Category: Local News

Rain gardens at Tulalip admin building are decreasing pollution runoff

Admin building rain gardens, expect to see hundreds of blooms next spring.Photo by Monica Brown
Admin building rain gardens, expect to see hundreds of blooms next spring.
Photo by Monica Brown

By Monica Brown, Tulalip News writer

TULALIP, Wash. – The rain gardens at the Tulalip administration building have had a year to flourish, and flourish they have.  When you drive through the parking lot you see trees in the garden strips along with some shrubs, but towards the back you can see a spray of green areas that are roped off.  Some people are not aware that these roped off garden areas are not weeds, but are native vegetation and they were chosen specifically for their ability to remove pollutants.

“It’s a menagerie, but that’s how it was designed, to be low growing and provide a green landscape that would help filter out the pollutants,” said Derek Marks of Tulalip Natural Resources.

Last year, the Natural Resources department was able to take a few garden areas within the admin building parking lot and turn them into rain gardens. Shortly after it was completed it had been sprayed with herbicides, a major no-no when it comes to rain gardens. “You don’t build a rain garden to manage it with herbicides,” said Derek. “The rain garden themselves filter the pollutants; we’re not supposed to add pollutants to them.”

The gardens contain mainly different species of sedge, rush, woodrush and grass along with western buttercup, great camas and chocolate Lily. This last spring there weren’t many blooming camas or chocolate lily because the time between when they were planted and when they bloom in spring was too short for them to become established.

Chocolate lilyPhoto By Derek Marks
Chocolate lily
Photo By Derek Marks

“We’re expecting a lot more to bloom next spring. You’ll probably see several hundred camas plants out here blooming,” commented Derek, about the shortage of blooms this last spring.

Derek explains that, “the rain gardens are filter strips.” And, “the plants and microbes work hand in hand to break down the pollutants.” They remove toxins, oils and heavy metals that are in water runoff from the parking lot. Without the rain garden the pollutants in the water runoff would make their way out and contaminate the Puget Sound. The possibility of turning other garden strips within the parking area into more rain gardens has come up, but nothing has been decided on as of yet.

This pilot rain garden project was developed by Tulalip’s Natural Resources’, Valerie Streeter and Derek Marks. They caution that although some of these plants are known for being harvestable, these particular plants, and any that may reside in other rain gardens, are not harvestable because they are full of toxins.

Camas bloom Photo by Derek Marks
Camas bloom
Photo by Derek Marks

For those that would like to start their own rain garden, Washington State University and Stewardship Partners have begun a campaign to install 12,000 rain gardens in the Puget Sound area by the year 2016. The website for the campaign has videos to explain the whole process of putting in a rain garden and lists the many resources available to someone interested in installing one. Please visit 12000raingardens.org for more information about rain garden installation.

Tulalip is ready for VAWA

During a visit from White House officials, Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama, and Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls, commended Tulalip for all of it’s efforts, both in criminal justice in general and specifically for playing such an impactful role bringing awareness to the plight of Native American women left out by original VAWA.
During a visit from White House officials, Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama, and Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls, commended Tulalip for all of it’s efforts, both in criminal justice in general and specifically for playing such an impactful role bringing awareness to the plight of Native American women left out by original VAWA.
Photo/Brandi N. Montreuil

By Niki Cleary, Tulalip News

TULALIP, Wash., — “It’s not enough to cry peace, we have to act peace and we have to live peace,” Tulalip Tribal Court’s Chief Judge Theresa Pouley opened a September visit from White House officials with her teachings as a citizen of the Colville Confederated Tribes and as a tribal court judge.

She went on to explain that although talking and planning are necessary to ensure justice, walking the talk is crucial.

“Law and justice is made up of every arm of the tribe,” said Pouley. “Everyone meets once a month and we all pitch in to see what we can do to make the justice system better. A separation of powers doesn’t mean a separation of problems and certainly doesn’t mean a separation of solutions. One of the great things that Tulalip does is collaborate, out of the box, to provide services. That’s the core of the way justice gets done in Indian Country.”

