Plateau Living Januar y 2016
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Meet the Lan Family: They’re Smitten with Sammamish Photography Courtesy of Barbara Roser Photography
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Plateau Living
January
Awesome experience. Everyone is super nice and Dr. Chen is very gentle, explains everything and most of all does a great job! The best dentist I have ever had. —Michael H
Experience the difference at Pine Lake Family Dentistry
Exceptional Care. Convenient Location. Professional Options.
Dr. Susan Chen
2908 228th Avenue SE | Suite A | Sammamish, WA 98075 | 425-391-9414 | www.pinelakefamilydentistry.com
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January Plateau Living
Chip Perrault
Monique Verger-Perrault
Chip@MVP4Homes.com 425-765-2447
International Previews Property Specialist Monique@MVP4Homes.com 425-985-4696
As we all strive to find purpose, Chip and I will donate a portion of our 2016 commissions to Escape to Peace
Escape to Peace is an organization which fights exploitation of children across America. Youth sold for sex is a $42 Billion per year global industry. Seattle is the third largest city for human trafficking in the United States. Escape to Peace is taking action to aid these victims by spreading awareness and taking action through education for prevention and detection. We wish you all a prosperous and safe New Year. Chip and Monique
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION visit info@escapetopeace.com
NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING 1-888-373-7888 Text BEFREE or 233733
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Plateau Living
www.n2pub.com
January
I M P O R TA N T P H O N E N U M B E R S
© 2016 Neighborhood Networks Publishing, Inc.
PUBLISHER Anne Wilcox 425-757-0706 Anne.Wilcox@n2pub.com ASSISTANT PUBLISHER Kevin Batchelor 425-200-8258 Kevin.Batchelor@n2pub.com
EMERGENCY 911
Emergency
(425) 836-5674
Police
(425) 313-3200
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(800) 222-1222
National Poison Control Center
(425) 836-5674
Police Dispatch – Non Emergency UTILITIES
EDITOR Diane Meehl Diane.meehl@n2publishing.com
(425) 455-5120
Puget Sound Energy
(877) 824-2288
Comcast Cable/Internet
(425) 392-6256
Sammamish Plateau Water & Sewer
(800) 592-9995
Waste Management of WA SnoKing
CONTENT SUPPORT Betsy Matias SCHOOLS
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Diane Meehl Malia Nakamura Claire Wright Dr. Lisa Chen Ilse Burch Jenni Hart Danowski CREATIVE TEAM Grant McGugin Heather Mcilrath Jenna Wood Tanya Wright
(425) 837-7700
Skyline High School
(425) 936-1500
Eastlake High School
(425) 295-3000
Eastside Catholic
(425) 837-4150
Beaver Lake Middle School
(425) 837-5700
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(425) 295-3000
Eastside Catholic
(425) 837-7400
Sunny Hills Elementary School
(425) 837-5500
Cascade Ridge Elementary School
(425) 936-2750
Rachel Carson Elementary School CITY NUMBERS
HAVE YOU STORED WATER FOR EMERGENCIES?
6 6 6 6 6
Store one gallon per person per day Store enough for 3 days or more Approved water jugs are best Bottled water is also good Change every 6 months to keep fresh
spwsd.org
(425) 295-0500
Sammamish City Hall
(425) 295-0730
Sammamish Parks & Recreation COUNTY NUMBERS
(206) 296-4692
Hazardous Waste Center, Household Information
(206) 296-PETS
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(206) 296-PETS
King County Pets Lost and Found
(360) 705-7000
WSDOT Road Conditions
We are always looking for residents to follow up on leads, find great stories and send us ideas. Let’s celebrate the great things happening in our community! No contribution is too small. Please email diane.meehl@n2publishing.com with your pictures, suggestions, or requests. DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of N2 Publishing but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Plateau Living magazine are not endorsed or recommended by N2 Publishing or the publisher. Therefore, neither N2 Publishing nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies. NOTE: When community events take place, photographers may be present to take photos for that event and they may be used in this publication.
January Plateau Living
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NeighborhoodSponsors
Plateau Living
This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for a trusted neighborhood vendor to use. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the businesses sponsoring Plateau Living . These local businesses are proud to partner with you and make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and thank them for supporting Plateau Living!
AUTO DEALER / SERVICE Acura of Bellevue 13424 NE 20th St. Bellevue, WA 98005 (425) 644-3000
CUSTOM BUILDER / REMODELER Rainier Custom Homes (360) 802-0981 www.rainiercustomhomes. com
AUTOMOTIVE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR Integrity Automotive Maintenance and Repair 80 NE Gilman Blvd Issaquah, WA 98027 (425) 557-8665 www.integrityautorepair.com
DENTISTRY / COSMETIC, FAMILY, AND GENERAL Issaquah Highlands Dentistry 2520 NE Park Drive, Suite C Issaquah, WA 98029 (425) 642-0003 www.ihdentistry.com
CAKES Nothing Bundt Cakes 775 NW Gilman Blvd #C-2 Issaquah, WA 98027 (425) 786-4068 www.nothingbundtcakes. ccom
Pine Lake Family Dentistry 2908 228th Ave SE, Suite A Sammamish, WA 98075 (425) 391-9414 www.pinelakefamilydentistry. com EDUCATION TUTORING & TEST PREPARATION The Tutoring Center (425) 202-7306 sammamish.tutoringcenter. com
FINANCIAL ADVISOR Edward Jones, Corynne Wiediger 3302 E. Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE Sammamish, WA 98075 (425) 837-4686 www.edwardjones.com HOSPITAL Swedish Hospital / Issaquah 751 NE Blakely Dr Issaquah, WA 98029 (425) 313-4000 www.swedish.org / locations / issaquah-campus JEWELRY STORE Plateau Jewelers 2830 228th Ave SE, Suite B Sammamish, WA 98075 (425) 313-0657 www.plateaujewelers.com
KIDS ACTIVITIES Adventure Kids Playcare 775 NW Gilman Blvd C-3 Issaquah, WA 98027 (425) 391-5358 www.adventurekidsplaycare. com LANDSCAPE DESIGNBUILDMAINTENANCE Bear Creek Landscapes (425) 222-9222 www.bearcreeklandscapes.net MEDICAL SPA Gilman Facial Aesthetics (425) 413-1418 www.mdcote.net MORTGAGE Caliber Home Loans - Jenny Boyce 11255 Kirkland Way Kirkland, WA 98033 (425) 605-3141 www.jennyboyce.com
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NeighborhoodSponsors
January Plateau Living
MORTGAGE LENDER Sammamish Mortgage 3015 112th Ave NE Ste 214 Bellevue, WA 98004 (425) 401-8787 www.sammamishmortgage. com NATURAL MEDICINE Naturomedica 1220 10th Ave NE Issaquah, WA 98029 (425) 587-8900 www.naturomedica.com ORTHODONTICS Hawkins Orthodontics 4540 Klahanie Dr. SE Issaquah, WA 98029 (425) 557-8100 www.hawkinsortho.com ORTHODONTICS / INVISALIGN Tingey Orthodontics 22516 SE 64th Place Issaquah, WA 98027 (425) 392-9224 www.tingeyortho.com ORTHODONTIST CPM Orthodontics 22731 SE 29th St. Sammamish, WA 98075 (425) 392-7533 www.cpmortho.com
