Police responded to a report of a suspicious person at the Newcastle Chase Bank, 6911 Coal Creek Parkway S.E., March 26. The Bellevue man, who appeared to be a transient with mental issues, police said, went into the bank and asked for coffee before going on a rant about how the bank had “raped” him in the past. Later, when police approached him at a Newcastle bus stop, he said he used to be the Bellevue Fire chief and that he knew former President George H.W. Bush.

Newcastle Police encountered the man again April 2, after a Metro bus driver called about an agitated passenger. The man claimed police gave him drugs, and added that he owned the FBI and worked for the CIA. Based on his statements and some made to the bus driver, police requested an ambulance for involuntary commitment.

Knock, knock

A man called police after someone suspiciously knocked on his door in the 7400 block of 122nd Place Southeast at about 11 p.m. March 27. The homeowner said after someone banged on his door, he checked and no one was there. The man said he has had issues in the past with juveniles coming and knocking on his door.

Senior center suspicions

Two males drove into the Regency Newcastle parking garage, 7454 Newcastle Golf Club Road, and attempted to gain entry into cars and the building March 29. They were unsuccessful and left without damaging any property.

Sunglass swipe

Kate Spade sunglasses valued at $125 was taken from a vehicle in the 7400 block of 122nd Place Southeast at 4 a.m. April 3. Police were able to collect fingerprints from the scene.

Spare some change?

An Olympus resident reported that someone rummaged through two vehicles parked in the 8400 block of 128th Southeast between April 9 and 10. The thief left more valuable objects, such as a GPS and designer sunglasses, but did take the change.

Photographic evidence

A resident called police when two children told their mother that a person in a white, four-door car appeared to be taking pictures of them at the corner of Southeast 76th and 116th Avenue Southeast on April 14. The children, coming home from Hazelwood Elementary School, said there was no one else around and no obvious landmarks worth photography. The Renton School District sent a representative to observe the next day’s bus drop-off, but no vehicle matching the description appeared.

Wandering wallet

A Newcastle man visited Newcastle City Hall to report a lost wallet April 15. He reported that it probably slipped out of his pocket at the local QFC parking lot or at Lake Boren Park. It contained $500 cash, his identification and credit cards.

The Hazelwood Elementary School PTSA is offering two $1,000 college scholarships to graduating high-school seniors who attended the Newcastle primary school.

Former Mustangs who are part of the class of 2015 and hold at least a 3.0 grade point average are eligible to apply for the awards. The $1,000 scholarships are applied toward the winners’ first-year tuition at any accredited university.

Required application materials, due April 17, include a high-school transcript, letter of recommendation and more.

Application materials are available here and in the counseling offices at Hazen, Lindbergh, Newport and Renton high schools.

Tracey Naylor officially began her duties as the school’s new principal Jan. 5, replacing interim-Principal Judy Busch. Busch came out of retirement while the district found a permanent replacement for Principal Cindy Farnsworth, now at Meadow Crest Early Learning Center.

Tracey Naylor

Naylor, a graduate of Columbia University and American University, comes to Hazelwood from Campbell Hill Elementary School, where she served as the assistant principal.

Prior to serving in the Renton School District, she taught in Arizona and Louisiana as well as served as an instructional coach, principal in residence and director of instruction in Louisiana, New York and Washington, D.C., respectively.

Naylor took time to answer a few Newcastle News questions.

What made you decide to take the job at Hazelwood Elementary School?

I have spent my professional career in anticipation of leading a school. I believe that Hazelwood’s staff, students and parents are ready to support a school that ensures high levels of achievement, college and career readiness, and equity and access for all.

How has your background prepared you for this position?

As a former teacher, instructional coach, resident principal and director of instruction, I led several key initiatives, including building and sustaining strong highly-capable programs, developing highly effective instructional models to support English language learners, creating high quality STEM programs rooted in scientific inquiry, constructing new curricula models aligned with the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards (pre-K-12), and shifting instruction to be in greater alignment with the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed in the 21st century. Additionally, through my graduate studies at Columbia University’s Teachers College, along with my residency in New York City, I had an opportunity to spend time learning best practices and networking with school leaders from the highest performing schools across America.

Why did you decide to go into the education field?

After college, I applied and was accepted to Teach for America, a program that required a two-year commitment to teach in the nation’s highest need schools. This ignited a lifelong passion for education, school leadership and transformational change.

