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ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNIT Y NEWS issaquahhighlands.com | facebook.com/issaquahhighlands
June 2017
Hidden Treasures
Uncovering the History in Our Parks W H AT ’ S I N S I D E ? 5 History in our Parks 8 Graduation Announcements 11 Highlands Council 12 IHCA News, Goats 13 IHCA Vacations, Drones 14 IHCA Assessments 15 IHCA Open Spaces 16 What’s Happening 18 Issaquah City News
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Doing Business Photo Treasure Hunt Highlands Fiber Network Blakely Hall Art Living Green Grow a Row Emergency Preparedness Development News Volunteer Debbie Matthews Summer Reading School Spotlight
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HY Highlands Youth Ask Kari Announcements Directory
ECRWSS POSTAL PATRON 2550 NE Park Drive Issaquah, WA 98029
PERMIT NO. 83 ISSAQUAH, WA U.S. POSTAGE PAID PRSRT STD
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Issaquah Highlands Connections
Issaquah Highlands Connections
FROM THE EDITOR
6:00 am My radio alarm draws me out of my final dreams and into the waking world. Exercise, shower, eat, zip off to Caffe Ladro for a meeting, then up Blakely Hall where the morning’s inbox determines my day. 10:00 am A text from my IH friend Sue, “Walk noon?” Seeing progress on the inbox I exclaim, “Yes!” A look at the bright sun outside inspires a further response, “Grand Ridge Trail? Shady!” A thumbs-up reply confirms the date.
Checking out the new Water Tower Loop Trail during my lunch break.
12:10 pm Just a ten-minute walk from my office at Blakely Hall and Sue and I are deep in the cool forest of Grand Ridge Park. Mountain bikers enjoying an invigorating lunch break ring their bells and sashay by. Joggers, too. Sue and I talk, walk and enjoy the instant retreat that thousands of acres of contiguous forest provide. And it’s all right here, outside every front door in Issaquah Highlands. Whether the cool shade or the warming sun is your thing, there’s a park for you in Issaquah Highlands. Whether you are looking for a fitness workout or a relaxing time with a book, there’s a park for you. Whether your kids are just waddling around with newly discovered legs, or tweens looking for a slide with a thrill, there’s a park for you and your family. And under the cover of today’s parks, there’s history. 100 years ago, Grand Ridge was the home of a coal mining industry. The mines have been closed off and filled in by the Feds, but local historians can reveal clues to this past under the cover of our lush flora. I hope you enjoy our feature stories about Grand Ridge and other parks. Read further to discover your neighbor’s traditions, tips about homeownership, technology and fun stuff to do. And enjoy two new features this month. Fictional summer reading and a new ongoing section, Announcements. Here we will share the most important news from your neighbors: welcoming a new born into the family, celebrating a life’s milestone, or celebrating a life while mourning a passing. These announcements come from you! And they are free! Summer is here; it’s time to get out into our fabulous parks! I’ll see you out there, right around noon! 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 wave of laborers, like these 1908 Grand Ridge Mine crew members, came to the Issaquah area in the early 1900s. Photo courtesy of Issaquah History Museums.
UNCOVERING OUR HISTORY HIDDEN TREASURES IN OUR PARKS by Erica Maniez, Issaquah History Museums, Director
would burn clean, advertisements are a little vague on what made the coal stand out.
It was autumn of 1909, and the Central Coal Company had an opportunity -- and a challenge. The opportunity? It had recently acquired a coal mine near Issaquah, WA. The mine in question was located on the Grand Ridge just east of town, near today's Issaquah Highlands.
Regardless of the Grand Ridge Coal's actual qualities, the Central Coal Company was determined to protect the good name of Grand Ridge coal – and to ensure that customers came to Central Coal alone for their supply. Central Coal purchased a full-page ad in the October 25, 1909 Seattle Times in order to set the record straight. Having failed to persuade the offending party to relinquish the name, Central Coal used that ad to assure the public that they were the sole source of Grand Ridge Coal.
Originally developed in 1888, the mine at Grand Ridge closed due to labor troubles in 1905. It was not unusual for coal mines to close due to falling coal prices or labor unrest, and then to reopen again when the situation had improved. Re-opening the mine was not Central Coal's chief challenge, however. It was discovered that a rogue "Grand Ridge Coal Company" had opened during the mine closure, and was selling coal from other sites under the Grand Ridge name, endangering the coal’s fine reputation. It wasn’t unusual for purveyors of coal to advertise the types they carried by name. In addition to Grand Ridge coal, shoppers could also select Ladysmith Wellington, Carbonado, Roslyn, Gale Creek, Hyde, or Mendota coal. Was Grand Ridge Coal really that much better than other coal? Aside from promising that it was economical and
The mine at Grand Ridge continued to produce its much-touted coal until 1943, when the mine closed for good. Today, you can visit the source on one of the Issaquah History Museums’ hikes to the Grand Ridge coal workings. Expert guides will lead hikers to the site of the former mine, share pictures of what was once there, identify relics left behind, and tell stories of construction, explosions, and daily life in and around the mine. We have several hikes scheduled this summer. Join us! Curious about Grand Ridge mine hikes? Volunteer writer, Susie Sharp, details her experience on a recent hike on the following page (page 5).
Unidentified miners standing in front of the Grand Ridge mine. Photo courtesy of Issaquah History Museums.
UPCOMING GRAND RIDGE MINE HISTORY HIKES Saturday, June 17 Sunday, July 23
Saturday, August 19 Sunday, October 8
Start at 10 am. Moderately easy hike. Meet at the East Sunset Way Trailhead. Advance tickets required. See issaquahhistory.org/events for ticket sales.
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Issaquah Highlands Connections
AN EARTH DAY HIKE THROUGH HISTORY Written and photographed by Susie Sharp, The Brownstones. What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to take a tour in our very own Grand Ridge Park? On April 22, I took a hiking tour to the Grand Ridge Mine, courtesy of the Issaquah History Museums. Little did I imagine the level of intrigue and drama was on our home turf! For those who enjoy history but perhaps not the idea of hiking, let me stress it was a relatively easy one on gravel and dirt trails. What makes the tour special is the opportunity to go back in time to Issaquah’s mining days in the late 1800s. Until the tour, I was entirely unaware that the Grand Ridge mine was such a key part of Issaquah history. The opportunity to view original artifacts from the mine made it even more fascinating. We met at the East Sunset trailhead at 10 am and Doug Bristol promptly took charge. He’s a history buff extraordinaire and he regaled us with the history of Issaquah and the Grand Ridge mine. We learned how the sleepy farming community became a successful mining operation, complete with an opium den, in the late 1800s. Doug answered all our questions without once glancing at notes. We hikers were an interesting group with a mix of locals and expats. Silvana Rimoli was my companion for the hike. She originally comes from Brazil and was sharing her stories of coming to America. As a newcomer to the Issaquah Highlands, she was also unaware of the mining history. It all began when a man called Lyman B. Andrews conducted a land survey in the 1860s. He is officially recognized as the man who discovered coal in Issaquah, though unofficially Native Americans knew about the “fire rock” first.
As we walked along the now disused train tracks of the Northern Pacific railroad, Doug pointed out many landmarks, including the main site of the Grand Ridge mine. The challenges of working in the mine were brought to life by his words. I felt as if I was in a time warp – both knowing that Interstate 90 was nearby while hearing about the long hours, tortuous work and hardship experienced by the miners.
Issaquah History Museums’ volunteer and local mining history expert, Doug Bristol, answered the hiker’s questions without even looking at his notes!
They were paid $2.85 for a 10 hour shift in tunnels which ranged from 4 to 5 feet high. Conditions were so challenging that the workers often showed up drunk. Not surprisingly accidents were common. It makes our modern lives with technology seem remarkably straightforward! The Grand Ridge mine was Issaquah’s longest lasting coal mining operation. It was in full production from 1909 to 1934, and then remained in production to a lesser extent through the 1940’s. It was the last mine to close in Issaquah. It is hard to imagine but in its day, the mine consisted of 6.5 miles of underground tunnels. If you look closely around the Grand Ridge site, there are small reminders of the past in the form of small pieces of coal. It is important to note that hikers should pay attention when they go off the main trails. Sometimes the tunnels or shafts collapse after years of erosion and decay. Hence one of the reasons why we have the undeveloped and wonderful park areas, as well as every now and again a landslide on I-90.
Hiking groups are limited in size to assure all can hear the lecture and stay together. This year’s Earth Day hike stopped at the intersection of the Issaquah-Preston Trail, the historic site of the opium den.
For further information and inspiration contact the Issaquah History Museums at issaquahhistory.org. The past and present are often intertwined and make life all the richer. Earth Day history hikers posed for a photo near mining history artifacts still in the park.
GRAND RIDGE HISTORY TIDBITS Our planned community was at first called “Grand Ridge” but the master developer changed the name to Issaquah Highlands in 1997 to better align the built community with the city of Issaquah. Furthermore, the development only takes up 20% of Grand Ridge. Though the community is named Issaquah Highlands, many of its features are called Grand Ridge: Grand Ridge Plaza, Grand Ridge Elementary, Grand Ridge Drive, and Grand Ridge Park.
Passenger trains ran across this tall trestle to North Bend until 1968. The trestle was dismantled in 1975. It was located just east of the current Highlands Drive overpass. Photo from Paul Dorpat.
Eight whimsical, orange sculptures are scattered along the lower Grand Ridge and Tiger Mountain trails. Each represents an indigenous plant to the region. These public artworks were created by artists Jean Whitesavage and Nick Lyle, and commissioned by Sound Transit in 2002.
As the glaciers of the Ice Age receded, Grand Ridge created the south-eastern shore of Lake Sammamish, which filled the basin all the way up to West Highlands Park! Issaquah Highlands’ master developer, Port Blakely Communities, was originally operating under the name Grand Ridge Partnership (also Grand Glacier). If you research property ownership, you will find these names identifying property ownership before the builder, IHCA, City or King County. A tall train trestle spanned the valley from Tiger Mountain to Grand Ridge, the route continuing along the current IssaquahPreston Trail, past the location of the Grand Ridge Mine to North Bend (SEA to NB = 3 hrs).
Issaquah Highlands Connections
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WHAT’S NEW IN OUR PARKS? by Nina Milligan, Highlands Council, Communications Manager
GRAND RIDGE PARK, WATER TOWER LOOP The Washington Trails Association facilitated numerous volunteer work parties over the last year to construct our newest trail, the Water Tower Loop.
NEW TRAIL TO GRAND RIDGE SUMMIT
The trail is single-track and multi-use (hikers, bikers and horses). The loop is about 2 miles long, topping out at 1,200 feet, the most prominent point of the Grand Ridge. Two water towers were built here to serve Issaquah Highlands. A little further north, great views reward you in the winter, however somewhat obscured by maple tree foliage this time of year. Get to this trail by hiking in the main Grand Ridge Trail, which has many access points in Issaquah Highlands.
