A Streetside View of Redmond, from Bing Maps

A Streetside View of Redmond

You can now see a street-level view of downtown Redmond using the new version of Bing Maps. While you might have used the bird's eye views in Bing Maps, the new beta version provides a ground-level, or Streetside, view.

by Redmond Library Blog

U.S. News and World Report awards two Lake Washington district High Schools.

International Community School Ranked in Top 100 Schools, Achieves Gold Rating

Redmond High School receives a silver rating

Redmond, Wash. – U.S. News and World Report magazine named International Community School (ICS) in Kirkland, Wash. number 29 out of the top 100 high schools in the nation in their annual America’s Best High Schools rating, and gave the school a gold ranking. Redmond High School (RHS) received a silver ranking.

ICS had a College Readiness Index of 89.3 and RHS had a score of 42.6.

This is the third year that ICS has been recognized in the top 100 schools. Last year, it was number ranked  number 24. In 2007, it was ranked  number 17 and was the highest-rated school in Washington. This is the second year that RHS received a silver rating.

“We are honored to once again be recognized as one of the nation’s top 100 high schools,” noted ICS Principal Cindy Duenas. “It is truly a reflection on the students and staff at our school that we have achieved this ranking for the third year in a row.”

“We are so proud to once again be recognized with a silver ranking,” noted RHS Principal Jane Todd. “This recognition helps to support our students and staff in their efforts to reach high standards every day.”

“It is always an honor to see our schools recognized nationally for the level of success that the students and staff have achieved,” noted Lake Washington School Superintendent Dr. Chip Kimball. “I am consistently impressed by the hard work of our students, staff and parents in schools throughout the district.”   [I'm guessing the School Board will probably recognize ICS and RHS at a Regular Meeting. B.Y.]

ICS was one of only four schools to receive a gold ranking in Washington state. RHS was one of only nine schools in King County to receive a silver ranking, and one of only 17 in the state.  
 
Thanks to LWSD Communications for their press release.

Evergreen Healthcare scheduled to occupy a new building in Redmond's Bella Bottega

Update, 12/12:  Evergreen Healthcare is on schedule to complete a new three-story medical office building  by summer 2011.  The project site is near RED-WOOD Road and Northeast 90th Street in Bella Bottega shopping center.  The building will include Evergreen's family practice, urgent care and radiology clinics. Construction is planned for this spring where Gray Barn Nursery used to be at the Bella Bottega shopping center, which includes Regal Cinemas, QFC and Bartell Drugs.

Do you have any thoughts or comments about this proposed development?  If so, please share your comments here.  Or, email or call city project planner, Gary Lee, at glee@redmond.gov or 425-556-2418.

Comments sent to the city by 12/16 will receive special privileges.

site plan map

by Bob Yoder

Google, Microsoft jockey for position on the environment

Google, Microsoft jockey for position on the environment

As the world gathers this week at the International Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, there's an interesting subplot playing out between Microsoft and Google. Both companies are trying to position themselves to supply technology that scientists can use to better understand the environment, and they're using the event to talk about their efforts

Sonic Forest at Redmond Town Center - Last Night is December 15!

Play and dance in the Sonic Forest until December 12, at Redmond Town Center!

This is an innovative and exciting interactive sound and light sculpture.  Children love it, too! It was created by internationally known artist/architect, Christopher Janney. This is one of Janneys urban instruments played by people waving their hands over different parts of the sculpture. Brought to Redmond Town Center, December 2009 by the City of Redmond and the Redmond Arts Commission.

Video by Eva Moon
Facebook

The Rotary Club and Redmond Reporter partner to award a Community volunteer MVP

The Redmond Reporter and the Rotary Club of Redmond want to honor a star volunteer in our community with the Rotary Community MVP of the Year Award. E-mail your nominations for a Community MVP who has committed an extraordinary amount of volunteer time in Redmond to redmondrotary@yahoo.com . The deadline for nominations is Dec. 15. The winner will be honored with an award at The Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon Jan. 20, 2010.

The nominations must include the name and contact information for the nominee and the name and contact information for the person making the nomination. The nomination also must include a brief paragraph about what the nominee has done to help out in the community through volunteerism.

So as we celebrate the holidays with family and friends, let’s provide a helping hand to those who might need an extra boost — and highlight those people making a difference in Redmond.

Bradley D. Lehrer
Bannersonaroll/Lehrer & Van Allen, Inc.
17509 NE 31st Court
Redmond, WA 98052
425.883.7400

http://www.bannersonaroll.com/

My nomination is Miguel Llanos. (below).

UPDATED: Superintendent Dr. Chip Kimball is the Lake Washington School District's Magic Bullet.

