Why Do We?

Why do we do laundry and leave it in the basket? Or the “clean” pile of clothes? Or even go so far as to fold it, but not put it away?

Because this is the part of the chaos we can control. Why do we let dishes pile up, even though they either a) go into the dishwasher or b) it will take less than 10 minutes to wash them? Because after they are clean, they have to be put away too, like the laundry. But do we use them out of the washer or dish strainer instead of putting them away? Do we wait until we need room in the dishwasher or strainer to put them away, instead of completing the task? Why? Because, this too, is controlled chaos?

Is it easier to keep messes and clutter down in living spaces or let it build-up to the point of us being overwhelmed and keep putting it off- embarrassed if anyone mentions coming to visit- it’s always an excuse to not let that happen, or an excuse to not actually deal with that controlled chaos, and fix it… as not to be judged if someone does come over.

But if we don’t HAVE to do laundry, or dishes or clean messes… what do we have to do? We have the opportunity to be vulnerable, others are going through the same things.

Shouldn’t vulnerability be relieved by knowing that most people feel and act the same way you do?

We can’t control what happens out there, but we can try to control what’s in here. Just do it. And if we choose not to, make ourselves vulnerable to others, so they don’t feel alone.

White Elephant Sale

Items needed for Issaquah Valley Senior Center White Elephant Sale

September 18, 2012

By Katie Larsen

If spring cleaning has turned into summer cleaning, consider donating items to the Issaquah Valley Senior Center, which will host a White Elephant Sale during the Salmon Days Festival on Oct. 6-7.

The center is accepting any items except clothing and shoes. Items donated in the past included home furnishings, jewelry, collectibles and antiques.

“It’s like one big flea market,” center Director Courtney Jaren said.

The idea for the sale came from the founding director, Tommie Troutman, and has been carried on for nearly 20 years. The concept of a white elephant sale is when a person gets rid of something and someone else wants it.

If you go Issaquah Valley Senior Center White Elephant Sale 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 6 and 7 Issaquah Valley Senior Center 75 N.E. Creek Way Donate items at the senior center from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday until Oct. 1.

“You will always find a treasure and a bargain,” Jaren said.

This is the center’s biggest fundraising event of the year; it made more than $5,500 last year. The money made from the sale is put back into the center.

“I think it’s a way to let the community know about the center and invite them in to see it,” Jaren said. “It really is a home away from home for the seniors in our community. We don’t want people to be lonely.”

The center is a nonprofit so all donations are tax-deductible. A bake and craft sale will also be held, with homemade goods.

Viola Ong has volunteered with the center for eight years and now coordinates the sale’s volunteers.

“We appreciate all the donators and the workers that help with the sale in order for it to be successful,” Ong said. “It becomes successful because of the people.”

Ong said many of the programs Jaren has implemented at the center make it interesting for seniors to participate in activities, rather than staying home.

Jaren said there is usually something for everyone at the sale.

Parenting Counts

Encompass offers ‘Parenting Counts’ workshop

September 11, 2012

By Katie Larsen

Kerry Beymer, parenting support and education manager at Encompass, teaches the ‘Parenting Counts’ course at Swedish/Issaquah campus. Contributed

Parenting does count. Starting Oct. 1 for four Monday nights at the Swedish/Issaquah campus, Encompass will present Parenting Counts, a workshop series about child development.

Lead instructor Kerry Beymer, parenting support and education manager at Encompass, is trained to teach the curriculum from the Talaris Institute in Seattle.

“It makes you look at the situation as a parent in a different light,” Beymer said.

Each night, four different tiers of development will be discussed, including temperament, social, emotional, how children learn and language learning. The classes are free and stand independently; parents can choose which classes to take.

“All the classes stand alone. We break them up,” Beymer said. “This series is geared to the young families with children between 0 and 5.”

If you go Parenting Counts Oct. 1: “Nurture vs. Nature: How Children Develop” Oct. 8: “Emotion Coaching: How Children Feel and Connect” Oct. 15: “Exploring Play: How Children Think and Learn” Oct. 22: “Language for a Lifetime: How Children Communicate” The series runs from 6-8 p.m. Mondays Oct. 1-22. Learn more and register atwww.encompassnw.org.

