November 2014

CONNECTIONS FR

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ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY NEWS www.issaquahhighlands.com | facebook.com/issaquahhighlands

THANK A NEIGHBOR! Veteran’s Day • Election Day • Volunteer Dan Vradenburg WHAT’S INSIDE? 4 4 4 6 9 10 12 14 15 16

Highlands Council Art at Blakely Hall Veteran’s Day Thank a Neighbor Sportshound IH by Design Arts & Entertainment Doing Business Club Profile What’s Happening

18 19 20 22 23 25 26 27 28 30

Living Green HFN News IHCA Community Ask Kari Volunteer of the Month School Spotlight City News Fitness & Health Our Elected Officials Resident Profile

Photo by: Julie Clegg / julieclegg.com

November 2014

ECRWSS POSTAL PATRON 2550 NE Park Drive Issaquah, WA 98029

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

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November 2014

Issaquah Highlands Connections

Issaquah Highlands Connections

FROM THE EDITOR Dear Neighbors, It is a common refrain in Issaquah Highlands: “I have the BEST neighbors!” As a superlative adjective, the “best” means there are no better, anywhere. And yet every neighborhood in the Highlands has the best neighbors, truly.

We received a flood of responses to our request for Thank a Neighbor expressions. Most sent the “short and sweet” thanks we asked for, but a couple justifiably provided a few more words. I was touched by how little a gesture can be and still be meaningful.

I was also touched by a neighbor’s gratitude when recalling a favor from a neighbor. Their joy literally jumps off the page!

This issue of Connections features thanks and Thanksgiving, but we have engaged in other November events as well. For instance, please join the community for its own Veteran’s Day Flag ceremony at Village Green/Blakely Hall, details on page 4. Also please read reports from our elected officials as they look back on 2014 and ahead for a new year on page 28. Election Day is November 4th (none of our representatives are running). Connections published election information in the October issue to keep pace with the mail-in ballots and to encourage you to vote early. My primary ballot was not counted due to a past due postmark. Did the USPS come early that day? Oh, why did I wait till the last day! My ballots will be mailed early from now on!

Enjoy also our regular features. Josh Zhanson provides a media list to honor Veteran’s Day, Tami Curtis commiserates over tangled holiday plans, and the IHCA advises about how to protect your home from ground and storm water. And speaking of “home”, many in the Highlands have moved here from their previous home and family support. This may explain why our neighbors are so important. This all comes together in Marty and Molly’s review of In the Heights.

This and more awaits you in these pages, composed for you by members of your community, something I am truly thankful for!

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.

November 2014

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November 2014

Issaquah Highlands Connections

HIGHLANDS COUNCIL

Here Come the Holidays in the Highlands, Brought to You by Highlands Council

by Christy Garrard, Highlands Council Executive Director, Dahlia Park Resident

Happy Thanksgiving! Here come the holidays! We are busy planning fun experiences for all ages this season!

Stop by Blakely Hall and see the newly renovated interior! Our well-loved community center got a top-to-bottom cleaning, a coat of fresh paint in new colors, updated hearth, upgraded kitchen backsplash, and new furniture! We are especially proud of the custom dining table designed and built by resident Mike Osburn. Read more about this incredible neighbor in the Resident Profile on page 30. Be sure to THANK Blakely Hall Manager, Brianna Eigner, for her coordination of this HUGE project in addition to managing the facility and the holiday rental calendar, while greeting everyone through the doors with a big smile.

Join us on Tuesday, November 11th at the Village Green Flag Pole for a special Veterans Day Flag Raising Ceremony at 9am.

Did you enjoy the Halloween in the Highlands Trolley? The FREE Trolley is back on Saturday, November 29th from Noon – 8pm in support of Shop Local Saturday. Highlands Council cosponsors this FREE shuttle service, TWO trolleys this year, providing residents a fun and festive way to enjoy shopping all over the city of Issaquah in support of small businesses. See page 13 for more information. And don’t miss artEast’s Art Bazaar at Blakely Hall with gift shopping, hands-on family art projects, and holiday refreshments.

Santa will be waiting to discuss your list and take a picture with you all season long, at Grand Ridge Plaza, courtesy of Regency Centers. See page 30.

Blakely Hall will be filled with the sounds of the holidays in December! Buy your tickets NOW for The Teaching, a holiday jazz concert by this Grammy nominated group with members who recently toured with Macklemore. Seating is limited for these December 12th and 13th adultsonly performances. For ticket information see the ad on page 29.

Free and family-friendly, The Fire Inside Celtic group featuring resident Tami Curtis returns for a second year to Blakely Hall on December 21st from 4pm-6pm. More information on page 8.

The HY will host a Seahawks Watch Party on Sunday, December 14th from 1pm-5pm at Blakely Hall. Middle and High School students can watch the Hawks take on the 49ers on the big screen. Football not your kids thing? That is ok. Students can enjoy stuffing stockings for teens in need and join a team to build and decorate gingerbread houses. And food. There will be lots of food….and adult supervision. More details on page 19.

December 16th Highlands Council welcomes back the Chabad of the Cascades to celebrate with the Community Grand Chanukah Celebrations at Blakely Hall. Always a packed house, the community is invited to enjoy the traditional Jewish rituals and delicious fare. More information on page 23.

It is a lot, we know. Aren’t the holidays always that way? Follow us on Facebook/ IssaquahHighlands, on Twitter @IssHighlands, or visit our Holidays in the Highlands event page on IssaquahHighlands.com to stay up-to-date with community happenings. If you are not receiving the weekly e-letter you can subscribe on the website too! Enjoy all this wonderful community has to offer. Building community is what we do.

Flag Raising Ceremony to Honor Our Veterans Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11th at 9am Village Green Park Hosted by Highlands Council and Issaquah Highlands Community Association

IH Resident and Pearl Harbor author, Jerry Kaufman contacted the Highlands Council office and said, “On my last Pearl Harbor book signing visit the NPS gave me an official working American flag that has flown at the USS Arizona Memorial.” He offered the flag to the community for a special Veterans Day flag raising ceremony.

Please join State Senator Mark Mullet, Mayor Fred Butler, City Councilwomen Stacy Goodman and Nina Milligan, along with Boy Scout Troop 697 for a special flag raising ceremony saluting our Veterans on Tuesday, November 11th at 9am. The ceremony will take place at the flag pole across from Blakely Hall (2550 NE Park Drive) at the entrance to Village Green Park.

Wake up the kids (no school day) and bring them to Village Green Park for the brief ceremony.

What a wonderful way to be in a THANKFUL spirit for those who have served our country.

BLAKELY HALL ART GALLERY

artEAST Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair

by Jan Lipetz, Blakely Hall Gallery Curator, Village Green

artEAST Blakely Hall Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair November 29th 11 am-4pm Blakely Hall Holiday Shopping and Fun for the Whole Family

“Block printing is a new medium for me but I fell in love with it the first time I carved a block. My Service Dog, Horton, is my muse and I love envisioning him doing all kinds of fun, whimsical human things that everyone can relate to.

The artists of artEAST want to thank Issaquah Highlands for a great year of exhibitions and gatherings with the first annual Blakely Hall Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair. This is your chance to do a little Holiday shopping and make some art at the same time. Our member artists have a free art project for you and your children. Join us for some holiday cheer, warm cocoa and spiced cider for all. One day only, so don’t miss out. One highlighted artist at the fair will be Michelle Ryan.

I then take my block prints and turn them in buttons for my magnetic jewelry.

I also use other forms of art as well as hand painted papers I use to create my buttons. I make all the buttons myself.”

I love seeing people enjoy and wearing my art.”

Michelle Ryan Ryan Block Print

Issaquah Highlands Connections

November 2014

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HIGHLANDS COUNCIL

Four New Students Selected for Highlands Youth’s Second Year

by Christy Garrard, Highlands Council Executive Director, HY Staff Leader, and Dahlia Park Resident Eight resident middle and high school students applied for a position on the HY Advisory Board this year. In its second year, the Board had four openings due to high school graduations and relocations. The candidates completed an application, wrote a brief essay, and sat for an interview with me and the HY Board CoPresidents Robyn Davidson and Larissa Kolasinski. We are proud to welcome the following students to the HY Board:

Elias Kazemi Also a 9th grader at I.H.S., Elias joins his sister, senior Sahar, on the HY Board. Elias has lived in IH for 12 years and speaks three languages! Elias shared, “I feel like a lot of the community events are geared toward younger students.” He hopes to help plan community events that bring many middle and high school students together.

Kaila Fung Kaila is a senior at Issaquah High School and a nine year resident of Issaquah Highlands. She works at TCBY/Mrs Fields and volunteers at Issaquah Highlands Physical Therapy. “I think opportunities to meet new people without it being awkward or uncomfortable should be a priority for HY. I hope to help plan events that allow students to mingle without being pressured to make friends,” says Kaila.

Andie Kolasinski Another sibling pairing for the HY Board, Andie is HY CoPresident, Larissa’s, younger sister. Andie told us, “I have lived here for seven years and I want to give back to the community that has provided me an awesome upbringing!” Andie is also in 9th grade at I.H.S. and a member of the Track and 2014 Highlands Youth Cross Country Teams Advisory Board Caroline O’Neill and Key Club.

Kaila Fung Caroline is a 9th grader at Issaquah High School. She has lived in Aadit Mehta Issaquah Highlands for over seven years. A cheerleader and partJadyn Eigner time ski instructor, Caroline says, “I am interested in getting more Caroline O’Neill involved with the community. I have friends on the board and I Alexandra Morey have been to some of the HY events and had a great time. I would Rachel Rosewater love to be involved in planning them!”

Sahar & Elias Kazemi Chloe and Megan Kilzi Robyn & Sean Davidson SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, December 14th 1pm-5pm at Blakely Hall, Seahawks Watch Larissa & Andie Kolasinski Party and Stocking Stuffer Drive for Teens in Need. The HY Advisory Board will be planning lots of other fun activities for teens on this date. So even if you are not a football fan you will have a great time. See page 19 for more information and follow us on Twitter @issHighlands or on Facebook/IssaquahHighlands for HY updates.

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Thank a Neighbor!

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November 2014

I would like to thank Nancy Chabot and Michelle Chung for looking out for my kids in the mornings on the way to school - the kids all gather and walk, but in bad weather they throw them all into their cars. You gals are my extended family, and I love you both!

Teresa Cowan

I would like to thank my neighbors, two doors along from me, in Blakely Hall....Christy, Nina and Brianna..... They’re always there for me if I need them, and are always looking out for me!

Lynne Trowern

We would love to thank our neighbor Lauren Olson for her multiple garden fresh cherry tomato deliveries this summer! Delicious!

Jen, Bart, Cal, and Lily

We’d like to thank our neighbors Nova & Mark, Raja & Durga as well as Mahua for helping us on several occasions, when we’ve been out of town. We appreciate residing in this close-knit community with such wonderful people!

Ami & Tushar

Thank you Mark and Jody on Katsura for not only watering while we were out of town, but cutting the grass and trimming the flowers in the baskets! What a nice surprise!

Emily, Gonzalo and Lucas Arteche

We would love to thank our neighbors - Andrea Sullivan and her husband for being such fabulous neighbors.

We have rented out our home to a tenant and currently live in Seattle. However, we spent a couple months in our new home in the fall of 2012 when there weren’t too many people around in the Sunset point neighborhood. And Andrea and Nyaya (I might be spelling his name incorrectly, apologies!) made us feel really welcome and are absolutely wonderful people to have as neighbors. We were incredibly lucky to have such a warm, thoughtful and altogether lovely couple as our next-door friends. We moved to Seattle in early 2013 and continue to miss them I think good friends are hard to find, but good neighbors are even rarer!!! Kudos to Andrea and Nyaya!!

