Aerojet manager to discuss Mars exploration at October Redmond Historical Society Meeting

History is happening in the Redmond area and we welcome you to our meeting.  The Redmond Historical Society will meet on Saturday, October 13, 2012, 10:30 to noon at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 NE 80 Street, Redmond, WA.  

Redmond is home to a rocket manufacturer. Originally known as Rocket Research Company, Aerojet-Redmond is located on the hill above the Sixty Acre soccer fields, just off Willows Road. Rocket Research Company designed and manufactured the Viking Lander engines that originally landed two spacecraft on the Martian surface in 1976. More recently, Aerojet redesigned and manufactured the Mars Science Laboratory Lander engines that delivered the rover Curiosity to the Martian surface on August 5, 2012. 

Ms. Olwen Morgan, Associate Development Engineer for Rocket Research Company, and now Business Development Manager for Aerojet, will discuss the history of Rocket Research Company and its contribution to the space industry, especially Mars exploration.  READ MORE >>

Microsoft offering millions to hire more foreign workers

Puget Sound Business Journal September 28, 2012, 6:53am PDT

Microsoft Corp. said it will offer millions of dollars so it can hire more foreign workers using H-1B temporary visas.

The Seattle Times reports Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has thousands of high-tech job openings that it can't fill, and by expanding the H-1B program and by greatly increasing the fees charged for those visas, the country could use that money to train Americans to eventually fill those jobs.

Updated: Council Studies Plan To Rejuvenate Old Town District

Pho Restaurant, 2011 - an historic hotel/ photo Yoder

2013: The need for higher and better purposes for the Old Town Downtown neighborhood were discussed at a September city council/mayoral study session.

Leary Way is at the heart of Old Town which is delineated by Cleveland Street, Redmond Way to Gilman and 164th Avenue. Sixteen landmark buildings, 40 years and older, occupy this historic district.     David Scott Meade, Chair of Redmond's Design Review Board, commented on Leary Way at the Council meeting, as follows:

"We are working on new guidelines and standards. I'd like to wrap my arms around the historic district and create an envelope of landscaping, hanging pots, street furniture, paving scapes, and opportunities to promote the businesses and structures that exist here now. I'd like to see a higher and better purposes so we can enjoy them for the next 100 years."  

Miguel Llanos, Landmarks Commissioner said  "There's a Master Plan for the Downtown Park but not for Old Town. Old Town is a vibrant district that uses it's history to make it different from the rest of Redmond and other parts of the Eastside." Miguel ran down a list of Old Town signature historic buildings contributing energy to the downtown core: The Matador, Redmond Sports Bar, Half Price Books, Brown's Garage Liquor Store.

Miguel suggested a guided tour of the vacant second floor of the Pho Restaurant  on Leary- once an historic hotel. "We need to reach out to Old Town tenants and landowners, like the Nelsons", said Miguel, to help rehabilitate the core.  Graffiti is tagged on the metal siding.  The Pho Restaurant building has a new owner and he may be more amenable to removing the metal siding (10/8/13 Council Meeting).   

David Scott Meade agreed that something is needed to be done with the metal siding on the Pho Restaurant and to save, improve, and enhance the Old Town structures, in general. He recommended applying transfer development rights as bargaining chips to trade for improvements. "Incentives are needed now before things change," said Meade, "Leary is the heart of what Redmond is and, as Miguel notes, and we need to be more proactive."

"A Master Plan is needed before Old Town gets overwhelmed," said Llanos.

-- Bob Yoder, 9/2011, Updated 9/2013

Without a Master Plan Old Town rapidly deteriorated.  Leary Way is now the home of a crime-ridden "pot shop," a vape store and crazy utility box art. Two other pot shops are located in Old Town.  Panhandlers hang out.  And an 8-story residential building will wall off the north-end of Leary and plug the historic district. However, Palmers and the RBG offer flowered curbside dining and deck out the holidays with colorful lights. Development of the gas station is still up in the air and providing scarce parking space. 

Redmond Landmarks Commission asks Council to recognize LWSD "History Day" winners

The Redmond Landmarks Commission met with City Council for their first time in a September 11 Work Session, for the most part, to discuss initiating a master plan for the "Old Town."  

At the meeting Tom Hitzroth, Chair of the Landmarks Committee, reminded Council of "National History Day" Competitions.  He announced that half of the entrants to North Puget Sound National History Day came from Lake Washington School District.  Twelve of the LWSD entrants went onto the State finals in May and three went onto the June, 2012 National finals held in Maryland to win awards.

Students work all year submitting papers, exhibits, documentaries, and even performances which are judged in March the N. Puget Sound History Day Competition.   Hitzroth sits on the judge's panel. 

