UPDATED: EvergreenHealth public hospital to vote on expanding the Board of Commissioners from 5 members to 7 members

Editor's Note:  At their April 19th regular public board meeting. EvergreenHealth’s Board of Commissioners approved the resolution to expand the King County Public Hospital District No. 2  (EvergreenHealth) board from five to seven commissioners.  The resolution requests that King County Elections places a proposition on the August 2 election ballot to allow the registered voters in EvergreenHealth’s district to decide on the expansion. 

My wife and I went to the meeting. I was surprised that no one else showed up.  I thanked the Board and Superintendent for considering the recommendation to expand the Board and encouraged a more Open Government. 

While at the meeting we learned that If the proposition passes on August 2, EvergreenHealth's Board of Commissioners will appoint two interim commissioners to serve until the November, 2017 election.   In the November 2017 election, candidates will run for two new "member at large" commissioner positions.  This information was not included in the hospital's April 19 press release.  You had to go to the public meeting to learn about it. 

04/06/2016
Kirkland, Wash. – EvergreenHealth’s Board of Commissioners is considering a recommendation to expand the Board of Commissioners of King County Public Hospital District No. 2 (d/b/a EvergreenHealth) from five to seven commissioners. A formal resolution, which will request King County Elections to place a proposition on the Aug. 2, 2016 election ballot, will be reviewed for vote at the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting on April 19, 2016.  
As a public district health care system, EvergreenHealth is governed by a Board of Commissioners, each of whom is elected by the voters in the district to serve a six-year term. The Board currently has five commissioners; one from each of the three sub-districts (Kirkland/Kenmore, Bothell/Woodinville/Duvall and Redmond/Sammamish) and two at-large positions. Current members of the Board of  Commissioners include: Al DeYoung, board chair (Bothell/Woodinville/Duvall), Jeanette Greenfield, secretary (At-Large), Rebecca Hirt (Kirkland/Kenmore), R. August Kempf (Redmond/Sammamish), and Charles Pilcher, M.D. (At-Large).

Since formation of King County Public Hospital District No. 2 in November 1967, the Board of Commissioners has been comprised of five members. The Formation Committee believed that a board of five commissioners would be appropriate and allow for future growth of the district. At the time, northeast King County had just over 22,000 residents and Evergreen General Hospital (as it was known then) could adequately serve this population with its original 76 licensed beds and 15 medical specialties.

Now, the total population within the boundaries of the district is nearly 300,000 residents and the total service area includes nearly one million residents spanning two counties. With a 318-licensed-bed tertiary hospital at the Kirkland campus, 74-licensed-bed community hospital in Monroe, 10 primary care locations throughout the Eastside and east Snohomish County, three emergency departments, two urgent care facilities, nearly 1,000 members of the medical staff and 30 specialty care locations, EvergreenHealth has expanded services to meet the area’s growth. During its 44 years of serving the community, EvergreenHealth has grown to one of the largest employers on the Eastside with gross revenues exceeding $1 billion – currently employing more than 4,000 people who provide care to our entire community.

“As the community continues to grow in size, diversity and complexity, the Board seeks to mirror that growth to continue to meet the needs and broaden the viewpoint and representation of the community,” said Al DeYoung, chair of EvergreenHealth’s Board of Commissioners. “We also seek to increase the number of commissioners to help provide oversight within our ever-increasing, complex health care environment, with added expertise and a broad mix of skills and leadership styles among commissioners.”

“Typically, health systems of this size and complexity have larger boards,” said Bob Malte, CEO of EvergreenHealth. “We have a very engaged and effective Board of Commissioners, and adding two additional members will further enhance the ability to serve our growing community.

The Board provides governance and has ultimate responsibility and accountability for EvergreenHealth’s mission, vision and purpose, quality, service and overall effectiveness, through the CEO.

Board meetings are open to the public, and public comment will be taken at approximately 6:35 p.m. PST at the April 19 board meeting, located in room Tan 250 on the Kirkland campus.

If you have questions, concerns or requests, please contact us at patientrep@evergreenhealth.com. To learn more about EvergreenHealth, visit www.evergreenhealth.com.

