Newcastlenews0214 by The Issaquah Press

Flutist whistles to her own tune Page 12

Highlanders surprise on the court Page 14

February 7, 2014 VOL. 16, NO. 2

Community mourns historian Milt Swanson By Christina Corrales-Toy

Honors season

Liberty choir is up for Diamond Award. Page 2

End of an era

Newcastle News publisher retires.

Pat Detmer

Family, neighbors and community leaders gathered Jan. 25 to honor the life of Milt Swanson, a titan of Newcastle history and the man with an unceasing, warming smile. The Newcastle pioneer, born and raised in this community, spent all of his 95 years living in the same area, 90 of which were in the same company house that still stands at the edge of town near the Cougar Mountain trail-

head. Swanson died Jan. 20 after a Jan. 14 fall sent him to the hospital, where he lapsed into a coma. He knew more about Milt the city’s vast Swanson coal-mining history than anyone, because he actually

lived it. He worked in the mines, as his father and grandfather did before him, and it was vital to him to tell his story, making sure the history of Newcastle never died. “It was important to him to allow as many people who were interested to understand the beginnings of the city they live in,” Newcastle City Councilman Rich Crispo said. “He loved this community.” Friends remembered Swanson as a sharp, inquisitive man, with

a sense of humor that made him impossible to dislike. “He made me laugh all of the time,” said Newcastle Historical Society member Vickie Baima Olson. “He would always put a humorous twist on things.” Swanson was the authority when it came to Newcastle history, leading him to create the Newcastle Historical Society. For the better part of its more than 20 years of existence, the See SWANSON, Page 10

Wife attends Super Bowl to honor late husband

Page 3

Page 7

‘This one’s for you, Denny’ By Christina Corrales-Toy

of most Newcastle residents in that I go to work every day and I want to come home to a place that I call home that’s safe and prosperous, and a place that has beautiful parks and amenities,” he said. “That’s what I love about Newcastle.” Drescher is the new face on the council, having defeated opponent Mark Greene to fill the seat vacated by retiring

Newcastle Shell station owner, and avid Seattle Seahawks fan, Elizabeth Widseth knew this football season was going to be special. She knew it long before Russell Wilson took the first snap of the season; long before the Hawks earned a 13-3 record; and long before the victorious team boarded its plane back to Seattle, Lombardi Trophy in hand. Widseth knew good things were in store for the Hawks, when she looked at the calendar and noticed that the Super Bowl was Feb. 2, exactly a year after her husband, popular Newcastle Shell owner Dennis Yarnell, died. “I knew this was going to be a magical season led by Dennis,” she said. “We all knew that they were going to win for Dennis and he was coaching them from up there.” Just days before she departed for the East Coast, where she fulfilled the couple’s dream of watching the Super Bowl in person, Widseth said she was filled with a mix of emotions.

See ELECTED, Page 10

See SUPER BOWL, Page 14

Seahawks differently

Hazen students’ video honors football team. Page 12

Police blotter

Page 16

You should know Heading out of the country? Apply for your passport through the city of Newcastle. Call City Hall at 6494444 to schedule an appointment or learn more at www. ci.newcastle.wa.us.

50¢

Christina Corrales-Toy

Screaming Scouts

Scouts Carter Likes, Calvin Grabowski and Tanner Cole (from left) will their cars to victory by screaming at the top of their lungs at Cub Scout Pack 738’s annual Pinewood Derby on Jan. 10 at Newcastle Elementary School. See more photos of the derby on Page 6.

Council elects mayor, deputy mayor By Christina Corrales-Toy The Newcastle City Council ushered in 2014 with elections for the mayor and deputy mayor positions at its Jan. 7 meeting. Steve Buri will serve as mayor, while newcomer John Drescher is the new deputy mayor. Both will serve two-year terms. “I’ve enjoyed my time on the council and having a voice in the direction of the city, but the real excitement is the

future, and the next two years, I think, will be among the most exciting in the city’s history,” Buri said. Buri was elected to the City Council in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. He served as deputy mayor from 2008-2011. He moved to Newcastle in 1998 and serves as president of a nonprofit public policy center. He lives with his wife Angelica and two children. “I think I’m representative

Newcastle News

PAGE 2

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Liberty High School singers nominated for Diamond Award By Imelda Dulcich Newcastle Chamber Executive director The Liberty High School volunteer choir that performed at A Very Newcastle Christmas, the first-ever Newcastle community Christmas tree lighting event at Newcastle Fruit & Produce, has been nominated for a 2014 Diamond Award. Gabby Smith, Leah Jackman, Taylor Santos, Hailey Gumm, Sarah Edmonds, Courtney Santos, Jason Jarmin, Katy Orr, Cassi Cox, Jaylen Jackman, Colby McFarland-Knutson and Hannah Edmonds all took time out of their holiday season to make the event special. This group of Liberty High School students volunteered to sing at the event. Their choir teacher,

Historical Society hosts cemetery cleanup Feb. 8

The Newcastle Historical Society will host

Newcastle Diamond Awards 2014

What to know The Newcastle Chamber of Commerce handed out its awards for community excellence in November, but it’s never too early to start looking toward the 2014 event. The chamber is already collecting nominations for its 2014 Diamond Awards. Do you know someone in the Newcastle community who makes a difference? Nominate him or her for an award at www.newcastle-chamber.org/newcastlechamber-of-commercediamond-awards.

Nomination for Youth: Liberty High School singers The Newcastle Diamond Award Youth category: A greater Newcastlearea youth or group of youths who demonstrate exceptional service and dedication to the local community Robin Wood, was out of town on the date of the event, but she asked a group of Liberty students if they would like to participate and sing. What a joy this group was! They showed up

a Feb. 8 work party to clean and spruce up the city’s iconic cemetery. Volunteers are invited to help cut, collect and haul away brush. The city

Contributed

Members of the Liberty High School choir perform at A Very Newcastle Christmas Celebration at the Newcastle Fruit & Produce stand in November.

early to the event, asked questions as to what was expected of them for the evening and then followed

with a program of holiday songs. They brought jingle bells and were prepared to delight the crowd. Their attitude, happiness and

maturity shined through. Many event guests commented on what a great group they were. We especially liked the way they interacted with small

children. The Newcastle Chamber of Commerce board nominates them for being a great reminder to appreciate the teens we have in our community.

will provide tools, but attendees should bring gloves and wear sturdy shoes. Snacks, coffee and water will be available.

The cemetery work party, at 7811 129th Ave. S.E., is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers can choose to help through the whole session, or just as long as

they are able. Parking is limited, so attendees are encouraged to park at Lake Boren Park and walk to the cemetery from the Lake Boren upper

loop, which ends on 129th Avenue Southeast. Email Vickie Baima Olson at vickieo456@ yahoo.com with questions.

