Microsoft's Bing took a 30% share of U.S. Web search market in March

Microsoft's Bing took a 30% share of U.S. Web search market in March Technology Los Angeles Times:

"Bing, last month, elbowed its way to a 30% share of the U.S. Web search market, stealing a bit of ground from Google. In March, Bing accounted for 30.01% of the search market, while Google -- still far and away the leader -- took up 64.42% of the market, according to the research firm Experian Hitwise.

Microsoft topping the 30% threshold comes on the heels of a healthy February of 28.48% of the search market. In February, Google had a 66.69% slice of Web search. Bing may have a slight advantage in that it powers Yahoo's search results.

Bing.com searches jumped from 13.49% to 14.32% of the search market in March, while searches at Yahoo.com rose from 14.99% to 15.69%. The traffic increases for Bing, which apparently cost Google a bit, come after Google accused Bing of copying its search results in February. But it would also seem that there is still much room to grow in the search market too. In December, Google said its search traffic from mobile devices rose by 130%."

Los Angeles Times, April 12, 2011
Technology

Lane Closure on Redmond Way For Three Weeks

Redmond, WA – On Monday, April 18, the eastbound curb lane on Redmond Way between Bear Creek Parkway and 160th Avenue NE (from the KFC driveway to the US Health Works driveway) will close for an estimated three weeks. This closure is necessary to facilitate the lowering of an existing Frontier Communications fiber duct bank in preparation for the City of Redmond’s summer construction of a major storm water trunk line.

The work, performed by North Sky Communications, will take place from 7 am to 7 pm weekdays and Saturdays. The lane will remain closed both day and night.

During the construction period, only one lane will be available on Redmond Way for eastbound motorists. Message boards are in place on Redmond Way in advance of the work zone to alert drivers of the upcoming work. Once the work begins, the boards will advise eastbound drivers to use Bear Creek Parkway as an alternate route.

Drivers are advised to exercise caution and patience through the work zone and take alternative routes when possible.

For more information, contact the City’s construction office at 425-556-2723.

Hazardous Fuel Pipeline near Rose Hill Junior High is Patrolled Every Three Weeks

underground pipeline (Internet)

UPDATED:  Safety of  the Olympic fuel pipeline running  the eastern boundary of Rose Hill Junior High came up during two Rose Hill JH "modernization" meetings this month.  The meetings were self-guided "poster sessions" and unadvertised on the district website.  Grayling Gentry, a resident living on the southern boundary of the school posted several Letters on this blog detailing her concerns with the pipeline. In 2012, Rose Hill Junior is scheduled for "modernization" (tear-down and rebuild); the pipeline is several hundred feet from the school.  Rumors circulated around who had jurisdiction for monitoring pipeline safety.

On April 6, State Rep. Deborah Eddy (whose children attended Rose Hill JH) advised  by email, "the UTC (Utilities Transportation Commission) oversees the safety program ...the UTC is funded by industry so is not dependent on State funding."

Kathryn Reith, District Communications Director attended both Rose Hill  meetings.  She said:  "Redmond has one of the toughest pipeline safety ordinances in the state," referencing to a City of Redmond code (Ord. 2137), signed by Mayor Ives in 2002.  Reith made no reference to the Washington State UTC agency responsible for monitoring pipeline safety. 
Steve Fischer, Principal Planner for the City of Redmond, manages final permit review for the project and will eventually hold a Public Hearing where pipeline safety, wildlife, tree preservation, floor plans and other project issues can be addressed.  Steve attended both school meetings.  He said he'd meet with  Olympic Pipeline this week to review site safety measures.  Mr. Fischer said the Olympic Pipeline isn't required to follow the city's recommendations. 

So, which agency has the over-arching jurisdiction?   What are the safety requirements?

On April 8, I emailed Joe Subsits, Executive Director of the State UTC for an explanation.   Mr. Subsits replied, saying:   (read more >>)

Lake Sammamish outlasts Ballard in girls lacrosse

Lake Sammamish outlasts Ballard in girls lacrosse

REDMOND – Marlena Masterleo scored with 3:33 remaining in the second half to break a 12-12 tie with Ballard, giving Lake Sammamish a 15 – 12 girls high school lacrosse win, Friday at Marymoor Park in Redmond. The win evened Lake Sammamish’s record to 2-2-0 on the season.   They play at Marymoor again,  April 11 vs. No. Kitsap.    Read More >>

Lake Sammamish Girls plays Overlake 4/20, 5:45 at Overlake.

Lake Washington drops Puyallup for 3rd lacrosse win

Lake Washington takes shot at goal

Lake Washington drops Puyallup for 3rd lacrosse win
April 6

SUMNER – Cody and Jake Bernstein combined for 7 goals to lead Lake Washington to its third win of the season with a 14 – 5 high school lacrosse defeat of Puyallup, Wednesday at Sumner High School.

