Local firefighters don pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 16, 2011
NEW — 6 a.m. Oct. 16, 2011
Local firefighters plan to trade blue for pink.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Eastside Fire & Rescue plans to support the annual observance.
The local firefighters union, International Association of Firefighters Local 2878, approved a resolution to honor women fighting cancer. The union purchased pink T-shirts last year and, per fire chiefs’ approval, firefighters plan to wear the pink shirts on duty from Monday to Friday. The move is meant to encourage women battling breast cancer, and others battling other forms of cancer.
Nationwide, fire departments plan to trade blue uniforms for pink items to support the fight against cancer.
EFR firefighters respond to and treat many cancer patients in day-to-day operations.
The agency serves Issaquah, Sammamish, North Bend and rural fire districts in the Issaquah area.
Singer Matthew West brings tour to Eastridge
February 15, 2011
Christian musician Matthew West brings his ‘Story of Your Life’ tour to Eastridge Christian Assembly on Feb. 20. Contributed
Last March, Eastridge Christian Assembly celebrated its grand opening with a performance by Matthew West, one of the top artists in Christian music today.
This year, on the Northwest end of the “Story of Your Life” tour, West and guest performer Josh Wilson will perform Feb. 20 at the church again — but this concert will strike a more memorable note.
West had invited his fans to send in their personal stories last year. The response was overwhelming with more than 10,000 letters, e-mails and online messages received as inspiration for his new album.
One of the letters he received was from Melody Christensen, a Klahanie resident and Eastridge church member, who sent in her story after seeing West perform.
“Melody’s story is just one of those that represented hundreds of letters that I received,” West said. “Out of 10,000 letters, many were about people’s battles with cancer, so I felt like I needed to write a victory song about the topic.”
Christensen’s letter inspired West to write the song “Survivor,” a tribute to the courage and strength she has displayed throughout her battle with cancer.
Local women share business tips at Sip
December 28, 2010
Every month, women from Issaquah and the Eastside come together for appetizers and wine while they socialize and network for an hour out of their busy week.
The group, Sips and Tips, started in August, and continues to grow in numbers at Sip Wine Bar and Restaurant in the Issaquah Highlands.
The brainchildren of the group, Sip co-owner Jamie Scelzi and Seattle Restaurants Unlimited Marketing Director Karen Lawler, initially started it in Gig Harbor, where the Scelzis owned another Sip restaurant. When that restaurant closed in May, the duo moved Sips and Tips to Issaquah. Read more
Klahanie resident inspires anthem for cancer survivors
December 7, 2010
Klahanie resident Melody Christensen sent her story of breast cancer survival to contemporary Christian musician Matthew West and has heard the tale transformed into ‘Survivors’ on the album 'The Story of Your Life.' By Greg Farrar
The letter from Klahanie recounted a familiar story: a bombshell cancer diagnosis, strength-sapping treatment, but also, interlaced among the sentences, hope.
Melody Christensen, breast cancer survivor and Klahanie stay-at-home mother of four, offered the candid account as inspiration to contemporary Christian musician Matthew West.
Christensen liked the authenticity West imbued in songs about faith amid personal struggle, but as she prepared to send the message on a spring day, she had no expectations.
“I felt like it was time for me to share — even if it didn’t go anywhere — what I’d been through,” she said.
Christensen received a surprising phone call months later. West had used the letter as a springboard for a song about cancer on a soon-to-be-released album.
The album — the aptly titled “The Story of Your Life” — mines intimate and often-heartrending stories from Christensen and other fans.
“Through the years, I’ve been so inspired by the people who would send me an e-mail or share with me at a concert how a song has found its way into their story and inspired them in one way or another,” West said in a phone interview from Nashville, Tenn. “I just started thinking, ‘What if I turned the microphone around?’”
The concept compelled the performer — and songwriter for country stars Rascal Flatts and Billy Ray Cyrus — to act more like a storyteller.
