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January 2, 2013 Locally owned 50 cents

New Year

Local lawmakers prepare for session

Good wishes sent to Connecticut

By Caleb Heeringa

Photo by Lillian O’Rorke

Payton Langum and her cousin Audrey Forbes wore matching holiday antlers for snowflake making. They were part of a group which made the decorations to send to Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. For more see Page 6.

Sammamish’s Republican state senators are poised to play key roles in budget and education issues in Olympia next year.

Sen. Steve Litzow, who represents the southern half of the city in the 41st District, and Sen. Andy Hill, who covers the rest of Sammamish in the 45th District, will be given plum committee chairmanships as part of a new majority coalition announced earlier this month.

Hill would be chairman of the powerful budget-writing Ways and Means committee, while Litzow would head the Early Learning and K-12 Education committee as the legislature grapples with a recent Supreme Court decision that chastised the state’s funding of public education. As chairmen, Hill and Litzow would be responsible for sheparding bills through the system before they come to a vote of the full senate The assignments are part of a

power-sharing agreement following the announcement that two conservative Democratic senators – Rodney Tom of Medina and Tim Sheldon of Potlatch – would be working with Republicans this session, essentially giving the GOP control of the Senate by a 25-24 margin.

The chairmanships won’t become official until the legislative session begins Jan. 14, but appear a reality barring a sudden change of heart by Tom or Sheldon.

Hill said he was honored that party leadership would chose him for an important position despite only two years of experience in Olympia.

With the state facing a shortfall of more than $900 million in the next biennium and an additional billion or more in required K-12 funding due to the Supreme Court decision, Hill will likely be at the center of the action.

Hill said he was confident that See SESSION, Page 2

Some fire stations temporarily understaffed, again

By Caleb Heeringa

A Sammamish fire station was one of two that was closed for 12 hours after Eastside Fire & Rescue’s budget for overtime pay ran low.

Station 81, 2030 212th Ave. S.E. in Sammamish, was closed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 16. The agency also chose to close Station 72, on Maple Street in Issaquah, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 19.

A third station – number 71, on Sunset Way in Issaquah – was staffed by two firefighters instead of the typical three for six hours on Dec. 14.

The closures and understaffing have become something of a holiday tradition at EFR. The agency’s overtime budget

has in recent years become a lightning rod tion with the union that represents the and a target for partners seeking to tighten agency’s fire fighter, which filed an unfair the belt on the agency’s personnel costs. labor practice charge. The agency’s admin“We’re trying to make the administraistration has been in negotiations with the tion and union aware union over potential “(Closures and that this is not a fund solutions, including they can keep coming more careful monitoring understaffing) are a to,” said Sammamish of vacation rules for firesafety risk to citizens Mayor Tom Odell, one fighters, or giving Fire of the city’s two repChief Lee Soptich more and firefighters.” resentatives on EFR’s freedom to maneuver – Jon Wiseman, board. unspent funds to overThe agency time.

Union president – has thus far The partners grantavoided calamity ed those powers in – no houses have burned down because September and Soptich said he was hopethe nearest station was closed. But the ful the extra $50,000 or so in unspent closures have been an issue of contenmoney could prevent closures this year,

Skyline heads to Cali sports page 8

but a couple firefighters filing for longterm disability or family medical leave and an untimely cold going around fire stations complicated matters.

“The flu went through here like a bandit – we got hit real hard,” Soptich said.

Jon Wiseman, president of the firefighters union, said he and other firefighters want to see a more permanent solution to the problem rather than scrambling and closing stations every November and December. The agency sets its overtime budget every fall during budget negotiations for the following year. “(Closures and understaffing) are a safety risk to citizens and firefighters,”

Calendar............10 Classifieds.........11 Community.........6 Editorial...............4 Police...................5 Sports..................8

See FIRE, Page 3

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January 2, 2013

SAMMAMISH REVIEW

Water rates likely to go up annually for several years

By Caleb Heeringa

Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District is trimming its staff by three and a half positions. But customers are still likely to see annual rate increases of up to 5 percent for water and 17 percent for sewer in the coming years as the district puts money away for future replacement of its infrastructure and pays off debt from old projects.

The district’s board of commissioners unanimously approved the agency’s $25.1 million budget for 2013 at a Dec. 3 meeting. The budget calls for three full time positions to be cut, including a finance analyst, an engineer and a planner. An executive assistant position will also switch from full-time to half-time. The district also recently froze the salaries of several top managers after a market analysis showed them to be

Session

12 percent to 17 percent higher than average compared to neighboring water districts and cities.

These measures will save the district approximately $330,000 in personnel costs.

But with labor costs only making up about 21.5 percent of the district’s budget, those savings only make a dent in overall costs.

The district plans to increase its contribution to its’ capital replacement fund by $458,000 –

How to contact your legislators 41st District Sen. Steve Litzow 360-786-7641 steve.litzow@leg.wa.gov

Continued from Page 1

the state could close the budget hole without tax increases, though he would not tip his hand as far as where $2 billion in cuts and cost savings could come from. He said legislators will have to look at the long-term assumed growth in expenses tied to legislation in past years. He pointed out that the state’s revenues continue to grow year over year, but aren’t keeping pace with expenses.

“There’s a lot of things that are cooked into the budget that assume growth as far as budgets and entitlements,” Hill said. “We have to see if those assumptions are correct and look at everything and figure out what our biggest priorities are.”

Hill said education funding should be the first priority, with other programs second fiddle.

Some of Hill’s Democratic colleagues in the House are skeptical that there’s enough savings to be squeezed out of a budget that has already seen significant cuts in recent years. Rep. Larry Springer (D-45) termed it “next to impossible” to close the budget hole and meet the education obligations without raising taxes.