PAINT & PAINT SUPPLIES Bellevue Paint and Decor 612 228th Ave NE Sammamish, WA 98074 (425) 454-7509 www.bellevuepaint.com PET FOOD AND ACCESSORIES Civilized Nature 1527 Highlands Dr. NE #110 Issaquah, WA 98029 (425) 868-3737 www.civilizednature.com PHOTOGRAPHER Barbara Roser Photography (425) 391-9371 www.roserphotography.com PHYSICAL THERAPY Pine Lake Physical Therapy 2850 228th Ave SE, Suite B Sammamish, WA 98075 (425) 391-4488 www.pinelakept.com PHYSICAL THERAPY / SPORTS PERFORMANCE G2 Sports Therapy 486 228th Ave NE Sammamish, WA 98074 (425) 836-8444 www.G2Sports.net
PRIVATE SCHOOL Bellevue Christian School 1601 98th Ave NE Clyde Hill, WA 98004 (425) 454-4402 www.bellevuechristian.org PRIVATE SCHOOLS The Bear Creek School (425) 898-1720 www.tbcs.org REAL ESTATE Debbie Kinson - Windermere Real Estate (425) 392-6600 www.debbiekinson.withwre. com Kritsonis and Lindor 14405 SE 36th St., Suite 100 Bellevue, WA 98006 (425) 643-5500 www.karllindor.com Monique Verger-Perrault 150 Bellevue Way SE Bellevue, WA 98004 (425) 985-4696 www.mvp4homes.com The Saint-Moawad Team Bob Moawad (425) 557-1539 www.bmoawad.johnlscott. com
The Saint-Moawad Team Simona Saint (425) 250-1100 www.simonasaint.johnlscott. com WATER DISTRICT Sammamish Water and Sewer District 1510 228th Ave SE Sammamish, WA 98075 (425) 392-6256 www.spwsd.org
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Plateau Living
January
Publisher’s
Design Build Maintain Renovate 9
January Plateau Living
Dear Plateau Living Readers,
2016 has arrived! Have you made your list of resolutions? If one of them is to understand a bit more about curriculum and Common Core, Nigar Sulmean’s got some important resources to share. Diane Meehl dishes about her plans to slack a bit more, and it is our joy to introduce you to the Lan family. Their modern romance story started with an old-world love for our country. Now they’re making beautiful music (and a wooden sailboat) together! Plus, Dr. Susan Chen shares why when we’re looking out for our health, we can’t forget about our teeth. (Spoiler alert: don’t skip flossing!) As always, we’re grateful to our sponsors for keeping our publications complimentary to our readers. On that note, be sure to check out our story about Bellevue Christian School!
Cheers to a healthful and prosperous New Year,
Anne Wilcox
Publisher, Plateau Living Anne.wilcox@n2pub.com 425-757-0706
For more visit our Facebook page, Plateau Living magazine, and join the conversation!
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Plateau Living
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NeighborhoodNews
January Plateau Living
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Dish Suburban
By: Diane Meehl
RESOLUTION: REST, RELAX, REPEAT Stop the presses.
80 NE GILMAN BLVD ISSAQUAH, WA 98027 www.IntegrityAutoRepair.com 425-557-8665
Complete Automotive Maintenance & Repair FROM SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE TO TIRE SALES AND SERVICE, LOANER CARS AND A LIFETIME PARTS AND LABOR WARRANTY, INTEGRITY TAKES CARE OF YOU.
I just spent a weekend doing, well, nothing. Really — nothing. Of course I made breakfast for my family and kept the laundry and dishes going and nudged my kids to do their homework. Because life will always demand we keep a few things in forward motion. But otherwise, I turned into a bonafide slacker. And it was awesome. And luscious. And wonderful — except it felt like I was breaking the law! It shouldn’t have, but it did. I slept in. Read deliciously from all the stuff I love — books, magazines, blogs, and a trusty devotional, the pages of which should be more thumbed down than they are. I took a lazy walk with the dogs. I told the dust bunnies to pound sand, didn’t care that the kid’s rooms looked ransacked, talked on the phone, and indulged in a thick cupcake. To top it off, Hubby and I escaped for date night and styed out so late we didn’t make it to church the next day. (OK, maybe I took it a little too far. Of course now I will know if my pastor really reads my columns!) Why is it so hard to slack off a little? I don’t know about you, but I notice the new competition has something to do with the pace you keep. If you’re uber busy, you’re winning. If you have to schedule a night out with friends three months in advance because work, your kids’ activities and your volunteer commitments keep you busier than a presidential candidate, it might be time for you, too, to enjoy the benefits of slacking. It feels normal to me to keep going like the Energizer Bunny. And it’s only when I dare to stop I realize what it’s doing to me.
According to a local therapist, January is a busy month in the Pacific Northwest for counselors. And there could be so many reasons for that — a few months with little exposure to sunshine, post-holiday blues. But these are hard times, and almost everyone I know experiences chronic stress and fatigue. The parenting years will do that to many of us, but I think everyone gets caught up in the frenetic pace. And we’re passing that stress along to our kids, too. Even social media weighs in with memes such as, “Stop the Glorification of Busy.” It may seem impossible to let anything parse down the schedule, but I do think we can make a resolution this year to “pencil in” some slacking. After my weekend of slothing around, I noticed something. I felt really, really good. Centered. Balanced. I dove into my workweek with more energy. I felt less overwhelmed. I’m not saying I can make a regular practice of it, but every now and again, a lazy hour, day, or even weekend of hanging out by the fire and watching the world go by can be downright productive.
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Plateau Living
January
January Plateau Living
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By: Diane Meehl Photography Courtesy of Barbara Roser Photography
In addition to secrets to work and family balance, I get a tiny history lesson.
T
he baby grand piano that graces the living room in their sleepy Sammamish home tells a story in its own. For Lisa Lan, whose family immigrated to the U.S. when she was just five, the ivories symbolize dreams come true. Her family’s humble means meant they couldn’t afford more than just an electric keyboard when she was growing up, and she always wanted the real thing.
Sammamish: Pride and Progress Andrew’s grandfather moved to from China to Seattle back in 1956 during the war, himself a professor at Seattle University. He brought over his entire family to U.S. soil by 1961, including 9 children, and then passed away in 1964. “But he died having lived his dream, to bring his family here,” says Andrew. His own father was educated University of Washington, majoring in Computer Science. His parents decided they could pay for private school in the city, or take advantage of the public education system in the suburbs. In 1986 they purchased a home on Beaver Lake his parents still own. “My mom can tell you about when there was just one stoplight in town,” says Andrew.
