snovalleystar111711

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

November 17, 2011 VOL. 3, NO. 41

28,000-mile PanAmerican journey Page 12

Hundreds turn out to honor Valley veterans

By Dan Catchpole

Election results Check out the numbers in local races.

Page 2

Opinion Page 4

It’s not helping Mail-in ballots don’t increase voting turnout, so why do it?

Page 8

Police blotter Page 9

Several hundred people gathered in downtown Snoqualmie for the dedication of the Snoqualmie Valley Veterans Monument under gray skies that turned to rain during the ceremony.

The dedication began with the tolling of the bell that rang in the town 93 years earlier to signal the end of World War I. The Snoqualmie Valley lost 12 men in that war. They are among the 77 men and one woman on the monument’s memorial who have died while in the U.S. Armed Forces. A temporary stone was in place for the ceremony. The finished memorial will be installed later this winter, said Cristy Lake, a member of the monument committee.

Four local World War II veterans walked slowly to the temporary memorial stone, which was covered by a dark red cloth. The old men pulled off the covering, revealing the names of Valley residents cut down in their youth.

The crowd collectively leaned forward. People whispered the names. Camera shutters whirred.

Flashes fired. And a light rain fell.

By Greg Farrar

World War II veterans and Snoqualmie Valley residents Bob Hamerly, Wally Koering, Dave Lake and Jim Posey remove the cover from the names of 78 service members from the Valley named on the monument who gave their lives in World War I, II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. See more photos on Page 6.

Two of the Valley’s elected officials — state Rep. Jay Rodne and U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert —

read each name aloud. A bell tolled once for each name. At the end of the list, an honor

guard of local veterans fired See VETS, Page 7

Flags are his passion Teacher sees to proper retirement.

Page 14

Snoqualmie City Council delays vote Grocers to on annexation agreement with county enter liquor

By Dan Catchpole

Top 10 finish Volleyball team finishes sixth in state.

Page 16

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

The Snoqualmie City Council has delayed a vote on an agreement with King County about annexing a former Weyerhaeuser mill site.

During the council’s Nov. 14 meeting, several council members raised concerns about the infrastructure maintenance costs the city would have to take on after annexing the land.

The council will consider the agreement again at its next meeting on Nov. 28. Meetings are open to the public.

If the agreement is approved, King County Council must approve the agreement. The city and county then have 60 days to finish negotiating the annexation. The Snoqualmie City

Council would then vote on a final annexation ordinance.

After the draft annexation agreement, Snoqualmie would be responsible for maintaining part of Southeast Reinig Road, Southeast Mill Pond Road and Meadowbrook Bridge.

The city estimates that maintaining the two roads and bridge would cost nearly $20,000 a year.

That amount does not include the cost of periodic repainting or replacing the bridge in 25 to 45 years.

Replacing the bridge is expected to cost $9.12 million, according to a King County estimate done this year.

While the bridge is in good shape, the two roads are not. The work to bring them up to city

standards would cost about $500,000 for Mill Pond Road and about $190,000 for Reinig Road, according to the city’s estimates.

The work would not necessarily be done right away, but it would be added to the city’s work list and prioritized the same way all roads have been, Public Works Director Dan Marcinko said.

City officials tried to leave Reinig Road and Meadowbrook Bridge out of the annexation, but that was not possible because the annexation was initiated by the city and King County, and not by voters.

Since it is a negotiated annexation, 60 percent of the area’s border has to touch See ANNEX, Page 7

business

By Dan Catchpole With the passage of Initiative 1183, which replaces the state with private retailers in the liquor business, Snoqualmie Valley grocers are considering adding liquor to their stores.

At the same time, employees at state-run liquor stores and the businesses that serve them face an uncertain future.

I-1183 allows private stores larger than 10,000 square feet to begin selling liquor in June.

The initiative also allows for some smaller stores in remote areas to sell hard alcohol beverSee LIQUOR, Page 3

SnoValley Star

PAGE 2

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Numbers favoring Dan Popp, Carolyn Simpson in school races

By Sebastian Moraga Incumbent Dan Popp and challenger Carolyn Simpson appear poised for victory in their respective school board races.

Although neither Popp’s nor Simpson’s lead is insurmountable, a quick review of voter turnout in past school board races shows that for their opponents, time and votes are running out.

As of Nov. 11, 8,717 votes had been counted.

The highest vote turnout in the last five general elections for school board reached just above 10,500 votes.

Voters save park district

By Dan Catchpole Voters resoundingly passed two ballot propositions to protect the Si View Metropolitan Park District’s budget next year.

Si View supporters breathed a sigh of relief as results came in on Election Night.

“The numbers were pretty amazing,” said Sara Werner, who organized the yes campaign for the two measures.

With about 280 volunteers, the yes campaign made 21,000 phone calls in the weeks leading up to the election.

As of Monday, Nov. 14, Proposition No. 1 was passing with 87.5 percent of the vote.

Proposition No. 2, which needed 60 percent of votes cast to pass, garnered 74.6 percent.

Proposition 1 protects 25 cents of the district’s levy, which would be reduced due to a stateimposed cap on combined property taxes.

Proposition 2 creates a maintenance-and-operations levy for 21 cents per $1,000.

Without the two measures, the district would have all but closed next year, Si View Director Travis Stombaugh said.

Just a few days before the election, the King County Assessor’s Office had told him that the district would not receive any money from property taxes in 2012.

The district had been expecting an 84 percent cut in its property levy, which was 53 cents per $1,000 of assessed value in 2011. The district collected about $1.18 million this year.

The highest percentage of write-in votes in a contested school race reached just below 1 percent.

So with Popp leading Peggy Johnson by 988 votes and Simpson leading incumbent Craig Husa by 589 votes, only a large last-minute comeback could keep them from winning a four-year term to the school board.

The Popp-Johnson race If 10,500 people voted in this election and 8,717 votes have been counted, about 1,783 votes remain to be counted. If 1 percent of those votes go to write-

ins, 1,756 votes remain in play.

Popp had, as of Nov. 11, 3,819 votes to Johnson’s 2,831.

Percentage-wise, Popp leads 57.2 percent to 42.4 percent.

Trailing by 988 votes, Johnson would have to gather more than 1,372 — almost 80 percent — of the remaining votes to win.

The Husa-Simpson race In the race for the District 3 seat, Simpson had 3,704 votes for 54.11 percent to Husa’s 3,115 votes for 45.51 percent.

Husa trails by 589 votes.

Using the same 10,500-vote model with 1,756 votes in play.

Husa would need 1,173 votes — almost 67 percent — to win.

The Loudenback-Doy race On the other hand, only 80 votes separate the candidates in the District 2 race, where incumbent Caroline Loudenback trails Geoff Doy. Doy has 3,452 votes for 50.39 percent. Loudenback has 3,372 votes for 49.23 percent, and the race will probably not be decided until later this month.

King County Elections’ website states that a machine recount is mandatory when the difference between two candidates is fewer than 2,000 and

less than half of a percent.

Under this criterion, the Loudenback-Doy race would not qualify.

Candidates with the support of five or more voters may still request a recount up to three days after the election is certified Nov. 29.

A machine recount costs 15 cents per ballot cast and the manual recount costs 25 cents per ballot cast.

New results will be posted on the King County Elections website every weekday until Nov. 23.

Posting of results will resume Nov. 28 until Nov. 30.

Election 2011 Results Snoqualmie Valley School Board

Votes

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters

9,962/21,740

Percent 45.8

Director No. 2

Snoqualmie

Votes

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters:

2,538/5,895

Percent 43.1

Council Position No. 2

Geoff Doy

3,943

50.9

Kevin Ostrem

604

30

Caroline Loudenback

3,784

48.8

Jeff MacNichols

1,406

69.9

Carolyn Simpson

4,197

54.1

Terry Sorenson

882

44.7

Craig Husa

3,530

45.5

Kingston Wall

1,086

55

3,214 4,321

42.5 57.1

North Bend

Director No. 3

Council Position No. 4

Director No. 5 Peggy Johnson Dan Popp

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters:

1,695/3,353

50.6

Council Position No. 7 short and full term

Si View Metropolitan Parks District Proposition No. 1 Protection of Current Tax Levy From Prorationing Yes

3,903

87.5

No

559

12.5

Proposition No. 2 One-Year Operations and Maintenance Levy Yes

3,325

74.6

No

1,143

25.4

King County Public Hospital District No. 4 Ballots Cast/Registered Voters

Ryan Kolodejchuk

702

52.7

Piper M. Muoio

618

46.4

North Bend Transportation Benefit District No. 1 Proposition No. 1 Sales and Use Tax for Transportation Improvements Yes

922

59.9

No

618

40.1

King County Fire Protection District No. 38 10,753/23,561

45.6

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters

2,965/6,558

45.2

Commissioner Position No. 1

Commissioner Position No. 3 short and full term Gene Pollard

3,732

50

Daniel Lang

652

31.8

Karyn Denton

3,694

49.5

Ron Pedee

1,386

67.7

Source: King County Elections

When the district’s board of commissioners approved the two ballot measures in August, it expected Si View would still receive $190,000 next year.

Instead, it will get nothing.

Stombaugh said the district will take $184,000 from its capital budget, so the cut won’t affect programming.

But the district could have to go to voters again in 2013 if the Legislature can’t help, Stombaugh said.

The rest of Si View’s budget comes from user fees, which are expected to generate about $800,000 in 2011.

The district’s property levy was due to be slashed due to a state cap, which limits combined nonstate property levies to $5.90 per $1,000 of assessed value.

