Connor Knapp, Eagle Scout - completes culminating project for Redmond Presbyterian Church

CONNOR KNAPP, Eagle Scout
click collage to enlarge

Connor Knapp's Culminating EAGLE SCOUT Service Project was this natural outdoor amphitheatre for the Redmond Presbyterian Church. The land was donated by the church after review of Connor's proposal. The project was designed by Connor for compatibility with the forest, form and function. Not one tree was removed. Connor planned and organized the project from the beginning to the end. Under the mentorship of his father, Connor raised funds for the materials and recruited all the labor and then supervised the construction. The project's timeline was completion by Easter. They made it!

The church is very happy and blessed by Connor's project. The first use of the amphitheater was the Youth program's sponsored Easter "Sunrise Service". Boy Scouts from Connor's Troop 520 have held meetings here. Spaces within the church, including the amphitheatre, are open to the public, when available. For reservations, call 425-885-2811. The church is located on 166th Ave & NE 100th Street.

Connor's troop meets at the Redmond Presbyterian Church every Monday at 7pm, under the guidance of Dan Weinmeister, a Scoutmaster. Other Scout Troops on "the Hill" meet at Faith Lutheran, First Baptist, Redmond United Methodist, LDS, and Norman Rockwell.

CONGRATULATIONS, CONNOR!

Eagle Scout requirements - minimum of 21 Merit Badges - Connor has 26. Connor is the 5th Eagle scout to come out of Troop 520 (2.5 years old)

Redmond father & son lacrosse family invents THE LAX TIMER

When this ref's whistle blows, "the Clock" goes on auto-pilot.

My son Nolan created the http://www.laxtimer.com/ web site that we use to sell the "Lacrosse Timer" software. I'm the CEO of a local software company, Prime Recognition Corporation. Nolan's a junior on Redmond High School Varsity Lacrosse team, but has sat out this year with injuries. But prior to that he was on some all star teams including Starz.

As I mentioned, we actually give the software away to anyone in the Pacific NW, as payback for all the things that have been done for us in the 5 years Nolan's been playing. Anybody can download the software and use it for 30 days for free to see if they like it before buying it.

I wrote the software after a couple of years of doing timing the conventional way with stop watches, horns, etc. I much prefer this approach [in large part, because keeping track of multiple penalties is so much easier and less stressfull].

Regards,
Kenn Dahl
Redmond, WA.

Barry McDonough rips it: click for 40 sec. Redmond H.S. lacrosse video.

click to enlarge the "face-off" photo

UPDATE, 6/15 - We Lost. Redmond High School is an essay finalist & needs your vote to win a hybrid bus!

Help Lake Washington School District win this $200,000 hybrid bus! VOTE!

We're very happy to announce that Alexander Chen of Irvington High School in Fremont, CA has won the America's Greenest School Contest! Alex's essay "Irvington Vikings Sail Toward Sustainability" (one of nearly 2,000) won his school district an IC Bus plug-in hybrid electric school bus. He also won a $5,000 scholarship for himself. Way to go, Alex!

The following letter was forwarded to me by RHS Principal Todd for posting. Redmond High School student Hilary Polis wrote the letter.

Readers, please register to vote now! Please forward www.americasgreenestschool.com or this blog to your friends and 'friends of friends' so they can register and vote! Thank you, Hilary!________________________________________________________________________

Dear Redmond High School Principal Todd, Ms. Pointer, and Mr. Higgins,

I just wanted to let you know that our school has been chosen as a "Top Ten Finalist" in the America's Greenest School Contest. For this contest, we wrote an essay describing why Redmond is the greenest school in America, and our essay was chosen as one of the final 10/2000.

The grand prize for this contest is a hybrid school bus worth $200,000 for our school district AND a $5000 scholarship. The winner will be chosen by online voting next week (May 11-17). Register to vote NOW! Online voting will begin this Monday, May 11 and continue through Sunday, May 17.

TO REGISTER AND VOTE: Click http://www.americasgreenestschool.com/.

You can vote online 7 times (once per day from May 11-17)

Thanks so much for your help!
Sincerely,
Hilary Polis

slight edits

Energy Refuge story on hybrid buses
Hybrid bus - FAQ

Our Parks & Trails Commissioners are reaching new heights.

UPDATE, 5/10 - Opinion: I attended the Parks & Trails Commission Meeting tonight at Grass Lawn Park in the new building. Every time I go to Grass Lawn Park something about it amazes me. This time, it was watching heavy rain hit the pervious blacktop trail and not splash.

The Commissioners, led by able Chair Peter McDonald, brainstormed park and trail ideas, some 10-20 years into the future. To name a few:

• Indoor aquatic pool - climate change is bringing cooler weather and older adults need "soft" exercise for their joints. Children need a warm place to splash. A regional pool was discussed.
• Expand our partnership with the school district to share environmental resources, use of fields, and on.
• Build a network of soft surface walking trails for some of the best low impact exercise you can find. Provide for equestrian use.
• Outdoor performing arts amphitheatre with a focus on youth.
• The Downtown Park with a myriad of gathering places.
• Completion of the Centennial Trail that loops around the city and through the neighborhoods.
• Facilitate the growth of alternative sports from around the world: Equestrian, Cricket, Lacrosse, and Tai Chi. Plan for BMX Dirt Bike Jump parks.

Chairman McDonald made several pleas at the meeting, as follows: 1) a policy for wayfinding signage in parks and trails. Un-named trails run through parks unknown to the visitors. 2) a Parks Foundation to raise funds for the Downtown Park, an Aquatic Park, Amphitheatre and other goals. Find $10K in seed money for the Foundation. 3) Complete all the trail connections, 4) Park land acquisition - even in this economy landowners aren't selling.

Our Commissioners appear to be metamorphosing -- from task masters "wading in the weeds" -- to creating & implimenting higher-level, visionary, goal driven, work plans. Director Larsen was out ill but, three new resourceful planners offered excellent support! The commissioners are holding firmly to the reigns as they steer, ever upwards, into the 'high country' of Parks & Trails planning. I'm confident saying we can thank Mayor Marchione and his administration for the Commission's advance.

