January 2018

Connections

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By Community, for Community January 2018

Drive with Care, Walk Aware

A COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN TO TAKE ON TRAFFIC SAFETY

W H AT ’ S I N S I D E ?

5 Feature: Drive with Care, Walk Aware 9 20 Years of Issaquah Highlands 10 HY Highlands Youth 11 Highlands Council 12 Volunteer of the Month 12 Ink by Jack 13 IHCA News, Homeowner Tips, Etc.

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What’s Happening Living Green Fitness and Health Milestones Issaquah City News Photo Treasure Hunt Highlands Fiber Network Community Survey Ask Kari Blakely Hall Art Gallery

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School Spotlight Arts and Entertainment Emergency Preparedness Directory

ECRWSS POSTAL PATRON 2550 NE Park Drive Issaquah, WA 98029

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Issaquah Highlands Connections

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Issaquah Highlands Connections

FROM THE EDITOR

Dear Neighbor,

Twenty years ago, Issaquah Highlands’ first residents moved into their homes with land movers and home builders buzzing about. As we head into 2018, we’ll celebrate our twentieth anniversary as a community, and our community is busier than ever. More than 10,000 people now live in Issaquah Highlands; Even more work and/or play here. With future development, there will come more new neighbors.

With this hustle and bustle comes a surge of vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists, sharing our roads and sidewalks. This part of living “in community” is not always easy. By partnering with the City of Issaquah, we’re tackling traffic safety by working to change driver and pedestrian behaviors.

Find out more in our feature story, Drive with Care, Walk Aware, as well as in other stories this month.

Highlands Council staff demonstration how to safely cross the road. Vicki Grunewald, middle, does it right, maintaining eye contact with the approaching driver.

This campaign perfectly fits our stated purpose at Highlands Council, to “foster a caring and vibrant community.” We do that through this campaign, this paper and other media, through our programming and special events, and in other ways, too. We would like to hear from you in our annual Community Survey what community means to you, and how we can help make community better in Issaquah Highlands. (see page 24) Twenty years after we began, this community has much to offer. Look through these pages to find what interests you! And let’s spend all of 2018 celebrating Issaquah Highlands!

Happy New Year!

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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Issaquah Highlands Connections

Issaquah Highlands Connections

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A COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN TO TAKE ON TRAFFIC SAFETY

by Christy Garrard, Executive Director of Highlands Council and Dahlia Park resident & Nina Milligan, Highlands Council Communications Manager & Editor of Connections

Original photo by Julie Clegg

Issaquah Highlands is taking on traffic safety in our community. Like in other communities, cars are a big part of life here.

However, unique circumstances aggravate that car-pedestrian interface. We have densely developed neighborhoods with narrow streets and lots of on-street parking. Add to that businesses, schools and parks, pedestrians, dogs and bikes. Calls for drivers to slow down and watch out for pedestrians and children escalated last summer when one of our community members contacted the City of Issaquah and reporters with their neighborhood’s complaints of speeding drivers. The City responded and continues to respond.

However, such matters can take a lot of time to move through city government. Therefore, we at Highlands Council worked with the City to identify ways that we could facilitate the change our community is asking for. We decided to take on a traffic safety campaign employing education and social pressure to improve traffic safety. Here is how this all came about, and what comes next.

SUMMER 2017 A Community Meeting at Blakely Hall On July 12th, 2017, over 50 people attended a City of Issaquah community meeting to learn about city data collected on driver behavior on 24th and 25th Avenues NE, south of Park Drive. Discussion followed about how to slow drivers down and what kind of “traffic calming” measures could be taken in in Issaquah Highlands.

“This is a joint effort,” Kurt Seeman, Issaquah’s Transportation Manager, explained with members of the community, representatives from Issaquah Police, Eastside Fire and Rescue, City Council, the Urban Village Development Commission, the Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA) and Highlands Council all in attendance. But the effort started when a resident expressed a concern and asked the city to help correct it.

Kurt defined a goal of the City to “promote safe and pleasant neighborhoods.” The City approaches promoting safety for drivers and pedestrians in three steps: • Level 1: Neighborhood education and enforcement • Level 2: Community-specific signage, social pressure • Level 3: Infrastructure improvements such as speed bumps, medians, roundabouts “Speeding is a social behavior, which is hard to change” Sheldon Lynne, Issaquah’s Director of Public Works Engineering (PWE) cautioned. “People who live in a

community probably have more influence over such behavior [than the City does].”

FALL 2017 Planning a Community Traffic Safety Campaign “The citizen turnout [in July] was excellent, and we received good information related to what issues exist in the neighborhoods and along arterial roadways,” Sheldon said. “Good community solutions require good community partnership!”

Following up on community concerns, Highlands Council began meeting with City of Issaquah staff, including Kurt, Sheldon, Emily Moon, Deputy City Administrator, and Autumn Monahan, Assistant to the City Administrator.

Sarah Hoey, Executive Director of the IHCA, also participated in these meetings. A partnership for a community campaign was forged.

As a first step, we agreed on a collective goal “to influence the social driving behaviors of those using the roads in the Highlands.”

WINTER 2017 Highlands Council creates a community-specific, Vision Zero-inspired public education campaign While Level 3 approaches to traffic safety require long-term city planning, Highlands Council and the IHCA decided Continued on page 6

On July 12, about 50 neighbors gathered for the City of Issaquah’s community meeting to address speeding and traffic safety. Photo by Nina Milligan.

“Good community solutions require good community partnership!”

– Sheldon Lynne, Director of Public Works Engineering, City of Issaquah

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to focus on driver behavior issues and fund a traffic and pedestrian safety campaign. What will eventually become a city-wide campaign, ours focuses on circumstances unique to Issaquah Highlands.

We were granted permission to use imagery in Seattle’s “Vision Zero” traffic safety campaign. While the City of Issaquah has not adopted the Vision Zero program into policy, the City’s practices and approach to traffic safety are aligned with the goals of Vision Zero.

What is Vision Zero? Vision Zero is an international movement, first started in Sweden in the 1990s, to improve traffic and pedestrian safety; ultimately saving lives. Vision Zero is a multi-disciplinary approach that sets a timeline and commitment to stakeholders to ensure a basic right of safety for all people as they move about their communities (learn more at seattle.gov/visionzero).

2018 Neighborhood Education, Community-Specific Signage, The Pledge Campaign Through Community Signage In January, we launch our campaign to inspire safer driving behaviors and instill a cultural norm of safe driving and pedestrian practices. This effort incorporates Levels 1 and 2 of Traffic Calming procedures. Light pole banners and kiosks will remind drivers to “SLOW DOWN” and “drive like you live here.”

Colorful A-boards will rotate around the community at key intersections and crosswalks reminding drivers to

“Traffic calming is a process that begins with education and, if needed, progresses to other methods.”

– Emily Moon, Deputy City Administrator, City of Issaquah “drive with care,” that “25mph is plenty,” and to “stop for pedestrians.” A-boards geared toward pedestrian safety remind us to “walk aware,” and to “look out before you step out.” The campaign will continue throughout 2018 with print and electronic messaging, including: Drive with Care, Walk Aware Webpage Please visit issaquahhighlands.com/drive-with-care-walkaware for downloadable traffic and pedestrian safety resources for you and your family. You can even download our campaign graphics to display as a reminder at home, or to share with your friends online.

Pledge to Drive with Care and Walk Aware We encourage all households to review with every driver in the home and ask each driver to take the pledge to make the streets and pedestrian spaces in Issaquah Highlands a safer place for all who live, work and play here. You can find

Top Tickets Against Drivers in Issaquah Highlands Provided by City of Issaquah Police Department Issaquah Police monitor moving violations in Issaquah Highlands and to-date have issued approximately 213 citations. Top moving violations include: 1. Speeding (102)/Speeding in school zone (41) 2. Improper Stop (33) 3. Inattentive driving (26) 4. Use of personal electronic device (11) In addition to citations for moving violations that may result in collisions, Issaquah Police have also issued citations for equipment violations, licensing issues and insurance violations.

Distracted Driving: What You Can’t Do It is important to note that since July 2017, it is against the law for Washington drivers to use a hand-held cell phone or other electronics while driving.

No hand-held cell phone use while driving is permitted even while stopped in traffic or at a signal. You can use your device if you are hands free or you are parked or out of the flow of traffic, or when starting your GPS or music before driving, or for contacting emergency services.

Traffic Safety Campaign Preview

Issaquah Highlands Connections the pledge on our website at issaquahhighlands.com/drivewith-care-walk-aware.

Community Meeting at Blakely Hall Join City of Issaquah representatives at Blakely Hall on Wednesday, January 17th at 7pm to continue the community dicussion around traffic safety.

As City representatives emphasized in July 2017, this is just the beginning. To learn more about the “Drive with Care, Walk Aware” campaign and the city’s mid and long-range plans for traffic calming in Issaquah Highlands, please plan to attend this important meeting.

FUTURE STEPS Evaluate the Results of the Campaign; Consider “Traffic Calming” Infrastructure Deputy City Administrator, Emily Moon, notes, “Research and experience across the country have shown that traffic calming is a process that begins with education and, if needed, progresses to other methods. We understand that there is more to do to reach the change in behavior we wish to see.”

In December, the City added new painted traffic markings to roads in certain areas of the community as a reminder to all drivers.

Continue to use the City of Issaquah website’s “Report a Concern” to share additional ideas or to report problems: www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/RequestTracker.aspx.

Remember to keep an eye out for pedestrians during inclement weather and during hours of darkness!

Can you spot each of our campaign messages around the community?

Issaquah Highlands Connections

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Unique Challenges to Driving & Walking in Issaquah Highlands

by Erika North, IHCA Senior Community Manager During the planning phase of Issaquah Highlands, there were several safety measures put in place to promote our community as a pedestrian friendly, walkable community.

Some of these purposeful implementations may seem to pose a unique challenge to drivers and pedestrians: Narrow roads: Some homeowners have expressed their annoyance with having such narrow streets, but it’s hard for people to speed down a street when they must dodge parked cars and other drivers. Instead of being frustrated, just slow down.

Limited street lights: Another one of the unique designs of the community was scaled down streetlight installation to minimize night glow. Lighting levels were designed to be safe, attractive, and functional with the thought that homeowners would also leave their porch lights on, providing a feeling of a welcome and safe community. It is very inexpensive to keep your porch light on at night, especially if you invest in energy saving light bulbs.

The IHCA has taken certain precautions to insure the safety of pedestrians as well.

When plants were originally installed in the road islands, they were small and grew to the point that drivers could not see strollers walking in the pedestrian pathways. Those plants were replaced with lower growing species to ensure they will not grow to block the line of vision. Others are trimmed on a regular basis to do the same.

Other precautions include trimming trees along the sidewalks, so they don’t accidently hit pedestrians as they meander down the sidewalks, and keeping the sidewalks clean and safe after wind and snow storms to avoid slippery slopes and painful falls.

When you see our crews at work, please slow down, wave and remember they are here to make Issaquah Highlands a safe and pleasant place to live.

Pedestrian & Traffic Safety Tips

The IHCA landscape crew keeps street medians trimmed back for better visibility. Please drive slower when driving past crew members on the road.

For even more tips and resources, visit issaquahhighlands.com/drive-with-care-walk-aware.

Tips for “driving like you live here”

Tips for walking with your dog

Tips for driving in schools zones

Source: Highlands Council

Source: rover.com

Source: Issaquah School District

• Drive with care, don’t rush, watch out for others.

• Drive slower throughout the community (most roads have 25 mph speed limits - that’s plenty).

• Stop for pedestrians by coming to a complete stop before the crosswalk, allowing people to cross the street safely.

• Be courteous, wave ‘hello’ to other drivers.

