CONNECTIONS

ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY NEWS www.ihwebsite.com | facebook.com/highlands.council

GRAND RIDGE PLAZA! Pages 6 - 9

Holiday Happenings • Decoration Regulations • Living Green WHAT’S INSIDE? 4 5 6 10 10 11 11 13 15 16

Highlands Council Blakely Hall as Art Gallery Grand Ridge Plaza Movie Review Volunteer of the Month Issaquah City News Kids Essays Fashion Holidays What’s Happening

18 21 22 22 23 23 25 26 28 30

Living Green Fitness & Health Arts & Entertainment Ask Kari Wits and Tidbits Highlands 5k IHCA News HFN News Schools Spotlight Resident Profile

Photo by: Julie Clegg / julieclegg.com

December 2013

ECRWSS 2550 NE Park Drive Issaquah, WA 98029

PERMIT NO. 83 ISSAQUAH, WA U.S. POSTAGE PAID PRSRT STD

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December 2013

Issaquah Highlands Connections

FROM THE EDITOR Spirit of the Season Celebrations of the season have already begun. Diwali is passed and “Thanksgivingkah” is right around the corner (See Cheryl Puterman’s article for translation). Solstice and Christmas will soon be here in an avalanche (taken from Tami’s apt simile in Wit and Tidbits). And in this season of gifts and giving, we open the biggest package ever: Grand Ridge Plaza! It was built so quickly it seems like unwrapping a gift – Wow! It’s just what I always wanted! That’s what you say when someone gives you a gift, even if it wasn’t precisely, exactly what you wanted. And you grow to love it. Neighbors of mine were delighted to say how much they enjoyed walking to Safeway recently. It was a satisfying experience going way beyond just getting the groceries. Completion of this part of our Urban Village brings us more than just stores and restaurants. It brings a whole new dimension. See more in the feature article, “I’m Walkin’”. This entire issue celebrates Grand Ridge Plaza through photos and resident stories. The cover captures the spirit of the Plaza perfectly. And check out our new fashion writer, Sree Dadisetty who enjoys an unobstructed view of Marshalls from her home at Forest Ridge. Arts and Entertainment Marty and Molly give you a behind the scenes view of the “spirits” of the season. And our resident profile features Carrie Orrico of the Big Fish Grill – a resident business owner in Grand Ridge Plaza, keeping it all very close to home. I invite you to browse around this issue just like you would around the alleys and plazas of our new village center to find treasures around each corner. I’ll see you around the ‘hood! Seasons Greetings! Nina Milligan, Crofton Springs Editor of Connections - Highlands Council Communications Manager Highlands Council is the publisher of Connections, producer of community-wide events such as Highlands Day, owner and manager of Blakely Hall, liaison with the greater community.

December 2013

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December 2013

HIGHLANDS COUNCIL

Season’s Greetings from Highlands Council

by Christy Garrard, Director and Special Events Planner and Dahlia Park Resident There is certainly no shortage of community opportunities to get into the holiday spirit this season! On the evening of Friday, November 29th Park Drive and Village Green Park will be all aglow with holiday lights! November 29th is the third night of Chanukah and Rabbi Farkash will illuminate the third light of the Village Green Menorah provided annually by the Chabad of the Central Cascades. This year, the Village Green Christmas Tree lights are provided by Highlands Council. When approached by the IHCA that budget cuts would not allow for the large evergreen inside the park to be decorated the Highlands Council Board of Trustees offered to incur the cost to keep the tradition in place. The TROLLEY is back on Saturday, November 30th from Noon – 8pm in support of Shop Small Saturday! Highlands Council is partnering with the Downtown Issaquah Association and Gilman Village to provide FREE trolley service between Blakely Hall, Grand Ridge Plaza, Front Street, and Gilman Village. Leave the car behind and enjoy a spirited ride through the greater community as you shop local, supporting small businesses in our area. The Chabad of the Central Cascades will host the annual Chanukah Community Celebration at Blakely Hall on Saturday, November 30th beginning at 6:30pm. The event is free and open to everyone. On Sunday, December 1st the youngest talent of Issaquah Highlands will perform at the very first Holiday Recital sponsored by TCBY/Mrs Fields and held at Blakely Hall beginning at 4pm. Co-produced by Highlands Council and Joy Kim, manager of TCBY/Mrs Fields the recital is a chance for local kids to perform a favorite piece. Proceeds from the recital will benefit the newly appointed Issaquah Highlands Youth Board. Families will come together for a free Celtic Christmas Concert at Blakely Hall presented by The Fire Inside on Sunday, December 8th beginning at 5pm. Join your neighbors and enjoy traditional Christmas favorites “with an Irish lilt!” Finally, slow down and settle into a seat at beautiful Blakely Hall for Christmas Eve Service hosted by the new Highlands Church! The service is from 2pm - 4pm, free to attend, and all are welcome.

Regardless of the holiday you celebrate this winter Highlands Council wishes you the very best of the season and a joyous new year!

Issaquah Highlands Connections

December 2013

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BLAKELY HALL ART GALLERY

Blakely Hall Welcomes Two New Art Exhibits In Partnership with artEAST, Issaquah Shows run together, December 2, 2013 to January 3, 2014

Anne Anderson

Seattle native Anne Anderson paints on silk. This unique art form bears resemblance to both watercolor and batik. Anne has traveled extensively abroad and it was in France that she first saw the silk painting technique. Anne spent 12 years mastering this complex art form.

Deb Freng

Deb Freng is a bold colorist painter inspired by the joy of everyday living. A lifelong fascination with color, texture and shape drives her signature style of saturated color combined with tight composition.

“I love the play and contrast of light and color, on the petal of a rose, or on a rugged rocky cliff at sunset. My eye has always been drawn to color, and the shades and hues of each color. It is fascinating to see how different colors are combined to solicit our reactions. Thick, luscious silk is the perfect vehicle for me because of its natural luster and saturation properties. It almost radiates color.” Anne Anderson

Freng received her BA in Art from Western Washington University where she studied studio painting with R. Allen Jensen and Design with Robert Urso. As a child she took painting lessons from William Cumming at Kirkland Art Center. Later, at Burnley School of Professional Art, she was again a student of Mr. Cumming and Northwest Design Artist Fred Griffin.

Anne’s compositions are first traced on to the silk with melted bees wax. Then, using a regular paintbrush, she paints dye on the silk. The process is extremely difficult to control and mistakes cannot be erased or covered up. The piece is then steamed in a large kettle which sets the color. Then it is washed, dried, and taken to the dry cleaners to remove the wax. Finally it is ready to frame. In recent years Anne has experimented with painting acrylics over the white lines left by the wax. She has now completely adopted this final touch with her work, pleased with how this brings even richer depth to her paintings.

“We’re all affected by color. My journey explores this wondrous effect. As a Colorist, I’m fascinated by the human response to color and light. For me, making art is a sensory feast. I think of my paintings as jewels in a visual banquet.” Deb Freng Her lengthy career includes Painting, Freelance Design and Illustration, Editorial Cartooning, Animation Production, Newspaper Ad Layout, Ad Agency Print Production, Prop Design, Copy Writing and being a Manufacturer’s Rep in the commercial printing industry. She has exhibited at over 40 juried or invitational exhibits in the past five years including Seattle Design Center, Washington State Department of Transportation/Olympia and Gates Hall at The University of Washington Law School. For further information visit www.frengstudio.com.

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December 2013

Issaquah Highlands Connections

I’m WALKIN’!

by Nina Milligan, Crofton Springs, Editor Connections

Thursday, 7:05PM

Grand Ridge Plaza Parking, 10th Ave NE, Top Deck: Cars crawl through the lanes in the lot hunting for parking opportunities, but most are finding none. A Honda spots me walking for my car and quietly rolls along behind me. They know they‘ve scored. The preying competition is intense but the transaction is quite civil. I back my car out and point towards the exit; the Honda slides into my spot. Jockeying for the exit becomes my challenge as more cars pry in to try their luck. Memo to self: Walk next time.

Friday, 5:10PM

Blakely Hall, 2550 NE Park Drive: My husband reports his bus is departing Seattle. At the same time I depart my office at Blakely Hall to walk down and meet him at Safeway. My route brushes by Central Park then descends College Drive where I enjoy expansive views. I zig-zag through the Forest Ridge neighborhood, relishing the quiet streets. I consider taking the stairs down the hill and winding around the pond trail, but I’m timing this to rendezvous with my husband’s bus so I head directly for Safeway. Down Falls Drive, left on 10th, right on Ellis, then precisely 24 minutes later we are shopping for dinner. The walk home is even faster, since we live by the school.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

December 2013

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I’M WALKIN’! - GRAND RIDGE PLAZA

A walker could take the direct path down NE Park Drive (blue line), or opt for the lovely College Drive and then through the Forest Ridge neighborhood (green line). For the more adventurous, try accessing the forest paved trail just west of the soccer fields. Traverse Forest Ridge then head down the stairs and the trail to the pond. Enjoy the waterfall at the south of the pond then direct yourself on to Grand Ridge Plaza (orange line).

Finally it’s here:

the Issaquah Highlands commercial district. My family has waited nine long years for this expectation to materialize, others longer. Oh, I wasn’t waiting for big box stores or a 12-screen cinema, or two more Starbucks. Those are just icing on the cake. No, for me, it’s all about being able to walk to my grocery store. I am pinching myself with delight. How can we be so lucky to have these fantastic stores, restaurants and a state-of-the-art movie theater all within walking distance of our homes? Was it Luck? Not at all.

Grand Ridge Plaza includes what veteran Issaquah Highlanders refer to as Block 8, the shops and businesses east of 10th between Park and High Streets. Fuller Sears Architects was hired by Regency Centers to not only design many of the buildings that would comprise Grand Ridge Plaza, but also plan how the entire site would work as an urban center and public gathering place. Principal Bill Fuller opines, “Calthorpe’s paired one-way streets through a traditional grid system was a pivotal design contribution that allows Grand Ridge Plaza to work so well as a walkable village center.”

“As many people are already experiencing, it can be easier to actually walk from destination to destination than move your car. This was one of the goals of the closely spaced buildings, activated sidewalks and generous use of weather-protecting canopies. It’s gratifying to see it actually working.” - Bill Fuller, Fuller Sears Architects

Grand Ridge Plaza Fast Facts:

Architect: Seattle-based Fuller Sears Architects Official Ground Breaking: June 26, 2012 First new business opened: June 29, 2013 Number of new businesses in 2013-14: 34 Restaurants and Cafes: 14 Total Square Footage: Over 320,000 Square Feet Investment by Regency Centers in GRP: Over $90 Million Largest Regency shopping center in the NW: Grand Ridge Plaza Regency Center’s Claim to Fame: High-quality, grocery-anchored shopping centers Consulting to Port Blakely Communities, Peter Calthorpe reconfigured the original town center street plan from what could have been a virtual highway to Sammamish (left) to paired, one-way streets that slow traffic down and allow the commercial development to straddle the path (right). This creates a Main Street not unlike historic models, such as Ashland, OR.

History

When the first Development Agreement defining Issaquah Highlands was signed in 1996, the commercial component of this Urban Village was planned to be much smaller than it is today. In the late 2000s, High Streets was proposed, a two story, mixed-use town center to be located in the area where Dicks, Home Goods and Marshalls are now. But then the Great Recession knocked out Port Blakely’s partner and these plans. Port Blakely retooled, reinvented. And they found Regency Centers. As the economy began to recover Regency Centers leveraged its national clout and know-how to take humble hopes of a phased town center and powered through to a 100% fully leased project, unheard of in today’s economy. Grand Ridge Plaza was born. Centered along Highlands Drive’s “Main Street”, Grand Ridge Plaza combines privately owned, local businesses with national chains. Civilized Nature is D’Arcy Dent’s only store. Our Chinoise Café is Thoa Nguyen’s second café, the original located on Queen Anne. The RAM has 21 locations across the country, but is still family-owned and still based in Lakewood, WA. BevMo! on the other hand, a California concept begun in 1996 now has 146 stores in California, Arizona and Washington. Marshalls is owned by T.J. Maxx out of Massachusetts which has over 750 stores in the U.S. This range of store types provide us with great variety, but is also smart shopping center planning.

More about Regency Centers See November Connections interview with Regency Centers’ Senior Vice President, Senior Market Officer, Craig Ramey. See page 14 of this issue for grand opening speech by Larry Norton.

Safeway

But for me, it’s all about the grocery store. I grew up in the Seattle area thinking Safeway was a local business, they offered such a neighborhood-focused shopping experience. But no. They were founded in Idaho in 1915 by M.B. Skaggs, who bought his father’s small store and quickly expanded it to a popular chain of stores serving small towns in Idaho. Safeway continued to grow from there. Safeway has over 1,400 stores throughout the west in US and Canada, but our store is special. Though they have built a half dozen stores to LEED specifications, ours will be LEED Silver Certified. Ours is the first to have electric car charging at its fueling station. And ours implemented what the corporation calls “Elite Features” that Safeway had conceptualized but had not implemented, until now.

