LWYSA is looking for Community Service volunteers to plant thousands of trees on 60 Acres South site.

New Fields at 60 Acres South Under Construction

Final Permitting Approved and Work Begins

We are well under way with the construction of nine new fields on 60 Acres South! Most of the heavy excavation will be completed in the next several days. Currently the contractor is completing the utility connections, and will reopen the trail access in a few days.

We will be planting grass seed on roughly half the site early in the week, as well as starting the planting of the shrubs and trees that will stabilize the site and will ultimately result in a facility we can be proud of.

In the next few months, we will send out a call for volunteers, as we have thousands of plants that need to be planted. This is a great opportunity to fulfill Community Service hours, as well as be a part of the creation of what will be the largest and best soccer facility west of the Mississippi!

We are on track to open the new fields late Spring, and we will be hosting a couple of new events, such as US Club Regionals and ECNL National Finals next summer using the new fields.

by Curt Bateman, Director of Operations
LWYSA Newsletter,  09/2009
photos by Bob Yoder

LWYSA web site
REGISISTER NOW! - CROSSFIRE PREMIER WINTER YOUTH ACADEMIES 2010 !

Do yourself a favor! Sign up to be a school "Lunch Buddy" mentor!

This is a short clip of Dallas riding his bike on the BMX dirt bike jumps.  Dallas was my Lunch Buddy for four years at MANN.   It's LOTS of fun and rewarding to be a Lunch Buddy!  I highly recommend it!  BY

Contributed by Nanci Wehr

LINKS (Looking Into the Needs of Kids and Schools) is recruiting community volunteers to be "Lunch Buddies.".

With the school year well underway, the need for LINKS Lunch Buddies in the Lake Washington School District is growing. We have seen an increase in the need for male lunch buddies and many students, male and female, are on a wait list in the Sammamish, Redmond and Kirkland communities.

The Lunch Buddy Program is a way for caring adults to help local elementary students succeed. Volunteers mentor students by meeting with them once a week and by acting as a positive role model. Lunch Buddies eat lunch together, play games, share talents or just talk. It's an opportunity to make a life long impact on a child.

Mentored students are more likely to do better in school, say NO to drugs and say YES to college! Please help us make a difference.

To become a LINKS Volunteer, contact Nanci Wehr at links@lwsd.org or 425-702-3410.
 
by Nancy Wehr, parent, Education Hill
clip by Bob Yoder

LWSD admits to longer bus rides for some, saying teacher's jobs are saved.

LETTER by Kathryn Reich, LWSD Director of Communications

In cutting bus stops by one third, the district acknowledged that one of the byproducts would be the inconvenience of longer rides for some students. Overall, the district will indeed save hundreds of thousands of dollars, which is saving teacher jobs. The change in route that Ms. Wilkins describes does lengthen the bus ride and is more inconvenient. But the situation she describes is not the entire story.

All Redmond Junior High routes were changed to reduce the number of routes by one. So the primary savings for these routes is from eliminating one bus route entirely. Redoing a set of routes means that some students, like Ms. Wilkins’, who were the last picked up in last year’s route become the second picked up in this year’s.

One of the main issues is that by law, for safety reasons, the school bus must pick up students on Avondale on the bus door side. If students on Avondale were picked up first as suggested, no matter which route the bus took from the bus barn, it would have to turn around and double back on Avondale at some point. The total length of the bus route would be longer, costing more money. Any other reconfiguration of the bus routes that moves the Avondale stop to another route also results in longer routes, costing more money.

The requirement to pick up and drop off students on the door side on Avondale works to Ms. Wilkins’ student’s advantage in the afternoon. The routing used to make sure that happens results in the students at her stop being dropped off first in the afternoon, an average ride time of five to eight minutes.

Ms. Wilkin’s assertions about the time the bus arrives at the stop and at school are not borne out by the Zonar GPS system on the bus. According to that system’s report, which Ms. Wilkins or anyone else is welcome to see, the bus pick-up time at her stop in the morning is between 7:11 and 7:13 and arrival at the school is between 7:30 and 7:31. The average ride time is 18 minutes from her stop.

Finally, making any changes now will not affect the district’s funding from the state for transportation. The district’s ride count week has already occurred. The district’s numbers do show a drop of about 11 students from 23 to 12 at the stop Ms. Wilkins is writing about. There was no significant drop at any other stop on this route.

