LIVING FACEBOOK LIKE OF THE WEEK STACEY FISCHL, ISSAQUAH
THE ISSAQUAH PRESS
Thursday, August 11, 2016 • 7 Join more than 3,200 Facebook users who like The Issaquah Press on Facebook. Search “Issaquah Press” or visit facebook.com/issaquahpress. “The Issaquah Press does a wonderful job of keeping us informed about what goes on in our city, and is the first place I look for information!”
“As a kid in the Northwest, everyone was growing up in the woods, before cell phones and video games.” Michael Bray Treehouse owner
A HOME WRAPPED IN BOUGHS Local couple discovers the healing power of treehouses
By David Hayes dhayes@isspress.com In February, an opportunity presented itself to Michael Bray to relive a favorite memory from his childhood. He couldn’t pass it up, but it would prove to be a catharsis for a near-death experience. Bray had just purchased a plot of wooded land in Issaquah where he planned build a new house and move from his Fall City home. Then a longtime friend offered a random proposal to build Bray a treehouse on the property. But this wasn’t just any general contractor. It was renowned treehouse builder Pete Nelson, whose amazing builds can be seen on the Animal Planet cable network show “Treehouse Masters.” “Pete and I have been friends
for 15 years,” Bray said. “We’re skiing buddies. I was excited to show him the area when I bought the property.” As it turns out, Nelson informed Bray there was a cancellation on the show. How would Bray and his property like to fill the slot? “As a kid in the Northwest, everyone was growing up in the woods, before cell phones and video games,” Bray said. “I built two treehouses myself. And I have many friends in the area who’ve had treehouse master builds.” Bray knew he couldn’t afford Nelson’s usual baseline price for his treehouse builds. With a background in sales, Bray negotiated Nelson down to half his starting rate. “I couldn’t have done it otherwise,” he added. They’d base the build on a prior model, adapting it into a woodsy adventurer’s cabin, which See TREEHOUSE, Page 9
Photos courtesy of Discovery Communications
Left: Michael Bray (center), Monica Werber (right) and daughters Naomi (left) and Shannon (right) pose outside their new home with treehouse builder Pete Nelson (second from left). Right: A view of the treehouse’s finished interior. Bray and Nelson agreed on a design for a woodsy adventurer’s cabin, which the TV program “Treehouse Masters” called “Adventure Headquarters.”
Readers’ Choice honors will highlight the Eastside’s best ally be able to purchase tickets to the event on issaquahpress. com. The ticket price includes a three-course meal, a red-carpet arrival, the awards ceremony and piano entertainment by Keys on Main. Voting officially begins Sept. 1. Cast your votes at issaquahpress.com or look for the paper ballot in The Issaquah Press during September. Drop off paper ballots at select Eastside businesses or The Issaquah Press office, 1085 12th Ave. NW,
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Suite D1, Issaquah. Online voting closes Oct. 9 and voting via ballot box wraps up Oct. 1. Look out for a voter’s guide to help you fill out your ballot in the Sept. 1 issue. Fischer Meats, First Impressions Dental Care, and King and Bunny’s Appliances are sponsoring the event, and there is still time to sponsor or get your business featured in the voter’s guide. Contact Laura Feenstra at lfeenstra@isspress.com to get involved.
PETS OF THE WEEK BenBen is a sweet, friendly and handsome 6-yearold German shepherd/American Staffordshire terrier mix with a great smile. BenBen BenBen would be delighted to share his life with a gentle, affectionate human. In addition to his awesome personality, BenBen is also smart and already knows commands such as “sit” and “shake.” Sounds like a perfect sidekick, doesn’t he? Decide for yourself and come in to meet BenBen today.
Chino is a handsome 4-year-old cat with a big personality. He loves attention and wants to be the center of your world, but on his Chino terms. He might be a little reserved at first, but will warm up and love you right back once he’s able to trust that your intentions are true. Chino will love plenty of head and neck pets, but his favorite is ear scratches that even get his foot going. He loves playing with wand toys or searching for catnip, too.
To adopt these or other animals, call the Humane Society for Seattle/King County at 641-0080 or go to seattlehumane.org. All animals are spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated, and come with 30 days of pet health insurance and a certificate for a vet exam.
Name: TRUNK ‘N’ TREASURE 17141/ HUGE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE! SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 • 9AM – 3PM City of ISSAQUAH COMMUNITY CENTER Issaquah, To sell, call 425-837-3300.
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paign will combine online voting and paper ballots to determine the best of the Eastside in more than 40 different categories, including best nonprofit, best customer service, best local attraction and best fine dining. The winners will be announced in a formal reception at the Embassy Suites in Bellevue on Nov. 3. First-place winners will be honored on stage and receive a commemorative plaque to display at their business. The community will eventu-
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It’s time to roll out the red carpet for the best businesses, nonprofits and dining experiences on the Eastside. But first, The Issaquah Press needs your help to determine the absolute finest the Eastside has to offer. Readers’ Choice, formerly known as the Best of Issaquah competition, is back to collect a public tally of the top local establishments.
The 2016 contest is expanding to include coverage areas from all four Issaquah Press Group newspapers. Readers can submit and vote on their favorite businesses in Issaquah, Sammamish, the Snoqualmie Valley, Newcastle and the greater Eastside. “This is a great opportunity to show everyone what is special about the businesses you love,” said Charles Horton, the Issaquah Press Group’s general manager. For the first time, the cam-
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By Christina Corrales-Toy ccorrales-toy@isspress.com