Randy Nevin aces city math test, again
August 25, 2009
By J.B. Wogan
Nine years ago, Don Gerend challenged the Sammamish community to take a civic-oriented math test and Randy Nevin aced it. On the city’s 10-year anniversary, the retired Microsoft employee did it again.
Nevin, who earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in computer science, was the only one to have a perfect score on the final exam.
“The final exam, I didn’t find that to be too difficult,” Nevin said, explaining that the eight-problem test involved basic algebra and logic.
The qualifying exam, which Nevin and three others aced, was more difficult, according to Nevin. The last problem required geometry.
“That took me several hours to figure out,” Nevin said.
Gerend, the current mayor, wrote the test, which had eight word problems concerning municipal issues like public transit and population size.
He said only one of four finalists could take the final exam in-person at City Hall Aug. 12: Jackson Dove showed up and scored a seven out of eight.
Nevin was on vacation, but had Gerend e-mail him a copy. He swore that he took the test by himself.
The other two finalists, Ariel Goh and Dave Lee, had a broken ankle and a work engagement. But Gerend said he would give prizes to all four.
For those still aching to prove their mathematic prowess, there is still time.
“I challenge anybody else in the community to take the final exam and send me the answers. I’ll grade them. That would be fun,” Gerend said.
Go to www.SammamishReview.com to find a copy of the test. E-mail your answers to dgerend@ci.sammamish.wa.us.
Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com. To comment on this story, visit www.SammamishReview.com.
Nine years ago, Don Gerend challenged the Sammamish community to take a civic-oriented math test and Randy Nevin aced it. On the city’s 10-year anniversary, the retired Microsoft employee did it again.
Nevin, who earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in computer science, was the only one to have a perfect score on the final exam.
Radny Nevin
Evan Hamilton to lead Kids’ Parade
August 25, 2009
By Christopher Huber
Ten-year-old Sammamish resident Evan Hamilton found out in early August that he was going to do something most people don’t get to do. He’s one-of-a-kind around town.
It took a couple of weeks, but after making the rounds to all the city’s elementary schools last spring, looking for students with the same birthday as Sammamish, Mayor Don Gerend finally found Hamilton.
Hamilton, then a Mead Elementary fourth grader, was born on the same day Sammamish became a city — Aug. 31, 1999 — and was chosen to be the grand marshal of the “Future of Sammamish Kids Parade.”
“I was like, ‘oh my gosh,’ I was really surprised,” Hamilton said of when he found out. “I think it’s pretty cool to have the same birthday as Sammamish.”
The city celebration starts with the parade at 10 a.m. and goes until 3 p.m. An adults only event, Sammamish Nights, is set for 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Aug. 29.
As the lone grand marshal — the city would have named to the position any others who shared the birthday — Hamilton will ride with Mayor Gerend in the parade, said facility coordinator Joanna Puthoff.
“We just figured if we had three people, we’d have three grand marshals,” she said. “We’re hoping to have him help us handout the prizes for the parade.”
In addition to working on his wave and handing out prizes for the parade, Hamilton will be recognized at the city’s time capsule ceremony afterward, Puthoff said.
And, she said, Eastside Fire & Rescue is planning a birthday party for Hamilton and his friends at one of the Sammamish fire stations.
The theme for the parade is “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
“I might dress up as something I want to be,” Hamilton said. “I wanted to be a museum curator and travel around the world and … buy things from around the world.”
He’s not nervous about being in the parade.
He said he looks forward to the event.
“It’s going to probably be really fun to be the grand marshal, to be waving from a corvette,” Hamilton said.
Kathy Hamilton, Evan’s mother, said Evan’s participation is special in the family because his grandfather was recently the grand marshal of his high school reunion parade.
“I think it’s going to be fun. His grandpa is really excited,” Kathy Hamilton said. “They’re really excited to come and see him.”
Organizers will award parade participants for best costume and most unique.
All participants will receive a goodie bag, according to the event Web site. The parade will travel from Mary, Queen of Peace church to City Hall.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
Ten-year-old Sammamish resident Evan Hamilton found out in early August that he was going to do something most people don’t get to do. He’s one-of-a-kind around town.
It took a couple of weeks, but after making the rounds to all the city’s elementary schools last spring, looking for students with the same birthday as Sammamish, Mayor Don Gerend finally found Hamilton.
Evan Hamilton, 10, poses with his dog, Casey. He will be the grand marshal in the “Future of Sammamish Kids Parade” Aug. 29.
Community can help local teachers before the bell rings
August 25, 2009
By Chantelle Lusebrink
Bringing an apple for the teacher may be an excellent idea the first day, but how about helping them get their classrooms ready?
Some teachers, especially those recently hired, spend long hours putting their classrooms together, which is why Pine Lake Covenant Church is asking for your help.
