Notes from the publisher

Most compelling Article

Fred Nystrom — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:42 +0000

I was just asked an interesting question– which article published during the past 15 months of writing stories in the magazine was the most personally compelling. In reflection, I have two answers to that– one that I wrote and the other written by Kelsey bowlby. Stangly, for a magazine that deals with the positive aspects of life in our community, both of these articles had the death of a valued love one at their core.

Kelsey wrote in our first edition about the death of her brother Justin from an accidental overdose of perscription drugs. She then went on to describe how the SAMA (Science and Management of Addiction) organization has been founded to eliminate the disease of substance addiction in youth by advancing research, education and treatment.

I was very moved by the quiet strength Kelsey showed in writing the article as I have been very motivated by the efforts of the entire Bowlby family to openly face the issues surrounding Justin’s death and to support the mission of SAMA.

In January of this year, I profiled Dellan Elliott and the challenges she faced helping her husband Chris battle with brain cancer. Again, another sad death, but in both cases it is what the survivors have done since then that is so motivating to me. In Dellann’s case she has developed programs for other families facing the same type of terminal brain cancer and has raised over $1,000,000 to fund research.

While I plan to provide many years of great stories about our community and the people who make it such a great place to live, these two storoes will always remain close to my heart.

Fred Nystrom — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:42:31 +0000

The newest edition of the Issaquah Sammamish Magazine is in the postal service as I write this. I do believe it to be the best of the six edition we have published over the past 15 months.

There are some subtle things that we have redesigned inside the magazine as well as several new sections we added to this edition. There is now a What IS Happening section to feature new businesses, anniversaries, and speceial events that we think you should be aware of– have also added a community calendar–this first one focused more on activities with kids, but we will continue to expand this to cover events for all ages that are happening during the two months following each editon.

If you are part of an organization and are planning some events, please send me info so that we might be able to include them in the calendar section.

Fall 2009 Issue

Fred Nystrom — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:06:56 +0000

We at Issaquah, Sammamish and beyond… have a challenge for you. This year, let’s make the holidays better for our families and our community by choosing to reduce the frenetic running around the county in search of the perfect party favor or holiday gift. Instead, let’s purchase all our goods and services in Issaquah and Sammamish. During the next month, as the pace of life begins to pick up speed, stay off I-90 and I-405, and spend your time and money in stores along Front Street, Gilman Blvd or 228th, keeping holiday buying at home.

There’s almost nothing you can’t find at stores in the area, from women’s clothing, garden, building and remodeling materials, wine , great restaurants, kitchen shops, barbers, auto sales, pet supplies and of course, world-class chocolates!

More than at any time in the past, we need to “Buy Local” this year. Not only will you save time and frustration, but your purchases will keep our merchants in business and the tax dollars collected will be put to work here to continue improving our roads, parks and services. We believe we really can make that degree of difference.

Our family goal over the next three months is to purchase 90 percent of our family needs here in town. We hope you will set a similar goal for your family and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same.

Watch for news in the next few weeks about the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce and their innovative Shop Local program.

Fred & Mardi Nystrom
Publishers

Summer 2009 Issue

Fred Nystrom — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:00:09 +0000

This edition of Issaquah, Sammamish and beyond… focuses on the link between strong local schools and a strong community, and demonstrates that we can’t have one without the other. If we want the advantages of a vibrant, healthy and prosperous community, we need to do everything possible to make certain our school system is well-funded, supported by the community and able to graduate students who are prepared for today’s job market.

Readers, whether you have active students at home or not, you materially benefit from strong schools in your neighborhood. Schools with excellent ratings and reputations produce higher property values and healthy local economy. In other words, the school system is a barometer of health for the entire community.

To that end, we have dedicated this edition to exploring the Issaquah School District. You will discover how the district has changed over the past 18 years and how healthy it is today. Why 18 years? The 2009 graduating class turned 18 this year, and it seemed like a good span to measure change.

As you read, we believe you will be surprised, as we were, to find that today’s students and teachers deal with a significantly more complex and nuanced environment than that faced by previous generations.

So please take a look, learn more about today’s schools and find a way to become personally involved.

Spring 2009 Issue

Fred Nystrom — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 01:56:53 +0000

In January, 2009, the first issue of Issaquah, Sammamish and beyond… magazine was mailed to 30,000 households in the Issaquah and Sammamish areas. The positive reception has been a welcome reward for members of the Nystrom family. Issaquah therapist and author Anita Bosler said “I just wanted to compliment you and Mardi on the new issue of Issaquah, Sammamish and beyond…. We receive many local publications that I usually skim briefly before recycling. I read your issue cover to cover. The design, article selection and writing are all excellent.”

Others readers wrote to tell us that they liked the brevity of the articles and that all articles focused on people and places in this community. These are the very reasons Mardi and I decided to take the risk of launching a magazine during these financially challenging times. We are also tired of the constant barrage of negative national and local news and consciously decided to concentrate on what is positive and good within our community.

With this issue we have expanded Issaquah, Sammamish and beyond’s distribution area. So, if the magazine is new to you, welcome. We hope you enjoy learning more about this special place.

Fred & Mardi Nystrom
Publishers

Winter 2009 Issue

Fred Nystrom — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:50:24 +0000

When our family moved to Issaquah in the early 1980’s, we joined about 7,000 residents in the city. Everyone else around the downtown portion of Issaquah lived in rural King Country. How the years have improved things!

Perhaps the biggest change has been the creation of an entirely new city of Sammamish right next door. With the development of many up-scale neighborhoods, retail centers and schools, our community has essentially doubled in size and regional impact.

We believe that the growth in new residents, businesses and services has had a very powerful and positive impact on the entire community. We can now find world class medical care, shopping, homes and services without leaving our area.

Issaquah, Sammamish and beyond… will be delivered to your home four times a year. We will be bringing you articles about home, garden, entertaining and community issues. Our articles will be relevant, positive and will focus on the things that brought each of us here and those things that keep us here.

As a companion to the magazine, please visit www.isandbeyond.com. It is our goal to make the web site a platform for all things of interest to current and future residents of Sammamish and Issaquah and our “Cascade foothills” neighbors.

Creation of this free publication is made possible by the support of local area businesses. So, when you have the choice, please support our advertisers who serve this community in so many ways.

Fred & Mardi Nystrom

Publishers