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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2016

SNO★VALLEY

STAR

LEAPING TO THE LEAD

Mount Si gymnasts start season with win over Eastlake Page 10

Progress shared from teen homeless forums

SANTA LIGHTS UP TREE CEREMONY

BY STUART MILLER smiller@snovalleystar.com

GREG FARRAR | gfarrar@snovalleystar.com

Santa arrives on an Eastside Fire & Rescue sleigh pulled by Rudolph for the North Bend Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting at the Mount Si Senior Center Dec. 3 in North Bend. See more photos on Pages 6-7.

County floats flood plans at meeting

BY STUART MILLER

smiller@snovalleystar.com

Snoqualmie Valley residents gathered Dec. 1 to learn about and provide feedback on plans for flood-risk reduction along the South Fork Snoqualmie

River. Many attendees, most of whom live in the floodplain, expressed concerns with King County’s project priorities.

Roughly 30 residents and officials from the King County Flood Control District attended the meeting, which took place

at the Sallal Grange in North Bend.

“We invited everybody in the floodplain of the South Fork,” Richelle Rose, King County program manager, said. “We want to know how this resonates with folks.”

The current containment levees flanking the South Fork were built in the early 1960s in response to a 1959 flood that was probably the biggest since European settlement of the

SEE FLOODS, PAGE 2

Loops celebrate ups and downs of 70-year marriage

BY STUART MILLER smiller@snovalleystar.com

STUART MILLER | smiller@snovalleystar.com

North Bend residents Mary and Brooks Loop reminisce about their 70 years of wedded bliss on their anniversary Nov. 30.

Brooks Loop remembers first meeting Mary Morris when they were on student council together in junior high in Kent.

He was in ninth grade, she was in seventh. They could hardly imagine then that the better part of a century later, they would be celebrating 70 years of marriage together.

On Nov. 30, North Bend residents Brooks and Mary Loop celebrated their 70th wedding

anniversary together.

“The reason we got married in November is it started getting cold, and I could either get married or buy a blanket,” Brooks said. “I decided to get married.”

The two had started dating less than a year before marrying. Brooks returned home from World War II in 1946 after serving three years as a sonar man on a submarine chaser in the South Pacific. A 17-year-old SEE LOOPS, PAGE 9

Two previous forums about teen homelessness in the Snoqualmie Valley, hosted by the Sallal Grange in North Bend, resulted in a third meeting Nov. 29 that was largely focused on reporting back on progress made in the last couple months.

Several ideas and suggestions discussed at the first and second forum in October and early November have come to fruition.

“My takeaway from the meeting was that a lot of the different groups and stakeholders came back to report on programs they are developing as a result of the previous two forums,” Maggie Wong, teen librarian at Snoqualmie, North Bend and Fall City libraries, said.

At the second forum Nov. 2, Snoqualmie Police Capt.

Nick Almquist mentioned how helpful it would be for officers to have a pocket reference book of helpful services. Snoqualmie Valley Community Network worked with the police department to create quick access cards that first responders can hand to SEE FORUM, PAGE 3

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FRIDAY, December 9, 2016

SNOVALLEY STAR

STUART MILLER | smiller@snovalleystar.com

North Bend residents learn more and provide feedback about flood-risk reduction while living within the flood plain of South Fork Snoqualmie River at a public meeting hosted by King County Flood Control District.

FLOODS From Page 1

area, said Mark Ruebel, supervising engineer for King County.

Levees were built higher on the east side of the river to protect downtown North Bend and lower on the west side to guide floodwater into what was once farmland. Since the levees were built, North Bend has incorporated large swaths of land on the west side of the river, including many residential and commercial areas, such as the outlet malls and the Nintendo facility.

Ruebel presented a plan update on 12 proposed projects. He described two

efforts that are currently underway, including an $18.6 million Interstate 90 flood-risk reduction project.

Three proposed nearterm actions involving levee improvements on Ribary Creek and other areas were described.

Seven other proposed projects, all unfunded and considered farther away from fruition, were also described.

One of those unfunded, long-term actions — the replacement of Bendigo Bridge — was considered by many in the crowd to be the most important thing to take care of, even before the projects already underway. The 150-foot span of the bridge creates a hydraulic backwater that

contributes to flooding, according to flood district documents.

“I’d like to see that moved to the top of the list,” North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing said.

His comment was met with sounds of approval by the attendees and was echoed by others.

One man suggested the $18.6 million in secured funding for the I-90 flood risk reduction project be transferred to fund a Bendigo Bridge replacement, which would cost an estimated $11 million to $20 million.

