Last Issaquah Highlands Garage Sale for this year, Saturday Sept 17. May the weather smile on it this time. The last one in June was on a very rainy day. Lots of bargains. It is always fun. Invite your friend and family. 9-4pm. Many homes participate, drive around to make sure you don’t miss some good stuff.
It isn’t often that two very different but adjacent projects compliment each other but zHomes and the new YWCA family village do just that.
The YWCA apartments look like an example of “green” to be envied. A “green” that didn’t in anyway sacrifice style.
zHome is complete and free tours begin on Saturday, September 17-October 30th.
Tours of zHomes are every weekend Sept 17 Oct 30th – Saturdays 10-5 and Sundays 11-5
The homes are colorful and inviting. I am sure it will be fun and informative. Located on High Street next to the YWCA Village and Park n Ride. For more info go to http://z-home.org
Yes, that is right – If you are having a baby or thinking about it, Swedish Hospital is having Speed Dating to give you the opportunity to find the right doctor for you. Register at http://www.swedish.org/obspeeddating. To see more info click issaquah blog in the blue bar above.
We gave out many Issaquah Icons calendars for 2011 that featured photos of Issaquah Kathleen took for our blogs. Unfortunately an error was missed on our proof, the month of October is incorrect. It has NO MONDAYS! While it may be nice to think we didn’t have to deal with Mondays for a whole month, the rest of the world will still have them. We hope this will not cause you any problems and very much regret our error.
Please don’t schedule anything from this calendar in the month of October, it is incorrect. We regret any problems this has caused.
For more information on the transition www.ihwebsite.com
Kathleen and I were parked enjoying a sunset at the top of Issaquah Highlands when 3 large bears came running by. They headed into the forest just above our car. Minutes later a carload of teenagers parked and they headed into the same area the bears had just entered. We warned them and got a quick shrug, like so what as they ran into the same area. A case of not taking bears serious.
Last week I was fishing the Kenai in Alaska with my son and two of his buddies, 35ish in age. About 50 yards from our cabin, as we drove from our cabin towards town we encountered a Grizzly. These young guys stopped the car for the fun of it. They got out for pictures (The bear in the background) as I squirmed in concern. We ended up safe as the bear was more interested in toppling a tree and scrounging through its roots. This wasn’t smart of these guys as a bear can cover 109 yards in 6 seconds. We weren’t safe.
My sons two friends didn’t have enough of the thrill as the next day they headed out to Russian River where they were told there were bear sitings. Fisherman on the stream confirmed to them there was a bear downriver and suggested it wasn’t too smart going that way. They did anyway, only to get cornered between a mother Grizzly and her cub. They were lucky as they headed for midstream the mother Grizzly only stood up on her haunches and stared them down.
We know from an experience a few days later, they weren’t safe in the river. Seven teens were attacked by a bear as they were lined up single file crossing a stream. The two in the front suffered the brunt of the attack, all were injured. They had been trained to call out to warn wildlife of their approach, but they probably still startled the bear, and thus the attack. She had a cub nearby.
I have considered a friend here in the highlands to be very fortunate. He finally gave up on the battle of wits between himself and the bear that liked eating from his back yard bird feeder. He seemed determined the feeder would stay up and the bear had to go. He kept feeding the birds, the bear kept returning. He finally gave up and took the feeder in. Duhhh
Issaquah Highlands has recently posted a warning that bear sightings are on the rise. They ask for your input while they encourage you to be careful.
If you see any bears, please email Catherine Macchio, Interstate 90 Field Representative for the Grizzly Bear Outreach Project at cmacchio@hotmail.com with the following information:
Where did you see the bears?
How many did you see?
How large were they?
What time was it?
Any other important info, such as did they run away or just go about their business?
Always dial 9-1-1 to report poaching and emergency dangerous wildlife complaints.
Click here to review best practice guidelines.
In Alaska you are allowed to shoot a bear in self defense. I asked a fish and game officer how he would be able to tell if the shooting was in self defense or sport. He answered, “I know it was self defense if they have peed their pants and are shaking like a leaf, otherwise probably not self defense.”
You might say bears are cute, but take them seriously.