• Keep your dog leashed at all times (required

by Issaquah law and Issaquah Highlands Use Restrictions and Rules).

• Drive slowly and carefully during pick-up and dropoff times to keep students and parents safe. Don’t double-park or stop in crosswalks.

• Dress for the weather/the dark; both you and your dog should wear reflective material.

• Avoid loading/unloading children across the street from school. This forces students to cross busy streets, often mid-block rather than at a crosswalk.

• Don’t wear headphones; pay attention to your surroundings as you walk.

• Carry your cell phone in case of emergencies.

Tips for pedestrians walking at night

Tips for walking to school

Source: pedbikeinfo.org

Source: Issaquah School District

• Walk on the sidewalk.

• Wear bright/light colors and reflective materials.

• Carry a flashlight.

• Cross the street in well-lit areas.

• Stand away from hedges, parked cars, or other obstacles so oncoming drivers can see you.

• Don’t walk while intoxicated; call a cab.

• Respect school crossing guards!

• Students should always look both directions before crossing roads and parking lots.

Tips for driving in winter conditions Source: Seattle Department of Transportation

• Drive slow in ice and snow, no matter your vehicle.

• Students should use crosswalks whenever possible.

• Keep more space between your car and other vehicles in case you or another driver loses control.

• Having reflectors on backpacks and/or jackets can be very helpful in being seen in the dark.

• Allow more space in front of you for longer braking distance.

• Pull over completely to install tire chains or chain up before hitting the road.

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Issaquah Highlands Connections

Issaquah Highlands Connections

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20 YEARS OF ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS

Our Home, Our Future, Our Commitment

by Christy Garrard, Executive Director, Highlands Council and Dahlia Park Resident In 1998 the first residents moved into their homes in Issaquah Highlands. It is a place where front-porches and public spaces provide opportunities to live in community with each other.

This year we will commemorate the 20-year milestone by taking a walk down Memory Lane, reflecting on this place we call home, while looking forward to the future and committing to the values that make Issaquah Highlands a special place to live, work and play.

Our Home Today Issaquah Highlands boasts over 4,000 homes. We have our own community center, Blakely Hall. We have our own hospital, fire station, elementary school, retail, restaurants and services, plus thousands of preserved acres of open space, parks, trails and athletic amenities. We enjoy connecting with neighbors on the street, in the parks, and by attending community clubs, groups and special events. We enjoy and celebrate the diversity of our community by creating an inclusive and welcoming neighborhood experience.

Our Future We will continue to grow. Our future calls for more homes. The future also holds more retail and commercial development on over 20 acres of buildable land. We will enjoy the convenience of a regional sports complex located in the heart of Issaquah Highlands when the City’s Central Park improvements are completed. And don’t forget about the exciting indoor surfing facility and the possibility of a new grade school and perhaps even a college!

Our Commitment Whether you moved here 20 years ago or last week, this year of celebration is for all of us! Commit to connecting in our community. Share you voice!

• Simply take the community survey (see page 24) and commit to being a great neighbor.

• Attend a community meeting or engage in public hearings at the city level on the topics that matter to you. On January 17th attend the Drive with Care, Walk Aware community meeting and PLEDGE to Drive Like You Live Here (see page 4).

• Ready for more? Volunteer opportunities to serve at the community and city level on a variety of committees, commissions and boards. To volunteer locally contact me. To volunteer at the city level, see page 22.

Highlands Council, the IHCA and HFN remain committed to you. Highlands Council will keep you fully informed on land development topics and provide opportunities to engage as a community. Stay informed through our variety of official media outlets. The IHCA will keep the community looking great so you can be proud to say you live here. HFN will keep you connected with ever-improving fiber-to-the-home services via our community-owned network.

Throughout 2018 we will commemorate all that Issaquah Highlands has accomplished and provide opportunities to share our memories, our hopes, and our commitment to this special community.

Happy Anniversary, Issaquah Highlands!

The Highlands: All Grown Up

by Kathryn Dean, Kirk Park Neighborhood

The Issaquah Highlands community celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, ending the original development agreement between the City of Issaquah and Port Blakely, the master developer behind our Urban Village. But who is Port Blakely? And what is an Urban Village?

This is the first in a series of articles that will explore our Highlands community and the unique plan and people who developed and shaped it to be what it is today.

The Port Blakely company was begun as a sawmill and lumberyard by William Renton in 1852 on Alki point. It moved around over the years seeking the best location to transport lumber via the Puget Sound, finally landing on Bainbridge Island in 1864. During the next 40 years, Port Blakely became the world’s largest sawmill under one roof.

In 1902 Port Blakely was bought by Ned Skinner and John W. Eddy, eventually falling solely to the Eddy family. The Eddy family steered Port Blakely toward forest management and conservation continually finding ways to improve reforestation. Then in 1962 the company created its first real estate venture which managed Renton Village Company and in 1990 Port Blakely Communities was born - focused on creating urban villages using sustainable materials.

On September 5, 1996 Port Blakely began work on the Grand Ridge development renamed Issaquah Highlands in April 1997. Originally zoned to 1,000 homes, the Issaquah Highlands now contains more than 4,000 homes and over 10,000 residents.

Port Blakely had a vision for the Northwest, not just regarding reforestation, but also sustainability. As forestlands were cleared and housing began to boom all over the greater Seattle area, Port Blakely saw an opportunity to maximize housing units while leaving forest lands, trails, protected green spaces, and parks to be enjoyed by the community. The urban village concept created the closeness of a city or urban setting while giving the feel of a suburb.

Many of us moved to the Highlands with a vague sense that it was different from other communities, but not fully understanding what “urban village” meant. As the Highlands introduction claimed, “Our community provides an ideal place for your family to live, work, and play.” With 10,000+ residents, 1,500 acres of permanent open space, 28 parks, more than 10 miles of trails, and ample retail space, the community has done just that.

As we look back over the last 20 years in our community, I will introduce you to the people

Master developer Port Blakely designed the Urban Village of Issaquah Highlands to be dense so that the forests that surround it could remain green.

and groups who have helped to shape it, including those very first residents who embraced an idea and bought one of the first homes down in Ashland park. You’ll hear from many different neighbors who have been born and raised here, who have led the organization of teen events for our community, who have moved here from out of state or out of country to work here, and even residents who embrace the full-measure of urban living by having several generations under one roof.

All of this, and much more, make our community unique and the wonderful place we call home. Thank you, Port Blakely, for your vision and follow through to create a space where we truly live, work, and play.

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Issaquah Highlands Connections

HIGHLANDS YOUTH - THE HY

How to Stay Safe When Running at Dusk

by Andie Kolasinski, Co-President of the HY and Manchester Court resident

If you’ve ever looked out your window and seen two blonde girls running through the Highlands, there’s a good chance it was my sister and me. I was a freshman and she was a senior when we had an overlapping year on the Issaquah cross country and track teams. For a whole year we got the opportunity to train and race together, no matter the conditions. We may not be on the same team anymore, but she’s still my go-to training partner. Even though it’s winter and the weather is turning cold, wet, and dark, you will still see us out on the streets of the Highlands running in preparation for the upcoming track season.

The early 4pm sunsets during the winter months force me to take extra precautions. I’ll be running in the dark more often than not. My biggest rule to follow is stay off the trails after sunset. This may seem like common sense, but for runners it’s tempting to squeeze in a few

more miles on the trails before it gets completely dark. I was attempting just that a few winters ago running on the Grand Ridge trails just after dusk. I was nearing the end of my run when suddenly I felt something hit the back of my head. I assumed it was just a pinecone or branch falling until I looked up and saw an owl circling overhead. My run turned into a sprint home after realizing an owl had just swooped down and grazed my head with its talons! I walked away with just a few scratches on my head and a valuable lesson learned.

Since most winter running is done on the roads, I have a few tips to ensure runners’ safety. Try to avoid wearing athletic gear in colors that match the dreary weather. Go for reflective bright colors, my favorite being white. Most of my running Larissa and I before going out for a snowy run in the winter of routes in the winter include laps 2015. around well-lit neighborhoods (with festive Christmas decorations) like Magnolia, Harrison, and the soccer fields. Most importantly, be extra aware at four way stops because drivers are watching for cars more than runners.

I am wishing everyone a super safe and spectacular winter of training!

Photo from the 2014 season when Larissa and I were on the Issaquah High School cross country team together.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

January 2018 •

HIGHLANDS COUNCIL

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Highlands Council Welcomes New Team Member: Lindsey Pinkston

by Christy Garrard, Executive Director of Highlands Council and Dahlia Park resident

Highlands Council is proud to announce that resident Lindsey Pinkston is joining our staff this month as an Administrative Assistant. Lindsey will be Blakely Hall’s front desk receptionist Monday – Friday, 9am-1pm. She will assist residents and guests with inquiries regarding our community and Blakely Hall, and support our staff with program planning as we work to fulfill our mission of Building Community in Issaquah Highlands.

Lindsey Pinkston joins the Highlands Council staff in January 2018.

Lindsey was selected from over 15 applicants for the role. The candidates for the position were all exceptional and our staff enjoyed meeting so many residents who love our community and were genuinely interested in joining our mission.

So, why Lindsey?

Lindsey was the most well-rounded candidate for the role professionally and in service to this community. “I have excitedly watched this community evolve and grow, while participating in building community at every opportunity. I now have deep roots within the community developed through years of volunteering, connecting with people, and supporting local businesses;” Lindsey shared in her cover letter upon applying for the position.

I have always believed in the saying “It takes a village.” I’m happy to call Issaquah Highlands my village, a place where neighbors become friends and friends are like family. ~ Lindsey shared in her 2014 Volunteer of the Month article

She has an incredible resume, including an MBA, Professional Project Management certification, and experience in sales, marketing and international business. She has been active in our community for 14 years and named Issaquah Highlands Volunteer of the Month twice for her work as Book Club Leader and co-producer of the Shop Local Saturday Holiday Bazaar at Blakely Hall for the last three years.

Lindsey has been an active community event volunteer for the annual Highlands Day Festivals and other community gatherings.

Lindsey and husband Randy, live in Wisteria Park with their two children, Asher and Lilly.

Lindsey was the Outreach Ambassador and a Group Leader for PEPS (Program for Early Parent Support) from 2013 to present. PEPS met at Blakely Hall monthly for many years, which makes Lindsey very familiar with the facility policies and procedures that she will now share with others interested in meeting at our community center.

Lindsey, her husband Randy, and their two children, Asher & Lilly, live in the Wisteria Park neighborhood. Her love for this community is evident in her volunteer work with the Issaquah School District, Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank, Eastside Baby Corner and Girl Scouts of Western Washington. Lindsey has organized egg hunts and block parties for her neighborhood as well.

We have always been grateful for Lindsey’s leadership as a community volunteer and supporter of Highlands Council and we are thrilled to now call her a teammate on our mission to creating a vibrant and caring community committed to service, stewardship and well-being. Join us in welcoming Lindsey to our organization.

Jody Turner Departs the Highlands Council Board of Trustees

by Christy Garrard, Executive Director of Highlands Council and Dahlia Park resident

On behalf of the Highlands Council Board of Trustees and staff, we wish to thank Jody Turner for the three and a half years of service as a member of the Board of Trustees. Jody joined the Board of Trustees in July of 2014 and provided critical leadership during the Highlands Council acquisition of the Highlands Fiber Network.

Member, David Ngai – Allstate Insurance (retail/commercial) Member, Ami Desai-Mehta – homeowner The Board of Trustees will appoint a retail/commercial Trustee replacement for Jody Turner in early 2018.

