Residents Guide - ISSAQUAH-SAMMAMISH 2016

residents

guide 2016-17

I S S A Q UA H • S A M M A M I S H

Meet City Officials Check Out Community Hot Spots ‘Little Red Fish’ in Lake Sammamish A SUPPLEMENT OF THE

Art and Wine Walks, Salmon Days and More Events

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RESIDENTS GUIDE 2016-17 • ISSAQUAH & SAMMAMISH

Photo provided by City of Issaquah

residents

guide I S S A Q UA H • S A M M A M I S H

A SUPPLEMENT OF THE

Reporter ISSAQUAH | SAMMAMISH

www.issaquahreporter.com

Regional Publisher William Shaw

Editor

Carrie Rodriguez

Contributing Writers Megan Campbell

Regional Ad Director Jim Gatens

Ad Account Executives Jen Gralish David Hamilton Ed Pingul

Office Coordinator Celeste Hoyt Brook Rose

Lead Design & Layout Diana Nelson

Production Designers Sonny Ebalo Melanie Morgan Wendy Fried

545 Rainier Blvd. N • Ste 8, Issaquah 98027 425-391-0363 issaquahreporter.com Special Thanks & Photo Contributions: City of Issaquah, City of Sammamish, Issaquah School District, Issaquah Chamber, Sammamish Chamber.

Cover Photo by Shubha Tirumale Visit STphotos.smugmug.com or /ShubhaTirumalePhotography

SMALL TOWN CHARACTER

ACTIVITIES ABOUND

Issaquah and Sammamish are vibrant communities nestled in the Cascade Mountains foothills.

Issaquah — a Native American name meaning “the sounds of birds” — was established in 1892, according to the Downtown Issaquah Association and city of Issaquah.

The city has experienced major growth since 1990, following annexations, construction in the Issaquah Highlands and Talus urban villages and a subsequent housing boom. Issaquah now encompasses about 12.49 square miles and is home to 33,330 people.

Sammamish’s name is also derived from two Native American words: “Samena” — which means hunter — and “mish,” or people, according to the city. Sammamish incorporated on Aug. 31, 1999 and is primarily a residential community located on the east side of Lake Sammamish.

The city’s vision is a community of families, a blend of small-town atmosphere with a suburban character, accompanied by a unique core of urban lifestyles and conveniences. Sammamish encompasses 18.22 square miles and is home to 61,000 people.

In this 16-page 2016 Issaquah-Sammamish Residents Guide, we hope to give both new and established residents a guide to places and activities that abound in these cities, which are both characterized by vibrant natural features and first-rate recreational, cultural and educational opportunities.

Above, left: A bird in flight.

Above: The city’s historic Issaquah Train Depot hosts the popular Issaquah Valley Trolley. The No. 519 vintage electric streetcar was originally manufactured by the J.G. Brill Company of Philadelphia in 1925. It was part of the transit system in Lisbon, Portugal, until 1978 and the Issaquah Valley Trolley acquired it in 2002.

Photos courtesy of Camille Adamson and Stanley Yuan

A PUBLICATION OF

- Carrie Rodriguez ISSAQUAH-SAMMAMISH REPORTER •

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RESIDENTS GUIDE 2016-17 • ISSAQUAH & SAMMAMISH

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ISSAQUAH & SAMMAMISH:

A HISTORY T

he areas that are now Issaquah and Sammamish were home to the Snoqualmie and other native people long before non-natives began arriving in the 1800s.

According to the Issaquah History Museum, white settlers began arriving in the valley in the 1860s. Those white settlers initially called the Issaquah area “Squak,” a version of the native word “Is-qu-ah.” Official use of the name Squak appears in records as early as 1869 and the Squak Post Office, a major influence in a town’s name during territorial days, opened one year later. However, the area destined to become Issaquah would spend the next decades trapped in an identity crisis helped along by local industrial magnates with big wallets and bigger egos.

Ingebright Wold — the co-owner of a hops farm — famously disliked the name Squak and decided (naturally) a variation of his name would be better: He platted the area as “Englewood” in 1887.

