Your locally-owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington
July 12, 2012 VOL. 4, NO. 28
Tunnels, bikes and food Learn history and ecology, then have a barbecue. Page 2
Board gets an earful Citizens are upset with hospital board. Page 3
She’s outta here Local activist is moving out of state. Page 6
Police blotter Page 7
Chess players make their move Page 10
North Bend Vigil remembers those fighting cancer bank robbed By Michele Mihalovich A man with an assault rifle walked into Chase Bank in North Bend July 9 and robbed it, according to North Bend Police Chief Mark Toner. He said a white man walked into the bank at about 6 p.m. with his weapon displayed. Six people, customers and employees, were in the store at the time of the robbery, but Toner said no one was hurt. He said the suspect fled in a red-colored SUV, but he would not release the amount of money taken from the bank. Toner said the King County Sheriff’s Office’s Major Crimes Unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigations will investigate the case. Michele Mihalovich: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
By Mary Miller
Christa Dietz, an American Cancer Society team member, lights candles to give participants during a vigil at the Relay For Life held July 7 and 8 at Snoqualmie’s Centennial Field. For more photos, go to Page 13 and www.snovalleystar.com.
Bears gone wild Young maestro Pianist is top soloist at Bellevue Jazz Festival. Page 10
Tiny champs Youth wrestlers bring home titles. Page 12 Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71 POSTAL CUSTOMER
North Bend block party this weekend
Meeting to educate residents about living with bears, new laws By Michele Mihalovich Before Snoqualmie Ridge became a business hub and housing development, it was acre after acre of Weyerhaeuser timberland — a virtual smorgasbord for bears. But apparently the bears didn’t get the memo about them no longer being welcome. Every year, Snoqualmie Police and state Fish and Wildlife officers receive a plethora of calls from residents reporting bears in their yards, in their neighborhoods, tearing up their garbage, snacking out of their birdfeeders. One man at Alice Lake, just west of Snoqualmie
If you go ❑ Community meeting — bear smarts and the new law ❑ 7 p.m. July 17 ❑ Snoqualmie Fire Department 37600 S.E. Snoqualmie Parkway The Snoqualmie Police Department, state Fish and Wildlife Department and Waste Management will address the community about bear problems, bear-proof containers, and discuss a new law that took effect June 1.
By Sebastian Moraga
Ridge, was joined in his garage a couple of weeks ago by a hungry bear interested in his garbage cans. Megan Miller, who lives on Cascade Avenue, found a mother and two cubs ripping through trash in her fenced-in backyard June 22. Becky Munson, spokeswoman with the Snoqualmie Police Department, said police received the first call March 27, “and then it really ramped up in June.” As of June 30, the department had received 26 calls about nuisance bears, which she said was about the same number as this time last year. Munson also said she expected the calls to continue through August. However, wildlife officers said many of those calls could be eliminated with a bit of education, which is why a community meeting on bear etiquette is being scheduled for 7 p.m. July 17 at the
Do you wanna dance, under the moonlight, hug and kiss all through the night? No? Well, how about during the daytime, then? Because if you do, have we got an event for you. The annual North Bend Block Party returns to downtown July 14 to the tune of several local and regional numbers that will turn a busy street into an explosion of sound and color. The two stages will start their shows at about noon, with the Kellee Bradley Band opening the main stage and the DMW Martial Arts club opening the community stage. Rock ‘n’ roll by Dorian Blu, jazz by the Future Jazz Heads and Kelly Eisenhour
See BEARS, Page 2
See PARTY, Page 2
Courtesy of city of Snoqualmie
A trio of bears tears up a bird feeder in 2007.
SnoValley Star
PAGE 2
Snoqualmie Pass tunnel bike ride and barbecue is July 14 Mountains to Sound Greenway is hosting a bike ride and barbecue July 14. The route goes through a two-mile long tunnel at Snoqualmie Pass, onto a 20-mile stretch of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, providing sweeping views of the Cascades, and offers chances to learn about local history and
JULY 12, 2012
ecology. The day ends with a barbecue at Rattlesnake Lake. According to a Mountains to Sound Greenway press release, the organization will handle all of the logistics, including shuttle service, directions and barbecue. The cost is $25 and preregistration is required at http:// mtsgreenway.org/explore-thegreenway/trips. If you can’t make the event, check out the Aug. 4 offering at the same website address. By Todd Miller
Party From Page 1 with the Danny Kolke Trio, bluegrass and country by the Down The Road Band, blues by Paul Green and Straight Shot, and finally, a very special headliner will keep the music going on the main stage until 10 p.m. Organizers have told us we can’t release the name of the headliner by threatening us with severe bodily harm if we tell, including spiking us like a football and impaling us like, well, something that gets impaled. On the community stage, the performers will include Cascade Dance Academy, Mount Si Gymnastics, Veil of the Nile, a Zumba demonstration by Mount Si Sports
and Fitness, Snoqualmie Strings and Country Motion Line Dance. But not everything is shaking and twirling and swaying. There will be a makeover by Destiny by Design, a presentation of exotic animals by the Reptile Man and a hot wingeating contest by Twede’s Cafe. The last performance on the community stage will be Tori Rose, third-place finisher in the 2012 SnoValley Idol Junior contest. All in all, it’s enough to make you, make you, make you, make you wanna dance, don’t you think? For a full calendar of events, check out pages 8-9 of this week’s Star. Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
Snoqualmie resident Todd Miller snapped photos of a bear and two cubs that came into his backyard to snack on garbage from trash cans June 22.
Bears From Page 1 Snoqualmie Fire Department. “The problem in Snoqualmie Ridge is that people there are just not bear smart,” said Chris Moszeter, a state fish and wildlife officer. He said 90 percent of the issues are people not securing garbage cans and continuing to keep birdfeeders in their yards. “Bears are kind of lazy,” he said. “If people are not securing their garbage cans in the garage, they are basically just offering a 96-gallon buffet to the bears.” “This is an annual, ongoing struggle,” Brian Kertson, a fish and wildlife researcher, said. “We have to get folks to change their behavior to minimize conflicts with bears.” He said birdfeeders will
attract bears and aren’t needed this time of year. “In the wintertime, that is a perfectly fine time and we encourage that because birds do rely on the food. But right now, it’s best to just take them down,” Kertson said. Moszeter is sympathetic to the people who don’t have garages. He said there are about five affordable, cottage-style housing complexes that don’t include garages. “They have no way to secure their garbage,” Moszeter said, adding that the homeowners associations at several of the complexes have vetoed the use of bear-proof, community trash bins. “It has been very frustrating for me, as normally, securing the food sources solves most bear issues,” he said. Waste Management, which just took over garbage services in Snoqualmie at the beginning
of June, had promised to have bear-proof containers available to customers for an additional $3.13 per month. Moszeter said he’s been hearing that those cans aren’t yet available. Robin Freedman, director of communications for Waste Management in Washington, said so far the company has received 10 requests from customers for the 96-gallon, bearproof containers. The cans were being tested and produced, and Freedman said they should be delivered this week. New this year is an enforcement tool for wildlife officers. Beginning June 1, officers are able to fine people who feed or attempt to feed large wild carnivores, or who negligently attract large wild carnivores by not securing their garbage. Moszeter said the community meeting will also address the new law, and the possible $87 fine.
