Snovalleystar082313

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

August 22, 2013 VOL. 5, NO. 33

Hospital audit Hospital district release aduit results.

Page 2

bridge over cool waters Page 10

School Railroad Days is about more than trains board OK’s budget

New park

By Sherry Grindeland

Public invited to park opening.

Page 2

The Snoqualmie Valley School District Board of Directors approved a $74.7 million budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year at its regular meeting Aug. 15 at Snoqualmie City Hall.

Ryan Stokes, the director of business services for the school district, presented an overview of the budget to the board and a packed audience. He noted that salaries and the employee costs comprised 80 percent of the budget and materials, supplies and other costs account for the remaining 20 percent.

The budget was set, Stokes said, with a set of values driving all decisions.

These included maintaining a safe learning and working environments for students and staff, preserving and advancing stu-

Health assesments Hospital district holds series of forums.

Page 3

Hats off to the classic Boeing Classic comes to town.

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Contributed

Deven Huckle is flanked by proud family members after he showed his first restored car, a 1974 Bronco, at the Legends Car Show at Railroad Days. Left to right, Linda Clark (grandmother), Deven Huckle, Troy Huckle (dad) and Brenda Huckle (mom). Before the crowds hit Sunday, car owners lined up their restored vehicles for the Legends Car Show. Vendors lined Railroad Avenue for the popular Railroad Days last weekend in historic downtown Snoqualmie.

See BUDGET, Page 2

Eastside Fire & Rescue board agrees to strategic planning workshops

By Sherry Grindeland

State leader North Bend mom takes lead in state PTA. Page 8

Police blotter

Page 11

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

Come mid-October, the Eastside Fire & Rescue board will be right back where it was in June — having to decide on a funding model that meets the needs of all members.

The difference will be that in six-to-eight weeks the group will have agreed on two things: what value they need to offer to retain members and how they maintain a stable organization. The process won’t be easy, said facilitator Neville Wallace, with Online Business Systems of Portland.

“Whether you like it or not, you will be collaborating,” Wallace said. “We will be accessing what works well, what doesn’t and what can be fixed easily.”

Last week Wallace used an

electronic meeting planner to poll board members about availability for the strategic planning meetings.

EFR Chief Lee Soptich expects there to be one meeting this month and two in September. He was pleased the process was beginning.

“There’s been a high level of frustration among the board members,” he said. “I think the facilitator will help. I know everyone is really busy, but I hope people will be able to make the majority of the meetings.”

EFR, a consortium of Sammamish, Issaquah, North Bend, and Fire Districts 10 and 38 that pools resources to provide fire prevention services, is led by fire commissioners, fire chiefs, mayors and city administrators. They have a reputa-

tion for vociferous disagreements over funding issues.

In June, after several rancorous meetings, the board agreed to bring in an outside facilitator.

After Wallace’s presentation at the Aug. 8 meeting, the EFR board voted unanimously to continue the strategic process under the consultant’s guidance, even though he warned them it wouldn’t solve everything. Wallace told the group they had to commit to a series of intensive workshops, and participants had to come with an open and positive attitude.

“Be wary,” he said.

“Members may still walk away from EFR. But stay or go, after this process EFR will be stronger because of the commitSee EFR, Page 3

Marci Busby and David Spring will face off in November school board election Marci Busby and David Spring will vie for the District 4 seat in the Snoqualmie Valley School District Board of Directors in the Nov. 5 General Election. They were the top two candidates in a four-way primary race that included current Board President G. Scott Hodgins and Stephen Kangas.

As of Aug. 19, Busby received 1,543 votes, Spring 1,325, Hodgins 1,099 and Kangas 968. Busby, an incumbent, and Hodgins were running for the same seat due to a recent redistricting.

One divisive issue throughout the campaign has been the opening of a freshman campus.

Busby commented in a preelection story that the freshman campus was going to be an exciting, new venture for the district. Spring has been a vocal opponent of the freshman campus.

SnoValley Star

PAGE 2

Hospital reports audit results The Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District 2012 audit results were presented to the Board of Commissioners Aug. 1 at its meeting held in Snoqualmie Pass. Moss Adams LLP, a CPA firm, provided the annual audit.

It gave the hospital a clean financial bill of health.

Steve Daniel, Chief Financial Officer for the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District, said the hospital had a clean audit which meant there are no concerning issues for last year.

“We had a positive bottom line for 2012 of around $403,000 before the completion of the sale

of the old hospital and construction of the new,” Daniel said. “This means we are operating in the black and have cash to put back into the operation of the hospital.”

According to the audit, the District has shown a profit, excluding the gain on sale of the hospital campus, in three out of the last four years. In early 2012, the District decreased operating expenses by $1.6 million. The sale of the hospital property allowed the Hospital District to be able to pay off some of its long-term debt.

“By decreasing these long-term liabilities, we were able to improve our net position,” he said.

“We have made good decisions that have resulted in positive income.”

Daniel said the hospital expects further growth when they move into the new facility.

“This is due primarily because the new facility will have 25 private inpatient rooms versus 14 double occupancy rooms,” he said.