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December 2013

Issaquah Highlands Connections

I’M WALKIN’! - GRAND RIDGE PLAZA continued from page 7

Safeway Green

Measures above and beyond what we Issaquah Highlanders have grown to expect: Roof Reducing Heat Island Effect A reflective TPO membrane was used for weatherproofing, which reduces heat gain and allows Safeway to control the internal conditions efficiently. Water Efficient Landscaping A control system measures the soil moisture, air moisture and weather forecast to determine the need for mechanical irrigation. As a result, the irrigation system uses over 50% less water than the typical store irrigation system. Water Use Reduction The store has installed water efficient appliances and sinks to ensure water conservation. Over 3.5 million gallons of water are saved per year compared to the traditional grocery store. Efficient Refrigeration System Optimized technological advances and control sequences use almost 300,000 kWh per year less than the typical grocery store.

One of the features I will prize above all the rest is the store manager’s unique authority to special order and to stock local products. They can formulate their product mix from consumer research or by customer request. While touring the store at the Grand Opening, I asked the wine manager if she could special order wine for me, even if it was only one bottle and she said, “Yes!” Well, now you’re talkin’!

Efficient Lighting Selection The wattage used per square foot is roughly 20% more efficient than the LEED baseline. Occupancy sensors to ensure lights are not left on once the space is vacated. Examples include offices and the produce cooler. Automatic lighting controls have been installed on display cases to ensure these are not on after store hours.

Most of all I look forward to taking care of my daily shopping needs close to home, where I am likely to see a neighbor or two. We can get caught up on the local gossip while selecting which of variety of apple to buy. Such experiences provide that sense of belonging, experiencing “my place in the world”. Larry Norton, President of Highlands Council put it best in his speech at the Safeway Ribbon Cutting:

“Our Safeway will be more than a grocery store. I predict it will become a center for the mingling of community. Neighbors meeting neighbors. Friends chatting over coffee; sharing meal ideas as we they collect their food stuffs. Our community has long looked forward to this opportunity.” See What’s Happening on pages 16-17 for details about special holiday events at Grand Ridge Plaza.

Safeway Fast Facts: Architect: Seattle-based Fuller Sears Architects LEED Certification: Silver (Application in process) 1st for Safeway: Electric Automobile Charging Station Store Manager: Brett Dow Hours Open: 24! Total Square Footage: 44,000+ Sweetest Feature: Gas fireplace in 24-hour dining area Runner-up Sweet Feature: Panoramic windows in the produce section

Enhanced Commissioning Safeway goes beyond LEED requirements by beginning what’s called “commissioning” during in the design phase and after the building has been in operation. “Commissioning” is a verification and documentation process to assure LEED standards are implemented and operational. Store Waste Diversion The store diverts waste from landfills with on-site recycling bins in front and at all food prep areas, with compost collection, cardboard baling, reducing its impact on landfills and greenhouse gas emissions. Construction Waste Management The building diverted over 85% of waste generated during construction from landfills. The total amount of weight diverted was over 200 tons. Recycled Content Over 30% (by cost) of the materials used came from recycled materials. Regional Material Over 30% (by cost) of the materials used were considered regional materials, supporting the local economy and reducing the ill effects of transporting goods. Improved Indoor Air Quality The store’s ventilation system was designed to exceed the minimum requirements for outside air by 30%, thus improving the indoor air quality. Low-Emitting Materials Using low amounts of volatile organic compounds or VOCs on internal finishes has been a priority for Safeway. This includes: low-emitting, low-VOC adhesives, sealants, paints coatings and flooring materials. Green Cleaning Safeway has a company-wide, green-cleaning policy selecting cleaning materials and equipment based on criteria such as: recycled content, low amounts of chemicals, effectiveness of equipment and ease of use.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

December 2013

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GRAND RIDGE PLAZA

Grand Ridge Gives Marshall’s

On October 25th Marshall’s hosted their grand opening event in the Issaquah Highlands. Store manager, Roman Kuzishin, presented Highlands Resident and Eastside Baby Corner’s Executive Director, Renee Zimmerman, a $5,000 check as one of their chosen local charities for financial support.

Wells Fargo

Marshall’s presents Issaquah’s Eastside Baby Corner with $5,000. Accepting the check is Issaquah Highland’s own, Renee Zimmerman, Executive Director of Eastside Baby Corner and resident in Ashland Park.

“Every dollar we receive is maximized to make sure it helps pay for the critical items our children need in our Greater Eastside community,” Zimmerman explains. About Eastside Baby Corner: For over 23 years, EBC has provided needed support to over 130 local agencies with the critical “stuff” that children need to thrive, including items such as clothing, diapers, car seats, formula, play pens, toys, and books. For more information about volunteering or getting involved, please visit their website at www.babycorner.org or contact Renee Zimmerman at reneez@babycorner.org.

Wells Fargo, a new Grand Ridge Plaza tenant, has demonstrated its commitment to education and our community with a $5,000 grant to the Issaquah Schools Foundation’s Volunteers of Issaquah Changing Education (VOICE) Mentor Program. The program, which celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year, matches caring community volunteers with students in need of academic, social or emotional support.

Dennis Edwards and Alex, his student mentee.

Mentors meet with their students for one-to-one, one hour weekly sessions with transformative results. This year the program anticipates serving more than 350 kindergarten to high school students throughout the District. VOICE is actively seeking volunteers. If you are interested in making a difference in a student’s life as an Academic/ Social Skills Mentor, College Bound Mentor, English Language Learner Mentor or Summer School Mentor, please contact the VOICE Mentor Program at VOICE@issaquah.wednet.edu or 425.837.6801.

Safeway

At the Safeway Grand Opening event on October 25th Safeway presented two generous gifts to Issaquah Highlands organizations. $10,000 was given to the YWCA Family Village to help with their programming and services in the community. The gift was thankfully received by Irma Dore, member of the Board of Directors for YWCA FV. The second gift was given to Grand Ridge Elementary School PTSA. Though the PTSA had been informed of the forthcoming gift - their representatives were on-hand to receive it – they we shocked and delighted to learn their gift also would be for $10,000. This was twice what they were led to expect.

My Martinez Miscue

by Aadit Mehta, seventh Grade, IH Sportshound and Youth Board member writing for the local newspaper, Connections. I then told him that my first article was to be written soon, and that it would be an honor to interview him. He gave me a slightly surprised look, as did the two store employees who were essentially “running” the event. He said, “Do you want to interview me now?” That was totally unexpected! It was unbelievable! The look on my face as well as my mom’s must have been priceless. Earlier I had contacted him through his website to request an interview. I wanted to repeat my request in person so that he could associate a face with that online interview request. I grabbed my mom; we “hid” behind one of the clothes racks, and conferred with each other. We weighed the pros and cons of an impromptu interview. Since more people were flowing in to get autographs, we thought that I would be unable to conduct an interview without being interrupted. We decided against interviewing him right away, since even if we possibly mustered a handful of questions, we would be hard-pressed to come up with many more relevant questions. Instead, we decided to follow up with him later, so that I could have a better, more focused and meaningful interview.

It was October 12th and I was giddy with excitement. I was about to start writing a sports column for my community newspaper, and had an opportunity to meet Seattle Mariners’ legend Edgar Martinez. It just so happened that he was also one of my initial choices for my inaugural article. He happened to be signing autographs at the Grand Opening of Dick’s Sporting Goods. We stood in line, with about 30 people ahead of us. There was a lady in front of us, with two kids. She had forgotten her camera, and my mom, being a nice person, offered to take video/pictures of her and her two sons receiving autographs. She was ecstatic! It took another fifteen minutes or so for us to reach the front of the line. My mom went first, and got an autograph for my sister, who couldn’t come because of dance class. Silver sharpie in hand, I introduced myself to Mr. Martinez, and told him that I was

Mulling over my missed opportunity while waiting in the checkout line (we were making a purchase), it dawned on my mother and me that we had just witnessed an important lesson in the world of journalism and also in life: always, always, ALWAYS be prepared, as you never know when opportunity will strike. The car ride home, instead of the usual few minutes, felt like five hours. I was disappointed and upset with myself for not making the most of this interview opportunity I had with one of the greatest baseball players of all time. After I got home, I followed up by sending another message through his website. I am hopeful he will respond, but realize that the lesson I learned may have been more important than actually interviewing him. Now, I always carry a list of interview questions with me! -The Sportshound Got an Issaquah Highlands sports story? Contact me at ihsportshound@gmail.com

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December 2013

Issaquah Highlands Connections

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: LARRY NORTON

Larry Norton Volunteer of the Month – December 2013 Larry Norton has served this community ever since he got the keys to his Crofton Springs home. His first foray was to help build a team of neighbors to represent the community with the HOA, the builder and the city. Later he served as a Voting Member and then on the IHCA BOD. Currently Larry serves as the President of the Highlands Council Board of Trustees. In this role, Larry has done more work for this community than he did in all the other roles combined. In addition to supporting the staff and ensuring the mission and values of the organization are upheld, Larry led multiple, major initiatives on behalf of Highlands Council this year: • The appointment of three new Board of Trustee members to replace the seats previously held by Port Blakely as the founder of Highlands Council • The recruitment of community stakeholders to form the Highlands Council Transition Committee that proceeded to perform due diligence in preparation for separation from the organization’s founder, Port Blakely Communities • The formation of a special purpose HFN committee to research the purchase of the network from Port Blakely • Logistics and serving as “Sherriff of the Festival” for this summer’s Wild West Highlands Day • HFN due diligence and purchase negotiations • Highlands Council purchases Highlands Fiber Network, Larry assumes the roles of President and CEO • HFN Board of Directors appointed and hired new General Manager • Logistics team at the Green Halloween Festival • HFN hosts a booth promoting: Fiber to the Home, is NOW Community Owned None of this could be done without Larry Norton. The sheer volume of these accomplishments would deter the ordinary volunteer, but not Larry. Add to that the enormity of the Highlands Council Transition and the HFN acquisition and you will begin to see that this volunteer is not just one for the month, but for an era.

MOVIE REVIEW: PAUL SLATER

Celluloid Seattle by Paul Slater, Crofton Springs

About a year after I moved from Oxford, England to make the Seattle area my home, a good friend came to stay. Amanda was thrilled to visit the United States and my adoptive city/state didn’t disappoint. We did Pike Place Market, the Underground Tour, Snoqualmie Falls, Bumbershoot, and so much more. But for Amanda, one attraction overwhelmed any other. She needed, desperately, to see the Space Needle. And she needed to see it because of Elvis. “It Happened at the World’s Fair” (1963) is not a great movie. It’s not even Elvis’s best movie. (In case you have forgotten, Elvis actually starred in a couple of pretty good ones—go back and watch “Jailhouse Rock” and “King Creole” if you don’t believe me.) But it was a movie that Amanda loved and created an image of Seattle for her. That image was futuristic; exciting; and the launching pad for the moon, mars, and beyond. There are of course many other films that feature our closest big city or its surrounding area. And, if you take the opportunity to visit “Celluloid Seattle,” a small but fascinating exhibit at the Museum of History & Industry before it closes on December 1, you will see lots of Seattle-based films, and some interesting television shows to boot.

still entertaining us today. And Seattle remains the home of a vibrant independent movie scene and the largest film festival in the country. Peppered throughout the exhibit are photographs and memorabilia from the films that have portrayed Seattle for more than 100 years. There are many highlights, but I was particularly pleased to see mention of a number of films set in Seattle that I enjoyed growing up. Need a slightly nerdy teenager capable of hacking into government weapons control systems? Set “WarGames” in Seattle. And why not use Seattle for a story about a pair of jazz pianists whose careers have stagnated (“Fabulous Baker Boys”)? But the heart of the exhibit is the clips from the films that have portrayed Seattle over the years. I loved watching the silent Edison film from the late 1800s, which showed a Seattle that was so different, and yet, strangely familiar. Another great sequence was from “Tugboat Annie” (1933). This film ostensibly stars Marie Dressler and Wallace Beery, but for any local, it really stars Elliot Bay; and provides fantastic views of our city at a time where the Smith Tower dominated the landscape.

The exhibit is curated by local film critic Robert Horton and he uses the opportunity to build a story around two elements. The first is the movies and TV shows that portray Seattle; the second is the places we chose to watch them. As any such exhibit should, it begins with the theater lobby, featuring artifacts from many of the finest local cinemas of the early 20th century. Move along, and you can sit in a car seat and view movies on a screen made from corrugated iron—snagged from one of the many drive-in theaters that populated the area at the time. By the end of the exhibit you find yourself in a living room, the place that for so long has threatened to kill cinema, but never quite has.

