Vedic Cultural Center expects 20,000 at four-day festival
August 11, 2009
By Christopher Huber
Approximately 30 volunteers have been working for the past two months to prepare for what Vedic Cultural Center organizers say is the largest Indian cultural festival in Washington.
Kumbhamela 2009 Cultural Festival runs Aug. 13-16 at the Vedic Cultural Center in Sammamish. Organizers say they expect up to 20,000 visitors from around the state to attend during the four days of festivities, which include India’s independence day celebration Aug. 15.
Festival participants will enjoy ongoing performances from singers and dancers and the work of local Indian artists, according to an event press release. The event will also have children’s games and traditional Indian cuisine and will feature the exhibition of a life-size traditional Indian village, said volunteer Veda Narayana.
“It’s not just experiencing the culture,” he said. “They can come and experience the food.”
Last year Kumbhamela was held at Redmond’s Marymoor Park and attracted about 10,000 people over two days, Narayana said. In 2009, he said the event will be larger and have more exhibits and food.
On Aug. 13 and 14, participants will celebrate the birthday of Krishna, the Hindu deity. The celebration runs 6 p.m.-midnight both nights.
Aug. 15 brings the Indian independence day celebration, which begins at 1 p.m. The festival of milk happens Aug. 16, according to the press release. It showcases the richness of Indian milk sweets. In vedic culture, cows are treated with respect and cared for like a family member, the release said.
Learn more about the upcoming Kumbhamela at www.vedicculturalcenter.org.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
Approximately 30 volunteers have been working for the past two months to prepare for what Vedic Cultural Center organizers say is the largest Indian cultural festival in Washington.
Kumbhamela 2009 Cultural Festival runs Aug. 13-16 at the Vedic Cultural Center in Sammamish. Organizers say they expect up to 20,000 visitors from around the state to attend during the four days of festivities, which include India’s independence day celebration Aug. 15. Read more
A city gets started
August 11, 2009
Fed up with King County, area residents sought to make their own city
This is the first in a two-part series on the founding of Sammamish 10 years ago.
The November 1997 issue of the Sammamish Review recounts a meeting at Inglewood Junior High School where more than 500 King County residents packed into a room to give then-King County Executive Ron Sims a piece of their mind. Read more
300 local students need school supplies
August 11, 2009
300 local students
need school supplies
The first day of school is only three weeks away. It’s a time of excitement for students as they look forward to meeting their new teachers, seeing old friends, getting new pair of sneakers and filling their backpack with new pencils and crayons.
But it isn’t that easy for many Sammamish kids. About 300 of them will qualify for free or reduced price lunches this year — because their parents just can’t afford to pay.
A new backpack with new school supplies may out of the question.
Each year, teachers scramble to make sure all kids have the requisite school supplies, many reaching into their own pockets to ensure scissors, paper and markers are available for all who need them.
There are a number of organizations that collect donations of school supplies. Some collections are at local stores, but donors should beware of who is doing the collecting. Some are for Seattle-area kids, some for children in other countries, some help those in our Issaquah or Lake Washington school districts. All may be worthy.
Our interest is in our local students. You can help students whose parents may not have the resources by starting with a membership to the PTSA at your school, and/or a donation to school scholarship programs that help pay for everything from school field trips to athletic fees. Ask at the school of your choice how best to help.
Or start by purchasing some of those school supplies. The Issaquah Food Bank, 179 1st Ave. SE, has the backpacks donated, but still needs to fill them with supplies.
In those in north Sammamish, take to Hopelink for distribution there, 16225 NE 87th St., Redmond.
Everything from glue sticks and calculators to erasers and composition notebooks are needed. Don’t forget spiral notebooks, graphing paper, colored pencils, notebook dictionaries, index cards and rulers.
The food bank has infrequent hours, but the Sammamish Review/Issaquah Press office will collect and transport any donated school supplies to the food bank.
Bring weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. to 45 Front Street South, Issaquah.
The first day of school is only three weeks away. It’s a time of excitement for students as they look forward to meeting their new teachers, seeing old friends, getting new pair of sneakers and filling their backpack with new pencils and crayons.
