July 2013 - The Issaquah Highlands
Transcription
July 2013 - The Issaquah Highlands
CONNECTIONS ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY NEWS www.ihwebsite.com | facebook.com/highlands.council July 2013 Page 18 School’s Out! Page 13 Movie Theater Opens IHCA New Directors Page 14 Page 19 Club Profile • Living Green • Art at Blakely Hall • Issaquah News • Ask Kari WHAT’S INSIDE? 4 4 6 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 Art at Blakely Hall Highlands Council General News HFN News NEW! Movie Review &OXE3UR¿OH Volunteer of the Month NEW! Arts & Entertainment Ask Kari Wits and Tidbits 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 25 27 Living Green Schools Spotlight Grand Ridge Plaza Port Blakely News New Community Map IHCA Landscape News IHCA News Issaquah City News Fitness Corner History Hike 28 What’s Happening 30 5HVLGHQW3UR¿OH Photo by: Julie Clegg / baileyandbanjo.com The Goats are Back! 2550 NE Park Drive Issaquah, WA 98029 PERMIT NO. 83 ISSAQUAH, WA U.S. POSTAGE PAID PRSRT STD 2 • July 2013 Issaquah Highlands Connections 1% FEES! - FULL SERVICE FOR 1%! SELLING YOUR HOME FOR A GREATER VALUE ABSOL OV D $ E 20 LI k ST ! 2043 Larchmount - SOLD $545,000 AB PE OV ND E ING LI ST ! AB PE OV ND E ING LI ST ! 3434 Marion Lane - LIST $650,000 2918 NE Davis Loop - LIST $695,000 3462 Marion Ȃ SOLD $595,000 AB SO OV LD E $6 LI k ST ! 2542 Longmire Ct. - LIST $500,000 ABSOL OV D $ E 20 LI k ST ! 2447 NE Park Drive - LIST $369,000 ABSOL OV D $ E 50 LI k ST ! PE N DI NG ! AB PE OV ND E ING LI ST ! ** #1 OFFICE/AGENT IN ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS 2008 2008--2012 CONSECUTIVE YEARS! ** 1714 28th Ave - SOLD $706,000 3483 Meadow - SOLD $600,000 See all our listings at: www.IssaquahHighlandsRE.com MARKETING/NEGOTIATING/CLOSING your home for BEST SELLING RESULTS! CURRENTLY PENDING HOMES 2447 NE Park Drive 2542 Longmire Court 3434 NE Marion Lane 2918 NE Davis Loop i NWMLS (Northwest Multiple Listing Service) exposure with full integration. i LOCAL REAL ESTATE OFFICE in Issaquah Highlands to better serve your home sale. i Extensive marketing plan, creating great exposure to sell your home. i High impact internet advertising, cutting-edge syndication tools and subscriptions. i PROFESSIONAL photography for best presentation. $369,000 $500,000 $650,000 $695,000 RECENTLY SOLD HOMES i FREE professional staging consultation, offering FREE staging props. 1840 25th Ave NE #s413 1371 Huckleberry Circle 1936 17th Ave NE 2725 NE Northstar Lane 2419 NE Julep Street 1014 NE High Street 2043 Larchmount Drive NE 2476 30th Ave NE 3450 NE Madison Way 3462 NE Marion Way 3483 NE Meadow Way 1714 28th Ave NE 2657 NE Daphne Street i FREE 1 year Fidelity home warranty as a buyer incentive. i ǡDzdzǤ i Custom two-sided color flyers, PLUS CD flyer box. i Frequent public & broker open houses. i Prominent (page 2) print advertising here, plus ROUTINE DIRECT MAILINGS abound. i Exclusive listing website complete with virtual tour, school links, community links, etc. i Customized selling and buying strategies planned for success. i Excellent listener and communicator. Goal oriented for YOUR goals. i ͓͕ ǯǤ i Certified Negotiation Expert, CNE. i Representation/negotiation by a Certified Residential Specialist, CRS. (Less than 4% of real estate agents hold this designation) $318,000 $320,000 $373,000 $414,000 $439,900 $475,000 $545,000 $575,000 $575,000 $595,000 $600,000 $706,000 $835,000 **Issaquah Highlands Market Share** MATT JENSEN, CRS, ABR, CNE Issaquah Highlands Branch Manager [email protected] WWW.MATTJENSENRE.COM MATT JENSEN Windermere John L. Scott CB Bain Highlands RE EMA Other Brokerages ϬϬ ϭϬ ϭϬ ϮϬ ϮϬ Visit Matt’s LOCAL office at: 2423 NE Park Drive! ϯϬ ϯϬ Issaquah Highlands Connections July 2013 • FROM THE EDITOR “It ain’t easy bein’ green,” but it’s got its perks! For the fifth year in a row, Issaquah Highlands welcomes not one, but two herds of goats to trim our open spaces’ grass and devour the weeds. The goats provide a huge cost savings to the IHCA, as well as providing that “green” solution to the age-old problem of stuff growing where you don’t want it. Come out and see the goats! We will let you know details in the E-Letter about when and where they will be. And in the meantime, read all about goats throughout these pages, including getting up close with one of “our” goats in the Resident Profile. But IH excitement doesn’t end there! We have a new movie theater and it’s open NOW! With 12 screens, we thought you might like a little assistance prioritizing your viewing schedule. Connections welcomes Paul Slater as our movie reviewer, a resident with a uniquely broad and deep movie-going experience, and an entertaining way of sharing his opinions. Get to know him in this issue, and see what Tami has to say about the movies in this issue, too. With all the new development going on, you will need the latest reports. We included a new community map in the centerfold. To some, new development stirs up questions and concerns. See our interview with the City’s Dan Ervin about how all the new traffic is supposed to flow. There is too much in here to call it ALL out for you! But we would like you to enjoy all of the great stories inside. Thus the new cover! We hope this new look encourages you to keep Connections on the coffee table all the month long so that you have time to enjoy every bit of it, and to refer to it until the next issue comes out. Who could resist the mug of a goat? Enjoy! Yours Truly, Nina Milligan, Crofton Springs Editor of Connections - Highlands Council Communications Manager LOSE An Average of 3-7 LBS of Fat Per Week & KEEP IT OFF! FDA approved, physician-supervised fat loss program Eliminated a need for Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and Hormonal medication in many patients. Over 7 million clients worldwide. Successful in Europe for 30 years. Maintain Muscle Mass while Burning Fat. Increase Energy and Eliminate Cellulite. I can honestly say that I finally know how to eat healthy and not have to count points for the rest of my life and so for that I wanted to write you a quick note to say how thankful I am! This program has changed my life and makes me so happy! Thank you for offering this program at your clinic and more so for being such a helpful, motivating yet relaxed coach through this transformation - I could have never done this without you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!” -Laura S., Nurse Located right off I-90 in Issaquah Call today to schedule your appointment Individual clients have lost as much as 70 + lbs in our clinic. 425-313-9222 banichealth.com Weight Loss that Actually works! Ticket stub must be presented before payment is made. Expires 7/31/13. Highlands Council is the publisher of Connections, manager of community-wide events such as Highlands Day, owner and manager of Blakely Hall, liaison with the greater community. All J ng in y o u r i r b U LY ICKET STUB REGAL CI T N E MA & we’ll give you 20 1011 NE High St. (425) 391-6455 % any item! Issaquah www.benjerry.com/issaquah 3 4 • July 2013 Issaquah Highlands Connections HIGHLANDS COUNCIL Thank you, Highlands Council Transition Subcommittee Volunteers! Dear Highlands Council Transition Volunteers, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for volunteering your time and expertise to make the Council transition from PBC to home owner control a smooth and successful endeavor. In four short weeks, you reviewed numerous documents for accuracy and completeness as well as for compatibility with Council’s Vision and Mission Statements. Each of your reports has been presented to the Highlands Council Board of Trustees where it was very well received. Bob Bailey Tim Baynes Degale Cooper Tony Cowan Tami Curtis Theora Dalupan Paul Dean Allen Enebo Bob Gregg Erik Harada Charlie Herb Stuart Johnson Kim Kapustein Linda Liaw Jin Liu Karen Lund Ami Mehta-Desai Rob Milligan Adam Pond Alan Silverman Audrey Slade Lisa Soboslai Chantal Stevens Sam Thacker Tim Underwood Ron Vanderschaff Todd Wyatt Karen Lund, Highlands Council Transition Chair, prepares subcommittee volunteers for their tasks. From the working sessions I was privileged to sit in on, the emails with questions and requests and the weekly summary reports, I know that while this process has taken many hours of difficult and in some cases very tedious work, it has also engendered thoughtful discussions and findings that will make Council a stronger force for community building within Issaquah Highlands. It is thanks to the willingness of people like you to take time out of their already busy lives to give back to their community that makes Issaquah Highlands a community we are all proud to call home. I thank you as well as Highlands Council Board of Trustees, Highlands Council staff and PBC staff and consultants for your support, your efforts, your expertise and your dedication to everything Issaquah Highlands stands for. Karen Lund Highlands Council Transition Chairperson Under Larry Norton’s leadership as Highlands Council President, the organization has completed transition from the founder and is well positioned for a fruitful future. Pet Appreciation Month: August Though the month dubbed Pet Appreciation Month by those people who dub such things is in May, we in Issaquah Highland dub August our month to honor pets. Our refurbished Bark Park will be open again and Bark for Life will be held there on August 10, 2013, so we thought that would be a great time to showcase the pets that enrich our lives. We Love Our Pets! Email your high resolution photo of your pets, you and your pets, your kids and your pets! To: [email protected] Deadline: Monday, July 8th at Noon Dogs, cats, fish, hamsters – whatever the species, send in your photo! The American Cancer Society produces Bark For Life as a fundraising event honoring the life-long contributions of our Canine Caregivers. Bark for Life presents an opportunity for people to foster relationships with dogs, whether they are dog owners or not. All are welcome to the fun, games and education. Bark for Life’s primary purpose is to bring awareness and raise funds to fight canine cancer through the American Cancer Society. August Connections will your feature stories about pets and pet families. We invite all of you to submit your favorite “we love our pets!” photo. BLAKELY HALL ART GALLERY Blakely Hall features a new artist every month or so. Starting in July the art of Jerry Kaufman will be featured. Jerry and his wife Nancy live in Issaquah Highlands. He is an impressionistic photographer and author of Renewal at The Place of Black Tears - a photographic interpretation of Pearl Harbor. He believes that everyone should always keep something beautiful in their mind. Towards that end the theme of his work is renewal - images that evoke a sense of healing and wellbeing in the viewer - at prices accessible to all. His art is available locally at the artEAST Gallery in Issaquah, Parklane Gallery in Kirkland and Jamieson Furniture Gallery in Bellevue. Kaufman is known for his unique must-see presentation styles. The Limited Edition Photography selections for the Blakely Hall exhibit are from his Hawaii, Organic, Snoqualmie and Urban collections. All the images on display in July and August are available for purchase at special “friends and family” prices. To learn more about Jerry and his art go to www.ImagesofRenewal.com. In April, Blakely Hall upgraded to full gallery lighting so that the original art shown there would be in the best “light”. Blakely Hall is an auxiliary gallery for the artEAST gallery on Front Street in Old Town Issaquah. Gallery lighting is the first phase of upgrades funded by a grant from 4Culture awarded to and managed by Highlands Council. More upgrades are coming soon. Highlands Council owns and operates Blakely Hall. The first sale of art through the Blakely Hall ArtEAST co-curated exhibits! Happy buyers Sandy Kempe and Linda Pfeiffer stand beside artist, Dorothy Bonneau. Jerry Kaufman’s “Winter Reflection” “Building community at Issaquah Highlands” is Highlands Council’s mission. Funding Owned by Highlands Council, the hall is used for community meetings and rented by private parties for special occasions. July 2013 Mission Blakely Hall Issaquah Highlands Connections • Highlands Council is funded by Community Enhancement Fees paid on the sale of each home and by retail / commercial property owners. ACCENT INSURANCE AGENCY We are your neighborhood insurance team. In Issaquah Highlands since 1999! 1886 25th Ave NE Unit N 101 Issaquah, WA 98029 By Pure 8 Yoga 8:30a.m. - 5:30p.m. M-F or by appointment Ron Vanderschaaf Kyle Ness Billi Trask (425) 996-0770 Learn about coverage and free quotes at: Competitive Pricing. Variety of Options. www.accent4u.com “SMART PHONE OPTIMIZED SERVICE!” A UT O | HOME | L I FE | CON DO | R EN T ER S | BOAT /R V | U M BR ELL A | EAR T HQU AK E | B US INES S 5 6 • July 2013 Issaquah Highlands Connections EBC and WSB Provide 2 Million Diapers! by Renee Zimmerman, Ashland Park, Executive Director ESBC Every day in our neighborhood families struggle with providing basic necessities for their children. Yes, right here in the Highlands, families have to choose between buying shoes, formula or a car seat and paying bills. overcome barriers, support our partners and keep thousands of children dry, fed and safe. One of the biggest needs is for diapers: struggling parents with children in daycare cannot go to work or school when diapers average approximately $100 per month per diapered child and a daily supply of diapers is often required to drop children off at daycare. Diapers are not covered by any government aid program, including food stamps and Women, Infant and Children (WIC) programs. Side by Side Northwest will address the severe diaper necessities in our community by distributing 2 million diapers supplied by Huggies to children in need in King County over the next two years as one of only six recent Regional Diaper Bank Affiliate designations made across the country by the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN). Issaquah’s own Eastside Baby Corner has teamed up with WestSide Baby in Issaquah Highlands Troop 42735 Cadettes volunteering for EBC. Seattle, developing an From left to right: Alex Morrey, Hannah Sweeney, and Megana exciting new program Shivakumar. Members and residents not pictured: Kelly Hodder, Malia to help families Murphy, Emma Jordan, and Ava Bishop. The two year pilot program was created to increase support for all children in need living in King County and to increase impact for both organizations to help more children and families in the greater Seattle area. Poverty is a serious and growing problem in King County. We have families that wrap their babies in newspapers or wash cloths as diaper substitutes in order to use their scarce monetary resources to pay for other basic needs. The Side by Side program focuses on filling this gap, not only getting the diapers to these disadvantaged children, but also the very basic necessities so the parents can focus on getting back on other feet. Many thanks go out to our wonderful volunteers, including those in Issaquah Highlands, to support meeting EBC’s mission. For more information about volunteering or upcoming events, go to www.babycorner.org. (EBC will be at Highlands Day on June 29!) Bears! Do not approach the bear: Particularly if cubs are present. Give the bear plenty of room. Sightings: June 13th: Logan Park area June 14th: Behind Zeek’s June 14th: Dahlia Park June 16th: West Highlands Park June 17th: By the Community Garden June 18th: Backyard on