Your locally-owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington
December 13, 2012 VOL. 4, NO. 50
Hotel plan upsets some Casino wants to build 20-story hotel. Page 3
Husband inspires wife to write book Page 8
Firefighters save local dummy
Shelter stays
By Michele Mihalovich
Hearing examiner denies appeal. Page 3
Eastside Fire & Rescue firefighters had good reason Dec. 7 to call the man dangling upside down from a rope over the swollen Snoqualmie River a dummy. He celebrated Washington’s new law that allows recreational use of marijuana by making a homemade bungee cord, tied it to the suspension bridge over the river at ToltMacDonald Park in Carnation, and jumped. But he apparently hadn’t thought about how he was going to get back on the bridge after the jump. And there he dangled. But in all fairness to the man waiting for firefighters to rescue him, he literally was a dummy, a mannequin used for training exercises. EFR Lieutenant Ben Hudson, stationed in Carnation, served as lead instructor for the threeday firefighters’ drills. He came up with the above rescue scenario, but the training the firefighters practiced that day could have worked for many situations, like an 8-year-
Deal closes Hospital board closes on Leisure Time property. Page 6
Big time Local authors are featured in national magazine. Page 8
Man exposes himself in grocery store He was later arrested and charged with three misdeameanors By Michele Mihalovich
By Michele Mihalovich
Paul McCall, a firefighter with Eastside Fire & Rescue, lowers himself down from the Tolt-MacDonald Park suspension bridge in Carnation to “rescue” a training dummy Dec. 7. old kid trapped on a rope swing over a body of water, he said. Hudson said firefighters often train for “low-frequency
but high-risk” situations. “Those situations don’t hapSee RESCUE, Page 2
A Snoqualmie man was arrested on three counts of indecent exposure Nov. 14 after two teen girls reported he had exposed his penis near the deli at the IGA grocery store in Snoqualmie. The girls, 13 and 14, told police that they were getting pasta by the deli aisle when they saw the 32-year-old man walk by “with his penis hanging out of his pants,” according to documents from the Snoqualmie Police Department. The mother of the two girls had been waiting in her vehicle while the girls grabbed something for dinner at the grocery store. The mother told police the girls came back to the vehicle and told her what they saw. She said they waited in the car for the man to come out of See EXPOSE, Page 2
Help the SnoValley Star aid the Valley’s needy Take a shot Basketball season is under way. Page 12
Police blotter
Page 14
Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71 POSTAL CUSTOMER
Fund for the Valley, a community fund established to address hunger and emergency aid for Snoqualmie Valley families, kicks off its second year with all donations going to the Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank in North Bend. Families in the Valley struggling to fill their cupboards will be the direct beneficiaries of your donations to the food bank. The holiday fund drive gathered $3,695 its first year. The second year’s goal is to break that mark. 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, 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. The food bank’s clients include people who have been laid off and are in between jobs, people facing unexpected and staggering healthcare costs, and recently divorced parents struggling to make ends meet. 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 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 bank’s director, Heidi Dukich has 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 the Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank is expected to continue to grow. Your donation can make a difference, SnoValley Star Publisher Debbie Berto said. “We hope to build on the foundation we set last year,” she said. “We are grateful for those who donated last year and hope to count on their help this time around.” Only 501(c)(3) 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.
SnoValley Star
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Hide your valuables Tis the season—for thievery. That’s why Snoqualmie Police Chief Steve McCulley is urging people to not leave valuables in their vehicles. “People have been real good lately about locking their vehicles,” he said. “But with the holidays here, it’s best to get those presents secured inside the home.” McCulley said people should be removing all valuables out of their vehicle, not just presents. He said documents with personal information can be used for fraud, and garage door openers give thieves easy access to homes. McCulley also warned that if you like to show off a pretty Christmas tree from a large picture window, you might want to close the drapes at night and when you’re not home, so people aren’t tempted by the presents underneath.
Expose From Page 1 the store, and watched the man continue to walk around for 10 minutes with his penis hanging out
DECEMBER 13, 2012
Choir gets into the spirit of the season
Rescue From Page 1
By David Battey
The Mount Si High School choir sang at Snoqualmie’s annual tree lighting on Dec. 1.
of his pants, according to the case report. The mother said the man had his hands in his pocket to “adjust” his pants to make sure his penis was still exposed. She said he was “continuously looking down at his
zipper/penis,” according to the documents. Police located the man talking on his cellphone and observed that the man’s pants were unzipped and had several wet spots. The man told police
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. Join the SnoValley Star in insuring that the Mt. Si Food Bank will be here next year, and the year after that…
that he must have left his zipper down after he stopped along the highway to urinate and that he was not wearing underwear, according to police documents. While police were checking the man’s criminal record, they learned that the 32-yearold was also being investigated for the same type of incident in Bellevue and Issaquah.
Police charged the man with two gross misdemeanors of indecent exposure because two of the victims were juveniles, and one misdemeanor for the adult victim, according to police documents. Michele Mihalovich: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar. com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
Send donations to Fund for the Valley, c/o SnoValley Star, PO Box 2516, North Bend, WA 98045
Donor names will be published (but not amounts) unless anonymity is requested.
2830 228th Ave SE #B Sammamish, WA 98075 425-313-0657 www.plateaujewelers.com heartsonfire.com
pen often, but we have to be ready for when they do,” he said. For three days, firefighters conducted rescue training exercises that included swift-water rescue using a new motor boat and an inflatable raft, trenchcollapse training, confined space training and rope training. The finale of the threeday training familiarized firefighters with ropes used in rescue situations, lowering down to a victim, securing the victim with a harness and rescuing the victim from a dangerous situation. Thirteen firefighters showed up for the Dec. 7 rope training drill, but Paul McCall, stationed in downtown Issaquah, was selected to rescue the dummy. Turns out, this wasn’t the first time McCall has been lowered high above a body of water. Years ago, his fellow firefighters lowered him over the Snoqualmie Falls to rescue a trapped hiker. The quarterly training sessions are great refresher courses, he said. Plus, it familiarizes them with the equipment and builds camaraderie and trust with the other firefighters, he said. You’d be hard pressed to find a firefighter who doesn’t love his or her job, McCall said.
SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 13, 2012
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Snoqualmie Casino plan for hotel, growth draws mixed reaction By Keith Ervin and Lynda V. Mapes Seattle Times staff reporters Even before a formal announcement of plans to expand the Snoqualmie Casino and build a 20-story hotel, the idea has run into resistance from some tribal members and the city next door. A proposal outlined by Snoqualmie Tribal Administrator Matt Mattson to the Snoqualmie Valley Governments Association last week calls for a new 340room hotel, conference center, larger casino and theater, and two new parking structures, with construction beginning as soon as next summer. Mattson could not be reached for comment Dec. 5. The tribe released a written statement that said the “preliminary expansion ideas” are still under internal review, but, if brought to fruition, would be good for the area. “As a local citizen, the Snoqualmie Tribe has contributed more than $3 million to (Snoqualmie) Valley communi-
ties since opening its casino in late 2008,” the statement read. “Responsibly expanding the casino resort will allow the tribe to further invest in the Snoqualmie Valley communities, its citizens and the protection of its sacred places.” Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson said there was “a bit of stunned silence” after the presentation to members of the Snoqualmie Valley Governments Association on Nov. 28. “A 20-story high-rise in the middle of a bucolic rural valley is not quite in keeping with the nature of the Valley, what makes this such an attractive location,” Larson said. Larson said the Snoqualmie Tribe has been a very good partner and a good neighbor, but he didn’t think it would be possible to disguise the height of such a tall building by locating it on the side of a hill. “It would be like a big lightup tower at night in the middle of the Valley. People expect more of a wilderness experience than this alien spaceship building,” Larson said.
