NE 36th Street Bridge to Open December 15

NE 36th Street Bridge to Open December 15

Redmond, WA – The NE 36th Street Bridge will open for traffic after the grand opening ceremony to be held on Wednesday, December 15 on the south side of the bridge (NE 31st Street) beginning at 12 noon. The public is invited to join local, state, federal and business representatives in the opening celebrations.

The bridge is constructed over State Route 520 and will better connect the Overlake Neighborhood, including the Microsoft Campus. It will also help alleviate the projected population and employment growth in the Overlake area, which without the new bridge, was expected to overwhelm the existing 40th Street connection over SR 520.

Redmond PTSA "Community Digest"

MUSTANG NEWS COMMUNITY DIGEST  

TEEN NIGHT OUT AT THE SEATTLE ART MUSEUM. On Friday, December 10 from 6-10 pm, join the staff from the Old Fire House Teen Center for a field trip to the SAM for live music, art making, open mic, and tours of the museum including Picasso! E-mail Samantha Smith for more info and to reserve your spot! Location: Seattle Art Museum 1300 First Avenue / Seattle, WA 98101-2003 Fee: FREE

EASTLAKE BENEFIT FOR INVISIBLE CHILDREN. Stop by the Old Firehouse Teen Center on Friday, December 10 from 7-10 pm and join the Eastlake Invisible Children's club to benefit children in war-torn Uganda and give access to fresh drinking water, education and other basic necessities. Featuring acoustic solo artists Maryanne, Cathleen, James and bands Cage and Banquet of Heroes. Tickets: $8

CAN YOU HELP TOYS FOR TOTS? Toys for Tots will be collecting unwrapped toys for needy children on December 11th from 11:00-2:00 at the Coldwell Banker Bain at Bella Bottega. Help brighten a child's holiday season!

HOLIDAY BASH: UGLY SWEATER PARTY! On Friday, December 17th at 8 PM, come to the Old Firehouse Teen Center to celebrate the holidays in your ugliest sweater! TICKET PRICE: $7
OPEN MIC NIGHT! Saturday, December 18 at 7 pm at the Old Firehouse Teen Center. Check out the new Glee Club and Holiday sing-alongs and debut of local new talent. Don't miss this one! Tickets: FREE!

KIDSTAGE VILLAGE THEATRE. Winter classes begin in January.
EVERGREEN FAMILY THEATRE. Winter and spring classes begin in early 2011.

FACING FAMILY PROBLEMS? The Sammamish Plateau Parent Networking Group was formed to help address family concerns and challenges. This year, they are working with family coach, Bill Dean, who will design monthly workshops around parents' concerns. The group's next meeting will be held on Monday, December 13th at the Sammamish Public Library next to Sammamish City Hall at 11:30-1:30 and also at 425 East Lake Sammamish Parkway at 7:00-9:00 PM. For more information contact Cherry O'Neill.

Posted in "MUSTANG NEWS"
RHS PTSA

ALERT UPDATE: The New City Website Will Launch On December 8 With Some Twists

Attention Users of City of Redmond Website    After emailing Ms. Gronlund, City Communications Manager last night, I learned the city will launch their new site this Wednesday morning, 12/8.  Be advised, old redmond.gov Bookmarks will be lost .   Though Marta addressed Redmond Neighborhood Blog specifically, it appears Media will lose links to the new city website.  No city press release on the launch date was issued.

From: Marta Gronlund mgronlund@redmond.gov

Date: Sun, Dec 5, 2010 at 10:59 PM
Subject: RE: Focus website index page feedback
Bob:
Yes the (Winter Lights)  festival was wonderful.

Yes, the new site, while still redmond.gov to the outside world is completely different on the back end (database driven). So all links will be different - no old bookmarks will work and content is now organized functionally rather than by department. So for those who use it frequently, it will be a little frustrating for awhile.

If you have links to content on your blog now, please send them to me and I will get you the new links to the same content as soon as I have them. We launch the new site Wed. AM. (12/8)

Thanks, Marta Gronlund
City Communications Program Manager

Sent from my Windows Mobile phone   

When, and if, I receive the new website links from City Communications, I'll update RNB links. 
It's my understanding the new city website link is redmond.gov.