As home values have declined,

most taxing districts have maintained their budgets. That means they have to take a bigger share per $1,000, which has pushed nonstate property levy rates up against the cap in several taxing districts across the state.

In Washington, taxing districts are ranked by seven levels of priority for collecting property levies. The state also collects a property levy, which is not included in the $5.90 cap. All property taxes are subject to a constitutional limit of 1 percent — or $10 per $1,000 of assessed value.

As a park district created in 2003, Si View was last in line — and first for cuts — once the cap is reached.

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

Voters shut down tolling measure Statewide ballot initiatives garnered the most attention in a campaign season dominated by local races.

Initiative 1125 — a measure to require the Legislature to approve tolls rather than the appointed state Transportation Commission — came up short on Election Day. As of Nov. 15, the measure had garnered only 47.5 percent of the vote.

King County voters rejected the measure, but I-1125 picked up support elsewhere in Washington.

King County Executive Dow Constantine declared victory against Initiative 1125, Tim Eyman’s tolling initiative, although the measure led by a

narrow margin statewide Nov. 9.

“I-1125 was a stealth effort to stop light rail on I-90 and delay replacement of the 520 bridge,” Constantine said in a statement.

“I am grateful that so many voters saw through it and rejected it, and by an overwhelming margin in King County. Our voters, once again, said no to Tim Eyman.”

The other issues on the ballot did not attract as much attention as the tolling measure.

Washington voters approved Initiative 1163 — a measure sponsored by the Service Employees International Union to address homecare workers’ certification and training. It had 65 percent of the vote by Nov. 15.

See INITIATIVES, Page 3

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

SnoValley Star

Little change ahead for City Councils

Liquor

By Dan Catchpole City councils in North Bend and Snoqualmie will largely look the same next year following the Nov. 8 general election.

Voters re-elected two Snoqualmie councilmen, and the North Bend City Council will only have one new face in 2012.

Voters re-elect Snoqualmie incumbents In Snoqualmie, Jeff MacNichols cruised to re-election for his third term, beating challenger Kevin Ostrem with nearly 70 percent of the vote in early returns.

MacNichols said the results were a validation of his performance as a councilman.

“After eight years on the council, voters think I make good choices,” he said.

He was first elected to the City Council in 2003, beating incumbent Dick Kirby by 52 votes. He ran unopposed and was re-elected in 2007.

Ostrem had run as an outsider, saying voters needed to shake up the status quo on the council. Job creation was the primary campaign issue for Ostrem.

MacNichols, a partner and coowner of a litigation law firm, focused first on the need to balance fiscal responsibility with infrastructure needs that can’t be ignored.

Initiatives From Page 2 The electorate also approved two noncontroversial constitutional amendments on the ballot.

Senate Joint Resolution 8205 addresses a residency requirement for presidential voting outlined in the state Constitution.

The measure brings state law into synch with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Senate Joint Resolution 8206 called for the state “rainy day” reserve fund to require contribution of a portion of “extraordinary” revenue in the future.

The city has weathered the economic storm well, and he thinks the future looks brighter, he said.

Voters also returned Councilman Kingston Wall to the council. He beat challenger Terry Sorenson with 55 percent of the vote.

The two candidates differed largely on their opinion of Mayor Matt Larson. Wall has been a supporter of Larson, while Sorenson has criticized Larson’s push for a community center on Snoqualmie Ridge and annexation of a former Weyerhaeuser mill site.

Sorenson all but withdrew from the race before it began due to a family issue. But his outspoken criticisms of Larson and his deep community ties helped him garner 45 percent of the vote. In his campaign, Wall stressed the need for fiscal responsibility in city planning while trying to lure jobs to Snoqualmie.

New face in North Bend North Bend voters elected Ryan Kolodejchuk to an open seat on the City Council.

Kolodejchuk beat Piper Muoio with nearly 53 percent of the vote. The seat was left open after incumbent Chris Garcia announced he would not run for re-election.

Kolodejchuk said he is excited about joining the council.

See COUNCILS, Page 7

From Page 1 ages. It also privatizes distribution of liquor by April.

The shift is estimated to net the state and local governments about $80 million annually for the next six years.

The state budgeting office estimates that the number of liquor retailers in Washington would jump from 328 to more than 1,420.

The upper Snoqualmie Valley could see the number of liquor retailers go from the one state-run store in North Bend to three — Safeway, QFC and Snoqualmie Ridge IGA. The details of selling liquor have to be worked out, but hard alcohol will likely end up in Snoqualmie Ridge IGA, said John Albertson, merchandising manager for Meyers Group, which owns the grocery store.

“We certainly want to be competitive with other grocery stores in the area,” Albertson said.

Some stores already selling liquor will be grandfathered in under I-1183.

Those stores include the Fall City store.

Before the election, opponents to I-1183 claimed the measure would make it easier for minors to get alcohol and affect public safety.

The initiative does not provide more money for the state’s liquor enforcement force.

“Due to the expansion of spirits liquor licenses, we may

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PAGE 3 pursue authorization to hire Full-time employees receive additional enforcement officers,” benefits after working the said Brian Smith, spokesman for required number of hours for six the Washington State Liquor months, Smith said.

Control Board.

The board is still figuring out Hard alcohol won’t be out how to go about shutting down next to peaches or peanut butter all state stores by June 1, 2012, at Snoqualmie Ridge IGA. Smith said.

The store, which already Distribution of liquor in sells beer and wine, will make Washington will be privatized liquor more secure than other

by April 1. alcoholic beverages, Albertson That will mean lay-offs at said.

Kent-based After Pozzi Trucking, “I’m very concerned. I lose addressing one of four my benefits for myself and those conshipping comcerns, adding panies delivermy family.” liquor will ing liquor to — Deanna Riley state stores. boost the botState store manager tom lines for The familygrocery stores. owned compaI-1183’s main ny could have backer, Costco, to cut as many had no doubts about the ecoas 12 of its 30 employees, nomic boost its passage would Head Dispatcher Ralph Pozzi bring, and it poured $22 milsaid. lion into campaigning for the His father, Tom Pozzi, owns initiative. the company.

“It will be a significant Cutting workers won’t be increase in sales,” and that could easy. require more employees at IGA, Founded in 1919, the compaAlbertson said. ny is like an extended family — a quarter of its employees are Uncertain jobs future family, Ralph Pozzi said.

The slim promise of new jobs “It kinda sucks,” he said. at grocery stores is small consoThe company is trying to find lation to Deanna Riley, manager ways to make up for the lost of the state-run liquor store in business, but Pozzi doesn’t North Bend, or her four partexpect any of it to come from time employees. large, privately run stores selling “I’m very concerned. I lose liquor. my benefits for myself and my Those stores will likely get family,” Riley said. deliveries direct from the distilThe mother of three lives in leries.

North Bend with her husband.

State-run stores have 680 full- Dan Catchpole: 396-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snotime employees and 714 hourly valleystar.com. employees.

Opinion

PAGE 4

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Editorial

From the Web

Share Your Views

Valley athletes, coaches earn honors

Re: Community groups join forces to host job fair

Citizens can make a difference by contacting their elected representatives.

78th Ave. S.E., Suite 202, Mercer Island, WA 98040; 206-2753438; www.house.gov/reichert

Federal

State — Governor

President Barack Obama (D), The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20500; 202-4561414; president@whitehouse.gov U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D), 511 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510; 202-224-3441; http://cantwell.senate.gov/; 915 Second Ave., Suite 512, Seattle, WA 98174; 206-220-6400 U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D), 173 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510; 202224-2621; http://murray.senate.gov/; Jackson Federal Building, Room 2988, 915 Second Ave., Seattle, WA 98174; 206-553-5545 U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert (R-8th District), 1730 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; 202-225-7761; 2737

Gov. Chris Gregoire (D), Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 40002, Olympia, WA 98504-0002; 360902-4111; www.governor.wa.gov

A hearty congratulations is due to Mount Si High School’s student athletes, who devoted dozens of hours this fall to their respective sports. The achievements of some teams and individuals deserve special recognition.

The Wildcats volleyball team took sixth place in the state tournament for the second consecutive year. Senior Sarah McDonald was named the Most Valuable Player for the 3A KingCo Conference. Coach Bonnie Foote again earned the coach of the year honor from her colleagues in the 3A KingCo Conference. Year in and year out, Foote has taught her players to persevere when faced with adversity or a bad break.

At its best, high school sports teach life lessons and leadership skills that remain with players long after they have left the playing field. Mount Si’s coaches excel at that mission each season.

Volleyball wasn’t the only team to go to the state tournaments. Mount Si’s football team and girls soccer team each advanced to state. The teams got there thanks to the hard work of the players, coaches and supporters.

Team supporters and boosters deserve recognition as well. Where would high school sports be without parents taking athletes to and from practices and games? Or the community’s fundraising efforts to buy equipment and pay travel expenses school budgets can’t cover?

A team’s success is something the entire community can celebrate. It is, after all, a reflection of that community’s commitment to its youth.

And dedication is so important for student athletes.

Without it, Mount Si’s Bailey Scott would not have finished 41st in the state cross-country championship.

It was a great season for Mount Si High School, but ultimately, the success of a school’s athletic program is determined by the character of its student athletes, not the number of banners in the gym.

WEEKLY POLL What about winter are you looking forward to?