Editorial:

Updated 12/13:   Dr. Chip Kimball, Lake Washington School District Superintendent,  has been working long and hard  - very hard - launching the School Board's levy/bond measures to the public.  In the brief time I've been following the District, I'm aware of fifteen (15) public presentations

• 6 community school input meetings
• 2 Regular School Board Meetings
• 1 community advisory meeting, including PTSA
• City of Redmond, City of Sammamish, City of Kirkland
• Redmond Chamber of Commerce, presented 11/24, per Dianne Jenkins, lwsd.
• Kirkland Chamber
• Sammamish Chamber

Last Tuesday, Dr. Kimball addressed three organizations in one day.  At this point, Chip's pretty much on auto-pilot but his talk (like an infomercial) remains dynamic and draws a lot of questions and interest.   Chip could use a little more help.  School Director Shahani and two  volunteer citizen-'lobbyists' pitched in during his City of Redmond presentation.  It was effective.  Mr. Shahani gave a persuasive talk and I hope he continues his activism and public support for the Bond.

I don't know if Chip has taken his 'Dog-&-Pony' show to the Redmond Chamber of Commerce but, he needs their support, too.  I'm confident the Chamber will advocate for the School Board measures.  The question is, how will they support him?  By endorsement only?   Or will  the Chamber motivate their membership to actively promote the ballot measures?  The Bond needs a 60% majority to pass.

The ducks are lined up for Dr. Kimball by the Redmond Chamber:   1) The Chamber has a new strategy for their Mission Statement:  "political advocacy". 2) A Board of Trustees membership is skewed toward politics and government. (Membership includes three elected officials, two staff from quasi/government organizations and a trustee for governmental affairs.)  The chamber's guns are loaded for the February 9 election.  The question is will they fire bullets or blanks? 

Chamber Board membership has a tilt toward government and away from education.  Were it not for Trustee Pat Vache', the Chamber would probably lack a direct connection to job training and education.  Mr. Vache'  is a founding trustee for the Lake Washington School Foundation.    During the December 5 Redmond city council meeting, Mr. Vache' remarked, it's clear that everyone knows that a key attractor for business is education and the two must be linked together. 

While the Redmond Chamber's gun may be loaded for the good cause of education, it's missing fire power.  Dr. Chip Kimball, as Ex-Officio. would be a magic bullet for the chamber.   Adding a school district executive or School Director means more government, but it would bring a refreshing vibrancy and economic gusto to Redmond, Kirkland and Sammamish commerce and their communities.

by Bob Yoder

COMMUNITY DIGEST, December 7 (Part One)

Excerpts from  MUSTANG NEWS

CAREER PANEL:  "RUNNING A BUSINESS!"  January 12, 7:00 - 8:30pm at Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center (16600 NE 80th ST, Redmond, WA). Come listen to what our local panel of entrepreneurs have to say about starting your own business and what it takes in today's economic climate.

Confirmed business owners include Dennis Ballen of Blazing Bagels, and Mike Tenhulzen of Tenhulzen Remodeling. We will have snacks and refreshments from Whole Foods. Please click here to RSVP for the event.   Mike Tenhulzen is a Trustee on the Redmond Chamber of  Commerce.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE REDMOND DIGITAL ARTS FESTIVAL. The Second Annual Digital Arts Festival will be held on January 15 and 16, 2010. It will feature classes and workshops at DigiPen, as well as activities at Redmond City Hall and around the city. And don't miss the Sonic Forest at Redmond Town Center through December 12th!

PARENTS - BECOME A DECA JUDGE! During early 2010, over 3,200 marketing students from around the state will compete in the Washington DECA State Career Development Conference. Experts from the business world are needed as judges. On Friday, January 29th, 60 judges are needed to evaluate student-written business plans, market research, and projects. On Friday, March 5th, 600 volunteers are needed to evaluate student presentations. Can you help?  Learn more at the DECA web site.

Mary Bourguignon
Editor, Redmond Mustang News

Mustang News is published by the Redmond High School PTSA. To subscribe, please contact rhs.ptsa.news@gmail.com . For more information about the PTSA, please visit our web site at http://www.redmondhsptsa.org/ .

Volunteers Needed to Work With Children in Schools

My Lunch Buddy, Dallas

LINKS (Looking Into the Needs of Kids and Schools) is a volunteer program of the Lake Washington School District (LWSD).

With the school year well underway, the need for LINKS mentors, academic support and Lunch Buddies in our schools is growing.  LINKS has 70 open requests for academic and social mentors district wide.

Do you have one hour each week to act as positive role model?  If so, LINKS has a place for you!
To learn more about how you can help, contact Nanci Wehr at links@lwsd.org  or (425) 702-3410.

