Connections
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By Community, for Community April 2018
Cover image excerpted from “Dignity” by Delton Mosby
W H AT ’ S I N S I D E ? 5 Feature: Activism through Art 10 Highlands Council 10 Highlands Youth - The HY 11 20 Years of IH 12 IHCA News, Budget, Homeowner Tips, Etc. 16 What’s Happening 19 Photo Treasure Hunt 19 Highlands Fiber Network
20 City News 21 Traffic Corner 22 Hot Topics in the Highlands 22 Development News 22 Giving in the Highlands 23 Living Green 23 Ask Kari 24 School Spotlight 27 Volunteer of the Month
29 29 30 31
Arts and Entertainment Blakely Hall Art Gallery Emergency Preparedness Directory
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Issaquah Highlands Connections
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FROM THE EDITOR
At the beginning of each year, Highlands Council surveys the community for opinions and feedback. This year we focused on neighbor relations. We learned that this community is delighted to live among diverse cultures. To many of you, accepting people who look or seem different comes naturally. For others, there is a desire to do a better job of “inclusion.” Sadly, for a few, there is a lonely feeling of isolation and not being included.
To encourage conversation around diversity and inclusion, we bring you this month’s feature story showcasing a special event at the YWCA Family Village’s lovely community hall. This event explores art and racial justice. Local event producer, Brianna Eigner and local pastor, Brian Carr, teamed up to create this event, Activism Through Art, on April 26th at 6:30pm. Details begin on page 5. This month’s Connections also explores other topics of diversity in the Highlands this month, from HY Board member, Dil Thaigarajan’s story about growing up with friends from all over the world to resident, Jason Miller’s exploration of the latest trends in immigration laws. About the Cover: This evocative painting of Billie Holiday is called “Dignity” by Seattle artist, Delton Mosby. Mosby will perform live, painting at the Activism Through Art reception. This is just an excerpt of the full work (22” by 28”), which is represented on page 5 and on display at Blakely Hall in the exhibition called (in)Habit. See more about this work on page 7. I hope you enjoy all the stories and information in this month’s issue, made by the community, for the community. Nina Milligan Editor of Connections - Highlands Council Communications Manager Highlands Council is the publisher of Connections, producer of community-wide events such as Highlands Day, owner and manager of Blakely Hall, liaison with the greater community. The mission of Highlands Council, and therefore, Connections News, is “to foster the development of a vibrant and caring community committed to service, diversity, and well-being.”
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ABOUT THE EVENT:
- Thursday, April 26, 2018 - 6:30 - 9:00pm - YWCA Family Village Issaquah by Brian Carr, Pastor, Missiongathering Issaquah Art carries the power to convey meaning in a variety of ways, and to narrate stories that connect people to both the art and to one another. Art also has the ability to inspire and challenge us as individuals and as a community. Issaquah Talks: Activism Through Art is an event that seeks to do both of these things – share stories and meanings through art and challenge us to be better. The event will feature a moderated panel with four local artists who use their work as ways to start conversations around ideas like race, racism, and racial justice (see page 6 for bios). They will talk about how and why they use their art in this way, and ways that you can use your various talents for activism. Following the panel will be an artist reception, which will feature art from our panelists, a live painting performance, and continued conversations. We also often forget the incredible things our children can create, so help empower your child to make an impact as well! With help from the Highlands Youth Advisory Board, ArtEast will be organizing a community art project for children to participate in during the panel discussion, with the finished piece being displayed for the community to view. We hope you will join us! See Missiongathering Issaquah’s Facebook page (and page 9). Read more about the cover artwork (above) by artist Delton Mosby on page 7.
Dear Issaquah Highlands, I am grateful for the opportunity to be involved in starting this conversation in our community. As a bi-racial woman who has raised her daughters here, I've served this community for over eleven years in various capacities and while there have been attempts to have a real dialog around activism and racism, it hasn't really materialized into much. I wanted to add the element of art to activism and racism because it is here, through visual images, that we all speak one language and can let go of our narratives and, in their place, really SEE each other. It is only then, that we can HEAR and LISTEN to one another's perspectives and walk away with something to ACT on. It is my hope that everyone who attends this event walks away seeing the world they live in with a different lens. We all need to encourage and support each other as we learn that our differences really do make us more alike. – Brianna Eigner, Issaquah Highlands resident & “Activism Through Art” Event Producer
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Activism Through Art: Panelists & Artists
Roosevelt Lewis is a painter, sculptor, and poet whose works have been displayed and exhibited in galleries and shows all over the Pacific Northwest. Roosevelt always knew that he wanted to create things, and uses his life experiences to inspire his art. His art reflects the Black, Cajun, and Creole of his home in central Louisiana, and remain the backdrop from which he works.
“Generations of Women” Roosevelt Lewis
“Natchitoches” Roosevelt Lewis
Leleita McKill is a photographer
whose work covers art, fashion, and commercial projects. Leleita emphasizes creating images that promote and celebrate diversity, the female presenting form, and the underrepresented. She finds inspiration in the untold stories of women in America and strives to offer her own perspective as a woman of color through her photography.
“RICH” Leleita McKill
“DREAM” Leleita McKill
Wynn Adele is a queer artist and
graphic designer whose work explores gender, sexuality, the body, mental health, spirituality and intersectional feminism. She enjoys using creative expression as a tool to build community and organize politically. As a white womxn, her work is heavily informed by the art, scholarship, healing and organizing of womxn of color. Much of their work is created using found and recycled materials.
Koloud “Kay” Tarapolsi is a Libyan American artist who creates art to promote a positive image of Arab culture. She has worked extensively in the local Arab art world, working with the Arab Center of Washington, the Arab Festival, and multiple local museums. Her company, A Crafty Arab, allows her to handcraft a vibrant Arab world and share that world with the wider community. Photo by Ingrid Pape-Sheldon.
“It Should Be Simple” Wynn Adele
“On the 1,002th Night” Kay Tarapolsi
YWCA Resident & Featured Panel Performance Dashawn Glymph also known as LegenDary is the creator of the Washington-based hip-hop group FAR SQUAD ORION GANG (FSOG’s). First beginning to write at the age of 6, becoming competitive at the age of 8, and beginning to seriously record music and take his passion more seriously at age 15. This only happened after his friend “Devin Topps” was killed at a Halloween party. Now he looks to make music for the people who need hope, joy, intelligence and energy in a world filled with so much pain and despair. He will be opening up the artist talk with a special performance.
RESIST Magazine Wynn Adele
“I am Art.” Kay Tarapolsi
Issaquah Highlands Connections
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Live Painter at Artist Reception
Delton Mosby is a painter whose
work challenges systems of oppression through visual art, tackling topics such as racism, classism, sexism, and homophobia. Delton encourages others to use art as a resource for healing, relaxation, selfexploration, self-reflection, community building, and advocacy for equality. He will perform a live painting during the artist reception.
On the Cover: Artist: Delton Mosby Title: Dignity *Billie Holiday Dimensions: 22” x 28” Media: Mixed on Canvas; Collage Year: 2018 Artist Description: This painting depicts Billie Holiday at the peak of her career as a jazz singer/musician. It incorporates original sheet music from some of her more esteemed works. She is mostly known for performing the composition titled: “Strange Fruit”, which challenged facets of oppression, and violence towards people of color. It also intentionally highlights the pain that she experienced due to opiate addiction. On display at Blakely Hall as part of ArtEast’s current exhibition,“(in)Habit.” See page 29.
Community Art Project Perry Porter is a painter and
songwriter, focused on portraiture in the watercolor medium. Perry’s portraits feature women of color submerged in surreal/manga style settings. The vibrant colors and free flowing nature of his work not only gives a strong sense of playfulness and freedom but also discipline and control of his medium. “Art is power. Especially in modern culture. We look up to others as the standard of genius or beauty, but the problem is there’s no one that look like us. I want my family and friends to see faces that look like theirs, hair that curls like theirs, full lips. I want them to know that they are just as or more beautiful than the faces they see immortalized in museums.” Perry will facilitate the community art project with ArtEast.
Perry Porter
Perry Porter
How White People Can Help Stand Up for Racial Justice Issues by Brian Carr, Pastor, Missiongathering Church Issaquah
The upcoming “Activism Through Art” event is meant to bring our community together and to begin important conversations around the ways in which we can more fully celebrate our diversity and stand up for racial justice. As a white person, it can be difficult to find the right way to partner in conversations and actions around race and racial justice. Because I’m white, I can’t speak from a place of authority on the ways racism affects people of color. So, how do I partner with the people and movements that work on these issues that matter to me? From my experience interacting with racial justice movements, I’ve come up with four key ideas we should keep in mind when standing up for racial justice issues. Acknowledge “white privilege” “White privilege” is the term used to describe the implicit and explicit advantages people with white skin are given over people of color. These advantages pervade our education systems, workplaces, criminal justice system, and everyday interactions. If you acknowledge white privilege, then you can begin the crucial work of dismantling it. Talk about race This one might seem obvious, but it’s difficult for people to do. Talking about race can seem awkward, scary, or unnecessary, but it is incredibly important that we have conversations about race, especially with other white people. It will probably be awkward at times, but it is necessary. I still find myself stumbling through conversations and, every now and then, saying
the wrong thing. But the important piece is that I am trying, and you can, too. We must confront our friends, families, and coworkers when they say racist or ignorant things. We must educate ourselves so that we can help educate others. We must carry the burden of helping white people understand racism and the effects it has on our society. Realize you’re not an expert Keep in mind that, as white people, we can only learn about racism. People of color experience racism, and this gives them greater authority on the issue. Recognizing that we’re not experts on racism requires that we de-center ourselves from the conversation when we’re with diverse groups of people. Listening is a much more powerful form of solidarity and ally-ship than speaking. As allies, we should still attend rallies and events for social justice, like Activism Through Art, and create space for other important voices to be heard. Stop being surprised Surprise is a frequent reaction that people have when a racist incident becomes a national news story. The unfortunate thing is none of these things should be surprising, and our surprise only further disconnects us from the realities of racism that exist. Rather than be surprised, recognize that those incidents are part of a larger story of racial injustice in America. Once we move from surprise to recognition, we can begin dealing with the disease rather than the symptoms. Now What? These four steps are only the first in a journey that is not short or easy. If we claim to equally value the lives of everyone around us, regardless of race or ethnicity, then we can commit to doing the work to prove it. I hope these steps can help you enter the conversation in a meaningful way.
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How Do You Practice
‘Inclusion’ In Highlands Council’s 2018 Annual Community Survey, we asked “how do you practice inclusion in Issaquah Highlands?” Over 130 people answered, touching on common themes. While we can actively do more to be inclusive, we are inspired by all the different ways, big and small, Issaquah Highlands residents say they’re trying to make everyone feel welcome. Here are a few of our favorite comments from the survey, answering: How do you practice inclusion in Issaquah Highlands?
“We are a multicultural family and love to see other families celebrate their diverse traditions.” “By loving our neighbors regardless of skin color. We love the diversity in our neighborhood. Our kids are being raised with such diversity around them that they don’t see skin color, they simply see friend, and we praise God for that!”
“Greet everyone with a welcoming smile.” “Reach out to all of my neighbors, even if language differences. Try to invite to play or do things together or see how I can help.”
“We don’t practice it. We live it.” “Diversity is one of the greatest things about the IH. I love that my boys have friends of different backgrounds, and don’t seem to notice the color of skin.”
“Make sure every member of the community feels safe and cared for.” “Make friends with all of my neighbors – regardless of age, race, sex, gender orientation, economic status, religious choice.”
“By educating my kids to choose kindess and respect.” “By simply saying hello to anyone I see and by volunteering in a community club designed to bring people together.”
“Attending different cultural and ethnicity events.” “I don’t believe I actively practice inclusion. It’s simply part of our day-to-day life.” Finally, one response to our survey reminded us that we can always do more to reach out to others and be more inclusive:
“I can’t really practice inclusion because I don’t really feel embraced by the ‘community’ or welcome.”
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HIGHLANDS COUNCIL
Happy Birthday Highlands Day! Call for Vendors
Highlands Day Festival Vendor Booth Pricelist Business Booths
Non-Profit Booths
Complete Business Booth - $250 Includes 10’x10’ covered space, one table and two chairs
Complete Non-Profit Booth - $150 Includes 10’x10’ covered space, one table and two chairs
Business Booth Space Only - $100 One table and two chairs provided for a 10’x10’ space. Vendor provides own canopy cover (required).
Non-Profit Booth Space Only – FREE One table and two chairs provided for a 10’x10’ space. Vendor provides own canopy cover (required).
Deadline: August 1st or until venue is full. For application: visit IssaquahHighlands.com/highlands-day Questions? Christy.G@IHCouncil.org or 425-507-1110
Graduations Announcements If you have a senior graduating from High School, or taking a college degree, send us the details for the special issue of Connections this June. This annual tradition showcases the achievements of our youth as well as those continuing their education. See issaquahhighlands. com/submit-aconnectionsannouncement/ for a simple form to submit the details and a photo.
