South Lake Sammamish Update

July 18, 2006

In this issue:

Class: 5 Steps to Environmentally Sound Gardening - July 19th
South Lake Sammamish Community Days to be Held August 21st
Meeting Notes from Summer SLSA Meeting
Lost Greenwood Point Child Found

Class: 5 Steps to Environmentally Sound Gardening - July 19th

The City of Issaquah's Resource Conservation Office will be sponsoring a gardening class, “5 Steps to Environmentally Sound Gardening,” held at Pickering Barn on Wednesday July 19th from 6 – 9 pm. Learn how to work with nature in your yard to create a great looking landscape that is easier to maintain and healthier for families, pets, wildlife and our unique Pacific NW environment. Please register by July 17th. People can register for classes by calling Jennifer Kaufman at (425) 837-3442 or e-mail jenniferk @ ci.issaquah.wa.us.

South Lake Sammamish Community Days to be Held August 21st

The 8th Annual South Lake Sammamish Community Days will be held on Monday, August 21st from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Coordinated by Mary Victory, this event has grown bigger and more popular every year and demonstrates the pride that we all have for our neighborhoods. As the event has grown, there will be a call for volunteers to help out in early August - we hope that you will consider volunteering.

Besides the great Ice Cream Social, among the attractions this year for your families are an obstacle course, inflatable bouncies, a climbing wall and other fun activities for the kids. Join your neighbors for a great evening of fun, food and conversation!!!

Meeting Notes from Summer SLSA Meeting

Click Here For Meeting Notes for June 28th

Lost Greenwood Point Child Found

Thank you

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all of our neighbors who helped search and/or pray for Spenser's safe return this past Friday night (July 14th).

Spenser is Autistic, and while his comprehension is good, his ability to verbalize is quite delayed. Typical of many Autistics, Spenser does not possess an acute sense of danger, and accordingly, he is (should be) always accompanied by a care giver when out in the community.

On Friday evening, while the whole family was relaxing in our back yard, Spenser wandered away from home around 6:30 PM. We discovered he was gone within about 10 minutes of his departure, and began to search in the neighborhood spots he usually frequents. After a half hour of searching with no success, we elected to call 911 for assistance. The Issaquah City Police arrived within minutes, followed by the Fire Department. Before we knew it, it seemed the entire community was involved in the search.

Spenser was finally found around 10:30PM some 3.5 miles away at Eastgate in Bellevue (150th Ave and 38th St.). It would seem he walked (barefoot) the 3.5 miles with the idea that he wanted a pizza from Pizza Hut. We are so grateful that he was found to be in good condition, notwithstanding some sore feet and a hungry stomach.

While this was the most strenuous 4 hours of our lives, it did serve to confirm our understanding of just what a wonderful community we live in, to have so many neighbors rally to assist in our hours of need. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We will remain diligent in our supervision of Spenser, and hope that we leave no small windows of opportunity open for him to roam again. Nevertheless, if anyone should see him on his own, we would most certainly appreciate your call to us {(425)746-3740 or (206) 310-1891 or (425) 941-2200} or 911 as soon as possible.

Thank you and may God Bless you all,

John, Kim, Jacob & Spenser Van Buskirk
Greenwood Point