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Snoqualmie Valley Hospital Board chats with unhappy public By Michele Mihalovich The Snoqualmie Valley Hospital board held its second informal community dialogue July 5 and heard an earful regarding its recent real estate deal with the Snoqualmie Tribe, and criticism regarding its transparency. The board, in a 3-1 decision in June, accepted an early payoff deal with the tribe, allowing it to pay $14 million at the end of July, rather than an expected $25 million balloon payment May 2015. The tribe bought the hospital and land for $30 million in 2008, and has been making payments toward the purchase. Herschel Backues, of North
Longtime local postal employee Linda Schuler will retire July 20 Longtime North Bend postal employee Linda Schuler will retire July 20. Schuler began her career at the Renton Post Office in 1985 and transferred to North Bend in 1990. Since then, Schuler has been a mainstay, working the window and sorting mail for customers in North Bend, Snoqualmie and Snoqualmie Pass. “Linda is our glue! There will be a lot of us that she leaves behind that will be lost for quite a while as we all try to pick up where she left off,” Postmaster Porter DeVere said. “Linda will be missed by all of us and her customers too.” DeVere encouraged people to stop by the North Bend Post Office next week “to wish Linda well in her next great adventure in her life.”
Bend, said he attended the June meeting and he was still in shock that the board accepted 50 cents on the dollar for the property. Kevin Hauglie, David Speikers and Joan Young, the three commissioners who voted yes on the deal, defended their positions to a group of about 20 at the July 5 meeting. Hauglie explained the payoff package from the tribe amounts to $20.6 million. He said the $14 million could have a future cash value of $16.8 million, possibly more if invested properly. He also explained that the future value of cash paid by the tribe to date amounted to $2.1 million. And the value of the hospital not having to pay rent at the old facility while it waits for its new
facility to be built is $1.6 million “If I had to do it again, I’d still vote the same,” Hauglie said. Speikers told the group that he is adamant that the tribe wouldn’t have paid in 2015 because they’d already asked for two extensions. “I’m also adamant that this would have gone into litigation and it would have been years before we built a new hospital,” he said. One citizen told the board there is a wave of distrust in the community of the hospital board in general. “The fundamental problem of this district board is that it’s not transparent,” said Commissioner Gene Pollard, often at odds with his fellow commissioners. “Other
Join in local chamber of commerce events
now in its fourth year, will be held from 1-10 p.m. in downtown North Bend.
Artists’ and photographers’ reception at chamber office
Mo Barbecue to host After Hours
Meet and view the work of Valley artists and photographers at the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce’s art gallery from 4-6 p.m. July 13 at 38767 S.E. River St., Snoqualmie. The public is welcome to this free event. Chamber ribbon cutting July 14 at Pioneer Coffee The Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce will welcome a new business — Pioneer Coffee — at the North Bend Block Party July 14. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be at 9:30 a.m. at the coffee shop, just west of the corner of North Bend Way and Highway 202. The Block Party,
The Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce’s July After Hours event will be hosted by Larry Mar, owner of Mo Barbecue, the new restaurant on Railroad Avenue Southeast, next to the Snoqualmie Market. The event is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 25. Cost is $10 for members; $15 for nonmembers. Register at www.snovalley.org or call 8886362.
Correction In the July 5 issue, a story about the Snoqualmie Police Department’s new captain had his former department wrong. He is from the Redmond Police Department.
hospital districts have threehour-long meetings with a great deal of details. Here, the meetings last 40 minutes because it’s already been rubber stamped.” Other people complained about not having access to information, such as when meetings are or what happened at the meetings. One hospital employee asked for everyone’s emails so she could email them information about the hospital and the board. Several people offered suggestions about utilizing the Internet and Facebook to communicate with the public. After the meeting, Hauglie said he was pleased that people came seeking answers to their questions, “and I hope they continue to do
that, whether it’s by the hospital’s website, the media or contacting commissioners directly.” He said the transparency comments were excellent to hear. “Some offered some insightful uses of Internet, such as Facebook and email blasts, that I think we should talk about,” Hauglie said. “Transparency should be a given, but there’s no intentional lack of transparency from the board. If we put notices in 50 different places, there might still be people who don’t look at those 50 places. There’s no magic wand.” No future date was set for the next informal community dialogue, but Hauglie said the board would like to hold them every quarter.
Searchers find hiker dead By Javier Panzar Seattle Times staff reporter Searchers found the body of a missing hiker from University Place July 9 at the 3,400-foot level in the Green Mountain area of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. John Wright, 50, died after falling several hundred feet while climbing near treacherous terrain, said Sgt. Cindi West, spokeswoman for the King County Sheriff’s Office. Earlier that day, rescuers reported finding Wright’s footprints near a cliff above where he was found. “We don’t know if he fell or if the mountainside gave way, and we may never know,” West said. Wright’s body was recovered
by helicopter, West said. Wright was reported missing July 6 when he failed to pick up his daughter after his hike. West said searchers found Wright’s car July 7 near the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River along Interstate 90. Searches focused on the Green Mountain area July 8 after a hiker reported having crossed paths and talking with Wright, who mentioned he was taking a trail in that direction, West said. On July 9, nearly 40 rescuers, including a dozen on horseback, searched the area before discovering his body. Members of Wright’s family said he was an experienced climber and they were devastated by the news, West said.
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Opinion
PAGE 4
JULY 12, 2012
Editorial
Public meetings
the Snoqualmie Fire Station, 37600 S.E. Snoqualmie Parkway.
Bear encounters could cost you
From sidewalk installation projects to snow removal to property tax collection, decisions made by officials at a local level have the potential to impact your daily life. Get involved. Provide feedback. Make a difference.
Snoqualmie Valley School District
North Bend
Submit a meeting for the Opinion page by emailing smoraga@snovalleystar.com or go to www.snovalleystar.com.
