Your locally owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington
Black-Belt qualifiers celebrate Page 10
November 20, 2014
Snoqualmie may change fireworks municipal codes By Sam Kenyon The Snoqualmie City Council is studying possible changes to the municipal code after fireworks last July caused a major house fire. The Public Safety Committee met Nov. 12 to discuss potential changes to the city ordinance regarding fireworks. The proposed changes will be presented to the City Council at its next meeting Nov. 24. “We had a devastating fire on July 4, which obviously showed the inherent risks associated with fireworks,” Snoqualmie Fire Chief Mark Correira said. “This has been on the Public Safety Committee meeting agenda since July and it started after we had that house fire on July 4.” The proposed changes, as they stand currently, would ban aerial fireworks while still allowing ground-based fireworks on July 4 and New Year’s Eve. Any fireworks with an
Piccola Cellars grand opening is Nov. 21-23
explosive capacity above a certain milligram threshold would be banned, including those fireworks shot out of a tube such as mortars. In addition, possession of the possible illegal fireworks could result in a $250 fine or a $750 charge if they are shot off. The current infraction is $124. However, the proposed changes are not certain as the City Council and the Public Safety Committee continue to determine what is appropriate for Snoqualmie and its residents. “The Public Safety Committee has looked at a lot of different options,” Correira said. “Everywhere from making no changes through an all-out ban of fireworks.” The fire chief said his personal preference would be a ban on all fireworks and instead have the city focus on providing a professional fireSee FIREWORKS, Page 7
Contributed
Steve Osmond (right) presents a Triple XXX Rootbeer Drive-in T-shirt to restaurant owner José Enciso (center) and Gary Estes. Osmond had 18 of the biggest names in motor sports sign the shirt at the Goodwood Festival Of Speed Week in West Sussex, England.
Forest Theater hosts Charity to benefit thanks wreath-making events to root beer, motor sports Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater’s annual wreath-making parties will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 22-23. The Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater is at 36800 David Powell Road, Fall City. The Silverbells Carolers will entertain from 2-3 p.m. Nov. 22. No floral or wreath-making experience is necessary to participate. Theater volunteers will provide instruction as well as basic wreath materials. Participants are encouraged to bring gloves and gardening shears. People can also bring decorations to add to their wreaths. Suggested items
include different styles of pinecones, pieces of long grass, juniper berries or even sticks. Dress warmly for this family-friendly event. A heater and a fire will be provided as well as complimentary cookies, hot chocolate, hot cider, coffee and tea. Suggested donation is $20 for one wreath. People who make two wreaths and donate one to the theater to sell can get a discount of $10. Ready-made wreaths will be available for $30. Learn more or get directions at www.foresttheater.org, or call 736-7252 or email info@foresttheater.org.
By David Hayes dhayes@isspress.com Steve Osmond really likes root beer, and Seattle Children’s will be the beneficiary of his passion. It all started over the summer with a T-shirt. The 54-year-old British citizen’s jones for the juice is especially legendary among fellow motor heads, even those here in the U.S. The Triple XXX Rootbeer Drive-in is especially renowned for its root beer — the CocaCola Co. makes a specific brew for the Issaquah restaurant that can’t be found anywhere else.
Luckily for Osmond, a vehicle examiner in Minsteron-sea and Sheerness, towns in Kent, England, he had an inside connection to the Triple XXX’s brew — Gary Estes. Estes is a regular at the restaurant’s car shows and also a member of the Hancock and Lane Stock and Comp Eliminator team from Seattle, whom Osmond has known since 1988. “Estes, a regular at The Triple XXX Rootbeer Drive-in presented me with a XXX Root Beer T-shirt,” Osmond wrote in an email. “They (Gary and restaurant owner José Enciso) See T-SHIRT, Page 6
Piccola Cellars celebrates its move to the old North Bend Fire Station, 112 W. Second St., with grand-opening festivities Nov. 21-23. The three-day party features live entertainment, snacks and raffles from 3-9 p.m. Nov. 21 and from noon to 9 p.m. Nov. 22. Seahawk Sunday runs from noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 23 and includes a football buffet and the game on television. The Lloyd Chisholm Duo performs from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 22 and Bob Baumann & Friends will play from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 23. The grand-opening celebration is open to the public. There is no admission charge. Piccola Cellars, the first winery to open in North Bend, is part of the city’s plan to encourage a walkable and friendly business core. Given the new location in downtown North Bend, Piccola hopes to become part of the daily fabric of residents’ lives, said Diana Kaspic, one of the wineries owners. “Grab the baby and the dog, and come have a glass of wine or beer,” she said. Piccola offers $1 off glass pours to patrons who bring in a receipt from that day from a local retailer. In addition to wine, Piccola offers a rotating beer and cider menu and a small collection of packaged bar snacks. Patrons are encouraged to bring in food items from local restaurants and markets. The winery specializes in wine on tap. Piccola’s Washingtonproduced wine is packaged in stainless steel kegs and alternative packages. It sells totes and growlers of its wines and encourages patrons to bring their own See OPENING, Page 2
Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71 POSTAL CUSTOMER