december 2014

a s o c i a l m a g a z i n e f o r r e s i d e n t s o f t h e s a m m a m i s h p l a t e a u

December 2014

Plateau Living

Meet the Lincicomes

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

FROM YOUR COMMUNITY

MAGAZINE!

3December Plateau Living2 Plateau Living December

Monique Verger-PerraultInternational Previews Property Specialist

[email protected]

Chip [email protected]

425-765-2447

For More Information, Please Visit:MVP4Homes.com

Any Dream.......Any Season........Any A��

To Our Friends, Family and Neighbors, During the upcoming holidays we think of our blessing and opportunities to share and give back to those in need. Many people want to honor the brave men and women who serve, or have served, our country in the armed forces, whether it be the Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, Army or our Coast Guard. As a military family we strongly encourage such support. Chip spent 24 years as a Marine Corps aviator and our family is all too familiar with the sacrifices and rigors of military service. With a son, Michael, currently in the Coast Guard, we still recognize that assignments will take our service members away from home, often during the holiday season. Last year, Michael spent Christmas in the Antarctic, away from family and friends during such a joyous time. Our oldest son, Mark, graduated from the Naval Academy, and grew up through the di�culty of being separated from loved ones and family while others celebrated. Later assignments of separation gave him the appreciation of celebrating with those you are close to. In past years Chip and Monique have worked with the young men and women of the military to send packages to those in combat during the holidays. We are confident that those packages

with simple items such as chap stick, toiletries, and snacks can ease the pain of separation. Our research has given us some organizations that have high ratings for accountability and transparency that support our troops. Please consider supporting these e�orts and feel free to contact us for any further assistance in furthering your generosity. Fisher House Foundation Homes For Our Troops Hope For The Warriors Air Warrior Courage Foundation Injured Marine Semper Fi FundNavy Seal Foundation Have a joyous Holiday Season and thank you in advance for any kind e�orts for those who serve.

Monique and Chip

Dr. Susan Chen

Exceptional Care.Convenient Location.Professional Options.2908 228th Avenue SE | Suite A | Sammamish, WA 98075 | 425-391-9414 | www.pinelakefamilydentistry.com

Experience the difference at Pine Lake Family Dentistry

“Pine Lake Family Dentistry is a wonderful family office...They are

friendly and always concerned with making sure your visit is as

comfortable as it can be.” -Misty M.

5December Plateau Living4 Plateau Living DecemberNeighborhoodNews

Hello Plateau Living Residents,For many, the end of the year is holiday season. And for others it is an annual time to look back and reflect on the year com-ing to an end. Whatever your motivation, the end of the year is also a time to think about others. In this issue we celebrate giving. Learn about the local charities helping to improve the lives of others in our community. Read about the students in the Athletes for Kids program who are building the esteem and con-fidence of those with special needs. Get some great gift-giving

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Check us out on Facebook at Plateau Living MagazineBe sure to Like us.

While the mercury hit an unseasonal--yet island-ish 70 degrees--parent volun-teers put the finishing touches on Cas-cade Ridge’s annual fall fundraiser Gone Hawaiian: The Wiki Wiki Walk-a-Thon. Amid the faux leis, an oversized inflatable wave slide and a live hula demonstra-tion, more than 500 attendees ate, played and most importantly raised more than $53,000 for the school’s programs and enrichment activities.

“We are so thankful to have such a gen-erous community,” comments PTSA President Ann Brooks. “All of our pro-grams and activities throughout the school year are dependent on what we raise at the walk-a-thon, and hitting our goal means we can continue to offer a

ideas and learn about the ultimate holiday cooking baking efforts of resident, Kellie Nadell.

Wishing you all peace and joy!

Best,

Anne WilcoxPublisher, Plateau [email protected]

variety of enrichment programs for 2014-2015. A huge thank you to everyone—our sponsors and families are the best!”

The event included several corporate sponsors, including Holland America Line, Tingey Orthodontics, Alessi Custom Design, Aqua Quip, barre3, Grounded Landscape Design, Lake Sammamish Family Dentistry, North-west Landscape Services, Nystrom & Associates, Plateau Club, Walters & Wolf, Yo Plateau, Storage Court and Benchmark Motoring, plus 22 others.

In addition, over 75 local sponsors donated items to the school’s silent auction, includ-ing Henry & Mei, Flying Pie Pizzeria, Gold’s Gym Issaquah and Sip Restaurant.

Attendees also mingled with the Mariner Moose, posed with fun props at the photo booth, devoured tasty treats from three food trucks, danced to the DJ’s tunes, buzzed about the balloon creations, and of course walked laps for their school.

Students also enjoyed Spirit Week in the days leading up to the October 3rd event, including dress-up days, Hawaiian trivia games at lunch, and prizes. Second-grader Elsa Huber summed up the event well: “It was so fun, I didn’t want it to end! Can we do it again?” The answer as you may have guessed… YES!

And so aloha to all until next year!

Cascade Ridge Elementary School Community Hulas its Way to Fundraising Goal

7December Plateau Living6 Plateau Living DecemberNeighborhoodSponsors NeighborhoodSponsors

This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for atrusted neighborhood vendor to use. Take a minute to familiarize yourselfwith the businesses sponsoring Plateau Living .

These local businesses are proud to partner with you and make thismagazine possible. Please support these businesses and thank them forsupporting Plateau Living!

ADOLESCENTCOUNSELINGRyther(206) 517-0215www.ryther.org

BEAUTY / SPABel Viso Day Spa and Laser Center2830 228th Ave SE #FSammamish, WA 98075(425) 557-1584www.belvisodayspa.com

BUTCHERFischer Meats85 Front StreetIssaquah, WA 98027(425) 392-3130www.fischermeatsnw.com

CHIROPRACTORCottrell Chiropractic6520 226th Pl SEIssaquah, WA 98027(206) 940-3916www.cottrellchiro.com

CONSTRUCTION /REMODELINGPlateau Remodel(425) 368-8885www.plateauremodel.com

COUNSELINGSERVICESNystrom and Associates301 116th Ave SEBellevue, WA 98004(425) 454-1919www.nystromcounseling.com

CUSTOM BUILDER /REMODELERRainier Custom Homes(360) 802-0981www.rainiercustomhomes.com

DENTISTRY /COSMETIC, FAMILY,AND GENERALIssaquah Highlands Dentistry2520 NE Park Drive, Suite CIssaquah, WA 98029(425) 642-0003www.ihdentistry.com

Pine Lake Family Dentistry2908 228th Ave SE, Suite ASammamish, WA 98075(425) 391-9414www.pinelakefamilydentistry.com

FARM AND GARDENSUPPLIESThe Grange145 NE Gilman BlvdIssaquah, WA 98027(425) 892-6469

FINANCIAL ADVISOR /WEALTHMANAGEMENTEdward Jones - Cheryl Breidenbach657 228th Ave NESammamish, WA 98074(425) 898-8786www.edwardjones.com

HOSPITALSwedish Hospital / IssaquahErin McCullough751 NE Blakely DrIssaquah, WA 98029(425) 313-4000www.swedish.org / locations /issaquah-campus

