Sammamish Vedic Center celebrates Kumbha Mela

September 2, 2010

New: Sept. 2, 1:11 p.m.

The music, dancing and eating lingered late into the night Sept. 1 as thousands of families from around the Seattle area flocked to the Vedic Cultural Center along 228^th Avenue Southeast. The line just to enter the temple stretched through the parking lot and down the sidewalk to the water district’s water tower.

Women hand out cakes at the altar in the Hare Krishna temple Sept. 1. Photo by Christopher Huber

Written by Christopher Huber · Filed Under Community, Local News | Leave a Comment

Watch for early warning signs of atrial fibrillation

August 31, 2010

Steve Beer has always enjoyed living in the area for its convenient access to outdoor activities, such as hiking to motorcycle riding.

Then, a few years ago, as he approached his 50s, Beer noticed his energy reserves were sapped more quickly.

“I could work out in the yard for hours and be dead as a doornail afterwards,” he recalled. “I just thought I was getting older, out of shape.” Read more

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James Lim learns about China on teaching trip

August 26, 2010

NEW: 11:10 a.m. Aug. 26

James Lim, of Sammamish, got to realize a life-long dream this summer. The 19-year-old, originally from Indonesia and of Chinese descent, returned to China for the first time since moving to the United States 11 years ago, he said.

“Throughout my life, I wanted to go back to China and Indonesia,” said Lim, a 2009 Eastlake High School graduate. “I’ve always wanted go to China to serve the people there.”

Lim was among approximately 50 Seattle Pacific University students who traveled to nine different countries this summer to teach English to youth. While he spent five weeks in Hong Kong, other students went to Guatemala, Cambodia, Russia and Laos, among others.

Written by Christopher Huber · Filed Under Community, Community Features | Leave a Comment

Local families raise money to fight rare genetic disorder

August 18, 2010

Three years ago, Claire Benn was born. A week later, she was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome.

“We didn’t know what the diagnosis Prader-Willi meant, so the lack of knowledge was very scary,” said Claire’s mother, Cari Benn.

Prader-Willi is a random, non-inherited genetic syndrome that affects the 15th chromosome.

Claire Benn goes to the beach with her family. Contributed

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How Xavier Graham spent his summer vacation

August 18, 2010

What do Lady Gaga and 13-year-old Xavier Graham from Sammamish have in common? They both went to genius camp. At 12, Xavier did better on the SAT than many graduating seniors, with a 480 verbal and 630 math score.

As early as one and a half years old, Lambert Graham knew his son was special.

“He started grabbing the phonics book,” Graham said.

Xavier Graham enjoys swimming. Contributed

Written by Tara Sackman · Filed Under Community | 1 Comment

Sammamish’s summer festival next week

August 15, 2010

Sammamish days for the family, Sammamish nights for the grown-ups

New: August 15, 4:16 p.m.

Young and old alike will get their time in Sammamish Commons Aug. 21.

Sammamish Days, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature the food, music, arts and crafts of the various ethnic backgrounds that make up Sammamish, with tons of activities for children. Then at 6:30 the grounds will host Sammamish Nights, with wine tasting, gourmet food, jazz and dancing for those 21 and older. Read more

Written by Caleb Heeringa · Filed Under Community, Local News | Leave a Comment

Sammamish youth fight international slavery

August 10, 2010

In 2009, participants in the first Seek Justice Challenge raised approximately $50,000 for the International Justice Mission, according to event organizers at Sammamish Presbyterian Church.

Teens from the Sammamish Presbyterian Church Mid-High youth group walk along Inglewood Hill Road Aug. 3. They spent the day collecting change and picketing for the upcoming Seek Justice Challenge to benefit the International Justice Mission. Photo by Christopher Huber

That’s enough to free 100 slaves abroad. Read more

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Students work to jazz up time spent at the airport

August 10, 2010

One of the most impersonal, stressful and sometimes boring processes is going to the airport. The lines are long, there are never enough power outlets and people are herded from one place to another like cattle.

“It never seemed to make any sense when I was in an airport. There was never anything to do,” Erik Hedberg, rising senior at the University of Washington said.

The students brainstormed different ways to improve the ariport experience. Contributed

Written by Tara Sackman · Filed Under Community | Leave a Comment

National Night Out 2010

August 4, 2010

Sammamish’s younger residents got to meet local law enforcement – and climb around their vehicles – at the National Night Out kick-off event on Aug. 3. Read more

Written by Christopher Huber · Filed Under Community, Photo Gallery | Leave a Comment

German students learn English by learning Issaquah

August 3, 2010

This summer, three German teens are getting a more vivid lesson in English and American culture than their eighth-grade textbook, which features Issaquah, could give them.

For three weeks, Isabelle Joswig, 15, Annabell Schoeberl, 13, and Celina Mueller, 14, all from Bad Salzig, Germany, are living with Sammamish residents Susan Gregory and David Stevens thanks to the connection they found in their English textbook.

German youth Celina Mueller, left, Isabelle Joswig and Annabell Schoeberl pose overlooking Lake Sammamish from their host home July 26. Their English book features Issaquah and the surrounding area. Photo by Christopher Huber