Lake Washington and Puyallup left the first knotted at 3 goals apiece before the Kangs broke loose with 4 second quarter goals to take a 7 – 3 advantage into the intermission. In the third the Kangs added another 4 goals and sealed the win with 3 fourth quarter goals.  Read More >>

Recycle your computers, printers, TV's, VCR's, phones for FREE in Redmond!

City signage behind Redmond Inn
guides traffic to MITRONICS

REPUBLISHED, 4/5.  It's amazing how old, unused electronic stuff can accumulate. It  takes up space and needs to go!  But where?   I found three recycling services in greater Redmond that will recycle electronics for free, and one from your curb!

Waste Management takes TV's up to 21 inches, monitors, and computers right from the curb!  You must call them for a free curbside pick-up appointment.  800-592-9995.  They also pick up microwaves, PDA's, cell phones, and VCR/DVD's at the curb!

Mitronics of Redmond recycles all sizes of TV's, laptops, desktops,and monitors for free.  No curbside pick-up.  They erase your disc drive for free, too!   They take keyboards and mice with a computer and charge $5.00 for small printers and $1.00 for phones.  Drop off at:  17455 NE 67th Court, in the business park adjacent east Marymoor Park.  Look for the city way-finding signs.  Phone:  425-883-8881.

Read More >>

OPINION: Certified ISO auditor is flabbergasted by LW School District remodernization practices

"Certified ISO auditor is flabbergasted by remodernization practices of LW School District," By Grayling Gentry

OPINION:  For the purpose of public safety, the FDA holds medical device manufacturers accountable for each tiniest component of every device, conducts surprise on-site audits, and requires thorough double-checking of every conceivable aspect of the equipment through mandatory validation processes conducted by outside auditors such as UL.

But who is checking our school districts' legal output?  I am. And that's just not right.

As a certified ISO auditor and regulatory affairs coordinator, I am flabbergasted the more I learn about LWSD's sloppy regulatory submissions, lack of legal compliance, and its casual accounting practices. Older schools such as Rose Hill have been allowed to deteriorate, and have been left to operate with original 1960s HVAC systems, filthy duct work and leaky roofs despite district access to over $2.5 in maintenance funds.

New schools cost taxpayers up to four times more than the national average. Board members entrust building site evaluation to contractors, approve massive projects after simply reading high-level summaries, and write checks for millions to fulfill change orders without conducting significant, in-depth investigations of chronic overrun causes and conditions. But hey, when you're in the business of cranking out new $50 to $150 million schools every 12-15 months and are on an avowed mission to tear down every school in the district every 40 years, who has time to sweat the details?

One district oversight, such as "neglecting to mention" two enormous, highly pressurized and potentially deadly aviation fuel and gasoline pipelines in an environmental assessment, can do enormous damage -- not only to the health, safety and happiness of thousands of people, but to the district's image of credibility and trustworthiness. Add to this error all of the other "oversights" in the STEM SEPA/DNS debacle and you have serious red flags that should have state auditors' eyebrows raised. But it doesn't. Because nobody in government dares mess with education: the most sacred of all cash cows.  Read More >>

Microsoft’s weighting on Nasdaq-100 to rise, Apple to slip

Microsoft’s weighting on Nasdaq-100 to rise, Apple to slip

Nasdaq-100 weighting of four local stocks have changed when Apple weighting was reduced by 8.16%, from 20.49% to 12.33%. 

Microsoft’s representation on Nasdaq-100 will more than double, rising to 8.3 percent from 3.4 percent.

The four local stocks:

• Microsoft's new weighting is increased 4.91% from 3.41% to 8.32%
• Google's new weighting increased 1.59%
• Starbucks new weighting decreased by 0.79%
• Costco's new weighting increased by 0.47%

The new listing will better reflect the market value of Microsoft and other companies, according to Nasdaq.

For a complete story By Greg Lamm of Todd Bishop's TechFlash  go here:
 
Bob Yoder
Internet photo

Astronaut Dr. Bonnie Dunbar to Keynote LW Schools Foundation luncheon

Dr. Bonnie Dunbar
Astronaut

Redmond, WA. The Lake Washington Schools Foundation is pleased to announce that Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar will be the keynote speaker at the Foundation’s annual A Legacy for Learning Luncheon, which will take place on April 20 at Juanita High School, 10601 NE 132nd St., Kirkland. Doors open at 11 a.m., and the program starts at 11:30 a.m. and ends promptly at 12:30. Lunch is complimentary; there is a suggested minimum donation of $150. To register, or for more information, go to www.lwsf.org or call 425-936-1414.

Keynote speaker Dr. Dunbar recently retired as the President and CEO of the Museum of Flight. She is a veteran astronaut with five space missions and is currently Executive Director of Wings over Washington (an affiliate organization of the Museum of Flight dedicated to future development of the museum). A local University of Washington College of Engineering graduate, Dr. Dunbar will speak about her passion for education, especially science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).  Read More >>

LWSD Administration is well aware of the petroleum pipeline running on proposed Rose Hill JH border, By Kathryn Reith, LWSD

Meeting information:   A second  STEM School Hearing is scheduled for mid-April at Alcott El.   Please know the STEM Hearing will be taped and recorded as required by law and is available upon request.   BY

LWSD Administration is well aware of the petroleum pipeline running on proposed Rose Hill JH border, By Kathryn Reith, Communications Director, LWSD

LETTER:  Lake Washington School District and the City of Redmond are well aware of the ordinance around the petroleum pipeline referenced by Ms. Gentry and are working together to ensure student and staff safety in the new school building. Let me provide some additional background as well as the actions being taken.

