April 24, 2009 [3]
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LOCAL
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REDMOND TO ADD EIGHT NEW FIREFIGHTERS
State Fire Marshal Michael Matlick has announced that 30 firefighters are preparing to graduate from the Washington State Patrol Fire Training Academy on May 1, including eight who will be joining the Redmond Fire Department. They are Scott E. Carlson, Dave W. Cobb, Daniel K. Ford, Joshua A. Frei, Thomas B. Norton, Juan L. Sandoval, David C. Watson and Timothy M. Wilson. Thirty-one candidates started the 12-week training program on Feb. 5 and 30 will attain International Fire Service Accreditation Congress certification (IFSAC) for Firefighter I, and Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations level, and 27 will receive Firefighter II (IFSAC) certification. The Fire Training Academy is located in North Bend and graduation ceremonies will take place at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Auditorium in Burien.
REDMOND STUDENT TO BE HONORED AT GAME
Jennifer Martinez, a sixth grade student at Einstein Elementary in Redmond, is one of 10 outstanding patrollers who will be inducted into the 2009 AAA School Safety Patrol Hall of Fame at the May 1 Seattle Mariners game. These students will attend an award ceremony, go on field for a pre-game ceremony and then enjoy the game and dinner from a luxury suite.
Tate conjures rock spirit with wine Queensryche singer promotes wine label ‘Insania’ in Redmond MARY STEVENS DECKER mdecker@redmond-reporter.com
Queensryche vocalist Geoff Tate and Holly Turner of Three Rivers Winery signed bottles of Tate’s wine, “Insania” at the Redmond Whole Foods Market April 17. Tate described “Insania” as a “Bordeaux-style red wine with four different varietals” (60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 20 percent Petit Verdot, 15 percent Merlot and 5 percent Malbec) and “great structure, soft tannins ... softer as time goes on.” And, Turner added, it has “old world character, lots of layers.” Taking little sips, Tate noted, you’ll get “different tastes every time.” Why the name Insania? Tate said he was looking for a word to represent something that “made your eyes open up wide. Lots of wines are flaccid, they’re drinkable but lack excitement. We tried a whole bunch of different blends. When we all tasted (this one), we collectively all had wide eyes, looking for words to describe it. ...It also conjures up the spirit of rock music. We kind of learn to crush that at times.” Tate said foods such as pork or steak would pair well with Insania. The rocker’s relationship with Walla Walla-based Three Rivers Winery began “over a glass of wine,” he said, laughing. “My wife and I love wine, wineries and food. We go to a lot of wine dinners.” During a severe snowstorm in Eastern Washington three years ago, they found their way to Three Rivers “and walked in to a wonderful aroma, had a
Queensryche vocalist Geoff Tate signed bottles of his wine, “Insania,” at the Redmond Whole Foods Market last Friday. JENNIFER AU, Redmond Reporter beautiful dinner, fell in love with the place ... and the people were so welcoming and accepting. We developed a friendship over the years, brainstorming as a group.” Lots of Queensryche fans share his appreciation for food and wine, said Tate, even though their generation “grew up with wines more like Kool-Aid.” In America, taste for wine develops more gradually, not like in Europe, where it’s more common for wine to be served with meals. In addition to promoting Insania, Tate’s been busy with Queensryche’s latest CD “American Soldier” and its support tour. After the bottle-signing at Whole Foods, Tate was headed to a performance at the Snoqualmie Casino and then would be packing for the next day’s trip to Portland.
