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September 25, 2013
community
SAMMAMISH REVIEW
Imagination, persistence spark author’s debut novel By Neil Pierson
Photo by Neil Pierson
Sammamish resident Diana Lanham recently completed her first novel, ‘House of Aegea,’ which Lanham describes as ‘a classic story of good versus evil.’
Having the discipline to write every day wasn’t something Diana Lanham mastered overnight: From start to finish, it took Lanham four-and-a-half years to complete her 416-page fantasy debut, “House of Aegea.” Personal circumstances weren’t in her favor as she struggled to find time to write. Now 48, she’s the single mother of a 10-year-old daughter. To get the book moving, she had to carve out time in life’s “nooks and crannies,” namely early in the morning and late at night. When her daughter Gabby was away, she spent entire weekends in front of her laptop. Lanham, who has lived in Sammamish for three years, also said she went off on many different tangents before coalescing the novel into its final form. “This story that I ended up with is not the story I started with at all,” she said. “House of Aegea” follows a mermaid clan known as the Dauphine. The early portions of the book explain their origin, which Lanham was determined to make unique, and eventually gets into the major conflict they’re having with a rival clan. As the author phrases it, the book is “a classic story of good versus evil.”
Lanham, a self-described never imagined,” one review lover of action movies, said she stated. “The characters are full of wrote the book with “Lord of the witty repartee and cool sensibilRings” fans in mind. There are ity as they deal with the fantastic several battle sequences that creatures they have lived among might appeal to them. But she for centuries.” also drew from a softer, feminine “I found the story to be wellside that is grounded in the chats written and I read three-quarters she likes to have with her mother of it in one sitting,” another and sisters. Hopefully, she said, review said. “It was very engrossthe romance ing and the aspects that characters tug seep into the at your heart as Meet the author book aren’t too the inevitable Diana Lanham will be “fluffy.” battle takes its reading from her book Friends toll.” ‘House of Aegea’ and signing who’ve read Lanham’s copies from 6:30-7:30 p.m. the book have mermaids also Oct. 26 at Third Place Books, posted their deal with reli17171 Bothell Way N.E. in comments gion. As the Lake Forest Park. on Lanham’s story unfolds, Facebook page, the Dauphine and the novel do what they began gaincan to protect ing more critical acclaim earlier their goddess while also preparthis month when it was listed on ing for the arrival of a new deity, Amazon.com. which happens every few millen“It’s all about creating a buzz,” nia. Lanham said. “And to be honest, The battle with their rivals, I don’t even mind if there’s a bad which has also been going on for review. ... It’s out there and it’s ages, is spawning Lanham’s poslike, if I didn’t want people to sible sequel. Tentatively titled, read it and comment, I shouldn’t “The Cradle of the White Lotus,” have written the book.” she plans to start working on it in Feedback on Amazon.com has October with hopes of finishing been limited, but positive. in two years. “This story is a frothy swirl of A second book shouldn’t be modern mermaids … with humor as difficult, she feels, because and romance and mystery that See NOVEL, Page 9 takes you into a world like you’ve
Patrick Harlin’s stock soaring in the world of music composition By Neil Pierson
There have been several milestone moments in Patrick Harlin’s evolution as a composer, but maybe the biggest sign of his success will happen halfway across the country this weekend. On Sept. 27 and 28, the St. Louis Symphony will be performing “Rapture,” an 8-minute piece Harlin created for his master’s degree thesis at the University of Michigan. Harlin, who grew up in Sammamish and graduated from Eastlake High School in 2003, has been composing music since age 7, shortly before he began taking piano lessons. He said it’s rare for a major symphony to perform a student composer’s work. “It was quite the surprise to me,” Harlin said. The 29-year-old has had his fair share of accolades since coming to Michigan from Western Washington University, where
he earned his the Hermitage, Listen live Bachelor of told the Aspen The St. Louis Symphony Music degree. Business will be performing ‘Rapture,’ Many of Journal last a piece composed by the honors month. “First, Eastlake High School graduhave come it gives an upate Patrick Harlin, on Sept. within the past and-coming 27 and 28. The symphony’s year, includAmerican Sept. 28 performance can be ing a scholarcomposer the heard live at 6 p.m. Pacific ship from the gift of time time through St. Louis Public American and space to Radio’s website, www.stlpubAcademy work on their licradio.org. of Arts and art apart from Letters, an the everyday eight-week felworld and its lowship with the Aspen Music constant interruptions and disFestival, and a resident comtractions. poser’s spot at the University “Secondly, it allows the stuof Missouri’s International dent to meet and interact with Composers Festival. mid-career artists who have The Hermitage Prize – coalready found success in their sponsored by the Aspen Music artistic endeavors. Thirdly, it is Festival and the Hermitage Artist an affirmation that their work Retreat – was unusual because it is already being recognized by was the inaugural award. some of the most important pro“This prize is important fessionals in music today.” for several reasons,” Bruce E. Harlin’s musical tastes are Rodgers, executive director of eclectic. One of his favorite art-
