How to Tell the Differences Between Spring and Winter

Normaly in Issaquah it is obvious. This year it is not so easy. How many sunny days have we had since January? So many I have lost count! Love it!  Spring seems like it has been here for months.

True signs of spring:

• Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday
• Trees, daffodils, crocus, etc. are bloomin’ like crazy-Skagit Valley Tulip Festival has been bumped up. Early this year.
• Events begin at Pickering Barn – This weekend the Health and Safety Fair, and very soon the Farmer’s Market

The question is, since we have had spring this long, will summer be winter?

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Issaquah Rotary’s Grape Escape – Check Out the Menu!

  Click on the banner below to register for Grape Escape.

Rotary Club of Issaquah

Contact:  Lesley Austin, 425-392-8122

“mailto:jlaustinjr@msn.com 

Issaquah Rotary’s Grape Escape 2010

Offers Fine, Interesting Wines; Funds Local Scholarships

 Issaquah Rotary’s fourth annual Grape Escape is set for Saturday, March 13,6-9 pm, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Issaquah.  This annual wine-tasting and community social event funds scholarships for worthy local graduates and brings the community together for exceptional bargains on fine and interesting wines not readily available in local outlets.  The primary event sponsor Is Swedish Hospital.

 On-line registration is open at www.issaquahrotary.org.  Admission is $50 per person with registration by Sunday, March 7 and $60 when registering after that date.  

 This year’s event features favorite varietals of five wineries in the new Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area:   Wapato Point Cellars, Lake Chelan Winery, 
Rio Vista Winery, Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards, and
Ventimiglia Cellars. Wines will be poured by representatives of the wineries who know the best food pairings and possibilities for their offerings.

A buffet prepared by the Hilton Garden Inn’s outstanding chef will be served throughout the evening. This buffet will include hand carved top sirloin, grilled chicken skewers, crab cakes, wild mushroom and carmelized onion tarts and more.

 Guests are eligible to purchase wine with no sales tax at prices at or below retail.  There will be special case pricing. The event also includes a silent auction of wine-related items and experiences and a wide range of entertainment packages.  A special raffle at 8 pm will offer guests an unusual gift opportunity.

 All purchases help to fund scholarships for Issaquah, Liberty and Tiger Mountain graduates who will be identified in the spring.   

Rotary Grape Escape Menu

March 13, 2010

Roasted Top Sirloin
Hand carved Top Sirloin, with Horseradish Cream Sauce
 
Antipasto
Grilled Vegetables, Cured Meats, Pickled Peppers, and Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
 
Grilled Chicken Skewers
Served with a Lemon Beurre Blanc Sauce
 
Crab Cakes
Pan Seared with Lemon Herb Remoulade
 
Brushetta
Roma Tomatoes, Garlic and Basil Leaf
 
Savory Tarts
Wild Mushrooms, Carmelized Onions and Fresh herbs topped with Feta Cheese

Mediterranean Dish
Grilled Pita, served with Hummus, Olive Tapenade and Roasted Red Pepper Cream Dip
 
Parmessan and Roasted Garlic Twists, Assorted Baked Breads and Crisp Crackers

Assorted Cheeses
A selection of Domestic and Imported Cheeses, displayed around a gorgonzola cheesecake.
Served with Fresh Berries and Vine Grapes
 
Dessert
Fresh fruit Skewers
Cream Puffs
Chocolate covered Strawberries
Dessert bars and Brownies 

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To Find Out What Happened at the IH TOWN HALL MEETING

 Issaquah Highlands Town Hall Meeting – CLICK PICTURE TO FIND OUT posted on issaquah highlands blog.

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The Newest Thing for Your Yard – Goats & Chickens – Northwest Flower and Garden Show Seattle 2010

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Grandma and the Rascal Reindeer-Issaquah’s Reindeer Festival

I think that Santa must really have gotten run over by a reindeer!  And just before his biggest night of the year.

The reindeer in question?

