march 2016

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

March 2016

Plateau Living

Meet the ArmstrongsHelping the Ladybug HouseKids 2 Kids – Clementine’s worldEHS – Sammamish Start-UpBreaking Down Our St Patrick’s Day TraditionsThe Award Goes To… Photography Courtesy of Barbara Roser Photography

3March Plateau Living2 Plateau Living March

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

Awesome experience. Everyone is super nice and Dr. Chen is very

gentle, explains everything and most of all does a great job! The best

dentist I have ever had. —Michael H

Monique Verger-PerraultInternational Previews Property Specialist

[email protected]

Chip [email protected]

425-765-2447

As we all strive to find purpose, Chip and I will donate a portion of our 2016 commi�ions to Escape to Peace

Escape to Peace is an organization which fights exploitation of children across America. Youth sold for sex is a $42 Billion per year global industry.

Seattle is the third largest city for human tra�cking in the United States.Escape to Peace is taking action to aid these victims by spreading awareness and taking action through education

for prevention and detection.

We wish you all a prosperous and safe New Year. Chip and Monique

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION visit [email protected]

NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING 1-888-373-7888Text BEFREE or 233733


© 2016 Neighborhood Networks Publishing, Inc.

www.n2pub.com I M P O R T A N T P H O N E N U M B E R S

911

(425) 836-5674

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(800) 222-1222

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(360) 705-7000

EMERGENCY

Emergency

Police

Fire Department

National Poison Control Center

Police Dispatch – Non Emergency

UTILITIES

Puget Sound Energy

Comcast Cable/Internet

Sammamish Plateau Water & Sewer

Waste Management of WA SnoKing

SCHOOLS

Skyline High School

Eastlake High School

Eastside Catholic

Bellevue Christian High School

Beaver Lake Middle School

Pine Lake Middle School

Eastside Catholic

Bellevue Christian Junior High

Sunny Hills Elementary School

Cascade Ridge Elementary School

Rachel Carson Elementary School

Bellevue Christian School – Three Points Elementary

Bellevue Christian School – Mack Elementary (Woodinville)

CITY NUMBERS

Sammamish City Hall

Sammamish Parks & Recreation

COUNTY NUMBERS

Hazardous Waste Center, Household Information

King County Animal Control

King County Pets Lost and Found

WSDOT Road Conditions

DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the

views of N2 Publishing but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Plateau

Living magazine are not endorsed or recommended by N2 Publishing or the publisher. Therefore, neither N2 Publishing nor

the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies. NOTE: When community events

take place, photographers may be present to take photos for that event and they may be used in this publication.

Eric [email protected]

Betsy Matias

Abbie Richert Diane MeehlMalia Nakamura Arya AnwaniIlse Burch

Barbara Roser Photography Malia Nakamura

Grant McGugin Heather McilrathJenna Wood Tanya Wright

PUBLISHER

CONTENT SUPPORT

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

PHOTOGRAPHERS

CREATIVE TEAM

We are always looking for residents to follow up on leads, find great stories and send us ideas. Let’s celebrate the great things happening in our community! No contribution is too small. Please email [email protected] with your pictures, suggestions, or requests.

PROTECT YOUR DRINKING WATER QUALITY!

Do you own an irrigation or fire sprinkler system? Test your backflow prevention

assembly each year to avoid contaminating the drinking

water supply. Your kids will thank you!

“It’s best to test!”

Contact us if you need testing information:

(425) 295-3213www.spwsd.org

7March Plateau Living6 Plateau Living MarchNeighborhoodSponsors

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!

AUTO DEALER /SERVICEAcura of Bellevue13424 NE 20th St.Bellevue, WA 98005(425) 644-3000

AUTOMOTIVEMAINTENANCE ANDREPAIRIntegrity AutomotiveMaintenance and Repair80 NE Gilman BlvdIssaquah, WA 98027(425) 557-8665www.integrityautorepair.com

BRAIN TRAININGLearningRx195 NE Gilman Blvd, Suite 100Issaquah, WA 98027(425) 657-0908www.learningrx.com /issaquah

CAKESNothing Bundt Cakes775 NW Gilman Blvd #C-2Issaquah, WA 98027(425) 786-4068www.nothingbundtcakes.ccom

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

EDUCATION -TUTORING & TESTPREPARATIONThe Tutoring Center(425) 202-7306sammamish.tutoringcenter.com

FINANCIAL ADVISOREdward Jones, CorynneWiediger3302 E. Lake SammamishPkwy SESammamish, WA 98075(425) 837-4686www.edwardjones.com

HOSPITALSwedish Hospital / Issaquah751 NE Blakely DrIssaquah, WA 98029(425) 313-4000www.swedish.org / locations/ issaquah-campus

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

MEDICAL SPAGilman Facial Aesthetics(425) 413-1418www.mdcote.net

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

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

ORTHODONTICS /INVISALIGNTingey Orthodontics22516 SE 64th PlaceIssaquah, WA 98027(425) 392-9224www.tingeyortho.com

