Connections
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By Community, for Community February 2020
W H AT ’ S I N S I D E ? 5 Feature: Doing Business in Issaquah Highlands 9 Volunteer of the Month 10 Highlands Council 13 Highlands Youth - HY 14 Wish You Were Here 16 What’s Happening 18 IHCA Operations & New Year 22 Living Green®
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Home Organization Ask Kari Paying for Public School School Spotlight The Smart Home City News Issaquah Highlands Travels Emergency Preparedness Directory
ECRWSS POSTAL PATRON 2550 NE Park Drive Issaquah, WA 98029
PERMIT NO. 83 ISSAQUAH, WA U.S. POSTAGE PAID PRSRT STD
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1% FULL SERVICE LISTING FEE!
Issaquah Highlands Connections
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Chesapeake Landing
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#1 AGENT OFFICE IN ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS FROM 2008 TO 2019 CONSECUTIVELY! PREMIUM LEVEL MARKETING PLAN FOR 1% LISTING FEE Unparalleled service; Top tier marketing; Exceptional contract negotiation, results & statistics. Local Issaquah Highlands real estate office designed to serve & support your real estate needs. “Listings of the Week” feature in resident E-newsletter emailed to all IH residents every Thursday. Prominent inside front cover newspaper advertisement. Representation on ALL relevant real estate sites. Extensive social media marketing of your listing (locally and regionally). FREE professional staging consultation & pre-listing preparation services. Whole house staging options. FREE 1-year AHS home warranty advertised to buyer. Full accessorizing with a custom home-book, feature tags, shoe removal & more.
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Issaquah Highlands Connections
February 2020
EDITOR’S NOTE About the cover: This shot was taken by staff photographer and Dahlia Park resident Julie Clegg to illustrate a variety of businesses in Issaquah Highlands. In the foreground are Concord Commons townhomes along Park Drive at 24th Ave NE which have separate, street accessible offices. In the background looms Starpoint, where condos with dens designed especially for those who work from home sit above a vibrant commercial district with restaurants and services. This is just one example of how Issaquah Highlands was designed with working at or near home in mind. Each of us who come to live in Issaquah Highlands arrive with our own ideas, expectations, and hopes. And for most, working for a living is a significant factor. How marvelous it is we chose to live in a community that facilitates live, work and play!
Editor Nina is lucky enough to live within walking distance of her office at Blakely Hall!
The Work part is our focus in this month’s issue. Our community planners envisioned many of us would work right here in the Highlands and designed the community with that in mind. Substantial commercial districts provide jobs in stores, eateries, the hospital and other offices. And working from home couldn’t be easier! HFN gives us high-speed internet. Home designs provide many options. Some homes, such as those you see on Park Drive, have a separate office where you can hang a sign outside. This not only lets other residents know you are open for business but also provides all a small-town, connected feeling. I hope you enjoy the stories we share in this issue about working in the Highlands, and that you will learn something new and be inspired by the opportunities Issaquah Highlands offers. Also in this issue find important homeowner news, especially about rules and restrictions that apply to all residents (not just homeowners). Meet HFN’s new GM. And meet Maia, a local fifth grader who launches our Issaquah Highlands Travels section with stories from her family’s trip around the world. And much more! There is something for everyone.
Nina Milligan
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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Photo by Julie Clegg
Work is our Middle Name: “Live, Work, Play” by Nina Milligan, Communications Manager, Highlands Council, and Starpoint resident Vicki Grunewald, Communications Specialist, Highlands Council, and Harrison Street resident Issaquah Highlands is not your ordinary suburban, masterplanned community. It was uniquely designed to foster entrepreneurialism and home-based businesses as well as being home to significant employers. With the tagline of “Live, Work, Play,” you could say ‘work’ is our “middle name.” Today entrepreneurialism and economic vitality thrive in Issaquah Highlands! Issaquah Highlands is home to a great a variety of businesses. From the magnificent Swedish Hospital, through the shops, services and restaurants in Grand Ridge Plaza, to the Shops at Starpoint – there are many businesses and employers “doing business” in Issaquah Highlands. These kind of shopping districts and service providers can be found in other planned communities, but unique to Issaquah Highlands is the multitude of businesses sprinkled throughout our community providing livelihoods for their proprietors along with valuable services and products for their customers. They are located in our live-work districts and even in homes in what look like strictly residential streets. Please enjoy in this overview of “Doing Business in Issaquah Highlands” and get to know some of your business neighbors. We hope it will be not only educational, but also inspirational. Be inspired to patronize our local businesses! You may even be inspired to start your own business in Issaquah Highlands!
Our Guiding Principles: Forward-Thinking and Pro-Business Issaquah Highlands was founded in 1996 on nine Guiding Principles which influenced our governing documents, how buildings were designed, and even set the stage for our eventual zoning as part of the City of Issaquah. Four of them speak particularly to our business-friendly environment. Principle #3: Integrated Diversity To accommodate a diversity of incomes, household makeups, lifestyles, activities, land uses, public and private spaces, and architectural expressions in an integrated mix that enhances the richness of peoples’ lives. • Create live/work districts that cater to artisans and their families. • Provide homes designed with offices to accommodate the growing numbers of people who work at home.
Principle #7: Self-Sufficiency and Regional Contribution To create a complete community that accommodates living, working, learning, playing, and nurturing while contributing to the richness, opportunity, and quality of life of the region. • Accommodate live/work, corporate, professional, and artisan workplace and employment opportunities for Issaquah Highlands, Issaquah, and Sammamish Plateau residents.
Principle #4: Community Values While respecting individual privacy, create a very sociable public realm that enhances the community life of children, adults and seniors and promotes common values and shared responsibilities. • Provide mixed use zoning to encourage small stores, coffee places, video stores and other amenities into residential neighborhoods.
Principle #8: Vitality, Flexibility, and Collaboration To grow a vital and economically viable community where private business, government, citizens, and Issaquah Highlands community members themselves collaborate to respond to the issues and needs of a changing future. • Flexibility to accommodate desirable businesses, including ones that have demonstrated good citizenship in their local communities. • Seek business incubators facilitating start-up enterprises.
Did you know..?
Helps businesses engage with the community through sponsorships, volunteer opportunities, and various partnerships.
Processes home business applications and acts as a partner in processing new commercial business applications and development.
Enables local businesses to work more efficiently with a state-of-the-art fiber optic communication system and communication services.
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Issaquah Highlands Connections
Homes in Issaquah Highlands designed with “Live/Work” in mind are often in high traffic areas and have dual entrances: a main door and a separate entrance for business clients. Examples of these units can be found in (left to right) Huckleberry Circle along Park Drive, Concord Commons along Park Drive, and along High Street. Photos by Julie Clegg and Nina Milligan.
What are “Live/Work” Homes? There are several homes located within Issaquah Highlands that were built with the in-home Live/Work business concept in mind, found in designated “Home Office Districts” (see sidebar for all definitions).
If your business is high impact, meaning clients would routinely be coming to your home (e.g. home child care), your business request would go out for public comment and be published in official community media.
Before someone can run a business out of a home in Issaquah Highlands, they must obtain approval from the Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA), their condo board (if applicable), and/or the city, county, or state agencies. The IHCA may provide its immediate approval if the home business application has a zero impact on its surroundings. This means your business would have little if any traffic and would not affect surrounding neighbors.
The IHCA business application may be obtained at IssaquahHighlands.com or by visiting the IHCA office at 1011 High Street, Suite 210 Issaquah.
Types of Business in Issaquah Highlands Home Office District (HOD): Designated Office Districts within Issaquah Highlands. Convertible Accessory Units (CAU’s): Designated units located in Starpoint Condominiums. Applications for business operations go directly through the City of Issaquah. Residential Home Business (RHB): Any home in Issaquah Highlands that is not in a HOD or a CAU. Additional approval may be needed from a condominium board or supplemental neighborhood committee prior to IHCA board approval.
OUTMARK
Location: 1927 15th Avenue NE (Ashland Park) Outmark (Outsource Marketing) was founded in 1997 by Issaquah Highlands resident, Patrick Byers. A marketing services company, Outmark has employees and clientele across the continent, with eight employees regularly working from the company headquarters in Issaquah Highlands, across from Ashland Park. The space was once a deli, a candy shop, and a restaurant. We asked Outmark why they love being a part of our community.
Part of the Outmark team, including Issaquah Highlands residents, Patrick Byers (back row), Jen Kodosky (second from right), and Andrea Moretsky (third from right). Photo by Vicki Grunewald.
How many Outmark employees are Issaquah Highlands residents and how long have they lived here? Three. Two of Outmark’s employees are Issaquah Highlands pioneers. Patrick Byers, Outmark’s founder, bought his first Issaquah Highlands home in 2000, then moved into his family’s current home near Ashland Park in 2006. Andrea Moretsky, Marketing Integrator, moved into the Ashland Park neighborhood in May 1999. Jen Kodosky, Operations Manager, and her family moved into their home across from Kirk Park in 2014. Why was Issaquah Highlands chosen for Outmark’s headquarters location? Outsource Marketing’s first office location was in Two Union Square in Seattle. We had a few offices in Bellevue, then moved to our Issaquah location in 2010. Patrick was actually on his way to look at a SoDo space when he saw the former Issaquah Highlands business owner moving out and signed a letter of intent immediately. Although it was smaller than our previous office, it didn’t feel cramped because of all the large windows and views of Ashland Park, the pond, and the gazebo.
Outmark’s office, located across from Ashland Park, was recently fitted with new signage to reflect the company’s recent rebrand. Photo provided by Outmark.
What do you like about operating a business inside the Issaquah Highlands community? Highlands Council is a big reason why we like it here. The work the organization does to build connections with our diverse community groups jibes with our Outmark culture. Our employees have had the opportunity to contribute to the community, whether it was serving on a committee, helping with the Issaquah Highlands brand or website, supporting the Washington Alaskan Malamute Adoption League, Chalk
the Walk, school supplies collection drives, and more. What do you like about operating your business at its specific location, across from Ashland Park? We like to take walks during calls and some meetings, and right outside our door is Ashland Park, Kathy’s Trail, and all our friendly neighbors -- people and wildlife alike. Today, a deer walked across the park and down Katsura. And of course we want to pet all the lovable neighborhood dogs. Nearly every spring, we get to see a mama duck and baby ducklings make their way to the pond next to our office. What’s not to like? Do you ever get walk-ins to your office from folks just walking or driving by and seeing your sign? We’ve had a few people walk in, but we serve a North American client base that finds us online, and our local client base knows us because we’ve been around for a long time and served so many major companies here. Our geography isn’t particularly relevant, except to us. What tips would you give to neighbors thinking about starting a business in Issaquah Highlands? Probably the same advice we’d give to anyone starting a business: Invest time and money into solid strategic planning. Done well, it will be worth it, and it will help assure your success. Then find the best talent you can afford to execute that plan. The great news is there’s plenty of solid talent to draw from that will be happy to work right here in Issaquah Highlands.