Owing to the wide enthusiasm for history in LWSD, Hitzroth suggested a "Redmond Category" be  created to foster a competition between West and East LWSD students.  He felt LWSD students should be recognized in some way- perhaps by Council - at the regional, state, and national level. 

Council President Pat Vache' agreed and suggested recognition for the national winners was certainly appropriate in Redmond's Centennial Year.  Councilman Hank Margeson concurred adding that more emphasis should be placed on Redmond's native American history.  Will LWSD and the School Board take a leadership roll to extend the competition intra-district? 

Tom Hitzroth noted that Leary Way is three feet higher than it used to be and during redevelopment of Old Town, care should be taken by workers to recover any artifacts.

Reported by Bob Yoder

UPDATED: Baccalaureate Co-Chair previews RHS PTSA Meeting

BREAKING NEWS:  I'm still waiting to hear more official results of the meeting, but I can report that a large majority vote was taken to keep the RHS-PTSA as the sponsor for Baccalaureate and to name it "Baccalaureate."  The RHS-PTSA board is yet to announce the location for Baccalaureate 2013.  Over 100 parents attended, including two State PTSA officials to help out with the voting process.  Conversations lasted for about an hour and a half before the votes were taken.  BY  9-27

Dear friends of Redmond High,

You may have heard by now that on Wednesday, September 26 at 7 pm in the RHS
PAC, the RHS PTSA is holding a special General Membership meeting to
determine the fate of Baccalaureate 2013.

As one of the co-chairs of Baccalaureate 2013, I wanted to give you a brief
preview of the issues at hand. A vocal portion of the PTSA Board of
Directors believes that Baccalaureate should be changed as follows:   READ MORE >>

Redmond Police Crack Down on Drivers Who Don't Stop for Pedestrians: KING 5

Click link to KING 5 video and article of 9/25/2012:

http://www.king5.com/home/Redmond-Police-ticket-drivers-who-dont-stop-for-pedestrians-171267551.html

What do you think looks out of order with this cross-walk?   Good video clip. BY

Lake Washington School District Board endorses two Kirkland levy Propositions

UPDATED:  As we all know, Redmond has great parks and great funding to support them.  Just look at the most recent $278,200 plus funding approval to re-turf the Hartman Park Babe Ruth baseball field used for Redmond High home games and practices.

Kirkland is not so fortunate.  According to a Parks Board/PTSA  member speaking at a recent School Board Hearing, Kirkland has had to reduce funding for parks maintenance by 20% and reduce capital park improvement by 38% between 2008-2011.   In the meantime, Kirkland has annexed three  neighborhoods including 5 new parks   Kirkland has a "YES to Parks" Proposition 2 levy campaign underway to raise $2.35 million/year to fund parks capital improvements and maintenance, including $1 million to upgrade school play fields. 

Kirkland Parks Levy Proposition 2, if approved, would increase property tax for an average assessed house ($346,000) in Kirkland by $55.36 annually.   The Board voted to endorse the City of Kirkland's Park Proposition 2 unanimously (4-0, Bernard absent).  The proposed tax is scheduled for 2013.  

The City of Kirkland funding gap doesn't stop with parks.  Kirkland, lead by Councilmember Dave Asher asked the School Board to endorse a $3 million/year Proposition One restoration, maintenance, and enhancement levy for their streets and sidewalks:   $2.7 million would fund arteriole preservation, $150,000 for city safe walk routes to schools, and $150,000 for neighborhood traffic, bike, and pedestrian safety measures.  The proposed tax is scheduled for 2013. 

Under the Streets Levy:  50 crosswalks would be upgraded with electronic warning devices.  500 new ADA wheelchair ramps installed. 230 crosswalks re striped. 

Kirkland Streets and Pedestrian Safety Levy Proposition I, if approved, would increase property tax for an averaged assessed house ($346,000 value) in Kirkland by $70.58 annually.  Redmond School Board member Siri Bliesner was "very supportive" of both measures.  Kirkland Councilmember Chris Carlson is a soccer coach and said "they'd be playing in the weeds" without Kirkland's support.  Carlson also noted how the bumps on yellow ADA ramps at intersections provide the blind with tactile feedback for safety.   The Board voted to endorse Proposition One unanimously (4-0, Bernard absent). 

Reported By Bob Yoder 

Where Did the Rain Go?

"Where Did the Rain Go?"

By Guy Baltzelle
Woodinville, WA.

Of course, the Puget Sound area is famous for our “marine layer” rain and overcast. We typically get measureable rain 150 days a year and it is cloudy or partly cloudy 294 days a year. As we are all well aware, we get the least amount of annual sunlight  major cities in the lower-48 states.