But Daniel Hunt Gilman was quickly making a name for himself as a backer of the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway.

When he established the Seattle Coal and Iron Co. in the Squak Valley and connected it to the railroad, the area became a coal town — even the post office

relocated to Gilman Station.

But Issaquah was a labor town Gilman’s attempts to rename and those same workers could the post office after himself also exhibit deep compassion failed when the U.S. Postal for their peers when they were Service decided his name was felled by dangers on the job. too close to “Gilmer” in Klickitat The Oddfellows, a guild to — they chose to recognize the which many Issaquah laborers area as Olney instead. Gilman belonged, provided a crude form would eventually succeed in of insurance in which members incorporating the town under pitched in to support injured his name in 1892. laborers, or their surviving family However, locals eschewed members in cases of death. the name Gilman, After World preferring to use War II, the BEFORE BECOMING Squak in casual boom-and-bust ISSAQUAH, conversation.

THE VALLEY SETTLEMENT cycle of the Townsfolk natural resource WAS KNOWN BY FOUR petitioned the industry was DIFFERENT NAMES state legislature to replaced by a IN THE LATTER HALF OF allow them to have slow community THE 19TH CENTURY a say in their own evolution. home’s name, and The town’s in 1899 the area was officially — population hovered around and finally — renamed Issaquah.

1,000 until 1940, when the Saloons, hardware stores, first floating bridge over Lake boarding houses and other Washington was opened. The shops sprang up around the bridge brought Issaquah within booming coal mines. Logging easy driving distance of Seattle also brought workers into the and the town’s transformation town — tough men who were from a rural community to a sometimes apt to wake up in bedroom suburb began.

Issaquah’s jail. Issaquah History Today, Issaquah is a thriving Museums director Erica Maniez city with eyes on becoming tells one amusing story on an “urban village” under the walking tours about two loggers ambitious dense-growth arrested for public drunkenness Central Issaquah Plan passed who kicked their way out of the in 2012. Yet the city’s Olde city jail’s wooden walls with their Town neighborhood retains spiked cork boots. Afterward, many elements of its historical city officials wisely built their beginnings. second jail out of concrete.

Sammamish as an official city

is more than a century younger than its valley neighbor, though its history as an American settlement begins soon after Issaquah’s. Settlers began making tentative inroads onto the Plateau in the 1870s and 1880s, according to the Sammamish Heritage Society.

By the 1890s, logging had become a major industry in the area and most of the area was “logged out” by the 1930s.

The southern half of the Plateau, particularly the area near Pine Lake, developed more quickly than the northern half.

By the late 1930s no less than three resorts were operating on Pine Lake and Beaver Lake.

Jump ahead to the mid1980s and growth accelerated dramatically as more homes, schools and shopping centers were built. Then, on Nov. 3, 1998, local voters approved incorporation and Sammamish officially became a city at midnight on Aug. 31, 1999.

Today, Sammamish has its own symphony, three high schools and has been host to two PGA golf tournaments at the Sahalee Country Club. Homes in the city are some of the most desirable in the region, and some of the most expensive — in the beginning of August, Zillow’s Home Value Index placed the median price of a Sammamish house above $700,000.

ISSAQUAH-SAMMAMISH REPORTER •

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ISSAQUAH ‘S

WATER

A

major portion of Issaquah’s water system comes from groundwater served by four wells — two in the northeast section of Issaquah and two in the northwest section. The wells are

WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Essential numbers in the city of Issaquah

deep: two are 100 feet deep, one is 200 feet deep and one is 400 feet deep.

But those wells don’t serve every Issaquah citizen.

The Cascade Water Alliance provides water to the Issaquah Highlands and Talus urban villages, as well as the Montreux and Lakemont areas.

Cascade is a municipal corporation comprised of eight municipalities and water districts that joined together in 1999 to provide water supply for current and future needs. It includes the cities of Issaquah, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond and Tukwila, as well as the Sammamish Plateau Water and

Issaquah Police (Nonemergency) 425-837-3300 Eastside Fire & Rescue HQ 425-313-3200

Sewer District, Covington Water District and Skyway Water and Sewer District.