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

PAINT & PAINTSUPPLIESBellevue Paint and Decor612 228th Ave NESammamish, WA 98074(425) 454-7509www.bellevuepaint.com

PAINTINGProcraft Painting(206) 691-9416

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

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

PRESCHOOLSThe Bear Creek School8905 208th Ave. NERedmond, WA 98053(425) 898-1720 x326www.tbcs.org

PRIVATE SCHOOLSThe Bear Creek School8905 208th Ave. NERedmond, WA 98053(425) 898-1720 x326www.tbcs.org

REAL ESTATEDebbie Kinson - WindermereReal Estate(425) 392-6600www.debbiekinson.withwre.com

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

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

The Saint-Moawad TeamBob Moawad(425) 557-1539www.bmoawad.johnlscott.com

The Saint-Moawad TeamSimona Saint(425) 250-1100www.simonasaint.johnlscott.com

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

NeighborhoodSponsors

9March Plateau Living8 Plateau Living MarchNeighborhoodNews

For more visit our Facebook page, Plateau Living magazine, and join the conversation!

NotePublisher’s

Renowned doctors, expert nursing teams, and the latest technology

to back them up, are just some of the reasons Swedish delivers “extraordinary care.”

But there’s another side to being extraordinary that’s just as important. It’s a way of being treated

that makes you feel like someone truly cares. Because, at Swedish, someone does.

Looking for a Swedish physician? Find them all at swedish.org/physicians

Dear Plateau Living Residents,

It is with mixed emotion that I announce that I am stepping away from being the publisher of Plateau Living. Prior to developing this publication, I worked in corporate America in marketing and communications. I will be returning to my roots. I relished the change away from focusing on a company and product to shifting the focus to community in all of its forms and flavors. I believe in community and believe in the value of this publication and know that it will continue to thrive and connect the community on the Plateau.

Developing a magazine requires the support and contributions of many people and I want to acknowledge and thank them for their contributions. First and foremost is Diane Meehl, editor of Plateau Living. Diane is a true writer and finds joy in telling people’s stories. She has been the voice of many neigh-bor’s stories, business spotlight features, community organiza-tion insights and numerous Kid2Kid features and Precious Pet stories. Diane’s regular column, Suburban Dish, has given us a glimpse to all sides of her life experience: wife, mother, daughter, friend and each column has showcased a part of a common human experience. I will miss working with Diane each month.

I would also like to thank Betsy Matias--Betsy runs Henry and Mei Art Studio. I met Betsy early on in the life of Plateau Liv-ing and she has been an invaluable connecting point to many families and community members who have let us tell their stories. Barbara Roser has been another critical resource to the quality of the publication. Barbara runs Roser Photography and has been the primary studio photographer for the magazine. Barbara’s photography has graced most of the covers of the

magazine and she has captured the essence of the families she photographs. Ilse Birch from the Pine Lake Garden Club has been our In the Dirt writer and has shared her love and exper-tise of gardening with us.

Reisha Holton was the first editor of Plateau Living and her contributions have also been invaluable. Gina Mazzaferro and Mary Vance have also lent their photography talents to families and features we have covered. Laura Wilcox and Kevin Batch-elor have made substantial contributions in client services and on-going administrative support for the magazine and their assistance has been invaluable. Finally, I would like to thank the student interns at Skyline, Eastlake, and Eastside Catholic High Schools for their on-going features and contributions.

The new publisher of Plateau Living will be Eric Redfern. Eric runs the Madison Park Living magazine and, most importantly, is a Sammamish resident. Eric, his wife Kali, and their sons, Cooper and Brady, are excited to continue keeping the spirit of community alive through the publication. You’ll read more on

Eric and his family in the next issue of PLM.

Kind regards,Anne


While searching local business events, I saw that the Sammamish Chamber of Commerce was holding a luncheon at the Plateau Club, highlighting Eastlake High Schools, Sammamish Startup class. It is a class that fuses multiple academic pathways such as Engineering and Entrepreneurship to create a leaning oppor-tunity which benefits students with applicable college business credits. This course can also benefit local businesses. This course and these students are always looking for new problems to help solve in the local business community. The businesses they reach love the fresh set of eyes and outside the box thinking that your typical consultant might not bring to the table.

The project highlighted at the Chamber’s lunch was in associa-tion with Evergreen Healthcare. The Startup students met as a 34 person group with Evergreen CEO, Bob Robertson and his executive team. Evergreen allowed the kids to ask questions and participate in a discussion of real world problems that Evergreen Health faces today.

With the meeting under their belts, the students could start thinking and begin applying their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) theories to develop a plan and a pitch to

present to Evergreen. Out of the ten ideas presented by the class, three were chosen for further exploration and it was those ideas that were also present, in public, to the Sammamish Chamber of Commerce. All three of the presentations were well thought-out, innovative and helped solve an Evergreen Health pain point.

