Your locally-owned newspaper, serving North Bend and Snoqualmie, Washington
December 27, 2012 VOL. 4, NO. 52
Check out the year in sports Page 10
Toying leads to inventions
Opinion Page 4
North Bend man catches church fire early By Michele Mihalovich Josh Hudson pulled into his driveway at about 6 p.m. Dec. 14 and noticed flames inside the nearby Cascade Covenant Church in North Bend. He said at first he thought it was the glow from a fireplace, but he ran across the street to check it out, saw the fire and called 911 right away. The 20-year-old said the fire was growing so fast, he decided to rush home and fill up two buckets of water to try to contain the fire. Hudson said he tossed a rock through the window and was able to douse the fire. Eastside Fire & Rescue Captain Mark Ashburn, who was at the scene, said the window was already broken from the fire, and Hudson broke out the reminder of the glass and
poured water on the fire. Firefighters do not want to see anyone going into a structure to put out a fire on their own, but the already broken window allowed the man to pour water on the fire from a safe location, Ashburn said. Hudson said the fire was just smoldering by the time firefighters got to the church, at 13225 436th Ave. S.E. Ashburn said an unattended candle burning in a room of the church caused the fire. “When the fire department did a sweep through the church, the church caretakers weren’t even aware that there were other candles lit in several locations of the church,” he said. Josie Williams, EFR spokeswoman, said in a Dec. 19 press release that EFR firefightSee FIRE, Page 2
Look back Top photos of the year. Page 8
The top 10 stories of 2012 By Sebastian Moraga
Beau Johnson, a 12-year-old Snoqualmie Middle School student works with a Lego robot during a presentation of his robotics team at the Mount Si Transitional Health Center. Johnson and his teammates have designed the prototype of a cane designed to help Alzheimer’s patients. The cane would come with GPS, voice-assistant and a 35-terabyte memory.
Knitting masterpieces Volunteer group knits hats, scarves for the needy. Page 9
Heroin use is up in the Valley, police say By Michele Mihalovich
Calendar Page 11
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Heroin use has been picking up in the Snoqualmie Valley, but a recent overdose death, and three near fatal overdoses, all possibly from heroin, has law enforcement officers concerned. North Bend Police Chief Mark Toner said he’s been seeing an increase in heroin in the past couple years, but “three overdoses in a one-month period? I don’t think that’s just a coincidence.” The other near fatal overdose happened in Snoqualmie
a couple of weeks ago, Snoqualmie Police Chief Steve McCulley said. He said the incident involved an adult and the person has recovered fine. Toner said toxicology reports haven’t come back on the Preston man who died of an overdose at his home, but Toner does suspect it was heroin. Toner said he doesn’t know if the overdoses are a result of bad dope, extra-strong heroin or if heroin is so readily availSee HEROIN, Page 2
By Michele Mihalovich The year 2012 will go down as a big breaking-news year for Snoqualmie Valley. And is often the case when breaking news hits — the news wasn’t always good. The normally quiet Valley was dealt several tragic blows — including a fatal plane crash and multiple shootings. But the year also experienced some ups, like large construction projects and expanded city limits. January storm paralyzes the Valley The area was hit with a big winter storm in January. A mix of snow, wind and ice paralyzed the Snoqualmie Valley between Jan. 18 and 21, leaving more than 10,000 people in the dark as tree limbs collapsed and downed power lines. By the time power returned Jan. 22, the storm had left a trail of mudslides, icy roads, small fires and closed highways. The weather cancelled dozens of events and meetings, school days and the long-awaited grand opening of the Snoqualmie YMCA. Without power, families did
what they could to stay warm, which almost turned into tragedy for some North Bend residents. On Jan. 20, a family had placed candles on a cardboard box when a fire began. Eastside Fire & Rescue units arrived and controlled the fire. Nobody was injured and the building suffered minimal damages. No fatalities were reported, although some suffered minor injuries in vehicle accidents on Interstate 90. Plane crashes at Mount Si Calls reporting a sputtering plane engine, a pop and then an explosion near Mount Si started coming in at about 2 a.m. Feb. 15. In the light of the day, Snoqualmie Valley residents learned that a single-engine Cessna 172 had crashed into the side of Little Mount Si. There were no survivors. Licensed pilot Rob Marshall Hill, a 30-year-old Federal Way man, was a swim coach at Decatur High School and the Valley Aquatics Swim Team in South King County. See TOP, Page 3
SnoValley Star
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ers have responded to several fires involving holiday decorations and Christmas trees.
DECEMBER 27, 2012
Deputies were also called to a Torguson Park bathroom recently where three men were found in one stall, he said. “One had dope on him, so he was arrested for felony possession of narcotics,” Toner said. Toner and McCulley have seen an increase in heroin, but McCulley said Snoqualmie is only seeing a slight increase. Neither has gotten calls from Mount Si High School or Two Rivers School, the two local high schools in the area, to investigate heroin possession. The chiefs have different theories on why use of the opiate is picking up in the area. McCulley thinks it’s because meth, which used to be the drug of choice, has become increasingly hard to manufacture and expensive to buy due to tight government controls on ingredients needed to make meth.
Toner thinks the changed formula of OxyContin is causing an increase in heroin use. OxyContin used to be easy to get, he said. “People just opened their grandma’s medicine cabinets and there it was,” he added. Toner said he’s heard pharmaceutical companies have reformulated pills so they are harder to crush, turning instead into a gummy substance that cannot be easily snorted, injected or chewed. For whatever reason, heroin is on the increase in the Valley, Toner said. One thing businesses can do to deter users from frequenting their bathrooms is to lock the bathrooms. “Make it so people have to come up to you and ask for a key,” he said. “They are just looking for a quiet, private place to shoot up. So, don’t make it convenient for them.”
