Liberty hosts Japanese exchange students Page 12
Patriots pulverize Highlanders, 10-0 Page 14
City crime was down in 2013
April 4, 2014 VOL. 16, NO. 4
By Christina Corrales-Toy
compensation for the job he’s done,” said Councilman John Dulcich, who made the motion awarding the raise. A city employee’s performance or qualifications can be evaluated in executive session by a governmental body, but a decision, consent among the body or final action relating to a city employee’s salaries or wages must be discussed in a public meeting, according to state law. Council members described the raise as an effort to both elevate Wyman’s pay to fall
Newcastle crime was down in 2013, a welcome bit of news for a city that saw only increasing statistics in 2012. In 2013, the city had 252 Part I crimes, compared to 323 in 2012. Part I crimes include criminal homicide, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft and arson. Other than robbery, all of the other Part I crime categories dropped in 2013, Newcastle Police Chief Melinda Irvine said in a March 4 presentation to the City Council. There were six robberies in 2013, compared to two in 2012. Robbery is defined as taking or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person by force, threat of force, violence or by putting the victim in fear. Two of the robberies were reportedly a result of the “Big Top Bandits,” a pair of men who were famously arrested in August in connection with a series of takeover-style bank robberies, Irvine said. Burglaries, however, were significantly lower, Irvine said, going from 108 in 2012 to 65 in 2013. Burglary is the unlawful entry of a commercial or residential structure with the intent to commit a crime. “We attribute that mostly because we are working very hard to identify and target specific individuals who are responsible for those crimes,” she said. The 65 burglaries are the lowest the city’s seen since 2010, when there were just 44. Larcenies were still Newcastle’s most common crime in 2013, but even those dropped from 184 to 158. Larceny includes various crimes, such as when items are taken from cars or buildings, and bicycle thefts. Dispatched calls for police service were down to 1,545, com-
See RAISE, Page 5
See CRIME, Page 5
Art in the woods
Exhibit recalls Cougar Mountain’s coal history. Page 2 By Christina Corrales-Toy
Dave Franklin, Newcastle Fruit & Produce owner, operates a forklift as he busily prepares for the grand opening of his popular seasonal stand.
When Newcastle Fruit & Produce opens its doors, spring is in the air Party for the globe
City celebrates sixth annual Earth Day. Page 3
Police blotter
Page 16
You should know Do you know someone who makes a difference in the community? Nominate him or her for a Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Diamond Award. Learn more at www.newcastlechamber.org.
Contact us: newcastle@isspress.com 392-6434, ext. 239
50¢
By Christina Corrales-Toy Newcastle Fruit & Produce owner Dave Franklin didn’t have much time to talk March 22 as he navigated a forklift while earnestly preparing his popular stand for a target opening of April 5-6. It will be Franklin’s 22nd year of operating the seasonal
stand at the corner of Coal Creek Parkway and Newcastle Way, but that doesn’t make each grand opening any easier, he said. “I’m excited, a little nervous, though,” he said. “It’s always like opening a brand new business every year.” Franklin was hard at work unloading pallets of shrubs
just two weeks before he expected the business to open for the season. The stand sells fresh fruit and vegetables. In addition, it sells plants and trees for landscaping, as well as Christmas trees and wreaths during the holiday season through the See OPENING, Page 6
City manager receives $10,000 raise By Christina Corrales-Toy After evaluating City Manager Rob Wyman’s performance in several closed executive sessions, the Newcastle City Council approved a $10,000 raise for the position at its March 18 meeting. The raise, retroactive to Jan. 1, increases Wyman’s annual salary from $120,000 to $130,000. The council also granted Wyman two days of merit leave, the same as last year. Wyman was hired as interim city manager in January 2010, and the council selected him
as the permanent city manager that August. This is the third consecutive year that the council awarded him a raise, and it’s his Rob Wyman highest yet. He received a $6,000 raise in 2012 and a $4,000 raise in 2013. “Mr. Wyman is a solid city manager. He’s a great community connector. He’s done very good work. I feel this is fair
Newcastle News
PAGE 2
Art installation recalls Cougar Mountain’s coal mining past By Christina Corrales-Toy Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is now home to a unique land-art installation that pays tribute to the area’s coal mining past. The project, entitled “Black Forest (29,930,000 tons),” is spread across the forest floor in the form of nearly 50,000 pounds of biochar, environmentally friendly charcoal that appears similar to the coal that was once mined from the mountain. “It was kind of the launching point,” artist Hans Baumann said, “this idea about rethinking what the park was, and trying to reinterpret its history in a way that might be visually compelling.”
If you go
On the web
‘Black Forest (29,930,000 tons)’ The art installation is most easily accessed from the Red Town Trailhead, 7430 Lakemont Blvd. S.E.
Learn more about ‘Black Forest (29,930,000 tons)’ and find detailed directions to the site online at www.theblackforest.org.
The Cougar Mountain trails hold the stories of the region’s past, which included about a century of mining. Park visitors literally stand in the midst of history as they pass abandoned mine shafts, find remnants of carts and railroads, and discover stray pieces of coal. The park is the site of the lucrative Newcastle mining
site, which helped transform Seattle into the dominant port city it is today. The mine operated for about 100 years until the mid-1900s. Workers extracted nearly 11 million tons of coal during that period. It’s that rich history that attracted Baumann to the project about two years ago, he said. “The park is an interest-
Newcastle Chamber of Commerce The Newcastle Chamber of Commerce is blooming and growing!
Join us!
