The kids are back to school and mothers everywhere are

breathing a sigh of relief. No more cries of “But there’s

nothing to do!” Now that you have a bit of free time between

soccer games and football practice and music lessons and all the

other activities your kids are into, come by the library and

check out that book you have wanted to read. Whether it is an old

favorite or a new title, King County Library System has the book

for you. There is also a new computer at North Bend that has

Encarta 99, American Indian and Encarta Atlas for those school

reports. And remember, the library is open on Sundays for those

reports that are due on Monday.

Did you know we have a swim team right here in River City? The

Snoqualmie Valley Riptides are ready to begin their 1999-2000

season and have openings for a few new swimmers. This is a great

way for your boy or girl to get some exercise, have fun and make

some new friends. For tryout information, contact Head Coach

Jaedi at Si View Pool, (425) 888-1447; or co-presidents Bea

Wright,(425) 888-5888, and Karen Train, (425) 888-9114 or e-mail

ketchoo@aol.com.

The Mountain Man and I went to the Evergreen State Fair at

Monroe last week. It was a beautiful day, just right for

fair-going. We ran into Nell Wolever and her sister Dee enjoying

the fair and the food. Got over those curly fries yet, Nell?

I always enjoy the needlework and photography exhibits.

Perhaps because I try my hand at both, I can really appreciate

the work that goes into the entries. And if anyone thinks that

kids are going to hell in a hand basket and that the whole future

is doomed, they haven’t been to a fair lately. The quality of

work and dedication those kids put into their 4-H projects is

awesome. The skill and love they display with their animals is

truly wonderful to see. And even though some of the kids do have

green hair and rings in strange places, the animals don’t seem to

mind. I think that animals look at our insides more than our

outsides. We could take a lesson from them in that respect. And

is there anything cuter than baby pigs, with their tiny feet and

wuffly pink noses?

The North Bend Farmers Market is still setting up shop every

Saturday through Oct. 2. So if you haven’t stopped by yet, take a

stroll over to the Senior Center this week and see what you have

been missing.

Thought for the week: Despite the high cost of living,

have you noticed how popular it still is?

Please submit items for

North Bend Nuggets to

Pat Simpson at P.O. Box 857,

North Bend, WA 98045,

or by e-mail to patsimps@hotmail.com,

or drop them by the library.