Follow the sun to Sun Lakes/Dry Falls
May 14, 2013
Weekend Wanderer set out mid-April for Sun Lakes/Dry Falls State Park, about a 200-mile drive from Issaquah. The clouds hung low over the mountains on Snoqualmie Pass, barely shielding their beauty, like the sheer nightgown of a bashful bride.
Somewhere near Easton, the sun began its struggle with the clouds to dominate the sky. It won east of Ellensburg.
The Soap Lake sculpture ‘Calling the Healing Waters’ is the center piece of the world’s largest human figure sundial.
Why Sun Lakes/Dry Falls State Park? Start with the name, sun, and add camping, swimming, fishing, golfing, sightseeing and a place to research your kid’s science project on Washington archeology.
‘Chicago’ guilty of first-degree theater
May 14, 2013
It is a shame that so many have experienced “Chicago” the musical in the form of the award-winning 2002 movie. If there is one thing that Village Theatre’s new show proves, it is that the real heart of the piece demands to be set on a stage with many flashing lights and an enthralled audience. Through that awareness, the cast and crew of “Chicago” bring a wickedly lively spectacle to Front Street.
Community Caring Award nominations due May 17
May 7, 2013
Life Enrichment Options, AtWork!, Special Olympics Issaquah and the Tavon Center invite the community to nominate volunteers who dedicates themselves to supporting those with developmental disabilities for a Community Caring Award, as part of the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce’s Community Volunteer Awards.
Awards will be presented at the 34th annual Community Awards Banquet on May 30, where Issaquah’s service clubs celebrate and honor those volunteers who are dedicated to making a difference in our community.
Deadline for nominations is May 17. Nominees need to be from the Issaquah area (within the Issaquah School District boundaries).
Submit a nomination at www.lifeenrichmentoptions.org.
ArtEAST Rookery Project returns for another year
May 7, 2013
ArtEAST is bringing back the Rookery Project after a successful launch in 2012.
This year, artEAST curators Julie Rackley and Valaree Cox will guide the exhibit with their experience and unique perspective, according to a press release from artEAST.
Washington lakes play host to large populations of the indigenous great blue heron. ArtEAST continues to acknowledge Washington’s natural ecology and pay homage to this majestic bird with the Rookery Project 2013.
This year the “canvas” takes the form of one of three different silhouettes scroll-cut hardboard images by June Sekiguchi. You will be provided the scroll cut board upon your selection as an exhibitor.
Learn more and submit art for this project at www.arteast.org/2013/04/call-rookery-2013. Submission deadline is 8 p.m. May 13. Art will be exhibited Aug. 2-25.
‘Chicago’
May 7, 2013
Village Theatre hopes to slay with killer musical,
Taryn Darr stars as Roxie Hart in Village Theatre’s musical production of ‘Chicago.’
By Mike Hipple
How do you turn a story about murder in the 1920s into something sexy, modern and entertaining? That’s the question Village Theatre does not plan to have any trouble answering as the musical “Chicago” opens May 9.
After six weeks of production design and only four or five weeks of rehearsal time, the John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse musical will play through June 29 and then move out for an Everett run from July 5 through July 28. The traditionally dazzling show follows a murderer-turned-celebrity in prohibition-era Chicago with a satirical, darkly comedic eye.
When asked why Village Theatre decided to put on “Chicago,” Director Steve Tomkins had an easy answer.
The Magical Stranger’ author comes to library
May 7, 2013
On Nov. 28, 1979, accomplished Navy pilot Peter Rodrick died when his plane crashed in the Indian Ocean, leaving behind a devastated wife, two daughters, and a 13-year-old son.
In “The Magical Stranger,” author Stephen Rodrick explores the life and death of the man who indelibly shaped his life, even as he remained a mystery.
Rodrick will present his book at 7 p.m. May 15 at the King County Library Service Center, 960 Newport Way.
A blend of memoir and reportage, the book is a reflection on the meaning of service and the power of a father’s legacy, according to a press release from the Issaquah Library.
Revisit the roaring ‘20s in ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’
April 30, 2013
Janet Van de Graaff, played by Jessie Spung, is praised as she performs her solo ‘Show Off.’ Photos by Lillian O’Rorke
Waiting in the wings of Skyline High School’s Lyceum Theatre, students sit quietly studying, but all that disappears when they are onstage, taking on the roles of drunkards, gangsters and flappers in the school’s new musical “The Drowsy Chaperone.”
Opening May 1, the show takes audiences on a comical trip back into the days of prohibition, as imagined by a lonely old man listening to a record in his New York apartment.