But it isn’t that easy for many Sammamish kids. About 300 of them will qualify for free or reduced price lunches this year — because their parents just can’t afford to pay. Read more
Sammamish Forum August 12
August 11, 2009
Ideas for barricades
I know first hand the emotions that come into play on both sides of the barricade issue. On one hand, there is often the desire to shorten commuting miles. On the other hand, there are the many safety issues related to shattering local neighborhood streets never intended – nor safely designed – for speeding shortcut traffic.
For many years, I have championed the need for a more factual, transparent and informed open city process regarding decisions for any barricade in the city. It is clear the matter of barricades is a very sensitive issue affecting many homeowners across the city.
I know the city’s new barricade decision process is still in the early stages of development. However, the information presented by those arguing for barricade removal leave me very concerned that the process could become tainted, even gamed by deceivers not concerned about the truth. Given that future “public meetings” concerning barricades are coming, I would suggest:
u Such future meetings be announced and scheduled well in advance, at least several weeks, to allow all parties to prepare for such important discussions.
u That the meeting announcements be properly and timely communicated, especially to those neighborhoods that will actually be affected.
u That the public meetings incorporate working sessions that allow all parties to rebut information that may not be factual or truthful as a matter of public record.
u That all barricade meetings be scheduled for evening sessions as most attendees have day jobs and can’t always make last minute scheduled day meetings.
An openly debated, well communicated, and factually based barricade decision process is the approach that will most likely be respected and accepted by the majority of citizens. Even those that may disagree with each outcome decision.
Richard B. Kuprewicz
Sammamish
Counseling is about children, not parents
Ah, if only life were as simple as Urban Masset assumes. Parents would raise their kids right. There would be no bad kids, and those few who were raised “wrong” and turned “bad” would go where bad kids go. There would be no need for counselors or psychologists because there wouldn’t be any kids with problems – at least, not here.
I’m sad to say not just “bad” kids need counselors. Sometimes the children who need counselors are good kids — good students, good people. They do well in school. They don’t get in trouble with the law. There’s no reason to send them off to detention, but there is something wrong.
Perhaps Masset has never known a child who was sexually abused by a parent, stepparent or family friend. He’s lucky. One of my best friends from high school was, and it took counseling to resolve the issues the resulted from that abuse.
Perhaps Masset is unaware that clinical depression cannot be treated by ignoring it, and that it happens to the nicest of kids from the best of families. Perhaps Masset has never met a teenager trying to deal with a sexual identity that isn’t necessarily accepted by society.
Perhaps Masset needs to take the blinders off and realize the world isn’t black and white, good and bad, and that those of us who aren’t perfect, as Masset apparently is, occasionally need help. It’s nice when you can get by without it, but why deny it to children in need?
Catherine Rollosson Halbhuber
Sammamish
Beach access problems
The Aug. 5 article “Parkway Construction Rankles Beach Club Members” described the disregard the city of Sammamish has shown toward the Inglewood Beach Club and the beach property owners affected by parkway construction.
Senior Engineer Jeff Brauns is quoted saying, “We were never trying to find a solution during construction.” This is a very disturbing statement for our community. This suggests that when the city plans major construction projects it does not always consider effected taxpayers.
The city government should plan for property access during construction. Also, the city should put in place improved mechanisms for responding to community complaints during construction and accommodating these concerns. The Inglewood Beach Club will continue to be patient and work with the city through this construction. However, we should expect better planning in the future.
Stephanie Daniels
President, Inglewood Beach Club
Jarret for exec
I applaud your endorsement of Fred Jarrett for King County Executive.
Fred’s background sets him apart as a smart, accountable executive, skilled financial problem-solver, and more.
Fred’s years at Boeing taught him to manage costs and get the best from others in a complex environment. His years in the state house and senate made him a consensus-builder, where he has worked creatively from both sides of the aisle to help achieve worthy goals. I supported him when he was a Republican; I supported him as a Democrat. He is an “out front” leader, but does the homework necessary to get details right.
In this race, Fred’s record blends executive strengths and a bigger political reality with community-level leadership — as he has also been an effective Eastside mayor and councilmember.
Eastside voters, long under-represented in county executive decisions, should especially welcome a candidate so well attuned to Eastside needs and priorities. Fred will bring sound financial management. His progressive leadership will serve all of King County well, but he will also bring to the executive role a deeper understanding of suburban concerns. I say “Hurray! Welcome! It’s time!”
