snovalley star 070711

Mount Si athlete heads to nationals with club soccer team.

Page 12

Your locally-owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington

July 7, 2011 VOL. 3, NO. 41

Legal matters

Bear sightings on the rise in the Valley

By Sebastian Moraga

North Bend business sues gas station owner.

Page 3

New branding North Bend logo easy to enjoy, hard to ignore.

Page 7

Police blotter Page 9

No tigers or lions yet. But the bears, oh my.

With temperatures on the rise, hungry ursines begin their annual hunt for food, upending garbage bins and scaring humans and other highly domesticated critters.

“They’re getting pretty comfortable with traffic and people,” North Bend resident Janet

Thorpe wrote on a North Bend Yahoo! newsgroup about a bear sighting she had two weeks ago.

According to a press release from the city of Snoqualmie, bear sightings have occurred in both rural and urban areas, including Snoqualmie Ridge.

Most sightings happen between dawn and noon, the release said.

Renee Bodine, with the United States Forest Service, said in a press release that these fel-

lows are out of hibernation and thus, hungry.

“In the absence of sufficient bear food, they forage people cuisine,” Bodine said. “Enjoying picnics in ice chests, snacking from backyard bird feeders, tasting camping snacks left in the tent, and scarfing leftover pizza and beer thrown into the garbage.”

Effective control of personal garbage may help reduce the

New leader

By Dan Catchpole

Battling on

charged with controlling them must pick their battles.

“Just because it’s not native isn’t enough,” said Sasha Shaw, the Noxious Weed Program’s outreach manager.

To be considered a problem by the county, non-native plants must hurt the local ecosystem by pushing out native

North Bend’s neighbors to the southwest could find themselves in another King County Council district when the county’s redistricting committee finishes its work.

Population growth in the county has been uneven since the existing districts were set in 2005. District 3, where North Bend and Snoqualmie are currently located, has grown faster than any other district.

According to the 2010 census, nearly 245,000 people live in the district, which includes the entire Snoqualmie Valley, as well as Issaquah, and parts of Redmond and Bellevue.

To give the districts equivalent populations, the redistricting committee has to carve about 30,000 residents out of the district represented by Kathy Lambert.

Three of the four draft plans unveiled in mid-June put District 3’s southern border close to North Bend’s southwestern edge. Each plan would transfer some residents living just outside the city into District 9, which stretches southwest to Maple Valley.

North Bend’s administration is adamantly opposed to any

See WEEDS, Page 6

See REDISTRICTING, Page 2

North Bend man keeps fighting against cancer.

Page 10

By Dan Catchpole

Frances Lucero inspects a site along the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River infested with knotweed, an invasive plant. Lucero coordinates King County’s campaign to eradicate the non-native weed.

Snoqualmie resident named to Hall of Fame.

Page 12

Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71 POSTAL CUSTOMER

See BEARS, Page 6

County Council redistricting could cut off North Bend neighbors

Everett educator named Two Rivers principal.

Page 10

Best of the best

odds of bears snacking on it, the release said.

The best way to discourage close encounters with bears is to manage garbage, the release said.

“Keep garbage cans with tightfitting lids in a shed, garage or fenced area. Put garbage containers out for collection shortly before the truck arrives — not the night before.”

County leads fight against foreign invaders on Snoqualmie River

By Dan Catchpole There is a battle being waged along the banks of the Snoqualmie River. Natives are fighting foreigners — with some help from humans.

The Snoqualmie River is one of six where King County is combating Japanese knotweed.

Knotweed is one of the area’s many invasive weeds — plants

that push native species out of the way and often harm the existing ecosystem. The county, other agencies, organizations and residents have been eradicating the plant for several years in a targeted campaign to reclaim the river.

Invasive species can cause devastating ecological and economical damage. But with so many of them around, people

SnoValley Star

PAGE 2

Redistricting From Page 1 plan that would break those residents off.

“We are not in favor of any plan that would divide North Bend residents up into different districts,” City Administrator Duncan Wilson said.

None of the people who could end up in District 9 actually live in the city, but North Bend officials think of them as coming from the same community.

“They identify with us,” Mayor Ken Hearing said.

That is what Hearing told the redistricting committee during a public hearing June 30. The fiveperson committee is taking public input after releasing the four draft plans, none of which are binding.

The four maps explored different ways to approach redistricting, said Simon Farretta, the committee’s lead staff member.

“They absolutely can change,” he said.

The committee could vote on one of the four plans, but it could just as likely combine aspects of more than one approach, Farretta said.

The differences between the four approaches are technical, but all follow legal requirements. The King County Charter says districts should be “with compact and contiguous territory, composed of economic and geographic units, and approximately equal in population.”

Districts should follow city

JULY 7, 2011

Get involved King County Districting Committee public hearings ❑ 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 7, Highline Community College, Building 7, 2400 S. 240th St., Des Moines ❑ 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 12, Van Asselt Community Center, 2820 S. Myrtle St., Seattle

Snoqualmie

Committee meeting ❑ 6-8 p.m. July 28, Chinook Building, Room 126, 401 Fifth Ave., Seattle Submit comments to: www.kingcounty.gov/operations/ districting/testimony.aspx

borders when possible, but it isn’t required.

Some cities want to be split, Farretta said.

Woodinville’s city administration asked to be split between two districts as a way to increase its clout on the council. But other cities have told the committee to keep them intact.

When drawing district borders, committee members don’t want to create any orphan areas.

“If you are going to split an area, there needs to be enough of that area to make the councilmember feel that they are invested in that area,” Farretta said.

Lambert, who represents District 3, knows that problem firsthand. Her sprawling district includes all or much of nine

North Bend

N Sources: King County, Google

By Dan Catchpole

Three of the four draft plans for redistricting the Metropolitan King County Council move neighborhoods just outside North Bend city limits from District 3 into District 9. The shaded areas are in District 9 in at least one of the four draft plans. cities, various unincorporated communities, a plethora of other entities — fire protection districts, a flood control district, park districts and so on — and a sliver of Bellevue.

“If you have only a tiny piece of an area and you have a city where you have all of it, which council meeting are you going to go to? There’s only seven days in the week,” Lambert said.

Splitting off the areas just outside North Bend would hurt

those residents’ representation on the County Council.

It can be confusing for residents who don’t realize they are in a different district from their neighbors and it can be confusing for council members who share a city or community, Lambert said.

Hearing and Wilson said they fear that North Bend’s neighbors would be an afterthought if they are put in District 9, which is represented by Reagan Dunn.

While the current council

members from Districts 3 and 9 might typically vote together, that might not always be the case, especially since Dunn is running for state Attorney General, Wilson said.

Keeping North Bend and its unincorporated neighbors in the same district would give the upper Snoqualmie Valley more political clout, he said.

Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.

SnoValley Star

JULY 7, 2011

PAGE 3

North Bend company sues gas station owner Fuel spill is at center of foul oder dispute

By Dan Catchpole The state liquor store’s old site in North Bend, across from QFC, still sits empty, more than three years after the Washington State Liquor Control Board left.

The store’s relocation came after ongoing complaints about unpleasant odors.

Those same smells caused headaches for a dental clinic in the same complex. Some days they were so strong, the clinic had to send patients home.

The odors have not been a problem for tenants or customers since the property owner, North Mountainview, installed an air filtration system in 2008.

But the system and the environmental consultants hired in 2007 to locate the odors’ origin cost money, so North Mountainview’s owner, John Fujii, has sued the owner of the neighboring 76 Gas station and its former landlords for at least $5 million. The lawsuit was filed April 19 in King County Superior Court.

The franchise owner of the station has enrolled it in the state’s Voluntary Cleanup Program, run by the Department of Ecology.

Fujii claims the station’s owner, Wagih Abu-Rish, discovered a leak in the station’s underground storage tank in early 2004, but didn’t report it to the department. Fujii claims that about 5,000 gallons of gasoline seeped into the ground before the leak was plugged that year.

As the gasoline filtered through the ground, tenants began to complain about the odors in North Mountainview’s property.

“God, it was just awful,” said Dr. Eric Opsvig, who rents space from North Mountainview.

The smell was most noticeable when the barometric pressure changed, but it was always around to some degree, he and staff said.

The odor caused headaches and shortness of breath, Opsvig said.

“Some days, we couldn’t even be in here,” he said. “We’d have to send patients home.”

While Opsvig said he lost money from the odor, he does not stand to gain money from the lawsuit.

The smell prompted the state liquor store to relocate in early 2008, a spokesman for the Washington State Liquor Control Board told the Star at the time.

Photos by Dan Catchpole

Above: The Washington State Liquor Control Board moved its North Bend store due to noxious odors, which are at the center of a lawsuit between two neighboring land owners. Right: Wagih Abu-Rish, the owner of a 76 Gas station on North Bend Way is cleaning up a gasoline leak that was discovered in 2004.

Fujii lost a steady tenant as the country’s economy was beginning to unravel. The state liquor store relocated little more than a mile away.