“When I first heard the track for this production, I was hooked. There was no other option for what we should do for the musical this year,” production director Hannah Fry said. “It literally made me laugh out loud in my car, which gradually changed to singing at the top of my lungs.”
Written by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, with music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, the show is a satire of 1920’s musical comedies.
Go no further than Dolsot for authentic Korean food
April 30, 2013
Restaurant reviews are a regular feature of The Issaquah Press. Reviewers visit restaurants unannounced and pay in full for their meals.
In a world of American-Asian food, it’s easy to get something sub par. But, Dolsot Korean Cuisine definitely has an authentic feel.
The recently opened restaurant is small and quiet. There was only one other family there that night, so we had the attention of both a waiter and waitress who were very observant of our needs.
Upon arrival, we were quickly seated and a young, Korean gentleman took the time to explain the menu. This was necessary, because 90 percent of the menu is in Korean, with little explanation in English.
There were appetizers, soups and main dishes, and we played it safe and went with chicken teriyaki and an appetizer. The appetizer, gogi mandu, was a steamed dumpling with pork inside. It came with a dipping sauce reminiscent of soy sauce, and was very good, although the dumpling was a little doughy.
The chicken teriyaki was nothing like fast food chicken teriyaki. It arrived in a thick, hot, stone bowl with a raw egg in the middle. There was rice on the bottom along with vegetables and chicken. Our waiter said it would continue cooking, so we stirred the egg in, and it did just that. The chicken was cooked when it arrived, and the bowl kept the meal warm the entirety of our visit.
The entrée was a little pricier ($15) but there was so much of it that we took enough home for a second meal each. There wasn’t a lot of chicken, which was a little disappointing, but there was plenty of rice, and it wasn’t spicy, which is important to someone who doesn’t like a lot of spice.
To my surprise, we were also served something called banchan, little dishes of food along with our meal. Our waiter explained what everything was, and said all the vegetables used are fresh and local; they definitely won points for sustainability.
We were also served a simple soup that wasn’t anything extraordinary, but was good nonetheless. The banchan consisted of cold broccoli, a very small salad with a dressing that really packs a punch, kimchi (fermented cabbage seasoned with chili peppers and salt) and bean sprouts. The broccoli was nothing special and the salad dressing was too spicy for me, though my dining partner has tougher taste buds and enjoyed it. The cabbage was bland but decent, especially for someone who doesn’t like cabbage, and the bean sprouts were ordinary.
Between the appetizer at $8 and the dinner at $15 it may not seem like a budget-friendly place to eat, but with the amount of food served, it is a good bargain.
As we were leaving, our waiter said Korean food is typically very spicy, but I was glad to know there were milder options on the menu.
Although I could have easily made the chicken teriyaki myself at home, the dumplings were worth the trip. The banchan was unique and the soup good. It is worth another visit just to try something different. If you’re looking for a relaxed evening in a casual restaurant when you don’t want to cook, Dolsot is a great choice.
If you go
Dolsot Korean Cuisine
-317 N.W. Gilman Blvd.
-427-1600
-11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday
-Appetizers: $6.95 to $14.95; soups: $8.95 to $12.95; entrées: $7.95 to $30
artEAST presents 150 Feet of Art
April 27, 2013
For the 7th year in a row, artEAST will bring the 150 Feet of Art to their art center on Front Street on April 27.
From 6 to 8:30 p.m., there will be a closing reception and a bidding frenzy on juried art by artEAST members and special guests. It is their biggest benefit auction of the year.
With $20 admission, according to their press release attendees will receive wine, food and fun. With tickets limited, they encourage those interested to come early and eager.
The artEAST Art Center is located at 95 Front Street. Find out more by calling 425-392-3191 or at artEAST.org.
Strawberry season pairs well with this savory, salmon recipe
April 23, 2013
Although I can’t seem to grow a tomato in my garden, for the past few years I’ve had strawberries popping up everywhere in my yard. I’ve been feeling just a tiny bit triumphant about my unexpected crop of strawberries. Combined with my weekly trips to the Issaquah Farmers Market and Jubilee Farms last summer, my kitchen table and countertops overflowed with the sweet red berries.
Strawberry shortcake, spinach and strawberry salad, strawberry preserves, strawberry coconut sorbet and, of course, the Bennett Crews favorite, strawberry salmon.
By Karista Bennett
Savory strawberry sauce served over grilled salmon features the best of seasonal ingredients.
Fruit has long been used to flavor savory sauces and nothing seems more well-paired than berries and salmon: a perfect celebration of spring and summer.
