QFC using sophisticated device to deter thievery

The employee didn't want to be taped.

Since the pandemic, thievery in retail stores has been at an all-time high.  Locally, QFC in Bella Bottega has been highly targeted.  The store was recently remodeled to include a large liquor store.  According to an employee, thieves work as a team, where one loads up the grocery cart and another loads the car. They may primarily be after the liquor.  Employees and customers are frightened so don't run down the criminals.  The "Live View" (LTV) device deters 40-70% of the thieves and keeps business running smoothly.  It's extensive network of cameras sends tape back to the police.

                                  Pam, my lovely wife alerted me to this "talking" solar trailer.

-- Bob Yoder, 2/1/2022

Bear Creek Floods Behind Safeway Closing The Trail

The photo below shows Bear Creek spilling onto it's floodplain after an "atmospheric river" deluge the first week of January, 2022.  The photo was taken behind Safeway on the "Bear Creek Trail and Greenway." The creek crested ~ Friday. This photo was taken on Sunday. You're looking at floodplain not the creek. The creek is in the distance.  Nearby Avondale Way bridge is a great place to see salmon in September and October when spawning.

(click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)

The City did a great job posting interpretive signs along the trail. This one explains flooding.  I saw evidence of a deer in the creek riparian. It's amazing urban downtown Redmond is home to these critters!  (Of note: A family was having lunch on the Creekside picnic table.)

(The rains and snow were so bad last week that all five passes were closed; Leavenworth declared a state of emergency calling in the National Guard. Another atmospheric river is expected the week of 1/10/2022.  I'll take another picture on Thursday when I think the creek will crest.) 

 Prancing puppy Zoey wishing you a Happy New Year!

Leah Choi Thanks Councilmembers Jeralee Anderson and Steve Fields For Their Support In The School Board Race (video clip)

Leah Choi challenged Cassandra Sage for Lake Washington School District Board of Directors Position 3.  Leah Choi (53.99%) was leading Casandra Sage (45.45%) as of 8:15 p.m. 11/2.  Lake Washington School District is the second largest in the State of Washington.

-- Bob Yoder, 11/3/2021

Environmentally Sensitive Light Rail Construction Underway

 

Construction of the Downtown Redmond Light Rail Extension will impact a swath of trees and riparian habitat along Bear Creek in the vicinity of the Overlake Urgent Care Center west to Creekside Crossing and Redmond Center Open Space.  Clearing and grading permits are required to remove 144 trees to accommodate the rail, Bear Creek "restoration," and construction access. Most of the trees will be planted off site because they won't survive in the wetland areas. For each significant tree removed, 6 saplings will be planted; for each landmark tree removed 18 saplings will be planted. A section of Bear Creek will have to be dredged to create a "back channel" for flood control and wetland habitat. Back channels are also valuable for salmon rearing.

Overall, approximately 500 linear feet of Bear Creek will be "restored or enhanced" when all is said and done.  The Design Builder is encouraged to reuse previously removed trees for onsite habitat features. In addition, Sound Transit plans to purchase off-site wetland mitigation credits at the Keller Farm site further upstream along Bear Creek for any restoration that cannot be accommodated on-site.

All the work near Bear Creek described above is subject to review as part of the City’s shoreline and clearing and grading permits, the Army Corps and the tribes.  Construction is over 3 years out.  

  -- City Council Study Session, 5/28
      Meeting memo (map)

* In 2020 I took a tour of the site with City staff.  They said the light rail will run five feet over Bear Creek.  B.Y.  

UPDATED: Swarming e-Scooters In Redmond?

A typical downtown Spokane sidewalk. We saw one dude riding two scooters, one on each foot.

 LIME e-scooters are everywhere, everywhere in Spokane!  Most Spokane sidewalks are super-wide. You can ride them safely, very fast, and they rarely run the streets. There's plenty of space to park without obstruction to pedestrians and ADA folks.  Pam is standing in front of a restaurant with outdoor seating; we weren't bothered by one passing scooter.  Spokane's 10-12 foot sidewalks are all over the downtown...and beyond.  And, it's clear Spokane is not a bicycle city.

