October PTSA Donations & "a little bit more..."

October PTSA Donations to LWSD schools...and a little bit more (scroll below)

Emily Dickinson Elementary PTSA to Dickinson El - $2420.00 - to support 5th & 6th grade community building program @Camp River Ranch

Rachel Carson PTSA to Carson Elementary - $4022.72 - to purchase Accelerated Reader and Star Reading Program, copier supplies.

Samantha Smith PTSA to Smith Elementary - $3470.00 - to purchase Read Naturally Program and student council.

Redmond JH PTSA to Redmond Junior -$3830.87 - to provide academic enrichment mini-grants (supplies and equipment).

H.D. Thoreau PTSA to Thoreau Elementary - $4944.75 - stipends for Honor Choir Program ($1977.90), Outdoor Education ($1977.90), and Chess Program ($899.95).

John Muir PTA to Muir Elementary - $5100.00 -  to provide curriculum enrichment ($3500.00) and field trip transportation ($1600.00).

Stella Schola PTO to Stella Schola - $3018.90 - to provide stipends for extracurricular programming work.

Margaret Mead PTSA to Mead Elementary - $3168.90 - to provide stipends.

AND A LITTLE BIT MORE:    School Board President Jackie Pendergrass came up with an interesting explanation tonight for their record short, 49 min. Board meeting.  Jackie indicated the Board had worked especially long this month attending the Levy/Bond input meetings. Oh?  Interesting!  I went to half (3) of Levy Input meetings this month and didn't see a single School Board member!   Lake Washington High School had one of the largest turnouts (over 20) and not one Board Member attended.   Conspicuous absences at Redmond High and Junior High, too.   They'll need a better reason, next time....

Longtime Redmond Commissioners Lori and Marty Snodgrass support the re-election of Kim Allen for Council.

Lori Snodgrass was Redmond Parks Board Chair for many years.  Marty Snodgrass was a Chair and on Redmond Planning Commission for over eight years.  They emailed the following endorsement to re-elect Kim Allen for Redmond City Council. (At this time, I don't have a photo of Lori.)  

Dear Bob,

"Kudos to Council President McCormick for her strong endorsement of Councilmember Allen. We have been observers and sometimes participants in Redmond politics for nearly thirty years. Never has the City faced such a confluence of adverse circumstances as it does today. To steer the City through these hard times requires steady, experienced hands at the wheel of government. Compare these days to the crash of the US Airways flight in the Hudson River: those fortunate souls survived only because they were in the hands of a mature and experienced pilot.

Kim Allen belongs in that category. She has years of experience and a maturity shared by few in government. Hers is a steady hand. She is the type of person we can trust at the wheel. These are not just words. We have known her (Marty worked with her on the Redmond Planning Commission), and observed her sterling performance on the City Council for years. She is the real deal and we are lucky to have her. We certainly commend Ms. Chen for her interest in good government. However, now is not the time and the City Council is not the place for a beginner. When Ms. Chen has put in years learning the ropes and demonstrating her competence, we would then consider her for a position on the Council, but not now and certainly not as a replacement for someone of such demonstrated competence, intelligence and experience as Kim Allen."

Marty & Lori Snodgrass
Redmond, WA
E: help@snodgrasslaw.com
by email on 10/23
photo by Lori Snodgrass

2009 King County Election voting is "all-mail". Postage-free ballot drop boxes are available.

There will be no polling in King County for the general election. All ballots must be mailed OR may be placed in a few of the 24-hour drop boxes scattered around the county.

For the November 3 general, ballot drop boxes will open on Friday, October 16 and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. Postage is NOT required when using the ballot drop boxes.

Locations and availability:

•Library Connection @ Crossroads, 15600 NE 8th St., outside of Suite K-11, 98008
•Earlington Business Center, 919 SW Grady Way, 98057
•Fall City Library, 33415 SE 42 Pl., 98024
•Lake Forest Park Library, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 98155 near the lower level mall entrance
•Seattle, King County Administration Building, 500 Fourth Ave., 98104
•Woodinville Library, 17105 Avondale Rd NE, 98072
•University, 4534 University Way NE, 98105

Complete listing of ballot drop box locations is at "Info Vote 09"

Opinion | Tim Eyman: Time to give it a rest | Seattle Times Newspaper

Opinion Tim Eyman: Time to give it a rest Seattle Times Newspaper

Help adults learn to read - do basic math - study for GED exams - learn English. Sign-up with HopeLink.