Janet Barry
Sammamish
I want to thank the Sammamish Review for the article featuring the Roving Rabbis as it was an interesting and informative read. It is so refreshing that our local newspaper has brought awareness to the local Jewish community. I am so happy to hear that our community has been welcoming to these Rabbis and I wish them all the best in their travels.
Naarah N Hastings
Sammamish
Where is our Community Center?
During a recent trip through Utah, we stayed in Vernal to visit Dinosaur National Monument. While looking for other activities we came across their state of the art recreational facility and community center. It boasts a lap/competitive pool, a leisure pool with two slides and play features, three party rooms, two full-sized gymnasiums, indoor track, 36-foot tall climbing wall, on-site child care, locker rooms, aerobics and dance studio, strength room, cardio equipment balcony, indoor slide to first floor, programs/classrooms for use. Visit http://www.uintahrecreation.org/ for more information.
I had my socks blown off when I visited the amazing facility. You can purchase affordable memberships or spend the day for under $3.
I asked the front desk person how they managed to locate such a beautiful facility in Vernal, she said that the city realized that their residents needed someplace to go for wholesome activity and they worked with the county to make it happen. Did I mention that Vernal has a population of 7,900?
So someone please tell me again why Sammamish, with its 40,000 residents still doesn’t have a public recreational facility for its residents? No, $45 Million worth of sidewalks and planters on a ‘beautified’ Lake Sammamish Parkway don’t count.
Michael J. O’Connell
Sammamish
Ideas for barricades
I know first hand the emotions that come into play on both sides of the barricade issue. On one hand, there is often the desire to shorten commuting miles. On the other hand, there are the many safety issues related to shattering local neighborhood streets never intended – nor safely designed – for speeding shortcut traffic.
For many years, I have championed the need for a more factual, transparent and informed open city process regarding decisions for any barricade in the city. It is clear the matter of barricades is a very sensitive issue affecting many homeowners across the city. Read more
Cleaning wipes are clogging the county’s sewer system
August 11, 2009
By Kathy Lambert
and Christie True
Most people are busy and need to fit their housework into crowded schedules. It’s no surprise that cleaning products are increasingly marketed to consumers eager to get the job done as quickly as possible. A new product has become wildly popular in the past few years – disposable cleaning wipes.
According to a recent report, North American consumers bought nearly 83,000 tons of disposable wipes in 2004, which is enough to fill about 9,000 semi-truck trailers. MarketResearch.com reports that 60 percent of adults have used household cleaning wipes, and sales are expected to reach the $2 billion mark by 2010.
However, convenience has its price.
While some products boast the added convenience of being flushable and safe for sewers and septic systems, the people who maintain and operate our local and regional wastewater utilities disagree.
King County operates a regional sewer utility that provides wastewater treatment services for 34 local sewer agencies. The local agencies collect wastewater from homes and businesses, and send it to the county’s regional system for treatment.
Sewer utility crews for both the local and regional agencies are increasingly being called out to do battle with great balls of “flushable” cleaning wipes, pads, facial tissues, baby wipes and feminine hygiene products that have become tangled in pumping equipment.
In a worst-case scenario, jammed up pumps can lead to raw sewage overflows into homes, businesses and waterways, which threatens public health and the environment. At best, these problems are making the treatment process more expensive for ratepayers. In 2008, King County spent well over $100,000 just to haul and dispose of sewer system trash in a landfill.
It’s important to clarify that King County has not conducted tests on any particular brand or type of disposable or flushable product. Neither does the county discourage people from buying and using cleaning wipes.
King County does urge consumers who choose these products to dispose of them in the trash instead of flushing them down the toilet. In fact, like most sewer utilities, King County and its customer agencies recommend flushing only bodily waste and toilet paper – that’s it.
So, in the quest to reduce costs and keep things tidy – from bathroom to baby – please don’t flush items that may cause trouble. Please help protect public health, the environment and water quality and put used cleaning wipes, pads, swabs, and anything else besides human waste and toilet paper in the trash, not in the toilet.
Kathy Lambert is the King County Councilmember for District 3 and is a member of the Regional Water Quality Committee and the King County Board of Health. Christie True is the division director of King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division.
By Kathy Lambert and Christie True
Most people are busy and need to fit their housework into crowded schedules. It’s no surprise that cleaning products are increasingly marketed to consumers eager to get the job done as quickly as possible. A new product has become wildly popular in the past few years – disposable cleaning wipes.
