Master Chorus Eastside’s concert celebrates American music
June 19, 2012
Master Chorus Eastside’s popular Celebrate America concert returns once again to Issaquah’s Pickering Barn in two performances to commemorate the Fourth of July.
American music of all styles, including early Americana, folk tunes, spirituals and others stand side by side with Linda Gingrich’s signature commentary to create an unforgettable Independence Celebration on June 24. Read more
Seattle Tilth seeks volunteers for Pickering Barn garden
June 15, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. June 15, 2012
Seattle Tilth is searching for volunteers to tend the community garden at Pickering Barn.
Organizers plan to a host a family workday in the garden on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. The garden is located on the Pickering Barn grounds, 1730 10th Ave. N.W. On Saturday, Seattle Tilth needs volunteers to make and plant seed tapes, scavenger hunt, weed and feed chickens and dig in the soil.
The organization also needs volunteers for harvest parties, work parties and other tasks. Find opportunities from Seattle Tilth at http://seattletilth.org/get-involved/volunteer/volunteering-in-issaquah.
Gardeners donate fresh produce to the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank.
Issaquah-Sammamish Home & Garden Show comes to Pickering Barn
April 30, 2012
NEW — 1:30 p.m. April 30, 2012
The inaugural Issaquah-Sammamish Home & Garden Show is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave. N.W.
At the event, 20 local businesses will showcase their services and answer questions. Learn about remodeling and decorating options for bathrooms and kitchens, patios, additions, repairs, heating systems, landscapes and more.
The home show, coordinated by Issaquah Press newspapers, is free.
Issaquah Hobby and Volunteer Expo returns for 14th year
April 24, 2012
Shirley Slaughter, of Issaquah, a member of Issaquah Quilters, sits in front of a quilt by Linda Smith, while meeting visitors during the 2009 Hobby and Volunteer Expo at Pickering Barn. By Greg Farrar
The annual Issaquah Hobby and Volunteer Expo, sponsored by the Issaquah Parks & Recreation Department, is set for April 28 at Pickering Barn and features nonprofit clubs, community service organizations and similar groups.
Any such organization serving Issaquah is invited to put up a table, said Cathy Jones, city recreation coordinator.
Participating clubs or organizations can seek to recruit new members, volunteers or both.
Jones described the event as especially aimed at newcomers to the Issaquah area, newly retired persons or teens looking for new ways to gain community service hours.
Issaquah Farmers Market returns for 22nd season April 21
April 17, 2012
The Issaquah Farmers Market at Pickering Farm attracts large crowds of visitors and patrons on a warm August Saturday in 2011. By Greg Farrar
The historic Pickering Farm emerges from a seasonal slumber soon as the popular Issaquah Farmers Market returns.
The market debuts for the season April 21. The return is a sign springtime is inching closer to summertime.
The farmers market runs every Saturday, rain or shine, from April to October. The market features seasonal produce, crafts, food vendors, and demonstrations or entertainment each week.
Citizens can comment on long-term plans for business district
April 17, 2012
Citizens can comment soon on a historic proposal to transform more than 900 acres near Interstate 90 and state Route 900 in the decades ahead.
The draft Central Issaquah Plan is meant to guide redevelopment from shopping centers and low-rise office buildings to a taller neighborhood meant for businesses and residences.
The city is in the midst of a key environmental study for the 915-acre business district, or Central Issaquah. The council is poised to decide on the proposal as early as July. In the meantime, the municipal Planning Policy Commission plans a public open house and public hearing on the draft environmental study April 19.
Press Editorial
April 17, 2012
Give a nod to planet Earth
Arbor Day is April 21, followed by Earth Day on April 22. Both are an equal opportunity to show appreciation for the third rock from the sun.
The city Parks & Recreation Department will plant 150 trees along Issaquah Creek on Saturday in honor of Arbor Day. Just last week, the city earned Tree City USA status for the 19th year.
Earth Day gets a jumpstart in Issaquah on Thursday when Lake Sammamish kokanee salmon fry are released into Laughing Jacobs Creek. Public tours are available this weekend to see what happens to unrecycled garbage at the Cedar Hills Landfill in south Issaquah. Also south of the city limits, volunteers will mulch and weed the Log Cabin Natural Area along Issaquah Creek. Volunteers will do back-country trail work on Cougar Mountain.
Wedding: Elmquist, Ruiz
April 17, 2012
Freddy Ruiz and Katie Elmquist
Katie Elmquist and Freddy Ruiz, both of Issaquah, were married April 7, 2012, at Pickering Barn, in Issaquah. The Rev. Ed Pohlreich officiated.
A reception followed, also in Pickering Barn.
The couple honeymooned at Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
The bride is the daughter of Don and Joan Elmquist, of Issaquah. Her bridal attendants were Liz Elmquist, Brenna McGinnis, Janelle Gallagher, Amy Doerschel and Joslynn Ruiz.
King County joins Issaquah, other cities in climate change effort
March 27, 2012
King County Council members approved a partnership among the county, Issaquah and other cities March 19 to coordinate regional efforts on climate change and sustainability issues.
In a unanimous decision, leaders OK’d a program to bring together county and city staffers to collaborate on greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and other shared projects.
In June 2011, the county and several cities formed a partnership called the King County-Cities Climate Collaboration. The focus is to pool resources to combat the impact of climate change.
“We will share information that helps us do these things,” Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger said March 23. “So, for instance, the county has programs that help people do land-use and transportation planning that make connectivity stronger.”
Grandparents get a hands-on lesson in salmon’s circle of life
March 27, 2012
Jerry Pearson and his grandson Dylan Pearson, 5, release salmon fry into Issaquah Creek March 21 under the Northwest Sammamish Road crossover with other Issaquah School District classroom students, teachers and parents. By Greg Farrar
Five-year-old Dylan Pearson took extra care as he crept his way across the rocks under the watchful eye of his PeePah to the edge of the creek to release the young salmon fry swimming at the bottom of his plastic cup.
Participating in the life cycle of the salmon was an important lesson that Dylan’s grandfather, Issaquah native Jerry Pearson, wanted to teach his grandson. Pearson can still remember the salmon spawning in Lewis Creek near his home when he was the same age as his grandson.
“Sharing this moment and the lessons we learn about the renewal of life are things that I will never forget,” Jerry Pearson said. “Hopefully, the salmon will inspire Dylan to nurture new life and then set it free.”
The youngster and his grandfather joined third-graders from Apollo Elementary School on March 21 to release more than 230 small coho salmon that were raised from eggs in their classroom into Issaquah Creek behind Pickering Barn. Many students were sad; others cheered as they watched the tiny fish swim away.