Logan Street It’s probably just one bear, but isn’t that one too many?? Recent bear sightings in Issaquah Highlands are a wake-up call to all that we live in Bear Country and must follow best practices designed to keep us, our kids and our pets safe. Issaquah Highlands has excellent guidance and regulations intended to prevent attracting bears into our neighborhoods. See “Bear Smart Best Practices” on www.IHWebsite.com . The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has more in depth information. Here is a compilation of highlights from both those resouces: Issaquah Highlands Trash Cans Trash cans should be kept indoors other than from 6 am to 7 pm on the day of trash pickup. Only with permission from the ARC may residents leave the blue recycling and green recycling containers outside, and then they must be in accordance with guidelines outlined by ARC. Keep all food containing recyclables and kitchen scraps indoors and put out only on trash pickup day. (Those with “wildlife resistant cans” may put these cans out at anytime, ARC compliance required.) If you come in close contact with a bear: Stay calm: Avoid direct eye contact, which could elicit a charge. Try to stay upwind and identify yourself as a human by standing up, talking and waving your hands above your head. If a bear walks towards you: Identify yourself as human by standing up, waving or clapping your hands, or by yelling. Don’t throw anything: Don’t throw anything at a bear and avoid eye contact as they deem these actions as threats. If the bear attacks: FIGHT BACK AGRESSIVELY! As a last resort, should the attack continue, protect yourself by curling into a ball or lying on the ground on your stomach and playing dead. The Department of Fish and Wildlife responds to cougar and bear sightings when there is a threat to public safety or property. If it is an emergency, dial 911. If you encounter a cougar or black bear problem, and it is not an emergency, contact the nearest regional Department of Fish and Wildlife office between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. In King County, the number to call is (425)775-1311. Great information is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/bear.pdf trash CC&R: Trash cans are to be stored indoors. Outdoors only on trash pick-up day. Do's and Don'ts in Issaquah Highlands, AKA, “Bear Country” Birdfeeders: These can be put up during the period when bears are denning: from November 15 to March 15. Fruit trees, berry bushes: Remove all fruit trees from heavy-use human areas, particularly near entry ways and children's play areas. In yards, remove ripe fruit from the tree and fallen fruit from the ground immediately. Gardens: Harvest vegetables as they ripen. Pets: Feed pets indoors and store pet food indoors. Food outdoors attracts bears. Train dogs to deter bears, but not aggravate them. Dirty BBQ's: Burn BBQ clean and clean the drip pan after each use and store securely inside. If you cannot store inside, put a cover on BBQ. If you need to report a non-emergency problem when Department of Fish and Wildlife offices are closed, contact the Washington State Patrol or nearest law enforcement agency. Issaquah Highlands Connections July 2013 • 7 Job and Networking Fair 2013 by Laura Austin, YWCA Family Village June 6, 2013 was the Job and Networking Fair at the YWCA Family Village in Issaquah. With several local venders in attendance, the atmosphere was one of exciting possibilities and future expectations. Job seekers from throughout the Issaquah area were welcome to attend. Held in the YWCA’s Village Commons from 10:00am – 3:00pm, job seekers from teens to older adults met face-to-face with representatives from businesses already established and soon to open in the Issaquah Highlands area. Participating businesses were Regal Cinemas, Mod Pizza, Big Fish Grill, Safeway, Chinoise Sushi Bar and Asian Grill, Mrs. Fields and TCBY Frozen Yogurt, Bellevue College, Wells Fargo, Swedish Hospital and Bright Horizons Child Care Center. A steady stream of interested job seekers took advantage of the one-on-one attention many received from local employers. The YWCA Employment Services staff provided assistance to those ready to take pen to paper to complete paper applications; they guided numerous individuals through on-line job application processes, and helped make valuable introductions between job seekers and potential employers. The reoccurring theme noted from representatives of the businesses onsite is they recognize the Issaquah Highlands values their sense of community spirit and home town atmosphere and they are committed to keeping this alive in the business they bring to the Highlands community. To say the day was successful is an understatement for one young mother of two who recently moved to the Issaquah Highlands. Her enthusiasm and apparent desire to find a good job close to her new home paid off in the personal touch of today’s event. After impressing the staff of Mod Pizza with her outgoing and get it done attitude, she was offered the opportunity to join the Mod Pizza team immediately upon completion of construction. “I was concerned that maybe I was too loud and that I might turn prospective employers off with my laugh and personality! But because they had the time to talk with me they discovered that I am a perfect fit for their restaurant and want me to work for them!” Parris exclaims with excitement. Mod Pizza’s staff shared with me that Parris’s personality is a plus in their business as their measure of success in the pizza world is not in how many stores they can open and how quickly, but in the quality of dining experience they want to offer their patrons whenever they come into their restaurant. At Mod your pizza is freshly made right in front of you with only the finest ingredients. It’s not only a meal. It’s an experience! “Outgoing people are welcome on both sides of our counter,” the three representatives of the business agreed. The YWCA serves people of all ages, races, and genders. Assisting individuals toward becoming more employable and moving closer to their life sustaining goals is what the YWCA does to help make communities stronger. 8 • July 2013 Issaquah Highlands Connections HIGHLANDS FIBER NETWORK 1HWÀL[6XSHU+'6WUHDPLQJQRZ$YDLODEOHRQ+)1 by ISOMEDIA, HFN Service Provider HFN’s Internet provider and network operator, ISOMEDIA, has partnered with Netflix to provide Highland’s residents access to yet another best-inWashington service: Super HD video streaming! HFN’s Quantum Internet service allows better than HD video playback through the Netflix Open Connect network, a network subscribed to by only a few Internet or TV providers in the US. HFN is proud to be one of the elite in the forefront of technology, as well as the only Netflix Super HD provider in the Highlands area! HFN subscribers who use Netflix can now have incredibly clear, smooth, 1080p picture quality and 3D video streaming options across the Netflix catalog of video titles. Super HD is the highest quality video format offered by Netflix. Compatible equipment is required to facilitate the streaming. With HFN Internet service, an active Netflix streaming account and a compatible device, you can have the excellent picture quality that the best viewing screens are capable of. A complete list of supported devices is available at http://hfnet.us/netflix. The list includes Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii U, TiVo Premier DVR and many Blu-Ray Players, Smart TVs, Home Theaters and Streaming Players with existing Netflix 1080p support. You can find Super HD titles by looking for the Super HD logo on the movie description page when viewed on your device. The Highlands Fiber Network managers are continually looking for new opportunities to enhance your Internet service. This fantastic entertainment option is only available to you through HFN. Providers that have limited bandwidth to offer their customers or that have not connected to the Netflix Open Connect network, such as Comcast/Xfinity, Wave, CenturyLink, and other Internet providers in your area, cannot offer the superior viewing quality of Netflix Super HD. The fastest speeds available with no bandwidth caps or speed throttling make it possible for HFN to offer the Netflix Super HD only to Highlands residents. Take advantage of this exciting entertainment opportunity offered by HFN and Netflix today at no additional cost! Issaquah Highlands residents continue to have the fastest Internet speeds available anywhere - with a service that is unparalleled for its speed, reliability, price and now, the best entertainment streaming over the Internet! MOVIE REVIEW: PAUL SLATER INTRODUCTION Along With a New Theater, Movie Reviews Come to Connections! by Paul Slater, Crofton Springs The cinema has always been a magical place for me. I grew up just outside of Oxford in England and I remember distinctly the first film I saw as a six year old – Pete’s Dragon. It’s not exactly a classic, and even then the effects were not that special (If you haven’t seen it, think Bedknobs and Broomsticks with a lower budget). But while the film may have left me slightly cold, the experience most certainly did not. The screen was so big! The curtain was thick and rich and velvety! The intermission brought usherettes with short skirts and ice cream! And the projector! I would look up into the back of the theatre, and see a wonderful bright bold light pierce through the darkness, with smoke from a hundred cigarettes seemingly toying with the beam. Movie theatres have changed a lot since then. Many of my favorite theatres have sadly closed, but despite the advent of home entertainment systems, of flat screen televisions, and even with 3D TV entering the living room, a new generation of movie theaters serves as a destination of choice for children, young adults, couples and retirees. A new cinematic release still represents an event, and entering a darkened auditorium to share an experience with strangers continues to be something many of us love to do. Fortunately, with the opening of the new Regal Entertainment Group movie theater here in the highlands this summer, seeing a great (or bad) movie the way it is meant to be seen will be easier than ever. Our movie theatre will have 12 screens, including an IMAX auditorium and another premium auditorium that Regal refer to as RPX. As with most new theatres these days, both projection and sound will be 100% digital. The seating is of particular note – we should expect ultra-wide rocker style leather seating. You might need the ultra-wide seating if you eat there too much – as well as the traditional popcorn, hot dogs and candy, expect pizza, cheeseburgers, fries, onion rings and wings. Given the demographics of the Issaquah Highlands, the Regal will need to cater for children, and it’s doing so with two party rooms for birthday celebrations, as well as a video game room in the lobby. Hopefully we will be able to drag our children away from the games to see an actual movie. At the time of writing the movie theatre was yet to open, so the above description comes courtesy of the incoming general manager, Daniel Alleman. Daniel has been with Regal since 2002, and in that time has managed 10 different theaters. He comes to the highlands after managing the Meridian 16 in downtown Seattle. I could tell you lots about Daniel (even the name of his dog) but probably the most important fact for any movie lover to know is his favorite movie. It’s a tricky one this – as he says “every genre brings a different experience”, but his final pick is “The Shawshank Redemption”. Over 970,000 people on imdb.com would agree with him, so it’s not a recommendation to be sniffed at. I chatted with Daniel about trends he is seeing in the movie industry; while 3D continues to be popular (and in his experience still on the rise). Daniel believes that the public will increasingly look to see films in the premium auditoriums. He tells me that “Seeing a movie in our IMAX or RPX auditoriums amplifies everything and really pulls you in. It makes for a truly amazing experience!” I’m not sure anything will match my experience back in 1977, when I was almost too small to see over the people in front of me, and nearly fell through the back of the seat. But it will be magical for a new generation of movie-goers who have a lifetime ahead of seeing good films, bad films, and occasionally, just occasionally, truly great films. I’ll be reviewing many of those films in the coming months, and I look forward to joining you as we gaze in wonder at our very own big screen soon. Regal Issaquah Highlands Stadium 12 IMAX & RPX Grand Opening is July 2nd, 7pm. Details on page 14. Issaquah Highlands Connections July 2013 • 9 VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: LINDA LIAW Linda Liaw Volunteer of the Month – July 2013 Back in 2005, my husband, Lee, and I started talking about downsizing. We had lived on Cougar Mountain in a development called Veumont Meadows in a large 4 bedroom house since 1990 and raised two wonderful boys. We wanted to stay in the Issaquah area and heard about a new community called Issaquah Highlands. We were intrigued by the philosophy of walking to shops, parks, and trails, basically “leave your car at home.” We set out one weekend and immediately fell in love with the area. It did not take long to find a house that was just our size in the Phase I community of “The Cottages.” I wanted to get involved with our neighborhood homeowners association because I felt a real attachment to the community. I attended an association meeting, volunteered that night, and became a board member as recording secretary. My term lasted four years serving two years as president. It was a real learning experience and it allowed me to meet many of my neighbors. After retiring from the Cottages board, I became involved with the Finance Committee for IHCA. I was only on that committee for a year as other commitments prevented me from giving my full attention. Not long after that I was asked to be a member of the Finance Committee for the IHCA transition. It was a very exciting time for IHCA and I felt extremely honored to be a part of the transition. Last year I was asked to again to become a member of the IHCA Finance Committee and gladly accepted. I wanted to be a part of such a great community and have the opportunity to do it. Just recently, I served on the Finance team for the Highlands Council transition. As I look back, I realize that by serving on the Cottages Board and several finance committees, I have met a number of really great people who share a common theme – we are Issaquah Highlands and we take great pride in making this a family friendly area and well-planned community. I am so honored to be chosen as volunteer of the month although I don’t think of myself as volunteer of the month material. I would encourage everyone to take some time to volunteer. I never thought eight years ago, volunteering as a board member, would provide me with great friends and a community that I love. CLUB PROFILE: RUSSIAN HIGHLANDERS By founder Yana Alentyeva, Vista Park We established the Russian Highlanders Club in May 2013 for the purpose to meet with people in the Russian-speaking community in Issaquah Highlands. The Facebook page was created about a year ago and now we have almost 60 families joined the group! We meet once a month, usually on the second Sundays at 4pm and often at Blakely Hall. We spend time getting acquainted with one another and discussing topics of interest, such as kids play dates, movies night out, cooking and entertaining topics, etc. We enjoy socializing with other Russian-speakers in our community for friendship and to share our similar goals and interest in a casual atmosphere. Russian Highlanders Club shares interesting events and places to go with friends and family, to meet and celebrate special events and holidays and extend our social life. The group is very liberal; everyone can participate in activities which are interesting to them, organize their own or just read how other people are having fun. Everyone living in Issaquah Highlands, or looking to live in the highlands, who appreciate the Russian language and culture are welcome! Bring all your family, husband/wife, kids and parents for a fun, laid-back atmosphere and make new friends. The group is as entertaining, educational and eventful as we make it, so if you have any ideas or events in mind let’s do it! Visit our Facebook page for more details: http://www.facebook.com/groups/rusisshigh/ Russian Blini These filled Russian are traditionally served during Russia’s Pancake Week (Maslenitsa) celebration before Easter Lent begins, but they are good any time! Traditionally they’re filled with caviar or smoked salmon and sour cream; or for sweet filling serve it with jam, fruits or berries and honey. Original recipe makes about 20 blini: 2 eggs 1 tablespoon white sugar 1/3 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 2 1/2 cups milk (I prefer mix of milk and buttermilk) 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (to lightly oil the pan) 1 tablespoon butter Directions: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and salt. Sift the flour into the bowl, and stir in along with the milk or mixture of milk and buttermilk. Mix until smooth and well blended. The batter should be thin. Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat. Lightly oil the pan or spray with cooking spray. Pour about 2 tablespoons of the batter, or as much as desired, into the pan. Tilt the pan to spread the batter out evenly. When the edges are crisp looking and the center appears dry, slide a spatula carefully under the blin. Flip, and cook for about 1 minute on the other side, or until lightly browned. Remove blini to a plate. Put a little butter on top, and continue to stack the blini on top of each other. To serve, spread with desired filling, then fold in half, and in half again to form a triangle. Mmm Mmm! Really royal breakfast! 10 • July 2013 Issaquah Highlands Connections ASK KARI Dear Kari, My son’s friend, who is seven, comes over almost everyday to play at our home. My son enjoys his company and they get along great, but his parents never come looking for him at dinnertime or call to tell him to come home. He has eaten at our home more nights than I can count. What should I do to get his parents to come pick him up? - Free Childcare out on being part of your sister’s life, all parts of her life. Invite her and her partner over. You might just find that you all have much in common as couples in committed relationships. The bonus is that your children see you accepting and loving someone who is not exactly like you, making all your lives richer. -K Dear Free Childcare, It sounds like you like your son’s young friend; you just don’t like the behavior of his parents. Taking into account that your son and he play very nicely together and have a good play relationship, I would either call or speak to his parents in person and confirm a pick up time prior to him coming over. Or if the child stops by on his own, call his parents at the beginning of the play date and confirm when they will be coming over to pick him up that day, gently reminding them that you like their son but have a full schedule in your home that you need to keep. -K Dear Kari, I was at a neighborhood cocktail party and my friend’s husband put his arms around me, grabbed my backside and tried to kiss me. I moved his hands off me and pushed him away, and then I left the room. I realized as I walked away that his wife saw the whole thing. Our kids play together, and now I feel uncomfortable around them. I don’t know if I should say anything to help move things forward or let it go. What do you think I should do? - Too Close For Comfort Dear Kari, My sister is gay and has a partner that she lives with. I love her, she’s my sister, but I don’t condone her lifestyle and I do not want to include her partner in events with my family. There is nothing wrong with her partner; I just don’t want my children to see that type of lifestyle. Now my sister won’t talk to me until I start inviting both she and her partner to activities with my family. She is the only sibling I have; my wife thinks I should give in to my sister’s demands for the sake of family harmony. What do you think? - Pressured By Family Dear Pressured By Family, I understand you have strong feelings about your sister’s relationship with a female partner. But love is love. The love you have for your sister is pure human love, as is the love that your sister has for her partner. It is hard enough to find someone who connects with us, loves us, and carries our heart carefully. Sexual orientation of that person is only part of what draws us to someone. Being gay is simply who one is, just like being right or left-handed. Our societal norms embed heterosexuality into us from birth. To go against that path is typically only done after coming to the conclusion that one does not fit into those societal norms. Don’t miss Dear Too Close For Comfort, I recommend that you let it go. Consider it a mistake that your friend’s husband made due to him either drinking too much alcohol that day or his misguided ideas about your interest in him. Either way, since you are neighbors and will see each other on a regular basis, one poor choice of action should be ignored. But, if it happens again, I would confront him about his actions and state that his inappropriate behavior will not being tolerated by you. -K Kari O’Neill, MSW, LICSW, is a licensed independent clinical social worker and the owner of Issaquah Highlands Counseling Group and a resident of Issaquah Highlands. All email user personal information will remain confidential and not be published. Kari is open to all topics: relationships, family dynamics, parenting, love, grief and loss, chronic health issues, career issues, life transitions, and community referrals. 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.We look forward to hearing from you. Please email Kari questions at [email protected]. ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Down the Road in Chicago by Molly and Marty Fisher, Ashland Park That old razzle dazzle is alive and well on Front Street. True to the tantalizing lyrics from Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, the Village Theatre’s ambitious production of “Chicago” delivers a double dose of razzle dazzle and hocus pocus, packed along with everything else that makes musical theatre great: a back story that’s ripped from the headlines, a swinging soundtrack that features one show-stopping song after another, the best dancing you’ll ever see in a musical, and a string of one-liners that keeps the night zipping along. And while the show is based on justice that wasn’t delivered, Village Theatre Director Steve Tomkins and his very talented cast of actors, singers, dancers, and musicians do bring justice to the Chicago franchise that’s earned six Tony Awards®, two Olivier Awards®, a Grammy, and tens of thousands of standing ovations over the years. Fosse, who also choreographed and directed the original Broadway production, has to be smiling down on Issaquah. Think of it as TV’s Law and Order coming to life in song and dance. Set in Prohibition-era Chicago, the musical is based on a 1926 play of the same name by crime reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins. Nightclub star Velma Kelly is serving time for killing her husband and sister for finding the two together in bed. Chorus girl Roxie Hart has been tossed in the clink for bumping off her extramarital lover when she discovers that he wasn’t going to make her a star. The plot takes Velma and Roxie on a one-up competition for reality-show style fame they hope will keep them away from the hangman’s noose. Prison matron Mama Morton and headline-hungry lawyer Billy Flynn, who conjures up visions of the O.J. Simpson trial, turn the plot into a Murder-of-the-Week media frenzy. With celebrity trials becoming everyday news for us, Chicago is as relevant as it is juicy. We just can’t seem to get enough of reality shows – even when they are fiction. Tomkins, Village Theatre’s artistic director for the past 19 years, directs a versatile, athletic cast led by Desiree Davar as the alpha jailbird Velma Kelly and Taryn Darr as the upstart “merry murderess” Roxie Hart. Both bring strong comic chops, great moves, and solid vocals as these anti-heroines who wind up competing for attention on the front pages of newspapers in the crime-fixated Chicago of the Roaring Twenties. Davar leads the company in a rousing opening number with the signature song “All That Jazz”, immediately kicking the action into high gear and ultimately delivering a terrific performance that at times alternates between channeling Gwen Verdon (Fosse’s wife, who played the original Velma on Broadway) and Madonna. Darr is a terrific counterpoint to Davar’s Velma, taking notes on Velma’s jailhouse stardom and stealing the spotlight – in both the plot and in this production – as a media sensation in her own right. From doe-eyed innocence to plotting murderer, Darr makes good on Roxie’s quest to be a celebrity. While women clearly provide the pop in this production, it’s Timothy McCuen Piggee who pulls all the strings in the role of Billy Flynn. Piggee’s strong voice, deft timing, and fun, onstage striptease endears him to the audience even as he lies and cheats in spectacularly sleezy fashion. Love him or hate him, you still have to love him. In the 1960’s, Verdon read the play and asked Fosse, her husband, about the possibility of creating a musical adaptation. By that time, playwright Watkins had become a born-again Christian and believed her play glamorized a scandalous way of living. Fosse approached her a number of times to buy the rights, but she declined repeatedly. Finally, on her death in 1969, Watkins’ estate sold the rights to producer Richard Fryer, Verdon, and Fosse. Ebb (lyrics) and John Kander (music) immediately went to work modeling the musical score on traditional vaudeville numbers or performers. With a show that dives headfirst into a cell full of dirty deeds, Village Theatre delivers one heck of a good time. The bottom line? See it before it’s too late – the Village Theatre’s version of Chicago is a lot more bulletproof than the hapless husbands who get dusted by the show’s guntoting, vengeful vixens. The lyrics to the song “All That Jazz” that opens the show say it all: Come on, babe Why don’t we paint the town? And all that jazz Chicago plays at Village Theatre, located at 303 Front Street N, through Saturday, June 29 and at their Everett stage July 5 - 28, 2013. Issaquah Highlands Connections July 2013 • 11 WIT & TIDBITS Lights, Camera, Action! by Tami Curtis, Two-Slides Neighborhood, or Summit Park The Curtis household is eagerly anticipating the day when we can say, “Lights, Camera, Action!” on the new Regal Cinema due to open July 29th. Every day we see construction progress as we head down Park Drive. I find myself exceedingly forgiving and flexible of the lane and sidewalk closures surrounding the site. “Hey, I don’t mind that you are blocking two lanes of traffic. Take your sweet time backing in that forklift. I’m a patron of the ARTS, yo!” I’m not sure I’m as philanthropic around the gas station construction. The day the neon marquis was mounted, Highlanders cheered on our community Facebook pages. “They’re getting serious now!” we exclaimed. Every time I pull up the Fandango movie search it displays “Regal Issaquah Highlands Stadium 12 IMAX & RPX” as the closest theater to me. I have access to all those high-tech letters only 1.1 miles away! I don’t quite know what RPX means but it’s got to be one louder than IMAX, right? When our Highlands E-Letter circulated the “Now Hiring” invitation to the Regal Cinema job fair I nearly threw my boys in as candidates. So what if they’re only 11 and 13 years old! Their grandfather was supplying ice boxes with giant blocks of ice at that age...and I’m sure riding his horse as transportation...while simultaneously plowing a field and milking a cow. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but I was really excited for the employment opportunities available for my kids just a mile away...when they are legally permitted to work. We got into quite the family discussion about the breadth of services offered at the new theater. Each family member is pining for something different from the behemoth multiplex. Jack wants to view his Action/Adventure movies on the sprawling IMAX floor-to-ceiling screens. Ryan wants the film venue to offer a full taco bar with all the toppings -- cheese, tomato, lettuce, salsa. Olé! Glenn wants a taste of the luxury theaters that have popped up recently where patrons are served cocktails and restaurant food while they recline in plush lounge chairs. There is a rumor that the old Regal Cinema in Pickering will be remodeled into this type of opulent bijou theater...oh, I meant theatre. I am in it for the convenience factor; secretly relieved that I and my 400 other mom-friends don’t have to go far to see the midnight debut of the next Twilight series. I guess I just let the cat out of the bag that opening night of the famous teenager vampire/werewolf movies drew dominant throngs of 40-something-yearold women. The Pickering location will surely miss our competitively shrill ovations of Jacob and Edward. With twelve theaters and several party rooms at our disposal at the new location, all of the Curtises will be pleased with the motion picture mammoth rising across the street from Caffe Ladro. I also suspect that while movie attendance is dropping nationally, our local movie-goer numbers will spike. It’s new, it’s close to our ever-growing community, and very few people can resist the enchanting fragrance called eau de movie theater popcorn. Even though ticket prices will never be affordable, and most of us have alternative access to movies at home or on our mobile devices, there is something to be said for seeing an opening week film under full sensory stimulation conditions, unequaled in availability and technology at most homes. That cinderblock giant on Park Drive will roar with out-of-this-world audio quality, make our eyeballs stretch in amazement, rumble our seats, and offer us intoxicating smells and tastes. Hopefully in a few years I can justify going to the movies more frequently if I know my children are gainfully employed there. Not that it works out as money in my pocket, but I’ll do some backflips of rationalization to ease my guilt. And I’ll see YOU at the movies! Tami, husband and two boys live in the “Two Slides” neighborhood, otherwise known as Summit Park. She founded the Firehouse Fiddlers, a musical club here in the Highlands. Tami is a seasoned journalist most recently serving as a Sammamish-Issaquah correspondent for KOMO News Communities. Tami volunteered as the Communications Director for the Pacific Cascade Middle School PTSA and earned their 2012 PCMS Golden Acorn Award. Find more of her musings by searching “Tami Curtis Wordpress”. 