According to a recent report, North American consumers bought nearly 83,000 tons of disposable wipes in 2004, which is enough to fill about 9,000 semi-truck trailers. MarketResearch.com reports that 60 percent of adults have used household cleaning wipes, and sales are expected to reach the $2 billion mark by 2010.
However, convenience has its price. Read more
Second phase of Parkway less than city estimate
August 11, 2009
By J.B. Wogan
The construction bidding environment continues to favor Sammamish in 2009. A second phase of roadwork planned along East Lake Sammamish Parkway is predicted to cost $139,583 less than the city had estimated.
The project would span about three-tenths of a mile; it would add a third lane, alternating between a median and a left-turn lane depending on the section, with commuter bike lanes on both sides of the street and a sidewalk on the east side.
Contract bids received Aug. 5 revealed that at least one contractor thinks it can perform the work for less than $2.88 million — the city engineer’s cost estimate. SCI Infrastructure, the apparent low bidder, offered to complete the project for $2.74 million.
SCI, a Pacific-based company, is in charge of the current half-mile project along East Lake Sammamish Parkway, which begins at the Inglewood Hill Road intersection and extends north to Northeast 18th Place.
The current project is called Phase 1A.
The Aug. 5 contract from SCI was for Phase 1B, which continues the work from Northeast 18th Place to about the 2200 block of the parkway.
The city plans to use all of the $3.5 million in federal stimulus funds it received for the project March 12, according to Project Manager Jeff Brauns.
To better maximize the stimulus funds, Brauns had the project’s scope expanded to include work from Northeast Sammamish Water and Sewer District as well as sidewalks further north, he said.
Any leftover funds, which would amount to about $760,000, would go toward paying for construction management, he added.
Sammamish has seen a slate of construction this summer, from road repair projects to a bridge that would connect 244th Avenue. In each case, the contracts have come under city engineers’ estimates.
More than that, the majority of bids have been under the engineer’s estimate.
But Brauns said the Public Works staff is taking into account the new realities of project costs, which is reflected in the bids for the latest parkway project.
Of the seven bids, SCI was the only one that came under the engineer’s estimate.
Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com. To comment on this story, visit www.SammamishReview.com.
The construction bidding environment continues to favor Sammamish in 2009. A second phase of roadwork planned along East Lake Sammamish Parkway is predicted to cost $139,583 less than the city had estimated.
The project would span about three-tenths of a mile; it would add a third lane, alternating between a median and a left-turn lane depending on the section, with commuter bike lanes on both sides of the street and a sidewalk on the east side.
Contract bids received Aug. 5 revealed that at least one contractor thinks it can perform the work for less than $2.88 million — the city engineer’s cost estimate. SCI Infrastructure, the apparent low bidder, offered to complete the project for $2.74 million. Read more
Elections could change players in Eastside Fire & Rescue
August 11, 2009
By J.B. Wogan
The body that determines fire protection policy for Sammamish, and takes millions of the city’s tax dollars, could experience a shake up after November.
At least two of the nine current Eastside Fire & Rescue board of directors will not return to the board next year: Sammamish City Councilman Lee Fellinge and Issaquah City Councilman David Kappler. Both men decided not to run for re-election in 2009.
“Continuity for EFR is really an important issue. I think all of the partners have tried to keep that in mind,” Fellinge said. “It takes a long time to understand what’s really going on.”
Fellinge has been one of two Sammamish representatives on the regional fire agency’s policy-making board for nearly six years. Kappler has been on the board since the organization’s inception in 1999.
Fellinge estimated it took him about a year of attending meetings before he grasped the culture of fire departments, the dynamics of the board, and the structure of the organization.
“It can be very time consuming,” he said.
EFR is a regional fire agency that covers Sammamish, Issaquah, North Bend, as well as two fire districts in unincorporated King County. The position is such a time drain, Fellinge said, that in 2007 he recalled spending more time on the agency’s interlocal agreement than he did on City Council issues.
Aside from Fellinge, Sammamish has delegated EFR responsibilities to Deputy Mayor Jack Barry, who is running for re-election but has an opponent. Mayor Don Gerend and City Councilwoman Kathy Huckabay are past members of the EFR board; when the city first joined EFR, former City Councilman Ron Hayworth also sat on the board.