Larson also said the city casino is very successful, and it’s doesn’t yet know if the hotel been a tremendous economic would tap out the market for boost to the Valley.” hotel rooms and make it imposCynthia Welti, executive sible to build another hotel that director of the Mountains to would pay city taxes. Sound Greenway, said she The casino is just outside doesn’t yet know if the hotel the city of would be visible “It would be like a big Snoqualmie, from Interstate which doesn’t 90. But she said light-up tower at night in allow buildings the tribe’s existthe middle of the Valley..” ing casino is above five stories. The tribe, attractive and — Matt Larson suits its locawhich contracts with the city for Snoqualmie mayor tion. firefighting and “They really sewer service, distinguished makes its own land-use decithemselves from some other sions. casinos that go for high glitz A 20-story hotel “would defiand marketing versus something nitely be higher than anything that fits in with the landscape. east of Bellevue,” said Issaquah They’re really espousing the Mayor Ava Frisinger, who said it right values,” Welti said. Some tribal members said would help alleviate a shortage they, too, were surprised by the of hotel space on the Eastside. proposal at a meeting last sumRodger McCollum, CEO of Snoqualmie Valley Hospital, said mer. “We told them point blank he welcomes the casino expanthis isn’t going forward until sion. the general membership “That would create a sighears about it,” said Carolyn nificant number of new jobs Lubenau, a former tribal council and they’re already the largest employer,” McCollum said. “The chairwoman.
Homeless youth shelter to remain open By Michele Mihalovich The temporary, emergency homeless youth shelter in Snoqualmie will continue to operate for the full 90 days after a neighbor lost her appeal Dec. 3. Shannon Neiger, who lives near the Friends of Youth shelter, filed the appeal Nov. 6, asking that the Snoqualmie City Council overturn the hearing examiner’s decision to allow it. Hearing examiner Ron McConnell approved the temporary overnight shelter for youths Oct. 16; it opened Oct. 22. Friends of Youth, based in Redmond, is the primary provider of housing to homeless youths on the Eastside, Terry Pottmeyer, CEO of the group, said before Snoqualmie’s hearing examiner Oct. 8. She said the organization was offered a $60,000 grant to open an overnight shelter for three months. The shelter operates from 8:30 p.m. to 8 a.m., and can serve up to six homeless 18- to 24-yearolds at Friends of Youth’s counseling building at 7972 Maple Ave. S.E. in Snoqualmie. Pottmeyer told McConnell at the public hearing that there has been a significant increase in homelessness among young people ages 11-24 in the past couple of years in Washington, and a lack of resources has cre-
ated challenges, especially in the Snoqualmie Valley. She said that during the three months of operating an emergency overnight shelter, Friends of Youth would be able to ascertain the need for services in the area. Neiger, in her appeal, said that Friends of Youth failed to show that there was a need for a homeless shelter in the Snoqualmie Valley. The appeal also stated that the organization was unable to ensure that residents at the shelter would not pose a danger to the community; that a shelter would have a negative impact on home values; and that a homeless shelter should not be placed in a residential neighborhood. Neiger told the City Council at the appeal hearing that she feared for the safety of the retired citizens in the neighborhood and for her child and other children who live and play by the shelter. However, Theodor Paul Hunter, attorney for Friends of Youth, said that in the five weeks of the shelter’s operation, there have not been any complaints about problem behavior of the youths staying at the shelter, nor had the police been called. Neiger agreed that she hadn’t experienced any problems since the shelter opened. In order for the council to overturn the hearing examiner’s
decision, Mayor Pro Tem Kathi Prewitt said, it would have to find that the examiner was “clearly erroneous” when he approved the conditional use permit that allowed the shelter. Councilman Robert Jeans said the council had to look at the facts, and not at unknowns, such as whether there is a need or whether property values will go down. Based on the criteria of city codes that the hearing examiner had to look at, “We can’t say he has made a gross error — or any error for that matter,” Jeans said. The rest of the council agreed that it couldn’t be said that McConnell’s decision was “clearly erroneous,” but some did take issue with the examiner having to consider the application of a homeless shelter under the “special needs” category. Planning Director Nancy Tucker said there are more than 50 categories to choose from, and none of the categories include a homeless shelter, but that she and her staff felt that the shelter did best meet the guidelines for the “special needs” category. Pottmeyer mentioned during the hearing that shelter funding has been extended, but Tucker made it clear that the conditional use permit was only for 90 days. See SHELTER, Page 6
The membership has demanded a special meeting on the proposal in February. The hotel makes sense for the Snoqualmie’s property, said W. Ron Allen, chairman of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, and chairman of the Washington Indian Gaming Association. “They have had their eyes on expanding the casino and doing the resort for some time,” he said. “The hotel is a fabulous idea.” Allen predicted a three- or four-star property, to compete with what the Tulalips offer north of Seattle. Mel Sheldon, chairman of the board of directors of the Tulalip Tribes, said the Tulalips’ hotel at its casino is full every weekend, with rooms priced from $250 to $580 a night. The luxury hotel, with about 370 rooms, is also a key amenity to offer high rollers. Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com. Lynda V. Mapes: 206-464-2736 or lmapes@seattletimes.com. Comment at www. snovalleystar.com.
Giving Trees pop up all over the Valley By Michele Mihalovich The Snoqualmie Valley Kiwanis Club and One Voice are teaming up for the annual Giving Trees Program. Scott Loos, Kiwanis president, said about 20 trees are set up around the Valley, and each has tags, which suggest the gender and age of a child needing a gift. People can purchase that present, and then bring it unwrapped, either to the tree where they found the tag or to the Sallal Water Association office, 44021 S.E. Tanner Road in North Bend, he said. Loos said Kiwanis gathers the presents and brings them to The Church of Latter-day Saints, 527 S.W. Mount Si Blvd. in North Bend, for distribution. He said Dec. 13 is reserved for parents who’ve signed up for presents, and Dec. 14 is for grandparents who have signed up. One Voice has collected items, such as soap, toilet paper and clothing, which will also be distributed on those distribution dates. He also said a wrapping station will be available. Loos said families who want to sign up can still do
so at the Mount Si Helping Hand Food Bank in North Bend. “This is a great community effort,” Loos said. “It’s not just the Kiwanis, but other groups and churches.” Following is a list of where the trees can be found this year: ACE/North Bend American West/Issaquah Bank of America/North Bend Cascade Office Supply/ North Bend City of Snoqualmie Encompass/North Bend — Meadowbrook and Boalch locations Hauglie Insurance/Fall City IGA/Snoqualmie Ridge Moose/North Bend Mt Si Golf Course/ Snoqualmie Mt Si Senior Center North Bend Library North Bend Physical Therapy NW Railroad Museum Peak Sports/Snoqualmie QFC/North Bend Safeway/North Bend Sheriff’s Office/North Bend See TREES, Page 6
Opinion
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Editorial
DECEMBER 13, 2012
Letters
Casino hotel, yes but not 20 stories
Citizens can make a difference by contacting their elected representatives.