“American Soldier” was inspired by hundreds of interviews with war veterans from World War II to the present, including Tate’s own dad, who served in Korea and Vietnam. We asked if he had ever imagined doing an album entirely about soldiers, when he first started out in the music business. “I never did think in those terms at that age,” Tate admitted. “The older you get, your perspective broadens. I can be very guilty of thinking only of myself and my nuclear family.” But talking to so many vets, he was fascinated by “the stories of how they deal with what they do” and even more impressed that “not one — out of hundreds — said they regretted (their service). It gave them a better outlook, improved their lives. Not one was a believer
in war — all wished they didn’t have to go to war,” yet they felt proud to serve. For many years, Tate’s father didn’t talk about his war experiences. He held the haunting memories inside until he was in his 70s. “So many soldiers don’t talk about it,” Tate remarked. “They come back, they’re different people. It’s felt dramatically by their families. As a kid, you see your own reasons why ... start blaming yourself.” Since the release of “American Soldier,” Tate said he’s been “getting letters — people are using this as a communication tool, giving it to their parents, saying it’s a real healing
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process. Music is a very ancient, primitive, communication tool. It’s not about blood and guts but their emotional effect, how they learn to process ... the commonalities, the separation from family and children, struggling with their definition of honor.” He said he feels deeply rewarded when veterans tell him the songs have helped them “feel like they’re not alone.” For more information about Insania and Three Rivers Winery, visit www. threeriverswinery.com. For more information about Queensryche and “American Soldier,” visit www.queensryche.com.
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[8] June 12, 2009
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Beloved school security guard plans to retire MARY STEVENS DECKER mdecker@redmond-reporter.com
George Jannusch is going fishing — and not just for a weekend.
the AUTO ADVISOR
Michael Peck
Tough Times
“Brake” indicates a problem in the brake system, possible causes are low on brake fluid, parking brake not released completely or a hydraulic problem in the brake system. “Oil” means a problem in the vehicles engine lubrication system, possible causes are that the engine is low on engine oil or the engine has a loss of oil pressure. In the most part the lamp is tied into a pressure switch which senses oil pressure with in the engine, it is critical that the engine is stopped as soon as it is safe and the oil level is checked, if low add oil, if the oil level is correct call your automotive service provider for help and information on what to do, do not drive your car as possible catastrophic damage could occur. “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” means that your vehicles engine management computer has seen something wrong in the vehicles power train computer controlled system, if the light is illuminated solid you are generally ok to drive but also check your vehicles gauges for abnormal readings, if the light is flashing you need to make immediate arrangements to have your vehicle inspected as damage to the vehicles catalytic converters will take place. If the solid light stays on you should make an appointment to have your car looked at. One last hint, check the fuel cap to make sure it is in place and tight. Be Safe
Jannusch is retiring after 12 years of employment in the Lake Washington School District (LWSD). He drove district school buses for four years — and for the last eight years, he's been the security guard at Redmond High School (RHS). A sign on the door of Jannusch's office reads, "George, you have secured a place in our hearts." One wouldn't expect such sentiment for someone who scopes out trespassers, pranksters or smokers. But the Mustangs' fondness for Jannusch is genuine. He said his job requires a delicate mix of “love, compassion and taking care of business.” While he monitors misconduct such as minor thefts or possession of illegal substances, he also talks with students and listens carefully to what they have to say.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
“I respect them. I don't talk down to them,” Jan-
George Jannusch is retiring after 12 years of employment in the Lake Washington School District (LWSD). He drove district school buses for four years — and for the last eight years, he’s been the security guard at Redmond High School (RHS). MARY STEVENS DECKER, Redmond Reporter nusch explained. “To do this job, you have to love kids and they love you back. If they cross that fine line, do something wrong, after they pay the price or face the consequences, they can come back to me with no ill will. These are young adults. I treat them like I’d like to be treated.”
Jannusch repeatedly used the word “blessed” to describe his relationships with RHS administrators, teachers, staff members, School Resource Officer (SRO) Paul Edwardsen of the Redmond Police Department — and especially the RHS student body. He said they all play parts in keeping the
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campus safe. “Students at my school are awesome,” he declared. “It’ll be hard for me to walk away because of the kids.” He hopes to stay somewhat involved with them, perhaps coming to football and basketball games. For now, on a daily basis, his door is always open and students know they can come to him with any problem. “You don’t see graffiti, tagging or gangs here. It's a culmination of me and the SRO working hand-inhand,” he noted. “I ask kids to treat this as their second home. Don’t do anything you wouldn’t do to your own home.”
