2010 Community Awards
May 25, 2010
City inducts Leon Kos into Hall of Fame; chamber names Bob Ittes as Citizen of the Year
Leon Kos, Hall of Fame
Community leaders honored the man at the helm of city administration through more than three decades and four mayors with the top city award last week.
The city inducted retired City Administrator Leon Kos into the Issaquah Hall of Fame during the 31st annual Community Awards Luncheon.
Besides Kos, the city and civic organizations honored people in 15 categories for community and volunteer efforts at the May 18 ceremony.
Issaquah Chamber of Commerce leaders named longtime community banker Bob Ittes as Citizen of the Year. Chamber CEO Matt Bott praised Ittes as “one of the pillars of our community” before the announcement.
“In his quiet way, the recipient has provided strong, steady leadership to a number of local organizations,” Bott said.
Ittes launched Issaquah Community Bank in July 2007 — “known by many as Bob’s bank” — Rowley Properties executive Kristi Tripple, the ceremony emcee, said in the announcement.
The bank merged with three other Puget Sound-area institutions in February to become Bank of the Northwest.
“Pulling together a bank merger during one of the worst economic periods in history is no small feat,” Tripple said. Read more
Kentwood bounces Skyline from playoffs
May 25, 2010
It was a rough way to end the season for the Skyline High School baseball team May 22. The Spartans made 4A regionals after winning all the right games at the end of the regular season.
Its hopes were dashed in a 16-4 loss to the Kentwood Conquerors in the first round of the state tournament at Everett Stadium.
Kentwood (18-4) eventually advanced to the state semifinals after beating Mountlake Terrace that same day 13-2.
“It’s great we made it this far,” starting pitcher Peyton Harrod said after the game.
Although Harrod had his moments against Kentwood, the Conquerors wasted no time in putting runs on the board. Kentwood batted through the lineup in the first, scoring four runs on four hits, including a Skyline error that got one man on base and let one score.
Harrod contained Conqueror hitters with three up and three down in the second. Skyline answered with three runs in the top of the third inning, to come within one.
Kentwood pitcher Austin Voth walked Connor Gilchrist, who stole second and scored on an Anthony DeMatteo single to center field. Nate Litka drove a single to center and then stole second base. With runners at second and third with one out, Jim Sinatro, a sophomore, lined out to third. Read more
Community Calendar
May 25, 2010
Events
The Issaquah Alps Trails Club presents the following hikes. All hikes meet at the Trails Center at First and Bush streets and leave at the time stated, so plan to arrive early. Learn more at www.issaquahalps.org.
Middle Tiger Mountain, 9:30 a.m. May 29, 427-8449
Travelin’ songs The Issaquah Singers present “Travelin’ My Way,” a free concert of songs about modes of transportation, at 7:30 p.m. June 5 at Pine Lake Covenant Church, 1715 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish. The Issaquah Singers continues its strong legacy of keeping the old favorite, popular tunes alive, including “Route 66,” “Up, Up and Away,” “Swing Low,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “Cab Driver,” “My Ship” and others. File
Poo Poo Point, 9 a.m. May 30, 281-8465
Cougar Mountain Loop, 9:30 a.m. May 31, 882-3435
It’s Memorial Day Weekend and Kids Day at the Issaquah Farmers Market from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. May 29 at Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave. N.W. The Jimmy Free & Reggae Band performs from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the courtyard. The Ladybugs, from Gymnastics East, perform at noon and 1 p.m. The Little Sprouts will sell handmade items in the courtyard.
The Issaquah Highlands hosts a blood drive from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. June 5 at the Issaquah Highlands Fire Station. To schedule a donation appointment, e-mail kwiz@ihmail.com.
Issaquah triathlon, duathlon, 10K and 5K walk/run and kids’ triathlon is June 5 at Lake Sammamish State Park. Cost is $20 – $85. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Proceeds benefit Arbor Schools. Learn more and/or register at www.issaquahtri.com or call 392-3866.
Melelani Hula Studio presents “These Islands,” a Hawaiian hula show, at 11 a.m. June 5 at Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave. N.W. A $2 donation is suggested. Call 206-818-5837.
