Tiny Redmond Pianist Wins Big Competition

Redmond fourth-grader Alex Lu, 10, plays the piano in his stocking feet in order to operate the pedal-extension box.

Tiny Redmond Pianist Wins Big Competition

Because he's just 10 years old, Alexander Lu's legs are too short to reach the piano pedals, and his hands are too small to play the chords in many classical music pieces. But he does have a secret weapon: his eyebrows.

When he plays, Alex gets so wrapped up in the music that his whole body moves expressively with the piece, weaving and swaying (see video).  Read More 

By Katherine Long
Seattle Times Eastside Reporter
Video and Photography By Ken Lambert, Seattle Times
Posted By Bob Yoder, Seattle Times Communities Partner

The Seattle Times earns Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News coverage of 4 officers' killings | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News The Seattle Times earns Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News coverage of 4 officers' killings Seattle Times Newspaper:

"The Seattle Times won its eighth Pulitzer Prize in the newspaper's 114-year history on Monday, earning the top prize in journalism for coverage of the shocking murders of four Lakewood police officers.

The Pulitzer committee, in awarding the Breaking News prize, cited The Seattle Times' 'comprehensive coverage, in print and online,' of the killings — the worst act of violence against law enforcement in state history — and the 40-hour manhunt for the shooter, Maurice Clemmons." Read More

Seattle Times Staff Report

Posted By Bob Yoder

Seattle Times Communities Partner

I was talking to the Seattle Times Communities Manager when the Pulitzer Prize announcement hit the News Room.  ROAR!!  

A citizen tells the Administration to get on with the city website fix.

http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2009/10/have-you-tried-searching-for-something.html

Brian Dennis spoke at last week's City Council Meeting during the public comment period.  Dennis is a Redmond citizen and owner of Small Business Pioneers, a local company that creates websites.  Brian and several councilmembers have concerns about city delays in fixing the old city website (redmond.gov).  Brian read to Council and Mayor, the following:     

For the one or two people out there that don't know, I am a strong advocate of websites as powerful tools to disseminate information and engage individuals. Yet quality websites cost real money, time and effort to develop, maintain and market. Keeping content fresh multiples costs. Based my professional experience I have strong reason to believe city staff has neither budget, time, nor the expertise to deliver on this proposed project. Putting this project out for bid into our own community assures the City has the expertise and a firmly grounded budget number by which to make an informed decision. As a bonus, this process would support the very nature of the project - sustainability - within our own business community.  

Council members Allen, Stilin and I all question the relationship of your other proposed project (a separate and distinct "green" website) and the fixing of redmond.gov website.  Remember, $300k has been allocated for work to fix redmond.gov yet with no tangible, discernible results, and staff is now looking to spin off a new "green" website. Why spin up a new website?  Fix redmond.gov!  (This fix has been in the making ~two years.) 

What do you think of  http://www.redmond.gov/?   If you've only seen it once, would you go back?   Can you think of reasons why the city is dragging their feet on fixing their website?  Why are they starting a "green website" when redmond.gov isn't fixed?   An improved website would open our government.  Are they hiding something?  Or afraid of something?   Please enter your comments below.

Read my 10/4/2010 post:  "Our Aging City Website -- Is the City of Redmond  being responsible? 

Letter from Mayor Marchione

http://www.efocusonredmond.com/home.html

Letter from the Mayor

In this first letter of 2010, I want to reflect on 2009 and share some thoughts on the coming year and what I see ahead for our community... more

By John Marchione

A world without newspapers

A world without newspapers: "David Schneiderman: In 1984, Rupert Murdoch thought he had seen the future. He summoned his top editors and publishers to a meeting in New York to learn about “electronic journalism” and the impending death of printed newspapers. After two days of spirited discussions and a primitive demonstration of an electronic Washington Post, the attendees declared that the demise of printed newspapers was inevitable." complete story

By David Schneiderman
former CEO of Villiage Voice
Seattle, WA.
Presented by Tech Flash

I'd like to thank you for your passionate participation and your comments on the recent school drug bust story. (commenting continues). Do you feel more a part of our community and closer to your family when we engage this way? Can you think of any other recent events or burning issues we can gather around and share? The school bond defeat? Local tagging or graffiti art? The Downtown Park? Parking? Others? In the comments section below, please type in the topics YOU want to talk about. Then, come back here to read and tell your neighbors what you think!

~B Yoder
"Redmond's Journey into new media"

UPDATED: OPINION: Redmond High Drug Bust - KIRO & KOMO TV reporting

11 Redmond High Students Arrested In Drug Bust - Education News Story - KIRO Seattle:

UPDATED:  "REDMOND, Wash. -- Eleven Redmond High School students were arrested Friday morning as part of a drug investigation, said Jim Bove of the Redmond Police Department.

