Then and now: After the

North Bend explosion

Page 6

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serving North Bend and Snoqualmie,

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January 1, 2015

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By Sam Kenyon

It started off as a joke. Oh, wouldn’t it be great if … Then, it slowly became a

reality. Now, 15 students with developmental disabilities are hoping to get the trip of a life-time to the happiest place on earth.

Since last summer, the Life Skills and Transition Learning Center programs at Mount Si High School have been planning and fundraising for a trip this April to Disneyland.

“It is just a fabulous thing that’s happening,” said Tracy Neether, one of the organizers

By Sam Kenyon

For Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson, the new year will bring one overarching issue that will impact nearly every other action taken by the city: the drop in tax revenue that will occur after the completion of the Snoqualmie Ridge.

“I think the impact will be more on city government and us to watch our finances care-fully,” Larson said. “We will have to make sure that we’re lowering it at a sustainable level of city operations.”

Estimates say the comple-tion of the Snoqualmie Ridge build-out could be completed as early as the middle of 2016. But the mayor and City Council are preparing now for the inevitable loss of city rev-enue.

“If, for example, we’re get-ting sales taxes from new refrigerators and microwaves and everything else being put in a new home, and the new homes stop being built, well, that sales tax disappears,” Larson said.

The city could have poten-tially had a revenue crisis if it had built the Snoqualmie Ridge tax revenue as a continu-ing stream of income into its operations budget. However, the Ridge revenue was carefully

kept separate.The city has used the reve-

nue from the Ridge in several ways that are designed to not cause sustainability problems once the revenue stops. The revenue was invested in a variety of one-time capital investment projects and pro-grams.

One example was creating a purchasing and ownership pro-gram for city vehicles.

“We effectively created our own internal rental car depart-ment where all the city vehi-cles of all the departments are owned by the fleet department and rented out,” Larson said.

That allows Snoqualmie to build the maintenance and replacement cost for all the vehicles into the initial setup cost, which lets the city build up funds toward the inevitable replacement of the vehicles in a few years. That way, no one department, such as the police, for example, gets charged for a new fleet.

Such a program is hard for most cities to start because they don’t have the initial seed money. Snoqualmie used Ridge revenue to start their program.

“It’s the seed money that helps get that program start-ed,” Larson said.

Mayor eyes budget without Ridge revenue

Give your family one last holiday gift — a trip to the wild side.

Learn what wildlife lives in the nearby Cedar River Watershed at Wondering About Wildlife, a free event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center.

The drop-in-anytime day includes presentations and activities appropriate for all age levels.

There will be crafts, presenta-tions about the animals that live in the area, nature walks and hands-on activities.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Karelian bear dogs will be at the event. The dogs help keep wild animals — such as bears — in the wild.

Children and adults can learn about owls. Experts will help visitors dissect owl pellets

and discover what the owls had for breakfast.

There will be guided walks around Rattlesnake Lake and wildlife experts will teach you what animal made what track on trails.

Mountains to Sound Greenway will host a number of the hands-on activities and showcase the group’s work in preserving access to the out-doors.

Although there will be free snacks and drinks, visi-tors are encouraged to bring sack lunches. There are no concessions available in the Watershed area.

Wondering About Wildlife is sponsored by Seattle Public Utilities, which oversees the watershed.

The Cedar River Watershed is the source of drinking water for many King County cities.

If you go

Wondering About Wildlife� 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 2� Free� Cedar River Watershed Education Center� 19901 Cedar Falls Road S.E., North Bend

Directions� The Cedar River Watershed Education Center is just east of North Bend. From eastbound Interstate 90, take exit 32.� Turn right on 436th Avenue Southeast, also known as Cedar Falls Road Southeast. Go 3.5 miles.� The Watershed Education Center will be on the right, just past Rattlesnake Lake.

Education center’s family day introduces the wonders of wildlife

Courtesy of Seattle Public Utilities

Bruce Richards, a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife field officer, demonstrates how a bear trap works during a presentation at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center. The ‘bear’ is a volun-teer wearing a bear fur pelt.

Snoqualmie Valley area Boy Scout troops will collect Christmas trees curbside Jan. 3.

Trees should be left at the curb by 8 a.m.

All decorations and lights must be removed.

