Off the Press
July 31, 2012
Signature gatherers need a lesson in manners
Kathleen Merrill
Press managing editor
I’ll be glad when all the recent initiatives and various other causes are wrapped up for this cycle and we don’t see signature gatherers again for a while.
To be clear, I am not against any specific cause here. And I’m never against people and their passions. In fact, I think many people could become more passionate about causes that need help.
And I’m not necessarily against signature gatherers. I just think some of them need to learn some manners.
I don’t know what it is these days about manners in general, but it seems the practice of good manners is declining.
But back to the signature gatherers. I had one recently who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Sometimes on my days off, I just like to be left alone, especially when ticking through a list of errands so I can get to enjoying my life.
On a recent trip to Target, I was in a hurry to get home and wash and wax my car, so I could get the T-tops out and enjoy some sun. This woman outside the store hollered at me and when I tried to wave her off yelled, “But are you registered to vote? What are you going to do about blah, blah, blah?”
Off the Press
July 24, 2012
Greg Farrar
Press photographer
There are many measures that can be used to determine a life well lived. How many buildings are named in one’s honor, how much airtime on television is given to broadcasting a memorial service, the total lifetime amount of one’s charitable giving and others.
One measurement in particular is hard to define, because it requires generations of observation not capable in one lifetime. But let me propose a question. How might Issaquah have looked two or three generations from now if Maureen McCarry had not voted against the Southeast Bypass, and had not chaired the planning and growth committee that secured the Park Pointe agreement?
With a little imagination, picture a future 60 years out, with a four-lane bypass and highway to state Route 18, and the big residential development on Tiger Mountain above Issaquah High School.
Off the Press
July 17, 2012
Globe trot stops at Issaquah clinic
David Hayes
Press reporter
The summer basketball clinic has long been a right of passage for youths as they fill their months with activities while school’s out.
Burgeoning athletes will get a treat this year as the world tour of the Harlem Globetrotters makes a stop in Issaquah. The business 24 Hour Fitness has partnered with the seminal clowns of the hardwood to bring Fatima “TNT” Maddox to help teach the fundamentals of the game.
However, due to limited space at 24 Hour Fitness, there’s only room for those signed up for the clinic, and their parents, to watch the Globetrotter’s newest female member in action.
Calling in from Philadelphia, Maddox talked about the clinic, herself and what it’s been like in the renowned fraternity.
Having just joined the Harlem Globetrotters in February, Maddox said she hasn’t done any actual globe-trotting just yet — there are a couple of squads overseas right now and a show coming up performing for the troops.
Off the Press
July 10, 2012
Christina Lords
Press reporter
Remembering Mr. Bentz
There are few better aspects of this job than sitting down with the likes of William Bentz.
A 92-year-old World War II veteran who spent much of his Army service in the South Pacific, William constructed and supervised pump stations to ensure those fighting the enemy in the Air Force had ample fuel.
William, his wife Onadee and their daughter Judy welcomed me into their Issaquah home at Providence Point one May afternoon so I could tell William’s story of service for The Issaquah Press’ annual Lest We Forget Memorial Day section. The section highlights and honors every Issaquah veteran of which we’re aware.
On June 18, I received a call from William’s nephew, who informed me that William had passed away the day before — less than one month after I interviewed him.
Off the Press
July 3, 2012
The paper or plastic battle isn’t over yet
Ahh, plastic bags. I don’t know of a time in my seven years here when there has been so much controversy. And most of it after a decision.
(There was that brouhaha in December 2009 over McNugget, the rooster that lives on Front Street across from Darigold, which brought so many comments I thought they would never end! I just checked our website and the main story brought 134 comments there alone.)
As for the bags, the comments and letters are still coming in. The most astonishing thing to me is the people who say they’re going to drive to other cities to shop. Seriously? Take the gas guzzling SUV to another city to get plastic bags and avoid the 5-cent paper bag fee? That just sounds ludicrous. How many bags of groceries do people get per trip?
Off the Press
June 26, 2012
Preparing for worst-case scenario in Issaquah
Warren Kagarise
Press reporter
The earthquake existed only on paper and pixels for a brief span in early June, but the aftermath lingers.
Officials in local, regional, state and federal government participated in a drill, called the 2012 Evergreen Quake Exercise Series, to prepare for a devastating disaster in Issaquah and Western Washington.
The scenario for the exercise reads like the script for a disaster flick set in Issaquah.
The magnitude-6.7 earthquake rattled along the Seattle Fault at 8 a.m. Monday, June 4, as motorists surged on Interstate 90 and clogged city streets, en route to work and school.
The interstate turned impassable in a matter of seconds, as the exit to Front Street North and East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast crumbled.
Off the Press
June 19, 2012
A legacy of selflessness to keep for a lifetime
— Greg Farrar Read more
Off the Press
June 12, 2012
Superman wears a father’s cape
Sebastian Moraga Press reporter
This is my first fatherless Father’s Day. He died in March.
Now, if you fear this will turn into a weepfest, rest assured, it won’t. My dad is the reason why.
My dad had a tough life. The heart trouble that killed him at 69 started in grade school. His father died in his arms; his only marriage ended in divorce. And though he trained as an accountant, he turned 50 working as a fisherman in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, miles away from an IRS office.
But he never stopped believing that he was close to his next great day. To my dad, the past mattered little and today’s troubles would be overcome tomorrow. Girl break your heart? You’ll find a better one. You watch. His arthritic knees hurt? So what, they hurt yesterday, too. Now how about those Mariners?
That optimism bathed almost all of his actions. It made you feel safe and certain that things would improve. Even if they didn’t, he made you feel like he was on your side and that might just be enough to weather the storms.
Off the Press
June 5, 2012
Subject matter expert turns up unexpectedly
David Hayes Press reporter
In my decade-plus of working here at The Issaquah Press, we’ve had many readers who’ve offered unsolicited advice after reading something. We especially enjoy receiving the hand-written notes of grammar corrections that one old-timer saves up and periodically mails in.
So, a couple months ago, after writing in this space about the perils of being the go-to guy at family barbecues, a new voice emerged offering sage advice.
Thinking this was an old codger with too much time on his hands, I took my time getting back to him. Shame on me for not remembering it’s usually the codgers who have the most character. Do you know anyone who’s co-authored a book with someone as renowned as the Baron of Barbecue? But I get ahead of myself.
A retired English teacher, Bob Lyon, 86, lives at Timber Ridge at Talus with his wife, Sandra, also a retired English teacher.
Off the Press
May 29, 2012
Score one for Team Spy Goggles
Christina Lords Press reporter
I’m just getting settled.
My napkin is neatly square across my lap. My delicious (and admittedly far from nutritious) meal has been presented before me: 10-piece chicken McNuggets, golden crisp fries and a Diet Coke the size of Montana.
Then it starts to happen. I can sense it before I even see it.
The stomping feet. The guttural groan followed by the high pitched wail. All followed by the clincher — every father’s weakest moment when it comes to his little girl — “BUT DAAAAAD!”
A temper tantrum to end all temper tantrums is about to go down in the front lobby of Issaquah’s Gilman Boulevard McDonald’s. Unfortunately, I’ve got a front row seat.