“Decorating homes and businesses is a longstanding tradition around the holiday season, but unfortunately these decorations may increase your chances of fire,” she said. “With the holiday season in full swing, everyone needs to keep fire safety
in mind when decorating and entertaining.” Hudson said he was just glad the fire didn’t burn the church down, and that the church’s sprinkler system didn’t come on, because the water could have caused a lot more damage.
Don’t let Valley families go hungry The Mt. Si Helping Hand Food Bank serves 300 children and their parents and 150 senior citizens from Snoqualmie Valley every week. Budget cuts have made the future of the food bank uncertain, and that’s just not acceptable. Join the SnoValley Star in insuring that the Mt. Si Food Bank will be here next year, and the year after that…
Send donations to Fund for the Valley, c/o SnoValley Star, PO Box 2516, North Bend, WA 98045
Donor names will be published (but not amounts) unless anonymity is requested.
SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 27, 2012
Top From Page 1 Seth Dawson, 31, also an instructor with the Valley Aquatics Swim Team, and Liz Redling, 29, of Federal Way, were also in the plane. Trails at Mount Si and Little Mount Si remained closed for weeks while debris was removed and the National Transportation Safety Board investigated. A Dec. 20 call to NTSB investigator Wayne Pollack regarding the cause of the crash was not returned before press time. Man shot, killed after home invasion A North Bend neighborhood was traumatized after one of their own shot and killed an intruder who had thrown a propane tank through a sliding glass window. At about midnight March 30, 911 received a call from the 400 block of Southeast Orchard Drive. A man said a stranger entered, started trashing his house and kept yelling, “Where are you? I’m going to kill you.” Sgt. Cindi West, King County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman, said the couple, a 46-year-old man and his girlfriend, hid in a bedroom while on the phone with a dispatcher. She said the man who lived
in the house retrieved a handgun from his nightstand and kept telling the intruder, “I have a pistol. Get out of my house!” The suspect, Joshua Henderson, 30, of North Bend, kicked the bedroom door down and the man fired several shots in defense of himself and his girlfriend, West said. King County prosecutors determined that no charges should be filed against the man who shot the intruder. Peter Keller kills wife, daughter and later himself Peter Alex Keller ended a 22-hour standoff with police April 28 when he killed himself inside a fortified bunker he’d been carving out of Rattlesnake Ridge for eight years. With his death went any explanation as to why he killed his wife, daughter and pets. Videos released later also didn’t provide answers. “I don’t think we’ll ever have a satisfying answer as to why Keller killed Lynnettee and Kaylene,” then-King County Sheriff Steve Strachan said. “You’d be trying to apply logic to a totally illogical set of actions.” The saga of Lynnettee Keller, 41, and daughter Kaylene, 18, began as a call about a house fire in rural North Bend on April 22. It became clear the women inside did not die in the fire, but rather suffered gunshot wounds, and that Keller, 41, was missing.
Also discovered in the home were the family cat and dog; both had been shot. Court documents said Peter rarely went anywhere without his dog. Court documents described Keller as a gun enthusiast, computer repairman and survivalist preparing for the “end of the world.” SWAT teams located the heavily camouflaged bunker April 27 and were fairly certain Keller was inside; they heard movement inside and smelled smoke from a wood-burning stove, Strachan said. Officers used tear gas to flush Keller out, but those attempts failed. During the night, officers heard a popping noise, which they believe was Keller shooting himself. The next morning, officers discovered Keller’s body, 30 feet below at the foot of the bunker, with one hand clutching a radio and a pistol nearby. They found multiple guns, ammunition, bullet-proof vests, water, soda, beans, a generator, fuel and a small trailer. The bunker has been destroyed. New construction projects in the Valley After years of a stagnating economy, three big construction projects are good indicators of a recovering economy. Redmond-based Motion Water Sports Inc. began building a 128,000-square-foot building in Snoqualmie’s Business Park in April. The company designs and
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builds water sports products, like wakeboards and slalom skis, along with ropes, handles and vests, and distributes its products worldwide. The building will include a 21,000-square-foot office and 107,000-square-foot warehouse. Ground was broken for North Bend’s new fire station July 11. North Bend and King County Fire District No. 38 entered into an interlocal agreement to pursue a $5 million bond for a new facility. In February 2011, voters overwhelmingly approved the bond — 73.21 percent in North Bend and 62.01 percent in the fire district. The 13,166-square-foot fire station, at East North Bend Way and Maloney Grove Avenue Southeast, will house a minimum of three firefighters and two paramedics, space to support a ladder truck, engine, aid car, water tender and two paramedic units. Completion is expected by July. Snoqualmie Valley Hospital began construction on its new site, off Interstate 90 at exit 25, in October. The 70,000-square-foot facility will be more than twice the size of the existing hospital, and allow full occupancy of the hospital’s 25 licensed beds, and better access and service to outpatients. The new building will have individual, private inpatient rooms, inpatient and outpatient physical therapy, a larger emergency department, women’s
health services, senior health services, rehabilitation services, a larger gastroenterology service, expanded laboratory services, imaging and diagnostic services, and will accommodate an enlarged primary and specialty care clinic. Groundbreaking is expected in early 2013. Freshman campus approved, school boundaries adjusted The Snoqualmie Valley School Board approved in a split vote the 2013 creation of a freshman learning center on the Snoqualmie Middle School campus. In a contentious March 9 meeting, the five-member board also voted 5-0 to return a bond measure to a ballot no later than February 2013. The bond would pay for a new middle school. Nevertheless, the board’s 3-2 decision regarding the freshman campus means that for at least two years, the district will have two middle schools. If the February bond passes, the new Snoqualmie Middle School would open in 2015. Approving the freshman campus made it necessary to come up with boundary changes. The board voted 3-0-1 to approve a realignment of boundaries for middle school students, which will send all fifth-graders and all Snoqualmie Middle School sixth- andSee TOP, Page 6
Opinion
PAGE 4
Editorial
Letters
Thank you, letter writers
Citizens can make a difference by contacting their elected representatives.
