Your locally-owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington
December 1, 2011 VOL. 3, NO. 48
Down by the old mill
Unicycles unite! Page 15
Fire destroys apartments in North Bend complex
Snoqualmie votes to annex mill site from King County. Page 2
Residents need help getting back on their feet
Opinion
A Thanksgiving Day fire in North Bend engulfed six apartments and compromised at least four more, City Administrator Duncan Wilson said. The fire started at about 8:09 p.m. at the Mount Si Court Apartments, 475 E. North Bend Way. According to a press release from Eastside Fire & Rescue, occupants of one of the apartments returned home to find it filled with smoke and flames. When fire crews arrived at the complex, at least three floors were on fire. By the time firefighters controlled it, the flames had left as many as 30 people without a home. “It was chaos,” said Ryan Melton, a neighbor who lives behind the apartment where authorities suspect the fire began. “People were scared that it would spread. Everybody was just in utter panic.”
Page 4
Police blotter Page 7
High flying visitor Thunderbird pilot visits Encompass classes. Page 14
Cheers for the Big Apple Cheerleaders perform in Macy’s parade. Page 16
Soccer alums Mount Si grads go to championship. Page 16
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By Sebastian Moraga
The fire looked like it started on the bottom floor of the apartment building, Melton said, and worked its way up. He said that sparks shot out of the buildings, but none made it to his home. Nevertheless, Melton said he grabbed his dog and fled to Snoqualmie after the fire started. A King County Sheriff’s Office deputy had to be taken to the hospital due to smoke inhalation and a 38-year-old woman collapsed in the parking lot of the apartments. Josie Williams, public information officer with EFR, said the woman was resuscitated at the scene and taken to a hospital. Wilson said the woman is listed as stable. No other injuries were reported. The King County Fire Marshall Services office determined the fire was accidental, and likely caused by smoking See FIRE, Page 6
By Sebastian Moraga
Windows were boarded up the day after the fire at the Mount Si Court Apartments.
Holiday fund drive will benefit Officials expect Mount Si Food Bank this year hand recount in hospital board race A new community fund has been established to address hunger and emergency financial aid for Snoqualmie Valley families doing their best to get ahead. Fund for the Valley kicks off its inaugural year with all donations going to the Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank in North Bend. While demand for food grows, the food bank is struggling, due to the loss of $19,000 in federal funding. You can help make up the difference with contributions to Fund for the Valley, a holiday fund drive initiated by the SnoValley Star. A goal of $10,000 has been set for this first year. Area residents and businesses do already contribute to the food bank. The Valley’s three grocery stores contribute surplus food every week. Community groups, churches and many individuals make food and cash donations, or participate in benefit events. And taxpayers contribute via
the cities of North Bend and Snoqualmie. Nevertheless, the loss of $19,000 will be tough to overcome. Meanwhile, the demand is growing. Many of the food bank’s clients are working, but are unable to make ends meet. The impact is especially hard on the 300 children and 150 seniors that rely on the food bank each week. There is no one profile for who uses the food bank. Its clients include people who’ve been laid off and are in between jobs, people facing unexpected and staggering healthcare costs, and recently divorced parents struggling to make ends meet. Not everyone comes each week. Some come only once. Some come for a few weeks or months until they find a new job. Some come from time to time, when they need some support from their neighbors and community. The one common characteristic is
The race for a seat on Public Hospital District No. 4’s board of commissioners is separated by a hair’s width. Gene Pollard leads Karyn Denton by five votes, according to the final unofficial results posted Monday, Nov. 28. If the two candidates remain separated less than one-fourth of 1 percent of their vote totals when the King County Elections’ Canvassing Board certifies the final result, a hand recount will be automatically triggered, Elections spokeswoman Kim van Ekstrom said. A difference of about 23 votes or fewer will trigger the recount based on the unofficial results. The Canvassing Board met Nov. 29 and was expected to finish by the next day. The election’s outcome could have lasting effects for the district, which operates Snoqualmie
See FUND, Page 6
See ELECTION, Page 6
By Dan Catchpole
SnoValley Star
PAGE 2
DECEMBER 1, 2011
Snoqualmie approves annexation agreement with King County Opponents file lawsuit to stop annexation of former Weyerhaeuser mill By Dan Catchpole Snoqualmie City Council approved the language of an agreement with King County for the city to annex a former Weyerhaeuser mill site in a 5-2 vote at its Nov. 28 meeting. The vote is an important step in the annexation process, but it remains far from complete. The King County Council must now approve its version of the same agreement. Officials from the county and Snoqualmie will then have 60 days to negotiate a final agreement, which must be approved by the county and city councils. Local opponents to the annexation have filed a lawsuit in King County Superior Court against the city, the site’s property owners and the operator of
a rally car school on the site. The opposition, Your Snoqualmie Valley, has asked for an injunction stopping the process and for a judge to order the city to address aspects of the annexation process that opponents say were skipped. In the meantime, city and county officials are proceeding with the annexation process. Before Monday’s vote, city officials were able to allay concerns among some council members that annexing the site would be a net loss for the city. Based on information provided from DirtFish Rally School, Snoqualmie Planning Director Nancy Tucker cited several potential types of economic use for the site’s 100 to 150 acres that can be developed. The uses include outdoor recreation, like mountain biking; green technology companies; light industrial operations related to rally cars; and retail. “It’s still very speculative
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where we don’t feel comfortable putting actual figures out there,” Tucker said to the council. But the primary concern for city officials is that through annexation, Snoqualmie will have control over future development on the site, City Administrator Bob Larson said. “It’s not like the tribe with the concerts. That’s outside our jurisdiction,” but the mill site won’t be if it is annexed, he said, referencing complaints made by some residents about noise levels from Snoqualmie Casino’s outdoor summer concert series. Two councilmen — Jeff MacNichols and Charles Peterson — were not swayed by the arguments and voted against the interlocal agreement with the county. Both cited concerns about long-term financial risks associated with the site, especially with the cost of replacing or refurbishing Meadowbrook Bridge.
MacNichols said he would support possible development and events on the site, “But I still have nagging concerns about those long-term costs.” Peterson echoed his comments, saying that the city’s cost estimates for infrastructure maintenance on the site didn’t adequately account for unexpected costs. He also raised concerns about the site’s effect on flooding in the city’s downtown, which sits across the Snoqualmie River from the mill. The city has not required the site’s property owners to remove fill illegally placed by Weyerhaeuser or the remains of an earthen berm. City and county officials have previously characterized both as contributing to flooding in downtown Snoqualmie. Flooding is at the center of the lawsuit filed by Your Snoqualmie Valley. The suit also asks the court to require the city
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to complete a full environmental review. This summer, the city determined that activity on the site didn’t meet the threshold requiring a review. However, the court case won’t be decided quickly. It is not scheduled to go to court until mid-2012, but it could be settled out of court before then. Your Snoqualmie Valley is ready for a protracted legal fight, though. Volunteers for the grassroots group are currently raising more money for the effort, according to Dave Eiffert, a member of the group. It could well come to a protracted legal fight. While Councilman Bryan Holloway said he had lingering concerns about the final annexation, it could be hard for Peterson and MacNichols to find two more votes to form the majority they need to stop the annexation. “It looks difficult at this point,” Peterson said. Councilwoman Maria Henriksen had expressed concerns about the long-term costs of the annexation at the previous council meeting, but voted for the agreement after further reviewing the projected costs. “Yes, it’s a risk, but it’s a risk we’re not unprepared to take,” Henriksen said. Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 1, 2011
King County Council looks to add checks in ballot-printing system By Dan Catchpole A computer hiccup nearly cost 11,000 people the opportunity to vote in this year’s general election. The problem occurred when voter information from King County’s database was being prepared to send to the vendor that prints the ballots. During the process, the county’s computer crashed and was rebooted. But in doing so, information for 11,000 Eastside voters, including more than 1,000 in the Snoqualmie Valley, was left out. “For loss of a better word, a hiccup occurred where those 11,000 were skipped over,” Dale Hartman, an IT manager for the Elections Department, told the King County Council at a hearing Nov. 7, the day before Election Day. “It was devastating to hear that,” King County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert
Local insurance agent wins high accolades Local insurance agent Kevin Hauglie has received his company’s highest award for district managers and agents. Hauglie joined the President’s Council of Farmers Insurance Group in recognition for his high overall performance, according to a news release from the company. Membership on the council is an honor attained by few agents and district managers. Of the roughly 17,000 Farmers agents and district managers in 41 states, only 160 individuals are
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told the Star. Many of the affected voters live in her district. The problem was discovered when King County Elections received a flood of calls regarding missing ballots. After realizing that the missing ballots were not random, but fell in a geographic area, the county took steps to get ballots to voters, including making automated phone calls. Elections Director Sherril Huff told the council that the problem had been “entirely new to us.” King County mailed about 1.1 million ballots in midOctober. Following a report from the Elections department, the council is considering how to increase the number of checkpoints in the system. Currently, the county uses a database system purchased in 2004 and designed by Diebold, a computer-voting company now
Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
being named to the council for 2011. “Council selections are based on outstanding customer service, sales production in all insurance lines, overall professional competence and maintenance of the highest quality standards,” Farmers’ president of distribution Mhayse Samalya said in a statement. Farmers’ senior management meets annually at the Presidents
Council with the company’s top performers to review and discuss key issues affecting customers and the insurance industry. Hauglie and his wife, Laurie, opened their Farmers agency in Fall City in 1985. Today, along with their daughter, Angela Donaldson, they serve the entire Snoqualmie Valley with offices in Fall City, downtown Snoqualmie and Duvall.