This year, church pastors and volunteers are sponsoring Help A Teacher Day 2009 Aug. 29. The day brings volunteers from the church and community together and assigns them to a teacher in the Issaquah School District who needs help.
Volunteer teams will work at Apollo, Challenger, Cougar Ridge, Grand Ridge, Issaquah Valley and Sunset elementary schools and in special education classrooms at Tiger Mountain Community High School and Skyline High School.
The idea came in response to reports of budget cuts, said Beth Yeager, community mission pastor for the church.
“Knowing teachers face challenges in the year coming up, with increased class sizes and reductions in resources, this is a way to come alongside teachers. We want to support them and to let them know the community is grateful for their teaching and let them know we are behind and support them.”
Bellevue’s First Presbyterian Church has a similar program, which Yeager said she modeled the program after.
Volunteers are still needed for the event from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 29.
Volunteers need to register at the church’s Web site.
Once registered, they are assigned to a school coordinator and given their school assignment.
Volunteers need to arrive at their school at 8:45 a.m. for a team meeting before beginning work that day.
School officials will direct grounds maintenance crews and teachers will lead the classroom setup teams, directing them to complete specific tasks like unpacking boxes, setting up bulletin boards and preparing supplies.
“We are so pleased to have the community helping our teachers as they prepare for the new school year,” Sara Niegowski, district communications director, wrote in an e-mail. “Come September 2, those classrooms will be hopping with students and the teachers will be off and running until next June, so it’s wonderful to have the extra helping hands and the moral support. I’m sure it will enable our teachers be even more energized and focused when children return.”
Reach Reporter Chantelle Lusebrink at 392-6434, ext. 241, or clusebrink@isspress.com.
Comment on this story at www.SammamishReview.com.
Bringing an apple for the teacher may be an excellent idea the first day, but how about helping them get their classrooms ready?
Some teachers, especially those recently hired, spend long hours putting their classrooms together, which is why Pine Lake Covenant Church is asking for your help.
This year, church pastors and volunteers are sponsoring Help A Teacher Day 2009 Aug. 29. The day brings volunteers from the church and community together and assigns them to a teacher in the Issaquah School District who needs help. Read more
New Eastlake Link Crew brings new students together
August 25, 2009
By Christopher Huber
For the more than 400 incoming sophomores and transfer students starting school next week at Eastlake High School, the transition into a new environment may be easier than they think.
That’s because about 120 junior and senior student leaders spent hours during the summer learning how to make new students feel welcome and comfortable in their new digs.
The leaders are part of the new Link Crew program at Eastlake.
The program might sound the same as the Wolfpack leadership program from 2008 — it is, mostly — but in 2009 it has even more leader turnout and stronger support from school administrators, said students and Eastlake activities coordinator Liz Sirjani.
Sirjani and other teachers held an introduction session in the spring and nearly every student returned for the formal training in August, she said.
“This year, the school is taking this very seriously. This is a great group of kids. I was just amazed with the turnout,” said Sirjani. “We were just totally amazed that they all came back.”
She said the commitment from students proves they want to be a part of the changing spirit and culture of Eastlake.
“The goal is to break down boundaries and integrate all the classes together,” said junior Link Crew member Danielle Dales. “Seeing all the kids that want to help, there’s a lot of enthusiasm.”
Link Crew training, which lasts five hours per day for two days, teaches the student-leaders how to respond to new-student questions, lead ice-breaker activities and promote friendships and communication across the student population, the students said. Activities included teachers advising on how to give a campus tour and ask open-ended questions.
They also learn organization in order to plan various social events, such as frisbee and ping pong nights, throughout the school year.
“All the activities are to get them out of their comfort zone,” said Link Crew member Raju Roleru.
The leaders represent a cross-section of the school student body, Sirjani and students said. Each “crew” — there are about 50 — is made up of approximately nine new students and two to three leaders. Throughout the year, students will be able to check in with their “crew” leaders for advice or insights, the leaders said.
As a leadership training and new-student orientation program, Link Crew has affected schools nationwide for the better, according to Sirjani and the Link Crew Web site. Schools have significantly reduced new-student truancy and absence rates, reduced the amount of new-students with failing grades, and reduced student suspension and fighting occurrences after implementing the program.
For example: since implementing Link Crew in fall of 2002, Henry Sibley High School, in Mendota Heights, Minn., reported a 50 percent reduction in freshmen class failures, according to the organization’s Web site.
During the second training session Aug. 18, Eastlake assistant principal Chris Bede spoke to the group about the importance of having strong leaders on campus.
“You guys have an incredible power to affect the spirit here at Eastlake,” he said.
Sirjani said officially bringing Link Crew training to Eastlake is part of her and other teachers’ efforts to strengthen school spirit. And, based on student commitment and administrative support, it’s working. Part of the reason Wolfpack didn’t quite work as planned, she said, was due to lack of formal leader training and new-student orientation time.