We had a sudden family emergency that took us away for the weekend. I would like to thank my neighbor, Ann, for offering to watch our four-legged child while we were away. Ann took Maggie in for the weekend and provided excellent care for her. We were so thankful!

Mark and Suzanne

We’d like to express our appreciation and thank Christy Garrard for directing the HY Board and giving our young leaders such a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in our community.

Ami & Tushar

Issaquah Highlands Connections

Sharanya & Chetan

I would like to thank my awesome neighbor, Nicole, who not only has become a great friend, but who also helps by bringing my cats in when they get out! :)

Enessa Olivas

Our neighbors Glenn and Amy Meyer are lovely! They watch our home, help move furniture, take care of our cats when we travel, let locked children in, and are just fun to share a glass of wine with. We lucked out by moving across the street from them.

Lucky us! The O’Neills Dear Mulberry St. Gang: I’d like to say thank you for an awesome ten years. Our street has been filled with water wars, snow sleds, bikes, scooters, dogs, chalk and parents relaxing in lawn chairs. I can always count on my neighbors for a missing egg or cube of butter. Mulberry Street rocks!!

I would like to thank all the Issaquah community for all your support. So many times you have supported us! One time when I scheduled a tequila tasting it actually snowed and still the people We’d like to express our gratitude to Nina Milligan from up the hill came, even though they had to walk. Also thanks to for her patience, brainstorming ideas for articles, the many residents from Issaquah who work in the Seattle area and resident introductions and giving Aadit a wonderful Kim Goodman support our new restaurant in Queen Anne, as well as introducing opportunity to be the IH Connections sports their friends and coworkers to the restaurant. Thank you! correspondent, as well as for making Connections an My son was supposed to pick me up from the airport on my way home Federico Ramos amazing community newspaper! from Peru but something came up and was not able to. My great neighbors IH Sportshound Aadit, Ami & Tushar Frank and Livy Woodman came to the rescue. I am very thankful for their I’d like to thank all my fabulous kindness and caring. Thank you again, Frank and Livy. neighbors on 14th/Iris/Jade for making Elsa Benitez our block so much fun. Between This is my six year volunteering for Issaquah Highlands Playgroup and every year during our annual camping trips, ice cream the summer, I spend some of my time thinking on how to make playgroup more enjoyable Residents and staff thank Sondi Lind for socials, “book club,” water fights, and fun for everybody. This year, the crafts had my attention. I knew we needed to get being such a positive presence and community food sharing, plant watering, and a founds to buy them all together at the beginning of the year, so every week we could count resource. Her genuine compassion, ability to whole herd of kids playing on the with educational and fun materials for all the little ones to enjoy. So, I went to talk to our build relationships and strong commitment to street - we are very lucky to live here! friends from Swedish who have always been so generous to our group, and they agreed community shines through every day.

Andrea Moretsky to provide the crafts for a whole year! I could not being more thankful! Contribution like The YWCA Family Village this makes it possible for our playgroup to exist and to make our Issaquah Highlands I’d like to thank my husband Chris for cutting down the community a great place to live!

One winter day a couple years invasive Scotch Broom plants throughout Central Park. ago, I got a call on my cell I would like to thank...

For the past few years, Chris has been out there almost phone while at work. It was my Highlands Council and Blakely Hall, Christy Garrard, Nina Milligan and Brianna Eigner: every morning with his oversized clipper and trusty neighbor telling me there was for giving us the opportunity to have a weekly space on Blakely Hall for our playgroup, companion, Tuck the Corgi. Thanks to Chris, allergy water gushing out from under and always being willing to help us. sufferers (like me) can enjoy Central Park with fewer my garage door. I gave her the sniffles. It’s too bad the plants keep returning every year.

Happy Family Brands, Keli B. Reagan: for providing delicious, organic and healthy snacks code to get in my garage and Shelly Hawkins that the little ones happily devour. directed her to the main shut-off Swedish Hospital Issaquah, Jody Turner: For providing educational and fun materials for valve so she could turn the water the crafts that the kids get to enjoy.

I would like to thank Nina Milligan for inviting off. I came home to deal with my daughter and me to the annual end-of-summer the busted frozen pipe, but I am Thuan Stevens: For singing with her angelical voice beautiful songs for the circle time. neighborhood potluck in August. We moved to so grateful that water was not Lara Dow: For being in charge of the weekly meetings, always with a big smile in her face.

Issaquah Highlands mid-2013 and it was a wonderful pouring out the whole day while opportunity to meet and speak to our neighbors!

I was at work. Thanks neighbor! https://www.facebook.com/issaquahhighlands.coopplaygroup

Alicia Spinner

Anonymous

Dawn Noland

Issaquah Highlands Connections

November 2014

I would like to thank all our neighbors for supporting my family during a difficult time.

I’d especially like to thank all the wonderful people and families of Issaquah Highlands who provided us with wonderful meals.

Kyle Renolds Jo Mockford Kimberly Collette Teresa Cowan Karen Sperry Chelsea Musick

Sam & Sylvia Chin Nancy Chabot Zhan Gao Family Frank Garcia

Lara Tillman The Kim Family Rebecca Yacabucci Vinaya Gopisetti Jill Hoopes Tara Sheets

Thank you to Christy Garrard for all of your support in our community! Always willing to help out and support another neighbor. Thank you for letting us borrow chairs for our celebration day.

Thank you to The Cowan Family who selflessly organizes the 24th Ave Block Party every year and helps to make our community a village!

Thank you to Jill Hoopes who organized a Meal Train for my family.

Thank you to the whole Hoopes family for bringing in garbage cans when we are on vacation and is always so kind to share their families bounty of vegetables.

Thank you to Jake Hoopes who is kind enough to walk to the bus stop with my son every day.

Thank you to Adrienne Martin and Jessica S. for being the best support group I could ever ask for!

Thank you to the Kim Family for encouraging family play time in the streets, bringing in garbage cans in and looking out for us.

Thank you to the Sheets family for moving in to the neighborhood!

Thank you to Lara Tillman for always making me feel welcome!

Thank you to the Byers family for always smiling and caring about our neighborhood.

Thank you to the wonderful people who make all our various Facebook groups (Issaquah Highlands, 24th Ave, IH Moms, IH Consign, IH Bunco, IH Cooks) interesting, informative and fun!

Patty Mayes

We have an awesome quad of neighbors in the Cottages. We are the newbies to our neighbors, Scott and Donna, Dick and Lauren, and Lilly and Peter. On garbage day, the first person to bring their emptied cans to their garage also brings in each of the neighbors to their house. We watch over each other homes and give assistance when needed. Great neighbors are to be appreciated.

Penny and Dennis

My wife Karin and I just moved into the zHome neighborhood (our first home). Thanks to the other eight zHome families for such a warm welcome! Thanks to Eugene for meeting with us for coffee and giving us the initial lowdown on our neighborhood.

Thanks to Shruti and Satya for sending out e-mails introducing us to all our other neighbors. Thanks to Max, James, and Timothy for their advice on zHome’s special water and energy systems, especially Max who shared loads of advice. Big thanks to Gordon and Kathy for getting the property taxes lowered for the entire neighborhood! Finally, thanks to all of the above for attending (and helping out with) our housewarming party. What a wonderfully friendly neighborhood!

Thank you to Timberlake Church for providing a completely hosted BBQ, bounce house and school supplies to the kids at the Family Village. It is so great to be a part of such a giving community! Timberlake Church, you are making a difference in this community!

YWCA Family Village

Karin and Bryan Bell

I would love to express my thankfulness and give a shout out to my Dahlia Park, middle school, 7 AM carpool neighbors: Aimee, Karen and Meghan ---especially Meghan who has had my back for the last four years & also shares the 6:30 AM high school carpool.

Flynn Galbraith

David

Jessica Santos

Danke schon!

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I would like to give a big thank you to my neighbor, Laura. Due to medical issues I needed help getting to the grocery store and bank. Laura volunteered to drive me to these locations and even carried my groceries in my home asking if there was anything else she could help with. My health has not been good and it’s so great to know there are people out there willing to step up and help others in need.

The proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” best describes my neighborhood. I moved to the Highlands about three years ago, newly divorced and raising my kids on my own. I chose the Highlands for the community and the school district but I got so much more than that. I feel like I live such an incredible neighborhood with such amazing neighbors. On any given day, I walk down our sidewalks and everyone has their front doors open and the kids all playing outside. The kids know that our homes are open to all. My neighbors Stacy Sprinkle and Heather Rasmus and Collette are the best neighbors anyone could ask for. It’s not uncommon for us to borrow butter, pick up groceries for each other, pet sit when we are out of town, help watch our kids when needed, or simply stand outside and talk over a cup of coffee. My kids are happy and although we have no family nearby, I feel like I’m surrounded by friends that feel like family.

I believe it does take a village......and I love my village.

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Issaquah Highlands Connections

Issaquah Highlands Photography Club Photo of the Month November Challenge: “Architecture”

Winner: Steve Gaidos for the photo titled, “Pathway to Gozer”.

Last month’s winner, Shruti Malugu, is this month’s judge. She says in choosing this winner: I really enjoyed and chose Steve Gaidos picture “Pathway to Gozer” as this month’s challenge (Architecture) winner.

The picture evokes an unearthly vibe with the clouds and the unique color treatment. These factors ensure that the viewer is excited about the journey on the path. At the same time the picture is grounded in reality in that we can make out the buildings and crane in the reflection.

The picture following the rule of thirds in a unique and creative way in that the “path” starts from the lower one third and ends in the upper one-third of the frame.

Congrats, Steve!

This month’s winner of the Issaquah Highlands Photography Club, Photo of the Month Pathway to Gozer by Steve Gaidos. The challenge was “architecture”.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

November 2014

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Taking a Bite out of the Apple

by Aadit Desai Mehta, IH Sportshound, Eighth Grade, HY Board Member The Apple Cup. Where Microsoft and Google battle to see who gets the number two spot after the first place company, Apple. I’m just kidding; the Apple Cup is when oranges and bananas compete to be the second most popular fruit after the apple.

Just kidding! But seriously, why is this in the sports section? Because in reality, the Apple Cup is the annual game between two of Washington’s most dominant college football teams, the Washington State University’s Cougars and the University of Washington’s Huskies.

Held every year since 1900, the Apple Cup has been historically dominated by the Huskies, who own a 68-32-6 (wins-losses-ties) advantage in the series. However, the Cougars have won more games of late, checking off their win column in five of their last 10 encounters with the Huskies.

The game site alternates every year, with the Huskies hosting in odd years and the Cougars in even. One of the most thrilling games in Apple Cup history was the 2002 game, which went into triple overtime. In that game, the third-ranked Cougars were upset by the unranked Huskies, 29-26

IH Sportshound, Aadit Desai Mehta, blocks one team football against the other at our own Dicks’ Sporting Goods.

Among the most famous players to play in the Apple Cup are NFL Hall of Famers Warren Moon and Hugh McElhenny for the Huskies, and Cougar Mel Hein. In the 1950 Apple Cup, McElhenny ran for 296 yards and five touchdowns, including an 83-yarder. In the 1975 encounter, WSU was up by 13 with less than three minutes to go. After an Al Burleson pick-6, the Huskies were down by just 7. However, Spider Gaines caught Warren Moon’s touchdown pass off a tip, and the Huskies went on to win. Mel Hein was the first player to have his jersey retired by Washington State. He played 15 years for the New York Giants, and never missed a game. He was part of two NFL championship squads.

