The Farmhouse School moves into Gilman Village
February 14, 2012
The Farmhouse School recently moved into the former Wold farmhouse space in Gilman Village.
The Farmhouse is a new preschool learning environment where children are immersed in a discovery-based, Reggio Emilia-influenced curriculum. The goal at The Farmhouse School is to help each child develop lifelong joy in learning, belief in himself or herself, self-responsibility, drive to follow his or her passions, and a desire to contribute to his or her community.
The Farmhouse School is at 317 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Suite 41. Call 391-4400 or go to www.thefarmhouseschool.org.
Teen actors examine faith in Village Theatre’s ‘Godspell’
January 3, 2012
Regan Morris (front row, third from the left), featured in ‘Turn Back O Man,’ sings during rehearsal with the ensemble in the Kidstage production of ‘Godspell.’ By Jean Johnson/Village Theatre
Months after professional actors re-imagined “Jesus Christ Superstar” on the Village Theatre Mainstage, teenage performers plan to raise the curtain soon on “Godspell” — a similar musical from the same era.
Both shows opened in 1971 and offered a contemporary — critics said blasphemous — perspective on the Gospels. In the years since, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Godspell” became rooted in pop culture.
“Jesus Christ Superstar” depicts the last days in Christ’s life. “Godspell” is structured as a series of parables.
Take a holiday carriage ride at Gilman Village
December 6, 2011
Santa and free horse-drawn carriage rides are coming to Gilman Village.
The Gilman Village Merchants and Cascade Team Real Estate are the primary sponsors for a holiday happening from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 10 at St. George’s Square in Gilman Village, 355 N.W. Gilman Blvd.
The event, co-sponsored by the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, features free horse-drawn carriage rides and the chance to visit Santa’s Gilman Workshop, Chamber CEO Matt Bott said.
While at the workshop, visitors can have a free picture taken with Santa himself, according to information released by the Cascade Team. Free coffee and hot chocolate also will be available.
Visitors are asked to bring an unwrapped toy to support Santa’s efforts with the Childhood Cancer Care Line. Cash donations to the Merry Christmas Issaquah fund also will be accepted.
Other sponsors include Extraordinary Mama and the Issaquah Coffee Co.
Learn more at www.thecascadeteam.com.
Issaquah decks the halls with holiday happenings
November 29, 2011
All around Issaquah, it’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays.
From downtown Issaquah to Gilman Village to the historic train depot, signs of the coming holidays are starting to sprout.
Gilman Village Merchants and the Cascade Team Real Estate are the primary sponsors for a holiday happening from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 10 at St. George’s Square in Gilman Village, 355 N.W. Gilman Blvd.
Vetiver Organic Hair Spa opens in Gilman Village
November 15, 2011
Issaquah organic hair experts and educators Richard Bemm and Kristina Ricotta recently opened Vetiver Organic Hair Spa at 375 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Gilman Village, Suite B102.
The organic spa features a healthy alternative to traditional salons with a completely nontoxic build out, organic products and personalized hair services.
Vetiver is committed to providing a clean air, nontoxic environment, offering pure organic, plant-based products, purified water (which is done on site through ion exchange process), custom-crafted services, and a creative environment free of artificial fragrance and synthetics to restore your senses and pamper clients.
Learn more about Vetiver Hair Spa at http://vetiverhairspa.com.
Cruise passengers urged to explore beyond Seattle
October 25, 2011
From the Space Needle to Pike Place Market, Seattle has plenty to offer its guests, but the Washington Tourism Alliance and the Port of Seattle are encouraging cruise ship tourists to explore beyond the predictable city limits. They are hoping tourists will venture into the suburban and rural areas outside of Seattle, including Issaquah.
“It’s really about what can you offer as an attractive package as an add-on to the cruise purchase,” said Dan Trimble, then-economic development manager for the city of Issaquah. “We’re pretty fortunate here to have several things that can be easily compartmentalized to those packages.”
Bill Bryant
From the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery and Cougar Mountain Zoo, to outdoor opportunities and shopping districts, Issaquah has plenty to offer its tourists, Trimble said.
This is part of a plan carried out by the newly established Washington Tourism Alliance, which is working along with the Port of Seattle and other tourism agencies to let people know about the tourist opportunities that exist outside of Seattle.