Some concepts Beymer teaches include how to find feelings behind behaviors, how children learn through unstructured playtime and how reading helps children learn social skills.

Parents in attendance can expect a lecture atmosphere that engages the audience in discussions and group activities.

“One of the best things that happens is a commonality among parents,” she said.

Also, parents can get referrals to other programs Encompass offers to help them, including parent counseling and one-on-one parent training. Child care workers are also welcome — the workshop series counts as merit classes, required by Washington state to obtain a license.

“I think it’s important for parents to have a really good handle on child development,” Beymer said. “Taking a class like this allows Encompass to get all the good research and information for parents.”

The research is the latest expertise in parenting education, according to Clay Eals, communications officer for Encompass.

“I hope that people that take this class learn something that will really make a difference in their child’s life for the long haul,” Beymer said.

Mission to Mexico

Church members rise to challenge of building homes in Mexico

September 11, 2012

By Katie Larsen

Volunteers from Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, in Issaquah, staple tar paper and chicken wire to the exterior wall of a new home before applying stucco during their mission to Tecate, Mexico, in July. Contributed

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church members recently returned from a weeklong mission in Tecate, Mexico, where 14 volunteers began building a house.

This is the 12th year of the mission and Karen Stillwell has been involved since the beginning. In those years, the Issaquah church has helped with more than 15 homes in the community. Stillwell said the town has gone from all-dirt roads to almost all of them being paved and has expanded tremendously.

“We detect a huge community spirit there now,” church member Jeff Matson said.

The mission started as a youth group opportunity for high school-aged students but this year only five young people participated.

“The adults get such a kick out of it. They really enjoy it,” Matson said.

For families to qualify for a house, they must be living in the community and wanting to stay there. One parent must have a job and the tenants must have bought the property. The family this year wasn’t sure who exactly would be moving into the new house.

Each family that receives a home must commit to providing labor for other houses in the future, as well as providing the volunteers with a bathroom and all meals. The food is bought by the volunteers but prepared by the family.

Each home has the same floor plan of 600 square feet and two to three bedrooms, depending on the needs of the family. All of the homes are painted salmon pink on the exterior, so it is easy to identify all the houses the church has helped build.

Often, a house remains unfinished, like this year. The group got the plumbing, outside plywood and roof finished, and began on the electrical, drywall and insulation. Another volunteer group will come and work to finish the house.

“The big challenge is it takes four or five churches in four to five weeks, but so many churches have pulled out,” church member Mike Nordal said.

Some years, concerns about violence have made volunteering scarce.

“I feel safer there than I do in Seattle,” said Mikenna Whatley, 17.

Get involved Those interested in helping the home-building efforts should call Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church at 391-8431. Planning for next year’s Mexico trip will begin in December; all community members are encouraged to join.

Stillwell said the real mission is to get families into sanitary living conditions to stay healthy, but the area is not the poorest part of Mexico.

“It’s nice to have this experience to know that Issaquah is not the world,” Whatley said. “I think coming from the community I live at, it’s really an eye-opener.”

Whatley said it is hard for her to come home and wonder why she was blessed with her living conditions as opposed to being born into a situation like people in Tecate. It is her third year traveling to volunteer.

“You think about why people want to come to the United States for opportunities, but hopefully we are giving people a reason to stay,” Nordal said.

He said that the week after returning is always a downer.

“For one week, you have a single purpose to help someone else,” he said.

Many of the volunteers said the most challenging part of the work was the heat, which reached 103 degrees in the middle of the day. Often, the group would get to the site before 8 a.m. and take a break for the hottest part of the day.

“I thought the best part was being around the Zamora boys,” James Radek, 14, the youngest member of the group, said about the homeowners from the previous year.

They played soccer together and he said it was a good way to get past the language barrier.

The church is also involved in local community service, including volunteering at the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank, Meals on Wheels and Operation Nightwatch in Seattle.

“You don’t have to go to Mexico to make a difference,” Whatley said.

Helping Senior Citizens

 

Help seniors through volunteering, friendship

August 22, 2012

By Katie Larsen

“It’s the ability to keep people living independently and be in good shape being there,” Clair Petersky said. “Sometimes, it’s that extra help with volunteers that helps them to flourish.”

