It's Time to Sign-Up for Scouts! Find sign-up locations and times here!

SCOUT SIGN-UP IS UNDERWAY!   Special thanks to Page Norman and Miranda Otjen for submitting these sign-up locations and times for our local area.

Sign in date:  9/14
Pack 546, Dickinson Elementary/Explorer- meets at Dickinson Elementary Commons, 7:00pm
Pack 556, Alcott Elementary- meets at Alcott Gym, 6:30pm
Pack 565, Thoreau Elementary- meets at Inglewood Presbyterian Church, 6:30pm
Pack 578, Wilder Elementary- meets at Wilder Elementary, 7:00pm
9/15
Pack 554, Lakeview Elementary/Community School- meets at Kirkland Congregational Church, 6:30pm
Pack 561, Audubon Elementary- meets at Audubon Art/Science Room, 7:00pm
Pack 567, Sandburg Elementary/Discovery- meets at Sandburg Elementary, 7:00pm
9/18
Pack 566, Bell/Juanita Elementary- meets at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 7:00pm

9/21
Pack 557/591, Mann/Redmond/Einstein/Rockwell Elementary- meets at First Baptist Church of Redmond, 6:45pm  -  Bring your kids (siblings too) and register your 1st through 4th grade boys for the scouting adventure!  Special thanks to Paige Norman for alerting me to Scout Sign-Up.

9/21
Pack 559, Keller Elementary- meets at Eastside Foursquare Church, 7:00pm
Pack 580, Frost/Muir Elementary- meets at Muir Elementary, 6:45pm
Pack 581, Bear Creek School- meets at Bear Creek School, 6:30pm
9/22
Pack 572, Homeschool/Christian Schools- meets at Rose Hill Presbyterian Church, 6:30pm
Pack 558, Rosa Parks Elementary- meets at Rosa Parks Elementary Commons, 7:00pm
9/23
Pack 428, Rose Hill/Franklin/Rush Elementary- meets at Rose Hill Elementary, 6:00pm
9/29
Pack 595, Twain Elementary- meets at Twain Elementary, 7:00pm
10/6
Pack 550, Kirk Elementary- meets at Kirkland Congregational Church, 6:00pm

If you are interested in Scouts and can't find your local unit go to: http://www.joinscouts.net/

Submitted by:
Miranda Otjen
Sammamish Trails Senior District Executive
Chief Seattle Council, BSA
(206)902-2310

Sammamish Trails District Website:  http://members.doubleknot.com/Sammamish_Trails_District/index.htm

Game Night at Redmond High School Stadium, 9/11

Mustangs vs. Juanita (6-13)
Mustang Super Fans ride the "Roller Coaster"  
The Mustang Band!

photo & videos by Bob Yoder

Updated: Cindy Jayne - An extraordinary Redmond community leader and volunteer.

This strory was authored by Bob Yoder

Cindy Jayne is an amazing Redmond community leader and volunteer.  I first met Cindy reporting on a Parks & Trails Meeting.  I wanted to write her story.  Cindy has taken the summer off and is "working" full time on a backyard landscaping project right now, but she kindly offered a little of her time to share the biography of her volunteer life in Redmond.   Hold your hat, here goes: 

1992  Moved to Redmond - Lives west of Marymoor Park, in the View Point Neighborhood.
2004  Joined Northwest Earth Institute.  http://www.nweiseattle.org/
2005  Steering Committee member for Seattle Northwest Earth Institute
2006  Joined City of Redmond Trails Commission
2007  Joined City of Redmond Pedestrian-Bicycle Citizen Advisory Committee
2007  Laison between PED-Bicycle Advisory Committee and Parks & Trails Commission
2009  Vice Chair of City of Redmond Parks and Trails Committee
2009  Forest Land Steward (with husband Jeff) for Westside Park.
2009  Derby Day Redmond-Green booth volunteer and parade participant.
2009  Starting up "Sustainable Redmond Group",  http://www.scallopswa.org/

Northwest Earth Institute's Sense of Place course is part of what prompted Cindy to join the Trails Commission.   This course focuses on one's knowledge and commitment to the local community. The Institute is giving a presentation of their "discussion courses" for those who want to learn more, Thursday,  September 17, from 7-8 at the Redmond Library, Room. I.   Say hi to Cindy!

Professionally, Cindy worked for 13 years for Physio-Control in Redmond, designing medical devices.  She has a Bachelor's and Masters in Electrical Engineering, and an MBA.  She switched to consulting work in 2008. 

"I had the perfect commute for many years - 5 miles each way, most of which was along the Sammamish River trail. I would ride my bike to work typically twice a week, year round, which both reduced my carbon footprint, and gave me a good workout and fresh air."

Cindy Jayne's personal mission and philosopy on life:

"As I have learned more about climate change, I came to view that as the most critical issue that affects our planet today. It impacts so many other aspects, including poverty, disease, forests, and wildlife. I feel it is a moral responsibility that we all have to try to leave the planet in better shape than we inherited, for the sake of all the world's children (of all species) and future generations.  I am hopeful that not only can we change course, but that doing so will improve our lives by helping bring communities together, and shifting our culture away from consumerism and toward meaningful relationships. As the saying goes, the best things in life aren't things."

Thank you Cindy Jayne for all you do for our community!  

Cindy would love to hear from anyone interested in being part of "Sustainable Redmond".  She can be contacted at cindy@nweiseattle.org.   

by Bob Yoder

"Youth Eastside Services" invites the Community to celebrate the grand opening of a new YES facility in historic Forbes House!

Youth Eastside Services invites you to a free, festive celebration of kids and families in Kirkland's Juanita Park.

Help YES celebrate the grand opening of the new YES facility in the historic Forbes House.

Cake, Treats, Music, Face Painting, Pumpkin Painting, Magic, Pinatas, a Bouncy House, 'The World's Largest Cat' and More

No RSVP required. Free & Open to the Public
Friday, September 25, 2009
4:00 -6:00 p.m.
Forbes House, Juanita Park, 11829-97th Ave NE

CLICK HERE for all the details and to learn more about "Youth Eastside Services"

YES-Redmond/Family Resource Center
16225 NE 87th St.  Redmond, WA 98052  425-869-6036
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 2:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Nancy McCormick remarks about wildlife in Redmond.

Nancy McCormick
 Six-Term Redmond City Councilmember 

"Another neighborhood picnic in the record books, the 28th, and not only did we have a cougar killed the other night on SR520 close by, but it turns out we have also had a bobcat a block away from my house. Wow. Redmond is supposed to be an urban center -- and we have cougar, bobcat, raccoons, deer, and bunnies, all sighted this summer."