Some of the students were arrested in front of their classmates. “Four cops straight up walked into my classroom, told him to stand up......." Complete KIRO 7 TV report (including video)

By KIRO Seattle TV

#####

Updated Comment/Opinion:   Reporters from KOMO 4 and KIRO 7 TV stations made heavy use of the school's barbed-wire fence (on NE 104th Street) for a backdrop.   KOMO 's 4 barb-wire footage is so severe that Redmond High took on the appearance of a juvenile detention center.  (Scroll down for KING 5's less sensational clip).

What do you think about the TV coverage of this unfortunate school event?   Was it that bad? 

By Bob Yoder, 2/22.  (Disclaimer:  Fischer Communications publishes a Redmond and Kirkland news site).

Editorial: Three smart reasons to vote YES on L.W. School District levy and bond measures.

Vote YES on Lake Washington School District levies/bond!

Editorial:  I'm going to vote YES for the school levies and bond this election because it's the smart thing to do.   Schools are a great investment for our neighborhoods.  We know that!

But, let's not lose sight that local businesses count on our schools for a vibrant, educated labor pool.  "Being future ready " is more than about leaving town for college.  Many students find their future right here, working for local businesses after graduation.

I have personal and financial reasons for supporting the levy and bond measures:

1) My daughter received a first class education (K-12) that prepared her for college.  Her life was enriched by a long list of  inspiring teachers, outside school activities, and friendships.  I've always felt my kid was safe at school.

2) Even though my only child is graduating this year, I still look at the additional $170/year tax tab as a good  investment.  Why?  If we don’t fund all three measures, the school system will lose the equivalent of  612 teachers, 30-year roofs and buildings will deteriorate and classrooms will overflow from the 1200 new students expected by 2014.  We can expect no bail-out from the State - actually less from them!

3) If we let our schools go down the tube, so go the neighborhoods and our home values. I see the $170/year payment as "property value insurance protection."  Without it, my home and largest asset may never fully bounce off this bottom.

Will you be voting Tuesday, Februrary 9?    Please Vote YES on all three LWSD funding measures!

By Bob Yoder

Voter information about the District Levies and Bond is here.

Seattle Times forges partnerships with local news sites

Local News Partnerships

In an effort to provide readers with the most comprehensive and up-to-date news from throughout the region, The Seattle Times has forged partnerships with a number of local news Web sites. Go here to see the complete list, along with their most recent headlines. complete story

View Seattle Networked News Initiative in a larger map  (Rednond Neighborhood Blog is on the map)

by Bob Payne
Seattle Times Director of Communities

Last night's performance by Redmond's poet laureate draws attention.

  

Comment: The short soundbites of poetry recorded by FOX 13 do no service to our poet laureate's literary art. I hope the city will produce a VIDEO that shows the true value and meaning of Rebecca's artistry. 

I really wanted to see our new poet laureate, Rebecca Merideth.  My wife and I rushed from our workout at the R.A.C. last night to get Soulfood Bookstore by 7:30.  We arrived just in time to hear Rebecca read a poem and talk about her new part time job as Redmond's poet laureate.  I was moved by her reading, enough that I'd like to have it in writing to share with my daughter.  Every seat was taken in Soulfood with a mixture of older adults and some children.  Other known poets read at open mic.

We noticed the Channel 13 Fox news van was just outside, but we missed their interviews.  Back at home, Pam shouted:  "the Fox news show is on!"  After some talk about the scarcity and cost of poet laureates in Washington Councilmember Hank Margeson was interviewed.  Rebecca gave answers to the program's purpose and meaning.  read the complete Channel 13 Fox story.

It was announced Rebecca is planning to read at Redmond High School.   She works M-TH so Friday may be the day for many of her public performances.   The Mayor had to attend a PTSA meeting at Einstein El. so couldn't make it.  Councilmember John Stilin (former Arts Commission Chair) was gone, preparing for "ONE NIGHT COUNT THE HOMELESS".  John is on the 1AM - 5:30PM shift.

By Bob Yoder

Seattle Times announces more local news partners

Seattle Times announces more local news partners

The Seattle Times is expanding its partnerships with local news Web sites with the addition of eight more sites today. That brings the total number of partner Web sites to 19. (See the complete list, along with their latest headlines.) complete story.