Even though the smell is not an issue for current tenants, “Mountainview’s ability to market that rental space has been damaged by the contamination,” according to the lawsuit against Abu-Rish and his former landlords, Robert and Leora Wheeler.

Abu-Rish bought the property from them in January 2005.

The contamination also prevented Fujii from refinancing the property when interest rates were extremely low, the suit claims.

While Abu-Rish and the Wheelers deny full responsibility for the contamination, Abu-Rish told the Star that he found a leak in the underground tank in 2004.

But it wasn’t reported to the Department of Ecology until Oct. 2, 2007, according to department records.

The leak was reported as soon as an environmental consultant confirmed there was contamination, Abu-Rish said.

“Basically, it was done right away,” he said.

The Wheelers could not be reached for comment.

The 76 Gas station is not the only contaminated site in North Bend. There are 29 sites in and near the city registered with the state Department of Ecology.

Snoqualmie has another 13 sites.

That is not unusual, though, said Larry Altose, a spokesman for the department. “There’s probably no place in the state that doesn’t have some contaminated sites, especially since some gas stations were built before current standards were in place.”

All underground storage tanks for fuel are registered and periodically inspected by the Department of Ecology, Altose said.

“For today’s gas stations, they are all monitored,” he said.

“They are all inspected.”

All contaminations must be reported to the state within 90 days of discovery or a fine can be imposed. Under the state’s Model Toxics Control Act, property and business owners are responsible for cleaning up contaminations and can be held liable for damages.

Property owners have a great deal of incentive to report conta-

minations, because to sell or refinance the property, they have to show potential buyers or a bank that it is clean, Altose said.

“At some point it’s going to be evaluated,” he said.

Still, the system largely depends on self-reporting, and years of budget cuts have left the department without the resources to be very proactive in finding pollution. The department also learns of many contaminations from spill reports and property assessments, Altose said.

“It’s working well, but I think

July 4 hiker rescued from Denny Creek A July 4 family hike on Denny Creek Trail ended with a 4-year-old girl being taken by helicopter to Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.

The girl, who lives in Kent, fell into the creek. Fellow hikers, including an off-duty Shoreline firefighter, helped find her and pull her out of the water.

it’s working because banks are sort of stepping into the role of enforcer,” said Linda Larson, a partner with the Marten Law Group, an environmental law firm based in Seattle.

The system doesn’t reward intentionally delaying reporting pollution.

Contaminants spread over time, increasing the cost of cleanup, Larson said.

“The way the Model Toxics Control Act is set up, you are responsible all the way down the chain,” she said.

But it is usually up to business and property owners to take the first look, and have testing done to determine whether a site is contaminated.

Studies done by the department in February show that more cleaning up is needed at North Mountainview’s site, Altose said. The contamination has spread under the QFC parking lot to the northwest, but is highest near the station’s pumps.

More work is expected this summer. The site’s clean up should take another one to two years, Abu-Rish said.

Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.

She was unconscious and had been underwater for 10 to 15 minutes, according to Sgt. John Urquhart, spokesman for the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s deputies and paramedics took the girl to the trailhead, about two and a half miles away. She was then taken by helicopter to Harborview in critical condition.

Urquhart said he doesn’t know how the accident happened.

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Opinion

PAGE 4

Editorial

Share Your Views

Preserving natural beauty is a Valley-wide effort

Citizens can make a difference by contacting their elected representatives.

Snoqualmie Valley’s residents are quick to comment on the area’s natural beauty. It is a treasure.

Like most treasures, it requires good stewardship. Valley residents must take an active part in preserving the area’s natural beauty.

Many do already. Local volunteers have helped pull invasive plants like English ivy out of forestland near Tollgate Farm in North Bend. Others, such as the Upper Snoqualmie Valley Elk Management Group, help to keep local residents and wildlife on good terms that are mutually beneficial. Two of the group’s members were recently recognized by the state Department of Ecology for their hard work.

The efforts of these local residents show that we can all have a positive effect. It is simply a matter of getting dirt under our fingernails.

There is plenty of work to do.

Invasive plant species such as English ivy and knotweed are rife throughout the Valley. They choke out native species, depriving local wildlife of food sources.

Fighting them requires man-hours — boots on the ground, so to speak — and education. Get involved by attending one of the three workshops in Snoqualmie Valley hosted on July 19 and 20 by the King County Noxious Weed Program.

Living with wildlife requires good stewardship as well.

Bears in Snoqualmie Valley are beautiful creatures when seen from a safe distance, but a close encounter can turn dangerous. We can all help minimize these run-ins by securing garbage and not leaving food out. (See the article in this week’s issue for more tips.)

Snoqualmie Valley is a treasure. Many residents are already doing great work to maintain its natural beauty.

But there is still plenty of work to do, so roll up your sleeves and dig in.

WEEKLY POLL Which summer event are you looking forward to the most?

A. Railroad Days B. North Bend Block Party C. 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament D. Mount Si Festival E. Boeing Classic Vote online at www.snovalleystar.com.

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County King County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, District 3. King County Courthouse, 516 Third Ave., Room 1200, Seattle, WA 98104; 206-296-1003; 800-3256165; kathy.lambert@kingcounty.gov

North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing, mayor@northbendwa.gov Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Dee Williamson, dwilliamson@northbendwa.gov Councilman Jonathan Rosen, jrosen@northbendwa.gov Councilman Chris Garcia, cgarcia@northbendwa.gov Councilman Alan Gothelf, agothelf@northbendwa.gov Councilman Ross Loudenback, rloudenback@northbendwa.gov

JULY 7, 2011

Councilman David Cook, dcook@northbendwa.gov Councilwoman Jeanne Pettersen, jpettersen@northbendwa.gov Write to the mayor and City Council at City of North Bend, P.O. Box 896, North Bend, WA 98045. Call 888-1211.

Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson, 8885307; mayor@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us Councilman Robert Jeans, 396-4427; bjeans@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us Councilman Jeff MacNichols, 396-4597; macnichols@sbmhlaw Councilman Bryan Holloway, 396-5216; bholloway@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us Councilman Kingston Wall, 206-890-9125; kwall@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us Councilwoman Maria Henriksen, 396-5270; mhenriksen@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us Councilman Charles Peterson, 888-0773; cpeterson@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us

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Councilwoman Kathi Prewitt, 888-3019; kprewitt@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us Write to the mayor and City Council at City of Snoqualmie, P.O. Box 987, Snoqualmie, WA 98065. Call 888-1555.

Home Country

Dance, even if the occasion doesn’t call for it

By Slim Randles Mrs. Doc watched the dancers swirl around the cleared hardwood floor of the Legion hall, and smiled to see her husband, Doc, waltzing with Ardis Fisher.

But Mrs. Doc was never one to sit out a waltz, so she looked around at the menu.

Over in the corner, smiling and tapping his foot, was Pop Walker. Pop and several other residents of the Rest of Your Life retirement home were there to enjoy the dance and celebrate the nation’s birthday. Pop has a hard time with his memory these days, but always forgets things with a smile.

“Pop,” asked Mrs. Doc, “how about a dance?”

“Why sure … uh?”

“Mrs. Doc.” “Right. Mrs. Doc.” Pop had learned to waltz back when more people did it, and the decades had smoothed his dance steps with the fine sanding of time. It was a pleasure for Mrs. Doc to go around the floor with him.

She smiled and winked at her husband as she and Pop danced by, and Doc grinned and swirled a fancy di-do with Ardis, just to show off. Then, she and Pop got closer to the bandstand and there was Dud Campbell playing

his accordion.

He looked happy and surrealistic in the muted reddish lights on the stage.

Next to him sat Carla Slim Randles Martinez, Columnist playing rhythm guitar and smiling out on her town and her life. Jim Albertson was up there, too, playing the waltz’s melody on the harmonica, and trading the lead with Jasper Blankenship on his fiddle.

As Mrs. Doc and Pop Walker danced away, the bandstand receded in a blur of light and

sound. Passing like ships in the night were Dewey Decker with Mavis from the Mule Barn truck stop. Mavis’ hair is growing back in since the treatments, giving everyone in the valley just one more reason to be thankful.

Randy Jones and Katie Burchell sailed by on wings of love.

The waltz ended and Pop walked Mrs. Doc to her seat.

“Thanks for the dance, er …

Honey,” he said.

“Thank you, Pop.” The people who dance through our lives give us the reason to get up and get dressed each day.

Brought to you by Slim’s new book “A Cowboy’s Guide to Growing Up Right.” Learn more at www.nmsantos.com/Slim/Slim.html.

Write to us Snovalley Star welcomes letters to the editor about any subject, although we reserve the right to edit for space, length, potential libel, clarity or political relevance. Letters addressing local news will receive priority. Please limit letters to 350 words or less and type them, if possible. Email is preferred.

Letters must be signed and have a daytime phone number to verify authorship. Send them by Friday of each week to:

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JULY 7, 2011

SnoValley Star

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SnoValley Star

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Weeds

Bears

ON THE WEB

> > www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/ noxious-weeds.aspx

From Page 1

From Page 1

King County Noxious Weed Program

plants, and depriving wildlife of food sources and habitat.