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Newcastle News

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Obituary Ernest Swanson Ernest Milton “Milt” Swanson, was born March 29, 1918, in Newcastle, to Ernest and Esilda Swanson; he passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 20, 2014, due to complications from a fall. Milt, a lifelong resident of Newcastle, lived his entire life at the family home — a former mine company house just off Lakemont Boulevard. Frequent travelers on that road will remember the coal car in his front yard and the railroad semaphore he installed at the end of his driveway, rigged to light up and signal when anyone came down the drive. Milt attended school in Newcastle until the Newcastle kids were transported to Issaquah in the eighth grade, graduating from Issaquah High School in 1936. After high school, he spent three years in Alaska, and then spent five years in the U.S. Coast Guard and received the Air Medal for meritorious achievement in aerial flight as a combat aircrewman. When he left the Coast Guard, he worked in the Newcastle mines for the B & R Coal Co. for 17 years, until the last mine closed in 1963. He then worked for more than 20 years

Renton college earns national honor The Aspen Institute has recognized Renton Technical College as one of the nation’s top 150 community colleges. The honor comes with a chance to compete for the 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and $1 million

at Boeing before retiring to enjoy life in Newcastle. Milt was a founding member, Milt Swanson and past 1944 president, of the Newcastle Historical Society, and for many years was one of a small group of “old-time” Newcastle folks who took care of the Newcastle Cemetery. He was thrilled as interest in the history of Newcastle grew and younger members stepped into leadership roles, but he always participated and loved sharing his knowledge about the “old days” with anyone interested. Milt was there, rain or shine, to talk about Newcastle during the annual Newcastle Days celebration, too. He especially enjoyed working with Vicki Baima Olson and Mike Intlekofer, of the historical society, who talked with him for hours, developing a living history, and recording information about mining and life in old Newcastle that only Milt still had in his head and heart. Milt had a “mini museum” in his back yard, where he displayed all kinds of mining artifacts from Newcastle and for several years had students from the Issaquah School District visit his museum

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Milt Swanson 2014

for a tour when they studied local history. He loved having the students visit, and their thank you letters were treasures

of his. He was named the Newcastle Citizen of the Year in 1997, and in 2008 he was given the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce Diamond Award for Community Involvement by a Senior. Both awards he proudly displayed in his home. Milt was also a lifetime member of Tyee Masonic Lodge No. 115, the Renton Elks and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Many things kept Milt young at heart — probably mostly his very inquisitive mind. He was interested in everything and everyone he met. He read voraciously until declining eyesight in his 90s made that impossible. If something had an engine, he could fix it or make it better than ever. He was a recycler long before it became common practice. After he retired, one of his loves was taking railroad speeder trips with a great group of friends; they traveled all over Washington, Oregon and Idaho, and made a very memorable trip to the Yukon as well. He loved going to

tutional performance, improvement, and equity on student retention and completion measures. Ten finalists will be named this fall; the winner will be announced in early 2015. Learn more at www.AspenPrize.org.

Starbucks in Newcastle and having “his usual” — a single tall latte with a shot of caramel. The baristas knew him by name and his order when he walked in the door. Susanna and Bill Stratford and their boys Liam and Declan were very special to him, as were his other neighbors, extended family and friends. Milt lived independently in the family home until last November, when he moved two miles away into Regency Assisted Living in Newcastle. He said he was glad he was just moving from one side of Newcastle to the other. Milt is survived by his sister Ruth Parrott, nephew Craig Parrott (Anna), nieces Karen Wick and Lorraine Morton, great-nephews Martin and Brian Wick and greatnieces Allison Thompson (Dan) and Lesley Parrott. He was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Esilda, his sister Frances Callaghan, and brothers John Swanson and George Swanson. Services were held Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at Greenwood Memorial Park with burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Renton.

PAGE 3

Newcastle News publisher retires Publisher Debbie Berto retired from her role at the end of January after nearly 41 years with Issaquah Press Inc. She began at The Issaquah Press as an advertising account rep in 1973, took over management of the newspaper in 1976, when she was 24 years old, and was named publisher in 1981. Berto introduced Sammamish Review as a monthly newspaper in 1992, Newcastle News in 1999 and SnoValley Star in 2008. Last year, she was named to the Issaquah Hall of Fame for her contributions through the newspapers and her community leadership. The community celebrated Berto’s accomplishments with an Issaquah open house at Tibbetts Creek Manor Feb. 6. General Manager Joe Heslet will oversee opera-

Debbie Berto Debbie Berto 1973 2012

tions of the four newspapers and four websites that serve Issaquah, Sammamish, Newcastle, Snoqualmie and North Bend. Berto will continue as a member of the editorial board and in an advisory capacity during the transition.

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Opinion

PAGE 4

Editorial

Letter

To continue excellent education, please vote yes for school levies

Vote yes for all three school levies There is no doubt that voters should approve the three Issaquah School District levy requests on the Feb. 11 ballot. There are questions every voter should ask: 1) Is it essential? The most important funding request is for the four-year M&O levy, paying 21 percent of classroom costs, including 485 teacher salaries. It replaces the current M&O levy. A transportation levy would only be collected for one year, to buy 71 more fuel-efficient school buses with higher safety standards. And the four-year capital levy seeks technology funds and building repairs. Computer replacement and upgrades are a way of life in today’s world, and maintenance of our school buildings is not an option. 2) Will the expense equate to better education for students? Teachers and computers are the foundation of a good education. Better school buses and building repairs may not directly benefit education, but are essential components of the district operations. 3) Will the money be well spent? The Issaquah School District knows how to stretch a dollar. Issaquah is at the bottom of state school districts when it comes to per-pupil education funding, yet student test scores are among the top. Further, the district has a AAA bond credit rating, the highest possible. It often refinances bonds to take advantage of lower interest rates and stretch dollars even more. The state has given the district exemplary audits the past 11 years. In spite of an increase of 1.7 percent tax over current school levies, all signs point to a yes vote for all three levies.

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Newcastle news Published since 1999 by

Is s a q u a h Pre s s , In c . P.O. Box 1328 Issaquah, WA 98027 Phone: 392-6434 q Fax: 392-1695

On behalf of the Issaquah School Board, I want to extend our great appreciation for the community’s ongoing support for our schools. Our goal is to prepare students for a global, dynamic world. In today’s economy, a basic education isn’t sufficient for the every-increasing complexity our students will find in the workforce. They will need to be able to communicate and exhibit higher-level thinking, utilizing ever-advancing technologies. The board understands the success of our students requires a commitment from the entire community. So, when you find

FEBRUARY 7, 2014 your ballot in the mail, we ask that you vote “yes” to renew the three levies approved by the board. Over the years, the district has built an important relationship with the community. One way has been to involve the community in the development of financial packages recommended to the board. So, last April, the district convened a Levy Development Committee consisting of community members throughout the district, including representatives from businesses, the senior community, local government and students. According to the 2014 Levy Development Committee Charter, the committee’s goal was to “keep local school taxes stable, ensure the Issaquah School District has all the resources possible to meet its

Notes from Newcastle

Newcastle Jewelers treats you like family Newcastle Jewelers employee Sylvia Mauerman has one heck of a job. “How much fun is it to lift diamonds all day?” she asked, when I visited the store for a story last month. That sounds pretty fun, if you ask me, but not as much fun as getting to do it under the tutelage of Wayne and Joan Underwood, the store’s owners. I had never been to the store before I visited to write a story about its 20th anniversary, but for the first time since Sweet Decadence left the city, I had the soothing feeling that I was sitting in a cozy living room. Newcastle Jewelers doesn’t have chairs and seats set up for its patrons, and it’s not meant to be a place where people gather and lounge, but after meeting the welcoming, kind staff, all I want to do is hang out there. The shelves and display cases filled with beautiful jewelry may or may not have had a hand in my longing sense to linger at the store, too.