A. Snow! Let’s go sledding.

B. A crackling fire in the fireplace C. The holidays and festivities D. Springtime Vote online at www.snovalleystar.com.

Deborah Berto Kathleen R. Merrill Jill Green

Publisher Managing editor Advertising manager

Dan Catchpole

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This is such a great article.

And it is really wonderful to see that it made front page! It is so important to focus on events like these and get the word out about the organizations that sponsor them.

Thank you!

Tahana

Re: Police and fire blotter Hey Snoqualmie! Want to make more money off tickets?

Snoqualmie Parkway between Jacobia and Swenson should be patrolled more. Starting at 4 a.m., trucks of all shapes and sizes rip down the hill going well over 50 mph. Even though there is a sign that says “no multi-axle vehicles,” or of some variation on that road.

Brian Smith

State — 5th District Sen. Cheryl Pflug (R), 415 Legislative Building, P.O. Box 40405, Olympia, WA 985040405, 360-786-7608; 413-5333; pflug.cheryl@leg.wa.gov Rep. Glenn Anderson (R), 417 JLOB, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia WA 98504-0600; 360-786-7876; anderson.glenn@leg.wa.gov Rep. Jay Rodne (R), 441 JLOB, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600; 360-786-7852; rodne.jay@leg.wa.gov Toll-free Legislative Hotline: 800-562-6000.

Home Country

In love, some things are better left unsaid

By Slim Randles Somewhere between first coffees and the scrambled egg course, Dewey walked into the Mule Barn coffee shop wearing a big grin.

“Well, looky here, guys,” said Doc. “It’s the one and only Manure Man!” “Thank you kindly, dear friends and fans,” Dewey said, flipping his cup to the upright and fillable position. “I’ll always remember the little people, you know ... even when the film of my life makes Rain Man take a back seat.”

“So you haven’t told her yet?” Dud asked.

“Told her what?” Dewey asked, with a smirk.

“That you aren’t really nuts.”

“Jury’s still out on that one, Dud,” Doc said.

“Well, hauling fertilizer for a living hasn’t entered the conversation yet,” Dewey said, “if that’s what you mean. Some things are better left unsaid while we’re doing all this research. Did you know that I’m an anomaly?”

We stared at him.

“Well, that’s what she said.

And … she also said I was an attractive man.”

“That settles it,” Steve said.

“She’s the one who’s crazy!”

“I have a question …

Dewey. Did you … well, you know how you’re sometimes a bit … accident prone?

Did you make Slim Randles it through Columnist dinner without any wrecks?”

“Sure did,” he said, smiling.

“Made it almost to the truck, too.”

“Almost?”

“Well, I kinda stepped on her foot. It was an accident, of course.”

“Of course.”

Dewey recalled the pain on her

face by the soft, romantic light of the parking lot light poles, and how her grimace set off those precious, perfect cheekbones.

“That was the only wreck all evening, though. I swear. I was really careful.”

There was a certain fatalism in all this. If Emily Stickles, graduate student in psychology and county watchdog, was going to pursue Dewey as a friend or just a thesis subject, she’d have to get used to sore feet.

Dewey smiled. “I got to help her to the truck.”

Ahhhh …….!

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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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NOVEMBER 17, 2011

SnoValley Star

PAGE 5

SnoValley Star

PAGE 6

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Snoqualmie Valley Veterans Memorial is unveiled Photos by Greg Farrar

WEB EXTRA See a photo gallery at www.snovalleystar.com

The local veterans of the Snoqualmie Valley Honor Guard fire three volleys with the City Hall flag at half staff.

At right, Rick Woodruff, American Legion Post No. 79 commander (center) tolls the bell used at the end of World War I as each name is read.

Above, Jessy Lucas, representing the Snoqualmie Tribe, waves smoke over the monument with an eagle feather in a traditional blessing for the souls of the deceased.

Flags hang on the front of the American Legion Hall at Doone Avenue Southeast and Southeast River Street.

At right, Jim Needham, of Fall City, a retired Air Force second lieutenant who served from 1958-63, wears his American Legion cap.

A temporary Snoqualmie Valley Veterans Memorial stone lies in front of a wreath in the rain after the ceremony, with several flowers placed beside the names of the soldiers most recently killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. A permanent stone will be placed later this winter.

A Cub Scout stands at attention as the flag waits to be lowered to half staff.

SnoValley Star

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Vets

Annex

From Page 1

From Page 1

three volleys.

The monument has been years in the making. The effort was driven by a dedicated group of volunteers, including Lake.

It was paid for by money collected from fundraisers, donations and the sales of commemorative bricks. Mr. K’s Construction, a North Bend company, donated labor and materials. During the ceremony, North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing presented a check from the city for $3,000 — the amount the monument committee still needed to raise.

Workers finished at 10 a.m., said Marty Kester, the company’s owner. The ceremony started at 11:11 a.m.

Some landscaping still remains to be finished. Given how late it is in the fall, the monument’s flowers won’t be planted until spring, he said.

His crew did plant a blood sycamore in the monument. The sycamore calls back to the nowgone company town of Snoqualmie Falls. In one of the town’s neighborhoods, sycamore trees lined the streets.

Seven men from Snoqualmie Falls died in World War II. After the ceremony, some lingered over the memorial stone.

Josh Kepfer stood in the rain, which was coming down heavier, reading over the names. He held his son David in his car seat.

The North Bend man and U.S. Army veteran was thinking of friends he’d lost in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“It’s a lot emotion, a lot of emotion,” Kepfer said.

Snoqualmie’s existing city limits.

Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson expects future development on the site to make annexation a net gain for the city.

But the potential costs gave pause to the City Council.

Council members asked for more information about possible future development on the site, much of which sits in the Snoqualmie River’s floodplain.

“I like optimism, I guess I just don’t like blind optimism,” Councilman Bob Jeans said.

City officials acknowledged there is risk with the annexation, but that development would happen.

But given the current flagging economy, they couldn’t say when it would occur.

“There’s risks here because it’s an unclear ball we’re looking at,” Larson said.

Development will happen, echoed Ross Bentley, president of DirtFish Rally School, which operates on the site.

If Snoqualmie doesn’t annex the site, no development will occur, because of the current regulatory structure, Bentley said.

“We’re kind of held back with this now,” he said.

The current scheme requires both King County and the city to sign off on any redevelopment of the site, which operated as a lumber mill until 2003.

Any developer must also adhere to a set of specific mitigation actions called the P-Suffix Conditions.

By annexing the property, the Snoqualmie City Council could allow a developer to circumvent the actions.

Opponents of the annexation have criticized the process as sidestepping important mitigation requirements.

Council members said they are uncomfortable saddling a future council with rebuilding or replacing Meadowbrook Bridge.

“Taking on this potentially huge expense, I don’t think, is fiscally wise,” Councilman Jeff MacNichols said.

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

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Councils From Page 3 “I’ve never done anything like this before,” he said.

There are many things that need careful attention, but infrastructure is at the top of his list, he said.

He wants the city to seek grant funding to help pay for work around the truck stop at Interstate 90’s Exit 34, commonly called Truck Town. The stop, operated by TravelCenters of America, is the only facility for tractor-trailers in King

County. Tractor-trailer trucks often park on city streets in the area.

Resolving the conflicts between trucks and residents will be helped by the passage of the city’s Proposition 1, which raises the sales tax by 0.2 percent to fund roadwork.

One of the measure’s supporters, Sherwood Korssjoen hopes that some of the money will go to addressing issues around the truck stop.

“Right now, we’re providing free parking, and we get their exhaust and pee bottles. All we want is to bring this into equilibrium,” Korssjoen said.

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SnoValley Star

PAGE 8

Bill for sewer expansion surprises some

By Dan Catchpole Several North Bend residents were surprised when they opened their bills for work on the city’s expansion of its sewer system.

For example, one resident’s bill went from about $19,000 to about $63,000.

The amount they were being charged by Utility Local Improvement District No. 6 was much larger than what they had expected.

The project’s cost jumped because the city had to scrap its first design after learning that the initial studies had miscalculated the capacity of flow that the system would have to handle.

“The preliminary assessment was based on a smaller project and different design,” Public Works Director Ron Garrow said. Comparing the two is like “comparing apples and oranges.”

The change bumped the project’s estimated cost from $13 million to $21 million. In the end, the work cost the city about $19.3 million.

North Bend City Council learned of the mistake in October 2008.

City officials held a meeting in late November of that year with property owners, who had already voted to join the special taxing district.

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their bills were still less than the value being added to their properties by the project, Garrow said.

The city had to change the project’s design after engineers from Gray and Osborne Inc. determined that the initial studies by Earth Tech Inc. and a subsequent consulting firm, Berryman & Hennigar, also known as BHC, had miscalculated the volume of flow that the sewers would have to handle.

Gray and Osborne redesigned the sewer expansion using a gravity-fed system.

The previous consultants had recommended a vacuum-powered system with a smaller capacity.

North Bend is in the process of finalizing how much property owners will be assessed for the work, which was completed earlier this year.

Residents can either pay the amount off all at once or over an 18- to 20-year period with interest, Garrow said.

Paying it off over time works similar to a mortgage, he said.

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

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

County officials will take closer look at vote-by-mail elections The King County Council is keeping a closer eye on the value of all-mail elections.

A progress report by a council analyst tentatively found that voter turnout has not increased since switching to all-mail elections in 2009. But vote-by-mail elections have saved money for the county and improved the accuracy of counting votes, according to the report.

In September, the council passed a measure requiring the county’s elections department director to present an annual progress report on voting accuracy, voter turnout and the cost of elections.