Nanci Wehr
LINKS Program, LWSD
425-702-3410
links@lwsd.org

*photo of Dallas on BMX bike approved by parent

LWSD PTSA Special Needs Group

"If you would like to be part of the LWSD PTSA Special Needs Group email distribution list, please contact the Chairperson, Beth Angelo 4bangelo3@verizon.net  and she will add you to this private list. You will then receive resource and meeting info emails."

posted by Bob Yoder

City Council approves funding for BMX park study

Two community driven public meetings, two youth field trips, two work parties, passionate volunteers, and an intense staff effort may soon lead to a new Redmond dirt jump park for bicycles --  Bicycle Motocross (BMX)!   (photo - City Planner Carolyn Hope facilitates a clay modeling dirt jump workshop at Horace Mann; a councilmember, two consultants and parents attended.)  

Last Tuesday, the Council approved (6-1) a proposal to hire a consultant to move the community-driven dirt jumps forward.  Councilmember Richard Cole was the only NO vote. 

According to the city, "the contractor proposed for this project would begin immediately and participate in community meetings regarding site selection and design concepts. Once the design is permitted, the contractor will hold training sessions for the builders, who will primarily be volunteers from the community and some city staff. Construction is anticipated to be complete by early summer".  (photo shows BMX youth and parents after a day of forest restoration near the jumps.)

The contractor's fee is $61,000.  Some in the community are concerned about pouring more money into the parks, public works art, and other projects when the economy is so depressed and public safety funding has needs.  Fortunately, "new money" is not needed for the dirt jump project.

The City Council approved a budget of $179,652 for the Trail Development Plan for 2009 and 2010.
By the grace of God, the "Trail Development Plan" budgets are still unused leaving, $100,000 for design and construction of this project.  Presto we have the funds for the contractor!

The final hurdle Council faced was considering  two alternate options to the present city water utility property site.   The Administration recommends looking at two alternate site options in Hartman Park (away from the sports fields) in case the water utility property isn't secured.   The contractor will assess all three sites for critical areas, cost drainage, and size of the jump course.  Community meetings will soon be held to engage the Hartman Community Park users and neighborhoods.  Council will make the final site decision.    

Dirt Jump city website:  http://www.redmond.gov/insidecityhall/parksrec/parksplanning/DirtJumps/default.asp.

City link to document showing dirt bike site locations and  BMX youth repairing tree damage and jumps.  (scroll down for pictures) http://redmond.gov/insidecityhall/citycouncil/20091201pdfs/AM09264.pdf

photos and editing by Bob Yoder

COMMUNITY DIGEST, December 7

Excerpts from  MUSTANG NEWS: 

ANIME & MANGA INTEREST GROUP. Head over to the Redmond Regional Library on December 15th from 4:30-5:30 PM for the first meeting of the Redmond Library's Anime and Manga Interest Group. Preview the library's newest editions of Manga and view anime selections. Teens in middle, junior high / high school welcome to attend. Snacks provided!

RYPAC MEETING. December 17, 6:30 - 8:30pm.Join us at RYPAC as we finalize the 2010 activity program for RYPAC (Redmond Youth Partnership).  We will have snacks and refreshments. Room 207 at the Old Schoolhouse Community Center (16600 NE 80th St).

EASTSIDE SKI & RIDE. Register by December 28 for Saturday ski and board lessons at Summit Central.

HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES. There are many local performances this holiday season. Don't miss:
· Treasures of Venice: Sparkling Songs for the Holidays by the Kirkland Choral Society December 11 at 7:30pm, Northshore Performing Arts Center.
· The Nutcracker by Emerald Ballet Theatre December 12 and 13 at 2pm, Northshore Performing Arts Center.

PLAN TO TAKE THE POLAR PLUNGE!  The 2010 Polar Plunge, sponsored by the Redmond Police Department and benefiting Special Olympics, will be held on the afternoon 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!

Mary Bourguignon,
Editor, Redmond Mustang News

"Mustang News" is published by the Redmond High School PTSA. To subscribe, please contact rhs.ptsa.news@gmail.com. For more information about the PTSA, please visit our web site at http://www.redmondhsptsa.org/.

UPDATE: The School Board members keep an arms length from their neighborhoods.

Update: Evergreen Public Hospital District #2 has a five- member Board of Commissioners similar to the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors, but their governance is more representative (than LWSD).

The Hospital commissioners have chartered their District to allow for representation of their entire District AND representation of key urban areas within the broader District.

They accomplish this by designating two representatives as "Commissioners at Large". On the ballot their title is "Commissioner *Position #4" and #5. The remaining three Commissioners represent: 1) Kirkland/Kenmore, 2) Redmond/Sammamish, and 3) Bothell/Duvall/Woodinville. On the ballot these commissioners are titled "Commissioner District #1", #2, and #3.

At a Hospital District Board meeting, Commissioner Kempf introduced himself as being my Representative when he learned I lived in Redmond.

How different, for the School Board Directors who rarely wish their presence known within their own community!  And, they justify this substandard level of representation by claiming they are responsible for the ENTIRE District.

The School Board could move forward under the Hospital District model; and be more representative of their constituents and local community.

But, as it is, they prefer to stay distant from the neighborhoods of their community.
by Bob Yoder