IssaquahHighlands.com now Multi-Lingual! On any given day in Issaquah Highlands, just walk the streets, visit Blakely Hall, or pass by the drop-off or pick-up times at Grand Ridge Elementary and you will hear a multitude of languages. Now, like our community, our website is multilingual! See on the web-page a drop-down list to choose your preferred language. The words on the page magically translate into that language. Please check it out and let us know how it is working for you. Is the translation accurate? Is it helpful? Contact Vicki with your feedback at vicki.g@ihcouncil.org.
HIGHLANDS YOUTH - THE HY
Diversity on a Daily Basis by Dil Thaigarajan, HY Board Member
I feel incredibly blessed to live in the Issaquah Highlands. The Highlands is a very inclusive, exciting community where there are always things to do and people to see. I haven’t always lived here although I feel as if I’ve lived here my whole life. I moved here from the Netherlands when I was four years old. My dad’s company, Philips, put us in corporate housing at Timbers, the apartments on Black Nugget Rd, but we soon found a house in the Issaquah Highlands and moved in. When we first moved here my parents were not American citizens, but now after living here for five years, they became naturalized citizens. I remember them preparing for the test that they had to take in order to become American citizens. They studied for days because a lot of the content was on U.S History and my parents had never been exposed to that. I began school at Grand Ridge Elementary here in the Highlands. At first I was nervous because I was the new kid who had moved from another country but I immediately met a group of kids that I became friends with. As the years
have passed I am still very close with these people whom I see every day. I have friends from all over the world. I have friends from Canada, Germany, Italy, South Africa, China, Japan, Argentina, Malaysia, Denmark, Ireland, France, India, and many other countries. If I lived somewhere else I don’t believe I would’ve seen the same amount of diversity in a community as I’ve seen in the Highlands. One of my favorite memories over the years is when our neighborhood had block parties in the summer. I remember the whole street would clear and everyone would come out and barbeque and enjoy themselves. As a teen living in the Highlands I notice the diversity on a daily basis. At school I see all kinds of people talking with one another and playing games. Our entire community is so friendly and inclusive. The Issaquah Highlands is what I call my home and is a wonderful place to live. Dil Thaigarajan before and after. In the little kid photo, Dil is fourth from left. In the bottom photo, he is held in a reclining position in the center.
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20 YEARS OF ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS
It Takes a Village…and a Council by Kathryn Dean, Kirk Park Neighborhood The old adage “It takes a Village” couldn’t apply more aptly to the development of our urban village. Many people have shared their time and vision to create the vibrant community that we enjoy today. And a major part of the unifying fabric of that community is Highlands Council. Highlands Council came to be after the first neighborhoods were built and IHCA had been established. Judd Kirk, then president of Port Blakely Communities, decided that to fulfill the vision for our urban village there needed to be structures in place to strengthen the social fabric. Port Blakely wanted to build more than a development, they wanted to create a community.
Pioneer Views
JUDD KIRK Highlands Council’s three Executive Directors in 2013 (left to right) Renee Zimmerman, Vicki Stier and Christy Garrard (current Executive Director, since 2012).
Vicki Stier was hired by Port Blakely Communities in 2002 and served as executive director for both IHCA and Highlands Council. It was her job to help create a seamless transition of governance between the developer and the homeowners and with the help of Chris Hysom, establish the covenants and by-laws for both HC and IHCA. Early residents were an active part of this vision and volunteered in large numbers to help shape the future of the Highlands. Vicki organized the volunteers, created committees and hired and trained staff to fill the positions for the IHCA and Highlands Council. Erick and Renee Zimmerman were one of those early involved families. Erick served first as a board member and then became Board President of the IHCA. He and Renee were instrumental in convincing the school district to provide an elementary school for the growing number of children in our community. Renee was then hired by Port Blakely as executive director of Highlands Council in 2007. When Paul and I moved to the community in 2006 and began volunteering, we worked closely with Renee as well as with Christy Garrard, who was working as an event planner at the time. We had come at a good time. Blakely Hall was completed and housing our church gatherings, as well as a Mom’s group, Toastmasters, and other community events. There were large scale festivals all year long that our family enjoyed participating in both as attendees and volunteers. From Green Halloween, Easter egg hunt, Purim, Christmas Festival, Hanukkah celebration, and Highlands Day, there was something for everyone and many opportunities for community involvement. As many long-time residents remember, the recession of 20082009 hit us hard. New growth dropped dramatically, and our retail development was put on hold. Just as Highlands Council was gaining momentum as an independent non-profit entity, staff had to be let go and Vicki Stier, who was then VP for Port Blakely Communities, acted as director of the remaining staff. Chanel Merritt continued as communications manager and Michele McFarland as finance manager. Michele is the longest sitting member of Highlands Council and deserves much credit for the financial health of the organization today. As the economy began to recover, Christy Garrard was rehired by Port Blakely to manage Blakely Hall in the fall of 2010. With very few staff and little money to fund activities, Blakely Hall had become a quiet, dark place. The hours were sporadic and the building saw little use. Christy made it her mission to bring life back into the space and build community spirit again. She turned up the lights, kept regular office hours, and sat visibly at a desk to greet people when they walked in.
She also kept the facility decorated for the seasons and even had an A-board put out front to welcome people in and keep them informed of coming events. I distinctly remember this change. It was always fun to stop in and say hi to Christy when the kids and I would be out visiting different parks in the neighborhood. Vicki Stier retired in June of 2012 and Christy moved into the role of Highlands Council General Manager which soon became Executive Director. It was at this time that Christy brought Nina Milligan on board as Communications Manager and Julie Clegg as Creative Coordinator. Between the three of them they’ve made Connections what it is today: themed issues, magazine-like cover, color photos, and articles written for residents by residents. Vicki Grunewald joined the team in 2016 as Graphic Design and Digital Marketing Coordinator and has expanded our web presence in order to engage with the community in multiple ways. As Port Blakely transitioned out of the community, Christy focused on securing our Highland’s identity while at the same time partnering with the City of Issaquah and furthering the council’s involvement with the greater community. Today we host artEAST events at Blakely Hall, have several highlands residents working for City Council, and are invited to partner with the city on various issues. Highlands Council makes our community unique by providing a vision, structure, and the resources to be more than just a collection of homes but rather a true governed village within our greater city. At this 20-year mark we celebrate the council members and many more than are mentioned here. It takes all of us, volunteers and visionaries, who through our involvement and hard work have created this village we call home. (Special thanks to Chris Hysom, Vicki Stier, Renee Zimmerman, Kelly Bilco, and Christy Garrard who answered all my questions and provided information for this article.) Highlands Council is funded primarily by Communicty Enhancement Fees. See page 31 for more details.
CEO, Senior Vice President, 1990-2011 Port Blakely Communities Considered the Founder of Issaquah Highlands, not only in the built environment, but in our open space preservation and the importance of community. Thanks to Judd’s thoughtful planning, we have Blakely Hall and Highlands Council. These two unique elements are our tools for “building community” in Issaquah Highlands. Among Highlands Council’s “Assurances” is the pledge to “Appreciate diversity of thought and of peoples.”
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When Issaquah Highlands was first being built, I envisioned a community where: People would enjoy the density, walkability, diversity and amenities that make an urban area so vibrant and also embrace the emphasis on community and sustainability.
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20 years later, I think Issaquah Highlands has become: A sustainable and thriving urban village with an extraordinary sense of community.
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I see the future of Issaquah Highlands as: Evolving to meet future needs of the community while staying true to the basic values of sustainability, diversity and community.
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ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Issaquah Highlands Community Association 2018-19 Master Budget Dear Issaquah Highlands Homeowners: The 2018-19 Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA) Master annual assessment will be $936 as of July 1st, 2018. When ratified, there is a $24 annual increase from the 2017-18 assessment. The IHCA Finance Committee, comprised of IHCA Treasurer, Dan Vradenburg, IHCA Finance Committee members Jason Bone, Alex Garrard, Melody Greene, John Knappenberger and Michael Petty, reviewed the 2018-2019 budget prepared by the IHCA Staff. The IHCA is a nonprofit organization, and our budget is developed according to Washington State Law and the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&R’s) for IHCA. The Finance Committee works throughout the year analyzing monthly financials, including a yearly forecast. The Committee began preparing and reviewing the 2018-19 operating budget at their meeting in January. The draft budget was presented to the IHCA Board of Directors at the February 12, 2018 board meeting, and the proposed fiscal year July 2018 - June 2019 operating and reserve budget was approved by the IHCA Board of Directors.
Annual 2017-18 Assessment 2018-19 Assessment
Semi-Annual
$ 912 $ 936
$ 456 $468
Monthly $ 76 $78
2018-19 Budget Overview Income:
$ 3,366,875
Expenses: Landscape, Utilities & Operations $ 1,797,675 Community Management & Administration $ 1,092,040 Accounting $ 207,160 Total Expense $ 3,096,875
Capital Reserves Contribution
$
270,000
Income includes annual base assessments, late fees, shared-costs income, non-member income, interest and other income. The anticipated unit count estimated for the 2018-19 budget is 3,295, conservatively, with the addition of the Westridge homes, an upcoming residential development. The operating expenses increased $74,000 (2.5%) over last year’s budget. The increase is partially offset through increase in base assessments from additional unit absorption. The reserve contribution increased slightly and provides the community with a strong financial position to fund future major projects.
Notable Expense - Increases: • Landscape Non-Contract – More streetscape improvements & tree trimming, rate increases with contractors. • Landscape Contract – Vendor changes and rate increases. • Landscape/Maint. Wages/Benefits – Additional staffing of one seasonal FTE (8 mos.) in Landscaping, and ½ FTE in Operations; need to increase rates to market to remain competitive. • Landscape/Maint. Equipment – Capital equipment purchases needed for increased maintenance projects. • Operations Equipment Rental – To support growing number of work activities relating to Reserve projects. • Garbage Hauling – Increase in yard debris and tree limbs. • IHCA Rent/CAM/Storage – Annual increase. Notable Expense - Decreases: • I rrigation Water – Significant decreases due to efficiency gained through the addition of controllers. • Billbacks – Increased billbacks due to increased staffing; more from reserve projects. • Professional Services/Park Inspections – Annual inspections for park safety only. • Legal Collection Services - Declining number of delinquencies. • Payroll-related Insurance/Taxes – Decreasing due to change in staffing. • Bad Debt Expense – Declining trend of delinquent accounts. • No contribution for Future Office Fund
The IHCA 2018-2019 Budget Ratification Meeting will be held at 6:30 PM on April 25, 2018 at the IHCA office, 1011 NE High St., Suite 210. Per the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the IHCA governing documents, a quorum is not required at the meeting for the budget to be ratified. The budget will be ratified unless 75% of the entire membership (not just homeowners present at the meeting or by proxy) votes to reject the IHCA budget approved by the Board of Directors. If you do not plan to attend the meeting, you may cast your vote in two other ways: • Email: You may send an email to budget@ihcommunity.org. Email must contain your full name and street address. • US Mail: Send your vote with your full name, street address and signature to: IHCA – Budget 1011 NE High St, Suite 210 Issaquah, WA 98029 All votes via email and US Mail must be received no later than April 24, 2018 by 5 PM.
