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| Issue: # 020 |
December 8, 2008 |
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Wenatchee Valley Sports Council News
 Greetings!
Merry Christmas! The Sports Council and Sports Foundation hope that health and happiness find their way to your family and loved ones this holiday season.
Congratulations to the Cashmere Bulldogs on the State 1A Title and to all those fall athletes whose sports are now complete. The winter sports season has already begun and we cordially invite you to come out to the NCW Basketball Showcase at Town Toyota Center Dec. 11-12 & 13th.
As we take a moment to pause and reflect on the year just past and prepare to face the challenges of a new one, I wanted to take a personal moment to thank all the coaches, parents, athletes and anyone who supports sports in the Wenatchee Valley. We are truly fortunate to live in such a wonderfully supportive community. Add in our glorious weather and fantastic facilities available year-round and there's no wonder others looking enviously at those who call the Wenatchee Valley home.
Please enjoy this edition of our newsletter and remember to celebrate responsibly with friends and family. I hope to see you at the NCW Bball Shootout and in 2009.
Happy Trails
Eric Granstrom - Wenatchee Valley Sports Council |
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 Top Dawgs!!! The win marked the first state title for Cashmere since 1984 and second for Cashmere coach Phil Zukowski (Adna in '89). The Bulldog defense saved the day with three fourth-quarter interceptions, including the game-clincher by Edgar Esquivel with under 30-seconds remaining.
The morning game in the Tacoma Dome was well-attended by the Cashmere faithful, cramming their side of the field from 20-yard line to 20-yard line. Listening to the game on the radio, hearing the roar of the crowd in the background was evident of Cashmere's continued community support.
Congratulations are due the players, coach Zukowski and his staff, the entire school district and especially the wonderful people of Cashmere. As a former broadcaster of the Bulldogs, I know first-hand what an incredible community Cashmere is and what a fine example these young men are for all of us who call North Central Washington home.
 (photos provided by Karin Blomquist, PE teacher and FANtastic supporter of Cashmere HS) |
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Mission Ridge 1st to Open in WA & OR One thousand snow-hungry skiers flocked to Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort for opening weekend December 6-7. According to Marketing Manager Jerri Barkley, Mission Ridge is the first ski resort to open in all of Washington and Oregon. "It's all because of our ability to make snow," said Barkley.
Barkley says this is the second year in a row that Mission has opened first in Washington..."we will continue limited operation, of course, weather permitting. We're hoping to get mother nature's help to begin continuous operation in time for Christmas vacation through the new year.
Don't forget, family night skiing, the Mountain Music Festival and twilight guided snowshoe trek are all scheduled to get underway on December 27th. For more information on skiing and boarding at Mission Ridge, go to their website at www.missionridge.com or call 509-663-6543. |
 Shootout For Dollars Seven area high schools will battle for the inaugural NCW Scholarship Shootout at Town Toyota Center this Thursday-Saturday. It's all part of the NCW Basketball Showcase, featuring 18 prep programs and 10 games over three days.
The Shootout is an added twist offered up by the Wenatchee Valley Sports Foundation. "We decided to put added interest to the games by adding a $2,000 scholarship," said Foundation Chair Dan Kelly. ASB Presidents and advisors from Wenatchee-area high schools met to decide how to vie for the money.
Sports Council Marketing Director Eric Granstrom said the idea was to have the schools create the promotion, what to call it and how to divide the money. "It was great to have this initiated by the schools and to make it about more than just winning or losing the games," said Granstrom.
Schools eligible for the scholarship money are Cascade, Cashmere, Chelan, Eastmont, Entiat, Waterville and Wenatchee. They have a chance at $1,000 for first place and the championship travelling trophy. 2nd place is worked $600 while 3rd is $400. The scholarship money will go to the ASB funds of recipient schools.
 Schools will be judged in five categories and awarded basketball pins following each game. They'll be judged on: 1) Attendance Percentage - number of attendees in ratio to school student body size; 2) Sportsmanship - awarded to a player in the game; 3) Spirit - awarded to a fan who exhibits school spirit in a positive manner; 4) Band - awarded to bands who perform the best; & 5) Cheer/Dance/Drill - awarded to cheer, dance or drill squads who perform the best. The school with the most pins at the end of play Saturday night will win the Scholarship Shootout Championship while second and third will receive commemorative plaques.
"We hope to grow this event year after year and provide more money to our scholarship fund for schools to have a chance to win," said Foundation Chair Dan Kelly. According to early word, Waterville has thrown down the gauntlet saying they will win the Shootout Title. |
 Bridge Better Than We Thought "The news is pretty good..." was the announcement of Wenatchee Reclamation District manager Rick Smith regarding the irrigation/pedestrian bridge. Smith's comments were made at a meeting of 32 people representing user groups and decision-makers from Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Chelan & Douglas County as well as DOT and State Legislature December 1st.
