Newcastle News 050412

Rain garden program aims to curb pollution Page 10

Liberty soccer smacks Mount Si, 3-0 Page 18

Votes tallied II

Council evaluates developer extensions

Vets welcome

Ordinance could move short plat process from four plats up to nine

May 4, 2012 VOL. 14, NO. 5

Votes tallied

Renton bond will pay for new middle school.

Page 2 Issaquah voters approve $219 million bond.

Page 3 Annual USO Happy Hour honors veterans.

Page 6

Pat Detmer Police blotter

event, residents were encouraged to recycle more, reduce what they sent to the landfill and lower the community’s carbon footprint. Two neighborhoods competed for a $5,000 neighborhood improvement grant. The campaign resulted in a citywide 22.8 percent increase.

The neighborhoods were split into two down Coal Creek Parkway. The Recycling Renegades took the title from the Waste Less Warriors in Waste Management’s Newcastle

The Newcastle City Council is considering changes to an ordinance that aims to offer extensions to developers faced with idle projects during the downturn in the economy.

The changes would include changing requirements that would expand the number of lots a short plat process could be used for from four plats to nine.

A plat is the subdivision of a larger parcel of land into smaller separate lots that are intended for individual ownership.

The move, allowed under state law, wouldn’t change the area’s zoning or density that is allowed there. It would, however, change how the development would move through the city’s administrative process, eliminating a public hearing before a hearing examiner with time for public input. A long plat also goes before the City Council for preliminary approval.

Community Development Director Roberge said residents would still be able to send in public comments via email or letter and a public meeting could still be held if the development merited further discussion.

“It’s about time and how much time it takes to move through the process,” he said. “Short plats are much quicker. They are subject to the same infrastructure requirements of a full plat. It’s just a quicker process.”

Public notice for the short plat is still the same, including notice given to neighbors near the development site.

The change from four plats to nine was an idea initially discussed by the council at its annual retreat in February as a way the city can increase revenue. The developer stimulus

See AWARD, Page 7

See STIMULUS, Page 7

Page 8 Photos by Greg Farrar

Page 7

Classroom city

Students get lessons in real-life stresses.

Page 16

You should know City officials have created a new monthly email newsletter for residents. The newsletter includes information about city events, happenings and other helpful information.

Sign up to receive the newsletter at www.ci.newcastle. wa.us/signup_notices. htm.

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

50 ¢

By Christina Lords

Earth Day festivities Tommy Coburn (above), a parent with the Hazen High School Booster Club, operates a plant sale booth April 21 during Newcastle Earth Day at Lake Boren Park. The booth raised money for the senior class baccalaureate rehearsal barbecue and annual overnight party.

The Pacific Science Center occupies part of the big top tent (right) with Science in the Environment games. Earth Day featured performances, children’s crafts, 30 vendor booths promoting green products and services, the Newcastle Weed Warriors and a display of cars owned by members of the Seattle Electric Vehicle Association. See a slideshow of the event at www.newcastle-news.com.

City receives state recycling award Recycling increased more than 22 percent last year

By Christina Lords The city of Newcastle and Waste Management received a Washington State Recycling Association Recyclers of the Year award May 1 for their competitive project to increase neighborhood recycling last year.

Recipients are selected by a panel of association members representing several aspects of the recycling industry, including collectors and processors,

government agencies, businesses and nonprofit organizations.

“Through innovative programs like the recycling challenge, cities and other organizations can assist in reducing environmental impacts,” Newcastle City Manager Rob Wyman said in a statement.

“Newcastle is proud of the award and of its citizens who rose to the challenge.”

During Newcastle’s Waste Less, Recycle More, Win Big

Newcastle News

PAGE 2

MAY 4, 2012

Bond funds new middle school in Renton district Voters pass school measure with 60.5 percent of the vote

By Christina Lords Newcastle will be the home of a new Renton School District middle school after residents voted to fund the project as a part of a $97 million school bond that passed by 60.5 percent April 17.

More than 10,300 people voted in favor of the measure, which funds the school, improvements to the Lindbergh High School pool and other construction costs, while about 6,700 rejected it.

School district spokesman Randy Matheson said while the district has not yet begun laying out specifics of the school,

it should open its doors by the 2016 school year.

The Renton School Board voted Feb. 29 to rerun the bond after its first run in the Feb. 14 special election originally came up two points shy — or about 300 votes — of the 60 percent needed to pass.

Of the $97 million requested by the district, $53.2 million will go toward building the new middle school in Newcastle and $5.5 million will go toward improvements of the Lindbergh High School swimming pool.

About $5 million will be used for the district’s land acquisition for future projects, $5.9 million will go for upgrading existing facilities, $8.8 million will go toward energy conservation district wide and $18.6 million will go toward building upgrades for existing structures.

Citizens for Renton Schools Chair John Galluzzo said a

major setback to gathering enough support for the bond the first time around was giving residents a clear picture of what the bond would mean to them financially.

“This is positive proof of the school district’s standing with citizens that it serves,” he said.

“People have to vote for those bonds. They have to commit their own funds. I think the improvement they’ve seen in the school district shows that people are saying, ‘we see you as good stewards of the money. We see the money we give to you is paying off.’”

According to the district, the bond collection rate will be an additional 18 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value, or about $46 per year for the average homeowner. That rate includes funding from all past voter approved bond measures plus the new bond measure.

The proposed levy/bond rate for those living in the district would increase to $5.39 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2013, up from $5.21 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2012.

The bond, which was identical to the one run previously, will fund the new middle school at the former Hazelwood Elementary School site, now home to the Renton Academy.

Matheson said it has not yet been determined if the school will be a traditional middle school or a magnet school that could focus on specialized curriculum such as math or science.

The Renton Academy provides alternative education services for students in the district.

Those students will be moved to a new location yet to be determined, he said.

According to data collected by the RSD, the 213 middle schools

in the state of Washington have an average of 609 students per facility.

McKnight Middle School, of which most students in Newcastle that live in the Renton district attend, has 1,152 students, while Dimmitt Middle School and Nelsen Middle School have 1,038 and 970 students, respectively.

There are 14 elementary schools that feed into the three middle schools in the RSD. “McKnight Middle School is one of the most overcrowded middle schools in the state,” Matheson said. “That’s not conducive to a good learning environment. As a district, we have to figure out how to ease that overcrowding and this is one way to do that. We need an environment where students and teachers can thrive, learn and have more opportunity for growth.”

John Starbard recognized as Public Employee of the Year King County Executive Dow Constantine praised former Newcastle city manager and director of the Department of Development and Environmental Services, John Starbard, for being named Public Employee of the Year by the Municipal League of King County.

“It wasn’t that long ago that our permitting department was the most maligned of our agencies, with good people struggling with old ways of doing business,” Constantine said in a statement. “I gave John a mandate to reform the agency, and since then he has instituted reforms that have increased efficiency, reduced fees and shortened the time to process permits.”

The award was presented

April 5 at the 53rd annual Civic Awards Celebration Dinner at Herban Feast in the SODO area of Seattle.

Starbard fulfilled one executive priJohn ority early in Starbard his tenure by moving to a fixed rate for each type of permit, instead of billing customers by the hours it took to process a permit — providing customers with predictable costs and, in most cases, reduced fees. A new pre-screening service helps customers ensure their application

is complete before submission, which saves processing time.

Starbard enlisted staff to create a new over-the-counter service that now takes two hours instead of the two months it took previously. He also led reductions in the amount of time it takes to issue a permit for custom single-family homes — from 64 days last year down to about 38 days this year, and he says staff members feel they can do even better.

“We have repeatedly asked the staff of DDES to move mountains in a short period of time,” Starbard said. “They have demonstrated to themselves — in numerous refinements that are often their own design — how our department can pro-

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Starbard said his department will soon deploy new software to enable online permit applications with a robust tracking function.

The software will have the capacity for paperless permitting, with information able to be shared instantly between departments, and between the field and DDES staff. Some customers will be able to complete the process without leaving their homes.

He is also improving customer service by moving the main office of DDES to the city of Snoqualmie, to bring services closer to the center of the agency’s customer base. At the heart of the new office will be a Customer Assistance Center to

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provide all of the agency’s dropin services at one counter. The move also saves about $1 million a year in rent.

Starbard was appointed DDES director in March 2010.

Newcastle City Council members fired Starbard in January 2010. The council attributed the decision to tense relationships between him, elected officials and city residents.

He previously served as city manager for Maple Valley, then Newcastle. He began his career with the city of Bellevue, rising from the planning department to the office of the city manager.

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Newcastle News

MAY 4, 2012

PAGE 3

Newcastle to host open house at City Hall

Back tracking:

Opened in 1914, this building was the grade school for Newcastle.

It had four classrooms (two grades per room), a manual training room and a home economics room.

The city of Newcastle will open its doors for an open house from 4-6 p.m. June 5 for the public to view the new City Hall and meet the City Council and staff members.

Visitors can learn more about city services and members of the Newcastle Police Department will be on hand to meet younger residents of the city.

City staff members will conduct a food drive and ask visitors to bring nonperishable food donations on behalf of Northwest Harvest.

City Hall is located at 12835 Newcastle Way, Suite 200. Learn more by calling Aleta Phillips at 649-4444.

an ongoing series about the history of Newcastle

Contributed

Issaquah School District voters approve $219 million bond

By Tom Corrigan Issaquah School District voters overwhelmingly approved a $219 million bond to fund construction and renovation projects on campuses across the district.

In the April 17 special election, 70 percent of voters — encompassing more than 15,000 yes votes of out more than 22,000 ballots cast — approved the measure. (The measure needed to receive a 60 percent yes vote from a minimum turnout of 12,229 voters.)