Moving speech by Environmental Teacher Mike Town

Mike Town, Redmond High School environmental AP teacher won the "Golden Apple" teaching award this school year. Mike's grant award was sponsored by PEMCO and KCTS -9.

Many of you may know of Mike's efforts with Washington Congress members to move the state towards federal protection and conservation of the Wild Sky Wilderness Area.

Click this KTCS-9 "Share me" link for the short video of Mike's motivating acceptance speech.

Thoughts on Redmond parks and arts

UPDATED: Opinion: I just came home from a city Parks Public Meeting. The city objective was to get us to "vision" what kind of parks and art our city will have 6-20 years out. Carolyn Hope, the new senior parks planner (of 3 months), led the meeting. I think she is also a Program Manager. I've seen Ms. Hope present four times, including a double presentation to the Planning Commission and an outdoor Dirt Bike public meeting. She was also interviewed for the inauguaral "ON REDMOND" RC-TV series. It appears the Marchione Administration has made an excellent hiring decision.

The city gave an electronic survey to all 25 participants. It was clear Redmond has grown way beyond it's last 6 year plan. For example, "soft surface" trails and "open space" was by far the most desired choice of nine park, rec, and art assets. Multi-use soft surface trails got a lot of interest - for hikers, equestrian, runners, and mountain bikers. A soft surface trail following the Sammamish River on the west bank drew a lot of chatter.

The city was definitely featuring art in their presentation. I found it interesting over 24 pieces of outdoor art rest permanently in Redmond but are not owned by the city. We have so much outdoor art, why can't we loan out some of our collection for others to enjoy? John Stilin, Arts Commission Chair and a city council candidate, brought up a valid argument to improve the enrichment of our youth with art education. Apparently, a clay throwing studio for kids just opened up at the Old Redmond School House; and the Teen Center has some great music programs.

One of the Downtown Park visions appeared as an expansive promenade, with covered seating and tables. Looked good. On my turn, I suggested "micro neighborhood parks" where neighbors could open satellite outdoor markets to sell things like "native plants", "nature photographs", and "home-made art & baked goods". Education Hill has a corner forest where this actually took place at one time.

Finally, the city showed a cool picture of "Redmond West Park" wetlands. Do you know where it is? Click here for slide shows of all our city parks.

Outdoor Public Meeting on the future of BMX Dirt Biking draws 70 citizens.

City Parks hosted an outdoor Public Meeting last night to explain the safety and environment issues of the current BMX Bike Course. Carolyn Hope, Senior Parks Planner and Theresa Kluver, Parks Operation Supervisor, were there just as much to listen and learn as talk. For technical support, Parks invited John Lang, Executive Director of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance.

The Mayor personally initiated this meeting after consulting with city staff. Turnout and participation was "huge". Approximately 70 residents and youth attended. 95%+ of the parents and youth in attendance spoke favorably about the value of the location and sport. Many offered excellent recommendations i.e. tool storage, more dirt to build safer jumps and cover exposed roots, use cell phones more to call the city for help, community service, different courses for different skill levels, assigning "captains" to carry the city message, using dirt bike stewards to monitor the course, and get safety support from Performance Bicycle in Overlake. Come back soon for more stories, pictures and clips!

video clip: young BMX'ers talk on tools

video clip: parent talk on safety (one lady speaking has not kids)

Do you have any comments?

LWSD cuts $7.7 from budget and raises fees to keep class sizes the same and avoid layoffs.

When putting together the proposed budget for 2009-10, Lake Washington School District Superintendent Chip Kimball heard the message of parents and staff loud and clear: don’t increase class sizes. Through a series of administrative cuts, program cuts and increased fees, the district will keep class sizes the same and will not lay off teachers, despite cutting $7.7 million from its budget.

Community feedback also advocated protecting safety net programs for struggling learners, early learning and investments in quality staff. The new budget reflects those values through keeping like Ready Start preschool and safety net programs.

The largest cuts came in central administration and professional development, over $2 million dollars.

• Just over ten positions will be eliminated, including four administrators, two professional/technical staff members and just over four professional development staff positions.


• All central office departments will face five percent cuts in their operating budgets.


• The district will no longer produce a printed school calendar, which traditionally is mailed to all parents at the beginning of the school year.

The next largest area of cuts comes in building support, totaling $1.8 million.

• Five percent of the building operating budgets will be cut.


• The building budgets for professional development will be cut by 75 percent.


• Much of the cut in this area involves reducing staff stipends to provide support for high school graduation, teacher leaders, teachers on special assignment and teachers who lead advisory programs in the secondary schools.

The district will increase fees and cut some programs, for about $1.1 million in savings or increased revenue:

• About $700,000 will be gained through an increase in the fee for All-Day Kindergarten and other safety-net programs.


• A new fee for transportation for the one day per week gifted enrichment program will raise $45,000.


• Operation of the pool at Juanita High School will be contracted out, saving $150,000. If no contractor can be found, the pool will be closed.


• A significant change will be in funding for activities and athletics, resulting in about $800,000 in cost savings and increased revenue.


• The largest change will be a substantial change in athletics fees, rising from $35 to $105 in junior highs and from $75 to $275 in high schools.

Support services will cut about $600,000 through increased efficiencies in using a different custodial services model, increased energy savings and transportation route efficiencies. LWSD is working smarter to increase efficiences! Kudos.

The district’s Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on the budget at its June 22 meeting. The budget must be approved by the Board in August.

This is an abbreviated and edited LWSD Press Release, 5/5/09. Contact: Kathryn Reith, Communications Director, LWSD, (425) 702-3342 for the entire release.

Old Wheelbarrow on the Hill

Have you seen this?

A visit with Audi Murphy, of Tent City-4

This is Audi Murphy. He's a Tent City resident, waiting for the bus to go to the library. Audi is carrying a comedy book, the Bible and computer with no web service.