Petersky is the executive director of Eastside Friends of Seniors, a local organization that provides seniors with volunteers who help transport them to medical appointments, shop and run errands, completehousehold chores and jobs, and provide information and referrals.

The service began in 1998 (It was then known as Faith in Action) and now services the Snoqualmie Valley, Issaquah and Sammamish. In the Valley, there are currently 12 active clients and seven active volunteers.

The median age of clients is 82 and the biggest age group is 85 to 90 years old, according to Petersky.

“It’s really heartwarming to see how much our volunteers get from helping seniors in our community,” Petersky said. “I think we are definitely friends. I think we benefit the entire community.”

There are a variety of different ways to volunteer. To build a relationship with a client, volunteers are matched with people who need consistent help. There are also opportunities for group projects that take a full- or half-day to complete, like cleaning up after storms or doing yardwork. There are also volunteers who are just on call to provide a service if they are available.

Amanda Lin, a senior at the International Community School in Kirkland, is interning for the summer through Teens in Public Service. TIPS allows teenagers the opportunity to do community service while also getting paid.

Lin accompanies volunteers to meet with clients and she interviews both to get an understanding of the people and the background of the relationship. The information is then compiled into anecdotes and shared on the organization’s blog or in newsletters to sponsors and donors.

“It’s just been really inspiring to work with such a great group of people who are all passionate about the organization,” Lin said. “Even though I’m only writing stories, talking with these people is something I will always treasure.”

Lon Lindo, 63, has been volunteering with Eastside Friends for two and a half years. A regular service he provides is picking up Francis Takacs from kidney dialysis on Wednesdays and driving her to her home in Sammamish.

“You get more back than you give,” Lindo said. “They wouldn’t be able to maintain their independence and this helps their pride.”

Lindo also serves on the board of directors. He said the biggest problem the organization has is fundraising. In November, Eastside Friends of Seniors will hold its annual fundraiser. The exact date has not been set.

Takacs has been using the services since the beginning of the year and said all of the volunteers are nice and dependable.

“Eastside Friends of Seniors does all these services that may seem insignificant to someone outside the organization, but it really does make a huge difference in a senior’s life,” Lin said. “They can live as they want and maintain their dignity and connection with society.”

An example of a matched pair, volunteer DeeAnn Maher, 58, and client Lucinda Cox, have been working together for more than a year. Maher visits Cox every week, alternating between cleaning her apartment in Issaquah and taking her on errands. Cox also has macular degeneration and often has a list of jobs for Maher to do once a week, like open her lipstick container.

“I so look forward to her coming,” Cox said. “I wish young people were more exposed to volunteer things. There are so many things they could learn at a young age to encourage them as they grow up.”

Maher said that part of the organization is pairing people who click with each other, like her and Cox.

“It opens up just a fantastic friendship. They become an important part of your life,” Maher said. “I love what I do right now.”

The women have been through a lot together, including Cox losing her significant other, who also used the services of Eastside Friends to get rides to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

“It’s just so nice to have this service available to us seniors,” Cox said.

Recently, Puget Sound Energy donated a grant to purchase emergency disaster kits for all clients; the kits will be purchased and distributed in preparation for winter storms.

Later this year, the organization will expand to Bellevue.

Get involved

Eastside Friends of Seniors needs volunteers to drive seniors to doctor appointments or to the grocery store and help with their household chores while being a friendly visitor. Learn more by emailing info@EastsideFriendsOfSeniors.org or call 369-9120.

Filipino festival

Fiesta fundraiser extols traditional Filipino culture

August 22, 2012

By Katie Larsen

The Filipino-American Ministry of Our Lady of Sorrows church in Snoqualmie will hold its first annual Filipino Fiesta Fundraiser on Aug. 26.

“Our whole goal through fellowship and faith is to let the congregation know about our culture,” said Ted Reyes, co-chairman for the event.

Activities planned include performances of traditional dance and music, games and food, all from Filipino culture.

“The center piece will be two whole roasted pigs,” Reyes said, called “lechon.”

There will be other regular staple foods from the culture, co-chairman Roy Burgos said.

There will also be a raffle and auction, including handcrafted Filipino gifts.

Money raised from the fundraiser will go toward many projects and community service. Profits will also help fund the building of a new church on new property bought on Cascade River Bend.

