Check back for updates and pictures online and in the March 18 issue of the SnoValley Star.

Hundreds of Snoqualmie Valley residents lined Railroad Avenue and Meadowbrook Way holding American flags beneath a cloudy sky Saturday March 13, to pay tribute to Eric Ward, a 19-year-old Marine from Redmond and Mount Si High School graduate who died Feb. 21 in Afghanistan.

Lance Cpl. Ward died in a “hostile incident” in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. Department of Defense announced Feb. 23. A machine-gunner, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.

At Ward’s memorial in Mount Si High School’s gym, friends and family described him as a loving, generous man who could always bring a laugh to any room.

“He just made everything fun,” said Trey Hoover, a fellow Marine who was Ward’s roommate in Afghanistan. They met at boot camp.

The 19-year-old Marine recalled a 12-mile training march with 100-pound packs on. Despite the heat, Ward lightened the mood by singing Carrie Underwood’s Cowboy Casanova.

Family members asked mourners to carry Ward’s positive attitude with them in their lives.

“As you leave this room, I hope you honor Eric’s life, and then ask yourself how you’re going to honor your own,” his brother Gregory Ward said.

His father, Steven Ward, fought back tears as he paid homage to his son who followed in his footsteps by joining the Marines.

“You will never leave us,” he said.

He recalled memories of Little League and football, and visiting his son the weekend before he deployed overseas.

“Eric, you are my Marine,” he said. “You’ll always be my hero.”

Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com.

Public meetings

• North Bend Planning Commission, 7 p.m. March 11, 211 Main Ave. N.
• Snoqualmie Public Safety Committee, 5 p.m. March 11, Snoqualmie Fire Station, 37600 S.E. Snoqualmie Parkway.
• Snoqualmie Public Works Committee, 5 p.m. March 15, City Hall, 38624 S.E. River St.
• Snoqualmie Planning and Parks Committee, 6 p.m. March 15, Snoqualmie Fire Station, 37600 S.E. Snoqualmie Parkway.
• Snoqualmie Planning Commission, 6:30 p.m. March 15, City Hall, 38624 S.E. River St.
• Snoqualmie Sustainability Speaker Forum, 7 p.m. March 15, City Hall, 38624 S.E. River St.
• Snoqualmie Parks Board, 7 p.m. March 15, Public Works building, 38194 S.E. Stearns Road.
• Snoqualmie Finance and Administration Committee, 5:30 p.m. March 16, City Hall, 38624 S.E. River St.
• North Bend City Council, 7 p.m. March 16, Mt. Si Senior Center 411 Main Ave. S.
• Snoqualmie Arts Commission, 10 a.m. March 17, City Hall, 38624 S.E. River St.
• Si View Metropolitan Park District, 6:30 p.m. March 17, Si View Community Center, 400 S.E. Orchard Drive, North Bend.
• North Bend Economic Development Commission, 8 a.m. March 18, 126 E. Fourth St.
• Snoqualmie City Council meeting, 7 p.m. March 22, City Hall, 38624 S.E. River St.

Events

Si View Metro Parks’ Kids Night Out! at Si View Community Center, 400 Orchard Drive, North Bend. For children in kindergarten through fifth grade. For information, visit www.siviewpark.org or call 425-831-1900.

Si View Metro Parks’ Sno Valley Idol Junior Competition, Si View Community Center, 400 Orchard Drive, North Bend. Fourteen finalists will sing to win this year’s coveted title of Sno Valley Idol Jr. Come vote for your favorite! For information, visit www.siviewpark.org or call 425-831-1900.

Si View Metro Parks’ father/son paintball trip, Si View Community Center, 400 Orchard Drive, North Bend. For children in sixth through 12th grade. For more information, visit www.siviewpark.org or call 425-831-1900.

Snoqualmie Valley Youth Council meeting, 2 p.m. March 11 at the school district office, 8001 S.E. Silva Ave. S.E., Snoqualmie.

March Family Night featuring the Reptile Man, 6:15 p.m. March 12, Si View Community Center, 400 S.E. Orchard Drive, North Bend. Come pet an alligator or hold a boa constrictor. Free, co-sponsored by Si View Metro Parks and Encompass. Includes dinner provided by Mount Si High School ProStart Culinary Arts Program.

Town of Snoqualmie Falls video and discussion, 10 a.m. March 13, Meadowbrook Farm Interpretive Center, 1711 Boalch Ave., North Bend. Learn the history of the Snoqualmie Falls Lumber Company Mill and the missing mill town of Snoqualmie Falls in a video narrated by local historian Dave Battey. For more information, call 425-831-1900.

The Sno-Valley Senior Center Dinner featuring the International Pirates Zydeco Band, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. March 13, Sno-Valley Senior Center, 4610 Stephens St., Carnation. Tickets are $15. Call 425-333-4152 for reservations.

Exercises for Women’s Health, 7 p.m. March 15, Snoqualmie Valley Alliance, 36017 S.E. Fish Hatchery Road, Fall City. Free class. Call 425-441-8364 or visit www.SVAOnline.org.

“Sustainability Speaker Forum: How Green is My Valley? Planning a Community for Our Children,” 7 p.m. March 15, Snoqualmie City Hall, 38624 S.E. River St. How can Snoqualmie Valley residents support the urban forest, a variety of green spaces, a toxic-free environment for children, and healthy and local food choices?

Beekeeping Assembly and Repair Workshop, 7-9 p.m. March 16, Meadowbrook Farm Interpretive Center, 1711 Boalch Ave., North Bend. This hands-on workshop will teach you how to assemble and repair beekeeping equipment. Bring in your gear with any questions. Fee: $5 per family.

WorkSource Redmond Veterans Representative Richard Truitt is accepting walk-in appointments for veterans in search of work from 9 a.m. to noon March 17 at North Bend Community Church, 146 East 3rd St., North Bend.

Veterans or business owners interested in hiring veterans can contact Richard Truitt at 425-861-3788 or RTruitt@esd.wa.gov.

Valley Center Stage presents ‘Zelda’, 7:30 p.m. March 19-20 and 2 p.m. March 21, Valley Center Stage Theatre, 119 North Bend Way, North Bend (on the second floor above SingleTrack Bike Shop). Denise Paulette performs William Luce’s ‘Zelda’ as a one-woman show about F. Scott Fitzgerald’s wife, Zelda. The March 19 show will benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Tickets are $12.50 for adults and $10 for seniors. To buy or reserve tickets, call 425-831-5667 or visit www.valleycenterstage.org.

Comedian Tim Hawkins, March 20, Snoqualmie Valley Alliance, 36017 S.E. Fish Hatchery Road, Fall City. All ages show. Tickets are $12 and available online at www.SVAOnline.org. For more information, call 425-441-8364.

The Adventures of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, adapted from the Jungle Stories of Rudyard Kipling, 6 p.m. March 25 and 26 at Mount Si High School, 8651 Meadowbrook Way S.E., Snoqualmie. Tickets for the Snoqualmie Middle School Drama Club production are $1.

Weight Loss and Disease Prevention Class, 7-9 p.m. March 29, Snoqualmie Valley Alliance, 36017 S.E. Fish Hatchery Road, Fall City. Free class with advice on healthy eating for weight loss and disease prevention. For information, call 425-441-8364 or go to www.SVAOnline.org.

The 21st annual Tuxes and Tails Gala, 5 p.m. April 24 at the Grand Ballroom in the Sheraton Seattle Hotel. Visit www.seattlehumane.org to purchase tickets. Contributions provide food, shelter, and veterinary care for animals at Seattle Humane Society.

North Bend Theater

• Wednesday, 10 a.m. mommy matinee, 1 p.m., adult matinee “Alice in Wonderland.” 6 p.m. “Catchapalooza” fly fishing festival. Free.
• Thursday, 7 p.m. “Alice in Wonderland.”
• Friday, 2, 5 and 8 p.m. “Alice in Wonderland.”
• Saturday, 2, 5 and 8 p.m. “Alice in Wonderland.”
• Sunday, 2 and 5 p.m. “Alice in Wonderland.”
• Monday, 7 p.m. “Alice in Wonderland.”
• Tuesday, 7 p.m. “Alice in Wonderland.”
• Wednesday, 10 a.m. mommy matinee, 1 p.m., adult matinee, 7 p.m. show “Alice in Wonderland.”
• Thursday, 7 p.m. “Alice in Wonderland.”

Volunteer opportunities

Storybook Farm needs help building its new animal sanctuary. Informational meeting, 1 p.m. March 21, Issaquah Library, 960 Newport Way N.W. For more information, e-mail storybookfarm91@gmail.com or call 425-260-8155.

The Senior Services Transportation Program needs volunteers to drive seniors around North Bend and Snoqualmie. Choose the times and areas in which you’d like to drive. Own car required. Mileage reimbursement and supplemental liability insurance are offered. For more information, call 206-748-7588 or 800-282-5815, or e-mail melissat@seniorservices.org. To apply online, go to www.seniorservices.org/vts/vts.htm.

The Mount Si Senior Center needs volunteers for Web site design and maintenance, thrift store sorting and sales, reception and class instruction. The center is at 411 Main Street in North Bend. For more information, call Ruth or Janet at 425-888-3434.

Hopelink in the Snoqualmie Valley is seeking volunteers for a variety of tasks. Volunteers must be at least 16. For more information, go to www.hope-link.org/takeaction/volunteer or call 425-869-6000.

Adopt-A-Park with yourself, your family, neighbors or club. Adopt-A-Park is a program for Snoqualmie residents to improve public parks and trails. An application and one-year commitment are required. Call 425-831-5784.