Given the small sample size, the report reached very tentative conclusions about voter turnout. Two years with similar ballots were the 2005 and 2009 general elections.

The biggest races in both years were for King County executive and Seattle mayor.

However, for both races, powerful incumbents ran in 2005 and not in 2009.

In 2005, 53.8 percent of registered voters cast a ballot, compared to 53.6 in 2009.

When King County switched to a vote-by-mail system, advocates of the change argued that it would increase turnout.

Doing away with polling places might be saving the county money as well. Since 2006, the cost of nonpresidential elections has stayed at about $12 million per year, according to the report.

Counting votes is more accurate with a vote-by-mail system. The number of mail-in ballots received but not counted dropped to single digits in 2009 and 2010, according to the report.

The council will continue to evaluate the cost, accuracy and turnout of vote-by-mail elections.

SnoValley Star

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Police blotter Snoqualmie police Warrant arrest At 10:05 a.m. Nov. 4, police contacted a 21-year-old man walking down Snoqualmie Parkway near Orchard Street. A quick check with the Washington Criminal Information Center, yielded a warrant out of Snoqualmie. He was booked into the Issaquah jail.

Business safety check At 8:36 p.m. Nov. 5, an employee at Secret Sun Tanning Salon told police someone had called inquiring about the ages of employees and had told her he would come into the business within the hour.

The employee was working alone at the time. She requested that an officer check the area.

The police advised the employee to lock the doors and said he would check on her.

Drunken driving At 8:40 p.m. Nov. 7, police saw a gray 2010 Kia traveling north in the southbound turn lane of Railroad Way near the Snoqualmie Falls Park.

Police made a U-turn and saw the car drive backward from the turn lane and turn into the Salish Lodge. The driver was Armin Moeller, 64, of Mississippi.

Besides failing sobriety tests, Moeller had a strong breath of alcohol, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.

He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

He was later released to the Salish Lodge, where his wife was staying.

attempted theft was $19.48.

Police arrived and arrested the man for third-degree theft. The man said he was embarrassed and that he was stupid for stealing the stuff.

He told police he had stolen because he was on disability and on limited income. He said he had been too embarrassed to go to the food bank.

Police released the man in the parking lot of Safeway after telling him he was officially forbidden from entering any Safeway store.

Assault At 10:39 a.m. Oct. 28, police responded to an assault at the North Bend Library near the intersection of Fourth Street and Ballarat Avenue.

A 15-year-old girl told police her boyfriend had been suspended from Two Rivers School that morning and wanted her to leave with him. She declined, saying she did not want to miss any more school.

This angered the boyfriend, so she relented.

They walked toward the library and continued arguing over why she had not rushed to leave with him. He pushed, kicked and punched her before she broke free and ran inside the library.

He followed her and apologized; she told him to go away.

A witness also told him to leave, and that the police had been summoned. He left about five minutes before police arrived.

The girl said her jaw hurt a little but nothing else. She had no visible bruises or injuries.

Police searched the boy’s neighborhood and asked his mother

where he was.

She did not know. Since the couple is underage, this does not fall under a domestic violence case.

Police recommended that the boy be charged with fourthdegree assault.

Shoplifting At 3:03 p.m. Oct. 30, police arrived at the North Bend Safeway, 560 Mount Si Blvd., to talk to a male teenager in custody for shoplifting.

The teenager had been seen exiting the store without paying for a digital pregnancy test.

Security personnel caught him and the boy had to return it. He was charged with third-degree theft.

He also told police that his girlfriend had asked for a pregnancy test and had told him not to steal one.

Drug paraphernalia At 10:10 p.m. Oct. 30, police performing a check on Torguson Park found the door to the women’s bathroom closed and locked with multiple people locked inside.

When ordered to exit, four people came out, one of them a minor and another one wanted on a warrant from Port Orchard.

One of them said he was looking for a place to change, another said he was just hanging out with the first person, and the other two said they were looking for a dry place to smoke.

However, they also told police that one of them lived across the street.

Police searched them and

PAGE 9 among the four found a glass pipe, a used needle wrapped in a paper towel, some tinfoil with a burn mark, plastic baggies, cotton swab heads, four pills in a plastic baggie, a bag commonly used as a drug kit, a lighter, broken pens and wires.

All four were released at the scene.

The pills turned out to be Xanax.

The rest of the stuff did not contain enough narcotic residue to test.

Do not drive At 2:18 a.m., Oct. 28, police responded to a possible DUI call at the North Bend QFC parking lot, 460 North Bend Way. A man was in his car, unconscious with the engine on and a foot on the brake. Supermarket employees could not wake him up.

Police woke him up and asked him if he was drunk or high. He said he had drunk alcohol, taken Xanax and ate some mushrooms. After failing sobriety tests, the man, 21-year-old Cody Alan Wolfe, of North Bend, was arrested for physical control of a vehicle while under the influence. Illegal knives and glass pipes were found on his person.

Snoqualmie fire

At 2:46 p.m. Nov. 2, police responded to a theft at the North Bend Safeway, 460 Mount Si Blvd.

At about 1:40 p.m., two loss prevention officers arrested a man inside the supermarket for trying to steal some shrimp and chicken. The total value of the

No reports this week.

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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At 1:35 p.m. Nov. 8, the Washington State Patrol requested assistance in finding a naked man walking down Interstate 90. Officers found the subject walking eastbound near milepost 45 with a citizen who had picked him up.

The subject without pants was taken into custody without incident.

Shoplifting food

North Bend fire

❑ At 5:02 p.m. Nov. 4, Snoqualmie’s aid car responded to the onramp at Exit 22 of Interstate 90 for an 8-year-old boy who had a large cut on his lower leg. He was transported to a hospital by EMTs.

They call it the streak

North Bend police

❑ At 7:02 p.m. Nov. 4, EMTs responded to Braeburn Street for a 4-year-old child experiencing an allergic reaction. The child was taken to a hospital by Snoqualmie’s aid car. ❑ At 9:59 a.m. Nov. 5, EMTs were dispatched to Snoqualmie Casino for a medical call. A patient was evaluated and then transported to a hospital by private ambulance. ❑ At 3:20 p.m. Nov. 5, EMTs and Bellevue paramedics responded to downtown Snoqualmie for a medical call. A patient was treated and then left in care of family members on scene. ❑ At 1:23 a.m. Nov. 6, EMTs were dispatched to Snoqualmie Casino for a medical call. A patient was treated and then left in care of family a member on scene. ❑ At 3:40 p.m. Nov. 7, EMTs were dispatched to Snoqualmie Ridge for a medical call. A patient was treated and then left in care of family member on scene. ❑ At 9:37 a.m. Nov. 9, firefighters responded to Park Avenue Southeast for a woman who was stuck on her roof. She had been cleaning the roof when the ladder shifted, and she was unable to get down.

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PAGE 10

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

King County Council adopts ‘stable and balanced’ 2012 budget

By Warren Kagarise In a unanimous decision Nov. 9, King County Council members adopted a $5.2 billion budget for 2012 focused on basic human needs, such as food and shelter, and maintenance for aging roads in rural and unincorporated areas.

The total includes a $650 million general fund budget — dollars for elections, law enforcement and other basic government functions. Leaders did not tap reserves for the 2012 spending plan.

“This stable and balanced budget is a product of a decadelong effort to respond to shrinking revenues by cutting costs while maintaining our high bond ratings through sound fiscal management,” Councilman Larry Phillips said.

The budget outlines a plan for some streets in rural and unin-

Police patrols plan to keep holiday season far from merry for drunken drivers Thanksgiving is the launch date for a statewide campaign to nab drunken drivers throughout the holiday season.

The effort starts Nov. 24 and runs through Jan. 2. The campaign means beefed-up DUI enforcement on Snoqualmie

corporated areas in Snoqualmie Valley to receive reduced maintenance and a lower priority for snow removal. In turn, King County plans to shift attention to heavily traveled roads.

“How are we going to preserve what we have and keep it as safe as possible? My main thing that I heard was snow removal,” Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, the Valley’s representative and a budget team member, said the day after the council adopted the budget. “We will have snowplows available to every single part of King County. Now, will they be there at the first snowflake? No. It will be prioritized by the most heavily traveled, but that makes sense.”

The council reorganized County Executive Dow Constantine’s budget proposal to address basic human needs.

“This budget responds to the

most basic human needs of those struggling from the recession, as nearly 190,000 King County residents are now living below the federal poverty line,” Councilwoman Julia Patterson, budget team leader, said in a statement.

Rather than allocating human service funds through a request for proposal process, council members directed $1 million in onetime funds to local nonprofit organizations.

Food Lifeline received dollars to address hunger. The council directed funds to YWCA of Seattle-King-Snohomish for homeless services and another equal share of the $1 million to the King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence to assist domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.

“It makes a real difference in the lives of survivors,” Merril Cousin, King County Coalition

Against Domestic Violence executive director, said the day after the council adopted the budget.

“In dollar sense, it is a good chunk of money, but compared to the need, it doesn’t begin to address it.”

The council, acting a year after a sharp debate about the King County Sheriff’s Office, adopted a budget to preserve police and court services for 2012.

The spending plan increases the public defense budget to reduce the overall felony caseload maintained by the attorneys representing indigent defendants in the criminal justice system. The budget also preserves staffing levels in District Court and Superior Court, and restores a critical investigative child find detective to advocate for child safety in dangerous custody cases.

“This budget is stable but

builds on cuts from prior years to our criminal justice system,” Councilman Reagan Dunn said in a statement. “I am pleased that we have been able to restore storefront deputies and provide funding to fight gangs over the past year.”

