Restored Odd Fellows "Links" return to downtown Redmond

Redmond Bar & Grill's three gold rings

Redmond, WA. -- On December 4, 2012, Roger Waterhouse and Glenn Kearney of Artech, Inc. fastened the restored Odd Fellows links to the front façade of the historic Odd Fellows Hall, at 7979 Leary Way. The Odd Fellows Hall is designated a historic landmark and is one of the most prominent wood frame buildings in downtown Redmond. Built in 1903, this distinctive structure served many purposes for the local community as a meeting hall; fraternal lodge for the Redmond Eagles and then the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; performance and dance hall, the City’s first movie venue; commercial space for Edwardian Antiques; and now Redmond’s Bar and Grill.

Odd Fellows’ three links combine to represent a chain. “The first represents friendship, the second love and the third truth”,  Read More >>

Four Lake Washington Schools Named 2012 "Schools of Distinction"

"Center for Educational Effectiveness" recognizes schools for five years of continuing improvement

Redmond, Wash. – Four Lake Washington School District schools have been named “Schools of Distinction” by the Center for Educational Effectiveness. Explorer Community School, Kirkland Middle School, Redmond Elementary and Smith Elementary were among 97 schools statewide that have shown a five-year improvement trend on the state’s Reading/Math index test scores for students.  Read More >>

Redmond City Council approves budget - raises property and utility taxes

The City Council approved the Administration's 2013-2014 budget 5-2 with Hank Myers and David Carson voting 'no" to the ordinance.    Property taxes will go up $6/year and water/stormwater will increase 2%/4% per the biennium.   Under a separate ordinance the council raised nonunion salaries 1.5%/year. 

Councilmember Hank Myers called out the 1% tax increase as "entirely unnecessary since we have a $10 million ending balance and the 1% amounts to less than 5% of our ending balance."   He referenced three different contingency reserves, and said no services would have to be cut if the tax stays the same.  He said the price of Redmond government was higher compared to Issaquah, Kirkland, and Woodinville.  Like all councilmembers, he lauded the Administration on a job well done in preparing a transparent budget and thanked the Mayor and Council Finance Chair John Stilin for their leadership.

Councilmember David Carson said he could have said Yes to the entire package if more than 40% of the capital fund ending balance could have gone to capital improvements.  He was most concerned about the 1% property tax saying, "If we had applied a small portion of the $10 million surplus it could have kept the City of Redmond residents from paying the tax increase."  He supported the Utility Tax increase saying it was specific to infrastructure. 

Council Chair of Finance John Stilin considered Redmond the envy of the region with it's well run finances and city administration.  He emphasized "being responsible in asking for a little bit more."  He said, "it would be nice if there were other ways to tax and spread this out but the 1% tax is our one tool we have."   "I look forward to digging deeper in the performance review process and having better performance measures such that in the off years of he budget we actually do a performance review of our budget." 

Councilmembers Tom Flynn and Hank Margeson were worried about a revenue/expenditure gap looming 4-6 years out.  Margeson said, "the 1% tax increase won't track that down but by being smart about what we spend going forward we will bridge the gap."  Flynn was glad to see some cuts and right-sizing to the budget and thought the 1% a small part in keeping up with inflation. 

Councilmember Kim Allen voted for the 1% this year because the economy is improving.  "It's good to see the cranes downtown", she said "and the tax increase is only $6/year."   She and Hank Margeson were glad to see the 166th Avenue safety reconfiguration in the books for this biennium.  Council President Pat Vache' agreed with Ms. Allen on the importance of the steady revenue flows in the maintaining the city's AAA rating.  Vache' also mentioned the gap projected in future years.

Mayor John Marchione thanked Council and his staff and advised Myers "The price of government index" is not a valid comparison tool to other cities.  The mayor was proud to claim the price of Redmond government (government expenses/% of income) is the lowest it's been in 12 years.  It went from 6% to 4.9% today.  He concluded the AAA rating saves the city millions of dollars.