The three ideas selected by Evergreen were:“International Shots/Delta Airlines Partnership” – Presented By Max Langston, Connor McCabe, Austin Westover

“In Hospital Nursing Software Integration” – Presented by Connor McNeal, Laura Brockway, Cory Flynn, Jerry Lau

“Traveling Medication Website for Infectious Disease Clinic”- Presented by Anna Avellaneda, Erik Anderson, Abe Escarda, Ty Blatter

Laureen Burton of Evergreen Health helped set up the connec-tion between Sammaish Startup and Evergreen to us… “We are so proud of the kids work. It’s amazing to see the exciting ideas and applications they were able to come up with. I think local businesses should give serious thought to letting this class assess their business. Who knows what problems they could solve?!”

Eastlake High SchoolSammamish Startup At

A Class Solving Problems For Our Community’s BusinessesBy: Eric Redfern

13March Plateau Living12 Plateau Living March NeighborhoodNewsNeighborhoodNews

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Name: Clementine MuraAge: 6 and 3/4Grade: 1stSchool: Discovery ElementaryBrothers or Sisters: One brother, ViggoSports I play: GymnasticsMusical instrument I want to learn: DrumsSomething unique about me: I can make up funny songs. When I grow up I’m going to be: a rock star

FavoritesActivities/Hobbies: Drawing and coloring, bouncing in my bouncy houseAnimal: Horses, bunnies, turtles, dogs, catsColor: Every color!Food: Mac n’ cheese and corn on the cobMovie: Lord of the Rings, Penguins of Madagascar, Home AloneMusic: Rock n’ rollPlace to play: DisneylandSubject in school: MathTV show: Pokemon, GoosebumpsVacation: Disneyland

What’s your favorite thing about Easter?“My favorite thing about Easter is the egg and toy hunt and my uncles, aunts, and cousins coming over.”

kids2kids

15March Plateau Living14 Plateau Living MarchNeighborhoodNews NeighborhoodNews

Meet YourNeighbor The Armstrongs: Jeff, Leaza, Zoe, Thomas And Izzy

By: Kathleen Hartwick | Photographed By: Barbara Roser Photography

Jeff and Leaza Armstrong have called Sammamish home since 2006. They discovered the area by renting a house on

the lake and loved it so much that they purchased a home in 2012. Their family has also grown since 2006, and they now have a daughter, Zoe who is 3 and a 1-year-old son, Thomas. They recently added to their family again and adopted a new puppy, whom Zoe affectionately named Izzy-Tutu.

Leaza, who is originally from San Diego, attended Gonzaga University and is now a physical therapist at Pro Sports Club. Jeff grew up in Kenmore and spent his college years at the University of Colorado and is a now a Sales Rep at Cascade Products.

The Armstrongs are a very active family! In 2015 Jeff ran RAGNAR and he plans on doing it again this year while adding the Sammamish Half Marathon to his events calendar. Jeff said, “Training around Sammamish is tough. Honk for support if you see me out there! Leaza received her Pilates instruction certification in 2015 and teaches a couple times a week at Pro Club along with her PT duties. As a family, they like to go hiking and camping in the summer. In fact, one of their family traditions is to go camping at Birch Bay with family and friends over the 4th of July for Zoe’s birthday. They also love to support their local and alma mater sports teams. During

Gotta Dance studio in Redmond. Both Zoe and Thomas also take swimming lessons at Pro-Sports Club. Around town, they head to dinners at the Pine Lake Ale House and Mod Pizza. In the summer, you can often find them cooling off at the Sammamish Commons Splash Park or wandering around the Sammamish Farmer’s Market.

PLM asked the Armstrongs what their favorite part about living in Sammamish is. Leaza said, “We love the sense of community. We love that we are conveniently right in the middle of a major metro city and the wilderness. We appreciate the diversity this neighborhood provides for our kids and excited to see them grow up here!”

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football season, the weekends are spent cheering on the Seahawks or rooting for Colorado. They often attend Gonzaga basketball games and every April go to the Mariner’s home opener as a family.

Jeff, Leaza, Zoe and Thomas like to take advantage of the Pacific Northwest and enjoy traveling to the San Juan Islands or Ocean Shores. Leaza told us, “With this being our first summer with Izze, we can’t wait to take her to the beach!” If they are looking to get a little further away from home, you can often find them going back to Leaza’s home away from home, San Diego.

Zoe will be starting her first year of preschool next year and also dances at


&Keep Calm

Wear Green Breaking Down Our St. Patty’s Day TraditionsBy: Arya Ajwani

There’s always one day a year where the whole world looks like it’s been overrun by trees. Sound familiar? That’s right, St. Patrick’s Day, which takes place on March 17, is rapidly approaching, and before the day is upon you,

take a moment to brush up on some history and fun traditions about your favorite green day.