However, what is less well known is that, in the summer, we experience a serious draught. A typical
July delivers .8 inches of rain to this area and August delivers 1 inch. This is much drier than almost
anywhere else in the country because most places receive rain from thunderstorms in the summer. Se-
attle is the least likely city in the country to receive thunderstorms.

Which brings us to this August. Here in the Bear Creek valley, we had exactly 0 inches of rain this August. Zero. Zip. Nada. In the seven years I have been measuring rainfall here, I have never seen a month with no rainfall. The closest we had was in July 2007 when we only had .07 inches.

So, if your lawn is looking a little dry right now, you have a good reason. So, next time your relatives back east tease you about all the rainfall out here in the Pacific Northwest, ask them “Oh yeah? How much rainfall did you have in August? Because we didn’t have ANY!”

Guy's piece is published in the Fall/Winter issue of the Water Tenders  newsletter

Lake Washington Institute of Technology top 15% Military Friendly Schools in Nation

LWIT Recognized as a Top Military Friendly School

Kirkland, Wash.: LWIT is one of Washington’s community and technical colleges named as top military friendly schools in the nation according to G.I. Jobs magazine.

The 2013 Military Friendly Schools list released this week honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities, and trade schools that do the most to ensure the success of military service members, veterans, and spouses.

G.I. Jobs magazine compiled the list through research and data-driven analysis of surveys from more than 12,000 schools nationwide, along with a survey of more than 3,000 student veterans. The results were independently audited by national accounting giant Ernst & Young. LWIT was among only 1,739 schools nationwide to make the list.  Read More >>

OPINION: MORE BUSSES ARE NEEDED FOR REDMOND HIGH SCHOOL

"New Walk Area Boundary" is in blue. (Click to enlarge)

MORE BUSSES ARE NEEDED AT REDMOND HIGH SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS WHO WALK MORE THAN ONE MILE TO SCHOOL 

By Susan Wilkins
Redmond, WA. 

When Redmond High School opened this September with 2000 students and staff, only 8 busses were provided for the entire school – enough seats for about 400 students to ride to and from school. 

In September, 500 additional ninth graders arrived at Redmond High as part of the 9-12 grade conversion. The brand new 14-classroom south wing and auxiliary gym were also opened for the first time.  Redmond High School is now one of the largest high schools in Washington State with almost 2000 students and 160 teachers and staff.  Before final construction plans were approved by the Redmond City Council, the project went through a series of reviews and hearings where such issues as severe traffic back-ups, noise, overcrowding in the halls and lunchroom, and even inadequate locker counts were considered. 

A major issue that was raised with the city Hearing Examiner in May 2011 and at the final approval hearing held by Redmond City Council in July 2011 was the change in state law (28A.160.160 RCW) that would allow school districts to be reimbursed by the state for transporting students who had to walk more than a mile to school. Prior to the change in the law, funding for school bus transportation had been limited to students who lived outside a 1-mile radius from the school meaning that many students who had long walks to school because of steep slopes, winding roads and other geographic features were not provided bus service and instead ended up driving or being driven to school.   The State Legislature amended the 1-mile radius requirement and instead created the definition of a “1-mile walk route” meaning that any student who had to walk more than 1 mile to school would be eligible for state transportation funding.   

Under the 1-mile radius rule, students living along Avondale Road, 166^th Avenue NE and on the north and south sides of the NE 116^th Street corridor were not eligible for school bus transportation even though most would have walked 2 to 3 miles to get to school by following the existing roadways.  With the creation of the “1-mile walk area” hundreds of RHS students became eligible for bus transportation funding from the state.  The catch is that although the state will provide funding, the local school districts are not required to provide bus transportation except to students with special needs. 

READ MORE >> 

LWPTSA is moving to greener pastures - Sign up for their award-winning newsletter

LWPTSA is moving to greener pastures

Due to persistent performance issues with our website hosting service, the Communication Team is packing up and moving LWPTSA.NET to a new provider. Whatever it takes, you deserve our best! We apologize for what we hope will be a brief disruption. In the mean time you can access our information through LWPTSA.COM.

Sign up for our Email Newsletter

EXTRA:  UPDATED: Please note that the location has changed for our previously announced PTSA General Membership meeting on the Baccalaureate program, Wednesday, Sept. 26.   It has been moved from the Redmond HS Library to the Redmond Performing Arts Center (PAC). The Redmond High PTSA General Membership meeting will be about the Baccalaureate program that PTSA sponsors. The general membership will be given the opportunity to talk about this program and decide the future of this program as a PTSA-sponsored event. 9/22 Mustang News

Ross Hunter's speech at the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce

Today’s speech at Redmond Chamber of Commerce

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Ross Hunter 

"A super crowd at the Redmond Chamber today. It was great to see everyone. I said I’d post the slides from today’s talk and here they are."  - Ross
WA State Budget Preview (PDF, requires Adobe Reader.) 