Seventh annual Sammamish Arts Fair coming Oct. 12-13
Patrick Harlin ists is Aphex Twin, a well-known name in the electronic genre. Harlin has spent time writing acoustic versions of electronic music. “I would say I’m as influenced by pop and jazz music as I am by classical,” he explained. Harlin also believes he’s been “lucky with mentors through the years,” learning under the wing of Michael Daugherty and Evan Chambers at Michigan, and with See HARLIN, Page 9
The Sammamish Arts Fair will return to the Sammamish Commons for its seventh year on Oct. 12-13. The fair will feature some of the top local artists, who will be on hand to speak about their work and their creative processes. Admission is free, and the fair runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Inside City Hall, there will be art available for purchase, including original paintings, jewelry, mixed media, encaustic art, glass works, ceramics, woodcarving, printmaking, photography and textiles. Next door in the Sammamish Library and outside in the commons area, there will be several “Arts Encounters” programs, which will include performance artists and hands-on family activities. For a list of this year’s artists and previews of their work, visit the Sammamish Arts Fair website at sammamishartsfair.wordpress.com.
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September 25, 2013
SPORTS
SAMMAMISH REVIEW
Skyline uses run game, defense to stop Eastlake By Neil Pierson
The Skyline Spartans have traditionally featured a pass-happy, wide-open offense, but last week they showed they can also play bruising, run-between-the-tackles football. Skyline amassed 286 rushing yards, including 151 from sophomore running back Rashaad Boddie, and played stellar defense to earn a 21-6 victory over the rival Eastlake Wolves on Sept. 20 at Spartan Stadium. A dominant first half proved to be enough for Skyline (2-1), which didn’t score in the second half after Boddie was sidelined with an ankle injury. Eastlake coach Don Bartel was Skyline’s defensive coordinator last season, giving the Wolves some intimate knowledge of their opponent. Spartans coach Mat Taylor said his team tried to keep Eastlake’s defense uncomfortable. “I think it was just running some of our different variations out of our pistol zone read, and we just showed a look that we haven’t shown yet,” Taylor said. “We just kind of started playing games with their defensive ends and outside (linebackers), and it proved to be successful.” Skyline’s defense held Eastlake quarterback Blue Thomas in check. Thomas ran for See FOOTBALL, Page 13 Photo by Dave Sheffels
Eastlake quarterback Blue Thomas (4) picks up a big chunk of yardage during a Sept. 20 game against Skyline.
Spartans soccer smashes Knights, extend shutout streak By Neil Pierson
ly in the first half behind starters Fujiwara, Gaby Adamson, Abbey The Skyline Spartans are Porter and Abbie Litka. The given free rein to take open shots Knights rarely had possession in regardless of their position on the their offensive third of the field, field, and that philosophy helped and didn’t produce a shot on goal. produce a victory in the team’s “We have a really strong back first conference match of the line,” said Sullivan, a junior season. midfielder. “We’ve got a lot of Kelli Sullivan’s 35-yard rocket hard-working players … which staked the makes us never “We’ve got a lot of hard- concede a goal Spartans to a 3-0 halfbecause everyworking players … time lead, one is working which makes us never and Lindsey all over the Fujiwara’s concede a goal because field.” 20-yard blast Skyline diceveryone is working all tated the match finished the scoring from the openover the field.” as Skyline ing whistle. In dominated the 17th minthe Newport ute, Sullivan – Kelli Sullivan, Knights, 5-0, beat Newport’s Midfielder – in KingCo offside trap and Conference collected a long girls soccer action Sept. 19 at pass over the defenders’ heads. Spartan Stadium. Knights goalkeeper Sydney Skyline, which is chasing its Tomlinson saved Sullivan’s shot, third straight Class 4A state title, but the rebound fell to Jordan has outscored its opponents 14-0 Branch, who finished into the to open the season with a 5-0 open net. record. Amanda Johnston created Its defense suffocated Newport See SOCCER, Page 14 for most of the match, particular-
Photo by Dale Garvey
Skyline’s Lindsey Fujiwara takes aim on the goal during a Sept. 19 match with Newport. Fujiwara, a sophomore, scored as part of the Spartans’ 5-0 win.