Your locally-owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington
Sept. 20, 2012 VOL. 4, NO. 38
Plug it in
Wildcats crush Rebels, 60-6 Page 8
North Bend fights graffiti
Smile big for the camera
Electric car effort comes to the Valley. Page 2
By Michele Mihalovich
Uphill battle Snoqualmie man begins write-in campaign for president. Page 3
By Sebastian Moraga
Roslyn Hernandez , a second-grader from Snoqualmie, flashes her finest smile at the camera for Picture Day at Fall City Elementary School. See more photos on Page 9 and check out a slideshow at www.snovalleystar.com.
The North Bend City Council wants to get a handle on the increased cases of possible gang graffiti around town, so it created a new law Sept. 4 that requires property owners to clean up taggings within 48 hours. City Administrator Londi Lindell said Police Chief Mark Toner has been reporting a notable rise in gang graffiti on public and private property, and that studies from the National Crime Prevention Council indicate that if graffiti is removed quickly, there is little chance of it reoccurring. Lindell said most of the taggings are happening on bridges and overpasses out by Interstate 90. “From what I understand, people from out of the area are stopping by and leaving their artwork,” she said. “We don’t want that to be the first thing See GRAFFITI, Page 2
Sing it out Jazz Walk draws hundreds. Pages 3 and 7
Ready for a run Volleyball team hopes to make a go at state. Page 8
On the Web Valley teacher honored for work with post at Education Week. Page 9
Police blotter Page 10 Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71 POSTAL CUSTOMER
Snoqualmie man shoots and kills bear in the city By Michele Mihalovich Snoqualmie police and the state Department of Fish and Wildlife are investigating a Snoqualmie man who shot and killed a black bear late Sept. 10. Investigators wouldn’t release the man’s name, but Capt. Nick Almquist, with the Snoqualmie Police Department, said the man is in his late 20s. Almquist said the man dialed 911 about 11:45 p.m. to report that he had shot a bear. The incident occurred in the 34000 block of Strouf Street, in a section of Snoqualmie Ridge with cottages that do not have garages to secure their garbage cans. Almquist did say the bear was in the man’s garbage. “I can’t say much about the incident because it’s still being investigated,” Almquist said.
“But he said he did have a runin with the bear and essentially fired his handgun.” Almquist also said the same man shot at a bear last November in his Snoqualmie Ridge neighborhood, but that the bear was not injured in the incident and that the man fired in self-defense in that incident. Chris Moszeter, a fish and wildlife officer, was called to the scene of the recent shooting to investigate and perform a field necropsy. He also said he wouldn’t comment on the particulars about whether the bear was shot on the man’s property or how many bullets he found in the bear. Moszeter did say the bear was a big, beautiful specimen, about 5 years old and roughly See BEAR, Page 2
Pair of teens die after fall while hiking outside of North Bend By Michele Mihalovich Two Federal Way teenagers died after falling during a hike near Otter Falls outside of North Bend Sept. 16. Sgt. Cindi West, with the King County Sheriff’s Office, said the county’s search and rescue unit was alerted at about 7:30 p.m. that evening about the boys’ fall. She said a group of four teen boys was hiking in the area, and that two of the boys, ages 16 and 18, fell when they were climbing a rock near the falls. The two other teens tried to help the injured boys, West said. One, the brother of one of those injured, ran down the trail for help and found two other hikers who went up the trail to assist the injured boys. The teen continued five more miles down the trail
until he was able to find a Forest Service employee who called 911, she said. West added that there is no cell service in the area, so it is likely that the employee had to drive down the mountain to call 911. “Apparently, the two men who went back up the trail to help stayed with the two injured boys and the other boy, and made a fire to keep them warm while waiting for rescue personnel,” she said. “I am told they also did CPR on the two boys when they stopped breathing.” She said that when the search and rescue teams arrived, the boys had already died as a result of their injuries. Snohomish County also responded with a helicopter. West said she did not have the names of the boys who fell, or of the two hikers who tried to help the injured teens.
SnoValley Star
PAGE 2
Electric vehicle grassroots event to come to Snoqualmie
Bear
Snoqualmie has been chosen as one of more than 50 locations across the country to host National Plug In Day. This free event will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sept. 23 at Snoqualmie Falls Park, 6501 Railroad Ave. S.E., according to a press release from the city. National Plug In Day is a grassroots event put on by Plug In America and organized by volunteers. It was created to increase awareness of plug-in electric vehicles and also to address common misperceptions about the vehicles, according to the release. The city of Snoqualmie is continually looking to advance its efforts in the areas of conservation and environmental sustainability, according to the release. Snoqualmie has five charging stations — at Snoqualmie City Hall, Snoqualmie Community Center/ YMCA, Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center, and on Falls Avenue Southeast between Southeast River Street and Southeast King Street. A charging station location map is posted on the city website at www.ci.snoqualmie.wa.us and click “Sustainable Snoqualmie” and then “Blink Network.” Learn more at www.pluginday.org.
From Page 1
Graffiti From Page 1 people see when they come into our community.” Lindell said the city will call the Washington State Department of Transportation and let it know an underpass has been tagged. “If we don’t hear from them, then the new law authorizes the
SEPT. 20, 2012
Safety tips for living in bear country
400 pounds. “He was really, really, really healthy with a lot of fat on him,” he said. “He didn’t appear to be a garbage bear. Bears that are eating out of garbage cans are eating food that is very low in nutrition. They usually have a dull coat and are thin looking. It really shows in their overall appearance.” Moszeter did say that a bear being shot for any reason outside of hunting is very rare. Shooting a firearm inside city limits is a misdemeanor, and if found guilty, a person could face up to a year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine, Almquist said. If the police decide to forward the case for charges, it will go to the Issaquah Municipal Court. Moszeter said that if Fish and Wildlife decides to file charges, it would go to King County District Court. “There are a plethora of charges we could file,” he said, ranging from killing a bear without a permit and after hours, to not securing garbage cans. Moszeter had expected to wrap up his investigation in a day or two, but
city to go in and abate the graffiti,” she said. She said if graffiti shows up on a commercial property, the city will call the owner and tell them they have 48 hours to remove it. If the graffiti isn’t removed, the city will go in and remove it, she said. “We’ll do our best to match the paint color, but the most important thing is to make sure the graffiti is removed quickly,” Lindell said.