Tied for the 12th most played rivalry in college football, the Apple Cup is always fun to watch. This year the Apple Cup will be hosted by the Cougars in Pullman, WA on Saturday, November 29th, a bit unusual, since it is traditionally held on a Friday. Whether you bleed purple, breathe crimson, or just happen to be part of a mixed family, I wish your team best of luck for this year’s Apple Cup.

2014 Apple Cup Host Team: WSU Cougars, Pullman

Saturday, November 29th Game time and television broadcast TBD Radio Broadcasts on Seattle's KOMO AM 1000 & FM 97.7

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Issaquah Highlands Connections

ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS BY DESIGN

UVDC Pet Feature: Plazas for Gathering

by Sierra Womak, Wynhaven Last month’s issue I introduced the topic of the Urban Village Development Commission.

This commission took the placement and planning of public spaces very seriously, which is obvious if you visit the community. Many homes surround a green belt or park where families can watch their children play from their front door. In addition to these small green spaces, the density provided by the development agreement provided over one hundred acres of parks and trails, as well as fifteen hundred acres of permanent open land. This gives its residents the unity with nature that so many city dwellers wish for. In addition, the development agreement laid plans for the village green to the parks and green space, they also worked together with Port Blakely to create the Village Green, located next to Blakely Hall where many of the community’s events are held.

Village Green

A village green is typically surrounded by homes, and this style dates back to colonial times when government officials needed a place to communicate and speak to their people. Nina Milligan, a recent member of the Urban Village Development Commission and current city council member explains, “Public spaces that homes surround, such as parks, go through rigorous scrutiny by the Urban Village Development Commission (UVDC), our public/citizen representatives. Each time a plat is approved, this body focuses like a laser beam on public/ community areas. For instance, the new development going in south of Dick’s Sporting Goods had a pedestrian plaza design that we did not feel met the objective of a gathering space in its first proposal. Through public meetings and the leadership of commission chairman, IH resident Geoff Walker, we worked with the developer to refine the site plan to make the center of the neighborhood more of a gathering place than what they had first proposed, which seemed more like a thoroughfare to us.”

Another goal was to bring Home Occupation Districts to the Issaquah Highlands. Many of these are tri-level town homes, which are zoned for businesses on the ground level, and have their own separate entrances. This is just another way that the people of the highlands are more able to stay close with the community, and are given the chance to open small

businesses and work from home. Not only does this please many of the residents, but it also helps boost the local economy, and promote small businesses in the area.

This process of collaborating with the community is on-going, and ever changing. In 2012, the plans for the now existing Grand Ridge Plaza shopping center included a few areas of controversy. Regency Centers, the designers behind Grand Ridge Plaza had originally presented plans for a limited mall, with many small plazas rather than one large plaza. The public voiced that they were against this, because they felt the point to a plaza, and the intention of the community, is to bring people together. Through working with the people of the community and the Urban Village Development Commission, Regency Centers changed their plans to expand the plaza located next to the movie theater where people now socialize, children play, and events are held.

Though now this neighborhood seems complete, there is still work being done. Microsoft owned 63 acres, 1.2 million square feet of commercial entitlement near the edge of Grand Ridge that they once had planned to build on. Instead, in 2013 they sold this land to Polygon Homes. Plans for this land will soon be going through a public process with the Urban Village Development Commission. This area of land is the “face” of the highlands, being located in front of Grand Ridge Plaza. This will definitely be an important area, so the public will be heavily involved yet again in this process.

Although my first impressions were that this community seemed like a theme park, I have since changed my mind. Educating myself on the history of this neighborhood, and exploring the community has taught me that the urban planning that went into this place is astounding.

Port Blakely may have left its stamp on Issaquah Highlands, but the people are now shaping this community and creating and following through with Port Blakely’s vision. Without the people of Issaquah, this vision could have never been carried out, and the urban planning would have never been this successful. It’s this recipe that creates healthy participatory design in a city, town, or village.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

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Issaquah Highlands Connections

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Village Theatre’s Hip-Hop Flavor and Salsa Spice

by Molly and Marty Fisher, Ashland Park

What does “home” mean to you? Is it where you live now or is it some far-off place that you longingly dream of returning to some day? Is it where you were born? Is it where your parents or loved ones live? Or is it the place that simply makes you the happiest?

For many of us who come from other parts of the world in our wonderfully diverse Issaquah Highlands community, “home” is the romantic ideal of another place and time. We’re both transplanted New Yorkers and although we’ve come to love Issaquah (there’s no place we’d rather be!), New York City always will be the center of our universe.

In the Village Theatre’s rousing 2014-2015 season-opener “In the Heights,” the concept of home takes on many meanings, eventually coming full circle from warm memories of far-off places to the understanding that home really is where the heart is.

This ground-breaking, Tonywinning, Broadway musical is the perfect way to kick off a delicious season, a delectable dish of rap dialogue and Latin beats with a street-fueled, hip-hop flavor. The multi-talented cast, led by Perry Young’s impressive, double-time, In the Heights tongue-twisting rap skills, served up one of the most fun theatre nights we’ve had in a long time. Young returns to the role of Usnavi that earned him the “Best Actor in a Musical” award on the National Tour. He’s perfect as the show’s narrator and owner of a neighborhood bodega that he inherited from his Dominican parents, charged with keeping neighborhood – and the show – on track and crisply moving along.

From Young’s full-tilt rap opening number, we were hooked. We didn’t even have to understand all of the rapid-fire rap lyrics to get right into the groove. Good luck in keeping up and just go with the flow.

Fellow National Tour member Kyle Robert Carter rejoins Young as Benny, Usnavi’s AfricanAmerican buddy who tries to win the heart of Nina, a Latina who returns to the neighborhood from a college stint in California. Tanesha Ross, a familiar face at Village Theatre, plays a wonderfully-vulnerable Nina.

National Tour and Village Theatre alum Daniel Cruz added more spice to the cast as Graffiti Pete, a quickfooted, spray can wielding graffiti artist. Other cast standouts included Iris Elton as Daniela, the street-smart neighborhood beauty shop owner and Justin Huerta as Sonny, Usnavi’s clowning sidekick.

Credit director Eric Ankrim, a Seattle theatre veteran, with adding all the right touches to keep the show from getting too cliché and sappy. His light touch and attention to detail kept a wonderful flavor balance, while resisting the temptation to be heavyhanded with the mix.

In the Heights

Tom Sturge’s set design immediately transports you to Washington Heights, the multi-cultural,

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Individual, Couples & Family Counseling Parenting Support & Education

Depression & Anxiety Work & Career Issues Life Transitions & Grief Counseling

In a comfortable and supportive atmosphere, we offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each of our patients individual needs to help attain the personal growth they’ve been striving for.

See our new website: issaquahhighlandscounselinggroup.com

Office: (425) 677‐8686

upper Manhattan barrio situated with the George Washington Bridge in the background. The street lights and storefronts brought just the right tone of gritty reality.

Costume designers Melanie Burgess and Kelly McDonald balanced that grit with colorful costumes that made the music and dance numbers pop.

Part drama, part comedy, part “West Side Story,” and part Pitbull concert, we In the Heights loved In the Heights because it isn’t our parent’s style of Broadway show. Under the surface, it tells a well-worn tale of love, longing, loss, and, ultimately, liberation. But that’s where the resemblance to old school Broadway ends.

This is the new Broadway – diverse, cultural, and a bit off-color. It’s also the perfect vehicle to bring a younger crowd to the theatre, although it’s clearly not for everyone. On opening night, the elderly couple sitting next to us grimaced and groaned at the opening rap number and suddenly got up and left the theatre less than 30 minutes into the show. The good news is that the rest of the audience loved the show, prompting a rousing standing ovation at the end.

The even better news is that this is just the first of five fabulous shows that are part of Village Theatre’s 2014-2015 season. Next up is the family favorite, Mary Poppins, a perfect holiday treat which will run in Issaquah from November 13, 2014 through January 4, 2015. The balance of the season includes “Around the World in 80 Days” (January 22-March 1, 2015), “No Way to Treat a Lady” (March 19-April 26, 2015), and “Cabaret” (May14-July 3, 2015).

At the end of our night at the Village Theatre, we arrived at our Issaquah Highlands residence and said with a smile, “We’re home”. You can’t ask for much more than that.

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DOING BUSINESS IN THE HIGHLANDS

Lashem Anderson Brings Nature’s Little Treasures to Caffe Ladro

Caffe Ladro introduces photographer Lashem Anderson’s work, showing through December. Her work focuses on the “small wild things that are hidden in our community.”

Bluewater Nails, a Highlands Hidden Secret

Tina Vu opened Bluewater Nails and Spa in Discovery Heights in May 2014. This is her second the location, the first opened in 2010 in Maple Valley. Tina Vu is an active owner, with a heartfelt joy in her craft. “I love to create nails and meet with people every day,” Vu says.

The name Lashem Anderson may not ring a bell, but Caffe Ladro regulars know the artist as one of their favorite baristas, Lindsey. Though she is not pulling espressos at Ladro anymore, Issaquah Highlands is her home. She draws her inspiration from the nature around us.

Artist Anderson explains: “The diversity of wild plants in our neighborhood is fascinating. This spring it caught my eye in a whole new way. While I’ve always had an affinity for botany and herbs, a whole new world of possibilities opened up as I combined my love for plants, art, and photography. I was astounded by the beauty of each new tiny flower, leaf, and seed that I collected. Time took on new meaning due to the short shelf life of the plants along with my desire to capture them in the best light of the day.”

Lasham Anderson

Bluewater Nails and Spa opened in Discovery Heights in May.

Though she lives in Renton, she looked to the Issaquah Highlands for her second salon, a location she feels offers convenience in a growing community.

Through this show, Anderson hopes to share “the calm and zen­like qualities of even the smallest of nature’s gifts.” She reminds us, “As the rainy season sinks in, remember what the land is brewing by enjoying art that celebrates the previous Spring/ Summer.”

She will be changing the show periodically, so stop by to see what’s new. More information about the artist can be found at www.mossytreemercantile.com.

Lashem Anderson’s Nature’s Little Treasures

Amy Vo takes care of a customer at Bluewater Nails and Spa.

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CLUB PROFILE

Club Profile: Little Mandarin Group Issaquah Highlands is big on clubs and some of the more popular are for the tiniest among us. That’s already proving to the case with the Little Mandarin Group, which began meeting two Mondays a month beginning on September 8th.

Hailian Liu (also the contact for the Chinese Heritage Club) moved here with her family from China three years ago. She began to notice more and more people interested in learning

Mandarin language and about Chinese culture in general.

She credits one of her friends, Mia (a young Chinese mom) who described how she wanted her little ABC (Americanborn Chinese) girl to learn Mandarin and to keep Chinese traditions as well. Hailain has been a language teacher for 10 years. She says, “I love teaching kids to learn a new language and to know a different culture in an interesting way. So we decided to start the Little Mandarin Group in order to help kids know more about our mother tongue and introduce the Chinese culture to our neighbors.”

The group meeting is like story time in the library. Moms take turns volunteering to prepare different themes for the kids.

In September, there were two themes: Moon Cake Festival and Beautiful Fall.

Volunteer moms prepare the games, Chinese songs and stories for each meeting. All parents and their kids (newborns to four years) are welcome to join the group.

If you want to join, or just check it out, you are welcome to simply walk in and join them.

Questions? Please send the email to Hailian ( lian_lhl@hotmail.com ).

Veteran’s Day Appreciation: A Reading List

by Josh Zhanson, Junior at Issaquah High School, Resident of Central Park

My Media Picks for Veteran’s Day: The A Boy at War series, made up of the books A Boy at War, A Boy No More, and Heroes Don’t Run, are three children’s historical fiction chapter books set around the attack of Pearl Harbor in 1941. The books’ language is relatively simple, and they provide some wonderful early insight into the time period and the mindset of the youth of that era. I recommend this series for any kids eight and up looking for a personal take on Veteran’s Day.