  -- Nancy Mauritson McCormick
 posted by permission, photo and source: FaceBook account, 9/09

Lake Washington School District PTSA donations in August total $57,000!

It is so seldom the community hears about the wonderful support our PTSA's give to LWSD schools.  Well, that's going to change!  As Editor of this Redmond blog, I will be reporting the donations and volunteer effort our community makes to District schools. 

At the 8/10 Board meeting, LWSD Superintendent, Chip Campbell read off the list of donations made by PTSA's and other donors in the month of August.  Amazing news!  August donations from PTSA's, LWSF, and Amgen totaled:  $64,155. 

Individual school donors and recipients are listed, below: 

Norman Rockwell PTSA, (Redmond) $4560 - for a sport grandstand and play panel for Kindergartners.

Audubon El PTSA, (Redmond) $11,520 - for field trips and assembly.

Amgen donated  $5,000 to Best High School  for enrichment activities and supplies.

Lakeview Elementary PTSA (Kirkland), $8,000  - for computer lab.

LWSF donated $2000 to the Lunch Buddy program.

Sandburg El PTSA (Kirkland), $12,177  - for swim lessons for 3rd graders, computers, and field trips.

Stella Schola JH PTSA (Rose Hill), $9056 - for stipend for extracurricular activities.

Smith El. PTSA (Sammamish), $2062 - for field trips and enrichment.

Muir El PTSA (Kirkland), $1754  - for music and phys. ed. materials.

Bell El PTSA (Kirkland),  $2000 - for Lunch Buddy

Kirk El PTSA,(Kirkland) $1,031 - for enrichment

LWSF to Evergreen J.H, $1,110  - for Readerboard improvements

Source:  8/10/09  LWSD Board Meeting video archive

Of note, 5/8 of the elementary school donor recipients were Kirkland schools.

Listing and descriptions of LWSD schools.  http://www.lwsd.org/Schools/Pages/default.aspx

UPDATED, 9/19, As City Council "scratches" for issues, my reporting will drill deeper in LWSD news & community comment.

How many chickens should the city let us have in our backyard?

Believe it or not,  zoning  for backyard chickens was cause for 20 minutes of deliberations by our city councilmembers in their Tuesday evening Special Meeting.

The issue of urban sustainablity has aparently brought urban chicken zoning to the forefront of several cities across the country. Read about the Missoula, MT story of the couple pictured here.

As one councilmember said, you never know, food may someday get scarce and we'd be smart to plan for sustainable food sources; and living closer to our food sources is desirable.  Another councilmember said the eggs are as important as the meat.  The Council majority finally concluded chickens would be a neighorhood backyard nuisance and didn't want to change the ordniance.

According to the local Reporter newspaper, the City of Redmond currently allows up to 10 chickens per half acre.  

An Ombudsman letter initiated the discussion and decision for a council zoning vote.  The same citizen sent the Redmond Blog their letter, but I read it in disbelief.  In short, the citizen claimed Seattle allows 3 hens per lot and Bellevue allows 6 chickens per urban lot, so why not Redmond?   Hens are quieter than chickens.

Council concluded  most residents wouldn't want chickens scratching and cockadoodling in their neighbors backyard and advised NO to a zoning change.  Guess it's time to load up on canned meats!

Mayor Marchione is doing a very good job in his first year and a half.  Don't you think?   Council is now left with "scratching" for issues for their Tuesday night City Hall meetings, for this moment.   Thus my coverage is shifting to their Council Committee Meetings - in which it now appears many of their decisions are made.  (Further review reveals voting in Committee Meetings are "advisory" only).  I am starting to cover Lake Washington School Board Meetings, as well.

by Bob Yoder

Redmond's new Qdoba Mexican Grill "Opening Event" this Friday supports the Starlight Children's Foundation.

QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL® OFFERS FREE FOOD IN EXCHANGE FOR DONATION AT REDMOND GRAND OPENING EVENT

Grand opening event at Redmond Way location will support Starlight Children’s Foundation™

In celebration of the opening of the newest Redmond, Wash., Qdoba  Mexican Grill® (http://www.qdoba.com/), the restaurant is offering one free entrée and one free medium size fountain drink to anyone who makes a minimum $5 donation to Qdoba’s national charity partner, Starlight Children’s Foundation (http://www.starlight.org)./

The Opening Night celebration is at the new Redmond Way location on September 11 between noon and 4 p.m.  All donations will be directed toward sponsoring a Starlight Fun Center™ mobile entertainment unit for the pediatric patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital.   Representatives from Starlight Foundation will be attending.

WHERE:   (across from QFC and the new Trader Joes)
15946 Redmond Way
Redmond, WA 98052
425-881-6829

ABOUT QDOBA MEXICAN GRILL®

Qdoba Mexican Grill is an artisanal Mexican kitchen where anyone can go to enjoy a fast, handcrafted meal prepared with fresh ingredients and innovative flavors. Each Qdoba restaurant showcases food that celebrates Qdoba’s passion for ingredients, a menu full of innovative flavors, handcrafted preparation and inviting service. Founded in Denver in 1995, Qdoba is among the nation’s largest Mexican fast-casual chains.

Mayor Marchione gives his vision for Downtown at "Coffee Chat". Some citizens voice concerns about downtown growth.

 Mayor Marchione is seen answering citizen questions and concerns about imbalances between road infrastructure and growth.

Update:  Mayor John Marchione is pictured here during his "Coffee Chat" with citizens at the Redmond Senior Center last Friday.  Over 20 citizens sat in to hear the Mayor talk about his vision for the downtown. The ensuing Q&A centered on citizen concerns and questions about:  1) infrastructure keeping up with high-density growth, 2) adequate parking, 3) height of downtown buildings, and 4)  the departure of longtime retail stores.

The YOUTUBE video starts out with citizen concerns about the 108 unit Mondavio project under construction on RED-WOOD Road.  This talk topic leads to a very interesting thread of mayoral - citizen commentary.  In November 2007, I wrote an opinion during the campaign that "John Marchione shouldn't be blamed for Redmond's skyscraping growth".  

A discussion on retail ensued.  Mayor Marchione noted the COSTCO project for SE Redmond appears to have fallen through (no fault of the city).  Some longtime retail has been fleeing or out of businesss (Linens & Things, Kits Cameras, the Bear Creek frame shop, Joanne's Fabric, Lakeside Drug, Hallmark and various Redmond Town Center shops).  Mayor Marchione has redirected staff to begin an economic development program.

Do you have a thought, opinion, or remark about how downtown Redmond is growing?   Please comment below this post.  Or, send your opinion to redmondblog@gmail.com with your name and permission to publish as a LETTER.

by Bob Yoder

UPDATE: The Redmond Historical Society is 10 years old and growing younger!