INSURANCEAmerican Family Insurance - JudiKuntz Agency(425) 947-2720www.judikuntz.com

JEWELRY STOREPlateau Jewelers2830 228th Ave SE, Suite BSammamish, WA 98075(425) 313-0657www.plateaujewelers.com

KIDS ACTIVITIESAdventure Kids Playcare775 NW Gilman Blvd C-3Issaquah, WA 98027(425) 391-5358www.adventurekidsplaycare.com

LANDSCAPE DESIGN& MAINTENANCEBear Creek Landscapes(425) 222-9222www.bearcreeklandscapes.net

MORTGAGEPNC Mortgage - Charles Chong(425) 637-5100www.pncmortgage.com /charleschong

MORTGAGE LENDERSammamish Mortgage3015 112th Ave NE Ste 214Bellevue, WA 98004(425) 401-8787www.sammamishmortgage.com

NATURAL MEDICINENaturomedica1220 10th Ave NEIssaquah, WA 98029(425) 587-8900www.naturomedica.com

ORTHODONTISTCPM Orthodontics22731 SE 29th St.Sammamish, WA 98075(425) 392-7533www.cpmortho.com

Hawkins Orthodontics4540 Klahanie Dr. SEIssaquah, WA 98029(425) 557-8100www.hawkinsortho.com

PAINT & PAINTSUPPLIESBellevue Paint and Decorating612 228th Ave NESammamish, WA 98074(425) 454-7509www.bellevuepaint.net

PET FOOD ANDACCESSORIESCivilized Nature1527 Highlands Dr. NE #110Issaquah, WA 98029(425) 868-3737www.civilizednature.com

PHOTOGRAPHERBarbara Roser Photography(425) 391-9371www.roserphotography.com

PHYSICAL THERAPYPine Lake Physical Therapy2850 228th Ave SE, Suite BSammamish, WA 98075(425) 391-4488www.pinelakept.com

PHYSICAL THERAPY /SPORTSPERFORMANCEG2 Sports Therapy486 228th Ave NESammamish, WA 98074(425) 836-8444www.G2Sports.net

PRE SCHOOLTimberlake Preschool4505 236th Ave NERedmond, WA 98053(425) 284-1010www.timberlakechurch.com

PRESCHOOLIssaquah Montessori24326 SE Issaquah-Fall City RoadIssaquah, WA 98029(425) 557-7705www.issaquahmontessori.com

PRIVATE SCHOOLBellevue Christian School1601 98th Ave NEClyde Hill, WA 98004(425) 454-4402www.bellevuechristian.org

Snoqualmie Springs School25237 SE Issaquah-Fall City RoadIssaquah, WA 98029(425) 392-1196www.snosprings.com

PRIVATE SCHOOLSThe Bear Creek School(425) 898-1720www.tbcs.org

REAL ESTATEAndrew Weiffenbach(206) 356-3916www.sammamish4sale.com

Christine Kipp, Realogics Sotheby'sRealty(425) 260-3934www.christinekipp.com

Debbie Kinson - Windermere RealEstate(425) 392-6600www.debbiekinson.withwre.com

Kritsonis and Lindor14405 SE 36th St., Suite 100Bellevue, WA 98006(425) 643-5500www.karllindor.com

Monique Verger-Perrault150 Bellevue Way SEBellevue, WA 98004(425) 985-4696www.mvp4homes.com

RESTAURANTRistorante Simone22850 NE 8th St.Sammamish, WA 98074(425) 298-4960www.ristorantesimone.com

TILE & STONEWestern Tile and Marble1880 136th Place NEBellevue, WA 98005(425) 643-1380www.westerntile.com

VETERINARYHOSPITALBrookfield Veterinary Hospital6535 E. Lake Sammamish Parkway NERedmond, WA 98052(425) 895-8888www.redmondvet.com

WATER DISTRICTSammamish Water and SewerDistrict1510 228th Ave SESammamish, WA 98075(425) 392-6256www.spwsd.org


‘Tis the Season to Share time, treaSure & talent Written by Diane Meehl

Shopping! Decorating! Entertaining! It’s a busy time, to be certain. But in many of us there is a deeper calling to reach out to those in need. It’s a perfect opportu-nity to teach our children the real joy of the season – to look beyond their own circumstances and share their bounty. We’re here to offer inspiration and ideas!

Locally, our region is home to scores of non-profit organizations offering ser-vices to lift some of our neighbors out of homelessness, domestic violence, and hunger. So we’re showcasing three local organizations that can put your time, tal-ent and treasure to good use. So take a break from the holiday dash, nestle with a cup of peppermint tea, and discover how you and your family can do some good in the neighborhood. Then, pay that holiday spirit forward all year long!

ISSAQUAH FOOD & CLOTHING BANK Mission: To

provide free food, clothing and related ser-vices to promote continued inde-pendence for those in need.

Holiday Wish List: New toys and clothing donated to the Holiday Gift Barn at Pickering on December 8th & 9th (Register at www.issaquahfoodbank.org)

Volunteer: Help set up and break down the Holiday Shopping Event at Pickering Barn on December 10 & 11th (Details: www.issaquahfoodbank.org)

Cheese. It's something the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank never seems to get enough of. And they have more clients now than ever. Why? Board member Ruben Nieto puts it this way, “The recession hit and many people lost their jobs, or had to take jobs pay-ing much less in wages.” It may surprise you to know that most people served by the food bank aren’t homeless. “Actu-ally, we serve 400 – 500 families every month, and most never thought they’d need our help. They typically have one or two incomes, but they’re just not mak-ing enough to get by,” says Cori Walters, Executive Director. Families in need are invited to shop once a week to select enough food for 8 – 10 meals. It’s something unique – the humble downtown Issaquah staple is organized like a store, so clients can make selections according to their needs. “It helps preserve dignity,” says Nieto. The holidays add further strain to stretched budgets. So on December 8th & 9th, donations for new toys and cloth-ing are accepted at Pickering Barn, which is transformed into a shopping extrava-ganza for their clients on December 10th & 11th. Volunteers are also needed for set-up and cleanup during the week. Pre-registration is required for clients, but donors can drop off gifts at the barn without registering.

While Issaquah Food Bank meets immediate needs for food and cloth-ing, their mission encompasses a range of prevention and outreach efforts. For

example, many students who receive reduced lunches miss that opportunity during summer months, so they launched a summer program to fill the gap. The Groceries to Go program delivers food to those who are homebound. Clients are also invited to participate in additional programs that help promote stability and independence, such as Tools for Schools, case management support, access to toi-letries and more. Year round needs include protein-based foods such as canned tuna, chicken and peanut butter in smaller quantities, fresh fruit and vegetables, seasonal outerwear, and clothing for teenage boys. And if you like to roll up your sleeves, there’s plenty to do as the food bank runs lean on staff. Share your talents as a board member, evening shift worker or office administra-tor, and help fill up more than empty stomachs.

