Your locally-owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington
December 29, 2011 VOL. 3, NO. 52
Artfully done Page 10
Blaze destroys Preston home before Christmas By Warren Kagarise
Ready for the flood County sets budget for flood control. Page 2
Stay awake State police warn about dangers of drowsy driving. Page 6
Police blotter Page 6
Zuzu visits “It’s a Wonderful Life” star greets people in the Valley. Page 7
By Eastside Fire & Rescue
Brian Jarvis, a firefighter with Eastside Fire & Rescue Engine 72, sprays water into a window of a burning Preston family home Dec. 22.
Look back Check out the top photos of 2011. Page 8
2011 saw many changes, especially in schools By Dan Catchpole
Hall of famer Mount Si quarterback from days past is inducted. Page 12
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The Snoqualmie Valley continues to change, and 2011 saw several big developments that will affect the area for many years to come. From annexations to ground breakings to traffic jams, the Valley is evolving. Many of this year’s biggest stories revolved around schools — from school bonds to school board elections to a state baseball title. Here is a look back at this year’s biggest local stories and trends. School bond fails In February, a $56.2 million bond for a new middle school failed by a single vote. The Snoqualmie Valley School Board sent the bond to voters after approving a plan last year to handle projected overcrowd-
ing at Mount Si High School by turning the existing Snoqualmie Middle School into a satellite campus. The board sent the bond to voters again in April, and supporters and detractors rallied voters to their side. The opposition gained the most and defeated the bond by more than 1,000 votes. The School Board still plans to convert Snoqualmie Middle School into a satellite campus for ninth-graders for the 20122013 school year. That will require sending more students to the district’s two other middle schools. Reform candidates win school board elections Reform candidates won two See REVIEW, Page 3
Firefighters lost a battle against the elements early Dec. 22, and a predawn blaze left a Preston family homeless only days before Christmas. The rural location along a tight, steep road less than a mile from Interstate 90 left firefighters little room to maneuver to combat the flames. The lack of fire hydrants in the neighborhood also limited firefighters’ options. Flames tore through the home at 8303 293rd Ave. S.E. at about 2:45 a.m. The occupants escaped unharmed, but a firefighter suffered a minor burn to the face and is expected to recover. Eastside Fire & Rescue and other nearby emergency aid agencies responded to the blaze after the homeowner called 911 and said a fire started in the garage and spread into the wood-frame house. The house and attached garage belched flames and smoke as firefighters arrived at the scene moments See FIRE, Page 2
Safety song hits unexpected note morning. “My grandFame came in a daughter flash for Chuck screamed Smith. when she The Snoqualmie saw me on Valley School TV,” Smith District bus driver’s said. “She rap song about bus freaked.” safety has reached Next, dizzying heights. Kim “I didn’t expect Hooper, it to do this,” he chairman of said. “The original the Training was to get the Agency word across to the Association students in our of district.” By Sebastian Moraga Michigan, It went much School bus driver Chuck Smith, in asked the farther. what he calls his 'office.' Star for perIt began when mission to the SnoValley Star featured an use the video of Smith’s song to 80-second video of Smith train 20,000 school bus drivers in singing the song, where he tells the Wolverine State. Hooper said students in a fun rap what to do someone emailed a link of the in case of an emergency during video to the association. a bus trip. Smith said he has a son livKING-5 TV showed the video ing northeast of Detroit. It on its newscast twice the night See SAFETY, Page 2 of Dec. 15 and once the next By Sebastian Moraga
SnoValley Star
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DECEMBER 29, 2011
Safety From Page 1
WEB EXTRA See video of Chuck Smith rapping about safety at www.snovalleystar.com.
King County flood district passes 2012 budget With another wet year expected, the King County Flood Control District Board of Supervisors passed a $46 million budget for 2012 and a six-year capital improvement program. The 2012 budget pays for 19 capital projects, including engineering design for major levee rehabilitations scheduled for
Fire From Page 1 later. Units from Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety, and the Duvall, Fall City and Snoqualmie fire departments also responded to the blaze. Firefighters called in additional water tankers to the scene to shuttle water to the property — a secluded spot at the southernmost tip of 293rd Avenue
2013-2015 construction on the Green, Cedar, Snoqualmie and White rivers. The district will also provide $3.6 million to King County and 39 municipalities in 2012. The upper Snoqualmie Valley will see little of that money, though. North Bend will get $9,083, and Snoqualmie will get
Southeast. But temperatures in the 20s meant water turned to ice on the road and other paved surfaces, creating another challenge for firefighters. The narrow road conditions also posed a problem for the vehicles attempting to reach the blaze, so fire trucks and other vehicles used road shoulders and neighbors’ lawns. King County property records list the affected homeowners as Phillip and Patty Kropelnicki. Only a smoking ruin remained the day after the blaze.
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.
$18,911. More than half of the money — or about $2.166 million — will go to Seattle, Bellevue and King County. For the past two years, the district has had to spend much of its resources on emergency repairs to the Howard Hanson Dam. With the dam stabilized, the district can return its focus
Flowerpots still sat on a ledge left untouched by flames and firefighting near a knee-high St. Francis of Assisi statue. Stubborn snow clung to the ground beneath shrubs along the driveway and deep ruts crisscrossed the grass — a remnant from the equipment used to battle the blaze in the predawn darkness. The homeowners could not be reached for comment. Neighbors Fred and Michelle Cohen live down the hill from the Kropelnickis’ property and looked on as fire trucks roared
Send donations to Fund for the Valley, c/o SnoValley Star, PO Box 2516, North Bend, WA 98045
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to other needs. “Significant storm events and past issues at the now fully operational Army Corps of Engineers’ Howard Hanson Dam have dominated our work the last few years,” Flood Control District Board See FLOOD, Page 6
through the quiet neighborhood. “It was very scary because there are no fire hydrants out here,” Michelle Cohen said the afternoon after the blaze. The modern King County building code requires a sprinkler system in homes not adequately served by a hydrant system or road access. The house destroyed in the blaze — built in 1966 — came from a period before officials required residential sprinkler systems. Michelle Cohen said the tight-knit neighborhood and the Kropelnickis’ church congregation pulled together to help the family after the fire. Firefighters called a King County fire investigator to the scene. The blaze remains under investigation. Officials couldn’t provide a cause or the total damages the day after the fire. Neighbors said the situation could have been much worse along the street if the conditions had changed amid the blaze. “There was no wind last night, so we’re all very blessed,” Michelle Cohen said. Warren Kagarise: 392-6434, ext. 234, or wkagarise@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.
amuses him that a younger granddaughter of his may someday ride on a school bus with a driver who learned from his video. “And she won’t have a clue,” he said. About the same time Hooper asked about the video, the National Pupil Transportation Association linked the Dec. 22 SnoValley Star article about Smith to its website and invited him to perform the song at its national convention in Nevada in July. Smith said he will go. “The wife and I were talking about doing a big road trip this summer, anyway, because neither of us had had any time off,” he said. Smith said he wished he could take some of his students to the convention. In October 2010, he applied for a Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation grant to do live performances of his video with children at local schools. The proposal was denied. “That was a big disappointment for the children,” Smith said. “I can understand. It was a farfetched idea, probably a bit out of the foundation’s comfort zone.” In hindsight, the foundation’s denial was a blessing in disguise, he said. “Any material I submitted would have become district property,” Smith said. “And the lyrics, I had copyrighted.” Smith said he plans another grant request once he gets a new group of students in a year or two. Until then, he said he wants to write more songs and make videos about other topics. “School fire evacuation, what to do if I fall asleep at the wheel,” he said. “All safety-oriented.” Since they are nothing but plans yet, it’s impossible to tell whether the videos will have the same success of Smith’s first viral video. Nevertheless, he has no complaints. He wanted his message to go across the district and instead, it went across the nation. “I am way more than satisfied,” he said.