County
The Snoqualmie Tribe dropped a bomb onto local governments last week that almost left city leaders speechless. The tribe unveiled a plan to the Snoqualmie Valley Governments Association that it plans to expand the Snoqualmie Casino and build a 20-story hotel. According to The Seattle Times (which is owned by the same company as the Star), Snoqualmie Tribal Administrator Matt Mattson told the group the plan calls for a new 340-room hotel, conference center, larger casino and theater, and two new parking structures, with construction beginning as soon as next summer. We do believe a hotel at or near the casino would be a welcome addition to the thousands of people who visit the casino, as well as people just coming to the Valley to enjoy our events and recreational opportunities. It was outlined as a future expansion when the casino was first proposed. But 20 stories? Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson told The Times he didn’t think it would be possible to disguise the height of such a tall building by locating it on the side of a hill. He said visitors expect more of a wilderness experience than an alien spaceship building. The casino itself is a beautiful, lodge-style building set in a typical Pacific Northwest landscape of dripping evergreen trees and snowcapped mountains. The city leaders who attended the meeting told the Times that they support the idea of a hotel and agree it would improve economic opportunities here, but didn’t think a 20-story hotel would fit in with the character of the rural area. The Snoqualmie Tribe does not need the city of Snoqualmie’s approval for the hotel, but has always been a good community partner. We would hope that relationship holds true as they listen to community concerns. A hotel design that pleases both the passers-by and future hotel guests can surely compliment the Northwest motif as well as the casino does now.
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Editor
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King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Chinook Building 401 Fifth Ave., Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98104; 206-2964040; or kcexec@kingcounty.gov King County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, District 3. King County Courthouse, 516 Third Ave., Room 1200, Seattle, WA 98104; 206-296-1003; 800-3256165; kathy.lambert@kingcounty.gov
North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing, mayor@ northbendwa.gov Councilman Dee Williamson, dwilliamson@northbendwa.gov Councilman Jonathan Rosen, jrosen@northbendwa.gov Councilman Ryan Kolodejchuk , rkolodejchuk@
northbendwa.gov Councilman Alan Gothelf, agothelf@northbendwa.gov Councilman Ross Loudenback, rloudenback@ northbendwa.gov Councilman David Cook, dcook@northbendwa.gov Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Jeanne Pettersen, jpettersen@northbendwa.gov Write to the mayor and City Council at City of North Bend, P.O. Box 896, North Bend, WA 98045. Call 888-1211.
ci.snoqualmie.wa.us Councilwoman Maria Henriksen, 396-5270; mhenriksen@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us Councilman Charles Peterson, 888-0773; cpeterson@ ci.snoqualmie.wa.us Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Kathi Prewitt, 8883019; kprewitt@ci.snoqualmie. wa.us Write to the mayor and City Council at City of Snoqualmie, P.O. Box 987, Snoqualmie, WA 98065. Call 888-1555.
Snoqualmie
Snoqualmie Valley School Board
Mayor Matt Larson, 888-5307; mayor@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us Councilman Robert Jeans, 396-4427; bjeans@ci.snoqualmie. wa.us Councilman Jeff MacNichols, 396-4597; macnichols@sbmhlaw Councilman Bryan Holloway, 396-5216; bholloway@ ci.snoqualmie.wa.us Councilman Kingston Wall, 206-890-9125; kwall@
President Dan Popp, District 5, danpopp@microsoft.com Vice President Scott Hodgins, District 1, gscott.hodgins@comcast.net Carolyn Simpson, District 3, simpsoncgs@yahoo.com Marci Busby, District 4, mbusby2831@aol.com Geoff Doy, District 2, geoffrey.w.doy@comcast.net
Home Country
Wishes are the same in any language It was Herb who discovered it. He went into the Read Me Now bookstore to ask Sarah if she had the latest Farmer’s Almanac (he always plants and vegetables in the bowels of something) and found she had hired a Santa’s helper to talk to the children. “Well, that’s good,” Doc said. “Maybe those little nippers will enjoy having a Santa to talk to.” “But Doc,” Herb said, “she hired Windy Wilson!” The Mule Barn truck stop right then and there lost at least fifteen bucks’ worth of breakfast, because we paid for our initial infestation of coffee and left, en masse, for the bookstore. Windy had several children lined up waiting to tell him what they wanted for Christmas. He was in his element, fake whiskers, red suit and all. Sarah came over and smiled. “You won’t believe this, fellas, but Alphonse told me he’d do it for free.” “Did you just meet him?” Doc asked. She nodded. We had to walk up closer to Santa to hear what pearls of yuletide wisdom were being dropped. “Hello there, young lady,” he said. “Do you wish to convey an appurtenance of Christmas time wishes to all of us at this conflagration?” “Huh?”
“Tell Santa what you want for Christmas,” said her mother. “Oh … I want a dogSlim Randles gie!” “I see! Columnist You desire to bask in the unabrashed afflictions of our four-legged companions.” “No … I want a doggie.” “Yes, of course you do.” Windy glanced toward the girl’s mother, who nodded. “Now you realize, of course, that having a dog means providing it with ampulatory nourishment and care. And there may be some
… excretatory surprises to be remedliated.” The girl looked up at her mother. “You’ll have to feed it and clean up after it, Honey,” Mom said. “I will, Santa!” “Good!” said Santa’s helper. “And a felicitous celebration of the sanctified parturitional occurrence to you, my dear.” She looked up into the white beard and the twinkling eyes. “Merry Christmas!” Sarah should charge admission. Brought to you by “Home Country,” the best of the first six years. Read a sample at www. slimrandles.com.
Write to us Snovalley Star welcomes letters to the editor about any subject, although we reserve the right to edit for space, length, potential libel, clarity or political relevance. Letters addressing local news will receive priority. Please limit letters to 350 words or less and type them, if possible. Email is preferred. Letters must be signed and have a daytime phone number to verify authorship. Send them by Friday of each week to:
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DECEMBER 13, 2012
SnoValley Star
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SnoValley Star
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Hospital board OKs early closing on Leisure Time property The Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an early closing agreement with Equity Lifestyle Properties Inc. on Dec. 6 for possession of the 22-acre Leisure Time campground site, according to a press release. Under the terms of the early closing agreement, the district will pay approximately $7.5 million for the property (down from the original purchase price of $12.5 million), which includes the interest that Equity Lifestyle Properties Inc. would have received through the original closing date of May 15, 2015. In exchange, Equity Lifestyle Properties Inc. agreed to raise the profit sharing basis up to $10 million, according to the press release. In 2010, the district agreed to purchase the Leisure Time campsite for $7 million plus interest. According to the settlement, if the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District sells the property within five years of the closing date, they agree to share any net profits above the purchase price on a 50/50 basis with Leisure Time, according to the release. The overall settlement will result in more than $5 million in savings to the district and reduce the district’s debt by almost $7
million. Additionally, the site comes with valuable water rights, which the city of Snoqualmie has expressed an interest in as the city continues to grow and add residents, according to the release. “This will put the hospital district in a stronger financial position,” Rodger McCollum, CEO for Snoqualmie Valley Hospital, said in the release. “It will also put us in a position to maintain the site and offer the potential for various community activities. The bottom line is that the early settlement and possession allows us to put to use what will be a valuable asset to the district and the community.” The closing was Dec. 7. The hospital district took immediate possession of the property that day and will develop a plan for its use, maintenance and restoration, according to the release.