Federal
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 thank the people who took a few minutes to write a letter to our editor during the past year. Thank you for sharing your passionate voice. And please keep those letters coming in 2013! Herschel Backues Gay Baker Jenny Bardue Olivia Barragan Dave Battey Vivian Battjes Shelley and Steve Behrens Mason Blalock Jaymie Blatt Casondra Brewster Elliott Joseph “E.J.” Brink Patrick Brown Bob Brunjes Fred Butler Tom Buyers Christy CharbonneauWright Howard W. Clark Dylan Cook Anita and James Cox Amanda Csendes Karen Davis Mark Dilger Nancy Doherty Heidi Dukich Benny and Kim
DECEMBER 27, 2012
Duvall Wendy Eckman Jordin Forgey Rick Gaines Laurie Gibbs Ann Godejohn Kathy Golic Linda Hamm Grez Pat Hanner Cortney Harris Mark Hennig Carrie Jensen Barry and Patty Johnson Bradley Johnson Leslie Johnson Kassian family Valerie King Charlie Kinnune Ann Landry Matt Larson Shannon Lewis BJ Libby Marilyn Maeve Jaime Martin Stephen Matlock Leanna May Christina McCloskey Rodger McCollum
Kit McCormick Steven D. McCulley John McLean Gloria McNeely Peter Melvoin Darian Michaud Jeff Mitchell Alan Moen Taylor Mosier Brenda O’Quin Susan Olds Chelley Patterson Carol and Charles Peterson Danny Raphael Jim Randall Lori Riffe Warren Rose Bob Rowe Jim Schaffer Scott Scowcroft Jane-Ellen A. Seymour Tom Shea Wendy Spear Kathy Swoyer Alexis VanWolvalaere Patricia Yolton
WEEKLY POLL Bellevue was ranked the top prep football team in the nation by ESPN. To you, that shows: A. What a sensational season Mount Si had; it took the best to stop them. B. How far away Mount Si is from overtaking the Wolverines. C. How out-of-control we are. High schools should be known for their academics first. D. ESPN has way too much free time. Vote online at www.snovalleystar.com.
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President Barack Obama (D), The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20500; 202456-1414; president@whitehouse.gov U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D), 511 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510; 202-224-3441; http:// cantwell.senate.gov; 915 Second Ave., Suite 512, Seattle, WA 98174; 206-220-6400 U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D), 173 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510; 202-224-2621; http://murray.senate.gov; Jackson Federal Building, Room 2988, 915 Second Ave., Seattle, WA 98174; 206-553-5545 U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert (R-8th District), 1730 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; 202-225-7761; 22605 S.E. 56th St., Suite 130, Issaquah, WA 98029; 677-7414; www.house.gov/reichert
State — Governor Gov. Chris Gregoire (D), Office of the Governor, P.O. Box 40002, Olympia, WA 985040002; 360-902-4111; www.governor.wa.gov
State — 5th District Sen. Dino Rossi (R), 415 Legislative Building, P.O. Box 40405, Olympia, WA 985040405, 360-786-7608; 800-5626000; dino.rossi@leg.wa.gov Rep. Glenn Anderson (R), 417 JLOB, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia WA 98504-0600; 360-786-7876; 222-7092; anderson.glenn@leg. wa.gov Rep. Jay Rodne (R), 441 JLOB, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600; 360-786-7852; rodne.jay@leg.wa.gov Toll-free Legislative Hotline: 800-562-6000.
County King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Chinook Building 401 Fifth Ave., Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98104; 206-2964040; or kcexec@kingcounty.gov
King County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, District 3. King County Courthouse, 516 Third Ave., Room 1200, Seattle, WA 98104; 206-296-1003; 800-3256165; kathy.lambert@kingcounty.gov
North Bend Mayor Ken Hearing, mayor@ northbendwa.gov Councilman Dee Williamson, dwilliamson@northbendwa.gov Councilman Jonathan Rosen, jrosen@northbendwa.gov Councilman Ryan Kolodejchuk, rkolodejchuk@ northbendwa.gov Councilman Alan Gothelf, agothelf@northbendwa.gov Councilman Ross Loudenback, rloudenback@ northbendwa.gov Councilman David Cook, dcook@northbendwa.gov Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem Jeanne Pettersen, jpettersen@northbendwa.gov Write to the mayor and City Council at City of North Bend, P.O. Box 896, North Bend, WA 98045. Call 888-1211.