Public invited to attend park groundbreaking The public is invited to the groundbreaking event for the Jeanne Hansen Community Park Aug. 22 at 3 p.m. at 35226 S.E. Jacobia St., Snoqualmie.

There will be chairs and refreshments.

The 16-acre park will feature two synthetic sports fields, a tennis court, walking track, nature trails, two playgrounds, a picnic shelter with barbecues, concession stand, restrooms and parking.

Budget From Page 1 dent learning and growth, sustain the support of student academic achievement, provide a basic level of support services and adhere to legal requirements set by the state and the U.S. government.

Currently, schools cost district taxpayers $4.28 per $1,000 of assessed value. In other words, people whose property is assessed at $200,000 pay $856 a year for schools.

Snoqualmie District residents pay one of the lower rates in the county.

Federal Way School District residents pay $7.55 per $1,000 assessed value; Shoreline is $5.87, Renton is $5.26, Bellevue is $3.25.

The district will lose about $250,000 due to the federal sequestration.

One of the goals of the district has been to reduce class size as much as possible. Four new teachers have been hired at the elementary level this year to meet the increased need.

Before passing the budget, the board heard from a handful of concerned citizens during the public comment period. One was a school secretary who explained that while the office staff is there for all children, they spend far too much time in the health room dealing with children with allergies, seizures and medication.

AUGUST 22, 2013

elementary school.

Her plea for more school One plan, popular nurses received thunderwith the focus groups, ous applause from the and called “Scenario A,” audience. would fast track the pro“We did pass a balcess. A bond issue would anced budget with new be presented to the voters categories of what we’re in February 2014 and conspending money on,” said struction would also begin board president G. Scott Hodgins. “Although we’ve early next year. The board voted to approve further spent money on curconsideration of Scenario riculum in the past, we’ve A. The board may make a never before included money to provide the cur- final decision at the Aug. 29 meeting. Related to riculum to meet the common core standards. That’s that action, the board also authorized the administraone of the unique pieces tion to of this “We need to have proceed budget.”

Built enough (money) reserved with selection into the of an 2013-2014 for the new school start architect budget is up costs.” and engiadditional neering reserves.

— Scott Hodgins firm.

Hodgins School Board President “That’s explained another that was reason also a priwhy it is important to ority with the board and build reserves,” Hodgins school district. Until this said. “We need to have year, the reserves have enough (money) reserved been declining. for the new school start up “We had to turn that trend around if we want to costs.”

Additionally the board run a bond issue,” he said. approved a recommenda“To get the best bond rattion to engage the sering possible which affects vices of Educational Data the rate of the bond, we Solutions, a demographic need reserves.” firm, to help with longBecause of a combinarange student projections. tion of population growth The next school board and a state push toward meeting will be at 6:30 full-day kindergarten, p.m. Aug. 29 in the district officials estimate Snoqualmie City Hall at another 28 elementary 38624 S.E. River St. classrooms will be needed by 2015. Earlier this year the district held a series of Sherry Grindeland can be reached at focus groups and public editor@snovalleystar.com or 425-392study sessions as a step 6434 ext. 246. toward building a sixth

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AUGUST 22, 2013

Hospital continues Painting a Picture of Health community meetings Snoqualmie Valley Hospital will hold three more health needs assessment forums this month.

The hospital is seeking input to help identify the primary health concerns in the community.

The forums will be at: 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 22, Fall City Library, 33415 S.E. 42nd Place, Fall City 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 28, Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church, 36017 S.E. Fish Hatchery Road, Fall City.

The meetings are interactive and address such topics as challenges to healthy lifestyles, who should be setting community benchmarks,

EFR From Page 1 ment.”

Sammamish officials have been exploring other options for fire service.

They describe the current funding model as unfair because it bases payments on the value of property rather than the number of service calls.

That means Sammamish contributes a larger portion because it has the highest property

and queries participants on what they think are health issues as measured by agencies. Discussion includes prevention versus treatment on conditions such as obesity, mental health, substance abuse and hypertension.

Two forums were held in July. Some of the answers to the questions, participants in the first meetings said, will surprise you.

Register for the free forums at www.svhd4.org and click “Community Forum” under “Community” or call 8312300, ext. 202. Seating is limited.

Registration open for Si View programs Join a team, take a

values in the group.

So, Sammamish officials had asked EFR to switch to a funding model based 75 percent on property value and 25 percent on service call volume. Other EFR partners rejected the proposal in March.

For Sopitch, the best case scenario would be a way to keep Sammamish in EFR. “I like thinking about a solution to keep everyone together,” he said. “I think things will look differently after we’ve been through this process.”

In other business at the

class, or learn to swim this fall. Registration is open for Si View Community Center activities. There are activities for all ages, from toddlers to seniors. Some new programs this year include acting and improvisation classes for teens and adults, a self defense seminar for women, Spanish enrichment class, and a youth theater class for home-school students.

The September to December program guide is available at www.siviewpark.org. Printed copies are available at the Si View Community Center at 400 S.E. Orchard Drive, North Bend.