That collaboration, she clarified, along with a history of providing due process beyond the requirements of the law, are just two of the reasons that Tulalip is ready to take over jurisdiction of all cases involving domestic violence. Until now, tribes have had no jurisdiction over domestic violence when one of the parties involved is not a tribal citizen.

“This is a historic moment,” said Pouley. “I want to marvel in the fact that for the first time, tribal courts are given authority over non-tribal [citizens]. We recognize that tribes are in the best position to do it [enforce the Violence Against Women Act], and we can do it better. We’re waiting to be a pilot. We’re ready to go and we can change the face of this community!”

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was originally passed 19 years ago. The re-authorization of the act was delayed by a fight to include provisions protecting Native American women.

President Obama encapsulated the necessity for those provisions during a speech he made while signing the re-authorization.

“Indian Country has some of the highest rates of domestic abuse in America. And one of the reasons is that when Native American women are abused on tribal lands by an attacker who is not Native American, the attacker is immune from prosecution by tribal courts. Well, as soon as I sign this bill that ends.”

Tulalip’s Interim Chief of Police Carlos Echevarria reiterated the importance of tribes having jurisdiction over all domestic violence cases.

“We see up to 75,000 visitors daily,” he pointed out. “We have 13,000 non-member residents, a lot of traffic and a lot of guests. I can’t tell you how frustrating it’s been arresting non-Indians for domestic crimes against members and knowing that nothing was likely to be done.”

Tulalip Vice-Chairwoman Deborah Parker, who has become known nationally as the face of Native women affected by VAWA, put it in even plainer words.

“We shouldn’t have to walk in fear that we’re going to be raped or abused at any age, from infants to our elders. We get these calls daily. Pretty soon, with your help, this will change.”

Although pleased with this expansion of tribal jurisdiction, Echevarria said it can’t be the last step in recognizing tribes rights to police their lands.

“This is a significant achievement to all tribes and another step in creating a safer community,” he said. “We’ll now move on to the next step, full criminal jurisdiction and a reversal of the Oliphant decision.”

Although no decisions or formal announcements came from the day-long tour, Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama, and Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls commended Tulalip for all of it’s efforts, both in criminal justice in general and specifically for playing such an impactful role bringing awareness to the plight of Native American women left out by original VAWA. She made a point of thanking Vice-Chairwoman Parker for being willing to relive her painful past, ‘not just one time, but over and over and over again,’ in order to ensure that Native women are protected in the future.

“It’s an exciting time to be here,” said Jarrett. “As we heard from Chief Justice Pouley, you are ready. Now it’s up to our team to step up to the plate.”

Foster’s Fall Pumpkin & Corn Maze Festival returns in October

Source: The Arlington Times

ARLINGTON — Foster’s Produce & Corn Maze will host its annual Fall Pumpkin & Corn Maze Festival throughout the month of October, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 1-31, giving visitors a chance to celebrate their farmers and the harvest season on a local farm, and to reward their tastebuds with fresh-picked sweet corn and other farm goodies.

The family-friendly activities are set to include a pumpkin patch and a “Pirate Ship Adventures Corn Maze,” the latter of which will challenge participants to find all the pirates hiding in the maze and solve the riddle. Attendees can also enjoy tractor-drawn hayrides, a pumpkin slingshot, a hay maze and the farm’s animal barn. You can shop at the Harvest Market for local sweet corn and honey, squashes and gourds, apples and apple cider, or explore the selection of gourmet foods and the Halloween gift shop.

In the evening, sufficiently brave souls are welcome to play in the spooky Night Maze and Giant Pumpkin Hunt from 5-9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 and 26. Bring your flashlight. The social bonfire will keep you warm, and the Harvest Market will be open to serve espresso, hot cocoa and pies.

Foster’s also offers Vintage Hay Barn Party room rentals and school tours. Call 360-435-6516 or email fosters@fosterscornmaze.com for more information or to make reservations.

Foster’s Produce & Corn Maze is located at 5818 State Route 530 NE in Arlington. For further details, log onto www.fosterscornmaze.com.

This fifth year of the annual Red Rooster Route’s celebration of local farms will also host the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum’s “Pioneer Days” on Saturday, Sept. 21, as well as the Arlington Farmers’ Market Handmade Holiday Indoor Gift Market on Saturday, Dec. 7.