The council usually adopts the annual county budget the Monday before Thanksgiving.

Like last year, the council adopted the budget early.

“This quickened decisive action on the budget is without precedent, and it’s made possible by the partnership we have created with the council, our employees and our employee unions,” Constantine said in a statement. “Our practice of teamwork and respect is setting an example and building confidence across the region. As called for in our strategic plan, we are truly working together for one King County.”

Valley and King County roads, as the Snoqualmie and North Bend police departments and other law enforcement agencies join the crackdown.

Washington law enforcement officers advise all holiday partygoers to designate a sober driver, call a cab or choose not to drink alcohol.

Officers in King County on routine and extra patrols arrested 876 people for DUI during the same period last year.

In addition to Snoqualmie and North Bend police, and the Washington State Patrol, officers in nearby Issaquah, Newcastle, Renton, Sammamish and Bellevue plan to participate in the extra DUI enforcement.

The anti-DUI effort is organized under the aegis of the King County Target Zero Task Force, a regional effort to crack down on unsafe driving practices.

Target Zero managers coordinate the extra patrols. In addition, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission provides support.

Target Zero’s goal is to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries statewide by 2030.

Washington Traffic Safety Commission officials joined Carol and Frank Blair — the parents of a woman killed in a February 2010 drunken-driving crash — to remind people not to

drink and drive.

Sheena Blair died in Everett after a sport-utility vehicle hit her vehicle in a head-on crash.

The driver of the SUV had a blood-alcohol level almost three times the legal limit of .08 percent.

“Don’t let our story become your story,” Frank Blair said in a statement. “Call a cab. Call a friend. Plan ahead. No matter who you are, someone loves you.”

SnoValley Star

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

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Community

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Pan-American trip has North Bend pit stop for Argentine couple dren were old enough to remember it but too young to veto it.

North Bend’s slogan is “Easy to Facundo is 6, and Mora is 3. reach, hard to leave.” Daniel “Soon they’ll be more attached Rodriguez and Laura Saenz would to their friends and their school,” agree. said Saenz, who has home-schooled The Argentine-born couple Facundo on the road. drove an SUV “It’s been fun, with a camper having Mom as “The job doesn’t let us spend the teacher,” attached from many hours with the kids, so Facundo said.

Argentina to Alaska and back. this was a chance to enjoy The trip began Traveling in their homethem, now that we’re their from Boise to town of Venado idols. When they are Alaska in early Tuerto (OneOctober, the Eyed Deer), 223 teenagers, it’ll be like, ‘Dad, family stopped at go away.’” miles west of a McDonald’s Buenos Aires. just off exit 31 They traveled — Daniel Rodriguez on Interstate 90. south to Traveler They were tired Ushuaia (Ooso they spent the SWI-ah) in the night parked southern tip of next to the golden arches. the American continent, then The next morning, an back north to La Quiaca (LahArgentine McDonald’s employee key-AH-cuh) on the northern saw the SUV’s license plates. tip of Argentina.

When Saenz walked in for breakThey headed due west to fast, she had a compatriot waiting. northern Chile, then drove north Rodriguez, Saenz and their two until there was almost no more children spent two weeks as north — 497 miles north of neighbors of their new friends, Fairbanks. the Rodriguez-Andrada family (no In between, they visited parts relation), of North Bend, before of 14 countries. In total, they leaving for Alaska. have driven almost 28,000 miles They returned to North Bend so far. in late October.

The trip has included a sleep“It’s been incredible,” Saenz said over with the Uro Indians in in Spanish Nov. 7. “And doing it Peru, where the shoeless native as a family, it’s even better still.” children row canoes to school.

Daniel Rodriguez said they “A very moving experience,” would drive south to California, Rodriguez said. “When their then east to Florida. They will sail teacher introduced us, the chilto Venezuela and drive to Brazil, dren sang us a song in Aymara, for the carnival in Rio de Janeiro. their native tongue.”

From Brazil, they will go to The trip involved an artist in Paraguay and reach Argentina in Panama who painted their camper late February, almost 14 months with a landscape of the family after the trip began on Jan. 2, 2011. traveling.

Ski instructors in Argentina and It also included a tense drive Andorra, the couple had wanted through Monterrey, in Mexico, to make the trip for six years. where they arrived the same week a They waited until their chilbomb in a casino killed 22 people.

By Sebastian Moraga

Contributed

The Rodriguez-Saenz family celebrate their arrival to Alaska all the way from Ushuaia on the southern tip of their native Argentina. From left, mom Laura Saenz, daughter Mora, son Facundo and dad Daniel Rodriguez.

While Mora wore an Argentine flag, Facundo donned the soccer jersey of his home nation.

By Sebastian Moraga

The Rodriguez-Saenz family during their pit stop in North Bend. The Argentine family visited every country in the American continent except Uruguay during a 13-month trip that has yet to finish. From left, daughter Mora, dad Daniel Rodriguez, son Facundo and mom Laura Saenz. The camper behind them has been their home throughout the trip and was painted by an artist in Panama.

Overall, though, the trip has been great.

“In every place we went,” Saenz said, “we tried to find things for our children to do. A park, a bike ride. If they make a friend, we try to make it so they can hang out together. They’ve had a good time.”

Until they reached the U.S., they had refused to drive at night.

Once here, they felt safer, driving across Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Washington. The sight of the golden arches made them hungry.

The thought of Seattle’s hills made them nervous.

“I told Laura, ‘No way I’m getting into Seattle at night with this camper,’” Rodriguez said.

She agreed.

“We didn’t know if we would find an R.V. park in Seattle,” she said.

Instead of seeking a park in Seattle they landed on Park Street, in North Bend, with another set of Rodriguezes.

“We’re very grateful to them,” Saenz said of their hosts. “They’ve helped us plenty.”

With their house attached to the back bumper, Saenz and Rodriguez feel no hurry to get back. They know the weather gets warmer as they inch south.

Besides, they are all together, so there’s nobody to miss.

“One of the things we wanted was to share this as a family,” Rodriguez said. “The job doesn’t let us spend many hours with the kids, so this was a chance to enjoy them, now that we’re their idols.

When they are teenagers, it’ll be like, ‘Dad, go away.’”

Contributed

Laura Saenz and one of her two children stand near a river in southern Chile, one of more than a dozen nations they visited on their trip from Argentina to Alaska and back. Saenz, her husband Daniel and their son and daughter stopped in North Bend on their way north to Alaska and on their way south to California.

Contributed

Laura Saenz (left) in Colombia, another of her Pan-American trip’s many stops. The Argentine woman traveled with her husband and two children from Argentina to Alaska and back, stopping in North Bend once each way.

SnoValley Star

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Obituaries Lois Farrell Lois N. Conkling Farrell, loving wife, mother, sister, auntie and grammy, passed away Nov. 2, 2011 after a courageous battle with bone cancer.

Lois was born Oct. 16, 1936, and raised in Lake City, graduating from Lincoln High School.

Lois is survived by Darvel, her loving husband of 55 years; daughters Nadine (Roger) and Noele (Mark); seven grandchil-

Pineapple Classic raises $400,000 in fight against leukemia The sixth annual Winter Pineapple Classic run returned to North Bend’s Mountain Meadows Farm, luring almost 3,000 people to sweat in the rain.

The 3.1-mile obstacle course raised money for the Washington-Alaska chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

In tune with the run’s annual theme, many people ran the course in grass skirts, costumes and even bikinis.

“It is truly inspiring to see so many enthusiastic people come out in full costume and brave the cold weather to raise money for a great cause,” said Wilma Comenat, the campaign director

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dren; and four great-grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of Lois’ life at 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at Highlands Community Church, 3031 N.E. 10 St., Renton.

Benevolences may be sent to Overlake and Swedish/Issaquah hospitals’ oncology departments.

Natalie Eileen Todd April 20, 1984 – Oct. 22, 2011 Daughter. Sister. Aunt. Friend.

Born in Bellevue, Natalie spent most of her life in Redmond and the Snoqualmie Valley.

for the chapter.

The race ended with a free luau for all of the participants.

Since its first year, the Winter Pineapple Classic has raised almost $2 million for the chapter.

It has been so successful that this year other chapters nationwide had their first Winter Pineapple Classics.

Learn more at www.winterpineappleclassic.org.

Two weeks are left for entries in amateur movie fest Entries in the North Bend Outdoor Amateur Film Challenge must be submitted by Dec. 1, according to a city press release.

Films must be family friendly

PAGE 13

Natalie is survived by her mother Colleen Todd; her father and step-mother Richard and Marjorie Todd; her sisNatalie Eileen ters Corrina Todd Black, Jodie Barber and Nicki McFadden; her brother Rich Todd; her step-sister and step-brother Sabrina and Eythan Frost; one niece; and two nephews.

Natalie loved her family, friends and all her animals.

She will always be remembered for her beautiful smile and laughter.

Memorial services will be held at Flintoft’s Funeral Home in Issaquah on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Natalie’s name to Valley Animal Partners, www.valleyanimalpartners.com.

Full obituary is available at www.flintofts.com or visit the Natalie Todd Memorial page on Facebook.

with no foul language, have a connection to North Bend or the surrounding area and to outdoor activities.

Films may also last up to 15 minutes.

Entries will be accepted until 4 p.m. on deadline day.

Participants can submit films electronically to gestep@northbendwa.gov, by mail to P.O. Box 896 North Bend, WA 98045, or in person at 126 E. Fourth St. in North Bend.

