Public Meeting on Bear Creek Archaeolgocial Findings and Education is captured on tape.

A WSDOT archaeologist is shown shaping an arrowhead out of stone in City Hall 

Earlier this month the City of Redmond sponsored a public meeting to address the archaeological findings dug up at the SR520 widening site where Bear Creek is planned to be relocated away from the highway.   Indian tools and evidence of tools were found at the site.  The Muckelshoot Indian museum will store the record of the dig found where Bear Creek is relocated and 60% of the site will be preserved.  The complete day-long public meeting was taped and can be found here under "Informational Programs" on the City of Redmond website. 

Reported By Bob Yoder
 

Redmond's urban center growth is occuring consistent with plans

City Planner Jeff Churchill gave an in depth report to City Council this Tuesday on investments in Redmond's two urban centers - the Downtown and Overlake.  In the last eight years private investment ($395 million) has exceeded public investment ($150 million) in the urban centers.   Downtown growth is weighted towards residential whereas Overlake's growth is planned to be more balanced between commercial and residential. 

In Overlake, since 2005 most of the private investment ($250 million) has been in the build-out of commercial, mostly Microsoft.  Only $8 million has been invested in residential in Overlake.  In the Downtown, since 2005, $100 million has been spent on mixed-residential and $38 million spent on commercial. 

Churchill stated growth in the urban centers is occurring consistent with plans.  The $150 million spent so far has been spent on the Downtown Park, Redmond Central Connector, Downtown Street grid (161st, 164th, Bear Creek), the 36th Street Bridge, and water, sewer, and stormwater improvements. 

Investments coming up in the next five or so years are the Cleveland Streetscape, Redmond Way-Cleveland 2-way, Overlake South Detention Pond, Overlake LID retrofit, and the SR 520 access ramp to Overlake, along with hundreds of residential units. 

Reported By Bob Yoder

'Look, Smile, Wave' campaign promotes bike safety

King County website

‘Look, Smile, Wave’ campaign promotes bike safety

A new campaign called “Look, Smile, Wave” is on the streets promoting bus and bike safety as Bike Month continues.
This safety campaign marks the second year King County Metro has teamed up with the Seattle Department of Transportation, Bicycle Alliance of Washington and Cascade Bicycle Club on transit bus ads that remind bus operators and cyclists to be on the lookout for each other.
During Bike Month and heading into summer months, there is a significant increase in the number of cyclists on our roads.
Metro Transit has posted five new bus/bike safety videos online to help show what cyclists and drivers can do to see each other and improve safety. The updated video series hosted on Metro’s bike travel page, includes segments on passing, turning, loading a bike, traveling predictably and bicycle improvements around the city.
Metro and cycle advocates hope the videos and bus ads will help improve awareness and make this a safer summer for all who share the road.

It's never to early to plan your neighborhood for "National Night Out Against Crime"

On Tuesday August 6, 2013, the Redmond Police Department is asking neighborhoods, businesses, and apartment complexes to participate in the 30^th Annual National Night Out Against Crime. The police department, fire department, city council, mayor, and others will attend parties between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. We ask that you come outside to take a stand against crime with your neighbors. If you’ve never done this, it’s a great event for fun, friends, and community!  If you don’t know your neighbors…this is an excellent opportunity to meet them.   Read More >>

Redmond City Council and LWSD Directors to run unopposed

By Samantha Pak            
Redmond Reporter           
May 21, 2013 · 1:56 PM

The three Redmond City Council candidates in this year's election will be running unopposed.

Friday was the deadline for candidate filing in King County and Byron Shutz, Kim Allen and John Stilin were the only ones to file for Council positions 2, 4 and 6, respectively.

This will be Allen's third term as a City Council member and Stilin's second term. Both candidates announced their plans to run for re-election in February.

Shutz, is running to fill Position 2, which will be vacated at the end of the year as current City Council President Pat Vache will step down and not seek re-election. Shutz first announced his plan to run for Redmond City Council in March.

In addition to the three Redmond City Council positions, two positions on the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) board of directors —  for District No. 3 and District No. 4 — are also up for re-election.

