Sunny Hills dedicates night to science
April 16, 2013
For his first science fair project, 6-year-old Atharv Allepally borrowed an idea from Dr. Seuss and made “Oobleck,” slime made out of corn starch and water, which has the properties of both solids and liquids.
“When you shake it a lot, it becomes a liquid,” the kindergartner said, standing up straight in front of his presentation board. “When you make it stay still, it becomes hard again.”
By Lillian O’Rorke
Gareth Black, a Sunny Hills Elementary School second-grader, pokes a brain during the March 14 science fair.
Allepally attends Sunny Hills Elementary School, and his venture into dilatant materials was just one among the nearly 100 projects at the school’s Science Fair March 14.
Our new normal climate?
April 16, 2013
When the sun comes out during early spring in the Pacific Northwest, we all notice it. In fact, most of us do more than notice it: We go crazy.
Easter weekend provided that moment for us this year. We know the drill: First, we see the forsythia, and then the early flowering cherries and plums, and, of course, the grape hyacinths and daffodils. The star magnolia comes and goes quickly, while the Indian plum blooms prolifically in the woods.
We are shocked when we drive to Mercer Island and see that they are a week ahead of us. West Seattle and Shoreline seem like they have a two-week jump on spring over what we experience here. And yet, all these places, including Issaquah, have the same, new USDA classification, Zone 8b.
Eastside Baby Corner to be honored for Grange Month
April 16, 2013
The Issaquah Valley Grange will honor Eastside Baby Corner to celebrate Grange Month in the hopes of raising awareness and collecting pants for the local charity.
Eastside Baby Corner was selected because it is a local organization that helps more than 500 children a week, according to a press release from Issaquah Valley Grange. Eastside Baby Corner distributes almost $3.5 million of goods annually in King County, according to the release.
Sammamish Art Commission presents ‘Harmony’ Concert
April 16, 2013
Seattle Symphony Concertmaster Alexander Velinzon will perform along with three other local musicians. The performance will explore harmony through the centuries, culminating in Beethoven’s “Archduke Trio,” according to a press release.
The free concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. April 23 at Sammamish Presbyterian Church, 22522 N.E. Inglewood Hill Road, Sammamish. No reservations are required, but come early, because seats fill fast.
Serving up an extra helping of homes
April 9, 2013
Benefit dinner will help church build homes in Mexico
Every summer for the past 13 years, volunteers from Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church have traveled to Tecate, Mexico, to help build family homes.
Teens, college students and adults spend about a week working beneath the hot summer sun, to make progress on a home that will make a world of difference for a family in need.
Photos Contributed
Volunteers from Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church stand in front of a home they built in Tecate, Mexico, in 2011.
Help teen diplomat get to China
April 9, 2013
Issaquah High School freshman Sam Hansen, 15, is one of 20 to 25 students nationwide selected to attend the JSA Diplomat Program in Beijing, China, this summer.
However, he has very little time to raise the $5,500 for tuition, room and board to take advantage of the opportunity. His family is unable to contribute the entire cost of the program, so he is seeking any other financial support he can get, either in the form of donations or work opportunities.
Sam Hansen
Each summer, young leaders from across the United States travel to Beijing, China, for a monthlong program to learn about modern China and the art of diplomacy. The program aims to provide America’s future leaders with the skills to represent their country effectively on global issues.
Student projects explore history’s newsmakers
April 9, 2013
Liberty High School freshman Tania Nambo-Escobar could literally talk for hours about the history of Che Guevara.
“I love presenting about Che Guevara in general,” she said. “Ask me a question and, whether you like it or not, I will give you a full speech about it.”
Nambo-Escobar knows a lot about the subject, after she spent months researching and putting together an exhibit to enter into the local History Day competition.
Jet skiers buzz Lake Sammamish in annual egg hunt
April 9, 2013
Jet skiers from as far away as Spokane celebrated Easter with an annual aquatic egg hunt.
About 50 riders arrived on the shore of Lake Sammamish on March 31 to take part in the event put on every year by The NorthWest Freeriders. While the weather is usually more of a hurdle than a blessing, riders waded out into the water during a bright, warm day.
Photos by Dayton Fedak
Jessie Wilcox (second from left) celebrates winning the hunt by collecting seven eggs in the short time it took for the 50 riders to collect the total 100. Alaina Fiske, Patricia Fiske and Scott Wilcox (from left) joined her.
After a meeting to discuss the boundaries and rules of the competition, event coordinator Dayton Fedak planted 100 eggs in a cordoned-off southern section of the lake.
Student sets rocket trajectory for nationals
April 9, 2013
Skyline High School’s Physics/Rocketry Club is headed to the Team America Rocketry Challenge National Fly-Off May 11.
The club’s design is one of 100 rockets selected from 725 entries from across the country in the contest. Skyline also is one of two clubs that will represent the state of Washington at the altitude and duration competition in Washington, D.C., next month.
SipFest tickets on sale now
April 9, 2013
SipFest invites interested epicureans, oenophiles and amateur beer cicerones to explore the best the Pacific Northwest has to offer May 11.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Pickering Barn, 20 wineries, 10 breweries and 10 local restaurants will bring their best libations to tantalize the palates of discerning aficionados. Wine, beer and food will grace the menu for those wishing to support the benefit for Encompass, a local nonprofit organization that serves the needs of children and families in the Issaquah, Sammamish and Snoqualmie Valley communities.
