OPINION: April, 2010: The city's new liquor store -- you can't miss it.

OPINION:  Look at the loud signage of the new liquor store on Redmond Way - smack in the middle of downtown Redmond on Redmond Way near Cleveland Avenue.  The liquor store is moving into this beautiful, brick building, a 1920's historic landmark known as mayor "Bill Brown Garage".

According to Rob Odle, City Director of Planning and Development "the Comprehensive Plan does not get down to describing the specific location of specific uses. Liquor stores are not singled out for special consideration and are considered to be general retail."  

Longtime resident Andrea Quenneville wrote city council and the mayor complaining about the large, tacky signs in front of the building, saying the signs were "offensive, 'ghetto' looking, and loud", and that "it doesn't present a good image for downtown Redmond".  She wrote "do we not want a clean, pleasant image for the city of Redmond since it's and right down the street from the park-to-be?". 

Jim Roberts, the city staffer in charge of  economic development replies:

"Believe me, we were disappointed about the proposed location right in the heart of downtown in a very prominent historic building. What a great restaurant site it could have been. I have no information about the lease arrangements. We're trying to get them to put historic information about the town in the store windows to make them more interesting for pedestrians than booze ads. Any other ideas of what could go in the windows would be appreciated. I'm not sure we can make it happen, but we could try." 

According to Landmarks commissioner Miguel Llanos, a city planner from the Landmarks Commission asked the Redmond Historical Society if they would display some artifacts in the windows and the Society happily obliged.  The Bill Brown Garage was built in 1920 and used to be a 20-car repair shop.  Brown was Redmond's longest serving mayor (1919-1948).

I wonder if other cities have been able to influence the State Liquor Board on site location or signage.   Any thoughts on  Redmond's downtown signage? 

Opinion and story by Bob Yoder
Photos by Yoder

Tiny Redmond Pianist Wins Big Competition

Redmond fourth-grader Alex Lu, 10, plays the piano in his stocking feet in order to operate the pedal-extension box.

Tiny Redmond Pianist Wins Big Competition

Because he's just 10 years old, Alexander Lu's legs are too short to reach the piano pedals, and his hands are too small to play the chords in many classical music pieces. But he does have a secret weapon: his eyebrows.

When he plays, Alex gets so wrapped up in the music that his whole body moves expressively with the piece, weaving and swaying (see video).  Read More 

By Katherine Long
Seattle Times Eastside Reporter
Video and Photography By Ken Lambert, Seattle Times
Posted By Bob Yoder, Seattle Times Communities Partner

"Last Saturday" Special Needs Matinee

On the last Saturday of each month, the North Bend Theatre is proud to offer a Special Needs Movie matinee for families with children with special needs.  The next matinee is Saturday, April 24, 11 am - 1pm. 

The lights in the auditorium will be on and the volume will be lowered to make this an event the entire family can enjoy.  $5.00/person. Location: North Bend Theater, 125 Bendigo Boulevard North, North Bend. Phone: 425.888.1232

By Beth Angelo
Chairperson, LWSD PTSA Special Needs

Four vehicles involved in crash on Novelty Hill

This video from Air 4 shows a dump truck, pick-up truck, and two cars in a crash on Novelty Road this Tuesday, April 20. Two people had to be freed from their cars. Amazingly, no one was seriously injured. The video shows one person being loaded onto a stretcher.

The accident occurred just east of Redmond on Novelty Hill Road near the W. Snoqualmie Valley Road intersection.

KOMO News
Fischer Communicatons

Windows saves the day, but the rest of Microsoft business is mostly blah.

Microsoft's strong earnings report today was fueled by solid sales of Windows 7, but digging deeper into the numbers, it's clear that many of the company's businesses have seen better quarters. Despite a a big in advertising revenue, increased expenses pushed the company's online business ever deeper into the red. And Microsoft's business-software units continued to show the effects of sluggish corporate spending.
Here's a division-by-division breakdown of the results...Read More

By Todd Bishop
Tech Flash
4/22

Garbage and recycling resumes

Waste Management Service interruption

For Friday April 23, 2010 - Garbage and recycling service will  resume Friday on a normal schedule. Customers that were not serviced on Wednesday or Thursday should bring in your materials from the street. You may put out up to twice the regular amount on their next scheduled collection day.  Questions?  Call:  1-800-592-9995.  

Posted on http://www.redmond.gov/

Important Budget By Priorities Open House is Monday evening, May 3.

Budget By Priorities Open House for residents and businesses is Monday evening, May 3.

Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond is hosting an open house for residents and businesses to tell City officials and staff what programs, services or projects they would like to see either added or deleted to the City budget. The meeting is on Monday, May 3 beginning at 7pm in the Redmond City Hall Council Chambers, 15670 NE 85th Street.

Members of the six *priority teams will present guidelines for developing budget proposals. This information will guide City staff in determining what programs and services to request for the 2011/2012 budget. Following the presentations, those present will have time to discuss their budget preferences. The suggestions made at this meeting will be distributed to appropriate staff to evaluate alongside additional budget proposals.

