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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.