Study Zone tutors give students the homework help they need. Volunteer tutors needed for all grade levels.

Two-hour weekly commitment and flexible substitute scheduling are available. Study Zone is a free service offered by the King County Library System. For more information, call 425-369-3312.

Share your love of books and make new friends by becoming a Friend of the Library in either Snoqualmie or North Bend. Annual memberships cost $5 for individuals and $10 for families to help expand opportunities for children, families and seniors. To learn more, call 425-888-0554.

Classes

Mini-movers Parent/Tot class starts March 15, Si View Community Center, 400 Orchard Drive, North Bend. For ages 1-2. For information, visit www.siviewpark.org or call 425-831-1900.

Fun in Fitness class starts March 16, Si View Community Center, 400 Orchard Drive, North Bend. For ages 2-4. For information, visit www.siviewpark.org or call 425-831-1900.

Swim lessons start April 15, Si View Community Center, 400 Orchard Drive, North Bend. To register, visit www.siviewpark.org or call 425-831-1900.

Athletic training classes, Si View Community Center, 400 Orchard Drive, North Bend. For ages 9-18. For information, visit www.siviewpark.org or call 425-831-1900.

Income tax help – an AARP volunteer will be at Mt Si Senior Center, 411 Main Ave S. North Bend, each Wednesday in March to help prepare your taxes. Call Janet at 425-888-3434 to schedule an appointment.

S.A.I.L (Stay Active and Independent for Life) Exercise Class, Mt Si Senior Center, 411 Main Ave S. North Bend. Led by certified exercise Instructor Carla Orellana. Meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call 425-888-3434 for more information.

Stay connected with your teen, 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 15 and 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. March 20, Mount Si High School, Snoqualmie. Three-week program covers how to avoid problem behaviors such as drug abuse. $30 donation suggested. To register, call 425-888-6683, ext. 204, or e-mail phoebe@friendsofyouth.org.

Roving Reptiles, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. March 19, Encompass, 1407 Boalch Ave. N.W., North Bend. Enrichment class for children 4 or 5 years old is taught by Bothell-based reptile expert Clayton Green. Space is limited. Fee is $20. To register, call Stacey Cepeda at 425-888-2777 or visit www.encompassnw.org.

Clubs

Snoqualmie Valley Elk Management Group general meeting, 6:30 p.m. March 10, U.S. Forest Service Ranger Station, 150 Thrasher Ave. N.E., North Bend.

Mount Si Artist Guild meetings, 9 a.m. the third Saturday of every month, Mount Si Senior Center, North Bend. For more information, e-mail Diane at Solomondjsolomon@comcast.net.

Post No. 79 of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary meets at 6 p.m. the second Thursday at the American Legion Building, 38625 S.E. River St., Snoqualmie. For more information, call Steve and Stacey Fenton at 425-396-6100.

Snoqualmie Valley Garden Club meets at 6:30 p.m. the second Thursday at the Mount Si Senior Center, North Bend. For more information, call Linda at 425-453-8630

Snoqualmie Valley Kiwanis Club meets at 7 a.m. every Thursday at the Mount Si Golf Course restaurant in Snoqualmie. E-mail snovalley@member.kiwanis.org.

Snoqualmie Fraternal Order of Eagles Women’s Auxiliary meets the first and third Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Men’s Aerie meets the first and third Wednesday at 7 p.m. Meetings are held at 108 Railroad Ave. Call 425-888-1129.

A cancer survivor group meets, 9 a.m. the second Saturday at Sawdust Coffee in the North Bend Factory Stores. To learn more, e-mail Lisa Newell at newellvl@yahoo.com.

The Snoqualmie Valley Youth Hub provides cultural, athletic, recreational and educational opportunities to more than 4,000 young people in the Valley. Call 425-831-1900.

Loyal Order of Moose, 108 Sydney Ave., North Bend. Men meet at 6 p.m. the first and third Monday. Women meet at 7 p.m. the third and fourth Tuesday. Call 425-888-0951.

The Mount Si Fish and Game Club meets at the Fall City Firehall at 7:30 p.m. the first Thursday.

Washington Freemasons meet at 7:30 p.m. the first Wednesday at Unity Lodge No.198 in North Bend. Call 425-888-5779.

The Moms Club of North Bend, a social group for at-home mothers, meets at 10 a.m. the first Wednesday at the North Bend Library. Children are welcome at all club activities. Call 425-888-1387 or visit www.momsclub.org for more information.

To submit an item for the community calendar, send to editor@snovalleystar.com or via www.snovalleystar.com.

State Attorney General Rob McKenna shared some startling facts at the Youth Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention forum Feb. 24.

For instance, about 700 people die from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs in Washington every year, he said.

“Most often, people who overdose go to sleep and they simply don’t wake up,” McKenna said. “It really screams out for attention, but because the victims of those overdose deaths can’t speak up, it’s up to us to speak up to prevent these deaths.”

The Snoqualmie Valley Hospital Foundation sponsored the forum in partnership with the Science and Management of Addictions Foundation.

Prescription drug abuse has been in the news with the deaths of Hollywood stars like Heath Ledger, who died from a lethal combination of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine, according to McKenna’s Web site.

McKenna said he was prepared to attack prescription drug abuse with the intensity that he and the government targeted methamphetamine labs. When he came into office in 2005, McKenna said there were about 1,900 meth labs discovered in Washington. He noticed many of the children entering foster care had parents who were meth users.

He helped start a campaign that did three things: educate and raise awareness about the danger of meth, start drug treatment programs for meth users and prosecute meth dealers.

By 2008, only 50 meth labs were uncovered.

When he traveled the state talking to students about the negative effects of drugs, “they got it,” McKenna said. “Meth scared them.”

Unlike meth, officials face a new challenge when discouraging students from abusing prescription drugs.

“Attitudes toward medicines, toward prescription drugs, are different,” McKenna said. “They don’t view it the same way.”

He said education and outreach are key to fighting prescription drug abuse. He has helped organize youth prevention summits, which children from the Snoqualmie Valley Youth Council and the Riverview Youth Council attended.

He also said he was working on a program that would allow pharmacists to track people who see multiple doctors and fill multiple prescriptions at different pharmacies.

After McKenna spoke, five other panelists shared their stories, including Seattle Children’s Hospital Physician Rosemary Orr-Rice, who lost her son to a prescription drug overdose.

North Bend’s Lisa Weidling, one of about 50 people who attended the forum, said she took 17 medications daily and worried about sending the wrong message to her son.

“I talk to him and tell him these medications are for me,” Weidling said. “I tell him, ‘What I take could kill you.’ I don’t want him to think he needs medications.”

Snoqualmie Valley Hospital Emergency Room Physician Jon Halper said it is up to parents to monitor prescription drugs. Children may feel anxious and decide to resolve their problems with pain medications, or they may simply be looking for a high, he said.

“Parents aren’t keeping track of how much was there,” Halper said. “And things disappear and they end up at the playground (and) at Friday night parties.”

Local abuse

Data from the 2008 Healthy Youth Survey shows that most Mount Si High School sophomores who used pain killers to get high were getting them from local sources.

Most students, about 82 percent, reported they did not use pain killers to get high. Of the 18 percent who reported they did use pain killers to get high, about 3 percent said they got them from a dentist or doctor, about 3 percent said they got them from a family member, about 7 percent said they got them from a friend and about 3 percent said they got them from a drug dealer, among other sources.

Some of these numbers are on par with the state average, but not all. Statewide, about 5 percent of sophomores got pain killers from friends and about 1 percent got them from a drug dealer.

Mount Si Associated Student Body President Zac Pearlstein said he knew of many students who popped medications, including some who took the painkiller ibuprofen before cross country practice.

“That’s not a good habit to start, popping a pill before a run,” Pearlstein said.

When he got his tonsils removed, his parents confiscated the bottle of oxycontin his dentist had prescribed, and only gave him pills in half doses, which was all he needed, he said.

He encouraged other parents to follow suit.

“My family is really good, they even lock up the Advil and Tylenol,” Pearlstein said. “I mean, I got nothing.”

How to manage prescription drugs

• Keep prescription drugs in a secure location, like a locked box.
• Talk about the risks of drug use with your family and set clear rules.
• Dispose of unneeded prescription drugs by grinding them up and mixing them with coffee grounds or kitty litter before throwing them away.

Getting help

• To help yourself or someone else manage a drug problem, call the Alcohol/Drug Help Line at 800-562-1240 or go to www.adhl.org.

Laura Geggel: 392-6434, ext. 221, or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com

3A/2A KingCo Conference

10-2 Conference record

16-8 Overall record

Sea-King District tournament

At Bellevue College

March 2 Games

Rainier Beach 69, Franklin 62

Bellevue 66, Sammamish 49

O’Dea 72, Mount Si 65, loser out

Chief Sealth 57, Seattle Prep 50, loser out

March 4 Games

O’Dea 72, Sammamish 61, loser out

Franklin 68, Chief Sealth 65, loser out

March 6 Games

O’Dea 59, Franklin 57, third, fourth places

Rainier Beach 67, Bellevue 59, first, second places

O’DEA 72, MOUNT SI 65

O’Dea 13 20 22 17 — 72

Mount Si 10 19 25 11 — 65

O’Dea — Devante Williams 24, Dustin Watts 12, Sekeo Wiggs 12, Jalen Ward 11, Keenan Durham 10, Tyler Hasty 3, Jerrell Davis 0, Darrias Sime 0.

Mount Si — Zander Nelson 21, Lucas Zupan 14, Tanner Riley 11, Dillon Shain 8, Justin Downer 6, Dallas Smith 5, Anthony McLaughlin 0, Trent Riley 0.