Home Country
Boxing leads to other topics, groaning ‘Twas the morning after Christmas, and all through the Mule Barn truck stop’s philosophy counter … “Happy Boxing Day!” said Herb, settling in and flipping his cup to the upright and fillable position. “Boxing Day?” asked Steve. “It certainly is,” Herb said. He’s like that … a lot. We looked at each other. Doc put down the crossword puzzle he was working on. “You think there’ll ever be another Mohammed Ali?” Dud asked. “The best,” Doc said. “How about Sugar Ray Robinson?” Steve asked. “A toast to the great ones!” Cups were raised. “Guys?” said Herb. “Boxing Day isn’t about … boxing.” “I knew this was coming,” Dud said. “Boxing Day goes back to medieval times …” “Like Doc?” “Seriously,” Herb said. “It was the day after Christmas, and the masters of the castles and manor houses would give the servants the day off to go see their families …” “Because on Christmas they had to stay in the castle and
feed the duke?” Steve asked. “Precisely. So the lord and master would give each servant Slim Randles a box with goodies in it Columnist for the servant’s kiddies and send them on their way for a day.” “Is this what started the Boxer Rebellion?” Dud asked. Dud collected strange knowledge. “No, no!” Herb said, “That was in China …”
“Don’t they make boxer shorts in China?” We watched Herb. “I don’t even know why I bother …” Neither do we. “You guys ever see Mike Tyson’s uppercut?” “I know he’s hard on ears.” “I heard about the War of Jenkins’ Ear,” Dud said. “Maybe that was hooked up with the Boxer Rebellion?” We finally got Herb to groan. Brought to you by “Home Country,” the best of the first six years. Read a sample at www. slimrandles.com.
Write to us Snovalley Star welcomes letters to the editor about any subject, although we reserve the right to edit for space, length, potential libel, clarity or political relevance. Letters addressing local news will receive priority. Please limit letters to 350 words or less and type them, if possible. Email is preferred. Letters must be signed and have a daytime phone number to verify authorship. Send them by Friday of each week to:
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DECEMBER 27, 2012
SnoValley Star
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SnoValley Star
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Top 10 From Page 3 seventh-graders from Fall City and Snoqualmie to Chief Kanim Middle School starting in 2013, with the exception of Cascade View Elementary School fifth-graders. Students at CVES, along with students from North Bend and all the way to the southeast corner of the district, would attend Twin Falls Middle School. Next year, current eighthgraders have to begin registering for the Freshman Learning Center, scheduled to open in fall 2013, at the Snoqualmie Middle School Campus. Snoqualmie city limits expand The city of Snoqualmie is 593 acres larger. In a 5-2 vote, the City Council approved annexing what is commonly referred to as the Old
Weyerhaeuser Mill site, east of historic downtown. Councilmen Jeff MacNichols and Charles Peterson voted against the annexation, citing concerns about possible Meadowbrook Bridge improvements. A couple of other councilmembers also shared expenses-versus-revenue concerns associated with the new land, but said economic development opportunities for the large block of land outweighed those. Councilwoman Maria Henriksen said she thought the city was becoming too reliant on residential property taxes, and the annexation would open opportunities for light to medium industries, green technology businesses and recreational opportunities. Of the 593 acres, about 350 have been zoned open space and 200 acres were zoned planned commercial/ industrial land. Portions of the property could be used to connect the gap existing in the Snoqualmie Valley
Trail, as well as provide land for a river walk trail corridor adjacent to the Snoqualmie River. Hunting will have to cease, due to the fact that it’s illegal to shoot guns inside city limits. North Bend to end King County police contract The North Bend City Council, in a 4-3 vote, decided to end its police services contract with the King County Sheriffs Office, which it had used for about 40 years, and hired the Snoqualmie Police Department. On March 1, 2014, the SPD will officially be tasked with protecting and serving North Bend citizens. North Bend Councilmen David Cook, Alan Gothelf and Ryan Kolodejchuk were the three who voted against sending the termination letter and approving the contract. “I still have concerns about whether it is right to switch … I may not agree on what was done tonight, but we need to stand behind
this decision and support the Snoqualmie Police Department,” Gothelf said. “The public safety of our citizens must come first.” The five-year contract with Snoqualmie is expected to save North Bend $300,000 to $400,000 annually. Councilman Jonathan Rosen said monetary savings wasn’t the only determining factor in his decision; he also thinks Snoqualmie will provide a better level of police service. Escape of inmates at Echo Glen Children’s Center The Sept. 22 escape of six inmates from Echo Glen Children’s Center near Snoqualmie prompted center officials to address questions from the public and the City Council. The inmates were rounded up about three hours after the escape with the help of the county’s Guardian One helicopter, 21 King County Sheriff’s Office deputies, two dogs and multiple law enforcement officers from Issaquah,
DECEMBER 27, 2012 Snoqualmie and the Washington State Patrol. The big question at the Oct. 22 City Council meeting was why there is no fence around a facility that houses medium- and maximum-security youths charged with felonies. Snoqualmie Police Chief Steve McCulley said he and city officials recently visited the facility, and he determined existing security, along with improved security equipment and extra training, will be more than sufficient. He said the building that holds maximum-security students is extremely secure, includes a 20-foothigh fence and residents should not be concerned about their safety. Echo Glen officials said anyone who wants a tour of the facility should call 831-2705. Emergency homeless shelter turns into reality North Bend Police Chief Mark Toner knows the city has a homeless problem. He knows citizens are concerned about the gauntlet of sometimes scary people who line the bridges by river trails. He knows city leaders want something done about the homeless sleeping in tents by the rivers. What he didn’t know was what could be done.