Judges will pick winners Dec. 6. The winner’s film will be played on the big screen at the North Bend Theatre during the North Bend Mountain Film Festival.

First place gets $300 and two tickets to a North Bend showing of the Banff Film Festival.

Second place gets $200 plus two tickets. Third place gets two

tickets.

The top three films selected may also be featured on Comcast On Demand, the press release stated.

Learn more by calling Gina Estep, the city’s community and economic development director, at 888-7640.

Finished with the paper?

Pass it on or recycle it, but don’t chuck it in the trash.

SnoValley Star

SNOQUALMIE VALLEY

Amateur Photo Contest to be awarded in each category: • Life in the Valley (people) • Animals/pets • NW nature (scenics)

WINNERS! Send your best high-resolution digital photo to PhotoContest@SnoValleyStar.com.

Include name, address and phone number of the photographer, plus the story behind the photo. Limit three entries per person.

Updated daily!

Follow on Twitter Print subscriptions available- 425-392-6434

Photos may not be dramatically altered from the original. All entries become the property of SnoValley Star and its parent company for use in any of its publications.

Deadline: February 5, 2012 Winners will be announced in the SnoValley Star on Feb. 16

schools

PAGE 14

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Retirement of flags a duty and debt for Snoqualmie Middle School teacher

By Sebastian Moraga Veterans Day is almost 60 years old. For the past three years, another veteran has been getting its due on the same day.

It’s the only veteran that has never missed a war, a football game or a pep assembly.

“As we give the muchdeserved respect to our honored veterans for their service,” Snoqualmie Middle School history teacher Thomas Burford wrote in an email, “we, too, should extend that to the flag as well.”

For the past three Veterans Days, Burford has collected American flags to be retired properly by the Valley’s chapter of the American Legion.

The flags may be tattered, faded or torn; stained, frazzled or worn. Burford will take them.

Some people keep old flags, he said, because they don’t know how to dispose of them.

“Some of the flags, they still have 48 stars,” he said.

This year, Burford collected 22 flags, the most flags yet in

the campaign’s history.

The campaign, he said, began almost by accident, with him meeting Rick Woodruff, from the American Legion during a Veterans Day ceremony.

The subject of disposing of flags came up and Woodruff suggested the American Legion.

“We have done that every year since then,” Woodruff said.

Either the American Legion or the Boy Scouts dispose of the flags, Woodruff said.

“The Legion has a whole ceremony for the disposal of flags and it’s fairly solemn, it’s fairly elaborate, it’s meant to provide the proper respect to flags that need to be destroyed,” he said.

This year, students and community members dropped flags off at the school’s front office.

From there, Burford chose a group of students to take one flag each to the American Legion in downtown Snoqualmie.

Next semester, American Legion members will come to the school to teach students

how to properly dispose of the flag, Burford said.

“We need to wait until the weather is better,” Woodruff said, “because kids are going to be standing outside for about a half-hour.”

The son of a Korean War veteran, Burford said he is proud of his country, “warts and all.”

Burford described his relationship with the flag as a love affair.

To him, burning the flag in protest is not free speech. And don’t get him started on flag designs on Tommy Hilfiger clothes.

Woodruff said he describes his relationship with the flag the same way.

“I can think of no symbol of this country that is more prominent and more revered than the American flag,” Woodruff said. “It’s what a lot of people fought for and a lot of people died for.”

Not everybody feels the way they do, Burford said.

See FLAG, Page 15

By Sebastian Moraga

Snoqualmie Middle School teacher Thomas Burford, decked in red, white and blue, stands next to the “Betsy Ross” American flag. Burford, who considers his relationship with the flag a love affair, collects torn and worn American flags so that the American Legion can dispose of them properly.

Delegation of German students visits Twin Falls Middle School

By Sebastian Moraga Slide after slide, the six visitors, high schoolers from Germany, shared some of the prettiest sights in their home country with their hosts.

The hosts, middle schoolers from Twin Falls Middle School in North Bend, watched in awestruck silence.

The silence lasted until a slide showed a gigantic worm-shaped construction resting at an angle.

“Whoa,” 20-plus sixth-grade voices exclaimed.

The worm was in fact an indoor skiing facility.

“We don’t get a lot of snow, or have a lot of mountains,” German student Niklas Grassl told the children. “So we have to ski indoors.”

“That is awesome,” one of the children whispered.

Then, the teenagers opened the floor for questions. The first question had nothing to do

By Sebastian Moraga

This group of German high schoolers visited the Snoqualmie Valley this month. Front row, from left: Marvin Bläser, Kirsten Gerschermann, Tim Sender, Talitha Kunze, LIza Drews, Melina Müller, Laura Biancardi and Julia Forjan. Back row, from left: Marc Bühler, Niklas Grassl, Okan Keles, Nicole Hilfert and Sven Lutzka.

By Sebastian Moraga

Three sixth-graders at Twin Falls Middle School examine a Euro, the currency of Germany and 16 other European nations. Students from Germany visited Mount Si High School and Twin Falls Middle School as part of their stay in the Valley.

with German skiers and more to do with Canadian artists.

“Have you ever heard of Justin Bieber?” Kayla Nilsson asked.

German students visited Valley schools for the third

year in a row, as part of an exchange with Mount Si High School that will take American students to Germany for 17 days in June.

The visitors ranged from ninth- to 11th-graders, and

shared with the middle schoolers how easy they have it in America.

“Classes here are longer and are not that strict,” Kirsten See GERMAN, Page 15

SnoValley Star

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

PAGE 15

School buses will be retrofitted to save on gas

Flag From Page 14

By Sebastian Moraga If only all of us could make money and keep warm at the same time.

Alas, not everybody can be a yellow school bus from the Snoqualmie Valley School District.

The Washington State Department of Ecology chose the SVSD and seven more school districts from the state to retrofit their school buses with heating equipment.

The equipment allows buses to stay warm and defrost windows without the engine idling.

It also allows circulation of engine fluids without turning the engine on.

“That means the buses aren’t sitting outside a school emitting toxic diesel exhaust and burning

German From Page 14 Gerschermann said. “Here, you see people sleeping or on cellphones. We are not allowed.”

Grassl agreed.

“Lessons are a bit more difficult in Germany,” he said.

Grassl said the size of things in America surprised him.

“We don’t have as much space as you have,” he said.

“Homes are smaller, but higher.”

Then again, home is home and it still has its advantages, they said.

In the time it takes people to go from Seattle to Moses Lake, Grassl gets a new stamp on his passport.

“What’s good about where we live,” Grassl said, “is countries are much smaller, so we can see different cultures if we drive

up costly fuel,” Stu Clark, manager of the department’s Air Quality Program, said in a press release. “These controls help safeguard the health of school children, our environment and precious public dollars.”

The department of ecology has set aside $500,000 for the program.

The money for the project comes from a voter-approved tax on hazardous substances, the release stated.

Participating districts include Lind in Adams County, Entiat in Chelan County, Curlew in Ferry County, Oak Harbor in Island County, White Salmon in Klickitat County, Methow Valley in Okanogan County, Wapato in Yakima County, and the Snoqualmie Valley.

Jim Garhart, transportation

supervisor for the district, said the district has taken many steps toward helping its buses keep the air clean in the past few years.

“We’ve been involved with the DOE, working on grants and improvements in our efforts to keep the air quality clean since about 2006,” Garhart said.

Back then, the district entered a rebate program to get diesel that was low on sulfur, he said.

Then, the district retrofitted some of its buses with catalytic converters to help reduce the toxic emissions from the exhaust pipe.

This year’s program will reduce idle times and save fuel, he added.

A department of ecology press release estimated that each district would save about 125 gal-

“What’s good about where three hours.” said.

American The students we live, is countries are teacher Karen topped the visit much smaller, so we can Deichman by showing see different cultures if we praised the American chilstudents, saydren what a drive three hours.” ing some of Euro looked — Niklas Grassl like and her charges German student answering a might choose pop quiz. Or to study German later rather a popsinger quiz. on in life based on their visit.

“You’re an inspiration,” she “Yes,” Grassl said, answering

lons of fuel per bus per year.

Districts like Federal Way served as a testing ground for the program, Garhart said.

In the Valley, Kent-based Thermo King Northwest will survey the district’s fleet of 62 buses and determine what kind of equipment fits on what bus, he added.

The press release stated that specific costs and number of participating buses per district have not been determined yet.

“With fuel prices high, we will do whatever we can do to keep fuel costs down,” Garhart said. “And whatever we can do to benefit the community and the taxpayers.”

Burford said that when he moved to Sammamish in 2000, he wanted to install a flag pole and the architectural committee of the homeowners’ association said no.

“I finally said, ‘Fine. I want it in writing from you that I may not put up a flag pole to fly the American flag,” Burford remembered.

“Because when I get it in writing, I’m going to send it to the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.”

The committee relented and Burford got his pole.

Another Veterans Day has come and gone, but Burford’s door is always open for people who want to give a flag a proper retirement, he said.

“I figure that with all the blood, sweat and tears the flag has endured for all these years,” he wrote, “the very least we can do is retire it with respect and dignity.”

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

Nilsson’s question. “Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, we listen to a lot of American music.”

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

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

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sports

PAGE 16

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Mount Si falls to O’Dea in state tournament

By Dan Catchpole Two times.

O’Dea High School’s running backs broke loose of Mount Si’s defensive line two times.

But that was all they needed to end the Wildcats season in a 17-3 loss in the first round of the 3A football state tournament on an icy night at Memorial Stadium in Seattle.