TOUGH LOVE
There are students who come to Jannusch because they’re being harassed or have seen something suspicious and want to report it. He said, “RHS has tough, zero tolerance policies against bullying or possession of drugs, alcohol or tobacco.” Those who break the rules know they will be turned over to the principals or the police, depending on the offense. Those situations don't often occur at RHS, he pointed out. Most of the time, he’s watching for infractions such as someone trying to leave the campus without permission. “When I walk into the cafeteria and see something going on, or see someone trying to leave, all I have to do is clear my throat and they turn around. I don't have to say a word,” he commented, laughing. There are also teens who come to Jannusch because of personal problems or conflicts with teachers. “If I don't have an answer, I’ll dig until I find an answer,” he said. And he doesn't sugarcoat things if he thinks they are wrong. “Sometimes I have to tell them what they don't want to hear ... or I’ll go with them to see a counselor or teacher if they don't want to go alone.” He modestly added that he learned a lot from former SRO Nick Lovell, who is now retired from Redmond Police. “Don’t judge something right away. Take time to check it out. There are two sides to every story. Nick Lovell taught me that part
of it” he said. In return, Jannusch has had the joy of seeing one-time “problem kids” grow into successful college students and adults. On the day of the Reporter’s visit, he received a heartwarming letter from a former student, addressed simply to “George, 17272 NE 104th St., Redmond, WA 98052.”
A SPECIAL SEND-0FF
Knowing that Jannusch's days at RHS are numbered, leadership students and the whole student body have been raising money for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a cause that is near and dear to his heart. His grandsons Quincy and Hunter Rader, ages nine and seven, have the debilitating disease and will be featured in this year's MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) Telethon. "That's love," said Jannusch, with tears in his eyes, as he described how RHS students have honored him by raising more than $3,000, so far, to fight DMD. He added that Quincy and Hunter live nearby, with his daughter Tami and son-in-law Brandon. Tami also works for the LWSD, running the kitchen at Franklin Elementary School in Kirkland. Another daughter, Keri Lynn Jannusch, died in 1988 in an alcohol-related car accident. Her smiling photograph sits on his desk and he frequently tells students about what happened to her and the pain of losing her. “It’s hard to talk about," he said, “but I do it for the good of the kids.” Last year, RHS students planted a tree in the campus courtyard, in memory of Keri Lynn. We asked Jannusch how he’ll spend his retirement. “I'm going fishing,” he responded, with obvious pleasure. Before he joined the LWSD, he worked in military law enforcement with U.S. Coast Guard Intelligence. “I spent a lot of time chasing bad guys,” he recalled. He’s looking forward to outdoor adventures with his wife Sharrall, whom he described as his “main fishing partner.” His biggest catch has been a 65-pound salmon.
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SPORTS | Redmond High School baseball coach Dan Pudwill named Reporter’s Coach of the Year [19]
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LOCAL | Marymoor garden connects the community [3]
ARTS | Symphony of Gardens Tours adds FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2009 Classic Cars to the mix [8]
St. Jude Mass reaches out to those with special needs Church provides comfort for developmentally disabled people and their families MARY STEVENS DECKER mdecker@redmond-reporter.com
The experimental aircraft, between 12 feet and 15 feet long, is designed to land on the belly of its fuselage rather than on a pair of skids as with traditional float planes. It also uses a single rear propeller and has tip skis on each wing to keep them from dipping into the water. Weston told authorities that the plane was traveling at around 50 knots during his attempted landing. He said the left wing
Developmentally disabled individuals and their families often feel unwelcome in formal settings, including houses of worship. Unusual behaviors and sensory integration problems which stem from disorders such as autism may strike uninformed people as rude or disruptive. St. Jude Catholic Church on Education Hill offers respite to those Dave Rogerson who feel excluded because of their special needs. Once a month, Pastor Dave Rogerson celebrates a Mass which is adapted for the comfort of special needs guests and their families. The next one is at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 11. This is the only ongoing special needs Mass in the greater Seattle area, said Thomas Wagner, assistant director for pastoral care services, Office of the Vicar for Clergy at the Archdiocese of Seattle. It is regularly scheduled at 11 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month. Wagner described St. Jude as “one of our model parishes in understanding how to minister to those with special needs. It is something we desire to copy in other parishes throughout the Archdiocese.” Even non-Catholics are flocking to these all-inclusive Masses, traveling from as far north as Everett and as far south as Algona, according to Mary Kellison, a pastoral assistant for Faith Formation (religious education) at St. Jude.