For additional information about the Si View Metropolitan Park District and current programs, please visit www.siviewpark.org or call us at 425831-1900.

Aug. 8 meeting, Fire Chief Lee Soptich said he’s withdrawn the EFR letter to terminate the NORCOM contract. NORCOM, the emergency dispatch system that provides service to 14 fire districts including EFR and several police departments, faced similar friction from member agencies because of problems with a new computer-aided-dispatch system.

An independent facilitator helped NORCOM members work through the partners’ strategic goals and come to an agreement.

Bringing You Generations of Smiles Three generations of the Finkelstein Family

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PAGE 3

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Cynthia Golpe Charlotte Jacobs Jan Marie Johnson Jill Massengill Shari MacRae Amy Moszeter Kathy Paulus

David Piper Fritz Ribary Minna Rudd Kathy Ryan Katie Weber Pam Whittington

And all the artists who contributed to the art show.

Our Volunteers: Steve Atkinson Judy Bilanko Gary Clesson Marsha Clesson Marilyn Chambers Tony Christensen LeeAnn Coker JD Duggan Brian Findley Joy Findley Ryan Findley Leanne Gann Steve Goldberg Chris Grina Leslie Hall Rullie Harris and his grandson Maddie Hotchkin Debbie Imling Ann Kertson, Edge PT Brooke Kirkbride Raven Klineburger

Our Festival Committee: Camille Bodey Tina Brandon Alraune Chowdhruy Jina Clark Mitch Comstock Barb Danek Mike Fink

And the countless others who volunteered to help with the festival.

PAGE 4

Opinion

AUGUST 22, 2013

Editorial

Home Country

Engaged citizens can make a big difference

Windy passionately pitches his own brand of ‘cow pasture tea’

Sometimes Mr. Smith can go to Washington, or at least Mrs. Harsh can go to Olympia.

Gail Harsh, of Sammamish, was one of dozens of people from around the state who wanted to change a law about the statute of limitations when it comes to victims of child sexual abuse.

The group became deeply involved in the legislative process, learning on the fly who to contact and how to help push the bill through the layers of committee and floor votes.

They contacted friends around the state to put pressure on lawmakers from different regions instead of just their own.

They then took the courageous step of going to Olympia to tell their stories. In those committee rooms, the speaker is situated well below the committee members, and the gallery is full of others from around the state. For people afraid of public speaking, the setup alone is a nightmare.

But they went and they spoke from the heart. Harsh told her story about a daughter who was abused. Others, told their own stories — publically acknowledging that they had been the victim of an unspeakable crime.

It worked. They managed to put pressure on the right places, and their stories likely had an impact. As state Senator Andy Hill said, while lawmakers get piles of data, hearing the emotional plea from an actual person can often be more persuasive. State Rep. Jay Rodne (R-5) was a co-sponsor of the bill in the house.

In a perfect world, no one would have the first-hand knowledge that these men and women have. But they do.

In this less-than-perfect world, citizens across the state owe a debt to those who pushed for this change to the law. Now people have a more realistic time frame in which they can seek justice. Someone abused by a family member has time to become and adult, move out of the house and set up a support system before they attempt the difficult task of telling police what happened to them. Children no longer must live in silence.

A small dedicated group pushed for common sense changes to the law and succeeded. They have not only honored their loved ones, but have helped us all.

Editor’s note

You have to hand it to Windy. When Alphonse “Windy” Wilson chooses to speak, it is a bombastic sampling of creativity.

Windy has yet to find a word he can’t make better through his own unique methods.

What got him fired up the other day was a meeting of the ladies of the garden club down at the nursery. On the one day a week Dewey spends helping others; Windy helps Dewey with the manure business.

Today wasn’t a helper day, but he couldn’t pass up the audience.

They hadn’t gotten through old business when Windy stood, smiled, and spoke.

“Dear ladies,” he said, “what an opera-tune moment this is, finding you all coagulated here in an effort to beatify the yards of our fair town. And what, you may ask, brings me to this conflagration?

“It’s the latest thing in gardening. Our chairman

Share your views Make a difference by contacting elected officials.

Federal President Barack Obama

Dear Readers:

One of the most powerful stories I’ve read recently appeared Aug. 15 in the Sammamish Review, one of the Star’s sister newspapers. It deals with every parent’s nightmare – that your child may be sexually abused.

For Gail Harsh of Sammamish, the pain of knowing her child had been abused was intensified when the daughter died at the age of 15. Adding to the horror, the men who abused her daughter were no longer liable for prosecution because there was a statue of limitations on reporting the crime.

Instead of burying her grief, Harsh became an advocate to get state law changed. Local lawmakers, including State Rep. Jay Rodne (R-5), got the law changed this past legislative session.

The story begins: Gail Harsh was giving herself one chance. One chance to honor a dead daughter who’d endured years of sexual abuse. One chance to open herself to rooms full of strangers and tell her heartbreaking story. One chance to change state law to make it easier for victims to seek justice.

She did it.

“I can do this once. I can pour my heart into it one time,” said Harsh, a Sammamish resident. “It took a lot, emotionally, to tell about our daughter.”

