise offspring. A healthy habitat can be in a variety of places, including a backyard, a local city space or even an apartment balcony.

The event features a speaker from Eastside Pond Builders, door prizes and refreshments.

The meeting is at the Newcastle Library, 12901 Newcastle Way.

Parkway reopens for the season The city of Bellevue has temporarily re-opened all four travel lanes of Coal Creek Parkway at the dip where Coal Creek flows under the arterial.

Back tracking: an ongoing series about the history of Newcastle

Courtesy of the Issaquah History Museums, 2013-22-1

Halmar Foldvik worked in the mines at Newcastle from about 1922 to 1926.

During that time, he attended the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Mines fire institute training facility on the University of Washington campus and received this certificate. It certifies that Foldvik, of Newcastle, was trained in the use of mine-rescue apparatus and the methods of rendering first aid to the injured.

The four lanes will remain open until late February. Then, Bellevue’s construction to replace an aging culvert will enter Phase 2, which will again reduce the parkway to two lanes until about October.

The Phase 2, eightmonth project entails additional utility relocations,

bridge construction, road rechannelization, stream restoration, trail improvements and landscaping.

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Retiring From Page 1 variety of development proposals was far beyond what was reasonable for a small city with a limited tax base. Additionally, I was very disappointed to learn that the council had previously awarded itself full health benefits in secret without a vote in public. I retired in frustration.

After two years, I was urged to run again with a slate of reform candidates to reset the city’s priorities. Newcastle voters overwhelmingly agreed. With a new council majority, the city manager was quickly replaced, staffing and consultants were reduced, key new staff hires were made and the budget has been balanced without deficits — with only one minor tax increase — over the past four years. Attention has also been shifted from new projects to infrastructure management: Surface water and pavement maintenance have dramatically improved, and sidewalk construction and our parks and trails have received greater attention. Volunteerism has also been strongly encouraged. In 2013, Newcastle was ranked by Money Magazine as one of the best small towns in America.

Q: Why is now the time to step away?

A: I feel I have accomplished all the campaign objectives that I ran on.

City priorities have been reset and budget discipline is restored. But it is also time to leave. When I was younger, I was profoundly influenced by John Gardner, the founder of Common Cause and a former head of the Carnegie Foundation. Two of his books, “Excellence” and “Self-Renewal,” have had a defining impact on my professional career.

His notion of “repotting” yourself every 10 years as a process of self-renewal

Council members bid farewell to Erxleben All six of the Newcastle City Council members used their comment period to bid farewell to their retiring colleague at the Dec. 17 meeting. Here’s a sampling of some of their comments.

“My only item tonight is to commend council member Erxleben for his service to the community. It probably goes without saying Bill and I don’t see eye to eye, especially on national politics, but he’s a very smart guy and I think a very effective council member.”

— Councilman Steve Buri “Now I’ll have to look for another person became a life guide for me. After nine years on the City Council and one year as chairman of the Planning Commission, my alarm has gone off. It is time for someone else to take over.

Q: What were some of your proudest accomplishments on the council?

A: I must immodestly admit I am pleasantly surprised at how much I have accomplished. While it takes four votes to enact an ordinance or to create a policy on the council, the following list represents some areas that I had the leadership role and am the most proud of. q Establishment of the annual town hall meeting q Insistence on fiscal budget discipline q Focus on infrastructure maintenance and long-term financial planning q Establishment of a permanent Economic Development Committee q Improving school and pedestrian safety by the construction of over one mile of sidewalks on Newcastle Way and 116th Avenue Southeast

to second my motion.

Thank you, Bill. I really appreciate it and you know, time does march on and eventually we have to leave.”

— Councilman Gordon Bisset “It’s always been a delight to see you and hear your opinion, and I especially appreciate you’ve had the time for me when I wanted to bounce my ideas around with you.”

— Councilwoman Carol Simpson “A few years ago, in ’09, Bill got off the couch, came out of retirement and won a race and helped make a significant change in leadership for the city, q Securing more than $300,000 in state grants for new playground equipment in Lake Boren Park q Elimination of street name confusion by naming Newcastle Way, Newcastle Golf Club Road and Southeast May Creek Drive q Reduction in council benefits to match similar cities q Ban on the private display of fireworks in favor of a public display q Ban on smoking in public parks q Being the first city on the Eastside to offer domestic partner benefits to city staff q Creation of a public arts fund Q: What are some things you wish you could have accomplished during your term?

A: I wish I could have changed the direction of the council during my first term.

Q: What advice do you have for incoming Councilman John Drescher?

A: Listen well, “young grasshopper.” q Set an example for personal integrity. q Spend the public’s money with the same care as if it were your own. q Budget for infrastructure first. q Fiscal discipline is really only common sense. q Long-term financial planning isn’t an idle exercise. q Raise taxes only when really necessary. q Be fully transparent with residents about

which I think really ensured the city to continue.”

— Councilman John Dulcich “I wish you the best and thank you for coming out of retirement when we needed you back on the council.”

— Deputy Mayor Lisa Jensen “You’re a smart guy, there’s no doubt about it, and we all understand that, we all appreciate that, and even though we don’t all necessarily agree with the points, you make good logic, you make sense and it gives us more data to work with.”

— Mayor Rich Crispo

future financial challenges. q In good years, save some money for a rainy day. q Don’t take yourself too seriously — this isn’t the U.S. Congress.

Q: You’ve retired once before.

Will this one stick? Any chance you’ll run for public office (in Newcastle or elsewhere) again?

A: As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: “Foolish consistencies are the hobgoblins of small minds.” I have no plans to run for public office again, but never say never.

Q: Any specific plans for retirement?

A: My wife Gayle and I do have some specific travel plans in the coming months. First, to our vacation home in the Methow Valley to do some cross country skiing, then to Mexico in search of sun and to practice our Spanish, and lastly, off to the coast of Croatia, for a bicycle tour in the Dalmatian Islands. Retired life is good!

Q: Any last words for your Newcastle constituents?

A: Pay attention to city affairs. Read the Newcastle News.

Volunteer in community activities if you have time. Run for public office. Donate a memorial gift for city parks, the Historical Society or for public arts. City government is only as good as the support and attention that you give to it.

PAGE 3

YMCA From Page 1 SilverSneakers program, and there’s a cost change in that.”

The price is flexible, though, with the option of financial assistance, if needed, she added.

SilverSneakers users should go to the Coal Creek Family YMCA facility to speak with a membership representative that will help them establish a pricing plan based on what they feel comfortable paying financially, Biancofiori said.

“We will come up with a way to have them be a member. We won’t turn anyone away. Our intent is not to have money be a barrier,” she said.

The unexpected cost is a burden to seniors who don’t have the benefit of a Newcastle senior center, or a regular source of income, said Councilman Bill Erxleben, who brought the issue up at a recent City Council meeting.

“It’s not chicken change for people who are retired and living on fixed incomes,” he said.

Erxleben and his wife Gayle are SilverSneakers members, and are currently debating whether to continue at the YMCA or find another fitness

Marijuana From Page 1 license applicants.

Resident Jake Rayl applied for a producer and processor license using his Newcastle apartment address. The thing is, though, Rayl said he has no plans to set up shop in the city.

“Bottom line, we’re not doing anything in the city of Newcastle,” he said.

It caused some confusion between him and city staff. Rayl believed he could apply for a license using his own address, while he waits to find a location to grow outside of Newcastle.