April 9: Monthly Lunch: Dan Satterberg, King County Prosecuting Attorney. 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Tapatio Mexican Grill. April 17: After Hours Event hosted by Mary VonRanker. 6:00 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. at Tapatio Mexican Restaurant. Appetizers provided. No host bar. Members and invited guests. April 23: Networking education Breakfast: Facebook: An Updated Strategy. Buddy Waddington. 7:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Regency Newcastle Please register/rsvp online http://newcastle-chamber.org/contact-the-newcastle-chamber/ Join the chamber: http://newcastle-chamber.org/membership-form/
APRIL 4, 2014
Back tracking: an ongoing series about the history of Newcastle
By Kate Smigiel
ing place to visit, but then beyond that, the existing literature about it and the amount of historical interest in it, I feel, it made my project quite rich, because I was able to draw from it,” he said. “Black Forest (29,930,000 tons)” was funded by 4Culture’s Site Specific Arts program. The number comes from the estimation that the mines emitted 29,930,000 tons of carbon dioxide during its heyday. Baumann received $20,000 total in site-specific grants. The biochar has carbon sequestration qualities, allowing it to store carbon emissions and mitigate the harmful effects of greenhouse gases in climate change. The idea is that the material will conceptually begin the sequestration process of 29,930,000 tons of carbon dioxide, the same amount released through the mine’s 100 years, Baumann said. The project took about two years to come together, Baumann said, and
Pet license checks begin in April
Our Wide Selection of... • Bedding Plants • Baskets • Shade Trees • Ground Covers • Shrubs • Grasses • Vegetable Starters • Hedging Material • Compost & Soil Amendments
A trained, professional canvasser working for Regional Animal Services of King County and the city of Newcastle will soon go door-to-door in an effort to ensure pets living in the city are properly
Artist Hans Baumann spreads bio-carbon, a black charcoal often used as a fertilizer for agricultural crops and ornamental plants such as orchids, as part of a largescale art installation on Cougar Mountain. much of that time was spent researching the history of the area. The artist met with local groups, such as the Newcastle Historical Society and the Issaquah Alps Trails Club. Baumann specifically mentioned Cougar Mountain expert Steve Williams and Newcastle legend Milt Swanson as dutiful teachers as he learned about the park. “This installation is, in part, an effort to make their work physically and visually present on the mountain,” Baumann wrote on his website. Baumann recalled fondly visiting with Swanson at the Newcastle pioneer’s home on Lakemont Boulevard and exploring his vast coalmining museum. Swanson, who passed away Jan. 20 at 95 years old, was the premier historian when it came to the Newcastle mines. He
was born and raised in Newcastle, and he worked in the mines as his father and grandfather did before him. The art installation, which covers more than an acre of forest floor, and sits on what used to be a gravel mine, was unveiled to the public in a special ceremony March 15. Baumann spoke about his project, provided a tour of the site and thanked the volunteers that helped spread the voluminous bio char. “The only thing I hope is that people find it compelling on some level,” he said. “I’m just hoping that it affects people in some way.” The art installation will remain in place until it decomposes, but visitors are encouraged to come early spring, before much of the piece will be covered by vegetation.
licensed. The canvasser will visit homes on weekends April 5 through 27 and on May 4. The person can be identified by a county name badge and logo shirt, and will carry business cards and pet licensing documents. All cats and dogs 8
weeks old and older living in Newcastle are required to be licensed by King County. Canvassers will not give citations for unlicensed pets, but will issue temporary licenses, which allow 30 days for the purchase of permanent tags. The canvassers are sensitive to privacy concerns, and will not, for example, peer in windows or over fences looking for pets. They won’t enter homes and will avoid houses clearly labeled with “No Trespassing” or “No Soliciting” signs. Permanent pet licenses can be obtained at Newcastle City Hall, 12835 Newcastle Way, Suite 200, or online at http://1.usa. gov/1hbv1u0. Learn more about the benefits of licensing your pet at www.kingcounty.gov/ safety/regionalAnimalServices.
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Newcastle News
APRIL 4, 2014
PAGE 3
Newcastle celebrates Earth Day April 19 By Christina Corrales-Toy
If you happen to catch a knight in shining armor meandering across the Lake Boren Park lawn April 19, don’t be alarmed, it’s just one of the newest attractions at the city’s sixth annual Earth Day celebration. The medieval flare comes courtesy of the Knights of Veritas, a group of performers that call upon the code of chivalry and the values of knighthood to educate audiences. “In our case, they’ll be teaching the importance of environmental chivalry,” event Chairwoman Grace Stiller said. The city of Newcastle and the Newcastle Weed Warriors will provide speakers, seminars and activities for Earth Day 2014 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 19 at Lake Boren Park. This year’s theme is “Living in harmony with nature,” a nod to the fact that humans aren’t the only ones that call Newcastle home, Stiller said. “That doesn’t mean that we go out and live in a tent or hug a tree, neces-
If you go Newcastle Earth Day q 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 19 q Lake Boren Park q 13058 S.E. 84th Way q www.newcastleweedwarriors.org sarily, but we provide for the wildlife in such a way that we harmonize with them,” she said. Residents are encouraged to learn how to make their yards wildlifefriendly at the event, in a citywide effort to earn National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat Certification. To obtain the certification, residents must commit to providing food, water, cover and a place for wildlife to raise their offspring. A healthy habitat can be in a variety of places, including a backyard, a local city space or even an apartment balcony. Representatives from the National Wildlife Federation will be available to register residents’ yards as a backyard wildlife habitat at the event.
Children are also invited to take photos with the organization’s mascot, Ranger Rick. “It’s just a statement that you’re aware there is a need in our growing population to provide these basic elements to help wildlife thrive,” Stiller said. The event, as always, is free and open to the public, but this year, organizers are asking attendees to bring donations of used clothes and shoes. “This is an opportunity for everybody to recycle and know that they’re reducing their waste by it being used by somebody else,” Stiller said. The Hazen High School jazz band and the Boeing Employees’ Concert Band return to provide live entertainment. Many of the popular attractions from last year, such as the amphibian-toting frog lady and the live raptor house featuring birds of prey, will also return. Puget Sound Energy, one of the event sponsors, will offer free energysaving light bulbs, and 100 attendees will receive free native trees to plant in their yards courtesy of the National Wildlife
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Federation. In addition to the Lake Boren Park festivities, HomeStreet Bank is simultaneously hosting a community shred-a-thon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Newcastle branch, 6949 Coal Creek Parkway S.E. Residents can bring their sensitive documents for safe disposal in an event made possible by the bank, city and local real estate agent Brenda Nunes. The Boy Scouts of
Josephine Yen, 12, of Bellevue, looks and listens as a male Pacific tree frog fills its vocalizing sack at the 2013 Newcastle Earth Day event. By Greg Farrar
Troop 499 will be available to assist people with large reams of paper. “Earth Day is about celebrating what we already have,” Stiller said. “We have wonderful trails, nice
parks and a savvy community that really thinks about what’s happening with the planet, but it’s also to learn more about how we can even be more sustainable.”
Opinion
PAGE 4
Editorial
Letters
Vote yes on roads and transit funds
Shop local and support the businesses that serve your community
The state failed, once again, to find a way to fund transportation. So, once again, the county is on the hook to do so. It’s unfortunate that it has come to this, but it has. Voters should approve King County’s Proposition 1, to fund roads and transit. It’s not cheap, ($60 on car tabs per year and a 0.1 percent sales tax increase for the next 10 years) but neither is the transportation network needed to keep one of the fastest growing counties in the nation moving. It’s important to note a bus fare increase is part of the package, so riders, even those without cars, are paying directly for the system as well. Opponents say that Metro is taking in record revenue, even more than it did before the recession. Their simplistic analysis seems to ignore the increases in ridership and population. Without the money, Metro is looking at a 17 percent reduction in bus service. Even for those who don’t ride the bus, consider the hundreds if not thousands of cars that would be dumped on the roads if those cuts become reality. In Newcastle, routes 114 and 240 would see reductions in service. The measure would also help fund the county’s road network. Forty percent of the money raised would go back to the cities to help them support their road network. In Newcastle, that means about $274,000 per year for city streets, not to mention the funds going to neighboring cities, which will help drivers who ever travel anywhere inside the county. The measure has flaws. The 10-year sunset is a bit too far out. If the state does get its act together, it would be nice to see this tax go away more quickly. The flat taxes are regressive, hitting the poor more sharply than the wealthy — a car tab tax based on the vehicle’s value might be more palatable. The measure is far from perfect, but it’s what we’re left with after years and years of state inaction. Hold your nose, and vote yes.