Toner, with the help of Pastor Pete Battjes at North Bend Community Church, organized a Nov. 6 meeting through wordof-mouth and a string of emails. Roughly 30 dedicated volunteers have shown up week after week with the goal of opening a nofrills, emergency winter shelter that they say could save lives of Snoqualmie Valley’s vulnerable population living in tents and cars. Call it a Christmas miracle, or divine intervention, as church member Steve Miller said, but the shelter will open Dec. 23 at the North Bend church. “I don’t know if something’s in the water here or what, but I’ve never seen anything come together so quickly,” said Congregations for the Homeless Executive Director Steve Roberts, who has been helping the volunteers. “This community is just wonderful.” The shelter, which can hold up to 40, will be open from 8:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. every night until March 7. Email snovalleywintershelter@ gmail.com or go to http:// on.fb.me/R9Nzzv. Michele Mihalovich: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
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Snoqualmie Valley Weight Loss Mount Si Sports + Fitness Center helps with resolutions is celebrating its 10th year We’ve all heard that obesity is one of the causes of our nation’s biggest health issues. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2011 that 35.7% of adults and 16.9% of children in the U.S. are considered obese by medical standards. We’ve all heard that in order to lose weight and be healthy we need to “eat right and exercise” but most of us need more information, most of us need a plan. That’s where Snoqualmie Valley Weight Loss Center can help. SVWLC utilizes the Ideal Protein weight loss method, a medical weight loss protocol designed by a medical doctor that allows you to lose fat while retaining your lean muscle. That means you lose weight in the healthiest way. “We work with people who just want to take off a few pounds in order to get into that favorite pair of jeans to people who have been dealing with weight issues most of their lives and are facing type 2 diaAnn Landry and Melissa Johns, coaches at betes, hypertension and metabolic SVWLC syndrome,” says Ann Landry, owner and weight loss coach. and a good answer is Ideal Protein,” “The Ideal Protein protocol is a Rodger said. healthy way to ‘reset’ the metabolism Ann and Melissa Johns, longtime and let the body heal while you lose Valley resident and coach at SVWLC, weight. It’s a holistic approach, and are excited and truly passionate about combined with coaching and ongoing working to improve the health and well education our clients learn how to enjoy being of the people of the Snoqualmie the foods they love without putting the Valley. weight back on,” said Ann. The center can be reached at 425-638Rodger McCollum, CEO of the 9949, ann@svweightlosscenter.com, Snoqualmie Valley Hospital District, lost svweightlosscenter.com, via Facebook or 60 pounds working with Ann at SVWLC. stop by the office at 213 Bendigo Blvd. N. to talk about your goals and get a “I just read that 39 states will have complimentary “no-pressure” body compopulations in excess of 50 percent obeposition analysis. sity by 2020. We have to do something Brent Cook is especially grateful for the Ideal Protein protocol.
Before
Ten years ago, local owners Lynn Grisham and Ben Cockman founded Mt Si Sports + Fitness with the intent of making it an inviting, family-oriented establishment with something for everyone, and they dedicated themselves to making it the best in the Valley! The club provides a friendly, energetic and supportive environment with all the resources you From left, Samantha Pairis, Kimbrough Kendall, Ben need to get to a healthier Cockman, Courtney Luther (front), Deann Brickman, lifestyle. Spacious, airy and Lynn Grisham, Jordan Proudfoot, Bella Stokes, Rachel un-cluttered Mt Si Sports + Wachtendonk, Anthony McLaughlin, Heidi Temple, Amber Fitness offers a wide variety Sharon, Jeff Scott, Dan Buchtal and Lena Segelstrom. of exercise equipment, cardio machines and free weights. But what Jami’s Strength & Sculpt classes! sets this gym apart from the others is the Do you want to push yourself Group Fitness and Personal Training pro- and learn advanced calisthenics? Try grams. A professional and experienced Courtney’s XP8 Cross Training. group of personal trainers/instructors But perhaps you simply want to walk can help you reach your fitness goals. on a treadmill and watch sports on Classes are free with your memberTV. You can do that, too! ship! Do you want to dance and have a Mt Si Sports + Fitness offers an great time and get in shape? Zumba is assortment of membership plans with for you! Lena Heidi and Dan are a great something for every budget, including time. month-to-month memberships starting Are you feeling super-spry and want at $39 with no long-term commitment. to be seriously challenged? Try Nedra’s It’s the perfect way to get started withBoot Camp, Monica’s Fatigue Friday or out having to make a major financial Core-Strength! investment. Teacher discounts available. Do you want to build off-season fitCome see for yourself why Mt Si ness for your outdoor biking? Immerse Sports + Fitness is the “Best in the yourself in Spin Cycling with Kellie, Jeff Valley.” For a limited time, a FREE 3-Day and Curt! Membership coupon is available at www. Do you want to get ready for ski seamtsisports.com. son? Jump into Jordan’s Winter Sports Mt Si Sports + Fitness is only minutes Conditioning! from Snoqualmie Ridge, located between Do you want to tone, shape and North Bend and Snoqualmie just off improve flexibility? Take part in Yoga Hwy 202 on Boalch Ave. They are open with Samantha and Carlye or Diann and seven days a week.
Best in the Valley
He began working with Ann back in April and by mid July had lost 74lbs, 11.5% body fat and 39”. Brent was a type 2 diabetic who also suffered from high blood pressure. Since losing the weight he is no longer a type 2 diabetic and his blood pressure is normal!
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DECEMBER 27, 2012
Photos of the year
By Stihl Timbersports
David Moses competes in the Single Buck event during the Stihl Timbersports’ Western Qualifier on March 30 in Corvalis, Ore.
By Don Detrick
Borst Lake catches the reflection of fall foliage and a cloud-shrouded Mount Si on a sunny day in October 2011. North Bend resident Don Detrick, who snapped the photo. is the secretary and treasurer of the Northwest Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God, and works in Snoqualmie Ridge.
By Michele Mihalovich
By Calder Productions
Mount Si High School defensive lineman Zachary Blazevich sacks a Juanita quarterback during the Sept. 14 game, where Mount Si beat Juanita, 60-6.
Members of the Panther Pride Unicycle Team thrilled spectators with death-defying feats during the Railroad Days Parade in August 2012.
