Introduction to LWSD Special Ed Department with Paul Vine, Director -- "Helping the Behaviorily Challenged Child"

Introduction to LWSD Special Ed Department

Meet the Lake Washington School District Special Education Director, Paul Vine.

Tuesday, September 27  7 – 9 pm

 LWSD Resource Building

16250 NE 74th St, Redmond

(Redmond Town Center)

He will have a PowerPoint presentation reviewing the department structure, the Ladder of Support, discuss new initiatives for the year and any other changes in the Special Education programs. He will also be introducing his team and have a brief Question and Answer time. After Paul's presentation we will share happenings within our group, share resources and network with other parents and teachers.

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NEW SERIES:  Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child
 
6 Week Series of Classes starting Thursday, September 29th & ending November 3rd.  Register by Monday, September 26th, 2011
 
“This wonderful class has profoundly changed the relationship with me and my son – my husband, too. We talk more. He tantrums less. And he feels empowered – he owns the solutions and therefore works hard to carry it out. Thanks for teaching this class with such passion!” – Emily S
 
This 6 session program teaches parents & caregivers to understand and communicate with children in order to solve behavioral problems and build skills. This method works for children with many different disabilities, and also for children with no disability. It has been used successfully with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, OCD, Bipolar Disorder, Oppositional Defiance and many more. Weekly email consultation is included to address individual concerns.   Read More >>

Brief History of Patsy Rosenbach - Redmond native and 1958 Lake Washington H.S. Grad

 1955 - Football Crowd and Cheer leaders at LWHS/Credit Historical Society

An abbreviated history of the life of Patsy Rosenbach, Redmond native and Lake Washington High School graduate, class of '58.

I grew up on "Education Hill" before it was Education Hill. It was a dirt road that had huge washouts annually.  It's NE 166th AV. NE, but back then 3rd Avenue.  Redmond continues to have my loyalty. I have never lived farther than 10 miles away. I truly enjoy the fellowship at our annual “Golden Grads Reunions” of Lake Washington High School (LWHS), my alma mater. We just had our 2011 Golden Grad Reunion last month.  (Read More about it below!)  In my school days, LWHS housed students from Redmond, Kirkland, and Juanita.

A little family history: I'm the youngest graduate in my class of ‘58. I learned how to read, spell, and do arithmetic before I entered school and graduated at 16. My dad was blind and an invalid, but he taught me and my older sister before we entered school. Our older brother suffered a severe reaction to a small pox vaccination as a youngster, and had to have his books sent home with him to continue his studies.

I went to the first grade, as there was no kindergarten offered that year (the taxpayers had to vote it in and they declined that year). Three weeks later I was sent to a combined first and second grade room with Mrs. Shobert.

What did Redmond look like? Nothing like today! Read More >>

Redmond Council Candidate Tom Flynn lays out the issues - Position 5

Tom Flynn
City Council Candidate, Pos 5

For Redmond to thrive as a livable community, especially through expected growth and change, it will be vital for the city to have policies that retain the beauty of our natural environment, support economic development, and build on connections in the community. 

Natural Environment:

Rivers, Streams, Native Growth, Wetlands, Parks, Sustainable Energy

Redmond has a wealth of natural areas including the Redmond Watershed Preserve, the Sammamish River, salmon spawning Bear Creek, and numerous areas of native growth and wetlands. Our residents also benefit from a wide variety of city parks spread throughout the city’s neighborhoods. And we need to keep working on reducing our energy use and our carbon footprint. By preserving these natural resources, we will make Redmond a desirable place to live for many generations. I will work to support strong policies and programs to support our natural environment and sustainable energy.

Strong Economy:

Local Business, Innovation, Education, Arts and Culture   Read More >>

Who's a good "write-in" candidate for Evergreen Hospital Commissioner, Position #3

Evergreen Commissioner  Kempf

RNB responds to an engaged hospital district citizen who emailed for a "write-in" alternative to Commissioner Kempf.   (for background on Kempf visit this post)

OPINION:   RNB can't name a specific "write-in" challenger to Evergreen Commissioner Kempf, Position #3, though Reader recommendations can be posted in the comments section.