The city was under the impression that applicants for the licenses must have specific sites identified at submittal, Community Development Director Tim McHarg said.

facility, he said.

Local options such as the 24 Hour Fitness facilities in Issaquah and Renton will continue to offer the SilverSneakers program, but don’t offer the classes or community that the Coal Creek Family YMCA does, he said.

“It’s not that the Y doesn’t care about seniors,” he said, “they just care a little less than they have in the past.”

The initial correspondence between the YMCA and its SilverSneakers members about the change was not handled particularly well, Erxleben said.

Biancofiori did admit that separate letters from the YMCA and Healthways, which manages the SilverSneakers program, caused some confusion among customers.

“Sometimes the letters are hard to understand, so there were some confusing aspects,” she said.

Of the 600 SilverSneakers participants at the Coal Creek Family YMCA, about 350 are active users, Biancofiori said.

As of mid-December, she estimated that 115 people had converted to the YMCA membership.

“Hopefully, more will come do that,” she said.

“We want them to be a part of our community.”

McHarg said city staff would work to reconcile the confusion with the Liquor Control Board after the holidays.

Still, it doesn’t change anything in the eyes of the council, which will continue to monitor the attorney general’s stance and the local license issue and see what transpires, Mayor Rich Crispo said.

“So far, no legitimate or appropriate applications have been received regarding the growing or selling of marijuana in the city of Newcastle,” he said.

Based on the board’s rules calling for a 1,000foot separation between marijuana facilities and places such as parks, libraries and schools, there are only three Newcastle properties that could house potential locations for marijuana businesses or growers.

Those are the Shell gas station, the Coal Creek Utility District building, and the Hansen Moving and Storage building.

Opinion

PAGE 4

Editorial

Letters

Vote yes for the school district levies

Our 2014 goals for a better Newcastle

As the city heads into the coming year, Newcastle continues to grow and flourish. Here are our goals for 2014 as the city embarks on its 20th year of incorporation.

Middle school construction — As early as this summer, the Renton Academy on 116th Avenue Southeast will become a construction zone when the Renton School District begins to build its fourth middle school, set to open in 2016. Community open houses about the project have been sparsely attended, but sooner than later, shovels will be in the ground and the chance to comment on the plans will have passed. Get involved in the details of Newcastle’s newest educational institution in the New Year.

Celebrate 20 in style — Newcastle Days is the celebration of the city’s 1994 incorporation. With Newcastle’s 20th anniversary coming up, volunteers are needed to work with the Community Activities Commission to make the annual festival bigger and better than ever.

Protect history — While the city has taken a step to make a commitment to history with the establishment of a historical preservation fund, more needs to be done to preserve it. The Newcastle Historical Society should continue to partner with the library to display photos and host lectures, but ultimately a permanent place to display local legend Milt Swanson’s mining artifacts must be found.

Volunteerism and community engagement — Our hope is that the newly created city community activities liaison makes fast and significant headway in upping the level of volunteerism in Newcastle.

Look to the future — The city has enjoyed a few years of financial stability, but looking at future forecasts, challenges are ahead as development revenues begin to fall.

Begin the discussion now, not later, to make decisions that will ensure the city’s financial future isn’t seeing red. The Planning Commission will also continue its Comprehensive Plan update in 2014. Get involved and help shape the future of the city with this important document.

Mutual Materials — Residents got a glimpse at Avalon Bay’s plans for the Mutual Materials site, complete with housing, retail and a large public square, at the annual town hall meeting. The city and developers should continue to communicate their vision and seek input from Newcastle residents for a project that means so much to the city’s future.

2014 elections — November’s election saw a big dip in voter turnout. Newcastle residents in the Issaquah School District have a chance to step it up in February as the district asks for approval of three levies. And fall elections will bring another opportunity to practice your voting rights in legislative and other state elections.

Newcastle news Published since 1999 by

Is s a q u a h Pre s s In c .

P.O. Box 1328 Issaquah, WA 98027 Phone: 392-6434 q Fax: 392-1695

As we enter a new year, the voters within the Issaquah School District have a unique investment opportunity.

On Feb. 11, the entire community will have the opportunity to vote yes on a three-part Issaquah district school-funding ballot, comprised of the following items: q Four-year Maintenance and Operations Levy in the following amounts: $44.5 million in 2015, $48 million in 2016, $51.5 million in 2017, and $54 million in 2018. q One-year Transportation Levy in the amount of $1.7 mil-

JANUARY 3, 2014 lion in 2015 q Four-year Critical Repairs/ Technology levy in the following amounts: $11.4 million in 2015, $12.05 million in 2016, nearly $13.6 million in 2017, and nearly $14.9 million in 2018 When you consider the social and economic impact of supporting our schools, there’s no better return on investment.

These dollars directly help Issaquah students and the future members of our community.

Our ability to help develop creative, intelligent and productive young adults offers such a contribution to the fabric of our community that, to borrow a phrase, it’s “priceless.”

At $40 per year in per-household increase in tax basis on average, we can contribute to

Notes from Newcastle

So many Newcastles, so little time One of the first things I did when I joined the Newcastle News staff more than a year ago was set a Google Alert for the search query “Newcastle, Washington.”

Looking back, I’m not sure why I bothered, since I rarely receive updates, and when I do they either unnecessarily cause my heart to skip a beat or keep me more informed than I want to be about a certain soccer team in the English Premier League.

Take, for example, the one I received in December, which linked to a story that had the words “Newcastle, Washington,” “knife” and “court” in the headline.

Before clicking on the link to read the whole story, a mistake I admittedly need to stop making, I briefly panicked.

“There’s someone going around Newcastle stabbing people? How on Earth did I miss that? I didn’t see any note about it in the police reports,” I quickly thought to myself.

I eventually got wise and clicked the link to find that, yes, a man was set to appear in court for allegedly entering a home armed with a knife, but

Poll question If legally possible to do so, would you favor a ban on the retail sale of recreational marijuana in the city of Newcastle?

a school district infrastructure and technology platform that is among the best in the state. As homeowners, this investment supports our community’s reputation as being one of the best places to live and raise children.

It’s no surprise we find signs in front of new housing developments or homes being listed touting “in the Issaquah School District.” Whether you’re a homeowner with school-aged children or not, the resulting contribution this investment makes to the value of your home or property is clear. It’s a great investment.

For me, it’s an easy choice and decision. Please vote yes for the upcoming Issaquah School District levies.

Marc Messina Newcastle

it was happening a world away in the United Kingdom.

It’s a common issue that I’m sure residents encounter as they search online for information about the city.

Type Newcastle into a search engine and you’ll see that there was a surfer movie made about it in 2008, the one in Australia, Christina that is. You’ll find that there’s Corrales-Toy a Newcastle in Wyoming, Oklahoma and Delaware, to name a few.

You’ll see websites about Newcastle upon Tyne, the original Newcastle with a historic coal-mining industry that inspired the names of all of the other cities. For those 21 and older, you’ll notice the familiar blue star slapped on the side of a Newcastle Brown Ale bottle.

The most common Newcastle sighting, popping up frequently in search engines and social media sites, refers to the Newcastle United Football Club.

If you didn’t know it before, the Magpies are a big deal and their fans across the world dominate most of the Newcastle mentions on Twitter.