CENTRAL PARK PROJECT City Council voted unanimously on May 15th to fully fund the Central Park Pad #1 improvement project. In 2016, the council agreed to fund just the base project: • Artificial field turf • Metal Halide lights • Interim parking lot and lighting Yet, there were several other project features to consider. The Council asked Parks to return in 2017 with “bid alternates” allowing the Council to choose additional project features in an ala carte style. Issaquah Highlands residents and other park users identified these project features at multiple public meetings during the project planning.
WATER TOWER LOOP TRAIL Features with the most demand were safe on-street parking, traffic mitigation at Park Drive, more covered picnic areas, and protection from light pollution for neighborhoods in the Highlands. The City Council agreed to fund all of them, except for traffic mitigation on Park Drive, as that kind of work falls outside the scope of this project. The Council robustly discussed the options and their costs. Finally, they voted unanimously to fund the complete project including all “bid alternates”.
The add-ons and improvements totaled $1,088,550 in additional costs and include: • Upgrade to LED lighting • Central Park lane widening (for wider on-street parking) • Additional picnic shelter • Field amenities (goals, portable mounds, scoreboard, bike racks, etc.) • Mound seat walls and plantings (design element providing open field access and seating)
Construction begins in June 2017 and will continue through the end of the year. Learn more about the project at issaquahwa.gov/centralpark and issaquahhighlands.com/ learn/development-in-issaquah-highlands.
OUR PLENTIFUL PARKS by Erika North, Senior Community Manager, IHCA Issaquah Highlands has plenty of parks, by design. In designing this master-planned community, strict attention was given to maintaining open space and creating beautiful and abundant parks with-in walking distance of every resident in the community. That is why there are over 1,500 acres of open space including 28 parks. When you walk out your front door you will be within a quarter mile of the nearest park making Issaquah Highlands an urban community focused on plenty of play! The location of each of these great parks is shown on a map online at: issaquahhighlands.com/ explore/parks. Most are owned by the Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA) but there are a few city parks as well. Several of the parks have a variety of play equipment for children of all ages. The IHCA has thorough inspections of the equipment done each year to ensure it is always safe. If you ever see any issues with any of the pieces, please report it immediately to the IHCA (425-427-9257) so it can be repaired.
This spring stickers were added to the equipment showing the appropriate age ranges for each of the playground pieces. Another great feature added to each of the parks this spring, are the signs identifying the name and year the parks were established. Now all you have to do is tell your friends to meet you at a certain park and there should be no confusion of which one it is. Use of IHCA parks for parties or functions is on a first-come, firstserve basis. This includes spaces like the gazebo at Kirk Park. If you want to reserve a city park, call 425-8373300. City parks include Central Park, Grand View Park and Black Nugget Park. Along with having these prized parks comes responsibility. Please keep the parks clean by picking up any trash you have or see and disposing of it properly (including pet waste). And please avoid any activities that might cause damage. Let’s make sure we have these beautiful parks to enjoy for many years to come!
OUR FIRST PARK: ASHLAND PARK Now that renovations are complete, Ashland Park is a great place to have a neighborhood or community gathering.
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Issaquah Highlands Connections
2017grads high school | COLLEGE | graduate school
ali mcdonald will be attending...
Issaquah HS
aleC zimmerman will be attending...
Alec will be attending UW on a full-ride scholarship from the air force ROTC program.
Issaquah HS
Jillian Enebo will be attending...
danya vilhelmsen will be attending...
Danya will take a Small Gap and then on to Bellevue College.
Issaquah HS
Issaquah HS
Issaquah HS
sean davidson will be attending...
Domonique bolar will be attending...
Sean will attend the honors college at the University of Washington majoring in Chemistry.
Domonique will finish her AA degree at Bellevue college via Running Start, then transfer to Western Washington State University to major in marketing.
Issaquah HS
jeremy baxter will be attending...
Issaquah HS
Taylor hart will be attending...
Issaquah HS
Issaquah Highlands Connections
June 2017 •
2017grads high school | COLLEGE | graduate school
chloe kilzi will be attending...
Issaquah HS
Chloe will attend the University of British Columbia, Vancouver to study Engineering.
raiya mastor will be attending...
harrison lee will be attending...
rachel lemire will be attending...
Rachel will complete here AA Degree at Bellevue College and then transfer to another college (TBD).
Issaquah HS
daniel watson will be attending...
Issaquah HS
Issaquah HS
Raiya will attend Bellevue College to become a Sign Language Interpreter.
Daniel will attend Dakota State University and study Exercise Science and continue his football career.
carson meadowcroft Will pursue more school in the ACT Program.
SKyline HS
Issaquah HS
EMILY YOON will be attending...
Emily will be attending Western Washington State University to study Business.
cameron james
Will take a gap year working part time and traveling.
Issaquah HS
Issaquah HS
paris parker Will pursue a career as an entrepreneur.
Issaquah HS
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2017grads
Issaquah Highlands Connections
high school | COLLEGE | graduate school
Jessica PICKERING graduated from...
Bachelor degree
Jessica graduated from the Jackson School of International Studies at UW with a Bachelor’s degree in foreign policy, diplomacy, peace, and security. She will to move to New Zealand after graduation to work in the government sector and spend time with family, after which she intends to pursue a J.D. in international law.
joanna baxter graduated from...
Bachelor degree
saikat sen graduated from...
Masters Degree
Saikat graduated with a Masters in Business Administration. What’s next? Haven’t decided.
Joanna graduated with a Bachelor Degree from TCU. She will be continuing her education at the University of Louisville in the Teach Kentucky program.
samantha garrard graduated from...
Masters Degree
Samantha graduated with an MBA from Seattle University Albers School of Business. She is a marketing coordinator at Accolade.
c o n g r at u l at i o n s !
Issaquah Highlands Connections
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HIGHLANDS COUNCIL
Your Voice at Work
by Christy Garrard, Executive Director, Highlands Council and Dahlia Park resident We asked the community to Share Your Voice in the January issue of Connections News by taking the annual community survey. In the March issue, we recapped the survey results. Since then Highlands Council has been working to address the opportunities called out from the survey. We are pleased to announce a fresh look to our home page at IssaquahHighlands.com. The January survey allowed residents to sign up for focus groups to help us improve the user experience on our community website. These focus groups included meetings at Blakely Hall, and for those who could not attend a meeting in person, a second website-specific survey. From this community feedback, along with a few months of Google analytics regarding website traffic, we determined the home page needed to be less about the beauty of our community and more about easy access to the pages you use the most. The new home page provides quick links to the most commonly visited pages on the website, a list of what’s happening today in IH, access to recent community-issue blog posts, and a display of our latest post on the official community Facebook page. Check it out and let us know what you think. The website work is only beginning! Next up is improving the IHCA pages to make it easier to locate the documents you need. We will also be improving the search function by turning many of the current governing document pdfs on the website into webpages. Other pages will be reorganized and new pages will be added based on community feedback. Thank you for your patience as we carefully complete this website refresh. If you have questions or ideas to share contact Highlands Council’s Digital Marketing Coordinator, Vicki Grunewald, at Vicki.G@IHCouncil.org or 425-507-1109.
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ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Goats are coming in July: Important message from the IHCA Executive Director Approximately 240 goats will return to Issaquah Highlands for several weeks next month. Their mission, as before, is to mow and maintain open space on our steeper and less-accessible slopes. It’s a very successful program which has become a tradition here in the Highlands. Last year the goats were subjected to multiple acts of vandalism which included stampedes caused by fireworks intentionally set off in the herds areas, letting the goats loose in the streets, and attempted theft of livestock. Sadly, three goats died due to exposure to poisonous vegetation in unauthorized areas. Additionally, the IHCA and herder were sued by a homeowner who claimed goat damage to their property. Due to these actions the IHCA is forced to reduce its risk exposure and there will be no goats on the sloped areas between 25th street and 30th street. This work will be done by human hand. In addition, the number of goats will be reduced from 500 to 240 with only one herder onsite in reduced herded areas. In order to protect the herd, a herder will guard the worksites 24 hours a day with a trained herd dog and video surveillance cameras. Your assistance for the goat’s safety is essential for the future of this program. If the vandalism continues, the IHCA will be forced to remove the goats from the community permanently. I would like to personally thank all the homeowners who assisted the IHCA staff with the herd roundups and stopping people who tried to steal a goat last year.
Please follow these rules for the goat’s safety: DO NOT FEED THE GOATS: Goats must not be fed yard pruning’s or human food. Believe it or not goats have very sensitive stomachs and foreign foods can cause death. Herders take extra precautions by inspecting the open space tracts and remove any poisonous plants which may be harmful to the goats prior to placing them on the slopes. KEEP DOGS AWAY: Goats see wolves when we bring our furry friends along which may cause a stampede of the herd. At a minimum, dogs MUST be on a leash (it’s the law) when visiting the goats. Ideally, they should be kept away. Goats don’t know if Fido is friendly or not - they perceive dogs as a threat. NO TRESSPASSING: No one is allowed in a designated goat herd areas at any time for any reason, except the herder and IHCA staff.
REPORT vandalism to the IHCA on the 24 hour on-call telephone #425-223-8887. Vandalism Act in progress please call Issaquah Police Department at 911 Trespassers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Thank you in advance for your cooperation! Enjoy the goats! Sarah Hoey, Executive Director
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ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Vacation Checklist
by Collene Cordova, IHCA Owner Services Coordinator-Compliance Summer is here and vacations are being planned. Maybe a trip to Maui with a bike ride down Haleakala, Disneyland to meet a special someone’s favorite princess, visiting family on the east coast or maybe just a lazy trip over to the San Juan’s. Whatever your plans, make sure you’ve made arrangements with a neighbor or house sitter to take care of your home while you’re away. Trash cans may not be left outside while you are away. If your trip begins on Friday, which is trash pickup day, please make arrangements with your neighbor, a family member or house sitter to return your cans to your garage. This is also an opportunity to let your neighbors know that you will be out of town and ask if they would keep a watchful eye on your home while you are away. If you will only be gone for one week, your lawn should not become too overgrown, providing it was mowed and trimmed before your trip. However, if you are gone for more than a week, please make arrangements to have the lawn tended to in your absence. This could also entail turning on the sprinkler for an hour or so a few times during the week or watering your flower pots so that you don’t return home to a container of dead plants. This may be a good job for a neighboring teen that would like to earn some money over the summer. You want your home to look like someone is there. Place a few indoor lights on timers; Same with the outside lights or install motion detecting lights. Also remember to hold any newspaper deliveries. A dark house, with blinds drawn, old newspapers in the driveway and an overgrown lawn are signs that no one is home and can be a welcome invitation to a burglar. Your trip will be much more enjoyable if you know someone is taking care of your home while you are away.
