"Walking School Buses" have many benefits, Apps make them easy

Walking Bus App

A Walking Bus is a form of student transport for schoolchildren who, chaperoned by two adults (a "Driver" leads and a "conductor" follows),walk to school along a set route, in much the same way a school bus would drive them to school.  Like a traditional bus, walking buses have a fixed route and designated "bus stops" and "pick up times" in which they pick up children.  

Walking contributes to overall good health and fitness and students who walk to school arrive at school alert and ready to learn.  A walking school bus adds in a fun and social aspect to walking as well as flexibility for the parents by sharing the walking duties. It takes cars off the roads and reduces carbon footprint.

The School Board and Traci are holding a public meeting tonight, September 11th, 7 pm at the School Resource Center in Redmond Town Center.  I hope some of you will turn-out to encourage Walking Buses at LWSD  There's a 3-minute "comment period" on the agenda where you're invited to talk to the Board and Traci about anything you want.  I hope to see you there!

 -- B. Yoder   

Lake Washington students shine on Smarter Balanced Assessments

Students continue to score well-above state averages

Redmond, Wash. –Lake Washington School District (LWSD) students continue to score well-above the state average in all areas tested by the Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA).

“Student performance on state assessments is one important measure of academic achievement and progress,” noted Dr. Traci Pierce, superintendent. “We are pleased with our results and our teachers, building administrators will continue to work hard to ensure that every single student in our district is learning, growing, and succeeding.”

Students in grades 3-8 and in grade 11 took the Smarter Balanced Assessments in English Language Arts and in Math. In English Language Arts, the percent of LWSD students meeting the new standards ranged from 79 percent in sixth grade to a high of 87 percent in 11th grade. At the state level, the percent of students meeting the standard in English Language Arts ranged from 53 percent in grade 3 to a high of 74 percent in grade 11. 

UPDATED: Mayor Marchione stimulates talk on mental health and substance abuse recovery

Mayor Marchione read a proclamation last week to recognize September as "National Recovery Month"   The purpose is to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and celebrate the people who recover. 

I know something about mental health disorders. For three years I sold an SSRI for OCD, slow-release Ritalin for ADHD and  sustained-release lithium for bipolar disorder.   Poor mental health is rampant in my family, especially on my mother's side. Many of my relatives have recovered (myself included) some better than others, with the exception of my younger brother Rick. He died at 46, from complications of severe bipolar disorder, co-morbid alcoholism, and prescription drug self-medication.

The Eastside has many good recovery and treatment programs.  Kent Hay, Redmond's Outreach Specialist provides psychiatric and social services for the vulnerable and homeless. Youth Eastside Services, Friends of Youth, HERO House. NAMI Eastside and other Eastside non-profits have recovery programs. - Therapeutic Health Services in Bellevue offers opioid  addiction treatment.. 425-328-3757

I can't stress highly enough the importance of finding a science-oriented doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Overlake Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic in Bellevue provides excellent doctors (20) who accept Medicare and Medicaid patients.

EvergreenHealth doesn't employ psychiatrists or psychiatric nurses or have an out-patient clinic. However, they provide an "In-Home" program operated by trained social workers.. Evergreen opened a 14-bed "Transitional Care Unit" this year to attend to  their Emergency Department patients awaiting transfer to a mental health facility..In the past some of these patients had to be "boarded." (strapped to a gurney for hours or even days.) 

Evergreen is a public hospital and supported in part, by King County taxes. Unfortunately. this year the State legislature reduced mental health funding in King County by over 8% from last year.  Washington State has the lowest access to mental healthcare in the Nation!

There's far to little "talk" to mitigate the stigma associated with poor brain health. Discrimination in the workplace occurs. Doctors, medications, counseling and family support can only go so far and it's easy to lose hope or courage. Spiritual support can help a lot.. Two churches on the Eastside offer support programs. A group in Bothell meets once a month at St. Brandon's Catholic Church.  The  "Celebrate Recovery" group at Overlake Christian Church on Willows Road in Redmond has an excellent program. They meet every Tuesday at 7 pm  About 125 citizens attend their meetings. 

