Opening Day of Wild Sky Wilderness - RHS Teacher Mike Town hikes in with Sen. Patty Murray

 Mike Town, left, environmental-science teacher at Redmond High School and founder of "Friends of Wild Sky" leads Sen. Patty Murray, right, and Rep. Rick Larson on a walk through Wild Sky Wilderness on Friday. (photo by Seattle Times, 5/31/08)

Wild Sky Wilderness is Washington's first wilderness area in more than 20 years. The 106,000 federally protected acres are near the town of Index, only 48 miles from Redmond, an hour away!

THANK YOU, REDMOND TEACHER MIKE TOWN, FOR 9 YEARS OF TIRELESS EFFORT AND LEADERSHIP IN MAKING WILD SKY WILDERNESS A REALITY. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!

What did Mike Town do to promote Wild Sky and move it forward towards a federally protected wilderness? Find out HERE.
Read THE SEATTLE TIMES, 5/31/08 article "Their wildest dreams come true: Wild Sky Wilderness Opens".
Read THE SEATTLE TIMES, 5/9/08 article "Bush signs bill for Wild Sky Wilderness".

Neighborhood Block Watch - more than security

For years, my wife and I were upset with how little we knew of our neighbors. Come the long, dark winter months, the whole block seemed in a state of hibernation. With the exception of a few friends, our little neighborhood of two cul-de-sacs and a hilly collector road near Redmond Junior High just never seemed to gel.

When we first heard about the Redmond police "Neighborhood Block Watch" (Watch) program I felt a spark of hope. Though, our neighborhood hasn't experienced much crime in our *22 years, the program sounded like it might bring other key benefits besides "security".

Last week we read an announcement in the "Redmond Reporter" about a "Watch" program scheduled for 5/28. I jumped at it and started calling my neighbors. It was then I realized how few neighbors I could really call "neighbors"! You know, the kind you bring popcorn to on a kid's birthday; have over for a spur of the moment snack; borrow an egg, swap a curbside story, pick up the paper when they're gone.

The police Block Watch program hosted by Community Outreach Facilitator Jim Bove (425-556-2545) was a smashing success for us! (see photo). The next program is 10/29. Many of my neighbors were interested and 5 showed up at the meeting! We are now gathering names, phone numbers, and addresses to post on a neighborhood map. Mr. Bove gave us lots of safety literature to share and the Police may send a quarterly Block Watch newsletter. We have nascent plans to build a phone tree and hope to gather for a potluck during National Night Out on August 5. Great! I may get another chance to use my new backyard patio! And, now we're in "the lottery" for a party visit from a fire truck, a councilmember, aid car, or even the mayor! Steaks on us! If all goes as planned for our "Watch" and we get at least 75% participation we will earn a "Block Watch Sign" for our neighborhood! Car prowlers beware!!

Like most, our neighborhood has gone "international" and Block Watch is already helping to connect our cultures so we can be closer to each other... more neighborly! It really works! Already I feel our neighborhood is being responsible and empowered by Block Watch. Thanks, Redmond!

*On the subject of crime: It's hit home once for us in 22 years. My company car was stolen for a day. Some pills on my front seat attracted them. Remarkably, the Redmond police found the car! Several neighbors have reported car prowlers. - especially of GPS units. View KOMO video on GPS theft HERE, with Jim Bove. One neighbor said her mail was taken. We have 1 officer for every 10,000 residents, so watchful neighbors are needed to observe and report.

For tips on starting a Neighborhood Block Watch go "here".

Neighborhood Block Watch Captains are chosen by neighborhoods to help organize the program.
To see how NOT to be a Captain view Jim Carrey's hilarious skit of Saturday Night Live "Lifeguard (captain) on Duty" - video clip here. It will keep you rolling for 6 minutes. Jim Bove played this during our break.