“We said if you want this to work, we must have a full day. They (administrators) said, ‘OK, if you need this to work out, we’ll give you a full day,’” Sirjani said.
“The whole thing is about feeling a part of this place,” she said. “We need to feel more connected. And we want to ensure success, and this is just another way.”
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
For the more than 400 incoming sophomores and transfer students starting school next week at Eastlake High School, the transition into a new environment may be easier than they think.
That’s because about 120 junior and senior student leaders spent hours during the summer learning how to make new students feel welcome and comfortable in their new digs.
The leaders are part of the new Link Crew program at Eastlake.
Eastlake senior Chad Randolph, right, notes something in his workbook as junior Kassey Brown (center) and senior Monica Zender listen to advisors during a Link Crew training session Aug. 18. Photo by Christopher Huber
School fashions over time: the evolution of cool
August 25, 2009
By Kathleen R. Merrill
Ahh, school clothes. They’re likely as confusing and agonizing to shop for now as they were 50 years ago, and all of the years in between.
You want something cool. Your parents want something affordable. And you can almost never agree on what to buy.
Fashions have changed over the years, and school clothes are no exception. We’ve gone from one crazy hairstyle to the next and one fashion fad to another.
Go ahead and walk down memory lane here: penny loafers, poodle skirts, saddle shoes, skinny ties, wide ties, long collars, button-down collars, cardigans, argyle sweaters, turtle neck sweaters, plaid pants, plaid jackets, mohair shirts, pointed-toed shoes, skinny jeans, leggings, bell bottoms, baggy pants, gauchos, stirrup pants, mini skirts, micro minis, long skirts, pencil skirts, satin, velour, corduroy, wool, terry cloth, pleather, skinny belts, wide belts, shoulder pads, neon colors, spaghetti straps, tube tops, platforms, moccasins, high top sneakers. You can likely quickly think of 10 things of your own to add.
Some local residents recently recalled their high school fashions.
In the late 1940s, girls wore skirts, sweaters, saddle shoes or loafers to Salinas High School in Salinas, Calif., according to Issaquah resident Carol Baumann, a very young 77-year-old who has lived here since 1986. Girls never wore jeans or shorts to school then.
Michele Forkner, code compliance officer for the city of Issaquah, was in high school from 1967-1971, the height of the hippie phase, at Mt. Diablo High School in Concord, Calif., in the Bay Area.
“We couldn’t wear pants until 1970 and then it couldn’t be jeans,” she said. “My older sister and I traded clothes thinking we were wearing something new, but we went to the same high school!
“I tried to dress nice, because I was a cheerleader and going steady with the captain of the football team. Typical high school ‘Barbie and Ken’ story.”
The Rev. Don Burnett, pastor at Evergreen Community Church, graduated from South Pasadena High School in 1972.
“That was the era of bell bottoms, afros, tie dye. I tended to go toward the preppy edge of life,” he wrote in an e-mail. “The picture that is attached to this e-mail is typical of the window-pane plaids and broad ties that were common for graduation shots.”
“Later in the 1970s, growing up in Los Angeles, we all had to look like ‘The Brady Bunch’ kids or the Partridge family,” Issaquah resident Bryan Weinstein recalled.
“I was in high school 1978-1980,” he said. “Skin-tight Calvin Klein white pants with an Izod Lacoste (alligator) pink shirt was really, really cool, along with Sperry topsiders (no socks). It was called ‘the preppy’ look. Now, I wear plaid.”
When asked if he had photos, he replied, “Thankfully, no.”
Maybe it’s just as well.
Reach Kathleen R. Merrill at 392-6434, ext. 227, or editor@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.SammamishReview.com.
Ahh, school clothes. They’re likely as confusing and agonizing to shop for now as they were 50 years ago, and all of the years in between.
You want something cool. Your parents want something affordable. And you can almost never agree on what to buy. Read more
Calendar August 25
August 25, 2009
Events
The Sammamish Farmers Market, featuring local food, crafts and entertainment is open from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays at City Hall.
Sammamish’s 10th Birthday will be celebrated from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 29 at Sammamish City Commons. There will be a family fun section and a special 21 and older venue featuring local jazz musician, Darren Motamedy.
Animal Crackers a new artEAST collective works show runs through Aug. 29 and features the work of Sammamish artists who call themselves the Sammi 7. The art will display interpretations of the theme through many different mediums at Up Front Gallery, 48 Front St. N. in Issaquah.
Summer Concert series is at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at Pine Lake Park. This week’s concert is featuring bluegrass band Back Burner.
Discover family history at a free one-hour genealogy class from 3-4p.m. Aug. 30 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 16529 SE Duthie Hill Road in Issaquah.