One in five Americans have a mental health condition and only half are treated.  Please tell your friends and neighbors about the recovery programs available in our community and celebrate with those who have recovered!

Bob Yoder 

UPDATED: Steve Fields and Byron Shutz's preliminary positions on "transportation"

Campaign signs:  Let the games begin!

ADDRESSING THE TRANSPORTATION ISSUE:(AS FOUND ON CANDIDATE WEBPAGES AND FACEBOOK SITES)

"Redmond City Government MUST immediately take actions to improve our capability to move in and around our city centers and neighborhoods. We are growing past our capacity to handle the impact of traffic congestion with the current infrastructure and transit capabilities. This is an immediate priority. Our prosperity, health, and well-being greatly depends on the effort and time it takes to get to all those places that make our everyday lives enjoyable and successful.

Our downtown areas are very fragmented. We need to improve our spatial planning and make typical trips more convenient and less spread out.

There are also things we can do immediately to make things better such as investment in information technology to inform commuters on real-time traffic issues and placing better visual cues for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians to improve traffic flow."

 -- Steve Fields transportation Issue statement on Mr. Field's candidate website

To find Mr. Shutz's position READ MORE >>

Trestle bridge connector trail is almost complete

Steps going up from the Sammamish River Trail to the Trestle bridge  Credit John Reinke

I took this photo today along the Sammamish River Trail, looking south.  As you can see, work is nearly completed on the Redmond Central Connector where spans the railroad trestle bridge.  Note the new aluminum staircase which provides access from the River Trail to the Connector.

I spoke to a man who was working there, and he said this section will open sometime next week, with the official opening occurring on Saturday, September 23.

-- John Reinke

Total cost of Central Trail Connector Phase 11 is:  $6,411,600  ( $5,561,000 grants)

UPDATED: No safe injection sites for Redmond

Redmond Press Release:   It has been brought to the City's attention that our residents have recently been solicited via a telephone poll regarding a safe injection site in Redmond. This poll includes false statements. The City is not considering allowing a safe injection site in Redmond, as the poll alleges. Please be aware the poll is not sponsored by the City of Redmond. We appreciate residents alerting the City to this matter and relaying the information to us.

If you, or someone you know, does receive a call, you can report your concerns to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC).  You can find their contact information and report online at https://www.pdc.wa.gov/. The PDC has advised residents to document the call to the best of their ability and to listen for the sponsoring organization of the poll if that information is provided. They noted the sponsoring organization might not be provided until the end of the poll.

For questions and more information contact Lisa Maher, Communications & Marketing Manager, at lmaher@redmond.gov or 425-556-2427. This press release is available on www.redmond.gov.   

####      

Redmond has NO  Opioid Treatment Program. Why not? Bellevue, Bothell, Kent and Shoreline have programs  ---Samshsa     B. Yoder

Ombuds. Redmond Council member David Carson responded on August 31st. -- Therapeutic Health Services Eastside" offers opioid treatment for the Eastside.  (412-140th Place N.E. Bellevue, WA  425-328-3757)  

                                                                                          

The City of Redmond's History

Redmond sits in a fertile basin created by ancient glaciers that once covered much of King County. Thousands of years before the first fur trappers entered the area's dense forests, the rich bottomland of the Sammamish Valley provided shelter and food for Native Americans. Salmon were so abundant in the Sammamish River when the first pioneers arrived in 1871, they called their settlement Salmonberg. 

A primary activity for early homesteaders was clearing the vast tracts of towering trees. During the 1880's, loggers who poured into the area built lumber and shingle mills. Their substantial payrolls created a demand for products and services. In 1888, the Seattle Lake Shore and Eastern Railway reached the town, and with it, the marketability of the area's timber was insured. 

In its logging heydays, Redmond was a rollicking town with a stagecoach office, saloons and hotels, blacksmiths and eateries. In 1912, the community of 300 needed a modern waterworks system and, in order to tax its thriving saloons, Redmond incorporated. Soon, many new buildings rose in the downtown area, automobiles became a frequent sight on Main Street, the first doctor took up residence in town, and a two-story brick schoolhouse was built. 

