On Tuesday, June 9th, representatives from the Issaquah Schools Foundation, Port Blakely, and the Grand Ridge PTSA officially dedicated the Grand Ridge “Grizzly Patch”. Student representatives from each classroom performed Grand Ridge’s Garden Rap for our special guests, supportive parents, and fellow students.

Barb Walton, Grand Ridge Principal, officially thanked the representatives from all three organizations whose monetary support made this outdoor educational classroom possible. With the help of volunteer Garden Docents, every student toured the garden with their teacher receiving a “green thumb” and signing their name to the “Grizzly Patch” sign.

Besides the wonderful plantings, one of the highlights of the garden is an amazing irrigation system made possible by the Issaquah School District Maintenance Department and Dan Sheffer. If you are ever up our way, please stop in and visit our wonderful garden.

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Going GREEN is more than just a trend and Issaquah Middle Schooler’s have paved the way to an environmentally hopeful future by owning their part of cause and effect. John McCartney, District Resource Conservation Manager, has spearheaded the King County Green Schools Program, attending many site council meetings and delivering powerful presentations on the cause and effect of waste and how much our environment and economy need conservation practices.

Some of categories of conservation he presented were; waste reduction and recycling, litter reduction, addressing environmental issues in the classroom, water conservation, energy conservation, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, environmental purchasing, and hazardous materials management and reduction.

Issaquah Middle School is a pilot for King County Green Schools Program and it has definitely been a school-community effort. Anna Loftis, 6th grade humanities and Michelle Pickard, 8th grade science, ASB advisor, were the passion behind the effort and it took many to make this happen. Kitchen staff, custodial staff, leadership students, and media production students were at the center of this ripple effect. A surge of education through the “Morning Quah,” a live media broadcast, was implemented to get the student body engaged. Composting and recycling were the target strategies for their conservation plan.

As a result, Issaquah Middle School reduced their waste by 60% and was awarded “Earth Heros at School” by King County. One of the unforeseen benefit is that our middle schoolers actively learned a valuable life-skill. School curriculum and field trips have been built around this conservation concept, not that our middle schoolers would come home and tell us about it, but the word is out now!

In our homes and our communities we can ride the wave of this ripple and prepare for the summer-time mantra of unemployed minds, “I’m bored,” with lots of opportunities to volunteer. Volunteering is a way to pay-it-forward and keeps the state of the economy from being a state of mind.

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Construction of four duplex style homes will begin at the end of July 2009, and we need volunteers!

How can the community help?
We need Construction Team Leaders to volunteer. This is the area of greatest need. This is a great opportunity to lead and teach on the project. You do not need construction knowledge or experience. You will spend a day each week learning skills and then another day each week leading a team of three or four volunteers. They would like a four week (eight day) commitment. This is a wonderful opportunity for college students home for the summer, retirees, school teachers, or committed volunteers willing to use vacation to give to a wonderful project in our community. Contact Habitat for the Humanity East King County directly at scheduleco@habitatekc.org or call 425-869-6007 and be sure to tell them you want to volunteer in Issaquah Highlands. Know someone who may enjoy this project? Pass the opportunity along to them.

Sign-ups for individuals wanting to build on a project will begin soon. Go to the Habitat for Humanity of East King County website www.habitatekc.org and find the online registration page. Organize your club, neighborhood, friends, playgroup, church, and choose a day to participate. With adequate Team Leaders, we can have 20 people per day working on getting these homes up before winter. Port Blakely Communities has been assigned seven special work dates for our community leadership. Members of the IHCA Board of Directors, Voting Members, Neighborhood Captains Port Blakely staff, and the City of Issaquah MDRT will have their own dates to work alongside committee members and co-workers on this fun project.

We would love to have clubs, or neighborhood groups sponsor one of these dates in August and September and provide either lunch or an afternoon snack. Can’t build? Bake cookies for the teams, make lunches, find donor businesses to bring in lunch or snacks. Contact Cyndi Johnson cyndij@ihmail.com or Jim Warrick jim@warrickcpa.com, Issaquah Highlands 2009 Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Co-Chairs, with questions, ideas, or to volunteer to help support our teams.

Construction Team Leaders Recruitment
Beside group work parties there is volunteer opportunities for individual participation. Consider serving as a construction team leader and develop great skills, build your resume, feel great about your community – all for the benefit of a great program.

For more information please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at scheduleco@habitatekc.org, or 425-869-6007. Please include a resume and/or explanation of your previous leadership experience. Feel free to describe any previous construction experience if you have it.

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Work was recently completed on a project to establish approximately 11,000 native plants in a local wetland located south of Park Drive at 10th Street. Fallen timber was also removed. It’s all part of a Port Blakely Communities project to foster healthy growth in the wetland, commonly known as NF34.

In order to give the plants a good start, an above ground irrigation system was installed. Those who walk by will be able to see the fixtures, which are located amongst clusters of new plants. The varieties of plants range from black cottonwood and bitter cherry to redstem dogwood, wild lily of the valley and ocean spray. This is a temporary system that will be removed once the plants are well established.

Monitoring of the wetland will continue over the next 10 years. The survival of the new plants and the overall wetland health will be documented as a resource for the design and maintenance of wetlands in the region for years to come.