Flocked and artificial trees cannot be accepted.

The suggested donation is $10. Attach a check to the tree in an envelope. Checks should be made payable to BSA Troop 115. Scout leaders advise people not to leave cash.

Funds will provide troop

operation support and help fund summer camp.

If your tree gets missed or you have questions, call Lynn Wooldridge at 442-3499.

Boy Scout troops will recycle your holiday tree

See BUDGET, Page 8

Auction to fund dream trip to Disneyland

See TRIP, Page 8

Contributed

Erik Tierney (left), a para-educator in the TLC program at Mount Si High School, works with student Efrain Estrada on a daily basis.

PAGE 2 SnoValley Star JANUARY 1, 2015

2

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By Sherry Grindeland

Losing weight is often at the top of everyone’s New Year’s resolutions or goals.

If it were easy, we wouldn’t all be talk-ing about and setting those resolutions, say experts like Teri Clark, of the Snoqualmie Valley Weight Loss Center.

Clark shared several tips.

� Give up soda in all forms. Whether is it diet or not diet soda doesn’t matter.

“Diet soda has the same amount of ‘sugar’ as the real thing,” she said. “They just call it some-thing different.”

� Exercise is important at any age and size.

“Even if you get out for 15 minutes to walk every day, it will make a difference in your well-being as well as your fit-ness,” Clark said.

� Get a buddy. A walk-ing friend means you will push one another.

“A lot of times when you tell yourself you’re going to walk for 15 min-utes, it turns into a half-hour or more because it feels good to get out.”

� Limit your children’s time on electronics.

How will that help you? Instead of playing games or watching vid-eos, have them go outside

and walk or play with you. It will be good for all of you.

� No fad diets.

“They work at first, but then you only gain the weight back plus more,” Clark said.

What works, she said, are sensible programs, preferably with weekly coaching.

“The coaching holds you accountable and you’ll learn how you can successfully maintain your new body,” she said.

By Sheila Hunter

Let’s give ourselves a break from resolutions such as losing weight, dieting, exercising, quitting smok-ing or drinking. I personally have never met anyone who kept them for more than three weeks. So we set ourselves up for failure.

When we backslide on New Year’s resolutions, we feel guilty. And when we feel guilty, we get angry with ourselves. And when we get angry with our-selves, we want to eat. And when we want to eat, we look for comfort food. And when we eat comfort food, we wind up worse off than we would have had we never made a resolution.

Don’t make resolutions you won’t keep. Make ones you will keep and have fun doing them.

Say we want to lose the waistline flab, 20 or even 50 pounds. Automatically, the fascist in us may chime in and say, “I have to go on a 50-calorie-a-day diet and go to boot camp

class 14 times a week.”Thinking too big sets us

up for failure.Reframe your goal to

something reasonable. Instead of thinking about losing 50 pounds, think about losing five pounds at a time.

And that boot camp exercise program?

Keep in mind what the experts tell us about exer-cise: Start slowly. Do an activity such as walking a mile a day four times a week. Your pace should be fast enough to break into a mild sweat but slow enough we can easily carry on a conversation.

The conversation part is good because doing things with other people help us stick to our plans. We are social beings and social-izing helps maintain good mental health.

Find a fun activity. For example, if you like walk-ing, think about hiking. There are Meet Up groups of people at various fit-ness levels. Start out easy and build up to hiking up

Mount Si. Or how about gentle yoga classes?

You may have fun meeting new people in the process!

Quitting any habit is as much persistence and con-sistence as it is quantity.

Making small incre-ments of effort over time yields desired results. We know that there is no quick fix that lasts. Doing things with other people makes the effort seem less strenuous and the time goes by quicker.

Maybe when you lose the second five pounds, you’ll want to lose five more.

You’ll feel so good about yourself you’ll want to take up something else, like ballroom dancing.

When you take up ball-room dancing, things can get romantic. And when you’re romantic you’ll want to lose five more pounds.

Sheila Hunter is a licensed psy-chotherapist in private practice in Snoqualmie.

Diet coach explains how to drop pounds

Teri Clark

Resolution time? Maybe not!

State offers 12 ‘park free days’

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has released its schedule of free days in 2015 when visitors are not required to display the Discover Pass to visit a state park.