As virgin forests were exhausted in the 1920's, local logging faded. In the following decades, agriculture became the mainstay of Redmond's economy. Dairy and chicken farms abounded, and farmers plowed fertile bottomland for profitable truck farms. The town's population grew very little during this period, with many young adults seeking jobs elsewhere during the Depression. 

Cleveland Street two-way traffic expected soon -- candidate websites

Redmond  Way & 166th Ave NE Credit, Bob Yoder Council candidate comments on traffic are footnoted below Redmond, WA – The much-anticipated conversion to two-way travel on Downtown Redmond’s Cleveland Street and Redmond Way begins soon. Cleveland Street’s two-way travel is expected to start on Friday, September 8 and Redmond Way will follow on Tuesday, October 10. These dates are approximate and are subject to change due to unanticipated changes in weather or construction delays. The full project is expected to be complete by the end of the year. During this conversion, drivers should be alert, aware of traffic rerouting, and ongoing work by private developers. The work already completed at the eleven intersections includes utility improvements, new traffic signals, lighting, paving and sidewalk improvements, the addition of plazas near Anderson Park and much more. Cleveland Street is now Redmond’s signature “main street” with wide sidewalks inviting pedestrians and encouraging outdoor dining while Redmond Way will carry the majority of traffic as the main arterial through Downtown. Bear Creek Parkway and SR520 offer options for drivers who choose to bypass Downtown and the Redmond Central Connector urban trail provides a beautiful and quieter choice for bicyclists and pedestrians. These options, paired with the previous street connections at 161st Avenue NE and 164th Avenue NE, complete the City’s planned transportation grid in Downtown Redmond. Ongoing construction by private developers on the north side of Redmond Way will continue. Developers investing in the City of Redmond will be building the second westbound lane of Redmond Way east of 164th Avenue, improving remaining sidewalks and parking areas as well as completing frontage improvements.  Source: Lisa Mayer,  redmond.gov I scoured the Council candidate websites to find their positions on traffic: Steve Fields, Position 2:  Byron Shutz, Position 2 Jeralee Anderson, Position 6 Jason Antonelli, Position 6  Tanika Padhye, Position 4  Eugene Zakhareev, Position 4 Bob Y.

Redmond Historical Society launches 2017 - 2018 Speaker series

The Redmond Historical Society hosts six speakers a year (September - November  and February - April ) Programs are scheduled on the second Saturday of each month, 10:30 am - noon in the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center. The programs are free and  donations are encouraged. Patricia Bailey is the first speaker this year.



Saturday, September 9, 2017 @ 10:30 AM

Washington’s Healthcare Pioneer: Group Health Cooperative

Patricia Bailey

Marketing and Communications Strategist

Kaiser Permanente

"Group Health: An Early Voice for Affordable Care"

UPDATED: School Superintendent Dr. Pierce Promotes Key Executives

Dr. Jon Holmen | Deputy Superintendent

425-936-1310 | joholmen@lwsd.org

Dr. Holmen serves as Chief of Staff, overseeing the district’s student and school support services and key operational functions within the district. He provides vision, leadership, and direction, assuming responsibility for success of the district’s departments of School Support, Student Services, Human Resources, Technology Operations, and Communications. He works to ensure effective and efficient district operations in accomplishing strategic goals. Dr. Holmen assists the superintendent in achieving district objectives and key performance indicators, assuring alignment with law, policy, and priorities established by the Board of Directors.

Operational Services contact information and organizational charts

Student and School Support Services contact information and organizational charts

Barbara Posthumus | Associate Superintendent
Business and Support Services

425-936-1211 | bposthumus@lwsd.org

Ms. Posthumus serves as Chief Financial Officer, providing direct oversight of the district’s financial, business, and related auxiliary services. She ensures the district’s overall financial integrity and stability, assuming leadership in the development and administration of annual and multi-year budgets. She provides leadership and direction to the department of Support Services, ensuring efficacy of capital resources and investments and support for accomplishment of strategic goals. She also oversees the departments of transportation services and nutrition services. Ms. Posthumus assists the superintendent in achieving district objectives and key performance indicators, assuring alignment with law, policy, and priorities established by the Board of Directors.