By Bob Yoder

Evergreen Health and Valley General Hospital approve affiliation

Kirkland, Wash. – EvergreenHealth and Valley General Hospital of Monroe announced yesterday that the organizations approved an agreement that makes Valley General Hospital an affiliate of EvergreenHealth. The organizations will deliver on a commitment to provide Snohomish County residents greater choice and greater access to the high-quality services offered by EvergreenHealth and its partners, Virginia Mason Medical Center and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

The Boards of Commissioners of Valley General Hospital and EvergreenHealth voted unanimously on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012 to approve the agreement.   Read More >>

Seven parents speak up at School Board meeting on overcrowding

Seven parents addressed the School Board and Superintendent this Monday about problems with the reboundary process underway to relieve overcrowding at Rosa Parks.   Beth Zimmerman indicated all three scenarios presented by the Boundary Committee exceeded the true capacity of the schools with 713 students.  She suggested 667 is closer to true capacity.  The committee's total capacity includes the 10 portables which stress capacity in the playgrounds, gym, rest rooms, and common area.  Lunch must be held in classrooms and one 5th grade gym class has 62 students in it.  Beth urged the Superintendent "to fine tune" the reboundary plan to account for true capacity. 

Julie Ann appreciated the temporary boundary committee's work but was concerned the true enrollment for Rosa Parks was not presented at the open house or posted online.  She asked for transparency to collect acceptable feedback.  A concern was grandfathering was allowed and would keep enrollment at 700+ which was too much.  She was bothered that she read about this in the local media and had to call Communications Director Kathryn Reith for confirmation.  Julie Ann said, "The Grandfathering omission does not reflect the openness and honesty critical to developing trust to maintain a positive approach to  problem solving."  She concluded, "Thank you for listening and understanding how important transparency is to developing trust-based relationships with key stakeholders."  

Karen Swenson said the most important decision criteria identified in the surveys was "maintaining integrity of  the neighborhoods."  She was concerned that North Deveron neighborhood of 29 students was not included in the Wilder reboundary.  These students are expected to walk one mile to Rosa Parks along woods under the  most popular Scenario C. 

The last speaker was frustrated with the complexity of the re boundary process.  He thought it would be a lot simpler and was upset with capacity problems of walking outside to bathrooms and not sharing recognition awards in one assembly room. 

The School Board commiserated and asked for updated reboundary information on the website.  Superintendent Pierce said she wouldn't hold any information back.  The survey deadline is December 10 and all new reboundary information and feedback forms are found here:  http://www.lwsd.org/News/temporary-boundary-change/Pages/default.aspx.  

By Bob Yoder

 

Redmond Police confirm four burglaries yesterday - recommend preventative measures

We did have a few burglaries (two in the ed. hill area and two in the south end) yesterday. One of which the person was home and did not answer the door when the suspect attempted contact.

1. Report suspicious activities to police. Be a good witness- get a good description and be able to describe the person and their suspicious activity to police dispatchers.
2. Make your house look occupied and if it is occupied answer the door—you don’t have to open the door, but at least communicate through the door. The suspects are not usually looking for confrontations; they will move on if they know (or think) someone is home.
3. Practice good crime prevention. Cut back bushes and shrubs so you can see out, and so passersby can see your entry points. Make sure all exterior lights work.
4. Take a few minutes to put on your bad guy hat. Walk your neighborhood as if you were the bad guy. Which house would you target and why? Hopefully it’s not yours!

By Jim Bove

Redmond Police Community Facilitator

LWSD Administration to update website to clarify Rosa Parks reboundary scenarios, in response to public comment

Seven Redmond Ridge parents eloquently and with great civility gave oral presentations to the School Board and Superintendent Pierce at last night's LWSD business meeting.  Their concern was primarily the continued frustration with district policy and process in resolving overcrowding at Rosa Parks. 

Their combined presentations lasted 30 minutes and brought a very positive response from Superintendent Pierce.  Pierce said she wants the process to be transparent and will update the website.  "I have no intention to hold information back," she said.   An earlier presenter, Julie Ann, said  "Thank you for listening and understanding how important transparency is in developing trust-based relationships with key stakeholders."