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SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 29, 2011
Review From Page 1 of three seats on the Snoqualmie Valley School Board that were up for election this year. Longtime school activists Carolyn Simpson and Geoff Doy defeated incumbents Craig Husa and Caroline Loudenback, respectively. Simpson and Doy called for greater transparency and more public involvement in setting district policy. Simpson said she opposes using Snoqualmie Middle School as a satellite campus and has questioned the projected enrollment numbers. Snoqualmie considers annexing Weyerhaeuser mill site No story this year has gotten as much ink as the story of Snoqualmie’s effort to annex the former Weyerhaeuser mill site located across Snoqualmie River from the city’s historic downtown area. The effort officially began in late March, when the Snoqualmie City Council voted to allow Mayor Matt Larson to discuss an annexation with King County, which currently governs the land. Opponents began a grassroots campaign to stop the annexation, citing concerns including environmental, flooding, legal and fiscal. They have argued that the land’s current primary occupant, DirtFish Rally School, is marring the area’s quality of life. But supporters say the annexation will be good for the local economy. The city and the county are negotiating the language of the final agreement to transfer the land. Meanwhile, opponents filed a lawsuit to stop the process in November, but a hearing isn’t set until spring. Breaking ground Work began on two significant projects on Snoqualmie Ridge this year. Construction of a community center run by the YMCA went into full swing, and clearing began on land for Snoqualmie Valley Hospital’s new facility. The community center was realized only after much contro-
Other big stories There were many important stories in 2011, but not all could make the top 10 list. Here is a quick look at other notable stories. ❑ Josh Mitchell won a state title in wrestling and was recruited to play football for Oregon State University. ❑ Counterfeiters struck the Snoqualmie Valley multiple times, but police aren’t sure if the different incidents are related. ❑ The owners of TPC Snoqualmie Ridge dropped plans to hunt elk on the golf course following strong public backlash. ❑ A video of Snoqualmie resident Jonah Duvall dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller went viral on YouTube, getting more than 3.5 million views. ❑ A fire on Thanksgiving Day left as many as versy. Voters rejected several ballot measures by the city to fund the project. Without voterapproved money available, Snoqualmie officials entered into a partnership with the Y in order to pay for the project. The community center is expected to open in January. A couple of miles away, clearing has begun on land for Snoqualmie Valley Hospital’s new $37 million facility. Construction is expected to begin by early spring. Hospital district officials are financing the new facility through a similar partnership with a California-based developer. The district did not send a bond measure to voters to fund the construction. New principals The Snoqualmie Valley School District’s two high schools — Mount Si and Two Rivers — both got new principals this year. At Mount Si, John Belcher succeeded Randy Taylor, who retired after six years at the school’s helm. During Taylor’s tenure, the school made many improvements, including doubling the number of Advanced Placement courses, tripling the number of scholarships received by graduates and offering college courses at Mount Si through partnerships with local universities. It also saw some controversy,
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30 people homeless. Community members and aid groups provided assistance. ❑ A race for a seat on the board of commissioners for Public Hospital District No. 4 went to a recount. Gene Pollard won by six votes after running on a reform platform. ❑ World-renowned musician and North Bend resident Emanuel Vardi died at 95. During his career, he helped raise the status of the viola in the music world. ❑ The Snoqualmie Valley Veterans Memorial was unveiled in November. The project came about following several years of concerted effort by community members. ❑ North Bend finished its sewer expansion project. At more than $15 million, it was the most expensive and ambitious public project in the city’s history.
including the school’s handling of the Day of Silence and student bullying. Before coming to Mount Si, Belcher spent seven years as principal at Omak High School. At Two Rivers, the district’s alternative school, Amy Montanye-Johnson replaced Tom Athanases, who became the district’s alternative program planning coordinator. She said she plans to continue challenging students in an alternative setting. Record number of student-athletes Perhaps there was something special in the water this year, but a record number of Mount Si High School graduates were recruited to play sports in college. In all, nearly 30 studentsathletes committed to play at the next level, and more than a dozen of those received full or partial scholarships. School officials and boosters celebrated the record crop as a sign that the school’s athletics programming is maturing. At least eight students will compete at Division I schools, including Austen Bolves (rowing, University of Washington), Zoe Gogan (volleyball, Washington State University), Tim Proudfoot (baseball, Texas Tech University) and Alexis Pearlstein (soccer, Ball State University).
Baseball team wins state title Mount Si’s baseball team had a whirlwind season last year that saw the Wildcats one out from going home empty handed only to come from behind to win the 3A state title. The Wildcats played with grace and focus from start to finish under the leadership of firstyear coach Elliott Cribby. The 25-year-old coach had been a top pitcher for the University of Washington and played one season of minor league baseball. In their run to the title, the Wildcats featured strong pitching, solid fielding and timely hitting. This upcoming season will see many new faces, as most starters from the championship team graduated. ommunity support for Co park district The Si View Metropolitan Parks District faced an existential crisis this fall after learning from King County that it would lose almost all of its property tax revenue in 2012. Because of a state-cap on property levies, the park district would have had its operating budget cut by more
Instant Rebate Up $ to
Paying for roads With budgets under pressure, local governments have been struggling to maintain their roads. Snoqualmie, North Bend and King County all announced plans to fund roadwork in the coming years. King County’s plan was the most drastic. The county adopted a plan that prioritizes roads by four levels. The highest level receives a minimum amount of work. The lowest level is all but being abandoned by the county. Snoqualmie took on a $5 million bond to pay for work on 10 roads — five on the Ridge and five downtown. North Bend voters approved a sales tax increase in November to raise money for maintenance work. Warrior Dash arrives More than 30,000 people drove on Snoqualmie Valley roads this summer to participate in and watch the Warrior Dash, which featured mud pits, rope ladders and fire. The race is another of the Valley’s many summer events and athletic events. Landing it was part a campaign to encourage tourism to the Valley. Race organizers and city officials from North Bend and Snoqualmie said they hope it will become a mainstay, which means more business and more traffic for residents. Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
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than 50 percent in the next year. But Snoqualmie Valley voters overwhelmingly passed two ballot measures restoring the district’s tax revenue. A similar problem had plagued the King County Flood Control District in 2010. However, earlier this year, the state Legislature exempted the district from the property levy cap.
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Opinion
PAGE 4
DECEMBER 29, 2011
Editorial
Thank you to the Star’s letter writers
From the Web
The SnoValley Star strives to serve as a forum for earnest community conversation. We could not do this without participation from you, our readers. We want to thank the people who took a few minutes to write a letter to our editorial page during the past year. Thank you for sharing your passionate voice. And please keep those letters coming in 2012!
The article “Elk Hunt at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge Squelched” is an example of the ignorance surrounding the management of fish and game in this country. To the people who are embarrassed to live near an area where hunting takes place, “You moved out here!” Mr. Catchpole, elk were in this area a long time before we were. They are native to the area! The golf course and human development didn’t bring THEM into our habitat; the golf course and human development brought PEOPLE into THEIR habitat. Hunting is the most effective and least costly game management tool we have. The fact is that hunters pay for conservation, nobody else.