The Highlands Council Board of Trustees are made up of a variety of community stakeholders, including homeowners, multi-family property owners, and retail/commercial representatives. Jody occupied a retail/commercial seat as an executive in Business Development for Swedish Medical Center and then Director of Practice Development for Proliance Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Jody has resigned from Proliance and will be taking some time to enjoy being a stay at home mom and devoted wife before she launches into another professional life chapter.

Thank you, Jody, for your leadership and support of Highlands Council. We will miss you at the boardroom table.

The Highlands Council Board of Trustees include: President, Larry Norton – homeowner Vice President, Patrick Byers – homeowner Secretary, Phil Nored – Discovery Heights Apartment Owner (multi-family) Member, Fred Nystrom – Executive Director for Life Enrichment Options (multi-family)

Thank you, Jody, for your service to Highlands Council! From left to right: Fred Nystrom, Phil Nored, Jody Turner, Larry Norton, Patrick Byers and Ami Desai-Mehta.

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Issaquah Highlands Connections

VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH Mike Petty | January Volunteer of the Month It’s hard to believe I’ve gone from growing up in rural south Arkansas to the mountains around the Issaquah Highlands. And for many here, the journey has been much further. That’s a big part of what makes this a special neighborhood for my wife Lauren and me.

Lauren and I are both from the South. She’s from Baton Rouge. Work brought us here separately 10 years ago. After meeting in the Seattle neighborhood of Fremont in 2009, we got married and lived in Seattle for almost five years in the Greenlake/Roosevelt area. We were then ready to have children and wanted to find a new home for our growing family.

Lauren’s Aunt, Patricia Bloor, is a longtime Highlands resident, so we were familiar with the area and knew how highly she thought of it. Like many who live here, we were attracted to the beauty of the neighborhood and surrounding area, the quality of the schools, the nearby businesses, and the wonderful diversity of interesting people around us. We bought a home here in the fall of 2014.

Our kids, Harrison and Madelyn, are now four and two years old, and they love it here almost as much as they love Paw Patrol. Harrison is excited to start ski lessons this winter, and he’s also the most devoted four-year-old Sounder fan in the NW. Madelyn loves her dolls and climbing on anything and everything. Outside of work and parenting, Lauren is an avid Peloton bike rider and loves to travel. I’m a big sports fan, and still like to play when possible. I was a college baseball player, but in recent years, I’ve played squash, basketball and soccer.

With volunteering, I wanted to learn more about the neighborhood and get involved after moving over from Seattle. With a business background in school and through my work as a Global Account Executive @ Dell, I thought the finance committee would be a good fit.

I joined the committee in early 2015. Working with Joon Chang, our CPA for IHCA, Sarah Hoey, Executive Director of IHCA, and everyone else on the committee, has been a wonderful experience. I’ve learned a lot about the intricacies of the IHCA, such as the supplemental neighborhoods. The IHCA is in an extremely strong financial position with Joon and Sarah’s leadership.

INK BY JACK

by Jack Tillman, West Highlands Park. Follow him @artastrophe

Mike Petty, Issaquah Highlands Volunteer of the Month for January, is pictured here with his wife Lauren, and their two children, Harrison and Madelyn.

In addition to learning about the financials, through volunteering I have a much better overall understanding of the neighborhood, and I feel more connected. I love volunteering in the community and trying to make a small difference in it. Lauren and I hope to be here for a long time.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

January 2018 •

ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

IHCA Fiscal Mid- Year 2017/2018 Recap

ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 18-001

by Sarah Hoey, Executive Director IHCA

It’s already 2018 and I have no idea where the time has gone. But if I look back at the last six months of 2017 the IHCA team was extremely busy. The new maintenance facility is nearing completion. This facility will be used for maintenance and landscaping operations.

It is a much needed 3000 square foot facility which will better enable us to serve this community. In addition, the IHCA Board of Directors is investigating the possibility of building an office building to house IHCA administration. We are in the process of obtaining a land use permit with the City of Issaquah. I will provide more details as we move forward.

We ended the 2016/2017 fiscal year with a $495,000 cash surplus which has been allocated to future reserve funds. These savings are a direct result of the administration’s oversight for the master expenditures at the same time we have added more tools which have helped increased over all efficiencies.

On the development side, I have worked very closely with the Builder Architectural Control Committee (ARC). I and two other architects personally met with the builders and reviewed and approved the current new development plans in the Highlands which include 366 residential units with Polygon, one apartment complex and multiple retail buildings. All this combined with attending city council and other committee meetings and closing out the Sun Ridge and Pinecrest neighborhoods with the builders adds up at an extremely busy last half of 2017. I would like to say thank you to Highlands Council for their tireless coverage of the upcoming development matters that are occurring within the Highlands. This community is a happening place indeed and they are doing a tremendous job in reporting the facts as things unfold.

The new maintenance facilities are scheduled for completed early in 2018. PC: N. Milligan

Looking ahead at the next six months in master capital improvements, we have the Summit Park slide muchneeded facelift. This will eliminate the ongoing erosion issues and increase safety. Depending on vendor availability and product delivery, we are aiming for a spring 2018 installation.

Summit, or “Two Slides” Park is a favorite with the older kids who like the very tall slides. Repairs to the erosion and other improvements will be done in the Spring. PC: N. Milligan

The IHCA always has the best interests of the Community and Resident safety in mind in everything that we do.

We appreciate all of you and hope that you enjoy this upcoming year.

Happy New Year from the IHCA team.

We look forward to serving this community in 2018!

A home business application has been submitted to the Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA) Board of Directors from a resident at 2454 NE Julep St. The business application is for a city licensed day care service. The public comment period will be January 1st, 2018 through January 15th, 2018.

Residents may provide their comments on the business application via email to homebusinessapp@ihcommunity.org. This public notice and the application are posted on the Issaquah Highlands website.

Issaquah Highlands Use Restrictions & Rules Reminders IHCA Use Restrictions and Rules state that seasonal holiday decorations can only be on display from October 1- January 15th. Find details at IssaquahHighlands.com Please remember to take down your holiday décor before January 15th in order to avoid receiving a compliance notice.

Thank you for doing your part.

ARC Tip of the Month: Did you know… ANY changes or additions to the exterior of your home or yard need Architectural Review Committee (ARC) approval prior to implementing the change?

The IHCA has ARC Guidelines that outline the process and details different component restrictions and suggestions. The Guidelines can be found at issaquahhighlands.com.

Please don’t make changes without prior approval.

Kudos to the observant homeowner who reported a moving truck running into and damaging a light pole while maneuvering into a condo parking lot. Thanks to the diligence of this person the IHCA was able to track down the driver and recoup the cost of repairs for the light.

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• January 2018

Issaquah Highlands Connections

ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

The Work of the Finance Committee The Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA) Finance Committee will soon be preparing the IHCA 2018-19 budget. The budget will be presented to Board of Directors (BOD) for approval in late February, published in April’s Connections newspaper, and ratified at a scheduled community meeting in late April.

Finance Committee members are Issaquah Highlands homeowners who volunteer their time to serve the committee. This committee is appointed by the IHCA BOD and work directly with the IHCA staff to develop a budget recommendation to the BOD. Using their financial expertise, knowledge of community and legal requirements, and a commitment to maintaining the communitywide standards, the budget is developed using proactive group effort.

Once the budget is reviewed and approved by the Finance Committee, the committee will present the budget to the IHCA BOD for approval. After the Board approves it, an open meeting is scheduled to publicly ratify the budget. In accordance with state law and the IHCA Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs), ratification is automatic unless 75% of all members (not just those in attendance) vote to reject the budget.

There are many factors that the Finance Committee must consider when developing the community budget. These driving factors include:

• Protecting the integrity of the investment of every homeowner within Issaquah Highlands.

• Maintaining the standard of care and safety of community property and common areas.

• Ensuring efficient planning for future community needs.

The Finance Committee reviews the funds needed for daily operation of the community, such as common electricity and irrigation water, grounds maintenance, management, insurance and general maintenance. These expenses are either contractual or can be reasonably estimated based on experience. The Finance Committee also reviews the income needed to maintain the reserve fund at sufficient levels. Reserve funds provide money for the repair and replacement of the community’s assets — such as playground equipment, drainage infrastructure, and irrigation equipment.

Armed with this knowledge, the committee will estimate total expenses for the coming year and compare that sum to the association’s potential revenue (assessments, interest on investments and shared costs revenue). The committee will look for ways to lower expenses without compromising service and address areas where operating efficiencies may be realized.

The annual budget must also meet the legal requirements of operating a nonprofit association and address any economical and operational challenges that may lie ahead.

Lights on for Safety

IHCA Staff Safety Measures

As I walked around my neighborhood with my dog over the holiday weekend it was very clear to me who was home and who was not. No lights on, no cars parked in driveway, trashcans left out past pick up day, newspapers in the driveway, package in the doorways. All sign of an unoccupied home.

Throughout our community, our top priority for our IHCA staff and all other onsite vendors is safety. Every day our crews and contracted vendors are working within the community to maintain the common elements and landscaping.

by Sarah Hoey. IHCA Executive Director

Here are a few tips I use when I’m away from home: • Ask your neighbor to bring in your trash and recycle cans while you’re away.

• Ask a neighbor to park one of their cars in your driveway.

• Stop newspaper delivery and ask a neighbor to promptly remove any solicitation materials.

• Have packages delivered to your work place temporarily.

Good ideas even when you are not away on a trip: • Install a timer on your exterior lights to come on at dusk.

• Install a timer for a lamp inside your home.

• Install a motion detector light on the back side of your home.

• Install a video doorbell on your front porch.

Lighting your home not only lets others know someone is home it helps promote safety in the community for those who are walking on the sidewalks or in alley ways. Lights inside and outdoors deter burglars. The porch light also helps when you are home. You can easily see through a window or peephole who’s approaching, and others can see if anyone is approaching your home from their vantage points.

by Sarah Hoey. IHCA Executive Director

IHCA has over 10 employees in the field on any given day and there are five separate landscape companies contracted to assist in the ongoing landscaping services. These crews are at the greatest risk when they are working on the sides of the road, whether it be on Park Drive or in a small park area. We appreciate it when individuals show great care when driving throughout the community to ensure our crew’s safety at all time.

Here are a few things we have implemented to keep our workers and vendors out of harm’s way: 1. All fleet vehicles are clearly marked as IHCA, including notices that this vehicle makes frequent stops. We recently added flashing safety light bars to some of our trucks.

2. All employees are clearly marked with IHCA issued uniforms, badges and reflective vests.

3. Continued education on proper driving procedures for our employees and the use of hazard blinkers and cones while parked along roadsides to make other vehicles aware of our presence.

4. We hold quarterly Safety Committee staff meetings to review evacuation plans, emergency response, field safety and first aid/CPR certifications.

Thank you for driving safely while in the community. We each have a role to play and a responsibility to ensure everyone’s safety while on the roads.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

January 2018 •

15

ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

The Gnomes Among Us

by Collene Cordova, Former IHCA Owner Service Coordinator-Compliance

January Landscape and Irrigation Activities

by Lyle Dickey, IHCA Landscape Manager

The landscape crews have been working very hard throughout the community the entire month of December to wrap up any outstanding landscape items. Now that January has arrived the landscape crews will be working on fine tuning some of the plant material trimming and completing the final cleanup of leaf debris.

Next time you are out for a walk, see if you can find these gnomes out in the community.

Looking back at 2017, the IHCA misses the contributions Collene made to the community. She left in August to relocate to the Southwest. Here, Collene shares her thoughts as she looks back at Issaquah Highlands, where she worked in various capacities for ten years.

Some may think it was monotonous to drive through the community, week after week, looking for violations; unkept lawns, dead plants, trash cans left out, a/c units and so on.

Actually, it wasn’t. I enjoyed it best when homeowners were outside and they flagged me down to chat, or the neighborhood kids with the lemonade stand were waving me down.

