The Hot List
November 27, 2012
Samantha Garrard
Issaquah High School
Music: “Red,” by Taylor Swift
‘Red’
Taylor Swift’s much-anticipated album, “Red,” debuted Oct. 22. Her album features chart-topping hits such as “We Will Never Ever Get Back Together” and “Red.” The country star also dove into a dub step-like rhythm with her song “I Knew You Were Trouble.” Like in any of her past albums, Swift continues to bash, praise and reminisce about her past romances, a feature that resonates with many fans. CNN gave the album a solid B+, and Swift continues to be consistent.
Movie: “Breaking Dawn: Part 2”
‘Breaking Dawn: Part 2′
On Nov. 16, Team Jacob and Team Edward united in theaters to watch the end to the Twilight Trilogy, “Breaking Dawn: Part 2.” The movie features an attractive cast including Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson and Ashley Greene. The final movie has an estimated budget of $131.5 million, a cost that will hopefully diminish with ticket sales as fans rush to the theaters to see how the romance concludes.
Yum-E Yogurt
Hotspot: Yum-e Yogurt & Espresso Bar
Downtown Issaquah is now officially part of the frozen yogurt craze. Yum-e Yogurt & Espresso Bar is next to Confetti Cupcakes on Front Street. The restaurant features a cool atmosphere complete with comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi and a fireplace. Yum-e Yogurt & Espresso Bar will be a hangout spot for all ages, especially for high school students needing a new lunch spot during school. Check it out!
Motorists should prepare for roadwork in downtown Issaquah
November 26, 2012
NEW — 11 a.m. Nov. 26, 2012
Motorists should prepare for roadwork in downtown Issaquah from Tuesday through Saturday.
The project is scheduled for 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. near the corner of Front Street South and East Sunset Way. Crews plan to install sewer and storm water lines for the rebuilt downtown Shell gas station and Jacksons convenience store.
The work is scheduled for nighttime and early morning hours to reduce traffic impacts. Motorists should expect Front Street to remain open — albeit with reduced lanes at times — during the construction.
The planned store at Front Street and Sunset Way should feature a more modern, spacious layout and additional options.
Chad Magendanz readies for transition from Issaquah School Board to Legislature
November 7, 2012
NEW — 3 p.m. Nov. 7, 2012
Republican Chad Magendanz triumphed in the race to represent Issaquah and the 5th Legislative District in the state House of Representatives, and in process, set up a vacancy on the Issaquah School Board.
Chad Magendanz
Magendanz cruised to a comfortable lead against North Bend Democrat David Spring in the initial election results released Tuesday, 55 percent to 45 percent. The candidates vied to succeed retiring state Rep. Glenn Anderson, a Republican and lawmaker for a dozen years.
“I’m really looking forward to getting out of campaign mode — which has been the focus for the last year — and rolling up my sleeves and really getting into the tough problems to solve down in Olympia,” Magendanz said in a Wednesday interview.
City approves home-based firearms business
October 30, 2012
City planners approved a home-based firearms business in downtown Issaquah on Oct. 12, despite concerns from neighbors.
The municipal Development Services Department OK’d a permit for Michael Marinos, a longtime Issaquah resident, to open the business in the Olde Town neighborhood south of East Sunset Way.
Marinos created Bigg Dogg Firearms to offer federally licensed firearms transfers to customers purchasing weapons online. Customers could then stop at Marinos’ home-based business to pick up the firearms.
The city code allows home-based businesses, and does not limit firearms businesses in Olde Town.
Only Marinos, as the licensee to handle firearms transfers, can complete the transactions, and he said he does not plan for firearms deliveries to occur when he is not at home. The conditions outlined in the permit also prevent ammunition sales at the business.
Downtown Zombie Walk / Oct. 27, 2012
October 30, 2012
Zombies return to menace downtown Issaquah
October 23, 2012
Zombies shamble down Front Street North during the 2011 Downtown Zombie Walk. By Warren Kagarise
Last October, on a sunny afternoon, a regular Saturday turned unordinary as zombies menaced Issaquah.
The undead shambled into the sunset, and Issaquah sidestepped a zombie apocalypse — for a while, at least.
The zombie horde is back.
Expect to see the undead shuffle down Front Street North on Oct. 27 during a Downtown Zombie Walk and then assemble for a flash-mob dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” outside the Issaquah Library.
Crews rebuild downtown gas station
October 23, 2012
Expect the remade downtown Shell gas station and Jacksons convenience store to stand taller and cover more ground than the boxlike former structure after a monthslong overhaul concludes.
The planned store at Front Street and Sunset Way should feature a more modern, spacious layout and additional options. The planned façade includes sconces and stone accents. The gas station site is also in line to receive additional landscaping after construction concludes.
Crews started the major overhaul Sept. 11, a day after the business closed to customers.
Yum-e Yogurt to open in downtown Issaquah
October 23, 2012
A second location of Yum-e Yogurt and Espresso is opening at 96 Front St. N. The first location is in Maple Valley.
Yum-e Yogurt will feature the Portland, Ore.-based YoCream brand of frozen yogurt, and the store will offer more than 50 toppings, many of them fresh fruit. Learn more at www.yumeyogurt.com.
The shop will feature a two-sided fireplace with comfy seating, free Wi-Fi and a full espresso bar serving organic Camano Island Coffee.
Encounter at Issaquah school offers bear safety reminder
October 16, 2012
Mike Pernack spotted a black bear cub in Squak Mountain’s Big Bear Court neighborhood Oct. 4. By Mike Pernack
Issaquah Valley Elementary School administrators briefly put the campus into lockdown Oct. 3 after surprise guests ambled onto school grounds.
State Department of Fish and Wildlife officers, plus Mishka, a Karelian bear dog, responded to the downtown Issaquah school, but arrived after a female bear and trio of cubs dashed across campus.
All aboard, Issaquah, as downtown trolley starts service
October 16, 2012
Barbara Justice drives Issaquah Valley Trolley Car No. 519 to the Issaquah Train Depot on Oct. 14. By Michael Johnson
The long-envisioned Issaquah Valley Trolley started service Oct. 14, as organizers start limited service after more than a decade of planning.
The public can ride the streetcar from the Issaquah Train Depot, 50 Rainier Blvd. N., during limited weekend service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. into November.
The streetcar runs from the depot to the bridge across the East Fork of Issaquah Creek at Darigold, about a half-mile north.
Though the track extends to Northwest Gilman Boulevard, additional work is necessary to prepare the track to accommodate the trolley. North of Northwest Gilman Boulevard, crews removed the track to create the East Lake Sammamish Trail.