“There are pressing issues that the community needs to know about and support,” organizer Emma Heron said.

Before last December, Snoqualmie has never had a Filipino event, according to Heron. Members of about 10 families have been planning the event since March and have weekly or bi-weekly meetings for progressreports.

“We are hoping to make this an annual event,” organizer Jennifer Esteban said. “Whatever makes it fun and enjoyable for the whole community.”

Esteban talked to businesses for support.

“There are many generous people in the community,” she said.

Our Lady of Sorrows has about 125 active families, a shift from the past.

“The church has changed from old-timers in the Valley to now, young families,” Reyes said. “The whole demographic of the church has changed.”

If you go

Filipino Fiesta Fundraiser

•  1-5 p.m. Aug. 26
•  Our Lady of Sorrows Parish Hall
• 39025 S.E. Alpha St., Snoqualmie
•  Cost is $20 for adults, $10 ages 6-18 and free for ages 6 and younger. Call 888-2974.

Issaquah’s edible landscape

Enjoy street eats along Issaquah’s edible landscape

August 21, 2012

By Katie Larsen

A pedestrian walks under ripening fruit on plum trees in front of KeyBank. By Greg Farrar

Don’t go to the store to buy supplies to bake pies or can fruits — go to Northwest Gilman Boulevard.

 

More than 20 years ago, the Issaquah City Council decided to make an edible landscape when the road was redone. Today, more than 20 different fruits and nuts are available for the public to pick.

The tour begins just west of the Visitor Information Center and ends by the Taco Time area. Parking is available in any of the neighboring shopping centers. It is the only landscape in the area with the primary function of food production. The most common and available of these foods are apples.

“It is unusual for a municipality to plant something like this,” said Alan Haywood, city arborist and horticulturalist. “It is hoped that the benefits people get from them offset the maintenance and costs.”

Haywood said that most things are ready to pick at the end of July and some of the fruits, like apples, are still good to pick into October.

Al Erickson, former park manager for the city of Issaquah, said that the food value of different varieties is important to the community.

“We get some beautiful colors along the boulevard,” he said. “It’s probably the most fun, seeing folks walking along the sidewalk and eating an apple as they walk.”

Haywood offered etiquette and safety tips for picking. He encourages people not to climb the trees but instead, bring a stepladder to harvest. Also, don’t block the sidewalk. There are lawn areas to stand on while picking.

On the Web Learn more about the Edible Landscape Tour, including where each food is on Northwest Gilman Boulevard, in the online pamphlet atwww.ci.issaquah.wa.us/ Page.asp?NavID=2357.

“We would also ask that people be careful with the trees,” he said. “We are there caring for the quality of trees.”

Of course, be aware of surroundings including traffic and bicyclists riding on the sidewalk.

“When it was done back in 1985, it kind of captured the history and heritage of the area,” he said. “It was also a fresh new idea of utilizing public space for edible landscaping.”

Other items to pick on the street are plums, prunes, cherries, blueberries, filberts, walnuts, pears, grapes and roses.

Helping Seniors!

Eastside Friends of Seniors helps through volunteering, friendship

August 14, 2012

By Katie Larsen

“It’s the ability to keep people living independently and be in good shape being there,” Clair Petersky said. “Sometimes, it’s that extra help with volunteers that helps them to flourish.”

Petersky is the executive director of Eastside Friends of Seniors, a local organization that provides seniors with volunteers who help transport them to medical appointments, shop and run errands, completehousehold chores and jobs, and provide information and referrals.

The service began in 1998 (It was then known as Faith in Action) and it now serves Issaquah, Sammamish and the Snoqualmie Valley. In Issaquah, there are 170 active clients and 31 active volunteers.

The median age of clients is 82; the biggest age group is 85 to 90 years old.

“It’s really heartwarming to see how much our volunteers get from helping seniors in our community,” Petersky said. “I think we are definitely friends. I think we benefit the entire community.”

Get involved Eastside Friends of Seniors needs volunteers to drive seniors to doctor appointments or to the grocery store and help with their household chores while being a friendly visitor. Emailinfo@EastsideFriendsOfSeniors.org or call 369-9120.