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called Premier Elections Solutions. Two years ago, Premier was purchased by Elections Software and Systems. The system is the oldest piece of equipment in the Elections department, according to a report on the missed ballots that was prepared by County Council staff. “It is clearly critical, and its performance cannot be compromised. It is not clear that the ES&S staff has the expertise to diagnose the problem and fix it, but they are working on it,” the report said. It was an “embarrassing glitch” for the department, but it handled it well, Lambert said. While the system for generating ballots might be old, the system for counting and checking ballots is very up to date, she said.
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Despite rain and mist, the Salish Lodge & Spa’s holiday tree sparkles after being lit. This year is the first that the upscale hotel has had a tree-lighting ceremony. The Snoqualmie Valley Girls Choir and Fall City Methodist’s Bell Choir performed. Attendees brought gifts for Hopelink’s Holiday Giving Tree.
Opinion
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Editorial
Letter
Shorter school year saves dollars, makes sense
Thanks for the help
State lawmakers are trying to close another budget gap — a $1.4 billion shortfall this time. Gov. Christine Gregoire has floated a couple of ideas that would impact education to deal with the budget crisis. One idea is a half-penny-per-dollar increase to the sales tax, which state legislators and voters must approve to be enacted. The new revenue would be targeted for education. Another idea to help local school districts deal with looming budget cuts would be for the state to reduce the required number of school days per year. We like the idea, although we acknowledge that it could be a burden for working parents who have to pay for more child care — or would it? State law currently requires kindergarten students to have no less than 180 half days per year. Students in grades one through 12 must have at least 180 separate school days. But take a closer look. Another state law requires districts to provide at least 1,000 hours of instruction time for students in grades one through 12 and at least 450 hours for kindergarteners. Gregoire’s proposal to drop the 180 days per year down to 176 days would not reduce the average total hour requirement. It shouldn’t be that hard to squeeze 1,000 hours into four fewer days. Let’s do the math. Divide 1,000 hours by 180 days and you average 5.55 hours per day. With 176 days, the average day is 5.68. That’s an increase of eight minutes per day. The advantage is the savings for the Snoqualmie Valley School District in utilities, transportation, and wear and tear on facilities. There could also be salary savings in some support staff, from the lunchroom cooks to the front office. Smaller class sizes and quality education are the priority, not the number of days students get on the bus.
WEEKLY POLL Should the city of Snoqualmie annex the former Weyerhaeuser mill site? A. Yes, the city should have control over it. B. No, it could be too expensive. C. Maybe, but environmental and flooding concerns must be addressed. Vote online at www.snovalleystar.com.
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To all of the readers who saw the article in the July 14 Snovalley Star, the walking miracle, Misty Si, the 14-year-old black Lab found after 54 days, is doing great. Misty Si now weighs 65 pounds, eats regular meals, wags her tail and wants to go on walks with us. In this season of thanks, hope, faith and miracles, she represents the best in all of you. Allan Landdeck found
From the Web Re: Hospital District OK’s $37 million facility to be built on the Ridge What a waste. Brand new medical facilities are already popping up out of the woodwork. This facility is especially not needed now that Swedish
DECEMBER 1, 2011 Misty on July 4, and she was near death after walking around lost for 54 days. Allan picked her up and carried her down to a house in North Bend. A wonderful woman named Jackie cleaned her face and called our home to tell us Misty had been found. We owe so many people a big thank you for all they did to get Misty healthy. Dr. Winnie Peng, with the Alpine Animal Hospital, gave Misty the first emergency care July 4. Dr. Terry Weronko, with the Snoqualmie Valley Animal Hospital, slowly nursed Misty back to her normal self —
day after day with special care. Jackie still comes to see Misty and brings her special treats. Terry Busby, Diane Pobal and Kim Howard still dog sit Misty when needed. This Valley is known for many things, but for all of you who looked for Misty, put up signs to help find her and called us to ask about her, thank you — you are the miracles — and this Valley is lucky to have so many good people living here. I am a Valley girl, with a Valley dog, and I am proud to live here. Cheryl and Steve Hanson Snoqualmie
has built a beautiful facility in the (Issaquah) Highlands. What a waste of money, land and time. The developer has an above average history with foreclosure, too. Just grand. Eileen
that people who sell Fuller Brush (and Avon) like I do can still go door to door. Because of so many people who take unfair advantage of people, those places are fewer and fewer. I can no longer go door to door in the city I live in. There are many elderly folks who were very glad to see me. Last time I went door to door was the day before yesterday. Yesterday we had a major snowstorm. I live in Maine. Alice Flanders
Re: King County bans unwanted solicitation in unincorporated areas There are still some places
Home Country
Taking care of people is important to all By Slim Randles When Pop Walker sneaked out the kitchen door the other day, it affected all of us. He’s been a resident of the Rest of Your Life retirement home for several years now. He still remembers who said what during combat in Europe, but has a hard time remembering if he’s had breakfast. The call went out down at the sheriff’s office around 10 p.m. that Pop had slipped through the enemy lines, meaning the kitchen staff, and was on the loose. One of the deputies called Doc, who was a friend of his since forever, and Doc alerted the rest of us. Pop is one of our own, of course. A couple of years ago, he took his coffee black and his philosophy straight at the philosophy counter at the Mule Barn. It was cold, and they found his heavy coat still in his room, so this wasn’t good. The deputies checked out the interstate and volunteers hit the all-night diners to see if he’d checked in there. No luck. The cook at the home was crying, and she said Pop had been talking about going to see his buddy, Jasper, again, and did we know someone named Jasper?
Sure. Jasper Blankenship, up at the cabin in the mountains. When we heard this, the hunt Slim Randles actually took Columnist more form. Two guys started up at Jasper’s place and worked down the road. Steve and Dud both went on horseback and started from the edge of town. Steve found him. Pop was sitting and shivering under a tree high up on a ridge. Steve used the cellphone to let us know he was all right, and then built a fire and wrapped a
blanket around Pop. Pop wouldn’t go back until Steve told him Jasper was down at the home, waiting for him. And Steve let him ride in the saddle, too. But before that happened, Steve ducked off behind a rock and made another phone call, to be sure Jasper would be there. Two hours later, everyone had coffee and doughnuts back at the home, and they fixed the lock on the kitchen door. We have to be careful with those who have problems. We can’t afford to lose beautiful people like Pop. Brought to you by Slim’s award-winning book (and stocking stuffer), “A Cowboy’s Guide to Growing Up Right.” Learn more at www.nmsantos.com/Slim/Slim.html.
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:
snovalley star P.O. Box 1328 ❑ Issaquah, WA 98027 Fax: 391-1541 ❑ Email: editor@snovalleystar.com
DECEMBER 1, 2011
SnoValley Star
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SnoValley Star
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Snoqualmie Valley Hospital officials expect to have another year in the black in 2012 By Dan Catchpole Reduced expenses and professional fees are helping administrators at Public Hospital District No. 4 keep costs down, according to the district’s 2012 budget summary. Chief Financial Officer Steve Daniel presented the summary at the Nov. 15 meeting of the district’s board of commissioners. According to the preliminary budget, hospital officials expect another year in the black. The district had been losing money as recently as 2006, but has posted several healthy financial years. The commissioners approved the $27 million budget in a 5-0 vote. The 2012 budget is only slightly larger than the 2011 budget. They also approved the district’s property levy for 2012. Property taxes will be reduced since the district has finished paying off a 2005 bond. The district, which operates the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital, will collect $3.1 million in property taxes next year. The 2012 budget is based on a few assumptions, Daniel said. The principal expectations are that the district will have steady numbers for
Election From Page 1 Valley Hospital and is getting ready to break ground on a new $37 million facility. Pollard ran on a reform platform, and openly criticized the district’s new hospital as unnecessary. He has accused the district’s administration of mismanagement and of exposing the district’s voters to financial risk. If the final count favors Pollard, he has said he will push administrators to justify the new hospital.