“I think we need to start being

45th District Sen. Andy Hill 360-786-7672 andy.hill@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Marcie Maxwell 360-786-7894 Marcie.maxwell@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Roger Goodman 360-786-7878 roger.goodman@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Judy Clibborn 360-786-7926 judy.clibborn@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Larry Springer 360-786-7822 larry.springer@leg.wa.gov

realistic about these numbers,” Springer said. “If anybody starts looking at the kind of cuts we’ve made over the last four years … and believes they can find another $2.5 billion in there, I want some of what they are smoking or drinking.”

Springer said his priorities for the session include legislation allowing cities to use tax increment financing, which uses expected growth in tax revenue when financing redevelopment projects, and a measure that would allow cities or counties that are buying vehicles for their fleet to pass on the lowest bid in favor of buying from local businesses. Springer will be assigned to the Appropriations, Finance, Local Government and Rules committees.

Though Tom’s new coalition

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has gotten a lot of press in recent weeks, Springer said he didn’t feel that it would significantly change the dynamics in Olympia compared to last year, since Democratic senators crossed the aisle when voting on the budget measure to give Republicans a de-facto majority anyway.

Rep. Roger Goodman, also a Democrat from the 45th District, didn’t mince words about the proposed senate coalition.

“I’ll be watching this obviously dysfunctional paralysis with a mix of amusement and horror,” he said.

Goodman will be chairman of the House Public Safety Committee, where he intends to pursue stricter requirements for ignition interlock devices on the vehicles of those convicted of driving under the influence,

from approximately $3.11 million per year to $3.56 million, bringing the fund’s total up to $13.36 million by the end of 2013. The fund reflects the commission’s policy choice to save now for the eventual replacement of pipes and other infrastructure, rather than hit customers with a large bill when those pipes fail.

The district is also dealing with a proposed assumption of some of its service area by the

city of Issaquah. Earlier this year Issaquah commissioned a study on the impact of providing water service to neighborhoods in its city limits that are currently served by the district. The results are expected early next year. The district and city of Issaquah have sent each other dueling public disclosure requests in recent months, something the budget

tougher laws on domestic violence and scrap metal theft.

Goodman agreed with Springer on the need for new revenue. He said he was hopeful that legislators could put together a package of taxes tied specifically to education to bring before voters. But he recognized the challenge of convincing a public that in recent years said no to an income tax and repealed a small tax on candy and soda.

“About 70 percent of voters don’t have children in our public schools,” he said. “I’m hoping they see the value of investing in the commons.”

In the 41st District, Democratic Rep. Judy Clibborn will be chairwoman of the Transportation committee, which will face big decisions on road maintenance and improvements. Clibborn said she hopes to move forward on a transportation package that’s been in the works for several years. The proposal would include some mixture of more gas taxes, a motor vehicle excise tax and a weight charge for trucks, with the money going toward pavement repairs and traffic congestion measures on Interstates 405 and 90.

Clibborn will also sit on the Health Care and Wellness committee, which is overseeing the implementation of the state’s health care exchange, mandated by the federal health care law, in 2014. Clibborn said she wants to ensure the exchange is userfriendly.

“We have to make sure whatever we have is explainable to people,” she said.

Rep. Marcie Maxwell, also a Democrat, will be on the Appropriations, Education, Rules and Technology and Economic Development committees.

The senate isn’t the only arm of government that could prove an obstacle to the sort of tax package Springer and Goodman want to see. Governor-elect Jay Inslee, a Democrat, campaigned on a promise of no new taxes, something Springer said was shortsighted.

“I’ve run for office enough to know not to make broad pronouncements about what I will or won’t do,” Springer said. “Because you never know what the situation is going to be like when you get there … Rob McKenna promised (no new taxes) too, but he doesn’t have to own it.”

See WATER, Page 3

Reporter Caleb Heeringa can be reached at 392-6434. ext. 247, or cheeringa@isspress.com.

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SAMMAMISH REVIEW

Scouts will take your tree For the 28th year, local boys scouts will collect you Christmas tree.

Scouts will be out in neighborhoods starting at 9 a.m. Jan. 5. Scouts request a donation of $15-30 per tree. The donation should be attached to the tree in a plastic sandwich bag.

The collection drive is the major fundraiser for scout troops on the plateau. Organizers estimate more than 200 scouts collected about 3,500 Christmas trees last year.For more information, visit www.scouttreedrive.org.

State law requires carbon monoxide detectors Starting Jan. 1, state law required most existing apartments, condominiums and single-family residences to install carbon monoxide detectors.

Landlords must install detectors outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms and on each level.

The law does not require homeowners living in homes purchased prior to July 26, 2009, to install carbon monoxide detectors until they sell the home. The units typically cost between $25 and $50.

Once installed, renters must keep the units operational with fresh batteries. Landlords must replace carbon monoxide detectors every five to seven years as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Fire

Continued from Page 1

Wiseman said.

The agency’s policy is to run one of its stations with two full-time firefighters compared to the typical three if one employee calls in sick. If the agency is understaffed by two positions, it will close a station and send the extra employee to a neighboring station.

Four stations — in Issaquah Highlands, downtown North Bend, Carnation and Sammamish’s station on Issaquah-Pine Lake Road — are protected from staff reductions due to their high call volume, remoteness or important strategic

Water

Continued from Page 2

notes has been a “drag on staff time.” With the assumption in mind, the district’s budget calls for an additional $350,000 to be budgeted for legal help above and beyond the $150,000 a year the district pays its normal attorney, John Milne. In September, the board also approved spending up to $50,000 on a public relations consultant.