Knotweed does all of those on the Snoqualmie in abundance.

It’s broad leaves block out the sun for other vegetation on the forest floor. Its roots suck up nutrients, starving other plants.

It takes away habitat from native species and contributes to riverbank erosion. It crowds out native plants with stronger root systems that help hold riverbanks together.

Knotweed’s roots and stems are designed to break apart and float downriver, which is how it spreads itself. As the knotweed uproots, the dirt in riverbanks gets washed downstream.

Knotweed also takes away habitat from native insects on the river. Along the river, the leaves of indigenous plants typically sit a few inches off the water, creating a sheltered space for insects to live.

Knotweed’s leaves reach down to the water.

But the problem doesn’t end with the insects. Fewer bugs means less food for fish, which means less food for other animals higher up the food chain.

That is the real ecological danger of invasive species: their effect isn’t limited, but it ripples through the local ecosystem, said Heidi Bohan, an ethnobotanist who works with the Snoqualmie Tribe.

Ultimately, the effects are felt by the wildlife, Bohan said.

Those effects can be felt far and wide, and can quickly become full-fledged economic disasters. Since the emerald ash borer beetle was detected in North America in 2002, it has killed more than 30 million ash trees. Every year, European gypsy moths defoliate millions of acres of forest in the eastern United States.

Get involved

King County

Knotweed has broad,flat leaves and grows 10 to 15 feet tall.

Invasive species cost the U.S. almost $120 billion a year, according to a 2004 estimate by researchers at Cornell University.

Human travel typically is how invasive species move into new areas. Sometimes it is unwitting, but sometimes it is intentional.

Knotweed became a popular ornamental plant in 1920s and was widely planted through the 1960s.

“It was an exotic plant that was promoted,” Shaw said. “So a lot of people planted it in this area, and each one of those plantings became a vector for infestation.”

To fight knotweed in the upper Snoqualmie River watershed, King County spends about $450,000 a year, with more than $400,000 coming from grants, according to Frances Lucero, who manages the county’s efforts.

She coordinates eradication campaigns on six rivers. The work is done by private landowners, volunteers, King County weed experts and other public entities, including the city of Snoqualmie.

“It’s a lot of work for one person to go out and take care of a problem like this, but it’s not a huge problem for lots of different people to chip away at, a little bit at a time,” Lucero said.

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Knotweed workshops Find out how to fight knotweed at workshops hosted by King County. ❑ 7 p.m. July 19, Meadowbrook Farm Interpretive Center, 1711 Boalch Ave., North Bend ❑ 9 a.m. July 20, Three Forks Natural Area, 39912 S.E. Park St., Snoqualmie ❑ 1 p.m. July 20, Three Forks Natural Area, 39912 S.E. Park St., Snoqualmie

Education and outreach are two important weapons for the program. Each year Lucero trains dozens of volunteers to use guns that inject herbicide into the knotweed stalks.

Eradicating knotweed from an area takes four or five years, with regular monitoring to follow, Lucero said.

Infested sites often require two years of treatment with targeted herbicide, and native species must be re-planted, sometimes more than once.

Once knotweed is cleared out, sometimes other nonnative plants move in.

“You just pick your battles sometime,” Lucero said. “It’ll never be perfect. This is a disturbed area — people have been here, a big river runs through here. There are always going to be some non-native and invasive plants. You just try to keep it in check.”

Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com.

When camping, the forest service recommends camping away from streams or trails, as bears use them as travel routes. Same for camping near bear food sources, like berries. Wash all dishes and cans immediately after eating.

Dump dishwater at least 100 yards from your campsite.

Pepper spray is a good defense, forest service wildlife biologist Sonny Paz said. Firearms help, too, but people don’t always have one on them when they see a bear. Knives are tricky, since it may not be legal to carry them in certain jurisdictions.

“You may get in trouble with the law and with the bear,” Paz said.

When barbecuing, burn the grease off your grill after you are done, as the odor of cooked meat can travel for miles.

While cougars retreat after eye contact, making eye contact with a bear may elicit a charge, Bodine said. On the other hand, Paz said it helps to keep your eyes on the bear, just to see what it might do.

Bears are generally afraid of humans, Paz said, but bears in an urban interface like the

Snoqualmie state trooper has harrowing DUI stop A DUI stop almost turned deadly for a Washington State Patrol trooper from Snoqualmie late the night of June 30.

Trooper Michael Porter stopped a silver BMW X3 just before midnight on the northbound side of Interstate 405 near the interchange with state Route 520. He suspected the driver was intoxicated.

The 28-year-old Porter, who has been with the State Patrol for two and a half years, was

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Valley may be accustomed to people and to getting food from them.

“Bears like that may be a little more unpredictable and might not run away from you,” he said. “Hopefully, nobody’s feeding the bears.”

The one thing Paz said to avoid doing may well be the thing you naturally feel like doing when faced with a black bear — running. Bears will outrun you, so don’t try.

Instead, Paz said, “Back away slowly and if the bear is unresponsive, try to make yourself look big by holding a coat over your head, or raising your arms.”

Don’t yell at it, but do talk to it, he added, as the bear may identify your yelling as a desire to attack. Paz said talking may help the bear think you are not afraid.

If things go sour and the bear does attack you, crawl into a fetal position and protect the back of your head and your neck with your arms, said Paz said.

And if things really go sour, well, it’s go time.

“If it looks like the bear is going to eat you, then you’re just going to have to fight back,” Paz said.

Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.

arresting the driver when an Acura Integra hit the back of his patrol car, which hit the BMW. The BMW’s hood hit Porter and the driver, a 32-year-old man from Bellingham.

The driver of the Acura, a 26year-old woman from Shoreline, was arrested and could face charges of driving while intoxicated and vehicular assault.

Porter and the two drivers were taken to Overlake Medical Hospital in Bellevue. Porter had injured his leg, but has been released from the hospital.

SnoValley Star

JULY 7, 2011

Redesigned logo for North Bend is easy to enjoy, hard to ignore

By Sarah Gerdes When Geoff Doy moved from London to North Bend in the 1980s, he said it was an easy decision.

“The town had so much to offer, we didn’t want to leave,” he said.

He couldn’t have known the move embodied a tagline he would help craft as a citizen volunteer for North Bend’s marketing and branding efforts 20 years later.

Doy is one example of someone who happened upon North Bend and decided to stay. Gina Estep, North Bend’s economic development director, decided to capitalize upon the trend when she approached the mayor last year.

On the eve of North Bend’s centennial, Estep said, “It’s been a great 100 years. What are we going to do to build the city for the next 100?”

That question kicked off North Bend’s first formal brand initiative. Before the year was out, Estep had assembled a team of business owners, city officials and volunteer citizens with marketing and branding experience.

“It was important for North Bend to use a grass-roots approach to branding,” Estep said.

Cost savings was another consideration. As neighboring cities spent between $60,000 and $100,000 with private marketing companies, North Bend used “the assets and the experience with volunteers who were committed in the long term,” Estep said.

Fortunately for North Bend, its community is filled with former and current marketing and branding executives who volunteered to be a part of the initiative. Doy, the CEO of Internet firm Marconi, who sold his firm to Erickson, facilitated a “brown paper bag” session. The brainstorming exercise walked the five-member team through an exercise of identifying, refining and selecting the attributes unique to North Bend.

The group realized the city “attracts tourists that appreciate local activities,” said Fritz Ribary, of the Snoqualmie Valley

Chamber of Commerce, a nonvoting member of the group.

The challenge of the group is to provide the outlets that allow for tourists to “unwind, relax and share the experience they just had.” By promoting North Bend as a small town creating the premier outdoor destination in the Puget Sound region, it becomes “the jump-off point and the hub to the Cascades,” Doy said.

The City Council agreed, approved the recommendations, a 2010 implementation plan was created, a budget was passed and programs were initiated.

Beyond the logo “Easy to reach, hard to leave” is a catchy tagline, and the logo, created by local resident and business owner Brent Cook, of Front Row Graphics, is crisp, modern and clean.

But Estep and her team know

PAGE 7 they are at the beginning of a multiyear initiative. This year alone, North Bend will hold several major events.

The second annual block party is slated for July 17. Like last year, the city will shut down the streets and “throw a party for 2,500 people.” This fall, North Bend will hold its first Outdoor Recreation Industry Conference, designed to “bring all the stakeholders together,” including retailers, manufacturers and fish and wildlife representatives. The Mount Si Challenge, the North Bend Rock Challenge, partnering with the Tour de Peaks and the Festival at Mount Si and more are also on the calendar.

Building businesses The city must do more than hold great events. It must provide more venues for tourists and locals alike.

Guy Lawrence, marketing director at the Summit in Snoqualmie, said he believes even minor improvements to the downtown area can have a major impact on the area.

“The historic downtown is crucial, as well as the plaza concepts,” for encouraging tourists to stay after a day of fishing in the rivers, climbing the mountains or riding on the trails, he said. “We need a town that matches the activities of the visitors.”

