Snoqualmie Valley Blog

Snoqualmie student awarded scholarship

Nicole Harris of Snoqualmie was recently awarded a scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year by the Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA).  Nicole, a member of the Snoqualmie tribe, is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the Eastern Washington University.

WIGA is a non-profit organization of tribal leaders in Washington state.  It runs a scholarship program for tribal members pursuing higher education degrees.  The program is designed to promote tribal self-sufficiency by providing scholarships for Native American students in Washington seeking to advance their own self-sufficiency and broaden their personal and professional potential through higher education.  The organization also educates the Indian gaming community, the public and all levels of government about gaming issues.

Nicole received a $1,200 scholarship.  Enrolled members of the WIGA tribes and Indian students in Washington state are eligible.  Scholarships are awarded to students pursuing degrees at community and technical colleges, four-year colleges, and post-graduate and professional schools.

“This year, we had many qualified applicants to choose from, which made our selection process very difficult,” said WIGA chairman W. Ron Allen.  “But it reflects the increasing depth of talent among young tribal members.  The winners should be very proud of themselves for standing out among their peers.”

WIGA awarded a total of $30,000 in scholarship funds to 25 students.

For more information about the WIGA Scholarship program, call 360-352-3248 or visit www.washingtonindiangaming.org.

First annual Snoqualmie Valley Health Fair, May 16

Benefit for Northwest Railway Museum at Woodman Lodge

The Woodman Lodge Steakhouse & Saloon is hosting a benefit for the
Northwest Railway Museum on Thursday, April 30 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The goal is to raise $25,000 to aid flood recovery efforts to rebuild the railway in Snoqualmie, WA.

The evening includes:
* Your choice from four delicious entrees;
* A picturesque train ride after dinner;
* Silent auction and lots of special surprises

Tickets: $85 per person/$150 per couple. Please email ticket requests to tickets@woodmanlodge.com or give them a call at 425-888-4441. For more information, please visit woodmanlodge.com

Thriving in Challenging Economic Times

The Sammamish Chamber of Commerce presents

Celebrating Women in Business March 22nd 1-5PM
“Thriving in Challenging Economic Times”
Keynote speaker Susan Scott of Fierce, Inc.
Amazing things happen when women connect!
Place:  Plateau Club, 25625 E Plateau Drive, Sammamish
Price $25

Register online at www.sammamishchamber.org

The “Best of the Valley” contest is back!

Who’s got the best burger, cup of joe, or store to browse in the Snoqualmie Valley? You decide!

DOWNLOAD BALLOT HERE

Ballots are also available inside the Snoqualmie Valley Record and may be dropped off at the Record or the following locations around the Valley:

• Snoqualmie Falls Credit Union
• North Bend Therapeutic Massage
• North Bend Physical Therapy
• John L. Scott North Bend
• Mount Si Sports & Fitness
• U Dirty Dog!
• Renaissance Pet Salon
• Jeff Warren State Farm on Snoqualmie Ridge
• Natural Rejuvenation
• Cascade Bank

The top vote-getting Valley establishments will be named in the March Snoqualmie Valley Living publication. People who vote in the contest will also be entered to win a night’s stay for two at the Salish Lodge and Spa.

To be accepted, at least 13 categories need to be marked on each ballot. One entry is allowed per person.

Ballots may also be faxed to 425-888-2427 or mailed to the Snoqualmie Valley Record, PO Box 300, Snoqualmie, WA, 98065.

Fall Color in the Snoqualmie Valley

Thanks to Terry O’Brien for passing his video along!

Snoqualmie Valley Rifle Club Offers $5 Sight-ins

Snoqualmie Valley Rifle Club is offering sight-ins at the SVRC range on Sept 27 and 28 and Oct 4 and 5.

The club assists local residents by sighting rifles at the low cost of $5 per rifle.

For more information, see www.svrifle.com

Snoqualmie & North Bend Happy Hour Report

Every day (Monday-Friday):

Ana’s Mexican (Snoqualmie Ridge): 3-7 pm, bar only. $3 well drinks, beer & wine $2-$3, $3.50 margaritas

Attic Bistro at the Salish Lodge: 4-6 pm

Capone’s Lounge at The Pizza Place (North Bend): 12-6 pm and 10pm-midnight; Half price appetizers and pizza by the slice, half price wine and microbrews, 25% off spirits, and free pool after 10 pm.