Now, Redmond is another story.  Land close to light rail is expensive and finite. Thus, 6-8 story buildings are crammed into our downtown, with razor thin set-backs, and narrow sidewalks.  Even bike lanes are scant.  Scooting is sketchy unless you move very slowly or take to the streets.  Owing to their versatility and our needs, scooters could one day swarm our downtown streets and roads.

-- Bob Yoder, Photo, 8/25/2021

UPDATE!! Safeway: "Masks Are Encouraged For Non-Vaccinated Customers" - Not Required

 

Redmond Safeway, 6/01/2021

UPDATE:  World Health Organization encouages fully vaccinated wear masks owing to malicious variant.  6/29/2021

Seattle/King County Department of Health discontinues mask directive - permits fully vaccinted to de-mask.  6/29/2021

This Safeway sign blew me away:  "Masks are encouraged for non-vaccinated customers."  Not required.

 

Subtitle:  "Safeway, Albertsons and Carrs care about the well-being of our Associates, Customers and Neighbors, as well as maintaining a safe and comfortable store enviroment." 

Fine print:  

"This does not apply to children under the age of 2 or those with the following exemptions:  Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disablility that prevents wearing a facecovering that could obstruct breathing or persons who are incapatitated, or otherwise unable to remove a facecovering without assistance.  Persons who are hearing impaired or communiting with a person who is hearing impaired where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication." 

NOTE:  A few weeks ago I was shopping in Costco without a mask when 97% were masked-up. I began to feel uneasy and mildly anxious so masked-up.  It helped.  After that one episode I've had no problems entering an establishment where masks aren't required; in fact I look for them.  I cherish the freedom and happiness from being vaccinated.  I also feel like I'm supporting our businesses.  I was fully vaccinated on February 20; all is well.  

-- Bob Yoder, 6/17/2021

UPDATED 3/29: LW School District Should Implement 3-Foot Distancing Soon

Internet photo

Yesterday, Governor Inslee ordered by 4/19 middle and high schools open for full or partial in-person learning at least two days each week. Seattle Times, 3/29/2021

My wife and I watched two LW School District Board meetings this month; we were heartsick during the public comment period when students and parents told their sad stories. The pain and suffering they experience from remote learning is severe. We almost cried. 

Most students and parents directed their comments to Superintendent Jon Holmen.  They pleaded to open the schools ASAP.  Some studies show remote learning is 75% of normal.  A significant problem is deteriorating mental health.  Anxiety, sadness, depression, anorexia, substance abuse and suicide have escalated. Abuse at home goes unchecked. There's a dearth of socialization and emotional support. 

On March 25th we finally received some good news from Governor Inslee.  The State Department of Health approved 3-foot distancing with masks.  Superintendent Jon Holmen should be stoked. Six-foot distancing with masks is still required for teachers and staff and in eating and drinking places.  Small classrooms will have more capacity though.

Our children will be affected by this closure in some way for all their life. The District needs to open ASAP.  The administration has had months to plan for this moment.  Confronting the teachers union is a necessary. Today, I asked Superintendent Holmen if he will implement the Governor's distancing order soon.  He said his team is actively working on it. (See his letter below.) LWSD moves with the momentum of a huge tanker turning ever so slowly. However, Dr. Holmen has 5 associate superintendents and over 31 executive directors to help him navigate.  There's little excuse not to move forward expeditiously. 

I wish Dr. Holmen and his team the best of luck.  

-- Bob Yoder, Updated, 3/29/2021

Hello Bob,

 Here is the information that I sent out to staff and community yesterday. 

As you can see, we are developing our plans in consideration of both the Governor’s Emergency Order and the change in K-12 guidance related to classroom distancing. As with all guidance changes, we must take the information and determine the scope and magnitude of opportunity immediately and in the long-term. We are actively working on this.

 

Thank you for following up on our email exchange from earlier with a request for updated information.  With these rapidly changing times updated information is important for all our communities.