The Providence Point Library is sponsoring a used book sale from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. June 5 and from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. June 6 in the basement of Town Hall, 4135 Providence Point Drive S.E. The public is invited. Call 557-2985.
The Rotary Club of Sammamish and Scare Productions invite anyone interesting in participating in the 2010 production of Nightmare at Beaver Lake to a picnic from noon – 4 p.m. June 5 at Beaver Lake Park. Come see your friends from the show, play games, eat and learn what’s going on with this year’s event. There will be barbecue, fried turkey, soda and activities for everyone. Call 392-0918. Read more
Pledge 2 not txt n drive
May 25, 2010
In March, Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a bill that made texting while driving a primary offense. Starting in June, violators of this new law will be penalized with a $124 fine.
By Olivia Spokoiny
Previously, tickets for texting while driving were only issued if the offender was pulled over for another infraction, such as speeding. The new tougher law ultimately forces us to completely break the habit.
Adjusting to this law has been especially hard for teenagers. Generation X grew up having access to technology and the media at their fingertips, and as a result has become addicted to cell phones. In fact, one-third of drivers under age 24 have admitted to texting behind the wheel.
However, what teenagers need to realize is that an immediate response to a message is not worth the cost of anyone’s life.
Jason Epstein, an auto accident lawyer and Seattle personal injury attorney, is the founder of Teens Against Distracted Driving. He created the project earlier this year upon hearing about a car accident in California. The intoxicated driver was texting while driving, rear-ended a car and killed a 4-year-old boy in the backseat.
Rival lacrosse powerhouses meet in state semi-final
May 25, 2010
It’s probably not surprising that Issaquah and Mercer Island, longtime high school lacrosse rivals, will collide once again in a big game.
The two powers, which have battled for state titles in the past, meet at 8 p.m. May 26 at Mercer Island in the semifinals of the Washington State League Division I tournament.
Jake Fritz (left), Issaquah junior attacker, takes a shot as Stadium’s Drew Thomas defends his team’s goal early in the second quarter of their May 19 first-round state tournament lacrosse match. By Greg Farrar
The winner advances to the title game May 29 in Seattle’s Memorial Stadium. Bellevue and Bainbridge meet in the other semifinal.
Mercer Island, 20-0 in the season, defeated Issaquah 9-7 in a hard-fought game April 9 at Issaquah. The Islanders won the Northeast Conference regular-season title.
Issaquah, 18-4 and state champions the past two years, finished third in the Northeast Division. However, Issaquah has been building up momentum in the off-season, recording two tournament victories last week.
On May 19, Issaquah opened tournament action with a first-round, 16-4 triumph against visiting Stadium, of Tacoma. Although it became a decisive victory for Issaquah, the host team got off to a slow start. Issaquah led just 4-2 after two quarters.
“We predictably came out slow against a 5-9 team. It was hard to get our players excited to play, as Stadium had lost to teams we had beaten badly this year,” Issaquah coach Brandon Fortier said. “We were purely going through the motions in the first half and not playing with any intensity or urgency.”
Issaquah got untracked in the third quarter by scoring five goals.
“The one guy that helped spark some fire was sophomore defensive midfielder Austin Richert,” Fortier said. “His inspired play helped get everyone else into it in the second half and we finally started clicking.”
Issaquah polished off Stadium with seven goals in the final quarter.
All eyes focus on student’s photography
May 25, 2010
Through the eye of her lens, Emily Gitelman, 16, sees all the world as a story.
Emily Gitelman shares some of the reasons for her enthusiasm about photography, including her attention to colors and motion.
Her stories, or rather, the images she creates that say more than 1,000 words, have earned her statewide recognition.
Gitelman received two finalist awards for photos — “Nocturne” and “Fly Away” — she submitted to the 2010 state High School Photography Competition on April 24.
“Everything around is beautiful. It should be captured so that the beauty can be shared,” she said. “A picture will pop into my mind that I have to create, and then I try to figure out the circumstances by which that situation may have come to be.”
Her photos were selected from among 3,700 entries.
Emily said she first picked up a camera at 12, after her father bought a used one.