Seek Justice Challenge Fundraising event community celebration and lunch 11 a.m.-1p.m. Sept. 12 at Sammamish Presbyterian Church, 22522 NE Inglewood Hill Road.
The event is a running, walking and biking fundraiser to raise awareness for International Justice Mission, a human rights agency. To register or for more information visit www.spconline.org/sjc.
Group Health is seeking volunteers in King and Snohomish counties to assist with hospice care. There will be training sessions Sept. 21, 22, and 23 in Bellevue.
People interested in volunteering are encouraged to submit an application before Sept.9. For more information contact Pati Northcraft at 556-6372 or toll free at 1-800-954-2509.
Religious/spiritual
Faith United Methodist Church offers “Faith Cafe” for women of all ages. The café features drop-in coffee time, scrapbooking/stamping, mom & baby playgroup, quilting/knitting and walking group. There will also be one-off classes, studies and themed days. 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Call Jo Lucas 837-1948.
Healing Prayer Service is available every fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Pine Lake Covenant Church, 1715 228th Ave. S.E. Call 392-8636.
The Social Justice Book Group meets at 1 p.m. the third Monday of each month in Sammamish.
E-mail shlcministries@yahoo.com for information on the current book being discussed and location.
Celebrate Recovery, a Christian, 12-step ministry, meets Monday evenings from 6–9:30 p.m. at Pine Lake Covenant Church, 1715 228th Ave. S.E. Call 392-8636.
Moms In Touch is a non-denominational, Bible-centered prayer support group for all moms whose children attend Pine Lake Middle School or Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus.
They meet at 9:20 a.m. Friday mornings at 4119 West Lake Sammamish Parkway S.E., Bellevue (across from Sambica). Contact Jan Domek at 746-4561 or jandomek@comcast.net.
Pine Lake Covenant Church offers a ministry for children with special needs at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. Call 392-8636.
“Caffeine for the Soul,” a free Judaic and Torah class for women, is from 1-1:45 p.m. every Tuesday at Caffé Ladro in Issaquah Highlands Shopping Center. Contact Chabad of the Central Cascades at 427-1654.
Free Hebrew classes are offered through Chabad of the Central Cascades. Call 427-1654.
Kabalat Shabbat is offered in the Chabad house at the Issaquah Highlands at 7 p.m. Fridays. New members and guests are welcome. Call 427-1654.
Learn to read and speak Samskritam from 4-6 p.m. at the Vedic Cultural Center. To register, visit vedicculturalcenter.org.
Community Bible Study, open to all women, meets Thursday mornings. To register for the current class, or for more information, call Nancy Carr at 868-1630.
Bhajan Bliss. Join musicians and singers to learn traditional devotional bhajan, and how to make vegetarian pizzas and samosas from 7:30-9 p.m. Fridays at the Vedic Cultural Center.
Classes
Sammamish Presbyterian Church is hosting a series of different fitness classes, Wednesdays and Fridays 6:30-7:30 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30-9:30 a.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-3 p.m. For more information, contact Billie Donahue 785-2880. Classes are free and no registration is required.
A divorce recovery seminar for those going through separation or divorce, or trying to move on from divorce is scheduled for Tuesday evenings Sept. 15-Nov. 24 at Pine Lake Covenant Church.
The seminar is open to the community and childcare is available by pre-registration only. To register call Sharon at 392-8636 or visit www.plcc.org.
Library activities
Mother Daughter Book Group will meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 26. They will be reading “Every Soul a Star” by Wendy Mass.
Japanese for little ones with Sponge will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 1. Sing, dance and play in Japanese with a native-speaking teacher from Sponge.
Library is closed for Labor Day.
Talk time provides conversation practice for adults who want to improve their language skills. Talk time starts at 7 p.m. on Sept. 9, 15, 22, and 29.
Musik Nest for ages 2-3, with adult, will start at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 9. Share songs, dance, rhythm and new ways to enjoy music with your toddler. Registration is not required.
Pajama Story Time, for ages 2-6, with adult, will start at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 14, 21, and 28, and at 7:30 on Sept. 21, and 28. Come in your pajamas and enjoy stories, signs, puppets, movement and music. Space is limited.
Teen Writers group will start at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 15.
Toddler story times for ages 2-3 features fun stories, puppets, movement and music. Toddler story time starts at 11 a.m. on Sept. 16, 23, and 30, and at 10 a.m. on Sept. 23, and 30.
Sammamish Book Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Sept. 16. This week the group will be reading “The Devil’s Highway: A true story” by Luis Alberto Urrea.
Preschool Story time, for children ages 3-6, with adult, will meet at 10 a.m. on September 17, and 24, and at 1 p.m. on Sept. 18 and 25.
Baby Story time, for children ages 6-12 months, with adult, will meet at 10 a.m. on Sept. 18 and 24.