Vista Park is now open, just in time for summer. Located on the 1800 block of 10th Ave NE, the new park features a grass volleyball court, toddler play structure, picnic area and beautiful views of Lake Sammamish, Bellevue and Seattle.

The “tot lot” play structure is based on an interactive city theme that has miniature roads to link each component. It’s a great place for younger children to explore, as it doesn’t have the height (and the opportunity to fall off a ledge) that you find at climbing structures built for older children. The grass volleyball court has a regulation net, making it the perfect place to practice your skills or learn how to play. New picnic tables are also located at
the lookout for those who want to picnic or relax and enjoy the view. A walking path encircles Vista Park and links to the trail system, where you can connect to more than 10 miles of hiking trails and nearby Squak, Tiger and Cougar Mountains. Be sure to add the new Vista Park to your picnic and playtime plans this summer!

Kumon Learning Centers has opened a new location in Issaquah Highlands. Located across from scenic WSDOT pond, Kumon offers math and reading enrichment programs for children ages 3 to 18.

Kumon Center director Cindy McVay chose the Issaquah Highlands location to be closer to more Kumon families.
The majority of their students live in Issaquah Highlands, making the new location on Park Drive an ideal situation. “We’re so pleased to be here in Issaquah Highlands,” said McVay. “This community is home to about two-thirds of our students, so it’s the most convenient location possible. Now that the good weather is coming, we hope that many students will walk or bike here. We’re looking forward to sharing the benefits of Kumon with as many families as possible.”

More than four million children throughout the world have already benefitted from the Kumon method, which helps students master the basics of reading and math while improving study habits and self-confidence. “Kumon Issaquah was recently awarded Gold Elite status,” continued McVay. “Gold Status is based on the academic performance of our students. Much of this success can be attributed to our excellent local schools and teachers, as well as the  dedication of parents.

We look forward to building on this success in our new Issaquah Highlands location.” In addition to Kumon Issaquah, McVay is also director of the Kumon center in Snoqualmie. Kumon established its first Issaquah location in 2004. The Kumon method was founded in Japan more than 50 years ago and is now an international franchise organization. The program, which focuses on maximizing each child’s potential, is a supplement to school-based curriculum.

Kumon Issaquah is located at 1036 NE Park Drive. For more information, visit www.kumon.com.

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Marcela’s Mexican Grill will soon become Agave Cocina & Tequila Bar. Our favorite local Mexican restaurant is temporarily closed for a makeover. When work is complete, Marcela’s won’t just look different, it will have an enticing new food and bar menu as well.

Set to open in six weeks, the new Agave Cocina & Tequila Bar is a contemporary gathering place featuring a delicious menu at an affordable price. True to its new name, specialty drinks, delectable margaritas and a large selection of tequilas will also be a focal point of the dining experience.

Everything at Agave Cocina & Tequila Bar will be new. From lighting to tiles, you’ll see a complete change. The menu will still have some traditional favorites, but you can expect fresh dining adventures as well. What won’t change is the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful meal close to home, either in the restaurant or out on the patio. Construction will be in full swing through the end of June. Watch for the grand opening of Agave Cocina & Tequila Bar in early July.

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Zeek’s Pizza is coming to Issaquah Highlands! Yes, the mouth-watering aroma of fresh, ovenbaked pizza will soon be tempting anyone who crosses the intersection of 25th and Park Drive. The new franchise is owned by Issaquah Highlands resident Mark Mullet, who is looking forward to opening Zeek’s doors on June 16.

Zeek’s is famous throughout the Puget Sound for two things: delicious pizza and a fun, welcoming atmosphere. The new restaurant has seating for up to 100 people, as well as outdoor seating for sunny days, and a full bar. Take-out and delivery will be available, as well as online ordering. Mark, who lives just two blocks away from the new restaurant, was inspired – in part – to open Zeek’s after seeing the success of neighborhood pubs in England.

“I grew up in Seattle but spent several years working in London’s financial district,” said Mark. “England has a strong tradition of local pubs, which serve as gathering places for friends and neighbors, and spots to enjoy a meal. Issaquah Highlands is also a place of strong community, where neighbors are friendly. The new Zeek’s will offer everyone a great place to meet and share a delicious pizza together.”

One of the highlights of the new Zeek’s is a “Dough Show” where you can watch pizzas being made. In the entrance, a glass window allows patrons to see pizzas being tossed in the air and placed in the oven. Zeek’s will feature a full menu, including signature pizzas such as the Texas Leaguer, John Candy, Grand Salami and Puget Pounder, as well as fresh salads. There is a superb selection for vegetarians as well. Look for favorites such as the Frog Belly Green, Tree Hugger and Super Margarita, plus new inventions such as the Chevre Roast. For those who like it their own way, you can make your own pizza with a selection of more than 30 toppings. Then, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream will complete the Zeek’s experience.

According to Mark, Zeek’s is a great fit for Issaquah: “Zeek’s will be a terrific neighborhood gathering place for all of Issaquah. I’m very optimistic about this opportunity and look forward to sharing Zeek’s Pizza with my friends and neighbors.” The new location will employ between 30 and 40 staff members. Zeek’s will be open seven days a week. You can see the full menu at: www.zeekspizza.com.