“I never took piano lessons before. I taught myself how to play when I was around 7 or 8 years old. Then right around 7th grade, I started to learn the violin at school.” She’s been playing ever since for her own joy, and wants to share it with Alex, her 3-year-old son. “I’ve been teaching Alex how to play the c major scale and showing him where the middle c is. I plan to get Alex a piano teacher who can provide proper lessons, and I hope he enjoys music as much as I do, and that he’ll like the piano and violin,” Lisa tells.
Andrew attended Sunny Hills Elementary and Issaquah High School, and growing up spent a lot of time outdoors. “We just rode bikes and played by the water; and we explored the construction sites,” he said. “There were ducks and deer everywhere,” he said. “Back then you could still buy property here at a reasonable rate… it was quiet, and you could leave he doors unlocked.” Lisa and Andrew married in 2011 at Mary Queen of Peace. “Actually we were active in that church before it even had a building. The main Catholic Church at the time was St. Joe’s in Issaquah. But as the plateau grew, they started another congregation that met at the Lutheran Bible Institute, which became the YMCA, now City Church. Mary Queen of Peace had a building campaign in the late ‘90s,” he recalls.
Along with her husband, Andrew, theirs is a modern love story with ties to history both local and international. While we talk, Alex hands me his tiny superheroes while they laugh about how they met back in 2004 through a dating website — Asian Avenue. “I told her about my skills as a handyman, so she said, ‘Well, I have this problem; my sink smells like sewage!’” So he fixed her sink and won her heart. Their easy banter fills the room. During our visit, Andrew shows me further evidence of his prowess with tools. It’s been languishing in the garage — a stunning wooden sailboat, beautifully crafted and flanked by bits and pieces of materials, tools and toys. “It was supposed to be a 3-month project, but it’s turned into a 3-year project!” “This is just the kind of thing we don’t have much time for anymore.” But he’s determined to see it through.
Meet Your
Neighbors Smitten with Sammamish: Making Sweet Music With The Lan Family
Andrew has seen some change over the years, some of which aren’t always welcome by the community. “But it’s the price of progress; it’s why we have the great schools we have. Sammamish is a great place to live. You hear people complaining about traffic, but we’re lucky to have those kinds of problems ... People complain about Sammamish changing, but we live in cookie-cutter tract houses that were developed when homesteaders left the area, so we’re a part of that change. But those are all first–world problems. We’re blessed to live here!”
Lisa: From Bullied School Girl to Grown Up Professional Andrew: A Company Man Lisa’s family moved to New York City from Taiwan when she was just 5, and coping with the language barrier was a challenge. She
lived in Brooklyn, and was often the only Asian in the classroom. “I was bullied a lot; I very much felt like a minority.” It’s something she worries about with their son. “I try to be a good role model for him.” “I had a tough time in New York City, but once I moved to Seattle in high school it was a lot friendlier.” Lisa graduated from University of Washington and decided to travel abroad to gain experience working first with International Trading Company. “I traveled to China and Taiwan and southwest Asia. It was a great experience, but I felt like my heart was in Seattle.” So she headed back and landed in Bellevue for a time. Today, Lisa is an Account Manager for F5 Networks, a technology company headquartered in Seattle, which specializes in application delivery. “F5 helps organizations seamlessly scale cloud, data center, and software-defined networking deployments to successfully deliver applications to anyone, anywhere, at any time,” says Lisa, her pride palatable. Andrew found college at University of Washington a bit overwhelming. He left and earned his degree at Bellevue College, then went to work at Microsoft as a software tester, where he’s been for 15 years. “I liked a smaller environment better,” he said. Today he’s a software engineer in MSIT, still with the company he loves. Both say this is a welcoming, safe area rich in diversity, which is why they also chose to enroll Alex — who so patiently waits his turn to chat — into a bilingual school.
The Best of Both Worlds: Baby’s First Bi-lingual School As fulltime working parents, childcare was a critical component of work life balance. The couple to chose to enroll Alex in an in-home bilingual preschool two days each week, where he has the opportunity to connect with other children and learn Mandarin Chinese. I wonder how he’s adapted to both languages. The Lans family speaks English at home, mostly they admit, because their Chinese isn’t polished. “He’s so good at both languages, he corrects us!” the two laugh. They enjoy a special sense of community there too, where families talk to each other and offer encouragement through an APP called “WeChat,” and gather for potluck dinners. Alex spends the other three days a week with his grandmother, who lives in Sammamish and speaks to Alex mostly in Chinese. “They have a great bond; we were even able to take a 7-day vacation while he stayed with her.” A win-win all around! continued...
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Plateau Living
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NeighborhoodNews
January Plateau Living
Secrets to a Successful Union: Support, and Sleeping on the Ground Lisa and Andrew say they find common ground together in work, life and play. “We’re both very independent people,” said Andrew. “We listen and support each other,” says Lisa. They both love to hike and name many beloved local trails, including Poo Poo Point, Snoqualmie Falls and Cougar Mountain. But for Andrew, sleeping close to the ground helps him connect with the peace and solace he craves.
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Stocked with just the basic necessities, Andrew spends his alone time exploring the outdoors. Recently he made a lone weekend trek through the Pacific Crest Trail. “It’s just me, alone with my thoughts. I don’t even have a book sometimes.” He’s learned something about minimalism. “You don’t need much, just food and water and a place to sleep. All the other stuff is just extras … when you really get down to it.” Good thing he can return to the comforts of home, and the project that keeps calling his name out in the garage!
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NeighborhoodNews
Plateau Living
January
January Plateau Living
Bellevue Christian School: 65 years Of Preparing Students To Live Fully In A Changing World By: Jenni Hart Danowski
“As a private Christian school, our mission is to prepare young people to live fully for God in a rapidly changing world,” says Kyla. “With that, we use a comprehensive Christian education that teaches students how to think and approach real life as a Christian, rather than telling them what to think,” she adds. This whole worldview gives the school’s students the values and tools needed to be in the real world as a Christian. “We also help them learn how to use their gifts to serve God during and after high school,” she stresses. Bel-
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all the way through to present day,” she adds. “I chose Bellevue Christian School for my kids mainly because of my experience there--the lasting friendships, the community of parents and parent involvement, and the teachers. In fact, my girls have had some of the same teachers that I had!” she laughs.
Sponsor spotlight Bellevue Christian School is celebrating its 65th year, so we thought it was a great time to spotlight the school and what it has meant in the lives of some of its alumni and their children. It was founded by Al Greene, Jr., and his brother Joseph in 1950. The school opened in 1950. “When it opened in the fall of 1950, nine students were enrolled (five of them had the surname Greene). It was housed in the basement of the Juanita Community Church building, which is still standing,” says Kyla De Wit, Communications Design and Alumni Specialist for the school. By the end of the year, the school had grown to 16 students and went from 1st through 8th grade. Since then, the school has grown to include preschool through 12th grade, and currently serves 1,101 students.
