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Posted by Melissa Allison
Seattle Times
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
All School District Budget Input Meetings Posponed Pending State Budget
Remainder of School District Budget Input Meetings Postponed Pending State Budget
Redmond, WA – Last week, Lake Washington School District postponed budget input meetings for March 16 and 17 pending determination of school funding in the state budget. The range of potential budget cuts for the district based on different proposals remains from no cut to as much as $15 million. There is still no word from Olympia on how state funding for Lake Washington School District will change next year. As a result, the budget input meetings scheduled for March 24 and 25 at Redmond High School and Eastlake High School also are being postponed.
The legislature continues to meet in an extended session and final budget numbers for K-12 education are still in limbo.
“We continue to wait for the numbers, from Olympia,” noted Deputy Superintendent of Operations Janene Fogard. “Once we know, we are prepared to move quickly.” Fogard noted that the district’s spring break takes place March 29-April 2. If the final state budget numbers translate into significant budget cuts for the district, meetings will most likely be scheduled during the weeks of April 5 and 12. An online input page will be open around the same period.
Information on a new schedule for these meetings will be posted on the district web site, http://www.lwsd.org/ as soon as it is available.
By Kathryn Reith, Communications Director
LWSD
March 22.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Bumper to Bumper | Excess water not damaging I-5 pavement | Seattle Times Newspaper
Bumper to Bumper Excess water not damaging I-5 pavement Seattle Times Newspaper:
"Question: If you're as observant as Redmond resident Robert Matzdorff, perhaps, in your travels, you've spotted water in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 at the Military Road South overpass when the rest of the freeway is dry." read more
By Charles Brown
Seattle Times staff reporter"
"Question: If you're as observant as Redmond resident Robert Matzdorff, perhaps, in your travels, you've spotted water in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 at the Military Road South overpass when the rest of the freeway is dry." read more
By Charles Brown
Seattle Times staff reporter"
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
"Redmond Reflections...from Settlers to software"
If you are a history buff, a newcomer, or curious student, Naomi Hardy's "Redmond Reflections" is the best best book on Redmond history. In fact, it's the only comprehensive history book we have that's been updated. A city this size (40,000) is lucky to have a history book at all. Hardy's soft-cover book has over 800 images.
The book's full title is "Redmond Reflections...from Settlers to software". It's packed with photographs, some that go all the way back to 1852. My favorite picture is on the front cover. Cattle are grazing along Bear Creek on a drained marsh and wetland. A rolling green hill is in the background, still one of Redmond's distinguishing characteristics.
I like reading about the early pioneers, the McRedmonds and the Perrigos. I think of them and when hiking down Ashford Trail past Perrigo Springs - Redmond's first potable water supply. I imagine the Indians eating abundant fresh water clams of Bear Creek and trading salmon for Perrigo's brass buttons.
My favorite section is "The nine mayors of Redmond". Bill Brown was Redmond's second mayor presiding for 30 years (1919 -1948)! He coined the phrase "all roads lead to Redmond". When he opposed annexing Education Hill, he lost his job. Redmond's oldest living Mayor is Chris Himes (1980 - 1983). If you want to meet her come down to a Redmond Historical Society Meeting. "Hurricaine Himes" is President and very friendly and approachable. Redmond has a rich heritage of horse ranches and open space and Chris played a significant role is sustaining this culture.
All profits from the book (including mine) go back to the Redmond Historical Society. Their office is in the Old Redmond School House Community Center on the 1st floor. 16600 NE 8th Street. Monthly multi-media meetings are in the same building. 425-885-2919. http://www.redmondhistory.org/
Do you think you'll order a book? What about Redmond history catches your eye? Comment below.
The book's full title is "Redmond Reflections...from Settlers to software". It's packed with photographs, some that go all the way back to 1852. My favorite picture is on the front cover. Cattle are grazing along Bear Creek on a drained marsh and wetland. A rolling green hill is in the background, still one of Redmond's distinguishing characteristics.
I like reading about the early pioneers, the McRedmonds and the Perrigos. I think of them and when hiking down Ashford Trail past Perrigo Springs - Redmond's first potable water supply. I imagine the Indians eating abundant fresh water clams of Bear Creek and trading salmon for Perrigo's brass buttons.
My favorite section is "The nine mayors of Redmond". Bill Brown was Redmond's second mayor presiding for 30 years (1919 -1948)! He coined the phrase "all roads lead to Redmond". When he opposed annexing Education Hill, he lost his job. Redmond's oldest living Mayor is Chris Himes (1980 - 1983). If you want to meet her come down to a Redmond Historical Society Meeting. "Hurricaine Himes" is President and very friendly and approachable. Redmond has a rich heritage of horse ranches and open space and Chris played a significant role is sustaining this culture.