Audi lives about 1/4 mile away from my home in a tent pitched on a parking lot at St. Jude's Church. His neighborhood is called "Tent City-4" though you could barely call it a home. I bumped into Audi at the Junior High Metro bus stop. He said I could interview him. Audi speaks English well.

Audi's life story is one of broken homes and far away places. He is the son of an Irish Philipino and didn't move to the States until 1998. His mother and brother moved to Los Angelos, when he was only 2 years old, leaving him behind. Audi lived with his "father" in the Philipines for eight years until his mother called for him. Audi is a gentle soul and when abusive fighting started with his mother he developed anxieties and anger issues. So, he left to join the Navy.  Working on a Navy boat was his best job but it only lasted 3 years. Audi was dismissed because he started drinking, probably as a way to manage his anger?

Audi moved to Las Vegas and then Kent, WA. He found a Mission in Seattle but, unable to find work, he couldn't pay the $5/night fee. So, he moved to Mercer Island TC-4. He's lived in various Tent Cities for over a year. After Mercer Island he pitched in Kirkland, Woodinville and finally Redmond. He left Kirkland for Alaska to fish for mackerel but got kicked off the boat because he was too small and slow. So, he worked on the dock for 3 months before coming "home" to Redmond.

Audi must be about 20 years old? He wants me to visit him at TC-4. I told him I would. Audi's a kind, quiet soul, eager to find his place in this world.  Audi is itinerent.  He already moved on.

SPOTLIGHT ON COACH "JC"

Players huddle up with Coach

The Redmond Lacrosse Club is undefeated this year, with 10 - 0 record so far. Last year Coach J.C. took the Mustangs to the DII quarter-finals and won. The challenging Snohomish H.S. game is coming up May 9, at Redmond High School this Saturday, 3pm. It's a big one! The last game went into overtime. RLC won 12-4!

Redmond’s Jean-Claude “J.C.” de Raoulx has been coaching lacrosse for over 24 years and is no doubt, passionate about the game. He learned to play back East in New Jersey and New York. J.C. began his coaching career in Redmond as the founding Coach for the Eastside Middle School Boys Lacrosse Team. In the off season, from August to the beginning of March, he coaches grades eight and under.

de Raoulx played collegiate lacrosse for the Ohio Wesleyan Cardinals and in 2007 coached the Central Washington University men’s lacrosse team to their first-ever playoff appearance. "J.C." still coaches at Central.

“Lacrosse is a unique and exciting sport combining elements found in soccer, basketball, hockey, rugby and football,” J.C. explained. “Anyone who has played becomes a member of a worldwide fraternity or sorority of current and past players, young and old.”

He likes to remind his players: "Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly will acquire the skill to do difficult things easily."

Video clip (20 secs) Senior DJ Ohlstrom rips one into the net

The team website is Redmond Lacrosee Club.

Regional lacrosse website is http://www.walax.com/

Sources for this story are from: an interview with J.C., my personal experience coaching and playing the game in Redmond, the Redmond Reporter, and last but not least, the RLC website. J.C. is a prostate cancer survivor.

Redmond Boys Lacrosse (10-0) & related girls lacrosse stories

Redmond Boys Lacrosse, Winners of 2008 Cascade Conference and Dll Quarterfinals

In 2008, Jean-Claude "J.C." de Raoulx coached the Redmond Lacrosse Club (RLC) team to a fantastic 9-1 season. RLC is off to another fantastic season this year with a 10-0 record in the 2009 Evergreen Conference. A game to watch is coming up Saturday, May 9th, 3PM against Snohomish. Last month the Redmond Mustangs defeated Snohomish 6-5 in Overtime. They play at Redmond High School. RLC defeated Snohomish 12-4!

If you want to see a challenging home game and support the team, this is the one! Overlake is a perennial rival of the Mustangs. A final match-up of the season is Tuesday, April 12 , 6:30pm @ Overlake. 'Stang fans! Come out!

Redmond Boys & Girls Youth Lacrosse Story - "The little engine that could"

Girls lacrosse is "growing like wild fire" on the Sammamish Plateau.

Eastside Girls Youth Lacrosse website

Council and Mayor "rap" about the Budget

Last night, the Council and Mayor held a long rap session on the City budget.

Of the General Operating Fund and Capital Fund, which do you think is the most political in our community? According to Council President Nancy McCormick, the Capital fund wins. Hmmm. She must be thinking about our newer $50M City Hall. Mayor Marchione would prefer to put large Capital expenditures out to vote.

Marchione's staff also suggested simplifying transfers to the Capital fund from the General Fund. Staff asked to limit transfers from six "bucket" allocations to 3 buckets. The three proposed capital buckets are: 1) Parks, 2) Transportation, and 3) General Government. As compared to the present transfer method, "Parks" allocation would increase by 20%, the "Transportation" bucket would increase by 20% and "General Government" (Fire, Police, Government) decreases 35%. No decisions were made.

Halving the buckets would cut out council's cherished "Council Contingency" bucket. Eliminating this bucket suggests of a Council "working consensus" and trust in the Marchione Administration, qualities that were lacking in the prior Administration. Ostensibly, the Marchione Administration would have greater flexibility and control.

Much talk centered around establishing a "sinking fund" to plan for replacement of the Public Safety Building (PSB) and Senior Center. Mr. Cole considered the PSB a legacy building and wanted to start storing away money for its eventual replacement in 20-30 years. Councilmember Kimberly Allen was cautious about creating "silos" to store biennium surpluses. Councilmember Pat Vache' went with the flow of the conversation speaking in generalities. Both are up for re-election.

REDMOND RADIO AM 1650 - In the Dark

Opinion: My wife and I were driving home from an event in Bellevue last night. We were surprised to find red flares at the intersections and power out on Education Hill. I tuned into Redmond Community/Emergency Response Radio AM 1650 to find out what was happening? Was it a major emergency or fleeting outage? Instead of an emergency update, we were given a taped tour of the City's new downtown buildings, some tourist information, and canned safety news about the proper operation of pellet and wood stoves. I think the power outage was limited to Education Hill and only lasted a couple of hours. But, it would have been nice to know what was going on. AM 1650 is a great idea. Maybe next time.

