Education Hill Coyote Feasting On Squirrels

Credit /Ms. Smith

This Redmond Wintering Coyote is feasting on squirrels in South Education Hill

Great Blue Heron feeding on the Sammamish River

Great Blue Heron catches Skimmer dragonfly/ Photo by John Reinke

The dragonfly was an eight spotted skimmer, and it had landed on a plant located right next to the Sammamish River at the south end of the Luke McRedmond Landing, on the south side of the 85th Street Bridge.  The heron cautiously stalked up fairly close to the plant and then made a lightning strike to snatch the dragonfly from its perch.

-- John Reinke

UPDATED: NAMI Mental Health Awareness 5K Walk

The annual NAMI Mental Health Awareness 5K Walk is scheduled for Saturday, June 8th, 9 - Noon along Kirkland's downtown waterfront. It starts at the Marina Park. Those wishing to register and/or donate should arrive around 8:00AM, or click this link.  Anyone giving $100 will receive a t-shirt! All donations will go to the NAMI Eastside affiliate.The Walk is a happy and  family-friendly event and a great way to bust stigma. Dogs on leash are allowed.


There's a chance EvergreenHealth may build an "Outpatient Behavioral Healthcare Clinic" offering care from highly-trained psychiatrists. Since one in five Americans have a mental condition in a given year this clinic will be put to excellent use in our community. 

Our "EvergreenHealth Super Team" will be walking in appreciation of their initiative.  If you'd like to walk with Evergreen, look for our banner or signs to meet-up.  We will be one of the happiest, out-going teams on the Walk!

A Big Tent is in the NW parking lot. Live music!  Find a number of exhibitors with fun free stuff and snacks.  The long range weather forecast is mostly sunny with a high of 70, so great walking weather.  The walk winds its way down Lake Street / Lake Washington Blvd. to Carillon Point and back. Hope you can make it!  

Here's a link to learn more about our mission and how to register and/or donate:  https:www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=30877

-- Bob Yoder

"Seattle Times" article on mayoral candidates

Council President Angela Birney

  "People who have been here a long time feel left out. 

 I want to make sure their voices are heard."  - Birney

Councilmember Steve Fields

  "Our residents are the best city planners.  

We need to listen to them." - Fields

Small businessman Andrew Koeppen

 "Redmond has shown disrespect for Microsoft."  Mr. Koeppen likened it to "the 'rich uncle in a family' that the city should be thankful for." - Koeppen

-- Excerpts from The Seattle Times article  "Meet the woman and men who want to be Redmond's next mayor."  By Paige Cornwell, 5/28

Timberline Middle School design and operation

Timberline Middle School on Redmond Ridge will have room for 900 students.  Each of three floors will have two pods and five classes. The school opens September 3rd.  

Students will have a view of the wetland from the cafeteria. The library will have 10,000 books. Space for electives include:  1) Art (two kilns,) 2) Robotics room, 3) Food service room, and 4) Computer design lab.  

The large "activity lounge hub" for socialization reminds me of those on college campuses. Geothermal heat will service the school.

-- Bob Yoder

Light Rail Extension to impact Bear Creek

Lower Bear Creek/ deainc.com

Construction of the Downtown Redmond Light Rail Extension will impact a swath of trees and riparian habitat along Bear Creek in the vicinity of the Overlake Urgent Care Center west to Creekside Crossing and Redmond Center Open Space.  Clearing and grading permits are required to remove 144 trees to accommodate the rail, Bear Creek "restoration," and construction access. Most of the trees will be planted off site because they won't survive in the wetland areas. For each significant tree removed, 6 saplings will be planted; for each landmark tree removed 18 saplings will be planted. A section of Bear Creek will have to be dredged to create a "back channel" for flood control and wetland habitat. Back channels are also valuable for salmon rearing.

Overall, approximately 500 linear feet of Bear Creek will be "restored or enhanced" when all is said and done.  The Design Builder is encouraged to reuse previously removed trees for onsite habitat features. In addition, Sound Transit plans to purchase wetland mitigation credits at the Keller Farm site further upstream along Bear Creek for any restoration that cannot be accommodated on-site.

All the work near Bear Creek described above is subject to review as part of the City’s shoreline and clearing and grading permits, the Army Corps and the tribes.  Construction is over 3 years out.  