Along with a phalanx of others from around the state, Harsh lobbied to change the statute of limitations for reporting and prosecuting cases of child rape.

Read the complete story at: http://sammamishreview.com/2013/08/15/sammamish-woman-helps-change-law-for-victims-of-abuse.

You, too, can make a difference. Get involved. Help in the community.

Deborah Berto

Publisher

Sherry Grindeland

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Washington, D.C. 20510; 202-224-2621; http://murray.senate.gov/; Jackson Federal Building, Room 2988, 915 Second Ave., Seattle, WA 98174; 206553-5545 U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert (R-8th District), 1730 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; 202-225-7761; 22605 SE 56th St., Ste. 130, Issaquah, WA 98029; 425677-7414; www.house.gov/ reichert

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life perambulates deep into the rootiness of the grass and makes it want to grow.”

He smiled at the group and noticed a lot of them were giggling in appreciation of his talk. He puffed up and continued.

“And what does the Dewey Decker Manure Combine charge for this incompartible service?

“A mere $10 for an average-sized lawn. Think about that, ladies. Ten dollars. Twenty fifty-cent pieces. Why you’d spend more than that on a wedding dress or a trip to the Bermudas!”

A number of the ladies clapped at that, thinking that might satisfy him, and it did. He smiled and sat.

He could get used to this corporate life. Maybe it wasn’t too late to climb the ladder to success.

Editor

David Hayes Ari Cetron

of the board refers to it as ‘cow pasture tea’ and it nutritionalizSlim Randles es plants Columnist right down to bedrock. As Dewey says, the only way to improve on cow manure is to liquidize it. Well, he hasn’t said it yet, but he will.

“Now what exactly is cow pasture tea you’re undoubtedly asking yourselves at this moment. It’s a varietal combination of composted cow manure, water, and some acid we put in there to matriculate it properly into the life-giving succulence we require. Then we put it in a drum and pull the drum behind a tractorlike conveyance that looks an awful lot like an old riding lawn mower. We spray this on your lawn, and in ninja-seconds, this liquor of

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SnoValley Star

AUGUST 22, 2013

YOUR WEEK

PAGE 5

SCHEDULE THIS: Golfers don’t quit the game because they get old. They get old because they quit the game. Come watch the still young at heart pros at the Boeing Classic PGA Champions Tour from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Aug. 25 at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge, 36005 S.E. Ridge St. Tickets are $20/daily, $40/tournament, $60 weekly, kids 14 and under are free with a paying adult. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or by calling 965-3915.

Send your news Send items for Your Week to newsclerk@ isspress.com by noon Friday.

THE CALENDAR FOR AUGUST 23-29 FRI

SAT

SUN

MON

TUES

WED

THUR

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

q Boeing Classic PGA Champions Tour, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., TPC Snoqualmie Ridge, 36005 S.E. Ridge St., Aug 19-25, tickets $20/daily, $40/tournament, $60 weekly, kids 14 and under free with paying adult, tickets available through Ticketmaster, 9653915

q Wing and Bone with Dominique Fraissard, 7:30, The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie, $5 cover

q Kareem Kandi Trio, 7 p.m., Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend q Mental illness support group, 7-8:30 p.m. Fridays, Snoqualmie Fire Station, 37600 S.E. Snoqualmie Parkway, free for anyone with a mental illness or who has a family member with a mental illness, 8292417

q Soccer in the Park, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Snoqualmie Valley YMCA, 35018 S.E. Ridge St., 2563115, free q Learn to English Country Dance, 10 a.m. to noon for kids ages five to 10, 1-3 p.m. for ages 11-16, location TBA, $2 donation at door, mhkent@msn.com q Wild Game Dinner and Auction, 6 p.m., SnoValley Senior Center, 4610 Stephens Ave., Carnation, Snoqualmie Valley Elk Management Group’s annual fundraiser, tickets $40, contact Sharen Marshall at 9419107, Matt Yancy at 941-2846, Harold Erland at 698-3180 or Jim Gildersleeve at 799-0556 for tickets q Katy Bourne Quartet, 7 p.m., Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend q Karaoke Night, 8 p.m., Mt. Si Pub, 45530 S.E. North Bend Way q Leslie Wake, 7:30, The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie q Snoqualmie Arts Market, noon4 p.m., Railroad Community Park, 7971 Railroad Ave. S.E.