Read about Redmond's "best kept secret"

County surveyers are wading and boating in the Sammamish River - sounds fun!

Floodplain Mapping Project is Starting in April 2009

King County is beginning an effort to improve information about flood hazard areas along the Sammamish River. This month, consultant crews will be out working along the Sammamish River to conduct a river survey. Most of the survey work will be collecting river channel information by boating or wading in the river. So don't be surprised! They are not fishing!

The work is expected to be completed by May. New survey data and aerial photographs will be included in the flood study. Areas of inundation will be delineated. The public will have the opportunity to review and comment on the draft maps in 2010. The survey data will be used to update federal flood insurance rate maps. For complete details, see the press release.

Sammamish Watershed county website

UPDATED: "Neighborhood Associations" - Why?

The goal of Neighborhood Planning is to build social capital, which is the ability of the neighborhood to organize itself to identify problems and solve them in partnership with elected officials, businesses, and public agencies.
-- L. Colombo & K.Balizer
UPDATED: 5/4 - Opinion: What can the city and neighborhoods do together to improve the livability of our neighborhoods? to increase community involvement? to increase opportunities for participation? to create a safety network? to preserve scenic and recreational attributes?

Today, the only partnership the City of Redmond has with it's neighborhoods is: 1) Neighborhood Block Watch Program and 2) the beautification grant program for cul-de-sacs, etc. Can you think of others? The GreenRedmond forestry stewardship program is designed primarily for City Park restoration, though neighborhoods participate.

Last week our Police Department liaison officer sent Neighborhood BlockWatch captains a notice that over 60 of Neighborhoods in the program would have their street Block Watch signs removed owing to inactivity. An additional 10 Block Watch Neighborhoods may be delisted. for various reasons. Sadly, my East Firs Block Watch Neighborhood, of one year, might be included. Only about 20+ Block Watch Neighborhoods are still active - probably as much for the social aspects of the community as for safety and security.

What is the solution to this hollowness within our neighborhoods? One can look to the City of Bend, OR. for ideas and answers. They've organized "Neighborhood Associations" ranging in size between 3000-6000 neighbors. (The recommended size for a Block Watch Neighborhood is no more than 24). Each Association has their own Board, By-Laws, optional Budget, Website, Land Use Chair, and Annual Report. Their breadth of participation is beyond safety and is multi-dimensional. Political endorsement of candidates for elected office is dis-allowed, though city policy recommendations by majority consensus are encouraged.

Neighborhood Associations rejuvenate a city by creating social capital and make it a community. The communication and participation paradigm is turned inside out - with Associations contributing to community livability and policy rather than the city constantly putting itself upon the entire neighborhoods with public and community meetings. Councilmembers receive more value, purpose and incentive to visit neighborhoods and their residents.

The link to the City of Bend, OR. "Neighborhood Association" website is here. 13 Neighborhood Association min-websites are linked. Any thoughts?

CC: Mayor & Council

Redmond-Cascade Conservancy forestry stewardship project is launched

This neighborhood volunteer work party for GreenRedmond removed Himalayan Blackberry weeds nearby Hartman Park on Saturday. In the Fall volunteers will plant native shrubs to beautify and protect the forest.

UPDATED, 5/1 - A garbage-ridden corner forest by the school pedestrian corridor, Church of LDS (Mormon) and the Dirt Bike Course (adjacent Hartman Park) had been severely overtaken by dense Himalayan Blackberry weeds. Citizens, the City, and Cascade Conservancy wanted to do something about it. This Saturday, twenty-five enthusiastic, committed citizen volunteers walked into this neighborhood forest with their tools. Norah Kates of the Cascade Conservancy answered our questions. Four hours later, with the use of City tools and the Cascade Conservancy knowledge, the forest floor had been "cleaned up" and we walked away satisfied and very happy with our work. This Fall, when the rains come, we will plant native, green shrubs and sapling trees!

The group of volunteers you see in this photo (click to enlarge) is a diverse mix of citizens who care about our local environment. Many of the volunteers were "Key Club" members recruited by my daughter, Lexie. Lexie is a Youth Advocate for the Water Tenders. Key Club is a Redmond High School Club devoted to charitable work. Students and parents from Horace Mann El, a local Scout pack, Water Tenders helped out.

Neighbor Lisa from the Parks farm volunteered as did two officers from the Water Tenders. Several passersby signed up for the next project. It was hard work but rewarding. We removed 40 gallons of recyclable drinking containers. (A month ago 120 gallons were removed). Invasive plants were removed from approximately 8000 square feet of forest floor . We protected and left untouched a low-lying bird's nest with two chicks.

The forest floor looks barren and brown for now. City Parks said they would remove and recycle the concrete gate blocks and may chip the wood trash. After planting native shrubs this Fall the forest floor will look beautiful! The neighborhood will just have to be patient for the new plants as we await the Fall rains. Restoration information may be posted. Comments?

The King Conservation District - who runs it? where do our tax dollars go?

King Conservation District Mission Statement:

"To Promote Sustainable uses of Natural Resources through Responsible Stewardship"

UPDATED, 6/09, Opinion: Did you know? The City of Redmond received several hundreds of thousands of dollars from the King Conservation District last year? The funds will go towards restoration and flood mitigation of Bear Creek when SR520 is widened.

Every year, every citizen in King County pays $10 per parcel of property to fund the "King Conservation District". This county tax brings in over $6 million dollars per year to pay for Salmon Recovery meetings, staff, watershed monitoring, and education. The money is also used for restoration projects, habitat conservation acquisitions, farm plans and numerous other conservation projects.

The District is overseen by five* Board of Supervisors - two are appointed* and three elected. This election that has gone unnoticed for years and decided by a few hundred votes most years. Most polling places are limited to King County libraries so it is a relatively unknown event. Perhaps, the RedmondLibrary Blog would comment or post a story about the election?