VINE MAPLE PLACE Mission: To prevent and break the

cycle of homelessness, and empower single parents to live independently and raise healthy children

Holiday Wish List: Gift cards to Fred Meyer in denominations of $10, $15 and $20 (Send to: Vine Maple Place, P.O. Box 1092, Maple Valley, WA 98038)

Volunteer: Visit www.vinemapleplace.org for details.

Gas. So many of us take it for granted, but it’s the biggest gift you can offer the residents at Vine Maple Place, says Kathi Ridge, Development Director. “Our families are working toward finan-cial stability and stable employment – and gas is a big expense. We need about $20,000 in gift cards in denominations of $10, $15 and $20 to get by each year.” The same goes for personal hygiene items and clothing. “Food stamps only pay for what you can eat, so gift cards to Fred Meyer or Safeway for other necessi-ties are always the perfect gift.”

Dotted with housing units to accommodate 14 families onsite, Vine Maple Place’s busy campus is always full to capacity. But with more than 2000 inquiries each year, their reach is far broader. “We work to prevent homelessness before it begins. We can help people with immediate needs for shelter. But we can also help those who are also on the verge of eviction to prevent them from becoming homeless in the first place,” Ridge explains.

Offering a range of programs to empower single parents and their children with hope, stability, and eventually, independence, residents are paired with caseworkers during their stay. Con-necting them to financial literacy coaching, parenting guidance, access to affordable housing, education and employment prepa-ration, and child advocacy, the goal is for each family to garner living wages and independent housing.

So – how can you pitch in? Vine Maple Place partners with many area social service agencies, but they rely on some 500 volunteers to do much of the work. They’re especially in need of male mentors for boys, coaches with HR and budgeting skills, and child-care helpers, who must be CPR certified. (Youth 14 and older are welcome to volunteer. All volunteers are required to pass a background check, but it’s quick and easy.)

So offer your time, treasure or talent, and help a family open this best gift of all – hope!

LIFEWIRE Mission: To prevent and end domes-

tic violence, and offer healing, shelter and stability to victims and families

Holiday Wish List: Donations of cash, or gift cards for toys, groceries, household goods, or clothing (Send to: LifeWire Holiday of Hope Program, P.O. Box 6398, Bellevue, WA 98008)

Volunteer: Work with victims directly, or help with administra-tive and fundraising efforts (Visit www.lifewire.org for details.)

Bruises. “One of the biggest misconceptions about domestic violence,” says Kelly Becker, Development Director at LifeWire, “is that you can always see the bruises. Domestic violence takes many forms. It’s about power and control, and it can take form in physical, verbal and emotional abuse. It can be in the form of controlling what someone wears, where they go and whom they see, or withholding finances. And it cuts across every ethnicity and socioeconomic status. It’s a crime against the spirit.” LifeWire marshals the call to end domestic violence by deliver-ing a continuum of compassionate services, including preven-tion, advocacy, counseling, emergency shelter and access to flex-ible housing solutions. Not only a response to immediate needs, theirs is largely a proactive endeavor. LifeWire’s advocates reach into the community to prevent tragedies. “We work with schools to promote the idea of building healthy relationships, early,” says Becker. The numbers speak for themselves. Together with LifeWire’s staff, dedicated volunteers and community outreach efforts accomplished the following in 2014: - Responded to 10,354 calls on the 24-Hour Helpline- Provided direct assistance to 4,713 victims with counseling,

legal services, shelter & more- Offered 35,105 nights of safe shelter for survivors and their

children- Taught 15,807 individuals about domestic violence preven-

tion, education and awareness “Domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women and children in the nation,” Becker explains. So in addition to emergency shelter, LifeWire offers community-based housing services including a hotel-motel voucher, rental assistance, and housing stability programs, and also a transi-tional housing program, My Friend’s Place. Are you called to share the gift of compassion? Your time and talent could be put to good use by volunteering at LifeWire. Comprehensive training equips volunteers to work directly with victims. But there are varied ways to contribute - fundraising, clerical assistance, and help answering after-hours helpline calls. Restoring a broken heart and a shattered life – now that’s a gift that keeps giving!

We’d love to know how your family plans to gift the community dur-ing the holiday season. Connect and share with us on Facebook!

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athletes of the

MONTHWritten By Diane Meehl & Reisha HoltonPhotography by Julia Pugh


continued...

ATHLETES FOR KIDS (AFK): Mentors + Buddies = Win/WinWhat does a strapping high school star athlete have in com-mon with a younger child with special needs? Turns out, they have something to learn from each other. Enter Athletes for Kids (AFK), a non-profit organization founded on the Eastside that matches mentors from 7 local high schools to more than 100 area youth. Each athlete “Mentor” is paired with a “Buddy” to offer the kind of attention only a friend that truly cares can deliver. In the process, youngsters who cope with autism, a range of physical and developmental disabilities, depression, ADHD and more, enjoy the benefits that friendly, personalized role modeling and relationship building lends. But as we discovered, it’s not only the buddies that enjoy these special relationships. The mentors win big, too.

Spence and McKenzie Eve and KollinEmma and Samir

Name: SAMIR KHAROUFEHAge: 17School: Eastlake High SchoolYears as a Mentor/Big Buddy: 1

What inspired you to become a volun-teer for Athletes for Kids?I wanted to help someone grow, and inspire them to do the same thing for someone else one day. And, I wanted to offer a friendship to help them along their life’s journey.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from your Little Buddy?I have learned many things from my buddy, but the probably greatest is not to worry about who is around, and to always be yourself and do what you want at all times. He taught me this at the playground. He wanted to play on the slides, but there were another two boys there. But he didn’t care; he joined right in, even when I advised him to do something else until they left. I thought that was actually really cool.

How is your Little Buddy benefitting from your mentorship?I think he has benefited by becoming more open and comfortable. He now makes friends so much easier and is always going to birthday parties, whereas before he was always talking about the same one or two people.

What is your favorite activity to do with your Little Buddy?My favorite activity to do with him is soccer. As a soccer player myself, I love it whenever he says he wants to play soccer.

Name: EMMA KLEINKNECHTAge: 17School: Eastlake High School Years as a Mentor/Big Buddy: This is my 3rd year!

What inspired you to become a volun-

teer for Athletes for Kids?I have always enjoyed working with kids, more specifically kids with special needs. When two girls on my swim team told me about AFK I was immediately inter-ested. I got more information and joined the club my sophomore year.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from your Little Buddy?I have learned many lessons, but the big-gest lesson would be staying true to myself. My buddy struggles with social skills, so I have taught her how to make friends and talk to people. The first thing I ever told my buddy was to just be herself— no mat-ter what. Each time I have said that to her, it reminds me that it’s true for me also. I don’t have to change myself for anyone I meet; I just need to be me!

How is your Little Buddy benefitting from your mentorship?I know that since we became matched, she has made friends and she has fewer issues with bullies at school. Her mom tells me that she looks forward to our weekly meetings because I can help her with any problem.

What is your favorite activity to do with your Little Buddy?Honestly, our favorite activity is talk-ing! We usually hang out in her room or in her backyard if the weather is nice and just talk! I help her with problems and she asks me questions about my life, and anything she wants to know about. When we aren’t talking, our favorite thing to do is grab some frozen yogurt at Yo Plateau or Yogurtland.