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SHANTI’S STUDIO OF ESTHETICS Location: 1887 NE Park Drive (Crofton Springs)
Shanti Willett had a home business in her Renton townhouse until she fell in love with the Issaquah Highlands community and relocated her home and business to Crofton Springs. Fifteen years later and not only has she earned her Master Esthetician license, she has expanded her business to include a line of skin care products. We asked Shanti why she loves owning a businees in our community.
Shanti Willett, owner of Shanti’s Studio of Esthetics and Crofton Springs resident.
How long have you lived in Issaquah Highlands? I have lived in Crofton Springs for almost 15 years! I came to Issaquah Highlands for the first time in 2004 to see a friend. I was blown away by the beauty and asked her to tell me everything she knew about the community. It was love at first sight. I came back the next day, found a local real estate agent and said “I want to work from home. It needs to have a separate entrance. What do you have?” My real estate agent brought me right to Crofton Springs. And I have been here ever since! How did your business in Issaquah Highlands begin? I knew Issaquah Highlands and Crofton Springs would be a perfect fit for Shanti’s Studio of Esthetics from its community feel. Being conveniently located in the heart of Issaquah Highlands, I visualized neighbors being able to walk or only have a short drive to get pampered.
Shanti’s Studio of Esthetics, located in Crofton Springs, has a separate on-street entrance for clients. Photo by Julie Clegg.
What do you like about operating a business inside the Issaquah Highlands community? I love that Issaquah Highlands is a live, work and play community! The support of small businesses and the ease of making our dreams come true by offering live/work neighborhoods has been such a gift. The last 15 years have truly been incredible. I get to do what I love while working from home and, as soon as I clock out, I can grab my jacket and head out for a walk, catch up with a dear friend who lives up the block or walk down the hill for a bite to eat.
What do you like about operating your business at its specific location in Crofton Springs? I love that my studio is on a main street for easy parking, parents can swing by after picking up their kiddos from Grand Ridge, and I have the best commute ever! Do you get walk-ins to your office from folks just walking or driving by and seeing your sign? How do most clients typically “find” your business? I am solely word of mouth and scheduled by appointment only. Clients find me from testimonials on Yelp, Google, Facebook groups, as well as friends, family and coworkers. I do have a business sign out front and when I meet someone in the neighborhood for the first time I often hear “Oh yeah, I’ve seen your sign!” What tips would you give to neighbors thinking about starting a business in Issaquah Highlands? First and foremost, get approval from the association, get to know your neighbors, and you must join Issaquah Highlands Business Networking Group! It’s amazing! Issaquah Highlands Business Networking Group Meets first Mondays, 9:30am at Blakely Hall. All professionals are welcome to participate in this new spin on networking. Get more details at issaquahhighlands.com/events.
See the entrepreneurial spirit of Issaquah Highlands illustrated below by the diverse number of home businesses currently registered with the IHCA. Is your home business missing? Register yours with the IHCA by completing the application at issaquahhighlands.com.
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Brad & Kim Graziadio This month we want to congratulate two community volunteers, Brad and Kim Graziadio. Brad is one of the two volunteer administrators for the Issaquah Highlands Facebook group**, a resident-based online forum with over 7,000 members. Kim is one of the founding members of the popular Bunco Night community group that meets monthly at Blakely Hall. Together, they are helping to connect neighbors to neighbors both in person and online. For that, we are happy to recognize them as our February Volunteers of the Month! We asked Kim and Brad a few questions to get to know them better. What do you like about living in Issaquah Highlands? Kim: We moved to Issaquah Highlands from Sammamish in May 2016. As new empty nesters, we wanted to downsize and stay on the Eastside to be near our children. What attracted us to Issaquah Highlands was its combination of urban but still homey environment. Our dog, Khloe really appreciates the community’s parks, walking trails and dog park. And the area we chose to live in, near Zeeks Pizza, has a small-town feel, yet it’s just a short distance to all the conveniences of Issaquah and the Eastside. We also enjoy being within walking distance of Blakey Hall. How did you get involved as a volunteer in the community? Brad: For me, it was hard going from Microsoft’s “always on” environment to being pseudo-retired. There’s certainly a void of daily activity and purpose that’s created when you leave a job. What better way to fill that by serving your neighborhood and helping your neighbors? (Oh, and Kim told me I needed find something to keep me out of her hair.) When the then Facebook group admins reached out to the group’s followers for help, I volunteered along with another resident. I thought it would be a great opportunity to connect with neighbors and help with community issues. I am now one of the two group administrators. I also see it as a way to help promote emergency preparedness and neighbors helping neighbors. With over 7,600 members, the Facebook group is powerful from a neighborengagement perspective. For example, during the wind and snowstorms of January and February 2019, the Facebook group had 1,600 posts, 16,500 comments and 52,800 reactions during a 60-day period. That’s just incredible and shows how the group helps neighbors connect.
Kim and Brad Graziadio, February’s Volunteers of the Month
FEBRUARY VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH
Tell us about a time you helped a neighbor in the community: Kim: When “snowpocalypse” hit in February 2019, we were at home in Issaquah Highlands. Brad stayed up that night, posting and organizing information related to road conditions, accidents, power outages and store closures for multiple days. At 3:00am, a neighbor posted about her son running a high fever and needing someone to run to the store to pick-up medicine and a thermometer. (She didn’t want to leave her son alone and her car wouldn’t make it down the showy hill.) Brad messaged her around 3:30am (he was up checking on the group) and drove to Walgreens to pick-up what she needed to take care of her son. She was so grateful, she submitted her story to the Seattle Times as part of their story on the “unsung heroes of the Seattle Snowpocalypse.” **Brad is an admin of the Issaquah Highlands Facebook group (facebook.com/groups/issaquahhighlands). The official Issaquah Highlands Facebook page is managed by Highlands Council (facebook.com/ issaquahhighlands).
The Facebook group also represents an opportunity to work with the City of Issaquah and their neighborhood outreach programs. As group admins, we pass along information to the city related to community issues. In return, the city is proactive in reaching out to us to spread the word on important city activities (like snow plowing). It’s a win-win situation for both the city and the neighborhood; and I’m proud to help facilitate that relationship. Based on my role as admin of the Issaquah Highlands Facebook group, Facebook recognized me as a “Power Admin” at the national level and invited me to participate in a national group of Facebook “Power Admins” to help Facebook improve their group administration tools. Kim: When there was a request to start a Bunco group at Blakely Hall, I volunteered to help lead. I love playing games and thoroughly enjoy meeting new people and socializing. What better way to do that then by joining this group? It’s nice to have multiple group leaders because sometimes life gets busy and one leader can’t make it. How else are you involved in the community? Kim: Brad attends the monthly Highlands Fiber Network (HFN) board meetings to brief the board on any social media discussions related to HFN in the Issaquah Highlands Facebook group. Brad also responds to Facebook posts about HFN connectivity issues and helps dispel misinformation about HFN in the Facebook group.
Bunco Night First Friday of the month 7:00pm, Blakely Hall More details at issaquahhighlands.com/events
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HIGHLANDS COUNCIL
The Arts in Issaquah Highlands: An exciting new collaboration by Christy Garrard, Executive Director, Issaquah Highlands Council, and Dahlia Park resident Highlands Council is delighted to announce a new collaborative relationship with the Kirkland Arts Center (KAC) to bring diverse and exciting art exhibitions to Issaquah Highlands. In January, the Soo Hong “Raindrops” exhibition opened at Blakely Hall, and continues with the Rain Village community art project on February 8, and the Rain Village community reception on March 19. For many years, Highlands Council had a wonderful relationship with the local arts organization, artEast. This relationship included wonderful gallery exhibitions in the Blakley Hall Great Room, lectures and artist salons, outdoor community art project installations, Grand Ridge Elementary field trips, and swanky evening receptions. Sadly, artEast closed as a non-profit organization and closed their Front Street gallery in 2019. We are grateful for artEast’s support of the “Rain Village” exhibition
through the organization’s remaining grant funding. With community partners like the Kirkland Arts Center, the legacy of artEast and promoting the arts in Issaquah will continue. The mission of Highlands Council is: to foster the development of a vibrant and caring community committed to service, diversity, stewardship and well-being. The mission of the Kirkland Arts Center is: to unleash the power of art to ignite individual growth and self-expression, build community spirit, and cultivate cultural vibrancy. What a wonderful match of our two organizations as we both work to build community! The Kirkland Arts Center is working closely with the Issaquah Arts Commission to fill the void left by artEast for both local artist opportunities and arts programming for the citizens of Issaquah.
I am particularly grateful for fellow neighbor and City of Issaquah Arts Program Administrator, Amy Dukes for the introduction to Kirkland Arts Center’s Executive Director, Kelly Dylla. We look forward to partnering with KAC to bring more arts programming to Issaquah Highlands this year. Be sure to follow the Issaquah Highlands Facebook page, subscribe to our weekly e-letter and check issaquahhighlands.com/events for updates on future programming.
“The City of Issaquah Arts Commission is pleased to support expanded arts programming for the community via Highlands Council’s new partnership with Kirkland Arts Center. The Rain Village project will provide a wonderful community building opportunity via art, creativity and story sharing to the benefit of all who call Issaquah home.” – Amy Dukes, Issaquah Arts Program Administrator and Roanoke Woods resident
“Rain Village” A Community Art Exhibition and Cultural Conversation about Home Saturday, February 8, 1:00pm Blakely Hall Presented by artist, Soo Hong Made possible by Kirkland Arts Center, City of Issaquah, artEast and Highlands Council You and your family are invited to a special community art project at Blakely Hall, led by artist Soo Hong, on Saturday, February 8 at 1:00pm. Together we will create artworks for Soo’s “Rain Village” exhibition. From Soo’s website: “This project will be composed of installation art: a fusion of drawing, technology, sculpture, and community engagement.” During a drawing exercise, Soo will guide adults and
teens in a discussion about how culture and identity ties to our environment in the Pacific Northwest. Soo will then demonstrate how our drawings will be turned from twodimensional images into three-dimensional sculpture using the technology of an onsite 3D printer! Children will enjoy a similar community art project at the same time, facilitated by the Kirkland Arts Center’s Educational Department, in the Blakely Hall studio. Sculptures created from your art and children’s projects
may become part of the “Rain Village” exhibition at Blakely Hall and featured at a special reception on March 19. This event is free and open to everyone.
Examples of Soo Hong’s 3D printed ceramic rain drops like these will be on display at Blakely Hall starting February 8. Photo by Tom Reese.
