Running store hosts community run/walk in support of Boston
May 7, 2013
Runners gather outside Plateau Runner before the start of the Boston Strong Sammamish run/walk April 22. Contributed
Local runners and walkers joined in a recent nationwide memorial to support the city of Boston and victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.
The Boston Strong Sammamish run and walk drew nearly 100 participants from Sammamish, Issaquah and Redmond to Plateau Runner, the local specialty running store that sponsored the event. Wearing green headbands and armbands, participants ran or walked a 3-mile course in solidarity.
“We had families pushing baby strollers, kids from local middle and high schools, even some Boston Marathon racers,” Plateau Runner store owner Elizabeth Steen said. “It was heartwarming to see the community turn out to support Boston.”
Family friendly bird walk is May 18
May 7, 2013
Lorenzo Rohani, 13, does some birdwatching with a camera, long lens and tripod. He gives a talk May 18 at an Eastside Audubon event.
By Michael Rohani
A guided family birding walk at Lake Sammamish State Park and a lively talk by an accomplished 13-year-old birder will show kids and grown-ups the excitement of discovering the natural world through bird watching.
Both events are free, and Eastside Audubon welcomes everyone in the community to attend either one or both.
An easy walk on maintained trails and walkways with master birder Andy McCormick will explore the many habitats of Lake Sammamish State Park. Woodlands, streamside, lakeshore and meadow attract a variety of birds this season. Expect to see (and hear!) colorful songbirds and woodpeckers, Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles, goofy American Coots and many others.
First pitch honors
April 30, 2013
Eastside Catholic High School’s baseball team goes to pinch pitcher for Mariner’s pregame ceremony
Eastside Catholic High School student Hayden Meier (left), Seattle Mariners pitcher Oliver Perez, students Chris Miller, Sydney Weber, Jane Dickison and Alex Foley, and Mariners pitcher Bobby LaFromboise, pose at the April 13 Mariner baseball game against the Texas Rangers.
It wasn’t a hall-of-famer, a politician or a rock star that threw the first pitch of the Mariners’ home game April 13. It was Jane Dickison, a 20-year-old developmentally disabled woman from Sammamish.
The honor was originally offered to the Eastside Catholic High School baseball team. Instead of choosing from among themselves, the boys decided to offer the opportunity to one of their classmates in the school’s Options Program, which provides instruction for students with developmental disabilities. Dickison is in her final year of the program and was selected for the spot on the mound.
“We thought it would be awesome to give someone with disabilities the opportunity to do something like this they couldn’t be able to do otherwise,” said Alex Foley, of Issaquah, one of the team’s four co-captains. Foley has already played at Safeco Field in the Mariners High School Baseball Classic and was set to do so again April 20, when the Eastside Catholic Crusaders were going to faceoff against Newport.
“We get the opportunity no matter what, but an Options student wouldn’t,” he added.
AAUW honors STEM achievement
April 30, 2013
Eight Issaquah School District high school junior girls were honored by the American Association of University Women for their achievements and potential in the science, technology and math fields. Left to right are Amanda Levinson, Holly Boothroyd, Megan Larson, Rachel Wittenberg, Pan Zheng, Sarika Ghangurde and Crystal Liang. Not pictured is Audrey Storm.
While we hear frequent national and state media reports of the dismal state of education in the science, technology and math fields, eight Issaquah School District high school junior girls are proving that excellence in STEM education is a priority for them and their schools, according to the American Association of University Women.
The eight girls were honored at an association awards ceremony April 18 for their achievements and potential in STEM subjects.
Nominated by their school counselors, the girls from Issaquah, Liberty and Skyline high schools have shown outstanding ability in the subjects for which they received recognition, and have participated in numerous extracurricular activities as well. The association recognizes the importance of excellent preparation in the STEM subjects, not only for future individual educational and employment opportunities, but also for the health of the United States and Washington’s scientific and tech economies.