It must also provide local businesses with ongoing support.

Jolene Kelly relocated her small business, a salon, from Snoqualmie to North Bend. And while she supports the initiative, she said she would like to see

Fall City man escapes injury after collision A Fall City man avoided injury late July 4 when his car was hit by another car changing lanes on state Route 18.

The man, 57-year-old Patrick Nause, was eastbound at about 10:40 p.m. in a 2005 Ford F-150 truck.

Heinrich Wolf, of Covington, was traveling in the same direction in a 1996 Honda Accord when he moved into the lane Nause was in.

The 67-year-old Wolf’s car hit Nause’s truck, went off the road and hit the guardrail, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Wolf was taken to Auburn General Hospital.

Nause was not injured. more done to encourage collaboration among the business owners.

“A merchants association would go a long way to supporting one another, making improvements and drawing in new businesses,” she said.

With committed business owners like Kelly and forwardthinking planners like Estep, North Bend’s marketing efforts just may pay off. And Doy’s vision of North Bend becoming the jumping off point to the Cascades may be shortly realized.

Sarah Gerdes is a freelance writer for the Star.

Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.

PAGE 8

SnoValley Star

JULY 7, 2011

JULY 7, 2011

SnoValley Star

PAGE 9

Police & Fire

she had no idea who could have done it.

North Bend police

Reckless driving

Happy birthday, indeed At 1:07 p.m. June 26, police responded to a bike theft at Rattlesnake Lake Cycles, 410 Main Ave. S. At about 12:20 p.m., a male teenager entered the store and looked around, saying he was going to buy a bicycle for his brother’s birthday.

He later said he had changed his mind due to the bikes’ prices and he was going to buy a skateboard instead. He returned later and removed a bicycle from the bike rack and rode it away. Two teenagers saw him, but said they thought he was trying it out.

The teenagers could only offer a partial clothing description of the suspect.

Harassment At 11:50 a.m. June 14, police responded to a harassment call from Starbucks Coffee inside the QFC grocery store, 460 E. North Bend Way. Two males approached a barista and ordered drinks. One of the men started telling the barista how beautiful she was, how he was new to the area and how they should get together.

He gave her a business card for North American Entertainment and said he was looking for women as beautiful as she was for his business.

After the barista told him she was not interested, he kept asking for her phone number. The barista told police both men have frequented the business and have tried to pick up both her and a coworker, sometimes aggressively. Police contacted the coworker who said one of the men had tried to get her number and had told her they should “hook up.”

She told him she was 17.

The men kept returning to the coffee stand and the girl started feeling scared. A male employee escorted her to her car when her shift was over. Police contacted the two men June 16 at the T/A restaurant, 46600 S.E. North Bend Way, and told them they had been banned from QFC.

Car break-ins At 8:06 a.m. June 16, police responded to multiple car breakins in the parking lot of North Bend Automotive, 43306 S.E. North Bend Way. The manager of the business said she arrived at work and saw at least four vehicles were broken into. She told police that suspects had stolen stereos from vehicles and broken side windows on some of them.

One of the vehicles belongs to the shop. No prints could be found, leading police to believe the suspect or suspects may have used gloves. The manager said

At 12:46 a.m. June 20, police saw a black pickup traveling south on Bendigo Boulevard South near the corner of Southwest Mount Si Boulevard.

As the truck reached the intersection, it skidded to a stop, power-sliding into the intersection over the stop line.

The driver backed up and then stopped behind the stop line to wait for the green light.

When the light turned, the driver accelerated into the left-turn lane, traveling east on Mount Si Boulevard. As the vehicle turned, the driver lost traction and the wheels began to peel out on the pavement.

The driver kept accelerating and the wheels kept spinning faster. Police stopped the vehicle, recognized the driver and asked him why he was driving like that. The driver said he was sorry and that he had not seen the patrol car. He was arrested for reckless driving.

Police later learned the 18year-old driver only had a learner’s permit. He was fingerprinted and later released. The vehicle was impounded.

Mailbox down At 6:30 p.m. June 25, police responded to a call from the 900 block of Pickett Avenue. A man told police he went to his mailbox and found the box and the pole on the ground, driven over by a vehicle.

The man added that the neighborhood has been a continued target of vandalism, from collapsed mailboxes to trees covered in toilet paper. Tire tracks indicated the driver deliberately left the roadway, driving in a straight line through lawns and crashing into two mailbox stands.

Smashing fun At 9:30 p.m. June 25, police responded to a noninjury accident near the corner of Ribary Way and Bendigo Boulevard.

Two groups of teenagers had been driving around in two vehicles, tossing firecrackers at each other, until one of them crashed into the other. The drivers were arrested and released to their parents.

Snoqualmie police Grin and bear it At 2:33 a.m. June 23, police responded to a call from the 9400 block of Frontier Avenue Southeast about a female bear with three cubs in someone’s backyard. The female left and one of the cubs crawled under the fence, causing the female See BLOTTER, Page 14

Community

PAGE 10

JULY 7, 2011

By Sebastian Moraga

Amy Montanye-Johnson (right), the new principal at Two Rivers School stands next to her predecessor, Tom Athanases.

By Sebastian Moraga

Carl Hart, of North Bend, is still determined to beat the colorectal cancer he was diagnosed with last year.

Everett educator named new Two Rivers principal

By Sebastian Moraga

Battle goes on for incurable optimist

“From day one, I was saying, ‘Let’s get on with what we got to do to get this beaten.’

That’s still my attitude.”

how to treat him. A week later, he met with the oncologist again. And a week after that, he started chemotherapy.

“It was head-spinning,” he said.

Hart found hope in the fact he lived in the Puget Sound area, famous worldwide for its top-class cancer treatment centers, including the University of Washington, the Hutchinson Center, and Overlake and Swedish hospitals.

“There’s no better place to catch it than Seattle and the Puget Sound area,” he said.

He also found hope in the woman he calls his “rock,” his wife of 41 years, Donna.

“It’s very important to be able to draw emotional strength,” he said. “It’s 41 years we’ve been together, so we’ve been together longer than we have been apart.”

Still, it was painful, tiring and often scary. When people hear the words stage 4 cancer, they tend to assume the worst, Hart said.

Stage 4 colorectal cancer, he said, means that it could be seen through the walls of the intestines, the lymph nodes have been compromised and the cancer has metastasized.

People, however, “look at you like you’re a dead man walking,” Hart said. “Not true.

It means it has metastasized.”

So far, chemo has shrunk the tumor, the metastases and the infected lymph nodes. He still gets tired easy, but he was able to attend his daughter’s wedding in the San Juan Islands, and he has been back at work since last fall.

If he has it his way, the good news will continue for at least a decade and a half. Sure he wants to garden again, travel more.

The real goal, though, is to see Sofia, the only child of his only child, graduate from college.

She’s 8. There will be at least four more presidential elections before his dream comes true.

The uncertainty gives him pause. He does not know how long it will take to leave this chapter behind or whether he ever will.

“I want to, I think I will, but it all depends on what my body says,” he said. “I don’t know the answer.”

True to his optimism, Hart chooses to accentuate the positive in what he calls “my long journey.”

Caregivers have been great, his wife has been indefatigable, his coworkers and his boss have offered plenty of support, and he’s still around, fighting the good fight.

“From day one, I was saying, ‘Let’s get on with what we got to do to get this beaten,’” Hart said. “That’s still my attitude.”

By Sebastian Moraga When you’re 61 and your short-term goal is 15 years away, it’s safe to say you might qualify as an optimist.

When you’re 61 and your short-term goal is 15 years away, and you have stage 4 colorectal cancer, then it’s really safe to say it.

And that’s the way Carl Hart wants it.

The North Bend resident was diagnosed a year ago next month, but judging by the hair on his head and his easy laugh or his Hawaiian shirt that ably covers his scars, you would never know it.

“We’re going to kick this,” he said July 1 in his Redmond office. “We’re going to beat it to the ground with a big, ugly stick.”

Three years prior to the diagnosis, doctors had found and removed polyps, so when he walked into the doctor’s office that day in 2010, he was there to make sure nothing had changed.

Instead, everything did.

“Nobody expected it,” he said. “That was the ‘Oh, damn!’ moment for the doctors and myself.”

The next day, a Friday, he saw an oncologist and a surgeon. Three days after that, he underwent a PET scan. The next day, oncologists met to decide

— Carl Hart North Bend resident

Would you welcome an addict into your school? The Snoqualmie Valley School District did, and they are thrilled.

“There’s something incredibly addicting about having a student who feels very little about themselves and then realize their potential,” said Amy Montanye-Johnson, the new principal at Two Rivers School.

“It’s hard to walk away from that.”

Montanye-Johnson, whose first last name is pronounced Mon-TANE, was officially named the new principal of the district’s alternative school June 23, replacing Tom Athanases, who became the district’s alternative program planning coordinator.