The Red Rooster Route is a self-guided tour through the Arlington farming and downtown area, off Exit 208 on I-5, made up of a nonprofit association of small, family-friendly farms that are open to the public during the harvest season.

To learn more about the farms and festivals on the Red Rooster Route, and to download a tour map, you can visit their website at www.redroosterroute.com.

Taste of Tulalip – The Culinary Festival of the Year

5th Anniversary Highlights Include Extraordinary Epicurean Events, Celebrity Chefs & Sommelier Superstars

Tickets are still available for the Taste of Tulalip Grand Taste, Saturday, November 9

Tulalip, Washington – Tulalip Resort Casino is gearing up for a weekend of revelry to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Taste of Tulalip, its coveted award-winning food and wine aficionado event.  Scheduled for November 8 and 9, 2013, this year’s line-up of top talent, to be announced within the next month, will include many familiar names as well as some stars on the rise.  Past culinary celeb appearances have included ABC TV’s “The Chew” host Carla Hall, Bravo’s Top Chef Master and author Marcus Samuelsson, wine legend Marc Mondavi, “Thirsty Girl” Leslie Sbrocco and others.  Executive Chef Perry Mascitti and Sommelier Tommy Thompson are putting together a dazzling roster of food, wine and tradition show-stoppers that have been a year in the planning.   Taste 2013 will feature honorary winemaker Bob Betz of Betz Family Winery.

The two-day gathering, with a focus on food, wine and tradition, begins with a Friday night wine and passed hors d’oeuvres reception, followed by the aptly named Celebration Dinner.  The multi-course repast will focus on Native American and traditional recipe inspired dishes, paired with a global offering of rare, top wines. It is priced at $175. Tickets are limited and this event is always a sell-out.

The weekend’s highlight is always the Grand Taste, spanning four hours and featuring lavish food stations as well as over 100 wines from Washington State, California and Oregon, and craft beer.  It is priced at $95 and includes a Rock –n- Roll Cooking Challenge done “Iron Chef” style with celebrity judges looking for the best from both regional and Tulalip chefs, and sommelier teams.   Special guest Emilio Lopez of El Salvador (a sixth generation specialty coffee producer), will be appearing at the Dillanos Coffee Roasters espresso bar, where guests will be able to sample a special TOT 5th Anniversary Blend.

All of the weekend’s wine offerings will be available in limited quantities for purchase in the Taste of Tulalip retail wine shop.  There will also be book and bottle signings for those looking to personalize their purchases.

For tickets, go to www.tasteoftulalip.com or www.ticketmaster.com

I-5 Skagit River Bridge reopens with new permanent replacement

KIRO 7 drove on the newly replaced Interstate 5 Skagit River Bridge.
KIRO 7 drove on the newly replaced Interstate 5 Skagit River Bridge.

By Deborah Horne and KIRO 7 STAFF

BURLINGTON, Wash. — After nearly four long months, the Skagit River Bridge reopened to cheers.

It was a welcome sight for an area weary of the detours and congestion while I-5 was cut off.  And, says Burlington Mayor Steve Sexton, there was the feared collapse of the local economy.

“We made it through,” said Sexton. “But it was a tough go.”

The decades-old bridge and two vehicles tumbled on May 23into the Skagit River when an oversized truckload hit some overhead crossbeams. Everyone survived.

It took 27 days to put in a temporary bridge.

As today’s appointed hour to open the new permanent bridge came and went, traffic on the surface streets kept building.

“Oh, it’s crazy,” Shannon Parrish of Burlington said of the traffic. “Not very fun. It takes about 45 minutes to get home just from here.” It’s a trip that she said normally takes seven minutes.

The bridge still hadn’t opened even when the governor arrived.  The delay was blamed on the extra time needed to cut some big steel plates.  But Gov. Jay Inslee was in no mood to criticize.

“No one in the United States of America thought we could get this job done in three and a half months,” he said, his voice rising. “This was a tremendous feat.”

The mayor of Mount Vernon said she’ll drink to that.

“I think I’ll go home and maybe have a glass of wine tonight,” said Jill Boudreau, laughing.  “Toast the DOT and the governor.”