Issaquah Highlands Connections
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ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Issaquah Highlands 2018-19 Approved Budget
For the Fiscal Year July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019 IHCA Board of Directors Approved February 21, 2018 For the Fiscal Year July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019
Issaquah Highlands 2018-19 Approved Budget IHCA Board of Directors Approved February 21, 2018
2017-18 Adopted Budget 2017-18 2017-18 Annual Assessments $912 Adopted Budget Estimated COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT Occupational & Technical Training 29,900 Annual Assessments $912 Company & Management Training 7,000 3,000 3,000 3,000
2017-18 Adopted Budget Annual Assessments $912
OPERATING FUND INCOME Late Fees / NSF Fee & Fine Income Escrow & Resale Cert Fees Collection Legal Fee Income Interest Income Owner Base Assessments Management Fees - High Street Center Assoc. Mmgt Fees - Non-members Operations Income - Non-members Landscaping/Irrig Income - Non-members Other Income Shared Cost - High Street Center Shared Costs Agreements Income TOTAL ASSOCIATION INCOME
11,000
28,000 OPERATING FUND 18,000 15,000 INCOME 2,991,360 27,000 Late Fees / NSF 0 0 Fee & Fine Income 0 0 4,500 Escrow & Resale Cert Fees 148,244 3,246,104 Collection Legal Fee Income InterestEXPENSES Income LANDSCAPE & UTILITIES Utilities - Storm Water Fees 22,000 20,000 OwnerGarbage Base Assessments Electric - Streetlights, Feature Electric 39,000 Landscape - Contract Monthly 348,400 Management Fees High Street Center Landscape - Non-contract (goats) 74,000 Irrigation-Water 166,000 Assoc. Irrig Mmgt Fees - Non-members 28,000 Elec Park & Supply Pumps Irrig Maint & Repairs 25,000 Operations Income - Non-members 112,000 Landscape Supplies Landscape Equipment 6,000 Safety Equip & Supplies Income - Non-members 10,000 Landscaping/Irrig Equipment Rental 12,600 Irrig Non-Potable Maint/Mgmnt 6,000 Other Income Landscape - Fleet Equip, Repair & Maint 25,000 Shop Utilities & Other 15,000 SharedLandscape CostStaff - Wages High Street Center 322,094 Dedicated - Landscape Taxes - Landscape SharedPayroll Costs Income 26,000 Worker's Comp Agreements - Landscape 20,000 Medical Insurance - Landscape 82,000 Expense - Landscape 5,000 TOTAL401K ASSOCIATION INCOME Landscape Travel, Meals, & Training 5,500 Staff Uniforms & Equip Landscape Communications,Computer,Misc Contra-Dedicated Landscape TOTAL LANDSCAPE & UTILITIES
7,200 3,600 (25,000) 1,355,394
2017-18 Estimated
2018-19 Approved Budget $936
28,000 33,050 14,152 22,430 2,996,604 27,750 0 6,500 0 750 4,500 151,875 3,288,610
15,000 30,000 18,000 20,000 3,084,120 28,500 0 7,000 0 1,255 5,000 155,000 3,366,875
23,000 23,328 37,546 396,800 27,700 151,000 25,290 25,000 112,000 6,000 10,000 14,450 6,000 25,000 15,000 322,094 26,000 21,180 71,300 3,274 6,017 7,200 2,807 (37,435) 1,320,552
24,000 25,000 38,900 385,000 119,000 160,000 27,000 25,000 112,000 66,000 10,000 21,000 6,000 25,000 15,000 340,000 27,000 23,500 75,000 4,200 6,000 7,700 3,000 (43,000) 1,502,300
EXPENSES REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE LANDSCAPE & UTILITIES Pet Waste Service Supplies 45,500 45,500 Lighting - Contract 20,000 20,000 UtilitiesHoliday Storm Water Fees Signs Expense, Maint. & Repair 3,500 3,500 Maintenance & Repair 22,100 22,100 Garbage Professional Services-Park Inspections 5,400 5,400 Parks/Trails Lighting Maint. & Repair 6,000 6,000 ElectricMaintenance - Streetlights, Feature Electric Supplies 21,000 21,000 Drain Line Cleaning 25,800 25,800 Dedicated-Staff Wages - Operations 88,000 88,590 Landscape Contract Monthly Payroll Taxes - Operation 7,200 7,038 Worker's Comp - Operations 4,200 4,537 Landscape Non-contract (goats) Medical Insurance - Operations 20,100 18,800 401K Expense - Operations 2,600 2,257 Irrigation-Water Ops Travel, Meals, & Training 1,500 1,500 Contra-Dedicated Operations (5,000) (16,775) Irrig Elec Supply Pumps TOTALPark REPAIRS && MAINTENANCE 267,900 255,247 ACCOUNTING Irrig Maint & Repairs Dedicated Staff Wages-Accounting 205,000 205,000 Payroll Taxes - Accounting 18,000 17,628 Landscape Supplies Worker's Comp - Accounting 750 814 Medical Insurance - Accounting 35,200 36,026 Landscape Equipment 401K Expense - Accounting 6,150 6,150 Contra-Dedicated Accounting (66,540) (66,540) ACCOUNTING 198,560 199,079 Safety TOTAL Equip & Supplies Equipment Rental IHCA Budget Ratification Meeting Irrig Non-Potable Maint/Mgmnt 18-19 APPROVED BUDGET Master for Connections 1 4/25, 6:30PM, IHCA Office Landscape - Fleet Wednesday, Equip, Repair & Maint See details on previous page. Landscape Shop Utilities & Other Dedicated Staff Wages - Landscape
46,000 23,000 3,500 22,100 1,875 6,000 31,000 25,800 117,000 9,100 6,500 26,700 2,300 2,500 (28,000) 295,375
205,000 17,700 900 44,000 6,100 (66,540) 207,160
Other Admin - Dues/Subs., Computer, Misc Dedicated Staff Wages - Community Admin Payroll Taxes - Community Admin Worker's Comp - Community Admin Medical Insurance - Community Admin 401K Expense - Community Admin Mileage/Parking Reimbursement Legal Services Legal Collection Services Audit & Tax Services HR/Payroll Services Computer/Professional Services Reserve Study Contra-Dedicated Staff Comm Assn Committee / BOD Expense Public (Community) Relations Computer Expense (Hardware) Software Licensing Supplies Photocopies Postage Rent, CAMs, Office & Storage Communications B & O Taxes Property Tax Bad Debt Expense Prior Year Expense/G&L Fixed Assets Directors & Officers Insurance General Liability, Property, Auto Insurance Bank Fees - NSF Federal Income Tax Contingency Expense Future Office Fund TOTAL COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT
3,000 405,000 30,000 1,000 59,000 12,150 500 15,000 18,000 9,900 16,500 31,840 2,500 (51,840) 4,300 4,500 7,500 37,000 19,000 15,500 14,000 246,000 10,000 300 13,000 18,000 0 16,000 45,500 700 10,000 50,000 100,000 1,200,750
3,000 11,000 28,000 18,000 15,000 2,991,360 27,000 0 0 0 0 4,500 148,244 TOTAL EXPENSES 3,246,104
3,000 28,000 33,050 14,152 22,430 2,996,604 27,750 0 6,500 0 750 4,500 151,875 3,022,604 3,288,610
2018-19 2018-19 Approved Budget $936 Approved Budget 21,802 27,100 7,000 $936 7,000
2017-18 Estimated
3,000 395,671 28,427 1,000 44,726 10,221 500 15,000 14,000 9,900 16,500 26,644 2,270 (51,840) 4,300 4,500 5,000 35,307 19,000 15,500 14,000 243,000 10,000 150 13,000 18,000 0 15,038 43,028 572 14,907 50,000 100,000 1,150,122
2,925,000
2,600 403,000 28,300 1,250 51,200 12,090 500 13,500 18,000 10,500 17,400 31,500 2,270 (54,120) 4,300 7,300 5,000 35,000 19,500 15,500 17,000 253,000 10,000 150 13,000 15,000 0 16,000 45,500 700 13,000 50,000 0 1,092,040
3,000 15,000 30,000 18,000 20,000 3,084,120 28,500 0 7,000 0 1,255 5,000 155,000 3,096,875 3,366,875
NET INCOME BEFORE RESERVE CONTRIBUTION
223,500
363,610
270,000
RESERVE FUND RESERVE INCOME Reserve Contribution Interest Income - Reserves Capital Assessment TOTAL RESERVE INCOME
223,500 18,000 0 241,500
223,500 22,325 2,736 248,561
270,000 22,000 0 292,000
22,000 20,000 RESERVE EXPENSES Street Trees Rotational Replacement 39,000 Asphalt NP2 No. Pond - Rpr/Seal Common Area Signs - Replaced Yr 1 Mailboxes Upgrade 2017-18 348,400 Mailboxes Upgrade 2018-19 Stairs (a) - 28th & 30th 74,000 Handrails (a) - 28th & 30th Handrails (d) - Daphne to 24th Court Handrails (e) - 166,000 Harrison Summit Park - Refurbish ** Sports Court Deck28,000 Replace Irrigation Controls (6) - Replace Irrigation Controls - Replace 1 of 3 25,000 Irrigation Boxes - Repaint Irrigation Taxes Lining - Recoat 112,000 Leaf Blower & Truck Insert approved Aug 17 $16K Jacobsen RTV (approved Sept 17 $38.5K) 6,000 Laurelcrest Fence (approved Nov 17 $7.4K) Drainline Maintenance Gravel Trails Rehabilitate 10,000 Kirk Park Pavillion - Refurbish Bark Park Fence -12,600 Replace Power Washer Trailer - Replace TOTAL RESERVE EXPENSES 6,000 3/7/2018 CASH FLOW - RESERVE FUND 25,000 18-19 APPROVED15,000 BUDGET Master for Connections 322,094 (
)
23,000 23,328 18,400 37,546 25,000 10,000 23,000 396,800 22,400 27,700 18,000 350 151,000 225 66,500 25,290 35,000 30,650 25,000 16,000 9,000 112,000 6,000 10,000 14,450 274,525 6,000 (33,025) 25,000 15,000 2 322,094
18,400 25,000 10,000 23,000 22,400 18,000 350 225 66,500 35,000 31,955 16,000 9,000 14,235 38,435 7,400
335,899 (87,338)
24,000 25,000 50,000 38,900 385,000 23,700 119,000 160,000 27,000 42,050 25,000 112,000 66,000 8,400 20,000 20,000 10,000 5,000 6,200 21,000 10,000 185,350 6,000 106,650 25,000 15,000 340,000
3/7
14
• April 2018
Issaquah Highlands Connections
ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
IHCA 2018 Election Timeline Revised
We Heard You! Ped Flags Coming in April
This timeline corrects dates that were published in March Connections.
Based on community feedback provided at multiple Issaquah Highlands and City of Issaquah meetings, the Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA), Highlands Council, HFN and Grand Ridge Plaza (Regency Centers) have partnered with the City to implement a Pedestrian Flag Program and other traffic safety measures throughout the community.
Board Districts 2, 4, and 6
The IHCA affairs are governed by the Board of Directors (BOD), each member with one equal vote. The Board of Directors is comprised of Issaquah Highlands homeowners with representation from each Board District. The Directors are elected by homeowners. In even years, even-numbered districts hold elections. Here is the timeline for the 2018 election (corrected): • March 28,2018: Board appoints nominating committee chair vote for opening and closing dates for Notice of Election. • March 30,2018: Mail Notice of election process – Call for candidates – Statement of Interest Forms. • April 1- 25,2018: Open period for return of statement of interest forms. • May 2018: Nominating committee reviews returned statements of interest, conducts interviews as necessary with candidates.
by Sarah Hoey, IHCA Executive Director
We plan to install ten pedestrian flag stations by April in areas of the community identified by resident feedback provided over the last year. In addition, we will continue the traffic calming campaign started by Highlands Council in January. We currently use movable A-Frame message boards at intersections. Additional traffic calming banners along Park Drive are coming soon! We support the Issaquah Police Department’s increase of traffic infraction compliance and parking enforcement. We are also working with City of Issaquah Public Works Engineering Deportment to correct and enhance street signage in Grand Ridge Plaza and other areas throughout the community. The IHCA landscaping department will decrease vegetation that inhibits visibility in the school corridor. Additional information can be found in Traffic Corner on page 21 or these websites: Issaquah Highlands: issaquahhighlands.com/tag/traffic Take the Pledge! issaquahhighlands.com/drive-with-care-walk-aware/ City of Issaquah: issaquahwa.gov/highlandstraffic
• May 23, 2018: Nomination committee presents slate of candidates for approval at board meeting. • Early June 2018: Mail ballots to Board Districts #2, #4, and #6, with annual billing statements. Note: 10-day period must be given for the candidate appeal process. If no appeal is presented, slate of candidates is approved. • June 25, 2018 Election close date. Tally votes. • June 27, 2018: Annual meeting at IHCA office 1011 High Street Suite 210: Election results presented to the public.
Issaquah Highlands Use Restrictions & Rules Reminders ****New rule enforceable as of 04/01/18**** Re: AirBnB, VRBO & short-term rentals Use Rules and Restrictions now state “Timesharing: A Unit may not be used for operation of a timesharing, fractionsharing, or similar program, such as shortterm leases less than six (6) months. The restriction in this paragraph includes, but is not limited to, online services such as Airbnb, VRBO and other short-term rental agreements.” Thank you for doing your part.
ARC Tip of the Month: Did you know… All arbors pergolas, gazebos, patio covers, and sun control devices require ARC approval prior to installation. Awning material and framing must be compatible with the house color. Wooden structures must be constructed of a rot-resistant wood and painted or stained. Metal structures must be powder coated. Composite decking materials (i.e. Trex) are acceptable. A sample of the color must accompany your application.
The IHCA, Highlands Council and the City of Issaquah will install pedestrican crossing flags at the more challenging interesections in Issaquah Highlands. PC: City of Kirkland
Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA) 2018 Survey Issaquah Highlands has a unique organizational structure as a master-planned community. Unlike the survey conducted by the Highlands Council in January, we are asking for feedback regarding how your Homeowners Association, the Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA) serves you. Please follow this link to take this year’s survey:
surveymonkey.com/r/ IHCA2018Connections The survey runs through April 30th. It should only take about five minutes to complete.