[more CRASH page 2]
[more MASS page 2]
Redmond resident Paul Weston, 82, escaped major injuries after he crashed his experimental airplane into Lake Sammamish Wednesday morning. JAKE LYNCH, Reporter Newspapers
Man survives crash landing Redmond resident’s float plane spins out of control on Lake Sammamish JOSHUA ADAM HICKS Reporter Newspapers
An experimental float plane spun out of control on the south end of Lake Sammamish Wednesday morning while attempting to land. The pilot, 82-year-old Paul Weston of Redmond, escaped with minor injuries including sore ribs and pain in his calf. He was not hospitalized. Weston, described by police as an “amateur hobby builder,” had flown for ap-
proximately five minutes before the incident occurred. King County Marine Patrol units responded to the accident around 10:47 a.m., and the Federal Aviation Administration is launching an investigation into the incident, according to Bellevue Police. Weston was towed to shore near Bellevue’s Vasa Park by a crew that he assembled for the test flight. His ensemble included a rescue diver and a film crew that were tracking him in a private boat.
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[2] June 26, 2009
www.redmond-reporter.com
Crash on Lake Sammamish [CRASH from page 1]
dipped into the water, causing the plan to spin out of control and land right-side up. Weston escaped without major injuries and said to the media throng that soon assembled he was “just a little excited.” Weston also told authorities that he created the plane based on radio-control models he had designed in the past. “Based on the performance of those models, he decided to build a plane for human use,” said Bellevue Police spokesman
Paul Weston’s experimental airplane was towed to shore near Bellevue’s Vasa Park after he crash-landed the airplane onto Lake Sammamish Wednesday morning.
Det. Tory Mangione. Weston has a student sport pilot’s license, according to Bellevue Police. He had logged 30 hours of flight time for that type of license, and had flown his experimental float plane once before. The 82-year-old said that he learned how to build a plane “by reading books.” “I’ve built model aircraft before,” he said. “This is the first full sized one I’ve built.” Sammamish editor Jake Lynch contributed to this report.
JAKE LYNCH, Reporter Newspapers
Special-needs Mass at St. Jude Church unique to the area children of all abilities in developing a closer relationship with God.” When Kellison joined According to Wagner, the staff at St. Jude, almost St. Joseph Church in Istwo years ago, several saquah has also created a special needs families apspecialized faith formaproached her, worried Mary Kellison tion program for children about how their children with intellectual dismight be able to receive abilities and the Options the sacrament of the EuProgram at Eastside Catholic charist (Holy Communion). High School in Sammamish ac“I talked to Father Dave and commodates a limited number of started individualized programs special needs students. for six boys, all different ages and St. Jude added its special needs adapted the curriculum to work Mass over a year ago, after an with them,” said Kellison. awkward incident at a regular “All God’s Children — Religious weekend Mass. Formation for Children with Spe“A little boy was shouting, ‘I want cial Needs” is now an established some, I want some,’ and people didn’t program at St. Jude, which “is not understand,” Kellison explained. age or ability based, but assists
[MASS from page 1]
It’s hurtful enough to get disapproving stares in a restaurant or grocery store. But imagine being criticized at a worship service, because your developmentally disabled child spoke out of turn, fidgeted too much or became distressed by an unfamiliar face. The special needs Masses at St. Jude are designed to be sensitive to issues that the general public might not recognize. A pastoral statement by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, first issued in November 1978 and revised in 1989, has said that “to exclude members of the parish from these celebrations of the life of the Church, even by passive omission, is to deny the reality of that community. Accessibility involves far more than physical
