Work is finally set to begin on a city of Bellevue project that will replace an aging culvert underneath Coal Creek Parkway.

The Bellevue portion of Coal Creek Parkway between Southeast 60th Street and Forest Drive will be reduced to one lane in each direction for 24 hours a day until December, beginning May 15.

The city of Newcastle is doing all it can to mitigate the bottleneck that the all-day closure is expected to cause, including changing the timing of some traffic signals. Ultimately, though, drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes, especially during the morning and evening commutes.

Public Works Director Mark Rigos suggests that residents use east to west routes, such as Southeast 88th Place or Newcastle Way to get to Interstate 405. Drivers could also travel south down Coal Creek Parkway toward Northeast Sunset Boulevard in Renton to reach the freeway. In Bellevue, Rigos suggests commuters use Southeast 60th Street through the Newport Hills community, or Forest Drive to avoid the construction.

If possible, drivers are also encouraged to carpool or alter their commute so that it coincides with off-peak travel hours, Rigos said.

What to know

The city of Bellevue’s project to replace an aging culvert underneath Coal Creek Parkway will cause closures on a segment of the busy road, during two phases of construction.

The first phase is set to begin in late April, when the road will be reduced to one lane in each direction between just south of Forest Drive and just north of Southeast 60th Street, until December.

Residents can stay informed about the project and sign up for alerts at www.bellevuewa.gov/coalcreekbridge.htm.

Travelers can also watch for updates on the city of Bellevue’s Facebook page or on its Twitter account, @bellevuewa or @bvuetrans.

Families that maintain their yards without pesticides can proudly display their healthy-gardening practices with a “pesticide-free zone” sign, courtesy of King County and Washington Toxics Coalition.

Since kids are most at risk from toxins like pesticides, King County would like to recognize lawns and parks that are pesticide free, according to a press release from King County.

Families in King County who take care of their lawns without pesticides can take a pledge and receive the sign to recognize their efforts. The round sign has a ladybug on it and proclaims the lawn as a “pesticide-free zone”. Go to http://bit.ly/15nBYo5 to sign the pledge and get your free yard sign.

More than 800 public places in King County are pesticide free. Go to http://bit.ly/Ahinus to see the locations.

Pesticide free means that no chemical pest controls are used, according to the Washington Toxics Coalition website. However, the coalition is allowing the use of products that are allowed in organic agriculture, in the hopes of encouraging companies to develop safer products.

The city of Newcastle is among the municipalities that manage their parks pesticide-free or use limited pesticides.

The Musica Sacra Chamber Chorale, directed by Newcastle resident Bob Ingalls, announced the launch of a Kickstarter campaign to fund the release of the group’s first holiday album.

The music will be taken primarily from digital recordings of their previous concerts. Most of the music is already completed, but it requires the touch of a production expert to bring the songs to their full potential, according to a press release.

The group hopes to raise $3,500 by May 24, and as of May 7, they were already more than halfway toward their goal, with $2,700 pledged.

Musica Sacra Chamber Chorale is a select choir with 16 core members formed to celebrate sacred music as well as serve as an avenue to benefit the people and environment around us.

Kickstarter is a tool which allows groups or individuals to seek donations to fund creative projects. Creators set a funding deadline and goal, and then the public is invited to contribute to the enterprise.

The website also allows creators to offer incentives to the public. For example, Musica Sacra Chamber Chorale is offering signed CDs, season tickets and more to those who donate.

Contributors will only get charged if the project reaches its fundraising goal.

Donate to Musica Sacra Chamber Chorale’s efforts at www.kickstarter.com/profile/musicasacrachorale/created.

Newcastle residents will have the opportunity to donate unwanted items at the Liberty High School PTSA electronics recycling drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4 at Renton Technical College, 3000 N.E. 4th St., Renton.

The collection location will be in the upper parking lot of the school.

Accepted items include working and broken electronics, appliances, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, trucks, batteries, fitness equipment, medical equipment, lawnmowers and barbecues. Computers, laptops, printers, scanners and other computer parts are also accepted.

Volunteers will collect the items, and the Renton nonprofit 1 Green Planet will haul away the collections. Donating is free, but the Liberty PTSA appreciates monetary donations as well.

The general public is welcome and encouraged to use this event to properly dispose of their electronics.

The Regional Animal Services of King County is offering pet owners simple tips to keep pets cool as the mercury surges to 80 degrees this weekend.