q Sounds of Snoqualmie: Pickled Okra (bluegrass), 1-3 p.m., Snoqualmie Community Park, 35016 S.E. Ridge Street, all ages, free q Sunday Fundays for Families, 2-4 p.m., Snoqualmie Valley YMCA, 35018 S.E. Ridge St., free for facility members, drop-in rates apply for program members, 256-3115 q Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater presents: “Oliver!” 2 p.m., Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater, 36800 S.E. David Powell Road, Fall City, tickets $20/ adults, $18/seniors and students, $10/ children, 736-7252 q Meet the Artists Reception, 4-5:30 p.m., Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend, meet Laurel Check, Alraune Chowdbury, Ranita Chowdbury, Sandy Robinson and Chris Roughton from the Mt. Si Art Guild. q Our Lady of Sorrows Parish fundraiser: ‘International Festival,’ 1-4 p.m., Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Hall, 39025 S.E. Alpha Street, Snoqualmie, 9419009 q Danny Kolke Trio, 6 p.m., Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend

q Northwest Railway Museum Train Rides, leaving from Snoqualmie station, 38625 S.E. King Street, at 12:01, 1:31, 3:01 and 3:46 p.m., North Bend station, 205 McClellan Street, at 12:31, 2:01 and 3:31 p.m. q Bob Baumann and Friends, 7 p.m., Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend q City Council meeting, 7-9 p.m., City Hall, 38624 S.E. River Street, jwarren@ci.snoqualmie. wa.us, 888-1555 ext.

1118 q Movie night, 9 p.m., Finaghty’s, 7726 Center Blvd.

S.E., Snoqualmie, free popcorn!

q School’s Out Matinee: ‘Rise of the Guardians,’ noon, through Thursday, North Bend Theater, 125 Bendigo Blvd. N., rated PG

q Community Health Forum: Is our community healthy?, 6-7:30 p.m., Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church, 36017 S.E. Fish Hatchery Road, Fall City, preregistration required, 425831-2300 ext. 202

q Farmer’s Market and Summer Concerts, 4-8 p.m., Si View Park, 400 S.E. Orchard Drive, North Bend, live entertainment begins at 6 p.m., free

q Shoreline Hearings Board, 5-6 p.m., City Hall, 38624 S.E. River Street, Snoqualmie, lhollenbeck@ ci.snoqualmie.wa.us or 425-888-5337

q Jackie Pock, 7:30 p.m., The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie

q Courtney Cutchins Duo, 7 p.m., Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend q Community and Economic Affairs Committee, 5-6 p.m., City Hall, 38624 S.E. River Street, jpliego@ ci.snoqualmie.wa.us, 888-1555 ext. 1125

q Public Hearing for proposed subdivision, 6:30-7:30 p.m., City Hall, 38624 S.E. River Street, Snoqualmie, ntucker@ ci.snoqualmie.wa.us

q Sno Valley Teen Closet, 5-7 p.m., Mt. Si Lutheran Church, 411 N.E. 8th St., North Bend, clothing bank for teens grades 6-12, free, ruther3651@gmail. com

q Transportation and Public Works Committee, 4-5:30, Public Works Department, 1155 E. North Bend Way, North Bend

q Bill Anschell and Bill Ramsay, 7 p.m., Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend q Public Safety meeting, 5-6 p.m., Snoqualmie Fire Station, 37600 S.E. Snoqualmie Pkwy., lluizzo@ ci.snoqualmie. wa.us, 888-1551 q Economic Development Commission, 7:459 a.m., Community and Economic Development Dept., 126 E. Fourth Street, North Bend

SnoValley Star

PAGE 6

AUGUST 22, 2013

Veterans will vie for title at Boeing classic

By Scott Hanson Seattle Times While golf tournament directors like to boast about the number of major champions in their fields, a couple of rookies who are known for falling just short in that pursuit are among the headliners in the Boeing Classic, which begins Friday at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge.

Colin Montgomerie, one of the greatest players in European history and a World Golf Hall of Famer, was runner-up in five major tournaments and is still looking for his first official Tour win in the United States. Rocco Mediate, who won his Champions Tour debut earlier this year, is best known for losing to Tiger Woods in a 19-hole playoff at the 2008 U.S. Open.

Montgomerie, who has two top10 finishes in his first four events on the 50-and-over Champions Tour, and Mediate are among the favorites. But they’ll have to deal with Seattle native Fred Couples, Bernhard Langer, Mark O’Meara,

Boeing Classic at a glance What: Champions Tour event for golfers 50 and older.

Where: TPC Snoqualmie Ridge When: Tournament begins Aug 23.

Schedule of events: Pro-Am Day 7:45 a.m. Aug. 23 and 24; first round begins at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 25. Final round times to be determined for Aug. 26.

Tickets: $20 daily; $40 for FridaySunday; $60 for the week. Children 14 and under: free general admission with a paid adult. Seniors 60 and over get 50 percent off. Boeing employees and retirees along with one guest get free admission with Boeing ID. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or at boeingclassic.com Parking: $10 with a shuttle taking fans to the course.

More information: boeingclassic.com

Kenny Perry and defending champion Jay Don Blake among others.

Montgomerie won the European Merit of Honor a record eight times, including seven in a row from 1993-

99. One of the greatest players never to win a major, he has finished second five times in majors. He was second three times in the U.S. Open, and lost one of those in a playoff.

He also lost the PGA Championship in a playoff.

Also making his Boeing debut will be Rick Fehr, the Nathan Hale of Seattle graduate who won twice on the PGA Tour and came so close four other times, losing in playoffs.

Speaking of playoffs, the Boeing Classic is known for them, including the seven-man playoff in 2007 that was the largest in Tour history.

The past two tournaments have also been decided by playoffs, with Blake beating O’Meara last year.