But institutional knowledge of EFR on the Sammamish City Council will run the risk of being lost this November with Fellinge and Huckabay not running and both Gerend and Barry having challengers.
Fire Chief Lee Soptich said the impact of the upcoming election might be similar to EFR’s first few years, when its policy-making board had more than 50 percent turnover about every year.
“It was just a disaster,” Soptich said. “It was very frustrating to staff and very frustrating to the other board members.”
Sammamish has a major financial stake in the fire agency and has relied on Fellinge and Barry to represent the city’s interests even when they conflicted with the interests of other EFR partners.
Sammamish has contributed about $36.9 million to EFR since joining the agency in 2001. A 2008 financial report from the city noted that fire and police protection services represented the single biggest increase in general fund expenditures.
Sammamish’s contribution jumped $355,746 between 2007 and 2008 (from $4.9 million to $5.3 million).
The Sammamish City Council has already asked that future increases not exceed 5 percent per year, which is reflected in its 2009-2010 budget.
EFR administration has requested that cities like Sammamish keep the same representatives on EFR’s board, allowing them to become experts on fire protection policy, said EFR Board Chair Ron Pedee.
EFR Deputy Jeff Griffin said EFR’s partners sometimes send new representatives to the board even if elections aren’t in play.
“Sometimes it causes us to go back over ground to get everybody caught up. But it’s not a big negative. We always get good quality folks,” Griffin said.
Kappler agreed that he didn’t think it would be a problem.
“I know they like to have consistency, but at the same time, a new set of eyes and a new set of perspectives is also good,” Kappler said. In Issaquah’s case, City Councilwomen Eileen Barber and Maureen McCarry both have experience on the EFR board, as does City Councilman Fred Butler. Butler is not up for re-election this year; Barber is running unopposed in her election race, and McCarry is running but has an opponent.
But in the worst-case scenario, EFR would lose three board members (about one third of the board) to the elections process — still better than 50 percent turnover.
“These last three years it’s been far more stable,” Soptich said.
Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com. To comment on this story, visit www.SammamishReview.com.
The body that determines fire protection policy for Sammamish, and takes millions of the city’s tax dollars, could experience a shake up after November.
At least two of the nine current Eastside Fire & Rescue board of directors will not return to the board next year: Sammamish City Councilman Lee Fellinge and Issaquah City Councilman David Kappler. Both men decided not to run for re-election in 2009.
“Continuity for EFR is really an important issue. I think all of the partners have tried to keep that in mind,” Fellinge said. “It takes a long time to understand what’s really going on.” Read more
Sammamish Police say to protect your belongings at Pine Lake Park
August 11, 2009
By J.B. Wogan
Sammamish Police Chief Nate Elledge urged residents to protect personal belongings at Pine Lake Park.
Elledge’s words of caution came after a recent incident at the park where four teenagers reported to police that someone stole $630 worth of items from them.
The teenagers left a sports bag and backpack by the park’s dock between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. July 27.
The bags contained $80 in cash, four cell phones, one credit card, four debit cards, two sets of house and car keys, plus three wallets.
Elledge had the following crime prevention tips:
u Thieves look for opportunity. If you leave the car, make sure it is locked and the windows are rolled up.
u Don’t leave valuables inside your vehicle.
If you do, make sure that they are locked in the trunk or placed somewhere not visible.
u Keep your personal belongings in sight while you are on the beach or playground.
u Call 911 if you see someone acting suspiciously. Be prepared to provide a thorough description of the person and, if possible, his or her vehicle.
Be ready to explain what it is the person did that was suspicious.
The July 27 incident wasn’t the first of its kind this summer — a 14-year-old boy reported to police that his $300 blue Schwinn Messa was stolen at the park.
In that case, the boy said his bike was locked to an exposed tree stump root.
He left it at the park overnight and when he returned the next day, the bike was gone.
Sammamish Police Chief Nate Elledge urged residents to protect personal belongings at Pine Lake Park.
Elledge’s words of caution came after a recent incident at the park where four teenagers reported to police that someone stole $630 worth of items from them.
The teenagers left a sports bag and backpack by the park’s dock between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. July 27. Read more
Four residents score 100 percent on Sammamish math test
August 11, 2009
Four residents score 100 percent on city math test
Mayor Don Gerend has released the names of four residents who had perfect scores on a city math test.
Gerend wrote the test, which had eight word problems concerning municipal issues like public transit and population size.
