The blustery winter weather, snow and arctic conditions couldn’t stop the Issaquah Highlands Contribution Club (IHCC) from hauling more than 10 SUV and pickup trucks full of food for the food bank the weekend of Dec 20. The generosity of the neighborhood was overwhelming. Big bags stuffed full of food were left on doorsteps and people at home eagerly rummaged through their pantries for food to donate.

IHCC members and their families spent the whole weekend knocking on doors, ringing doorbells and carting bags of food up and down the neighborhood. They were greeted with smiling faces and many who were eager to help out. The success of the food drive is testament to the great spirit of the residents of our neighborhood and our commitment to the local community. “Our first project to fill the Issaquah Food Bank for the holidays was a huge success,” said IHCC founder Tony Bristol. “This project reaffirmed the generosity of the community we live in here in the Highlands and we were inspired by the act of giving from our fellow neighbors.”

The IHCC will focus on one project per quarter and will meet once a month for up to two hours to discuss projects and action items. The next meeting will be February 20. For households with families, this will be an opportunity to include children in the act of giving and contribution back to one’s community. If you are interested in joining this cause to support our community, contact Tony Bristol at tbristol [at] msn.com or join our group on Facebook and search for Issaquah Highlands Contribution Club.

The rainy weather cleared and the wet pavement made the Christmas lights sparkle twice as bright as the Annual Christmas Festival opened on Sunday, December 7th. Over 1,000 residents from Issaquah Highlands and the greater community enjoyed live music, Santa & Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn wagon rides, fun crafts, and the living Nativity featuring a real 8ft. camel!

The festival was presented by Alathia Community Church and Mosaic Seattle Church together with community sponsors. Alathia and Mosaic wish to thank the many volunteers from both churches as well as Summit Community Church, Trinity Evangelical Church, Highlands Residents, Pacific Cascade Freshmen and Issaquah Middle School students for all their hard work!

The festival committee is also grateful to Highlands Council for its financial support and use of Blakely Hall resources; to The Cascade Team Real Estate Office for providing the Horse Drawn Wagon Rides; to Accent Insurance and Alice’s Beauty Salon for bringing live music to the festival; to Gary & Holly Rainwater for use of their sheep for the Nativity, and for the wonderful support of the IHCA and TC Quality for the amazing holiday lighting and the addition of the beautiful star on the Village Green Christmas tree!

The WSDOT pond is complete! Landscaping and trail enhancements were finished in early December for the 4.3 acre storm water detention pond south of the fire station. The 17.28 million gallon capacity pond now features a pedestrian bridge built with custom-milled cedar timbers harvested from sites in Issaquah Highlands, a paved trail that connects to the trail system, and an extension of the bike path.

Boulders and rocks from nearby work sites have been integrated into the landscaping plan and more than 200 trees and 500 shrubs have been planted to add to the pond’s picturesque setting. A new waterfall also adds to the pond’s attractiveness, making it the perfect place for a walk, jog or bike ride.

Come springtime, visitors will experience an added surprise: the blooming of wild flowers that were seeded this fall. The pond, which helps to manage storm water flows, re-circulates water in the pond to control stagnation and the growth of algae. It was built and landscaped by Port Blakely Communities and will now be transitioned to the City of Issaquah for management and maintenance.