$60,000 in grants are awarded to King County Community Service Areas Local actions for neighborhood cleanup, disaster preparedness and tourism promotion in the unincorporated areas of King County will be made possible through 24 Community Engagement Grants announced Dec. 10 by King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Each of these two
DECEMBER 13, 2012
Holiday fun in North Bend
Contributed
Parker Stokesbary poses next to a red-nosed reindeer atop a fire engine during the North Bend Holiday Festival Dec. 8. Activities including Christmas movies, gingerbread houses, sing-alongs and photos with Santa lured visitors to downtown North Bend for almost 12 hours.
dozen projects has the support of people working to enhance the life of their communities, for the benefit of all their neighbors,” Constantine said. Each grant for community enhancement work is for less than $5,000, with a minimum community
match of 25 percent of the total project. Altogether, $60,000 will fund 24 projects throughout unincorporated King County. The Community Engagement Grants offer residents in the county’s seven Community Service Areas a chance to participate and be more
connected in their unincorporated area communities. Activities must be accessible to all residents regardless of race, income or language spoken. The projects include Fall City community’s volunteer cleanup along the Snoqualmie River and support for disaster readiness
in the Snoqualmie Valley. See the complete list of grant awards at http://1. usa.gov/W6cnub. Learn more about Constantine’s work to strengthen the county’s connection with unincorporated area residents at www.kingcounty. gov/exec/community-serviceareas.aspx.
Shelter
permit, and another public hearing would be held, Tucker said. The council voted 6-0, indicating that the hearing examiner did not commit any gross errors in his decision regarding the youth shelter. Councilman Charles Peterson had recused himself from the
appeal hearing because he lives near the youth shelter, and also offered testimony at the Oct. 8 public hearing, Prewitt said. Pottmeyer said after the meeting that about eight youths, mostly from North Bend, but also from Duvall and Snoqualmie, have been utilizing the shelter, adding that no more than two youths have been staying in the shelter each night. The shelter’s 90-day conditional use permit ends Jan. 22. City Attorney Pat
Anderson said that if Neiger wished to, she could file a Land Use Petition Act appeal to King County Superior Court. But it was also determined at the appeal hearing that Neiger didn’t have “standing” to file the original appeal because she did not attend the Oct. 8 public hearing on the permit, nor did she offer testimony or a written comment regarding the permit. Attorneys at the hearing did allow Neiger to state her appeal case to the council anyway.
From Page 3 If Friends of Youth wants to operate beyond the 90 days, it will have to apply to the city for another conditional use
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DECEMBER 13, 2012
PAGE 7
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DECEMBER 13, 2012
Valley writers appear in Time magazine article By Sebastian Moraga A writer her whole life, romance novelist Sheryl Hoyt had heard it many times before. You’re telling a good story, just not our type of story. “I wasn’t writing the story that was being published a million times in a million ways,” she said. Then, a few years ago, the self-publishing era began taking on force, aided by giants like Amazon and technology like the Kindle. All of a sudden, it wasn’t the big publishing companies’ voices that mattered, it was the public that mattered. “It was like, now I can share my book with people and the reader gets to decide, did I write a crappy book or is it worth reading?’” said Hoyt, of North Bend, who writes romance novels under the same last name but with the first name of SaraLynn. The writing career of Saralynn Hoyt got a big boost last
month while at a conference of romance novel writers in Chicago, she and fellow writer Deborah Schneider ran into Andrew Rice, a reporter from Time magazine. The article “The 99-cent Best-Seller” appears in the Dec. 10 issue of the magazine, and features Hoyt and Schneider, also of North Bend. “He said, ‘Can I interview you?’ and I said, ‘You bet.” Hoyt said. “I was lucky and I was ready for my luck to meet me.” Schneider agreed, “It’s a magazine with 3 million subscribers. That puts you in front of a lot of people,” she said. Rice wasn’t the only person willing to strike up a chat with the two writers from the Northwest dressed in Victorian costumes. The getups lured many passers-by to have their picture taken with them. “We had to coordinate a Victorian Steampunk party,” Schneider said, using the term See WRITERS, Page 9
Contributed
Deborah Schneider, at left, and Sheryl Hoyt, during a romance novelists’ convention in Chicago, dressed in Steampunk garb. Schneider and Hoyt, both from North Bend, ran into a Time magazine reporter at the convention and both appeared in the reporter’s Dec. 10 article.
Heart transplant becomes source of strength for Valley author By Sebastian Moraga Genevieve Ruth is packing. Instead of Smith and Wesson, though, her companions are strength and will. They come just as handy and they don’t get her in trouble. “‘Good thing I’m armed’ is the philosophy I grew up with and the optimistic perspective I had,” the Snoqualmie resident said. “I needed that to endure this journey.” The journey began the day after her daughter’s first birthday in 2008, when her husband Nate started having what he thought were migraines. “They were actually ministrokes,” she said. “Within a week, he had a diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis,” a bacterial inflammation of the inner layers of the heart. Two surgeries later, the staph infection had so battered Nate’s heart that Genevieve doubted he could survive a third one. That left but one option: a heart transplant, a shocking proposition to Nate, an athletic marathon runner barely into his 30s. “They couldn’t do a mechanical heart because of how messed up the bacteria was making everything,” Nate said. “It was basically a transplant or nothing.” He waited three months
Contributed
Author Genevieve Ruth and her husband Nate smile next to Ruth’s book, “Catchlight,” which narrates the story of Nate’s heart transplant. for a heart, until a 49-year-old woman’s heart came available in Spokane. On the eve of the transplant, he said, he worried if once he
went under, he would wake back up, the only time he ever felt that way. By the time it was all done, he weighed 130 pounds and
his muscles had atrophied. He had to undergo weekly biopsies and encountered a brief period of depression in the weeks following the transplant, once the
painkillers wore off. “The first three weeks were tough,” he said. “Once we got into a duplex and I sat on a couch, I could feel like I wasn’t in a hospital anymore and I could definitely take a breath.” Then came months of dealing with a form of post-traumatic stress, which resulted in hair loss and a heart that felt new, but also heavy. “There’s a gravity that comes with a heart, knowing that another family is going through the opposite of what you are,” he said. “Someone had to pass away for you to have this.” With the gravity came some levity. The stress led to hair loss, and when the hair came back, it came back in curls for a year before it straightened. Years since the transplant and those curly days, Ruth has decided to chronicle her husband’s story in a book, titled “Catchlight,” available at www.genevieveruth.com. “I’m a photographer, and what I always try to get is the catchlight, the twinkle in the eye,” Ruth said. “it brings the subject to life.” She blogged throughout her husband’s ordeal, and people encouraged her to put her blog See AUTHOR, Page 9
SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 13, 2012
PAGE 9
Fabulous finish for five filmmakers finds festival fun By Sebastian Moraga Nothing dirty about this. The group of Mount Si High School filmmakers — Emmit Rudd, Dean Sidnor, Chris Sellers, Graham Griffin and Willy Eand — took first place in the Amateur Film Challenge in North Bend last weekend, with their mountainbiking documentary “Uncharted Dirt.” “It’s a great story,” MSHS video production teacher Joe Dockery said. “Not just made exceptionally well, but it had a compelling story, too. You talk about, ‘Oh, mountain
Writers From Page 8 for 19th-century-based science fiction, “an hour before and we didn’t have time to change.” Kind of ironic, when considering that change is the name of the game for self-published writers like Schneider. “It’s a lot faster to get a book published,” said
Author From Page 8 posts in a book, she said. She picked the title as a message to the reader: Find your catchlight, some source of light and hope to keep reaching for, she said. In Ruth’s case, she said she hopes the book brings awareness to organ donation.