Poor maintenace of underground stormwater vaults lowers stream water quality

OPINION: As you drive or walk by new construction sites you may notice large concrete boxes or "vaults" like the one pictured at the right. Vaults are used to manage pollutants and erosion from stormwater running off of roofs, driveways, and lawns. Many new vault installations can be found in North Redmond, especially around 116th Street NE. This particular one is quite large and was built by Camwest Development, Inc. adjacent the Perrigo Woods Trail between Lookout Ridge and Hartman Wetlands.

These concrete vaults "try" to function like the open "retention" ponds you see around the neighborhoods to filter stormwater and clean it but treatment is not as effective. Unfortunately, vaults are underground and higher maintenance than open ponds. Contaminated sediment builds up in these "underground ponds" and they must be periodically vacuumed out by large trucks.
The vaults are expensive for developers to install but without them some lands could never be fully developed. The main problem with these concrete vaults is they are below the surface, usually can't be seen and are often forgotten by homeowners and homeowner associations. After contaminated stormwater is collected in the underground "ponds" and partially treated it is discharged into a stream. When homeowners neglect to vacuum their vaults thick sediment contaminated with copper, phosphates, fecal bacteria, and other toxins can build up. After heavy rains, stormwater stirs up this dirty vault soil and discharges it into the streams.
Did you know Redmond currently has "marginal stream water quality"? Read the state report here. Regular maintenance of our stormwater facilities (vaults, detention ponds, storm drains) would help a lot to keep the streams, creeks and Sammamish River clean. Pictured here is a new stormwater retention pond on NE 116th Street.
Redmond has a serious shortage of stormwater inspectors. According to a city engineer in the Department of Natural Resources, Redmond has only ONE full time inspector to cover commercial and multi-family systems , "just barely". The city doesn't have one inspector for the proliferating, private, residential developments! Maintenance standards are in place but it's up to each owner or homeowner association to report problems or ask for inspections. Inspections are NOT proactive.
According to the same city engineer, Redmond is "not adding an inspector position to the proposed budget". Rather, "we are proposing to hire a field technician to help with inspections and monitor water quality." The question arises, how much contamination can our streams take from the growing numbers of hidden vaults and frequent flooding before we finally stop reacting to a problems helter-sketer? In the meantime, we entrust our neighborhood surface water quality to ONE, hopeful part-time technician!
We need proactive residential inspections and code enforcement before our streams deteriorate any further. Gigantic new regional stormwater facilities planned for our downtown will soon impact our stream water quality even further. The Redmond Department of Natural Resources and our councilmembers aren't at fault. Perhaps, Mayor Marchione can work his magic with a timely budget transfer or other maneuver to fund needed inspectors and code officers? As we all know, "a cleaner, greener environment" is a key budget priority for the city this year.
{See a short clip of open retention ponds in the Glenshire construction site "here". A wetland was once here. This large Glenshire development is in the North Redmond neighborhood adjacent what will be 172nd Avenue. Stormwater run-off is absorbed or eventually travels into nearby creeks. The "clean-out" is probably a sewer manhole}
CC: Mayor Marchione

UPDATE: Restoration funding for Lower Bear Creek keeps getting closer! Rep. Ross Hunter indicates his "okay" at recent Town Hall Meeting.

UPDATE: At the 5/20 Town Hall Meeting in City Hall, Rep. Ross Hunter alluded to Endangered salmon and $50M in damages attributed to state road flooding last year. He indicated his okay for a "culvert funding transfer" to pay for mitigating SR 520. Ross deferred us back to Mayor Marchione for the formal announcement.

The impacts of the proposed SR 520 widening to Redmond are huge. Over 14 stories on the subject are recorded in this blog. (search "520").

In short, 4 lanes will be added to SR 520 between Redmond Way and E. Lake Samm. Pkwy. Economic and safety issues from severe flooding and threat to federally Endangered salmon are at stake. $10 million is needed to alter the creek's path away from SR520 and restore the flood plain and salmon habitat. The city can budget only $2M.

GREAT NEWS! According to Terry Lavander, member of the Sammamish-Cedar River "WRIA-8 Salmon Recovery Council", the City of Redmond may soon have the money needed to restore Lower Bear Creek and mitigate flooding. Negotiations are moving forward.