 
Hopelink in Your Neighborhood Needs Volunteers!

Prospective volunteers can attend a required orientation session at any of Hopelink’s five locations

Hopelink relies upon volunteers for such jobs as sorting food in its food banks; helping adults learn to read, do basic math, study for the GED exams or learn English as a second language; providing child care and homework tutoring to children in our housing facilities; delivering food to homebound clients; or answering phones and helping with administrative tasks. Hopelink’s new Kirkland/Northshore center in the Totem Lake neighborhood is in particular need of volunteers to stock shelves in its grocery store-style food bank.

Hopelink asks new volunteers over age 16 and volunteers between the ages of 12 and 16 with parent/guardian supervision to register to attend a mandatory orientation. To register, please visit www.hope-link.org/takeaction/volunteer  or call (425) 869-6066.

· Wednesday, November 4, 2009. Afternoon and evening sessions are available:

o 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at Hopelink’s Bellevue center, 14812 Main St., Bellevue.

o 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Hopelink’s NEW Kirkland/Northshore center, 11011 120th Avenue NE, Kirkland.

· Tuesday, November 10, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Hopelink’s Redmond center, Building A, 16225 NE 87th St., Redmond.

Office: 425.869.2440; Cell: 206.605.6843
Email: denises@hope-link.org
posted:  BY

Kathy Lambert gives her insight into Dow Constantine and endorses Susan Hutchison

In the King County Executive race primary there were many excellent candidates. I have worked with Fred Jarrett in the legislature and Larry Phillips on the council, and I find them both fine and intelligent men who are a pleasure to work with. But instead Dow Constantine won the second position.

Dow has rarely been helpful on the projects important to this district. Example - He sponsored the CAO – Critical Areas Ordinance – and there were many times I asked him to reconsider and to listen to the citizens at town halls. Often, he left early. Several years later the court found a part of it unconstitutional. Four years later when the update was done to the CAO, Larry Gossett chaired the committee. Larry was wonderful and went out with me to see various issues first hand and talk with citizens who were facing the problems created by the CAO. Larry listened to citizens and worked with me to make the rules better.

Last year the citizens voted to make the council and executive positions nonpartisan. I was eager to see the “system” change and made several proposals on how the council could work in a nonpartisan manner. This plan would rotate each week who met for briefings – so that each member of the council would be with every other member of the council in a caucus at least once a month to share ideas, needs and concerns. Under Dow’s chairmanship it is unfortunately still the same members meeting in Republican or Democrat caucuses that have been changed to Formerly Republican or Formerly Democrat caucuses. That is the only change…..

Last October I wrote a new labor policy. The Seattle Times Editorial Board supported my idea and said it was a “good first step”. Unfortunately, some of my peers thought it was too controversial and would not let it come up for a hearing. The bill says that employees do not automatically get a minimum of 2 % raises in a year of recession. Without this bill, the employees of the county will get an automatic 2% raise unless they are already at the top of their pay scale. We cannot afford those kinds of raises in this economy and when citizens are facing a nearly 10% unemployment rate. So imagine my surprise when Dow said in the televised debate that he supports the labor policy change to reduce the 2%. Where has he been for the last year?

This gives some insights on how our district and county have been treated by an executive candidate and some issues that have not been handled in ways that show good leadership in my opinion.

I have gotten to know Susan Hutchison over the last few years. She is a woman of integrity, a hard worker, a collaborator and one that is willing to look for new and better ways to do things. It would be so refreshing to work with an executive that cares about all the citizens in this county.

Kathy Lambert
Redmond, WA.
by email, 10/24

Editorials | 'Yes' for open space with King County Charter Amendment No. 4 | Seattle Times Newspaper

Editorials 'Yes' for open space with King County Charter Amendment No. 4 Seattle Times Newspaper

Redmond City Council President Nancy McCormick endorses Kim Allen

"I have known Kim Allen since she joined Redmond’s Planning Commission in 2002 and we have served together on the Redmond City Council for the last 4 years. I have watched Kim quickly learn her way around the issues in the areas of transportation, planning, growth management and environmental stewardship and we have gone together to carry Redmond’s needs and concerns to our state legislators, many of whom have endorsed Kim’s reelection—as have I.

