The myth of online privacy
April 24, 2012
By Kim Bussing Issaquah High School
From “keep out” signs swinging on our childhood bedroom doors to setting passcodes on our smart phones, personal privacy has always been regarded as something sacred.
While technological advances and judicial decisions further integrate privacy as one of our fundamental rights, it faces potential threats from the very devices and social networks that demand privacy.
Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook allow us to keep connected with relative ease and convenience. There’s no better way to get updates on homework, events and everyone’s spring break adventures than logging on to your preferred site; our lives are represented by timelines and tweets.
It can seem harmless, posting about the amazing ice cream you just had at the Ben and Jerry’s close to your house, or sharing your location when you head to Lincoln Cinemas to see “The Hunger Games.” And for the most part, it is. The likelihood of someone with malicious intent perusing your profile is slim, but updating statuses constantly or divulging personal information on one of these social media sites can undermine any efforts toward privacy.
Follow precautions, rules as wildfire season starts
April 10, 2012
Though springtime rain continues to drench the ground, wildfire season starts April 15.
The date is mandated in state law. The state Department of Natural Resources reminds residents to be aware of how rapidly a cool, rainy spring can transition to warmer, drier conditions.
State summer fire rules go into effect April 15 and last through Oct. 15. These rules apply to the 12.7 million acres of forestlands protected from wildfire by the agency, including Tiger Mountain State Forest.
In fire season, people using motorized equipment in the woods must have approved spark arresters and follow fire safety precautions. Citizens working in the woods must have fire prevention and extinguishing equipment at the job site, in good working order, and staffers trained in proper use.
Residents can receive fire updates from the agency via Twitter, www.twitter.com/waDNR_fire, through the Fire Update, www.dnr.wa.gov/Publications/rp_fire_currentfireinfodailyupdates.pdf and the Incident Information System, www.inciweb.org/state/49.
Call 800-527-3305 toll-free for daily fire precaution levels listed by geographic region.
Get ready to spend as inaugural cash mob comes to town
April 10, 2012
Everybody perusing YouTube knows about flash mobs — people dancing en masse to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” on public plazas, for instance — but a group of professionals is about to advance the concept in Issaquah.
Come April 16, business leaders plan to host a cash mob — a commerce-fueled cousin of ubiquitous flash mobs.
Wanted: Locals’ 1962 Seattle World’s Fair memories
April 3, 2012
April 21 marks 50 years since the Century 21 Exposition opened — and transformed the Puget Sound region.
Though the fair unfolded 17 miles east, on the Seattle Center grounds, Issaquah residents headed to the expo in hordes.
Some Issaquah residents spent a summer working at the fair. Many more residents crossed Lake Washington to experience the fair’s futuristic fun.
Issaquah also greeted travelers as the Century 21 Exposition at a tourism station along U.S. Route 10, a precursor to Interstate 90.
Now, as the fair’s 50th anniversary approaches, The Issaquah Press is seeking Century 21 memories from local residents for upcoming coverage of the milestone.
Email your contact information to editor@isspress.com by April 18, or contact the newspaper on Twitter at www.twitter.com/issaquahpress, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/issaquahpress.
Longtime Issaquah chef Lynn Rehn rolls out food truck
March 27, 2012
Lynn Rehn stands beside her My Chef Lynn food truck, advertising its ‘fast, fresh, fabulous’ sliders, soups and salads, featuring items from Issaquah businesses Fischer Meats and Boehm’s Candies. By Greg Farrar
Lynn Rehn is poised to turn the phrase “fast food” inside out.
The popular caterer and longtime local chef is ready to roll out a food truck to serve sliders, chili and a side of sass. Double D Clam Chowder, anyone?
The mobile operation for Rehn’s My Chef Lynn outfit is the latest endeavor for the former Sweet Addition head chef. Rehn plans to join the food trucks each summer Saturday at the Issaquah Farmers Market. The truck could also stop at the Fremont Sunday Street Market.
The idea for a food truck started to coalesce after Rehn and husband Tony, general manager at Evergreen Ford in Issaquah, caught episodes of “The Great Food Truck Race” — a Food Network cross-country competition among mobile kitchens.