See safety tips for living in neighborhoods with black bears posted on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/ living. According to the website, the best ways to avoid conflicts with bears are: Don’t feed bears. Often people leave food out for bears, so they can take pictures of them or show them to visiting friends. More than 90 percent of bear/human conflicts result from bears being conditioned to associate food with humans. A wild bear can become permanently food-conditioned after only one handout experience. The sad reality is that these bears will likely die, being killed by someone protecting their property or by a wildlife manager having to remove a potentially dangerous bear. Manage your garbage. Bears will expend a great amount of time and energy digging under, breaking down or crawling over barriers to get food, said Sept. 17 in an email, “Due to the complexities of this case, putting it all together has taken longer than anticipated.” He didn’t specify the complexities.
She said she didn’t think graffiti on residential properties was going to be a problem because most homeowners clean up graffiti right away. Lindell did say a citizen stopped in at City Hall recently to complain about the new law, saying it prevented him from painting messages on the side of his house. She said the new law would not affect his freedom of speech. “If he wants to paint messages on the side of his house,
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Becky Munson, spokeswoman with SPD, said her department will wait for Moszeter to complete his investigation until they forward the case to prosecutors.
he can because certain speech is protected,” Lindell said. “There are limits, of course. He couldn’t write that his neighbors should go out and murder someone. That speech isn’t protected.” The new law also gives the city authority to fine property owners who don’t clean up graffiti within 48 hours. Lindell said the fine is $35 plus $40 to process a civil infraction. But what the city really wants, she said, is for property
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including garbage. If you have a pickup service, put garbage out shortly before the truck arrives — not the night before. If you’re leaving several days before pickup, haul your garbage to a dump. If necessary, frequently haul your garbage to a dumpsite to avoid odors. Keep garbage cans with tight-fitting lids in a shed, garage or fenced area. Spray garbage cans and dumpsters regularly with disinfectants to reduce odors. Keep fish parts and meat waste in your freezer until they can be disposed of properly. If bears are common in your area, consider investing in a commercially available bear-proof garbage container, available through Waste Management. The Snoqualmie Police Department requests that the public call 911 for each bear sighting. Dispatchers will send Snoqualmie police to the location. The police want to track bear activity and they already work closely with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Office on this issue.
owners to clean up the graffiti promptly, and if they can’t or won’t, then the ordinance gives the city the authority to go in and do it. The city is also part of a grant that was submitted by the Snoqualmie Valley Community Network. Lindell said a portion of that grant could go toward the purchase of paint and other supplies needed to establish a volunteer brigade to respond to graffiti taggings.
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SnoValley Star
SEPT. 20, 2012
North Bend Jazz Walk hits the high notes with public By Sebastian Moraga Jazz lovers from the Puget Sound area crowned the first Jazz Walk of Sept. 8 as a success. More than 700 people attended the event, which allowed the public to attend jazz concerts in six different venues for the price of one ticket. Danny Kolke, owner of Boxley’s, one of the venues, said he and the other organizers of the walk hoped for about 500 people. “All the venues were full and people seemed to enjoy going from venue to venue enjoying music in downtown North Bend,” he said. Not only did the public, the venues and the musicians benefit, but places like smoothie shops and delis also saw increased traffic, he added. “All around, it was a great success,” Kolke said. Steve Goldberg, of North Bend, who attended with his wife, said he didn’t have a bad thing to say about the event. “It was terrific,” Goldberg said. “A local idea that turned out to be a success.” Patricia Bennett, a North Bend resident who attended the event, echoed Goldberg’s words. “It was fantastic,” she said. “I loved the feeling of friendship, community, music, that everybody
“A local idea that turned out to be a success.”
— Steve Goldberg North Bend resident was out on the street,” she said. “Loved the music, loved introducing culture to our little community.” Bennett had dinner at Boxley’s, coffee at Pioneer Café, wine at the North Bend Theatre and dessert at the North Bend Bar and Grill. All four spots hosted musicians during the walk. “How’s that for trying to support everybody?” she asked, laughing. “I only missed two.” The walk surprised Kolke, not just in its popularity, but in the fact that just 40 percent of the crowd came from North Bend. People from as far as Tacoma showed up to hear jazz. The event raised money for the Boxley Music Fund, a nonprofit that promotes the study of music in the Valley. More than 30 volunteers helped organize the walk. Kolke said organizers are still tallying the money raised. He credited event chairwoman Audrey Paisley with the success of the event. “Without her, it would have been a very different experience,” Kolke said. Bennett credited Kolke. “What he has done for North Bend, it’s just
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unbelievable,” she said. The walk will definitely happen again in 2013, Kolke said. The question now is what to do to make it better. This year’s organizers kept the walk a small event. In case it bombed, it would remain manageable. Since it did anything but fail, the next Jazz Walk will be bigger for sure, Kolke said. “We’ll have more venues next year and we will look at increasing the hours of the event,” he said. “That’s for sure. How many [venues], we don’t know yet.” Bennett said they should have a Jazz Walk next year. “Go for it,” she said. “Absolutely. Now that we know it works, from a perspective of North Bend and the Valley, it’s great to give North Bend a name that changes the impression that we’re a small, outlying community.” Goldberg said he would probably attend next year and invite more people. “Things like that are always a win-win,” he said of the walk’s first year. “You can’t go wrong because it’s a new idea, and there’s nowhere to go but up.” Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar. com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
PAGE 3
Local announces write-in campaign By Michele Mihalovich Jim Curtis, of North Bend, announced in August that he is suspending his write-in campaign bid for President in order to run as an independent against Dave Reichert. Curtis said on his PeoplesRally blog that he’s now going to pursue a write-in campaign for the state’s 8th Congressional District seat held by the Republican incumbent. He also launched an unsuccessful write-in campaign last year to unseat North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing, who ran unopposed for a third term in 2011. In his blog, Curtis said he is the executive director of the North American Self-Defense Association headquartered in Maple Valley. He said he has more than 50 years of martial arts experience and is ranked as a Ju-Dan or 10th Degree Master in both Shudokai Karate Jutsu and Umibushi Goshin Jutsu. Curtis is a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran and holds a Bachelor of Arts in
Protect horses, humans from West Nile virus The state veterinarian issued a reminder Aug. 22 to vaccinate horses against West Nile virus, as health officials reported a spike in human cases nationwide. Veterinarians have had success in using vaccines for protection against West Nile virus, a potentially fatal disease
On the Web Read Jim Curtis’ PeoplesRally blog at http://peoplesrally. blogspot.com. education from Central Washington University. Reichert, a former King County sheriff, is running for his fifth term as the 8th District U.S. congressman against Democrat Karen Porterfield of Issaquah in the Nov. 7 general election. “As far as my qualifications … I am a Marine Corps combat veteran who was wounded in action over in Vietnam and also a very strong advocate for our military troops as well as all military veterans,” Curtis wrote in an email. “Also, for the past 20 years I have been a very strong advocate for our nation’s youth, especially when it comes to education, fitness and safety training. “Based on the same … I’m certain I would be a much stronger voice than Reichert for all of our nation’s youth, as well in horses. Washington led the nation in confirmed equine cases in 2009 (72 cases) and 2008 (41 cases). Mosquitoes spread West Nile virus after the insects feed on infected birds. Infected horses do not spread the disease to other horses, humans or other
as their parents who are greatly concerned about what the future holds for their children. “Last but not least, I spent nearly 20 years in the banking industry after finishing college and when that career ended I became a small business owner/operator. “So, as a result I have a much stronger understanding of how to handle critical financial issues and what it takes to operate a small business than Reichert has since he spent all of his life in law enforcement prior to taking political office.” People wishing to vote for Curtis must write his name on November’s voting ballot. In order for Curtis to unseat Reichert, he has to receive the most votes. During the 2010 election, Reichert received 123,879 votes, compared to his opponent, Suzan DelBene, who received 123,052. There were 714 write-in votes. Michele Mihalovich: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
animals. Ill horses show a loss of coordination, loss of appetite, confusion, fever, and stiffness and muscle weakness, particularly in the hindquarters. Learn more about West Nile virus at www.doh. wa.gov/WNV.