There’s a lot to sift through out there to get to the heart of our Newcastle, but make no mistake, this city, one of America’s best small towns, is no slouch when compared to its counterparts.

Just ask the folks at CNN’s Money Magazine, who often find a place for it among a list of the nation’s best places to live.

A. Yes B. No C. No opinion Vote at www.newcastle-news.com.

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P.O. Box 1328 q Issaquah, WA 98027 Fax: 391-1541 q Email: newcastle@isspress.com

Newcastle News

JANUARY 3, 2014

Police blotter Barking up the wrong tree A city employee reported Nov. 27 that three oak trees at Lake Boren Park, 13058 S.E. 84th Way, were damaged with a cutting tool. The trees near the park’s playground area had sections of the bark scraped off and as a result may not live. The bark removal appeared systematic with the intent to steal the bark itself. The damage was estimated at $6,000.

Off to the rodeo An Isuzu Rodeo was stolen from the park-

ing lot of the Cedar Rim Apartments, 7920 110th Ave. S.E., Dec. 1. The car’s owner parked his car at about 11 p.m. and came out to find it gone about 14 hours later.

Lots of pennies About $500 worth of copper bars and wire was stolen from a vacant property in the 7300 block of 116th Avenue Southeast, between Nov. 25 and Dec. 2. Unknown suspect(s) used wire cutters to enter the fenced area.

Tool time A tool belt and box was stolen from a vehicle in the parking lot of Parterra

Condos, 13301 S.E. 79th Place, late Dec. 2 or early Dec. 3. An unknown suspect shattered the front driver’s door window, causing $1,000 in damage.

Better late than never A resident reported Dec. 6 that more than $15,000 worth of watches and perfume was stolen from a home in the 14000 block of Southeast 82nd Court between Oct. 23 and 24.

The home was vacant at the time. The items were in a bathroom being prepared for a family move.

There was no notable forced entry to the house; it is possible a door code was used to gain entry.

PAGE 5

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JANUARY 3, 2014

Three school levy proposals are headed to voters

By Neil Pierson Newcastle voters will have the chance to vote on three levy proposals the Issaquah School District is placing on the Feb. 11 ballot.

The district is seeking the renewal of its existing maintenance and operations levy, which provides a large chunk of employee salaries not covered by the state.

The district is also asking for a one-year, $1.7 million transportation levy, and a four-year, $52 million capital levy aimed at improving technology and key repairs to facilities.

If all three levies are approved, the total tax rate for a district property owner would rise eight cents to $4.83 per $1,000 from 2015-18.

That equates to a $40 annual increase on a $500,000 home.

The levy amounts were approved by the Issaquah School Board following an extensive review process by a committee of district parents, teachers and administrators.

Superintendent Ron Thiele said he believes the increase of 1.7 percent over existing tax rates is a good solution, although people have questioned the need for any increase. The district also kept levy items to the most practical needs, he said.

“We’re very committed to stable tax rates, so there’s kind of a competition there,” Thiele said.

“You could try to go for the highest, most spectacular kinds of things.

But it would definitely raise your taxes more than I was comfortable with.”

Jake Kuper, the district’s chief of finance and operations, said

Simplify your financial life.

Let’s talk.

Steve Vircks Financial Advisor 1717 N E 44th St Suite B Renton, WA 98056 (425) 226-6209 www.edwardjones.com

Issaquah has received clean audits from the state in each of the past 11 years. Moody’s, which tracks governmental bonds, has given Issaquah its highest bond credit rating.

The M&O levy would tax property owners between $2.35 and $2.52 per $1,000 assessed value between 2015 and 2018.

It’s expected to raise between $44 million and $54 million per year, or roughly 21 percent of Issaquah’s classroom costs.

“There’s a lot of money in there for salaries,” Thiele said. “We get our state apportionment, but state apportionment doesn’t cover the total cost of our salaries.”

While the transportation levy represents the smallest financial chunk on February’s ballot, it’s also a critical piece, district officials said.

The $1.7 million measure would pay for 71 new buses, to replace outdated vehicles and help the district plan for future enrollment growth.

Kuper said the new buses are more fuel-efficient, saving between 1 and 3 miles per gallon. If the district can upgrade its entire bus fleet by 1 mile per gallon, it would mean an annual savings of about $100,000 in diesel fuel costs.

“Transportation is another expense that is not fully funded by

state dollars,” Kuper said.

“School bus levies allow the district to collect state funding to offset the cost of bus purchases.”

The capital levy targets a wide variety of items, including replacing aging computers, printers, Internet servers and document cameras.

The levy also pays for staff training and new classes related to technology, as well as software upgrades for bus operations.

Thiele said training costs are a key piece of the puzzle that often get overlooked. Teachers are required to maintain an “online presence” with a classroom website that has course requirements and assignments available to families.

Teachers typically have to be trained outside of their regular schedule, Thiele noted.

“It’s no different than a Boeing engineer who has to learn a new piece of software,” he said.

“And I can’t expect them to be trained for free.”

The district uses a levy, rather than a bond, to fund technology because it is a basic

part of daily operations, Kuper said. Officials also don’t want district voters paying interest on an item like a laptop computer, which isn’t considered a capital asset.

Taxpayers are charged interest on bonds that fund new or refurbished buildings.

Some of Issaquah’s schools are in the process of being reconfigured for enhanced safety.

Administrative spaces have moved to the front of buildings, where employees can more easily monitor foot traffic, and electronic cards are replacing keys at entry points.

The levy would pay for similar modifications at other schools, along with maintaining heating and cooling systems, and creating more portable classrooms.

Thiele said administrators are constantly looking at ways to create safer buildings, but that usually goes into much finer detail than dealing with weapons or an earthquake.

“You’re thinking about safety and security in all kinds of ways, not just the big, high-profile ways,” he said.

Troop 499 to collect Christmas trees

Newcastle’s Boy Scout Troop 499 circulate through local neighborhoods from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 4 to collect Christmas trees from homes for disposal for its annual fundraiser.

Homeowners should place trees at their curb for pickup.

Place donations to the Scouts in a Ziploc bag and envelope addressed to Troop 499 at 8042 116th Ave. S.E., Newcastle, WA 98056, on the tree. Donations can also be mailed to that address.

Homeowners can call 206579-7732 or 206-817-8323 for missed pickups.

It is not uncommon for trees to be picked up a week after the official date, and each year, the troop collects about 500 trees that get chipped and recycled.

Donations are used to support the Scouts’ camping activities. Individual Scouts earned up to $100 in camping funds during the 2013 tree-recycling program, and several scholarships for Summer Camp 2013 were donated to families hit hard by the economy.

Donations to the Troop Scholarship Fund can also be made at HomeStreet Bank anytime during the year. Camping equipment donations for the growing troop are also welcome.

The troop is sponsored by the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce.

Newcastle News

JANUARY 3, 2014

PAGE 7

Laughing all the way

Life of Pie During the holidays, I make pies. When my mother — an excellent baker — passed away, I inherited Christmas Eve and pies. I don’t how that happened, but my sisters are nearly as useless as I am when it comes to food and domesticity, so it may be that as the eldest I felt a misplaced sense of responsibility.

Knowing that we all sucked at it, 20 years ago we videotaped Mother in the kitchen making pies.

I transcribed the session after the fact so that we would have 3x5 recipe cards for reference. In doing so, I literally wrote out exactly what Mom said as she did her demo, thinking it funny and assuming that we would remember what it meant.

