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.
Press Editorial
March 20, 2012
Public not engaged in redevelopment plan
The city of Issaquah has come a long way toward adopting a Central Issaquah Plan, a blueprint for a future Issaquah with buildings up to 150 feet tall, more people and traffic, and more commercial buildings combined with multifamily residential units.
Meetings begin this month and continue into May to hear public comment.
Sadly, only the usual suspects are likely to speak up. Developers and landowners, the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce and members of the Issaquah Environmental Council will be there — but few others. It doesn’t need to be that way.
When Issaquah wrote its Comprehensive Plan nearly three decades ago, a facilitator reached out to neighborhood groups, churches, clubs, sports organizations and more to walk them through a visioning process that helped write and preserve the characteristics of Issaquah that citizens hold dear.
Issaquah Farmers Market seeks vendors March 17
March 13, 2012
The popular Issaquah Farmers Market returns April 21.
In the meantime, market organizers continue to attract vendors to the Pickering Barn market. The city is hosting a meeting for potential vendors from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 17 at the barn, 1730 10th Ave N.W.
Organizers request for potential vendors to bring a product sample to be juried. Call 837-3311 or go to www.issaquahfarmersmarket.org to learn more.
The farmers market runs every Saturday, rain or shine, from mid-April to Oct. 13. The market features seasonal produce, crafts, food vendors, and demonstrations or entertainment each week.
Salmon in the Classroom program spawns gift to Clark Elementary School
March 6, 2012
The long-running Salmon in the Classroom program at Clark Elementary School remained afloat due to a donation from a former student.
Issaquah native Jerry Pearson, a Snoqualmie attorney and former Clark Elementary student, said childhood memories of salmon in Lewis Creek and concerns about budget cuts to public schools inspired the donation.
“It’s important for kids to know that the salmon are an important part of the culture in the Northwest,” he said. “They need to know that salmon are so much more than just the logo on posters for Salmon Days.”
Pearson recalled fishing for trout and perch in Lewis Creek as a boy growing up near the south end of Lake Sammamish.
School bond campaign seeks success with YouTube song
February 21, 2012
The members of Listen Up — Sarah Kim, Monti Fleck, Luca Nardi, Emily Rudolph and Caitlin Neill (from left) — perform the ‘Pass the Bond’ song on a video shot at Issaquah Valley Elementary School. YouTube
An unlikely combination of a local school bond issue and a veteran Broadway lyricist has made local celebrities out of five young girls known collectively as Listen Up.
As of Feb. 16, a YouTube video of them performing Martin Charnin’s “Pass the Bond” song had received about 2,000 hits.
“I think it’s really great that this is happening,” said Luca Nardi, 10, one of the members of Listen Up.
Fellow singer and friend Monti Fleck, 10, said having the video gain some notoriety was “weird and cool” at the same time.
The song was written to promote the Issaquah School District’s construction bond issue that’s on the April ballot. That the catchy lyrics work so well is no accident.
Pickering Barn garden gets $19,000 grant for upgrade
February 14, 2012
The city has received a $19,000 grant from the King Conservation District to improve the Pickering Barn Demonstration Garden — a showcase for organic gardening and a source for the local food bank.
In addition to garden upgrades, officials intend to use grant dollars to improve the site and add more educational components. Seattle Tilth, a regional leader in sustainable organic gardening and public education in natural yard care practices, oversees the garden’s education component.
Plans call for the expanded education component to operate alongside the Issaquah School District and the municipal Parks & Recreation Department. The school district program aims to provide in-classroom teaching, teacher training and transportation for schoolchildren from campuses to the garden. The program through the parks department calls for classes in the garden for after-school community programs. The grant is meant to help transport children to the garden for the program.
Receive free health screenings at Issaquah-Sammamish Health & Safety Fair
February 7, 2012
The eighth annual Issaquah-Sammamish Health & Safety Fair will be held at Pickering Barn on Feb. 11 with plenty of free health screenings to make it worthwhile for area families. The free event is from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The fair will feature more than 50 health care professionals. They will offer a number of free health screenings, including blood pressure, bone density, cholesterol, blood sugar, eye pressure, body composition and spinal/posture.
Issaquah and Sammamish Health & Safety Fair features free services
January 17, 2012
The eighth annual Issaquah and Sammamish Health & Safety Fair returns Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Pickering Barn, 1730 10th Ave. N.W.
There is no admission fee and all ages are welcome.
More than 40 local vendors will discuss their services and wares, including Balance Physical Therapy, Banic Chiropractic and Dr. Troy Schmedding.
Before giving thanks, give back at Issaquah Turkey Trot
November 15, 2011
Burn some calories before the feast at the Issaquah Turkey Trot, a Thanksgiving Day benefit for the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank.
Issaquah Turkey Trot organizer and Issaquah resident Heather Matthews said the morning run is a chance for residents to benefit the community on the holiday.
The inaugural Issaquah Turkey Trot started last year after some early morning snowfall, days after a sudden snowstorm nailed the Puget Sound region.
Matthews, then eight months pregnant, did not expect runners to head out into the cold, although 320 people had signed up for the run in the days before Thanksgiving.
