Author recruits friend to publish first book
May 21, 2013
Issaquah resident Brenda Elser and her friend Kristin Loehrmann, of Renton, recently published their first novel, “The Case of the Halloween Heist,” a joint effort.
The book, a “whodunnit” mystery, appeals mostly to second- through fourth-graders. It seems all of the kids in the story got up the morning after Halloween and found their Halloween candy missing, replaced by dental floss. What could be more evil?
Contributed
Kristin Loehrmann (left) and Brenda Elser are the authors of ‘The Case of the Halloween Heist’ in the Magical Mystery Series of childrens’ books.
“We were working together at the time and we had gone on some long walks together, and we had some joint ideas,” Elser said of when they started writing the book. “I started the first chapter and then passed it over to Kristin.”
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
