“Buy a noble fir for a noble cause” at the ICC Christmas Tree Lot where proceeds from sales support missions, including Mexico homebuilding. Each year, a team of adults and teens travel to Mexico in June to build homes there at no cost to those in need. For 2011, 38 adults and teens participated in the building of about 15 homes and a church near the city of Tijuana. A model Mexico home has been constructed on the ICC property and everyone is encouraged to tour this house. This sample home is totally different than the homes we have here in the USA. The model home measures a scant 11 by 22 feet, which is a castle to families south of the border (often living in cardboard boxes.)

The “Christmas Tree Lot with a heart” has all sizes of trees, grown locally and fresh cut. A variety of trees will be on display including, Noble, Douglas and Fraser firs. Also included this year will be some Grand, Noble and Faser Firs, White Pine, Norway Spruce, Canaan and Nordman trees. Sizes vary from 3 to16 feet in height. On display will be various sizes of tree stands and a variety of Heavenly ornaments. 25 foot long garland, wreaths, swags and crosses made of noble fir cuttings will be available for customers this year.

Hot chocolate, apple cider, coffee, and cookie treats will be served to one and all with the ongoing Christmas songs to get everyone into the spirit of the Christmas season as you tour the “Christmas Tree Lot with a heart” in the foothills of Issaquah.

Hours of operation are: Friday, November 25th, Noon to 9pm; 10am to 9pm, Mon-Fri; 9am-9pm Sat/Sun., November 26th through December 24th.

Additional information is available by calling the ICC office at 425.392.5848, or by visiting the website at www.iccweb.org for more details.

EASTSIDE TO HAVE WARM SHELTER THIS WINTER FOR HOMELESS MEN, WOMEN & FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, The Sophia Way, Congregations for the Homeless and the Cities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland and Redmond Partner Together to Open Shelter

Bellevue – It is estimated that there are 300 to 500 men and women sleeping outdoors on the Eastside each night. On November 22, the Eastside Winter Shelters for homeless men and women will open through March 15, thanks to a collaborative partnership between Seattle's Union Gospel Mission, The Sophia Way, Congregations for the Homeless and the Cities of Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland and Redmond, King County and many local congregations and individuals. Both sites are located in Bellevue and will offer a meal.

“We want to first ensure the safety and health of all individuals and families in Bellevue and on the Eastside,” said Emily Leslie, Human Services Manager for City of Bellevue. “By providing shelter to homeless individuals and families, we’re offering a lifeline and helping them take a critical step on their journey out of homelessness.”

The Eastside Winter Shelter for Homeless Men will sleep up to 50 men while The Eastside Shelter for Homeless Women and Families with children will sleep up to 15. The hours of operation are 8:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. from November 22 through March 15.
Eastside Winter Shelter for Homeless Men St. Peter’s United Methodist Church 17222 N.E. 8th Street, Bellevue
Eastside Winter Shelter for Homeless Women and Families Salvation Army 911 164th Avenue Northeast, Bellevue

PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE DISPOSAL PROGRAM
The Issaquah Police Department has a goal of working with our citizens to reduce the improper use of medications in our community, as well as protect the environment.

Saving unused or expired medication is a bad idea, which can lead to improper and illegal use. Abuse of prescription drugs has become increasingly common among teens and adults alike. When you have finished your course of treatment or stopped using the drug, you should properly dispose of the medication.

If you have decided to clean out your collection of unused medication, how do you get rid of the medicine responsibly? You do not want to contaminate the water supply or the landfill, nor do you want medication to fall into the wrong hands.

Don’t flush – experts say this method of disposal, while common, may have potential harmful effects on the environment. In addition, septic systems and modern water treatment plants are not fully designed to deal with medication disposal.

Don’t throw it into the trash – Many safety experts strongly discourage throwing medications into the trash, where children or pets could find them. Plus, your trash will mostly likely end up in a landfill, where the medications could potentially contaminate the environment.

There is no clear consensus on how to properly dispose of medication, as opinions from experts and officials differ greatly. So, what’s the solution?

Here are some options:
· Check the instructions – Sometimes guidance is provided right on the label. It is your decision if that guidance meets your needs.
· Call your pharmacy – Find out if they can dispose of your unneeded medication. Some pharmacies have a medication disposal program.
· Return to your doctor – This is another good option, however, just like pharmacists, not all physicians or doctor offices have the resources to safely handle the disposal process.
· Turn into the Issaquah Police Department – Issaquah residents may bring unneeded prescription medication to the Issaquah Police Department for proper disposal. The medications can be turned in at the station (130 E. Sunset Way, Issaquah) from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Those dropping off medication to the Issaquah Police Department must also:
· Provide proof of Issaquah residence, along with proper identification.
· Drop off the medication sealed in a clear zip lock plastic bag. Please do not bring vitamins or food products for disposal. Any personal information and the prescription number may be crossed out.
· Fill out a “permission to dispose” form.