Cougar Mountain Zoo Reindeer Festival

I raced to the Cougar Mountain Zoo Reindeer Festival thinking I had almost missed the last day before Christmas to tell Santa what I wanted to find under the tree Christmas morning. Parking was overloaded and I had to venture up the street and try to park along side the road without sliding into the ditch. The Issaquah Reindeer Festival was in full swing. Today was the last day of the festival until the 26th of December, when it opens again for a few days.

I had to fight my way up to Santa’s House. But when I got there he was gone!  A sign said he would only be gone for a few minutes, yeah right, I thought.  I looked around, noticing  some changes around the reindeer pens. They had many more bars around the pens, it is even harder to get good pictures. Something must have happened to Santa. Had the reindeer turned on him, tired of the endless trips around the world?

Look at the picture of the reindeer above. Does that look like an innocent face to you?

I guess I will have to buy my own Christmas present! Darn!  Hmmmmmmm, might not be such a bad idea. I kinda like it.

Since I was at the Zoo anyway I worked my way to see how big Vitez and Bagheera had gotten. Wow, they look twice the size they were in September.  I had heard that Almos and Taj had finally got the courage to enter into their new habitat.  Yep, that’s where they were, and guess what? One of the elves told me and a bunch of other children how the tiger’s job at the zoo was to make the candy canes. They take white candy and roll around on it. That’s what makes candy canes striped! I didn’t know that!

I took a few pictures, take a gander at my video: http://bit.ly/RascalReindeer. or CLICK on the picture below.

Have you been to the Issaquah Reindeer Festival?  Try it, you might like it. I did, just don’t expect to see Santa. ( I just know he’s in trouble!)

Signed

Grandma

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Bring Your Own Dog

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May You Eat from the Horn of Plenty Without Blowing It

I decided I needed moral support for Thankgiving so I went to WeightWatchers. A really good meeting was conducted by Kimberly E. who teaches Thur at 6pm and Sat at 6:30, 8, 9:30 am in Issaquah on Gilman. I am passing on the best advice from the meeting. May you eat from the horn of plenty without blowing it. Can you do it? Can I do it? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

From Aminah Ibrahim & Flickr

From philippe.charles9 & Flickr

There will be much more tempting foods at my thankgiving table, yet this BIG Mac kind of says it all about the stomach stretching, weight bloating holiday.

We never need repent from eating too little. Thomas Jefferson 

How do you handle thankgiving? Click comments and tell me.

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It’s Not About Turkey

I saw a newpaper headline the other day touting this fact “Shops Open on Turkey Day.” You all know it is about THANKSGIVING, not turkey. Evidently the shops that are open don’t. They see it as another big shopping day. I feel sorry for their employees who have to work that day, but of course I am sure they are very thankful to have a job.

I decided to make a list of everything I’m thankful for. If you have a list and want to share it, click on comments and send me yours. Some people who have been the worst victims of our economic downturn seem to be the most thankful. Could it be that adversity does make us stronger and MORE thankful?

I decided to add to this list everyday because I keep thinking of things to be thankful for, let me think:

I am thankful for family, friends, husband, Mom’s mincemeat pie, sunshine, rain, bagels, electicity, fireplaces, gas logs, salt, curry, sunsets, my church, Issaquah, Seattle Times cartoons, internet, a comfy bed, down comforter, pillows, good parents, curling irons, orchids, temples, Christmas decorations, Christmas, children, step children, grandchildren, art, health, cats, vitamins, a warm winter coat, my new computer, color printer, real estate picking up, integrity of folks, forever stamps, flip camera, kindness, eyesight, cell phones, exercise, interior design, weddings, bathtubs, auto, spring, summer, fall, even winter, I am still alive, doctors, dentists, sound mind?, elevators, garages, books, US citizenship, cheeses, crabcakes, gourmet granola, houses, Cougar Mountain Zoo, tiger cubs, ……………………to be continued. These are not neccessarily in the order of importance!