“I looked at Tony and said, ‘That would be a cool gig,’” Rehn recalled.
(“The Great Food Truck Race” debuted in August 2010 at about the same time the national fervor for food trucks accelerated into gear.)
Wanted: Locals’ 1962 Seattle World’s Fair memories
March 27, 2012
April 21 marks 50 years since the Century 21 Exposition opened — and transformed the Puget Sound region.
Though the fair unfolded 17 miles east, on the Seattle Center grounds, Issaquah residents headed to the expo in hordes.
Some Issaquah residents spent a summer working at the fair. Many more residents crossed Lake Washington to experience the fair’s futuristic fun.
Issaquah also greeted travelers as the Century 21 Exposition at a tourism station along U.S. Route 10, a precursor to Interstate 90.
Now, as the fair’s 50th anniversary approaches, The Issaquah Press is seeking Century 21 memories from local residents for upcoming coverage of the milestone.
Email your contact information to editor@isspress.com by April 18, or contact the newspaper on Twitter at www.twitter.com/issaquahpress, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/issaquahpress.
Send your favorite Bob Taylor memories
February 28, 2012
Bob Taylor
It is with much sadness that I tell you that Issaquah Press longtime Sports Editor Bob Taylor is leaving us. His last day at the paper will be March 9.
We are seeking your photos, your videos, your memories and anything else you have to share with us for a tribute to him that we will have in the paper.
Email your items and contact information to Managing Editor Kathleen R. Merrill at editor@isspress.com, or contact the paper on Twitter, www.twitter.com/ issaquahpress, or Facebook, www.facebook.com/issaquahpress.
Please help us send Bob off the right way, with much love and respect. He’s a Northwest sports legend.
Send us your tales about The Issaquah Press’ Bob Taylor
February 21, 2012
Bob Taylor
It is with much sadness that I tell you that Issaquah Press longtime Sports Editor Bob Taylor is leaving us. His last day at the paper will be March 9.
We are seeking your photos, your videos, your memories and anything else you have to share with us for a tribute to him that we will have in the paper.
Email your items and contact information to Managing Editor Kathleen R. Merrill at editor@isspress.com, or contact the paper on Twitter, www.twitter.com/issaquahpress, or Facebook, www.facebook.com/issaquahpress.
Please help us send Bob off the right way, with much love and respect. He’s a Northwest sports legend.
Words have the power to affect the lives of youths
February 21, 2012
By Olivia Spokoiny Skyline High School
In September 2010, 18-year-old college student Tyler Clementi jumped off the George Washington Bridge after being outed on the Internet without his consent. The tragic event made headlines all across the nation, but was not, unfortunately, a one-time occurrence.
It could happen to anyone, anywhere, and it doesn’t always make the headlines. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among young people from ages 10-24, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
With the rapid increase of teens using social media in just the past few years, there has been a spike in bullying in the most severe form.
Just last month, an anonymous Skyline High School student created a Twitter page called “SHSgossipgurl,” and used it to publicly bash and humiliate his or her peers where everybody could see it. Fortunately, the page was taken down within a few days and the cyberbullying was put to an end before it could get worse. Sticks and stones may break our bones, but sometimes words hurt even more.
Firefighters respond to house fire in Mirrormont near Issaquah
January 19, 2012
NEW — 8:40 p.m. Jan. 19, 2012
Firefighters raced to a house fire in a Tiger Mountain neighborhood near Issaquah on Thursday night,
Eastside Fire & Rescue responded to the house in the 24600 block of Southeast Mirrormont Boulevard at about 8:30 p.m.
Neighbors reported heavy smoke billowing from the single-story home and flames spreading to the outside deck. Firefighters face another challenge: a long, steep driveway to the structure — a particular hazard in cold, slick conditions.
The fire started in the garage, where a generator had been operating, and later spread to nearby trees.
King County Sheriff’s Office personnel helped to shuttle firefighters’ resources to the scene, EFR spokeswoman Josie Williams posted on Twitter. The residents safely evacuated from the home.
Firefighters continue to battle the blaze. No injuries have yet been reported.