Issaquah Highlands Connections
April 2018 •
15
ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
‘Half-Grass’ Alleys by Jessica Dorsey, IHCA Community Manager
Check your mail this month. Depending on the result of the recent inspection of your home, you may receive a friendly reminder notice as part of a shortterm program to get our residential alleys back up to IHCA standards.
Maintained to Standards
It is commonly misunderstood that our landscape standards and rules only apply to your front yards, which often leads to unsightly alleys and unnecessary violations. Alleys must be maintained to the same high standards as your front and side yards. The most common issues in alleys are landscapingrelated: bark beds that have rampant grass shoots and weeds; grass areas that have become so dilapidated we could call them ‘half-grass’; moss covered walkway and driveway aprons; and untrimmed shrubs and trees.
Out of Compliance
The IHCA understands that landscaping is a constant chore. Thank you for doing your part to keep the standards high in the Highlands. (A similar program will roll out this spring for substandard lawns requiring remedy by 05/01/2018).
Summit Park Slides Renovation Coming Spring 2018 by IHCA Staff
No more eroding hillside or unsightly patches of grass on the hill around the two embankment slides at one of our favorite parks. The IHCA Board of Directors has approved a closure, commencing in April, of the Summit Park slide area to refurbish the hill around the slides.
permanent solution to the annual landscaping struggle to maintain the vegetation that is supposed to stabilize the hillside. This vegetation constantly erodes due to weather, use, and the steep grade of the hill. This project should be complete and the slides reopening around June 1st, 2018.
The scope of this project includes redefining the path to the top of the hill and installing a new, poured-in-place rubber fall zone around the existing slides. The renovation is necessary as a
Thank you for your patience while we complete this renovation.
Summit Park Slides Before
Summit Park Slides 2018 Renovation Mock Up
April Irrigation and Landscape Update by Lyle Dickey, IHCA Landscape Manager
The IHCA irrigation crews were busy all of March with irrigation start-ups and repairs. This will continue through the month of April and probably for a few weeks in the month of May. We try very hard to meet our May 1st date of having everything repaired and started, but there are always a few problems that come up. This task is getting easier with our updated irrigation central control system as it cuts down on the labor and makes adjusting each clock much easier than before. The system currently is about 70 percent complete with hopes of completion in the next two years.
Overall, the systems are in good shape, but are getting old and will need hardware upgrades in some areas to preserve integrity and functionality. The systems here are very well maintained due to the in-house crew. This dramatically improves all parts of the irrigation system maintenance. The month of April is very busy for all the landscape crews in the Highlands. They start to mow on a regular basis, so there will be some added noise in the morning. This all needs to be started early to keep this place looking its best. They will also be busy with fertilizing all the turf and shrubs throughout the community. The crews may also be doing herbicide applications to control weeds, moss and other items. These are all applied with environmentally-friendly products by licensed professional contractors, with final approval by the IHCA. The crews may also be working on some minor shrub pruning but should be minimal at this time. Well, that’s about it… time to go back to work! Please get out and enjoy the spring time weather and have a great summer! Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA) Section continues on page 18
16
• April 2018
Issaquah Highlands Connections
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HIGHLANDS Kids & Families
Club Inclusive
Thursday, April 12th, 6pm Blakely Hall Theme: Gardening
A club for kids with special needs focused on acceptance and inclusion. A safe and fun place where kids can be themselves. Contact Alicia Spinner at alispinner@yahoo.com. Also see facebook.com/ClubInclusiveBlakeyHall/
Library-2-Go
Tuesday, April 24th, 3:30pm-4:30pm Blakely Hall
The King County Library will bring the Library-2-Go Book Mobile to Blakely Hall. You bring the family and your library card and peruse the curated collection of books. Checkout your favorites! A FREE, fun, afterschool activity for all ages. Next visit: May 22nd.
Minecraft Mania
Tuesday, April 24th, 5pm Blakely Hall Cancelled April 10th
Join fellow elementary and middle school Minecraft enthusiasts from novice to expert as we share our knowledge of the Minecraft world including Redstone, building, surviving the night, and more. You’ll need a laptop with licensed Minecraft loaded on it. Club leader is Quinn Ryan at boxcargriz@gmail.com and parent leader is Tim Ryan at dadtime@gmail.com.
Toddler Playgroup Every Wednesday, 10am Blakely Hall Newborn to Age 4 Cancelled on April 11th
Moms, dads, caregivers and their children are invited for fun, friendship, support and socializing. Contact katiels84@gmail.com or Alicia Spinner at alispinner@yahoo.com. Search Facebook for Issaquah Highlands Toddler Playgroup
Arts & Cards
Photography Club
Travel Club Night
Enjoy monthly meetings with guest speakers, share and discuss your work with others, and participate in an online community throughout the month. Contact ihpc@outlook.com
Join us for a fun, informal night with your like-minded, travel-loving neighbors. Light snacks are provided but feel free to bring your favorite beverage (perhaps a bottle of wine from your favorite country?) We hope to see you there. Email ihtravelclub@gmail.com with your questions or to join our Issaquah Highlands Travel Club Facebook group. We usually meet at Blakely Hall on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7pm..
Saturday, April 21st, 10:30am Blakely Hall
Poker Night
Thursday, April 26th, 7pm Blakely Hall
Whether you are a novice or a salty vet looking for some steep competition, you will love our monthly group for $40 buy-in, No-Limit Texas Hold ’em tournament! Don’t forget to join us on Facebook for all the latest info and results at our “Issaquah Poker” group page. Contact Henry at hlh1969@hotmail.com.
Rovin’ Fiddlers
Every Tuesday, 7pm Issaquah Highlands Fire Station 73
Drop in on our jam sessions. We welcome guitars, flutes, whistles, banjos, mandolins, autoharps, dulcimers, stand up bass, and percussion. All abilities welcome. Contact Sue at jefhilburn@msn.com.
Yarns & Threads Group Every Friday, 9am Blakely Hall April 13th, Meeting at Swedish
All knitters, crocheters, and stitchers are welcome. For more details or questions, please contact Cathie Coulter at Catherine.coulter@ihmail.com
World Cultures Chinese Heritage Club Sunday, April 22nd, 4pm Blakely Hall
Regular monthly meeting. Contact Bowbow.Gu@outlook.com
India Culture Club
Sunday, April 8th, 1:30pm Blakely Hall Indian Creative Dance workshop by Suma Mondal
“(in)Habit”, April 18th, 7pm Artist Talk with Perry Porter Blakely Hall See Page 29.
Suma Mondal specializes in Odissi, an Indian classical dance form. She is a choreographer and a director in the Greater Seattle area. This workshop will be an attempt to bring to you some basics of Indian Creative dance with a twist to get you moving. Contact: CulturalClubIndia@gmail.com.
Bridge Club
Jewish Club
Grab a partner or come solo to play a little Bridge! Bring your own beverage of choice and a snack to share. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned bridge player, you are welcome to join us. RSVP: Ed Tellman, etellman@pobox. com or Andrew Shanafelt, shanafelta@issaquah.wednet.edu.
L’Chaim! Come and join us as we experience different aspects of Jewish culture together! The club will meet the first Thursday of every month and focus on exploring various themes such as Jewish cuisine, movies, authors/ guest lecturers, and holiday celebrations in an open and inviting atmosphere. All are welcome! Contact: Anya Lvova at anna.lvova1@gmail.com.
Art in Blakely Hall
Monday, April 2nd, 7pm Blakely Hall
Knit for Life®
Every Monday, 1pm Swedish Medical Center, Main Lobby
A network of volunteer knitters in area hospitals, providing physical and mental support in a non-traditional therapeutic environment to cancer survivors, patients and caregivers through knitting. We teach anyone with any skill level. You don’t have to bring anything but yourself. We have all the supplies you will need. Contact: Elaine.Eckert@yahoo.com
Open Mic
Friday, April 27th, 6:30pm Blakely Hall
For more info, contact: Dino Go at kabalen.geo@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 5th, 6:30pm Blakely Hall
Latino Club - Alebrijes Workshop Sunday, April 8th, 4pm-7pm Blakely Hall
Cancelled in April See Where It Takes You!
Fitness Taichi Fitness Club Every Wednesday, 6:45am Blakely Hall Cancelled April 11th
The ancient Chinese martial art, Taichi, will be offered every Wednesday at Blakely Hall. Participation is free; a donation of a nonperishable food item for the Food Bank is encouraged. Contact: taichifitness_IH@outlook.com
Hatha Yoga Classes Every Saturday, 10:30am Blakely Hall No class April 14th
Join us every Saturday for free Yoga! Hatha Yoga Classes are for anyone interested, including neophytes wanting to try yoga for the first time, the experienced looking to improve, and anyone in-between. Yoga class will be led by Melanie and her mother, Deyin. For more information, contact deyiny@microsoft.com
Meditation Group Every Friday, 2pm Blakley Hall Cancelled April 13th
Discover how to find moments to relax the mind. Group leader, Wei Geiger, teaches exercises that promote balance, strength, and calmness. Learn techniques to help deal with stress and strain of a busy life. Free to attend and open to all! Questions? Contact ih.meditation@gmail.com
Yami Yoga Classes Every Sunday, 7:45am Blakely Hall
Join these free yoga classes for a systematic organized teaching as it is supposed to be, as opposed to treating yogasanas as mere exercises. Yoga guru Kiran Balijepalli teaches correct physical posture, and the conceptual basis for these different yogasanas. No prior experience required. Bring your own yoga mat and do not eat anything for at least two hours before (except drinking coffee/tea/milk/water). Contact: srik.satya@gmail.com
Zumba Fitness® Classes Every Saturday, 9am Blakely Hall Cancelled April 14th
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 nonperishable food item to donate to the food bank! Contact: zumbawithcindy@gmail.com
Learn how to make Alebrijes: bright colored sculptures in paper mache. Inspired by artist Pedro Linares, Alebrijes are a large part of Mexican culture. This unique workshop is facilitated by Mexican artist, Antonio Sixto, who designs and creates Alebrijes. You will not experience this mix of culture and art offered in a painting session unless you travel to the heart of Mexico! $35 per person. Potluck dinner to follow. Contact: alispinner@yahoo.com
For the latest details, see IssaquahHighlands.com/events
Issaquah Highlands Connections
April 2018 •
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HIGHLANDS Special Interest Activism Through Art
Thursday, April 26th, 6:30pm-8:30pm YWCA Family Village Issaquah
An evening of art and discussion about challenges minorities face, whether it be from race, ethnicity or gender. Part of the national YWCA Stand Against Racism campaign, a panel of four renowned artists will discuss their experiences and how art helped them overcome challenges. A catered artist reception and art show, along with children’s activities are planned to make this an evening for the entire family. Contact: Brian at mgissaquah@gmail.com
Book Club
Tuesday, April 17th, 7pm Blakely Hall Book: Hidden Figures
The book club is a great place to meet neighbors, socialize and explore a variety of books. Email lindsey8@gmail.com or join the Facebook group at facebook.com/ihbookclub.
Entrepreneur Club
Sunday, April 8th & 22nd, 7:30pm Blakely Hall
Are you a small business owner or an entrepreneur looking to kick off a business idea? This is an opportunity for IH entrepreneurs to gather and be a resource for each other. Join us to meet like-minded entrepreneurs, learn about what’s working for others and bounce ideas for feedback. Here’s a chance to extend your network of support. For more information, contact: Johnathan Chu johnnychu@outlook.com
Ladies Lunch Bunch Thursday, April 26th, 11am Blakely Hall Potluck Style; Adults Only
Good friends. Good food. Good times! Looking for an opportunity to meet new neighbors and make new friends? You’re invited to join our ladies’ potluck lunch group. We hope you can join us! Please bring an appetizer or salad to share along with an appetite and a sense of humor. (Food shared is not prepared in commercial kitchens. Consume at your own risk.) Contact Nancy at n.montgomery@comcast.net
Shred Day
Saturday, April 21st, 10am – 1pm Grand Ridge Plaza
Harborstone Credit Union is working with LeMay Mobile Shredding to bring Shred Day to Issaquah Highlands again this year! Bring up to three grocery sized bags of sensitive documents to be shredded at no cost. Donations for local food banks and pet shelters are accepted.
Toastmasters Club
Every Tuesday, 7am Swedish Medical Center 1st Floor Flex Space Room (north entrance)
Toastmasters will help you to speak and present in a compelling manner, think quickly and clearly, become a strong leader, and listen effectively. To find out more, visit the club website at ihtm.toastmastersclubs.org or drop in as a guest any Tuesday. We hope to see you soon!
Wine Club
Friday, April 6th, 7pm Blakely Hall
Come out and meet your fellow wine lovers in the Highlands! Are you a wine enthusiast, connoisseur, or just a fan? We usually get together the second Friday of each month to discuss and enjoy wine. If interested please send an email to Dianne at danielsondd@yahoo.com for details. Please RSVP the Tuesday prior to the event.