But truth be told, one of my favorite parts of those weekly drives was the Gartenzwerge commonly known as garden gnomes.

These charming little creatures date back to 19th Century Germany and became widely popular throughout France and Britain. Often bearded men wearing red Phrygian caps, they were frequently placed in the gardens of the wealthy and were thought to guard the earths treasures underground. Their popularity declined after World War I but increased after the 1930’s Disney movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The 1970’s brought about a resurgence for comical gnomes and IHCA has them there, to name a few let’s just say “Go Hawks”.

I had my favorites here in the community, a few in particular always made me smile as I drove by. Some are small, tucked away in corners of yards. Others are prominently displayed on the porches, guarding the front door or peeking out of flower pots. There’s even a cute little fella in a swing, he’s one of my favorites. Our landscape Manager, Lyle, even has one in a potted plant on his desk.

This little guy came with me to Arizona and will always remind me of this wonderful community.

In a world that is not always friendly and becoming far too “fast”, these are friendly reminders to slow down and smile. Thank you, Issaquah Highlands Community, for the last 10 years. I will think of you often and smile.

This is a slow month for the crews, so you will only see them every other week this time of year. This schedule should not diminish the landscape appearance, but please let the IHCA know if there are any issues or questions. The IHCA landscape crews will be finishing tree installs the first part of the month with hopes of completion by midJanuary. The weather and other factors have delayed this a bit, but we will carry on to reach our goals. The irrigation systems have been winterized so this month we will be doing field system upgrades as well as installing new control hardware on several systems.

These upgrades will help to make the existing systems more efficient and easier to maintain which is key to a systems longevity.

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• January 2018

Issaquah Highlands Connections

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HIGHLANDS Kids & Families

Club Inclusive

Thursday, January 11th, 6pm Blakely Hall January: Let’s Play Music!

A visit from the Rovin’ Fiddlers. A club for kids with special needs focused on acceptance and inclusion. A safe and fun place where kids can be themselves. Contact Alicia Spinner at alispinner@yahoo.com. Also see facebook.com/ ClubInclusiveBlakeyHall/

Library-2-Go

January 30th, 3:30pm-4:30pm Blakely Hall

Open Mic

Friday, January 26th, 6:30pm Blakely Hall

For more info, contact: Dino Go at kabalen.geo@gmail.com.

Photography Club

Saturday, January 20th, 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

Poker Night

Thursday, January 25th, 7pm Blakely Hall

The King County Library will bring the Library-2-Go Book Mobile to Blakely Hall. You bring the family and your library card and peruse the curated collection of books. Checkout your favorites! A FREE, fun, afterschool activity for all ages.

Next visit: February 27th.

Whether you are a novice or a salty vet looking for some steep competition, you will love our monthly group for $40 buy-in, No-Limit Texas Hold ’em tournament! Don’t forget to join us on Facebook for all the latest info and results at our “Issaquah Poker” group page. Contact Henry at hlh1969@hotmail.com.

Minecraft Mania

Rovin’ Fiddlers

Tuesday, January 9th & 23rd, 5pm Blakely Hall

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.

Summit LIFE Church Father Daughter Dance Saturday, February 3rd See page 10.

Toddler Playgroup Every Wednesday, 10am Cancelled January 10th Blakely Hall Newborn to Age 4

Moms, dads, caregivers and their children are invited for fun, friendship, support and socializing. Contact katiels84@gmail.com or Alicia Spinner at alispinner@yahoo.com. Search Facebook for Issaquah Highlands Toddler Playgroup

Arts & Cards Art in Blakely Hall

“Intersections” Opening Reception, January 18th, 7pm Artists Talk, February 16th, 6:30pm Blakely Hall See Page 25.

Bridge Club

Monday, January 8th, 7pm Blakely Hall

Grab a partner or come solo to play a little Bridge! Bring your own beverage of choice and a snack to share. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned bridge player, you are welcome to join us. RSVP: Ed Tellman, etellman@pobox. com or Andrew Shanafelt, shanafelta@issaquah.wednet.edu.

Knit for Life®

Every Monday, 1pm Cancelled January 1st, 2018 Swedish Medical Center, Main Lobby

A network of volunteer knitters in area hospitals, providing physical and mental support in a non-traditional therapeutic environment to cancer survivors, patients and caregivers through knitting. We teach anyone with any skill level. You don’t have to bring anything but yourself. We have all the supplies you will need. Contact: Elaine.Eckert@yahoo.com

Every Tuesday, 7pm Either at the Issaquah Highlands Fire Station 73 or Issaquah Senior Center

Drop in on our jam sessions. We welcome guitars, flutes, whistles, banjos, mandolins, autoharps, dulcimers, stand up bass, and percussion. All abilities welcome. Contact Sue at jefhilburne@msn.com.

Latino Club

Sunday, January 7th, 4pm Kings Day Celebration Blakely Hall

Celebrate the end of the holiday season by gathering together with family and friends for King’s Day! We will share traditional Kings’ bread and play Lotería (similar to Bingo)! Activities for kids, adults and seniors. The Latino Club welcomes everyone who would like to celebrate and learn about Latino traditions. Dinner is potluck (food might not have been prepared in a commercial kitchen. Enjoy at your own risk.) Contact Alicia Spinner: alispinner@yahoo. com. RSVP required at issaquahhighlands.com/events.

Russian Highlanders Monthly on the 4th Sunday Begins January 28th, 6pm Blakely Hall

This club promotes and preserves Russian cultural heritage for Russian speaking families and everybody who is interested to learn and explore Russian culture. facebook.com/groups/rusisshigh/ Contact: alentyey@yahoo.com.

Travel Club Night

Wednesday, January 10th, 7pm Blakely Hall See Where It Takes You! TOPIC: Switzerland

All knitters, crocheters, and stitchers are welcome. For more details or questions, please contact Cathie Coulter at Catherine.coulter@ihmail.com

Grüetzi! Where can you travel to experience four languages, cultures, food styles, snowy mountains and palm trees in a tiny country one quarter the size of Washington state? Learn about Switzerland from a native. The bulk of the evening will be unstructured, get-acquainted time so we can all share and learn about travel. Light snacks provided but feel free to bring a beverage (perhaps a bottle of wine from your favorite country!) to enjoy.

Join us facebook.com/issaquahhighlandstravelclub.

World Cultures

Fitness

Yarns & Threads Group Every Friday, 9am Blakely Hall

Chinese Heritage Club

Taichi Fitness Club

Regular monthly meeting.

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

Sunday, January 28th, 4pm Blakely Hall

Chinese New Year Saturday, February 10th Blakely Hall

Join the Chinese Heritage Club as they celebrate the new year, and the Year of the Dog. Bowbow.Gu@outlook.com

India Culture Club

Monday, February 11th, 3pm Bollywood Musical Evening Blakely Hall

India Culture Club and Oorja Band present a family friendly Bollywood musical evening to help celebrate Valentine’s Day. $8/pp; Kids 12 and under are free. There will be lots of fun activities for the kids! See issaquahhighlands.com/ events for tickets.

NEW! Jewish Club

Meets First Thursday of the Month First Meeting: Thursday, January 4th, 6:30pm Blakely Hall L’Chaim! A Jewish Club: Join us as we experience different aspects of Jewish culture together! We will meet the first Thursday of every month and focus on exploring various themes such as Jewish cuisine, movies, authors/ guest lecturers, and holiday celebrations in an open and inviting atmosphere. All are welcome! The first meeting on January 4th will be ‘Getting to know us.’ Contact Anya Lvova at anna.lvova1@gmail.com

Every Wednesday, 6:45am Blakely Hall

Hatha Yoga Classes Saturday Every Saturday, 10:30am Cancelled January 20th Blakely Hall

Join us every Saturday for free Yoga! Hatha Yoga Classes are for anyone interested, including neophytes wanting to try yoga for the first time, the experienced looking to improve, and anyone in-between. Yoga class will be led by Melanie and her mother, Deyin. For more information, contact deyiny@microsoft.com

Meditation Group Every Friday, 2pm Cancelled January 12th Blakley Hall

Discover how to find moments to relax the mind.nGroup leader, Wei Geiger, teaches exercises that promote balance, strength, and calmness. Learn techniques to help deal with stress and strain of a busy life. Free to attend and open to all!

Questions? Contact ih.meditation@gmail.com

Running Club

Every Saturday, 8am Central Park Tennis Courts

Please contact Joey at jbc224@cornell.edu, so he can add you to the distribution list. See Facebook - Issaquah Highlands Running and Multi-sport

*All Events are FREE unless otherwise noted.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

January 2018 •

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HIGHLANDS Yami Yoga Classes Sunday Every Sunday, 7:45am Blakely Hall

Join these free yoga classes for a systematic organized teaching as it is supposed to be, as opposed to treating yogasanas as mere exercises. Yoga guru Kiran Balijepalli teaches correct physical posture, and the conceptual basis for these different yogasanas. No prior experience required. Bring your own yoga mat and do not eat anything for at least two hours before (except drinking coffee/tea/milk/water). Contact: srik.satya@gmail.com

Zumba Fitness® Classes Resumes January 16th Every Tuesday, 7pm Every Saturday, 9am 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 nonperishable food item to donate to the food bank! Contact: zumbawithcindy@gmail.com

Special Interest YWCA Self-Defense Training Saturday, January 13th, 10am YWCA Family Village Issaquah

For women ages 10 and up, trainer David DeVore and team will work through many means of self-defense during this two-hour session. The goal is to ensure every participant walks away with at least “One Tactic” for self-defense.

Sign-up: email Ian Terry at ianhterry@aol.com

Book Club

Location & Dates vary

The book club is a great place to meet neighbors and explore a variety of books. Date and location sometimes change, so be sure to email lindsey8@gmail.com to be added to the Facebook group.

Entrepreneur Club

Sunday, January 14th & 28th, 7:30pm Blakely Hall

Are you a small business owner or an entrepreneur looking to kick off a business idea? This is an opportunity for IH entrepreneurs to gather and be a resource for each other. Join us to meet like-minded entrepreneurs, learn about what’s working for others and bounce ideas for feedback. Here’s a chance to extend your network of support. For more information, contact: Johnathan Chu johnnychu@outlook.com

Ladies Lunch Bunch

Thursday, January 25th, 11am Blakely Hall Potluck Style; Adults Only

Good friends. Good food. Good times! Looking for an opportunity to meet new neighbors and make new friends?

You’re invited to join our ladies’ potluck lunch group. We hope you can join us! Please bring an appetizer or salad to share along with an appetite and a sense of humor. (Food shared is not prepared in commercial kitchens. Consume at your own risk.) Contact Melissa melissadwatts@yahoo.com

Meaningful Movies

Wednesday, January 24th, 7pm Blakely Hall Movie: Inequality for All

Meaningful Movies brings the greater Issaquah community together through education and advocacy, using the power of social justice documentary films and discussion. For more information, see meaningfulmovies.org/.

For the latest details, see IssaquahHighlands.com/events

Toastmasters Club

Every Wednesday, 7am Swedish Medical Center 2nd Floor Conference Center

Join us to improve your communication skills.

To find out more, visit the club website at toastmastersclubs.org or drop in any Wednesday as a guest.

Wine Club

Friday, January 12th, 7pm Blakely Hall

Come out and meet your fellow wine lovers in the Highlands! Are you a wine enthusiast, connoisseur, or just a fan? We usually get together the second Friday of each month to discuss and enjoy wine. If interested please send an email to Dianne at danielsondd@yahoo.com for details.

Please RSVP the Tuesday prior to the event.