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HIGHLANDS COUNCIL
Featured pieces by artist, Soo Hong, on display at Blakely Hall (from left to right): “Power Outlet and Adaptors,” “The Fish Has No Home, Everywhere Is Home,” and “NE, NW, SE, SW.”
“Raindrops”
Art Exhibition by Artist, Soo Hong Runs through March 27 Blakely Hall Made possible by Kirkland Arts Center, City of Issaquah, artEast, and Highlands Council Artist Soo Hong’s “Raindrops” exhibition uses the graphic symbol of raindrops as a representation of our connection to place and the environment in the form of large, abstract paintings on canvas. The “Raindrops” exhibition opened at Blakely Hall on January 16 and runs through March 27. Soo Hong’s works are visually inspired from a lifetime of experiences living in Korea, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the United States. Now a resident of Bellevue, Soo has exhibited in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul (South Korea), Rotterdam (The Netherlands), Copenhagen (Denmark), London, and New York. Soo describes her creation process this way: “My works are mixed-media paintings using materials such as charcoal, oil stick, acrylic paint and paper. I start with semi-abstract charcoal drawings on paper and then attach them to the canvas. Some part of drawings are covered with acrylic paints, giving the effect of variable hues, brush strokes and fluid forms. Laying the canvas on the floor, I drip paints and draw freestyle lines to introduce automatism. I use peeling, drawing, splashing, and automatic technique. This combination allows me to interpret my ideas into painting.”
Artist, Soo Hong installing her piece, “Rainbow After The Rain,” as part of her “Raindrops” exhibition at Blakely Hall. All photos on this page by Vicki Grunewald.
Learn more about the artist at soo-hong.com and on Instagram at @soohongartist where you can watch a Rain Village student art project created during her recent residency at Lakeside School in Seattle. View this exciting exhibition at Blakely Hall, 2550 NE Park Drive, Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm (closed President’s Day, February 17, and during private events). Join us on March 19 for our exhibition reception, more details at issaquahhighlands.com/events.
Two of the featured pieces in Soo Hong’s “Raindrops” exhibition at Blakely Hall, (top right) “Rendering My Home,” and (bottom right) “Listening To My Neighbor’s Playlist.”
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HIGHLANDS YOUTH - HY
Working in Issaquah Highlands By Sid Thiagarajan, Co-President of The HY and Park Drive resident
I am a 16-year-old junior attending Issaquah High School. I am co-president of the Highlands Youth (HY) Board and have a very busy social life. I run track and cross-country for the high school team and have a couple of part-time jobs like dog-walking and babysitting. This past summer I started my new job at Ben & Jerry’s on 10th Ave NE in Issaquah Highlands. It’s been about six months, and I am loving it! My favorite part of my job is seeing my friends and families from my neighborhood who stop by for a scoop of ice cream. I also love my job because I get to work with an awesome team of people. Every once in a while I need someone to cover for me because of a personal last-minute schedule conflict and my teammates graciously jump in to help me. We always help each other when a teammate needs help. I love my team. Here is a funny story: One time, a family showed up. The parents ordered something nice and simple. When it was the kids’ turn, they ordered “a milkshake with ice cream on the side.” It is still the funniest order I've heard in my time working there so far. My least favorite part of the job is when it is really slow and hardly any customers stop by. I only work two days a week at Ben & Jerry’s during the school year. It feels good to make money. I save half of my money for the future, and half of it for today’s fun. I go out with friends for dinner, buy video games, photo equipment and watch movies. I love the freedom of having extra money. If you are a high schooler thinking about working, don’t do it just for the money. Make sure you will like the place where you work and that it won’t conflict with school or social time.
Author Sid Thiagarajan with Mark Mullet, owner of Issaquah Highlands’ Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Shop on 10th Ave NE.
And because I know you are curious, my favorite ice cream flavors are Berry Berry Extraordinary & Toffee Break. ‘Looking forward to seeing you all at Ben & Jerry’s.
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Dear Neighbor, February 2020
Issaquah Highlands Connections
Parents Night Out
The Highlands Youth Board hosted another activity-filled Parent’s Night Out in December, giving parents a chance to shop, wrap, go out, or simply relax! Kids enjoyed cookie decorating, a “snow” ball fight, crafts, games and a holiday movie!
Travel Night Hawaiian Holiday We joined fellow travel lovers in December to celebrate the holidays, Hawaiian style! From limbo to hula to spam, the evening was filled with fun and friendship from start to finish. Thanks to our Travel Night planning committee for another great evening.
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wish You Were Here... Family Game Night We had a great time playing board games and making new friends at the first monthly Family Game Night in January! There were games for all ages and many of us got to learn how to play something new. Be sure to join us on February 13 for another fun night!
Networking Group Our first meeting of the new IH Business Networking Group was a huge success! We shared with a group of like-minded, local business owners and appreciated the more personal, inclusive and connected group dynamic. Join us every first Monday to kick off your month strong and inspired!
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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HIGHLANDS
Kids & Families Daddy Daughter Dance
Saturday, February 8, 5:00-7:00pm Blakely Hall
All dads (or other father figures) and daughters are invited to enjoy music, dancing, prizes and more at the annual Daddy Daughter Dance at Blakely Hall, courtesy of Summit Life Church. Free to attend - no registration needed.
Family Game Night
Thursday, February 13, 6:30pm Blakely Hall
Enjoy an all ages night playing board games with friends and neighbors! Feel free to bring a favorite game and snack to share.
Library-2-Go
Tuesday, February 11, 3:30-4:40pm Outside Blakely Hall
The King County Library will bring the Library-2-Go Book Mobile to Blakely Hall. Bring your library card and browse the curated collection of books – check out your favorites and return any KCLS library books you’ve finished! Free fun for all ages. Next visit: March 10.
Bridge Club
Taichi Fitness Group
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.
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.
Monday, February 3, 7:00pm Blakely Hall
Knit for Life®
Every Monday, 1:00pm Swedish Medical Center, Main Lobby
A network of volunteer knitters in area hospitals, providing physical and mental support in a nontraditional 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.
Photography Meet Up
Saturday, February 15, 10:30am Blakely Hall
Enjoy monthly meetings with guest speakers, share and discuss your work with others, and participate in an online community throughout the month. Contact ihpc@outlook.com.
Minecraft Mania
Poker Night
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.
Whether you are a novice or a salty vet looking for some steep competition, you will love our monthly group Texas Hold ’em tournament! Contact Henry at hlh1969@hotmail.com.
Toddler Playgroup
Drop in on our jam sessions. We welcome guitars, flutes, whistles, banjos, mandolins, autoharps, dulcimers, stand up bass, and percussion. All abilities welcome. Contact Martha at mclnev@yahoo.com.
Tuesday, February 11 & 25, 5:00pm Blakely Hall
Every Wednesday, 10:00am, except February 18 Blakely Hall
Moms, dads, caregivers and their children are invited for fun, friendship, support and socializing. Contact katiels84@gmail.com. Search Facebook for Issaquah Highlands Toddler Playgroup.
Arts & Cards Gallery Exhibition – Raindrops Presented by the Kirkland Arts Center January 17 through March 27, 2020 Blakely Hall
Asian artist Soo Hong says that her paintings are records of her “molla,” meaning “don’t know” in Korean, addressing themes of psychology and spirituality related to human emotions. Blakely Hall will feature her painting series, “Raindrops,” including an opportunity for the community to participate, having their art brought to life for the last two weeks of the exhibit. Learn more about Soo and this special exhibition on page 10-11.
Figure Drawing Group
Every Monday, 9:30am & 12:00pm, except February 17 Blakely Hall
Bring what you need to draw and join a group of artists for weekly sessions to draw from a nude model. The Short-Pose Session meets from 9:30am-11:30am with poses ranging from 1 minute to 15 minutes in length. The Long Pose Session meets from 12:00pm-2:00pm with a single pose repeated in 20-minute sittings. There is no formal instruction. Attend one or both sessions - the cost per session is $10, cash only. See issaquahhighlands.com/ events/ for more information.
Thursday, February 27, 7:00pm Blakely Hall
Rovin’ Fiddlers
Every Tuesday, 7:00pm Issaquah Highlands Fire Station 73
Yarns & Threads Group
Every Friday, 9:00am* Blakely Hall * February 21 will be at Swedish Hospital
All knitters, crocheters, and stitchers are welcome. For more details or questions, please contact Cathie Coulter at Catherine.coulter@ihmail.com.
Fitness Issaquah Highlands Hiking Group
The Issaquah Highlands Hiking Group is open to all ages to connect with other hiking enthusiasts and go on planned hikes in the beautiful northwest. For more information and details on our next scheduled hike, join our Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/ nwhiking.
Meditation Group
Every Friday, 2:00pm, except February 21 Blakely Hall
Discover how to find moments to relax the mind. The group practice 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.
Mountain Biking Group
The Issaquah Highlands Mountain Biking Group is open to all ages to meet other mountain bike enthusiasts while exploring some of the amazing local mountain bike trails! For more information and details on all planned rides, join us on Facebook at “Issaquah Highlands Mountain Biking Club.”
Every Wednesday, 6:30am Blakely Hall
Zumba Fitness® Class Every Saturday, 9:00am Blakely Hall
Zumba Fitness is the Latin and world rhythm and dance based fitness party that will change the way you think about working out. Grab your workout clothes, your water bottle, and join the party! Free class but please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the food bank! Contact: zumbawithcindy@gmail.com.
Special Interest Book Club
Tuesday, February 18, 7:00pm Blakely Hall This month: The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating
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.
Bunco Night
Friday, February 7, 7:00pm Blakely Hall
Come roll the dice with friends and neighbors at Bunco Night! Please bring $5 for the prize pool and a snack or drink to share. No experience necessary. For more information and updates, join the Facebook group: Issaquah Highlands Bunco.
Everlasting Harvest: Growing a Year-round Edible Garden Thursday, February 20, 7:00pm Blakely Hall
Eat from your yard and garden all year! Join Lisa Taylor, author and horticulturalist, in a spirited discussion about growing vegetables year-round. We will explore the Maritime Northwest planting calendar and learn how to organize the garden to grow more food. We’ll identify varieties that thrive in our climate and add nutrition to our table. We will also investigate food preservation strategies so that thrifty gardeners can extend the harvest throughout the year. Free, but please register at everlasting.brownpapertickets.com.
IH Business Networking Group Monday, February 3, 9:30am Blakely Hall
Kick off your month with a new spin on the standard practice of networking, based on knowing that the more we connect and share, the more we all grow! This new monthly group will blend the best parts of other networking meetings while being inclusive, connection-based, and most of all, valuable for all members. Social with refreshments from 9:30-10:00am, meeting from 10:00-10:45am. No obligations, just genuine connections! For more details, please visit issaquahhighlands.com/events/.