The district also continues to grapple with the fact that the revenues it collects from new development, and new connections to its system, don’t measure up to the debt payments it incurred to pay for past projects, much less the capital investments it expects to have to make in the coming years. The district brought in $392,320 in revenue for sewer facilities from connection fees in 2012. In 2013, it expects

locations. Closures rotate around the remaining stations.

Deputy Chief Greg Tryon said the administration looks at various factors when deciding whether to close a station or expend dwindling overtime dollars to bring an extra firefighter in, including upcoming weather events that could cause an increase in car accidents or power outages, or extra holiday traffic on the roads. Despite the fact that nothing bad has happened yet, Wiseman said the agency is playing with fire by closing stations.

“It’s scary to think what could happen if we get a big call when one of those stations are closed,” Wiseman said.

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January 2, 2013

to pay $430,000 on debt for percent every year since similar projects it finished 2009. It made a fundamental in recent years and has change to its rate structure $995,960 in sewer projects earlier in 2012, opting for earmarked to begin in 2013. a higher base charge but Commissioner Lloyd charging customers less per Warren said he was hopeful cubic foot of water. Commthat an updated sewer comissioners were hopeful that prehensive it would plan process, help stadue next bilize the Get involved year, would district’s For more informahelp address revenue tion about Sammamish that shortfall. stream, Plateau Water and Sewer He said he which District or to take a look wanted the tended at their budget, visit district to be to fluctuthe district’s web site at careful not ate sigwww.sammplat.wa.org. to assume all nificantly of the capital dependprojects on its ing on five-year plan would end up how much water residents being built when adjusting were using – something that the district’s rates for sewer varies depending on the and water. weather. The district is with“I don’t think we should holding judgment on whethplug every single capital er the new rate structure project into the rate model – worked, since it only went not every one is going to be into effect in the middle of built,” Warren said. last year.

The district has seen The rate change also annual rate increase reflected the district’s conbetween 7 percent and 13 tinued desire to separate the

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sewer and water sides of its business model, which had been intermingled in years past. The district’s water only customers have typically seen their rate payments subsidizing the district’s water and sewer customers.

Despite the personnel cuts, district customers will likely see rate increases next year and in the years beyond because of the continued disparity between sewer revenues and sewer expenses and an increasing amount of revenue being squirrelled away for future replacement projects. A rate forecast provided at the Dec. 3 meeting calls for water rate increases of around 5 percent a year and sewer rate increases of around 17 percent a year for the foreseeable future.

Those rises would be closer to 6 percent and 18 percent, respectively, if the district hadn’t eliminated positions in the 2013 budget.

Rate adjustments are expected to occur in the spring.

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January 2, 2013

Review editorial New year brings new city goals There are dozens of issues Sammamish could tackle this year. Here are a few select ones we’d like to see accomplished in 2013.

Economic Development/Town Center. The city will study how to spur economic growth in the city in general and Town Center in particular. But be cautious, stick to the vision. Resist giving into the whims of a developer just to get something started. Be patient and the market will come to the community.

Quality education. Sammamish is noted for highquality schools. State funding may be stabilizing, but it isn’t likely to be enough. Citizens need to help: give to the schools foundation, join the PTA, volunteer, anything. The children of the city and your property values depend on quality schools.

Annexation question. Keep an eye on the potential for annexing Klahanie into Sammamish. It’s possible the city of Issaquah will relinquish its hold, and Sammamish should be ready to woo the citizens.

Critical areas ordinance. This controversial rewrite of environmental regulations must be treated cautiously yet thoroughly. The end product must balance the environment with property rights — and withstand court challenges. Give and take is called for.

Barricades. Almost since incorporation, Sammamish leaders have said they want to study the barricades scattered across the city, with an eye toward removing those that aren’t useful. They studied one and apparently stopped. The council should move this forward and start making decisions one way or the other.

Community Center. Finally, there’s a plan in place that a majority of Sammamish voters support. The city needs to move forward with its YMCA partnership and building design. Let’s see groundbreaking this year.

Common Core education. Schools in the state will be transitioning to the common core standards of education and testing by the 2014-2015 school year. The time will pass more quickly than it seems. School districts and the state should start explaining the new system to families and taxpayers.

Sammamish Reads. The library, in conjunction with civic groups, unveiled the All Sammamish Reads program last year, inviting people across the city to read the same book and meet to talk about it. It was a great communitybuilding program. Let’s do it again!

Fire Service. Sammamish may choose to leave Eastside Fire & Rescue in favor of lower costs for citizens. EFR leaders must find a solution that works for all its partners or prepare to move on without Sammamish.

State senators. Because of a coup in the state senate, Sammamish senators will be chairmen of two committees that could be among the most influential in the session.

They need to fulfill the promise of this new bipartisan majority while they develop solutions to the state’s education and budgetary issues.

OPINION

SAMMAMISH REVIEW

Sammamish Forum

From the Web

Re: Sammamish city attorney gets raise, no-bid contract Why should a contract with a lawfirm be any different than one with a construction firm?

The council puts bids out for projects like the 244th Ave NE extension/bridge, the East Lake Sammamish project and buildings such as Sammamish Commons. If any of these pieces of infrastructure fail, people can get hurt or lose their life.

If we apply the “logic” being used by the Council with respect to the legal contract to infrastructure projects, we should never bid road or bridge contracts out because the firm selected should be the one with the best safety record.

