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REPORTER REPORTER NEWSLINE
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FRIDAY DEC 23/11
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High school gymnastics | Lions’ Sara Fiksdal shines as an artist on the apparatus and stage [18]
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Leaving a legacy for others Three departing City councilmembers were part of many accomplishments BY ROBERT WHALE rwhale@auburn-reporter.com
It was an occasion for laughter, a few sentimental tributes, here and there a funny bit.
But for those gathered in the City Hall Council Chambers on Monday evening – friends, colleagues, family – there was recognition of something else: an era passing. Councilmembers Sue Singer, 16 years, Lynn Norman, eight years, and Virginia Haugen, four years, were leaving, and it was time for farewells that were not really goodbyes and a
Sue Singer, departing City councilmember, delivers the ‘Top 10’ highlights of her 16-year City Council career as granddaughter Regan marks the Letterman-style countdown. ROBERT WHALE,
glance back before slinging the knapsack over the shoulder for new fields. Largo Wales, John Hayes Holman and Wayne Osborne begin their terms in January. “This is a change … the biggest change in the Council since around 1995,” said Mayor Pete Lewis. “… This has been a [ more TRIBUTE page 4 ]
Auburn Reporter
City settles sign flap
TWISTED EVIL
BY ROBERT WHALE rwhale@auburn-reporter.com
Next time you reach the triangle where A Street Northwest and Auburn Way branch off, consider the humble sign that looks down on the spot. Because when the day comes that nearby Little Caesars gets to advertise its pizzas up there, with a topping of “Welcome to Downtown
Auburn,” you’ll be looking at a bit of history – the last act of the 2010-2011 Auburn City Council. It happened Monday evening when the City settled a 2-year-old lawsuit with the owners of nearby Little Caesars, lighting the way to a decent, respectable, City-business cohabitation of the [ more SIGN page 4 ]
MIKE FOBES’ ROTARY ROCKET MARK KLAAS, Auburn Reporter
Auburn man crafts the curious and unusual BY MARK KLAAS mklaas@auburn-reporter.com
In his many imaginative and unconventional creations, mechanic Mike Fobes dares to be different. “I don’t build normal anymore. I like to do the wild,” admitted the 51-year-old Auburn man, a certified masters automotive service technician and instructor at Renton Technical College. “I’m always building something. It’s
something I enjoy doing. “I’ve always been good with my hands,” added Fobes, who likes to tinker and experiment in his spacious shop like a mad scientist. “I was lucky enough that my career was my hobby.” True to character, Fobes’ latest fabrication is unlike any other. Salvaging affordable parts from many sources, he carefully handcrafted a customized, rotarypowered motorcycle. Chromeclad “Twisted Evil” glimmers
inside Fobes’ shop, the radical chopper stretching nearly 10 feet long, from the narrow front tread to a pair of wide rear tires. Sitting on solid aluminum billet wheels, the unorthodox bike features a gas tank tucked in the rear fender and a custom radiator occupying the tank’s customary spot. There is front independent suspension, a racing transmission and two shifters – one for high [ more FOBES page 6 ]
A film crew prepares to film a scene from ‘The Shootout’ with actors Austin Heatherly, left, playing Bob Younger, and Brian Sutherland, right, as Jesse James. Parts of the movie were shot on location at the Neely Mansion. COURTESY PHOTO, Tonya Yorke
Western taps historic Neely BY SHAWN SKAGER sskager@auburn-reporter.com
A bit of movie magic landed in Auburn last week, courtesy of the independent short film, “The Shootout”, which used the community’s iconic Neely Mansion
as a location. The Western – produced by Bellevue’s Ides of M Productions and written and directed by Craig Muller – illustrates the life of infamous American outlaw Jesse James. [ more FILM page 4 ]