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Opinion
PAGE 4
Editorial
Letters
Graffiti artists — beware North Bend
Snoqualmie Valley Hospital
The city of North Bend has decided to get a handle on an increasing blemish on the city. If the first thing visitors see when they get off Interstate 90 is a bunch of spray-painted graffiti on overpasses and bridges, they just might get the impression they have pulled into gang territory. City Administrator Londi Lindell said North Bend doesn’t have a gang problem, yet the I-90 corridor appears to be a popular area for people to leave their “artwork.” Studies from the National Crime Prevention Council indicate that if graffiti is removed within 24-48 hours, there is less of a chance of a repeat occurrence. The city’s new law requires property owners to paint over graffiti with 48 hours, but if they don’t remove it, the law authorizes the city to remove it themselves. Lindell said the city could then fine the property owners for failing to remove it, although she doesn’t see the city taking that stance. The most important thing is that the graffiti is removed and hopefully stops future taggings, she said. And we agree. But we’d also like to see an emphasis on catching the taggers and making them do the cleanup.
Hearts are broken We are saddened to learn that two teen boys lost their lives hiking near North Bend. According to police, the two were climbing on a rock near Otter Falls and fell 100 feet. Several heroes stepped up in this tragic situation. Their families are grateful for the kind assistance of the hikers who tried to keep the injured warm, and performed CPR when the boys stopped breathing. We don’t know their names, but that doesn’t make their actions any less heroic. We all hope that in our time of need, kind strangers will step in and help when necessary. Those boys were not alone when they died. And they died knowing good Samaritans can be found way up in the mountains.
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The time has come for private enterprise The time has come to accept that the hospital will always be a drain on the Valley taxpayers. The new, proposed hospital will cost approximately $100 million. You can do the math: approximately $300,000 (lease purchase) per month over 30 years. We need some new ideas. The give-away of the old hospital, at 50 cents on the dollar, almost put me in a coma. How about this? We turn the hospital into a “for-profit” private hospital, such as Overlake and Swedish.
SEPT. 20, 2012
The taxpayers in the district no longer foot the bill to the tune of hundreds of dollars per year. Then, no matter what decisions are made concerning operations, finances, services, etc., these would be private business matters, of no concern to Valley residents. This idea has been floated before, but failed to get any traction. I think we should take a second look. This is not a criticism of the quality of service provided by the hospital. The rank and file do a marvelous job. However, this is not the hospital that was envisioned when the hospital opened 30 years ago. I think the time has come to turn the hospital over to private enterprise. I would welcome any com-
ments or opinion. Herschel Backues North Bend
Jazz Walk
Any many more... My husband and I attended the North Bend Jazz Walk on Sept. 8 and had a fabulous time. The streets and venues were teeming with lively people and music that lent a mini-New Orleans vibe to the town. The event was also exceptionally well-organized and we thank everyone who helped bring this wonderful event to North Bend. Let’s all spread the word about the budding in-place located in the shadow of Mount Si. May we have many more events like this! Kathy Swoyer North Bend
Home Country
Fishing comes in many different forms By Slim Randles There are some who say Jim Albertson, our school principal, sometimes goes a bit too far, but when asked, they can’t really say why. Ask one of the students at the school about “Mr. A.” and they’ll tell you in a whisper that he’s everywhere … and knows everything. Just yesterday, one of the school’s biggest bullies, Butch Peterson, was sent for. He reported to the principal’s office and sat in the waiting room. For 15 minutes. Butch knew it was because Mr. A. was preparing a firing squad in the inner office and they couldn’t find enough ammunition. He’d know for sure it was doom if Mr. A. called him by his last name … “Mr. Peterson …” he said, beckoning Butch inside. Butch was pointed to The Chair in front of Mr. A.’s desk. He sat. Mr. A. looked at him as if deciding which vital organ to remove first, then turned his back on him and looked out the window. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you why you’re in here today.” He spun around and stared a hole through The Chair. The hole had to go through Butch first. “I don’t really …” “Mr. PETERSON … Do I look stupid to you?” “No … sir.”
“Then tell me why you did it.” “It … well, it was Billy’s idea.” “Yesss. And what idea was that?” Slim Randles “About Columnist making fun of the girls …” “Do you like it when people make fun of you, Mr. Peterson?” “No, sir.” “So what do you plan to do about it?” “Maybe I should … apologize?” “Before lunch today.” “Before lunch?” “You like lunch, don’t you?” “Mr. A.? Who told you about this?”
