Give Rides to Change Lives

87-year-old Geraldine Mensink does not know what she’d do without Volunteer Transportation.  When she decided it was time to give up her keys two years ago, the program saved her from feeling helpless and stuck.  She uses the service regularly to get to appointments and says, “I love all of the volunteer drivers!  They are wonderful.”

 

Since 1975, Senior Services’ Volunteer Transportation drivers have accumulated “miles and miles” of positive impact throughout King County.  Using their own vehicles, volunteers pick seniors up, take them to their doctors and drive them home again—offering valuable transportation with a personal touch.  Clients of the program often refer to them as their “heroes,” “guardian angels” or “life-savers.”  In a very tangible way, volunteer drivers make a difference in the lives of vulnerable members of our community.

 

Volunteer Transportation currently faces the grim reality that it cannot serve all seniors in need of rides to important medical care.  More volunteer drivers are needed!  If you have a reliable vehicle, a clean driving record and some weekday availability, this is the role for you.  Visit the program’s blog to read more of its stories; contact Hilary at (206) 748-7588 or hilaryc@seniorservices.org to find out more; or fill out an online volunteer driver application to sign-up.  Help more seniors like Geraldine get “on the road” to improved health and peace of mind!

Eastside lawmakers host mid-session town hall at Redmond City Hall on March 14

  

Eastside lawmakers host mid-session town hall

OLYMPIA – With just over a month to go in the 2015 session, lawmakers from the 48^th legislative district will host a town hall to provide an update on bills working through the Legislature in Olympia.
Senator Cyrus Habib, Representative Ross Hunter, and Representative Joan McBride will be available to take questions and seek feedback from the community at a town hall meeting on Saturday, March 14 at Redmond City Hall.
“We count on your input to help us make important decisions on issues like funding education, investing in transportation, creating jobs and protecting our environment,” said Sen. Habib. “As we pass the halfway point of the legislative session, your feedback will help us make the right decisions for the 48^th district and for all of Washington state. I hope that you’ll be able to attend our town hall event, and if you can’t come please feel free to contact any of our offices so we can still hear from you!
“We’re half way through session and just wrapped up several days of passing bills off the House floor,” said Rep. Hunter. “Our focus now for the next few weeks will be on rolling out a responsible and balanced budget proposal that meets our constitutional obligation to fund education without damaging mental health or other key parts of the budget.”
“I am honored to carry the message of the 48^th district down here in Olympia,” said Rep. McBride. “Although the legislative session is halfway over we have much important work still ahead of us. I look forward to having a meaningful dialogue and hearing the comments and concerns of the people of the 48^th district.”
The Eastside lawmakers will provide a brief overview of the challenges and opportunities facing the state in the current legislative session at the town hall. They also want to hear from 48^th district residents on what issues are important to them.
The 105-day legislative session is scheduled to adjourn for the year on April 26.
48^th Legislative District Town Hall

King County sets March 14 for Lake Sammamish Willowmoor project update

Second community meeting to focus on design alternatives

King County hosts a public meeting on Saturday, March 14 in Redmond to share updated information about a project to reconfigure the transition zone between the Sammamish River and Lake Sammamish through Marymoor Park.
The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon at the Redmond Senior Center, 8703 160th Ave. NE in Redmond.
Presentations by King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks employees will focus on three project design alternatives to address existing flood control and habitat issues on the Sammamish River at its outlet in King County’s Marymoor Park.
The design alternatives are an outcome of an ongoing Stakeholder Advisory Committee process that began in 2013 and represents a variety of interests and backgrounds.
Project planning and preliminary design is funded by the King County Flood Control District and the City of Redmond, and will be completed in coordination with King County Parks, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, and lakeside property owners.
Funding for final design and construction will be pursued following completion of this first phase, and will likely include Flood Control District funds combined with federal and state grants.
The outlet from Lake Sammamish into the Sammamish River is marked by a shallow concrete weir and a straight, rock-lined channel, 200 feet wide and extending 1,500 feet downstream from the weir. This area is known as “Willowmoor” and is also referred to as the “transition zone” where the lake becomes the river.
These transition zone features are specifically designed to pass flood flows quickly downstream, and to help maintain summer lake levels for recreational use, while still allowing for upstream fish passage, including salmon returning to the Issaquah Hatchery from their time in saltwater.
The transition zone is not sustainable in its current condition and configuration. In order to ensure the transition zone’s capability to pass flood flows, County crews must perform intensive and costly maintenance including mowing, removing sediment and riverside plants.
These maintenance practices degrade habitat and water quality and conflict with the Endangered Species Act, as well as federal, state and local requirements to protect ecological functions and species.
The existing weir or a similar replacement and the reconstructed channel will continue to maintain summer lake levels and control lake outflow. Other features may be included to enhance habitat and public access.
Project and Stakeholder Advisory Committee information is available on the Willowmoor Floodplain Restoration Project web page at www.kingcounty.gov/rivers or by contacting contact Craig Garric at 206-477-4694 or craig.garric@kingcounty.gov.