Women in STEM

Friday, January 12th, 7pm Blakely Hall

Meet others in the community who work in the STEM fields and share your love of science, tech and learning new things.

Club format: discussion group. Bring your favorite recent STEM-related news article or research study to discuss, or present your latest data analysis project, Arduino project, or other shameless amateur or professional geekery.

Contact: Tonya Lane at radiazen@gmail.com

Don’t Miss This!

Environment and Spirituality Sunday, February 18th, 3pm Blakely Hall

When thinking about environmental sustainability, spirituality is far from the first topic we encounter related to this idea.

However, the two are intimately connected, both on a communal and individual level. Join us as we explore that connection, learn more about what we as a community can do to preserve our environment, and participate in interactive workshops that will show us how we can start to impact the world around us starting now! Presented by Missiongathering Church. mgissaquah@gmail.com. See page 24.

Purim at Blakely Hall Wednesday, February 28th See page 8.

Governance Mtgs IHCA Architectural Review Committee

Tuesday, 1/2, 6pm IHCA Office

IHCA Finance Committee Tuesday, 1/9, 5:30 pm IHCA Office

Highlands Fiber Network Advisory Group

Wednesday, 1/10, 5pm, IHCA Office

Traffic & Pedestrian Safety Meeting

IHCA Board of Directors Meeting

The City of Issaquah, Highlands Council and the IHCA invite you to a follow up meeting about traffic and pedestrian safety. See page 4.

Meetings are subject to change.

See Calendar at issaquahhighlands.com for more information or date changes.

Wednesday, January 17th, 7pm Blakely Hall

Save the Date Boy Scout Annual Holiday Tree Recycling Drive Saturday, January 6th, 2018, 8am Community-Wide

Support your local troops and help the environment by leaving your live tree (no artificial trees, tinsel or frocking please) at the curb by 8 AM. A donation of $15-$30 is suggested, attach an envelope with check to tree. Please check for any stray ornaments left over from the festivities.

Later that day the industrious scouts will whisk your tree to the recycler for proper mulching.

CERT Team 9 2018 Kickoff Meeting

Wednesday, January 31st 6:30pm Blakely Hall

Wednesday, 1/24, 5:30pm, IHCA Office

City Meetings End of Development Agreement City of Issaquah

See IssaquahHighlands.com/events

The City of Issaquah continues to work on Issaquah Highlands development regulations following the termination of our Development Agreement (DA). More information on page 22.

For City of Issaquah governance meetings, see http://issaquahwa.gov and Issaquah City News in this issue.

Holidays New Year’s Day Sunday, January 1st

Calling all Citizen Emergency Response Trained (CERT) members of Team 9 to a kick off meeting for 2018. Meet your fellow IH emergency workers for a social time of pizza and beverages and a group discussion regarding 2017 accomplishments, 2018 goals and strategies, deployment planning, and upcoming practice exercises. Please RSVP by Monday January 29th. To RSVP or learn more about CERT contact Bob Otis at: rmot47@comcast.net

Martin Luther King Day

Gardening Classes

IHCA Office, Blakely Hall, Highlands Council and HFN Offices will be closed January 1, 2018 New Year’s Day

Thursday, February 15th, 7pm Unthirsty Garden Thursday, March 15th, 7pm Edible Landscapes

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Monday, January 15th

Chinese New Year Sunday, January 28th

Office Holiday Closures

For daily updates, follow us on:

See page 8.

Subscribe to our weekly e-letter at IssaquahHighlands.com/connect

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• January 2018

LIVING GREEN

Issaquah Highlands Connections

Help us Help You Save Water and Money

by Kannan Bhoopathy, Laurel Crest Neighborhood

How many of us know about white water, gray water and black water? White water is potable water (the water that flows from our taps when we open them). Black water is a water that has encountered fecal matter and that contains pathogens. Grey water is wastewater generated from shower, bathroom sinks and laundry.

One of our community's kids, and my son, Krish Kannan (6th grader in PCMS) is part of a FIRST Lego League (FLL) team called Emerald Bots. Each year, FLL teams are challenged to select a problem from a broad theme, research, propose an innovative solution, and share it with professionals. The teams also design a Lego Mindstorms (R) robot to execute

thematic missions on an 8' x 4' field. This year’s theme is Hydrodynamics, and in particular the challenges related to finding, transporting, usage, and disposal of water.

The Emerald Bots came up with ideas to reduce consumption of "white water" and increase water reuse to conserve water and save you money. Their idea is to collect rainwater and use it for laundry, toilet flushes, and irrigation. Currently we are using white water for these purposes. The Emerald Bots model also proposes a way to reuse the waste water (gray water) expelled from laundry machine, bathroom sinks and showers for flushing the toilet and irrigation. Their model augments Issaquah Highlands’ Z-Homes (eco-friendly homes in IH)

Krish Kannan is a 6th grader at PCMS and a member of the Emerald Bots Team. He and his family live in Issaquah Highlands. He and his father, Kannan Bhoopathy (and author of this story), stand far right in this photo. The other coach is named Sreeni, far left.

The team advanced to the Western Washington semi-finals on January 20th.

Issaquah Highlands has 140 individual garden patch spaces, located in two places in our community. These patches are governed by Highlands Council and managed by a Community Garden Committee made up of resident community gardeners.

Community gardening is challenging but fun. You learn to grow your own produce, teach your children where food really comes from, and share ideas and harvest with fellow gardeners.

Gardening seminars and work parties happen throughout the year to provide opportunities to improve your growing skills. Last year our gardeners also grew fresh produce that was donated to the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank through the Grow a Row program.

The annual lease rate for Vista Gardens is $100 per patch plus 8 hours of volunteer time in maintenance of the Vista garden common area. Vista Gardeners may opt ahours for an additional $100. Volunteer buy-out fees are applied to pay for maintenance-contracted services, specific to Vista Gardens, as needed.

Issaquah Highlands

140 has

garden patches over

TWO locations

Sunset Walk Gardens The Sunset Walk patches are located off Park Drive, across from Fire Station 73 in the Sunset Walk neighborhood. These raised patches are smaller than the Vista garden beds and the newest additions to the community. The Sunset Walk patches lease for $75 per year.

Vista Patches Resident gardeners built the Vista Gardens by hand, 10 years ago. These 61 patches are located along the paved path between Park Drive at Trail Head Vista and Natalie Way (near Bark Park), just below Black Nugget Park, under the power lines. These rustic beds are larger than the Sunset Walk patches.

Patch sharing is permissible between two or more gardeners.

Current patch holders, in good standing with the Community Garden Committee, and who have met their volunteer service hour requirement, may renew their patch each year. The garden renewal season begins on January 1, 2018.

All patches not renewed will be offered to residents on the waiting list in the order they were placed on the waiting list beginning February 1, 2018.

For more information on the Issaquah Highlands Community Garden Program or to add your name to the waitlist visit: issaquahhighlands.com/community-garden.

Questions? Contact Christy Garrard, Executive Director for Highlands Council at 425-507-1110 or Christy.G@IHCouncil.org

Top: Sarah Games enjoys her patch in Vista Gardens Issaquah Highlands first community garden.

Bottom: Issaquah Highlands’ newest gardens are in the Sunset Walk neighborhood, where the beds are raised.

According to the team’s estimate, using their system, the owners who implement this system in their homes would recoup the installation cost in less than three years. After that they would be saving approximately $500 per year.

The team would like to create awareness in our IH community on the earth’s most precious natural and rapidly dwindling resource - White Water - and their work to protect it. Please support them, by conserving white water and reusing gray water. Use the right type of water for right activity. Follow and like them on their Facebook page.

Karin Weekly and Bryan Bell, of the ZHome neighborhood, hosted the Emerald Bots Team at their home to show them the gray water system the zHomes employ from rainwater catchment.

Grow Food for Your Family and the Food Bank!

by Christy Garrard, Executive Director of Highlands Council and Dahlia Park resident

where only rain water is used in laundry, toilet and irrigation.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

January 2018 •

FITNESS & HEALTH

19

Where Have the Multi Sport Athletes Gone?

by Nick Murad, PT, DPT, IRG Physical Therapy

Athletes are always looking for a competitive edge. This has resulted in the current generation of youths choosing to participate in one sport year-round.

Lebron James was also a standout football player in high school. It is safe to say that neither of these athletes suffered from their choice to participate in multiple sports.

At face value, early sport specialization makes sense and is often touted as the necessary path towards performing at the collegiate level and beyond. What is becoming more apparent with research is that this may not be the route our young athletes should be taking and instead could be detrimental.

Another concern with early specialization is the increased risk for burnout and psychological stress. Juggling everyday practice with higher performance expectations on top of schoolwork is both physically and mentally exhausting.

Regardless of talent, these athletes may struggle to stay motivated in their sport at the high school level and opt out of playing in college.

An increasing amount of evidence is suggesting that our single sport athletes are experiencing a higher incidence of injury. This does not come as a surprise when athletes are repetitively experiencing the same impacts to their body all year. Varying sport participation with each season can provide the body time to recover from the previous season’s specific demands while also developing a more rounded athlete.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers are great examples of successful multi-sport athletes. Wilson participated in football, basketball and baseball in high school and went on to excel at both football and baseball during college. Aside from basketball,

Varying sport participation with each season can provide the body time to recover from the previous season’s specific demands while also developing a more rounded athlete.

Is it possible to have a healthy and successful athletic career as a single sport athlete? Absolutely. The importance of the single sport athlete discussion is to realize that youth athletes can still excel while enjoying multiple sports and that specializing early comes with risks.

Above all, remembering that athletics should be used as a source of enjoyment and passion, as well as a positive influence on our young athletes.

Resources, for your further reading: Feeley B, Angel J, Laprade R. When Is It Too Early for Single Sport Specialization? The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2015;44(1):234-241.

Issaquah’s Central Park, in Issaquah Highlands, is very popular region-wide, especially for soccer. PC: Highlands Soccer Club.

Jayanthi N, Pinkham C, Dugas L, Patrick B, LaBella C. Sports Specialization in Young Athletes: Evidence-Based Recommendations. Sports Health. 2013;5(3):251-257 Wilhelm A, Choi C, Deitch J. Early Sport Specialization: Effectiveness and Risk of Injury in Professional Baseball Players. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2017;5(9) About the Author: Nick Murad is a physical therapist at IRG Physical and Hand Therapy in Issaquah Highlands. Originally from the east coast, Nick attended Ithaca College in Upstate New York where he received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree and played soccer at the collegiate level. His passion for the mountains led him to Washington where he spends his free time skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking and enjoying all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

What’s Healthy Enough?

by Marlie Cross, Issaquah Highlands Resident

We might only get a dusting of snow here in Issaquah, but we still spend our winter holidays with palate-pleasing comfort foods and special treats that are not so kind to our waistlines. With the new year in fresh bloom, it is time to concentrate on getting healthy. But what is healthy enough? I urge you to stay away from the allure of trending fasts and extreme diet plans- no need to punish yourself for that extra cookie- it will only end in turmoil! Instead, let’s think about nourishing our whole selves, starting with my tips for sustainable (and practical!) healthy eating that can benefit the whole family: • Lows & Highs: We want to keep it low sodium and low sugar. It is proven that too much added sugars and Try adding healthy things into your diet, like eating a new fruit or vegetable each day, or trying to get more greens in. This is Jubilee Farm CSA offerings in the salts contribute to heart and weight related issues, plus diabetes and more. summer, but they offer farm fresh foods year-round. PC: Jubilee Farm, Carnation Packaged & frozen foods are often the is grey- restart the day by using whole grains and lean protein as a back drop for nutrient biggest culprits of sneaking these in, so try to eat fresh whenever possible. On the other rich fruits and vegetables- the more vibrant the better! end of the spectrum, let’s seek out high fiber and high protein. But again, packaged foods with artificially added fibers and cheap protein fillers are not the way to go. Try for foods As you can see, I focus on a whole food, plant-based diet. This is sustainable for long-term naturally high in both like oatmeal, nuts, whole grains, and beans. healthy living- and it’s easy to do in Issaquah. I love going to PCC for their fresh, local selections- and fun cooking classes. Try the organic produce and bulk foods sections at our • Add don’t subtract: Who doesn’t want more instead of less? It’s easy to think about own Safeway. Plus, our area is surrounded by farms like year-round CSA Jubilee Farm near trying to reduce calories or focus on what not to eat, but we can only be deprived for so Fall City and the Crooked Shed Farm in Carnation for farm fresh meats & eggs. And when long! Heavy restrictions can lead to binging and nutrient imbalance. Try adding healthy things into your diet instead, like eating a new fruit or vegetable each day, or trying to get spring comes around, venture out to Bountiful Harvest in Duvall and our own Issaquah Farmers Market with a plethora of local treats. more greens in. When you fill up on the new healthy items, you will naturally have less room for the sweets and treats you crave.