“If the mayor says it is a priority, it baffles me why it is so low,” one man said of the bridge project.

Many attendees disagreed with the logic behind the I-90 project,

which is “underway” but not yet in the physical construction phase.

The project aims to keep floodwater off of the freeway in the event floodwater crests a levee and pours into Clough Creek, which passes under the interstate near the corner of 415th Way Southeast and Southeast 141st Street.

Ruebel said the county’s top priority is to keep I-90 open, as it is a main vein of regional transportation and trade. Some attendees took issue with that logic.

The interstate would only flood during rare events. The 30-year flood in 2009 did not make it onto the roadway. Snow closures, however close the freeway multiple

times per year. The logic behind a nearly $20 million effort to keep I-90 open in a rare flood event — when it already experiences unavoidable snow closures at Snoqualmie Pass every winter — does not add up, multiple attendees commented.

The uncertainty of the proposed projects has put many residents in limbo.

They don’t know whether to make improvements to their property because they don’t know if levee setbacks or other projects will affect their plans.

“We’re frozen,” said one owner of property in the floodplain.

Kathy Lambert, a King County councilmember representing the area, encouraged residents at the meeting to write letters to the county about

STUART MILLER | smiller@ snovalleystar.com

A map shows the current levees and 500-year flood inundation area of South Fork Snoqualmie River.

their concerns.

“I think if you don’t live out here, you don’t understand it,” Lambert said. Tell them, “We don’t want to live in limbo like this.”

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SNOVALLEY STAR

Snoqualmie fire reports

Gas leak traced to church

alarm set off the alarms.

The battery was replaced and the system was reset.

The house was secured and the homeowner was notified that the problem had been resolved.

the call was canceled and they returned to the station.

Stubborn alarm wouldn’t reset

At 7:45 a.m. Nov. 28, Snoqualmie firefighters were dispatched to the Faulty smoke self-storage complex on detector Southeast Douglas Street.

At 11:05 p.m. Nov. 23, The crew found a three-stoSnoqualmie firefightry building in alarm with ers received a phoned-in the panel reading “comms report of a residential fire error.” The crew searched alarm on Saint Andrews the building but nothing Lane Southeast. Upon was found. Since the alarm arrival, the crew found a would not reset, it was left defective smoke detector in “trouble” mode and the causing the other detectors crew advised dispatch to Out of state to alert. They pulled the let the monitoring complea for help smoke detector down and pany know it looked like a At 1:24 p.m. Nov. 24, a advised the homeowners communication glitch on homeowner on Pinnacle to purchase a new one. their end.

Place Southeast reported The self-storage comher smoke alarms were plex fire alarm sounded Over reaction to a going off, but was out of again at 2:44 a.m. Nov. 30. false alarm state and had no way to The responding crew was At 6:47 p.m. Nov. 27, firehandle it. The responding unable to reset the alarm fighters from Snoqualmie, and had to call the alarm crew found no obvious signs of fire from the exte- EFR and Fall City were company. rior of the home, but could dispatched to a residential structure fire near hear alarms throughIn addition to the above Wilderness Rim in North out the structure. The calls, Snoqualmie EMTs Bend. Upon arrival, there crew accessed the home responded to 15 medical appeared to be no fire, but through an unlocked aid incidents bringing the second-floor window and the Snoqualmie crew was total number of calls to asked to stand by at the determined a faulty batdate to 1,021. In 2015, there tery in an upstairs smoke hydrant. Once stationed, were 878 EMT calls.

At 3:02 p.m. Nov. 23, Eastside Fire & Rescue requested that a crew of Snoqualmie firefighters investigate a report of a gas leak on East Third Street in North Bend. Puget Sound Energy found the source as the crews arrived on scene — an unlit pilot light was found in a church.

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FORUM From Page 1

youths in crisis.

Wong helped organize a social services info table on the second Thursday of the month February through May from 2-5 p.m. at the North Bend Library.

Trissa Dexheimer, program coordinator at Congregation for the Homeless, announced at the latest forum that she talked with the executive and program directors at CFH and found they were open to having teens aged 13-18 in the Valley Winter Shelter from 8:30-10 p.m. for hot dinners.

“We have the location, we have the meals,” Dexheimer said.

Volunteers are needed to watch the kids, as the shelter caters to adult homeless people.

Trail Youth, an organization that reaches out to homeless and at-risk youth through free coffee stands, has started their program in the Valley,

forum moderator Alexis Kaplan said. A helper with Trail Youth mentioned they had 16 kids at the coffee stand at one point, which operates near Two Rivers School in North Bend, Kaplan said.