By Sebastian Moraga
Emmitt Rudd leaps during the long-jump competition at the Mount Si Invitational Meet on April 21, 2012. Rudd finished eighth.
By Michele Mihalovich
By Sebastian Moraga
Courtney Cowan, the Mount Si High School girls’ soccer team’s senior goalie, trains with goalkeepers’ coach Tom Burford in September 2012, prior to the start of the regular season.
Doug Turnure (left) watches his son D.J. Turnure, 6, practice casting at the 63rd annual Kid’s Trout Derby in Snoqualmie. The Mount Si Fish and Game Club put on the derby in May.
By Sebastian Moraga
Elizabeth Andrews, of Bellevue, and Rachel Kakach, of Seattle, have a snack atop Rattlesnake Ledge outside of North Bend in July 2012.
SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 27, 2012
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First-time scarf campaign knits a closer community By Sebastian Moraga Claire Petersky thought it would go well, just not this well. Petersky, from the Sammamish-based Eastside Friends of Seniors, heard that North Bend’s Cascade Covenant Church wanted to assemble care packages for elderly residents across the Upper Snoqualmie Valley. Then, she saw that the list of items for the packages included scarves, and the proverbial light bulb went off. “I said, ‘I have an idea,’” Petersky said. “’Since we have such great relationships with different congregations in the community, I’ll ask them to see if they can knit for us.” She asked around and calculated that if everyone said yes, she would get about 40 scarves. Not that that was her outlook. “The reason I asked so many groups was I thought I would be lucky if one of these groups came through,” she said. “And that’s how we got so overwhelmed, because everybody said, ‘Oh, we would love to participate.’” Instead of 40 she found herself sorting through more than 120 items. Cascade Covenant distributed about 60 scarves in North Bend. About 15 scarves and care packages went to the Bellevue-Redmond area, and 15 more went to the Sammamish and Issaquah area. Another 15 went to seniors living in iso-
lated areas of the Eastside as part of emergency kits with batteries, hand-crank radios and flashlights. The last 15 went out to homebound participants of the Meals-on-Wheels program at the Issaquah Valley Senior Center. People as far as Hobart and Carnation got scarves, Petersky said. Churches, service groups, nonprofit organizations and private individuals contributed with the care packages and Contributed scarves. Petersky The group knitted dozens of hats, scarves and shawls for people who needed them. said she never expected to get someone else to knit for.” gies. A few seniors asked said. such a response, particuAccording to the U.S. Petersky whether knitters “So often, they are forlarly since this is the first Census, most seniors in the owned pets. One scarf gotten people, they are year they tried to collect U.S. are women. The trend smelled of cigarette smoke. often off by themselves, scarves. holds true on the Eastside, “Next time, we can homebound,” she said. “We had scarves, knit say, ‘Please, only use syn“A lot of times you forget scarves from Texas, from a Petersky said, so most scarves came in festive and thetic so they can be easily they are there.” friend who read it online bright colors. Only a few washed,’” she said. on a blog, and said, ‘I can The knitting helps send some,’” Petersky said. carried dark, conservative, manly-man colors. people think more often Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. “Just a huge outpouring 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Knitters had to be about the elderly in our from the community.” Comment at www.snovalleystar.com. careful with seniors’ allercommunities, Petersky People knitted not just scarves but also shawls and hats, or knitted more than one scarf. The friend from Texas knit four, Petersky said. Petersky does not knit, so she did not realize how widespread the enthusiasm for knitting is on the Eastside. “Knitters tend to have knit stuff for everyone in their family,” she said. “So, once that’s done, they are excited to have
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sports
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DECEMBER 27, 2012
The year in sports: Top stories from the Snoqualmie Valley By Sebastian Moraga Vince Lombardi was wrong. Winning isn’t everything and it isn’t the only thing. Sometimes, a run across an already-christened finish line makes just as great a story. Athletes of all ages aimed for the podium this year. Some made it, some didn’t, but their efforts made them all worthy of the community’s support throughout 2012. The high school’s football team did not win state, but they thrilled crowds Friday after autumn Friday. Swimmer Alexandria Havas finished second at the Special Olympics’ state meet, but that silver medal looks tiny compared to the odds she beat earlier in life. To them, and those who did make it to the top — Bradly Stevens with a javelin, gradeschooler Mark Marum on the wrestling mat — goes this tip of the cap. Football reaches state semifinals For the first time, the Mount Si High School Wildcats reached the semifinals of the state 3A competition, losing to Bellevue at the Tacoma Dome, 37-7. “We are not going to hang our heads,” head coach Charlie Kinnune said. “We’ll enjoy the year we had, the best team in school history.” The team posted an all-time best record of 11-2, both losses coming against the Wolverines. Wildcat players earned conference accolades like Lineman of the Year (Griffin McLain), Offensive Player of the Year and Punt Returner of the Year (Trent Riley) and Special Teams Player of the Year in UW-bound Cameron Van Winkle. The conference’s 3A Coach of the Year Kinnune led a team that posted scores that bordered on the absurd, winning its regular season matches by a combined score of 350-77. Even with the loss to Bellevue in Tacoma, the combined score for the playoffs was 149-70. Falls Dodgers win first championship Posting an 18-1 record, the Falls Dodgers Little League team majors division won the Snoqualmie Valley tournament this summer, the first-ever crown for the Dodgers’ majors team. “When you get to the highest level of Little League, it’s very competitive,” manager Bob Bostwick said. “Some of them are among the best baseball players in the Valley.” The team gathered 11- and 12-year-olds from Fall City and Snoqualmie. On the last game, they came back from 7-6 down to win 8-7 in extra innings. The children celebrated with a trip to an indoor skydiving
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The Mount Si High School Wildcats’ football team celebrates its 38-7 win against Kennedy Catholic Nov. 16. The win meant that for the first time in the school’s history, the Wildcats had qualified for the 3A state semifinals at the Tacoma Dome. place in Tukwila. “They had a lot of games, and every time they were on the brink of losing, they would come back,” outfielder Will Niemela’s mom Monica said. “A great group of boys, great coaches, great parents — it was the best season ever.” North Bend’s Max Brown plays for New Zealand in baseball classic Former Mount Si High School Wildcat centerfielder Max Brown made the provisional roster of New Zealand’s national team. The Diamondbacks, as the team is known, competed in the World Baseball Classic qualifier against Chinese Taipei, Thailand and the Philippines. They lost to Chinese Taipei, 10-0, and then defeated the Philippines, 10-6, and Thailand, 12-2. In the finals, they lost to Chinese Taipei, 9-0. New Zealand was the group’s only unranked team. Brown had one run batted in and scored two runs against a Thai team that featured major-leaguer Johnny Damon playing first base. Against the Philippines, “a team loaded with minor-leaguers,” according to the WBC website, Brown went 2-for-5 with one run scored. Brown, who plays for Bellevue College, was a starter with the 2011 Mount Si team that won the 3A state championship. Lacrosse team makes playoffs After winning a total of two games in its first two seasons, the Mount Si Lacrosse team won 10 of 13 and played the first playoff game in its history May 12. Mount Si lost the game, 7-3, to Richland’s Three Rivers Coyotes at Mount Si High School’s stadium. The Coyotes scored four times in the first quarter and had a 6-1 lead at halftime.