“My dad bought a camera for us,” she said. “I picked it up once and he didn’t get it back.”
Since then, her Canon Rebel has gone most everywhere with her.
“For a long time, I was trying to find something I was good at. I’d try something, but it just didn’t feel right,” she admitted. “Then, I slipped into taking pictures and it felt good, it fit. It helped me make more friends, because I’m always looking for people to be in my photographs.”
Behind the lens of her camera, Emily said she works her magic on friends, family and anyone really, who will sit, listen and take a lot of direction.
“I think that she really enjoys working with her models and creating a story in her pictures,” her mother, Robin Gitelman, said. “I think that is what is exciting to her.”
As a Skyline High School student, she excelled, she said. But this year, she moved to Bellevue College to get a jump-start on college, since where she would like to go is going to cost a pretty penny, she said.
“I want to go to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, which is the best,” she said. Read more
Military News
May 25, 2010
Liberty grad arrives for duty at Fort Benning
Private Emma Lorenz, of Issaquah, has arrived for duty at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
Lorenz, the daughter of Jeff and Jan Lorenz, of Issaquah, is an instructor shooter assigned to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. A 2009 graduate of Liberty High School, Lorenz has served in the military for less than one year.
Car enthusiast celebrates 91st birthday in style
May 25, 2010
Local resident Gene Klineburger turned 91 on April 27. In celebration, he drove his 1930 air-cooled Franklin to the Issaquah Valley Senior Center, where photos were taken of family and friends with him and the car.
Gene Klineburger, 91, helps his youngest granddaughter Tianna up into his 1930 Franklin, which he drove to the Issaquah Valley Senior Center to celebrate his birthday with family and friends. Contributed
His grandson James Lathrup and James’ girlfriend Kelly came, as well as longtime family friend Jack Etzel, and his youngest granddaughter, Tianna Klineburger. They dressed up for the occasion.
“You can’t ride in a car like that and not dress up, and I chose to wear one of my grandmother’s outfits,” Tianna said. “Whenever my grandparents would go on a Horseless Carriage Club tour, of which they did many, my grandmother would make sure to wear a dress, hat, purse and shoes that matched the era of the car they were driving.
“My grandfather has lived in the Seattle area since about 1954 and Issaquah since about 1976, with his wife Betty Klineburger, whom he was married to for 64 years, and three children Dianna, Judy and Lloyd,” she added. “He has lived an adventurous life that has taken him all over the world, as well as serving in World War II.”
Klineburger, a longtime participant at the senior center, has eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He and his wife loved coming to the center, where they both volunteered in the kitchen.
Klineburger has been an avid sportsman, hunter and explorer. He’s lived in faraway places, including Alaska, where he was famous for hunting giant polar bears.
Sport of Parelli focuses on friendship, not horsemanship
May 25, 2010
By Daniel Pickering
Liberty High School freshman Anjali D’Souza rides horses, but participates in a sport different from most others in the equestrian world.
That sport is Parelli Natural Horsemanship, which focuses on building a positive relationship between horse and rider.
“Parelli is a type of horsemanship that’s about always putting the horse first,” D’Souza said.
She and her horse, a 12-year-old Arabian named Abbey, dedicate 15-20 hours per week to refining their skills at Patterson Creek Farm in Fall City.
To participate in Parelli, you don’t need your own horse.
“You can lease horses for lessons, depending on the facility,” D’Souza said. “But ideally, you have your own horse.” Read more
Pokémon frenzy is in its second year
May 25, 2010
By Max Smith-Holmes
Physics students are usually known more for their brains than their video game prowess. For Skyline High School’s International Baccalaureate physics students, however, the latter may be the more valued trait.
Each spring, Skyline’s IB physics classes take a field trip to the Silverwood theme park in Idaho. Last year, the annual trip adopted a new tradition: a Pokémon video game frenzy brought about by usual school boredom.
Then senior Tyler Ninomura came up with the idea to bring Game Boy video game systems into physics class on days when there was free time. The students used cables to link their systems together and battle each other one on one.
The activity grew in popularity and eventually became an organized tournament for the bus rides to Silverwood. Read more