 Four School Board members engaged with the presenters afterwards.  Specifically, Director Carson asked if Pierce could fine-tune the most popular Scenario C (to include the Deveron neighborhood at Wilder and adjust numbers to "true capacity".)  Director Egglington requested that "true school capacities" be posted and available to the public.  Director Pendergrass asked for clarification on language grandfathering 5th and kindergartners.  Director Bleisner asked for clarification and updating the website before the December 10 deadline for surveys. 

Go to this link for survey forms and Reboundary clarification updates: http://www.lwsd.org/News/temporary-boundary-change/Pages/default.aspx.  

LWSD schools receive $311,987 in donations this month; Waste Management donates $225,000 to LWSF

WASTE MANAGEMENT Donates $225,000 to the Lake Washington School Foundation

December is a month filled with generosity and Lake Washington School District and LWSF proved a large recipient of these good tidings.  Total donations may have set a monthly record with $311,987 in the books reported to the School Board and Superintendent at their business meeting last night. 

By far the biggest contributor was WASTE MANAGEMENT who gave $225,000 to fund Lake Washington School Foundation's "Signature Programs."  Lee Ann Wood, Executive Director of the Lake Washington School Foundation presented the award at the School Board Meeting.  WASTE MANAGEMENT'S Area Director Rob Sherman was on hand to share their goal of "partnering for a zero-landfill waste future." He wanted his donation to encourage other organizations to support our schools.  Superintendent Pierce indicated a segment of the funds will be allocated to the STEM program. 

The PTSA's donated a total of $82,655 for the month. Even the Eastside Woman's Basketball Association donated $4332 to Eastlake for coaches stipends.  The following PTA's made donations to their schools:

Wilder El - $27,514;  Lakeview El - 11,800; Dickenson El - $9190; Kirkland El - $7366; McCullough El - $6200; Eastlake High - $5823; Kirk El - $8100; Carson El - $2200; Mann - $1556

 

Sign up for Metro Transit alerts before weather turns bad

 Rider checklist: Transit alerts, snow routes & new guide

Before the flurries start flying, King County Metro Transit wants riders to plan ahead for getting around during winter weather – especially since many changes were made to bus routes this fall.

No matter what kind of weather comes to the Puget Sound region this winter, Metro is ready to reroute buses around closed roads, chain up or switch to snow routes as needed. Metro also has online tools for riders to stay informed.

“We have our plans in place, and now we need riders to prepare,” said Metro General Manager Kevin Desmond.

By signing up for Metro Transit Alerts, riders can receive an email or text message warning about known significant disruptions to Metro bus service. Riders also can preview specific snow routes, and review tips for winter travel online.

Metro customers know when bad weather strikes it can delay or reroute any number of Metro’s 240 bus routes. When snowy, icy conditions affect travel, Metro buses will go to snow routing as necessary, depending on road conditions in a broad geographic area. All bus routes are assigned into one or more of seven geographic areas within King County. The service status of each area is color coded and displayed on an online snow map. The pre-planned snow routing for individual bus routes is displayed in the print and online timetables.

“Our customers need to prepare for buses traveling at slower speeds when they shift to snow routes, and expect traffic delays along the way,” said Desmond.
Winter-travel tips for Metro customers

• Sign up to receive Transit Alerts for the routes you use.  Read More >>

Burglary reported of central Education Hill home

Police canvassed door-to-door the East Firs Neighborhood of Education Hill (169th Ave NE & NE 100th St) informing homeowners of a nearby burglary today.  The policeman was asking for information of suspicious persons.

The burglary occurred in an single family rental home located off a back alley immediately west of 169th Ave NE.   The home is one of the oldest in the neighborhood. 

Police said the burglary smashed a window by the front door to enter the house and "grabbed small things."   Call 911 to report any suspicious persons.  

A second burglary with the same M.O. was attempted on South Education Hill at 2:00 PM today, according to neighbors.   The homeowner was busy working in her house and couldn't get to the knocking on her front door.  The burglars broke the door glass and then fleed upon seeing the homeowner.  Nothing was stolen. 

