UPDATED: LW School District Tightens the Spigot to Citizen Participation

UPDATED:  4/19
ATTN:   Since this story was published, the Administration edited this link to the Board meeting schedule and included an asterisk* to flag public comment opportunities.  


Six Regular Board Meeting now start a 5 or 5:30PM this year instead of 7PM. (On 4/19 Pres. Pendergrass called these meeting time changes "emergencies", for various reasons.  


Four of the 5:00 & 5:30PM Regular Meetings are now planned between April and June (Neighborhood meetings and Hearings for the STEM School and Rose Hill JH projects occur during these months. )

The remaining Public comment periods in 2011 are scheduled in following meetings: April 18, May 2, June 6, June 20. and August 8.  SUBJECT TO CHANGE!  (Chip Kimball sets the agenda and Pres. Pendergrass approves it)

Parents have three oppotunities left to speak
 to the School Board, Mr. Kimball and Staff this school year.
They are "waiting" to hear frrom you.

 UPDATED, 4/6 - The District changes some of their meeting times again.   A quick note to parents and community -- opportunities for public comment and participation with Lake Washington School District Board members and Sup. Chip Kimball is tightening up.  So, if you'd like to give some input to the folks who run our schools now's the time. 

Only three school board meetings are left for public comment this school year after Spring Break:  April 4, 5:30pm [scratch], April 18 (5:00)   May 2 (7:00pm) [time changed again], and May 16 (5:30pm), June 6th (5pm), June 20 (7pm) [meeting added] all are on a Monday.  The 5:00 pm time isn't convenient for most working parents with children, but that's what the Administration and Board scheduled.  For some reason, the meetings were originally set for 7PM but then rescheduled for the dinner hour. 

There's lots of stuff going on right now in the District:

• Modernization of Rose Hill Junior and others
• STEM School curriculum decisions
• STEM School site location, busing and traffic Public Hearing
• Redmond High and Eastlake High additions/remodeling
• Class reconfiguration to 9-12  / 6-8
• [Budget Public Hearing, August 8.] 

Probably, the best place to comment on all of these issues is the Monday, May 2 at 7PM.  Board Meeting (timed for right after Spring Break).  It's held at the Lake Washington District HQ in Redmond Town Center.  The Board wants you to sign-in 15 minutes early if you plan to speak (up to 3 minutes).  If you're late, Jackie Pendergrass  may have a grace period.  (Often times, the Administration plans a pre-business meeting event.)

On April 5 and 6th at 7pm, the Administration will hold a public meeting at Rose Hill Junior High cafeteria to address "remodernization" of Rose Hill JH.   Notice of the meeting was given to the bordering homes but if you have questions the meeting is open to the public.

If you're interested in commenting on the STEM School land use project, location, and traffic -  a good meeting for input is the April 5 Hearing (6-8pm) at Alcott  El.  Details and Directions.  If you have any questions or need directions for any of the meetings contact Kathryn Reith at kreith@lwsd.org .

Email is often a convenient way to communicate to the Board.  The Administration is creating an email address for writing to all Board members at once.  Chip Kimball emailed today:  "We are going to be putting that in place."

Reported by Bob Yoder

The Regular Meeting for the Annual Budget Hearing is scheduled for August 8, 7PM 

Click this link for the schedules of ALL Board Meetings:  http://www.lwsd.org/About/School-Board/Board-Meetings/Pages/School-Board-Calendar.aspx.  Meetings are subject to change!  Email Kathryn Reith if you have any questions about meeting times:  kreith@lwsd.org

Leadership Eastside selects Karin Duval as new Managing Director

Karin Duval of Redmond

Leadership Eastside selects Karin Duval as new Managing Director

Bellevue WA - Leadership Eastside (LE) announces the selection of Redmond resident Karin Duval to be the first Managing Director of the Eastside's premier leadership development program. Announcing the selection, LE President James Whitfield said, "Karin's history as a class member of LE, her experience working with non-profits and community groups, her executive management experience, and the synchronicity of our working styles were exactly what I was looking for to build out our staff infrastructure. I am very excited to have Karin with us."

Duval says her new position with Leadership Eastside is a natural fit, "Leadership Eastside's vision of a diverse, vibrant, healthy and mutually supportive Eastside community, is expertly served by LE's Adaptive Leadership approach to leader development. The challenges we face in our communities demand leaders who are informed, equipped and connected. I am thrilled and honored to be a part of the organization that develops these leaders." 
Read More >>

PTSA News: Volunteer Awards, Foundation Funding, PTSA officer slate, parent workshop

Factors Influencing Teen Decision Making & Behaviors. On Wednesday, April 6th from 7-9 PM at the Juanita High School Theater (132nd St., Kirkland), presenters Bill Corson & Laura Doerflinger will help parents understand the complex mix of factors that can result in questionable decision making by our teens and give parents reasonable strategies for guiding & monitoring their student. Recommended for parents of Students 7th grade & up. This FREE program is sponsored by the Lake Washington PTSA Council. No registration required. Questions? Contact Joanne Hall, Chair, Parent Education.

PTSA OFFICER SLATE. The 2011-12 RHS PTSA slate of officers is below.