Don’t forget to attend Issaquah High School’s play, “Almost, Maine” showing November 19-22! The play’s about the fictitious town of Almost, Maine, whose inhabitants “find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways” -Dramatists Play Service. With just a touch of magical realism, the show is a modern-day, winter-themed adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Expect outstanding acting, excellent stage direction, and great set design from the drama department of Issaquah High School. I’ve read the script and I know many of the actors and producers of the show. It’ll be great!.

My Brother Sam is Dead is a children’s book that your child may or may not have read, depending on the school curriculum. A Newberry Honor Award Winner, My Brother Sam is Dead follows a young boy, torn between the British and the Americans as the Revolutionary War comes to a head. His brother sided with the revolutionaries, but his father remains loyal to the British, leading to some deep conflicts. This tale for all ages teaches many important lessons on life and remains a historical classic.

Beneath Hill 60 is a movie about a company of Australian tunnelers in World War I who dug tunnels to undermine (pun intended) the enemy in Europe.

With good measures of suspense, atmosphere, and emotion, it gives a good, realistic take on what it meant to be a soldier. While it may be rated R, there really isn’t too much that younger viewers would find difficult to tolerate (I think they swear once and a man dies, but that’s it really). Historically authentic down to the smallest detail, this movie shows the true price of war.

Another classic, All Quiet on the Western Front, is an excellent World War I novel for older readers. It’s taught at Issaquah High School for some 10th grade English classes, and is an intensely candid and revealing take on the conditions and the morale of German soldiers in World War I. Definitely recommended for a slower, more contemplative view on war and humanity.

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HIGHLANDS Art at Blakely Hall Through December 30th Blakely Hall

Cub Scout Issaquah Highlands Pack 680 K

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“Amazing Abstracts” is a compilation of four wonderful artists. This is a show you don’t want to miss. Valarie Cox abstracts, with mixed media, Cammille Vonegut abstracts, acrylic and mixed media, Diana Grant abstracts, Oil on canvas and Issaquah Highlands’ own, Jan Lipetz abstract Watercolors.

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artEAST Arts & Crafts Bazaar Saturday, November 29th, 11am – 4pm Blakely Hall

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Please join the artists of artEAST for the first annual Blakely Hall Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair. This is your chance to do a little Holiday shopping and make some art at the same time. You can be the author of your own story in 15 minutes with “Season of Gratitude Paper Bag Book”. All ages.

Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. $5 per person donation requested. You could pop over to Zeek’s for a delicious pizza or stop in TCBY for yummy yogurt or warm cookies and a latte before catching the Shop Issaquah free trolley down the hill for Shop Local. The trolley will stop at Blakely Hall every half hour 12-8pm.

Book Club

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 F scoutpack680@gmail.com or join us at our next meeting.

Divorce Care Classes

Sponsored by Timberlake Church, DivorceCare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone. See www.divorcecare.org Childcare provided. Facilitators: Craig and Kara Richards.

Karamurphy@live.com (425) 869-4400.

ESL Classes A T F (English as a Second Language)

4th Thursday at 7pm

Do you enjoy reading AND sharingAwith 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.

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Cancelled November & December Resumes January 5th, 2015 7:00pm - 10:00pm Blakely Hall

Grab a partner or come solo to play a little Bridge! Bring your own beverage of choice and a snack to share. Everyone is welcome. RSVP to Penny Storie: pennystorie@msn.com

Chinese Heritage Club November - November 7th

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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.

Contact Hailain (lian_lhl@hotmail.com) or 425-633-0242.

Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor, Tanya Parieaux, we are a network of volunteer knitters in many area hospitals, providing physical and mental support in a non-traditional therapeutic environment to cancer survivors, patients and caregivers through knitting. We teach anyone with any skill level. You don’t have to bring anything but yourself. We have all the supplies you will need.

Contact: Elaine.Eckert@yahoo.com

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November 2nd, 3:00 - 7:00pm Day of the Dead

The Latino Club welcomes everybody who would like to celebrate and learn about Latino traditions. There will be activities for kids, adults and seniors. Open to all – join the fun! Interested? Contact Alicia Spinner alispinner@yahoo.com.

Little Mandarin Group

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November 10th & 24th, 10:00 – 11:30am Blakely Hall

Free classes hosted at the Family Village sponsored by Renton Technical College. Please contact Andi Wolff at awolff@rtc.edu or 425.235.2352 (ext. 2117) to register.

Email is best!

Issaquah Sustainability Film

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Mondays from 1:00 to 3:00pm Swedish Medical Center, Main Lobby

Latino Club

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November 9th and 23rd, 7:00pm - 8:30pm Blakely Hall

9:30am -12:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 6:00-9:30pm Monday and Thursday

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Bridge Club

Knit for Life®

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“Growing Cities: A Film About Urban Farming in America” Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, 6 pm Blakely Hall Free and open to the public

Filmmakers Dan Susman and Andrew Monbouquette in their search for answers to their questions about growth and farming, take a road trip and meet the men and women who are challenging the way our country grows and distributes its food — one vacant city lot, rooftop garden and backyard chicken coop at a time. Meet local community P-Patch expert Julie Bryan, and other groups building stronger communities around growing food, to learn how you can contribute to and participate in the network of food gardens in our community.

Young children are uniquely suited to learning a second language. “Little Mandarin” will give young children the opportunity to learn mandarin through telling stories, singing songs and playing games. Witnessing your children learn another language is exciting! Welcome parents and their kids (newborns to 4 years) to join the group. Dates sometimes change, so be sure to email lian_lhl@hotmail.com to get the details.

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Love and Logic Classes

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Wednesday, November 5th, 12th & 19th 7:00-9:00 pm Blakely Hall

Hosted by Timberlake Church. For parents of kids ages 5-18. Bringing the fun back into parenting for 40 years. Course materials fee: $60/family for the sixweek series includes childcare and one handbook. www. timberlakechurch.com/parenting.

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) Monday, November 3rd & 17th 10:00-11:30 am Blakely Hall

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Hosted by Timberlake Church. Programming just for moms.

Professional speakers, fun events, and opportunities to connect with friends and meet new people. Your kids receive their own, age-specific programming. Course materials fee: $150 for all sessions, through June. www.timberlakechurch.com/mops.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

Want to Start a Club?

Contact:

IHCA Architectural Review Committee Tuesday, 11/4, 6:00 pm IHCA Office

IHCA Board of Directors Wednesday, 11/19, 5:30 pm IHCA Office

IHCA Finance Committee Tuesday, 11/11, 5:30 pm IHCA Office

Communication Committee Thursday, 11/20, 11:00 am Blakely Hall

Highlands Fiber Network Thursday, 11/12, 7:00 pm Blakely Hall

Meetings are subject to change.

See Calendar at issaquahhighlands.com for more information or date changes.

Community Garden Committee Monday, 11/17, 7:30pm

For City of Issaquah governance meetings, see http://issaquahwa.gov

Brianna Eigner, Blakely Hall Manager brianna.e@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1107

Are you getting the Community E-Letter on Thursdays?

Sign up at issaquahhighlands.com

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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HIGHLANDS Photography Club

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Saturday, November 15th, 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

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Every Wednesday, 10:00am 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. We are also on Facebook! www.facebook.com/IssaquahHighlands.coopplaygroup

Poker Night

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Running Club

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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 8:00 am. If you are interested in joining us or have questions, please contact Joey at jbc224@cornell.edu, so he can add you to the distribution list.

See Facebook - Issaquah Highlands Running and Multi-sport

Russian Highlanders

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See Facebook for monthly event information

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.

Shop Small, Shop Local, Shop Issaquah A T F

Saturday, November 29th, 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Thursday, November 20th, 7:00pm ** End of Year Tournament 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 $40 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! Contact Henry hlh1969@hotmail.com.

Check off your holiday to-do list on November 29th at Small Business Saturday, Issaquah style. As a national event, small businesses come together for one day to celebrate their unique stories and help promote their neighborhoods.

Issaquah residents are encouraged to explore and shop Issaquah with the free trolley sponsored by and serving the neighborhoods of Issaquah Highlands, Downtown Issaquah and Gilman Village. Trolleys will be at each stop every half hour: Blakely Hall, Grand Ridge Plaza, Swedish Hospital, Downtown Issaquah and Gilman Village.

Rovin’ Fiddlers

Tennis Group - Ladies Meet Up

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Every Tuesday, 7:00 - 9:00pm Second & fourth Tuesdays Issaquah Highlands Fire Station First, third & fifth Tuesdays Issaquah Valley Senior Center

Our musical group consists of musicians with varying backgrounds and abilities, playing a variety of genres, including traditional old-time (often with a Northwest flavor), Irish and other Celtic, Quebecois, Scandinavian and more. Besides fiddles, we welcome guitars, flutes and whistles, banjos, mandolins, autoharps, dulcimers, standup bass, and percussion. We try to learn new tunes by ear in a traditional manner; however, sheet music, including melody and chords, are usually provided. Club contact is Ken Neville ken_w_neville@yahoo.com

A The IH ladies tennis group is 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 also have a Facebook group page. Please join us there too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/570656519667143/.

Veterans Day

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Wine Club

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Friday, November 14th, 7:00pm Blakely Hall

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 for details.

Please RSVP the Tuesday prior to the event.

Workout Warriors

A The club formerly known as Issaquah Weekend Walkers is now the Issaquah Workout Warriors. They now also meet up during week and hit the Zumba class, too!

Sundays 7:30am, Zeek’s Pizza (hills) Tuesdays 7:00pm, Zumba class Wednesdays 7:30pm, Zeek’s pizza (flats) Thursdays 7:30pm, Zeek’s Pizza (combo) Saturdays 9:00am Zumba class

The facebook group is now open so check in out and join in the fun! https://www.facebook.com/groups/531023903643201/ Check facebook for any schedule updates, but don’t worry about rsvp – just show up read to workout! Group contact is Michelle Champley at mchampley@gmail.com

Yarns & Threads Group Fridays, 9am - Noon Blakely Hall

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All knitters, crocheters, and stitchers are welcome. For more details of questions, please contact Cathie Coulter at Catherine.coulter@ihmail.com

Zumba Class

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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

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Flag Raising Ceremony to Honor Our Veterans Tuesday, November 11th, 9am Village Green Park, 2550 NE Park Drive Hosted by Highlands Council and Issaquah Highlands Community Association IH Resident, veteran and Pearl Harbor author, Jerry Kaufman will share his own American flag, a National Park Service flag that has flown at the USS Arizona Memorial, for a special Veterans Day ceremony. Please join State Senator Mark Mullet, Mayor Fred Butler, City Councilwomen Stacy Goodman and Nina Milligan, along with Boy Scout Troop 697 for a special flag raising ceremony saluting our Veterans.

See the NEW Community Calendar at IssaquahHighlands.com Programming is appropriate for the following groups.

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Teenagers

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Fun for the whole family

CALENDAR HOLIDAYS

SAVE THE DATE

All Saints’ Day

Veterans Day

Tuesday, November 11

Holiday Jazz Night Fri-Sat, December 12-13

All Souls’ Day

Thanksgiving Day

HY Seahawks Watch Party

Saturday, November 1 Sunday, November 2

Thursday, November 27

Sunday, December 14

Daylight Saving Time ends turn clocks back

Black Friday

(WA considers it part of Thanksgiving)

Grand Chanukah Community Celebration

Election Day

First Sunday of Advent

Celtic Christmas Concert

Sunday, November 2

Tuesday, November 4

Friday, November 28

Sunday, November 30

Wednesday, December 17 Sunday, December 21

OTHER FUN THINGS November Birthstone: Topaz Famous November Birthdays:

Joe Biden, Dick Clarke, Joe Dimaggio, Jimmy Kimmel, Bill Nye, Joni Mitchell Why is it called Black Friday? Some call it that because the excessive spending on that day is a stain on our shining reputation.