My ideal candidate has financial skill-sets, is passionate and knowledgeable about Evergreen Healthcare, responsible and accountable to the taxpayer, desires a community hospital rather than one built around specialists, encourages Open Government wherein meetings are video-taped (as is Valley Hospital, Renton), allocates 60% levy monies to community health and wellness and 40% or less for growth and debt service, and is strong enough to challenge the Administration appropriately and catalyze the five-member Board from "cheerleaders" to governors.

I'm not certain if it's realistic a qualified write-in will rise at this late date, but terms are 6-years so elections occur with regularity.  Candidates are currently spawned but the "Evergreen Advisers". "I talked to a prominent Redmond business person and Advisor.  She said if "you had one problem or issue with Evergreen you wouldn't qualify for the program."   Evergreen governance and community system appears "inward," clubby and close-minded.   A commissioner attends Advisor meetings once a month, but Advisors never attend public commission meetings to give input.  Since I've been covering Evergreen, they replaced the Advisor staff member with Laurene Burton, Administrative Director, Community Affairs and Governance (and executive secretary to the CEO.)  Ms. Burton is also the Public Records Officer, professional and cordial.  She takes Public Records requests by email and screens Board emails.

Some background:   Evergreen has a strong influence over the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce over the years.  Mr. Kempf  has been the Chamber Membership Chair for years. An executive from Redmond's Columbia Bank was past-President and a lauded Evergreen Advisor.  A senior executive from Evergreen is current President.  Dr. Appleton, Evergreen ER Assist. Director and past Redmond councilman ran for office against Mayor Ives. He left Evergreen last year for the V.A Medical Center.  Our Chamber of Commerce has lost significant membership since Kempf took over and is currently repositioning under One Redmond.

I hope district citizens are encouraged to run for election.  For Kempf's position (No 3)  the candidate must live in Redmond or Sammamish.

Opinion By Bob Yoder
Editor, RNB

Note:  Commissioner Jeanette Greenfield's position (No 5) is "at large" and a candidate may reside anywhere in the hospital district. Ms. Greenfield is the sole commissioner on the Levy Standing Committee.  She's an operations specialist for U.S. Bank.

OPINION: Seattle Times article a "must read" on tolling Initiative 1125 controversy

520 bridge

OPINION:   At the Oct. 4 council meeting Redmond Mayor Marchione  OPPOSED Initiative 1125, as he addressed council before their vote on a Resolution on the initiative:   

"520 is an economic lifeline to the city of Redmond. It's in the direct interests of the City of Redmond and our economic development and our community; and the Resolution be opposed and take the leadership required."

The Redmond City Council majority followed the Mayor and voted AGAINST an endorsement Initiative 1125 (5-2).  Incumbents David Carson and Hank Myers made a political vote FOR the Resolution to endorse Initiative 1125. 

David Carson is challenged by Sue Stewart for Redmond City Council Pos. 7.

According to the TIMES, the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce is AGAINST Initiative 1125 (which is significant in that "one of Bellevue's most prominent businessmen, Kemper Freeman, is the biggest backer of I-1125, contributing more than $1 million to the campaign.).  

SEATTLE TIMES REPORT:  Local News Eyman challenges state's route on tolls Seattle Times Newspaper

By Andrew Garber, 10/1/2011
Seattle Times Olympia bureau

OLYMPIA — Tim Eyman and state officials agree on one thing: His tolling initiative on the November ballot would upend state plans for reducing traffic congestion and financing costly highway construction, including the Highway 520 floating-bridge project.

Eyman says Initiative 1125 would make lawmakers more accountable for raising and spending billions of dollars in tolls, and would make tolling fairer by banning variable-rate tolls that he says hit the state's poorest residents the hardest.

But it also would undermine long-term efforts, state transportation officials say, to find an alternative to gas taxes to help finance highway construction.  READ MORE >> 

Opinion By Bob Yoder
Internet photo - Cascadia

Muslim mosque community center opens in Redmond

Mayor John Marchione and other dignitaries were on hand last week to dedicate the opening of  the new Muslim Community Center and mosque in Redmond called "MAPS" for  "Muslim Association of Puget Sound" (MAPS).

Hyder Ali, the president of MAPS and manager in the communications department at Microsoft (in this video) calls the mosque a hub or community asset "not only for Muslims but for the communities they live in."  The mosque is located in a 35,000+ square foot commercial neighborhood building at 17550 NE 67th Court, Redmond, WA,  due east of the Marymoor Park Velodrome (see map ).