Co-President: Shelley Flores
1st VP of Programs: Peg Hunt
2nd VP of Services: Karen Figurelle
Treasurer: Susan Seabrooks
Secretary: Marie Kent

Repectfully submitted by the 2011 RHS PTSA Nominating Committee:
Jerry Smith, Brenda Hunt, Julie Firth, Kim Axelrod

RHS PTSA AWARDS. The RHS PTSA is seeking recommendations in identifying exceptional advocates and volunteers within our school community. Below you will find several award categories. Awards are presented to honorees at RHS. Recommendations can be sent to the RHS office addressed to "PTSA Awards" or you can email recommendations to Robin Adler. You may nominate more than one person for each award. Past award recipients are posted on the RHS PTSA website. Deadline for submissions is April 22.

Read More >>

How to use "timebanking" to barter with your neighbors for goods & services

Last month, Cindy Jayne, Eastside Timebank Project Administrator,   introduced "timebanking" to the City of Redmond during an "Items from the Audiance" presentation to city council.  (Everyone is invited to speak to council at the beginning of their regular meetings.) 

From King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert's newsletter:

Timebanking is a “better than bartering” system helps stretch your dollars in a tough economy. When you spend an hour doing something for another member, such as yard work or transportation or haircutting, you earn a "Time Dollar" that you can then use to receive an hour of service from another member. It doesn’t have to be the same member, and everyone’s time is valued equally.

Timebanking builds community.  It creates a network that lets you get to know your neighbors and builds an old-fashioned extended family of people who take care of each other.

The Eastside Timebank pilot project in Kirkland is expanding to residents in Redmond and Bellevue, who are invited to an informational meeting about how to get involved:

Thursday, March 31, at 7-8 p.m.
North Bellevue Community Center
4063 - 148th Ave NE, Bellevue
Email:  cindy@eastsidetimebank.org

More information is available at http://www.eastsidetimebank.org/ .
Watch Video >>

Evergreen receives $100,000 grant to expand palliative care; what is palliative care?

Kirkland, WA – Evergreen Healthcare Foundation has received a $100,000 grant from the Regence Foundation in support of Evergreen Hospital Medical Center’s innovative program to extend palliative care into nursing homes and residential settings. Palliative care is a medical specialty that helps seriously ill patients manage disease symptoms.

“We believe people should have access to palliative care in whatever setting they find most appropriate for them, not just in hospitals,” said Bob Malte, CEO of Evergreen. “The Regence Foundation Grant will make palliative care more readily available in our communities.”    Source:   Evergreen Press Release, 3/23

###

What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is the medical specialty focused on improving the quality of life of people facing serious illness. Emphasis is placed on pain and symptom management, communication and coordinated care. Palliative care is appropriate from the time of diagnosis and can be provided along with curative treatment.
READ MORE.  WATCH VIDEO >>

My experience removing "second growth" trees from our Redmond yard

Pam on a tree stump in our front yard

UPDATED: 04/2022  As much as I love trees, it was time to remove this double-trunk Doug fir from our front yard.  The tree diameters for each "fork" at breast height was 27 inches.  This one was a 70-year old, second  growth, beauty and it wasn't an easy decision.

When we moved into our "East Firs" Burnstead home 25 years ago, the fir was about half the size.   But, for about the last 7-10 summers the tree sucked up every drop of water around it, killing off our shrubs and grass.   Acidic pine cones, needles and branches dropped like rain on the roof.  Street appeal?  Suffocating.  Only 18 feet from our house, the exposed tree was a potential hazard.  So after much thought I filed for a city tree removal permit and hired Rudy Schulze of "Top Notch Tree Service" (360-420-9970) to do the work.

Towering  double-trunk fir on the left was removed
after getting a permit from the city.

We thought about removing only the large trunk and leaving the smaller one.  But, Rudy and one other certified arborist said no; that taking one trunk out would be like pruning more than 50% of the tree - not a healthy choice.  So, by the arborist's definition I removed two large significant trees joined at the hip. 

Some tips:  Watch out for the "Evergreen" arborist companies.  A few of them aren't arborists and just want your money. I was quoted $2,000 just for this tree.  I paid Top Notch $950 and a tip.  They dropped the limbs next to my vine maple with precision.   The next day, Rudy's partners hauled away all the wood for free and offered affordable stump grinding services.  Not only pros, but personable!   Visit the the International Society of Arboriculture website to find an ISA certified arborist.

The city requires a permit for removing "significant trees" and Landmark Trees. There's no fee.  For me, when hugging a large tree I know it's a Landmark when I can't touch my fingers.  You're allowed to remove up to two healthy "significant" trees (six inch diameter more) or one Landmark every 365 days with a permit.  

I found the permit here by searching Google. Read the fine lines.  Every tree you remove a tree you must replace it with a smaller tree.  If this is a hardship and you love trees, the City is updating their tree regulations and you may be able to donate to a Tree Fund.

Photos and Story by Bob Yoder, March 23, 2011

Redmond Police Issue More Than 1,500 Citations In First Two Weeks of Camera Enforcement Period - Redmond, WA Patch

Redmond Police Issue More Than 1,500 Citations In First Two Weeks of Camera Enforcement Period - Redmond, WA Patch:  by Caitlin Moran, "RedmondPatch"

Officials stressed that officer discretion is always used when deciding whether or not to issue a ticket.