Securing garbage cans to keep the bears out is no longer a request — it’s the law. Earlier this year, the Legislature passed a bill that went into effect June 1, allowing state Fish and Wildlife enforcement officers to fine you $87 for feeding or attempt to feed large wild carnivores, or for negligently attracting large wild carnivores by not securing your garbage. Chris Moszeter, a fish and wildlife officer who handles enforcement in the North Bend and Snoqualmie area, said more than likely people will first be issued a written warning if they are in violation. They then have two days to correct the problem. Beware: People with birdfeeders in their yards during the summer months could qualify as someone “feeding or attempting to feed large wild carnivores.” Homeowners who take their garbage out to the curb the night before pick up might fall into the “negligent” category. If after two days the situation hasn’t been remedied, expect the $87 fine. If the problem continues, Moszeter said scofflaws could be charged with a misdemeanor. And next year, he said, the fine will go up “significantly.” Snoqualmie Ridge is a problematic area for animal control officers because residents there are just not bear smart, according to Moszeter. Thinking your garbage is safe from hungry bears because it’s in your fenced backyard has proven to be a false notion, as one Snoqualmie resident learned when she looked out her sliding glass door one evening and saw a sow and two cubs thrashing her trash. In an attempt to remedy false notions or general lack of knowledge for those living in bear country, a community meeting has been set for 7 p.m. July 17 at the Snoqualmie Fire Department. Snoqualmie police, fish and wildlife officers and Waste Management employees will address the community about how to eliminate some human-caused bear conflicts, and explain the new law. We love living in bear and cougar country. But with it comes additional responsibilities — and now a possible fine.
WEEKLY POLL What do you think of the latest unemployment numbers? A. A slow recovery is better than no recovery at all. B. The bottom isn’t quite done falling out yet. C. This is no recession, this is a depression — they just don’t want to say it. D. It’s all Obama’s fault. Vote online at www.snovalleystar.com.
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The July 12 Planning Commission meeting has been cancelled. Community and Economic Development Committee, 1:30 p.m. July 17, Community and Economic Development Department, 126 E. Fourth St. City Council Meeting, 7 p.m. July 17, Mount Si Senior Center, 411 Main Ave. S. Transportation and Public Works Committee, 3:40 p.m. July 18, Public Works Department, 1155 E. North Bend Way Economic Development Commission, 7:45 a.m. July 19, Community and Economic Development Department
Snoqualmie The July 12 Public Safety Committee meeting has been cancelled. A meeting has been scheduled for 5 p.m. July 26 at
Board meeting, 7:30 p.m. July 12, district offices, 8001 Silva Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie
Share your views Citizens can make a difference by contacting their elected representatives.
Federal President Barack Obama (D), The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20500; 202456-1414; president@whitehouse.gov U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D), 511 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510; 202-224-3441; http:// cantwell.senate.gov/; 915 Second Ave., Suite 512, Seattle, WA 98174; 206-220-6400 U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D), 173 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.
20510; 202-224-2621; http://murray.senate.gov/; Jackson Federal Building, Room 2988, 915 Second Ave., Seattle, WA 98174; 206-553-5545 U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert (R-8th District), 1730 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; 202-225-7761; 22605 S.E. 56th St., Suite 130, Issaquah, WA 98029; 677-7414; www.house.gov/reichert
State — Governor Gov. Chris Gregoire (D), Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 40002, Olympia, WA 985040002; 360-902-4111; www.governor.wa.gov.
Snoqualmie Valley School Board
President Dan Popp, District 5, danpopp@microsoft.com Vice President Scott Hodgins, District 1, gscott.hodgins@comcast.net Carolyn Simpson, District 3, simpsoncgs@yahoo.com Marci Busby, District 4, mbusby2831@aol.com Geoff Doy, District 2, geoffrey.w.doy@comcast.net Write to the School Board at Snoqualmie Valley School Board, P.O. Box 400, Snoqualmie, WA 98065. Call 831-8000.
Home Country
Vacation time should equal work time By Slim Randles When Harley Jacobsen came into Doc’s office the other day for his physical — you know, the one his wife Gladys insists on from time to time — it was a treat for Doc. Harley is one of Doc’s favorite people. Harley is a farmer. Not a young farmer, but a solid farmer. A 24/7 farmer. It is said in coffee-drinking circles — and we have several here — that ol’ Harley can make hair grow on a bald head and wheat grow on rocks. When he’d been thumped and bumped and listened to and pumped up and partially drained, Harley asked Doc for the verdict. “Not bad at all for someone your age, Harley,” Doc said, grinning. “But you look tired. My advice is to take some time off and go fishing or take Gladys to the beach. Something fun. Relaxing.” “Can’t right now, Doc,” Harley said. “Plowing summer fallow.” “Well, how about later on?” “There’s harvest you know,
and the trees will have to be pruned before winter, and then the winter wheat will go in. Have to overhaul the Slim Randles wheel tractor Columnist this winter and add on to the equipment shed, and then it’ll be time to plant.” “Harley, I want to see you get some rest,” Doc said. “You
need two weeks with nothing to do. Get someone to help with the farm and go do something fun.” “For two weeks?” Harley asked. “Two full weeks, Harley,” Doc replied. “Doc, I just can’t do the job in two weeks. Took 60 years of farming to get this tired.” Brought to you by the national-award-winning book “A Cowboy’s Guide to Growing Up Right.” Read a sample at www.slimrandles.com.
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 12, 2012
SnoValley Star
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SnoValley Star
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JULY 12, 2012
Community advocate Laurie Gibbs is moving to Virginia By Sebastian Moraga Sometimes a ride is just a ride. For Laurie Gibbs, any car trip around the Snoqualmie Valley has a deeper meaning these days. “We tell our kids, ‘You really need to take this in,’” she said. “There’s no other place in the nation that’s as pretty as this.” Gibbs, a longtime community advocate who helped engineer events such as the Tanner Jeans Bike Safety Rodeo, will move with her family to Virginia next month. She is following her husband, who found a job with a beer company there. It’s been 11 years since she moved to the Valley. Just like now, she followed her husband on a job. Back then, she traveled under protest. “I came here kicking and screaming,” said the New Jerseyborn former resident of Texas and South Carolina. “I had never lived on the West Coast in my life.”
North Bend portion of Boalch Trail completed The city of North Bend recently completed paving a section of the Boalch Trail at Meadowbrook Farm from the Meadowbrook Farm Interpretive Center to the North Bend/Snoqualmie city limits, according to a press release from North Bend. The project was funded from the city’s local share of the King County Parks Expansion Levy, passed by King County voters in 2007, which funds trail development projects, according to the release. According to a resolution, the city had $24,000 banked from the levy share, and spent $16,762 on the project.
Now, she has a chance to live closer to her family, she said, although after 11 years, she said she found a family of sorts just east of Seattle. “The Snoqualmie Ridge community is really like an extended family,” she said. It was her involvement with the Ridge’s Renters and Owners’ Association that provided her with a entry to Valley life. She met oodles of people and became a voice for the area. “The Ridge neighborhood did bring a lot of good things to the area,” she said. “Like any area growing, you’re going to have your growing pains.” She demurred when confronted with the perception of herself as being an advocate for the Ridge. Instead, she said she sees herself as progressive, an advocate for growth more than of a particular area. To tag her as a pro-Ridge person, she said, is offensive.