 "Sustainability Improvements" (one of Ross's slides)

• 4-Year balanced budget requirement
• Pensions - $11 billion less in 25-year costs
• Now ranked 4th in the nation for best-funded system.
• More employee contribution on healthcare – from 12% to 15%.
• No raises since 2007-09. With inflation, this is a real reduction of close to 6%.
• Fewer FTEs. 14.6% reduction in general government FTEs per 1000 residents.

Source:  Ross Hunter's Blog

Council approves final funding phase of Downtown Stormwater trunk line - Second $20 Million Overlake trunk line planned

Redmond City Council unanimously approved two City Department of Natural Resource (DNS) funding projects in their September 19th Consent Agenda.  DNS is a division of Public Works with focus on controlling and treating stormwater run-off.

•  $4,434,639 was approved for the final phase of the Downtown/Redmond Way Stormwater Trunk Line. 
• $68,800 was approved to hire a crew of six Washington State Conservation Corps workers to restore and maintain 45 acres of stream habitat associated with city capital improvement projects.

Work on the Downtown/Redmond Way Stormwater trunk line started July, 2011.  Total costs are over $20,000,000 to completion, including a treatment facility at McRedmond Park.  The pipe follows the Burlington Northern Railroad Corridor including spurs from 166th Ave to 83rd Street and 170th Ave to Avondale Way.  A total of 7000 feet of trunk line is laid upon completion including removal of 6300 railroad track and street restoration including 30 ADA approved sidewalk ramps. 

The Marchione Administration has a second $20,000,000 stormwater trunk line project planned for the Overlake Urban Center.  It includes an underground vault the size of three city halls on the eastern parking lot of Sears.  Redmond stormwater rates pay for this infrastructure and are some of the highest (if not the highest) in the region.  Just look at your city water  utility bill. 

Developers have been slow to move into Overlake at this report and Council President Pat Vache' is looking for stakeholders to step up and lead.   Marchione held an August Council study session which included talk of competing with Bellevue by changing zoning once again.  Are enormous stormwater projects clogging redevelopment?   BY 

"Lodging Tax Advisory Committee" Stimulates Tourism

The community role of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) might be described as a business tourism alliance to "increase heads and beds."  It's funded by a 1% sales tax on participating hotels. 

Dan Angular, General Manager of the Redmond Marriott of Redmond Town Center said LTAC brings Redmond Chambers, Realize Redmond, and Redmond Economic Development Alliance (REDA) together to stimulate tourism.  

Over $337,300 was raised by the LTAC last year from a 1% hotel tax. So far, 50% of the tax revenue pays "Bullseye Creative" to rebrand the "Realize Redmond" website e.g. "Paint the Town" tag was removed. $31,365 pays promoting private and city sponsored events. Councilmember John Stilin recommended allocating more funds towards the events to attract more people and less emphasis on the website. 

Mayor to hold informational meeting on Downtown Construction Projects

Redmond, WA —Members of the Community are invited to join City Staff and the Mayor on Wednesday, September 26th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm in the Council Chambers to hear about the next phase of plans and development for Downtown Redmond. “I encourage everyone who works, lives and plays in Redmond to come learn about the next phase of the exciting plans for the Downtown core,” states Mayor Marchione.

The Mayor kicks off the Open House with remarks and viewing of a short informational video in the Council Chambers at 6:00pm. Immediately following, residents and citizens will have a chance to meet key staff to learn about the many public and private projects underway in Downtown Redmond. Public comments are sought on interim development plans for Downtown Park. Other projects and programs that will be highlighted in Downtown include Cleveland Streetscape Improvements, the 164th Ave NE Extension, Redmond Central Connector, Redmond Way Water Quality Facility development, and upcoming projects with art and historic preservation.

City Press Release, 9/19/12

Hope to see you there!  BY

LETTER: Resident points out innacuracies from LWSD Communications Department

Nancy Shen said...

LETTER:  I feel that I must point out some inaccuracies in LWSD Communications Director Kathryn Reith's letter in response to my posting about the overcrowding at Rosa Parks.

The article I was referring to was published on September 22, 2010 in the Redmond Reporter. Ms. Reith's letter in response stated that the Redmond reporter article was written when the district was seeking public input into the bond measure to be put on the ballot in February of 2010.

This response is incorrect because the Redmond reporter article was written more than 6 months after the bond levy was struck down by voters.

Therefore it is clear that the school district has not taken enough action in the last 2 years to address the overcrowding at Rosa Parks. The grade reconfiguration only delayed the population at rosa parks from reaching over 900 students this year. This move certainly helped many other schools in the district, but hardly helped Rosa Parks.

