Redmond Mayor and Police encourage residents report harassment, potential hate crimes

Mayor John Marchione and the Redmond Police Department are encouraging residents who believe they may be a victim of harassing or threatening actions to report them to the police immediately.

“The City of Redmond does not welcome or tolerate this kind of hateful behavior, and I encourage residents to contact the Police Department if they experience or witness it,” stated Redmond Mayor John Marchione. “Our community is strengthened by the diversity of those who live and work in Redmond and our City continues to reach out to our various faith communities to help prevent such incidents in the future.”

This comes in response to a situation that occurred Monday afternoon when a resident left her vehicle for approximately 10 minutes and returned to find a post-it note with a disparaging comment aimed at the Muslim community.

The case is currently under investigation. If anyone has information regarding this situation, please contact the Redmond Police Department at 425-556-2500.

Short-Term Exchange Students Coming to Redmond Area

The Bennetts welcoming Juan and Zavier

Education First (EF) is an Educational Homestay Program (a non-profit organization) that does a great job of organizing activities in the United States for international students.  Kris Bennett, Redmond Homestay Program organizer says "more important than the activities, are the relationships formed."   Over 140,000 international students since 1979 have lived with host families to learn American culture first hand. 



Welcome to America!

 Bennett says, "This year, Redmond will have 10-12 students returning to oue area from last year because they had such a great experience. We also have a large number of returning host families. I think it speaks a lot for the program and the life-changing experience for both the students and the host families."  Spanish, French and  Chinese students will live with Redmond area host families for 2-3 weeks starting in July on a first come, first serve basis. 

The greater Redmond area groups we offer are:

July 7 -26   Redmond Spanish General Group (14-18 years old)
This group will go to class at Redmond Jr. High and field trips each Mon. through Fri. from 9-5
*You can host up to 4 students (but most host 2)
The students can share a room with each other or anyone in family within three years of their age and same gender.  Families are welcome to go on field trips.

July 6 -18  Redmond French Immersion Group (14-18 years old)
This group will have 2-3 field trips and no morning classes at RJH.
*You can  host 1 French student (but could do a Spanish and French together.
Families are welcome to go on field trips.

July 14- 27  Redmond Chinese Junior Group (10-14 years old)
This group will go to class at Redmond Jr. High and field trips each Mon. through Fri. from 9-5
*You can host 1-4 students (but most take 2)
The students can share a room with each other or anyone in family within three years of their age and same gender. Families/host kids are welcome to go on field trips as well.
 
 July 7-26  Sammamish Spanish Immersion Group (14-18 year olds)
This group will have a few field trips each week but no morning classes.
Families are welcome to go on field trips.
*You can only host 1 Spanish student

If you are hosting and will be at your home most of the time, but need a few days away, Kris can often find a family who will take your student(s) for a few of the days.

Ms. Bennett says, "We will be taking host families on a first come, first serve basis. If you want to host, please sign up as soon as possible so you get the gender and country of your choice."  Contact:  Kris Bennett.

Kris Bennett
Bennettbunch@aol.com

425-890-9252

Grand Opening for Agave Cocina & Cantina - April 18

Bartender Angel, a 9-year employee, looks outside from the Cantina
through  folding doors to a heated veranda in the back.

Agave Cocina & Cantina in Bear Creek Shopping Center will celebrate it's Grand Opening next Monday, 4/18.  By a stroke of luck, Pam and I enjoyed a preview and  lunch in the restaurant and bar today - along with eight other parties (at last count)!  Yum!  the food is so good and staff so friendly! 

Last evening, co-owner Julian Ramos celebrated at the bar with his partners and  120 acquaintances from a customer email list.  Today was pre-opening day!  Julian took time out of his very busy day to give us a tour.

The floor plan is the same as the old Las Margaritas of Redmond and we found this comforting.  But everything else is new and pristine -- from the expensive new heating and ventilation systems to the fabulous Catina!   Julian was especially excited about the folding doors in the Catina that open up into a large heated patio.  Julian laughed,  "It can be warm enough to roast a chicken"!  Outdoor eating is a rarity in Redmond so this veranda will be a big plus for the town.  >>
Click the blue "Read More" to continue

LETTER: "Proud Redmond Libyan Arab American" asks for help.

4th in a series on the cultural contribution and influence of international residents in Redmond.

Koloud's family and friends at Seattle's Saturday protest.   
Flags were made by Koloud

Bob asked me to write a piece for this blog when he noticed how vocal I was on Facebook about what is happening to Libya. I wrote several drafts before I decided to just be honest and ask for help. I realized that you can get a full history of Libya and where it lies on a map by checking on Wikipedia. You can Bing images of Mummar Gaddafi and compare photos of when he first took over power in 1969 and what he looks like now, just as you would with Thin Elvis or Fat Elvis. And some of you, most importantly, can start see what this is doing to your gas prices at the local petrol station in downtown Redmond.