Kim Arellano Nancy Baker Herschel Backues Scott Barnett Busby family Philip Cassady Stacey Chellis William Combs David and Lisa Cook Jeri Cranney Joe Crecca Jim Curtis Rick Davies Ron Denaro Barbi Donovan Ilse Dujmovic Heidi Dukich Dave Eiffert Art Farash Josiah Farrell Nancy Flanagan Alan Fletcher Tamara Franklin Art Galloway Lanice Gillard Rick Grant Cheryl and Steve Hanson Bill Hayden Mark Hennig Sally Busby Hill Kim Horn Sandy Horvath
T.J. Hoving Sheila Hunter Stephen Kangas Steve Kowalsky Rev. Jan Larson Matthew R. Larson Jan Van Liew Chris Lodahl Mitch Lucas Brent Lutz Tina Maloney Kit McCormick Gail A. McCullough Frank McFadden Leslie Moon Mount Si Gay Straight Alliance officers Denis Morrison Brian Murphy Dotti NewtonDenaro Ron and Chris Pedee Liz Piekarczyk Ruth Posey Jon Pulsipher Jim Reitz Riley, Snoqualmie Middle School student Chris Schotzko Aimee (Rhynalds) Sherrill
Re: Elk hunt at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge squelched
L. Silver Carolyn Simpson Wes Sorstokke Thomas Som Mike Thompson Lorraine Thurston Andrea Toomey Lucy Watts David Willson Eric Yotz Charles Zeder Jenny Zinke
By Slim Randles
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If you’re one of the people who were a part of the “public outcry” about using hunting for game management on the golf course, then you get off your duff and go out to the golf course and run the elk away when they show up. Otherwise, go buy a hunting license and contribute some money to the wildlife of Washington and let the people who know what they’re doing manage the wildlife of our state. Riley Hunter North Bend
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We watched the fence growing, growing even as the snow fell, and there was bile and envy oozing from several pores in town. This was the rich guy’s fence. The rich guy and his wife moved to our quiet little town to spend weekends. Their real home is two hours away in the city. He owns a factory or store or something down there. But here they bought that five acres on the edge of town and had people from the city come up and build their vacation home. They paid the builders to stay down at the Empress Motel while they worked, too. Well, the house was finished toward the end of summer, and they’ve been up here several times since. Seem like nice enough folks. But the fence .… The rich guy had no fence around the five acres, you see, and he had no firewood. So he decided to kill two birds with one stone and have some firewood cutters build a firewood fence, about four feet high, around his little country estate. So we watched, as load by load the fence grew — first
across the front of the property and then turning a corner to go back toward the rear of his property. A firewood fence. Dud did some figuring down at the Mule Barn the other day. Dud always Slim Randles was handy Columnist with figures. “As I see it, he has one fireplace in that whole house,” Dud says, “and he doesn’t need it to heat the house. They had a propane furnace put in. “So, if he burns that fire-
place continuously every weekend during winter, figuring winter lasts until about April, give or take, I figure it’ll take him 93 years to run out of fence.” Those of us who cut and haul our own wood, and use it to heat the house, at first said nasty things about the rich guy. This fence was really gilding the lily, of course. But then we started taking friends from out of town to see it. “You think you’ve seen a fence?” we’d say. “I’ll show you one for the books.” Brought to you by Marqcom Media. Visit 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:
snovalley star P.O. Box 1328 ❑ Issaquah, WA 98027 Fax: 391-1541 ❑ Email: editor@snovalleystar.com
DECEMBER 29, 2011
SnoValley Star
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SnoValley Star
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DECEMBER 29, 2011
State Patrol warns about drowsy driving Danger when driving is spelled with three Ds — drunken, distracted and drowsy. Any one of the three can impair a driver’s ability to react to avoid an accident. While the threats of driving while drunk or distracted by something like texting are well publicized, drowsy driving and its dangers are less well known. It can have devastating effects on Washington roadways. In 2010, drowsy driving caused 17 deaths and 74 seriously injured motorists in Washington. Estimates from the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicate drowsy driving results in 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and more than 100,000 accidents nationwide each year. “It always breaks my heart to hear that someone was killed or injured because a driver fell asleep at the wheel. These are totally preventable deaths and collisions,” Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste said in a statement. The state patrol recommends specific steps to prevent drowsy driving and fall-asleep crashes: ❑ Get a good night’s sleep
before hitting the road. ❑ Do not be too rushed to arrive at your destination. Many drivers try to maximize a holiday weekend by driving at night or without stopping for breaks. ❑ Use the buddy system. Avoid driving alone for long distances. A buddy who remains awake for the journey can take a turn behind the wheel and help identify the warning signs of fatigue. ❑ Take a break every 100 miles or two hours. ❑ Take a nap. Find a safe place to take a 15- to 20-minute
nap if you think you might fall asleep. Be cautious about excessive drowsiness after waking up. ❑ Avoid alcohol and medications capable of causing drowsiness as a side effect. ❑ Avoid driving at times when you might otherwise be asleep. Troopers reminded motorists to know the warning signs of drowsy driving, such as heavy eyelids, difficulty keeping your head up, drifting from your lane, swerving, tailgating, hitting rumble strips, missing traffic signs and exits, and feeling irritable and restless.
Police blotter
Drunken driving
outstanding warrant from Federal Way. He was later taken to the Issaquah Police Department and booked on both charges.
Snoqualmie. A homeowner reported someone had egged his house. Police could not find anything suspicious. The report stated several houses had been egged on the same night.
Snoqualmie Police Smoking and drinking At 12:15 a.m. Dec. 15, police saw a green Honda Civic southbound on Snoqualmie Parkway with a defective third brake light. Police stopped the car and the driver had bloodshot eyes, smelled of marijuana and alcohol. The driver, 23-year-old Mitchell J. Kling, of Kent, had green froth on his tongue, a sign he had recently smoked marijuana. He admitted to having marijuana in his car and was arrested for possession of under 40 grams of marijuana. He was taken to the Snoqualmie Police Department for booking and later released at a friend’s house.
At 10:40 p.m. Dec. 17, police saw a Kia Sephia speeding south on Snoqualmie Parkway near the intersection of Southeast 96th Street. Police measured the car as traveling 15 miles per hour above the posted 30 mph limit. The vehicle entered the eastbound Interstate 90 ramp and police stopped it before it entered the highway. The driver, 24-year-old Aron J. Yellowowl, from Pablo, Mont., wobbled out of the car saying he was trying to get back to Montana. He smelled of alcohol and said he did not know where the insurance information for the car was. After failing field sobriety tests, he was arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants and taken to the Snoqualmie Police Department. He also had an
No pizza here At 11 p.m. Dec. 17, police responded to a call from a home in the 7200 block of Saint Andrews Lane Southeast. The caller told police a Hispanic male, about 30 to 40 years old, standing about 5 feet, 10 inches tall and carrying a red pizza bag had claimed he was delivering pizza. The man left in his dark-colored truck after the caller told him she did not order a pizza. Police could not find him.
Houses egged
- Cierra, Angela and Aubry Anna Diaz
The Star publishes names of those arrested for DUI and those charged with felony crimes. Information comes directly from local police reports. Information regarding Snoqualmie fire calls was unavailable.
Flood
The district’s board of supervisors is made up of King County Council members. Among the projects the district will fund in 2012 are construction of five farm pads – elevated patches of land for farmers to safely store livestock and equipment during floods – and two barn elevations. Since its creation in 2007, the Flood Control District has helped complete 60 projects to reduce flooding.
From Page 2
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❑ At 2:57 p.m. Dec. 26, firefighters joined other Eastside Fire & Rescue units responding to a trail rescue near the intersection of 480th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 127th Street. ❑ At 2:46 a.m. Dec. 22, firefighters joined other Eastside Fire & Rescue units responding to a house fire in upper Preston on 293rd Avenue Southeast.
At 11:15 p.m. Dec. 17, police responded to a call from the 36800 block of Southeast Gravenstein Court in
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Chair Julia Patterson said in a news release. ‘We are pleased to be proactively moving forward with major levee rehabilitation projects throughout King County that will protect public safety and the regional economy.”
