Issaquah Highlands Undressed

--> Nov
25

Sherm’s BBQ and the Harvest Dance, Issaquah Food Bank Benefit

Issaquah Highland’s own Sherm’s BBQ Bistro and Catering was one of the restaurants that provided the food for the Harvest Dance, a benefit for the Issaquah Food Bank. Kim of Sherm’s put on quite a spread, Pork Spare Ribs in Paprika Sauce, Smoke Beef tidbits on a stick, Blue Cheese Potatoes, BBQ Chicken and Jambalya, Pulled Pork Canapes, Turkey & Cranberry Wraps. Hungry yet?!

Sherm’s is at 1927 15th Ave NE, across from Ashland Park.  The restaurants who provided the food get a big hooray from me and I am sure all who attended the dance. Harvest Dance was a huge success at least for those who attended.

Other restaurants that participated were Amante’s Pizza and Pasta. Lombardi’s, Tiger Mountain Grill and Sweet Addition. The food had great variety (see below) and the turnout was superb. I don’t know how much the food bank benefited but by all appearances it should have been a success. I was busy eating and taking pictures but the beat got the best of me and soon Larry and I were dancing to the rhythm. Pickering Barn was jumpin, that night (not because of us)!

We even got a little of “These Boots are Made for Walkin’” later on in the evening. For a while almost, but not all, were concentrating on the food. But brave souls ventured out and soon the dance floor was full. It didn’t matter if you were young or old or if you could dance. everyone had fun.

There were so many seated at tables that there wasn’t that much space for dancing and you know how long the Pickering Barn is!

Later in the evening a auction began for many items that were also donated by individuals and businesses.

We couldn’t stay, if any of you did, comment on this article and let us know how it went.

In addition to Sherm’s here is a list of featured foods at the Harvest Dance.

• Amante’s Pizza and Pasta provided many different kinds of yummy pizza to try. See our post about Amante’s. 525 NW Locust St. 425-313-9600 There is too much to tell you here. Link
• Lombardi’s had a cheese bowl of linguini with grana podana cheese, and rosemary croccatini with their own house cheese called Angelica de la morte! They never ran out that night. 695 NW Gilman Blvd,  425-391-9097
• Sweet Addition brought trays of different dessert morsels to share. See our post about Sweet Addition. They have much more than desserts. Christmas is a great time to visit them and their associated shops. You must see the candy shop! All in Gilman Village 337 NW Gilman Blvd, 425-392-5661
• Tiger Mountain Grill, delicious Dijon Chicken 385 NW Gilman Blvd, 425-392-0808

Issaquah Food Bank is needing more donations and sponsers this year, especially for the Holidays.  Can you help?  See www.issaquahfoodbank.org.

--> Oct
07

Issaquah Highlands Is Working Towards Important Land Preservaton

Under the proposed plan, more than 140 acres in Issaquah would be preserved and protected as permanent open space and park land, including the entire Park Pointe area on Tiger Mountain and a portion of the area immediately west of Central Park, in exchange for additional development rights in Issaquah Highlands. The plan was sent to a City Council ad hoc committee for consideration.

Click here to go to the Issaquah Highlands website with full details on the proposal.

--> Jul
12

Pea Patch Paradise in Issaquah Highlands

Were you one of the lucky ones to get a pea patch in the first phase in Issaquah Highlands? I knew they were up here but I just found them on one of my walks on the many trails we have. When I first saw them I thought  “people have worked very hard on this project.” A couple of those people are my friends. I wanted to know more, plus, I noticed that on Highlands Day there was a fund raising effort for the gardens.

The land the gardens are on belong to Burlington Northern. They allow the Highlands to use them. Many other things worked to make them possible. A water source was already there placed by landscape contractors that used it for their plants as the Highlands were developing.

Raised beds had to be built (cedar), then it took a whole lot of dirt and work to fill the beds. Fences had to be contructed to keep our wildlife friends from snacking. The deer are still tempted because there is no top rail and some adventurous ones think they can get over it! All this before any gardening could begin.

At present, the gardens consist of 33 separate beds, 5′ x 20′ and cost $55.00 per year per patch. But unfortunately they are all spoken for and there is a long waiting list. Land is available for more beds but funds need to be aquired by donations, grants or fund raisers.

Workers and materials are gladly accepted.

Everyone I have talked to that has a pea patch enjoys it and all seem to have different reasons why. Among them are fresh organic produce that you grow yourself, others like the excuse to be outdoors. Working together as neighbors and becoming friends is high on the list. Hopefully it won’t be too long before Issaquah Highlands has Pea Patch #2.

Thank you to T. K. Panni for his input for this article.