Kaplan said that advocacy efforts are underway through Grange lobbyists in Olympia.

They would like to change certain laws, regulations and code restrictions surrounding people’s ability to help homeless youth.

Laws, like Becca’s Law dealing with truancy in minors, have created roadblocks and red tape that can hinder people’s abilityZ.ePROOF.SV.CMYK. to help minors, SCOTT PDF 1020 LAM Kaplan said.

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FRIDAY, December 9, 2016

OPINION

SNOVALLEY STAR

IF YOU GO “A Christmas Carol” n Valley Center Stage n 119 W. North Bend Way, North Bend n Friday and Saturdays Dec. 2-17; Thursdays Dec. 9 and Dec. 16; For evening shows, doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Matinee: Sunday, Dec. 11, Doors open at 1:30 p.m., show starts at 2 p.m. n Ticket prices: $17.50 for adults; $14 for seniors/students

By Danny Kolke

Valley Center Stages production of “A Christmas Carol” will run through Dec. 17 in North Bend.

Valley View

Theater gives spirited performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’

BY STUART MILLER

in 1843.

Set alley Center in 19thStage precentury miered its London, ninth annual the plot production unfolds in Stuart Miller of Charles Dickens’ “A the days Christmas Carol” on Dec. leading 2, displaying a spirited up to Christmas. Ebenezer rendition of the classic Scrooge, a grumpy, greedy, story that has been part of curmudgeonly old busiChristmas lore since it was nessman (played by direcfirst released as a novella tor Gary Schwartz) is vis-

V

SNO★VALLEY

ited by several ghosts after spitting on the Christmas spirit of his underpaid, struggling employee Bob Cratchit (played by René Schuchter), refusing his nephew Fred’s (Ryan Fuller Hartwell) Christmas dinner invitation, and displaying a general “humbug” attitude toward everything generous and joyful.

The ghosts, including

STAR Published every Friday by The Issaquah Press Group 1085 12th Ave. NW, Suite D1 | P.O. Box 1328 Issaquah, King County, WA 98027

that of his regret-laden dead business partner Jacob Marley (Ed Benson), and ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future attempt to show Scrooge the error of his ways by guiding him through visions of the holidays throughout his life.

While this was my first time seeing a Valley Center

HAVE YOUR SAY Something on your mind about your city? Tell us about it. Send letters to the editor via email to editor@snovalleystar.com. The SnoValley Star welcomes comments to the editor about local issues — 300 words at most, please. We may edit them for length, clarity or inappropriate content. Include your phone number (it will not be published). Email is preferred, but you can also mail your comments to: Editor, SnoValley Star, P.O. Box 1328, Issaquah, WA 98027

SEE CAROL, PAGE 5

STAFF Charles Horton.......................................General manager Scott Stoddard...............................................................Editor Stuart Miller............................................................. Reporter Neil Pierson.............................................................. Reporter Greg Farrar.....................................................Photographer

CORRECTIONS We are committed to accuracy at the SnoValley Star and take care in our reporting and editing, but errors do occur. If you think something we’ve published is in error, please email us at editor@snovalleystar.com.

CONTACT US All departments can be reached at

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Fax: (425) 392-1695 Email: editor@snovalleystar.com Online: snovalleystar.com ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS $52 per year | $96 two years $48 per year for seniors Add $15 outside King County Add $20 outside the state

SNOVALLEY STAR

FRIDAY, December 9, 2016

CAROL

feel like true community the play, but it did get a theater. Many of the cast little clunky in a couple of From Page 4 and production staff are scenes, where it seemed locals and have worked like dialogue would have Stage production, it is far with VCS for years. been more fitting and from my first experience Working with the small natural. with “A Christmas Carol.” venue, the audience seatOverall, VCS works Growing up, my faming area becomes part well with its natural ily and I went to see the of the stage in several constraints to put on a play in Seattle most years scenes. In the opening fun and cheerful pershortly before Christmas. scene, chorus members formance of the classic It became a tradition for walk through the audiChristmas story. The us, and I’ve grown fonder ence toward the stage, intimate setting of VCS in of the story every year I singing a beautiful tune. downtown North Bend see it.

In another scene, phanwas comfortable and The VCS version is diftoms run around the seat- made for a performance ferent in many ways from ing and stage areas under that left me smiling and the professional, large-ven- a black light, sometimes impressed. The amazue productions of the play grazing shoulders with a ing costuming, done by I was used to. In fact, it wisp of costume fabric.