Wearing GreenThe most popular ritual to carry out on this day is to don all

your green. People of all ages dig their lime-colored clothes out from the back of their closets, frantically trying to find something suitable to wear, so they aren’t the recipients of yet another popular tra-dition – pinching the unfortunate folk who didn’t have time to run to the store

to buy something as simple as green nail polish.

The tradition of pinching is beloved by many, but make sure to choose your victims wisely — it is not uncommon for people to sport a pair of green socks, hidden under a seemingly “un-green” outfit. Before running off to pinch your friends, keep an eye out for sly, deceptive smiles that might tip you off to their trickery.

Believe it or not, the color green was not always associated with St. Patrick’s Day. Originally, the color blue represented the saint after whom the holiday was named. It was only after Ireland was given the reputation of The Emerald Isle that green was put on the national flag and became the associated color for every-thing Irish, including our very own St. Patrick’s Day.

Why Pinching?Now, while the pinching tradition is fun for some, the recipients may not encounter the same pleasure. The cus-tom actually comes from America from around the 1700s. Celebrants believed that wearing green made you invisible

to the tiny leprechauns and fairies that ran around pinching anyone they could see. So next time you get pinched for not wearing the correct color, you might just see a petite fairy or a plump leprechaun darting away!

Corn Beef And CabbageTo conclude the day of green, enjoy a nice meal of corned beef and cabbage. Although it is a classic St. Patrick’s Day dinner, it is again more American than Irish. In the 19th cen-tury, Irish Americans wanted food to remind them of home, and corned beef was the most

affordable. And cabbage? It’s a spring vegetable, which is what St. Patrick’s Day is associated with.

St. Patrick’s Day is a festivity full of fun and laughter. Be sure to enjoy yourself this year by enjoying an Irish dinner and finding people to pinch. However, make sure you wear green loud and proud so people can see it!

Arya Ajwani is a freshman at Skyline High School. She loves to dance and read fantasy novels. In her free time, Arya plays tennis and hangs out with her friends. 1220 10th Avenue NE · Grand Ridge Plaza · Issaquah, WA 98029

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Go to a men’s high school post-season swim meet on any given day, and you will be overwhelmed by throngs of Speedo-clad, imposing swimmers who are typically over six feet tall. The prevalence of successful, tall swimmers is why the achievements of Will O’Daffer, a sophomore at Skyline High School who stands at a mere 5’9” are especially notable.

Will is referred to by his peers as “the fastest athlete on the Sky-line team.” Although his overall performance in the 2015 State Meet as a freshman was impressive, the swimmer’s height has been something to continually overcome. “I didn’t grow for a long time,” Will says, “so I was pretty slow. I’m just 5’9”. I would always work really hard, but there were so many kids faster than me. I used to be the only guy swimming in the first heat of three guys. Not growing for a long time was pretty frustrating for me.”

Will began swimming competitively with Edgebrook Swim Team at the age of 6 and shortly thereafter joined the Issaquah Swim Team where his career eventually took off. Characterized by consistent appearances at championship meets and steady personal records, Will’s time with IST has culminated with a spot on the coveted Nationals squad. Will is one of the youngest boys in the swim group, and his position there is well deserved. “In IST, it’s a lane of eight guys that motivate me to work hard-er, and it’s been a big thing for me this year.”

athlete of the

MONTH Will O’Daffer, Skyline SwimmingThe Biggest Splash Is Not Always The Best

When high school rolled around, Will immediately found his place on the Skyline team. As a freshman, Will swam four events at State, the ultimate achievement for a high school swim athlete. His 400 freestyle relay left the previous school record behind by a wide margin of four-seconds, and he was the only individual swimmer to earn points for the team. After his personal successes of 2015, Will is hopeful for the 2016 post season. “I’ve improved so much this year, and I think that poten-tially I could place top 10 at state this year.” Despite being an underclassman, Will is respected by his team-mates and friends alike for his inspiring work ethic and drive to be successful. His perseverance has paid off and he now has his sights set on swimming D1 in college. Through countless hours spent in the water, Will has accomplished what many athletes can only dream of. “When I’m practicing, I try to envision what the payoff will be, you know, when I’m at a meet—how I’ll be glad that I put in the extra effort.”

Malia Nakamura is a Skyline High school senior who divides her time between presiding over her local DECA chapter and managing her own photography business. She hopes to pursue writing and mar-keting in college.

21March Plateau Living20 Plateau Living March NeighborhoodNewsNeighborhoodNews

The Award

Winning the title of Miss Teen Washington USA takes more than good looks and a crowd pleasing talent; many contes-tants say that knowing who you are, and thus, how you can be an agent of change, is actually the most important aspect of the competition. For Claire Wright, who faced adversity in a bullied past, winning the 2016 crown is a testament to her unbreakable character.

Wright says the bullying started at an early age. There were issues in elementary school, but it was nothing compared to what she faced in middle school. Wright though, was deter-mined to overcome it and sought help in counseling, which encouraged her to build confidence through new activities.