Meet the connoisseur of chic
November 9, 2010
Eastside Fashion Blog follows design trends
Rebecca Klein models a style for her blog. Contributed
To all of the ladies out there afraid to try anything daring with your outfits in fear of committing a fashion faux pas, meet Newcastle-based blogger Rebecca Klein.
The recent Bellevue High School graduate currently devotes her time to creating special-themed outfits on her Eastside Fashion Blog. She makes mash-ups using photos of clothing and accessories from names such as Whitney Eve, Charlotte Russe, Burberry and Victoria’s. Read more
Pink chair raises cancer awareness
October 12, 2010
Talking about breast cancer used to be taboo, but today, pink ribbons are treated with support and respect.
Now, a pink chair is sparking conversation about the disease, the fifth most common cause of cancer death. Read more
Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the highlands Tuesday
October 3, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Oct. 3, 2010
Join the battle against breast cancer Tuesday at sip. at the wine bar and restaurant.
The restaurant hosts Sips & Tips, a social networking event to bring together women in the spirit of friendship, community, empowerment and charity. The event, held the first Tuesday of every month, features a different theme, and offers opportunities to introduce local businesses.
The upcoming Sips & Tips commemorates Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event starts at 5 p.m. at the Issaquah Highlands restaurant, 1084 N.E. Park Drive.
Police dispatcher buzzes hair for cancer research / July 7, 2010
July 7, 2010
Police dispatcher agrees to hair-shedding fundraiser
July 6, 2010
Issaquah Police Chief Paul Ayers takes the first swipe at emergency dispatcher Jacqueline Kerness’ hair, which she volunteered to have shaved off to help raise money for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure breast cancer walk in September. By Chantelle Lusebrink
The Eagle Room at City Hall buzzed in anticipation as police dispatcher Jacqueline Kerness nervously sat down in a chair at the center of the room.
Stepping behind her, poised with a set of buzzing electric clippers, Police Chief Paul Ayers made the first swipe through Kerness’ hair, sending the brown locks to the floor.
“Here we go,” he said, taking a swath of hair from the base of her head. “I think it’s looking good.”
Shedding her hair June 30 was all for a good cause, said Kerness, who bravely volunteered to have her colleagues cut away. She has been interested in helping battle cancer since high school, and she had her hair cut in February 2009 as a donation to Locks of Love, the organization that makes wigs for cancer patients.
This time, Kerness’ colleagues bid to take a turn with the clippers, each time raising money for fellow dispatcher Carma Mathieson to participate in September’s Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure breast cancer walk.
“I have been bountifully blessed with health, so I walk,” Mathieson said. “It takes a huge commitment, because it is a lot of time away from my family, but they support me.
“I’ll do it every year, until cancer is done.”
Both of her parents, Francis Bingham, 70, and Helen Bingham, 73, died from cancer within the past 15 years, she said. Her aunt also died of cancer. She said she has had several friends and colleagues — during her 24 years as a city employee — who have been diagnosed with different cancers and have fought the disease. Read more
Dine at Coho Café to support cancer research
July 6, 2010
What could be better than hitting the outdoor patio at Coho Café? How about dining out to help find a cure?
Coho Café in Issaquah will host a fundraiser July 17 to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s 3-Day for the Cure walk in September.
The restaurant has teamed up with a dining membership company, allowing members to donate their meal savings to The Rack Warriors, a local team of 10 women who are walking in Seattle’s 60-mile event this September.
So, where do you come in? All you need to do is eat lunch or dinner.
The restaurant will host the event through its partnership with Passport Unlimited, a popular dining membership. With the Passport Unlimited membership, guests dining with other people typically receive their second entrée on the house.
During the event, instead of getting the second meal for free, you can pay for it and donate the price to The Rack Warriors. If you do, there are a variety of coupons and door prizes restaurant employees will award in return.
The fundraiser also occurs at Coho Café in Redmond and both Arnies locations in Mukilteo and Edmonds.