Television shows are included, such as “Gray’s Anatomy” and “Frazier,” of course, and the show that made me want to visit the Pacific Northwest—“:Twin Peaks.”

I actually found the cinema part of the exhibit simultaneously depressing and exhilarating. So many great movie theatres have closed. But some (the Guild 45th and the Paramount) are

Celluloid Seattle runs until December 1st at the Museum of History & Industry. Entrance to the exhibit is included in the museum entrance fee. For more details, visit www.mohai.org.

No matter what your favorite Seattle film is, you will likely find it referenced at Celluloid Seattle. But thanks to the excellent work of Robert Horton, this is more than just a collection of films and cinemas. Horton shows you Seattle as seen through the movies over time— initially as a remote outpost and gateway to Alaska, later as a cool and hip setting for mainstream Hollywood movies, and most recently as an indie film destination.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

December 2013

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NEWS FROM THE CITY OF ISSAQUAH

Join Us on Social Media for Posts, Pins, Tweets and More

Now Showing: Queen of the Sun Issaquah’s Office of Sustainability will present their next free sustainability film on December 12, 2013 from 6:30-9 p.m. at Blakely Hall, 2550 N.E. Park Dr.

Meet the social side of Issaquah City Hall. We invite you to join the City of Issaquah on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram and Google Plus! Join us on social media to learn about what the City of Issaquah does each day, and how you can become part of the discussion.

We use our social media presence to share City events, issues and milestones. Follow for news, calendar items, road closures, volunteer opportunities and emergency alerts — as well as photos, pins and videos from throughout Trailhead City. Want even more news from the City of Issaquah? Subscribe to our Issaquah Insider e-newsletter and sign up for Notify Me to receive notifications. To learn more and to start following, visit issaquahwa.gov/social.

“Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?” is a documentary focused on the buzz about bees, from the mysterious world inside a hive to the global bee crisis. “Queen of the Sun” is a profound look at the global bee crisis from director Taggart Siegel. This engaging film weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the heartfelt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and philosophers from around the world, including Michael Pollan, Gunther Hauk and Vandana Shiva. Together, they reveal the problems and the solutions in renewing a culture in balance with nature. A panel of experts will lead a discussion after the film, where you can learn what you can do in your own yard and community to help. Come early to speak to the exhibitors, pick up some refreshments and information. Door prizes will be awarded. “Queen of the Sun” continues the City of Issaquah’s series of film nights focused on sustainability. Our series is presented by the Office of Sustainability and funded through a grant from the King County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program. To learn more, visit issaquahwa.gov/sustainability.

One Door Closes and Another Door Opens by Elizabeth Figg - 12 years old

In 2008 my family moved here from New Jersey. We gathered in the living room of our temporary house to vote between two houses: one in the Issaquah Highlands and one in Woodinville. I voted for the Woodinville home, while every else voted for the Highlands house. After sharing our feelings, we made a final decision; we were moving to the Highlands! On the first day of school my family moved into our new house and I made a new friend. I really liked her! She was kind, nice, and funny! We shared lots of things in common! Days later she introduced me to her friends and then her friends introduced me to their friends! The Highlands opened up new doors for me. I have met great people and I enjoy the fun parks and trails. I know that I will never forget my old friends, but I do know that letting go of something that you care about can open doors for something that you love. The Highlands is a great place to live and I have grown to love it! * These stories will be printed throughout the months in a multi-part series highlighting all of the wonderful entries from the EMA (Erik Mehr & Associates Real Estate) Summer Essay Contest.

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December 2013

Issaquah Highlands Connections

I Think I Love It Too by Sree Dadisetty, Forest Ridge

I am Sree Dadisetty, a software engineer by profession and a fashionista by choice. The beauty of fashion is that you can do whatever you want with your life and still be fashionable and that’s my fashion mantra. I am the creator and editor of “I Think I Love It Too” - a fashion and lifestyle blog. This year has been a great one for me so far. I was able to find love not once but twice! No, I am not talking about my first love, my husband. I am talking about the beginning of my very own fashion blog. How did it all start? Having followed quite a few fashion blogs over the years, I began to realize that I too have a unique style that people may like to read about. And I was desperately in need of a creative outlet. Thus began my blogging journey through which I capture my day-to-day fashion choices and try to justify the money I spend on clothes. I always believed in the old adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” The key to success of any fashion blog will be the pictures. Though my husband gifted me an awesome camera, I only really a photographer . That is the present I asked of my husband on our first anniversary and after a couple of photography classes, he started taking pictures like a pro. And that’s the beginning of our new journey as a Photographer Husband and a Blogger Wife. The ubiquitous quote - behind every successful man there is a woman - takes a bow here as I am always in front of the camera. The second love I found this year was our new home in Issaquah Highlands. It was love at first sight and I knew right away that it was the one for us. With its breathtaking views, countless number of hikes and a friendly community, this neighborhood is a paradise. Don’t you folks agree? Whenever we shoot pictures for my blog posts, we scout for picturesque places. The best part of living in Highlands is that you can always find a place that is picture perfect right around the corner. With the opening of Grand Ridge Plaza, it is like the best got even better. When we came to know that Marshall’s, Home Goods and Ulta are opening up just a few blocks from our home, we were all over the moon. How convenient is it to have shops for fashion, home decor and beauty right next to your doorstep? And all that coupled with some breathtaking views - I am in a fashion heaven, quite literally. Couldn’t have asked for more this year - 2013! Through this monthly series I will be introducing you guys to the latest fashion trends and give you tips on how to personalize your style. So don’t forget to check back next month for more on New Year fashion trends. Meanwhile you might head over to ithinkiloveittoo.com for more holiday fashion tips.

December 2013

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December 2013

Grand Ridge Plaza Ribbon Cutting The Plaza, Friday, November 15, 2013

Speech by Larry Norton, Highlands Council, President

Issaquah Highlands Connections

Well, today’s the day we cut the ribbon for the Grand Ridge Plaza. This is truly a long awaited day. As I was thinking about what to say today to all the parties involved in making this happen, there was one word that kept coming to mind - EVER. For the residents of Issaquah Highlands, whether they’ve lived here 14 years or four, the most common question heard around the village has been, “Will we EVER have a grocery store and retail?” “So how long has it been? It seems forEVER!” EVERy time I drove up Highlands Drive, I’d ask myself, “When?” Do we have to wait any longer? – NO! To quote Edgar Allen Poe, “NEVER More!” Let me focus on my word for the day: EVER. With this Grand Opening, I believe that the word EVER stands for the following: The “E” stands for Embarking for Enterprise. The merchants are ready and waiting. I want to particularly thank Regal Cinemas and The RAM who were early in the “E” class for Issaquah Highlands. The “V” stands for Vision. Port Blakely began the vision, seconded by the City of Issaquah, confirmed by the residents and made real by Regency Center. The second “E” stands for a couple of things. First, “it was the Economy, stupid” that made the EVER seem even longer. But when the time was right, “E” stood for Energy. Regency Center and the teams of contractors and workers made this place come alive. They were a literal hive of activity. Lastly we come to the “R”- It might stand for Reactivation, Redevelopment or Rejuvenation. But I believe the most important “R” word is Retail. We thank all of you merchants who have come to join this community and to make Grand Ridge Plaza real. On behalf of Highlands Council of Issaquah Highlands, welcome to our place in the world. And so before you begin asking, will he EVER be done, let’s cut some ribbon.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

The 1813th official Celebration of Christmas by Dr. Paul Dean, resident Black Nugget Park

The holiday matters. It is celebrated by approximately 2.2 billion Christians worldwide, and enjoyed by millions more who don’t subscribe to the faith. Americans are expected to spend over 600 billion dollars, have memorable times with their families, and likely quarrel on what it means. I started noticing Christmas controversies in high school. My English teacher gave his fourth period class a copy of a political cartoon in hopes of spurring thoughtful discussion. The cartoon parodied the holiday poem, The Night Before Christmas replacing the traditional lyrics with what modern kids wanted. The cartoon not so subtly implied that we had replaced the original meaning of Christmas with materialism and violent entertainment. In that diverse public school setting the debate didn’t settle how exactly we should celebrate Christmas, but we did come away with a deep sense of irony. The birth of Jesus seemed to symbolize humility, love, peace, and salvation. We were observing the holiday by fighting over “door busters” on black Friday, watching clay-motion videos of popularity-seeking-reindeer, and marketing violence to demanding children. While pointing out the excesses in the holiday is easy, keeping the holiday within some bounds is not. The diversity inside Christianity and the popularity of the holiday keeps it in a constant state of evolution. Jesus (to Christians, the Christ) was born in a manger in Bethlehem to an impoverished family in the line of King David and raised by a carpenter. The word “Christmas” simply means Christ’s Mass (although it wasn’t called that until the 11th Century). It began officially in Egypt as Christians adopted the cultural practice of celebrating birthdays. By A.D. 336 the Church fathers settled on celebrating the Christ-child’s advent on December 25th at least partially to eclipse various festivals already in existence. As time went on, celebrants adopted cultural stories and customs that fit with the spirit of the holiday. One of the early stories was based on St Nicholas, a bishop in Asia Minor in the 300s. He displayed a flowing white beard, wore red and white bishop’s robes, and practiced the habit of going door to door to check on his parishioners. According to legend he once tossed three bags of gold down the chimney of a needy family, one of them by chance caught in a stocking that was hanging over the fire to dry. By the Middle Ages Christmas was merry indeed. Gifts were given in remembrance of the Wise Men bringing gifts to the Christ child. St. Francis of Assisi popularized the recreation of the manger scene where Jesus was born with live people and animals. Holly (the sharply pointed leaves and red berries symbolized the crown of thorns and blood before Jesus’ crucifixion) shared space with mistletoe (borrowed from the Druids) as suitable decoration for the season. The most famous Christmas decoration was invented by Martin Luther, while walking home one winter night. He was so inspired by the sight of stars twinkling through the branches of trees that he cut down a fir tree and covered it with candles to duplicate the effect for his children. Christmas cards began to appear in the 18th century and by 1822 postal services in Europe and America began complaining about the deluge of homemade Christmas cards every December. Commercially created cards appeared in 1843. Hallmark cards were first sold in the 1910s and modern gift wrap in 1917. In 2013 some people object to the celebration of the holiday (literally holy day) because of perceived violation of the establishment clause, protesting that “Christmas is too religious.” Others object that the day has become too commercial or too distant from celebrating Jesus. Decades after this discussion began for me in High School I’m not certain I yet have the answer on how to best celebrate this beautiful event that many observe on December 25. I do believe that the birth of Jesus was a pivotal event and worthy of discussion. Perhaps the controversy simply shows the power of the event? Something to consider on Christmas 2013, the 1813th official celebration of the birth of Jesus. The Deans (Paul, Kathryn, Nathan, Carolyn, Alaina, and Lizzie) moved to the Highlands in 2006. My work in the community started Alathia Community Church (now Soma Communities Eastside) a church that values working in and for the community. We outgrew Blakely Hall and now meet at PCMS but still work to serve our community in meaningful ways. My interest in history started in my youth with books about explorers and adventurers. I studied History at Cedarville University in Ohio. I completed my studies at Washington State University earning a M.A. and PhD in U.S. Diplomatic History with minor fields in Latin America and SE Asia. I’ve enjoyed writing for national magazines and scholarly journals, and currently have two books in the works. One book is on a World War I soldier, the other on average citizen’s attempts to affect U.S. foreign policy in the 80s.

