Fenders on Front Street returns on Father’s Day
June 14, 2013
Fenders on Front Street will return June 16 and all those involved hope for good weather.
For the eighth year in a row, the Downtown Issaquah Association will hold the vintage car show, which in the past has drawn upward of 800 cars and thousands of visitors to the event.
By Greg Farrar
David Schindele, of Mukilteo, looks at the engine of a 1976 Triumph TR6, owned by Chuck Winkelman, of Seattle, during the 2010 Fenders on Front Street.
The show begins at 8 a.m. along Front Street; judging for the show will begin at 11 a.m. with awards presentations held at 2 p.m., followed by a cruise down to Triple XXX Rootbeer Drive-In.
Issaquah inspires setting for writer’s first novel
June 14, 2013
Young girls trying to catch their true love might want to read Issaquah author Allyson Valentine’s first novel, “How (Not) To Find a Boyfriend.” As they read, they should not be surprised if the setting seems familiar as Issaquah and Issaquah High School inspired much of it.
By Greg Farrar
Allyson Valentine (front row center) is surrounded last week by the Issaquah High School cheerleader squad on campus.
The story takes place in the fictional town of Riverbend, and of course the high school students are known as the cutthroats, with school colors of purple and gold. Like Issaquah, Riverbend is steeped in fish metaphors. The main character, 16-year-old Nora, takes biology, and if you took biology from IHS teacher Lena Jones, you might recognize your class as you read, because it served as a model for the one in the story.
Enter your art now for ‘Wondrous Stories’
June 11, 2013
ArtEAST is accepting submissions for “Wondrous Stories,” a narrative art exhibition.
Narrative art is a visual form of storytelling, according to a press release from artEAST. The artwork itself does not need to include words, but all artists are asked to submit a brief, written explanation of their story.
Submission deadline is midnight July 17. Get guidelines and a submission form at http://arteast.org/2013/05/call-wondrous-stories. The exhibit is Sept. 13 to Oct. 19.
Master Chorus Eastside celebrates America
June 11, 2013
Master Chorus Eastside’s popular Celebrate America concert returns to Pickering Barn for two performances to commemorate the 4th of July.
American music of all styles stands side-by-side with Dr. Linda Gingrich’s signature commentary to create an unforgettable Independence Celebration. This year’s theme focuses on American folk music, including the music brought from the Old World, spirituals, Shaker hymns, Appalachian songs and folk-music revival of the 1960s. Revel in “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Frog Went a-Courtin’,” “I Bought Me a Cat,” “Shenandoah,” “This Land is Your Land” and more.
Win $1,000 cash for your best poem
June 11, 2013
A $1,000 grand prize is being offered in a free contest sponsored by the Celestial Arts Society. There are 50 prizes totaling more than $4,000 in cash and book prizes.
Poems of 21 lines or fewer on any subject and in any style will be judged by the contest director Lavender Aurora.
“I encourage poets to send in the poem they are most proud of,” she said in a press release. “I know this contest will produce exciting discoveries.”
Newcastle singer joins elite company
June 4, 2013
Newcastle singer Jaylyn Andrus performs at the 2012 Jack and Jill Honoree Ball, which celebrates local high school students’ accomplishments and presents them to society.
By Jack Storms
Unlike most teenagers, Liberty High School senior Jaylyn Andrus loves a good opera, and for her, the bloodier the production, the better.
“I love the drama in operas,” she said. “There are some funny ones, but my favorites are the ones where everyone dies.”
One day, Jaylyn envisions herself performing in the very productions she has grown to admire, and she is well on her way, gaining acceptance into one of the top college music programs and earning national recognition for her vocal talents.
Issaquah plays role in novel ‘Visits to Issaquah’
June 4, 2013
Nathan Kositsky, the author of ‘Visits to Issaquah,’ plays the harmonica and guitar at his Snoqualmie home. Contributed
It is often said that authors should write about what they know.
Snoqualmie author Nathan Kositsky takes that mantra seriously, injecting his own life experiences into his novels, including his most recent one, “Visits to Issaquah.”
“Why write about something that you don’t know anything about?” he said. “That’s being a phony, in my opinion, and there are enough phonies out there.”
It is no surprise then that the main character in the book is a psychiatrist, given that Kositsky studied psychology in college.
Lassie comes to Issaquah
June 4, 2013
In 1943, MGM studios decided to make a low-budget technicolor “dog” film starring a canine named Lassie.
Though “Lassie, Come Home” was envisioned as a B-movie by MGM, it was a commercial hit, still going strong after 70 years, according to a press release from the city of Issaquah.
The free movie will be shown as part of the second Saturday film series at 7 p.m. June 8 at Issaquah City Hall, 130 E. Sunset Way.
Liberty’s ‘The Wizard of Oz’ scores 11 drama nominations
June 4, 2013
The Liberty High School production of “The Wizard of Oz,” garnered an impressive 11 nominations from The 5th Avenue Theatre’s annual awards that recognize musical theater at high schools across the state.
The program received nominations for Outstanding Overall Musical, Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Music Direction, Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Scenic Design, Outstanding Lighting Design, Outstanding Stage Crew, Outstanding Lobby Display and Outstanding Performance by a Chorus.
Madison Smith was recognized for her role as the Wicked Witch with a nomination in the Outstanding Performance by an Actor or Actress in a Non-Singing Role category, while Eric Spradling-Reim, as the Scarecrow, received a nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role.
Smokin’ the competition
May 28, 2013
Competitive barbecuer Tom Wallin is fired up to win grilling’s top prizes
In the world of competitive cooking, entrants look for any advantage they can get to get a leg up on their competition.
The edge for local resident Tom Wallin, the road to championship barbecuing, including his latest win in April at the Washington State Spring BBQ Championship, came from the year he spent as a certified judge before joining the ranks of competitors.
In 2004, Wallin, a lifelong backyard barbecuer, was intrigued by the growing number of grilling competitions on the Food Network, when an opportunity presented itself that Memorial Day weekend.
By David Hayes
Tom Wallin describes how the flames travel throughout his competition smoker he hauls to contests throughout the United States.
“My wife Kay and I thought, ‘Certified judging. What a great gig that would be,’” Wallin said.
