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July 25, 2012

COMMUNITY

SAMMAMISH REVIEW

Residents fight crime by building community

By Lillian Tucker

Porch lights will be burning bright across the country Aug. 7 when thousands of communities celebrate the 29th annual National Night Out. Sammamish won’t be left out in the dark. Along with neighborhood block parties and barbeques around town, the city is planning a kick-off event, Safe and Sound Sammamish. The goal of all the events around Sammamish, as well as the country, is to unite communities and local police forces in the fight against crime and prevent it from happening in the first place.

A report by the Washington Association of Sheriffs released in May showed that Sammamish is one of the safest cities in King County. Out of the 7.9 overall crimes per 1,000 Sammamish residents in 2011, 0.3 of those were violent crimes. According to Administrative Sergeant Jessica Sullivan, this is in part thanks to community activities like Night Out. “I believe a well-connected community is one of the reasons we have such a low crime rate,” she said. Sullivan explained

that when you are comfortable with each other, you’re comfortable enough to go let someone know they left their garage door open – a simple step that could prevent a burglary. “It’s one of the best things people can do is get to know their neighbors. As you know your community, you know what’s suspicious.”

Safe and Sound Sammamish kicks off at 2 p.m. August 7 at the Sammamish Commons Plaza. Until 5 p.m. that evening, people can check out police vehicles, learn about crime and drug prevention and take part in an interactive workshop with Circus Cascadia from Portland, Ore. To mix in some fun, audiences can watch stilt walkers, try their hands at spinning plates and enjoy a free hot dog.

After the community safety and awareness fair, the Sammamish Citizen Corps invites people to organize their own block party and spend the evening outside with neighbors.

The Corps suggest throwing the parties from around 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and including some sort of activity like a barbeque, potluck, ice cream social or wine and cheese tasting. Organizers have until July 31 to register their

File photo

Children play on the Sheriff’s Office SWAT vehicle during last year’s event. event with the Citizen Corps and receive a free bag of night out goodies.

“People can chose what best

suites them,” said Sullivan. “I’ve been to events with five people and to events with 100 people.”

Sammamish Police, she

added, will make every effort to stop by as many individual See SAFE, Page 13

Dance til you drop at the Joyful Festival of India

By Lillian Tucker

“It’s very lively, even someone who is on their death bed will get up and dance. It just gets into your system.”

That’s what Latha Sambamurti said when describing the music and energy that is set to take over Ananda Mela, Joyful Festival of India staged by Sammamish’s Vedic Cultural Center. The theme for this year’s free festival July 27-29 at Redmond City Hall is “Dances of India.”

“Through distinctive footwork, movement, emotional expression, costumes, and rhythm, unique to each tradition and region,” wrote Sambamurti in a prepared statement, “the dances of India - be they classical, folk or popular — express eloquently the joie de vivre, ethos, values and life experiences of its people.”

Organizers, including Sambamurti, plan for the dance theme to have strong presence throughout the festival. Large photographs depicting Indian dancers will be set up around the festival grounds and with two stages, the music won’t stop. The lineup for the main stage includes Anita Lerche a Punjabi singing performer from

Photo courtesy of Vedic Cultural Center

The band, Delhi 2 Dublin is set to headline the Ananda Mela festival Sunday, July 29.

Denmark; Vancouver, B.C. band En Karma and Delhi 2 Dublin, who’s unique sound blends Bhangra and Celtic music. The

stages will also be brought to life by dancers, ranging from students to professionals, performing everything from classi-

cal forms of Bharatanatyam to popular styles like Bollywood.

But dancing won’t be limited only to the performers as dance con-

tests are scheduled for each day.

Audience members will be invited to join in with dance instructors while judges award prizes.

The grand prize on Sunday is a one-week vacation for two to Hawaii.

“Go to Youtube and pick up some Bhangra dance steps,” said Sambamurti “Bhangra music is so danceable…You can dance your way to Hawaii.”

For those born with two left feet, however, there is still plenty on the docket. The grounds will be filled with food booths offering dishes from the many different regions of India. Jewelry and other merchandise will also be for sale.

Activities range from cooking contests for adults to a Panchantantra scavenger hunt for children, where they will search for the different illustrations around the festival that tell the story of the five tricks one has to learn to live a smart life.

“You name it, it’s there,” said Sambamurti. “They have everything for all ages; from 1 year to 100 years old.”

The event started in 2010 and in three years, according to orgaSee FESTIVAL, Page 12