The only action the school district has taken in the last 2 years is to add additional portable classrooms and staff.

September 17, 2012 11:15 AM 

Nancy Shen is responding to LWSD Communications Director Reith's Letter:  "Setting the record straight on the overcrowding input sessions." 

The Gift of Conservation Futures

The Gift of Conservation Futures

By Terry Lavender

Conservation Futures is a small portion of your property
 tax specifically dedicated to acquisition of land in King
County and its cities for conservation and open space. It was first introduced
in the State Legislaturein 1971 by Kirkland Republican Alan Bleuchel as
part of a larger package of environmental legislation that also established the
State Department of Ecology. The legislation stated that it is a ‘fundamental
and inalienable right’ of citizens to have a healthy and pleasant environment.
Governor Dan Evans signed the legislation into law. Every county was granted
the right to collect funds to purchase Open Space.

The interesting fact is that no county used this authority until 1982
when King County used it to jump-start the Farmlands Preservation Pro-
gram and purchase a large portion of Cougar Mountain. King County has
collected the funds ever since.

This region is shaped by conservation—it is our soul and our legacy. In
the past three decades, Conservation Futures has been the largest single
financial contributor to this effort. In Bear Creek, these funds have con-
tributed to nearly every piece of property protected—from the Upper,
Middle, and Lower Bear Creek Conservation areas; Cold Creek and Mary
Cash Farm; the wetlands along Evans Creek; the newly purchased proper-
ties south of the Tolt Pipeline Trail; the confluence of Mackey Creek, and
others in the works. Snohomish County used this authority for half of the
funds to purchase the Paradise Valley Conservation Area. You can multiply
this success across King County in every river and creek system, city open
space parks like Bellevue’s Mercer Slough or Seattle’s Thorton Creek, over
100,000 acres of forest development rights purchased and protected farm-
land.

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of King County using this fund.  At a
celebration of some of the founders and longtime advocates, King
County Executive Dow Constantine, a strong supporter of this funding gave
a speech on the measure. 

Read Terry's entire article and Dow's speech in the Water Tenders Fall Newletter  

Digital Art Festival in Redmond September 21 - 29

DIGITAL ART FESTIVAL
9/21/12 – 9/29/11

The Digital Art Festival: the yearly techy art event that brings together illustrators, animators, dancers, programmers, game designers (and more, including knitters… yes.. knitters), for an amalgamation of inspirational lectures, art shows, art booths, art competitions, performances, interactive displays, and lots of other fun stuff, finally returns to Redmond for its fourth run. (www.digitalartfestival.com).

The festival was founded in 2008 by the Redmond Arts Commission. Now for the first time it is no longer associated with the City and is being put on entirely through a grassroots volunteer effort led by former Arts Commissioner Kamal Siegel. But with this baby bird leaving its nest, will it be able to fly on its own? I guess we’ll have to wait and see…

The event kickoff is coming up on Friday the 21st of September. READ MORE >>

LETTER: What happens when the elementary students burst into Evergreen Middle and Redmond High?

LETTER:  Regarding the suggestion to use the Redmond Ridge East parcel [intended for a new elementary school if a bond passes] for a new 6-12 campus, I agree!

With the addition of 9th grade, Redmond High School has now reached an enrollment of 1900 students. There are not enough lockers for the students, assemblies must be held in "shifts" and the hallways are almost impassable between classes. I know of no plan to address the overcrowding issue at the 6-12 level when the HUGE population of today's elementary kids enter middle/high school.

Adjusting the attendance boundaries to move kids to Wilder is the obvious short-term solution to address the overcrowding issue at Rosa Parks. But what happens when these kids leave elementary and spill into Evergreen Middle and Redmond High School?

By Julie
 ..in response to a comment listed listed below this post...

LETTER: Setting the record straight on the overcrowding public input sessions

LETTER:  Let me set the record straight on the Redmond Reporter article from two years go. That article was written when the district was seeking public input into the bond measure to be put on the ballot in February 2010. As a result of that public input, funding for a new school for Redmond Ridge East was part of the measure. The measure failed: had it been passed by voters, we might have been celebrating the opening of a new Redmond Ridge East Elementary School.

My comments concerning possible solutions “to ease overcrowding at elementary schools” was a general list of possible solutions for overcrowding at any elementary school.  It was not a list of solutions under consideration for Rosa Parks Elementary School: a second elementary school on Redmond Ridge was under consideration for Rosa Parks.