• Eat the rainbow: Our bodies need a wide range of vitamins and minerals, and by letting nature be our guide we have a colorful way of getting what our bodies crave. Eating a variety of colored fruits and vegetables (Greens for iron! Orange for Vitamin A! Red for lycopene! Blue for antioxidants!) we create a balanced and wholesome diet. If your plate

Be kind to your body and focus on delicious, balanced healthy living. To me, that sounds like a fresh start to the New Year!

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• January 2018

Issaquah Highlands Connections

Issaquah Highlands Connections

January 2018 •

MILESTONES Congratulations

Congratulations

Joe Beernink

Raegyn Perry

Book Release: Nowhere Home

Book Release: Cypress Groves

Magnolia Neighborhood

When I finished the first draft of Nowhere Wild back in 2012, I always knew there was so much more in the story of Jake and Izzy that I hadn’t been able to get into that first novel. In fact, I had a whole second novel written well before Nowhere Wild even started the publishing process. As it turned out, Nowhere Wild went through so many changes during the editing process, that when I went back to the original version of Nowhere Home, I had to throw it out and start over. It took eight months to write the new “first draft” of Nowhere Home and then about two years to get it through the editing process. The publishing business is a lot of hurry up and wait, so I used my time to complete the first draft of my next book (not related to the Nowhere series) and place in my agent’s hands before Nowhere Home launched. It’s another YA Thriller, but this time it’s set in the Methow Valley of North Central Washington.

Joe

* Both photos were taken at Author Night at Blakely Hall in 2016.

GRAND RIDGE Neighborhood

Before my father passed away, he shared a story about his great grandmother being a plantation owner’s daughter, disinherited, and written off for running away with one of the family’s mulatto slaves, his great grandfather. It wasn’t until much later this story would be the inspiration for the basis of my debut novel, Lavender Fields. Like many people at that time, I found myself out of a job due to cutbacks. Having time, I spent the next two years writing and editing. I joined Pacific Northwest Writing Association, based in Issaquah at Gilman Village, where I met my future publisher. One day, I finally hit ‘Send’ and later received a ‘Yes’ in response. It took another six months of working with an assigned editor to finish it, released in 2015. It was disheartening at times; feeling the weight of truly not understanding the editing process. This was my baby! I did learn though! This was the first in a planned trilogy. The second, Cypress Groves came out in December.

Raegyn

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Issaquah Highlands Connections

ISSAQUAH CITY NEWS

City Partners with Issaquah Highlands on Traffic Safety

Please join us on Wednesday, January 17 at 7pm at Blakely Hall to learn about the City of Issaquah’s response to Highlands’ resident requests for improved pedestrian and traffic safety.

The City has been working with Highlands Council and the Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA) to bring about education, signage and programming to increase safety on Issaquah Highlands streets. At this meeting current and future solutions will be discussed.

(For more see page 4-7)

Issaquah Needs You on a City Board or Commission!

Our volunteer boards and commissions do important work — but they can't do it without you.

Serving on a City board or commission is a fun, interesting and impactful way to make a difference in our community. Our boards and commissions cover a broad range of topics — arts, economic development, environmental issues, growth and even international diplomacy.

There's something for everybody.

We're now accepting applications for all boards and commissions. To learn more about our boards and commissions and submit an application, visit issaquahwa.gov/boards.

Following the interview process, appointments will be made by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council this spring. Terms for board members and commissioners will start in May 2018.

Questions? Contact the City Clerk's Office via email or at 425-837-3000.

Mariah Bettise Elected to Serve Full Term

Issaquah Highlands resident, Mariah Bettise was elected in November, and sworn in December 4th, to fill a two year council term, position 2.

Mariah was first appointed to this position on the city council in May 2016. Congratulations, Mariah!

Mayor Butler posing with Councilmember Bettise at her swearing in on December 4th.

Apply Now: Open City Council Seat

Our community is in the midst of exciting changes — and you can help shape our future as a member of the Issaquah City Council.

We’re seeking qualified candidates to fill a vacancy on the City Council. Now is your chance to get involved in the most important issues facing Issaquah, such as enhancing our economic development, addressing growth and preserving our outstanding quality of life.

One of our Council seats will become vacant beginning Jan. 1, 2018.

If you are interested in serving on the City Council, here’s what you need to know to apply: Qualified candidates must be: • At least 18 years old • A registered voter

Urban Village End of DAs

The Development Agreement (DA) governing land use regulations in the Highlands is expected be terminated early in 2018. The City Council plans to hold a public meeting in the community to report on changes to the replacement regulations since their first meeting at Blakely Hall in April 2017. Please see Issaquahwa.gov for details.

• And a resident of the City of Issaquah for at least one year prior to the appointment Complete our online application and upload your letter of interest by 10 a.m. on January 9.

Find out more at IssaquahWA.gov The appointee to the vacant seat will serve until the November 2019 general election is certified.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

Issaquah Highlands Photo Treasure Hunt Every month we publish a photo of something (or somewhere!) in the Highlands. While some months are easier than others, all photos are of something accessible to the public. It is up to you to guess where the photo was taken.

January 2018 •

23

HIGHLANDS FIBER NETWORK Can We Contact You?

by Frank Pineau, General Manager, Highlands Fiber Network (HFN) As we become more dependent on the Internet for purchasing and communicating, it becomes easy to overlook important information that various companies rely on for correspondence.

Last month’s photo was of the window art outside Highlands Kids Dentistry at 2525 NE Park Dr., just down the hill from the Village Green Park and Blakely Hall. The fun and colorful artwork is carried through the interior of the office as well.

When, for whatever reason, my debit or credit card information changes, I start to receive correspondence that my automatic payments were denied. I then contact the company and update my information and all is well. For that one.

I need to do this maybe 8 – 10 times, as many of my subscriptions are charged to cards on file.

I’ve actually resorted to keeping a list as to what cards are on file with what companies. (Think about wine club memberships, cell phone bills, SiriusXM Radio, etc.) Sometimes, the card number is still valid, but the expiration date has changed.

Think back to when you first signed up for HFN service. Was it a year ago, or 10 years ago? Has your email changed since then? How about your contact phone number? This CBR (can be reached) information we have in our system is vital for communication between our company and our customers.

When HFN sends out notices for system maintenance (down time), we send this notification electronically through our email list of customers. (We also post notices on our website. We don’t do this too often, but we’d like you to be aware when we do.)

Out of 88 total guesses this month, the following photo treasure hunters got it right: Kuldip Singh

Simran Monga

Joel Roy

And the winner of the $25 Ben and Jerry’s gift certificate is Melissa Tubbs. Congratulations Melissa!

Thanks to everyone who participated!

This month’s photo is below. Can you identify the location in this picture?

Occasionally, we find out that the electronic bill payment that was set up for HFN gets denied. (Like my wine club). Most often HFN simply has not been made aware of new credit card. We make several attempts to contact our customer to resolve the account. We rely on the CBR information on file.

Not often, but occasionally, our emails bounce, phone numbers have changed, or the address on file may now have a renter. Sometimes it seems all our customer contact information is incorrect and our attempts to contact the home owner becomes unsuccessful.

CBR CBR means “can be reached” and refers to contact information on files with vendors and companies you regularly do business with.

So, when you have a moment to spare, please check with our customer care center at 425-4270999 and confirm that your account information is current. (You might want to do this with other utilities also.)

Fiber to the home, community owned!

If you think you have the answer, please email it to IHPhotoHunt@gmail.com along with your full name. Please be as specific as possible when emailing your response.

Responses will be accepted until January 12th. Those with the correct answer will see their name published in next month’s issue of Connections, as well as have their name entered into a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to Bai Tong. Everyone who responds with a correct guess will be entered to win. Every correct guess is an entry!

The Photo Treasure hunt is coordinated by volunteer Chelsea Musick of the Central Park neighborhood.

And, don’t forget the wine club.

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Issaquah Highlands Connections

Issaquah Highlands Connections

January 2018 •

Dear Kari, I am desperate for alone time with my wife. We have two children, ages 2 and 4, and she is a great mom but she will absolutely not let anyone babysit the kids so that we can have a date night. At first, I was understanding, but four years in, I have lost my patience. Help me, I am lonely in my marriage even though we are together all the time (but it’s with our kids 24/7).

What do you suggest I do?

- Lonely in Issaquah Dear Lonely in Issaquah, I agree, four years is a long time to wait for a night out alone with your wife. I recommend that you pick a good time to talk with your wife and share your feelings completely. Tell her that you feel very lonely in your marriage and that you would like the two of you to focus on shifting the dynamics towards putting effort again into your relationship. Let her know that you miss your alone time as adults. Then, I recommend that the two of you focus on finding someone whom you can trust to help care for your children while you go out together. Ask friends and family for babysitting recommendations. Then set up a time for the babysitter to visit your home to meet your family. Take it slow, allowing your wife to grow her confidence in other people caring for your children. If needed, ask your pediatrician to talk with her about the benefits of children developing relationships with others in their lives other than their parents. Good luck!

-Kari Dear Kari, I am graduating this year from high school and I picked my college for next year, University of Washington. The problem is my parents have told me that they only have enough money to pay for one year of my schooling. I will be the first person from my family to go to college, but I am scared that I will get my dream of attending college and then lose it. Do you think I should go to college next year or wait until I have all the money saved up a few years from now?

- College Dreamer

ASK KARI

25

Dear College Dreamer, Congratulations on being accepted to a wonderful school. Congratulations also on being the first person in your family to attend college. What a great accomplishment. I recommend that you stay on track to begin school next fall, as planned. I also recommend that you make an appointment with the financial aid office at UW and immediately begin exploring extra support from them in organizing your studies at their school. Look into scholarships, student employment opportunities on campus, and any subsidized support based on your grades and being a first-generation student. You can do this - Set your mind to it. Then plan, plan, plan, and work, work, work. I wish you absolute success!

-Kari

Do you have a question for Kari?

We love to hear from our readers. Please email your Ask Kari questions to askkarioneill@gmail.com. All questions will be answered in upcoming columns.

All personal information will remain confidential and not be published.

Kari O’Neill, MSW, LICSW, is a licensed independent clinical social worker and 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.

BLAKELY HALL ART GALLERY

artEAST Show: Intersections

Opening January 18th | Blakely Hall | Issaquah Highlands Opening Reception Thursday, January 18th, 6pm-7:30pm A Special Artists’ Talk Friday, February 16th, 6:30pm-8pm Both at Blakely Hall Nature is the point of departure and the destination for the artists in Intersections; the first artEAST curated gallery exhibition at Blakely Hall in 2018.