The free days apply only

at state parks; the Discover Pass is still required to access WDFW and DNR lands. The free days are:

� Jan. 18 and 19 –Martin Luther King Jr. Day

� March 19 –Washington State Parks’ 102nd birthday

� April 4 – A springtime free Saturday

� April 22 – Earth Day

� May 10 – A spring-time free Sunday

� June 6 – National Trails Day

� June 13 – National Get Outdoors Day

� Aug. 25 – National Park Service 99th birthday

� Sept. 26 – National Public Lands Day

� Nov. 11 – Veterans Day

JANUARY 1, 2015 SnoValley Star PAGE 3

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Lighting up the night

Photos by Greg Farrar

The homes in the Snoqualmie Holiday Lighting contest were misidentified in the Dec. 25 issue. Here are the pictures with the correct information.

The Deutsche family’s home in the 9000 block of Ash Avenue (top) won the Annual Snoqualmie Holiday Lighting Contest. The Miller family display in the 35000 block of Southeast Swenson Street (above) took second place. The Krieger house, in the 9000 block of Ash Avenue (left), was third. Photographs of the entries can be seen on the city’s Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/1ySDigx. Entries were judged on creativity, originality, theme elements and overall design quality.

Register to vote now for local election

New voters or people who have moved, or changed their name or address recently, need to register by Jan. 12 in order to vote in the Feb. 10 election.

The Snoqualmie Valley School District will have a bond on the ballot to build a new elementary school, provide safety upgrades and improve-ments to all buildings in the district, to rebuild and expand Mount Si High School and to reinstate a third middle school.

Register at www.king-county.gov/elections.aspx or call King County Elections at 206-296-8683.

Social services mobile unit comes to North Bend

The Washington Department of Social and Health Services Mobile Community Service Office will be at the Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 21.

DSHS social workers will be available to help people apply for food and cash, conduct yearly reviews and answer ques-tions about services. No appointments are neces-sary.

The Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank is at the North Bend Community Church, 122 E. Third St.

North Bend girl wins speaking award

Abigail Hamilton, 11, of North Bend, recently won the title of Pre-Teen National Spokesmodel at the National American Miss Competition in Anaheim.

She won $800, a trophy and a crown.

Contestants from American Miss pageants throughout the United States qualified for the national competition by placing in the top five in their state contests.

In the Washington competition, Abigail was

the first runner-up in Spokesmodel and Actress, third runner-up in Top Model and third runner-up overall.

Abigail spoke about her mother’s battle with breast cancer and advocated low-ering the recommended age for mammograms in regions with high rates of breast cancer.

Last WWII veteran leaves Congress

For the first time in 70 years, no World War II veteran will be sit-ting in the House of Representatives or in the Senate when 114th Congress convenes Jan. 3, according to the Association of Mature American Citizens.

Michigan’s John Dingell, 88, and 91-year-old Ralph Hall, of Texas, were the last of what’s known as the Greatest Generation to serve.

Dingell, a Democrat, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944, when he turned 18, and rose to the rank of second lieutenant. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1955 and holds the distinction of being the longest-serving member of Congress.

Navy Lieutenant Hall, a Republican, joined in 1942 and was an aircraft carrier pilot. He was elect-ed to the House in 1980 and has held his seat for 17 terms.

“World War II, as awful as it was, broke down tons of barriers,” veterans’ advocate Seth Lynn, director of the independent Veterans Campaign, told the association. Those who served, developed a “camaraderie that lasted for the rest of their lives.”

Hall said the bond held firm among members of Congress who served in the Great War.

“When we differed on the issues, we respected each other and chose to respectfully disagree,” he told the association. “That was part of our military training and experience.”

maybe I really should be intran-sigent on this point.”

“Well Herb,” said Dud, “even though you might have a pro-clivity this season for being intransigent on your attitude about winter, you could kind a ease up and consider a hobby. That way you’d be showing a proclivity for transigence.”

“Transigence?” said Doc. “I thought those were people who lived under bridges. You might want to look that one up, Dud.”

Dud blushed as we laughed.“Say Dud?” said Steve, the

cowboy. “Wasn’t proclivity last month’s word?”

“Yes,” said Dud, “and I believe I’ve used it a couple of dozen times already.”