Despite the passage of the bond, local homeowners will pay less in property taxes to the schools than they do now because a previous bond issue is set to expire this year.

The retirement of the earlier bond will drop the local tax rate from $4.85 per $1,000 of assessed property value to $4.05.

Passage of the new bond puts the rate at $4.42.

Compared to present rates, a

homeowner with a home valued at $500,000, property taxes will drop by $215 annually, said Jake Kuper, district chief of finance and operations.

King County Elections is scheduled to certify the election results April 27.

Continuing renovation at Liberty High School is a priority as school district officials continue planning to carry out the capital improvements projects outlined in the bond measure.

Steve Crawford, district director of capital projects, said setting priorities and construction schedules is the initial step. Phase 2 reconstruction at Liberty is likely to be at the top of the district’s to-do list, he added.

The bond measure attracted broad support from community and government leaders. City Council members in Issaquah and Sammamish endorsed the proposal. So did the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce.

Phase 2 at Liberty includes

revamping the commons, relocating and modernizing facilities for the culinary arts program, and reworking some classrooms.

Plans also call for an auxiliary gym and renovation of the locker rooms.

The existing roof, outside of the modernization areas, will be repaired or replaced.

Discussing Phase 2 prior to the election, Liberty Principal Mike DeLetis called a targeted area of the campus as “the bunker” because the classrooms there lack windows.

The total cost for Phase 2 of Liberty’s remodeling is estimated at $39.7 million, not including $4.8 million for rebuilding the outdoor stadium.

The pace of the sale of construction bonds influences the schedule for coming capital improvement work, Crawford said.

Besides the work at Liberty and the new athletic fields, the capital improvement package includes the rebuilding and

relocation of Clark Elementary, Issaquah Middle and Tiger Mountain Community High schools at a cost of $108.6 million.

Sunny Hills Elementary also will be rebuilt for $27.1 million.

District officials and bond supporters repeatedly have pointed out the buildings are the oldest in the district.

The capital improvement list also includes a lot of maintenance and renovation work at a vast majority of district schools.

During the bond campaign, district plans for athletic field improvements attracted attention. Each district middle school is in line to receive artificial turf fields and rubberized running tracks.

The schools likely will be

done one or two at a time, Crawford said.

Issaquah Schools Foundation Executive Director Robin Callahan said she has been surprised repeatedly by the generosity and commitment of local residents to education.

For some time after initial results were released, Superintendent Steve Rasmussen was handing out certificates, plants and other small gifts to bond supporters, especially various representatives of the Volunteers for Issaquah Schools, the community group that ran the bond campaign.

Lesley Austin, co-chairwoman of the pro-bond campaign, said the voting shows residents have faith in the schools.

“It shows a high level of confidence in the district,” she said.

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Opinion

PAGE 4

Editorial

Letters

New school planning begins right now

Community college support helps Newcastle

It’s official: Newcastle will soon be home to the newest school in the Renton School District.

And while voters may have given their stamp of approval to financing a new middle school in the April 17 election, the work to bring the project to fruition is just beginning.

Early projections from the district have doors opening at the school in 2016. With the project in its infant planning phases, it’s never too early for parents, community members and city leaders to give valuable input on the project.

District spokesman Randy Matheson said there will be ample opportunity for community input as the project progresses. We hope the residents of Newcastle will answer the call and be involved and dedicated to a school that will have lasting implications for those neighborhoods for decades to come.

With some public concern for the necessity of the school construction bond (the measure failed Feb. 14 and barely passed April 17), the district and its core of education advocates should do everything it can to keep the residents abreast of the middle school’s financial impact, encourage public involvement in the planning process and maintain a steady construction schedule.

As a district that has been recognized for outstanding financial management and reporting from the Association of School Business Officials International and the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for the past eight years, residents have legitimately high expectations for this project to be completed on budget.

District officials have said the need is great for this middle school. Indeed, the district’s three middle schools weigh in well over Washington’s state average of 609 students per facility. McKnight Middle School has more than 1,100 students; Dimmitt Middle School has more than 1,000; and Nelson Middle School has more than 950.

This fourth middle school, in Newcastle, will give students a learning environment where they can thrive, grow and prepare for their futures.

Poll question What summer recreation opportunities would you like to see more of in Newcastle?

A. Boating at Lake Boren Park B. Adult recreation teams, like baseball and softball C. More guided hikes throughout Newcastle’s trail system D. Recreational sports teams for younger children Vote at www.newcastle-news.com.

Newcastle news Published since 1999 by

ISSAQUAH PRESS, INC.

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

MAY 4, 2012

I am a member of the Renton Technical Foundation Board.

We raise scholarship monies for students who otherwise would not be able to complete their job training programs.

Until recently, I did not realize the important connection between Renton Technical College and the economic development potential of Newcastle.

The college offers 36 associate degrees, 11 associate transfer degrees and 61 professional certificates. It is an open enrollment school, has one of the highest student completion rates in Washington and tuition is about one-third the cost of a four-year public university.

Of those who attend the college, 74.3 percent are there for workforce training purposes. Most importantly, RTC graduates have a 76 percent job placement rate!

During this economic downturn, many have turned to the college for workforce training or retraining in new careers.

Conversely, state government has reduced funding to community colleges for the fourth year in a row, requiring tuition increases.

Many RTC students are living in poverty and need job skills training to achieve livingwage jobs. Foundation scholar-

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ships enable many to complete their certificate or degree programs.

I attended a recent seminar about strategies to attract and retain economic development in cities. The presenters surveyed businesses and scored factors that were most important in choosing cities for new business placement. One of the top four factors was the availability of an appropriately trained labor force and the importance of nearby community colleges in providing that labor force.

Newcastle is in the RTC service area. Our economic development potential is enhanced by the availability of these trained graduates: workers for new businesses, such as restaurants, dental, medical, ophthalmology and accounting offices, auto repair shops, banks and daycare centers; in the fields of computer consulting and appliance repair; and to work as electricians, legal assistants, office assistants, etc.

By helping RTC students we are advancing our own community. The Newcastle economic development team should champion the quality workforce provided by RTC as one reason businesses should locate in Newcastle.

Support the Foundation in providing scholarships by calling Susanna Williams at 2352356, or donate at www.rtc.edu/

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Are you in favor of the results of the Issaquah and Renton school districts’ school bond elections? Why/why not?

foundation.

Carol Simpson, Newcastle Renton Technical Foundation Board member

Issaquah residents care for the district’s youth

Volunteers for Issaquah Schools wants to thank the Issaquah School District community for passing the maintenance and construction bond.

Each community has its own set of priorities. This community demonstrated that education is a top priority by approving the maintenance and construction bond during challenging economic times with a 70 percent yes vote.

We are honored to live in and be a part of a community that holds the education of its youth as a high priority. Your investment in our youth will pay off for years to come. Thank you again for investing in our youth and reaffirming the deep commitment this community has to education.

Lesley Austin VIS Board

Bond vote will ensure students have safe, high-quality schools A huge thank you to the See LETTERS, Page 5

bond passage. A new middle school will relieve the overcrowding of the only middle school feeding Hazen. Also, the pools were in jeopardy of closing and now have funding to keep the swim teams, swim lessons and open swim for the community.

— Tammy Coburn I wanted the bond elections to pass to provide funds for construction and maintenance of our school facilities. I’d like to see a logical funding solution implemented nationwide, using criteria we could vote on.

I’m in favor of the Renton

See RESPONSE, Page 5

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Newcastle News

MAY 4, 2012

Letters From Page 4 Issaquah School District voters for resoundingly passing the construction and maintenance bond last week!

It makes me extremely proud to serve in a community that values education and the future of its children so much — you are unparalleled in this state and nation. Because of you, we will be able to meet our critical construction and repair needs for the next eight years, ensuring students are learning in safe, high-quality schools equipped for 21st-century learning.

My commitment is to be the best steward possible for these dollars, completing projects

Response From Page 4 — Peggy Price

Which roadways in town should the City Council dedicate funding for repair work in the coming budgetary cycle?

Potholes and such safety issues should be fixed. Roads that would cost significantly more to fix later should be fixed now.

— Peggy Price Southeast 89th/88th streets from Coal Creek Parkway west

PAGE 5

on time and on — or under — budget, protecting our top credit rating, and remaining transparent throughout the construction process (look for a webpage soon that will track our progress).

My sincerest appreciation also goes to Volunteers for Issaquah Schools. These volunteer community members — hundreds of them! — dedicated themselves to spreading information about the bond measure so voters could make an informed choice.

For some, it was a full-time job; for others, they gave one or two hours when they could, honking and waving, or simply placing a bus magnet on their vehicle.

Regardless, each and every one of them made a tremendous difference!

Dr. Steve Rasmussen, superintendent Issaquah School District

to the Renton boundary are in need of wider shoulders or a bike lane. It has a lot of traffic with little room when confronted with a pedestrian or bicyclist.

— Tammy Coburn I am happy to see that each bond passed. Investing in our future is a commitment our community should be proud to make. A new middle school in the area makes the passing of the Renton bond even sweeter in my mind.

— Peter Zevenbergen

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PAGE 6

King County voters to decide $200 million property tax hike

By Warren Kagarise King County voters could decide to increase the property tax rate to construct a juvenile detention facility, county leaders decided April 16.

In a unanimous decision, King County Council members placed a $200 million property tax levy on the Aug. 7 ballot to fund a replacement for the aging Youth Services Center, a juvenile detention facility in Seattle. The facility is a collection of decaying buildings. Officials said the electrical, plumbing, and heating and cooling infrastructure is beyond repair.