Telecommute Tuesdays
Every Tuesday, 10:00am - 1:00pm, except February 18 Blakely Hall
Do you work from home? Do you want a little motivation to work from home once each week? Telecommute Tuesdays were designed for you! Head on over to Blakely Hall on Tuesdays for free wi-fi, coffee and treats and the beautiful setting of our community hall. Questions? Contact Lindsey.P@ihcouncil.org or 425-507-1107.
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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HIGHLANDS
Toastmasters
Open Mic
Say it better with Toastmasters. Share your interests and goals in a positive, supportive environment. Let us help you expand your knowledge and horizons. Guest are welcome to join a meeting to see what it’s about – it’s one hour of fun, and you won’t be put on the spot! Learn more at https://ihtm.toastmastersclubs.org.
Join us for an all-ages evening of fun and entertainment from local talents. Come to sing a song, play music, read poetry, tell a story, perform stand-up comedy, etc. Or, just join the audience and support your neighbors! For more information, please contact Dino Go at kabalen.geo@gmail.com.
Every Thursday, 7:00am Swedish Hospital – 1st Floor Flex Space
Travel Night
Wednesday, February 12, 7:00pm Blakely Hall Topic: The Galapagos Islands
Join Craig Berg and Ellen Wong for an introduction and photo adventure of the amazing Galapagos Islands where the human footprint is kept to a minimum. We will talk about options for planning your visit, learn about the iconic wildlife, explore the guided walks, and show some fun in the water snorkeling with the sea lions and turtles. The Galapagos Islands may just inspire you to think differently about the world - the creatures that call the islands home, many found nowhere else on the planet, act as if humans are nothing more than slightly annoying paparazzi! Please bring a snack or beverage to share. For more information, visit our Facebook group at ‘Issaquah Highlands Travel Night.’
Understanding Credit Scores & Data Tuesday, February 11, 6:30pm Blakely Hall
Resident volunteer Dave Thoms will share his expertise in credit risk management in this session designed to help you better understand your credit scores, credit bureau data, and how financial services companies make credit decisions. Free and open to anyone looking to learn what your credit scores mean, and/or gain strategies to improve and build good credit over time.
Don’t Miss This Community Art Project and Cultural Conversation: Home
FREE and Family-friendly Presented by the Kirkland Arts Center Funded by the Issaquah Arts Commission & artEast Saturday, February 8, 1:00pm Blakely Hall
Join artist Soo Hong and members of the Issaquah community for a discussion on what home means to each of us followed by an artist-led interactive workshop using YOUR drawing of a raindrop image and a 3D printer! Kids will attend their own fun, hands-on workshop in the adjacent Blakley Hall studio facilitated by the education team from the Kirkland Arts Center. The raindrop artwork created on this day will be featured in special community exhibition in March!
Valentine’s Day Hands on History Sunday, February 9, 1:00-3:30pm Blakely Hall
Drop in to join the Issaquah History Museums in celebrating Valentine’s Day! Kids of all ages can admire Valentine’s Day cards from the Issaquah History Museums’ collection, talk about how we show others that we care about them, decorate a cookie, and create a Valentine card. Thanks to a generous grant from 4Culture, this event is free!
Living Green®: Pine Needle Basket Making Wednesday, February 26, 7:00pm Blakely Hall
Sit back, relax, and weave a basket out of Pine Needles! Each attendee will receive a kit with all of the supplies needed to make a small pine needle basket. We’ll enjoy a relaxing evening in the company of friends and neighbors while learning a new skill using materials we connect with in nature. Light snacks and drinks will be provided to enjoy while we work. Adults only. Cost for supplies is $20/person and registration is required by February 14 at issaquahhighlands.com/events.
Friday, February 28, 6:30pm Blakely Hall
Save the Date Edible Landscapes for the Homeowner Thursday, March 12, 7:00pm Blakely Hall
Would you like to grow your own food but think it’s too much work or takes too much time? Learn from Jessi Bloom, author, owner and lead designer of N.W. Bloom EcoLogical Lanscapes, how to employ design strategies from nature so you can grow easy edibles that are low maintenance, resilient, and sustainable. Plant once and enjoy the harvest from your edible landscape for years. Basic food forest design and favorite low maintenance edibles for the Pacific NW are featured. Free, but please register at landscape.brownpapertickets.com.
Talk Shop: Parent Orientation “Improving Interpersonal Skills for Teens” Sunday, March 8, 2:00pm-3:30pm Blakely Hall
Is there a skill more important than being able to sustain confident, clear and coherent face-to-face conversations, regardless of the topic or who you are talking with? What a gift for our teenagers who are very good with social media platforms, but the art of face to face conversation needs a little attention. Issaquah Highlands resident Matt Crevin, Founder of Talk Shop, will be delivering a FREE parent orientation designed to help you help your high school student develop the life skill of having face to face conversations. Bring a friend! Moms and Dads both encouraged to attend. Please register to attend at issaquahhighlands.com/events.
Governance Mtgs Highlands Fiber Network Advisory Group Monday, 2/3, 5:00pm IHCA Office
IHCA Architectural Review Committee
Tuesday 2/4, 6:00pm IHCA Office
IHCA Finance Committee Tuesday, 2/11, 5:30 pm IHCA Office
IHCA Board of Directors
Wednesday, 2/26, 5:00pm IHCA Office
City Meetings City Meetings covering Issaquah Highlands topics will be listed at IssaquahHighlands.com/ events.
Holidays Valentine’s Day Friday, February 14
Presidents Day
Monday, February 17
Issaquah Schools: Mid-Winter Break Tuesday, February 25
Office Holiday Closures
IHCA Office, Blakely Hall, Highlands Council and HFN Offices will be closed on February 17 for Presidents Day.
Talk Shop: Student Workshop “The Art of Face to Face Communication” Sunday, March 8, 4:00pm-5:30pm Blakely Hall
Is there a skill more important than being able to sustain confident, clear and coherent face-to-face conversations, regardless of the topic or who you are talking with? Today’s teens are very good with social media platforms, but the art of face to face conversation needs a little attention. This interactive workshop for high school students is designed to support the growth of this pivotal life skill to not only improve academic results but also to improve the way teens communicate within their family sphere, within their social circles and to be college and career ready. This event is FREE to attend, but space is limited. Pre-registration is required at issaquahhighlands.com/events.
Get Involved Cross-Cultural Committee
Anyone who has a passion for celebrating the diverse cultures that make up Issaquah Highlands is invited to join our cross-cultural committee. We’ll come together as a group once/month to learn from each other and to help shape the direction of Highlands Council going forward. Our first meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 8 at 10:00am. Learn more at issaquahhighlands.com/volunteer.
For the latest details, see IssaquahHighlands.com/events For daily updates, follow us on:
Subscribe to our weekly e-letter at IssaquahHighlands.com/connect *All Events are FREE unless otherwise noted.
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ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Highlighting IHCA Board Districts Board District 3 - Rossie Cruz Rossie Cruz has lived in Issaquah Highlands for almost 15 years and has served the past six years on the IHCA Board of Directors. Currently Rossie serves as the Board liaison to the IHCA Covenant Committee. She is also a long-standing member of her neighborhood committee at Crofton Springs. The IHCA Board of Directors is comprised of Issaquah Highlands homeowners from seven board districts who have been elected to the board by Issaquah Highlands owners during the annual board elections. District 3 has 584 homes which includes (in orange on the map) Crofton Springs, Sunset Walk, the Terraces, Katsura, Division 4, Timmaron, Division 14, Division 19, Division 23, Sorrento, and Huckleberry Circle neighborhood areas. Thank you, Rossie, for serving your community!
Rossie Cruz represents IHCA Board District 3.
Have a question for your representative? Email the board at any time at ihcabaord@ ihcommunity.org.
ARC Tip
Did you know… that in an effort to stay ‘green’ and allow water to permeate to the aquafer below, the ARC Guidelines discourage large expanses of impervious surfaces? If you are planning to install or extend your patio please consider using pervious pavers instead of cement so the water can seep through.
Ask the IHCA
Streetlights | Insurance and Flooding THE BULB IN A STREETLIGHT NEAR MY HOME IS OUT. HOW DO WE GET IT REPLACED? Street light outages should be reported to Puget Sound Energy (PSE). It is best to provide PSE with the location and street light number posted on the pole. To report a street light that is out, visit their webpage: https://www.pse.com/outage/report-streetlight-outage.
I LIVE IN A CONDO AND MY NEIGHBOR'S WATER HEATER RUPTURED AND CAUSED WATER DAMAGE TO OUR UNIT. DO I NEED TO FILE A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE OR THE HOA INSURANCE? This should be handled by your neighbor’s insurance company and your insurance company. It may be best to reach out directly to your neighbor and your homeowners insurance company to open a claim.
IN THE KNOW
Use Restrictions and Rules: Timesharing
“A Unit may not be used for operation of a timesharing, fraction-sharing, 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.
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ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Landscape: The month of February can be a little tricky as far as landscape maintenance is concerned. The weather is very unpredictable. It can be warm which forces maintenance tasks in a different direction than what you would expect in winter. With warm temperatures in February plants will start to push new growth, and grass will start to green up and grow, and weeds will sprout. With this the crews may be forced to mow in late February or start on spring weed control. However, when the temperature is cold and snowy, other tasks take priority, like snow and ice removal to keep our residents safe. When the cool weather sticks around we work on other task like bark installation and garden bed cleanup. There is usually something up here to do. We may have to get a little creative sometimes, but we make it
Landscape & Irrigation Updates
February Work Can be Unpredictable by Lyle Dickey, IHCA Landscape Manager
Irrigation: The irrigation crews were working alongside the landscape crews for the last few winter months. They were also working on system upgrades when the weather permits. Some of the system upgrades we are working on are controller and major field components. We are almost seeing the completion of our system controller upgrades to a central control system. This will give us the ability to monitor and troubleshoot the system from a central location with satellite systems running off of that. When this is all put together it will save on labor and water use throughout the community. We are also upgrading major field components such as master valves and water filters. These components are used every day during regular operation. They have reached their useful life, or need to be upgraded to better technology. All these items are done so that the irrigation systems will last for years to come.
IHCA Maintenance Update Maintaining Your Home’s French Drain by Matthew Hendrikse, IHCA Maintenance Manager Issaquah Highlands gets a lot of rain and there are also many natural springs within the community. To help move all the water, each home has a French drain. A French drain is an underground drain tube that is perforated to allow water in (and out) and keep soil out. Usually, a French drain is surrounded by gravel, and sits beneath a downspout, often at ground level under the grass to help drain water from your yard. Some French drains are connected to a building’s gutter system and then run out into the street’s storm drain system. French drains get clogged by dirt, debris, silt, and roots. Most homeowners are unaware that French drains require annual maintenance to ensure that they continue to direct water away from the property and any areas that could suffer from damage from runoff. You can locate the drains
in your yard by the cover on them or removing a downspout to access the drain. Check any drain rock on your property to ensure that the water is flowing into the French drain properly. Make sure any contaminant such as dirt has not permeated the surface. There are several ways to clean the drain: for instance, use a jetter or a plumbing snake. Jetting or snaking out the drain will break up any soft clogs or obstructions that have accumulated in the drain. Tree roots can also invade a French drain. In this situation it is just best to dig up and replace this section of drain. Cleaning a French drain can be a DIY project, if you have the right equipment, know how to use it, and don’t mind getting a little dirty. Or just hire a plumber to help you out.