Water Tenders Exhibit at REI store

Key Club members help Water Tenders restore riparian
habitat on a Bear Creek tributary.  My daughter Lexie recruited
these volunteers.  She's on the Water Tenders Board.

This Sunday, December 9from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, Water Tenders will be advertising our organization at the Redmond Town Center REI store. We will have a table with displays set up by the climbing rock at the front door. Please  attend and encourage any friends and acquaintances to come down and see us. This event is partly a recruitment tool and also to inform the public about what we do and the importance of maintaining a healthy watershed.

Also, has anyone observed any Kokanee salmon in our streams this season?  If so, please contact Jennifer at King County. It is important that they get this information. She can be reached at: Jennifer.Vanderhoof@kingcounty.gov 

Water Tenders is a group of people who care about the wetlands and streams in the Bear Creek watershed of King County, Washington. We are your neighbors and we are all willing to put a little of our time into preserving, protecting, and restoring the wonderful natural heritage we are priviledge to steward. Water Tenders has been in existence since 1989 and is proud of the many accomplishments of the volunteers.

OPINION: LWSD is not a strong candidate for Charter Schools

OPINION:   Lake Washington School District is not a strong candidate for Charter Schools owing to high performance and proliferation of successful Choice Schools.  The District has 14 schools ranked "Exemplary,"  13 school ranked "Very Good," and 16 schools ranked "Good" on WPC's Public School Accountability Index.  Only four schools are ranked "Fair" (Community, Finn Hill MS, Family Learning Center, and Sandberg El) and two are ranked "Struggling" (Best HS and Futures School).  None were in the Bottom 5% of the Index.   By Bob Yoder

###
 

"Group calls for closing low-performing charter schools"

November 29, 2012 

BY Liv Finne

WPC Education Blog

Today’s Seattle Times reports that the National Association of Charter School Authorizers says that states with weak charter laws should strengthen their laws to shut down their low-performing charter schools. Fortunately Washington's brand-new charter law is one of the strongest laws in the country.

Initiative 1240 provides in Section 220 that a charter school which performs in the bottom 20 percent of the state’s Public School Accountability Index will not have its contract renewed.

This high standard — perform or you lose your license and money to operate — is not demanded of traditional public schools. The State Board of Education's own Public School Accountability Index shows that fully 42% of Washington’s traditional public schools rank in the lowest two tiers of performance, as “Fair” or “Struggling.” These low-performing schools continue to receive funding year after year, despite failing to adequately educate students. Forty-five schools, the lowest-performing 5% of schools, continue to fail class after class of students. The names of these schools can be found on the OSPI website, here. Five of the schools on this list are in Seattle.

During the charter school debate, opponents attempted to stoke fears that charter schools would not perform, while failing to mention that many traditional public schools are low-performing and failing. Fortunately, voters saw through this unfair double standard.

Voters understand that too many traditional public schools are not fulfilling the promise of an adequate public education. Voters in Washington want to try something new and different and better. Voters want schools held accountable for successfully educating children. Voters want charter public schools. And soon charter public schools will open in Washington state.

http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/blog/post/group-calls-closing-low-performing-charter-schools

Volunteers salvage over 600 plants from Group Health site

Hinman's transplanting volunteers

Tom Hinman's "Sustainable Redmond" facilitated the salvaging of native plants at the former Group Health hospital site before the understory vegetation was lost to redevelopment. The Native Plant Society had a dig on November 15th and December 1 with the Green Kirkland Team totaling 150 plants.

Eastside Audubon organized a salvage work party on Saturday, December 1st totaling over 450 plants from 40 volunteers.  Sword Fern, Salale, Oregon Grape were the popular shrubs.  The plants were transported to Marymoor Park Bird Loop and stored.  On Saturday, January 5, 8 AM, volunteers can meet at Parking Log G to install the plants into a hillside on the Loop.

