Who’s News
August 31, 2010
Local students graduate from Kindering center
Louis, Gloria and Emilio Zarate
Issaquah residents Louis and Gloria Zarate, with son Emilio, were featured speakers and one of 31 families from Issaquah with children graduating Aug. 6 at Bellevue Crossroads Kindering, a therapy center for special-needs children from birth to age 3. In all, 360 students graduated, including 36 from Sammamish. Read more
Who’s News
August 24, 2010
Sleep Country gets 23,000 items of clothing donations
Sleep Country USA’s Foster Kids Clothing Drive has attracted the support of its community of generous individuals and businesses, including local residents, who contributed clothing to help area foster children look sharp this fall.
Washington and Oregon’s more than 26,000 foster kids are benefiting from the 23,000 items of clothing donated, including new shirts, sweaters, jeans, socks and undergarments.
Rick Collins named eco consultant with Green Irene
Rick Collins, of Issaquah, has been named the newest eco consultant with Green Irene LLC, a national consulting firm that promotes eco-friendly homes and businesses.
Collins is trained to provide eco-friendly consulting services to local businesses that want to reduce operating costs, create a healthier workplace for their employees and attract green-minded customers and business partners.
Call Collins at 206-330-8013 or e-mail rick@greenefficiencygroup.com. Learn more at www.GreenEfficiencyGroup.com.
Who’s News
August 10, 2010
Liberty grads get scholarships
The Maple Hills Marlins Swim Team Board awarded four scholarships in August to four college-bound graduates from Liberty High School who have been longtime summer swim team members.
The 2010 scholarship award winners are Hannah Blue ($500), Austin Briggs ($500), Dooley Brown ($250) and David Lowry ($250).
Blue and Brown are headed to Washington State University in the fall. Briggs will attend the University of Washington. Lowry is going to Western Washington University.
To be considered for the scholarship award, graduated seniors who swam this season completed an application, which was scored blind according to an established matrix. Years on the team, contributions to the team, responses to essay questions, and grade point average were all factors in the selection. Funding for the scholarships comes from team fundraising efforts.
Providence Point residents support local charities
The Kiwanis Club of Providence Point recently concluded its annual fund drive for 2010. More than 50 percent of Providence Point residents contributed, generating $25,000 for local charities, including Eastside Baby Corner, Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank, Providence Marianwood Foundation and the YWCA Family Village in Redmond.
Who’s News
August 3, 2010
MDA honors attorney with top achievement award
The Muscular Dystrophy Association has named Jessica Ramquist, of Issaquah, the recipient of its 2010 Robert Ross Personal Achievement Award for Washington.
Ramquist, 28, was selected for MDA’s highest achievement award in Washington for her determination to excel and her work on behalf of others with disabilities.
Ramquist has limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, which causes weakness and atrophy in muscles around the shoulders and hips. She uses a power wheelchair for mobility.
Ramquist is an attorney and federal investigator with the enforcement unit of the University of Washington. She overcame many physical obstacles to earn undergraduate degrees from the University of Washington, and her juris doctorate in 2007 from Seattle University School of Law.
Ramquist frequently speaks publicly about issues such as disability advocacy, antidiscrimination laws and achievement for people with disabilities. She also is very active in supporting MDA fundraising activities. Read more
Who’s News
July 13, 2010
Three students raise $850 for three charities
Kaileen Dougherty, Amelia Meigs and Kim Bussing celebrate raising $850.
Kaileen Dougherty, Amelia Meigs and Kim Bussing, three incoming juniors at Issaquah High School, raised $850 for charity. They split the proceeds between World Concern, Haitian relief and ROOTS, a young adult shelter in Seattle.
They co-founded the service-oriented group Helping Hands, which has paperwork pending to become a charitable organization. They sold concessions at an annual DestiNation Imagination tournament, and recently received a letter from World Concern thanking them for their contribution.
Quilt artist participates in German show
Issaquah quilt artist Margaret Wolf is showing one of her quilts at Color Improvisations, an international exhibition of contemporary quilts, which premiered July 11 in Stuttgart, Germany. After Color Improvisations opens in Germany, it will travel throughout Europe Japan, and the United States. Learn more here.
Issaquah musicians perform at Disneyland Resort
Students from the following groups recently became stars of their own Disney show as part of the Disney Performing Arts Program at Disneyland Resort in California:
-Issaquah Middle School Seventh/Eighth-Grade Chorus, May 29 at Plaza Gardens Stage
-Issaquah Middle School Advanced Orchestra, May 28, at Hollywood Backlot Stage
-Issaquah Middle School Concert Band, May 28, at Hollywood Backlot Stage.
Dance groups, choirs, ensembles and marching bands from around the world apply to perform each year as part of Disney Performing Arts at both the Disneyland and the Walt Disney World resorts. Once selected, they are given the opportunity to perform at the resort for an international audience of theme park guests.