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The King County Flood Control District is a special purpose government created to provide funding and policy oversight for flood protection projects and programs in King County.  The Flood Control District’s Board is composed of the members of the King County Council. The Water and Land Resources Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks develops and implements the approved flood protection projects and programs. Information is available at www.kingcountyfloodcontrol.org.

LETTER: Watson Asphalt Paving has been violating their 1990 permit - toxic fumes released

I just read your blog about the two talks I gave to Redmond City Council on October 21, 2014 (http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-mayor-and-council-continue-to-hear.html). I've been talking to the Mayor and Council about Watson's toxic fumes and unpleasant odors since September 17, 2013.

 

In my most recent talk at City Hall, I pointed out that Watson Asphalt Paving Company has been violating their 1990 permit by using asphalt oil as their feedstock. Their permit specifies they should be using a material known as asphalt cement.

I've got lots more information regarding my concerns about the public health threat posed by Watson Asphalt to the people located within about a 1½ mile radius of the asphalt facility. Let me know if you want to hear about it.

David Morton

Redmond resident

Redmond Wins $4.9M Grant and $1.6M Loan to Help Restore Tosh Creek

RRedmond, WA – The Washington State Department of Ecology has offered Redmond a grant of $4,887,750 and a low interest loan of $1,629,250 to help fund restoration of Tosh Creek. This funding will be used to construct a new stormwater detention vault and stormwater treatment facilities near the 4700 block of 159th Avenue NE. The City’s 2013 Watershed Management Plan selected Tosh Creek as a priority stream for restoration. In 2014, Redmond won a $250,000 National Estuaries Program grant from Ecology to help fund a study of the Tosh Creek Watershed.

The City and its consultant team, RH2 and NHC, recently completed that study and produced the Tosh Creek Watershed Restoration Plan. The restoration plan identifies several projects for construction, including the 159th Ave Vault.

The City is now in the process of hiring the consultant team that will design the vault. This summer, the team will begin outreach to residents who may be impacted by the project. Construction is proposed in 2017. Building the 159th Vault will put the City on track to reach restoration goals in Tosh Creek. For more information about the project, please visit: www.redmond.gov/toshcreek If you have questions, please contact Tosh Creek Program Manager Steve Hitch at sjhitch@redmond.gov or 425-556-2891.This press release is available on www.redmond.gov.

Sustainable Redmond to Feature Climage Change at March 9 Meeting

Spring Meeting Series Begins with Redmond Library Session Starting at 7pm

 

Sustainable Redmond will hold its first general meeting of 2015 on March 9 at the Redmond Library at 7:00 pm.  This meeting is open to everyone and all are welcome to attend.

 

The featured speaker for this informative meeting will be Cathy Beam, Redmond's Principal Environmental Planner.  She has driven the City's climate action planning for a number of years, beginning with a municipal energy audit and inventory of the City’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). 

 

Cathy will provide some context regarding challenges and objectives to address climate change from the global to local level, then discuss how GHG targets are being set.  Ms. Beam has been a key member of King County’s Climate Change Coalition that has brought together a number of jurisdictions - including Redmond - to develop common policies and practices at a regional level.  This topic is particularly appropriate as State measures to reduce carbon emissions are being discussed in Olympia.

 

Bring your friends to learn more about this important environmental issue and the continuing efforts of Sustainable Redmond.  The meeting will conclude at 8:30 pm following what should be a lively general discussion.

 

For more information contact us at jactive@gmail.com.

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About Sustainable Redmond:  Citizens & Neighbors for a Sustainable Redmond is a grassroots organization focused on local sustainability.  The group’s mission is to be a catalyst for moving Redmond’s citizens, businesses and local government towards sustainability through education, advocacy and community events.  Sustainable Redmond was formed in 2010 and became a state/federal designated non-profit organization (501(c)3) in 2012.