Kathie Stokesberry, stuck was basically the opposite The stage actually turns out to me as well.

— VCS is an all-volunteer a corner onto the right If for no other reason, organization operating in wall of the theater, as a you must see this play a relatively small upstairs kind of panhandle into to hear Schwartz’s take venue. It did not disapthe audience. As the play on the classic Scrooge point, however. unfolds, the line between “Humbug!” It is the greatWith the exception of audience and stage blurs est humbug I’ve ever Scrooge, every member of in an endearing way. heard, loud and close-up the cast played multiple A couple small slips in to the audience. roles in the play. Cast cast lines, and a spill over members ranged from an empty chair by one of young children to older the running phantoms, Email reporter adults. I was told that were easily forgotten.

Stuart Miller at several of the actors were This production of “A smiller@snovalleystar.com. either new to the stage or Christmas Carol” was had been in only one or interestingly done in stoValley View is a weekly two other productions. ry-theater style, with the column by SnoValley Star Despite the greenness cast often narrating the reporter Stuart Miller. of some of the cast, the story while also reciting It does not necessarily production did not feel lines. For the most part, represent the editorial views SANDY/LAURA F.noPROOF.SV.CMYK. “amateur” to me. It did the style fits1123 in well of the newspaper.

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FRIDAY, December 9, 2016

SNOVALLEY STAR

SNOVALLEY STAR

FRIDAY, December 9, 2016

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RAIN OR SHINE, SANTA DELIVERS HOLIDAY CHEER The rain came but so did Santa, and big crowds of families still packed the North Bend Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting at the Mount Si Senior Center Dec. 3 in North Bend. The Twin Falls Middle School’s Jazz Band I orchestra, a team from the Ignite Dance and Yoga studio and the Snoqualmie Valley Unicycle Team performed. Santa arrived on the Eastside Fire & Rescue sleigh pulled by Rudolph, greeted everyone and posed for photographs in the senior center gazebo.

PHOTOS BY GREG FARRAR | gfarrar@snovalleystar.com

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FRIDAY, December 9, 2016

Calendar of events Saturday, Dec. 10 Northwest Railway Museum presents Santa Train, featuring visit with Santa, refreshments and small gifts from Santa to children, departs North Bend every hour starting at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., from 205 McClellan St., to Snoqualmie Depot, 38625 SE King St., tickets are $24 ages 2 and older, bit. ly/2gahRRl Santa at Snoqualmie Valley Moose Lodge, complimentary breakfast at 9 a.m., Santa arrives at 10 a.m., free pictures, 108 Sydney N., 8880951 Town of Snoqualmie Falls Video and Discussion, narrated by Dave Battey with music by Harley Brumbaugh, 10 a.m. to noon, Meadowbrook Farm, 1711 Boalch Ave., North Bend, free, 831-1900 Winter Magic Grand Opening, featuring ice skating, holiday music, lights, concession stands and more, 1-5 p.m., Railroad Park, 7971 Railroad Ave., Snoqualmie, skating tickets are $3 for ages 10 and younger/$5 11 and older Mount Si Drama Club presents “Pippin,” show is rated PG-13, 2 and 7 p.m., Mount Si High School, 8651 Meadowbrook Way SE, Snoqualmie, tickets are $12 general admission/$10 for students and staff, go to bit. ly/2h8NATn Parents Night Out,

ages 2 and older, 4-8 p.m., Encompass Main Campus, 1407 Boalch Ave. NW, North Bend, $20/child for 4 hours of care, goencompassnw.org or 888-2777 Stillwater Hill, 8 p.m., Black Dog Arts Café, 8062 Railroad Ave. SE, Snoqualmie, 831-3647 Music Works NW Student Recital: Honors Jazz & AfroCuban Jazz, 5:30 p.m.; Kelly Eisenhour CD Release Party, 7:30-10 p.m., Piccola Cellars, 112 W. Second St., North Bend, jazzclubsnw.org/northbend Valley Center Stage presents “A Christmas Carol,” 7:30 p.m., at 119 W. North Bend Way, tickets are $17.50 for adults/$14 for seniors and students, purchase online at bit.ly/2f8qEXz or at the door, learn more at valleycenterstage.org

Sunday, Dec. 11 Northwest Railway Museum presents Santa Train, featuring visit with Santa, refreshments and small gifts from Santa to children, departs North Bend every hour starting at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., from 205 McClellan St., to Snoqualmie Depot, 38625 SE King St., tickets are $24 ages 2 and older, bit. ly/2gahRRl Brunch with Levi Burkle, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Psychic Readings with Christina Stembler, noon to 4 p.m., Black Dog Arts Café, 8062

