1940 Census data offers snapshot of Issaquah after Great Depression
May 8, 2012
1940 Census ledger from Issaquah
For historians around the world, including members of the Issaquah History Museums, April 2 was a big day.
Executive Director Erica Maniez had her own personal countdown going for that particular Monday, because after finally fulfilling the mandatory 72-year waiting period, records from the 1940 U.S. Census were released by the U.S. National Archives.
“It was interesting to see some of the old familiar families, and how the next generations down were living in their own households,” she said. “I’ve noticed quite a few people that I’ve known since I worked here who have since passed away, but I did know some people here that are still living.”
Food Stamp Challenge participants asked to eat on only $4.50 per day
May 8, 2012
The whole coffee beans Cori Kauk grinds for a morning cup of java could disappear from the menu soon, as the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank executive director embarks on a challenge to eat and drink on only $4.50 per day.
The cause is the Food Stamp Challenge, a campaign to encourage households to meet all food needs for a period of time on the equivalent amount to food stamps. The catch: Participants can spend only $1.50 per person per meal, or $4.50 per day — about the same amount as a morning latte.
Firefighters’ donation enables community to purchase AED
May 8, 2012
The popular pool in the Maple Hills community received a piece of lifesaving equipment from local firefighters, just in time for the summer swimming season.
Maple Hills community leaders received about $400 from a nonprofit firefighters group to purchase a long-awaited automated external defibrillator, a portable device designed to use electrical therapy to treat people suffering from cardiac arrest.
“We had just been looking to our community, and we were able to raise most of the money, but not all of it,” longtime Maple Hills resident Susie Smith said. “I just thought that was a really nice gesture for them to step up and help us out with the rest of it.”
Send veterans photos for memorial section
May 8, 2012
This year, again for Memorial Day, The Issaquah Press will print its third annual veterans section — Lest We Forget.
We want your photos and information, veterans. If someone in your family was a veteran, but he or she has passed away, we still want to include him or her. It is important for us to honor and remember all local veterans, living or deceased.
If you have already sent your photo and information to us, you don’t need to do so again. We keep them on file.
Fill out your form at www.issaquahpress.com and email your photo to editor@isspress.com.
Submit Issaquah Hall of Fame nominations by May 21
May 8, 2012
City leaders need outstanding citizens as nominees for the Issaquah Hall of Fame, the annual honor bestowed on someone for making a lasting contribution to the community.
Every spring, the mayor and City Council president select the honoree. Mayor Ava Frisinger and Council President Tola Marts plan to evaluate nominees on several criteria, such as civic-mindedness, leadership and service.
Frisinger and Marts also evaluate the role a person plays in drawing positive attention to Issaquah and fundraising for the public good. Length of service is a factor in the decision as well.
The award is among the most prestigious honors in the Issaquah community.
Send the name of the nominee and a brief summary of his or her contributions to: The Office of the Mayor, P.O. Box 1307, Issaquah, WA 98027-1307. Or submit the nomination via email to mayor@ci.issaquah.wa.us.
The nominations must be received by May 21. Call 837-3020 or email mayor@ci.issaquah.wa.us to learn more.
The city plans to announce the honoree at the annual Community Awards Luncheon on May 31.
Past honorees include environmentalist Ruth Kees, Issaquah Highlands mastermind Judd Kirk and, last year, Triple XXX Rootbeer Drive-in proprietor José Enciso.
Local Habitat for Humanity affiliates plan to merge
May 8, 2012
Habitat for Humanity of East King County — builder of residences in the Issaquah Highlands — and Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County plan to merge, officials announced April 25.
The groups’ boards voted separately after a report explored the advantages and challenges of combining operations. If the process proceeds as expected, leaders from each group could decide on a formal merger agreement in about 90 days. In the meantime, each affiliate plans to continue normal operations.
“This is a significant step,” said Marty Kooistra, Seattle/South King County affiliate CEO. “The boards concluded that by merging the affiliates Habitat could be more effective in providing affordable homeownership to more families in King County.”
In Issaquah, the East King County affiliate built the 10-unit Magnolia Village complex in the highlands. Habitat for Humanity of East King County dedicated the final residences in the complex April 28.
“Housing affordability remains a big issue in King County,” said Tom Granger, East King County affiliate executive director. “The economies and combined resources of a merger will allow us to do more, and we will have a stronger voice advocating for affordable housing.”
Experts host workshop for businesses, nonprofits
May 8, 2012
Leaders of businesses and nonprofit organizations can learn how to gain a crucial edge in cause marketing, a growing market niche, at a local workshop May 22.
According to Cone’s 2010 Cause Evolution Study, 83 percent of Americans wish more of the products, services and retailers they use supported causes. (Cone Communications is a public relations and marketing company.)
In order to educate business and nonprofit leaders, business consultant Joni Kovarik and nonprofit consultant Jane Kuechle teamed up to offer the cause marketing workshop.
Issaquah Youth Advisory Board seeks fresh faces by May 18
May 8, 2012
City leaders need tweens and teens to serve on the Issaquah Youth Advisory Board during the 2012-13 school year.
The panel fosters advocacy, community service and youth representation on local boards and committees.
Students must live within the Issaquah School District boundaries in order to apply for the board. The school district stretches from Preston to Newcastle and from Sammamish to Renton.
Organizers intend to include members representing each middle and high school in the district.
The panel also welcomes home-schooled and private school students living inside district boundaries.
Find the application on the municipal website, www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/Files/2012-2013IYABapplication.pdf. The application deadline is May 18.
Contact city Recreation Coordinator Cathy Jones at 837-3317 or cathyj@ci.issaquah.wa.us to learn more.
The upcoming year represents the 17th anniversary for the Issaquah Youth Advisory Board. Past projects include hosting a daylong Issaquah Youth Summit, collecting more than 1,200 pounds of food for the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank and organizing a middle school dodgeball tournament.
Cougars’ birthday benefits Cougar Mountain Zoo, The Beat
May 1, 2012
Cougar Mountain Zoo’s cougar cubs Miksa, Keira and Tika grew from tiny tufts of fur in May 2011 into regal big cats and a centerpiece at the zoo. Contributed
Beloved cougar cubs Keira, Miksa and Tika turn 1 on May 20 and to celebrate the milestone, Cougar Mountain Zoo is — please, pardon the pun — planning a wild party.
The party doubles as a fundraiser for the zoo, a nonprofit organization, and The Beat, The Issaquah Press’ section by, for and about teenagers. Zoogoers can watch as the curious cubs tear open gifts and dig into special birthday cakes made from meat.
“Cougar cubs love to destroy things, so we are creating special birthday boxes for them to do just that!” zoo General Curator Robyn Barfoot said.
In the months since the cubs arrived at the zoo, Keira, Miksa and Tika grew from tiny tufts of spotted fur into regal big cats.
In addition to supporting the popular cougar exhibit at the zoo, a percentage of all ticket sales benefits The Beat, to help pay for the section’s pages in The Press.
Fledgling Pillars Temple church returns to ‘Biblical basics’
May 1, 2012
After meeting with some friends, Issaquah’s Dave Patterson decided to do something that probably wouldn’t occur to many people.
He decided to start a Christian church.
The result of the efforts of Patterson and others is the Pillars Temple, a fledgling nondenominational, evangelical church that held its first services in October. The recent Easter holiday was somewhat of a coming out for the church, sort of a formal launch.
“Just to announce we are committed,” Patterson said.