During the May 15, WRIA-8 Salmon Recovery Council meeting, Mayor Marchione told the council-at-large he expected to be able to announce $8 million in funding from the State for restoration within the next two weeks. Coincidentally, State Representative Finance Chair Ross Hunter along with Rep. Deborah Eddy and Senator Rodney Tom held a TOWN HALL MEETING tonight, May 20, 6 PM at Redmond City Hall.

In addtion to the $8 million request for funding from the State, the City of Redmond requested $227,000 from the King County Conservation District. According to Ms. Terry Lavander, $220,000 was awarded by the district for the restoration. Ms. Lavander is also an original member of Water Tenders.

The WRIA-8 Salmon Recovery Council played an important role in facilitating these funding requests. I've attended a couple of their meetings; the council is impressive. Jon Spangler, Redmond Stormwater engineer, is playing a key role implimenting plans. The WRIA-8 council is comprised of mayors, city council members, county council members and 3-4 citizens-at-large from over 20 cities in King County. Under the administration of Jean White, the Council wrote a strong letter to Governor Gregoire to urge funding.

Ms. White alluded to the flood pictures and video clips Redmond citizens took of the severe December 3, 2008 floods. She said citizen flood documentation was important. Citizen Gary Smith's short video clip of the flooding along SR520 is amazing and entertaining.

A photo "linked here" by Citizen Susan Wilkins depicting the 100-year flood plain encroaching Redmond Town Center is somewhat frightful.

My dirt bike'n "lunch buddy", Dallas

Above, is a short clip of my buddy Dallas riding the "dirt bike trail." The trail is behind the Mormon Church, adjacent to the Water District land and Perrigo Woods Trail. Just as soon as the drier months of Spring arrive, Dallas and his pals soup up their BMX bikes, fix-up the course and hit the jumps.

Dallas and his chums spend much of the summer "hanging out" here and at the Edge Skateboard Park. He bikes .5 miles from his home to the trail almost every afternoon and weekend. I don't know what he'd do to fill the empty hours without these parks.

I met Dallas in the Horace Mann El. "Lunch Buddy" mentoring program when he was in 2nd grade. We've been spending lunch and recess together, once a week for five years now. Dallas graduates this year and I hope the junior high will have a mentoring program. They did once before.

The Mann Lunch Buddy program currently has 25 volunteer mentors. Our hearts are filled by these children. We come back year after year. Kids who have lunch buddies are recognized and admired by their peers. Some are shy or have single parents and all love being in the program.

Dallas and I are usually one of the first to get lunch. We don't have to eat in the cafeteria, usually preferring to eat in our "clubhouse" by the stairway. We often play games in the gym before heading out to the soccer fields. Sometimes we visit his desk and artwork. Or, look for BMX bike parts on the school computer. Over time, I've gotten to know his mother, Lisa, and little brother Cruz and our families do cool stuff together.

The program wouldn't exist without the passionate commitment of office managers, Ann Glassey (rt) and Susan Nauman. (lft). They keep the program going on a shoe-string and a trickle of money from United Way donations. But, mostly it's a labor of love. Every year Ann and Sue hold an ice cream social; they do craft projects to make holiday gifts for us; they match us up; and they work with the parents, mentors, buddies and counselors to improve our lives.

If you are interested in learning more about the Lunch Buddy program at Horace Mann, please contact Ann Glassey or Sue Nauman at 425-881-9696.

An act of sportsmanship in Washington State heard round the world!

A 2 minute video is posted HERE.

By the time you read this incredible story, it will have probably been on national news. The above photo of heroic Central Washington University softball players speaks for itself. For the complete story read the article in The Oregonian, 4/30/08. (patience)

My neighbor Larry told me about this tear-jerker this afternoon. I couldn't believe it. My heart melted and eyes moistened as he told the story. It's about sportsmanship. It's in the New York Times and hundreds of blogs across the country.

If you look at the list of sports teams on my blog in Redmond (see sidebar) it's clear many, many Redmond players and coaches will by touched by this story. Just think how many times Redmond coaches and parents try to instill "good sportsmanship" and character in their children. Now, they have it!