If the nine-year levy is placed on the ballot and passed, homeowners should pay about 7 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or about $20 per year for a home assessed at $350,000.

Judges and commissioners at the juvenile court on site handle 3,700 cases per year at the detention facility. The complex houses about 65 children and teenagers from throughout the county.

Councilman Reagan Dunn, a local representative, said the

MAY 4, 2012

Fourth annual USO Happy Hour event will honor area veterans

By Christina Lords

proposal reflects the lean economic reality.

“I think that it is proportionally and appropriately sized given the need,” he said before the council decision. “We all know the facility is desperately in need of repair.”

(Dunn represents rural areas south of Issaquah and Newcastle on the council.)

In 2010, voters rejected a broader sales tax package meant to raise dollars for criminal justice services and replace the Youth Services Center.

“A levy is a much better way to fund the infrastructure that King County needs to build,” Dunn said before the April 16 decision.

Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, the representative for Issaquah, joined councilmen Bob Ferguson, Larry Gossett and Joe McDermott to introduce the legislation.

In the existing facility, county officials spent millions addressing ongoing mold and moisture lingering from a 2006 flood. Officials suspended court operations at the facility in 2010 after a water main broke outside the building.

Solid Rock

Newcastle residents will have the opportunity to join The Golf Club at Newcastle and Regency Newcastle in saying thank you to area military veterans.

The fourth annual USO Happy Hour event, which takes place from 4-6 p.m. May 21 in the Wooly Toad at The Golf Club at Newcastle, is open to anyone who has served in the military or civilians who would like to thank someone who has served.

“There’s never a complaint about this thing,” event organizer John Jensen said. “There’s always nothing but appreciation.”

Veterans are encouraged to RSVP either on the event’s USO Happy Hour for Veterans Facebook page or by contacting Jensen at JensenRoofing@msn. com or 206-241-5774 to ensure their drink ticket.

Each veteran will receive a “red, white or brew” ticket good for a glass of red wine, white wine or beer.

The event has grown from 45 attendees in its inaugural year in 2009 to more than 100 guests last year.

“There’s a warmth and appreciation in the room that’s hard to explain unless you’re there,” he said.

“I think it’s easy for us to forget that there are a lot of young men and young women living in wartime while we’re over here living in peace. The goal of this is to show the different face to the military. It’s a lot different than what people think it is.”

— John Jensen USO Happy Hour organizer

Jensen said he, like most people, has a tie to someone who has served in the armed forces.

During World War II, Jensen’s uncle, Maj. Don W. McCoy, was shot down as he piloted a B-24 Liberator near Kassel, Germany.

He was only 22 at the time.

“I can’t imagine the tumult in that household,” he said. “You have two parents losing a son.

You have a young girl losing a brother.”

The Newcastle event celebrates the contributions of men and women in the military from WWII to those serving in Afghanistan today, Jensen said.

Social media has contributed to telling each of the veterans’ stories. As each veteran RSVPs to the event on Facebook, Jensen posts a photo and summary of

where, when and which branch of the military each attendee served.

“As more people join in, by the time we get to the event, some people that have never met have a connection,” he said.

“They look forward to meeting one another.”

The event features several speakers each year, who highlight the sacrifices made by area residents and their families, Jensen said, but the event is also a way to get people together just to chat and share their experiences.

The happy hour also offers community support for the golf club’s annual USOPSA Red, White and Blue Golf Classic at the golf club, Jensen said. More than 300 golfers, spectators, celebrities, and military service men and women will participate in the May 22 tournament.

The tournament features an 18-gun salute from U.S. Marine Corps members, a Korean Warera MASH unit and an aircraft flyover.

“I think it’s easy for us to forget that there are a lot of young men and young women living in wartime while we’re over here living in peace,” Jensen said.

“The goal of this is to show the different face to the military. It’s a lot different than what people think it is.”

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Newcastle News

MAY 4, 2012

Stimulus

“If they can’t afford their impact fees, they shouldn’t be doing the project.”

From Page 1 work plan is an extension of temporary relief measures that were originally adopted in 2010 in reaction to the recession, which has left most developments dormant, according to the city.

“There’s not too many areas left in the city for long plats anyway, and I think some of the infill is going to be some of these short plats,” Councilman John Dulcich said. “I think this is a creative way to do that, and there are several other cities that use nine.”

Changes proposed by the city’s Community Development Department to the council also include: q temporarily offering extensions for preliminary plats set to expire between Jan. 1, 2012, and Dec. 31, 2013, q allowing for a temporary deferral of city impact fees to the developer’s building’s final inspection, q and temporarily offering an additional one-year extension to approved Engineering Review Permits — which allow a developer to proceed with

Award From Page 1 Neighborhood Recycling Rewards competition.

On average, Renegade households recycled about a half-pound more each month than Warrior homes, Waste Management communications representative Robin Freedman said.

During the five-month competition, the city recycled nearly 550 tons of materials — an increase of more than 100 tons of materials compared to the same five-month period in 2010.

Residents also increased food composting and yard waste participation by 50 tons.

The $5,000 grant was used to erect a new flagpole outside of City Hall at the Newcastle Professional Building.

— John Dulcich Newcastle City Councilman

improvements such as street or infrastructure improvements — that will expire this year.

The council disagreed with city staff members that builders should be given a temporary deferral of city impact fees, which offset a development’s impacts on public infrastructure and provide for public services.

“If they can’t afford their impact fees, they shouldn’t be doing the project,” Dulcich said.

Roberge said the changes reflect the needs of the development atmosphere in the city right now.

“People aren’t really coming in right now for new projects,” he said. “They’re looking at old projects. They’re picking up the old stuff because they can pick it up for less than they can go out and do it.”

The city’s Planning Commission recommended the changes at its March 21 meeting.

Other association awardees include the city of Tacoma, city of Bellevue, Bellevue School District, Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Gonzaga University, Harborview Medical Center, Microsoft, Stevens Pass Mountain Resort and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The awards banquet will be held in at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane.

The association advocates and educates for the expansion and economic vitality of recycling as a part of sustainable resource management. Formed in 1976, it boasts 280 member organizations and more than 700 individual members including private, community and governmental agencies.

Go to www.wsra.net or call 206-244-0311 to learn more about the award. Award applications are available each November on the website.

Helping you preserve your legacy for those you love.

PAGE 7

Police blotter

Tools taken from truck An Echo chainsaw and Shindowa leaf blower were stolen in April from the bed of a truck parked in the 12100 block of Southeast 70th Street. The approximate value of the equipment was $500.

Purse snatched from cart A woman’s purse was reportedly stolen from her cart while she was waiting for the bus in front of the Safeway next to the handicapped parking stalls in the 6900 block of Coal Creek Parkway on April 4.

Items stolen from console

A suspicious male who had previously stolen liquor from the Washington State Liquor Store, 6927 Coal Creek Parkway S.E., returned to the store April 6. The subject left without stealing anything before police arrived.

A resident reported an unknown suspect took items from the center console of a vehicle in the 14400 block of Southeast 84th Street on April 15. The resident was not sure whether the vehicle was locked, but there was no damage done to the vehicle to gain entry.

Motorcycle stolen

Mailbox broken into

A man, who moved to Newcastle from Georgia 10 days prior, reported his yellow Honda CBRR motorcycle was missing April 8. The motorcycle was parked in a designated parking stall next to the garage parking at the northwest exit to the Newport Crossing complex at the 7300 block of Coal Creek Parkway.

A resident in the 8100 block of 127th Avenue Southeast reported a bill with a check in the outgoing mail was taken from a locked mailbox that was pried open April 16. Incoming mail was possibly taken in the incident.

Liquor pilferer

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Lost credit card reported A woman reported April 18 that she lost her credit card in an unknown location, but thinks it was at a restaurant in Newcastle. She was notified by her bank that fraudulent activity has since occurred on the card.

Chalk it down Several subjects were contacted April 20 after drawing with chalk on the side of the Renton Academy, 6928 116th Ave. S.E.

Ask the

Insurance Agent...

Shopping for Auto Insurance Whether you’re a first time buyer of auto insurance or already have it but are looking for a better deal, you should be asking several questions.

First, is the person from whom you’re buying (your agent) a visible, established member of your community, someone you know and trust?

Second, is the company from whom you’re buying well-known? What is its reputation? What about price? Because there are hundreds of companies competing for your business, prices vary – sometimes a lot. It may pay you to shop. Be sure the premiums you’re quoted are for equal amounts of coverage.

How about service? Price is important but saving money won’t mean much unless you get the service you need – when you need it. If possible, ask other clients of your prospective agent how they’ve been treated, especially when they’ve had a claim. Find out how the company handles claims.

Is the method convenient for you, no matter where you have an accident?

How about solvency? Is the company you’re considering still going to be in business when you file your claim? Your state department of insurance has financial rating information on all of the companies that do business in its state.

Once you’ve decided on a company and an agent, there are more questions to ask. How much coverage do you need? The required minimum amounts of liability coverage may not be enough for you.

Consider your needs in light of your assets and income. How much can you afford to pay if there’s a big judgment against you because of an accident? What about deductibles? Deductibles lower your premiums – most commonly for collision and comprehensive coverages – but increase the amount of loss that comes out of your pocket. How much additional risk are you willing to take in order to save?

Should you carry collision and comprehensive coverage? As your car’s value decreases, you might consider dropping these coverages and pocketing the savings on premiums. But consider if the savings are enough to offset the risk of footing the entire cost of repairing or replacing your car.