Public meetings Let leaders know what’s on your mind to shape a better Newcastle at these February meetings:

mission and ends student learning goals, and to safely and efficiently maintain facilities and property.” The members worked diligently throughout the spring and their hard work was essential to ensure the community’s values were represented in the final recommendation brought to the board. The board is confident that the three ballot measures reflect the expectations the community has of our outstanding education system in the Issaquah School District. Please join me in voting “yes” on the Maintenance and Operations levy, the Transportation Levy and the Capital Levy. Thank you for your continued support of our schools. Marnie Maraldo, president Issaquah School Board

At any rate, Wayne, Joan and Sylvia made me feel at home. Whether it was the kind welcome I received from Sylvia as I walked in the door, Wayne’s quiet, self-deprecating humor or Joan’s pride in the community, they were just so comforting. It seems that their breed is a dying kind, you know, the type Christina of business owners that treat Corrales-Toy their customers like family. They’re the kind of owners who will shake their heads at you when you try to pay after a quick repair of your watch, refusing to let you pay for something that took two minutes but was a world of help. They’re the kind of jewelers who when you say you’re looking for a specific token to add to your charm bracelet, they’ll say, “No, problem,” and will hand craft it in their store. If you don’t see it on their shelves, they’ll find it, or make it for you. They’re the kind of people who saw a city come into existence 20 years ago, and did everything in their power to support it, even changing their business’ name to do so. Newcastle is lucky to have the Newcastle Jewelers team in its community, but if you ask their owners, they’ll quickly say, “No, we’re lucky to be in Newcastle.”

q The City Council will have a regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at City Hall, 12835 Newcastle Way, Suite 200. q The Community Activities Commission is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at City Hall.

q The City Council’s Economic and Community Development committee will meet at noon Feb. 11 at City Hall. q The Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at City Hall.

Joe Heslet �� General manager Kathleen R. Merrill................... Managing editor

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Newcastle News

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

PAGE 5

Activities Commission sets ambitious 2014 work plan By Christina Corrales-Toy As it wraps up its first year as the rebranded Community Activities Commission, the allvolunteer council advisory board is getting ready for a busy 2014. The former Parks Commission received approval at the Dec. 17 City Council meeting for an action-packed 2014 work plan that includes organization of several city events and important policy updates. The board went through some growing pains in the past year as it transitioned to an eventcentric role and welcomed five new faces. That led to some concerns from council members, after board Chairwoman Diane Lewis presented the full work plan at the meeting. It’s different this year, though, Lewis said, with a new energy among the commissioners. “We have basically five new members to the CAC and they’re pretty excited about actually being able to get their teeth into something, in getting some of these things done,” she

said. “We may not accomplish everything, but we really have the heart of doing a lot of it.” The duties of the commission did not change significantly, but as the new name suggests, coordination of community events is a priority, and that is reflected in the work plan. Commissioners expect to have a hand in the planning of a city volunteer appreciation event, the Concerts in the Park series, the Fourth at the Lake celebration, Newcastle Days, an Arbor Day observance and a new, yet-to-be-determined wintertime event. The work plan initially called for a more specific Christmas treelighting community event at Lake Boren Park, but Councilwoman Carol Simpson expressed concerns about the location and sensitivity. “My only other concern is the city holding a Christmas event in the park, on government property,” she said. “I don’t want to get involved with what kind of pushback we might have on that.” Deputy Mayor Lisa

Changes could be coming to Newcastle Days

early-season football. Newcastle Days is normally held the first Saturday following Labor Day. The board is also looking into expanding the event to two days, to make it easier to attract booth and food vendors. Commissioners said they want to make the 2014 event special, since it will celebrate the city’s 20th anniversary of incorporation.

The Newcastle Community Activities Commission is proposing big changes for the city’s 2014 Newcastle Days celebration. The volunteer board is exploring moving the date to August to avoid conflicts with other regional festivals and

Jensen also mentioned the city event would compete with the highly successful Small Business Saturday gathering and tree-lighting ceremony the Newcastle Fruit & Produce stand held this year. “I do believe that it belongs in the business district and let the businesses take the lead on it,” she said. The commission is also expected to continue to solicit feedback about

Lake Boren Park improvement plans, something that began at the City Council’s town hall meeting in the fall. Additionally, members will look to update donation and park-naming policies within the city. Councilman Bill Erxleben urged the board to focus on the marketing aspect of the city’s donation program, encouraging locals to buy commemorative plaques or benches for loved ones, as

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seen in neighboring cities, for example. “We have a fairly wealthy community, in part, and we have just not developed any kind of program for donations that translates into actuality,” he said. The commission also hopes to explore adding more youth and senior recreational programs, discuss plans for historical signage across the city, increase volunteerism and more. Mayor Rich Crispo, who serves as the council liaison to the commission, and will continue to do so after his role was extended another three months,

acknowledged that the plan looked like a lot of work, but he gave a vote of confidence to the reinvigorated group. “Right now, you have an energy that we haven’t had in a long time, and the people really want to be involved,” he said. “This is what they wanted to see done, and I think we should give them a shot at it, personally.” Newcastle residents Lewis, Angela Ursino, Linda Newing, Russ Segner, Victoria Hupf, Zaquis Ross and Jim Price serve on the seven-member Community Activities Commission.

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FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Photos by Christina Corrales-Toy

Homemade pinewood cars are released to race down the track as an excited audience cheers them on at Cub Scout Pack 738â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Pinewood Derby Jan. 10 at Newcastle Elementary School.

Pine box pandemonium Above, special recognition was given to standout cars: Best Scout Theme, Most Patriotic, Most Futuristic, Most Unique and Funniest Car.

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At left, Scouts have free range to decorate their cars in wacky ways, such as this one fashioned in the shape of R2-D2.