I know two Redmond basketball coaches who went to Central Washington University. Mustang Girls Basketball Coach and FLIGHT President, Dennis Edwards played football under Central's present softball coach Gary Frederick. My daughter's FLIGHT coach, Jenny Jammerman played at Central, too. Do you know anyone?

Websites:

Central Washington University

Western Oregon University

OPINION: Marchione administration's $40 million parks bond proposal-- a hoax?

I am very disappointed the Marchione Administration and 6 park commissioners would even CONSIDER a preliminary $40,000,000 parks bond for 2009. Specifics of the proposal were described in detail by Parks Director Larsen (photo above) at the last Council study session. (Please look for "comments" below this story for elaboration).

Citizens just finished spending 6 hours of their evenings participating in Mayor Marchione and Richard Cole's "Budgeting by Priorities" (BP) workshops. When Parks Director Larsen discussed "the number" ($40m), I never heard him refer to the BP workshops or citizen requests for more park services. I think it was a councilmember who remembered a vague request for more natural open space.

Did you know, Council recently approved $2,300,000 in taxpayer money for 0.9 miles of park "trail" --a 15 foot-wide black-topped 'road'? (Click on the title of this story to read all about it. )

Only last year, the Council proposed and passed a $637,122 park bond and allocated an additional $605,000 of capital improvement funds (CIP) to our parks and recreation program. In addition Council passed city-wide impact fees on developers. For an eye-opening summary of where our 2007 park levy and capital dollars will be spent READ THIS.

As a result of last year's park levy, our property taxes increased on average $21/year. The proposed $40,000,000 park levy alone would increase our property taxes an average of approximately $140/yr per household. The increase is over 6.6 x last year's increase! It's almost equivalent to last year's "fire & police" increase of $143/yr/household.

Gas is over $3.60/gallon, fruit and vegetables are now priced by "the each" rather than "the pound", we burn gas in traffic jams because city roads can't keep up with growth, and the needed fire station in North Redmond isn't built. The list goes on.

Yes, you can read Richard Morrises informative reports here about the splendor of our parks. They truly are what makes Redmond, Redmond. But, at what cost to further the park system?

Did you know, every year 5% of our General Operating Fund is transferred to our Capital Fund? Most interestingly, 19% of the total 2007 - 2012 Capital Fund of $216,000,000 is allocated to Parks! Yikes! That's $40,000,000!

$40M (proposed bond) + $40M (capital) + $637K ('08 levy) = $80,637,000 total park & rec. budget allocation -- wished for by the Marchione Administration in 2009... This isn't counting impact fees.

My goodness! This can't be real! Is it a hoax? I feel manipulated. When citizens cry "NO" to this incredulous $40M bond proposal the Council is then positioned to say "NO" to many of the citizen's requests for funding their projects. It appears the Marchione administration is "conditioning" us to lower our expectations for our budget priorities. In the least, he's applying the fundamental principle of negotiations: "start high".

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REF: All of my research was taken from Links to city documents on the sidebar of this blog (scroll down) and by searching "levy" in the blog search engine .

CC: Council, Mayor, Parks Director, Parks & Trails commissioners

Running with Dogs -- Ashford Trail

Contributed by Richard Morris
Here is how the city of Redmond describes Ashford Trail 1/4 mile: Soft surface equestrian and hiking trail linking Hartman Park with Avondale Road through the Ashford Park development along 180 Ave NE.
Ashford Trail has historical roots. This short trail follows alongside Perrigo Creek, which begins at the top of Education Hill, and ends when it joins Bear Creek. Perrigo Springs, long ago, served as the source of water for Redmond. The pioneer-day Perrigo Farm on top of Education Hill used water from Perrigo Springs.