NeighborhoodNews
levue Christian’s comprehensive curricular and co-curricular program includes fine, graphic, and performance arts…athletics…student senate…AP courses…and an integrated service program. More than fifty international students attend the school while living with home-stay families. “While we do have a separate Bible class, the Christian perspective infiltrates the entire curriculum taught here,” says Kyla. While the school challenges its students academically, it also places a high value on providing additional resources so that every student can succeed, no matter what their level of academic skill. For this reason, they offer Student Academic Services for those who might be struggling in an academic area, as well as an Enrichment Program for those who need to be challenged further. As a result, Bellevue Christian’s graduating students had a 98% acceptance rate into the University of Washington last fall, and 98% of last year’s high school graduates are currently enrolled in four-year colleges or specialty schools. With a student/teacher ratio of 14.5 students to one teacher for their junior and senior high classes, it’s easy to see why students do well here. More importantly, though, it seems to be the core values of Bellevue Christian that really transform the students and their
families. These values are based on the Four R’s: Redemptive Faith--Preparing students to respond to God and human need Rigorous Academics--Challenging students through academically demanding programs that develop critical thinking and compel action Relational Community--Giving and receiving loving support through a community of loving families Relevant Transformation--Developing lifelong learners to become Christian leaders wherever God calls them to serve Perhaps the best way to get a feeling for what this school means to those who pass through its doors is to hear from some of its families. Jennifer Spencer says, “I graduated from Bellevue Christian School in 1985. The most important part about the school for our family has been the sense of community over the years, and definitely the Christian-based education that both myself and my girls have and are receiving.” As for how the school has prepared her for life, she says, “I feel that the Christian-based education I received here has helped me tremendously, even going off to a public college,” she says. “It prepared me academically, as I excelled in college, and the friendships that I established in high school followed me
Ryan, Jennifer, and Andrew
Her friendship with Andrew Erisman is one of those lasting friendships. “I was in the class of 1985, and Bellevue Christian helped prepare me for life in a few different ways. Certainly, the relationships and friendships that I had from the school were very important. That sense of community and relationship building I have carried into my life as an adult and a parent. On the academic side, I feel that the education was very good. I went on to graduate from the University of Washington, and am currently a partner in a private wealth management firm in Seattle,” he says. He and his wife also made the decision to send their boys here. “We have two sons--one who has graduated and one who is in eighth grade now--and we’ve seen them grow in very different ways. My older son needed more of the community and social support, which allowed him to become a real leader. With my younger son, the social part was not the problem. What he needed was more help on the educational side. In both cases, we’ve seen great strides and progress from their attending Bellevue Christian School,” he stresses. Ryan Olson graduated in 1985, and remains friends with both Jennifer and Andrew. “What I gained from Bellevue Christian School is a sense of community and core relationships that I’ve been able to develop over my career as a commercial real estate broker at Wallace Properties in Bellevue. The value of a Christian education is that we learn to apply Christian principals to our everyday lives,” he says. His wife, Angelina, did not attend Bellevue Christian herself, but feels that having her children here has made her a better person as well. “Bellevue Christian School has been an amazing experience for our family and our children because the staff really looks at the unique gifts that each one of our three kids have, and helps them develop into the people they are today. I’ve become a better person as well, because of the community that Bellevue Christian offers,” she says. All three alumni have loved watching their kids enjoy the same experience they all had at Bellevue Christian. “It’s been great to be back hanging out with our friends from high school and seeing our kids have that same experience in school,” says Andrew. “It’s really unique, and we’ve told this story to lots of other parents.” Bellevue Christian School, 1601 98th Avenue NE, Clyde Hill, WA 98004, (425) 454-4028. For more information, go to www.bellevuechristian.org.
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NeighborhoodNews
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January Plateau Living
In September of 2015, parents were invited to the Issaquah School District boardroom to preview three curriculums under consideration by the Board. These included Eureka Math, My Math, and Math Expressions, selected for their alignment with Common Core guidelines. Officials present at the event answered questions and shared information about the district’s plan to field test these curriculums during fall. Parents were free to ask questions that district officials took time to answer. While parents were invited to preview the curriculums, they will not be part of the decision making process. Out of these, the neighboring Bellevue School District has implemented the Math Expressions curriculum for the last few years.
Education
In order to assist parents in understanding and keeping pace with changes brought about by Common Core, abundant community and local resources are available. The Issaquah and Lake Washington school districts offer detailed information on district websites.
Curriculum Across The Issaquah District: One Curious Parent’s Overview
By: Nigar Suleman
I
did not receive my elementary or secondary education in the American School System, and so, I am filled with curiosity about its workings, particularly with regard to curriculum. As a mom of three kids at different learning stages, I found myself taking a keen interest in specific instructional materials and the larger philosophy behind educational curriculum as my kids progressed through elementary school and beyond. The first compelling topic that caught my attention is one to which many parents can probably relate — Math. The Everyday Math Curriculum is hands-on and experience-based, drawing lessons from numbers occurring in real life. The part that struck me was its lack of depth and emphasis on mastery through practice. Since I had studied the Singapore Math Curriculum through elementary and secondary school, it could be that I was bringing a bias in making this determination. This was around the time Washington adopted the Common Core Standards and I began my journey to understand the curriculum being followed in Issaquah and the surrounding school districts.
MATH: Parents Get a Chance to Preview Curriculum that Gets to the (Common) Core Since the adoption of Common Core by the State of Washington in 2011, concerted and focused efforts toward implementation have been led by the Office of Superintendent of Public instruction. The Common Core Standards were fully implemented in the 2013-14 school year and the first tests (Smarter Balanced Assessment) were administered in 2015. One of the challenges faced by school districts has been to determine whether existing academic curriculums fulfill and enable Common Core goals. The Issaquah School District has been actively evaluating the elementary math curriculum. In any case the Everyday Math curriculum was up for re-adoption. Criticism of Everyday Math was based on the premise that it focused more on breadth, rather than depth of materials. Common Core Math standards address that directly.
In addition, there are some local organizations that have in depth and comprehensive information regarding all aspects of the common core standards. These organizations provide information and data on the actual standards, implementation, and cost of adoption and even describe the rationale and process utilized to formulate the standards. Among these are Ready Washington, corestandards.org and Council for Great City Schools. Now that the first set of SBA scores are in, greatschools.org has a detailed and grade specific guide on how to interpret the scores and enable children to specifically benefit from them.