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About EvergreenHealth

EvergreenHealth is an integrated health care system that serves nearly one million residents in King and Snohomish counties and offers a breadth of services and programs that is among the most comprehensive in the region. More than 1,000 physicians provide clinical excellence in over 80   specialties, including heart and vascular care, oncology, surgical care, orthopedics, neurosciences, women’s and children’s services, pulmonary care and home care and hospice services. Formed as a public hospital district in 1972, EvergreenHealth includes a 318-bed acute care medical center in Kirkland, a network of 10 primary care practices, two urgent care centers, over two dozen specialty care practices and 24/7 emergency care at its Kirkland, Monroe, and Redmond campuses. In 2015, the system  expanded to include EvergreenHealth Monroe – an accredited, full-service 74-bed public hospital district, established in 1960 in Monroe, Washington. EvergreenHealth has clinical and strategic partnerships with several health care entities, including Virginia Mason, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and dozens of independent practices that are part of the clinically integrated EvergreenHealth Partners network and  the Puget Sound High Value Network. In addition to clinical care, EvergreenHealth offers extensive community health outreach and education programs, anchored by the 24/7 EvergreenHealth Nurse Navigator & Healthline.

In 2016, EvergreenHealth achieved its seventh designation (2009-2012, and 2014-2016) as a Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence from Healthgrades®, placing it among the top 5 percent of hospitals nationwide, based on its outstanding clinical performance; and was named one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals® by Truven Health Analytics™ in the “Large Community Hospitals” category for outstanding achievements in patient care, operational efficiency and financial strength.

For more information, visit www.evergreenhealth.com.

Citizen recommends Sammamish River Trail improvements to promote safety and traffic flows

Letter by Brent Schmaltz to city planner Carolyn Hope

Carolyn, as you are aware, a cyclist was injured in Bellevue the last week of March 2016. The cyclist was hit by an automobile and thrown 100 feet. The cyclist was admitted to the hospital and was in critical care. The accident occurred where the biking trail near I-90 crosses a roadway on 118^th Ave SE. This is indicative of the type of accident that occurs when automobiles cross trail ways.

Carolyn, your current plan is for the City of Redmond to develop a hiking, biking trail alongside the major Willows roadway.  It will pass through 8 intersections with automobiles. In these intersections, automobiles will need to cross the trail to access businesses or partake in other activities in Arena Sports, Overlake Church, Willows Golf Course, 60 Acres Soccer Fields. Your main argument for investing in this improvement stems from the desire to provide cyclist a route to get to the technical hub near DigiPen.

I suggest it is possible to have those cyclists use the Sammamish River Trail and then improve the trail alongside Overlake Church perhaps on the Puget Power Trail or along side Willows Golf course.  You resisted as this would require cyclists to ‘go out of their way’. However, anyone cycling from Woodinville or the East side of the Sammamish River Trail will have to ‘go out of their way’ to use this new trail, unless however the Puget Power Trail is improved....which would result in NO interaction with automobiles right to DigiPen. 

We also discussed that cyclists who have lived on Education Hill for 25 years have not been provided with a way to cycle to the trail, it was mentioned a plan is being developed but, ‘it is not optimal and cyclists will need to go out of their way’.

I agree that providing a safe cycling route to this technical area is a worthwhile investment. I disagree with the scale of the improvement and the plan to promote this trail as a recreational area. Providing a safer cycling route could be achieved simply by paving the trail or finding an alternative. I believe that substantial investment in this area to make it ‘park like’ is not well spent. That money should be spent along the natural place for a park, the existing Sammamish River Trail. While the intentions seem to be in the right place, I feel the plan developed by the City of Redmond is not in the best interests of the residents of Redmond.

I have proposed to both King County and The City of Redmond a better place to invest that will provide for existing and future residents of Redmond that would be safer (no interaction with automobiles), more enjoyable (it is by a river) and provide for an simpler traffic alternative route around Redmond.  The alternative is to work with King County to improve the Sammamish River Trail:

1.       Would have no interaction with Automobiles, therefore there would be no such accidents such a noted above.

2.       Maintains the ability to develop a natural traffic pattern from 520 / Leary Way to Woodinville and north Redmond.

a.       The current high density building in downtown Redmond merges with travelers who use 202 to get to the north end of Redmond or Woodinville.

b.      By developing this new trail, the complexity to widen Willows is increased.