12 • July 2013 LIVING GREEN Practice Zero Waste Away from Home by Martin Su, CleanScapes Summer is here and it’s time head outdoors and enjoy those long awaited picnics, camping trips, gatherings and travel. Every occasion produces an opportunity for us to practice Zero Waste. Before we head out this summer, let’s consider how we can plan ahead and reduce waste so we don’t contribute to the national garbage challenge. We as individuals can make some simplem thoughtful changes in the way we enjoy the outdoors this summer and make zero waste a reality for the better health of our community and the planet. In the Northwest we enjoy hiking and camping; its’ a great way to spend time with friends and family and teach kids to respect nature. Camping provides a change of pace, an opportunity to experience life with less. If done right, we can achieve zero waste with these few easy tips. • Buy items like trail mix, oatmeal, nuts and beef jerky in bulk and store them in cloth bags. • Pack it in, pack it out. Put left over food scraps and food soiled paper in a biodegradable bag and take it to the nearest compost bin instead of putting it in the trash where it can attract animals. • For cleaning, all you need is a bar of Castile soap to clean dishes, body, hair, a rag to wipe, and a towel to dry dishes. According to Bea Johnson, author of Zero Waste Home, “You can wash greasy/oily dishes with ashes (the combination of ash and oil creates a primitive soap) and scrub using sand or dirt.”) • If you find yourself with a broken tent pole, don’t throw away your tent. Poles can be repaired via TentPole Technologies (visit TentPole Technologies.com for shipping instructions). • Keep those pesky mosquitos away by spraying vinegar or rubbing lavender flowers onto your skin. • Make your own fire starter by putting dryer lint or sawdust into the cups of an empty egg carton and topping them with melted beeswax or left over candles. “The U.S. airline industry discards enough aluminum cans each year WREXLOG¿IW\HLJKW%RHLQJ airplanes…and enough newspapers DQGPDJD]LQHVWR¿OODIRRWEDOO¿HOG to a depth of more than 230 feet.” With the excitement of a vacation ventures, conservation is often put aside especially once we enter the airport. We accept disposability as a fact of traveling. Think about how many disposable water bottles we consume between the front door of the airport and arriving at our destination. Then there are all the plastic cups, napkins and food packaging waste created during the flight. According to a report by the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC), “The U.S. airline industry discards enough aluminum cans each year to build fifty-eight Boeing 747 airplanes…and enough newspapers and magazines to fill a football field to a depth of more than 230 feet.” Here is what to pack for a zero waste flight: • • • • • • • A reusable stainless-steel insulated canteen (great for hot and cold drinks) Your phone’s earphones A wrap or jacket to use a blanket or a pillow Dry snack in a cloth bag Reading material Your picnic bamboo flatware wrapped in a cloth napkin A meal in a stainless steel container (or a sandwich in a cloth napkin) The many outdoor events happening in Issaquah can be enjoyed in zero waste fashion. The “Concerts on the Green” are local events that start in July every Tuesday evening at the Issaquah Community Center. The Community Center will also be host to a number of outdoor films, shows, and other events for the community to enjoy. Here are some tips to pack a zero waste picnic: • Bring re-usable containers, plates, flatware, cups and napkins. If you need to pack one time single- use products, choose compostable plates, bowls, straws and flatware. • Remember that food-soiled paper plates and napkins can go in your compost bin. Most plastic flatware and straws are garbage unless you purchase compostable products. If you use straws regularly, consider purchasing stainless steel straws that last indefinitely. If you plan ahead and have re-usable items available to grab and go, it’s easy to reduce waste. This summer, let’s all make an effort to create zero waste and preserve the beauty around us. Note: some ideas listed above are from the book “Zero Waste Home” by Bea Johnson. Issaquah Highlands Connections Issaquah Highlands Connections July 2013 • 13 SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER! IH Musicians Rake in Awards by Tami Curtis, Summit Park June started off with a musical bang as Pacific Cascade Middle School drove three buses of performers to the annual “Music in the Parks” festival competition at Silverwood, ID. The Issaquah Highlands was heavily represented within the elite Choir, Concert Band, Jazz Band and Orchestra divisions, and they didn’t leave the contest empty-handed. Led by instructors Joellen Santos, Terry Shade and Jeff Miller, our middle school musicians struck a chord with the judges and took home trophies in all categories. Concert Band – 2nd Place in Middle School Division String Orchestra – 2nd Place in Middle School Division Choir – 1st Place in Middle School Division Jazz Band – 1st Place in Middle School Division Best Overall – Choir in Middle School or Jr. High Division (with a perfect score!) Best Overall – Jazz Band in Middle School or Jr. High Division Outstanding Individual Choir Accompanist awards were presented to locals Astor Tellman and Rachel Panah. The PCMS participants were presented with the most auspicious award of all: the Espirit de Corps Award. By definition, this award is presented to students from a school who demonstrate proper social behavior as well as musical behavior on stage and encouragement to others, from the moment they enter the competition venue to departing. They possess the qualities of highly successful people who are sensitive to the feelings of others and applaud accomplishments no matter if by one’s own school or another school. Prepare to meet every challenge: taking kids on plane trips by Lindsey Pinkston, Wisteria Park Summer’s here! If you’re planning air travel with kids, here are a few of my favorite travel tips, compiled from my village of parenting friends: • Comfort items are worth every bit of space they take in your carry-on. A favorite stuffed animal and/or blanket can help sooth an agitated child (or even better, help them get to sleep so you can rest on the flight!) • For layovers, give each child $5 or so to spend at the gift shop. They can buy snacks, magazines, small toys or whatever they choose to take on your next flight. The shopping trip is entertaining, wastes time, and gives children some control during a day when otherwise they don’t get a lot of choices. • Avoid frustration by simply planning to spend lots of time entertaining your kids during the flight. You may not get to that book you saved just for vacation. If you do get to read, it’ll be a bonus! • Travel games are great if your kids are old enough. Trouble, Blokus and Yahtzee are some favorites. Melissa & Doug also makes a line of light, easy to pack travel games. • Books that are new to your kids are great – if your kids are old enough, grab a couple chapter books and plan to read. For younger kids, grab some skinny paperback picture books from the library to read together. “Richard Scarry’s A Day at the Airport” is our favorite – there are so many themed pictures for the kids to look at (and less reading for you!) • Pack a complete extra outfits for everyone. Accidents and spills happen, and kids will be far more comfortable in dry clothes. In addition to an extra outfit, I always throw pajamas for the kids in our carry-on… you never know when you might need them! • Bring a small first aid kit in your carry-on with band aids, Neosporin, and whatever else comforts your kids when they get hurt. You don’t want to have to buy a band aid in the gift shop for that paper cut! Do you have a favorite travel tip to share? Please share it with us on one of the Issaquah Highlands Facebook pages. Happy contrails! www.facebook.com/Highland.Council | /IssaquahHighlands | /IssaquahHighlandsMoms It is music to my ears that over a third of these top-notch participants reside in the Issaquah Highlands! Here are your triumphant neighbors: BAND: Ally Altimore, Jeremy Baxter, Henry Fernstrom, Alex Fullerton, Eric Furukawa, Abby Heyrich, Karen Juhn, Kaavya Kumar, Julie Kwon, Amanda O’Brien, Ellis Saper, Jake Shin ORCHESTRA: Razan Ali, Tony An, Nerea Arrazola, Jonnie Barnett, Annabel Bradley, Margaret Brown, Jaylen Carr, Ben Davis, Ariel Hablewitz, Freyana Kapadia, Maria Kieswetter, Jason Koo, Caleb Lee, Deon Lillo, Ameya Mellacheruvu, Jedai Morrison, Madison Perkins, Cameron Ray, Pranav Sarda, Nova Shtrikman, Dil Thiagarajan, Cameron Wu, Melanie Yu CHOIR: Gwyneth Allen, Leisel Allen, Taylor Crow, Carolyn Dean, Sam Foster, Jacob Jorgensen, Madelyn Kurpgeweit, Rachel LeMire, Caroline O’Neill, Rachel Panah, Astor Tellman, Mikhaila Villani Oh - I wish I could sing to my children! by Grania Buckley, Director of Tiger Mountain Music Together, held at Blakely Hall Have you ever found yourself wishing that you were able to sing to your children? Have you ever wanted to get them started on a lifetime of enjoyment of singing and playing music? In an era where time together is so precious and our children have so many options for entertainment, you may think this an impossible goal. Free Concerts for the Kiddos Downtown Issaquah – Concerts on the Green http://www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=247 Kirkland Summer Concerts http://www.kirklandsummerconcerts.org Sammamish Concerts in the Park http://sammamish.us/events/ConcertsInThePark.aspx Seattle Symphony Orchestra http://www.seattlesymphony.org In a world of childcare, TV, electronic games of all kinds and other distractions – where can you start? This may surprise you – but all children are musical! Have you ever wondered how a child learns to sing? Have you ever marveled when your toddler sings the catchy phrase from a song they heard on TV or at the gym? In the USA nearly half of the children entering Kindergarten do not know the difference between singing and speaking. But kids are spending less time listening to music and even less time actively participating in musical activities. Extensive research has shown that ‘music learning supports all learning’, and there is a proven link between music and language development in particular. The summer break is a great time to immerse your children in music and to start creating a more musical environment – at home, in the car and even at the park! You might think that your child needs to listen to “kids’ music” but this is not true. The most important thing is to expose your children to a wide range of musical styles. Just like exposure to a wide range of foods. Some are too bland, some are too spicy – but the majority is tasty and nutritious. If you encourage your children to listen to lots of different styles of music, their musical tastes will develop and grow and you will even find trips in the car much more fun! Children love live music too – the Issaquah Highlands is just a few minutes away from hundreds of free concerts and other musical events during the summer months. Start by playing some of the music you like and see what they think. Put on a CD and give them some “instruments” to play along with. Try some wooden spoons – or a drum made from a box. Play lots of different types of music and see if they have a favorite style. Use Pandora and create different radio stations for them. Ask the other grown-ups in your children’s lives to share their favorite music with your kiddos. It is always fascinating to see what styles of music they react strongly to. You can sign to your children! Don’t be put off because you think you can’t sing. It really doesn’t matter! The important part is that you are introducing your child to music – and opening their eyes and ears to a new world. 14 • July 2013 Issaquah Highlands Connections GRAND RIDGE PLAZA UPDATE Construction underway at all Grand Ridge Plaza buildings by Port Blakely Communities, Issaquah Highlands Master Developer Summer is here and the anticipation for the opening of new merchants at Grand Ridge Plaza continues to grow. This issue’s map details the merchants coming to Issaquah Highlands this year, including several newcomers. As Connections went to press, only six retail locations remained available for lease, including a handful of smaller, boutique-type spaces. Construction is now underway at all planned buildings. Regal Cinemas is expected to open in time for residents to enjoy summer blockbusters, and several restaurants will follow with openings in September and October. Safeway is on track for a September opening, with the fuel station opening at the same time. The majority of merchants are expected to open in time for the busy holiday shopping season. Watch for grand opening news to follow in upcoming issues of Connections. Grand Opening Celebration for Issaquah Highlands Regal Stadium 12! Tuesday, July 2 at 7 p.m. Free popcorn and soft drinks with each paid admission July 2 through July 11! PinkaBella Cupcakes, Bai Tong Thai Restaurant among new merchants Sunday June 30 benefits the charity Newspapers in Education, featuring book-related films Monday, July 1 benefits ArtsFund of Seattle with a superhero-inspired day at the movies. The authentic flavors of Thai cuisine will soon be a feature of Grand Ridge Plaza’s restaurant offerings when Seattle favorite Bai Tong Thai Restaurant opens at Issaquah Highlands. Founded in 1989 by former Thai Airways flight attendant Chanpen Lapangkura, the original Seatac location was a hot spot for airline crewmembers who craved a taste of home. Today, Bai Tong Thai has locations in Redmond and Tukwila that feature an upscale, modern setting and receive rave review for traditional dishes. Learn more about Bai Tong – which means banana leaf – at baitongrestaurant.com. Long-time Issaquah Highlands merchant Sorella Salon & Spa is expanding to a new location at Grand Ridge Plaza. The salon will move into a larger, 4,398-square-foot space on Park Drive later this year. Sorella was among the very first merchants in Issaquah Highlands when the salon opened its doors in 2005. Founded by the Reasy family, Sorella also operates two other Eastside locations in Redmond and Kirkland. Learn more at sorellasalon.com. . Aji Sushi & Grill now open on Park Drive The most recent newcomer to Issaquah Highlands is Aji Sushi & Grill, which opened in May. Located on Park Drive, Aji Sushi & Grill moved into the former ricenroll space. The restaurant features both traditional Japanese dishes such as teriyaki and katsu, plus sushi. A number of classic Korean dishes are also featured on the menu alongside their homemade kimchee. See the full menu at ajisushiissaquah.com. Did you know that Port Blakely Communities installed the Eastside’s first green roof, 2,000 feet large, on the building Sorella occupies? Green roofs retain precipitation, reduce run-off, provide habitat and many other environmentally positive impacts. Lone Ranger Saturday June 29 benefits the Issaquah Food Bank with recent Hollywood hits along with selected food-themed films Cupcakes June 29th - July 1st $2 movies benefiting the community Much-loved cupcake bakery PinkaBella Cupcakes is coming to Grand Ridge Plaza. Founded in 2009 by Kirkland resident Margo Engberg, the popular bakery has four locations: Redmond Town Center, Alderwood Mall, Bellevue Square and Southcenter. Engberg develops each recipe personally. Fan favorites include Red Velvet, Pumpkin Spice and Salted Caramel. In addition to cupcakes, PinkaBella offers specialty cakes for private events such as weddings. The new Issaquah Highlands bakery will be located on Park Drive – close