The traffic over the bridge will remain at 40 mph for the time being.

There will be more overnight closures. The crossbeams are being raised to try to prevent them from being hit again.  That work will last until mid-November.

Once the work is done, the bridge will be named for Washington State Trooper Sean O’Connell.  O’Connell was killed while helping detour traffic a week after the bridge collapsed.

Cabela’s to host Waterfowl Classic

Source: The Marysville Globe

fowl Classic is set to be celebrated at the hunting, fishing and outdoor gear retailer’s Tulalip location on Sept. 14-15.

The store will feature sales, guest appearances, seminars, family activities and more, on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Activities and seminars taking place on Sept. 14 include topics such as choosing the right waterfowl camouflage, the science of duck and goose calling with Zink Calls’ Pro Staff Chad Nelson, proper decoy placement in variable terrain, goose and duck sausage and jerky secrets, kids duck calling contest and camouflage face painting challenge and duck blind breakfast ideas. Attendees have the opportunity to participate in a meet and greet with local conservation partners.

On Sunday, the store will host the following seminars — Waterfowl University, Waterfowl Shooting Essentials, After the Shot: Processing the Bird,  Rigging Your Decoys for Success and more.

More information about Cabela’s Waterfowl Classic sales and weekend activities can be found online at www.cabelas.com/tulalip.

Pumpkins to fly this weekend on Ebey Island

Sarah Weiser / Herald 2010 fileCsaba Mundi, of the Log-Craft Trebuchet, prepares his team's pumpkin for hurling during the third annual Snohomish Pumpkin Hurl at Bartelheimer Farm. The Log-Craft, named after Mundi's furniture business, includes an elk hide sling for the pumpkin. Its longest hurl of the day was 387 feet.
Sarah Weiser / Herald 2010 file
Csaba Mundi, of the Log-Craft Trebuchet, prepares his team’s pumpkin for hurling during the third annual Snohomish Pumpkin Hurl at Bartelheimer Farm. The Log-Craft, named after Mundi’s furniture business, includes an elk hide sling for the pumpkin. Its longest hurl of the day was 387 feet.

By Ashley Stewart, the Herald

Pumpkins will be smashing this weekend.

Medieval catapults will send the orange orbs into the air during a two-day event to open the Snohomish Festival of Pumpkins.

Teams will bring in custom-built “punkin chunkin'” machines to the Snohomish Pumpkin Hurl and Medieval Fair, beginning Saturday, to see who can hurl the gourds farthest, like the previous 1,866-foot world record that was set at the event one year.

“The air literally vibrates with the power of the throw,” event manager Debbie Carlson Gould said.

“It’s a kind of physical thrill just to be standing near.”

And there’s a lot more to do than watch.

Visitors are encouraged to dress up in period costume or any other family-friendly costume — that includes zombies and comic book and movie characters, Gould said — and enjoy all things medieval.

Families can launch their own pumpkins with air cannons or small-scale trebuchets, shoot arrows, fight it out on Viking shield walls or try on chain mail shirts.

Kids can take part in mock battles like the fully armored mounted knights who will travel the grounds.

There have been knights on horseback in past events, but this year, they will joust.

“When the horses are running — and these are big horses — just the thump and the vibrating of the hoof clopping toward you, it’s so exciting,” Gould said.

The sixth annual event also features medieval-themed pony rides; a kid’s scavenger hunt; educational programs featuring authentic, antique weaponry; food vendors; and a $5 spirits and wine tasting.

The six pumpkin farms near Snohomish open in October for corn mazes, hayrides, animal farms and pumpking shopping.

“They give families a chance to unplug from all the electronics that we are bombarded with get out under sky and make wonderful, lasting memories together,” Gould said. “They can connect with each other and with nature.”

Snohomish Pumpkin Hurl and Medieval Faire runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 14 and 15 at Alexander Farm, 43rd Avenue SE and Ebey Island Road, Everett.

Admission is $7.50 general and free for children 4 and younger.

Parking is $5.

For more information, visit www.festivalofpumpkins.org.