Business and Support Services contact information and organizational charts

Read More>>  Chief Success Officer / Chief Academic Officer // Salaries & Benefits

Redmond Town Center "Chalk Fest" drew artists from all over the west

"The Flying Car"  - Artist Remko van Schaik with arms out enjoying the ride

The "Chalk Fest and Sidewalk Sale: in Redmond Town Center drew street artists from all over the west coast. Artist Remko van Schaik is pictured here with his art. (click to enlarge)

Remko van Schaik's Biography:  

Born in Amersfoort, The Netherlands in 1967 I had an early interest in drawing.
After successfully graduating ‘The School of Decoration’, followed by a job in Stand-Design, I started working for myself in 1992. Making murals, illustrations and 3D objects from polyester and concrete was my profession. Clients were fun-parks, swimming pools and restaurants.In the summer of 2007 I witnessed a group of street painters, making street paintings in my hometown Utrecht, and immediately I got very excited about this great art form!

Since my first my first drawing in 2008 street painting has been the focal point of my work and indeed life.Initially making traditional 2d-streetpaintings! I became more and more fascinated by the technique of 3d street paintings.

After making an increasing amount of these anamorphic paintings, I now specialize in this type of street painting. My 3d paintings are done primarily for commercial assignments and Street art festivals.

Not only is 3d Painting a great challenge of creativity and skill, it is also a fantastic social happening with plenty of interaction with the public. I truly feel blessed to be given the chance to express myself in this way and hope to be able to continue to improve and push this art form for many years to come.

3D Steet Painting features Rembro's art.porfolio

PS.  the cute lady on the car is my wife!

OPINION: An appalling experience at City Hall

I'm not sure if you know, or even care, but on the day after the Mayor's Annual "State of the City" address Councilmember John Stilin withdrew from the election by not filing for Position 6. Mr. Stilin had recently been promoted to Vice President of city council and everyone in the political community was shocked. Soon after, a brief Redmond Reporter article was published indicating Mr. Stilin felt it was time to move on and open the field to the rising stars in our community.

I've known Mr. Stilin for about ten years, beginning when he was an arts commissioner.  I've met John at community  meetings, watched him in scores of council meetings, and attended his publicized coffee chat sessions. I know him well, more than most citizens.  He's dedicated to the city and community and contributes significantly to how we "live, work, play and invest." in Redmond.  John's smart, ambitious, and politically savvy. He tends to have a "controlling" social style, and values power.

Now, finally my motivation for writing this opinion:

On August 8th I witnessed an appalling event in council chambers.  I  was attending a public Study Session in City Hall to hear council talk about their experiences at "National Night Out." Right after the meeting, Hank Myers, a friendly, tenured councilmember walked up to chat with me. Mr. Stilin closely followed, interrupted our conversation and without restraint, assailed, belittled and humiliated Mr. Myers right in front of me. As a member of the viewing public, I was shocked.. His attack had something to do with an opinion piece I'd written where Hank was footnoted as "inspirational." The incident opened Mr. Stilin's authentic political soul. I'm relieved he's not running for office.

Bob Yoder
, 
Hank Myers, Chair of the Planning and Public Works Committee. soon followed-up with this clarifying piece

Councilmember Hank Myers comments on the Master Builders and downtown development

by Hank Myers

I am pleased that my letter to the Editor of the Redmond Reporter has prompted you and others to speak out during this election.  Unfortunately, some have concluded that inspiring discourse also meant inspiring your opinion on the Master Builders Association.  My ten years of experience with the Master Builders has been consistently positive and helpful.  They have members from all phases of the building trades including small businesses such as electricians, plumbers, remodelers and painters.  In addition to providing technical expertise on construction matters, they run an excellent free campaign seminar.  All candidates who filed for Council positions were invited.  When it comes to the problems and dislocations caused by the recent increased development, the culprit is our cumbersome and costly process.  Projects take years from inception to completion, adding costs and jamming projects together.  The State’s Growth Management Act dictates that Redmond provide housing for significantly more residents by 2030.  Under the Act, it is not a matter of whether there will be development, but how effectively it is administered.  That is where Redmond has fallen down.