I feel there has been some excellent work performed by King County and City of Redmond with regard to cycling. Bellevue is way behind our efforts, but we have the river a natural corridor. On this particular issue, I think we are missing the mark.

Brent Schmaltz.

Opinion: St Jude's encampment organizer - SHARE - needs to reform their ways

 I couldn't make the "EdNHA neighborhood association" meeting last Thursday but Hank Myers  mentioned four SHARE Tent City organizers were there. No loss. I've heard their story many times.  In SHARE'S mission statement says they empower their homeless residents -- NO WAY:

1) they don't encourage or welcome on-site human service providers. 

2) they don't encourage the outside community--us--to socialize with their residents over a meal so we can get to know each other and provide mutual support. 

3) when my neighbor brought canned foods SHARE (in homeless "clothing") took the donation without welcoming my neighbor into THEIR camp. 

4) when I made an appointment to hook up SHARE with a local mental health provider SHARE never showed up. They don't take nor share human service literature with their residents. 

5) they don't encourage community service of their residents. 

Their mission statement says they empower their residents. NOT. Over my many years of visiting the St Jude camp I find SHARE are in fact, homeless activists. Yes, they help homeless survive by providing a tent, a required clean blanket once a week, and bare bones hygiene care. SHARE does not empower them to find housing, jobs, health services, a network with each other and the community 

>> St Jude offers internet service, pays for utilities, offers tent and meeting space, pays permit fees. The congregation does all the heavy lifting. Not all churches want the homeless near them. I attended a service at the Presbyterian Church on our Hill where the pastor preached he didn't welcome the homeless to his church services, nor want them around. If SHARE reformed (and the city could motivate them to reform by requiring rules that would empower residents) than my family would be more involved in caring for them. 

Bob Yoder
Facebook

Seattle Times Editorial:  

/sharhttp://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/share-should-reform-to-help-move-people-out-of-homelessness/?utm_source=The+Seattle+Times&utm_campaign=b5ab94a85b-Morning_Brief_4_08_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5beb38b61e-b5ab94a85b-121807257

Council appoints Kristi Wilson to Redmond Police Chief, faces city homeless and heroin abuse issues

Tonight, the City Council appointed Ms. Kristi Wilson as the City’s Police Chief, replacing Ron Gibson who has retired.

According to the city website, "Kristi has served in several operations and administrative managerial roles and has held increasingly responsible positions within RPD over her 28-year career. Within the City and beyond the Police Department, Kristi has also served as a key contributor to several citywide budget, service, and efficiency initiatives from Budgeting-by-Priorities (BP) to the current City Hall Customer Service Center efforts.

Kristi has a BA in Sociology from Central Washington University, a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University, and is a 2012 graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy (FBINA). Her broad law enforcement background and experience, coupled with her insights and knowledge of our community and our department, make her an ideal candidate for this critical public safety leadership position."

In my opinion, Chief Kristi Wilson is coming on in a time of serious need to manage the safety challenges of our growing homeless population and heroin abuse problem. Kristi will have to work closely with Redmond's Assistant Human Resources Director, Colleen Kelly -- and neighboring cities -- to work on these problems.

Bob Yoder

UPDATED: EvergreenHealth public hospital signs a 15-year, $14,421,457 lease for commercial space in Kenmore

At an October 16, 2015 groundbreaking ceremony the MainStreet Property Group LLC revealed their vision for a new mixed-use project across from City Hall in Kenmore. The LINQ at Spencer Square will feature 94 modern residential flats and lofts, along with approximately 20,000 square feet of commercial space leased to Kirkland-based EvergreenHealth.  

EvergreenHealth public hospital will pay cash on a 15-year, $14,421,457 lease for the commercial space.  

EvergreenHealth’s plan for the space will serve as gateway for patients to gain access to an integrated network of primary, specialty, urgent, and emergency care services. When the building opens, EvergreenHealth will move its Kenmore primary care practice from its current location to the LINQ, increasing the practice’s footprint and adding more capacity for specialty care.