*All Events are FREE unless otherwise noted.
Women in STEM Cancelled in April Blakely Hall
Meet others in the community who work in the STEM fields and share your love of science, tech and learning new things. Club format: discussion group. Bring your favorite recent STEM-related news article or research study to discuss, or present your latest data analysis project, Arduino project, or other shameless amateur or professional geekery. Contact: Tonya Lane at radiazen@gmail.com
Save the Date Pollinator Gardening and Natural Lawn Care Seminar Tuesday, May 1st, 6pm - 8:30pm Blakely Hall - FREE
Co-existing with Carnivores
A Community Conversation about Local Carnivores Saturday, May 5th, 10am-12pm Blakely Hall
Governance Mtgs IHCA Architectural Review Committee
Tuesday, 4/3, 6pm IHCA Office
Highlands Fiber Network Advisory Group Monday, 4/9, 5pm, IHCA Office
IHCA Finance Committee
Tuesday, 4/10, 5:30 pm IHCA Office
IHCA Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, 4/25, 5:30pm, IHCA Office
The IHCA 2018-2019 Budget Ratification Meeting April 25, 2018, 6:30 PM, IHCA office
Join your neighbors and Woodland Park Zoo staff for a conversation about the other residents in our neighborhood: coyotes, bobcats, cougars and black bears. What is cool about these carnivores? And what is concerning? This event is part of a multi-year project for Issaquah residents to explore strategies for coexisting with carnivores in our community. Families of all ages welcome! Presented by Woodland Park Zoo and the City of Issaquah in partnership with Highlands Council. zoo.org/coexisting
Meetings are subject to change. See Calendar at issaquahhighlands.com for more information or date changes.
Traffic Concerns Meeting
Tuesday, April 17th, 7pm City of Issaquah, Council Chambers
May 16, 2018, 7pm Blakely Hall
Representatives from the City of Issaquah return to Blakely Hall to discuss our traffic concerns and their progress on projects in the community. The IHCA and Highlands Council have been working with the City since January. Attend to see what’s been done already and lend your voice to what remains.
Meaningful Movies
Wednesday, May 23rd, 6:30pm Blakely Hall
Meaningful Movies brings the greater Issaquah community together through education and advocacy, using the power of social justice documentary films and discussion. For more information, see meaningfulmovies.org/.
Don’t Miss This Apply for the HY
Highlands Youth Advisory Board
Middle and High School students interested in serving on the advisory board must submit application by May 1st. Visit the Highlands Youth page at IssaquahHighlands.com for more details.
The IHCA 2018-2019 Budget Ratification Meeting
City Meetings Urban Village Development Commission (UVDC) Public Hearing part 2 (final part) for Polygon Homes application for a subdivision of 73 lots and converting a western portion of High Street to a multi-purpose, nonmotorized trail for pedestrians and bikes. A new street called 6th Place NE would be the new connection between High Street and Ellis Drive. This Hearing is a continuation from March 20th and is an opportunity for the public to bring comments and information for the Commission’s consideration.. For more information see issaquahwa.gov
Holidays Easter & April Fool’s Day Sunday, April 1st
Passover, Last Day Saturday, April 7th
Tax Day
Thursday, April 17th
Earth Day
Sunday, April 22nd
April 25, 2018, 6:30 PM, IHCA office
Per the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and the IHCA governing documents, a quorum is not required at the meeting for the budget to be ratified. The budget will be ratified unless 75% of the entire membership (not just homeowners present at the meeting or by proxy) votes to reject the IHCA budget approved by the Board of Directors. If you do not plan to attend the meeting, email your vote to budget@ihcommunity.org. Email must contain your full name and street address. Or send it by US Mail with your full name, street address and signature to: IHCA – Budget, 1011 NE High St, Suite 210, Issaquah, WA 98029 All votes via email and US Mail must be received no later than April 24, 2018 by 5 PM. IHCA Board of Directors monthly meeting precedes this meeting at 5:30pm.
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• April 2018
Issaquah Highlands Connections
ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Going Out of Town? Check in with the Neighbors! by Debbie Orosco, IHCA Compliance Coordinator
A vacation should be relaxed and worry-free. Whether you’re going out of town for a few days or a few weeks, there are steps you can take to prepare your home for your absence and for your smooth return. We hope you find this quick list of tips helpful: Mail and Newspapers: • Short-term: Place a hold on mail and newspapers. Call your post office and news carrier to request your mail and newspaper deliveries be placed on hold so they won’t pile up while you’re gone. • Long-term: Forward your mail by requesting a temporary mail forwarding. You can use this service for as short as fifteen days or as long as one year. You can adjust the amount of time your mail is forwarded online at usps.com Another option is to have a family member or neighbor collect your mail and forward it to you. Even if you have your newspapers stopped, circulars and phone books might be dropped at your house. Ask your neighbor to check for these and dispose of them. There is nothing that says, “no one at home” like an accumulation of unwanted mail at the end of your driveway. You may consider paying a young neighbor? They will enjoy the extra money and your home will not look unoccupied. Yard and Lawn Care: Most of us have a home surrounded by green grass, shrubs, and trees. An untrimmed lawn can be a sign that you are away from home. Depending on how it looks, it can also be considered blight. • Short-term: Mow your lawn and trim plants, trees and shrubs shortly before your trip. • Long-term: Arrange for a lawn service to take care of your landscaping while you are away. This not only keeps the grounds trimmed, it also brings people to your property on a regular basis, helping it not appear abandoned. Depending on what time of year you are gone, it may be necessary to have someone help with seasonal issues, such as snow in the winter and leaf raking in the fall. Emergencies, such as fallen trees, should be attended to immediately, even if you are out of town.
Going out of town? Ask a neighbor to pick up your mailers and newspapers at your home.
Prep your indoor plants: Ask a friend or neighbor to water your plants, and be sure to leave multiple lists of all plants and their locations. Otherwise, invest in self-watering plant stakes. Appliances: The upcoming warmer weather is hard on batteries. These should be removed from all the clocks, remotes, etc. for longer trips. However, some thermostats require batteries, so these should be replaced before heading out. While you would leave your electricity on while gone to operate alarm system, heat or air-conditioning, dehumidifier and fans, you can turn off the breakers to the range and oven, the microwave, refrigerator (if empty) and water heater. Unplug TV sets, recorders and other nonessentials, including the garage-door opener, then secure the overhead garage door from the inside. Good neighbors: You may be relying on your trusted neighbors or home-watching friends to help keep your home safe and intervening in any disasters. When they are away, consider returning the favor, making home-watching feel like a mutual benefit rather than an imposed burden.
Roofs and Gutters: All kinds of weather could happen in your absence. To prepare your home for the elements, it’s a good idea to have your roof inspected and gutters cleaned prior to heading out on extended trips. They fill with leaves, seeds, branches, and roof grit and can clog and cause water damage to the roof and leaks into the interior of the house.
In addition to the above tips, IHCA maintains the Community Wide Standards that were created for the enjoyment and benefit of the entire community. These standards should be maintained regardless of your absence from home. Part of community living involves following the maintenance standards and the guidelines ensure that neighborhoods remain clean, wellmaintained, and aesthetically pleasing to residents, while enhancing property values.
Leaks: Check for water leaks before you leave. Feel the valves underneath faucets to make sure they aren’t moist. Get any leaks fixed.
The Community Wide Standards can be found under the IHCA section of issaquahhighlands.com.
Wow, I Can See Where I’m Going! by the IHCA Maintenance Crew
The IHCA maintenance crew upgraded the pathway lighting throughout the community’s common areas (excluding condominiums) over the last year. In 2017, we were one of the first communities to retro-fit existing fixtures to LED lighting. The LED bulbs are more cost effective and efficient. These new bulbs will last a minimum of three years and the cost for energy usage has dropped by switching from a 10-watt light bulb to a 3.5-watt LED bulb. LED bulbs have a cooler blue color which creates more lumens or measures of light. As this year progresses, we would like your help! If you are out and about in evenings and see lighting that is out or broken, please call IHCA at 425-427-9257 to report any issues. If you see a problematic area that would benefit from additional path lighting, please let us know and we will look into the feasibility of adding new lighting. Thank you in advance for your second pair of eyes on the new lighting during the evening hours. The IHCA maintenance staff is here for you and we are thankful that we work in such an amazing community.
The IHCA has replaced pedestrian path lights throughout the community.
Issaquah Highlands Connections
Issaquah Highlands Photo Treasure Hunt Every month we publish a photo of something (or somewhere!) in the Highlands. While some months are easier than others, all photos are of something accessible to the public. It is up to you to guess where the photo was taken.
April 2018 •
19
HIGHLANDS FIBER NETWORK Technology Needs Attention, Too by Frank Pineau, General Manager, Highlands Fiber Network (HFN)
Technology needs attention, too. Moving parts, software upgrades, the wear of time, all these contribute to a slow decay of even the best systems. Now is as good a time as any to consider maintenance and upgrades to your system.
Last month’s photo was taken inside the Ben & Jerry’s on High Street at Grand Ridge Plaza. The cow driving a VW van always illicits giggles from my kids when we treat ourselves to some ice cream.
There are several web sites that provide equipment comparisons, recommendations and instructions that help determine what you need and how to do it. Wisebread.com, howtogeek.com, pcworld.com, windows.microsoft.com, support.apple.com, betanews.com and macworld.com are just a few of the sites that can give you information. Googling will give you huge lists of potential resources. Some important maintenance issues that you can look-into: • Secure a Firewall • Disk Defragmenting • Network Uninterruptible Power Supply • Troubleshooting • Other A firewall can help to prevent a malicious persons or software from getting access to controlling and corrupting your computer from the outside. Microsoft’s web site at, microsoft.com/en-us/safety/pc-security/firewalls-whatis.aspx explains firewalls well. You can install firewall software on each computer or install a wired or wireless router with an integrated firewall to your system. Protection from viruses and malware requires additional software.
Correct guesses were submitted by: Thanks to everyone who participated! Toni Hunter Shazia Sadaf Nicole Rich Shubha Tirumale Daniel Marchione
Flavia Albuquerque Jyotsna Warikoo Audrey Short Avery Pettit Lili Young
Elizabeth Jackson Viggy Ravilla Melissa Tubbs
This month’s photo is below. Can you identify the location in this picture?
All hard drives eventually get full and need to be cleaned and defragmented. This not only gives you more space, it will speed up your computer! Disk defragmentation deletes temporary files, old logs, caches, cookies and other files that aren’t needed and organizes the remaining files. Determining what should be kept can be confusing, so you can do it yourself or find a computer service that will do it for you. When electrical power disruptions occur in the Issaquah Highlands, the Highlands Fiber Network is not generally affected as the network is on backup power systems. Wireless Internet service is still available if wireless devices are charged and you have a back-up battery for your portal and wireless router. Having a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) at your portal and at your wireless router is key. With both in place you can continue to access the Internet on a laptop or tablet. Next up, trouble-shooting! If you lose your internet connection, turn off the computer and peripheral devices, then turn them back on – do this twice if the first reboot doesn’t work. If two reboots don’t do the trick, plug your computer directly into the service outlet. If you can connect to the Internet, determine which peripheral device is causing the problem and contact the manufacturer. If you can’t connect to the Internet, contact HFN Customer Service, they are generally able to get your service working. If not, your service ticket would be escalated to Network Operations and potentially to our on-site installers. Highlands Fiber Network Customer Service can help you get the most out of your Network! They are available 24/7 at 425-427-0999, highlandsfibernetwork.com or support@hfnservices.com.
If you think you have the answer, please email it to IHPhotoHunt@gmail.com along with your full name. Please be as specific as possible when emailing your response. Responses will be accepted until April 12th. Those with the correct answer will see their name published in next month’s issue of Connections, as well as have their name entered into a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to Bai Tong. Everyone who responds with a correct guess will be entered to win. Every correct guess is an entry! The Photo Treasure hunt is coordinated by volunteer Chelsea Musick of the Central Park neighborhood.
Fiber to the home, community owned!
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• April 2018
ISSAQUAH CITY NEWS
Mayor’s Message on Immigration As previous Mayors have done before me, I want to reassure our community that nothing has changed here in Issaquah. As your new Mayor, I too support our City’s message on immigration. Our community, as always, is welcoming of all people and will continue to be. As your City government, we welcome all people and ideas, with the belief that we are smarter and stronger when we join together. Similar to several sanctuary cities throughout our region and nation, Issaquah has always provided services and enforced the law equally, fairly and without discrimination toward any individual or group — regardless of immigration status. Importantly, our Issaquah Police Department is committed to providing law enforcement services to the community without regard for racial, cultural or other differences. As your local government, we are ensuring that all staff have clear direction not to inquire about immigration status when interacting with our community. We want all members of our community to feel safe and secure interacting with our officers, accessing City services and engaging with us. If you or your family feel unsafe or need assistance, or if you see harassment or hate crimes in our community, call 911 immediately. We will always be a community that embraces diversity and welcomes all viewpoints. Thank you for your support in keeping Issaquah a safe community for everyone. — Mayor Mary Lou Pauly As published on the City of Issaquah website, March 20.
