Letters to the editor
September 26, 2008
McCormick leaving
In response to my editorial comment on Kit McCormick, Sue Kauffman felt it necessary to suggest what I meant when I said “…many parents are concerned that some teachers have Read more
Letters
September 18, 2008
Dog Park
I Live in North Bend and I am able to function just fine taking my dogs down to Snoqualmie to play in the park. Before that, we had to drive to Marymoor or Robinswood to legally let our dogs play off-leash. I have friends that live in lower Snoqualmie that don’t mind at all bringing their kids up to North Bend to skate at the park. Read more
Editorial: Tokul Creek Hatchery closure needs explaining
September 18, 2008
The lack of answers from staff of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding the closure of the Tokul Creek Hatchery in Fall City is unacceptable.
Editorial: Snoqualmie Casino will benefit the community
September 11, 2008
Snoqualmie Casino is set to open its doors in less than two months to plenty of fan fare. While excitement looms over the opening, a bit of anxiety from residents and city officials of both Snoqualmie and North Bend also exists.
Letters to the editor
September 11, 2008
Kit McCormick leaving
Many of us are sorry to see a quality educator leave our school but we should not loose sight of the reason she is leaving. Read more
Editorial
September 10, 2008
Sports fans have playing rules, too
This week begins another school year in the Snoqualmie Valley. For sports fans, that signals a time when you can spend Friday nights under magnificent lights. Or an afternoon with a hot dog at the ball park. Or a rainy day cheering from the sidelines.
Sadly, for some, the start of another youth sports year is also a chance for fans — parents in particular — to make a fool of themselves.
It’s no big secret that sports have reached a new level of popularity. That increase in attention has attracted childish behavior in some adults.
Twenty years ago that meant an out-of-control verbal attack on officials and referees. Today it also means attacks on coaches, administrators, fellow parents or even other athletes on the team.
It seems that too many parents want their child to be the next star. Pragmatism, however, suggests that some athletes will be better than others. Not everyone can be the star. Not everyone can even be a starter.
There is a fine line between encouraging and coddling when it comes to athletics. The former is invaluable, while the latter not only makes the parent look silly, but embarrasses the child and sends all the players a horrible message.
Ready or not, it will not be long before today’s high-school athletes are out in the world. They’ll interview for career jobs, vote, move away and attempt to buy their first home. Rejection is sure to come. When it does, we hope students will have learned to suck it up and persevere, instead of finding someone to blame. Sports can be a wonderful opportunity to teach that, beginning with first graders on the soccer field.
This season, root all you want for the home team. Wear the team colors. Wave pom poms and give lots of high-fives. Paint your face if you want.
Win or lose, putting a best foot forward is always worth applauding.
Letters to the editor
September 4, 2008
Dog park responses
This letter is in response to a letter on Aug. 14, from Donna Wentz from Snoqualmie.
Donna said, “There are plenty of parks and trails that offer what you need. Sometimes using a leash is necessary, but at least they are getting exercise.”
Dogs, like people, can become very sedentary. This generally leads to their becoming overweight, leading to cardiovascular problems and eventually leads to an early, sometimes very uncomfortable death. Pets, unlike people, are unable to make the decision to exercise on their own. They count on their owners to provide them with the opportunity, and safe location, to get the exercise that is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This type of exercise is not possible if the pet is tied to the end of a leash, unless the pet owner is a marathon runner capable of running miles and miles at very high speeds.
Because 85 percent of the dogs that are licensed in the City of Snoqualmie reside on the Ridge, We support the Ridge Rovers in the creation of an official; off-leash Dog Park located within the master planned community of Snoqualmie Ridge in Snoqualmie.
Richard and Jessalin Dilling, Snoqualmie, WA
This letter is in response to a letter on Aug. 14 from Donna Wentz from Snoqualmie. The plan to build houses on such small lots was supplemented by the fact that there would be plenty of recreational areas created in form of parks. It is my understanding that an off-lease park was in the original plans for the Ridge and not something new that we decided we now want. To say that it is the dog owners responsibility to exercise your dog has little to do with the topic of an off lease park. Donna’s thoughts in her letter insinuate a level of irresponsibility on the part of people who own dog’s on the ridge. Maybe we can take that a step further and say that since there is not enough space to allow children to play that no one should have kids either? I realize that sounds ridiculous, but then so did Donna’s idea that people with small yards just should not have pets.
Philip Wilhelm Snoqualmie Ridge Resident
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
Letters to the editor
August 20, 2008
Community Center
Genius, absolute genius! Read more