“I’ve known Amy for some time, working for alternative schools’ organizations in the state,” Athanases said, “she’s a wonderful leader.”

Montanye-Johnson emerged from a pool of more than 25 candidates to get the job. She has never been a principal but has worked in alternative education for the past 11 years at Sequoia High School in the Everett School District.

Snoqualmie Valley Schools’ Superintendent Joel Aune called Montanye-Johnson “the best match for the district, our community, but most important, for her school.

Feedback from staff at Two Rivers and Sequoia about Montanye-Johnson was very positive, he added.

Sally Lancaster, principal of Sequoia High School, called Montanye-Johnson a smart, caring educator.

“She’s wonderful with student relationships,” Lancaster said.

“She’s been a part of our school improvement team, she’s coordinated our advanced placement classes, just lots of good things.”

Aune said the district looks forward to the new principal’s passion, vision and energy.

Montanye-Johnson said some think alternative schools don’t challenge students much, and that students don’t rise to challenges when they appear.

“In my experience, it’s exactly the opposite. Students come to school because they want to be there, because they want to learn, and they’re pretty focused,” she said.

Montanye-Johnson’s background includes working with homeless and runaway students, she said. In her time at Sequoia, she said she helped change the school’s performance levels.

“We’ve gone from a school where students were barely meeting graduation requirements to having advanced placement courses. Just two, but still,” she said. “Sequoia has contributed to the Everett School District in a large, large way.”

Two Rivers under MontanyeJohnson will be an alternative school, not an alternative to school, she said.

“Teachers need to be really intentional about what they are doing and why they are doing it and students need to be there to learn,” she said.

Staff at Two Rivers was “super excited” during the interview process about doing new things at the school, she said.

“It was very exciting to sit around a table with a group of teachers and professionals who were ready to go to work and do whatever they need to do to make it work,” she said. “I hope that continues.”

SnoValley Star

JULY 7, 2011

Obituaries Jennie Mae Baker Jennie Mae Miranda Amelia Baker, of North Bend, passed away Thursday, June 23, at Overlake Hospital surrounded by Jennie Baker many family members.

Jennie Mae was born to Henry and Jane Rosenbauer on March 8, 1916, in Clear Lake, Iowa. The family moved to Minnesota, where she and her 10 siblings helped run a farm.

She was 95 years of age and was the last surviving member of her family.

She graduated from Greenway High School in Coleraine, Minn., in 1934. After graduation, she worked for a family doing housework and taking care of their six children until she met and married her husband, Martin “Buster” Baker in 1937. He preceded her in death in 1988.

She, Buster and three children moved out west to North Bend in 1946. They first lived in a little cabin in Maloney’s Grove and eventually settled in their home on “Baker’s Corner” on the North Fork Road in 1949.

She was a member of the Women of the Moose for more than 60 years, attaining their highest accolades.

Besides raising her family, she worked for many years for Bob and Georgia Bybee on their truck farm down the road. She retired from Scott’s Dairy Freeze in 1990.

She will long be remembered for all the crocheted afghans she made for family, friends or donated to organizations.

She is survived by her seven children: Robert Baker (Pat), of Moses Lake; Shirley Brodie (Conrad), of Rio Verde, Ariz.; Roger Baker (Jackie), of Kellogg, Idaho; Roy Baker (Char), of North Bend; Bradley Baker, of North Bend; Terri Pratt (Dean), of North Bend; and Deborah Baker of Snoqualmie; 13 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is at 11 a.m. July 30, at Opstad Elementary School multipurpose room, 1345 Stilson Road, North Bend. Reception to follow at 42905 S.E. 137th Place, North

Bend.

Her final resting place will be at Tahoma National Cemetery, where her ashes will be placed with Buster’s.

The family invites you to view photos and share memories in the online guestbook at www.flintofts.com.

Dorothy (Bliss) Leingang Dorothy (Bliss) Leingang, of North Bend, died June 2, 2011, in North Bend.

She was 86.

Dorothy was born May Dorothy 16, 1925, in Fall River, Leingang Mass.

She moved to the Snoqualmie Valley in 1950 with her husband Glen Bliss. Glen was a lifetime resident of the Valley, where they raised their two children, Shirley and Glenn.

A special thanks to family and friends for their help, strength and support in her last days. The family thanks the Snoqualmie Valley clinic, Evergreen Hospice and Mount Si Senior Center for their assistance and support.

PAGE 11

Valley crew to lend a hand at Challenge days

By Sebastian Moraga It’s a new thing, it’s an old thing. It’s brand-new, it’s a tradition. It’s the first year. It’s the 14th year.

It’s the Challenge Day Race.

And this year, there will be a touch of Mount Si red on it.

The speedfest for children with special needs returns July 16, with developmentally disabled individuals teaming up with able-bodied children to race down Issaquah’s Second Avenue in modified soapbox derby cars.

Mount Si High School incoming senior Abby Conrad has attended every year since 2008 and five times since 2004.

This is the first year classmates from Mount Si’s Key Club will attend with her, to volunteer and entertain.

“We are doing face-painting,” Conrad said, “and that game where you toss a fishing line over a wall and you win a prize.”

Valley students will help from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. next to the Issaquah Community Center, entertaining children and adults during downtime between races.

Your news comments welcome!

In the races, children with special needs sit in soapboxes that are driven by able-bodied children.

More than 50 volunteers are expected to participate, including several from the Rotary Club of Issaquah, to which Conrad’s father belongs.

“This is our way to not only raise funds for LEO,” Stan Conrad said, referring to Life Enrichment Options, an Issaquah-based nonprofit organization that advocates for people with special needs. “But this is an activity for kids and adults with disabilities.”

Rose Finnegan co-founded LEO with her husband Leo and other parents of children with disabilities. Since their ablebodied children had participated in soapbox races, Rose said, Leo Finnegan came up with the idea of modifying the cars to fit a co-pilot and the Challenge Day Race was born.

Stan Conrad said the event raised about $2,000 last year.

Abby said she expects eight to 10 Mount Si Key Club volunteers this year.

“It’s a great opportunity for them to come out and do stuff,” Abby said. “Hopefully, it

Follow us on

❑ www.issaquahrotary.org ❑ To sign up as an alternate, call Abby Conrad at 206-930-4913.

will become an annual thing.”

One does not have to belong to Key Club to volunteer. Hours spent at Challenge Race Day will count toward graduation community service requirements at schools that require them, Abby said.

“I’m asking a friend from Cedarcrest High School,” she said. “That friend is bringing a sister and her sister is bringing a friend. It’s open to anyone.”

Well, sort of. Spots for volunteers are filled, but people are welcome to fill in as alternates for last-minute absences or to put their names down for next year.

“There’s nothing hard about it except having to get up early on a Saturday,” Abby said. “At the end of the day, I’m a bit tired. You’ve been in the sun all day and your feet hurt, but it’s the sense of accomplishment that I love.”

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Sports

PAGE 12

JULY 7, 2011

Davis Karaica heads to nationals with his club soccer team

By Sebastian Moraga Davis Karaica knows what’s at stake.

Not only is the Mount Si incoming senior’s club soccer team on the verge of national success, but it also stands on the verge of erasing some bitter memories.

The team Eastside FC Boys 94 Red won the Far West Regional Championship in Boise, June 26, beating teams from across the western United States, and now prepares for the United States Youth Soccer national tournament’s final round in Las Vegas this month.

The past two years, Eastside FC lost in regional semifinals, yielding in overtime. This trip to Vegas means more than a shot in the national stage. It means redemption.

“We’re very excited,” he said.

The road to Vegas has been loaded with milestones. The team they beat in the regional semifinals was an out-of-state rival of Eastside FC, Albion from California.

The Washington side won 2-1 in a shootout.

“We’d played them five times before,” Karaica said.

In the finals, they bested Mount Hamilton’s Pac Tigres, also from the Golden State.

By Calder Productions

Davis Karaica, in action here for Mount Si, is playing for a national title as member of Eastside FC this summer.

Both opponents were nationally ranked. This is the first regional title for the team,

according to the Eastside FC News blog.

Eastside FC will arrive in

Vegas at the same time seven other teams do. The octet will be split into two groups of four

that will play a round-robin format. The winners of each will play for the national crown.

Besides the obvious, there’s additional incentive this year.

Many players who have been teammates of Karaica’s for years are moving on after this season.

“If we had lost at regionals, it would have been the last game we would have played,” he said.

“It’s pretty awesome that we get to play again.”

The players are friends but that does not keep them from pushing each other at practice.

The team has been a juggernaut this year, scoring 14 times at regionals and surrendering only one goal.

Eastside FC practices in Preston but carries players from Tacoma, Bellevue, Sammamish, Wenatchee and even as far as Spokane. The team has only one player from Mount Si — Karaica.

In 2012, that will change.

“We’ll have Alex Censullo and Kody Clearman next year,” he said.

Censullo said he’s looking forward to joining the team in 2012. He has been practicing with the team but can’t play in the tournament.

