"Sustainable Redmond" to hold booth at Derby Days; launches new website

Sustainable Redmond is hosting its first in a series of public events, beginning on July 22nd from 7-9 pm, at the Redmond Library, in Meeting Room 2. Cecile Andrews will talk about “Living Sustainably: Simpler, Slower, Smaller.” Cecile is the author of three books related to sustainability and voluntary simplicity: the recently released “Less is More”, along with “Slow is Beautiful” and “The Circle of Simplicity”.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to learn more about Sustainable Redmond - a grassroots organization focused on local sustainable actions. A group of dedicated Redmond-area citizens have been meeting since November to form Sustainable Redmond, which is part of the Sustainable Communities All Over Puget Sound (SCALLOPS) network (scallopswa.org). Some of the current group members come from a variety of other local organizations related to sustainability, such as the Audubon Society, Redmond Parks and Trails Commission, Water Tenders, Green Redmond, Redmond Pedestrian and Bike Advisory Committee, and the Marymoor Community Garden.

Protecting girls from bullying | Patti Skelton-McGougan

Protecting girls from bullying | Patti Skelton-McGougan

Protecting girls from bullying

The recent tragic suicide of a Massachusetts teen as the result of bullying moves me to address a subject I’ve touched on before. Relational aggression is the term for the form of bullying favored by pre-adolescent and adolescent girl.

It’s nothing new and is very common in our schools.  Read entire Column.

By Patti Skelton-McGougan
Belleuve Reporter Columnist
CEO, Youth Eastside Services (YES)

Legacy for Learning Luncheon raises $156,000 for schools

Dr. Chip Kimball, speaking at the Legacy for Learning Luncheon on the topic of “Future Ready in an Uncertain Future.”

The Legacy for Learning fundraiser just made a huge difference for our students and our schools.  The Lake Washington Foundation raised $156,000 at the luncheon fundraiser held April 24 at Juanita High School.  This is the most raised at a luncheon in the foundation's 5 year history. With help from the commuity and corporate sponsors, this event will fund critical programs for the Lake Washington Schools Foundation.

Arny Leslie, 9th Grade Teacher at Redmond Junior High, and his students explain how high tech lab equipment helps students learn better.  The "probware" demoed in this video cost $47,380,  made possible by Lake Washington Foundation donors.  My daughter was fortunate to take a class from Mr. Leslie.

By Bob Yoder
Photo and video from Lake Washignton Foundation Facebook Fan Page.

Click "Lake Washington School Foundation" Facebook for Dr. Kimball's keynote address and other video presentations by students and faculty.

Bullying: case study of a 15-year old student

Dear Bob,

Judy and her husband were reluctant to move between states because it meant a new high school for their 15 year old daughter Emma at a sensitive time in her life. But with a stylish new haircut and the perfect pair of jeans, Emma did everything she could to fit in at her new school. Six months later she felt so alone and frustrated that she begged her parents to let her move back to her old town and her old school. "I finally found out that a group of girls were actively excluding and bullying my daughter because she somehow got on the wrong side of a very popular classmate," says Judy.

Emma's life took a turn for the worse when the group's cold shoulder treatment turned into more active bullying. Kids were calling her vile names in the hallways, via social network sites and in text messages. Some were even threatening physical violence.

"I felt helpless," says Judy. "She had great teachers but they couldn't do much either." Judy turned to Youth Eastside Services where Emma worked with a counselor to re-gain her self-esteem and learn techniques to safely stand-up to bullying. YES also introduced Emma to her local teen center so that she could widen her social circle.

"Inter-personal bullying is more of a problem than parents and even teachers suspect and the damage it does is far reaching. I'm so grateful to my courageous daughter for standing up to the bullies and to YES for helping her find her way."

Thank you for helping YES help kids like Emma.

Sincerely,
Patti Skelton-McGougan
Executive Director,  YES

Hopelink asking for new volunteers. Volunteers from 12 years to over 16 years receive orientation training.

Hopelink, the largest nonprofit social services agency helping people in east and north King County, seeks volunteers to work at any of its five centers in Shoreline, Carnation, Kirkland/Northshore, Redmond or Bellevue.