“After adding the water,” she said (and I carefully hand-printed on the cards) “Go like this.” The videotape has long been lost, and so whatever “this” is has been lost as well.

I asked the Sainted One — who actually knows his way around a grocery store — to pick up the ingredients for this season’s pies: lard (yes! lard!), butter, pumpkin, evaporated milk, and I set to work making the dough the day before and letting it rest in the fridge. That, at least, I’d remembered.

The next day, the two

balls of dough had the general consistency of metamorphic rock, but after the addition of a little Pat Detmer water and the warmth of my hands, I managed to flatten them enough to accept a well-flowered rolling pin.

The first crust looked like a pastry display of tectonic plate movement, with gaps and fractures that I attempted to stitch together. The second was perfect, a thing of beauty, and I began to consider myself quite the baker. I started on the filling, opening the evaporated milk, mixing in the eggs, and adding the pumpkin.

I poured half of it into the bowl before some tiny, baking-aware part of my brain made me stop. The mixture was almost pure liquid. How could the filling ever become firm?

What was I doing wrong?

Then I realized: The Sainted One did not buy pumpkin. He bought premade pumpkin pie filling.

We were due at my sister’s house in two hours and I was looking down at a rolling pumpkin ocean,

an orange tsunami. The Sainted One offered to go to the store to get the real thing, but I didn’t have time for that and wasn’t interested in going backward to go forward.

I added flour and cornstarch, poured the mixture into the crusts, and put them in the oven.

They actually weren’t bad-looking pies when they came out if you had myopia and stood on the other side of a large, poorly lit room. Up close, they appeared dark and leathery, like they might make beautiful purses, with undissovled cornstarch blooming on the surface.

Looking down at them later, my Army Ranger nephew said, “I’ve walked through Afghanistan at night, but these pies scare me.”

But the crust — perfection!

You can reach Pat Detmer, whose family will never be videotaping her, at patdetmer@aol.com.

Calling all local artists The Newcastle Library is seeking local authors, poets, photographers and artists for a yet-to-bedetermined program celebrating their works.

Vicki Heck, Newcastle’s adult services librarian, is hoping to find creatively inclined residents from Newcastle, Renton and South Bellevue to feature

in library programming.

For example, Heck is planning a March 15 Newcastle Library author’s program, where local writers will get a chance to talk about their books and their inspirations, and sell their works to audience members.

Newcastle authors Pat Detmer and Dana Sullivan have already participated in the early

planning stages of such an event. Self-published authors are also welcomed.

Heck is also kicking around ideas to host a gallery open house with visual art, photography and poetry from children, teens and adults, or plan an open-mic session for poets and authors to share their works.

Email Heck at vaheck@ kcls.org to get involved.

Newcastle News

PAGE 8

JANUARY 3, 2014

Photos of the Year (that you never saw)

Not every photo from assignments in 2013 made it into Newcastle News.

Here are some of the more memorable images that never made it to print.

By Greg Farrar

Above, Aiden Hart, 6, dances with his mom Julie, of Newcastle, as Rylee Reese, 11, takes part during the performance of the Randy Oxford Band July 24 at Newcastle Concerts in the Park.

At left, four miniature cars race down the track to the finish line at Newcastle Cub Scout Pack 738’s Pinewood Derby Jan. 11. (By Christina Corrales-Toy)

Photos by Greg Farrar

At left, Alan White, a Newcastle resident and drummer of the classic rock band YES, performs with his band White on Sept. 7 at Lake Boren Park during Newcastle Days.

Above, Marine Sgts. Quatieh Kabehl (left) and Torin Gayles, with Combat Logistics Battalion 23 at Joint Base Lewis McChord, stand beside Toys For Tots donation boxes Nov. 30 during A Very Newcastle Christmas Celebration held by town businesses and hosted by Newcastle Fruit & Produce.

Councilman Bill Erxleben playfully scolds his dog for getting a little too friendly while attending the May Creek Trail ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept.

15.

By Christina Corrales-Toy

Chad Egger, of the Bellevue Fire Department, demonstrates the tools he uses for two young boys and a parent at the Donegal Park National Night Out celebration Aug. 6.

By Christina Corrales-Toy

By Greg Farrar

Josephine Yen, 12, of Bellevue, looks and listens as a male Pacific tree frog fills its vocalizing sack. The Just Frogs Amphibian Center is a nonprofit education foundation and animal rescue group for frogs and turtles in the Puget Sound area.

Newcastle News

JANUARY 3, 2014

PAGE 9

Happy Holidays from the children & merchants of Newcastle

Drawing by Emily Chenn, 3rd Grade, Sunset Elementary

Wishing our community the very best this Holiday Season

Issaquah

425-392-6421 www.holidayinn.com/sea-issaquah 1801 12th Ave. NW Issaquah, WA 98027

Drawing by Ana Chan, 4th grade, Hazelwood Elementary

Drawing by Eyoel Gebre, 4th grade, Hazelwood Elementary

NEWCASTLE SHELL 6420 Lake Washington Blvd. SE

425-255-2754

BELLEVUE - NEWPORT HILLS 5800 119th Ave S.E. • Bellevue, WA 98006 425-281-0997 • www.kumon.com

Drawing by Mike Satorius, 4th grade

Shooting Star Preschool 6949 Coal Creek Pkwy SE Newcastle 425-401-8778 • www.homestreet.com

483 Duvall Ave NE Renton, WA 98059

425-254-1346

Drawing by Kate, Grand Ridge Elementary Drawing by Kat Bradford, 7th grade

6920 Coal Creek Pkwy SE ~ Suite 7 Newcastle • 425.429.3091 www.zoeyogurt.com

Klahanie Issaquah 425.369.8233

Drawing by Wenna, 4th grade, Discovery Elementary

425.318.4970 www.mmcomfortsystems.com Comfort and Efficiency from Friendly Experts you can Trust.

Heating

Air Conditioning

Water Heaters

Community

PAGE 10

Events Newcastle Boy Scout Christmas Tree pickup, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 4, place Christmas trees on curbs by 9 a.m., donations accepted in envelopes attached to trees, learn more at bit.ly/1h1OQ8j Newcastle Chamber of Commerce monthly lunch, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 8, Tapatio Mexican Grill, 6920 Coal Creek Parkway S.E., $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers, 206-618-5641. This month’s topic is “Discover treasure in Newcastle.” Regency Newcastle introduces two of its valuable residents to talk about their personal history. Their presentations will be followed with an interactive question-and-answer segment. Paul Reynolds will also present tips and tools for preparing for life in the senior years.

Chamber Networking Breakfast, featuring Thomas Parkinson, professional business trainer and coach, presenting “Increase your sales & your influence” personality sales training; 7:15-8:30 a.m. Jan. 22, Regency Newcastle, 7454 Newcastle Golf Club Road, free, 206-618-5641 Newcastle Chamber of Commerce After Hours Social, 6-7:15 p.m. Jan. 16, Tapatio Mexican Grill, 6920 Coal Creek Parkway S.E., 206-6185641

Public meetings All city public meetings are at City Hall, 12835 Newcastle Way, Suite 200. Call 649-4444. q City Council meeting — 7-8 p.m. Jan. 7 q Community Activity Commission meeting — 7-8 p.m.