“And now this month’s word is intransigence, right?”

Dud nodded.“Well then,” said Doc, “it

looks like you are going to have a pro-clivity for saying intran-sigence this month. That’s a veritable plethora of proclivity my friend.”

Dud pulled out a pencil and grabbed a nap-kin.

“How do you spell it, Doc?” “Spell what?” “Plethora.” We just groaned. Sometimes

education can be ugly.

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OpinionPAGE 4 JANUARY 1, 2015

Time to set goals,resolutions for 2015

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Home Country

Slim RandlesColumnist

Dud’s word games beat the winter blues

New Year’s resolutions aren’t exclusive to individuals. Sometimes, it’s a good thing for a community to have its own goals. These top our list:

The Snoqualmie Valley community: We love all the activities around here — from ice skating to train rides, festivals, parades and the Jazz Walk. These events build community. You can meet your neighbors, eat local food and admire work from area artists.

Our recommendations: Volunteer. Give a few hours. Give a lot of hours. You won’t be sorry, and you’ll have a good time.

Support our schools: Yes, education costs money but ignorance costs more in the long run.

While the courts have mandated the state cover the cost of basic education, our Legislature has yet to fully fund it.

Our teachers and staff do a fantastic job but they need the appropriate settings to educate our children for the 21st century.

Our recommendations: Vote for the $244.4 million school bond in the Feb. 10 election. This will give us a new elementary school, make districtwide improvements to all facilities, rebuild Mount Si High School and rein-state the third middle school.

Quality education: We have outstanding schools thanks to the Snoqualmie Valley School District.

Our recommendations: Help keep the schools great. Donate to the Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation, join the PTSA and volunteer in schools.

Quality healthcare: Congratulations to the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital board of directors for devel-oping a cooperative board model, to the staff and admin-istration for efforts to make governance more transpar-ent, and to all the great citizens who have been involved and testified at numerous hearings.

Our recommendations: Let’s keep local control and do what the hospital seems to do best — work on com-munity health issues and keep the swing-bed program operational.

Humanity: The Valley Renewal Center Winter Shelter opened for the third season in a new home at Mt. Si Lutheran Church in North Bend. Last year, the shelter served an average of more than 11 people per night.

Surveys show residents fear the transient and homeless population, but they aren’t all drug addicts and dealers. Last year, four children stayed at the shelter.

Our recommendations: Volunteer. Take a hot meal to the shelter. Offer to help sit down, with the guests, and get to know them. No one, particularly a child, should be shivering in a doorway or car at night.

“I can’t stand winter,” said Herb Collins, who had dropped in at the Mule Barn’s philosophy counter for a quick cup. “There’s nothing to do.”

“Get out and enjoy it,” sug-gested Doc. “Go skiing. Go ice fishing. Build a snowman. Do something. Then you’ll feel bet-ter.”

“I don’t think your advice will take,” said Dud. “Herb seems to be intransigent on this one.”

We all looked at Dud.“You see, he said he couldn’t

stand winter,” Dud continued, “which shows he has a procliv-ity for intransigence on that par-ticular subject.”

We looked at him some more.“If he were to take up a win-

ter hobby,” he continued, “he could stop being intransigent and enjoy things more.”

Even Herb was staring at him now.

“I usually,” said Herb, “enjoy a proclivity in that direction, but winter is pretty boring, so

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4

A big thank you to our many letter writers

Thank you to those of you who took time to write a letter to the editor in 2014.

Their written voice provokes, challenges, encourages and thereby builds a stronger com-munity for us all.

We publish as many letters as space allows. Here’s an alpha-betical list of those who did get printed.

We welcome your thoughts anytime. Email us at editor@snovalleystar.com.