Claire was drawn to the idea of pageants, yet knew nothing of how to get involved. As fate would have it, she received a pamphlet for an upcoming pageant in the mail the day after bringing the idea to her mother. “It turned out to be such an amazing thing, and I met so many amazing girls,” she says of her first pageant.

Wright has since been successful on more than one occasion, but her current crown is the most significant to date. “I gave it my all and it was the most incredible blessing that I’ve ever had,” Wright says. Claire also notes that the preparation for a pageant is fully consuming. “People don't realize what goes into it. It’s healthy eating, working out, and really making sure you know yourself and what you stand for.”

For Claire, pageantry also serves as a platform to advocate against bullying. “After I experienced being bullied in middle school, I didn’t want anyone else to go through that, so I started Project Claire Bear.” It is a non-profit organization in which Wright speaks to students, predominantly those in the 4th to 6th grade, about the effects of bullying. Wright shares her expe-rience and lends support to victims, but also emphasizes the power of the bystander. “I don't think people realize the impact they have,” she says. “I just received an apology from a girl a month ago who was a bystander in a situation. The bystander really can stop bullying in its tracks.”

Claire Wright, Sammamish Resident And Miss Teen WashingtonBy: Abbie Richert

Goes To…Project Claire Bear thus far has been successful and she hopes it will not only be an outlet for support, but also a perspective shift for both the perpetrator and the bystander. “I’ve moved on. It’s not something that makes me emotional anymore because it’s just a fact that it’s something I went through and I can use it to help other people now,” Wright says of her experience.

Claire also had the opportunity to attend Miss Universe 2016, further inspiring her pursuits. “The experience was surreal,” she says of being in the audience, but it was that much more memorable when host Steve Harvey announced the wrong win-ner. “Everyone’s jaw dropped in the entire auditorium. I couldn’t believe it,” she says. “But both women handled it so well and it was great to see them put in that situation and come out so poised,” which she sees as a quality to strive for.

Claire’s title of Miss Washington Teen USA is rooted in her resilience, and with no plans to slow down, it is safe to say that her ambition and positivity will continue to bring great things.

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23March Plateau Living22 Plateau Living March NeighborhoodNews

Making aDifference

NeighborhoodNews

There are many people with ambi-tious dreams and innovative ideas, yet very few act on those dreams and ideas with a determined effort to turn them into a reality. Suzanne Gwynn, who comes equipped with a gripping passion and unwavering vision, has dedicating every bit of her life to her dream: to build and operate the Pacific Northwest’s first palliative care home and hospice for children.

Palliative Care is a multidisciplinary approach to medical care that is focused on improving quality of life for both the patient and the family. It is an extra layer of support, tending to their physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. The goal of Ladybug House is to be a unique home-away-from-home, offering medical support for children, respite for parents, and end-of-life care if needed. Currently there are only two pediatric palliative care homes and hospices in the United States; the UK has 53, Canada 8, and Australia 5.

For Suzanne, who spent a significant portion of her 30-year nurs-ing career specializing in pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant care, the need for these homes in the U.S. is desperate. She holds that the disparity is a result of a difficult topic that no one wants to talk about. “Seattle has amazing hospitals, and a wonderful in-home visiting hospice program, but it’s not enough,” Gwynn says. The reality is that “these families are exhausted; they deserve a place to go, to be cared for and not caregivers, and to truly be a family.” Ladybug House will be a place where memories are made and legacies are built, allowing families to “truly cel-ebrate every day, every moment and every life.”

One of Suzanne’s greatest abilities is her aptitude for network-ing. Over the last year she has drawn in a team of highly skilled individuals who volunteer their time, resources, and expertise to

Ladybug HouseBy: Abbie Richert

Ladybug House; many of whom are impassioned by their own connections to the cause.

Sammamish resident of 15 years, Tom High, an accomplished CPA and Treasurer of the Board, was particularly drawn to the cause because of his experience caring for one of his children who required medical care in Portland at a young age. Tom says, “Ladybug House will be a necessary place of refuge for families. Like Portland, Seattle has great resources for children with life-limiting illnesses. But where Ladybug House stands out is in its mission to provide medical care and end-of-life care for children while accommodating for the entire fam-ily. Ladybug House will help to complete the care options for children and families in Seattle, and I am excited for it to one day become a reality.”

Along with a dedicated team of volunteers, Ladybug House has also begun to find success in partnering with local businesses. Recently, Malika Siddiq, owner of the clothing boutique, Lika Love, which has locations in Madison Park and West Seattle, was looking for opportunities to support a local charity and became acquainted with Ladybug House through social media; Siddiq felt moved to meet with Suzanne to find a way to get involved. “After chatting with her and hearing what Ladybug House stood for, it was just a no-brainer [to partner with Lady-bug House],” says Siddiq.

