Energy drinks are popular, but not so good for you
September 27, 2011
Kim Bussing Issaquah High School
Said to be the leading cause of lung cancer, various cardiovascular diseases, lowered bone density and reproductive risks, and referred to as “the devil’s fart” by author Ben Johnson, it is hard to imagine that anyone would willingly pick up a cigarette.
Yet even as smoking has become the poster child for a legal-drug-gone-wrong, few people have qualms about consuming a substance known to cause liver damage, kidney failure, seizures, hypertension, psychotic conditions, heart failure and death. Because, after all, there’s nothing wrong with grabbing an energy drink if there’s no time for morning coffee, or while studying for finals, right?
There are many claims that energy drinks are infused with vitamins and possess numerous health benefits — well, as healthy as a drink that contains 4,000 percent of the daily-recommended amount of B12 vitamins and surpasses the FDA approved amount of caffeine in a beverage can be, at least.
Off the Press
September 27, 2011
It can’t happen here; yes, it can
Kathleen R. Merrill Press managing editor
“This kind of thing doesn’t happen here,” people always say when some tragedy, especially one involving violence, occurs in a community.
I heard the phrase again and again Sept. 24, because that kind of thing doesn’t happen in Issaquah either. Until it did.
I was shopping in Maple Valley when a friend called to tell me there was a gunman on the loose in Issaquah and she couldn’t get into town because of all of the police officers blocking the streets.
Despite the fact that her voice was crystal clear, I immediately said, “What? Can you say that again?”
Same thing — gunman, downtown Issaquah, cops everywhere with guns drawn, helicopter flying overhead. She then asked if I was OK. (I live downtown.) I felt stunned for a moment. Were my pets OK at home? Could I even get there? Did I want to go there? How would I know if the gunman was inside the house or hiding on the property?
Small Business Awards finalists include Issaquah entrepreneurs
September 27, 2011
Issaquah companies specializing in iconic root beer floats and pan-Pacific shipping earned spots as finalists in the inaugural King County Executive’s Small Business Awards.
Trans-NET Inc., a shipping company focused on Far East ports in Russia, is nominated in the Exporting Small Business of the Year category. Triple XXX Rootbeer Drive-in is up for Minority Small Business of the Year.
“Those are two very diverse businesses,” Issaquah Chamber of Commerce CEO Matthew Bott said. “One does niche shipping to Russia and one does burgers and fries and nostalgia. It shows that we have some really unique stories behind our local businesses.”
Who’s News
September 27, 2011
Issaquah residents win ribbons at the Puyallup Fair
The following Issaquah residents won at the Puyallup Fair:
- 4-H Champion Senior Cavy Judging County Team: Michelle Fredrickson, Margaret Edwards and Katherine Miotke.
- 4Shelly Rowland, third-place, lemon almond pie recipe
- Amber Buol, first place, sewing machine-quilted
Guest Column
September 27, 2011
Wastewater issue revisited
Dallas Cross
In the article “Fish can tell us a lot about the water we drink,” (The Issaquah Press, Dec. 15, 2009), I cautioned against the contamination of our streams and drinking water with estrogenic chemicals, those that mimic female hormones. In the article, I cite chemical-related abnormal effects on sexual development in aquatic animals, including sex reversal in fish.
Since then, such chemicals, phthalates and Bisphenol A, have been implicated in early sexual development of human females, and with smaller testes in human males. All are good reasons to stop using unsafe plastic baby bottles and containers, including plastic-lined food cans. These chemicals accumulate in our water systems from pharmaceuticals and by leaching from plastic, including plastic pipes.
From my city utility bill, I see that King County charges more for sewage disposal than the cost of the water.
How to make a great energy drink
September 27, 2011
Iman Baghai Issaquah High School
In modern society people now require themselves to intake something digestible in order to “wake up” or “keep up” with their lives. However, these “digestible materials” have myriad cons, which is the reason why I am here to provide you with a how-to-keep-up-with-your-life-W
Warning: My recommendations do not guarantee a boost of being healthy.
The other day I was at a gas station and they had these “herbal/ginseng” energy booster packets. They claimed to be “natural” and “healthy” but they were quite sketch, in my opinion — try at one’s own risk.
Smoothies — Probably the best thing you can do is make a smoothie of fruits and vegetables. You can mix up the smoothie to your liking — you can throw in carrots, apples, pineapples, strawberries — the possibilities are endless. But a combination of fruits and vegetables would provide the best results and no added sugar. I would also throw in a vitamin C supplement for a little bit of a boost.