Redmond Historical Society

General Meeting September 12 2009

Heading into its second decade, the Redmond Historical Society will discuss its new bylaws, organizational structure and goals at its next meeting, Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center (ORSCC), 16600 NE 80th St.

Coffee and greetings begin at 10 a.m. and the meeting commences at 10:30 a.m., including a chance to view vintage Redmond photos and identify people and events. 
~~~~~~~~~~~

Provide input on the redevelopment of Slough Park, the site where Dudley Carter served as artist in residence between 1987 and 1992.

The site has many unique characteristics: art, culture, history, many key connections to the trail system and downtown.

Large male cougar was hit and killed by a car on SR520 near Marymoor Park Saturday night.

A large male cougar was hit by a car and killed Saturday night near Marymoor Park in Redmond.

 Sgt. Kim Chandler of the Department of Fish And Wildlife says the cougar was hit on Highway 520 West. The driver of the vehicle was unhurt.

It is the second cougar to turn up in a populated area of King County this week. The first cougar, a 140-pound male, had a luckier fate after it was captured in Discovery Park and returned to the wild Sunday.

Chandler said it's unusual to have a cougar running around in the Redmond area. He said the animal's remains will be buried at a rural area later Sunday.

  --  reported by Fischer Communications staff (not the photo)

Nancy Mauritson McCormick - Another neighborhood picnic in the record books, the 28th, and not only did we have a cougar killed the other night on SR520 close by, but it turns out we have also had a bobcat a block away from my house. Wow. Redmond is supposed to be an urban center -- and we have cougar, bobcat, raccoons, deer, and bunnies, all sighted this summer.  -- FaceBook entry  9/09

UPDATED: Five Redmond High MUSTANG Teams host Golf Tournament Fundraiser!

From Laura Jones
President of  Redmond High School Girls Basketball Club

Thank you Curt Ohrt for Coordinating the Girls Basketball part of this years "Mustang Open" Golf Tournament that was held at Bear Creek Country Club this past Monday. We appreciate all of the time you spent at meetings, coordinating Golfers, gathering auction items and of course distributing and collecting wine cooler Raffle tickets. We know this was a lot of work and we appreciate the time and effort you put forth in this great fundraiser.


Also, Kudos to Cindy Bushmeyer, Nan Glass, Pam Yoder, Lisa Pratt and Becky Orht for working the registration tables the day of the tournament. This years tournament was definitely a great success where the community and RHS Wrestling, Football, Girls/ Boys Golf and the Girls Basketball families came together to support our teams.

The RHS Girls Basketball Booster Club
9/16
                                         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TOURNAMENT ANNOUNCEMENT, 9/6

Give the 'Stangs a Kick!  It's not too late to sign up for a game of golf at Bear Creek Country Club and support our Redmond High School Mustangs!

Press here to register for the Redmond High School Mustang Golf fundraiser. (players and sponsors).
It's the 2009 Mustang Open Golf Tournament and Dinner - Auction at Bear Creek Country Club!  Starting Noon, Monday, Sept 14th.  Download a registration form here.

Donation to play is $125.00.  Foursome: $500.00.  Scramble.  Pay online or at the Bear Creek C.C. Mustang Registration Desk on Monday, September 14.  

This golf tournament fundraiser supports five Mustang Teams! 

Mustang Girls Basketball website
Mustang Girls Golf website - 4A State Champs
Mustang Wrestling website
Mustang Football 2009 Team Schedule
Mustang Boys Golf H.S. website

Tournament Sponsorship Opportunities: 

Putting Contest $500.00

Long Drive (women’s & men’s) $350.00 each

Hole-in-One $750.00

Driving Range $500.00

Event Sponsor $2,000.00

To sponsor:  Please call Tom Conway at 425-406-3095 or email at: thomas.conway@lpl.com. and tell Tom if you have a particular team you want to sponsor.
THANK YOU MUSTANG FANS!

Dr. Chip Kimball gives guidance to Teachers on President Obama's 9/8 Televised Address to Students.

UPDATED:  Obama's address is optional for teachers to show based on educational objective

In response to questions from staff and students, Dr. Chip Kimball sent a message to staff today with guidance on President Obama’s televised address to students, scheduled for Tuesday, September 8. He wrote,

“We believe that when the President of the United States addresses the country, the viewing of that address and subsequent discussion is an appropriate educational activity, so long as it fits within the educational objectives of the class. Whether the address is shown will be left to the professional discretion of the individual classroom teacher. If shown, each teacher is expected to ensure activities or discussions provide a balanced view of the issues and viewpoints. Advocacy for a particular political view is not permitted in the classroom. The President’s speech is not expected to be political in nature.”

“Our classrooms are a place where we encourage the open exchange of ideas and viewpoints. Students benefit a great deal through the debate of ideas that impact them and the people around them. If we eliminate this open exchange, we will not be adequately serving our students. It is our hope that students will find our classrooms a place where open agreement and disagreement can take place regarding any number of important issues.”

If parents have a concern regarding how a discussion has been handled in their student’s classroom, they should contact their child’s teacher or building principal to discuss the issue.

--  Source:  LWSD  "News and Announcements"

U.S. Department of Education link to FAQ of Obama's student speech. - 1) watch the speech, 2) read suggested study questions, 3) FAQ.

Evergreen Hospital Medical Center is Ranked Among Top 5% in Nation.

227-bed Evergreen Hospital Medical Center is the cornerstone of Evergreen Healthcare services that include medical groups, home care, hospice, mobile mammography, sleep studies, cardiac wellness &  rehabilitation, stroke, Parkinson's & movement disorders and many more...

Evergreen Hospital Medical Center shines in many ways beyond emergency disaster preparedness.

According to Sherry Grindeland, Evergreen Healthcare's Media Coordinator, in 2009 Evergreen hospital is ranked in the nation’s top five percent of hospitals by HealthGrades, the nation’s leading healthcare ratings company. Nearly 5,000 hospitals were evaluated.

HealthGrades rated Evergreen five-star for general surgery, appendectomy, bowel obstruction, critical care, bariatric surgery, GI procedures and surgeries, GI bleed and pancreatitis. It is five-star rated for maternity care service for five consecutive years and for treatment of pneumonia for four years in a row. It is also five-star rated for heart attack and treatment of heart failure.

HealthGrades reviews nearly 41 million hospitalization records in its annual study. Complete information is available at http://www.healthgrades.com/. More information about Evergreen Hospital Medical Center and Evergreen Healthcare can be found at  http://www.evergreenhealthcare.org/.

Hospital amenities: 

• Free parking in 5-story tower
• Images Cafe - affordable entrees, by chef Shane Lynch, graduate of Culinary Institute of America, N.Y.
• Major art works - Call Kathy Page Feek, Ed.D. to schedule a private group art tour. 425.899.4270