Cascade Steak & Seafood (North Bend): 3 to 6 pm; $5 wine, $4 wells, $2.50 and $3.50 pints

Finaghty’s (Snoqualmie Ridge): 3 to 6 pm and 10 pm to midnight; $3 wells, $2 domestics, $3 imports, $5 imperial pints, all small plates half price.

Jay Berry’s (North Bend): 3 to 6 pm, 9 pm to close; $5 menu

Mike’s Cascade Grill (Snoqualmie Ridge): Specials from 4 to 6 pm.

Mt. Si Golf Course Restaurant: 2 to 4 pm; Bud Light and Coors Light $2 pints

Pour House (North Bend): 4 to 7 pm, $2 pints, $3 microbrews, $4 wells, $1.50 PBRs

Raging River (Fall City): All day until 6 pm, $3.50 wells, $3 domestic drafts

Snoqualmie Brewery: 4 to 6 pm, $1 off beer and appetizers

Uncle Si’s Pizza (Snoqualmie Ridge): 4 to 6 pm; $2.50 pints

Woodman Lodge: 3 to 6 pm; half off appetizers

Monday

Mt. Si Pub- Micro Mondays

Twede’s Diner - $9.99 all you can eat pancakes

Tuesday

Mt. Si Pub - Tightwad Tuesday $1 PBRs

Raging River - $1 Tacos

Jay Berry’s - $2 taps including Mac & Jack, Pyramid, more

Wednesday

Woodman Lodge: Wild Women - Music & Wine Wednesdays

Mt. Si Pub - Well Wednesdays

Jay Berry’s - $1 off any house wine

Twede’s - $9.99 All you can eat chicken strips after 5 pm

Thursday

Ana’s Mexican - $5 tequila tasting

Jay Berry’s - $2.50 wells

Los Cabos - $1 tacos, $2.50 Miller Lite

Maple Valley Aesthetic Clinic To Hold Open House

Dr. Stacy Cosmetic in Maple Valley will hold a fall open house on  October 7, 2008.

The event will feature informal presentations and live demonstrations Fraxel Repair, SmartLipo, and Thermage Body Shape. Someone will win a FREE face or body Thermage treatment valued up to $4000.

For more information, visit Dr. Stacy Cosmetic.

RANT: Restaurants on Snoqualmie Ridge

We try and try to get a decent meal in Snoqualmie and our list of places where this is possible is now very short. We don’t have kids, so our reviews will be slanted that way - but I’d love to have reviews submitted from anyone in the area.

Most people try a restaurant once and if they don’t have a good experience, they never come back. In terms of the Ridge, that could put a place out of business in a hurry.

In particular, I love the Pickle Lady for lunch and have had good experiences at Emerald City Smoothie. We like iBurger, but when I’m craving a great burger it’s certainly not my choice.

When we tried to go Talay Thai, we walked in to a nearly empty restaurant, sat down, and waited for at least 5 minutes. The chef saw us, ignored us, and didn’t tell anyone in the back we were there. We heard lots of laughing and commotion from the back, but no one ever came out. We’ll never return.

Nick and Willy’s take and bake pizza is now closed. We never tried it. Hmmm…

Taco del Mar is one of my favorites, but when I tried to go there on the Ridge, the food was sub-par and the service was awful.

Tried to go to Finaghty’s once, but it was so crowded that we couldn’t sit down. I take this as a sign we need more adult-oriented restaurants! We’ll try again and report back.

Mike’s Cascade Grill was overpriced and the menu was mediocre and unmemorable at best. It’s very loud in there.

I have to wonder if the restrictions placed on businesses in this area have prevented success in general. The cost of just being open has got to be extremely prohibitive for the owners of these restaurants. While it’s nice to have original concepts in there, I fear that the conditions for opening, growing, and maintaining a successful small business on the Ridge are backfiring a bit, resulting in a standard of poor quality and service.