Bike Rodeo comes to Gilman Village
April 30, 2013
CleanScapes will host a Kids Bike Rodeo at its Gilman Village retail store and customer service center May 11.
The Kids Bike Rodeo will be held at the CleanScapes retail store in Gilman Village, 317 N.W. Gilman Blvd., No. 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more at cleanscapes.com/news/kids_bike_rodeo.
The event, held during National Bike to Work Month, provides children with an opportunity to learn about bike safety and maintenance, according to a CleanScapes press release. The Issaquah Police Department is providing a limited number of youth bike helmets, and staff from Bike Works and Compass Outdoor Adventure will be on hand to demonstrate bike handling and how to fix flat tires.
The Kids Bike Rodeo will also include a treasure hunt by bike.
Nominations sought for teacher of the year awards
April 30, 2013
Do you know a teacher who deserves a Teacher of the Year award? In honor of National Teacher Appreciation month in May, Ivar’s and Kidd Valley are holding the 10th annual Teacher of the Year contest, according to a press release from Ivar’s.
Nominated teachers will have the opportunity to win a $1,000 gift card for school supplies.
Two winning teachers will be selected, by Ivar’s and Kidd Valley, and students ages 14 and younger are invited to nominate their favorite teacher. The students who nominate the winning teachers will receive either an Ivar’s Kids Meal for every student in their class or a Kidd Valley Burger Party.
In addition to the grand prize, four teachers will receive a $150 gift card for school supplies and 30 teachers will receive a $25 Ivar’s or Kidd Valley gift card.
Nominate a teacher at any Ivar’s or Kidd Valley location in the Puget Sound area or go to www.ivars.com or www.kiddvalley.com by May 27.
Skyline junior honored for his volunteer work
April 30, 2013
Tony Elevathingal
The junior class president at Skyline High School will be honored later this month by United Way for giving up parts of his weekends to help seniors on the plateau.
Tony Elevathingal will be one of several teenagers spotlighted during the annual Food for Thought Breakfast on May 23 as part of National Volunteer Week.
The aspiring film student has donated Friday nights since last June to help three elderly residents of Sammamish organize their attics and move boxes as a volunteer for the nonprofit group Eastside Friends of Seniors. In addition to his heavy lifting, Elevathingal has done a variety of routine maintenance for all three seniors, including painting, vacuuming and yard cleanup.
End of an era
April 23, 2013
IHOP institution, Susie Nutzhorn, is ready to hang up her apron after 30 years
By Greg Farrar
Susie Nutzhorn (left) takes an order last week from regular customers Eastgate residents John and Wilma Huber, the second to last week before her retirement.
Longtime IHOP waitress Susie Nutzhorn has a certain philosophy about her line of work.
The way she sees it, she doesn’t really work for the famous pancake house, rather her true employers are the men, women and children who enter through the Issaquah restaurant’s doors every day.
Family Fridays return for the summer
April 23, 2013
Family Fridays return to the Julius Boehm Pool on May 3.
The monthly events, hosted by the city’s Parks & Recreation Department, will feature a number of fun swimming activities for all ages. The events are from 6:30-9 p.m. the first Fridays of the month, until the finale Aug. 2.
May 3 will be Underwater Adventure night. With ambient lighting, artificial seaweed, hoops, rings, toys and various sea creatures will be placed into the water for exploration.
June 7 will be Family Skwim Night. Skwim is a game that is a cross between water polo and Ultimate Frisbee, which utilizes flotation and flippers to ensure a good time for all.
Sock hop helps those in need
April 23, 2013
Get hopping at the Kiwanis Club Sock Hop Dance and Auction on April 26.
Your $40 ticket gets you into the dance and auction, two drink tickets and your choice of dinner.
Meal choices are three different sliders: smoked chopped brisket, smoked chopped pork, Thai lamb, or a vegetarian burger. All meals also include salad and dessert.