But really it gets its name from the fact that many retailers work all year “in the red” a description of how their finances are documented, “in the red” for being net-negative, unprofitable. All hope and plan to get “into the black” on the 2nd biggest shopping day of the year, the day after Thanksgiving.

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LIVING GREEN

Thanks for Reducing, Recycling & Re-using

by Brenda DeVore, Recology CleanScapes retail manager Thankful to partner with communities like the City of Issaquah and the Issaquah Highlands, communities that truly believe in the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle ethic. Those are principles to keep in mind year round, but they are especially applicable now as we head into a season when increased consumption can obscure increased need.

Reduce: Did you know that 50% of Issaquah’s solid waste is diverted from the landfill? That means that half of Issaquah’s waste is recycled or composted. Some cities dream of 50% diversion, but Issaquah can do even more as a regional leader in sustainability. Issaquah aims to increase city-wide diversion to 55% and to reduce waste sent to the landfill to 45% by the end of 2015. If the Highlands can help Issaquah reach this goal, this would cut down on costs for living and working here, lessen the environmental impact of daily activity here, and help preserve the things that attract us all to Issaquah in the first place. Think about what you can do to be part of the solution and reduce the amount of waste generated in your household. .

Reusing items is a good way minimizing unnecessary consumption and waste, and donating items is a great way to help those in need.

• The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank, located at 179 1st Ave SE, appreciates donations of: • Coats (new or lightly used) • Blankets (new or lightly used) • Backpacks • Waterproof gear • Rain gear • Camping equipment • Tents • Cleaning products Recycle: The traditional categories of materials you can recycle in your recycling cart or dumpster include:

bags in most cases, plastic bags are still allowed for some products, and food establishments can use them to package take-out food. It is best to keep plastic bags out of the garbage; they do not biodegrade, and loose bags that blow away from the rest of a garbage load can cause a choking hazard for wildlife.

Styrofoam is NOT accepted in your recycling, but you can drop off Styrofoam blocks and clean packing peanuts (packed separately) for recycling at the Recology CleanScapes store in Gilman Village. Our Gilman Village Store also accepts several other items for drop off that are not accepted in your container.

These items include: • Compact fluorescent bulbs & fluorescent tubes • Small appliances

• Paper & cardboard

• Electronics and all computers and accessories

• Plastic bottles & containers

• Bicycles & bicycle parts

• Glass jugs & bottles

• Expired car seats (more than 7 years old)

• Aluminum Did you know that you can recycle rigid plastic like laundry baskets and 5-gallon buckets, as well as plastic bags that have been bagged together and secured inside of another plastic bag? Bagging plastic bags together ensures that they can be managed throughout the recycling process without getting caught in the sorting equipment and potentially causing damage to the equipment. Although stores are prohibited from distributing single-use, plastic carryout

The phrase “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” has been in use for decades, but the options we all have to put these principles into action are more beneficial, varied and accessible than ever before. That’s certainly something to be thankful for.

City of Issaquah Sustainability Film November 6, 2014 at 6 pm Blakely Hall Details on page 26.

Share Your Garden

by Sarah Lally Brown, Community Gardener, Resident Two Slides Park Neighborhood It started when we signed up to water the boy’s school P-patch this summer. Along with directions to the plot was the assignment to water, harvest whatever was ready, and take it to the Issaquah Food Bank. The haul looked delicious: an armload of sorrel, a huge bunch of rainbow chard, and a bundle of radishes. I have donated food to food banks before but for some reason it never occurred to me to share what I grew. I didn’t think there was a place for fresh vegetables and fruit. But when we pulled up to the building and saw the line out front I realized that the food bank here is a dynamic exchange. Donations don’t need to be able to be stored on a shelf.

Near the end of the growing season, many of the plots in the Vista gardens were bursting with vegetables, some left unharvested. I know that life sometimes gets in the way in between the

beginning of the growing season and the end so I offered to pick any upharvested plots and deliver their donated bounty. My boys helped me pick a basket of tomatoes and a sheaf of parsley and chives that were bolting wild in the summer heat.

The need list for the Issaquah Food Bank includes perennial shelf-stable favorites like tuna, jelly, canned soup, dehydrated milk. And the next time you go to the grocery store, you can do your best to fill an extra bag with food to donate.

But you can also think even further ahead. Next season our plot is going to try out a new sort of companion planting.

Everything we plant is going to have a double. One for us, one to share.

For more information on the Issaquah Food Bank, visit issaquahfoodbank.org.

Sarah provides monthly stories on gardening for our Living Green section. Come back next month for more!

“Sarah’s twins gather a harvest for the food bank”

Issaquah Highlands Connections

November 2014

HIGHLANDS FIBER NETWORK

Accounting, Upgrades, Answers and More – Yours on the HFN Web Site!

By Pat Sarles, ISOMEDIA, HFN Service Provider

The Highlands Fiber Network web site at https://www.highlandsfibernetwork.com/ is easy to use, informative and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! You can pay your bill online or upgrade your service on the web site. You can read about all of the services available through HFN, check out pricing, set up your HFNVoice and find contact information here. Frequently Asked Questions prov ide a wealth of information about issues ranging from accounting to the Covenant.

Our HFN web site helps bring you closer to a paperless society!

Home Page: Start at the Home page and follow the tabs. For information about Netflix options, click on the icon at the bottom of the page.

Customer Service: To view information about your account, you will need to have your Registration Number and your Account Password handy. If you don’t know one of these, please call customer support at 425-427-0999. In order to protect your personal security, we do not email or accept emails with passwords or credit card numbers. Customer Service includes: • Customer Support contact information on every page!

• Account Details & Balance – Pay your bill online, look at your invoices or statement and see what your current balance is. You can change your credit card information and your password. And you can view and edit your service plan details.

• Frequently Asked Questions – This section is worth checking out! Most questions that you might have are answered on this page. It includes how-tos, whys and wherefores.

• Other Options - You can change your Service Plan, check your current Internet speed and find out about any network maintenance that’s coming up.

Pay Bill Online: Entering your credit card information on this site will set your account up for automatic credit card payments each month. If you only want to make a one-time payment, you will need to contact HFN Accounting.

Telephone Service: Your HFNVoice service is very flexible and can be set up to work the way that you want it to. You can also view your call log any time. You can look at the International rates before making a call, but please be aware that these rates provide a general guideline and may vary.

Internet Service: You can learn about the Internet options offered

by HFN and change your service anytime!

IHMail: You can check your email through the web site or you can use an email application such as Outlook, Thunderbird or Live Mail.

A Few Customer Support Tips: • Reboot – that often solves your problem!

• Check out the FAQs on the HFN web site at https:// www.highlandsfibernetwork. com/.

• Check out your equipment instructions or support.

• Maintain and update your equipment and applications, especially security applications.

Though HFN is community-owned, the HFN web site and HFN Customer Support are provided by our contractor, Isomedia, and are valuable resources available 24/7 to make your fiber network experience a great one with fast, dependable service! Please don’t hesitate to contact us at https:// www.highlandsfibernetwork.com/, 425-427-0999 or support@hfnservices.com!

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Issaquah Highlands Connections

ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Thank you, Sarah McKee, Departing Executive Director, IHCA

by Jim Young, Issaquah Highlands Community Association, President, Board of Directors I have had the pleasure of working with Sarah McKee as Board President of the Issaquah Highlands Community Association over the past three years. Her leadership as our Executive Director has been very strong. Her pending relocation with her husband to Elkhart, Indiana has resulted in her having to resign her position. I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight some of her accomplishments.

into the community. This role also includes enforcement of the Rules and Regulations of the commercial areas to assure they also conform to the IHCA Community-Wide Standards.

During the first year of her tenure, many of the objectives related to the final phases of transition from Port Blakely. Many items had been identified by the Transition Committee, including the sub-committees, and these items were implemented. The IHCA is a stronger organization and provides quality services to the residents of Issaquah Highlands as a result of this transitional work.

Sarah with Board approval has also done several renovation projects in the community. Firehouse Park received a complete renovation with new playground equipment, new concrete steps and paths and the addition of a picnic table. Bark Park also received an upgrade of new turf and a new Sarah McKee, outgoing IHCA Executive Director with chipped play area for our furry friends.

Jim Young, President, IHCA Board of Directors.

Additionally, three other parks in the community received much needed drainage improvements creating a better environment for children’s play areas.

Under the Board’s direction, Sarah has also produced surpluses and created a substantial operating contingency fund in each of the fiscal years of her tenure. Additionally, between savings through personnel reduction, efficiencies created, and changes in programming, the IHCA has maintained our base assessments.

In the last six months, Port Blakely has also transitioned out of their role as the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) liaison for the commercial areas, multi-family areas and soon will transition from the custom home lots on Harrison and Grand Ridge Drive. The IHCA has taken on the role of ARC coordinator for the commercial and multi-family areas. This creates more involvement in the planning and design phases of the final development areas of the community. Sarah has been working closely with the ARC members as well as the City of Issaquah as we plan the final 63 areas of development along the western edge of the community.

In the last year, the IHCA has also taken on the role of administering the High Street Center which is the landscape areas around Grand Ridge Drive, Swedish Medical and the entryways

For those who may not know, the IHCA was also responsible for a water system that served the residents of Grand Ridge Drive for potable water. Working with Port Blakely and Taylor Development, the IHCA under Sarah’s direction is in the final phases of transitioning this system to the City of Issaquah. This will provide a more reliable water source for the residents and eliminate their use of non-potable water for irrigation.

In closing, I would like to on behalf of the IHCA Board of Directors to thank Sarah for her leadership over the past three years. Based on the above it is obvious that Sarah has left the IHCA in a much stronger position than she found it three years ago.

Fall Leaves Don’t Belong in Open Spaces, Streets

by Russ Ayers, IHCA Landscape Manager The majority of our community’s deciduous trees shed their leaves in November. Every year staff and contractors spend more time and effort gathering and hauling away this evergrowing bounty. It is a standard practice that we also grab a few leaves off the edges of private yards and the like for the sake of a tidier job on our streets and sidewalks.

Leaves actually belong to the owner of the property onto which they fall and it is that owner’s responsibility to gather and dispose of leaves in accordance with community-wide standards.

Leaves dumped in common areas/open spaces will be cited as a violation of the rules and regulations of the community and are subject to our violation policy.

Fallen leaves belong to the owner of the property where they land.

Disposal rules are strictly enforced.

Best option is the free-of-charge Cleanscapes/Recology yard waste tote.

Leaves dumped in the gutter create drainage problems and even localized flooding. Where such dumping occurs, the IHCA will report offenders to the City which could lead to a violation being issued to the homeowner. If the wind is kind enough to give you a bumper crop of leaves, gather them up and place them in your free-of-charge yard waste tote. It’s a great program – sustainable, sensible, and priced right!

N A R R A D E R M AT O L O G Y & A E S T H E T I C S

An uplift, not a facelift

Staff and contractors generally collect leaves from each part of the community on a weekly basis during the heaviest leaf drop. Some trees and weather can necessitate second visits in a given week. It is not our goal, nor is it practicable, to collect every leaf in an area throughout the week.