Register Now: Spring and Summer Recreation Programs
Spring is here and summer is around the corner—now is the time to register for our spring and summer recreation programs! Our Parks & Recreation Department offers programs for all abilities and ages — from toddlers to seniors. Browse the latest issue of our Issaquah Recreation Guide found at issaquahwa.gov/recguide and pick your favorite events and programs. Registration is easy! Register online at issaquahwa.gov/ register.
Sign up now for summer programs with the City of Issaquah Department of Parks and Recreation.
Scholarships are available for Issaquah School District residents. To learn more, visit issaquahwa.gov/ scholarships.
Issaquah Highlands Connections
Issaquah Highlands Connections
April 2018 •
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TRAFFIC CORNER
Flags Up For Pedestrian Safety! Provided by: The City of Issaquah Pedestrian flags are coming to key crosswalks in the Issaquah Highlands this spring. Highlands residents can expect brightly colored yellow flags at each end of many cross walks. These flags can be held out in front or waved, and are meant to better able attract the attention of approaching drivers. The flags will have a reflective strip as well to aid with crossing at night--helping drivers spot pedestrians sooner. In addition, here are some tips both motorists and pedestrians can do to promote safer driving and pedestrian activity.
MOTORISTS
The IHCA, in partnership with the City of Issaquah and Highlands Council, installed pedestrian safety flags at crossings of particular concern in the Highlands. PC: City of Kirkland
Stop for crossing pedestrians • Stop for crossing pedestrians at every intersection, even those without marked crosswalks or traffic signals • Before making a turn, look in all directions for pedestrians • Leave lots of room between you and the pedestrian when stopping Watch for pedestrians at all times • Scan the road and sides of the road ahead for pedestrians • Look carefully behind your vehicle before backing up, especially for small children Avoid distracted and aggressive driving • Put away the cell phones, food and other distractions • Stop for pedestrians, even when they are in the wrong or crossing mid-block • Never pass or drive around a vehicle that is stopped for pedestrians • Obey speed limits and come to a complete stop at STOP signs
PEDESTRIANS Look before you cross • Make eye contact with drivers and ensure they see you and will stop • Clearly show your intentions to cross • Watch for turning and passing vehicles • Look across ALL lanes for moving vehicles before proceeding Make yourself visible to drivers • Stand clear of buses, parked cars or other obstacles before crossing • Wear bright-colored clothing and reflective material • Use safety flags when available Avoid dangerous and distracted behaviors • Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections; don’t cross-mid block • Remove headphones and stay off cell phones while crossing • Obey all traffic signals • Don’t solely rely on traffic signals; look for vehicles before crossing • Always walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic
These new flags are part of a multipronged effort from the Highlands Council, Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA) and the City of Issaquah to improve driver and pedestrian awareness throughout the Highlands.
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• April 2018
Issaquah Highlands Connections
HOT TOPICS IN THE HIGHLANDS
Immigration: Issues Many Highlanders Face by Jason Miller, Mulberry Neighborhood resident
One glance at the headlines will tell you immigration is a complex issue for both individuals and businesses. Yet immigration allows the best and the brightest to live and work in the United States and contribute to our communities, culture and economic growth. Many Highlands residents can no doubt share stories about their experience emigrating from other countries to the United States and to our neighborhood. Others of us have likely seen neighbors and friends come and go due to a change in their immigration status.
an employment authorization document provided to students initially for one year after they graduate. Some individuals in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) field, may qualify for an additional two years.
I reached out to immigration attorney Marsha Mavunkel to ask her a few questions about the complex process, and what challenges lie ahead. Marsha has counseled Highlands families and has advised many more on the opportunities and challenges of the U.S. immigration system.
Marsha: Currently, certain non-immigrant classifications, including H 1Bs, have a 60-day grace period during which they can find alternate employment.
Q: If someone lives here on an employment visa, what is the process like to bring their family members with them to live in the United States? Marsha: It depends. If their family is here and when they apply for their Green Card application, generally they can apply at the same time. It’s a little more complex if their family is outside the U.S. They can still apply in certain circumstances, but it goes through a different route because of the Department of State. Q: Right now, what can someone expect when going through the immigration process? Marsha: We are advising individuals to change into more safe statuses, and avoid the targeted statuses. Take for example somebody who’s on a TN (nonimmigrant NAFTA Professional) visa, which is subject to the NAFTA Treaty. We don’t know what will happen with NAFTA, so we’re advising them move into an H 1B or possible spouses of H 1B holders who are on H 4. For students, there are a couple ways foreign students can work after graduating. There’s
Q: Let’s say a Highlands resident is working on an employer visa, things change and they get laid off. How long can they stay?
Q: Many Highlands residents work in the tech field. Has the demand for talent in the region had an effect on immigration? Marsha: Absolutely. For starters, there’s a quota system and there’s only so many allotted per year and for countries with higher demand. We’re seeing a large impact in our tech industry because that is where a large population of Indian nationals and Chinese nationals are in the tech field. We’re seeing large wait times for individuals from India and from China, and that backlog doesn’t seem to be changing at this time. Q: Any other advice you would offer someone looking to come to the United States to live and work generally favorable visa categories? Marsha: Everything’s changing so quickly, it’s hard to say what’s favorable now may not be favorable in a year. The best and safest route to take is becoming a permanent resident, depending on your education and other options.
GIVING IN THE HIGHLANDS
Inclusion through Accessibility at the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank by Chelsea Musick, Issaquah Highlands resident
Visiting a food bank for services can be a difficult step for anyone, but especially for those who feel they are in a minority. This is a driving force behind many of the improvements the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank continues to make to their client services. Clients I spoke with said the Food Bank is “welcoming” and “organized”. “I didn’t have any stigma regarding my use of service.” said Jane*. “I found it easy to access and the wait time was fairly short.” Census data from 2015 showed the number of Issaquah residents who live below the poverty line is 1,958 - a number that more than doubled from 2010. 215 of our Highlands neighbors (65 families) were supported by the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank in 2017. “With multiple visits/services, this totaled 9,400 services provided to individuals from the 98029 zip code in 2017,” notes Cori Walters, Executive Director of the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank. Sara* became a client after her move from a lower cost of living area. “We never had a need for a food bank,” she commented. “Since living in Issaquah, we have found the higher cost-of-living to be extremely overwhelming.” She is able to go once a week and gather enough food to feed her family of four.
The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank makes a point to be a “low barrier nonprofit,” and asks limited questions to determine eligibility. Barriers to accessing services, such as confusing or intrusive questions, is an important issue among immigrant and refugee communities in the region. This population may also experience cultural challenges when accessing services, such as food selection and language barriers. The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank provides a variety of ethnic foods, has several staff members and volunteers who speak languages other than English, and their website is translatable in 103 different languages (issaquahfoodbank.org/ ). Donations to the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank are accepted Monday – Saturday at 179 1st Ave SE, Issaquah. See their website for hours and a list of the most needed supplies. The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank has done an exceptionally great job to foster an environment of accessibility and inclusion. We are extremely lucky to have such a wonderful resource available in Issaquah. The Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank provides a variety of ethnic foods and works hard to lower barriers to its services, an important feature for those first language is not English.
*not their real names
DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Land Development Regulations Approved by Nina Milligan, Highlands Council, Communication Manager
After a year of public process, new land development regulations for Issaquah Highlands were approved by the City Council on Monday, March 19th. The council voted 4-2 in favor of an ordinance that adopts regulations that replace the Issaquah Highlands Development Agreement. Until now, land development in Issaquah Highlands has been governed by a 20-year Development Agreement (DA), signed in 1996. This “Agreement” governed how much development would be built and what it would look like. Now that its term is up, it will be replaced with City regulations. Most of the “replacement regulations” proposed by the city administration were accepted early in the process. The City administration endeavored to imitate the DA with the new regulations, easier to do with some than others. A few proposed regulations went through a more extensive public process. Those topics were vesting (which determines whether developers work with the old Development Agreement
or new replacement regulations), minimum density regulated by minimum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and parking structure requirements. The latter two regulations were intended to fulfill the vision of Issaquah Highlands as a pedestrian-friendly, urban style community. Why does this matter? As we know, Issaquah Highlands is not fully built out yet. The replacement regulations determine what will be built on many of the now empty parcels of land. And second, these regulations will govern how already built-on parcels could be redeveloped in the future. You may find more information on issaquahwa.gov. Search for the “Development Agreements Page.” Also see more of our reporting on this topic by searching for Development Agreement at issaquahhighlands.com . Our most recent post on this topic was “Regulations for Future Development Approved Tonight?”
Issaquah Highlands Connections
LIVING GREEN
Get a Patch and Grow a Row for the Hungry in our Community
by Christy Garrard, Executive Director for Highlands Council, Dahlia Park Resident Get a Patch. This month To lease a patch in our Community Garden we celebrate Earth Day. Consider leasing a patch in our program and to register to Community Garden Program Grow a Row this year visit: and grow produce and flowers issaquahhighlands.com/community-garden/ this year! Reduce your carbon footprint of driving to the grocer for produce and provide pollen and nectar for birds, bees and butterflies at the same time! Grow a Row. If you like to garden, Girl Scout Troop 46554 would love your help. With the support of Highlands Council and the Community Gardeners of Issaquah Highlands, the girl scouts are working with the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank’s Harvest Issaquah program to collect fresh produce to feed families in our community. We invite you to register to “Grow a Row” designated for the Food Bank. Girl Scout Troop 46554 had an extremely successful harvest last summer, thanks to the support of our fellow Issaquah Highlands gardeners. Over the course of the summer the troop farmed, harvested, and donated almost 300 lbs. of fresh produce to the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank! Don’t have space to designate an entire row in your garden? Don’t have a garden bed at all? That’s okay! You can grow just one potted plant for the Food Bank. Every little bit helps. The troop will harvest and collect your designated produce and deliver all donations directly to the Food Bank for you. Registered home gardeners can place their produce on their front porch and the girl scouts will stop by on Sundays to retrieve your donations. All the fresh produce will be delivered to the food bank on Mondays. We can do this again with help from YOU, our neighbors, who sign on to participate in the “Grow A Row” campaign. Your generosity and willingness to help will show these young girls that they are never too young to make an impact. Questions? Contact Christy.G@IHCouncil.org or 425-507-1110
April 2018 •
ASK KARI
Kari is one vacation this month, please enjoy a best of the best questions from previous columns. Dear Kari, My son’s friend, who is seven, comes over almost daily 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 can I do to get his parents to come pick him up? - Free Childcare Dear Free Childcare, It sounds like you like your son’s young friend; you just don’t like the behavior of his parents. Since 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. -Kari Dear Kari, My son is returning to his second year of college soon, and he struggled all freshman year with depression. How can I help him have a more successful second year? I don’t want to worry about him every day like I did before. Do you have any recommendations for us? - A Worried Momma Dear A Worried Momma, I am sorry to hear that your son struggled his first year away from home. I recommend that you develop a system to connect on most days of the week. Texting is not enough; instead I recommend that you plan to Facetime or Skype at a set time each day, even if it’s only for a few minutes. Seeing someone’s face and hearing their voice at the same time can connect us instantly in a way that email and text does not. Practicing this act should help your son feel supported with you and cared for on a regular basis, which helps with depression. Also, I recommend that your son connected with others in his school community. Some options would be, joining a group he is interested in on campus, or even working out at his school’s recreation center. Choosing such activities puts him in a room with others where he may find more connections with others, which also helps with depression. Lastly, if your son practices these recommendations and still feels lonely, isolated, or depressed, I recommend that he seek out counseling support at the student health center on campus or with a local therapist in the area where he attends college for additional support. I wish him the best. -Kari Kari O’Neill, MSW, LICSW, is a licensed independent clinical social worker and a resident of Issaquah Highlands.
Girl Scout Troop 46554 donated almost 300 lbs. of fresh produce to the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank in 2018!
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We love to hear from our readers. Please email your question to kari@ihcg.co and place the words “Ask Kari” in the subject line. All questions will be answered in upcoming columns. All personal information will remain confidential and not published. 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.