  -- City Council Study Session, 5/28
      Meeting memo 

Updated: Support the NAMI EvergreenHealth Super Team to stop mental health stigma

On Saturday, June 8th, 8:15 AM the NAMI "EvergreenHealth Super Team" will meet at the Kirkland marina with others for a 5K Walk and raise awareness for mental health and to remove mental health stigma. Look for our banner. Please invite your family and friends. This is family-friendly event. We will be one the happiest, fun-loving and team's out there!  We are walking for EvergreenHealth since they have plans for an "Outpatient Mental Health Care Clinic."

 Click "Support EvergreeHealth Super Team" to sign-up and learn more about the walk.

New EvergreenHealth Bond initiative will feature an "Outpatient Behavioral Health Care Clinic"

The Board of Commissioners of the EvergreenHealth Public Hospital District approved Resolution 898-19 authorizing a $345 million Bond for submission to the voters in August 6th special election.  A similar bond was rejected by the voters in the April special election by a margin of 1.52%.

According to the Resolution: "The EvergreenHealth District specified and adopted a Plan to construct new health care facilities and renovate and equip existing health care facilities including:  

a. Seismic and Infrastructure upgrades and renovations;
b. A new and expanded Critical Care Unit;
c. An expanded and refurbished Family Maternity Center;
d. Camps-wide Infrastructure Improvements;
e. New Medical Office Buildings for Outpatient care; and
f. Biomedical and Information Technology Systems Improvements

The Plan is to be more fully described in the specifications to be prepared by the District's architects and engineers.  *The Board may modify details of the foregoing Plan where necessary or advisable in the judgement of the Board and make addition capital improvements as it may find necessary or advisable.  The estimated cost of carrying out the Plans specified and adopted is declared to be, as nearly as may be, $395,000,000."

It was stated prior to, and after the May 21st Board, meeting *the New Medical Office Buildings are designated for behavioral health outpatient care.  The community is in dire need of additional mental health care services and the Bond is more likely to pass because of it.  After all, 1 in 5 residents have a mental health condition and many will vote.  I am thrilled and respect the Board's decision.  Questions?  Call Laurene Burton at: 425.899.2667

-- Bob Yoder
    Sources:  Resolution No. 898-19
    Kai Peterson, V.P. EvergreenHealth Foundation
    Kay Taylor, Senior V.P. Marketing, Communications    
   

Mayoral candidate Angela Birney hosts gathering at PostDoc Brewery

Angela Birney and her whole Redmond family including doggie "Buttons" brought good cheer.

A diversity of community leaders and Birney endorsers were in attendance.  School Board candidate Siri Bliesner and Mr. Markel, a developer land-use attorney were present.  The planning and parks commissioners were a many.  Church leaders of the Open Kitchen too.  Rob Leavitt, past President of the Redmond Lacroose Club partook. J.D. Klein, owner of Minuteman Press gave inspirational closing remarks. Who did I miss?!

"What a wonderful evening" said Angela Birney. "Thank you all for joining me at PostDoc last night to celebrate filing. I truly enjoyed meeting you and talking about the future of Redmond together. I’m humbled by your support, especially as we move towards the August primary. Keep an eye out for more of these events in the future- I’d love to see you there!"

Reported By Bob Yoder

$3,900,000 price tag for Redmond Central Connector extension

photo credit / Berger

Project Purpose Phase II construction of the Redmond Central Connector project provides a paved multiuse trail extension from the end of Phase I at the Sammamish River Trail to the 9900 block of Willows Road.  Total Project Cost:  $3,912,877.49.

Background:

In June 2010, the City purchased the four miles of former BNSF Railroad right-of-way in Redmond and immediately began planning for the development of the corridor for city and regional projects such as a stormwater trunk line, a regional trail and linear park, northsouth transportation connections, and future light rail.In June 2011, the City adopted the Redmond Central Connector Master Plan for the corridor, which identified a phased approach to building the regional trail and linear park.

Project Description:

Redmond Central Connector project, Phase II provides a paved multiuse trail connection from the end of Phase I at the Sammamish River Trail to the 9900 block of Willows Road. The route of the new trail construction primarily follows the BNSF railroad corridor (see Attachment A). The project construction includes: • Installation of more than 1.3 miles of a paved trail. • Redevelopment of two existing rail bridges for pedestrian use. • Development of adjacent pedestrian features for park use. • Complete pavement, curb, gutter and sidewalk at NE 90th Street, NE 95th Street and private driveways along the corridor in support of the new trail crossings.

Redmond crime rate is low

Redmond Police Chief Kristi Wilson/ Internet

Annual crime data is reported to Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.  They determine crime rate per thousand by local jurisdictions and statewide as a comparison.  Police Chief Wilson says: "Analysis Data continues to demonstrate the crime rate within the City of Redmond is incredibly low and has remained consistent over the past several years."