 

Thank you,

Jon

 

Dr. Jon Holmen

Superintendent

Lake Washington School District

jholmen@lwsd.org | 425-936-1257

UPDATED, 3/2/2021: My Covid Vaccination Experience

I never thought I'd admire this little town so much (photo P. Yoder) 

It's been about a year that we've been living under the cloud of the pandemic. Stress and sadness shows its ugly head. I'm fatigued having to wear a mask and socially distance all the time. One of my pet peeves is seeing noses uncovered. I can't stand it.  (I'm outside and distanced when unmasked.)

Like most, we were overjoyed when the vaccines were released!  At age 70 with underlying conditions, and my wife at 67, we persistently searched for an appointment; an horrific endeavour.  (Though some V.I.P. donors at Overlake Medical Center, Providence-Everett and EvergreenHealth silently moved up the line.)  My wife, Pam set the alarm clock for early morning calls to city, county and state vaccination sites.  

Breaking news! On 2/10, my wife and I won the vaccine lottery with a grand prize trip to Pateros for two Moderna shots! haha. Pateros is a town of 600, four hours east of Redmond, 20 minutes north of Chelan.  We have a rental in Chelan and had to do some business there so transportation wasn't a big problem.

The site was run by three county Fire Departments; they vaccinate about 40/day.  We were quickly vaccinated from our car, and ecstatic when given a card for the second shot!  According to the New York Times (2/20/21), only 13% of the U.S. population have their first shot and 5.4% have both shots. We feel blessed.  

-- Bob Yoder, 2/20/2021

I took the second Moderna shot 25 days later...moderate fatigue a day later.

Beware Of Crowded Parks

Tuesday, 8/11/2020 at Idylwood Park with Pam.  To date, the City hasn't had to close a park

The City was giving away masks this Saturday.  By 2 PM, (80 degrees) according to a Fire Dept. employee 18 Redmond residents picked up masks and about 18 from outside the City picked them up.  

Horace Mann Students Give Thanks To Their Teachers

Students and parents of Horace Mann El. give thanks to their teachers. "We Miss You" is spelled out by punching red plastic cups through the fence. 5/12/2020

2020 Census Art

Pam  wearing mask in Downtown Park

Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond has partnered with Centro Cultural Mexicano and King County’s 4Culture Creative Consultancy grant program to promote the 2020 Census through art. Over the next few months, residents of Redmond will find five vibrant sculptures created by local artists Angie Hinojos Yusuf and Carlos Jimenez in key locations throughout the City.

All five sculptures debuted in Downtown Park this month and will be there until May 15 before being deployed across the City of Redmond for the remainder of the summer. Centro Cultural Mexicano will host a virtual scavenger hunt to find each sculpture and to post the images on social media. Learn more on their Facebook page @centroculturalmexicano.

Musings On Redmond And Ballard Suburbia

Downtown Ballard Starbucks / Credit Bob Yoder

Semi-retired and with time on our hands, Pam and I drove out to Ballard to look at its development and see Ballard Community Hospital, one of the hospitals I called on in 80's as a medical salesman. We were shocked and dumbfounded by the neighborhood's growth.

This cute little Scandinavian neighborhood had morphed into a suburban urban center, just like Redmond. According to Wikipedia, starting in early 2007, twenty, (flat-topped, cubed) major apartment and retail projects were constructed, many within a 5-block radius of the downtown. The hospital, now owned by Swedish, takes up a whole city block.  We visited the Nordic Museum (a must see.) A Ballard native volunteering there loathed its growth noting light rail is planned.  Difficult to decipher, the population of greater Ballard is 43,935 and not as diverse as Redmond. It's supposedly 83% white.

Needing some mojo, we found this Starbucks.  Located in a high crime district, we noticed four homeless people, several oddballs, a few sophisticates chatting, and some with computers. The Starbucks motto here was "to create a culture of warmth and belonging for all those who enter our door." Surprisingly, the clean transgender bathroom with entrance code had a sparkling mounted sharps container!  The barista said this Starbucks "respectfully required" no drugs, no sleeping, or other improper uses of their restrooms. They were looking out for their customers and the addicts.

In some ways, Ballard appears more innovative than Redmond in planning. In 2004: 1) future growth was evaluated by the community from a "Blueprint for every town in the USA."  2) Gore recognized Ballard for their work towards being the first carbon neutral community in the nation. 3) The community organized a "Sustainable Ballard" group.