If you have any questions about common area landscapes contact me at russ.a@ihcommunity.org

Honor Our Veterans Flag Raising Ceremony

Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11th Village Green Park at Blakely Hall - 9:00am

BEFORE

AFTER

Hosted by Highlands Council and Issaquah Highlands Community Association Wake up the kids (no school day) and bring them to Village Green Park for the brief ceremony with veterans, local officials and the Boy Scouts.

Participate in this thankful ceremony for those who have served our country.

Please see more details on page 4.

Narra Dermatology is pleased to introduce a new service. Ultratherapy is an effective, non-invasive ultrasound facelift procedure that yields remarkable results. Please call us today at 425.677.8867 to schedule your consultation.

TEL : 425.677.8867 www.drsuseelanarra.com 710 NW Juniper Street Suite 204 Issaquah WA 98027

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ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Maintain the Drain by the IHCA Staff

Where does all the rain go? Your home is more connected than you may realize.

Living in the Pacific Northwest, we get a copious amount of rain. As a homeowner, it is important to know how daily rain effects storm water runoff and the soils around your home.

New development and construction bring an intricate maze of pipes, inlets, outlets, roof tops, driveways, patio spaces, lawns and gutters. Many of these water conduits are underground and since these items are out of sight, they may unfortunately sometimes be out of mind.

By code, each developed lot has a limit to the surfaces that can be impervious (surfaces which water cannot penetrate such as patios, driveways and rooftops). Impervious surfaces also factor in to the amount of open spaces within Issaquah Highlands. The remaining areas must remain permeable - open space, grass or landscape areas that freely drain surface water.

Have you ever wondered why in the winter months you may find a puddle of standing water in your lawn? Often, permeable surfaces will reach a super-saturated state especially with prolonged periods of moisture. A super-saturated state is the point at which soils can no longer hold any additional moisture and the water will collect on the surface, follow crevasses in the soils or seep into foundations. When soils reach this super-saturated state it becomes viscous, like thick pudding, and unable to hold form. A heavy footprint on super-saturated soils will frequently fill with water. Yard drains can help disperse water. It is typically the responsibility of the homeowner to keep these lines clear and free-flowing.

It is critical that each homeowner does their part to ensure that their ‘piece of the puzzle’ is functioning and flowing.

When rain hits impermeable surfaces, it must have somewhere to go. Rain water hits your rooftop and is directed to your gutter then into a storm drain system. Some homes, depending upon the soils where they are built, may have more extensive drainage systems. Catch basins have the ability to collect larger volumes of water and provide for sediment and debris to settle out of the storm water for cleaner water flow through the drain lines. The hidden storm water infrastructure within Issaquah Highlands captures this storm water and redirects rather than allowing it to settle into the soils. Many neighborhoods actually drain into ponds as part of the storm water collection system. With each home connected to the next, and then tied into the greater infrastructure, it is critical that each homeowner does their part to ensure that their ‘piece of the puzzle’ is functioning and flowing.

Any blockages in the drain lines may cause the water to back up and saturate the surrounding soils. A super-saturated state will have long-lasting effects on the soil including compaction and oxygen depletion leaving it virtually impossible to sustain turf and landscape. It is optimum for homeowners to have their gutters and drain lines cleaned before the rainy season begins.

Typically, this is late fall. It is also a good practice to reinspect the gutters and catch basins after the last of the autumn leaves have fallen to ensure clear passage ways for the water to flow.

So the next time it rains, take a look around and see if your drains are free-flowing. If not, it may be time to ‘Maintain the Drain’.

Yard drains can help disperse water.

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ASK KARI Dear Kari, I am struggling with talking to my child. My son is 17 years old and he is beginning to not care about school or his sports. He was always a sweet boy, but now he will barely speak to me. His moods are very unpredictable and I am wondering if he is using drugs. How can I get him to talk to me and tell me what is going on?

- Helpless Mom Dear Helpless Mom, First, I would choose good timing for such a talk, when no one is tired or rushed. I would sit with him and warmly check in. Let your son know your concerns about his lack of interest in things and inquire if there is anything he wants to share with you. Listen to him; he will most likely give you some clues as to what he is feeling. Let him know that you love and can help him in any way that he needs. Depending on how the conversation goes, ask him if he knows of any kids at school who use drugs, whether he has ever been offered drugs, and does he use them now. More than anything else use your intuition, pay attention to what he says and doesn’t say. Lots of times our children give us the clues we need if we take the time to pause and connect.

- Kari

Dear Kari, I have an awkward situation going on in my neighborhood. My neighbor’s young children often wander the street by themselves, no parents to be seen anywhere. I am concerned for their three children, as anyone could snatch them up or cause harm to them without anyone knowing. They are nice neighbors to us, but seeing these kids walking around unattended asking to go into other peoples’ homes is worrying me. I feel like something bad is going to happen any day now. What should I do?

- Neighborhood Guardian Dear Neighborhood Guardian, You are in a tough position as you state they are nice neighbors but perhaps not the best parents. First and foremost, I would keep the safety of the children at the forefront of the matter. The children are the ones at risk and they have neither the responsibility nor maturity to know it. Watch the children, if they are left for more than a few minutes unsupervised, go to the neighbors’ door and ask if everything is okay. Then gently remind the parents that they children appear to be looking for support and are asking to come into strangers’ homes. That

statement alone should motivate the parents to begin to make better parenting choices. If the children still appear to be wondering alone in the future, I would make a safety report to the police.

- Kari Dear Kari, I have an unusual situation going on. I have been spending a lot of time with a friend at work and I really like her, almost too much. I am a female and I consider myself heterosexual, but sometimes when we hang out and lay near each other watching television there’s tension between us. She has dated both men and women, whereas I have only dated men. I cannot tell if I am drawn to her or if the circumstances are in front of me in which I can explore a relationship with a woman. Is it simply the opportunity that I am drawn to? Help, I am confused!

- Confused in Issaquah Dear Confused in Issaquah, You don’t state your age, but typically if you have only dated men in your adult life then it could be said with confidence that you are heterosexual. That said, feelings of connection and love could develop between people in unexpected circumstances.

I would take your time and wait for your heart to speak to you. If you are still struggling, I suggest that you make an appointment with a counselor to explore the issue in more depth before following through with action, as you don’t want to ruin a good friendship by moving too fast when you are unsure of what you want to do.

- 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.

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VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

Dan Vradenburg Volunteer of the Month – November 2014 My home and heart belong to the northwest. Born in Seattle, I have briefly ventured away three times: for three years to attend law school in St. Louis, MO.; for one year with my wife Jennifer to work on a new program in the Mojave Desert at Ridgecrest, CA; and for two years when we (and our two children Nick and Ali) moved to Philadelphia, PA. where we both worked at Boeing Helicopters. But during those brief times away we have always felt the pull to return to our “home” in the northwest.

For the past 19 years home has been on the eastside. Three years ago we moved to Issaquah Highlands. Before that we lived in Lakemont on Cougar Mountain adjacent to Issaquah. We were drawn to the Issaquah Highlands for its livability and harmony with our environment. How many places can you experience on literally a daily basis the ability to walk to a great restaurant or a world class theater or go the other direction and be immersed on a trail in the woods or be thrilled by the sight of a blue heron in flight or deer that cross your path?

Vradenburg family at Peterhof (the Great Palace and Great Cascade) in St Petersburg.

Left to right: Jennifer (wife), Ali (daughter), Dan, Stephanie (daughter), Nick (son).

I currently volunteer in the Issaquah Highlands because the enhancement and vibrancy of our neighborhood matters to me and my family.

My volunteering began over 20 years ago when our children started daycare. I volunteered and served on the Board of Directors of KIDSPACE in Seattle and New Gulph Children’s Center in Villanova, PA. I also served on the Board of Directors of Cedar Grove Farms Homeowners Association in Broomall, PA. My next volunteer experience occurred about a year later after we had returned to the northwest and were walking our two children (ages 3 and 5) into their classes for the first day at their new school, The Open Window School (a school for highly capable students). Another parent informed us that the head of school had just been fired and asked what we were going to do. I said we liked the kids’ teachers so we plan to hang in there, but maybe I will get involved. The

school was a sub-lessee to the YMCA who had a lease from the Bellevue School district. The school population had dropped from 105 to 85. The next month, four of us were elected to the Board of Trustees. I was elected Vice President and Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee and served in that capacity for three years as well as an additional three years as President of the Board of Trustees. During that period of time I lead the development of their strategic plan as well as the planning, development and construction of a new building near the top of Cougar Mountain for 315 students.

This very rewarding experience taught me that a few dedicated passionate individuals can make a significant difference. What you receive in return is even greater. It always makes me ask what you want your legacy to be. Are you going to be on the sidelines or are you in the game on the field. I am always looking for a way to make things happen in a way that accommodates everyone’s interests.

Less than a year after we moved into our home in Issaquah Highlands we received notice of a proposed new Lakeside Urban Village located across from the Park and Ride and continuing up the hill adjacent our home, located at the beginning of Katsura Street. I immediately got connected with a number of my neighbors.

The proposal called for erection of nearly 400 apartment and townhomes up to seven stories high. This seemed incongruous with surrounding primarily 2 story single family homes in the Issaquah Highlands. The next Dan Vradenburg wife Jennifer on his birthday several months were filled with meetings, letters, last year in Machu Picchu. and speeches to the Urban Village Development Council, Issaquah Development project managers and staff, the Issaquah City Council and the developers. We were ultimately able to reach an agreement that the maximum height would be four stories across from the Park and Ride and three stories (with the first story below grade) for the townhomes on the hill adjacent to the single family dwellings.

This positive experience energized me to seek an opening on the Board of Directors for the Issaquah Highlands Community Association. I have served on the Board the past 15 months as well as on the Architectural Review Committee. In August this year I was elected to serve as Vice President of the Board. As a member of the Board, my goals are to ensure Issaquah Highlands remains the most livable planned community achievable in harmony with our environment and the continued development of our community and adjacent developments as well as to create a collaborative, win-win relationship between and amongst the Board of Directors and the neighborhoods of Issaquah Highlands.

My recommendation to you is very simple. Volunteer early and volunteer often. It is a rewarding experience and you can make a great difference.

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SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

by Tracie Jones, Amy Dukes and Alisa George led by Carolyn Kennedy

Connecting with New Families

Issaquah School District

Being the “new kid” – everyone has experienced it at some point. In Issaquah, it happens a lot! A quarter of Grand Ridge’s 740 students are new this year. At Clark, almost half of the students are new within the past couple of years. These students and their families face the daily challenge of learning to successfully navigate a new school. If you are new to the area or to a school, don’t be shy about contacting your school’s PTSA – they like to help! To create connections, PTSAs offer a multitude of programs and opportunities to integrate parents into classrooms and schools. For example, the Grand Ridge PTSA’s New Family Welcome Committee helps families navigate and connect during their first year, beginning with a “welcome” reception in the fall where they introduce new families to each other, to the PTSA and school leaders, and to resources and activities within the community. Not all schools offer the same programs, so be sure to check their PTSA websites (URLs in the events calendar) for school-specific information. A PTSA’s website is another invaluable resource for new families. Whether you want information about what’s happening around the school, the PTSA and membership, current district and state educational issues, or locating family activities and resources in the area, the PTSA’s website is a good spot to begin your search. Sometimes, it just takes an email to answer your question or link you with people who can help. Becoming informed is the best way to understand, connect, and participate within our schools.

http://www.issaquah.wednet.edu 11/11 11/27 - 11/28 12/3 - 12/4

Issaquah School Foundation http://www.isfdn.org

Challenger Elementary http://challengerpta.org 11/12

http://clarkpta.org 11/3 11/3 - 11/7 11/13

Clark, Endeavour, and Grand Ridge all will have book fairs this fall.