The teams went into halftime separated by a single field goal by the Fighting Irish.

With only 3:36 left in the third quarter, O’Dea’s Jayshawn Jordan exploded for a 70-yard touchdown run.

Mount Si (7-4) fought to keep the game close. Its defense continued to stymie the Irish offense.

In the fourth quarter, Wildcats kicker Cameron Vanwinkle kicked a 39-yard field goal to make it 10-3.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, O’Dea’s Ivan Gadkis ran the ball 66 yards. Josiah Lazarek finished the drive with a 16-yard run.

Mount Si didn’t quit, but time ran out before the Wildcats could get some momentum to

their offense.

“We couldn’t string enough good plays together tonight,” Mount Si Coach Charlie Kinnune said.

Mount Si managed only four first downs and 128 yards in the game.

With the exception of its two big runs, O’Dea (11-0) struggled to generate much momentum behind its offense.

Mount Si’s defense didn’t let up on the Irish, and delivered some big hits.

“We were playing hard, physical football,” senior Josh Mitchell said.

Mitchell will play for Division I Oregon State University next year.

But “they ran the ball hard,” he said.

A missed tackle and a brief opening was all that O’Dea needed.

It was a bittersweet end for the team’s seniors. Every year during its time at Mount Si, the football program has gone to the state tournament.

“It’s always disappointing See FOOTBALL, Page 17

By Dan Catchpole

Mount Si running back Connor Deutsch scrambles but can’t avoid O’Dea tacklers during the Wildcats 17-3 loss to the Fighting Irish in the 3A state football tournament at Memorial Stadium in Seattle on Nov. 11.

Mount Si volleyball team finishes sixth at state tournament

By Sebastian Moraga

By Sebastian Moraga

Senior Krista Galloway encourages her teammates during a match against Meadowdale in the first round of the state tournament. Down two sets to none, Mount Si came back to win 3-2 and advance to the quarterfinals. The Wildcats would go on to finish sixth.

It was as maddening as it was uplifting. It was an achievement and a disappointment.

The Mount Si Wildcats volleyball team finished its 2011 season with a loss. But it was a loss in a place where few believed the team would travel to this year, coach Bonnie Foote said “We had nobody believing in us,” she said after her team lost to Prairie in the fifth-place match at the 3A State Tournament. “Except us.”

After losing seven seniors after June of this year, many saw this as a rebuilding year, Foote said.

Instead, the Wildcats nudged Mercer Island out of the top spot in KingCo, won the KingCo Tournament, finished third in districts and sixth at state.

“From the beginning of the season, I knew we would be able to compete at the highest level,” Foote said. “It all depended of how consistent we could be at the highest level.”

When that consistency went missing, the Wildcats found themselves on the wrong end of several scores.

Against Mount Spokane, in the state quarterfinals, Mount Si missed many serves, and that

cost them a spot in the semifinals. Then, in the game for fifth place, the team jumped back on the seesaw and ended up losing 3-0, while scoring 20 or more points in each set.

Conversely, in the first round of state, ninth-seeded Mount Si came back from 2-0 down to stun third-seeded Meadowdale in five sets.

“They were really good,” senior Brooke Bonner said after the win. “But I knew that if we came out at our best, we could beat them.”

Then, in the first round of the consolation bracket, Mount Si overcame a tough first set to beat Camas, 3-1.

That come-from-behind, underdog mentality served the team well during the season, including a memorable five-setter win at Interlake, and into the playoffs.

“Against Meadowdale, our round was picked the hardest to get through,” Foote said. “Then, we were underdogs against Camas.”

Not only did the team beat Camas and finish among the best in the state, but senior Sarah McDonald was chosen to the AllState Tournament team.

See VOLLEYBALL, Page 17

SnoValley Star

NOVEMBER 17, 2011

PAGE 17

Scoreboard Prep football Class 3A State Tournament Nov. 11 Game O’DEA 17, MOUNT SI 3 Mount Si 0 0 0 3 – 3 O’Dea 0 3 7 7 – 17 Second Quarter O’Dea – Bart Hardwick 32 FG Third Quarter O’Dea – Jayshawn Jordan 70 run (Bart Hardwick kick) Fourth Quarter MS – Cameron Vanwinkle 39 FG O’Dea – Josiah Lazarek 16 run (Hardwick kick)

Prep volleyball 3A State Tournament At St. Martin’s College, Lacey Nov. 11 Matches Mount Si 3, Meadowdale 2 (1225, 25-20, 25-19, 22-25, 15-12) Mount Spokane 3, Mount Si 1 (25-19, 25-23, 21-25, 25-15) Nov. 12 Matches Mount Si 3, Camas 1 (18-25, 2522, 25-16, 25-18) Prairie 3, Mount Si 0 (25-21, 2523, 25-20) Final team standing Fifth-sixth: Prairie 3, Mount Si 0 MOUNT SI 3, MEADOWDALE 2 Mount Si 12 25 25 22 15 – 3 Meadowdale 25 20 19 25 12 – 2 Mount Si statistics: Rachel Hayford 31 digs, Sarah McDonald 31 kills, 12 digs; Lauren Smith 41 assists, 13 digs.

MOUNT SI 3, CAMAS 1 Mount Si 18 25 25 25 – 3 Camas 25 22 16 18 – 1 Mount Si statistics: Sarah McDonald 20 kills, 19 digs; Lauren Smith 34 assists, 13 digs.

Prep girls swimming

By Calder Productions

Mount Si’s Nick Mitchell looks for receivers late in the game against O’Dea. Mitchell, a sophomore and the team’s backup quarterback, got some playing time in the 17-3 loss.

Football From Page 16 when you have to leave the tournament,” Kinnune said.

The Wildcats made it to the state tournament despite having to replace 19 starters lost to graduation at the beginning of the year. Next year, Kinnune will have to fill only eight slots.

This year’s senior class was one of the brightest, most mature groups he has coached, he said. They are a “strong group of kids that are going to

be leaders in their community.”

He challenged next year’s seniors to live up to their example of leadership.

Senior Sherman Hutcherson praised his teammates after the game. Steam rose off his shoulders in the cold air.

“They accepted our challenge at the beginning of the year to just get to the playoffs, and did it,” he said. “It was amazing.”

Dan Catchpole: 396-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.

Class 3A State Championships At King County Aquatic Center Diving: prelims, 24, Darbie Dunn (Mount Si) 89.80.

Volleyball From Page 16 “She pretty much carried our team on offense,” Foote said.

Now that the 2011 campaign is history, Foote gets to go home to her daughter and take a nice long break, until

it’s time for people to worry about how she’s going to replace the seniors. Like it happened last year with Zoe Gogan and like it will happen this year after McDonald, Bonner and Krista Galloway don the cap and the gown.

“I went all four years with Sarah on varsity,” Foote said. “I am going to miss that kid. I’m going to miss all my seniors.”

Another beautiful smile Thank you for all you’ve done to help straighten my teeth out. It’s been a very quick 2 years since I got them. All the ladies really helped keep the experience fun by talking to me and making jokes with me. Thanks to Dr. Nelson too for being really helpful and making the experience more fun as well.

Prep Cross Country Class 3A state championships at Sun Willows Golf Course, Pasco 41, Bailey Scott (Mount Si) 19 minutes, 48.2 seconds.

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By Sebastian Moraga

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PAGE 18

County Council extends benefits, income for active-duty employees Just before Veterans Day, King County Council members extended salary and benefits for county employees serving as National Guard and reserve service members.

The council approved legislation to cover all county employees called to active duty. For some county employees, being called to active duty means taking a pay cut, because their military salary is less than their county compensation — a particular challenge if the service member is the only wage earner in his or her household.

Under the legislation, county employees called to active duty become eligible for military leave differential pay if their military pay is less than their county income. The employees can continue to receive full health and other benefits through the county as well.

Councilmen Bob Ferguson and Joe McDermott, alongside County Executive Dow Constantine, developed the ordinance.

“Individuals who answer the call to serve our nation deserve our appreciation and support,” Ferguson said in a statement.

“County employees and their families should not bear the bur-

den of being forced to make do with less, while also worrying about their own or a loved one’s safety overseas.”

In 2010, 29 county employees departed for active military duty.

“I am pleased that this legislation will allow us to do all that we can to support those who serve our country,” Constantine said in a statement. “I thank our employees who are devoted to public service, through both King County government and the military.”

The ordinance codifies a county policy put into place by executive order shortly after the Sept.

11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The earlier policy, however, only applied to county employees serving in the military on or before the attacks. The updated measure applies to all county employees serving in the military.

The new location, called Zo Home, is at 137 E. North Bend Way, North Bend.

There will be a grand opening for the store from 3-8 p.m. Nov. 20. Food and refreshments will be available, and Miller is offering a 20 percent discount on portrait packages.

Zo Home came about because the Birches existing location at the intersection of North Bend Way and Bendigo Boulevard was too small to show the store’s full line of clothing and home furnishings.

The Wrays and Miller also wanted to do something to help revitalize downtown North Bend.

Grand opening for Zo Home is Sunday

Fall means abundant fallen leaves and piles of other yard waste. The state Department of Ecology is urging residents not to give in to the temptation to burn vegetation. In most areas, including Issaquah and rural King County, burning is regulated to protect people from breathing smoke and to prevent fires from spreading.

Smoke from burning leaves, grass, brush and tree needles can aggravate or contribute to asth-

Birches Habitat is expanding.