Millions of performers have graced the stages of the Disney parks over the course of the more than 25-year history of the program.
Issaquah Rotary announces new officers
The Rotary Club of Issaquah recently inducted new officers and board of directors for 2010-11.
Greg Tozer
The new club president is Greg Tozer, director of operations for Express Construction Co. Inc. in Bellevue. Tozer replaces Carl Peterson, of Minuteman Press in Issaquah.
Tozer has been a resident of Issaquah on and off for the past 13 years and member of the Rotary Club of Issaquah for two years. Prior to joining Rotary, he served the Boy Scouts of America in various leadership capacities for more than 27 years across the United States and around the world.
Who’s News
July 6, 2010
Issaquah student elected governor
Ehrik Aldana, 17, flanked by members of the American Legion, swears in as the governor of the Washington State (Evergreen) Boys State. Contributed
Ehrik Aldana, 17, a senior at Skyline High School and Issaquah Press Beat reporter, was elected governor of the Washington State (Evergreen) Boys State on June 23. He was also awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
He will continue to serve as the Evergreen Boys State governor until a new governor is elected next summer.
Boys State, a national program, is a one-week civil leadership action program run by the American Legion to teach young men about how government works. Aldana was among 300 young men who attended the program at Central Washington University this year.
Highlands Toastmasters Club honored
Toastmasters International will present the Issaquah Highlands Toastmasters Club with the coveted Presidential Distinguished Award, the highest award designation a club can achieve.
Toastmasters International establishes 10 annual goals that every club works towards for three levels of club awards. Every club achieving five goals out of 10 is eligible for Distinguished Club status. A club achieving seven out of ten earns Select Distinguished Club.
The highest level, which the Issaquah Highlands Toastmasters club earned, must complete nine out of 10 goals in order to receive the honor.
Who’s News
June 29, 2010
Issaquah doctor named president of AAPD
Doctor John R. Liu, of Issaquah, was recently inducted as president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a leader in children’s dental and oral health, along with other officers for the AAPD board of trustees during its 63rd annual session at the Hilton Chicago Hotel & Towers on May 27.
Liu has a private practice in Issaquah, and has been an AAPD member for 22 years. He attended dental school at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, Calif., and received his pediatric dentistry certificate from Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Most recently, Liu has served as the AAPD’s vice president (2008-09), secretary-treasurer (2007-08) and trustee at large. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, as well as a fellow of both the American College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy. Liu is a national media spokesperson for the AAPD.
EFR fire marshal completes chief fire officer designation
Bud Backer, Fire Marshal for Eastside Fire & Rescue, has successfully completed the process that awards him the professional designation of “chief fire officer.”
Backer was officially awarded the designation June 8 and is one of only 699 CFOs worldwide. Backer is the first executive officer at Eastside Fire & Rescue to attain this designation.
He has been in the fire service for 25 years, recently joining EFR. Read more
Who’s News
June 22, 2010
Issaquah man wins Gold’s Gym award
Christopher Prochazka, of Issaquah, won a national award and prize in Gold’s Gym’s Know Your Own Strength Challenge.
In just 12 weeks, Prochazka lost 67 pounds for a total of 22 percent of total body weight lost, making him the top male in the 40-49 age category.
Prochazka was one of 10 winners that were presented with a check for $2,000 sponsored by Met-Rx and Polar Watches for his remarkable fitness achievements.
Issaquah student receives Lowe’s scholarship
Christian Osgood, from Issaquah High School, received a $2,500 scholarship from Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation.
Osgood will use the scholarship to attend Washington State University.
In 2010, Lowe’s awarded 190 scholarships totaling more than $600,000 to high school students nationwide based on academic achievement, leadership and community involvement. Read more
Who’s News
June 15, 2010
Scout earns Eagle rank
Nathan McKorkle
Nathan McKorkle, of Sammamish, has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 571, sponsored by Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic Church, in Sammamish.
For his project, McKorkle built a garden structure for the residents of Rose House, an adult family home for people with developmental disabilities. The project repurposed an unused section of lawn into a set of three raised-garden beds that conform to ADA standards to provide complete accessibility for Rose House residents.
McKorkle is a junior assistant Scout master in Troop 571 and a ninth-grader at Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus. Read more
Who’s News
June 8, 2010
Seven Scouts earn Eagle rank
Seven Scouts earn Eagle rank
Boy Scout Troop 695, sponsored by the Issaquah Second Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has seven young men that recently completed the requirements to become Eagle Scouts.
These young men include Justin Kahng, Andrew Corbett, Mitch Johnson, Cannon Gardner, Christian Caldwell, Derek Richardson and Jack Quinton. They were honored at a an “Eagle Court of Honor” May 16.
Women’s Club presents scholarships
Each year, the Issaquah Women’s Club awards $1,000 scholarships to senior high school girls who wish to pursue further college or vocational training. The foundation is honored to award scholarships to these six talented young women this year: Read more