On March 19 the King Conservation District held elections. Almost 3000 people voted - four times the previous record. Many conservation groups were backing Mark Sollitto but he was disqualified for improperly filing his application. Mark still received 1199 write in votes. Preston Drew, Vice President of Citizens Alliance for Property Rights, a resident of Fall City received 1357 votes and is the new Supervisor. Just prior to the election, the Board appointed David Irons, an Associate Supervisor, to a vacated seat. Max Prinson, a strong Conservationist, is an Associate Supervisor as of this posting.

The Property Rights folks are now in a very strong position within the Conservation District. I have heard that the Property Rights majority is organizing to take on the foundations of environmental regulations and "Best Available Science" after winning the court case on the CAO clearing restrictions.

There will be another seat open next Spring. (Read "Comment" below for full disclosure). Let's keep improving the turn-out. Come out and vote in 2010. The past Board has been very supportive of Redmond for salmon recovery, flood mitigation, and Bear Creek restoration. Let's hope the new King County Conservation District Board of Supervisors will spend our tax dollars just as wisely.

--This story was contributed in large part by a Woodinville environmentalist.

What's an "Undriver"?

Contributed by next door neighbor, Richard Morris:

" As you know, I ride the metro over to Overlake Transit Center. But I am always amazed at the huge number of cars, passing by the bus stop in front of Jr High. Many have Microsoft parking stickers hanging from the driver's rear-view mirror. The ridership on the Metro 221 route is actually fairly low. So your blog could raise awareness about taking the bus from Ed Hill over to Overlake Transit Center. It is easy because Microsoft provides a FLEX PASS." -- Richard Morris

Undriver Licenses are issued to people who make a pledge to reduce their car use in the coming month. Undrivers get their own personalized license made on the spot, and also 2 free bus tickets courtesy of King County METRO, 2 Sound Transit tickets, and a 2-for-1 Amtrak Cascades coupon. $5 is a suggested donation.

Everyone can be an Undriver – it doesn’t mean giving up your car entirely (though some people might end up doing that!) And if you’ve ever walked, bused, or biked instead of driving, you are already an Undriver.

Every mile of "undriving" is one pound of CO2 that is not going into the atmosphere. Other benefits are: reduced stress, saving money, better health and fitness, more community connections, even more time!

To register contact: julia@sustainableballard.org or visit the Undriver site. Cascade Bicycle Club supports Undrivers with route-finding and bicycle safety information.
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Send you comments and ideas to redmondblog@gmail.com for posting below on this page or click the "comments" button.

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"Maybe you could engage your Presbyterian Church members? At my church, Unity of Bellevue, we hosted Julia Field, director of Undriving. Now I am attempting to network with Microsoft Facilities. Microsoft is piloting a Sustainability Floor Captain program in Bldg 16. The aim is to reduce energy use and water consumption in the office building."

-- Richard Morris, Education Hill neighbor

The Redmond Saturday Market seeks sponsors

Jim Hoagland, President of the Saturday Market spoke* up for the Market at this week's City Council meeting.

The "Saturday Market" has been in operation for 25 years and is the oldest open market on the Eastside. But, according to Jim, the Market is struggling with rising expenses while having to compete for vendors and customers of other markets. The surrounding open markets in Kirkland, Sammamish, Mercer Island and Bellevue have the upper hand with much lower expenses. Mercer Island, Sammamish and Bellevue markets don't have to pay rent. The Kirkland open market has paid staff and WI-FI to expedite sales transactions.

According to Jim's talk: Redmond's nonprofit Saturday Market has to pay $23,000 rent to REDMOND TOWN CENTER (RTC). Plus, they have to pay for garbage, electricity, and sani-cans! Sammamish and Bellevue open markets don't have to pay any rent. When the Market asked RTC for help, RTC gave them six poster kiosks; That's it.

For the first time ever, the Market will be seeking sponsors from businesses and neighborhood associations in the range of $500 - $2000. Though the Market came to City Budget table late, they hope the City of Redmond would be a sponsor. The City of Sammamish gives their open market a $5000 sponsorship. The money the Market will raise from sponsorships is all planned to go toward advertisement and entertainment.

Our Saturday Market has already taken a physical beating from the all the road construction around it. I hope the community, neighborhood associations and city can help them financially. To become a Sponsor click on this form. Visit their Saturday Market website.

OPENING DAY for the Saturday Market is May 2, 9-3pm. The Redmond High School orchestra will be performing!

*At the beginning of every council meeting citizens have opportunity to talk to City Council for up to four minutes. It's called "Items from the Audience".

EARTH DAY! Redmond High Senior Recognized with Environmental Scholarship.

Eastside Audubon chose Hailey Hargraves, a senior at Redmond High School, to receive the Len Steiner College Scholarship Award. The award recognizes Eastside students who have demonstrated leadership in environmental issues. Len Steiner will present Hailey with the $500 scholarship at the April 23 meeting of Eastside Audubon, where the members will honor this outstanding young woman.

An ardent environmentalist, Hailey plans to attend Smith College, where she will major in environmental science and policy making. No matter where her degree leads her, Hailey is “committed to making a difference and to convincing others that green should be their favorite color.”

At Redmond High School, Hailey excels academically, maintaining a 3.6 G.P.A. while taking Advanced Placement classes and serving as a leader among her peers. Her list of accomplishments is long and includes participant in the Johns Hopkins University Summer Program in Bioethics; SEAFAIR ambassador and scholarship recipient; president of the Environmental Club; Honor Society member; treasurer of the Key Club; delegate to Evergreen Girls’ State; Follow the Leader grand prize winner.

-For more information contact: Kathryn Reith, Director of Communications, (425) 702-3342 Shannon Parthemer, Community Relations & Communications Coordinator, (425) 702-3300

EARTH DAY! Redmond High School Student Wins National Environmental "Planet Connect" Award

Rachel Nakanishi, a senior at Redmond High School, has been awarded a National Environmental Education Foundation Planet Connect grant. Rachel’s grant will be used for her “1,000 Cup Challenge.”

She noticed that customers at her local Starbucks did not know about or use Starbucks’ discount for reusing Starbucks cups or personal reusable cups.