But I’ll let you do that on your own time. Right now we need your help for the genocide that is taking place to other peace loving people that just want their voices heard. We need you to start using the most powerful tool we have here in the West: The freedom to write.

Go to Facebook, starting posting about what you are seeing on the tv. Get a twitter account. Start writing with the hashtags of #libya #gaddafi #cnn #feb17 #bengazi #tripoli #dayofrage. Get on blogs on CNN, UN, Human Rights websites, local tv news, newspapers, Redmond Reporter, the Stranger. Mention what is happening to your co workers on your lunch break. Get on YouTube and watch videos after you do a search of “Libyan protests” to make those videos get higher ratings and get on the front page. Then send the link to everyone you know that lives here in the US, including your congresswoman or man, your dentist and your Girl Scout troop’s parents. Anything. Just write and help us get the word out so something is done and people can stop dying.

They say that the Egyptian revolution was won over the Internet. But that was with little bloodshed. Hundreds are dying right now, so let’s try to make this revolution get here faster by using our collective voices.

Koloud ‘Kay’ Tarapolsi
Proud Redmond Libyan Arab American

Find all of Koloud's RNB stories here.

Comments are welcome below this post!  Send stories of your home country here!

Attention: Are you a teacher? Do you want to visit China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan?

4th in a series on the influence and cultural contributions of Greater Redmond's international residents

Teachers in China, 2008

Attention: Are you a teacher? Do you want to visit China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan?

The Cultural Exploration of Greater China Foundation (CE) is sponsoring four teachers from the Greater Seattle area to explore Chinese culture by visiting China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan for two weeks this summer.

In addition to guided tours of historical landmarks, the program will include opportunities to meet Chinese school teachers, educators, parents, and students. CE’s objective is to impart a broad understanding of the people and culture of China.

The program is applicable for teachers of all grade levels (K-12). Those teaching subjects with components related to the understanding of China are encouraged to apply.
Since 2000, CE has sent more than 30 teachers on this trip.

CE is a community-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting Chinese culture and language through education by offering cultural learning opportunities to schools and other institutions.

The deadline for accepting applications is Feb. 28. ♦

For more information or to view application criteria, visit http://www.culturalexploration.org/.

Source:  NW Asian Weekly, 2/10-16
Internet photo

REPUBLISHED: East Indian Hindu Festival at Redmond High School

3th in a series on the cultural contribution and influence of international residents in Redmond.

UPDATED, REPUBLISHED Opinion:  Did you know that most East Indians in Redmond are Hindu?  These pictures and 1.5 video clip tell the story. In October, 2008 I was driving by the Redmond High School and saw lots of East Indians walking into the school.  I happened to have my camera so I cautiously walked into the school cafeteria to see what was up.

 There must have been several hundred men, women and children dressed in their finery. They were all members of "UTTORN of Greater Seattle" - a non-profit fundraising organization that celebrates their culture with an event 4x a year.  (Just a few days ago on 2/5/11 they had another festival at Redmond High!)
This event is a celebration of Goddess Durga (right). Durga is beautiful, has many arms and is always accompanied by a tiger or lion. Can you find her in the festival photo, below? Sometimes Durga is warrior-like and carries multiple weapons to fight off demons.

I met this nice family, the Guha's. Mr. Guha works at Microsoft.  He said most East Indians in Redmond are Hindu. There are four temples outside of Redmond area but none in Redmond. The closest temple is in Bothell. Mr. Guha said about 50% of the East Indians in Redmond attend services. These folks were warm, happy and kind. I felt comfortable being there....like part of the family. They liked me taking pictures and didn't mind if I kept my shoes on!  Lots of children and families! 

This video clip was taken in October, 2008:  1.5 min.

The Guha Family

See More Pictures >>>>

Development of the St. George Coptic Orthodox Church

January, 3, 2017 update:   Construction of the Church was completed in 2016.  It's located in Kirkland.  

Background information, 2011:

The recent crisis in Egypt and Seattle rally reminded me of the growing Egyptian resident population in Redmond.  Samiha Korshed is an influential Egyptian resident of Redmond.  She was cited in the Seattle Times:

"An estimated 1,500 - 2,000 Egyptian natives and family members live in the Seattle area, said Samiha Korshed of Redmond, who runs a social-network group for local Egyptians.  Kroshed likened the movement in her homeland  to the American Revolution.  She said the American government should not come to Mubarak's aid.  "I want to ask every American how they would feel if another country told them who their leaders should be."
  -- Josef Federman, AP, Seattle Times, 1-20-11.