Poll question What’s the first thing you will buy when the Newcastle Fruit & Produce stand opens this month?
APRIL 4, 2014
A. Flowers B. Strawberries C. Landscaping materials D. Watermelons E. Other Vote at www.newcastlenews.com.
Newcastle news Published since 1999 by
Is s a q u a h Pre s s In c . P.O. Box 1328 Issaquah, WA 98027 Phone: 392-6434 q Fax: 392-1695
As a new small business owner, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of “shopping locally.” As a member of local chambers of commerce, I’ve met numerous business people who feel privileged to serve those in their community. Why not turn around and
support those businesses that are so eager to serve you? There are many reasons to shop locally. A few of them are: 1. It’s the “green” thing to do. (Less driving means less pollution.) 2. Tax dollars that businesses pay stay in your local community. 3. You will feel a stronger sense of community. To help you find local busi-
Notes from Newcastle
Connect with Renton Technical College Nearly every week, I meet someone whose sibling, parent, neighbor or co-worker attended Renton Technical College. Many locals are, or have been, students at RTC. Many are program graduates, working in vital Washington sectors like aerospace, information technology or health care. Many people have taken a cooking class, upgraded their credentials and improved their English skills at RTC. The key word here is “many.” Many people have a connection to this college. And if you are one of these many people, we want to invite you back. There are many ways, as an alumni or general supporter of the college, you can share your expertise or continue your relationship with us. First and foremost, come to our events. If you don’t know about the profound work we accomplish at Renton Technical College, here are just a few upcoming activities you can attend: q Weekly tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning at 11 a.m., Building I, Room 216; q Free Speakers Series lectures with Dr. Rita Schenck/Institute for Environmental Research & Education (at 4 p.m. April 17); q The annual RTC Dinner & Silent Auction, featuring Pat Cashman and Events on the Edge, on Friday, June 6 (tickets available at www.rtc.edu). If you are a graduate, then you know RTC produces top-notch candidates for in-demand careers
Public meetings
From sidewalk installation projects to snow removal to property tax collection, decisions made by officials at a local level have the potential to impact your daily life. Get involved. Provide
nesses, go to your chamber of commerce’s website and search its member directory. Another option is to go to this paper’s online version and search in its business directory. I’m sure you’ll be successful in finding the perfect local business to meet your needs. Oh, and thank you for your support! Amy Sehayek Issaquah
in the Puget Sound area. In fact, RTC has the highest completion and placement rates of all two-year post-secondary options in Washington state. We’re working now on the introduction of Applied Baccalaureates in Computer Applications and Applied Management by 2015. We offer more than 65 workforce programs as unique Heather as Band Instrument Repair Winfrey Technology, as creative as Culinary Arts and as exclusive as Anesthesia Technician, which is one of only five such programs nationally. Our industry connections are superlative, and graduates who pursue work in their chosen professions are getting great jobs. So, please, share your success with RTC and encourage students of all ages to take a look at our college. We are a viable, affordable and competitive option. I’m proud to say that when my teenager graduates from Hazen High School in 2015, he will attend college at RTC. Finally, you can stay connected to RTC by joining our mailing list or becoming a member of the RTC Circle of Friends by contacting us at ndaily@rtc.edu or 235-7867. The RTC Circle of Friends offers tailored benefits and activities and donor recognition. Heather Winfrey is the director of the Renton Technical College Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the needs of RTC’s students and programs. She lives in Newcastle. Interested in writing a Newcastle-specific column for the paper? Email newcastle@isspress.com.
feedback. Make a difference. q City Council, 7 p.m. April 15 at City Hall, 12835 Newcastle Way, Suite 200 q Community Activities Commission, 7 p.m. April 9 at City Hall q Planning Commission, 7 p.m. April 16 at City Hall
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APRIL 4, 2014
Raise From Page 1 more in line with his peers, and provide some separation between his salary and that of his department directors. Wyman’s lack of experience as a city manager was reflected in his initial salary, Councilwoman Lisa Jensen said, and it was time to reconcile his pay with his now four years of service. “We did start him low, and we took a bit of a risk with someone who hadn’t done the job before, but it’s paid off well for us,” she said. The raise was approved by a 6-1 vote of the council. Deputy Mayor John Drescher was the lone dissent. Drescher said he had no qualms about the city
City hit with rash of March car break-ins While crime was down in 2013, the Newcastle Police Department received reports of higherthan-usual volumes of car break-ins during March, Chief Melinda Irvine said in a city e-alert. The thefts occurred at night all across the city. Some of the vehicles were accessed through unlocked doors, some by breaking a window and some by breaking into a locked door. Items of value that were stolen had been left in
Crime From Page 1 pared to 1,789 in 2012. Area checks and calls for suspicious persons, activity or vehicles still remain some of the most prevalent calls the department receives, Irvine said. “Citizens are still being aware and giving us information,” she said. The number of Part I and Part II cases closed by arrest appeared to go down from 71 to 61 in 2013, but Irvine said with the crime down last year, the percentage of cases closed was actually almost identical to 2012. After the presentation, Deputy Mayor John Drescher asked Irvine if she had noticed any marijuana-related crime after the voters elected to legalize the drug with the
manager’s performance, even thanking Wyman for his support in getting him up to speed about his duties as a new councilman, but he couldn’t in good conscience approve the raise due to concerns “around the costs we’re burdened by.” Drescher also said he supported a significant increase to Wyman’s salary, but had concerns about this 8.3 percent increase and future efforts to maintain that level. Councilman Gordon Bisset said he agreed that the $10,000 raise, or the more than 8 percent increase, was not something he’d like to see continue in the future, but he felt it was the appropriate moment to reward Wyman for all of his past work. “In view of the low start and our sort of just incremental increases, I think
now is the time to reward him for the excellent job he’s done,” he said. Newcastle City Hall has become a more welcoming place, with a better overall attitude since Wyman took over, Jensen said. Wyman has also orchestrated some great department hires, council members said, and been particularly responsive to council questions and requests. “We have a great staff, a very hardworking staff and that’s a credit to Rob’s leadership,” Mayor Steve Buri said. After the raise was approved, Wyman thanked the council members for their kind words and promised his efforts and work ethic wouldn’t diminish. “I appreciate the vote of confidence and will continue to work as hard or harder in the future,” he said.
plain sight or placed in the glove box or center console in many cases. If you were a victim of a car break-in that has not been reported, you may report your loss by calling 206-296-3311 or report it online at www.reporttosheriff.org. Anyone with information or surveillance video that may assist in this investigation, should contact the Newcastle Police Department at 649-4444 or police@ci.newcastle. wa.us. Witnesses can also file an anonymous tip through the city website,
www.ci.newcastle.wa.us. To help prevent car break-ins, the Newcastle Police Department advises residents to close all car windows, lock all doors, park in a well-lit area and do not leave keys in a vehicle. Car owners should also remove items of value from their vehicles before entering their homes. If you have to leave something in your car, place it in the trunk or other secure location prior to arriving at your destination. Do not do it after you have parked your car.
passage of Initiative 502 in 2012. “Not specifically in the city,” she responded. “I
have seen them in surrounding areas, in some of the crimes that occurred in King County.”
