Updated: March is a big month for Redmond Chamber of Commerce membership renewals.

Gold 20 - 29 Years (1980 – 1989)  Microsoft Corporation 1985

Silver 15 - 19 Years (1990 – 1994)  King Co Library - Redmond 1992; Lee Johnson Chevrolet - Mazda 1992; Accents et Cetera 1993; Boys & Girls Club Redmond/Sammamish 1994; Wells Fargo Bank - Redmond 1994

Bronze 10 - 14 Years (1995 – 1999) ABODA 1996; Aviation Spares & Services Int’l Co 1996; Everything Party 1996; Frontier Bank 1997; Second Story Repertory Theatre 1998; Cascadia; Community College 1999; DeJong Sawdust & Shavings 1999; Emerald City Gymnastics 1999; Hugh G. Goldsmith & Assoc. Inc. 1999; Rainier Welding 1999; Red-E Topsoil 1999; REI 1999; Stanford Signs, LLC 1999

Renewing:  Charter Bank 2000;Transportation Solutions, Inc. 2000; Outback Steakhouse 2002; Canyons Restaurant 2004; Passport Unlimited 2004; Protrade International Corp. 2004; Cascade Plaza; Retirement Center 2006; Universal Mechanical Service Co., Inc. 2006; Foot Solutions 2007; i-Mate 2007; Repro NW/Ford Graphics NW 2007; Heartland Payment Systems 2008; Strategic Planning Partners, LLC 2008; The Growth Coach 2008; Sammamish Rowing Assoc. 2009; Seattle Eastside Building Inspections - SEBI 2009

Italicized:  are companies whose services I've used.  

http://www.redmondchamber.org/ 

Redmond Scouts reforest Hartman woodlands in celebration of 100 years of Scouting

Redmond Scouts prepared Hartman woodlands for reforesting in celebration of 100 years of Scouting.  Redmond Boy Scouts from units 597, 612 and 613, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spent the morning of Saturday,  February 28th clearing invasive ground foliage from the bicycle trail south of Hartman park to prepare for reforesting the park. The scouts dug up and pulled blackberry bushes, removed ivy and cleaned up garbage to commemorate. This is one of 100 service projects planned by scouts in the Chief Seattle Council in 2010 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of BSA. For more information on the 100th anniversary of scouting go to http://scouting.org/100years.

Top photo:  Spencer (left), Forest Steward Doug Schmidt (center) and Charlie holding blackberry root (right).

Middle photo:  Forest Stewards Doug Schmidt and Bob Yoder

Bottom photo:  Thirty scouts put in 60 hours of restoration work.  Two troops were from the local "Hartman building" and one was from the Novelty Hill LDS Church

By Nate Niederhausern, Scout Communications, LDS
Photos by Niederhausern
Nate is a long-time reader & FB friend. 

THANKS TO THE SCOUTS AND DADS FROM TROOPS 597, 612, 613!!   Special thanks to Paige Norman for informing us of the "100 years of Service Program."   And thanks to the GreenRedmond Partnership of  Citizen volunteers, City workers, and Cascade Conservancy administrators.   

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GreenRedmond be having an orientation for prospective new volunteer Forest Stewards on Saturday, March 13th.  Join our team of  dedicated volunteer Stewards and learn how you can adopt your own restoration project!  Email greenredmond@cascadeland.org  for more information.

To register and learn more:  http://www.cascadeland.org/stewardship/green-cities/green-redmond-partnership/Forest%20Steward%20Program

Spicy Talk: staling the Szchuan chef, now in Redmond

'Spicy Talk: stalking the Szechuan chef, now in Redmond'

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/allyoucaneat/2011426448_spicy_talk_stalking_the_szechu.html#continue"

"Did you read Calvin Trillin's story in the New Yorker about those chowhounds chasing after a Szechuan chef?" wondered several of my well-read friends.  more...


Nancy Leson
Seattle Times food writer

LETTER: Thank you for making a good choice

LETTER:  Thank you for making a good choice

Thanks to the Redmond Police Department and Redmond High School Staff for choosing to stand their ground and teach the students more than just reading, writing and arithmetic. Drug use and sales are certainly not a new issue; whether at Redmond or any other High School. Breaking the law and attempting to get away with it are also not new ideas. Although innocent until proven guilty; I applaud the efforts of the school and Police Department to make it abundantly clear that drugs are not acceptable or tolerated in any form on school property. The alleged offenders had choices – don’t sell, don’t offer, don’t participate in drugs. Economy may be the rationale given for their choices, but the reality is that the choices had little to do with economy, race, or family. Participation in any illegal activity has obvious consequences; regardless of the level of involvement, age of the participant or the method of arrest. Teaching our children and students the value of choices, consequences and legal ramifications may be of higher significance for their future successes than in educational achievements alone.

Paige A. Norman
Redmond resident

Do you want to post a comment?    Do you want to write a LETTER?  Mail your LETTER with your name and city residence to redmondblog@gmail.com

Annual Horace Mann Pancake fundraiser not so ordinary!