Cascade gets its water from the Seattle system, which is of the highest quality and is tested frequently.

The city of Issaquah mails an annual water quality report to its customers, with a breakdown of all substances monitored by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

In 2014 testing — the most current data available on the city’s website — Issaquah was given a clean bill of health for all substances monitored, including arsenic, chlorine, fluoride, copper and lead.

City Clerk 425-837-3000

Executive 425-837-3020

Public Works Engineering 425-837-3400

Recology CleanScapes 425-837-1234

Development Services 425-837-3100

Emergency Managmt.

425-837-3028

Public Works Operations 425-837-3470

Support Services 425-837-3080

Economic Development 425-837-3450

Finance 425-837-3050

Republic Services 206-392-6651

Grades 6 -12

eastsidecatholic.org

425-295-3000

lifelong learners, global citizens, compassionate leaders

RESIDENTS GUIDE 2016-17 • ISSAQUAH & SAMMAMISH

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Inspiring

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“Our dedication to environmental sustainability will help ensure our region’s water remains safe, clean and reliable for generations to come,” Mayor Fred Butler said in the annual water quality report.

The city produced or purchased 787.6 million gallons of water in 2014, 725.2 million of which was consumed by customers — the remainder having been lost to system leakage.

Most recently, the City Council voted in April to spend nearly $1 million from two city water funds to safeguard the city’s drinking water quality.

SAMMAMISH ‘S

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?

WATER F

or the most part, the city of Sammamish gets its water from underground aquifers provided through two corporations.

Sammamish Plateau Water, formerly known as the Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District, unveiled its new name, logo and brand earlier this year. The district began in 1948 as King County Water District 82 serving just a handful of people near Pine Lake. Today, it brings water to nearly 64,000 people on the plateau, in Issaquah and in parts of unincorporated King County. It brings sewer services to another 49,000 people. In all, its system, which includes 12 wells and 21 pumps, is valued at about $875 million.

Essential numbers in Sammamish Sammamish Police (Nonemergency) 425-836-5674 Eastside Fire & Rescue HQ 425-313-3200 City Hall 425-295-0511 Public Works 206-296-8100 Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District 425-392-6256

Megan Campbell/staff photo. The Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District Board revealed its new name outside its headquarters in February.

In the northern tip of the plateau, more than 10,000 people rely on Northeast Sammamish Sewer and Water District for their water. That district maintains 35 miles of water main, 275 fire hydrants, five wells and two

Northeast Sewer and Water District 425-868-1144

reservoirs.

Only Sammamish Plateau Water, however, is part of the Cascade Water Alliance, which also supplies water to Issaquah and other areas.

The Alliance gets its water from Seattle, relying on snow pack.

Puget Sound Energy 1-888-962-9498 Sammamish Chamber of Commerce 425-681-4910

Dr. Quinby, Dr. Lombardi, and Dr. Liu

o t d r a w r o f k We loo . u o y ” g n i t “mea

Schedule Your Child’s Dental Cleaning

REMEMBER TWO! Twice a year

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Cavity Free Child!

TIMES a day

Fischer Meats offers the highest quality beef, chicken and pork in the Issaquah area. Our specialty steaks are always a favorite-choose from the baseball cut top sirloin, cowboy rib steak or a good old T-bone. From baby back ribs to brats to the freshest ground beef for your burgers, we have what you need to start the grilling season off right.

Brush 2 minutes 2x per day DENTAL VISITS per year

ents New pati always welcome!

Serving The Community Since 1910

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New patients are always welcome!

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Schedule your child’s dental cleaning 185 NE Gilmantwice Blvd., Issaquah a year to help raise 425.392.4048 a cavity free child! eastsidepediatricdentalgroup.com

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Issaquah, WA 98027 425.392.4048 eastsidepediatricdentalgroup.com Members American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Certified, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry

ISSAQUAH-SAMMAMISH REPORTER •

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ISSAQUAH PARKS Berntsen Park: 810 Fourth Ave. N.W. This 2-acre open space park in Olde Town Issaquah offers creek and lake view, natural open space and an open grassy area.

