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July 2, 2014
community
SAMMAMISH REVIEW
Volunteers proving crucial to trail building project at Evans Creek Preserve By Neil Pierson
when it was still in the planning stages. Since then, she has witEvans Creek Preserve is one nessed a surge of volunteerism of Sammamish’s newest parks, that’s responsible for the vast and it’s quickly becoming one of majority of the park’s 2.5-mile the best thanks to diligent efforts trail system. from a large volunteer force. “Getting volunteers has never A group of been hard for us,” 10 people – Hilde said. “We’re including seven really lucky. Get involved community That’s not the members and There are a series case elsewhere.” representatives of more work parties The park’s from the city and set over the next few first construction the Washington weeks at the preserve, phase, completed Trails Association and other places in the in September – joined together area. For more informa2011, was accomJune 19 for a tion and to register, visit plished with trail-building www.wta.org/volunteer/ more than 10,000 outing at the trail-work-parties. volunteer man preserve, which hours. Phase two, encompasses which began in more than 200 acres just outside early 2013, has received nearly the northern city limits. 3,000 hours, including the most Kellye Hilde, the city’s parks recent work parties in April and project manager, has been workMay, Hilde said. ing on the preserve since 2009 Cliff and Pauline Cantor, of
Photo by Neil Pierson
Cindy Sloat, center, a first-time volunteer on the Evans Creek Preserve project, listens to instructions from Sammamish parks project manager Kellye Hilde, left, and Washington Trails Association worker Cliff Cantor, right, during a June 19 trail-building outing at the preserve. the trails association, led the June 19 volunteer event. Just getting started required some sweat: a one-mile hike starting at the preserve’s northern trailhead near state Route 202, uphill to an unfinished section of trail near Sahalee Way. Sammamish recently obtained the Sahalee overlook, a 26-acre chunk of land inside the city limits, across Sahalee Way from the
Sahalee neighborhood. There, a contractor is in the midst of refurbishing a 15-stall parking lot and concrete curbs, and adding an informational kiosk, signs and gates. Mike Owens, a recentlyretired crew leader for WTA, led trail construction efforts for the first two years at Evans Creek Preserve. The Cantors have taken over, and noted that volunteers
are coming from across the Puget Sound region and, occasionally, from outside the state, to help finish the trail work. “When Kellye said this is a community project, it’s a big community,” Cliff Cantor said. “The effort that it took to build this was not put in solely by city of Sammamish volunteers. It was See TRAIL, Page 7
Photo courtesy Lake Washington School District
Nicole Dankert (left), Karen Lepere and McKenna Hawksford
Eastlake Students walk down memory lane Just before they graduated from high school, a group of Eastlake students took time to visit teachers from elementary and middle school June 13 who had an impact on them, while wearing their cap and gown. While students planned to visit 11 teachers at five plateau schools, the largest number selected teachers at Blackwell Elementary. Photos from two visits at that school are shown here.
Photo courtesy Lake Washington School District
Amanda Crowe (left), Carol Nicholson, Ashley Fabian, Matti Thornton, Mason Pierzchalski and Allie Garrett
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SPORTS
July 2, 2014
SAMMAMISH REVIEW
Whitley throws no-hitter in Eastlake Legion baseball win By Neil Pierson
Mark Whitley contributed to Eastlake High School’s KingCo Conference baseball title this spring, but he looks like he’s ready to be the star of next season’s squad. Pitching for the Eastlake Baseball Club’s 17-and-under American Legion team, Whitley was virtually untouchable in two late-June outings. After throwing a no-hitter at the Palouse Invitational in Pullman, he returned to the mound June 26 and didn’t let up, allowing no hits as Eastlake defeated Lakeside Recovery, 1-0, in the opening game of the Eastlake Invitational. Whitley nearly stumbled on his path to a second straight nohitter. In the seventh inning, leadoff hitter Tyler Kim tried to break up the no-hitter and laid down a good bunt along the third-
base line. Whitley got to the ball quickly enough, but rushed the throw and pulled the first baseman off the bag. Officially, the play was ruled an error, and the no-hitter stayed intact. Kim stole second to put the tying run in scoring position, but Whitley struck out two batters and retired Jack Rooney on a ground ball to end the game. “I’ll take it as an error, but my team played great defense,” Whitley said. “They backed me up. It was really great.” After proving his worth for the high-school team as a sophomore, Eastlake coach Kevin Agnew said Whitley has been even better through the first month of the Legion season. He plays shortstop when he’s not pitching, and is counted upon for run production, typically hitting third or See LEGION, Page 9
Photo by Neil Pierson
Pitcher Mark Whitley is making his case for the No. 1 role with the Eastlake High School varsity team in 2015. He threw consecutive no-hitters, including a 1-0 victory over Lakeside Recovery June 26.