Both communities have energetic historical societies.  They have parallel histories in many ways. The Salish (Ballard) and Snoqualmie (Redmond) indigenous Indians lived off of salmon. Logging and milling were early industries. Gambling rollicked.  Redmond raised crops; Ballard fished. Railroads played a vital role.

Our visit to this old neighborhood was really amazing!

-- Bob Yoder 

Bear Creek Enhancement Site

Updated: Last week Tom Hardy, the City of Redmond's stream and habitat planner, gave me a tour of the 95th Street Bear Creek Enhancement Site. It's an exciting place. (Find the project site here.) The project extends 600 feet south of the 95th Street bridge. Tom's plan is to improve as much of Bear Creek habitat as possible.

A few years ago he restored Mackey Creek, a tributary on the northern border of Ferrel-McWhirter Park; and years before that he was involved in the restoration of Lower Bear Creek. His next stop is to enhance Bear Creek adjacent to the Keller Farm Habitat Bank using woody debris.

The construction of this 95th Street enhancement project was very involved.  Six log jams and "alcoves" had to be anchored into the banks with large woody debris (logs.)  3,000 native plants, trees and willow cuttings were planted. Watch the video to learn more. The project was expensive but a $140,000 "Cooperative Watershed Management" grant from King County more than paid for the design.

Bear Creek has enormous environmental value to Redmond. One could say "it makes Redmond, Redmond."  Federally protected Chinook and other salmon spawn here. In fact, on the tour Tom pointed out a spawning area a Chinook used. The vegetation and trees boarding the creek (riparian habitat) provide excellent birding and wildlife opportunities. We saw a young Pileated Woodpecker actively foraging 15 feet away from us!

Bear Creek is part of our culture. Thousands of years ago Snohomish indians lived and fished on its banks. These days, residents view the natural wonder of Bear Creek salmon during "Salmon Seeson."

-- Bob Yoder
   2/24/2020

I've Updated My Redmond Blog Profile And Linkedin Account

The Young Bob

I'm 69 years old. My wife Pam and I have lived in Redmond on Education Hill 42 years. Our one daughter graduated from Gonzaga with two degrees; then achieved a University of Montana Masters degree in Environmental Science. My  hobbies of yesteryear were lacrosse and mountaineering; now I hike, bird watch, bike, loving all things outdoors.   

For 13 years, I've been publishing about 4 blog entries per week without pay or a sponsor.  Yes, I'm passionate about Redmond. I have a special interest in mental health since I and a few of my relatives have been diagnosed with the illness; and it's stigmatized, hindering those who need treatment. A big source of my blog news and opinion is from city, school and Evergreenhealth events and their government public meetings and memos. Now, I'm reaching out to more of our residents and neighbors to hear their stories.  

Cheers! 
Bob Yoder
redmondblog@gmail.com
Linkedin Account 

Rockin' On The River - Final Performance

The final  performance of city-sponsored "Rockin' on the River" was held at the Senior Center on Thursday, August 8th, 6-8 p.m.  Emerald Heights also sponsors the event.  The Kiwanians grilled hot dogs and hamburgers.  The "Eagle Eyes" band performed; the week before it was the Beatnicks. This is a very popular event and usually draws 400 - 500 residents. According to the City:

Eagle Eyes is a tribute band to the legendary music of the Eagles. They have taken great care and dedication in recreating and capturing the live true magic in the harmonies that make the eagles renowned. 

Hailing from Southern Vancouver Island, BC, the four members of Eagle Eyes have over 120 years of combined experience as professional touring musicians.  

Photos by Reinke

Water Tenders "Salmon Seeson" Cancelled, No Rain

Water Tender President Susan Wilkins at 
 Issaquah fish hatchery 

Lexie was a member of Water Tenders 

At tour of the Salmon Fish Hatchery with Water Tender President Susan Wilkins.  . 