Redmond Neighborhood Blog (RNB) reports on Open Government and links extensively to the city website to provide proof sources for my research; and important city information RNB provides could be compromised. 

RNB is the oldest, ongoing hyper-local media site in Redmond.  A plethora of city website links going back over four years are momentarily disabled.  However, the majority of RNB readers rarely click on  links, so little will be truly lost to your reading enjoyment!  And, Redmond's repairing their end. 

OPINION and Report By Bob Yoder.

Advertising Is Ramping Up At "Evergreen Redmond Medical Plaza" and "Swedish/Redmond ER and Outpatient Center"

Shopping Cart Advertisement at Bella Bottega 

UPDATED:  For several months now Evergreen has been successfully advertising Evergreen Redmond Medical Plaza scheduled to open sometime in March of next year.  This shopping cart ad at QFC Bella Bottega  is very effective.  Have you seen these cart ads in other grocery stores?

This ad hits on four key features of Evergreen Redmond Medical Plaza:

1. Primary Care
2. ER Department
3. Specialty Care
4. Specialty Care Imaging & Lab Services

Several months ago, I attended an Evergreen Hospital Commission Meeting and listened to their marketing consultant recommend cart advertising, theatre spot ads, road signage and other ideas.  The Medical building is speaking for itself  by it's presence and attractive brick features.  Once the signage is up Redmond travelers won't miss the location for accessible, fast, comprehensive medical treatment.

One of Evergreen's competitors in Redmond is "Swedish/Redmond: ER and Outpatient Center" on Union Hill Road across from United Parcel Post.  Swedish/Redmond is celebrating their December opening with a "holiday housewarming" event on Saturday, December 18, 10-2.  Their ER Opens Dec. 21st.  Have you seen any of their advertising?  Read more....

At the Friday night Redmond Mustang boys basketball game, a light-blue "Swedish/Redmond" banner hung on the gym wall, and a full-page color "Swedish Medical Center/Redmond" ad took the program inside cover. The tag-line:  "Now there's an ER right in your neighborhood".  Were you one of the many hundreds attending "Redmond Lights" last night?  Swedish was sponsoring it and passing out hand-warmers.  Read more....

READ MORE

Mustangs Tower Over Shoreline In Exhibition Game Opener!

Redmond Mustangs win their first game of the season at home tonight!  Leslie Ellis hits a 3...

The super fans, band, cheerleaders and dance were awesome!  It's going to be fun this year!

2nd Video of  Season's First Tip-Off - SUPER FAN ACTION AND CHEERING

Videos by B.Y.

Youth Eastside Services (YES) Counselor Describes Drug Trends

On Saturday, November 20, some 45 people gathered at YES for a workshop on Drug Awareness and Prevention. "The best prevention is being involved with your kid and educated about what drugs they may come across," said Noble Erickson, a substance abuse counselor at YES and the workshop leader. "It's equally important to let your kids know you won't tolerate alcohol or substance abuse of any kind and set clear consequences," she added.

Following are some drug trends Noble shared at the class:  Read more...

Read More >>

LW District Students Selected for All-State Honor Music Ensembles

String Jam at Juanita High - violinists

District Students Selected for All-State Honor Music Ensembles

Fifty-seven district students have been selected by taped audition for this year’s All-State and All-Northwest honor music ensembles. Twenty-one students were selected for All-Northwest music ensembles, and 36 were selected as All-State music ensemble members.  Read the list of student honorees...

READ MORE >>

Safe School Buses

Lake Washington District School Buses Are Safe

Congratulations to our District Bus Technicians Trini Vigil, Mike Kurtz, David Philips, Tracy Wolgamott, Ben Hiller and Tom Spellman, shop supervisor, for an excellent job during our annual surprise inspection. Washington State Patrol arrived unannounced November 16 to inspect 25 percent of the district’s school buses.
 