Invasion of the Drones
by Collene Cordova, IHCA Owner Services Coordinator-Compliance Twenty years ago, we could not have predicted that cellular phones would be common place. Nor could we have imagined the capabilities of Smartphones that are currently being used by all generations. Technology is constantly changing and improving. In recent years, we have seen the commercial introduction of UAS (unmanned aircraft system), more commonly called a drone. These are now available to hobbyists and used in small businesses such as real estate companies to market properties, survey, and inspect roofs, just to name a few uses. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), which regulates the nation’s airspace, set regulations for drones used for fun and business purposes on August 29, 2016. Drones that weigh over .55lbs (250 grams) are required to be registered with the registration number clearly visible on the device. You must also have a copy of your registration, either in paper form or electronically. Federal Law requires any UAS operator to provide proof of registration to any Federal, State or local law enforcement officer, if asked. Failure to register may result in civil penalties up to $27,500. Criminal penalties include fines up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment up to three years. Children under the age of 13 are not allowed to register drones. The drone must be registered by someone over the age of 13. If the device is under the .55lbs it is considered a toy and does not require registration. See more information at http://federaldroneregistration.com Below are safety guidelines that should be followed by recreational drone operators: Safety Guidelines Individuals flying for hobby or recreation are strongly encouraged to follow safety guidelines, which include: • Fly at or below 400 feet and stay away from surrounding obstacles • Keep your UAS within sight • Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports • Never fly over groups of people • Never fly over stadiums or sports events • Never fly near emergency response efforts such as fires • Never fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Stormwater Ponds - Not Safe for Recreation
by Collene Cordova, IHCA Owner Services Coordinator-Compliance There are several retention ponds located throughout the Issaquah Highlands. These ponds are on private property either owned by the City of Issaquah or the IHCA. They are not intended for dumping, swimming, fishing, boating, wading, skating or walking on when frozen. These ponds are intended to act as storm water catch basins and are not for recreational use. Trespassing is not allowed in these areas. If you see someone in the pond, please notify IHCA or the Issaquah Police Department immediately.
• Understand airspace restrictions and requirements The Issaquah Highlands Use Restrictions and Rules do not currently restrict the use of drones in our community parks and common areas. However, in following the Safety Guidelines as set forth by the FAA, the aircraft must always be within the operators’ sight and away from surrounding obstacles. They should not be flown over neighboring properties thus violating personal space. If a drone is flying near your home, on your property, or in a reckless manner that could endanger other aircraft or people on the ground, please contact the Issaquah Police at their non-emergency number (425) 837-3200.
ANNUAL HOMEOWNER MEMBERSHIP MEETING Wednesday, June 28th IHCA Board of Directors meeting - 5:00 pm IHCA Membership Meeting - 6:00 pm Both at Blakely Hall Please attend as we will be announcing the new 2017 Board of Directors election results for Districts 1,3,5 and at large.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Assessments Coming in July 2017 IHCA Assessments Reminder: The new annual Issaquah Highlands Community Association homeowner (IHCA) assessments are effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. There may be changes to your assessments based on the new ratified budgets for the master assessment and the neighborhood budgets. The homeowners will be mailed their semi-annual assessment statements by June 8, 2017.
For check payers, the semi-annual assessments are due by July 1, 2017. Payments not received by July 10, 2017 may incur late and other collection fees. Those on the semi-annual payment plan must pay in full all six months of the assessment period by check or online. One-time online payments can be made with free eCheck (rates subject to change) or credit/debit cards, which come with a fixed fee of $14.95 per transaction (rates subject to change) to the homeowner. Our bank’s online payment portal is available at issaquahhighlands.com.
ASK THE IHCA
Do you have a question about homeowner responsibilities, or how our common areas are managed? Complete the simple form in IHCA’s section of IssaquahHighlands.com and we will respond to you promptly. Your questions (and our answers) might be shared here, in the next issue of Connections. Q: Hello! We are planning to paint the exterior of our house coming up here as soon as the weather cooperates. We are staying with the existing colors. We also have dry rot at our back door, so the door jamb is going to be replaced along with some trim work on our front porch pillars. Just checking to see if we can go ahead with the project or do we have to submit any paperwork or notify anyone??? Thank you for your help!! Thank you for asking! If you stay with the same colors, no approval is necessary. The same is true for trim and porch pillars; if you are not changing the look of these, you do not need approval. Q: I would like to re-design my front yard in Dahlia Park, such as removing some plants/weed, adding new plants for the summer. Do we need any approval or any paper work?
Residents on the monthly electronic bank debit payment (ACH) plan will receive statements for informational purposes only and NO additional payments are required (unless there are other delinquent balances, e.g., unpaid fines or late fees). Your new monthly assessments, if applicable, will be updated starting with the July 2017 payment. We highly encourage the semi-annual payers to convert to the monthly ACH payment plan. This ensures timely payments and internal efficiency. 82% of the residents are currently on this plan. An ACH form is provided with your billing statement for your convenience. Please direct any inquiries to 425-507-1119 or payments@ihcommunity.org.
Where Does My Money Go?! by Erika North, Senior Community Manager, IHCA
This is a valid question and there is often confusion among Issaquah Highlands homeowners about what their IHCA Master Assessments pay for. First of all, let’s look at what they DO NOT pay for… Issaquah Highlands is a unique community in that there are four distinct and separate entities that are governed and run separately: Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA), Highlands Council (HC), Highlands Fiber Network (HFN), and High Street (retail). Each are funded separately: IHCA by your assessments; HC by Community Enhancement Fees (.025% of the sale price of your home at the time you sell, monthly retail fees, or annual apartment fees); HFN by a separate monthly fee; and High Street is funded by a separate budget that assesses its own members. Your IHCA Assessments DO NOT pay for HC functions, events or HFN fees, or High Street (unless you live in a High Street Neighborhood). What does your $912 IHCA Master Assessment pay for? Last month we published a graph showing you percentages of different categories. Below is the same graph showing the breakdown of the $912:
The IHCA maintains the front yards of the homes in Dahlia Park so we typically do not let homeowners redesign their yards. But if your desired changes fall within the scope of what we might do normally, I might be able to include them in this fall’s plant replacement program. However, if you want the project done now and the design entails a significant change, please complete and return an ARC application (found at issaquahhighlands.com/learn/ ihca-applications-forms ), along with a photo of the yard. I will review it to determine if the changes fall within the neighborhood design concept. If the plan is acceptable, you would pay for and do the project yourself. Q: How do I get in touch with the people who do the front landscape maintenance in Dahlia Park? Please email any one of the IHCA staff and they will assist you with your concerns and or questions. IHCA names and email addresses can be found on page 31, Directory, or on the website, issaquahhighlands.com. Or call our general office phone number at 425-427-9257. Q: Dear Sir/Madam: I am new to Issaquah Highlands. I was wondering, do we have any restrictions on the dogs in our houses, such as the weight and size limit? Thank you for asking IHCA about dog restrictions in the community. Although we do not have restrictions based on weight or size, we do have restrictions on breeds, a strict leash law, nuisance regulations, requirements for clean-up, and more. Restricted dog breeds include those having “the appearance of being predominantly of the breed of dogs know as… Pit Bull” For complete information, please refer to our Use Restrictions and Rules that can be found on the website, www.issaquahhighlands.com. Please let me know if you have any further questions. We look forward to hearing from more of you. Please keep submitting your questions to be featured in the next issue. Sarah Hoey, CMCA®, AMS® Sarah.H@ihcommunity.org Executive Director Issaquah Highlands Community Association
As you can see, the majority of your assessments pay for ‘Landscape & Utilities’ followed closely by ‘Community Management’ that includes several different components such as administration, essential services, and other crucial items. If you ever have questions about your Master Association Assessments, please don’t hesitate to our office, 425-427-9257.
Trailhead Vista - Trail Closure One half mile of the BPA Trail between NE Park Drive and NE Natalie Way will be closed for repairs and protective seal coating on Tuesday June 13 at 7AM and re-open on Thursday June 15th at 5PM.
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ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Alder Trees, Not Our Friends by Jessica Dorsey, IHCA Community/Project Manager
Red alder, Alnus rubra, is a pioneer species which helps to revegetate damaged or disturbed ecosystems. In addition to being fast growing and a prolific producer of seed and windborne pollen, it also fixes nitrogen from the air, improving soil fertility for species which follow it. It’s one of the few broad-leafed deciduous conifers, meaning its many leaves supply organic matter for soil production. It is generally short-lived, weak and prone to rotting very quickly once it falls to the ground. These characteristics make it an ideal pioneer species. But in a finished landscape, the Alder swiftly becomes a nightmare for property owners. Alder grows rapidly, often several feet per year, so it can establish itself quickly and become a tree-sized weed in just a few years. It can populate open space with several hundred thousand seedlings per acre and reaches seed-bearing age quickly. These are characteristics of an invasive species; however, red alder is a native and its pioneer role keeps it from being declared invasive. In a finished landscape, it is considered a weed that we need to eliminate. Easily pulled in its first year, it roots vigorously and can give unwary gardeners quite a backache after the first year or two. If not cut down soon, it becomes a tree, requiring more expensive and difficult work to control it. Over the years, the IHCA landscape team has worked hard to continually combat the spread of alders in our common area and open spaces.
Live on a Greenbelt? Stay Within Your Property Boundary by Erika North, Senior Community Manager
We know how tempting it is, especially with the small lots here in Issaquah Highlands, to expand your useful yard area by encroaching into the protected green space. But this is not allowed. Recently the IHCA has been made aware of lots where the owners have done just this. It is our obligation to report it to the owner of the green space whether it be the city, county or the IHCA. These expanses are protected for good reasons; to preserve the natural environment and promote sustainable growth for the area’s indigenous plant and animal life. Intrusions into these areas destroys habitat. Refrain from crossing your boundary lines into the green space. Avoid the trouble and expense of having to restore the area (at your expense) back to its original state. The county and IHCA have made residents do this in the past. You could also be subject to fines from the party owning the land. If you live on a greenbelt, respect your boundary - don’t grow into the open space.
We need your help in assuring that this weed is kept out of our community. Please look closely at the pictures and remove these species as soon as possible. They are difficult and costly to control once they reach two years old, so remove them quickly. They may look like a natural shrub, but will soon be a tree that can be very tough to control.
Issaquah Highlands Use Restrictions & Rules Reminders Fireworks: Use or discharge of firecrackers and other fireworks is not allowed. Issaquah Municipal Code forbids fireworks as well: 8.12.100 “No person shall ignite, explode or discharge any fireworks within the City.” Thank you for doing your part.
ARC Tip of the Month: Did you know… No application or review is required for re-painting any part of the house with its original or existing color scheme. Prior Architecture Review Committee (ARC) approval is required for new colors or any changes in exterior colors for house, fences, decks, trim and roofs. Color chips (samples) must be submitted with the application along with a detailed description of where the colors are to be applied (trim, body and doors, etc.), along with a photo of the home. The ARC will consider the color schemes of surrounding homes in the immediate neighborhood to determine the consistency of the proposed colors.