biking is not a big deal,’ and then you learn it’s all about the limits, what you can do with the bike on some really super-challenging trails.” The winning film earned $2,250 and a special screening during the North Bend Holiday Festival Nov. 8. “Seeing your movie in the theater is the biggest reward,” filmmaker, 2010 AFC winner and 2012 runner-up Richard Stewart wrote in an email. “It’s a great feeling.” A film, Stewart wrote, needs a story and characters to make it interesting, it’s not just putting foot-
age to music. “Uncharted Dirt” fits the bill, describing the transition of a newcomer to the sport from overconfident observer to humbled beginner and beyond. Sellers introduced the idea based on mountain biking’s reputation as an underground sport, Eand said. “He wanted to put it out there and shine some light on it,” Eand said, “how dangerous it is. We are trying to say, ‘It’s not for everyone. You can’t expect to do it and not be willing to take some risks.’” The award money will
help the group reimburse Sellers for some lighting equipment. They will split the rest. Eand and Rudd filmed, Sidnor directed, and Sellers and Griffin starred in the six-minute movie. Making the movie involved 14-hour days on weekends, including long uphill hikes with bicycles and filming equipment, topped with hairy bike rides downhill. Some bike dustups made it to the movie, Eand said, for comic relief. And that was when the cameras were rolling. Preproduction involved long meetings, drawing up each
Schneider, a writer for 20 years. “And it’s also more lucrative. I make more money than I ever made.” The extra cash comes from both higher sales and a bigger slice of the royalties. Back in the day when Schneider had her own agent and publisher, she received 6 percent of the cover price. Now, the price is lower, but her share of the royalties is 70 percent. “Even though I have the upfront costs, it’s a lot
quicker to recoup these costs,” Schneider said. One thing that remains the same is what it takes to produce and promote a decent book. “It’s still a lot of work,” Hoyt said. “I know a lot of published authors and I know how hard they work. You have to write the book, and then you have to go out and shake hands and promote yourself. It’s not an easy career choice by any means.”
It’s still worthwhile, and it’s still fun. New avenues are opening for Hoyt, with Romantic Times publishing an article about her in February. Schneider also likes the uptick in her career. “I already doubled the amount I normally sell this week,” she said. “It’s exciting.”
She also wants the book to inspire people to arm themselves with optimism, no matter the odds. “I actually knew well before he even got it, that he was going to be OK,” she said of the new heart. “I knew when he was told that he was going to require one.” Nate’s heart had taken such a beating in the two surgeries that the thought of a transplant sounded a lot better than a third sur-
gery, she added. He’s now 35, and still runs and works out, but now needs a longer warmup than he used to, he said. “When they do a transplant, they have to sever a nerve that helps regulate blood pressure,” he said. “If I go from sitting to running up a set of stairs, I get super-winded, more than a normal person would.” Then, there’s the feeling
Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
when he’s in the midst of a run, when the borrowed engine he lives on is nice and warm. “Every time I go for a run, I don’t do a run without feeling my heart beating and thinking about that donor,” he said. “It’s a pretty trippy thing to wrap your head around.” Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
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scene and planning every step of the way. “Lots and lots of effort,” Eand said. Getting that one perfect shot after dozens of others
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Schools
PAGE 10
DECEMBER 13, 2012
Host families needed in Valley for Peruvian, Korean students By Sebastian Moraga The time is running short to find host families for four students visiting the Snoqualmie Valley in January. Ten teens from Gangjin, South Korea, ages 15 and 16, and eight teens from Chaclacayo, Peru, will arrive next month as exchange students, and the search is on to get three Koreans and one Peruvian a place to stay. The Peruvian students, ages 16-18, will stay from midJanuary to late February. The Korean students will stay from early January to early February, according to an email from Tina McCollum, of the Snoqualmie Sister Cities Association. Korean students arrive Jan. 7 and Peruvian students arrive Jan. 17. “Students from both cities have been selected for their English abilities and the desire to come contribute and share of themselves about their homes, counties and many cultural differences,” the release stated. During their stay, the association will host field trips to places like The Boeing Co., Olympia, Seattle, and a snow-tubing trip. Transportation is provided by the association and sometimes by the host family. All students
File
Valeria Gamonal, from left, Tina McCollum and Michelle Riedner pose for a photo during Gamonal and Riedner’s visit from Chaclacayo, Peru, last year. More Peruvian students arrive in January; one Peruvian student still needs a host family. Three Korean students from Snoqualmie’s sister city of Gangjin also need host families. will have spending money and insurance, Joan Pliego, spokesperson for the city of Snoqualmie, wrote in an email.
