Family-friendly atmosphere in Snoqualmie Ridge fuels growth of Mormon church
January 26, 2011
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is expanding its facilities in Snoqualmie Valley to accommodate its growing congregations. The church has begun the design phase for a new building on land it purchased in August on Snoqualmie Ridge.
The new building, which is expected to be finished in late 2012 or early 2013, will house the church’s growing Snoqualmie Falls Ward. Its more than 350 members currently worship in Issaquah.
“They’re ecstatic about it,” said Robert Johnson, president of the Bellevue South Stake, to which Snoqualmie Falls Ward belongs.
The upper Valley is home to two other wards — the Mount Si and North Bend wards. These two congregations attend services at the church’s building in North Bend.
The new building isn’t just about convenience, though.
“I hope it’s a wonderful thing for the community, as well,” Johnson said.
The new building’s future site is in an area slated for future development north of Eagle Pointe. A gravel road leads past the site.
Fed to offer loans for disaster relief
January 26, 2011
Windswept small businesses now may apply for a dose of relief. The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering nonfarm small businesses in 32 Washington counties and 10 Oregon counties low-interest disaster loans.
“These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by the combined effects of excessive rain, frosts, freezes, unseasonably cold whether and high winds, beginning April 1, 2010,” Alfred E. Judd, director of the administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West, said in a press release.
Small, nonfarm businesses, small agricultural co-ops and most private nonprofits of any size may qualify for loans of up to $2 million, the release read.
The eligibility for the loans is based on the financial impact of the disaster and not on actual property damage, according to the press release.
Call 800-659-2955 toll free, go to www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov to learn more.
Deadline to apply is Sept. 12.
Local families are needed to host Chernobyl children
January 26, 2011
The 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster is April 26. More than 750,000 children are still living in the most contaminated areas.
For the Children of the World provides health respite and rest for these children by providing some basic medical and dental care, and a chance to replenish their system with a clean environment and healthy food. Time spent away from the radiation allows their bodies to flush out contaminants, so their immune system can rebuild and fight the effects when they return home.
This year, 20 children are looking for host families in the U.S. from June 14 – July 26. If interested in hosting a child (or sharing host responsibilities), call 206-953-2279 or go to www.ftcotw.org.
King Conservation District appoints director
January 26, 2011
King Conservation District leaders have picked the interim executive director for the full-time role, the agency announced last week.
Sara Hemphill has served in the interim role since January 2010, after serving as a consultant to the district for 10 years and logging almost 20 years on resource conservation and regulatory compliance projects.
“Sara will continue to play a key role in furthering the district’s goals and objectives,” district Chairman Bill Knutsen said in a statement. “Her unique blend of career experience and knowledge of the district have been invaluable over the past year.”
In addition to administrative duties, Hemphill continues to serve as the legislative strategist, lobbyist, and internal and external affairs facilitator for the district. The agency has a 15-member staff.
Bud Rhynalds
January 26, 2011
Bud Rhynalds
Bud Rhynalds
Bud Rhynalds, of North Bend, died Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, as he worked to clear the road from a fallen tree in Carnation. He was 65.
Nels Eno Haave
January 26, 2011
Nels Eno Haave
Nels Eno Haave
Nels Eno Haave, of Roslyn and a former longtime resident of North Bend, died Jan. 9, 2011, in Roslyn. He was 77.
Rose Marie McClain (Vance)
January 26, 2011
Rose Marie McClain (Vance)
Rose Marie McClain (Vance)
Rose Marie McClain (Vance), of Snoqualmie, died at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010. She was 73.
Valley women get their shimmy on at area belly-dancing class
January 26, 2011
It’s dark and damp in Snoqualmie this Thursday night. So what’s 81-year-old Gerry Gunther doing to kill the time this winter evening?
Curling up with a good book, baking a pie, knitting, crocheting or maybe turning in for an early bedtime? Nah. She’s belly dancing at Si View Community Center, decked in purple from head to toe.
Carla Orellana, aka Aleili, leads her belly-dancing class in the community center at Si View Park. By Sebastian Moraga
“She’s my inspiration,” said Laurie Clark, of North Bend, a fellow belly dancer, but some calendars younger.
Tonight, Gunther’s cohorts number only three, plus instructor Carla Orellana. Sometimes there’s more. Tonight, though, four is plenty.
They all said the octogenarian Gunther inspires them. And they all said the experience goes far beyond the music.
SnoValley Writes creates book, looks to the future
January 26, 2011
The list of achievements grows for SnoValley Writes.
Born two years ago, this group of writers from the Valley has brought scribes from as far as Tacoma and Ellensburg to share and improve their craft.
Casondra Brewster (left) and Sheri Kennedy (middle) display the two anthologies from SnoValley Writes, the writing group/workshop Brewster started in 2008. The latest anthology, held by group member Linda Garcia, was published last fall. By Sebastian Moraga
Writing is a solitary art, but it doesn’t have to be, group founder Casondra Brewster said.
“One of the impetuses for this group was to have a steady group of writers together,” she said. “If you have no feedback, you can’t grow.”
Getting writers out of their homes and out in the open has been but one of the milestones of SnoValley Writes. Two anthologies have been published since the group started in 2008.
The first one had good content but an amateurish look, which made it more difficult getting people interested in the group, Brewster said.
The second edition, published in October, had a more polished look. It sold out all 26 issues of its limited first run and a second edition is on its way.
Newton, Denaro wed
January 26, 2011
Newton, Denaro wed
North Bend residents Dotti Newton and Ron Denaro were married Dec. 17 at Issaquah District Court