Naomi Hardy, Redmond Historical Society, contributed this bit of history: "The little Perrigo Springs was purchased by the Redmond Water Department in 1914 and was the first water supply for the newly incorporated town of Redmond. A dam was originally constructed to impound the water for storage, with the transmission main a 4” to 8” wood stave pipe. This site was Redmond’s only water supply until 1927 and served as a major source of supply until 1962. Currently the spring is still there, trickling through a small, forested valley, past the city’s Perrigo Springs Reservoir and makes its way to Bear Creek. There is a wide trail near the spring that goes up Education Hill. Hikers and school kids and the curious use this trail".
Near the reservoir is a commemorative tree and plaque marking this historic water source. You can read more about historic Perrigo Springs on a previous post

Ashford Trail before it was widened and graveled by the City

You can enter the Ashford Trail from Avondale at 180th Ave. This is the entrace to Ashford Park, a condominium community in Redmond. Just drive (or bike) up 180th Ave, until the road ends. There is a water tower (recently renovated by the Water Department) and an old concrete dam across Perrigo Creek. A camera was installed at the top of the water tower to record people who might damage the marker and Corkscrew Willow tree.  See a map of this area.

Richard Morris with Saddie

You can also enter the Ashford Trail from the top of Education Hill where NE100th St ends at 171st Ave NE. The first 1/2 mile walk is flat, then the trail sharply descends to the water tower and becomes 180th Ave NE. If this steep trail looks to difficult, you can cross over Perrigo Creek and enter the "back side" of Hartman Park. This short connector trail comes out on 176th Ave NE (King County Swimming pool is located at the end of this street).

If you are adventurous, and like a hiking challenge, walk down Avondale (south towards Redmond Town Center), until you reach NE 88th PL . Go the end of the road, and you will find a trail leading up Education Hill. You can climb back up the hill (very steep) and the trail comes out at Nike Park. My companion dog, Sadie, is good at scrambling up the steep slope, but it is slow climb for me to find my footing on the loose forest soil.
Richard Morris, co-author, Education Hill neighborhood

Playdates & Perks at RTC

Contributed by Kay Tarapolsi

In order to save my sanity midweek, I decided to get my three kids (ages 6, 4 and 1) out of the house to try the 'Playdates & Perks' that the Redmond Town Center features every Thursday from 10-2pm. I had been told about this from another mom who loved to stop by with her kids and get a Kid's Creation for a reduced fare. Our first step was at the Information office to get the membership card and a list of participating stores. The first disappointment of the hunt for Perks? Cold Stone is no longer offering their Kid's Creations for $1.50. When I asked why, the information hostess had no answer for me. Additionally crossed off the list was Cosi, who is no longer at RTC (what's more, the RTC website lists a discount at Rubber Sole, another defunct business). We also realized we were too late for the Hush Baby Boutique story time that was at 11am. Too bad, I heard they have fabulous cookies. Undeterred, we headed to Pizza Schmizza for a kid's slice of pizza. As usually, it was superb. It just came out of the oven and was perfect sized for the price ($1).

After our snack we mozzied over to Learning Quest for the free gift. The girls were given little lizards that they loved and they were still playing with the next day. Next we stopped at the Paint Away and were shown three birth plaques (of which we would pick one) we could receive for free if we purchased $20 worth of items. I asked the sales clerk if they had other options that were for kids since these were adult projects and was told no (even after showing her the list that says "children's activity" next to their name). I actually would have spent the $20 on extra items if we were given a "children's activity" to decorate that was more appropriate for a child of 6 or 4. We left Paint Away with the girls being let down that they wouldn't get to participate.

Looking at the list of other stores, it seemed that others offered services that just weren't very 'Playdate' friendly. Some of the stores listed (Laura Victoria and Lucy) don't even offer children's clothing or items while others (Sahib Cuisine of India) are not child suitable and are geared more towards the business lunch crowd. And whereas Regis does offer a $5 off a children's haircut, I don't know that many kids that need a 20% discount on chemical services.