EvergreenHealth taxes residents $.2681 per assessed value.  The hospital collects over $15,822,629 annual levy taxes from over 400,000 residents and 155,000 taxpayers.    

By Bob Yoder

King County Public Hospital District No. 2, -- registered with the State and Seattle Times for public noticing as "EvergreenHealth" -- was established in 1972 to serve citizens in north King and south Snohomish counties.  EvergreenHealth district boundaries include Bothell, Duvall, Kenmore, Kirkland, Redmond, Woodinville, part of Sammamish and parts of unincorporated northeast King County.  The District’s specialties include a maternity center, a cancer center, hospice and home health care, 24-hour emergency care, a critical care unit, cardiac care and surgical services.

Sources: 

https://www.evergreenhealth.com/governance-and-leadership   This is the "Governance and Leadership" page which includes Commissioner Public Meeting Minutes.  But, this link hides the "Governance and Leadership Page" by redirecting you to the front page of the EvergreenHealth.com website.  From there navigate to:  "About Us" to find the "Governance and Leadership" page and Meeting Minutes.

EvergreenHealth Public Records Officer, Laurene Burton's Public Disclosure of March 23, 2016 requested by Bob Yoder.  Contacts:  425-899-2667  lhaburton@evergreenhealthcare.org

http://www.downtownkenmore.org/#!LINQ-at-Spencer-Square/cu6k/562138ee0cf2c6c643787460

CC:  Various media

Lake Washington School District bond ballots coming soon

Registered voters will receive their ballots for the April Special Election in early April. 

King County Elections is scheduled to mail the ballots on April 6. 

Ballots must be returned or postmarked by April 26. 

The Lake Washington School District Proposition No. 1 Bonds to Reduce Overcrowding and Enhance Student Learning Environments is the only item on the ballot. For more information on the specific projects funded by the measure, go to www.lwsd.org. Please vote!

The Future of Fun, April 6

Redmond, WA – Join the City Parks & Recreation Department in-person or online on April 6, 2016, to help shape the future of fun in Redmond! We’ll be unveiling highlights of our updated plan based on collective input from community meetings. We have incorporated ideas from resident into new projects, including a replacement community and aquatic center, that will set the stage for the next 15 years.   Read More >>

Councilman John Stilin holds a "coffee hour" for citizens every Tuesday at Midori Bakery

Councilman John Stilin meets with citizens on Tuesdays from 3:00-4:00pm prior to City Council Committee and Council Meetings.

Beginning, April 5, 2016, Mr. Stilin will be holding his regularly scheduled "coffee hour" from 3:00-4:00pm at Midori Bakery located at 16505 Redmond Way, Redmond, WA 98052.   If this time or location isn't convenient (yes he's aware people work during the day), citizens are encouraged to contact him via email to setup a mutually agreed upon time that works for them.  John's email:  JCSTILIN@redmond.gov

Sustainable Redmond to Host Earth Day Community Conversation

April 25th meeting to address local environmental trends since 2011

How has Redmond’s environmental quality changed over the last five years?  As Earth Day approaches, Sustainable Redmond is hosting an open community meeting on April 25th to discuss where we have been, where we are and where we might want to focus our environmental efforts in the future.  The session will be held from 6-8:30pm at the Redmond Library.

In November of 2010, the City initiated a community conversation to shape a number of policies that were incorporated into Redmond’s last Comprehensive Plan.  Besides the environment, economic and social factors were also addressed by City and community participants.  (See the final report of Livable Redmond: A Community Conversation on Sustainability at the link below.)  One of the report’s recommendations was to hold periodic meetings to update the community on environmental initiatives and identify topics of public interest.  Sustainable Redmond is hosting this follow-up conversation in the spirit of that recommendation.

Representatives of the City administration, environmentally-oriented organizations and the general public have been invited to join in a thoughtful appraisal of environmental themes that emerged five years ago.  We will review where they can be found currently in City planning documents or budget priorities and how progress in these areas is measured.  This meeting also offers the chance to identify additional public or private measures that could be taken to improve our environment.  

