Grand Ridge Plaza sets grand opening on weekend
Grand Ridge Plaza in the Issaquah Highlands will host grand opening events for the community Nov. 16 and 17 to showcase its mix of regional and national restaurants and specialty stores. Featured at the grand opening will be former Seattle Seahawks’ defensive tackle, Cortez Kennedy, who will be signing autographs from 1-3 p.m. Additional attractions over the weekend include appearances by the Sea Gals, Blue Thunder band and Blitz, the Seahawk mascot.
A drawing will be held for an autographed football and several merchants will celebrate with special promotions and give aways throughout the weekend.
Firm to help provide Thanksgiving dinner
Life Directions Financial will provide a Thanksgiving turkey for every bag of groceries donated by people to help a family in need.
People are asked to include as many of the following items as possible: cooking oil, a 5-pound bag of sugar, a 5-pound bag of flour, canned corn, a 5-pound bag of potatoes, canned yams/sweet potatoes, canned fruit and stuffing.
Each item on this list has been specifically requested by the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank as the items are typically in high demand and short supply.
Grocery bag donations should be brought to the Life Directions Financial office, 375 N.W. Mall Street, Suite 3, in Issaquah anytime between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22 or between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23.
For more information email kristin@lifedirectionsfinancial.com.
Church plans Thanksgiving ‘giving’
Eastridge Church at 24205 Issaquah-Fall City Road, will provide 1,500 free Thanksgiving turkeys and bags of groceries to families in need beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. The church also will be providing free haircuts from licensed stylists, giving away coats and gloves for children and adults, and providing Bibles.
“Thanksgiving is a holiday when we naturally reflect on our lives and blessings, but when families have limited resources it can also be a stressful time,” said Eastridge Church Lead Pastor, Steve Jamison. “For the past 10 years we have offered a free turkey and bag of groceries to families who may be struggling to make ends meet. Our goal is to show our neighbors that Eastridge cares by providing a meal this Thanksgiving.”
This year Eastridge will give away 500 more turkeys and groceries than in previous years. This is in response to an increasing need the church sees each year, as well as recent changes to Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP), which benefits one in seven Americans.
The 1,500 dinner packages will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis, with no demonstration of need required to receive the assistance.
For more information, contact Eastridge Church at 425-270-6300 or EastridgeToday.com.
Giving tree at Pacific Cascade Middle School
Pacific Cascade Middle School students have a year round “giving tree” to assist local families in need. Students or parents can connect with the school confidentially to ask for items they need such as clothes, shoes, household supplies, furniture or emergency gas or grocery cards. The list of requested items gets published in the school’s newsletter every two weeks and families sign up to donate the items.
Pacific Cascade staff and parents also reach out to the local YWCA with welcome baskets for new families
PCMS’ year-round effort of caring and sharing helps students and families in need feel connected to and supported by the school community. For more information call (425) 837-5900.
Shopping areas to promote Small Business Saturday
On Saturday Nov. 30, Small Business Saturday, historic downtown Issaquah, the Issaquah Highlands, and Gilman Village will encourage people to come out and support local, small businesses.
In addition to numerous shops, live music and gift wrapping will be offered at the Train Depot and the trolley will be giving rides between the Train Depot and Darigold from noon to 4 p.m.
Santa will be visiting the historic Shell Station between from 2-4 p.m. with kids singing, selling cookies and making art.
At Grand Ridge Plaza, a trolley will loop around and stop at Blakely Hall. Gilman Village will feature its collection of houses and buildings preserved from Issaquah’s historic past that now house shops and restaurants. The Village is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