“I’ve never subscribed to an ‘us versus them’ mentality,” she said. “I have never looked it that way and anyone who really knows me knows I’m not that way.” She then added, “I get upset when I hear people blame the Ridge for all their problems,” she said. “That needs to stop.” To Gibbs, the Valley has a longer list of things that needs to stop. “Two things make me happy about leaving,” she said. “I will be closer to my family and I don’t like the progression of schools here. “ The Valley school board has failed to communicate its mission to the public, she said, and the freshman learning center is a “perfect example. “The center was initially born as a solution to a capacity problem at the high school. Now we are being all told it’s a program issue,’” she said. “‘The freshman year is the most critical,’ ‘We
need these programs to develop success,’ etc.” The community, she added, might hop on board if it had a real good idea of the center’s mission, goals and objectives. “You can’t tell the public, and you can quote me on this, ‘It doesn’t matter if it’s a good or bad decision, it’s the decision that we made,’” she said. “I’m so tired of hearing that. I would expect more from an elected official.” Her battles with the school board may have increased her desire to leave, but have not dampened her enthusiasm for the Valley. She pledges to come back at least once a year. “I know I will come back every time there’s a bike rodeo,” she said. Gibbs helped begin a foundation in memory of Tanner Jeans, a 7-year-old who died in a bicycle accident in 2003. She did it, she said, so no one ever has to go through “what the Jeanses
went through.” The city of Snoqualmie presented her with a plaque last month in recognition of her work for the foundation and the community. In the middle of the ceremony, she quipped that she wasn’t expecting similar accolades from the folks at the school board. One thing she is expecting in the near future is to regain what she had 11 years ago when she first arrived in the Valley: anonymity. As the wife of a beer executive, she uses a bar as the example of what she hopes to find in Virginia. “I’m the opposite of ‘Cheers,’” she said, referring to the 1980’s sitcom. “I’m looking forward to a place where nobody knows my name.”
The city of Snoqualmie is working on planning and design for completing one missing segment of the trail in Snoqualmie, which, once completed, will allow a continuous trail between the Meadowbrook Farm Interpretive Center in North Bend and Centennial Fields Park in Snoqualmie, the release said.
around open water, according to a press release. Public health and safety officials this week are kicking into high gear a campaign to heighten awareness of river dangers and what people can do to help prevent drownings. A mailer that urges life jacket use and provides other river safety information — including resources for affordable and discounted lifejackets — will be sent to more than 30,000 addresses within about one mile of major King County river recreation areas, according to the release. And new signage is being installed at riverside recreation areas. The yellow signs say, “Warning, River is Dangerous,” and are going up at more than a dozen popular river put-in
locations on King County Parks land. “Rivers are dynamic systems, and they are always changing,” said Christie True, director of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. “Warm weather and cold water can be a dangerous combination, and we urge all river users to exercise a high degree of caution and awareness when recreating on any of King County’s beautiful rivers.” “We want you to have fun and also return home safely from river recreation, so please use caution and wear a PFD on the water,” said Dr. David Fleming, director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. Before venturing into open
water, King County health and safety officials remind river users to: ❑ Wear a life jacket; ❑ Not use alcohol and drugs, which can impair judgment in an emergency; ❑ Keep children within reach, always watching them closely near and in water; ❑ Choose safer swimming options with lifeguards present, such as a beach, lake or pool; and ❑ Know river conditions before getting in the water. The county’s river safety campaign is funded by the King County Office of Risk Management’s Loss Control Fund. Learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/riversafety.
King County kicks off river safety campaign Even though the air is warmer, the rivers are still cold and the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Public Health – Seattle & King County and King County Sheriff’s Office are urging recreationalists to exercise caution
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Sebastian Moraga:392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
SnoValley Star
JULY 12, 2012
Police blotter North Bend Assault
Two Mount Si High School students were involved in a physical and verbal altercation with students from Mount Si and other schools. The victim, from Kentridge High School, and his friends were chased down in a Ford pickup while they were walking by QFC on June 22. The two suspects called the victim derogatory names, threatened to “lynch” him and beat him up because of a Facebook post seven months ago.
Hit and run A 15-year-old girl from Grandview was arrested and released June 25 for hitting a parked vehicle at the North Bend Outlet Mall, and then driving away without exchanging information with the driver, who was sitting in the parked car when it was hit. The young driver also told police she did not have a driver’s license or permit.
Drink and run A Safeway employee reported to police that a 17-year-old white male grabbed a bottle of booze and fled from the store at 10:30 p.m. June 27.
Car break-in An iPod and case were stolen June 28 from a car parked in front of a restaurant on Mount Si Boulevard.
Don’t be seated The Rock-O’s Diner owner reported that between July 1 and 2, someone stole three plastic lawn chairs and a fishnet bag from her business.
Snoqualmie Poor deer
Washington State Patrol requested officers check on a report of a deer in the roadway near the Snoqualmie Valley Rifle Club in Fall City. Officers had to euthanize the deer and remove it.
Marijuana Police confiscated and destroyed a small amount of marijuana from two men smoking it in a vehicle on Southeast Newton Street on June 29.
Bears Police received two reports of bears June 30. One caller saw a bear on the running path near Southeast Swenson Drive. Another caller reported seeing a bear behind the police station.
Dumpster diver Police received a report of a man diving in a trash bin at about 8 p.m. June 30 in the 35000 block of Southeast Newton Street. He was advised to leave the area.
Fireworks Officer observed an M-80 being tossed out of a vehicle at about 6 p.m. July 1 near North Bend Way and Interstate 90. A person was warned. Police received 18 calls from people complaining about fireworks being set off between June 30 and July 5.
Fire calls from Eastside Fire & Rescue in North Bend There were no fire calls to report. The Star publishes names of those arrested for DUI and those charged with felony crimes. Information comes from local police reports.
PAGE 7
SnoValley Star
PAGE 8
JULY 12, 2012
SnoValley Star
JULY 12, 2012
4th Annual Downtown Block Party Saturday, July 14 noon-10pm
Street Events Join us for an amazing line up of fun family activities, including great music, petting zoo, dunk tank, duck derby, performance by the Reptile Man, Goat Cart rides, Walk of Fire hot wings eating contest, belly dances, hoop shoot, beer and wine garden, and more!
Main Stage Schedule
Community Stage
Noon 1:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m.
Noon-12:30 p.m. 12:45 p.m.-1:15 p.m. 1:30-2:00 p.m. 2:15-2:45 p.m. 3:00-3:30 p.m. 3:45 -4:15 p.m. 4:30-4:50 p.m. 5:00-6:00 p.m. 6:15-7:00 p.m. 7:15-7:45 p.m. 7:50-8:20 p.m.
