UPDATED: The Public Needs Fair Notice of Evergreen's Budget Hearings

EDITORIAL:   Evergreen Hospital held a Public Budget Hearing on November 12 and only one citizen showed up for it.

Could it be just apathy, or something else?

READ MORE >>

Joyce Teshima recognized as regional distinguished principal

Redmond Elementary is a proud recipient of the Washington Achievement Award as a top performing school in the category of Overall Excellence. This spring, four teacher representatives and I attended the Washington Achievement Awards Ceremony to be honored by the state. Superintendent Dr. Kimball proudly joined the schools in LWSD that received the award on the stage. It was a very memorable moment for us all!  - Joyce Teshima, Prinipal

Joyce Teshima recognized as regional distinguished principal

Joyce Teshima, the principal at Redmond Elementary, was honored by the Elementary School Principals’ Association of Washington with a regional Distinguished Principal award. This award is presented to principals as a tribute to their deep and professional commitment to the children of their school. Additionally, it represents the pride and admiration of their colleagues for efforts in promoting positive school-community relations, for implementing instructional programs leading to academic excellence, and for active participation in strengthening local, state and national professional principals’ associations. Joyce was one of 18 principals selected for regional awards around the state. She represents the East King region. Joyce will now be considered as a candidate for the statewide award. Joyce received the award at her school on November 10.

LWSD Press Release
Redmond El website

"Redmond Citizen Corps Council" bundles city emergency preparedness services

Visit the new Redmond Citizen Corps Council (RCCC) site!

With the November winds, downpours and flooding already upon us, thoughts are turning to "emergency preparedness" for our families, neighbors, and businesses.

During this week's Council meeting, a citizen asked Council for assurances that fire department resources would be secure for the "Community Emergency Response Team" (C.E.R.T.) program.  In addition, during yesterday's Redmond Chamber of Commerce Meeting, Evergreen CEO Bob Malte announced an Evegreen Hospital  "emergency preparedness" program.

The city works with the "Redmond Citizen Corps Council" (RCCC) to bundle emergency services under the RCCC website.   RCCC's mission is:

"to harness the power of every individual through education, training and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues and disasters of all kinds."

The Redmond Citizen Corps Council (RCCC) creates the following emergency response volunteer opportunities:

• C.E.R.T. training - contact Janeen Olson for the next class at jrolson@redmond.gov 
• Neighborhood Watch and Mapping - contact Police Community Laison Jim Bove, jbove@redmond.gov 
• V.P.S - Volunteers for Police Service - Substation Volunteers at the Redmond Town Center are needed.  Contact:  nrogers@redmond.gov  
• A.R.E.S - Amateur Radio Emergency Services.  Contact Jim Oates, 425-417-5864
• C.O.A.D. - Community Organizations Active in Disaster, 425-556-2251

Visit the R.C.C.C. website for details and updates.

By Bob Yoder
RCCC website source:  Brian Dennis
Special thanks to neighbor Brian Dennis for announcing the RCCC website at the Council meeting.

"Artists In Residence"



Redmond Skate Park Graffiti Wall Art

 "Artists in Residence" 

LETTER: Citizen Petitions U.S. Transportation Board to Reconnect 'Redmond Spur' to National Rail System.

Redmond Spur Trestle - Sammamish River

Redmond Spur Slide Show  

The following letter was mailed by Redmond Resident Ernest F. Wilson, PLS to the U.S. Surface Transportation BOARD, Washington, DC. on October 20, 2010  (It does not necessarily represent the views of RNB)

"As a citizen of Redmond, Washington, I am very much in favor of immediate reactivation of the so-called 'Redmond Spur' rail line, along with the related and connected portion of the “Woodinville Subdivision” rail line.

At present, the former BNSF Issaquah Branch (aka Redmond Spur) line is inactive. However, the roadbed and rail are still intact all the way from Woodinville south through downtown Redmond to its intersection with Washington highway SR 520 on the easterly side of Redmond. This remaining rail line provides the opportunity for Redmond and the adjacent unincorporated area to once again be connected to the national rail system. The potential economic and environmental benefit from this connection is nearly incalculable. On the other hand, the value of the alternative use, i.e., additional trails within Redmond, is minimal. Nonetheless, shared use of some of the right-of-way may be feasible. I see three major potential benefits to reactivation of this rail line.