The actions the district has taken over the last two years regarding Rosa Parks Elementary School are:
·        Ran a bond measure that would have built a new school in Redmond Ridge East. Voters did not approve the measure.
·        Completed a grade reconfiguration program that moved an entire grade out of all elementary schools, including Rosa Parks. That move also opened up space at Wilder Elementary that was not available last year.
·        Added portable classrooms to meet increasing need.
·        Added staff and budget to handle the increasing numbers.

There have been significantly more children per household enrolled in the school than the average development in our district. That factored into an enrollment this year about 80 students higher than projected. That higher than expected growth has outstripped the district’s efforts. As a result, we have committed to working with the community to develop a plan for the fall of 2013-14.

Kathryn Reith
Communications Director, Lake Washington School District

In Response to Nancy Shen's LETTER: http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2012/09/letter-lwsd-administration-sought.html

LETTER: LWSD Administration sought public input on overcrowding two years ago - the problems still persist

LETTER: 

Nancy Shen said...

2 years ago the LWSD sought public input into ways to fix overcrowding problems.

Here is the article from the Redmond Reporter on September 22, 2010

http://www.redmond-reporter.com/news/103545154.html

Short term strategies were already considered back then including eliminating full-day Kindergarten programs or setting new boundaries to balance enrollments.

Directly from the article "The district could also bus students from overcrowded schools to others that are less crowded and/or add more portables, up to the state limits."

So 2 years later the only action the district has taken was to add additional portable classrooms.

These actions certainly did nothing to ease overcrowding at Rosa Parks

LETTER: President Pendergrass appreciates Dr. Pierce's efforts to ensure all voices are heard at Rosa Parks

LETTER:  As president of the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors, let me state that I do not agree, nor do I believe my fellow school board members agree, with this characterization of our reaction to the district administration's efforts concerning Rosa Parks Elementary School.  I believe the message Chris Carlson was trying to get across is that issues like this are complex , involve many different views and families and therefore take time to get to a resolution that is best for all students.

In fact, I appreciate Dr. Pierce's efforts to ensure that all voices are heard in this situation. I also appreciate that it takes a little time to gather all the information and the public input that is needed to get to the right decision . That is what I expect of Dr. Pierce and I am confident that she will deliver.

Jackie Pendergrass
jpende47@gmail.com

In response to:   http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2012/09/rosa-park-parents-and-school-board.html

Rosa Parks Parents and School Board Frustrated by "glacial slowness" of LWSD Administration

Rosa Parks Elementary on Redmond Ridge is severely overcrowded and the LWSD School Board and Administration know it.   More than 20 parents and students have presenting twice during Board meetings for over an hour about the unacceptable conditions and Superintendent Pierce visited the school in August.   Pierce's short term solution so far is to add more administrative help and limit recess to two grades at a time.   The school's ten portables cut out 50% from the play areas not leaving much room for fun or a solution to the overcrowding.   The school structure and grounds have a capacity of 483 students yet according to parent Heather Rosenburg "it's almost approaching 800 students." 

Another parent, Karen Swenson says "enrollment could reach 900 students if development keeps increasing at Redmond Ridge East.  Sending only Kindigardners to Wilder does not achieve right size.  We need a decision by the end of January before Kindigarden registration - including forcasted enrollment - to decide if we should stay, move, varience, home school, and go to private schools." 

Dr. Pierce will hold a meeting with the Rosa Parks community September 27, 6:45-8:15PM, at the school to seek feedback on short term solutions and discuss long term plans. According to parent Beth Zimmerman, Katheryn Reith of the Administration identifies short term solutions as: 1) eliminate full day kindergarten, 2) convert specialized classrooms to regular classrooms, 3) set new boundaries, 4) bus students, 5) add two more portables.  Zimmerman called the overcrowding an emergency situation. 

Julie Ann, parent of a second grader and past community liaison to the Seattle Public Schools understood the Superintendent Pierce's goal not to reboundary twice for students in Redmond East.  She recommended temporary relocation saying North Shore District has accommodated schools similarly in the past where she once lived and the boundaries are not complex. 

A parent with a second grader recommended moving Kindergartners and 1st Graders to Wilder (which is 75% of capacity with declining enrollment).  Or, to move Redmond Ridge East except Chandler to Wilder. 

Boardmember Chris Carlson said:

"I wanted to hear from somebody from Redmond Ridge East.  I have yet to hear from such people.  It still feels we have a community that's asking to move the other half of your school but I haven't heard that yet.  People clamouring to "Please bus us to Wilder" would be fantastic but I haven't heard that yet." 

Boardmember Chris Carlson from the Kirkland district concluded for the Board saying,

"We do feel your pain and the solution is going to be frustratingly slow - glacial.  It won't happen before the next meeting.  The community must work with Superintendent Pierce.  We as a Board are not writing a check to move all those kids [to Wilder Elementary].  It's unacceptable not being able to solve it [the overcrowding] this year but it's slow.  Tracie will work with you as a community.  It's something we are hoping you can work with her." 