Black Nugget Park: 1953 24th Ave. N.E. Located within the Issaquah Highlands Development, it offers a basketball court, benches, open grassy area, picnic tables, play equipment, tennis courts and a trail.

Centennial Park:

1907 Park Drive N.E. Located within the Issaquah Highlands Development, it includes three park fields and facilities such as a number of athletic fields, natural open space, picnic shelter, play equipment and a scenic viewpoint.

Confluence Park: 655 Rainier Blvd. N. Completed in 2013, Confluence Park is actually a merger of three parks — Tolle Anderson, CybilMadeline and Issaquah Creek.

The resulting 15.5-acre park includes a large picnic shelter, restrooms, a series of trails and a fenced community garden.

In late summer 2015, the park was the site of a million-dollar renovation of Issaquah Creek’s east fork, undertaken in order to create a better passageway for salmon returning to spawn

at the Issaquah State Salmon Hatchery in the fall.

Cornick Park: 335 Front St. S. A scenic green space consisting of flowers and landscaping with benches and public art.

Depot Park: 2 E. Sunset Way (Rainier & Alder).

Features a restored 1888 train depot, currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It includes benches, parking, picnic tables and a trail.

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Front Street North and Rainier Boulevard.

A small park that includes public art and landscaping along Front Street in Olde Town Issaquah. It has benches, public art and a trail.

Central Park:

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RESIDENTS GUIDE 2016-17 • ISSAQUAH & SAMMAMISH

Located along Pickering Trail, the 12-acre restored and enhanced park provides natural open space and wetlands. There are benches, creek/lake view, natural open space and a trail.

On the southern edge of the Talus neighborhood development, the approximately 10-acre park site includes a basketball court, natural open space, play equipment, restrooms and a trailhead.

Gibson Park:

Hillside Park:

Grand View Park: 2306 N.E. Natalie Way. Located in the northern section of Issaquah Highlands and offers magnificent views of Mt. Baker and the Cascade Mountain Range. It includes include a play area, picnic area, manicured green space, on-site parking and a restroom.

Harvey Manning Park at Talus: 919 Bear Ridge Court.

300 Mt. McKinley Drive S.W. This Squak Mountain park includes a nonscheduled sports field for “pick-up” games, natural open space and a trail. There is no onsite parking available.

Meerwood Park: 4703 192nd Ave S.E. This 1.75-acre neighborhood park is located within the Sammamish Cove area and features a basketball court, benches, picnic tables, play equipment and tennis courts.

Mine Hill Park:

200 Wildwood Blvd. S.W. Located at the base of Squak Mountain, it has five acres

Skate Park:

301 Rainier Blvd S, Issaquah (behind Community Center) The Skate Park offers a variety of challenges for skateboarders and inline skaters.

The Park is unsupervised and is open at all times. Rules are posted for the safety of participants. The Park is adjacent to the southeast side of the Community Center.

This skate park will be closed once the city opens a new skate park in Tibbetts Valley Park at 965 12th Ave. N.W. Originally slated to begin construction in 2015, the city council delayed the project at the urging of citizens to pursue funding for more amenities. Construction is now tentatively scheduled for spring/summer 2016.

Squak Valley Park: 10319 Issaquah-Hobart Road S.E. Located at the very southern edge of the city on the Issaquah - Hobart Road, the approximately 12.5-acre site includes three midsized soccer fields, children’s play structure, restroom and parking area.

Tibbetts Valley Park: 965 12th Ave. N.W. A 30-acre active recreational community park with athletic fields, tennis courts, basketball court and a children’s playground.

Timberlake Park:

4500 West Lk Sammamish Pkwy. SE This 24-acre acre park site is predominantly forested and provides a 1/2 mile trail down to the Lake Sammamish shoreline and beach area. It includes a beach, benches, open grassy area, picnic tables, parking, restrooms and a scenic view.

Working Together We Can Create a Better Future Assistance League of the Eastside is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and adults affected by financial hardship or violence.

aleastside.org

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105 Newport Way S.W. A 3-acre park with benches, an open grassy area, picnic shelter, picnic tables and play equipment.

of natural area that parallels Wildwood Boulevard Southeast and includes a creek/lake view, trail and trailhead.