Fire From Page 1 materials, according to an email from the city of North Bend. About 50 firefighters from Eastside Fire & Rescue, Bellevue Fire, Snoqualmie Fire, King County Fire District 27 in Fall City and the King County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene. The fire was controlled that same night, Wilson said.
inpatient treatment; an increase in outpatient services, like MRIs and ultrasounds; 9 percent growth at the district’s clinics; and a 4 percent increase in net patient revenue. The district’s budget is formed after department managers determine their expenses and revenue for the coming year. These are then balanced by district administrators, who factor in other expenditures and income, including property taxes. The hospital is classified as a Critical Access Hospital, meaning it receives a Medicare reimbursement rate that is higher than other hospitals. Hospital officials saved money in negotiations for renewing several service contracts, specifically laundry, food and lab supplies, according to Daniel. The effect will be a 17 percent cost reduction. Professional fees are expected to decrease by 5 percent in 2012 to $1.16 million. Salaries continue to be the district’s largest expense. The total for 2012 is nearly $14.1 million, a slight increase over last year’s $14.02 million. Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
He is concerned that it will wallow in the shadow of Swedish Medical Center’s new Issaquah campus, which is a little over nine miles by car from Snoqualmie Valley Hospital’s planned site on Snoqualmie Ridge. Increasing the district’s transparency and improving customer services would also be priorities if elected, Pollard said before and after the election. Denton supports the administration, which she used to belong to as the district’s former chief operating officer. She currently holds the contested commissioner’s seat. The board appointed her to
The city of North Bend and a handful of agencies both local and regional have teamed up to help the victims of the fire. The Red Cross spearheads the relief efforts and placement of the victims, Williams said. Wilson said area organizations like One VOICE and the Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank may also join in, Wilson said. “We will be putting out press releases identifying the specific needs and where people can provide assistance,” he said. “We are having to take our cue from
DECEMBER 1, 2011
Snoqualmie Valley Hospital receives Stroke and Cardiac Center designations The Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District recently received a Level III Stroke Center and Level II Cardiac Center designation within the new Washington State Emergency Cardiac and Stroke System. Modeled on the state’s trauma system, the ECS system will fully implement once Emergency Medical Service providers have been trained on patient triage, destination procedures and patient care protocols. Together, heart disease and stroke are the leading cause of death in Washington. Many people die or are disabled because they don’t get treatment in time. “Each minute is critical to get the right treatment for stroke, heart attack and cardiac arrest,” said Mary Selecky, secretary of the Washington State Department of Health. “The new system speeds up access to life-saving treatment.”
Rollover crash injures two Two people suffered injuries in a Snoqualmie Valley rollover crash, police said. Police said the vehicle involved in the crash was headed westbound on Mount Si Road near North Bend at 6:22 p.m. Nov. 18. The 18-year-old driver lost control coming out of a leftward curve, sending
the position after former commissioner Fritz Ribary resigned to become the hospital district’s communications and marketing director. During the campaign, Denton said she would work for improving services and keeping costs down. She could not be reached for comment for this article. This election is the first time in 10 years that a commissioner’s seat has been contested. In 2001, Carol Hoch beat Julie Ostergard with 53 percent of the votes counted. Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
the main agencies.” Opportunities to help include: ❑ Snoqualmie restaurant Finaghty’s Irish Pub has started a collection for all of the families affected by the fire. Two of the people displaced by the fire work there. Clothing donations and gift cards are urgently needed, Finaghty’s owner Phil Stafford said in an email to a local newsgroup. “At this time, we cannot take large household items,” Stafford wrote. “But I am sure they will
“Our early and enthusiastic participation in the Emergency Cardiac and Stroke system is one example of how the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District is safeguarding the health of local residents,” said Dr. Kim Witkop, vice president of Medical Affairs at the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District. The public can help by learning heart attack and stroke symptoms and calling 9-1-1 immediately when they or someone they’re with have these symptoms. They can also help by learning to do CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). New CPR guidelines only require chest compressions — mouth-to-mouth contact is no longer recommended. In addition to hospital, primary care and specialty services, the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District provides 24-hour emergency room services and appointments to anyone wishing to schedule imaging or laboratory services. Call 831-2300, email info@snoqualmiehospital.org or go to www.snoqualmiehospital.org
the vehicle onto the road shoulder. The vehicle then rolled onto its roof and slid back onto the roadway, ejecting an 18-year-old backseat passenger in the process. Police later identified the driver as a Sammamish resident. Police said a 14-year-old North Bend girl was riding in the front passenger seat during the crash.
Fund From Page 1 uncertainty. “A lot of the people who come are in transition. There’s something that’s happened in their life,” and they need a helping hand, the group’s director, Heidi Dukich said. The greatest benefit the food bank provides is some security and stability for its clients. “When you give that help you’re providing more than food, you’re providing peace of mind,” Dukich said. The need for assistance from
be needed soon.” Take donations to Finaghty’s, 7726 Center Blvd. S.E., Suite 110, in Snoqualmie. ❑ Rock Creek Ridge apartments, 1525 Rock Creek Ridge Blvd S.W., is accepting donations of clean and gently used clothing. Call the landlord representatives at 831-8500 before traveling to make your donation. ❑ Encompass Preschool and Daycare is accepting donations of things like kitchen appliances, furniture, pots, pans, silverware, bedding and holiday
the Mount Si Food Bank is expected to continue to grow. Your donation can make a difference. “The mission of the SnoValley Star is to make a difference in the lives of its readers,” Publisher Debbie Berto said. “Fund for the Valley will make it easy for those who want to join us in making a difference. Only 501c3 charities will receive the money, making contributions tax deductible.” Send checks to Fund for the Valley, c/o SnoValley Star, P.O. Box 2516, North Bend, WA 98045. Donor names will be published (but not donation amounts) unless anonymity is requested.
decorations. Call Encompass’ Stacey Cepeda at 888-2777 or email her at stacey.cepeda@encompassnw.org. Cepeda has created a database to meet the specific needs of each family. ❑ The North Bend Community Church, 146 E. Third St., in North Bend, is accepting financial donations through its “Compassion Ministries Fund.” Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.Snovalleystar.com.
SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 1, 2011
PAGE 7
Snoqualmie River was on flood watch By Sebastian Moraga The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for several Western Washington rivers Nov. 22, including the Snoqualmie River. The NWS flood watch stated that the most likely scenario was minor flooding in some of the more flood-prone rivers in an area covering nine counties of Western Washington. The flood watch remained in effect until late Nov. 23. A flood watch means a flood may happen but it’s not certain of occurring. According to the King County
Police Blotter Snoqualmie police Drunken driving, too
tus of current and proposed projects of the King County Flood Control District; and the National Flood Insurance Program. A representative from the NFIP and from King County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert’s office will be on hand. The workshop is from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 13 at Snoqualmie City Hall, 38624 S.E. River St., Snoqualmie.
below the county’s lowest level of flood alert. At 6,000 cubic feet per second or Phase 1, the county issues an internal alert. At 12,000 cubic feet or Phase 2, flooding may occur in the Valley’s lowlands. At 20,000 cubic feet or Phase 3, flooding of varied depths occurs across the entire Valley. At 38,000 cubic feet, some residential areas may experience dangerous high velocities and flooding of homes.
website, at 2:15 p.m. Nov. 22 the sum of the flows on the
Snoqualmie River’s three forks was 5,299 cubic feet per second,
Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
that the owner had an expired license. Police stopped the car and told the driver, after his identity was confirmed, that he needed a valid license. The driver, Eric Crispin had bloodshot, watery eyes, a flushed face and the smell of alcohol on his breath. After admitting he had had a few drinks, Crispin took and failed a field sobriety test. After failing a Breathalyzer test, he was arrested for driving under the influence. Due to medical and physical problems, police decided to release Crispin to his home. He received a citation for driving without a license, and acknowledged that he would get a second citation in the mail for the DUI. He was taken home and released.
furnace malfunctioning. The furnace was shut off and the homeowner called a repair company. ❑ At 11:29 a.m. Nov. 18, EMTs responded to the TPC Golf Course for a 69-year-old male who became dizzy while working out. He was evaluated and went home with his wife with instructions to call his personal physician. ❑ At 2:56 p.m. Nov. 18, EMTs responded to the Snoqualmie Casino for a 40-year-old male feeling ill. He was evaluated and transported to a hospital by private ambulance. ❑ At 7:51 p.m. Nov. 18, EMTs responded to the Salish Lodge for a 45-year-old female with a medical problem. She was evaluated and transported to a hospital by private ambulance. ❑ At 7:10 a.m. Nov. 19, EMTs responded to Snoqualmie Casino for a 35-year-old male who was feeling ill. He was evaluated and left at the scene. ❑ At 12:04 p.m. Nov. 20, EMTs responded to Southeast Ridge Street for a 34-year-old male who had a seizure. He was
Residents can learn how to prepare for flooding at workshop Do you call the Snoqualmie Valley home or have a business in the area? Are you concerned about flooding along the Snoqualmie River? Hauglie Insurance is holding a flooding workshop for the community. The workshop will cover how the flood warning system works; the sta-
At 1:05 a.m. Nov. 19, a police car in the 9000 block of Meadowbrook Way Southeast followed a green Toyota pickup speeding in the southbound lane. When police stopped the car, the officer saw that the driver, Hans C. Moeller, 45, of Preston, had bloodshot eyes and alcohol breath. After failing field sobriety tests, Moeller was arrested for driving under the influence. A towing company took his vehicle and police took Moeller to the Snoqualmie Police Department and later to the Issaquah City Jail, where he was booked.