• Gift shop - colorful / loaded with creative gifts. 

Evergreen Hospital and the City are prepared for a likely H1N1 (Swine) flu outbreak

Did you read the front page of the SEATTLE TIMES today (9/5) about the Swine Flu outbreak at WSU?  Will the Swine flu spread to all of our Washington schools?   I am now ever so grateful  the City of Redmond has developed an excellent working relationship with Evergreen Hospital for emergency disaster preparedness.  To quote today's (9/5) TIMES:

 "Swine flu rages at WSU - 2,000 sickened in Pullman. - Martin County officials said similar outbreaks may follow elsewhere in Washington as students once again begin congregating indoors".   

A week ago the City sat down with Dr. Warren Appleton of Evergreen Hospital to establish a working relationship should an H1N1 (Swine) flu pandemic begin.   Dr. Warren Appleton is the Director of Emergency Disaster Preparedness at Evergreen Hospital and a past Redmond city councilmember who knows our city well.    We are very fortunate to have such a solid relationship.  Warren is pictured in an ER room here with Evergreen's  ER Manager.  

It was suggested at the meeting citizens and providers visit the Evergreen Hospital H1N1 website for current information about what to do when a H1N1 flu pandemic occurs. "Remaining calm" counts the most. My Redmond Blog will TWEET and FaceBook time sensitive updates and news should Redmond experience an outbreak.  Evergreen and Redmond city websites (and their press releases.) will be this blog's sole source of pandemic information on the flu - to avoid confusion and keep our community on the ''same page". 

LETTER - "KirklandViews" publisher writes of Kirkland Council's woes.

LETTER:  Rob Butcher of Kirkland, posted this comment under my Kirkland "sister city" story of 9/3.  .

Bob,

Excellent article. I know that as a citizen of Kirkland, I look to Redmond as our close neighbor from which Kirkland can learn a great deal. Kirkland's neighborhood vs. businesses mentality is what most needs to be remedied in Kirkland. Redmond, as I see it, has a bit more harmony. Our City Council reflects the tensions in our community (1) and it is to the detriment of the region when one city is functioning at such a level. I am certain Redmond is not perfect either, but I do look at Redmond for inspiration and for lessons we can apply in Kirkland. And much of my Redmond information comes from the Redmond Neighborhood Blog.

Thanks for your hard work.

Cheers,
Rob Butcher, Publisher
http://www.kirklandviews.com/
September 3, 2009 8:24 AM

1. Bitter Infighting at the Kirkland City Council; 4-3 vote to investigate sitting council member  B.Y.

Is Kirkland the "sister city" to Redmond?

If you were to name a local "sister city" to Redmond, most would probably choose between Bellevue  and Kirkland.   I would like to know your choice.  I'll  explain why my pick is Kirkland.

The benchmark decision for me was Rosemarie Ive's last City Council meeting of December, 2007.  Kirkland Mayor James L. Lauinger was one of many giving tribute to Rosemarie.  Mayor Lauinger presented a stirring tribute and impressive honorary plaque to Mayor Ives.  This act of kindness triggered an emotional response from Rosemarie saying, she had oftened considered Kirkland  "Redmond's sister city".

I can barely scratch the surface guessing all the reasons why Rosemarie would coin Kirkland our local "sister city".  Perhaps, Rosemarie would comment to this post.  Allow me to list a few reasons, similarities, connections and "intersections' between our cities; and some differences.

 I've found many of the connections between Redmond and Kirkland  attributed to politicians.   For example: 

1) Doreen Marchione was a Redmond councilmember and Mayor of Redmond prior to Rosemarie Ives.  Doreen now lives in Kirkland and is running for a Kirkland Council seat.
2) Mary-Alyce Burleigh lived in Redmond for ~ 30 years before moving to Kirkland to become a respected, long-standing, influential Kirkland councilmember with terms as Mayor.
3) Warren Appleton, MD was a Redmond Councilmember during Rosemarie's term  and is now the Director of Emergency Preparedness and member of two Boards of Kirkland's Evergreen Healthcare.

A) Lake Washington High School provides an intersection for Kirkland and Redmond students.
B) A county annexation by Redmond is planned bordering Kirkland and Redmond on 132nd St. (I think)

Culture:  Little league Baseball and Softball park facilities are extensive and well maintained in both cities. Kirkland won the Little League World Series in 1982.  Redmond is the "Bicycle Capital of the NW" and has extensive trail systems.  Kirkland is a classy Lake Washington waterfront restaurant and boating community.  Both cities value art:  Kirkland boasts a variety of galleries; Redmond has an outdoor art collection of over 100 pieces.  Rob Butcher publishes the popular KirklandViews for profit blog.  I'm asking the community to fund the Redmond Neighborhood Blog as a nonprofit.  

Comparable *demographics:

• Residential population of Redmond is 49,427 : Kirkland is 47,325 
• Population density:  3,065 (R) : 4,365 (K)
• Median income:  $76,155 (R) : $69,711 (K)
• Median home value:  626,000 (R) : 675,000 (K)
• Median age:  37 (R) : 40 (K)
• Singles:  43% (R) : 50% (K)
• Families with kids:  22% (R) : 17% (K)
• LWSD ratio of pupils:students:  24:1 (R) : 19:1 (K)  $4350 expenditure/student for R/K.
• College BA degree:  36% (R) : 33% (K)
• Bellevue is twice the distance of Kirkland from Redmond.  Kirkland is 3.1 miles away.   

Employment differences are significant:  Redmond is "on the Edge" of Microsoft.   Google is "on the Edge" of Kirkland.  The largest employer in Redmond is Microsoft. (41,000 in Puget Sound).  Redmond population doubles during the work week.  Evergreen Healthcare  is Kirkland's largest employer with 3,229 employees.

Governments are dissimilar:   Redmond has a "strong mayor" who is an elected representative and the Administrator of city staff and operations.  Mayor John Marchione is the city CEO.   Kirkland has a "council form" where the Mayor is an elected councilmember but a business manager is hired to run the city and carry out Council policies.  Redmond has a super-sized City Hall.  In comparison, Kirkland's Hall is a donut hole. 

Do you have any opinions or points of fact you want express in a Letter?  Please comment here.  If you think Bellevue or Woodinville is a more appropriate sister city please say why, and I'll post your comments as a Letter.

* Yahoo Real Estate, Neighborhoods

City Council approves the Shoreline Master Plan Update after 10 years of study.

UPDATED, 9/15:  The Shoreline Master Program consists of policies and standards that regulate land uses and development located approximately 200 feet within Bear Creek, Evans Creek, Lake Sammamish, and the Sammamish River, and includes some of these waterbodies’ associated wetlands and floodplains.   An update to the old Master Plan has been in the works for over 10 years.   At tonight's meeting, Council reviewed final edits by the State Department of Ecology and approved the D.O.E. edits.  The Update was approved on 9/15, 5-1 with Mr. Cole dissenting.  Kim Allen was absent.  