Railroad Ave. SE, Snoqualmie, 831-3647 Ice skating downtown, 1-4 p.m., Railroad Park, 7971 Railroad Ave., Snoqualmie, skating tickets are $3 for ages 10 and younger/$5 11 and older Valley Center Stage presents “A Christmas Carol,” 2 p.m., at 119 W. North Bend Way, tickets are $17.50 for adults/$14 for seniors and students, purchase online at bit.ly/2f8qEXz or at the door, learn more at valleycenterstage.org Danny Kolke Trio, 6 p.m., Jam Session, 7:30 p.m., Piccola Cellars, 112 W. Second St., North Bend, jazzclubsnw.org/ northbend

Monday, Dec. 12 Indoor Playground, for ages newborn to 5, 9:3011:30 a.m., $1 donation per visit, Si View Gymnasium, 400 SE Orchard Drive, North Bend, snovalleyindoorplayground.org Merry Monday Story Times, for ages newborn to 24 months, 11-11:45 a.m., North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., 888-0554 Teen Art Club: Pop-Up Cards, for grades 5-12, 3:30-5 p.m., North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., 888-0554 Study Zone, homework and tutoring help for grades K-12, 5-7 p.m., North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., 8880554 Study Zone, homework and tutoring help for grades K-12, 4:30-6:30 p.m.,

SNOVALLEY STAR

Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. SE, 888-1223 Snoqualmie Arts Commission meeting, 5:30-7 p.m., City Hall, 38624 SE River St. Life-Size Candyland, all ages, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. SE, 888-1223 Snoqualmie City Council meeting, 7-9 p.m., City Hall, 38624 SE River St. Friends of the North Bend Library meeting, for adults, 7-8 p.m., North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., 888-0554

Tuesday, Dec. 13 Moms Monthly Meeting, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church, 36017 SE Fish Hatchery Road, Fall City, free Story Times, Toddlers, for ages newborn to 3, 10-10:30 a.m.; preschool, ages 3-6, 11-11:45 a.m., Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. SE, 888-1223 North Bend Public Health & Safety Committee meeting, 4-5 p.m., City Hall, 211 Main Ave. N.

Wednesday, Dec. 14 Indoor Playground, for ages newborn to 5, 9:3011:30 a.m., $1 donation per visit, Si View Gymnasium, 400 SE Orchard Drive, North Bend, snovalleyindoorplayground.org Story Times: toddlers, ages newborn to 3, 10-10:30 a.m.; preschool, ages 3-6, 11-11:45 a.m., Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd., SE, 888-

1223 Study Zone, homework and tutoring help for grades K-12, 2:30-4:30 p.m., North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., 888-0554 North Bend Transportation & Public Works Committee meeting, 4-5 p.m., Public Works Facility, 1155 E. North Bend Way Future Jazz Heads, 6 p.m., Piccola Cellars, 112 W. Second St., North Bend, jazzclubsnw. org/northbend Open Mic Night, 7 p.m., Black Dog Arts Café, 8062 Railroad Ave. SE, Snoqualmie, 831-3647

Thursday, Dec. 15 Family story time, 7-8 p.m., Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. SE, 8881223 Family Open Gym, $3 for adults/$2 for kids, noon to 1 p.m., Si View Community Center, 400 SE Orchard Dr., North Bend, siviewpark.org/ virtual-backpack.html Snoqualmie Public Safety Committee meeting, 5-6 p.m., Snoqualmie Fire Station, 37600 SE Snoqualmie Parkway Boxley Pro-Am Big Band, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Piccola Cellars, 112 W. Second St., North Bend, jazzclubsnw.org/ northbend Ambassadors of Love, 7:30 p.m., Black Dog Arts Café, 8062 Railroad Ave. SE, Snoqualmie, 831-3647 Valley Center Stage presents “A Christmas Carol,” 7:30 p.m., at 119 W. North Bend Way, tickets are $17.50

for adults/$14 for seniors and students, purchase online at bit.ly/2f8qEXz or at the door, learn more at valleycenterstage.org

