Reporter ISSAQUAH | SAMMAMISH
www.issaquahreporter.com
Friday, August 3, 2012
Piling on up Waste continues to build in north Sammamish BY KEVIN ENDEJAN KENDEJAN@ISSAQUAHREPORTER.COM
Caspian and mother Lynne Banki stand outside the Jubilee Farm barn where the 12th annual Autism Day WA will take place, Aug. 11.
KEVIN ENDEJAN, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter
AUTISM AWARE
Sammamish mom prepares for 12th year of running state’s largest autism event BY KEVIN ENDEJAN KENDEJAN@ISSAQUAHREPORTER.COM
W
hen the diagnosis arrived, Lynne Banki experienced a gamut of emotions, led by a sense of uncertainty. “It was extremely intimidating,” said Banki, whose son, Caspian, was diagnosed with autism just before age 3.
Now, 18 and ready to leave his Sammamish home for his first year at Front Range Community College in Colorado, Lynne feels nervous again. This time, however, her worries come with the sense of pride and confidence of a mother watching her oldest of three children off on his own — something Lynne struggled to fathom 15 years ago. As a child, Caspian displayed many of the
common idiosyncrasies associated with autism. He would repeat phrases over and over, he became frightened easily, he would throw intense tantrums and he struggled socially. Now, the recent Issaquah High School graduate confidently looks people in the eye, gives handshakes and answers questions. “He’s ahead of the curve now,” Lynne said. “When he was born, I thought he was behind the curve.”
FARM LIFE Years of various treatments were vital, but it’s also easy for Lynne to point back to one specific life-changing moment. In search of a way to show Caspian “things behind the things,” she wanted to reveal to him where food at the grocery store came from. This led her to a Jubilee Farm, a Community Supported Agriculture establishment, in Carnation. Lynne started bringing then 6-yearSEE AUTISM, 6
AUSTISM DAY WA When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 11 Where: Jubilee Farms, 229 W. Snoqualmie River Road NE, Carnation Cost: Free More information: www.autismdaywa.com Event organizers are in search of iPads, which are help pre-verbal kids on the autism spectrum. Donations for raffle can be made by calling (425) 802-7420.
Garbage and recycling cans continue to reach their brims in the north end of Sammamish. As of Wednesday afternoon, Waste Management recycling and yard waste truck drivers in King and Snohomish counties continued a strike that started July 25 following failed contract negotiations. In a move of solidarity, Teamsters Local 174, which represents garbage truck drivers, also went on strike. The strike has disrupted services to approximately 220,000 across the region, including thousands of residents north of Northeast 8th Street and Inglewood Hill Road in Sammamish. “They serve about 1/3 the population of Sammamish,” said Mike Sauerwein, the city’s administrative services director. Allied Waste/Republic Services provides services south of Northeast 8th Street and Inglewood Hill Road. Those drivers are not on strike and garbage and recycling days remain on a normal schedule. Waste Management has used replacement drivers to handle commercial customers, but is backed up on residential routes. Sauerwein said it was his understanding that drivers are scheduled to make double pickups this week in Sammamish if company is able to supply enough replacement SEE GARBAGE, 5
Bill Pace’s Fruit & Produce Come in and enjoy
Hale Freestone Peaches
Apricots Cherries Raspberries Marionberries Jay Berries
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