RESOURCES for your Own “Homework” As parents, we too, are experiencing a learning curve with helping our young scholars make the transition to Common Core. One of the most effective ways to support our children is to become familiar with these new standards. Scholastic has an excellent section on their website dedicated to transitions and problems experienced by students and parents. The Common Core standards have been developed with the goal of achieving long-term academic outcomes (college and career readiness in a global economy) in mind. So the Issaquah and Lake Washington School districts will need to have an
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ongoing re-evaluation of their current curriculum practices in order to ensure that instructional materials are meeting new goals. Hopefully, parents will continue to be invited for reviews, and perhaps, weigh in. The resource that I found particularly helpful as a starting point for those looking for a more in-depth approach was step-bystep break down of how the standards are being viewed and what they really are. This was published by the Council of the Great City Schools in the form of a Myth vs. Fact analysis about Common Core. It addresses common misperceptions about content, implementation, process and formulation. Most importantly, it emphasizes that teacher autonomy will be decisive in how to best help students reach the standards. They will establish what students need to learn but will not dictate how teachers need to teach. Now that Common Core Standards with their emphasis on mastering complex content and higher-level thinking have been adopted, we can look forward to a more dynamic approach that focuses more on positive outcomes. There will be some adjustment in the beginning as here in Washington we are seeing lower scores in comparison to higher scores previously seen in WASL. This is mainly because testing is more rigorous. Now, it’s time to do your homework, parents! http://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/map-commoncore-2015-test-results.html#ca Ready Washington: www.readywa.org Common Core State Standards Initiative: www.corestandards.org Council for Great City Schools: www.cgcs.org Scholastic: www.commoncore.scholastic.com/parents Nigar Suleman is an attorney currently focusing on raising a middle schooler, a 4th grader, and a preschooler. She is passionate about early childhood and elementary education and enjoys reading and cooking with her family.
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who played for UW. She's shown me how setting takes more than skill and height; that playing with heart and passion can separate the good setters from the great.”
SET, SPIKE, SCORE! Eastside Catholic’s Kyana Harris Towers Above the Rest By: Claire Wright
athletes of the MONTH GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL: SHOOTING FOR THE MOON Volleyball is nothing if not a team sport. It takes expert communication, dedication and a competitive spirit to build a cohesive unit. Check out what lessons three fierce athletes had to share about the sport they love. Ready, set…
Since stepping out on the volleyball court as an eighth grader, Eastside Catholic High School Senior, Kyana Harris, hasn’t put the ball down. Committed to playing volleyball at the College of Wooster, this setter has aced the world of high school volleyball and now has playing at the college level on her horizon. Of playing volleyball at Wooster, Harris says, “Playing in college has been a goal of mine for so long, so it means so much to both my family and me.” Kyana began playing only a short while ago, but her ability to channel her inspirations has lead her to prestigious titles, like winning second team metros last year, first team all league metros this year, and MVP in the 2015 state tournament. In volleyball, the success of a team relies on great team collaboration. Kyana has always felt connected to her team. She loves working together and feeding off her teammates’ strengths to build the powerhouse that the Eastside Catholic High School varsity volleyball team is today. “When I was a freshman, and I swung on varsity, the class of '13 seniors definitely impacted me the most. Three of the girls ended up playing division one volleyball and they were the ones who I idolized and looked up to. They showed me what it took to be a successful player.”
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What do you do for practice?
“Every day at practice I set a goal for my team and myself and try to achieve it through hard work and leadership. Getting as many touches at practice as I can also prepares me for my matches best.” Have you traveled anywhere for this sport?
“In the US, I've traveled to California, Nevada, Oregon, Kentucky, Florida, and Texas. I've also traveled to Vancouver in Canada, and Belo Horizante in Brazil.” What is your favorite memory out of all your years of playing?
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ters and getting excited after big plays.” What do you plan on doing after graduating?
“I plan on attending The College of Wooster, majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Spanish. I don't plan on focusing on volleyball as a career but I definitely see myself possibly coaching a team down the road. I love volleyball too much to give it up.”
“My favorite memory playing would have to either be the regional champions when I was 15, or my senior night game this year.” What have you learned from participating in this sport?
“I have learned how to lead my team and to that to be successful, you have to play as a team.”
Claire Wright is a National Honor Society student at Eastside Catholic High School. She is Miss Washington Teen USA 2016 and plans to become a broadcast journalist.
What do you like most about volleyball?
“My favorite part about volleyball is playing as a team and having a common goal to win. I love connecting with my hit-
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C R E AT I N G C U S T O M E R S F O R L I F E
Kyana saw the hard work her teammates put into succeeding and decided that she wanted that success for herself as well, and that decision has made all the difference.
Q&A with Kyana: Who do you idolize in this sport?
“I idolize Courtney Thompson, the U.S. Olympic team setter
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port and top rival Skyline the same day. “We hadn’t beaten them in at least five years,” she said, “and it was just a surreal experience, running and jumping together after that win.”
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THE END OF THE BEGINNING — Skyline’s Kate Richardson’s High School Volleyball Career By: Malia Nakamura
For many seniors, their high school sporting careers are coming to a bittersweet end. Kate Richardson, the sole senior on the Skyline High School Volleyball team, is one of them. Playing since she was in third grade, Kate has always considered volleyball to be an integral part of her life. “I was a young’un when I started. My mom played in college, and she tried out for the Olympic team, so I was always inspired by her.” When Kate moved to Sammamish her freshman year of high school, she was immediately placed on the varsity team. “First day of tryouts, I got moved up to varsity. I was the only freshman, and I was the youngest on the team, up until this year.” A team previously populated nearly entirely by seniors, the Skyline Girls Volleyball team experienced a drastic change during the 2015 season. “We were definitely the underdogs as a team full of sophomores, and only two juniors; all the other schools had a leg up on us.” Being the only senior on the team, Kate learned to be a leader, as well as how to encourage her teammates and to mediate conflict. “I never used to be any sort of leader at all. I’ve learned to speak up and to keep the team positive, and I’ve learned to resolve issues and help girls out.” Kate’s resilience was tested last
EASTLAKE’S MAKENNA DAHL: The Joy of Rising up from an Underdog Season By: Diane Meehl
Co-Captain & Right Side Hitter of the Girl’s Volleyball Team at Eastlake, MaKenna Dahl, says it was tough when her team lost the state competition in November. Still, they’d tasted their own sweet victory born of rising from the ashes.
year when a torn rotator cuff put her out for the season. “I took last year off because of a shoulder injury; I almost had to have surgery on it.” Despite this, Kate returned to the court, stronger than before, and with valuable advice. “I think it’s taught me that if you get down, volleyball is a team sport, and if one person is out of their game, you have to lift them up.” With the help of Kate’s leadership and a great team atmosphere, the team made it to State playoffs. Despite being labeled as underdogs, the team exceeded expectations. “The season started off a little rocky, but the more we got over obstacles, the more we gelled as a team.” Kate is hopeful for the future of her team, and that her experiences as a leader will assist her in the club season. “I went to Ohio for nationals last year. We got 7th or 8th, which is pretty good for our team.” With this in mind, Kate looks forward to competing in the club season, as well in college. Throughout her time competing in volleyball, Kate kept a mantra that helped her maintain a positive mindset. “Shoot for the moon, and if you miss, you’ll land amongst the stars.”
Malia Nakamura is a Skyline High School senior who divides her time between presiding over her local DECA chapter, captaining the swim team, and managing her photography business. She hopes to pursue business and writing in college.