Still, the future looks bright for the rising Wildcats. “Things are looking great for next year,” head coach Woodroe Kiser said after the match. “All but three players are returning and we had a strong JV season this year. The players will be fired up this year, ready to roll.” Four Wildcat players earned all-conference honors: Andrew Bottemiller, Matt Mahrer, Cameron Pike and Tyler Smith. “We’re still growing. This is our first year,” the Wildcats’ Sal Francisco said. “We’ll take it next year.” Track and field meet reappears after 23 years Aided by a day of sunshine, the Mount Si High School Track and Field team welcomed back the school’s invitational meet in April. The meet had last occurred in 1989. The school’s deteriorating track made it impossible to keep it going. “We were having money issues back in the 1980s and the district just didn’t have the money to maintain the track and upgrading it,” girls’ head track coach David Clifford said. The upgrade came in 2005, turning the track into what Clifford termed “the envy of the KingCo league.” Reviving the meet took a few years, since the track has no lights or covered stands. “This year, we said, ‘The heck with it, we are going to figure out a way to get stands out here and we’re going to have it during the day,’” Clifford said. In the 2012 meet, the Wildcat girls tied for first and the boys finished fourth. Bradly Stevens wins state javelin crown Then-junior Bradly Stevens
hurled a javelin 205 feet, 10 inches at the 3A state track and field meet in Tacoma. Stevens not only earned the top spot in his school’s record books for the javelin, he earned first place at the tournament. “It feels like a dream come true,” Stevens said. He’s the first member of his family to win state, but the third to hold the school record for the sport. His father Jim graduated as the record holder in 1985. Bradly’s older brother Kyle became the top thrower in 2009. Kyle held the record until Bradly broke it in April, before the state meet. Then, at state, Bradly broke it again, with Kyle watching and cheering. “I hope he sets it high enough so that no one can break it,” Kyle said. “Not until my kid goes to Mount Si.” Kicker plays for Team USA Mount Si High School kickerpunter Van Winkle was selected to the U.S. national U-19 football team that played in the world championships in July. The U.S. finished second, losing to Team Canada, 23-17, in Austin, Texas. “We’re so pleased that someone from our program gets to mix with international players,” Mount Si head coach Charlie Kinnune said. “Plus, he’s experiencing life on the University of Texas campus and getting to play in a first-class facility. This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing.” Kinnune said Bothell High School coach Tom Bainter — a former Team USA coach — recommended Van Winkle for the team. Van Winkle had set a state record in 2011 with 18 field goals for Mount Si. Youth wrestler wins national championship Nine-year-old Mark Marum won first place in freestyle wrestling at nationals this summer, wrestling for the Snoqualmie Valley Wrestling Club. “It was really cool,” he said of the tournament in Orem, Utah. “You get to be in a really big stadium and have a really big crowd watching you. It was really amazing to get my hand raised.” For Marum, wrestling is not just a fun sport — it’s a family affair. His sister videotapes his matches and his dad coaches. “It’s 10 months a year, three times a week and we wouldn’t change a thing,” Mark’s mom Ellen said. Besides Marum, 8-yearold Benton Grisso won the Outstanding Bantam Wrestler award at regionals in Pocatello,
Idaho. Seven-year-old Kyan Zimmerman and 6-year-old Isaiah McClure also qualified for regionals. Zimmerman and McClure won matches at regionals despite being among the youngest wrestlers there. Hydroplane driver finishes fourth at Seafair race North Bend’s Brian Perkins did not win, but he triumphed. He competed at Seafair’s hydroplane race in July, triumphing over tight finances that had limited his season to two races. He finished the race, better than he did in 2011 when his propeller fell off. He finished fourth, far besting his performance in the other race of the season, where he did not make the finals. “It was better than we were hoping,” he said. “We had a boat that ran pretty well but not as well as we would have liked, so the fourth overall was kind of above our expectations.” His top Seafair finish was third in 2010. At 27, he anticipated a long career in the sport. “It wouldn’t be a devastating thing if I didn’t race boats anymore, but it certainly would be something that I would like to do as long as I can,” he said. Swimmer takes second place at Special Olympics state meet Mount Si High School’s Alexandria Havas, who suffered a traumatic brain injury as a toddler, finished second in the Special Olympics’ state swimming competition in Federal Way in June. “It was incredible,” Alexandria’s mom Franchesca said. “To see her just dive in and just go, go, go, and to then see three lengths between her and the next person, it was like, ‘Oh my god.’” Swimming helped Alexandria not just win medals but strengthen her muscles and recover her balance after the accident. She learned to read four years ago, plays two musical instruments, has a driving permit, has played golf, tennis and soccer and no longer throws the tantrums that had her mother fearing the worst for Alexandria’s future. “I just knew that one day, I would have a normal child,” Franchesca said. “That she was in there and she was going to come out at some point. Just had to be patient.” Sebastian Moraga: 392-6434, ext. 221, or smoraga@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
Calendar
DECEMBER 27, 2012
Music/ entertainment q Forrest Roush and the Love Capacitor, New Year’s Eve Bash, 9 p.m. Dec. 31, The Black Dog, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie, 831-3647 q Bernie Jacobs with Greg Williamson Quartet, New Year’s Eve Party, 7 p.m. Dec. 31, Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, 292-9307 q The Voodoos, New Year’s Eve party, 9 p.m. Dec. 31, Finaghty’s Irish Pub, 7726 Center Blvd. S.E., Suite 110, Snoqualmie, 888-8833
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Blow that horn
Snoqualmie Library Unless otherwise noted, all events occur at 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., Snoqualmie. 888-1223. All county libraries will close at 5 p.m. Dec. 31 and will be closed Jan. 1.