Volunteers
September 27, 2011
The Green Halloween Festival needs volunteers, ages 14 and older, from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Shops at Issaquah Highlands, 3011 N.E. High St. Bring your own not-too-scary costume. Contact Christy at christy.g@ihcouncil.org or 507-1107, ext. 1107.
The city of Sammamish needs volunteers for the following events. Sign up by contacting the volunteer coordinator at 295-0556 or dsanders@ci.sammamish.wa.us.
- Wetlands planting: 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 8, 228th Avenue and Southeast 24th Street, ages 14 and older.
- Sammamish Arts Fair: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 8-9, Sammamish City Hall and library, four-hour shifts
- Invasive weed removal from Jacobs Creek: 9 a.m. to noon, Oct. 15, Southeast 42nd Street and Issaquah-Pine Lake Road S.E., ages 14 and older
- Invasive plant removal on Illahee Trail: 9 a.m. to noon, Oct. 22, Northeast 8th Avenue and Southeast 35th Place Northeast, volunteers 13 and younger must be accompanied by an adult
The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank is looking for service groups, families or groups of four or five people to help with the Month of Concern Food Drive, which runs Saturdays through Oct. 15. During the Month of Concern, hand out food bank shopping lists to shoppers at our local grocery stores, collect the goods and deliver them to the food bank. Volunteers can sign up for the entire day, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or for half shifts. Sign up or get more information by calling 392-4123.
Get your ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ tickets
September 27, 2011
Ticket sales for Village Theatre’s “Annie Get Your Gun” start Sept. 28.
The classic musical is scheduled to run at the downtown Issaquah theater from Nov. 9 to Dec. 31. Tickets cost $22 to $62. Call 392-2202 or go to www.villagetheatre.org.
Village Theatre offers half-priced student and military rush tickets 30 minutes prior to shows. The theater also offers group discounts for parties of 10 or more.
Composer Irving Berlin conceived “Annie Get Your Gun” — a fictionalized account of sharpshooter Annie Oakley — for the Broadway stage in 1946.
“Annie Get Your Gun” is a romp about the romance between Annie and Frank Butler, the heartthrob in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show.
The original production played for more than 1,100 performances, and codified the songs “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better” in the Great American Songbook. The local staging spins off of the successful 1999 Broadway revival.
The Hot List
September 27, 2011
Samantha Garrard Issaquah High School
Movie: ‘The Help’
Emma Stone and Viola Davis star together in “The Help,” a life-changing story based on Kathryn Stockett’s bestseller. The movie tells the emotional journey of black women living during the 1960s, when blacks had few opportunities. The women find relief in talking to Emma Stone’s character “Skeeter,” who decides to write a story about the black women’s experiences as maids for white families. But the women tell their stories with caution because they know if they are caught they could be killed.
Book: ‘The Power of Six,’ by Pittacus Lore
According to Adam, a Barnes & Nobles employee, the hottest teen book he is having trouble keeping on the shelf is Pittacus Lore’s new book, “The Power of Six.”
“The Power of Six” is the sequel to “I am Number Four”, which was later made into a movie. In “I am Number Four” the main character, John Smith, one of six of his kind still hiding on earth, barely avoids death from the movie’s villains. But what happens when the six characters left on earth begin to join together in “The Power of Six”? You have to read to find out!
Album: ‘21,’ by Adele
The soulful singer Adele recently released her new album, “21.” The album already has several hits, such as “Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone like You.” Adele confesses that her new album has several sad songs based on the end of her last romantic relationship. However, “21” is currently at the top of the iTunes charts.
Former Issaquah business Ming’s moves again
September 27, 2011
Ming’s Asian Gallery, owned by Jim and Doreen Russell, of Issaquah, is closing its Main Street in Bellevue location after 25 years and consolidating operations at its Seattle location.
Ming’s got its start in Issaquah at the current Issaquah Brewhouse location before moving to Bellevue in 1986. Ming’s offers a taste of the exotic and eclectic, antique Asian art and antiques from around the world.
The new location will be at 519 Sixth Ave. S. in Seattle’s International District.
Ming’s will have a moving sale through Oct. 15 with items discounted from 20 percent to 60 percent off at the Bellevue location, 10217 Main St. Call 462-4008.