Yet we bid every single construction project out because it’s the responsible thing to do. Hiring a lawfirm is no different. Huge kudos to Councilman Valderramma for voting against this. He did not win my vote last time, but his actions here ensure that he’ll get it come the next time he’s up for re-election.

Michael Sullivan

Re: Sammamish the nation’s friendliest I guess that’s why they

say, correlation does not equal causation and I disagree, completely.

I have lived here for almost a year now, and I know only my neighbor’s on my immediate property lines by sight but not by name. Women here act like it the 1960s and are suprised when I say that I have a job (even though I have no children).

I think that the lack of decent restaurants and no sidewalks anywhere make Sammamish unpleasant and difficult to live in. You have to drive everywhere you want to go; the downtown is so spread out that even if you drive down there, you still have to drive from one place to the next. I can’t wait to get out.

Gigi Sammamish is a great place to live and to raise a family. My neighborhood is full of friendly people and many of us are good friends. It’s clean, safe, and beautiful. I hope fewer people like the above commenters are forced to spend their time in such a “terrible” place!

What’s wrong with having a nice city whose residents are comprised primarily, but not exclusively, with upper-income types and nice single-family homes? Every place doesn’t need to fit your ideal of a “sufficiently diverse” city where all of the women work and everyone sits outside on their porch chatting each other up (hopefully this addresses the primary complaints above).

If you want that, there are plenty of places that have lower average incomes, more ethnic

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diversity, and more liberal prevailing views (which would, e.g., tend to correlate with more women choosing to work over raising their families — and no, I’m not criticizing any woman for choosing to raise a family or to work; both are valid choices). There’s always East Bellevue, the Issaquah Highlands, parts of Seattle, etc. if that’s more your style. I’d like Sammamish to stay the way it is — it’s why I and tens of thousands of others have chosen to live there.

It’s funny how many people are proponents of diverse viewpoints and life choices, as long as those are the same as their own.

Damon Lundgren I think some Sammamish neighborhoods attract people who like privacy and who mostly keep to themselves. On the other hand, when you’re in a public place with a kid, other people with kids are usually very friendly.

And here’s a random anecdote: I got a flat on my bike once when I wasn’t carrying anything to fix it. I stuck out my thumb. The first or second vehicle stopped, but I couldn’t fit my bike in. Right after that, Don Gerend happened by with his pickup truck and drove me to Pacific Bicycle.

Sam Epstein

Letters Sammamish Review welcomes letters to the editor on any subject, although priority will be given to letters that address local issues. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, clarity or inappropriate content.

Letters should be typed and no more than 350 words.

Include your phone number (for verification purposes only).

Deadline for letters is noon Friday prior to the next issue.

Address letters to: Sammamish Review Letters Box 1328, Issaquah, WA 98027 fax: 391-1541 email: samrev@isspress.com

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SAMMAMISH REVIEW

POlice Blotter DUI A 31-year-old Sammamish man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and obstructing a police officer after being pulled over in the Knolls at Inglewood Hill Apartments at around 2 a.m. Dec. 22.

The officer followed the vehicle into the parking lot of the apartment complex after clocking it at 49 mph in a 35 zone. The officer reports that the driver stopped the car, dropped his keys and began walking away from the vehicle and refusing orders to stop until the officer grabbed him by the arm and threatened to use pepper spray if he did not cooperate.

The man smelled of alcohol and refused to answer questions or consent to a breath test. He was booked into Issaquah Jail on suspicion of DUI and failure to obey an officer.

Bumper cars A resident on the 2200 block of Sahalee Drive East reported that a car collided with his son’s legally parked car in front of his home and then drove away.

The resident heard the collision at around 7 a.m. and looked out his window

to see a larger, dark-colored four-door sedan driving away.

The resident called Sahalee security, which shut down the nearest exit point in an attempt to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle never showed up. Police have no suspects.

Minor behind the wheel A 17-year-old Issaquah teen could be charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol following an accident near the corner of East Lake Sammamish Place and East Lake Sammamish Parkway just after midnight Dec. 21. The officer

arrived to find one vehicle had rear-ended another as it was stopped at a stop sign.

Both drivers were 17 and one of them had alcohol on his breath, according to the police report. The officer gave the driver a breath test that revealed an estimated blood alcohol level of .03. Given that the driver was underage, the officer arrested him and released him to his parents.

Identity theft A Sammamish woman reported Dec. 20 that her ex-boyfriend had opened up credit cards and attempted to buy a house in her name. The woman provided documentation

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Resisting arrest A 40-year-old Sammamish man was arrested on suspicion of malicious mischief and obstructing an officer following a domestic violence call Dec. 17.

Police responded to the Sammamish home and contacted the man’s girlfriend.

The woman told police that the man was highly intoxicated and that she

had told him to leave the home. During the argument, the man allegedly slammed a door several times, putting a hole in the drywall from the door handle. The woman also reported that the man had pushed past her to leave the house, knocking her to the ground. Police contacted the man, who was riding a bicycle several blocks away. The man refused several orders to stop and talk to police and had to be detained and placed into handcuffs. The woman had no injuries and told police she was not interested

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in pressing domestic violence charges, but the man was booked into Issaquah Jail on investigation of malicious mischief and obstructing a police officer.

Jewelry theft A Sammamish resident reported Dec. 20 that approximately $2,500 worth of jewelry had gone missing from her home and that she suspected her house cleaner. There were no signs of forced entry to the home and the house See BLOTTER, Page 12

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COMMUNITY

January 2, 2013

SAMMAMISH REVIEW

Photo by Lillian O’Rorke

From left Elin, Reidar and Anika Aageson all worked together to make their snowflakes.

Good wishes and snowflakes sent to Newtown, Conn.