In 1964, the petroleum pipeline operated by the Olympic Pipeline Company was installed near the east property line of the school property. The Rose Hill Junior High School building was constructed in 1969 near the west property line. The school has operated continuously since construction without any interference between operation of the pipeline and operation of the school.

In 2002, the City of Redmond enacted ordinance number 2136 related to the pipeline and land use permitting. The City of Redmond has indicated that the modernization of Rose Hill, as an existing facility near the pipeline, will be subject to that section of the code requiring that the new building “shall at a minimum be designed to avoid increasing the level of risk in the event of a pipeline failure, and where feasible, reduce the risk.”

LETTER: STEM School plans raise questions, By Grayling Gentry

LETTER:   Sadly, I am not surprised that LWSD would try to build outside the GMA boundaries, ignore traffic and carbon issues, pass off a hastily conceived plan for a science center with no labs, or sacrifice acres of forest to development of a "school" lacking auditorium, gym, cafeteria or library. The mantra is "less is more" where services and amenities in new schools are concerned -- but that chant changes when it comes to money.

Taxpayers in this district are paying up to four times the national average for throw-away schools that the district promises to tear down in just 40 years (please don't let them near my solid, properly maintained mid-70s house!). Planned obsolescence of schools serves only the special interests -- who greedily line the public funding troughs nationwide, sucking down billions of dollars that voters intended to go towards children's educational causes through approval of bonds and levies. We said help the children, not "Help yourselves"!

What is shocking, is that any credible logistics analyst would approve a critical educational sub-system that wastes thousands of collective student-hours annually. Survey upon survey show that high school kids face increasing pressure due to overly busy extra-curricular schedules and ever-heavier school workloads. The answer cannot be to force them to take up to four bus rides per day. Ridiculous.

Opinion By Grayling Gentry
LWSD parent and volunteer

Lake Washington School District Director Reith explains issues around the STEM School

Lake Washington School District Communications Director Kathryn Reith says on April 4th.... 

I appreciate Ms. Wilkins’ interest in and concern about the proposed STEM school building. Unfortunately, she made some conclusions based on the traffic study we provided to her that are not correct. First, the district has no plans to further develop the site. Second, the educational program for the STEM school has not yet been determined. The possible scenario she reports was provided to the traffic consultant since it would create the most traffic to the site: that’s what a traffic impact statement should consider. Again, no decision regarding the STEM school academic program has been made.

I invite any community member or parent who is interested in this proposed building to attend the hearing at Alcott Elementary School on Tuesday, April 5. While the hearing will begin at 6 p.m., district staff will be available beginning at 5:30 p.m. to answer questions and will have site plans on display.
 
By Kathryn Reith
Communications Director, LWSD
April 4

Response by Susan Wilkins
 - District parent, PTSA member, volunteer:

"Kathryn Reith says that the district has no additional plans to develop the site? Well, in 2001, the district had plans to put a junior high on the site and had every square foot of the property covered by buildings, fields and parking. The district’s 6-Year Capital Facilities Plan 2010-2015 on page 14 says that all new schools will be built with plans to add portables as needed. The idea that the district can use only 7 acres of the 22-acre site and set aside 15 acres for “permanent conservation” isn’t believable or even allowed by a public agency. The property is listed as being held for the district’s “long term needs.” There is no doubt that the site will be fully developed over time".

Read More >>

LETTER: BP/Arco Fuel Line Runs the Border of Proposed Rose Hill JH School

Underground pipeline

By Grayling Gentry, district parent

LETTER:  Here is a brief article that I hope you might consider publishing at redmondblog.org, preferably before the Tuesday [and Wednesday night] public input meeting at Rose Hill Junior High.  (4/5 and 4/6, 7:00 PM)

According to City of Redmond Ordinance 2136, signed into law in 2002 in the wake of the Bellingham pipeline tragedy, the Rose Hill Junior High acreage may not be a suitable site for any school, modernized or not. The school property is home to the Olympic (now BP/Arco) hazardous fuel pipeline, which runs north to south along its eastern boundary. This defines Rose Hill Junior High as a "high consequence use," which is another way to say that risk of injury and death to quite a few people would be imminent in the event of a pipeline breach.

Consisting of 16" and 20" diameter steel pipes of .281" thickness that lie 30" to 40" underground, the pipeline was built in 1965 -- just three years before the school. It is now 46 years old and has gone through the Nisqually earthquake and possibly other stress-producing events. How safe is it? PSE in 2010 agreed to replace its 1970s-era steel natural gas pipelines after a fatal explosion in a Bellevue residence resulted from gas leakage due to pipe corrosion. The Rose Hill Junior High pipeline, an extension of that fateful Bellingham line, carries diesel, aviation fuel (kerosene) and gasoline at pressures up to 1440 psi. Without physically examining the pipes, there is no way to know how they are holding up.