Newcastle News

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Laughing all the way when he thought we were doing something particularly heinous, like breathing or existing in the same universe. Pat Detmer If I petted him while he was out walking with a family member, he behaved like a perfect gentledog, but if he encountered us unescorted, he expressed his angry disapproval. He never attacked or made moves toward us (that took too much energy for a dog slung so close to the ground); he just braced himself on his sturdy little legs and barked. On the rare occasion when he might make it to the top of our driveway, a “Hey, Lenny! What are you doing here?” would be answered with a furious

volley as if we were reaching into his food dish with a massive ladle. If he was in the backyard when The Sainted One replenished the bird feeders, he would woof like he’d spotted someone headed for the windows of his house with a ladder and a pry bar. The Sainted One would gently call out, “#^<?!*#!, Lenny, it’s me, for crying out loud!!! We just did this last week!!!” Lenny provided fodder for an ongoing joke. For many years we’ve had a Good Neighbor Christmas gathering, and once we’d settled down with our first drink in hand, someone would ask, “So ... just how old is Lenny now?” And then we’d all laugh. The implication was obvious: How many more years would Lenny be angered by our existence? Even though that’s been our party opener for almost a decade, it was still a shock to get an early January email from the GNS: Lenny has left the building. We’ve ushered our little man out of this world. It was very sad, but we’re grateful that we could hold him as he left.

Creek Parkway S.E. The lunch, sponsored by Newcastle Jewelers, begins at 11 a.m. The cost is $20 for chamber members and $25 for nonmembers. Newcastle Jewelers will donate a watch, valued at more than $300, for the luncheon’s door prize. City staff members will then host the community at City Hall, 12835 Newcastle Way, Suite 200,

for the chamber’s afterhours event Feb. 20. The public is invited to mingle with staff from 5-7 p.m., and learn more about city services. Attendees can munch on refreshments while visiting staffed information booths about business licensing, building permits, home businesses, and signage rules and permits. Learn more at www. newcastle-chamber.org.

Dog gone By Pat Detmer When we moved to Olympus almost 24 years ago, our Good Neighbors to the South (the GNS) were already ensconced in their brand new home. Randomly Loud Son was a toddler, and Lovely Daughter was yet to be born. And sometime in the early 2000s, there was another addition: a puppy, a black Corgi mixed with Some Other Brand. His name was Lenny. Lenny was the only dog in a string of three homes that included the GNS, ourselves and the GNN (Good Neighbors to the North.) He was generally a benign addition. I can’t remember ever chasing him from the yard, or replacing an upended plant or shoveling up his leavings. But once past puppyhood, Lenny decided that we were the enemy, and he began barking at us

Chamber’s February events highlight Newcastle The city of Newcastle will play a prominent role in the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s February events. City Manager Rob Wyman and newly elected Mayor Steve Buri will give an update on all the city’s happenings at the Feb. 12 luncheon at Tapatio Mexican Grill, 6920 Coal

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For 13 ½ years, he’s been an important part of our little family, and he always will be. And not to worry — he was a smart dog — he always knew you were laughing with him, not at him. I shared the news with The Sainted One, and as I did so — to my great surprise — I wept. Lenny, in the end I guess the joke was on me. You can reach Pat Detmer — who didn’t chase Lenny but does chase cats away from the bird feeders — through www.patdetmer.com.

PAGE 7

Community

PAGE 8

Events LinkedIn Workshop, noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 1, Coal Creek YMCA, 13750 Newcastle Golf Club Road, presenting by Karen Rosenzweig, of One Smart Cookie Marketing, $30/members, $35/nonmembers, preregister online at www.newcastlechamber.org, 206-618-5641 Newcastle Chamber of Commerce monthly lunch: ‘I Love Newcastle,’ 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 12, Tapatio Mexican Grill, 6920 Coal Creek Parkway S.E., City Manager Rob Wyman and Mayor Steve Buri talk about what’s happening in Newcastle for 2014, $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers, 206-618-5641 Newcastle Chamber of Commerce After Hours Social, 5-7 p.m. Feb. 20, Newcastle City Hall, 12836 Newcastle Way, Suite 200, learn about permitting and licensing, free, RSVP by calling 206-618-5641 Chamber Networking Breakfast: Google+ Explained, 7:15-8:30 a.m. Feb. 26, Regency Newcastle, 7454 Newcastle Golf Club Road, presented by web analyst Alex Kline, free, 206-618-5641 Puget Sound Energy hosts Energize Eastside meeting, 5:30-8 p.m. Feb. 12, Rainier Hotel and Conference Center, 1 S. Grady Way, Renton. Observe the Energize Eastside project’s second Community Advisory Group meeting on Feb. 12. For more information, go to pse.com/ energizeeastside. Send questions to energizeeastside@pse.com or 1-800-548-2614.

Public meetings All city public meetings are at City Hall, 12835 Newcastle Way, Suite 200. Call 649-4444. q City Council meeting — 7-8 p.m. Feb. 4 q Economic and Community Development meeting — noon to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 11 q Community Activity Commission meeting — 7-8

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

IN THE SPOTLIGHT City honors its volunteers

Volunteers plant trees at Newcastle’s Arbor Day celebration Oct. 26.

p.m. Feb. 12 q City Council meeting — 7-8 p.m. Feb. 18 q Planning Commission — 7-8 p.m. Feb. 19 The Newcastle Trails board meets the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at Regency Newcastle, 7454 Newcastle Golf Club Road. Learn more at www.newcastletrails.org.

YMCA The Coal Creek Family YMCA, 13750 Newcastle Golf Club Road, has regular family programs for all ages. Get a complete schedule or register for classes by calling 282-1500 or go to www.coalcreekymca.org. ‘Swing Dance Class,’ 7:158:15 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 3-24, $40, couples and individuals welcome Family Night: Bingo Bonanza, 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 7,

Community Kitchen, free for facility members February 2014 Teen Mid-Winter Break: Rock Climbing and 1 Swimming at Matt Griffin 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 YMCA, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 17, ages 11-15, $50/facility mem 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 bers, $55/program members, 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 $60/community participants, 23 24 25 26 27 28 registration necessary Teen Mid-Winter Break: Whirlyball, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 18, ages 11-15, $50/facility members, $55/program memmunity participants, registration bers, $60/community particinecessary pants, registration necessary Teen Mid-Winter Break: Laser Tag at Laser Newcastle Chamber of Quest, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 19, ages 11-15, $50/facility members, $55/ program members, $60/com-

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After a year packed with successful community events and valuable projects enhancing neighborhoods, the city is honoring the volunteers who made them happen with a Feb. 27 celebration. Whether you worked on several events throughout the year, or donated just a few hours, the city wants you to know the community wouldn’t be the same without you. The volunteer appreciation event is set for 6:30 p.m. in the Prestwick Terrace at The Golf Club at Newcastle. A social with appetizers, desserts and beverages is scheduled from 6:30-7 p.m., followed by a speaking program featuring special guest speaker (and former Seattle Seahawk) Mack Strong. Email City Clerk Sara McMillon at cityclerk@ci.newcastle.wa.us for more information.