Ariel Goh and Dave Lee, who entered the 17 and under division, had perfect scores. Randy Nevin and Jackson Dove, who entered the over 17 division, also had perfect scores.
Only those who answered all eight problems correctly were supposed to gain entry into the final exam at 5 p.m. Aug. 12 in City Hall.
But Gerend has loosened that standard — anyone who took the qualifying exam can also take the final exam.
Everyone will receive a prize. If Goh, Lee, Nevin or Dove earn perfect scores again, they will receive a special prize, according to Gerend’s press release.
Mayor Don Gerend has released the names of four residents who had perfect scores on a city math test.
Gerend wrote the test, which had eight word problems concerning municipal issues like public transit and population size.
Ariel Goh and Dave Lee, who entered the 17 and under division, had perfect scores. Randy Nevin and Jackson Dove, who entered the over 17 division, also had perfect scores. Read more
Sammamish has a night out with the neighbors
August 11, 2009
By Lauren McLaughlin
“I came for the children’s concert,” Christine Chafin, of Sammamish, said. “I knew there were fire trucks and a concert, but there’s actually a lot of neat things here, and the kids love it.”
Fire trucks, antique police cars and a SWAT B.E.A.R (Ballistic Engineered Armored Response) vehicle were just some of the things at City Hall for the National Night Out kick-off celebration Aug. 4.
National Night Out is an annual crime and drug prevention event designed to connect community members, make them aware of possible problems and teach them to prevent them from happening.
“It’s a good opportunity to get out in the community to answer questions and educate,” Firefighter Paul McCall said.
There were informational booths at the kick-off event run by the police department, sheriff’s office, Sammamish Citizen Corp, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and other organizations to educate residents on all sorts of emergency planning.
“We try to educate people on what to do when they run into a bear or cougar,” officer Jason Capelli of fish and wildlife said. “Sightings are common up here and the more people know the better prepared they can be.”
Preparation was the common theme running through all the booths at the event.
Sheriff’s office identification technician Coy Hodge showed children how to find fingerprints, how to identify different types of fingerprints and how to create fingerprint art at her booth.
“The kids love it,” Hodge said. “Anytime the kids can get dirty without getting in trouble they love it.”
Children weren’t the only ones who found the booth interesting. Hodge also fingerprinted children to create identification cards for parents.
In addition to the booths, the emergency vehicles attracted many children.
Devony Lunde, of Sammamish, originally brought her daughter Kallen to the event to see the Tim Noah children’s concert arranged by Friends of the Library and the city, but Kallen was distracted by the fire truck and other emergency vehicles.
“She’s so excited,” Lunde said. “These are things they see all the time, she was just so excited to see them up close.”
Kallen was one of many children who were watching firefighter Jeff Drozdowski explain the tools they use when an alarm went off. Drozdowski and the fire truck had to rush away to attend to their duties.
Events were not only happening at City Hall. In neighborhoods throughout the city, residents were arranging block parties to get to know their neighbors and create plans in the spirit of National Night Out’s goal of crime and drug prevention.
Mary Trask, of Sammamish, organized one such event for her neighborhood. Trask’s barbeque had 40 neighbors and local officers in attendance throughout the evening.
“It’s just a nice time to catch up with our neighbors,” Trask said. “Our lives are so fast paced these days that you don’t often get a chance to chat with everyone. We can here.”
Trask said her neighborhood did not have a formal neighborhood watch but that everyone looked out for each other.
“If someone’s garage door is still open at 10 we don’t hesitate to call,” Trask said. “Because we get to know each other, we know which cars belong in the neighborhood and if someone belongs here or not. Everyone just keeps and eye out for everyone else and it makes the neighborhood a safer place.”
Intern Lauren McLaughlin can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 244 or samrev@isspress.com. To comment on this story visit www.sammamishreview.com.
“I came for the children’s concert,” Christine Chafin, of Sammamish, said. “I knew there were fire trucks and a concert, but there’s actually a lot of neat things here, and the kids love it.”
Fire trucks, antique police cars and a SWAT B.E.A.R (Ballistic Engineered Armored Response) vehicle were just some of the things at City Hall for the National Night Out kick-off celebration Aug. 4.
Firefighter Jeff Drozdowski explains to Ethan Wright what each tool is used for. Photo by Lauren McLaughlin