Auto insurance is not a generic commodity. It is a product that should be tailored to each individual.

Your agent can help you answer these questions and help you tailor your auto insurance to your specific and unique needs.

State Farm Insurance & Financial Services 425.378.3700 6920 Coal Creek Parkway SE Suite 4 Newcastle www.kevindunkley.com kevin@kevindunkley.com

Newcastle News

PAGE 8

MAY 4, 2012

Laughing all the way

In defense of The Electric Slide

By Pat Detmer By the time you read this, I will have married my daughter.

Please do not call the Vice Squad! What I should say instead is that I will have been the officiant at her wedding. This will be my first gig, although The Sainted One has been in high demand ever since he married Newcastle Niece last year.

We can be sure of several things: Someone will cry, the bride and/or groom will get tongue-tied while repeating their vows, one of the groomsmen will have too much to drink, small children will prance and spin on the dance floor, and my two sisters and I will do The Electric Slide.

Some people hate The Electric Slide. I have a girlfriend who so detested it that she declared a ban at her reception, but it broke out anyway. (Note to wedding planners: If you don’t want attendees doing The Electric

Newcastle selected as Tree City USA community The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has recognized 83 cities — including Newcastle — that have been chosen as a Tree City USA for their efforts in keeping urban forests healthy and vibrant. It is the fifth year Newcastle has been recognized as a Tree City.

Washington celebrated Arbor Day on April 11. There were

Slide, it might be a good idea to ask your disc jockey to refrain from playing the song “The Electric Slide.”)

There was no line dancing in my Pat Detmer Illinois youth, although there was plenty of high-stepping at big oompah-pah family weddings where if you weren’t careful, you might be suffocated by the soft beer bellies of great uncles as they held tight during a polka turn. You could also end up dancing with a broom, but I don’t remember the criteria for being so chosen. I always assumed that this was a German custom, but everything that I’ve read about brooms and dancing at weddings defines it as either African-American or Cajun in tradition, making me wonder

once again at the true nature of my heritage, something I’ve pondered before while gazing at childhood pictures of me that appear to have been lifted from a National Geographic article about the lost tribes of the Amazon.

Nothing can clear a dance floor faster than the three Detmer sisters claiming the center of it for The Electric Slide, and there’s not a family function (save funerals) where we haven’t done so. Innocent wedding attendees will scatter and take their respective corners as we — like the carefree children before us — will prance and spin and show everyone that we’ve got what it takes.

And then the day after, we’ll takes what we’ve got, which will be whatever pain-reliever is most handy.

events in communities throughout the state during the month of April to celebrate Arbor Day. To be acknowledged as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, a city must designate staff to care for trees, appoint a citizen tree board to advocate for community forestry, establish a tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on tree care and celebrate Arbor Day. Learn how to properly plant

and care for new trees by going to the International Society of Arboriculture website at www. treesaregood.com.

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Golf tournament to benefit veterans

The owners of the Newcastle Shell are organizing the first annual Newcastle Shell Charity Golf Event to benefit the Fisher House Foundation Veterans of America charity organization.

The event will begin at 8 a.m.

June 16 at The Golf Club at Newcastle. The deadline for registration is June 1.

Winners could win prizes, including an oil change, Shell gift card and a summer vehicle maintenance check.

Call Dennis Yarnell or Joe Woo at Newcastle Shell at 2552754 for information.

Get free blood pressure, glucose screenings

The Bellevue Fire Department will offer free blood pressure and blood sugar checks during Heart Week.

Screenings will be from

10-11:30 a.m. May 5 and 8, and from 5:30-7 p.m. May 9, at the Coal Creek YMCA. The same services will be offered from 1:30-3 p.m. May 10 at the Newcastle City Hall in the Newcastle Professional Building.

During Heart Week, firefighters will provide screenings for high blood pressure or high blood glucose, which are associated with heart disease and diabetes.

Heart Week allows firefighters to help residents avoid or treat illnesses that are leading causes of death in the United States, and gives residents a chance to meet with firefighters in a nonemergency situation, according to the department.

Newcastle News

MAY 4, 2012

Author pens children’s book after bout with heart failure

By Christina Lords Newcastle resident Carolyn Banguero had just been flown halfway across the United States in a small medical plane to Carolyn the Cleveland Banguero Clinic in Ohio after being diagnosed with heart failure — the same hospital where her father had died with the same condition 25 years before.

That was a Wednesday.

She was hooked up to an IV with medication, a breathing tube and a medical device that would force her heart to pump.

“It was freaky,” she said. “I had never even broken a bone.”

By Monday, the Federal Way School District teacher was told by doctors to be ready to receive a heart transplant because her heart was only doing about 6 percent of the work it should be doing.

She was only 31.

But by Saturday, something inexplicable was happening — she was getting better.

“They don’t know how or why. The medical papers say it’s miraculous,” Banguero said.

“After they just came in and put me on the heart transplant list … they told me I was on the edge of a cliff between life and death. They told me they didn’t know if I would live.”

While she had no idea at the time, she had heart failure symptoms — including shortness of breath, coughing and fatigue — prior to her diagnosis.

“I had caught a cold at school … I started feeling light-headed and gasping for air at night,”

Contributed

Paolo had several different casts as a kitten — including this one fashioned like a rugby jersey —as he recovered from surgery to correct his concave ribcage. she said. “You know how you’re a career woman and you just keep telling everyone, ‘It’s nothing, I’ll be fine?’ That’s what I kept telling everybody.”

Although still extremely weak from her surgeries, Banguero was released from the hospital and able to come back to her home in Newcastle only two weeks after being admitted to the Cleveland Clinic.

As she went through the recovery process, Banguero learned the story of Paolo, a small kitten brought into MEOW Cat Rescue in Kirkland, where Banguero volunteered.

The medical staff, which also works closely with animals from the Animal Hospital of Newport Hills in Newcastle, learned Paolo’s chest hadn’t fully developed and his heart and lungs were under stress. The cat would need surgery and a body cast to reverse his concave ribcage.

The kitten grew short of breath easily and his prospects

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seemed grim — not unlike Banguero’s own experience.

Banguero was inspired to sit down and write “Paolo’s Adventures: The Tale of a Very Brave Little Kitty,” a children’s book that tells the story of one lucky feline, from his point of view, who was rescued from the wilderness last year with his three siblings.

“I had to take a long leave of absence from my teaching, and I wanted to do something else with my life,” she said. “I wanted to do something positive.”

The book, geared toward elementary school-aged children, reveals what happened next and where Paolo is today.

“It’s the journey through the

PAGE 9 cat’s eyes,” she said. “It’s about learning how to trust and making friends along the way.”

Real-life Paolo was fostered in a home in Bellevue and was adopted in Des Moines last spring.

Banguero said she’s been promoting the book through several book signings and has also volunteered her time at Seattle Children’s by reading the book to children facing illness and cancer.

She plans to write a second book with an anti-bullying theme based on another MEOW cat named Winston, who had to have his ears amputated due to ear cancer.

A percentage of the Paolo book’s proceeds are donated to MEOW Cat Rescue, a nonprofit,

no-kill shelter.

Banguero lives in Newcastle with her husband, Edgar, and their two cats.

Betsy Schairer, a longtime friend of Banguero who illustrated the book, is a mixed-media artist and graduate of Western Washington University. She works at the Northwest College of Art in Poulsbo, and has a kitty of her own: a 10-year-old tabby named Puck.

The book is available on Amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and through www.paolosadventures.com.

Individuals can also donate copies of the book to patients of Seattle Children’s through the Paolo’s Adventures website.

PAGE 10

HomE & GARDEN

MAY 4, 2012

Implement your own garden Step one — Locate -Identify areas draining to the rain garden -Identify the best location for the garden -Test the soil

Step two — Design and build

By Stewardship Partners

The front yard of a Puyallup home, seen here one year after a rain garden was planted, is maintained through ongoing mulching, weeding, watering as needed, and the avoidance of fertilizer or pesticides.

Gaining ground for the Puget Sound 12,000 Rain Gardens campaign aims to curb pollution, create beautiful landscapes

By Christina Lords As more than 14 million pounds of toxins enter the Puget Sound each year, two Washington entities are working hard to curb the contamination — 12,000 times over.

The 12,000 Rain Gardens in

Puget Sound project, spearheaded

by Stewardship Partners and Washington State University, aims to grow and designate 12,000 rain gardens — which reduce pollution and alleviate flooding all while creating attractive landscapes that promote native plant growth in hearty soil — in the area by 2016.

The gardens, which can be shaped and sized to fit most yards, act as a collector for runoff during a rainstorm. With a crucial element — the right kind of soil — the gardens work to absorb

and filter storm water runoff from impermeable surfaces, such as rooftops and driveways.

More than 700 rain gardens have already been planted throughout the region.

“It’s not just a feel-good, treehugging thing,” said Kenan Block, vice president of the stewardship partners board. “It’s a practical thing. Neighbors get to know each other while doing these things.

The community building experience has been an unintended

-Determine size, shape of garden -Excavate soil -Level bottom of garden -Mix compost with soil -Place soil mix, leaving 6 inches below edge of garden for ponding -Level surface of soil -Create water entry -Provide rock-lined overflow

Step three — Plant

-Use variety of small trees, shrubs, herbs or grasses -Select plants that have appropriate water needs -Cover exposed soil with 2 to 3 inches of mulch -Water to establish plants

Step four — Maintain -Mulch as needed to prevent erosion, weeds -Keep clear of debris -Don’t fertilize or use pesticides -Water as needed

See GARDEN, Page 11

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Newcastle News

MAY 4, 2012

Rain garden project helps Garden with watershed restoration From Page 10

By Christina Lords Proving the idea of a rain garden isn’t limited to individuals, members of the Hazen Earth Service Corps in conjunction with the Friends of the Cedar River Watershed installed Renton’s first rain garden in 2010.