There are a variety of ways to volunteer. To build relationships with clients, volunteers are matched with people who need consistent help. There are also opportunities for group projects that take a full or half-day to complete, like cleaning up after storms or doing yard work. There are also volunteers who are just on-call to provide a service if they are available at a given time.

Amanda Lin, a senior at the International Community School in Kirkland, is interning for the summer through Teens in Public Service. TIPS allows teenagers the opportunity to do community service while also getting paid.

Lin accompanies volunteers to meet with their clients and interviews both to get an understanding of the people and the background of the relationship. The information is then compiled into anecdotes and shared on the organization’s blog or in newsletters to sponsors and donors.

“It’s just been really inspiring to work with such a great group of people who are all passionate about the organization,” Lin said. “Even though I’m only writing stories, talking with these people is something I will always treasure.”

Lon Lindo, 63, has been volunteering with Eastside Friends for two and a half years. A regular service he provides is picking up Francis Takacs from kidney dialysis on Wednesdays and driving her to her home in Sammamish.

“You get more back than you give,” Lindo said. “They wouldn’t be able to maintain their independence, and this helps their pride.”

Lindo also serves on the board of directors and said the biggest problem the organization has is fundraising. In November, Eastside Friends will hold its annual fundraiser. The exact date has not been set.

Takacs has been using the services since the beginning of the year and said all the volunteers are nice and dependable.

“Eastside Friends of Seniors does all these services that may seem insignificant to someone outside the organization, but it really does make a huge difference in a senior’s life,” Lin said. “They can live as they want and maintain their dignity and connection with society.”

An example of a matched pair, volunteer DeeAnn Maher, 58, and client Lucinda Cox, have been working together for more than a year. Maher visits Cox every week, alternating between cleaning her apartment in Issaquah, and taking her on errands. Cox has macular degeneration and often has a list of jobs for Maher to do once a week, like open her lipstick container.

“I so look forward to her coming,” Cox said. “I wish young people were more exposed to volunteer things. There are so many things they could learn at a young age to encourage them as they grow up.”

Maher said that part of the organization is pairing up people who click with each other, like her and Cox.

“It opens up just a fantastic friendship. They become an important part of your life,” Maher said. “I love what I do right now.”

The women have been through a lot together, including Cox losing her significant other, who also used the services of Eastside Friends to get rides to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

“It’s just so nice to have this service available to us seniors,” Cox said.

Puget Sound Energy recently donated a grant to purchase emergency disaster kits for all clients, which will be distributed in preparation for winter storms.

Later this year, the organization will expand to Bellevue.

Helping Senior Citizens

Browse > Home / Community / Eastside Friends of Seniors brings help and friendship

Eastside Friends of Seniors brings help and friendship

August 9, 2012

By Katie Larsen
Eastside Friends of Seniors is a local organization that provides seniors with volunteers who help transport them to medical appointments, shop and run errands, complete household chores and jobs, and provide information and referrals.

It began in 1998, then known as Faith in Action, and now services Sammamish, Issaquah and the Snoqualmie Valley. In Sammamish, there are currently 50 active clients and 55 active volunteers.

According to Executive Director Clair Petersky, the median age of clients is 82 and the biggest age group is 85 to 90 years old.

“It’s really heartwarming to see how much our volunteers get from helping seniors in our community,” Petersky said. “I think we are definitely friends. I think we benefit the entire community.”

There are a variety of different ways to volunteer. To build a relationship with a client, volunteers are matched with someone who needs consistent help. There are also opportunities for group projects that take a full or half day to complete, like cleaning up after storms or doing yardwork. There are also volunteers who are just on call to provide a service if they are available at a given time.

Amanda Lin, senior at International Community School, is interning for the summer through Teens in Public Service (TIPS).

TIPS allows teenagers the opportunity to do community service while also getting paid.

Lin accompanies volunteers to meet with their clients and interview both to get an understanding of the people and the background of the relationship. The information is then compiled into anecdotes and shared either on the organization’s blog or in newsletters to sponsors and donors.

“It’s just been really inspiring to work with such a great group of people who are all passionate about the organization,” Lin said. “Even though I’m only writing stories, talking with these people is something I will always treasure.”

Lon Lindo has been volunteering with Eastside Friends for two and a half years. A regular service he provides is picking up Francis Takacs from kidney dialysis on Wednesdays and driving her to her home in Sammamish.