We are sure you have noticed the increased presence of the Issaquah police officers on Park Drive and other streets in our community. We would like to give a huge “shout out” to the Issaquah Police Department for their increased patrol! Thank you for helping to keep our streets safe! Thank you!!
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Issaquah Highlands Connections
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HIGHLANDS Kids & Families
Club Inclusive
Thursday, June 8th & then a break for summer Blakely Hall Sponsored by LEO and Athletes for Kids
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/
Minecraft Mania
Tuesday, June 13th, 5pm & then a break for summer 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.
Toddler Playgroup
Every Wednesday through June 21st, 10am & then a break for summer 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
Russian Highlanders Kids Club * See World Cultures
SCRATCH-ing the Surface
Tuesday, June 6th & 20th, 5pm & then a break for summer Blakely Hall
A club for kids interested in coding and pursuing a future in computer science. For elementary and middle school-aged kids. Contact is Sharon Godavarthi. Parent contact: Rajesh.godavarthi@gmail.com. You’ll need a laptop with SCRATCH program downloaded. See sharongodavarthi.Wixsite.com/mysite or IssaquahHighlands.com/events for more information.
Arts & Cards Art in Blakely Hall
Plein Air Landscapes Through June 19th W-ink! - New Show Goes up June 20th artEAST Artist Reception for W-Ink Wednesday, June 21st, 2017, 6pm Blakely Hall Free and Open to the Public
In W-ink! five ink artists use this ancient medium with a fresh contemporary effect. The supplies are simple: soot, plant and wood. Yet each artist skillfully manipulates their process to push the boundary of traditional ink work practice. Artists featured include Karen Dedrickson, Lowell Poisson, Tina Albro, Grace Schlitt. Find out more at http://arteast.org and see page 22.
Bridge Club
Monday, June 5th, 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. We usually play the first Monday of every month starting at 7 p.m. RSVP: Ed Tellman, etellman@pobox.com or Andrew Shanafelt, shanafelta@issaquah.wednet.edu.
Interior Design Club
Latino Club
This club welcomes interior design enthusiasts to enjoy presentations from guest speakers about residential and commercial design; new trends in furniture, color, staging, Vastu and Fen Shui, window treatments, floorings and more. Contact: meetamehta@putali.org
Latino Club welcomes everybody who would like to celebrate and learn about Latino traditions. We have activities for kids, adults and seniors. Open to all – join the fun! Contact Alicia Spinner at alispinner@yahoo.com.
Monday, June 12th, Noon Blakely Hall
Cancelled in June Blakely Hall
India Culture Club
Knit for Life®
Cancelled in June Blakely Hall
Every Monday, 1pm Swedish Medical Center, Main Lobby
A network of volunteer knitters in area hospitals, providing physical and mental support in a non-traditional therapeutic environment to cancer survivors, patients and caregivers through knitting. We teach anyone with any skill level. You don’t have to bring anything but yourself. We have all the supplies you will need. Contact: Elaine.Eckert@yahoo.com
Come, learn about beautiful India! This club highlights India’s arts, culture, and festivals and is open to all who want to explore and learn about India. Topics may include preparing for a trip to India, basic overview of languages, places to visit, arts and cultural landmarks, etc. Lets’ celebrate and share the cultural riches of India together! Contact Brianna.E@ihcouncil.org for more information.
Open Mic
Travel Club Night
Wednesday, June 7th and Friday, June 23rd, 6:30pm Blakely Hall
Please come and join us for an evening of fun and entertainment from local talents. All ages are welcome. We welcome those who wish to play music, read poetry, tell a story, or perform a standup comedy routine. Please remember this is a family event and everyone is expected to show respect to performers and audience. Performers are limited to 2 songs or 10 minutes, whichever comes first. For more info, please contact: Dino Go at kabalen.geo@gmail.com.
Photography Club
Saturday, June 17th, 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
Come and join us for the last Travel Night of the season (meeting up again in September). You will hear from two presenters on two unique countries. Malta, Island in the Sun, located south of Sicily is perfect to visit in the non-summer months when it is not too hot and less expensive. You will also hear about exotic Morocco from Lois & Bill Bradfield of LB Tours. The bulk of the evening will be unstructured, get-acquainted time so we can all share and learn about travel. Light snacks are provided but feel free to bring a beverage (perhaps a bottle of wine from your favorite country!) to enjoy. We hope to see you there. Join our FB group: Join us on Facebook.com/issaquahhighlandstravelclub or Email ihtravelclub@gmail.
Russian Highlanders Kids Club
Thursday, June 1st & then a break for summer Blakely Hall
Thursday, June 29th, 7pm Blakely Hall
Whether you are a novice or a salty vet looking for some steep competition, you will love our monthly group for $40 buy-in, No-Limit Texas Hold ’em tournament! Don’t forget to join us on Facebook for all the latest info and results at our “Issaquah Poker” group page. Contact Henry at hlh1969@hotmail.com.
Rovin’ Fiddlers
Every Tuesday, 7pm Either at the Issaquah Highlands Fire Station 73 or Issaquah Senior Center
Please join us once a month for a fun hour of music, stories and games in Russian language for kids ages 2.5-4.5. Younger kids and siblings are welcome, just bring some toys to keep the kids engaged. Wonderful opportunity for you spend time with Russian speaking families, to make new friends and learn, preserve and enrich the Russian cultural traditions. All are welcome! We hope to see you there. Questions? Please contact Elena at 860-716-6467
Fitness
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 bellesue@comcast.net.
Yarns & Threads Group
Every Friday, 9am through June 23rd & then Swedish for the summer Blakely Hall
All knitters, crocheters, and stitchers are welcome. For more details or questions, please contact Cathie Coulter at Catherine.coulter@ihmail.com
World Cultures
Taichi Fitness Club Every Wednesday, 6:45am Blakely Hall
The ancient Chinese martial art, Taichi, will be offered every Wednesday at Blakely Hall. Participation is free; a donation of a nonperishable food item for the Food Bank is encouraged. Contact: taichifitness_IH@outlook.com
Hatha Yoga Classes Saturday
Every Saturday, 10:30am through June 24th & then break for summer 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
Chinese Heritage Club On break for summer Blakely Hall
Wednesday, June 14th, 7pm Blakely Hall Let’s see where it takes us! TOPIC: Malta and Morocco
This club promotes and preserves the unique Chinese cultural heritage awareness among the next generation for many local families. We welcome everyone who is interested in a neighborhood celebration for many traditional Chinese/American festivals. The club meets monthly at Blakely Hall. Contact bowbow.gu@outlook.com.
*All Events are FREE unless otherwise noted.
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WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HIGHLANDS Running Club
Every Saturday, 8am Central Park Tennis Courts
Don’t Miss This!
Please contact Joey at jbc224@cornell.edu, so he can add you to the distribution list. See Facebook - Issaquah Highlands Running and Multi-sport
Paws on Patrol
Yami Yoga Classes Sunday
See page 10.
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 will not only teach correct physical posture, but also explain the conceptual basis for these different yogasanas. No prior experience required. Please 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® Class 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! For additional information, email zumbawithcindy@gmail.com.
Special Interest 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, June 25th, 7:30pm Cancelled June 11th 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
Meaningful Movies
Screenings at Blakely Hall on break for summer June screening at Historic Depot
Toastmasters Club
Every Wednesday, 7am Swedish Medical Center 2nd Floor Conference Center
Thursday, June 1st, 7pm Blakely Hall
HY Night at the Carnival Friday, June 2nd, 5pm Blakely Hall
The HY (Highlands Youth Advisory Board) is hosting an end-of-school-year Night at the Carnival celebration and ALL Issaquah Highlands Middle and High School students are invited! Enjoy carnival arcade games, Dante’s Inferno (Hot) Dogs, cotton candy and more! Admission is FREE if pre-registered by May 26th. Admission is $5 at the door if not pre-registered. Sign up at IssaquahHighlands.com.
Community-Wide Garage Sale Saturday, June 17th, 9am - 4pm #IHGarageSale
Whether it’s called a yard sale or a garage sale, it’s a summer tradition. The semi-annual Issaquah Highlands community garage sales are scheduled for June 17, 2017 and September 16, 2017. These are the ONLY times during the year that IH residents are allowed to have a garage sale on their property. Highlands Council advertises the sale in many media. You provide your own signs to direct shoppers to your home/garage.
Pours in Stores
Friday, June 23rd, 6pm Grand Ridge Plaza
The Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce brings its popular wine and beer walk to Grand Ridge Plaza! Sip wine and beer as you visit select shops and restaurants on a beautiful night in Issaquah Highlands. You’ll find a different winery or brewery at each participating merchant. Savor light appetizers, enjoy live entertainment and meet your friends and neighbors. Cost $35 More information at issaquahhighlands.com/events
Highlands Day
Governance Mtgs Highlands Fiber Network Advisory Group Wednesday, 6/5, 5pm, IHCA Office
IHCA Architectural Review Committee
Tuesday, 6/6, 6pm IHCA Office
IHCA Finance Committee
Tuesday, 6/13, 5:30 pm IHCA Office
ANNUAL IHCA HOMEOWNER MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Wednesday, 6/28 IHCA Board of Directors meets at 5:00 pm IHCA Membership Meeting begins at 6:00 pm Blakely Hall Meetings are subject to change. See Calendar at issaquahhighlands.com for more information or date changes. For City of Issaquah governance meetings, see http://issaquahwa.gov and Issaquah City News in this issue.
City Meetings City Council Land and Shore Committee Thursday, June 1st, 6:30pm
City Council Public Hearing Monday, June 19th, 7pm Council Chambers
Agendas for both meetings will include Polygon Homes 100 TDR and affordable housing proposal. For more information, visit issaquahhighlands.com and search “Polygon”..
Holidays
Saturday, August 26th, Noon - 4pm Village Green Park and Blakely Hall
Once upon a time, in a village on a hillside in the land of Issaquah, the people declared, “Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The 26th day of the month of August, in the year of two-thousandseventeen, has been pronounced Highlands Day!” Royalty, knights, jesters and the like marked their calendars in anticipation of this day to celebrate the fairy-tale life that is living in Issaquah Highlands! On festival day, all the storybook characters from everyone’s favorite classic tales will come to life as we enjoy live entertainment, hearty fare, and medieval fun. Booth space available. See more at IssaquahHighlands.com.
D-Day
Tuesday, June 6th
Flag Day
Wednesday, June 14th
Father’s Day
Sunday, June 18th
Lailat al-Qadr
Wednesday, June 21st
Summer Solstice Wednesday, June 21st
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.
End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr)
Wine Club
*June is LGBT Pride Month
Friday, June 9th, 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.