Redmond's new school board member Siri Bliesner said "it's been a long term problem and it's important to be addressed now."   Redmond Ridge school board member Doug Eglington said "it's not fun.  It's frustratingly slow and will take some time." 

President Pendergrass from Kirkland and Juanita area said "there will be a solution" before Kindergarten registration in January so parents can decide where to send their kids.  "Superintendent Pierce is trying to involve the entire Redmond Ridge East and West communities and it takes time."

Reported by Bob Yoder

"The job of the Board is to represent the citizens and to lead the organization by asking critical questions and by determining and demanding appropriate and excellent organizational performance." (LWSD By-Laws)
 

Learn "Hands On CPR" in this one minute video - or sign up for an Evergreen Health program

      AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION Official 2012 Hands Only CPR Video Guide (1min)

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation has come a long way with the new AHA approved compression method called "Hands Only CPR".  View the one minute clip to see how simple and effective it is.  Or watch this engaging two minute interactive AHA clip here. 

Evergreen Health Hospital teaches the program to adults and children from various locations, but I haven't seen their program in Redmond yet, have you?   Of 400,000 citizens in the hospital district, "1,986 residents took the Hands Only CPR program last year, according to Kay Taylor, Director of Marketing, Evergreen Health.   About 1/5 of the participants are adults and were charged $40 each for materials. 

Under commissioner oversight, it's free for the rest thanks to levy funding.  They are considering expanding the program since so few in our community know about this simple and easy life-saving CPR technique and some have asked for it.   If you want to sign up for the hospital program or see Evergreen run it in your city try 425-899-3000 or visit the Evergreen Health website.   The commissioners and administration may decide to expand the program in some way with your input (and your tax dollars).  Do you think they should?   The City of Redmond teaches the technique in their C.E.R.T. program and new RedmondReady program (redmondready.org).  

King County Public Hospital District No. 2, registered with the State and Seattle Times for public noticing as "Evergreen Healthcare," was established in 1972 to serve citizens in north King and south Snohomish counties. Registered voters (155,154) elect 5 Commissioners to oversee the 2012, $15,285,968 annual levy and $9,242,180 capital bond.   Serving more than 400,000 citizens every year, the District operates a 290-bed hospital and a network of primary and urgent care centers. Evergreen Healthcare district boundaries include Bothell, Duvall, Kenmore, Kirkland, Redmond, Woodinville, part of Sammamish and parts of unincorporated northeast King County.
 

Mayor Marchione and staff participate in new city Wellness Program

From left, Erin Saunderson, Emma Calvert, Jessica Tramp, Redmond Mayor John Marchione, Andrew Sundene, Julie Tramp and Christoph Myer visit with the mayor Tuesday afternoon. Marchione signed a proclamation to make November to be National Diabetes Month in Redmond. All of the teens were diagnosed with diabetes — most since before they turned 7. In addition, Marchione, 45, was diagnosed at age 38
Bill Christianson, Redmond Reporter, (Republished from 2010)

 In their August 21, 2012 meeting City Council approved the Mayor's new Health and Wellness Program with Additional Benefits.  Start-up costs will be $78,625 in 2012 and $71,625/year (based on 60% participation.)  The program will provide individual coaching, and other educational resources and tools to assist managing health risk factors of staff. 

Marchione expects to get full return on investment through good participation by staff.  Participation is the key to the program.  In house events and marketing literature will be introduced to city staff to encourage participation.  The program will address risk factors like nutrition, stress management and obesity.  City staff will be given incentives (undisclosed) to participate and improve. 

Mayor Marchione (age 47) was diagnosed with Diabetes Type II at age 38 and is in a good position to lead staff as a role model of participation.   Could we see the Mayor walking our sidewalks or swimming in Hartman Pool?  Will he declare November as "National Diabetes Month" as he did in 2010. 

The City of Redmond remains one of the best employers to work for in our area with 2009 wages and benefits averaging $108,000/employee and turnover very low.  Average pay per household in Redmond over the last three years is $92,164 according to recent City finance "Dashboard" data.

Reported by Bob Yoder
Photo by Redmond Reporter

REPUBLISHED: Redmond teens and Mayor Marchione spreading awareness about diabetes

From left, Erin Saunderson, Emma Calvert, Jessica Tramp, Redmond Mayor John Marchione, Andrew Sundene, Julie Tramp and Christoph Myer visit with the mayor Tuesday afternoon. Marchione signed a proclamation to make November to be National Diabetes Month in Redmond. All of the teens were diagnosed with diabetes — most since before they turned 7. In addition, Marchione, 45, was diagnosed at age 38
Bill Christianson, Redmond Reporter

Redmond teens spreading awareness about diabetes - Redmond Reporter:

REPUBLISHED FROM 2010:  "Marchione, 45, who was diagnosed with diabetes at 38, readily agreed. On Tuesday, the mayor met with the six teens to sign a proclamation declaring next month National Diabetes Month. In addition to being diabetic, Marchione had one more thing in common with the youths. He is a Ben Rush alum as well.