The Principal Planner Cathy Beam received rave reviews by the Council for her long and hard work completing the Shoreline Master Plan Update.   Mr. Carson spoke highly of the significant public involvment generated by this Update.   Councilmember Allen, a Hearing Examiner in Kitsap County, thought Redmond's Update was one of the best she's seen.  Most of my personal field work and input was directed towards preserving and maintaining the high intensity Evans Creek industrial riparian buffer. It is at best only 50 feet.

Some of the changes made by Washington State Department of Ecology can be found within the following paragraphs:  

• “In any High Intensity/Multi-Use location within a buffer where the land is actively being used as part of a legitimate business operation, such land including either structures or active operational areas, established prior January 1, 2008  may continue to operate. New structures, pavement, and other improvements are permitted within this area so long as incremental environemtal benefits is provided and no net loss of shoreline ecological functions is demonstrate

• The Washington Department of Ecology added this paragraph:   “Use the City’s established permit tracking program to periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the Shoreline Master Program update for achieving no net loss of shoreline ecological functions with respect to shoreline permitting and exemptions. Prepare an evaluation report every seven years when the SMP is required to be updated under RCW 90.58.080(4).”

View the entire list of changes made by the Washington State Department of Ecology here.
 
Redmond Shorelines are dynamic and changing.   Bear Creek is being relocated right now to make way for SR520.  The city plans to relocate Evans Creek north and away from the Industrial District within the near future. (5-10 years).   Evans Creek is salmon bearing.  With this in mind, the city and citizens will have to be attentive to incremental land use on the Evans buffer.

Orange Blossom Society Grand Opening September 19 & 20 - an arts, enrichment center, social hub and play space - near Anderson Park.

NEW INDOOR PLAY SPACE AND ENRICHMENT CENTER FOR FAMILIES TO OPEN IN DOWNTOWN REDMOND

REDMOND, WA. Orange Blossom Society, an arts enrichment center, social hub and open play space, is located in a cozy craftsman house in downtown Redmond, half a block from Anderson Park. With something for everyone – art, movement, music and language for kids, plus spa treatments, yoga and fitness for adults – Orange Blossom Society is a place where kids can blossom while their parents recharge and reconnect. Orange Blossom Society is open weekdays and Saturdays, with ample parking, a café and retail boutique on-site and outdoor space for recreation.

The pubic is invited to Orange Blossom Society's Grand Opening set for September 19 and 20, 1-5pm . Orange Blossom Society is located in a cozy, craftsman-style house at 16715 N.E. 79th St., within a half mile of Anderson Park and Redmond Town Center.

"My ambition is to create an intimate space that is welcoming to families and good for community building," Sepsaid Sharman Ghio, founder of Orange Blossom Society. "I selected enrichment activities that children will love; classes that will pique their interest and encourage discovery. And, parents will feel less guilty about doing a little something for themselves at the same time, knowing their kids are under the same roof having a fun time."

Orange Blossom Society has three floors of rooms where instructors will be able to give ample individual attention in small classes of eight to 10 students. The rotating gear in the indoor play space will delight with educational and classic, wooden toys. There is a café on site, serving healthy snacks, coffee and pastries (and eventually salads and sandwiches), as well as a retail boutique with fun accessories and handmade items. Outside, the facility has a yard, which Ghio plans to use for gardening and composting lessons, parking, a picnic area and sports court for athletic fun.

Orange Blossom Society will be open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Classes will be held in eight-week sessions and the fall session begins Sept. 22. visit http://www.orangeblossomsociety.com/ or call 425-883-2400.

What do "signal markers", "sharrows" and "bike boxes" have in common?

SHARROWS:
Any bicyclist (and driver) will immediately relate to the meaning of the photo and diagram on the right. The two large arrow heads with a bicycle you see in these pictures is called a "sharrow". They indicated where cyclists will share the road with vehicles. Redmond Communications Dept. announced on August 20 that sharrows "will replace the separate bike lane in the future" and both Redmond and Kirkland are now piloting sharrows and bicycle signal sensors on select streets.

Redmond bicyclists will find sharrows and signal sensors on 150th Avenue NE from NE 40th to NE 51st Streets.

SIGNAL SENSORS: New road markings help cyclists know where to stop so the signal can sense them. A bicycle symbol marking is painted on the road and when the cyclist stops on it, the signal is activated. Thanks to our "Redmond PED BIKE Advisory Committee," this 2 minute YOUTUBE on triggering traffic signals is available: Traffic Loop Detection for Bicycles. Questions? CONTACT: city planner jpfundt@redmond.gov .


BIKE BOXES: search this blog for "bike box" - and now you know the rest of the story....

LETTER - District defends Einstein and Redmond Elementary Schools.

LETTER - submitted under "comments", by Kathryn Reith, 8/29

Einstein and Redmond Elementary Schools are both very good elementary schools that serve diverse families and students well. Unfortunately, the federal No Child Left Behind Act has created a system that is confusing and arbitrary.

If a school does not make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), that does not at all mean they are "failing." According to federal law, if a school has 30 students in any one of eight subgroups, and a lower percentage of that subgroup does not meet the standard in either math or reading, then the entire school is labeled as not making AYP. The rest of the school can be succeeding spectacularly and the school is still branded with this label.

This year, 60 percent of schools in the state of Washington did not make AYP, including schools that made the Newsweek list of top high schools in the country. I encourage parents to look much more closely into the data for the total results of a school and to look carefully at their student's results before coming to any conclusions about what AYP means for their school.

There is a more complete Q&A on this subject posted on the school web sites for both Einstein and Redmond Elementary in addition to the link that Bob provided.

Kathryn Reith
Communications Director
Lake Washington School District
kreith@lwsd.org
August 29, 2009 2:36 PM

LETTERS - Einstein and Redmond Elementary School parents struggle with an option to transfer their students.

LETTERS - Redmond El. parent

"You may be interested to know that both Redmond Elementary and Einstein Elementary did not make "Adequate Yearly Progress" under the No Child Left Behind Act for the second year in a row.

Parents at those schools are being offered the option of sending their kids to schools that are not failing. Redmond students were offered the choice of Norman Rockwell or Horace Mann. Einstein students are rumored to have been offered the choice of Norman Rockwell or Wilder. See the Lake Washington School District press release: http://lwsd.org/News/News-and-Announcements/Pages/LWSD-Students-Perform-Well-on-2009-WASL.aspx