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Emily Darst Park:

ISSAQUAH-SAMMAMISH REPORTER •

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SAMMAMISH PARKS Beaver Lake Park:

group picnic area, lacrosse field, picnic shelter, picnic tables, play structure, restrooms, soccer field, softball field and tennis courts.

S.E. 24th St. 425-295-0500

Eastlake Community Fields: 400 228th Ave. N.E.

Barbecue grill, baseball field, beach/waterfront, dog off leash area, group picnic area, indoor rental facility, picnic shelter, picnic tables, play structure, restrooms, softball field, trails and wildlife viewing areas.

425-936-1500

Big Rock Park: 21805 SE Eighth Court 425-295-0500 Zip line, natural playscapes, accessible meadow trail system and boardwalk.

East Sammamish Park:

Baseball field, lacrosse field, restrooms, soccer field and softball field.

Ebright Creek Park: 1317 212th Ave. S.E. 425-295-0500 Barbecue grill, basketball court, climbing wall, group picnic area, picnic shelter, picnic tables, play structure, restrooms, trails and wildlife viewing areas.

Evans Creek Preserve: 4001 224th Ave. N.E. 425-295-0582

Barbecue grill, baseball field,

Trails and wildlife viewing.

1615850

N.E. 16th and 214th Avenue N.E. 425-295-0500

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RESIDENTS GUIDE 2016-17 • ISSAQUAH & SAMMAMISH

Northeast Sammamish Park: 21210 N.E. 36th St. 425-295-0500 Basketball court, picnic tables, play structure and tennis courts.

Pine Lake Park: 2401 228th Ave. S.E. 425-295-0500 Barbecue grill, baseball field, basketball court, beach/ waterfront, climbing wall, group picnic area, lacrosse field, picnic shelter, picnic tables, play

structure, restrooms and soccer.

Sammamish Commons: 801 228th Ave. S.E. • 425-295-0500 Barbecue grill, basketball court, climbing wall, picnic area, indoor rental facility, play structure, restrooms, skate park and trails.

Skyline Community Field: 1122 228th Ave. S.E. 425-837-7700 Baseball, lacrosse, soccer and softball fields, and restrooms.

MAYOR FRED BUTLER

Eileen Barber

Fred Butler was elected as mayor in November 2013. He previously served on the Issaquah City Council from 1999-2013.

Butler is a retired U.S. Army Corps of Engineers colonel. Over 26 years, some of his assignments included command of a combat engineer company in Vietnam and command of the Middle East/Africa District. He was decorated for valor on the battlefield.

Subsequently, he became chief engineer of Seattle City Light, where he served until 1996.

Eileen Barber currently holds Position 3 on the City Council.

She was elected Nov. 3, 2013 and serves on the Committee of the Whole Council and the Services and Safety Committee.

Mariah Bettise

Mariah Bettise holds Position 2 on the City Council and she was appointed on May 2. She serves on the Committee of the Whole Council and Land and Shore Committee.

T

he city of Issaquah operates under a mayor-council form of government. In this form, the elected mayor serves as the city’s chief administrative officer and an elected sevenmember council serves as the city’s legislative body.

Paul Winterstein

Paul Winterstein holds Position 6 on the City Council. He was elected Nov. 3, 2015. He serves on the Infrastructure Committee and the Committee of the Whole Council.

Mary Lou Pauly

Tola Marts

Bill Ramos

Stacy Goodman

Mary Lou Pauly holds Position 1 on the City Council and serves as deputy council president. She was elected Nov. 5, 2013. She serves on the Land and Shore and Whole Council committees.

Bill Ramos holds Position 4 on the City Council and was elected Nov. 3, 2015. Ramos serves on the Whole Council, Infrastructure and Services and Safety committees.

Tola Marts currently holds Position 7 on the City Council. He was elected Nov. 5, 2013 and serves on the Services and Safety Committee and Committee of the Whole Council.

