Take steps to avoid unfortunate encounters with creepy crawlers
July 28, 2010
NEW — 8 a.m. July 28, 2010
Summer means barbecues, outdoor activities — and more encounters with biting and stinging bugs.
Keeping calm around buzzing bugs can help reduce the risk of winding up on the business-end of a bloodthirsty mosquito or irritated wasp.
The state Department of Health has a handy list detailing biting and stinging bugs found in the Evergreen State.
Bees play a crucial role in pollinating flowering plants, including many foods. Honeybees and bumblebees seldom sting as they leave the hive or nest to look for nectar or pollen — unless they get stepped on or deliberately provoked.
Virginia Mason hosts free prostate screenings
July 27, 2010
Virginia Mason Medical Center is hosting a free prostate screening in Issaquah on July 30.
More than 55 million American men face the risk of prostate cancer, and early detection is important.
Virginia Mason, in partnership with ZERO: The Project to End Prostate Cancer, will host the event from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at its Issaquah campus, 100 N.E. Gilman Blvd.
The screening is free, confidential and does not require an appointment or health insurance.
Virginia Mason providers will staff the screening and volunteers will be on hand to explain the process and answer any patient questions.
The screening consists of a simple blood test known as a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, blood test and an optional physical exam. Patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis, a Virginia Mason news release said.
Results are confidential and will be sent to patients in three to four weeks by ZERO. Patients with high PSA scores should follow up with their healthcare providers.
Additional health information for men and women will be available at the event.
World record has photographer seeing red
July 27, 2010
Redheads set a world record on Redheads and More Redheads Day at Skyline High School. By Laura Geggel
World record holders often display some type of quirky talent, and the redheads gathering in Sammamish were no exception.
After all, it is an innate talent to carry two copies of a recessive gene on chromosome 16. These genes cause a change in the MC1R protein, which regulates skin and hair color.
“I love being a redhead,” Jennifer Phillips, of Mukilteo, said. “It’s fun to see everyone together at one time.”
Phillips and 900 other natural redheads convened at Skyline High School’s football field July 17 to set a Guinness World Record of the most redheads photographed in one location. So many redheads participated that they smashed the current record of 250 by more than threefold.
Sammamish photographer Anne Lindsay spearheaded the event. Her daughter, husband and dog have red hair, and she joined the bandwagon with a handy bottle of hair dye.
Issaquah police invite community to celebrate National Night Out
July 27, 2010
Trevor Thompson, 6 (left), draws the name of a raffle prize winner from a basket held by Issaquah police officer Scott Trial on Aug. 5, 2009, during National Night Out at Issaquah City Hall. By Greg Farrar
Ever wonder who wears our city and county police uniforms?
Well, head down to Issaquah City Hall or the Maple Hills Community Center between 5 and 7 p.m. Aug. 3 and you can find out – even better, our men and women in uniform will cook up free hot dogs.
“It is something our officers have come to look forward to, barbecuing and meeting the public,” Sgt. Scott Trial said. “It is a really important partnership between the citizens of Issaquah, the business community and the police department to solve crime and know what to look for in suspicious activities.”
This year marks the 27th annual National Night Out, a night designed to encourage residents in cities and counties throughout the nation to come out and meet each other and local law enforcement officers to find ways to fight crime and keep their communities safe.
Locals hit trails in annual Hike-a-Thon
July 27, 2010
The only thing better than hiking for exercise is hiking for a worthy cause.
Two local women are participating in the seventh annual Hike-a-Thon, a monthlong benefit put on by the Washington Trails Association each year.
Each registered hiker collects donations and sponsorships for the association throughout July and then, beginning Aug. 1, spends the entire month hiking Washington’s beautiful trails.
Every dollar collected goes toward the maintenance of local trails, as well as creating new trails across the state.
About 60 hikers have registered thus far, including Helen Owen, of Issaquah, and Rosie Sgrosso, of Newcastle.
Just Between Friends hosts consignment shopping event
July 27, 2010
What started as a local event by two mothers in Tulsa, Okla., designed to help other mothers in need, has gone national with Issaquah hosting its own event.
Nina Hawley, Issaquah organizer for the past two years, said Just Between Friends is a large children’s consignment event where families sign up as consignors, tag all of their items, setting their own prices and earning up to 70 percent. In return, other families can save a bundle on everything they need for their families.
Hawley said the event has gotten bigger each time they’ve held it in Issaquah.
Church hosts summer campfire series
July 27, 2010
On hot summer evenings, nothing quite beats a good campfire with plenty of food, fun and singing.
This summer, Our Savior Lutheran Church is putting on the Midweek Community Campfire Series. The campfires are held every Wednesday night at 6 p.m. through Aug. 18 beside the lake at Lake Sammamish State Park.
The church invites all members of the community to join them. There will be hotdogs, s’mores and worship songs at every service.
Associate Pastor Ryan Fletcher said he hopes that the campfires will attract members of the church and nonchurch members alike.
Bretvick, Posch
July 27, 2010
Amanda Bretvick, of Kirkland, and Mikey (Michael) Posch, of Renton, were married July 18, 2010, at Hollywood School House in Woodinville. John Jenks officiated.
The bride, the daughter of Donna and Neil Bretvick, of Kirkland, was attended by her sister Abby Bretvick, the groom’s sister Liana Posch, Allissa Kehr and Jessie Robertson.
Amanda is a 2005 graduate of the International Community School. In 2009, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and anthropology at Willamette University in Salem, Ore., and a master of teaching in 2010. She will teach in Dallas.
The groom is the son of Tien Pouw and Tony Posch, of Renton. His groomsmen were his brothers Erik Posch and Galen Posch, David Taylor and Rocky Mark Juan.
Mikey is a 2005 graduate of Liberty High School and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry at Willamette University. He will attend medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern School of Medicine in Dallas.
The couple honeymooned in Belize.
Good Samaritan church introduces new choir master
July 27, 2010
Good Samaritan Episcopal Church has hired John McEwen as new choir master and director of music.
McEwen’s first Sunday is Aug. 1, and he will play and direct the 10 a.m. service of Holy Communion, Rite II.
John arrives in the Seattle area from Florida, where he spent 10 years as the music director at Unity Church of Tampa. He has degrees in piano performance pedagogy and music education from the University of South Florida, and a Master of Arts in rehabilitation and mental health counseling.
Good Samaritan is at 1757 244th Ave. N.E., Sammamish.
Issaquah resident graduates from Army basic training
July 27, 2010
Army Reserve Spec. Ihilani Powers has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, Powers studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values and physical fitness. Powers is the daughter of Althea Dani, of Issaquah.
Powers graduated in 1996 from the Kamehameha Schools, Honolulu, Hawaii, and received a bachelor’s degree in 2000 from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