4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 6:45 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Kellee Bradly Band Jessica Oliver Dorian Blu - Rock Future Jazz Head Allstars - (high school & middle school and pros) Ignite Dance Kelly Eisenhour w/ Danny Kolke Trio - Jazz Down the Road Band -Blue grass and country Paul Green & Straight Shot -Blues Setup for headliner Spike and the Impalers
DMW Cascade Dance Academy Veil of the Nile Mt Si Gymnastics Mt Si Sports & Fitness Zumba Demo Snoqualmie Strings Country Motion Line Dance Reptile Man Twede’s – hot wing eating contest Destiny by Design Make-over reveal Sno Valley Idol – Tori Rose
PAGE 9
Community
PAGE 10
JULY 12, 2012
A pair of Valley chess players will compete in U.S. Open By Sebastian Moraga
By Sebastian Moraga
Jim Nelson, a 40-year veteran of the game of chess, makes a move during a game against his friend Matt McKendry. Both Nelson and McKendry will compete in next month’s U.S. Open of chess, in Vancouver, Wash.
In a half-empty room, a milestone brews. Four chessboards are lined up; one of them is occupied. On one side is Matt McKendry and on the other side is Jim Nelson. Both are chess aficionados getting ready to make history, if only personal history. Nelson has played chess for four decades. McKendry has been alive for half that. They will compete in next month’s U.S. Open in Vancouver, Wash. It’s McKendry’s first trip to the tournament. It’s Nelson’s first in 40 years. While the time comes, they hone their skills every Thursday at the North Bend Library, in a Chess-a-thon that’s open to everybody, even if only a few know about it. “We average about five to six players these days,” Nelson said. On this day, there’s only three. Maybe it’s the Internet, he said, but the crowds aren’t what they used to be at the Snoqualmie Valley Chess Club, which meets at 7 p.m., every Thursday night except Thanksgiving. Still, the enthusiasm never wavers, especially if one-third of the crowd on this day is an See CHESS, Page 11
By Sebastian Moraga
Chess lovers like Matt McKendry gather every Thursday at 7 p.m. at the North Bend Library. Though attendance fluctuates, enthusiasm for the sport never wavers. McKendry and Jim Nelson, his opponent during this game, said people don’t need to be chess experts to show up.
Young North Bend pianist is one to watch composing to hours of playing at home in front of his family. Conner Drake may be just a The family loves his playing seventh-grader but he said he so much, they even join in any knows what adult days will look way they can. like. “He kicks like mad when No matter what happens, Conner is playing,” Conner’s he will have a Melanie “Music won’t be my main mom piano nearby. said of her “Music won’t unborn baby. job. I don’t think it will be my main job. Melanie first give me enough money, I don’t think took Conner to it will give me piano lessons but I’ll continue to play enough money,” six years ago. piano forever.” the 13-year-old “I didn’t realfrom North ly care if I did it — Conner Drake or not,” he said Bend said. “But Pianist of beginning I’ll continue to play piano forlessons. “I realever.” ized I liked it, If forever is the plan, he’s off so I kept going.” to a good start. Grandparents then chipped This year brought him the in and bought him his first first award of his career, as piano. top soloist in the Bellevue Jazz Ever since, it’s been a story Festival this spring. of big sacrifices and even bigger Almost all his hobbies are See CONNER, Page 11 music-related, from writing to
By Sebastian Moraga
By Sebastian Moraga
Conner Drake, a talented piano player from Twin Falls Middle School, is an alum of renowned teachers Bob Pajer and Kerry Crowley. Since this spring, he is one of the top jazz soloists on the Eastside.
SnoValley Star
JULY 12, 2012
PAGE 11
Snoqualmie boy is making and breaking records
Obituary
By Katie Larsen
Alice L. Chalfa
like to get the record back in his Most pillows stuffed in shirt. name. He danced with his friend Most stairs slid down in a sleepRyan Kraycik. ing bag. Longest time staring at “Ryan is the only other one self in mirror. that continually breaks records” These are just some of the in the area that he knows about, records local middle school stuRiffe said. dent Noah Riffe has broken as Earlier this year, Riffe was part of http://recordsetter.com. asked by the site to host a “One day two years ago, I was World Record Day event, which looking for something to do,” he titled Records for Water. Riffe said. According to his mom, Lori He looked up the Guinness Riffe, about 18 people particiBook of World Records but pated that day at the Church because of the amount of paperon the Ridge. The group set 12 work and records, mostly complicated related to Check him out process of parwater. ticipating, Riffe “I’m pretty Noah Riffe’s videos can looked further. involved in be found at http://recordHe found their commusetter.com/user/NoahRiffe. Record Setter, nity,” Riffe said. See his most recent one at which allows Riffe said the www.snovalleystar.com. members to website eventufilm their ally wants to record, send it make a musefor review and have it uploaded um with things that were used on the site. Riffe gets a lot of his to break records. ideas from the website itself. The 12-year-old is an only “Also, I look around the child, a seventh-grader this fall house for random things and at Snoqualmie Middle School use them,” he said. and on the honor roll. He said For example, most plastic he wants to be a filmmaker bags put on hand in 30 seconds. and director when he grows up “The training is very easy because he likes to film videos because you can pick things that and edit them, which he does you are already good at,” Riffe with all of his record-setting or said. record-breaking clips. His favorite record that he Last Christmas, the whole has broken is longest time danc- family chipped in to buy him a ing with green cups, also his DSLR camera to use. Next week, first record. Someone has since the Riffe family will attend beaten his time and he would the YouTube conference in
Chess From Page 10 energetic 10-year-old, still beaming over a certain milestone of his own. “I beat my older brother at chess two weeks ago,” said Aaron Lydon, of North Bend. Lydon said he plays chess because it gives him something fun to do. Both he and his brother have been known to skip recess in order to play a game. The U.S. Open may be out of his reach for a few years yet, but Lydon has already set some goals of his own. “Maybe I’ll be able to beat these two people someday,” he said of Nelson and McKendry. Chess never goes out of style, Nelson said, because the skills needed to excel at it — strategy and critical thinking, analysis and thought — never do, either. “You can lose yourself in a game,” McKendry said. “You look at the positions, you look at the pieces. You look at the clock, and next thing you know, oops, 20 minutes have gone by.” Furthermore, it’s an escape. You can think about nothing
but the game for hours on end. “When I start the clock,” Nelson said, “it’s like I’m in another world.” On this July day, perhaps to psych Matt out, Jim brought his first-place trophy from a tournament in Issaquah. It was another trophy, and another tournament on both their minds, though. “The last time the tournament was this close for me was in 1970,” Nelson said. “I was living in Southern California and the tournament was in Ventura. I was thinking, “Maybe I’ll drive there every day for a game.” The tournament last came to Washington in 1966. “It should be pretty exciting,” said the 20-year-old McKendry. “It’s never been this close before.” Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com. By Sebastian Moraga
Snoqualmie Valley Chess Club member Aaron Lydon, 10, tries to make a move in his game against Jim Nelson. Although he lost, Lydon said he has not lost either the hope to beat the 65-year-old Nelson, nor his love for the sport.