The IHCA runs elections for BOD members, even # districts in even years.
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ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Updates to the Use Restrictions and Rules (URRs) and ARC Guidelines by Debbie Orosco, IHCA Community Manager
The below changes to the Use Restriction and Rules and ARC Guidelines were adopted by the IHCA Board of Directors on January 22, 2020 after a 30-day comment period in December 2019. (Changes are shows in red and strikethroughs.)
These changes will be enforceable as of March 1, 2020. If you have any comments or questions regarding the changes please contact Debbie Orosco at Deborrah.O@ihcommunity.org.
ARC GUIDELINES CHANGES 2020 Review Procedures- Project notification: Some projects do not require a formal review or review fee but still require a completed application. The IHCA Community Manager will review all applications to ensure that all required information has been supplied and notify the Applicant of such in a letter or by email within three business days.
5. Air Conditioners: Air conditioners/heat pumps may be located on the side or rear of your home. The unit’s noise rating must be below seventy-five (75) decibels.
15. Landscaping: A reasonable number of seasonal planters or pots does not require ARC approval, however if pots are intended to be permanent, an ARC application may be required for approval.
USE RESTRICTIONS AND RULES (URRs) CHANGES 2020 (b) Animals. Subject to King County Animal Care and Control Regulations, a reasonable number of dogs, cats, or other usual and common household pets may be permitted in a Unit. Livestock or poultry of any kind is prohibited. Dogs must be kept on a leash and under control by a responsible party at all times when not contained within the boundaries of the Unit. Pets shall not be allowed to roam free. Owners must clean up after and properly dispose of pet waste. Owners shall take sufficient steps to prevent their pets from unreasonably disturbing others and shall be responsible for any damages caused by their pet or the pet(s) of any guest or tenant. Pets which constitute a nuisance, and or threat will be subject to Policy C: Issaquah Highlands Violation Scheduled Policy. If a pet has been deemed vicious or potentially vicious by the King County Regional Animal Services or other governing agency, the pet may be removed immediately from the community by King County animal control. Dumping or disposing of unwanted or expired animals is prohibited in all community owned properties including but not limited to ponds, streams, parks, etc. If a pet has been deemed vicious or potentially vicious by the King County Regional Animal Services or other governing agency, the pet shall be removed immediately from the community. (See Exhibit A for Rules Regarding Restricted Breeds.) (h) Critical Area Buffer Encroachment. Encroachment is prohibited into a Critical Area Buffer or a Building Setback Line as described on title or through other Issaquah Highlands documents, pesticides, insecticides or herbicides are prohibited within the Building Setback Lines, and only fertilizers specified in the Water Wise Living Document shall be allowed within the Building Setback Line. No structures maybe erected or installed outside of one’s personal property to include all open spaces, wetlands or forested areas or association property.
(r) Garage and Carports Conversion of any carport or garage to finished space for use as an apartment or other integral part of the living area on any Unit is prohibited. without prior approval pursuant to Article IV of the Declaration. (v) Irrigation Equipment. Unauthorized accessing of and/ or tampering with IHCA irrigation equipment including controllers, valves, and all other hardware is prohibited. Violator(s) will be responsible for any damages caused and may be subject to additional fines repair and fees. (x) Moss Control. Moved to Community Wide Standards: Roofing Standards (ee) Storm Retention Ponds. For properties adjacent to a Storm Retention Pond, no big leaf maple, cottonwood, alder or willow trees or other invasive species shall be allowed on the lot. Trespassing and dumping are not permitted at Storm Retention Ponds. (pp) Window Coverings. Window coverings that are not specifically designed for windows or are not properly installed are prohibited. Paper, cardboard, bedlinen, or reflective material window coverings are prohibited. Appropriate window coverings shall be installed within 30 days from close of escrow. Garage window covers for multi-family units are prohibited. (rr) Alleyway Parking. Impeding traffic by parking vehicles in driveways located within an alley is prohibited. Exhibit D: IHCA Tree Management Rules Moved Exhibit D to Exhibit E: Community Wide Standards Exhibit D for Tree Management Rules. Tree Topping. Moved to Community Wide Standards: Plant Standards
Exhibit D: Trees on Common or Public Land - Remove bullet point. Duplicate, already in Community Wide Standards. Exhibit E: Community Wide Standards-Other Standards: Broken windows: Windows, window seals and screens must be replaced immediately for public safety when broken or damaged. Any broken glass should be properly disposed of immediately. Exhibit E: Community Wide Standards- Roof Standards: Moss control materials, agents or treated roofing materials shall only be used in accordance with the best management practices, as defined in the Water Wise Living Document Exhibit E: Community Wide Standards- Roof Standards: Gutters should be free of weeds and other vegetation. Gutter exteriors should be cleaned of dirt, moss and debris. Exhibit E: Community Wide Standards- Rough Open Space: include hillsides, buffer areas and less-accessible, less-visible portions of parks. These spaces are typically un-irrigated and planted with low- or no-maintenance native plants. Maintenance work may or may not include the use of goat herds or machinery and is geared primarily towards managing invasive species and soil stabilization. No leaf control is provided. Exhibit E: Community Wide Standards- Plant Standards: Low hedges used as screens shall have a maximum height of 42 inches. Plant material used for “living fences” made up of trees or shrubs on the sides or back of yard must not exceed eight (8) feet in height. Designated view covenants must be strictly adhered to. Exhibit E: Community Wide Standards- Plant Standards: Tree Topping. Common area or street trees shall not be topped or limbed or otherwise disturbed.
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LIVING GREEN®
Re-Wilding to Live Green
How Nature Can Improve Your Life by Aline Bloch, Eco-Artist and Central Park Resident Growing up, I don’t remember a day I was not playing outside in the middle of nature. If it was not in the dirt, it was in the sand. If it was not in the middle of trees, it was on grass. As far back as I can remember I was playing and exploring the outdoors. Luckily, I grew up in an area with a lot of green spaces. That made it easier to connect with nature. Today cities are full of secret gardens where we can take a break and reconnect with ourselves. As long as we have an open sky above our head and we are surrounded by some greenery, we can benefit from nature. Many studies show that nature reduces anxiety, depression, fear, anger, and stress. But also, with all senses engaged with fresh air and nature, body and mind feel positively better. Nature boosts creativity and problem solving, opens the mind and increases awareness. Nature heals, improves your mood and reinforces your immune system. I recently joined a program that made me experience a reconnection with nature, and I am thrilled to share it with you. Let’s take a walk through a challenge allowing ourselves to unplug, disconnect from all the noise and reconnect only with what really matters to us. Who doesn’t like adding a bit of adventure, a splash of learnings in their life, one tree at the time? #1 – Walk - Take a 30-minute walk or run every single day – either early in the morning, during your lunch break or at sunset. Allow yourself to take a break every day. #2 – Listen – Nature has so much to say. Go outside, at the park, in the forest, or in your backyard; close your eyes and listen. Allow your other senses to reconnect with all that is going on around you. #3 – Unplug – How many times a day do we check our social media or email accounts? Take a day off – unplug electronic devices, including your phone. You will realize
how much extra time you can get in a day to accomplish what you want. #4 – Leave no trace – Pick up trash that others left behind during your walk. #5 – Create – Boost your confidence and creativity by trying or learning something new: a craft, a new name of bird or tree, or a new sound. #6 – Find and learn – Organize a family or friends scavenger hunt into the woods or through the city – make a list of unusual things to photograph or gather in a treasure box – a flower on concrete, a four-legged creature, a colorful butterfly, a sunset, a naturally occurring pattern, a nest. Do you know geocaching? It’s a real-life treasure hunt that get you outside, moving, exploring places you never discovered before using GPS tracker. You can do it solo or in group. #7 – Connect with earth – If weather permits, take off your shoes and socks and walk barefoot on grass, on sand, on dirt. Take off your gloves and touch trees, moss, leaves. Reactivate your senses. #8 – Read – How many legends and stories related to nature can we learn, especially here in the PNW? Take some time to read and narrate what you learned about it. #9 – Play with dirt – Bring nature into your home. Open your windows every day, add more plants into your house, and decorate your home with objects from nature. #10 – Be grateful - Respect your environment, share with your family and friends, spread the word so together we can make a real difference: it takes a village!
“
Aline recommends you practice Living Green® by spending time in nature. Here is her daughter Erinn exploring nature in our own Grand Ridge Park. PC: Aline Bloch.
Studies show
that nature reduces anxiety, depression, fear, anger, and stress.
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HOME ORGANIZATION
Your Organized Life The Master Bedroom
by Johnna Masterson, Central Park Resident and Owner of Inspired and Organized
Happy February! How did you do on last month’s focus area? Did you tackle all the clutter hotspots in your house? Do you feel lighter now? Are you ready to start on specific rooms? I hope so because our next stop will be the master bedroom and closet! These areas can become dumping grounds and cause a lot of stress first thing in the morning. That’s one reason why I think it’s so important to prioritize this area and check it off our lists first thing.
How many of you have a chair, bench or some other piece of furniture currently covered in clothing? The place where you try things on and they go to wait (sometimes indefinitely), to be put away. In my experience, almost everyone has this "pile in waiting." And guess what? It’s most likely never going to get put away, so let’s start there! Sort the clothing in categories on your bed. When that part is finished, put any dirty clothes in the hamper and hang up the pieces that are still in season and that you wear regularly. Anything that you have any hesitation with, or that doesn’t fit well should be placed in your handy donation bin that I had you place on the floor of your closet a few months ago. Next, fold your jeans and put away any undergarments, socks and pajamas. Isn’t that gorgeous chair you chose for your bedroom a beauty? To follow up on the clothing we just sorted and put away, we should head back into the closet to do a once over. Consider using matching slimline hangers to increase the amount of space you have to work with, and make your closet look uniform and put together. And while you swap everything over, you can use that opportunity to reevaluate whether or not you want to keep those items.