By Lillian O’Rorke

Fold after fold and snip after snip, white paper trimmings piled up at the Beaver Lake Lodge Dec. 21 where more

than 130 local residents, mainly children, gathered to create snowflakes for Sandy Hook Elementary School students.

After the Dec. 14 shooting in Newtown, Conn., Sandy Hook

Hunter Stutz shows off his square snowflake.

students will return to class Jan. 3 in a new building. To help welcome them back, volunteers plan to turn the school into a winter wonderland using paper snowflakes.

Photo by Lillian O’Rorke

Photo by Lillian O’Rorke

Arden Caley, a second grade student at Endeavour Elementary School, said she liked the idea of making snowflakes and that it was cool.

Corene Caley, who has a The 9-year-old was hard at 7-year-old daughter at Endeavour work stapling together different Elementary School, saw a pieces of paper to make a threepost about the snowflakes on dimensional snowflake, which is Facebook and thought it would exactly what the National PTA is be fun to join in the effort. looking for.

“It’s cool to live in a place “We encourage senders to be where you can have an idea, send as creative as possible, rememout and email and 48 hours later bering that no two snowflakes are this happens,” said Caley. alike,” the organization posted on After reading about the snowits website, www.pta.org. flakes online, she contacted Dawn Elyse Kelsey, a freshman at Sanders, volunteer coordinator Skyline High School, said she for the city of Sammamish, to was looking for a fun project rent the space to do over at Beaver Lake winter break “It’s cool to live in a Lodge. Sanders when she was place where you can said “let’s do emailed about one better.” have an idea, send out the event.

In order to “It was an email and 48 hours really get the lodge sad what later this happens.” happened,” for free, she she said as the connected – Corene Caley, pile of snowCaley with the Mother – flakes grew local non-profit between her Kids Without and her friend Borders. Word and classmate Maia Nguyen. “We about the snowflakes spread and thought it would be a good way to by 3 p.m. Dec. 14 a crowd of people from around Sammamish, give back, even though we are on the other side of the country.”

Issaquah and beyond were busy A few tables away, Brandon turning ordinary printer paper Tanner was busy giving a snowinto giant ice crystals. flake tutorial. The Issaquah “It’s good because their school High School senior had gathered needs to be cleaned up and their six of his friends from as far school needs decoration,” said away as Olympia for the event.

Madisyn Bauerlie, who attends fourth grade at Margaret Mead See SNOW, Page 7 Elementary School.

SAMMAMISH REVIEW

January 2, 2013

Photo by Lillian O’Rorke

Beaver Lake Lodge turned into a snowflake-making factory Dec. 21 when community members gathered to make the festive shapes to decorate the new Sandy Hook school in Connecticut.

Snow

Continued from Page 6

“We just thought it would be fun to help people,” he said.

But extra hands were not the only thing he brought to Beaver Lake. He also carried in a bag-full of snow-

flakes that he and his family had worked on at home.

Looking around the room, people chatted and occasionally giggled at each other’s designs. For some of the children, the events of Dec. 14 were unknown, and they were simply helping students across the country decorate their school. Others

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had watched the news and were familiar with the details.

Cherstin Aageson said her son, a second grade

student at Endeavour, knew about the school shooting and was happy to help out. He sat between his two younger

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sisters and helped them with the mechanics of cutting and coloring their own snowflakes for Sandy Hook.

“It’s a great idea,” said Aageson. “It’s nice to be able to help and be a part of any healing for these kids…to send warm thoughts to them and let them know we’re thinking of them when they come back.”

By the end of the afternoon, more than 1,000 snowflakes were collected.

The Connecticut PTA will continue to collect snowflakes for the next two weeks and ask that they be sent by Jan. 12. Snowflakes and donations can be sent to Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514.

Additionally, the national and state PTA organizations will indefinitely accept donations to the Connecticut PTSA “Sandy Hook Fund” to provide ongoing support to the community. Checks can be mailed to the same address.

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UW dean’s list The following Sammamish residents were named to the dean’s list at the University of Washington for the summer 2012 quarter Adam Matthew Brzycki, Joey Jay Lim, Alexander Maxwell Kipling, Mia Marigo Vyzis, Amanda Renee Morgan, Sohrob Tosh Aslamy, Sean Paul Smolen, Lauren M Gray, Kevin Stefan Clark, Alex Cheng, Heather Anne Chesnut, Jeffrey Thomas Schueler, Revati Madhira, Tsu-Yuan Lu, Kristina Jean Brown, Jillian Michelle Perle Bendixen, Julia Asami Licholai, Lindsay Elise Baumann, Kevin Phillip Purdy, Christopher Alan Barth, Thomas Bain Winegarden and Jacob Nicholas Woller.

Taylor Jones on dean’s list Taylor Jones, of Sammamish, was named to the dean’s list at the Savannah College of Art and Design for the fall quarter 2012.

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SportS

January 2, 2013

Plateau athletes among top in state

Three plateau athletes made the list Dec. 18 when state leaders in swimming and wrestling were announced.

The fastest times reported to Washington Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association through Dec. 18 include Eastlake’s Edward Kim and Kuroshe Mahak.

Kim is No. 1 in the 200 individual medley with a time of one minutes and 55.8 seconds.

The Eastlake junior also holds the second fastest times in both the 100 butterfly, at 52.89, and 100 freestyle, at 48. 77. Mahak is third in the 50 freestyle with a time of 22.5.

According to Washingtonwrestlingreport. com, through Dec. 18, Skyline High School’s Kara Alden is ranked second in the state for the girls 145-pound weight class.