North Bend police
Drunken driving
Reports were not available this week.
At 9:20 p.m. Nov. 20, police had just finished a traffic stop in front of Mount Si High School on Meadowbrook Way when the officer saw another car pass by. A status check on the license plate of the second car showed
Snoqualmie fire
evaluated and transported to a hospital by private ambulance. ❑ At 7:10 a.m. Nov. 21, firefighters responded to Center Boulevard for an automatic fire alarm sounding. The alarm had been set off by a cleaning service. Firefighters reset it. ❑ At 1:43 p.m. Nov. 21, EMTs were dispatched to Snoqualmie Ridge for a medical call. A patient was treated, and then transported to a hospital by a private ambulance. ❑ At 9:09 p.m. Nov. 21, firefighters, Eastside Fire & Rescue personnel and Bellevue paramedics were dispatched to Snoqualmie Ridge for a medical call. A patient was treated, and then transported to a hospital by Bellevue paramedics. ❑ At 10:30 p.m. Nov. 21, EMTs responded to Snoqualmie Ridge for a medical call. A patient was evaluated, and then left in care of family on scene. The Star publishes names of those arrested for DUI and those charged with felony crimes. Information comes directly from local police reports.
❑ At 5:40 a.m. Nov. 18, firefighters were called to Southeast Ridge Street for a burning electrical odor. The smell was found to be the
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SnoValley Star
PAGE 8
DECEMBER 1, 2011
County executive proposes new wetlands process By Warren Kagarise In the near future, builders in rural and unincorporated King County could purchase credits to offset constructionrelated damage to wetlands. Under a plan proposed by County Executive Dow Constantine, builders could pay a fee, rather than completing projects in a process called mitigation to compensate for damaged or destroyed wetlands. The law requires builders to avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands and other sensitive areas as much as possible. Mitigation is required if damage is unavoidable. The proposal calls for creating “mitigation credits” for builders to purchase to meet obligations for damage to wetlands. The county could then
use the payments for “mitigation credits” to design, construct and maintain watershed restoration projects. Constantine sent the proposal to the County Council for consideration Oct. 27. “With this proposal, we couple greater predictability for builders to greater certainty that we will successfully protect and restore streams and wetlands,” he said in a statement. “This approach affirms King County’s commitment to innovation and collaboration with regulatory agencies, the environmental community and the development community.” Constantine said the program could lead to a framework for the private sector to drive environmental protection through voluntary measures.
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“By pooling mitigation payments, King County can build larger restoration projects with greater benefits to the environmental health of Puget Sound’s watersheds,” he said. “And lands where projects occur will be permanently protected as open space, ensuring a legacy of a healthy environment for future generations.” The proposal received early support from builders, including homebuilder Quadrant Homes and the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. The option to purchase “mitigation credits” rather than complete restoration projects could streamline a time-consuming part of the county permitting process. “This proposal offers pre-
dictable costs and schedules for the development community to meet requirements that protect our natural environment,” Bonnie Geers, vice president of public affairs for Quadrant Homes, said in a statement. People for Puget Sound, a nonprofit environmental group, also backed the proposal. “While the first preference is for projects to do no harm and then to mitigate onsite, we are pleased that King County has proposed this innovative and forward-thinking plan which will address losses of storm water infiltration,” Executive Director Tom Bancroft said in a statement. Warren Kagarise: 392-6434, ext. 234, or wkagarise@isspress.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
North Bend seeks nominations for citizens of the year Do you know someone who has done more for the community this year than anyone else? If you do, the city of North Bend wants to know about it. City officials are soliciting nominations for North Bend’s 2011 Citizen of the Year and Youth Citizen of the Year awards. The Citizen of the Year award is given to an individual or business whose hard work, spirit and dedication have made North Bend a better place to live, through professional or volunteer efforts, or by an extraordinary contribution to the community. This is the inaugural year for the Youth Citizen of the Year award, which will be given to a community member younger than 21. According to a news release from the city, the recipient should have demonstrated academic excellence, athletic achievement, volunteer commitment, leadership in school, or set a positive example for peers or the community. “We want to honor those individuals who have shown, through their initiative and actions, that they truly care about North Bend and the Snoqualmie Valley,” Mayor Ken Hearing said in the release. “We are excited to present a youth See CITIZEN, Page 18
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DECEMBER 1, 2011
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SnoValley Star
PAGE 10
DECEMBER 1, 2011
DECEMBER 1, 2011
SnoValley Star
PAGE 11
Mount Si High School Winter 2011 Sports Schedule GIRLS BASKETBALL
BOYS BASKETBALL Fri. Dec. 2 Tues. Dec. 6 Fri. Dec. 9 Tues. Dec. 13 Thurs. Dec. 15 Mon. Dec. 19 Tues. Dec. 20 Wed. Dec. 21 Thurs. Dec. 22 Tues. Jan. 3 Fri. Jan. 6 Tues. Jan. 10 Fri. Jan. 13 Tues. Jan. 17 Fri. Jan. 20 Tues. Jan. 24 Fri. Jan 27 Tues. Jan. 31 Thurs. Feb. 2
8:00 pm 7:30 pm 8:00 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm TBD TBD TBD TBD 7:30 pm 8:00 pm 7:30 pm 8:00 pm 7:30 pm 8:00 pm 7:30 pm 8:00 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
vs. Mercer Island at Interlake vs. Lake Washington vs. Juanita at Jackson Lahaina Invitational at Maui, Hawaii Lahaina Invitational at Maui, Hawaii Lahaina Invitational at Maui, Hawaii Lahaina Invitational at Maui, Hawaii vs. Bellevue at Sammamish at Liberty at Mercer Island vs. Interlake at Lake Washington at Juanita vs. Sammamish at Bellevue vs. Liberty
Wildcats Sports Schedule sponsored by:
Fri. Dec. 2 Wed. Dec. 7 Fri. Dec. 9 Wed. Dec. 14 Sat. Dec. 17 Tues. Dec. 20 Wed. Dec. 21 Wed. Dec. 28 Thurs. Dec. 29 Fri. Dec. 30 Wed. Jan. 4 Fri. Jan. 6 Wed. Jan. 11 Fri. Jan. 13 Wed. Jan. 18 Fri. Jan. 20 Wed. Jan. 25 Fri. Jan. 27 Tues. Jan. 31 Thurs. Feb. 2
6:30 pm 7:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:30 pm 4:15 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00 pm 2:30 pm 7:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:30 pm 6:30 pm 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
vs. Mercer Island at Interlake vs. Lake Washington at Juanita at Lakeside vs. Nathan Hale Juanita, Eastside Catholic Cascade (Everett) at Juanita Tourney Glacier Peak at Juanita Tourney Redmond at Juanita Tourney at Bellevue at Sammamish vs. Liberty at Mercer Island vs. Interlake at Lake Washington vs. Juanita vs. Sammamish vs. Bellevue at Liberty
Mount Si High School Winter 2011 Sports Schedule Athletic Director: Greg Hart, 831-8100, hartg@svsd410.org www.snoqualmie.k12.wa.us/schools/mshs/index.html
2011 Admission prices For Boys & Girls Basketball, Wrestling & Gymnastics Adults.....................................................$6 Host HS Student with ASB Card..........Free Visiting HS Student with ASB Card........$4 HS Student without ASB Card................$6 Grades K-8.............................................$4 Pre-School with Adult.........................Free
WRESTLING Thurs. Dec. 1 Sat. Dec. 3 Thurs. Dec. 8 Sta. Dec. 10 Wed. Dec. 14 Thurs. Dec. 22 Fri. Dec. 23 Wed. Jan. 4 Sat. Jan. 7 Thurs. Jan. 12 Sat. Jan. 14 Tues. Jan. 17 Thurs. Jan. 19 Sat. Jan. 21 Wed. Jan. 25 Thurs. Jan. 26 Sat. Jan. 28 Sat. Feb. 4 Sat. Feb. 11 Fri. Feb. 17 Sat. Feb. 18
6:00 pm 10:00 am 7:30 pm TBD 7:30 pm TBD TBD 7:30 pm TBD 7:30 pm TBD 6:00 pm 7:30 pm 7:00 am 7:30 pm 6:00 pm 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am 10:00 am
Shorecrest & Everett at Mercer Island Skyline Tourney at Skyline at Juanita Spud Walley Tourney at Sedro-Woolley vs. Bellevue Best of the West Tourney at Pasco Best of the West Tourney at Pasco vs. Interlake Grandview Invitational at Lake Washington Everett Classic at Mercer Island vs. Sammamish TBD Renton Tourney at Liberty at Issaquah 3A Qualifying Tourney, TBD KingCo League Tourney at Liberty Regional Championships at Juanita State Tourney at Tacoma Dome State Tourney at Tacoma Dome
Senior Citizen......................................Free (62 yrs and older - must show I.D.)
