Skyline wins first state swimming crown
November 17, 2009
The jubilant Skyline girls swim team hoists the 4A state championship trophy Nov. 14 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. By Greg Farrar
First-year girls swim and dive head coach Susan Simpkins said she was still smiling more than a day later as she talked about her team’s remarkable performance at the state 4A meet Nov. 14.
Skyline won its first state swim and dive team championship after beating second-place Garfield 234-176 at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.
“Everybody, they were just so excited,” Simpkins said in a phone interview Nov. 15. “It was just the perfect ending to a fabulous season.”
The win came thanks to record-breaking swims from senior Andie Taylor in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events, Skyline’s winning times in the 200- and 400-yard relays and freshman Maria Volodkevich’s 100-yard breaststroke win.
Taylor is state champ in the 200-yard freestyle after breaking her own state record with a time of 1 minute, 46.55 seconds. Read more
A new home to roam
November 17, 2009
Almos sits on a high point in the new tiger enclosure at Cougar Mountain Zoo. In the middle,
Taj looks down on visitors to the new habitat.
This rock structure is in the middle of the enclosure. Visitors can watch the animals from several great vantage points. See video of the tigers in their new home at www.issaquahpress.com. Photos by Kathleen R. Merrill
Get your wine on at Grape Cup Challenge
November 17, 2009
As the season for Apple Cup ramps up, some of your favorite wineries and winemakers are coming to Pickering Barn Nov. 19 for the first Grape Cup Challenge. Read more
Helpful Harvest
November 17, 2009
At left, volunteers Vicki Huang (left) and Joyce Zhan hand out cookies to guests lined up for food, clothes, books and toys Nov. 14 during the annual Harvest Festival organized by the ARAS Foundation (Acceptance, Respect, Affection and Support). More than 200 volunteers helped at Issaquah Valley Elementary School, serving more than 2,000 of the less fortunate.
At right, Monica Sampson, of Klahanie, holds up a jacket
for size on son Daniel, 12, who has two brothers and two sisters. Sampson had to quit her job as an assembler when the only shift that fit the family’s schedule was shut down. Learn how to help ARAS by e-mailing mary@arasfoundation.org. By Greg Farrar
EFR’s firefighter overtime funds are running out
November 17, 2009
Overtime for firefighters is likely to go over budget. Read more
Eagles finish in fifth place at state volleyball tourney
November 17, 2009
Riley Sorenson (5), Issaquah junior setter, and Stephanie Stoll, senior middle hitter, block a volley by Woodinville's Melissa Gilkey Nov. 5 in the 4A KingCo volleyball championship game. By Greg Farrar
The Issaquah High School volleyball team, after suffering a tough first-round loss, kept on battling through the consolation round Nov. 12 and as a result, the Eagles came back and grabbed fifth place in the 4A state tournament in Kennewick’s Toyota Center.
Issaquah defeated Jackson 3-0 Nov. 13 in the match for fifth place.
The Eagles, who lost to Kentwood 3-2 in the opening round, fought back to oust Richland 3-2 and Woodinville 3-1 to earn their shot at an award.
“It was a great way to finish off the season,” Issaquah coach Todd Parsons said. “The loss was tough, but the team pulled together through the adversity and made a choice to finish the year on a win.”
For the Eagles, fifth place was their highest finish since taking third in the 3A state tournament in 2005. In this year’s tournament, the Eagles showed plenty of grit and had plenty of leadership. Read more
Off The Press
November 17, 2009
Kathleen R. Merrill Press editor
Last week, I decided to drop by Cougar Mountain Zoo to check on Taj and Almos, the elder of our local, rare Bengal tigers. I’ve seen them grow up, like many of you have done.
I knew they were moving into their new, larger, adult habitat at some point. (Taj had been in there for nearly three weeks. Almos, a little shyer about the move, maybe because he heard people talk about the horrors of packing and moving, had entered the enclosure only three days before.) Read more
Is it a cold or the flu? Here’s how to tell
November 17, 2009
A concerned parent checks her child for symptoms of flu or cold. File
“My body aches and my head is throbbing. Do I have the flu or is it just because I’m stressed or tired? Do I need a flu shot? Do I need the H1N1 vaccine, too?”
Millions of Americans will be asking themselves these and other questions this fall and winter as news reports and health care providers continue to warn about seasonal influenza and H1N1 influenza, commonly known as swine flu.
The flu symptoms self-assessment tool on MayoClinic.com can help you assess whether you or your loved ones have some form of flu, or just a cold. If you possibly or likely have the flu, you’ll also learn whether antiviral medication is an option. And you can check a concise list of high-risk groups who should seek medical attention for the flu. Read more
Liberty scores 21 in five minutes to beat O’Dea
November 17, 2009
The Liberty defensive line seals the 38-35 victory over O’Dea by pushing back the ball carrier for no gain on fourth-and-four with 1:50 remaining and taking possession to run out the clock. By Greg Farrar
As Liberty trailed O’Dea 35-17 with less than 10 minutes remaining Nov. 13, it appeared as though the Patriots’ 3A state playoff run was coming to an end.
However, the Patriots didn’t give up, and after scoring three touchdowns within five minutes in the fourth quarter, they beat the Irish 38-35.
With the victory, Liberty advances to the quarterfinals and will be host team Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. against Lindbergh, of Renton. Both teams are 10-1 on the season. Lindbergh, the Seamount League champions, defeated Ferndale 52-21 in the first round.
Liberty began the game strong against O’Dea, taking a 17-7 lead with a 3-yard touchdown run from junior running back Chandler Jenkins, a 38-yard field goal kick from senior Dean Byron and a 10-yard touchdown from junior quarterback Trey Wheeler to junior wide receiver Jake Bainton.
However, midway through the second quarter, O’Dea took charge, not letting up until the fourth quarter. The Irish scored 28 unanswered points before the Patriots found success again. Read more
Community calendar
November 17, 2009
Events
Crafts on display The Vasa Park Christmas Craft Show, featuring more than 95 Northwest crafters and artists, is from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Nov. 19-20 and from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Nov. 21 at 3549 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway, Bellevue. File
The Issaquah American Association of University Women is celebrating 30 years of service to the Issaquah community at 10 a.m. Nov. 21 in the Eagle Room at the Issaquah Police Station. Guest speaker is Dixie Swenson, AAUW state president. RSVP to geri.spindrift@comcast.net.
The fourth annual Evo “Barnstorm” Ski/Snowboard Blowout Sale is from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Nov. 24, 25, 27, 28 and 29 at the Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave. N.W.
The annual Christmas Tree Lot returns to the Issaquah Christian Church Nov. 27 at 10328 Issaquah-Hobart Road S.E. Proceeds help support church missions, including building homes in Mexico. The lot is open from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 24. There will also be hot chocolate, apple cider, coffee and cookie treats with Christmas caroling. Call 392-5848 or go to www.iccweb.org. Read more