Rachel plans to challenge their customer base to reuse their cups or bring their own personal cups from home. She will create posters to educate the public about how paper cups increases the store’s carbon footprint. Her poster will show that by using personal cups, pounds of carbon dioxide will be kept from entering the atmosphere. Rachel hopes that her project can serve as a model to be used by many other businesses to stem global warming.

The funding for this project will be used to purchase a Starbucks-approved trash container for recycling, a Starbucks approved trash container for composting, and bio bags for composting. Planet Connect is a component of Classroom Earth, a national initiative in partnership with The Weather Channel. Planet Connect is an interactive social networking site for teens interested in the environment.

Rachel is one of only 29 students from across the country to receive such a grant and one of two from Washington. She and the other students will serve as national models for how high school students can take an active role in improving an environmental issue within their school or community.

Take the Starbucks "Take the Mug Challenge" discount for using personal cups over single-use Starbuck paper cups.

For more information on the Planet Connect grant to Rachel contact LWSD: Kathryn Reith, Director of Communications, (425) 702-3342Shannon Parthemer, Community Relations & Communications Coordinator, (425) 702-3300

Downtown Parking permit fees and enforcement discussed.

Downtown Parking Implementation Program

The Planning and Public Works Committee, chaired by Councilmember Hank Margeson held prelimionary meetings on March 19 with City staff to discuss implementation of parking permit fees and enforcement by September. Councilmembers Cole, Allen and McCormick were in attendance.

According to the Committee summary minutes, full time parking enforcement is planned for September, 2009. A city engineer said that parking permits would be made available to allow permit holders to park all day where they would otherwise be limited to two hours. The planner explained that early enforcement would take the form of warnings followed later by full enforcement with the giving of citations by September. A $50 parking permit fee was suggested.

The City plans a campaign to communicate with the community about the parking implimentation program, which includes raising awareness of the R-TRIP commute trip reduction program. Could greater use of the expansive City Hall parking building ease some of the pressure?

Horace Mann's "Service Saturdays" is a smashing success.

Hi Bob! Your blog post on the Pennies for Piece kids encouraged me to let you know about Mrs. Jarrett’s 6th Grade Class at Horace Mann Elementary.

My son is a student in the class and I can’t say enough about how enthusiastic and supportive this group of kids have been with their "Service Saturday" projects.

So far this school year, the kids have participated in the following:

• Trail work on the Sammamish Trail·
• Worked at a homeless shelter to serve a meal·
• Donated monies to Page Ahead·
• Held a pet food drive for the Seattle Humane Society·
• Held a tea and read poetry for the Fairwinds Retirement Luxury Resort.
• Projects planned for the rest of the school year are making blankets for Project Linus and serving a meal at Tent City 4 on May 11th.

I’m working on getting some photos of our past projects...do you think there is space on your blog for a little shout-out about this great bunch of kids? ~ Marlene Katz

Send me your photos if you want Marlene! What a tremendous success story! I was a lunch buddy at Mann and my daughter went to school there. Your school is great!

SoulFood, Part 1 - City Seeks Poet Laureate

Soulfood Cafe and Book Store hosts live Music Wednesday (7pm), Friday and Saturday (8pm) and poetry readings once a month. The cozy stage is to the right. Click photo to see the art.

I took my wife to see SoulFood Cafe & Book Store this week; she didn't want to leave. She was drawn to the "pendulum stones". I found a City Arts Commission bulletin asking for applicants for Poet Laureate; then discovered a collection of poetry once read by authors on stage. The store owner, Clint, is a Redmond Arts Commissioner and is a big supporter of the Poet Laureate position. He holds poetry readings on stage regularly in his Cafe. The store is on 15748 Redmond Way (near Ben Franklin).

According to the city, the Poet Laureate position is intended to broaden the awareness of poetry in our community, elevate the discourse during City debate and discussion and express the essence of Redmond through poetry.

To be qualified, applicants must be established or published poets, must live in Redmond or must have a Redmond mailing address or have a significant record of active participation in Redmond’s literary arts organizations. Applicants must also be active in the poetry community and be willing to promote poetry in Redmond throughout a three year term. The position comes with a stipend.

To apply or for more information, contact Mary Yelanjian, Arts Administrator at 425-556-2316 or myelanjian@redmond.gov. Applications due by July 1, 2009.

SoulFood, Part 2, Poet Laureate

Carlos Warter, MD, PhD was on stage at SoulFood last week giving "lessons in soul awareness" and promoting his two books. Numerous poets and musicians have performed on this stage, including Eva Moon, a city arts commissioner.

I stumbled upon the Soul Food poetry album. An intriguing poem was on the first page, "The Woman Waits", by Jeannine Hall Gaily of Seattle. I don't read alot of poems but liked this one - it starts with a biblical reference.
"The Woman Waits"
Genesis 39:14 - And she put her widow's garments off from her*,

But for how long? Already she is bending
like a wilted acacia stem beneath the Canaan sun.
Ahead of her glance the road stretches,
covered with the footprints of others gone before.
How long will she wait? and is she waiting for
the stranger in painted robes, her father-in-law,
her husband, perhaps, you? But she is thirty.
Already calculating what she should do with the rest
of her day, with the basket of fruit at her feet, figs
and apples, a skin of wine, with her empty womb.
* Can you find the meaning of this poem in the Scripture?

I ran into Abbott Smith in the store today. He's neighbor-friend, past arts commissioner, former associate at Digipen , and guest speaker at the Digital Arts Festival. He mentioned that he had been prodded by his friends and past students to apply for the Poet Laureate position. Some of Abbott's works are here. Abbott, will you apply?

"Pennies for Peace" at Redmond Elementary School

The Redmond Elementary School Leadership Group has collected $1137.34 for impoverished schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The idea came after school counselor, Leslie Fields read Listen to the Wind to the Leadership Group. This is the children’s version of Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. When you have a group of sixth graders that put their heads together for a project, never underestimate them.