Please plan to join us and bring a friend.  RSVPs would be appreciated to info@sustainableredmond.org.

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 and federally-designated non-profit organization (501(c)3) in 2012.

LETTER: Tent City 4 does not limit human services or job finding resources

     I have been reading your blog, especially about the proposal to change permitting for encampments.  I wanted to take the time to introduce myself.  My name is Trey Nuzum, the bookkeeper for Tent City 4, the Eastside encampment for SHARE. It is my understanding the next association meeting for Educational Hill will be April 7th next week, and we will be sending representatives to this meeting.  

      I think your blog is relevant to what is going on in Redmond and the public should be informed.  However, I do feel like SHARE was misrepresented in your March 16th edition (revised 3/30).in that our organizer does not limit human services or job finding resources. Many of our residents are involved in improving their quality of life through the VA, Social Security and other slow moving governmental offices.  Our goal is to make people "less homeless" until they get into proper housing.  Today alone I sent out three resumes for our residents to find jobs or better employment.  Further, this was following a meeting with a gentleman who wants to connect Tent City 4 residents with work in construction where he has a need.

        There will always be those who equate the homeless to the criminals.  However we don't tolerate criminal behavior in our camp.  We also work closely with King County Sheriff's office and currently Sammamish Police Department.  I can provide contacts in the department if you wish to contact them about our behavior in Sammamish.  Although I can't change the mind of Albert Rosenthal as of yet, I would like to make sure you are informed of what Tent City 4 is about.  It would be nice if you could relate some of this to your readers.

        This is very important to us.  We go into some areas under scrutiny, and natural biases about the homeless.  After people get to know us and see us as the people we are, and not a group to be discriminated against, they change their attitudes and see us as a positive group in their community.

        In closing I want to make sure you understand I am hoping to create a bridge here, and I welcome a response and/or questions from you.  What you are doing is important.

     Thank you,

       Trey Nuzum

       (206)618-39\

Blood Drive at City Hall, April 6

I am asking for your help.

Our inventory levels are critical as we are currently almost 700 units below optimal inventory to support patients in our community.

The demand for blood never stops and there is no substitute for blood:  patients in hospitals undergoing surgeries, ERs treating traumatic injuries, patients receiving treatments for cancer, and surgeons performing organ transplants all depend on a stable blood supply. 

Will you donate and save up to three lives?

Wednesday, April 6^th

City of Redmond

Bus on Plaza- Next to City Hall

15670 NE 85 St

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

(closed 11:00 am to 12:00 pm)

Please sign up online at: https://www.psbc.org/programs/drive.asp?URL=1484

City Council to Vote on Tent Encampment Ordinance April 19

March 29, 2016

Dear Editor,

There are a number of misconceptions from a previous letter (in the Redmond Reporter) on homeless encampments that we would like to address.  

Faith communities initiate the hosting of homeless encampments as a part of their religious mission and with the full support of their congregations.  Private, non-profit organizations run the encampments in partnership with the faith community. All homeless encampments need a sponsor to locate in Redmond.  

The City of Redmond does not host, sponsor or locate homeless encampments. Neither do any other Eastside cities. The homeless encampment across the street from Kirkland City Hall is sponsored by the faith community located there, not the city.

The City's role is to regulate the conditions in which encampments can operate. Currently, the City Council is looking at revisions to the current regulations required for homeless encampments when they are located within the City of Redmond. The City Council will examine site conditions such as the length of stay, the length between stays, and the permissible frequency of stays within a five-year period, as well as the mechanism to revoke a permit if there are unacceptable impacts.  Within those conditions, it is the decision of any faith community whether or not to host an encampment.

April 5th is a City Council business meeting in which anyone can testify for up to 4 minutes. On April 12th, the City Council will conduct a study session to examine the questions above. Any action the Council takes would occur on April 19th or later.

The City has a long history of working with community partners to address this very serious issue. Redmond, in collaboration with neighboring cities, dedicates significant resources to non-profit organizations that operate emergency shelters and transitional housing for the homeless. The City also supports efforts to increase the stock of available permanent low-income housing options.