These artists use the medium of encaustic to embody the interrelationship between subject and matter. Made of beeswax, damar resin and pigment, it is recognized for its luminous layering capacity to build rich surfaces. The process involves heat fusing layers of paint together to create smooth and textured finishes.

Stephanie Hargrave applies hundreds of layers of wax to reveal the soft luminosity within botanical micro views that evoke a sensuous awareness of the natural world.

Kim Kopp explores the choreography of process, through walking as ritual, mindful reminders of the human imprint within the landscape.

Siting landscape as a metaphor for the body, Deborah Kapoor scars or reshapes the terrain, at times cutting away within the form to highlight the reciprocal relationship between destruction and renewal.

Tara McDermott illuminates the surface with glimpses of flora that glow like windows of light within the pictorial frame.

These intersections of beauty and vulnerability reaffirm the temporality that make us human.

This exhibition will feature two opportunities to engage with the artists. Hear about their journey/background, process, inspiration, what they are portraying, and how their work fits together at the opening reception and at a special Artists’ Talk both at Blakely Hall.

(From Left to Right and Top to Bottom) Hargrave; Capra Hircus 6; Kapoor Threshold; Kopp Dark Constellations On A Sunny Day; McDermott In Step

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Issaquah Highlands Connections

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT Issaquah School District

Grand Ridge Elementary

1/1 1/2 1/9 1/10 1/15 1/16 1/24 1/29

1/5 1/8 1/10 1/17 1/18 1/24

issaquah.wednet.edu

Winter Break – No School School Resumes Session ISD Reflections Reception and Gallery Walkthrough School Board Meeting @ 7:00 P.M Martin Luther King Jr. Day – No School District Preschool Informational Fair School Board Meeting @ 7:00 P.M. Teacher Work Day – No School for Students

Issaquah School Foundation

isfdn.org 1/10

ISF Grant Submissions Due

Challenger Elementary

JANUARY EVENTS

challengerpta.org 1/5 1/9 1/13 1/26

Popcorn Friday PTA General Meeting Parents Night Out Festival of Cultures

Clark Elementary

clarkpta.org

1/18 General Membership PTA Meeting 1/19 Dads@Recess 1/19 Sharks on Ice

Endeavour Elementary endeavourptsa.org

1/2 1/5 1/11

Student Banking Day Popcorn Friday Eager Reader Kick-Off

**Be sure to check individual web sites for details and updates

School Board Approves Levies for February 2018 Ballot The Issaquah School Board approved a two-year Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy to be placed on the February 2018 ballot. If approved by voters, the levy would authorize the District to collect $81.2 million over a two-year period, replacing a levy that expires December 31, 2018.

The ISD Board’s decision to place a two-year levy on the ballot was the result of many weeks of thoughtful deliberation by the Board, and engagement with the community and local legislators. At issue for many districts, including ISD, has been understanding the impact of the new state school funding model enacted by the legislature in June 2017—one of the most significant shifts in education funding in WA State’s history.

“The two-year option gives us time to truly evaluate how the new state funding will impact the Issaquah School District, and remain fiscally responsible and responsive to the tax burdens on our residents,” said ISD Board President, and Highlands resident, Lisa Callan.

“We are extremely fortunate to have such an engaged community bringing their voice to these important decisions, valuing a great education and fiscal responsibility. With their input, we believe we struck the right balance with this levy proposition. It is very exciting to provide new programs and support our student’s needs and our community expectations, and to be able to lower our local levy tax burden in light of the state’s increase. As we transition to the new state funding model, we appreciate the tough work the legislators are doing to reduce inequities in education funding and the support of our taxpayers who make every child’s future brighter in the Issaquah School District.”

More information on all three replacement levies is available on the ISD Website at issaquah. wednet.edu/district/levy-issues-february-2018. Send questions about the levy by email to Levy2018@issaquah.wednet.edu, or call Finance and Operations Director Jake Kuper, at 425.837.7024.

Volunteers for Issaquah Schools (VIS) presents: ISD Levy Community Info Night Thursday, January 11th, 7pm Swedish Hospital Conference Rooms

grandridgeptsa.org

Popcorn Friday Coffee with Christy After School Movie – Monsters Inc. Grand Ridge Talent Show PTSA General Meeting After School Movie - Storks

Issaquah Middle School issaquahmiddleptsa.org 1/23 1/24 1/31

NJHS 8th Grade Meeting PTSA General Meeting Eastshore League Jazz Festival

Pacific Cascade Middle School

pacificcascadeptsa.org 1/18 1/26 1/31

General Membership PTSA Meeting Career Fair Eastshore League Jazz Festival

Gibson Ek High School GibsonEk.org

Issaquah High School

issaquahhighptsa.org 1/11 1/12 1/24 1/24 1/25 1/26 1/29

5K Run General Membership Meeting Semester Finals Angst ParentWiser Presentation Semester Finals – Half Day Semester Finals – Half Day End of First Semester

GRE AUCTION DONATIONS and SPONSORS NEEDED!

The 2018 Grand Ridge Elementary Auction promises to be a wonderful evening of food, friends and fun, while benefiting all GRE students, on May 5, 2018, at the Hyatt Regency, in Bellevue. The bi-annual auction is our biggest and most important PTSA fundraiser. Our procurement team is actively working on locating donations, finding sponsors, and would love community support and expertise. EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS! To donate, sponsor, provide contacts or suggestions, or to volunteer, please email our auction committee chair, Nancy Link, at GRPTSA@Outlook.com.

Donation ideas: * Vacation home? Donate a week, or weekend away. * Tickets? Donate seats to a game, concert, event. * Giftcards? Donate a shopping experience. * Got wine? Provide a basket? * Golf club? Host a round of golf and lunch. * Can you cook? Have a small, themed dinner party. * Photographer? Donate portrait sessions. * Musical or artistic? Give a lesson, donate your creations and time.

Grizzlies Got Talent – Grand Ridge Talent Show!

Here is your chance to show-off your skills, and witness the amazing talent at Grand Ridge Elementary! The PTSA presents our first-ever Grizzlies Got Talent event on January 17, 2018, at 5:30 PM. Mark your calendars! This is a talent showcase, not a contest, so don’t be shy and join the fun! Proceeds from refreshment sales benefit the 5th Grade Camp Colman Fund. For more information, visit GrandRidgePTSA.org.

Issaquah Highlands Connections

January 2018 •

27

SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

by Tracie Jones, Wisteria Park

SHARKS ON ICE

Clark PTA is hosting Sharks on Ice, a fantastic, fun-filled, active family event, January 19th, from 6:30 - 8:30 P.M., at Sno-King Ice Arena, in Renton. Admission is $10 per person, including skate rentals. Save the date, bring the entire family, and share a great evening with classmates, friends, while supporting all students at Clark Elementary, through the PTA. More information, ClarkPTA.org.

2017-18 PTSA Awards

Please help the Issaquah PTSA Council honor dedicated volunteers, educators, and advocates from our community by nominating exemplary individuals with the 2017-2018 Golden Acorn Award, Outstanding Educator Award, and Outstanding Advocate Award. If you’re a parent, student, or staff, the PTSA invites your nomination an outstanding volunteer, educator, and advocate. For more information and nomination forms, visit your local PTSA website. Forms available online.

Challenger PTA Festival of Cultures

The PTA Festival of Cultures takes students “around the world,” celebrating Challenger’s rich diversity, through food, music, art, and traditions on January 26th from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. However, the PTA needs your support! We’re looking for families to host tables who represent many cultures. The Festival of Cultures is a fun way to meet new people while sharing cultures. Also, we’re looking for performers, such as dancers, martial artists, traditional musicians, to perform on stage at the Festival. For more information, participation, and to volunteer, please contact Festival of Cultures Chairs, Emily Lee emilyakemi@gmail.com or Shirley Rullan shirleyrullan@yahoo. com with questions!

WSPTA//Game Development Competition

The WSPTA//Game Development Competition is a Washington State PTA STEM-based program that supports success for students in grades 9-12 in creating a computer game. This competition allows students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves, either individually or in teams. Students must participate through their local school. Students in grades 9-12 may participate. Teams are encouraged and may have up to six members of multiple grades. Intent forms are due by January 15, 2018; Submissions due March 15, 2018. Winners will be announced by April 28, 2018. All forms, rules, and more information can be found at WAStatePTA.org.

Challenger Bilingual Book Exchange

Last year, Challenger began adding to their library’s multilingual book selection to reflect its bilingual community. This year we’d like to include our families in this effort. We hope that you will donate gently used children’s books in languages other than English to our library.

Perhaps you have elementary level books at home that your children have outgrown, and are willing to donate to Challenger. Thank you for considering how you can be part of supporting bilingual literacy at Challenger Elementary. You may contact Ms. Brastad at brastadd@issaquah.wednet.edu with questions.

Endeavour Eager Readers Program

Eager Readers is back, making reading more enjoyable and exciting! Kicking-off January 11th, 2018, students earn prizes by reading outside school: at home, in the car, before bed, or even waiting for the dentist. Families record the time online to track every minute. The Eager Reader Program is a voluntary reading program sponsored by the Endeavour PTSA. Our objective is to foster a love of reading, and encourage students to read for their own enjoyment, while earning prizes. For more information, visit endeavourptsa.org.

ISD Preschool Information Fair

The Issaquah School District is having an Information fair for our Early Childhood Special Education (ECE) Preschool Programs on Tuesday, January 16th, 2018, starting at 6:00 PM, at ISD Administration Building. Come learn about our inclusive preschool program and all it has to offer with active exploration & learning. The ISD offers Early Childhood Education (ECE) Classrooms at three different Elementary Schools. Each ECE site offers a morning or an afternoon preschool session. We accept a maximum of 12 children with special needs, and up to three Community Peers per classroom. Applications are available at our Information Fair or at any Elementary Main Office, or by contacting Jackie Funk, Early Childhood Specialist, at (425) 837-7197, or FunkJ@Issaquah.wednet.edu.

ANGST Documentary: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety

Angst: Raising Awareness Around Anxiety is a documentary that looks at anxiety, its causes / effects, and what we can do about it. Angst features interviews with kids and young adults who suffer or have suffered from anxiety, and what they’ve learned. The film also includes experts charged with helping people manage their anxiety, and those who focus on researching its causes and sociological effects, while offering tools and resources that provide hope. A Q&A will follow with experts who can answer questions about the film and treatment options for anxiety. Teens and tweens welcome to attend with parents (recommended ages 12 and up). Cost is free for PTSA Members of ISD schools. Join us on January 24, 2018 7:00 PM, at the Issaquah High School Theater. $10 donation requested of non-members. For more information, visit ParentWiser.org/Events.

PCMS CAREER FAIR

The PCMS Career Fair will take place on Friday, January 26 from 1:002:35 PM. At the Career Fair, we strive to have a balanced set of careers students can learn from professionals in the field. We hope to have each of the following sixteen career clusters represented: Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, Architecture and Construction, Arts, Audio/ Video Technology and Communications, Business, Management and Administration, Education and Training, Finance, Government and Public Administration, Health Science, Hospitality and Tourism, Human Services, Information Technology (IT), Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security, Manufacturing, Marketing, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Transportation, Distribution and Logistics. Interested in volunteering your professional expertise? Contact Laura Meserole at meserolel@issaquah. wednet.edu for consideration. Thank you!

Gibson Ek PTSA Staff Meeting Refreshments

Please join the Gibson Ek PTSA by signing up help bring snacks for faculty, during staff meetings after school. Next meeting January 10th, 2018. Snacks may be dropped off at the office, towards the beginning of school.

What should you bring? That’s really up to you! Finger Foods, Appetizers, Healthy Snacks, Fruit, Sweet Treats. Whatever spread you want to make available to the staff is fine. Just a little nosh to see them through the meeting and the rest of their Wednesday! For more information, visit GibsonEkPtsa.org.