GYMNASTICS Thurs. Dec. 1 Thurs. Dec. 8 Sat. Dec. 17 Thurs. Jan. 5 Thurs. Jan. 12 Thurs. Jan. 19 Thurs. Jan. 26 Sat. Feb. 4
7:00 pm 7:00 pm 5:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 8:00 am
vs. Issaquah, Liberty, Skyline vs. Bellevue, Sammamish Liberty, Mercer Island, Sammamish at Mercer Island vs. Interlake, Lake Washington, Sammamish Lake Washington, Sammamish at Sammamish at Bellevue Bellevue, Lake Washington, Liberty at Liberty KingCo Champs at Roosevelt
community
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DECEMBER 1, 2011
Community gobbles up an opportunity to help By Sebastian Moraga
By Sebastian Moraga
Krista Holmberg arranges turkeys at the Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank. People donated more than 300 turkeys to the food bank for this holiday season.
Cascade Team to sponsor Christmas carriage rides
The communities in the Snoqualmie Valley once again put the giving in Thanksgiving. The Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank needed about 300 turkeys for low-income families this year. According to a press release from the city of Snoqualmie, the city had 106 turkeys as of Nov. 15. One day later, Nov. 16, a total of 346 turkeys had been collected. “Numerous community groups have helped,” said Heidi Dukich, director of the food bank. Besides community groups like the Kiwanis and the Lions, individuals and businesses have also contributed to filling several refrigerators with turkeys. “We have turkeys come in all day,” said assistant director
Groups will help brighten holidays for needy families Cepeda said. She helped organize One Nearly 30 Snoqualmie Valley VOICE, which stands for Valley businesses Organizations and organizain Collective Donations tions are joinEffort, last ing forces to There are dozens of groups spring. The ease the stress collecting donations for the loose-knit of the holiOne VOICE Holiday Fair. The entity held a day season two primary drop-off sites are: fair last June ❑ Peak Sports and Spine on families in to get famineed. Physical Therapy, 7726 Center lies experiThe groups Blvd. S.E., Suite 220, encing tough are collaboSnoqualmie times hooked ❑ Encompass Main Campus, rating as One up with serVOICE to 1407 Boalch Ave. N.W., North vices they hold a holiBend needed. The day fair, Donations can be made dureffort was so which will ing business hours through successful provide Dec. 13. that it clothes, food, spawned a gifts and winter event. Sign up for the fair household The fair is Families in need can sign up essential meant to be a items to parto participate through “‘one-stop’ ticipating Encompass or the Mount Si opportunity families. Helping Hand Food Bank. for ❑ Encompass: 209 Main Ave. With the Snoqualmie S., North Bend. Contact Family economy still Valley familimping Support Manager Emili Fletcher lies in need at efletcher@encompassnw.org along, the to acquire or 888-2777. Sign up during fair’s organizitems they business hours. er, Stacey need for a ❑ Food bank: 122 E. Third Cepeda, said meaningful St., North Bend. Sign up from she expects at holiday sea9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on least 300 famson,” accordWednesdays. ilies to attend ing to a news the fair Dec. release by 15-16. See FAIR, Page 13 “That’s the minimum,” By Dan Catchpole
Contributed
Revelers pile into the carriage before a horse-drawn ride. Christmas is coming, and to celebrate that fact, The Cascade Team is putting together a special evening of community holiday fun. From 5:30-8 p.m. Dec. 3, families in the Snoqualmie Valley can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday giveaways from Snoqualmie merchants, cookies, cider, carol-
ing and the arrival of the jolly man himself, Santa Claus. All of this holiday hoopla will take place at the Railroad Park Gazebo in downtown Snoqualmie. Admission is the donation of a nonperishable food item for Encompass and the Respectful Giving Campaign.
Krista Holmberg. People may still drop off turkeys even right before or after Thanksgiving Day. “If people come with turkeys, we won’t turn them away,” she said. “We’ll just save the turkeys for Christmas.” This Thanksgiving season, the food bank was open from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 16 and from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 21 and 22. Besides the turkeys, the food bank received 43 cases of Turkey Trays, what Holmberg described as a turkey TV dinner for four. Turkey distribution occurred Nov. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The center also distributed sliced ham and turkey for homeless people, making sure families in the Upper Valley did not go hungry the fourth Thursday of the month. “We have reached our goal,” Dukich said.
SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 1, 2011
Birth Lucabelle Mae Seubert
Lucabelle Mae Seubert
Lucabelle Mae Seubert was born Oct. 12 in Kirkland, to Tyler and Lindsay Seubert, of North Bend. She weighed 7 pounds, 17 ounces, and was 21 inches long. Lucabelle has an older sister, Dempsy Jewel, who is 2 years old. Lucabelle’s grandparents — Ross and Chris Ratcliffe, Karen and Jerry Brown and Rich
Seubert — live in North Bend. She is a great-granddaughter to Dixie and Vern Rogers, of Issaquah, and Stan Ratcliffe, of Tacoma. Tyler and Lindsay Seubert both graduated from Mount Si High School. Tyler was in the class of 1999, and Lindsay was in the class of 2000. Lindsay taught at Chief Kanim Middle School before staying home with her girls.
PAGE 13
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Toy drives begin in earnest By Sebastian Moraga Tis the season for a dolly. Or a robot, or a stuffed animal or a baseball glove. City, county and region organizations have teamed up to ensure that no child in the Snoqualmie Valley greets the morning of Dec. 25 facing an empty tree. The King County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Snoqualmie Valley Kiwanis and North Bend’s Cook Real Estate for the third annual Snoqualmie Valley Toy Drive. The drive looks to collect toys “for needy children in the area,” an email from North Bend-based KCSO Deputy Amy Jarboe stated. People wanting to contribute may bring an unwrapped new toy to the Cook Building, 102 W. North Bend Way. They may also bring one to the KCSO station in North Bend, 1550 Boalch Ave. N.W. All toys must be received by Dec. 14. Toys will be distributed at the Mormon church in North Bend, 527 S.W. Mount Si Blvd., on Nov. 15 and 16. Times have not been determined. The event has grown every year, both in need and scope. “We have partnered to basically expand the toy drive to two locations, our office and the sheriff’s office,” Realtor David Cook said. Last year, Cook said, the toy drive helped more than 300
Fair From Page 14 One VOICE. Several well-established local holiday charity drives are joining in the Holiday Fair, which is not open to the public. Families must sign up through the Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank or Encompass ahead of time to participate in the fair. The Kiwanis Giving Tree, Encompass Respectful Giving and Mount Si High School Food Ball are involved in the collaboration. Participating groups are col-
families and more than 700 children in need. Cook said that with the economy still struggling, this year there appears to be an even greater demand. “I’m in real estate, and there are more foreclosures this year, more short sales, a lot of families are hurting,” he added. “We are really a long ways from getting out of this recession.” Last year, the drive received the help of Two Rivers School. This year, every school in the Valley received notice of the toy drive. “Our drive has been getting bigger and bigger every year,” Cook said. “It’s been kind of exciting.” People who donate a toy may drop their name in a bowl at Cook Real Estate. The winner of a drawing will receive a $50 gift certificate to Boxley’s restaurant. Toys for young or older children are welcome. Clothes and gift cards are discouraged, Cook said. “There are places that will welcome that sort of stuff,” he added. “For those who want to donate cash, we will gladly take their contributions to Toys ‘R’ Us and buy as many toys as we can.” People wanting a toy for their children must sign up at Encompass Preschool, 1407 Boalch Ave., or at the Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank, 122 E. Third St., in North Bend.
lecting clothes, food, toys, gift cards, dessert baskets, personal toiletries, gently used clothing, laundry soap, toilet paper, and diapers and wipes. But it isn’t only formal entities that are collecting items for the event. “We have a lady who’s hosting a party at her house, and all her friends are bringing gifts to donate to the Kiwanis Giving Tree,” Cepeda said. The fair will be held at the Church of Latter-day Saints, 527 S.W. Mount Si Blvd., North Bend. Find out more by contacting Cepeda at 888-2777 or stacey.cepeda@encompassnw.org.
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Schools
PAGE 14
DECEMBER 1, 2011
Air Force Thunderbird pilot visits Encompass Hubbard is originally from Renton. She joined the military, She’s a pilot. She’s a patriot. she said, not to fly planes but She’s a proud aunt. “to do something that was bigCapt. Kristin Hubbard, of the ger than myself. U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds “I joined the military to be in squadron, visited Encompass the military,” she said. “It’s a Preschool and Daycare in North team concept. The defense of Bend Nov. 23. our nation is something that Although her blond hair was nobody takes lightly.” visible from all She angles, she returned to WEB EXTRA walked into > > www.snovalleystar.com Washington the Encompass for the building wearSee a video of Capt. ing many hats. Kristin Hubbard, of the U.S. She wore Air Force Thunderbirds her flight suit, squadron. on which her name and rank are embroidered. Thanksgiving holiday. Her She wore an American flag on nephews, Brandon, 4, and Jacob, her right sleeve. And she wore 3, invited Hubbard for Bring-Aonlookers down, chasing her Guest day at Encompass. nephews up and down the hallChildren either brought parways. ents on a day off from work or “It’s good for them to see me grandparents on a Thanksgiving in uniform,” she said, “as well as trip from out of town, according see that their auntie is proud of to Clay Eals, communication them.” officer at Encompass. Based out of Las Vegas, Bring-A-Guest Day allows By Sebastian Moraga
By Sebastian Moraga
United States Air Force Capt. Kristin Hubbard watches her nephew Brandon Taylor, 4, demonstrate to his Encompass Preschool and Daycare buddies how the wings work in his aunt's F-16 airplane. Hubbard, a member of the USAF's Thunderbirds squadron visited Encompass as part of “Bring-a-Guest Day.” people who don’t normally get a chance to come to Encompass to share some time with their preschool relatives, Eals wrote in
an email. “That’s why it’s scheduled the day before Thanksgiving,” he added.