The School Leadership Group members at Redmond Elementary are: Kyra Bliss, Julia Rettig, Grace Mahan, Braydon Walker, Mahre Connor, Nikki Dees, Savanna Hewitt, Sharada Tangirala, Danuta Egle, Ben Hansford and Dorian Graylee. Photo: Grace Mahan, Mahre Connor and Duanta Engle.

For more information contact: LWSD Kathryn Reith, Director of Communications, (425) 702-3342. Shannon Parthemer, Community Relations & Communications Coordinator, (425) 702-3300

LWSD Budget Meetings Drew Hundreds

The last opportunity to share your views on the Budget will be at Juanita High School, Wednesday April 22, 7pm. 10601 N.E. 132nd St., Kirkland, 425 823-7600

Hundreds of parents, community members, staff and students have attended the first two public input meetings on the Lake Washington School District 2009-10 budget. About 120 people packed the first meeting at Lake Washington High School on Tuesday, April 14, for a presentation by Superintendent Chip Kimball followed by an exercise in which each attendee provided input on their choices for items to save from proposed state cuts and what alternative cuts they would choose.

The second input meeting, at Redmond High School, drew about 220 people, completely filling that cafeteria as well. “I’m heartened by the number of people willing to spend their evening helping us determine what priorities we should have as a school system,” noted Dr. Kimball. “A budget really reflects what is important to an organization: we will be able to do a better job of reflecting what is important to our community because of this input.”

One more budget input session is scheduled at Juanita High School in Kirkland at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22. Input from LWSD parents unable to attend the previous meetings is encouraged.

For more information contact: LWSD Kathryn Reith, Director of Communications, (425) 702-3342. Shannon Parthemer, Community Relations & Communications Coordinator, (425) 702-3300

Removing "the buggers" - restoring the forest!

Here's a photo of my friend, Doug. He's standing in front of what used to be a huge mound of Himalayan Blackberries. This particular type of blackberry is a nasty plant that is harmful to the forest floor because it takes over the smaller native forest plants. We cleared out this area in just 35 minutes using city supplied tools. Amazing how fast it goes. Once we get these berry bushes removed everyone will be able to look into the forest and enjoy it. In the Fall we'll plant native plants the city gives us.

Doug is an exceptional person committed to restoration and forest management. He has a Masters in Horticulture specializing in invasive plants and really knows how to take these buggers down. In addition, he is a new member to the WATER TENDERS, a grass roots organization dedicated to conserving the Bear Creek Basin.

Doug and his son is a BMX cyclist and they enjoy riding the dirt bike trail nearby. After we stripped these blackberries Doug talked to the BMX youth playing on the trail and gave them a great lesson on tree conservation. Basically, Doug advised the kids not to remove dirt from the root zones of the trees. (Dirt is needed to build the course). My old "lunch buddy" Dallas immediately got a shovel and started covering the exposed roots. Protecting the trees is very important to the city and our "forest stewardship citizen program". Thanks to Doug, the BMXers know.

Speaking of forest stewardship: On Saturday, April 25, 10-2 you and your neighbors are invited to a "restoration" event at this same place to remove lots of these buggers. Come to the corner of NE 100th St and 171st Ave. NE by the LDS (Morman) Church lower parking lot. Make this your personal "Earth Day" event and have some neighborhood cookies, too!

The RHS challenges the Scouts to learn Scout History!

The next Redmond Historical Society (RHS) is Saturday, May 9 at 10:30 a.m when Mary Hammerman King will talk about the "History of the Boy Scouts." Meetings are in the Old Redmond School House Community Center. For more information write to: RHS

ATTENTION Scoutmasters! Don't be shy! We'd love to see you "pack" it into the event. (If you had fun touring City Hall, you'll definitely like this!) Here is our personal scout challenge to you: Every scout and scoutmaster attending will be given a can or two of food to give to the charity of your choice. Please call 425-885-2919 with your count! What do you think? Should I make a run to Costco? :)

Last Saturday, the RHS held a multi-media event on the History of the Saturday Market. Unfortunately, I missed it. The following, is an excerpt from the Redmond Historical Society Newsletter:
The Saturday Market -- 3 Decades On


"It’s been a long row to hoe, but the Redmond Saturday Market is now a fixture rooted in our spring, summer and fall. It dates back to 1976 and the late Georgia Erskine, who started it. Georgia is seen at left on May 22, 1999, when she attended the first meeting of the Redmond Historical Society, where she contributed to our history with artifacts like the article she's holding now".... from "The East Side Journal". Do you remember reading that awesome newspaper? I almost forgot.
-- Redmond Historical Society Newsletter, Miguel Llanos, Editor, 3/09

The Redmond Historical Society website is designed by my next door neighbor Richard Morris.

Explorer Community School students win $1500 grant award

Explorer Community School in Redmond wins a greenhouse, grants and prizes

Five elementary schools in the greater Puget Sound, including Explorer Community School, have been awarded greenhouses, $1,500 in funding and other benefits from an alliance supporting education, nutrition and Washington agriculture.

A partnership of the International Greenhouse Company (IGC), the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) and Seattle television station KING 5 was joined this year by PCC Natural Markets to conduct the Kids Are Growing Contest.

Students at Explorer Community School were informed of their winning efforts at a school assembly on Tuesday, April 14.

“The competition is part of our efforts to educate the public on potatoes—their nutrition, value to the state and what it takes to grow them,” said Karen Bonaudi, Potato Commission Assistant Executive Director.

“PCC is so proud to participate in a contest that strives to improve childhood nutrition and education in our schools, a cause that is right in line with the mission of our Kid Picks program,” said Tom Monahan, Marketing Manager with PCC Natural Markets.

Each school receives a greenhouse from the IGC, a $1,000 grant along with educational materials from the WSPC and a $500 gift from PCC Natural Markets.