Property crime continues to make up the significant majority of reported crime  (3022 in 2017.) "Smash and Dash" and package thieves are the most prevalent property crimes. Violent crime also continues to remain at a very low rate at 1.72/K.  Statewide violent crime is 3.5/K.

Kristi Wilson, Police Chief
May 21 Council Committee meeting

Note:  In the first Council "Neighborhood Conversations" meeting Mayoral Candidate Andrew Koeppen complained that dangerous crime rates were much higher in Redmond. The Mayor and Councilmember Carson clarified stating the State went to a new reporting system.

-- Bob Yoder

Koeppen asks Council for new pool

Mr. Koeppen was a little late here.  Last December, before Mr. Koeppen's speech, the City Council adopted the 2019-2020 budget to include the pool remodel.  

Pool system repairs and improvements will occur in two phases over two years.  Phase 1 is under contract to complete approximately $5.4M in system repair and replacement that will improve the overall pool facility efficiency and operation. This work will result in lower utility use and costs along with improved building system performance and occupant experience. The budget for Phase 2 is $6M.   
-- Bob Yoder

LWSD reduced electricity by 30%, water usage by 30% since the 2005-2006 school year

Redmond, Wash. - The U.S. Department of Education announced today that Lake Washington School District (LWSD), is among the 2019 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School District Sustainability Awardees.

Lake Washington School District was nominated by the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Since the 2005–06 school year, we have reduced electricity usage per square foot by 30 percent. Domestic water usage has been reduced 30 percent per student.

LWSD integrates environmental literacy into school culture. For example, a waste audit at Peter Kirk Elementary School, in partnership with King County Green Schools, found that the school recycles correctly 96 percent of the time. Natural outdoor spaces enhance curriculum, like during Wetlands Week at Emily Dickinson Elementary. Students remove invasive plant species and learn about the important role wetlands play in the ecosystem. Students at Emerson High School learn about green sustainable design technology in a career and technical education course. They built a hoop house and raised beds for the school's urban garden. 

LWSD is teaching today's students about sustainability, while using green building practices to construct the schools of tomorrow. By 2020, 27 percent of the district schools' heating will come from high-efficiency geothermal, including 75 percent of heating in its high schools. LWSD has the largest solar energy capacity of any district in the state at 615 kilowatts. School building projects must meet detailed requirements to receive funds from Washington State's School Construction Assistance Program, including the incorporation of natural lighting, which reduces electricity costs and enhances student learning environments.

East Link Light Rail nears 50% completion

Photo Credit: Sound Transit 

Earlier this week the Bellevue City Council received an update from Sound Transit that the East Link Light Rail project has neared 50 percent completion.

Some of the highlights from the project progress include: tunnel excavation work under 110th Ave NE that has recently been completed, significant progress on the South Bellevue station and Bellevue Way Southeast parking garage, as well as the close to finished elevated guideways.

The East Link Light Rail project is anticipated to be completed and open in 2023. The length of East Link is over 14 miles that spans from all the way from Redmond, through Bellevue and onto Mercer Island. During peak travel time the service will be available every six minutes. It’s projected that there will be 43,000 – 52,000 daily riders by 2026.

For more information on the East Link Light Rail project visit the Sound Transit website.

 -- East Link Light Rail facebook site

EvergreenHealth receives safety award

EvergreenHealth Receives “A” Rating for Hospital Safety

Kirkland, Wash. –The Leapfrog Group, a leading nonprofit watchdog organization on hospital quality and safety, has announced that EvergreenHealth once again received an “A” rating for patient safety. Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grades score hospitals across the country on how safe they keep their patients from medical errors, injuries, accidents and infections.

UPDATED: Graffiti Wall Art in "Edge Skate Park"

Credit Bob Yoder/ Redmond Neighborhood Blog 

Is this a salmon?  Do you see bubbles?  Gills?  An Eye?  Fins?  What's the significance of the bee?  ...to guard the art?  Does the flag indicate water flow....or if the fish is not swimming?  Is the artist integrating letters into the art?  Do you see two barbed hooks?  Anything else?

The Edge Skate Park graffiti walls are open public space.  Anyone can spray or roll art as long as it's civil.  The Fire Department House is next door and firelighters keep an eye on it.

Redmond Councilmember Hank Myers says he enjoys going the Edge Skate Park (next to the Park & Ride) every six months to view the ever-changing outdoor "graffiti" art. This is just one of four painted walls.

Factoid:  The walls have been painted so many times there's over an inch of paint layers.