December 2013

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Chanukah in the Highlands by Cheryl Puterman, Wisteria Park Chanukah is an eight day Jewish festival and celebrates many different things including the victory of the few over the many, the triumph of the holy over the profane, the need to fight assimilation and the miracle of the jar of oil. For each night of the holiday, another candle is lit on the menorah the nine-branched candelabrum, (eight plus a “helper” candle to light the others). Traditional Cheryl and her daughters, Shira, Dalia and pooch Farfel at last foods include Latkes (potatoe year’s Chanukah. pancakes), Sufganiot (donuts) and other foods fried in oil. Children spin dreidels with Hebrew letters on each of the four sides symbolizing the great miracle that happened. Chocolate coins are plentiful, bearing the image of the menorah that was minted on the ancient coins over 2000 years ago. This year features an anomaly for American Jews. The first day of Chanukah falls on Thanksgiving. This is the first time in recorded history to simultaneously celebrate two favorite holidays - the next time this overlap will occur will be in the year 79,811. This has led to various “Thanksgivingkah” mash-ups which makes this year’s festival particularly unique. To mark the occasion, diehards can light their turkey menorahs – menurkeys- and purchase commemorative t-shirts and indulge in sweet potato recipes! The Message of Religious Freedom and Tolerance: The history of Chanukah dates back to 165 BC when the land of Israel was part of the Syrian-Greek Empire, dominated by Syrian rulers. The King ordered the Jewish people to give up all their rituals and beliefs and start worshipping Greek Gods. The holy Jewish temple was desecrated. The golden menorah that stood in the ancient temple was left for ruin. Forbidden to study Torah, speak Hebrew or eat kosher foods, many Jewish people were forced to assimilate. A group of Jews, called the Macabees, led an underdog revolt, defeated the Assyrians and cleared out the temple of the offensive materials. The purified oil that was enough for lighting only one day, but miraculously lit the candles on the Menorah (candelabra) for eight days continuously. “Chanukah” is the Hebrew word for “rededication” of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and marks the religious freedom of the Jewish community. We are very fortunate to be living in a community that not only recognizes, but welcomes different religious beliefs and cultural practices. It is heart-warming to be part of a community that offers cultural programs from various faiths and practices that are open to all residents. Chabad of Central Cascades serves the Jewish Community of Issaquah and Sammamish and has its annual Chanukah festival at Blakely Hall and public menorah lighting on Saturday night, November 30th at 6:30pm. The theme is “Legoland” and there will be a giant lego menorah, latkes, donuts and more! The entire community is invited. $5 suggested donation. I hope to see you there! Cheryl Puterman lives in Wisteria Park and will be celebrating her seventh Chanukah in Issaquah Highlands this year with her husband, Jeff, and two teenage daughters, Shira and Dalia.

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December 2013

Issaquah Highlands Connections

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HIGHLANDS - DECEMBER artEAST Artist Presentation Anne Anderson and Deb Feng Wednesday, December 18th, 7pm Blakely Hall

Anne Anderson and Deb Feng will share their work with the community at a reception co-sponsored by Highlands Council and artEAST. See details about the work these artists are showing in Blakely Hall during the month of December on page 5.

Book Club

A Do you enjoy reading AND sharing with friends? The book club is a great place to meet neighbors and explore a variety of books. We take turns hosting—all opinions are welcome! Please bring a snack to share. Dates sometimes change, so be sure to email lindsey8@gmail.com to get on the distribution list.

Celtic Christmas Community Concert F Sunday, December 8th, 5pm - 8:30pm Blakely Hall

The local celtic band, The Fire Inside (featuring our own Tami Curtis), returns to Blakely Hall to celebrate Christmas musically with a concert of traditional Christmas favorites with an Irish lilt. Free and open to the public. See pg. 14.

Chanukah Celebration

Saturday, November 30th, 7pm Blakely Hall

Chabad of the Cascades hosts its Grand Chanukah Community Celebration this year on the 4th night of Chanukah. All are welcome. Event is free. Donations are welcome. See poster page 19 and chabadissaquah.com for details.

Chinese Heritage Club

No meeting in December Blakely Hall Contact Hailain (lian_lhl@hotmail.com) or 425-633-0242

This club promotes and preserves Chinese cultural heritage awareness among the next generation for many local families. We welcome everyone interested in a neighborhood celebration for many traditional Chinese/ American festivals right at Issaquah Highlands. This is the last meeting in 2013.

Christmas Eve Service

Tuesday, December 24th, 2 - 4pm Blakely Hall

Everyone is welcome to attend the Highlands Church’s Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve at Blakely Hall. Music by Brandon Ghorley and the BGP Group and an inspiring message by pastor Steve Gutzler.

Cub Scout Issaquah Highlands Pack 680 F

Come join Cub Scouts – A year round values-based program for boys grades 1-5 and is considered one of the premier organizations that help youth build character and prepares them for adulthood. Scouting is learning by discovery and discovery by doing. It’s fun, friends, and family where skills are learned, confidence is built, and stories are born. For more information or if you would like to join Cub Scouts, please contact Pack 680 via email at scoutpack680@gmail.com or join us at our next meeting.

ESL Classes

English as a Second Language - FREE YWCA Family Village

Renton Technical College ESL classes resume at The YWCA Family Village. Classes are offered by certified ESL Instructors. Please contact Andi Wolff at awolff@rtc.edu (425) 235-2352 (ext. 2117) to register. You may also contact Jodi Novotny, RTC Dean of Basic Studies, at jnovotny@rtc.edu , for more information.

Garden Committee

Monday, December 16th, 7:30-8:30pm Blakely Hall

The Community Garden Committee meets on the third Mondays and helps Highlands Council manage Issaquah Highlands community gardens. Members provide a forum to support all gardeners in the community. You don’t have to have a plot in the community garden to join! Container pots gardeners and yard landscapers welcome! Contact Chantal at Garden.Committee@ihmail.com

Highlands Running Club

The Highlands Running Group is a community for Runners who share in the passion of group runs! Weather permitting, we will typically meet up in front of the tennis courts at Central Park on Saturdays at 7:30 am. If you are interested in joining us or have questions, please contact Joey, jbc224@cornell.edu, so he can add you to the distribution list.

Holiday Recital for Highlands Youth F

Sunday, December 1st, 4pm - 6pm Blakely Hall

Youthful Sounds of the Holiday Season! Please ring in the season with us at this first ever evening of local youth performances. Performers include keyboard, cello, violin, voice and more. There was a small entry fee. This and any donations benefit the newly formed Issaquah Highlands Youth Board. Sponsored by TCBY/Mrs. Fields at the Shops at Village Green. Free and open to the public.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS IHCA Architectural Review Committee Tuesday, 12/3, 6:00 pm IHCA Office

Communication Committee Thursday, 12/19, 10:00 am Blakely Hall

HC Board of Trustees Tuesday, 12/3, 6:00 pm

Blakely Hall Closed 12/24 & 12/25

IHCA Finance Committee Meeting Tuesday, 12/10, 5:30 pm IHCA Office HFN Advisory Group Wednesday, 12/11, 7:00 pm IHCA Office IHCA Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday, 12/18, 5:30 pm IHCA Office

Meetings are subject to change. Visit www.ihwebsite.com for calendar updates or sign up for your weekly email bulletins at ihwebsite.com For City of Issaquah governance meetings, see www.ci.issaquah.wa.us

Latino Club

New! Dates and Times, TBD Blakely Hall

The Latino Club welcomes everybody who would like to celebrate and learn about Latino traditions. There will be activities for kids, adults and seniors. Their first meeting was in November 2013. They will meet monthly at Blakely Hall. Already about 50 people have signed up. Open to all – join the fun! Interested? Contact Alicia Spinner alispinner@yahoo.com

Mountain Bike Club

F Open to all skill levels. Contact Marc for more information: 425-837-8367 or msteins@msn.com or Find “Issaquah Highlands Mountain Bike Club” on Facebook

Open Mic Night

First Fridays, Next meeting January 3rd Blakely Hall

Open to all Acoustic instruments, singer-songwriters, acapella vocalists, pianists, poets, and Stand-up comedians. For more information contact Cindy at zumbawithcindy@ gmail.com

Photography Club

Saturday, December 21st 10:30 - 11:30am Blakely Hall

Enjoy monthly meetings with guest speakers, share and discuss your work with others, and participate in an online community throughout the month. Open to everyone, even if you don’t live in the Issaquah Highlands. IHPC will focus on creating opportunities for members to display their work. See the Flickr Group (http://www.flickr.com/groups/ihphotoclub/) and contact the group’s coordinators to join the club. Scott Moffat and Ravi Naqvi at ihpc@outlook.com

Playgroup

Wednesdays, 10:00 - 11:00am *No Playgroup on December 1st, 25th or Jan. 1 Blakely Hall Moms, dads, caregivers and their children (newborn - 4 years old) are invited to come to the Issaquah Highlands Playgroup for fun, friendship, support and socializing. We talk, laugh, sing, play, read stories and blow bubbles! We hope to see you there! Information, contact Alicia alispinner@yahoo.com and see www.issaquahhighlandsplaygroup.blogspot.com. We are also on Facebook! www.facebook.com/IssaquahHighlands.coopplaygroup

Want to Start a Club? Contact:

Christy Garrard, Director/Special Event Planner christy.g@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1107

Are you getting the Community E-Letter on Thursdays? Sign up at ihwebsite.com

Issaquah Highlands Connections

December 2013

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HIGHLANDS - DECEMBER Poker Night

Shop Small Saturday

No meeting in December, Poker night will resume on Thursday, Jan 30th, 7:00pm Blakely Hall

Love watching the World Series of Poker on TV? Want to win a chance to go to Vegas and play on TV against the world’s best players? Join us the last Thursday of each month for a $20 buy-in, No-limit Texas Hold ‘em tournament! If you are a novice wanting to network or a salty vet looking for some steep competition you’ll love our monthly club! More info kyledeanreynolds@gmail.com.

The Rovin’ Fiddlers

Our musical group is made up of primarily fiddle players of varying backgrounds and abilities, all working toward the goal of learning Irish and other Celtic tunes, along with occasional Old Timer and Quebecois tunes. Informal. We share and learn a new tune every other week and then practice our old material in a jam session. Other welcome instruments for accompaniment are guitar (chords available for most tunes), drum, flute or whistle. We attempt to learn the new tunes by ear in a traditional manner, however, sheet music is usually also provided. Interested? Email Ken at ken_w_neville@yahoo.com F

Meets montly (See Facebook page for updates)

Russian Highlanders is a club for those who live here, just moved in or planning to move to our beautiful community. Meet other Russian-speakers in your community for friendship! Gather with others who share the same goals and interests as you. Join Russian Highlanders Facebook page to see what activities are planned -- dining out, movies, kid play dates or just go out to have a fun. The possibilities are endless... http://www.facebook.com/ groups/rusisshigh/ Please follow the FB page for schedule changes or location of meetings.

Santa at Grand Ridge Plaza

Friday, December 6th, 6pm Santa Arrives Saturdays, December 7th, 14th & 21st, 11am - 3pm Enjoy the holiday spirit in Grand Ridge Plaza as Santa sits for photos with you family (bring your own camera – it’s FREE!) between 12:00pm – 3:00pm each Saturday till Christmas. Also enjoy The Silver Bells Carolers as they regale you with their traditional songs throughout the shopping area.

Programming is appropriate for the following groups. A

Adults

Teenagers

Fun for the whole family

The TROLLEY is back to support of Shop Small Saturday! Highlands Council is partnering with the Downtown Issaquah Association and Gilman Village to provide FREE trolley service between Blakely Hall, Grand Ridge Plaza, Front Street, and Gilman Village. Leave the car behind and enjoy a spirited ride through the greater community as you shop local, supporting small businesses in our area. Sponsored by Highlands Council, the Downtown Issaquah Association and Gilman Village Association.

Speaking Club

Resident Orientation

Thursday, February 6th, 2014, 7pm HOLIDAYS

Chanukah/Hanukkah (first day) Thursday, November 28

Thanksgiving Day

Thursday, November 28

Come out and meet your fellow wine lovers in the Highlands! Are you a wine enthusiast, connoisseur, or just a fan? We usually get together the second Friday of each month to discuss and enjoy wine. If interested please send an email to Dianne at danielsondd@yahoo.com to RSVP.

Yarns & Threads Group

Let your voices be strong and mighty! Join other youth, adults and profession mentors and learn the importance of developing solid communication skills. Drop ins are welcome or register ahead with David Hall, Program Lead at YWCAYLP@gmail.com or 425.427.9682

This new club holds its inaugural meeting on Friday, 11/22 at Swedish hospital at the fireplace lobby. All knitters, crocheters, and stitchers are welcome. Beginners are welcome as instruction in knitting and crocheting is available. For more details of questions, please contact Cathie Coulter at Catherine.coulter@ihmail.com

Sustainability Movie Night

Zumba Class

Thursday, December 12th, 6:30 - 9pm Blakely Hall

Now Showing: Issaquah’s Office of Sustainability presents “Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?” as their next free sustainability film. This is the first time they will have held their film night at Blakely Hall. Let’s show them how important the topic is to us – let’s all go out to the movies! “Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?” is a documentary focused on the buzz about bees, from the mysterious world inside a hive to the global bee crisis. See more details on page 11 with other City of Issaquah news. And learn more at issaquahwa.gov/sustainability.

Tennis Group - Ladies Meet Up

A Hi Moms! We have a new IH ladies tennis group. It’s a non-competitive group so all levels are welcome - even if you haven’t played in a while and are feeling a bit rusty. Meet and connect with other IH women tennis players and come to have fun and stay or get fit! We’ll be playing on Thursdays and Saturdays at 10 am at Central Park when the weather is dry. We also have a Facebook group page Please join us there too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/570656519667143/.

