Yearly count finds fewer homeless in King County

Yearly count finds fewer homeless in King County:

"Castle and nearly 1,000 other volunteers canvassed King County early Friday as part of the county's One Night Count of the homeless not living in shelters.

The 30th annual count, conducted between 2 and 7 a.m., revealed that despite a deep recession, about 5 percent fewer people were living on the county's streets than a year ago."  read complete story

short clip of homeless

By Brian Rosenthal
Seattle Times staff reporter  

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Redmond City Councilmember John Stilin participated in the annual count. 

Jan. 29: Include voting in your weekend plans

Jan. 29: Include voting in your weekend plans:

Voters who have already returned their ballots can track its progress as it is processed at https://info.kingcounty.gov/elections/mailballottracking.aspx.

To be counted, mail ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, February 9, Election Day.

We check the signature on every ballot that is returned. Be sure to use your legal, professional signature and not simply your initials, as this is checked against your signature on file.

Voters who have not received their ballot should call 206-296-VOTE (8683). For more information on the February 9 election, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/eltions/ ."

- King County Elections

Learn to Create a Backyard Habitat at Redmond Classes

Learn to Create a Backyard Habitat at Redmond Classes

Learn how to certify your yard as a backyard habitat. Classes start in March at Overlake School.....more

By Debra Sinick
West Redmond Real Estate Buzz

Seattle Times forges partnerships with local news sites

Local News Partnerships

In an effort to provide readers with the most comprehensive and up-to-date news from throughout the region, The Seattle Times has forged partnerships with a number of local news Web sites. Go here to see the complete list, along with their most recent headlines. complete story

View Seattle Networked News Initiative in a larger map  (Rednond Neighborhood Blog is on the map)

by Bob Payne
Seattle Times Director of Communities

Jeff Chandler to take over Redmond football program | Seattle Times Newspaper

Jeff Chandler to take over Redmond football program

Redmond athletic director John Appelgate announced Friday that Jeff Chandler is taking over the football program.

Chandler replaces Mike Pluschke, who resigned after the season"....READ MORE

By Mason Kelley
High School Sports Blog
The Seattle Times

Why Microsoft shouldn't worry about iPad -- and why it should

Why Microsoft shouldn't worry about iPad -- and why it should

There were no doubt some momentary sighs of relief inside Microsoft -- at least inside the Windows division -- as the official details of Apple's iPad emerged yesterday. But should there have been? Read more

By Todd Bishop
Tech Flash

LW School Superintendent Chip Kimball wins Nation's Top Ten Educators Award for Technology Vision and Leadership

UPDATE:  Bethesda, MD, Feb. 1, 2010 - eSchool News (eSN) announces today the top ten superintendents from around the nation who best exemplify outstanding leadership in the use of technology to further educational goals. Superintendent Dr. Chip Kimbal of Lake Washington School District was selected.

When asked about the award in the press release, Dr. Kimball said: “This award is really about how supportive our community is in creating an environment for 21st century learning, where technology is used to support all students’ learning. I am thrilled that LWSD is recognized as a national leader in this area, which would not happen without the support of our school board, staff and community.”

“Research shows that technology can facilitate better teaching and learning, but only when used judiciously,” said Dennis Pierce, editor of eSchool News. “And that starts at the very top, with strong district leadership..."

By Shana Murik, communications manager
smurik@eschoolnews.com
Voice: 301-913-0115

Last night's performance by Redmond's poet laureate draws attention.

  

Comment: The short soundbites of poetry recorded by FOX 13 do no service to our poet laureate's literary art. I hope the city will produce a VIDEO that shows the true value and meaning of Rebecca's artistry. 

I really wanted to see our new poet laureate, Rebecca Merideth.  My wife and I rushed from our workout at the R.A.C. last night to get Soulfood Bookstore by 7:30.  We arrived just in time to hear Rebecca read a poem and talk about her new part time job as Redmond's poet laureate.  I was moved by her reading, enough that I'd like to have it in writing to share with my daughter.  Every seat was taken in Soulfood with a mixture of older adults and some children.  Other known poets read at open mic.

We noticed the Channel 13 Fox news van was just outside, but we missed their interviews.  Back at home, Pam shouted:  "the Fox news show is on!"  After some talk about the scarcity and cost of poet laureates in Washington Councilmember Hank Margeson was interviewed.  Rebecca gave answers to the program's purpose and meaning.  read the complete Channel 13 Fox story.

It was announced Rebecca is planning to read at Redmond High School.   She works M-TH so Friday may be the day for many of her public performances.   The Mayor had to attend a PTSA meeting at Einstein El. so couldn't make it.  Councilmember John Stilin (former Arts Commission Chair) was gone, preparing for "ONE NIGHT COUNT THE HOMELESS".  John is on the 1AM - 5:30PM shift.