The MAPS Center places much emphasis on welcoming and enriching their youth.  Women membership is addressed in the By-Laws.  One lady in the video said she "appreciates the relatively progressive approach to women."   One man in the video described the Center as a mosque for prayer and center for social activities. 

It's a "hub" where, on your way to work,  you stop at the Center, pray, exercise, go to work, come back and pray with family and socialize. 

The Center hosts two lounges with computers and Internet, a library and education center.  The 3,000 square foot prayer area is expandable to 11,000 square feet.  Two gyms for exercise, one for each sex; and two daycare rooms (age 1-4 and 4-7) are available.


View Larger Map

Reported by Yoder
Video and Source:   MAPS website:  http://www.mapsredmond.org/

Redmond High struggling with construction, technology and size issues.

Principal Todd addressing School Board, 2010

"We have struggled with construction issues, technology issues and size issues since we opened...It's exceedingly rare to find an unused classroom during any period of the day...It still feels crowded in the lunchroom...How will next year feel?" 

-- Redmond High Principal Jane Todd, "Mustang Messenger," Oct. 2011. 

 "Mustang Messenger" letter from Jane Todd, Principal, Redmond High School, Lake Washington School District...

Dear Parents,

It has been a bit of a wonderful, but crazy wild ride since the first day of school. The students seem happy and engaged, and, as always, they are a delight to me whenever I get the chance to interact with them personally and directly. They give me reason to be proud of them as individuals and as a group on a daily basis. In class meetings, assemblies, during "surprise" fire drills (more on this in a bit), and even, more informally, at lunch and during passing periods, students have been respectful, positive and appropriately spirited. Our staff is having truly wonderful conversations in our planning to welcome both 9th and 10th graders about this time next year. We have treated this reconfiguration all along as an opportunity to strengthen what we already do well and to address areas where we can do better as we embark on the adventure of converting to a four-year high school. I believe we had one of the largest turnouts for Curriculum Night we have ever had, despite the last minute rescheduling.

On the other hand, we have struggled with construction issues, technology issues and size issues since we opened in the beginning of September. Counselors went home on a well-earned vacation at the end of June, with their students scheduled in all classes and returned in August to discover that the "upgrade" to one of technology systems had wiped out about half the work that had been completed. They had to recreate what they had done, and they had to check schedules for appropriate placements.  Read More >>

Revealing 5-Minute Speeches from City Council contestants: Stewart, Carson, Flynn and Wright

City of Redmond City Council Contested Races:

Candidates give 5 minute speeches.

Click blue links to select the candidate videos

David Carson vs. Sue Stewart - Pos 7

Tom Flynn vs.  Joel Wright - Pos. 5

Margeson, Myers and the Mayor are unopposed. 

2011 Annual Public Conference on Children with Mental Health Disorders

2011 Conference for Parents, Caregivers & Educators of Children with Mental Health Disorders

Saturday, October 15

Free of Charge

10:00am-3:45pm

Evergreen Hospital Medical Center (directions)

Forum rooms TAN 100 & 101

Kirkland, WA.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER 10:30 AM- 12 Noon
Dr. Christy Kimpo, Ph.D, LMHC, IMHS,  of Navos Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health
What is Infant Mental Health and how do early attachment relationships impact mental health across childhood?

Breakout session #1 1:00 – 3:30 PM
• Lara Okoloko, MSW, CDPT,  of Science and Management of Addictions (SAMA)
Drug Use Trends, Signs of Use and Prevention.

• Dr. Susan Cavalry, PhD, ARNP, BC of Therapeutic Health Services Encompass Program
An Integrated Treatment for Adolescents and Young Adults with Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders.

• Steve Anderson, MC, LMHC,  of Hartley Counseling & NAMI Support Group Facilitator
Helping Family Members Cope With Dual-Diagnosis

Breakout session #2 1:00 – 3:30 PM
• Dr. Gayle Fay, PhD, Neuropsychologist
Neuropsychology Assessments of Children

• Dr. Wendy Hutchins Cook, PhD, Clinical Psychologist
Assessments of Families in Crisis/Divorce

No childcare provided
Cafeteria on site for lunch (12-1), snacks and beverages provided

RSVP FORM AND DETAILS HERE
Space is limited Return RSVP form below to:
NAMI Eastside
16315 N.E. 87th Street, Suite B-3
Redmond, WA 98052
Internet photo - Child Psychiatry

Redmond Council Candidate Sue Stewart works to make Redmond a livelier place.