City of Redmond's stated purpose in enacting this ordinance is to "avoid exposing land uses with high on-site populations that are difficult to evacuate and land uses that serve emergency functions to risk of injury or damage in the event of a pipeline failure." Among other responsibilities, the ordinance charges the city with holding community safety meetings every two years, but none has been offered in the 22 years I have lived in my home, just a few hundred feet from the pipeline. By putting the new school closer to the pipeline and increasing its population from 438 to 900 (plus an additional 80 staff), City of Redmond is ignoring its own law and allowing LWSD to put the lives of countless children and staff at increased risk.  Read More >>

OPINION: LW School District: Important Information about the New Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) School

IMPORTANT REMINDER:   If  you're watching the NCAA Basketball Finals but still want to attend, please tape the games send Sup. Chip Kimball an email with your comments, name and address ckimball@lwsd.org.
  

 
View Larger Map Get Directions View Bird's Eye
Map to Alcott Elementary School

OPINION:  Lake Washington School District: Important Information about the New Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) School, By Susan Wilkins

STEM School Public Hearing: Tuesday, April 5th - 6 PM at Alcott Elementary – 4213 228th Avenue NE  (see map)

Parents have been asking about the new STEM high school that was approved by voters in the February 8 election earlier this year. Superintendent Chip Kimball has responded that a lot of the plans have not been decided and will be announced later. The public hearing for the STEM high school will be held on Tuesday, April 5. In order to apply for a building permit from King County, the school district was required to submit plans for the building and a traffic analysis to indicate how the school will be run and how disruptive it will be on the rural community. The most interesting information about the school came from the traffic report.

Most notable - the new school will not have a gymnasium or lunchroom because students will be double-shifted and will only attend for half of each day. The target attendance for the school is 675 students per session (although each session could have up to 825 students.) There will be a morning session from 7:00 – 10:30 AM followed by an afternoon session from 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM. A total of 1300 students are supposed to attend the school each day when it opens in 2012. Students in the morning session will return to their home high school for lunch, Language Arts, History, PE, foreign languages, Art, Music and other electives. The afternoon session will arrive at the STEM high school by 11:30 AM after spending the morning at their home high school. It’s not clear which school the students will receive their diplomas from. What is clear is that the STEM School will not be a full-day regular high school because it is not equipped with adequate facilities or classroom space for students to attend all day.  Read More >>

REPUBLISHED: Plan for a bumpy ride to the new US Post parcel pick-up site

Republished, 12/31/11

Need to pick up your mail on-hold from vacation?  An over-sized package?  Certified, returned-receipt letter?  Don't go to the existing post office for these parcel pick-ups; it's a wasted trip.  GO TO:  7241 185th Ave NE, Redmond, WA.  This address is to the US Post's large E. King County Delivery Distribution Center.  (See map).  PHONE:  425-885-0207.  I highly recommend you call first to locate your mail  i.e. carrier delivery and pick-up status. 

In case you didn't find the US Postal Service card in the mail, the Redmond carriers (and Parcel Pickup) have moved from the old post office to this distribution center building.  The center is is not very far east of Home Depot.   Pick-up hours are worse:  M-F, 9:00AM-4:00PM and Saturday, 9:00AM-3:00PM.   TIP:  to avoid the center's 10 speed bumps (!) leave via the southern-most entrance off of 180th Ave. NE. -- especially if you have a small car. 
 
You can still drop off your mail, get stamps and pick up your mail-box mail at the old post office.  But, this, too, will change when the Postal Service sells the post office on 85th and moves to the old liquor store location.   A worker said, "the government needs the money so is shutting down offices across the country and is also trying to lay off the older workers.  They just closed a huge center in Spokane."    

View Larger Map Get Directions View Bird's Eye

Republished, 12/31/2011

UPDATED: LW School District Tightens the Spigot to Citizen Participation

UPDATED:  4/19
ATTN:   Since this story was published, the Administration edited this link to the Board meeting schedule and included an asterisk* to flag public comment opportunities.  


Six Regular Board Meeting now start a 5 or 5:30PM this year instead of 7PM. (On 4/19 Pres. Pendergrass called these meeting time changes "emergencies", for various reasons.  


Four of the 5:00 & 5:30PM Regular Meetings are now planned between April and June (Neighborhood meetings and Hearings for the STEM School and Rose Hill JH projects occur during these months. )

The remaining Public comment periods in 2011 are scheduled in following meetings: April 18, May 2, June 6, June 20. and August 8.  SUBJECT TO CHANGE!  (Chip Kimball sets the agenda and Pres. Pendergrass approves it)

Parents have three oppotunities left to speak
 to the School Board, Mr. Kimball and Staff this school year.
They are "waiting" to hear frrom you.

