Press Editorial
November 9, 2010
Veterans Day history is worth understanding
Thursday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day. At precisely 11 a.m., a wreath will be laid at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery to honor and thank those who have served in the armed services of the United States.
The time, 11 a.m., is symbolic. It was at this time on Nov. 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month), that a cease-fire agreement was signed, bringing an official end to World War I, “the war to end all wars.” Read more
Helen Russell celebrates 100 years of tough living, chasing dreams
March 9, 2010
Helen Russell wears a tiara at her 100th birthday party in November, and enjoys the quilt made and presented as a gift to commemorate the milestone. — Photo contributed
Helen Russell has accomplished a lot in her life. After all, she’s been around for a century.
Russell celebrated her 100th birthday Nov. 22. It was a day she won’t ever forget.
“My daughter-in-law threw a party to end all parties,” Helen said of Judy Russell, wife of her younger son Alan. “She took an 80-year-old address book and started writing invitations.
“If you want a party, get Judy.”
There were more than 100 people who came to help her celebrate her birthday, including her three granddaughters and three great-grandchildren.
Cousins, friends, family and neighbors came, said her older son, Mac Russell.
“It didn’t last long enough,” he said. “There were too many people who hadn’t seen her, or we hadn’t seen, in 20 years.” Read more
Resident asks City Council to remove Pledge of Allegiance
January 12, 2010
A city resident asked the City Council to drop the Pledge of Allegiance from meetings last week — less than a month after he asked the Issaquah School Board to remove the pledge from its meetings. Read more
Resident who asked Issaquah School Board to drop pledge asks City Council to follow suit
January 5, 2010
NEW — 12:27 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009
A city resident asked the City Council to drop the Pledge of Allegiance from meetings Monday — less than a month after he asked the Issaquah School Board to remove the pledge from its meetings.
Moments after council and audience members recited the pledge, longtime Issaquah Highlands resident Matt Barry said the pledge should be eliminated because the oath is offensive to atheists and irrelevant to city business.
“You are here to discuss transportation, services, operations, etc.,” Barry said. “Taking a position on religious questions such as this, whether this nation is under zero, one or more gods is, literally, none of the government’s business.”
Many memorable mayors managed Issaquah
June 30, 2009
Portraits of Issaquah’s mayors can be found in a display case on the stairwell leading to the second floor of City Hall. The photos tell a great deal about the people and times of the fledgling city.
Some of the city’s early mayors were doctors, including Issaquah’s first mayor, Frank Harrell. During the Great Depression, Stella May Alexander was elected the first woman mayor, campaigning on the Taxpayers’ Ticket.
She was elected to a two-year term, defeating the Progressive ticket candidate, M.H. Clark. Ninety-three percent of the city’s registered voters cast ballots and Alexander won 195-136. She lost in a recall election the following year.
In the last half of the 20th century, mayors such as Bill Flintoft and A.J. Culver had to grapple with the emerging growth of the quiet little burg on Lake Sammamish into a thriving bedroom community to Seattle.
Harrell came to the area as the surgeon of the Seattle Coal and Iron Co. He was elected mayor of Gilman without a dissenting vote in 1892. Seven years later, the town was renamed Issaquah, after the original Indian name Is-qu-ah. Read more
Village Theatre presents world premiere of ‘Stunt Girl’
March 16, 2009
Bellevue native relishes role of pioneering reporter Nellie Bly
When Sarah Chalfy was offered the starring role of Nellie Bly in Village Theatre’s world premiere of the new musical “Stunt Girl,” she was a little incredulous.
Sarah Chalfy stars as Nellie Bly in the Village Theatre production of ‘Stunt Girl.’By John Pai/ Village theatre
See, the Bellevue native recalled memories of Issaquah’s theater scene from 15 years ago, before the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre was built.
“I thought, how can someone with a little, tiny theater afford to fly me from New York,” said Chalfy, who lives in New York City. “But I said, ‘OK. Why not?’”
Having met the musical’s writers in New York, Chalfy is glad she was recruited for the lead. Read more