The picture on the left taken by Tom Hinman with his volunteers celebrating their "trophy sword fern."  Redmond Councilmember Hank Myers participated.    

-- Bob Yoder, updated 8/14/2022

Reducing stress for shoppers, raising funds for birds

REDUCING STRESS FOR SHOPPERS, RAISING FUNDS FOR BIRDS

Conservation Group Brings Holiday Gift Wrapping to REI in Redmond Town Center
 

KIRKLAND — Busy shoppers can give a gift to conservation and conserve some time for themselves this season, when Eastside Audubon brings its Holiday Gift Wrap service to REI at Redmond Town Center.

Volunteers from Eastside Audubon will be on hand during the busiest days before Christmas to turn items purchased at REI into cheerily wrapped presents ready to take home and put under the tree.

Donations raised by the gift wrapping service will help support Eastside Audubon’s programs in wildlife conservation and youth education. Those programs include habitat restoration on the Audubon BirdLoop at Marymoor Park and classroom presentations about birds and bird behavior for school age children, two examples of year-round Eastside Audubon activities that REI helps make possible through its community outreach efforts.

The Holiday Gift Wrap desk at REI in Redmond Town Center will be open on December 15 and 16 and from December 19 through 24, from noon to 8 p.m. (Ending times may vary on some days to fit store closing times.) Suggested donations will range from $3 to $9 depending on package size.

About Eastside Audubon

Eastside Audubon is the National Audubon Society chapter active in Bellevue, Bothell, Carnation, Duvall, Issaquah, Kirkland, North Bend, Redmond, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, Woodinville, and unincorporated East King County.

Eastside Audubon works to protect, preserve, and enhance natural ecosystems and our communities for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people. We welcome new and experienced birders on our birding walks and field trips and in our birding classes. Visit www.eastsideaudubon.org.

Washington school districts allowed to isolate children in padded cells and tie their limbs together

Washington school districts allowed to isolate children in padded cells and tie their limbs together

November 30, 2012

By Liv Finne
Washington Policy.org

KOMO News and Q13 Fox are reporting that schools in Washington are using padded cells to isolate special needs children who misbehave. Responding to public outrage, the Longview School District just announced it will discontinue the practice. The Burlington School District defends use of this practice.

Washington state administrative rules explicitly permit schools to isolate children in padded cells, which have holes poked in the top for ventilation. Four WACs (administrative rules) define “aversive interventions” and the conditions for their use by school officials. WAC 392-172A-03130 subsection 3 describes conditions for “binding or otherwise attaching the student’s limbs together or by binding or otherwise attaching any part of a student’s body to an object.”

According to TASH, a national grass-roots organization for disabled children:

"Nursing homes declared these practices outdated and unsafe in the 1980s, and medical and psychiatric care facilities followed suit over the past two decades. They recognized there were no benefits to restraint and seclusion, and no amount of medical training and expertise was adequate to alleviate the risks to both patients and staff. There is no therapeutic benefit for restraint and seclusion. So why are school administrators continuing to defend such practices?"

Padded cells, binding together the legs of children, and tying children to objects is officially permitted in Washington’s schools.

Repealing these shameful WACs could be the first accomplishment of the new legislature.

http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/blog/post/washington-school-districts-allowed-isolate-children-padded-cells-and-tie-their-limbs-toge

 

There are no known or alledged reports of this behavior in LWSD.  B.Y. 

Historical Redmond is in a Miniature Exhibit

Historical Redmond in Miniature Exhibit

In honor of City of Redmond’s Centennial celebration, the Redmond United Methodist Church will be hosting an Historical Redmond in Miniature Exhibit in its chapel which was built in 1906. The church has teamed up with the Emerald Heights Retirement Community to create a display depicting the original church building and other historic structures in Redmond. Jim Easley started the miniature project at Emerald Heights Retirement Community as part of a garden train display. One of the historical models is of the original Methodist Church Chapel. With help from the Redmond Historical Society and the City of Redmond, several other models have been included in this exhibit. They include the Leary Way railway station, the Marymoor windmill, and the first library.

