Snoqualmie’s $3.6 million downtown renovation is progressing smoothly
August 18, 2010
After four months of work, Snoqualmie’s major downtown renovation project is proceeding smoothly.
No major problems have arisen, and the $3.6 million project is on schedule, according to Dan Marcinko, Snoqualmie’s public works director.
Despite regularly having heavy construction equipment on the streets, downtown merchants said they haven’t seen a big drop in business.
The project’s first phase is about 40 to 45 percent finished, according to Al Sanders, the project’s contractor and owner of Sanders General Construction.
“It’s going really well,” he said as a backhoe peeled back parts of asphalt covering Falls Avenue Southeast.
Railroad Days forecasts clear skies, myriad fun activities
August 18, 2010
Looking for a fun-filled family activity for this weekend?
Well, look no more, because from Aug. 20-22 Snoqualmie’s annual Railroad Days is returning for its 72nd year.
Nothing could be more fun than attending the community festival at and around the Northwest Railway Museum in downtown Snoqualmie.
Visitors can look forward to a full schedule of events beginning with a performance by the Left Coast Gypsies at 6 p.m. Friday, and ending with a classic car show on Sunday featuring 200 classic cars.
Saturday’s packed list of activities includes a pancake breakfast from 7-11 a.m. hosted by the Snoqualmie Firefighters Association, the Grand Parade featuring the Seattle Seafair Pirates at 11 a.m. and a Fun Run at 9 a.m.
Snoqualmie Valley School District aims for integrated teaching
August 18, 2010
Snoqualmie Valley School District officials have outlined a teaching and learning plan that would integrate three major departments: curriculum and instruction, student services and instructional technology.
Deputy Superintendent Don McConkey listed ways to merge the three departments by concentrating on professional development, assessment and leadership.
Professional development
McConkey said professional development — classes teachers take to learn more about content and lesson delivery — helps teachers grow, which in turn helps their students.
Professional development should be mandatory and job embedded, so teachers can take classes during the day, when they are most alert, he said at the Snoqualmie Valley School Board work session July 8.
Some professional development would have teachers observe other teachers in different departments. A history teacher might observe a science teacher and glean ideas about how to engage students and teach a lesson.
Required pet licenses now available in Snoqualmie, North Bend
August 18, 2010
As part of King County’s new Regional Animal Services system, pet licenses are available in Snoqualmie and North Bend.
Pet licenses are required in unincorporated King County and the 27 cities in the new system. Dogs and cats that are 8 weeks old or older must be licensed.
The licenses cost $30 for spayed or neutered animals older than 6 months, and $60 for unaltered animals. For younger animals, a six-month license costs $15. There is no fee for service animals.
Residents 65 age or older have to pay only a one-time $15 fee for a license, which can be updated at no cost. There is no charge for people who previously bought a “Senior Lifetime License.”
Snoqualmie Falls hydro plant gets into hall of fame
August 18, 2010
Snoqualmie Valley has been the home of a movie star, professional athletes and business leaders. The Valley is now also home to a new hall-of-famer.
The inductee never sought out fame. It only did its job, year after year.
By Puget Sound Energy The Snoqualmie Falls Plant 2, recently inducted into the Hydro Hall of Fame, is shown as it is now (left) and after $240 million in proposed renovations and improvements (right), to be finished by 2013.
That hard work and dedication was recognized the last week of July, when Snoqualmie Falls Plant 2 was inducted into the Hydro Hall of Fame at the annual Hydrovision International Conference in Charlotte, N.C. The hall is run by PennWell, which publishes two hydroelectric trade journals.
The plant’s older sibling, Plant 1, was inducted into the hall in 1998, its centennial year.
Built in 1910, Plant 2 sits perched over the Snoqualmie River about a quarter-mile downstream from the falls. The 32-megawatt plant is owned and operated by Puget Sound Energy and still produces energy.
Echo Glen Children’s Center receives Puget Sound Energy solar energy grant
August 18, 2010
Echo Glen Children’s Center — a state juvenile detention facility in Snoqualmie with education administered by the Issaquah School District — is racking up grant funding this summer.