 UPDATED, 4/6 - The District changes some of their meeting times again.   A quick note to parents and community -- opportunities for public comment and participation with Lake Washington School District Board members and Sup. Chip Kimball is tightening up.  So, if you'd like to give some input to the folks who run our schools now's the time. 

Only three school board meetings are left for public comment this school year after Spring Break:  April 4, 5:30pm [scratch], April 18 (5:00)   May 2 (7:00pm) [time changed again], and May 16 (5:30pm), June 6th (5pm), June 20 (7pm) [meeting added] all are on a Monday.  The 5:00 pm time isn't convenient for most working parents with children, but that's what the Administration and Board scheduled.  For some reason, the meetings were originally set for 7PM but then rescheduled for the dinner hour. 

There's lots of stuff going on right now in the District:

• Modernization of Rose Hill Junior and others
• STEM School curriculum decisions
• STEM School site location, busing and traffic Public Hearing
• Redmond High and Eastlake High additions/remodeling
• Class reconfiguration to 9-12  / 6-8
• [Budget Public Hearing, August 8.] 

Probably, the best place to comment on all of these issues is the Monday, May 2 at 7PM.  Board Meeting (timed for right after Spring Break).  It's held at the Lake Washington District HQ in Redmond Town Center.  The Board wants you to sign-in 15 minutes early if you plan to speak (up to 3 minutes).  If you're late, Jackie Pendergrass  may have a grace period.  (Often times, the Administration plans a pre-business meeting event.)

On April 5 and 6th at 7pm, the Administration will hold a public meeting at Rose Hill Junior High cafeteria to address "remodernization" of Rose Hill JH.   Notice of the meeting was given to the bordering homes but if you have questions the meeting is open to the public.

If you're interested in commenting on the STEM School land use project, location, and traffic -  a good meeting for input is the April 5 Hearing (6-8pm) at Alcott  El.  Details and Directions.  If you have any questions or need directions for any of the meetings contact Kathryn Reith at kreith@lwsd.org .

Email is often a convenient way to communicate to the Board.  The Administration is creating an email address for writing to all Board members at once.  Chip Kimball emailed today:  "We are going to be putting that in place."

Reported by Bob Yoder

The Regular Meeting for the Annual Budget Hearing is scheduled for August 8, 7PM 

Click this link for the schedules of ALL Board Meetings:  http://www.lwsd.org/About/School-Board/Board-Meetings/Pages/School-Board-Calendar.aspx.  Meetings are subject to change!  Email Kathryn Reith if you have any questions about meeting times:  kreith@lwsd.org

Leadership Eastside selects Karin Duval as new Managing Director

Karin Duval of Redmond

Leadership Eastside selects Karin Duval as new Managing Director

Bellevue WA - Leadership Eastside (LE) announces the selection of Redmond resident Karin Duval to be the first Managing Director of the Eastside's premier leadership development program. Announcing the selection, LE President James Whitfield said, "Karin's history as a class member of LE, her experience working with non-profits and community groups, her executive management experience, and the synchronicity of our working styles were exactly what I was looking for to build out our staff infrastructure. I am very excited to have Karin with us."

Duval says her new position with Leadership Eastside is a natural fit, "Leadership Eastside's vision of a diverse, vibrant, healthy and mutually supportive Eastside community, is expertly served by LE's Adaptive Leadership approach to leader development. The challenges we face in our communities demand leaders who are informed, equipped and connected. I am thrilled and honored to be a part of the organization that develops these leaders." 
Read More >>

PTSA News: Volunteer Awards, Foundation Funding, PTSA officer slate, parent workshop

Factors Influencing Teen Decision Making & Behaviors. On Wednesday, April 6th from 7-9 PM at the Juanita High School Theater (132nd St., Kirkland), presenters Bill Corson & Laura Doerflinger will help parents understand the complex mix of factors that can result in questionable decision making by our teens and give parents reasonable strategies for guiding & monitoring their student. Recommended for parents of Students 7th grade & up. This FREE program is sponsored by the Lake Washington PTSA Council. No registration required. Questions? Contact Joanne Hall, Chair, Parent Education.

PTSA OFFICER SLATE. The 2011-12 RHS PTSA slate of officers is below.

Co-President: Shelley Flores
1st VP of Programs: Peg Hunt
2nd VP of Services: Karen Figurelle
Treasurer: Susan Seabrooks
Secretary: Marie Kent

Repectfully submitted by the 2011 RHS PTSA Nominating Committee:
Jerry Smith, Brenda Hunt, Julie Firth, Kim Axelrod

RHS PTSA AWARDS. The RHS PTSA is seeking recommendations in identifying exceptional advocates and volunteers within our school community. Below you will find several award categories. Awards are presented to honorees at RHS. Recommendations can be sent to the RHS office addressed to "PTSA Awards" or you can email recommendations to Robin Adler. You may nominate more than one person for each award. Past award recipients are posted on the RHS PTSA website. Deadline for submissions is April 22.

