Foothills Branch home page (Mountaineers)

The Mountaineers Foothills Branch

Last modified Mar. 9, 2010

Foothills Branch is the newest branch of The Mountaineers, serving members and the general public in cities, towns, and communities on the east side of Lake Washington, from Bellevue eastward to Ellensburg, WA. We provide opportunities for advocacy, conservation, and environmental education, and support access to our natural resources while teaching important skills for safe and enjoyable all-season outdoor recreation.

Next Branch Meeting and Program

Wed. March 31, 2010 we will once again feature author and storyteller Yvonne Prater with more history of Snoqualmie Pass.

Narrating episodes not covered in her previous presentation about how the Pass grew from trails, to trains, to the Interstate we know today.

Yvonne will recall stories from her early book, Snoqualmie Pass - From Indian Trail to Interstate about loggers, railroad building, miners, and settlers--and eventually a super-highway and recreation. There will be a few copies of her 1981 out-of-print book for sale. There will be displays of the current expansion plans from the Dept. of Transportation showing the additional lanes and wildlife-corridor overpasses and underpasses to compare with early photos in her book.

Open to the public. No charge. All are welcome!

Doors open at 6:30 for socializing.

Branch up-dates at 7:00 pm, program starts at 7:15 pm.

King County Library Systems (KCLS) Service Center

960 Newport Way NW Free program and parking

Issaquah, WA 98027 Directions and map

Advance Notice - April Branch Meeting date: April 29. Details will be on website by end of March.

Activities and Programs

How to Attract Hummingbirds

Thurs. April 8, 2010, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Well-known local hummingbirder Chris Caviezel will share tips on how to attract hummingbirds to your home. During this one-hour PowerPoint presentation you will learn about one of the most popular birds in the world - the hummingbird. In May of 2009, his nectar feeders went through 300 ounces of nectar in a single day and Caviezel's hummingbirds were featured in a 2009 Seattle Times article. More information about hummingbirds can be found at www.hummingbirdsonly.com or from Chris Caviezel, 425-458-4115

Location

King County Library Systems (KCLS) Service Center

960 Newport Way NW Free program and parking

Issaquah, WA 98027 Directions and map

Sea Kayaking - New activity for Foothills Branch

Foothills Branch has added a new activity for its members and the public: a series of sea kayaking courses scheduled for this spring. Following the requirements of The Mountaineers Sea Kayaking Standards, successful course graduates qualify for equivalence to go on Mountaineers' Sea Kayaking trips. More information

Dance!

The Foothills Branch of the Mountaineer's & Bellevue Parks present:

Eastside Swing, Latin, & Boogie

A Rockin’ Swing, Latin, Waltz and Ballroom Mixed Dance

The Third Friday of each Month

Mar. 19, Apr. 16

Cost: $10.00 (cash payable at door)

South Bellevue Community 7:30-8:30 pm: Dance Lesson

Center, 14509 SE with Ari Levitt (Level: Beg/Int)

Newport Way, Bellevue, WA 8:30-11:00 pm: Dance to a

wonderful mix of Swing, Waltz, Latin,

Ballroom, Blues, and more, spun by

the fabulous Dr. Dance himself.

For more information on this and other Eastside dances or classes, go to: www.rolluptherug.com

Great Eastside location just off 1-90! Beautiful wooden dance floor! Fantastic dance music!

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Are you interested in helping to coordinate Mountaineer dances? Contact foothills.branch@gmail.com

Photography

Second Monday of each month
7 PM, Highland Community Center, 14224 NE Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, WA

Dane Williams

There is interest among Foothills Branch members to start a photography program on the Eastside. The branch will partner with Bellevue Parks and Recreation. Meetings are free, and available to members, and the general public. Family, friends, and neighbors are welcome. Monday, Nov. 9th is the first meeting. We will share our interests, show some of our photographs, discuss technique, and make plans for picture-taking field trips. As interest grows, we will sponsor teaching opportunities on the various aspects of photography. Dane Williams is the chair of this new committee. Meeting dates are scheduled for the second Monday of each month, starting with Mon. Nov. 9th. at 7 pm in the Highland Community Center, 14224 NE Bel-Red Road, Bellevue.
Mt Rainier - photo by Dane Williams

Safety Office sought for Foothills Branch Council

Description of duties

If you are interested or have questions, please e-mail foothills.branch@gmail.com, with Safety Officer in the Subject line.