Name: MCKENZIE DEUTSCHAge: 18School: Skyline High SchoolYears as a Mentor/Big Buddy: 1

What inspired you to become a volun-teer for Athletes for Kids?

My oldest sister was a mentor while she was in high school and had a wonderful experience—she is still in contact with her buddy! Also, another sister of mine has Down syndrome. She is one of the most free-spirited, hilarious, and car-ing people I know. However, she can be unsure of herself at times—just like any of us can be. Sometimes a person just needs a friend and some guidance to gain the confidence they need. Growing up with my sister, I knew that I wanted to be a part of something that could help kids with disabilities, and Athletes for Kids was the perfect way to do it!

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from your Little Buddy?My buddy has cerebral palsy—a physi-cal disability that makes being active extremely difficult. But there is so much more to her than her disability. In fact, when I’m with my buddy I forget she even has a disability. Her personality is very witty and intelligent, and she has a great sense of humor. She is often a lot more knowledgeable about the world than I am! After meeting her, I realized that her disability had nothing to with who she was. She has taught me that you cannot let disabilities, outward appearances, or whatever else people judge you by define you as a person. Once you accept these things about yourself, people will begin to see you for who you really are.

How is your Little Buddy benefitting from your mentorship?My buddy does not have careless fun very often, so I try my best to do activities that will take her mind off of the negative and allow her to not worry for a while. My buddy views me as the big sister she never had, and enjoys doing just normal girl things! Every time we do something together, she worries a little less and becomes more confident in herself.

What is your favorite activity to do with your Little Buddy?


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My buddy and I love to go to different coffee shops and try out new drinks. We are also into makeup and hair—one time we even made our own lipstick out of Crayola crayons. Yes, it is possible!

Name: SPENCE BOYERAge: 17School: Skyline High SchoolYears as a Mentor/Big Buddy: 1 year

What inspired you to become a volun-teer for Athletes for Kids?I wanted to have a positive influence on a young kid’s life. I also hoped to be a friend to a younger kid who may have had difficulties. I wanted to be someone they could have fun with, and not be afraid to just be themselves.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from your Little Buddy?I have learned from my Little Buddy that your imagination is a key to happiness. Having an imagination can make things fun, but it can also can make difficult or hard things easier and bearable.

How is your Little Buddy benefitting from your mentorship?My little buddy has benefitted from my mentorship by not being as shy. He has become more outgoing and sure of himself.

What is your favorite activity to do with your Little Buddy?My favorite activity to do with my little buddy is to tell stories to each other. We go back and forth, sometimes for a good half an hour, telling stories from a pirate who sails the seven seas, to an astronaut discovering a new planet.

Name: EVE HORMUTHAge: 16School: Eastside Catholic High School Years as a Mentor/Big Buddy: 1

What inspired you to become a volun-teer for Athletes for Kids?I was inspired to become a volunteer for Athletes for Kids when I heard about the program through a friend. I love kids and thought it would be a great way to be an active member of my community. I also loved the idea of being able to mentor someone, and build a relationship.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from your Little Buddy?The biggest lessons I have learned from my buddy are compassion and happi-ness. Despite my buddy's disabilities she always has a smile on her face and she finds happiness in nearly everything. I have always had a lot of compassion for children with obstacles in their lives. How is your Little Buddy benefitting from your mentorship?My buddy and I have formed a great friendship. I always encourage her to be open to trying new things, and to never get down on herself. I hope that I am being a great role model to her, and that she can always look up to me.

What is your favorite activity to do with your Little Buddy?My buddy and I have a lot of things in common—we love animals, sing-ing and dancing, and the movie Frozen. We have been to Remlinger Farms, we have played Just Dance on the Wii, and of course we have spent several hours

watching and discussing Frozen. These are only a few of the many memories my buddy and I have made.

Name: KOLLIN MALSAMAge: 18School: Eastside CatholicYears as a Mentor/Big Buddy: 2 1/2

What inspired you to become a volun-teer for Athletes for Kids?I wanted to take advantage of the oppor-tunity to help, and to become a positive role model for my buddy as well as to become his friend.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned from your Little Buddy?So far the biggest lesson that I have learned has been that patience is impor-tant in building a strong relationship with my buddy. Without patience, I would not be able to watch and help my buddy suc-ceed in many of the tasks that we do.

How is your Little Buddy benefitting from your mentorship?With all of the tutoring and schooling my buddy has to do, I believe he knows when I am with him that he can relax and be himself. He doesn’t have to worry about anything except having fun.

What is your favorite activity to do with your Little Buddy?Our favorite activity to do together is to get frozen yogurt at Yogurtland—my bud-dy’s favorite place to eat. We enjoy trying all different types of yogurt combinations.

athletes of the

MONTH ...continued


NeighborhoodNews

Their photos cling to the Lincicome family refrigerator by magnets that also hold school schedules and artwork. If you looked through family photo albums, you’d see them, too. World Vision sponsor child, Zwakele (rhymes with ukulele) is 14 and has been a part of Jeff and Kristi’s family for 11 years. Also a World Vision sponsor child, Thubelihle (tuba-leeh-lay) has been a sister to 16-year-old Lucy, 13-year-old Clara, and 10-year-old Dayle for five years. Thubelihle and 6-year-old Violet are the same age. It’s almost like the six girls have grown up together. They did. In different houses, on different continents.

Jeff and Kristi show me another photo, the one of Violet with eight suitcases, decreasing in size, spreading across their driveway. Seven held the belongings the family would need for the next eight weeks—the eight weeks that would take

Familyspotlight

OUT OF AFRICA: Compassion in ActionWritten by Reisha Holton

them on a sabbatical from Sammamish Presbyterian Church, to the town of Citrusdal on the Western Cape of South Africa, and on to Swaziland, a landlocked country on the eastern side of the conti-nent. The eighth suitcase? It was full of Dum Dums lollipops.

Now I am thinking my pastor is crazy. “Who doesn’t like Dum Dums?” he asks. When Jeff shared this in a church presen-tation, the girls giggled and nodded their heads. “They’re the best ice breaker there is.”

The Lincicomes weren’t meeting all strangers when they showed up at the vil-lage, though. “I was meeting my lifelong pen pal,” shares Clara, an eighth-grader at BLMS, who enjoys hairstyling, volleyball, and swimming. She and Lucy, a sopho-more at Skyline High School who enjoys cross-country running and lacrosse, have been writing letters to their “sisters” for as long as they can remember. Dayle, a fourth grader at Cascade Ridge who enjoys act-ing, swimming, softball, and the marimba

band, used her birthday party to intro-duce her friends to her sponsored sisters. Friends brought money instead of gifts to her party, and she used the $400 to buy the candy and other food and toys for the chil-dren in Zwakele and Thubelihle’s village.