Jan. 8 q Economic and Community Development meeting— noon to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 14

JANUARY 3, 2014

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Hazelwood hosts annual pancake breakfast and book fair

File

Richard Blakely (right) adds fresh pancakes for Jim Tintinger to deliver to volunteer servers at the annual Hazelwood pancake breakfast in 2012.

q Planning Commission — 7-8 p.m. Jan. 15 q City Council meeting — 7-8 p.m. Jan. 21 The Newcastle Trails board meets the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at Regency Newcastle, 7454 Newcastle Golf Club Road. Learn more at www. newcastletrails.org.

YMCA The Coal Creek Family YMCA, 13750 Newcastle Golf Club Road, has regular family programs for all ages. Get a complete schedule by calling 282-1500 or go to www.coalcreekymca.org.

Teen Trips: Paintball and

Your Residential Specialists 206-949-1696 info@marciemaxwell.com

Forestfire, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jan. 3, ages 11-14, $50/facility members, $55/program members, $60/community participants, register at www.coalcreekymca.org or 282-1500 Family Night: Bingo Bonanza, 6:30-8 p.m. Jan. 3, Community Kitchen, free for facility members Family Movie Night, 6-8:15 p.m. Jan. 17, Gym 1, popcorn provided, participants welcome to bring other snacks or comfort items, free for facility members Teen Service Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 18, location to be determined, nhaskey@seattleymca.org Club Tyee, 3:45-4:45 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and

Students, neighbors and family members are invited to get a belly full of pancakes at Hazelwood Elementary School PTSA’s annual pancake breakfast Jan. 11.

The all-you-can-eat affair is from 8-11 a.m. and features mounds of pancakes, as well as sausage, fruit and beverages, all cooked by PTSA volunteers.

The pancake breakfast will again be held in conjunction with the school’s book fair, where signed copies of Newcastle resident Dana Sullivan’s book “Ozzie and the Art Contest” will be available for purchase.

Representatives from Newcastle Pony Baseball and YMCA Kids University will also staff information booths at the event.

The event is open to the community.

Children younger than 2 get in free, tickets for children 2-12 are $4 and everyone else can get a ticket for $5. Learn more at www.hazelwoodptsa.org.

January 2014

March 2014

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Thursdays, grades 6-8, free to Tyee Middle School students Family Pickle Ball, 2-4 p.m. Sundays, Gym 2, free to facility members Preschool Pool Play, 11 a.m. to noon, ages 5 and younger, free to facility members Tumbling-Mommy/

Daddy and Me, 10:45-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, ages 10 months to 3 years, $5/class for facility members, $9/class for program and community members Zumbatomic, 4:45-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, ages 5-8, free See CALENDAR, Page 11

Your Dreams, Our Strategies

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• 401(k)/403(b) Rollovers

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Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. (TFA), Transamerica Financial Group Division - Member FINRA, SIPC, and Registered Investment Advisor. **An investor should consider the investment objectives, risk, and charges and expenses associated with municipal fund securities before investing. More Information about municipa l fund securities is available in the issuer’s official statement.Non-Securities products and services are not offered through TFA. World Financial Group, Inc. (WFG) is a financial services marketing company whose affiliates offer a broad array of financial products and services. Insurance products offered through World Financial Group Insurance Agency, Inc.(WFGIA). WFG, WFGIA and TFA are affiliated companies.

Newcastle News

JANUARY 3, 2014

Calendar From Page 10 to facility members, firstcome first-serve, Zumba for kids Open Teen and Tween Basketball, 4-6 p.m. Fridays, free to facility members Open Teen and Tween Volleyball, 7:309:45 p.m. Thursdays, free to facility members, ages 14 and older Coal Creek Crew Teen Dodgeball, 7-7:50 p.m. Tuesdays, Gym 1, free to facility members, grades 6-12 Teen Innertube Water Polo, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Saturdays, free to facility members, ages 11-16 Tae Kwon Do, for ages 5 and older, through March 28, $28-$54, call for age group times and dates Swimming lessons, for ages 3 and older, $54, call for age group times and dates Diabetes Prevention Program, for ages 18 and older, call for times or to sign up

Library events The Newcastle Library is at 12901 Newcastle Way. The following programs are offered the rest of the month: ‘Computer Class: One-on-One Assistance,’ 7-7:30 p.m. and 7:30-8 p.m., adults, Mondays SHIBA Counseling, 10 a.m. Jan. 3, volunteers from Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisor will offer assistance in English and Chinese, register by calling 206-6245633, ext. 4301 Young Toddler Story Time, 10:15-10:45 a.m.

Jan. 6, 13 and 27, ages 12-24 months Toddler Story Time, 11:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 6, 13 and 27, ages 2-3 Preschool Story Time, 11:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29, ages 3-5 iCreate Computer Lab, 1 p.m. Jan. 11, create your own comics using the iLife suite on a MacBook, bring a flash drive to keep your creation Teen Leadership Board, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13, voice your opinions on programs and services you would like to see improved Drop-In to Learn

about eBooks, 7 p.m.

Jan. 15, 10 a.m. Jan. 31, bring your e-reader, tablet or phone to learn how to access eBooks through KCLS Spanish Literature Reading Circle, 7 p.m.

Jan. 16 Newcastle Book Group: ‘Snow Child: A Novel,’ by Eowyn Ivey, 7 p.m. Jan. 23

Clubs East Shore Singles, a social group for single adults older than 45, sponsors monthly activities and special events on the Eastside. New members are welcome. Call 270-3599 for a monthly bulletin go to www.meetup.com/eastshore-singles.

The Society of Artists for Newcastle, an art organization, is seeking new members.

Call 271-5822.

MOMS Club of Renton meets for play dates at parks and other locations. New activities are planned daily. This nonprofit, nonreligious organization provides daytime support for moms and their families. Call 260-3079.

Bridge players are wanted, evening or daytime. Games take place at various homes in the Hazelwood area. Call 2550895.

Newcastle Historical Society meets at 4 p.m. the first Thursday at City Hall, 13020 S.E. 72nd Place. Call 891-8149.

An international dinner, sponsored by Baha’i Faith of Newcastle, is at 6:30 p.m. the third Friday. Call 430-8047.

Drinking Liberally, an informal progressive social group that discusses politics, meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Thursday at Angelo’s Restaurant, 1830 130th Ave. N.E., Bellevue. Go to www.drinkingliberally.org.

PAGE 11

County library system director steps down Bill Ptacek, longtime director of the King County Library System, announced Dec. 19 that he would step down to take a similar position in Alberta, Canada.

Ptacek, who has led KCLS since 1989, will leave to become CEO of the Calgary Public Library on Feb. 1.

During his 25-year tenure, Ptacek’s vision for technology and collection management kept the library system in the forefront of public libraries nationally.

Continual innovation, including upgrades to

computerbased data and materials handling systems, public computer access, Bill Ptacek and organizational and library staffing models enabled the King County Library System to stay ahead of the curve and provide seamless service through both economic booms and downturns, according to a news release from the library system.

Under his leadership, the KCLS experienced unprecedented growth as King County’s population and economy expanded and local municipalities voted to join the library system.

Voter-approved capital improvement bond measures (passed in 1988 and 2004) funded new, replacement and expanded libraries, adding nearly 515,000 square feet of library space, while annual circulation grew to more than 22 million items.