“The idea of a rain garden overall is that it’s manageable all on its own,” Service Corps co-president Maddie Martin said. “The first couple of years we’re just there to make sure it’s draining correctly and that it’s sustainable.”

A rain garden is a depressed planting bed that captures and slows storm water runoff, allowing it to seep into the garden soil while filtering mud and pollutants, such as motor oil and heavy metals, out of the water.

Friends of the Cedar River Watershed, a King County based nonprofit organization that encourages volunteerism through community groups and projects, helped launch the project to address storm water runoff by building rain gardens at Hazen High and other local schools and in the community.

Projects were conducted through the Friends of the Cedar River Watershed in

five of the 12 school districts in the Cedar River and Lake Washington watershed.

Kent Coburn, co-president of the Hazen Earth Service Corps, said students maintain the garden by pulling weeds and clearing debris and garbage from the area.

“We do some weeding during the summer and sometimes during the school year, but it’s usually pretty minimal work,” he said.

The group aims to get students involved with various projects throughout their high school career, including volunteerism at events like Newcastle Earth Day, school recycling projects and the rain garden.

About 75 percent of the toxic chemicals entering Puget Sound are carried by storm water that runs off paved roads, parking lots, driveways, rooftops, yards and other developed land, according to the friends group.

The project was funded in part by a King County Waterworks grant, RealNetworks Foundation, The Boeing Co. Charitable Trust, The Klorfine Foundation and The Satterberg Foundation. Cedar Grove Composting donated rain garden construction materials.

benefit of this project.”

Block said one of the main benefits of creating a rain garden on a home or commercial property is its ability to filter a variety of pollutants, such as oils, greases, fertilizers and pesticides, before they reach the storm drain while simultaneously reducing flooding on neighboring properties and curbing overflow in sewer systems.

“Most of us, when we think of serious pollution, are shocked to find out how much of this area’s worst pollution comes right from our sidewalks, streets and roofs,” he said. “That includes the things we put in gardens as well, such as pesticides and herbicides … Some contaminants, while they may seem like just a small amount, are actually the single largest source of pollution in our waterways.”

The project is a cost-effective way for municipalities and homeowners alike to stop pollutants from entering streams, wetlands, lakes and marine waters while limiting the need for piping and other drainage systems, Block said.

“They really work well and they aren’t that difficult to create,” he said. “They can range between a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, depending on how big the area is. There is government money

PAGE 11 available to help offset that cost.

This really is cost-effective as government entities try to pay for runoff infrastructure and sewer systems. Rain gardens can take care of that problem.”

The more rain gardens that are installed in a single area or neighborhood, known as rain garden clusters, the more effective they are at combating contaminants, Block said.

“With this partnership with WSU … we know that we have the latest and best science working with us as well,” he said.

“We really try to ensure all projects are done correctly with best possible information so we have the rain gardens project at

On the web Read the Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington Homeowners and watch an instructional video at www.12000raingardens.org to get started on your own project. Register your rain garden at www.12000raingardens.org/ register.html.

its peak. The 12,000 rain garden campaign is a chance to put the Northwest on the map to be a national model for this.”

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Newcastle News

PAGE 12

Spring cleaning can boost energy efficiency, too Puget Sound Energy is offering simple spring-cleaning tips to help customers save money, increase recycling options and stay safe.

Bellevue-based PSE recommends for customers to: q Ditch old bulbs. If a compact fluorescent light bulb burns

out, do not toss it into the garbage or recycling bin. PSE offers free recycling at businesses in Western Washington. Find a complete list at www.pse.com/ bulbrecycling. q Host a bulb recycle box at your workplace. Materials from compact fluorescent and incandescent bulbs — including glass, circuitry, aluminum and plastic — can all be recycled and reused. Sign up to host a recycling box at www.pse.com/ bulbdrive. q Dump your old fridge or freezer. Customers can sign up at www.pse.com/recycling to have the utility haul away outdated refrigerators and freezers for free. Customers receive $20 for participating in the recycling program.

q Try LED bulbs. Though compact fluorescent bulbs offer energy efficiency and a long lifespan, the LED technology is more efficient and can last up to 25 years. PSE electric customers can receive up to a $10 rebate on Energy Star-qualified LED bulbs at participating retailers.

Find a list at www.pse.com/leds. q Call 811 before digging: If springtime outdoor projects include building a new fence or deck, planting trees and shrubs, or even pulling out a tree stump, please remember to contact the 811 Call Before You Dig hotline two business days prior to your project to help prevent serious injuries or potential hazards from striking or damaging underground utilities.

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PSE offers guidance on solar energy Puget Sound Energy is providing contractor referrals to residential electric customers interested in installing home solarelectric photovoltaic systems Bellevue-based PSE added 14 solar installers to the Contractor Alliance Network — a group of independent contractors prescreened by the utility to perform energy-related home improvement.

Customers interested in installing a solar-power system and in need of a contractor can receive estimates from contractors when they request a referral at www.pse.com or by calling 1-800-562-1482 toll free.

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tion and production payment documents necessary to participate in PSE’s net metering program.

Overall, more than 1,000 PSE electric customers have had solar-power systems installed and connected to the grid — up from a little more than 500 such systems in early 2010. The total generating capacity from customer-owned solar-power systems is more than 5 megawatts, compared to 2 megawatts in early 2010.

Customers can receive a 30 percent federal tax credit and other financial incentives for installing a solar-power system.

The state provides another incentive, administered by PSE through Renewable Energy Advantage Program. The state incentive pays customers for every kilowatt of power produced by solar-power systems.

Newcastle News

MAY 4, 2012

PAGE 13

Finished attics, basements can increase home value Overhauling unused attic or basement nooks and crannies can add living space, sure, but such renovations also boost home value.

The spaces also offer potential for homeowners to increase value without incurring the larger expenses of a complete addition, because the exterior walls, foundation and roof already exist.

Homeowners considering attic or basement upgrades should consider increasing the amount of natural light in the spaces, either by adding skylights or windows. Even a small or decorative window can add important light to a room.

As another bonus, using natural light means homeowners can save on utility costs to light a room.

In order to break up the claustrophobic feel of a cramped attic or basement, homeowners can add dormers to the space to increase space and open up the area. Or the roof slope can be altered to create more headroom.

The makeover should create a barely noticeable transition from the main floors of a home to the attic or basement. The quality of materials should approximate the look and feel of other rooms in the house.

The additional room frees up space for hobbies and other interests.

Homeowners can transform a remade attic or basement into a so-called man cave, a home theater, a rec room, master suite or another amenity.

Only the homeowner’s budget

and imagination limit the possibilities.

But additional touches can cause a budget to balloon quickly. Creating a finished attic or basement can mean adding flooring, insulation, plumbing, wiring, and heating and cooling systems.

The least expensive option, of course, is to protect the space against moisture and extreme temperatures, and use the attic or basement for storage.

Use the secure space to hold disassembled Christmas trees and other out-of-season holiday decorations, outdoor recreation equipment and other cluttercausing items.

How to get started The initial step to remaking unused attic or basement space into a more desirable and useful spot is usually a deep cleaning.

King County experts and organizations offer numerous options to donate and dispose of.

The county Solid Waste Division offers the What do I do with…? website, http://your. kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/wdidw, to answer questions about old appliances, household chemicals and more.

For outdated TVs and other electronics destined for the landfill, the state coordinates

SYNERGY HOMECARE ISSAQUAH is seeking experienced caregivers for Issaquah-Sammamish area.

Part-time, on call and per diem available.

Submit resume & qualifications to

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the E-Cycle Washington program. AtWork! in Issaquah offers electronics recycling through the program at no cost to consumers. Find detailed recycling information — including a list of accepted items — at the organization’s website, www.atworkwa.org. Find a complete list of locations in King County and statewide at the E-Cycle Washington website, www.ecyclewashington.org.

Support Habitat for Humanity of East King County and donate to the Habitat Store, 13500 BelRed Road, Bellevue.

Customers can donate appliances, building materials, furniture, home furnishings and décor in good condition

at the store. Find a complete list of acceptable and unacceptable items to donate at www.habitatekc.org/store/store_ donate.html.

The store is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call 641-2643 to schedule a donation pickup on the Eastside.

Seattle Goodwill accepts many household items, including bed frames, books, clothing, electronics, furniture, toys and more. Find a complete list of donation guidelines at www. seattlegoodwill.org/donate/canidonateit.

Seattle Goodwill operates a donation center at 228th

What to know Issaquah homeowners interested in conducting attic or basement improvements should call the city Permitting Center at 837-3100 to inquire about necessary permits.

Homeowners in unincorporated King County should call the Department of Development and Environmental Services at 206296-6600.

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Community

PAGE 14

Events The Newcastle Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon is from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. May 9 at Tapatio Mexican Grill, 6920 Coal Creek Parkway S.E. Guest speaker is Paul Larson, of Valley Medical Center. Cost is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. RSVP to info@ newcastlecc.com.

The Newcastle Weed Warriors has the following maintenance and restoration projects through May (from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) Learn more at www.newcastleweedwarriors.org: q May 12 — Renton Trails Project, clean up Honey Creek in the May Creek Open Space q May 26-27 — Spring clean up and ivy removal in the Historic Newcastle Cemetery Regency Newcastle Senior Living Center presents USO Happy Hour for Veterans from 4-6 p.m.