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Monday, June 26th
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ISSAQUAH CITY NEWS
Trailhead City: Explore Our Trail Maps
With more than 200 miles of trails, over a dozen trailheads and 1,300 acres of open space in our backyard, it’s easy to see why Issaquah is nicknamed Trailhead City. We recently worked with the King County GIS Center to develop a new trail map focused on Issaquah and nearby areas. Find it and other maps for yourself — and plan your next adventure — at issaquahwa.gov/trails. Our trail network connects Issaquah to a vast array of public open space that surrounds our community. Centered within the Issaquah Alps — Cougar, Squak and Tiger mountains — our community is a destination for countless outdoor enthusiasts. Recognized as one of Outside Magazine’s Best Towns, Issaquah offers many opportunities to get outside and explore our natural environment. We invite you explore some of our favorite outdoor destinations, and find out why our nickname is Trailhead City!
Issaquah Highlands Connections
Issaquah’s Farmers Market
Every Saturday Through September At Pickering Barn 1730 10th Ave. NW (Across from Costco) 9 AM 2 PM, rain or shine
Visit the market for a fresh experience. Our market hosts 6,500 shoppers on a busy summer Saturdays. Throughout the season, the market hosts a variety of musical acts and family entertainment. Check our market calendar for a complete schedule. At The Market • Farm-fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables • Food vendors • Fresh-cut flowers • Freshly-baked goods • Handmade arts and crafts • Live music and entertainment • And more! Parking and Amenities: Visitors can park on the first and second levels of Costco’s parking structure, which is on the Costco corporate campus adjacent to the market. Pick-up and Drop-off: A location is available for customers’ convenience near the market entrance on 10th Avenue Northwest. An ATM and public restrooms are located inside the barn.
“Issaquah Family Forest Walks” is just one of the new maps you can now find online at issaquahwa.gov/trails.
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DOING BUSINESS
$1 Movies Are Back! On June 27, Regal’s Summer Movie Express rolls into Grand Ridge Plaza Great news, movie fans: $1 matinee movies are returning to Grand Ridge Plaza this summer! On Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10am for nine weeks, you can catch a blockbuster movie for a dollar. It’s all part of Regal’s Summer Movie Express, a community film festival featuring G- and PG-rated movies. The Summer Movie Express gives back as a portion of proceeds to benefit the Will Rogers Institute, which supports research in asthma, tuberculosis and pulmonary diseases. Funds raised from the Summer Movie Express directly fund the Institute’s mission in the areas of medical research and health education. Don’t miss the chance to catch these fun blockbusters for just a buck! Week 1: Tuesday, June 27 & Wednesday, June 28 • Kung Fu Panda 3 • Ice Age: Collision Course Week 2: Tuesday, July 4 & Wednesday, July 5 • Trolls • Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked Week 3: Tuesday, July 11 and Wednesday, July 12 • Monster Trucked • Penguins of Madagascar Week 4: Tuesday, July 18 & Wednesday, July 19 • Rio 2 • The Boxtrolls Week 5: Tuesday, July 25 & Wednesday, July 26 • The Secret Life of Pets • Sing
NaturoMedica Welcomes Two New Docs Dr. Rachel Winstedt Naturopathic neurology specialist Naturopathic doctors treat both neurologic conditions and chronic infections. Combining technology and research with natural therapies is the specialty of naturopath Dr. Rachel Winstedt, who recently joined the NaturoMedica naturopathic medical clinic at Grand Ridge Plaza.
Welcome Dr. Rachel Winstedt, to NaturoMedia. She treats neurologic conditions.
Dr. Winstedt sees patients with a range of neurologic conditions such as chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, ADHD, depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease. She also has a special interest in helping patients with chronic infections such as Lyme disease. “In many ways, a naturopathic doctor is a sleuth,” explains Dr. Winstedt. “Naturopaths focus on treating the underlying causes of a condition rather than the symptoms. We spend time exploring ways for our patients to get back to their normal range of health and activity, which varies from person to person. In the case of chronic disease, we find treatments to improve overall quality of life. Naturopaths spend time listening while educating, motivating and inspiring our patients to take action to improve their health.” Dr. Winstedt treats adults, teens and children, and applies her background in molecular, cellular and developmental biology to her work. A native Seattleite who spent much of her childhood in Index, WA Dr. Winstedt attended medical school at Bastyr University and completed her undergraduate pre-med studies at the University of Washington.
Dr. Saman “Sam” Faramarzi Primary care physician working with mindbody medicine and pain management treatment
Week 6: Tuesday, August 1 & Wednesday, August 2 • Kubo and the Two Strings • Ratchet and Clank Week 7: Tuesday, August 8 & Wednesday, August 9 • The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie: Sponge Out of Water • The Adventures of Tin Tin Week 8: Tuesday, August 15 & Wednesday, August 16 • Happy Feet 2 • Cats & Dogs 2: The Revenge of Kitty Galore Week 9: Tuesday, August 22 & Wednesday, August 23 • Storks • The LEGO Batman Movie Tickets must be purchased in-person at the Grand Ridge Plaza Box Office at 940 NE Park Drive. Online ticketing is not available. Regal Cinemas Issaquah Highlands is located at Grand Ridge Plaza in Issaquah Highlands.
Dr. Saman “Sam” Faramarzi, is also a new doctor at NaturoMedica, providing primary care.
What does the body need to function at its optimal level? This is the question that Dr. Saman “Sam” Faramarzi asks when working with patients. Dr. Faramarzi, who recently joined NaturoMedia, treats patients with a variety of primary care conditions.
A specialist in mind-body connection, Dr. Faramarzi challenges patients to nurture self-love and change the way they react and respond to stress. “Learning to cope with obstacles and understanding how stress affects the body is essential for people of all ages,” she explains. “By creating awareness of how we respond to stress, we can make lifestyle changes that may alleviate certain health issues. From teens to older adults, stress manifests itself in a host of symptoms including anxiety, insomnia, skin conditions and digestive issues. Rather than treat the symptoms only, I strive to work with patients to treat the underlying causes—working toward understanding and healing.” Dr. Faramarzi particularly enjoys helping patients interested achieving optimal health through lifestyle changes. Her areas of specialty include neural prolotherapy, which stimulates regeneration and repair of injured tissue, and IV therapy, which delivers nutrients intravenously to ensure 100 percent absorption. Many of Faramarzi’s patients are overwhelmed with the pressures of today’s culture. By listening to their stories, she helps each patient develop his or her own tool box of actions and tactics for self-care. Despite specializing in medical conditions that are often accompanied by pain, Dr. Faramarzi is known for her sense of humor. Connecting with people is among her passions, and you will often find her working with community groups and spending time outdoors, appreciating the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. NaturoMedica is located at 1220 10th Ave NE. To learn more, call (425) 557-8900 or naturomedica.com.
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Issaquah Highlands Connections
Wednesday, June 21st
ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS PUBLIC NOTICE NO. 17-004 A home business application has been submitted to the Issaquah Highlands Community Association (IHCA) Board of Directors from an owner at 1677 24th Ave NE. The business application is for a city licensed Crafts Workshop. The public comment period will be June 1st, 2015 through June 15th, 2017. 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 at ihwebsite.com/resourceenter/livework/publicnotice/17-004
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Issaquah Highlands Connections
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HIGHLANDS FIBER NETWORK
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. Last month’s photo was of the artwork by the artist Ned Kahn at the Issaquah Highlands Park and Ride. Two sides of the building are covered in “Glacial Façade,” which was designed to move with the wind. The swaying aluminum squares create a rippling effect as if the wall is made of water. It’s artwork for both the eyes and ears, as you can stand below and hear the “water” rustle as it’s rippling.
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Tips for Summer Networking by Frank Pineau, General Manager, Highlands Fiber Network (HFN)
With summer is in full swing in Issaquah Highlands, we put together some helpful information to prepare you for what you might encounter during the summer months when using the HFN network. Dealing with heat & your equipment- Temperatures can get fairly hot over the summer months. Equipment generates a lot of heat causing areas around it to warm up. Routers and components are often stored in areas without sufficient air flow. Excessive heat can cause damage to your equipment, causing connections to fail or signals to become weak. This eventually leads to damage and overall failure of equipment. Be sure you allow the most air flow possible for networking equipment, and keep your home cool when it heats up. Yard maintenance- Summer is a great time to spruce the yard up, right? We would like to remind you that below the green grass and landscaping are electrical, water and gas lines, phone and TV cabling, and of course, HFN fiber optics. Before digging be sure to “Call Before You Dig.” Dial #811 or visit www. call811.com. Also be aware that there are small fiber access boxes, usually at the edge of your property, which measure one square foot in size. Please do not cover or landscape over the top of this access box. Your landscaping will be removed if it inhibits access. Network Usage- With children home during the summer months your kids more likely to be using your home network. They may be keeping up their skills on educational websites, using Xbox and Play Station, or utilizing social media.
Correct guesses were submitted by: Toni Hunter Mason Possing Kuldip Singh Nhi Nguyen Brooklyn Holden Doreen Kolenc Bonnie Ervin Heather Krabbe Melissa Tubbs Manpreet Kaur Prakash Balasubramanian Anuma Dhwaj David Roy Nitya Shankar Joel Roy Christina Schmidt Quinn Ryan Sarahi Ayala Vela Thanks to everyone who participated! This month’s photo is below. Can you identify the location in this picture?
Summer is also a popular time for you to welcome guests to stay in your home. You can provide your visitor HFN performance to their own device whether it’s a smart phone to tablet. You all may enjoy sharing images, music or movies with one another. Your home network equipment can limit how many people can use your network before slowing things down, making it harder use. Peak-time performance may also be limited by the web sites you are accessing. HFN is community-owned, fiber to the home, available in a range of prices and connection speeds. • Web pages’ load faster • Network games run smoother • Movies download faster • Music streams without pauses and blips • Web applications (Gmail, Office Live, etc.) work more quickly • Pictures and videos upload faster to sharing sites • Quick and responsive remote access to your work or clients For information, upgrades and pricing, see www. highlandsfibernetwork.com for more information, or email support@hfnservices.com , available 24/7.
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 Monday, June 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 Ben and Jerry’s. Everyone who responds with a correct guess will be entered to win. Every correct guess is an entry! The Photo Treasure hunt is coordinated by volunteer Chelsea Musick of the Central Park neighborhood.
Fiber to the home, community owned!
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June 2017
Issaquah Highlands Connections
BLAKELY HALL ART GALLERY W-Ink! Simple Supplies Spark Imagination W-ink! Working with ink and paper brings out a firecracker of possibilities. All that’s needed is a spark of imagination to burst open its potential.
Whether the work is of an image or is abstract, these artists used a limited palette and inexpensive tools to play with a variety of techniques to produce effects that satisfy their creativity. Serendipity was welcomed.
Five of our artists used this ancient medium with a fresh contemporary effect. The supplies are simple: soot, plant and wood. Yet each artist skillfully manipulates their process to push the boundary of traditional ink work practice.
W-ink! urges us to take a second look at a medium’s extraordinary versatility and vitality. Artists featured include Karen Dedrickson, Lowell Poisson, Tina Albro, Grace Schlitt.