This change in bus routes is indeed inconvenient but the district will save money, nonetheless.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Reith
Communications Director, Lake Washington School District
10/9/09

"Extra! Extra! Read all about it!" (and don't forget to tune in & scroll).

I have decided it's time to 'put my pen' down an hour a day to drum up some more business for the Blog.  So, early yesterday morning, I hawked my business card at the downtown Redmond Park and Ride.  "Extra Extra - Read all about it!"  It was fun to get back into my old profession of selling again!   The response from commuters was so positive, I will be handing out my card at public places more often.  "Extra! Extra! "

Returning home from the Park & Ride, it dawned on me, not one commuter was reading a newspaper or even carrying one!   And, not one commuter put a quarter in the newspaper dispenser or even picked up the local freebie.  Most travelers were zoning out on their I-Pods or scrolling PDA's.

I have fond memories of my Dad years ago, when he taught me how to fold a newspaper in a New York subway train, so I could open and read it without bothering the commuter next to me.  How the times have changed....

by Bob Yoder

LWSD is not saving money by cutting bus stops and combining routes on Education Hill

NO MONEY SAVED BY CUTTING REDMOND JUNIOR HIGH BUS STOPS AND COMBINING ROUTES ON EAST EDUCATION HILL

Contributed by Susan Wilkins

Lake Washington School District needs to act quickly and restore timely and efficient bus service to east Education Hill.  They should look at other bus routes whose stops have been reduced “for efficiency” and make sure that those routes aren’t being abandoned by students and parents in favor of driving. (Hint: Eastlake High School bus routes are too early to be usable.) The district has a new automated phone dialing system that can quickly call parents to inform them about important updates – like new bus routes. I hope to hear from them.

The really bad news is that the Lake Washington School District will not be receiving very much money from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction since bus transportation reimbursement is based on the number of students who ride the bus each morning. During the month of October, all bus drivers in the state will count the number of students on their buses each morning for 5 consecutive days and the annual compensation that the district receives will be determined by the counts multiplied by the distance that each student lives from the school. This year, nearly 40 seats will be empty and the Lake Washington School District will receive no compensation from the state for the empty seats. What a waste. And the new route was supposed to save money.

Slough Safari: Wildlife you never expected to see in Redmond

Contributed by John Reinke, 20 year Redmond resident. 

"Over the past 4 or 5 years, I have made it a practice to walk along the Sammamish Slough several times a week. I usually start out at the Redmond Senior Center. From there I either head north to the rust colored foot bridge where 105th Street would be (if it existed), or I head south and go to the point where Leary Way crosses the slough. Either leg is about a mile in length, so the total distance is about 2 miles."  (click photos to enlarge)

During that time, I have seen quite a variety of birds and animals in or near the slough, including some I never expected.. Some of them may surprise you, too. (Naturally, I have seen a fair number of salmon, too.)  I carry a small spiral notebook in which I record my observations, noting species, location and time of day. Sometimes I carry a point-and-shoot digital camera also. As I am generally a late riser, almost all of my observations have been recorded between 10am and dusk.

Below is an annotated list of animals I have seen, followed by a list of birds.  (If you'd like to add your observations to the list, please leave a comment!)

Animals seen along the slough  (photo of beaver-gnawed tree)

beaver Mostly seen in retention pond at NE corner of intersection where NE 90th Street crosses slough

deer  At dusk by woodcarver Dudley Carter’s cabin near Leary Way. Very handsome antlered buck.

river otter I have seen a pair of otters 3 or 4 times in the slough.  They are very playful said she saw a mother with 4 kits near the Luke McRedmond.  Bats Seen feeding on insects at dusk over the slough..

Coyote This nervy fellow was nonchalantly loping across the lawn close to the west side of City Hall

Mink Seen poking around in the grass and logs by the retention pond, quite oblivious to my presence 15 or 20 feet away. I think it was young.

Muskrat rarely seen in the slough. -rabbit - turtle Common.