What excites you most about working at Hazelwood?

The potential for expanded excellence! Hazelwood’s staff, parents and students are innovative, eager to learn and relentlessly committed. I am truly thrilled to partner with this extraordinary team as we identify the key levers needed for educational excellence in the 21st century.

How do you plan to continue strengthening relationships between the school and the community?

With new standards and expectations, a partnership between Hazelwood, the city of Newcastle and the city of Renton will be critical as we begin to craft and implement our new school improvement plan. I intend to continue strengthening relationships through this planning process as we collaboratively partner with Hazelwood parents to craft our key initiatives. By connecting various aspects of our greater community into the strategic plan, we can leverage our collective strengths and expand opportunities in service of all students and their future.

What are your goals for the rest of the school year?

My goal is to continue to learn about the Hazelwood community by connecting directly with staff, students and families. I hope to leverage all stakeholders in the creation of our theory of action and school vision.

What are your favorite activities outside of school?

My husband grew up and graduated from Bellevue High School, so he enjoys showing me around Washington and planning various expeditions to the variety of museums, parks, restaurants and theaters that adorn this area. I am a member of the Junior League of Seattle and treasure my opportunities to serve the greater Seattle area through my work as a trained volunteer. I also love playing basketball, watching movies and spending time outdoors.

P.S. My husband and I love brunch at The Golf Club at Newcastle! The view is extraordinary.

Newcastle pioneer Milt Swanson passes away

Family, neighbors and community leaders gathered Jan. 25 to honor the life of Milt Swanson, a titan of Newcastle history and a man with an unceasing, warming smile.

The Newcastle pioneer, born and raised in this community, spent all of his 95 years in the same area, 90 of which were in the same company house that still stands at the edge of town near the Cougar Mountain trailhead.

Swanson died Jan. 20 after a Jan. 14 fall sent him to a hospital, where he lapsed into a coma.

He knew more about the city’s vast coal-mining history than anyone, because he actually lived it. He worked in the mines, as his father and grandfather did before him, and it was vital to him to tell his story, making sure the history of Newcastle never died.

“It was important to him to allow as many people who were interested to understand the beginnings of the city they live in,” Newcastle City Councilman Rich Crispo said. “He loved this community.”

Council elects new mayor, deputy mayor

The Newcastle City Council ushered in 2014 with elections for the mayor and deputy mayor positions at its Jan. 7 meeting.

Steve Buri was elected mayor, while newcomer John Drescher is the new deputy mayor. Both will serve two-year terms.

Buri was elected to the City Council in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. He served as deputy mayor from 2008-2011.

Drescher was the new face on the council, having defeated opponent Mark Greene to fill the seat vacated by retiring Councilman Bill Erxleben in the November election.

Prior to that, he served on the Newcastle Planning Commission for four years, and as the board’s chairman for the past year and a half.

Neighbors voice concerns about Energize Eastside

A Puget Sound Energy project to bring higher capacity electric transmission lines to a growing Eastside caused controversy across affected cities, including Newcastle, in 2014.

Olympus residents in particular voiced their concerns about Energize Eastside at City Council meetings and public forums.

PSE’s Community Advisory Group recently presented its recommended routes, and both include a line that goes through Newcastle.

This story appears far from over though, as affected cities, led by Bellevue, come together to hire an independent consultant to research the project, and work through the Environmental Impact Statement process.

Old Hazelwood comes down to make way for middle school

The Renton School District demolished the old Hazelwood Elementary School in 2014 to make way for a new middle school.

The district’s fourth middle school comes at an important time, given that Renton’s middle schools are among the largest in the state.

The new school is slated to open in fall 2016.

Newcastle Days celebrates 20 years

The city of Newcastle celebrated its 20 years as an incorporated city with a special Newcastle Days celebration.

New to this year’s annual festival was a parade featuring youth groups and individuals dressed as coal miners in a nod to the city’s history.

“Really, when you think about it, 20 years isn’t old for even a tree, but there’s been a huge amount of change here in Newcastle in the last 20 years,” said Community Activities Commission Chairwoman Diane Lewis, one of the festival’s organizers.

Newport Woods community concerned about proposed development

A proposed multifamily, mixed-use development along Newcastle Way, just beside City Hall, has Newport Woods neighbors wondering how much longer the city will remain the quaint Newcastle they fell in love with.