Read More >>

How to use "timebanking" to barter with your neighbors for goods & services

Last month, Cindy Jayne, Eastside Timebank Project Administrator,   introduced "timebanking" to the City of Redmond during an "Items from the Audiance" presentation to city council.  (Everyone is invited to speak to council at the beginning of their regular meetings.) 

From King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert's newsletter:

Timebanking is a “better than bartering” system helps stretch your dollars in a tough economy. When you spend an hour doing something for another member, such as yard work or transportation or haircutting, you earn a "Time Dollar" that you can then use to receive an hour of service from another member. It doesn’t have to be the same member, and everyone’s time is valued equally.

Timebanking builds community.  It creates a network that lets you get to know your neighbors and builds an old-fashioned extended family of people who take care of each other.

The Eastside Timebank pilot project in Kirkland is expanding to residents in Redmond and Bellevue, who are invited to an informational meeting about how to get involved:

Thursday, March 31, at 7-8 p.m.
North Bellevue Community Center
4063 - 148th Ave NE, Bellevue
Email:  cindy@eastsidetimebank.org

More information is available at http://www.eastsidetimebank.org/ .
Watch Video >>

Evergreen receives $100,000 grant to expand palliative care; what is palliative care?

Kirkland, WA – Evergreen Healthcare Foundation has received a $100,000 grant from the Regence Foundation in support of Evergreen Hospital Medical Center’s innovative program to extend palliative care into nursing homes and residential settings. Palliative care is a medical specialty that helps seriously ill patients manage disease symptoms.

“We believe people should have access to palliative care in whatever setting they find most appropriate for them, not just in hospitals,” said Bob Malte, CEO of Evergreen. “The Regence Foundation Grant will make palliative care more readily available in our communities.”    Source:   Evergreen Press Release, 3/23

###

What is Palliative Care?
Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is the medical specialty focused on improving the quality of life of people facing serious illness. Emphasis is placed on pain and symptom management, communication and coordinated care. Palliative care is appropriate from the time of diagnosis and can be provided along with curative treatment.
READ MORE.  WATCH VIDEO >>

My experience removing "second growth" trees from our Redmond yard

Pam on a tree stump in our front yard

UPDATED: 04/2022  As much as I love trees, it was time to remove this double-trunk Doug fir from our front yard.  The tree diameters for each "fork" at breast height was 27 inches.  This one was a 70-year old, second  growth, beauty and it wasn't an easy decision.

When we moved into our "East Firs" Burnstead home 25 years ago, the fir was about half the size.   But, for about the last 7-10 summers the tree sucked up every drop of water around it, killing off our shrubs and grass.   Acidic pine cones, needles and branches dropped like rain on the roof.  Street appeal?  Suffocating.  Only 18 feet from our house, the exposed tree was a potential hazard.  So after much thought I filed for a city tree removal permit and hired Rudy Schulze of "Top Notch Tree Service" (360-420-9970) to do the work.

Towering  double-trunk fir on the left was removed
after getting a permit from the city.

We thought about removing only the large trunk and leaving the smaller one.  But, Rudy and one other certified arborist said no; that taking one trunk out would be like pruning more than 50% of the tree - not a healthy choice.  So, by the arborist's definition I removed two large significant trees joined at the hip. 

Some tips:  Watch out for the "Evergreen" arborist companies.  A few of them aren't arborists and just want your money. I was quoted $2,000 just for this tree.  I paid Top Notch $950 and a tip.  They dropped the limbs next to my vine maple with precision.   The next day, Rudy's partners hauled away all the wood for free and offered affordable stump grinding services.  Not only pros, but personable!   Visit the the International Society of Arboriculture website to find an ISA certified arborist.

The city requires a permit for removing "significant trees" and Landmark Trees. There's no fee.  For me, when hugging a large tree I know it's a Landmark when I can't touch my fingers.  You're allowed to remove up to two healthy "significant" trees (six inch diameter more) or one Landmark every 365 days with a permit.  

I found the permit here by searching Google. Read the fine lines.  Every tree you remove a tree you must replace it with a smaller tree.  If this is a hardship and you love trees, the City is updating their tree regulations and you may be able to donate to a Tree Fund.

Photos and Story by Bob Yoder, March 23, 2011

Redmond Police Issue More Than 1,500 Citations In First Two Weeks of Camera Enforcement Period - Redmond, WA Patch

Redmond Police Issue More Than 1,500 Citations In First Two Weeks of Camera Enforcement Period - Redmond, WA Patch:  by Caitlin Moran, "RedmondPatch"

Officials stressed that officer discretion is always used when deciding whether or not to issue a ticket.

Richard Cole, Hank Margeson and John Stilin observe a video demonstration of the city's red light cameras at a meeting on Tuesday. Photo Credit Caitlin Moran

"The number of camera-enforced citations issued so far this month is on pace to exceed the 1,900 warnings that were issued during a one-month warning period earlier this year, Redmond Police Chief Ron Gibson told the City Council's public safety committee at a meeting Tuesday afternoon.