Richard Cole, Hank Margeson and John Stilin observe a video demonstration of the city's red light cameras at a meeting on Tuesday. Photo Credit Caitlin Moran

"The number of camera-enforced citations issued so far this month is on pace to exceed the 1,900 warnings that were issued during a one-month warning period earlier this year, Redmond Police Chief Ron Gibson told the City Council's public safety committee at a meeting Tuesday afternoon.

The Redmond Police Department issued a combined 1,586 citations between March 3 and 16 at the three intersections with red light cameras and one school zone with a speed camera.

Gibson said he believes the number of violations confirms earlier traffic studies that identified the intersections as problem areas.

'I think that bears out the fact that the studies show there's a high number of violations at these intersections,' he said."   Read More...

By Caitlin Moran, Editor of RedmondPatch
About Caitlin
RedmondPatch, 3/23

#####

Comment from the RNB Editor:   As of 3/19 a  petition is circulating to ban the Redmond red light pilot program.   http://bancams.com/petition/redmond/

OPINION: Swedish/ER advertising is misleading and unfair

UPDATED OPINION:   I woke up this morning, 3/21, to yet another Swedish ER television commercial touting "SWEDISH ER ... the only 24/7 ER in Redmond just popped up".   They show a blue circle "popping up" on a Redmond "neighborhood" map.  (1) (2)

This Swedish television promotion is unfair and misleading.

So how is Swedish untruthfull and misleading the public? 

• First, Swedish is not the only 24/7 ER open for business in Redmond right now.  Evergreen Medical Center/Redmond ER is open for business on March 21, too.  Evergreen had their ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday (3/19) and their doors are open to ER patients today, March 21.   In fact, Evergreen/Redmond's Urgent Care, Primary Care and Speciality Care are open, as well.  I  confirmed this with Sherry Grindeland,  the Evergreen Communications specialist.
• Swedish promotes themselves as a "Neighborhood ER" and outpatient service.   The ED structure is located right across from UPS on a 'highway', not far from Cadman Gravel and right next to a veterinarian business that according to an employee, doesn't want them as neighbors. (egress/ingress issues). 
• No schools, residential sidewalks, pedestrians or plethora of small businesses are to be found, or expected.  Do you call this a neighborhood? 
• During the Swedish/ER opening ceremony this winter Swedish top brass proclaimed (to an audience of mostly Swedish/Seattle employees) that their massive medical complex ("big box") will stimulate the local economy. It will.  Even the Mayor spoke to the "vibrancy" and growth Swedish would bring to Redmond.  
• Truth be said and observed by the vet business and current commuter traffic - Swedish/Redmond ER plugs up traffic flows on Union Rd.    Local small business considering moving to Union Hill Road are deterred owing to blockage of ingress and egress.  
• Yes, Swedish/ER will bring in the big bucks to Redmond from highly paid Swedish workers.  But, the immediate "neighborhood" and businesses around Swedish will remain stale and lack healthy diversity.  

About Evergreen  
According to the Evergreen website:  "Evergreen Medical Center/Redmond will bring a whole new level of care to downtown Redmond, where primary care, urgent care, lab and imaging services will be conveniently together under one roof...along with a 24/7 emergency department.  The four-story, 48,000-square-foot facility is located at the Bella Bottega shopping center in the heart of downtown Redmond."

No question, Evergreen will bring traffic and parking congestion to the area and the ambulances will be a pain.   But every Bella Bottega business I've talked to in my survey said they were happy with the new business Evergreen will bring.  More residents will take to the sidewalks; new businesses will emerge nearby, happy to be close to Evergreen and our downtown.  Our nearby residential neighborhoods, including the downtown neighborhood, will truly be more vibrant.    In addition, the Urgent Care resources Evergreen/Redmond offers provide valuable service to the prudent consumer.

Swedish is obviously aggressive in self-promotion.  They are clearly stretching the truth by claiming a Redmond neighborhood location and saying they are the only ER game in town today.  The question of future trust arises.   At least for me.   Please share your opinion below this post or by Letter with your name to remondblog@gmail.com  

(1)  On 3/23, two days after this post, Swedish made a change and corrected their ad. 
(2)  On 3/25, Swedish advertised on CNBC they had the only 24/7 ER in Redmond.  I think the point is made. 

Opinion By Bob Yoder

Eastside Kickoff Rally

Please join us Monday evening in Redmond for our Eastside 2011    
NAMI Walk Kickoff Rally!!!

 

Eastside Kickoff Rally

Monday, March 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Family Pancake House
17621 Redmond Way, Redmond

Team captains, sponsors and volunteers:

· Come hear how the 7th annual walk in Kirkland on May 14 will be a new kind of walk for our area! Take a mental health awareness quiz.

· Get fundraising tips and help with walker Web pages.

· Find out about fantastic vacation destination prizes for all team captains whose teams raise $1,000 or more online!

· Enjoy appetizers and soft drinks!

The NAMI Washington Walk is the sole fund-raising activity for the statewide organization and all its affiliates advocating for the mentally ill — conducting education forums and classes, sponsoring peer and family support groups, battling stigma through awareness outreach, and seeking legislative action at the state, county and municipal levels.