Malika hosted a shop-for-a-cause benefit at her West Seattle location and says she is looking forward to next steps in fund-raising and spreading awareness.

Although the community is readily embracing Ladybug House, there is still much work to be done before the 12-family home

can be built; with a goal of opening its doors by 2019. In addi-tion to acquiring land in Seattle, the biggest milestone will be achieving the fundraising goals: about $20 million to build and operate for one year.

The logistics required for such an endeavor may seem daunting, but the progress thus far has been prolific and unbreakable. The Ladybug House mission states, “If we cannot add days to the life of a child, we will add life to their days;” a simple reminder of our duty as a society to ensure this right is fulfilled.

Tom High — Treasurer of the Board and Plateau resident

Ladybug House team including founder, Suzanne Gwynne (2nd from the right)

Rapid progression of systemic sclerodermaUnexpected move from Los Angeles to SeattleSeparation from immediate family and community(It was just she and I for six months. Stepdad and two sisters reunited after six months.)Experimental treatmentsTwo umbilical cord stem cell transplantsChemotherapy and radiation therapy

My daughter Adrianna felt lonely and disconnected. She carried guilt and felt like an unfair burden — she was tired. Our family lived under separate roofs for approximately two years. Adrianna could not see an end to this and so she pleaded to return to California where she was transferred to City of Hope. At that point Adrianna’s quality of life deterio-

rated. This was in most part due to emotional, social and envi-ronmental issues. Our family still remained separated, unable to sleep under one roof. Adrianna felt torn and sensed that she was causing all of us difficulty. She was tired of the emotional and relational tolls. At the age of 15, Adrianna’s strong faith in Jesus caused her to make a difficult decision. She believed that being completely healed in heaven and living in Jesus’s presence far outweighed remaining a burden here on earth. Her options were so limited: remain in the hospital to continue treatment, or receive hospice with no further treatment. Adrianna yearned to all be together as a family. She no longer wanted to feel like she was tearing her family apart. I believe that if we had any other option she would have chosen to remain in the fight.

The existence of Ladybug House may have changed Adrianna’s story.

I am not sure how words on a page may influence you or your decision making, but Adrianna and other children like her aren’t just words on a page. She mattered. They all matter. The death of a child is real; the experience changes you forever.

My daughter isn’t just a name and a story. Adrianna was a per-son; embodiments of faith, worship, joy, laughter, creativity, and dance. She is… all the people that prayed for her, that love her, that knew her; she lives on in so many of those things. She does not live on merely as a memory no longer affecting the present. Instead, Adrianna lives on as a ripple throughout our present lives and time — an echo in eternity.— Scarlet Estrada

Adrianna wrote this message and hung it on her hospital room door — for all to see before entering her room.

Things I want the team to know about me:

1. The most important thing in the world for me is to eat. I want to eat even if it’s one chicken nugget, even if i throw it up afterwards.

2. I want out of the hospital, even if there are risks involved, even if it means potentially shortening my life.

3. I am not depressed, I am angry. There are no answers; there is no light at the end of the tunnel. It makes me mad when people come in here with sad faces. This is not a sad room; I’m not sad. Don’t come in here looking sad.

Meet Adrianna Marie Lizaola – Ladybug House Patient Advocate

continued...


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...continued

I am not giving up. I am still in this to fight but during the fight, I need some life.

Making aDifference

4. I don’t want anyone’s pity. I want to be seen as a person. When I feel pity, I don’t feel seen.

5. I don’t understand what the medical teams are saying. They talk a lot using big words.

6. I am not afraid of dying. That is not the worst outcome; the worst outcome is staying in the hospital without eating forever.

7. I am not comfortable making decisions that would directly end my life. That is God’s work. I am, however, comfortable making decisions that would shorten my life in the name of quality of life — eating and getting out of the hospital.

8. I want my mom to be in charge of medical decisions and giv-ing me medical information. However, if there is a decision that includes anesthesia and could result in a breathing tube, I want to be involved. I want this to be heavily discussed.


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Pet’s Name: Royal and BaxterType of Animal/Breed: Royal is a beagle mix and Baxter is a puggle.Male or Female: Royal is a female and Baxter is male.Pet’s Age: Royal is 6 and Baxter is 5.

Where/why did you get Royal and Baxter? We saw an ad for Royal in The Seattle Times; once we saw her pic-ture we were sold! Baxter came from a breeder in Vancouver. We got him because he was cute and we wanted a buddy for Royal.

Is there a story behind their names? Royal was given her name because we could tell that she

Royal The Beagle And Baxter The Puggle

thought she was queen of the house right away. Baxter just acted like a Baxter…sweet, smart and curious.

Anything special or unusual about them (talents/quirks)?They love sleeping under the covers in bed.

Any funny stories?They love chasing each other in circles around the house. Every time they do our sons love getting into the chase!

How spoiled are they?Well they sleep under our covers so I would say, too spoiled!

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Rigorous academics that challenge.Supportive community that nurtures.