READ MORE (below) >>

Bek Wiltbank, LWSD Occupational Therapist, Offering Autism Spectrum Workshops.

from the desk of Julie Shalaby, Chair, LWSD PTSA Special Needs

Autism Spectrum Disorders - def.

*The Magical One: Therapy for Kids*
Bek Wiltbank
Kenmore, WA (near Bothell Way)
206-391-6721
themagicalones@fastmail.fm
http://themagicalones.com/home.html

At the magical ones, we offer pediatric therapy services, including: sensory integration, fine and gross motor therapy, cranio sacral therapy (Insurance billing is available). Bek Wiltbank is an Occupational Therapist, and has worked with special needs kids for 8 years. She has particular interest and skills with kids with sensory differences. Currently, she is a therapist in the Lake Washington School District, in the K-1 school integration program for kids on the Autism Spectrum. Bek's philosophy that acceptance and love are the foundation for growth has allowed her to have many warm and successful relationships with all kinds of special needs children, and their parents. She has a passion for sharing her knowledge and skills with parents and educators, so that the children can have joyful childhoods steeped in learning.

Workshops
*Understanding Special Education Assessments*
Seattle University School of Law is presenting a half-day training on“Understanding Special Education Assessments”

Saturday, November 20, 2010
9:00 am-12:00 pm
The trainer is Wendy B. Marlowe, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, a board certified clinical neuropsychologist

Windows Phone 7 outlasts iPhone, Android ... on a BBQ

Windows Phone 7 outlasts iPhone, Android ... on a BBQ:



"Not sure if this will factor into anyone's purchasing decisions, but it looks like Windows Phone 7 is the smartphone for you -- at least if you have a habit of leaving your smartphone unattended on a flaming grill.

EZ Grill, a Bellevue-based disposable BBQ company, worked with Seattle-based social media agency Banyan Branch to pit a new HTC Surround, running the Microsoft operating system, against the Android G2 and iPhone 4 in a test of endurance on the grill. As you can see in the video above, Windows Phone won easily.

No doubt this will soon be added to the list of official specs, right next to battery life.

By Todd Bishop
Tech Flash

Editor's Note:  This post was picked up by KIRO 7 on their "Daily Double Shot" to fun and interesting links.

Redmond Pool is Open for Swimming!

The Redmond Pool is Open for Swimming!

Redmond Pool is Open for Swimming

The Redmond Pool at Hartman Park is open for swimming according to Tyson Wellock of WAVE Aquatics, the City's pool operator.

The pool has been filled with water, all the systems are restarted and pool chemicals balanced.
WAVE Aquatic's first priority is to begin lap swimming and the Swim Teams. Following that will be a variety of programs for the community. WAVE is very familiar with community pools and currently operates the Juanita Pool.

Residents are encouraged to call WAVE directly for updates. The number is 425-883-4422. For additional information, visit http://www.waveaquatics.org/.

By Bob Yoder
Sources:  COR and WAVE websites
Photo:  WAVE website, 11/14

Evergreen Hospital CEO to speak at Redmond Chamber Luncheon this week

"Greater Redmond Chamber Membership Luncheon"

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

at Matts' Rotisserie - Redmond Town Center

11:30 to 1:00 pm

Presentation by Robert Malte, CEO of Evergreen Medical Center

“Exceptional Care Close to Home”

Bob will share stories about Evergreen’s commitment to quality, safety, improved access and present an overview of Evergreen’s future plans for growth and how Evergreen Healthcare will be taking a leading role in healthcare reform in our own community.

 Evergreen CEO Bob Malte

Robert (Bob) Malte was named Evergreen's Chief Executive Officer in April 2010, and is responsible for  oversight and direction of all aspects of Evergreen Hospital's operations.

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 COO 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 bachelors degree in economics at Ripon College in Wisconsin.