May 21 at The Golf Club at Newcastle, 15500 Six Penny Lane. Everyone is welcome; veterans receive a free drink.

Go to www.facebook.com/ events/400069173348065.

The sixth annual Jim Mora Celebrity Golf Classic, presented by Key Bank to raise funds for children at risk and in need, is June 25 at The Golf Club at Newcastle, 15500 Six Penny Lane. The event features 34 teams of four paired with a celebrity. There will be course contests, car giveaways and a BackSwing Bash Happy Hour and Dinner Auction. Learn more about sponsorship and participation availability by contacting Executive Director Casey Kennedy at casey.k@ comff.org or 206-396-4441.

Worship Directory

MAY 4, 2012

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Weed Warrior shares internship presentation

Contributed

Weed Warrior student intern Connor Reichenbach (right) helps cut back invasive plant species and collect debris at a Weed Warrior volunteer event.

Public meetings All city public meetings are at City Hall, 12835 Newcastle Way, Suite 200. Call 649-4444. City Hall will be closed May 28 for the Memorial Day holiday. q Parks Commission — 6-8 p.m. May 9 q City Council — 7-10 p.m.

May 15 q Planning Commission — 7-9 p.m. May 16 q Finance Committee — 8-9 a.m. May 17

Messianic

Newport Way Library Association Meeting — 7:30 p.m. May 14, Newport Way Library, 14250 S.E. Newport Way, Bellevue The Newcastle Trails board meets the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Regency Newcastle, 7454 Newcastle Golf Club Road.

YMCA The Coal Creek Family YMCA, 13750 Newcastle Golf Club Road, has regular family programs for all ages. See a complete schedule at www.seattleymca.org/Locations/CoalCreek/Pages/ Home.aspx. Or call 282-1500.

May 1 2 6 7 8 9 13 14 15 16 20 21 22 23 27 28 29 30

Residents are invited to attend Bellevue International School graduating senior Connor Reichenbach’s Weed Warriors’ internship presentation at 6 p.m. at City Hall as part of the Newcastle Parks Commission’s monthly meeting.

Reichenbach’s internship included elements of site assessment, project planning, use of GPS technology and King County’s iMap, and creating a report on his findings.

It is the first time the Weed Warriors have offered an internship opportunity to a local high school student.

June

2012

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

3 4 5 10 11 12 17 18 19 24 25 26 31

q Fun With Food: Grilled Cheese & Turkey Shapes, for ages 3-10, 5:30-6:15 p.m. May 23, $5 q “Youth Flag Football Class,” for ages 8-11, 5:15-6 p.m. May 4-25, $23 q Family dinner, 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 11, $5 for adults, $3 for children

2012

q Kids Create: Mother’s Day Surprise, for ages 4-10, 5:306:15 p.m. May 9, $5 q Health & Wellness Seminars: “Developing a Budget,” for ages 18 and older, 6:45-7:45 p.m. May 10 q Health & Wellness See CALENDAR, Page 11

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Newcastle News

MAY 4, 2012

Calendar From Page 14 Seminars: “Reducing & Eliminating Your Debt,” for ages 18 and older, 6:45-7:45 p.m. May 15

Library events The Newport Way Library is at 14250 S.E. Newport Way, Bellevue. The library will be closed May 28 for the Memorial Day holiday.

The following programs are offered the rest of the month: q Drop in to learn about eBooks, for adults, 2 p.m. May 8 and 22 q “Feng Shui Tips for a Harmonious Home and Life,” for adults, 7 p.m. May 8 q Computer class: “Internet Level 2,” for adults and teens, 7 p.m. May 9 q Friends of the Newcastle Library Gathering, for adults, 7 p.m. May 10 q Computer Class: “Oneon-one Assistance,” for adults and teens, 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m.

May 14 q “Effective Résumés for the New Job Search,” for adults, 7 p.m. May 15 q “Conducting Effective Interview Conversations in the New Economy,” for adults, 7 p.m. May 22 q Computer class: “Email Level 1,” for adults and teens, 7 p.m. May 23 q Volunteer Appreciation Party, for teens, 7 p.m. May 30 q Young Toddler Story Time, for ages 1-2 with an adult, 10:15 a.m. Tuesdays q Toddler Story Time, for ages 2-3 with an adult, 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays q Preschool Story Time, for ages 3-5 with an adult, 1 p.m.

Tuesdays q Baby Rhyming Time, for children and families, 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays q World Language Story Time, for children and their families, 10:30 a.m. Fridays q Study Hall, for teens, children and families, 3 p.m.

Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays q Study Zone, for teens, children and families, 3 p.m.

Thursdays

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 433-0558 for a monthly bulletin go to www.eastshoresingles. org or 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 255-0895.

Newcastle Historical Society meets at 4 p.m. the first Thursday at City Hall,

13020 S.E. 72nd Place. Call 226-4238.

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.

Eastside Mothers & More, a social network for mothers, meets from 7-9 p.m. the second Tuesday in the North Room at East Shore Unitarian Church, 12700 S.E. 32nd St., Bellevue. Go to www. eastsidemothersandmore.org.

Hill ’N’ Dale Garden Club, meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Monday September through May at the Newport Way Library, 14250 S.E. Newport Way. Call 747-2953.

Health Angel Care Breast Cancer Foundation-trained survivors offer free emotional support to the newly diagnosed, enhancing emotional recovery while going through treatments. Go to www.angelcarefoundation.org.

PAGE 15

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Schools

PAGE 16

MAY 4, 2012

Apollo students get lesson in real-life stresses

By Christina Lords Amid Lauren Molnar’s third-grade Apollo Elementary School classroom, student Emily Robinson squares her shoulders and raises her hand.

All around her, the room has evolved into the city of Merlinville, which boasts streets of elaborate buildings made of cardboard, representing shops and offices for the goings on of the town.

Robinson, the city’s health officer, has a burning — and legitimate — question.

“Do we get paid before we have to pay our rent?” she asks.

Like the everyday businesses owner, she’s relieved to find out that yes, she does.

Classroom City, a six-week simulation project that allows the children to come up with a business, be elected to public office and learn about real-life scenarios, enables students to learn about government and citizenship in a hands on, practical way, Molnar said.

Students must maintain a viable balance of profits and expenses from their business. Other classrooms will be able to visit Merlinville during the project to help stimulate its economy.

“This is based on a real-life simulation” she said. “They have to learn how to run a business and what it’s like to be an adult and how stressful it is.”

Merlinville has a police chief who can hand out fines and violations if a business has been vandalized, and the water department controls when students can get a drink or go to the bathroom. The town has a city council and newspaper reporters, and each student creates products to be sold during market days.

The students need to make money to help pay for real-life necessities, like business licenses and insurance.

“They came up with the ideas for their businesses by themselves,” Molnar said.

“They have to think about who they’re selling to, who their audience is.”

Sam Nelson, owner of Sam’s Barrel of Fun shop, has several products for

Newcastle student is selected for National Merit Scholarship

Lawrence Liu, a Newcastle resident and Interlake High School student, was selected for a corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship from The Boeing Co. Boeing supports merit scholarship awards annually for children of employees as a part of its comprehensive aid to education programs.

Liu joins approximately 1,000 high school seniors nationwide who have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards financed by about 200 corporations, company foundations and other business organizations.

By Greg Farrar

Maren Larsen (left), who operates Maren’s Craft Store, buys a joke-of-the-day card from Sam Nelson in their third-grade town of Merlinville at Apollo Elementary School. sale, including a rentable plastic duck, joke-of-the-day cards and Sam’s Wacky Tunes mixed CD, featuring bands such as Katrina and the Waves, Bowling for Soup, The Beach Boys, and Captain Bogg and Salty.

“They’re just pretty much the best pirate rock band on the planet,” he said. “They had to be on there.”

Aoife Buckley, the 8-year-old mayor of Merlinville, said she’s learning about how to make decisions that will benefit the town and not to play favorites among her friends.

“We all had to write a campaign speech,” she said. “I promised the city I would keep it safe and make fair decisions.”

She said she thought she had what it takes to be a good leader within the community.

“I get to cut the city’s ribbon, and I get

Scholars were selected from students who advanced to the finalist level in the National Merit Scholarship competition and who met criteria of their scholarship sponsors. Corporate sponsors provide National Merit Scholarships for finalists who are children of their employees, who are residents of communities the company serves, or who plan to pursue college majors or careers the sponsor wishes to encourage.

Liu plans to study industrial organizational psychology.

Most of the awards are renewable for up to four years of college undergraduate study and provide annual stipends that range from $500 to $10,000 per year. Some provide a single payment between $2,500 and $5,000.

to have the biggest salary,” she said. “I really do think it’s one of the best roles in the city that there is.”

Vice Mayor Allyson Mangus, owner of Puzzling Puzzles, a business dedicated to providing booklets to entertain and stretch the mind, said she’s been busy trying to determine what the best price for her product might be.

“Right now, my booklets are $5. But if no one buys them, I may have to drop the price,” she said.

Molnar said each student is graded on lessons based in real-life occurrences, such as keeping accurate records of purchases at their businesses and maintaining a checkbook.

“They’ve really put a lot of thought and time into this,” she said. “You can see that they really do take themselves seriously.”

Recipients can use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university of their choice.

Newcastle Elementary to host science fair

Newcastle Elementary School will host its first science fair from 6-8 p.m. May 11 in the school commons.

The Newcastle Elementary PTSA-sponsored event will begin with a Radical Reactions demonstration by the Pacific Science Center.