PAGE 5
Newcastle News
PAGE 6
LifeWire hosts annual gala, auction
LifeWire, the state’s largest domestic violence service provider, will host its 2014 benefit gala and auction May 3. The funds from the World of Hope Gala and Auction provides services in east and north King County to victims of physical, emotional or sexual abuse. The money collected also assists the organization in preventing domestic violence through advocacy, education and support. The event begins at 5 p.m. with a wine reception and silent auction, followed by a 7 p.m. live auction and dinner led by emcee Molly Shen, a news anchor at KOMO-TV. LifeWire has provided support to more than 122,000 victims and their children since its inception 32 years ago. The organization operates a 24-hour helpline, 746-1940, for those seeking assistance. It also offers housing, prevention and counseling services. Buy tickets, view sponsorship opportunities, donate an item for the auction and learn more about the gala at lifewire. maestroweb.com.
Opening
APRIL 4, 2014
P ets
From Page 1
SponSored
end of December. It isn’t really spring in Newcastle until the business’ red-and-white tent is standing at the center of town, Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Imelda Dulcich said. “People do drive-bys to see if the gates are open,” she said. “That’s how eager our community is for Newcastle Fruit & Produce to open for the season.” The stand is more than just fresh produce, though; it’s also an integral part of the community, Dulcich said. Franklin is known for his generosity. He donated the floral arrangements for the Newcastle Diamond Awards and also planned and hosted the well-attended Newcastle tree lighting ceremony and celebration last year. While Franklin said he hopes to have the produce stand up and running for the first weekend of April, the business’ nursery will likely
By Christina Corrales-Toy
Dave Franklin, Newcastle Fruit & Produce owner, harnesses a pallet of shrubs to his forklift as he prepares for the grand opening of his popular seasonal stand. already be open to the public, though he didn’t have a specific date at the time. The nursery is staffed by a group of gardening experts, ready to assist customers with their landscaping needs, from diagnosing a sick plant to helping visitors craft the perfect container garden. Whether its fruit or flowers she’s looking for, Dulcich said she’s just excited to see the tent there for another season. “The red-and-white tent beckons with a promise of the freshest fruits and vegetables, and the prettiest flowers and
plants,” she said. The stand is at 13013 Newcastle Way. Learn more about the Newcastle Fruit & Produce stand on the company’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ newcastlefruitandproduce.
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To adopt these or other animals, call the Humane Society for Seattle/King County at 641-0080 or go to www.seattlehumane. org. All animals are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated, and come with 30 days of pet health insurance and a certificate for a vet exam.
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Newcastle News
APRIL 4, 2014
YOUR COMMUNITY MARKET
PAGE 7
OPEN EVERYDAY FROM 9AM - 6PM
It’s the produce! It’s the plants! It’s the people!
“Grand Reopening” Sat April 5th • Quality Fresh Produce That We’re Famous For Delivered Fresh Daily!
• Our Fresh Inventory of Beautiful Nursery Stock is Stunning!
Let Our Garden Professionals Guide You. Visit us on Facebook.com for daily updates on new products and specials.
NOW OPEN FOR THE SEASON! Newcastle • Across from McDonald’s at the corner of Newcastle Way & Coal Creek Parkway
Community
PAGE 8
Events Recycling event, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5, Renton Academy, 6928 116th Ave. S.E., 649-4444 Newcastle Chamber of Commerce monthly lunch with guest speaker King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 9, Tapatio Mexican Grill, 6920 Coal Creek Parkway S.E., $20/members, $25/nonmembers, 206-618-5641 Newcastle Chamber of Commerce After Hours Social, 5-7 p.m. April 17, RSVP or learn details as they become available by calling 206-6185641 Earth Day Celebration, volunteer opportunities, activities, music and food, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 19, Lake Boren Park, 13058 S.E. 84th Way, call 206795-5783 ‘Facebook: an Updated Strategy,’ chamber networking breakfast with speaker Buddy Waddington, 7:15-8:30 a.m. April 23, Regency Newcastle, 7454 Newcastle Golf Club Road, free, call 206-618-5641
APRIL 4, 2014
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Hop to Lake Boren Park for April 19 egg hunt
Contributed
A Newcastle family poses with the Easter bunny at the 2011 egg hunt. The popular Easter egg hunt returns to the Earth Day lineup this year.
Public meetings
YMCA
All city public meetings are at City Hall, 12835 Newcastle Way, Suite 200. Call 649-4444. q Community Activity Commission meeting — 7-8 p.m. April 9 q Finance Committee Meeting — 4-5 p.m. April 14 q Economic and Community Development Committee — 5:30-6:30 p.m. April 15 q City Council meeting — 7-8 p.m. April 15 q Planning Commission — 7-8 p.m. April 16 Newcastle Trails board, first Monday of the month, 7 p.m., Regency Newcastle, 7454 Newcastle Golf Club Road, www. newcastletrails.org Friends of the Newcastle Library meeting, 7 p.m. March 26, 12901 Newcastle Way
The Coal Creek Family YMCA, 13750 Newcastle Golf Club Road, has regular family programs for all ages. Get a complete schedule or register for classes by calling 282-1500 or go to www.coalcreekymca.org. Small Group Personal Training, 18 and older, $120/ facility members: q Kettlebell Fitness, Wednesdays 5-6 p.m. through April 23 and 6-7 p.m. through April 30 q Small Group Circuit with Lucy, Fridays 10-11 a.m. through April 25 Family Bingo Bonanza, 6:30 p.m. April 4 Rookies Indoor Soccer League, ages 3-6, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through May 3, $70/ facility member, $95/program member, call for age group specifics Parents Night Out At the
Y: Go Green, ages 3-10, 5-9 p.m. April 12, $30/facility members, $40/program members q Youth Volleyball League, grades four and five 4-5 p.m., grades six through eight 5-6 p.m., Fridays to June 14, $70/facility members, $105/program members Family Friday Flicks, 6 p.m. April 18 Family Pickle Ball, 3-4 p.m. Sundays, Gym 1, free to facility members Healthy Kids Day, April 26 Youth Outdoor Soccer League, times vary, April 21 to June 21, $85/facility members, $110/program members Open Teen and Tween Basketball, 8:30-10 p.m. Fridays, free to facility members Open Teen and Tween Dodgeball, 7-7:50 p.m., Tuesdays, free to facility members Teen Service Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 19, email nhaskey@seattleymca.org
After a brief hiatus, the Lake Boren Park Easter egg hunt returns April 19. In the past, the hunt was a pre-Newcastle Earth Day festivity. Volunteers from the Olympus Homeowners Association hid about 500 eggs at the 2011 event. The fun begins at 9:30 a.m. April 19, just a half-hour before the Newcastle Earth Day event opens. Families should arrive early, since the plastic eggs go fast, Newcastle Earth Day chairwoman Grace Stiller said. “It takes hours to prepare, and then the kids get their eggs in just five minutes,” she said. After children collect their eggs, families are encouraged to stay and enjoy the Earth Day activities from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Easter egg hunt is sponsored by Newcastle Dentistry in coordination with the Olympus Homeowners Association.