Challenger Sue Stewart
Education Hill Neighbor

from the desk of Sue Stewart, Redmond  City Council Candidate, Pos. 7...

"I recently participated in a candidate forum hosted by the Redmond Chamber of Commerce. We were asked to respond to four questions, and I wanted to share the questions, and my answers with you over the next week here as well.

How would you help make Redmond a livelier place?

Redmond is a great place to live, work, and play – we know that, but we can do better. The City of Redmond can help to promote places and activities that the community wants, like more dining choices, recreation, and entertainment. This is something that I have heard from my neighbors and friends who have suggested places like..>>

BREAKING: Lake Washington School District improves and updates pet policy. Posting new signs on all district schools.

Outdated  LWSD
Pet Policy Notice

BREAKING: 10/4/2011, 7:51 AM   The District improves and updates their pet policy!  New signs are on order and will be posted at all district schools.  Click this link to read the entire policy and administrative action!

http://www.lwsd.org/About/Policies-Regulations/Admin-Policies/school-community-relations/Pages/Dogs-on-District-Property.aspx .

###

BACKGROUND:  Last year I wrote the opinion below, asking the District to update and improve their pet policy and install new signs.
The recent "A Tree Gets Nailed" story prompted me to edit and republish the opinion today.  I copied  the LWPTSA Council and Administration.  Serendipity!   B.Y.  10/4

REPUBLISHED OPINION, 6/18/2010.  In 2010 my daughter and a friend were walking their small dog on-leash, near the sidewalk on Horace Mann property.  The principal at the time saw the kids and told them to remove the dog.  She cited school policy that leashed dogs aren't allowed on school property when children are present even if school is out.  The kids were surprised because they had their dog leashed with poop bags - just like the school sign warns.  Clearly, the district's Pet Policy signage mis-informs and confuses our youth.

When my daughter was going to Horace Mann in 1997-2004, the principal allowed leashed dogs inside the school. I asked Deputy Superintendent Janene Fogard for a copy of the district Pet Policy.  Instead, she gave me an updated Mann policy.  She didn't quote the enforceable King County law or informal school policy.  Two years  later, after multiple requests, Fogard gave me the current, legal policy, as follows:     

#1- King County code numbers are stamped on the Pet Signs.  County code "legally and enforce ably prohibits dogs from being allowed to run unleashed on school grounds."

 #2- The District adds language: "dogs are also not allowed on school grounds during the hours when school children are present - leashed or unleashed."  This language isn't posted on the Pet signs; it's unenforceable by the city and county.  This is a problem.

Many signs are old &
damaged.
 

City of Redmond and Kirkland Code stamped on the signs has since been repealed.  It can be removed, leaving space for "dogs forbidden when students present".   New signs could be phased into modernized schools and replace damaged ones to save money. This is a solution.

Unfortunately, parents, children and the public don't understand what the school policy is from these signs.  Students can be reprimanded and not know why.  School modernizations and remodels will need new signage.  Now is an excellent  time to phase in fair, accurate and clear pet policy signs.     

To see the entire pet policy read on.  Read More >>

OPINION: "Group Health Overlake Master Plan" could morph Overlake Neighborhood into a "glitzy urban center."

This is "the heart and soul" of Overlake urban center -- President Richard Cole

UPDATED OPINION:  Hold onto your hats.  Redmond residents are in for a ride of their life once "Group Health Overlake Master Plan" gets underway.  The ride could last for years - the roads dusty?   Patience with the flag men.  Will  "Avoid Overlake" tweet?   But, the potential for this district!  Oh, My!  All you have to do is live long enough. 

The mayor has many names for Overlake -- "a neighborhood," "a village," an "urban center" and the "glitzy part of Redmond."  Whichever name you choose Overlake is sure to be Redmond's urban mecca 20 years from now, leaving our current downtown, the "Old Redmond."