Hopelink relies upon hundreds of volunteers to fill such needs as sorting food in its food banks; providing child care and homework tutoring to children in our housing facilities; delivering food to homebound clients; or answering phones and helping with administrative tasks. Hopelink’s newest center, Kirkland/Northshore, is in particular need of food sorters and shelf stockers for its grocery store-style food bank. Many other volunteer tasks are available; bi-lingual language skills are a plus for many of these tasks.

Hopelink asks new volunteers over age 16 and volunteers between the ages of 12 and 16 with parent/guardian supervision to register to attend a mandatory orientation. To register, please visit www.hope-link.org/takeaction/volunteer  or call (425) 869-6066. Registration for orientation is necessary as space is very limited; seating is first-come, first-served so please arrive promptly.
 
By  Denise Stephens
Public Relations Specialist
Office: 425-869-2440
http://www.hope-link.org/
http://youthlink.hope-link.org/
http://twitter.com/Hopelink

Sounders Head Coach Sigi Schmid to speak at YES! "Invest in Youth Breakfast".

Sounders Head Coach Sigi Schmid to speak at Youth Eastside Services (YES!) Breakfast

Sounders Head Coach Sigi Schmid will bring his passion and leadership to the YES Invest in Youth Breakfast on March 3rd at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue.

Coach Schmid will be the keynote speaker as the Eastside community comes together to support Eastside youth. He is recognized as one of the most successful coaches in Major League Soccer history. We hope you'll join YES and Coach Schmid as we celebrate kids, families, courage and hope.

So what's on the Breakfast Plate?

Ask:  Wendy at WendyC@YouthEastsideServices.org or call (425) 586-2309.

 What is YES?

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month: Hanna's Story

Dear Bob,

When Hannah first came to YES she favored skinny jeans, ballet flats and as much make-up as she could get away with in an effort to look like a 16 years old, rather than the 14 year old that she was. 'I used to tell my Mom everything would be okay with my boyfriend Brad if she would just butt out,' she says. 'But things were far from okay.'

Brad was showing the classic signs of an abuser - isolating Hannah from friends and family, telling her he was the only one who truly understood her, pressuring her to have sex, and using anger to threaten and control. 'He was 17 and had dropped out of high school. He seemed like such a grown up. He wanted me to quit school too. He talked about starting a family.'

One night Hannah came home crying and bruised after a fight, which tripped alarm bells for her parents. But Hannah wasn't ready to let go. Hannah's mother turned to YES, insisting on counseling for Hannah. Hannah began learning about healthy relationships and both Hannah and her parents were given the tools to empower Hannah to safely stand-up to, and eventually leave Brad.

'I thought I loved Brad and nothing was going to change that. But I was in the dark. So many girls like me need to learn about healthy relationships. Without YES I'm certain I would have been another high school drop-out, teen mother or victim of domestic violence.

This month is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. In honor of kids like Hannah, I'd like to thank you for being a part of a community that cares about girls at-risk for teen dating and domestic violence and for all the kids and families who get the help they need from YES.

National Teen Dating Violence Website:  http://www.teendvmonth.org/

Sincerely,

By Patti Skelton-McGougan
Executive Director, YES!
Youth Eastside Services
(with drop-in centers at Redmond's Family Resource Center, Crossroads, Kirkland, and Sammamish)

Youth Eastside Services (YES!) is a Jewel.

Patti Skelton-McGougan, Executive Director of Youth Eastside Services (YES)

YES!  Youth Eastside Services!   Patti Skelton, the Executive Director of this incredible and caring nonprofit gave me a fascinating tour of their Crossroads facility yesterday.  I don't know where to begin to tell you what an amazing resource Youth Eastside Services is for our community, our schools, our teen centers, our families, our children.

Patti has been the Executive Director for over 12 years, but the organization was founded 35 years ago and has grown to be the largest provider of youth and family mental health and social services in East King County!   A few of YES! family services are:  substance abuse treatment, sexual abuse counseling, depression and suicide counseling, mentoring school kids, and culturally-based assistance for immigrants.

