Nancy Franke of Monroe would like her daughter to come back home. And her daughter Kelly would love to return to the Pacific Northwest from New York. 

But she would also like to stay married. And if she and her wife Courtney come back to Washington, she won't be. Washington doesn't recognize same-sex marriages. 

That could change. This month, Governor Christine Gregoire said she's interested in signing same-sex marriage rights into law, and legislators are debating the matter, with a vote expected in coming weeks.

Now Sky Valley people on both sides of the issue are responding to the controversial matter. 

Last year, Monroe sued a political organization that brought forth a citizens’ initiative opposing the use of traffic ticketing cameras in the city. 

Monroe said it sued because it believed the initiative was not legal, and the city wanted a judge's opinion on the validity of the initiative. 

Thursday, Monroe got it. 

Of three parts of the initiative, two were not valid, ruled Snohomish Superior Court Judge George Bowden Thursday.

But one was. And since the citizens group was right even in part, that mean the city is liable for their court costs under Washington's anti-SLAPP laws, which are laws preventing cities from keeping initiatives off the ballot by suing.

It seems like the very opposite of a good business plan. 

Hide your store in an industrial park, and only open it two days a week. 

But for Real Deals on Home Décor, a mom-and-pop store that started in Idaho and in just five years has grown to 70 stores nationwide, it's the key to success. 

The Monroe School District was closed four days last week. That's all the snow days the district had budgeted, said district spokesperson Rosemary O'Neil. 

That means if there's any more bad weather, the district leaders will have to get together and come up with a plan for when to do makeup days.

There is no heavy curtain between the stage and the audience at the Everus Theatre in Snohomish, and the distance from the front row to the main stage is a matter of inches.

This is community theater the way it should be, according to Rustin and Yvette Klein, who opened the doors of their new venture last September. 

Because Valentine's Day is approaching, we were talking about women when Irv, the sous chef at Adam's Bistro, came out from behind the prep area with a knife and asked, "When do you know that your wife is the boss?" 

I saw my life flash before my eyes six months ago.  

As uncomfortable as it is to share the details, I will describe them to you in hope of bringing you peace and comfort. 

It all started on an early summer morning - sun shining, no clouds, dry roads. After carefully adorning myself in colorful branded skin-tight spandex from head to toe, I mounted my wild steed (a road-racing bicycle) and headed out onto Old Owen Road. This morning would be different… all respectful drivers, even a couple of non-one-fingered waves. 

As the sun broke through the trees my speed increased, averaging 22-25 m.p.h. like some kind of washed up ex-Olympian after several years in retirement. The morning could not have been better.

Unfortunately the euphoria would not last long.  

Heading across U.S. Highway 2 to Main Street went well until the railroad tracks jostled my iPhone loose from its handy-dandy $30 bike holder and flung my “data life” across the tracks like some kind of skipping stone on a choppy pond. Posthaste, I pulled my road bike over, unclipped, dismounted and began praying.

Although it’s still gray and rainy, we have gained almost an hour more of light since New Year’s Day; and each day is a bit longer than the one before. By mid-February we will reach nine-and-a-half hours of light, which will spur early spring plant growth. 

For some reason, without even really meaning to, I've stopped eating meat.

This is not a resolution. This is not even a commitment. But one day, right around New Year's, my long-standing, niggling, low-key unease with eating meat turned into a day without meat. Followed by another. It's now been nearly a month.

As you may know, I have been a Management Consultant for more than 20 years, working with big organizations like Microsoft, Boeing, Alaska Air, the PUD, Community Transit, colleges and zillions of small companies. I’ve been a school director now for eight weeks – certified on Nov. 29. Since then I’ve been going through my orientation and wanted to give you an update.

I know what to look for in complex organizations and I don’t see anything in the management of this school district that raises a red flag. In fact, I see a lot to admire! I see a talented, experienced and dedicated team. I see many indications of sound management and virtually NO indication of incompetence, duplicity or self-serving decisions. The biggest problem I see is our funding. We don’t have waste. We have inadequate funding.

A tip from a man found with drugs led last week to a search warrant and arrest that could be a big break for Monroe police. 

The Monroe Bearcats wrestling team got a chance to pose with a real live bearcat at wrestling practice Friday afternoon.  A local man with a number of exotic pets dropped by with the Malaysian animal, a friendly, fruit-eating mammal with a long, prehensile tail. 

Stephen Kovacevich hopes to be an architect someday. So when the Park Place 6th grader needed a project for his school's science fair, he decided to find out which building shape was best for withstanding earthquakes and high winds.

Usually, if something is traveling fast on Monroe's airport runway, it's soon to fly. 

Sunday, Jan. 8, the objects hurtling down the runway were classic Mustangs, and they were there to be filmed. 

To most, it's the Sky Valley. But not to everyone. 

To some, it's the Canton of Bearwood, part of the Barony of Aquaterra, and it's inhabited by lords, ladies, vikings, peasants, noblemen, archers, metal smiths, weavers and knights. 