Max Browne named USA Today All-American Max Browne of Skyline High School has been named USA Today’s Football Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-America quarterback.

It’s the second major award recently for Browne. He also received the Gatorade National

SAMMAMISH REVIEW

Player of the Year trophy from Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in a ceremony at the school.

The 6-foot-5 senior, a starter since his sophomore season at Skyline, broke the state record for career passing yards (12,951) this year.

He threw for 4,526 yards and 49 touchdowns in his senior season while leading the Spartans to a 14-0 record and their second consecutive Class 4A state championship.

Browne committed to USC last April.

He finished classes at Skyline and will enroll this month at USC.

Eastlake High School sports hopes to raise money with posters Eastlake High School is working with AllAmerican Sports Posters to raise money for the school’s athletic programs.

From now on, the company will be printing Eastlake’s sports posters and contacting local businesses to sponsor the effort by purchasing advertising on the posters.

“We are always looking for ways to fund our program,” said Eastlake’s Athletic Director Pat Bangasser. “All we want to do is promote our programs…lots of high schools do it.”

All-American Sports Posters can be reached at 1-800-556-1380.

Skyline takes on The Golden State Sara Goldie during her days as a player at Eastlake. She’s returned and is now the head coach of the girls basketball team.

File

The return of the wolves Eastlake graduates return to alma mater to coach

By Lillian O’Rorke

For many of the Wolves basketball coaches, Eastlake High School is more than just a place where they hold practice and give locker-room speeches. It’s where they took math exams, ate lunch with friends and where they once donned the maroon jersey and hit the hardwood.

“We’ve got a pretty good contingent of alumni coming back and being involved in our program and trying to make it better,” said Eastlake’s Athletic Director Pat Bangasser. “It’s nice when people want to come back and say ‘I had a great experience and I want to continue that experience and make it better.’ It says a lot about the coaches that coached them.”

The coaching roster this year

is laden with alumni and as an ex-Eastlake basketball coach, he remembers them all.

“They all played with a lot of heart,” said Bangasser.

Heading up the boys team is Brian Dailey. The 2001 Eastlake graduate played point guard in high school and was a part of the two basketball teams that made it to the state tournament in 1999 and 2001. Dailey returned to the Eastlake gym in 2010 to coach a new pack of Wolves.

Dailey brought with him another 2001 alum to the coaching staff, Blake Hawksworth.

The major league baseball relief pitcher has known Daily since the two first attended fifth grade together, and he now spends his off-season from the Los Angeles See COACH, Page 9

Photo by Kylie O’Brien

Jonah Eastern of Skyline takes a shot in a game against Lynden (Wash.) during the Surf and Slam tournament in San Deigo Dec. 28. Skyline beat Fountain Valley (Calif.) 71-60 in the first round of the tournament to advance to the game against Lynden. Results were not available at press time.

SAMMAMISH REVIEW

File

Blake Hawksworth spends the baseball off season coaching basketball at Eastlake.

Coach

Continued from Page 8

Dodgers with the Eastlake Wolves.

Also assisting the boys varsity team is Pat Leahy.

Voted “Most Inspirational” his senior year, the alum was a two-year letterman who now spends his days teaching at Margaret Mead Elementary and his afternoons and evenings coaching at Eastlake.

“I definitely think there is something to be said about the fact that I wore the same jersey,” said Sara Goldie. The 1997 Eastlake grad heads the girls varsity basketball team. “We talk to the kids about how it’s a privilege to wear that

name across your chest… we took a lot of pride in it; it drew me back.”

When she was a junior and senior on the varsity

team, the Wolves finished fifth and eighth in state.

After graduation Goldie didn’t stay away for long.

While studying economics at the University of Washington, she braved the traffic daily to help out her alma mater. A few years later she returned again and served as an assistant coach for the varsity team for three seasons, including 2008-2009 when the Eastlake girls made their first appearance at state since Goldie went as a player. Then in 2010, she took over the program as head coach.

“It meant a lot to be on the court now as the leader when I used to be a player…there has just been so much time spent in that gym,” she said. “It’s where I belong as a coach.”

When Goldie was still an assistant coach, she worked with Alex Zennan, who started playing at Eastlake in 2004. During her senior year, the 2007 graduate co-captained her team and was named second team All-League KingCo 4A. After graduating from Willamette University last year, where she played collegiate ball, Zennan, too, made the journey back to Eastlake. She now serves as an assistant coach.

“Probably one of the coolest feelings I’ve had as a coach is having Alex

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Send us your pictures Sammamish Review welcomes original photography contributions.

We give priority to local content. Information about the photo and the photographer’s name are required.

The deadline is noon on the Friday before the publication.

Send photos to: Sammamish Review, P.O. Box 1328, Issaquah, WA 98027 or email to SamRev@isspress.com.

Sara Goldie come back as an assistant coach,” said Goldie. “You give so much to a program and a team when you coach; there are such huge emotional ties and relationships that are built… I can use examples of Alex and what we did with her. That is really where you build rapport with kids. We’ve got the luxury of being able to do that being alumni.”

Catch both the girls and boys teams and their coaches in action Jan. 4 when they face off against the Redmond Mustangs.

The two schools have been friendly rivals, explained Bangasser, since a portion of the Redmond student population was split in 1993 and sent to newly formed Eastlake. The girls team plays first at 6 p.m.

The boys tip off at 7:30 p.m.

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January 2, 2013

Events

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calendar

SAMMAMISH REVIEW

Build your own Sammamish

The Sammamish Book Group will discuss “Moon Over

Manifest”

by Clare Vanderpool at 7 p.m.

Jan. 16 at the Sammamish Library.