to Regal Cinemas and next door to Chinoise Café. It will also feature a party room. Check out the array of cupcakes at pinkabellacupcakes.com. Green Roof Visit regmovies.com and click on ‘Grand Openings’ to learn more One of the Grand Opening films to be shown at Regal Issaquah Highlands. Starring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer. The first cupcakes can be traced back to the 1700s. Cupcakes were derived from individually made pound cakes called Queen Cakes. Issaquah Highlands Connections July 2013 • 15 NEWS FROM PORT BLAKELY Highlands Council Now Led by Community Stakeholders by Port Blakely Communities, Issaquah Highlands Master Developer For Port Blakely Communities, June marked a key milestone in the history of Issaquah Highlands. Port Blakely completed the process of transferring leadership of the Highlands Council Board of Trustees to community stakeholders. The transfer, which began several months ago, involved significant collaboration with Highlands Council staff and Trustees, as well as volunteers from community stakeholder groups. As part of the successful transfer, Port Blakely has transitioned its seats on the Board of Trustees to community Chris Hysom stakeholders. Today, the Board Senior Director of Legal and Civic Affairs of Trustees is of Port Blakely Communities and Trustee comprised solely on the Highlands Council board 2006of representatives 2013, Chris is also a resident of Issaquah from stakeholder Highlands. Though Chris’ work as a key groups: the member of the team “transitions” people and him out his professional role in the businesses that community, he and his family own residential remain as stakeholders like and commercial other homeowners in property in Issaquah Highlands. Issaquah Highlands. Five Residential Projects to Break Ground in Summer/Fall by Port Blakely Communities, Issaquah Highlands Master Developer Construction at Issaquah Highlands’ final residential projects is ramping up. By the end of the year, five major projects are expected to be underway, representing the final phase of residential growth in the community. These new homes will come on the market at a time when several neighborhoods near completion, including West Highland Park, Forest Ridge, Sunset Walk, Discovery Heights and Roanoke Woods. Project managers estimate that the majority of residential construction will be complete by 2015. At the site of the new neighborhood by Steve Burnstead Construction, crews are currently installing roads and utilities in preparation for construction to begin on 80 single-family homes this fall. The neighborhood, which overlooks Discovery Heights, has long been a vision for the company. Ichijo USA is on-track to break ground on its High Street townhome project this summer. Featuring 12 units, the townhomes could be complete by the New Year. Ichijo is also readying to break ground on its custom-home neighborhood in late summer. Located south of Forest Ridge, the neighborhood will feature 36 custom-built homes. Ichijo plans to begin installation of roads and utilities in August. Polygon Northwest, the developer of Forest Ridge, has also entered the planning phase for two new home neighborhoods in Issaquah Highlands. Polygon’s newest project is known as The Brownstones and is currently in the approval process. It will feature between 170 and 180 condominium townhomes built on 8.48-acres south of Grand Ridge Plaza and north of Discovery Heights. The three- to four-bedroom townhomes will range in size from 1,467 to 2,244-square-feet and will feature attached garages. Close to 25 percent of the townhomes could also feature a live/work space on the lower level. Polygon’s multi-year construction timeline aims to complete the neighborhood within three years. Groundwork is expected to begin in late summer or early fall. Polygon started groundwork on its second new project earlier this year. Featuring 38 townhomes, the neighborhood is located across from the Habitat for Humanity neighborhood and 25th Avenue NE on a 3.54-acre site. Installation of utilities is already underway with construction expected to begin later this year. 6ZHGLVKH[SORUHV Issaquah Highlands H[SDQVLRQ Earlier this year, Swedish/ Providence signed a purchase and sale agreement with Port Blakely Communities to acquire additional 10.4-acres to expand its Issaquah Highlands healthcare campus and hospital. The land is located to the north of the existing hospital building. Currently, Swedish is working with the City of Issaquah on defining a development agreement for the proposed expansion. Swedish opened its 550,000-square-foot campus in July 2011. Recently, hospital officials reported that the hospital’s growth activity is greater than anticipated. This milestone brings Port Blakely full circle with the vision to build a strong sense of community at Issaquah Highlands. Ten years ago, Port Blakely founded Highlands Council as a nonprofit organization to enhance the quality of life in Issaquah Highlands through volunteerism and civic engagement. Detailed in the governing documents of Highlands Council was the intent that Port Blakely would gradually step away from its role in leading Highlands Council, progressively transferring leadership to community stakeholders. With Highlands Council well established and a strong volunteer base already in-place, the timing was ideal to complete the transfer. Thanks to the participation of the new Highlands Council Board of Trustees and many active volunteers, this step is now complete. To learn more about the transfer, see the Highlands Council section of this Connections or visit the News & Events section at ihwebsite.com. René Ancinas, President and CEO of Port Blakely Companies, congratulates the people of Issaquah Highlands for having an abundance of capable volunteers to help it through the transition of Highlands Council to the community. 16 • July 2013 Issaquah Highlands Connections Issaquah Highlands Connections July 2013 • 17 18 • July 2013 Issaquah Highlands Connections COMMUNITY LANDSCAPE UPDATES Community Landscape updates are provided by Russ Ayers, Landscape Manager Russ can be reached at [email protected] The Goats are Coming! Issaquah Press said it best when they described the return of our weed-eating goats as a ‘summer tradition in Issaquah Highlands.’ The two herds, totaling about 400 animals, began arriving the last week of June. Do Not Feed The Goats. In 2011 seven goats died after ingesting yard trimmings that had been improperly disposed of in one of our open spaces. Open spaces should not be used to dispose of your yard trimmings (or anything else). Many plants in your yard are actually poisonous to goats and other animals. The goats are here to eat high grass and weeds in open spaces. Our goat program is a key part of vegetation management in our difficult to reach areas. The goats are effective, efficient, they nourish the grass and other plantings we want and they work without getting injured the way humans would if the roles were changed. Please enjoy the goats from a distance, but DO NOT FEED THE GOATS. additional tracts that we have not been able to get to in past seasons. In the four years we have been working with goats we have learned that certain tracts require annual visits and other tracts can be managed with less frequent ‘treatments’. Juggling these latter tracts is how we are able to bring the herds to new areas each season. Watch for more news in the weekly e-letter. Targeted neighborhoods can also expect to see signs on mailbox kiosks as well as postcards arriving by mail. This year the program is expanding by 10% to help us spread Nature’s weed eaters to PLEASE! Goat FYI • The first herd arrives June 25 and will unload just west of the intersection of 25th Avenue and Daphne Street. They will then push on to munch on the big bank above South Pond for a few days. • The second herd arrives July 5 and will be unloaded on NE Heron Place (just east of the intersection of Central Park Lane and 24th Avenue.). Do NOT Feed the Goats! • Residents are encouraged to watch (and even help out). • Please leave your dogs at home. Goats and dogs are not a friendly pairing. • For more information on goat herd movements be sure to check the weekly e-letter. *ROG¿VK'RQ¶W5HOHDVH7KHP It’s hard to imagine an innocent child’s goldfish could be a problem, an invasive species, but they can be if not handled properly. When a goldfish has outgrown its space (or the child has outgrown the goldfish), please do not release them into our detention ponds or streams. Releasing it into the storm drain or nearby detention pond actually jeopardizes the health of local creeks and lakes. Goldfish are in fact carp, a family of fish noted for its longevity and adaptability (two characteristics that make it a successful invasive species). Meet Your Team Pedro Galvez In 2011 seven goats died from ingesting yard trimmings that had been improperly disposed of in one of our open spaces. Do not discard your yard trimmings (or anything else) in the public open spaces. Many plants in your yard are poisonous to goats and other animals. Pulling Weeds Poison Note that when trying to eradicate an invasive species the costs are very high, both in dollars and to the environment. Eradication is a difficult goal to achieve but when the stakes are high enough it may be the only acceptable option. Similar problems are occurring in Lake Tahoe and close to home – goldfish have been sighted in our own detention ponds. While they may seem cute or harmless at first, a bit of education reveals they are simply another invasive species. This one can be controlled by us, by being responsible pet owners. The Community Garden Committee is supporting work-parties on July 20 and August 3, from 9 – 2. All are welcome to help out, learn about gardening. Pedro Galvez is from beautiful Veracruz, Mexico. He joined the IHCA team full-time in April 2012 after serving as a seasonal worker the previous two years. Pedro’s quick smile and enthusiasm for his work can be contagious. In addition to general landscaping assignments, Pedro has been working closely with our irrigation specialist on irrigation maintenance and repairs. Pedro is married to Yulma and they have a daughter, Ashley and newly arrived son, Pedro Pablo. They make their home in Seattle. Pedro says his favorite food is “Mexican food” though he is known to enjoy barbecue and pizza, especially pizza from Zeek’s. Avid church goers, the Galvez family spend time each week reading and learning reading from the Bible. Issaquah Highlands Connections July 2013 • 19 ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Board Districts #1 and #5 Elect Firehouse Park Refurbishment New Representatives to Serve on the IHCA Board of Directors The votes have been tallied and the new Board District Representatives from District #1 and #5 have been elected to the IHCA Board of Directors for a term of July 2013 – June 2015. Board District #3 did not have any candidates so the IHCA Board of Directors will appoint a resident to this seat for the same two year term. District #1 Scott McKay: I have a strong desire to be involved in implementing changes that will make our neighborhood more appealing and desirable for homeowners in the years ahead. I feel it is important for someone who lives in the neighborhood to take pride in making our community the best place to live. Strong leadership and effective communication is needed to make sure that we have consensus for change and enforcement. I hope to help create a well-organized voice of the community that is aligned and focused on the priorities of neighborhood improvement. I’ve been married for 10 years to my wife Kristin. We have twin daughters Avery and Abigail who attend Grand Ridge this year. I enjoy golf, snowboarding, coaching my daughter’s softball and soccer teams. District #5 Jim Young: I am the current President of the IHCA Board of Directors and I have also served as IHCA Treasurer and lead the Finance Committee. I was appointed to District 2 at large position but I would like to serve in District 5 where I reside. DUES I would like to continue the work on the projects that I have started with the board and the community by implementing the board’s five year plan as the IHCA continues to grow. I would like to improve the appreciation of our diverse community and all that its residents can offer. I would like to continue to recruit new individuals to serve on our committees and on the board. IHCA Reminder: The 2013-14 IHCA assessment amounts are effective starting July 1, 2013. If you are on ACH, your monthly deductions will be automatically adjusted. Payments not received by the 10th of the month may incur additional charges. Firehouse Park, located just north of Fire Station 73, was originally opened in 2002. After 11 years of play hours and enjoyment by many residents, it was due for a refurbishment. In June, it underwent a complete renovation including the addition of some new equipment. The park now contains “Freddie the Firetruck”, a new helix climber, a new slither slide, new climbing “buttons”, a new activity panel and a new picnic table. Additionally, the refurbished equipment was painted and new play mulch was installed to meet playground safety requirements. When you pay your assessments to IHCA, a portion of the assessments go into a Reserve account. A Reserve Study was completed and is updated every year. The Reserve Study indicates to IHCA Staff which areas of the community are scheduled for replacement or refurbishment. The Reserve Account is then used to fund the refurbishment and renovation of existing parks and other assets of the community. Most of the work was performed by IHCA Staff and our contractor Northwest Playground Equipment located here in Issaquah. Additionally, we want to thank Pulte Homes for their donations of manpower and equipment. A grand re-opening was held on June 14, 2013 to introduce the new equipment to residents. Please visit Firehouse Park and see the new equipment. Enter to win one week free tuition! Call for details 20 • July 2013 Issaquah Highlands Connections NEWS FROM THE CITY OF ISSAQUAH Concerts on the Green Return for Summer Concerts on the Green, a summertime tradition in Issaquah, return for the season July 9. Summer Tradition: Chalk Art Festival Calling artists of all ages! Each summer, the community is invited create original chalk artwork on the sidewalks near the Issaquah Community Center, located at 301 Rainier Blvd. South, during the Issaquah Arts Commission’s annual Chalk Art Festival. Enjoy free, family-friendly concerts in a wonderful outdoor setting outside the Issaquah Community Center. Concerts run from 7-8:30 p.m. Crowds often begin gathering as early as 6 p.m. for community picnicking. The series continues every Tuesday evening through Aug. 27. The 2013 festival will be held from noon-5 p.m. July 30. Chalk and water are provided at this free event. Arrive early to choose a shady sidewalk spot! The lineup includes: • July 9 - Big Dog Revue plays golden classics. Sponsored by Lakeside Industries. • July 16 - Sly Mr Y, a family rock dance band, performs. Sponsored by Rowley Properties, Inc. • July 23 - Chance McKinney performs industrialized country. Sponsored by RH2 Engineering, Inc. • July 30 - Steve Kelley’s Little Big Band performs Big Band swing and jazz. Sponsored by Microsoft. • Aug. 6 - Kalimba, a tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire, performs. Sponsored by the Law Office of Lynn Moberly and the Law Office of Wayne Tanaka. • Aug. 13 - Randy Linder Band, a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute, performs. Sponsored