LETTER: Tree Sock Art Installation


from the desk of Councilman Hank Myers....

LETTER:  You asked some interesting questions about 
"tree sock art" and I have completed some research with the help of Parks staff and assistance from a former Department of Natural Resources official.

On the issue of impact to the trees, an extensive answer is below.  These wraps have been around for years, with no apparent damage.  The only observed change was suppression of moss on the tree bark, which I am not sure is a negative. You also raised concerns about the impact on squirrels.  While it is true that the western gray squirrel is protected, it is because its habitat was overrun by the eastern gray squirrel, which is what populates Anderson Park.  The eastern gray squirrel is not protected.   Read More >>

8th Annual Cub Scout Derby at Redmond Town Center

Come have fun with us at the Sammamish Trails District Pinewood Derby!

Saturday May 5th, 2012

Racing starts at 11:00am

Northwest Scouters is pleased to sponsor the 8th Annual Sammamish Trails District Pinewood Derby races. Everyone had an outstanding time at last year's event and this year we are set to have very exciting and fun filled day for the Cub Scouts and their families. Come join us and watch the racing action!

Redmond Town Center will host this year's races. RTC is located in Redmond, WA, just east of intersection of 166th Ave. NE and Cleveland Street.  Read More >>

LETTER: Education Hill Shooting - What can we do?

The city is hosting a neighborhood meeting on Thursday evening, March 1, 6:30 p.m., Redmond City Hall.  Your questions and needs for public safety funding will be addressed.  425-556-2415

Paige with grandchildren

LETTER:  I live in what used to be a quiet family neighborhood. Kids played in the street, parents walked their kids to school, walked their dogs, chatted on street corners and waved hello as they passed. We knew the cars that belonged and the cars that didn’t. We watched out for neighbors and strangers and each other.

All those things still happen on a daily basis around here: kids and parents slide down a hill during snow storms, neighbors take each other dinner or call to check in, strange cars are noted, unknown faces are searched and memorized. But there’s an edge to all of it now. Our innocence has been lost, thrown away, departed.

Our quiet family street with children and pets and an occasional coyote or raccoon has transformed into an ongoing episode of COPS: Redmond. Car prowls and thefts; speeding cars with loud engines and louder music at all hours of the day and night, Police and aid cars at least once a month, and now, a gunshot and a fatality in our once peaceful neighborhood. Lives and peace and trust and families shattered.

A non-resident owner, underage inhabitants and visitors and questionable activities have taken place months, even years now. Neighbors have called regarding thefts, car break-ins and suspicious activities. What can we do?  Read More >>

OPINION: Red Light Camera Controversary

OPINION:   I am frustrated by the constant disregard for the will of the citizens of Redmond which has been repeatedly shown by the current council and Mayor’s office over several issues. 

The most recent contempt shown over the petition and signatures submitted for Redmond Initiative 1, Red Light Cameras is inexcusable and without cause. RCW 35.21.005, which states: "Within three working days after the filing of a petition, the officer with whom the petition is filed shall transmit the petition to the county auditor for petitions signed by registered voters, or to the county assessor for petitions signed by property owners for determination of sufficiency."

COUNTER POINT:   "Mr Harlan and Mr. Eyman should take their complaint and go home," 09/2011

Sammamish Trails District announce newest Eagle Scouts from Redmond, Sammamish and Woodinville

June 4, 2011

The Sammamish Trails District of Boy Scouts of America is proud to announce our newest Eagle Scouts. To earn the Eagle rank, a scout must complete a minimum of 21 merit badges demonstrating community service, leadership, and scouting values. Please join us in congratulating the following scouts in their remarkable achievement in earning the Eagle Scout rank.

Sammamish Trails Residence Troop

Griffin Conrad Chatterley Redmond Redmond Troop 550
Spiro Dimitri Diliani Woodinville Redmond Troop 591
Joseph Primo Domingo Redmond Redmond Troop 575
Connor Scott Everson Woodinville Redmond Troop 591
James Warren Salmon Sammamish Sammamish Troop 500
Samuel Reid Haruo Watanabe Redmond Redmond Troop 577

For more information about Boy Scouts contact the Sammamish Trails District Chair, Wally Kempe at 425-445-2564.