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES' HOMESHARING
Don't let the high cost of housing get you down! Try Catholic Community Services' Homesharing. Homesharing is for families, individuals, seniors, everyone! Through our program, each participant receives a Washington State Patrol report and provides 4 references. We teach you how to choose the best situation for you, how to handle conflict in the match, and prepare you for other issues that may arise after the match is made. For $25 dollars, we do all of the above plus you receive a quarterly newsletter and bi-monthly profile list. If you need yard work, housekeeping, or cooking assistance, then consider our program. For more information, please call Linda Verbel at 425-284-2220.

WATER QUALITY MONITORS NEEDED!
Join a team to collect water quality samples the second weekend of each month for 1 -2 hours. We currently have five open slots on Saturday morning! Get trained in the field and know that your efforts are helping to keep Issaquah waters clean for fish and humans! Contact Chrys Bertolotto at 837-3442 or chrysb@ci.issaquah.wa.us.

RECYCLE CELL PHONES TO HELP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS
Verizon Wireless stores are collecting used wireless cellphones for domestic violence victims. The HopeLine Program refurbishes the phones or recycles their components and sells them. That money is used to buy new phones and Verizon donates them and airtime to domestic violence victims through human services and law enforcement agencies.

To donate, take used phones to any Puget Sound Verizon Wireless store, including Issaquah at 690 NW Gilman Blvd and Bellevue at Bel-Square. To learn more, visit http://www.donateaphone.com.

IDENTITY THEFT INFORMATION -
Here are some online resources for guarding yourself against one of the fastest-growing crimes in America.
Credit Bureaus:

• Experian or 1-888-397-3742
• Trans Union or 1-800-680-7289
• Equifax or 1-800-525-6285

• Social Security Administration or faud line at 1-800-269-0271
• Federal Trade Commission or ID theft hotline at 1-877-438-4338, or Consumer Response Center at 1-877-382-4357
• US Postal Inspection Service or fraud complaint unit at 1-800-372-8347

• Federal Bureau of Investigation tipsheet
• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
• IdentityTheft.org
• IdentityTheft.com
• Scam Watch
• International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators

• Book: "The Art of the Steal," by Frank W. Abagnale, a convicted impostor and forger who works as a consultant on the issue.

"Grasscycling Gives You Mower For Less"

Interested in natural lawn care, grasscycling, and environmentally friendly mowers? Top manufacturers like Black & Decker, Toro, American Reel Mowers, Brill, Electric Tractor and the exclusive iMow, a revolutionary robotic lawn mower that mows the grass for you, are available at most lawn care centers.

Why buy a Mulching Mower or a Manual Push Mower?

• Lawns maintained with a mulch mower need an average of one-third less fertilizer and 300 fewer gallons of water per year.
  
• Gas mowers emit more than 10,000 pounds of smog forming pollutants into the air whereas electric mulch mowers and push mowers emit nothing.
  
• The clippings fertilize the lawn, protect it from evaporation, and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers that can seep into our waterways.
  
• If you're used to bagging your clippings, mulching will save you almost 40% in mowing time: no stopping, unloading the bag, and restarting.
  
• Each Puget Sound-area household that bags grass clippings contributes almost half a ton of yard waste to composting facilities. That's half a ton of nutrient-and moisture-rich material that could feed and protect a lawn all summer.

Brought to you by your Puget Sound Environmental Quality Agencies.

ISSAQUAH FOOD AND CLOTHING BANK NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
From 10am to 1pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 5-7pm on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, volunteers are needed! Please call Cherie Meier at 392-4123 for more information.

FRIENDS OF YOUTH
Adult volunteers are needed to mentor Issaquah students, ages 6-17, on a one-on-one basis. Mentors commit to 2-4 hours per week with their students. Free training and ongoing staff support are an integral part of this volunteer opportunity.

Call Beth Evenson at 392-6367 ext. 101 for more information.

ISSAQUAH COMMUNITY CENTER
Youth volunteers ages 11-18 are needed to work on the Issaquah Teen Dispatch. Opportunities are available for journalists, photographers, editors and reporters to work on the newspaper 2:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call Catherine Jones at 837-3317.

If your governmental or nonprofit agency or civic club has a volunteer opportunity, call Nina Dolan at 392-6434, ext. 237. Notices will run for two weeks, after which time a new listing must be submitted.

PASSPORT PHOTOS IN ISSAQUAH CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
For the past two years, the City Clerk's Office has made passport services available to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.).

A new service will has been added to make the passport application process much more convenient and complete. For a $10 fee, citizens may have their passport photos taken in the City Clerk's Office, thus eliminating the need to go elsewhere for the photos. The staff is looking forward to serving you and making your future travel plans as easy as possible.

If you would like to post an announcement, please send an email to webkeeper@front-street.com