by Swedish. • Aug. 20 - Manigua performs Latin fusion. Sponsored by Carson & Noel PLLC. • Aug. 27 - Hairstorm performs ‘80s hair rock. Sponsored by Cascade Water Alliance. :KDWDUHWKH&LW\¶V Fireworks Rules? On-site concessions are provided by the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah. No alcohol or pets, please. The concerts are presented by the City of Issaquah Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Issaquah Arts Commission, in collaboration with the Kiwanis Club of Issaquah. The city bans the use and possession of all fireworks without a permit. The ban includes all fireworks, including sparklers, cones, fountains and roman candles. Ride Free with Metro Transit Try taking the bus! Every King County household that registers at least one vehicle can now receive eight free rides on Metro Transit. Local residents will receive an order form when they renew their vehicle tabs. These tickets put the entire Metro bus system to work for you. Choose from more than 200 routes, thousands of bus stops, 130 park-and-ride lots and garages and 13 transit The following information was found on the City of Issaquah’s website centers — all designed to make public transportation accessible and convenient to use. By taking the bus, you help reduce congestion and pollution, and improve the quality of life for everyone in our community. You may also be surprised by how much money you can save when you leave your car at home. The tickets are transferrable to whomever you’d like. You can also donate the rides to a variety of human service agencies in King County. Have a bike? Use a mobility device? Traveling with children? Visit Metro’s webpage for more information at metro.kingcounty.gov/ programs/tip. First approved in 1993, the city’s ban aims to keep both citizens and property safe. Most of Issaquah’s surrounding cities, including Sammamish, Bellevue and Redmond, also ban fireworks for personal use. “Fireworks” means any composition or device containing any combustible or explosive substance for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation, and classified as common or special fireworks. This includes: Ground and hand-held sparkling devices, including items commonly known as dipped sticks, sparklers, cylindrical fountains, cone fountains, illuminating torches, wheels, ground spinners, and flitter sparklers; Smoke devices; Fireworks commonly known as helicopters, aerials, spinners, roman candles, mines, and shells. Issaquah Highlands Connections July 2013 • 21 NEWS FROM THE CITY OF ISSAQUAH 7UDI¿F%\'HVLJQ by Nina Milligan, Crofton Springs Be careful what you wish for, some might say. We “couldn’t wait” for the commercial development of Grand Ridge Plaza and now we complain about the traffic. Granted, the build-out of Grand Ridge Plaza presents a shock to the system: every day it seems more crowded and busy. Many are wondering, “What about my drive home?” And “Will it be safe down there?” But this space was never meant to be empty. To get some perspective, I asked Dan Ervin P.E. of RH2 Engineering to explain how the roads and byways through Grand Ridge Plaza were designed. elected to make some minor changes (like adding an extra lane on Northeast Federal Drive) but these changes were made to accommodate businesses, not because there wasn’t sufficient capacity. What is your role at the City of Issaquah? $UHWKHUHDQ\RWKHUGHYHORSPHQWVVRWRVSHDNWKDWLQÀXHQFHWKHH[SHFWHG WUDI¿FSDWWHUQV" As an engineer, I am responsible for reviewing development within Issaquah Highlands and making sure that it complies with the applicable codes and standards. I assist the City in planning and permitting the infrastructure (including the water, sewer, stormwater and roads), as well as the buildings and public spaces. How long have you been involved with the build-out of Issaquah Highlands? I have been continuously involved since the beginning of the Issaquah Highlands construction projects in 1996. Why was a new freeway access built to Highlands Drive? There are limited opportunities to build and expand roads in the greater Issaquah area due to existing development, topography and critical areas (such as the lake and streams). As such, there were limited opportunities to add capacity to existing roads to accommodate new development. The new freeway access allowed Issaquah Highlands to be built without significantly impacting traffic on the existing roads. It also provided capacity for some growth on the plateau north of Issaquah Highlands. Almost 4 million square feet of commercial space is allowed in IH. How many square feet are in the Grand Ridge Plaza development? Grand Ridge Plaza currently is permitted to build about 287,000 square feet of business space. Most of those buildings are under construction now. Does that mean the WUDI¿FRQWKHURDGVLQ Grand Ridge Plaza is much less than the capacity they were built to carry? The roads were designed to support the full development in Issaquah Highlands (including some capacity for passthrough traffic to and from the Plateau). This means that the traffic from the Grand Ridge Plaza development you see under construction was included in the planning and design of the roads. Road design is based on a “level of service” standard that is established by code. The level of service defines how long traffic waits at a traffic light and how long it takes to move through the street network from one place to another. The level of service for the streets in Grand Ridge Plaza is the same as the standards elsewhere in the City of Issaquah. The streets will become busier as the area develops, but this traffic was included in the roadway network design. 'RHV*UDQG5LGJH3OD]D¶V5HJHQF\&HQWHUVKDYHWRPDNHDQ\LPSURYHPHQWVWR the road designs because of their development? Generally, no. Traffic from these buildings was included in the original planning and design of the roadway network and the roads will function properly without improvements. Regency How does the new housing on 25th, Harrison Street, Bellevue College, etc. LPSDFWWKHH[SHFWHGWUDI¿FRQURDGVLQ*UDQG5LGJH3OD]D" Just like the Regency project, traffic from these projects was included in the roadway network that is already built and the roads will operate at the proper level of service when these projects are done. What about the impact of increasing populations north and northeast of Issaquah Highlands on our roads? Lakeside? Growth in Sammamish, etc? Growth from Lakeside can be accommodated in the existing roadway network. Although this project was not included in the original planning for the roadway network, it will operate at the planned level of service due to changes in traffic patterns and driving habits, as well as improvements made during the Lakeside construction. As for growth in Sammamish, additional projects will be needed outside of the City’s limits to minimize impacts to Issaquah. We’ll be partnering closely with Sammamish to plan for these regional needs. Traffic patterns constantly change in response to projects that are completed elsewhere in the City (and even the region) and in the way that our communities mature. Projects that are completed elsewhere in the City can affect traffic by giving drivers different choices. This often frees capacity on roads that are a long way from the original improvement. In addition, our community is a living changing organism that is influenced by lifestyle, economic vitality, gas prices, transit availability, environmental awareness and many other factors too numerous to list. Residents with single-occupant cars today might decide to ride the bus in the future as the cost, environmental impact and availability of those services changes. What do you think Issaquah did RIGHT with this development and its planning? Issaquah worked hard to maximize the opportunities available in a large Master Planned Community and to leverage those opportunities to minimize environmental impacts and maximize community values. This can be seen in the roadway and traffic network and the following elements are important components in the done RIGHT equation. • Roadways are interconnected, which gives drivers multiple route choices and is the most efficient way to increase roadway capacity while minimizing community impacts. • Streets are narrow, which minimizes environmental impacts and slows driving speeds and improves pedestrian safety. Many drivers comment that the roads are too narrow, but this perception of narrowness is a critical component of the roadway and neighborhood design, as well as creating a pedestrian-friendly environment. • All neighborhoods are walkable, and there are real and realistic walking choices. Sidewalks, paths and trails interconnect and the routes are safe and direct. • Transit is available in the community at the park and ride, providing realistic and viable transportation choices. • Retail and commercial spaces are not dominated by parking, which minimizes the presence of cars. What role does the Microsoft property play (west of 9th Ave NE between Discovery and High Streets)? Traffic from the Microsoft property was included in the original roadway network planning. Until that property is developed, the roadway network won’t be completed. When do you think the roads would actually operate at capacity? It depends completely on when all of the projects are completed in the Issaquah Highlands, including Bellevue College and the Microsoft property. 22 • July 2013 Issaquah Highlands Connections HIGHLANDS PHYSICAL THERAPY SPORTS & ORTHOPEDIC REHAB BIKE FITTING x FREE INJURY SCREENINGS x x x x FUNCTIONAL FITNESS GAIT ANALYSIS (ULFN.+DUDGD37'37 2525 NE Park Drive, Suite C Issaquah, WA 98029 425.686.7654 ͼ 425.341.9041 fax Issaquah Highlands Connections July 2013 • What are your doing for fun this summer? From our Facebook page. Like us at facebook.com/Highlands.Council Thank you Highlands Day Sponsors! Silver Spur Title Sponsors Highlands Dentistry Port Blakely Communities Regency Centers Safeway Swedish Hospital City Slicker Sponsors Accent Insurance Adventure Kids Playcare Banic Chiropractic Bright Horizons Preschool Durham and Bates Insurance Encompass Happy Family Foods Highlands Chiropractic Highlands Physical Therapy Trail Boss Sponsors Clowns Unlimited Heartland HFN/Isomedia Issaquah Highlands Self Storage University House Heartland Discovering a few new parks, hiking, camping, concerts! - SUNITA Highlands Council also wishes to thank community partners: Highlands Day bear...and visiting fam from England for 3 weeks; a trip to Glacier Nat’l Park in Montana... Bark for Life event in August, then trip to England in Sept. Yay! - LYNNE • Issaquah Highlands Community Association for a lovely Village Green Park venue • artEast and artist Dorothy Bonneau for the beautiful exhibit inside Blakely Hall • The City of Issaquah Parks and Recreation for the use of the bleachers Looking forward to our first Pacific Northwest summer filled with lots of R&R! - RYAN Visiting with family, hanging out with friends, hitting the beach, and exploring the area more.- TONI • Issaquah Press for coverage of the festival And of course, our VOLUNTEER festival planning committee – THANK YOU! Just enjoying every single sunny day we may get. :) - SUSAN Cindy Klenk Larry Norton Rinku Jain Karen Lund Lynne Trowern Suzette Hebron Kim Kapustein Peggy Chase Going to the cowpoke parade.- YASMIEN Hoping to paraglide... - DANIELLE RPX Highlands Council hopes you enjoy the 2013 Wild West Highlands Day! This annual outdoor festival held on June 29th is produced by Highlands Council and funded primarily by the generous support of local organizations. Visit their sponsor booths on festival day and remember to say “thank you” the next time you patronize these businesses. Regal Premium Experience (RPX) is an upgraded theater format wherein a 60-foot screen, dual 30K lumen digital projectors, 100,000 watt sound system, and better seats with headrests are featured. Both digital 2D and RealD Cinema films can be screened. 23 24 • July 2013 Issaquah Highlands Connections Issaquah Highlands Connections July 2013 • 25 FITNESS CORNER East Lake Sammamish Trail Reopens in Issaquah! by Nina Milligan, resident of Crofton Springs On June 12th the ribbon was cut and the multi-use, paved trail that runs from Gilman Boulevard to SE 43rd Way was opened for use! At my first opportunity I flew down the hill on my bike to give it a test ride. As a road cyclist, I am thrilled to have this stretch of trail paved and open for business. The paving begins at the vintage train car on Gilman Boulevard across from Gilman Village, about a block west of Front Street. But for us in Issaquah Highlands, we jump on at the base of the IssaquahPreston trail. Begin in Issaquah Highlands on the sidewalk along the west side of 9th Ave NE (the southbound companion to Highlands Drive). This turns into a paved trail at Discovery Drive and snakes its way downhill. It crosses E. Lake Sammamish Parkway SE just north of I-90. (Ride defensively as you make your crossings here. The freeway cars are not geared towards seeing cyclists.) 2 miles of newly paved trail: A road cyclists’ connector! Surviving those Epic Movies by Erick K. Harada, DPT, Highlands Physical Therapy Have you ever sat in the movie theater and realized how stiff you are after the show? I have seen countless people get up out of their chairs and stretch out just to get the blood flowing again (me included). With the new Regal Theater going up at the bottom of the Highlands, plenty of us will find ourselves there in the coming year, stiffening up while we watch our favorite flick. I have compiled a few exercises for you to perform during the show to prevent any aches afterwards. Lumbar Rotation 1. Seated with arms crossed, gently rotate trunk from side to side in a small, pain-free range of motion. 2. Perform 10-15 times each direction. Lower neck/ Upper back Stretch 1. Clasp hands together in front with arms extended. Gently pull shoulder blades apart and bend head forward. 