Library events The Newcastle Library is at 12901 Newcastle Way. The following programs are offered the rest of the month: Computer class: ‘Oneon-One Assistance,’ 7-7:30 p.m. and 7:30-8 p.m., adults, Mondays ‘The Chancy and Narly Show,’ 3 and older, 11:30 a.m. April 9 Russian World Language Story Time, ages 3 and older, 11:30 a.m. April 22 Study Zone, for grades K-12, 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays April 15 and 22, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays April 16 and 23 Teen Leadership Board, 6:30 p.m. April 16, Coal Creek YMCA, 13750 Newcastle Golf Club Road ‘Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisor Counseling,’ adults, 10 a.m.
April 4, free, register at 206-6245633, ext. 4301 Computer class: ‘Word level 1,’ 10-11:30 a.m., April 5 Learn About eBooks, drop in, 1:30-2:30 p.m., April 7 Wildlife Habitat Meeting: Living in Harmony with Nature, speaker Grace Stiller, 10 a.m. to noon April 12, www. newcastleweedwarriors.org Circulo de Lectura en Español, for adults, 7 p.m. April 17 Poetry Workshop for Teens, 2 p.m. April 19 Newcastle Library Book Club: ‘Olive Kitteridge,’ by Elizabeth Strout, for adults, 7 p.m. April 24 Master Gardeners Clinic, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ‘Fit by Nature: Get Outside, Get Active, Get Healthy,’ adults, 2-3:30 p.m. April 12, Coal Creek YMCA, 13750 Newcastle Golf Club Road
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Newcastle News
APRIL 4, 2014
PAGE 9
Laughing all the way
Not a very pretty picture You might come to believe by reading this column that my life consists primarily of going to parties, drinking, and then doing something that I regret, and honestly, you would pretty much be right. This particular column has to do with a recent “Paint and Sip” adventure. You may have heard of these: “paint and sip” or “paint and pour” or — my favorite moniker — “Arts & Carafes,” where a group
of people recreate a painting under the tutelage of an artist and under the influence of alcohol. For Christmas, my nephew gifted my sister Barb with tickets for one of these evenings, paying also for myself and our other sister Susie. It had all the elements for potential fun/disaster: my sisters, alcohol and a task best done sober, Jackson Pollock notwithstanding. Our goal, along with 20 or so other artist wan-
nabes, was to recreate an impressionisticlike painting of a field of tulips. Each of us was Pat Detmer provided with an easel, canvas, brushes and a paper plate filled with pools of primary paint colors. Music
Maywood Kiwanis Builders Club helps children, seniors
made paper flowers to be given to the Spiritwood at Pine Lake assisted living community in Sammamish to brighten the day of the residents. Kiwanis is a global service organization of “volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.” The Kiwanis family consists of K-Kids for elementary schoolers, Builders Club for middle school, Key Club for high school, Circle-K for colleges and universities, and Aktion Club for adult with disabilities. The Kiwanis Club of Issaquah was founded in 1929 and sponsors Atwork!, the Aktion Club of Salmon County, Key Clubs at Issaquah and Liberty high schools, and a Kiwanis Builders Club at Pacific Cascade Middle School. Learn more about the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah at www.issaquahkiwanis.org.
Recycling event is set
The latest addition to the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah family is the Maywood Middle School Kiwanis Builders Club. The chartering of the Maywood Builders Club was initiated two years ago by Key Clubber Lisa Antonio, currently lieutenant governor of PNW Key Club Division 28. It took two years to find a faculty adviser, Samantha Neff. With her leadership, the Kiwanis Maywood Builders Club recently engaged Kiwanis and Key Club with the project of making hospital dolls for Seattle Children’s. Doctors use the dolls to explain medical procedures by drawing the procedure on a doll, which is then given to the patient. Club members also
Dispose of recyclable material at a city-sponsored collection event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5 at Renton Academy, 6928 116th Ave. S.E. Residents may bring tires, motor oil, filters and antifreeze, lead acid and alkaline batteries, household goods and clothing, porcelain toilets and sinks, propane tanks, cardboard, appliances and scrap metal, refrigerators and freezers, electronic equipment and mattresses. Certain types of household and hazardous wastes will not be accepted. Computer monitors and televisions will also not be accepted. A minimal charge applies for some items. Only cash is accepted at the event. See the full listing of acceptable items and fees at http://bit. ly/1p8pbMv.
was playing in the background, the wait staff was quick and attentive, and the food was good. Our artist-in-residence began with instructions. Unfortunately, I’ve always had a problem with authority figures and following directions, which explains why nothing in my house works the way it should and why nuns and CEOs eventually tire of me, so when the instructor said to mix the paints on our paper plate to create green and spread it all
over the canvas or use a pointillist method, everyone followed his directions. I was surrounded by green-washed and dotted canvases, while I — true to my contrary nature — chose to daub. Then, he told us how to create the tulip shapes. I ignored him and did something else entirely. “Hmm,” he said when he made the rounds. “No one has ever done anything like that before. Never. No one.”
I couldn’t tell if he was impressed or if he was thinking that I would be well-served by spending some serious money on a Freudian analyst. Several glasses of champagne later, we were done, and as I looked at my sisters’ efforts I once again wondered if Mother had cheated my father. Could we possibly be of the same bloodline? Barb’s was a lovely wash of pastels, Susie’s was packed with busy tulips vying for attention and mine ... mine looked like the opening frames of a horror movie about bivalve mollusks capturing and torturing each other a la’ Vlad the Impaler: clams stuck sideways on a stick, frothing white and bleeding blue. It scared me, and I’m the one who created it. But, what the hell ... I’ve hung it on my office wall anyway. It’s behind me when I’m on the computer. Uh ... I think it’s watching me ... You can reach Pat Detmer — who does not fear painting, but does fear what she produced — at patdetmer@aol.com.
