Scouts go scuba diving
March 16, 2010
Nick Co, 15, and the dive master take a moment to double check insulated gloves, hood and wet suit between dives. By Judy Co
Cold waters greeted Boy Scouts from Troop No. 609.
Submerging up to 60 feet underwater, 20 of the 39 troop members completed their final dive off Alki Beach for their Professional Association of Diver Instructors certification for scuba diving and their Boy Scout merit badge.
“I’ve been scuba diving before in Maui and it was one of the most fun experiences of my life,” said Scout Sean Fite, 14, who goes to Eastside Catholic High School. “This opportunity came up and I thought I should take it to get my full certification.”
“It was cold,” said Scout Will Dodeward, 15, who goes to Mount Si High School. “I know 46 degrees doesn’t sound cold, but it’s cold.”
These boys seem to be the first ones in the nation to complete the required courses and training for the new Boy Scout merit badge added this year by the national offices, said parent volunteer Judy Co. The troop is the first to place an order for the merit badge, but there is no national database to confirm it for sure, she added.
Troop 609 is one of the largest troops in the area, with members ranging in age from 11-18 and attending schools in Issaquah, North Bend, Sammamish and Renton.
Beneath the water’s surface — once the shock of the cold water wore off — the boys saw a world full of marine diversity. Read more
Eastridge invites community to debut of new campus
March 16, 2010
The new Eastridge Christian Assembly building’s soaring interior is big enough to house 45-foot tall fireplaces. By Greg Farrar
When the congregation of Eastridge Christian Assembly outgrew its current facility, its leaders decided to go big for their next church.
A ribbon cutting for the new building is March 20 and the community will get its first look at the upgrades designed for its growing needs.
“The new building is almost four times bigger than the current size,” said senior pastor Steve Jamison. “The area for children alone is the size of the current building.”
To welcome the congregation, organizers are rolling out the red carpet. In addition to city and state dignitaries invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony, Eastridge Christian Assembly has invited guest speakers Matthew Barnett, best-selling author of “The Church That Never Sleeps,” and Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr., senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Landover, Md. To cap the festivities off is a performance by Grammy nominated artist Matthew West.
Established in 1964, Eastridge Christian Assembly had been on Issaquah-Pine Lake Road since the 1990s. When the sanctuary’s seating capacity of 400 inside a 17,500 square-foot building could not fully service a congregation of 1,300, it was time to move.
Jamison said the process began in the early 2000s, and a large parcel of land was purchased in 2002. Actually a couple blocks apart, the visual sightline of the two facilities makes it appear the two driveways lead right to one another. Read more
Veteran entrepreneurs breathe life into Gilman Village
March 16, 2010
Sean Quinn, raised in Boston (which explains the Red Sox cap and Absolut Boston vodka bottle) sits in the Flat Iron Grill restaurant he and wife Barbara Paxa have opened in Gilman Village. By Greg Farrar
It’s been a long haul for some businesses in Gilman Village amid the clutch of an economic recession. Tried and true spots, like restaurant Sweet Addition, have left and other new ones have come and gone so quickly you can’t remember the names.
Yet, the quaint village remains a place where dreams are started.
Scrubbing and cleaning, painting and decorating — that’s the tough part for Snoqualmie resident and regionally renowned chef Sean Quinn.
“She’s doing the painting,” he said about his wife and co-owner Barb Paxa. “That’s her job and we’re getting there.”
By far, Quinn said he prefers being elbow deep in ingredients and manning the grill to create delectable dishes — it’s what he’s been doing for the past 26 years.
The couple opened The Flat Iron Grill, 317 N.W. Gilman Blvd., on Feb. 10, at the village’s heart, with a mission to bring adventurous twists to Northwest cuisine. Read more
Issaquah History Museums
March 16, 2010
Birthday girls Celebrating at Mona Jane Beers third birthday party in 1935 are (from left) Joan Hillery, Mona Jane Beers, Patricia Moffat, Marline McGarvey, Laura Louise Lews and Claudia Miles. Mona's party was held at the home of her grandparents, Edith and Charles Beers. Ada Pickering baked the angel food birthday cake.
College news
March 16, 2010
Students graduate from WWU Read more
Issaquah Rotary honors students of the month
March 16, 2010
The Rotary Club of Issaquah recently honored the following seniors as its students of the month for February. Read more
Who’s News
March 16, 2010
EFR fire marshal to retire Read more
Military News
March 16, 2010
Hoepker-Macaya completes Army basic training Read more
Seminar focuses on introducing young women to new fields
March 16, 2010
Middle and high school girls throughout the Eastside have a chance to find out about career opportunities at the Expanding Your Horizons seminars March 26-27 at Bellevue Community College. Read more
Helen Russell celebrates 100 years of tough living, chasing dreams
March 9, 2010
Helen Russell wears a tiara at her 100th birthday party in November, and enjoys the quilt made and presented as a gift to commemorate the milestone. — Photo contributed
Helen Russell has accomplished a lot in her life. After all, she’s been around for a century.
Russell celebrated her 100th birthday Nov. 22. It was a day she won’t ever forget.
“My daughter-in-law threw a party to end all parties,” Helen said of Judy Russell, wife of her younger son Alan. “She took an 80-year-old address book and started writing invitations.
“If you want a party, get Judy.”
There were more than 100 people who came to help her celebrate her birthday, including her three granddaughters and three great-grandchildren.
Cousins, friends, family and neighbors came, said her older son, Mac Russell.
“It didn’t last long enough,” he said. “There were too many people who hadn’t seen her, or we hadn’t seen, in 20 years.” Read more