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A New Look for Issaquah’s Key Bank on Gilman

The best bank in Issaquah just became a bit better. We always gave them top ranking in cutomer service and friendliness but now the new remodel, at the Gilman branch, makes the interiors fresh, bright and cheery. Customers, Key people and Mayor Ava Frisinger participated in the evening’s celebration.

Sandy Collins, Mayor Ava Frisinger and Jim Sheaffer present a BIG check to Issaquah Valley Community Services.

Maureen McCarry and husband, Tom Knollmann participated in the event

Congratulations to Maureen for winning her bid for re-election to the City Council!

And congratulations to Key Bank on their new environment. It will be nice for our favorite Key people, Sandy, Jim, Nancy, Betty and Lynn and for us, their customers.

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What Happened To Your Vote? Did It Get Counted?

I just discovered something cool on Twitter. (I follow King 5 on Twitter and they pointed this out) The King County Elections department has a feature that answers these questions: Did my ballot get sent, did my ballot get lost, did my vote get counted.?  They acknowledge that your ballot travels a long way from the time it it’s printed to the time it’s mailed to you and returned to their office. You can follow eachstep of processing your ballot.

I checked and my vote counted. I guess that means my favorites win.

Click here to go to the King County Elections ballot tracking site:

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Two Halloween Events in Issaquah TODAY

These two events in downtown Issaquah could be attended at the same time. They are close to each other. Looks like fun.

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Happy Halloween, Tasty Trick or Treating!

Careful of this guy if you trick or treat at this house! Very Scary!

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Issaquah’s Halloween

Each year Issaquah Highlands has a fun event for all ages around Halloween. This year the celebration was at the Shops at High Street Retail Center. Participants put on their best costume duds, adding flavor to the occasion.

Judy at the Home Center in IH

Teresa with Vicki Stier

Kids could win a prize for the best costume

Young Kim of Highlands Cleaner, a good place to go

Even Dracula likes Zeeks Pizza

Anyone recognize this guy?

Agave booth was a tasty stop

At the Agave booth left to right are: Ricardo, Julian (owner), Armando, and Angel, all ready to serve you.

It is now 3PM. It lasts until 4PM, you can still make it and you don’t even need a raincoat.

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Video of Swedish Hospital Groundbreaking in Issaquah

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Salmon Return To Issaquah

This evening was a bit a of rain, a bit of sun. Just a perfect crisp, fall day and I decided to go the the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery to see if the Salmon were going to be here for tomorrow’s Salmon Days Festival. WOW, Are they here?! They are here by the thousands and thousands! If the weather is too nice and warm, they delay their coming, if it is cold and raining they like it much better. Today, being a bit of both must have appealed to their instincts. Having lots of them makes our Salmon Days much better in my opinion.

SEE LOTS OF JUMPING SALMON, WATCH THIS VIDEO

Salmon Days starts tommorrow, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm. Best Festival in the World! More to come! Check www.IssaquahUndressed.com again.

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Do Garage Sales Cause Rain?

One might be tempted to conclude this is the case. Last spring in June the IH Garage sale started out good but then was washed out by rain and just look at today. It has been pouring down most of the night and while it has not been as bad as the downpour last night, the rain continues. We went out for a bit, looking around for brave souls that still went ahead with the Garage Sale. We found a few, few was all there was.

I still havn’t given up hope that perhaps it will clear and make it possible for those who worked hard to get their goods in order to sell can still put them out. Not many folks can actually use their garage for the event but arrange stuff in their driveways and yard.

I’m still rooting for a miracle clearing, sunshine and a successful GARAGE SALE!

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The Best Garage Sale in Issaquah-Saturday 9am to 4pm

Hopefully it will be a good sunny day for Issaquah Highland’s Fall Garage Sale. This Saturday, Sept 19th 2009. We have often made it a day to rally our family members, who don’t live in IH,  to come an see what treasures they can find. We have enticed them with hamburgers, hotdogs, chili and the like. Before, or after their search they can stop by for eats and visiting. We like seeing the bargains they get.

IH Garage Sale is especially good for those with young children. Bargains are the norm for toys and clothes even strollers and more. Most are like new.  

