By: Anne Frances Owen ~ 1/4/2023

Brad Finegood, strategic advisor for public health in Seattle and King County, spoke to club members about increased substance abuse in our communities and, specifically, what makes fentanyl so much more dangerous than other illegal drugs. For example:

• Products are much more prevalent and cheaper ($3-5/pill) than even a few years ago.
• Tablets look very similar to those a doctor, a hospital, or a pharmacy might give you.
• Anyone (including a kid) who wants to experiment with drugs perceives them as safer than substances that require injection through a needle.

Unlike medications from legal sources, street drugs are 98% likely to contain fentanyl, which is 50x more powerful than heroin and 100x more powerful than morphine. Finegood also pointed out that virtually all fatal overdoses are accidental and encourages everyone to understand the signs of an overdose and have appropriate supplies onhand to counteract the danger.

By: Anne Frances Owen ~ 12/19/2022

Thanks, Make A Wish foundation for sharing some wonderful stories with our members, from “state trooper for a day” to keeping food-bank patrons out of the rain! Every wish granted brings hope and healing not only to the wisher but also to their immediate support network and the larger community. Click here for more information.

By: Anne Frances Owen ~ 5/31/2023

Oracio Valdez, a counselor at Issaquah Middle School, recently spoke to our members about the incredible impact that a mentor had on his life. If you want to help an Issaquah student chart a better path than they ever could have dreamed, see the VOICE Mentor Program.

What is Issaquah’s community court?

By: Anne Frances Owen ~ 11/16/2022

As Judge Scott Stewart outlined for club members at a recent meeting, Issaquah Community Court differs from traditional court in how it addresses low-level, non-violent offenses such as shoplifting and trespassing. For example, this approach seeks to meet people where they are, support their recovery, and provide immediate social-service resources.

The spices that are touted at the Salmon Days annual Kiwanis Salmon BBQ are the same ones in this great little tin! Just add some butter to mix with the spices and baste onto your salmon.

Instructions included!

Secret Salmon Spice can also be picked up at local businesses such as Experience Tea in downtown Issaquah and the Kiwanis table at various community events, such as the Issaquah Sustainability Fair (Pickering Barn), The Village Market: Spring Pop-Up (Blakely Hall in the Issaquah Highlands) and the World Famous Kiwanis Salmon BBQ (Gibson Hall during Issaquah Salmon Days)!

Special thanks to all our volunteers who prepare and sell spice tins and spread the word about the good work our club does all year long.