Community members unearth artifacts for museums’ collection
February 21, 2012
Mary Scott was looking for stock at a yard or estate sale when she found it.
As a local antique dealer and Issaquah History Museums volunteer, she knew there was more to the old 16-by-16-by-26 inch wooden box on wheels than what probably met the eye.
And while officials with the museums are still trying to figure out the technical term for it, for now it’s been dubbed the hot box — a contraption meant to keep large amounts of food warm while it’s transported en masse to railroad workers or loggers at mealtimes. It is thought to have been used between 1890 and 1920.
Scott joined more than 40 other donors in 2011 to bring in artifacts and photographs that help piece together Issaquah’s rich history one item at a time. Items donated to the organizations must, first and foremost, be linked to Issaquah, and they must also have unique appeal.
Issaquah Train Depot film series returns
February 7, 2012
The popular Films @ the Train Depot! series includes Hollywood classics and mega-stars from a bygone era.
Films play at 7 p.m. at the historic Issaquah Train Depot, 50 Rainier Blvd. N. The program is free, due to support from the city Arts Commission and the King County cultural agency 4Culture.
“My Favorite Brunette” launches the series Feb. 11. The 1947 film stars Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour.
The classic “His Girl Friday” is scheduled for March 10. “Easter Parade” is due to conclude the series April 14.
Since the film program launched in October 2009, it has featured series of Bing Crosby films, train-themed films, films set in Washington and noir classics.
Santa visits Issaquah Train Depot / Dec. 3, 2011
December 13, 2011
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.
‘We’re No Angels’ concludes depot film series
November 22, 2011
The popular Films @ the Train Depot! departs the station soon.
The last film in the autumn series plays at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at the historic Issaquah Train Depot, 50 Rainier Blvd. N. The program is free, due to support from the city Arts Commission and the King County cultural agency, 4Culture.
“We’re No Angels” concludes the series. In the 1955 film, Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov play escaped inmates scheming to steal from a shopkeeper on Christmas. But the cons’ plans change after they start to like the shopkeeper and his family.
Since the film program launched in October 2009, it has featured a series of Bing Crosby films, train-themed films, films set in Washington and noir classics.
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.
Issaquah Train Depot film series offers Hollywood classics
October 11, 2011
The popular Films @ the Train Depot! series includes Hollywood classics and mega-stars from a bygone era.
Films play at 7 p.m. at the historic Issaquah Train Depot, 50 Rainier Blvd. N. The program is free, due to support from the city Arts Commission and the King County cultural agency, 4Culture.
“Yankee Doodle Dandy” continues the series Nov. 12.
James Cagney picked up the Academy Award for Best Actor for the lavish screen portrayal of “Mr. Broadway,” George M. Cohan, in the 1942 film. The song-and-dance routines include memorable tunes, such as “Over There,” “It’s a Grand Old Flag,” “Give My Regards to Broadway” and the film’s rousing title number.
“We’re No Angels” concludes the series Dec. 10.
In the 1955 film, Humphrey Bogart, Aldo Ray and Peter Ustinov play escaped inmates scheming to steal from a shopkeeper on Christmas. But the cons’ plans change after they start to like the shopkeeper and his family.
Since the film program launched in October 2009, it has featured series of Bing Crosby films, train-themed films, films set in Washington and noir classics.
Issaquah Train Depot film series returns for autumn
October 6, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. Oct. 6, 2011
The popular Films @ the Train Depot! series includes Hollywood classics and mega-stars from a bygone era.
The latest series starts at 7 p.m. Saturday at the historic Issaquah Train Depot, 50 Rainier Blvd. N. The program is free, due to support from the city Arts Commission and the King County cultural agency, 4Culture.
The opening film in the series is “A Place in the Sun,” a 1951 classic starring Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor and Shelley Winters. Clift portrays dirt-poor George Eastman. Winters is the spurned lover he leaves for Taylor, a stunning socialite.
“Yankee Doodle Dandy” from 1942 continues the series Nov. 12.
Issaquah train show features models of all sizes
August 9, 2011
The sixth annual Issaquah Train Show is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Issaquah Train Depot.
The event features numerous model trains, including several set up by the Northwest Pacific Z-Scalers. Displays also will include wooden Brio trains. Visitors can ride the depot pump car, and the depot’s own model train set will be in motion.
Karen Klein, of the Issaquah History Museums, said there will be a large Lego display at which youngsters can build their own trains, as well as what she called a garden display, basically an outdoor train set up.
By the way, for the uninitiated, Z-scale trains are small-scale trains, Klein said.
For the first time, the train show features a speaker, Randy Dashoe, who will talk about the history of the Great Northern Railway at 11 a.m. in the Issaquah Valley Senior Center. The center is just a short distance from the depot.
The train show is free with museum admission: $2 for adults, $1 for children. The depot is at 50 Rainier Blvd. N.
The history museums are looking for volunteers to help staff the event. Two shifts are available, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 1-5 p.m. Call 392-3500 to sign up.
Prepare for Fourth of July road closures in Issaquah
July 3, 2011
NEW — 8 a.m. July 3, 2011
Motorists should plan ahead for Fourth of July road closures in downtown Issaquah on Monday, as revelers gather for a parade and festival.
Expect closures along Front Street North from Northwest Gilman Boulevard to East Sunset Way, Rainier Boulevard North from Northwest Dogwood Street to Northwest Juniper Street, East Sunset Way from Front Street to Second Avenue Southeast, and Front Street South from East Sunset Way to Newport Way Southwest from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The annual Down Home Fourth of July includes the Kids, Pets N’ Pride Parade at 11 a.m. at Rainier Boulevard North, at the intersection of Northwest Dogwood Street and Front Street North.
Following the parade, families can plays games at Veterans’ Memorial Field and learn about Issaquah’s history from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Issaquah Train Depot’s Heritage Day celebration, 50 Rainier Boulevard N.
On Veterans’ Memorial Field, children can enter potato sack, slug and three-legged races, or saddle up for pony rides.