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In The DirtWonderful Foliage Makes For Fabulous Gardening!By Ilsa burch

Leaves, the powerhouses of the plant world, confer interest, color, and texture to the garden. Different plants have dif-

ferent sized and shaped leaves, as well as different colored leaves. Over time, gardeners have selected plants for foliage that is interesting- and many of these plants boast colored foliage that would not survive on their own. Alternatively-colored plants do turn up from time to time in random seedlings but they usually don't survive in the wild since they often don't photosynthesize quite as well as the normal-colored leaves do. They need cod-dling, and so they find a place in our gardens.

This amazing variety of foliage gives another, perhaps even more interesting quality to gardens, than is given by flowers. One way to look at it is that flowers are generally fleeting, while foliage lasts longer. Texture is also an important quality in gardening. Fine textured leaves look wonderful next to larger leaves. It is

good to have variety! Going to a garden store and setting plants next to one another can give you an idea of what sort of foliage contrasts appeal to you.

In an artistic composition of any type, there is a balance of con-trast and harmony that gives some quality to the whole. This quality can be restful or exciting, chaotic or harmonious. It turns out that repetition of plants gives a restful quality to a gar-den, and individual contrast provides a bit of drama. How do you want your garden to look? The time to think about the plan is now, before the onslaught of very cute, appealing and adorable plants are available wherever you shop. It is hard not to take them all home!

There are many good books available, both for sale and in the library, on the subject of colored foliage and its use in the gar-

den. It is a huge subject and ever-growing as more variegated plants are found, and more interesting foliage plants become available. Many books also offer advice on what plant will really look great with what other plant- priceless information for anyone who gardens. Another source of good information is Google. You can use Google to see images of many lovely foli-age plants.

How is it best to use variegated foliage? Use variegated foliage plants as accents, and avoid putting too many close together because they look too busy if you do this. Place a bright gold or white accent in a corner of your garden that is easily overlooked, to bring the eye. Don't put a variegated plant next to something you don't want to look at- it will act as a visual magnet. Think of variegated foliage as “spice”- how much spice you enjoy depends upon your personality and the feeling you want your garden to convey.

A useful exercise is to go outside and look at your garden. Imagine how it looked in the summer. Were there areas that appeared kind of “dead” or boring? These can be made more visually enticing by the use of a fantastic foliage plant. No mat-ter what the conditions are in the area that was boring, there is a variegated plant that will fit the bill. There are variegated veggies, too! The variegated variety of basil is a lovely, tasty plant that is very compact and doesn't need a bunch of pinching because it rarely flowers. And of course, many houseplants have been selected for fantastically colorful foliage.

Given the vast assortment of available garden plants, there are so many possibilities for colored foliage. It is worthwhile look-ing for something that really works for you, and creates a nice feeling in your garden. If you find your garden a bit unexciting, try adding the spice of a few variegated plants or some textural contrast, and see how much better and more enticing your gar-den can be!


healthWellness&Though many orthodontic problems can wait to be corrected when all the baby teeth have fallen out, there are some orth-odontic problems that are better corrected when the patient is younger and can provide critical assistance to development. Delaying treatment for some orthodontic problems can lead to increased difficulty in correcting the problem, abnormal jaw growth, abnormal tooth wear or chipping, and even less stable long-term results.

Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process that combines physical and structural changes with tooth alignment. The purpose of a two-phase approach is to maxi-mize the opportunity to accomplish the goals for health,

Why Choose Two Phases For Orthodontic Treatment?

function, and esthetics at a time when the developing struc-ture can be more easily manipulated.

It is called a two-phase approach because it involves two sepa-rate and distinct periods when your child receives orthodontic treatment. The early phase, or first phase, usually begins when your child is between seven and ten years old, but varies because of the eruption of the teeth and growth of the patient. The main goal of the first phase is to correct structural problems, such as crossbites or underbites, and to help to make room for the permanent teeth, allowing them to grow in with less crowding and strain. Helping the jaw develop in a way that will accom-modate all of the permanent teeth and improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together during early treatment ben-efits children tremendously. It is one of the reasons fewer teeth are extracted for orthodontics these days compared to past years and improves the overall health of the child. The second phase of treatment usually begins once the perma-nent teeth have all erupted into the mouth, around 12 years old. This is the phase where braces are on all the teeth. The purpose of this phase is to finalize the alignment of the teeth and also the bite. The goal of the second phase is to make sure each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. When this equilibrium is established, the teeth and jaws will function together properly providing better health and stability for all the structures.

Not every patient requires two phases of treatment. It is often better treatment to postpone some correction and combine all the treatment into one phase. But the value that early treatment provides for certain problems is vital for normal growth and development. That is why it is recommended that every 7-year-old be evaluated by an orthodontist to discover potential func-tional and structural problems.