City Press Release

Note:  * "priority teams" is probably another name for "results teams".

Notes on last night's Evergreen Hospital Public Commission meeting.

OPINION:  Last night, I attended and spoke at the Regular Public Meeting of Evergreen  Hospital.   Many citizens don't know that Evergreen is a King County Public Hospital and district residents pay taxes to Evergreen Hospital. 

The most exciting news from the meeting came at the very end when our elected commissioners formally approved and announced their new CEO, Bob Malte.  (see my press release story).  Mr. Malte is replacing the popular Evergreen CEO Steve Brown.  Malte will start permanently May 10, though he will be attending the black-tie Evergreen Gala fundraiser on May 1.  According to the Evergreen website, the Gala is sold out. 

My favorite part of the meeting was Dr. Wechin's update on Resolution 1000 the "Death with Dignity Act."   Evergreen campus hosts a Hospice Center with family support services.  I attended their support classes when my mother passed from a prolonged battle with three cancers and congestive heart failure.  The support classes are taught by experienced volunteers.  It's advisable to seek professional help if your sadness turns to depression, which was my case. 

Dr. Wechin said 70% of  patients choosing to die under the Act are cancer victims.  20% have ALS, and 10% have heart failure.  The common reasons for their choice are:  1) loss of autonomy, 2) lost of dignity, and 3) loss of ability to participate and enjoy life.   My mother died in Florida.  I'm not sure about the Florida law at that time, but she died a tortuous, tramatic death, almost impossible for our family to endure.  After prayer and without hesitation, I voted for the Act in Washington.  

Less than 1% of Evergreen's hospice patients (10) were dispensed phenobarbital medication last year and 10 died.  So far this year, 6 patients were dispensed medication and 4 died.  Prescriptions cannot be ingested on hospital property.  Most choose to die in their homes.

                                                                                         ###

In my public talk,  I introduced myself as a citizen-journalist and hospital district taxpayer of 32 years.  I explained my public service mission of  "Open Government", bringing government closer to the People.  In light of health care reform (driving higher numbers of insured to hospitals), I questioned the hospital's need for taxes.  A brief chat with a commissioner and staffer afterwards was a helpful start for dialogue.     

We the People (and taxpayers!) are invited to speak to the commissioners at Evergreen Hospital on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The board of five elected-commissioners are receptive and friendly, though their experience with the Public and government reporters appears quite limited, so be patient.  (Disclaimer:  Use of recording devices for accurate reporting by the public and media are not allowed; this policy is under study .)

By Bob Yoder

High School Sports | Redmond girls risk golf win streak

High School Sports Redmond girls risk golf win streak:   Seattle Times Newspaper

By Ron Newberry
Special to The Seattle Times

The Mustangs have won 71 consecutive dual matches against KingCo teams.

REDMOND — Jake Crowley hasn't been sleeping well lately.

Any thoughts of sustained sleep ended when Crowley's newborn son, Elijah, arrived March 27. But that's not all that's kept the Redmond High School girls golf coach's mind a bit scattered recently. More.

Robert Malte Named CEO at Evergreen Hospital

ROBERT MALTE NAMED CEO AT EVERGREEN HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER

Bob Malte was formally appointed CEO during the Hospital Commission's Regular Public Meeting on 4/20.  It was announced he would be attending the Evergreen Gala event on May 1 in Marymoor Park. 

Kirkland, Washington – Robert (Bob) Malte of Littleton, Colorado, has been named CEO at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland. A committee that included the hospital board, physicians, and community members picked Malte after extensive interviews. More than 125 people applied for the position. He will begin May 10.

Malte most recently was president and CEO at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Prior to that he served as senior vice president at ThedaCare and CEO at Touchpoint Health Plan in Appleton, Wisconsin. He earned a Master of Business Administration at The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business in 1982 and bachelor degree in economics at Ripon College in Wisconsin.

“Many qualified candidates were considered but Bob stood out as the best fit for Evergreen,” said Al DeYoung of Woodinville, president of the Evergreen board. “We are pleased with his leadership expertise, experience and dedication to the community.”

Malte has a strong commitment to community service. He has been a board member of the Colorado Hospital Association since 2007, and serves on the YMCA of Denver Metro board as well as a number of other organizations.

He is married and has two children, 14 and 12. His interests include skiing, long distance cycling, tennis and

Malte replaces Steve Brown who left in February to become President/CEO of the Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, Pennsylvania.

Evergreen Hospital Press Release
By Sherry Grindeland
Photo By Local Health Guide Online
Photo, Subtitle and Evergreen Gala announcement posted By Yoder

UPDATED: Notes on tonight's school board meeting

OPINION:   I walked into the School Board Chambers tonight to walls decorated with creative, colorful art drawn by elementary students from Benjamin Franklin Elementary in Kirkland.   The Principal and her staff gave glowing reports.