Next up, we move on to nightstands and the tops of dressers. Clear them off and put away books, throw away any trash, wind up any cords and bring that half full glass of water down to the kitchen. To help keep your flat surfaces clutter free, it can be very helpful to place a basket or large bowl on top. Next time you go to put something down, place it in there instead. And when it’s full, make it a priority to put everything away where it belongs. It’s only a little extra effort to make a system like this work well. And you will be amazed at how such a small change can make a big difference. To finish up, we will head into the master bathroom. This can be the bigger job. I recommend dedicating some time on the weekend to tackle this area. You will want to start by emptying out your drawers and cabinets. This will feel like a huge mess at first, but it helps things move quickly. Once you have everything out, you will see what you have multiples of, what you haven’t used in years, and it becomes much easier to discard the unnecessary. I am never surprised to walk out of a bathroom with multiple bags of trash. Once you have made the decision on what to keep, use clear, acrylic containers inside of your drawers and under the sink to designate zones and organize things. To finish up, I recommend using
Ask Kari!
Ask Kari is celebrating 7 years this month! Kari thanks all her loyal readers and the community for sharing their challenges so all can learn from them. Dear Kari, My daughter has taken up with a new group of friends at high school, and her behavior has changed dramatically. She no longer is doing her homework, coming home on time, and she fights with everyone in our home. I have tried talking to her, but she will not listen to my pleas for her to be respectful and follow our house rules. Help, what should I do? - Confused and Scared Mom
Dear Confused and Scared Mom, I am sorry to hear that your daughter has had a change in her behavior that is impacting the whole family system. Changing friend groups and changing school habits can occur as adolescents test out who they are in this world. Some young adults have a deeper learning curve than others and that may be happening with your daughter since she seems to have had a personality flip. Please try one more time to have a sit-down conversation where you share your feelings (including telling her that you love her) and state 1-3 things you will need her to change immediately as part of your family system. If the conversation is not successful, I recommend you seek out other people who support both of you, such as her physician and/or a counselor who can assess the situation further. Good luck! And please remember parenting and growing a child is a process, vs. result of a magic wand. -Kari
Give your master bath a spa look and organize your bath products.
matching containers with labels for your shower and bath products and putting together a tower or tray of spa like items to be placed near your tub or on your counter. It brings a luxury hotel feel to this space, and by doing so leads to you wanting to keep it clear and clutter free! I hope these tips for organizing your master rooms have helped you in your journey toward a more organized life! Join me next month to hear about my ideas for your office, paper and finances!
Dear Kari, I need help with how I can handle my manager at work who yells at everyone. He just walks around the office and has multiple outbursts at people during the work day. At this point people are becoming afraid to even engage with him. I am the assistant manager of the business and staff keep turning to me after he yells at them. This problem is becoming more overwhelming every day. Can you suggest what I can do to change things at the office? - Worn Down at the Office Dear Worn Down at the Office, I believe this issue is bigger than you, and therefore I believe you need to engage with other leadership staff/human resources vs. addressing him on your own. Your manager already knows he is causing an unstable work environment, and because he keeps doing so without remorse means that he needs a large intervention (e.g. a structed employee meeting with requirements for him to change). In regard to other staff coming to you for support, tell them you are sorry they have had a poor encounter with the manager, and then update them on the fact that you and leadership are addressing the issue immediately. -Kari I love to hear from our readers. Email your Ask Kari questions to kari@ihcg.co. All questions will be answered in upcoming columns. About Kari: Kari O’Neill, MSW, LICSW, is a licensed independent clinical social worker and is a resident of Issaquah Highlands. This column is for entertainment purposes only. If you are in crisis and in need of support, please contact the Crisis Clinic at 866-427-4747.
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February 2020
Issaquah Highlands Connections
PAYING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL
Why do Public Schools Need to Raise Money? Aren’t my Tax Dollars Enough?
by Carrie Mount, Grand Ridge Elementary School PTSA, Grand View Park Resident It is a question that I am asked relatively often, and a good one at that: “Why do public schools have to raise money?” The question flows from the reasonable assumption public schools are funded by tax dollars, whether state or federal, and if we pay our taxes, we should be all set. The economic reality for Issaquah and many other areas around the country is public schools cannot sustain their programs, support, and enrichment without private fundraising. Until I became involved with the Grand Ridge Elementary School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), I assumed that my tax dollars and other government allocations paid for many of the things my children did at school each day like art lessons, participate in computer time, recess equipment, and read appropriateleveled books. My assumption was wrong. I remember my first PTSA meeting. Volunteers were discussing whether we had money in our budget to buy flashlights for each classroom in case of an emergency at school. Surely, I thought, the school must pay for flashlights! But in the current school-funding climate, as I have since learned, every choice a school makes may take away from another equally or more important program. No excess of funds sits in a particular school’s budget; rather, most schools have a PTSA that serves in large part to raise funds for the school in order to buy flashlights, pay for clay and paint, fund a part-time recess enrichment coach, and provide the students with access to current technology. In addition, our community is luckily served by the Issaquah Schools Foundation, a non-profit fundraising organization that supports all schools in Issaquah. But why is such fundraising necessary? Three main sources fund the school district: 71.2% from the State of Washington, 2.3% from the federal government, and 26.3% from local levies. Washington State has had difficulty providing its schools with enough money for decades. Issaquah has felt the lack of funds more than others in the state: out of 313 districts in Washington, Issaquah ranks 286th ̶ the near-bottom of total state revenue per student. Changes to the levy rules have created concerns that a district like Issaquah, with higherthan-average property values, will face a levy “cap” and
Without the GRE PTSA, students' access to current technology would be limited. The PTSA funds online learning tools like RazKids and BrainPOP! as well as laptop and iPad carts to ensure classrooms have computer coverage.
leave districts unable to use funds their own voters have approved. While the intricacies of the McCleary decision are beyond the scope of this article, all three branches of Washington’s government have been working in the past two years to fulfill the Washington Supreme Court’s mandate to “fully fund” education. Such increased funding has come largely in the form of staff salaries and may not be as available for schools’ immediate needs as levy and fundraising dollars are. Against this backdrop, PTSAs across Washington take up the task of raising funds through events like Orange Ruler or other walk-a-thons, by selling merchandise, and at community events like auctions (Grand Ridge will host a Grizzlies Night Out this year at Pickering Barn in April 2020). I don’t know when or how I can affect systemic change to Washington’s funding of education, but I know that I can work as part of the PTSA to raise money. That is why I choose to help organize PTSA events and why I donate money to both PTSAs and the Issaquah Schools Foundation whenever I can, funds that go directly to my kids’ schools.
Chart duplicated from “Understanding the 2019-2020 Budget; Issaquah School District.
I encourage all families of the Issaquah Highlands to contribute to PTSA fundraisers to support their students’ education and development, even when it might
be easier to ask, “But why aren’t my tax dollars enough?” The bottom line is: right now, public funds are not enough to support Issaquah’s schools; it is our choice how we act when equipped with that knowledge. I hope you will join me in donating through PTSA fundraisers in whatever way it fits into your family’s budget. For me, the return on investment is unparalleled and will be reflected in the continued and future success of Issaquah’s children.
PTSAs Provide Local Funding for: Art lessons Clay and paint Emergency Flashlights Recess enrichment coaches Recess equipment Access to current technology Appropriate-leveled books
See GrandRidgeptsa.org for more information
Issaquah Highlands Connections
February 2020
FEBRUARY SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT written and produced by Tracie Jones, Wisteria Park
Issaquah School District
issaquah.wednet.edu
Issaquah Schools Foundation
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ParentWiser: Common Sense Media Don’t Forget to Vote! 2020 ISD Levy School Board Meeting @ 7:00 P.M Second Winter Break – No School WA PTA Advocacy Week ISD Family Partnership Middle School Info Night
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Dining for Kids – La Casita
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Afterschool Movie BOXTOP DUE
isfdn.org
Challenger Elementary challengerpta.org
Clark Elementary
clarkpta.org
Grand Ridge Elementary
grandridgeptsa.org
Endeavour Elementary
endeavourptsa.org
Issaquah Middle School
issaquahmiddleptsa.org
Pacific Cascade Middle School pacificcascadeptsa.org
Gibson Ek High School GibsonEk.org
Issaquah High School
issaquahhighptsa.org
**Be sure to check individual web sites for details and updates
3 Food Drive STARTS – Please Donate! 7 Popcorn Friday 27 PTA Membership Meeting 28 Dads@Recess
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Building Swingin’ in Vienna, with Evergreen Philharmonic and IHS Jazz Band “Swingin’ in Vienna” is a wonderful evening of dancing and desserts. We bring a hardwood dance floor, and the orchestra plays Viennese Waltzes on one side; the jazz band plays big band swing-era tunes on the other. Need a rest, or little pick-me-up? Enjoy one of the fancy desserts. The Evergreen Philharmonic and IHS Jazz Band perform for your dancing pleasure! This event attracts serious ballroom dancers, as well as high school students learning. February 8, 2020. at Issaquah High School, Performing Arts Center, 700 2nd Ave SE, Issaquah, WA Tickets at the door, $25 Adults and $20 Students and Seniors.
GRE PTSA Book Swap – All Invited to Join the Festivities! It's time to clean out your bookshelves, libraries, and restock them with some exciting new-to-you books at the Grand Ridge PTSA annual Book Swap! How to participate: donate books from February 3-14, 2020. Stop by the school anytime to drop books in the office’s Book Swap Box. We’re happy to accept gently used toddler to young adult books. The community is invited back to GRE February 27, 2020, to pick up new-to-you books! Questions, visit GrandRidgePTSA.org.
GRE Kindergarten Parent Information Night
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Donate Used Books! SWAP! Kindergarten Informational Meeting 5th Grade Concert Popcorn Friday After-School Movie Family Engineering Night Box Tops Deadline Book Swap Grizzly Guys Recess
Will your child turn five years old on/before August 31, 2020, and reside within GRE attendance area? If so, Grand Ridge invites families for a parent-only Kindergarten Registration Information Night, February 5, 6:00pm, Grand Ridge Commons. The GRE office staff will review the online process for registering kindergartners, attending either Challenger or Endeavor Elementary Schools for kindergarten only, along with answering questions. Further information, contact Grand Ridge office, (425) 837-7925.
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2nd Grade Concert Popcorn Friday Eager Reader Ends – LAST DAY PTSA Membership Meeting Culture Night
Cultural and Family Partnership: Middle School Informational Night
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Clash of the Cans Food Drive-LAST DAY! Career Day All School Spirit Day
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Clash of the Cans Food Drive-LAST DAY! PTSA Award Nominations Close
Middle School Information Night is designed to provide an overview on middle school courses, as well as programs, policies, and procedures, with the ISD Cultural and Family Partnerships, on February 26, 2020 at 6:30pm, Topics include: class selections, different math and science pathways, foreign languages, PE, band, orchestra, choir, and how to communicate and contact counselors. Translation services available, contact Lorna Gilmour, at gilmourl@issaquah.wednet.edu.