alterations to parish buildings.” Said Kellison, “Father Dave has been so supportive in providing options for those with special needs. This whole endeavor would not be possible without him.” She said the special needs Masses at St. Jude are “very informal.” “Father Dave asks someone to carry a cross or other things to include them. It’s not just children but teens or adults. Sometimes parents do the readings or we’ve had a lady in a wheelchair. We use quiet music, a pianist and a cantor. Father Dave uses a children’s lectionary to make things simpler and tries to talk about things that are easy for all to understand. Around Mother’s Day, he talked about Jesus’ mother and how she
interacted with him.” The ultimate goal of the special needs Masses is to educate the entire community that those with disabilities are also “children of God” and deserving of acceptance, said Kellison: “This is a step toward inclusion. Many of our regular parish community have come, because of that.” Each special needs Mass at St. Jude is followed by a light luncheon, a craft project and networking. St. Jude Catholic Church is located at 10526 166th Ave. NE in Redmond. For information about the special needs Masses and “All God’s Children” programs, contact Mary Kellison at MaryK@stjude-redmond. org or (425) 883-7685 extension 121; or visit http://stjude-redmond.org.
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July 17, 2009 [3]
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CITY TO DEVELOP NEW WEB SITE
The City of Redmond will soon begin developing a new Web site. To that end, the city wants to ensure many residents and businesses are heard with regard to community needs for a city government Web site. A survey to gather that input is at redmond. gov/surveys, “Website Survey,” beginning July 20 and will take approximately five minutes to complete. The link will be live until Aug. 7. In addition to the survey, focus groups and interviews of residents, staff and business and community leaders were conducted. The information from the survey, focus groups and other sources over the next few months will be compiled into a report for presentation to the City Council in the fall. For information on the Web site needs assessment or the online survey, contact Marta Gronlund at mgronlund@redmond.gov or (425) 556-2427.
LWSD BUDGET SUMMARY AVAILABLE ON WEB SITE
A draft budget summary guide to the 2009-10 General Fund Budget of Lake Washington School District (LWSD) can now be downloaded from the district’s Web site, www. lwsd.org. The budget was first reviewed at the June 22 meeting of the LWSD Board of Directors. A public hearing will take place at the board’s Aug. 10 meeting, starting at 7 p.m. at the LWSD Resource Center, 16250 NE 74th St. The board will also consider approval of the draft budget at the Aug. 10 meeting. The revenue estimates and spending plans summarized in the draft budget guide are shown in much greater detail in the formal budget, OSPI form F-195. For additional information, call the LWSD public information office at (425) 702-3300. Contact and submissions: bchristianson@redmond-reporter.com or 425-867-0353, ext. 5050
City Council candidates forum coming up Candidates for the Redmond City Council will be the guest speakers at the Wednesday, July 22 Membership Luncheon of the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce. The event takes place from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Matt’s Rotisserie in Redmond Town Center. Cost is $30 for members with RSVP and $40 for non-members. RSVP online to Carla at carlaj@ redmondchamber.org or online at www.redmondchamber.org (events calendar).
Pat Vache
Sally Chen
Expected to attend are John P. (Pat) Vache, who is running unopposed for re-election to Redmond City Council Position No. 2; newcomer Sally J. Chen and incumbent
Kim Allen
John Stilin
Councilmember Kim Allen, vying for Council Position No. 4; and Redmond Arts Commissioner John Stilin, running unopposed for Council Position No. 6, which will
be vacated when current Councilmember Nancy McCormick retires at the end of this year. The Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce will also co-host, along with the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, a forum for the King County Council candidates, from 7:30- 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12 at the Woodmark Hotel, 1200 Carillon Point in Kirkland. For more information, call the Redmond Chamber at (425) 8854014.