Karen Dedrickson That Nasty Woman
Lowell Poisson ParadiseSkylineLoop4
LIVING GREEN Grow a Row for the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank by Emily Konomi, IH resident and Girl Scout Troop 46554 Leader
If you like to garden, Girl Scout Troop 46554 would love your help. With the support of Highlands Council and the Community Gardeners of Issaquah Highlands, we are working with the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank’s Harvest Issaquah program to collect fresh produce to feed families in our community. We invite you to register to “Grow a Row” designated for the Food Bank. Don’t have space to designate an entire row in your garden? Don’t have a garden bed at all? That’s okay! You can grow just one potted plant for the Food Bank; every little bit helps. Our troop will harvest and collect your designated produce and deliver all donations directly to the Food Bank for you. In addition to the many different fruits and vegetables you may grow, we are encouraging our gardeners to grow Tomatillos, as they are one of the most requested produce items at the Food Bank.
To participate in the “Grow a Row” please sign up online at: IssaquahHighlands.com/community-garden On Saturday, June 3rd from 10am – 2pm, our troop will be at the Issaquah Highlands VISTA Community Garden Work Party. We will distribute Grow a Row garden signs and free Tomatillo starters to those who sign up for the “Grow a Row” program. The Vista gardens are located along the paved path between Park Drive and Natalie Way, below Black Nugget Park (2298 NE Park Drive). In early July, the Girl Scouts will begin Sunday afternoon harvests of the registered rows. Registered home gardeners can place their produce on their front porch and the girl scouts will stop by on Sunday to retrieve your donations. All the fresh produce will be delivered to the food bank on Mondays. Any questions? Contact Emily Konomi at enoandemily@yahoo.com
Grace Schlitt Beck
Artists Reception Wednesday, June 21, 2017 Blakely Hall
Free and Open to the Public
Issaquah Highlands Connections
June 2017 •
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Ah Ha, Ha Ha, Staying Alive! by Amanda Keverkamp, CERT Team 9, Resident of Crofton Springs
June 1-7 is National CPR Awareness Week and I couldn’t think of a better time to talk about adding vital first aid skills like CPR to our preparedness training! Did you know that surviving an “out-of-hospital” cardiac arrest greatly depends on getting CPR from someone nearby? Without CPR, chances of survival decrease 7 percent every minute of delay. In fact, about 90 percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest die. There is good news, though; if they receive immediate CPR their chances of survival can double or even triple! If you haven’t had the opportunity to take a first aid class (or need a refresher), this month is a great time to do it. Visit RedCross.org/take-a-class to find one of the many training opportunities in our area. In the meantime, take a few minutes to read the easy instructions for Hands-Only CPR. We’ve even included a cut-out you can put in your wallet or emergency kit! 2 Steps to Save a Life Hands-Only CPR is CPR without mouth-to-mouth and is for teens or adults who suddenly collapse at home, work or in a public place. To help save a life, follow these steps: 1. Call 9-1-1 (or send someone to do it). 2. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest. Calling 911: When you call 911, stay on the phone until the 911 dispatcher tells you to hang up. They will ask you about the emergency and for details such as your location. It is important to be specific and to remember that answering the dispatcher’s questions will not delay the arrival of help. Hands-Only CPR: The American Heart Association recommends pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of any tune that is 100 to 120 beats per minute. They give the example of the classic disco song “Stayin’ Alive.” If someone else knows CPR, take turns providing CPR, switching about every 2 minutes. Remember to make the switch quickly to keep any pauses in compressions as short as possible. Keep this up until first responders arrive. As the person administering Hands-Only CPR, your pumping is the only thing keeping the blood flowing to the brain, heart, and other vital organs. Visit CPR.heart.org, Redcross.org, and Ready.gov for how-to videos and more information on CPR, first aid, and emergency preparedness.
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June 2017
DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Update on Current Developments in IH
Issaquah Highlands Connections
For more information see: IssaquahHighlands.com/ learn/development-in-issaquah-highlands.
by Nina Milligan, Communication Manager, Highlands Council
Block 19 Apartments
Here’s a brief summary of what’s going on (or up!) in Issaquah Highlands.
The 135 apartments proposed for the parcel behind Marshals on 10th Ave NE and Falls Drive are still in the permitting process. It will likely be 4-6 months before they begin construction.
Polygon Homes in Westridge South
Westridge South new homes are coming soon! This neighborhood of 72 single-family detached homes is due west of Swedish Hospital, south of Discovery Drive. The builder started pouring the foundations on the model homes in April. These homes will be ready to view this fall. Construction began on the rest of the homes in May. Pre-sales start in June. Pricing will be made available on release. In April and May, the developer reconfigured Discovery Drive, responding to concerns identified by West Highlands Park neighbors. These neighbors attended city meetings and spoke out about proposed street intersections that would create hazards through blind spots for drivers. A solution was included in approving the development.
End of IH Development Agreement
Current zoning in Issaquah Highlands is all “Urban Village”. Distinct “uses” (retail, commercial, residential) have been distributed over the past 20 years by the master developer, Port Blakely. A Development Agreement with the city determined the amount of development, i.e. how many housing units, or how many square feet of retail. Our Development Agreement, a 20-year contract, will no longer be in force by the end of 2017. What comes next? Just look around – The goal of the City is to “keep the existing character” of Issaquah Highlands. Simple as that seems, questions still remain. (And note: the City only governs how the parcels of land are developed and used. CCRs and URRs of the IHCA [the homeowner’s association] will remain in effect.) City of Issaquah’s Land Development Manager, Lucy Sloman, hosted a meeting at Blakely Hall on Thursday, April 20th to share with the community information regarding the end of Issaquah Highlands’ Development Agreement. Approximately 25 community members attended. Sloman explained that draft replacement zoning would leave Issaquah Highlands much as it is today. Do you own one house on one lot? That’s what zoning will allow in the future. Do you own an apartment complex with a certain number of units? That’s how many units you can have in the future.
Polygon Homes in Westridge North
Westridge North, located north of Discovery Drive just east of West Highlands Park has been doing “site work” for several weeks, which involves digging big ditches and holes, and filling them back up. Construction has not yet begun on 109 townhomes approved in 2016. The entire parcel is expected to include single family homes and townhomes, 265 total. However, Polygon Homes has proposed to add 139 more homes through an amendment to the Issaquah Highlands Development Agreement.
Update on CitySurf
John and Trisha Hoss, owners of CitySurf, continue in their plans to develop land they are buying at the corner of 10th Ave NE and Falls Drive. Preliminary permitting is still underway
This map represents the City of Issaquah’ proposed land use designations beginning in 2018. These would replace current zoning, which is all simply Urban Village.
Behind this simplicity are, of course, are the details. For instance, if you own a house on a green belt with a creek or steep slope in it, your ability to add to your existing dwelling might be limited by a new, bigger “buffer” around that green belt. Also, there are a few undeveloped parcels in Issaquah Highlands. Most are designated commercial; one is multi-family residential.
Architectural plans for CitySurf on 10th Ave NE continue to get more refined as the John and Trisha Hoss get closer to breaking ground on their indoor surf facility.
Next up: The City of Issaquah’s Planning Policy Commission and the Urban Village Development Commission will hold joint meetings during the summer to work out the details. These meetings are open to the public and public comment is welcome. You can follow this process on the City of Issaquah website.
Staff from IH join Pomegranate Center Board of Directors
We can thank Milenko Matanovic of Pomegranate Center for much of what builds community in our built environment in Issaquah Highlands. Milenko worked alongside the Highlands master developer, Port Blakely, to create great spaces such as Ashland Park, and public art, such as the reflective waves on the water tank on Park Drive. The Pomegranate Center welcomed Erika North of the IHCA and Nina Milligan of Highlands Council, to serve on their Board of Directors. (left to right) Nina Milligan poses with Milenko Matanovic and daughter Katya of Pomegranate Center, and Erika North at a two day Pomegranate Center training, focused on building skills in community engagement.
Issaquah Highlands Connections
June 2017 •
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
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Debbie Matthews | June Volunteer of the Month I’ve been a resident of Issaquah Highlands with my husband and cats for seven years. We moved here for the fiber optic network and convenient bus routes, but also for the community. When we first moved here, we lived in a condo at the bottom of the hill and regularly attended the HOA meetings for our building. Two years ago, we moved up the hill to a bigger home. We no longer have a smaller HOA for just our block, but we had always thought of getting involved with the larger Highlands community anyway. It seems that things just lined up well to push me in that direction. I share many diverse hobbies with my husband such as video games, chainmailling, juggling, and (German-style) board games. My husband and I even tried to start a board game group up here, but sadly it encountered some difficulties. (Maybe it’s time to try again!) However, one hobby I have been missing is gardening. I grew up in the country but have lived my entire adult life in more densely populated areas. It’s been a long time since I had a garden and getting a p-patch had been on my mind for the last seven years. This year happened to fit well so I finally took the plunge and got back to vegetable gardening. VOM Debbie Matthews working in the garden.
As it happens, I’m also a big do-it-yourselfer who tackles all the little carpentry, plumbing, and electrical projects around the house. So upon discovering that my new garden bed had a collapsing side, one thing led to another and pretty soon I was putting together repair quotes and helping rebuild dilapidated garden beds. Now my garden is well underway and my house is filled with seedlings waiting to be planted outside. This is my first season growing in this area, so I’m excited to learn what grows well in our microclimate. Editor’s Note: In this, Debbie’s first year in the community garden program, she jumped in with both feet, lending her expertise and sweat equity to help fellow Vista gardeners replace the rotting wood frames with the new garden block. We are sincerely grateful for her support and time she spent this spring on this labor-intensive project.
SUMMER READING a The Visit by Vanshika Chauhan b
“Great! Let’s get started. So, where is everyone from?” “I’m from Ireland!” said Margot. “India,” replied Nadia. “Kendra and I are both from here, actually!” laughed Chloe. “I’m from Norway,” smiled Halley.
“Well, all is great here in Issaquah! Why did you call?” Katherine asked almost sounding too nice. “I hate to be asking this but a couple of weeks ago when we were talking on the phone, you were praising the place you live in and talking about all the diversity, culture and friendliness-”
“And lastly, I’m from Alabama,” said Anne. Jenna quickly brought out her question sheets. “Wow! ‘So nice to meet you all!” smiled Jenna as she started with her questions. “What’s the thing you love most about home?” “The food!” said Chloe, Nadia and Halley at once. Everyone laughed at their unplanned synchronized answer. “I love my fried chicken!” Anne replied, laughing. “It’s a great part about being from the south!” “Funny enough, I actually enjoy the rain here but not the bears!” Chloe said as everyone laughed.