Info on the NAMI Washington Walk: www.nami.org/namiwalks/walk

Any questions please call NAMI Eastside 425 885 6264

How prepared is our community for a natural disaster? by Michael Tenhulzen

from the Greater Redmond Chamber Commerce March Newsletter...

In our area, single family residences most susceptible to damage from an earthquake are built from 1947 to 1988, depending on methods, materials, regulations, and soil types of their construction.  -- Mike Tenhulzen

How prepared is our community for a natural disaster?   By Mike Tenhulzen, Tenhulzen Remodeling

Redmond has a relatively long history of community activism around disaster response.

More recently, the Redmond Citizens Corps Council (http://www.redmondccc.org/ ) has been organizing groups like Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) to increase awareness and improve response to natural disasters. So, from a planning perspective, community leaders are doing a good job of planning. To augment their efforts, the business community should prepare as well.

Commercial and residential structures that are not engineered to resist seismic activity may become uninhabitable after a major earthquake. Because commercial structures generally adhere to stricter guidelines than residential, it does not necessarily mean your place of business is earthquake-proof. It is worth your time to have a structural assessment performed in the interest of protecting your investment.

Using residential housing as an example; in 1976, The Uniform Building Code adopted standard construction
methods for wood frame homes, followed by incremental improvements to the code through 1994. Homes built since 1994 are the most resilient structures due to the seismic requirements detailed in the current building codes.  Read More >>

Sunshine Week - Celebrating the Public's Right to Know.

This Sunshine Week, (March 13-19) we urge you to press our public officials to do more, seeking not just broad statements of support for greater transparency but specific pledges and plans of action to enhance the public’s right to know.

Sunshine Week 2011 can be a time when you as a citizen or civic organization make a difference by identifying local or state open governments and then asking your public officials to pledge and initiate specific improvements in local or state law and practice.

Please forward a sample Proclamation to the leaders of our local governments and ask them to sign a Proclamation for "Open Government". 

• City of Redmond, Mayor John Marchione, mayor@redmond.gov
• Lake Washington School District, President of School Board, jpendergrass@lwsd.org
• Evergreen Hospital, President of Board of Commissioners, Al DeYoung, c/o lburton@evergreenhealthcare.org  

Read this sample Proclamation to send to your local government representative. 
Read More >>

Microsoft leads Redmond community in relief efforts to Japan

The City of Redmond says:

"Microsoft is making an initial commitment of $2 million, which includes $250,000 in cash as well as in-kind contributions. In addition to its many other efforts, Microsoft is also reaching out to customers, local government, inter-government and nonprofit agencies to support relief efforts.

The American Red Cross has once again launched a texting campaign to raise money for relief efforts in the Pacific region. Last year, the Red Cross was able to raise over $20 million for Haiti relief through simple text donations.  To donate to the American Red Cross for Japan Earthquake Relief, text RED CROSS to 90999. Each text will provide $10 towards the Red Cross’s humanitarian efforts.

The Red Cross has also launched a campaign on Causes to raise at least $25,000 for relief efforts. By logging in to Facebook, you can donate anywhere from $10 to $500 to help Tsunami victims and their families."

Contact your favorite charity to ask how you can help. 

Opinion by Yoder

Source:  City of Redmond, Press Release.

Washington State Department of Ecology Blog: Threats of tsunamis and radiation in Washington

Threats of tsunamis and radiation in Washington

The devastating earthquake in Japan and the resulting tsunami and nuclear reactor damage concerns all of us. While our hearts and minds are with those suffering in Japan, it’s also natural to worry about what it might mean for us here in Washington. State and federal agencies are monitoring potential dangers, and numerous websites contain useful and timely information.

The Washington Department of Health is conducting radiation monitoring and will continue to update their website

The Washington Department of Natural Resources' "Ear to the Ground blog" has a fairly comprehensive list of tsunami related resources.

Check those sites for updated information regarding public health and safety in Washington state."

WSDOE Blog, 3/14

The Latest Pacific Trajectories from the Japanese Reactor

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Latest Pacific Trajectories From the Japanese Reactor and Amazing Rainshadow

A few people emailed me asking for update trajectories from the vicinity of the Japanese reactors. These trajectories use the NOAA Hysplit model, driven by output from the U.S. GFS global forecasting model. I have launched trajectories from 50, 4500 and 9000 meters above the surface. Keep in mind that there are considerable uncertainties in such trajectories. So here they are:  Strangely, the trajectory starting at 50 meters ends right over Seattle...after nine days!!  Even if this was true and the initial concentrations were large, trubulent and diffusive motions in the atmosphere would reduce concentrations over us to minimal, if not infinitesimal, levels.  Read More >>

Slide Show tour of the Evergreen Medical Center/ Redmond

Slide Show Tour of the Evergreen Medical Center / Redmond

Charles Hall, director of emergency services for Evergreen, gave the Redmond Reporter a tour this week of the Evergreen Medical Center/Redmond facility. The Reporter put together this short slide show.  

Evergreen Hospital Medical Center of Bella Bottega in Redmond is giving the public a preview of the facility on March 19 before it opens for business for patients on March 21.