Editor's note: Hank wrote an excellent letter in the Redmond Reporter describing council  candidates as "City Hall" and "outsiders" which inspired me. My inspiration had nothing to do with the Master Builders.   

UPDATED, 8/31 Speak up on how school district tax dollars are spent -- Budget Hearing August 14th

Lake Washington School District is the now 3rd largest district in the State and has a $625,000,000 budget -- exceeding the City or Redmond's budget.  Some of you may have a burning desire to learn and speak your mind on how and where our tax-dollars are spent or learn about how our district runs.   Now's your chance:

Superintendent Dr. Pierce has scheduled a very important Monday, August 14th Board meeting and Public Hearing to help walk us through the budget and give you a chance to comment for or against any part of the budget. I'm personally concerned about the number of administrative FTE's in the Resource Center and the poor public notice of this budget.

The meeting start at 7 pm in the School District Resource Center (16250 NE 74th Street) located in Redmond Town Center..

THE HEARING IS OVER - HERE'S AN UPDATE

The District's user-friendly, readable, summary budget was released after 10AM on Friday, August 11th.  It's unfortunate we didn't t have more time to study it in preparation for the August 14th Hearing    http://www.lwsd.org/.../Draft-2017-18-Budget-Summary.pdf

The day after the Hearing I had coffee with the CFO and Director of Communications & Pubic Engagement.  They explained the intricacies of the budget and answered all my questions.

The front doors to the District Recourse Center were locked with no Hearing notice on the door. This action is unconscionable and the Administration said they'd never let it happen again.

If you didn't make it to the Hearing  you may still comment  at BoardMembers@lwsd.org

RESOURCES:

A video of the Finance Director presenting the budget during the June 26th Board meeting  HERE. 

The official F-195 budget draft is  HERE. 

***Before the Hearing, Traci and the Board met at 5:00 in the Hugh's Room next to district chambers, first floor to discuss the budget.  You're not aloud to speak but it's a pleasant opportunity  to learn see the Board and executives interact and discuss issuers.

E-mail addresses:
All members of the board: boardmembers@lwsd.org
Chris Carlson, President, ccarlson@lwsd.org
Siri Bliesner, Vice President sbliesner@lwsd.org
Nancy Bernard, nbernard@lwsd.org
Eric Laliberte, elaliberte@lwsd.org
Mark Stuart, mstuart@lwsd.org

Washington State governs budget noticing and delivery. 

Bob Yoder

CC:  Dr. Pierce. / Board members / Barbara Postumous, Chief Financial Officer

The Dudley Manlove Quartet to play at "Rockin' on the River" this Thursday night

Last week's, "The Blues Power Review"

This Thursday evening, August 10th, 6:00- 8:30 pm is the last of the "Rockin' on the River" concert series. Concerts are held at the Senior Center.

The Dudley Manlove Quartet will be performing.  You don't want to miss this one!

The Redmond Kiwanis will be selling hamburgers, hot dogs, and fresh-squeezed lemonade. 

LETTER: New area code needed to keep up with Western Washington growth.

The State of Washington population is booming and state regulators will soon be adding area code 564 to keep up with our growth.  

Here is an article that describes the new requirement in Western Washington requiring that all ten numbers have to be used (including the area code) for all calls...even for local calls. This affected me personally because I had a few pre-set numbers on my home phone stored for local Redmond calls as only seven numbers.   

It's important to update all stored local phone numbers to include the area code (if not already stored that way).  

I was just thinking that in the rare case of someone having an emergency trying to dial a family member/friend/organization in the local 425/206 area code locations and having the number stored as 7 digits only.

The new requirement does not affect 911 calls.

David Spackman
Redmond, WA.  