Birds and Waterfowl  (photo of ring-necked ducks)

American widgeon Typically seen in flocks of males and females

Canada geese Common year round -Oregon junco

bufflehead  seen in retention pond at NE corner of intersection where NE 90th Street crosses slough.

cedar waxwing Seen in flocks -chipping sparrow

cormorants Seen in flocks that roost in trees along the slough in winter.

eagle Solitary eagles seen infrequently

gadwall Not common; seen in pairs Common Goldeneye, Not too common

grebe, pied-billed Seen frequently -grebe, western A single pair seen once

heron, great blue A solitary bird seen frequently; more than one spotted along the slough on same day

heron, green-backed Seen once in retention pond; have photo

killdeer - kingfisher Seen a few times

mallards Very common -merganser, common -  merganser, hooded Fairly common

osprey Seen rarely -pheasant Male pheasant seen only once

ring-necked duck, scaup - greater scaup, lesser - Not common; seen in retention pond

wood duck Single pair seen once; have photo

text and photos by John Reinke, Education Hill

Plan to attend levy/bond input sessions starting Oct. 7. LWSD Taxes expected to rise $130 per house.

Plan to attend a levy/bond input session or participate through online process.

Help shape the future of our schools by giving input on what should be part of the school levy and bond measures on the ballot next February. Options include raising money for facilities and technology capital projects, possible bond measure for new schools and school grade configuration change. Parents, community members, staff and students are encouraged to attend.

Oct. 7 – 3:00-4:30 p.m., Redmond Junior High

Oct. 7 – 7:00-8:30 p.m., Eastlake High School

Oct. 8 – 7:00-8:30 p.m., Redmond High School

Oct. 13 – 3:00-4:30 p.m., Kamiakin Jr. High

Oct. 13 -- 7:00-8:30 p.m., Juanita High School

Oct. 14 – 7:00-8:30 p.m., Lake Washington High School

If you can’t make one of these sessions, go to www.lwsd.org starting October 7 for more information and to provide input via a Web-based system.
 
For more information contact:
Kathryn Reith, Director of Communications, (425) 702-3342
Shannon Parthemer, Community Relations & Communications Coordinator, (425) 702-3300

According to the LWSD Director of  Communications LWSD taxes are expected (or anticipated) to go up $130 in 2010 on the average house (assessed at $505,000.)
by Bob Yoder

UPDATE, 10/16, A comparison of the City of Redmond & Lake Washington School District governments.

Photo of a "Work Session" when the School Board discusses items requireing action.  A hot buffet is provided.  Accept for the Deputy Superintendent, Director staff rarely speak or present.  Staff is seated on the right.

PART ONE - An opinion on the scope of our elected responsibility, Boad participation and advocacy.

CITY OF REDMOND
In Redmond, seven (7) paid councilmembers are elected to a "position" and represent the people at large.  They divide their "work" responsibilities into Committees, each with a different Committee Chair and two other councilmembers.   The Committees are:  Finance,  Parks and Human Services,  Planning and Public Works, Public Safety, and Regional.  It's best to address the Committee Chairs on their work.   Councilmembers are paid ~ $90/meeting for five meetings/month.

LWSD
Updated, 10/16:  Five (5) unpaid school board directors are each elected to a  "voting district" in witch they live and are assigned a list of schools to represent.  All LWSD high schools and junior highs are assigned  2-4 directors.  Evergreen Junior and Eastside High is the exception, with Mr. Eglington solely assigned.  Most elementary schools are assigned only one Director.  The exceptions are Audubon, Bell, Rush and *Twain which have two Directors.  It is assumed constituents would seek advocacy representation from the Director responsible for their school.  The directors have decided not to accept the minimum $50/meeting pay to which they are entitled.

As an example, we have a daughter residing in Director Ravi Shahani's District No. 5.  Director Ravi Shahani is the sole representative assigned  to Horace Mann Elementary. No other Director is assigned to Mann.   However, Dirctor Shahani  shares his representation and assignment with Directors Doug Eglington and Nancy Bernard for both Redmond Junior and Redmond High.  

In addition, Director Shahani has the exclusive assignment of *Einstein, *Redmond El, Rockwell, Rosa Parks and Wilder elementary schools in his voting district.  Thus, constituents are best to go to Director Shahadi for representation, advocacy (and "voice") at these schools.  Currently, Redmond El and Einstein are under Title 1 federal review for substandard "average yearly performance" in three categories.   Director Ravi is the Board Member most familiar with these two schools:  Director Ravi Shahani's contact information is:  rshahani@lwsd.org or 425-702-3257.