Inspections statewide for the current year list 8.5 percent of buses as out of service, our team had 0 percent – meaning no out of service buses. This team rarely has the opportunity to interact directly with students, however, they work daily to ensure every student, staff and driver on a Lake Washington school bus has the safest possible ride to and from school and activities. Thank you, technicians!  -  LWSD release.

Finance Chair Hank Margeson Explains Why "Budgeting by Priorities" Works

I have a high very high opinion of Hank Margeson:  Councilmember Hank Margeson is presently Chair of the Public Administration and Finance Committee, with councilmembers Hank Myers and Kim Allen.  Hank presided in over 10 Budget meetings, and three Hearings.  In 2008 - 2009  Margeson Chaired the challenging Planning & Public Works Committee.  In addition, Hank holds the prestigious position as the city's Suburban Cities representative.  Hank lives with his wife Patti and their family on Education Hill, works full time in the insurance business, "lives to umpire!", and occasionally joins the Mayor and Parks & Trails Chair in a ball game.   Hank's letter is written in response to an email about the budget's cost-of-living adjustment.  Bob Yoder 

Finance Chair Hank Margeson

Dear Bob,

Thank you for your continued interest in the Budgeting for Outcomes (or Budgeting by Priorities) process. During the process of reviewing each of the citizen's priorities it was clear that in spite of challenging economic times, the City of Redmond's process was working. First, the budget offers were well prepared with an improved level of detail that enabled the results teams to rank offers. Second, the leadership team made some very difficult decisions while staying focused on the outcomes provided by each offer. The key to the BP process is to look for an outcome and then select or scale an offer to achieve the desired outcome.

Every budget offer was reviewed for scalability and where appropriate the offer was reduced to ensure a balanced budget was presented to Council. I can't say enough about how difficult this was as each department had positions eliminated. Read more....
READ MORE

A Random Act of Kindness Is Witnessed At The Redmond Family Pancake House

In these austere economic times, kudos goes out to a random act of kindness we witnessed while eating  at the Redmond Family Pancake House.  An unidentified couple out of the blue, randomly paid for the dinners of two families!  When's the last time you've witnessed kindness like this? - Pam Yoder

2.5M Kinect units sold in 25 days, By John Cook

Microsoft Blog/John Cook

 2.5M Kinect units sold in 25 days

 Microsoft may just have a holiday hit on its hands -- and it is called Kinect. The company announced today that the Xbox 360 accessory, which allows users to control game play through body motion and voice commands, has sold more than 2.5 million units since its launch 25 days ago.

That's a pretty good start, with the company reaffirming in today's press release that it is on track to hit the holiday goal of five million units sold. In fact, Marshall Kirkpatrick at ReadWriteWeb notes that it took Apple twice as long (two months) to sell two million iPads.    Read More. ...

By John Cook
Microsoft Blog, 11/29

Redmond Historical Society (RHS) is approaching 100 meetings

RHS Past President Judy Lang & Current President, ex-Mayor Chris Himes (right)

“Did you know that we are approaching 100 general meetings,” our website guru Richard Morris asks?  He
knows because thanks to Nao Hardy’s work we have an online list of meetings showing who spoke at each one and when.  To find the list go to http://www.redmondhistoricalsociety.org/

By Miguel Llanos
Editor, Redmond Historical Society Newsletter

Richard Morris is my neighbor and the original contributor to Redmond Neighborhood Blog (RNB).  You can find his stories and posts here.  B. Yoder

Ex-Mayor Chris Himes spoke at the August 6 "First Friday Coffee Chat" sponsored by the Senior Center.  Read the Redmond Reporter article on Mayor Himes talk.  B. Yoder

RHS Founder Naomi Hardy "Redmond Reflections - from settlers to software"  is available on Amazon, the library, and all local bookstores.  B. Yoder

UPDATED: Redmond Council To Hold Special Meeting on Budget

President Richard Cole (3rd from left)

UPDATED:  This evening, 11/30,  the Mayor is asking Council to review and possibly vote on the proposed budget and the Tax and Fee increases that are budgeted for the next two years (2011 -2012).  You may comment by email.