Linda AndersonChristopher AshtonJoel AuneJenny BardueNathan BarnesMarianne BradburnMark BrombergMarci BusbyTracy CarrilloSuzy CassidyDusty CavaliereBeth ChamberlainWilliam CosgroveJoan CreccaJoe CreccaKathy Cromey Julie DanielsApril DellPaula DeLucia

Joyce DeLurmeNatalie DeVoeJoe DockeryJay DonnawayGeoff DoyHeidi DukichGrant EdwardsRudy EdwardsDave EiffertJennifer EngdahlRebekah EverettLori GeorgeSusan GillespieCliff GilleyLinda Grez Matt HamptonKirk Harris Ann HeidemanMark HennigEmma HoaglundScott HodginsKim HornSheila HunterCraig HusaGeorge JenkinsEric JensenJung-Ah JohnsonBecky JorgensenBev JorgensenMark JoselynAmanda KayKathy KennedyValerie KingRick KronaRoger LedbetterShawna LitwinPaula Lodahl

Caroline LoudenbackTavis MacLeanDavid MacRaeStephen Matlock William and Judith MaxwellAnne MedgaardLorrie Miller Carmen MoeDan OlahDave OlsonDan PoppRene PriceLisa RadmerTeri RajaWalt RectorDave ReedDustin RossAmy SehayekDavid and Virginia SharpyCarolyn SimpsonGary Snyder David SpringWendy StokosaSylvia SalaisRon TrombleyCathy UthusKim WagnerJack WebberLarry WhalenDee WilliamsonBonnie WilsonDarryl WrightCindy YamchakJoan YoungNate ZiemkowskiRenee Zimmerman

Letters

JANUARY 1, 2015 SnoValley Star PAGE 5

5

Peter Lawrence FaheyPeter

Lawrence Fahey passed away from a heart attack on Dec. 24, 2014.

He was born May 17, 1941, in Trenton, New Jersey, the son of Michael Gabriel and Margaret (Hudnit) Fahey. After graduating from Trenton Catholic in 1959, he enlisted in the Coast Guard, where he served as an SK3 at Fire Island Lighthouse Station and Jones Beach Motor Lifeboat Station.

After completing his service in the Coast Guard, he went to work for the state of New Jersey as a computer programmer/data analyst; he contin-ued his IT work at Mobil/Exxon in Pennington, New Jersey, and Rochester, New York, until his retire-ment in 1998.

Pete had many pas-sions in life and lived life to the fullest. He was able to make friends and endear himself to people everywhere he went. He was an avid bird watcher and lifelong member of the Audubon Society. He spent days and weekends traveling the state and country side searching for birds common and rare to add to his many recorded lists. He made many last-ing friendships along the way.

In addition to his bird watching passion, Pete was a racing enthusiast. In his youth, he worked in the pits for NASCAR legend Frankie Schneider. It was a tradition for him to make an annual trip to the Daytona 500 with his best friends. He also attended other races throughout the years including Infineon and the Indy 500.

In the early ’80s, he was a founding member of C.R.A.S.H Club, a youth group at St. James Church in Pennington, New Jersey. This was a group that impacted the lives of many teens for the next

decade.In 2010, Pete moved to

Washington to be closer to his family. At that time, he renewed his interest in golf by getting a job at the Mt. Si Golf Course. Pete met and made many new friends in the Snoqualmie Valley and played golf at his leisure, joining the Rockbusters, a Friday night golf group.

Pete is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 44 years, JoAnn and a brother John Michael Fahey. He is survived by his daughter Kathleen Caro (Peter), of Snoqualmie; his son Timothy Fahey, of Seattle; four grand-children, Will, Megan, Jonathan and Ryan Caro; and several nieces and nephews.

There will be a funer-al Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Issaquah, at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2. A reception will follow the funeral at the Mt. Si Golf Course. He will be buried at Tahoma National Cemetery.

Remembrances and guestbook can be found at www.flintofts.com.

Peter Fahey

Obituary

Increased patrols from 120 police agencies in the state have one goal this holiday season: reduce the risk of DUI-related acci-dents.

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission helps fund overtime for officers throughout the state to provide extra coverage when most DUI-related collisions occur.

“Keeping your families together and our roads safe is our first prior-ity this holiday season,” Darrin Grondel, Traffic Safety Commission direc-tor, said in a news release. “Reaching Zero fatalities requires your help. Drive

sober, report a DUI, keep your eyes on the road and buckle up. It’s your best defense against a DUI driver.”

Although enforcement is a key component of changing driver behav-ior, officials were quick to add that seat belts and other occupant protection devices are saving lives as well. Being a sober driver protects you from yourself; buckling up helps protect you from the irresponsible driver.

Among the 120 agen-cies out in force will be the Washington State Patrol.