City of Redmond Holds Community Conversation on Homelessness

Redmond, WA –On Thursday, March 12, 2015, the City of Redmond will host a community conversation on homelessness, and the public is invited to attend. The meeting will take place in Bytes Café in Redmond City Hall, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. This meeting is open to anyone who lives, works, or owns property in Redmond. Individuals who plan to attend are asked to RSVP via email to Jldaub@redmond.gov, as soon as possible.

Homelessness is a growing issue of concern in Redmond as it is throughout King County and across the nation. The City has scheduled this meeting to listen to both concerns and ideas from the community. City staff will be in attendance to listen to and record the comments that are shared. After the meeting, all comments will be reviewed and summarized with the goal of suggesting appropriate next steps. Individuals who plan to attend should come prepared to share thoughts regarding two key questions: 1) what are your concerns about homelessness in Redmond; and 2) what ideas or suggestions do you have for addressing those concerns?
For more information about this meeting, please visit: www.redmond.gov

UPDATE: Two-Car Fatal Collision

Redmond, WA – On February 28, 2015 at approximately 0116 hours, Redmond Police and Fire responded to a two car collision at the intersection of SR520/Avondale Road and Union .  PrelimHill Roadinary investigation shows that the suspect vehicle rear ended the victim vehicle at an extremely high rate of speed.

The suspect, Robert J. Malsch, a 21 year old Lynnwood man, fled from his badly damaged vehicle and was apprehended by the Redmond Police K-9 Team.  The victim, a 30 year old male, was found deceased in his vehicle which had extensive damage from the initial impact and from being pushed into a cement sign.  The victim’s identity will be released by the King County Medical Examiner per their protocol. 
Malsch was released from Harborview Hospital today and booked into the King County Jail for suspicion of Vehicular Homicide and Fatality Hit and Run.   

Redmond Police Department

Blood Drive on Education Hill

NEXT  BLOOD  DRIVE     TUES., MARCH  31st 1-7pm

Spring is such a wonderful time of rebirth in the earth.  When you donate a unit of blood YOU are giving that opportunity for “rebirth” to some individual that really needs it.  Join the community of very generous donors that contribute to the 800+ units of blood needed every day in Western Washington.  Puget Sound Blood Center has expanded it’s services to include part of Oregon….and changed it’s name to Bloodworks NW.  Our next Blood Drive is hosted by:

REDMOND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

TUES.,  MARCH 31st  from 1-7pm (break 3-4pm)

16540 NE 80TH ST

REDMOND, WA  98052

Appointments:  mailto:bpeltola@gmail.com

Two-Car Fatal Collision

Redmond, WA – On February 28, 2015 at approximately 0116 hours, Redmond Police and Fire responded to a two car collision reported by a passerby. As Redmond Officers arrived a subject was seen running from one of the vehicles involved in the collision. That subject was tracked by the Redmond Police Department K-9 Team. The driver of vehicle #1 was transported to Harborview for unknown injuries at this time. Vehicle #2 had severe damage from the collision and after striking a cement sign. The male driver was deceased at the scene.

Redmond Traffic Unit is on scene and investigating. Identities of the involved parties have not been confirmed at this time. It appears speed and alcohol may be a factor.

 

Redmond Police Department

Legacy for Learning 2015 Luncheon

10th Anniversary Legacy for Learning Luncheon Celebrating 10 Years of Investing in Kids! APRIL 29, 2015 "A Million Squares” by Priti Godhuly Das, Inglewood Middle School
Register Today!	Click for Details...
The Foundation is celebrating 10 years of investing in kids and has exciting plans to more than double our investment to benefit more students across our growing district! This year’s luncheon fundraising goal of $600,000 will help fund district-wide academic initiatives, classroom grants, robotics, online math programs, mentoring and tutoring, new teacher support, anti-bullying programs, STEM classes and small student scholarships for secondary school expenses. Join us on April 29th to learn more, be inspired by students and teachers, and find out how you can be a part of their success. Together, we can ensure that ALL students are future ready!

$229,000 Invested in Student Success for 2014-15!

Support from the community will allow students to build robots, use a 3-D printer and learn how to prevent bullying.

Grant	Amount
Access Fund via InvestED	$15,000
LINKS mentoring program	$72,500
New Teacher Support Program—2nd Year Teachers	$18,000
Reaching for Success Classroom Grants	$83,320	List of Grants
Safe Schools Ambassador Program	$15,000
STEM-based Signature Programs	$25,000

Click here for more information.

Flower Farmers: The Story of the Hmong in Puget Sound

The Redmond Historical Society Saturday Speaker Series is pleased to announce its March 2015 program.   