The application calls for a 76-unit, 64-foot mixed-use building set on just under an acre of land in what is now a wooded area next to Newcastle City Hall. A trail along the Olympic pipeline is about the only thing that would separate it from homes on the edge of the Newport Woods community.

If approved as is, the six-story building would be the tallest in the city.

Renton History Museum features Newcastle exhibit

The Renton History Museum partnered with the Newcastle Historical Society to create an exhibit dedicated to Newcastle’s past.

“Newcastle: Little Giant of the Eastside,” feature pictures, maps and objects from Newcastle’s coal-mining past. The exhibit has information about the cemetery, as well as the Baima House, a still-standing Pacific Coast Coal Co. house, considered among the oldest buildings in King County.

The exhibit will be on display at the Renton History Museum through February 2015.

Tracey Naylor will take over the position currently held by interim-Principal Judy Busch.

Naylor, a graduate of Columbia University and American University, comes to Hazelwood from Campbell Hill Elementary School, where she served as the assistant principal.

Tracey Naylor

Prior to serving in the Renton School District, she taught in Arizona and Louisiana as well as served as an instructional coach, principal in residence and director of instruction in Louisiana, New York and Washington, D.C., respectively.

“I truly value excellence and believe that high-quality teaching and learning, along with strong community partnerships, are paramount to our success,” Naylor wrote in an email to Hazelwood staff members. “I am incredibly excited by the opportunity to lead the wonderful efforts of staff, students and parents at Hazelwood.”

The Renton School District began searching for former Principal Cindy Farnsworth’s replacement last summer. Farnsworth is now at the Meadow Crest Early Learning Center.

Not being able to find a permanent solution, the district asked Busch to come out of retirement and get the year started.

Naylor will officially begin her new duties Jan. 5.

Tracey Naylor

Hazelwood Elementary School has a new principal.

Tracey Naylor will take over the permanent position currently held by interim-Principal Judy Busch.

Naylor, a graduate of Columbia University and American University, comes to Hazelwood from Campbell Hill Elementary School, where she served as the assistant principal.

Prior to serving in the Renton School District, she taught in Arizona and Louisiana as well as served as an instructional coach, principal in residence, and director of instruction in Louisiana, New York, and Washington D.C. respectively.

“I truly value excellence and believe that high quality teaching and learning, along with strong community partnerships, are paramount to our success,” Naylor wrote in an email to Hazelwood staff members. “I am incredibly excited by the opportunity to lead the wonderful efforts of staff, students and parents at Hazelwood.”

The Renton School District began searching for former Principal Cindy Farnsworth’s replacement last summer. Farnsworth is now at the Meadow Crest Early Learning Center.

Not being able to find a permanent solution, the district asked Busch to come out of retirement and get the year started.

Naylor will officially begin her new duties Jan. 5.

By Greg Farrar
Diamond Award winners for 2014 are (from left) Chris Ware, Margaret Strong, Christina Corrales-Toy, Jaime Greene, David Vaisar, Mary Elworth, the Coal Creek YMCA represented by Sara Biancofiori and David Harris.

Whether it’s his suave British accent, his kind, carefree attitude or the shoulder-length hair, something about David Harris just says “rock star.”

The man behind the music at festivals across the Eastside, including Newcastle’s Concerts in the Park and Newcastle Days, knows how to put on a show, and he was recognized for it with the top honor at the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Diamond Awards ceremony.

Newcastle Mayor Steve Buri presented Harris with the Mayor’s Award on Nov. 20 in a glitzy evening affair at The Golf Club at Newcastle. Buri described Harris as a person that “makes things happen,” and thanked him for managing the sound of and helping bring bands to Newcastle’s community events.

“He’s a huge asset to everything we’ve done over the last 10 years to build a sense of community with Lake Boren Park as the center,” Buri said.

The Mayor’s Award is intended for a person who consistently volunteers his or her time and resources to make a positive difference in the Newcastle community, said Doug Kunkel, a Newcastle Chamber board member.

Harris’ role in working both behind the scenes and at the sound controls of community events made him an easy choice, Kunkel added.

“David brings an abundance of experience and enthusiasm to the table when helping organize community events,” he said. “His past experience as the chairman of the planning committee for the very large Issaquah Salmon Days festival makes him an expert resource for us to turn to for advice and ideas, which he’s happy to share.”

In a short acceptance speech, Harris, who frequents the community to visit good friend Newcastle resident and Yes drummer Alan White, expressed his admiration for the city.