Even though the Lincicomes went to Swa-ziland to meet Zwakele and Thubelihle, their trip was more than a reunion with their two sponsored daughters. It was a crash course in compassion. As SPC pastor, Jeff ’s preaches compassion. “How can we practice compassion in our everyday lives?” Jeff asks. “We keep our eyes open for hurt-ing people. Neighbors who are new, kids who may be alone and not in the group, people in our community who need a help-ing hand, people around the world who live hand to mouth,” he says.

“It’s as easy as making a phone call and getting involved. The Issaquah Food Bank always needs a helping hand. Many locals organization have a great handle on how to reach out and serve.

You don’t have to travel to Africa to teach your kids compas-sion,” Jeff explains.

But travel to Africa they did. “It’s not often that you have the chance to meet someone your family has only dreamed about meeting. It’s one way to make a difference, for them as well as for us.”

After several weeks with the “sisters” and other villagers in South Africa, the girls and Jeff and Kristi said tearful goodbyes. Even though they knew the letters would start as soon as they returned home, leaving was still hard.

The family spent the final weeks of their trip travelling together, seeing a few other parts of the world, enjoying summer. They were far away from home, and there’s a big world out there.

The Lincicomes have lived in Sammamish for six years, return-ing to the Northwest after ten years of pastoring in Mequon, Wisconsin. It’s a bit of a homecoming for Jeff, an Issaquah native, and Kristi, who grew up in Shoreline. The two met at the University of Washington at a retreat, and Kristi shares, “It was love at first sight, at least for one of us.”

When they’re home, the Lincicomes enjoy hiking and skiing as a family. Jeff and Kristi, who have been married since 1995, enjoy cooking together, reading and music. What tops their current

continued...Get to know your neighbors better by having your family featured in the next avail-able issue! Email us at [email protected]


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playlist? Iron and Wine, Sufjan Stevens and Over the Rhine. Juggling a family of six and three jobs (Kristi is a school nurse at Issaquah Valley Elementary and sales manager for Michele Enebo Photography), they somehow find time to read. Jeff just finished Death of a Salesman; Kristi just read The Paris Wife.

“Life is an adventure,” Jeff shares, remembering all the different food the family ate, the unusual sleeping accommodations, the lessons they brought home. He smiles.

“Along with all the other things we want to equip our kids with—great educations, interests, social skills—compassion is maybe the most important,” he says. And almost as if reminding himself of his parenting duties, he adds, “Without compassion we won’t fos-ter kids who will change the world for good. It’s that important. It’s never too early to introduce your kids to hope.”

This trip began and ended with hope. The literal end was at Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, affectionately dubbed by the Lincicome family as the tip of the world. The summer began differently, though, with hope masked in a suitcase full of Dum Dums. Can I get an Amen to that?

...continued

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THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS SUDDENLY RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, AND WE ALL KNOW THAT MEANS: IT IS TIME FOR GIFT GIVING. HAVING A LAST-MINUTE PANIC ATTACK OVER WHAT TO GET YOUR PARENTS, BEST FRIEND, SIBLINGS, AND PARTNER IS ALL TOO COMMON, BUT NOT TO FEAR! I HAD THE CHANCE TO TALK TO SHELLY TINGEY, A PROFESSIONAL PERSONAL STYLIST, ABOUT SOME OF HER FAVORITE GIFT IDEAS FOR THIS WINTER. SHELLY FILLED ME IN ON THE MUST-HAVE, GO-TO TRENDS FOR THIS SEASON.

Worried about what to get your best girl-friend this Christmas? You can never go wrong with a simple flannel shirt. “I think

one must-have item for the season is a flannel. A great blouse that you can button up, leave undone with a tank, or wrap around your waist,” says Shelly. Flannels never disappoint, as they are both com-fy and cute, and always a part of a casual but stylish winter outfit.

While shopping for your best friends may be hard, shopping for boyfriends can be even harder! Shelly gave me some great advice on where to start when searching for something special for the men in our lives. “For men, I love to see a light hooded sweater,” she says. “Men tend to not like bulky sweaters because they get hot easily, but they also need options for going out. A hooded sweater provides an option for this. Look into men’s Vince sweaters.” Men may not be hard to please, but it’s always a good idea to get him something he will not only love, but also be able to wear often.

Personally, I always get stuck on what to get my friends as stock-ing stuffers. I am always at a loss when deciding what would be too much, and what would be too little. This winter, I have decid-ed that a great stocking stuffer for my friends is an accessory. Whether it’s a simple bracelet that I know will look great with almost every outfit she owns, or a scarf that I know will perfectly complete an outfit I see her wearing often, accessories make per-fect gifts. If you’re looking for a statement necklace to give to a girlfriend, Shelly has a few tips on what to look for. “I love a long necklace that hits right above the navel. You can find one with a pendant on the end or just the chains converging into one with a tassel,” she suggests. “Be careful not to wear a long necklace too short. Right below your cleavage is a little short. If you need to lengthen your necklace with an extension, go for it.”

Your holiday shopping will be a hit if you use this guide when picking up gifts for all of your wonderful friends and family. Happy Holidays!

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BAKE Like It’s 2014!Meet Kellie NadellWritten by Reisha Holden

A tray of ginger spice cookies sat in the middle of the kitchen island and another dozen cooled nearby. The smell of cinnamon and the crisp feel of the fall day took me back: Thomson, Georgia, Grandma Ida’s kitchen, flour on the floor.

I was quick to realize that these weren’t my grandma’s cookies. No, these ginger spice cookies were part of Kellie Nadell’s repertoire of Christ-mas cookies. A repertoire she is fine-tuning as she prepares for her annual

cookie baking adventure. By December 15, Kellie will have baked over 2,000 cookies--in fact, appropriately 2,014.

My eyes are wide open and my tongue is wagging.

Last year, Kellie baked 2,013 cookies and delivered them to teacher workrooms, school staff, family, and a few lucky neigh-bors. This has been going on every year since 2008, when Kellie baked 1,500 cookies. “I don’t know why I counted them then,” she says. Now Kellie’s cookie count mirrors the calendar year.

Classic chocolate chip cookies are Kellie’s go-to during the year. She surprises firemen, senior citizens at senior cen-ters, and does drive-bys to road construction workers. These cookies, though, don’t have a spot on her year-end cookie trays. “I don’t think of brownies and chocolate chip cookies as Christmas cookies,” she says. “I do bake Chocolate Mint Crisps (a fudgy cookie with an Andes mint smushed on top) but they’re not really pretty. If they weren’t such a favorite, they wouldn’t keep making the list.”

While there are crowd favorites like the Chocolate Mint Chips, the cookies change up from year to year. Open on Kellie’s counter are two green folders: her repertoire of recipes that she has used or is considering using this year, and copies of recipes from last

year. “I add one or two new ones every year,” she says, thumbing through the plastic sheet protectors that cover the prized recipes.

“This is Christmas for me. For some people it’s the lights or the tree, but this is our family Christmas experience,” she shares. The Nadells spend November eating out of their freezer to make room for the stacks of disposable containers that will hold cookies. Kellie’s son, Bobby, patrols every pan. “Bobby will look over the cookies and point out problems. He’ll say, ‘That one has a little bubble. It’ll never pass.’ He’s right,” she laughs.