Events q The White House: 2012 Christmas Light Show, every half hour from 5-10 p.m., through Dec. 31, 35524 S.E. 42nd St., Fall City, The show features lights synchronized to music. The show can be heard on 87.7 FM. Admission is free with a donation of a non-perishable food item to the Fall City Community Food Pantry. Make donations at Fall City’s Farmhouse Market, Creative Business Advantage, the Fall City United Methodist Church and SnoFalls Credit Union. In Snoqualmie, make your donations at the Ridge IGA Supermarket. You may also make a monetary donation by visiting www. fallcityfoodpantry.org. q Wondering about Wildlife” Free Family Fun Day at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 27. Learn about the wildlife of the water-
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Aaron Tevis and the Aaron Tevis Project will perform at Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, at 7 p.m. Jan. 8. Tevis is a senior at Mount Si High School and a trumpet player for the school’s jazz band.
shed through hands-on activities, crafts, wildlife presentations and nature walks during winter break. 19901 Cedar Falls Road S.E., North Bend, 206-7339421
North Bend Library Unless otherwise noted, all events occur at 115 E. Fourth St. North Bend. 888-0554. All county libraries will close at 5 p.m. Dec. 31 and will be closed Jan. 1. q Mount Si Artists Guild Exhibition, through Dec. 31, during
Sno-Valley Eagles Presents New Year’s Eve Celebration 2012
library hours. Theme this year is “Seasonal Fun.” q Study Zone, 3 p.m. Dec. 30. Drop in during scheduled hours for free homework help in all subjects. For teens. q Infant and Toddler Story Time, 11 a.m. Dec. 31 and Jan. 7, newborn to age 3 with adult, siblings and older children welcome. q One-on-one computer assistance, 1 p.m. Jan. 2, get extra help on the computer or with any special projects you have. q Special Needs Story Time, 10 a.m. Jan. 5, join us for stories, songs
designed for children with special needs and their families. This program targets developmental ages 3-6, although children of all ages and abilities. q Drop-in eReader Assistance, 6 p.m. Jan. 7, learn how to download eBooks to your eReader or computer during this digital download demonstration. q Talk time, 6:30 p.m. Jan. 7, improve your speaking and listening skills in this English conversation group. Learn more about American culture and meet people from around the world.
A NEW Preschool Enrichment Program in North Bend!
Prime Rib Diner, Dancing, Midnight Toast Members and Guests $25 single - $40 Couple Guests please call 425-888-1129 8200 Railroad Ave Snoqualmie
NOW ENROLLING! Tuck & Roll
It’s more than just Preschool!
Presented by Mt. Si Gymnastics Academy 1546 Boalch Ave NW #20 North Bend, WA 98045 425-292-3152 Next door to Mt. Si Sports & Fitness
q Learn about eBooks, 11 a.m. Dec. 27. Learn how to download eBooks to your eReader or computer during this demonstration. For adults. q Anime and Manga Club, 3 p.m. Jan. 3, watch anime movies, eat popcorn and practice your manga drawing. All skills levels welcome. q Drop-in eReader assistance, 11 a.m. Jan. 3, learn how to download eBooks to your eReader or computer during this digital download demonstration.
home services
q Purl one, Listen Too, 1 p.m. Jan. 3, learn new stitches, meet new friends, listen to new books and talk about knitting. q Preschool Story Times, 1:30 p.m. Jan. 7, ages 3-6 with adult, share the world of books with your child and come for stories songs and surprises. q Study Zone, 3 p.m. Jan. 8, drop in during scheduled study hours for free homework in all subjects from volunteer tutors. q Young Toddler Story Times, 10 a.m. Jan. 9, ages 6-24 months, with adults, younger children and siblings welcome. Enjoy bouncy rhymes, familiar songs and stories with your little one. Send us your calendar item by emailing us at smoraga@snovalleystar.com.
Washington State Construction Contractor law requires that all advertisers for construction related services include the contractor registration number.
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SnoValley Star
DECEMBER 27, 2012