Toastmasters Club

Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00am No Toastmasters on December 25h or Jan. 1 Swedish Medical Center Conference Center (second Floor)

Do you get nervous before a speech? Does your heart pound? Does your stomach turn to knots? Do you wonder how other speakers deliver speeches so effortlessly? Well help is along the way! To find out more visit the club website at http://ihtm.freetoasthost.cc/ or contact George Barns at 425-516-3750.

CALENDAR SAVE THE DATES

Friday, December 13th, 7:00pm Blakely Hall

NEW! Beginning December 6th Fridays, 9-11:30am Blakely Hall

Ages 8 and older YWCA Issaquah Family Village

Every Other Tuesday, 7:00 - 9:00pm Issaquah Highlands Fire Station

Russian Highlanders

Wine Club

Saturday, November 30th, 12pm - 8pm

Last Day of Chanukah

Christmas Day

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Boxing Day

Thursday, December 5

Saturday, December 7

December Solstice

Saturday, December 21

Christmas Eve

Tuesday, December 24

Wednesday, December 25 Wednesday, December 26

Kwanzaa (until Jan 1) Thursday, December 26

New Year’s Eve

Tuesday, December 31

Tuesdays (7:00pm) & Saturdays (9:00am) Blakely Hall

Get Ready - Get Fit - Go! Ditch the workout and join the fitness party at Blakely Hall! Zumba Fitness is the Latin and world rhythm and dance based fitness party that will change the way you think about working out. Grab your workout clothes, your water bottle, and join the party! Free class but please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the food bank! For additional information, email (Cindy) at zumbawithcindy@gmail.com

Volunteering? Are you a High School or College student looking for community service hours? Do you need a volunteer project to add to your resume? The YWCA has an opportunity for YOU! Currently we are looking for volunteers who would like to create and host School Break Activities for the kids as well as after school tutoring and activity at the Family Village. Contact Sondi at 425-270-6807 or slind@ywcaworks.org for more information and getting started on volunteer opportunities at the YWCA Family Village.

Issaquah Highlands Babysitter List

The current list of neighborhood babysitters in available at www.ihwebsite.com. The list can be found under the Resource/Document Center tab. If you have any questions, contact Vyvian at Vyvian.L@ihcouncil.org .

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December 2013

Issaquah Highlands Connections

LIVING GREEN

Holiday Simplicity

by Brenda DeVore, CleanScapes Retail Manager Begin this holiday season by asking yourself “Could the way our family celebrates benefit from simplification?” Recently we partnered with Highlands Council to host the author of the Zero Waste Home, Bea Johnson, at Blakely Hall where we learned how to reduce waste and clutter in our lives. Bea shared that “Focusing less on wasteful, stressful and complicated activities can open up time and resources for more meaningful traditions, based on simple guidelines: Be kind to ourselves and to others.” Here are a few tips from Bea’s book Zero Waste Home to free yourself from stress and clutter this holiday:

o Laser tag, go –karts, kite flying, foraging, or hike the popular Poo-Poo Point trail and see the view, maybe some paragliders too! o Overnight fun- spend the night at Tree House Point in Preston. o Sledding - kick off the New Year with sledding on New Years Eve at Snoqualmie, or get a day pass for skiing our local summit. o Skydive at iFLY or indoor rock climb at Stone Gardens in Bellevue. o Visit the Snoqualmie Falls and make a day of it by eating and staying at the Salish Lodge or visit the Snoqualmie Brewery up the river. o Have a dinner party for your friends and family instead of individual gifts.

• Include “acts of kindness” in the holiday schedule and bring compassion to the season. Volunteer in your community, write a note of appreciation to someone who serves you or whose efforts you appreciate, or participate in a gift drive. Here are some opportunities in our community: o Issaquah Food Bank- they work with volunteers who are 16 and older and have a variety of opportunities during business hours M-F, 8am -4pm and weeks Sat & Sun 9am-12. Volunteers are needed to help sort and organize all incoming donations. o Join the “Caroling At the Depot” event on Thursday, December 19th, 6pm at the Train Depot in downtown Issaquah. o Eastside Baby Corner - call to organize a collection event with your neighborhood, church or business. o Pay it forward – offer to buy someone’s groceries or coffee for the person behind you. o Donate to a local charity or to the Issaquah Sustainability fund. • Keep traditions simple: o Greeting cards- since photo paper is not recyclable consider a recyclable greeting card, reusing cards to make new ones, or electronic delivery. Sending a personalized email message and attaching a photo will make your greeting meaningful. The recipient has the opportunity to share and keep the photo with no carbon footprint. o Decorations- it can be overwhelming as you begin bringing out all those boxes and bins; simplification in this area can be achieved by asking yourself these questions:

• Is it in working condition? Broken lights can be recycled through the CleanScapes store in Gilman Village.

• Do you use it regularly? Anything you have not used in the last 2 years, consider donating. Household items can be dropped off at the Blue Truck at the Pine Lake QFC parking lot 7 days a week.

• Is it a duplicate? Do we really need more than one tree?

• Do you keep it out of guilt? Take control of your tree and only keep the ornaments that you love and donate what you would not have purchased yourself.

• Is it worth your time and space storing and dusting items like dishes and serving pieces that you will only use once a year?

• Is it reusable? Holiday paper napkins, plates and wrapping paper are expensive and not as pretty as reusable alternatives (and take up a lot of garbage space). Consider learning the art of “furoshiki” and wrapping your gifts in reusable flour sack towels or cloth napkins.

• As for gifts: experiences always create more memories than stuff, and will not add clutter to your home. Consider giving an “SFA”- surprise family activity! Below are a few ideaso Attend the Village Theater, ballet, a concert, or a local sporting event- Go Hawks! o Bike ride- check out the Duthie Hill bike park or the newly paved Lake Sammamish bike trail, or ride to a fun restaurant you’ve never tried. o Visit a museum, the Cougar Mtn. Zoo, Experience Music Project, ride The Duck or the new Seattle Ferris Wheel. o Go fishing- explore our local rivers and lakes. Fly fishing lessons are available at Creekside Angling Co. in Issaquah. o Get creative- learn how to decorate beautiful cookies with a lesson from Beautiful Bakeshop. o Geocaching or snowshoeing excursion and learn to build an igloo. Check out Compass Outdoor Adventures in Snoqualmie for family activities. o Rowing- Sammamish Rowing Association offers a “Learn to row for a day” class. o Paddle sports- Lake Sammamish State Park offers lots of options.

Photo Credit: Compass Outdoor Adventures

Remember: The average American generates 25% more waste per week between Thanksgiving and Christmas than the rest of the year. We can enjoy and share the spirit of the season without the added stress, or giving the burden of clutter. Cheers to creating the experience of a more peaceful and joyful holiday instead of a “haul”away.

How to Recycle Your Holiday Tree Provided by the Issaquah Highlands Community Association After the holidays are over, there are easy options for recycling your tree! Highlands residents can have the Boy Scouts collect their tree curbside on Saturday, January 4th. Go to www. Scouttreedrive.org for more info. Residents with CleanScapes service may place holiday trees out for collection at no additional charge from 12/30 through 1/10: • Please remove all flocking, tinsel and decorations. • Trees must be cut into sections no greater than 4 feet in length and 4 inches in diameter. • Where possible, place trees inside your compost cart. Alternately, trees should be bound with natural fiber and placed next to your cart for collection. If you live in an apartment/condo or do not subscribe to compost service, please call CleanScapes at (425)837-1234 by January 6th to schedule a tree collection. Holiday trees may also be dropped off for free from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Jan. 11 at 1823 Central Park LN NE. This is the paved City of Issaquah lot behind the reservoir and at the intersection with College Drive. IHCA staff will be on-hand to collect your tree. No flocking, tinsel or decorations.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

December 2013

LIVING GREEN

Betwixt and Between

by Shelly Hawkins, Crofton Springs, Community Garden Committee Although T.S. Elliott wrote in The Wasteland, “April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land,” the gardener in me disagrees. I’m convinced that December is the cruelest month... for gardeners. Despite the joy of the holidays, in December I find myself caught between the fun of bringing outdoor tender perennials indoors to grow under plant lights in November and the excitement of planning next year’s garden when the seed catalogs arrive in January. For this reason, I delayed my decision of what to write for the December issue of Connections until very late and could only come up with “worm bins.” I suppose I wasn’t completely surprised when Nina (a.k.a., “The Editor”) wrote back, “But I am just wondering, is there anything folks would like to learn about wintering over plants...?” As a result, the worm bin story was bumped. Perhaps another time... There actually are lots of gardening chores to do in December as long as you’re careful not to disturb the soil, which is usually soggy at this time of year in Issaquah Highlands. Digging soggy or frozen soil destroys your soil’s tilth (the physical condition of your garden soil that makes it suitable for plant growth), and so, disturbing it is not a good idea.

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I usually try to get the following garden tasks done in November when the weather is less dreary, but confess, I often find myself completing the job in December despite my best intentions: If you haven’t done so already, it’s important to clean your garden of debris to avoid disease. Remove fallen leaves, weeds, annuals, and dead or diseased perennials. Prune any dead branches of shrubs and trees before the first frost. Resist pruning the seed heads of hardy perennials, however, so they’ll feed our resident birds over the winter. Great hardy perennials for winter bird feeding are Aster, Black-eyed Susan, and Coneflower. Other large outdoor perennials should be pruned before the first freeze (which might already have come in November); otherwise, hold off pruning until early spring when the sap is flowing again.

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If your soil isn’t soggy, you can dig up some of your tender perennials and plant them indoors under plant lights if you do so before the first frost. If any insects start hatching indoors, you should be able to kill them with a strong spray of water or by swatting them. If this doesn’t work, you can spray your plants outdoors with a safe, environmentally friendly insecticide, wait a few hours, and then, bring the plants back inside. Hardy potted perennials and shrubs will survive winter outdoors in Issaquah Highlands if you take some precautions. Move your potted plants close to your house and out of the wind. If you have a lot of potted plants, you can group them together with your most cold-sensitive plants at the center of the group and the hardiest plants on the outside. To provide extra warmth and protection from the wind, it’s a good idea to cover your potted plants with row cover cloth (such as, Grow Guard 20, Reemay, and Frost Blanket): www.territorialseed.com/category/171 Most outdoor shrubs will survive winters in Issaquah Highlands. If we have a really cold spell, you can cover the potted shrubs with burlap or a shrub cover: www.gardeners.com/Season-Extending/VegetableGardening_SeasonExtending,default,sc.html

For more information, see: The Seattle Tilth: http://seattletilth.org/about Cheap and Easy Worm Bin!: http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/compost/easywormbin.htm Worm Factory 360 Worm Composter: http://www.naturesfootprint.com/worm-factory-360

Happy gardening!

Mayor of Issaquah Ava Frisinger & other elected officials will join us in the lighting ceremony The lighting will be followed by an exciting indoor celebration at Blakely Hall Doughnuts & Latkes « Dreidels and Gelt « Chanukah Legomania the Entire Family! for Fun Suggested Donation: $5 aquah.com For more information, call Chabad at 425.427.1654 or visit www.ChabadIss

lage Green the Menorah at Vil Make sure to visit nds hla at the Issaquah Hig Dogwood) (Front St. corner and at Downtown nukah, Cha of al tiv Fes during the ember 5 November 27 - Dec nukah or about our ut the Holiday of Cha To learn more abo programs, ongoing events and quah.com visit www.ChabadIssa al Cascades Center of the Centr The Chabad Jewish Chanukah wishes you a Happy

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December 2013

Issaquah Highlands Connections

December 2013

FITNESS & HEALTH

Braving the Cold

by Erick K. Harada, DPT, Highlands Physical Therapy Ever thought about running a half marathon? Well the St. Jude Heroes, part of St. Jude Childrenâ€™s Research Hospital have been preparing for the Seattle Marathon on December 1 for the past 16 weeks. They have trained in sun, wind, rain, and cold to conquer the hills of the Emerald City. During these countless weeks of training they always warmed-up with a sequence of dynamic exercises to prep their muscles. I thought it would be fitting to share some of these with you this month as you prep to run in the cold winter months.

Knee Tuck while walking 1. Stand on balls of feet, head and chest up. Lift one knee up and clasp leg, pull to chest. 2. Step forward with raised leg and repeat exercise with other leg. Continue in same direction for 60 ft.

Power Kick while walking

Forward Lunge with Trunk Rotation

1. Stand on balls of feet, arms forward shoulder level parallel to floor. Keeping legs and back straight, kick one leg up to hands. Keep your head and chest up. Do not hyperextend your low back or sway your hips. Imagine a tray of glasses across your low back. (Do not tip over!)

1. Lunge forward and twist torso toward forward foot. 2. Step forward and repeat with other leg in same direction for 60 ft.