Last week, Redmond city planners presented council with an overview of the 28-acre "Group Health Overlake Master Plan."   Notice of Hearing.  A Hearing is scheduled for October 18th at 7:30 PM in City Hall.   Send your comments for the record to Associate Planner Denis Lisk by October 18. Email:  dwlisk@redmond.gov.   Or call 556-2400. City council  must approve this plan.

The development plan started years ago when Group Health closed their Redmond hospital, located at 15670 NE 85th Street - between 152th Ave and 156 Ave, two blocks north of NE 24th Street.

Group Health and the City of Redmond agreed on a long range development plan for the parcel.   Five types of projects will have to be permitted.  Phase One will develop 1.38 million square feet of office, hotel, and retail.  Most of the construction phase is on the north and east of the parcel, along 156th AVE and includes:

• 12-story, 180 room hotel and conference center (NE corner with underground parking).
• 4 - 10 story commercial office parks (north and SE corner) with landscaped courts and plazas.
• 25,000 s.f. ground floor retail  (on the west along 152nd Ave. -  might be included in this phase)
• 2.6 acre grassy park with pathway up the middle of the site.

Phase Two includes 1400 multi-family residential units in the NW and SW parcel areas.  Development progress depends on transportation infrastructure.  An SR 520 access ramp is crucial.  NE 26th Street construction and grid build-out is needed along with Sound Transit.


Group Health is in the background - trees are scattered between parking areas.

 TREES:  The site is located on hill rising from west to east and covered with 1050 trees scattered throughout the parking areas.  Enormous amounts of earth-moving, grading and clearing are necessary to make a "hardscape" suitable for building.   Underground parking garages will compound the work.  Large earth-moving equipment and trucks traveling local roads may be expected for several years at a time.  Read More >>

Evergreen Hospital Commissioner incumbent August Kempf copes with State audits during 2011 election

R. August Kempf, Commission Pos 3
Represents Redmond / Sammamish

Editor's Note:  In the October 2, 2011 election Mr. Kempf won 98% of the vote.  

Commissioner August Kempf's financial expertise hasn't appeared to help Evergreen resolve problematic annual state audits.  Should Commissioner Kempf oversee Evergreen Healthcare for another six years? 

Evergreen Hospital is a property-tax supported county hospital.   $24,153,945 in levy monies were collected last year from Redmond, Sammamish, Kirkland, Woodinville, Bothel, Duvall and other district property owners.  Most tax dollars fund debt service for growth; a modicum goes to "community healthline services."

"Five publicly elected hospital commissioners have the ultimate responsibility and accountability for the Evergreen district.  Citizens entrust their elected commissioners to approve major financial decisions and provide legal oversight of Evergreen."   But, do they?

R. August "Auggie" Kempf is an incumbent, running unopposed this year.  He's an 11 year commissioner for Evergreen  Hospital and he's asking the electorate for another 6 years on November 8.  If you live in Redmond or Sammamish, "Auggie" is your designated representative.  He runs an insurance, investment and financial planning firm in Redmond with probably the most financial skill sets of the five commissioners.  Mr. Kempf attended seven "Audit and Finance Committee Meetings" last year - more than four commissioners.

Mr. Kempf's financial expertise hasn't appeared to help the hospital pass annual state audits.  The State Auditor's Office (SAO) charged Evergreen in recent years with twice the serious audit "Findings," of Lake Washington School District and City of Redmond combined.   2009 was not a good year either.  The SAO reported 3 findings:

• the hospital was paying contracted staff hourly rates almost double their employed nurses.  SAO recommendations to reduce contracted nurses resulted in an estimated $7.5 million in savings.
• Evergreen collected $1.8 million in cash (deli, pharmacy, gift shop) in 2008.   SAO findings:  internal control weakness increase risk of misappropriation.  Status to be reviewed in 2010 audit.
• "Evergreen Healthcare did not comply with competitive bid laws on two projects totalling $1,223,856 in 2008.  In 2009 the SAO determined corrective actions were taken.

The more distant Audit History during Mr. Kempf's tenure is equally poor:  Read More >>

OPINION: Red Light Camera Controversary

OPINION:   I am frustrated by the constant disregard for the will of the citizens of Redmond which has been repeatedly shown by the current council and Mayor’s office over several issues. 