Skyline’s Morgan, Twaddle listed among top prep soccer players By Neil Pierson
Photo by Neil Pierson
Skyline High School players Jason Twaddle, left, and Nick Morgan were recently honored as all-state selections by the Washington State Soccer Coaches’ Association.
Jason Twaddle lived in Madrid for the first seven years of his life, and the Spanish influence on his soccer game is undeniable. Twaddle, who recently graduated from Skyline High School, had levels of success during his prep career that rivalled those of famed Spanish strikers like David Villa and Fernando Torres. He leaves as the Skyline program’s all-time leading scorer, piling up 76 points (33 goals, 10 assists), and will continue playing this fall at Seattle University. Twaddle said he isn’t amazed at toppling the previous mark of 70 points, set by Travis Strawn (2008-11). “My brother (Josh Twaddle) was going to try to beat it, but he got injured, so I had to do it for him,” he joked. “It was fun, but (I) definitely couldn’t have done it without my teammates.” Skyline’s successful 2014 season, which ended with a trip to the Class 4A state quarterfinals and a 14-2-3 record, was due in large part to Twaddle. He had 10 goals – more than a third of the team’s total – and added three
assists. The Washington State Soccer Coaches’ Association recognized Twaddle’s standout season, naming him as one of four forwards on their first-team all-state squad. The Spartans had another standout player in junior central defender Nick Morgan. He had two goals and one assist, and he was a key cog in a defense that allowed seven goals in 19 games, earning him WSSCA second-team all-state honors. Both Twaddle and Morgan say individual accolades are nice, but wouldn’t be possible without their teammates and coaches. “It means that I could help out my team, which is the ultimate goal, winning games and stuff like that,” Morgan said. “It’s obviously an accomplishment for me,” Twaddle added, “but really, I couldn’t have done it without my team because they’re the ones who were always supporting me. They’re the ones who made me look good, I guess.” Morgan has been playing on the back line since making his first select team, the under-11 Arsenal squad with Issaquah
Soccer Club. He’s been playing with Eastside FC for the past four years, moving from left fullback to central defense. Defending isn’t a glamorous job, but Morgan finds joy in it. “You’ve got to find the little things in it, like stopping the attack,” he said. “…I still enjoy scoring goals and stuff like that, but putting a zero on the board for the other team is just as sweet for me.” Growing up in Madrid, Twaddle was immersed in the Spanish fútbol culture. He and the other children often played in outdoor basketball cages because they didn’t have grass fields. After coming to the U.S., he began playing for Eastside FC at age 11. He played some at left midfielder, and had a short stint at center back that he called “kind of a joke.” When he played forward for the first time, it was a natural fit. “I like sprinting – I’m more of a sprinter than a long-distance runner,” Twaddle explained. “That always fit me better than any other position.” See SOCCER, Page 9
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July 2, 2014
Events
calendar
focus on faith
Party of the year
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A trail work party will help finish a connector trail between the Sahalee Overlook and Evans Creek Preserve from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 2, 3, 8, 12 and 13. The work will be difficult and is not for people under 14. For information, contact Kellye Hilde at 425295-0582.
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.
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The annual fifth of July clean up, after the Fourth on the Plateau festivities, is set for 9 a.m. July 5 at the Sammamish Commons.
Grief Share Support Group meeting from 7 to 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.
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The annual KidsFirst series begins at noon July 8 with magician Eli Rosenblatt in the grassy meadow behind Beaver Lake Lodge. For details, including performers, times and venues, visit, http:// www.sammamish. us/events/ KiwanisKidsFirst.aspx.