Young toddler story time for children age 1-2 years will meet at 10 and 11 a.m. on Sept. 18 and 25.
Spanish story time, ages 3 and older with adult, is for Spanish speaking families, and those who want to learn Spanish as a second language. Spanish story time will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 19 and 26.
Restoration of Health through acupuncture will start at 7 p.m. on Sept. 23. Join practitioners Dingfang Yu and Donna Huss for an interactive and informative evening.
Mother daughter book club will meet at 7 p.m. on Sept.30. This week they will be reading, “Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh” by Robert C. O’Brien.
Volunteers needed
The King County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs certified long-term care ombudsman volunteers. After completing a four-day training program, visit with residents, take and resolve complaints and advocate for residents. Volunteers are asked to donate four hours a week and attend selected monthly meetings. Contact John Stilz at 206-697-6747 or johns@solid-ground.org.
Eastside Bluebills is a Boeing retiree volunteer organization that strives to provide opportunities for retirees to help others in need and to assist charitable and nonprofit organizations. Eastside Bluebills meet every third Wednesday of the month at the Bellevue Regional Library from 10 a.m.-noon. Call 235-3847.
LINKS, Looking Into the Needs of Kids in Schools, places community volunteers in the schools of the Lake Washington School District. Opportunities include tutoring, classroom assistance and lunch buddy. Just one hour a week can make a difference in a child’s life. For more information, e-mail links@lwsd.org or visit www.linksvolunteer.org.
Eastside Baby Corner needs volunteers to sort incoming donations of clothing and toys and prepare items for distribution. Go to www.babycorner.org.
Volunteers are needed to visit homebound patrons with the King County Library System’s Traveling Library Center program. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have reliable transportation. Call Susan LaFantasie at 369-3235.
Sammamish Citizens Corps holds a refresher/advanced training class for CERTs on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7-9 p.m. at Station 82. E-mail sammamishcitizencorps@hotmail.com.
Sammamish Citizen Corps Council needs volunteers experienced in marketing, Web design, building & management, fund raising, grant writing, volunteer coordination, and recruitment. For more information email sammamishcitizencorps@hotmail.com or join 7-8 p.m. first Wednesday of every month at Station 82.
Volunteer drivers are needed for the Senior Services Volunteer Transportation Program. Flexible hours, mileage, parking reimbursement and supplemental liability insurance are offered. Call 206-448-5740.
Guide Dogs for the Blind Eager Eye Guide Pups Club needs volunteers to raise puppies for use as guide dogs for the blind. For information, call Sandy at 644-7421.
Volunteer Chore Services links volunteers with seniors or individuals who are disabled and are living on a limited income. Call 284-2240.
Clubs, groups
A support group for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s meets in Issaquah. the group is designed to let caregivers gain emotional support, learn and share their experiences. The free group meets from 6-7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Faith United Methodist Church, 3924 Issaquah Pine Lake Road SE. Call 313-7364.
The Rotary Club of Sammamish meets every Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at the Bellewood Retirement Apartments, 3710 Providence Point Drive S.E.
The Sammamish Fit Club, a club looking to improve the health of the community, meets from 7:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays. For location and more information, call Trish at 206-605-0679 or send an e-mail to whyweight@comcast.net.
Cascade Republican Women’s Club meets at 11:30 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month at the Plateau Club, 25625 E. Plateau Drive. Call 788-2028.
Sammamish Plateau Parent Networking Group meets normally the last Monday of the month at Sahalee Fire Station #82, 1851 228th Ave. N.E. Call 868-2111.
Redmond Toddler Group, a parent-child program with art, music, play and parent education has openings in pre-toddler, toddler and family classes. Call 869-5605 or visit www.redmondtoddler.org.
Moms Club of the Sammamish Plateau has activities including weekly, age specific playgroups and monthly meetings, coffee mornings, mom’s nights out, craft club and local area outings. Visit www.momsclubsammamish.org or call 836 5015.
Foster Parent Support Group meets the last Thursday of each month from 6-8 p.m. at Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, 1121 228th Ave. S.E. Earn your training/foster parent hours. Refreshments and child care are provided. Call 206-719-8764.
The Eastside Welcome Club meets the first Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. in members’ homes and on various days of the month for other activities and outings. People who are new to the area and want to meet new people and join in different interest and social groups, can call 821-5857.
Sammamish Kiwanis meets every Wednesday at 7 a.m. at Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church, 22818 S.E. Eighth St. Visit www.sammamishkiwanis.org.
Toastmasters of Sammamish meet from 7:15–8:45 p.m. every Tuesday at Mary, Queen of Peace Parish, 1121 228th Ave. S.E. Call 391-4834 or e-mail davidlloyd_70@msn.com.