March 2014 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

See CALENDAR, Page 9

Commerce

I Love Newcastle – February 12 Lunch Join the Chamber as we hear from Newcastle City Manager Rob Wyman and Newcastle Mayor Steve Buri about what’s happening in Newcastle for 2014 and beyond. Meet Deputy Mayor John C. Drescher, too! Very special door prize from our I Love Newcastle Lunch sponsors, Newcastle Jewelers. Lunch: Tapatio Mexican Grill, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

City After Hours Chamber Event – February 20 Come meet City staff and learn everything you need to know about living in, and doing business (home businesses included) in Newcastle. From signage rules to licensing, to building permits for homeowners and licensed contractors for their projects, make sure you are in the know! Refreshments served. Chamber After Hours: Newcastle City Hall, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Google+ Explained. Tips and tools to using Google+. February 26 Networking Education Breakfast Join the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce for the February 26 Networking Education Breakfast “Google+ Explained” with Alex Kine, a web analytics, SEO and Google AdWords consultant. Breakfast: Regency Newcastle, 7:15 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. More information and to register: www.newcastle-chamber.org.

Newcastle News

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Calendar From Page 8 Teen Mid-Winter Break: Pacific Science Center and IMAX, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 20, ages 11-15, $50/facility members, $55/program members, $60/community participants, registration necessary Teen Mid-Winter Break: Tubing at Snoqualmie Pass, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 21, ages 11-15, $50/facility members, $55/program members, $60/ community participants, registration necessary Family Movie Night, 6-8:15 p.m. Feb. 21, Gym 1, popcorn provided, participants welcome to bring other snacks or comfort items, free for facil-

ity members Club Tyee, 3:45-4:45 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, grades six through eight, free to Tyee Middle School students Family Pickle Ball, 2-4 p.m. Sundays, Gym 2, free to facility members Preschool Pool Play, 11 a.m. to noon Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays, ages 5 and younger, free to facility members Tumbling-Mommy/Daddy and Me, 10:45-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, ages 10 months to 3 years, $5/class for facility members, $9/class for program and community members ‘Zumbatomic,’ 4:45-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, ages 5-8, free to facility members, first-come first-serve, Zumba for kids Open Teen and Tween

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PAGE 9

Library events

Basketball, 4-6 p.m. Fridays, free to facility members Open Teen and Tween Volleyball, 7:30-9:45 p.m., Thursdays, free to facility members, ages 14 and older Coal Creek Crew Teen Dodgeball, 7-7:50 p.m., Tuesdays, Gym 1, free to facility members, grades six through 12 Teen Innertube Water Polo, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Saturdays, free to facility members, ages 11-16 Tae Kwon Do, for ages 5 and older, through March 28, $28-$54, call for age group times and dates Swimming lessons, for ages 3 and older, $54, call for age group times and dates Diabetes Prevention Program, for ages 18 and older, call for times or to sign up

The Newcastle Library is at 12901 Newcastle Way. The following programs are offered the rest of the month: Computer class: ‘Oneon-One Assistance,’ 7-7:30 p.m. and 7:30-8 p.m., adults, Mondays Teen Leadership Board, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 5, Coal Creek Family YMCA, 13750 Newcastle Golf Club Road, voice your opinions about programs and services you would like to see improved SHIBA Counseling, 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 7, volunteers from Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisor offer free counseling in English and Chinese ‘Introduction to Long-

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Term Care,’ 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 7, bring questions about long-term care to this free workshop ‘Teen Speedbooking,’ 6-8 p.m. Feb. 12, test out new books and bring one you like home Drop-In to Learn about eBooks, 2-3 p.m. Feb. 14, 10 a.m. Jan. 31, bring your e-reader, tablet or phone to learn how to access eBooks through KCLS ‘Mason Bees for Your Yard,’ 10 a.m. to noon, Feb. 15, presented by Missy Anderson, WSU Master Gardener and bee specialist Spanish Literature Reading Circle, 7 p.m. Feb. 20, ‘Los Hijos Del Mar,’ by Maria de Lourdes Victoria Newcastle Book Group: ‘This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection,’ by Carol Burnett, 7 p.m. Feb. 27

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Swanson From Page 1 Newcastle Historical Society was a place where passionate history junkies could get their fix by attending monthly meetings where the legend that is Swanson would talk about the good old days. It’s evolved since then, making a greater effort to preserve the city’s history, but Swanson was still a major part of that, Olson said. “Milt, I think, died in peace,” she said. “I think he felt confident that his artifacts would have a good home and the Newcastle Historical Society would protect the history.” At the group’s Newcastle Days booth, Swanson was often an attraction himself, a veritable encyclopedia of the city’s history, Newcastle Trails board member Giles Velte said. “He is an irreplaceable part of our history,” Velte said. Swanson had a love of railroads and speeders, something he shared with Newcastle Historical Society President Russ Segner.

City proclaims Milt Swanson an ‘All-Star Citizen’ The Newcastle City Council passed a proclamation honoring Milt Swanson as an All-Star Citizen at its Feb. 4 meeting. The honorary proclamation thanked Swanson for his contributions to the community and his work to preserve its history. Historical Society honors its founder Newcastle Historical Society members will share their memories of founder Milt Swanson at a special meeting Feb. 22. The public is invited to express their remembrances of Swanson from 3-5 p.m. at the Newcastle Library. Refreshments will be served.

“We both love railroad history, so we bonded over that,” Segner said. “He really was one of the final links between Newcastle as it has evolved, and the history that existed here from the 1900s, on up through the evolution of the

Super bowl From Page 1

By Greg Farrar

Milt Swanson, history buff and artifact keeper, sits at the grade-school desk his mother Esilda Swanson used when she went to school in Newcastle. Eastside.” Crispo said he learned nearly everything he knows about the history of the city from Swanson. He, along with Olson, would often sit for hours listening to Swanson’s stories, while they recorded him for an oral history project. “Milt was a 95-yearold guy that represented what all of us would like to be at 95,” Crispo said. “He was still somebody who could teach, somebody who could share his knowledge, right until the day he died. Not many people can do that.”

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with me, but yet I’m so happy,” she said. “I know he would want me there.” Yarnell, 33, died in a car accident. It was a loss felt across the community, as mourners remembered the man who went above and beyond in his care for his customers and their cars. His presence was so important in the city that the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce changed the name of its Diamond Award that is given to the community’s most inspirational person to the Dennis Yarnell Inspiration Award.