“You get more back than you give,” Lindo said. “They wouldn’t be able to maintain their independence and this helps their pride.”

Lindo also serves on the Board of Directors and said the biggest problem the organization has is fundraising. In November, Eastside Friends of Seniors will hold their annual fundraiser. The exact date has not been set.

Takacs has been using the services since the beginning of the year and said all the volunteers are nice and dependable.

“Eastside Friends of Seniors does all these services that may seem insignificant to someone outside the organization, but it really does make a huge difference in a senior’s life,” Lin said. “They can live as they want and maintain their dignity and connection with society.”

An example of a match pair, volunteer DeeAnn Maher and client Lucinda Cox, have been working together for over a year. Maher visits Cox every week, alternating between cleaning her apartment in Issaquah, and taking her on errands. Cox also has macular degeneration and often has a list of jobs for Maher to do once a week, like open her lipstick container.

“I so look forward to her coming,” Cox said. “I wish young people were more exposed to volunteer things. There are so many things they could learn at a young age to encourage them as they grow up.”

Maher said that part of the organization is pairing up people who click with each other, like her and Cox.

“It opens up just a fantastic friendship. They become an important part of your life,” Maher said. “I love what I do right now.”

The women have been through a lot together, including Cox losing her significant other, who also used the services of Eastside Friends to get rides to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

“It’s just so nice to have this service available to us seniors,” Cox said.

Recently, Puget Sound Energy donated a grant to purchase emergency disaster kits for all clients. The kits will be purchased and distributed in preparation for winter storms.

Later this year, the organization will expand to Bellevue.

“It’s the ability to keep people living independently and be in good shape being there,” Petersky said. “Sometimes, it’s that extra help with volunteers that helps them to flourish.

Local author’s book helps readers find inner athletes

http://www.issaquahpress.com/2012/08/07/author-helps-readers-find-their-inner-athlete/

Author Mike Margolies helps readers find inner athletes

August 7, 2012

By Katie Larsen

One man’s years of expertise is featured in “The Athlete Within You: A Mental Approach to Sports and Business.” Issaquah resident Mike Margolies wrote the book to provide skill sets to achieve dreams.

Mike Margolies

Margolies said he wanted to write a sports psychology book with stories that showcased the themes of his book.

“For a long time, I didn’t think I could be a writer,” he said. “Writing is hard. It took me a long time to find my voice that would engage people.”

The book was just made available for Kindle through Amazon.

Margolies has worked with thousands of athletes at all levels, in many different sports.

“It’s basically my journey working with athletes, with stories about how to achieve your dreams,” he said. “Everything we learn in the world of sports is relevant to business.”

He said that using the principles of sports psychology — confidence, stress management and self-motivation — will help people achieve their dreams. Instead of basic lectures, Margolies tells stories as an example of how different skill sets have helped others, something he finds more effective than just speaking about the skill sets themselves.

“People can improve their performance in anything they want by acquiring these skill sets,” he said. “If sport is 80 to 90 percent mental, then these are skill sets you can learn.”

Margolies also said it is important to emotionalize goals because if a person connects all their senses to them, it really makes them real. And it’s not just about the end result, but the entire road getting there.

Margolies knows the struggle of athletics. He quit sports because he didn’t think he could do it, which in turn helps him consult other athletes who don’t have confidence, like he also did not.

“If we think we have limitations, then we do,” he said. “I quit not because I couldn’t play, but because I didn’t think I could play.”

He now consults with high school and college athletes, and conducts workshops and speeches about getting your mind in the game. He has coached athletes on all levels, including the Olympics. He said the volleyball coach for the U.S. Olympic team has added psychological training.

“They are doing it at the highest level,” he said. “It’s almost insane we aren’t doing it at the high school level.”

Margolies has made a point in not name-dropping athletes’ names that he’s worked with, a habit he formed early on in his career. But he said he is currently working with a hockey team in Wyoming, the Cheyenne Stampede, via Skype.

“If you use your imagination on your ideas, that’s how you create, link all things together and you find how to do what you want,” he said.

Margolies plans to write more books; the next will be a workbook to accompany his first. He said that he left things out of “The Athlete Within You” which will be beneficial to readers, and he will work them into the workbook.