Enjoy the classics at green concerts
June 30, 2009
What could be better than spreading out a blanket and chilling to good tunes under the summer sunshine?
If you’re up for a rockin’ good time, without traveling far, Concerts on the Green is your solution.
For 13 years, the city has sponsored the concerts at the community center, with family friendly tunes and great hits from days past. This year’s lineup should rival that, according to David Harris, the event’s organizer.
“I think it’s about bringing families and people together,” he said. “It’s about bringing the community together.” Read more
Watoto Children’s Choir to perform free concert
June 30, 2009
The Watoto Children’s Choir at a recent performance.Contributed
The Watoto Children’s Choir performs a free concert at Eastridge Christian Assembly, 5025 Issaquah-Pine Lake Road S.E., at 7 p.m. July 1.
Watoto, which means “The Children,” is spreading a message of hope for Africa’s children through inspirational songs and compelling stories.
In response to the critical orphan crisis in Uganda, Watoto Child Care Ministries was established as an outreach of Kampala Pentecostal Church. Today, Watoto is caring for more than 1,500 parentless children by providing physical, emotional, educational and spiritual care. Read more
Dancing to the music on the street
June 23, 2009
A youngster shows his appreciation of a live performance at Pedestrian Park by leaving a tip in the band’s drum case. File photo
Six years ago, Michael Johnson took on the city Arts Commission’s task of transforming Issaquah into an arts destination. The resulting ArtWalk drew crowds to downtown Issaquah once a month. Live music at strategic locations along the route kept them refreshed on their journey.
The music proved to be so popular, Johnson decided to concentrate efforts on expanding into a musical arts destination during summer months. The street performances are Music on the Streets.
Now in its third year, the primary location to catch live entertainment is Pedestrian Park, the grassy knoll at the corner of Front Street and Sunset Way. A second location, Stage 195, is in front of the artbyfire gallery, located at 195 Front St. Read more
La Casita is hot restaurant to cool down in
June 23, 2009
La Casita may go overlooked, because it’s on the way in, or out of, Pine Lake Shopping Center, but it’s certainly worth the stop. Read more
Fenders go bumper to bumper on Front Street
June 16, 2009
File Issaquah’s main drag is closed to modern-day traffic and devoted to restored and classic cars and pedestrians during the Fenders on Front Street Car Show and Cruise. File
Souped-up hot rods and classics go bumper to bumper at Issaquah’s Fenders on Front Street on June 21.
DownTown Issaquah Association organizers said they are hoping for good weather and plenty of patrons to help them celebrate the best of all things automotive on Father’s Day.
“I think fathers and cars always go together, and sharing it with their kids makes it that much better,” said Joe Forkner, an organizer for the event. “There is no restrictions on cars, so there will be new ones, old ones and all sorts of stuff.
“Besides, you’re not going to get through downtown very fast, so why not stick around?” he asked.
Fenders on Front Street debuted in 2005 with overwhelming participation. Nearly 800 cars lined the street and filled parking lots at XXX Rootbeer Drive-in and other restaurants, according to Forkner.
Unfortunately, it rained the second year and only about 200 cars showed. Last year, extreme heat brought only 400 participants to the show. Read more
High school dance at Pickering Barn will benefit food bank
June 9, 2009
Area high school students can contribute to a good cause while they dance the night away June 18. The dance, for sophomores, juniors and seniors only, is from 6-11 p.m. at Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave NW. Read more
Junipers has a big menu for casual dining
June 9, 2009
Restaurant reviews are a regular feature of The Issaquah Press. Reviewers visit restaurants unannounced and pay in full for their meals. Read more
Watching the art on the walk
June 9, 2009
Maria Seibert, along with her dog, showcase her creative style of earrings made out of guitar picks on display inside Village Theatre’s First Stage during the the Issaquah ArtWalk June 5. By Adam Eschbach Read more
Feel welcome in Yakima wine country
June 2, 2009
‘Barrel Babes’ Kathy Hodge and Mary Green, Spring Barrel Tasting volunteers at Tapteil Estate, demonstrate how the age of two American oak barrels influence the flavor of the same 2007 syrah. Photo by Andrea Collins
Being the first legally approved American Viticultural Area in the state in 1983, Yakima has kept its title as the Wild West of wine country, where sipping, swirling and tasting aren’t just for expert oenophiles.
“We’ve been to some wineries in Napa, or in France and Italy, where we’ve waited hours to just try a little sample and that was it. But here is different,” said Mary Davies, of Stanwood. “You have access to the wines and their winemakers.”
In Yakima Valley, you’ll find more than 60 wineries stretched along Interstate 82 from the base of the Cascade Mountains in the west to the Kiona Hills near Richland in the east.
In Yakima, it’s not uncommon to find winemakers wandering around their vineyards in shorts and flip-flops, leading their own tours and answering questions. It’s the relaxed, no-frills attitude that makes Yakima welcoming of experienced palates and those just learning.
“Our age group is much more educated about wine and we like to have fun,” said Matthew Rawn, 32, co-owner at Two Mountain Winery, 20 minutes east of Yakima. “But there is still that intimidation factor when individuals say, ‘I don’t know what to taste or what I’m supposed to smell.’ Read more
Sunny sailing
June 2, 2009
Eric Contreras, owner of Side Line Sports Bar & Grill in Factoria, practices paragliding takeoffs while on the ground at Lake Sammamish State Park. This practice technique is called ground handling, which is useful to teach proper takeoffs with the benefit of staying on the ground. Contreras is a member of the Northwest Paraglide Club and has been up in the air 29 times. By Adam Eschbach