These fairs are great opportunities to purchase books for readers at any level, as well as help build classroom libraries. Purchasing books for your student’s teachers makes for a wonderful holiday gift. Book fairs offer a selection of fun, engaging, and affordable books kids want to read. Giving kids access to good books and the opportunity to choose their own books will motivate them to read more. And like most acquired skills, the more kids practice reading, the better they’ll get.

Vision & Hearing screening Fall Book Fair Reflections reception, 6:00pm

Endeavour Elementary http://endeavourptsa.org

NOVEMBER EVENTS

Book Fairs

Reflections reception, 6:30

Clark Elementary

Reflections Art Competition

Reflections is a National PTA juried cultural arts program, designed to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works. Each year, Reflections challenges students to create art that supports a specific theme. Themes are selected from thousands of ideas submitted by students to National PTA’s Reflections Theme Search. The 2014-15 Reflections theme is: “The world would be a better place if…” Young artists get involved in Reflections through their local PTA or PTSA. A student may submit an entry in any of six arts areas: Visual Arts Photography, Literature, Music Composition, Dance Choreography, and Film Production. Only original works of art are accepted. Many Issaquah schools will hold receptions displaying the submissions from our student artists. Specific dates and times are on the events calendar. The reception for District winners will be held on January 13th, 2015, from 6:30-8:00pm, in the Issaquah High School Commons Area.

Veterans Day, no school for students Thanksgiving Holiday, No School Elementary school parent/teacher conferences

11/13 12/2 - 12/4

Reflections reception, 6:00pm Book Fair & Kids Korner Shop

Grand Ridge Elementary http://grandridgeptsa.org 11/13 11/13 12/1 - 12/5

Reflections Art Reception, 6:00pm PTSA General Membership Meeting, 7:00pm Scholastic Book Fair

Pacific Cascade Middle School http://pacificcascadeptsa.org 11/11 11/20

Reflections Art pieces due PTSA Meeting, 12:30

Issaquah High School http://issaquahhighptsa.org 11/14 11/19 - 11/22

PTSA General Membership Meeting, 9:30am School Play, Almost, Maine

**Be sure to check individual web sites for details and updates

WITS AND TIDBITS

The Holiday Shuffle

by Tami Curtis, Two-Slides or Summit Park

It’s come to that time of year when the Curtis household starts booking travel for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Now you’re thinking, “Isn’t it a bit late for that? You should have booked your airfare back in September if you wanted to fly for less than a fortune and a headache!” Yeah, yeah. But these holidays are sculpted with a heavy layer of planning, and then waiting to be told what to do by my older sister, the Master Strategist. The Plan actually involves six households, spread out across four states, with annual reciprocal visiting arrangements, no repetition of the previous year, and a large amount of whimsy. Holiday travel season is chess and Boggle, with an intermission dance called the Holiday Shuffle.

If we lived two centuries ago, the holidays would look like this: Pack the plucked pheasant into a gunny sack, make the kids carry two baskets of fresh-baked bread, have grandma carry the plum pie, and make a procession to the other side of town where Julie’s family and in-laws all reside under one roof. No aneurysm over plane ticket pricing, no car rental grief, just dodging puddles and trying to keep the kids clean while traversing from one thatched-roof home to another. The feast will have have succeeded in gathering two sets of grandparents, two sets of parents, and their offspring, all without Expedia, plane de-icing, and long car rides. Six units under one roof in less than 20 minutes.

So, why is gathering for the holidays so much more strategic and mindboggling nowadays?

Well, there was a very entertaining and informative thread that appeared on the Highlands Facebook page the other month that touched on this topic tangentially. The initial prompt was a question posed about why there are so many nanny requests posted on Facebook. The question was posed in a very neutral tone of “hey, let’s discuss, because I’m seeing an increasing trend in people asking for babysitters”. Despite the way the question was phrased, everyone knew it was a hot-button topic and piled onto the thread, got popcorn and a 6-pack, and let the flurry of emotion begin. Eighty-five comments later the thread eventually wore down, but nestled in that thread were some gems of reality.

Let’s bridge these two topics together: the increase in childcare requests, and managing holiday travel. They’re very much related. Remember our pheasant-carrying family that dodged puddles and walked across the village to have a feast with Aunt Julie’s family? Well, they benefitted from proximity – something that most of us lack in the Highlands. Having three generations, and six family units within walking distance is about as rare as winning the lottery on a full moon. In the olden golden days we benefitted from having aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and in-laws all within a stone’s throw of each other (from a trebuchet…and perhaps that family strife did occur too, but that’s another Facebook topic). One of the thread contributors pointed out that since the fall of the agrarian society and the rise of industrialism, the multigenerational households have diminished, nuclear families have moved away to follow jobs, single-parent families are on the rise, and these small family groups are now spread out all across the world.

It’s hard to call up grandma in Perth and have her come over and pick up Johnny from Grand Ridge. Making childcare arrangements occupies a significant amount of time throughout the Highlands because we all don’t have our extended family available at the drop of a hat. For many of us, making holiday arrangements takes the same amount diligence and forethought as childcare.

Thankfully, the Curtis household has three family units living within 20 miles of one another, but there’s still my father in California to make arrangements for, and my sister’s family in Texas who is dependent on her husband’s family plans in Wisconsin. That’s where the Boggle game begins with a loud shake of the pieces within and a random shuffling of the family contents each year. Dad to Houston for Thanksgiving, Curtis Jr. & Sr. households to Bludworths in Snoqualmie, Curtis Jr. and Cerveny Sr. family to Houston for Christmas, which means California Dobel has to go to Houston…wait, that won’t work, he’s already gone to Houston for Thanksgiving… And so goes the Holiday Shuffle!

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.

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ISSAQUAH CITY NEWS

Passports: Prepare for Holiday Schedule Changes

If your plans include international travel, prepare for holiday schedule changes to our passport services.

• Due to Veterans Day, passport services will be available Monday, Nov. 10, 2014.

• Due to Thanksgiving, passport services will be available Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 24-25.

• Due to Christmas, passport services will be available Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 22-23.

Passport applications are accepted by appointment only, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Passport services are offered at City Hall Northwest, 1775 12th Ave. N.W. Call 425-837-3003 to schedule your appointment.

Passport application fees vary. Fees are payable by check or money order only; debit and credit cards are not accepted. In addition to the passport application fee, each application includes a $25 processing fee payable to the City of Issaquah by check or cash.

In addition, the City provides optional passport photo service onsite for a $15 fee.

To learn more, visit issaquahwa.gov/passports. For downloadable forms, travel warnings and other information, visit travel.state.gov.

Calling All Mothers: Mommy’s Fit Zone Class Available Get in the best shape of your life while spending time with your little one!

Mommy’s Fit Zone is our new 60-minute total body workout program that incorporates Pilates, boot camp, kickboxing and more — all with your stroller in tow.

Each class is different and great for all levels of fitness. Plus, your first class is free, so give it a try!

Classes are held at the Issaquah Community Center, 301 Rainier Blvd. S., 7-8 a.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, and 9-10 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays.

To learn more and register, go to mommysfitzone.com.

Join Us: Free Film Night!

“Growing Cities: A Film About Urban Farming in America” November 6, 2014 at 6 pm Blakely Hall 2550 NE Park Drive Free and Open to the Public.

Snacks provided.

Join us for our Sustainability Film Series beginning this season with a screening of “Growing Cities”. In their search for answers, filmmakers Dan Susman and Andrew Monbouquette take a road trip and meet the men and women who are challenging the way our country grows and distributes its food — one vacant city lot, rooftop garden and backyard chicken coop at a time.

They discover that good food isn’t the only crop these urban visionaries are harvesting.

They’re producing stronger and more vibrant communities, too.

Meet local community P-Patch expert Julie Bryan, and other group representatives who work to build stronger communities around growing food. Learn how you can contribute to and participate in the network of food gardens in our community.

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FITNESS & HEALTH

Happy Highlands Trail Hiking!

by Erick K. Harada, DPT, Highlands Physical Therapy

Happy November Issaquah Highlands! With the turning of the leaves and cooler temperature, there is no better time than to hit up our local Issaquah Highlands trail system.

Whether you are looking for an easy stroll or training for something larger, I want to keep you injury free and out on the trails.

Plantar Fascia Strength 1. With both feet resting on towel, slowly bunch up towel by curling toes and lifting towel.

2. Perform 60 seconds. Repeat 2 more times.

Ankle Plantar Flexion Lumbar Rotation and Hip Stretch External Rotator Stretch 1. With back knee facing forward, toes in line with knee, gently press front of back foot and ankle down toward floor.

2. Hold 5 seconds.

Repeat 5 times.

Perform with other leg. Repeat 3 times.

1. Lying on back, keeping shoulders flat on floor pull leg across body toward floor until stretch is felt.

2. Hold 30 seconds. Repeat with other leg.

Try the exercises above daily to keep your lower body flexible and plantar fascia strong. If you experience any pains during these exercises, be sure to stop. If the pain persists beyond 24 hours, contact your local physical therapist. Be safe and enjoy your trails!

Hiking in November

by Shelly Hawkins, Crofton Springs Neighborhood

“Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.”

Roger Miller (singer, songwriter, musician, and actor) I wasn’t surprised when Nina Milligan asked if I’d be interested in writing a series about local hikes. I was, however, surprised when Nina added, “starting in November.” November!, I thought and paused, because, let’s face it, November is typically a very wet month in Issaquah Highlands. As a matter of fact, November just so happens to be the “average wettest month” in Issaquah (according to the Weather Channel’s statistics). Thank goodness for GORE-TEX®, the fabric that helps walkers, hikers, runners, bikers, etc. stay dry in even the wettest weather.

Throughout the year, Issaquah Highlands offers a variety of paved sidewalks; and gravel, asphalt, and dirt paths and trails for you to enjoy. Hiking on our local paths and trails is a great way to meet adults, children, and dogs—even a goat. Plus, walking is one of the

The Great American Smoke Out

Thursday, November 20th American Cancer Society

best exercises for getting or staying fit, and losing or maintaining your weight. According to a recent study conducted at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Life Science Division in Berkley, California, walking briskly can lower your risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes as much as running.

What’s the difference between hiking and walking? The verb “hike” is defined as, “to walk a long distance for pleasure or exercise.” Some definitions include, “especially in the country or wilderness.” So, if you’d prefer more of a “wilderness” experience, you can explore the numerous trails that crisscross our local woods. Note that you’ll be sharing the narrow paths with wildlife, especially during the warmer months. Last summer a deer just missed crashing into me by a few inches. Fortunately, my leashed dog must have heard it coming, because he stopped short just as the deer dashed across the trail right in front of me. A few years earlier, Tuck surprised me by stopping short and barking furiously, this time preventing me from crossing paths with a bear and her cubs. Good dog!

One of the best starting points for a hike is “Trailhead Vista,” which is located on Park Drive, directly across from the entrance to Central Park. You can either walk to the trailhead or park at Central Park. If you hike north from Trailhead Vista, you can follow the Power line Trail to the North ponds. On your way, you’ll pass by the Community Gardens and Bark Park, and can take a side trip to Grande View Park.

Trail map (purple trail): http://www.issaquahhighlands.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Walking.pdf Distance from Trailhead Vista to the Bark Park: 0.5 miles Distance around the first pond: 0.43 miles Distance around the second pond: 0.30 miles Happy Hiking!

Honoring the National Smoke Out, the IHCA would like to remind you of the rules around smoking in Issaquah Highlands: (cc) Smoking in Common Areas. Smoking is prohibited on property owned by the Issaquah Highlands Community Association which may include parks, common area, open space, and undeveloped property. “Smoke” or “Smoking” means the carrying or smoking of any kind of lighted or electronic pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other lighted or electronic smoking equipment.