What first captivated me about Kellie’s baking was the sheer volume of her undertaking. But after our time together I am mesmerized by her approach to the art of baking. She empha-sizes quality ingredients and quality baking tools. She points to her Pampered Chef stoneware, spatula, cooling rack, and cookie scoop. She lists her favorite ingredients, sharing that she stocks up all year long. She only uses C&H Sugar, Tillamook or Darigold butter (“I’d buy Kerrygold if I could afford it”), Costco Mexican vanilla, and Pampered Chef Indonesian Korintje cinnamon. She isn’t as picky about flour—Gold Medal, Pillsbury, King Arthur. “I’m not sure the flour makes a difference,” she says.

“It’s therapy and science,” she shares. “People don’t consider that.” The phrase “kitchen chemistry” comes to mind. There is a differ-ence between baking soda and baking powder. The order of ingre-dients does matter. Room temperature butter makes a creamier mixture with sugar than if you use butter right out the refrigera-tor. The same is true for an egg: an egg right out of the refrigera-tor hardens the butter and makes the sugar mixture waxy.

“I line up the cookies on the sheet before baking,” she explains. “I do the same with the cookies on the cooling rack and stacking the containers in the freezer.” I know this organization isn’t crazy. When I have an article due, I procrastinate by baking cookies. We concur that the orderliness of baking reduces stress and calms us.

But the process makes me hungry and I tend to nibble on the dough. Not Kellie. “About halfway into the process, I can’t taste any-thing anymore. I lose weight during the month of baking,” she says.

I look back at the ginger spice cookies on the cooling rack. As if she has read my mind, Kellie puts six in a bag for me to take home. She knows me. Most of them will be eaten before I get to the end of her street.

These may be family recipes but not family secrets. Kellie will gladly share. Send her an email at [email protected]

continued...

NeighborhoodNews

.

‘Tis the season for Holidays

at the Hospital.

Saturday, Dec. 6 9 a.m.-noon

Swedish Issaquah 751 NE Blakely DriveIssaquah, WA 98029

• Pancake Breakfast $5.95 per person (infants are free). A portion of the proceeds supports pediatrics at Swedish.

• Visit with Santa and friends, plus FREE photos Come get a free photo with St. Nick and deco-rate a keep-sake frame. Other winter characters and princesses will be visiting too so bring your camera!

• Touch a Fire Truck Eastside Fire and Rescue

truck.

• Teddy Bear Clinic Bring your favorite buddy for a “Teddy Bear Clinic” check-up.

• Life Size Gingerbread House All our welcome to help decorate our giant gingerbread house.

• Face Painting Our elf creates magical face-painting fun.

• Holiday Music Enjoy holiday cheer with music from local singers and musicians.

• Starbucks Coffee Warm up with a free 8-ounce cup of Christmas Blend coffee.

www.swedish.org/issaquah

Celebrate the warmth of the season with your family and friends at your communityhospital. Swedish Issaquah invites you to Holidays at the Hospital. Fun events foreveryone from a pancake breakfast, pictures with Santa and lots of holiday cheer!Saturday, December 6th, 9 a.m.-noon.

25December Plateau Living24 Plateau Living DecemberNeighborhoodNews NeighborhoodNews

...continued

Kellie’s Chocolate Mint Crisps

Ingredients• 1½ cups packed brown sugar• 2 Tbsp plus 1½ tsp water• ¾ cup butter• 2 cups (12 ounces) chocolate chips• 2 eggs• 2½ cups flour• 1¼ tsp baking soda• ½ tsp salt• 3 packages Andes mint candies• Decorating sprinkles

DirectionsIn a heavy saucepan, combine the brown sugar, water and butter. Cook and stir over low heat until the butter is melted and the mixture is smooth.

Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips until melted. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Move the mixture into a mixing bowl and beat on high speed. Add the eggs one at a time.

Combine the flour, soda and salt, and then add to the chocolate mixture.

Once all mixed, cover and refrigerate 8 hours.

After refrigeration, roll into 1-inch balls and bake at 350 degrees F for 11-13 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops have cracked (the cookies will become crisp as they cool).

Immediately top each cookie with a mint. Let stand a minute until the mint melts, then swirl/spread it over the cookie. Top with decorating sprinkles. Let stand 1-2 minutes before trans-ferring to cooling rack.

Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

BAKE Like Its 2014!

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Meet Buddy 2.0Would you like your pet to be in an upcoming issue? Do you know of a neighbor-hood pet that we should feature? We’d love for them to be our monthly Precious Pet! Please email [email protected] with your suggestions.

precious pets

Wouldn’t it be amazing if your school had a live mascot, in the school, all day, every day? Schools that have mascots like horses, eagles, or wolves can’t have those around the school. What about bulldogs?

Beaver Lake Middle School has a live bulldog mascot, named Buddy 2.0. “It all started when a committee of six BLMS stu-dents surveyed the community, asking about mascot and school color ideas,” says Buddy’s owner, Patrick Ford. Dragons, cobras, and bulldogs were tops in the survey. After the vote, bulldogs won. “Beaver Lake Bulldogs has a nice ring/flow to it,” Ford says. “I facetiously said, ‘It would be fun to have a real bulldog here.’ The principal agreed and the rest is history.”

Buddy 2.0 was not the first bulldog to be a mascot for BLMS. The first Buddy was there when the school opened. After serv-ing 13 years, sadly, Buddy passed away. BLMS carried on the tradition, and got a new puppy, Buddy 2.0.

“There is a story behind Buddy’s name,” Ford says. “The students at school named her Buddy because everybody at BLMS has a buddy.”

Written by Anika Ajwani, 6th grader at Beaver Lake Middle School

Photographs compiled by Julia Pugh and Nancy Francis

continued...

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...continued

The first Buddy had a thing for basketball! She loved to play a game of “I dare you to take it from me.” When Mr. Ford got Buddy 2.0, she popped three basketballs! Now, Mr. Ford gives her balloons instead.

On school days, Mr. Ford arrives at BLMS with Buddy 2.0 at 6:15 a.m. When the weather is nice, Mr. Ford brings Buddy to school in a cart behind his bike. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while Mr. Ford does his exercises in the gym, he gives Buddy about six balloons to pop and play around with. On Tues-days and Thursdays, Buddy 2.0 just likes to relax. Buddy 2.0 is usually on her tall cart in the commons, greeting students before school. Buddy loves being pulled around in her wagon. At home, she loves to chew on her beef stick and bathe in the sun.

Mr. Ford loves all the attention Buddy is getting from the BLMS community. “Having experienced all the love that has been show-

ered on both Buddies has been heartwarming. It’s amazing how a bulldog can make you want to talk ‘baby talk’ to her. The pride the kids have shown by having a ‘live mascot’ has been priceless. Some students don’t have pets, so Buddy has taught those kids about the unconditional love of a pet,” he shares.

Buddy 2.0 is one special dog! She has been in the Seattle Times, on America’s Funniest Home Videos because of her balloon trick, and has been drawn by a professional artist.