One week earlier…
Jenna slammed her laptop shut, frustrated for the 12th time that Thursday. She quickly paced around her bedroom forcing herself to brainstorm ideas on how the story she was writing would continue. After walking so much that the soles of her feet were paining as if she had just run a marathon, Jenna dejectedly fell on her mattress, blowing away the hair that had fallen onto her face. She lay on her bed for a half an hour before reluctantly picking up the silver phone next to her bed and dialing in a number. After a few rings the person on the other side picked up and immediately started talking, “Jenna! Honey, how are you? You haven’t called in days and we were all so worried here!” said the lady. “I’m fine, Katherine. How are you?” Jenna replied, forcing herself to act nice.
“Yes, yes! Issaquah Highlands is a wonderful place with such nice people!” interrupted Katherine. Jenna forced a smile onto her face, calming herself with the reminder of her overall goal and how getting mad at her older sister Katherine for interrupting her, would not help her achieve it. “Well, I’m writing a new book and I’ve really been having some writers block for the past couple of days. I need to go to a quiet, nice place with lots of inspiration, unlike the busy streets of LA. And from what you were saying about Issaquah Highlands, it seems like a perfect place. So what I was wondering is if could come visit you just for a couple of days to finish my book? I don’t mean to impose on you, this is really my last choice but, I have nothing else that’s working for me!” Jenna said very quickly, almost in one whole breath. “Jenna, this is great news! Please don’t feel you’re imposing on me. You’re welcome
anytime,” warmly replied Katherine, smiling from ear to ear on the other side of the phone. “Thank you, Katherine! I’ll start packing right away, there’s no time to waste!” said Jenna as she switched off the phone, feeling hopeful. Jenna pulled in to her sister’s driveway on a warm day in mid-August. She stopped her car and gazed out the window at the beautiful houses that neighbored Katherine’s home. She took deep breaths, reminding herself why she was here and how the past was in the past and she had to move on. When Katherine and Jenna were both younger, Katherine was always the better sister. She had better grades, a better social life and a better relationship to her parents. While their parents would never admit, they all favored Katherine. Jenna was the quiet girl that always stayed in her bedroom writing stories of places that she wished she could be in. As Jenna and Katherine both grew older, Katherine grew to be more successful but Jenna has learned to get over the resentment that she had had for her sister and instead focus on following her dreams. Even though they had solved their problems years ago, Jenna still couldn’t help the negative thoughts that popped into her head as she stood in her sister’s neighborhood. Eventually, Jenna took a big breath, climbed out of her car and grabbed her bags. She was immediately bombarded with hugs from her sister and her seven-year-old niece, Alicia. Katherine and Jenna caught up with each other over some tea and talked about Jenna’s book for some time before Alicia pulled Jenna outside to play catch with her friends. As Alicia played with her friends, Jenna
started talking to another woman who was there to watch her kids play. They introduced themselves; the woman’s name being Victoria. When Victoria asked Jenna if she was new to Issaquah, Jenna told Victoria about her writer’s block and how she came to visit the Highlands for inspiration. She explained that she needed to learn more about diverse cultures and different traditions for her book. Victoria seemed very pleased by this. She told Jenna about how she was born and raised in Australia and loved how Issaquah had people from all over the world. Jenna asked Victoria if there would be any way that she could interview her for her book and Victoria happily agreed. They planned to meet the next day over frozen yogurt up the street at a place called TCBY to cool down in the unexpected heat. Come back next month for Chapter 2 of Vanshika Chauhan’s The Visit.
Vanshika Chauhan just completed her sophomore year at Issaquah High School. She moved to the Highlands in 2007 when she was in first grade. Vanshika has been writing since she was eight years old and has always enjoyed coming up with stories. She plays tennis, snowboards, and enjoys reading in her free time.
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SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
by Tracie Jones, Wisteria Park
Issaquah School District
Grand Ridge Elementary
6/14 6/20 6/28
6/1 Volunteer Appreciation Day 6/2 Popcorn Friday 6/2 Summerfest 6/15 5th Grade Promotion 6/16 All Lost and Found Items Donated
issaquah.wednet.edu
School Board Meeting @ 7:00 P.M Last Day of School School Board Meeting @ 7:00 P.M.
Issaquah School Foundation
isfdn.org
Challenger Elementary challengerpta.org
6/1-3 6/2 6/2
Scholastic Book Fair Popcorn Friday Parent Night Out
Clark Elementary
clarkpta.org
6/2 Popcorn Friday 6/2 Dads@Recess 6/2 Sharks at the Park Mariners Night 6/7 Kindergarten Concert 6/8 PTSA GM Meeting
Endeavour Elementary
JUNE EVENTS
Issaquah Highlands Connections
endeavourptsa.org
6/2 6/7 6/7 6/13 6/16
Popcorn Friday Field Day PTSA GM Meeting 5th Grade Party 5th Grade Promotion
**Be sure to check individual web sites for details and updates
Summerfest
With summer fast approaching, Grand Ridge Elementary PTSA looks forward to seeing everyone at their annual end-of-year celebration, on June 2nd, at 6:00 P.M. Kids can enjoy a fun-filled, hands-on evening at the playground, with activities that get everyone running around, moving, ready for summer to start! For parents, it’s a great time to talk about vacations, connect with old friends, and say good-bye to the 2016-17 school year. To volunteer at Summerfest, visit GrandRidgePTSA.org.
IHS Senior Farewell Ceremonies
The Issaquah High School Senior Farewell Ceremony, hosted by the IHS PTSA, will be at Issaquah High School on June 9th at 7:00 P.M. This special event honors the many accomplishments of graduating Seniors, providing personal opportunities to reflect and celebrate on their time at IHS, while looking towards the future. Students will sing, perform music, recite poetry, read essays, along with other remembrances. The Farewell Ceremony is open to everyone, including all students, families, and friends of graduating Seniors.
grandridgeptsa.org
Issaquah Middle School issaquahmiddleptsa.org 6/1 6/5 6/19-20 6/20
Choir Concert 8th Grade Assembly and Celebration Early Release Days Carnival Day
Pacific Cascade Middle School
pacificcascadeptsa.org 6/1 6/5 6/19-20 6/20
Choir Concert 8th Grade Assembly and Celebration Early Release Days Carnival Day
Gibson Ek High School GibsonEk.org
6/2 End of Year “Big Event” 6/15-16 Early Release Days 6/19-20 Early Release Days
Issaquah High School
issaquahhighptsa.org
6/2 5k Run 6/3 Prom 6/8 End of Year Assembly 6/9 Graduation Breakfast and Rehearsal 6/9 Senior Farewell @ 7:00 P.M. 6/12 Graduation at Safeco Field
Congratulations Endeavour Elementary!
Endeavour Elementary is a recipient of the 2016 Washington Achievement Award, honored for Overall Excellence and High Academic Progress. This is an accomplishment, and direct reflection of our students’ hard work, dedication of our teachers, and support and guidance from our parents. The Washington Achievement Awards are sponsored by the Washington State Board of Education and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, celebrating Washington’s topperforming schools and recognize achievement in many categories.
Thank You Grand Ridge Families, From the PTSA!!!
It’s at this time of the year, our Grand Ridge PTSA looks back through the incredible year at Grand Ridge Elementary. We would like to thank our community, and the amazing people who make our programs and events possible. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped through their gifts of time, efforts, money, and ideas, to make our school a grand place, for all our kids. Thank You! Over the summer, remember to stay connected, at GrandRidgePTSA.org.
GRE Graduation Issaquah High School Graduation 5th GradeGrand Ridge Elementary School proudly announces Congratulations to the class of 2017! Graduation is finally here!! This year’s IHS Senior Class Graduation will be Monday, June 12th, at 1:00 P.M. at Safeco Field. Everyone in attendance must have tickets for the ceremony. Safeco Field will open doors for graduation guests at 12:15 P.M. Seating is first-come; guests with special needs should arrive early in order to discuss arrangements with Safeco Field staff. For more information, connect.issaquah.wednet.edu/high/ihs/default.aspx.
commencement services for the graduating 5th grade class of 2024, on Tuesday, June 15th, at 9:30 A.M., at GRE. After the ceremonies, a small reception for families and guests will follow, hosted by the 4th grade. Then, 5th grade students will continue the celebration, closing out their years at Grand Ridge.
Issaquah Highlands Connections
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Summer Advocacy Updates in Education
Interested in what’s happening in Education around the state of Washington, even over the summer? Anyone can sign up to receive email updates, newsletters, or blog posts, from some of the State’s leading organizations, along with the State Legislature. To stay informed, up-to-date, and connected with local, county, and state, visit:
Washington State Legislature: leg.wa.gov Washington State PTA Advocacy page: wastatepta.org/advocacy/index.html Washington State PTA – Advocacy Blog: wsptagrassroots.blogspot.com Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction: k12.wa.us Network in Excellence for Washington Schools: waschoolexcellence.org Washington’s Paramount Duty: paramountduty.org Washington’s Paramount Duty – Facebook page: facebook.com/groups/ParamountDuty League of Education Voters: educationvoters.org Washington Association of School Administrators: wasa-oly.org/WASA/wasa/4_0_ Government_Relations/This_Week_in_Olympia_-_TWIO/TWIO.aspx Washington State School Directors’ Association: wssda.org/Legislative/LegislativeUpdates.aspx
Summer Volunteer Hours for High School Students
Summer is the perfect time for high school students to get a jump-start on their community service hours. Students are encouraged to complete 100 hours of community service during their high school years. This program is designed to recognize students’ contributions in the community. Community Service hours are reported to IH PTSA each year, then total hours are reported to the school for special recognition at graduation. Each student completing 100 Community Service Hours, or more, will receive a certificate and white cord, honoring their service. The best time to start is now! For more information, issaquahhighptsa.org.
Immunizations Sports Physical Forms Requirements for 6th Grade
Students entering sixth grade are required to have the Tdap vaccination at 11 years old. Tdap vaccine protects adolescents against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. This vaccine replaces one tetanus-diphtheria (Td) booster. Washington State allows exemption from these vaccines for medical, personal or religious reasons. Every middle school student must have documentation or required forms of this immunization before the first day of school. A sports physical / medical form, signed by your pediatrician’s office, is required for participation in all middle school sports. Please contact individual middle schools for this form. Contact the attending middle school’s health office with any questions or requests for further information.