Prep girls basketball

3A/2A KingCo Conference

7-5 Conference record

13-11 Overall record

Sea-King District tournament

At Bellevue College

March 2 Games

Holy Names 66, Cleveland 47

Bellevue 43, Juanita 35, loser out

Nathan Hale 58, Lakeside 42, loser out

Mercer Island 66, Seattle Prep 38

March 4 Games

Seattle Prep 49, Bellevue 47, loser out

Cleveland 60, Nathan Hale 49, loser out

March 6 Games

Cleveland 57, Seattle Prep 43, third, fourth places

Holy Names 74, Mercer Island 67, first, second places

After months of delays, North Bend City Council voted to wait a little longer to vote on a proposal to amend the city’s development regulations to allow a hotel to be built south of Interstate 90’s Exit 31, at its March 2 meeting.

Following statements from opponents and supporters of the motion, the council decided to split it into two separate motions. It will vote on them at its March 16 meeting.

Opponents said a hotel would hurt property values, increase crime and be a nuisance.

Supporters said that it would help businesses and bring in tax revenue for the city.

The council will vote separately on the hotel amendment and on stricter design guidelines for hotels, which were recommended by the city’s Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission voted to recommend its adoption with the stricter design guidelines to the council in October.

The commission added the design guidelines to encourage a building that blends with the surrounding area, commission head Gina Estep said.

The proposal was submitted by the property’s owner, George Wyrsch, who owns several businesses in North Bend.

The parcel in question, located at the corner of Ribary Way and Bendigo Boulevard, is currently zoned Interchange Mixed Use. Earlier this decade the city prohibited hotels on property zoned as IMU located south of I-90.

Opposition to the proposal has come mostly from Forster Woods, a residential development next to the site.

A hotel, opponents said at the council meeting, would increase crime in the area, lower property values and be a nuisance to them and others.

“It really comes down to the issue of public safety versus private property,” said Doug Weinmaster, a Forster Woods resident.

North Bend needs a hotel, but south of I-90 is the wrong site, he said.

Many opponents said they are concerned that crimes would be targeted at children.

“If one child is hurt because this hotel goes in…then anyone who votes for this hotel is morally responsible for the fate of that child,” said Jean Hoedl, who opposes the proposal.

“Crime will go up. Mr. Wyrsch and the hotel will be the victims,” said Sgt. Mark Toner, North Bend’s police chief.

Based on comparative analysis he did to similar cities across the country, any increase in crime would be directed at the hotel, such as guests refusing to pay bills, then at customers.

“I can’t find any reason, from the police department’s perspective, to oppose it,” he said.

That was not enough for some opponents.

“I can’t believe that putting a four-story building next to the interstate won’t increase crime,” Weinmaster said.

Other opponents expressed their frustration with the process.

“Does anyone listen to 215 families? Do you listen to Mr. Wyrsch? City Council, please listen to us,” said Patty Brown, a Forster Woods resident.

Not every Forster Woods resident opposes the proposal.

A hotel would be “best for the whole city and not just one neighborhood,” said Rick Oakley, a Forster Woods resident.

As a police officer and father, he said, he isn’t worried about any increase in crime.

Supporters of the hotel said it would bring in tax revenue for the city, and help downtown businesses and Snoqualmie Valley’s tourism industry. Finding a nice room to stay is too difficult for out of town visitors, said several supporters, including two event planners.

“How can we have tourism without a hotel or motel?” Bob Yerkes asked the council.

Since the Snoqualmie Valley Chamber of Commerce began tracking travelers’ requests 15 years ago, better accommodations have been in the top five every year, said Fritz Ribary, the group’s executive director.

Several council members said they liked the guidelines and wanted to ensure they were adopted, even if the hotel proposal was not.

During discussion following public comments, council members expressed ambivalence about the vote. Even Councilman Dee Williamson, a Forster Woods resident, said he is “sitting on the fence on this issue.”

Like other council members, he said before making a decision he wants more data on potential effects, such as on property values and traffic.

The controversy over the proposal could be all for naught.

“Hotel developers know very well about the Wyrsch site” and other potential sites in North Bend, Councilman David Cook said. “They’re not interested in any of them.”

The city doesn’t have the population numbers that developers are looking for, he said.

Cook, a commercial real estate broker, has talked with hotel developers about another site in North Bend in the past.

Hotel tax revenue 

North Bend collects six different taxes from hotels and motels.

• Property tax: $1.45 per $1,000 of assessed value
• Sales tax: $0.085/$10
• Hotel/motel tax: $0.10/$10 of room fees
• Business and operations tax: $0.02/$10 of gross receipts
• Utility tax: $0.60/$10
• Franchise fee: $0.50/$10

Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com.

Cold waters greeted Boy Scouts from Troop No. 609 on Jan. 26.

Scouts check their gear before diving into the chilly waters of Elliot Bay off Seattle's Alki Point. (Photo contributed)

Submerging up to 60 feet underwater, 20 of the 39 troop members completed their final dive off Alki Beach for their Professional Association of Diver Instructors certification for scuba diving and their Boy Scout merit badge.

“I’ve been scuba diving before in Maui and it was one of the most fun experiences of my life,” said Scout Sean Fite, 14, who goes to Eastside Catholic High School. “This opportunity came up and I thought I should take it to get my full certification.”

“It was cold,” said Scout Will Dodeward, 15, who goes to Mount Si High School. “I know 46 degrees doesn’t sound cold, but it’s cold.”

These boys seem to be the first ones in the nation to complete the required courses and training for the new Boy Scout merit badge added this year by the national offices, said parent volunteer Judy Co. The troop is the first to place an order for the merit badge, but there is no national database to confirm it for sure, she added.

Troop 609 is one of the largest troops in the area, with members ranging in age from 11-18 and attending schools in Issaquah, North Bend, Sammamish and Renton.

Beneath the water’s surface — once the shock of the cold water wore off — the boys saw a world full of marine diversity.

“We saw rat fish, artist crab, red rock crabs, sea slugs and feather coral,” Sean said.

The boys said they also found other interesting things, like toilets, water bottles and plates from Salty’s Restaurant, which weren’t altogether great for the environment, but provided new shelter for marine life.  

Before the boys could enter the frigid water of Puget Sound, they spent weeks training in a pool, learning about regulators, dive gauges and safety with Seattle Scuba Schools.

“We had to practice removing our masks and clearing and putting them back on under water,” Sean said. “That was the scary part. You kind of panicked, but it’s good to know.”

The boys didn’t just take the classes to claim bragging rights, Scout Master David Marsh said. Seven of the boys are in the process of training for an upcoming diving adventure to Florida.

In August, the boys and five parent volunteers are headed to The Florida National High Adventure Sea Base.

Sea Base — as it’s commonly referred to by the boys — is a High Adventure camp that offers unique educational aquatic programs, according to its Web site. The Boy Scouts’ High Adventure camps are often longer in duration and allow boys in-depth learning opportunities about a single subject, like aquatic environments or mountainous regions.

“Scuba diving is a really cool experience and it is a great skill to have,” said Scout Andrew Marsh, 15, a freshman at the Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus.

Sea Base is owned and operated by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. It is based in the Florida Keys, with many smaller base destinations the boys will travel to by ship, like Islamorada, Summerland Key Marsh Harbour, Great Abaco Island and the Bahamas. 

There, the boys will find crystal-clear waters to explore marine life in the offshore coral reefs.

“I really want to see octopus and tropical fish,” said Scout Nick Co, a Pacific Cascade student. “Something more eye pleasing.”

During the adventure, the boys will put their new scuba skills to use and learn to sail the 57-foot schooner they will live on.

During the trip, they’ll complete 15 dives, including three night dives.

The boys will learn about corals and reef ecosystems, as well as reef conservation and methods being used to help preserve them, Marsh said.

They will also have the opportunity to earn additional Professional Association of Diver Instructors certifications.

“This is something he is really interested in doing,” said Will’s mother, Angela Dodeward. “It is a great learning experience.”

But more than that, their Scout master hopes it’s a new skill, like many Boy Scouting skills, that the boys will take with them throughout their lives.

“Anything active these guys are involved in that gets them outside and away from the screen is a good thing,” Marsh said. “We really try to encourage them to push themselves and try new things, like hiking, climbing mountains and scuba diving. These are all things they can do for a lifetime and Boy Scouts encourages that.”

Chantelle Lusebrink: 392-6434, ext. 241, or clusebrink@isspress.com.

The postal service has come a long way to meet its business’ changing profile. New technology has reduced the number of employees. New products have been added for customer convenience. Stamps are now available at retail outlets and online. Local post offices now handle passport services. The USPS Web site is user-friendly.

Still, the American public has come to rely on e-mail for its correspondence and electronic bill paying. Only four years ago, the post office was delivering 213 billion pieces of mail, down to 177 billion last year. Mail volume is expected to shrink to 150 billion by 2020.

The idea of cutting Saturday delivery has been discussed for a year or more. It takes Congressional approval for that to happen, but Congress should not hesitate.

The loss of Saturday delivery has one real advantage — security. While many homeowners have gone to locked mailboxes, most have not. A weekend get-away for homeowners means mail waits to be picked up — or snatched by thieves.

We would hope that if Saturday delivery is suspended, mail would still be picked up at drop boxes and routed through the system. There should also continue to be Saturday hours at Snoqualmie Valley’s post offices, although hours could be cut back.

Americans would rather see some postal services — like Saturday delivery — curtailed, rather than see stamp prices go up again, according to a USA Today/Gallup poll. We couldn’t agree more. Suggested price hikes would make today’s 44-cent stamp become 50 cents by 2012 — more reason than ever to use electronic delivery services, thereby cutting USPS revenues even more.

