9/11 event brings unity, healing
September 14, 2011
The tears were flowing at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in Sammamish Sept. 11.
As leaders from area religious organizations and congregations formed a circle of unity, a children’s choir sang.
The leaders held hands in a circle, and, moved, by the emotional act of solidarity, event goers also joined hands. Many quietly cried as they found healing from the day of prayer and reflection, said the Rev. Suzi Robertson, vicar of Good Samaritan.
A procession of religious leaders from different faiths was a part of the memorial service.
Thank you, firefighters
September 14, 2011
For the second consecutive time, Eastside Fire & Rescue firefighters have stepped up and realized the gravity of the larger economic situation during contract negotiations. This time around, they’ve agreed, with no acrimony, to a three-year contract with 2 percent annual raises.
It’s a reasonable pay increase for uncertain economic times. The firefighters also agreed to opt out of the usual practice of factoring in the salaries of other area departments when considering what their raise should be.
They were also willing to drop the issue of changing their work schedule from contract talks, realizing the sticking point might hold up the overall contract. We hope the union and EFR board can reach an agreement on this issue, one way or the other, without the motivating factor of the contract.
Last time around, it was the firefighters who researched health insurance plans and found a cheaper alternative, saving firefighter jobs and taxpayer money in the process.
Locking in a three-year contract also has a side benefit. As the agreement that created the multi-agency EFR expires in 2014, partners can focus on how best to continue forward, either in partnership or separately, without the distraction of labor negotiations.
Sammamish Forum Sept. 14
September 14, 2011
Take it easy on construction workers
I am still in unbelief how the flaggers on a city of Sammamish job were treated a little over a week ago. Attention city of Sammamish residents, those flaggers are doing their job — keeping you and the road workers safe.
Stop treating people like crap because your schedule is being disrupted by people doing their jobs. How would you like it if a whole bunch of people continuously paraded through your office for days on end…cussing you out, yelling stupidly, stressing you out, just because you are doing your job? Read more
Sammamish City Council maintains city ban on medical marijuana gardens
September 14, 2011
The Sammamish City Council elected to maintain an emergency moratorium on collective medical marijuana gardens in city limits.
The council had unanimously approved the emergency moratorium at their July 18 meeting and was required to hold a public hearing on the matter Sept. 9. No one testified. Read more
Police Blotter Sept. 14
September 14, 2011
Boat burglary
A Sammamish resident had an amplifier and a pair of speakers stolen from their boat as it was moored on Lake Sammamish overnight Aug. 29.
The boat was in front of a private lot near the corner of Northeast 18th Place and East Lake Sammamish Drive South. The audio equipment is valued at more than $1,000. Police have no suspects. Read more
Annual Sammamish Art Fair on tap in October
September 14, 2011
Sammamish artist Sarah Brighton considers herself lucky to be living her calling.
About 12 years ago, Brighton, a former kindergarten teacher in England, picked up some supplies and started creating works of art out of a variety of things — papers, recycled materials, vintage photographs. But just a couple of years into her artistic endeavor, she began teaching others, she said, mixing both of her passions into one.
Sammamish artist Sarah Brighton has created work and taught in mixed media arts and focuses on collage and vintage photos in her personal work.
Janell Faletto named Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
September 14, 2011
Janell Faletto wasn’t quite sure why she responded to a volunteer opportunity listing in her church bulletin in 2003, but she thought it would be nice to work with the elderly. The retired elementary school teacher had worked with children for 31 years.
“I thought working with elders would be a nice change from working with children,” she said.
So she signed up as a volunteer for Faith in Action, a Sammamish organization that helps independent seniors with everyday things. Since then, Faletto, who also volunteers with other local organizations and Mary, Queen of Peace, has given more than 1,000 hours and countless miles driven in her car to take needy seniors to medical appointments, do household chores or pick up groceries.
The Faith in Action National Network recently recognized Faletto as an “Outstanding Volunteer” for 2011, said Kelly McAninch, the national network’s administrative assistant.
Faletto, a 26-year Sammamish resident, was one of just 12 nominated for the Volunteer of the Year award from local Faith in Action entities around the country.