Our five school board directors are responsible collectively for all 51 LWSD schools.  In addition, each Director was elected to represent or advocate for the stakeholders the specific cluster of schools in his/her district.  There is a fine distinction between being responsible and being representative.  Staff  tends to muddy this distinction   I think this is wrong.  I think we should hold our representatives accountable for the specific schools assigned to the voting district they reside in.  (According to policy, "Boards are ultimately responsible for governance and managing daily activities.")  Since elementary schools have usually one assigned representative, Directors should be especially attentive to their needs.    Any comments on this you'd like to share? 

Update:  10/16. of note, the seating configuration in Chambers puts Superintendent Kimpball front and center on the Diaz as "the King and his Court".  The superintendent dominates the conversation in both Work Sessions and Regular Meetings.  Director input is minimal.  Conversely the Chamber seating configuration for the Hospital district and City of Redmond places the CEO at the end of the Diaz allowing speakers to address their elected officials directly.  The President runs the show with the elected in the spotlight.  The hospital and city CEO (Mayor) talk much less, usually defering to the administrative Directors and staff. 

I've observed and scrutinized the City of Redmond government process for over three years. Conversely, this year I've  attended  five LWSD school board meetings, watched another meeting LIVE on their website, attended 3 levy bond input sessions, addressed the Board once in person and in writing and will meet with the Superintendent tomorrow.

text and photos by Bob Yoder

Our aging city website and search engine - Is Redmond government being responsible?

In times of emergencies people go to search engines for fast answers.  Have you tried searching the City of Redmond Search Engine?  Good luck.  The first hurdle is finding it.  Look for the little box in the upper right corner of http://www.redmond.gov/ . 

With winter storms approaching,  search topics like community radio 1650  and tree removal permits are relevant and important to Redmond citizens.  I  searched  the City Search Engine and for both topics with poor results, as follows: 

NEW SEARCH:  Redmond Community Radio 1650
Link to Document Found
http://www.redmond.gov/insidecityhall/police/publicinformation/advisoryboard.asp

SEARCH RESULT:  Redmond Police. 2009 Community Police Advisory Board. Community Policing Advisory Board The Redmond Police Community Policing Advisory Board is a volunteer group of community members who assist with creating and improving problem solving strategies for the diverse problems and issues brought to the atte    5/6/2009 4:40:36 PM

NEW SEARCH:  Tree Removal Permit
Link to Document found:
http://www.redmond.gov/insidecityhall/planning/devreview/questions.asp

SEARCH RESULT:  Frequently Asked Questions. This page contains downloadable forms in the Adobe Acrobat format. In order to view or print the forms you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. (Obtain freeAcrobat Reader. Do I need a permit to build a fence? If you wish to build a fence, you do n
5/2/2007 9:25:17 PM

The above "Redmond Community Radio 1650" search result and link finds nothing about the radio.  The "Tree Removal Permit" search result is meaningless. The link is helpful, but the engine provides no reason to click on it.

Do you want to try a Search for yourself?  Click:  "City Search Engine" and good luck.

You will find, the city search engine craps out on most searches.   The Ives and Marchione Administration have been cognizant of this problem and our severely outdated city website for years, but continue to make no improvements.   To date, all that has been "done" is: 1) conduct an online website survey.  Have you taken  it?  and 2) held a few focus groups. I  attended one, without results.

The public and council authorized $300,000 this biennium to build a new website as part of a budget priority called "Responsible Government".   Almost two years later nothing of substance has been done to improve the city website.   Is this "Responsible Governement"?  Try the website and search engine and decide for yourself.   http://www.redmond.gov/   Then write the mayor and tell him what you think.  mayor@redmond.gov

EDITORIAL - What am I trying to do with this Blog? The importance of my Readers

MISSION STATEMENT: The "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" brings transparency to the City of Redmond, Lake Washington School District, Evergreen Hospital District and other local jurisdictions, to encourage them to listen to their constituents and make positive changes; the Blog helps Greater Redmond citizens to share their lives, be seen and heard in their neighborhoods, come together to find solutions.

After numerous tweaks, I'm satisfied with this Mission Statement and present it to you, my readers and friends.  Do you want to say something?

I am a community activist. I do this for free. My core reporting niche is the scrutiny and daylighting of our local governments.  Believe it or not, only about 1-2% of Redmond citizens really care about the City of Redmond government to participate in it's process.  Present, high vacancies on the city's Boards and Commissions is one example.   As long as the toilets flush, we have water to drink, roads free of potholes, taxes are reasonable, schools educate and we feel safe, then residents have other things to do than watch RCTV, go to a planning meeting, or fill out a city survey.  This blog will help you feel more engaged with our elected.