 PROPOSED TAX AND FEE INCREASES:
>  1% assessed property tax increase of $291,777
>  $2,980,533 Salary, Wages, Benefits increase includes 1% ($680,015) cost-of-living increase.
> 10% Water Rate increase for city
> 14% Water Rate increase for Novelty Hill Service Area
> 28% Wastewater Rate increase for Novelty Hill Service Area (2011 only)
> 4% Wastewater Rate increase for city.
> $240,000 Business License Fee increase (BITI)
> Stormwater Capital Impervious Unit Charges increase to: $8,539 (Overlake) and $5,435 (Downtown)
> Stormwater Capital Impervious Unit Charge for developers increase to $958/unit.
> Impact Fees on LWSD and private developers 1.64% (FIRE), 1.24% (PARKS)
> 50% reduction in the Flower Pot Program (open for reconsideration tomorrow)  Read More.

READ MORE >>

PTSA Community Digest

COMMUNITY DIGEST, Compliments of RHS PTSA "Mustang Weekly"

REDMOND LIGHTS. City Hall Plaza, Redmond Town Center, and the Sammamish River Trail will be alight with luminaries and decorations on Saturday, December 4th for Redmond Lights.

EASTSIDE SYMPHONY HOLIDAY CONCERT. The Eastside Symphony's Holiday Concert - featuring two local youth soloists - will be held on Sunday, December 5th at 3:00 PM at the RHS PAC.

CAN YOU HELP TOYS FOR TOTS? Toys for Tots will be collecting unwrapped toys for needy children on December 11th from 11:00-2:00 at the Coldwell Banker Bain at Bella Bottega. Help brighten a child's holiday season!

HOLIDAY BASH: UGLY SWEATER PARTY! On Friday, December 17th at 8 PM, come to the Old Firehouse Teen Center to celebrate the holidays in your ugliest sweater! TICKET PRICE: $7

BOYS' RUGBY! The Eastside Lions Youth Rugby season begins in January! Rugby is a safe, exciting, fun sport that will challenge athletes both mentally and physically. We provide opportunities for kids, ages 7-18 via our mini's (u12), u14, u16 and u19 teams. Sign up today! Be a part of the Lions family and become Rugby Strong. Our season runs from January to May. Practice begins Tuesday, January 12th. Questions? Contact Josh Young.

-RHS PTSA MUSTANG WEEKLY

Mayor's Vision Is To Ensure Redmond Becomes A Complete City

Letter from  the Mayor

"As the summer comes to a close and our thoughts turn to fall, here at the City we are preparing for our biennial budget review with the City Council. While economic times are tight, I am pleased to report that we have worked hard to manage our current budget within available resources. Looking ahead to the FY 11-12 budget, as your Mayor, I remain committed to delivering a budget which continues to focus on citizen service priorities in the most cost-effective and efficient manner possible.

In October I submitted my second budget to the City Council for review and approval. I cannot help but to reflect upon the first budget and all that the City has accomplished in the past two years.  Read more...

READ MORE >>

Think Redmond, Go Local, Buy Local!

  "FOR EVERY $100 SPENT AT A LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS, $68.00 RETURNS TO THE COMMMUNITY!" -"Civic Economics"

Don't forget Small Business Saturday!


Interview with Chris Hoffmann, CEO & President, Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce  
by InfusionRE


NEWS FLASH:   LWSD Dr. Chip Kimball has joined the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees

Redmond Neighbor Plays in Snow

Education Hill Neighbor playing in the snow, 12/23/08

UPDATED EDITORIAL: City Staff Reins In Council on Salary Decisions.

UPDATED EDITORIAL ON 11/29:  One thing I've learned about city council is their dependence on staff  for the information they need.  The influence staff  has over Council can make a councillor's job run smoothly and with respect, or run rough.

So, it doesn't take a new councillor long  to accept the bridle on salary decisions.  (66% of the general operating fund pays for Staff compensation expenditures)

READ MORE >>

UPDATED: The Public Needs Fair Notice of Evergreen's Budget Hearings

EDITORIAL:   Evergreen Hospital held a Public Budget Hearing on November 12 and only one citizen showed up for it.