Earth Day S un day Apr il 22nd
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• April 2018
Issaquah Highlands Connections
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT Issaquah School District
Endeavour Elementary
4/3 4/9 - 4/13 4/18 4/25 4/28
4/3 4/4 4/6 4/18 - 20 4/25
issaquah.wednet.edu
Golden Acorn District Reception Spring Break – No School ISD Job Fair School Board Meeting @ 7:00 P.M. Reflections - WA State Advancements
PTSA Membership Meeting Singers Concert Popcorn Friday 5th Grade Camp Bingo Night
Issaquah School Foundation
Issaquah Middle School
4/4 4/28
4/2 4/6 4/19 4/23 4/24 4/27 4/27
isfdn.org
Dine-In for Kids Nourish Every Mind On-Line Auction
Challenger Elementary challengerpta.org 4/6 4/30
Popcorn Friday Staff Appreciation Week
Clark Elementary
clarkpta.org
4/2 New Student Registration Begins 4/5 First Grade Concert 4/18 Coffee w/ Principal 4/20 Dads@Recess
APRIL EVENTS
endeavourptsa.org
Grand Ridge Elementary grandridgeptsa.org 4/3 4/4 4/6 4/25 4/26 4/27
4th Grade Concert Science Fair Popcorn Friday After School Movie – Boss Baby Spring Chorus Concert Grizzly Guys at Recess
**Be sure to check individual web sites for details and updates
6th Annual Influence the Choice Video Contest
Youth can POSITIVELY influence and encourage each other to stay mentally and physically strong dealing with pressures of drugs/alcohol. While most students don’t abuse drugs/alcohol, almost every student is confronted with a choice. What are some of the best techniques to communicate the ways to make positive choices with ourselves, our parents, and our fellow students? The Influence the Choice Drug Prevention Alliance for Youth is sponsoring a video contest to inspire youth to POSITIVELY influence each other by producing two-minute PSA’s. For more information, rules on how to enter: InfluenceTheChoice.org. Deadline: April 13th, 2018.
Donating Lunches for Spring Break School breaks are usually a joyous time for children. However, for some children, breaks can be a period when their family doesn’t have enough food, struggling with food security. LUNCH for the BREAK works to make sure all ISD students have enough to eat, even when school is not in session. Consider donating groceries or money to help feed families within our community. Donation drop off is April 4 and family pick up is April 5. Also see LunchForTheBreak.com. Questions? rebecca@issaquahfoodbank.org or 425-392-4123 x11.
Issaquah High School PTSA Senior Scholarships
Did you know Issaquah High PTSA awards FIVE $1000 scholarships to 2018 graduating seniors who’ve displayed strong personal and academic growth throughout their high school careers? Scholarships are available for Tech and Vocational pursuits, as well as Community Colleges and Universities. Students applying for PTSA Scholarships must be in good standing and demonstrate a commitment to furthering their education. Applications due April 18, 2018, 3:30 PM, in the IHS Office, or email. Questions, contact Mary Adkins at IHPTSASeniorScholarships@gmail.com.
issaquahmiddleptsa.org
Talent Show Auditions All School Social Eastshore Music Festival Big Brothers/Sisters Donations Drive-All Week Cultural Fair Spirit Day Talent Show
Pacific Cascade Middle School
pacificcascadeptsa.org 4/19 4/19
NJHS Community Service Hours Due Eastshore Music Festival
Gibson Ek High School GibsonEk.org
Issaquah High School
issaquahhighptsa.org
4/3 Mask You Live In – Film and Presentation 4/18 Senior Scholarships Due 4/19 Choral Classics Concert 4/20 IH PTSA Membership Meeting - Elections 4/22 Outstanding Educator Nominations Due 4/23 IH PTSA College #101 Planning Seminar 4/25 Percussions Band Concert 4/28 TOLO 5/1 Graduation Community Service Hours Due
Support Issaquah Schools Foundation - Join us for Nourish Every Mind 2018!
The Issaquah Schools Foundation’s Nourish Every Mind fundraising events are coming up! ISF creates limitless opportunities for every student in every school by leveraging unparalleled and trusted partnerships across the community, managing over 40 programs for students. Please help by attending one of our Nourish Every Mind fundraising events. Generous sponsors pay for the cost of the event, so your entire donation goes directly to support students. Auction items will be available online from April 27 - May 7, 2018, at 8:00 PM, at ISFDN.org/auction. 20th Annual Luncheon • Thursday, May 10, 2018 • Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue Doors open at 11:00 am, with a wine wall, program displays, time for networking, & more. 5th Annual Breakfast • Wednesday, May 22, 2018 • Eastridge Church, Issaquah Doors open at 7:00 am, with program displays, time for networking, and breakfast buffet.
The Mask You Live In: Changing Society’s Definition of Masculinity:
The Mask You Live In follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definition of masculinity. Research shows that compared to girls, boys in the U.S. are more likely to be diagnosed with a behavior disorder, prescribed stimulant medications, fail out of school, binge drink, commit a violent crime, and/or take their own lives. Societal rules, roles, and pressures create the mask many boys live in. Important and impactful film for everyone in our community. Join the entire ISD community April 3rd, 2018, in the IHS Theater, starting at 7:00 PM, with a panel discussion to follow.
Issaquah Highlands Connections
April 2018 •
25
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
by Tracie Jones, Wisteria Park
IH PTSA College #101 Planning Seminar Join the Issaquah High PTSA for “College Planning #101” Seminar, designed to help ALL parents through the college process, on April 23, 2018, starting at 7:00 PM. Presented by Sally Fouché, Counselor at the International School, in Bellevue School District. This event is free for PTSA members, and $25 for non-PTSA members. For more information and sign-up, visit IssaquahHighPTSA.org.
IH PTSA Awards: Nominate Outstanding Educators
Nominate a special IHS teacher or staff member, today! This Award was created to recognize those who’ve provided outstanding educational opportunities for students beyond the normal scope. An educator can include teachers, specialists, support staff, administrators, or community members. Deadline for submissions: Sunday, April 22, 2018. Nominations are confidential. Questions, online forms, and more information, please contact Awards Chair, Marni Kilzi MKilzi@msn.com, or visit IssaquahHighPTSA.org.
Grand Ridge Elementary Science Fair
Come join the Grand Ridge PTSA for our annual Science Fair, April 4th, from 6:30 – 8:00 PM, in the MPR and gym. The Science Fair showcases STEM exploration, providing opportunities for scientific inquiry, along with using the tools and knowledge students need to explore the world. In addition to volunteer positions for parents, we’re also looking for parents to put together their own science exhibit for the fair. Show your stuff! If you’re interested in volunteering, donating, or signing up, visit GrandRidgePTSA.org.
Grand Ridge Dinner/Auction LAST CHANCE for Tickets!
The Grand Ridge PTSA Dinner and Auction is almost HERE, May 5th, 2018! Make sure you’ve purchased your tickets to support ALL students. Grand Ridge parents, friends, and staff will enjoy an evening of delicious food and drinks, a silent and live auction, all in support and celebration of the wonderful accomplishments throughout GRE. Auctions are only held every other year, allowing the community to work together, using volunteer time and resources, raising necessary funds for important PTSA programs. Last minute donations, suggestions, volunteers, contact Auction Chair - Nancy Link, at GRPTSA@Outlook.com. More information, visit GrandRidgePtsa.org.
Grand Ridge PTSA Volunteer Opportunities
Please contact our PTSA Presidents grptsapresident@gmail.com if you’re interested in any of these positions: Community Service, Hospitality, Staff Appreciation (Co-Chair), or Parent Education. We could use your help!
2018 -2019 ISD Science and Technology Elementary Magnet Programs
Issaquah School District will offer three Science and Technology Magnet Programs, serving 4th and 5th grade students, in multi-age classrooms, located within Clark, Cascade Ridge, and Briarwood Elementary Schools. Curriculum is rigorous, and project-based, including a variety of options. The multitude of approaches are designed to encourage creativity, drawing personal connections to real-world application. Enrollment forms must be returned by Monday, April 16, 2018, to the ISD office to be included in the lottery. Forms received after deadline will be placed on a wait list. Questions and application, please call 425-837-7120.
Seniors: Community Service Hours Due
Congratulations to the 48 Seniors who’ve already reported 100+ hours of community service! Class of 2018 Seniors have currently recorded a whopping 11,914 hours of volunteer service. If you haven’t reported your hours using our easy online form, please do so this month to receive graduation recognition. Deadline for Senior Graduation Recognition is May 1, 2018. Seniors interested in sharing inspiration from their community service, or any questions, email Pamela Kreuger, at IssyHighCommunityService@gmail.com.
Gibson Ek High School Donation Wish List
Want to help at Gibson Ek, with donations, but not exactly sure how? Here’s a list of supplies that are ALWAYS in demand, and sincerely appreciated: Clorox Wipes, Boxes of Tissues, Scotch Tape, Expo markers, Glue Sticks, Crayola Markers, Colored Pencils, Chalk, Yardsticks, meter sticks, rulers, Paintbrushes, Canvases, Art Pencils (sketching pencils), Pearl Pink Erasers, Metallic Paints. Thank you, in advance! Questions, contact Gibson Ek PTSA at GibsonEkPTSA.ourschoolpages.com/ContactUs.
IH PTSA Angel Donations
The IH PTSA Angel Program strives to assist families who need a little extra help. Our program is confidential, behind-the-scenes, and made possible by donations from incredible IHS parents and the greater Issaquah community. Monetary donations go a long way making IHS families in need breathe a little easier. The Angel Program wants to ensure every qualified Angel student doesn’t feel burdened by the cost, such as graduation expenses. Volunteer time also helps; We are always looking for volunteers. Please contact us!! Questions? Email Lisa Hollingsworth, at holingsworthl@issaquah.wednet.edu, or visit IssaquahHighPTSA.org, and click on the “Angel Program” icon for program info.
IHS Booster Club 2018 College Scholarships
If you’re a graduating senior, participate in a Booster Club affiliated activity, club, or sport, and maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, consider applying for a Booster Club College Scholarship. Every spring, scholarships valued at $1,000, or more, are awarded to selected IHS graduating seniors. Applications and info can be found on the Booster Club Website, IHSBoosters.org. Don’t delay – applications due April 20th, 2018.
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Issaquah Highlands Connections
April 2018 •
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
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Produced by Nina Milligan
Alicia Spinner April Volunteer of the Month For the month of April, we decided to bestow the honor of Volunteer of the Month on a repeat designee, Alicia Spinner. Long-time Highlands resident, Alicia has been part of many endeavors in the Highlands over the years. She has founded or been integral to starting community clubs and she produces special events, some of them on a monthly basis. Some are large-scale annual holidays. Through it all, Alicia’s efforts support inclusion in the diverse community of Issaquah Highlands. Alicia latest event for the community is an Alebrijes
Workshop on April 8th at Blakely Hall. PC: Wikimedia And now, she has taken on the commons big job of Magazine Editor of Cultural Bridges, a monthly publication supported by the Issaquah Schools Foundation, serving families with school-aged children with valuable information in four languages. See the Q and A to the right for Alicia’s perspective on her new position with Cultural Bridges.
This month, Alicia is producing an Alebrijes Workshop for Children’s Day, 4-7:00pm on April 8th at Blakely Hall. See more details in What’s Happening, pages 16-17.
A Few of Alicia’s Contributions Founder of Clubs and Events at Blakely Hall: Latino Club Special events for Latino Club Three Kings’ Day and Dia de los Muertos Club Inclusive Toddler Playgroup (now run by Katie Hays) As if that were not enough, Alicia volunteers as: V.O.I.C.E. Mentor, Issaquah Schools Foundation Grand Ridge Elementary PTSA Co-President
Thank you, Alicia, for all that you do!
We Asked Alicia About Cultural Bridges Recently we asked Alicia Spinner about her new role as Editor of Cultural Bridges. Cultural Bridges is a program produced by the Issaquah Schools Foundation that includes a multi-lingual monthly magazine for families with school-aged children. It is published in English, Spanish, Korean and Chinese. Alicia was hired as Editor last Fall.
When did the Cultural Bridges program begin? Cultural Bridges is a program of the Issaquah School Foundation and it started in 2015. I have been one of the biggest cheerleaders of this project since its beginning. I understand the need for a communication tool like this for parents like me, who did not grow up in the American educational system. Even today, I often find myself searching online for things like the number of years for Middle School or for High School. And to be honest, many of the topics that we are researching for the magazine are as interesting and new to me as they are for the readers. Why do you think Cultural Bridges is important in the community of Issaquah Highlands? Cultural Bridges is a family engagement program that serves as a bridge of communication between the Issaquah School District and parents who are culturally and/or linguistically diverse. And since our community is so diverse, there is a great number of neighbors that are using the magazine already to be informed and involved in their children’s education. What is your motivation for taking on this job of Editor? I feel it is a great match for me on many different levels. After all, this project is the perfect combination of two of my loves: writing and serving the diverse community of Issaquah. I have been volunteering in almost every event and opportunity at Grand Ridge Elementary and have been a member of the PTSA board for seven years. Throughout all of this time, I felt the most satisfied when serving as a bridge between the school and a parent who did not grow up in America. And now, Cultural Bridges is giving me the opportunity to reach and serve many more families. I am very honored to be part of Cultural Bridges’ team! What does the editor do and what do you hope to accomplish? I am in charge of putting the magazine together, and supervise the work of the English, Spanish, Korean and Chinese editors. I also help with the design for the cover and I get together with many teachers and educators to make sure the content is relevant to our readers. I spend a good deal of time questioning what is relevant to our readers. I host focus groups at my house and it has been an enlightening experience. I have been amazed at how much we assumed other people know or understand. As an example, in one of the meetings somebody asked: How are schools funded? And then I realized none of the other moms knew the answer to the question. So, we will have a page dedicated to this topic in the next issue of the magazine. What are your most difficult challenges? Distribution. The magazine is sent to every family who has a child in the ELL (English Language Learners) program, but I am sure that there are many more families that could use this information. We haven’t found a good way to reach them, yet. Any other comments? I would love to hear from the readers. I am open to new ideas and topics for content. Please don’t hesitate to contact me! Alicia Spinner, Cultural Bridges Magazine Editor culturalbridges@isfdn.org
Alicia is founder and volunteers with many clubs, and at Highlands Day.