Your smile is your greeting to the world. It’s also a window to an important part of your dental health. The development of the smile begins well before all the permanent teeth are in place. The foundation for that smile, that health and that confidence begins early. An orthodontist is trained to recognize and treat those difficult issues before they become difficult problems.

Braces Aren't Forever - Smiles Are!

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“It’s more than a smile. It’s a work of art.”

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At Edward Jones, your goals are our priority. That’s why yourfinancial advisor will meet with you face to face to talk aboutwhat’s most important to you and your family. From there, you’llwork together to create an investment strategy to help you worktoward your goals.

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FinancialFitness

Although sometimes overlooked, life insurance is an important part of your overall financial strategy. There are five common mistakes you should be aware of as you think about protection against life's unexpected events.

1. Guessing how much life insurance coverage you needYou want to be certain about the protection you have in place for your family's future. There are a few things to consider when it comes to the amount of life insurance coverage you need:• Debt – How much debt do you have (mortgage, car loan, etc.)?• Income replacement – How much income will your family

need should something happen to you?• Planning for the future – Do you want to help pay for your

child's or grandchild's education? Do you want to leave a legacy for future generations (charitable donations)?

• Health care expenses – Are you prepared for unexpected medical expenses (disability, long-term care, etc.)?

2. Choosing the wrong type of policy (term or permanent)Depending on your family's needs and goals, you'll want to weigh your options. Term insurance is the most basic type of insurance. If you choose term insurance, you will be covered for a specific time frame, such as 10 years, 20 years, etc. Permanent Insurance can provide protection over your entire lifetime and build cash value at the same time.

3. Relying solely on insurance provided by your employerEven if you already have some life insurance coverage at work, chances are your safety net isn’t big enough. Those with families and bigger financial obligations – like a mortgage – may need more than what they would get from employer-provided life insurance, which is rarely more than three times an individual's annual salary and can be as little as six months' salary. Relatively low benefits are not the only reason to consider supplemen-tal coverage. Employers may drop life insurance benefits, or employees may change jobs and find their policy isn't portable.

4. Neglecting to designate beneficiariesNaming beneficiaries can help ensure that your proceeds go directly to those whom you intend – thereby helping them avoid probate (the legal process of distributing your estate), which can save time and expense for your family.

5. Ignoring your policiesYou should review life insurance policies at every life event, or at least every three to five years. Your life circumstances can change over time. If you've experienced a milestone event such as a marriage, a new baby or a divorce, you'll want to ensure your loved ones are provided for.

Potential pitfalls and how to avoid themIt's a fact of life – insurance. You know you need it, and you want to protect your fam-ily from life's unexpected events. But you might not know where to start. And if you already have life insurance – through your employ-er, for example – it might not be enough.

Article Source: Edwardjones.com

LIFE INSURANCE

MISTAKES TO AVOID5 HomeMatters

Spring is the time of year for new beginnings. After a long winter, chances are your house may be in need of a little refreshment, as well. These tips will help you jump-start your spring cleaning and get your home ready for warmer weather.

sprinkler heads that are faulty in order to prevent further damage.

SWIMMING POOLSBefore going for a swim in your pool, test the water’s chemistry. Make sure that chemical levels are not too high or too low, and adjust as necessary. If your pool needs to be drained and refilled, now is the ideal time to do that. Have your fil-ters and equipment tested to ensure that the system is working properly.

With these basic updates out of the way, you can enjoy your home and the warmer weather with no worries.

WINDOWSFor a clear view and fresh air, start by cleaning up your windows. Check the screens for any tears and replace those that are damaged. Screens should be cleaned annually to remove buildup of dust and dirt. Use a soft brush and mild soap and water mixture to scrub both sides of your screens, then allow to air dry. Before reinstalling your window screens, take the opportunity to clean up your window glass and frames.

DECKS, PORCHES AND PATIOSTo maximize your enjoyment of outdoor spaces, make sure they are prepped

for warm-weather use. Check the stability of any wood, stone or cement structures and make sure there are no cracks or crumbles. Some surfaces may require sanding or pressure washing to remove splinters, mildew and other discolorations. Reapply paint, stains and sealers as needed. Freshen up your outdoor spaces with colorful plants and outdoor furniture.

SPRINKLERS AND SPIGOTSTest all sprinklers and outdoor spigots to be sure water is flowing correctly and no damage has occurred during winter freezes. Repair or replace any pipes and

SpringBy N2 Staff Writer, Megan Weatherly

Tips To Ready Your Home For A Fresh Season

C L E A N U P

Diana loved her small diamond stud earrings but wanted to give them a bigger look. So, we made these jackets to enhance the beautiful but size challenged diamond studs. For nearly 19 years we

have specialized in custom-designed and beautifully crafted jewelry. But don’t take our word for it. Stop by – we are just north of the Pine Lake QFC.

2 8 3 0 2 2 8 t h A v e . S . E . , # B | w w w . p l a t e a u j e w e l e r s . c o m

Plateau Living

WA

_Samm

amish

march 2016

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