Friday, Dec. 16 Northwest Railway Museum presents Santa Train, featuring visit with Santa, refreshments and small gifts from Santa to children, departs North Bend every hour starting at 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., from 205 McClellan St., to Snoqualmie Depot, 38625 SE King St., tickets are $24 ages 2 and older, bit. ly/2gahRRl Indoor Playground, for ages newborn to 5, 9:3011:30 a.m., $1 donation per visit, Si View Gymnasium, 400 SE Orchard Drive, North Bend, snovalleyindoorplayground.org Lloyd Chrisholm, 7 p.m., Snoqualmie Brewery and Taproom, 8032 Falls Ave. SE, fallsbrew.com Fall Teen Nights: Ugly Sweater Party, for grades 5-8, 7-10 p.m., Si View Community Center, $5, bit. ly/2cYrhjJ Valley Center Stage presents “A Christmas Carol,” 7:30 p.m., at 119 W. North Bend Way, tickets are $17.50 for adults/$14 for seniors and students, purchase online at bit.ly/2f8qEXz or at the door, learn more at valleycenterstage.org Richard Allen & The Louisiana Experience, 8 p.m., Black Dog Arts Café, 8062 Railroad Ave. SE, Snoqualmie, 831-3647

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SNOVALLEY STAR

From Page 1

Brooks had left his senior year at Kent High School after joining the Navy — something of a family tradition, as his father had served in the Navy in World War I, his sister worked for the Navy in Seattle and his brother was already in the Navy.

“On the day he came home, his sister was being married and I had been asked to sing for the wedding,” Mary said. “So he came home and I saw him that day, and first thing I knew he was on the doorstep a lot.”

They said their first date was probably spent dancing at the Spanish Castle, a legendary dance hall on the corner of U.S. 99 and Kent-Des Moines Road that opened in 1931 and closed in 1968.

“We used to go dancing a lot, and the Spanish Castle in those days was the place to go,” Mary said.

Brooks said that they still listen to a lot of ’40s swing style music like Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey, crooners like Frank Sinatra and some classical music. Music has played a big role in the couple’s lives.

In addition to her fateful singing at Brooks’ sister’s wedding in 1946, Mary sang at many weddings over the years, and the couple sang together in the church choir for years in Kent. Mary unfortunately lost her singing voice as she got older.

“I miss it, but I can’t change it either,” Mary said. “I love music.”

The couple has contributed to their communities in many ways besides singing. When Bell-Anderson Insurance opened an office in North Bend, they sent Brooks out to manage it. The Loops moved to North Bend from Kent in 1977.

Soon after, Mary began serving as the director of Encompass.

She would stay at the Encompass position from 1979 to 1990. Her start in that area of work came years earlier when she helped found Kent Youth and Family Services,

with one dress and one pair of pants, very little food.”

Brooks has had 19 surgeries in his life, starting when he was about 5 years old, and has survived two bouts with lung cancer, melanoma removals, a hip replacement and multiple knee surgeries that turned dangerous after a bad infection.

“He’s a walking miracle,” Kim said. “He’s probably the toughest person I’ve ever met, as far as willing himself through things. I still have to tell him not to climb ladders.”

Brooks may have gained some of that grit from his years playing football. He played in high school, and went on to play semipro football for the Kent town team when he returned from World War II. Many area towns such as Issaquah, Auburn, Kent, Enumclaw and Highline formed Contributed community teams and faced off against one Mary and Brooks Loop were married Nov. 30, 1946. The another. couple had known each other since junior high school.

At all of 150 pounds, which started as a call-in more than its fair share of Brooks played guard. In those days, the closest crisis clinic for drug-relat- hardships for the Loops. thing to a facemask on ed issues.

The couple’s oldest son the leather helmets was “In the ’70s when the passed away about four drug crisis hit initially, it years ago from pancreati- a cover to protect some tis leaving only Kim, their players’ glasses from was devastating, kind of youngest son, alive. breaking, Brooks said. like the heroin epidemic “You don’t ever get over “I remember one game, now,” said Kim Loop, the it. You kind of get used (Mary) is in the stands couple’s youngest son. to that feeling of loss, but with our first child,” Mary, working with that was one of the diffiBrooks said. “The first or about four other Kent families, started the orga- cult things that happened second play of the game in our lives,” Mary said of I submarined and looked nization in response to losing two children. up and a guy had a cast the drug epidemic. For The couple has been on his hand. We were the Loops, it was personal. resilient both emotionally playing Auburn, and he Their middle son had become involved in drugs, and physically. They both hit me with that cast.” grew up in Kent, which “About knocked him which would eventually was then a small farming out,” Mary interjected. lead to his early death in community, during the “I’m wobbling around the ’80s.