This will be the second exchange with the city of Chaclacayo and the fifth one with Gangjin. The Korean stu-
Echo Glen teens vie for $50,000 grant By Sebastian Moraga A correctional center might seem like a strange place to feel unleashed. But that occurs at Echo Glen Children’s Center, a Snoqualmie-based correctional facility and school run by the Issaquah School District. A program there called Writers Unleashed allows its students to write essays and share with residents and school staff members their dreams and regrets. The program started in January. Although students can write about whatever they want, the writeups are most often deeply personal. Echo Glen teachers Ken Sylvester, Nora Armstrong and Jenelle Cleland answered questions about the program by email. “The students seem to focus on past misdeeds for the core of their written responses,” they wrote. “Most seem to focus on analyzing their past and what steps are to be taken next.” For the program itself, the
next step is a $50,000 grant application to Clorox. The money, according to a district press release, would help expand the program via: q The purchase of laptops to include more students. q A secure website to allow students to keep writing once released from Echo Glen. q A scholarship for former students. q Getting the essays published. People can vote once every 24 hours for Echo Glen to win the grant, between now and Dec. 19. They may text “2390pbf” to the number 95248 or they may vote online at https://powerabrightfuture.clorox.com, according to the release. On the homepage, enter “Echo Glen” in the search box. Win or lose, the teachers said the program’s worth measures up in other ways. “We have had students write back to us after they leave — are released — and express the value of the program while they were here,” they wrote, “and that it has inspired them to keep writ-
ing on their own.” At first, the students in the program balk at sharing their thoughts. As they get more comfortable with the group, they open up. “They start to see a common thread between themselves and even the teachers and volunteers who run the program,” the teachers wrote. “By sharing their individual experiences, they are able to open up a very personal side of themselves that we don’t normally see or hear in class.” Students must have a passion for writing, a clean behavior record, a good academic record within Echo Glen and the recommendation of a staff member to enter Writers Unleashed. Each session lasts one semester. More than 70 students at Echo Glen applied for the current session, which began in September. For security reasons, each session accommodates up to 12 students, according to the teachers. The writings are honest, brave and compassionate, they wrote. See GRANT, Page 11
dents will participate in Mount Si High School classes with a host sibling or an assisted buddy. “Their main goal is to over-
School district earns college board praise The national College Board named the Snoqualmie Valley School District to its Advanced Placement District Honor Roll for the third year in a row, according to a district press release. The board names school districts to the honor roll based on increased in participation in AP classes and performances on AP exams. “Achieving both of these goals is the ideal scenario for a district’s AP program, because it indicates that the district is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who are likely to benefit most from rigorous AP college-prep work,” the release stated, “as well as motivating more students to pursue this level of study.” Shoreline is the only school district other than the Valley’s to earn the honor for the third consecutive time. Eighteen districts in the state and 538 nationwide earned a spot on the 2012-13 roll. “The students and staff at Mount SI High School are to
come their shyness to speaking English and improve their conversational English,” McCollum said in the press release. “Most of these students have not had exposure to Westerners.” Korean students, she added, will be teachers’ aides in the local elementary schools during finals’ week. The Peruvian students will participate in classes with a host sibling or an assisted buddy. After one week, they will create their own schedule. The Peruvian delegation includes two college students, who will spend time as Spanish teacher’s aides. “Welcoming someone from another country to our community is a great gift,” McCollum wrote. “It allows everyone involved to become familiar with other cultures.” To become hosts, families must pay a $15 fee for a background check. It is not necessary that the host families have students enrolled in a Valley school. Learn more by contacting McCollum at valent6222@aol. com or 253-468-9744. Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
be commended for this tremendous accomplishment and continuous improvement,” Valley schools Superintendent Joel Aune said in the release. “It’s exciting to see that the efforts in our schools to increase academic rigor, focus instruction and define postgraduation goals are yielding positive results for our students.” Since 2010, the release stated, the district has increased its student participation in AP classes by 11 percent. The percentage of students earning AP exam scores of three or higher has increased by 3 percent. The highest score on an AP exam is five. “We continue to prove that our students are fully capable of wonderful things,” Mount Si High School Principal John Belcher said. “These educators have not only expanded student access to AP coursework, “ College Board President David Coleman said in the release, “but they have enabled more of their students to achieve on a college-level, which is helping to create a strong collegegoing culture.”
SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 13, 2012
Local aging bridges receive money for improvements Seventy city and county projects across the state will receive a portion of $130 million in federal funds to repair or replace aging bridges, including three in the Snoqualmie Valley area. The Stossel Bridge over the Snoqualmie River near Carnation will receive $975,720 for new paint. The Brissack Bridge on 436th Avenue Southeast over the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River will receive $180,000 for scouring. And the Lake Dorothy Bridge which goes over the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, will receive $300,000 for scouring, according to a Washington State Department of Transportation press release. WSDOT selected projects that will replace, remove and/or repair aging, obsolete and structurally deficient bridges. The funding comes from the Federal Highway Fund, according to a press release. “Some of these bridges are beyond the point of repair and need to be replaced,” Kathleen Davis, director of Highways and Local Programs with WSDOT, said in the release. “Many of them, though, can be repaired, which will add many more years of operation to their lifespan.”
Grant From Page 10 Besides improving the students’ writing, the program has helped in other, more therapeutic ways. “They all seem to have a strong desire to com-
WSDOT and the Bridge Replacement Advisory Committee received and reviewed 87 applications. The committee is comprised of bridge and engineering professionals, with three members each from Washington cities and counties, according to the press release. The committee’s primary objective is to enhance traveler safety through replacement and rehabilitation of old, worn-out bridges owned by cities and counties, according to the release. Go to www. wsdot.wa.gov/NR/ rdonlyres/287D1A93-7E63455F-A6CB-A440C12A90 72/0/2012BridgeSelections. pdf to view all of the projects that received funding.
Give hunger a kick
Bass Barbershop opens doors
A new barbershop opened its doors in North Bend this month, featuring veteran barber and precision-cut specialist and shop owner, Debbie Bass, according to a press release. Bass Barbershop opened its doors Dec. 3, when the paint was barely dry on the walls of the newly refurbished spot where Bad Girls Antiques used to reside. “It’s so good to be doing what I love and do best,” Bass said in the release. “Opening up this
By Michele Mihalovich
Students with DMW Martial Arts in Snoqualmie kicked a total of 591,000 times in November to raise $3,425 for food banks in Fall City and North Bend. Owner Dan Cartan said the kids beat last year’s number, 540,000 kicks. ‘We are proud to help such worthy charities that affects the lives of so many. It is a great opportunity to teach your children about the importance of giving to others, and benefit others in need,’ he said.
A NEW Preschool Enrichment Program in North Bend!
See SHOP, Page 14
municate to others,” they wrote. “Especially siblings and family members, that whatever they did was wrong and not to do as they did.” Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
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sports
PAGE 12
DECEMBER 13, 2012
Sidelined gymnast Jessica Trotto moves into coaching ranks By Sebastian Moraga Mount Si High School gymnast Jessica Trotto stuck the landing when it came to keeping her word. Sidelined twice with stress fractures in her back, she pledged almost two years ago to leave the sport she loved if she injured her back again. Practicing floor moves in October, she felt a familiar tightness in her back. A doctor visit and an MRI later, she had the diagnosis she feared, two stress fractures in her L4 and L5 vertebra. Third time was the harm, and she closed the book on her seven-year gymnastics career, which included three consecutive appearances at state. “It was really, really hard at first,” she said, dressed in jeans while her teammates warmed up behind her in gymnast outfits, “because you want to be out there with your friends, competing.” She’s no longer competing, but she still has her friends. Trotto began the 2012 season as an assistant coach to the JV team. “It was important to me — being selfish — to have her be
By Sebastian Moraga
Jessica Trotto, at left, watches as a fellow Mount Si High School student practices. Trotto, a longtime gymnast and a senior at MSHS, had to quit the sport due to injury and is now assistant coach for the junior varsity squad. part of the team,” head coach Jessica Easthope wrote in an
email, “and I think, also important to her. The other gymnasts
respect her and look up to her.” Gymnastics, Trotto said, is a
game of confidence, and many freshman gymnasts struggle in gaining that confidence sometimes. “I want to do something to support them, to help them succeed in their events,” she said. Easthope agreed. “With as big a team as we have had in past years and have this year, an extra set of eyes will only help us,” Easthope said, calling Trotto someone who has become “my right hand.” In a way, Trotto said, she wants to pay people back. As a freshman gymnast three years ago, she was struck by how welcome her new teammates made her feel. Not even three state berths are a better memory than her first days as a prep athlete. “I always felt welcome as a freshman,” she added. Trotto said she has bonded with many gymnasts, but Sabrina Frost in particular. Frost is also nursing an aching back. “We’ve gotten a lot more close now that we have something to talk about,” Trotto said. “She inspires me to be here.” See TROTTO, Page 13
Low scoring night brings basketball loss By Michele Mihalovich The Mount Si High School girls basketball team could not convince the basketball to get in
By Michele Mihalovich
Mount Si High School guard/ forward Katy Lindor sets up for a free throw Dec. 7. Mount Si lost to Bellevue High School, 60-15.