 

Saturday, March 14^th

FLOWER FARMERS: THE STORY OF THE HMONG IN PUGET SOUND

10:30am – noon (Doors open 10:00)

Redmond Historical Society Speaker Series

 

Many of the fabulous flower bouquets at Seattle-area outdoor markets are grown and arranged by families from a Southeast Asian people known as the Hmong. Join the Hmong Association of Washington as they share their remarkable story of CIA- backed guerilla warfare during the Vietnam War, fleeing Laos after the war, and the challenges of resettling in a new land.

Potential 6 Year Levy proposed for the City of Redmond

The City of Redmond is proposing a potential 6 Year Levy in 2016.  Click this link to see the tax impact on a $500,000 house.  Infrastructure (roads & sidewalks), parks, and safety are the three targeted priorities of this levy.  The link is to the City of Redmond website.

2015 "Invest in Youth" Breakfast

 

WHO: More than 900 leaders and youth from across Puget Sound.

 

WHAT: A morning of compelling stories from kids who have overcome the odds with the help of Youth Eastside Services (YES).

 

WHEN: Wednesday, March 4, 7:30–8:45 a.m.

 

WHERE: Hyatt Regency Bellevue, 900 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004 (map)

 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

·         Welcome – Meeghan Black
·         Building Better Lives – Patti Skelton-McGougan, YES executive director
·         Marah’s Story – Penny LeGate
·         I Feel Like I Can Do Anything – video showcase
·         I Can Be Whoever I Want – Julianna’s story (YES client)
·         Yo Soy / “I am” – Judith, Evelyn and Placido’s stories (YES clients)
·         Call to Action – Brad Smith and Kathy Surace-Smith  Read More >>

Redmond's Downtown Park

 

Location: The park site is located between Redmond Way and Cleveland Street, and is bordered by the new 161st Ave NE on the west, and the Stone House Restaurant on the east. The grassy space that is present along 161st now is about ¾ acre. When complete, the ultimate size of the park will be two acres.
Project Phase: Design
Timeline: Master Plan completed in December 2011; to be constructed in phases over several years
Contact: B Sanders, Project Manager, 425-556-2328

Overview

Every great city has a signature place that serves as a destination, an icon for the city, and a catalyst for economic growth. The Downtown Park will be Redmond’s signature park, and will create a place for community members to gather and celebrate. It will be a vibrant community space that encourages special events, arts, music and fun. The enhanced pedestrian environment in and around the park will stimulate economic activity in the neighborhood.

Cleveland Street Streetscape project almost finished

Location: Cleveland St from 161th Ave NE to 164th Ave NE
Project Phase: In Construction
Estimated Timeline: Construction 2014
Contact: Lisa Singer, Project Manager, 425-556-2723

OVERVIEW

Constructs the west half of Cleveland Street between 161th Avenue NE and 164th Avenue NE to develop a vibrant and flexible “main street”. 

The Cleveland Streetscape project is on track to be completed around the end of 2014, with final work finishing in early 2015. The construction started in January 2014 and, as of the end of the September, the project will be two-thirds of the way complete. All of the utility work is complete; most of the illumination is finished; and the new traffic signal at Leary Way was turned on in August. Concrete work for the new roadway, parking areas and sidewalks is anticipated to be complete in early fall. The later fall schedule includes the installation of pavers, specialty lighting, benches, signs and landscaping.

The Cleveland Streetscape project enhances the developing community gathering place in the heart of downtown by widening sidewalks, improving the street to curbless, concrete, and preparing for eventual two-way street operation. The project is located in the heart of the historic downtown, between the future Downtown Park and the Redmond Central Connector Trail. Project features include signal improvements, sidewalks, on-street parking, street lighting, utilities, and landscaping.


Upon completion of the future Downtown Couplet Conversion project, both Redmond Way and Cleveland Street will be converted to two-way operations - anticipated early 2017. The Cleveland Streetscape and the Downtown Couplet Conversion projects are the final transportation stages in the implementation of the Downtown East/West Corridor Study (DEWCS), reinforcing downtown Redmond as an economically healthy, people-friendly place, enhanced by the movement of pedestrians, bikes, cars, and a diversity of businesses.