Elected From Page 1 Councilman Bill Erxleben in the November election. Prior to that, he served on the Newcastle Planning Commission for four years, and as the board’s chairman for the last year and a half. “I’m obviously excited about the city,” he said. “I definitely have the energy and time to give this position.” He moved to Newcastle in 2005, and works as the executive director of TechNet Northwest. He lives with his wife Sally

FEBRUARY 7, 2014 Widseth and the couple’s son Trevor accepted the first award at the November Diamond Awards ceremony. “It’s nice to keep his story out there, and that’s what means the most to me,” Widseth said. “I want his son to know how important his dad was.” Widseth, a Seahawks season ticket holder, departed for New Jersey on Jan. 31 and attended the game with her best friend. Though Yarnell wasn’t there with her physically, Widseth said she knew he would be there in spirit. In any case, Widseth promised to cheer on the Seahawks for the both of them. “I am a little spiritual

and three children. Buri and former Deputy Mayor Lisa Jensen were each nominated for the mayor’s spot, while Drescher and former Mayor Rich Crispo were the finalists for the deputy mayor position. At the beginning of the Jan. 7 meeting, John Dulcich, Crispo and Drescher were sworn in to office after their victorious November elections. As one of his first acts as new mayor, Buri made appointments to several council committees at the Jan. 21 meeting. Councilman Gordon Bisset, Dulcich and Drescher will serve on the council’s Finance Committee; Bisset, Crispo

By Greg Farrar

Elizabeth Widseth and son Trevor Yarnell hold their Diamond Award in November. and I do feel like he’s my little angel,” she said.

and Councilwoman Carol Simpson will sit on the Salary and Benefits Committee; and Buri, Crispo and Simpson make up the Economic and Community Development Committee. Buri also appointed members to various regional committees. Dulcich and Buri will sit on the Eastside Transportation Partnership committee; Jensen will serve on the Lake Washington Cedar River Watershed Forum and on the Sound Cities Association’s Public Issues Committee; and Simpson was appointed to the Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee.

February 06, 2014

Special Section of the Newcastle News Advertising Dept.

Highlands Dentistry adds new technologies The health care professionals at Highlands Dentistry share the same vision — to offer state-ofthe art family dentistry in a patient-focused practice. Dr. Shadi Araghi and Dr. Ray Besharati, a husband-and-wife team, opened their practice in the Issaquah Highlands in 2009. Their goal was to create a practice where all family members could receive a full range of topquality dental care under one roof. Five successful years later, Highlands Dentistry will expand to a new facility across the street from its current location in March. Dr. Araghi is a certified pediatric dentist who performs all aspects of children’s dentistry including checkups, patient education and early orthodontics with a focus on the preventative phase. She uses laser technologies to detect cavities and complete dental fillings often without needing to give children shots or anesthesia. “Childhood dental experiences establish a lifetime pattern of feelings towards dentistry,” says Dr. Araghi. “It is important for a child’s dental visit to be pleasant, not intimidating.” Dr. Araghi’s pediatric dentistry specialty will

Staff members at Highlands Dentistry are trained in using new technologies.

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and cleanings, gum disease prevention and therapy, crowns and bridges, and Invisalign® clear aligners. He also has advanced training to treat sleep apnea disorders and TMJrelated problems. Highland Dentistry uses digital X-rays for better quality and improved safety. Digital X-rays provide several advanced imaging options designed to save time, provide clearer dental photos and expose patients to less radiation than traditional X-ray technology. Materials used in fillings have also improved to include ceramic and plas-

tic compounds that mimic the appearance of natural teeth. These compounds, often called composite resins, are usually used on the front teeth where a natural appearance is important. Laser technologies benefit adults as well as kids. “There is no Novocain, no bleeding,” explains Dr. Besharati. “It’s like a surgical blade, but with a laser.” Other new technologies include a mandibular advancement device (MAD) to help with snoring and sleep apnea. The device is specially designed to help keep the lower jaw in a forward position, increasing the space of the airway passage. Also, custom mouth guards are available for athletes of all ages to protect against dental injury while enjoying sports. For patients interested in cosmetic improvements, Highland Dentistry offers procedures such as veneers, smile makeovers and implants. Crowns are a cosmetic restoration used to strengthen a tooth or improve its shape. Sameday crowns are available and eliminate the need for multiple visits. “This is a new technology which came to the market place a few years ago,” Dr. Besharati explains.

“There are not many dentists in Seattle with this technology.” Highlands Dentistry makes patient comfort a priority. Children can enjoy games and toys in the kids’ cave while they wait. Patients can relax and enjoy a movie with wireless headphones while they are getting their teeth cleaned. Highlands Dentistry offers early morning appointments on Fridays as well as Saturday hours. Most insurance plans and major credit cards are accepted. Patients who prefer taking care of their account online may take advantage of several services offered on the website including viewing appointments, payment information and signing up for e-mail or text reminders. Patients enrolled in Flexible Spending Accounts or other plans will find reimbursement and tax receipts that can be downloaded and printed. For more information, visit www.ihdentistry.com or call 425-996-0457. Highland Dentistry will have a booth at the 2014 Issaquah/Sammamish Health & Safety Fair February 8 at Pickering Barn in Issaquah. Visit to receive a free gift to support your oral health.

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Schools

PAGE 12

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Liberty sophomore flutist whistles to her own tune By Christina Corrales-Toy

By Tony Pham and Dorian Banks

This frame from the Seahawks hype video created by Hazen students Tony Pham and Dorian Banks highlights safety Kam Chancellor, their teacher Lori Tegen’s favorite player.

Hazen students create Seahawks video By Christina Corrales-Toy

It’s only 30 seconds, and stars a trio of plastic men, but the Seattle Seahawks hype video produced by a pair of Hazen High School students packs quite a punch. From the opening scene featuring Lego versions of Marshawn Lynch, Golden Tate and Kam Chancellor, to the closing seconds declaring the Seattle Seahawks as “My town, my Hawks,” if you don’t already have 12th Man fever, you’re likely to catch it. Hazen sophomores Tony Pham and Dorian Banks created the short stop-motion video for an assignment in Lori Tegen’s business education class. It’s already caught the attention

of the Renton School District, the Seahawks and opened the door for internship opportunities. “When I was making the video, I thought whatever, Ms. Tegen’s not going to post this, and then I went online and I saw the Seahawks commenting on it,” Pham said. “It felt really good.” Tegen, a loyal Seahawks fan who inherited some of her husband’s rabid fanaticism, bought the special Legos hoping it would inspire some of her students to create something unique. Banks caught on to the idea of a Seahawks fan video quickly, Tegen said, and Pham, with his technical skills, made the pair a worthy team. “I wanted something awesome done with those

little guys and it was,” she said. “It looked like it was professionally created.” Banks was the backbone of the project, coming up with ideas for the music and visuals, Pham said. Pham was able to make that vision a reality with his background in video editing. As a result, the Renton School District has reached out to the students about possibly working on videos for the communications staff, Tegen said. They’ve also been encouraged to apply for a YouthForce internship. “I try to make the projects fun,” Tegen said of her class. “The more comfortable they are with technology, the more prepared they’re going to be for their future.”

On the web Watch the Seahawksinspired video created by Hazen students Tony Pham and Dorian Banks at http://youtu.be/ geoo6Ws07dE.

The video was timed perfectly, released just weeks before the Super Bowl, as people across the state were consumed with the Hawks’ performance. Tegen, whose favorite player is Chancellor, adorned her classroom with Seahawks posters. “The Seahawks fever and them winning, it’s kind of hard to not get into it,” she said.