The world must adapt to a new reality, and USPS is willing. Congress needs to approve stopping Saturday delivery.

Tests done in early March showed that water in Mount Si High School’s portable classrooms had levels of lead higher than what is recommended by the EPA.

District administrators advised teachers and students in the portables not to drink water coming from the faucets.

As a precaution, tests were performed on the water and plumbing services in the portable complex, but the results will not be available until the week of March 15, schools spokeswoman Carolyn Malcolm said.

Snoqualmie Valley schools and portables were last tested for lead in 2004, when Seattle School District found it had issues with lead in its water, Malcolm said.

“If this recent finding is related to new parts from construction of the new portables this summer, the district will work with manufacturers to ensure appropriate repairs,” Malcolm wrote in a news release.

Laura Geggel: 392-6434, ext. 221, or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com.

Senate Bill 6444, which passed the Senate 25-19, would make modifications to the state’s operating budget. It’s now before the House.

45th Sen. Cheryl Pflug, (R-Maple Valley) — N

Senate Bill 6381, which passed the Senate 41-3, modifies the state’s 2009-11 transportation budget appropriations. It’s now before the House.

45th Sen. Cheryl Pflug, (R-Maple Valley) — N

Senate Bill 6345 passed the House 86-12. The House amended the bill making it a secondary offense for drivers over 18 to talk on a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.

It will be returned to the Senate for concurrence with a House amendment.

45th Rep. Glenn Anderson, (R-Fall City) — Y

45th Rep. Jay Rodne, (R-North Bend) — Y

Senate Bill 6214 would consolidate the powers, duties and functions of the three regional Growth Management Hearings Boards into a single board.

The House amended it 68-28, modifying the qualification provisions related to a member’s eligibility to serve on the board. It will be returned to the Senate for concurrence with a House amendment.

45th Rep. Glenn Anderson, (R-Fall City) — Y

45th Rep. Jay Rodne, (R-North Bend) — Y

House Bill 3141, which passed the Senate 27-20, creates a working group to develop a proposal for the Legislature to redesign the state’s use of the temporary assistance to needy families funding in a manner that makes optimum use of all funds available to promote more families moving out of poverty to sustainable self-sufficiency.

The Senate, which amended it 27-20, reduced the 12-month authorization for child care assistance to six months.

45th Sen. Cheryl Pflug, (R-Maple Valley) — E

Senate Bill 6267, which previously passed the Senate 46-2, modifies the Department of Ecology’s water right cost-reimbursement agreement program. It will be before the Senate for concurrence with House amendments.

45th Rep. Glenn Anderson, (R-Fall City) — N

45th Rep. Jay Rodne, (R-North Bend) — N

Senate Bill 6392, which previously passed the Senate 44-3, would allow bond proceeds, backed by revenue generated from tolls on the state Route 520 corridor to be used for any project within the 520 bridge replacement and HOV program, including projects beyond just the replacement floating bridge.

The bill also required that $200 million of the bond proceeds be spent only on the floating bridge and the west side of the corridor.

The House amended the bill 78-19, expanding the use of the bond revenues to include projects that would improve the operation of the 520 corridor, including transit and HOV projects. It will be returned to the Senate for concurrence with the House amendment.

45th Rep. Glenn Anderson, (R-Fall City) — Y

45th Rep. Jay Rodne, (R-North Bend) — Y

SOURCE: WashingtonVotes.org, a free, nonpartisan Web site to find plain-English explanations of bills and a record of each legislator’s votes.

Check back for updates

A group of Snoqualmie residents are asking City Council to take a closer look at a proposed agreement with the YMCA of Greater Seattle for operation of a future community center.

The group presented a range of concerns to the council at its March 8 meeting, including the cost of the project, safety issues and potential impacts on traffic and parking.

Based on these concerns, the council should more closely examine the agreement and its potential ramifications, several residents said.

“If any of these concerns existed by themselves, they would not be enough to delay or derail this action. But when I see this much uncertainty and lack of details…it starts to smell to me,” said Marcus Morisette before the meeting.

The agreement would put the YMCA in charge of running and maintaining a community center on Snoqualmie Ridge.

The center would be 9,500-13,000 square feet after its first phase, which is expected to cost around $4 million and include a meeting room, half-sized gymnasium, fitness facility and youth room. A future phase estimated to cost $10 million would include a pool.

The city’s plan is to have the YMCA build the facility, which Snoqualmie would then buy from the group and lease back to it. The YMCA would then operate the community center.

Residents want more details

Several residents asked for more details on several issues, including the plan’s costs, the size of the proposed site, parking and traffic.

Some called for greater financial transparency, questioning if the city would have enough money to pay for the facility’s first phase. They pointed to cost overruns of nearly $2 million on recently finished City Hall.

Mayor Matt Larson said that the builder would be liable for any construction cost overruns on the community center, and the YMCA would pay any operations cost overruns.

However, resolving City Hall’s construction cost overruns has not proven so simple, with the builder, designer and city each denying responsibility.

The city is greatly underestimating the facility’s construction costs, said Mark McDonald, owner and president of Northwest Capital Corp., which developed and manages Snoqualmie Ridge’s retail space.

The city’s plan says the center will be built to meet Ridge guidelines, which are expensive, McDonald said. “The city is making commitments they don’t know they can come through on.”

The city can’t even really know what the final costs for Phase I and Phase II will be until it has specified the construction site, said George Isaacs, a Realtor and resident on Snoqualmie Ridge.

“Until you know the site, it’s hard to determine what the actual costs are,” he said.

The city has indicated the center would go on park land next to Cascade View Elementary School, but it hasn’t specified how much of the park would be used for the facility.

The agreement will be considered at the council’s Parks and Planning Committee March 15 meeting. The meeting has been moved to Snoqualmie Fire Station to allow for extended public comment.

After that it will go back to the City Council, which can vote on it at its March 22 meeting.

Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.

The Eastside FC BU16 soccer team won the Washington State Challenge Cup March 7 with a 2-1 overtime victory over the Columbia Timbers.It was the team’s second consecutive win of the Challenge Cup.

Snoqualmie Valley resident Chace Carlson helped give the Eastside FC the edge against the undefeated Timbers with an assist on the winning goal. Carlson is a sophomore midfielder and forward for Mount Si High School.

In an earlier game, Carlson kept the team’s tournament run alive when he scored the game’s only goal on a breakaway run up the middle of the field. He expects to participate in the Far West Regional tournament in June.

Over the past year, Eastside FC also won the Nike Crossfire Challenge Tournament and was a finalist in the Starfire Labor Day Cup and Puma Pacific Challenge Tournaments.

Eastside FC practices and plays its home games in Preston. The club’s annual tryouts for next year’s boy teams for ages 14-18 are on March 12-14. Tryouts for the club’s girls teams for ages 14-18 are March 19-21. For information, visit Eastside FC’s Web site.

North Bend’s marketing team has finished its plan for 2010, some of which has already been implemented. The plan is part of the city’s strategy to draw more visitors – and their money – to North Bend.

The team is composed of residents with backgrounds in marketing and city employees.

Highlights on the plan include the North Bend Block Party and Rock Challenge (July 17), North Bend Tour De Peaks (Aug. 15) and the Banff Mountain Film Festival (Dec. 8). The plan also includes an outdoor recreation industry conference (date pending) and a conceptual design for a proposed plaza in downtown North Bend to be finished Dec. 1.

Some elements, such as the introduction of the city’s new logo, have already been implemented.

It was a season of highs and lows. And no shortage of excitement. Every Mount Si team went to postseason play, and two Wildcats — gymnast Georgia Reynolds and swimmer Chase Goulart — became state champions. Some records fell, such as career points in boys basketball, which Tanner Riley broke this season.

Two teams — girls basketball and wrestling — went to the postseason despite having first year coaches.

Seniors played big roles in several teams successes. Their departure will leave gaping holes for underclassmen to fill.

Wrestling and gymnastics saw big turnouts by underclassmen, pointing to a future with depth and rich in talent.

Fans were treated to a season of drama and action. The athletes had an opportunity to show the world their potential and have fun.

Here is a look back at the 2009-2010 season.

Mount Si's Tanner Riley breaks away from Mercer Island defenders for a lay up during the Wildcats' win over the Islanders in the KingCo 3A/2A Conference Tournament's semifinals. (Photo by Dan Catchpole)

Boys basketball

1.The upset

Beating Bellevue, 63-50, Feb. 9

It was already a special night when conference-leader Bellevue came to Mount Si, Feb. 9. The Wildcats seniors were being honored in the season’s final home game. But within seconds of tipoff, it was clear Mount Si had brought something extra to the floor, leaping out to take the lead in the first quarter – a lead they never relinquished.

Led by Tanner Riley’s 22 points, the Wildcats attacked the Wolverines, moving the ball quickly and playing focused defense. It was a true team effort, with four players scoring 10 points or more. It was Bellevue’s only conference loss.

2. A full arsenal

Zander Nelson, Dallas Smith, Lucas Zupan

The Wildcats had four potent weapons behind lead scorer Tanner Riley this season– Zander Nelson, Dallas Smith and Lucas Zupan.

Nelson’s offense gave the Wildcats a solid second threat this year. The senior averaged 11.7 points per game, including scoring 20 or more points four times.

Smith, a junior, was one of the team’s chief playmakers all season.

As one of the Wildcats starting posts, the 6-foot, 5-inch Zupan helped fuel the team’s offense by pulling down rebounds.