I am a student at Beaver Lake Middle School. I love having Buddy around. Her tongue is always sticking out, making her look cheerful all the time! When I interviewed Mr. Ford, Buddy came out to greet me. I love that Buddy is calm when she sees new people. Buddy is BLMS’s spirit. I can’t imagine Beaver Lake Middle School without her.

precious pets

NeighborhoodNews

During the chilly months of December and January the offices of Christine Kipp will be giving 5% of all commissions to Eastside Baby Corner (BabyCorner.org), the Together Center (TogetherCenter.org) and Eastside Friends of Seniors (EastsideFriendsOfSeniors.org). Wishing you and yours the very happiest of holidays,

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Ed and Nicole Mecum’s lives changed when they visited friends in Texas several years ago. The two couples wanted to go out

to dinner, but they had not arranged for a sitter for the kids. Their host suggested taking the kids to Adventure Kids Playcare.

“We were very nervous when we got there due to our daughter’s food allergies, but the staff was reassuring and confident. It was clear this was a great choice,” Ed says. “The kids went off to play and we went off to dinner. Our kids had a great time, and we were relaxed—not always the case when leaving our kids with a babysitter.”

When they picked up the kids at the end of the evening, Ed took a company brochure and noticed that there were franchises available. And that lucky encounter led the Mecums to a career change.

Ed and Nicole owned their own engineering firm during the housing and construction boom and adequate childcare was hard to find. They also understood how hard it was for a working cou-ple on those days when their regular childcare was not available. Access to “drop-in childcare” would have avoided the difficult decision about who would go to work and who would stay home.

Knowing that there must be families in their same situation, Ed and Nicole decided to bring Adventure Kids Playcare to Issaquah. Being the first Adventure Kids Playcare outside of Texas and the first drop in style childcare center licensed by the State in this area, this was a task that extended well into the recession. But the couple persevered and officially launched the Issaquah location in April 2010.

Adventure Kids Playcare was founded in Texas in 2004 to solve that problem, as well as to provide drop-in childcare when school holidays don’t sync up with work holidays, or when parents just need a day or evening out. The company began franchising in 2006 and already had multiple locations in Texas when the Mecums discovered it.

Drop-in childcare is a new idea for most parents, so the Mecums faced a long process of marketing the center (even handing out flyers!) and educating parents about the program and its benefits. Over time, local parents came to appreciate and trust the center. Losing a sitter for the day was no lon-ger an insurmountable problem. Parents no longer needed to arrange the sitter at all!

It is important to the Mecums that Adventure Kids Playcare provides parents a worry-free childcare environment. The center is staffed with caring, energetic, quick-minded and experienced caregivers. Staff members undergo back ground checks, training in first aid, CPR, and take continuing education coursework as a requirement of employment.

Business Beat guilt free childcare at adventure kids playcare

And of course it helps that kids love the center. There are activi-ties for kids up to 12 years, including an indoor playscape, crafts, air hockey, board games, Lego, video gaming, a sports wall and movie nights for kids (so parents can enjoy their own movie night). And there are dedicated infant and toddler rooms so each age group has the right experience.

In addition to drop-in care for kids aged 6 weeks to 12 years, Adventure Kids Playcare also offers before- and after-school care—including transportation between the center and school. A preschool program is also available—Adventure Kids Uni-versity—which focuses on numbers, letters, colors, puzzles and other areas typical of a preschool program. Special camp pro-grams are also offered when school is on break and every camp has a unique theme, offering a variety of activities.

Adventure Kids Playcare’s rates are hourly, prorated to the min-ute, so if a parent picks up their child after 42 minutes, they only pay for 42 minutes. Parents can also purchase a prepay package for savings on all of their services. The center is open 7:00 a.m. –

10:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 mid-night on Friday, and 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 midnight on Saturday.

Need some time off to do your holiday shopping? Or need a night out for the office party? Take advantage of a free one-hour trial: email Ed and the Playcrew at [email protected] and sign up for an opportunity to try out the Adventure Kids Playcare experience!


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Eat Well. Eating small, frequent meals keeps your blood sugar sta-ble. Erratic blood sugar can make you irritable and reduce your abil-ity to manage stress. Balance your blood sugar by having protein with every meal, especially with sugary or starchy foods. Don’t

deprive yourself of holiday treats, just practice moderation and eat a serving of protein plus fruit or veggies with every meal.

Get Enough Sleep. Try not to “burn the candle at both ends.” Stick to a regular sleep schedule, tell your friends and family, and make a goal of being in bed before 11pm. If you are beginning to feel run down or ill, sleep is critical. When we are asleep before midnight, our bodies secrete melatonin in conjunction with growth hormone, which helps boost immunity and promote healing.

Exercise Regularly. As your holiday schedule fills up, it is easy to skip your exercise routine. Exercise helps to reduce the hor-mones that worsen stress and boosts neurotransmitters that improve your immune system and mood. Use your favorite an app or exercise device to ensure you are walking at least 10,000 steps every day. Calculate your target heart rate and get 15 min-utes a day of exercise within that range.

Take Time for Yourself. Even 20 minutes a day spent alone can help your brain and body rest and re-set. If you experience anxi-ety or depression during the holidays, you are not alone. Speak with a trusted friend or therapist. In times of high stress, take a few minutes by yourself and breathe deeply: focusing on your breath can help regulate your heart rate and stimulate the para-sympathetic nervous system, which promotes a sense of calm.

Go To the Doctor. For some, holiday stress takes a toll on our physical health. At our clinic, in addition to evaluating baseline labs for concerns such as hypothyroidism and anemia, we often use salivary testing to measure adrenal hormone levels. A reduc-tion in adrenal hormones can lead to a feeling of being “wired but tired.” Once we identify an individual’s needs, we can use vita-mins, amino acids, and herbal formulas to restore adrenal function and improve how our patient handles stressful situations.

Dr. Forsberg is a licensed naturopathic physician and acupuncturist at NaturoMedica in Issaquah.

Health and BeautyFive Tips for Managing Stress Naturally During the Holiday SeasonBy Dr. Rachelle Forsberg

NeighborhoodNews

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PNC is a registered service mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”). PNC Mortgage is a division of PNC Bank, National Association,a subsidiary of PNC. All loans are provided by PNC Bank, National Association and are subject to credit approval and property appraisal.©2013 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC MORT PDF 0513-0123-147310


AdventureKidsPlaycare.com

Enjoy all of those things you used to do together, (shopping, dining out, running errands) knowing that your children are playing, exploring and learning in our safe and secure environment.

775 NW GilmanIssaquah, WA 98027425-391-5358425-391-5358

kids2kids Meet Plateau Living’s Kid of the Month: JENNA MILES

Would you like your child or children to be in an upcoming issue? We’d love to feature them in our monthly kids2kids section! Please email [email protected] make your kids feel like little rock stars.

NeighborhoodNews

Name: JENNA MILESAge: 9Grade: 4th School: Discovery Elementary Family: Mom: Victoria Dad: David Sister: Kayla

What do you like best about your sister?What I like best about Kayla is that she is caring and that she is always there for me.

Sports or Musical Instruments I Play: I play piano, Skyline Youth Cheer and dance ballet and lyrical jazz.