“She’s really like my go-to person,” said Margie Costello, Sammamish Faith in Action’s volunteer coordinator. “A lot of people would not be getting to these appointments if she didn’t take them.”
Faletto said she was honored to receive the recognition, but was modest in her reaction to the news.
“It’s always nice to be appreciated,” she said.
Since 2003, she has given 125 hours in housekeeping and visitation service, according to Faith in Action’s tally, and spent about 1,060 hours driving Sammamish seniors to medical appointments and other errands.
The organization also estimated that Faletto has driven approximately 13,500 miles during her service time, based on weekly service reports.
About 45,000 people live in Sammamish, according to the 2010 Census. Of those, 2,175 are older than age 65, Petersky said. And 91 of them are homebound, non-disabled seniors — the folks Faith in Action helps.
Faith in Action’s mission is to help seniors live independently for as long as possible in their own home before potentially entering a retirement-living or long-term, in-home care situation. The organization’s volunteers do whatever needs to be done to help those 91 seniors with that, Costello said, whether it’s driving a person to a doctor appointment, cleaning the house, picking up groceries or maintaining the yard.
“I’ve learned how easy it is to just say ‘yes’ to people,” Faletto said. “I think there are so many things out there that you can do with so little time.”
While Faletto physically drives seniors and helps with housework, what often goes un-noticed is the emotional support someone gets just by being with her. Many homebound seniors are isolated and don’t see many friends or family during much of the week, Costello said. Simple conversations can make a big difference.
“It’s so important. For many people, it might be the only time in their week that they get out of the apartment,” Faletto said. “That’s extremely important that they have some communication with somebody and know that somebody cares about them.”
Faletto, a longtime member at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church, is matched with a Sammamish resident through Faith in Action and is available on-call for other needs that come up, said Claire Petersky, executive director of Faith in Action Sammamish.
Faletto also volunteers for Multi-faith Works and drives to Seattle regularly to help a person living with HIV. At her church, she has also been involved in the Helping Hands and funeral ministries and is a Eucharistic minister, which means she can bring communion to the sick or dying.
“She’s just amazing, in all the service that she gives to the community,” Petersky said.
Visit www.faithinaction4seniors.org to learn more or to sign up as a volunteer.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.
DeJong Sisters compete at Kendo national championships
September 14, 2011
Three Sammamish youth competed in the 12th All United States Kendo Federation Championships Aug. 12-13 in Atlanta, Ga. The DeJong sisters, Jennifer, 13, Melanie, 14, and Erica, 16, all represented the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation. Melanie did the best, placing third overall in the Junior Youth Girls Individuals division, according to event results.
Members of the Pacific Northwest Kendo Federation youth girls team pose at the 12th All United States Kendo Federation Championships Aug. 12-13 in Atlanta, Ga. Photo by Tero Patana
Construction queued up to start at Eastlake this week
September 14, 2011
Eastlake High School students will have to get used to some extra noise around campus this school year. With pounding, cutting and workers driving machinery near the library, some might even want to find a different spot to study after school.
As of the Review’s deadline, construction on the more than $20 million Eastlake building-addition project was set to commence this fall as the Lake Washington School District prepares the school for its first class of freshmen to enter in fall of 2012, district officials said. The Lake Washington School board was slated to approve the building contract at its Sept. 12 meeting, said Ralph Rohwer, the district’s capital program manager. Read more
Plateau soccer programs rebuild after losing top players
September 14, 2011
Not to put any pressure on the Skyline girls soccer team, but after ranking third in state and at one point being ranked No. 1 in the country in 2010, some teams in the balanced KingCo league might be out to get the Spartans in 2011.
Having lost eight varsity members to graduation, Skyline is taking shape with a new team, even though it returns 11 key starters this year to fill some gaps left around the field. But head coach Don Braman and his team don’t seem to look at it that way this fall.
Skyline sophomore defender Brooke Holland and Liberty sophomore midfielder Kali Youngdahl go up for a header in the first half Sept. 6. Photo by Christopher Huber