GRE Family Engineering Night 10 24 27
New Student Info Night LAST DAY to Register for Class of 2023 Admissions Announcements
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“One Love” Workshop Swingin’ In Vienna Concert – Jazz and Orchestra UW Band Festival New Family Ambassadors Mixer PTSA Membership Meeting IHS PTSA Golden Acorn/Advocate Deadline IHS PTSA Staff Appreciation – Donate! “Consent” Workshop ACT/SAT Practice Tests @ IHS
Sign up for a family evening filled with fun, Science-TechnologyEngineering-Mathematics (STEM) experiences and enjoy learning TOGETHER. Hands-on activities promote the engineering process, scientific thinking, and an opportunity to learn and play as a family. Sign up by February 5 to ensure enough materials for everyone. Then, join us February 12, 2020, at 6:00pm. Register EARLY at GrandRidgePTSA.org.
Gibson Ek Events: Join the Graduating Class of 2024 Gibson Ek High School is accepting applications from current ISD 8th grade students for Class of 2024. Families are invited to learn more about Gibson Ek by attending an informational session February 10, 2020, in our Commons. Application submission closes February 24, 2020, with the lottery held February 27, 2020. Join us as Gibson Ek reimagines education for the future. Information, Issaquah.wednet.edu/GibsonEkHS.
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February 2020
Issaquah Highlands Connections
Issaquah Highlands Connections
February 2020
27
THE SMART HOME
HFN Welcomes Jeremy Fallt! Highlands Fiber Network’s New GM by Nina Milligan, Communications Manager, Highlands Council, resident of Starpoint
When Issaquah Highlands was just a vision, back in ’90s, the master developer knew it would be a forward thinking, technologically savvy, and technologically demanding community. But could they know how many tech-workers would live here? And how important the internet would be to so many things we do? They had an idea. Still, they anticipated being “connected” would be more important in the future. Although it was unheard of in other master-planned communities at the time, and a very expensive endeavor, the master developer invested in fiber-to-the-home, for every home, and Highlands Fiber Network (HFN) was born! The master developer (Port Blakely Companies) invested in building and installing this valuable infrastructure, managing it until they phased out of the community in 2013. Several years before a plan was put in place to sell HFN to the community. In 2013, HFN became a community-owned network. Soon after, HFN hired Frank Pineau as General Manager. Frank served as HFN’s GM through December 2019, leaving this post to join his wife in retirement, enjoying all the NW has to offer. You will find them helping out at a local winery, or paddling on Pine Lake, or at Issaquah Highlands Travel Night. Frank will still be a welcomed member of this community! Replacing Frank at HFN’s helm is Jeremy Fallt. Jeremy is a veteran in the telecom industry, having worked for Qwest, Verizon and Frontier as an engineer and a planner. He has a B.A. in Economics from the University of Economics in Prague. Jeremy began his duties the first of January 2020. We would like you to get to know Jeremy a little better, so we asked him a few questions.
Frank Pineau, HFN General Manager I was born and raised 2013-2019 in the Denver area, and took a job with Qwest after college. After working in Denver for a couple of years I had an opportunity to move to Seattle with Qwest in 2002 and I've been here ever since.
Tell us about your family.
My wife and I were married on Kauai five years ago, and just welcomed our daughter Addison to our family in August.
How did you first learn about Issaquah Highlands?
I heard about Issaquah Highlands years ago as an engineer for Qwest. I started out with Bellevue as my territory, but I inherited Issaquah and Mercer Island at one point. I remember thinking what a great idea it was back 10 or 12 years ago.
HFN welcomed Jeremy Fallt as its new GM in January 2020, pictured here completing an updated fiber installation certification.
I really love the layout of the community, as well as all the events bringing people together. It seems like such a great place to raise a family.
What are you most excited to do in your work managing HFN?
I'm excited to continue the great work Frank has done over the past few years in really creating a great product and resource for the community.
What is your favorite techy gadget that you own/use and why?
Before I had a child, I would probably have said my virtual reality glasses. But these past few months I'd have to say it’s all the tools we are using to help us raise a child, from different baby monitors, all the different apps for tracking sleep, diapers, and feeding etc. , different sound machines to help us all sleep. I don't know how we would survive without all the "help"!
Issaquah Highlands was designed as an innovative, highly connected, urban village enjoying traditional neighborhood design.
Fiber to the home, community owned!
The “Covenant for Community” was created to fund it, attached to land titles. The Covenant states that each home purchase must include a connection to the network ($250 one-time fee, required at closing). And each home is required to subscribe to the minimum connection (10/10mbps), which is currently $50/ month. Most apartment rentals in Issaquah Highlands provide the option to join the network, with the same hook up fee ($250) and the same monthly rates.
How long have you lived in the PNW?
What do you think the coolest thing is about Issaquah Highlands (besides HFN)?
Highlands Fiber Network: Fiber to the Home, Community Owned
HFN’s High Speed Fiber Optic Network is fast, reliable, and competitively priced. Our current offerings include 10/10mbps, 100/100mbps and 1000/1000mbps speeds. For rates and information Highlands Fiber Network Customer Service: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week highlandsfibernetwork.com (425) 427-0999 support@hfnservices.com or see highlandsfibernetwork.com/support Direct questions about the Covenant for Community to: Jeremy Fallt, General Manager, HFN jfallt@hfn.org 425-427-0999 HFN Office is at Blakely Hall
Thank you, Frank! Frank performed a myriad of tasks in his role as GM and has left HFN in a solid position to serve the residents of Issaquah Highlands far into the future. He strengthened our relationships with GigaBite Now (our ISP partner), Canon Construction and the various home building contractors in Issaquah Highlands. He involved himself in Highlands Council events and regularly welcomed residents’ requests for assistance or information. He leaves our network growing, financially strong, well documented and poised for the next steps into a digital future. Larry Norton President, HFN 2013-2019
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February 2020
Issaquah Highlands Connections
CITY OF ISSAQUAH NEWS
Census 2020! Everyone Counts! Help your neighbors and your community by completing the Census and encouraging others to, also! The Census affects the allocation of funding for our community’s public resources (e.g., roads, hospitals, schools), how we plan for the future, and our representation in the federal government. It also has public implications, helping local organizations with information needed to apply for grant money, or even allowing them to learn the demographics of the community we live in.
The Census has been translated into many different languages. The online version, in addition to English has 12 other languages provided. If you take the Census by phone, there are 59 other languages provided.
Get ready for the census and make it count! Make sure you and your family members are accounted for.
All responses are confidential and protected by law. The Census Bureau also has a robust cybersecurity program that incorporates industry best practices and federal security standards for encrypting data.
What is the Census? Every 10 years, the US Census Bureau undertakes a mammoth task: counting all the people residing (even if living here temporarily) in the United States. Each home will receive an invitation to respond to 10 questions—online, by phone, or by mail. Invitations will begin to arrive by the mail in early March.
Representatives for The Census Bureau are already active in the community. It’s important to note they will have proper identification, will never ask for your immigration status, Social Security number, bank or credit card account numbers, money, for donations, or anything on behalf of a political party.
Learn more about the Census and how it works at census2020.gov and at issaquahwa.gov/3182/ Census-2020 Specific information for foreign born residents can be found here: 2020census.gov/content/dam/2020census/materials/ partners/2019-08/Fact_Sheet_for_Immigrant_ForeignBorn_Audience.pdf
Exciting Opportunities Await Join a City Board or Commission!
Are you looking for a fun and interesting way to make a difference in your community? Now is the time to submit your application for a position on a City board or commission. Volunteers serving on these boards and commissions have an opportunity to influence city policy and ultimately our future. Interested persons submit applications and participate in interviews which help City staff find the best placement for you. Appointments will be made by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council. Terms begin on May 1 of each year.
Examples of City Boards and Commissions: • Development • Planning • Transportation • Economic Development • Parks Applications and more information about each board and commission can be found online at issaquahwa.gov/ Boards-Commissions. Deadline will be in February. See City website for more details: IssaquahWa.gov.
Volunteers who serve on the City’s boards and commissions make important decisions for the City’s future. Pictured here are (back row left to right) Ben Rush, Karl Leigh, Geoff Walker of the Urban Village Development Commission in 2018, posing with Mayor Mary Lou Pauly (left) and Lucy Sloman (Land Development Manager).
Issaquah Highlands Connections
February 2020
29
ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS TRAVELS
Around the World in One School Year From the Viewpoint of the Youngest Family Member by Maia Esbensen, Roanoke Woods resident My name is Maia Esbensen and I am a Highlands resident. My family includes just my mom, my dad and me; I am an only child. I am in fifth grade this year, but I am not in any of the schools in Issaquah. In fact, I am not in any of the schools in King County, Washington State, or in all of the USA! That is because my family is traveling the world for a school year.
To tour Christ Church, we took the Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour Bus. I highly recommend it. Being at the Christ Church, I thought it would probably be helpful to not be there at the most crowded times, but otherwise it was great. Very medieval looking. Go and see Dublin! Our next stop was Galway. I loved this city, so cute and fun. My parents called it “quaint” 30 times (I counted). Also, you absolutely need to go to the Quay Street Kitchen! It had delicious food and a cozy vibe. We also found TAYTOS, which are Irish potato chips. Go to a pub in Galway. Also, between Galway and Dingle we saw the Cliffs of Moher. It was extremely windy but beautiful.
The little lightbulb of this plan first turned on in our minds a few years back. We really had no idea about any of the details; all we knew was that we wanted to see the world - simple as that. To first get our ideas down, we bought an enormous world map that covered up a whole wall in our basement. We would write down where we wanted to go and why on the map. This became a frequent Saturday afternoon activity. After a while, we looked at the map and saw that we wanted to go to nearly every continent. Then, we bought a whiteboard and started researching when the best time would be to go to each continent. We used that knowledge to make a simple layout of what our trip might look like. We decided to fill in travel details as each new stop got closer. I have been asked to share a little about our trip in Connections News, our Issaquah Highlands newspaper. Over this series of articles, I will share exciting highlights of our trip, beautiful scenery of the world and lots more. In this first article, I will share some highlights from our initial stop: Ireland.
Lastly, we went to Dingle, a beautiful little city that my family loved. They also have good pubs in Dingle. Just off the coast of the city is the island they filmed The Last Jedi on. They have beautiful hidden beaches squished into the rocky cliffs. This city is also home to Europe’s friendliest dolphin named Fungie [pronounced "fun-gee"]. He would come into a little cove at night and we would watch him swim around. It was amazing.
Maia Esbensen, middle with mother Emily and father Peter, armed with their backpacks, ready to leave their on a year-long, around the world trip.
Ireland is a country with lots of history and many great places to visit. We went to Dublin, Galway and Dingle. Dublin is a modern city with lots of neat architecture. We visited Trinity College, the Dublin Castle and Christ Church. Trinity College is a very old looking college. It is home to the famous Book of Kells, which is almost 1200 years old, made with poisonous ink. What I thought was funny was that Queen Victoria signed the Book of Kells. No one knows why. Maybe she thought it was customary or something. I don’t know. The glass surrounding it is now bullet proof, shatter proof and tightly sealed. The students at Trinity College call it “queen proof.”