Kim and I represent Redmond’s interests in transportation as voting members of Eastside Transportation Partnership where we have worked to secure more buses and transit for Redmond. She has promoted Council’s presence in the community and I look forward to working with her as Council lead as we rewrite Redmond’s zoning code. Her background and connections to the Redmond community give her an understanding of our city’s interests and have made her an effective Councilmember for Redmond. That’s why I am supporting her campaign for the chance to serve another 4 years."

Nancy McCormick
nmccormi@halcyon.com
by email, 10/22

Kim Allen
Redmond City Councilmember, #4
kim@kimonthecouncil.com
http://www.kimonthecouncil.com/
425-894-8237

The Eastside Symphony and the Concert Opera of Seattle perform at Redmond Performing Arts Center

 Eastside Symphony and the Concert Opera of Seattle Presents Tenor: Gino Lucchetti

Hey Bob,

I was given your card by John Vasko our Oboe player in the Eastside Symphony. He said you are friends and ran into each other in front of the school during our last rehearsal on Thursday evening  and exchanged cards.  I am wondering if you would post our press release below on the Redmond Neighborhood Blog to help us promote our upcoming concert on November 21 at the Redmond Performing Arts Center.  Thank you!

Valentina Giovannetti
Eastside Symphony VP

The Eastside Symphony and the Concert Opera of Seattle will combine forces on November 21 in a concert version of Verdi's renowned opera, Rigoletto, conducted by Alexei Girsh. Featured soloists include tenor Gino Lucchetti, soprano Christina Kowalsky, baritone Charles Stephens, and bass Craig Grayson. Rigoletto is one of the most popular operas in the repertoire, known for such famous melodies as "La donna è mobile" and "È il sol dell' anima." Tickets for this special event are available in advance at www.eastsidesymphony.org at $17 general, $12 student/senior. Tickets at the door are $20 general, $15 student/senior.

Concert is November 21 is 8:00 p.m. at the Redmond Performing Arts Center,
Redmond High School,  17272 NE 104th St.

Contact eastsidesymphony@gmail.com
Eastside Synphony -  http://www.eastsidesymphony.org

Beautiful, but is it worth $4, 068,000?

Redmond's $4 Million Dollar Water Tanks

Come back soon to hear "the rest of the story" about these tanks on NE 104th Street.

The mural paintings were probably paid for by a 1% arts fee on the $4M project.  The Arts Department gets to keep 1% of the cost of Public Works projects to install art on site.  The bulk of  the money was spent on seismic reinforcement, three coats of paint, and retrofitting two other water tanks - one behind this one and a smaller one by Perrigo Springs.

by Bob Yoder, 11/28/09

photo by Bob Yoder

The Municipal League of King County opposes Initiative 1033

RECOMMENDATION and RATIONALE

The Municipal League of King County opposes Initiative 1033.

"Washington State is experiencing a severe recession. State and local governments have instituted drastic budget cuts affecting education, health care, human services, parks, corrections and many other programs that citizens rely on, especially during hard times. Now is the worst possible time to further hamper government’s flexibility to meet public needs and to help with economic recovery.

Previous statewide initiatives have already slowed government spending significantly and elected officials are already very cautious about authorizing tax increases to meet service needs. While it may be a good idea to encourage government to prioritize services and live within its means, this initiative is filled with complex provisions that will make government’s ability to govern much harder and further exacerbate the structural problems of our system of financing public services."

Link to Municipal League of King County I-1033 report, recommendation and website.
http://www.munileague.org/issues/ballot-issues-archive/ballot-issue-reports/nov-2009-i-1033

The Municipal League is a volunteer-driven, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works toward better government in King County, Washington.

Attn Readers! Post your election endorsements here!

Post your endorsements here!   You are invited to email your endorsement to Bob Yoder at  redmondblog@gmail.com for posting on this page.  (please include your address for verification purposes)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have gotten to know Susan Hutchison over the last few years. She is a woman of integrity, a hard worker, a collaborator and one that is willing to look for new and better ways to do things. It would be so refreshing to work with an executive that cares about all the citizens in this county.