PCC Press Release: About PCC Natural Markets: Headquartered in Seattle, WA, PCC Natural Markets is a certified organic retailer, with annual sales of $133 million and an active membership of nearly 45,000. PCC operates nine locations in the Fremont, View Ridge, Greenlake, West Seattle, Seward Park, Kirkland, Issaquah, Redmond and Edmonds neighborhoods. www.pccnaturalmarkets.com

Councilmember nicknames & the new dynamic

Left-to-Right: 'Caring' Carson, 'Marvelous' Margeson ("most likely to succeed"), 'Adaptable' Allen, 'Venerable' Vache', 'Her Majesty' McCormick, 'Wiser' Myers, 'The Statesman' Cole, and 'The Magnificent' Mayor Marchione

Opinion: It just dawned on me how many Readers may not know what our council members look like or even our Mayor. In attempt to match a name and personality with a face I came up with some nicknames. I'm just throwing these out for fun. Do you have any other nickname ideas? They've got to be better than mine!

Council dynamics is picking up lately. With 'Venerable' Pat Vache' (right) and 'Adaptable' Kim Allen (left) both running for re-election later this year it's starting to get fun watching Council on TV. Alliances appear to be forming. 'Adaptable' Allen has been eagerly backing 'Statesman' Cole, especially when 'Wiser' Myers says something irritating to the Statesman. 'Her Majesty' eagerly throws support to the 'Venerable' Vache'. So far, no one has filed to run against Vache' or Allen. Does anyone have a candidate suggestion or idea?

'Her Majesty' Nancy McCormick has decided not to run after 26 years (I think) of continuous service. John Stilin, Arts Commissioner, has stepped up for the City to run for Nancy's seat #6. I saw John getting aquainted with Planning & Development Director Odle in the audiance seats and soaking up his words at the last Council meeting. Hank Margeson is Most-Likely-to-Succeed for many reasons. But, for now, let's just give him the "Most Improved Award". I may be wrong, but it looks like 'Marvelous' Margeson is being groomed for Council President or Council V.P.

You should tune-into RC TV21 on Tuesday's, 7:30p.m. and check the new (ever changing) dyanamic. You can probably come up with a better nickname or "read them" differently. The more nicknames and fun the better! Any suggestions?

"Hyperlocal" news is on a roll at the Redmond Neighborhood Blog

Local interest news is on a roll at the Redmond blog. Press Releases from the City of Redmond, Lake Washington School District and now King County are being sent to the Redmond blog. Local interest stories are presently fed live from the Redmond Library Blog, Kirkland Views, and neighboring blogs. (check the sidebar). The Seattle Times Online is developing a community initiative to publish local stories from various blogs. The Redmond Neighborhood Blog has been invited to contribute to the TIMES. KIRO will glean content, as well. Come back to this page soon for details. And, keep sending in your personal news stories here.

What is this?

Have you seen this mural? Where is it?

Urgent: Do you want to keep class sizes low? Speak up!

Lake Washington School District Needs Your Input!

UPDATE: Now that the state Senate and House draft budgets have been released, Lake Washington School District knows more about the possible effects of state cuts on its budget.

If the district simply cuts the items now paid for with state money that is likely to go away, average class size in kindergarten would rise from an average of 19 students to an average of 26. Fourth grade classes would rise to an average of 28.

Elementary school class size, though, was a high priority among district parents and staff in a survey on budget issues. Lower class sizes could be maintained if other items in the budget are cut and the money used to preserve class size.

The money that is most likely to be cut in the state budget goes for some specific items, including keeping class sizes lower. The question is, do we simply cut those items or are there other items that are lower priority that should be cut instead? Those who attend will be given a list of potential cuts and asked to prioritize where they are made.

Join your neighbors and speak up at your High School to ask the State to maintain class sizes:

April 14 - 7 p.m. Lake Washington High School, Kirkland

April 15 – 7 p.m. Redmond High School, Redmond

April 16 – 7 p.m. Eastlake High School, Sammamish

April 22 – 7 p.m. Juanita High School, Kirkland

Earth Day 2009 - community events

The Official Day for Earth Day celebrations across the country is Wednesday, April 22. The City of Redmond celebrates Earth day on Saturday, April 11.

I will be posting a Feature story on Earth Day , April, 22, about a local high school student who discovered an overlooked opportunity to improve our environment. Her creative solution could have wide impacts to sustainability.

In the meantime, enjoy and learn from Earth Day activities! Click on this Ecology link to Puget Sound Earth Day activities and educational events scheduled for our area.

Why don't they do it in the roads?

I made the following comment in Kevin Harris's Neighbourhoods blog in response to his story "Why don't they do it in the roads". You can find his Blog on my sidebar. Kevin lives in London.

OPINION: Our City Council has been talking for years about occaisionally going out into the neighborhoods and conducting their meetings. Kevin, while this is not as informal as what you are suggesting, it does take our elected out from behind their towering diaz and imposing City Hall and into a less intimidating "gathering place" for community business. 45% of what Council converses in Public is about "process", "outcomes", and regurgition of Staff Powerpoint reports. Informal meetings outside the trappings of government structure could be refreshing and conducive to accelerating creative action. Regards, Bob Yoder, Redmond, WA. "Home of Microsoft", redmondblog.org

If you'd like to make a comment, Kevin will probably see them and may share your viewpoint with others in England.

THE WATER TENDERS

The following was contributed by Water Tenders:

WATER TENDERS is a grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of our aquatic resources with special focus on the Bear Creek Basin. We strive to provide a vehicle by which as many citizens as possible can become active participants in learning about and protecting our aquatic resources. There are many ways to become involved that range from reading our popular newsletter and participating in a few educational and work party events to attending planning and opportunity meetings.

Modest memberships and grants make it possible to continue our work in the Bear Creek Watershed. In 2008 we hosted over 400 people at the "Meet the Salmon" education event. We participate in Redmond Derby Days. We advocated for the state funding for Lower Bear Creek restoration (near Redmond Town Center). Restoration projects kept us busy near the headwaters of Bear Creek. We also presented well received lecture series on watershed topics.

The Water Tenders are leaders in the restoration of NW salmon stream habitat. This year we will partner with GreenRedmond on April 25 to restore critical areas of the Hartman Park Greenbelt. On May 30 we will have plans to partner with Redmond students, scouts and volunteers to continue our restoration of Cold Creek Natural Area in Woodinville.