The recent principal at Redmond El retired and the district has replaced her with a principal with a reputation of successfully improving schools. Parents at Redmond El are in a position of trying to decide if they should jump off a failing ship or stick it out and keep trying to improve the school."
-- from a Redmond Elementary School parent

Submitted by email: Parent's name has been withheld by request.

LETTERS - Bear sow & cub sighting on Tolt pipeline trail.

LETTERS

Update: I bike the Tolt pipeline trail and I believe any Redmond mountain biker or hiker would want to know about this bear sighting, even if it might be a rumor.

"My husband encountered a mother and cub about half way up the Tolt pipeline trail in the Redmond watershed yesterday around 6pm.

He was biking, and came to an immediate halt when he saw the bears on the trail. Mother stood up on hind legs and growled before running off with baby following."

--anonymously reported today, 8/28, as a comment under my *2008 Hartman Bear Sighting Story. (note comments)

LETTERS - Councilmember Allen urges use of Facebook and Twitter during emergencies.

Social Media urged for notifications during city emergencies.

Hi Bob,

Thanks for bringing this issue forward on your blog. One of the most precious commodities during any emergency is information and it has always been one of my top priorities to keep it coming. My husband and I rode through the Northridge California earthquake near the epicenter with a four year old so and 2 dogs so I have a few "lessons learned" that I have brought forward from that experience. Over the past several years, Redmond has expanded its options to keep in touch with the public during an emergency, including acquiring our own AM radio frequency, expanding use of our website and developing a network to get information out to local businesses where folks are likely to head during an emergency(like Victor's and QFC).

Your suggestion about the use of social networking, like Facebook and Twitter, is an excellent one-especially when the emergency does not involve a power outage. I'm going to urge that we should add that to Redmond's emergency notification "toolbox".

Kim Allen
Redmond Public Health Committee
Redmond City Councilmember
August 28, 2009 8:03 AM

LETTERS: Long time stores are being forced out of Redmond

LETTERS - Email submitted by Gail of Education Hill, 8/27

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the blog, great info for everyone!! I found out some disturbing info regarding stores leaving Redmond.

Kits Camera West and Las Margaritas are being forced out of Redmond. I walked into Kits this am to do some printing and there packing up. Reef Management tells them out. I don't know if there doing exactly what happened at the other end of town. With a new face lift and new stores coming in like TRADER JOES etc. You know we now have NO camera store in Redmond it's like when the Hallmark was forced out because rent was so high. I also heard RITE AID might go away also. Change is good for Redmond but I have seen a lot in 26 yrs living here and I don't like to see the stores that we shop at forced out. Then does the major want us to shop in Kirkland, Bellevue etc.

I am unhappy right now. Thanks for listening! love the blog!!!

--Gail of Education Hill

Redmond is being proactive and in-the-ready for the H1N1 (Swine) Flu.

Mayor John Marchione and Councilmember Kim Allen (on right) breakfast with key Fire and Police personnel in the kitchen of Fire Station #12 on 148th Avenue.

UPDATED: I took this photo during the August 20 Public Safety Committee Meeting. This is the second meeting they've held outside of City Hall. The Council Safety Committee is composed of David Carson (Chair), Kim Allen, and Pat Vache'.

Councilmember Kimberly Allen had requested discussion of two timely items: School Resource Officers (SRO), and Redmond's emergency preparedness for a pandemic swine flu outbreak. Kim was "spot on". One day after the meeting the frightful news of likely widespread Swine Flu outbreaks hit our Nation! Note: Sebelius: Closing schools wouldn't ward off virus - Boston.com   Read More >>

Part Two: 150 citizens protest proposed changes to Woodinville Village.

Awaiting authorization to post citizen reporter's name, emailed 9/27

Part One of my 9/26 Woodinville Village story. (next story down)

Over 150 people attended the meeting last night.

Hopefully there will be an article in the Woodinville Weekly. The proposal was definitely opposed by all those attending, for a variety of reasons. Erin Martindale (Woodinville city planner) will be taking comments; this was an informational meeting, so all comments will be helpful. EMAIL your comments to Erin at: erinm@ci.woodinville.wa.us.

Erin went through the proposed changes to city code, which will actually apply to the entire tourist business district.

These code changes will allow for 60 foot buildings, movie theaters, car
dealerships, 20,000 square foot stores, a much greater type of use than
presently allowed, and only a 10% tree cover, of which the proposal asks that
landscaping plants be considered trees! It also has a large amount of
apartment/timeshare residential component.

From the residents who spoke that knew the history of the site, it became obvious that the construction company is in trouble and trying to find a way out of agreements that have already been signed. The cost of the Hollywood Hills & RED-WOOD roundabout is apparently $9 million so far, and they owe the city a portion of it. The cost to the city for entertaining this proposal will also be considerable. There have been no studies (traffic, environmental, etc.) done on this proposal. The actual proposed code changes were handed out, but not available online. Contact Erin, she has more info!

Here is the link to the Woodinville Planning Commission agenda page: http://woodinville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=4. Look at the August 19, 2009 agenda for the Woodinville Village proposal for the Tourist Business zone.

Website for Woodinville Village: http://www.woodinvillevillage.com/

Part One: Woodinville Village - Tourism and Agriculture in the Sammamish Valley is up for grabs.

This story was emailed by Barbara Lau, 8/26 Redmond resident.

Hopefully many of you have already heard about the proposed changes to the zoning for the Woodinville Village (formerly "Wine" Village, future car dealership??) This is the property near Tully's and the Hollywood School House. The City of Woodinville planners will be at a town hall meeting at the Sammamish Valley Grange tonight, 8/26, at 7 pm to discuss the changes. If you can't make the meeting you may email your comments to the City of Woodinville at: erinm@ci.woodinville.wa.us

Here is the info received from the Root Connection:

"This area was supposed to be zoned for "tourism" which included some
commercial uses, but with a lot of restrictions. Now the developer would like to
have that changed so that the property will be more valuable. Woodinville is
considering this request. If the changes are allowed, this would mean a higher
density than now is allowed in downtown Woodinville, less tree cover than
anywhere else, buildings up to 65 ft, and uses that could include warehouse
stores (like Costco), home improvement centers (like Home Depot) and other
things such as auto dealerships, warehouses, etc."

The Sammamish Valley Grange will host a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, August 26, from 7-9 pm at 14654 148th NE.