Their commitment to our youth and parents is huge.  No matter what their financial circumstances, YES is committed to providing help to any youth or family regardless of ability to pay.   Counseling is offered on a sliding fee scale, based on family income.  Services cover the economic spectrum from homeless to affluent.   YES! has over 24,000 clients with offices in Redmond, Kirkland, Bellevue and Samammish.  They have certified counselors in all Lake Washington School District Junior and Senior High schools, including the Old Redmond Firehouse Teen Center.

The organization's benevolence is made possible by passionate support from the community.

Every year YES holds an "Invest in Youth" breakfast to support the cost of uncompensated care.  Last year over 550 guests attended and donated $290,000 to the "Lifeline Fund".    This year, the breakfast will be on Wednesday, March 3rd, 7:30-8:30 at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue.  The breakfast  is spearheaded by Costco Wholesale and Microsoft, but you can start a table with your friends. More info.  I'll be sharing the news on my FaceBook!

Factoid:  As many one third of high school students experience violence in an intimate or dating relationship. YES! can help.  Call 425-747-4937.   Website

by Bob Yoder

"March Can Madness" single elimination food drive tournament!

Hello local business owners (and friends)!

Redmond Physical Therapy and Hopelink, a human services nonprofit serving the Eastside, have teamed up to create a fun way to raise food donations for Hopelink’s Redmond food bank. “March Can Madness” pairs up businesses in a series of competitive food drives held each week in March. We have room in the “tournament” for 16 businesses and we’re hoping yours will be one of them!

March Can Madness is patterned after the single elimination bracket style tournament in college basketball. The first week of March, the businesses will be paired up in eight “games” in which each gathers donations of canned food. On Friday, the businesses bring their food to Hopelink for weighing. The pounds raised will be divided by how many employees in the business, making it fair for all. The eight businesses with the most food in their bracket will advance to the next week’s food drive competition, and so on until the last week in March when the two remaining businesses will compete for the “championship.”

The Redmond Reporter will publish the weekly bracket results and Hopelink will e-mail the participants weekly so everyone knows how they did and who advances in the tournament.

The timing for March Can Madness couldn’t be better as food donations always drop off after the holidays, even as hunger continues to haunt hundreds of Redmond families.

For more information and to register, just visit here and complete the registration form and send it to Hopelink. If you have any questions, please e-mail me. Thanks for your time and support!
Thanks for time and your support!

Sincerely,

Benjamin Wobker

BenWobker@RedmondPT.com
http://www.redmondpt.com/
425.881.3001

Email Entries to Hopelink c/o:
Lil Klein
lilk@hope-link.org
entry form

Wal-Mart announces $75,000 in food bank donations at Redmond City Council Meeting

A Senior Public Affaires Manager for Wal-Mart announced donations to Eastside food banks totaling $75,000 at last night's Council meeting.

$25,000 will go to "Eastside Cities Emergency Feeding Program".   $50,000 will go to Hope-link, a community services program developed by Doreen Marchione, a past Redmond Mayor. 

Is it possible Wal-Mart is considering a store in the SE Redmond neighborhood and building political capital?  Costco tabled plans to build in SE Redmond.  In any event, the food donation is needed by our Eastside community and was well received by both agency representatives.

by Bob Yoder

Say YES! for student alcohol counseling!

The story below of  Robert's experience with alcohol was commonplace when I went to high school in New York (40 years ago) and is common today on Education Hill.  I was a jock and it was almost expected we drink, drive and party hardy. Same is the case at Redmond High School and other Lake Washington schools. I'm thankful to be sober and alive today. Tell your friends about Youth Eastside Services. (YES)  They can help!    -- Bob Yoder

Letter from Youth Eastside Services

Dear Bob,

"Looking back on it now, I'm one of the lucky ones," says Robert. "I easily could have died from an accidental overdose."

Last August, 17 year old Robert decided to throw a party while his parents were out of town. When he blacked out and fell to the ground around 1:00 a.m., most of his friends were high or drunk.