-- Bob Yoder

The Rebirth of Redmond Lacrosse

Coach Rob was nominated as one of the eight nominees for "Washington State USLacrosse coach of the year." This was his third nomination in the past three years. "I am deeply honored and humbled given everything we have collectively accomplished this year as a team."

The Redmond High School Lacrosse program was founded in 2008. In the first few years of existence the team had some success and a few very strong seasons playing in the division two Washington high school boys lacrosse association (WHSBLA). After six seasons as a Division two team, the number of players in the program had dwindled to a level that forced the team to revoke their varsity status and field only a junior varsity team in 2014. While Redmond was rebuilding, the sport of lacrosse was growing rapidly throughout the State and by 2015 there were over 80 teams that represented their high schools in the WHSBLA. 

Redmond lacrosse returned to varsity status in 2015 and over the next two seasons fielded a thin division two roster. At times, the team required players to play without substitutes, and while they had fun and played heroically, the team struggled in the wins category and achieved a 2-31 overall record and were ranked 79^th out of 81 teams in the State by one independent online lacrosse site.

In 2017, Redmond lacrosse began a transformation. Rob Eidson, a former assistant coach at Bellevue High School, was hired and asked to help rebuild the program. Coach Eidson recruited and hired a new coaching staff, developed a year round rhythm for competing, focused on growing the youth program from kindergarten, through elementary and middle school, and established and communicated a new vision for an aspire to culture. 

The “Gold Standard” culture that was communicated at all levels of the program focuses on building the program through Teamwork, Dedication and Managing the Details. As an example of how these cultural pillars weave throughout the program, at Redmond there are no MVP awards, or best offensive and defensive players, etc. Instead, for example, the high school players receive awards for Teamwork, for being the most Dedicated, or for improvement through managing the details and playing fundamentally sound. One player also receives the Gold Standard award, which essentially is the coaches award.

Now, after three seasons, the Redmond Mustangs program has come a long way. In 2019, the K2 program has nearly 20 participants and growing, the 34 team was undefeated (8-0) in their league play, the 78 team was undefeated (7-0) in its league play, the high school junior varsity team (yes, RHS has two teams now) finished their season 7-1 and the Varsity Team won the division two KingCo regular season with an 11-3 overall record. At the end of the season, the Mustangs were ranked as one of the top 25-30 teams in the State out of 90. The team has come a long way from 79th in 2016.

The High School Varsity team secured their first division one playoff birth in school history. In addition to going to the playoffs, the team defeated Bothell high school in early May, achieving the first division one KingCo victory in program history as well. Six players from the Mustangs were just named to the All Division 2 KingCo All-Star team, and the Mustangs were informed that they have earned the right to be elevated to division one in 2020. Next season, the Mustangs will compete against the strongest schedule in the State and compete for one of five 4A division one playoff spots. 

2019 has been a special year for the Mustangs, and what makes it even more remarkable is that the young team only graduates one senior this year, so hopefully will be primed for the challenge as 2020 approaches.   

"The team has come a long way and through the journey they had this year, they've built a tremendous amount of confidence and developed into the lacrosse team I always believed they could become. If the team continues to believe in themselves, half as much as I do, they will be successful." said Coach Eidson.

 -- Redmond Lacrosse Club
 -- Photos by Adam Lu  (click to enlarge)

EvergreenHealth receives five-star rating from Medicare and Medicaid

EvergreenHealth Earns Five-Star CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating

The health system is one of only two in the Puget Sound region to receive high rating

Kirkland, Wash.— EvergreenHealth recently became one of only six hospitals statewide and two within the Puget Sound region to receive a five-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), based on a report published in early 2019.

 

"RE-elect LWSD School Board Director Siri Bliesner"

I believe that an excellent public education is a right for all individuals. A strong democracy requires an active, engaged community, and we achieve that with excellent public education. My extensive experience and the relationships I have built throughout the community combine to give me a strong voice to continue moving forward with the District’s initiatives and advance new, innovative opportunities for all of our students.

Lake Washington School District (LWSD) is an outstanding public school district with talented staff, teachers, and an involved community supporting the opportunities and achievement of our students.

It has been a pleasure to serve on the school board for the last eight years in a variety of roles – Legislative Representative, Vice President, and President. This has provided an opportunity to deepen my understanding of school organization and funding, as well as issues surrounding educational equity.

Jessica Forsythe challenges Hank Margeson for Position 3

Meet Jessica Forsythe 

---

Ms. Forsythe is challenging Mr. Hank Margeson for Position 3.  