Very few Woodinville residents know about this proposal. It is especially important for the planning commission to hear from Woodinville residents. However, everyone with an interest in keeping the valley as a beautiful rural agriculture valley as it has been designated, should attend this meeting (or email Erin) and let the Planning Commission know their opinion.

This zoning change is very important to the whole Sammamish Valley, as other developers will also want to follow if a precedent is set. If this occurs we could easily be looking at to similar situation to the former agricultural valleys to the south of us, like Tukwila and Kent.
--by Barbara Lau

The Root Connection, http://rootllc.com/
Woodinville Villiage, http://woodinvillevillage.com/

City Contact:
Erin Martindale
City of Woodinville
17301 133rd Avenue NE
Woodinville, WA 98072
425-877-2283
erinm@ci.woodinville.wa.us (email comments to Erin Martindale)
DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR OPINION YOU WANT TO SHARE HERE?

View 2009-1010 LWSD Calendars HERE! Available Only Online This Year.

Due to budget cuts, the district will not print and mail a calendar to district families this year. A wall calendar is available to print out in a page-a-month format. BOOKMARK THIS PAGE!

CLICK A LINK AND PRINT YOUR CALENDAR or go directly to the LWSD calendar page.

2009-2010 Page-Per-Month Wall Calendar (color version)
2009-2010 Page-Per-Month Wall Calendar (black and white version)

One Page Sheet Calendars:

2007-2008 Calendar-->
2008-2009 Printable District Calendar-->
2009-2010 Printable District Calendar
2010-2011 Printable District Calendar
2011-2012 Printable District Calendar

Calendars list school holidays, vacations, half days, conferences, LEAP days and semester end dates.

Tandem Online Calendar - a new way to organized family events!

By clicking the above link you will reach a master calendar of all the events at all of the schools in the district.

Learn how to use the Tandem Online Calendar to organize your family’s events

By subscribing to the Tandem Calendar, parents can set up filters so that events from one or more school plus important district dates appear whenever they log in. Events can be downloaded into many electronic calendar systems, such as Outlook, Cozi, iCal, Google Calendar, Yahoo Calendar and more.

Questions? Contact the Webmaster.
LWSD calendar webpage http://www.lwsd.org/About/Pages/District-Calendar.aspx

Special thanks to Kathryn Reith, LWSD Director of Communications, (425) 702-3342.

Geese Xing in Downtown Redmond This Summer.

Heading from the Sammamish River (near Ben Franklin) to graze...

Updated: This Neighborhood Blog is Seeking Volunteers to Report On Redmond Neighborhood News.

REDMOND HAS TEN REPORTING NEIGHBORHOODS

UPDATED: I am seeking neighborhood adult and youth reporters to write for The "Redmond Neighborhood Blog."
News is made every day, in every Redmond neighborhood and this reporter cannot scratch the surface. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to report or comment on local news! Passion for Redmond is the only prerequisite.
Please submit your stories, photos, and video clips for editing and posting. Include your name and neighborhood address. Submissions will not be published without prior written approval.
GOOGLE & YAHOO rank the Redmond Neighborhood Blog the NUMBER ONE "neighborhood blog" in the country (of "neighborhood blogs"). Your stories will be seen and read!
Send your neighborhood stories to my email address at redmondblog@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Bob Yoder
Community Activist, Editor & Publisher
Redmond Neighborhood Blog
425-802-2523

BREAKING NEWS: School Resource Officer Program coverage expands in Redmond.

UPADATED: Breaking news from Councilmemeber David Carson's Public Safety Committee Meeting. - Attended by Bob Yoder

Dave Carson, Chair of the Council's Public Safety Committee held his monthly meeting Thursday morning, 8/30, at Fire Station #12 on 148th Ave. Mr. Carson okayed Councilmember Kim Allen's request to put School Resource Officers (SRO) on the agenda. I attended the meeting.

Mr. Carson and the Mayor announced Lake Washington School District (LWSD) has authorized a third SRO for better coverage of Rose Hill JH, Redmond JH, and Redmond High School. SRO coverage will no longer be split between Rose Hill and Redmond Junior Highs. Each junior high school will now have their own officer. Redmond High School will continue to have their own SRO.

Mayor Marchione said "internal redeployment" within the Police Department will not require hiring an additional employee. Citizens approved funding for these three SRO's in the last Public Safety levy but LWSD only recently gave the green light to staff both Junior Highs. According to Councilmember Allen, it will take a month or so to re-order Redmond officers to make it happen.

As last year's Chairman of the Pubic Safety Committee, Ms. Allen has been pushing for additional SRO coverage at Redmond's schools. Allen stated yesterday, "I want us to get out ahead on these things because the community will want to know as school starts up."

Ken Wong, staff director of the Teen Center, works closely with he SRO's. A third SRO will add continuity and better connection of students with their SRO's.

Ms. Kim Allen is running for re-election of her Council Seat #4 in November. (Ms. Chen filed for the position on the last day of registration.)

CONTACT:
Kim Allen
Redmond City Councilmember, #4
kim@kimonthecouncil.com
http://www.kimonthecouncil.com/
Website: Cops for the Cure, Register: to join and or donate to Kim's Team.
425-894-8237

Part II: Is the Redmond Senior Center coming to life?

Part Two of a Series on the Redmond Senior Center.

UPDATED, 8/22: On August 10, I published a story on the Redmond Senior Center. The story focused on my 45 minute "snapshot" visit to the Center where I discovered:

1. abundant, quality active recreation facilities appearing mostly idle or unused e.g. pickleball, billiards, greenhouse gardening, horseshoes, volleyball, boceball, badmitton, croquet and shuffleboard. Four ping pong tables and Wii were in use.
   
2. If you are over 49 years of age you qualify as "Senior"! Seniors living outside city limits are welcome.
   
3. BONUS: 18 year olds and up may use the faciliites when accompanied by an adult over 49.

As the saying goes, "a fifty year old is now forty and 60 years is now 50"; so the Center facilities should have wider appeal to many of the "younger" residents in our neighborhoods. Unfortunatley, not many citizens know about these family fun game activities. The stigmatism of age further aggravates utilization. I'll report on this

Since posting my August 10 story, the Administration appears eager to activate the community. Last week, Mayor Marchione launched a "First Friday Coffee Chat" informational program at the Center where various city officials will discuss city happenings once a month. Marchione will introduce the first chat program on Friday, 9/4. In addition this month, the city revamped and updated their Redmond Senior Center website page. And, Parks staff presented a review of the copious Senior Center programs to Chair Myers' Council Parks Committee.

The opening monthly Coffee Chat will be held by Mayor Marchione on Friday, September 4, 10-11am at the Redmond Senior Center (8703 160th Ave. NE) in the Fireplace Lounge. Free refreshments are sponsored by The Creekside. The announcement didn't say which age groups were welcome - so the chats are probably for Seniors and 18+ only. Directors from Public Works, Police, and Human Services will give 1st Friday chats monthly. With the Administration now taking active interest the Center, the pickleball, volleyball, and other outdoor recreational facilities may get greater use - especially by passing Sammamish Trail users.

