Your locally-owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington
Tunnel vision Page 10
August 7, 2014
Festival at Mount Si tomorrow
North Bend’s centenarian, plus two
By Sherry Grindeland A blueberry dessert contest, a chili cook-off, a parade and lots of entertainment are on the menu for the Festival at Mt. Si Aug. 8-10. Most of the community party, except for the parade that goes through downtown North Bend and the fireworks, will be happening at Si View Park. The fireworks show will be held at Torguson Park and begins at 9:45 p.m. Aug. 9. The festival has been a tradition in North Bend for decades. It was formerly known as Alpine Days, a nod to a public relations campaign that dates back to the 1970s. That’s when the city of North Bend marketed itself as a Bavarian village, similar to Leavenworth in Eastern Washington. “We changed to Festival at Mt. Si during the rebranding campaign the city did nearly 10 years ago,” said Jill Massengill, chair of the Festival. “We moved to Si View Park where you have Mount Si in the background and changed the name to appeal to the whole valley.” Massengill said you can tell who has been around the area by their reactions to the name. They’re the ones who still complain about the 2005 name change. “I can understand Alpine Fitness and their sign,” she said. “When I explain to people about Alpine Days being outdated and how we want to appeal to everyone, they get it.” Whatever the name – folks in town agree it is a fun event. It begins Aug. 8 at 5 p.m. when the beer garden, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Snoqualmie Valley, opens, and closes Aug. 10 at 4 p.m. One highlight is the annual Blueberry Dessert Contest. Just show up the morning of Aug. 9 with a blueberry dessert said the contest chair, Steve Pennington. Desserts need to be submitted by 11:45 a.m., the See FESTIVAL, Page 5
By Greg Farrar
Norah Hatling (third from left) enjoys sharing conversation with (from left) longtime family friends Bev Weller, of North Bend, Laura Ericksen, 95, of Burien and Verona Hoff, 91, a former Burien resident, during her 102nd birthday party at the Red Oak Residence assisted living apartments in North Bend.
Blast cleanup to begin Officials at the city of North Bend announced Aug. 6 that clean up should begin this week at the blast site on North Bend Way. The contractor hired by the private property owner told the city that cleanup equipment should be on site this week. He anticipates it will take about 10 days to complete the work. The 3:40 a.m. blast April 25, an accident caused by a natural gas leak, destroyed several buildings on the north side of the 500 block of North Bend Way. “We understand citizens are frustrated with the delay in
remediation of the site and the city has continued to encourage the owner and other state agencies involved in approving the cleanup to move as quickly as possible,” said the news release issued by North Bend staff. “The city of North Bend’s role has been to issue a demolition permit which has occurred.” The release also said the city has been working with the property owner to provide planning serves to facilitate rebuilding at the blast site. For additional information, call the Community & Economic Development Department at 425-888-5633.
Friends help book lovers find more books The Friends of the North Bend Library will hold its annual book sale Aug. 8-17 in the community room at the library, 115 E. Fourth St., North Bend. This year’s inventory includes gently used hardcover and paperback books, children’s books, DVDs, CDs and audio books. Prices range from 25 cents to $1. “We received a gigantic cookbook donation last week,” said Dottie Kelly, a member of the Friends of the North Bend Library club. “We just never know what is going to come in.”
The sale is open during regular library hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 1-5 p.m. Sundays. Friends of the North Bend Library organize the sale. They donate the proceeds to the library for enhancement projects and underwrite many of the free adult, children and teen programs. Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71 POSTAL CUSTOMER