Age 84, of North Bend (formerly of Issaquah) Loving wife of Jack; 33 years with 13th Naval District Headquarters Funeral service 11 a.m. Friday, July 13, at Flintoft’s Issaquah Funeral Home Full obituary and online guest book is at www.flintofts.com.
Conner From Page 1
Screen capture from Recordsetter.com
Video by Noah Riffe shows him stuffing four throw pillows inside his T-shirt this March to set a mark on recordsetter.com. Anaheim, Calif., that features the big names on the site as well as classes to learn different techniques about posting videos. “He’s always been an entrepreneur in things like this,” Lori Riffe said. “We definitely root him on.” She said they only get involved when Riffe asks for their help, usually in shooting videos for him while he breaks records. They also post his links through Facebook accounts because Riffe isn’t old enough
to have an account yet. Lori Riffe said this helps promote his activities in records and charity work. In lieu of gifts for his 11th birthday, Riffe made an account through charity: water, a nonprofit organization that provides safe drinking water for people in developing countries. Riffe learned about the charity from a YouTube video that he said inspired him to get involved. See RECORD, Page 14
dreams. As a member of the jazz band at Twin Falls Middle School, Conner gets up every morning at 5:30 a.m. for practice. Band has two days off a year. “I don’t mind paying for it, because it’s his talent,” Melanie said regarding the jazz band lessons. Besides, Mom added, Conner works hard at it. “It’s his passion, so you go along with developing your kids’ passion and hope it makes them happy,” she said. His dream is to have a composition of his published as a real song. The nightmare is when his memory keeps the dream from happening. Sometimes, he composes songs, and then forgets them. The remedy, he said, is to play the songs over and over, but that’s hard to do. As he gets older, he struggles to make time to practice as other interests arise. Besides music, he likes science and climbing trees — the latter, he said, strengthens his piano hands. New hobbies aside, he said, practice is always worth it when it comes to piano. His talent is such, he makes his own mother wonder. First she wonders what if. “What if we had never tried piano?” she said. “Sometimes people have gifts that they never know about because they didn’t try.” Then, she wonders how, saying she did not know Conner was going to be this good. “He’s inspiring,” Melanie said. “He makes you want to try things. It’s a complete joy to hear him jamming on the piano.” Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
sports
PAGE 12
JULY 12, 2012
Meet the Mitchells — Mount Si’s pack of sporty superstars By Michele Mihalovich Jeff and Rhonda Mitchell, of North Bend, didn’t set out to raise five superstar athletes. But that is, in fact, what happened. “As parents, we just wanted them to be happy, and said we’d support whatever they wanted to do,” Jeff said. “It just turned out that they all wanted to play sports.” The two oldest sons, Taylor and Josh, received football scholarships to college, something only a handful of Mount Si High School students have done in the past 10 years. Taylor Taylor, while playing for Mount Si’s football team, was named 3A/2A KingCo Conference All-League First Team Defense at outside linebacker in 2010; he had received honorable mention in 2009. Last year, the 6-foot, 235-pounder was red-shirted at Humboldt State University in California, which means he practiced, weightlifted and attended games, but got no playing time. This fall, the business finance student with a 3.9 grade point average will finally get to do more than suit up. “I haven’t played a football game for a year and a half, and I get pretty antsy on the sidelines,” he said. Josh Josh will head to Oregon State University this fall, also studying business finance. His impressive high school sports career ended with a long list of accomplishments, not only in football, but in wrestling as well.
In 2010, he was named 3A/2A KingCo Conference All-League First Team Offense at outside tackle and All-League Second Team Defense at defensive tackle. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound wrestler, as a junior, become Mount Si’s first state wrestling champion in 20 years. During his senior year, he came home from the Tacoma Dome with a third-place trophy. Two more Mitchell brothers are following in their brothers’ footsteps, trying their hands at Mount Si football. Nick Nick, a junior this fall, is the team’s starting quarterback. He served as safety and backup quarterback last season. Nick, like all of the Mitchell siblings, is great at multiple sports. Baseball is a second love for him, but he gave it up last year so he could focus and train with the football team. As of last week, Nick had already attended six football camps this summer with more on the horizon. “My goal is to be the best quarterback I can be so that this team wins a state championship,” he said. Caleb Caleb, 14, will suit up with the freshmen team this fall. While his father said Caleb had a really good eighth-grade football season, it’s clear that the boy is also gifted on the golf course. The family nicknamed him Tiger Woods. See MITCHELL, Page 14
By Michele Mihalovich
Rhonda Mitchell (from left), Nick Mitchell, Josh Mitchell, Sara Kaitlyn Mitchell, Taylor Mitchell, Caleb Mitchell and Jeff Mitchell pose at their North Bend home.
Pint-sized wrestlers collect the hardware at regionals, nationals By Sebastian Moraga The athletes with the sweet smiles and the confident stares did not hesitate for a second. Quizzed about whether they would change something in their favorite sport, they all agreed on one thing — losing. Added wrestler Isaiah McClure, “and bloody noses.” McClure and his three wrestling buddies love the sport almost as much as they hate losing at it. Not unusual for an athlete, but slightly unusual for children who are at least four years away from their first shave. Nine-year-old Mark Marum, 8-year-old Benton Grisso, 7-year-old Kyan Zimmerman and 6-year-old McClure competed for the Snoqualmie Valley Wrestling Club and earned piles of hardware this spring and summer in state, regional and national tournaments. They all earned tickets to regionals in Pocatello, Idaho. Zimmerman and McClure won regional matches, despite being among the youngest wrestlers
By Sebastian Moraga
From left, Benton Grisso, Isaiah McClure, Mark Marum and Kyan Zimmerman, all members of the Snoqualmie Valley Wrestling Club and all enjoying a terrific 2012 grappling season. All four qualified for state and for regionals. Marum won nationals. there. Grisso finished sixth in bantam freestyle, winning the Outstanding Bantam Wrestler award.