“No one told me, Mr. Peterson. No one has to. I’m the principal. I know these things. And I don’t expect this will ever happen again, will it?” “No, sir.” “You may return to class.” Butch hit the hallway like a fire engine. Mrs. Gleason stuck her head in. “Another fishing trip, Jim?” “Yep. Making fun of the girls this time. Give me a couple more days and then let’s call in Billy Trimble.” “I don’t know how you do it.” “As the Bible says,” Jim said with a grin, “the guilty flee when no one pursueth.” Brought to you by the personally inscribed new book “Home Country,” 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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SEPT. 20, 2012
SnoValley Star
PAGE 5
community
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SEPT. 20, 2012
Children with disabilities have their day at the races Weber has volunteered for the race for years. Her daughters This Sept. 22, two friends will Callie and Sydney participated have a chance to make friends for years, with Sydney as a rider. really fast. “I was 9 when I started,” Actually, they will do everySydney wrote in an email. thing in a hurry. Such is the way “I was 14 the last time I of life once you get paired with rode,” the 17-year-old added. someone and planted inside a She first rode with her sister, racecar. and then with her sister’s friends The first Rotary Club of and with other drivers as she Snoqualmieaged. sponsored Soap Riders can Box Derby ride until they Get involved comes to the are too grown Register for the derby Snoqualmie to fit in the cars, by emailing Becky Kitz Valley this Weber said. at beckykitz@lifeenrichweekend, teamMany times, tanmentoptions.org. ing able-bodied dems repeat year children as drivafter year, she ers and children added, becoming with disabilities friends after the as co-pilots. race. Children must be 5 feet, “It’s always nice to include 2 inches tall or shorter and 130 kids with disabilities in any pounds or lighter to participate. activity with able-bodied kids,” Organizers from Rotary have said Chris Weber, development scheduled this year’s race from assistant with Life Enrichment 9 a.m. to noon on Snoqualmie Options, which started the race Parkway, on the downhill lanes in Issaquah years ago. “But across from the Snoqualmie Fire when you include them in an Station, near the intersection of activity where they are both state Route 202. The parkway fully participating and both will be closed with a detour to get something out of it, a bond 202. forms between them.” Rotary planned and organized
By Sebastian Moraga
Contributed
Eli Dever, at right, drives for a child with disabilities during a soapbox derby. The race, an annual event in Issaquah that lets able-bodied children and children with disabilities team up, comes to the Valley for the first time 9 a.m. Sept. 22. the event, getting the sponsors, Weber said. Life Enrichment Options gathers racers and volunteers. The importance of the event goes beyond the race, Weber said, particularly for the children with disabilities.
“It’s not just the fun,” she said. “They have a sense of accomplishment, especially for some of them who are challenging their fears and they manage to overcome it. It’s really something.” Almost 10 years ago, one of
those children was Sydney, who has autism. “I was a little bit afraid,” she wrote, adding that people cheered for her. “They were yelling, ‘Yay, Sydney, and go, See SOAPBOX, Page 12
Teens learn lessons from canine pals By Sebastian Moraga
By Sebastian Moraga
Jo Simpson, recreation director at Echo Glen Children’s Center and the director of its Canine Connections program, plays with her dog Tux.
The fellows behind the fences arrived at Echo Glen Children’s Center two weeks ago and they hate the place. Their complaints are deafening, their looks threatening. Furthermore, in about eight weeks, they’ll be gone from this juvenile rehabilitation center and inside someone‘s home. By then, Echo Glen Recreation Director Jo Simpson promised, they will be very different dogs. From Chihuahuas to bulldogs, dogs with traumatic pasts and children at the facility help each other overcome their struggles. The program, Canine Connections, is a joint project between Echo Glen and the Issaquah School District, which runs the school inside the facility. With the help of Simpson, who has trained, showed and owned dogs for decades, 10 Echo Glen children reverse the age-old saying and become a dog’s best friend every three months. “Each child becomes the dog’s case manager,” said Patti Berntsen, Echo Glen’s associate
If you go
Canine Connections auction and concert fundraiser 6 p.m. Sept. 21 Dinner starts at 6 p.m.; music begins at 7 p.m. The Black Dog 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E. Snoqualmie 831-DOGS superintendent. This is only week two of the fall quarter, which explains the snarls from the dogs. In a few weeks, these wild dogs that sat in a shelter almost ready to be put to sleep before Echo Glen brought them in will be ready for adoption instead. The therapy the children learn to teach dogs resembles in many ways the therapy the children receive from the staff, Berntsen said. “Recognition, validation, teaching moments, positive reinforcement — they are strong components of behavioral therapy,” she said. Students have to apply to be in the Canine Connections program. Some want to be in it. Some need to be in it, Berntsen
said. “Sometimes,” she said, “it can be very therapeutic for the kids.” The dogs come to enjoy it and grow attached to their case managers. “The dogs just love their kids,” Berntsen said. At the beginning of the 10 weeks, love is in short supply, with troubled children learning how to control troubled dogs. “The life of the dogs sometimes is similar to some of the kids,” Berntsen said. “They’ve been abused, abandoned, delinquent, they are aggressive and violent, and their families can’t take care of them,” Children learn through videos, classroom talks and handson experience how to treat a dog. They can’t yank, jerk, hit or tell dogs no. Sometimes they can’t even use the dogs’ names, as some dogs have associated their names to a sign that punishment is coming, said Simpson, director of the Canine Connections program. Instead, the children have to learn how to communicate, and find other methods to get what See DOGS, Page 10
SEPT. 20, 2012
SnoValley Star
PAGE 7
North Bend gets jazzy
Bernie Jacobs takes off on a solo while playing with the Danny Kolke Trio at Boxley’s
Bill Drew, of the 133rd Army National Guard Band, blows a tenor-sax solo at the North Bend Theatre
Photos by Clay Eals
Jazz Bands took over North Bend Sept. 8 during the city’s Jazz Walk. Bands entertained hundreds at venues across North Bend for about four hours.
At left, as part of an Andrews Sisters tribute, (from left) Gretchen Blair, Sherri Buckler and Charyl Sagar, of the 133rd Army National Guard Band, perform ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree’ at the North Bend Theatre Amy Sassenberg (left), of Carnation, and Kelli Calegari, of North Bend, enjoy a harmonica solo by Paul Green during a set at North Bend Bar and Grill
Leah Stillwell sings as part of a set at the Pioneer Coffee Co. on Saturday evening.
