Volunteer firefighters sought
July 31, 2008
Think you have what it takes to swallow your fear and charge into a raging inferno?
How about the stomach to work the “Jaws Read more
North Bend developers await moratorium lift
July 31, 2008
City wants to prepare thoroughly for growth
After more than a decade of virtually no growth due to water rights issues, the North Bend City Council is Read more
Teacher negotiations continue
July 31, 2008
Negotiations are underway between the Snoqualmie Education Read more
SnoValley Youth Hub here to stay
July 24, 2008
The SnoValley Youth Hub – now synonymous with basketball and other Valley sports – has changed hands from Friends of Youth to the Si View Metropolitan Park District.
“We’re very happy we’ve been able to have the Hub for the past 10 years,” said Edward Belleba, president and chief executive officer of Friends of Youth. “It’s just in the best interest of Friends of Youth to concentrate on what it does best, which is to focus on mental health and substance abuse in the schools.”
SnoValley Youth Hub began in 1991 with the Read more
Snoqualmie Railroad Days simply keeps growing
July 24, 2008
More than 20,000 people expected at three-day festival
There’s something for everyone at the 70th annual Snoqualmie Railroad Days, taking place Aug. 1-3.
The three-day festival put on by Snoqualmie Valley Events Read more
It’s Purple Ribbon Day’s turn now
July 24, 2008
Success of Pink Ribbon Day spurs another fundraiser
The Pink Ribbon Day on Snoqualmie Ridge was such a success that downtown Snoqualmie is having one too.
There’s just one change – the color of the ribbons.
Purple Ribbon Day will be July 28 in downtown Read more
Mount Si parade registration still open
July 24, 2008
For the past 40 years, a parade has kicked off the Festival at Mount Si – formerly known as Alpine Days – with locals performing gymnastics, marching with their pets and banners or waving from the back seat of a souped-up car.
Registration for this year’s Aug. 9 parade is open until July 31. Forms can be found at www.festivalatmtsi.org. Parade check-in begins at Read more
Editorial
July 24, 2008
River sense needed near the Snoqualmie
You’ve given the kids swimming lessons and they can pass the lifeguard’s test for swimming past the beach rope. The whole family is careful to wear their life jackets when floating the river or boating. The basics of water safety like “always swim with a buddy” are well ingrained in everyone’s head.
Relax, you are ready for safe summer fun!
Think again, says Vic Okerlund, a Snoqualmie Valley mom who started the River Sense Project four years ago when she couldn’t find a water safety class when her middle-school son wanted to float the river.
Swimming or floating the Snoqualmie River is part of the fun of living here, but water safety takes an entirely different skill set.
Okerlund promotes the safety classes, but has turned the class instruction over to Chris Jonason, one of the top swift water rescue people in the country and owner of Wave Trek Rescue. She teaches water rescue to firefighters, and water safety to teens and adults. Many are from the Snoqualmie Valley, where a river runs through it. Residents here are more likely to respect the river and its dangers, but that doesn’t exempt them from possible tragedies when they get outdoors to enjoy the river’s fun.
Consider this: If you fall into 50-degree water you have a 50 percent chance of swimming 50 yards, or surviving 50 minutes with a life preserver. The Snoqualmie reaches 39 degrees at its coldest. Hypothermia sets in quickly. Hypothermia can kill.
Jonason’s program teaches participants not to wade or stand up in swift water, not to tie your body to anything else, how “survival swimming” is different and how to avoid foot traps and obstacles.
Jonason has only one more River Sense class this summer for youth ages 12-16, and it’s this weekend. Cost is $80 for the two days, and it takes place at the Fall City bridge. Call her at 360-793-1508 to reserve one of the few remaining spots.
Okerlund is available and willing to speak to groups about the importance of river safety. Call her at 425-441-8140.
It’s been said before: the life you save may be your own.
Former Wildcat ready for added attention
July 24, 2008
After explosive freshman season, Gibson Bardsley set to lead Western Washington
When Gibson Bardsley takes the soccer field as a Western Washington sophomore next month, he’ll do it wearing the same Read more
Mount Si activity fees see a hike
July 24, 2008
Mount Si High School plans to increase its student activity fees to keep up with the rising price of fuel. The fees, which are currently $75 per sport, would increase to $100 if Read more