After a robust pre-season performance, they ushered in the season beating big rivals Newport and Bothell. Then, the momentum stopped. Eastlake didn’t win a single game the entire season, until the very end. They were tied for last with Woodinville when they banded together, determined to win. And they did. That game propelled them toward the KingCo tournaments. They lost the KingCo championship game after beating Skyline in Newport, but continued on and won a bid to state in bi-districts. They gave it their all, and beat both New-
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As it turned out, they lost the final game and didn’t take home the State title. But, McKenna said, the team had worked so hard, and risen from the ashes. So they ended the season with their own brand of victory. A senior and dual athlete who also participates in high jump in Track & Field, and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Both her parents were multi-sport college athletes, and her mom holds records in track at George Fox University in Oregon. McKenna first got involved in volleyball in 5th grade playing at the boys and girls club. She made the C team during her freshman year, and decided, “This was something I really wanted to do.” She got involved with club volleyball and played yearround, and made varsity in her junior year. “I love the competitiveness of volleyball,” she says. “It’s very much a team sport — you can’t do it alone. And that competitive edge is what pushes us to be great,” she said.
Q & A with MaKenna What does it take to get better at volleyball?
“I think its just dedication to the sport itself. You’ve got to put in the time, whether it’s putting in the extra time to go get an extra lift or your verticals or watching films — it’s not just the practices but putting in the extra time and effort.” Are there any special skills it takes to excel?
“Physically for me playing front row, my vertical jump is a big asset; plus as a team-mate, having good communica-
tion skills to be able to listen to the other teammates, to bond and become one As Co-Captain, what do you think it takes to be a great leader?
“To me personally, being a great leader is more than just being strong; it’s also what you do off the court that makes you a great leader. I want to be someone my teammates look up to. I want to be a positive light they need when they’re not at their best; I think it extends past just our team, too. It’s why I spend time with the C-team and JV team. When I see parents at the grocery store, I want them to remember me as someone who made an impact on their player. I want to be someone who helps everyone.” What lesson have you learned in volleyball that translates into the rest of your life?
“In volleyball you can only touch the ball three times on each play. So to me, it’s all about having a fluid communication between everyone on the team, and being able to understand people. I think the ability to communicate with people translates outside volleyball too.” Tell us about a coach you admire.
“Our coach, Janna Tonahill, works fulltime and has a little daughter too. But she puts in so much time and effort into getting to know the players and developing. I’m just very grateful to have had her as a coach.”
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Home Month of the
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Do you know a cool kid we should celebrate? Someone who is a great neighbor and good role model? Send your suggestions to: diane.meehl@n2publishing.com
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kids kids Meet Tanisha
This Cinema And Equestrian Enthusiast Says Blue Is Best NAME: Tanisha Aggarwal AGE: 10 GRADE: 5 SCHOOL (OPTIONAL): Challenger Elementary PARENTS/BROTHERS OR SISTERS: Radha and Naveen Aggarwal (Parents), Mahika (younger sister)
A Little About Me
What do you like most about your brother/s or sister/s? My sister is very funny and plays with me all the time. What are your hobbies, activities or interests? I like art, origami, Legos, horse riding and swimming. Who is your favorite author, performer or artist? My favorite author is Kate DiCamillo.
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What do you enjoy doing with your family? I love watching movies in theater and also going on long drive or shopping with my family.
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What kind of job would you like to have when you grow up? I want to be a teacher.
TANISHA’S FAVES: • • • • • • • •
Animal: Dogs Place to visit in Washington: Space Needle, Children Museum Book: Mercy Watson books Music: Any music Place to Eat Out: Chinese, Thai or Mexican restaurants Sports Team: Mariners Teacher: Ms. Favreau TV Show: Wild Kratz
If you could do one thing to change the world, what would it be? I would like more things to be blue.
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Who do you admire most and why? My teacher Ms. Favreau because she is so loving, fun and knowledgeable
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pets
precious
Meet Tiny: No Waffling – This Eggo Enthusiast Is One Great Dane! Family Member Names: Pankaj and Jacqueline Nauriyal Pet’s Name/Age/Breed: Tiny/ 3/ Great Dane/Female
How did Tiny come to join your family? My son, who was 15 at the time, wanted a Great Dane puppy, so we decided to get one. Is there a story behind your pet’s name? Not really. We just loved the name. We chose the name before we got her. Tell us an interesting or funny story about Tiny. Tiny sleeps in a giant kennel at night that had to be special ordered. She loves to eat Eggo waffles and listens for the toaster noise in the morning. Her passions are swimming and chasing bunnies. What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone considering this kind of pet? She is full of love and a lot of fun. She loves people, especially teenagers. If you get a Great Dane be prepared that they sit on the furniture like a human.
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Does your pet have a friend in the neighborhood, or does s/ he prefer a particular family member? Tiny loves my teenage boyus. She also likes to visit the other dogs at Beaver Lake Dog Park. Many people know her there. What’s your pet’s favorite food or treat? She loves cheese and Eggo waffles. Do you know a fun furry, feathered or scaled citizen we should celebrate? Send us your suggestion: diane.meehl@n2publishing.com
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N i g hOut t
He and Chef Marco Villareal make the perfect team. Marco was the lead sous chef at Local 360 for a year, and worked at other area restaurants, including Joey Restaurants and The Lodge Sports Grille, prior to that. “He understands the kind of locally sourced concept already, so it‘s part of his day to day mantra,” says Josh.
Neighbors
By Jenny Hart Danowski
LOCAL BURGER: MODERN BARN ATMOSPHERE; HOME ON THE RANCH FLAVOR The next time you crave the perfect juicy burger, a great beer, and some fantastic fries, stop in to Bellevue’s Local Burger on Main Street. We joined a few of our residents for a fantastic dinner and, while we all ordered different burgers, each one was amazing! Our server, Charlie, took good care of us all evening, and owner Josh Groff even stopped by to say hello. Local Burger opened July 4th, 2014, and is a spin-off of its sister restaurant, Local 360, in Belltown. “The idea around Local 360 was that all the food would be sourced from within a 360-mile radius of the restaurant,” explains Josh. “People really liked the concept and started to understand what local sustainable means,” he says. When he and his group of investors wanted to expand, they noticed that nearly 25% of the customers at Local 360 were ordering the burger and raving about it. That‘s when they decided to create a second, more family-friendly restaurant that focused on something familiar to people. “It doesn’t get
more familiar than burgers and fries!” says Josh. The space on Bellevue’s Old Main Street was perfect, since the neighborhood didn‘t yet have an independent restaurant with a local, sustainable Northwest focus and family-friendly feel. Josh describes his partner from Local 360, Marcus Charles, as “a serial entrepreneur who owns several successful ventures in the area.” Josh himself actually has a finance degree, but bartended his way through college. “I ended up getting a job in finance at Miller Brewing Company because of my finance degree and my knowledge of alcohol,” he laughs. He’s worked in marketing and finance for most of his career and, after meeting Marcus six years ago, helped him open Local 360. When it came time to expand that concept to Local Burger, Marcus asked Josh to take the reins.