One son-in-law once found a quality set of stainless steel cookware because the owners were moving out of the country. You can find almost anything.

THE ARE NUMEROUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE HIGHLANDS OF HOMES THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE SALE. 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM SATURDAY.

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A Video of Seasons Last ArtWalk in Issaquah

It started off in drenching rain, few people, and dim prospects. For those who stuck it out or came later it was worth it. The rain did let up and even though many artists couldn’t put out their wares in the rain, there was much to see.

Last ArtWalk I was walking and photographing, and not paying enough attention to the walking part. I fell flat, mashed my camera and my knee, hence, my ArtWalk then was short. I had insurance on my camera so I had to send it in to be fixed. But it was going to take 6-8 weeks to get it back. My solution was, I bought an inexpensive Flip video camera! I have been going video mad. Getting better, but I know I have a ways to go.  CLICK ON THE PICTURE BELOW FOR MY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LAST ARTWALK

I visited the Painted Lady Art Studio where three talented women share a space to create. Bobbette Theroux is shown in front of some of her large scale abstract paintings.  Near Village Theatre, ricco diStefano braved the rain and even let it participate in his painting. I have seen his work at several other ArtWalks. Visit his website www.riccodistefano.com  . Meadow Creek Chapel, 65 Front Street in Issaquah participated in ArtWalk by having a Wedding Show with cakes, gowns and a long, long limo and motorcycle riding brides.

Different styles of music and dance were part of the evening. A brother and sister act in front of the Hailstone Feed Store were very enjoyable, harmonious and upbeat.

But the highlight of the evening was a Brazillian street music participatory reheasal at the Depot Museum with Eduardo Mendonca. He gets the entire audience into the act with song, drums, bells and feeling the beat. I have snippets from the experience on the video. Check out his website at www.showbrazil.com . I will do a video of just his ArtWalk show soon on this blog. Watch for it.

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Ribbon Cutting at Lakeside Center for Autism

Do you know someone who’s child has autism?  I do. In fact, I know more than a few. One family I know has two children with autism.

At the Lakeside Center for Autism I learned that 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with this problem. It seems to be everywhere. Lakeside has a very impressive facility to help children with autism.  They offer Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Social Groups and Lakeside Academy Preschool. They have many methods and approaches as not just one approach works for everbody. To find out more, go to www.lakesideautism.com . The Center is located at 1871 NW Gilman Blvd. Suite 2, Issaquah, WA 98027. It is right across from the Hilton Garden Inn.

The Chamber of Commerce recently had a ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming Lakeside Center to the Issaquah community and the Chamber. To see the ribbon cutting with our mayor, Ava Frisinger, Dan Stachelski. Issaquah’s Queen, friends and family, and other chamber members CLICK the photo. The party provided a glimpse of the facility as well as tasty food.

Other sites you may like to visit www.autismspeaks.org and www.walknowforautism.org

As they say,”Together we’ll find the missing pieces”.

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New Overlake Clinics in Issaquah – Show of Support

Do you think the Issaquah community is excited about the new Overlake Clinics opening in Issaquah?

Entrance to Overlake Clinics

Overlake Medical Center Issaquah held an Open House Celebration Thursday night to allow folks to get a preview of the facility. The show of support was overwhelming. People poured into the Overlake Center by the hundreds. Overlake Medical Center knows how to have a party. They had a free picnic dinner and all kinds of giveaways. Kids could enjoy a climbing wall, pitching cage, and even a speed pitching machine. Jeff Nelson, a former Mariner and NY Yankee, was there to sign autographs for fans. Jeff was an all time Mariner record holder for most games pitched.

Included in the facility are 24 Hour Urgent Care Clinic, Primary Care, Breast Health Screening Center, Women’s Clinic, and more. 5708 E Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE, north of Fred Myer. www.overlakehospital.org/issaquah

Click on the photo for more pictures of Issaquahs participation in the event.

Click this photo for Slide Show of the event

 We are sure Overlake clinics will enjoy great success.

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