The most recent contempt shown over the petition and signatures submitted for Redmond Initiative 1, Red Light Cameras is inexcusable and without cause. RCW 35.21.005, which states: "Within three working days after the filing of a petition, the officer with whom the petition is filed shall transmit the petition to the county auditor for petitions signed by registered voters, or to the county assessor for petitions signed by property owners for determination of sufficiency."

COUNTER POINT:   "Mr Harlan and Mr. Eyman should take their complaint and go home," 09/2011

FREE HEART SCREENING EVENT! Cardiac Arrest leading cause of death in exercising athletes

from the desk of John Stockman, Redmond Fire Captain and Executive Board member of WSCFF 

FREE YOUTH HEART SCREENING!  This is an amazing FREE opportunity for Eastside area residents.

"Nick of Time Foundation"

 Free Youth Heart Screening Event

Wednesday October 5th, 2011~ 9am-5pm

**pre-screening orientation 8:30am sharp!

Redmond High School Gymnasium

17272 NE 104th Street

Redmond, WA 98052

"1 high school aged athlete suffers a sudden cardiac arrest every 3 days."
"Sudden Cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in exercising youth athletes"

As of today there are only 27 students signed up and we have room for 500.

Nick of Time Foundation will be offering free heart screens for students and athletes (ages 12-24) between 9am-4pm on Wednesday October 5th, 2011. Although this event will be hosted at Redmond High School in the Gymnasium, it is open to ALL youth regardless of enrollment. Please tell your teammates, coaches, and parents and teachers.  It is imperative for us to have coaches, teachers and parents on board to help promote and get the word out about the importance of this event. For more information or to register please email: appt@nickoftimefoundation.org  

To find additional heart screening events in Puget Sound this year visit http://www.nickoftimefoundation.org/

-- quotations from "Nick of Time Foundation" website. 

STEM School will open in 2012 with 9th and 10th Grades

New STEM School to Begin with 9th/10th Grades

"The school will open in the fall of 2012 with 150 ninth grade students and 150 10th grade students. The school will be open to all students in those grades no matter where they live in Lake Washington School District. Students will be selected through a lottery if more than 150 students per grade apply."
  --Kathryn Reith, LWSD Communications Director

Redmond, Wash. – Plans for Lake Washington School District’s new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) School are beginning to take shape. When fully operational, the school will serve students in grades nine through 12. Students and staff will use STEM education to pursue solutions to real world challenges like clean energy, infrastructure restoration and biomedical informatics.

The first two years of study in the school will use an integrated approach to the core classes, weaving the STEM theme into all areas of study. In the junior and senior years, students will select a STEM lab concentration, which will combine several classes in a specific focus area, such as environmental engineering and design or computer science. A limited number of students who have not attended the STEM school in their freshman and sophomore years will also be able to access these lab sequences while completing their core classes in their home high school.  Read More >>

LETTER: Expression of hate in city park angers resident




swastika taped to park tag wall

LETTER:  I was at the Redmond Edge Skate Park this week during one of the beautiful summer-like afternoons.  The park was in full use with teens on skateboards, scooters and bikes.  As I was watching the activity I noticed five teens placing duct tape on one of the graffiti walls.  (For those that don’t know, these graffiti walls are provided by the City for legal street art or “tagging”.)  As the pattern took shape I could tell what it was – a swastika. I was flabbergasted by this behavior and I immediately called 911 because I thought they just committed a hate crime of some sort.  The teens noticed I was calling the cops and they were laughing and skating around the park taunting me with various hand gestures.  Ultimately they tried to blend into the crowd when they saw I wasn’t intimidated or backing away.

Redmond PD did respond with two officers and they pulled the duct tape boys to the side.  I asked one of the officers if this was some kind of hate crime, especially since it was on public property.  Unfortunately I was told the expression was protected by the Constitution.  I was frustrated and angry but I understand that even ignorant punks have rights to express themselves, even if I don’t agree with the form of expression of speech.  The responding officers gave a very stern lecture to the boys.  I’m not sure exactly what was said and any other action such as informing their parents. Read More >>

90- year old driver hops curb injuring two people

Three injured when car drives into foot spa Redmond, WA –

Three people were transported to the hospital with minor injuries this afternoon after a Cadillac CTS drove into Sunshine Foot Spa at the 16800 block of Redmond Way shortly after 1:30 p.m. 