Winter Florals
DECEMBER 29, 2011
community
PAGE 7
Last Valley stop for a ‘Wonderful’ ride what I do. Like that lady who lost her brother, saying she felt better because she talked to me.” The two women who had Fans have loved Grimes’ charnever met hugged like old acter for years, but only since friends. 1993 has Grimes traveled to The only connection they return some of that love. had was love and loss. That, and After years with few public a movie. appearances, Grimes became the One was Karolyn Grimes, who face of Target’s Christmas camplayed Zuzu in the 1946 film “It’s paign in 1993. a Wonderful Life.” The other one Since then, she has started an was Kathleen Randolph, of “It’s a Wonderful Life” festival and Issaquah, a fan of hers. a museum, in Seneca Falls, N.Y., “I had never watched ‘It’s a and appeared across America to Wonderful Life’ until 10 years talk about the movie and her life. ago,” said Randolph, standing In one of those appearances, inside Snoqualmie’s Salish Lodge she met Brunell, at a suicide preand Spa Dec. 22. “My brother vention conference in Tennessee. said I had to watch it.” Grimes, who lost her 18-yearRandolph fell in love with the old son to suicide, was a speaker. movie. She watches it several Brunell had never seen the times a year, and sometimes she movie and could not understand just plays it in the background. why someone named “Zulu” Her brother Matthew died in was white. Indiana this month. After the speech, they talked. “I wasn’t going to come,” Until 3 a.m., the next day. Randolph said of Grimes’ meetThey have been together for and-greet with fans at the lodge. 15 years. “My mom said ‘Matthew would “The Zuzu journey,” Brunell have liked you to come.’” said, “is very similar to the magPsychologist Chris Brunell ical journey we have been able watched the exchange. He to take together.” knows and loves how Grimes That journey will separate connects with people, generaGrimes from the Valley after tion after generation. years of living in Carnation and “She wears that mantle very Fall City. Brunell found a job in well,” said Brunell, Grimes’ husBremerton and he and Grimes band. “She says it’s an honor. She will move there in January. gets to see the best side of humanShe has sold her Fall City ity. People just bare their souls.” house, but will keep a mailbox To Grimes, it’s more than an in Carnation, she said. honor. Fans will likely follow her, “I am just so fortunate to like they have followed her until have been chosen,” Grimes said. now. “I feel like it’s a mission to do Jim and Janet Piontkowski came from Des Moines, to the lodge. Janet said when Jim met Grimes 10 years earlier in Des Moines, “You would think he hit the lottery. “He’s nuts about the movie,” she added. Bailey Wilkerson is not nuts about the movie. As a child, the Mount Si High School sophomore loved seeing Zuzu on the screen and crowing to her friends about it. As she grew, she said, she became more humble. People’s reaction to her grandmother’s fame puzzled her. “I found it ridiculous that people paid so much attention to her,” Wilkerson said. “Given that it is such a small By Sebastian Moraga role.” Karolyn Grimes signed autographs for Then, she started paytwo hours at Snoqualmie’s Salish Lodge ing more attention to and Spa Dec. 22. what people said to By Sebastian Moraga
By Sebastian Moraga
Karolyn Grimes, Zuzu in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” reads “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” to children at the Salish Lodge and Spa. After years living in the Valley, the 71-year-old Grimes is moving to Kitsap County. Grimes, she said, and began seeing her in a whole new light. Now she goes with Grandma to events when she can. She helps pack and unpack, and handles the credit card sales of souvenirs. “It still feels weird when people say ‘Oh, I saw your grandma,’” she said. “Because to me she’s Grandma, not Zuzu.” The change from Grandma to Zuzu is “a bit like magic,” she said. “She becomes a whole different person,” she said. Grandma can be strict. Zuzu is more fun-loving. Grandma is very nurturing. Zuzu is as nurturing as a 6-year-old girl from a movie can be. (In the film, she uttered the now-famous line, “Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings”.) Both Zuzu and Grandma love sparkles, Wilkerson said. “She won’t admit it, but if you look at her closet, lots of sparkles,” said Wilkerson, who has performed in plays at Mount Si High School. Wilkerson said she wants to be in the entertainment industry, but not because of who her grandmother is. “She introduced me to it, she took me to plays,” Wilkerson said, “but it’s not Zuzu that inspired me.” Grimes said Wilkerson and Brunell understand she is trying to make a difference by reaching out to fans. After 18 years in the publicspeaking circuit, Grimes said she has not finished. The festival at Seneca Falls thrives, but the museum struggles. “We started it on a leap of
www.zuzuscafe.com
From left, Donna Reed, Jimmy Stewart and Karolyn Grimes, in an iconic shot from the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Grimes said that despite being in the movie for six minutes, spreading its message has become her mission. faith and that’s the way it’s being run,” she said. “I would like to see it be a success.” Regardless of how the museum fares, Grimes said the movie’s message will live on in people’s hearts, including her own. “For people who lost loved ones, it feels so good to know that there are angels,” she said. Besides her son, Grimes lost two husbands, one to cancer and another to a hunting accident. The tragedies taught her to have compassion, she said. “That was the lesson I was meant to learn,” she said. “It built my character and made me who I am today.” The movie, 65 years old this month, still has something to teach, she added.
“There’s magic in there,” she said. “It makes us all feel like we matter. That’s important.” On Dec. 22, Grimes made Randolph feel like she mattered. The two held hands, talked, listened and hugged. They reminisced about the character Grimes once played and the brother Randolph lost. And they did it all on Randolph’s birthday. “He told me about this movie and now she’s here,” Randolph said. “On my birthday. A movie my brother loved so well, there’s a character here from the movie and she hugged me.” Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
SnoValley Star
PAGE 8
DECEMBER 29, 2011
SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 29, 2011
PAGE 9
Best photos of
Snoqualmie Valley is full of beautiful sights and WEB EXTRA exciting events. This year did not disappoint in that See more photos online at regard. www.snovalleystar.com. Here are a collection of our favorite photographs that have graced the pages of the SnoValley Star’s print and online edition during 2011. They were taken by staff photographers and local contributors. If you have a great photo, email it to editor@snovalleystar.com.
By Christy Trotto
Above: Mount Si gymnastics coach Jessica Easthope talks to her players during a match.
By Mary Miller
By Dan Catchpole
Above: Four finishers leap over the final obstacle at the Warrior Dash in North Bend. The event drew more than 30,000 people.
Trevor Lane (left) looks for the call during Mount Si High School’s 3A state baseball title game against Shorewood.
Below: Cattle kept by Steve Rockow in North Bend check out a photographer on a frosty morning in the Valley.
Right: A member of Ignite Dance shows off his moves during the North Bend Downtown Block Party. Spencer learns about worms at Encompass in North Bend.
By Clay Eals
Kayleigh Perkins Mallory leaps from her burning hydroplane on Lake Washington. The North Bend resident escaped without injury.
Below: Twins Avery (left) and Lauren Cays, 13 months, take a break from trick-or-treating in Snoqualmie. Avery went as a monkey, while Lauren went as a frog.
By John Lok/The Seattle Times
By Dan Catchpole By Mary Miller
Boeing Classic winner Mark Calcavecchia jumps as his ball teeters on the edge of the 18th hole.
Kenny Perry chips out of a bunker during the final round of the Boeing Classic at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge.
By Adria Cays
Right: Snoqualmie Tribe member John Mullen drops a hot rock into a dugout canoe. The heat makes the wood pliable.
By Dan Catchpole
A school bus waits while elk cross a road in North Bend.
By Danny Raphael By Dan Catchpole
By Dan Catchpole
Schools
PAGE 10
DECEMBER 29, 2011
Elementary school becomes a place for pop (and Mom) art teaching children about different art forms and about their Hard to know if Andy Warhol top innovators. ever got hungry while doing his Through the semester, stuiconic cans of soup. Or if his feldents have learned about icons low pop artist Burton Morris ever of art within their own techcraved some munchies while niques: Warhol and popular art, painting a bag of popcorn or Rene Magritte and surrealism. redesigning the Pop-Tarts logo. For the week on Magritte, What we do know is that they drew their own version of such art had a profound effect his “The Son of Man,” where a on Lydia Brooks. hovering green apple covers a Brooks, a grade-schooler at man’s face. North Bend They also Elementary learn things On the Web School, saw like color theoslides of ‘Journey With The Masters’ ry and how to Warhol’s soup Museo Art Academy make a mosaic. www.museoart.com can and Students Morris’ bag of Enter site, and then click on used media popcorn Dec. ‘Weekly Classes.’ such as paint, 16 after school rolling ink and and let her instructors know markers. how she felt. “You get to learn something “I’m getting hungry,” she new every time,” said Kaitlin said. Rudd, one of the students, whose Brooks and about a dozen mom helps teach the class. other elementary school stuKaren Rudd said her daughter dents attend “Journey With The and other students can gather Masters,” an after-school enrich- their artwork, put it in a portfoment class taught by Issaquah’s lio “and keep it forever.” Museo Art Academy. Parents pay for the students Instructors do more than simSee ART, Page 11 ply passing out crayons, instead By Sebastian Moraga
By Sebastian Moraga
Karen Rudd, left, and Ava Ristow during the weekly Museo Art Enrichment class at North Bend Elementary School. Rudd, co-vice president of the school’s PTA and mother of a student in the class, holds a picture of a bag of popcorn as depicted by pop art great Burton Morris.