After the show, attendees can engage in hands-on activities led by staff members from the Kids Quest Museum and observe science fair projects created by students from Newcastle Elementary School.

Judges from different branches of the science community will be there as well.

Businesses to give portion of purchases to Newcastle Elementary California Pizza Kitchen and Barnes & Noble in Bellevue will give a portion of purchases made May 20 by Newcastle friends and families to Newcastle Elementary School.

California Pizza Kitchen is at 595 106th Ave. N.E. in Bellevue; Barnes & Noble is at 626 106th Ave. N.E. The fundraiser will be in lieu of the school spring scholastic book fair.

Call the school at 837-5800 for more information.

Renton district is selected for $4,500 grant The Renton School District recently joined a total of 50 districts across the state that have been selected to receive grants of $4,500 each to help with the implementation of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts and mathematics this spring and summer.

The money will be used for travel and other costs related to participation in standards workshops hosted by Educational Service Districts throughout the state.

Grant winners will be expected to designate a District CCSS Implementation Team of four to six individuals to participate in the project.

District officials will be required to attend the spring content trainings, or two days of math and one day of English language arts training for district content leaders/facilitators, at no cost to participants.

It will also attend CCSS district team workshops in May and August that will engage district teams in learning opportunities to build a foundational understanding of the CCSS. The workshops aim to create districtspecific implementation plans and identify support needed at the state, regional and local levels.

The district will serve as a resource for other school districts as they build CCSS transition plans.

The grants are funded by Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, a federal grant program that helps increase the number of low-income students preparing for college.

The state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction partnered with the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board to provide the resources.

Seventy-five districts applied for the grants. Priority was given to districts with 49.5 percent or more than of its students qualifying for free and reduced-priced meals, and to district size so that districts of all sizes were represented.

The selected districts have established CCSS district implementation teams and exhibit strong commitment by school district leaders to participate in the project in order to smoothly transition their district to the new standards. Districts selected are from all regions of the state.

Newcastle News

MAY 4, 2012

PAGE 17

Rotary clubs honor top students of the month Renton Rotary Club honors Hazen seniors Katelynn Piazza, a senior at Hazen High School, was selected as the Renton Rotary Club’s student of the month for March.

Piazza Katelynn maintains Piazza a 3.9 grade point average and has been involved in groups such as the National Honor Society, Earth Corps, Hazen band and girls swim team.

She has received the Academic Super Star Award, the Hazen Achievement Award and the Scholar Athlete Award.

Piazza has earned a varsity letter in swimming, and volunteers with the Seattle Human Society and Purrfect Pals. She plans to attend Washington State University to study animalrelated sciences, such as zoology, and hopes to work as a veterinarian, in marine biology or in other wildlife study.

Dylan Gale, a senior at Hazen High School was selected as the Renton Rotary Club’s student of the month for April.

Gale maintains a 3.8 grade point average and has been involved in Key Club, Highlander Club and Ignite

Newcastle resident is selected for Purdue academic honor society Stephanie Kuch, a 2008 graduate of Eastside Catholic High School and a Newcastle resident, has been selected to Phi Beta Kappa Stephanie at Purdue Kuch University.

Founded in 1776, the academic honor society is the oldest honor society for the liberal arts and sciences, and is among the oldest undergraduate societies in the United States.

Kuch is a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority and expects to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in classical studies this year. She has made the dean’s list seven consecutive semesters at the university.

Mentoring.

He has received DECA area awards, Scholar Athlete Awards and Scholar Student Awards.

Dylan Gale Gale volunteers with Saint Mathews Lutheran Church and works part time at Safeway.

He plans to attend Western Washington University or Washington State University to study business. Gale hopes to work in sales, following in his father’s footsteps.

Rotary Club of Issaquah honors Liberty students March Tei Staladi, son of Taane and Janell Staladi, was recognized by the Rotary Club of Issaquah after being sponsored for Student of the Month by his Tei Staladi teacher Nancy Montgomery.

Staladi plays football and rugby, and hopes to play rugby on a national rugby team. He’ll

Newcastle residents receive top academic honors Northeastern University Newcastle resident Kaitlyn Tsutakawa, a Northeastern University student, was recently named to the university’s dean’s list for the fall semester, which ended in December.

To qualify, students must carry a full program of at least four courses, have a quality point average of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 and carry no single grade lower than a C- during the course of their college career.

Tsutakawa is also a member of the University Honors Program, which offers highcaliber students the chance to further hone their studies and interests, live in special-interest, on-campus housing and participate in one or two honors courses each term.

Oregon State University Jocelyn A. McNeil, a Newcastle resident and a sophomore majoring in mathematics at Oregon State University, has made the university’s honor roll

be traveling to South America this summer.

His hobbies include sports and physical activities, and his future goals include doing construction work.

Eric Warlick, son of Michelle and Richard Warlick, was recognized in the physical education category after being sponsored Eric Warlick by teacher Darren Tremblay.

His scholastic achievements include involvement in the Honor Society, maintaining a 3.77 grade point average and taking four Advanced Placement classes (calculus, environmental science, psychology and college French).

He has played seven years of select soccer, and has served as a junior varsity team captain and varsity captain. His hobbies include playing Xbox, most sports, card games and doing impersonations.

He is affiliated with the Auburn Youth Soccer Club and the Greater Seattle Soccer League.

His future goals include being accepted at Western Washington University to major in business or economics.

for the winter term.

To qualify, students must carry at least 12 graded hours of course work and maintain a 3.5 or higher grade point average.

Hazen teacher is named outstanding employee

Hazen High School teacher Sena Camarata was honored by the Renton School Board on March 28 as a recipient of the district’s Sena Outstanding Camarata Employee Awards in the Outstanding Secondary Teacher category.

“She is a highly-motivated, passionate teacher who works hard to ensure the success of students,” said Randy Matheson, executive director of community relations for the district. “She connects with students through wit and charisma, engaging

April Aimee Christensen, daughter of Dermont and Miryam Christensen, was recognized as the female Athlete of the Year Aimee from Liberty Christensen High School after being nominated by her cross country coach, Lisa Beck.

Christensen, a senior, has earned varsity letters in track, cross country and gymnastics, and is captain of all three teams this year. She was a scholar athlete all four years at Liberty. In 2010, she was voted most improved in cross country.

Aimee has maintained a 3.8 grade point average, while taking college courses. She has won a Young Woman in Excellence Award.

Christensen enjoys English and social studies. Her hobbies include mountain biking, running, performing community service and being with friends.

She also stays active within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.

Christensen plans to attend Seattle Pacific University and major in English or communications. While undecided about a career, she is leaning toward

something with a nonprofit organization or broadcasting.

them in lessons and creating an atmosphere in which students are eager to attend class.”

Camarata serves as a district mentor teacher, as a member of several school committees and provides ongoing training for teachers at Hazen.

The board has presented the awards for more than 30 years to recognize staff members who demonstrate an extraordinary level of job performance, support of students, professionalism and dedication.

Board members joined family members, coworkers and others in honoring recipients of this year’s awards. Guests came to offer personal anecdotes and professional praise for the staff members.

Nearly 20 district staff members were nominated for this year’s awards in the four categories: Outstanding Elementary Teacher, Outstanding Secondary Teacher, Outstanding Building Support Person and Outstanding District Support Person.

A selection committee — consisting of school board members, last year’s award win-

ners and others — evaluated each nominee based on information presented on applications and accompanying letters of support.

Camarata earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Western Washington University, a teaching certificate from Pacific Lutheran University and a professional certificate from Seattle Pacific University. She was recently accepted into the Danforth Educational Leadership Program at the University of Washington.

She is a product of the Renton School District, having attended Maplewood Heights Elementary and Dimmitt Middle schools and Hazen, where she met her future husband Tim. Other nominees for this year’s awards from Newcastle-area schools include Hazen’s Shari Fultz, Hazelwood Elementary School’s Mary Nassif and McKnight Middle School’s Suzi Bradford.

Fultz, Nassif and Bradford were nominated in the Outstanding Building Support Person category.

Hamilton Noel, son of Carole and Wright Noel, was honored as the Liberty High School male athlete of the year.

Noel — a senior captain Hamilton of wrestling, Noel track and football — was a wrestling academic state champion in 2010 and 2011. He placed second in state in 2010 and 2011 and sixth in 2012.

He was a member of the 4x400 relay team that placed first in state and came in sixth in the pole vault. In football, Noel was named to the second team all-league at state this year and second team in league as linebacker.

Noel is an Eagle Scout and a senator in the Associated Student Body senior class.

He enjoys calculus, Advanced Placement English and AP psychology. His hobbies include Scouting, beekeeping, knitting, backpacking, sports, riding a unicycle and driving his 1953 Willys Jeep Wagon.

Noel plants to attend the University of Chicago or Brigham Young University, and remains undecided on a career.

Sports

PAGE 18

MAY 4, 2012

Liberty lacrosse club gets win against South Kitsap

By Christina Lords Sophomore Colin Ross scored four goals and had one assist to lead Liberty boys high school lacrosse to a 10-5 win against South Kitsap April 21 at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Port Orchard.

The win was the third of the season for Liberty, which sits in last place of the Division II Evergreen Conference, trailing conference leader Overlake by four games. Overlake remains undefeated in the season.

Ross’ four goals gave the sophomore attackman a total of 13 in the season. South Kitsap led the first quarter, 2-1, but Liberty maintained a steady scoring pace throughout the game with three, two and four points scored in the following three quarters, respectively.

South Kitsap scored an additional three goals in the third quarter.

Kellen Kennedy had three goals for South Kitsap, which sits in fourth place of the Division II Olympic Conference, three and a half games behind conference leader

Gig Harbor.