The facility has received two grants that will help enhance the education and experience of children at the facility, all of whom have committed a crime.
The first grant the school received is one from Puget Sound Energy for a renewable energy program. With the funding, the school will install a 1.5-kilowatt portable household power system, charged by an 85-watt solar module.
“We will put solar panels up and monitor the energy that it produces,” Principal Mike Williams said. “It won’t offset a great amount of energy, but the kids will learn about energy consumption and renewable energy sources.
“It is a great opportunity for the kids to learn about energy.”
The grant also includes funds for educational materials and teacher training. The total award comes to about $6,000.
Bellevue-based PSE awarded about $100,000 in renewable energy grants to Echo Glen and six other educational institutions in Western Washington.
Governor seeks residents’ budget ideas
August 18, 2010
The governor has asked regular Joes and Janes to help shape the state budget.
Gov. Chris Gregoire launched a website July 19 to allow citizens to share, comment and vote on budget ideas. State budget writers will consider the highest-rated items as they toil to develop a 2011-13 spending plan.
Weigh in on the state budget at http://transformwabudget.ideascale.com.
Ideas will be posted between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The site will be moderated; no profane or vulgar postings will be accepted.
The state could face a $3 billion shortfall next year. Deep cuts to spending and possible privatization of some state services — such as Washington State Ferries — could become a reality as state leaders pinch pennies.
“Closing our state’s budget gap requires innovative thinking as well as making some tough decisions,” Gregoire said in a news release. “This interactive website gives people an opportunity to share ideas and engage in a discussion about what ideas might work best for us. I’m eager to hear what peo
Snoqualmie transportation board to consider license fee
August 18, 2010
The Snoqualmie Transportation Benefit District Board of Directors will hold a public hearing Aug. 23 on the establishment of a $20 vehicle license fee. The board will also discuss transportation improvement projects that could be paid for by money raised by the fee, if it is approved.
The district can approve a vehicle license fee up to $20 without voter approval. The fee would be charged to motor vehicles licensed to residents who live within Snoqualmie city limits and would likely take effect Jan. 1, according to a news release from the city.
The public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 23, at Snoqualmie City Hall, 38624 S.E. River St. Written comments can be e-mailed to jwarren@ci.snoqualmie.wa.us or mailed to TBD, c/o Snoqualmie City Clerk, P.O. Box 987, Snoqualmie, WA 98065.
Festival at Mount Si sizzles
August 18, 2010
Attendees endure hot weather, melted ice cream and crazy hair
The sun came out to play for the Festival at Mount Si weekend, bringing with it scorching heat and wind.
Children slathered in sunscreen ran around with ice cream dripping down their hands, anxious to get their faces painted or run through sprinklers. Dogs and their owners sought shady havens in which they could take in all of the excitement, live music and events with a cool breeze.
Seafair Pirate Mike ‘Sparrow’ Knowlton shows that even pirates smile sometimes as he sits in the group’s vintage fire engine. By Dan Catchpole
Jill Massengill, committee president for the festival, said the events were successful despite the high temperatures.
“Most people were down at the river in the middle of the day on Saturday,” she said. “But, the parade had a bigger attendance than I had ever seen before.”
The seventh annual Cherry Pie Eating Contest brought spectators of all ages, ready to watch the brave contestants inhale as much homemade pie from Twede’s Café as possible.
Editorial: Seatbelts: A couple of seconds can save a life
August 18, 2010
Buckling your seatbelt only takes a couple of seconds, but it can mean the difference between life and death, or between a serious injury and a minor scrape.
The importance of using a seatbelt was tragically highlighted when a minivan carrying six men crashed Aug. 6 on Interstate 90 near Snoqualmie Pass. None of the men were wearing seatbelts. All six were thrown from the car. One man died. All five survivors were injured, two critically.
Failure to wear a seatbelt continues to be one of the three highest contributing factors to road deaths, according to Chief John Batiste, of the Washington State Patrol.
Washingtonians use seatbelts at a much higher rate today — 96 percent — than they did even 10 years ago — 81 percent. But there is no excuse for not taking a few seconds to buckle your seatbelt when you get into a vehicle.
Take the time, because you might save your life.