I think the 'Playdates & Perks' is a really fabulous idea and while we were sitting at Ruby's enjoying the free kids meal (with a purchase of an adult entree), I realized it just needed a bit of work to make it more 'Playdate' friendly for children. Start by handing out an updated list of 'Perks,' with non participating merchants removed and matching the RTC website. Next, make a separate list for places that offer discounts for moms, but maybe at a time without the kids. How about a MNO (Moms Night Out) that includes dinner at Sahib and price cuts at Laura Victoria, Lucy, Chico's, Victoria's Secret, etc followed by some deliciously discounted brew and gossip at Tully's? My final suggestions to make this concept work? Encourage more stores that appeal to children to participate, places such as Gymboree, Gap Kids, Claire's, Red Robin, REI, Uncle's Games and Wetzel's Pretzels. These merchants need to be reminded that the Redmond/Woodinville/Duvall area has more children under the age of 5 then any other surrounding city. As they should have said in Field of Dreams "build it for the kids and the parents will come."

Koloud 'Kay' Tarapolsi
Co-author, Overlake Neighborhood

Teacher Mike Town held a key role in designating "wild Skykomish country" a Federally protected Wilderness Area

Did you hear the Wild Sky Wilderness Act passed Congress this Spring? "Wild Sky" is the first national forest wilderness designation in Washington State in 23 years. It will receive the highest protections given Federal lands. Mike Town, Redmond High School science teacher and activist was a key player in the six-year effort to pass the Act.

Mr. Town's June 14, 2003 testimony to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests tells alot about the Wild Skykomish County and Mike Town. As per his testimony, Mike has spent over 15 years hiking, sking, and snowshoeing more than 200 miles annually the Wild Sky country.

Mr. Town's opening remarks to the United States Senate Subcommittee are, as follows:

Within the boundaries of the proposed Wild Sky Wilderness are lush old
growth forests, high peaks over 6000 feet tall, breathtaking waterfalls,
1000-foot cliffs, pristine rivers and secluded alpine lakes. The proposal
protects over 25 miles of the Skykomish River, which provides habitat for
endangered species, world-class white water and renowned fishing. Other
watersheds in the proposal contribute to clean and safe drinking water for
the City of Everett and the forested slopes reduce the potential for downstream
flooding. Recreation abounds in the Wild Sky as backcountry skiers; anglers,
hunters, hikers, horseback riders and campers flock to this spectacular area.
This steady flow of visitors is critical to the economic stability of small towns in the Skykomish valley. "

Mike's testimony to the senators then goes on for pages and pages as he describes in detail the myriad of features and characteristics of the "Wild Sky" country he explored.
In an article in the Seattle P.I., 10/31/07 Mike stated:

In the past, wilderness has consisted solely of old growth forest at higher
elevations. Wild Sky protects thousands of acres of low-elevation old growth and
25 miles of salmon streams to make the land accessible for recreational use.
"This meadow country is a migration corridor that fits together with these
other wildernesses," said Mike Town, a science teacher at Redmond High School.
"We would have almost a continuous swatch of meadows across the Cascades. It
would take a lifetime to explore."

Senator Patty Murray was the primary sponsor and along with Rep. Rick Larson, the Act passed the full House 291 - 117. In Senator Murray's Press Release of 4/10/08 the following comments of Mr. Town:

Mike Town – a high school science teacher from Duvall, Washington – described
introducing his students to a wild salmon spawning site near the proposed Wild
Sky Wilderness. Because that river’s headwaters are in the proposed wilderness
area, the water is still so pristine that salmon are able to thrive. Today, it’s
one of the few places left in the Cascades where spawning salmon are still so
numerous, you could walk across the river on their backs. Mike called the river,
“one of the greatest spectacles in nature.” And he added, “I cherish the belief
that with federal protection for this area, my teenage students will have the
ability to share the experience of spawning wild salmon with their
grandchildren.”

The Washington Wilderness Coalition press release of the wilderness Act's congressional approval of April, 2008 gives details.

The Wild Sky Wilderness Act will designate 106,577 acres of national forest in east Snohomish County as wilderness. Key Facts are here. !

I spent many a summer backpacking the Enchantment Lakes of Alpine Lakes Wilderness before permits were required (because it was being "loved to death.") The Upper Enchantments were my favorite place! I can't wait to explore the Wild Sky Wilderness and find my favorite spot!