Marum finished fourth in Greco-Roman, third in folkstyle and first in freestyle At nationals, Marum earned first place in freestyle and sev-
enth in Greco-Roman. “It was really cool,” he said of the tournament in Orem, Utah. “You get to be in a really big stadium and have a really big
crowd watching you.” He added, “It was really amazing to get my hand raised.” Getting their hands raised (which happens when they win) attracts them to wrestling. Also attractive, Grisso and his national-champ buddy agreed, is “beating kids up.” Zimmerman was even more succinct. To him, everything about wrestling is fun. Like any sport fans, the foursome have wrestling heroes: Cedarcrest High School’s Carlos Toledano, a bevy of Mount Si High School wrestlers, and Olympic stars Ken Chertow and Dan Gable. “Chertow teaches us how to be a scholar athlete,” Marum said of the wrestler who has held clinics in the Valley, “not a dumb jock. That’s one of his sayings.” Besides the posters in their bedrooms, these four admire other wrestlers whom they know better: At some point, all four of the children’s fathers wrestled. “It teaches them life lessons,” See WRESTLE, Page 14
SnoValley Star
JULY 12, 2012
PAGE 13
Hundreds of people stroll for cancer research
Survivor Lap participants are blanketed in the applause of young participants along the route as the Relay For Life, an 18-hour overnight walkathon, begins July 7 at Centennial Fields.
Eighth-grader McKenna Esteb (left), a Chief Kanim Middle School graduate and 2012 Valley Idol winner, with her sister Maddy on guitar, perform as part of the Relay For Life entertainment.
Want your local news updates daily? Find SnoValley Star on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @SnoValleyStar
Prevent Summer Brain Drain with Mathnasium During the summer months, many students lose 2 to 2.5 months of the math computational skills learned during the school year.
For once, skateboarders showed up at a park in the wee hours of the morning and nobody called the cops on them. Skateboarders, marathon runners, cancer survivors and just regular folks showed up at Centennial Fields July 7 for the annual Snoqualmie Valley Relay For Life. The relay raises money for cancer research — people run, walk, jog, stroll and this year they did skateboard laps around the park. Twenty-five teams, comprised of 233 people signed, raised about $72,000. Ultra-marathon runner Chris Fagan broke her own mark from last year. In 2011, she jogged 73.5 miles during the relay. This year, she ran 76 miles. Besides the relay, Centennial Fields also housed on-site fundraisers, with people selling jewelry, keychains, bracelets, necklaces and food. The relay may be over until next year, but fundraising con-
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Photos by Mary Miller
Two participants set out votive candles spelling out HOPE as they prepare to walk laps and camp out overnight for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life held July 7 and 8 at Centennial Fields.
Source: The Washington Post, June 15, 2009
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SnoValley Star
PAGE 14
Wrestle
Mitchell
From Page 12
From Page 12
Tom Grisso, Benton’s father, said. “Teaches them they need to be good sports when they lose or win. Because life is not easy and this teaches them to be mentally tough.” Smokey McClure, Isaiah’s father and coach, agreed. “It truly allows these 5- to 10-year-olds a chance to figure out who they are,” he said. “I wrestled all my life and it’s not about wins or losses. I mean, it’s cool to have all the achievements but it’s more about watching these kids develop.” The development is just starting, if the children’s predictions come true. They all said they want to wrestle in high school. Being a dad of a pint-sized wrestler is more fun than nerve-wracking. Serious injuries pile up faster in other sports, Smokey said. “It’s not a violent sport, it’s a tough sport,” he said. Wrestlers at this level can wrestle almost year round. For the Marums, it’s an adventure. “It’s great, it’s stressful, it’s a family sport,” said Ellen, Mark’s mom. “He has a sister that videotapes matches, my husband coaches. It’s 10 months a year, three times a week and we wouldn’t change a thing.”
But since golf and football coincide in the fall, he had to make a choice. “I really like football,” he said. “I loved watching my brothers play. And maybe there was a little pressure from my brothers to play football as well.”
“They need to give 110
Sara Kaitlyn Rounding out the Mitchell clan is 11-year-old Sara Kaitlyn, who excels in soccer, basketball, volleyball and hip-hop and competitive dance. The big question is what drives these siblings to excel in the sports they choose? Mom and Dad took a humble position that the kids just have
an internal ness doesn’t end drive that push- percent, whether that when they’re es them to set off the field,” he goals, and then was doing dishes, homesaid. “They comattain them. pete for everywork or sports.” Taylor thing. The best agrees about — Nick MItchell seat in the living internal drive, Athlete room … the but admitted, remote control. “We’ve always It’s constant.” competed with each other. The And that competition doesn’t younger brother wants to beat end with the boys. the older brother and the other Jeff, who has coached all of way around. But I think what his children in their various really drives us is that if you’re sports, is also coaching Sara going to do anything, you have Kaitlyn’s soccer team. to put everything into it to be “Every once in a while I’ll see successful.” a fire in her eyes during a game, and I’ll think, ‘There’s that Mitchell blood,’” he said. That competitive spirit Jeff said that coaches often tell him they love the Mitchells’ competitive spirit. “But what I think they don’t understand is that the competitive-
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He said you can set up your own campaign to raise money on its website, and donators can post their names and comments. During Records for Water, Riffe raised $625 for the charity. “I thought it was really cool because it’s different than other charities and the work they do is great,” Riffe said. He also said that charity: water wants donors to know exactly where their money has gone so email updates will be sent out. Lori Riffe said they make sure Noah can’t be physically harmed by any records attempted, and he is forbidden from eating challenges because “it’s a choking hazard.” Riffe currently holds 20 records, including 18 that he has beaten.