3. The go-to kid

Tanner Riley

Senior Tanner Riley provided another season of brilliant play and accurate shooting for Mount Si. Teams adjusted more for him this year, which cut his average points per game from 23.8 last season to 17.6 this one. That was still good enough for third highest PPG in the conference and second most points overall.

Even with the increased attention, Riley showed he can play under pressure. He’ll need that coolness next season playing at Division 1 University of Portland.

4. The newcomer

Justin Downer

In his first varsity season, senior Justin Downer averaged 7.9 points per game in 17 games, including 13 points in the Wildcats Feb. 9 win against Bellevue. He scored a season-high 23 points in Mount Si’s Jan. 5 loss to O’Dea.

The 6-foot, 1-inch guard’s play was good enough to earn him an honorable mention on The Seattle Times’ all-league boys basketball team.

Hailey Eddings, Mount Si junior forward, tries to get around Liberty's Kanni Sjolander to take a shot during the teams' Jan. 22 game. (Photo by Greg Farrar)

Girls basketball

1. The most amazing win

Mount Si beats Liberty at the buzzer

As the last few seconds ticked away in a game deciding whether Mount Si went to the playoffs or went home, the Wildcats tried to protect their one-point lead. A pass found Liberty’s Maddie Birdsall, who hit an outside shot to put the Patriots ahead 40-39. With 4.2 seconds left on the clock, the Wildcats’ season seemed to be over.

Hailey Eddings inbounded to Stevie Riley, who passed to Hailey Chase just past half court. The junior launched an outside shot. The buzzer sounded as the ball went into the basket for the win, 42-40.

The shot sent Mount Si to the playoffs and Liberty home for the offseason.

Coach Megan Botulinski simply called it “the most amazing win of the season.”

2. The turning point

Jan. 20 loss to Mercer Island

Rarely do losses change the course of a season for the better. Mount Si’s 51-50 loss to No. 3-ranked Mercer Island on Jan. 20 gave the Wildcats the focus and determination they’d been lacking before.

“It showed the girls that we deserved to play with great, state-ranked teams,” coach Megan Botulinski said. “This really sparked a desire in the girls to win the remaining of their games.”

They nearly did, going 5-1 the rest of the season.

3. And away they go

Five-game win streak, Jan. 22 – Feb. 9

Mount Si reached postseason play thanks to five straight wins in late January and early February.

The Wildcats went into their Jan. 22 game against Liberty with a losing conference record of 2-4. The month before the Patriots had easily dispatched them 60-45 at Mount Si. But the Wildcats played with focus and passion, beating Liberty, 57-46.

Mount Si followed with four more wins, before losing the last regular season game to Mercer Island.

4. Last-second heroics, part 2

Feb. 3 win over Juanita

With less than 15 seconds left in a tie game, the Wildcats quickly moved the ball down court.

Stevie Riley got the ball at the top of the key at the 3-point line and shot with two seconds on the clock. The ball swished through the net, putting the Wildcats ahead, 49-46.

Mount Si's Georgia Reynolds flys away at the district tournament. (Photo by Christy Trotto)

Gymnastics

1. State champion

Georgia Reynolds

Senior Georgia Reynolds won the state title for the uneven parallel bars in individual event competition this year. She also finished third in the state all-around competition.

Her performances at state capped a season of successes, including taking the all-around title at the KingCo 3A Championship and second place in the all-around at the district tournament.

Aside from being the team’s top gymnast, Reynolds provided constant leadership and encouragement for her teammates.

2. District champs, 4th at state

Mount Si’s gymnasts turned in some of their biggest performances of the season at the Feb. 13 district championship meet to take the 3A/2A title.

Going into the meet, they’d been concerned about Holy Names.

“They’re posting some pretty fantastic scores, so we’re going to have to be right there to compete with them,” coach Jessica Easthope said.

In the end, the Wildcats were 4.5 points ahead.

The team went to the state championship in Tacoma undefeated. But they ran into trouble there.

“We had some highlights and definitely some low points,” Easthope said.

The Wildcats started strong on vault and uneven parallel bars, but ran into problems on the balance beam and in their floor routines.

Despite the problems, Mount Si still managed to match last year’s fourth place finish at state.

3. Undefeated season

The Wildcats rolled over their competition to an undefeated season. While they made it look easy, it came down to countless hours of work.

Leading the charge were Mount Si’s trio of Reynolds, Rachel Karavias and Kennedy Richmond. Together, they gave their team a chance to win every event.

4. Freshmen turnout

The gymnastics team had a bumper crop of freshmen turnout this year. It didn’t take long for them to contribute at the varsity level. Jessica Trotto, Hannah Richmond and Elizabeth Holmes competed all season at the varsity level.

Wildcat wrestler Ben Larson (left) pins his Mercer Island opponent. (Photo by Dan Catchpole)

Wrestling

1. The youth returns

With only four seniors on varsity, Mount Si’s wrestling program is dominated by youth. At times, that inexperience hurt the team, but it will pay dividends in the years to come.

After going 6-5 in coach Tony Schlotfeldt’s first season as head coach, the team expects to have 10 of its 14 varsity wrestlers returning next year. That group includes two sophomores, Cody Botten and Josh Mitchell, who went to the state tournament.

Schlotfeldt intends to use the 10 as the foundation of a renewed wrestling program. “We plan on scaffolding our learning from every season, with the goal of making Mount Si wrestling a valley highlight,” he said.

2. League champ

Andrew Sypher wins KingCo 3A Conference

As one of the team’s four seniors, Andrew Sypher, a 119-pounder, has been a leader all season long. He helped lead the team in the postseason, winning his weight class at the KingCo 3A Conference Tournament.

Sypher, who finished fourth last season, took the title with a 5-0 win over Danny Baba, a senior from Juanita High School.

3. Six to state

Despite the team’s youth, the Wildcats sent six wrestlers to state this year. They were Sypher, Botten (125 pounds), Ben Larson (135 pounds), Trey Botten (140 pounds), Lee Amador (160 pounds) and Mitchell (285 pounds).

The group included two sophomores, Botten and Mitchell, who replaced KingCo champ Ryan Ransavage, who graduated last year.

“Having two sophomores going to state will be a benefit to our team next year,” Schlotfeldt said.

4. First female wrestler

Mount Si saw its first ever female wrestler, Mackenzie Will, come out this year.

Will competed in the 112-pound weight class.

Chase Goulart, Mount Si senior, swims the breaststroke en route to winning the 200-meter individual medley race in 1 minute, 57.39 seconds, Feb. 13 during the 3A SeaKing District Tournament. (Photo by Greg Farrar)

Swimming

1. The solo champion

The biggest race of Chase Goulart’s high school career — the 200-meter individual medley at the 3A state championship — came down to the last 10 yards.

“After the last flip, I saw the guy in first place, and thought, ‘Oh, man, I can catch him,’” said Goulart, the only swimmer for Mount Si.

It came down to the last 10 yards. Goulart overtook the second-place swimmer, touching the wall just barely ahead of him, finishing in 1 minute, 56.49 seconds.

But Kennedy Catholic freshman Thane Maudslien had finished half a second ahead in 1:55.85.

Then he heard that he was the state champion. Maudslien had been disqualified for illegal movement on the starting block.

Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com.

Class photos K-2 March 16

North Bend Elementary

Haiti coin and shoe drive. Drop off donations at the front office.

Opstad Elementary

Bingo Night, 6-7:30 p.m. March 12

PTA general meeting, 6:50-7 p.m. March 12

Third-grade concert, 6-7 p.m. March 17

Science fair entry forms due March 18

Snoqualmie Elementary

Second-grade concert, 7-8 p.m. March 11

Art and Science Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 19

Chief Kanim Middle School

PTSA Dance 7-9 p.m. March 12

Band concert, 7 p.m. March 16

Pennies for Patients, an annual fundraiser for the Leukemia Foundation, is accepting donations

Snoqualmie Middle School

Progress report update, March 12

Twin Falls Middle School

Seventh-grade science fair, 6-7 p.m. March 11

McTeacher Night at the North Bend McDonalds, 5-7 p.m. March 17

Raven Night, 7-9 p.m. March 19

Mount Si High School

HSPE state testing in reading and writing, March 16-18

Choir concert, 7-9 p.m. March 18

ASB auction, 7-11 p.m. March 20

Snoqualmie Valley School District

Snoqualmie Valley School Board meeting, 7:30 March 11, district office

Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation, 6:30 p.m. March 17, district office

Helping your young reader, 6:30 p.m. March 24, North Bend Elementary

The Young and the Restless: The social lives of our children, 7-8:30 p.m. March 18, Cascade View Elementary School

Christi Wright didn’t know what to say when she learned that she had been named one of Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation’s four educators of the year.

“There are so many other people I can think of and name who are so much more deserving,” said Wright, Mount Si High School principal’s secretary.

The other recipients are Mount Si culinary arts teacher Laura Tarp, Fall City Elementary second-grade teacher Jan Miller and Cascade View Elementary School third-grade teacher Seth Deniston.

Wright, a Mount Si graduate, has worked for almost every school in the district and is almost an institution at the school.

“It’s about the kids,” Wright said. “I like to find out how they’re doing and making sure their day is going okay.”

She said she was surprised to learn she was nominated and flabbergasted when “they snuck up behind me” with balloons to announce her award.

Foundation members said they were delighted to honor the unsuspecting educators.

“It went really well and to such deserving people,” foundation president Carolyn Simpson said.

Another honored educator, Laura Tarp, was equally surprised. Tarp teaches high school students about cooking and the business behind food preparation.

