The Amazing Race: New season includes a Microsoft employee

The Amazing Race: New season includes a Microsoft employee:

"Microsoft employees will be rooting for one of their own in the new season of 'The Amazing Race,' which debuts Sunday night on CBS. The competitors include Microsoft enterprise sales specialist Joe Wang, 42, based in Southern California, who teams with his wife, Heidi, in the show's 16th season."  complete story.

By Todd Bishop  (photo by CBS)
TechFlash
Sunday, Valentine's Day, 2/14

UPDATED: Some recent Crimes on Education Hill

UPDATED:  Jim Bove, Redmond police spokesperson, reports recent Education Hill crime activity.  Don't forget Jim's upcoming neighborhood forum on local crime.  THURSDAY, February 18, 7PM. at Redmond Junior High. 

>14:01:20 02/08/2010 
EDUCATION HILL10000 block of 166 AVE NE

The Redmond Police School Resource Officer working at Redmond Junior High School was involved in an investigation that resulted in two students being arrested for possession of prescribed medication without a prescription. The students were booked and later released to their parents. The investigation will be continued at this time.

>Marijuana - Misd Possession 10:10:47 02/08/2010
EDUCATION HILL 10000 block of 166 AVE NE

The Redmond Police School Resource Officer working at Redmond Junior High School was involved in an investigation that resulted in two students being arrested for possession of prescribed medication without a prescription and another student being arrested for possession of marijuana L/T 40 grams. The students were booked and later released to their parents. The investigation will be continued at this time

DUI Alcohol or Drugs02:11:26 02/11/2010 
EDUCATION HILL 9300 block of RED-WOOD RD

Redmond Police stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. The driver was found to be driving under the influence and was arrested.

Theft of Automobile 22:50:10 02/09/20
AVONDALE18600 block of NE 59 CT

Redmond Police responded to the report of a stolen vehicle at a local apartment complex. Unknown suspect(s) stole vehicle from the parking lot of an apartment complex.

Theft-From Mtr Vehicle-Misd16:57:28 02/10/2010
AVONDALE 17700 block of NE 76 ST

Redmond Police responded to the report of a car prowl at a local hardware store. Unknown suspect(s) broke a window and stole a brief case, laptop and tools.

Three Lake Washington School District wrestlers going to State

Tyler Black crushes his opponent in 2nd match

Redmond Mustang Tyler Black (watch Tyler wresting)  is going onto State in Tacoma this month!  Tyler is a Senior in the 215 pound weight class.  He won two of three matches in the Region II Wrestling Tournament in Federal Way by pinning:  Brandon Barcelona  (Todd Beamer HS) and Ricky Manz (Rogers HS)  Tyler lost to all-state Skyline football player Anthony DeMatteo in an 8-2 decision.  He denied the pin once again.   

According to  parent Mike Glass, Tyler has only been pinned once in his career.   Mike's son Joe Glass (189 pound weight class) took 5th and is State alternate.  (watch Joe wrestling).  Abraham Herrera in only his first year wrestling for the Stangs made it to the Region II.   He lost in the pigtail match. 

Lake Washington HS took top spot for KingCo 4A and 5th overall with 96th points.   Dylan Ultery (140) by decision and Inrahim Khifeh (189) 2nd place to Matt Steed of Emerald Ridge.  Both are going to State. 

KingCo 4A Region 11 team scores are:  Lake Washington 96, Roosevelt 42, Newport 40, Issaquah 40,Woodinville 39.5, Skyline 38, Redmond 26, Inglemoor 22, Bothell 10, Eastlake, 10, Garfield 0, Ballard 0.

The 2010 Mat Classic XXII State Championship event is in the Tacoma Dome, February 19-20.  Wrestling begins at 10 a.m. Tickets are $10 for students and seniors, $14 adults.  http://www.wiaa.com/  

Story By Bob Yoder

Photo & Video by Bob Yoder

See related story in Seattle Times Newspaper, 2/14.

Sounders Head Coach Sigi Schmid to speak at YES! "Invest in Youth Breakfast".

Sounders Head Coach Sigi Schmid to speak at Youth Eastside Services (YES!) Breakfast

Sounders Head Coach Sigi Schmid will bring his passion and leadership to the YES Invest in Youth Breakfast on March 3rd at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue.