"According to a draft report from HDR Engineering on it's analysis of the Wenatchee Reclamation Bridge, not nearly as much repair is needed as we feared," said Smith. Wenatchee Major Dennis Johnson anchored the meeting which was a good news, bad news scenario. The City of Wenatchee carries the liability on the bridge for recreation purposes.
Following an analysis of the bridge in 2007 as a possible vehicle corridor for Link Transit buses, Wenatchee restricted bridge access by pedestrians and bicyclists as a precaution. The report suggested the 100-year old bridge was in dire need of significant maintenance.
But, according to the December 1st meeting, the bridge only needs about $100,000 in short-term fixes and another $120,000 in long-term repair. Smith said, "...not bad considering what we feared after the initial analysis." In addition, Smith reported to the group that HDR's review suggested an eventual paint job of the historical structure with an estimated cost of another $1.2-to-1.5-million..."but that's down the road a bit."
-----editorial comment-----
Here's an idea of how to pay for at least a portion of the $220,000 in short and long term repairs needed on this historical and vitally critical bridge: add donation boxes at either end of the bridge. I don't suggest it be made a "toll bridge", but I believe users would be more than glad to contribute directly to ensuring the bridge's future as part of the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail rather than being taxed by the county or city.
The donation boxes could be those galvanized sleeves similar to pay-boxes located at state parks. Email your ideas to me at eric@wenatcheevalley.org. |
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A Compelling Story of Survival, Spirit and Incredible Care
 Dr. Ed Farrar was critically injured while riding his bicycle in late October in Wenatchee. A spinal injury has left him paralyzed from the chest-down but that is nowhere near the start of end of this amazing story. Thanks to the Caring Bridge Community made available to the Farrar family, hundreds and hundreds of Ed-supporters have been able to stay up to date on his recovery, his daily routine and the remarkable care he has received.
Ed has improved through his six weeks in Intensive Care at Central Washington Hospital to the point where he was moved to Harborview Medical Center last week to continue his rehabilitation. I didn't know Ed or his family personally prior to his injury. But through the Caring Bridge updates, I feel like an extended part of his family of well-wishers.
I have taken every update and pasted together in a story that I'm reading to my girls before they go to bed at night. It's an amazing tale of survival, inspiration and intestinal fortitude. It also lends itself to highlight the amazing caregivers we have right here in the Wenatchee Valley.
If you'd like to read Ed's story, through the words of his wife, Cindy, as well as Ed himself, go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/edfarrar. This is also the best way to send your well-wishes to Ed yourself. |
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Beer & Wine Festival Coming to Wenatchee in August  The Wenatchee Valley Sports Foundation has teamed up with Solutions Resource Team to put on the inaugural "Wenatchee Valley Sips & Suds" August 14th and 15th at the Wenatchee Convention Center.
The two-day festival will be a fundraiser for the non-profit organization and will fuel it's scholarship fund. According to Wenatchee Valley Sports Foundation Chair Dan Kelly, "...this is a no-brainer. I've seen the success of similar events in Leavenworth, yet we've never had one in Wenatchee...so why not? This will go nicely with our O'Terry's Softball Tournament."
The 34th Annual O'Terry's Lads & Lasses co-ed softball tournament is scheduled for August 15th & 16th at Walla Walla Point Park and Kirby Billingsley Hydro Park.
Solutions Resource Team's Amy Gustin says they expect to have about 20 different beers, 7 wineries and 7 restaurants. In addition, live music will fill the room each night for festival-goers.
Keep watching the Foundation's website for more information about Sips & Suds. |
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December Sports Calendar
Dec. 11th - Wenatchee Valley Velo general meeting - Rally for Ed Review & Cycle
vs. Motorist 'what to dos', 7pm at Chelan PUD Auditorium
Dec. 19-Jan 4 - Continuous Operation at Mission Ridge (weather permitting) Dec. 27th - Family Night Ski/Mt. Music Festival/Twilight Snowshoe at Mission Ridge, 4pm |
 Winter Guides Now Available The Winter Guide has all the info on fun activities and tours, attractions and restaurants and places to stay while in the Wenatchee Valley. There's also a fold-out map to help you get there.
For your free copy of the Wenatchee Valley Winter Guide, stop in at any area hotel/motel, or our Visitors Centers located in the Apple Commission Office at Olds Station or downtown in the Grand Central Building next to the Owl Soda Fountain. Or, if you'd like a Winter Guide mailed to you, email your request to: info@wenatcheevalley.org.
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Thank you for being part of the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council on-line community. If you'd like more information about the Sports Council, go to our website!
Sincerely,
Eric Granstrom
Wenatchee Valley Sports Council |
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