IH Reflections Artists Celebrated

Reflections celebrates our talented student artists for their creativity and originality! Many Issaquah Highlands students were honored for their artistic achievements, advancing to the Issaquah District level competition. Those students are: Ira Upadhyay, Saanvi Kanaparthy, Vaanya S Chauhan, Saanvi Nagaraj, Keira Castanares Soto, Ethan J Lee, Joni Lee, Megha Narra, Brian Sohn, Riya Reddy Jonnala, Sanvi Srivastava, Medha Rao, Matthew Lou, Genevieve McMillin, Anusha Rao, Katherine Farr, Emily Kuno, Gelda Ho, Sejal Dogiparthi, and Chloe Cho. Congratulations to all our amazing students, and thank you for your remarkable contributions to this year’s Reflections.

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Issaquah Highlands Connections

Issaquah Highlands Connections

January 2018 •

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Planning New Outings in the New Year

by Susie Sharp, The Brownstones

Satisfy your educational New Year’s goals attending Meaningful Movies, which screen documentary films with social justice themes, followed by a panel discussion.

This is my year to mix things up a little. My resolution for 2018 is to broaden my horizons intellectually rather than focus on fitness or financial goals. I tend to be ambitious, but the enthusiasm for exercise or financial planning is often sidetracked by a good book in early February. In this I am not alone. Research indicates that up to 80% of individuals fail to keep their resolutions by the second week of February.

Perhaps romance takes over?

That being said, there are good reasons to set goals for personal improvement both in terms of emotional and general well-being. This year my strategy is to set myself some inspirational and educational goals with the help of our own, Meaningful Movies. My mission kicks off in January with the screening of ‘Inequality for All’ at Blakely Hall.

Mark your calendars for January 24th at 6.30 pm. In this film, Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor, looks at the increasing income inequality in our society and offers his solutions: http://inequalityforall.com/about-the-film/ Though Meaningful Movies has provided programming at Blakely Hall for over two years, the inspiration began 14 years ago with a man called Rick Turner. He was passionate about education of social justice issues and used free documentaries as the medium. Rick sought to build bonds within the community through group discussion. He combined those two into Meaningful Movies starting in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle.

This extraordinary individual passed away in 2016 but his legacy lives on. Rick’s little project (as he called it) now showcases social justice documentary films every other month at over 20 venues in the Puget Sound region. In 2016, the collective venues screened 160 documentaries with over 8,000 people in attendance.

We are fortunate to have our own Issaquah group, made up of three key individuals: Tamra Lee, Jack Fogelberg and Dorota

Rahn. They research independent films and help choose the films and guest speakers for our educational and viewing pleasure.

Meaningful Movies screens films on the 4th Wednesday evening of each month. The location alternates between Blakely Hall and the Downtown Issaquah Historic Depot.

Everyone is welcome for both the screening and the post movie discussion. On occasion the panelists include the filmmakers themselves! Donations are welcome to cover costs, but no one will be turned away.

I am inspired by the mission of entertainment, education and community. Have I inspired you yet? Join me on this new adventure! Bundle up against the weather and let’s get educated and entertained together. If you are even a little curious, I encourage you to visit their website and then join us on Wednesday, January 24th.

Meaningful Movies at Blakely Hall Wednesday, January 24th, 6:30pm “Inequality for All” Discussion follows film

As Einstein said, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence.”

Here’s to a happy and entertaining new year!

FOR A LIST OF THE FILMS MEANINGFUL MOVIES HAS SHOWN OVER THE LAST 13 YEARS, LOOK HERE: meaningfulmovies.org/about/films-shown-prior-to-2015/

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Issaquah Highlands Connections

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Prep for Snow

by Amanda Keverkamp, CERT Team 9, Resident of Crofton Springs

Stay indoors and drive only if absolutely necessary when the snow flies. Back in 2010, a mere 2.5 inches shut down the Seattle area. PC: Julie Clegg

In the Seattle area, we have generally mild weather (our best kept secret!), but on occasion we have to deal with the white flakey stuff. Especially here in the Highlands! (Some of us can’t forget The Great November Seattle Snowstorm of 2010 that brought down the city with a meager 2.5 inches of snow!)

Make sure your family is prepared for winter weather with these tips from FEMA and Puget Sound Energy: Before bad weather • Make sure your emergency kit is up-to-date and handy • Charge cell phones • Unplug and protect sensitive electronic equipment from power surges • Keep fire extinguishers on hand and know how to use them • Prepare for possible water pipe bursts by learning how to shut off water valves • Keep alternative heat sources on hand, including: warm coats, extra blankets, sleeping bags, extra firewood for wood-burning stoves, or a gas fireplace • Keep your car’s gas tank at least half-full During a storm • Stay indoors and drive only if absolutely necessary • Stay dry, changing wet clothing often • Keep track of evolving weather situations with available gear (cell phone, TV, battery operated radio) • Stay clear of fallen or sagging power lines and report to PSE • If the power fails:

o Leave one light switch on, turning off the rest of the lights and appliances

o Report outages to Puget Sound Energy Customer Service at 1-888-225-5773 or PSE.com

o Use flashlights over candles

o If indoor temperatures drop to 55 degrees and below, open faucets creating a constant drip to prevent freezing pipes

o Never use gas stoves, or barbeques or firepits indoors • Keep refrigerated and frozen food cold longer by keeping refrigerator doors closed

o According to King County Health, a loaded refrigerator may keep food fresh for about six hours and a freezer two days. If the refrigerated or frozen food becomes warmer than 41 degrees Fahrenheit, throw it out.

For more information visit www.pse.com/safety or www.ready.gov/winter-weather

Issaquah Highlands Connections

January 2018 •

DIRECTORY

ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION 1011 NE High Street Suite 210 Monday–Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm

IssaquahHighlands.com Responsible for:

Funded by:

Annual IHCA Assessments Neighborhood Assessments

Governing Body

Board of Directors ihcaboard @ihcommunity.org Jim Young, President Rossie Cruz, Vice President Dan Vradenburg, Treasurer Walt Bailey, Secretary Jim Noel , Director Rob Knight, Director

Sarah Hoey, Executive Director sarah.h@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1120 Erika North, Senior Community Manager erika.n@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1121 Barbara Uribe, Senior Accountant and Benefits Coordinator barbara.u@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1123 Joon Chang, Director of Accounting joon.c@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1117 Soledad Ruiz, Account receivable specialist soledad.r@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1119 Jessica Dorsey, Community Manager jessica.d@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1113 Lyle Dickey, Landscape Manager lyle.d@ihcommunity.org Billing Inquiries payments@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1119

Blakely Hall

Award-winning Blakely Hall has a feeling and comfort of a lodge. It is a wonderful place for parties with 70 or more guests, fund raisers, galas, and any type of reception. Blakely Hall can accommodate up to 200 guests. In addition to the atmosphere Blakely Hall will give you, there is a patio with outdoor seating and BBQ grill that is available for rent.

HIGHLANDS FIBER NETWORK

Blakely Hall 2550 NE Park Drive Monday–Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

MAIN PHONE: 425-507-1107 | IssaquahHighlands.com

MAIN PHONE: 425-427-9257 | AFTER HOURS: 425-223-8887

Property Management Enforcement of CCRs, Rules, Regs

Architectural Review

Common Area Landscape

HIGHLANDS COUNCIL Responsible for:

Community Events Blakely Hall Community Center

Facility Rentals

Community Garden Facebook E-Letter Connections Newspaper issaquahhighlands.com

Governing Body

Board of Trustees hcbot@ihcouncil.org Larry Norton, President Patrick Byers, Vice President David Ngai, Treasurer Philip Nored, Secretary Fred Nystrom, Trustee Ami Desai-Mehta, Trustee

Funded by:

Sponsorships/Grants & Advertising Community Enhancement Fees (1/4 of 1% on sale of home) 12¢ per sq. ft. retail/commercial | $50/door per year for apartments Christy Garrard, Executive Director christy.g@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1110 Nina Milligan, Communications Manager nina.m@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1111 Brianna Eigner, Blakely Hall Marketing Manager & Special Event Consultant brianna.e@ihcouncil.org, 425-654-4494 Michele McFarland, Finance Manager & Office Administrator michele.m@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1108 Vicki Grunewald, Graphic Design & Digital Marketing Coordinator vicki.g@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1109 Julie Clegg, Creative Coordinator | julie.c@ihcouncil.org Lindsey Pinkston, Administrative Assistant lindsey.p@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1107

COMMUNITY SERVICES AT BLAKELY HALL

Notary Service by Appointment • Per signature fee applies • Fax Sending & Receiving • Fax sending, local $.50 per page • Fax sending, long distance $1.00 per page • Fax receiving, $.50 per page • Limited B/W Photocopying, $.05 per page • Lost & Found

Frank Pineau General Manager FPineau@HFN.org Support: 425-427-0999 HighlandsFiberNetwork.com

Governing Body

Board of Directors Larry Norton Allen Enebo Tim Underwood Charlie Herb 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 facebook.com/ issaquahhighlands Sign up for our weekly E-Letter at issaquahhighlands.com

RENTAL FACILITIES

Blakely Hall Meeting Room

The Conference room is perfect for your meeting or seminar. It is private. It can accommodate up to 46 guests. A screen is provided as well as comfortable conference chairs and tables that can be configured to your liking. There is a wash station, and a countertop to place your refreshments.

To inquire about booking facilities at Blakely Hall, please contact Brianna at 425.507.1107 or email brianna.e@ihcouncil.org

Fire Station Meeting Room

The Fire Station 73 meeting room is great for community or group meetings. It comes with tables and chairs. It can accommodate up to 85 guests in a meeting setting or comfortably 30 guests. There are two whiteboards for writing down your ideas and agenda.

There is also a television with a DVD player for your instructional videos. Because this is a city building they do not allow religious, partisan, or for-profit meetings to take place in this facility. To inquire about booking the Fire Station Meeting Room, please contact Fire Station #73 at 425.313.3373.

CONNECTIONS Connections: By Community, For Community Connections News is a monthly community newspaper written mostly by volunteerresident writers, edited and published by Issaquah Highlands Council. Connections helps Highlands Council fulfill its mission to develop a vibrant and caring community committed to service, diversity, stewardship and well-being.

Join the Connections Team Highlands Council is always looking for volunteer contributing writers, photographers and graphic designers. For more information, contact Nina Milligan, Communications Manager, at nina.m@ihcouncil.org.

Submit an Announcement for “Milestones” See your announcements published in the new life “Milestones” section of Connections.

We accept birth/adoption, graduation, marriage, obituary and culturally-recognized life milestone announcements for Issaquah Highlands residents only. See submission form and guidelines at IssaquahHighlands.com.

Interested in advertising in Connections?

We welcome media sponsors at any time during the year.

Connections printed and distributed monthly, free of charge, to every address in Issaquah Highlands (residences and businesses). We also distribute through local gathering spaces, such as coffee shops and the Metro Park and Ride. Circulation: Approximately 4,500

Display ad pricing begins at $75/month. Discounts available for 3, 6 and 12 month contracts. Online advertising is also available.

For more information, contact Nina Milligan, Communications Manager, at nina.m@ihcouncil.org .

More information, ad packets/pricing, editorial calendar and electronic archives can be found here: issaquahhighlands.com/ connect/connections-news-2/ Opinions expressed either by paid advertisers or editorial content do not necessarily reflect the views of Highlands Council or this newspaper.

Highlands Council reserves the right to accept or refuse submissions, and to edit content. We also reserve the right to refuse advertising or content that in our opinion does not reflect the standards of this paper.

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