HORACE MANN PTSA ANNUAL
PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER

Dad's have to get up at  5:30 a.m. to start whipping up the batter.  (Moms sleep in?) 

The grill is just outside the school kitchen.  Other dads are in back frying up some bacon and cutting orange wedges. 

This year the gate opened at 7 a.m. The kids were treated to ring-side seats of the Greatest Saturday Morning City Show On Earth!

A large contingent of police and fire workers turned-out!  They all bought tickets to support the PTSA and fill up on cakes.  Then John Marchione, our Mayor, stepped in.  Four  councilmembers came too!  On the left with hat, is Council VP Pat Vache', Mayor John Marchione is in the middle and on the right is John Stilin - our newest councilmember.  Mr. Stilin brought his two sons.  He's the Council Chair of Parks & Trails.  Not seen is Council President Richard Cole and Councilmember Hank Margeson.  Hank Chairs the Finance Committee.  Hank had to leave early to get to a baseball  Referee Certification Progam.   Hank informed us about the breakfast when he announced the event on RC-TV during a council meeting. Thanks, Hank!

The kids got a huge bonus when the fire trucks stopped by.  "Hey, this is better than chocolate milk"!

I can't remember my daughter Lexie ever sitting down with her pancakes to an event of this proportion.  Wow.  What a treat!

The PTSA mom's were happy, too!   

By Bob Yoder
Photos by Yoder

Do any other Horace Mann parents remember these times?   Do you want to share a memory?  Or, comment on the fundraiser experience of your school? 

Redmond Small Business Meetup

One of the missions of my new digital media site is to be a catalyst for small and micro business development. I learned from Laura English (one of my FaceBook friends), that she was going to this Redmond Small Business Meetup.  Hmmm.  So, I went with Pam today.  We were taken by the vibrancy and supportive energy of this group. Stacia Loo, from "Every Swipe Counts" leads the meeting. Today was their largest turnout -at 20.

Having lived in Redmond for over 30 years, it was rewarding to meet-up with some old aquaintances: Len McAdams from McAdams Builders - Len braced my crawl space for earthquake mitigation about 20 years ago. Joe Townsend of Photo Resoration & Retouch - Joe was at the last Redmond Historial Society picnic and helps them out. Laura English is a school neighbor and "Life Coach". She has her own "Moonshine & Happiness" blog: http://www.lauraenglish.net/.  Bloggers will be "contributors" on my new site.

By Bob Yoder
Photo by Yoder

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Redmond Small Business Meetup - Redmond Small Business Group (Redmond, WA)

Stacia Loo, Founder and Moderator. 

"At our get together on Mondays at 10 a.m., business owners get a chance to do a one minute commercial about their business. We also state what we need help with for the week to come. Weekly attendance is not mandatory but encouraged to help build strong business relationships. We meet weekly at Pandora in Bear Creek Shopping Center.

Cherie Seymore and Stacia Loo (right).  AN AMAZING EVENT TOOK PLACE AT THIS MEET-UP.  Come back soon to find out!!!

We also have time for testimonials and announcements. We are here to help each other succeed. If you are looking to start your business, come and join our group to get ideas on how to market your business." website, contact info, and testimonials

By Stacia Loo
Founder of Redmond Small Business Meetup
Consultant:  "Every Swipe Counts"

Do any of you go to a social or business network?  Will you try one?

A world without newspapers

A world without newspapers: "David Schneiderman: In 1984, Rupert Murdoch thought he had seen the future. He summoned his top editors and publishers to a meeting in New York to learn about “electronic journalism” and the impending death of printed newspapers. After two days of spirited discussions and a primitive demonstration of an electronic Washington Post, the attendees declared that the demise of printed newspapers was inevitable." complete story

By David Schneiderman
former CEO of Villiage Voice
Seattle, WA.
Presented by Tech Flash

I'd like to thank you for your passionate participation and your comments on the recent school drug bust story. (commenting continues). Do you feel more a part of our community and closer to your family when we engage this way? Can you think of any other recent events or burning issues we can gather around and share? The school bond defeat? Local tagging or graffiti art? The Downtown Park? Parking? Others? In the comments section below, please type in the topics YOU want to talk about. Then, come back here to read and tell your neighbors what you think!

~B Yoder
"Redmond's Journey into new media"

thinkspace Donates Office Space to The Redmond Foundation | thinkspace

thinkspace Donates Office Space to The Redmond Foundation

by Alyssa Magnotti on December 14, 2009

This fall, Peter Chee, CEO of thinkspace, decided to start donating office space to The Redmond Foundation, which is being founded in honor of Redmond’s upcoming centennial in 2012. The Redmond Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to building a healthy, vibrant and engaged community in the city of Redmond.