Every year from September - October during the "Salmon Seeson" you will find the Water Tenders at North Bear Creek educating children, families and adults about the life cycle of salmon.  This Fall was the 4-year cycle for sockeye so we were expecting a good run.  The Water Tenders put up sandwich board signs along Avondale Road to direct viewers to the creek. We usually see a lot of  returning salmon but this year owing to a prolonged drought there were none to be seen so the exhibit was shut down. Usually over 100 viewers walk up the trail to see coho, sockeye and chinook salmon.

Every year the Water Tenders pick up 1-2 Chinook salmon from the Issaquah fish hatchery for their Bear Creel exhibit.  Susan Wilkins, Water Tenders President says," this is an excellent way for viewers to see and touch the gills, scaling, and fins for show and tell."  Here's a picture of Susan at the hatchery standing by two chinook she was saving for the exhibit.

Salmon docent holding chinook 

According to their mission statement, "The Water Tenders are a group of individuals who care about the wetlands and streams in King County. We are your neighbors, friends, and family. All of us are willing donate our time and energy to preserving, protecting and restoring the wonderful natural  heritage of Washington State. We believe that it is our community’s responsibility to be good stewards of our natural resources in order to preserve them for the next generations. Water Tenders was founded in 1989 and is proud to have spearheaded and accomplished many efforts towards those ends."

A few other Water Tenders projects are removal of invasive Knotweed and Blackberry shrubs from wetlands and creeks, monitoring the Western Pearl Schell populations -- an indicator of stream health -- measuring rainfall within the Bear Creek Basin, and activism to protect wetlands and streams from proposed environmental sensitive land-use developments.   

If you'd like more information about the Water Tenders or want to join this non--profit ($25) please e-mail Bob at redmondblog@gmail.com  

 -- Bob Yoder, Fall of 2018
    Photos, Yoder

Water Tenders is resurrected

Key Club members help to restore a Bear Creek tributary
My daughter Lexie is far left; she recruited the Key Club
members.

Water Tenders is a group of people who care about the wetlands and streams in the Bear Creek area and King county.

The torch of Water Tenders (WT) leadership was passed from President Eric Soshea to Susan Wilkins at the WT Annual Meeting last week.  Many of the of the original tenders were present, including a relative of the founder. Leader Terry Lavender and past president Dick Schaetzel were out of town. Gary Smith was present. Debbie Aftebro from Novelty Hill had never attended a WT meeting yet she collects and measures rainwater for Guy Baltzelle's program. She wanted to meet Guy but unfortunately he wasn't at the meeting.  Shirley Doolittle-Egerdahl was up front with Susan and Eric. Shirley was once President and is now the Treasurer, replacing John Reinke,who replaced Dick S.  One of the new board members, Heather Poe was president and secretary for WT in the Early 2000 - 2005 era (before Susan became a member.) Shirley Doolittle-Egerdahl was also once a president along with five others. 

In her presentation, (video) Susan held up a map of the entire Bear Creek watershed. She was re-directing and expanding our attention to the entire Bear Creek watershed.  She states:

UPDATED: Bear Creek advocates hold meeting

Credit/ Water Tender John Reinke 

Water Tenders is a group of people who care about the wetlands and streams in the Bear Creek area and King county.

The torch of Water Tenders (WT) leadership was passed from President Eric Soshea to Susan Wilkins at the WT Annual Meeting last week.  Many of the of the original tenders were present, including a relative of the founder. Leader Terry Lavender and past president Dick Schaetzel were out of town. Gary Smith was present. Debbie Aftebro from Novelty Hill had never attended a WT meeting yet she collects and measures rainwater for Guy Baltzelle's program. She wanted to meet Guy but unfortunately he wasn't at the meeting.  Shirley Doolittle-Egerdahl was up front with Susan and Eric. Shirley was once President and is now the Treasurer, replacing John Reinke,who replaced Dick S.  One of the new board members, Heather Poe was president and secretary for WT in the Early 2000 - 2005 era (before Susan became a member.) Shirley Doolittle-Egerdahl was also once a president along with five others. 

