Downtown Issaquah ArtWalk returns May 4 for 11th season
May 1, 2012
ArtWalk returns May 4, as the Downtown Issaquah Association launches the spring and summer tradition.
The event is from 5-8 p.m. along Front Street and Sunset Way. The event is held the first Friday of each month, May to September.
Artists from local high schools add a special feature to the season’s first ArtWalk, Downtown Issaquah Association Executive Director Karen Donovan said.
Look for the young artists’ works at the historic Hailstone Feed Store, 232 Front St. N., and the former Stella’s Vintage Clothing, 195 Front St. N.
ArtWalk participants can also listen to live music. Kaleidoscope is due to perform in front of the Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way. Hear the Issaquah Singers at the Issaquah Valley Senior Center, 75 N.E. Creek Way. Participants can also listen to music at the feed store.
Downtown restaurants, businesses, galleries and other venues plan to participate as ArtWalk launches its 11th season.
Downtown Issaquah Association sponsors Spring Clean Up
April 10, 2012
Leaders of Downtown Issaquah say it is time for the annual spring cleaning of the city central business district. Volunteers who can spend a couple of hours refreshing historic downtown Issaquah are needed.
If you can push a broom, swing a shovel or plant some flowers, you are welcome.
The spring cleaning is set for 9 a.m. April 28. Meet at the Hailstone Feed Store, 232 Front St. N., where assignments for the morning will be handed out.
Students can earn community service hours during the cleanup. Volunteers should bring gloves, but the Downtown Issaquah group will provide tools. Email events@downtownissaquah.com, call 391-1112 or go to www.downtownissaquah.com to learn more.
Toast Downtown Issaquah Wine Walk as series ends for season
April 3, 2012
Visitors on Front Street who enjoyed wine tastings, snacks and live music in February during the Downtown Issaquah Association’s Wine Walk have one more chance on April 6. By Greg Farrar
Oenophiles can sip and stroll through town as the Downtown Issaquah Wine Walk series concludes for the season April 6.
Organized by the DownTown Issaquah Association, merchants host musicians, and offer sips from Washington vintners and hors d’oeuvres, during the monthly event. The inaugural Downtown Issaquah Wine Walk occurred in February.
“We got a lot of people down here that had either never been to downtown Issaquah or hadn’t been down here in a long time,” association Executive Director Karen Donovan said. “I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback from people saying how much they enjoyed it. They enjoyed the music and the appetizers and the wine, of course.”
Longtime Issaquah chef Lynn Rehn rolls out food truck
March 27, 2012
Lynn Rehn stands beside her My Chef Lynn food truck, advertising its ‘fast, fresh, fabulous’ sliders, soups and salads, featuring items from Issaquah businesses Fischer Meats and Boehm’s Candies. By Greg Farrar
Lynn Rehn is poised to turn the phrase “fast food” inside out.
The popular caterer and longtime local chef is ready to roll out a food truck to serve sliders, chili and a side of sass. Double D Clam Chowder, anyone?
The mobile operation for Rehn’s My Chef Lynn outfit is the latest endeavor for the former Sweet Addition head chef. Rehn plans to join the food trucks each summer Saturday at the Issaquah Farmers Market. The truck could also stop at the Fremont Sunday Street Market.
The idea for a food truck started to coalesce after Rehn and husband Tony, general manager at Evergreen Ford in Issaquah, caught episodes of “The Great Food Truck Race” — a Food Network cross-country competition among mobile kitchens.
“I looked at Tony and said, ‘That would be a cool gig,’” Rehn recalled.
(“The Great Food Truck Race” debuted in August 2010 at about the same time the national fervor for food trucks accelerated into gear.)
Downtown Issaquah Wine Walk / Feb. 3, 2012
February 7, 2012
First Friday Wine Walks offer a new taste of downtown
January 17, 2012
The artEAST Art Center and UP Front Gallery, which always participates in ArtWalk in the summer, will be one of six locations on Front Street to take part Feb. 3 in the inaugural First Friday Wine Walk. File
Adding to its list of events to draw more visitors to downtown, the DownTown Issaquah Association announces First Friday Wine Walk from 5-8 p.m. Feb. 3.