Kathy Lambert
Education Hill neighborhood
Redmond, WA.
10/24
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Bob,

"Kudos to Council President McCormick for her strong endorsement of Councilmember Allen. We have been observers and sometimes participants in Redmond politics for nearly thirty years. Never has the City faced such a confluence of adverse circumstances as it does today. To steer the City through these hard times requires steady, experienced hands at the wheel of government. Compare these days to the crash of the US Airways flight in the Hudson River: those fortunate souls survived only because they were in the hands of a mature and experienced pilot.

Kim Allen belongs in that category. She has years of experience and a maturity shared by few in government. Hers is a steady hand. She is the type of person we can trust at the wheel. These are not just words. We have known her (Marty worked with her on the Redmond Planning Commission), and observed her sterling performance on the City Council for years. She is the real deal and we are lucky to have her. We certainly commend Ms. Chen for her interest in good government. However, now is not the time and the City Council is not the place for a beginner. When Ms. Chen has put in years learning the ropes and demonstrating her competence, we would then consider her for a position on the Council, but not now and certainly not as a replacement for someone of such demonstrated competence, intelligence and experience as Kim Allen."

Marty & Lori Snodgrass
Redmond, WA
E: help@snodgrasslaw.com
10/23
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I have known Kim Allen since she joined Redmond’s Planning Commission in 2002 and we have served together on the Redmond City Council for the last 4 years. I have watched Kim quickly learn her way around the issues in the areas of transportation, planning, growth management and environmental stewardship and we have gone together to carry Redmond’s needs and concerns to our state legislators, many of whom have endorsed Kim’s reelection—as have I.

Kim and I represent Redmond’s interests in transportation as voting members of Eastside Transportation Partnership where we have worked to secure more buses and transit for Redmond. She has promoted Council’s presence in the community and I look forward to working with her as Council lead as we rewrite Redmond’s zoning code. Her background and connections to the Redmond community give her an understanding of our city’s interests and have made her an effective Councilmember for Redmond. That’s why I am supporting her campaign for the chance to serve another 4 years."

Nancy McCormick
nmccormi@halcyon.com
10/22
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Most of you probably skip voting for Hospital District Commissioner like I usually do because you don't know any of them. I have known Charles Pilcher for 25 years, he was my boss for several of those, is a good MD, headed the emergency department at Evergreen for many years, supports health care reform and is a good person. I think he would do a great job for us and Evergreen."

Terry Lavender
10/20

How do LWSD high schools rank with other Districts in University of Washington's admission decision?

Photo is of Redmond High School Principal Jane Todd (speaking), Associate Principal Lloyd Higgins, and Associate Principal Melissa Pointer during an October school board meeting.  (According to Ms. Todd, 83% of  RHS students go directly into a post-secondary institution upon graduation.  Does this surprise you?)

How do LWSD high schools rank in the UW’s admission decision?

In making admission decisions, UW ranks high schools based on how big the drop is between the high school and the UW’s GPAs. Most high school students experience a drop in their GPA going from high school to the University of Washington, the most academically selective public university in the state. Schools with the smallest GPA drop receive the highest rank and are awarded the most points by the UW.  231 Washington State schools were ranked.  These students attended the UW in the time period 2000-2004 during the Don Saul Administration.   How do LWSD high schools compare to others?

Private:  Bush ranked #1, Lakeside #2, NW Yeshiva (Mercer Is.) #4; University Prep (Sea) #5,  Charles Wright Acad. (Tacoma) # 6;  Overlake #10; Eastside Catholic #48; Bear Creek #100; Bellevue Christian #114

The Islands:    Bainbridge Island HS #8, Vashon Island HS #9, Mercer Island HS #14. 

Bellevue School District:  Bellevue International #7; Newport HS #28; Bellevue HS; Interlake HS # 47; Forest Ridge #51

Issaquah School District:   Issaquah HS #15; Skyline HS #25

LWSD:   International Community (Kirkland) #3; Redmond HS #13;  Eastlake HS #63; Juanita HS #82; Lake Washington HS #103.

North Shore School District:  Woodinville HS # 71; Bothell #76; Inglemoor HS # 80.