“I’ve always had a great passion for Newcastle,” Harris said. “This is a really great community.”

Harris wasn’t the only one that walked away with a diamond-shaped trophy; the chamber handed out awards in six other categories.

It was a big night for the Coal Creek Family YMCA, whose staff members won two awards.

?Jaime Greene, the Y’s director of Healthy Living and Community Engagement, walked away with the Dennis Yarnell Inspiration Award, while the entire Y staff won the Customer Service Award.

Newcastle resident Chris Ware, owner of Newport Hills’ Dolce Vita Salon and Nail Spa, won the Business Award, and Margaret Strong, a teacher at Hazelwood Elementary School, won the Education Award.

There were co-winners in the Youth Award category, as both Newcastle residents David Vaisar, an Eagle Scout who helped improve the city’s trails, and Mary Elworth, an active library volunteer and a member of Newcastle’s Teen Leadership Board, took home trophies.

Newcastle News reporter Christina Corrales-Toy also won the Community Leadership Award.

The Newcastle Diamond Awards is an annual ceremony that recognizes community members who do good things in the greater Newcastle area. The recipient of a Diamond Award is chosen based on his or her contribution to the community.

Winners and nominees demonstrate dedication, integrity and caring, with a passion for doing what needs to be done.

Garry Kampen

This year is the 20th anniversary of Newcastle, a small city that ranks high in livability, and the 15th anniversary of Newcastle Trails, a nonprofit citizens group that has worked for parks, trails and open space, in close cooperation with the city, since 1999.

I’m writing to celebrate Newcastle’s amazing and still-growing trail system, and to encourage you to explore it and enjoy it. Check NT’s website, www.newcastletrails.org; download our latest map and trail guide; join NT by emailing info@newcastletrails.org (for trail news, no dues); attend our Oct. 6 board meeting (7 p.m. at Regency Newcastle); and consider volunteering for the board, or lending a hand with trail work, computer work (GIS, web, writing), lobbying, fundraising — whatever you’d like to do.

Newcastle’s trails are part of a regional network used by walkers, joggers, cyclists and equestrians. The city lies within a Grand Loop, a triangle of trail corridors with its base on the existing Lake Washington Trail (future Eastside Rail Trail) and its apex in Cougar Mountain.

The sides of the triangle are the May Creek Greenway (mostly in Newcastle) and the Coal Creek section of the Mountains to Sound Greenway (mostly in Bellevue). The triangle is crossed north-to-south by Coal Creek Parkway (continuous sidewalks) and the heavily used Waterline Trail (few sidewalks, many trees), with downtown Newcastle and Lake Boren Park sandwiched between.

You can walk the loop and its cross-trails now, with two exceptions: Renton’s May Creek Trail (partly complete, bridge needed), and the parkway underpass for the Coal Creek Trail (due soon). The Grand Loop is mostly wooded nature trails: The May Creek and Coal Creek trails include creeks, waterfalls, bridges, historic sites and sections of an old railroad; the Terrace Trail has switchbacks, lovely rock steps, views, fallen trees and giant moss-covered boulders. The Marshall’s Hill and Red Town trails (in Cougar Mountain Wilderness Park) link wilderness trails with the remains of Old Newcastle and its coal mines.

The west-to-east CrossTown Trail is Newcastle’s major urban trail (nature trails and sidewalks), a central connector linking schools, parks, neighborhoods and north-south trails. It starts near 116th Avenue Southeast and Newcastle Way, and winds past or through Hazelwood Elementary School, Hazelwood Park, Donegal Park, the historic Newcastle Cemetery and Lake Boren Park, continuing on sidewalks to Beit Tikvah and, after a gap, southeast along the DeLeo Wall (woods, views) from Newcastle Vista to Cougar Mountain.

Fall projects include new trail signs citywide, and changes to the CrossTown Trail: rerouting it at the new middle school and the planned Renton School District Newcastle development (between Olympus and Hazelwood), and rebuilding sections of trail between Newcastle Vista and Cougar Mountain.

Newcastle’s trail system has benefited from the cooperation of many groups, including Renton, Bellevue, King County and the Issaquah Alps Trails Club (check their websites for trail maps and guided walks). Volunteers were also essential. Much of the trail work was done by Boy Scouts, and parents, from Newcastle’s Hazelwood Troop, and other troops from Bellevue, Kirkland and Renton.