Letters to the editor
January 5, 2011
Snoqualmie Valley Toy Drive was a huge success
I would like to thank all of those who contributed to our toy drive this year.
The toy drive started off slow, but in the last week, toys flowed into our office doubling the amount of toys we had last year. The additional donations really helped as 620 children were signed up to receive toys, an increase from 450 last year!
I continue to be amazed at the generosity and thoughtfulness of the people in our community. A wide variety of really great toys were donated, including three brand-new bicycles!
While you couldn’t see the smiles on their faces, you can be certain that you made a little girl or boy happy this Christmas and helped a family in need.
Thank you so much
David and Lisa Cook
North Bend
Raise the bar higher with 2011 goals
January 5, 2011
The past year has been a difficult one for many residents in the Snoqualmie Valley. The area, like the rest of the region, continues to struggle with a bad economy. Many people have had to refine, downsize or slash their plans for the future.
Nonetheless, Snoqualmie and North Bend both reached important milestones in 2010 in their efforts to develop the business and tourism industry, and protect the area’s natural beauty. That focus should continue, along with other 2011 goals.
- Local business: Residents should make an effort to spend money in the Valley, helping their own city coffers. Cities can do more — Snoqualmie should set aside promotional funds during continued construction in its downtown, while North Bend should put money to refurbishing and promoting its downtown area.
- New business: Snoqualmie Ridge’s spacious business park sits largely empty, as do retail spaces throughout the Valley. The Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce needs to partner with commercial landlords to seek out complimentary new community businesses and then help tenants get up and running quickly. The cities must work on the goal of developing the city as a live/work/play community with immediate business tax incentives and expedited permits.
County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert honored for support of conservation district
January 5, 2011
The King Conservation District awarded County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert with a Conservation Leader Award. The honor, announced in early November, came in recognition of her support of community members’ conservation work.
“Councilmember Lambert has been a champion for King CD and vital to our success,” the district’s Chairman Bill Knutsen said in a news release.
Kathy Lambert, Metropolitan King County Councilwoman, receives a Conservation Leader Award from King Conservation District. Contributed
Lambert, whose district includes the Snoqualmie Valley, understands the importance of conservation efforts that are “manageable and affordable for the landowner,” Knutsen said.
Lambert has helped keep money for the district, including its Agricultural Drainage Assistance Program, and Agriculture and Forestry commissions.
Last call for Snoqualmie hangout Isadora’s Café
January 5, 2011
Jody Sands said, on her last day as owner of Isadora’s Café, that she felt fulfilled and grateful for two years of community support.
Nevertheless, when a friend approached her with a box of tissues, she accepted it, knowing that she might need it later.
Isadora’s Café’s co-owner Jody Sands, right, receives a box of tissues from a friend in preparation for a teary farewell to the Snoqualmie hangout, which closed its doors Jan. 1. By Sebastian Moraga
“Tonight is all about the love of this place,” she said. “The love we have for each other and the love we have for this community.”
Sands, her husband Michael and several musicians, artists and coffee lovers bade farewell to the iconoclastic spot on Railroad Avenue that closed its doors Dec. 31, with a party that was part celebration and part wake.
Jody and Michael owned Isadora’s for two years, and although they had big plans for January, a string of winter afternoons with empty tables brought those plans back to earth.
Andrew Boonstra
January 5, 2011
Andrew Boonstra, of North Bend, died Monday, Dec. 27, 2010, at Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue. He was 66.
Andrew Boonstra
A viewing was held Dec. 30 at Flintoft’s Funeral Home and Crematory, 540 E. Sunset Way, Issaquah. A funeral service followed at Flintoft’s.
Phyllis Knowles
January 5, 2011
Phyllis Knowles, of North Bend, died at her daughter Jean’s home in Coulee City, Wash., on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010. She was 85.
Phyllis Knowles
A memorial service was held Jan. 3 at Flintoft’s Issaquah Funeral Home. She was buried next to her husband and son at Mount Si Memorial Cemetery in North Bend.
David W. Taylor
January 5, 2011
David W. Taylor, of Carnation, died Monday, Dec. 6, 2010, at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue. He was 60.
David W. Taylor
A celebration of his life will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 8, 2011, at Flintoft’s Funeral Home, 540 E. Sunset Way, Issaquah. A reception will follow.
Valley children star in first run of ‘A Christmas Story’
January 5, 2011
Score one for a Seattle score and for two Valley girls who shine in it.
Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theater production of “A Christmas Story” recorded its tunes with the local cast instead of waiting to hit Broadway.
The change of direction meant Valley middle schoolers Shaye Hodgins and Cameron Washington, members of the Seattle cast, appeared in the recording.
From left, Shaye Hodgins and Cameron Washington, who starred in the musical “A Christmas Story” this winter in Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theater. By Sebastian Moraga
The musical’s first run ended Dec. 30 after 42 shows.
“It’s really exciting to be in a new musical,” Hodgins said. “When does an actor or an actress get to do that?”
Actors from as far as Chicago and L.A. auditioned for the musical.
Hodgins and Washington were among 12 children chosen.
“To have two girls who go to the same school be cast, it’s amazing,” said Cindy Hodgins, a teacher at Snoqualmie Elementary School and Shaye’s mom.
Both girls, students at Snoqualmie Middle School, have almost 30 plays and musicals between them.
Wildcats roll through tournament
January 5, 2011
Senior Hailey Eddings is fueling the Wildcats offense this season, averaging more than 17 points a game. She has the second-highest scoring rate in the 3A KingCo Conference. File
The Wildcats played like a team possessed in the KingCo-WesCo Challenge, with three straight wins.
Going into the tournament in Juanita, the Mount Si High School girls basketball team was coming off a 53-50 loss to Lakeside on Dec. 23. But the team ignited once the buzzer signaled the first period of the tournament.
After back injury, Trotto thriving against the clock
January 5, 2011
Jessica Trotto wants gymnastics to be part of her life, not take her life apart.
So, the Mount Si sophomore goes out there and does her routines as she has for the past six years, since she first discovered gymnastics thanks to a childhood friend, back when she was 9.
Jessica Trotto in action for Mount Si High School. The sophomore has returned to the sport she loves after a severe back injury. However, she said that her next injury will be her last as a gymnast. By Christy Trotto
Though this time, she can hear that clock ticking on her lower back.
In 2008, the stress and strain of years of gymnastic routines took a toll on Trotto in the form of three fractured vertebra.
Since then, Trotto has told herself that no matter how much she loves the sport, one more injury and she walks away while she still can.
Returning from the injury in 2009 required her to give up the demanding life of a club gymnast and focus on high school gymnastics.