Newcastle News
PAGE 10
APRIL 4, 2014
City Council axes temporary commission liaison By Christina Corrales-Toy Despite pleas from Community Activities commissioners, the advisory board no longer has a council member liaison after the Newcastle City Council decided against renewing the position at its March 18 meeting. The council voted down a motion, 4-3, seeking to extend the liaison through the end of the year. A council liaison was appointed last year to help the volunteer board as it transitioned from the Parks Commission to the Community Activities Commission. Councilman Rich Crispo, who led the changes to the commis-
sion, was chosen to serve as the liaison. The council representative acted as a nonvoting member of the advisory board; the position was set to expire at the end of March. Prior to the vote, Linda Newing, vice chairwoman of the Community Activities Commission, addressed the City Council, speaking on behalf of the board in saying that the liaison was an appreciated addition. “We feel an extension of this position is value added and it’s not an expenditure to the city,” she said. “It’s just another communication tool that really helps in getting our progress moving.” The commissioners’
own desire to keep the position was the main reason Councilman Gordon Bisset and Councilwoman Lisa Jensen said they supported an extension for the liaison. “I believe the Community Activities Commission has requested this just about every meeting that I’ve gone to. They’re in agreement 7-0 that they need this position and it’s really helped,” Bisset said. After a year of transition, though, and with the new addition of a city staff member whose responsibilities include working with the Community Activities Commission, the majority of the council felt it was time to let the
council member liaison position expire. The city staff welcomed new addition Wendy Kirchner in February. Kirchner’s official title is community activities liaison. She works closely with the Community Activities Commission. “It’s important to learn that the staff person is there to assist the Community Activities Commission and to support the commission and to report back to council on what the commission’s recommendations are,” Councilwoman Carol Simpson said. “At this time, I’d like to see our staff person be given a chance to take that role.”
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supported extending the position. Earlier this year, the council decided against the commission’s proposition to extend Newcastle Days to two days and change the date, due to a lack of time to acquire sponsors and manage logistics. Newcastle Days 2014 will occur the first Saturday of September, as it has in the past. “You have the right to make this call, make the call,” Crispo said, “but just recognize that you’ve got volunteers out there that are trying to do the best they can for the city, and when they’re asking for something, they probably should be respected.”
Deputy Mayor John Drescher also added that with the progress the commissioners had made since the board’s shakeup, the extra crutch of the council member liaison wasn’t really necessary. “They were crawling and walking, and now I think with Wendy in place, and with the quality of people on the Community Activities Commission, they’re ready to run on their own,” he said. The decision to axe the council member liaison, though, was another example of the City Council ignoring a commission recommendation, a disturbing trend, according to Crispo, who
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Phoenix Art Restoration brings conservation and fine art custom framing to Issaquah Celebrating their second year in Gilman Village, Phoenix Art Restoration brings world-class art restoration and fine art custom framing to Issaquah and the Eastside. Phoenix provides restoration services on paintings, works on paper, sculpture, ceramics, frames, antiques and objects of all description. “We all love what we do,” says Ray Miles, custom framing manager at Gilman Village. “All the employees at Phoenix Art Restoration are passionate artists in their respective mediums who have chosen their career for its creative aspect.” Miles is celebrating his 29th year in the art and custom framing industry. He sees his role as a designer and consultant to blend the design aesthetic of his clients with the style and period of their artworks. “Our frame selection is larger than the average frame shop would carry,” Miles says. “As for specialty frames, we have a nice selection of closed-corner mouldings that are handcarved, hand-finished in
22-carat gold leaf. “We carry a large variety of unusual and very fine Italian specialty frames. We hand carve, cast, gild and finish custom mouldings. We also carry a wide selection of shadow box frames. Bring your imagination.” “But we don’t charge extra for our expertise. We don’t even charge for restoration evaluations. My clients are usually surprised at how affordable our services are.” Phoenix Art Restoration was founded by Newport High alumni Daniel Zimmerman whose vision was to offer restoration and exceptional custom framing to his clients. Most of the restoration work takes place at their 8,000-square-foot facility in Shoreline. At the restoration facility, a team of experts in all forms of two and three dimensional art, furniture, and collectables bring treasured works back to life. “As a company we are constantly striving to improve, educate and innovate in the interest of providing our clients and their artwork the
very best service. Our procedures and ethics are guided by the international association of conservators. Our mission is to be able to care for any work of art, large or small, fine or decorative. This includes family heirlooms and personal mementos. Our clients are often surprised at the variety of artifacts we can restore. I hate to see a cherished artifact or work of art cast aside simply because of damage that could easily be repaired,” Zimmerman says. Phoenix Restorations’ scope of services also includes transport, installation, onsite restoration and repair, as well as emergency disaster services for fires, floods or natural disasters. The Gilman location focuses mainly on custom framing and was opened to offer its unique services to its clients on the Eastside. “As little as ten years ago there were five independent frame shops in the greater Issaquah area. Today, we are the only one,” Miles says. “Gilman Village offered a unique opportunity to establish
a location for high quality art services and offer Eastside clients the ability to bring in their restoration work. “ Phoenix Art Restoration is pleased with its decision to open a location in Issaquah and enjoys giving back to the local community through charities, local school auctions, an onsite art and collectables road show, as well as cultural and fun family events at Gilman Village. For more information and to view examples of Phoenix Art Restoration’s work, please visit www. phoenixartrestoration.com or call 677-8789.
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Schools
PAGE 12
APRIL 4, 2014
Contributed
Dr. Merri Rieger, Renton School District superintendent (third from left), and Pam Teal, chairwoman of the Friends of Renton School Foundation (fourth from left), receive a check for more than $24,000 from Walker’s Renton Subaru representatives.
By Greg Farrar
Japanese cultural exchange students and the Liberty High School families hosting them get together for a group photo, appropriately among Japanese cherry trees in bloom, at a welcoming ceremony March 22 in Redmond.