“Our troopers have

seen the results of impaired driving up close, and very personally,” WSP Deputy Chief Curt Hattell said in the release. “The only thing worse than making a death notifica-tion is doing so during what should be a festive holiday season. Each trooper who’s been in that situation comes away fully committed to ending the scourge of impaired driving.”

In the patrols, troop-ers work alongside county sheriff’s deputies and city police officers, and are guided by data that helps predict the areas where DUIs are most likely.

Holiday DUI patrols aim to keep highways safe

Auditions open for Master Chorus Eastside

Master Chorus Eastside is holding auditions in preparation for its upcom-ing 2014/2015 season. Tenors and basses are par-ticularly needed.

All interested singers must have choral experi-ence and basic music read-ing ability.

Get an audition appointment by calling the Master Chorus Eastside office at 392-8446.

All concerts feature informative commentary and historical informa-

tion presented by Artistic Director and Conductor Dr. Linda Gingrich.

The chorus presents a four-concert season and is known for its innovative and imaginative program-ming.

Learn more information about the chorus at www.masterchoruseastside.org.

Vandalizing their own property

Police responded at 8:06 p.m. Dec. 13 to the 300 block of Main Avenue South for a caller who said two men were pos-sibly vandalizing a coffee stand. She was watching from a nearby parking lot. Officers arrived and discovered the two men owned the coffee stand.

Relax, manPolice responded at

8:14 p.m. Dec. 13 to the 200 block of Cedar Avenue South to a report of a domestic dispute. The caller said her husband had been drinking, pulling up his marijuana plants and creating a dirt mess on the floor. The caller and her husband were arguing. The couple told officers they would try to get along.

Coat thiefPolice responded at 2:48

p.m. Dec. 16 to Judy’s Attic, 8002 Railroad Ave. S.E., to an attempted shoplifting. A man tried to walk out wearing a $75 coat, but an employee stopped him and made him remove the coat. Officers found him walking toward North Bend.

Grilled cheese sandwiches

Police responded to a domestic dispute report at 6:08 p.m. Dec. 16 in the 7800 block of Pickering Court Southeast. The caller heard his neighbors yelling at one another. The caller said the neighbors had been intoxicated in the past, and he heard something being slammed against the wall. Officers learned the couple was arguing over grilled cheese sandwiches. No crime had been committed; both subjects stayed in the apartment.

Lost my appetitePolice responded at 9:08

a.m. Dec. 18 to Twede’s Café, 137 W. North Bend Way. A man walked past the window and exposed his genitalia to the patrons before going into the res-taurant’s bathroom. He had barricaded himself in the bathroom. Officers arrested him and trans-ported him to a jail.

Unhappy mealPolice responded at

11:24 p.m. Dec. 22 to the McDonald’s, 735 S.W. Mount Si Blvd. A woman in the lobby kept yell-ing as customers as they came into the restaurant. Officers gave her a ride to the Issaquah Park & Ride.

PAGE 6 SnoValley Star JANUARY 1, 2015

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After the blastOne of the biggest news stories in the Snoqualmie Valley in 2014 was the 3:40 a.m. April 25 explo-sion that knocked down buildings

in North Bend. Above is what the scene looked like right after the blast. Clean-up took several

months because of the investiga-tion by the fire marshal and then by insurance experts. Eventually,

the cause was determined to be a gas link in a restaurant that was

being remodeled.

Photos by Greg Farrar (above) and Sam Kenyon (right)

Police blotter

JANUARY 1, 2015 SnoValley Star PAGE 7

YOUR WEEK

SCHEDULE THIS:Seattle Public Utilities Naturalists presents Winter Stories and Crafts, ‘Raccoon at Clear Creek Road,’ from 1:30-3 p.m. Jan. 3 and 4, at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center, 19901 Cedar Falls Road S.E., North Bend. Discover the secret lives of wild animals in the watershed through sto-ries and crafts in this free program for all ages. Register at http://bit.ly/JZfCAj.