The Administration has a vested interested in keeping the Senior Center vibrant. Doreen Marchione was Redmond's mayor in 1990 when the Senior Center was first built. (Doreen is our Mayor's mother.) In addition, present councilmembers Cole, McCormick, and Vache were in office at the time the Center opened. Councilmember Cole recently recommended seed money to start a "sinking fund" to re-build the Senior Center. Cole considers a new Senior Center building as a "legacy building". The Center's roots grow deep.

Senior Center activities and programs are guided by an 11 member Citizen Advisory Committee. Term limits are two years. If you'd like to participate, call 425-727-7274. Volunteers aged 50-59 are probably scarce and needed. Young adult advisors, too? The Redmond Historical Society plans to attract a younger set. Perhaps they could work together.

FIRST FRIDAY CHAT POSTER: http://docs.google.com/Edit?docid=dftpp8st_2fsccvcff)

ONLINE USER GUIDE TO PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES, Dated 2002. Update is needed? http://www.redmond.gov/insidecityhall/parksrec/recreation/seniorsuserguide.aspUPDATED

NEW WEBSITE PAGE ON THE SENIOR CENTER http://www.redmond.gov/insidecityhall/parksrec/recreation/seniors.asp

What every LWSD college-bound student should know about ACT scores.

My daughter is a Senior at Redmond High School and is applying to colleges. A college admissions officer she visited, advised it's easier to get a good score on the ACT than the SAT. What do you think about this generalization? Below are excerpts from a recent LWSD press release about Lake Washington School District ACT rankings.

Lake Washington School District ACT Scores Continue to Rise. While national mean scores for college-bound seniors remained generally flat in 2009, Lake Washington School District (LWSD) students scored higher on all four ACT tests (English, Mathematics, Reading and Science).

The district’s average composite score rose in 2009 to 25.1, compared to the state average of 22.8 (down .3), and the national average of 21.1

Average 2009 scores for Lake Washington students were 25.4 in Reading and 24.4 in Science and 24.9 in English. State scores averaged 23.5 in Reading and 22.1 in Science. National scores averaged 21.4 in Reading and 20.9 in Science.

The ACT College Readiness Benchmark Scores are the minimum score needed on an ACT subject-area test to indicate a 50 percent chance of getting a B or better or about a 75 percent chance of getting a C or better in the college course that corresponds to that subject.

>>Seventy-seven percent of district students met the college-readiness benchmark in reading, up four percent from last year. That compares to 66 percent statewide.

>>Fifty-nine percent of district students met the science benchmark, up 3% for the year compared to 38% statewide.English scores remained the same, as 92 percent of Lake Washington students met the benchmark.

>>51 percent of all LWSD students who took the ACT met all four college-readiness benchmarks, compared to one-third statewide.

Press Release, 8/16/09 Kathryn Reith, Director of Communications (425) 702-3342 or (425) 214-6115

What does Tent City mean to us?

"Main Street" in Tent City 4, Saint Jude's Catholic Church, Redmond

UPDATED: Early last week, I decided to bike over to Tent City (TC4) for a final good-bye. It was gone! Stakes pulled. No blue tents or honey pots, no litter, and that pervasive smell of stale sweat, finally lost to the breeze. Living four blocks away, we never noticed they had left.

They had departed as quietly as they arrived. Nomadic wanderers. How different this TC-4 is from two years ago. No hoop-tee-doos, or three ring circuses, no dog and pony shows, or City court. They came from Woodinville, they went, that's it. Have you heard different?

Tent City-4 left Redmond on August 1. They've moved to Holy Spirit Lutheran in Kirkland (Juanita) for the next three months. According to Father Rogerson of St. Judes Church, TC-4 averaged around 90 residents with a peak of 100. Business at TC-4 'was good' this year as foreclosures 'hit home'.

Community support came out in mass. Student volunteers, scouts, businesses, church groups, non profits, sports teams, neighbors all showed up to pitch in. Father Rogerson said Parishioners are already asking when St. Jude will host again. His understanding with the city is that "we would do this no more often than once a year. So it will be that long at least."

I'm glad our community can support the homeless, even if it is near our schools and in the middle of our neighborhoods; and is political. It was hard at first, but it seems they do no harm, and we learn from the experience and a little bit more about ourselves. After my visits, I feel melancholic. Others feel differently. The place is mostly a harbor for the lonely and forsaken; a few use it to their end. Rick, my younger brother, probably could have benefited from living from a shelter. He died alone and isolated in a Florida apartment, weakened from a co-morbidity no fault of his own. Rick's isolation was probably what killed him in the end.

Father Rogerson quotes two Gospel verses in St. Jude's consideration to host Tent City-4: Matthew 5:3 and Matthew 25.40. FAQ

Remember to mail your ballot in TODAY!

Today (8/18) is the last remaining days to vote!

Vote today by mail (only) for the next King County Executive and two Port Commissioners!

VISIT HERE FOR VOTER RESOURCES AND MY ENDORSEMENT...

The Seattle Times says "The sky is falling on King County government," and adds that "the next leader must have the guts and experience to move the county beyond its structural and self-inflicted budget woes." And PubliCola says "It's time for voters to demand major changes in the top spot at King County."

Mayor Marchione To Visit Schools, Teaching Groundwater Protections

If you are a regular Redmond Neighborhood Blog reader you know the importance and value of protecting Redmond's groundwater. Approximately, 40% of our city drinking water comes from "sandy, underground lakes and streams" known as aquifers. Citizens living in Education Hill, SE Redmond, the Downtown, and North Redmond all drink treated, underground water pumped up from 5 city wells.

I discovered an entertaining short cartoon video about 'groundwater' and it's importance and value to us. It is directed to kids and teachers but many parents and youth will be engaged by the animation. Click the link to see it!

Mayor John Marchione plans to visit various Redmond elementary schools this year, according to his interview on RCTV last month. I believe he'll start off at Norman Rockwell, the school he attended in his youth. Perhaps, "Mayor John" will bring this groundwater video to the attention of the teachers and students during his school visits.

Many thanks to the Water Tenders, a leader of Redmond's Derby Days "Green Team". The video is posted on their website: http://watertenders.org/. My daughter Lexie, Pam and I are proud members,

Children's video on "groundwater". http://www.leapingmedia.com/groundwater.html
Water Tenders website: http://watertenders.org/
Meet the Mayor - 2nd interview: http://rctv.redmond.gov/ondemand/inside0709b.wmv

-- posted by Yoder