Vocalist Janette West sings, accompanied by pianist Ed Weber and bassist Michael Marcus at
Sports
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SEPT. 20, 2012
Rebels yell more like a squeak, ending in a 60-6 Mount Si victory By Michele Mihalovich Up until the final minutes, it looked like the Mount Si High School football team was going to walk away with its third shutout in a row at the Sept. 14 game against Juanita High School. But Juanita tight end Landyn Milburn crushed that game plan when he ran in the Rebels only touchdown of the night with just two minutes left in the game, bringing the final score to 60-6, Mount Si. “I’m happy for them. I’m glad they got something up on the board,” said Mount Si head coach Charlie Kinnune, who was named as Seattle Seahawks and Sterling Bank’s NFL High School Coach of the Week Sept. 14. It started off rough for the Rebels (1-1), when Mount Si quarterback Nick Mitchell handed off to Joey Cotto, who ran 25 yards for the first touchdown of the night, along with a successful two-point conversion by Methus Weldon for an 8-0 score within the first few minutes of the quarter. The Wildcats (2-0) defense sacked Rebels quarterback Riley Hilliker, who then fumbled the ball. Mount Si’s Griffin McLain recovered the ball and set Mitchell up for a 3-yard run for Mount Si’s second touchdown of the game. Mitchell tossed a 28-yard pass to Trent Riley for Mount Si’s
By Calder Productions
Mount Si High School defensive lineman Zachary Blazevich sacks a Juanita quarterback during the Sept. 14 game, where Mount Si beat Juanita 60-6. third touchdown, 22-0. Trent Riley intercepted a Hilliker pass and then ran it 30 yards for 29-0 score. It was the second interception suffered by Hilliker in the first quarter.
Hank Van Liew intercepted one earlier in the game. History was made in the second quarter when Mount Si kicker Cameron Van Winkle made a 37-yard field goal, his
33rd career field goal, which tied the state record of most career field goals, held by Andrew Furney. Furney, who graduated from Burlington-Edison in 2009, is now a kicker for Washington
State University. Van Winkle, who has committed to the University of Washington, had an opportunity to break the state record a little later in the second quarter with a 21-yard field goal, but missed. “People don’t understand how tough those short kicks are to make,” Kinnune said. “But we are very early in the season, and I have no doubt he’ll get it.” Kinnune is more than likely correct, since Van Winkle also holds the state record for most field goals in a season, with 18, which he set last year. But his missed field goal did nothing to slow down the Wildcats. Mitchell tossed a 48-yard pass to Riley, who ran in his third touchdown for the night, bringing the score to 39-0. Switching out quarterbacks for the Rebels didn’t seem to help things. Freshman quarterback Tavin Montgomery fumbled the ball. Mount Si’s Jimbo Davis recovered it and ran 20 yards for a touchdown, with the Wildcats leading 46-0 at the half. Mount Si junior running back Jordan Chapman ran a 10-yard touchdown in the third quarter, for a 53-0 lead. By the fourth quarter, Kinnune put in sophomore quarterback Jo Jo Hillel, who See FOOTBALL, Page 10
Mount Si netters seek run into state By Sebastian Moraga With strong chemistry and players loaded with talent, the Mount Si High School Wildcats’ volleyball team is having a devil of a time early in the 2012 season. They believe they have what it takes to make it to state. It’s when predicting how they will fare at state that things get downright Faustian. “I have finished sixth at state three years in a row,” junior setter Lauren Smith said. “Look at our banners — sixth, sixth, sixth.” In truth, rivals of the Mount Si netters are the ones having a hellish time when they encounter the girls from the Valley across the net. As of Sept. 17, the Wildcats are undefeated in three matches and have yet to lose a set. “It’s like we picked up where we left off,” said head coach Bonnie Foote, whose team had a 13-1 record in the league in
2011. Junior libero Rachel Hayford agreed with Foote. “Once we started going, we realized we had a strong team.” Hayford said. “We have a lot of leadership.” The team lost senior and league MVP Sarah McDonald; its roster includes five sophomores and a starting freshman in Anna McCreadie. “Losing Sarah, who was such a huge part of our offense, such a leader,” Foote said, “I did not really know what was going to happen this year.” What has happened, she said, was the older players showed the youngsters the ropes. The team as a whole has exercised great patience with its newer players. “We are young, the volleyball I.Q. of our players is pretty low, but it’s not like they haven’t played the game,” Foote said. What the Wildcats lack in experience, they make up for in confidence.
When Hayford described her squad as “good,” teammate Lindsay Carr chimed in with “we’re not good, we’re superduper good.” The goal, the girls said, is to win state. “That’s everyone’s goal,” junior outside hitter Lexie Read said. “But we are going to do it,” junior libero Katelyn Hoydal said. The finishing of one another’s sentences is not unusual for this crew, which describes itself as a family. The girls genuinely like each other, Foote said. Their personalities vary, but once they step on the court, things click. “They have good chemistry, a good vibe, a good work ethic,” Foote said. “It’s not a one-manshow by any means. It’s a team effort.” The season won’t be a failure if they don’t win state, the girls said. “As long as we meet our own standards, we can be that team
By Sebastian Moraga
Mount Si High School Head Volleyball Coach Bonnie Foote, in red, watches one of her players practice Sept. 17, a day before the team’s game against Lake Washington. that wins state,” Hayford said. Foote agreed. “We have to control what we can control and not worry about what anybody else is doing,” she said. And if by any chance the team falls short of first place, things will be OK.
It will be especially sweet if they finish in the top five. The banners tell the reason why. The team is just tired of six-ess. Now they want success. “Sixth, sixth, sixth,” said Hoydal, tongue firmly planted in cheek. “That’s the devil’s number.”
Schools
SEPT. 20, 2012
PAGE 9
Picture day gives students a time for memories
Owen Neu, a first-grader at Fall City Elementary School, reacts to the flash from the camera during Picture Day at his school. Students showed up in a broad variety of attires and hairstyles for their photo.
Vivian Mueller, a third-grader at Fall City Elementary School, stands primly for Picture Day. Girls showed up with braids and fancy shoes and a few boys showed up with ties and hair gel for the annual tradition. Tracey Pascoe, a food services employee at Fall City Elementary School, combs the hair of two girls (above and left) during Picture Day. Pascoe used a different comb on every child, for health safety.
Photos by Sebastian Moraga
Joy Hoffman-Baunsgard, of North Bend’s Photography By Joy, takes a photo of a Fall City Elementary School student during Picture Day Sept. 13.