Stacy Goodman holds Position 5 on the City Council. She also serves as council president. She was elected Nov. 5, 2013 and serves on the Infrastructure, Land and Shore and Whole Council committees.

Quality Dental Services in Issaquah

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To schedule an appointment please call us at 425-391-9200 Mon to Fri 8am –5pm.

At Eastside Family Dentistry, Dr. Cristescu and the entire team gladly welcomes you and your loved ones to our practice. We are committed to providing our patients with family-friendly, highquality care. What sets us apart is our love and passion for helping our patients preserve a healthy smile. We believe the mouth is the gateway to total body health and overall wellness. Eastside Family Dentistry values your time and health beliefs; and while doing so we provide a comfortable, safe and gentle environment. We offer a broad spectrum of services for all of your dental needs. From the most mature people in your household to the smallest smiles in your care, we value the health of each patient and their specific needs. We’re excited to help your family achieve healthy, beautiful smiles to last a lifetime!

For more information please visit our website:

www.eastsidefamilydentistry.com ISSAQUAH-SAMMAMISH REPORTER •

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CITY MANAGER Day-to-day operation in Sammamish is under the direction of a city manager, selected by the Sammamish City Council to serve as the professional administrator of the city and coordinate all city operations, projects and programs and administering all policies and laws adopted by the council.

Lyman Howard has been the city manager since March 2016. Prior to that, he was the deputy city manager beginning in 2011 after joining the city as its finance director about a decade earlier.

He has a Master of Business Administration degree from Willamette University.

Christie Malchow Christie Malchow, first-time council member, currently holds Position 2. Her term expires in 2019. She is the chair of the Communications Committee.

U

nlike Issaquah, the city of Sammamish uses a council-city manager form of government.

Under council-city manager governance, the mayor is a largely ceremonial role occupied by a voting member of the city council.

Kathleen Huckabay

Ramiro Valderrama

Don Gerend

Tom Hornish

Kathleen Huckabay currently holds Position 1 on the City Council. Her term expires in 2017. She serves on the Finance, Public Safety, Legislative, Eastside Fire and Rescue committees.

Don Gerend currently holds Position 5 on the Sammamish City Council. His term expires in 2017.

He serves on the Legislative Committee, Water Resource Inventory Area 8 and more.

Bob Keller

Bob Keller currently holds Position 3 on the council. His term expires in 2017. He serves on the Transportation Committee, Eastside Fire and Rescue board and the Sound Cities Association.

Ramiro Valderrama-Aramayo holds Position 4 on the council and was appointed deputy mayor by the council in January. He was re-elected to his seat in 2015. He serves on several committees, including Public Service.

Tom Hornish currently holds Position 6 after being elected into office in the 2015. His term expires in 2019.

He serves on the Communications, Human Services and Finance committees.

Tom Odell

Tom Odell currently hold Position 7 on the council. His term expires in 2017. He serves on several boards, including the Finance, Public Safety committees and chairs the Transportation Committee.

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RESIDENTS GUIDE 2016-17 • ISSAQUAH & SAMMAMISH

Sammamish Community & Aquatic Center opens building to the Sammamish Commons Plaza and the Lower Commons.

Each locker area has 400 full-sized lockers and locker rooms include showers, toilets, sinks and mirrors. The private changing rooms also include a shower, sink and toilet. There are 22 lockers in the private changing area.

From private trainers to group fitness, activities at the Y last all day.

The city of Sammamish confirmed its partnership with the YMCA to run the facility in mid-2012, something Bob Gilbertson, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Seattle, said was a “smart” decision on behalf of the city and its council.

“We can do it better together,” he said during his speech at the April grand opening, where Sammamish Mayor Don Gerend gave him the “key” to the city.

For more information on programs, visit www.blog.sammamishymca.org/ schedules/.

Megan Campbell/staff photo A slide juts outside the Sammamish Community and Acquatic Center and winds down to the first floor.

ISSAQUAH’S HOT SPOTS Julius Boehm Pool 50 SE Clark St. P.O. Box 1307 Issaquah, WA 98027 Ph: 425-837-3350 Fx: 425-837-3359 Pool Hours Monday - Friday: 6:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Saturday: Noon - 5 p.m.