2. Step forward with raised leg and repeat exercise with other leg. Continue in same direction for 60 ft. These dynamic warm ups will not prevent all injuries, but will minimize your exposure to them. Remember to perform dynamic warm-ups prior to exercise and static stretches after exercise. Like always, if you experience any pains stop the exercise. If the pain persists longer than 24 hours, call your local physical therapist. Have fun and stay warm!

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December 2013

Issaquah Highlands Connections

ASK KARI Dear Kari, My daughter is 17 and is depressed. She says that she “can’t do anything right and feels like giving up.” She is hard to talk to, and nothing I seem to say or do helps. I have tried reminding her that she is special and that everything will turn out all right, but I get nowhere with her. What can I do to make her happy? - Worried Mom Dear Worried Mom, You sound like a caring mother who is trying to support her daughter to the best of her ability. It does sound like your daughter is suffering from depression and needs outside support. I recommend that she see her primary care physician for a check up and see if she needs an anti-depressant. I also recommend that she make an appointment with a therapist for additional support. A therapist can help your daughter explore her feelings and thoughts at a deeper level, and evaluate the source of her challenges, then put together a care plan to hopefully help you daughter’s mental health improve. I often suggest to both my young patients and their parents the importance of connecting with each other on a daily basis. You can do this by acknowledging when your child enters the room and giving them a hello and a hug. Follow this by asking about their day. Even if your child’s response is minimal, keep engaging them, it all adds up to demonstrating to them that they matter to you. And, as much as possible have dinner together each night (no distractions; no television, no phones, no electronics). Many families are missing genuine connections today, which can lead to people feeling like they are all alone and don’t matter. Simply by taking the time to look at our loved ones, hearing them speak and responding back, we can build stronger families and stronger spirits in our children. - Kari Dear Kari, My brother in law and sister in law are in marital counseling but won’t tell us why. I want to try and support them, but I feel that would it be easier to do if my husband and I knew what is the cause of their marriage problems? - Just Asking Dear Just Asking, While I can recognize that you have concern for your in-laws, I have to wonder why the details of their martial struggles are that important to you? While knowing exactly what their challenges are may enlighten you slightly, the most important facts are that they need your love and support as they address their issues on their own. A couple should maintain their privacy as they address their private matters, as doing so enriches the focus on the two of

them as a team versus hearing opinions from everyone they know. We care for our loved ones best by telling them that we wish them well and hope that things turn out as they hope for. - Kari Dear Kari, My mother died this past year and my grief is immense. I loved her very much; she was my best friend and confidant. I feel like only my siblings understand my loss. My friends try to help support me, but I can tell that I bore them whenever I begin talking about missing my mother. My husband also tries to console me, but it is just is not enough. When will it get better? How can I make it through my first holiday season without her? - Devastated Daughter Dear Devastated Daughter, I am sorry for your loss. Your mother sounds like she was lovely. Your grief is still very strong. I would suggest that you either join a local grief support group (look at your local hospitals for this resource) or seek additional support from a therapist who specializes in grief and loss. Grief typically goes through five stages (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) for people after they experience a loss, and it is not uncommon for people to move forward and then slightly back. All reactions are normal as the human heart feels grief differently at different times. Be grateful for the support of family and friends, but now is the time for you to recognize that you may benefit from professional support also in order to best move your life forward. It will get better. You will slowly be able to return back to your normal activities, but you may always wish you had another chance to see your mother again and touch her in the flesh. This desire tells us whom we really loved in our lifetimes, who mattered to us. I wish you peace. And remember, don’t be afraid to freely talk about her during the holiday season, especially when sharing stories or family traditions, as doing so allows your heart to breathe. - Kari Kari O’Neill, MSW, LICSW, is a licensed independent clinical social worker and a resident of Issaquah Highlands. This column is for entertainment purposes only. If you are in crisis and in need of support please contact the Crisis Clinic at 866-427-4747. Please email Kari questions at askkarioneill@gmail. com. All email user personal information will remain confidential and not be published.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

A Spirited Way to Drink in the Holiday Season by Molly and Marty Fisher, Ashland Park

When you’re ready to mix it up for the holidays, Dave Irvin will be a natural as your bubbly, go-to guy.

BevMo! tasting area at the back of the store.

Approachable, knowledgeable and highenergy, Irvin brings a thirsty spirit to his job. As a former bartender and current Level 1 sommelier and general manager of the new Grand Ridge Plaza BevMo! store, Irvin is the perfect choice to help you pump up the creativity around holiday beverages and entertainment.

“We’ve been in Washington for over a year,” said Irvin, a native of Huntington Beach, California. This is our 10th store in the state, and when we came here, we changed our look a bit and re-branded ourselves to be your neighborhood beverage store. It’s kind of like “Cheers” where everyone knows your name, except we want to know your name and what you drink and how you entertain. “This is the perfect place for this kind of store. It’s beautiful, first and foremost, and the people here are so nice. I love how everything in the Highlands is so centrally-located. I love the foot traffic and the small-town feel. This is our newest and most amazing store and it’s a special opportunity for me that still hasn’t sunk in.” This place screams fun from your first step inside. It’s a great place to roam, but buyers beware―the cool stuff inside will provide you with lots of creative ways to spend your holiday dollars. On a recent Friday night, we wandered the BevMo! floors like kids in a grown-up candy store, ogling the familiar and daydreaming about new possibilities we had never seen before. There was so much to see, we couldn’t even get on the same page about where to start. At the front could be found a small humidor with a judicious selection of premium cigars called Marty’s name. Molly was drawn to the impressively large display of both usual and unusual miniature, single-serving bottles. On one side of the store, shiny, beautifully-lit glass showcases displayed familiar and exotic brands of spirits. On the other side, the 2-for-1 Wine display with more than 150 selections was impossible to ignore. Themed demo carts line the end caps in the middle of the store, linking seasonal favorites like peppermint cocktails and all the ingredients you’ll need to serve the drinks or give creative DIY gifts. If you’ve ever struggled with coming up with the perfect holiday celebration beverage, these displays will make you look like a pro.

So many choices, only two mouths. We decided to reconnect at the back of the store in the tasting area under the “It’s Time to BevMo!” clock. The staff hosts free tastings every Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and every Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. Six wines and three beers typically are featured, along with specialty sodas and a snack to compliment the beverages. In today’s self-service world, it’s rare to find businesses that employ From left to right - Marty Fisher, BevMo! General knowledgeable, service-savvy employees. Manager Dave Irvin, Molly Fisher According to Irvin, BevMo! goes to great lengths to train its employees to be fluent in the language of beverages. Every employee attends an 8-hour class called “Wine Mo” is designed to expose employees to full flights of more than 80 different wines from every wine-growing region in the world. “You could go to Costco or a supermarket and get a particular bottle a little cheaper, “said Irvin. “People always are willing to pay a little more to get someone who knows the product , is happy to tell you all about it, and can make suggestions to help you make the most of your parties and happy occasions.” On this BevMo! excursion, the growler was our greatest discovery. We’re not sure how we missed this one, but BevMo!’s offering of fresh craft brews for purchase in clean and dry glass beer “growler” jugs got our attention. BevMo! offers empty 64 oz. growlers for purchase in clean and dried glass growler jugs and they’ll happily fill them with the locally-brewed craft beer of your choice. Customers may also bring in their own growlers to be filled. “We want our neighbors to make us the primary store for parties and special occasions,” said Irvin, his eyes darting around the store and gleefully sprinting to assist as many people as possible. “Just add BevMo! and you’re good to go.” Talk about great entertainment—it doesn’t get much better than walking from home to a free wineand-beer tasting! Drinking in the spirits of the holidays just became growlingly easy just down the road.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

December 2013

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WIT & TIDBITS

SURPRISE! IT’S ANOTHER HOLIDAY AVALANCHE! by Tami Curtis, Summit (or Two Slides) Park

Let me whisk you off to metaphor land. It’s snowing outside and has been for days. It’s time to take a look at the snow accumulation on the roof, so I head outside and step under the eaves. I extend a broom handle above me and jam it into the thick foamy protrusion hanging over the lip of the roof. Within a second I am engulfed in a frozen avalanche; left gasping for air from surprise and cold shock. Now let’s take that little fictional episode and say that the snowfall represents Thanksgiving, and the Siberian-style landslide is the approach to Christmas. Despite the same routines and expectations every year, the family winter holidays always result in a surprise crushing blow that leaves me frazzled and shaking stuff out of my ears for weeks afterward. Preparations for visitors and their inherent tumult of food, bedding and activities; Christmas card photos, composition, addressing and sending; musical engagements like the kids’ school concerts and my band’s Christmas shows; presents and food shopping; family outings to ice skating, drummers, “Straight No Chaser” show, and botanical garden lights; various company and social parties…even writing this list makes my blood pressure rise, and I haven’t even started my craft beading projects yet or going to church! I can hear the roar of the avalanche in the distance, but my feet are stuck in the snow. Avert your eyes or skip ahead a couple paragraphs if you think I’m a generous and kindhearted neighbor. I’d like you to preserve that positive impression you might have of me, and what I’m about to reveal will pulverize that illusion. Starting in early November I batten down the hatches on my social receptiveness and accordance. Over the years I’ve honed survival strategies intended to maximize my enjoyment of holiday sparkle and fun, but minimize my effort output. My first line of defense is to stop giving to as many places as possible. (Can you feel the Grinch squeezing his way in?) The holidays make me feel drained of energy, finances and creativity, so number one that gets flicked off my list is my Puget Sound Blood Center appointments. I literally feel drained, (of course) when I leave my pint of blood in the clinic’s plastic bags, so sorry car accident victims, you’re out of luck with regard to my B positive contribution from November through January. I don’t have much “being positive” to spare for 60 straight days, and I have to allocate it to other causes. The next thing to go is excursions from the house with only a single intended stop. If I can’t pack in at least four errands in one trip, then I’m not using my iPhone apps wisely. And

Highlands 5K Report

Early on the morning of The Green Halloween® Festival, in the fog embracing Central Park, running and walking enthusiasts gathered to try their luck on the hilly course of the first annual Highlands 5K. I asked race director, Dave Preston (Forest Ridge, Resident Profile October 2013 Connections) how it went.

How many runner/walkers? We had 115 Runners/walkers.

How many participants were from IH?:

Right at 50%, half of the participants were from Issaquah and my Guess is that most were from the Highlands - I know we have a lot more avid runners than that in the Highlands who we hope will come next year. It was also cool to showcase our community to others. We even had some participants as far away as Idaho, Ohio, and Hawaii.

What was the fastest time?

19 Minutes and 20 Seconds, which is absolutely flying. That's a 6:13 per mile pace, in the HIGHLANDS!

What was the slowest time?

57 Minute 40 Seconds was the slowest, but still quite impressive from a 69 year-old female.

with all the new stores now open in the Highlands my shopping list of mascara, clogs, cranberries, candles and a screwdriver can get banged out in the blink of an eye. Sorry, Santa. A visit to your lap gets lumped in with printer ink and an oil change. You can now tune back in to hear how Big Giver Tami approaches the holidays meaningfully. Resources of time, talent and treasure are tapped more frequently in the last two months of the calendar year. I have to get creative with all the gift shopping we do. Spreading out the financial squeeze, yet fully embracing the materialistic side of the season, I started my purchases in late September this year. As for talent, I just follow my skillful bandmates from one “Celtic Christmas” gig to the next, spreading cheer and sharing our joy of music with audiences across Seattle. (Shameless self-promotion here: be sure to pop by Blakely Hall Sunday, December 8 at 5:00pm to witness firsthand my bandmates’ genius on Irish instruments.) Finally, with regards to sharing time during the holidays, while there’s not much of it to spare, I try and keep everything meaningful and family focused. Being the Big Giver that I am, if I had to choose between doing the dinner dishes or lying under the Christmas tree looking up at the lights alongside one of my boys, I’m good with tackling caked-on food residue a few hours later. Let the avalanche spill all over me and shock me with chaos – it’s worth it! A two-slide park resident (Summit Park), Tami Curtis is mother of two middle school boys and can be seen running all over the Highlands with Lacey Leigh. Her very supportive husband, Glenn, is a great fan and sounding board of her Celtic band, The Fire Inside.

What was the hardest part?

The hardest parts were the two "climbs": one on Old Black Nugget and the other to the finish up College Drive.

Your favorite part?

The finish up College Drive - 15% grade - there happens to be a street sign letting everybody know its 15%.

Best Prize?

The medals, with our cool new "Hi5K" logo.

Best feedback/quote:

"We had so much fun yesterday!!!" - from our facebook wall.

What will you do differently next year?

9AM start and hopefully change the course to remove Old Black Nugget. We will replace it with Ellis street and Highlands Drive around Grand Ridge Plaza. We will hopefully do this race twice annually - Green Halloween and Highlands Days - so stay tuned for more Hi5K events at www.facebook.com/HiFiveK or www.Hi5K.com.