Yes, this photo is looking into Cafe 1910 in Issaquah’s new Swedish Hospital that opens July 14th. Highlands Day, July 9th, is even more exciting this year because there will be interactive tours of our new Swedish facility all day along with cooking demos, health screenings, kids activities such as a Teddy Bear Clinic, shopping and giveaways at the retail stores. Yes, there is even a mall! And a Starbucks.
Swedish seeks to become a gathering place for the community. Cafe 1910 is not hospital food but beckons to become the go to place for breakfast, lunch & dinner.
The food served will be healthy, delicious and gourmet, although a few decadent pastries and chocolate will be there. We sampled some savory and sweet tasty tidbits at a Media tour we were invited to attend on June 28th
There is even outdoor seating for summer months with plenty of tables and a fountain.
Here are some more photos from our tour and what you may see if you take the opportunity to take the tour on July 9th.
Looking toward the entrance from above
One of the many operating rooms
This may not be on the tour on the ninth because to go there you have to be in a “bunny suit” to keep it sterile. This is the only way I want to see the operating room! I am glad such a top notch place is available if I need it and so close to home.
Radiology Lab with Precise Linear Accelerator Radiation Therapy
Entrance to radiology. All walls in the room are 3 to 6 ft thick concrete and nothing is getting through this door that was so heavy it had to be brought in with a crane.
I am very proud of our new Swedish Hospital. The advantages it bring to Issaquah go beyond the the medical advantages. The goal to provide the services needed in the ER treats people the way you would want to be treated when you have an emergency. You don’t get put in a waiting room for who knows how long but go directly into a treatment room. No clipboard delays, registration info is gathered at bedside and a treatment plan is created in minutes. It is sort of a NASCAR pit crew analysis! Swedish believes the patient’s time is important too. We experienced this type of treatment shortly after Swedish’s Lake Sammamish ER was open. Larry suffered a very bad eye injury. They made a bad experience much easier and his eye is OK now. The Swedish ER Sammamish will transfer seamlessly to the new Swedish Hospital Emergency Room on July 14th.
I love the way the hospital feels and looks friendly, not scary. There is even a fun drop-in child care place in the mall. Original art will be showcased throughout the campus.
Swedish Hospital will employ over 900 people. That, along with the hospital’s presence will be an economic boon to Issaquah Highlands and Issaquah.
Hospitals consume a large amount of energy however the new Swedish Hospital was built to be much more efficient. It consumes approximately half (or better) of the BTUs a hospital normally consumes per square foot. Initial tests indicate it will be the best in the state and perhaps in the nation. That fits right in with our GREEN community.
Swedish Hospital is a comprehensive medical campus (550,000 sq ft) and is comprised of a medical office building, cancer center, ambulatory care center and hospital. It will open with 80 beds but will expand to 175 beds. It is located in Issaquah Highlands at 751 NE Blakely Drive, conveniently located off of I90 at Exit 18.
July 14, 2011 is the opening date for the Medical office building; Primary and specialty care clinics; Retail; Cancer center; Emergency department; Ambulatory care; Pharmacy; Laboratory; Imaging; and Breast care center.
November 1, 2011 is the opening date for Inpatient services/Hospital beds
The hospital is like a one stop shop where you don’t have to bounce from building to building but can get all the procedures you need done in one location saving you time and helping to control medical costs.
For more information visit http://www.swedish.org/issaquah
They came in droves. Eager Moms and little ones ready for the Kick-Off of Stroller Strides. It looked like a fun way to get your exercise, entertain the kids, and greet old friends plus make new ones.
Issaquah Highlands is the perfect place for this group. The community is green, beautiful, friendly and plenty of young families.
Trails and parks are abundant and safe places.
Children in this group will be learning important values about exercise and staying in good shape at a very early
Tomorrow is a favorite day for a lot of folks that like bargains. Twice a year in Issaquah Highlands there is a community garage sale. Each resident that desires to have a garage sale puts out their best stuff they no longer need. Kids clothes and toys are usually in abundant supply.
This year in addition to all the individual garage sales all over the Highlands there is a large community one at Village Green. All proceeds from this garage sale go to benefit the Ben Towne Foundation, a pediatric cancer research charity. A bounce house for kids and free hot dogs will be there to entertain the kids.