In her presentation, (video) Susan held up a map of the entire Bear Creek watershed. She was re-directing and expanding our attention to the entire Bear Creek watershed.  She states:

"The Bear Creek Basin is an exceptionally natural and healthy environment for our native salmon runs given that it is so close to a major metropolitan area.  We want to direct more community involvement into observing the stream habitat and collecting year-round data (such as rainfall, water temperature, stream flow) across the whole Bear Creek Basin.  We also want to carefully monitor land use planning by the local government jurisdictions to encourage preservation and protection of our land and water resources."

Five members who volunteered for the new Board met with Susan after the meeting.  The first order of business was to select officers.  Susan is the President, Mark Reynolds is the V.P. (he told a touching "avatar" story about the value of engaging children.)  Mark is a software engineer for Nordstrom and a "take charge" kind of guy.  He is working on a new website and very motivated for WT to make a difference for kids.  Me too.

Youth have been involved in WT over the years:

My daughter, Lexie Conley, was once a Youth Board member -- the first and last.  She wrote an article on the history of environmentalism that was published in the WT's 25th Anniversary Issue of the newsletter.  Terry recruited her to lead the Green Team in a Derby Day parade...and work the booth. Lexie recruited her Key Club members to help restore a forest in what is now the Redmond Bike Park site.  Notably, Dick S. attended that.  The Key Club also spent a day restoring a northern Bear Creek tributary -- an ongoing WT project.

Susan Wilkins actively engaged her children in the environment.  Her daughter was a docent for the annual WT salmon "SEEson" event.  In 2007 her children surveyed the Camwest Perrigo Heights preliminary plat's northern forest boundary ...in preparation for the citizen/council/mayor/Eric Campbell's woodland march to the proposed Steep Slope sewer location.

Colorful salmon cut-outs were made for children. (don't have the details.)  Kiosks were built to educate children and adults. Exhibits were held at REI.  Terry Lavender worked at the Redmond Medical Center from where the Derby Day Children's Parade started every year. She organized the kids and I think gave them a short education on salmon before they took off on their bikes. 

### 

A 5-minute YouTube of Susan Willkin's presentation at the Annual Meeting:  https://youtu.be/_SfMBTinhqg

A slide show of my daughter and her Key Club/ Bio-Chem classmates restoring the Bear Creek tributary.  

Updated: "Poets in the Park"

Last Saturday my wife and I went to Anderson Park for the annual "Poets in the Park" event. My wife painted at the VALA Arts Center booth and spent time talking to Michael Dylan Welch about his passion for haiku.  Michael is Redmond's third Poet Laureate.  My favorite haiku was by Christopher Herold.

foghorns

we lower our kayak

into the sound

I discovered the poem in Michael's installation "Haiku on Sticks."  I spent a lot of time talking to Dawn Laurant at the VALA Arts Center booth.  Dawn is the VALA Arts Director and Chair of the Kirkland Arts Commission.  She could be a tremendous resource for the "Redmond Arts and Culture Committee."  (The City of Redmond really needs to up their game, specifically in outdoor art.)

Dawn is especially excited about "Ekphrastic Assimilations: Finding Poetry in Art."   It's an exhibition of visual art and poetry including 6 artists from China, 6 artists from Washington and several featured poets. Sept 15th - Oct 31st.  The art will be displayed at VALA with poetry readings in Kirkland.  www.Ekphrasic.org (starting July 1) A lot of work and fundraising is going into it. Need I say this will be an incredible event.  It will draw regional attention and put Redmond on the map.

VALA is developing into an exciting arts center for Redmond.  Stop by the gallery in RTC, 8201 164th Ave NE. and pick up their June-September line-up. 100% of the proceeds from art sales go to the artist!  They just hired a new Executive Director, Vicki Todd.  Lots going on!

Poets in the Park activities:  poetry readings, open mics, workshops, a poetry book fair, and free ice cream. Also featured, mini-golf, Poetry on Sticks, art activities sponsored by VALA Art Center, and a Redmond Historical Society display. "Redmond Association of Spoken Word" (RASP) organized the event.  The City of Redmond co-sponsored it with RASP.  The current Poet Laureate, Shin Yu Pai, recited. and her performance drew me to the event.  Michael Dylan Welch (http://www.graceguts.com/) was the Event Director and made it all happen.   

Bob Yoder