"I have been a small business owner and Creative Director of a design studio since 2006. I work primarily with non-profit organizations and clients whose core values revolve around serving and improving the community. My work has ranged from domestic and international LEED-certified large scale mixed-use architecture projects, like the ones popping up in downtown Redmond, to establishing the brand for the Seattle Symphony’s Grammy Award-winning record label. Being a creative thinker in these industries means taking a holistic approach and putting people at the forefront of all decisions; I hope to bring this kind of thinking to the Redmond City Council. 

Dayle ("Hank") Margeson BIO

Mr. Margeson holds Position 3 seat and is being challenged by Ms. Jessica Forsythe. Margeson lost.

Hank was honored to be elected to represent his fellow residents on Redmond's City Council in November 2007 and is now serving his third term. He has represented the City at the Sound Cities Association Public Issues Committee (SCA PIC) since 2009. During his tenure he served a term as the Vice-Chair and chaired the SCA PIC Nominating Committee until 2015. In December 2017 he was reelected to represent the Northeastern King County cities on the SCA Board of Directors for another two years, where he's served on the Finance Committee and Board Nominating Committee. Hank is in his seventh year on the Puget Sound Regional Council's Growth Management Policy Board, serving as the Board's Vice President and as the SCA Caucus Chair. He was appointed as a member of the King County Regional Transit Committee in 2018 after serving two years as an alternate representative. He currently represents the City on Redmond’s Disability Board, and he has represented the City and SCA on numerous other committees and boards during his tenure as Councilmember. 

He also serves as President for the Northwest Baseball Umpires Association board and is a former president of the Eastside Timebank board. Prior to election to the City Council he served on the Parks and Trails Commission and was the Vice-Chair for the Education Hill Citizens Advisory Committee. Hank works for Liberty Mutual (Safeco) Insurance as a Senior Compliance Analyst and holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Washington State University and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma. He earned his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter designation from the Society of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters in 2003. 

Hank is married to Patti and they raised their two adult children in Redmond over the past 25 years. They recently completed adding an accessory dwelling unit onto their Education Hill home where their son, daughter-in-law and wonderful grandson now reside. He and Patti also own acreage in the Sammamish Valley where they keep their three horses. Active in local sports, he coached youth soccer, baseball, basketball and currently umpires local high school, youth and adult baseball games.

-- redmond.gov

City Council candidate Vanessa Kritzer celebrates

Elect Vanessa Kritzer for Redmond City Council:  "Yesterday, I celebrated my first mother's day with my amazing daughter and today I showed her how we make change as I filed to put my name on the ballot for the first time. We're officially on our way to bringing energetic, collaborative, and innovative leadership to the Redmond City Council!"

UPDATED: Willowmoor, Lake Sammamish - Sammamish River floodplain

A member of the task force, Susan Wilkins of Redmond said implementing either option would only reduce the lake level by 1 inch.  When Bear Creek is in a the flood stage the Sammamish River backs up reducing out-flow.  5/31/19 

The "Willowmoor transition zone" connecting Lake Sammamish to the Sammamish River is under scrutiny by environmentalists and recreational boaters.  Willow trees were planted years ago in the transition zone to provide salmon and bird habitat.  Since then, they've grown causing the outgoing water to back up, raising lake levels to the point boat docks are submerged. To compensate, the willows were cut down to lower lake levels for the boaters.  But the wildlife habitat was once again challenged.  So you see, restoration of the transition zone is complicated and has been studied for over five years.  For an enlightening, full summary of the "Willowmoor Floodplain Restoration Project "READ MORE."

Cinco De Mayo Downtown Park festivity

Three school board members are up for election - May 17th is the last day to file

If you have thoughts about running for a school board position May 17th is the last day to file.. You have to live in the District in which you want to run.  Questions?  Contact sparthemer@lwsd.org, Director of Communications and Community Engagement.

Mr. Carson, Mr. Lilabarte and Ms. Bliesners's terms end this year.

Chris Carson - DISTRICT 2  Kirkland area / West Lk. Samm. Blvd./ No. Bridal Trails (tan district color)

Christopher Carlson, Ph.D., was elected to the school board in November 2007. He is a faculty member in the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's Division of Public Health Sciences. His lab focuses on identifying correlations between genetic variation and disease risk for cancer, diabetes, and other common diseases, then identifying the biological mechanism responsible. Carlson is also an affiliate assistant professor with the University of Washington School of Public Health in the Department of Epidemiology. He holds a B.A. in molecular biology from Pomona College. His Ph.D. is in genetics from Stanford University.