“I was totally shocked and humbled when I learned I was nominated,” Tarp said. “I do what I do because I love it.”

Tarp put herself through college by working in the hospitality business. At age 19, she enrolled in a student exchange and visited 18 countries before returning to Washington. From there, she worked as a manager at the Snoqualmie Falls Lodge, got married after meeting her husband at a pool tournament and worked as a fast food instructor at Renton Technical College.

She took 11 years off to raise her children before applying for the Mount Si position in 1999.

Tarp found her work extremely satisfying as she watched children learn life skills in the Mount Si kitchen.

“They know what the industry is like by the time they leave,” Tarp said.

Across the Valley in Fall City, foundation members surprised Jan Miller with her award. The Portland native said she didn’t begin her career as a teacher. It was only when working with people at a prison release halfway house that she realized her passion.

Miller went back to school to learn about child development and education and then taught around the world, including in Alaska, Montana and South America.

She took her teaching position at Fall City Elementary in 2000.

“I think Fall City Elementary is a real community school,” Miller said. “The staff is amazingly professional and extremely close and supportive of one another.”

She said knowing that the award came from students, parents and teachers made it meaningful, because those were the people she served.

Her students, she said, were happy for her, too.

“They were totally very cute, very excited for me,” Miller said. “They weren’t quite sure if I was famous or if they were. They’ve been sweet.”

The fourth teacher, Seth Deniston, also took a circuitous route to teaching. He majored in journalism and political science at the University of Washington before going into public relations.

“I liked the creative aspect of being able to write advertisements,” Deniston said.

In 2003, he traveled to Africa with Children of the Nations, where a friend told him he was good with children.

Deniston agreed.

“I felt like that was something I was supposed to be doing,” said Deniston, who started teaching at Cascade View in 2004. Once there, he put his journalism skills to use when he started co-advising the student-run newspaper, The Cub Chronicle.

He and his wife still fly to Malawi and Uganda every few years to tutor children there.

Foundation member Rhonda Moorhead praised all educators who were nominated as well as awarded.

“Children wrote beautiful essays about how they appreciate the teachers,” Moorhead said. “Some of these students don’t even have these teachers right now, but they still remember the influence these teachers had on them.”

The educators will be honored at the foundation’s fundraising luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 25 at the Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club. Visit www.svsfoundation.org to RSVP.

Laura Geggel: 392-6434, ext. 221 or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com.

Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation is hosting its third annual spring fundraiser and aiming for the stars with a goal of raising $100,000.

Attending the lunch is free to the public, although the foundation encourages participants to open their wallets as they learn about educational opportunities the foundation would like to spearhead in Snoqualmie Valley.

This year, the foundation plans to supplement and enhance math intervention resources at the middle and high school level, in addition to other projects, foundation President Carolyn Simpson said.

Students have room to improve in math, she said. In 2009, 60 percent of Mount Si sophomores passed the math WASL and 50 percent passed the science WASL.

In contrast, 89 percent of Mount Si sophomores passed the reading WASL and 97 percent passed the writing WASL.

With money raised from the luncheon, Simpson said she hopes the foundation could pay for math teachers to stay after school and tutor students. The Mount Si PTSA pays for math teachers to stay after school two days per week, but Simpson said foundation members wanted to expand the program

“Students might not only have questions on Mondays and Wednesday, they might also have questions on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” Simpson said, noting that most high school math was too complicated for parents to decipher, making it important for math teachers to provide extra help.

She said it was important for the public to continue to support education in tough economic times.

Last year the luncheon raised $65,000, money that went to classroom grants, like a telescope for the Mount Si astronomy class, and district-wide initiatives, like reading intervention and enrichment at the elementary level.

Of the $100,000 the foundation aims to raise, $7,500 of it would pay for science supplies, including microscopes for first-grade students and sieves for kindergarteners learning about dirt and sand, Simpson said.

If enough people or businesses donate money, the foundation would also continue to support and expand the natural helper program at Mount Si, as well as continue its district-wide classroom grant program.

“We want to continue to be able to be responsive to needs in the district as they come up in arts and music,” Simpson said.

The luncheon will feature Twin Falls Middle School jazz ensemble, a student-made video from Mount Si senior Ben Luna and the Educator of the Year awards.

What to know

• What: Snoqualmie Valley Schools Foundation Spring Fundraising Luncheon
• When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 25
• Where: TPC Snoqualmie Ridge, 6005 S.E. Ridge St., Snoqualmie
• RSVP at www.svsfoundation.org.

Laura Geggel: 392-6434, ext. 221, or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com.

Barbara Austin Sheldon Greenstreet died Feb. 22 at home, surrounded in her last few days by all of her family with love, laughter and music.

Barbara Austin Sheldon Greenstreet

A celebration of Barbara’s life followed by a reception was held 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. March 6 at Emily Dickinson Elementary School, 7040 208th Ave. N.E., Redmond.

Barbara was born Nov. 27, 1958, to the late Austin and Sylvia Sheldon.

Barbara met the love of her life, Peter Greenstreet, when she was 14, and married him Sept. 20, 1980. They went on to raise three wonderful children.

In addition to her devoted husband, she is survived and deeply missed by her children, Matthew Greenstreet (Sarah), of Bellingham, Adam, and Caroline Greenstreet, of Carnation; a brother, Brian Sheldon (Loretta) of Ferndale; three sisters, Kathleen Sheldon (Stephen Tarzynski), of Santa Monica, Calif., Jeannie Grippin, (Jim), of Everett, and Carol Schaffer (Eric), of Tucson, Ariz.; and many cherished nieces, nephews and friends.

Barbara graduated from Glastonbury High School, Glastonbury, CT in 1975, and received her Bachelor of Science in early childhood education from Wheelock College in Boston in 1979. She received her Master of Arts in counseling and special education from St. Joseph College in West Hartford, Conn., in 1989. She was in the process of obtaining her administrative credential at Seattle Pacific University, when her plans were waylaid by glioblastoma multiforme in October 2008.

She held positions at Children’s Services, of Sno-Valley (now Encompass), Riverview School District and, most recently, as a special educator at Emily Dickinson Elementary School in Redmond.

She was a longtime active member of Tolt Congregational Church, serving as Sunday school teacher, superintendent of the Sunday school, newsletter editor and moderator. Spiritual life was important to her and sustained her in day-to-day life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Barbara’s Brain Trust, a team of family and friends participating in the Seattle Brain Cancer Walk on June 26. Donations may be made online at www.braincancerwalk.org. Go to the Team List and select “Barbara’s Brain Trust”, then select “Support Barbara’s Brain Trust”.

Leslie Reinig Norton

Leslie Reinig Norton died peacefully at her home in Bothell, attended to by her daughters. She was 94.

A ceremony was held Feb. 27 at Monte Ville Farmhouse in Bothell. She is buried at Seattle’s Lakeview Cemetery.

Leslie was the second of three children born to Dionis G. and Hadassah Knapp Reinig, in Snoqualmie. She was the granddaughter of Seattle pioneers Leonard and Margarethe Schafer Reinig. She treasured family history and connections.

Born in 1915, Leslie graduated from Snoqualmie High School, attended Washington State University and graduated from the University of Washington.

She worked in Maynard Hospital’s lab and later as a journalist for the Snoqualmie Valley Record.

She married John (Jack) Norton in 1949. They moved to Bothell in 1950. Leslie was a devoted mother. She later worked in Jack’s accounting practice. She and Jack were founding members of the Northlake Unitarian Church in Kirkland and she was a member of the Washington Park Arboretum Unit No. 5.

Leslie loved nature and gardening. She enjoyed reading, watercolor painting and collecting textiles.

Her interest in current events prompted many letters and lively conversations. She was close to her daughters and grandchildren.

She is survived by two daughters, Mary Norton and husband Joe McElroy, of Snoqualmie, and Leslie Norton and husband David Clodfelter, of Seattle; her brother Edward Reining and his wife Carole, of Snohomish; and many grandchildren, extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jack and her sister Margarethe (Peggy) Reinig Jones, of Grandview.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Washington Park Arboretum Foundation.

An average person might not think much of a penny, but a penny can buy a pencil in Afghanistan, fifth-grader Shelby McCaddon said.

Students at Opstad Elementary School learned that if they collect enough pennies, they could amass enough money to pay for a new school in Afghanistan or Pakistan.

The campaign was started in 1993 by Greg Mortenson, co-author of the bestselling “Three Cups of Tea,” when he was climbing K2, the world’s second highest mountain. He never made it to the top and became lost on the way down, stumbling into the village of Korphe in Northeastern Pakistan.

The villagers saved his life. In return, he promised to build a school for their children. The only problem — he was broke.

It was children who came to his rescue. Students at his mother’s school in Wisconsin raised money with their pocket change. With help from them and other financers, Mortenson’s organization has built 78 schools serving 28,000 students, according to a 2009 USA Today article.

Opstad fifth-grader teacher Ileen O’Leary, whose class does a humanitarian project every year, asked her students what they thought of participating in the Pennies for Peace drive. After watching some YouTube videos and learning about the drive, the students jumped on board.

“I think it’s really cool and I like the places it’s going to build schools,” fifth-grader Betsy Caroll said.

O’Leary assigned each student to an Opstad class where they explained the mission behind Pennies for Peace and picked up the money once a week for six weeks to add to the schoolwide collection bin.

“I learned that little kids can raise a lot of money,” fifth-grader Connor Bunting said. “We told them that it’s for kids that don’t have schools like us.”

The students set a goal of $1,000, but broke it handily, reaching $1,750.60 before the school’s mid-winter break.

They actually collected so much change, the collection bucket burst.