The driver, a 90 year old male from Redmond, hopped a curb and continued into the building, through the receptionist area, and came to a complete stop 55 feet into the business, inches away from another employee. 

The driver, one employee, and one patron were all transported to the hospital with minor injuries.  Major damage was done inside the business.The driver was arrested for reckless driving and suspicion of driving under the influence of prescription drugs.

By Jim Bove
Community outreach and Public Information Officer
Website photo

Comment:  Reading this makes me think twice about walking on a sidewalk.  Would walking against the grain of traffic help?  Should the city do a better job buffering our sidewalks from our busy roads, like 166th Ave?   B.Y. 

UPDATED: A tree gets nailed

Pathway leading to Redmond Junior High

UPDATED:  Students taking this path to Redmond Junior High walk past this tree.  A "pet policy" school district sign is bolted and nailed to it.  The sign is visible from NE 104th. 

GOOD NEWS!  The Administration recently announced a new pet policy and this sign will be removed.  Kathryn Reith, District Communications Director stated that once new signs are made the old signs will be taken down and replaced with the new pet policy. 

Find the new Pet Policy here:  http://www.lwsd.org/About/Policies-Regulations/Admin-Policies/school-community-relations/Pages/Dogs-on-District-Property.aspx

Photo and opinion By Bob Yoder

"Knit Sock" Tree Art

Topped urban trees, "all dressed up"

As you enter the downtown core of the City of Sammamish you'll be greeted by these outrageously colorful dressed-up trees.  They were once hazardous trees that were topped off for safety and to create "snags" for urban habitat (crows, bugs, a flicker or two?).  Since topped urban trees look pretty ugly, the artists and city came up with this creative "urban tree art" solution.  Have you seen anything like it?

Artists Suzanne Tidwell and Beth Newfeld "knitted these socks".  The exhibit was funded by 4-Culture and endorsed by the Sammamish Art Commission.  According to the exhibit plaque, "upon exhibit completion the tree stumps[snags] will be relocated for wetland habitat.".

Opinion and photo by Yoder     

UPDATED: LWSD School Board announce date and location for "Surplus Sale" of obsolete school items.

The date of the sale is November 5.
Find the Sale announcement and map to the warehouse here:  http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2011/10/school-district-surplus-sale-is.html

####

On September 27th, the School Board approved Resolution 2111 declaring a long list of obsolete school items as surplus.  Superintendent Kimball is now authorized to "distribute, transfer, sell, and dispose" of these items.

District Director Kathryn Reith writes, "the district warehouse manager determines the sale date and time and the sales price for each item."    Ms. Reith wouldn't give the month or year for the sale.  In the past they've had Surplus Sales in February, March, and April.  UPDATE:  The Sale is November 5th. 

According to Communications Director Reith:

"Items at our surplus sales are sold as is.  Potential buyers are encouraged to come to the sale, when it is scheduled, to see the items for themselves.   "They [the sale items] are open to everyone [the public] on the same basis – staff do not get preference."

A list of some of the items for sale, transfer, disposal, distribution:
1 ea.   Piano (Kimball brand)
1 ea.   Pickup, 1991 GMC K2500
1 lot   Gymnastic Equipment and mats
1 lot   PE Equipent (bats, golf clubs, balls, racquests, badminton nets, etc.)
1 lot   Hand tools (hammers, wood planes, files, vices, lathe, cutters, drills, shop equipment, etc)
1 lot   Glazing/Glass Shop Equipment, fire extingisher, heat lamps
3 lots  Bookcases, chairs ,cabinets, carts, desks,
3 lots  Microwaves, kitchen mixers, kitchen stove (household), kitchen smallwares, ovens, refrigerators
33 ea  Digital Camera, Assorted;  26 ea  Camcorder, Assorted; 1 lot  PDA's, Assorted
1 lot   AV Equipment (VCR's O/H Projectors, Speakers, etc.) and Editing Equipment (editing decks, etc.)
110ea LCD Projectors, Mitsubish and Philips
443ea Netbooks, Assorted Models;  390 ea Computers, HP Model D510, DC530,DC5000
467ea Monitors, Compaq and HP 2700,S710,S720