Because animals cannot sweat like humans and can overheat quickly, especially as the temperature rises above 70 degrees, remember to provide plenty of fresh, cool water to pets, and shade from the sun.

Owners should not leave pets inside a vehicle, especially on warm days.

In sunny weather, the temperature inside a car can quickly rise to 120 degrees or more, even with windows left slightly open. Animals left in a hot car, even for just a few minutes, can suffer from heat stroke, brain damage or death.

In addition, leaving a pet unattended in a hot car can be grounds for animal cruelty charges. In warm weather, leave pets at home instead of taking them along errands.

Contact authorities if you see unattended animals in a vehicle. Authorities may be able to help locate the vehicle’s owner to unlock the vehicle quickly. If security guards or other authorities cannot be reached, immediately call 911 or Regional Animal Services of King County at 206-296-7387.

Though pets need exercise during warm weather, use extra care when exercising older dogs, short-nosed dogs and dogs with thick coats. On hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours.

Pets’ paws can be burned when walking on hot pavement, and the skin on a dog’s nose can sunburn.

Be sure animals have access to shade and lots of fresh, cool water when playing outdoors. Do not over-exert pets during the warmest hours of the day, and avoid long walks or extended exercise outdoors.

If a dog or cat becomes overheated, apply cool water or cool, moist towels to its head, neck, and chest. Then immediately take the animal to a veterinarian.

Councilman Bill Erxleben announced that he will not file for re-election this spring, guaranteeing that there will be one open seat during November’s election. Two other sitting council members could be challenged as well.

“I believe that two terms is enough for any council member,” Erxleben wrote in a letter to the editor.

Erxleben was first appointed to the Newcastle City Council in 2002. He was elected to the council in 2003. After a few years away from local government, he was elected to the council again in 2009.

In addition to Erxleben, Mayor Rich Crispo and Councilman John Dulcich will see their current terms expire at the end of 2013. Both Crispo and Dulcich have announced plans to file for re-election.

Crispo announced his intentions at the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s April 10 luncheon, citing his belief that there are still a lot of valuable things that can be done within the city.

“I am going to run again,” he said. “I really like the people in the city, I really do. I’m involved in a lot of stuff, and I meet a lot of folks and I just love it.”

Crispo was elected to the Newcastle City Council in 2009. He became the mayor in 2012 and currently occupies Position 5 on the council.

Dulcich recently announced his plans to run for re-election, saying he felt it was his “call to duty” to ensure that the city remains on the right track.

“I would like to continue this effort to not only ensure the sustainability of Newcastle but to see it thrive as the premier community on the Eastside,” he wrote in an email.

Dulcich began serving on the City Council when the city incorporated in 1994. He retired from his post in 2007. After a few years away from local government, Dulcich was elected to the council in 2009. He served as the mayor for two terms from 2002 to 2005 and again from 2010 to 2011. He currently occupies Position 7 on the council.

As of press time, two Newcastle residents have declared their intentions to file for Erxleben’s vacating seat on the council. Mark Greene and John Drescher will both file for Position 6.

Greene announced his candidacy at the end of December on his blog, but made it official with a press release in mid-April.

“The importance of keeping our unique stature as a city is a major reason of why I decided to run, though not the only,” he said in a statement. “If elected to the council this year, I will focus on infrastructure, safety and environmental issues.”

Drescher announced April 22 that he plans to seek Erxleben’s seat. He was appointed to the Newcastle Planning Commission in 2010 and currently serves as the advisory board’s chairman.

“At the urging of friends and family, and because I care deeply about helping to make Newcastle a great place to live and raise a family, I have decided to run for the Newcastle City Council this year,” he said in a statement.

Prospective candidates must file in-person at the King County Elections Office or online from May 13-17. Candidates can file by mail, though filings will not be accepted earlier than April 29 or later than May 17, irrespective of postmark.

Election Day is Nov. 5.

Learn more about filing for the upcoming election at www.kingcounty.gov/elections.

“We are the most popular place on the Eastside right now to live,” he said. “You look around and you find houses for sale, there aren’t many.”

The speech, given before residents and the business community at the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s April 10 luncheon, addressed the city’s financial health, community events and the council’s new Community Activities Commission.

The city is in good financial shape, with a balanced operating fund and a healthy reserve fund, Crispo said. Newcastle will also spend about $3 million this year on capital projects, including sidewalks and road maintenance.

“Not too many cities can say that when you consider we’re a city of just under 10,500,” he said. “So, we’re doing really well from a financial perspective.”