The Preview and an Opening Celebration will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The public is invited to tour the four-story brick building, which will house primary, urgent, emergency and specialty services.

Bill Gates provides guideposts for nation's governors on education: effective teachers, larger class sizes, charter public schools and no furlough days

Bill Gates addressing National Governor's
Association, February 28, 2011

Bill Gates provides guideposts for nation's governors on education: effective teachers, larger class sizes, charter public schools and no furlough days

March 2, 2011 by Liv Finne

Bill Gates, in Monday’s speech before the National Governor’s Association, offered practical policy changes to improve education within existing revenues. Mr. Gates’ recommendations echo research and recommendations for improving education from Washington Policy Center.

Mr. Gates challenged the view that reducing class size is the best way to improve student achievement. He pointed out that this view has driven school budget increases for more than 50 years, so that today, U.S. schools have almost twice as many teachers per student as they did in 1960. In 1960 the ratio of students to public school employees was 20 to 1; today that ratio is 8 to 1.

Mr. Gates notes that increased staffing and spending have failed to yield the desired results. Student achievement is roughly the same today as it was in 1960. Mr. Gates observed that we have poured money into proxies for improving education, like smaller class sizes, automatic salary increases based on seniority and a pay bump for earning an advanced degree. None of these expenditures has been shown to improve student learning.  Read more >>

Read More >>

Microsoft's Bing gains search engine ground on Google

Microsoft's Bing gains search engine ground on Google:

"Microsoft’s Bing saw its search traffic increase by 5 percent in February, according to Experian Hitwise.

Bing had 13.5 percent of the internet searches in the U.S. in February, according to the latest Hitwise Search Engine Analysis report released today. Bing’s searches grew 21 percent in January.

Google is still the dominate search engine, with nearly 67 percent of searches in the U.S. That is down 2 percent from January, according to Hitwise.

Yahoo had 15 percent of the U.S. searches in February, up 3 percent. The report was first reported by Geekwire.com."

By Greg Lamm
TechFlash, 3/10

LW District music students win big at Northlake Regional Solo and Ensemble Festival

Lake Washington District music students win big at Northlake Regional Solo & Ensemble Festival

On Saturday, February 12, students from each LWSD high school performed at The Northlake Regional Solo and Ensemble Festival held at Bothell High School. Below are the results by school.

The state contest (for winners in each category) is at Central Washington University in Ellensburg on April 29 and 30.

Read More for complete list of music students, by school >>

College lacrosse action this weekend on the Plateau!

Attention:   Lacrosse players, aficionados, youth, parents and public-at-large!  

Ever wanted to see lacrosse?   Learn the fine points of the game?  Or just lay back and enjoy the action of "the fastest game on two feet?"   This weekend and next you'll have great opportunities to watch lacrosse played at a very high level right in your own back yard!

Admission $5/game or $10 for all three!  Players wearing their lacrosse team jersey get in free. 

Next Weekend of  Friday, March 18.: See a marquee match up of two Top 10 MCLA lacrosse teams face-off in our own backyard:   Eastside Catholic School, Sammamish, WA.

Friday March 18 @7pm at the Eastside Catholic School Stadium
#9 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY vs. #4 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO

Redmond Boys and Girls Lacrosse websites are found here! Join a team! Register! Learn about the game!

Source:  Redmond Boys Lacrosse website  (girls lacrosse websites are linked)

Large Metro transit service reductions forecast for 2012 - 2015

Redmond transit but stop

Large Metro transit service reductions are forecast of 2012 - 2015 owing to a drop in sales tax revenues.

During this week's Redmond city council study session some startling statistics for King County's Metro transit were laid out:  

• 62% of Metro's budget is supplied by sales tax
• During 2008 - 2010 sales tax revenue dropped significantly.
• Large service service reductions are forecast for 2012 - 2015.
• A shortfall of 600,000 hours of existing bus service could result in 2012 -2015
• 600,000 lost hours of service is equivalent to all the service provided by Metro buses on the Eastside OR all weekend service in King County.
• Population is expected to increase 42% by 2040 and jobs up by 57%. 
• The average cost per ride is $11-12/ride in King County. In high density areas like Queen Ann service cost drops to ~$2.00/ride.
• King County Metro service hours are approaching 3 million/year.
• King County Metro is in the Top 10 of all transit providers in the country.

Last year, King County Council formed a "Regional Transit Task Force" of thirty members to set-up a policy framework plan for growth and contraction of the Metro transit system.  After seven months of work, the task force recommended new performance measures and follow-up from a 2009 audit.  Social and geographic equity, environmental sustainability, and population density were key factors in their review.

Jim Stanton, Microsoft's representative and member of the Regional Task Force stated bus "transit is an essential public facility" and helps to move 40,000 Microsoft employees to job and education centers.

Mayor John Marchione is a member of the King County Metro Transit Board.

Reported by Bob Yoder
Source:  Redmond City Study Session, 3/8
Internet photo

Spring Training Registration for Mustang Baseball and RW Little League. Coach Pudwill's Redmond Mustangs ranked 41st nationally.

REDMOND MUSTANG SPRING TRAINING,  March 29 -31

9 hours of Spring Break Baseball camp instruction for ages 7-12, beginning March 29, 30, 31 from 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM at Hartman Park. Includes a free T shirt. No experience necessary.