For their auntie’s visit, Jacob and Brandon wore gray See THUNDERBIRD, Page 15
Former Mount Si student leader honored at Washington State By Sebastian Moraga Cailee Olson called New Orleans, the city she helped rebuild five years after Hurricane Katrina, a place that remains vibrant despite the devastating blows it has endured. The same may be said of Olson, a Mount Si High School graduate and the 2011 Washington State University “Greek Woman of the Year.” Olson, the Associated Student Body president at Mount Si in 2007, said the people who nominated and awarded her saw how she overcame adversity and thrived despite taking some hard punches along the way. “I was friends with Eric Ward, the Marine who died,” Olson said of the Mount Si High School grad killed in combat in Afghanistan in 2010. “My chapter nominated me because they saw me struggle not only with his death, but with my father’s cancer diagnosis around the same time.” Olson belongs to Alpha Chi Omega, and although she knew she had been nominated, she did not know she had won until Nov. 8, at the awards ceremony. “It was pretty shocking,” she said. With a few weeks to process the surprise, she called the
Contributed
Cailee Olson, Mount Si High School alumna, won the 2011 “Greek Woman of the Year” award at Washington State University. From left, Riley Myklebust, Associated Students of Washington State University president; Olson; Kyle Erdman, WSU Greek Man of the Year; and Amanda Spalding, Associated Students of Washington State University vice president. The flag was dedicated to Erdman and Olson and will be hung in Pullman. award very meaningful. “It meant so much that they saw my struggles and my achievements and they recog-
nized that,” she said. A senior graduating in May with a degree in public relations, Olson assails the stereotype of
the hard-partying sorority girl interested only in a well-paying job after college. Not only are her sorority’s
standards high, she said, but also she added that she hopes to work for a nonprofit organization after graduation. “I’m a graduate of Mount Si and when I was student body president,” she said, “I started the Special Olympics project, and I really fell in love with the planning and organizing and seeing how happy those athletes were.” The Associated Student Body of Mount Si hosts a Special Olympics event in the spring. After the first year, Olson said, “I knew I wanted to work in a profession that was rewarding like that.” Awards such as her own are proof that sorority students are achievers in the classroom and in the community, she added. “A lot of people don’t understand that fraternities and sororities do do a lot of good things,” she said. “Hopefully that is something that is changing.” Summers like hers in 2011 help change that perception. She worked as director of the community outreach department at Washington State University’s association of students. From there, she recruited, organized and joined a group that rebuilt a house and a garden in New Orleans. “It was a great learning experience,” she said. “It was great to see all that hard work pay off.”
SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 1, 2011
PAGE 15
Gymnastics camp is available for grade-school girls
Unicycles overrun Seattle
Girls from kindergarten to fifth grade are welcome to the Wildcat Gymnastics Camp at Mount Si High School. The camp will teach the basics of the sport, as taught by the same people who led the Mount Si High School gymnastics squad, which qualified for state in 2011. The camp will run from 5-6:30 p.m. Dec. 5-7 at the high school’s third gym and will close
Thunderbird From Page 14
Contributed
Members of the Panther Pride Unicycle Team zip around the parade route near Westlake Plaza. The Panther Pride Unicycle Team starred in the 2011 Seattle Macy’s Holiday Parade, with a few riders appearing on television’s “Evening Magazine” show. Riders from grade school to high school performed in the annual event to the delight of the crowd who cheered and gasped at their daring and skill. Alex Lancaster, of Twin Falls Middle School, and Tony Torchia, of Mount Si High School, appeared in the KING-TV show, as they performed a stunt where they jumped over TV
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host Jim Dever. A press release from the team stated that the November show is but the first of many Seattle performances for the group. Look for them at Seattle Pacific University and University of Washington basketball games. Some of the riders aim to participate in the 2012 North American Unicycle Championship, the press release stated. The championship and its convention will take place in Michigan. The world championships occur in Italy. Learn more about the team at www.pput.info.
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Thunderbird sweatshirts. The other children received red, white and blue Thunderbird activity books. Brandon introduced his aunt to the class, and then proceeded to answer most of the questions his classmates had for his pilot aunt. An amused Hubbard just watched as he tried to explain how an engine worked. Hubbard had some questions of her own. She asked Brandon’s classmates how fast they thought her F-16 plane flew. “Super fast,” a child answered.
with a gymnastics performance at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in the same venue. Cost is $50 per gymnast. Price of registration includes a T-shirt. Money goes to support the high school’s Gymnastics Boosters group. Children interested must bring a comfortable shirt and shorts or a leotard. Clothes with buttons, zippers and/or embellishments are forbidden. Register by contacting Jessica Easthope, Mount Si High School’s gymnastics head coach, at easthopej@svsd410.org or 831-8112.
When Hubbard revealed the answer — about 800 miles per hour — the classroom was filled with oohs and ahhs. For a while, the children impersonated airplanes, with arms sticking out from the sides and their bodies leaning left and right. After answering questions and doling out high-fives, Hubbard switched classrooms. She had a snack of cheese and crackers with Jacob and read a story to his class. The visit had a higher purpose for Hubbard than just catching up with relatives. “For me, it’s a chance to inspire them to do whatever they want to do,” she said. “But they are preschoolers. They just like to talk about airplanes.”
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Preschool Classes begin January 2012 Space is limited 30 months to 5 years old Schedule a visit today! 425-888-7474 www.churchontheridge.org 35131 SE Douglas Street, Snoqualmie
sports
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DECEMBER 1, 2011
Mount Si grads reach soccer final for Oregon college conference “We played really well, we dominated all the stats,” Wilson It was, as Jordyn Wilson said, said. “After the game, the coach a year to remember. said we won the game, we just Wilson’s team, the Northwest lost in the score.” University Eagles, had never had Portland’s Concordia a season like 2011. And Wilson, University beat the Eagles, 1-0, a 2009 Mount Si High School in a game played in 20 milegraduate, was right in the midper-hour winds, and qualified dle of it. for the Literally. National “We played really well, A center Association of we dominated all the midfielder for Intercollegiate the Eagles’ socAthletics’ stats.” cer team, national tourWilson had a — Jordyn Wilson nament. privileged seat “They got a MIdfielder in Northwest’s crazy goal off first trip to the a girl’s chest,” Cascade Wilson said of Collegiate Conference’s playoffs. the nationally ranked The trip included a 2-1 victoCavaliers. “The wind was a big ry against Southern Oregon in factor, but we outplayed them, the semifinals, with two goals by definitely. So it was kind of a sophomore Jessica Oliver, a 2007 bummer.” Mount Si grad. A junior, Wilson said she Alas, the trip ended in the looks forward to next season. championship game, where The team is losing six seniors to Kirkland-based Northwest won, See SOCCER, Page 17 but lost. By Sebastian Moraga
By John Vicory, Northwest University
Jordyn Wilson (11) tries to sneak past an opposing defender during a Northwest University soccer match. Wilson and the Northwest Eagles outplayed, but ultimately lost to, nationally-ranked Concordia in the finals of their conference championship.
Contributed
Meg Krivanec, left, and Chloe Villanueva, right, joined cheerleaders and dancers from across America for the parade. The girl in the center is Denae Andersen, from Nebraska, one of their roommates.