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs local chapter, Cascade Woman’s Club, meets at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month in members’ homes. Membership is open to all women who would like to be a part of one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations whose members are dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service. Call 898-8603.
Sammamish Garden Club meets the second Tuesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the homes of members. Visitors and new members are always welcome. Call Cathy at 836-0421 or e-mail CathyWebst@aol.com.
To submit items for the Community Calendar, contact the editor at 392-6434, ext. 233. Information may be e-mailed to samrev@isspress.com or mailed to the Sammamish Review, P.O. Box 1328, Issaquah, WA 98027.
Items must be received by the Wednesday before publication.
The Pine Lake Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month, plus occasional meetings for workshops and taking local field trips together. Their yearly plant sale is a fundraiser for “green-related” projects and charities. Call 836-7810.
Mothers and More – Sammamish/Redmond Chapter offers “Moms Need a Playgroup Too,” scrapbooking, book club, movies out, clutter club, kids play groups and more. The monthly chapter meeting is the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Go to http://www.redmondmothersandmore.org.
Sammamish Saddle Club — For membership and meeting information, visit www.sammamishsaddleclub.org. Contact Shaila Nyborg 466-7168.
Sammamish Women’s Walking Club hosts one to three different walks each week. Sometimes it will be a neighborhood walk under the streetlights or maybe a walk in nature along a trail. Send your requests of times and potential walking sites to www.pepperfitness.com.
The Issaquah Women’s Club meets at 9:30 a.m. the first Thursday of each month at Tibbetts Creek Manor, 750 17th Ave. NW in Issaquah. Call 392-1890.
Glory Days Preschool has openings in their 12:45 – 3:15 3-day/week and 4-day/week afternoon classes for Fall 2009. Children must be 4 years old by August 31, 2009. Month tuition is $245 for the 3-day/week class and $310 for the 4-day/week classes. To register contact Preschool director Heather Choco 868-5186 ext.128.
Eastside New Neighbors meets at 10 a.m. the first Tuesday of the month in member’ homes. Many different activities are planned throughout the year. For more information call 836-3963
Events
The Sammamish Farmers Market, featuring local food, crafts and entertainment is open from 4-8 p.m. Wednesdays at City Hall.
Sammamish’s 10th Birthday will be celebrated from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 29 at Sammamish City Commons. There will be a family fun section and a special 21 and older venue featuring local jazz musician, Darren Motamedy. Read more
Eastlake rebuilds offense, strengthens swift defense
August 25, 2009
By Christopher Huber
Playoff berths will be tougher to come by for Eastside teams this year, because only four KingCo 4A teams will make it, compared with six in 2008.
But that’s not deterring Eastlake Wolves head football coach Gene Dales as he helps his team gear up for the fall season. MaxPreps.com, a prep sports ranking site, ranks Eastlake at No.14 in the state.
Nearly all — four of five — of last year’s starting offensive line graduated, leaving a gaping hole in the Eastlake offense. Dales said he and his coaching staff will spend much of their energy this preseason conditioning and drilling the new, reshaped offense, which will need to protect starting quarterback Kelby McCorkle.
“It’ll be a matter of getting the offensive front up to speed early and to stay healthy,” Dales said before practice Aug. 20.
McCorkle earned the respect of his coaches in 2008 after filling in for an injured Drake Furcini about halfway through the season.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound McCorkle also played defensive back in 2008, but ended up completing 53 of 83 pass attempts for 675 yards and 17 touchdowns. He threw just one interception all season. McCorkle also rushed 45 times for 268 yards and two touchdowns and went 10-for-15 for 225 yards passing with two touchdowns in Eastlake’s 55-41 win against Roosevelt.
“If we keep McCorkle protected, he’ll be one of the best in the league,” Dales said. “It’s a matter of guys stepping up and filling positions.”
On offense, the Wolves return seniors Austin Reifeis (6-foot-3, 228 pounds), Matt Uhlar (6-foot-4, 208 pounds) and Michael Maguire (6-foot-4, 223 pounds) at tight end. Alex Boyce (5-foot-10, 206 pounds) will start at guard, and Dan Preston (6-foot-1, 250 pounds) will take up some slack on the offensive line. Alex Smith and Viril Bishel, at 253 and 240 pounds respectively, will also help protect McCorkle this year.
Returner Cam Hunt will run the ball for McCorkle as halfback.
“Cam is going to be as good a halfback as any this year,” Dales said.
Eastlake will add two new wide receivers and two running backs in 2009, in hopes of improving the team’s relatively strong passing game.
“Defensively, we’re in better shape,” Dales said. He said the defense will have good speed and size up front.
Adding to his quarterback duties, McCorkle will also play free safety. Reifeis and Boyce will start at linebacker. The agile and quick Hunt will pressure quarterbacks all season from the defensive end position. He runs a 4.5-second 40-yard dash, Dales said.