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Happy Easter
Issaquah Highlands Connections
April 2018 •
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Get Your Tickets Now for Summer Concerts by Susie Sharp, The Brownstones
My summer plans officially begin this month. And summer is simply not complete without an outdoor concert or two. Living in the Issaquah Highlands we are fortunate to have a variety of concert options, whether they are household names or local talent. The only real question is how far we wish to drive. Chateau Ste. Michelle’s anxiously awaited list of summer concerts will become available by the time this prints. Their location in Woodinville is 20.5 miles away but well worth the drive. Their summer concert series began in 1984 and the venue has become one of my favorites. Whether your preference is rock, jazz or contemporary, you are bound to find a band that appeals. I know from past experience that concerts can sell out quickly for this amazing venue. That and coordinating competing calendars of friends and family – can be challenging, but will all be worthwhile. Sign up with the winery to receive notification of the summer series as soon as it is available here: ste-michelle.com/visit-us/contact-us . The wonderful Marymoor Park in Redmond is also host to a summer concert series. It is slightly closer at 18 miles by car . It boasts a 5000 capacity outdoor venue and the opening weekend in June showcases Slightly Stoopid on June 8th and Barenaked Ladies on June 9th 2018. Starting times vary between 6 and 7 pm. For further information and ticket purchases go to marymoorconcerts.com/events . Last but not least, we have our very own Issaquah concert series – Concerts on the Green. This series starts in July and runs through the last Tuesday in August. Concerts are held on the lawn of the Issaquah Community Center Green. They tend to run from 7-8.30 pm and are particularly family friendly. Plan to arrive early with a picnic and get the best lawn spots. Local bands strut their stuff and best of all, the concerts are free. See issaquahwa.gov To fully prepare for these concerts, make sure you have the right type of lawn chair. They must be low in order to not block the view of other people, but comfort is crucial. Cup holder and a cold pocket for keeping the important beverages cool! But if you wish to pay extra at Chateau Ste Michelle, you can get reserved seating in a real chair, right up by the stage. If on the other hand you are a purist on summer concert evenings, then a blanket and picnic is the way to go. Can I recommend a blanket with a waterproof backing so that it looks good and is comfortable to sit on even if the grass is damp? Summer weather here can be gorgeous but Mother Nature doesn’t always coordinate with the outdoor performances.
City of Issaquah’s Concerts on the Green begin in July. When you plan your summer concert schedule, don’t forget to include these fun, free, family-friendly concerts.
Another suggestion as a seasoned concert attendee is to consider the age of the concert goers when buying tickets and to check out the opening acts. I once took my daughters to a Cheryl Crow concert, with James Blunt as the opening act. My younger daughter didn’t care for James Blunt and was so exhausted by the crowds and picnic beforehand that by the time that the amazing Cheryl Crow came on stage, she was fast asleep! I hope you all have the opportunity to create your unique musical memories. What better way to have fun with family and friends at a local, outdoor concert?
BLAKELY HALL ART GALLERY
(in)Habit artEAST Artist Talk With Perry Porter
See page 7 for more information about Perry Porter
Wednesday, April 18, 7-8pm Blakely Hall | Issaquah Highlands (in)Habit is a juried show at Blakley Hall through May 15th About the show: The continued movement of people to the Pacific Northwest has intensified opposing political ideas that were once unfamiliar to the region. While populations clash over the pros and cons of density, artEAST seeks to feature art that illuminates the individual self in urban spaces. For this show, artEAST asked artists to submit both 2-D and 3-D visual works of any medium and style that subverts historically urban-related visual media. This includes but is not limited to graffiti, advertising, and signs. Situated at the edge of many of Puget Sound’s urban centers, artEAST serves both an urban and suburban population and expects the art in this show to incite conversations about the role art plays in an area that is being aggressively urbanized. Artists include: Carol Ross, Colin Scott, Delton Son and Ekta Gupta. From Top to Bottom, Left to Right Carol Ross – City Lights Colin Scott – Staircase Delton Son – Winnie Mandela Ekta Gupta – Yearning III
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EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Resource Guide for Newcomers by Amanda Keverkamp, CERT Team 9, Resident of Crofton Springs
New in town? There are many resources to get you and your family prepared for emergencies. Here are a few that I personally find helpful. Staying Informed ¾¾ ALERT King County. Sign up for the free regional public information and notification service to stay informed about threats and hazards that may impact where you live and work. See kingcounty.gov/depts/emergency-management/alert-king-county.aspx
¾¾ Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training educates volunteers about disaster response skills, like disaster medical operations, fire safety, light search and rescue, and more. Don’t have time to sort through a bunch of webpages? Visit the Washington Department of Emergency Management’s YouTube channel (EMDPrepare) for short videos to help you get started.
¾¾ The City of Issaquah has designated AM Radio 1700 and ICTV Channel 21 for emergency communication. ¾¾ During an emergency, they also recommend monitoring the City of Issaquah Twitter account (twitter.com/cityofissaquah) and the website (issaquahwa.gov) for updates. Making a Plan ¾¾ Washington State Department of Emergency Management has an excellent brochure on how to make sure you and your family are 2 Weeks Ready. The State revised their readiness recommendations in 2016, urging Washingtonians to be prepared to survive on their own for at least two-weeks after a major disaster. Visit mil.wa.gov/ preparedness for the 2 Weeks Ready plan and more. All documents are available in a variety of languages including Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and more. Building a Kit ¾¾ There are many online and printable check-lists to help you put together an emergency kit. One of my favorites can be found on Ready.gov. Visit Ready.gov/kids/build-a-kit. ¾¾ You can opt to purchase a ready-made kit from any number of retailers including PrepareSmart.com, Costco, Amazon, and more. Not all ready-made kits are created equal, so I recommend having a check-list handy to compare against before purchasing. Disaster-Ready Skills ¾¾ The Red Cross offers classes on First Aid, CPR, swimming, and water safety.
The Washington State Department of Emergency Management webpage offers a language translation tool, which in many cases, translates the content you need, immediately.
Issaquah Highlands Connections
April 2018 •
DIRECTORY
ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION 1011 NE High Street Suite 210 Monday–Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm
MAIN PHONE: 425-427-9257 | AFTER HOURS: 425-223-8887
IssaquahHighlands.com Responsible for:
Property Management Enforcement of CCRs, Rules, Regs Architectural Review Common Area Landscape
Funded by:
Annual IHCA Assessments Neighborhood Assessments
Governing Body
Board of Directors ihcaboard @ihcommunity.org Jim Young, President Rossie Cruz, Vice President Dan Vradenburg, Treasurer Walt Bailey, Secretary Rob Knight, Director
Sarah Hoey, Executive Director sarah.h@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1120 Erika North, Senior Community Manager erika.n@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1121 Barbara Uribe, Senior Accountant and Benefits Coordinator barbara.u@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1123 Kristyn McKinnon, Accounting Manager kristyn.m@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1117 Soledad Ruiz, Account Receivable Specialist soledad.r@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1119 Jessica Dorsey, Community Manager jessica.d@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1113 Debbie Orosco, Compliance Coordinator deborrah.o@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1134 Lyle Dickey, Landscape Manager lyle.d@ihcommunity.org Matthew Hendrikse, Maintenance Supervisor matthew.h@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1137 Billing Inquiries payments@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1119
HIGHLANDS COUNCIL
Responsible for:
Community Events Blakely Hall Community Center Facility Rentals Community Garden Facebook E-Letter Connections Newspaper issaquahhighlands.com
Governing Body
Board of Trustees hcbot@ihcouncil.org Larry Norton, President Patrick Byers, Vice President David Ngai, Treasurer Philip Nored, Secretary Fred Nystrom, Trustee Ami Desai-Mehta, Trustee
Frank Pineau General Manager FPineau@HFN.org Support: 425-427-0999 HighlandsFiberNetwork.com
Governing Body
Board of Directors Larry Norton Allen Enebo Tim Underwood Charlie Herb
Funded by:
Sponsorships/Grants & Advertising Community Enhancement Fees (1/4 of 1% on sale of home) 12¢ per sq. ft. retail/commercial | $50/door per year for apartments
Emergency: 9-1-1 Issaquah Police (non-emergency) 425-837-3200
Christy Garrard, Executive Director christy.g@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1110 Nina Milligan, Communications Manager nina.m@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1111 Michele McFarland, Controller michele.m@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1108 Vicki Grunewald, Graphic Design & Digital Marketing Coordinator vicki.g@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1109 Julie Clegg, Creative Coordinator | julie.c@ihcouncil.org Lindsey Pinkston, Administrative Assistant lindsey.p@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1107
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 425-223-8887
COMMUNITY SERVICES AT BLAKELY HALL
Notary Service by Appointment • Per signature fee applies • Fax Sending & Receiving • Fax sending, local $.50 per page • Fax sending, long distance $1.00 per page • Fax receiving, $.50 per page • Limited B/W Photocopying, $.05 per page • Lost & Found
facebook.com/ issaquahhighlands Sign up for our weekly E-Letter at issaquahhighlands.com
RENTAL FACILITIES
Blakely Hall
Fire Station #73 Meeting Room
Blakely Hall is Issaquah Highlands’ award-winning community center that feels like a luxury lodge. With a variety of meeting, art & dining spaces, an outdoor patio, and adjacent park, it accommodates groups from 20 -200. See our webpage for more information or contact Lindsey at Highlands Council with your questions.
Swedish Hospital Conference Center
2550 NE Park Drive 425-507-1107 | Lindsey.p@ihcouncil.org | BlakelyHall.com
HIGHLANDS FIBER NETWORK
Blakely Hall 2550 NE Park Drive Monday–Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
MAIN PHONE: 425-507-1107 | IssaquahHighlands.com
Homestreet Bank
Conference Room 909 Northeast Ellis Dr. | 425-677-2210 homestreet.com/branches/issaquah-branch
1280 NE Park Drive 425-313-3200 | eastsidefire-rescue.org/Facilities 751 NE Blakely Drive 425-313-4000 | IssaquahConferenceCenter@swedish.org
Connections: By Community, For Community Connections News is a monthly community newspaper written mostly by volunteerresident writers, edited and published by Issaquah Highlands Council. Connections helps Highlands Council fulfill its mission to develop a vibrant and caring community committed to service, diversity, stewardship and well-being. Join the Connections Team Highlands Council is always looking for volunteer contributing writers, photographers and graphic designers. For more information, contact Nina Milligan, Communications Manager, at nina.m@ihcouncil.org. Submit an Announcement for “Milestones” See your announcements published in the new life “Milestones” section of Connections. We accept birth/adoption, graduation, marriage, obituary and culturally-recognized life milestone announcements for Issaquah Highlands residents only. See submission form and guidelines at IssaquahHighlands.com. Interested in advertising in Connections? We welcome media sponsors at any time during the year. Connections printed and distributed monthly, free of charge, to every address in Issaquah Highlands (residences and businesses). We also distribute through local gathering spaces, such as coffee shops and the Metro Park and Ride. Circulation: Approximately 4,500
YWCA Family Village
Community Rooms 930 NE High St. | 425-270-6800 ywcaworks.org/locations/family-village-issaquah
CONNECTIONS Display ad pricing begins at $75/month. Discounts available for 3, 6 and 12 month contracts. Online advertising is also available. For more information, contact Nina Milligan, Communications Manager, at nina.m@ihcouncil.org . More information, ad packets/pricing, editorial calendar and electronic archives can be found here: issaquahhighlands. com/connect/connections-news/ Opinions expressed either by paid advertisers or editorial content do not necessarily reflect the views of Highlands Council or this newspaper. Highlands Council reserves the right to accept or refuse submissions, and to edit content. We also reserve the right to refuse advertising or content that in our opinion does not reflect the standards of this paper.
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