Liberty welcomes Japanese visitors By Christina Corrales-Toy Alex Tachiyama, a Liberty High School senior, was lucky. He got to partake in a Thanksgiving dinner twice in the past six months. He celebrated the gluttonous holiday in November with the rest of the nation, but he also munched on helpings of turkey and mashed potatoes again in March. The March feast was for the benefit of his foreign
visitor, Kazuyoshi Hirata, as 20 Liberty High School families hosted 24 students from Japan through a cultural exchange program. “We want to show them what it’s like to have that type of dinner, because that’s a very American thing,” Tachiyama said. “That’s why they’re here, to see how Americans live.” The Liberty families welcomed their visitors from Shingu High School at a special ceremony
March 22 at Redmond High School. It was the second part of an exchange project that sent Liberty Japanese teacher Matt Harvey and a group of his students on a 10-day visit to Japan this past summer. During that trip, students spent time in Tokyo and lived with families in a total cultural immersion. “The Liberty students really had a great time in Japan,” Harvey said. “Now, it’s our turn to
accept students into our community.” State Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, of Seattle, welcomed the Japanese students at the March 22 event, and shared with them some of the history between Seattle and their country. When Santos mentioned former Seattle Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki, and current pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma, the See EXCHANGE, Page 13
Renton Schools receive $24,000 gift
Walker’s Renton Subaru and Subaru of America donated $24,041 to the Friends of Renton Schools foundation in March. The money will be used to support funding for science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs for schools through the Renton School District. “Providing these funds to our local schools is something that I and my team here at Walker’s Renton Subaru believe in,” said Walker’s Renton Subaru owner Dale Walker. “A high quality school system benefits our entire community.” The funds were collected as part of Subaru of
America’s national Share the Love event. Customers who purchased or leased a new vehicle Nov. 21 to Jan. 2 contributed a $250 donation to any of five national charities or made a local donation to the Friends of Renton Schools foundation. Walker’s Renton Subaru staff said they embraced the opportunity to raise funds for local schools and worked hard to ensure customers knew of the charitable-giving opportunity. They sold or leased enough cars during the event to be the No. 1 selling dealer in the Northwest zone, and third in the United States among 641 dealers nationwide.
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Newcastle News
APRIL 4, 2014
Hazen educator receives honor The Renton School Board recognized Hazen High School educator Josh Viles Josh Viles as one of the district’s top employees at its March 26 meetings. Viles, who leads the Hazen music department, was one of five district staff members to receive an Outstanding Employee Award. The board has presented the awards for more than 30 years to recognize staff who demonstrate an extraordinary level of job performance, support of students, professionalism and dedication. Enrollment in Hazen music programs has increased since Viles joined the staff in 2004. His award-winning choirs have also become a source of pride for the school. Under his direction, Hazen music students have garnered 15 regional championships and five state championships. Passion for Hazen’s choir programs is at an all-time high, as evidenced by the high student turnout, many of which are boys. It isn’t generally easy to coax boys to join their high school choir, but Viles said last year he doesn’t have to try hard at all to get them to join the class. “The kids are just ready to go,” Viles said. “There’s
just an enthusiasm and energy behind the whole music department, in general.”
Rotary club honors student of the month Christina Ta, a senior at Hazen High School, was selected as a Renton Rotary Club Youth of the Month for February. She maintains Christina Ta a 3.94 grade point average, and is involved in Associated Student Body office, DECA, National Honor Society and drill team. Ta has been named an Advanced Placement Scholar and an Academic All Star, and has received scholar athlete honors, a certificate of participation for drill state championships and a varsity letter in drill. She works part time at Hollister and as a server at her family’s restaurant, but also finds time to volunteer with Renton Schools, Newcastle Weed Warriors and Susan G. Komen. Ta plans to attend the University of Washington, where she will study computer science or informatics. She hopes to work in software development, user experience designs, or programming at Apple or Google.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS Eastside Catholic School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other schooladministered programs.
Exchange From Page 12 group smiled and audibly reacted with familiarity to their homegrown talents. The Japanese visitors stayed just a few days before leaving for the East Coast leg of their trip, but not before they got a chance to visit Liberty High School. They gave presentations in the Japanese, Spanish and French classes, before shadowing their host student in the final period of the day. “Together, they got a comprehensive view of what it’s like to go to Liberty High School for a day,” Harvey said. Liberty families also had free days to do tourist-type things with their visitors. Tachiyama said he took Hirata to Bellevue Square to try bubble tea
PAGE 13
and showed him around downtown Renton. “When people go to visit a foreign country, most of the time they’re just in a hotel or something, but being able to stay with a family and eat what they eat, play games, watch TV, whatever it is, is really where they will get the essence of authentic America,” Harvey said. The exchange was part of the KAKEHASHI Project, aimed at building stronger relationships between future Japanese and American leaders through a youth exchange. “Just as Japan was, for me and my students, one of the greatest trips of our lives, it’s the same for them,” Harvey said. “This is going to be one of the greatest experiences they’ve ever had, and it’s wonderful that it can happen in our community.”
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The Friends of Renton Schools will host its fifth annual benefit breakfast, headlined by speaker Randy Gardiner, on April 28. Gardiner is the president, CEO and chairman of the locally based Red Dot Corp., the leading manufacturer of heaters and air conditioners for commercial and military vehicles. The benefit is the main fundraiser for the school foundation that provides supplemental funding to support the Renton School District. The Friends of Renton Schools’ mission is to develop a sustainable
funding resource that bridges the gap between federal and state funding for schools, so students can obtain an exceptional, world-class education. Learn more about the April breakfast and the Friends of Renton School organization at www. friendsofrentonschools.org.
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Sports
PAGE 14
APRIL 4, 2014
Patriots blow out rival Highlanders, 10-0 By Christina Corrales-Toy
It doesn’t have the same energy as the football or basketball rivalries, but anytime Liberty and Hazen high schools meet on the diamond, it’s always a battle between familiar foes. Just three miles separate the two schools, and despite the fact they reside in different school districts, many of the students grew up together playing in youth leagues. This time, it was the Liberty ball players who bested the Highlanders in a convincing 10-0 nonleague tune-up March 25. “That was pretty amazing,” Liberty baseball coach John Martin said. “Hazen is typically a really good program, and usually battles pretty tough, if not comes out on the other side with a win, so that was pretty exciting.” It took the Patriots just five innings to put away Hazen, which struggled to
put together any momentum against Liberty’s winning pitcher, Lorin Archibald. Archibald, a senior, was credited with the shutout, going all five innings and striking out four along the way. “Archie looked good today,” Martin said. “He was the big part on our defensive side that led us to this win.” The game remained scoreless after the first inning. Liberty secured the only runs it would need, though, in the three-run second inning. Every Liberty starter came to the plate in the five-run third inning, chasing Hazen starting pitcher Ryan Gayte from the mound. Nolan Hoover, who also stars as the Highlanders’ quarterback, came on in relief. “I think some of our mental approach was a little lacking, but I think we’ll be fine,” said Hazen baseball coach Mike Brundage said. “It’s
a nonleague game, it is what it is. The key thing is to bounce back and have a short-term memory, and go out and start league.” Hazen batters Brooks Jacobs and J. Crosby, a commit to play baseball at Pacific Lutheran University next year, were the only ones to come away with hits for the Highlanders. In a moment of comic relief, during what was an otherwise lackluster game for Hazen, Highlanders’ shortstop Zack Hill quipped, “Give the quarterback his football helmet,” after pitcher Hoover took a bouncing ball to the face. Hoover was not injured during the play. Hazen wasn’t happy with the game’s outcome, especially against a rival, Brundage said, but it was better to get this clunker out of the way before league play started. See RIVALS, Page 15
By Greg Farrar
Tyler Haselman, Liberty High School sophomore catcher, tags out Hazen’s J. Crosby in the top of the fourth on a spot-on throw from Liberty freshman centerfielder Torey Anderson.