A financially healthy city pays dividends for its residents in the form of fewer taxes, he said.

“That means we’re not jumping out raising taxes. We don’t have a utility tax. We don’t have a business and occupation tax,” he said. “That’s not only a good thing for us as residents, but also for the businesses, because you don’t have to deal with that and you don’t have to pass those costs on to your customers.”

The city has also become an attractive locale for developers, the mayor said, mentioning in particular the Mutual Materials site. In November, it was announced that AvalonBay Communities Inc. will purchase and redevelop the 52-acre site of the former brick plant.

The company’s website says it “is in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing high-quality apartment communities in the high barrier-to-entry markets of the United States.”

Crispo did not have much of an update about the site’s development, since it is still in the very early planning stages, but he did note that the city will work closely with the developer.

“We have great hopes that they’re going to do something really well, and we’re working with them right along to make sure that they’re aware of what the residents here would like to see, and try to match that with whatever profit motives they may have,” he said.

While the increased development is mostly positive, Crispo mentioned that it does have its down side, likely resulting in increased public safety costs.

“When you have a lot more people coming in, the strains on your police force, the strains on your fire department go up and also your cost of doing it goes up, because frequently, our bill is based upon the number of people that they serve,” he said.

The mayor also took time to address the changes to the city’s former Parks Commission, now the Community Activities Commission, and encourage residents to volunteer for the advisory board.

“We’re always looking for people to participate and that’s tough,” he said. “I’m not sure if you realize this, but kind of over the years, the amount of volunteerism has kind of dropped.”

He encouraged residents and businesses to assist with city events, such as Newcastle Days and Concerts in the Park.

“We really could use help along that line, help with sponsorships, help with volunteerism to really make these things work very well for all of the residents that are here,” he said.

The resolution, passed at the April 2 council meeting, offered an alternative to the proposed tolling of Interstate 90 as a means to finance the rest of the 520 bridge replacement.

“My mind is, we tell Judy Clibborn and the state Legislature to get on the stick and do what they should do, and pass a 10-cent gas tax and pay off the $1.4 billion that way and forget the tolling on I-90,” Councilman Bill Erxleben said.

The City Council passed the resolution, 6-0, with Deputy Mayor Lisa Jensen excused.

The state Legislature is currently considering a proposal to increase the gas tax by 10 cents over five years to help fund maintenance and transportation projects across the state. The council’s resolution suggests increasing the tax further to help offset the $1.4 billion shortfall.

The council also urged the state to complete a full environmental impact statement of all potential tolling projects to ensure that the consequences and traffic diversion are fully considered, prior to the tolling of any highway in the Puget Sound region.

“All we are asking in this is to ask the state to really evaluate this,” Councilman John Dulcich said. “There’s a common sort of thought that the decision on this has sort of already been made … We’re just asking to say slow down and look at this holistically.”

The state Department of Transportation is conducting an environmental assessment to evaluate possible effects of tolling I-90, but an environmental impact statement would delve further into the potential impacts of tolling, including economic factors.

“I think this is the direction the state is going anyway,” Councilman Steve Buri said. “Well, let’s encourage them to do the EIS, because it’s important and this is a big decision to be made.”

The environmental impact statement would also allow for additional public comment, something that is important as residents begin to realize the impact that tolls could have on their wallets, Buri said.

“If they really took on what this meant for their pocket book, the room would be full right now,” he said, referring to the attendance at the council meeting. “So, let’s do an EIS, allow for some additional public input in the process, and let everyone talk about the alternatives.”

Council members Gordon Bisset and Carol Simpson, concerned about the economic impact that tolling could have on Newcastle residents, both supported the resolution.

Initially, the resolution only encouraged the state to conduct the comprehensive study, but the part about the gas tax was added after Erxleben’s suggestion, and Dulcich’s strong support.

“I just think if you want to address the problem, we should address the solution, which is where does the money come from,” Erxleben said.

Mayor Rich Crispo, who grew up on the East Coast, where he said nearly every Northeastern state has toll roads, supported the resolution.

“I’m not a proponent of tolls necessarily, but I am a proponent of, if you need to do some work, you’ve got to raise the money somehow,” he said. “I don’t like saying no to something without giving an alternative. This is an alternative.”

The Department of Transportation is at work on a $4.1 billion project to replace the 49-year-old state Route 520 floating bridge across Lake Washington and overhaul the 12.8-mile corridor between Interstate 5 in Seattle and state Route 202 in Redmond. The floating bridge is scheduled to open for traffic by early 2015.

