Issaquah holiday activities offer fa-la-la fun
November 27, 2012
Bartell Drugs and Salvation Army’s Toy ‘n’ Joy drive through Dec. 14, accepts new, unwrapped gifts for children up to age 14, or shoppers can chose a gift request tag item in the store and put it in the donation barrel in the store. The Issaquah Bartell is at 5700 E. Lake Sammamish Parkway S.E. Learn more at www.bartelldrugs.com.
Toys for Troops seeks donations for Christmas presents for children of service members. Drop off donations through Dec. 15 at the Issaquah Police Station, 130 E. Sunset Way, or make financial donations at www.operationbaldeagle.org.
Small Works Holiday Exhibition, through Dec. 29, artEAST Art Center, 95 Front St. N., 392-3191, www.arteast.org
Downtown Issaquah holiday lights work party, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 1, meet at Hailstone Feed Store, 232 Front St., a lunch break at noon features donated pizza from Flying Pie Pizza, call 391-1112 to volunteer
Churches’ pie auction to benefit Compassion House
October 30, 2012
It may be hard to imagine paying more than $400 for a pie, but at the Compassion House Benefit Pie Auction, it’s not so far-fetched.
At last year’s event, some pies sold for more than $450, with all of the money going toward Compassion House, a local nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing to families in need.
“You know when you have an auctioneer that is capable of selling some pies upwards of $450, that people have an open heart for giving,” said Rick McCarty, the executive director of Compassion House.
Halloween happenings abound in Issaquah, nearby
October 23, 2012
Revelers explore a hay maze during the 2009 Green Halloween Festival. File
Enciso Family Farm, featuring you-pick pumpkins and fresh Christmas trees; an old country store with snacks, cozy fireplace and a selection of specialty gourds and pumpkins; a barn from the 1800s; tractors from past and present; and more, 19417 196th Ave. S.E., Renton, 206-595-5845
Pumpkin Patch at Trinity Tree Farm, featuring pumpkins for sale in the shop or farm stand, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, open daily through Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 14237 228th Ave. S.E., www.trinitytreefarm.com
Nightmare at Beaver Lake, Oct. 24-31, Beaver Lake Park, Southeast 24th Street, Sammamish; The family scare runs from 7-7:45 p.m. nightly. The full scare runs from 8-10 p.m. Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, and from 8-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets: $10 per person for a family scare; $16 per person for a full scare. Donate a can of food and receive a $1 discount on tickets. Learn more and purchase tickets at www.nightmareatbeaverlake.com.
Churches’ men’s clothing drive runs through Feb. 26
February 7, 2012
Seattle area streets serve as home to a population of roughly 8,900, according to Jim Rockstad, of Issaquah Christian Church.
Of that total, an estimated 80 percent are men, he said. At the same time, however, about 80 percent of the clothing donated for the homeless is for women and children.
“There is a real need for warm men’s clothing,” Rockstad said.
For the third year in a row, Rockstad is helping organize a winter men’s clothing drive benefiting Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission and the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank.
Off the Press
December 13, 2011
Santa, please help tell true story of Christmas
David Hayes Press reporter
A funny thing happened when I was asked to play the role of Santa for Northwest Pugs — a meetup group my wife co-organizes for local pug owners.
Cute photos of their dogs with Jolly St. Nick would have to be without me, for you see, I didn’t fit into the silly suit.
Who in China designs a costume of a fat man that an actual horizontally challenged person cannot fit into? Luckily, my wife found a more svelte volunteer to fill the position.
However, once my services were no longer needed, I decided to turn the tables and think about what I would ask of Santa, if I were to discover one with a lap ample enough to hold my weight without risk of injury.
My wish of the bearded one would be an emphasis on the return of the true meaning of Christmas to include more of the original bearded one. That would involve getting the ACLU’s grubby little paws off the holiday.
Hunter, Gilkyson
March 1, 2011
Amy Lee Hunter and Ralph Gilkyson, both of Issaquah, announced their engagement to be married July 9 at Issaquah Foothills Baptist Church.
The bride-to-be, the daughter of Linda and Hunter Jackson, of Stanwood, is a graduate of Interlake High School.
The future groom is the son of Trudy Gilkyson, of California.
Donate men’s winter clothing at Issaquah churches
February 1, 2011
Start spring cleaning early — and help the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank at the same time.
Issaquah churches collect men’s clothing for the food pantry throughout February. Any overflow donations benefit Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission.
The local food pantry needs men’s winter coats, casual pants and jeans in larger sizes, hats and gloves in adult sizes, rain ponchos, shirts and sweaters, plus new underwear in sizes 38 and larger, and new warm socks.
Participants can drop off the clothing in marked bins in front of the following Issaquah churches:
- Issaquah Christian Church, 10328 Issaquah-Hobart Road S.E.
- Foothills Baptist Church, 10120 Issaquah-Hobart Road S.E.
- Community Church of Issaquah, 205 Mountain Park Blvd.
- Mountain Creek Christian Fellowship, 165 Front St. N.
- Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 24850 S.E. Issaquah-Fall City Road
Donate men’s winter clothing at Issaquah churches
January 27, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. Jan. 27, 2011
Start spring cleaning early — and help the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank at the same time.
Issaquah churches start collecting men’s clothing for the food pantry throughout February. Any overflow donations benefit Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission.
The local food pantry needs men’s winter coats, casual pants and jeans in larger sizes, hats and gloves in adult sizes, rain ponchos, shirts and sweaters, plus new underwear in sizes 38 and larger, and new warm socks.
Spooky Events
October 26, 2010
Things That Go Bump in the Night, presented by Auburn Paranormal Activities Research Team, for ages 12 and up, 5 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Issaquah Library, 10 W. Sunset Way. Call 392-5430.
Fall Fun Fest is from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Issaquah Youth Center in the community center. Fee is $2. Wear a costume and come enjoy activity booths, toddler time toys, face painting and prizes.
The Grange Supply’s first Pet Halloween Party is Oct. 30. A pet costume contest, with prizes, is at noon. Guess the weight of the big pumpkin and win a $50 gift card for you and a $50 gift card to your favorite charity. A photographer will be available from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Learn more at www.grangesupply.com. Read more
Locals step up to aid Haitians
January 26, 2010
Nine cafeteria tables are covered with baked goods provided by more than 300 Sunset Elementary families for the Sunset Kids for Haiti bake sale. World Vision, American Red Cross and Partners in Health were the charities selected to receive the $4,164 raised. By Greg Farrar
Issaquah community groups, churches and schools are stepping up to help Haiti.
Since Jan. 12, when a 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated the country, rescue and relief efforts have been sent from around the world amid recurring aftershocks, which have registered upward of 5.0 magnitude.
Haitian officials have recorded more than 70,000 deaths. However, they estimate the death toll may rise to nearly 200,000. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, according to the Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook.
Locally, Issaquah School District schools, like Sunset and Challenger elementary schools and Liberty High School, have raised thousands of dollars to help relief efforts in Haiti.
Challenger is accepting donations for the U.S. Fund for United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund for Haiti. Read more