And to clarify for the record, four City Council Members and the Mayor own homes on Education Hill that are proximate to those churches who have hosted encampments.  The City has limited authority over how these churches host, but not whether or not an individual congregation chooses to host.  It is within this context that we strive to make decisions for the benefit of our community within the limits of the laws governing separation of church and state.

John Marchione Hank Margeson Kimberly Allen

Mayor Council President Council Vice President

Note: This Letter was not submitted to my blog. It was forwarded to me. I'm assuming it was sent to Andy Nystrom of the Redmond Reporter.

The Vision of "OneRedmond Foundation" is to be a leader in activating Redmond's downtown, Councilman John Stilin is President

Editor's note:  Jim Stanton is an executive at Microsoft.  Bill Biggs is an executive at Group Health (Kaiser).  Jason Van Nort is at executive for PSE. 


Mr. Yoder:

The mission of the OneRedmond Foundation is to promote, coordinate and fund activities, events and projects that encourage people to live work and play in Redmond and to build community.  Its vision is to be the leader in activating Redmond’s downtowns.

Members of the Board of Directors include: Beth Sigall, Bill Biggs, Dr. Traci Pierce, Jane Wither, Jason Van Nort, Jessica Lambert, Jim Stanton, John Duncan, John Stilin, Mary Morrow, Menka Soni, Nancy McCormick and Pat Vache.

If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me.

Bart Phillips                   

BART PHILLIPS, CEcD | CEO P: 425.885.4014 x101| M: 360.607.3610 8383 158th Ave NE Suite 225 | Redmond, WA  98052 www.oneredmond.org

Fundraiser draws $600,000 for youth behavioral health services

BELLEVUE, WASH. — Yesterday’s Invest in Youth Breakfast raised $600,000 for Youth Eastside Services (YES), an organization that provides mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and education and prevention programs for youth and families on Seattle’s Eastside.

“We are so moved by this outpouring of support,” said YES Executive Director Patti Skelton-McGougan. “This community of committed, caring donors is what makes our work possible.”

Speakers included:

·         KIRO 7 news anchor and Voice of the Seahawks Steve Raible

·         Alaska Air Group Chairman and CEO Brad Tilden and his wife Danielle Tilden, whose career in youth-serving organizations spans over 25 years

·         Seattle Seahawk Jermaine Kearse, who made a special appearance in support of YES

·         YES Board of Trustees member Dan Faulker, a realtor and former client of YES

·         Youth speaker Tallulah Gronseth, who recovered from substance abuse with YES’ support

·         Youth speaker Robert Santos, who is recovering from substance abuse with YES’ support

·         Basketball legend and philanthropist Lenny Wilkens

The money raised will support subsidized and free care to struggling families, as well as fund YES’ education and prevention programs.

See photos and a wrap-up of the event at www.YouthEastsideServices.org.

ABOUT YOUTH EASTSIDE SERVICES (YES)

YES provides mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and education and prevention services that positively impact the well-being of thousands of kids and families every year. Since 1968, YES has been a lifeline for youth and families, helping them recover from issues like substance abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety, family conflicts, bullying and dating violence. The organization provides services at more than 70 locations across the Eastside, including doctors’ offices, schools, teen centers and community centers. YES accepts most major insurance providers, Washington Apple Health (Medicaid), and offers a sliding scale so that no family is turned away due to inability to pay. For more information, visit www.YouthEastsideServices.org.

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Fight Climate Change with Eastside Master Recycler Composter training

 
Seattle Tilth Trains New Master Recycler Composter Volunteers this Spring 

Are you passionate about the environment and want to make a positive change in your community? Concerned about climate change, but don’t know how to help? Seattle Tilth’s Master Recycler Composter Eastside trains community members to become environmental stewards -- and climate change heroes -- through sustainable gardening, composting, natural lawn care and water conservation.

Industrial agriculture is one of the driving forces behind climate change, producing 25% of carbon emissions through the use of fossil fuel-based fertilizers and widespread deforestation. Food waste in landfills also contributes to climate change, creating nearly one quarter of methane emissions in the US. Gardening and composting are some of the simplest and most effective ways for you to combat climate change, right from your own backyard!