Mount Si cheerleaders return from Macy’s parade in New York By Sebastian Moraga The girls called it a once-in-alifetime adventure. Which may well be teenspeak for “it was great, but never again.” Mount Si High School cheerleaders Chloe Villanueva and Megan Krivanec participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City on Nov. 24. While they rated the experience as “awesome” in
unison, they also paused in unison when asked if they would do it again. “The wonderment and the magic of ‘This is the first time I’m in the Macy’s Day Parade’ wouldn’t be there,” Krivanec said. “It wouldn’t be as special.” The parade under the giant balloons capped a hectic, frantic six days for the girls. Mixed along with touristy jaunts and Black Friday shopping, the teenagers endured more than 20
Contributed
Chloe Villanueva and Meg Krivanec perform in the 2011 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. hours of rehearsing, not including the dress rehearsal or the 6 a.m. run-through on parade day, early wake-up calls, late bedtimes and a three-hour time difference. “Busy. Very, very busy,” Villanueva said. “Very go-go-gogo-go.” In the Big Apple, the girls met and befriended cheerleaders from places like Nebraska and Georgia. Although compatriots and cheerleaders all, the geo-
graphic distance made for some awkward talk. “The girls from the South would always wear make up, always choose fashion over comfort,” Villanueva said. “Whereas we are from Seattle, we choose comfort over fashion, and one of our Southern friends were like, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re going in public like that?’” Cheerleaders from Louisiana struggled to place Seattle, or did not know that there’s a
Washington and a Washington state. Cheerleading is very intense in the Sunbelt, which shocked the girls when they encountered some large egos to go with the bright outfits and pompoms. One of their roommates requested six pillows and a fan, and refused to have a bedmate. Still, they managed to make some friends, including Pillow See CHEER, Page 17
SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 1, 2011
PAGE 17
Football conference honors Mount Si grad
Cheer
Mount Si High School alum Mike Nelson was a unanimous selection to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s first team after a stellar 2011 season at Central Washington University. According to the university’s athletics website, Nelson was one of six football players from CWU on the all-conference first team. A sophomore, Nelson earned his second consecutive selection to the team. As of Nov. 15, he has started every game at right tackle for the collegiate Wildcats. Nelson’s teammate and fellow Eastsider Justin Helwege was also a unanimous selection to the first team. Helwege played prep football at Eastlake High School.
From Page 17
Target shooting to be replaced by biking trails Mountain biking is pushing target shooting out of the Hansen Creek area in the Interstate 90 corridor in the Snoqualmie Ranger District of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service closed the Hansen Creek gravel pit in November for work on a new trailhead that will include new mountain biking trails that are expected to be finished by spring, according to a news release from the Forest Service. The Mountains to Sound Greenway and the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance are building the mountain bike trails. Many of the new trails are being created by converting old logging roads. The area is expected to remain closed to target shooting after the work is finished. Forest Service regulations prohibit discharging a firearm within 150 yards of a residence, campsite or developed recreation site. Violators can be fined up to $5,000 and imprisoned up to six months in jail.
By John Vicory, Northwest University
Jessica Oliver, right, during a Northwest University soccer match. The Kirkland-based Eagles finished second in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, their best finish ever.
Soccer From Page 16 graduation, but only three starters. In the meantime, the team will work out indoors and wait until the weather is soccer-friendly again. “Anya is going to keep us in shape in the off-season,” Wilson said. Anya is Anya Tronson, a fitness fanatic and a first-year assistant coach at Northwest, whom Wilson called “a great asset to the team.” Tronson
predicted Wilson will be key campus is 30 minutes away from her home, Wilson said in the Northwest midfield in 2012. she wanted to get the college “She leads experience, so she lives by example “I still love the Valley, and is always with classobviously.” wanting to mates near campus. know what — Jordyn Wilson she can do to “I still love MIdfielder the Valley, get better,” Tronson obviously,” she said. wrote in an “Still, it’s easiemail. Oliver, Tronson added, er not having to drive home every day.” “will work until she can’t run anymore.” Oliver, a North Bend Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at product, lives at home. www.snovalleystar.com. Although the Northwest
Girl. “That’s what I’m going to remember the most, my friends,” Villanueva said. “And the city. It’s 10 times more amazing when you’re actually in it.” They watched the pre-taping of the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center. During the pre-taping, they got to watch singers Tony Bennett, Justin Bieber, Usher and Busta Rhymes perform live. “Justin Bieber messed up a lot, which was funny,” Krivanec said. “Tony Bennett is a classic. It was amazing to see him.” Of course, fame is in the eye of the beholder, and for some of the children watching the parade, seeing parade participants like Krivanec and Villanueva was the equivalent of a celebrity sighting. The teenagers kept posing for pictures with their young fans. “They were like, ‘Are you going to be in the parade? Can I hold your pompoms?’” Krivanec said. Brushes with fame aside, their own or someone else’s, they are glad to be home and glad to have the memories of a fantastic trip east in 2011. And only in 2011. “Going back to New York might be awesome to do again,” Villanueva said. “Doing the whole same exact thing that we just did, you just want to do it once in your life and say that you did it.” Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
FLEX BENEFITS Whether it is open enrollment time or you have benefits remaining, now’s the time to find out what it will take to get that great smile you’ve always wanted.
Santa Pancake Breakfast Saturday, December 3 • 8:00 – 11:00 am
Call for a complimentary consultation No referral necessary.
Mount Si Senior Center 411 Main Avenue S., North Bend Adults - $5.00 Children under 12 - $3.00 Sponsored by Spiritwood Assisted Living
Collectibles and Vintage Country Store, Sweets and Treats and Handmade Crafts. 9:00 – 3:00 The Thrift Store is open, 9:00 – 4:00
HAVE YOUR PHOTO TAKEN WITH SANTA! $4.00 Hosted by and Benefitting The Mount Si Senior Center For More Information Call: 425.888.3434
Voted Top Orthodontist in SeattleMet Magazine 2011 and 2012. www.kirbynelsonorthodontics.com North Bend Office 425-888-1896
Maple Valley Office 425-413-2121
Snoqualmie Ridge Office 425-831-0386
SnoValley Star
PAGE 18
Citizen From Page 8 award to a future leader of our community.” The winners will be presented at the Jan. 3 City Council meeting. To submit a nomination for either award, send a letter identifying which award the nomination is for, what the person or business has done for the community, and why he, she or it deserves the award. Also include daytime telephone numbers for yourself and the nominee. Letters must be received by Wednesday, Dec. 7. The letters can be addressed to City Administrator Duncan Wilson, and sent by email to dwilson@northbendwa.gov; by regular mail to City of North Bend, P.O. Box 896, 211 Main Ave. N., North Bend, WA 98045; or dropped off in person at City Hall.
Weed Board seeks new members The King County Noxious Weed Control Board has two openings. The volunteer citizen board oversees and guides the work of the county’s Noxious Weed Program and sets the noxious weed list priorities for the county. One of the vacancies is for the board’s District 2, which covers the Snoqualmie Valley. Noxious weeds are invasive plants that threaten local habitats by displacing native vegetation. They are an ongoing threat to Snoqualmie River’s ecosystem, but they are found everywhere in King County. The noxious weed program’s mission is to provide benefits to the environment, recreation, public health and economic resources of King County by preventing and minimizing harmful impacts of noxious weeds, according to a news release from King County. The Noxious Weed Control Program relies on prevention, education and providing technical assistance for fighting the invasive species. Residents can get an application packet or learn more by calling 206-296-0290 or emailing noxious.weeds@kingcounty.gov. Applications are due by Dec. 12. Learn more about the program at www.kingcounty.gov/weeds.
Teenagers can apply to serve as Senate pages in Olympia Teenagers can apply to serve as pages for state senators at the
Capitol in Olympia. State Sen. Cheryl Pflug reminded students ages 14 to 16 in Snoqualmie, North Bend and other 5th Legislative District communities to apply for the legislative session from Jan. 9 to April. Pflug urged interested students to apply for the page pro-
gram as soon as possible, because the number of pages is limited. Senators sponsor students serving as Senate pages. The teenagers spend a week in Olympia as paid employees. Pages deliver messages, hand out See PAGE, Page 20
DECEMBER 1, 2011
FREE ADS FOR personal items under $250
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19-Houses for Rent 3BD/2BA MANUFACTURED HOME. Great condition, view of Mt Si, all appliances, private yard, non-smoking, $1450/month. 425-888-9884
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50-Garage Sales Local MOVING/ESTATE SALE, 9AM-1PM. 14533 443rd Ave SE, Riverbend, Saturday, 12/03. Skis, women’s clothing, shoes, collectibles, books, furniture, miscellaneous good stuff. Great prices!! Everything goes!!!
63-Items for Sale/Trade AIR HOCKEY TABLE, great condition, 6’LX3’WX2.6’H, working electronics scoreboard. $100. 425-868-6519 CHRISTMAS BULBS (OVER 100 large colored) $10/box. 425-391-3604 NEW ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS tree, 4.5’ Colorado spruce, $12. 425-392-8415
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DRIVERS -- OILFIELD CDL Truck Drivers. Jobs currently available in ND & PA. Our drivers average $55k per year, Oilfield experience preferred. A Class A CDL with Tank Endorsement & clean driving record required. Benefits include: health-dental-life/paid vacation and 401K Relocation Bonus after 3 months. We hire only the best. A leader in the well services industry since 1948. Nabors Well Services nabors@snellinghouston.com PH: 877-947-5232 EOE M/F/D/V <w> LOTS OF LOCAL jobs in central Wyoming. Several of Taylor Owner Operators are needing drivers with Class A CDL, 2 years experience and Hazmat. These jobs are local, offer exceptional pay of 60-70k, and benefits. If you are tired of season employment, being over the road, and want a local job with great home time, then call the recruiting department at Taylor. 866-687-5281 Get your income and family life moving in the right direction! www.taylorgasliquids.com <w>
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calendar
DECEMBER 1, 2011
Public meetings ❑ North Bend Economic Development Commission, 8 a.m. Dec. 1, 126 E. Fourth St., North Bend ❑ Snoqualmie Public Works Committee, 5 p.m. Dec. 5, 38624 S.E. River St. ❑ Snoqualmie Planning and Parks Committee, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 38624 S.E. River St. ❑ Snoqualmie Finance and Administration Committee, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 38624 S.E. River St. ❑ North Bend Finance and Administration Committee, 2 p.m. Dec. 6, 211 Main Ave. N. ❑ North Bend City Council, 7 p.m. Dec. 6, 411 Main Ave. N. ❑ North Bend Planning Commission, 7 p.m. Dec. 8, 211 Main Ave. N.