“The cruise ship (industry) brings about $400 million to King County and the region, and that’s because the passengers are staying one to two nights in the area. But most of them are spending that time in downtown Seattle,” Seattle Port Commissioner Bill Bryant said.
He said he hopes the cruise ship tourists extend their stay and explore the surrounding areas, “whether that is wineries in Woodinville or going out to Snoqualmie Falls.”
The state Legislature recently cut funding for the state tourism office.
In its place, various stakeholders including the port, some of the hotel associations and some of the restaurant associations have established the WTA to serve as a vehicle for communities to reach out to tourists, Bryant said.
Discover digital surprises as ArtWalk season concludes
August 30, 2011
QR code exhibition is designed to launch conversation
The latest exhibition from artEAST is a series of stark images — square and oblong patterns in a “Tetris”-esque arrangement against a colorless background.
The smartphone-equipped in-crowd recognizes the patterns as QR codes, barcodes designed for mobile devices to read.
Expect to see oversized QR codes along Front Street North as the spring- and summertime ArtWalk concludes Sept. 2. The nonprofit artEAST collective plans to deploy the codes to connect attendees to images and videos at the Art Center & Up Front Gallery and along the street during the event.
Seattle artists Stephen Rock and Nichole DeMent used QR codes to connect smartphone users to data and images during a spring exhibition in Seattle.
Now, the duo plans to offer a similar experience to ArtWalk attendees. Rock is creating a sculpture up to 12 feet tall designed to evoke building blocks — and covered in QR codes — for the event.
Economic downturn returns upbeat agent to first love
August 23, 2011
Artist Cammy Davis, whose first public showing is on display at the Issaquah Coffee Co. through mid-September, shares some of her paintings, including the large red work on the wall behind her being considered for placement in a local fire station. By Tom Corrigan
About 20 years ago, Cammy Davis, now 46, was a single mom with an overriding interest in art.
“But the thought of being a starving artist and a single mom … The two just didn’t go together,” Davis said.
Davis took up studying architecture, but never was able to finish her degree. She married, became a stay-at-home mom and later became a single mom once again. At that point, Davis thought she had her future pretty much charted out, gaining her license to work in real estate escrow.
Then, the bottom fell out of the economy in 2008. Instead of helping other people with their home sales, Davis said she was forced to sell her own residence.
“I’d just started painting again at that point,” she added.
Davis is now nearing the end of an interior design program at Bellevue College. Her artwork is getting its first official public viewing at the Issaquah Coffee Co., in Gilman Village along Juniper Street in Issaquah.
Hanging on nearly every wall in the homegrown coffee shop, Davis’ work will stay on display between now and Sept. 18. The closing date of her show is important to Davis since it means her art will stay on display through the last Issaquah ArtWalk of the year Sept. 2
Discover commitment to fresh ingredients at The Flat Iron Grill
August 16, 2011
Gilman Village slips in and out of style in much the same manner as fashion.
Just as leggings and off-the-shoulder tops re-emerged from some Reagan-era style sepulcher in recent seasons, a similar cycle is redirecting attention to Gilman Village. The landmark shopping center is in — and in the midst of a renaissance, as a Thursday farmers market and upstart businesses prompt neophytes to discover a classic Issaquah locale.
The credit for the latest revival is due, in part at least, to The Flat Iron Grill, a destination restaurant and a solid reason to explore beyond the periphery at Gilman Village.
The restaurant opened in the former Iris Grill space 18 months ago and, soon after, started to generate complimentary chatter among the local fooderati.
The acclaim is deserved.
Gilman Village debuts summer farmers market
August 2, 2011
The latest addition to Gilman Village is fresh for summer.
The iconic shopping complex along Northwest Gilman Boulevard added a farmers market late last month in a bid to increase customer traffic. The market includes local produce, flowers and more — but nothing to compete against existing offerings at the complex.
Aaron Barouh, Gilman Village president and general manager, said the concept is meant to highlight local farmers.
“Why not do a farmers market that’s actually a farmers market?” he said. “Just limit it to farmers and small-scale food producers. No crafts. No walk-around food. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, well, we tried.”
The farmers market debuted July 28. The event is due to continue through late September. Because the market is open on Thursdays, no conflict exists between Gilman Village and the popular Issaquah Farmers Market at Pickering Barn on summer Saturdays.
If you goGilman Village Farmers Market
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