The tournament begins Aug. 23, but the Classic has been a weeklong event, beginning with Monday’s Seahawks Rumble at The Ridge that featured former NFL greats and other celebrities. At 11:20 a.m.

Aug.23, 10 minutes before the first tee times, the annual Boeing jet flyover will christen the ninth edition of the event.

Have fun at the Boeing Classic!

Your D

File photo

Jay Don Blake reacts after winning the three-day Boeing Classic tournament in 2012. He went head to head against Mark O’Meara in two playoff holes.

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Fly for show, then pros putt for dough While the main show will be on the fairways and greens at TPC Snoqualmie for the Boeing Classic Tournament, all eyes will be on the sky Aug. 23 and 25 for two flyovers.

A Boeing jet will fly over the golf course at 11:20 a.m. Aug 23 to officially open round one of the PGA champions’ competition.

A P-51 Mustang and B-25 Bomber from the Flying Heritage Collection will flyover at approximately 9:45 a.m. Aug. 25, as part of the opening ceremony held just before the first the tee-off. Aug.

25 has been designated the Tournament’s Military Appreciation Day. The B-25 Mitchell bomber was the most recognized Allied bomber of World War II. The P-51D Mustang is a fighter plane.

PAGE 7

The P-51 in the Flying Heritage Collection was built in January, 1945, in California and accepted by the Army on Jan. 22, 1945.

The Flying Heritage Collection, established by philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, includes what is considered some of the most important military aircraft that ever flew.

These rare aircraft and artifacts, based at Paine Field in Everett, have been restored to their original working condition.

Military Appreciation Day honors our country and our military past and present. Military personnel will receive free admission to the tournament.

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AUGUST 22, 2013

State PTA President wants parents in school with their children

By Kevin Ebi As parents get ready to send their children back to school, Heather Gillette hopes they will become involved with the school as well.

Gillette, of North Bend, began her two-year term as president of the Washington State PTA in June and says becoming Heather Gillette involved with the PTA can help give you unique insight into your children and their education, as well as an opportunity to advocate to improve schools on their behalf. Her children are in college now, but she was involved in the PTA units as they worked their way through Issaquah schools, starting their first day of kindergarten.

“I loved getting in and knowing the teacher a little better,” she said. “I could understand at any given age what was really going on in my children’s lives.”

Looking back at her own mother, Gillette understands the unique insight she must have

gained by being involved with the PTA as she was growing up.

“She knew my friends better because she was there, active and knew what was going on,” Gillette said of her mother’s PTA involvement when she was in school. “My house was the house to hang out at because everybody knew my mom and they felt comfortable being there.”

With about 140,000 members and 900 units in schools across the state, the Washington State PTA is the state’s largest volunteer organization. Just two months into her presidency, Gillette has ambitious goals.

“Advocacy is a big goal for me,” she said. “We really want to focus on helping our members understand that everything they do is child advocacy.

“When they talk to their teacher about their own child, that’s child advocacy. When they go to a science fair, that’s child advocacy. When they go out and fundraise for playground equipment, that’s child advocacy.”

Advocacy, she said, is what results in reasonable graduation requirements, healthier school See PTA, Page 9

Contributed

Parents should consider the amount of weight their students will carry and be sure backpacks fit properly to avoid back problems.

Pack light: Backpack safety matters

By Christina Corrales-Toy As the bustle of the backto-school shopping season descends upon Sammamish families, it’s likely that a new backpack is at the top of the shopping list.

For younger students, the backpack featuring a student’s favorite cartoon character will likely stand out, while older students might prefer a particularly hip design, but it’s not the color that matters so much as the function.

Studies show that over-

loaded or improperly worn backpacks can cause back, neck and shoulder pain that, if left untreated, could grow worse into adulthood.

“I think purchasing a properly fitting backpack is a good place to start,” said Dr. Carrie Babcox, of Issaquah Family Chiropractic.

A backpack is always the best option because it evenly distributes the weight of its contents across the student’s body, Babcox said. Stay away from book bags with only a single strap or over-the-shoul-

der messenger bags that place a heavier burden on just one side of a child or teen’s body.

Students should look for backpacks with wider, padded straps that also offer a padded back, crucial for lower back support. Backpacks with a waist strap also help even the distribution of weight, particularly taking stress away from the shoulders.

While students have control in the type of backpack they purchase, the control lessens a See BACK Page 9

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Back From Page 8 bit when it comes to its contents. Students are required to attend school prepared with the proper supplies, textbooks and notebooks.

“Kids shouldn’t be carrying more than 20 percent of their body weight,” said Dr. Rachel Catini, of Issaquah Family Chiropractic.

“The kids nowadays are carrying a lot more than what they should be.”

The ideal number is actually in the 15 percent to 20 percent range, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

That means a 100-pound student should only carry about 15-20 pounds.

The problem is not just isolated to middle and high school students, though. It’s becoming an issue for early elementary school students as well, Catini said.