Could it be just apathy, or something else?

READ MORE >>

Joyce Teshima recognized as regional distinguished principal

Redmond Elementary is a proud recipient of the Washington Achievement Award as a top performing school in the category of Overall Excellence. This spring, four teacher representatives and I attended the Washington Achievement Awards Ceremony to be honored by the state. Superintendent Dr. Kimball proudly joined the schools in LWSD that received the award on the stage. It was a very memorable moment for us all!  - Joyce Teshima, Prinipal

Joyce Teshima recognized as regional distinguished principal

Joyce Teshima, the principal at Redmond Elementary, was honored by the Elementary School Principals’ Association of Washington with a regional Distinguished Principal award. This award is presented to principals as a tribute to their deep and professional commitment to the children of their school. Additionally, it represents the pride and admiration of their colleagues for efforts in promoting positive school-community relations, for implementing instructional programs leading to academic excellence, and for active participation in strengthening local, state and national professional principals’ associations. Joyce was one of 18 principals selected for regional awards around the state. She represents the East King region. Joyce will now be considered as a candidate for the statewide award. Joyce received the award at her school on November 10.

LWSD Press Release
Redmond El website

"Redmond Citizen Corps Council" bundles city emergency preparedness services

Visit the new Redmond Citizen Corps Council (RCCC) site!

With the November winds, downpours and flooding already upon us, thoughts are turning to "emergency preparedness" for our families, neighbors, and businesses.

During this week's Council meeting, a citizen asked Council for assurances that fire department resources would be secure for the "Community Emergency Response Team" (C.E.R.T.) program.  In addition, during yesterday's Redmond Chamber of Commerce Meeting, Evergreen CEO Bob Malte announced an Evegreen Hospital  "emergency preparedness" program.

The city works with the "Redmond Citizen Corps Council" (RCCC) to bundle emergency services under the RCCC website.   RCCC's mission is:

"to harness the power of every individual through education, training and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to the threats of terrorism, crime, public health issues and disasters of all kinds."

The Redmond Citizen Corps Council (RCCC) creates the following emergency response volunteer opportunities:

• C.E.R.T. training - contact Janeen Olson for the next class at jrolson@redmond.gov 
• Neighborhood Watch and Mapping - contact Police Community Laison Jim Bove, jbove@redmond.gov 
• V.P.S - Volunteers for Police Service - Substation Volunteers at the Redmond Town Center are needed.  Contact:  nrogers@redmond.gov  
• A.R.E.S - Amateur Radio Emergency Services.  Contact Jim Oates, 425-417-5864
• C.O.A.D. - Community Organizations Active in Disaster, 425-556-2251

Visit the R.C.C.C. website for details and updates.

By Bob Yoder
RCCC website source:  Brian Dennis
Special thanks to neighbor Brian Dennis for announcing the RCCC website at the Council meeting.

"Artists In Residence"



Redmond Skate Park Graffiti Wall Art

 "Artists in Residence" 

LETTER: Citizen Petitions U.S. Transportation Board to Reconnect 'Redmond Spur' to National Rail System.

Redmond Spur Trestle - Sammamish River

Redmond Spur Slide Show  

The following letter was mailed by Redmond Resident Ernest F. Wilson, PLS to the U.S. Surface Transportation BOARD, Washington, DC. on October 20, 2010  (It does not necessarily represent the views of RNB)

"As a citizen of Redmond, Washington, I am very much in favor of immediate reactivation of the so-called 'Redmond Spur' rail line, along with the related and connected portion of the “Woodinville Subdivision” rail line.

At present, the former BNSF Issaquah Branch (aka Redmond Spur) line is inactive. However, the roadbed and rail are still intact all the way from Woodinville south through downtown Redmond to its intersection with Washington highway SR 520 on the easterly side of Redmond. This remaining rail line provides the opportunity for Redmond and the adjacent unincorporated area to once again be connected to the national rail system. The potential economic and environmental benefit from this connection is nearly incalculable. On the other hand, the value of the alternative use, i.e., additional trails within Redmond, is minimal. Nonetheless, shared use of some of the right-of-way may be feasible. I see three major potential benefits to reactivation of this rail line.