The Redmond Police Department issued a combined 1,586 citations between March 3 and 16 at the three intersections with red light cameras and one school zone with a speed camera.

Gibson said he believes the number of violations confirms earlier traffic studies that identified the intersections as problem areas.

'I think that bears out the fact that the studies show there's a high number of violations at these intersections,' he said."   Read More...

By Caitlin Moran, Editor of RedmondPatch
About Caitlin
RedmondPatch, 3/23

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Comment from the RNB Editor:   As of 3/19 a  petition is circulating to ban the Redmond red light pilot program.   http://bancams.com/petition/redmond/

OPINION: Swedish/ER advertising is misleading and unfair

UPDATED OPINION:   I woke up this morning, 3/21, to yet another Swedish ER television commercial touting "SWEDISH ER ... the only 24/7 ER in Redmond just popped up".   They show a blue circle "popping up" on a Redmond "neighborhood" map.  (1) (2)

This Swedish television promotion is unfair and misleading.

So how is Swedish untruthfull and misleading the public? 

• First, Swedish is not the only 24/7 ER open for business in Redmond right now.  Evergreen Medical Center/Redmond ER is open for business on March 21, too.  Evergreen had their ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday (3/19) and their doors are open to ER patients today, March 21.   In fact, Evergreen/Redmond's Urgent Care, Primary Care and Speciality Care are open, as well.  I  confirmed this with Sherry Grindeland,  the Evergreen Communications specialist.
• Swedish promotes themselves as a "Neighborhood ER" and outpatient service.   The ED structure is located right across from UPS on a 'highway', not far from Cadman Gravel and right next to a veterinarian business that according to an employee, doesn't want them as neighbors. (egress/ingress issues). 
• No schools, residential sidewalks, pedestrians or plethora of small businesses are to be found, or expected.  Do you call this a neighborhood? 
• During the Swedish/ER opening ceremony this winter Swedish top brass proclaimed (to an audience of mostly Swedish/Seattle employees) that their massive medical complex ("big box") will stimulate the local economy. It will.  Even the Mayor spoke to the "vibrancy" and growth Swedish would bring to Redmond.  
• Truth be said and observed by the vet business and current commuter traffic - Swedish/Redmond ER plugs up traffic flows on Union Rd.    Local small business considering moving to Union Hill Road are deterred owing to blockage of ingress and egress.  
• Yes, Swedish/ER will bring in the big bucks to Redmond from highly paid Swedish workers.  But, the immediate "neighborhood" and businesses around Swedish will remain stale and lack healthy diversity.  

About Evergreen  
According to the Evergreen website:  "Evergreen Medical Center/Redmond will bring a whole new level of care to downtown Redmond, where primary care, urgent care, lab and imaging services will be conveniently together under one roof...along with a 24/7 emergency department.  The four-story, 48,000-square-foot facility is located at the Bella Bottega shopping center in the heart of downtown Redmond."

No question, Evergreen will bring traffic and parking congestion to the area and the ambulances will be a pain.   But every Bella Bottega business I've talked to in my survey said they were happy with the new business Evergreen will bring.  More residents will take to the sidewalks; new businesses will emerge nearby, happy to be close to Evergreen and our downtown.  Our nearby residential neighborhoods, including the downtown neighborhood, will truly be more vibrant.    In addition, the Urgent Care resources Evergreen/Redmond offers provide valuable service to the prudent consumer.

Swedish is obviously aggressive in self-promotion.  They are clearly stretching the truth by claiming a Redmond neighborhood location and saying they are the only ER game in town today.  The question of future trust arises.   At least for me.   Please share your opinion below this post or by Letter with your name to remondblog@gmail.com  

(1)  On 3/23, two days after this post, Swedish made a change and corrected their ad. 
(2)  On 3/25, Swedish advertised on CNBC they had the only 24/7 ER in Redmond.  I think the point is made. 

Opinion By Bob Yoder

Eastside Kickoff Rally

Please join us Monday evening in Redmond for our Eastside 2011    
NAMI Walk Kickoff Rally!!!

 

Eastside Kickoff Rally

Monday, March 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Family Pancake House
17621 Redmond Way, Redmond

Team captains, sponsors and volunteers:

· Come hear how the 7th annual walk in Kirkland on May 14 will be a new kind of walk for our area! Take a mental health awareness quiz.

· Get fundraising tips and help with walker Web pages.

· Find out about fantastic vacation destination prizes for all team captains whose teams raise $1,000 or more online!

· Enjoy appetizers and soft drinks!

The NAMI Washington Walk is the sole fund-raising activity for the statewide organization and all its affiliates advocating for the mentally ill — conducting education forums and classes, sponsoring peer and family support groups, battling stigma through awareness outreach, and seeking legislative action at the state, county and municipal levels.

Info on the NAMI Washington Walk: www.nami.org/namiwalks/walk

Any questions please call NAMI Eastside 425 885 6264

How prepared is our community for a natural disaster? by Michael Tenhulzen

from the Greater Redmond Chamber Commerce March Newsletter...