To strike a balance with tedium and apathy of government (and keep Internet exposure high) I try to write about lifestyle experiences important to me as a resident that I think may interest you.   But, Redmond is so much more than my family's living experience and what I think!   It's about your lives.  It's about what you think!  So, please share your stories and photos, comment below a post, or send an email!   And, please don't hesitate tell me how I can make this thing better. 

I need to focus more on daylighting local governements.  Will you share a Redmond experience?  Do you have something to say about your neighborhood? 

Thank you,

Bob Yoder, Editor
Redmond Neighborhood Blog
Please write to me at:  redmondblog@gmail.com
425-802-2523

Redmond Center's Trader Joe's to open Friday, October 9th

Contributed by Debra Sinick   Trader Joe’s (on Redmond Way next to QFC) will be a huge asset to Redmond. There are now fabulous shopping options in Redmond all the way from Whole Foods, Larry's (now Top Foods), QFC, and soon Trader Joe’s. Since all the stores are close to the downtown core, it gives shoppers the option to pick and choose what they buy at each store. The addition of Trader Joe’s will also help increase traffic to the other stores in the area.

Thanksgiving is coming (hard to believe) and it’s one of the few times I actually cook! It’s made easier by Trader Joe’s because they’ll have packages of chopped veggies, onions, and yams. Not having to chop something like onions is a huge time saver.

Trader Joe’s not only has some great prices, but some great food. I love to buy cheese there, because it’s a much better value than most any other grocery store in the area. The selection is a good, basic selection, not nearly as complete as Whole Foods, but it’s reasonably priced. But my one true Trader Joe’s love is the dark chocolate 1 lb. candy bar. Try it, you’ll like it. Their frozen cheesecake is yummy, too! Oh, and they have great frozen appetizers you can heat up quickly in a microwave and….

What are your Trader Joe’s favorites?

by Debra Sinick
West Redmond Real Estate Buzz

Trader Joe's, 15932 Redmond Way, will be open from 9am- 9pm.  Their retail category is "organic and imported food and beverages and everyday prices."  This 12,000 SF Trader Joe's is an anchor store for the "Redmond Center" mall.  It will feature art with local themes.  Redmond Center's, Driftmier Architects  were praised by city officials for investing in "installation art" at the Center. Edited by Bob Yoder 

Mental Health Court and Emergency Preparedness are 'studied' by Council

City Council Study Session with City Directors present

Updated:  The City Council and staff are pictured above in their September 29th  "Study Session."   Council President Nancy McCormick chairs the sessions twice a month on Tuesdays.

The Directors and Council were in session to get emergency preparedness "training" on how they fit into the  "Incident Command System" (ICS) program.  ICS is a nationally mandated standard cities must follow to qualify for federal funding disaster relief.  Pictured with backs to us, giving the training are (l-r) Mayor John Marchione, Emergency Specialist Tom Osborn, and Deputy Fire Chief Tom Norton.

Stephanie D. Mapelli, President of Leadership Eastside, was a first presenter at the Study Session. Leadership Eastside is a three-year teaching program that promotes connections, develops and enriches emerging  leaders, and provides a catalyst for communities.  John Marchione, Jeni Craswell, Hank Margeson, and Tom Flynn are a few who have graduated from the program.  Arts Commission Chair, John Stilin and Deputy Fire Chief Norton are "on deck".  The student mix is:  60% profit, 20% government, and 20% non government non profit.

Ms. Mapelli brought up the issue of Mental Health.  She stated that pretty much everyone knows someone afflicted with a brain disorder.  She commended Mayor Marchione and Councilmember Hank Margeson on their work through Eastside Leadership, to push for a suburban  Mental Health Court.  (The hard work has been done by our leaders, yet, the suburban mental health court is delayed by lagging taxes of the poor economy).

Council President Nancy McCormick usually holds a "council talk time" at the end of the session.   Hank Myers said that 70 citizens showed up at a weed-pulling work party at a city park.   Mr. Myers is known for biking to these programs with his large clippers.

Would you like to see how LWSD "sessions" compare to the city's sessions?   They are strikingly different.  Come back and see? 

story and photo by Bob Yoder

updated to correct "Mental Health Court" link.