"Led by Coach Dan Pudwill and his Redmond High School staff, ranked #1 in the state and ranked 41st nationally by Baseball America. At least four of the starters will be attending Division 1 Colleges next year and playing baseball. This may be the first time this many players of this caliber have played on a local high school team. It's a great opportunity for young players to develop their skills and hang out with the team.

The Redmond Mustangs have set their 2011 schedule. It features six non-league contests, beginning with two match-ups against Kingco 3A opponents, Mt. Si and Juanita. From there, the Mustangs will board a bus and head to the Tri-Cities to take on the talent laden Southridge Suns. Other non-league contests, played in the midst of the Redmond Kingco 4A conference schedule, include the continued rivalry with Lake Washington and a first time meeting with Shorewood. The entire schedule is found here - REDMOND MUSTANG 2011 BASEBALL SCHEDULE."

First game of the season, Monday, March 14, 6 pm HARTMAN FIELD vs. Mt. Si.
Second game of season , Wednesday, March 16, 6 pm HARTMAN FIELD vs. Juanita

Source:  Redmond Mustang Baseball website

###

REDMOND WEST LITTLE LEAGUE, MARCH 18

“Hey RWLL Players – looking for something to do during the week of

Break? Want to improve your baseball skills? Then consider attending the Lake Washington Kangs Baseball training camp.   (Softball training camps weren't advertised on the RWLL site).

Read More about the clinic >>

5th Avenue Theatre, Evergreen Hospital, Together Center host Brain Health events.

A Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner musical 

 5TH AVENUE THEATRE
"Next To Normal" Musical,  5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle - A women and her family dealing with Bipolar disorder in an otherwise normal life.  Critically acclaimed.  Ticket and Details here.  March 8 - 13, 2pm and 7pm shows.

EVERGREEN HOSPITAL
Charles Radican, MA presents An Educational Forum On “Multiple Personality Disorder: Can You Identify?” March 15, 7-9 pm

Davie Avery, MD presents An Educational Forum On "Psychiatric Illness and Sleep: Synchronization of Body Clocks as Treatment"   April 19, 7-9 pm

TOGETHER CENTER - Redmond
Free Training - National Alliance of Mentally Ill,  Redmond 
March 15, 2011: "Special Needs ...Caring for Loved Ones under Unique Circumstances”

March 18-20, 2011: Peer-to-Peer:
Peer-to-Peer is one of NAMI’s signature programs. It is a unique, experiential learning program for people with any serious mental illness who are interested in establishing and maintaining their wellness and recovery.

April 15-17, 2011: Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)

FOR DETAILS READ MORE >>

"The Legacy for Learning" luncheon and more!

A LEGACY FOR LEARNING LUNCHEON.  .

The Lake Washington Schools Foundation in Redmond, WA is pleased to announce its sixth annual A Legacy for Learning Luncheon on April 20 at Juanita High School.  Keynote speaker is Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar, recently retired President and CEO of the Museum of Flight and veteran of five space shuttle mission.

This event is fun, informative, and brief (register from 11 to 11:15 AM, out by 12:30 PM), and comes with plenty of parking, good food, and good friends. Consider being a Table Captain and inviting up to nine education supporters to join you. Please contact Lisa Wylie. Smaller table groups are welcome, too. This year you can register on-line! The event is free but we suggest a contribution of $150 or more. Over the last six years, your donations have provided over $700,000 in grants to the students in our District.

THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN WASHINGTON STATE.

There has been a lot of news lately about our state budget and the deep cuts proposed for our colleges and universities.  READ MORE >>

LETTER: St. Jude applying for Tent City permit

 "St. Jude Ave.", TC-4  (two years ago)

Dear Bob,

Tent City 4 has asked St. Jude to host their homeless encampment this spring. We are in the process of the applying for a permit with the city. The proposed dates are from April 23 until near the end of July. This would be the third time that Tent City has visited Redmond.

Blessings,

Fr. Dave Rogerson
St. Jude Parish senior pastor
Redmond, WA.
425-883-7685

Photo By Yoder

from desk of Bob Yoder...
RNB is looking for comment balancing this entry.

COMMENT:   OK. We get it already - there are poor people who don't have permanent homes and live in tents. Poverty and homelessness are an age-old problem. We've seen Tent City up-close and what it's like to be homeless (twice so far) and I do have sympathy, but hosting a 10-week camp out every other summer just doesn't solve their long-term social, mental and economic problems and creates security problems for the neighborhood. Maybe St. Jude's should work on building and funding a transitional housing facility, but not in the middle of a residential neighborhood. 
 -- By Anonymous, 3/8

LETTER: Every elementary school in Lake Washington District needs a "walking school bus"

LETTER:  I'm often surprised at parents who drive their children to school when they only live a short 5-minute walk away. The school district is also guilty of wasting money on school bus trips to deliver kindergartners to their doorstep even if child lives less than a block from the school.  An adult has to be present to receive them from the bus, so why doesn't that adult just walk around the corner and pick them up rather than spending taxpayer dollars and polluting the environment with the bus trips?  This KING 5 News article describes a solution Horace Mann parents are using.  Every elementary school needs walking buses!