Liberty High School sophomore Paige Balut stood on the football field at the University of Montana this fall, and felt at home. She was there, flute in hand, with 150 other band students, handpicked for the school’s first all-star high school band experience. “I have this friend who made a joke that I was ‘among my people,’” Paige said. The musicians, from Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming and Canada, gathered in November in the Montana cold for three days of music instruction, including hours upon hours of rehearsals, culminating with an all-star concert. Paige qualified for participation since she was named to the all-state concert band as a freshman last year. She applied for the Montana experience, but wasn’t confident she would get selected. She made the cut, even though about 75 percent of those selected were seniors, she estimated. Her acceptance resulted in a seven-hour car ride from Renton to Montana, with a stop in Spokane to pick up a fellow attendee.

“It was a long car ride, really long,” Paige said. Once Paige and her family arrived in Montana, she checked in to a hotel, where her roommates were other musicians from Washington state. There was not much time for rest, as they were immediately thrust into rehearsals for the all-star concert. “There were just a lot of hours of rehearsal, and we got pretty tired of the songs by the end,” she joked. In between rehearsals, the attendees got to perform the pre-show of a University of Montana football game alongside the school’s marching band. “I couldn’t believe how big football was in Montana,” said Celeste Balut, Paige’s mom. “There was a crowd of about 27,000 that they played in front of.” It was cold, Balut remembered, so cold, she could barely feel her fingers as she played the national anthem and the school’s fight song on her flute. The college marching band had one piece of advice for its visiting high school students, Paige said, and it involved flying footballs. “They said, ‘When See FLUTE, Page 13

Rotary clubs honor top students, teachers Renton

National Advanced Alan Yeh, a Placement Scholar, senior at Hazen a National Honor High School, Society Student of was selected as the Month, and has a Renton Rotary received scholar Club Youth of athlete honors and the Month for letters in swim, Alan Yeh January. orchestra and tenHe maintains a nis. 3.99 grade point average, He volunteers with and is involved in Key YMCA, Key Club, the Club, orchestra, East Hill National Honor Society String Lessons, Diversity and East Hill String Club, Highlander Club, Lessons. Associated Student Body Yeh plans to enroll leadership, the swim team at a liberal arts coland tennis. lege to study English, Yeh has been named a Philosophy, Politics or

Economics. He would like to become a writer, focusing on novels and independent screenwriting.

in Spanish literature. She then enrolled at City University, where she obtained a master’s degree in Kate Ingalls, educational techKate Ingalls nology. a first/second grade teacher at Ingalls taught in Hazelwood Elementary the Seattle Public School School, was selected as District for eight years, a Renton Rotary Club and also spent time as a Teacher of the Month for stay at home mom, before January. joining the Renton School Ingalls attended District, where she has the University of taught for nine years. Washington, where she earned a bachelor’s degree See HONORS, Page 13

Contributed

Paige Balut (right), Liberty High School sophomore, meets conductor professor Paula A. Crider, from the University of Texas, at the 2013 all-state band conference.

Newcastle News

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Flute From Page 12 you’re done playing, book it off the field or you’ll get hit with a football.’ That was the advice, to run,” Paige said. The highlight of the three-day adventure, Paige said, was simply getting the chance to play music with others who love it as much as she does. “It was nice to be

Honors From Page 12

Issaquah Austin Sivret (November) q Liberty High School senior q Recognition in social studies q Scholar-athlete awards in varsity football, wrestling and baseball q 4.0 grade point average, National Honor Society, National Merit Scholar q Organized Newcastle Earth Day activities, planted trees for Mountains to Sound Greenway q Pursuing a career in biomedical engineering or computer science Max Greenwald (November) q Liberty High School senior q Recognition in English q Editor-in-chief of award-winning Patriot Press q 4.0 grade point average, 10 Advanced

around people who really care for their music,” she said. “At this thing, everybody wanted to be there. When the instructor gave us a correction, we’d do it and it was amazing because it would stay like that the rest of the time.” It resulted in one fine concert at the end of the experience, Celeste said. “It was fabulous. Most of those kids are upperend musicians and so it was a very high-quality concert,” she said. Paige, a member of the

Liberty High School band, is also a member of the Bellevue Youth Symphony Orchestra. She joined the exclusive group in eighth grade, seeking a more challenging outlet for her skills. She practices nearly every day in her Renton home, and thankfully, her mother Celeste doesn’t mind. “I love it,” she said. “I love listening to her. Sometimes, she likes to ban me from the room, but I can still hear her.”

Placement classes, National Honor Society q Four scholar-athlete awards, three varsity letters q Pursuing a pre-med path to medical school to become an oncologist

campus news broadcast q Filmmaker, orchestra principal bassist, drama, writing and directing q Advanced Placement scholar, six years in National Honor Society q Goals of B.A. with creative writing emphasis, teaching certification, screenwriting

Audrey Mano (December) q Liberty High School senior q Recognition in art q Co-editor of yearbook q 3.96 grade point average, four Advanced Placement courses, National Honor Society q Issaquah School District Certificate of Excellence for Graphic Design q College goal of a four-year degree in industrial engineering Marcus Milyko (January) q Liberty High School senior q Recognition in career/ technology q Executive Marcus producer of Milyko

Olivia George (January) q Liberty High School senior q Recognition in leadership/citizenship q Olivia George NJROTC Unit commanding officer q Key role in “Outstanding” grades in all inspection categories and resulting Navy Unit Achievement Award q Drama Club VP, Washington state thespian, drum major for three years q Goals of Oregon Bible College and a career in musical education

PAGE 13

Sports

PAGE 14

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Declining enrollment moves Liberty sports to 2A By Christina Corrales-Toy Liberty High School sports teams will compete in the 2A classification for a two-year period beginning in the 2014-2015 school year. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association released enrollment numbers

showing Liberty, at 891.8, is the size of a 2A school. Schools with less than 990.8 students, but more than 472, are considered 2A. In the recent past, the Patriots have opted up to the 3A level, despite its stature as one of the state’s smallest 3A schools, but this time around, adminis-

trators have decided to test the 2A waters. “We are going to explore that two-year window at the 2A level,” said Stark Porter, Liberty’s athletic director. Hazen High School, with an enrollment of 1,059.4, will remain at 3A. The Patriots’ league opponents will not likely

change, since KingCo is already a 3A/2A league. The difference will come in postseason play, as they compete against schools with more comparable enrollment numbers. Liberty has seen its fair share of success at the 3A level, most recently with the state champion girls soccer team. The drop

down to 2A won’t change the way she runs her program, though, Liberty girls soccer coach Tami Nguyen said. “I’m not bothered by it at all,” she said. “After seeing my team and the girls, what a positive experience state was, I believe that we’ll be competitive at 2A.”