Something Unique About Me: I am the only one in my family, besides my Nana that can raise only my left eyebrow on its own.

When I Grow Up I’m Going to be: a dance teacher because I like dance and I also like teaching people stuff.

MY FAVORITES:Activities/Hobbies: Cheer, dance, and piano Animal: Dolphins and ferret Color: PurpleFood: Mac and cheese and mango sticky riceMovie: Dolphin Tale 2Music: Ariana GrandePlace to Play: Outside riding my bike or scooter Sports Teams: Seahawks and the Skyline Spartans Subject in School: WritingTV Show: H2O and Austin & AllyVacation: Hawaii or Disneyland

Anything else we should know about you?I like to play with my friends and especially jump on trampo-lines. I like to help out around the house with the recycling and sometimes help my dad in the yard. I'm also excited to get my braces off in December.

Cottrell ChiropracticChiropractic Care With A Personal Touch

Dr. Terry Cottrell6520 226th Place SE • Issaquah, WA 98027425-392-9490 • www.CottrellChiro.com

Serving Sammamishand Issaquah

since 1987


Invite a Houseplant Into Your Home

IN THE DIRTContributed by community resident, Ilse Burch

Ilse Burch

Houseplants add a lot to the living environ-ment of our homes. They filter and improve the air, and infuse our rooms with life and a feeling of comfort. But houseplants’ needs vary. Some are divas that need a lot of care, while others are more like pet rocks and seem to hibernate happily for years.

The most important step in having a healthy houseplant is to pick one that

will work in your environment. Think about where you want the plant to grow, and then find one that will thrive there based on its needs for light, temperature, water and humidity.

LIGHT LEVELSOnly a few plants can survive for years without sunlight. If you have low light conditions, be sure to buy a plant that can tol-erate it. Otherwise, buy two and rotate them between a more hospitable area and the darker area every week or so to give them a chance to survive and look good. A grow light can also help in the dark area. If your plant gets light from one side and tends to “lean,” you can turn it weekly a quarter turn to encourage straighter growth.

TEMPERATURETemperature is also a factor with houseplants. Warmth encour-ages plants to grow, but growth in the absence of light causes stretching and “leginess.” This combination causes plants to lose their compact good looks. The technical word for this is “etiolat-ing.” A house that is too cool can also cause problems. Some houseplants have temperature requirements over 50 degrees F.

WATER AND HUMIDITYHouses are full of dust and are often very dry. Outside, rainfall keeps plants clean, but there isn’t any in the house. You can wash the leaves or put the entire plant in the shower, thor-oughly washing the entire leaf and stems and not just the top of the leaf. The water acts as a temporary humidifier and also reduces bugs such as spider mites, which are so tiny they can-not be seen with the naked eye.

(Speaking of bugs, whenever you get a houseplant, even from a reputable nursery, inspect it carefully for critters. I recom-mend the use of a 10x hand lens. Any little critters, especially slow-moving ones, are suspect. If the plant looks funny or has distorted leaves, be concerned. Quarantine any plant you are given to protect your healthy plants.)

Ironically, water is the thing that kills most houseplants. They are better off with less water than too much. The best thing to do is to water the plant well and then let it dry out. Don’t let it sit in a puddle unless you know that is what the plant needs. Otherwise, if rot gets started it is hard to control, and you will probably wind up throwing the plant out. The “ZZ” plant, for example, needs to be dry most of the time, with watering only a couple of times in winter and every other week in summer.

A little bit of nature in our home makes it more inviting and comfortable. If you buy the appropriate houseplant and give it the care it requires, it will make your home cozy in a way that nothing else can.


MORE INFO: VISIT TIMBERLAKEPRESCHOOL.COM OR EMAIL [email protected]

TIMBERLAKE CHRISTIAN

PRESCHOOLENROLLING NOW!· Ages 2.5 to 5· Academic Success Program· Low student-to-teacher ratio· Extended care options· Licensed by the Department of Early Learning

Serving the community since 1934!

145 NE Gilman Blvd Issaquah, WA 98027

(425) 392-6469 grangesupply.com

Nurturing Each Child’s Unique Potential

24326 SE Issaquah-Fall City RdIssaquah, WA 98029Phone: 425.557.7705Currently Enrolling Toddlers!

39December Plateau Living38 Plateau Living DecemberFinancialFitness

Now that another year is ending, it’s a good time to take stock of where you are on your journey toward financial

security. Of course, you could find many different “measuring sticks” to assess your progress, but you can certainly gain consid-erable information just by asking yourself some basic questions.

Here are a few to consider:

How close am I to my retirement goals? Your comprehensive investment strategy should include a reasonably good estimate of how much money you will eventually need to sustain the retirement lifestyle you’ve envisioned. At least once a year, you should evaluate how much closer you’ve gotten to your goals than the year before.

Am I making sufficient progress toward my goals? When assessing your progress, try to determine if your portfolio is properly allocated between stocks, stock-based vehicles, bonds,

TIME TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESStoward your retirement goals

government securities, certificates of deposit and other invest-ments. If you’re “over weighted” in a particular asset class you may be impeding your ability to move toward your goals.

Am I adhering to my investment strategy? To stick with your investment strategy, you need to invest at regular intervals and meet regularly with your financial professional to review your progress and make adjustments — such as rebalancing your portfolio — when necessary. Of course, even with regular progress reviews and portfolio rebalancing, it can be challeng-ing, psychologically and emotionally, to stick with a strategy. For example, during any given year the financial markets could be down, and your results might be disappointing. Nonethe-less, if you have built a diversified portfolio containing quality investments, and your portfolio is well suited to your own risk tolerance and time horizon, you don’t necessarily need to make changes following a down year in the markets.

What aspects of my life have changed in the past year? Your investment strategy should be based entirely on your individual needs and circumstances — so if these have changed during the past year, you may also have to adjust the way you invest. Con-sider any and all changes in your life — marriage, new children, divorce, etc. — and then try to determine what impact these changes might have on your long-term financial strategy and if you need to adjust that strategy in response.

Have I changed my thinking on my retirement goals? Over time, you might undergo some changes in your thinking about retirement. For example, perhaps you’ve decided that you no longer want to retire early and travel the world; instead, you’ve discovered a growing desire to open a small business or do some consulting. Any significant changes you make to your retirement plans will likely have a big effect on your savings and investment strategies, so you’ll want to incorporate these changes into your planning as soon as possible.

By asking, and answering, these questions at the end of each year, you should always have a good sense of where you are in pursuit of your long-term goals — and what you need to do to bring the realization of those goals closer to reality.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

West Facing East Lake Sammamish Waterfront

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Featured Property F� Sale

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JOHNKRITSONIS

[email protected]

www.KarlLindor.com

[email protected]

KarlLindor

Main Floor Master

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For 18 years , we ’ve specia l ized in custom-designed and ne-crafted jewelry . But don’ t take our word for i t .Stop by—we’re just north of the Pine Lake QFC. And see how we can make your next occas ion spectacular .

Plateau Living

WA

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amish

december 2014

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