Wine Walk, following other popular events such as ArtWalk and a zombie invasion, will feature boutique wine tasting at six locations up and down Front Street.
“It should be fun,” said Karen Donovan, the association’s executive director. “I’m excited.”
Wineries will include Lodmell Winery in Walla Walla; Woodinville’s Smasne Cellars; and, Castillo de Feliciana. Several Wine Walk locations will feature live entertainment to include acoustic guitarist “Uncle Phil” Hansen; guitarist and composer Angelo Pizarro; vocal group Bodacious Ladyhood; and, pianist Meg Mann.
DownTown Issaquah Association hires executive director
December 20, 2011
Days after the DownTown Issaquah Association’s executive director abruptly resigned, the merchants group selected a board member and Issaquah resident as a replacement.
Karen Donovan
Karen Donovan is the nonprofit organization’s next leader, DownTown Issaquah Association leaders announced Dec. 16. Donovan leads Space Media, a full-service advertising agency specializing in music and events. The agency’s clients include the Puyallup Fair, plus several local government agencies in the Northwest.
“For the past year, I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the DIA board and the downtown community,” she said in a statement. “My board experience and professional experience will transition nicely with the executive director position.”
In addition to professional and DownTown Issaquah Association commitments, Donovan is involved in local arts and education organizations, including Arts Corps and the Issaquah Schools Foundation.
Donovan succeeds former Executive Director Annique Bennett, a onetime cultural events coordinator for the organization. Bennett resigned Dec. 6 after less than a year at the DownTown Issaquah Association.
The merchants group has experienced several changes in leadership since February.
DownTown Issaquah Association hires executive director
December 16, 2011
NEW — 10:15 a.m. Dec. 16, 2011
Days after the DownTown Issaquah Association’s executive director abruptly resigned, the merchants group selected a board member and Issaquah resident as a replacement.
Karen Donovan is the nonprofit organization’s next leader, DownTown Issaquah Association leaders announced Friday morning. Donovan leads Space Media, a full-service advertising agency specializing in music and events. The agency’s clients include The Puyallup Fair, plus several local government agencies in the Northwest.
“For the past year, I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the DIA board and the downtown community,” she said in a statement. “My board experience and professional experience will transition nicely with the executive director position.”
In addition to professional and DownTown Issaquah Association commitments, Donovan is involved in local arts and education organizations, including Arts Corps and the Issaquah Schools Foundation.
In another shakeup, DownTown Issaquah Association leader resigns
December 13, 2011
The leader of the DownTown Issaquah Association resigned Dec. 6 — after only a few months on the job and less than a year after board members replaced the organization’s longtime executive director.
Executive Director Annique Bennett joined the organization as cultural events coordinator in early spring and then, months after another employee left the organization, board members promoted Bennett to the top spot.
“I have not been empowered by the DIA board to accomplish the goals they set for themselves or for me,” she said in a resignation emailed to association board members. “I have enjoyed working with each of you and wish you the best of luck on your community wine events and marketing.”
The announcement came a day before a major event on the DownTown Issaquah Association calendar, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the historic Hailstone Feed Store.
DownTown Issaquah Association director resigns
December 7, 2011
NEW — 3:30 p.m. Dec. 7, 2011
The leader of the DownTown Issaquah Association — the second person to hold the post since board members replaced the longtime executive director in February — resigned Tuesday, after only a few months on the job.
“I have not been empowered by the DIA Board to accomplish the goals they set for themselves or for me,” Executive Director Annique Bennett said in a message emailed to association board members Tuesday afternoon. “I have enjoyed working with each of you and wish you the best of luck on your community wine events and marketing.”
The announcement came a day before a major event on the DownTown Issaquah Association calendar, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the historic Hailstone Feed Store.