All profits from the book (including mine) go back to the Redmond Historical Society. Their office is in the Old Redmond School House Community Center on the 1st floor. 16600 NE 8th Street. Monthly multi-media meetings are in the same building. 425-885-2919. http://www.redmondhistory.org/
Do you think you'll order a book? What about Redmond history catches your eye? Comment below.
Monday, March 29, 2010
King Conservation District announces board of supervisor position election winner
http://www.kingcd.org/pdf/news-election-2010-post-election-results-final.pdf
King Conservation District announces results of public election for board of supervisor position
Max Prinsen of Renton has been elected to a three-year term as a member of the King Conservation District (King CD) board of supervisors following a final canvassing of votes cast in the district-wide election held March 16, 2010.
The final vote tallies for elected board position included Prinsen (1,772), Mara Heiman of Auburn (1,488), Mary Embleton of Seattle (519), Kirk Prindle of Seattle (402) and Teri Herrera of Redmond (51)
complete announcement
King Conservation District announces results of public election for board of supervisor position
Max Prinsen of Renton has been elected to a three-year term as a member of the King Conservation District (King CD) board of supervisors following a final canvassing of votes cast in the district-wide election held March 16, 2010.
The final vote tallies for elected board position included Prinsen (1,772), Mara Heiman of Auburn (1,488), Mary Embleton of Seattle (519), Kirk Prindle of Seattle (402) and Teri Herrera of Redmond (51)
complete announcement
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Bing Maps adding Foursquare
Bing Maps adding Foursquare:
"Microsoft .... previewed a series of updates for its Bing search engine, including an application that will integrate real-time data from the popular Foursquare location-based social networking service into its Bing Maps interface. Users will be able to see where people have checked in on Foursquare, who has been crowned the Foursquare 'mayor' of a specific location, and other information."
By Todd Bishop
Tech Flash
"Microsoft .... previewed a series of updates for its Bing search engine, including an application that will integrate real-time data from the popular Foursquare location-based social networking service into its Bing Maps interface. Users will be able to see where people have checked in on Foursquare, who has been crowned the Foursquare 'mayor' of a specific location, and other information."
By Todd Bishop
Tech Flash
Friday, March 26, 2010
UPDATED OPINION: The city's "Budget By Priorities" process could be better
City government hasn't encouraged citizen participation and awareness of the budget process so far this year.
BACKGROUND: Two years ago Councilmember Richard Cole introduced a novel approach to streamlining the city budget process, called "Budget By Priorities" (BBP). One of BBP's best features is citizen participation. Today, citizens are mostly unaware that they can participate. Will it improve?
In 2008, the initial community meeting was well attended by over 60 citizens. This year 6 citizens signed in at the registration desk. Mayor Marchione presented six budget priorities: 1) Clean Green Environment, 2) Community Building, 3) Responsible Government, 4) Safety, 5) Business Community, and 6) Infrastructure and Growth. The city government's priorities haven't changed from two years ago.
In 2008, citizens attended a second meeting of workshops on each priority when everyone got to talk and share their requests. It was excellent. This year, workshops aren't planned or announced.
In 2008, I participated the Community Building workshop. My "request " (as the lingo goes) for city-wide WI-FI was rejected by staff during the workshop, though WI-FI is now planned for the Parks. After the workshops, the Mayor sent his "Results Team" (1 citizen/5 staff) to work, ranking and screening staff and citizen requests. This year the Results Teams were formed before the first Community Meeting and according to a Team member "they have been working very hard".
PROBLEMS WITH THE PROCESS THIS YEAR? Our city government is shuttering shut a window here and a window there - participation and transparency is fading, as follows:
The question to ask is what do you YOU think?? Is participation in the budget process important to you? Am I nit-picking? Do you care about this? If you are so inspired, please comment! ....
Opinion By Bob Yoder
BACKGROUND: Two years ago Councilmember Richard Cole introduced a novel approach to streamlining the city budget process, called "Budget By Priorities" (BBP). One of BBP's best features is citizen participation. Today, citizens are mostly unaware that they can participate. Will it improve?
In 2008, the initial community meeting was well attended by over 60 citizens. This year 6 citizens signed in at the registration desk. Mayor Marchione presented six budget priorities: 1) Clean Green Environment, 2) Community Building, 3) Responsible Government, 4) Safety, 5) Business Community, and 6) Infrastructure and Growth. The city government's priorities haven't changed from two years ago.