 -- Cathy Wittel,  Redmond Neighborhood Blog Fan, 3/4   (Published with Cathy's permission.  B.Y.)

Horace Mann Elementary

"Eastside school launches a walking school bus"
By TERESA YUAN / KING 5 News
updated 3/4/2011 

REDMOND, Wash. – A Redmond elementary school is attempting to buck a growing trend on how parents are getting their children to school these days.

According to a recently released National Household Travel survey, more parents are driving their kids to school even though they live less than two miles away.

That has caused some problems at Redmond’s Mann Elementary School.

READ MORE >>

Facts about Lake Washington School District spending and exam results

from the desk of WPC intern Kendra
UPDATED:  3/10/2011

Washington Policy Center (WPC)
PO Box 3643 Seattle, WA 98124
P 206-937-9691
http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/

Key Facts about Lake Washington Public Schools
February 2011

New research released by Washington Policy Center, a non-partisan public policy research think tank based in Seattle, provides key facts for the Lake Washington School District.  Education budgets in Washington State are at historic highs, reaching $10,200 per student statewide.  Average teacher pay in this area (LWSD) is $58,981. Yet, because of restrictive work rules and multi-layered bureaucracy, only 59 cents of every education dollar reaches the classroom and public school students continue to lag in academic achievement.

READ MORE (student failure rate, average teacher salary, superintendent salary, spending/pupil, etc.) >>

I-405 to close completely in Bellevue April 1-4 ; more news on "Good To Go"

No fooling: I-405 to close completely in Bellevue April 1 – 4

It’s no April Fool’s joke: We plan to close all lanes of I-405 in Bellevue in both directions the weekend of April 1 - 4 to remove the old NE 12th Street Bridge. The closure, between NE Eighth Street and SR 520, will start at 11 p.m. on Friday, April 1 until 4 a.m. Monday, April 4.

Nearly 450,000 vehicles travel through Bellevue on I-405 on a typical weekend so be sure to plan ahead. The bottom line: take alternate routes, avoid the area unless you plan to go to Bellevue, and plan for delays – even if you’re using I-5.

Removing the old bridge will allow crews to finish building a new, longer, wider bridge over I-405 at NE 12th Street.

Expect a busy construction season in King County

Road crews will be out in force over the next several months as our 2011 construction season gets under way. We just posted a map highlighting the major projects in King County. Check it out to learn how construction will affect your commuting routes later this year

Good To Go! staffing and website improvements underway

Read More >>

Redmond musician Clint McCune to play concert on Mt. Everest next month

Clint McCune and baby May
strum his graphite mountain guitar in
 SoulFood coffee house & bookstore 

OPINION:  Clint McCune, a popular local musician in Redmond, is going global.   He's climbing to a base camp on Mt. Everest with a co-worker, 5 international musicians, a novelist and DJ to sing to the world.  Their song is a voice for truth, harmony with earth and "a serenade to the Sherpa's mountain goddess of the earth."  Their purpose is not to "trek and conquer" but to "walk consciously, tour and broadcast an awareness of climate change".  Clint says, "now is the time to make a change and take action not just talk about it".

Clint's tour with co-worker John Mower starts this Friday, March 4, 8-10) at SoulFood bookstore elevation 43 feet!  Their destination? 17,590 feet up.  SoulFood is Clint and Sara's organic coffee shop located in Redmond Square next to Ben Franklin.  A map and hours of operation are here. This may be one of Soulfood's largest events - larger than when Redmond's poet laureate performed.  It's possible NPR will attend.  Clint's father hosted an outdoor show for KOMO for 20 years.  Hello media?  

Read More >>

Eastside residents invited to March 12th town hall with Reps. Eddy, Hunter, Tom

Washington State Legislature
48th Legislative District
Sen. Rodney Tom, Rep. Ross Hunter and Rep. Deb Eddy

Eastside residents invited to March 12th town hall with local legislators

The 2011 legislative session is now halfway through. State Sen. Rodney Tom (D-Bellevue) and Reps. Ross Hunter (D-Medina) and Deb Eddy (D-Kirkland) invite Eastside residents to a Town Hall on Saturday, March 12 for an update and discussion on the budget and other legislation of interest.

When: Saturday, March 12th at 10:30 a.m.
Where: Redmond City Hall (15670 NE 85th Street)

For more information, contact Representative Hunter’s Legislative Assistant Marilyn Pedersen at (360) 786-7936.

# # #

Contacts: Sen. Rodney Tom - (360) 786-7694 or rodney.tom@leg.wa.gov
Rep. Ross Hunter – (360) 786-7936 or ross.hunter@leg.wa.gov

Rep. Deb Eddy – (360) 786-7848 or deb.eddy@leg.wa.gov

Molbak's calendar for gardening seminars + March planting tips

Egon and Laina Molback
1957

Molbak's calendar for gardening seminars + March planting tips

The seed was planted in 1956. My parents, Egon and Laina Molbak arrived in rural Woodinville from Denmark. They brought with them a passion for gardening, and a dream of creating their own business that would take root and grow, and could be passed down from generation to generation.

Now over five decades later, the dream is in full bloom. Molbak’s has grown into one of the Northwest’s premier garden and home destinations.