2. Hold 10 seconds. Repeat 3 times. Seated Piriformis Stretch 1. Cross one ankle over your other knee. Gently lean forward until a stretch is felt in buttocks of elevated leg. 2. Hold 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times on each side. These exercises, for the most part, are subtle and should not attract too much attention during the show. If they hurt or do not feel right, discontinue right away. If the pains persist or you would like more information, contact your local physical therapist. Enjoy the show! Pick up the trail across E. Lake Sammamish Parkway and ride the short spur that ends in a T. To the left is the short section to Gilman Boulevard. To the right are miles and miles of great bike riding! Key to your trip are these two miles of pavement along the former Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad corridor. Though the trail continues with a gravel surface that is great for walkers and mountain bikes, we road cyclists need only these first two miles of pavement. They provide the cover to get ourselves past the Fred Meyer, lumber yard, etc. stretch of road that has no bike lane and is full of impatient drivers squeezing against us on their way north. Worse are those heading to the boat launch with their wide loads trailing behind, ready to clip us and send us flying into the brambles (and likely to the ER). While on the trail, mind your speed and your manners. Many on this trail are relaxing, taking in the views, chatting with friends, enjoying a retreat from the hectic car-centric world beyond. You just need to manage your energy a short two miles until you take the fork to the Parkway bike lanes, where you can pick up speed, stretch your legs and lungs. Enjoy the ride! 26 • July 2013 Issaquah Highlands Connections Is it a hospital or a school? Yes. Truth is, Swedish/Issaquah is a hospital — although it’s a rather uncommon one. This hospital is designed to keep you well, not just care for you when you’re sick. And one way we do that is by offering classes on a variety of health and wellness subjects. See for yourself. Then, hopefully, we’ll see you at school. CANCER EDUCATION PARENTING The Anticancer Lifestyle All About Puberty: Learn how to create an anticancer lifestyle by eating beneficial foods, protecting yourself from environmental threats and enhancing your physical and emotional well-being. The focus of this fun, interactive class is to build a bridge between you and your 9- to 12-year-old to demystify the challenges of puberty. Fee: $30 per family (includes two adults and one child). Issaquah Library: Tuesday, July 9, 7-8:30 p.m. Parents and Boys Together Active Women, Healthy Women Swedish/Issaquah: Monday, August 5, 6:30-9 p.m. Women of all fitness levels are encouraged to join this certified instructor led class. From cancer patients to survivors, there is an exercise activity appropriate for you. The instructor will assist you in assessing your health and fitness levels to help you reap the benefits of exercise. Six sessions. Parents and Girls Together Swedish/Issaquah: Wednesday, July 10-Aug. 14, 6-7 p.m. Breast Cancer and Nutrition When it comes to the unique and important issues experienced with breast cancer, learn which strategies work from a naturopathic physician. Complementary and alternative medicine strategies including diet, vitamins, minerals, herbs and many other nutritional supplements and treatments will be shared. Lake Hills Library: Tuesday, July 23, 7-8:30 p.m. ORTHOPEDICS Joint Replacement: The Right Choice for You? Learn from an expert surgeon about the latest in knee and hip-replacements, including MAKOplasty® roboticassisted surgery for partial knee replacements. Swedish/Issaquah: Thursday, July 18, 6-8 p.m. Swedish/First Hill: Thursday, July 25, 6-8 p.m. Relief for Your Shoulder Pain This class will present an overview of shoulder anatomy, common injuries to the shoulder (including sports injuries), how to prevent injury and surgical/nonsurgical solutions to common injuries. Swedish/Issaquah: Thursday, July 25, 6-8 p.m. Swedish/Redmond: Monday, August 12, 6:30-9 p.m. Story Time at Swedish Join us for Children’s Story Time and Book Fair. Bring your health questions and visit with a health-care provider at our “Ask a Doctor” table. No registration required. For questions, call 425-313-7020. Swedish/Issaquah: Thursday, July 25, 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. (two story times) Baby Needs a Doctor Expecting a new baby? Or already have little ones at home? Finding the right doctor for your newborn, toddler or older child is a big important decision. Come meet several baby- and kid-friendly doctors in an hour, ask questions and do a chemistry check. Register at www.swedish.org/babydoctor. Swedish/Issaquah: Wednesday, Aug. 6, 6-7 p.m. or 7-8 p.m. PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH AND INFANT CARE Have a Happy Birth Day Tour Are you thinking of becoming pregnant or did you just hear the good news? As a parent-to-be, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is where to have your baby. Come take a look at the birthing center at Swedish/Issaquah and our comprehensive range of support services. Tour is recommended for parents in their 1st trimester considering where to have their baby. Swedish/Issaquah: Friday, July 5, 5:30-7 p.m. or Sunday, July 7, 10-11:30 a.m. or Tuesday, July 16, 5:30-7 p.m. Hop to Signaroo® Baby Sign Language Hearing families can use American Sign Language to communicate with hearing babies as young as 5 months old. Learn sign language to communicate with your baby. Four sessions. Fee: $128 plus $19 materials. Learn more at www.hoptosignaroo.com. Swedish/Issaquah: Saturday, July 13-Aug. 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sibling Preparation Help big brothers and sisters aged 3-10 prepare for the new baby. Fee: $20 per sibling. Swedish/Issaquah: Wednesday, July 24, 4-5:30 p.m. SAFETY AND INJURY PREVENTION AARP Driver Safety Program Helpful tips for older drivers to improve their driving skills. Fee: $12 for AARP members, $14 for nonmembers. Swedish/Issaquah: Saturday, July 27, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WEIGHT LOSS Weight Loss Surgery Seminar The seminar will examine the risks of medically significant obesity, how a partnership with our bariatric health experts can help, and the surgical options available to you. Learn more about different types of weight-loss surgery from a Swedish bariatric surgeon. Bellevue Westin Hotel: Thursday, July 11, 6-8 p.m. WOMEN’S HEALTH Don’t Make Me Laugh: Bladder Control Therapies That Really Work Did you know that one in three women suffer from urine leakage? If you have struggled with bladder control, you’re not alone. Join our resident pelvic-health expert and urogynecologist to learn about the causes of urinary incontinence and treatment options that work. Swedish/Issaquah: Wednesday, July 10 or Thursday, July 11, 6-8 p.m. Registration is required for all classes. To register and see additional classes, visit swedish.org/classes or call 206-386-2502. Unless noted, all classes are held at Swedish/Issaquah: 751 N.E. Blakely Dr., Off I-90 at Exit 18 (UVUWYVÄ[VYNHUPaH[PVU Issaquah Highlands Connections July 2013 • 27 ,Q5H\QROG¶V)RRWSULQWV:DONLQJWR*UDQG5LGJH0LQH by Laile Di Silvestro, Issaquah History Museums of cement are the only remains of a washing plant from which the coal was deposited into the train cars as early as 1909. Take the Coal Mine Trail to the left, and observe the ground at your feet. Along the trailside ditch you can find one of the coal veins sandwiched between shale and red sandstone. A short way up the trail there is a ledge. Here three tunnels extend into the ground down to a depth of about 600 feet. There are also remnants of the equipment used to haul the coal out of the mines, as well as flattened areas and concrete indicating the locations of the large bunker, a blacksmith shop, and an office. The Grand Ridge Mine operated regularly until about 1943, and sporadically into the 1950s. In its heyday, it employed about forty men. Visitors would have been overwhelmed by the clanking of metal, the shouting of men, dynamite explosions, the clatter of train wheels, and the crash of rock as it fell into railroad cars. Today, the constant roar of traffic on I-90 serenades visitors to the old Grand Ridge Mine. The walk is well rewarded, however, by the opportunity to catch a glimpse of our mining heritage under new growth trees. Courtesy of Issaquah History Museums, 2007-32-1 Set your hiking shoes in the green space surrounding Issaquah Highlands, and there is a good chance that are you are standing in the footsteps of a logger or miner who worked here when Issaquah was still an isolated town of fewer than 1000 men, women, and children. There is even a chance that you may be following the path of Andrew Reynolds who started walking to his coal mine at the base of Grand Ridge as early as 1904. Grand Ridge, a 1300-acre county park to the south and east of the Issaquah Highlands, offers an abundance of signs that the miners and loggers were present here. Almost ten miles of trails lead hikers past large stumps that now nurse young firs and pines amid lush moss and ferns, and in the southern portion of the park, hikers can find the remnants of Issaquah’s longest coal mining operation. Starting in 1888, men walked the Grand Ridge area to tap the six coal veins that underlie it and harvest timber for use in shoring up mines and constructing mine equipment. A tunnel was first dug just above East Fork Issaquah Creek where I-90 now runs. In 1890, the first of three additional tunnels was dug higher up on the hillside. CAUTION: During the summer the tunnels are almost completely obscured by stinging nettle, blackberries, salmonberries, and other shrubs. If you decide to explore the ruins, do so with caution. There a risk that shafts will appear unexpectedly due to tunnel collapse and subsidence or methane gas will be released. Stay on the trails. Getting there: )URPWKH,XQGHUSDVVH[LW Park on the gravel lot and walk east on the Issaquah Preston Trail to the Coal Mine Trailhead. Walk north on the Coal Mine Trail a short ways to the ledge. From Central Park: Park by the tennis courts and walk along the west shore of the South Pond to the Trailhead. After a short distance you will meet the Coal Mine Loop junction. If you turn right, you will reach the ruins in little over a mile. Trail map: http://your.kingcounty.gov/ftp/gis/Web/VMC/recreation/BCT_GrandRidge_brochure.pdf Andrew Reynolds assumed ownership of the mine in 1903. It was then that he began his daily walks between his home in downtown Issaquah and the mine. Miners typically worked about 10 hour days for low pay in dangerous and uncomfortable conditions. The Reynolds Mine operated until 1905 when Reynolds was forced to shut it down as the result of a labor strike. The Central Coal Company began operating the mine in 1909, with Reynolds as the supervisor. The Grand Ridge Mine (as it came to be known) underwent several improvements, the remnants of which are visible today. To see the Grand Ridge mine ruins, hikers can follow the path of Reynolds from downtown Issaquah or take an easy walk down the hill from Central Park (with a steep climb uphill on the return). The remnants are nestled in the hillside where the Issaquah-Preston Trail meets the Coal Mine Trailhead. If you take the path of Reynolds, you will walk along the old bed of the North Bend branch of the Northern Pacific Railroad to a spur built specifically to serve the mine. As you approach the Coal Mine Trailhead, take note of the small hills along the sides of the trail. These are piles of sand and rock dug from the mine over the course of six decades. Near the trailhead, large chunks Courtesy of Issaquah History Museums, 86-18-264 Put Shorts Back in Your Wardrobe by Swedish Issaquah As the summer months creep up on us, the weather is getting warmer and shorts and swimsuits are beckoning us from the closet. For many people, this brings excitement (vacations and outdoor activities!), but for others, the thought of showing off varicose and spider veins means avoiding those summer clothes. Though they may be painful or embarrassing, varicose and spider veins are common and can be treated. Don’t let them get in the way of your summer plans and comfort! Varicose veins are large, raised blood vessels close to the surface of the skin. They may look bumpy or twisted. Along with their “little brothers,” spider veins, varicose veins are most often found in the legs and are caused by weak or damaged vein valves. This causes blood to pool instead of being pumped back to the heart. Women are more likely to have varicose and spider veins and this risk increases with age and hormone changes (like pregnancy and menopause). Since being overweight and lack of exercising also lead to varicose and spider veins, enjoying your favorite physical activity (running, walking, biking) can help reduce their appearance. Take advantage of beautiful summer weather in Washington and exercise outdoors! Instead of fried chicken at that picnic, grab some delicious watermelon and salad. Getting out and enjoying the weather may actually help you feel more comfortable in summer clothes. Summer weather may be daunting for people with varicose and spider veins but it is time to put shorts back in your wardrobe. Clinicians at Swedish/Issaquah will be discussing tips for and treatment of varicose and spider veins on Wednesday, June 19 from 6-7:30 p.m. just in time for summer vacation. Registration is required. See ad on left page for details. FREE Developmental Screenings in Issaquah! Do you have questions about the development of your infant, toddler, preschooler or kindergartener? FREE Developmental Screenings are offered at Encompass Issaquah in Blakely Hall the second Tuesday of each month. Encompass Issaquah Blakely Hall, 2500 N.E. Park Drive, Issaquah Highlands 6FUHHQLQJVDUHRIIHUHGRQD¿UVWFRPH¿UVWVHUYHGEDVLV No appointment necessary. For more information visit www.encompassnw.org or call 425.888.2777. 28 • July 2013 Issaquah Highlands Connections COMMUNITY MEETINGS Architectural Review Committee 7XHVGD\SP,+&$2I¿FH Meetings are subject to change. Visit www.ihwebsite.com for calendar updates or sign up for your weekly email bulletins at ihwebsite.com Finance Committee Meeting 7XHVGD\SP,+&$2I¿FH HFN Advisory Group Wednesday, 7/10, 7:00 pm, Blakely Hall Want to Start a Club? Contact: Christy Garrard, Director/Special Event Planner [email protected], 425-507-1107 For City of Issaquah governance meetings, see www.ci.issaquah.wa.us HOLIDAYS Safety Seminar Canada Day Saturday, July 13 Monday, July 1 Garden Committee Fourth of July Monday, July 22 Thursday, July 4 SAVE THE DATES Bastille Day Sunday, July 14 Bark for Life Saturday, August 10 National Ice Cream Day Sunday, July 21 Thriller Rehearsals Begin Sunday, September 8 OTHER ISSAQUAH EVENTS Resident Orientation Issaquah Down Home Fourth of July / Heritage Day Thursday, September 19 Thursday, July 4 Community Garage Sale Saturday, September 21 Concerts on the Green Begin Tuesday, July 9 Costume SWAP Sunday, September 29 Chalk Art Festival Tuesday, July 30 Green Halloween Saturday, October 26 %DFNÀRZ7HVW $35 /LQGD3IHLIIHU A Woman’s Touch LLC 6WDWH&HUWL¿HG% ,QVXUHG/LFHQVHG%RQGHG Email: [email protected] post grad HIGHLANDS EVENTS ÀUHZRUNVEDQ CALENDAR volunteer Board of Directors Meeting :HGQHVGD\SP,+&$2I¿FH Bark for Life 2013! Saturday, August 10th Double your fun by volunteering! Contact [email protected] 425-507-1107 Free Career & College Planning workshop For High School graduates, but also High School sophomores, juniors & seniors August 13, 2013 Blakely Hall See www.YouthCareerCompass/IHWorkshop for details No Fireworks The city bans the use and possession of all ¿UHZRUNVZLWKRXWDSHUPLW This includes any “explosive substance for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by FRPEXVWLRQH[SORVLRQGHÀDJUDWLRQRUGHWRQDWLRQ´ The ban includes all¿UHZRUNVLQFOXGLQJVSDUNOHUV cones, fountains and roman candles. Issaquah Highlands Connections July 2013 • 29 WHAT’S HAPPENING IN ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS Book Club Do you enjoy reading AND sharing with friends? The book club is a great place to meet neighbors and explore a variety of books. We take turns hosting—all opinions are welcome! Please bring a snack to share. Dates sometimes change, so be sure to email [email protected] to get on the distribution list. Chinese Heritage Club Contact Sylvia Chin ([email protected]) or Jin Liu ([email protected]) for July Meeting details. 