The Master Recycler Composter Eastside brings together a diverse team of community volunteers to participate in 28 hours of classroom learning, hands-on practice and field trips. Learn how to compost while learning about soil science, gardening, recycling and storm water management! Training includes eight sessions during four weeks starting on Wednesday, April 6 at McAuliffe Park in Kirkland.

After the training, Master Recycler Composters contribute 35 hours of volunteer outreach, teaching practical techniques to other community members in the greater Eastside area. Volunteers work on projects of their own choosing – at schools, churches, community centers, businesses and community gardens.

Apply by March 31
The Master Recycler Composter Eastside program is for King County residents and adjacent Snohomish County neighbors. Read More >>

Opinion: Redmond City Council has no policy valueing or addressing neighborhood services

OPINION:  As you can see below, the City of Kirkland is proud of their neighborhoods and recognizes their neighborhoods with a mission statement and an extensive neighborhood services program.  Why doesn't the City of Redmond have a mission statement for their neighborhoods, active neighborhood associations, and frequent, regular and organized Council/city staff meetings in their neighborhoods.

City legal costs with neighbors escalated from the Redmond Bike Park land use decision.  A neighborhood association could have smoothed communications and saved taxpayer money.
City-Neighborhood communications on the encampment ordinance was poor.  A neighborhood association, per Kirkland's model, could have improved dialogue and outcomes. School and city levy communications are restricted.

It appears the only in-neighborhood services the City of Redmond offers is a dormant "matching gifts program",council visits to those neighbors holding annual National Night Out parties, the fireman's Santa Christmas visit, Redmond Ready, the national CERT program and the Police Academy.  Other in-neighborhood services may be offered but they're scattered all over the city web-site and not readily found or known.

After the Marchione-Fields election the Marchione Administration appears to be reaching out to the neighborhoods with an April 28 Town Hall.  Lisa Rhodes, the city Communications Director announced a "two-way communications" initiative.  Several Education Hill residents are trying to form a neighborhood association, but the city is offering them no assistance or resources.

The city appears to have no interest in establishing formal neighborhood associations nor advocating for them.  A leader of the school district levy bond committee was looking for Redmond associations like Kirkland's but we have none to offer.  For years Mayor Marchione has been aware of Kirkland's associations (his mother is a Kirkland councilmember) but hasn't been empowered by Council to form them.  Council has no policy that addresses neighborhood services.  

Read More about Kirkland's neighborhood mission statement and neighborhood services >>

CrossFit Hosts CPR/AED event with Redmond Firefighters.

If residents are interested in emergency preparedness and CPR/AED training, they can participate in a Redmond Ready Day community class on May 21 at Fire Station 17. Please visit www.redmond.gov/ready to register online. The cost is $25 for the materials.

Redmond, WA - More lives are saved when the general public is trained in CPR and the proper use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). Jason Kingsbury survived a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) last fall because his friends knew CPR, recognized it as cardiac arrest, and knew how to use an AED. This inspired Jason and his wife, Theresa, to organize a CPR/AED training day at CrossFit Fuse in Redmond.

“I was lucky that Arena Sports had an AED that was clearly identified and available,” said Jason Kingsbury. “When I collapsed on the indoor soccer field that night, my friends immediately began CPR and shocked me with that AED. I don’t remember much of that night, but I do know that without having that AED along with friends who knew CPR that I probably wouldn’t be here today.”

The Kingsburys and Crossfit members realized this emergency could have just as easily happened at their workout facility so, with the support of CrossFit Fuse Redmond, they instituted CPR training and purchased an AED. The Kingsburys worked with Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Paul Atkinson, who organized a team of Redmond Firefighters to join CrossFit Fuse member on Saturday, March 12, 2016, for their Work out of the Day (WOD), and then they taught a CPR/AED class.

“It was really great to work out with Jason and Theresa,” stated Redmond Firefighter Atkinson. “I responded to Jason’s SCA at Arena Sports and arrived after his friends had provided CPR and defibrillation. Ever since his SCA, Jason and his wife have worked really hard to raise awareness and to promote CPR and AED training. I was extremely glad to help them provide this CPR/AED outreach.”

