12 • July 17, 2013 • Snoqualmie Valley Record
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Home Grown Roots
“For some kids, just holding a rabbit for an hour is a superpositive experience,” says John Connolly, and that’s what he and his wife set out to create when they launched their business just over a year ago. Animal Encounters, recently relocated to the Fall City area, started with the idea of creating positive experiences for every visitor, as well as the animals. “Our philosophy is a little different from other folks’” Connolly said. So, there’s no feeding at Animal Encounters, which can cause animals to rush and crowd new visitors, and there are few large animals, which can be frightening to some. There are, however, lots of small, furry animals, and spots for children—and adults—to sit down and get to know them. “People really enjoy interacting with cuddly animals that like to be held,” Connolly said, baby bunnies especially. The couple’s self-designed “bunny boats,” fleece sacks that the animals nestle in as guests hold them, improve the experience. “The animals feel so much more secure when they’re in something that replicates their nest,” Connolly said, “and the kids don’t have to worry about getting bitten or peed on…” It’s such a good experience that Connolly says they’ll often see children, jokingly referred to as “petting zoo groupies” spend most of the day at the booth. “Sometimes they’ll hold the same animal for hours. … they bond with them in a really unusual and positive sort of way.” Look for Animal Encounters in the children’s section of the Block Party, or find them online at www.animalencounters.org.
Seth Truscott/Staff Photo
A Block Party-goer at last year’s Animal Encounters petting zoo cradles a young rabbit; The Encounters team uses special ‘bunny boat’ holders to make sure the animals feel safe.
Bunnies in boats
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Animals, children chill together at Block Party petting zoo
abbits may just be magical. It sure seemed that way during last year’s Block Party, when John and Kim Connolly saw excited youngsters simply settle down and bond with baby bunnies—or cavies, guinea pigs, wallabies or chinchillas—at their Animal Encounters booth.
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When Cindy Walker bought the North Bend Theatre in 2006, she planted herself in the heart of historic downtown. The theater, which was built in 1941, is one of the oldest businesses in the city and one of the classic icons of the community. “I still hear stories about people who had their first kiss in the theater during the 1940s,” said Walker. “Sixth and seventh graders have been riding their bikes to the movie theater for the last 60 years.” Walker moved to the Valley 13 year ago. She decided she wanted to run a small business. When the opportunity to own the theater came up, Walker jumped. “It all really started with the theater,” Walker said. The business has always been a labor of love for Walker. She opened Emerald City Smoothie next door in order to supplement the theater earnings. “There is such a strong sense of community here,” Walker said. Having a downtown business is inherently personal. Walker knows the regulars who walk into the smoothie shop and enjoys Cindy Walker spending time on a daily basis getting to know people in the Valley. “We are so small,” Walker said, referring to other downtown North Bend businesses. “In a population you are better together.” Walker said that the block party is all about the idea of North Bend businesses and residents coming together to support each other. She has been blown away by the Valley’s generosity to the theater. On May 1, Walker started the “Save Our Theatre” campaign to raise funds in order to transition the theater onto a digital projector. Since the kick off date, the theater has raised over half of the necessary funds. Walker still needs to raise $45,000, but is encouraged by the large scale community support. “A huge majority of the donations are under $500,” said Walker. “If you think about the community, that’s really broad support.” Walker attributes the theater’s support to a network of supporters in the Valley. “It’s important for people to have strong roots,” Walker said. “Theater does that for some people and I think the Valley recognizes it.”
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