On April 17, Liberty dropped a close game against Edmonds after Jordan Tindall scored his only goal of the night just 25 seconds into sudden-death overtime, giving Edmonds a 7-6 win against Liberty at Maywood Middle School in Renton. The win was the sixth of the year for the first-year Edmonds program.

Tindall’s goal came after Liberty’s Ross evened the game at 6-6 with 53 seconds remaining in overtime. The goal was the 12th of the season for the Meadowdale High School sophomore.

Edmonds opened scoring, taking a 3-0 lead in the first and then matched Liberty’s solo goal in the second for a 4-1 half-time lead. In the third, Liberty added three goals, but Edmonds’ two goals kept the margin at 6-4 in favor of Edmonds.

Ross’ fourth-quarter goal was the second for Liberty in the final stanza.

The Liberty team, in its third season as a club, is home to four Newcastle residents — junior goalkeeper Roland Deex,

sophomore Peter Disney, freshman Ash Herrild and sophomore Shane Maio.

Deex, along with sophomore Sam Dodt and senior Jeff Arnevick, are the team’s cocaptains.

Amy Deex, Roland Deex’s mother and treasurer of the club, said the team is looking to expand, including encouraging student athletes from Hazen High School to participate.

“We really want to see more boys come out from that part of the area,” she said. “Many of them play Five Star sports, such as the youth football program, together. We really want a club that feeds from Hazen and Liberty teams.”

With more students, the club aims to field varsity and junior varsity teams every year in the future, she said. She also hopes to increase membership with the Liberty-associated lacrosse teams geared toward elementary and middle school-aged children.

Learn more about how to get involved with the Liberty Lacrosse Club at www.libertylacrosseclub.com.

Trail run series returns to Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park A Pacific Northwest tradition returns this month to King County’s Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park: The 10th-annual SCOTT Cougar Mountain Trail Running Series.

The series gets under way May 12 with a 5-mile run – the first of five races on various stretches of Cougar Mountain’s scenic, 36-mile trail network.

Runs of eight, 10, 13.1 and a final race of 31 miles (with an option to run a 20-mile race instead) are scheduled in the following months.

Produced by Northwest Trail Runs and the Seattle Running Club, the race series not only introduces hundreds of people to Cougar Mountain’s 36 miles of fantastic trails, but it also benefits King County Parks.

Volunteer work groups from the trail-running community spend an average of 150 hours each year doing trail restoration work, including improving trail surface conditions, invasive weed removal and picking up trash.

Such work has contributed to Cougar Mountain’s status as one of the nation’s best trailrunning locations, according to Runners World magazine.

“Our longstanding partnership creates a fantastic race series for the running community, and greatly benefits all parks visitors with a cleaner and more enjoyable environment,” said King County Parks Director Kevin Brown.

“Cougar Mountain is practically synonymous with trail running,” said Eric Bone, the trail running series director and SRC member. “The park’s large size, proximity to the metropolitan area, variety of terrain and extensive trail network make it an unparalleled recreation venue.”

In addition to volunteer labor performed by SRC members, $15 from each racer’s individual event fee goes toward King County Parks maintenance and improvements. This support has exceeded $80,000 since the race series’ inception.

2012 races q Race 1 – 5 miles: Saturday, May 12 – $35 preregistered, $45 at race q Race 2 – 8 miles: Saturday, June 16 – $35 preregistered, $45 at race q Race 3 – 10 miles: Saturday, July 7 – $35 preregistered, $45 at race q Race 4 – 13.1 miles: Saturday, Aug. 11 – $40 preregistered, $50 at race q Race 5 - 50 kilometers or 20 miles: Sunday, Oct. 28 – 50k $62 preregistered, $75 at race; 20-mile $47 preregistered, $60 at race q Series package for races 1-4 (no 50K): $120 Register in advance at any of three North Face stores: Downtown Seattle, University Village or Bellevue Square.

Day-of-race registration and start will be at the Sky Country trailhead off 166th Way Southeast.

Learn more or pre-register online at http://nwtrailruns.com/.

By Calder Productions

Connor Noblat (21), Liberty High School freshman, intercepts Mount Si High School senior defender Chace Carlson during the first period of their April 13 match.

Patriots blank Mount Si, 3-0

By Sebastian Moraga Darren Tremblay had plenty of reason to be happy.

“It was a total team effort,” the Liberty boys soccer head coach said of the Patriots’ 3-0 win over Mount Si. “Every guy played well.”

The Patriots populated their back lines, playing the Wildcats with a 4-5-1, stifling the creativity of the Mount Si squad at three-fourths of the field. The Wildcats had one shot on goal.

“It’s the only time we do this, when we play Mount Si,” Tremblay said of the tactical formation that puts four defenders, a crowded midfield of five and a lone forward on the pitch.

“They play 4-3-3, so there’s nobody out wide and we can match up man-to-man in the middle.”

Quick counterattacks put the Patriots on the board and in a prime position at the start of the second half of the season.

“It’s a big win for us,” Tremblay said. “If we were going to try to win this thing, we had to have this one. We would have been two games back if we had not beat Mount Si.” The opposite happened to Mount Si, which dropped from first in the league to third with

the loss. Head Coach Darren Brown said his team suffered from a lack of leadership.

“We didn’t show up to play tonight,” he said. “I think it’s our lack of focus, lack of being ready before a game. We did the same thing over and over again, just really poor play. It was embarrassing.”

The Wildcats had a five-game winning streak to start conference play. Since then, they’ve lost to Bellevue, tied Mercer Island and then lost to Liberty.

The Patriots’ scoring began in the 50th minute, when freshman Connor Noblat scored off a pass from Jared Bales. Ten minutes later, Josh Johnson scored off an assist from Eric Warlick.

With two minutes left, senior Zach Lentini sealed the win with a rocket off the crossbar.

Liberty is undefeated in its last six games, playing some stingy defense. The Patriots have given up more than one goal in conference play just once this season in their season-opening loss against the Wildcats, 3-2.

“The key is probably they all play together in a club team,” Tremblay said of his defense.

“All those guys play club, so the chemistry is really good and they work well together.”

Newcastle News

MAY 4, 2012

Hazen beats Kennedy Catholic The Hazen High School baseball team solidified a 4-3 win against the Kennedy Catholic Lancers on an eighth inning walk-off home run by senior Zac Kolterman on April 14.

The conference matchup was a regular season makeup game for an earlier rainout.

The contest started as a pitcher’s duel with Kennedy Catholic’s Dominic Peretti up against Hazen sophomore Jake Kolterman.

The Lancers scored first in the third inning with a leadoff double by Jacob Tauber.

Hazen rallied back to take

the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. First, Hazen junior Kyle Nelson doubled, and then junior Sam Cook had an RBI single.

Jimmy Schmidt singled to center field and Jake Kolterman was intentionally walked. An RBI-single by junior Cody

PAGE 19 Moorhead allowed Cook to score, and Schmidt scored on a fielder’s choice by David Hughes.

Hazen led the contest, 3-1, after four innings played.

Kennedy scored two unearned runs in the top of the sixth inning, with a leadoff walk by Connor Richardson, who stole second base and came home to score on an error. Anthony McCluskey scored on an RBI double by Max Larson.

The game was tied, 3-3,

after six innings played. Zac Kolterman, relief pitcher for the Highlanders, relieved Jake Kolterman in the top of the sixth.

Zac Kolterman struck out the last seven batters, with just one walk. He also earned the pitching win.

Zac Kolterman also batted the game-winning RBI with a 350foot solo walk-off home run to left field in the bottom of the eighth on the first pitch.

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Contributed

Senior Hazen Highlander pitcher Jimmy Schmidt gets ready to let one fly during a non-conference 3-2 loss against the White River Hornets at Hazen. The Highlanders would go on to secure the No. 1 seed for the 3A Seamount Conference for this season’s playoffs.

Former Hazen shot put champion receives collegiate award Former Hazen High School track and field standout Andrey Levkiv was named the Western Athletic Conference Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week for the week of April 16-22.

Levkiv, a sophomore who now attends the University of Andrey Idaho, won a Levkiv 3A state shot put title for the Highlanders his senior year.

He jumped into Idaho’s all-time top-10 in the shot put at the Beach Invitational in Norwalk, Calif.

He hit 57 feet, 7.75 inches (17.57 meters), a 2-foot, 4-inch personal best, to extend his WAC lead to nearly a 4-foot margin. The mark is currently ranked 26th in the NCAA West performance list and moves Levkiv to ninth all-time at Idaho.

He also competed in the shot put at the Bryan Clay

Invitational in Azusa, Calif., posting a toss of 54-2 1/2. Levkiv also entered the discus at both the Bryan Clay Invitational and Beach Invitational, post-

ing marks of 149-5 and 151-1, respectively.

The athlete of the week award is Levkiv’s second of the season.

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Newcastle News

PAGE 20

MAY 4, 2012 Prsrt Std U.S. POSTAGE PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71

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State seeks applicants for salmon panel

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife seeks nominees to a panel responsible for advising state representatives about salmon.

The agency needs citizens for the North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission.

Members of the state advisory council must be Washington residents, and knowledgeable about salmon, steelhead and other species. Of the Washington representatives, at least one must represent commercial fishing interests and another must be affiliated with environmental concerns.

Candidates should submit a resume, along with a statement of their fishery management philosophy and potential contributions to Ami Hollingsworth, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capital Way N., Olympia, WA 985011091. Applicants can also email materials to ami.hollingsworth@ dfw.wa.gov or fax them to 360902-2183. Nominations must be received by May 15.

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