DRAMA KING Overlake graduate and avid actor helps start young theatre company
MARY STEVENS DECKER mdecker@redmond-reporter.com
A recent graduate of The Overlake School in Redmond, Sam Tilles is a founder and the only Eastside board member of the Seattle-based Young Americans’ Theatre Company (YATC). To open its second season, YATC will produce a One-Act Festival from July 23-26, including an original work by Tilles, called “Dissonance.” And from July 31-Aug. 9, YATC will stage “Burn” by renowned British author Deborah Gearing, with Tilles in the lead role of Birdman. Tilles has been active in drama since seventh grade at The Overlake School. His performances there included “Arabian Nights” and “Once on this Island,” which was nominated by the 5th Avenue Theatre for outstanding high school musical. He participated in the 2006 Young Actor Institute at Seattle Children’s Theatre (SCT) and in the summer of 2007, performed in “Stargirl” at SCT. Tilles next starred in “Women and Wallace” at YATC in summer 2008. And this past April, he represented the Pacific Northwest in The English-Speaking Union of the United States’ National Shakespeare Competition in New York City. When does Tilles find time to breathe? And what pushes him toward acting, directing and writing for the stage? He laughed and said the journey’s been chaotic but exciting. With regard to YATC, “We’d been saying, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if ...?’ We were frustrated with Seattle theater because it was solely for making money, not relevant to what teens think or care about — a lot of cutesy theater that doesn’t propel society anywhere. What little relevant theater is produced is zero percent relevant to teenagers. There is barely any theater that makes them employable.”
Plus, Tilles stated, “We wanted to make teens see what’s great about theater, that it’s not boring, not just for rich adults.” He said his non-actor friends at The Overlake School were pleasantly surprised when they came to see him in “Women and Wallace,” a show about a young man coping with his mother’s suicide. YATC tackles subjects which some might consider dark or mature, in terms of teen audiences. For instance, “Dissonance,” which Tilles wrote for his senior project at Overlake, is about religious conflict and its role in society. “The problem needed to be addressed, get people provoked,” he explained. In “Burn,” Tilles’ character, Birdman, is the only person who stands by a girl who’s been raped. “The rape doesn’t happen onstage,” he noted. “The female character, Linda, played by Sydney Tucker, doesn’t tell her mom what happened and other friends don’t support her. It’s kind of a coming-of-age story, about social values and how teens react to trauma,” Tilles elaborated. As an interesting side note, Redmond High School (RHS) student Thomas Moore and RHS graduate Jeffrey Hayes will also appear in “Burn” at YATC. Reminiscing about his senior year of high school, Tilles said the National Shakespeare Competition was an unforgettable experience. His teacher at Overlake, Sarah Fitzpatrick, encouraged him to try out. He made it through auditions at his own school level and then in Seattle, before he was chosen to go to New York. “I was there for three days. That was a blast,” he recalled. “I performed at Lincoln Center, toured Julliard and saw ‘Waiting for Godot’ with Nathan Lane and John Goodman, some of my favorite actors. My favorite part was meeting with other actors with the same ambition. It was humbling,
Sam Tilles, left, rehearses with Karl Divoky for Tilles’ one-act performance, “Dissonance.” Tilles is a founder and the only Eastside board member of the Seattle-based Young Americans’ Theatre Company (YATC). Courtesy photo to say the least. There’s a lot of talent out there.” Although he didn’t make the top 10 in the National Shakespeare Competition, Tilles said he wasn’t there just to win but to learn. “They sent me a critique and pictures. I got almost perfect marks,” he commented. Judges included actor Gene Wilder and professors and directors from high-profile universities and theaters on the East coast. In late August, Tilles heads to Boston University, to pursue a bachelor of fine arts degree in acting. He said his parents support his dreams but “have been very hands-off, had me do most of the work.” His dad, a doctor, is “a little skeptical and would have like me to have a back-up plan. Of course, he’s coming from a math and science background,” said Tilles. His mom “is all for it. She claims she was responsible. She was an English teacher and read