The team’s goal will always be to compete for a state championship, she said, no matter at what level Liberty competes. Nguyen also dismissed concerns about athletes getting seen by college coaches at a lower level, saying she was a prime example that See MOVE, Page 15

Highlanders surprise on the court

By Greg Farrar

Isaiah Davis (right), Hazen High School senior guard, drives around Lindbergh senior forward Michael Smith on Jan. 29 to put up the last two points of the game in the Highlanders’ double-overtime, 71-64 victory. By Christina Corrales-Toy The 2013-2014 Hazen High School Highlanders boys basketball team isn’t used to losing, so when it suffered its second loss of the season against Renton

Jan. 24, the boys couldn’t wait to get back on the court. “We took two days off and I think they were just excited to get back competing on the court again, which was encour-

aging to see,” coach Ryan Thompson said. The loss to the Indians showed Hazen that the team couldn’t take anyone lightly, as it sat atop the Seamount League standings, senior guard

Isaiah Davis said. It’s a mistake they won’t make again, he added, as the Highlanders wrap up what’s been an impressive regular season. Just three seniors graduated from last year’s Hazen squad, a team that went 7-14. So, this year’s near perfect record, in which they already have more wins than they had losses all of last year, is even more surprising given it was done with almost the same roster. His team’s quick turnaround is due, in part, to a tireless offseason, Thompson said, in which the guys put in significant work in the weight room and on the court. “We have a lot of experience that we haven’t had the last two years, but these guys put in the work out of season to put themselves in this situation,” he said. Summer workouts were well-attended, allowing the guys to grow closer as a team, senior Adonis Shareef said. The Highlanders also benefitted from a key transfer in sophomore guard Connor O’Hearn. “Everybody had the mindset where we had goals to be Seamount champs and go to state and make the seniors’ last year count,” Davis said of the offseason motivation. The Highlanders are poised to meet those goals, with a chance to win the league title outright. In a season filled with highlights, the one victory that stands out among the rest for the Highlanders is the team’s 84-52 win against rival Kennedy on Jan. 10. See HAZEN, Page 15

By Greg Farrar

Ashlan Applegate (44), Liberty High School senior forward, puts up a shot as Marissa Therriault, of Sammamish, defends during the first quarter of their Jan. 17 basketball game. The Patriots won against the Totems, 54-28.

Liberty basketball girls turn heads By Christina Corrales-Toy If you scoured the 3A state girls basketball rankings at the beginning of the season, you wouldn’t find Liberty High School mentioned on any lists. The Patriots weren’t even considered in the same class as KingCo 3A/2A giants Juanita and

Bellevue. It’s understandable — this group, with virtually the same roster, went 13-11 last year, good for fourth in the conference. The Patriots girls basketball team is quickly turning heads across the state, though, with big wins See LIBERTY, Page 15

Newcastle News

FEBRUARY 7, 2014

Liberty From Page 14 against ranked opponents Everett, Bellevue and previously unbeaten Juanita. “We’re the underdogs, so when we do beat those teams, it’s pretty awesome,” Liberty senior forward Ashlan Applegate said. Applegate led Liberty scorers with 16 points in the Patriots’ Jan. 15 upset of Juanita, 61-54. She also collected 10 rebounds and recorded three steals and three assists. The Rebels were without freshman star Tea Adams in that contest. “Every year, they are big competition and this year, they were first in the league, so it was a big deal to get that win,” Applegate said of Juanita. It was an important win for Liberty, under first-year coach Curtis

Hazen From Page 14 “Kennedy was a big one,” Shareef said. “These guys beat us every year and we couldn’t let that happen again this year.” Dominic Green had a career-high 31 points, while Anthony Phillips had 18 points and 16 rebounds, in a game that Thompson called the team’s “most complete effort to date.” “Dominic has had a really good year,” Thompson said. “He’s stepped up a lot from

Terry. Juanita was unbeaten and ranked second in the state at the time, according to The Seattle Times. As of press time, the Patriots were still the only team in the state to beat the Rebels this year. Liberty is an experienced team, with a roster that is largely the same as last year. There is one significant change, though, and it factors considerably in the Patriots’ quick turnaround this season, senior captain Sierra Carlson said. “The new coach, he just totally turned our program around, and I think we just come to games with a new fire in our eyes,” she said. Terry came to Liberty after working as an assistant at Auburn Riverside; before that, he starred on the court, playing at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He graduated from University Place’s Curtis High School in 2004. “Last year was kind of

where he was last year. He had a monster summer and really came back a different kid.” Hazen will wrap up its regular season Feb. 7, when it hosts Tyee at home. From there, the team will compete at districts with the hopes of eventually making it to state, but the players admitted they aren’t looking that far ahead just yet. “We’ve got a 1-0 mentality for every game we play, so every time we come out, we’re not worried about the next game or the game after that, we’re worried about what we’ve got to do that night,” Shareef said.

“The new coach, he just totally turned our program around, and I think we just come to games with a new fire in our eyes.” — Sierra Carlson Patriots’ senior captain rough, and I think with a new coach we just needed something new,” Applegate said. “I think he’s the perfect coach for our team.” The regular season came to a close Feb. 5, and now the Patriots are looking forward to a bevy of postseason hurdles, which they hope culminates with a trip to the Tacoma Dome for the state tournament. “I think we have a very, very good chance of doing well this year and actually showing what Liberty can do,” Carlson said.

Move From Page 14 coaches will find the best talent, no matter where they’re playing. The Liberty coach played her high school career at 1A Seattle Christian, where she won four state titles and became the state’s all-time leading scorer. Nguyen went on to play at the University of Washington. The Patriots crosscountry team has also made significant strides at the 3A level recently. Coach Mike Smith’s team had its first state medalist in freshman Brigette Takeuchi at the fall state competition. The move to 2A is both a good and bad thing for his team, Smith said. It’s a positive for his boys team, which had to navigate tough 3A district oppo-

PAGE 15 nents to get to state, but it remains to be seen how it affects the girls, he said. “Going down to 2A doesn’t necessarily mean the competition gets easier,” Smith said. The girls in particular were poised to earn their first state team trophy next year, as top-ranked Glacier Peak made the move to 4A. Now, Liberty will have to compete with Sehome at the 2A level, one of the state’s best cross-country programs. It’s nothing the Patriots can’t handle, especially with the young talent they have returning, Smith said, but it does make things a little more interesting for his girls next year. “For the boys, the district competition we’ve had historically was always incredibly hard for them, so going down to 2A gives them a little more wiggle room,” he said. The move will have

a great impact on the Liberty swim teams, coach Kris Daughters said. The district standards and state-qualifying times should be a bit easier for her swimmers, she said, allowing her to send more athletes to state. The girls swim team, in particular, will benefit from the move after narrowly missing a team trophy this fall, Daughters said. “It will be a really positive move for the swim team,” she said. Porter said he looks at the move as a two-year experiment, after which the school will re-evaluate things. “We have a few programs that are successful at the 3A level,” he said. “Track’s been healthy, girl’s soccer, they’ll be successful at the 2A level as well. It will probably help some of the other programs with competitive equity.”

* * Health Safety Fair 2014

ISS AQUAH / S AMMAM ISH