Award-winning Mike Town was on the agenda but couldn't make it.  His video was played. 

Three citizens spoke during the "Public Comment" period -- a Co-Chair of Lake Washington School Foundation advertising his Legacy Luncheon fundraiser, a new Council PTSA officer and myself.

Updated:  I urged the School Board (five elected officials) to work harder at selling the Capital Improvement Bond next time.  The few times Directors actively campaign are when they run for office and sell district funding measures to constituents.  Based on my observations at 4 input sessions, over 5 Work Sessions, and 4 Board meetings, the Board majority didn't appear to work hard or smart in selling the bond.  They relied heavily on a Levy Committee phone bank, chaired by Board President Pendergrass.  With the exception of Ravi Shahani and possibly Pendergrass, it appears from my polling of the Administration, that several dropped the ball.  Ravi assertively and effectively addressed the City of Redmond Council and Mayor.  He also attended a community input meeting at Redmond Junior High, though did not participate.   Clearly, Ravi demonstrates he cares about the District in which he lives - Education Hill, Redmond, WA. -- better than most.  Pendergrass met with the Levy Committee twice/month for several months.  I asked President Pendergrass to try to "speak as One Voice" in the next election (and work harder in their home-district).  Hopefully, the Board will write a joint Letter to local newspapers, attract TV media and hold a public forum.  What do you think they could do better?   Or, is something else needed?

Next, the Board reviewed an internal report on "governance process".   The results were hard "to read" and generated little enthusiasm.  However, one item kindled the Board to think about organizing additional constituent groups into a 2-way dialogue with the Board. 

Superintendent Chip Kimball gave insight into the District's budget needs.  The district will collect about $4.5 million more in the 2010-11 school year, based on the levy authorized in February’s election. That increased local levy revenue will restore the $3.5 million in state revenues lost and about $800,000 lost in federal Title I dollars. The result is a flat budget for next year.

Even though the District could collect an additional 1.5% next year from taxpayers if they wanted, Dr.Kimball recommended against it owing to survey results and the economy.  Dr. Kimball and his School Board made a prudent decision.  The City of Redmond had a similar choice last year but raised their taxes by 1% (the maximum) under the prodding of Mayor John Marchione.  Comments? 

Opinion by Bob Yoder

UPDATED: Mike Town celebrates his NEA award at Redmond High.

Redmond High teacher Mike Town receiving award from Phillipe Cousteau

UPDATED:  Excitement abounded at Redmond High School this morning.  The Performing Arts Center overflowed with students and citizens as dignitaries from the state and around the country were on hand to recognize and award Mike Town for his NEA Green Prize in Public Education.

The NEA Foundation presented Mr.  Town a $25,000 award and national recognition for his Cool School Challenge curriculum.  In addition to the NEA award, it was announced Mike won a 1-year Fellowship to work in Washington D.C. under the National Science Foundation.  His absence will be noticed in the Pacific Northwest community next year.

Through Cool Schools Challenge and Wild Sky Wilderness efforts, Town has developed strong relationships with Congressman Jay Inslee and Governor Gregoire.   A Keynote speaker, Phillipe Cousteau commented that Mike has an ability to reach out to legislatures.  "In talking to Mike last night, he knew more about congressmen and staffers than I did", said Cousteau drawing a chuckle from the audience.  Phillipe lives in D.C. and frequents the Hill.   Phillipe is Correspondent for Green Planet and the grandson of Jacque Cousteau.

Town competed with 38 applicants for the award.  Town's Cool School Challenge curriculum has helped students, teachers, and school districts from over 150 schools nationwide reduce over 1.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.  Through infrastructure changes and the students' work, Redmond High School has saved over $30,000 per year in electricity and waste costs and reduced their carbon dioxide emissions by over 200,000 pounds.

In addition to the success of the Cool School Challenge project, Town has the highest enrollment of an AP Environmental Science class in the state, with approximately half of every of the Redmond High School graduating class taking his course.  Town thanked Principal Jane Todd and acknowledged ex-Mayor Rosemary Ives for her support.    

Video clips of Mike and from Governor Gregoire were played.  Mike has always lived in small towns outside of cities.  He said "the single biggest point source for green-house gas is local high schools.  And, ""the best way of mitigating environmental problems has and always will be education."   Governor Gregoire praised Town for his work to reduce the carbon footprint at Redmond fire houses and she plans to take Mike's program to schools statewide.   

Congressman Jay Inslee will join Mike Town and other panelists in Bellingham, Saturday, May 15th to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Western Washington's Huxley College of the Environment.  Town is a graduate.  According to Manca Valum, Director of Development, Huxley is "probably the oldest college in the country with the sole purpose of studying the environment."  It was founded in 1969.  Ms. Vahum was in the audience.

The teaching curriculum can be freely downloaded from the Cool School Challenge web site.  It helps student teams gather data about the carbon footprint of each class and, based on their findings, create an action plan to reduce their impact.

Reported by Bob Yoder

Pictures by Yoder