Nancy Phillips Bernard, who has been on the school board since 1997, is running for re-election in District No. 3, which covers LWSD's Kamiakin region and unincorporated King County around Kirkland.

Mark W. Stuart will be running for LWSD's District No. 4 position, which will be vacated at the end of the year by Doug Eglington, who will not be seeking re-election. District No. 4 covers Sammamish.

Redmond Historical Society Annual Picnic at Anderson Park

History is happening in the Redmond area and we welcome you to our annual picnic.  The Redmond Historical Society will gather on Saturday, June 8, 2013, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Anderson Park, 7802 168 Avenue NE, Redmond, WA.  Bring your family and friends and a favorite potluck dish to share.  The Society will provide the rest.  A History Hero award will be presented.   The Old Time Fiddlers are providing entertainment.  Don't miss this last get-together until September.  To receive the monthly newsletter, contact the Society office at 425-885-2919, or email your request to info@redmondhistoricalsociety.org.   Books, note cards, free historic walking tour brochures, and the book, "Redmond Reflections," are available in our office, which is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and by appointment.  Visit our website: redmondhistoricalsociety.org.

Doris Schaible

Community Relations

Redmond Historical Society
 

Have you ever been "green birding"?

Oh, this is different.  Have you ever been “green birding”?

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Rosanna, King County Blog

The birds will be singing their praises for the Eastside Audubon Society when they arrive by bus at their upcoming “green birding” trip!  This mobile event is designed to take avid and new bird watchers alike on an urban bird watching tour via the King County Metro bus system while at the same time reducing their collective carbon footprint. Participants will start at the Bellevue Park and Ride, board the same bus together and make several stops to experience different bird locations before they finish their tour at King County Park’s Marymoor Park, Bird Loop Trail.
Saturday, May 25
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Meeting location: South Bellevue Park & Ride
The best part is that this tour is open to anyone that’s interested in bird watching – no experience necessary! To learn more and sign up for this backyard adventure, check out the event page for all the details.
King County Parks is excited to see this kind of interactive event take place; a great representation of the Eastside Audubon’s mission to protect, preserve and enhance natural ecosystems and our communities for the benefit of birds, other wildlife and people.

How much are City of Redmond workers paid?

Redmond City Council is voting this Tuesday night by consent agenda on amending the 2013 non-union salary ordinance No. 2670.  A sampling of the monthly salary mid-points quoted in the ordinance are listed below:

Deputy Fire Chief - $10,024, Assistant Police Chief - $10,014, Police Commander - $9,333, Assistant Director Public Works - $9,240,  Chief Policy Advisor - $8,844, Planning Manager - $8,179, Economic Development Manager - $8,040, Parks Planning and Cultural Manager - $7,901, City Clerk - $7,837, Finance Officer - $7,724, Senior Engineer - $7,701, Communications and Marketing Administrator - $7,566, Emergency Preparedness Manager - $6,774, Recreation Program Manager - $6,600, Payroll Supervisor - $6,235, Parks Maintenance Supervisor - $5,826, Financial Analyst - $5,575, Safety Coordinator - $5,522, Police Support Services Supervisor - $5,219, Administrative Assistant - $4,012.

Salaries listed do not include benefits or bonuses city employees receive.

Reported By Bob Yoder

Redmond Mustang PTSA Community Digest for the week

GOODBYE TO MRS. HEWITT AT ROCKWELL ELEMENTARY. Mrs. Marie Hewitt, has taught at Norman Rockwell Elementary for many years and will be retiring in June.  She would like any of her former students and their parents who want to - to come by for a goodbye hug on Monday, June 17^th, anytime between 3:30pm and 5:00pm.  We'll be having a very casual get-together in the covered area outside Mrs. Hewitt's classroom, as requested by Mrs. Hewitt. J Treats will be provided.  All former students, their parents and colleagues are also invited to write a note, memories or send photos via email to larmstrong@lwsd.org or drop them off in the Rockwell office addressed to Lynn Armstrong.