JULY 12, 2012
Giving 110 percent Rhonda added that even though the siblings are highly competitive, they are also each
other’s biggest fans. “Sara Kaitlyn had a dance competition at the same time as the football jamboree. As soon as that game was over, the boys rushed over to watch her dance,” she said. “And Taylor, who is off at college now, is always calling to ask how someone’s game went.” And even though his parents were humble about their role in their children’s athletic success, Nick pointed out that they had always instilled in them, that if they were going to do something, “They need to give 110 percent, whether that was doing dishes, homework or sports. Our parents have taught us great values.” Michele Mihalovich: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
Calendar
JULY 12, 2012
Music/entertainment ❑ Milo Petersen with Darelle Holden, 7 p.m. July 12, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, 292-9307 ❑ Fashion Trunk Show with music by Rich Hellzerman, 7 p.m. July 12, The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie, 831-3647 ❑ Cherie Blues, 6 p.m. July 12, bluesy jazz at Si View Park, 400 S.E. Orchard Drive, North Bend. Free. ❑ Bryant Urban Blue Oasis, 7 p.m. July 13, Boxley’s ❑ Valley Green, 8 p.m. July 13, The Black Dog ❑ Left Coast Gypsies, 8 p.m. July 14, The Black Dog ❑ Danny Godinez, 8 p.m. July 14, Snoqualmie Brewery and Taproom, 8032 Falls Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie, 831-2357 ❑ Danny Kolke Trio, 6 p.m. July 15, Boxley’s ❑ Matt Bumgardner Sextet, 7 p.m. July 16, 7 p.m., Boxley’s ❑ Ask Sophie, 8 p.m. July 16, Snoqualmie Brewery and Taproom ❑ Wasteland Hop, 7 p.m. July 16, The Black Dog ❑ Future Jazz Heads, 7 p.m. July 17, Boxley’s ❑ Free Summer Matinees at North Bend Theatre, noon July 17-19. Movie of the week is ‘Hoot,’ rated PG. Theater is at 125 N. Bendigo Blvd. ❑ Hailey Niswanger, 7 p.m. July 18, Boxley’s ❑ Saritah, 7 p.m. July 19, The Black Dog ❑ Fret Noir, contemporary Celtic folk, 6 p.m. July 19, Si View Park ❑ Katy Bourne Duo, 7 p.m. July 19, Boxley’s ❑ Jay Thomas Trio, 7 p.m. July 20, Boxley’s ❑ Late Summer Travelers, 8 p.m. July 21, Snoqualmie Brewery and Taproom
Events ❑ Cedar River Watershed Waterfall Tour, noon to 1 p.m., Cedar River Watershed Education Center, 19901 Cedar Falls Road S.E. $5, free for lap children under 5 years old. Call 206-733-9421 to learn more. ❑ Hazardous Wastemobile, hazardous waste disposal, 10 a.m. July 13-15, Snoqualmie Elementary School, 39801, S.E. Park St., Snoqualmie ❑ Day Out With Thomas, starting at 9 a.m., July 13-15, 20-22, downtown Snoqualmie. Trains depart every 45 minutes. Tickets are $19, available online through www.trainmuseum.org, or in person at the Snoqualmie depot, 38625 S.E. King St. ❑ Bicycle ride through a twomile tunnel at Snoqualmie Pass. Trip includes the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, educational stops and a barbecue at Rattlesnake Lake, July 14. Register at
PAGE 15
Block party is set for Saturday
File photo
The North Bend Downtown Block Party returns to the Valley on July 14. Music, food stands, contests, and arts and crafts will fill the heart of the city starting at the corner of Bendigo Boulevard and North Bend Way heading east.
www.mtsgreenway.org. ❑ Medicare Made Clear, 12:30 p.m. July 16 at Mount Si Senior Center, 411 Main Ave. S. ❑ Exploring Play workshop at Encompass, 6-8 p.m. July 16 at Snoqualmie Valley YMCA, 35018 S.E. Ridge St., Snoqualmie. Only 30 spots available. ❑ UK Elite Soccer Camp for children ages 5-14, July 16-20. $150 fee. Camp is at Chief Kanim Middle School in Fall City. ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Trail Ride to Carnation’s Farmers Market, 2 p.m. July 17, starting at the Snoqualmie Valley YMCA. Free to community members. ❑ Family Fun Night at Snoqualmie Valley YMCA, 7-9 p.m. July 20. Participants must register beforehand. Free to YMCA members, $10 to nonmembers. ❑ Warrior Dash, starting at 9 a.m. July 22 at Meadowbrook Farms, 1711 Boalch Ave., North Bend. Learn more at www.warriordash.com. ❑ Musical Theater camp, starting July 30 through Aug. 2 at Si View Community Center. Children will learn all the fun and camaraderie of being involved in a theater show, from auditions through applause. Go to www.siviewpark.org. Fee is $130. ❑ Little Si Family Hike, 4:30 p.m. July 25. Grab your hiking shoes, your water, your lunch and your first aid kit and meet at the Snoqualmie Valley YMCA. Registration is required
beforehand. Free to community members. ❑ The Snoqualmie Valley Museum presents: “Beyond Smokey: The USFS In The Snoqualmie Valley,” 1-5 p.m. Saturdays through Tuesdays, 320 Bendigo Blvd. S., North Bend ❑ North Bend Farmers Market, 4-8 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 13 at Si View Park, 400 S.E. Orchard Drive, North Bend ❑ Pro baseball clinic for children ages 9-14 at Chief Kanim Middle School or Snoqualmie Middle School, with former Atlanta Braves pitcher Steve Goucher, July 16-19. Fee $129.
North Bend Library All events will take place at 115 E. Fourth St, unless otherwise noted. Call 888-0554 for more information. ❑ Container Gardening, 3 p.m. July 14. Free workshop by Christine Earl at the Nursery at Mount Si, 42328 S.E. 108th St. North Bend. ❑ Merry Monday Story Time, 11 a.m. July 16, 23, for children ranging from newborn to age 3 with adult. Older children and siblings also welcome. Songs, rhythm instruments, action rhymes and a tiny tale for the very young. ❑ E-Reader assistance, 6 p.m. July 16. Learn how to download KCLS e-books to your e-readers or computers during this demonstration. ❑ Toddler Story Time, 9:30
a.m. July 17. Ages 2-3 with adult, younger children and siblings welcome. Stories, songs and surprises. ❑ Preschool Story Time, 10:30 a.m. July 17. Ages 3-6 with adult, siblings welcome. ❑ Spanish/English Story Time, 6:30 p.m. July 17. Songs, activities, and stories in English and Spanish. ❑ One-on-one Computer Assistance, 1 p.m. July 18. Stop by if you are an adult needing extra help on the computer. ❑ Pajamarama Story Time, 6:30 p.m. July 18, all children welcome with adult. Wear your p.j.’s if you like. ❑ Dancing Pajamas Concert, 11 a.m. July 19. Songs about howling coyotes, fuzzy slippers and a monster or two. Children of all ages welcome.
Snoqualmie Library All events will take place at 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., unless otherwise noted. Contact 8881223 for more information. ❑ E-Reader assistance, 11 a.m. July 12, 19. Learn how to download e-books to your e-reader or computer during this demonstration. ❑ Pajama Story Time, 7 p.m. July 12, 19, all children welcome with adult. Wear your p.j.’s if you like. Stories, songs and surprises. ❑ Spanish/English Story Time, 10:30 a.m. July 14. Enjoy stories, songs and fun activities in both languages. All ages welcome with adult.
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❑ Preschool story times, 1:30 p.m. July 16, 10:30 a.m. July 18, ages 3-6 with an adult. Share the wonderful world of books with your child. ❑ Dream It, Read It, Do It Magic Show, 1 p.m. July 17, ages 5 and older. Discover that anything you dream about and want to learn can be found in books. ❑ Young Toddler Story Times, 9:30 a.m. July 18, ages 6 months to 2 years old with adult. Younger children and siblings welcome. ❑ Friends of the Snoqualmie Library meeting, 6 p.m. July 18 ❑ Aging Well with Consciousness Book Club and Conversation, 10:15 a.m. July 21. Book discussion and conversation about aging. In July, the library will hold a Poetry OutLoud and Picnic, focusing on the spoken word with selected poems on aging. Submit an item for the community calendar by emailing smoraga@snovalleystar.com or go to www.snovalleystar.com.
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SnoValley Star
JULY 12, 2012