Only the players who played in the squad that won this year’s See SOCCER, Page 13

Basketball coaches’ Hall of Fame to induct Snoqualmie resident

By Sebastian Moraga As Rich Belcher would say, “Are you kidding me?”

The Snoqualmie Ridge resident, longtime teacher and former hoops coach at Eastlake and Newport high schools will be inducted into the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame this month.

Belcher, whose catchphrase is on his vehicle license plate, learned last Christmas that former players had joined forces to get him inducted.

“One of my former players, Travis Thompson from Newport, initiated contact with the Hall of Fame,” Belcher said. “He contacted former players from Eastlake and Newport and asked them to make recommendations.”

Thompson showed up on Christmas Eve with a manila envelope for his former coach.

Inside were 30 letters from former players to the Hall of Fame, recommending induction for Belcher.

“I just broke down and cried,” Belcher said. “I could not believe it.”

What touched Belcher the most was having letters from both stars and players who had barely stepped on hardwood.

“It meant a great deal to me,” he said, “because those letters showed that we had built a family atmosphere.”

Belcher, whose father and mother coached him in Little League, and who married the older sister of one of his players, knows a little about making coaching a family venture.

“You know how coaches retire and say they want to spend more time with their family?” he said. “I didn’t resign to spend more time with my family, my family was with me all the way.”

The first play Belcher used in games was named after his son, Mitchell. Both Mitchell and his brother Brian played for Dad. “It was a treat,” Belcher said.

Family was the reason he never strayed from the prep game, although colleges came calling.

“My family is No. 1 to me,” he said. “I was very flattered to be considered but I knew I would have to be traveling quite a bit, recruiting.”

A look at the basketball landscape shows the Belcher handprint throughout. Current head coaches or assistant coaches at Newport, Eastlake, Issaquah, Yakima’s Eisenhower, Blanchet and Mount Si either played for or were assistants to Belcher.

The strength coach for the Sacramento Kings, the basketball operations director for the Portland Trailblazers, an assistant coach for Brigham Young University and ESPN analyst Jay Bilas, all played for Belcher, too.

“It’s really something to have all these kids,” he said. “None of them are kids anymore but they always will be to me.”

One kid is Steve Helm, the head coach at Mount Si, whom Belcher calls “quite a coach and a very good friend.”

Helm’s first play is “Mitchell.”

Another of Belcher’s kids is Bilas, who won a national championship at Duke and is a top college basketball analyst with the “worldwide leader.”

“He was my English teacher my freshman year of high school, and I played for him during the summerSee BELCHER, Page 13

Contributed

Snoqualmie’s Rich Belcher is now a Hall of Famer thanks to stellar success as a prep basketball coach.

SnoValley Star

JULY 7, 2011

Local teams knocked out of Little League district tournament

The Falls team lost a 12-2 game against Redmond West, which also put the team into the consolation bracket.

In the AAA district tournament for 10- and 11-year-old girls, a combined team from Sno-Valley North and Snoqualmie Valley Little Leagues came up just short in a hard fought 6-5 game against a team from Bellevue West, Bellevue Thunderbird and Mercer Island.

Three local Little League teams are out of the AAA district tournament for 10 and 11-yearold boys.

Snoqualmie Valley Little League’s team was knocked out of the district tournament on July 3 by Bellevue East, which won 20-7 in the four-inning game.

Falls Little League was down in a close 6-4 loss to Kirkland National.

In the AA district tournament for 9 and 10-year-old boys, the Snoqualmie Valley Little League team lost a 17-11 game against Kirkland National, which put the Valley team into the consolation bracket.

North Bend hydroplane driver crashes boat North Bend hydroplane driver Brian Perkins crashed his boat, the U-21 Miss Lakeridge Paving, during a qualifying heat at the Madison Regatta, the opening race of the unlimited “It motivates you to try and experience the same thing again next year,” said Censullo said.

Clearman echoes Censullo’s joy.

“I’m really excited about getting the opportunity to play next year and all the exposure that comes with being on the team,” Clearman said. “A lot of

Soccer From Page 12 state championship and qualified for regionals can play, Censullo said.

hydroplane season.

Perkins hit a rescue boat during the July 3 race in Madison, Ind. Three people on the rescue boat were taken to a local hospital, according to the website of H1 Unlimited, which organizes the racing circuit.

Perkins was not injured.

Race organizers are investigating the collision, according to the website.

The crash pushed back the championship race, which ended with a collision. Steve David, driving the U-1 Oh Boy! Oberto boat, won the regatta after crashing into another boat that had spun out at the finish line.

David was declared victor after lengthy deliberations.

the college coaches are going to be watching us now.”

Right now, however, Karaica’s focus is on what happens this year and on erasing what happened in years past.

“We have a stronger team this year,” he said. “We have wanted it more.”

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PAGE 13 image that coaches like Bob Knight aspire to portray, Belcher always sought to have players both respect and like From Page 12 him.

“They have the fans, they time,” Bilas said, adding have the opponents and they that Belcher is a teacher have the officials,” Belcher first and foremost. said. “Last thing they need is “He understands kids, he to have an enemy on the sideunderstands the learning line.” process. He’s a great coach but He has used the same what sets him apart is his abil- approach in the classroom. ity to teach,” The same way “I haven’t played for a said Bilas, his name was one of the not Coach better coach.”

30 people to Belcher, he’s write letters — Jay Bilas not Mr. to nominate ESPN analyst Belcher. He’s Belcher.

Mr. B. Bilas won Mr. B may a national not be Coach championship under Mike B anymore and he may sport a Krzyzewski, the winningest gold watch on his left wrist, active coach in college’s but Belcher is not going anyDivision I. where.

“I haven’t played for a betNext year will be his 39th ter coach than Rich Belcher,” in front of a class.

Bilas said, adding that “Coach “I tell my students, ‘I’m K” and Belcher were as good older than you, but I’m not as it gets. old,” Belcher said.

To elicit such warmth from Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or former charges might surprise smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at some, but not Belcher. www.snovalleystar.com.

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425-392-6434 ext. 222 www.snovalleystar.com

SnoValley Star

Drunken driving At 12:04 a.m. June 25, police saw a vehicle speeding north on Snoqualmie Parkway near the intersection of Better Way Southeast. The vehicle was clocked at 56 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone.

Police caught up with it going westbound on Railroad Avenue Southeast. The vehicle crossed over the fog line three times and twice over the centerline. Police stopped the vehicle. The police officer noticed a strong odor of alcohol wafting from the vehicle

Snoqualmie fire ❑ At 4:18 p.m. June 25, EMTs

FREE ADS FOR

To place your ad

call 425-392-6434, ext 222

Deadline: Monday 5pm

1-Real Estate for Sale

50-Garage Sales Local

134-Help Wanted

$390,000

HUGE MOVING SALE! Friday-Saturday, 7/8-7/9, 9am4pm. 1621 217th Pl. NE, Sammamish, 98074. Original art, some antiques, vintage clothes, books, interesting stuff.

ATTN: COMPUTER WORK. Work from anywhere 24/7. Up to $1,500 Part Time to $7,500/mo. Full Time. Training provided, www.workservices27.com <w>

Sunny Cle Elum 4 Scenic Acres 2-4BD/3BA Beautiful Panoramic Views ADA-inspired construction inside & out.

Considerable up-dating.

Well done.

Decks with Ramps.

NO STAIRS ANYWHERE. Space galore. Main house plus separate Guest house /Office. Plus detached garage for storage or workshop.

This place is just the most!

SNOQUALMIE RIDGE COMMUNITY Garage Sale, July 8, 9 & 10, Friday/Saturday/Sunday. Over 200+ homes participating, 9am-4pm. Look for red balloons!! www.RidgeROA.com

206-919-3015 (cell)

INVACARE HIGH-END MANUAL folding wheelchair. Reclining/tilting feature, whoopee cushion headrest, armrest and footrest. $250, 206-600-0425

Email:

acei@comcast.net 20 ACRE RANCH foreclosures Near Booming El Paso, Texas. Was $16,900 Now $12,900 $0 down, take over payment, $99/mo. Beautiful views, owner financing. Free Map/Pictures 800-343-9444 <w>

63-Items for Sale/Trade

JANET DAILEY ROMANCE books, 45 pocket books/$40.00. 425-747-3798 ONE PAIR MOUNTED auto tires 185/80/13, $50/pair.425747-3798

13-Apartments for Rent CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN, North Bend. Quiet, convenient.

Edelweiss Apartments, 1BD $700/month. 425-392-5012

19-Houses for Rent SNOQUALMIE - ADORABLE 1BD house for rent in Ernie's Grove, $975.00/month +$275 utilities: electricity, water, garbage, internet, cable, washer, dryer. Non-smoker, pet considered. 425-890-2038

41-Money & Finance LOCAL PRIVATE INVESTOR loans money on real estate equity. I loan on houses, raw land, commercial property and property development. Call Eric at (800) 563-3005. www.fossmortgage.com <w>

44-Business Opportunity MAKE $20,000-$30,000. JOIN our breeding program. Easy.