And many of those medieval characters will be carousing at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds Jan. 28 and 29 for the Society for Creative Anachronism's 31st annual Ursulmas celebration. 

Last week’s frigid temperatures may be a contributing factor in one local death. A 33-year-old single father was found dead in his garage in the neighborhood of 400 Bell Street in Sultan last Wednesday.   

Sultan councilwoman Kay George was elected to office in November on a platform of saving citizens money on utilities. 

The quickest way to save money, she believes, is by changing the way Sultan disposes of town garbage. 

But she says she's having a hard time persuading the rest of the council. So she is reaching out to citizens to see if they will call for change as well. 

 So few people remain on the planning commission that it can no longer do any work. Seven available seats have been filled by three commissioners; and one has a term ending soon and doesn't plan to reapply. The law allowed the three members to vote, but two members can't; so the Planning Commission will be out of commission until at least one new member can be found. 

Safe Stop is a place kids can go, hang out, do fun things, and stay off the streets. Gold Bar's Wednesday night program is thriving. 

As 2012 draws into its second week, we take a look at the big events on the horizon for the Sky Valley this year. Below is a look at the upcoming election cycle, what's on tap for Reiter Trails, changes coming to U.S. 2 and the ongoing effort to improve recreation tourism up valley. 

A cat is down to eight lives, following a fire that nearly destroyed a home in Sultan Christmas Day. 

By a vote of 5-to-2, the Sultan city council adopted a $7.8 million budget at its final meeting on Dec. 8.  

Students of Sultan Middle School celebrate the school's new Netbook computers donated by the Sultan Sky Valley Lions Club. The middle school turned to the Lions Club for assistance to purchase the computers. 

According to Dave Moon, club secretary and technology director of the school district, the 32 computers with their support cart will be shared by students in their classes for research and studies. 

For more information about Lions Clubs, contact Art Ruben at (425) 514-5464.

Santa demonstrated his reliance on local news last week. A passer-by in Sultan noticed Santa taking a break in the midst of his busy holiday to rest with the Monroe Monitor & Valley News, the Everett Herald and the Seattle Times. 

Photo courtesy of Macy Haverly

Sultan High School Band Director Jill Sumpter leads the massive Sultan Jazz Band as they serenaded diners during the annual Chili Feed and Christmas Concert on Tuesday evening, Dec. 13.

Photo by Jim Scolman

Last Leaf Productions players, far right to left: Drew Hobson as the emperor, Andrew Galteland as the counselor, Laura Kessler as May and Patricia Haines-Ainsworth as the nightingale entertain the crowd with Hans Christian Andersen's tale of "The Emperor and the Nightingale." The play was presented at the Sultan Library and supported by the Friends of the Sultan Library on Wednesday evening, Nov. 30, in Sultan.

 Photo by Jim Scolman

The week after starting work as the Director of the Community Resource Center at the Sultan Volunteers of America, Joanne Conger still looks a little stunned.

She has taken the desk formerly occupied by Dave Wood, who died Sept. 22, and is finding out that the task is pretty massive.

With less than two weeks to go before Christmas, there are still about 60 kids in the upper Sky Valley who haven't been sponsored through the Giving Tree program. 

Sultan Turk forward, 6'1" Steven Branham hauls in a rebound early in first quarter play in the Turks' win over South Whidbey Island, 52 - 40, Friday. Branham scored 16, VandenEkart poured in 11 with 14 rebounds; and sophomore Cooper Beucherie slammed in 14, 10 of them in the Turks’ explosive 20-point fourth quarter.

Photo by Jim Scolman

JV freshman forward, 5'7" Joey Crawford bulls his way to the net late in the JV Turks’ win, 42 – 39, over the South Whidbey Island squad.  The JV Turks, who were leading 25 - 19 at the half, survived a scare in the second half to pull out the win.

Photo by Jim Scolman

Turk sophomore, 160-pound James Boglivi grits his way to a pin victory in the closing bouts of the Sultan Turks' win over Lakewood, 41 – 27, on Thursday evening before a large crowd in Sultan. Boglivi's pin was one of five, with one technical fall win and two overtime bouts.

Photo by Jim Scolman

Turk junior guard, Cyd Batts drives around the baseline with a rebound in first half play in the Turks' loss, 38 – 27, to Cedarcrest, Wednesday at home. Batts scored six points and teammate Randi Tuggle was the only Turk in double digits with 10 in the low-scoring matchup.

Photo by Jim Scolman

Sultan Turk JV, 5'6" Sophomore Breanna Sangder checks the scoring table deep in the Turk's overtime victory, 44 - 43 over Cedarcrest on Wednesday. Regular time ended with a tie, 41 – 41, after Cedarcrest roared back in the second half.  

Photo by Jim Scolman

Bearcat #44, Lucas Waller, at 6'2" out-jumps Jackson's 6'5" Riley Waite for a rebound in last Thursday's junior varsity game at the Monroe High School Gym. Monroe won, 57-46.