A Good Will truck will also be on hand for donations. If you don’t have the energy or desire to do your own garage sale, here is an easy way to get rid of too much stuff.
Garage Sales go from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Many of Issaquah Highlands residents find their garages are not big enough. We all seem to accumulate a lot of stuff. When we downsized it was such a great feeling, but as the years roll by I find I have too much stuff again. I have watched with interest as the new Issaquah Highlands Self Storage was being built. I dropped in to check them out as I thought this new business might be an interesting post for IssaquahHighlandsUndressed.com.
On the third floor of the adjoining Issaquah Highlands Parking Garage (Metro Transit) there are some spaces reserved for self-storage cutomers to park just a short distance to a convenient door to the storage facility. There is also a loading area off of High Street.
The office has the all the neccessary items for storing or moving. I was glad the boxes were not covered with ads as it makes it hard for movers to see what you have written on the box. Kitchen stuff might end up on a third floor bedroom! I have had some moves like that.
Issaquah Highlands Self Storage is climate controlled and features high tech security. Spaces available are small or large. Check it out. In case you haven’t noticed, it is located at 910 NE High Street.
Several new projects in the works in IH are almost done. Below is Swedish Hospital as it adds the finishing touches. Highlands Day is July 9th this year. Celebrating the Grand Opening of the hospital in addition to our usual Highlands Day fun, it promises to be a most memorable event.
Shuttle service for Highlands folks to and from the hospital on Highlands Day will quench the curiosity of all who want to see what the hospital is like. Tours and health screenings will be available.
Carnival Rides, Games, Bounce Houses, Pony Rides, Music, Entertainment, Food & Fun are usual events at Highlands Day but this year will be bigger and better than ever.
zHomes are moving right along and will be complete in September.
YWCA Family Village now has an office in Blakely Hall for those interested in finding out about living there. Or call 425-270-6600
Have you noticed the bridge going up from YWCA Village to the parking garage?
It adjoins to the 3rd parking level.
Last Saturday was a nice sunny day (at last). One of our favorite things to do on a day like this is have lunch at the Farmers Market at the Pickering Barn. There are always interesting & delicious things to eat, to look at and to buy.
Best Bet # 1. Gourmet Ice Cream, I wanted the Ginger Lemonade Sorbet but so did too many other people, I had to have Balsamic Strawberry. Very good.
Best Bet # 2. Lunch – Phad Thai for me, Huaraches for Larry. Actually we shared. There are all kinds of ethnic options.
Best Bet # 3. Mini Donuts – Almost as good as the ones in San Francisco – Who can resist?
Best Bet # 4. Wood Shed Production – Amazing wood creations by Michael Osburn. Exotic deadfall takes on a new life becoming one-of-a-kind-artifacts with a useful purpose. Michael is a retired architect. woodshedprod@gmail.com
Best Bet # 5. Fresh Asparagus – one of my favorite vegetables. I wouldn’t have said that when I was 12. I used to call it Icksparagus.
Best Bet # 6. Bouquets of beautiful flowers. We got there a little late so there were not as many to pick from. I really wish the market would stay open until 3 or 4 pm. It closes too early.
Best Bet # 7. Fresh breads of many kinds.
Best Bet # 8. The prettiest Clematis I have even seen. Not for sale.
Best Bet # 9. A very unusual Hoagy
Best Bet # 10. Pickering Barn itself. Love that barn.
It isn’t this home.
Click here for the article on Issaquah Undressed.com
Click the link below to view a post about our tour through the new Swedish Hospital.
http://issaquah.neighborhoodsundressed.com/2011/04/29/swedish-hospital-hard-hat-tour/
Want to refi an investment property? Is it a condo or home under water? Even your primary residence? Do you want to get out of ARM? Pinnacle Capitol is directly funding on the 125% of value refi program with amazing flexibility.
In this program your condo association will not be an underwriting issue. In normal underwriting they review the association for items such as a law suit, per cent of non owner occupied, and per cent of condos not paying their dues. Not so in this case.
Also, number of investment properties someone owns is not an issue of underwriting. Neither does it matter who is the lender and who if any is a mortgage insurer. There can be multiple loans on the property. Let me know if this is interesting to you and I will connect you with the right originator.
The rates aren’t too bad either. It might be the time to refi to a fixed on that first mortgage.