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focus on faith

Volunteers are needed to help clean up Pine Lake Park from 2:30-4:40 p.m.

Jan. 28 at the park.

To sign up, visit http://www. ci.sammamish.wa.us/events/ Default.aspx?ID=2754.

28 29

Potential Eagle Scouts looking for help on potential Eagle Scout projects for 2013 can meet with city staff to discuss options from 4-6 p.m. Jan. 29 at City Hall.

30

Art Historian Susan Olds presents a visual introduction to steampunk — a modern take on Victorian era science fiction — from 7-8:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Sammamish Library.

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

A headache support group meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Monday of each month at Swedish Issaquah in the second floor conference center leadership room. Call 313-5406.

Build-it Sammamish, a daylong event where participants will use Lego block to build their own expressions of Sammamish, is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 26 at City Hall. To register, visit www.ci.sammamish.wa.us/events/Default.aspx?ID=2716.

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2013

join the club

A book release party for “Caregiving for Your Elderly Parents” is set for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Sammamish Library.

Celebrate winter with an adaptation of “The Snow Queen” at 11 a.m. Jan. 26 at the Sammamish Library.

January

Mars Hill Students is made up of sixth-12th grade students in Sammamish, Redmond, Issaquah and surrounding areas. It meets every Wednesday from 7-8:30 p.m. for a time of life music, teaching, food and connection. Visit https://www.facebook.com/ MarsHillStudentsSAM. Club Mosaic, a community discussion group, would like to hear thoughts about earth’s origin, the meaning of life, the Apocalypse and more. It meets from 7-8:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at the Holiday Inn in Issaquah. visit www.clubmosaic.org.

Grief Share Support Group meeting from 7 p.m.

- 8:30 p.m. Thursday nights at Sammamish Presbyterian Church.

Wednesday night youth group will have games, worship and fun for students in grades six-12 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Wednesdays at Sammamish Presbyterian Church.

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) allows mothers of young children time to make friends share stories and grow spiritually. The group generally meets twice a month on

Thursday mornings at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Visit www.mops.org.

A Toast to the Lord, a faith-based Toastmasters club, meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Friday at the Fire Station 83 on Issaquah–Pine Lake Road. They offer job interviewing skill development for those seeking employment or a career change; motivational and inspirational speaking training. Call 427-9682 or email orator@live.com.

Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church youth groups are for children in sixth-eighth grade and ninth-12th grades.

Meetings are at 6:30 p.m.

Sundays. Call the church at 391-1178, ext. 129.

Healing Prayer Service is for those who desire to experience God’s love through worship, prayer and healing.

The fourth Tuesday of every month except November and December, 7 p.m., at Pine Lake Covenant Church. Email healingprayer@plcc.org.

Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered program offering support. Mondays, 7-9 p.m., Pine Lake Covenant Church.

Visit www.missiolux.org, or call

392-8636.

Griefshare, a support group for those who have lost a loved one is from 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at Sammamish Presbyterian Church.

Moms in Prayer International invites moms to replace their anxiety with peace and hope. Pray with other moms for your children and their schools. Visit www. momsinprayer.org. Contact Linda Yee at lindaryee@comcast.net.

Pine Lake Covenant Church offers a ministry for children with special needs at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Call 3928636.

“Caffeine for the Soul,” a Judaic and Torah class for women, is from 1-1:45 p.m.

Tuesdays at Caffé Ladro in Issaquah Highlands Shopping Center. Call Chabad of the Central Cascades 427-1654.

Free Hebrew classes are offered through Chabad of the Central Cascades. Call 427-1654.

Kabalat Shabbat 7 p.m., Fridays, the Chabad House at the Issaquah Highlands. Call 427-1654.

Learn to read and speak Samskritam at the Vedic See FAITH, Page 11

The Sammamish Heritage Society meets from 7:30-9 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Pine Lake Community Club, 21333 S.E. 20th St. in Sammamish.

Sammamish Plateau Amateur Radio Club meets at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Fire Station 83. The club is open to amateur radio operators and those interested in the hobby.

Rotaract, a community service for young adults ages 18-30 sponsored by the Sammamish Rotary, meets twice a month.

Email scott.brewer@sammamishrotary.org.

The La Leche League is committed to helping mothers breastfeed. They plan to meet on the second Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Sammamish EX3 Teen Center, 825 228th Ave. N.E. Visit www.lllusa.org/web/ SammamishWA. Block Party Quilters meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month at Mary, Queen of Peace Church. Visit www.bpquilters.org.

The Sammamish Citizen Corps, a volunteer group affiliated with the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, meets the See CLUB, Page 11

To submit items for the Community Calendar, email to samrev@isspress. com. Items will be edited and must be received by the Wednesday before publication.

SAMMAMISH REVIEW

Club

Continued from Page 10

first Wednesday of each month at Fire Station 82.

Visit www.sammamishcitizencorps.org.

The Social Justice Book Group meets at 10 a.m. the third Monday of each month in Sammamish. Email hineswa@live.com.

A support group for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s is where caregivers gain emotional support, learn and share their experiences 6:30-8 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Faith United Methodist Church.

The Rotary Club of Sammamish meets every Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at the Bellewood, 3710 Providence Point Drive S.E. Visit www. sammamishrotary.org.

The Sammamish Fit Club, a club looking to improve the health of the community, meets from 7:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays.

Call Trish at 206-605-0679 or email whyweight@comcast.net.

Cascade Republican Women’s Club meets at 11:30 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the Plateau Club. Call 8617910.

Redmond Toddler Group, a parent-child program with art, music, play and parent education has openings in pre-toddler, toddler and family classes.