Office Hours Monday - Friday: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Saturday: Noon - 4:30 p.m.

Community Center 301 Rainier Blvd. S. P.O. Box 1307 Issaquah, WA 98027 Ph: 425-837-3300 Fx: 425-837-3309 Center Hours: M-Th: 5 a.m.-8 p.m.

Fri: 5 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sat: 8 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.

Sun: CLOSED

make any moment

a Celebration FREE Bundtlet with the purchase of a bundtlet Issaquah

775 NW Gilman Boulevard, #C-2 Issaquah, WA 98027 (425) 427-0722 nothingbundtcakes.com Expires 6/1/17. Limit one coupon per guest. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Redeemable only at the bakery listed. No copies accepted. Must be claimed in-bakery. During normal business hours. No cash value.

ISSAQUAH-SAMMAMISH REPORTER •

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The long-awaited Sammamish Community and Aquatic Center opened its doors this year.

Just about everyone and their neighbor came out to give the $33 million facility a go when it opened to legacy and new charter members in mid-April.

At roughly 69,000 square feet, the building features a cardio area, a community kitchen, children’s play rooms, two gyms, several fitness rooms, a track, public and private locker rooms with showers, a hot tub, a lap pool and the leisure pool.

There’s also a slide that juts outside the building before it finally winds down and empties onto the first floor near the pool. Those who are at least 4 feet tall can use the slide. The weight limit for the slide is 300 pounds.

There are 185 parking stalls in front of the building and more than 100 more in the west and southern parking areas.

Accessible pathways link the

issaquahreporter.com | 13

The ‘little red fish’ in Lake Sammamish Meet Jerry.

He’s about an inch or so long with a thin silvery body, and he’s only a few months old.

He was one of the kokanee fry on his way down Issaquah Creek to Lake Sammamish with his brothers and sisters: Rockie, Scarlet, Ethan Jr., BJ, Amy, even Hillary and Donald Trump.

These little kokanee fry were among the many that students from Issaquah Valley Elementary School named and poured into the creek at the 2016 Kokanee Release in Issaquah’s Confluence Park on Earth Day. The day marks the seventh successful year in the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery’s supplemental program, which is part of the Lake Sammamish Kokanee Work Group’s mission to bring back

a sustainable, healthy kokanee This was likely due to a number population. of factors, St. John said, including The kokanee, a freshwater urbanization, nutrient loading sockeye salmon that live in the in the lake, the introduction lake, return in force to only three of other fish creating more streams: Lewis Creek in Issaquah competition for food and an and Ebright and Laughing unfortunate hatchery operation Jacobs creeks that removed kokanee in Sammamish. from Issaquah Creek.

The 2015-2016 “Kokanee kind of fell run, when adults out of favor,” St. John swim back to their said. birthing waters The Issaquah to spawn, was Creek Hatchery the third-highest (now the Issaquah return in two Salmon Hatchery), decades. then run through “Decades the Washington ago, they were Department of likely the most Fisheries, trapped Megan Campbell/staff photo abundant fish in kokanee populations A kokanee fry. the system,” David coming up Issaquah St. John of the Creek in the 1960s Lake Work Group said during a and 1970s, according to King March talk he gave on the little County’s 2000 report on the red fish at the hatchery. kokanee’s historic status in the Between 1970 and 1990, the Lake Washington Basin.

Lake Sammamish kokanee saw a Hatchery employees of the dramatic decrease in population. time thought the kokanee were

a disease threat to chinook and coho salmon. The repeated trapping efforts and subsequent draining of pools that held kokanee populations killed the entire run up Issaquah Creek by the 1980s, St. John said.

The creek itself provided plenty of spawning area for returning adults; lack of space is a current issue kokanee experts think may be a factor in why there weren’t as many kokanee returning this year. (They expected to see about 15,000 instead of the roughly 5,500 that actually came back.)

Kokanee females lay between 600 and 1,200 eggs. If there’s not enough surface area for kokanee mothers to lay their eggs, they’ll brush away already-fertilized ones to make room for their own. Taking advantage of this year’s relatively large return, the Kokanee Work Group saw an opportunity to release hatchery fish into the creek.