The store’s owners — Steve and Nancy Wray — are opening a new location in collaboration with local photographer Mary Miller. The new store will focus solely on home furnishings, décor and furniture, and also house Miller’s portrait photography studio — Mary J. Miller Photography.

Department of Ecology offers alternatives to burning yard waste

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PAGE 19

Public meetings ❑ Government offices will be closed Nov. 24-25 for Thanksgiving Day. ❑ North Bend Economic Development Commission, 8 a.m., Nov. 17, 126 E. Fourth St. ❑ Snoqualmie Public Safety Committee, 5 p.m. Nov. 17, 37600 S.E. Snoqualmie Parkway ❑ Snoqualmie Valley School Board, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17, 8001 Silva Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie ❑ Snoqualmie Public Works Committee, 5 p.m. Nov. 21, 38624 S.E. River St. ❑ Snoqualmie Planning and Parks Committee, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 21, 38624 S.E. River St. ❑ Snoqualmie Planning Commission, 7 p.m. Nov. 21, 38624 S.E. River St. ❑ Snoqualmie Parks Board, 7 p.m. Nov. 21, 38624 S.E. River St. ❑ Snoqualmie Finance and Administration Committee, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 22, 38624 S.E. River St. ❑ North Bend City Council workstudy, 7 p.m. Nov. 22, North Bend City Hall, 211 Main Ave. N. ❑ Snoqualmie Economic Development Commission, noon Nov. 23, 37600 S.E. Snoqualmie Parkway

Events ❑ Holiday Artisan Fair and Wine Tasting, 4-8 p.m. Nov. 17, The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie. Chocolate dipping, tapas and fun! ❑ Katy Bourne with Hans Brehmer, 7 p.m. Nov. 17, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend ❑ Open mic, 8 p.m. Nov. 17, Snoqualmie Taproom, 8032 Falls Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie ❑ Milo Petersen Trio, 7 p.m.

Nov. 18, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend ❑ Danae Dean and Friends, 8 p.m. Nov.18, The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie ❑ Aging Well with Consciousness Book Club: ‘Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life’ by James Hollis, 10:15 a.m. Nov. 19, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., Snoqualmie. Come for a book discussion and conversation on aging. Drop-ins welcome. ❑ National Novel Writing Month Write-in, 12:30 p.m.

Nov. 19, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., North Bend. Get motivation and support to reach your goal of being a novelist! ❑ Aria Prame CD Release Party, 7 p.m. Nov. 19, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Historical Museum Annual Meeting, 2 p.m. Nov. 20, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., North Bend. Jerry Mader will discuss his book, ‘Saving the Soil: The New American Farmer,’

Haulers rock for a cause

November

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Contributed

Musicians Tom Wallace (left) and Jeremy Reeves practice for a recent show. The two will be playing with their band, The Haulers, at the House of Hope fundraiser at 8 p.m. Nov. 19 at The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie. Funds from a silent auction and live music will support a local shelter for homeless women with children. which documents the activities of 16 Snoqualmie Valley farmers. ❑ North Bend Mountain Film Festival presents “All I Can” with pro skier Lynsey Dyer, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 20, North Bend Theatre, 125 Bendigo Boulevard, North Bend ❑ Danny Kolke Trio, 6 p.m.

Nov. 20, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend ❑ Merry Monday Story Times, 11 a.m. Nov. 21, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., North Bend. Newborn to age 3 with adult. ❑ Afternoon Preschool Story Times, 1:30 p.m. Nov. 21, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., Snoqualmie.

Ages 3 to 6 with adult. ❑ Courtney Cutchins Trio, 7 p.m. Nov. 21, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend ❑ Toddler Story Times, 9:30 a.m. Nov. 22, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., North Bend. Ages 2 to 3 with adult. ❑ Preschool Story Times, 10:30 a.m. Nov. 22, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., North Bend. Ages 3 to 6 with adult. ❑ Open mic, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 22, Twede’s Café, 137 W. North Bend Way, North Bend ❑ Future Jazz Heads, 7 p.m.

Nov. 22, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend ❑ Young Toddler Story Times, 9:30 a.m. Nov. 23, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., Snoqualmie. For ages 6 months to 24 months with adult. ❑ Preschool Story Times, 10:30 a.m. Nov. 23, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. For ages 3-6 with adult. ❑ Pajamarama Story Times, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 23, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., North Bend. Young children welcome with adult.

2011

❑ Open mic, 7 p.m. Nov. 23, The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie ❑ Austin Jenkins, 8 p.m.

Nov. 26, Snoqualmie Taproom, 8032 Falls Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie

Volunteer opportunities ❑ Snoqualmie Sister Cities Association invites community members to join a newly formed group to support Snoqualmie’s new sister city, Chaclacayo, Peru. The association already has developed a close relationship with sister city Gangjin, South Korea, which more than 30 residents have visited in the past four years. Email maryrcorcoran@gmail.com or call 503-1813. ❑ The Mount Si Food Bank is looking for volunteers to help unload food at noon Mondays, sort food at 9 a.m. Tuesdays or pass out food on Wednesdays.

Call the food bank at 888-0096. ❑ Elk Management Group invites the community to participate in elk collaring, telemetry and habitat improvement projects in the Upper Snoqualmie Valley. Project orientation meetings are at 6 p.m. the third Monday of the month at the North Bend City Hall, 211 Main Ave. N. Email research@snoqualmievalleyelk.org. ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Hospital is accepting applications for ages 16 or older to volunteer in various departments of the hospital. Email carolw@snoqualmiehospital.org to arrange an interview. ❑ Senior Services Transportation Program needs volunteers to drive seniors around North Bend and Snoqualmie. Choose the times and areas in which you’d like to drive. Car required. Mileage

reimbursement and supplemental liability insurance are offered.

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

Click on “Giving Back” and then on “Volunteer Opportunities.” ❑ Mount Si Senior Center needs volunteers for sorting and sales in the thrift store, reception and class instruction. The center is at 411 Main Ave. S., North Bend. Call 888-3434. ❑ Hopelink in Snoqualmie Valley seeks volunteers for a variety of tasks. Volunteers must be at least 16. Go to www.hopelink.org/takeaction/volunteer.com or call 869-6000. ❑ Adopt-A-Park is a program for Snoqualmie residents to improve public parks and trails.

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

Classes ❑ Free yoga class, 4 p.m.

Nov. 20, North Bend Yoga Shala, 325 Bendigo Boulevard N., North Bend. ❑ S.A.I.L. (Stay Active and Independent for Life) exercise class meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Mount Si Senior Center, 411 Main Ave. S., North Bend. Led by certified exercise instructor Carla Orellana. Call 888-3434. ❑ English as a second language, 6:30 p.m. Mondays, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., North Bend. A formal class to learn English grammar, reading, writing and conversational skills. ❑ One-on-One Computer Assistance, 1 p.m. Wednesdays, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., North Bend. A KCLS volunteer instructor offers one-on-one assistance with computer questions.

Clubs ❑ Mount Si Fish and Game Club meets at 7:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month October through May at the Snoqualmie Police Department, 34825 S.E. Douglas St., Snoqualmie. ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Rotary Club meets at 7 a.m. every Thursday at the TPC Snoqualmie

Ridge Golf Club Restaurant. All are welcome. Go to www.snoqualmievalleyrotary.org. ❑ American Legion Post 79 and the American Legion Auxiliary meet at 7 p.m. the second Thursday at 38625 S.E. River St., Snoqualmie. Call 888-1206. ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Garden Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday at the Mount Si Senior Center, North Bend. Call 888-4646. ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Kiwanis Club meets at 7 a.m. every Thursday at the Mount Si Golf Course restaurant in Snoqualmie. Email snovalley@member.kiwanis.org. ❑ Snoqualmie Fraternal Order of Eagles Women’s Auxiliary meets the first and third Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Men’s Aerie meets the first and third Wednesday at 7 p.m. at 108 Railroad Ave. Call 888-1129. ❑ A cancer survivor group meets at 9 a.m. the second Saturday at Sawdust Coffee in the North Bend Factory Stores mall.

Email newellvl@yahoo.com. ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Youth Hub provides cultural, athletic, recreational and educational opportunities to more than 4,000 young people in the Valley. Call 831-1900. ❑ Loyal Order of Moose, 108 Sydney Ave., North Bend. Men meet at 6 p.m. the first and third Monday. Women meet at 7 p.m. the third and fourth Tuesday. Call 888-0951. ❑ Washington Freemasons meet at 7:30 p.m. the first Wednesday at Unity Lodge No.198, in North Bend. Call 888-5779. ❑ Mental illness support group, 7-8:30 p.m. Fridays, Snoqualmie Fire Station, 37600 S.E. Snoqualmie Parkway, Snoqualmie. The group is free of charge for anyone with a mental illness or a family member with a mental illness. Call 829-2417. ❑ Mount Si Artist Guild meeting, 9:15-11 a.m. the third Saturday, Mount Si Senior Center, 411 Main Ave. S., North Bend, www.mtsiartistguild.org. ❑ Sno-Valley Beekeepers meets the second Tuesday at the Meadowbrook Interpretive Center, Meadowbrook Farm, 1711 Boalch Ave., North Bend.

Go to www.snoqualmievalleybeekeepers.org. ❑ Trellis gardening club meets at 10 a.m. the third Saturday, at Valley Christian Assembly, 32725 S.E. 42nd St., Fall City. Trellis is an informal support group for the Snoqualmie Valley’s vegetable gardeners, who have special climate challenges and rewards.

New and experienced gardeners are welcome.

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

SnoValley Star

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