Hazen drill team wins third state championship in a row By Christina Corrales-Toy If Kristin Sargent’s career as the head coach of the Hazen drill team was written as a book, it would have the perfect fairy tale ending. The preface would note that her Hazen roots run deep. She was a member of the Liberty High School drill team before coming to Hazen, where she was the drill team captain in 1999. The body of the story would detail her seven years as the Hazen drill coach, a golden era of sorts, as she led the Highlanders to several state titles. The best part would be the ending, though, as Sargent’s team captured its third consecutive state title, in the same year she announced it would be her last. That’s what happened March 29 as the Hazen drill team added to its overflowing trophy case with another great showing at the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association’s Dance and Drill State Championships in the Yakima SunDome. The Highlanders took first in
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Hazen High School drill team and coaches show off their newest state championship trophy at the Yakima SunDome March 29. Hazen placed first in 3A pom. 3A pom with a score of 252.3. “I told the girls, leaving with them is the exclamation point at the end of this job because it’s just been a great team,” Sargent said. This year’s team was disciplined and hardworking, Sargent
said. Drill is a huge time commitment. The girls practice for nearly 10 months of the year, rarely stopping for holidays, vacations or school breaks. Academics are important to the squad. The drill team is held to a higher grade point aver-
age standard than other sports teams, Sargent said. For the first time since Sargent had been at Hazen, a Hazen drill team member won a special WIAA academic scholarship at this year’s state event. Christine Ta, a senior, came
away with the award. “That was so special,” Sargent said. “She worked so hard and she’s an amazing student.” Ta wasn’t the only Hazen driller to receive an individual honor at the state championship. Hazen senior Josie Fenske placed in the top six in the individual drill down competition that attracts hundreds of participants. “There are about 400 or 500 kids on that floor, and Josie was one of the best out there,” Sargent said. “She’s always been really strong, but this is the farthest she’s ever made it.” Sargent is now stepping away from the sport to take time to be with her kids. She doesn’t plan to stay away completely from the team, but she no longer has time for the commitment drill requires. Her departure made her third consecutive year winning a state title a little bittersweet, she said, but she was glad to leave on a high note. “It’s going to be OK. I’ll still be around, but this definitely feels like it’s the exact way I would want to go out,” she said.
Newcastle News
APRIL 4, 2014
Julia O’Toole signs with College of the Holy Cross
Rivals
Newcastle resident Julia O’Toole signed a National Letter of Intent to play Division I volleyball at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. O’Toole is a senior at Seattle’s Holy Names Academy, where she plays varsity volleyball. She led her Holy Names team to second place in the state tournament this year. O’Toole also plays club volleyball for the Sudden Impact Volleyball Club in Bellevue, and her team competes in tournaments across the country. She lives in Newcastle with her parents Scott and Lisa O’Toole and her brother Michael.
From Page 14 “They’re frustrated with a loss like this to a rival on the hill, and it sucks, and it’s tough to swallow, but the fact of the matter is it’s a practice game and it’s built for that,” he said. Liberty’s bats propelled the Patriots to 10 runs, led by junior Daniel Rodriguez, who had two hits and three RBIs.
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Junior Eddie Delgado also added a hit and two RBIs as well. The defensive play of the game came from Liberty freshman outfielder Torey Anderson, who successfully threw a runner out at the plate with a spot-on throw from centerfield. It’s not often that a Liberty freshman makes varsity, Martin said, but Anderson is special. Liberty’s down on numbers this year, he added, but that’s not to say Anderson made the team
just because they needed bodies. “He’s got pretty good foot speed, he’s got a nice strong arm, he’s at a real good place as a freshman and he’s got nothing but upside going forward,” he said. Both teams began league play after the nonconference matchup. Hazen hopes to repeat last year’s success, when the Highlanders took the Seamount crown, while the Patriots will look to dig out of the KingCo 3A/2A cellar.
Newcastle News
PAGE 16
Your Newcastle House Reports Current vs. Same Month Current vs. Same Quarter 1 Year Ago 1 Year Ago July 13 June 13 % Change July 13 July 12 % Change May 13 May 12 % Change
Current vs. Previous Month
to July 13
to July 12
For Sale
50
37
35.1%
50
53
-5.7%
40
52
-23.1%
Sold
16
16
-0%
16
21
-23.8%
18
19
-5.3%
Pended
20
14
-42.9%
20
21
-4.8%
17
19
-10.5%
APRIL 4, 2014
ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER
Police blotter Rifle rip-off
An unknown suspect entered a home in the 12500 block of Southeast 70th Street and stole a 40-year-old rifle March 5. The suspect entered the residence through a second floor, unlocked sliding door.
A puppy surprise A woman walking her dog in the vicinity of Southeast 86th Street and 129th Avenue Southeast noticed her pooch had something in his mouth March 5. It was a chain of three intertwined necklaces. She turned the jew-
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elry in at Newcastle City Hall on March 11 as found property.
Sweet aviators A pair of Maui Jim aviator sunglasses worth $200 was stolen from a car in the 8600 block of 138th Place Southeast between March 10 and 11. There were no signs of forced entry; the car owner said he most likely inadvertently left the car unlocked.
Double down Silver Dollar Casino chips were among the items stolen from an unlocked car parked in the 8900 block of 139th Avenue Southeast between March 10 and 11.
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Library looting A visitor to Newcastle Library, 12901 Newcastle Way, reported she left her wallet in the children’s area March 11. When she got home and discovered the loss, she called the library, but the wallet was gone.
Tools taken More than $1,800 worth of construction tools was stolen from a vehicle in the parking lot of Newport Crossing apartments, 7311 Coal Creek Parkway, between March 10 and 11.
A penny for your thoughts
An unknown suspect entered a vehicle parked in the 9000 block of 143rd Avenue Southeast and stole $2 worth of coins between March 10 and 11.
Sensitive documents Important documents with personal information were stolen from a vehicle in the parking lot of Newport Crossing apartments, 7311 Coal Creek Parkway, between March 10 and 11.
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A stash of CDs worth about $600 was stolen from a vehicle in the parking lot of the Castle Creek Apartments, 7100 132nd Place S.E., between March 10 and 11.
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Newcastle saw a rash of car break-ins during March, but in a few of the cases, such as those listed below, nothing was taken from the vehicle: q A suspect entered a vehicle parked in the 14000 block of Southeast 93rd Street between March 10 and 11. The owner said the car was possibly left unlocked, but nothing of value was kept in the car overnight. q A suspect entered an unlocked vehicle in the 8600 block of 138th Place Southeast between March 10 and 15. See more of this month’s police blotter at www.newcastle-news.com. Blotter items come directly from police reports.