The Esbensen-Moon family dreamed for years about taking a trip around the world. This map in their Roanoke Woods home was their platform where ideas and priorities were shared and the trip came to life.
We didn’t get to spend much time at the Dublin Castle, but it looked very cool. In second grade at Grand Ridge Elementary, I did a project with a friend of mine about the Dublin Castle, so it was cool to see it in person. The big stone walls towered above me. No wonder this place draws tourists from near and far.
All we knew was that we wanted to see the world - simple as that. Before we left for our trip, I had no idea what to expect. I had gone on international trips before, but I had never lived away from home for so long. I had known that I would miss family and friends, my house in Roanoke Woods, and activities like holidays and school events. However, I also knew that we would be seeing new and interesting places and cultures. As I travel, I hope that I will better understand what makes people around the world unique and special, but also what all of us have in common. When I get back, I hope to use that understanding to connect more easily with all different types of people. Come back to my article in Connections next month to learn more about our trip and the world.
Looking for local summer camps? See the full listing of upcoming summer camps at Blakely Hall at issaquahhighlands.com/camps *Highlands Council does not endorse any of these organizations.
30 February 2020 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Issaquah Highlands Connections
When All Your Preparation Pays Off Lessons we learned when emergency struck by Amanda Keverkamp, CERT Team 9, Resident of Crofton Springs
Here in the Emergency Preparedness column, we try to provide tips and information to help our community prepare for emergencies and disasters of all types.
Despite our bright flashlights lighting up the immediate area where we were working; and despite a fully-lit firetruck, no one came to help.
It is fitting, then, that when we recently experienced our own disaster, my sister and I were about as ready as we could be. The evening of December 19, the record setting rainfall our region experienced came flooding into the condo we share. The window in the backroom is lower than the sidewalk, and as such, is protected by a window well. A twenty-foot long window well that is shared with one other condo. When it rains, as it did that evening, we will periodically check the window well drain, making sure it isn’t clogged and can keep up with the rain. At 10:30pm, the neighbor from the adjoining condo was at our door, alerting us that their condo was flooding and ours was close behind. My sister and I sprang into action. We sprinted to the bedroom to find that not only was it raining buckets, but gallons of water from farther up the neighborhood were streaming into the window well. In a matter of minutes, that rain was flooding into our condo. We estimated at least one-hundred gallons of water, rising three-feet up the bedroom windows, filled the window well. With little time to think, we dove into action. We quickly discovered that one of the retaining ponds designed to prevent the kind of flooding we experienced, had become clogged with leaves and debris, and filling past its capacity, pond water flooded over the walkway and toward our condo. My sister and I each worked different aspects of the flooding. We recruited a neighbor from across the neighborhood who heroically helped find and stop the source of the flooding, as well as bail water from the window well. We worked inside, locating the cats and clearing valuables from the path of the water which had made quick work of not only saturating the carpet in the bedroom but spilling into the hallway. In what seemed like an eternity, but in reality was around 20 minutes, our heroic neighbor cleared the drain, and together, by bucket-brigade, he and my sister emptied the window well. All the while, utilizing nearly every towel, rug, blanket, pillow, and pet bed we owned, we were able to keep the water away from the walls, and out of the kitchen and living room. As those tense hours and days began to wane, my sister and I reflected on the incident. Almost immediately, we recognized the many emergency preparedness skills and preparations that came in handy during our disaster.
“
You will be alone:
We talk about house fires and fire safety. Conduct home hazard safety hunts to defend against potential earthquake damage. We build kits. Plan. Practice our plans.
Photo: Adobe Stock, A. Brazdeikis
Here are our top six takeaways: Be specific. Be very specific. We wonder what might have happened if a water pump was requested when 9-1-1 was contacted. Would we have been able to expel the water faster? Prevent some of the damage that both of our condos sustained? We may never know but we will know to be more specific in the future. Set aside emergency funds. We’ve talked about it here in the Emergency Preparedness corner before. Keep a stash of savings for emergencies. Whether or not you have insurance enough for your disaster, you will likely have to pay out-ofpocket for quite a few things. Think moving truck and storage unit. Hotel room. Meals while you are not at home. Paying for a deposit on the work being done by the disaster restoration company. And more. Disasters always happen at night. Well, not every disaster happens at night. They can also happen while you are away from home, wreaking destruction without your even knowing about it. But they usually happen at night when you are in your ugly PJ’s. While the stores are closed, with no chance of getting sandbags or towels. They happen at night when afterhours phone numbers are the only way to contact maintenance. Speaking of, do you know the IHCA’s after-hours number? We didn’t either. Make sure you add this to your list of emergency contacts. We have. IHCA After Hours #: 425-223-8887. Ask for the Red Cross. Before the firefighters depart, ask if the Red Cross has been contacted or if they can contact them for you. As we listened to the news in the days that followed our flood, we heard that the Red Cross had helped other families who had been impacted by flooding. Lesson learned. Always ask. Be scrappy. You are going to have to think outside of the box. You are going to have to get creative. You are going to have to
fight for your family and property. If the disaster restoration company suggests that it would be better for them to wait until the morning to begin work, say no. Be emphatic! This final takeaway of this event was an especially painful one for my sister and me. You. Will. Be. Alone. Period. You must prepare to go it alone. Despite the fact Issaquah Highlands was specifically designed to “provide opportunities to live in community with each other” (i.e. how close together our homes were built – literally on top of each other – and in neighborhood blocks); and despite our yelling to each other as we worked in-between neighboring buildings; and despite our bright flashlights lighting up the area where we were working; and despite a fully-lit firetruck, no one came to help. “But that heroic neighbor!” you think to yourself. He lives at the other end of our neighborhood. My sister literally ran to his home and pounded on his door for help. I pray that none of you will have to go through what we have gone through – and this is a minor disaster compared to what a 9.0 mega-thrust earthquake will do to our region. However, by the number of plumbing and disaster repair trucks we saw following those 48-hours of torrential rains, we probably were not alone. The one thing I hope to leave you with is this: if you see a neighbor in need - don’t ask if you can help, just do it. The beauty of it is that you don’t need any training. Helping could be as simple as holding a flashlight so they can see where to safely walk. It might mean joining the bucketbrigade. Or simply lending buckets to bail water (thank you to our teenage neighbor who lent us buckets to do just that!). You might be uncomfortable. You might be cold. Tired. Wet. But to the people you are helping, you will be a hero.
Visit issaquahcitizencorps.org/ for more information. CERT Team 9 is the Issaquah Highlands based group of volunteers.
Issaquah Highlands Connections
February 2020
RENTAL FACILITIES
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 Governing Body Responsible for:
Property Management Enforcement of CCRs, Rules, Regs Architectural Review Common Area Landscape
Board of Directors ihcaboard @ihcommunity.org Jim Young, President Rossie Cruz, Vice President Dan Vradenburg, Treasurer Greg Underwood, Secretary Bryan Shiflett, Director Shiva Bosedevarahatti, Director Ben Rush, Director
Funded by:
Annual IHCA Assessments Neighborhood Assessments
HIGHLANDS COUNCIL Blakely Hall 2550 NE Park Drive Monday–Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm*
MAIN PHONE: 425-507-1107 | IssaquahHighlands.com Blakely Hall Social Programs Community Garden Connections Newspaper issaquahhighlands.com BlakelyHall.com E-Letter Official Social Media
Blakely Hall
2550 NE Park Drive 425-507-1107 | kim.k@ihcouncil.org | BlakelyHall.com 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 BlakelyHall.com for more information or contact us with your questions.
Fire Station #73 Meeting Room
1280 NE Park Drive 425-313-3200 | eastsidefire-rescue.org/Facilities
Homestreet Bank
Conference Room 909 Northeast Ellis Dr. | 425-677-2210 homestreet.com/branches/issaquah-branch
Sarah Hoey, Executive Director | sarah.h@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1120 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 Blair Krieg, Community Manager | blair.k@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1121 Debbie Orosco, Community Manager | deborrah.o@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1134 Lyle Dickey, Landscape Manager | lyle.d@ihcommunity.org Matthew Hendrikse, Maintenance Facilities Manager | matthew.h@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1137 Billing Inquiries | payments@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1119
Responsible for:
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Governing Body
Board of Trustees hcbot@ihcouncil.org Gary Ashby, President David Ngai, Vice President/Treasurer Ami Desai-Mehta, Secretary Kimberly Kapustein, Trustee Philip Nored, Trustee Jimmy Ochiltree, Trustee Anna Preyapongpisen, Trustee Larry Norton, President Emeritus
Funded by:
Sponsorships/Grants & Advertising Community Enhancement Fees (1/4 of 1% on sale of home) Retail/Commercial pays by the square foot, Rental Apartments by the door 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
YWCA Family Village
Community Rooms 930 NE High St. | 425-270-6800 ywcaworks.org/locations/family-village-issaquah
CONNECTIONS Connections: By Community, For Community Connections News is a nationally recognized monthly community newspaper written mostly by volunteer-resident 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 contributors. 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? 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.
Lindsey Pinkston, Community Program Manager | lindsey.p@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1109 Kim Kirschbaum, Administrative Assistant | kim.k@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1107 Vicki Grunewald, Communictions Specialist| vicki.g@ihcouncil.org Julie Clegg, Creative Coordinator | julie.c@ihcouncil.org
GET INVOLVED
COMMUNITY SERVICES AT BLAKELY HALL
Getting move involved in our community is a fun and easy way to meet people and contribute to the participatory culture of Issaquah Highlands.
Neighborhood lost & found • Free Wifi • Limited Copy & Fax Services (fee-based, by appointment) • Notary Service (by appointment)
Visit issaquahhighlands.com/volunteer/ for more information or contact Lindsey at lindsey.p@ihcouncil.org or 425-507-1109
* Excluding holidays and private event closures.
HIGHLANDS FIBER NETWORK
Support: 425-427-0999 | HighlandsFiberNetwork.com Jeremy Fallt, General Manager | jfallt@HFN.org
Governing Body
Board of Directors Tim Underwood Larry Norton Charlie Herb Allen Enebo Howard Kapustein David Ngai
@issaquahhighlands @IssHighlands @issaquahhighlands Sign up for our weekly E-Letter at issaquahhighlands.com
EMERGENCY Emergency: 9-1-1 Issaquah Police (non-emergency) 425-837-3200 WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife 425-775-1311
Emergency Contact Number For after-hours emergencies not involving police and fire response or gas or water main breaks, contact IHCA at 425-223-8887
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February 2020
Issaquah Highlands Connections