The menu consists of burgers, sandwiches, salads, and sides; all made in-house using locally-sourced ingredients. “We have a vegetarian patty made from roasted vegetables, lentils and roasted hazelnuts that, in my opinion, is the best vegetarian patty in the city,” says Josh. “We use only the best ingredients so that we don’t have to add a lot of spice or extra sauces. We just want the natural flavors of the food to come out,” he adds. Even the décor is sustainable. Josh refers to the style as “modern barn.” The wood on the walls comes from reclaimed timber near Marysville, and the tables are made from giant old beams pulled out of a torn down warehouse over on the Peninsula. On weekends, you can enjoy brunch from
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., with a bottomless Mimosa special. Happy Hour runs daily from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., and applies to the whole restaurant, and on Mondays they offer ½-price growlers. With 24 beers on tap and another 36 rotating in 22-ounce bottles, they have one of the largest beer selections on the Eastside. In addition, they also offer a great local liquor and wine selection, as well as homemade sodas for the kids. Our guests had plenty to say! Corynne Wiediger said, “The true ginger beer served in a mule mug was rich with ginger flavor, and the peppercorn burger well done was very juicy! It was a perfect combination of flavors. I‘m not a big pickle fan, but the Fried McSweet Pickle Chips had an explosive flavor that was surprising.” Wendell Simmons loved the pickle chips as well as the fried pumpkin seeds, and said, “The Banh Mi Burger was delicious, and the tomato soup was fantastic with its perfect blend of fresh tomatoes and sweet Jalapa peppers.” Michael Wilcox had the Pork Verde Burger and said,
“It had just the right amount of spice, so that one flavor did not dominate the burger. Instead, the flavors seemed layered and all worked well together. The food here seems to mesh well with the down lighting and wooden aesthetic of the very intimate environment.” Ted Davis loved the wonderful aroma of burgers wafting out as you walk in, saying, “It gets you excited and hungry! I ordered the bleu burger ‘medium rare,’ and they served it ‘medium rare,’ which doesn’t often happen. It had just enough bleu cheese to compliment the beef without overpowering it.” His wife, Elaine, said, “Wow! With all the choices of burgers here — salmon, pork, beef, etc. — these people really know how to do beef !” As for dessert, Ted preferred the Peanut Butter Bon Bon, while Elaine loved the Cabernet Sorbet, describing it as “a light finish to the meal.” Kevin Batchelor summed things up well by saying, “It is very tough to find a good burger place that has fresh local ingredients, local beer, and that truly knows how to cook
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to order. My medium rare burger came out perfectly! You could also tell that the fries were cut that day.� Visit: Local Burger, 10134 Main Street, Bellevue, WA 98004, (425) 454-8559. www.localburger.org. DISCLAIMER: The business reviewed in this section provided products and/or services free of charge in exchange for this review.
Integrity Excellence Community l
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Rigorous academics that challenge. Supportive community that nurtures.
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HAWKINS ORTHODONTICS Your Neighborhood Orthodontist…a Reason To Smile Offering Complimentary Orthodontic Evaluation
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Health & WELLNESS
January
how to HELP YOUR SPOUSE FinancialFitness
January Plateau Living
The Mouth-Body Connection: The Link Between Dental Care And Overall Wellness
PREPARE FOR THE
What goes on in your mouth affects the rest of your body and what goes on in the rest of your body can affect your mouth By: Dr. Susan Chen
UNEXPECTED
DENTAL CARE AND GENERAL WELLNESS
T
he mouth is the gateway to the body. That said, many people don’t realize that oral health and general health are tightly linked. A dental visit is more than teeth cleaning or a filling. It’s also about overall wellness. Study after study shows a strong connection between oral health and overall health. Like many parts of the body, our mouths are teaming with bacteria —mostly good bacteria. Normally, the body's natural defenses and good oral care, such as daily brushing and flossing, keep bacteria under control. But poor oral hygiene can allow bacteria to reach levels that might lead to infection, tooth decay and gum disease. Further, poor oral health may allow for pathogens and toxins to sneak through the body’s defense mechanisms to wreak havoc on your immune system. So, the better your oral care, the healthier you may be.
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Healthy teeth and gums are the first line of defense for general wellness. Good dental care protects against tooth decay and gum disease —both can cause inflammation in the gum tissue and increase the risk of bacteria entering the blood stream. From diabetes and Alzheimer’s to heart disease and cancer, poor oral hygiene is linked to an array of serious health concerns — some of which may be detected first by your dentist during an annual checkup. Conversely, many diseases and conditions can affect your oral health, too. For example, if the immune system is weak, the possibility for oral infection increases. The immune system protects your body from illness and infection, but it can be weakened by disease, certain drugs or as a side effect of cancer treatments. Practicing good oral hygiene in these cases is essential to minimize complications. DENTAL CARE AND PREGNANCY
During pregnancy, dental care should be a priority. Due to hormonal changes in the body, some pregnant women experience slightly more sensitivity in their gums and are more susceptible to gingivitis (gum disease). While easy to reverse with good dental care, if gingivitis is left untreated, it can develop quickly into a more serious gum disease called periodontitis, which isn’t reversible. Periodontal disease causes bone loss in the oral cavity, which may cause teeth to quite literally fall out. Increased bacteria during pregnancy can also cause serious pregnancy complications, including pre-term birth and low birth weight. While brushing and flossing may not be high on the priority list when nausea sets in, it becomes even more important during pregnancy. PRACTICE GOOD ORAL HYGIENE • To help protect your overall wellness, practice good oral hygiene every day. • Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Floss daily. • Eat a healthy diet and sticky snacks. • Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if bristles are frayed. • Schedule regular dental checkups, especially during pregnancy and before significant healthcare treatments.
•
Prioritizing your oral health is an investment in your general health. Contact Pine Lake Family Dentistry today to assess your oral health and learn more about the mouth-body connection.
Visit: pinelakefamilydentistry.com
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Article Source: EdwardJones.com
When you think about your legacy, you might imagine providing for your children or supporting a favorite charity. As you plan ahead, make sure to consider the financial security of your spouse. Here are some tips to help you develop a proactive strategy.
Make sure both spouses understand the household's finances In some relationships, one partner handles the management of all finances. However, it's important that both partners are fully aware of their financial picture, including: • Keeping a record of all financial assets, including investment accounts, life insurance policies and legal documents, and detailing the location of the original documents. • Ensuring you and your partner meet regularly with your financial advisor so that both of you are on the same page regarding your finances. Make your income strategy flexible You'll want to consider the impact of a death on your income, spending and assets to make sure you can provide for the needs of the surviving spouse. For Income Needs: • Outline your sources of income, and consider potential tax changes. • Consider delaying taking Social Security for the higherearning spouse in order to maximize the survivor benefit for the surviving spouse. • Look into life insurance or a single or joint life annuity to provide a specified income. For Spending Needs: • List your household expenses, both fixed (housing, property taxes, utilities) and those that might decline due to the death of a spouse (food, entertainment). • Then review scenarios with your financial advisor to ensure your financial assets and potentially reduced income can support this new level of spending. For Asset Needs: • Review titling and beneficiary designations to ensure a surviving spouse will not only have the financial resources but also the liquidity, access and/or withdrawal privileges to
meet his or her spending goals. • Determine if there is an asset, such as a business, that the survivor may want or need to sell to provide for income needs. • If you have the possibility of a taxable estate, you'll also want to consider with your legal and tax professionals the trade-offs between a Credit Shelter Trust and using portability provisions. www.edwardjones.com
You put your family first. Don’t you deserve a financial advisor who puts you first? At Edward Jones, your goals are our priority. That’s why your financial advisor will meet with you face to face to talk about what’s most important to you and your family. From there, you’ll work together to create an investment strategy to help you work toward your goals.