Walking to remember, walking to raise awareness

World Suicide Prevention Day sparks community action

Family and friends in the Tulalip community join together to walk in remembrance of loved ones lost to suicide.
Family and friends in the Tulalip community join together to walk in remembrance of loved ones lost to suicide. Photo/Andrew Gobin

By Andrew Gobin, Tulalip News

Tulalip − “People came together to make this happen,” said Rochelle Lubbers who organized a community suicide prevention walk Tuesday, September 10th, in honor of World Suicide Prevention Day. “More than 150 people participated in Tuesday’s event,” she continued, “which was surprising, yet inspiring.”

Families wore the colors of World Suicide Prevention Day, some personalized with photos and names of people they have lost to suicide. Many also made signs in memory of loved ones that were victims of suicide.

The walk began near the Tulalip Health Clinic, and stretched half way around the bay, ending at the tribal center with a candlelight vigil and potluck.

The event was entirely community driven. The food served was brought by participants, the ribbons and craft supplies were donated by Michael’s, and Wal-Mart and Safeway each donated $25 worth of goods to the event.

Supported by friends and family, Rose Iukes walks in memory of her daughter, Lateesha Jack. Photo/Andrew Gobin
Supported by friends and family, Rose Iukes walks in memory of her daughter, Lateesha Jack. Photo/Andrew Gobin

World Suicide Prevention Day is held on September 10th every year, and though this is Tulalip’s first year participating, it began ten years ago.

In Indian country, native male suicide rates are 10 times the national rate, with some reservations considerably higher. For native females, the rates are 13-17 times the national average. Indian Health Service and Health Human Services record dangerously high numbers among native youth as well.

Lubbers said, “I just wanted to raise awareness about the issue. Even when it happens here, it seems that people talk about the person, which is good, but we never seem to address the issue. I think if more people were aware of the issue, more could be done to stop it.”

Sherry Dick joins the walk in honor of her brother.
Sherry Dick joins the walk in honor of her brother.

Lovick to address conference on growth, transportation

Source: The Herald

EVERETT — Snohomish County Executive John Lovick will deliver the opening address later this month at a conference to help local governments with growth and transportation issues.

The Snohomish County Tomorrow assembly is scheduled 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 25 in the public meeting room of the county’s Bob Drewel Building, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett.

A panel is scheduled to discuss developing the Eastside Rail Corridor between Snohomish and Woodinville. The county is negotiating to buy the stretch of rail line from the Port of Seattle. Plans call for a recreation trail, tourist trains and commuter rail. Speakers include Snohomish Mayor Karen Guzak, county executive director Peter Camp, and Cascadia Center director Bruce Agnew.

Snohomish County Tomorrow is a regional countywide planning effort joining representatives of local government, the Tulalip Tribes and others.

More info: go to www.snoco.org/County_Services/SCT; or contact Cynthia Pruitt at 425-388-3185, cynthia.pruitt@snoco.org.

Sammy Hagar donates to Tulalip food bank

Sammy Hagar with Tulalip tribal member, Marilyn Sheldon (left) and friends.
Sammy Hagar with Tulalip tribal member Marilyn Sheldon (left) and friends.

Kim Kalliber, Tulalip News

Sammy Hagar performed before a packed house at the Tulalip Resort Casino Amphitheatre on August 15th, for his 40 Years of Rock tour.  Along with the high-energy rock n’ roll Sammy is famous for, what make the Red Rocker’s performances even more memorable are the donations he makes to local food banks in each community he visits. As part of this ongoing support of local food banks, Sammy chose to donate $2,500 towards the Tulalip Food Bank.

“Food banks in your local community are the biggest bang for your buck in my search for the simplest and most reliable way to help others,” Hagar said in a recent Billboard article. “You see the clientele lined up and they need it. You don’t see people taking advantage of something.”
A multi-platinum, outgoing, bombastic front man of hard rock champions Van Halen, Hagar is a member in good standing of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He will be releasing his first solo album in five years on September 24, 2013.  Hagar has enlisted three legendary musicians – Toby Keith, Mickey Hart and Taj Mahal – to round out the final three tracks of the album to be titled: “Sammy Hagar and Friends.”

If you are interested in donating to the food bank, you can reach the Tulalip Food Bank at 425.512.6435 or 1330 Marine Ave NE, Tulalip, WA 98271.