Though the project is estimated to cost $522 million less than the initial $4.65 billion estimate, transportation officials still need to raise $1.4 billion in funding for the bridge replacement effort. State lawmakers asked the Department of Transportation to study tolling along the I-90 corridor as a way to generate revenue for the project.

By Christina Corrales-Toy
Friends of the Newcastle Library President Julia Hunter arranges materials on the shelf of the library’s ongoing book sale. The Friends group will host its first large book sale in May.

The reading habits of people across the world have changed dramatically in the past decade.

More people are staring at the screen of an ebook reader, rather than a page from a book as they read their favorite novel.

There is still nothing quite comparable to physically holding the spine of a hardback book in the palm of your hands, though, and the Friends of the Newcastle Library are banking on the fact that the experience is still a valued one as they prepare to hold their first large book sale.

“It is a tactile experience, and it’s a very simple one once you’ve mastered that basic skill of reading,” said Julia Hunter, president of the Friends group. “People still like books. They don’t crash, they don’t lose memory and the screen can’t crack.”

The Friends book sale will offer more than 5,000 items for purchase over a three-day period in May. The materials, which include books, DVDs and CDs, were compiled through a steady stream of gently used donations accumulated since last year.

“We will have contemporary novels, kids books, music, nonfiction. You name it, we’ve probably got it,” Hunter said.

The sale begins the evening of May 16 with a special preview for paid members of the Friends group. Anyone is invited to walk in, but only members will be allowed to purchase books that night. Memberships will be available at the door. The sale is open to everyone May 17 and 18.

The funds raised from the book sale will allow the Friends group to sponsor programming at the Newcastle Library. The King County Library System offers a base level of programming for all of its locations, but anything on top of that must get funded locally, Hunter said.

“One of the things that people probably don’t realize is that the reason that this library has had as much programming as it had since it opened in December is because the library system has supplemented more programs than would normally be their share, which won’t always be the case,” she said.

Items will be priced reasonably, Hunter said, with many books going for just $1. The Friends group would ideally like to raise about $6,000 to $8,000 to fund programs in the coming year. Programs could include everything from reading-readiness classes for kids to seminars on aging issues for seniors.

The Friends of the Newcastle Library gladly accept donations of gently used books throughout the year. Simply bring them to the library’s front desk. They also have an ongoing book sale where patrons can purchase materials for just $1 every day.

If you go

• Friends of the Newcastle Library book sale
• 5-8 p.m. May 16
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 17
• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 18
• Newcastle Library
• 12901 Newcastle Way

On the web

Learn more about the Friends of the Newcastle Library at www.facebook.com/friendsofnewcastlelibrary.

By Christina Corrales-Toy
Newcastle historian Milt Swanson cuts into a piece of carrot cake at a celebration of his 95th birthday during the Newcastle Historical Society’s April 4 meeting at City Hall.

No one knows more about the history of Newcastle than Milt Swanson.

That’s because he lived it. He watched as the trains weaved in and out through the city; he worked in the mines as his father and grandfather did before him; and he understands how the coal mining industry shaped the city into what it is today.

When Swanson talks at the monthly Newcastle Historical Society meetings, people listen as he tells stories about what it was like to grow up in Old Newcastle.

“His vivid memory just makes the history come alive for the people that hear him speak,” said Pam Lee, Newcastle Historical Society member.

The group dedicated to preserving Newcastle’s history celebrated its most valuable member at its April 4 meeting, with a birthday party in Swanson’s honor.

Born March 29, 1918, in the area now occupied by the Coal Creek Family YMCA, Swanson said he distinctly remembers hearing the whistle of the trains as they traveled through town toward Seattle.

“I must’ve been only 3 or 4 years old and I vividly remember standing behind the picket fence, looking through it and seeing the steam engines running up and down on the railroad tracks,” he said.

Swanson has spent all of his 95 years living 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.

“Like I like to say, I couldn’t find any place better,” he said. “I’ve done quite a bit of traveling and I never found any place I’ve liked better than this.”

At 95 years old, Swanson said he doesn’t get around as easily as he used to.

“It really feels like 95 sometimes,” he joked.

The Newcastle historian is still as sharp as they come, Lee said, and his ability to remember minute details of his life and the history of the city is a marvel to Newcastle Historical Society members.

“Whether it’s about his boyhood or his great-grandmother being at the cemetery, his story is Newcastle’s story,” Lee said. “It just seems so real, and I think that’s pretty special.”