Great Depression. Brooks the field. So they pulled “We didn’t know what remembers having one me out,” Brooks said. to do. I mean, nobody pair of shoes that he wore “That was the shortest knew,” Mary said. “Some to school and then tried game I ever played in.” people sat around my to polish up every Sunday Decades later after kitchen table one mornfor church. moving to North Bend, ing and decided we’d try “That Depression was Brooks was visiting with to establish something.” something else, years a neighbor when they The crisis center grew “Kids realized that to become one of the larg- ago,” Brooks LAURAsaid.

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FRIDAY, December 9, 2016 against one another back in the ’40s. The neighbor had played for Issaquah’s town team and they’d competed against one another in a crosstown game with Kent.

At 91 years old, Brooks no longer plays football, but he still loves the game.

“When football season comes, I just kiss him goodbye,” Mary said. “If he could ingest it or inject it into his body, I think he would.”

Mary was an athlete herself in younger years, playing both tennis and softball. The couple also took many ski trips, including an annual vacation to Sun Valley, Idaho.

Brooks was an avid skier.

Kim joined Brooks and his friends on a men-only ski trip to Sun Valley one year.

“I never knew a bunch of old guys could drink so much scotch and get up and go skiing in the morning,” Kim said.

About six years ago, Kim built and moved into a tiny house on Brooks and Mary’s property, which sits near the Snoqualmie’s North Fork in the shadow of Mount Si. “It allows me to watch

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over them, like they watched over me when I was young,” Kim said.

The Loops have four grandsons, two great granddaughters, two great grandsons and two step-great grandchildren.

They might even accrue some more family members in the years ahead.

Brooks’ grandmother lived to be almost 105, and Mary thinks he might make 100.

Brooks, however, does not.

“No. Another year or two and I’ll cash in I think,” he said.

“You say that every year, threatening, and you haven’t done it yet,” Mary fired back.

Having lived through the Depression, many wars, moon landings, technological advances and political developments, Mary and Brooks have seen the world change more in their lifetimes than it has in any other period in world history. The ride has kept them curious.

“The reason I’m still alive is because I’m afraid of dying,” Brooks said. “I just can’t believe in the concept of dying and not knowing what happens.”

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FRIDAY, December 9, 2016

SPORTS

SNOVALLEY STAR

Holmes stars in Mount Si gymnasts’ season-opening win

BY NEIL PIERSON npierson@ snovalleystar.com The Mount Si gymnastics team was sharp in its first action of the season on Dec. 1, defeating visiting Eastlake 151.85 to 116.5 in a Class 4A KingCo Conference meet.

No one’s skills looked more honed than Mount Si senior Samantha Holmes, who had a night to remember. She swept all four individual events – vault, beam, uneven bars and floor exercise – to claim the all-around title with 33.65 points.

It’s the first time Holmes has accomplished that feat in her career. And it was an impressive beginning for an athlete who not only hopes to qualify for February’s state meet in all four events, but to reach the finals in each of them, too.

“She’s starting off just as strong as she finished last year, so it’s just seeing what next level we can take it to,” Mount Si coach Kelly Loranger said of Holmes.

“Usually, there’s a lot of girls who don’t take the opportunity to work out all summer, whereas

Mount Si’s Caroline McCall strikes a pose on her head as she performs her floor routine for a 6.25 score. McCall was seventh overall with 24.05 points.

Samantha was in the gym all summer long working on her skills.

So it’s just seeing what extra we can add to her routines and get her to those finals.”

Holmes opened the meet with a score of 8.5 on the floor. She was tops on bars (7.4) and

beam (8.6), and was the only athlete to crack nine all night with her score of 9.15 on vault.

Holmes did a Tsukahara vault, which involves a half-twist after pushing backward on the horse. It has a 9.9 start value and she barely faltered.

PHOTOS BY GREG FARRAR | gfarrar@snovalleystar.com

Mount Si senior Samantha Holmes performs her Tsukahara, which involves a half-twist after pushing backward on the horse, on her vault routine for a 9.15 score, her best of the night. Holmes won all four events for the first time at a meet, taking the all-around title with 33.65 points Dec. 1 against Eastlake.

“But I think, personally, what felt the best was beam,” she said, “because I’ve always struggled the most with

beam and I got an 8.6, so that was really exciting because that’s another (personal record) right there.”

Beam was the only event Holmes didn’t reach state in as a junior.

SEE GYMNASTS, PAGE 11

Prep roundup

Mount Si girls pick up win in season opener

BY NEIL PIERSON npierson@snovalleystar.com Mount Si started strong under new coach Bob Richey, defeating the visiting Kentwood Conquerors, 70-41, in a nonleague girls basketball game on Nov. 30.

No other details were reported.