Snoqualmie Valley teacher is featured in Education Week blog By Sebastian Moraga Sometimes a decade and a half feels like a century and a half. It does for Justin Talmadge sometimes, who began his teaching career almost 15 years ago and now is a teacher on special assignment at the Snoqualmie Valley School District. Talmadge specializes in technology in education, and that’s when those 14 years feel the longest. Fourteen years ago, the classroom he prepared for as a student looked nothing like the classroom he spends time in nowadays. “I don’t remember any preparation in my teacher-ed for the kind of technology I have been using in my classroom,” said Talmadge, whose take on tech-
nology appeared Aug. 31 on a blog of the national education newspaper Education Week. “Fourteen years ago is eons ago when it comes to the technology timeframe.” In 1998, the Internet was still in its infancy, email addresses were a rarity. Web browser brands included names like Netscape and search engines included names like Alta Vista. “There were studies seeking out new knowledge,” Talmadge said. “But that was just beginning.” The landscape is dramatically different today, especially in the Valley, he said. “Because of the 2010 technology levy we have been able to not just acquire hardware and software, but more importantly we have been able to devote funds for the training of teach-
ers. That’s the critical part,” he said. In today’s classroom, it’s hard to be an effective educator without using at least some technology, Talmadge said. One of the technology tools Talmadge has encountered is Edmodo, a social networking site for classrooms. Meant for teachers, parents and students, Edmodo allows for direct communication beyond classroom time, with tools like assignment postings, discussion chats and real-time student polls. Talmadge said he was asked to talk about Edmodo at a conference in Tacoma. The organizer and a national online education expert, Tom VanderArk, asked if he could feature the district’s tech efforts in a blog post for Education Week.
“As a district, we have made a real strong commitment” to bringing technology to classrooms, Talmadge said. Teachers today not using technology may risk being seen as less capable, he said, with technology already a big part of their students’ lives. On the other hand, he warned against seeing technology as a cure-all. Technology is great, but it’s not perfect. Pluses include giving a voice to children who may be too shy to interact in a classroom when surrounded by 30 peers. “When you give them a chance to say things electronically, their personality and their ideas can have equal weight in that kind of environment.” Minuses include the great amount of tech choices and gadgets available today.
“There’s a tendency to rely too heavily on technology and to not know when to power down,” he said. “There’s an information overload when we have all this input coming in from tablets, computers, our phone — we lose our human touch.” It’s important we tell our children that it’s OK to turn off the technology, he said. It’s also important to remind children that the rules of faceto-face behavior they learned early on also apply when sitting in front of a screen. Children tend to think that online interaction gives them more freedom to treat people badly, Talmadge said. “The rules of interaction are the same,” he said, “whether you are interacting online or in a physical space.”
SnoValley Star
PAGE 10
Police blotter North Bend
to assist in the accident investigation. The man was arrested, taken to the Issaquah Jail and was cited for obstructing an officer.
Public drinking
Theft
A deputy on bike patrol cited two men at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 1 for drinking alcohol on the King County Park trail.
A $400 iPad was stolen from a vehicle parked in the QFC parking lot about 8 a.m. Sept. 5.
Obstruction A deputy responded to a vehicle accident at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 31 on Southeast North Bend Way. A North Bend man reported that a man driving a 1982 Datsun rearended him, and he pointed to a man and vehicle across the street. The man, who was identified from his Michigan driver’s license, denied hitting anyone’s vehicle. The deputy wrote in his report that the man became verbally abusive toward him and refused
Shoplifting Two Safeway employees stopped a man outside the store after they observed him shoplifting at about 4:30 p.m. Sept. 6. Police recovered Skittles, sour patch candy, Yoplait yogurt, cheese, vitamins, chicken franks and Parrot Bay rum.
Snoqualmie Drunken driving An off-duty King County Sheriff’s Office detective stopped a vehi-
cle at about 1 a.m. Sept. 7 on Snoqualmie Parkway Southeast, and called SPD to report a possible drunken driver. Sarah Jennifer Chirila, 21, of Tacoma, failed field sobriety tests. She was arrested for driving under the influence and taken to the Issaquah Jail.
School zone speeding Officers conducted a traffic emphasis on Sept. 7 near schools, resulting in multiple warnings and one citation.
North Bend fire calls One fire engine responded to a smoke scare at 4:13 a.m. Sept. 7 in the 100 block of Southeast 79th Street. One fire engine responded to a smoke scare at 4:24 p.m. Sept. 8 in the 7600 block of 435th Avenue Southeast.
One fire engine responded to a smoke scare at 6:22 p.m. Sept. 8 in the 47200 block of Southeast 160th Street. Two fire engines responded to a smoke scare at 10:56 a.m. Sept. 9 in the 43400 block of Southeast 174th Street. Five fire engines responded to a motor vehicle/pedestrian call at 6:33 a.m. Sept. 10 on Interstate 90. Three fire engines responded to a motor vehicle/pedestrian call at 5:42 p.m. Sept. 10 in the 100 block of Bendigo Boulevard North. Three fire engines responded to a vehicle fire at 9:21 p.m. Sept. 10 on Interstate 90. Two fire engines responded to an unauthorized fire call at 10:05 p.m. Sept. 13 in the 44500 block of Southeast 151st Place.
The Star publishes names of those arrested for DUI and those charged with felony crimes. Information comes directly from local police reports.
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Dogs
dogs. The dogs go, the children stay, but so do the lessons learned in the From Page 6 two months. Some children, once released, have they need by not being won “Best in Show” with aggressive, Simpson said. their dogs at county fairs, “The really remarkSimpson said. able thing,” said Curtis This week, the program VonTrapp, one of the gets an unexpected boost teachers at Echo Glen, “is from an aptly named busithat it teaches these chilness in Snoqualmie. dren com- “Once they can identify The passion. Black Dog They both with the dogs, they can will host have had start feeling compassion.” an auctrauma tion and and once — Curtis VonTrapp concert they can fundraiser Teacher identify for the with the Canine dogs, they can start feeling Connections program at 6 compassion.” p.m. Sept. 21. What follows, Berntsen Berntsen said all prosaid, is an “a-ha” moment ceeds will go to the profor the children, when they gram, which turns 13 in realize that the way the February, and which keeps staff at Echo Glen tries to warming the hearts of help them is the same way creatures — both two- and they try to help the dogs. four-legged — who have “They go, ‘Hey, this is felt precious little of it the same thing they were over the years. teaching me at the cot“You can just see the tage,’” Simpson said. “And kids when the dogs are we go, ‘Yup.’” there waiting for them,” At the end of the 10 Berntsen said, “and their weeks, the program finds tails are wagging 100 miles homes for the reformed per hour.”