###

Below is my November 22, 2009 report of the Christian Egyptians in Redmond.  They were trying to build a church on Rose Hill:  

Over 250 Russian and Egyptian citizens turned-out at the recent City Hall meeting of Nov. 2009

The last City Council meeting (11/17/09) could be labeled "organized chaos," or "history in the making." For Mayor John Marchione it was a home run. Probably, close to 300 citizens showed up. One of Marchione's Budget priorities is to "build a sense of community and connections with others." The Russians had issues with the city about a large office park next to Sears.

Christian Egyptian Church Site awaiting
sewer hook-up to Redmond

More than half of the attendees were from St. George Coptic Orthodox Church - a growing, peaceful community of Christian Egyptians seeking freedom in America from religious prosecution.

The church members came to Council seeking a sewer line extension-exception to service their proposed NE Redmond church. The project site is on county land planned for annexation. The annexation currently has 59% election approval: it needs 60% approval for annexation into Redmond.

Councilmember Richard Cole laid the hammer down referring to Redmond's long-standing urban growth boundary policy denying city sewer extensions into the County.  Mayor Marchione summed up the Council's decision stating:

"We welcome the St. George Coptic Church into the community, but this in not the vehicle in which to do it. The vehicle is through annexation."

Paul bought the lot next door to escape
the intersection traffic and gain better
access to NE 132nd Ave.  He lives
across the street from the church.  

UPDATE:  1/30/2011 -   I talked to Paul Paxhia today. His family lives right across from the church site on NE 100 St.  Church ingress and egress is on NE 100th Street adjacent his home.  Paul said the city annexed the county land  ("by a hair's margin")  about 6-8 months ago and it could take years for a sewer line extension.  In the meantime, without access to sewer, the Coptic church land remains idle.   Paul and three neighbors didn't sign the annexation petition owing to issue with severe traffic congestion on the intersection of 132nd Avenue NE and NE 100 Street. 

Report and photos by Bob Yoder

2011 Year of the Rabbit to bring financial success? By Ukari Sumino

Northwest Asian Weekly Year of the Rabbit to bring financial success? :

"2011 is the year of the rabbit. It is the fourth animal symbol in the Chinese 12-animal system. This animal system is used as a means of numbering days and years, not just in China, but also in other East Asian nations like Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.

The animal system is also important in astrology and fortune telling.

It has been predicted that in the year of the rabbit, stock prices will jump (because of the tendency for rabbits to hop when they run). Here’s to hoping that this fortune comes true.

Who is the rabbit"? Read More

By Ukari Sumino
Northwest Asian Weekly
1/27/2011

CHINESE NEW YEAR FEAST CELEBRATION at:   Watercress Asian Bistro is celebrating the Year of the Rabbit with a 10-course family-style lunch and dinner banquet, Februrary 3-5.   Call Lily for reservations, 425-284-3188.  Watercress is a minute from RTC at:  16505 Redmond Way, Redmond.

Northwest Asian Weekly | Asian, Jewish communities unite to stop use of ethnic slur |

RNB note:....Redmond's Asian population was 25.4% in 2010.  International populations are an integral part of Redmond, WA. culture and diversity.   B.Y.

Northwest Asian Weekly Asian, Jewish communities unite to stop use of ethnic slur : Categorized Community News, Cultures, Features, Vol 29 No 36 9/4-9/10

Asian, Jewish communities unite to stop use of ethnic slur
Posted on 02 September 2010

Asian Weekly Editor’s note: This story was chosen as one of our ("Northwest Asian Weekly") top 12 in 2010. This story showed that something good can come out of something bad. The Asian and Jewish communities sat down to work out a controversy surrounding the use of JAP, which, to the Jewish community, is an abbreviation for Jewish American Princess. However, to the Japanese community, it’s an ethnic slur. In the end, both communities resolved to work together more in the future.

To many U.S. citizens of Japanese ancestry, the use of the term “Jap” is considered a racial slur with a hate-filled history going all the way back to World War II.

According to the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, “JAP” is also an abbreviation for Jewish American Princess. It is a disparaging term used to describe a “stereotypical well-to-do or spoiled American Jewish girl or woman.”  Read More....

By James Tabafunda
Northwest Asian Weekly

The "Northwest Asian Weekly" newspaper can be found in the Old Redmond School House and on RNB under the header "Organizations".  It's the only weekly English-language newspaper serving Washington's Asian community. I will be publishing more articles from this paper and other international sources.  B.Y.

LETTER: "Why does race matter?" By Paige Norman

Why does race matter?