In our area, single family residences most susceptible to damage from an earthquake are built from 1947 to 1988, depending on methods, materials, regulations, and soil types of their construction.  -- Mike Tenhulzen

How prepared is our community for a natural disaster?   By Mike Tenhulzen, Tenhulzen Remodeling

Redmond has a relatively long history of community activism around disaster response.

More recently, the Redmond Citizens Corps Council (http://www.redmondccc.org/ ) has been organizing groups like Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) to increase awareness and improve response to natural disasters. So, from a planning perspective, community leaders are doing a good job of planning. To augment their efforts, the business community should prepare as well.

Commercial and residential structures that are not engineered to resist seismic activity may become uninhabitable after a major earthquake. Because commercial structures generally adhere to stricter guidelines than residential, it does not necessarily mean your place of business is earthquake-proof. It is worth your time to have a structural assessment performed in the interest of protecting your investment.

Using residential housing as an example; in 1976, The Uniform Building Code adopted standard construction
methods for wood frame homes, followed by incremental improvements to the code through 1994. Homes built since 1994 are the most resilient structures due to the seismic requirements detailed in the current building codes.  Read More >>

Sunshine Week - Celebrating the Public's Right to Know.

This Sunshine Week, (March 13-19) we urge you to press our public officials to do more, seeking not just broad statements of support for greater transparency but specific pledges and plans of action to enhance the public’s right to know.

Sunshine Week 2011 can be a time when you as a citizen or civic organization make a difference by identifying local or state open governments and then asking your public officials to pledge and initiate specific improvements in local or state law and practice.

Please forward a sample Proclamation to the leaders of our local governments and ask them to sign a Proclamation for "Open Government". 

• City of Redmond, Mayor John Marchione, mayor@redmond.gov
• Lake Washington School District, President of School Board, jpendergrass@lwsd.org
• Evergreen Hospital, President of Board of Commissioners, Al DeYoung, c/o lburton@evergreenhealthcare.org  

Read this sample Proclamation to send to your local government representative. 
Read More >>

Microsoft leads Redmond community in relief efforts to Japan

The City of Redmond says:

"Microsoft is making an initial commitment of $2 million, which includes $250,000 in cash as well as in-kind contributions. In addition to its many other efforts, Microsoft is also reaching out to customers, local government, inter-government and nonprofit agencies to support relief efforts.

The American Red Cross has once again launched a texting campaign to raise money for relief efforts in the Pacific region. Last year, the Red Cross was able to raise over $20 million for Haiti relief through simple text donations.  To donate to the American Red Cross for Japan Earthquake Relief, text RED CROSS to 90999. Each text will provide $10 towards the Red Cross’s humanitarian efforts.

The Red Cross has also launched a campaign on Causes to raise at least $25,000 for relief efforts. By logging in to Facebook, you can donate anywhere from $10 to $500 to help Tsunami victims and their families."

Contact your favorite charity to ask how you can help. 

Opinion by Yoder

Source:  City of Redmond, Press Release.

Washington State Department of Ecology Blog: Threats of tsunamis and radiation in Washington

Threats of tsunamis and radiation in Washington

The devastating earthquake in Japan and the resulting tsunami and nuclear reactor damage concerns all of us. While our hearts and minds are with those suffering in Japan, it’s also natural to worry about what it might mean for us here in Washington. State and federal agencies are monitoring potential dangers, and numerous websites contain useful and timely information.

The Washington Department of Health is conducting radiation monitoring and will continue to update their website

The Washington Department of Natural Resources' "Ear to the Ground blog" has a fairly comprehensive list of tsunami related resources.

Check those sites for updated information regarding public health and safety in Washington state."

WSDOE Blog, 3/14

The Latest Pacific Trajectories from the Japanese Reactor

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Latest Pacific Trajectories From the Japanese Reactor and Amazing Rainshadow

A few people emailed me asking for update trajectories from the vicinity of the Japanese reactors. These trajectories use the NOAA Hysplit model, driven by output from the U.S. GFS global forecasting model. I have launched trajectories from 50, 4500 and 9000 meters above the surface. Keep in mind that there are considerable uncertainties in such trajectories. So here they are:  Strangely, the trajectory starting at 50 meters ends right over Seattle...after nine days!!  Even if this was true and the initial concentrations were large, trubulent and diffusive motions in the atmosphere would reduce concentrations over us to minimal, if not infinitesimal, levels.  Read More >>

Slide Show tour of the Evergreen Medical Center/ Redmond

Slide Show Tour of the Evergreen Medical Center / Redmond

Charles Hall, director of emergency services for Evergreen, gave the Redmond Reporter a tour this week of the Evergreen Medical Center/Redmond facility. The Reporter put together this short slide show.  

Evergreen Hospital Medical Center of Bella Bottega in Redmond is giving the public a preview of the facility on March 19 before it opens for business for patients on March 21.

The Preview and an Opening Celebration will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The public is invited to tour the four-story brick building, which will house primary, urgent, emergency and specialty services.