Snoqualmie Middle School students write love letters to their country Girls earn top honors in area competition. Sarah Bosworth’s work moves on to state level. By Sebastian Moraga
By Sebastian Moraga
These four Snoqualmie Middle School seventh-graders earned accolades for their writing. Back row, from left: Lindsay Sydnor, Sarah Bosworth and Graysen Kaess. Front row: Courteney Carr.
Four Snoqualmie Middle School students earned accolades for their essays about why they felt proud of America. Seventh-graders Sarah Bosworth, Graysen Kaess, Lindsey Sydnor and Courteney Carr earned the top four places in a Veterans Of Foreign Warssponsored competition of middle schoolers from Redmond, Bellevue, Issaquah and Snoqualmie. Bosworth took first, Kaess came in second, Sydnor placed third and Carr finished fourth. “I feel really honored that they chose four people from our school, out of five spots,” Carr said. Kaess agreed. “I’m just really happy about having the chance to move on to districts,” she said. “It was pretty amazing.” The first three girls’ essays
qualified for districts. Bosworth’s If she wins state, Bosworth essay won districts and qualified will qualify for nationals. for state. The results of state will The winner of nationals wins be revealed this month. a $10,000 savings bond, said Carr wrote that she felt proud Rene Peterson, the girls’ lanof America because of its brave guage arts teacher. veterans, and “because we are The four girls agreed that one of the experiencing “It’s not just about the most caring success will countries.” help their selfgrade, but about how Sydnor confidence as much effort you put in and writers. wrote about how America “This is realabout what really matters ly huge,” has endured ups and Bosworth said. to you.” downs, “but “I never really — Graysen Kaess had something we still are who we are Student like this hapbecause of our pen before. I country and feel like anyour freedom.” thing I write is almost easier.” Kaess wrote about the impact Kaess added that it would also the United States has had in the help their confidence as stuworld, thanks to technology and dents. politics. “It made me think about “Even though it’s not a perwhat is possible in academics,” fect country, we strive to help she said. “It’s not just about others along the way,” she said. the grade, but about how Bosworth’s essay described much effort you put in and how America has remained unit- about what really matters to ed and strong through the years. you.” She also wrote about how the Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or Statue of Liberty is “kind of the smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at symbol of our country,” she www.snovalleystar.com. said.
SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 29, 2011
PAGE 11
Boy donates bunches of books
Art From Page 10
By Clay Eals
Ben Luke, of North Bend, swims amid some of the 422 books he donated to Encompass on Dec. 21. Luke, a 10-year-old fifth-grader at North Bend Elementary School, collected the books from friends, neighbors and his own library. He was inspired by his father, Jon, to conduct the book drive, which he did through the after-school leadership program Compass Outdoor Adventures. The books will be used by Encompass preschoolers, toddlers and children receiving in-home therapy for developmental challenges.
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By Sebastian Moraga
Beth Wetzel, an instructor with Issaquah’s Museo Art Academy, teaches North Bend Elementary School children about pop art. Grade schoolers learn about Andy Warhol, Rene Magritte and other art icons during a weekly 90-minute session called “Journey With The Masters.”
to be in the class, but the instructors provide all of the materials. Classes last 90 minutes once a week. “What they like to do at Museo is give you a sheet for the parents to see what the children did that week,” she said. The goal for the class, Karen Rudd said, is to promote creativity. Instructors tell children to close their eyes, think about what they feel and then put it on the draft paper. “Works really well with some of them,” Karen Rudd said. “Some of them just go, ‘I’ll just do this.’ Depends on what side of the brain they are.” In the last class before winter break, students learned about pop art and as an assignment they had to draw things that made sudden, exploding noises — they came up with things including water pouring from a pitcher, bubbles popping and a flash of lightning. Despite the impending vacation adding an extra layer of antsy to the already energetic children, they behaved and shared crayons, paper and even advice. “The great thing is that they don’t have to be here,” Rudd said. “They want to be here.” Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
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Sports
PAGE 12
DECEMBER 29, 2011
Former Mount Si football player makes hall of fame Raymond, who knocked North Mason out of the playoffs twice A former Mount Si High in a row on their way to state School quarterback who coached crowns. North Mason High School to the In the late 1970s and early state football title in 1982 has 1980s, the Bulldogs kept making added one more laurel to his the playoffs only to run into bio. strong teams. Raymond (chamIn the same year North pions in ‘74 and 75), South Mason High School changed the Whidbey (runners-up in ‘79), name of its football field to Phil Lynden (champions in ‘80) and Pugh Stadium, Montesano the (runners-up in If you go Washington ‘81) stopped State High North Mason. Washington State Football School Despite the Coaches Association Hall of Football losses, Pugh Fame induction Coaches developed a 5 p.m. Jan. 28 Association reputation as Bellevue Hilton Hotel added Pugh to an innovator. 300 112th Ave. S.E. its Hall of “He was Fame. really good at “It’s a great honor,” the 71knowing what his personnel was year-old Pugh said from his and adapting,” said Gregg home in Kitsap County. Guidy, who played for Pugh Pugh played for Mount Si for from 1978 to 1981. “I would say four years until 1958, but he he was ahead of his time. He became best known as coach of was willing to try different the North Mason Bulldogs for 27 things before they were real years. popular.” “We never played Mount Si,” Then, in 1982, the Bulldogs’ he said, later adding, “it would luck turned. They went all the have been great fun.” way to the Kingdome and beat Instead, he played teams like Woodland for Pugh’s only state By Sebastian Moraga
Contributed
Phil Pugh, former Mount Si High School quarterback and track star has earned induction into the Washington State Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. title. “I don’t have to tell you, that was quite the special experience for our kids,” he said.
Pugh retired in 1998 and moved to Nevada three years later. In 2004, Pugh came out of retirement for a second stint at
Escaping the cold, wet Snoqualmie Valley for Alabama in December might sound great. After four full-length premierlevel soccer matches in four days, all of the Southern hospitality could not help three Valley soccer players and their aching legs. “It was pretty crazy,” said Davis Karaica, a senior at Mount Si High School and one of three Wildcats playing for Eastside FC. “The first game wasn’t that bad, a little sore the next day, but by the last game we were just dead,” he said. Dead maybe, but Karaica, Alex Censullo, Kody Clearman and the rest of Eastside FC have a 4-0-0 record and a great shot at qualifying for nationals. The team plays seven matches total. The next three are in Las Vegas in March. “Whoever wins with the best record after the seven games has an automatic berth to nationals,” Karaica said. A Maryland team has a 3-1
record, second-best among the seven, but Frederick FC’s only loss was against Eastside FC, and so the Evergreen-staters own the tiebreaker. “We win two out of three in Vegas, and we for sure clinch,” Karaica said. It’s been a great experience for Eastside FC, and a great change after the 2010 foray into the Premier Club League. The club finished that year with a 21-1 record after the first four matches. “This year, we seem a lot more focused,” Karaica said. “When in practice, we are working a lot harder for each other.” Of the three Wildcats, Karaica is the only senior; Censullo and Clearman are juniors. As the elder states-teen of the group, Karaica said he has taken on a larger leadership role. “I kind of show them what our club is all about,” said Karaica, who played for Eastside in 2010. “They fit in perfectly and are playing well. I’m happy they are on our team now.”
See HALL, Page 13
Wildcats place at regional wrestling tournament
Mount Si booters star for unbeaten Eastside FC By Sebastian Moraga
North Mason that lasted six years.