By Paige Norman

Letter: "Really, this was Derby Days Weekend"?

The 70th Annual Redmond Derby Days expands events, attracts 'larger turnout' (July 19th, 2010 "Redmond Reporter" edition)”

The parade was longer, had more entrants, and had a crowd along the streets present for viewing. However, I was amazed by the number of people I ran into after Derby Days that said “Really, this was Derby Day’s weekend? I had no idea!”

For weeks prior to the Ananda Mela Festival there were signs everywhere. Sandwich boards on streets, signs on cars, flyers in windows. Where were the signs, posters and advertisements regarding Derby Days -- A page on the back of the “Redmond Focus” magazine, a link on the website?

A town I lived in for several years as a teenager had a huge banner at the entrance to the city for everyone coming into the town to see. There was no doubt when our town celebration was held.

Walking around after the parade at the booths I was shocked at how few offerings there were to attract families. Many booth spots were empty. And the carnival on the other side of town (not the first year) was certainly not a draw for families to attend after the parade.

I have lived in Redmond for over 20 years. I am constantly amazed at what the city considers important. This is our town celebration, a SeaFair event, something people should look forward to all year. I’m sure they would if there were any advertising about it.

Once again, the City just doesn’t get “it”

Paige Norman
Education Hill
7/26

Photo:  Paige with grandchildren

8th-Grader Stephen Patterson wins Eagle Scout Rank

Stephen Patterson of the Boys Scout’s Sammamish District Troop 509 recently received his Eagle Scout award at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor held at Beaver Lake Lodge in Sammamish. In attendance were over 45 friends, neighbors, family and fellow scouts.

Stephen has been actively involved in scouting since he was 8 years old and quickly worked his way through the various scouting ranks earning 21 merit badges to date and has accumulated over 23 nights of camping – he is currently serving as his troop’s Senior Patrol Leader. His Eagle Project was coordinated with the City of Sammamish to reclaim and restore an area along the Illahee Trail in Sammamish with new trees, shrubs and mulch.

Stephen is currently in 8th grade attending Inglewood Jr. High School. His interests are aviation, model building, music, camping, and helping his younger brother, Joseph, an 11 yr. old scout, to become an Eagle Scout.

Congratulations to Stephen and all those who have helped him along the way in achieve this monumental goal in his life.  For more information about Scouting, please see the Chief Seattle Council website at http://www.seattlebsa.org/ .

Submitted by Paige Norman
Pictured are Mike Patterson, Scoutmaster and Stephen Patterson, New Eagle Scout

Test drive a Ford this Saturday and raise funds for Redmond High athletics!

The Redmond High School Football team has an event at the high school this Saturday, June 5 between 9:30 and 4:30, where Ford Motors will have cars there to test drive!

Ford will donate $20 for every test drive given!  There will be other prizes given away as well. If you are looking for a new car or interested in seeing the newest line of Ford cars, come to Redmond High School this Saturday and help benefit the football program by test driving a car!

The NW Mustang Club will be showing off their cars from 11:00 to 2:00 as an added attraction.

Joe Kirsch

President - Redmond Jr. Mustangs

facebook.com/driveone4urschool
Submitted By Paige Norman
Education Hill neighborhood

Redmond Scouts reforest Hartman woodlands in celebration of 100 years of Scouting

Redmond Scouts prepared Hartman woodlands for reforesting in celebration of 100 years of Scouting.  Redmond Boy Scouts from units 597, 612 and 613, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spent the morning of Saturday,  February 28th clearing invasive ground foliage from the bicycle trail south of Hartman park to prepare for reforesting the park. The scouts dug up and pulled blackberry bushes, removed ivy and cleaned up garbage to commemorate. This is one of 100 service projects planned by scouts in the Chief Seattle Council in 2010 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of BSA. For more information on the 100th anniversary of scouting go to http://scouting.org/100years.