Mountaineers Facilities

Meany Lodge Events

First-time Meany Lodge visitors are encouraged to review the site for information.

Online activity signup for Meany Lodge.

Why you should visit Meany Lodge. Contacts: Chuck, Joan, or Ed Welter at 253-926-0867 or MeanyLodge@hotmail.com

Snoqualmie Campus

The Snoqualmie Campus is available by reservation only for members and small group for summer camping ($10 per person, $25 per family user fee). Because the Snoqualmie Lodge was burned in May 2006, the Snoqualmie Campus is not equipped to handle large group events that need lodging or full-service facilities. If you are interested in becoming a Campus Host or are willing to volunteer some labor, you can earn points toward some free ski-area tickets. For more information or to sign up, contact snoqualmieproperty@yahoo.com or 425-434-6177 or visit www.snoqualmiecampus.org

Activities and Outings Search for your favorite activity.

Activities will be added here or announced by e-mail to Foothills Branch members.

Volunteering

Foothills Branch Hiking Committee

The Foothills Branch Hiking Committee is looking for volunteers to be a part of our committee! We are also looking for hike leaders, including backpacking leaders. For more information, please contact co-chair of the Hiking Committee, Chris Caviezel at chris@snoqualmienordic.org or 425-434-0899

Volunteers are invited for trail work events along the Mountains-to-Sound Greenway, I-90. See dates above and:

Mountains to Sound (MTS) calendar of stewardship events.

Winter Trails stewardship events along winter snowshoe and cross-country ski trails, for example, with local ski clubs.

Leave No Trace (LNT) training and backpacking field trips. Dates to be announced as Foothill leaders are trained to lead LNT events at the Snoqualmie Campus. To schedule a training event, send e-mail to snoqualmieproperty@yahoo.com

Tinkham/Discovery Trail work parties.
For more information about future work parties or to be added to the work party e-mail alert list, send your contact information to Annik Wolfe, Trail Maintenance chairperson at annikw@gmail.com or call (206) 368-2688

Volunteers for Outdoor Washington (VOW)/Mountaineers trail building on the Discovery Trail near Tinkham Campground in the I-90 corridor. A flat, fun, and historic trail! We’ll focus on constructing a wildlife-viewing platform to provide a great vantage point for the beaver pond. Volunteers meet at 8:30 a.m. and finish by 4:00 p.m. No experience required; VOW supplies all tools and training.

· VOW work parties are a great way to have a fun, learn a skill, and dig into some rewarding work. One day on this project earns you a one-day NW Forest Pass. A second day of work gets you the Annual NW Forest Pass, a $30 value!

· The Tinkham Discovery Trail is located east of Seattle on I-90 (exit 42). For directions, and to register for this work party, visit the VOW web site or contact info@trailvolunteers.org or 206-517-3019

· Volunteer Trail Work training on the Hazel Wolf Wetlands Trails. To join in, contact Katlin Hanson, team leader, at novaerupta@yahoo.com.

Define your own role

As our membership grows, requests for new programs and activities create leadership and support needs. These needs are opportunities for you to develop skills in leading, teaching, organizing, or facilitating events and activities. They are opportunities to make new friends, work on issues that you care about, and experience adventures with like-minded people.

We need trip leaders and co-leaders, mentors, writers, and photographers. We need people to help with administrative tasks such as bookkeeping, publicity, scheduling, and managing the web site. We need you--and whatever skills you bring!

If you have a skill and some time, consider volunteering. You are invited! Inquiries about Leadership Training are also welcomed. Send e-mail to foothills.branch@gmail.com or call Fran Troje, chair, at 425-746-6726

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Foothills branch questions, requests, ideas? Send e-mail to join or unsubscribe from our e-mail alert list.

foothills.branch@gmail.com

To contact a Mountaineers Membership Service staff person, call 206-521-6000

The Mountaineers
300 Third Ave West
Seattle, WA 98119
USA