By Francine Heck
Alex Censullo (in the blue shirt) prepares to kick the ball in Alabama while playing for Eastside FC. Censullo is one of three Mount Si High School students competing for a berth in nationals.
The Mount Si High School wrestling team finished in 11th place out of 35 teams at the Best of the West wrestling tournament, Dec. 21-22. The Wildcats’ Josh Mitchell won the title for the 285-pound weight class for the second year in a row. He is the defending 3A state champion. The senior started his tournament, hosted by Pasco High School, by pinning Heber Martinez, of Spokane’s North Central High School. He followed that with another pin, this time of Ian Overton, from Heritage High School in Vancouver, Wash. In the semi-finals, he pinned Corey Brumbaugh, of KionaBenton High School. In the title match, Mitchell, who has committed to play football at Oregon State University, faced Tyson Brook, of Connell High School. Mitchell needed just a little more than a minute to pin Brook. Mount Si’s Eli Clure (106See WRESTLE, Page 15
SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 29, 2011
Scoreboard Prep boys basketball KingCo Conference 3A Standings: Sammamish 4-0 (L), 6-0 (S); Bellevue 3-0, 6-0; Lake Washington 3-1, 4-1; Mercer Island 2-1, 6-3; Mount Si 2-2, 3-7; Liberty 1-3, 5-4; Interlake 0-4, 2-6; Juanita 0-4, 25. Dec. 19 Game Redondo Union, Calif., 40, Mount Si 36 Dec. 20 Games Chapel Hill, Ga., 61, Mercer Island 59 Bellevue 61, Hazen 53 Interlake 64, Granite Falls 62 Oaks Christian, Calif., 75, Mount Si 47 Dec. 21 Games Mercer Island 60, Providence Christian 44 Mount Si 37, San Pedro, Calif., 35 Liberty 53, Highline 44 Dec. 22 Games Thomson, Ga., 64, Mercer Island 63 Inglewood, Calif., 64, Mount Si 40 Liberty 54, Hazen 48
Wrestle From Page 12 pounds) placed fourth. He advanced to the semifinals, where he lost to the eventual class champion, Mikel Perales, of Nampa (Idaho) High School. Clure faced Selah’s Kyle Anson in the third-place match, but couldn’t get the better of him despite a strong effort.
Boys fall in hoops tournament finale The Wildcats took to the hardwood in Hawaii over Winter Break, competing in the Lahainaluna Invitational tournament in Lahaina on Maui.
Lahainaluna Invitational At Maui, Hawaii Dec. 19 Game REDONDO UNION, CALIF., 40, MOUNT SI 36 Mount Si 10 14 8 4 – 36 R. Union 7 13 6 14 – 40 Mount Si – Anthony McLaughlin 10, Levi Botten 7, Jason Smith 7, Ryan Atkinson 6, Beau Shain 5, Miles Zupan 1, Tyler Button 0, Griffin McLain 0, Jack Nelson 0, Josh Piper 0, Joe Williams 0. Dec. 20 Game OAKS CHRISTIAN, CALIF., 75, MOUNT SI 47 Mount Si 12 6 10 19 – 47 O.Christian 17 26 13 19 – 75 Mount Si – Miles Zupan 9, Anthony McLauglin 7, Tyler Button 6, Levi Botten 5, Jason Smith 5, Hunter Malberg 3, Joe Williams 3, Ryan Atkinson 2, Jack Nelson 2, Josh Piper 2, Charlie Corriveau 1, Griffin McLain 1, Beau Shain 1, Brandon Justham 0. Dec. 21 Game MOUNT SI 37,
The Mount Si High School basketball squad saw some fierce competition from several California schools. Mount Si’s tournament began Dec. 19 with a close, 40-36 loss to Redondo Union High School, from Redondo Beach, Calif. The Wildcats led going into the fourth quarter, but Redondo Union rallied to outscore them, 14-4. Senior Anthony McLaughlin led the Wildcats with 10 points. The next day, Oaks Christian dealt Mount Si a 75-47 loss. The Wildcats kept pace with the
SAN PEDRO, CALIF., 35 San Pedro 2 3 17 13 – 35 Mount Si 8 8 11 10 – 37 Mount Si – Griffin McLain 12, Levi Botten 7, Anthony McLaughlin 6, Ryan Atkinson 5, Miles Zupan 3, Brandon Justham 2, Jack Nelson 0, Beau Shain 0. Dec. 22 Game INGLEWOOD, CALIF., 64, MOUNT SI 40 Inglewood 21 14 9 20 – 64 Mount Si 5 6 20 9 – 40 Mount Si – Anthony McLaughlin 8, Beau Shain 7, Levi Botten 6, Miles Zupan 6, Ryan Atkinson 5, Griffin McLain 4, Brandon Justham 2, Jack Nelson 2, Tyler Button 0, Charlie Corriveau 0, Hunter Malberg 0, Jason Smith 0, Joe Williams 0.
Prep girls basketball KingCo Conference 3A/2A Standings: Liberty 4-0 (L), 7-0 (S); Juanita 3-1, 5-2; Lake Washington 3-1, 6-3; Bellevue See SCOREBOARD, Page 14
opposition except in the second quarter, when they were outscored 26-6. Miles Zupan led the Wildcats with nine points. Mount Si beat San Pedro (Calif.) High School, 37-35, Dec. 21 for the school’s only win of the tournament. Griffin McLain led the Wildcats with 12 points. On the final day, Dec. 22, the Wildcats lost 64-40 to Inglewood (Calif.) High School. Inglewood’s defense shut Mount Si down in the first half, outscoring the Wildcats 35-11. McLaughlin led the team with eight points.
PAGE 13
Hall
near Tacoma, he began coaching and learned he loved it. “At that point, I knew I From Page 12 wanted to continue coaching,” he said. He retired for good in 2009. His love of coaching has During his years on the lured several players of his to Olympic Peninsula, he never the sidelines. Guidy coached lost his connection to the basketball at North Mason. His Snoqualmie Valley. This year, son is a track coach at North he traveled to Gig Harbor to Kitsap High School. watch his former team beat Bud McKay played tight end Peninsula. Wildcat wins were a and middle linebacker for Pugh bit more rare in the mid-1950s. for two years until 1978. He “It was tough sledding,” he coached youth football at said. Rainier Beach for six years. Mount Si was smaller than Practices under Pugh were several league “almost like a rivals. Bothell, “He demanded and commilitary boot Bellevue, camp every manded respect at the Federal Way day,” McKay same time.” and Mercer said. Island all had “He — Bud McKay demanded more students Former player and comand athletes than Mount manded Si. Pugh’s respect at the graduating class had about 67 same time,” McKay said. “It students wasn’t just with him. He “We had a mismatch a lot expected us to be respectful to of nights,” he said, “from the our teammates, our opponents talent in those teams and the and the referees.” depth particularly.” Still, he added, players lisPugh graduated from Mount tened to everything Pugh said. Si thinking he wanted to be a “You could tell he knew veterinarian. His grades teaching, knew football and changed his mind. loved what he did,” McKay “I wasn’t a particularly good said. “It was fun playing for student in high school,” he him. Winning games was said. “I was all about athletics great, but getting praise from and friends.” him meant the world.” Without a strong science McKay last saw his coach background, he decided to this fall, when the school copy two of his siblings, who rechristened the football field. had earned degrees in educaAt 52 years old, McKay said he tion. He majored in physical still can’t call him anything education and minored in but Coach. English. “I can’t praise Coach Pugh “I didn’t know I wanted to enough,” he said. “Thirty years coach,” he said. later, I can remember vividly After he got his first job in all the practices. That was the Clover Park School District when the fun was.”
