Teachers ratify new contract; school starts Wednesday
August 28, 2008
In an overwhelmingly strong show of support, teachers belonging to the Snoqualmie Education Association voted Aug. 27 to approve a new three-year contract. The vote took place at the general membership breakfast and was passed by more than 80 percent.
“We are very pleased to report that school will start on time on Sept. 3,” said the district’s Public Information Coordinator Carolyn Malcolm.
About 150 teachers, students and community members had marched in front of the district office and annex Aug. 26 in a “Show of Support” action before bargaining began that afternoon.
The teachers’ union and the district met for more than Read more
Kit McCormick leaves school district for Garfield High
August 28, 2008
Teacher cites coalition as part of reason
Mount Si High School teacher Kit McCormick is no longer a Wildcat.
The AP British literature and 10th-grade language arts honors teacher accepted a position at Seattle School District’s Garfield High School in July.
McCormick
McCormick said the parent-founded group, Coalition to Defend Education, influenced her decision to leave.
“After the events of last year, I felt I wasn’t able to work effectively at Mount Si,” McCormick said.
A Mount Si teacher since 2004, McCormick is largely known for her involvement with the school’s Gay Straight Alliance student club. She also helped students begin the Student Conservative Club at Mount Si High School.
“I have really enjoyed the students there and working with some of the faculty members,” said Read more
City hires interim public works director
August 28, 2008
Alan Lobdell has made a career out of being a professional temporary worker.
Lobdell, 56, started work with the city of Snoqualmie Monday as Read more
Snoqualmie man pleads guilty to five counts of identity theft
August 28, 2008
Charles Robinson Berry, 31, pled guilty to five counts of identity theft and one count of forgery July 22.
Police initially filed a case alleging that the Snoqualmie man Read more
Quadrant acknowledges build out slowdown
August 28, 2008
After more than 20 years from its inception, Quadrant Homes’ development of Snoqualmie Ridge is well into its final phase, but progress is being measured at a far slower pace than anticipated.
David Dorothy, Quadrant’s vice Read more
Perteet gets new contract with Snoqualmie
August 28, 2008
The Snoqualmie City Council Monday granted unanimous approval to a modification of its long-standing contract with Perteet, Inc., that will simplify the engineering firm’s billing format with Read more
Editorial
August 28, 2008
Snoqualmie Valley should be artist haven
A 4,000-foot mountain. A 268-foot waterfall. Teams of wildlife.
It only seems natural that the Snoqualmie Valley should be an ideal location for aspiring artists.
Fortunately, one group in the Valley has decided to make it that way. The Mount Si Artist Guild was formed a little more than a year ago by three local artists intent on encouraging more artistic expression in the area. Since, the group has met once a month at the home of a member to paint and draw and share both encouragement and critiques of each other.
The last two weekends, the Mount Si Artist Guild has attempted to connect with more aspiring artists in the area by hosting Art in the Park, a public event at Gardiner Weeks Park in North Bend where guild members paint, draw and share their knowledge of their craft with others. They will meet for a third and final day of Art in the Park this Saturday at 9 a.m.
These types of events could be just what the Valley needs. With support of art from government and schools seemingly dwindling every day, it’s important that members of the community take up the responsibility of encouraging art to others.
The Snoqualmie Valley could easily build a reputation as a home for blossoming artists, too. Those who paint and draw here now are always quick to remark how much inspiration can be gained from the area, simply by sitting on a bench in a park or standing on a sidewalk.
So, if you’re out and about this Saturday, drop by Art in the Park. Congratulate the Mount Si Artist Guild for developing a long-needed art presence in the area.
Who knows? Looking out at the Valley, maybe you’ll be motivated to pick up a paint brush yourself.
Letters to the editor
August 28, 2008
Dog Park
Ever since people began moving into the Snoqualmie Ridge development, I have heard that there was a division of sorts from the downtown residents. Perhaps the demands of the group wanting a dog park may contribute to this feeling.
sn’t it amazing that we have never had a dog park in the Upper Valley and, until the Ridge went in, there has never been a demand for one? I thought I would take this Read more
An auction for a cure
August 28, 2008
Snoqualmie auction to raise money for cystic fibrosis research
Team Jolene at the end of Great Strides 2007 walk in Snoqualmie. Photo contributed
Eleven-year-old Katie Gallagher is writing a speech for an auction she hopes will raise money to fight the disease she has lived with her whole life.
When she was 18-months-old, doctors diagnosed Gallagher with cystic fibrosis, a hereditary disease that affects mucus and sweat glands. Mucus is normally watery, but patients with cystic fibrosis have an abnormal gene that causes their mucus to be thick and sticky. The thick mucus often leads to lung infections and obstructs the pancreas’ ability to Read more
Snoqualmie Valley Job Fair considered a success
August 28, 2008
Having just moved back to Washington after attending college on the east coast, Erik Aldaba was in need of a job.
Job seekers check out booths at the Snoqualmie Valley Job Fair at Mount Si High School last week. Photo by Ryan Piersol
So, when he heard about a job fair in Snoqualmie - especially when he read a list of companies that planned to attend - he made sure not to miss it.
“I came here looking for something where I can utilize my background in marketing,” the Bothell resident said. “I think there are a lot of options here.”
Aldaba was just one of an estimated 250 who attended the Snoqualmie Valley Job Fair at Mount Si High School last week. Karen Granger, who helped organize the event, said the participation from both employers and employment-seekers was better than expected.
“It was really fabulous. We had a lot of attendees and positive comments from the companies there,” the executive director for the Read more