Click here for tips and seminars:.

http://whatcounts.com/dm?id=8B21F91E40AB6E1CB436E44D57DFCF8607F4A5F21A2D3308

13625 NE 175th St.
Woodinville, WA 98072
email: contact_us@molbaks.comphone:
(425) 483-5000

LETTERS & COMMENTS: Post your opinions about Redmond light cameras here.

OPINIONS:  1900 red light camera violations have been reported between February 1 and March 1.  Redmond Police start writing $124 fines for red-light camera violations on March 3. 

You're invited to post your Letters and Opinions about Redmond's red light cameras here. All you have to do is write to redmondblog@gmail.com , or leave your name with a comment under any entry to post on this page.  Anonymous are posted as a Comment. 

LETTER:  I pass through the Union Hill/Avondale intersection three times a day/five days a week, and have nearly always seen the [red light camera] flash while I'm passing through. As with the previous two commenters, I have rarely seen any activity there that would have caught the attention of a police officer. It appears that 1,900 number is largely bloated by activity for which no police officer would have handed out a citation.

I'm deeply concerned by how this is going to play out starting Thursday.

Douglas Burchard
Rose Hill neighborhood
March 1, *Ref: 

Read More Letters and Comments >>

Redmond red light traffic cams catch 1,900 violations

RNB Editors Note:  As of 3/26 a petition has been circulated to ban red light cameras in Redmond.  http://bancams.com/petition/redmond/

Redmond red light traffic cams catch 1,900 violations

BY CHRIS SULLIVAN
KIRO Radio

Redmond police says they're frightened by the
the number of infractions their new red light
cameras have turned up.

Redmond police say they're frightened by the number of infractions their new red light cameras have turned up.

Redmond installed red light cameras at three intersections, and speed cameras in one school zone, in December. They went active last month for testing, and the police are amazed at what they've found.  They found 1,900 drivers blew through the red lights at those intersections in just three weeks.

"I'm actually a little frightened by how many there are," said Redmond Police Commander Shari Shovlin. "We are actually surprised at the speeds at which people are just going through red lights without even hesitating."  Despite two months of warnings to drivers that the cameras were being installed, Shovlin said they aren't getting the message.

"We're going to have to continue to do some public education on these dangerous driving behaviors. Slowing down is not the same as stopping at a red light."

The $124 tickets will start going out in the mail on Thursday.

By Chris Sullivan
KIRO Radio

Posted on MyNorthwest
Internet photo
For the latest Redmond neighborhood news on MyNorthwest click here

City of Redmond assigned a AAA bond rating

S & P Affirms Redmond’s AAA Credit Rating

Redmond, WA – Standard & Poor’s announced February 25 that they assigned the City of Redmond’s 2011 limited-tax general obligation bonds a “AAA” rating, while affirming its “AAA” rating on the City’s outstanding general obligation bonds. “These ratings are consistent with Redmond’s strong institutional financial policies,” said Standard and Poor’s credit analyst Kaitlyn Connors.

LW District High Schools compete at DECA Area Conference

from LWSD Communications...

Please congratulate the following students at Redmond High, Eastlake High and Lake Washington High for their performance at the DECA Area Conference and advancing to state. This year, almost 800 students competed from the Northshore, Riverview, and Lake Washington School Districts, as well as Eastside Catholic.  Do you know what DECA means?  Or how to join?   Click here.

Eastlake High School:

· Akaash Nanda, Business Services Composite, first place

· Lincoln Doyle & Simon Lee, Financial Services Team, fifth place

· Grace Hung, Restaurant and Food Service, sixth place

· Midori Ng, Advertising, sixth place

· Jacob Jensen & Chris Wright, Buying, Merchandising Management Team, seventh place

Lake Washington High School:

· Alexis Hamilton, Marketing Management, second place

· Nathan Brand & Kevin Middleton, Marketing Communications Team, third place

· Camille Worsech, Marketing Management, fourth place

· Shannon Ong & Maggie Lehr, LW Advertising Campaign, fifth place

· Jordan Cox & Curtis Donahoe, Finance Team, seventh place

Redmond High School:

· Jackie Gaherity & Peyton Halstead, Hospitality Team Decision Making, third place (third place for the role play subcategory)

· Joey Costello &Sam Notarianni, Financial Team Decision Making, second place (Joey took first place in the test subcategory)

· Bri Dankberg, Sports Marketing, third place (second place in test; third place for role play)

· Paul Cretu –Accounting Services, fourth place (first place in test)

· Ashlyn Trussel & Katie Morris, Buying and Merchandising Team, fifth place (second place for role play)

· Madeleine Harrison, Apparel and Accessories Marketing , fifth place

· Myeka Powers, Apparel and Accessories, fourth place

· Will Yoo & Luke Hatakeda, Business Law and Ethics Team, fourth place (third place for role play)

· James Boker & Dan Mobley, Sports and Entertainment Team, third place

· Kelly Weiss & Brittney Montag, Marketing Communications team, second place (first for role play)

· Kastlie Joseph & Ashley Swanson, place Fashion Merchandising Promotion Plan, sixth place

· Everett Boker & Brett Hanaford, place Travel and Tourism Team, seventh place

· Erin Windham & Logan Dougherty, Sports and Entertainment Team, seventh place