KCLS typically shares one of the top three spots for highest circulating public library in the United States and leads

the U.S., Canada and Australia in e-book circulation. The KCLS was named Busiest Library in 2010 and Library Journal’s 2011 Library of the Year.

“I am lucky to have had a chance to be a part of this special organization and am confident that KCLS will continue to be the talk of the town in the library world. I will miss that, and all of you,” Ptacek wrote in an email to local Friends of the Library groups.

Julie Brand, director of community relations and marketing, will serve as interim director until a new director is hired.

Certified Residential Specialists CRS agents are committed to helping their clients and customers be successful in completing a home sale or purchase. Each CRS member has completed rigorous education and training.

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Newcastle Chamber of Commerce

Why Join the Newcastle Chamber?

• Joining the Chamber was a great way for me to connect with and support other local business owners. The support our business receives is exceptional. The Chamber is very well connected with the businesses in the greater Newcastle area. I appreciate that the Chamber supports and connects businesses online with social media. The breakfast and lunch meetings have informative guest speakers and the after-hour social events are well received. – Chris Ware, Dolce Vita Salon and Nail Spa. • Being a member of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce has increased our networking for our non-profit. We feel at home with the chamber. They are always welcoming and provide excellent networking opportunities to get involved in the community. We will always be a member of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce! - Kailey Fiedler-Gohlke, MA, CRC. HERO House.

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Schools

PAGE 12

JANUARY 3, 2014

Maywood student goes above and beyond for a good cause

By Christina Corrales-Toy A whole lot of families will eat well this holiday season, thanks to Maywood Middle School’s annual food drive benefitting Northwest Harvest.

Students took the challenge seriously to bring in as much canned and nonperishable food as possible, collecting about 3,500 pounds of donations.

One student in particular, though, went above and beyond in his quest to bring needy families a dash of holiday cheer.

Sam Catherall, a Maywood eighth-grader, collected 576 pounds of food, accounting for about half of the nearly 1,200 pounds his first-period class accumulated.

“You see commercials on TV where there are these hungry families and I just want to help them,”

he said. “I get to eat every day. It’s kind of messed up that they don’t get to eat every day.”

Sam set an admittedly ambitious goal of amassing 500 pounds worth of food, but he easily surpassed that, and he did it without any financial assistance from his parents.

It would have been easy, he said, to just have his parents buy the food for him, but he decided to take a more grassroots approach, soliciting donations from neighbors, friends and strangers.

He received permission to stand outside the Sunset Way Albertsons on one of the busiest weekends of the year, just before Thanksgiving.

There, Sam handed out pieces of paper outlining his cause to shoppers as they entered the store.

When they left, they’d often hand him a bag of groceries to add to his collection.

One shopper gave Sam $50, which he quickly went in to spend on some canned food to add to his pile of donations.

Another shopper emerged from the store with a single package of sausage and two bags of groceries. He handed the filled bags to Sam, and proceeded to his car with just the sausage.

“It was really awesome to see people that were more than generous,” said Charlene Catherall, Sam’s mother. “Some people would just give us one can and say, ‘I’m sorry this is all I can give you,’ but every can counted, so it didn’t matter.”

They left the store after about three hours, but they could have stayed

much longer, thanks to the Albertsons patrons’ extreme generosity, Charlene Catherall said.

Sam also went door-todoor in his neighborhood asking for donations, and sent emails to friends and family.

When people gave money, instead of food, Sam saved the funds for a Costco shopping spree to add to his donation pile.

All in all, Sam surpassed his goal by more than 75 pounds, accumulating the most food in the school, and leading his class to first place in the schoolwide competition for the top-collecting class.

“I’ve never had a kid do that kind of thing since I’ve been teaching here,” Hillary Nadell, Sam’s firstperiod teacher, said. “That took a lot of time on his See ABOVE, Page 13

Contributed

Sam Catherall, a Maywood Middle School eighth-grader, stands among the 576 pounds of canned and nonperishable food he collected for his school’s annual food drive.

Rotary clubs honor top students, teachers Renton

NAC Architecture

Designs for the future Newcastle middle school show an open plaza entrance with benches for seating, and lots of windows in the two-story building. Below, the school’s site plan shows how the architect envisions the layout of the school.

Renton unveils new school designs The Renton School District unveiled the latest designs of its future Newcastle middle school at a Dec. 5 open house.

One of the major changes made to the layout since the district’s July 18 Newcastle open house was the decision to move the bus drop-off to 116th Avenue Southeast.

It was previously situated along Newcastle Way. The two-story school designed by NAC Architecture will occupy the 11-acre site of the

Renton Academy, next to Hazelwood Elementary School.

The project remains on schedule, and the school is slated to open in fall 2016.

The project was made possible thanks to voter support of an April 2012 bond measure. The $97 million bond measure will fund the school, improvements to the Lindbergh High School pool and other construction costs.

The Renton Academy is at 6928 116th Ave. S.E.

CheukNing Li, a senior at Hazen High School, was selected as a Renton Rotary Club Youth Cheuk-Ning of the Li Month for December.

She maintains a 3.72 grade point average and is involved in Key Club, STEM Club, Teen Cert, National Honor Society, East Hill String Lessons and the girls swim team.

Li has been named an Academic All Star, a Scholar Athlete, an Outstanding College Prep Scholar and an Advanced Placement Scholar with honors, and has received an orchestra varsity letter.

She volunteers with East Hill String Lessons, tutoring students who play the violin.

Li plans to enroll at the

University of Washington or a liberal arts college.

She is undecided on a major and career path, but is excited to explore her options at college.

Jeff Wood, a social studies teacher at Hazen High School, was selected as a Renton Jeff Wood Rotary Club Teacher of the Month for December.

Wood attended Pacific Lutheran University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education.

He then enrolled at City University, where he obtained a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction.

He spent a year teaching at Bethel High School before joining the Renton team.

He has taught in the Renton See HONORS, Page 13

Newcastle News

JANUARY 3, 2014

Honors From Page 10 School District for 22 years.

Issaquah Jeremy Stroming (October) q Liberty High School senior q Recognition Jeremy in science Stroming q NASA Space Camp and Quarknet Cosmic Ray Workshop q 3.99 grade point average q Rowing with the Sammamish Rowing Association q Currently being courted by Massachusetts Institute of Technology Emerson Collin (October) q Liberty High School senior q Recognition in math Emerson q Collin College plan is to major in math and actuarial science q Washington All-State Marching Band q 3.95 grade point average, eight Advanced Placement classes q Key Club Student of the Year, 2012

Newcastle resident lands on dean’s list Newcastle resident Justyn Jacobs was named to the Oregon State University fall term honor roll. Jacobs, a freshman, studies pre-environmental engineering and competes on the school’s women’s rowing team.

Issaquah board earns WSSDA honor The Issaquah School Board was one of 15 enti-

Above From Page 12 part. I’m proud of him.

I’m proud of the time he spent and the work he did.”

Nadell, a language arts and social studies teacher at the school, is no stranger to the annual competition. Her class consistently raises the most food in

ties in the state named as a Board of Distinction by the Washington State School Directors’ Association.

At the time of the award, Issaquah’s board was comprised of Brian Deagle, Marnie Maraldo, Alison Meryweather, Anne Moore and Suzanne Weaver. Lisa Callan has since been elected to Meryweather’s seat.

The annual Boards of Distinction program honors school boards that demonstrate effective use of the Washington School Board Standards.