Recently parents in the Lake Washington School District received a letter from Dr. Chip Kimball, Superintendant, asking them to report student(s) race and ethnic data through the Parent Access System or by completing the included questionnaire.

How many parents were surprised to find that the classifications for race and ethnicity included 57 racial categories, under the headings of 5 major groups: Hispanic/Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander and White? I was even more surprised that there were no classifications for European or Middle-Eastern races, including Pakistan, India, Romania and other countries.

I contacted Kathryn Reith, Communications Director for LWSD to voice my objection regarding the study; however I realized this was not merely a district request, but was more likely required through State and Federal programs as well. My main concern was that, in addition to the lack of European, middle-eastern and other races, the classification of “white” excluded many other racial and ethnic families that live in our district boundaries. I was also interested in more in-depth rationale for the usage of such information.  Read More.... 

Northwest Asian Weekly | Actor and martial artist opens kung fu club in Redmond |

"Robin Leong, who stands in front of young students at his new Ch’i Life Studio, has always dreamed of starting a kung fu school for kids. He realized his dream this year, with his first studio in the U.S.  Read More

By Vivian Nguyen
"Northwest Asian Weekly"
Photo by George Liu/NWAW

Address:
Ch'i Life Studio  (in Overlake, new building, near Home Depot across from the Silver Cloud)
2222 152nd Avenue Northeast
Redmond, WA 98052-5506
(425) 746-3838

Hours of operation:  M-F, 11:30 - 7 pm / Saturday 12-4 / Sunday 1-4

The December 15 City Council Meeting is eventful and sets records.

In order of significance:

1. Nancy McCommick retired tonight after 24 years of service as a councilmember, 8 years as Council President, 6 years as planning commissioner.  She is currently on the Code Rewrite Commission. 
2. The Mayor read a Proclamation about Nancy, Nancy gave a check to the Mayor for the Downtown Park Foundation.  Richard Grubb faxed in a poem, a Safety Officer thanked Nancy during Items from the Audience, six councilmembers gave tribute (Vache' was absent), the RYPAC city youth group gave her a poster, and Parks Director read tributes from three citizens. Councilmember David Carson was dressed in a bow tie / tuxedo.
3. Council approved a record 20 consent agenda items, three salary ordinances (more on this later), a Rose Hill annexation ordinance and resolution.   Redmond's Poet Laureate was approved.   
4. "The Russians are coming"!   City Hall chambers were packed for the second time with the Russian community defending their Special Edition business park.  They said the Sears Parking Lot was a better location for the Overlake regional stormwater treatment facility.  Comment: ...a no brainer. 
5. Councilmember Hank Myers defended the city's 1% property tax levy increase.

Code Rewrite Commission:  http://redmond.gov/insidecityhall/planning/RCDGrewrite.asp

by Bob Yoder

Slavic property owners plead case to save their Overlake office park.

OPINION:  PART II:  The City Council Meeting of 11/17 was a Big Show.  Emigrant Slavic (mostly Russia) and Egyptian citizens turned out in record numbers.  It was standing room only at City Hall.  Egyptian citizens were asking to extend a sewer line on church land not annexed by the City; the Russian citizens came to protect their "Limited Edition" office park from being destroyed by a Public Works project.

The City has a grand plan to build an gigantic underground regional stormwater treatment facility in Overlake.  It would the size in volume of two city halls!  The Sears parking lot is probably one of the best locations for the facility from a stormwater engineering perspective.  However, in my opinion, the city is now looking at the Limited Edition and seven other sites should the Sears deal fall through.  Doubtful. 

In any event, the Limited Edition Slavic office owners and workers stormed City Hall to plead their case.  They've even brought along an engineer and planning/policy experts to assist and persuade Council.     

The eighteen Limited Edition buildings are individually managed by 13 owners.  The office park has 32 businesses and generates 400 jobs. The park has two churches.  "Elana" described her Russian church as costing $700,000 to change the use to a church and $2M for remodeling.  They rent the building to a Spanish Church and may rent to a Taiwanese Church.  A language school for kids operates out of their community center.  A couple of doctors gave their case about losing their practices.  Of significance, a Russian woman said their "only competition was a parking lot."  I think this speaks volumes.  What do you think?   

In all it was an emotional display by an immigrant minority that I never knew lived, worked, and played in Redmond.  Did you know about this Slavic enclave?  I can't ever imagine the City Council would allow these small businesses to be uprooted.  Certainly not Councilmember Pat Vache' - an avid proponent for small business.  What do you think? 

A public Community Meeting is tentatively planned for the third week of January.  Contact the mayor's office  mayor@redmond.gov for the exact date, location, and time.