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ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS RESIDENT OFFICIALS

IH Elected Officials Draw Back the Curtain We are fortunate to have among us four elected officials serving in three different bodies. Each of them serve a wider population than just Issaquah Highlands, but they are particularly accessible to us as neighbors. You are likely to see one (or all!) of them at

community events. Their positions are, part-time and any compensation is minimal so give them a thanks when next you see them. Each has composed a report just for Connections so you can get a peek behind the curtain at what your representatives are working on for you.

Mark Mullet

Washington State Senate, Vice Caucus Chair, 5th Legislative District

I continue to enjoy my time as a state senator representing Issaquah and the 5th Legislative District in Olympia.

This past session I was excited to pass a bill that requires insurance companies to develop web-based transparency tools to let us know the cost of healthcare procedures before they are performed. These tools will bring the economic force of competition to our healthcare sector and save us all money in the long run.

I was also proud that we are able to freeze college tuition for the second year in a row.

We must invest in our colleges and universities so they incentivize the bright students coming out of our high schools to study in Washington State.

Funding our state’s public school system will be the number-one issue of debate when the Legislature reconvenes this winter. It is essential that we: • Find a pragmatic way to invest more money into our schools while avoiding an unfair sales or property tax hike that could harm our recovering economy.

• Incentivize schools to move away from half days so students are able to spend more time in the classroom.

• Expand the Pacific Cascade Middle School 7th period program statewide. This is an extra class for kids to attend if they are not finishing their homework on time. This program reduces the high school drop-out rate four years down the road.

Mark Mullett was Mark Mullet is serving his first term (elected 2012) in the Washington State Senate and is proud to represent the 5th Legislative District.

This upcoming session I also plan on developing ways to save the state money in the long run by making it easier for small business owners to set up retirement accounts for their employees. The state is partnering with the financial service industry to find ways to remove hurdles so all residents are given the option to save for their retirement with a payroll deduction into a private retirement account (even if they work for a company with only six employees).

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent our community in the State Capitol.

Mark can be reached by email at mark.mullet@leg.wa.gov

Lisa Callan

Issaquah School District, Board of Directors Having served on the Issaquah School Board almost a year now, I’ve gained a real appreciation for the quality of the teachers and the staff in our district. My eyes have been opened to the hard work it takes both on front lines and in the administration to run a school district.

I am fortunate to serve in a forward thinking district. For example, although not required until 2015, ISD implemented the new 1080 instructional hour requirement enacted by the legislature (RCW 28A.150.220) this year, because we know increasing instructional time makes a difference in quality of education for our kids. Additionally, I was pleased to see that the 24-credit diploma requirement passed to better prepare our students for their post-secondary futures.

I do want to say that I support the Common Core State Standards and the District’s implementation strategies. When one understands the facts, one realizes that it’s not only sound, it’s good for our kids.

Looking forward, as a board we will be working with our legislators on the question of how to best fund public education. We need to make sure that we not only have ample funding, but that the money comes in without strings attached so that we have control over how the dollars are spent.

Ample funding offers opportunities for conversations about investments in expanding differentiated learning services, transportation, professional development and technology training for teachers, additional learning opportunities like elementary art education, language, and more career, technical, and AP classes, for example. I want to support not just classroom learning, but all aspects of developing a child from pre-kindergarten through graduation and into a real future.

I am excited about the conversations around a new high school and how to create more pathways for more kids. We are beginning to shatter the paradigm of what we expect high school to look like today and how we integrate learning into the community. I believe we can improve the brick and mortar idea of how education exists and deliver education suited to each individual child and supportive of where they want to take their future.

Lisa can be reached by email at CallanL@Issaquah.wednet.edu

Issaquah School District Board of Director’s Lisa Callan Interacting with a student at Creekside’s Leadership Day “Living Museum” classroom presentation.

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ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS RESIDENT OFFICIALS

Stacy Goodman

Issaquah City Council, Deputy President Serving on the Issaquah City Council isn’t glamorous. It’s hard work that takes up weeknights and weekends. But the commitment is precisely what I signed up for nearly four years ago. I stated then that Issaquah’s big challenge was to embrace change in the face of significant growth. I also declared my goal to focus attention on ailing Lake Sammamish State Park, which had fallen off the City’s radar screen.

We live in a wonderful place, which has caused many to move here. But our explosive growth has caused some to take an ostrich-style approach (with heads in the sand) and others to complain about days gone by. Many do not recognize the exciting opportunities growth brings. As a result, Issaquah has suffered from the pains of growth. Traffic issues have been the No. 1 complaint from citizens for more than 15 years. Don’t get me wrong. City leaders have accomplished great things during this long growth spurt (Issaquah Highlands is one shining example!). But still we are playing catch-up in many ways. Several projects before the Council this year and next are efforts to get our house in a better order.

Issaquah City Councilmember Stacy Goodman lives in Issaquah Highlands but might more likely be found in City Chambers.

Transportation is at the top of the list. For 2015, I co-sponsored a Council goal to create a comprehensive transportation plan. The Council also is reviewing concurrency policies.

These are the policies that determine fees developers pay for transportation impacts. This is long overdue.

In reviewing the policies and issues facing our city, it is my personal goal and fundamental duty to see that long-term infrastructure planning - financial and otherwise - is in place to ensure a healthy community. More than ever, robust policies are needed as we face another wave of planned growth, this time as the valley floor redevelops more densely over the next 30 years. And in the midst of all this work, we have continued to advance my pet project, the State Park. Not only is it now on the city’s radar screen, but plans are in the works to annex the park to Issaquah (ownership will remain with the State). If annexed, the City would play a larger, more influential role in helping the park become the jewel of our community.

Stacy can be reached by email at stacyg@issaquahwa.gov

Nina Milligan

Issaquah City Council It is an honor to serve on the Issaquah City Council alongside neighbor Stacy Goodman and other dedicated citizens of our city. I was appointed to my position in February to fill the seat vacated by Fred Butler after he was elected Mayor. I was one of seven applicants.

The work of a Council member can be challenging. That quickly became the case for me, just one week after taking my post, the people of Klahanie narrowly voted “No” to annexation by the City of Issaquah. As an Issaquah Highlander, I feel a kinship with Klahanie, one of the oldest planned communities in Washington State (1983). But governance outranks personal fondness every time. Exploring all the options and ultimately letting go of the opportunity to welcome Klahanie was challenging. In fact, the consequences are still being worked out by all parties.

All Council members augment their service with a regional board appointment. Mine is as an alternate member of the Board of Directors of Cascade Water Alliance. I enjoy this very much, not only because Issaquah Highlands’ water comes from Cascade, but because water is a vital and vulnerable resource. Water serves not only human needs, but those of fish and our total ecosystem balance. Broadcast news about California’s water system shortages served as a dramatic reminder. There is much for me to learn in this role, but I am thankful that Cascade has a top-flight staff and BOD, the best in their fields.

Among the city’s biggest issues this year were negotiations over the proposed expansion of the Costco Issaquah

Issaquah City Councilmember Milligan began her term by appointment to the seat headquarters campus. Many long-term Costco employees now call Issaquah Highlands home; one may live vacated by Mayor Butler. Her term runs through 2015. next door to you! I love how Issaquah provides them a great place to both live and work. We can be proud that

Issaquah remains the headquarters for the largest company by revenue in the Washington State.

Next year promises to be as eventful as 2014. The Council will continue its work on growing economic vitality, including support of Old Town Issaquah, implementing a tourism plan and creating a comprehensive transportation plan. This council member role is my (and my family’s!) main contribution to the community. I truly hope that my efforts will lead to good outcomes felt by all of you.

Nina can be reached by email at ninam@issaquahwa.gov

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RESIDENT PROFILE: MIKE OSBURN

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

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DIRECTORY ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

HIGHLANDS COUNCIL

1011 NE High Street Suite 210 Monday–Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm

MAIN PHONE: 425-507-1107 IssaquahHighlands.com

MAIN PHONE: 425-427-9257 IHWebsite.com Responsible for:

Property Management Enforcement of CCRs, Rules, Regs

Architectural Review

Common Area Landscape ihwebsite.com

Funded by:

Annual IHCA Assessments Neighborhood Assessments

Responsible for:

Governing Body

Community Events Board of Trustees Blakely Hall Community Center hcbot@ihmail.com Governing Body

Facility Rentals Larry Norton, President

Community Garden Linda Hall, Treasurer Board of Directors Facebook Philip Nored, Secretary Jim Young, President Dan Vradenburg, Vice President E-Letter Patrick Byers, Member Connections Newspaper Ray Besharati, Member Walt Bailey, Secretary www.issaquahhighlands.com Stuart Johnson, Member David Ngai, Treasurer Jody Turner, Member Daniel Eyman, Member Jitendra Vats, Member Funded by: Linda Liaw, Member Sponsorships/Grants Advertising Community Enhancement Fees (1/4 of 1% on sale of home) 12¢ per sq. ft. retail/commercial

Sarah McKee, Executive Director sarah.m@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1120

Christy Garrard, Executive Director christy.g@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1110

Rachel Garrett, Director of Community Operations rachel.g@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1115

Brianna Eigner, Blakely Hall Manager brianna.e@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1107

Russ Ayers, Landscape Manager russ.a@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1130

Michele McFarland, Finance Manager michele.m@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1108

Crystal Bentley, Office Manager crystal.b@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1119

Julie Clegg, Creative Coordinator julie.c@ihcouncil.org

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

Vyvian Luu, Administraive Assistant vyvian.l@ihcouncil.org

COMMUNITY SERVICES AT BLAKELY HALL

Escrow Payoffs | accounting@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1123

Frank Pineau General Manager FPineau@HFN.org Support: 425-427-0999 HighlandsFiberNetwork.com

Governing Body

Board of Directors Larry Norton Allen Enebo Tim Underwood Charlie Herb Emergency: 9-1-1 Issaquah Police (non-emergency) 425-837-3200 WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife 425-775-1311

Nina Milligan, Communications Manager nina.m@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1111

Erika North, Community Manager erika.n@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1121

Homeowner Account Inquiries payments@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1119

HIGHLANDS FIBER NETWORK

Blakely Hall 2550 NE Park Drive Monday–Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

Notary Service by Appointment • Per signature fee applies • 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 & Found

Emergency Contact Number For after-hours emergencies not involving police and fire response or gas or water main breaks, contact IHCA at 425-223-8887

Weekly E-Letter: Sign up at issaquahhighlands.com

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. 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.

CONNECTIONS 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 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 Size

BW Color

Mini (text only): 3” x 3”

$50

Rectangle Vert: 3” x 4.625”

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Rectangle Horz: 4.625” x 3”

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Square: 4.625” x 4.625”

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Quarter Page: 4.625” x 6.25”

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Half Page Vert: 4.625” x 13”

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$495

Half Page Horz: 9.625” x 6.25”

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$495

Full Page: 9.625” x 13”

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We reserve the right to accept or refuse submissions and edit to content and length.

We also reserve the right to refuse advertising that in our opinion does not reflect the standards of the newspaper. Opinions or expressed either by paid advertisement or editorial content do not necessarily reflect the views of Highlands Council or this newspaper.

Ads are due by the first Friday of the month for the following month’s publication.

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.

• Convert all RGB files to CMYK before creating PDF. • 85 line screen and 300 dpi for photos.

• All process color ads should be converted to CMYK. • Acceptable art for use by our production department includes TIFF or JPEG files.

• Convert all Photoshop files to JPEG or TIFF before sending.

• DO NOT send Quark, Illustrator, Publisher or other native files.

ON-LINE ADVERTISING AVAILABLE!

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

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