Fun. All equipment FREE. Work 3 hrs per week. 4 ft work space needed. Live anywhere.

Call 1-309-720-4389 <w>

SAWMILLS - BAND/CHAINSAW - Spring Sale - Cut lumber any dimension, anytime.

Make Money and Save Money. In stock ready to ship.

Starting at $995.00 www.NorwoodSawmills.com/300N 1800-578-1363, Ext. 300N <w> SCOTT LIGHTWEIGHT PUSH lawn mower, $25. 425-3928415 THERMOS OUTDOOR GRILL. New, in box, complete, never used! $200/OBO. 425747-3798 WHIRLPOOL GOLD 27” builtin microwave with trim package, white. Excellent condition, $125. 425-391-2704

117-Classes/Seminars ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from home. *Medical *Business *Paralegal * Accounting * Criminal Justice. Computer available. Financial aid if qualified. Call 866-483-4429 www.CenturaOnline.com <w>

DRIVERS -- COMPANY Lease - Work for us to let us work for you! Unbeatable career opportunities. Trainee, Company driver. Lease operators earn up to $51K. Lease Trainers earn up to $80K (877) 369-7105 www.centraldrivingjobs.net <w>

HELP WANTED ADS IN THIS PAPER TARGET LOCAL POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES

ADVERTISING?

425-392-6434, EXT. 222 INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL EXCHANGE Representative: Earn supplemental income placing and supervising high school exchange students.

Volunteer host families also needed. Promote world peace!

1-866-GO-AFICE or www. afice.org <w>

134-Help Wanted

PART-TIME ADVERTISING REP The Issaquah Press seeks a motivated, outgoing person in advertising sales for our award-winning community newspaper group. Work with the friendly merchants of Newcastle and nearby. Take over a developed territory with room to grow. If you have the motivation to sell and a passion for great customer service, we want to meet you!

Training provided.

You will help clients develop advertising campaigns and annual plans, and communicate with our graphics department to develop the ads. You must have the ability to juggle many

❑ At 2:51 p.m. July 2, Eastside Fire & Rescue units from North Bend responded to a multiple vehicle accident on Interstate 90 eastbound near Exit 38. ❑ At 1:50 p.m. June 29, Eastside Fire & Rescue units from North Bend joined other rescue personnel in rescuing a couple of hikers stranded on a cliff on Rattlesnake Ledge. The hikers, a man and woman, were rescued and uninjured.

The Star publishes names of those arrested for DUI and those charged with felony crimes.

Information comes directly from local police

142-Services

deadlines and details, have basic computer experience, good grammar skills, and thrive on your own success.

Reliable transportation needed, mileage allowance provided. Average 20 hours week/very flexible. Join our fun team!

DIVORCE $135. $165 with children. No court appearances. Complete preparation. Includes, custody, support, property division and bills. BBB member. (503) 772-5295, www.paralegalalternatives. com?divorce@usa.com <w>

Email cover letter, resume and references to: jgreen@isspress.com

Call 392-6434 Ext. 222

Call 392-6434 Ext. 222

HELP WANTED ADS IN THIS PAPER TARGET LOCAL POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES

$22 FOR 2 WEEKS/ 25 WORD AD INCLUDING YOUR ONLINE AD!!

ADVERTISING?

425-392-6434, EXT. 222

home services AFFORDABLE DECKS

O Native Landscape Design O Yard, Lawn and Garden Maintenance O Pruning, Transplanting, and Garden Planning O Shrub and Bush Removal

$22 FOR 2 WEEKS/ 25 WORD AD INCLUDING YOUR ONLINE AD!!

North Bend fire

134-Help Wanted

personal items under $250

Classifieds

Snoqualmie for a suicidal subject. A patient was evaluated and transported to a hospital by Snoqualmie’s aid car.

Since 1991

Landscape & Yard Maintenance Service • Professional results • Personal, reliable service • Minimum cost

Colin Schneider

qualitydeckrepair.com

425-269-1446

Bob Shelly 425.433.0650

mtsirain@yahoo.com Sustainable Services

LIC# QUALIDR932LN

Walls “Faux” You

• Pressure Washing • Gutter Cleaning • Paint/Stain Prep/Removal Including log cabins

425-888-0634 sodaworksLLC.com

Karen Di’Angelo 206.920.5823

• Family Owned • Stress Quality Relationship & Satisfaction • 9 years in Business $10 Off 1st Time & Referrals

Lee - 425-442-2422

greendl941je

Details Home Improvement

High Quality Tree Care at Affordable Prices with Owner on every job.

R O CONSTRUCTION All phases of Home Repair & Remodel Over 25 yrs. experience/Local references

360-886-3226 253-350-2704 Reggy Oronzo ORONZOCONSTRUCTION.COM

Washington State Construction Contractor law requires that all advertisers for construction related services include the contractor registration number.

ELECTRIC SERVICES Issaquah, WA Expert Residential Services

425.766.4793

FREE ESTIMATES

Commercial, Residential & Remodels

425-831-0400

Locally owned & operated since 1990

• Quality Interior Painting • Exquisite Faux Finishes • Cabinet Refinishing WallsFauxYou.biz

GRETCHEN’S CLEANING SERVICE

Call us for maintenance, mowing, or tractor work (425) 369-8133 TOLL FREE 1-888-689-9577

•H andym an Services• D rywall/T ile/Paint • Rem odel• D ecks• Fences Frien d ly & L ocalService 425.445.7107 425.888.1055 www.d etailsh om eim provem en t.com

New Decks / Deck Repairs / Deck Replacements View our work at:

LIC# ELCOLL*949MJ

LIC# GREGSES967D5

FENCE

Installation & Repairs SNOQUALMIE, WA

425-273-1626

LIC# ABILIF*958J5

Lic.# WALLSFY973NJ

bear to break the fence to retrieve the cub. Officers were unable to locate them.

LIC# ROCON**028M4

From Page 9

❑ At 2:32 a.m. June 27, EMTs were called to Snoqualmie Casino for a person reporting chest pain. A patient was evaluated on scene and transported to a hospital by ambulance. ❑ At 11:11 a.m. June 27, firefighters were dispatched to Aspen Village Townhomes for an automatic fire alarm. They determined the alarm had malfunctioned. The alarm was reset. ❑ At 9:06 p.m. June 27, firefighters responded to a report of natural gas odor in a residence.

The house was aired out and checked with a gas monitor before firefighters allowed the occupants to re-enter. ❑ At 2:53 p.m. June 29, EMTs were dispatched to Southeast Fir Street for a man experiencing a diabetic issue. He was evaluated and left in care of his girlfriend at his home. ❑ At 9:02 p.m. June 29, EMTs were dispatched to downtown

and Bellevue paramedics responded to Snoqualmie Hospital for a medical call. A patient was treated and then transferred to another hospital

by Bellevue paramedics. ❑ At 10:22 p.m. June 25, EMTs were dispatched to Snoqualmie Casino for a medical call. A patient was treated and then transported to a hospital by EMTs. ❑ At 8:53 p.m. June 26, EMTs were dispatched to Fairway Avenue Southeast for an 87year-old male experiencing a fever and general weakness. The man was evaluated and transported to a hospital by private ambulance. ❑ At 9:49 p.m. June 26, EMTs were dispatched to Carmichael Avenue Southeast for a 6-yearold boy who had suffered a head injury from a fall. He was evaluated and taken to a hospital by his family.

Lic# SODAWNL944BR

Blotter

and the driver’s red watery eyes.

The driver, 28-year-old Ryan D. Carver, from New York, said he had pink eye.

Police asked him to perform sobriety tests. Carver asked police to tell him what to do repeatedly, and to give him a break. Police told him he could refuse to do the tests if he wanted, but that it may be used against him in court.

After a while, police asked him for a breath test, but he refused to answer yes or no.

Police told him he was arrested for driving under the influence and only then Carver said he wanted to do the tests. Police said it was too late.

He was booked into the Issaquah Jail.

JULY 7, 2011

LIC# DETAIHI969B3

PAGE 14

Providing full tree services including but not limited to the following: • Tree removal including close quarter or dangerous trees • Stump grinding and removal • Wind thinning to reduce the sail of your trees • View clearing or trimming to enhance your property’s beauty • Tree pruning • 24/7 Emergency Service • Chipping and property cleanup • Certified Arborist Consultations Jeff McKillop Owner & Certified Arborist jeff@tolttreecare.net www.tolttreecare.net

425-256-0536

Lic# PN-6971A

Calendar

JULY 7, 2011

PAGE 15

Public meetings ❑ King County Redistricting Committee public hearing, 6:30 p.m. July 7, Highline Community College, Building 7, 2400 S 240th St., Des Moines. ❑ Snoqualmie public hearing: Mill planning area zoning ordinance, 7 p.m. July 11, 38624 S.E. River St. ❑ Snoqualmie City Council, 7 p.m. July 11, 38624 S.E. River St. ❑ North Bend Finance and Administration Committee, 2 p.m. July 12, 211 Main Ave. N. ❑ North Bend Public Health and Safety Committee, 4 p.m.