TUES

6

q North Bend First Tuesday Book Club: ‘Mrs. Kimble,’ by Jennifer Haigh, North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., 888-0554, register at 888-0554

q Vox at the Box, vocal jazz jam hosted by Courtney Cutchins, 7 and 8:45 p.m., Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend, 292-9307

q Competitive Play Drop-In Volleyball, 16 and older, 7-10 p.m., Snoqualmie Valley YMCA, 35018 S.E. Ridge St., 256-3115

MON

5

q Young Toddler Story Time, 11 a.m., North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., 888-0554

q ‘Using Your eReader Gifts,’drop-in help, 6-8 p.m., North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., 888-0554

q Study Zone, drop in help for grades K-12, 5-7 p.m., Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., 888-1223

q Drop-In Basketball, 16 and older, 8:15-10 p.m., Snoqualmie Valley YMCA, 35018 S.E. Ridge St., Snoqualmie, 256-3115

q Aaron Tevis Quartet, 7 and 8:45 p.m., Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend, 292-9307

SAT/SUN

4SAT

3

q Wildlife Stories and Crafts, dis-cover the secret lives of raccoons and create a mask to take home, 1:30 p.m., Cedar River Watershed Education Center, 19901 Cedar Falls Road S.E., North Bend, free, register at http://bit.ly/JZfCAj

q Paul Green and Jay Mabin Harmonica Quintet, 7 and 8:45 p.m., Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend, 292-9307

q Katie Kuffel,8 p.m., Black Dog Arts Café, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie, 831-3647

q Karaoke, 8 p.m. to midnight, Mt. Si Pub, 45530 S.E. North Bend Way, North Bend

FRI

2

q Kids Indoor Playground, ages 0-6, 9-11 a.m. every Friday, Church on the Ridge, 35131 E. Douglas St., free, 888-7474

q ‘Wondering About Wildlife,’ free all-ages fun day; bring a lunch and enjoy activi-ties, crafts, presen-tations and nature walks; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cedar River Watershed Education Center, 19901 Cedar Falls Road S.E., North Bend, www.seattle.gov/util/crwec

q Jose ‘Juicy G’ Gonzales Trio,7 and 8:45 p.m., Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, 292-9307

q Gin Blossoms,8 p.m., The Ballroom at Snoqualmie Casino, 37500 S.E. North Bend Way, Snoqualmie, $15 to $25, www.snoca-sino.com

q Payson, 8 p.m., Black Dog Arts Café, 8062 Railroad Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie, 831-3647

WED

7

q Toddler and Preschool Story Times, age 0-3 at 10 a.m., ages 3-6 at 11 a.m., Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., 888-1223

q ‘Using Your eReader Gifts,’drop-in help, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., 888-1223

q Anime and Manga Club, 3 p.m., Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., 888-1223

q Study Zone, drop in help for grades K-12, 3-5 p.m., North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., 888-0554

q Study Zone,drop-in help for grades K-12, 5-7 p.m., Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., 888-1223

q Future Jazz Heads, 5 and 7 p.m., Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend, 292-9307

q Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night, 7 p.m., Snoqualmie Falls Brewery

THUR

8

q Toddler and Preschool Story Times, 10 and 11 a.m., North Bend Library, 115 E. Fourth St., 888-0554

q Game Night, 4-9 p.m., Snoqualmie Falls Brewery and Taproom, 8032 Falls Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie, 831-2357

q Chris Symer and Bill Anschell, 7 and 8:45 p.m., Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend, 292-9307

q Family Story Time, 7 p.m., Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., 888-1223

q ‘What Will Happen To Your Family History Stuff When You Downsize Your Residence Or Pass On?’ learn the steps you can take now with the Eastside Genealogical Society, 7 p.m., Bellevue Regional Library, 1111 110th Ave N.E., Bellevue, www.rootsweb.ances-try.com/~wakcegs

THE CALENDAR FOR JANUARY 2-8 Email items for the calendar to newsclerk@isspress.com by noon Friday.

7

q Wildlife Stories and Crafts, dis-cover the secret lives of raccoons and create a mask to take home, 1:30 p.m., Cedar River Watershed Education Center, 19901 Cedar Falls Road S.E., North Bend, free, register at http://bit.ly/JZfCAj

q Danny Kolke Trio, 6 and 7:30 p.m., Boxley’s, 101 W. North Bend Way, North Bend, 292-9307

and mother of Adrienne, a 21-year-old in the TLC.