Seattle School District (Tier 1): Blanchet #18; Shorewood #36; Ballard #61; Roosevelt #77; Shorecrest #79, O'Dea #110.

It's looking like LWSD is living up to our local real estate agents' persistent claims of "desirability", though lots of other good schools are out there.   Tacoma, Kent, Lynwood, and Montlake Terrace are ones to keep away from.  Yakima's district schools (4) all do well with one ranked #19.

The above data represents "end results" of high school performance for the retired Don Saul Administration.  Chip Kimball was hired as LWSD Superintendent about two years ago. 

On 9/28, the LWSD School Board reviewed Superintendent Chip Kimball's "end results" for the first two years of his Administration.  The  relevant available data was from 3-year cohort K-2.  It appears the end results for students were: 71-85% at standard for writing.  76-85% at standard for literature and drama.  K-2 students were 23% at standard for speaking a second language at home.  (Spanish is the 2nd largest and Chinese the 3rd largest second language at home).

Source: - to find the rankings, click "source".   Look on the left side bar under "high school ratings".

Report and photo by Bob Yoder
Re-published on 1/21/2011
Unedited

Major Ballot Mistake on I-1033 by King County Elections.

Thanks, Hank for bringing this huge snafu to our attention. 

Unfortunately, I've already voted and I MISSED IT.   But, I'll tell my wife.  Thank you, Hank!

Bob

LETTER from Hank Margeson, 10/20

Friends,
A big mistake by the King County Elections office is causing huge numbers of King County voters to overlook I-1033 on their ballots. I-1033 is Tim Eyman's latest effort to slash funding for schools, health care, and other public services.

Make sure you don't miss it! I-1033 is on the bottom, left-hand corner of the first page, underneath the instructions, where it's very easy to overlook. See the graphic below.

The key to beating I-1033 is a big no vote in King County and Seattle -- where voters are strongly opposed. But thousands of King County voters are overlooking I-1033 on their ballots, even when they want to vote No.

Please forward this message to your friends and family members! This election is going to be incredibly close. We can't afford to have any No voters overlooking I-1033 on the ballot. We appreciate your help getting the word out about this confusion.

Thanks for your help,

Hank Margeson, Education Hill
Dayle “Hank” Margeson for Redmond City Council 2007
Hank@FriendsofHank.com
http://www.friendsofhank.com/

- sample ballot submitted by Hank Margeson

Reforesting the Sammamish Slough

Ling Niu is a Redmond software engineer from China - with daughter

Reforesting the Sammamish Slough, by John Reinke

In a torrential downpour on Saturday morning, twelve of us gathered under a tent set up along the path that parallels the slough, just south of the Leary Way Bridge. Our group was composed of Redmond residents and crew members of local nonprofit Earth Corps.

We were there to replant tree and shrub seedlings in the open area by the slough. The idea is to create a “mini wilderness” to the maximum extent possible, so as to improve and preserve the salmon and wildlife habitat. City of Redmond environment officer Peter Holte instructed us in how to dig holes in the dirt and then remove seedlings from their pots and plant them properly. The seedlings had previously been set out in their desired locations, so we just had to find them and set to work.

As the morning progressed, the rain subsided considerably, and more residents showed up to help. The newcomers were instructed and assisted by the Earth Corps crew members. These young folks were made up of Americorps Volunteers and a young woman and man from Morocco and Cambodia. (Go to http://www.earthcorps.org/  to learn more about their environmental restoration work.)

The reforestation effort has been going on for several years. Nearby were 10 foot high trees that had been planted three years ago on the bank of the slough. Jane, who was there with her daughter, said she had helped plant them back then. Funds for this work come out of the stormwater runoff control fees paid annually by Redmond homeowners.

By the time 12 noon rolled around, Peter estimated that we had planted 200 to 300 seedlings. Despite being wet and muddy, we all felt pleased and proud of our work!

photos and story
by John Reinke
Redmond resident

Administration requests $226,220 to track groundwater recharge and potential influx of contaminants.

The Administration is requesting $226,220 for groundwater monitoring engineering services at their 10/20/09 City Council Meeting.   