READ MORE (below) >>

Bek Wiltbank, LWSD Occupational Therapist, Offering Autism Spectrum Workshops.

from the desk of Julie Shalaby, Chair, LWSD PTSA Special Needs

Autism Spectrum Disorders - def.

*The Magical One: Therapy for Kids*
Bek Wiltbank
Kenmore, WA (near Bothell Way)
206-391-6721
themagicalones@fastmail.fm
http://themagicalones.com/home.html

At the magical ones, we offer pediatric therapy services, including: sensory integration, fine and gross motor therapy, cranio sacral therapy (Insurance billing is available). Bek Wiltbank is an Occupational Therapist, and has worked with special needs kids for 8 years. She has particular interest and skills with kids with sensory differences. Currently, she is a therapist in the Lake Washington School District, in the K-1 school integration program for kids on the Autism Spectrum. Bek's philosophy that acceptance and love are the foundation for growth has allowed her to have many warm and successful relationships with all kinds of special needs children, and their parents. She has a passion for sharing her knowledge and skills with parents and educators, so that the children can have joyful childhoods steeped in learning.

Workshops
*Understanding Special Education Assessments*
Seattle University School of Law is presenting a half-day training on“Understanding Special Education Assessments”

Saturday, November 20, 2010
9:00 am-12:00 pm
The trainer is Wendy B. Marlowe, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, a board certified clinical neuropsychologist

Windows Phone 7 outlasts iPhone, Android ... on a BBQ

Windows Phone 7 outlasts iPhone, Android ... on a BBQ:



"Not sure if this will factor into anyone's purchasing decisions, but it looks like Windows Phone 7 is the smartphone for you -- at least if you have a habit of leaving your smartphone unattended on a flaming grill.

EZ Grill, a Bellevue-based disposable BBQ company, worked with Seattle-based social media agency Banyan Branch to pit a new HTC Surround, running the Microsoft operating system, against the Android G2 and iPhone 4 in a test of endurance on the grill. As you can see in the video above, Windows Phone won easily.

No doubt this will soon be added to the list of official specs, right next to battery life.

By Todd Bishop
Tech Flash

Editor's Note:  This post was picked up by KIRO 7 on their "Daily Double Shot" to fun and interesting links.

Redmond Pool is Open for Swimming!

The Redmond Pool is Open for Swimming!

Redmond Pool is Open for Swimming

The Redmond Pool at Hartman Park is open for swimming according to Tyson Wellock of WAVE Aquatics, the City's pool operator.

The pool has been filled with water, all the systems are restarted and pool chemicals balanced.
WAVE Aquatic's first priority is to begin lap swimming and the Swim Teams. Following that will be a variety of programs for the community. WAVE is very familiar with community pools and currently operates the Juanita Pool.

Residents are encouraged to call WAVE directly for updates. The number is 425-883-4422. For additional information, visit http://www.waveaquatics.org/.

By Bob Yoder
Sources:  COR and WAVE websites
Photo:  WAVE website, 11/14

Evergreen Hospital CEO to speak at Redmond Chamber Luncheon this week

"Greater Redmond Chamber Membership Luncheon"

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

at Matts' Rotisserie - Redmond Town Center

11:30 to 1:00 pm

Presentation by Robert Malte, CEO of Evergreen Medical Center

“Exceptional Care Close to Home”

Bob will share stories about Evergreen’s commitment to quality, safety, improved access and present an overview of Evergreen’s future plans for growth and how Evergreen Healthcare will be taking a leading role in healthcare reform in our own community.

 Evergreen CEO Bob Malte

Robert (Bob) Malte was named Evergreen's Chief Executive Officer in April 2010, and is responsible for  oversight and direction of all aspects of Evergreen Hospital's operations.

Malte most recently was president and CEO at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Prior to that he served as senior vice president at ThedaCare and COO at Touchpoint Health Plan in Appleton, Wisconsin. He earned a Master of Business Administration at The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business in 1982 and bachelors degree in economics at Ripon College in Wisconsin.

