Growing legacy: Issaquah reigns as Tree City USA
April 20, 2010
The mayor and city brass gathered to celebrate Arbor Day last April beneath dull gray skies — a bare, drab scene unlike the leafy canopy shading Issaquah streets in summertime.
City leaders and residents gather every spring to plant the official Arbor Day tree: a Burr oak near Gibson Hall last year, a crabapple at Grand Ridge Elementary School the year before. The annual ceremony serves as more than a photo opportunity.
Officials will mark Arbor Day indoors next week, with a presentation by city Open Space Steward Matt Mechler to the municipal Park Board.
Issaquah, designated as a Tree City USA for the past 16 years, is required to observe and proclaim Arbor Day to maintain the designation. Officials mark the day with a tree planting, and select a ceremonial tree for each occasion.
City Arborist Alan Haywood oversees the urban forest and ensures that Issaquah keeps the Tree City USA distinction — no small feat in a city where tree canopy covers 51 percent of the municipality.
Katie Lawrence and Forrest Beckwith II
April 20, 2010
Katie Lawrence and Forrest Beckwith II, both of Bothell, announce their engagement to be married Nov. 6. 2010, at St. James Cathedral in Seattle.
Katie Lawrence and Forrest Beckwith II
The bride-to-be, the daughter of Doug and Ramona Lawrence, of Issaquah, is a 2000 graduate of Skyline High School. She earned a degree in 2004 in journalism and communication from the University of Oregon. She is a sales supervisor at Guidant Financial Group, in Bellevue.
The future groom, the son of Forrest and Donna Beckwith, of Sammamish, is also a 2000 graduate of Skyline. In 2004, he earned a degree in molecular biology from the University of Washington. He works in sales and merchandising at Costco.
Teachers receive schools foundation grants
April 20, 2010
Issaquah School District educators have received grants to help students achieve big ideas next year.
Issaquah Schools Foundation officials released more than $73,000 in Academic Enrichment Grants to more than 30 educators March 18.
The funding helps bolster programs in classes throughout the district, amid a year when district officials aren’t sure whether state cutbacks will affect their budget.
“School district resources are in short supply for even the basics like new curriculum, much less the extras that help learning really come alive for students,” foundation Executive Director Robin Callahan wrote in an e-mail. “In addition to supporting teachers looking for those enriched learning opportunities for their students, these grants seed innovative programs that often become districtwide initiatives.”
There are two types of grants foundation officials give out, the Kateri Brow Big Idea/Biggest Need Grant and the Classroom Enrichment Grant. Both enable teachers to fulfill educational goals in classrooms throughout the district.
Volunteer, hobby expo returns bigger than ever
April 20, 2010
Whether you’re brand new to the community or have lived here your whole life, possibilities abound for getting involved with your neighbors and other like-minded individuals or groups. The trick is finding them.
Luckily, the Issaquah Parks & Recreation Department gathers more than 30 organizations at one convenient location each year — the Hobby & Volunteer Expo.
“It’s for all ages,” organizer Cathy Jones said. “It’s especially great for parents to find different groups for their children.”
Now in its 11th year, this year’s show is geared more toward hobby and volunteer opportunities for adults and high school students, Jones said.
“There are some great opportunities for retirees and empty nesters,” she added.
Jennifer Muscat and Baraka Poulin
April 20, 2010
Jennifer Muscat, of Issaquah, and Baraka Poulin, of Sammamish, were married March 27, 2010, at Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church. Pastor Will Sappington officiated. A reception followed at Tibbetts Creek Manor in Issaquah.
The bride, the daughter of Lorie and Joe Muscat, of Issaquah, is a 2005 graduate of Skyline High School. Her bridesmaids were Angela Muscat, Abbey Poulin, Stephanie Erickson and Shannon Crilly.
Jennifer Muscat and Baraka Poulin
Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering in 2009 from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
The groom, the son of Debbie and Bruce Poulin, of Sammamish, is a 2004 graduate of Skyline High School. His groomsmen were Ben Brownlee, Axel Thibodeau, Leonard McKinnon and Brian Oppenheim.
Baraka earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 2008 from Gonzaga University.
The couple honeymooned in Maui, Hawaii.
Baby pictures wanted
April 20, 2010
Were you or your baby born at Swedish Medical Center? If so, dust off your photo albums and scan and send in your best baby shots.
In honor of its 100th year of nonprofit service, Swedish wants to recognize some of its patients through a search for photos of babies born at any birthing center now part of Swedish Health Services, including Swedish Hospital.
Entries for the cutest Swedish baby photo contest will be accepted online through June 1. Go here to complete the registration form, and then follow the links and instructions to upload up to six photos of you or your baby into one of the categories of craziest hair, biggest sports fan, trick-or-treat, my first birthday, most adorable and I love my pet.
Grand-prize winners will receive a two-night stay for four people to Great Wolf Lodge and a $300 gift card to spend at the lodge during their stay (approximate retail value of prize is $1,000). Second-place prize winners will receive a $500 Nordstrom gift card and third place winners will receive a $250 Amazon.com gift card.
Winners will be notified on or about June 21.
Read the full rules here.
Cory Foote and Jennifer Griffith
April 20, 2010
Foote, Griffith
Cory Foote and Jennifer Griffith
Cory Foote, a 1998 graduate of Issaquah High School, and Jennifer Griffith, a 1999 graduate of Orcas High School, recently became engaged to be married on July 10, 2010, at the Griffith family home.
The couple plans to make their home on the Eastside.
Help save lives through organ donation
April 20, 2010
More than 14,000 people from across the country — both alive and deceased — donated tissue from their bodies in 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
While those people enabled more than 28,000 transplants to take place, tens of thousands of people were left without the transplants they needed. For many of those, the waiting was fatal.
Everyone can help by signing up to be an organ donor, by which one gives legal consent for his or her organs to be donated in the case of his or her death. By being a donor after death, one can donate his or her heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, small intestines, heart valves, skin, bone, connective tissue, veins, eyes and/or corneas.
A medical team prepares a patient for an organ transplant. Contributed
Kevin O’Connor, CEO of Donate Life Today, Washington’s official organ donor registry, said one deceased person’s donations can save or enhance the lives of as many as 50 people.
Ryan Stearns and Victoria Mills
April 20, 2010
Ryan Stearns and Victoria Mills were married April 3, 2010, in Laguna Beach, Calif., at Tivoli Terrace. The Rev. Bruce Danzara officiated.
Ryan Stearns and Victoria Mills
The groom, the son of John and Robin Stearns, formerly of Issaquah, is a 2003 graduate of Skyline High School. His groomsmen were his brothers Trevor and Tyler Stearns. Ryan graduated in 2008 from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in business administration: accounting. He works as an accountant for Richard Heath Associates in Fresno, Calif., and is pursuing his master’s degree in business administration.
The bride is the daughter of Fern Mills and Michael Hayes of Clovis, Calif. Her bridal attendant was her sister Claire Hayes. Victoria graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, in 2009 with a degree in political science. She is pursuing her master’s in psychology.
The couple honeymooned in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Middle school student honored by USAA
April 20, 2010
Janon Ku, of Issaquah, was recently honored by the United States Achievement Academy as a student of excellence in mathematics.
Ku, the son of Roy and Sophia Ku, of Issaquah, is a student at Issaquah Middle School.
The academy recognizes students recommended by their teachers, coaches and others based on academic performance, interest and aptitude, leadership qualities, responsibility, enthusiasm, motivation to learn and improve, attitude and cooperative spirit.
Ku will appear in the USAA’s next yearbook, which is published annually.