Quinn Madsen reported the tin buckets she picked up from her assigned class exploded. There were pennies everywhere, but her friends helped pick up the coins, she said.

O’Leary’s husband took the money and put it in a coin-counter. There were so many coins the machine broke several times.

Fifth-grader Mason Marenco wrote a play about it for a class assignment.

“He’s counting the money and it’s like halfway, but it gets stuck because of a penny,” Marenco said, recounting his plot.

The drive also inspired a lesson plan for Opstad second-grade teacher Gena Meyer.

“Our kids have to recognize and identify coins and also be able to count them,” Meyer said, talking about the second-grade expectations set by the state.

She said Pennies for Peace not only taught her students about coins but also made them think about children in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“It teaches kids to have empathy for other people,” Meyer said.

Kaitlyn Chow said it was important that everyone have the opportunity to go to school so that they “can get a good job when they grow up.”

McCaddon seconded that thought.

“Who wouldn’t want to be smart when they grow up?” she asked.

Laura Geggel: 392-6434, ext. 221, or lgeggel@snovalleystar.com.

The North Bend City Council should separate the controversy regarding a new hotel into two simple questions: first, what should a new hotel look like? Second, where should we build it?

The answer to the first question is easy. The council should adopt “performance standards” developed by city staff. Those standards will require any new hotel to be built with architecture that will blend in with our natural environment.

Nobody wants an ugly hotel. The performance standards should be considered as a separate issue from the proposed change to allow a hotel south of Interstate 90’s Exit 31.

The answer to the second question is that any new hotel should be built north of I-90 because it is better for business and safer. Changing the existing municipal code to allow a hotel south of Exit 31 would draw business away from downtown. Building a hotel north of I-90 will also be much safer.

At the March 2 City Council meeting, the North Bend police chief told us a new hotel next to I-90 would increase crime.

Tim Pilling of Eastside Fire & Rescue said North Bend remains under rural fire standards, which allow a 25-minute response time to a fire in the proposed 4-story hotel for the second engine.

We did not hear any evidence about the other dangers from increased pedestrians, drinking and semi-truck traffic.

Public safety should not be sold for the private profit of one individual.

Doug Weinmaster

North Bend

Training can save lives

As your ‘actor’ in the Snoqualmie Hospital heart attack story (“Getting patients to safety when seconds matter,”March 4), I was delighted that this important message is getting out. The important messages of calling 9-1-1 early, getting lifesaving meds aboard quickly and getting me to the catheter lab within 90 minutes is huge for your readership.

Best of all in this scenario, my blood draw results, critical to the selection of treatment, are already being processed and transmitted from Snoqualmie Hospital while I’m enroute to Overlake’s state-of-the-art cath lab. That’s a huge time-saver.

One item I need to correct though – I was never a firefighter. I served in Eastside Fire & Rescue as an EMT, responding to aid calls, but not doing the more dangerous duties of actual firefighters. My hat is off to those guys and gals who have devoted their own beings to this courageous profession!

Thanks again for the coverage. Hopefully readers will ‘take it to heart,’ and take training in CPR, the Heimlich Maneuver, rescue breathing and using an automated defibrillator.

So many more lives can be saved by a trained person at the scene.

Murray Lorance

Sammamish

When Eastside Fire & Rescue Chief Lee Soptich finally had a chance to reflect on 2009, one he counts as the most stressful of any in his 24 years as a fire chief, he said it was a mixed bag.

“It was the best of years and the worst of years for me,” Soptich said.

Despite the danger of layoffs and the unpleasantness of intra-agency conflict, EFR had a good year in terms of responding to emergencies, he said.

The partners who fund EFR, including Issaquah, were scrambling to address drops in revenue from sales tax and the frozen real estate market; they asked the agency not increase the cost of fire protection for 2010, despite likely cost increases from employee salaries and benefits.

But year-end data shows that firefighters are responding to calls faster, expensive fires were down from 2008, the agency did not exceed its overtime budget for staffing firefighters and no firefighters suffered career-ending injuries.

Soptich said the agency, which formed in 1999, has never had a career-ending injury. Nonetheless, it’s one of his top priorities every year.

With the help of cost-cutting measures proposed by the local firefighters union, the agency also avoided any layoffs.

Soptich said EFR has never laid off a firefighter. Before EFR formed, when he was fire chief of King County Fire District 10, he did lay off 13 nonfirefighter employees between 1996 and 1997. 

Response times

Kevin Bryson, data analyst for EFR, published a report showing that EFR firefighters have steadily improved their response times since January 2008.

Response times measure the time it takes between receiving a 911 call to firefighters suiting up and leaving the fire station.

In January 2008, firefighters met the agency’s standard about 60 percent of the time for 731 calls.

A year later, firefighters met the agency’s standard about 67.5 percent of the time for 745 calls. In December 2009, firefighters met the standard about 88 percent of the time.

From January to December 2009, firefighters’ average response time dropped 14 seconds for daytime emergency medical services calls, 12 seconds for nighttime emergency medical services calls, 20 seconds for daytime fire-related calls and 22 seconds for nighttime fire-related calls.

In a memo to employees within EFR, Bryson suggested that firefighters’ times improved as they became aware of their performance and started competing with one another to respond to calls faster.

EFR firefighters had a history of not meeting agency standards for response times.

Part of the problem, according to EFR officials, had to do with an unrealistic one-size-fits-all standard.

So, in July 2009, EFR established a more nuanced system of standards that reflected the practical differences between responding to a nighttime or daytime call.

Officials at EFR also say there is an inevitable lag for fire-related calls where firefighters need to don protective suits before leaving the station, so two standards identify responses with and without protective suits.

The previous standard required that firefighters responding to a call must leave the fire station within 90 seconds of receiving a call, 90 percent of the time.

In 2008, EFR’s actual turnout time was 146 seconds 90 percent of the time.

Bryson’s data shows improvement using the old or new standard. While the standards are more forgiving, firefighters are responding faster, too. 

Less expensive fires

The monetary losses incurred by fires were down in 2009, though you might as well chalk it up to luck, according to Wes Collins, EFR deputy chief.

Collins stressed that cutting down on expensive fires may not have anything to do with EFR’s performance in a given year.

“Tomorrow, Costco could burn down,” Collins said, pointing to an example where a single incident could inflate the amount of monetary losses due to fires.

He said it’s possible that EFR saw less expensive fires last year because people were quicker to dial 911 this year, or the buildings that had fires were less valuable than the year before.

Whatever the reason, fires this year caused $383,013 less in damages, down about 13.9 percent from 2008. 

Overtime was within budget

The agency also spent $70,000 less than it expected in overtime for staffing firefighters. EFR’s 2009 budget had $600,000 set aside for this purpose, but the agency spent $530,000.

Soptich said it’s a qualified success, since the agency had set $480,000 as a goal, and overspent that target.

The agency promoted a lieutenant to captain, making him a floating position that could fill in gaps and avoid overtime. Firefighters receive 1.5 times normal pay when working overtime.

EFR’s 2010 budget anticipates spending far less on overtime in 2010, setting aside $395,000.

If the agency pulls it off, it would mean a 26 percent reduction from 2009.

J.B. Wogan: 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.

Snoqualmie

Who crashed the car?

A car went into a ditch at about 12:45 a.m. Feb. 26, in the 9500 block of Meadowbrook Way Southeast. Wyrsch’s Towing impounded the car.

An officer saw a woman walking near the car, but the woman said the car was not hers.

Later that night, a woman at Smokey Joe’s Tavern reportedly said she had been in an accident, but police do not know if it was the same accident.

In the park after hours

A caller reported two juveniles in a park at 6604 Azalea Way S.E. at 10:03 p.m. Feb. 27. When an officer arrived, the subjects were gone.

There was no damage found to the park.

Stolen from Missouri

On Feb. 28, an officer confirmed that a 2008 45-foot, Caparral flatbed trailer that had been parked in the 35000 block of Southeast Center Street for about eight months had been stolen in June 2008 from its owner in Missouri.

The Webb City Missouri Police Department requested the trailer be impounded and said that the trailer’s owner would contact Snoqualmie Police.

Speeding in a school zone

A woman was caught going 37 mph in a 20 mph school zone at noon March 3, in the 8700 block of Meadowbrook Way Southeast. The woman had been driving with a suspended license and had a number of unpaid traffic tickets.

The woman was issued citations for speeding and for not having a front license plate. She will receive a criminal citation for driving with a suspended license in the third degree.

North Bend

Panhandling at QFC

A man was panhandling at the North Bend QFC at about 4:30 p.m. March 3. A QFC employee signed a King County Sheriff’s Office Trespass Warning Letter. The suspect agreed to stay away from the store. 

Camping on the trail

A woman who was walking along the Middle Fork River Trail behind her house noticed a green Ford Explorer parked on the trail. She saw a man and a woman at the river’s edge in what appeared to be a campground. As she continued walking, she found a prescription bottle of methadone and then called police at about 5:30 p.m. March 3.

An officer found the woman had a misdemeanor warrant for $350 for driving with a suspended license in the third degree. He arrested her. The officer returned the prescription bottle to the man and asked him to clean up the campsite.

Later, the officer learned that the man had multiple non-extraditable felony and misdemeanor warrants and a warrant from King County Sheriff’s Office, but the officer was unable to locate him. 

Stolen snowboard

A juvenile’s snowboard was stolen from a friend’s car top carrier while parked at McDonald’s at about 11:42 a.m. March 4. The friend’s car top carrier was not damaged and no other belongings were stolen. 