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December 2013

Issaquah Highlands Connections

December 2013

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ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Holiday Decoration Rules Provided by the Issaquah Highlands Community Association

With the Holiday Season upon us, people are anxious to start celebrating by putting up their annual holiday decorations. In revelry of everything from the Diwali Festival of Lights on November 3rd to Hanukkah from November 27th-December 5th to Christmas on December 25th and all other traditional holidays in-between, the lights will be going up everywhere. Issaquah Highlands is truly a magical place to be during this time and will be even more spectacular with new retail displays. Even though we all love the beautiful exhibitions, just remember that there are limits and rules surrounding the display of holiday decorations. Our Use Rules and Regulations state: “Holiday decorations and lights may be neatly displayed during seasonal time lines only on the homeowner’s lot. Decorations and lights may be installed 30 days prior to the holiday and must be removed within 14 days after the holiday.” The Community Managers will be touring the community after the holidays to ensure everyone is abiding by these parameters. So if you have lights on your house or a holiday wreath on your door, please be sure to put them away on time.

Christmas Decorations and Common Area Trees

Trees in common areas and trees along the street should not be decorated during the upcoming holiday season In addition to undermining the aesthetic of the community; some decorations can also damage trees. Several trees in the community have been permanently affected by the use of cords, ties and other hardware that was not removed and is now a permanent part of the tree which can lead to weakened branches. Other decorations can reduce the efficiency of our maintenance crews as they perform their duties and they are not liable for damage to items they must move out in the course of their work. Keep it sensible and keep decorations on private property. Please remember that when decorating your front yard, it is helpful to remember that your maintenance crew will still need to work in that area. Please be mindful of strings of lights that may interfere with leaf removal efforts or hedge trimming. Additionally, please remember that your decorations should be removed promptly following the holiday season.

2013-14 Planting Campaign News

A dry, though beautiful October, did not produce the planting month we had hoped for however, our team still installed some 500 groundcover plants and two dozen smaller trees for our parks and common areas. At press time, we still did not have our main street tree order filled but that is in the pipeline. In November, we replaced 22 failed or seriously damaged Prunus virginiana trees on Daphne Street uphill from 25th Avenue. Their exposed location and dislike of irrigation rendered them too susceptible to wind damage. Half of the trees replaced were actually knocked down in the late September wind blast which snapped almost 20 trees in the community. The replacement trees are our proven and beautiful Katsura trees which both tolerate irrigation and drop their leaves relatively early in the season, after coloring up in a galaxy of warm shades.

Holiday Safety

Ah yes, the Holidays are here again…. This is the time of year when decorations are displayed and people celebrate the festive times with friends and family. This is also the time of year when the risk of home fires and other hazards increases drastically. Be safe during this time by following some simple safety tips: • WATER YOUR TREE: Make a fresh cut on the base before putting your tree into a sturdy stand and water it frequently. Trees drink at least a quart of water a day and more the first few days after it’s been cut. • PLACE YOUR TREE IN A SAFE AREA: Your tree should be positioned at least three feet away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. It should also not block any doorways or exits. • CHECK YOUR LIGHTS: Inspect all of your electric lights and decorations for damage or wear. Cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires and loose connections may pose a fire or shock hazard. Use only UL approved lights with cool-burning light bulbs and do not link more than 3 strands of lights together. • DECORATE WITH A SAFE EYE: Cords should not be run under carpets or tacked-up with metal nails or staples. Small decorations can be choking hazards so keep them out of the reach of toddlers. • USE CAUTION WITH CANDLES: Always blow out unattended candles and teach your children to stay away from lit candles or fireplaces. • RECYCLE WRAPPING PAPER: Don’t burn used wrapping paper as it may cause intense flash fires. Throwing it out adds waste so consider recycling or repurposing it instead. • RECYCLE YOUR TREE: You can search for a local recycling center near you at www.earth911.com. Or see options on page 18. • TEST YOUR ALARMS: Both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be tested and batteries replaced if necessary. • PLAN YOUR FIRE ESCAPE: Identify at least two exits from every room in the house in case of the dreaded fire. Have a fire drill with your kids. The holidays can also be stressful and perhaps a bit dangerous for pets so we asked Fido what precautions we should take to keep him safe as well…. These are some of his responses: • “I love CHOCOLATE but I remember last time I snuck some it made me really sick so it would probably be best if you kept it out of my reach.” • “You know what else I like to do? Play with TINSEL and GARLAND! But you got really upset when the bill came for my emergency trip to vet when I swallowed the tinsel. I hate it when you get mad…” • “This didn’t happen to me but remember my friend Buddy. He bit into an EXTENSION CORD last year and, well, I really don’t want to go into the details. Just keep them away from me, okay!” • “You know me, I am an escape artist! So if you don’t KEEP AN EYE ON ME when you invite lots of people over, I just might sneak out the door so we can play an exciting game of hide and seek…”

Have a wonderful time but be safe this warm this Holiday Season! Also see Christmas Tree Recycling Information in Living Green, Page 18.

Meet Your Team | Erika North, Community Manager Erika started her career in community management in Park City, UT over 20 years ago and came to work for the IHCA in late 2007. One of the biggest challenges she faces at Issaquah Highlands is juggling building community with the same folks that receive the, not so popular, violation notices. However, she states that the majority of the people in Issaquah Highlands are wonderful and very pleasant to work with and she truly enjoys her interaction with them. Much of her time is spent communicating with homeowners and this allows her an opportunity to educate residents on our rules and regulations. Erika also loves working with numbers so when budget season rolls around, she is on cloud nine!

When not at work Erika enjoys spending time with her husband Mark, in their North Bend home, and their children (cats), Kahlua, Charlie and Roxie. Their favorite hobbies are golfing, hiking and traveling (without the cats of course). Recently she won a trip to Hawaii from a local radio station so they are off to paradise later this year. Erika also enjoys gardening, which includes doing all of the yard maintenance, and that works out perfectly since Mark is a fabulous cook and does all the cooking. Give her a shovel in one hand and a golf club in the other and Erika is quite content!

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December 2013

Issaquah Highlands Connections

HIGHLANDS FIBER NETWORK

HFN: The Same Great Quality and Service! Provided by Isomedia

Last month you learned that Highlands Fiber Network is finally community owned. Perhaps you are wondering how that affects your Internet and HFNVoice service. The good news is that it won’t affect your service at all! The community has been in partnership with Port Blakely to bring you great service since HFN Internet was first implemented in 1998. ISOMEDIA was added in 2004 as an innovative and knowledgeable Internet service provider and network manager. While Port Blakely will no longer be a partner, HFN and ISOMEDIA will continue to bring you fast, dependable, inexpensive Internet access and voice service. This partnership has worked so well that other planned communities look to HFN for ideas and guidance. As you may have read in the October Connections, the Highlands Fiber Network was featured in the July 2013 issue of Broadband Communities as one of the pioneers in community fiber networks. As additional recognition of your community’s great accomplishments,

ISOMEDIA’s CTO was an invited speaker at the Broadband Communities 2013 Summit. For many of you, great Internet access is the key to success and the Highlands Fiber Network is committed to giving you the excellent service and options that you need! The idea of installing high capacity, durable optic fiber to the Issaquah Highlands homes began with the first homeowners. In 2007 ISOMEDIA was engaged in a long-term, 15-year contract to plan, manage and support the network. Partnering with ISOMEDIA enabled HFN to utilize new technology to improve service, increasing the speed over the last decade from the original 1.5Mbps – considered fast in 1998 – to HFN Quantum speeds today of up to a gigabit. Voice service was added in 2006. This year a deal was brokered with Netflix to provide Super HD streaming to residents. While telcos and cable companies aren’t keeping up with the nation’s technical needs, they are charging an arm and a leg to be on their networks. More and more residential and business communities throughout the U.S. are seeing community fiber networks as the solution, many using the Issaquah Highlands Fiber Network as a guide to developing a great network. The Highlands can pride itself on being one of the first to pioneer this mode of Internet access! The Highlands Fiber Network offers residents a variety of Internet service packages to choose from, voice services to fit your needs, customer support 24 hours a day/7 days a week, helpful tips and information online and the opportunity to get a great Netflix deal for movies and TV shows online. • Residential Internet Services: Quantum 10, Quantum 100 and Quantum 1000 • HFNVoice Services: HFNVoice Local, HFNVoice Continental and HFNVoice Pro Business Services • Netflix: Super HD 1080p and 3D video streaming • HFN FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions • Personal Website: Free with your service plan • Dialup Access: Use when you are out of town • HFN Information Flyer: Information about the network for potential buyers • Customer Support: Available any time you need it You can get more information about the these services and offers on the HFN website at www. https://www.highlandsfibernetwork.com from customer support at 425-427-0999 or hfnsupport@hfnservices.com.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

December 2013

Catch a Dream! - Make Your Own Christmas Gifts! Photos and story by Vyvian Luu, Sunset Walk; Highlands Council Intern; Member, Youth Board

Materials

1 hot glue gun A couple of hot glue sticks Beads 1 suede spool 1 metal ring 1 scissor Yarn or other type of threads

Optional Materials Glass rods Feathers

Artist’s statement

My first dreamcatcher was made when I was in my junior year of high school. I took a Material Science class and I had to pick a project for the end of the year. I decided to make a dream catcher by incorporating what I learned about how to hand-make glass beads from glass rods. It took me about 2-3 weeks until I had made all the beads I’d need. Anyway, I wanted to share my personal experience because it is one of the easiest Christmast present that you can give to someone special.

Dreamcatcher’s Brief History

“Dreamcatchers” are one of the most fascinating traditions of the Native Americans. The traditional dreamcatcher was intended to protect the sleeping individual from negative dreams, while letting positive dreams through. The positive deams would slip through the hole in the center of the dreamcatcher, and glide down the feathers to the sleeping person below. Negative dreams would get caught up in the web, and expire when the first rays of the sun struck them. The dreamcatcher has been a part of Native American culture for generations. One element of the Native Americans dreamcatcher relates to the tradition of the hoop. Some North American Native Americans held the hoop in the highest esteem, because it symbolized strength and unity. Many symbols started around the hoop, and one of these symbols is the dreamcatcher. (http://www.dream-catchers.org/).

*Materials can be bought at Micheals Arts and Craft store *Glass Rods can be bought at Arts by Fire. If you do not have the proper equipment to make glass beads at home, an alternative would be renting the Arts by Fire studio or take a class!

Procedure 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

11.

12. 13.

Take a look at the first diagram. Make a knot using the suede string. Optional: use the hot glue gun to secure the knot. Use a wooden clip or any thing to clip down the knot. Wrap the suede string aroud the metal ring. Use the hot glue to secure the end of the string. Look at the bottom right corner of the 2nd diagram. Learn to make a half hitch before applying the method to your ring. Try to form a knot. Using any type of thread, tie half hitch knots around ring to form loops on the first row. Repeat Step #7. Continue to tie half hitch knots around the center of the ring. Depending on the length of thread you want, cut off the string and make a knot, leaving room at the end for beads. Slip beads/or glass beads through the thread below the first knot. Repeat Step #11 and #12 if necessary. Cut off 3 inches of thread and make a knot.

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December 2013

Issaquah Highlands Connections

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT Grand Ridge Elementary Scholastic Book Fair Coming soon to Grand Ridge! Scholastic “Reading-Oasis” Book Fair, December 3-6th 8am-5pm in the school library or visit the fair online November 25-December 9th. This is the perfect event to purchase affordable gifts and books for students and teacher – all while supporting the Grand Ridge Library! For more information, visit the website: grandridgeptsa.org.

Grand Ridge School Auction: Mark Your Calendars for February 8th Grand Ridge is hosting its 2nd school auction on February 8th at the Bellevue Club Hotel. The PTSA is currently accepting donations for the big night. Do you have a vacation home? How about season tickets to the Seahawks, Sounders or college games? Own or work for a business with a service or experience Grand Ridge families would enjoy? Auction procurement ends December 20. • Early Bird ticket sales begin December 2nd for this fun event: there will be a live and silent auction, entertainment, and great food! • 50/50 Raffle tickets are available now – you need not be present to win! Half of the funds collected will go to the winner, and half goes to support students at Grand Ridge. • Online Auction- stay tuned for more information on how to participate in the online auction starting in January: classroom art projects and staff experiences for students are just a couple of great venues that will be up for auction.