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January
In The Dirt WATERCRESS Easy, Tasty And Highfalutin! By Ilse Burch
Watercress is a nice spicy addition to salads and sandwiches. True watercress is different from what is usually sold in stores by the name of “land cress.” Land cress is little more than fancy popweed. It isn't nearly as tasty and classy as true watercress. Watercress can be found around here growing wild in ditches. You could pick it from the ditch if you could be certain that it is not contaminated with unpleasant or dangerous substances or bacteria. Personally, I would rather grow it and know it is safe rather than worry about E. coli. It is so very easy to grow! Watercress enjoys soggy roots, so it is not going to rot from sitting in a saucer full of water. This makes watering it very easy indeed — all you do is to keep the pots of watercress sitting in water, and you are in business — you can even leave on a short vacation without worries. Choose pots, (with drainage holes) that are at least 6 inches deep and fill them with rich soil — organic potting soil if you want your watercress to be organic. In truth, I have had few pests on my watercress, other than a few aphids (wash off with water), and the Piggy. Piggy is my dog who apparently never got, or did not read, the memo that says that spicy vegetables are icky. I have to cover my watercress with chicken, or as I like to call it, “Piggy wire.” If I remove the wire to weed or pick the watercress, I have to cover it quickly, or I will get to hear the succulent smacking of little doggie lips as the Piggy snarfs the plants to little nubbins. This has happened more than I like to admit, because apparently, I have the attention span of a gnat. But the plants do grow back from this mistreatment, which is more than I can say for a lot of veggies. Watercress seed is available, mostly by mail and the Latin name is “Nasturtium officinale.” The flower we call a “nasturtium” is actually totally unrelated to watercress. This is only one
example of how common names can steer you wrong. Be sure you buy the right seed! Plant your seeds shallowly on top of your filled pots, and set the pots in a saucer or container of water that is between 2 and 3 inches deep. The soil will be very wet, even soggy, and this is correct. Set the pots in a sunny area. Watercress seed germinates very quickly and grows very fast — about 45 days to edibility. All you need to do to pick watercress is to cut the succulent shoots down near the soil, preferable just before they blossom. To make things even better — and no need to enlighten your kids or husband or the finicky eater in your household — watercress is one of the most nutritious vegetables on the planet. Dr Fuhrman, the Nutritarian doctor, gives it a rating of “1,000,” the highest rating a veggie can receive, due to its high mineral and vitamin content. Hey, tasty, tone-y, easy and nutritious, what more could anyone ever ask for?
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January Plateau Living
BRAZIL
Heat Up Your Winter By N2 Staff Writer, Tracy LaFon
WINTER’S COLD IS HERE; IT’S TIME TO HEAD TO A PLACE THAT IS HEATING UP, AND THERE IS NO STEAMIER LOCATION TO TRAVEL TO THAN BRAZIL.
The country known for throwing the world’s biggest party is gearing up for one of the world’s biggest events – the 2016 Olympics. Many, however, are already flocking to enjoy Brazil, heeding the call of sizzling beaches, exotic rainforests and fantastical carnival celebrations. As the fifth largest country in the world, Brazil hosts an equally enormous selection of things to do and see. RIO DE JANERIO AND CARNIVAL
Brazil’s shining star is Rio de Janerio, a city that hosts two world famous beaches, an iconic 125-foot religious statue and a party to end all parties. The Carnival, which begins five days before Ash Wednesday, is a celebration that lives up to its reputation and also sets the mood for festivals that continue throughout the city all year long. Perhaps it is fitting that a city that lives to celebrate is watched over by “Christ the Redeemer,” a colossal statue situated high on top of Mount Corcovado. Made immortal through songs, Ipanema and Copacabana beaches are ripe with sun, sand, beautiful people and iridescent turquoise waters. SAO PAULO
At the financial hub of Brazil is one of the world’s richest cities, Sao Paulo. It is a city thick with culture and tradition. The architecture varies from a neo-Gothic Cathedrals and modern
skyscrapers, to a colonial church that was built for the priests who settled the city in 1554. Tucked in the middle of all of this is Ibirapuera Park, home to cultural festivals, various artists, a music hall and museums. The city is proud of its unique culture that is layered throughout arts, cuisine and nightlife. IGUAZU FALLS
Sitting directly between Argentina and Brazil is Iguazu Falls. More than a million people visit the falls every year and many return again and again because of its magnificence. Its size alone is overwhelming; it is over twice as high as Niagara Falls and three times as wide. Tucked inside one of Brazil’s exquisite rainforest, the surrounding land is lush jade and teeming with brightly covered birds, several species of monkeys and stunning flora.
VOTED TOP ORTHODONTIST In Seattle Metropolitan Magazine by his peers in 2015!
MANAUS AND THE AMAZON
The most populated city in the Amazon rainforest is Manaus. It is mostly accessible by boat or plane, and its remoteness is what keeps it so representative of the cultural history of Brazil. The city is a tourism mecca for a variety of river cruises, expeditions, jungle retreats and nature lodges. Here the Solimoes and Negro rivers meet to combine into the Amazon. The Amazon River and its basin are home to the largest and most diverse ecosystem in the world. Adventures into this area are equally diverse as companies offer packages featuring everything from luxury cruises on the river and piranha fishing expeditions, to canoeing and tropical tree climbing excursions. Book your trip today; Brazil is waiting to heat up your winter!
Offices in Sammamish and Issaquah
24 Years Experience Invisalign Premier Preferred Provider
425-392-7533 www.cpmortho.com
Building Positive Impressions One Smile at a T ime
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Plateau Living
Renowned doctors, expert nursing teams, and the latest technology to back them up, are just some of the reasons Swedish delivers “extraordinary care.” But there’s another side to being extraordinary that’s just as important. It’s a way of being treated that makes you feel like someone truly cares. Because, at Swedish, someone does.
Looking for a Swedish physician? Find them all at swedish.org/physicians
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Plateau Living
Diana loved her small diamond stud earrings but wanted to give them a bigger look. So, we made these jackets to enhance the beautiful but size challenged diamond studs. For nearly 19 years we have specialized in custom-designed and beautifully crafted jewelry. But don’t take our word for it. Stop by – we are just north of the Pine Lake QFC.
2830 228th Ave. S.E., #B
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www.plateaujewelers.com