Photo by Dan Armstrong

Bearcat #20, Payton Wangner bounces off of Kamiak's #33 center, Kate Blackwell, trying to break through a block in last Monday's home game. Monroe won with 54 to Kamiak's 47.

Photo by Dan Armstrong

Bearcat #25, Alex Alexander takes the Kamiak defense to the boards in last Monday's junior varsity game at the Monroe High Gym. The final score was Monroe 49, Kamiak 41. 

Photo by Dan Armstrong

Bearcat Kylie Smith takes to the air, up the middle and to the backboard in last Tuesday's runaway game against the Mariner Marauders of South Everett. The final score was Monroe 61, Mariner 20.

Photo by Dan Armstrong

Bearcat Karen Vasatka charges through a Mariner tight defense in last Tuesday's home junior varsity game. Monroe dominated the entire game with a strong defense and a hot shooting offense. Monroe prevailed, 60-11.

Photo by Dan Armstrong

Sultan Turk varsity wrestler, 182-pound Jake Naslund, presses to pin Granite Fall's Mike Poyner in the Turks’ losing effort against Granite Falls Friday evening at Sultan. The Turks had four pins, but lost most of the lighter classes to fall 48 - 24 to rival Granite Falls.

Photo by Jim Scolman

Monroe Bearcat Sophomore Wyatt Smith, right, struggles in the early going of his first bout in the 160-pound class at the kickoff of the Sky Valley Invitational Wrestling Tournament Saturday in Sultan. Smith lost to Cashmere's Josh Powell in a fall at 5:56 in the bout.  

Monroe wrestlers went on to score 69 points to finish 7th out of 12 schools from around the Northwest.

Mount Baker crunched to a strong win, while the hosting Sultan Turks finished 4th overall at 126 points.

Male and female wrestlers from Mount Baker, Chelan, Eatonville, Sultan, Cashmere, Eastside Catholic, Monroe, Darrington, Tacoma Baptist, Sammamish, Friday Harbor and Cleveland filled the Turk gym for the annual all-day wrestling event.

Photo by Jim Scolman

Sultan Turk Varsity Forward, 5'10 Senior Dani Markwood, drives for two of her 19 points in the Turks' first Cascade Conference win, 51 - 46 over Lakewood, Thursday evening at home. Lady Turk sophomore Jessica Hopkins scored 10 to help hold off a second-half charge from the Cougars.

Photo by Jim Scolman

The JV Lady Turks played a fierce defense, taking a halftime lead of 17 - 12 to a final buzzer win, 35 - 27, over Lakewood on Thursday evening at home.

Photo by Jim Scolman

Sultan Turk 5'11" guard, Junior Sammy Cotterill drives for two of his game-high 21 to lead the Turks past second-place Archbishop Murphy, 47 - 39 on Tuesday, Jan. 3, in Sultan. Cotterill had two late game 3-pointers; and the Turks’ VandenEkart poured in 15 to pull away in the second half against a towering Wildcat defense. 

Photo by Jim Scolman

An eight-foot tall igloo on Powell Street in Monroe appeared in a short clip on Youtube last week, in which one of its creators, Andrew Martin of Monroe, shared the story of its construction. A recycle bin was used as the form for the blocks, and it took approximately 30 man hours to complete. At its highest point, the igloo measured about eight feet. It was also built by Martin's brother, Matt and a friend, with some help from neighbor kids. The builders brought electricity in, decorating the igloo with Christmas lights inside; and they had pizza delivered to it. The Youtube clip can be seen at www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqXyFx-rYPY.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Martin

Two grownups got in touch with their inner children when they built this head-standing snowman on their Monroe lawn. The kids were off playing somewhere, so their mom and dad built the snowman themselves, they said. 

Photo by Jim Scolman

A live power line made a volcanic glow and melted a hole in the snow that buried it on Brown Road last Sunday. As many as 7,000 people in north and east Snohomish County were without power during three days of heavy snow and ice.

Photo by Dan Armstrong

A birdhouse at the home of Dan and Michelle Armstrong was outsized by the snow on its roof Thursday. Snow at the Armstrongs' Monroe home got as deep as 21.5 inches before rain began to melt it Friday. 

Photo by Dan Armstrong

Amy Fulton and son, Kent show off their 15-foot snow dragon last week in the yard of their Fryelands home.

Photo by Dan Armstrong

Colton Hernandez goes airborne on his sled on the hill in back of Galaxy Theater last week. Dozens of local folks hit the popular town slope as the flakes piled up. 

Photo by Dan Armstrong

Rob Pugmire spreads de-icer on the slippery sidewalks outside the Sno-Isle Library in Monroe last week. Pugmire and other workers from Select Landscape in Snohomish made several trips to the library last week, shoveling snow from the sidewalks and clearing the parking lot for library patrons. 

Photo by Sally Gillie