the hoop Dec. 7 against Bellevue were 25 rebounds and only six High School, and lost its confersteals. ence opener, 60-15. “We had a challenging game Bellevue, last year’s KingCo all around last Friday ... but 3A champs, made 43 percent the main problem was making of its shots from the floor, baskets, as we had a poor teamcompared to Mount Si, which shooting percentage,” coach only made four baskets of 38 Megan Botulinski said. “So, our attempts. focus this week Seven of 15 will be offenWildcat points sive intensity: Up next came from free hard cuts, crisp throws, but The next game will be passes, tough they attempted against Lake Washington screens and 21. at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at finishing shots. Mount Si’s Mount Si. Unfortunately, first basket last Friday, made from the we had an off floor didn’t night doing all come until the third period, of that.” and was swished in by freshman She said the team has guard Camryn Buck, bringing “flushed that game out of our the score to 41-8, Bellevue. system and have mentally That shot was closely folmoved on to Lake Washington lowed by guard Elizabeth on Friday and Mercer Island on Prewitt’s basket in the last 45 Saturday. seconds of the period. “Sports is about learning Prewitt and Katy Lindor were from and fixing mistakes plus Mount Si’s high scorers for the moving forward,” she added. night. Prewitt sunk two baskets “That’s what we plan to do this from the floor and Lindor put in week.” four free throws. The Wildcats overall record Sally Nelson also put a now stands at 1-3. 2-pointer on the board. The Wolverines put up a total of 33 rebounds and stole the ball Michele Mihalovich: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www. from the Wildcats 17 times. snovalleystar.com. For Mount Si, those numbers
By Michele Mihalovich
Mount Si High School guard Elizabeth Prewitt is surrounded by Bellevue Wolverines as she attempts a 2-pointer Dec. 7. Mount Si lost, 60-15.
SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 13, 2012
PAGE 13
Strong start to season for Mount Si grapplers By Sebastian Moraga Three days do not a winning season make, but the Mount Si High School varsity wrestlers still managed to make a statement the first weekend of December. Facing Everett and Inglemoor on Dec. 4 and Interlake on Dec. 6, Mount Si defeated Everett, 45-28, and Interlake, 74-6, while losing to Inglemoor, 45-31. “We are feeling good about our team start, but we want to improve,” head coach Tony Schlotfeldt wrote in an email. “Hanging tough with Inglemoor, another good program, was good for us.” Against Everett, Mount
Si prevailed, not a small feat, Schlotfeldt said, given how Everett manages to roll out a tough squad every year. This year is no exception, with 2012 132pound state champ Jessie Lopez leading the team. Now at 145, Lopez defeated Mount Si’s Bruce Stuart by majority decision. At Lopez’s old weight, Mount Si’s Wilkins Melgaard pinned Everett’s Leo Norton in the second round. At 120 pounds, Mount Si’s Eli Clure pinned Bryan Sanchez in the first round. Tanner Stahl pinned Everett’s 138-pounder Michael Allred in the second and the Wildcats’ 182-pound-
Up next Next up for the Wildcats is a league dual meet at Sammamish at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and a tournament against Liberty and Lake Washington at 7:30 Dec. 18 at Renton’s Maywood Middle School. er, Timothy Corrie, pinned Everett’s Anthony Hawkins in the second round as well. At 195 pounds, Mitch Rorem pinned Everett’s Richard Stewart in the third round. Against 4A school Inglemoor, 195-pounder Josh Koukal — eighth at
state last year — defeated Mount Si’s Rorem by pin in the third round. Gabe Seward, who finished eighth at state in the 138-pound category for Inglemoor, defeated Tye Rodney by pin in the first round. Mount Si got the better of Inglemoor at 132, with Mount Si’s Ryley Absher defeating Jake Lindloff by decision, 6-5. At 138 pounds, the Wildcats’ Stahl defeated Eric Wang, 9-0. Stahl’s teammate, Max Kenagy, pinned 160-pounder Jason Chaussee in the second round. Two days later at Interlake, the Wildcats had their strongest showing of the weekend, with a resounding 74-6 victory
Trotto From Page 12 A future athletic trainer, Trotto holds no bitterness toward the cards she was dealt. She said she will take her injuries as a lesson in perseverance and move on.
over the Saints, in a match marked by eight Mount Si pins. Positive results aside, Schlotfeldt insisted there’s room for improvement, as evidenced by the Dec. 8 performance at the Spud Walley Invitational, where four Mount Si wrestlers placed. “But 3-4 of our wrestlers weren’t able to pull off some close matches that would have put seven to eight of us on the podium for the tournament,” Schlotfeldt wrote. “We need to continue focusing on mental toughness and conditioning.”
SNOQUALMIE VALLEY
Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
“Even though I have had three injuries,” she said, “I have learned to see that there are people who can help you through, and that you can overcome.” Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
Amateur Photo Contest to be awarded in each category:
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Jessica Trotto made it to state every year of her high school gymnastics career. She also fractured her back three times and had to leave the sport in October, weeks before the start of her senior season.
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SnoValley Star
PAGE 14
Police blotter
Fisher Creek Park.
North Bend
Unruly guest
Stolen backpack
A woman called at 11:05 p.m. Nov. 30 to report that her mom’s boyfriend was drunk and had been pounding on the door for 10 minutes. Police responded to the Southeast Sequoia Place address and found the man passed out. He had a warrant, so police arrested the man and transported him to the King County Jail.
A California woman reported to police that at 2 p.m. Nov. 25, she stopped at McDonald’s to use the restroom. When she arrived at her next destination, she noticed she didn’t have her backpack, which held her credit cards, drivers license, Social Security card and wallet.
Debit card fraud A North Bend man reported to police Nov. 26 that his debit card had been used for three Western Union transactions, totaling $235, without his permission. He still had the card in his possession.
Snoqualmie Suspicious lumberjacks
A caller from Denny Peak Drive Southeast called police at 1:44 p.m. Nov. 30 to report people were cutting down a tree in the woods. A golf maintenance crew was trimming trees.
Young puffers A person called police at 8:18 p.m. Nov. 30 to report several juveniles were smoking at the community center. The subjects were not located there, but were found at
home services
Gas sucker A man suspected of syphoning gasoline was picked up at 1:45 a.m. Dec. 3 near Southeast Jacobia Street and Swing Avenue Southeast. He gave police officers a false name and was cited for that, and taken to the Issaquah Jail.
Ghost calling Police at 4:11 a.m. Nov. 4 received a 911 hang-up call from an abandoned house on Southeast Walnut Street.
Uncivil union A woman called police at 7:53 p.m. Dec. 4 to report that her estranged husband pawned their wedding rings.
FYI The King County Sheriff’s Office notified police at 12:52 p.m. Dec.
Washington State Construction Contractor law requires that all advertisers for construction related services include the contractor registration number.
6 that a suicidal male was near Snoqualmie and had texted friends that he was going to drive into a lake and kill himself.
North Bend fire calls
One fire engine responded to a motor vehicle accident with injuries at 10:12 a.m. Dec. 1 in the 100 block of Southeast 160th Street. Five fire engines responded to a motor vehicle accident with no injuries at 9:33 p.m. Dec. 2 on westbound Interstate 90.