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PSE offers building owners program to save money Puget Sound Energy is helping some Eastside organizations save an expected $482,000 by optimizing energy use in their buildings. The Bellevue Arts Museum and The Westin Bellevue are among the first businesses to participate in PSE’s Building Energy Optimization Program. The program offers building owners low-cost, energyefficiency recommendations to improve energy performance without capital expense. “How buildings are operated rather than the equipment in a building has the biggest impact on energy use,” Holly Townes, senior energy management engineer for PSE, said in a release. Training of on-site operations staff and a systems manual is also provided to help building owners understand how to continue to run their buildings efficiently. At Bellevue Arts Museum, the program has yielded approximately 15 percent in energy savings, according to the release from PSE. An examination of the museum’s facility identified nine ways to improve the operations of its heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. “Without PSE’s grant pro-
Scoreboard From Page 13 2-2, 3-3; Mount Si 2-2, 4-3; Interlake 1-3, 5-4; Mercer Island 1-3, 1-8; Sammamish 0-4, 1-6. Dec. 20 Game Mount Si 60, Nathan Hale 39 Dec. 21 Game Mount Si 58, Eastside Catholic 40 MOUNT SI 60, NATHAN HALE 39 Nathan Hale 8 6 15 10 – 39 Mount Si 19 21 13 7 – 60 Mount Si – Angel Tulee 14, Amedara Oguara 9, Hannah Gose 8, Megan Mosney 4, Sarah Luth 2, Malea Wells 2, Sierra Houston 0. Mount Si – Shelby Peerboom 14, Darian Michaud 10, Jordan Riley 9, Molly Sellers 9, Alex Welsh 6, Kelsey Lindor 5, Katie Swain 4, Ally Pusich 2, Grace Currie 0, Elizabeth Prewitt 0.
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gram, I don’t know that we would have found room in the budget for this project,” the museum’s Operations Manager Chris DeGracia said in the release. “We’re still in the process of implementing some changes and there may be more savings in the future.” The Building Energy Optimization Program relies on local professionals who work with a building’s facility staff to investigate energy use patterns, lighting and HVAC system performance, and operational and maintenance practices to identify low-cost, energy-efficient recommendations to improve building operations.
There are currently 15 building commissioning professionals scattered throughout the utility’s service area certified by PSE to work with building managers and owners as part of the utility’s building commissioning program. According to PSE, building owners typically recoup the cost of acting on the program’s recommendations within two years. To qualify, buildings must be served electricity or natural gas by PSE, be at least three years old with at least 75 percent of the space occupied, and be 50,000 square feet or larger. Learn more at www.pse.com/foryourbusiness.
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ALLIED HEALTH CAREER Training -- Attend college 100% online. Job placement assistance. Computer Available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV certified. Call 800481-9409, www.CenturaOnline.com <w>
DRIVERS -- COMPANY Lease - Work for us to let us work for you! Unbeatable career opportunities. Trainee, Company driver. Lease Operators earn up to $51K. Lease Trainers earn up to $80K (877) 369-7105 www.centraldrivingjobs.net <w>
CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN, North Bend. Quiet, convenient. Edelweiss Apartments, 1BD $700/month. 425-392-5012
41-Money & Finance 500$ LOAN SERVICE. No credit refused. Fast and secure. Easy on the budget. Payments spread out over three months. toll free: 1-855626-4373. LoanHere.com <w>
EARN COLLEGE DEGREE online. *Medical Business *Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial Aid if qualified. SCHEV certified. Call 866-483-4429. www.CenturaOnline.com <w>
134-Help Wanted LOCAL PRIVATE INVESTOR loans money on real estate equity. I loan on houses, raw land, commercial property and property development. Call Eric at (800) 563-3005. www.fossmortgage.com <w>
44-Business Opportunity SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY START UP LESS THAN $325.00 www.kgincomeforlife.com ISSAQUAH BUSINESS COACH
DRIVER -- DRY and Refrigerated. Single source dispatch. No tractor older than 3 years. Daily Pay! Various hometime options. CDL-A, 3 months recent OTR experience. 800414-9569 <w> MAINTENANCE MECHANIC 4, Washington State Patrol Fire Training Academy, North Bend. Responsibilities: shop administration, supervision, facility/machinery/water maintenance. For full job description and/or to apply visit: www.careers.wa.gov
63-Items for Sale/Trade NATIVITY SET, MADE in Italy, 7 hand-painted figures, wood stable, music box, $25. 425392-8415 OAK ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, 2 side bookshelves, $200. U pick up, 425-4418113
142-Services DIVORCE $135. $165 with children. No court appearances. Complete preparation. Includes, custody, support, property division and bills. BBB member. (503) 772-5295, www.paralegalalternatives. com?divorce@usa.com <w>
146-Health & Fitness
LOSE WEIGHT LIKE CRAZY!! ISSAQUAH CLASSES 8AM SATURDAY & 2PM SUNDAY
888-230-54389 204-Lost & Found FOUND-BLACK DOG, MALE. Snoqualmie, Thursday, 12/22, behind bowling alley. Looks like chow or collie mix, 701368-2918
NEED HOLIDAY HELP? TARGET LOCAL POTENTIAL EMPLOYEES !
$22 FOR 2 WEEKS/ 25 WORD AD
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Yo u r f a m i l y newspaper online too!
us t i s Vi ne i l n o y a d o t www.snovalleystar.com
calendar
DECEMBER 29, 2011
Public Meetings ❑ City offices are closed Jan. 2. ❑ North Bend Finance and Administration Committee, 2 p.m. Jan. 3, 211 Main Ave. N. ❑ North Bend City Council, 7 p.m. Jan. 3, 411 Main Ave. N.
PAGE 15
Happy New Year!
January 1 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 29 30
3 10 17 24 31
2012 4 5 6 7 11 12 13 14 18 19 20 21 25 26 27 28
Events ❑ Leah Stillwell Duo, 7 p.m. Dec. 29, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend ❑ New Year’s Eve Celebration, 7 p.m. Dec. 31, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way. Featuring Carolyn Graye & Paul Green with Christopher Woitach, Chris Symer and Greg Williamson ❑ New Year’s Eve with Rich and Richard, 8 p.m. Dec. 31, The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie ❑ Job Club, 2 p.m. Jan. 2, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. Connect with fellow job seekers for support and networking, and learn about resources to assist you as you seek employment. ❑ SVHD Lunch & Learn: Get to know your senior center, 11:30 a.m. Jan. 5, Snoqualmie Fire Station, 37600 Snoqualmie Parkway, Snoqualmie. Register at www.svhdlunchandlearn.eventbrite.com. ❑ One-on-One Computer Assistance, 1 p.m. Jan. 4, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. Do you need extra help on the computer? A KCLS volunteer instructor can give you one-onone assistance. ❑ Study Zone, 3 p.m. Jan. 3 and 4 p.m. Jan 4, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., Snoqualmie. Drop-in during scheduled Study Zone hours for free homework help in all subjects from volunteer tutors. ❑ Anime & Manga Club, 3 p.m. Jan. 4, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. Each week we will watch anime movies, eat popcorn and practice our anime drawing. ❑ Poetry open mic night, 6 p.m. Jan. 5, The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie ❑ Purl One, Listen Too, 1 p.m. Jan. 5, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. Learn new stitches, meet new friends, listen to new books and talk about knitting. ❑ Spanish/English Story Time, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 7, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. All young children welcome with adult. ❑ North Bend First Tuesday Book Club: ‘Still Alice’ by Lisa Genova, 7 p.m. Jan. 7, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. ❑ SnoValley Writers Work Group, 3 p.m. Jan. 8, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. Join other local writers for writing exercises, critique and lessons on voice, plot and point
Ring in 2012 with live local music: New Year’s Eve Celebration is at 7 p.m. Dec. 31 at Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend, featuring Carolyn Graye & Paul Green with Christopher Woitach, Chris Symer and Greg Williamson. New Year’s Eve with Rich and Richard begins at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 at The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie. of view. Contact snovalleywrites@gmail.com for assignment prior to coming to class. Adults only please. ❑ Friends of the North Bend Library Monthly Meeting, 9:30 a.m. Jan. 9, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. ❑ Afternoon Preschool Story Times, 1:30 p.m. Jan. 9, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. Ages 3 to 6 with adult. ❑ Young Toddler Story Times, 9:30 a.m. Jan. 11, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. Ages 6 to 24 months with adult. ❑ Preschool Story Times, 10:30 a.m. Jan. 11, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. Ages 3 to 6 with adult. ❑ Pajama Story Times, 7 p.m. Jan. 12, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. Young children welcome with adult. ❑ Continuing the Conversation: Getting to Know Your Senior Center, noon, Jan. 12, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. Bring a brownbag lunch and come to the library to learn how local senior centers are evolving and changing all the time.