Coach Schmid will be the keynote speaker as the Eastside community comes together to support Eastside youth. He is recognized as one of the most successful coaches in Major League Soccer history. We hope you'll join YES and Coach Schmid as we celebrate kids, families, courage and hope.

So what's on the Breakfast Plate?

Ask:  Wendy at WendyC@YouthEastsideServices.org or call (425) 586-2309.

 What is YES?

Redmond Police to hold Education Hill forum on car prowls & burglaries

"A high number of car prowls and residential burglaries have occurred the Education Hill area over the last month. While the number of crimes is not out of the ordinary (in fact, most are down from last year), we realize this can be alarming.  As always, we want to educate you on how to stay safe, how to avoid these crimes, how you can help the Redmond Police Department and answer your questions.

We are holding an Education Hill Community Meeting next Thursday, February 18th at 7:00 p.m. at Redmond Junior High in the Commons Area. We look forward to answering questions and concerns and providing you information that will keep you safer in the future.  No RSVP, just show up and bring your neighbors."

By Jim Bove
Spokesperson, Redmond Police Department
Community Outreach
Office (425) 556-2545
jbove@redmond.gov

Cub Scouts restore Redmond forest.

Cub Scouts James, Nathan, and Alec with parents in Hartman forest

What a fun time we had in the forest today! Pictured are three Cub Scouts and their parents (Anne, Dale, Jeannie). Are they hard workers!

Lots went on behind the scenes to pull of the event.  City Maintenance crews provided the trees and tools.  Norah Kates from Cascade Conservancy showed us how to use the tools and be safe.  Volunteeer Land Steward, Doug Schmidt coached the cubs on how to plant and mulch the trees.  We planted 17 trees!

The Cubs were industrious and could have planted more.  But, environmental education is part of the Den Leader Jeannie's mission. So after a snack, Land Steward Doug took us on a tour through the forest to look for invasive (bad) plants. Doug is highly trained with a Master's in restoration.  We found English Ivy, Himalayan Blackberries, Stinkweed, and a giant Holly Tree. Doug said these plants aren't from here and are bad. They grow fast in sunlight and smother the forest floor.  The Cubs did a great job digging out these weeds before they planted their trees. 

As we walked through the forest, we saw giant Cedars, Hemlocks, and Maples. The Cubs know that some of the trees they planted may one day grow that tall! If they decide to plant again next year, they'll see how fast their trees have grown.  The link shows the forest area we worked is: http://tiny.cc/0j5Xd.

Lots of forestry restoration work remains.  If you want to schedule a forestry work party contact Norah Kates at: norahk@cascadeland.org. or me.  If you are a larger organization we have plenty of big jobs to in this forest. To learn more about our GreenRedmond Partnership visit: http://www.greenredmond.org/.

By Bob Yoder
GreenRedmond Volunteer

Redmond Chamber announces renewing members

Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce  Newsletter announces renewing members:

Gold 20 - 29 Years (1980 – 1989)

The Effectiveness Institute 1981

Emerald Heights 1989

Silver 15 - 19 Years (1990 – 1994)

Redmond Athletic Club 1993

Bronze 10 - 14 Years (1995 – 1999)

World Inspection Network 1997

Enterprise Rent A Car 1998

Renewing

Resource Management Inc. 2001

Redmond Back & Neck Pain Clinic 2004

The Redmond Mac Store 2006

Xtreme Consulting Group, Inc. 2006

The Loan Source 2007

Firestone Complete Autocare 2008

Thinkspace 2008

Alcyone Dental Care 2009

Cascade Water Alliance 2009

Integrated Solutions 2009

The Villas 2009

and a little bit more...

My Great Uncle and Aunt lived in Emerald Heights - they loved the pool, gardening, bocce ball, putting and trails.  We loved the food.

Pam & I just joined the R.A.C. and I love the spinning classes.  So many vibrant group activities,  

I joined the Chamber after opening a home inspection business.  W.I.N. won!

I still hold a life-time warranty for tire alignment service at Firestone.

ThinkSpace builds green buildings; I sent comments to the planning commission in support.
Cascade Water Alliance has water conservation tips and will someday supply water to Puget Sound cities.