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We Learn, We Build, We Play, a chance for children 8-12 to learn about engineering fundamentals with motorized Lego kits, is set for 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. July 10 at the Sammamish Library. Pre-registration required, visit www.kcls.org. Concerts in the Park, the annual summer concert series, kicks off from 6:30-8 p.m. July 10 with Wings n Things, a Paul McCartney cover band, at Pine Lake Park. For details, including a complete schedule and parking information, visit http://www.sammamish.us/ events/ConcertsInthePark.aspx.
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The Tad and Fry Puppet Show explores biology and metamorphosis at 3 p.m. July 12 at the Sammamish Library.
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A Science Magic Show for children ages 5 and up is set for 1 p.m. July 15 at the Sammamish Library.
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Tide Pool Tunes and Fishy Tales Show, for children ages 3-7 is a music filled beach party at 1 p.m. July 29 at the Sammamish Library.
SAMMAMISH REVIEW
Fourth on the Plateau, the city’s annual Fourth of July festival, is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. July 4 at Sammamish Commons.
volunteer opportunities The new Sammamish Y is seeking volunteers of all ages for a variety of positions to help youth and neighbors in need. for more information, contact Rachel Van Winkle at 303-391-4840 or rvanwinkle@ seattleymca.org. Purrfect Pals cat shelter is seeking volunteers to care for and play with cats. Volunteers must be 18 or older. Shifts are two hours, once per week. Visit www.purrfectpals.org. Providence Marianwood seeks volunteers to work with the senior citizens who live there. They are particularly looking for people to assist with group activities, work in the gift nook or make new friends. Call 391-2897. Visit residents in nursing homes. Friend to Friend matches volunteers with residents in Sammamish nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Volunteers are asked to visit residents a couple times a month for a year. Orientation will be provided. Background check required. Call 1-855-7113832.
Evergreen Healthcare is seeking volunteers to help serve patients throughout King County. Volunteers, who will be assigned to help people in their own neighborhoods, provide companionship, run errands, do light household work, or give a break to primary caregivers. Volunteers will be supported by hospital staff. Call 899-1040 or visit www.evergreenhealthcare.org/hospice. Eastside Friends of Seniors needs volunteers to help local seniors live independently in their homes. Change a life by helping with transportation, household tasks, or visitation. Email dave@eastsidefriendsofseniors.org or call 425-369-9120. The King County LongTerm Care Ombudsman Program needs certified long-term care ombudsman volunteers. After completing a four-day training program, visit with residents, take and resolve complaints and advocate for residents. Volunteers are asked to donate four hours a week and attend selected monthly meetings. Contact Cheryl Kakalia at 206-694-6827.
Eastside Bluebills is a Boeing retiree volunteer organization that strives to provide opportunities for retirees to help others in need and to assist charitable and nonprofit organizations: 10 a.m. to noon, the third Wednesday of the month at the Bellevue Regional Library. Call 235-3847. LINKS, Looking Into the Needs of Kids in Schools, places community volunteers in the schools of the Lake Washington School District. Opportunities include tutoring, classroom assistance and lunch buddy. Email links@lwsd.org or visit www.linksvolunteer.org. Eastside Baby Corner needs volunteers to sort incoming donations of clothing and toys and prepare items for distribution. Visit www.babycorner.org. Volunteers are needed to visit homebound patrons with the King County Library System’s Traveling Library Center program. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have reliable transportation. Call Susan LaFantasie at 369-3235.
Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) allows mothers of young children time to make friends share stories and grow spiritually while their children are in childcare. There are multiple groups in Sammamish. One group generally meets twice a month on Thursday mornings at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church. Another group meets on Wednesdays at Pine Lake Covenant Church at 9:30 a.m. Another meets Fridays at 9:15 at Sammamish Presbyterian Church Visit www.mops.org. A Toast to the Lord, a faith-based Toastmasters club, meets at 1 p.m. Saturdays at the Eastridge Church Jamin Café. They offer job interviewing skill development for those seeking employment or a career change; motivational and inspirational speaking training. Call 427-9682 or email toasttothelord@gmail. 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 3911178, ext. 129. Celebrate Recovery, a Christcentered program offering support. Mondays, 7-9 p.m., Pine Lake Covenant Church. Visit www.plcc.org/cr.
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.