I asked Peter a couple of questions as to why he chose to donate his space to The Redmond Foundation...more

Posted by Yoder

Supporters of Redmond Bike Park asked to speak up

Credit/ Bob Yoder

I was just informed by Carolyn Hope from Parks that the City won a $10,000 grant from Bikes Belong for the "Redmond Bike Park".   Aparently, a Steering Committee of citizens and youth helped to move the project forward with this grant.   

Carolyn wants us to know the City Council will be asked to approve the site for the Redmond Bike Park on Tuesday, March 2 at 7:30 p.m.   If you are committed to helping build or donate to the park in some way, your input at this March 2 meeting would encourage the Council.

The Council meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers in City Hall.  Your comments (30 seconds - 3 minutes) are made at the start of the meeting.  Bring your friends and parents. 

The meeting agenda will be posted http://www.redmond.gov/insidecityhall/citycouncil/meetings.asp

If you didn’t already have a chance to review the Site Selection, it is provided here: http://www.redmond.gov/insidecityhall/parksrec/parksplanning/DirtJumps/pdfs/RedmondBikeParkSiteSelectionMemo.pdf

Thank you for your invovlement with this project!

Excerpted from Carolyn Hope's letter to bike park volunteers.
Carolyn Hope, Senior Parks Planner.   
425.556.2313

By Bob Yoder
BMX Bike Park volunteer
Photos By Yoder

UPDATED: Bullying at Lake Washington High is brought to attention by KING-TV

by LINDA BRILL / KING 5 News

Posted on February 25, 2010
Updated today at 6:50 PM
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KIRKLAND, Wash. - After years of being subjected to bullying at Lake Washington High School, 17-year-old junior Alex Morris is taking his story to the public. MORE

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You are invited to join in on the commenting about the Mom who's family was hurt by her child's drug bust at Redmond High (two posts down) 

Catherine Kelly, first lady wrestler in the history of Redmond High takes fourth in State.

Did you know high school girls wrestle competitively?   I must be showing my age because this was news to me. 

Redmond High junior Catherine Kelly, wrestled at 112 pounds in the girls' division, Class 4A State tournament and placed  fourth in State!  (Kelly is standing on the 4th step in the left photo and in the middle of the team photo on right). The tournament was held February 20-21 at the Tacoma Dome. According to Coach Mullen, Catherine won four matches at state and lost two.

More amazingly, Catherine Kelly is the first lady wrestler in the history of Redmond High School!  Kelly made it to State as a sophomore and again as a junior this year.  Expect another good run for the Title next year.   

On the right is a  picture of the coaching staff and the 3 members of the team who qualified for State. (Coaches Paul Mullen, Bob Kaneko, and Reed Risenmay. Wrestlers Catherin Kelly, Tyler Black, and Joe Glass). Glass and Kelly are juniors and will return to Redmond Wrestling next year. Black is a senior.

By Bob Yoder

Photos by the Mullens

Updated: Eastside Basketball Club - State of the Art Basketball Training Facility opens!

Redmond Mayor John Marchione is in the middle holding the scissors. Jeffry Borgida, General Manager of Allied Waste Bellevue/Lynnwood is in the blue shirt to the left of the mayor and Edward Nettles, Founder and Executive Director is to the right. The other people in the photo are from the Eastside Basketball Club board of directors.

February 19 was a special day for me for a couple of reasons:   I got to see my first "ribbon cutting" ceremony ever by a Redmond mayor.  And, the Grand Opening event was all about basketball - a sports culture near and dear to my family and our daughter for over eight years!

The minute I walked into the arena I immeditely liked it.  High ceilings, excellent lighting, the smell of freshly painted hard-court and super friendly owner - Ed Nettles.  Many regional coaches and tournament directors of Select, FLIGHT, and AAU programs know Ed.  It shouldn't take long for coaches to find his brand-new "Allied Court" facility and programs.  A few offerings:

• Elite skill training for boys and girls (7-18):  Professional trainers and coaches teach:  ball handling, shooting, rebounding, footwork (post play), O & D skills, and low impact training. 
• Boys and Girls AAU Spring League Team Tryouts - starting March 1-March 7.
• Gym rentals, camps, clinics and one-on-one training available throughout the year. 
• Football Conditioning (March-June) featuring guest trainer, a current Seahawk -Lawyer Milloy.  Space is limited with Lawyer.  Make your reservation now at:  Knettles@Eastsidebasketballclub.org 

The facility, Allied Court, is named in recognition for Allied Waste's generous Title donation.  Allied Waste currently services all of Bellevue's garbage waste needs and it shares services with Waste Mangaement for Kirkland.   Eastside Basketball Club is a nonprofit, 501(c) (3) organization so all donations are tax deductible.  Platinum Sponsorships qualify organizations wishing to post their banner.

The court and training facility is a must see.   The address is 17455 NE 67th Court, Suite 160.  Allied Court is in the vicinity of the Black Raven Brewery near the eastern entrance of Marymore Park.  425-861-8800.  info@eastsidebasketballclub.org .  Website:  http://eastsidebasketballclub.org/  Say hi to Ed!

By Bob Yoder

Photo by Leah Motz