Here are just few amazing auction items that will be available on February 8th • • • • •

Zulu Nyala Game Lodge – African Safari Overnight Getaway to Willows Lodge and dinner at Barking Frog Instant Wine Cellar – 30 bottles Day Trip Kayaking for 2 in Friday Harbor Dinner for 6 prepared by the Issaquah Highlands Fire Department at the Fire Station

All auction proceeds will fund Literacy, Art, Science, and Technology as well as other school curriculum and PTSA programs. Your donation will help bridge the funding gap between what our state pays for and what our kids need to experience a first rate education. Please visit the GR PTSA website for more info at: grandridgeptsa.org Your GR Auction proceeds at work = 3rd grade students took a field trip to the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery to supplement their life sciences study of salmon Gifts From Gilman: Ends December 9th! Gifts From Gilman - Holiday Toy and Warm Clothing Drive: Donations will help brighten the holiday season for Issaquah Food Bank families. Please donate only new or unused toys and warm clothing for ages 0-18. Collection boxes located in the Main Lobby, Grizzly Club, and at the entrances used by the students. Grand Ridge’s goal is to donate 500 items for children in need!

Toys Puzzles Books Blocks Art &Craft Supplies Board Games Video Games

*Gift Ideas* Movie DVDs Music CDs Warm Baby Clothes Coats Gloves Hats Socks & Underwear

Gift Cards $15-$25 increments (Please turn into school office) Wrapping Supplies

The College Journey

By Adam Gervis, Logan Park, Former Language Arts Teacher, College Essay Prep Professional

“The Future’s So Bright (I Gotta Wear Shades)” This is how every student should feel on entering high school. However, as they journey through high school towards college there are many hurdles to their success. Understanding these hurdles and having the tools to overcome them are vital to making the journey. Freshmen From the end of eighth grade forward all grades count towards a student’s GPA and lead students down their path to college. Freshman year can often be overwhelming with a new school and social and other interests that High School provides. But you need to plan a college preparatory academic program for all four years of high school. You need to expand your volunteering or work experiences, as one only learns from doing, in addition to taking on a leadership role in clubs or on teams that add to your skill set. Sophomores In sophomore year work on keeping good grades, and start looking for opportunities to volunteer in places that match your interests. If you have opportunities to travel and expand “your world”, take them. Trying to figure out what you are about is only accomplished by trying a variety of experiences. If playing sports; go through NCAA Eligibility Center. Juniors The junior year is packed with generally harder classes and greater workload, but it is also the time to start really laying down the groundwork for college. Start looking at colleges both online and making visits throughout the year. (selecting the college that is right for you is so important). Talk to parents, counselors and go to college fairs. Work through the information. Have family conversations about the financial implications for college. Take your SAT’s; for many taking SAT prep classes makes sense as these are high stakes tests and feeling confident and having strategies to assist your decision making is valuable. Towards the end of junior year and over the summer work on getting as much of the college application as you can complete. For many, doing the college essay at the end of junior year makes sense as it takes that piece out of the equation when entering senior year, it also allows the student to really enjoy their last summer of high school. Seniors In senior year work to create a list of schools that meet your personal criteria and matches your academic and financial profile. The sooner you can get your recommending teachers on-board the easier the process will be; understand that teachers are inundated with requests. Make sure you have all the SAT subject tests completed if required; pre-register for the CSS/ Financial Aid profile if required by your colleges. Group your schools together based on the Common Application Form. For early admission you need to have everything completed by the middle of October/November, if doing regular admission deadlines are usually between December 1st and February 15th.Make sure you have your essay completed long before the deadline as it is without doubt the hardest part of the process and carries a great deal of weight in determining college acceptance.

Clark Elementary

Holiday Giving Tree: Ends December 7th! Don’t forget, the Clark PTSA Holiday Giving Tree event ends December 7th. After you select your gift tag from the Giving Tree located in the front lobby, donations should be unwrapped with the gift tag attached, and delivered by the deadline date. With your donations, many Issaquah Food Bank families with children up to age 18 will have their Holidays brightened due to the generosity of Clark families! Thanks Clark Sharks!

Grand Ridge Elementary

DECEMBER EVENTS

Grand Ridge Elementary

12/3 - 12/6 12/4 - 12/5 12/23 - 1/3

GR PTSA Scholastic Book Fair Teacher Conferences – No School Winter Break – No School

12/4 - 12/5 12/12 12/23 - 1/3

Teacher Conferences – No School Clark PTSA Gingerbread House Night and Silent Auction Winter Break – No School

12/6 12/16 12/23 - 1/3

Grading Day – Early Dismissal All Music Concert Winter Break – No School

12/5 - 12/7 12/12 - 12/14 12/17 12/19 12/21 12/23 - 1/3

“White Christmas” Musical IHS Theater – 7:00pm “White Christmas” Musical IHS Theater – 7:00pm Candlelight Concert IHS Theater – 7:00pm Winter Instrumental Concert IHS Theater - 7:00pm “Home For the Holidays” IHS Theater – 7:00pm Winter Break – No School

Clark Elementary

Pacific Cascade Middle School Issaquah High School

Issaquah Highlands Connections

December 2013

Say you saw it in Connections!

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December 2013

Issaquah Highlands Connections

RESIDENT PROFILE: CARRIE ORRICO

Carrie Orrico moved to Issaquah Highlands in November of 2007. At that time she commuted to her Big Fish Grills of Kirkland and Woodinville. Now she could walk to work if she wanted. But Carrie does plenty of walking at work. As owner/operator of our new Big Fish Grill in Grand Ridge Plaza, Carrie can be found helping out “on the floor” in addition to arriving early to manage the business from her on-site office.

Where did you grow up? Portland, Oregon

What is your favorite thing about your neighborhood?

I love the views! In 2007 we lived in the Harrison Street neighborhood. Even if you don’t live there, you can enjoy clear skies and big views, even on the foggiest of days. Oh, and the trails are beautiful. Now we love living in Forest Ridge, for all the same reasons.

Have you always been in the restaurant business? Yes, but I haven’t always been the owner.

What is the single hardest thing about the restaurant biz?

Staffing. Oftentimes a job in a restaurant is interim employment or someone’s first job while they finish college, etc. But working with these people is also the most rewarding because you have a small window to make a difference in their lives and I hope it’s a positive one.

What keeps you going?

Our guests! When they come into my restaurants I want them to feel like they are at home or with good friends. It’s like entertaining friends all the time! And I love to hear the three magic words, “I’ll be back.”

Tell me about your family.

I have five children and my youngest is in third grade at Grand Ridge Elementary.

Do any of them work with you at Big Fish Grill?

Yes, my oldest son Joe helps in all three stores and now that we have three he is taking on some marketing responsibilities. My daughter Brianna is involved in our Woodinville store. We are definitely a family business!

Owning multiple restaurants, working nights and raising a family – that’s a lot of work! How do you manage? The stresses of restaurant management don’t bother me so much. And I clearly know where my priorities are: they are with my family. Two of my children are in heaven, and having gone through that with them, everything else seems easy.

What does the future hold?

If you mean more restaurants…………I don’t know about that! If you asked me a couple years ago if I would have three restaurants, I probably would have replied, “Are you crazy?”

What’s your favorite IH day-off scenario?

Wake up with a great cup of coffee and explore the many trails and parks in Issaquah Highlands with my family.

What is your recently read favorite book? The Help

Photo by: Nina Milligan

Monthly resident profiles are produced by Nina Milligan, Resident and Communication Manager for Highlands Council

Issaquah Highlands Connections

December 2013

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DIRECTORY Connections is published by the Highlands Council. Our mission is to foster the development of a vibrant and caring community committed to service, diversity, and well-being.

Connections

Connections is printed and mailed every month to every Issaquah Highlands residence as well as local Issaquah residents and businesses. For article submissions and advertising sales, contact Nina Milligan at nina.m@ihcouncil.org or 425-507-1111

ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION esponsible for: • Property Management R • Enforcement of CCRs, Rules, Regs • Architectural Review • Common Area Landscape Funded by: • Annual IHCA Assessments • Neighborhood Assessments

GOVERNING BODY

Rectangle Vert: 3” x 4.625”

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Issaquah Highlands Community Association Board of Directors Jim Young, President Andrea Gregg, Vice President Tad Pease, Secretary David Ngai, Treasurer Scott McKay, Member Walt Bailey, Member Dan Vradenburg, Member

Quarter Page: 4.625” x 6.25”

$150

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Half Page Vert: 4.625” x 13”

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STAFF

Half Page Horz: 9.625” x 6.25”

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Full Page: 9.625” x 13”

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Size

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Mini (text only): 3” x 3”

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Ads are due by the first Friday of the month for the following month’s publication. Print ads must be submitted electronically in .eps, .tif or .pdf format with all fonts embedded. For best results with newspaper printing, please avoid small text in color or reversed out of color. Do not use a built black of CMYK combined. Instead, please setup all black as “K” only. All files must be in CMYK (not RGB). Resolution should be a minimum of 200 dpi. Please allow for 15-20% gain. Graphic design services are available.

MAIN PHONE: 425-427-9257 1011 NE High Street Suite 210 Monday–Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm Sarah Phillips, Executive Director sarah.p@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1120 Rachel Garrett, Director of Community Operations rachel.g@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1115 Erika North, Community Manager erika.n@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1121 Jennifer Fink, Community Manager jennifer.f@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1113 Russ Ayers, Landscape Manager russ.a@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1130

WEBSITE ADVERTISING AVAILABLE! www.ihwebsite.com

Whitney Wengren, Office Manager whitney.w@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1135

Content and advertising in Connections does not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of the Highlands Council or staff.

Joon Chang, Accounting Manager joon.c@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1117

Rental Facilities Blakely Hall Award-winning Blakely Hall has a feeling and comfort of a lodge. It is a wonderful place for parties with 70 or more guests, fund raisers, galas, and any type of reception. Blakely Hall can accommodate up to 230 guests. In addition to the atmosphere Blakely Hall will give you, there is a patio with outdoor seating and BBQ grill that is available for rent. Blakely Hall Meeting Room The Conference room is perfect for your meeting or seminar. It is private. It can accommodate up to 46 guests. A screen is provided as well as comfortable conference chairs and tables that can be configured to your liking. A projector is available for rent. There is a wash station, and a countertop to place your refreshments. To inquire about booking facilities at Blakely Hall, please contact Brianna at 425.507.1107 or email brianna.e@ihcouncil.org Fire Station Meeting Room The Fire Station 73 meeting room is great for community or group meetings. It comes with tables and chairs. It can accommodate up to 85 guests in a meeting setting or comfortably 30 guests. There are two whiteboards for writing down your ideas and agenda. There is also a television with a DVD player for your instructional videos. Because this is a city building they do not allow religious, partisan, or for-profit meetings to take place in this facility. To inquire about booking the Fire Station Meeting Room, please contact Fire Station #73 at 425.313.3373.

Homeowner Account Inquiries payments@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1119 Escrow Payoffs accounting@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1123

Emergency: 9-1-1 Issaquah Police (non-emergency): 425-837-3200

HIGHLANDS COUNCIL esponsible for: • Community Events R • Blakely Hall Community Center • Facility Rentals • Connections Newspaper • www.ihwebsite.com Funded by: • Sponsorships/Grants • Advertising • Community Enhancement Fees (¼ of 1% on sale of home) • 12¢ per sq. ft. retail/commercial

GOVERNING BODY Highlands Council Board of Trustees Larry Norton, President John Thompson, Vice President Linda Hall, Treasurer Philip Nored, Secretary Susan Terry, Member Patrick Byers, Member Ray Besharati, Member

STAFF MAIN PHONE: 425-507-1107 Blakely Hall 2550 NE Park Drive Monday–Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm Christy Garrard, Director/Special Event Planner christy.g@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1110 Nina Milligan, Communications Manager nina.m@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1111 Brianna Eigner, Blakely Hall Coordinator brianna.e@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1107 Michele McFarland, Finance Manager michele.m@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1108 Julie Clegg, Creative Coordinator julie.c@ihcouncil.org Keith Luu, Events/Administrative Assistant, keith.l@ihcouncil.org Vyvian Luu, Intern vyvian.l@ihcouncil.org

Community Services at Blakely Hall • Fax Sending & Receiving Fax sending, local $.50 per page Fax sending, long distance $1.00 per page Fax receiving, $.50 per page • Limited B/W Photocopying, $.05 per page • Lost and Found

WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife: 425-775-1311 Emergency Contact Number For after-hours emergencies not involving police and fire response or gas or water main breaks, contact IHCA at 425-313-2209

www.facebook.com/highlands.council Weekly E-Letter: Sign up at ihwebsite.com

PORT BLAKELY COMMUNITIES Port Blakely Communities, the developer of Issaquah Highlands, continues to be involved as they have a vested interest in the community and in seeing their vision become reality.

Jennifer Hagge, Office Manager jhagge@portblakely.com, 206-225-2316

www.ihwebsite.com

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December 2013

Issaquah Highlands Connections

Published on Feb 6, 2014

December 2013

Published on Feb 6, 2014

ihconnections

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