UPDATED 10/21, City Council approved the funding for this project.  We (Administration) propose installing twelve additional groundwater monitoring wells and three "high pressure water monitors" at selected sites for use in conjunction with surveying and monitoring. The proposed monitoring facilities are designed to track the recharge of groundwater and the potential influx of contaminants into the Redmond alluvial aquifer.  We propose contracting for professional engineering services in an amount of $226,220 for the Groundwater Monitoring Network Project.

The objective is to obtain additional monitoring data that will lead to a better understanding of movement of groundwater and contaminants within the Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA) and understand the primary mechanisms by which groundwater in the City’s alluvial aquifer is recharged. Three principal recharge processes are recognized, as follows:

 Direct infiltration of surface water flows into Bear Creek, Evans Creek, Sammamish River.

 Stormwater infiltration from retention ponds, vaults, storm drains and other infiltration facilities throughout the City; and infiltration through previous surfaces (dirt, sand, beddings, grass, etc.)

 Upland runoff that percolates into the margins of the alluvial aquifer at the valley floor.

Documents and Maps of the critical recharge areas, proposed groundwater monitoring wells and pressure monitors and streams  : http://redmond.gov/insidecityhall/citycouncil/20091020pdfs/AM09225.pdf

BACKGROUND
The City of Redmond operates five shallow groundwater supply wells that deliver between 3.5 and 5 million gallons of water per day, supplying approximately 40 percent of Redmond’s drinking water. These five wells, which draw from the shallow alluvial aquifer, are located in the heart of Redmond’s downtown and industrial areas, and are highly susceptible to contamination due to the local geology and proximity to potential pollution sources. In October 2003, the City Council adopted a wellhead protection ordinance to meet federal, state, and regional requirements for the protection of the Critical Aquifer Recharge Area (CARA) and the City’s drinking water supply. An important requirement of the ordinance is the establishment of a city-wide groundwater monitoring program to detect the presence of contaminants and declines in water levels before they impact a water supply well.

Hazardous Materials Questionnaire and Aquifer Map.
Source:  Redmond City Council Consent Agenda, 10/20/09

posted by Bob Yoder

Vote YES on King County Charter "Open Space Amendment" #4

Letter from the Water Tenders

We have endorsed King County Charter Amendment 4, on your November ballot. The Open Space Amendment (OSA) will provide enhanced protection for approximately 156,000 acres of natural open space owned by King County.  (photo of Cougar Mountain)

Through a new section in the county charter, the Open Space Amendment  (#4) strengthens protection of certain high conservation value properties by requiring a 28-day public comment period, a finding of facts, and a supermajority vote (7 of 9) of the County Council before the property could be sold or transferred. This public process will help to safeguard our most cherished green spaces for future generations.

These properties are among our most treasured conservation and recreation spaces. County lands to receive additional protection include all the Bear Creek Waterways properties in Unincorporated King County (Cold Creek Natural Area, the Upper Bear Creek Conservation Area, Evans Creek Natural Area and many more) Squak Mountain/Tiger Mountain Corridor, Cedar River Waterways, Cougar Mountain, the Upper Raging River Forest, and the Snoqualmie Forest.

The properties protected by the Open Space Amendment are already owned or held in a conservation easement by King County – the amendment involves no new land purchases or direct costs.

The Open Space Amendment is unanimously supported by the County Council, Executive, Municipal League, many environmental groups, and community leaders. You can see a full list of endorsements and learn more about he Open Space Amendment at http://www.openspaceamendment.org/.

We urge you to vote Yes on King County Charter Open Space Amendment #4. 

The Water Tenders
submitted by Terry Lavender
9/4

Artist Christopher Janney's "Sonic Forest" will connect and inspire the public at Redmond Town Center

"The Sonic Forest" is coming to Redmond Town Center

Recently, an arts enthusiast and neighbor told me Christopher Janney’s exciting light and sound “Sonic Forest” art will be installed at Redmond Town Center Dec. 4-12. Perfect timing for Redmond's “Winter Festival of Lights!

Mr. Janey is an architect and jazz musician, world renowned for his "sound and light" art installations found in public spaces throughout the nation. Read my report and opinion  on Janey's May 15 interview with the Redmond Arts Commission and learn more about his installation art!

Paraphrasing Arts Commission Chair John Stilin: 'Art connects people. The purpose of Art in Redmond is to build community. Art brings people together. It's what gets people talking together.'