Shakespeare to me before I was born.” Also a musician — he’s played drums since second grade and has a band called Ending Affair — Tilles hopes to stay involved with YATC while he’s away at college or at least to be a mentor for other teens who are passionate about drama. “It’s called Young Americans’ Theatre Company for a reason. We want to keep the mission statement about kids,” he concluded. This summer’s venue for YATC will be the Live Girls! Theatre in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood. For information about performances and tickets, e-mail youngamericanstheatre@gmail. com, visit Brown Paper Tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com or visit YATC’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ pages/Seattle-WA/The-YoungAmericans-Theatre-Company/20329797757
TIME TO VOTE | Fill out your Best of Redmond ballot [13]
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Grieb’s great comeback
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POLITCS | Wright withdraws from LWSD board race [3]
ARTS | Madden making all the right moves for Seattle Theatre FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2009 Group dance production [10]
SPORTS | Redmond BUSINESS | Townsend’s High School graduate helps UW crew team home-based business restores old photos [12] win national title [27]
GET READY FOR DERBY DAYS
Redmond resident overcomes scary near-death experience, rides again
was stuck in a “wait and watch pattern,” as doctors monitored his heart condiRedmond resident Tim tion. Throughout that time, Grieb will be one of 10,000 his physical activity was riders in the Cascade severely limited. Bicycle Club’s 30th annual In May 2008, he unGroup Health Seattle to Tim Grieb derwent another surgery, Portland Bicycle Classic overseen by Dr. Craig Miller (STP) this Saturday and of the Stanford CardioSunday, July 11-12. vascular Institute, “who is famous It’s not Grieb’s first time in the for replacing aortic arches,” said STP. He completed the 202.25 mile Grieb. During the 11-hour surroute in 2004. But less than a year gery, a mechanical aortic valve was later, a brush with death left him installed and 10 inches of Grieb’s doubting he’d ever ride again. aortic arch was replaced. He nearly died and required 40 units of blood NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL products. He was kept in a coma for In April 2005, Grieb was driving 48 hours. around the University District, on “I thought I’d wake up on a a lunch break from his job as a fiWednesday and instead woke up on nancial analyst at Seattle Children’s a Friday,” he recalled. Hospital. However, not long after the ordeal, He suddenly felt sharp pain in his Grieb got the green light from Miller back and chest and started to sweat to “push myself as hard as I could,” profusely. said Grieb. The doctor’s advice was, “I got out of the car, tried to “Do anything you want, except for breathe through the pain,” but it crazy, 250-pound bench presses.” wasn’t going away, said Grieb. That was good news, but it took He drove himself to Overlake lots of positive self-talk to get back in the saddle, so to speak. Hospital in Bellevue, not quite real“When I started training again, izing that he should have called 9-11. The Overlake operating room was I thought, ‘I don’t know if I have it in me,” Grieb said. “My confidence busy and he was sent by ambulance improved but it took a while to get to Swedish Medical Center. It was there that he was diagnosed back onto a bike after three years.” with an aortic dissection, a tear in RIDING OUT OF A RUT the major artery that carries blood He took his first post-operative from the heart to the rest of the ride in March of this year, travelbody. It’s the same kind of medical ing 10 miles. Then it was a 20-mile emergency that caused the death of ride around Mercer Island, “in the TV and film star John Ritter. Grieb received a temporary patch snow,” he noted. Little by little, Grieb began to in his aorta “to hold things together believe he really could exercise until I could get a better planned without fear of another medical and more comprehensive surgery,” crisis. In mid-June, he completed he explained. For the next three years, he [ more GRIEB page 4 ] MARY STEVENS DECKER
mdecker@redmond-reporter.com
DON’T FORGET! Redm on www d City .redm Hall ond. 15670 gov or 42NE 85th St 5-55 6-22 reet 99
FRIDAY
NIGHT
ND AT REDMO DERBY DAYS
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Danny Stern holds his daughter, Nitzan, 4, on his shoulders for a better view during the last summer’s Derby Days Summer Parade. The two-day event begins tonight with a free concert at City Hall Campus, 15670 NE 85th Street, starting at 6 p.m. The fun continues on Saturday, beginning with the Redmond Medical Center Parade at 10 a.m. File photo