The public is invited to view the display on Saturday, December 1, December 8, and December 15, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., at 16540 NE 80 Street, Redmond. The Redmond United Methodist Church is the oldest faith community in Redmond, tracing its history back to the pioneer days of 1896. For more information, call 425-883-7553, or go to http://redmondumc.org/#/calendar/centennial-exhibit

By Doris Schaible
Community Relations
Redmond Historical Society

Construction Collapse injures Four city employees

Construction Collapse Injures Four, Causes Road Closures

Redmond, WA – Collapsed construction equipment on 164^th Ave NE in Redmond caused four employee injuries and road closures. 
 
At 11:45 a.m. this morning the Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Woodinville Fire Departments responded to a construction site where a section of the formwork being used to support the floor during a concrete pour collapsed.

Four employees were treated at local hospitals for injuries. Fire crews and structural engineers entered the site to search for employees who may still be in the area but it appeared to be cleared.

All lanes of traffic are now open.

###

Jim Bove

Redmond Police Department

Community Outreach Facilitator

8701 160th Ave NE

Redmond, WA 98052

(425) 556-2545

An Evergreen holiday for you, and second life for the tree

The holiday madness will consume us for the next month. However, there are at least three easy ways (you pick!) to take one of the most popular traditions of all – the Christmas tree – and make it even more meaningful to you AND for our open spaces.

Give your tree the gift of life after the holidays
King County Parks has partnered with Swansons Nursery to offer a living tree program that will ensure your tree’s life will continue well beyond the holidays and for many years to come in one of King County Parks’ protected open spaces. Plus, planting trees can help restore salmon habitat by reducing water runoff – who doesn’t want that gift under the tree?!

Here’s how it works: Three easy ways to make your holidays evergreen
1. Purchase a living tree at Swansons Nursery – For every living Christmas tree purchased, Swansons will donate a native plant for volunteers to plant at a King County Park restoration site. You take the tree home and plant it in your yard (see care instructions) – OR -
2. Donate your living tree - Choose one of the species available for your living holiday tree signed with a “Donate This Tree.” After the holidays, simply return your tree to Swansons Nursery and it will be added to trees destined for the restoration project. Interested in planting the donations with your own hands? Volunteer to join a scheduled living tree planting event.
3. Show your support with a gift - Purchase a $5 “Sammy” medallion at the cashier during your visit and Swansons Nursery will donate another plant towards the restoration effort. Hang the ornament on your tree at home or give it as a gift!
__________________________________
There you have it: Three truly easy ways to add a meaningful twist to your holiday season! How will you decorate your living tree? 

Courtesey of King County Blog

LWSD STEM School construction progress

Construction progress of the LWSD STEM School as of November 25

The STEM school is located in unincorporated East King County.  Photo courtesy of STEM school newsletter.  

Redmond Firefighters announce 2012 neighborhood Santa schedule

December 7 - 23

Santa Claus is Coming to Redmond!

Redmond Firefighters Announce 2012 Neighborhood Schedule

Redmond, WA – The Redmond Firefighters Union Local 2829, IAFF, will be assisting Santa Claus again this year as he makes his tour through our Redmond Community sharing good cheer and holiday joy. Santa will be transported in the Union's antique fire truck with his very colorful helper, Buddy. A new tracking application will allow users to follow Santa’s route in real-time, using the web, tablets or smart phones. The new application will be available online beginning December 3^rd at www.redmond.gov/santa

Santa and his volunteers will be accepting non-perishable food donations and unwrapped toys for Hopelink. The Firefighters Union will also match cash donations up to $500. Santa and his elves will be in the locations listed below, though Santa may need to cancel a night's trip due to heavy rain, snow or mechanical problems (the antique fire truck isn't as reliable as Rudolph):

