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.

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.

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Liberty christens new theater with ‘The Wizard of Oz’

April 23, 2013

Seattle’s lush greenery may lend itself to its Emerald City nickname, but fans of Dorothy, and her little dog too, know that the true Emerald City is a magnificent metropolis inhabited by a powerful wizard, situated at the end of a yellow brick road.

Audiences young and old are invited to take that long, winding journey from Kansas to Oz with the Liberty High School Patriot Players, as they break in the school’s new theater with a musical performance of “The Wizard of Oz.”

By Katherine Simmons Taylor Schadt, as the Cowardly Lion, Maddy Daly, as Dorothy, and Sedrik Spradling-Reim, as the Scarecrow, play with Toto.

By Katherine Simmons
Taylor Schadt, as the Cowardly Lion, Maddy Daly, as Dorothy, and Sedrik Spradling-Reim, as the Scarecrow, play with Toto.

“I think everyone is super, super excited for this,” said Liberty junior Maddy Daly, who plays Dorothy. “‘The Wizard of Oz’ is an iconic show and we’re going to debut our new performing arts center. It can’t get any better than that.”

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Popular artEAST auction returns bigger than ever

April 16, 2013

The seventh annual 150 Feet of Art Auction fundraiser is April 19-27. The annual fundraiser is a public auction of juried works from artEAST members and supportive friends.

“Patrons and artists come together for this event, knowing that art has the power to transform individuals and communities,” a press release from the artEAST states. “We firmly believe that optimism, opportunity and relationships abound where the arts are celebrated.”

Screen Shot 2013-04-16 at 9.17.36 AM

Photos contributed/Illustration by David Hayes
Original pieces of art featured in artEAST’s 150 Feet of Art Auction include (from left) Janis Smith’s ‘I’m Watching You!,’ an untitled piece by Maureen Mitchell and Beth Anderson’s ‘River’s Edge.’

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Mostly Americana celebrates music, veterans

April 16, 2013

The community is invited to celebrate America and its veterans at the eighth annual Mostly Americana Dessert Concert at 7 p.m. April 20.

The concert features hundreds of the top choir singers from Issaquah High School, as well as Pacific Cascade and Issaquah middle schools. Pacific Northwest adult choir Breath of Aire will also lend its vocal talents to the evening dedicated to all-things Americana.

In addition to entertainment featuring the choral music of America, attendees can munch on classic desserts, including cookies, baked by parent volunteers.

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Awash in wonders

April 9, 2013

Denizens of the depths surface at Seattle Aquarium

Somehow, I made it my entire life so far without visiting an aquarium.

By Peter Clark One of the most interesting features in the aquarium is the underwater dome, around which many different species, such as the fellow pictured above, swim around spectators.

By Peter Clark
One of the most interesting features in the aquarium is the underwater dome, around which many different species, such as the fellow pictured above, swim around spectators.

I suppose some blame can rest on growing up in the Midwest, but more than anything, the opportunity just never presented itself. I consider that a real shame because I am fascinated by all things aquatic. “Moby Dick” is one of my favorite books, I have watched more nature shows on the deep sea than any other kind of nature show and I should have visited an aquarium sooner.

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So, a guy walks into a bar with an open mic…

April 9, 2013

So, you are pretty funny, and your friends say you should be a comedian. Here is the break you need. Comedy open mic is coming to Issaquah on April 18, so get your act together.

Issaquah comedian and promoter Erez Ben-Ari will emcee an open-mic comedy event April 18 at Amante restaurant. Performances will start at 8 p.m.

Ben-Ari, who writes and performs comedy regularly in open-mic venues around the Puget Sound area, said he hopes the event will become a regular one. He honed his skills at the University of Washington in a class taught by Ron Reid and sponsored by Classesandworkshops.com.

Contributed Erez Ben-Ari, of Issaquah, performs one of his open-mic night comedy routine recently at a Puget Sound-area venue.

Contributed
Erez Ben-Ari, of Issaquah, performs one of his open-mic night comedy routine recently at a Puget Sound-area venue.

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Family tradition

April 2, 2013

Writer follows in her mom’s footsteps to publish her first novel, ‘Blood Money’

Once upon a time, Erika Mitchell’s husband promised her that if she ever got a novel published, he would take her to Seattle’s nicest restaurant: Canlis.

When her book “Blood Money” hit the shelves last month he kept his word. She ordered the lobster.

Erika Mitchell

Erika Mitchell

“Ever since I was a little girl,” Mitchell said, “I would go to Barnes & Noble or Borders, or other book stores, and find the bookshelf where my book would be if I wrote one.”

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Big House BBQ delivers big portions, flavor

April 2, 2013

Restaurant reviews are a regular feature of The Issaquah Press. Reviewers visit restaurants unannounced and pay in full for their meals.

Nutritionists often extoll the virtues of making lunch the largest meal of the day, leaving a person the rest of the afternoon to digest and burn calories.

Big House BBQ isn’t the place for calorie counters, but for those looking to spend their afternoon with a belly full of Memphis-style slow-cooked beef, pork and chicken, a stop by the big red trailer across the street from Home Depot is in order.

As essentially Issaquah’s only recurring mobile food truck, Big House is not much for aesthetics — nor should it be. Three picnic tables, a canvas tent and a modest trailer with the smell of smoked meat wafting out are all that greet the diner.

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For the love of all things Irish

March 26, 2013

I’m deeply enamored with Ireland. It feels a poetic and romantic place. Melodic Celtic music seems to transcend time, lush green landscapes, drifting fog and rugged shores. All create visions of charm and daydreams.

I’m just as enamored with Irish cuisine. Deep, rich flavors warm a belly and comfort the soul. It’s hearty fare my grandmother used to call “stick to your ribs” cuisine. Perfect for the cool evenings still to come.

By Karista Bennett Irish cuisine is delicious anytime, not just on St. Patrick’s Day.

By Karista Bennett
Irish cuisine is delicious anytime, not just on St. Patrick’s Day.

There’s no celebrating the arrival of spring at my house without some festive and hearty Irish fare. One of my favorite dishes to prepare is Colcannon. Traditionally a mashed potato, cabbage and green onion side dish, I decided to recreate this lush recipe into a one-pot meal.

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