“If you look at these pixie little kids, they

really shouldn’t be carrying a lot more than 10 pounds,” she said. “It’s starting in elementary school. Probably not so much kindergarten and not so much preschool, but it is definitely happening in elementary school.”

The weight of school materials can certainly add up, especially for students that don’t have the luxury of a locker, as is the case in many of the Issaquah School District facilities.

“When they don’t get a locker, that’s a lot harder on their spines,” Catini said. “The kids definitely come in complaining about their backs more when they have to do that.”

One solution to the problem is to get two sets of textbooks for students, one to use at school, and one for home, so they don’t have to worry about carrying them back and forth, Catini and Babcox advised.

Students and parents should also be vigilant about what exactly goes

into the backpack, using the space as efficiently as possible.

“Make sure that you’re putting the essentials into the backpacks as opposed to a Nintendo DS,” Babcox said.

Kids and teens should also make sure they understand how to properly pick up a backpack, a useful tool for those students who must pick them up after every period.

“Rather than just reaching down, bend and use your knees to pick up the backpack to reduce strain on the back and spine,” Babcox said.

If students do start to complain of back pain, Babcox and Catini suggested that parents take them to a doctor right away, before the problem becomes less manageable.

“Sometimes, parents think it’s a phase, it will pass or that it’s growing pains. We get that a lot,” Catini said. “Yes, to some degree it can be growing pains, but for the most part, it really shouldn’t be.”

PAGE 9

PTA

without that tool tried lobbying the board to no avail. After the PTA units organized a district-wide effort, the school board adjusted its priorities and rolled out online grading to everyone.

Gillette said a similar advocacy effort can be useful around the arts, for example. She’s heard from parents who are frustrated that tough graduation requirements leave no room in the school day for visual arts or music.

She said school boards can set those requirements without understanding that arts are the only things that motivate some children to go to school in the first place. The PTA can help raise that issue, but it takes the support of passionate parents to make a difference.

“We were able to make some room on graduation requirements and that was largely due the parent

From Page 8

lunches, or better state funding for education.

And it begins with passionate parents. She needs parents who are already involved with their own children to see that joining the PTA and talking to the school board or their state legislator is a next easy step.

“I got involved in PTA for my own kids,” Gillette said. “With PTA, I can benefit all the kids in my school. And if it’s good for my school, then why isn’t it good for that school down the street? And if it’s good for that school, then why isn’t it good for the school in the other city?”

She points to success lobbying Issaquah schools to roll out online grading district-wide. Before the local PTA got involved, only parents with children in certain schools were able to log on to a secure website to see how their kids were doing.

Individual schools

voice,” Gillette said of arts education in Issaquah.

Parents who are somewhat reluctant to volunteer may have their fears eased by Gillette’s own experience with the PTA. She wasn’t particularly fond of fundraising and she gets bored doing the same task over and over.

Over the years, she never got bored with the work.

She says while it is important to step out of your comfort zone, the PTA let her channel her experience and interests in ways that could have the biggest impact, while using parents with other interests, such as fundraising, to concentrate on those areas.

“We all have strengths in different areas,” she said. “That’s what’s great about PTA. We can take those different people with different strengths and pull them together and have something fantastic.”

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AUGUST 22, 2013

River runs cold but hike worth effort

By Gloria Vazquez The river runs cold along the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River -- really cold. Even so, the beauty of this river simply amazes me.

I have to pinch myself sometimes to think that I somehow ended up living in such a beautiful place like the Snoqualmie Valley. The air is clean and the trees are endless. Our towns are small and heavy traffic has yet to leave its mark on them.

We’ve got it, good friends, and

for those of us who enjoy hiking, there is no shortage of trails to explore and enjoy.

If you enjoy the river and want to spend some time outdoors away from town, consider hiking the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Trail.

Whether you decide to hike upstream or downstream, you will find hiking alongside the river to be a delightful and refreshing experience, especially in the warm summer months.

The greatest challenge will be driving down the rugged and

rocky Middle Fork Road for nearly 12 miles. While the drive is hard on the tires, the views along the way are stunning.

There are plenty of places to stop along the way, and take photos or just soak in the rugged beauty.

The Middle Fork Trailhead is clearly marked, and there is a spacious parking area with bathroom facilities. Once on foot, you cross a beautiful suspension footbridge held up by cables that was built by volunteers.

Make sure to take in the views of

The DarkSide overcame them all

Contributed photo

Gloria Vazquez walks across the bridge that spans the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River. The Trail of the same name hugs the river bank and offers good views of the water. the river below and the mountains above.

After crossing the bridge, hikers have a choice of turning left, and hiking upstream for a total of 6 miles, or turning right and hiking downstream along the river’s edge for a few miles. Most hike upstream, so if you are seeking greater solace, you may wish to hike downstream.

Either way, both trails are deeply forested, peaceful, and offer beautiful views of the river and surrounding mountains.

You may wish to pack a snack or lunch as there are plenty of rocks to rest on by the river’s edge. The trail is suitable for

children and dogs.

A word of caution: No matter how hot the day is, the river runs swift with a strong undertow. Avoid wading into the water. But you can cool your feet off while sitting by the side of the river. That’s how I know this is one cold river!