Source:  Redmond Chamber of Commerce Newsletter, 2/1/2010

By Bob Yoder

[The R.A.C.,  Emerald Heights and Cascade Water Alliance are hyperlinked, as part of a promotional roll-out.  Interested parties can Contact Bob for details, redmondblog@gmail.com, 425-802-2523]

Redmond triplets remember their selfless mother

Redmond triplets remember their selfless mother

                                                                                                             JIM BATES / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Triplets Ben, Alex and Katie Whitaker, and their dad Mickey stand together for Senior Night ceremonies at Redmond High School. Sally Whitaker died of ovarian cancer on Jan. 25. Ben, left, is a golfer. Alex and Katie play basketball for Redmond.

Story By Mason Kelley
Seattle Times staff reporter

REDMOND — For Alex and Katie Whitaker, the basketball court provides a temporary escape.

It is an escape from grief.

It is an escape from heartache.

It is an escape from the reality that their mother is gone

The complete Seattle Times story is posted on http://redmondbasketball.com/ and the Title link.

#####

Note from Bob Yoder/Seattle Times Partner:    My daughter Lexie, has been friends with Katie, Alex and Ben since pre-school.  My wife Pam, sat in the bleachers with Sally for seven years watching Katie and Lexie play Mustang basketball.  We attended Sally's Celebration Memorial on January 30 with ~500 others from the "Whitaker Community".  I was too emotionally involved to report on this and told Mickey I wished to show my respect for our beloved Sally with silence.

UPDATED: ELECTION RESULTS: LWSD Bond measure looks unlikely to pass.

UPDATED:  ELECTION RESULTS:

Lake Washington School District Levy and Bond election results

King County Library Proposition 1 levy election results

"But an important $234 million bond measure in Lake Washington School District looked unlikely to pass, as just 53.5 percent of counted ballots were for approval. Bond issues need 60 percent approval.
The bond issue would address overcrowding by converting the district's high schools from three-year schools to four-year schools.

"It looks like our voters are saying this is not the time," said Kathryn Reith, district spokeswoman."

Excerpt from Seattle Times article, 2/9  9:15 PM

Chandler Jones named a Seattle Times High School Star of the Week

High School Sports Seattle Times Stars of the Week Seattle Times Newspaper

                                                           www.redmondbasketball.com

Chandler Jones

Redmond basketball

Jones, a senior guard, connected on eight three-pointers and scored a season-high 33 points in a victory over Ballard.

Redmond High students help people of Haiti.

"Redmond High School Students Help People of Haiti"

Anand and Ashwin Raghuraman of Redmond High School organized a fundraiser for the people of Haiti. They went around their neighborhood in Sammamish asking families and friends to donate for the cause. Everyone was very supportive of their cause and in two weeks, they collected a total of $1200. Last Friday, they went to the local chapter of Red Cross in Seattle and donated the money. The staff at the Red Cross was very happy that Redmond High School students were getting involved for these international efforts to help the people of Haiti. Photo: Anand and Ashwin Raghuraman with American Red Cross staff."

By Shannon Parthemer,
Community Relations & Communications Coordinator, LWSD
 (425) 702-3300

Redmond's first school bell rings out for your vote

                                                                                                                    Bob Yoder

Redmond's first school bell was mounted on a one-room school house in 1892.  Today it rings for you to vote this Tuesday, Februrary 9th.  Don't be late for class!  The "final bell" rings for all 52 Lake Washington School District Schools this Tuesday at 8pm when ballots must be postmarked.  

Here's your homework:   Read your Cliff Notes on the funding measures.  Answer all three True-False questions correctly.   I hope you have a quality teacher and adequate classroom size.  It could determine whether you pass or fail.  

By Bob Yoder

#####  

"Redmond's first school was a simple log cabin built in 1875.  Between 1888 and 1892 classes were in the Congregational Church.  It wasn't until 1892 that a new one-room school was built at what is now Anderson Park.  It was at this school that Redmond mounted it's first school bell, seen here.  The Fact that a small community comprised mostly of small farmers and loggers raised money to purchase a bell for the schoolhouse demonstrated the pride and importance placed on schooling early in our city history."

The bell  is now mounted on the west side of the Public Safety Building.

By Redmond Historical Society