The Wildcats fell to 1-1 with a 46-36 loss to the Cedarcrest Red Wolves on Dec. 3 in Snoqualmie. Mount Si got 11 points from Nitika Kumar, but she was the only member of the team to score in double figures.

Cedarcrest’s Mieke Van Ess scored a game-high 15 points and Haley Hill added 12 as the Red Wolves pulled away with

a 19-11 fourth-quarter surge.

Mount Si hosted Issaquah in a Class 4A KingCo Conference opener Dec. 7 after press time and visits Newport at 7 p.m.

Friday.

Boys basketball Auburn Riverside 69, Mount Si 62 (OT)

Mount Si freshmen Jabe Mullins and Tyler Patterson were sharp in their varsity debuts, scoring 21 and 16 points apiece, but the Wildcats fell on the road to the Ravens in a season-opening nonleague contest.

The Wildcats had a 35-27 halftime lead but Auburn Riverside whittled away in

the second half and got the game to overtime, where it outscored Mount Si 12-5.

LJ Linton had 14 points and 17 rebounds for Mount Si, playing its first game under new coach Jason Griffith. The Wildcats hosted Issaquah Dec. 6 after press time and will travel to Newport at 8:30 p.m.

Friday.

SNOVALLEY STAR

FRIDAY, December 9, 2016

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Above, Mount Si’s Lindsay Silverman performs her vault routine for a 6.70 score. Silverman was eighth overall with 23.15 points. At right, Mount Si senior Lauren McCallum performs her floor routine for second place with an 8.45 score, her best of the evening. McCallum was also second on the beam and second overall with 30.35 points.

GYMNASTS

“We have 27 people this year, which is the biggest team we’ve had From Page 10 since I’ve been here,” she But the uneven bars said. “And most of the may be where Loranger people have had some works with her the most. experience with gym“Bars are definitely nastics at some point. the hardest to get that “Everyone came in 10.0 start value because with tumbling. Everyone the rules are more difwho showed up on the ficult for high-school first day of practice was gymnasts,” she said. able to do a handstand, “If we can get that 10.0 which was really excitstart value and get a few ing because in the last more skills on bars, I three weeks we’ve been could see her getting to practicing, we’ve been the finals.” able to progress so much The Wildcats had sevalready. We have people eral other encouraging that have never competperformances in their ed on a gymnastics team win over Eastlake. before who came out Senior Lauren and competed tonight, McCallum scored 30.35 and they did really well.” points for second in the Loranger said there all-around standings. are many new faces on She was fifth on vault the Mount Si squad, (7.6), fifth on bars (5.9), though she has coached second on beam (8.4) and nearly all of them during second on floor (8.45). a prior stint at Mount Si Lauren Bennett was Gymnastics Academy. fifth overall with 26.1 “It’s nice that my team points. Caroline McCall is very well stacked (seventh, 24.05) and – they’re all very comLindsay Silverman petitive and they all have (eighth, 23.15) also finskills,” she said. “They all ished inside the top 10. came with skills, which Holmes, who practices makes them push each year-round at Gymnastics other and I don’t have East USA in Bellevue, said to yell at them or force she’s excited about the them to try new things. inner battle in my own makeup of this season’s They get the urge to do it gym makes coaching a lot Mount Si team. themselves.F.ePROOF.SV.CMYK. To have that easier.”

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FRIDAY, December 9, 2016

SNOVALLEY STAR

GREG FARRAR | gfarrar@snovalleystar.com

HOW BAZAAR Gift-givers of all ages kept ahead of the last minute holiday rush by shopping at the 13th Wannual Holiday Bazaar Dec. 3 at the Si View Community Center in North Bend. More than 40 vendors touted local handmade goods including candles, jewelry, custom art, paper crafts, baked goods, home décor, photography and more. Hosted by Si View Metro Parks, the free event included entertainment by carolers and dance performances.

Middle school gets new turf field Chief Kanim Middle School in Fall City recently got a brand new turf field thanks to a partnership between the Snoqualmie Valley School District and the Snoqualmie Valley Youth Soccer Association.

A $1 million donation by the soccer association

toward completion of the all-weather, lighted turf fields made the project possible. The old sod field had become a safety concern and maintenance challenge, according to the school district.

The field has been designed to accommodate several sports including soccer, lacrosse and football.

Superintendent Joel Aune said the new field

will open up significantly more access to youth soccer and other student activities outside of regular school hours.

“Construction of the Chief Kanim field with both lights and artificial turf, is the most significant game changer for youth soccer in the history of Snoqualmie Valley,” SVYSA President Bud Raiso said.

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