EvergreenHealth Opens Neuroscience, Spine & Orthopedic Institute

Two new floors in the DeYoung Pavilion provide comprehensive musculoskeletal services

Kirkland, Wash. — EvergreenHealth is pleased to announce the grand opening of its Neuroscience, Spine & Orthopedic Institute on the health system’s Kirkland campus. The Institute spans four levels of EvergreenHealth’s DeYoung Pavilion and includes two newly constructed floors to house the system’s musculoskeletal and orthopedics practices, providing patients with the convenience of complementary services in one location.

The two new floors on levels four and five of the DeYoung Pavilion combine innovative design and technology to enhance patient care, while also accommodating the integration of EvergreenHealth’s musculoskeletal and orthopedics services. Now, from a single location, patients receive in-clinic evaluation and diagnostic care, imaging, minimally invasive procedures, surgical consultation and rehabilitation within orthopedics, spine surgery, physiatry, podiatry, neurosurgery and pain management.

UPDATED: Design Review standards: Point - Counterpoint

The opinion piece:"Vote for future-minded candidates" stoked this discussion with Planning Commissioner Sherri Nichols:

POINT:

I serve on the Planning Commission, and I've never met anybody from the Master Builders Association. Design review standards are not part of our purview; that's the Design Review Board. The designs for the buildings downtown were approved long ago, prior to appointments by our current mayor, so blaming anybody serving today for the "look and feel" of the buildings downtown is wrong.

Over half the Planning Commissioners currently serving have served less than two years. Next time, why not talk to one of us before calling us tools of developers.Our meetings are public, and we're always happy to talk to people.

-- Sherri Nichols, 
   Planning commissioner

COUNTERPOINT .

Thanks Sherri for your comment and you're volunteerism on the commission, I've watched Planning Commission meetings for years  Early in the Ives Administration I recommended adding an e-mail address to your website page to encourage participation. It was done, and I've used it a lot over the years. (planningcommission@redmond.gov.)  However, in this case it shouldn't take a formal e-mail or public presentation to know design standards are outdated... just look around: read the Redmond Reporter. 

You've twisted my words.  Never once did I accuse your commission as a tool for developers. In my opinion piece I called out the The Master Builder PAC not you. 

Even if, existing design standards were made years ago, as you say, this doesn't preclude standards can't be improved and updated now or  could have been updated at anytime during Marchione's terms.. It's disingenuous to blame the Ives Administraton for the design damage we have today.  

Many impactful projects are still  cueing up for land use and design approval -- the most immediate and significant being Marymoor Village, two 2-4 story Avondale projects, The Town Square District and who knows what  else.   The council-approved planning  commission  needs to adapt with the times to advise council on design improvements. In addition, the Design Review Board is atrociously non transparent and needs airing.

  - Bob Yoder

Steve Fields thanks community for high voter turnout

Credit:  down pour coffee bar

When I went to "down pour coffee bar" this morning I ran into Steve Fields, winner of the Primary for City Council Position 2. He asked me to thank everyone for the high voter turnout. The turnout  was over 35%!  Steve's wife, Roni, owns the cafe. I enjoyed an indescribable americano. The taste was something I've not found at "Charbucks" or any other cafe in Redmond. (Councilmember David Carson would love it.) Roni looked hard and wide to find the "Sleepy Monk" coffee roast from Cannon Beach, OR. It's a must sip!

Besides enjoying an awesome americano, down pour is a good place to meet Steve and tell him what's on your mind.  Steve's usually at the shop on Thursday's between 2 -4.  He can also be reached at 425-444-3188 or by e-mail at sjf13@comcast.net. His candidate website is www.ElectSteveFields.com.  He has an impressive site.

Byron Shutz is in the General Election as well. He's facing off to Steve for Position 2. According to the city website, Byron's e-mail is bschutz@rdmond.gov and phone number is 425-556-2143.  His website is: www.ShutzForCouncil.com. His vision for the city may catch your eye. Byron's very active with the Redmond Kiwanis; you can find him at most of their meetings and fundraisers.

Bob Yoder