Take a virtual tour of the District's aging schools

Take a virtual tour of our aging schools; community meetings coming soon

LWSD has posted videos of the schools that would be rebuilt and enlarged if the April 2016 bond passes.    

• Tour Juanita High School 
• Tour Kirk Elementary School 
• Tour Mead Elementary School

Four upcoming community meetings are a chance to learn more about the district's April 2016 bond measure and the projects it would fund. The four meetings will take place: 

• March 22, Juanita High School cafeteria, 6:30-8:00 p.m. 
• March 23, Redmond High School cafeteria, 6:30-8:00 p.m. 
• March 29, Lake Washington High School commons, 6:30-8:00 p.m. 
• April 13, Eastlake High School commons, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

More information on the bond measure is also available at http://www.lwsd.org/news/2016-bond.

Source:  "Connections"  3/18

OPINION: City of Redmond's Far-reaching Encampment Ordinance, A Regional Leader In Tent Cities?

In the April 12, 2016 Study Session Council decided to limit stays at each site to 120 days to ensure Ed Hill will not be burdened with year-round encampments. Each hosting church will have three stays with 12 months between stays for a time uncertain for each permit.  A Council Hearing will be scheduled in the near future to address organizer background checks and service provider access to the camps.

An in depth article on tent encampments in the Redmond Reporter's March 11, 2016 edition, attracted six Redmond citizens to speak at Redmond's  "Items from the Audience" in Council's March 15,2016 business meeting. (Click to watch the video)/All had safety and quality of life concerns about Council's proposed amendment to the ordinance.

Noticeably absent during the March 15 Items were ordinance advocates.  One can assume tent city advocates had been adequately heard by the Planning Commission and Council and they were fully confident the ordinance would pass.

The amendment will significantly increase the presence of camps in Redmond with potential for year-round encampments on Education Hill.  Camp stays will increase from 4 months to 6 months and stays can occur six months per year for the next five years. St Jude and Redwood Family Church are the only churches that host Redmond encampments and they are both on Education Hill.

Eastside Republican Club announces scholarship essay program

EASTSIDE REPUBLICAN CLUB ANNOUNCES 2016 SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY PROGRAM

Do you know a young person in need of additional money for college? The Eastside Republican Club (ERC) will award a $1,000 scholarship to the author of the first place essay, a $750 scholarship to the author of the second place essay, and a $500 scholarship to the author of the third place essay, as determined by the Club’s judges, submitted on the following topic:

“Which national political personality, in or out of the current presidential race, best represents your principles and ideals, and why?”    Read More >>

Woodblock restaurant Grand Opening March 18

There’s a new restaurant on the block in Redmond.

Opening March 18, Woodblock will focus on seasonal fare sourced locally. With snacks like Herb Roasted Olives, to small plates like heirloom carrots with maple syrup, to entrees like braised oxtail butternut squash risotto, Woodblock has something on the menu for everybody.

The bar will have a wide selection of spirits, especially from local distilleries like Sun Liquor, Woodinville Whiskey, and Oola.

The 2,300 square foot space has 76 seats, with 12 seats at the bar. The interior features woven pendant lamps, a bar made out of reclaimed Douglas fir, and a custom piece of woodcut art by Charles Spitzack, a homage to the name Woodblock.

Woodblock, located on Cleveland Street in the Old Town Lofts, is the long-time dream of now first-time restaurant owners Carolyn and Tony Scott.

The Scotts are Redmond residents and wanted to create a restaurant that would be comfortable as well as a good place for a date, family dinner, or just a bite at the bar with friends. It’s conveniently located next to the Connector Trail and near the forthcoming Redmond Central Park.

“Carolyn and I met 20 years ago working at The Painted Table in Seattle,” said Tony. “Opening our own restaurant has always been a long-held dream of ours — and the timing was finally right.”

Woodblock will be open 4-11 p.m. daily and until 12 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hour is daily from 4-6 p.m. in the bar, and there will be a late night menu from 10 p.m. to close.

Woodblock is located at 16175 Cleveland St. in Redmond.

425 Magazine, 3/8