Smith, Preston, Bishel and newcomer Gino Bresolin (6-foot-1, 225 pounds) will make up the defensive line.
“(We have) established ourselves as a pretty physical team,” Reifeis said. “We’ve executed right off the bat. It’s a lot different than last year.”
He said from the beginning, the team as a whole has been more focused at practice than in years past.
“We’re not afraid to hit anyone,” Reifeis said.
That’s because they know they’ve got a tough schedule ahead of them, McCorkle said.
“There’s not a week where it’ll be an easy win,” McCorkle said. “It’s full-on day in, day out.”
Eastlake went 6-4 overall in 2008, with a 3-2 KingCo Crest conference record.
The Wolves missed a playoff birth and hope to utilize its speedy defense and big offensive line to be a force in one of the toughest leagues in the state.
“Maybe this’ll be the year,” Dales said. We’ll be a competitive team this year.”
Eastlake opens their season against Mount Si at home 7 p.m. Sept. 4.
Games to watch: Eastlake vs. Woodinville, 7 p.m., Sept. 18 at EHS stadium; Eastlake at Issaquah, 7 p.m., Oct. 2 at Mount Si High School and Eastlake vs. Skyline, 7 p.m., Oct. 9 at EHS stadium.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
Playoff berths will be tougher to come by for Eastside teams this year, because only four KingCo 4A teams will make it, compared with six in 2008.
But that’s not deterring Eastlake Wolves head football coach Gene Dales as he helps his team gear up for the fall season. MaxPreps.com, a prep sports ranking site, ranks Eastlake at No.14 in the state.
Senior quarterback Kelby McCorkle (left) warms up before practice Aug. 20. He will rely on a disciplined new offensive line for protection in the pocket. Photo by Christopher Huber
Sammamish team revels in softball World Series experience
August 25, 2009
The story seven Sammamish girls will tell about their experience in the 2009 Junior Softball World Series will likely be of their comeback win against Canada.
The girls, who are part of the Redmond/Eastlake team, didn’t win it all, but after merging from two rival leagues just seven weeks ago, they stayed competitive throughout against some of the best youth softball players in the world. The team went 1-5 overall, but along the way showed resilience as they battled formidable opponents, parents said.
In the second round of the Junior Softball World Series Aug. 17 at Everest Park in Kirkland, Redmond/Eastlake came back from a 10-1 deficit to beat Canada 11-10. It was the largest-deficit comeback of the tournament, according to the team’s coach Ben Goux.
And, of the 10 runs teams scored against eventual champion Latin America in pool play, Redmond/Eastlake scored five.
Redmond/Eastlake made it to the Junior Softball World Series as the host team after winning the District 9 softball championship in July.
As the host team, the girls raised more than $8,000 to buy hosting and greeting items for each participating team. Teams from Puerto Rico, Ontario, Canada, Florida, Texas, Philippines, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah and Italy converged on Kirkland for the week-long tournament.
Latin America (Puerto Rico) beat Central (Ohio) 2-1 in the championship game Aug. 22.
The story seven Sammamish girls will tell about their experience in the 2009 Junior Softball World Series will likely be of their comeback win against Canada.
Contributed The Redmond/Eastlake girls (blue jerseys) pose with the Canadian team after second-round action Aug. 17. First row from left, Yasmin Luqman, Elaine Wang, Kristen Holec, Rachel Levine, Abby Goux, Jessica Rubideaux, Jamie Midkiff; second row from left, coach Ben Goux manager Mark Gransee, Melissa White, Hannah Raudebaugh, Kelly Walls, Ashley Walls, Blake Gransee, Stephanie Lin, Nicole Dankert and coach Liz Armbruester.
Skyline looks for another run at state
August 24, 2009
By Christopher Huber
All the attention quarterback Jake Heaps and many of his Skyline High School teammates have gotten over the past year does not seem to have gone to their heads yet.
And if they keep it that way, and, as Heaps said on the second day of practice, “use it as motivation,” the Spartans football team will likely go a long way this season.
Obviously, that ‘long way’ would be to win a third-straight state championship, but as former coach Steve Gervais’ well-ingrained one-week-at-a-time mentality goes, they’re not thinking that far ahead.
Skyline has a lot of momentum coming into the 2009 season. It is 28-0 over the past two seasons; it outscored opponents 514-77 in 2008 with one of the most acclaimed receiver corps in the state, and MaxPreps.com, a prep sports ranking site, ranks Skyline as the second-best team in the nation.
“We want to have that mentality that we’re going to win every football game,” head coach Mat Taylor said at practice Aug. 20. “But it goes back to coach Gervais: all we can control is ourselves. We can’t control the opponent. We can’t control anything else. We control our actions, we control how we prepare for a game and we control our work ethic … and our execution.”