“I was in the first kindergarten class when the school opened,” he told the teens during the proclamation signing. “So getting an e-mail from some Ben Rush kids was cool.”"

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Thai family in Redmond hunts crayfish

Hi All,

On a Saturday afternoon in August, I spotted a Thai family hunting
for crayfish down below the promontory in front of the Opportunity Building on the Sammamish River.  Yes, Redmond!

In the first photo, you can see the mother bent over, searching for crayfish under the rocks.  In the second photo, a young boy holds up a small "signal crayfish" that his mother caught with her bare hands. 

They had caught 10 or 11 crayfish at the time I took these photos.
In addition there were two asian clams in their bucket.  These clams are eaten in SE Asian where they originate. 

I asked the mother if she boils the crayfish.  She said no, she fries them. 

Photos and Report by John  Reinke

How livable will Redmond be in five years?

EDITORIAL:  When City councilmembers visited neighborhoods during "National Night Out" in August, one of the most common questions neighbors asked was about downtown construction and downtown parking. I've spent hours searching the city website and emailing city officials trying to get a straight answer - even a simple list of construction projects and the most Mayor Marchione's Administration can come up with is "Major Projects Under Construction, dated Sept. 30, 2011." Why is it so difficult to get a straight answer when "customer service" is at such a premium by the Mayor?  I believe the Mayor is in a defensive mode with the election only two years away and he wants to minimize the severe traffic congestion issues we will be plagued with once the thousands of "sleep and eat" apartments with inadequate underground parking are installed. Redmond is destined to be one grid-locked, "drive through" boring community unless the downtown business community can be revitalized. But delaying the two-way lane conversions at Redmond Way and Cleveland St. until after the election only limits predictability and business migration to our downtown. Some Councilmembers appear to be looking the other way with interests outside of Redmond, and anywhere but here. One result: we now have over 20 "H" wayfinding Hospital signs in Redmond where no hospitals exist. Council did clarify in their last meeting "we DO have a Downtown Park." It's that green patch of grass used by dog walkers, awaiting the Mayor's "Master Plan."  Another patch will be added in a year after Marchione demolishes the Brown Building and  quasi-historic Redmond Cycle.  How about a water fountain for the downtown technology workers and their pets?   In the meantime, neighborhood housing projects continue to develop and scar our hills.  Will Redmond be drivable in five years? Livable?    Bob Yoder, 8-30-12

Since publishing this opinion under the "City of Redmond, WA." header page, the City Communications Administrator wrote the city would be updating their website over the next several weeks.  We'll see.  BY. 

LETTER: Hartman Park is out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act

LETTER:   Before the city spends $278,000 on new turf for the baseball field, they should figure out how much it will cost to update Hartman Park so that it is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Maybe it would be a better idea to use the funds earmarked for the new turf to instead make Hartman Park ADA-compatible.

Most of Hartman Park is very difficult if not impossible for visitors/athletes in wheelchairs to access. There is only one handicapped parking space for the entire park and it's located in the lot next to the play set – far from the upper Little League fields. The main restroom building has a handicapped stall but the door is not automatic and is too stiff for most wheelchair users to open. Getting to fields 5 & 6 is next to impossible because the hills are too steep and there are fences in the way.

The Parks Department staff might want to review the US Dept of Justice agreement with the City of Milton, Washington (http://www.ada.gov/milton/milton.htm) to determine just how much work the park needs and then they should make a plan and start the upgrades before someone files a complaint with the DOJ.

 - Anonymous reader






 

Hartman's Babe Ruth Field to get new synthetic turf

According to report by Marchione's staff:  the large, regular-sized baseball infield - Babe Ruth Field - at Hartman Park is in need of repair with patches sewn on top of patches.  "The existing turf fibers are excessively worn and require a replacement in order to assure safe and consistent playing surface." wrote a parks staffer.  Stop by and take a look for yourself to see how worn this 12 year-old infield is.  Last week, the council took Mayor Marchione's word and approved $278,206.58 to convert the infield (including the dirt home plate area) with new synthetic turf.  The funds are baked into the "Parks and Recreation Turf Replacement Fund" and were itching to be used. 

Read the city proposal here:   http://www.redmond.gov/common/pages/UserFile.aspx?fileId=81861

Report by Yoder