The Seattle Times is writing a neighborhood story about graffiti and wants your opinion.

Several of the Seattle Times partner sites will write local stories about graffiti in their neighborhoods.  The TIMES will sinc their own story to Redmond's story and other partners.  Redmond Neighborhood Blog is participating and your opinions and commenting will help write our story with the TIMES. 

What are your thoughts and comments about graffiti in Redmond?   Is it an issue for you?   Or, do you just leave it up to the police if a place gets tagged.   When graffiti is reported by your neighbors does the City quickly respond?  What is graffiti to you?   Have you seen the "art graffiti" on the Edge Skate Park tag wall?    Are these walls often tagged with graffiti?   Or, are they more an artist's canvass?   Should the city monitor the tag walls at Edge Park more frequently? 

Will you help the TIMES to write this story?   If you want to help or just have something to say about  local graffiti, please comment under this post.   (Click on the map to find links to the partner sites). 

View Seattle Networked News Initiative in a larger map

Public input will help determine budget cuts at LWSD

Public input will help determine cuts again this year

Redmond, WA – While the state legislature is still working on the state budget, indications are that K-12 public education will get even less money next year from the state. Estimates of the revenue loss for Lake Washington School District based on current proposals range from $3.6 million to $8.4 million. Cutting that much more from the district budget after last year’s $7.7 million reduction will be difficult.

“Last year’s process really helped us understand community priorities,” said Dr. Chip Kimball, superintendent. “I encourage all citizens, especially parents, to come and weigh in on what is most important for our school district.”

Meeting dates and times:
March 16 – Juanita High School, 7-9 p.m.
March 17 – Rose Hill Jr. High, 4-6 p.m.
March 17 – Lake Washington High School, 7-9 p.m.
March 24 – Redmond High School, 7-9 p.m.
March 25 – Eastlake High School, 7-9 p.m.

By Kathryn Reith, Communications Director, Lake Washington School District

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)