The Highlands Council team dealt with some big challenges in 2023, but came together for many successes. Our primary issue was the re-evaluation of our mid-fiscal year budget. Highlands Council is funded primarily by Community Enhancement fees that are paid when a home sells. When the housing market is down, our funding is impacted as well. We had to find a way to cut a significant amount out of our expense budget, while still serving our mission of building community.
The Highlands Council team always looks forward to a costume party. We had a blast hosting Night of Revelations at Blakely Hall in October.
I am proud to report that we were able to accomplish that goal! Our dedicated team worked hard with the support of local businesses, partners and funding organizations to continue to provide a variety of high-quality programming for the community. We couldn’t have done it without them!
In addition to the return of old favorites like Global Grub & Groove, Beach Bingo, Candidate Forums and the popular Middle School Flashlight Egg Hunt, our team was able to bring several NEW programs to the community despite the significant cut to our 2023 budget. The new programs included:
- Community Safety Meeting—quarterly meetings at Blakely Hall with guests from the Issaquah Police Department to discuss topics important to you
- The Big Game—a Superbowl watch party, hosted by the Highlands Youth (HY) Advisory Board
- Keep Issaquah Beautiful Day—participation in a citywide event to clean up our community
- Spring Into Fitness—a free workout every Saturday morning in May
- Issaquah Highlands LEGO Expo—an event that brought LEGO hobbyists from all over the state to our community
- Night of Revelations—a new take on our adult Halloween party
- Village Market Pet Pop-Up—a paw-some shopping event and pup-up café for pets
- Senior Social—a weekly gathering for seniors to connect with coffee, conversation and activities
We are excited to bring even more new programs to the community in 2024, along with offering many old favorites. Watch for a Nowruz celebration, Family Bingo Night, Women’s Wellness Day, Movies in the Park, and a Christmas party, among other things!
Starting in January, you can also join us for casual co-working with free refreshments at Blakely Hall on Tuesdays from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
To fully take advantage of our amazing community, I encourage you to check out our calendar online. You may be surprised at how much is offered! If you have ideas for future programming, we always want to hear them! Please send me a message at lindsey.p@ihcouncil.org.
I embark on this new year with passion and excitement for building community in Issaquah Highlands. We proved that we can accomplish a lot with a little, and I can’t wait to keep learning and exploring ways to connect, grow and create a sense of belonging for all.
Whether you are an Issaquah Highlands resident, partner or supporter, I want to thank you for being a part of what makes this community great.
Lindsey Pinkston is the executive director of Highlands Council, and a resident of Wisteria Park.
Let’s Do Coffee!
I love the Issaquah Highlands community. I’m passionate about connecting with neighbors to learn more about you and what’s important to you. If we haven’t had the opportunity to sit down and chat, then I want to meet you!
My goal this year is to have coffee with 50 neighbors that I’ve never met, don’t know well or no longer connect with as often. (Full disclosure: I don’t drink coffee, but I do love a good tea, especially if it’s iced!)
These will be informal conversations—a chance for you to ask any questions you might have about the community, share feedback or just get to know each other. I’ll have a few questions for you, too!
If you’re willing to help me reach this goal in 2024, please email me or (425) 507-1109. While I value in-person communication, I’m open to virtual coffees as well.
I can’t wait to meet you!