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INSIDE
An eight-page pullout guide to this year’s Derby Days Summer Festival
[4] July 10, 2009
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Meeting to discuss downtown park The City of Redmond is same time and location. planning to create a DownThe July open house will prestown Central Park — and it ent information about the site wants your input. selection process undertaken so The city is hosting two public far and the vision for the future open house meetings to discuss development of this new park. the future of this park. The first “The new Downtown CenJohn Marchione is on Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m. tral Park will be a treasure to in the Lake Washington School the community,” said Mayor District Resource Center, 16250 John Marchione. “It provides NE 74th Street in Redmond Town Cena destination for residents and workter. The second is on August 10 at the ers. The park will strengthen neigh-
borhood connections and reinforce the historic ‘heart’ of Redmond.” It would become downtown Redmond’s living room; a place filled with life and activity, surrounded by economic vitality and interest that celebrates Redmond’s past, present and future, Marchione said. For questions regarding this park project or the open house, contact Jean Rice at (425) 556-2378, or jrice@ redmond.gov.
Volunteers needed to assemble birthday bags for Cheerful Givers event Volunteers are needed to help Cheerful Givers assemble 500 birthday bags for children ages 3-12 in families served by Hopelink. The volunteer event will take place from 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday, July 19 at the Redmond Regional
Library, 15990 NE 85th St. To RSVP, or for more information, contact Briana Keller, Puget Sound coordinator for Cheerful Givers, at (206) 618-5215 or briana@cheerfulgivers.org or visit http://cheerfulgivers.org/washington.
Redmond resident Tim Grieb will ride in this weekend’s Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic after having major heart surgery last May. BILL CHRISTIANSON, Redmond Reporter
Grieb riding again after near-death experience [GRIEB from page 1]
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the Flying Wheels Century, with scenic loops throughout Puget Sound, in about nine hours. Two weekends ago, he rode all around Lake Washington one day and around Lake Sammamish the next day. He’s averaging about 50 miles on his bike each day. Folks participate in the STP for a multitude of reasons — fun, fellowship, to enjoy the scenery. In Grieb’s case, “I just wanted to prove to myself, from a health standpoint, that it was do-able.” He also had considered incorporating a way to raise money for autism research. One of his two young children is autistic. The fundraising aspect didn’t come together in time for the event, but to honor the cause, Grieb recently got a tattoo of the Autism Speaks symbol, a puzzle piece. Participating in the STP will also be a way “for his family and friends to celebrate his triumph over his illness. People are flying in from California, Georgia and Texas,” said Grieb’s girlfriend, Jessica Stetson. The supporters will ride or drive alongside Grieb wearing matching jerseys that Stetson, an illustrator, designed. The jerseys bear
the logo of a fictional sponsor, a beer company called “Grieb’s Aortic Ale.” It’s a way to coax a smile after all that Grieb has endured. “Last year at this time, it was scary,” Stetson admitted. “Last summer, we’d try to go out to dinner and he’d start bleeding through his t-shirt. It was emotional, frightening. This is a way to close that chapter.”
HE WON’T BACK DOWN
We asked Grieb how he’ll stay motivated during the STP. Are there certain favorite landmarks along the way or just intense concentration on reaching the end of the route? “It’s really meditative, I get into a rhythm and will sing the same stanza of a song in my head over and over,” he replied. This time, he’ll be thinking of the Tom Petty hit “I Won’t Back Down,” but in a nod to the Pacific Northwest, he said it will be “the Eddie Vedder version.” The STP, which supports bicycle education, advocacy, commute and riding programs, begins at the University of Washington E-1 parking lot on Montlake Blvd., just north of Husky Stadium, and as the name suggests, concludes in Portland, Ore. For more information, visit www.cascade.org/stp.