He said the national rankings and attention from numerous sports agencies around the country are nice, but it’s a new season.
“It’s nice, but this is a new group of kids and we are out to go out and get better every week and win each and every game. But we’re going to have our own identity, we’re going to be different from those teams,” Taylor said.
Among the top returning starters from 2008 will be Heaps (6-foot-2, 195 pounds), now a senior, at quarterback, three-sport standout, junior Kasen Williams (6-foot-2, 190 pounds) at wide receiver and defensive back, senior linebacker Anthony DeMatteo (6-foot, 190 pounds) and Jase Butorac (6-foot-3, 260 pounds) on the offensive line.
At 245 pounds, offensive and defensive lineman Evan Day will be a force to reckon with, as will defensive back Tommy Aarts.
Junior cornerback Michael Ford, defensive end Conner Cree and defensive back Connor Brandt will shore up efforts on defense with the help of senior lineman Jack Carlson and newcomer defensive back Miles Edwards.
“We have a lot of guys with a lot of experience, which is nice,” DeMatteo said. “We just gotta have everything fall together. Everyone’s gotta stay focused on that one goal: working for a perfect season. And even if that doesn’t work out, we still need to stay focused on the ultimate goal, which is that state championship.”
After losing key players like receivers Gino Simone, William Chandler and Jake Knecht to graduation, Heaps may rely on his established connection with Williams. A graduating Joey Evans also left a hole at running back, but Taylor thinks Sammamish transplant Nick Beauchamp will fill the role nicely. Junior Jordan Simone looks to fill his brother’s shoes as a wide receiver.
Despite Skyline having fewer stars on offense this year, Taylor said the team worked exceptionally hard over the summer, averaging 85-90 players at each workout session.
“There’s lots of program kids that are stepping up this year, and that’s kind of the trademark of Skyline,” Taylor said. “It’s really about kids working their way up to their senior year.”
Everyone’s talking about Skyline’s slated match-ups with other West Coast powerhouses this year. The Spartans will face Jesuit High School, considered Oregon’s best, and Oaks Christian of California.
The Spartans play Jesuit 5:30 p.m., Sept. 5 at the Emerald City Kick Off Classic at Qwest Field and will appear on ESPN U when it hosts Oaks Christian at 7 p.m., Sept. 18.
Oaks Christian is led by University of Washington-bound quarterback Nick Montana. However huge that game, Taylor and Heaps are adamant about focusing on game No. 1 against Jesuit.
“It’s really exciting to have the opportunity to play at Qwest field,” Heaps said. “We just have to shore up some things and we’re just trying to get as perfect as possible for that first game on Sept. 5.”
Taylor said knowing Jesuit was first on the schedule kept players focused during the summer.
“They’re as good as you’re going to get. Very talented. Some people say their 05-06 teams were some of the best teams the West Coast has ever seen. They’re going to be a challenge. I think that’s really helped by having that first game being really tough,” Taylor said. “Everybody wants to talk about Oaks Christian, but when you have a game like Jesuit, you can’t even think about that game yet. Because if you do, they’re going to catch up on us.”
Skyline’s strength in 2009 will be its experienced returning starters. It’s bringing back seven two-year starters and four three-year starters, including last year’s kicker, Brian Schwartz, Taylor said. Their experience will be crucial in keeping the less-experienced guys calm, cool and collected when it comes down to the wire this season.
“The competition that we face (this season) is unbelievable. Week in, week out, we face the toughest teams in the state. I think that’s what helps us set our playoff runs. We definitely have to take care of business in this conference because if you’re sleepin’ one Friday night, you’re going to get shocked and woken up real badly,” Heaps said. “This team is really talented. We’re really loaded this year. Everybody’s pushing each other.”
Other games to watch: Skyline at Eastlake, 7 p.m. Oct. 9 and a rematch of last year’s state championship game, Skyline vs. Issaquah, 7 p.m. Oct. 16.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
New Aug. 24, 2:59 p.m.
All the attention quarterback Jake Heaps and many of his Skyline High School teammates have gotten over the past year does not seem to have gone to their heads yet.
And if they keep it that way, and, as Heaps said on the second day of practice, “use it as motivation,” the Spartans football team will likely go a long way this season.
Junior receiver Jordan Simone, left, lines up to run a route as quarterback Jake Heaps takes the snap Aug. 20. Photo by Christopher Huber
Friends set up memorial fund for slain mother
August 23, 2009
New, Aug. 23, 3:43 p.m.
Friends of Rhan Rha, known by many as Rhannie, have set up a memorial fund for her 9-year-old son Noah.
Natalia Mackevicius, Rha’s friend, is sponsoring the memorial fund, though Noah will be the sole beneficiary, Mackevicius said.
To donate to the fund, go to any Bank of America and ask about The Children of Rhan Rha Memorial Fund. Read more