Delightful dancing
December
2011
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 31 ❑ Family Fun Night, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9, Si View Park, 400 S.E. Orchard Drive, North Bend. Brought to you by Encompass and Si View Parks District. Featuring Zero & Somebuddy. Suggested donation: $10 per family. Includes dinner and entertainment. ❑ Downtown North Bend Holiday Festival, 5-8 p.m. Dec. 10, downtown North Bend. Live music, entertainment, fire pits, holiday tree lighting ceremony and community sing along. ❑ Danny Godinez, 8:30 p.m. Dec. 10, Snoqualmie Taproom, 8032 Falls Ave. S.E. A donation of warm clothes is appreciated. ❑ Ask Sophie, 8 p.m. Dec. 17, Snoqualmie Taproom, 8032 Falls Ave. S.E. A donation of warm clothes is appreciated.
Events ❑ Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17, at Valley Center Stage above the SingleTrack bike shop in downtown North Bend. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12.50 for seniors and children. You can purchase tickets online at www.valleycenterstage.org. Learn more by calling 831-5667. ❑ Poetry Open Mic, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 1, The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie. ❑ Diana Page Duo, 7 p.m. Dec. 1, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend ❑ Lunch & Learn, “Coping with December’s Challenges,” noon Dec. 1, presented by Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District at the Snoqualmie Fire Station, free, RSVP at www.svhdlunchandlearn.eventbrite.com ❑ Habitat for Humanity of East King County family information meeting, 6-7 p.m. Dec. 1, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., Snoqualmie ❑ Chris Clark Trio, 7 p.m. Dec. 2, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend ❑ Blues and BBQ: Road Dogz Blues, 8 p.m. Dec. 2, The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie. Come by for good food and good music. ❑ Holiday Bazaar at Si View Community Center, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3, 400 S.E. Orchard Drive, North Bend. Carolers, youth dancers and singers, and more than 30 vendors of handmade goods. Admission is free. ❑ Santa Train, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3-4. Trains depart hourly from the Northwest Railway Museum Depot, 205 McClellan St., North Bend. Tickets are $20 for everyone ages 2 and older, are available by reservation only at www.trainmuseum.org and should be purchased in advance. ❑ Si View Holiday Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3, Si View Park, 400 S.E. Orchard Drive,
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Classes
A dancer with the Cascade Dance Academy performs during the school’s annual holiday performance, ‘La Boutique Fantasque/Holidays on Broadway.’ This year’s production runs at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 11, at Cascade View Elementary School, 34816 S.E. Ridge St., Snoqualmie. Tickets: $6 (All proceeds benefit the academy’s scholarship fund.) North Bend. Featuring more than 30 talented arts and crafts vendors with a variety of locally handmade goods. Entertainment all day. ❑ SnoValley Venturing Crew No. 115’s Tree Lot with Santa, 1-5:30 p.m. Dec. 3; 9:30 to noon Dec. 4; and 9:30 to noon Dec. 11, corner of Snoqualmie Parkway and Railroad Avenue. ❑ Snoqualmie Holiday Tree Lighting, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3, Railroad Park, corner of Southeast King Street and Railroad Avenue Southeast. Come enjoy music, food and Santa! ❑ Santa Pancake Breakfast, 8-11 a.m. Dec. 3, Mount Si Senior Center, 411 Main Ave. S., North Bend. Sponsored by Spiritwood Assisted Living. Breakfast: Adults: $5; children under 12: $3. Photos with Santa: $4. ❑ Kelly Eisenhour’s Holiday Extravaganza, 7 p.m. Dec. 3, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend ❑ Pandagreen, 8 p.m. Dec. 3, The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie. ❑ The Little Black Bottles, 8 p.m. Dec. 3, Snoqualmie Taproom, 8032 Falls Ave. S.E. A donation of warm clothes is appreciated.
❑ Danny Kolke Trio, 6 p.m. Dec. 4, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend ❑ Future Jazz Heads, 7 p.m. Dec. 6, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend ❑ Mt. Si Senior Center open house for new director, 1-3 p.m. Dec. 7, Mt. Si Senior Center, 411 Main Ave. S., North Bend. ❑ Teen Closet Night, 5-7 p.m. Dec. 7, Mount Si Lutheran Church, 411 N.E. Eighth St., North Bend. Come shop or donate. Email snovalleyteencloset@comcast.net. ❑ Darin Clendenin, 7 p.m. Dec. 7, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend ❑ Snoqualmie Strings Youth Orchestra’s Winter Carnivale, 6 p.m. Dec. 8, Church of LatterDay Saints Temple, 527 S.W. Mount Si Boulevard, North Bend. Come enjoy a delightful blend of circus classics, holiday favorites and classical masterpieces! Free admission. ❑ Kids Night Out!, 6-10 p.m. Dec. 9, Si View Park, 400 S.E. Orchard Drive, North Bend. To attend, register by Wednesday, Dec. 7. Call 831-1900 to register. Cost: $20. For grades kindergarten through five.
❑ 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. 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. A KCLS volunteer instructor can give you one-on-one assistance with computer questions.
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. ❑ The 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. ❑ 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. ❑ Keep the Valley Warm coat drive, until Dec. 11, accepting all types of winter clothes and blankets for adults and children. Drop-off is at the North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St.
Clubs ❑ Mount Si Fish and Game Club, 7:30 p.m. first Thursday of the month (October through May), Snoqualmie Police Department, 34825 S.E. Douglas St., Snoqualmie ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Rotary Club, 7 a.m. every Thursday, TPC Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club Restaurant. All are welcome. Go to www.snoqualmievalleyrotary.org. ❑ American Legion Post 79 and the American Legion Auxiliary, 7 p.m. second Thursday, 38625 S.E. River St., Snoqualmie, 888-1206 ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Garden Club, 6:30 p.m. second Thursday, Mount Si Senior Center, North Bend, 888-4646 Submit an item for the community calendar by emailing editor@snovalleystar.com or go to www.snovalleystar.com.
SnoValley Star
PAGE 20
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Don’t let Valley families go hungry The Mt. Si Helping Hand Food Bank serves 300 children and their parents and 150 senior citizens from Snoqualmie Valley every week. Budget cuts have made the future of the food bank uncertain, and that’s just not acceptable.
DECEMBER 1, 2011
Page From Page 18 documents on the Senate floor and run other errands. Participants also attend Page School during the workday to learn about civics and government. “Many of the people who go on to serve in public office get their first taste of policy work as a page,” Pflug said. “Plus, it’s lots of fun making friends with other teens from all over the state.” Learn more about the page program or apply to be a page sponsored by Pflug at www.leg.wa.gov/senate/ administration/pageprogram/pages/ default.aspx. Students may download an application at the website. Send the completed form to Pflug’s office: 415 Legislative Building, P.O. Box 40405, Olympia, WA 98504-0405.
Snoqualmie Casino’s credit rating gets a boost from Standard & Poor’s Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has raised its credit rating of the Snoqualmie Entertainment Authority, which manages Snoqualmie Casino, from B- to B. The ratings agency announced the change Oct. 21. The Snoqualmie
Entertainment Authority is owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe. The casino’s credit rating is still relatively low. The casino’s credit rating had been hurt by a disappointing opening in November 2008 and high debt load, but it has improved since then. Its last credit upgrade came in December, when Moody’s Investor Services and Standard & Poor’s both raised their ratings for the casino. “While there remains some uncertainty surrounding the authority’s longer term development plans, as well as the tribe’s longer term financial policy regarding distributions, we believe Snoqualmie’s credit and liquidity profiles support the higher rating,” Standard & Poor’s credit analyst Carissa Schreck said in the company’s news release. Concerns persist about the authority’s “narrow business position as an operator of a single casino property, high debt leverage, and some uncertainty around the tribe’s longer term financial policy and expansion plans. “These risks are only somewhat tempered by continued improvement in operating performance, which has resulted in credit measures and a liquidity profile in line with the ‘B’ rating,” according to the news release. The casino has about $330 million in notes that begin coming due in 2014.
Send donations to Fund for the Valley, c/o SnoValley Star, PO Box 2516, North Bend, WA 98045
SNOQUALMIE RIDGE
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Join the SnoValley Star in insuring that the Mt. Si Food Bank will be here next year, and the year after that… READY TO BUILD!
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