❑ Art Lecture: ‘Paul Gauguin and the Search for Paradise,’ 1:30 p.m. Jan. 15, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. Presented by Susan Olds. ❑ Snoqualmie Book Group/Virtually There Online Book Club, 1:30 p.m. Jan. 17, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. Come for an afternoon of book talks and choose the titles we’ll be reading and discussing, both virtually and in person, during the year. ❑ Friends of the Snoqualmie Library Meeting, 6 p.m. Jan. 18, Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E. ❑ Meet a Forest Service ranger, 7 p.m. various dates and locations. Learn about the outdoors and discover recreation opportunities from Forest Service rangers at local libraries. North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St.: Jan 24 and Feb. 16; Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E.: Jan 25 and Feb. 15; Fall City Library, 33415 S.E. 42nd Place: Jan 26 and Feb. 28.
Classes ❑ S.A.I.L. (Stay Active and Independent for Life) exercise
class meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Mount Si Senior Center, 411 Main Ave. S., North Bend. Call 888-3434. ❑ English as a second language, 6:30 p.m. Mondays, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. A formal class to learn English grammar, reading, writing and conversational skills. ❑ One-on-One Computer Assistance, 1 p.m. Wednesdays, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St. A KCLS volunteer instructor can give you one-on-one assistance with computer questions.
Volunteer opportunities ❑ Encompass is currently seeking volunteers to help with our landscape and maintenance at both the downtown North Bend and Boalch Avenue locations along with office help. This can be a weekly or monthly commitment. Email michelle.mccormick@encompassnw.org or call 888-2777. ❑ Snoqualmie Sister Cities Association invites community members to join a newly formed group to support Snoqualmie’s new sister city, Chaclacayo, Peru. The association already has
developed a close relationship with sister city Gangjin, South Korea, which more than 30 residents have visited in the past four years. Email maryrcorcoran@gmail.com or call 503-1813. ❑ The Mount Si Food Bank is looking for volunteers to help unload food at noon Mondays, sort food at 9 a.m. Tuesdays or pass out food on Wednesdays. Call the food bank at 888-0096. ❑ The Elk Management Group invites the community to participate in elk collaring, telemetry and habitat improvement projects in the Upper Snoqualmie Valley. Project orientation meetings are at 6 p.m. the third Monday of the month at the North Bend City Hall, 211 Main Ave. N. Email research@snoqualmievalleyelk.org. ❑ Snoqualmie Valley Hospital is accepting applicants 16 or older to volunteer in various departments of the hospital. Email carolw@snoqualmiehospital.org to arrange an interview. ❑ Senior Services Transportation Program needs volunteers to drive seniors around North Bend and Snoqualmie. Choose the times and areas in which you’d like to drive. Car required. Mileage reimbursement and supplemental liability insurance are offered. Call 206-7487588 or 800-282-5815 toll free, or email melissat@seniorservices.org. Apply online at www.seniorservices.org. Click on “Giving Back” and then on “Volunteer Opportunities.” ❑ Mount Si Senior Center needs volunteers for sorting and sales in the thrift store, reception and class instruction. The center is at 411 Main Ave. S., North Bend. Call 888-3434. ❑ Hopelink in Snoqualmie Valley seeks volunteers for a variety of tasks. Must be at least 16. Go to www.hopelink.org/takeaction/volunteer.com or call 869-6000. ❑ AdoptAPark is a program for Snoqualmie residents to improve public parks and trails. Application/one-year commitment are required. Call 831-5784. ❑ Study Zone tutors are needed for all grade levels to give students the homework help they need. Two-hour weekly commitment or substitutes wanted. Study Zone is a free service of the King County Library System. Call 369-3312. Submit an item for the community calendar by emailing editor@snovalleystar.com or go to www.snovalleystar.com.
SnoValley Star
PAGE 16
A red moon a-rising
DECEMBER 29, 2011
OPEN 7AM-10PM 7 DAYS A WEEK Drive Thru Convenience With Reservation Pricing
Come Visit Us Next To The Snoqualmie Casino Open New Year’s Day 10am-10pm
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By Katarina Kangas
The moon passes into the earth’s shadow above the Snoqualmie Valley early the morning of Dec. 10. Katarina Kangas, of North Bend, snapped this picture of the lunar eclipse. The 11-year-old is an astronomy enthusiast and braved cold temperatures with her family to watch the event. Katarina is in the fifth grade at Opstad Elementary School.
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SURGEON GENERAL WARNING: Tobacco Smoke Increases The Risk Of Lung Cancer And Heart Disease, Even In Nonsmokers.
Fall City Masons invite public to see installation of 2012 officers The brothers of Fall City Masonic Lodge No. 66 are opening their doors to the community to see the group install its newly elected officers for 2012. The ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Fall City Masonic Hall, 4304 337th Place S.E., Fall City. RSVP by emailing FCMH-fjsiv@trashmail.net. The slate of 2012 officers for Fall City is: ❑ Worshipful Master: Frank J Schumacher IV ❑ Senior Warden: Henry Fletcher III ❑ Junior Warden: Corey Birch ❑ Senior Deacon: Mathew Meyers ❑ Junior Deacon: Ken Dods ❑ Senior Steward: Russel
George ❑ Junior Steward: Chad Petrakis ❑ Tyler: Virgil Scott ❑ Marshal: Warren Oltmann ❑ Secretary: David Harris ❑ Assistant Secretary: Nick Michaud ❑ Treasurer: Dick Meredith With the sponsorship of two Seattle lodges, Freemasons founded the Fall City lodge in 1890. At the time, the lodge had to borrow $50 from one of the Seattle lodges to cover the registration fee. As its membership grew, the Fall City lodge sponsored a lodge in Issaquah and in North Bend. Learn more about the lodge at www.fallcitylodge.com.
State Route 520 bridge tolls could divert traffic
www.wsdot.wa.gov/goodtogo or a $5 sticker pass at participating stores, including Costco, Safeway, Fred Meyer and QFC. Find a list of retail locations at www.wsdot.wa.gov/goodtogo/retail. The state extended call center hours and hired extra customer service staffers to prepare for the anticipated high volumes of customers registering and activating accounts. Customers can purchase the sticker passes at stores and activate them online. “Tolling is helping Washington move forward with critical transportation investments and will finance ongoing and future work to replace the vulnerable SR 520 floating bridge and corridor,” state Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said in a statement.
The state Department of Transportation plans to start tolls on the state Route 520 bridge Thursday, Dec. 29. The new charge could influence driving patterns, according to state estimates. Motorists could experience additional traffic on Interstate 90 and other routes as commuters avoid the toll. The state estimates tolls should cause thousands of motorists to use the I-90 bridges or drive around Lake Washington instead. Meanwhile, the state is encouraging motorists to set up a Good To Go! pass account. Drivers can purchase a pass at
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DIRECTIONS:
I-90 West bound take exit 31 (North Bend and follow the signs to the reservation. I-90 East bound take exit 27 turn left (North). Follow North Bend Way around curve.
Store Hours: Open 7 Days a week 7am - 10pm Daily SUNDAYS TOO! Holiday Hours: 10am-10pm 37500 SE North Bend Way • Snoqualmie, WA 98065 • (425) 888-3071
www.snotobaccoandliquor.com *Tobacco & Liquor company promotes the responsible use of Tobacco products. If you are interested in quitting smoking please visit http://www.smokefree.gov/ or call 1-800-QUIT NOW to learn more about the resources available to you.