Last week the Arts Commission pounded out their new Vision Statement: "The community is connected and inspired by arts and culture". Will you connect and be inspired in the Sonic Forest December 4 -12?

Michelle Vallene, our longtime PEPS group friend, educator and mother of three announces a New York City media blitz of her new book!

"What Children Need to Learn to Read, by Michelle Vallene" - The Complete parent's guide to ensuring literacy, a love of reading, and school readiness.  Birth through the Early Grades. 

Hi Bob,

As you know, I was accepted to attend the National Publicity Summit in New York City this next week to promote my new book. I am leaving on Saturday and won’t be back until the following weekend.  In New York, I will be meeting with producers from TV shows like Good Morning America, The Today Show, etc. and magazine and newspaper editors and radio show producers. It is like speed dating with the media. I have been working with a media coach and taking on-line classes for the last couple of months to prepare my story/show pitches for the media.

I am excited, but very nervous about going!  By the way, we have extended the pre-order date to October 30th so people can still pre-order my book at our current website.

Pre-order book here:  http://www.chateau-education.com/book.html

Thanks for your support!

Michelle

Bob's note:   Wow, Michelle!   Congratulations!  Thanks for sharing your book and this "breaking news" with me!  I look forward to your feature story in the local reporter.  Good luck on your tour!  I will try to find the AMAZON.com link to add to my site so readers can order your book!   When you come home next week from New York and have some time, I want some coffee time with you at Tulleys!   

-Edited by Bob Yoder
Photo by Dave Randall

The King County Elections ballots are in the mail! "Let the games begin"!

Council President Nancy McCormick is retiring after 6 terms of dedicated service to the City of Redmond.

Redmond Council Vice President Pat Vache' and Arts Commissioner John Stilin are both running unopposed. 

Councilmember Kimberly Allen is running for re-election (Seat #4) against upstart Sally J. Chen.   

Chuck Pilcher is running for commissioner of  Evergreen County Hospital District #2 against Rex Lindquist.  Dr. Pilcher is endorsed by every hospital district commissioner except Lindquist.  Redmond Fire and Medics endorse Pilcher. 

King County Charter Amendments One, Two, and Three are mostly housekeeping.   Charter Amendment Four is significant and deserves study.   The Municipal League of Woman Voters recommends "yes" on all four. 

LWSD Directors Nancy Bernard ("Kirkland" area District 3) and Doug Eglington ("Sammamish Plateau" District 4) are again running unopposed.   Julie Wright has withdrawn from the race, according to LWSD. 

King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert is running unopposed.

The Big Race is for King County Excecutive.   "Outsider" Susan Hutchinson is running against King County Councilmember Dow Constantine.   Do you care who just got the Seattle Times endorsement?

All local candidate websites and charter amendments are posted on this sidebar.

For these and all other Eastside races, the link to the King County Candidate website is:    http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/elections/200911/contestscandidates.aspx

text and photo by Bob Yoder

Rafa's story of overcoming gangs and bullets with help from Youth Eastside Services

Dear Bob,

Eighteen year old Rafa was born in Pakistan and lived there until he was in fourth grade. He is now a senior at an Eastside high school and his outgoing presence, personal creativity and generosity of spirit make him the perfect driving force behind the poetry/rap slams he helps organize.

But like many children with immigrant parents, Rafa is the liaison between his parents and the culture and language of the U.S. "By the time I got to high school I didn't know where I belonged," says Rafa. "I'm more American than my parents, but I don't fit easily into the white, Latino or black cliques and cultures at school."

As a freshman and sophomore, Rafa often feared for his safety at school. Racial slurs became shoving matches which escalated into physical threats and violence. "I decided to join a gang after I was shot at while walking home alone from school one night."

But Rafa knew he needed help and he found it from a Youth Eastside Services (YES) school-based counselor. His counselor helped him disassociate from his gang and introduced him to the Newcomer Program at YES. With the help of YES, he learned to cope with his feelings of isolation, embrace his dual cultures and find safety outside of a gang affiliation.

Rafa's story is just one of thousands of stories of youth who come to YES and - thanks to a giving community - find the help they need to meet and overcome the challenges they face.

Best Wishes,

Patti Skelton-McGougan
Executive Director
http://www.youtheastsideservices.org/
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