Hike of the Week

Contributed

The DarkSide recently won the Snoqualmie men’s softball title. Pictured, left to right in the back row: Loren Simmons, Paul Stuit, Greg Gillard, Brian Rose, Tom Barrett, Mike Anderson, Terry Entriken and coach Ryan Coy. Front row: Wade Clem, Joe Grzetic III, and Chad Thompson holding Darth Vader.

Missing team members include: Gary Horn, Charlie Watters, Mark Niemela, Rick Davies, Justin Rose, Peter Cleveland, J.B. Champion and Jim Canon.

The DarkSide team won the Snoqualmie men’s recreational softball championship, defeating Scared Hitless 19-8 Aug. 8 at Swenson Field. The Alcoballics finished third

in the championship series.

The men’s softball league started in 2010.

All participants are fathers. This is the first year the DarkSide has won the championship.

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SnoValley Star

AUGUST 22, 2013

Obituary Robert Anthony Kumbalek Robert Anthony Kumbalek, North Bend Oct. 23, 1951 – Aug. 10, 2013 US Navy Corpsman Veteran and Med Tech at local Washington hospi-

Police blotter Snoqualmie Odorless event Firefighters responded Aug. 14 to the report of an ammonia odor at the intersection of Highway 18 and I-90. Nothing was found when they arrived.

Light my fire Firefighters responded to a report in downtown about a power line in a tree. The power line was sparking. Puget Sound Energy sent a technician to handle the problem.

North Bend Friendly theft The Sheriff responded to a call at 4:22 p.m. Aug. 10 about a larceny in the

tals.

Survived by wife Nancy Kumbalek; children Corrie Robert Kumbalek Anthony and Beth Kumbalek Blumenstein; mother Irene Kumbalek; brother

Mike Kumbalek; sisters Cheryl Nordmark, Caryl McCone and Sue Brabeck; and grandchildren Ainsley and Charlie Blumenstein.

Laid to rest Aug. 15, 2013, at Tahoma National Cemetery. Please sign the guestbook at www.flintofts. com.

– Flintoft’s Funeral Home 392-6444

100 block of Main Avenue North. The homeowner was reporting a theft, possibly committed by a friend.

way. The fight started when one participant fell onto the woman, causing a large bump on her head.

Clean out your Broken window, pockets before going open door An officer responded to jail A suspect was getting booked into jail at 8:28 p.m. Aug. 10 when the officer discovered the person was carrying an illegal controlled substance.

Found in the street At 7:49 p.m. Aug. 12, an officer responded to a caller who found a wallet in the 200 block of North Bend Way.

Injured by flying bodies

The Sheriff responded to a call at 10:57 p.m. Aug. 10 in the Sure Shot Tavern where a fight was under-

to a call at 11:08 Aug. 11 in the 1500 block of Rock Creed Ridge that a vehicle had been broken into. The front passenger side window had been smashed and the passenger door was also open.

Tips tiptoe away At 6:54 p.m. Aug. 13, an officer responded to Pioneer Coffee, 202 West North Bend Way. A male had taken the tip jar and the proprietor’s cell phone and ran away. He was accompanied by a Labrador dog. The suspect was later apprehended.

There was no report on what happened to the dog.

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wheel&motor Ten reasons why buying a new car might be cheaper than you think (BPT) - Are you driving around in a car that’s a decade or more old? If so, you’re not alone. The number of older vehicles on the road in the United States has increased by more than 17 million since 2009, according to Experian Automotive.

The average age of the more than 245 million vehicles on U.S. roads is up to a nationwide-high of 11 years old.

As your car ages and the miles pile up, it’s important to consider your options before you’re left on the side of the road wondering why you didn’t upgrade sooner. While buying a new car might seem like the pricier way to go, just think of the costs you pay to keep your old car running - constant trips to the shop for repairs can certainly start to add up and often come without warning.

But buying a new car these days doesn’t have to break the bank, either.

With new safety features including crash avoidance technology and anti-theft systems, you can actually save some money in the long run, especially when it comes to insurance coverage.

“Safety features for older cars were all designed to protect occupants in a crash.

Today’s technology is designed to help avoid the crash entirely,” says Freeman.

“Cars with the latest safety features tend to crash less, and insurers take that into account when setting rates. On the flip side, older vehicles on the road do not have these latest technological safety features, so they tend to crash more and therefore may cost more to insure.”

Here are 10 increasingly common newcar features that could help reduce your insurance premiums. Some include specific insurance discounts, while others simply lower the overall cost of insurance because of their positive effect on reducing crashes or thefts

1. Air bags 2. Anti-lock brakes 3. Passive restraint systems 4. Alarm systems/anti-theft devices 5. Automatic vehicle disabling devices 6. Back-up cameras 7. Electronic stability control 8. Automatic braking systems 9. Intelligent cruise control 10. Lane departure warning systems So if you think it might be time to spend money on an upgrade, remember which features could not only make you safer, but also save you money on your insurance premiums. You might be able to put the money you save toward another new car 11 years from now.

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AUGUST 22, 2013