--Seattle Times staff, 1/20

The Redmond Neighborhood Blog and Kirkland Views are two new Eastside web sites partnering with the Seattle Times.  I'm excited my readers and their contributions and comments will have wider exposure!   Bob Yoder

UPDATED: Local News | Neighborhood news partnerships | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News Neighborhood news partnerships

In an effort to provide readers with the most comprehensive and up-to-date news from throughout the region, The Seattle Times has forged partnerships with a number of local news Web sites.

Bob Payne
Director of Communities
seattletimes.com
206.464.2154

Comment (by Bob Yoder):  The Redmond Neighborhood Blog has been invited by Bob Payne to join this local news partnership with SeattleTimes.com.  I have three options:  join, ask for periodic postings of my stories, or remain independent of mainstream news.  What do you think?

UPDATE, 1/19  Ross Hunter responded by Facebook recommending I join the partnership as an "added value".  One of the local bloggers suggested a partnership would improve credibility.  I attended their meeting at the Seattle Times Building and joined the partnership. 

Eastside residents invited to join virtual town hall with Rep. Ross Hunter on December 15

Washington State House of Representatives
Rep. Ross Hunter – 48th Legislative District

December 11, 2009

Online or on the phone - Eastside residents invited to join virtual town hall with Rep. Ross Hunter

Rep. Hunter will take questions about state budget, education reform, SR 520 and more on December 15

OLYMPIA – At 6:30 p.m. on December 15, households across the 48th Legislative District will receive a phone call from state Rep. Ross Hunter (D-Medina). Those who pick up will be invited to participate in a one-hour telephone town hall during which they can learn about the upcoming legislative session and share their thoughts and questions with Hunter.

Hunter will also be live blogging the town hall and residents have the option of logging on and following along virtually.

To participate by phone: Only those with land lines will receive a phone call on December 15, so those wanting to participate via cell phone can call toll-free 877-229-8493. Participants will be prompted to enter an ID code which is 15390. The number will be available about ten minutes before the town hall begins.

To participate online: Click through from Hunter’s website at www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/hunter  or on Twitter by following @rosshunter or searching #huntertownhall.
# # #
Contact: Rep. Ross Hunter: (425) 453-3064 or hunter.ross@leg.wa.gov

Jeff Johnson’s cartoons add sizzle to the Redmond Reporter

Johnson’s cartoon enhance newspaper 

by Bob Yoder

Hyperlocal news blogs are becoming an alternative to traditional print media.

The following story on local news blogs was written by Rob Butcher of the Kirkland Views. Rob's blog is being broadcast on the Seattle Times Online and his news aggregator "Eastside TODAY". Hyperlocal news blogs such as Kirkland Views are increasingly a complement, if not an alternative to traditional news media.

Given the the turmoil in the newspaper industry, traditional news organizations are finding it difficult to adequately cover smaller markets such as Kirkland and Redmond. In an effort to improve their news coverage of local communities, The Seattle Times initiated discussions with local in bloggers earlier this year. (The Redmond Blog was one).

The closest thing to a daily paper citizens of the Eastside have is the various editions of the Reporter. These free weekly and semiweekly newspapers are distributed in parts of Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Issaquah and Bothell/Kenmore. These papers are vital to the local communities they serve, but the papers themselves can scarcely be called “local” as the profits they generate do not stay in the local economy. The Reporter papers are published by Sound Publishing which is owned and operated by Black Press, Ltd., a Canadian firm with 115 newspapers in western Canada, Washington State and Hawaii.

The days of print news in its current form are numbered. The traditional news media needs to adapt to the changing environment. The Seattle Times is attempting to do just that with its pilot program to partner with local blogs.

A little history:

In 1976, Bellevue’s Journal-American was founded as a merger of the Bellevue American and the Eastside Journal from Kirkland. In 1996, the Journal-American was renamed the Eastside Journal. In 2003, the paper morphed into the King County Journal. In November of 2006, the King County Journal was purchased along with its nine sister Reporter publications by the Canadian firm firm, Black Press Ltd. The King County Journal published its last issue on January 21, 2007.

-- story by Rob Butcher, Kirkland Views & Eastside TODAY, 5/18/09

"Hyperlocal" news is on a roll at the Redmond Neighborhood Blog

Local interest news is on a roll at the Redmond blog. Press Releases from the City of Redmond, Lake Washington School District and now King County are being sent to the Redmond blog. Local interest stories are presently fed live from the Redmond Library Blog, Kirkland Views, and neighboring blogs. (check the sidebar). The Seattle Times Online is developing a community initiative to publish local stories from various blogs. The Redmond Neighborhood Blog has been invited to contribute to the TIMES. KIRO will glean content, as well. Come back to this page soon for details. And, keep sending in your personal news stories here.