December 7 (Friday): Village at Overlake Station, Southeast Redmond
December 8 (Saturday): Viewpoint North
(11am-2pm Toys for Tots at Bartell Drug in Bella Botega)
December 9 (Sunday): Rivertrail Neighborhood
December 10 (Monday): Central Education Hill
December 11 (Tuesday): West Education Hill
December 12 (Wed.): Trilogy (6:30), 2 stops in Redmond Ridge afterward.
December 13 (Thursday): North Education Hill
December 14 (Friday): Grasslawn East
December 15 (Saturday): Grasslawn West
December 16 (Sunday): East Education Hill
December 17 (Monday): Rose Hill South
December 18 (Tuesday): Union Hill
December 19 (Wednesday):Viewpoint South
(Santa at the Kindering Foundation 9:30-11:30 am)
December 20 (Thursday): English Hill South
December 21 (Friday): Downtown Redmond
December 22 (Saturday): make up night if necessary
December 23 (Sunday): make up night if necessary

Please join us as we pass through your neighborhood and consider making a donation for those in need. On behalf of your Redmond Firefighters and Medic One Paramedics, we wish you a safe and Happy Holiday Season! For more information call 425-556-2200 or visit http://www.redmond.gov/santa

# #

Neighborhood training in Northwest SEED's Solarize campaign

 

I wanted to let you know about an upcoming training for neighborhood leaders who are interested in launching a “Solar Group Purchasing” campaign. 

I realize the workshop is actually happening in Bellevue (!) but we’d love to have representation from Redmond neighborhoods too!

Background

Over the past year, Northwest SEED has led Solarize campaigns – neighborhood group purchase campaigns for solar - that have resulted in over 140 new solar installations in Seattle, $3.8 million in solar purchases, and the creation of 14 permanent green jobs. Now, we are sharing our success with other communities to teach them how to run their own Solarize projects, to spread the economic and community benefits beyond Seattle.

With the City of Bellevue and Puget Sound Energy, Northwest SEED will present “Solarize U” on Saturday, December 1st at the Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center. The training will give participants the tools and information to lead a solarize campaign in their own community.

Register online at http://solarizeeastside.eventbrite.com.

The training cost of $25 includes a catered lunch.

Please let me know if you have any questions, and pass this invitation and attached flyer along to anyone that may be interested in attending!

Thanks in advance for your time,

Linda

PS: A video explaining the Solarize concept is here: https://www.eeremultimedia.energy.gov/solar/videos/purchasing_solar_collectively_solarize

Linda Irvine

Project Manager

Northwest SEED

1402 3^rd Ave. Ste 901

Seattle, WA 98101

www.nwseed.org

206.267.2215

Lake Washington Institute of Technology Adds New Engineering Technology Degree

LWIT Adds New Engineering Technology Degree

Kirkland, Wash.:Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) is pleased to announce its newAssociate of Applied Science Engineering Technology degree. This degree is designed for students wholike the practical application of engineering, and who would benefit from a hands-on, rather than more theoretically-inclined, program. It can lead toemployment in as little as two years, or can provide a solid foundation for further studies in engineering and technology.

“Our Engineering Technology AAS degree has been designed for those students who really enjoy seeing the fruits of their labor – working with their hands, developing new designs, diagnosing and fixing problems” said Dr. Steve Addison, Acting Dean of New Programs at LWIT. “Traditional engineering programs focus on theory with relatively little time available for practical work. We’ve designed our program to really emphasize the application of engineering principles to real-world problems. We’ve developed an innovative approach that directly relates math and computing to the problems that are being taught in engineering classes to ease obstacles to learning math. And, unlike larger institutions, our classes are small, and tailored to help each student stay motivated, and succeed.”

All students in the Engineering Technology program take a series of core engineering, math and computing classes that provides the fundamental knowledge all engineers require to be successful in the workforce. To complete their degree, students then choose one of four focus areas: manufacturing, electronics, biomedical engineering, or renewable energy. Graduates can either enter the workforce immediately, or use the AAS degree as the foundation for a baccalaureate degree.

Demand for AAS degree graduates in engineering and technology is at an all-time high. At aSenate Aviation Subcommittee hearing with Senator Maria Cantwell last July addressing aerospace worker shortages, a Boeing representative testified that skilled employees with associate’s degrees in such fields as engineering technology are in short supply, with this situation becoming more critical as the manufacturing upswing in the Puget Sound Region expands. As a result, salaries for positions such as technicians, product designers, test engineers and the like are on the rise.