Anjumann E Burhani Mosque project neighborhood meeting

Neighborhood Meeting:
Wednesday, May 14 at 7 pm
Redmond City Hall, Council Chambers
City of Redmond planning officials are hosting a second neighborhood meeting regarding the Anjumann E. Burhani Mosque project. Tonight’s meeting is a continuation from the first neighborhood meeting held on April 30, 2014 and will further collect input from community members that did not have an opportunity to share their questions at the first meeting.
At this time, the City is still in the data collection process with community members and will provide detailed answers to all questions received at a third neighborhood meeting; date and time to be determined.

Next steps - as a result of the April 30 neighborhood meeting and the questions fielded so far, City officials have asked the Anjumann E. Burhani applicants to provide additional project information in response to addressing the community’s questions and will no longer present this project at the May 15 Design Review Board meeting.

Once the City has determined the applicants have adequately addressed the issues, a third neighborhood meeting will be conducted to share the applicant’s updated information and answer all the additional community members’ questions. Until this process is completed no further project application action will be processed.

Redmond Police Dept Notice: Get Set for "Redmond Ready"

 

Learn how to be prepared for the unexpected with Redmond Ready, presented by the Redmond Office of Emergency Management and the Redmond Citizen Corps Council at the Redmond Police Department. The 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. event on Saturday, March 7 gives attendees the opportunity to be certified in First Aid and CPR for a discounted price of $25. Redmond Ready also features a two-hour class covering personal preparedness. Registration is available online through Redmond Parks and Recreation (course #53619). The registration form can also be mailed to the address on the form with a $25 check payable to "City of Redmond." If special accommodations are required, please contact Janeen Olson at jrolson@redmond.gov. We look forward to seeing you at Redmond Ready! Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. on March 7.

2015 Polar Plunge

Join the Redmond Police Team! We are less than one month away from the March 14 Polar Plunge at Idylwood Park!   The Redmond Police Department will once again join law enforcement agencies across the state in support of Special Olympics Washington. We invite members of our community to join the Redmond Police Team.   To join us as we take the plunge into Lake Sammamish, see our online registry. Choose "Join a Team" and select "Redmond Police." Participants who raise $50 or more receive a Special Olympics t-shirt and are entered to win prizes. There is no fee to register. Last year, the Polar Plunge raised nearly $28,000; we aim to raise $30,000 this year.   Check-in for the Polar Plunge begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 14 at Redmond's Idylwood Park, 35 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE. The highly anticipated plunge starts at noon, followed by a team celebration at JJ Mahoney's restaurant in Redmond.    Thank you for your continued support, Redmond Police Department

Burglary Suspect Arrested

 

Multiple agencies involved in investigation      

Redmond, Wash. - Nikolay Prohorov, 23, has been arrested in connection with a series of residential burglaries throughout King County, including 11 burglaries, two attempted burglaries and one vehicle prowl in Redmond's Education Hill District between Nov. 9, 2013 and Jan. 20, 2015.    Nikolay Prohorov, 23 Through a multi-agency coordination, Bellevue Police Department found Prohorov to be connected to six cases. Kirkland Police Department arrested Prohorov on Jan. 30 following a morning residential burglary and three attempted burglaries. Upon serving a search warrant of Prohorov's vehicle and residence, police found property belonging to Redmond victims.    Victims reported wallets, purses, electronics and jewelry taken from their homes, with entry into the majority of residences appearing to be through unlocked rear sliding doors or windows. Credit and debit cards were used immediately after the burglaries in four of the cases. Investigators used footage from store surveillance where fraudulent transactions were made and fingerprints located at a burglary scene to identify Prohorov.     Prohorov was booked into King County Jail and charged with eight counts of Residential Burglary.

Angela Birney announces campaign for Redmond City Council Position 5

Today, Parks and Trails Commissioner Angela Birney announced her campaign for Redmond City Council Position 5.  “I will be a fresh voice representing our community,” said Birney.  “Redmond is experiencing unprecedented growth and development.  As a 17-year resident, I understand what makes Redmond a unique and desirable place to live, work, and play.  As we continue to grow, it is important to balance urban development with enhancements to our thriving local neighborhoods.  From making innovative transportation solutions to developing our neighborhood parks, it will be important to find ways to engage residents of Redmond in long range planning.  As a parent, community volunteer, and neighbor I am eager to offer my experience and insights to Redmond City Council.”

 

Currently, Birney serves as the vice chair of the City of Redmond’s Parks and Trails Commission and is a community representative on the Lake Washington School District Middle School Science Adoption Committee.  She has served on the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross vestry, Norman Rockwell PTA Board, Lake Washington Schools Foundation Junior High Science Grant Committee, as well as other volunteer positions in and around Redmond. Read More >>