PTA Membership Summer Savings
Summer is the perfect time to start saving with PTA memberships. Whether you’re buying school supplies, renting a car for your next family vacation, PTA members can save money on everyday purchases thanks to National PTA’s Member Benefits Provider Program. National PTA teams up with businesses committed to supporting PTA’s mission of serving all children by offering our members special discounts and other unique deals. For summer, visit pta.org/members/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3210
June 2017 •
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Issaquah Highlands Connections
HIGHLANDS YOUTH - THE HY
Bullying in School
by Deon Lillo, HY Board Member and Issaquah High School Student Students face many challenges and hardships in their academic careers, such as juggling school along with sports practices and music rehearsals. However, students should never feel afraid that their self-worth will be stomped upon when entering a facility dedicated to education and acceptance. Inside schools, bullying has secretly plagued the lives of some students while outside of school, cyberbullying continues to infect their willingness to live. For lots of freshman at Issaquah High School, writing “This I Believe” essays characterizes a progressive few weeks based upon self-reflection and growth. Different from traditional essays, these pieces of writing focus on giving students a chance to share what they believe in and relate it to their own personal experiences. For an IHS freshman under the alias of Jane, this was a time where the harrowing experiences of her past were exposed. As she writes in her essay: “It began small, with indirect insults through social media, and slight name calling; but overtime it grew. Not only in strength, but in numbers… One day, I turned to my friend during history class, and cracked a cheesy knock-knock joke, and he replied with ‘kill yourself stupid slut, no one cares about you or your jokes.’” The constant bombardment of insults and hatred make a person contemplate if they have any value in society. Words that some people carelessly throw around have the potential to become sharp knives that cut deep into one’s
soul. Jane writes: “One day during my freshman year of high school, one of my best friends (at the time) came up to me during a hallway, looked me in the eye, and said ‘you’re just an ugly whore that everyone hates. You’ll never amount to anything. Why don’t you just kill yourself?’ She didn’t even stutter. I was never the same. I was no longer able to look myself in the mirror without feeling disgusted, and worthless… Because, after you hear something enough times, you begin to believe it. At this point, I believed what they said.” Jane grew tired; tired of enduring the detrimental remarks that she encountered on a day-to-day basis. Eventually she was ripped apart into so many pieces that she nearly swallowed a handful of pills to escape the harassment once and for all. Just before she did, her mom flew open the bathroom door and stopped her. Following this experience, Jane participated in a program where she learned how to love herself for who she is. I encourage all parents reading this to take the time out of their busy schedules and routinely check in with their kids. I motivate all students reading to never tolerate any kind of bullying and to understand that words can hurt―use them for good, never evil. Jane could be anybody, just as anyone could become a victim of bullying. As put by Jane: “Even though you and I may not have the same brain, we’re all human. No one deserves to be treated as if they’re less than that.”
HY article author this month is Deon Lillo, flanked here by fellow Highlanders Sid Thiagarajan and Elias Kazemi.
Issaquah Highlands Connections
Dear Kari, I was recently laid off and I am so mad! I knew it was coming, but I still hoped it would not happen. How do I get over being mad at my boss and go forward from the disappointment that I feel? I will be okay financially for a little while, but what do I do next? - Fired and Mad Dear Fired and Mad, I am sorry that you have lost your job, as there are many feelings that come with losing something that we counted on and have enjoyed. Since it was not a surprise to you on some level, I am hoping that you explored other professional options as doing so can give you some footing as you transition from your previous job. I recommend moving forward from your anger at your last boss; staying focused on the past can hinder us from moving forward to better things in life. I also recommend that you map out what companies and positions you are most interested in, that match your current skill set, and aggressively put together a plan. Doing so demonstrates to you and others that you have adaptability in life, which appeals to all employers. - Kari Dear Kari, I recently looked at my husband’s Facebook page and noticed that he is flirty with other people. What should I do? I don’t think that he has ever stepped out on me, but I do not like the fact that he feels comfortable flirting with other women since he is married. - Concerned Wife Dear Concerned Wife, Social media can go well, and then it can go terribly wrong. I suggest that you pick a good time to talk with your husband privately and be honest about what you saw and how it made you feel. Then, I believe it is fair to request that he establish more respectful boundaries for your relationship by removing online flirting as an option in your relationship. - Kari Dear Kari, My friend is being bullied by our other friends. I don’t know what to do; do I risk speaking up for her or do I keep quiet and remain in my friend group? I like her and I feel bad that she is being singled out. Help, what do I do? - Scared to Speak Up
June 2017 •
ASK KARI
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Dear Scared to Speak Up, It can be very hard to use our voice when we see injustice around us, especially if the injustice is occurring to our friend by our other friends. But, I would like you to imagine how your friend is feeling when she is being treated poorly. Then imagine if you were her; what would you hope someone would do? Speak up for you? Then do just that, as people who pin other people down with aggressive words and behavior will typically turn their actions to others in the room. Standing up for your friend establishes a boundary of respect, it models kindness and dignity to others. Remember, the first exchange of words may be hard to say, but the outcome will hopefully be worth it. Good luck! - Kari
Do you have a question for Kari? Please email her at 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.
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MILESTONES
Issaquah Highlands Connections
Life’s Milestones – Share Yours with the Community Whether it’s a wedding, the birth of a baby, or the loss of a loved one – this is news the community wants to hear. Beginning with this issue, we will share your announcements with your neighbors in Connections news. When you reach one of life’s milestones, go to our community website and provide details here: issaquahhighlands.com/submit-a-connections-announcement/ Submission Guidelines • We accept birth, adoption, graduation, marriage, obituary and culturally-recognized life milestone announcements for Issaquah Highlands residents only. • All announcement requests should be submitted within one year of the event. • Please complete the submission form fully. • Have a question? Contact Nina Milligan, Highlands Council Communications Manager at (425) 507-1111 or by email nina.m@ihcouncil.org.
A Highlands Council staff member will be in touch with you to follow-up on your announcement information. Graduation Announcements: Graduation announcements are featured in the June issue of Connections. To be included in the feature, submit graduation notices by May 1 of the current year to publish in June’s issue. Please Note: Highlands Council is the publisher of Connections. 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.” We reserve the right to refuse to print any content we believe does not align with this mission. Thank you for sharing your announcement with us and the community.
While we cannot guarantee the publication or length of an announcement, we welcome all submissions. All announcements are free.
Welcome Deniz Aygun Our little bundle of joy has arrived! Sevgi Demircan Aygun and Bertan Aygun of Ashland Park are ecstatic to welcome little Deniz into the world! Born on the 2nd of April, 2017, Deniz weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces and was 21 inches long. Submitted by, Sevgi Demircan Aygun, Ashland Park
congrats David kapustein David Receives Scholarship to NMMI David Kapustein of Dahlia Park has been accepted, and received a scholarship, to attend the prestigious New Mexico Military Institute. David enters this summer as a high school freshman and member of the class of 2020. David, who graduates from middle school at Leadership Preparatory Academy in Kirkland, participates in rock climbing, is a ranked purple belt in karate and was recognized on the honor roll. Submitted by Kimberly Kapustein
jim halas retires Jim Halas Retires from Boeing After over 33 years of working at The Boeing Company, Jim Halas of Dahlia Park decided in April it was time to retire. He has had an amazing career working on several exciting programs including space flight, military aircraft, satellites, homeland security, and communications. Now it’s time for him to begin a new adventure - - or not. He gets to decide! Submitted by Carol Halas
rest in peace rick gresham Rick Gresham, an eight-year resident of Magnolia Park, took his life on December 30, 2016. He was 37. Rick was born on January 30th, 1979. He was an avid lover of animals. He campaigned against horse meat trade in Mexico. And he played a critical role in saving the dogs of the Olympic Animal “Sanctuary” case, creating a petition to Governor Inslee that won with 9,106 supporters. Rick’s words on change.org, “Due to the support and the pressure that was put on the owner of Olympic Animal Sanctuary, Steve Markwell, the dogs have been given to a new care facility and they are all looking really good. Thanks to all the supporters who signed the petition and who stood up and talked for these beautiful animals.” Rick loved nature and hiking and was a talented graphic and web designer. He touched many lives. Rick had a sad childhood but he was a fighter. Rick as dearly loved by his friends, who found him inspiring. He is survived by his dogs, Maya and Babas. He will not be forgotten. Submitted by Saikat Sen
Issaquah Highlands Connections
June 2017 •
DIRECTORY
ISSAQUAH HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
HIGHLANDS COUNCIL MAIN PHONE: 425-507-1107 IssaquahHighlands.com
MAIN PHONE: 425-427-9257 | AFTER HOURS: 425-223-8887
Responsible for:
IssaquahHighlands.com Responsible for:
Property Management Enforcement of CCRs, Rules, Regs Architectural Review Common Area Landscape
Funded by:
Annual IHCA Assessments Neighborhood Assessments
Governing Body
Board of Directors ihcaboard @ihcommunity.org Jim Young, President Rossie Cruz, Vice President Dan Vradenburg, Treasurer Walt Bailey, Secretary Jim Noel , Director Ellina Charipova, 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 Collene Cordova, Owner Services Coordinator collene.c@ihcommunity.org, 425-507-1134 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
HIGHLANDS FIBER NETWORK
Blakely Hall 2550 NE Park Drive Monday–Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
1011 NE High Street Suite 210 Monday–Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm
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 Ami Desai-Mehta, Member Philip Nored, Secretary Ray Besharati, Treasurer Jody Turner, Member Fred Nystrom, Member
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
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
Nina Milligan, Communications Manager nina.m@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1111 Brianna Eigner, Blakely Hall Marketing Manager & Special Event Consultant brianna.e@ihcouncil.org, 425-507-1107 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
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
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
Weekly E-Letter: Sign up at issaquahhighlands.com
RENTAL FACILITIES
Blakely Hall
Award-winning Blakely Hall has a feeling and comfort of a lodge. It is a wonderful place for parties with 70 or more guests, fund raisers, galas, and any type of reception. Blakely Hall can accommodate up to 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.
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 is published by the Highlands Council. Our mission is to foster the development of a vibrant and caring community committed to service, diversity, and well-being. Connections is printed and mailed every month to every Issaquah Highlands residence as well as local Issaquah residents and businesses. For article submissions and advertising sales, contact Nina Milligan at nina.m@ihcouncil.org or 425-507-1111 Size Mini (text only): 3” x 3”
$75
Rectangle Vert: 3” x 4.625”
$150
Rectangle Horz: 4.625” x 3”
$150
Square: 4.625” x 4.625”
$195
Quarter Page: 4.625” x 6.25”
$275
Half Page Vert: 4.625” x 13”
$495
Half Page Horz: 9.625” x 6.25”
$495
Full Page: 9.625” x 13”
$950
Discounts available with 3 and 6 month contracts.
We reserve the right to accept or refuse submissions and edit to content and length. We also reserve the right to refuse advertising that in our opinion does not reflect the standards of the newspaper. Opinions or expressed either by paid advertisement or editorial content do not necessarily reflect the views of Highlands Council or this newspaper. Ads are due by the first Friday of the month for the following month’s publication. For best results with newspaper printing: • Please avoid small text in color or reversed out of color. • Do not use a built black of CMYK combined. Instead, please setup all black as “K” only. • Convert all RGB files to CMYK before creating PDF. • 85 line screen and 300 dpi for photos. • All process color ads should be converted to CMYK. • Acceptable art for use by our production department includes TIFF, JPEG or PDF files. • Convert all Photoshop files to JPEG or TIFF before sending. • DO NOT send Quark, Illustrator, Publisher or other native files. Content and advertising in Connections does not necessarily reflect the opinions/views of the Highlands Council or staff.
On-line advertising available
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Issaquah Highlands Connections