"I had alcohol poisoning and was severely dehydrated because I hadn't drunk any water in the last 48 hours. At first my friends thought it was funny. Then they didn't want to risk getting into trouble by driving me to the hospital. I guess someone at the party called 911 and after a painful and scary night in the emergency room, I was okay."

The incident was a wake-up call for Robert and his parents. Through counseling and the YES sober support group, Robert was able to address his problem and regain his parent's trust.

"Drugs and alcohol can be so easy to get if you are motivated and believe me, I was motivated. Thanks to YES, no way will I ever spend a night like that again."

Thank you for making sure kids like Robert don't become just another statistic.

Best wishes in the New Year,

Patti Skelton-McGougan

Executive Director, Youth Eastside Services (YES)

photo from Google Images.

The Stinky Spoke Mountain Bike Fundraiser

So, what's the Stinky Spoke??!!

It's the short name for the Stinky Weather Poker Run. It's a 16 mile mountain bike loop where you gather five playing cards in hopes of having a good enough hand at the end to win a prize. We picked what SHOULD be the worst day of the year for weather (combination of the rainiest and the coldest). 2009 gave us fog and sunshine at the end (yes, sunshine).

And where do all the proceeds go?
Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center - Check them out at this link:  http://www.littlebit.org/


Register at the Stinky Spoke website: http://www.stinkyspoke.org/   Rider Limit: 500
Saturday, January 16, 9:30 a.m.  Start and Finish at Redhook Brewery.  See you there?!

- original source:  Woodinville Blog and Redhook Brewery.

Redmond Rotary Foundation donates $12,500 from popular RED-SPOKE bicycling event.

100 finishers in Spokane, 2009.  Next ride:  7/14-18/2010.  300 miles from Redmond to Spokane

Redmond Rotary Foundation donates $12,500 from popular RED-SPOKE bicycling event to Hope-link.

Hopelink is proud to have been chosen as a recipient of the proceeds from this very popular and successful fundraiser.

Funds will be used to support emergency services and asset building programs aimed at giving individuals and families the tools, knowledge, and support they need to make lasting change in their lives. Thank you Redmond Rotary for this wonderful donation.  by Hopelink News

Photo by RED-SPOKE

Take the New Year's Day "Polar Plunge" for the Special Olympics!

 New Year's Day event at Idylwood Park to benefit the Special Olympics!

PLAN TO TAKE THE POLAR PLUNGE! The 2010 Polar Plunge, sponsored by the Redmond Police Department and benefiting Special Olympics, will be held at *10 a.m. of January 1, 2010 at Idylwood Park. Mark your calendars and plan to attend,.or even better, join us in taking a dip into the warm water of Lake Sammamish. They're calling for warm, sunny temperatures that day, not necessarily here in Redmond, but somewhere. Bring in the New Year with Redmond Police Department and Special Olympics!

*The pre-plunge festivities kick off at 10 a.m. with the actual plunge taking place at noon.

Email Jim Bove (Redmond Safety Facilitator) jbove@redmond.gov with any questions you may have.

How do I take the Plunge?   Right Here!

Compliments of the Mustang News.

"Youth Eastside Services" invites the Community to celebrate the grand opening of a new YES facility in historic Forbes House!

Youth Eastside Services invites you to a free, festive celebration of kids and families in Kirkland's Juanita Park.

Help YES celebrate the grand opening of the new YES facility in the historic Forbes House.

Cake, Treats, Music, Face Painting, Pumpkin Painting, Magic, Pinatas, a Bouncy House, 'The World's Largest Cat' and More

No RSVP required. Free & Open to the Public
Friday, September 25, 2009
4:00 -6:00 p.m.
Forbes House, Juanita Park, 11829-97th Ave NE

CLICK HERE for all the details and to learn more about "Youth Eastside Services"

YES-Redmond/Family Resource Center
16225 NE 87th St.  Redmond, WA 98052  425-869-6036
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 2:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Redmond's new Qdoba Mexican Grill "Opening Event" this Friday supports the Starlight Children's Foundation.

QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL® OFFERS FREE FOOD IN EXCHANGE FOR DONATION AT REDMOND GRAND OPENING EVENT

Grand opening event at Redmond Way location will support Starlight Children’s Foundation™

In celebration of the opening of the newest Redmond, Wash., Qdoba  Mexican Grill® (http://www.qdoba.com/), the restaurant is offering one free entrée and one free medium size fountain drink to anyone who makes a minimum $5 donation to Qdoba’s national charity partner, Starlight Children’s Foundation (http://www.starlight.org)./

The Opening Night celebration is at the new Redmond Way location on September 11 between noon and 4 p.m.  All donations will be directed toward sponsoring a Starlight Fun Center™ mobile entertainment unit for the pediatric patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital.   Representatives from Starlight Foundation will be attending.

WHERE:   (across from QFC and the new Trader Joes)
15946 Redmond Way
Redmond, WA 98052
425-881-6829

ABOUT QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL®

Qdoba Mexican Grill is an artisanal Mexican kitchen where anyone can go to enjoy a fast, handcrafted meal prepared with fresh ingredients and innovative flavors. Each Qdoba restaurant showcases food that celebrates Qdoba’s passion for ingredients, a menu full of innovative flavors, handcrafted preparation and inviting service. Founded in Denver in 1995, Qdoba is among the nation’s largest Mexican fast-casual chains.

Redmond-Cascade Conservancy forestry stewardship project is launched

This neighborhood volunteer work party for GreenRedmond removed Himalayan Blackberry weeds nearby Hartman Park on Saturday. In the Fall volunteers will plant native shrubs to beautify and protect the forest.

UPDATED, 5/1 - A garbage-ridden corner forest by the school pedestrian corridor, Church of LDS (Mormon) and the Dirt Bike Course (adjacent Hartman Park) had been severely overtaken by dense Himalayan Blackberry weeds. Citizens, the City, and Cascade Conservancy wanted to do something about it. This Saturday, twenty-five enthusiastic, committed citizen volunteers walked into this neighborhood forest with their tools. Norah Kates of the Cascade Conservancy answered our questions. Four hours later, with the use of City tools and the Cascade Conservancy knowledge, the forest floor had been "cleaned up" and we walked away satisfied and very happy with our work. This Fall, when the rains come, we will plant native, green shrubs and sapling trees!

The group of volunteers you see in this photo (click to enlarge) is a diverse mix of citizens who care about our local environment. Many of the volunteers were "Key Club" members recruited by my daughter, Lexie. Lexie is a Youth Advocate for the Water Tenders. Key Club is a Redmond High School Club devoted to charitable work. Students and parents from Horace Mann El, a local Scout pack, Water Tenders helped out.

Neighbor Lisa from the Parks farm volunteered as did two officers from the Water Tenders. Several passersby signed up for the next project. It was hard work but rewarding. We removed 40 gallons of recyclable drinking containers. (A month ago 120 gallons were removed). Invasive plants were removed from approximately 8000 square feet of forest floor . We protected and left untouched a low-lying bird's nest with two chicks.

The forest floor looks barren and brown for now. City Parks said they would remove and recycle the concrete gate blocks and may chip the wood trash. After planting native shrubs this Fall the forest floor will look beautiful! The neighborhood will just have to be patient for the new plants as we await the Fall rains. Restoration information may be posted. Comments?

The King Conservation District - who runs it? where do our tax dollars go?

King Conservation District Mission Statement:

"To Promote Sustainable uses of Natural Resources through Responsible Stewardship"

UPDATED, 6/09, Opinion: Did you know? The City of Redmond received several hundreds of thousands of dollars from the King Conservation District last year? The funds will go towards restoration and flood mitigation of Bear Creek when SR520 is widened.

Every year, every citizen in King County pays $10 per parcel of property to fund the "King Conservation District". This county tax brings in over $6 million dollars per year to pay for Salmon Recovery meetings, staff, watershed monitoring, and education. The money is also used for restoration projects, habitat conservation acquisitions, farm plans and numerous other conservation projects.