Prescription drugs missing

A woman reported her prescription drugs were stolen from their respective pill bottles sometime between Feb. 26 and 28 at the 4000 block of Southeast Reinig Road. The woman had kept the drugs in her pillow case. She said only her mother, who had just visited her from Canada, knew about the methadone prescription. The officer told the woman to keep her prescription drugs in a locked safe.

Stolen credit card

A North Bend man reported his U.S. Bank credit card number had been stolen and used in two transactions between Feb. 9 and 11. The man canceled his card. 

Dumped mail

A road crew found dumped mail on the 4460 block of Southeast Edgewick Road at about 7:08 a.m. March 1. An officer returned the mail to the two listed victims. The officer suspects the mail theft was linked to a burglary that had just been reported in the area.

Despite season-best scores from two players, the Mount Si boys basketball season ended with a 72-65 loss to O’Dea March 2 in the Sea-King District tournament.

The Wildcats trailed by one point going into the fourth quarter, but couldn’t overcome the deficit. O’Dea padded its lead with late free throws for the win.

Mount Si had hoped to make it to the state tournament, a trip it hasn’t taken since 2006, but that goal was put to bed by the Irish.

The Wildcats came into the game with energy, taking an early 6-0 lead, but the Irish wouldn’t relent. O’Dea’s outside shooting helped them take control of the game.

O’Dea’s Devante Williams lead their offense with 24 points. The 6-foot, 3-inch junior was backed up by Dustin Watts and Sekeo Wiggs, who each had 12 points.

For the Wildcats, senior Zander Nelson led the offense with 21 points, matching his season high, which he scored in the first game of the season.

Senior Lucas Zupan also had a season best with 14 points.

However, Mount Si’s top scorer Tanner Riley managed only 11 points. He averaged 16.6 points during the playoffs.

The Wildcats never stopped fighting and mounted several rallies to close O’Dea’s lead. But they could never take the lead themselves.

The game was the last for a group of seniors who have played together for many years. The group includes several key players, such as Riley, Zupan, Nelson, Justin Downer and Dillon Shain.

Only four of the team’s players — and only one starter, Dallas Smith — are not graduating this year.

By Tim Eyman

I was disrespectful of Governor Gregoire when she signed Senate Bill 6130, gutting voter-approved Initiative 960.

I attended the public bill signing wearing a suit and tie, and standing beside her, I held my nose with one hand and went thumbs down with the other for the official photo. Some found it offensive, others funny, some heroic. To me, it was just my way of peacefully protesting an enormous injustice.

The voters have three times approved initiatives requiring either two-thirds legislative approval or majority voter approval for tax increases.

Yet, despite working for years to install these protections, the governor and the Democrats took it away after a few hours of debate and several dead-of-night votes.

That stinks. And I’m not alone. KING TV just released a statewide poll and the results are striking: 68 percent thought it was the wrong thing to do, 24 percent the right thing, 8 percent undecided.

When asked should tax increases require a two-thirds vote or majority vote, a whopping 74 perecent said two-thirds.

Voters want tax increases to be an absolute last resort.

Gregoire’s refusal to retain I-960’s transparency provisions was particularly galling.

Besides the two-thirds, I-960 provided greater legislative transparency and public participation in the process. Many asked Gregoire for a partial veto, salvaging at least those widely supported policies of I-960. She refused.

Here’s what it did: under I-960, when the Legislature jacks up taxes and then slaps on an emergency clause, removing the people’s constitutionally-guaranteed right to run a referendum undoing the tax, then the people at least get two pages in that November’s voters pamphlet listing how legislators voted on the tax increase and how much it’ll cost us. Gregoire took that away too.

I-960 also allowed voters to express their opinion on such “emergency” tax increases with a non-binding advisory vote.

Their opinion.

Here’s Gregoire’s explanation for not allowing the voters to express their opinion on tax hikes: “The public should expect when they say something, the Legislature and the governor will respond. To ask for an advisory vote and then to not follow it, I think would add to the cynicism of the people of this state.”

The audacity, arrogance, and shamelessness of that statement is stunning.

She’s saying that no matter what the voters’ opinion is, she and the Democrats will not follow it, so why ask!?

Expressing your opinion and having it ignored doesn’t create as much cynicism as preventing the people from expressing their opinion in the first place.

For two years, I-960 worked exactly as voters intended. I-960 protected struggling taxpayers and our fragile economy from higher taxes. I-960 worked –- it can work again. Help us give voters their fourth opportunity: this year’s Initiative 1053 resurrects I-960’s protections for another two years. It’s clear it’s needed.

As for my holding-my-nose moment with Gregoire, it was disrespectful; but my disrespect for her won’t cost taxpayers anything. But her disrespect for the voters by overturning voter-approved I-960 will cost taxpayers billions of dollars in higher taxes.

To me, that really stinks.

Tim Eyman is co-sponsoring I-1053, and can be contacted at 425-493-8707 or tim_eyman@comcast.net. For information, visit www.VotersWantMoreChoices.com.

A group of Snoqualmie residents are asking City Council to take a closer look at a proposed agreement with the YMCA of Greater Seattle for operation of a future community center.

The group presented a range of concerns to the council at its March 8 meeting, including the cost of the project, safety issues and potential impacts on traffic and parking.

Based on these concerns, the council should more closely examine the agreement and its potential ramifications, several residents said.

“If any of these concerns existed by themselves, they would not be enough to delay or derail this action. But when I see this much uncertainty and lack of details…it starts to smell to me,” said Marcus Morisette before the meeting.

The agreement would put the YMCA in charge of running and maintaining a community center on Snoqualmie Ridge.

The center would be 9,500-13,000 square feet after its first phase, which is expected to cost around $4 million and include a meeting room, half-sized gymnasium, fitness facility and youth room. A future phase estimated to cost $10 million would include a pool.

The city’s plan is to have the YMCA build the facility, which Snoqualmie would then buy from the group and lease back to it. The YMCA would then operate the community center.

Several residents asked for more financial transparency, questioning if the city would have enough money to pay for the facility’s first phase.

The agreement will be considered at the council’s Parks and Planning Committee March 15 meeting. The meeting has been moved to Snoqualmie Fire Station to allow for extended public comment.

After that it will go back to the City Council, which can vote on it at its March 22 meeting.

Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.

With the State Legislature’s current session winding down, advocates for outdoor groups are lobbying representatives to restore money to operate 22 popular trails and campgrounds in Snoqualmie Valley and the rest of Washington.

The money was initially cut from Gov. Chris Gregoire’s supplemental budget proposal in January to close the state’s $2.8 billion budget shortfall. She proposed cutting $278,000 from Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ Recreation Program general fund, which pays for the sites’ operation and maintenance.

Facilities at Mount Si, Little Si and Rattlesnake Lake would be closed. Together, Mount Si and Little Si trailheads get over 500,000 visitors a year, and are key components of North Bend’s strategy to become an outdoor recreational destination.

The Senate’s budget proposal adds back the $278,000 to DNR. But the House budget does not.

Advocates for outdoor groups are lobbying House members to add the money in the final version of their budget proposal, but it could come down to conference when the budgets from the Senate and the House are reconciled, said Jonathan Guzzo, advocacy director for the Washington Trails Association.

“There’s a decent chance we can get that money restored,” he said.

Without the money, DNR would have to close the facilities at the end of March, according Mark Mauren, a DNR assistant division manager for recreation and public access.

The recreation program’s general fund pays for things, such as trail maintenance; pumping outhouses; garbage cleanup; volunteer training; and replacing vandalized and worn-out signs, picnic tables and other infrastructure.

In Washington, the DNR manages about 2.2 million acres of forestland.

Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com.

United States Census forms will arrive this month. The form has only 10 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Forms should be returned as quickly as possible.

Responses should include everyone who will be living at each residence as of April 1, 2010, the official day of the population count. The federal census is a count of every woman, man and child in the U.S., including citizens and non-citizens.

By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities.

Those needing help completing their form can go to the second floor of Snoqualmie City Hall, 38624 S.E. River St., which is an Authorized Census Questionnaire Assistance Center. Check the city’s Web site for times when assistance is available.

For additional information about the census, visit the Web site of the 2010 U.S. Census.

The State Patrol has reported that a 52-year-old Snoqualmie man who was involved in a single-car crash on February 22 has died at the hospital, according to the Tacoma News Tribune. 

Kenneth J. Treichel’s 2001 Kia Spectra had been traveling westbound on Interstate 90 when it went off the road. The car went 238 feet down an embankment before crashing into a tree.

Treichel was taken to Seattle’s Haborview Medical Center where he died on March 2.

The State Patrol could not be reached to confirm the report.

As his first 100 days in office draw to a close, King County Executive Dow Constantine plans to outline his reform agenda for county government in a series of speeches next week.

Constantine was elected in November after running on a reform agenda, promising to change the culture of King County government to emphasize customer service and efficiency.

Facing likely budget cuts in 2011 and 2012, he has stressed finding savings by reducing waste, but has conceded that will not be enough and tax raises could be necessary to prevent deep cuts in services.

He will address the Metropolitan King County Council at 11 a.m. March 8. The next day, March 9, he will speak to two meeting of regional civic and business leaders. His first appearance will be before the Bellevue Rotary Club at noon. At 4 p.m., Constantine will speak at the Seattle Chamber of Commerce board of trustees meeting. On March 12, he will address the Maple Valley Rotary Club at 7:15 a.m.

As Snoqualmie Valley School District administrators prepare to do an elementary school boundary review for the 2010-11 school year, they are asking the public for feedback through an online survey.

To learn more about the boundary review, visit www.svsd410.org and select “Elementary Attendance Boundary Study.”

The survey will be open until 8 p.m. March 5.