211 Main Ave. N. ❑ Snoqualmie Community and Economic Affairs Committee, 5 p.m. July 12, 38624 S.E. River St. ❑ King County Redistricting Committee public hearing, 6:30 p.m. July 12, Van Asselt Community Center, 2820 S. Myrtle St., Seattle. ❑ Snoqualmie Shoreline Public Hearing, 5 p.m. July 13, 38624 S.E. River St. ❑ Snoqualmie Public Safety Committee, 5 p.m. July 14, 37600 S.E. Snoqualmie Parkway ❑ North Bend Planning Commission, 7 p.m. July 12, 211 Main Ave. N.

Events ❑ North Bend Farmers Market and Summer Concert Series, 4-8 p.m. July 7, Si View Park, 400 S.E. Orchard Drive. See a performance by Alex Zerbe at 5:30 p.m. ❑ Clark Gibson Trio, 7 p.m.

July 7, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend. ❑ Kids Showcase, 1-4 p.m.

July 10, Snoqualmie Point Park, 37580 S.E. Winery Rd., Snoqualmie. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and picnic to the open-air amphitheatre at Snoqualmie Point Park. The show line-up is in progress and performer applications are still being accepted. For information, call 831-5784. ❑ Master Gardeners’ Plant Clinic, 6-8:30 p.m. July 11, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. ❑ Toddler Story Times, 9:30 a.m. July 12, North Bend Library, 115 E. 4th St., North Bend. For ages 2-3 with an adult. ❑ Toddler Story Times, 10 a.m. July 12, Fall City Library, 33415 S.E. 42nd Place, Fall City.

For newborns to 3-year-olds accompanied by an adult. ❑ Preschool Story Times, 10:30 a.m. July 12, North Bend Library, 115 E. 4th St., North Bend. For ages 3-6 with an adult. ❑ Preschool Story Times, 11 a.m. July 12, Fall City Library, 33415 S.E. 42nd Place, Fall City.

For ages 3-6 with an adult.

Thomas comes to Snoqualmie

July

2011

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

File

Climb aboard for a day out with Thomas the Tank Engine, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 8-10 and 15-17, Northwest Railway Museum, 38625 S.E. King St., Snoqualmie. Tickets are $19 for ages 2 and older. Tickets are available online at www.trainmuseum.org/Thomas/Main.html. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales supports the museum.

❑ World Art Explorations: Pre-Columbian Mosaics, 1 p.m.

July 12, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. For children 8 years and older. ❑ Open mic, 6:30 p.m. July 12, Twede’s Café, 137 W. North Bend Way, North Bend. ❑ Open mic, 7 p.m. July 13, The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. SE, Snoqualmie. ❑ Young Toddler Story Times, 9:30 a.m. July 13, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. Ages 6-24 months old accompanied by an adult. ❑ Preschool Story Times, 10:30 a.m. July 13, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. Ages 3-6 accompanied by an adult. ❑ Pajamarama Story Times, 6:30 p.m. July 13, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. All young children are welcome with an adult. ❑ 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

July 16, Snoqualmie Ridge. The tournament will be held on Southeast Ridge Street between Baker Avenue Southeast and Fairway Avenue Southeast. Late registration is open through July 13 online at snoqualmie3on3.com. ❑ Knotweed workshops, 78:30 p.m. July 19, Meadowbrook Farm Interpretive Center, 1711 Boalch Ave., North Bend; 9 a.m. to noon or 1-4 p.m. July 20, Three Forks Natural Area, 39912 S.E. Park St., Snoqualmie.

Presented by King County’s Noxious Weeds Program. Learn how to fight invasive knotweed, which chokes out native plants and contributes to riverbank erosion. To reserve a spot, email Sasha Shaw at sasha.shaw@kingcounty.gov or call her at 206-

variety of tasks. Volunteers must be at least 16. Go to www.hopelink.org/takeaction/volunteer.com or call 869-6000. ❑ Adopt-A-Park is a program for Snoqualmie residents to improve public parks and trails.

An application and one-year commitment are required. Call 831-5784. ❑ Study Zone tutors are needed for all grade levels to give students the homework help they need. Two-hour weekly commitment or substitutes wanted. Study Zone is a free service of the King County Library System. Call 369-3312.

296-0290.

Volunteer opportunities ❑ Elk Management Group invites the community to participate in elk collaring, telemetry and habitat improvement projects in the Upper Snoqualmie Valley. Project orientation meetings are at 6 p.m. the third Monday of the month at the North Bend City Hall, 211 Main Ave. N. Email research@snoqualmievalleyelk.org. ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Hospital is accepting applications for ages 16 or older to volunteer in various departments of the hospital. Email volunteer coordinator Carol Waters at carolw@snoqualmiehospital.org to arrange an interview. ❑ Spanish Academy invites volunteers fluent in Spanish to participate in summer camps on its three-acre farm-style school.

Must love children and nature.

Call 888-4999. ❑ Senior Services Transportation Program needs volunteers to drive seniors around North Bend and Snoqualmie. Choose the times and areas in which you’d like to drive. Car required. Mileage reimbursement and supplemental liability insurance are offered.

Call 206-748-7588 or 800-2825815 toll free, or email melissat@seniorservices.org. Apply online at www.seniorservices.org.

Click on “Giving Back” and then on “Volunteer Opportunities.” ❑ Mt. Si Senior Center needs volunteers for sorting and sales in the thrift store, reception and class instruction. The center is at 411 Main Ave. S., North Bend.

Call 888-3434. ❑ Hopelink in Snoqualmie Valley seeks volunteers for a

Classes ❑ “English as a Second Language,” 6:30 p.m. June 13, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. ❑ “Microsoft Excel Level 1,” 7:30 p.m. June 14, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. Learn how to perform calculations using formulas, copy formulas with the fill handle and use Autosum for quick addition. ❑ Get free gardening advice from the Snoqualmie Valley Master Gardeners, 6-8:30 p.m.

June 13. Clinics meet the second Monday of the month through October at the Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. ❑ S.A.I.L. (Stay Active and Independent for Life) exercise class meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Mt. Si Senior Center, 411 Main Ave. S., North Bend. Led by certified exercise instructor Carla Orellana. Call 888-3434.

Clubs ❑ Moms Club of North Bend meets at 10 a.m. the last Monday of the month at Totz of North Bend, 249 Main Ave. S., #E, North Bend. Children are welcome. Go to www.momsclub.org. ❑ Elk Management Group meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday at the U.S. Forest Service conference room at 130 Thrasher Ave., behind the visitors’ center on North Bend Way. Interagency committee meetings are at 1:30 p.m. the first Monday at North Bend City Hall annex, 126 Fourth St. Both meetings are open to the public.

Go to snoqualmievalleyelk.org.

❑ Sallal Grange, 12912 432nd Ave. S.E., North Bend, meets the first Friday for a potluck and open mic with local musicians. The potluck starts at 6 p.m. with the music from 7 p.m. to midnight. Open to all people/ages. Go to www.sallalgrange.org. ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Chess Club, 7 p.m. Thursdays, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. Learn to play chess or get a game going. All ages and skill levels are welcome. ❑ The North Bend Chess Club meets every Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at the North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. All ages and skill levels are invited. ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Rotary Club meets at 7 a.m. every Thursday at the TPC Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club Restaurant. All are welcome. Go to www.snoqualmievalleyrotary.org. ❑ American Legion Post 79 and the American Legion Auxiliary meet at 7 p.m. the second Thursday at 38625 S.E. River St., Snoqualmie. Call 888-1206. ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Garden Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday at the Mount Si Senior Center, North Bend. Call 453-8630 ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Kiwanis Club meets at 7 a.m. every Thursday at the Mount Si Golf Course restaurant in Snoqualmie. Email snovalley@member.kiwanis.org. ❑ Snoqualmie Fraternal Order of Eagles Women’s Auxiliary meets the first and third Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Men’s Aerie meets the first and third Wednesday at 7 p.m. at 108 Railroad Ave. Call 888-1129. ❑ A cancer survivor group meets at 9 a.m. the second Saturday at Sawdust Coffee in the North Bend Factory Stores mall. Email newellvl@yahoo.com. ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Youth Hub provides cultural, athletic, recreational and educational opportunities to more than 4,000 young people in the Valley. Call 831-1900. ❑ Loyal Order of Moose, 108 Sydney Ave., North Bend. Men meet at 6 p.m. the first and third Monday.

Women meet at 7 p.m. the third and fourth Tuesday.

Call 888-0951. ❑ Washington Freemasons meet at 7:30 p.m. the first Wednesday at Unity Lodge No.198 in North Bend. Call 8885779. ❑ Anime and Manga Club for teenagers, 3 p.m.

Wednesdays at Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. Watch anime movies, eat popcorn and practice anime drawing.

Submit an item for the community calendar by emailing editor@snovalleystar.com or go to www.snovalleystar.com.

PAGE 16

SnoValley Star

JULY 7, 2011