Football From Page 8 completed a 10-yard pass to tight end Beau Shain, who ran it in for a touchdown, making it a 60-0 score with about four minutes left on the clock. With just two minutes before the final whistle, Rebels sophomore quarterback Nick Peterson tossed the ball. Mount Si’s Riley tipped the ball with his fingertips, but Milburn
caught the ball anyway and ran it in for the Rebels’ only touchdown of the game. Their try for a 2-point conversion was unsuccessful, resulting in the 60-6 final score. Rebels head coach Shaun Tarantola said after the game there was no way to recover things once they had gotten so out of hand in the first quarter. “I have some really good players this year, and we came here ready to play and show what we could do,” he said. “But we didn’t do well on basic fundamentals, like protecting the ball. This is not the team that we normally are.” Mount Si, now 3-0, faces Interlake High School (1-2) at 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at its stadium in Bellevue.
Leigh - 425-442-2422
Michele Mihalovich: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
Calendar
SEPT. 20, 2012
Snoqualmie Library All events, unless otherwise noted, are at 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., Snoqualmie. Call 888-1223. ❑ Drop-in eReader Assistance, 11 a.m. Sept. 20, 27. Learn how to download eBooks to your eReader or computer during this demonstration for adults. ❑ Preschool Story Time, 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 26. Ages 3-6 with adult. Share the wonderful world of books with your child. ❑ Anime and Manga Club, 3 p.m. Sept. 26, for teens. Come watch anime movies, eat popcorn and practice your drawing. All skill levels welcome. ❑ “How to Write Great College Essays,” 7 p.m. Sept. 26. Learn how to identify and write your best college essays, learn what college officers want and don’t want to read, and learn techniques to write an engaging and successful essay. Register by calling 888-1223. ❑ Young Toddler Story Time, 9:30 a.m. Sept. 26, for children ages 6-24 months, with adults. Younger children and siblings welcome. Bouncy rhymes, familiar songs and stories. ❑ Pajama Story Time, 7 p.m. Sept. 27. All young children are welcome with adults. Stories songs and surprises. Wear pajamas if you like.
North Bend Library All events, unless otherwise noted, are at 115 E. Fourth St., North Bend. Call 888-0554. ❑ SnoValley Writers work group, 3 p.m. Sept. 23, for adults; join other local writers for writing exercises, critique and lessons on voice, plot and point of view. ❑ Merry Monday Story Time, 11 a.m. Sept. 24, Oct. 1, for children up to age 3 with adult. Siblings and older children welcome. There are songs, rhythm instruments, action rhymes and a tiny tale for the very young. ❑ North Bend Home School Gathering, 1 p.m. Sept. 24, Oct. 1, help and information for home-schooled children and their parents. ❑ EReader Assistance, 6 p.m. Sept. 24, Oct. 1. Learn how to download eBooks to your eReader or computer during this demonstration. ❑ Toddler Story Time, 9:30 a.m. Sept. 25, ages 2-3 with adult. Younger children and siblings welcome. ❑ Preschool Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 25, ages 3-6 with adult, siblings welcome ❑ One-on-one Computer Assistance, 1 p.m. Sept. 26. Come get help with the computer, email accounts and special
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September
Get a feel for the mat
2012
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Way, 831-5667. Order tickets at www.valleycenterstage.org.
Events
Contributed
The “Taste of the Mat” beginner wrestling camp returns Oct. 1, 3, 8 and 10, teaching students in grades kindergarten through five or ages 5-10 the basics of wrestling. Registration is $50 and the camp runs for 75 minutes each day. Athletes will earn basic takedowns, rides, pins, escapes and reversals in this camp. Contact Mount Si Head Wrestling Coach Tony Schlotfeldt at schlotfeldt@svsd410, snovalleywrestling@gmail.com or 831-8243.
projects. For adults. ❑ Pajamarama Story Time, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26, all young children welcome with adult. Wear pajamas if you like. ❑ “English as a Second Language” class; 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1 is the first day of class. No registration required. This is a formal class to learn English grammar, reading, writing and conversational skills.
Clubs ❑ Snoqualmie Fraternal Order of Eagles Women’s Auxiliary, first and third Tuesday, 7 p.m. Men’s Aerie, first and third Wednesday, 7 p.m., both at 108 Railroad Ave., 888-1129 ❑ Cancer survivor group, 9 a.m. second Saturday, Sawdust Coffee, North Bend Factory Stores mall, 461 South Fork Ave. S.W., Unit K. newellvl@yahoo.com ❑ Loyal Order of Moose, 108 Sydney Ave., North Bend; men at 6 p.m. first and third Monday; women at 7 p.m. third and fourth Tuesday; 888-0951 ❑ Washington Freemasons, 7:30 p.m. first Wednesday, Unity Lodge No. 198, North Bend, 888-5779 ❑ 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, 829-2417 ❑ Mount Si Artist Guild meeting, 9:15-11 a.m. third
Saturday, Mount Si Senior Center, 411 Main Ave. S., North Bend, www.mtsiartistguild.org ❑ SnoValley Beekeepers, 7 p.m. first Tuesday, Meadowbrook Interpretive Center, Meadowbrook Farm, 1711 Boalch Ave., North Bend, www.snoqualmievalleybeekeepers.org ❑ Trellis gardening club, 10 a.m. third Saturday, Valley Christian Assembly, 32725 S.E. 42nd St., Fall City; new and experienced gardeners are welcome ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Chess Club, 7 p.m. Thursdays, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. ❑ Survivors of the Snoqualmie Valley School District, third Monday 7 p.m. at Snoqualmie Valley YMCA, 35018 S.E. Ridge St., Snoqualmie. Second Tuesday, Si View Community Center, 400 S.E. Orchard Drive, North Bend, 292-7191 ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Rotary Club, 7 a.m. Thursdays, TPC Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club Restaurant, 36005 S.E. Ridge St. Snoqualmie; all are welcome; www.snoqualmievalleyrotary.org ❑ American Legion Post 79 and the American Legion Auxiliary, 7 p.m. second Thursday, 38625 S.E. River St., Snoqualmie, 888-1206 ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Garden Club, 6:30 p.m. second Thursday, Mount Si Senior Center, North Bend, 888-4646 ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Kiwanis Club, 7 a.m. Thursdays, Mount Si Golf Course restaurant, 9010 Boalch Ave., Snoqualmie, snovalley@member.kiwanis.org
Volunteer opportunities ❑ The Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank is looking for volunteers to help unload food at noon Mondays, sort food at 9 a.m. Tuesdays or hand out food on Wednesdays. Call 888-0096. The food bank is also looking for candidates to serve on its board on a three-year commitment. Appointments for interviews will be set up in October. The food bank seeks a skilled bookkeeper to help as it reorganizes its bookkeeping procedures. Contact Karen Birzell at kbirzell@ yahoo.com or 831-7062.