In 2008, citizens attended a second meeting of workshops on each priority when everyone got to talk and share their requests. It was excellent. This year, workshops aren't planned or announced.
In 2008, I participated the Community Building workshop. My "request " (as the lingo goes) for city-wide WI-FI was rejected by staff during the workshop, though WI-FI is now planned for the Parks. After the workshops, the Mayor sent his "Results Team" (1 citizen/5 staff) to work, ranking and screening staff and citizen requests. This year the Results Teams were formed before the first Community Meeting and according to a Team member "they have been working very hard".
PROBLEMS WITH THE PROCESS THIS YEAR? Our city government is shuttering shut a window here and a window there - participation and transparency is fading, as follows:
- Two councilmembers (~30%) were missing at the opening BBP meeting. Council makes the final decisions on the budget. They represent us on city spending.
- After the meeting I asked if I could be on a Results Team. The Mayor responded by email, quote: "As for the Results Teams, the application date closed February 19th and they have been appointed." What?? Where was the advertising? The notices? The mailers? The RCTV bulletins? The city website notice? The city press release was simply: "City Seeks Residents for Budget Teams". What Teams? What budget? No reference was made to "Budge By Priorities".
- The Administration wouldn't disclose who was on the Results Teams. I had to file a Public Request. Why shouldn't we know the names and titles of these important teams? (stay tuned). We may want to ask a question or make a request.
- The Results teams weren't introduced at the March meeting and most didn't even make the meeting. Only one Results Team member signed in at the March community meeting. Yet, the mayor emailed he "needed the priorities and results teams to come together on March 1". Why?
- The Mayor elects the 6 volunteers for the results team. Deputy Administrator Jane Christenson wrote in an email, "the City advertises for interested citizens...the Mayor then considers those who have expressed interest for the assignment...". Hmm. Advertises?
The question to ask is what do you YOU think?? Is participation in the budget process important to you? Am I nit-picking? Do you care about this? If you are so inspired, please comment! ....
Opinion By Bob Yoder
Thursday, March 25, 2010
"A funny thing happened at Redmond Business Meet-Up today"
I went to the Redmond Business Meet-up for the first time a few weeks ago. I funny thing happened.
As we went around the room introducing ourselves and handing out cards Cherie Seymore's message was a little different. It came with a song....a beautiful, soul-full song! You can listen to it here. Cherie and Tolga were promoting their "custom marketing CD company". http://www.imaginecds.com/ Wow! They got my attention!Stacia Loo is the founder and kicks off each meeting. She always talks about the -"Go-Giver" book and how it's helped her succeed in life and her business http://www.everyswipecounts.com/. The Go-Giver book can be purchased from Amazon here.
I promised Len McAdams I'd post his new website - http://www.mcadamsbuilders.com/. Len has been remodeling homes for years. He partially remodeled my house about 25 years ago; I still remembered his thoroughness and professionalism after all this time! 425-822-6555.
Other folks I met with whom I may do business are: Elizabeth Hansford of Zephyr 47 in Redmond. http://www.zephyr47.com/. Elizabeth may help me design features into my new blog platform. Jonathan Yockey of Mendatech Web Design Design@Mendatech.com in Everet. He may build my new blog platform.
Joe Townsend is special for me because he volunteers some of his time for the Redmond Historical Society. Joe has a Photo Restoration & Retouch business. http://www.jjtownsend.com/. It's amazing what he can do with a tattered and faded family photo. 206-890-3804.
Of the four personal coaches presenting probably use Sandy Bjorgen, M.A. Trainer/Coach. She coaches people how to think and speak under pressure. http://www.improv-ableresults.com/ Her tagline is "Better Business Communications with IMPROVisation.". That's what I need!
Some other nice folks I met are Ken Foster of Terleon Custom Painting http://www.borntopaint.com/ and John Crispala, a low pressure, good linstening financial planner. 206-601-7319. I heard lots of other nice folks but I can't name them all! The Meet-Up is growing fast. Currently, they meet at Panera Bread, Monday's at 10AM in Redmond's Bear Creek Shopping Center. Redmond Business Meet-up is on Facebook.
By Bob Yoder
Video by Yoder
Emily Dickenson Elementary won $5000 donation from BING
http://www.10000rockets.com/ (20 sec. launch) Emily Dickinson Elementary in Redmond, Washington is receiving a $5,000 donation from Bing, Microsoft’s search engine, as a winner of the Mission:10,000 Rockets competition, where students were asked to draw the “rocket of tomorrow.” Sixth grade teacher David Meisner encouraged his students to enter, and with more than 20 qualified entries submitted, Emily Dickinson Elementary entered and won one of eight $5,000 donations nationwide.