Grant help Renton music programs Nearly 175 musical instruments were repaired for Renton School District students, thanks to a grant from the Randy Rockhill Foundation.

Through a generous grant of $14,000, students in all middle and high schools are now able to play trumpets, flutes, clarinets, violins, cellos, flugelhorns and many other instruments that were repaired or refurbished in the past few months.

The Randy Rockhill Student Instrumental Music Fund, managed under the Renton Community Foundation, is named for the professional musician and longtime Renton High School music teacher. Contribute to the fund at http://bit.ly/JE6dhE.

Sixteen Issaquah teachers earn board certification Washington has the largest group of new national board certified teachers in the nation, and the Issaquah School District is among the state’s top 10 districts when it comes to adding high-quality teachers.

Issaquah added 16 new board-certified teachers, placing it ninth among the state’s 295 public school districts.

Seattle led the state with 54 additions, followed

by Highline, Spokane, Bellevue, Clover Park, Evergreen, Federal Way and Tacoma.

National board certification requires teachers to submit a four-part portfolio and a six-exercise teaching content and philosophy assessment. A national panel of peers reviews the 10 entries to determine whether the teacher meets board standards.

Newcastle Elementary School’s Trent Neugebauer and Apollo Elementary School’s Elizabeth Spencer were among the 16 teachers certified.

Hazen wins computer contest

The following Maywood Middle School students have received top honors by being selected to participate in the Washington School Music Educator’s Association Junior All-State bands, choirs and orchestra: Halle Abel, Olivia Cole, Parker Coleman, Boyd Jarman, Abigail Peacock, Will Wick and Jessie Woldstad.

The groups will meet, rehearse and perform in Yakima on Feb. 15.

Hazen High School students placed first at the Puget Sound Computer Teachers Association computer programming contest sponsored by Microsoft.

The three-hour computer programming skills competition measured student abilities in speed and accuracy of coding, problem solving, teamwork and knowledge of computer programming language.

Hazen came out on top among nearly 250 students on 91 teams representing 24 schools. Hazen sophomore Tiger Cao, who learned much of his computer coding skills in Hazen’s computer science class, placed first in his category.

the school, which this year came with a prize of doughnuts.

Sam said he credits Nadell with giving him the determination to collect as much food as he did.

“She’s the driving force behind it, because Sam came home from school inspired to collect food,” Charlene Catherall said of Nadell. “It’s the third year he’s been at this school and he’s never been this

motivated to do that.”

The annual food drive is a cause that Nadell said she ardently supports, in part because of the lessons it imparts on her students.

“At the middle school level especially, their worlds, for the most part, are pretty small,” she said.

“This is a way for them to realize that there are people other than just themselves.”

Maywood musicians perform at state

PAGE 13

Sports

PAGE 14

JANUARY 3, 2014

Pool boys New Northwest Water Polo Club features Newcastle residents

By Christina Corrales-Toy The temperature couldn’t have been higher than 32 degrees.

Puddles of water turned to ice outside the Newport Hills Swim and Tennis Club, and signs warned visitors to watch their step.

And yet there they were, a group of water polo enthusiasts practicing in the facility’s outdoor pool as steam emanated from the water.

“It’s worth it because the game is really fun,” said Newcastle resident Jacob Hepp, 14, a member of the newly founded Northwest Water Polo

Club.

While the swimmers bobbed in a steamy heated pool, the real troopers were their parents and coaches who stood freezing on the deck, watching the athletes.

It’s the type of dedication needed to excel in the sport, which is beginning to rise in popularity in the Northwest, program founder and coach John Jacobson said.

Competing among the water-polo elite requires going head to head with athletes from sunshine states where it’s See POOL, Page 16

By Christina Corrales-Toy

Water polo buddies (from left) Blair Voorhees, Peyton Thomas and Jacob Hepp brave freezing Nov. 21 temperatures to get a workout in at the Newport Hills Swim and Tennis Club’s outdoor pool.

By Greg Farrar

Freshmen varsity athletes (from left), swimmer Sydney Hartford, cross country runners and twin sisters Brigette and Kelsey Takeuchi and football player Noah Pritchett, stand by a poster in the Liberty High School commons proclaiming the motto of Patriot athletes and their student body fans, ‘We Are One.’

Freshman phenoms take center stage

By Christina Corrales-Toy Less than a year ago, Brigette and Kelsey Takeuchi, Sydney Hartford and Noah Pritchett roamed the halls at Maywood Middle School.

Fast forward to their first year at Liberty High School.

Three of them have competed among the top athletes in the state, while the fourth has found a place on a varsity squad that rarely makes room for freshmen.

Liberty sports teams found a lot of success this fall, due in no small part to these budding stars.

Brigette and Kelsey Takeuchi — cross-country Liberty coach Mike Smith knew of the talented twins on Maywood’s cross-country team, he just didn’t know what sport they would choose in high school.

Luckily for him, the Takeuchis, of Newcastle, chose cross-country instead of soccer. They were integral parts of the Liberty team that finished sixth at state.

Brigette became the school’s first cross-country state medalist when she took fourth overall with a

time of 18 minutes, 31.79 seconds.

“It was really fun, because everyone supported each other no matter how they did,” Brigette said. “I also really like the course.”

It’s a good thing, too, because if the Takeuchis have their way, they’ve got three more visits to the state competition in their future.

Kelsey completed the state course in less than 20 minutes, putting her among the state’s top 30 runners in the 3A division.

High school crosscountry is different than

anything she saw at Maywood, Kelsey admitted, but it’s a lot more rewarding.

“We used to think that our 2-mile runs were really long, but we don’t even do 2-mile runs anymore,” she said.

Smith said he’s excited about the girls’ potential.

“We look at increasing pace, mileage and leadership every year, so over the next couple of years, they’ll hopefully have progressively faster times and serve as role models for the See FRESHMEN, Page 15

Hazen wrestlers tackle pancreatic cancer Highlanders host annual fundraiser

By Christina Corrales-Toy From the moment wrestlers step onto the mat, a match becomes a one-onone battle of skill between opponents.

It may seem like the ultimate individual sport as the athlete approaches the mat alone, but that couldn’t be farther from the case — just ask the Hazen High School wrestling team.

“We all need each other in this sport, even if it’s an individual sport,” said Hazen senior Jairo Barahona. “In the end, we all depend on each other.”

That sentiment rings even truer when one of

their own suffers a loss away from the gym, as head coach Rory Magana did when his father died of pancreatic cancer in 2011.

Since, the team has rallied to host its annual Taking Down Pancreatic Cancer dual meet benefiting the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

“He’s our coach, he’s like our father, so we all feel like we’re family,” Barahona said. “We all fight through to be able to get money so that those who are suffering don’t have to go through what people like Rory went through.”

The team will host its fourth event at Hazen High School Jan. 17, featuring the wrestling squads from Hazen, Highline and Oak Harbor, Magana’s alma mater. The

Highlanders are also looking to add one more team.

Last year’s event at Highline High School included a bake sale, raffles and the sale of T-shirts to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research. This year, attendees should expect more of the same, Magana said, along with an evening of top-flight wrestling competition.