Jobs for engineering technicians pay well. According to the Workforce Development Council of Seattle and King County, engineering technicians are making $21 to $36 an hour. LWIT’s Engineering Technology degree opens the door to a rewarding and high-paying career.

Those interested in more information can visit lwtech.edu/engineering_technology, call 425-739-8300 or email engineering@lwtech.edu.

Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWIT) is a broad-based polytechnic college offering instruction in 36 areas of instruction toward a spectrum of more than 100 bachelor and associate level degrees and certificates designed to give students the latest cutting edge skills relevant to today’s workplace. For information and news about LWIT programs, please visit lwtech.edu/press_room.

Redmond High PTSA Community Digest

FACING FAMILY TROUBLES? If you are a parent whose child is challenged with drugs, poor behavior, or other problems, the Sammamish Plateau Parent Networking Group invites you to two free workshops featuring Bill Dean, who has assisted hundreds of families to become whole and healthy through his coaching. Workshops will be held on November 26 at the EX3 Teen Center (825 228th Avenue NE, Sammamish) at both 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM and 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. For more information, contact Cherry O'Neill.

BENEFIT CONCERT. At the Old Redmond Fire House on November 30th - the concert is benefiting a nonprofit organization called Village Schools International. This organization provides funding for students in Africa by building schools, providing scholarships, buying textbooks, etc. Cost is $7.

1912-2012 CENTENNIAL FINALE. Celebrate the Centennial by day on Saturday December 1, 12-4pm at the City Hall Campus. Celebrate Redmond's pioneering spirit. Enjoy festivities, food, and entertainment from Redmond's past, present and future. Enjoy Cultural Entertainment, Kids Activities, Holiday Craft Market, and Interactive Historical Displays.

1912-2012 CENTENNIAL & REDMOND LIGHTS. Celebrate Redmond Lights by Night on Saturday December 1, 4-8pm at the City Hall Campus. Celebrate Redmond's diverse cultural traditions of the winter season with festivities, food, events and entertainment from around the world. Enjoy the Tree Lighting, Luminary Walk, Light Displays, Entertainment, Kids Activities and Refreshments.

SEMI-FORMAL SNOWBALL BALL. Come to the Old Fire House Teen Center for the YABA's Semi Formal Snowball Dance on Friday, December 14th at 8pm. Cost: $7/$5 if dressed up. Bring $10 or a toy to benefit Hopelink.

REDMOND RECREATION GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE. Interested in taking classes this winter? The City of Redmond offers everything from dance to pottery. Learn about class opportunities at the Redmond Recreation Guide.

Winter lights at city hall

Winter Lights at city hall / John Reinke

Mayor Marchione proclaims November 24 "Small Business Saturday"

Shop Saturday to Support Redmond Businesses

 

Mayor’s Proclamation presented at Council Tuesday, November 20, 2012.

Redmond, WA – Mayor John Marchione will proclaim November 24, 2012, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, as Small Business Saturday in Redmond.
 

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday sits Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to celebrating the small businesses in our community. The City of Redmond has signed on to participate in the national campaign started by American Express in 2010 which gives small businesses more recognition on the busiest shopping weekend of the year.
 

“By supporting Redmond’s small businesses, shoppers will boost our local economy and help create and maintain jobs in Redmond”, states Marchione. “I’m proud to support Small Business Saturday and I encourage all residents, employees and visitors to shop small on November 24 in support of our wonderful Redmond merchants”.
 

At the November 20 Redmond City Council Meeting, Mayor Marchione will explain that small businesses nationally represent 99.7% of all businesses having employees, they employ 50% of the employees in the private sector, generate 60-80% of new jobs annually, and that 99% of Americans agree that it’s important to have small businesses in a community.
 

To shop small in Redmond, find a directory of Redmond businesses and discounts at www.thinkredmond.com.