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Fall Events

crafts. The 2016 event will be from 5-7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Commons Plaza and City Hall.

Since 2009, Issaquahns have celebrated the coming of Halloween by slathering themselves in pallid makeup, adopting a bad case of rigor mortis and shambling down Front Street. The parade of undead ends with a recreation of the Thriller music video in downtown. Some costumes in the past have included Zombie Waldo, Rick Grimes and his son Carl, and female Ash Williams, complete with chainsaw hand.

Beat the Winter Brews Fest

Zombie Walk

Salmon Days The internationally recognized event is one of the largest events in the Northwest featuring food, festivities and floats that celebrate the return of the salmon to spawn. A small carnival will run from Sept. 29 through Oct. 2.

Nightmare at Beaver Lake One of the most popular Halloween events on the Eastside, Nightmare at Beaver Lake transforms Beaver Lake park into a terrifying walk through Hell. Put on by Sammamish Rotary, the haunted trek runs from mid-October through Halloween night.

Halloween Happening All ages are welcome to venture through Sammamish City Hall for the city’s annual Halloween Happening. With access to the usually closed-off office space, City Hall offers a trick-or-treat adventure appropriate for all ages. The 2016 event will be from 3-4:30 p.m.

Oct. 31.

The cold of winter might have you down, so you might as well raise your spirits with a beer or three. The Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce and shopkeepers in Gilman Village join forces with brewers and vintners big and small to introduce drinkers to new brews.

2015’s vendors included Fremont Brewing, Ninkasi, Dru Bru, Hedges Family Estate and Cedar River Cellars, among others. Beat The Winter Brews Fest is typically held in February.

Wine Walk The first Friday of each month from February to June and on Nov. 18, the Downtown Issaquah Association helps oenophiles sample wines at shops throughout downtown.

Spring Rig-A-Palooza Inspired by a child’s curiosity and need to touch everything, the Sammamish Park and Recreation department presents an afternoon of engagement, up close to vehicles like a fire engine or utility truck. Rig-A-Palooza takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30 in the Sammamish Commons Plaza off of 228th Avenue between City Hall and the library.

On Wednesday from May to September, City Hall Plaza becomes the site of food, fun and health-conscious education.

Evergreen Health participates in the event and occasionally makes the market a stop for its Mobile 3D Mammography Coach.

Sammamish Walks

across from the Sammamish Library.

Fourth on the Plateau

Every year thousands of people gather in the Sammamish Commons for the star-spangled tradition of watching fireworks explode overhead. The event, packed with children’s activities, food and music, occurs on July 4.

Once a month, from about April to October, local volunteers lead residents along walks through Sammamish parks. Typically beginning in the morning, the walks focus on plants and wildlife. For information, visit sammamishwalks.org.

Burgers, Bikers and Babes

Summer

Held on Father’s Day, Fenders on Front Street is Issaquah’s largest car show. Collectors come out from all over the state to show off their they’re new, classic and unique rides.

Teen Fest Skate Competition The June 3 event calls for skaters from Sammamish and the surrounding areas to compete at the Sammamish Skate Park off of 228th Avenue

Thundering Angels MC take over Triple XXX Root Beer on July 10 to show off and compare their rides. The event includes a bikini bike wash and bikini contest with live music.

Fenders on Front Street

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Winter

The first Friday of each month from July to August, the Downtown Issaquah Association helps bring art vendors, musicians and others to Front Street.

Very Merry Sammamish

Issaquah Farmers Market

Held in early December, the city of Sammamish holds its annual winter event at City Hall and outside in the plaza.

The event boasts festive lights, food trucks and activities for children — including a petting zoo, cookie decorating and other

Sammamish farmers Market

On Saturdays from May to September, the city of Issaquah features farm fresh food, music and other entertainment in the Pickering Barn. The 2015 Farmers Market was in the running for recognition by the American Farmland Trust.

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RESIDENTS GUIDE 2016-17 • ISSAQUAH & SAMMAMISH