Call 869-5605 or visit www. redmondtoddler.org.

Moms Club of the Sammamish Plateau has activities including weekly, age specific playgroups and monthly meetings, coffee mornings, mom’s nights out, craft club and local area outings. Visit www. momsclubsammamish.org.

Foster Parent Support Group meets the last Thursday of each month from 6-8 p.m. at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Earn your training/foster parent hours.

Refreshments and child care are provided. Call 206719-8764.

The Eastside Welcome Club, for people new to the area, meets at 10 a.m. the first Wednesday of the month and at other times for activities and outings.

Call Pat at 572-0474.

Sammamish Kiwanis meets at 7 a.m. every Wednesday at Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church.

Visit www.sammamishkiwanis.org.

Toastmasters of Sammamish meet from 7:15–8:45 p.m. every Tuesday at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church.

Call 427-9682 or email davidlloydhall@live.com.

The Cascade Woman’s Club, meets at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month in members’ homes.

Membership in the volunteer service organization is open to all women. Call 898-8603 or visit www.gfwccascadewomansclub.org.

Sammamish Garden Club meets at 9:30 a.m. the second Tuesday of the month in the homes of members. Call Cathy at 836-0421 or email CathyWebst@aol.com.

The Pine Lake Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month, plus occasional meetings for workshops and local field trips. Call 836-7810.

The Sammamish Symphony is seeking musicians. Visit www.

SammamishSymphony.org.

Sammamish Saddle Club — Visit www.sammamishsaddleclub.org.

Faith

Continued from Page 10

Cultural Center. Visit www.vedicculturalcenter.org.

Sammamish Plateau Community Bible Study, open to all women and their children, meets Wednesday mornings from 9:45-11:45 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church. email juliegusecbs@gmail.com..

Bhajan Bliss. Musicians and singers teach the traditional devotional bhajan. Vegetarian food. 7:30-9 p.m., Fridays at the Vedic Cultural Center.

January 2, 2013

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January 2, 2013

Blotter

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cleaning company was the only people that had been in the home when the items went missing. Police are following up with the cleaning company and the case remains under investigation.

Burglary suspects A Sammamish officer pulled over two burglary suspects near the corner of

Issaquah-Pine Lake Road and Southeast 42nd Street around noon on Dec. 18.

An officer from another department reported seeing a vehicle tied to previous burglaries in Auburn in the area but lost track of it. A Sammamish officer found the vehicle and pulled it over. The occupants, both 20-year-old Puyallup residents, told police that they had been going to Snoqualmie Pass but had gotten lost. The pair consented to a search of their vehicle. The officer noted a bag of costume

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jewelry and various knives, but could not tie any of the items inside to any burglaries. The officer let the pair go since he did not have probable cause to arrest them.

Credit cards stolen An Issaquah resident reported that two credit cards were stolen from his wallet as he was showering at an athletic club at around 1:15 p.m. Dec. 8.

The man had locked his locker, but hung up a key just outside of the shower.

When he got home, he received an email alert from his credit card company about an $1,800 purchase at the Apple Store in Bellevue. All told, nearly $8,000 was charged to his

SAMMAMISH REVIEW credit cards before they were cancelled. Police are working with staff at the club to identify suspects.

DUI A 37-year-old Sammamish woman was arrested on suspicion of having physical control of a vehicle while intoxicated after being stopped near the corner of Trossachs Boulevard Southeast and Southeast 18th Street at around 2 a.m. Dec. 22.

An officer saw the vehicle come to a complete stop while partially in the travel lane of the road. The vehicle then turned its lights off. Curious, the officer contacted the driver, who told police that she and her husband had just returned

from a Christmas party and that they had stopped “to smooch,” according to the police report. The woman smelled of alcohol and declined to do any field sobriety tests. She was arrested on suspicion of DUI and blew a .13 on a breath test, over the .08 legal limit for driving. Her vehicle was impounded and she was dropped off at her home.

Heroin overdose Police responded to a home in Sammamish just before midnight Dec. 22 after a 20-year-old man overdosed on heroin.

Police officers and firefighters were met at the door by an angry pit bull that was aggressively lunging at

the first responders. Police used their Taser to restrain the dog. Another occupant in the home then moved the dog into a closet so that police could enter. Inside, they found the 20-year-old victim gasping for air and unresponsive. Aid units transferred him to Swedish Hospital in Issaquah for treatment. Police found a used syringe nearby and the other occupant of the home confirmed that the victim had been using heroin.

Domestic violence A 51-year-old Sammamish resident was arrested on suspicion of fourth-degree assault after allegedly getting into an altercation with his wife the morning of Dec. 20.

A passerby called police after seeing the man and woman fighting in front of their apartment complex.

Police contacted both parties, who told police that they had begun arguing over the keys to the car.

The husband told police that he was attempting to take away the woman’s car keys. The wife told police that the man had put her in a bear hug and twisted her arm in an attempt to get the keys away. The man, who police say suffers from mental illness, was booked into King County Jail.

Missing plates On Dec. 20, police contacted a Sammamish resident whose license plate had been found in a suspect’s vehicle in Burien.

The resident was not aware that the plate was missing and told police that he didn’t know anyone in Burien. The case remains under investigation.

Bump in the night A resident on the 2800 block of 258th Place Southeast reported that they heard their garage door open just after midnight Dec. 19. The resident went downstairs and discovered their garage open and the front door to their vehicle open, but no one in the area. No items appeared to be missing from the vehicle or the garage and police believe the suspect may have accidentally bumped the garage door opener while looking through the vehicle. Police have no suspects.

Items in the police blotter come from Sammamish Police reports.