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. Monthly activities include potluck, workshops at Blakely Hall and many outdoor events. GED Classes and Tutoring at the Family Village (FREE) Passing the GED (General Educational Development) test and being awarded a GED certificate is just as rewarding as a high school graduation, and it opens as many doors for a new career path. If you feel like you would like to learn what is on the test and brush up on your skills, come in for FREE classes and tutoring sessions throughout the summer. Please contact Sondi at 424.270.6807 or [email protected] Highlands Running Club The Highlands Running Group is a community for Runners that share in the passion of group runs! Weather permitting, we will typically meet up in front of the tennis courts at Central Park on Saturdays at 7:30 am. If you are interested in joining us or have questions, please contact Joey, [email protected], so he can ad you to the distribution list. Computer Classes at the Family Village Computer Lab Hip Youth Public Speaking Club All classes are free! Ages 8 -18 yrs. Saturdays 9:30-11:00am Family Village Lower Community Room Please RSVP for all computer classes to Sondi at 425-270-6807 or [email protected] Wednesday, July 3rd 10:00am Power Point Thursday, July 18th 6:00-7:00pm. Excel Cub Scout Issaquah Highlands Pack 680 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 [email protected] or join us at our next meeting. ESL Talk Time “Talk Time” is a great way to have fun and be relaxed while improving your English speaking and listening skills. It is a chance to meet other people in your community and to share cultural information. You also have a chance to discuss topics and issues which are important to you. It is a safe place to get to know each other and to ask questions and share experiences. While having fun, you will be able to increase your confidence in speaking English. It is a great way to move English from your head to your mouth! Talk Time is FREE and is held at the Family Village on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm starting June 18th and ending September 3rd Kids Summer Book Club Every other Friday, 5pm, Ashland Park We talk about each book and how many pages we intend to reach before each meeting. Bring a blanket or sweatshirt to set on and be prepared to have fun! Contact Annie Wachter at [email protected] or (425) 679-2756 7KH5RYLQ¶)LGGOHUV Every Other Tuesday, 7pm - 9pm Issaquah Highlands Fire Station Our musical group is made up of primarily fiddle players of varying backgrounds and abilities, all working toward the goal of learning Irish and other Celtic tunes, along with occasional Old Timer and Quebecois tunes. Informal. We share and learn a new tune every other week and then practice our old material in a jam session. Other welcome instruments for accompaniment are guitar (chords available for most tunes), drum, flute or whistle. We attempt to learn the new tunes by ear in a traditional manner, however, sheet music is usually also provided. Interested? Email Ken at [email protected] Let your voice be strong and mighty! Join other youth and professional mentors and learn the importance of developing solid communication skills. Drop-in’s are welcome or register ahead with David Hall, Program Lead at [email protected] or 425.427.9682 Russian Highlanders Meets 2nd Sunday of each month July 14th, 4pm – 7pm (See Facebook page for updates) Russian Highlanders is a club for those who live here, just moved in or planning to move to our beautiful community. Meet other Russian-speakers in your community for friendship! Gather with others who share the same goals and interests as you. Join Russian Highlanders Facebook page to see what activities are planned -- dining out, movies, kid play dates or just go out to have a fun. The possibilities are endless... http://www.facebook.com/ groups/rusisshigh/ Please follow the FB page for schedule changes or location of meetings. 2nd Saturday Safety Seminars Saturday, July 13th , 10:30am – 12pm Blakely Hall This month’s topic: WATER The American Red Cross hosts FREE and FUN preparedness workshops to help you, your family, and your neighborhood become better prepared for an emergency or disaster. You will leave the training with useful information about local disaster risks, as well as materials and small preparedness items to help your family and neighborhood withstand and quickly recovery from disaster. NEW!! Mountain Bike Club The Issaquah Highlands Mountain Bike Club is a free club, open to all skill levels and welcomes Issaquah Highlands residents to improve mountain bike skills, fitness, and to have some fun! We’ll schedule rides with descriptions of the places we ride, difficulty level, and approximate mileage. See you out on the trails! Contact Marc for more information: 425-837-8367 or [email protected] Open Mic Night at Blakely Hall First Fridays, 7:30PM – 9:30pm, Back in September Open to all acoustic performers from musicians to comedians. All ages are welcome! Sign-up at 7pm for a slot. First come, first served. Set lengths are limited to 15 minutes or three songs. For more information contact Cindy at [email protected] Photography Club Saturday, July 20th 10:30am - Noon, 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 Poker Night Thursday, July 25th, 7:00pm Blakely Hall Love watching the World Series of Poker on TV? Want to win a chance to go to Vegas and play on TV against the world’s best players? Join us the last Thursday of each month for a $20 buy-in, No-limit Texas Hold ‘em tournament! If you are a novice wanting to network or a salty vet looking for some steep competition you’ll love our monthly club! More info [email protected]. The American Red Cross recently launched a three-year initiative – Safe in the Sound -- to better prepare 1,000,000 individuals in the greater Puget Sound area. Be a part of Safe in the Sound by making a plan, building a kit, and staying informed. For more information about the American Red Cross’ preparedness programs, visit www.safeinthesound.org Toastmasters Club, Issaquah Highlands Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00am Swedish Medical Center Conference Center (second Floor) Do you get nervous before a speech? Does your heart pound? Does your stomach turn to knots? Do you wonder how other speakers deliver speeches so effortlessly? Well help is along the way! To find out more visit the club website at http://ihtm.freetoasthost.cc/ or contact George Barns at 425-516-3750. Wine Club Friday, July 12th, 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 [email protected] to receive detailed information. Zumba Class Tuesdays (7pm) & Saturdays (9am), 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 [email protected] Issaquah Highlands Babysitter List The current list of neighborhood babysitters in available at www.ihwebsite.com. The list can be found under the Resource/Document Center tab. If you have any questions, contact Vyvian at [email protected] . 30 • July 2013 Issaquah Highlands Connections RESIDENT PROFILE: ERNIE THE GOAT Like other communities, Issaquah Highlands has summer-only residents: folks who have homes in warmer climes for the winter, kids who live with a different parent during the school year. And some summer residents are goats. The goats spend the summer with us like Dill visited Jem and Scout in Maycomb. Like Dell, they are small, impish, naïve and adorable. One of our visiting goats, Ernie, shared with us interesting details of the lives of goats, speaking through his itinerant (or embedded) interpreter, Tammy the Goat Wrangler. How old are you and what breed of goat? What do you talk about? The weather, goat politics, our girl and boyfriends and winter vacation. Oh yeah, and we are always making retirement plans. In this economy you have to plan. Do you sleep well at night? We sleep like little babies up here. We don’t usually party, unless it is a really light night with a full moon. Then we will sometimes stay up half the night and eat our brains out!! We tell goat ghost stories and play spin the goat. I am about 5 or 6 years old and I am a LaMancha goat. What was the most fun you have ever had in Issaquah Highlands? What other kinds of goats come to Issaquah Highlands, too? Oh jeez! There are all kinds of goats here! About nine breeds and many mixed breeds. This is why you see different sizes and colors and different kinds of ears and stuff. See, my ears are like tiny little beaver ears. People always ask Tammy why our ears are “cut off”. She explains over and over that they are not cut off but just small, you know, like dogs have different kinds of ears for their different breeds? So do we. Other breeds here are: Boer, Kinder, Nubian, Alpine, Pygmy (yeah, they are really small but man do they have attitudes!), Toggenburg and Nigerian Dwarf. Besides doing the Colbert Report? Well, one time we broke out and jumped over a low wood fence into one of your back yards. Tammy was so mad at us! We just laughed at her and kept jumping over the fence like little Pez candies coming out of a Pez dispenser. She couldn’t stop us. What was the saddest moment? It was when one of you people put Rhododendron leaves in our goat area. You see, it is poisonous to us. PLEASE! Don’t put anything in our goat areas. Stuff in your yards can make us sick and can even kill us. Do you play a particular role with the herd? I am one of Tammy’s favorites. She raised me from a baby with my brother Bert. I almost died and she saved me. But I am also a TV star. Besides starring in commercials, I got to be on the Colbert Report and ABC News Nightline!! I am famous!! What do you think of the kids in Issaquah Highlands? We love the kids! Except when they tease us with food or come into our pen when they know they are not supposed to. Otherwise they are really cool and laugh and giggle a lot so we know they like us. Are goats natural leaders? Well, I know I am!! I don’t put up with any grief from these yahoo’s I work with, that’s for sure! If they tick-me-off, I butt them with these cool horns and send ‘em flying…. What about the grown-ups? They are pretty cool, for grown-ups. We don’t like it when they put bad things in our goat areas, though. Sometimes they clean their yards and dispose of the clippings in our area. That’s not cool. But we like to make them laugh. They seem to get really happy when they visit us. What do you think is the best tasty treat in the hills of Issaquah Highlands? We love the thistle! Blackberries and nettles, too. We also really like grass! Besides, the grass is so slick we slide down the hills on our bellies. Sometimes we go so fast that we lose control and go rolling on our sides. It is really sick! Read any good books lately? Yeah, ’been reading the Game Of Thrones series. It is really intense! :KDW¶V\RXUIDYRULWHPRYLH" I loved, loved, LOVED Babe!! Do goats talk to each other?Uhhh yeah. Of course, what are you stupid? If I can talk to you don’t ya think I can talk to my own species? Jeesh! Photo by: Julie Clegg / baileyandbanjo.com Monthly resident profiles are produced by Nina Milligan, Communication Manager for Highlands Council Issaquah Highlands Connections July 2013 • 31 DIRECTORY Connections is published by the Highlands Council. Our mission is to foster the development of a vibrant and caring community committed to service, diversity, and well-being. Connections Newsletter 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 [email protected] or 425-507-1111 Size BW Color ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Responsible for: • Property Management • Enforcement of CCRs, Rules, Regs • Architectural Review • Common Area Landscape Funded by: • Annual IHCA Assessments • Neighborhood Assessments GOVERNING BODY Issaquah Highlands Community Association Board of Directors Jim Young, President Stuart Johnson, Vice President Karen Lund, Secretary David Ngai, Treasurer Andrea Gregg, Member Weldon MacDougall, Member Tad Pease, Member Mini (text only): 3” x 3” $50 Rectangle Vert: 3” x 4.625” $75 $150 Rectangle Horz: 4.625” x 3” $75 $150 Square: 4.625” x 4.625” $125 $195 Quarter Page: 4.625” x 6.25” $150 $275 Half Page Vert: 4.625” x 13” $275 $495 STAFF HIGHLANDS COUNCIL Responsible for: • Community Events • Blakely Hall Community Center • Facility Rentals • Connections Newspaper • www.ihwebsite.com Funded by: • Sponsorships/Grants • Advertising • Community Enhancement Fees (¼ of 1% on sale of home) • 12¢ per sq. ft. retail/commercial GOVERNING BODY Highlands Council Board of Trustees Larry Norton, President John Thompson, Vice President Linda Hall, Treasurer Philip Nored, Secretary Susan Terry, Member Patrick Byers, Member Ray Besharati, Member Half Page Horz: 9.625” x 6.25” $275 $495 MAIN PHONE: 425-427-9257 Full Page: 9.625” x 13” $595 $950 1011 NE High Street Suite 210 Monday–Friday 9:00AM to 5:00PM MAIN PHONE: 425-507-1107 Sarah Phillips, Executive Director [email protected], 425-507-1120 Blakely Hall 2550 NE Park Drive Monday–Friday 9:00AM to 4:00PM Rachel Garrett, Director of Community Operations [email protected], 425-507-1115 Christy Garrard, Director/Special Event Planner [email protected], 425-507-1107 Erika North, Community Manager [email protected], 425-507-1121 Nina Milligan, Communications Manager [email protected], 425-507-1111 Jennifer Fink, Community Manager [email protected], 425-507-1113 Michele McFarland, Finance Manager [email protected], 425-507-1108 Russ Ayers, Landscape Manager [email protected], 425-507-1130 Julie Clegg, Creative Coordinator [email protected] Whitney Wengren, Office Manager [email protected], 425-507-1135 Keith Luu, Events/Administrative Assistant, [email protected] Barbara Uribe, Accountant [email protected], 425-507-1119 Vyvian Luu, Intern [email protected] Ads are due by the first Friday of the month for the following month’s publication. Print ads must be submitted electronically in .eps, .tif or .pdf format with all fonts embedded. For best results with newspaper printing, please avoid small text in color or reversed out of color. Do not use a built black of CMYK combined. Instead, please setup all black as “K” only. All files must be in CMYK (not RGB). Resolution should be a minimum of 200 dpi. Please allow for 15-20% gain. Graphic design services are available. WEBSITE ADVERTISING AVAILABLE! www.ihwebsite.com Content and advertising in Connections does not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of the Highlands Council or staff. STAFF Rental Facilities Blakely Hall Award-winning Blakely Hall has a feeling and comfort of a lodge. It is a wonderful place for parties with 70 or more guests, fund raisers, galas, and any type of reception. Blakely Hall can accommodate up to 230 guests. In addition to the atmosphere Blakely Hall will give you, there is a patio with outdoor seating and BBQ grill that is available for rent. Blakely Hall Meeting Room The Conference room is perfect for your meeting or seminar. It is private. It can accommodate up to 46 guests. A screen is provided as well as comfortable conference chairs and tables that can be configured to your liking. A projector is available for rent. There is a wash station, and a countertop to place your refreshments. To inquire about booking facilities at Blakely Hall, please contact Blakely Hall at 425.507.1107 or email [email protected] 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. Community Services at Blakely Hall Emergency: 9-1-1 • Fax Sending & Receiving Fax sending, local $.50 per page Fax sending, long distance $1.00 per page Fax receiving, $.50 per page • Limited B/W Photocopying, $.05 per page • Lost and Found Issaquah Police (non-emergency): 425-837-3200 WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife: 425-775-1311 Emergency Contact Number For after-hours emergencies not involving police and fire response or gas or water main breaks, contact IHCA at 425-313-2209 www.facebook.com/highlands.council Weekly E-Letter: Sign up at ihwebsite.com PORT BLAKELY COMMUNITIES Port Blakely Communities, the developer of Issaquah Highlands, continues to be involved as they have a vested interest in the community and in seeing their vision become reality. Jennifer Hagge, Office Manager [email protected], 206-225-2316 www.ihwebsite.com 32 • July 2013 Issaquah Highlands Connections