To get to know Mr. Malte now.... read this excellent 'Kirkland Reporter" interview!

RSVP to Carla:  carlaj@redmondchamber.org
$30 Members $40 non-Members
425-885-4014

Payment accepted at the door by cash, check or credit card.

Time: 11:30 to 1:00 pm
Location: Matts' Rotisserie
16551 NE 74th Street
Redmond WA 98052

Source:  Redmond Chamber of Commerce website
Photo from Woodinville Weekly, 6/28/2010

Will The Evergreen Hospital Commission Allocate Levy-Dollars for Obesity?

OPINION:  Updated: Ms. Michaela Jellicoe clarified, King County Public Health, did not submitt this information on obesity in response to a story on the Evergreen Hospital Property Tax Levy.  Obesity in youth contributes to high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes, and tooth decay. Each year, King County spends $500 million for costs related to obesity.  It's hopeful the Evergreen Commission will acknowledge a need for community care and awareness of this chronic condition with levy-dollar funding.



Thanksgiving and the December holidays are fast-approaching. During the holiday season, kids and grown-ups typically consume more candy and desserts. Many parents are concerned about how many sweets their children may eat in the upcoming months.

Few parents realize that, in addition to baked goods and candy, sugar-loaded beverages such as soda, sports beverages, energy drinks and sweetened fruit drinks also pose hidden health risks for kids. These risks include contributing to being overweight or obese, Type 2 diabetes, tooth decay and high blood pressure.

Children who drink two or more sugar-loaded beverages a day are more likely to be overweight than kids who consume healthier alternatives such as low-fat milk or water. A 20-ounce bottle of soda has more than 15 teaspoons of sugar and 240 calories. It is no wonder that one in three children in middle and high school locally is overweight or obese — and the number is growing.

Over the years, sugar-loaded beverages have become easily available to kids. Since the mid-1990s, the consumption of sugared beverages for 2-18 year olds has surpassed milk — putting youth at risk for osteoporosis and brittle bones. Each year, King County spends $500 million for costs related to obesity.

Opinion by Bob Yoder
Michaela Jellicoe
on Behalf of Public Health – Seattle & King County
(206) 462-6385

Dr. Chip Kimball responds to criticism of Kirkland school modernization scheduling

Superintendent Chip Kimball

UPDATED  (Read More)

To the Editor:

Last week Matt Gregory wrote a letter to the editor regarding Lake Washington School District plans to place a capital projects levy on the February ballot, and specifically criticized intentions related to Juanita High School. Unfortunately his letter failed to address the overcrowding problem in the district, did not accurately reflect the community feedback solicited by the board, and failed to mention the significant investment Lake Washington has made, and continues to make, in Kirkland schools.

Lake Washington serves over 24,000 students across 50 schools in 4 municipalities. The school board and district leadership work very hard to ensure that EVERY part of the LWSD community receives a high quality education with up to date facilities. At any given time some facilities are older than others. But over time, all parts of the district are served, and all parts of the community are needed to support that service.

Lake Washington has in place a long term plan to modernize every school in the district by 2030. All schools have been evaluated and were placed into one of four phases based on their condition. Out of the 22 schools either modernized in the first phase (1998-2006) or in the process of being modernized in the second phase (2006-2014), sixteen (16) were in Kirkland or the annexation area. These decisions were made by an objective evaluation of facility condition. Almost three quarters of the over $600 million in construction projects since 1998 are in Kirkland. Turn our back on Kirkland….Not a chance!

Read More >>

Tom Hardy, Redmond city's stream specialist leads citizens on Willows Creek tour

Tom explains woody debris placement on Willows Creek 

 "These photos were taken on Monday during a hike up Willows Creek, that was conducted by Redmond City stream specialist Tom Hardy.  The aim was to learn how water flow in the creek has been restored to a more natural state by careful placement of logs and other natural materials in the stream bed."

Full story with more photos by John Reinke, Bob Yoder, and Tom Hardy will be published soon.

  

Narrative and photos by John Reinke
Redmond neighbor