Gerard Cline and Jeffrey Kalles are the Life Skills teachers and Benji Bollinger is the teacher of the TLC program.

“After our camping trip last year, we were discuss-ing where we would want to go next to try some-thing different,” Cline said. “Jokingly we said to go to Disneyland. So, we pitched that idea to our special ed director and she was saying, ‘Well, why not?’”

So far, the group has raised $10,000. While an impressive figure, that is well short of what the group needs. Ideally, organizers hope to raise $50,000.

“Which is a lot,” Cline said. “Certainly a lot more than I was antici-pating when we first decided we were going to do this.”

The cost seems prohibi-tively high because many of the students require one or two caretakers. Efrain Estrada, 19, is one student who would not be

able to go on the dream trip on his own.

“When we were talking about going to Disneyland his mom didn’t even con-sider it, because he’s in a wheelchair and it requires two people to lift him,” Cline said. “Really, for half the students that are going unless we did it as a group, they would never go.”

Even though their funding gap is large, the group is determined to make the dream hap-pen. The students already can’t wait.

“We’re going to do it,” said Penny Johansen, who is in charge of fundrais-

ing for the trip and the mother of Nikki Winter, a 19-year-old in the TLC. “I’m not going to say, ‘We’re hoping.’ We’re going to do it.”

Their fundraising efforts have been wide-spread so far. They have set up booths at all the fairs in the Valley, such as Railroad Days in Snoqualmie. They go to every Mount Si foot-ball game. They’ve sold candles, soaps, jewelry and raffle tickets.

Recently, they hosted a singalong at the North Bend Theatre to the hit Disney movie “Frozen.”

The theater was packed.

“It’s just a beauti-ful thing, the support,” Neether said. “I think we have a great community for that.”

Now, the fundraising is kicking into high gear with a dinner auction at 5 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Sno-Valley Eagles. The group hopes to close its funding gap significantly with the auction.

It will auction off a variety of goods, like autographed Seattle Seahawks merchandise, jewelry and hotel stays. Tickets are $25 and can be bought at the door, pre-ordered online at http://bit.ly/1x23vY or by sending a check to Mount Si High

School TLC Auction, 8651 Meadowbrook Way S.E., Snoqualmie, WA 98065.

Learn more about the group on its Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/1vq809T.

The parent group and students are so diligent about their fundraising because for many of these kids, this will be the trip of a lifetime.

“I want people to understand that for some kids, this really, truly is their only chance to take a trip like this,” Johansen said.

Johansen’s daughter Nikki printed out so many pictures of Disneyland that she went through a whole ream of paper and an ink cartridge. She is wallpapering her bedroom with the photos.

The students’ excite-ment has the parents excited. And the parents are especially grateful to the teachers for extending themselves like this for their children.

“He is just fabulous for even contemplating taking all these guys to Disneyland,” Neether said of Cline.

Johansen said she feels the same way.

“He wants what’s best for the kids.”

PAGE 8 SnoValley Star JANUARY 1, 2015

8

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If you go

Dream Trip Auction and Dinner� 5 p.m. Jan. 17� SnoValley Eagles Club� 8200 Railroad Ave., Snoqualmie� Tickets $25 available at http://bit.ly/1x23vY or by sending a check to Mount Si High School, TLC Auction 8651 Meadowbrook Way S.E., Snoqualmie, WA 98065.

By Penny Johansen

Nikki Winter is excited about the possibility of going to Disneyland with the Life Skills and Transition Learning Center programs class at Mount Si High School.

TripFrom Page 1

“So that’s an example of one of the multitude of ways we’ve tried to employ that money in a way that doesn’t set up the budget for a fall.”

Another instance of how the city put Ridge revenue to work was in one-time capital invest-ments, such as the downtown renovation.

Now that the revenue is ending the city won’t be able to roll out as many capital improve-ment projects as it has in the past few years.

“I still think there is going to be some cool, good capital projects we’ll be able to tackle in the next year and a half,” Larson said. “It’s just going to be a year of watching the econo-my, watching how we are closing some gaps that are still in that budget and making sure we land this thing in a sustainable fashion.”

Sam Kenyon can be reached at skenyon@snovalleystar.com or on Twitter @samuel_kenyon.

BudgetFrom Page 1