To get to know Mr. Malte now.... read this excellent 'Kirkland Reporter" interview!

RSVP to Carla:  carlaj@redmondchamber.org
$30 Members $40 non-Members
425-885-4014

Payment accepted at the door by cash, check or credit card.

Time: 11:30 to 1:00 pm
Location: Matts' Rotisserie
16551 NE 74th Street
Redmond WA 98052

Source:  Redmond Chamber of Commerce website
Photo from Woodinville Weekly, 6/28/2010

Will The Evergreen Hospital Commission Allocate Levy-Dollars for Obesity?

OPINION:  Updated: Ms. Michaela Jellicoe clarified, King County Public Health, did not submitt this information on obesity in response to a story on the Evergreen Hospital Property Tax Levy.  Obesity in youth contributes to high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes, and tooth decay. Each year, King County spends $500 million for costs related to obesity.  It's hopeful the Evergreen Commission will acknowledge a need for community care and awareness of this chronic condition with levy-dollar funding.



Thanksgiving and the December holidays are fast-approaching. During the holiday season, kids and grown-ups typically consume more candy and desserts. Many parents are concerned about how many sweets their children may eat in the upcoming months.

Few parents realize that, in addition to baked goods and candy, sugar-loaded beverages such as soda, sports beverages, energy drinks and sweetened fruit drinks also pose hidden health risks for kids. These risks include contributing to being overweight or obese, Type 2 diabetes, tooth decay and high blood pressure.

Children who drink two or more sugar-loaded beverages a day are more likely to be overweight than kids who consume healthier alternatives such as low-fat milk or water. A 20-ounce bottle of soda has more than 15 teaspoons of sugar and 240 calories. It is no wonder that one in three children in middle and high school locally is overweight or obese — and the number is growing.

Over the years, sugar-loaded beverages have become easily available to kids. Since the mid-1990s, the consumption of sugared beverages for 2-18 year olds has surpassed milk — putting youth at risk for osteoporosis and brittle bones. Each year, King County spends $500 million for costs related to obesity.

Opinion by Bob Yoder
Michaela Jellicoe
on Behalf of Public Health – Seattle & King County
(206) 462-6385

Dr. Chip Kimball responds to criticism of Kirkland school modernization scheduling

Superintendent Chip Kimball

UPDATED  (Read More)

To the Editor:

Last week Matt Gregory wrote a letter to the editor regarding Lake Washington School District plans to place a capital projects levy on the February ballot, and specifically criticized intentions related to Juanita High School. Unfortunately his letter failed to address the overcrowding problem in the district, did not accurately reflect the community feedback solicited by the board, and failed to mention the significant investment Lake Washington has made, and continues to make, in Kirkland schools.

Lake Washington serves over 24,000 students across 50 schools in 4 municipalities. The school board and district leadership work very hard to ensure that EVERY part of the LWSD community receives a high quality education with up to date facilities. At any given time some facilities are older than others. But over time, all parts of the district are served, and all parts of the community are needed to support that service.

Lake Washington has in place a long term plan to modernize every school in the district by 2030. All schools have been evaluated and were placed into one of four phases based on their condition. Out of the 22 schools either modernized in the first phase (1998-2006) or in the process of being modernized in the second phase (2006-2014), sixteen (16) were in Kirkland or the annexation area. These decisions were made by an objective evaluation of facility condition. Almost three quarters of the over $600 million in construction projects since 1998 are in Kirkland. Turn our back on Kirkland….Not a chance!

Read More >>

Tom Hardy, Redmond city's stream specialist leads citizens on Willows Creek tour

Tom explains woody debris placement on Willows Creek 

 "These photos were taken on Monday during a hike up Willows Creek, that was conducted by Redmond City stream specialist Tom Hardy.  The aim was to learn how water flow in the creek has been restored to a more natural state by careful placement of logs and other natural materials in the stream bed."

Full story with more photos by John Reinke, Bob Yoder, and Tom Hardy will be published soon.

  

Narrative and photos by John Reinke
Redmond neighbor