Snoqualmie fire calls
EMTs responded Nov. 29 to Snoqualmie Ridge for a child having a seizure. The child was evaluated on scene and left in the care of parents. EMTs were called Nov. 30 to Snoqualmie Ridge for a child with breathing difficulty. The child was evaluated on scene and transported to a hospital. EMTs were called Nov. 30 to the Snoqualmie Casino for an elderly man who fell. He was treated on scene and left with family. Firefighters responded Dec. 1 to an automatic fire alarm at the Salish Lodge. The alarm was set off by smoke from an unknown source. The maintenance staff at the Salish was attempting to locate the source. EMTs responded Dec. 1 with other agencies to
a two-vehicle accident in North Bend. Two people were treated on scene and transported to a hospital. Firefighters were called Dec. 1 to the Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Course clubhouse for a fire alarm. The alarm was found to be accidental and the system was reset. Firefighters and Eastside Fire & Rescue responded Dec. 2 to a Jeep that left the roadway on Interstate 90 at milepost 29. The driver and passengers were uninjured. EMTs responded Dec. 2 to an elderly woman suffering from a possible stroke. She was transported to a hospital by Eastside Fire & Rescue. EMTs responded Dec. 3 to the Snoqualmie downtown area for a medical call. A patient was evaluated and left in care of family on scene. Firefighters were dispatched Dec. 5 to the Snoqualmie Ridge area for a residential fire alarm. After investigation, it was determined that it was a false alarm from a malfunctioning smoke detector. EMTs responded Dec. 5 to the Snoqualmie downtown area for a vehicle-versus-pedestrian accident. A patient was treated and transported to a hospital. The Star publishes names of those arrested for DUI and those charged with felony crimes. Information comes directly from local police reports.
DECEMBER 13, 2012
Congratulations
By Bettina Hansen/The Seattle Times
Larry Duncan (left) stands with his partner of 11 years, Randall Shepherd, both of North Bend, at Seattle First Baptist Church on First Hill in Seattle during a wedding for 25 couples. The wedding was Dec. 9, the first day same-sex couples could marry in the state of Washington.
Shop From Page 11 shop … well, it feels like I’m finally home.” The shop features haircutting services for men, women and children, while specializing in flattops and other precision cuts for men. Discounted senior citizen cuts are also available. The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. All cuts are on a walk-in basis. Bass Barbershop is at 42901 S.E. North Bend Way. Parking is available adjacent to the shop.
What to do with your tree?
Boy Scouts of America, Troop 425, will again pick up your Christmas trees for recycling. Scouts will collect Christmas trees left at the end of your driveway by 8 a.m. Jan. 5. Flocked trees and those with tinsel, decorations and
nails will not be accepted. A donation of $10 is suggested with checks made payable to BSA Troop 425. Place the donation in an envelope and attach it to the base of the tree with a rubber band. Boy Scouts will distribute envelopes to residences in mid-December.
Follow safety tips to avoid Christmas tree catastrophes The holiday season is a time for celebration, but fire hazards from Christmas trees and other decorations can dampen the festive spirit. Experts at the State Fire Marshal’s Office remind residents to properly care for and decorate Christmas trees, and to practice fire safety in order to prevent yuletide emergencies. If a household holiday display includes a natural tree, keep the tree adequately watered. Improper care and decoration of live or artificial Christmas trees can lead to catastrophic fires. Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by UL or another approved testing laboratory. All decorations should be nonflammable or flameretardant, and artificial or metallic trees should also be flame-retardant.
Calendar
DECEMBER 13, 2012
Music/ entertainment q Kevin Jones Trio, 8 p.m. Dec. 15, The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie, 831-3647 q Pearl Django, 7 p.m. Dec. 13, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, 292-9307 q The Hipsters, 9 p.m. Dec. 15, Finaghty’s Irish Pub, 7726 Center Blvd. S.E., Suite 110, Snoqualmie, 888-8833 q Ask Sophie, 8 p.m. Dec. 15, Snoqualmie Brewery and Taproom, 8031 Falls Ave. S.E. Snoqualmie, 888-1234. Donation of gloves, coats and new socks for YouthCare welcome. q Snoqualmie Valley Girls Choir winter concert, 2 p.m. Dec. 15, Mount Si Lutheran Church, 411 Eighth St. N.E., North Bend. 888-1322 q Mount Si High School Winter Concert, 7 p.m. Dec. 13, Mount Si High School Auditorium 8651 Meadowbrook Way S.E., Snoqualmie
Events q “A Christmas Carol,” the timeless Charles Dickens’ classic, returns to Valley Center Stage, 119 W. North Bend Way, with an eighth season of shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays , Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 15. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12.50 for seniors and children. Call 831-5667. q Santa Train, through the weekend of Dec. 14-15, with seven hourly departures 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the North Bend Depot, with a specialneeds train scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 14. Tickets available at the Snoqualmie Depot bookstore 38625 S.E. King St., Snoqualmie, online at www.trainmuseum.org or by phone at 888-3030. q North Bend Holiday Festival Gingerbread House contest entries are being displayed in downtown North Bend businesses. q Movie night at the North Bend Theatre in support of the Mount Si High School Wrestling team, 11 p.m. Dec. 14. Tickets, $15, are good for the movie, a small popcorn and small soda. The movie is “The Hobbit.” Email newelll0517@gmail. com to learn more or get tickets early. q Santa will visit the Moose Lodge, 108 Sydney Ave., North
Get crafty
Contributed
The Local Crafters Holiday Bazaar returns to Snoqualmie from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14-15 on the corner of Railroad Avenue and King Street. The bazaar provides a venue for local artists to promote their art, and youth groups to raise funds via gift-wrapping and children’s crafts stations. Donations will benefit area youth groups. Call 888-1812 or 419-3934 to learn more.
Bend, at 11 a.m. Dec. 15. Complimentary breakfast starts at 10 a.m. Open to all community children and their families. Call 888-0951. q Make and take holiday gifts at the YMCA, 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 21, Snoqualmie Valley YMCA, 35018 S.E. Ridge St. Prior registration required. $10 per family for YMCA members, $15 per family for non-facility members. q Kids’ Night Out holiday party at the YMCA, 6-10 p.m. Dec. 22. Drop children off in their PJs while you and your spouse enjoy a free night; $18 per child for facility members, $26 per child for program members and $34 per child for nonmembers. Call 425-25-3115.
q Merry Monday Story Time, 11 a.m. Dec. 17. Newborns to age 3, with adult. Siblings and older children welcome. Songs, rhythm instruments, action rhymes and a tale for the very young. q Toddler Story Time, 8:30 a.m. Dec. 18, for children ages 2-3 with adult, younger children and siblings welcome. Share the world of books with your child and come in for stories, songs and surprises. q Preschool Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 18, ages 3-6 with adult. Siblings welcome. q Spanish/English Story time, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18. All ages welcome with adult.
North Bend Library
Unless otherwise noted, all events occur at 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., Snoqualmie. 8881223. Library will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. q Pajama Story Time, 7 p.m. Dec. 13. All young children welcome with adults. Stories, songs and surprises. Wear your PJs if you like.
Unless otherwise noted, all events occur at 115 E. Fourth St. North Bend. 888-0554. Library will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. q Mount Si Artists Guild Exhibition, through Dec. 31, during library hours. Theme this year is “Seasonal Fun.” q Study Zone, 3 p.m. Dec. 13, 17. Drop in during scheduled hours for free homework help in all subjects. For teens.
Snoqualmie Library
Send us your calendar item by emailing us at smoraga@snovalleystar.com.
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SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 13, 2012