The school is kicking off its Science Fair and Science Celebration this week. In honor of the win, the $5,000 donation check, original student rocket designs and 3-D models for the three grand prize winner rockets* will be showcased at the school’s old gym tomorrow night, Thursday, March 25, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. You’re invited to stop by and check out the display as well as the science projects students will be exhibiting. Posted by Bob Yoder
Emily Dickinson Elementary
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Bellingham school cancels classes for 'sun day' | Seattle Times Newspaper
Local News Bellingham school cancels classes for 'sun day' Seattle Times Newspaper:
A forecast of warm clear weather has prompted Bellingham Christian School to cancel classes Wednesday for a 'sun day.'
Principal Bob Sampson says sun day celebrates spring, promotes positive school culture and is 'just for fun.'" complete story
Every kids dream. Every Superintendent's nightmare! B.Y.
Recommended by Eli
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A forecast of warm clear weather has prompted Bellingham Christian School to cancel classes Wednesday for a 'sun day.'
Principal Bob Sampson says sun day celebrates spring, promotes positive school culture and is 'just for fun.'" complete story
Every kids dream. Every Superintendent's nightmare! B.Y.
Recommended by Eli
Face Book commentary on health care bill spurs local debate.
The following comment from Kamal on the health care bill was found on FaceBook. He argues against the requirement of buying health insurance.
From Kamal Siegel, Redmond, WA
"The subject of US healthcare reform has been a huge subject of discourse among my family and friends and through it I’ve been able to formalize my thoughts on the matter as follows:
Universal healthcare is definitely something I could get around to supporting. Healthcare that is paid for by the government through our taxes, that is. But I simply cannot support the idea of being forced to hire a private company to cover my health expenses because that creates motivation for us to remain sick & unhealthy whereas if the government paid for it, there'd be motivation to keep us healthier. More thought might then be put into preventative care.
For example, just imagine that the police force or fire departments were privatized. Bad idea! Any service that is designed to battle the ills of society should be paid for by the government. If it's privatized then there's only motivation for the ills to persist.
And let’s face it. We’re really trying to fix the wrong problem here; that people don’t have health insurance. The right problem to solve would be that people without health insurance can’t get health care. That’s the real issue."
Kamal Siegel (Redmond business owner)
Posted by Bob Yoder with permissions from Kamal
From Kamal Siegel, Redmond, WA
"The subject of US healthcare reform has been a huge subject of discourse among my family and friends and through it I’ve been able to formalize my thoughts on the matter as follows:
Universal healthcare is definitely something I could get around to supporting. Healthcare that is paid for by the government through our taxes, that is. But I simply cannot support the idea of being forced to hire a private company to cover my health expenses because that creates motivation for us to remain sick & unhealthy whereas if the government paid for it, there'd be motivation to keep us healthier. More thought might then be put into preventative care.
For example, just imagine that the police force or fire departments were privatized. Bad idea! Any service that is designed to battle the ills of society should be paid for by the government. If it's privatized then there's only motivation for the ills to persist.
And let’s face it. We’re really trying to fix the wrong problem here; that people don’t have health insurance. The right problem to solve would be that people without health insurance can’t get health care. That’s the real issue."
Kamal Siegel (Redmond business owner)
Posted by Bob Yoder with permissions from Kamal
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Local food bank winning in March Madness - Seattle News - MyNorthwest.com
Local food bank winning in March Madness - Seattle News - MyNorthwest.com
There are March Madness brackets to decide just about everything now: the sexiest women, the best players of all time, and even the best Seattle sportscaster. One Eastside business is using a bracket to fill the shelves of the local food bank.
Redmond Physical Therapy has challenged 15 businesses to weekly food donation weigh-ins. MORE
Hope-Link partner
The Final Four :
Eastside basket ball club
Vs
Hancocks bakery
Redmond physical therapy
Vs
McDonalds book exchange
There are March Madness brackets to decide just about everything now: the sexiest women, the best players of all time, and even the best Seattle sportscaster. One Eastside business is using a bracket to fill the shelves of the local food bank.
Redmond Physical Therapy has challenged 15 businesses to weekly food donation weigh-ins. MORE
Hope-Link partner
The Final Four :
Eastside basket ball club
Vs
Hancocks bakery
Redmond physical therapy
Vs
McDonalds book exchange
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