“It’s awesome. I love the fact that we’re doing something good for the community. It’s nice to do something good for people other than ourselves, rather than just focusing on wrestling and athletics,” Magana said.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. It’s one of the few cancers for

If you go Hazen High School Taking Down Pancreatic Cancer dual q 6 p.m. Jan. 17 q Hazen High School q 1101 Hoquiam Ave. N.E., Renton

which survival rates have not dramatically improved through the years, largely because detection tools to diagnose the disease in its infancy do not yet exist.

Magana’s father Rodney died just eight months after he was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer.

The Magana family has See CANCER, Page 15

Contributed

Rory Magana (second from left), Hazen High School wrestling coach, stands with his wife Alyssa, mother Susie and brother Kyle at last year’s Taking Down Pancreatic Cancer event.

Newcastle News

JANUARY 3, 2014

Freshmen From Page 14 other runners,” he said.

Brigette, in particular, has the talent to compete on a national stage, Smith said. He added that the Takeuchis’ work ethic and parental support separate them from the pack.

“How you do in cross country is based on how hard you work,” Brigette said. “So, if you put in a lot of hard work, then you will be more successful.”

Both girls said they hope to continue to drop times as their careers progress, with the ultimate goal of running in college at a place with warm weather, such as California or Hawaii.

Sydney Hartford — swimming Sydney Hartford, of Newcastle, feels at ease in the pool.

“I love swimming because I’m actually more graceful in the water than I am walking or running,” she said.

There is no doubting Hartford’s prowess in the water, where she was a member of Liberty’s statemedalist 200 freestyle relay team. That team took fifth place and Hartford recorded a season-best split.

Liberty coach Kris Daughters, who knows a thing or two about top freshman swimmers after the early successes of Mackenna Briggs, Lauryn Hepp and Ellie Hohensinner, said she was pleasantly surprised about Hartford’s contribution to the team.

“Sydney has competed on a club team for the past few years, so she comes with more experience

and endurance than most ninth-graders,” she said.

“She is also very tall and lean, and that makes a difference in swimming.”

Hartford admitted she was a little nervous joining the Patriots squad, but she was quickly welcomed by her teammates.

“I was blown away just by how much they accepted the freshmen into the group,” she said. “On the first day, I had multiple people walk up to me and introduce me to other people on the team.”

Hartford likely isn’t done growing, Daughters said, which helps in a sport where height is valuable.

“I loved seeing her get more confident this year,” Daughters said. “I’m not sure she knew she would have the impact she did when the season began.”

Hartford said she isn’t sure if she wants to purse swimming in college, but her goal is to make it to state in an individual.

Noah Pritchett — football It’s rare for a Liberty freshman to crack the football team’s varsity roster, let alone start; if he does, he must be pretty special.

In coach Steve Valach’s 15 years at the school, he said he can count the number of freshmen to start on varsity on one hand. One of those is ninth-grader Noah Pritchett.

“Noah has size, strength and aggression,” Valach said. “He’s also a humble kid who’s willing to work hard and be coachable.”

Pritchett is a softspoken lineman, with an unrivaled determination and work ethic. He began training and watching film last year, hoping to make

varsity.

“I went to the summer workouts and I would walk to Liberty if I couldn’t get a ride,” he said. “I’d also go in the weight room in my free time at home.”

When not at school or doing homework, he’s working out, even in the offseason, with an eye toward getting the chance to play in college.

Like most Liberty football players, Pritchett got his start in the Five Star football program. It was quite a leap, he admitted, from the youth leagues to KingCo. “The game speed is a lot faster in high school football, but after a few games I got used to it,” he said. “I’m getting the hang of it.”

Valach said he’s eager to see how Pritchett develops in the next few years, but he knows that effort will never be an issue for the freshman.

“Noah has tremendous potential, and I am excited to see how a year of varsity experience and an offseason in the weight room impacts his play on Friday nights,” he said. “Hard work in the weight room and game experience do so much for a player’s confidence.”

Pritchett is rather humble about his lofty accomplishment in seeing the field at such a young age, but more than anything, he said he is extremely grateful to Valach for giving him the opportunity to play for the Patriots.

“I’m really fortunate to be able to play on this team and I’ll do anything I can to help the team,” he said. “I’m going to work out and just try to be the best lineman I can be going forward.”

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Cancer From Page 14 worked tirelessly since to educate others about the disease, culminating with the annual tournament.

“We’re carrying our favorite sport over to a cause that’s greater than ourselves,” Magana said, “and that’s the most important thing.”

Highlanders show well at Hammerhead Invitational The Hazen wrestling team traveled to

PAGE 15 the Kitsap Peninsula Dec. 20-21 to compete in the Hammerhead Invitational, where it had its best performance ever at the 40-team tournament.

Malik Haythorne was the Highlanders’ top finisher, placing second in the 152-pound division. Haythorne upset the state’s fourth-ranked wrestler to make it to the finals.

Hazen’s Zach Moore (138) and Barahona (182) each placed fifth in the tournament that featured teams from Washington

and Oregon.

“Overall, the team performed well and beat out a few tough programs in the team standings,” Magana wrote in an email. “Our team has started to become a strong tournament team, which is something new to us.”

Things are indeed looking up for Hazen, which wasn’t the case at the beginning of the year when they found out they lost some key returning players to injuries and academic issues, Magana said.

Newcastle News

PAGE 16

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Remember what breakfast used to cost?

a year-round sport. So, the Northwest Polo Club athletes will practice through a little rain and a crisp chill; the only thing that gets them out of the pool is thunder and lightning, he said.

“We want to expose our kids to a higher level of water polo,” Jacobson said.

“Then, we really hope our kids stick with it and get them into college. I know that’s one of the things I did.”

Jacobson played the sport at Mercer Island High School before continuing his career at Whittier College in Southern California. From there, he served as a graduate assistant coach at California Lutheran University.

Most of the kids found the sport through their swim teams. They enjoyed the fitness of the sport, but sought an outlet from the monotony of it, Jacobson said.

Water polo is nothing if not exciting, he said. It combines the physicality of football with the finesse of swimming, all in a soccer-type setup.

“I love the water, so I tried it and fell in love with it,” said Newcastle resident Peyton Thomas, 12. “It’s just more fun and more interactive than most sports.”

It’s also safer than most contact sports, Jacobson

By Christina Corrales-Toy

Newcastle residents Peyton Thomas (left) and Jacob Hepp (right) practice throwing and catching the ball at a water polo practice said.

“It’s every sport put into one,” he said. “A lot of kids and a lot of parents like contact sports, but injuries are a big part of that, and water polo is low impact.

You don’t have a lot of concussions or torn ACLs.” The goal with the burgeoning club is to give athletes a year-round option to play water polo, while coaching them to compete at a national level and travel to both local and out-ofstate tournaments.

A big part of that is Jacobson, who Lynne Hepp, Jacob’s mother, lauded as an excellent coach.

“Jacob has played a lot of sports and he said, by far, John is the best coach he’s ever had,” she said. “He’s a good balance between fun and one-onone serious training. That’s a good combination.”

The club practices in Newport Hills and Seattle’s Medgar Evers Pool. Its winter session will conclude in mid February,

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On the Web Learn more about the Northwest Water Polo Club at www.northwestwaterpoloclub.com. before a short break until the spring session starts.

It offers a variety of membership options from dropin rates, to a once-a-week practice schedule. Free trials are also available, so athletes can, literally, get their feet wet. The club, which offers teams for athletes ages 10 through 18, operates on open enrollment, so swimmers can join at any time during a session.

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