Santa coming to Grand Ridge Plaza
Santa will arrive on the Wells Fargo six-horse stagecoach at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, kicking off the holiday season at Grand Ridge Plaza in the Issaquah Highlands. A festive celebration, featuring more than 100 students from Grand Ridge Elementary and the Silver Bells Quartet will greet Santa.
The stagecoach is an authentic reproduction from the Gold Rush era, pulled by a specially trained team of horses. The schedule includes the Silver Bells quartet performing from 5:15-7:15 p.m. and a performance by the Grand Ridge Elementary School choir at 6:10 p.m.
Santa Saturdays at Grand Ridge Plaza are noon to 3 p.m. on December 7, 14 and 21. Visitors are invited to take their own photos with Santa and enter to win $200 in gift certificates to the Grand Ridge Plaza merchants of their choice. Participants are encouraged to be creative with baby photos and family photos. The contest begins Friday, Dec. 7, 2013 and ends Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013 at midnight. For details and to enter, log onto facebook.com/GrandRidgePlaza.
Christmas tree sales to benefit Boys, Girls Clubs
The Boys and Girls Clubs of King County is teaming up with Snow Day Farms and Zip-car to deliver hand-selected Christmas trees from Washington tree growers. Customers can purchase a tree on snowdayfarms.com and it and any wreaths will be delivered by Zip-car to Seattle-area residences for free.
Ten percent of all sales will be donated to the scholarship fund of the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County.
The Christmas Trees selected by Snow Day Farms are sourced locally from Western Washington farms in the Mossy Rock region and can be delivered to apartments, businesses and homes. The free delivery perimeter includes Issaquah.
To view Snow Day Farms’ selection of Noble Firs, Grand Firs, and Holiday Wreaths visit snowdayfarms.com.
Issaquah in running for Sunset honor
Sunset Magazine has nominated Issaquah as a finalist for the “Best Cosmopolitan Burb,” calling it “charming downtown, beautiful – a Northwest suburban heaven.” Other communities in contention are Alameda, Calif.; South Pasadena, Calif.; and Louisville, Colo.
To vote go to http://westphoria.sunset.com/2013/11/14/vote-for-the-best-places-to-live-in-the-west.
Highlands seeks directors
There are two vacant Issaquah Highlands Community Association board of director positions. Those interested can file as a candidate through Dec. 15. All interested persons must complete an application and return it to the association. All applications will be reviewed by the board and are available on www.ihwebsite.com.
Issaquah police on the lookout for thieves
Issaquah police officers are increasing patrols in the business district to prevent thefts during the year’s busiest shopping season. Think of them as Santa’s backup.
They’re also out to warn shoppers if their vehicles and valuables are left too susceptible to prowlers and other Scrooges.
If officers spot a high-risk vehicle – such as one with valuables visible to passers-by, they’ll place a gift tag on the windshield to warn the owner that he or she could become a prowler’s next target. Those tags will let shoppers know that they’re on the naughty list, and offer information about shopping safely in the future.
Here are some easy tips you can use to prevent crime from ruining your holiday cheer:
• Lock your vehicle every time you leave, even for a short time.
• Don’t leave valuable items in plain view.
• Don’t leave your vehicle running unattended.
• If you place items in the trunk, do it discreetly or before you arrive at your destination.
• If you see somebody acting suspicious or looking into vehicles, call police at 425-837-3200.
There also will be safety messages from police at checkout stands in many Issaquah businesses.
Spiritwood gets award
Village Concepts, a third-generation family-owned business that owns and operates retirement and assisted living communities throughout Washington state, has been recognized as a “Silver Winner” in the 2013 Seattle Business magazine Family Business Awards.
Village Concepts is one of the 13 family-owned businesses recognized in seven categories for their sense of responsibility, legacy, dedication and contribution to the local economy. Selected as a “Silver Winner” for large firms with more than 250 employees, Village Concepts was recognized at an awards gala on Nov. 19 at Bell Harbor International Conference Center in Seattle.
Founded in 1975, Village Concepts owns and operates Spiritwood at Pine Lake as well as other residential and assisted living communities throughout Washington state. For more information, visit www.villageconcepts.com.
Downtown survey offered
Do you live, work, go to school or shop in Issaquah? How can downtown Issaquah meet your needs? The downtown association wants to hear from you.
People can participate through an online conversation at http://convey.dialogue-app.com/iss.and/or by written survey forms found downtown and at the Issaquah Library. Surveys can be found at Arts East, 195 Front St., Art by Fire, 195 Front St., Fischer Meats, 85 Front St. N., Issaquah City Hall, 130 E. Sunset Way, the Issaquah Historical Society, 165 S.E. Andrews St., the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce, 155 N.W. Gilman Blvd. and the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, 125 W. Sunset Way.
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