The District is overseen by five* Board of Supervisors - two are appointed* and three elected. This election that has gone unnoticed for years and decided by a few hundred votes most years. Most polling places are limited to King County libraries so it is a relatively unknown event. Perhaps, the RedmondLibrary Blog would comment or post a story about the election?

On March 19 the King Conservation District held elections. Almost 3000 people voted - four times the previous record. Many conservation groups were backing Mark Sollitto but he was disqualified for improperly filing his application. Mark still received 1199 write in votes. Preston Drew, Vice President of Citizens Alliance for Property Rights, a resident of Fall City received 1357 votes and is the new Supervisor. Just prior to the election, the Board appointed David Irons, an Associate Supervisor, to a vacated seat. Max Prinson, a strong Conservationist, is an Associate Supervisor as of this posting.

The Property Rights folks are now in a very strong position within the Conservation District. I have heard that the Property Rights majority is organizing to take on the foundations of environmental regulations and "Best Available Science" after winning the court case on the CAO clearing restrictions.

There will be another seat open next Spring. (Read "Comment" below for full disclosure). Let's keep improving the turn-out. Come out and vote in 2010. The past Board has been very supportive of Redmond for salmon recovery, flood mitigation, and Bear Creek restoration. Let's hope the new King County Conservation District Board of Supervisors will spend our tax dollars just as wisely.

--This story was contributed in large part by a Woodinville environmentalist.

EARTH DAY! Redmond High Senior Recognized with Environmental Scholarship.

Eastside Audubon chose Hailey Hargraves, a senior at Redmond High School, to receive the Len Steiner College Scholarship Award. The award recognizes Eastside students who have demonstrated leadership in environmental issues. Len Steiner will present Hailey with the $500 scholarship at the April 23 meeting of Eastside Audubon, where the members will honor this outstanding young woman.

An ardent environmentalist, Hailey plans to attend Smith College, where she will major in environmental science and policy making. No matter where her degree leads her, Hailey is “committed to making a difference and to convincing others that green should be their favorite color.”

At Redmond High School, Hailey excels academically, maintaining a 3.6 G.P.A. while taking Advanced Placement classes and serving as a leader among her peers. Her list of accomplishments is long and includes participant in the Johns Hopkins University Summer Program in Bioethics; SEAFAIR ambassador and scholarship recipient; president of the Environmental Club; Honor Society member; treasurer of the Key Club; delegate to Evergreen Girls’ State; Follow the Leader grand prize winner.

-For more information contact: Kathryn Reith, Director of Communications, (425) 702-3342 Shannon Parthemer, Community Relations & Communications Coordinator, (425) 702-3300

Removing "the buggers" - restoring the forest!

Here's a photo of my friend, Doug. He's standing in front of what used to be a huge mound of Himalayan Blackberries. This particular type of blackberry is a nasty plant that is harmful to the forest floor because it takes over the smaller native forest plants. We cleared out this area in just 35 minutes using city supplied tools. Amazing how fast it goes. Once we get these berry bushes removed everyone will be able to look into the forest and enjoy it. In the Fall we'll plant native plants the city gives us.

Doug is an exceptional person committed to restoration and forest management. He has a Masters in Horticulture specializing in invasive plants and really knows how to take these buggers down. In addition, he is a new member to the WATER TENDERS, a grass roots organization dedicated to conserving the Bear Creek Basin.

Doug and his son is a BMX cyclist and they enjoy riding the dirt bike trail nearby. After we stripped these blackberries Doug talked to the BMX youth playing on the trail and gave them a great lesson on tree conservation. Basically, Doug advised the kids not to remove dirt from the root zones of the trees. (Dirt is needed to build the course). My old "lunch buddy" Dallas immediately got a shovel and started covering the exposed roots. Protecting the trees is very important to the city and our "forest stewardship citizen program". Thanks to Doug, the BMXers know.

Speaking of forest stewardship: On Saturday, April 25, 10-2 you and your neighbors are invited to a "restoration" event at this same place to remove lots of these buggers. Come to the corner of NE 100th St and 171st Ave. NE by the LDS (Morman) Church lower parking lot. Make this your personal "Earth Day" event and have some neighborhood cookies, too!