Top photo:  Spencer (left), Forest Steward Doug Schmidt (center) and Charlie holding blackberry root (right).

Middle photo:  Forest Stewards Doug Schmidt and Bob Yoder

Bottom photo:  Thirty scouts put in 60 hours of restoration work.  Two troops were from the local "Hartman building" and one was from the Novelty Hill LDS Church

By Nate Niederhausern, Scout Communications, LDS
Photos by Niederhausern
Nate is a long-time reader & FB friend. 

THANKS TO THE SCOUTS AND DADS FROM TROOPS 597, 612, 613!!   Special thanks to Paige Norman for informing us of the "100 years of Service Program."   And thanks to the GreenRedmond Partnership of  Citizen volunteers, City workers, and Cascade Conservancy administrators.   

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GreenRedmond be having an orientation for prospective new volunteer Forest Stewards on Saturday, March 13th.  Join our team of  dedicated volunteer Stewards and learn how you can adopt your own restoration project!  Email greenredmond@cascadeland.org  for more information.

To register and learn more:  http://www.cascadeland.org/stewardship/green-cities/green-redmond-partnership/Forest%20Steward%20Program

LETTER: Lake Washington School District needs to stay within budget.

January 26, 2010
Redmond Neighborhood Blog
Letter to the Editor

Every day, families residing in Lake Washington School District must make financial decisions regarding their lives. What do I prepare for meals? How do I dress my children? Can I fill my gas tank today or must I walk or ride the bus to work? Can we take a vacation? Will my children pass their classes?

This year alone I have been asked to pay for PTSA Membership, a recorder for my son’s music class, subscription to Scholastic News, school photos, yearbook fees, lab fees, band fees, not including the fundraisers, parties and gifts for school. In addition, there are sports fees, field trips, uniforms and school supplies. These amounts totaled well in excess of $1,500.00 (for two children).

As families, we are being asked to yet again provide more money for a School District that refuses to stay within a budget and make cuts where cuts are necessary, yet continues to charge parents and families for “necessities for the education of our children”. Necessities such as USB drives for transporting writing assignments, glue sticks, and a ream of 20# paper.

I recommend that the Lake Washington School District resolve to practice what many of their families are living day to day: living within their budget and cutting back on items that are privileges and not rights. It is not necessary for my child to learn to play the recorder; it is practical to teach my child music appreciation, history and rhythm. It is not necessary for my child to read about current events with their own personal newspaper subscription; they must learn to read using phonics and spelling.

I wonder how many of our schools in the district would actually meet or exceed their AYP ("average yearly progress") if the schools and districts returned to teaching the basics instead of concentrating on meeting the challenges of the future. There will be little future for our children who cannot read, write or compute basic math problems.

Live within a budget and stop spending money you don’t have; a worthwhile lesson for all of us to strive for – including our local school district.

Sincerely,

Paige A. Norman
Redmond Resident, parent
16714 NE 97th Street
Redmond, WA 98052-3164
Paige.norman@verizon.net

Information about the Lake Washington School District levies and bond are here.

Readers are invited to submit Letters with your name on this subject.  Letters should be no longer than 375 words and addressed to redmondblog@gmail.com .   You may also comment below this post.  My editorial policy strives to attract  fair and balanced reporting of reader opinion; all Letters are welcome and appreciated.  Bob Yoder, Editor.

Local Boys Scouts invite you to nominate community service projects.

“To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, the Chief Seattle Council invites YOU to nominate community service projects. The Boy Scouts have long been known for their service to others and we look forward to living up to our oath of helping others at all times. Please submit your request at our website: https://viecommunication.wufoo.com/forms/tell-us-how-the-boy-scouts-can-help-you/”

Earlier this year, the Scouts responded to several citizen requests to restore a section of the Sammamish River bank and install "no dump" buttons on street stormwater drains.  The Scouts are sincere!  Send them your application request today!  by

Paige Norman