By Bob Yoder

Seattle Times Newspaper announces Redmond's poet laureate

Photo by ERIKA SCHULTZ/ THE SEATTLE TIMES

Local poets asked to give voice to cities

The list of poets in the state who can claim the title of poet laureate is short. The state and the city of Tacoma have anointed poets laureate, while the city of Seattle does its own egalitarian thing with an elected poet populist.

But last year, the city of Redmond popped up on the list. read more

By Nicole Tsong

Steattle Times Eastside reporter

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* FLASH:  Rebecca Meredith will be reading her poetry tonight (1/28), 7-9PM, Soulfood Bookstore on 15748 Redmond Way (next to Ben Franklin).

* INCLUDED in the Seattle Times story (arts/local) are related entries from my blog.  read them here

Editorial: Vote YES on Lake Washington School District's levies/bond.

Vote YES on Lake Washington School District levies/bond!

Editorial:  I'm going to vote YES for the school levies and bond this election because it's the right thing to do.  Number One:  schools are a great investment -- not just for our neighborhoods (and businesses needing a labor pool) but for our personal financial good health....more*

*The complete Editorial will be posted on my blog this weekend.  Will you be voting on Februray 9th? 

Information about the 2010 Lake Washington School District Levies and Bond is here.

By Bob Yoder
Editor, Redmond Neighborhood Blog

Reference Librarian Andy McClung asks for your support on February 9.

Andy McClung, Reference Librarian at the Redmond Library

Opinion:  Whenever I enter the Redmond Library, I usually find Andy working hard at the Reference Desk.  He is one of nine librarians charged with servicing hundreds of citizens a day.  Andy's also involved in the community.  I've seen him at the Saturday Market working the Redmond Historical Society booth.  In addition, he is assigned to the City's land use notice board in the library lobby.

Everyone has their favorite thing to to at the library.  I like to use the computers for my work, look at the personal finance newsletters, and have studied there with my 'lunch buddy'.   Andy says the summer children's reading program is just as popular as when I brought in my daughter 10 years ago.  He was excited about plans for a new adult reading program this summer.  Their new Library Blog is awesome.  I often share their stories and photos on my blog.  Have you seen them?

We talked a little about the Proposition One levy lid-lift on the ballot for February 9.   The county library system cut almost $2 million from the operating budget in 2009 and they need to restore the levy to preserve service levels.  Financial support isn't needed just for the Redmond library -- 43 other county libraries will benefit.  Funding for books, computers, and building maintenance would be restored with passage.

The levy is $32 on a home assessed at *$400,000.  That's only $2.70/month.  Hey, I can drink one less cup of coffee to support our library.  Can you?   Thanks, Andy, for all the work you do.

*The average assessed valuation in the L.W. school district is $517,000.

by Bob Yoder

LETTER: Lake Washington School District needs to stay within budget.

January 26, 2010
Redmond Neighborhood Blog
Letter to the Editor

Every day, families residing in Lake Washington School District must make financial decisions regarding their lives. What do I prepare for meals? How do I dress my children? Can I fill my gas tank today or must I walk or ride the bus to work? Can we take a vacation? Will my children pass their classes?

This year alone I have been asked to pay for PTSA Membership, a recorder for my son’s music class, subscription to Scholastic News, school photos, yearbook fees, lab fees, band fees, not including the fundraisers, parties and gifts for school. In addition, there are sports fees, field trips, uniforms and school supplies. These amounts totaled well in excess of $1,500.00 (for two children).

As families, we are being asked to yet again provide more money for a School District that refuses to stay within a budget and make cuts where cuts are necessary, yet continues to charge parents and families for “necessities for the education of our children”. Necessities such as USB drives for transporting writing assignments, glue sticks, and a ream of 20# paper.

I recommend that the Lake Washington School District resolve to practice what many of their families are living day to day: living within their budget and cutting back on items that are privileges and not rights. It is not necessary for my child to learn to play the recorder; it is practical to teach my child music appreciation, history and rhythm. It is not necessary for my child to read about current events with their own personal newspaper subscription; they must learn to read using phonics and spelling.

I wonder how many of our schools in the district would actually meet or exceed their AYP ("average yearly progress") if the schools and districts returned to teaching the basics instead of concentrating on meeting the challenges of the future. There will be little future for our children who cannot read, write or compute basic math problems.

Live within a budget and stop spending money you don’t have; a worthwhile lesson for all of us to strive for – including our local school district.

Sincerely,

Paige A. Norman
Redmond Resident, parent
16714 NE 97th Street
Redmond, WA 98052-3164
Paige.norman@verizon.net

Information about the Lake Washington School District levies and bond are here.

Readers are invited to submit Letters with your name on this subject.  Letters should be no longer than 375 words and addressed to redmondblog@gmail.com .   You may also comment below this post.  My editorial policy strives to attract  fair and balanced reporting of reader opinion; all Letters are welcome and appreciated.  Bob Yoder, Editor.