Music/entertainment ❑ The Defeyes, 8 p.m. Sept. 21, The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie, 831-3647. Fundraiser for the service dog program at Echo Glen. ❑ Keith Scott, Chicago bluesman, 9 p.m. Sept. 22, Finaghty’s Irish Pub, 7726 Center Blvd. S.E., Suite 110, Snoqualmie, 888-8833 ❑ Alicia Dara and Diamondwolf, 8 p.m. Sept. 22, The Black Dog ❑ Josh Carlson, 7 p.m. Sept. 22, The Black Dog ❑ Carolyn Graye’s Singer Soiree, 7 p.m. Sept. 26, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, 292-9307 ❑ Valley Center Stage presents Phillip King’s “See How They Run,” Thursdays through Saturdays from Sept. 27 through Oct. 13., 119 W. North Bend
❑ Contra Dance starts 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at Sallal Grange Hall, 12912 432nd Ave. S.E., North Bend. Performance by “Les Voyageurs.” Learn more at www.sallalgrange.org. ❑ Barre class, 5:15 p.m. Sept. 21 and 28. Improve yourself with a combination of techniques of ballet, Pilates, toning and balance training. Snoqualmie Valley YMCA; free to facility members; $10 for nonmembers ❑ Futsal, a variety of indoor soccer, 8 a.m. Sept. 21 and 28; 8:30 a.m. Sept. 23; Snoqualmie Valley YMCA; ages 9-14; no experience necessary; free to community members ❑ Water for Fish and People, 9 a.m. Sept. 22, Cedar River Watershed Education Center, $15 per person. Watch the work to restore habitats, including the fish passage facility and other restoration projects in streams and lakes. ❑ Zumba Demo, 10 a.m. Sept. 23. Demo two forms of Zumba using hand weights and chairs for strength and balance. Snoqualmie Valley YMCA; free to facility members; $10 for nonmembers ❑ Open Volleyball Night, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25, Snoqualmie Valley YMCA, 35018 S.E. Ridge St., Snoqualmie; free to facility members, $10 to nonmembers ❑ Women’s Self-Defense Course, 6-9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through Sept. 26. Snoqualmie Fire Department, 37600 S.E. Snoqualmie Parkway. Adult women only. Reserve a space by emailing ndraveling@ ci.snoqualme.wa.us ❑ 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 ❑ National Mathematics Trimathlon, Sept. 29-30 at Mathnasium, 7802 S.E. Center Blvd., Suite A, Snoqualmie. For children in grades three through six. Call 367-4747 or go to www.mathnasium.com/ snoqualmie. Submit an item to the community calendar by emailing smoraga@snovalleystar.com or go to www.snovalleystar.com.
SnoValley Star
PAGE 12
SEPT. 20, 2012
Waste Management donates funds for Middle Fork Snoqualmie projects
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The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust announced in a Sept. 6 press release that it has received a $150,000 gift from Waste Management. The funds will support critical access improvement projects in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valley over the next few years. The Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valley, a once-tarnished area plagued by illegal dumping and unsafe conditions, leads into the Cascades and Alpine Lakes Wilderness. In the past two decades, volunteers have worked tirelessly to transform the former dumping ground into a recreational paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, complete with improved wildlife habitat, ecological preservation and resource management, according to the press release. “We are so excited that Waste Management approached us right at the time when we were seeking funding for work in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Valley,” Cynthia Welti, executive director for the trust, said in the press release. “Their support will make a tremendous difference in improving public access to
Soapbox From Page 6 Sydney.’” The races get competitive, Weber said, but it’s “fun competitive,” with no trash talk. Children do try to go fast, though.
this beautiful place in the Greenway.” The Greenway Trust is working with a coalition of partners, including the U.S. Forest Service, Washington State Department of Natural Resources and King County to provide improved recreational amenities in the Valley, such as trails and picnic areas. Waste Management’s support will assist in the planning and implementation of these recreational improvements, according to the press release. “Waste Management is thrilled to be making a big, bold, strategic investment in the Mountains to Sound Greenway,” Mary Evans, director of Public Sector Services for Waste Management, said in the press release. “We are committed to creating sustainable communities and we see fully connected communities as being in harmony with nature.”
Chamber announces September events Obamacare, train rides and career advice are on tap for upcoming chamber events, according to Kevin Dwyer, the chief executive officer of the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce. The chamber’s September Luncheon program is slated for Sept. 21 in the TPC Snoqualmie
“Some have figured out that they get a little aerodynamic if they lean forward,” she said. Children wear helmets, the track has hay bales and all of the soapbox derby-style cars have brakes. Cars start from a ramp. Children will get trophies and certificates, along with their picture in
Ridge Banquet Room. It will feature a presentation from Roger Stark, of the Washington Policy Center. Stark is an expert on health care and the health care industry, and will discuss the impacts to business of the National Health Care Act, popularly known as “Obamacare,” as well as other healthcare related issues. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m., with a networking session, followed by the program. Register at www. snovalley.org or call 8886362. September’s Chamber After Hours is being cohosted by the Northwest Railway Museum and Snoqualmie Falls Brewery and Taproom. Meet at the Railroad Depot at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 26 in Snoqualmie and ride the train to North Bend and the falls while enjoying food and drink supplied by the brewery. Cost is $10 for members; $15 for nonmembers. Get Linked-In at Chamber Lunch and Learn. Matt Youngquist, president of Career Horizons LLC, will teach participants to use LinkedIn like a pro at the Sept. 27 Lunch and Learn session from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Dirt Fish Rally School Conference Room. Cost is $10 for members and nonmembers and includes lunch.
the car. For the grown-ups in the race, the biggest prize is the faces of the children. “So many smiles,” Weber said. “It’s just incredible.” Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
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