 

BELLEVUE COLLEGE SUMMER CLASSES. The Bellevue College Summer Program for Teens offers a great way to learn and have fun during summer. The classes are designed for 12-17 year olds, and are taught by experienced instructors. Most classes are held at the Bellevue College North Campus right off WA-520 and 148th Ave NE in Bellevue. Class times and days vary, but most run half-days for one week, so you can experience multiple classes throughout the summer. And best of all, there's a large variety of subjects to choose from: June 24 - August 16, 2013.

 

REDMOND'S GREAT DAY OF PLAY 5K RUN/WALK.Register now for our Great Day of Play 5K Run/Walk before price increases on 5/31!  The race is chip timed and the course is new this year! $25 gets you a technical fabric shirt and goody bag and donation to FeetFirst. Full race details and registration available atwww.runsignup.com/greatdayofplay5k.

DERBY DAYS 2013. Save the Date! July 12&13. Redmond Derby Days celebrates its 73^rd anniversary in 2013. www.RedmondDerbyDays.com.  Read More >>

Powerful Teacher's Union Elects New President

Powerful Teachers' Union Elects New President

By Liv Finne
May 17, 2013

 

On April 27, 1,200 delegates of the powerful state teachers union, the Washington Education Association, gathered at a Representative Assembly meeting in Bellevue to elect new top executives.  The new union leaders will serve two-year terms.  The union president received a compensation package worth $186,000 in pay and benefits in 2010, the latest year for which figures are available.

 

The delegates at the meeting comprised about 1.4% of the 82,000 current and retired public school teachers the WEA reports as members.

 

Union membership is mandatory for most teachers.  The WEA requires public educators to join and pay dues, or pay an agency shop fee equal to the amount of dues, as a condition of employment.  A narrow exception is allowed for religious objectors.  A typical collective bargaining enforcement clause reads:  Read More >>

Police Blotter: Redmond HS student had his vehicle stolen while at school and more

Theft-Shoplifting	15:36:24 05/15/2013	13-008459
CITYCENTER	76xx block of 170 AVE NE
A report was taken for a stolen IPhone from a business.

 

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Theft of Automobile	12:40:47 05/15/2013	13-008448
EDUCATIONHILL	NE 104 ST & 179 AVE NE
Redmond HS student had his vehicle stolen while in school.

 

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Threats	12:39:18 05/15/2013	13-008447
EDUCATIONHILL	166xx block of NE 89 ST
Resident reported receiving a threat via text.     READ MORE >>

Water Tenders, Bear Creek Basin Conservationists

My daughter, Lexie, was the youth Water Tender Board Member while in high school.  She wrote a white paper on Bear Creek nimbyism and organized Key Club restoration work parties.  In 2023, she was promoted to Lead Environmental Scientist / Planner for a regional engineering company in Spokane.  Lexie's LinkedIn information.

Article from Terry Lavender, Founder of Water Tenders:

"Water Tenders is a group of  people who care about the wetlands and streams in the Bear Creek area and King County..."  (Water Tender Gary Smith works closely with Terry on Bear Creek land acquisitions.)

I have been a Water Tenders member for all of its 25 years. Reflection is good and I feel pride and more than a little awe in what Water Tenders has accomplished. Some of the actions were the starting point for landscape-wide changes. The simple act of consistently collecting and reporting rain water led to the realization that one size does not fit all—Bear Creek gets almost double the rainfall of SeaTac and development standards must change. Careful observation and reporting led to improvements countywide in temporary erosion and sedimentation measures. We showed that people will work with their neighbors and enroll in tax incentives to protect natural habitat on their property and have been a positive voice for Bear Creek in the City of Redmond.  We have recorded baselines for species from amphibians to freshwater mussels and the biology of Paradise Valley Conservation Area with good, citizen-collected data.  We originated salmon docent programs that are now active all over King County and the list goes on.

I admit to angst about the future, however.  Groups like Water Tenders are rare.  People join forces to fight a development, support a piece of legislation or right some environmental wrong and end their involvement when the cause is won or lost.  Water Tenders has fought these battles but it has also been the slow and steady force that works to change the rules that allowed the problem, educate the neighbors, advocate for acquisition of important properties and then maintain and restore them and continually be the positive voice for a healthy Bear Creek.  Like the rain, we have been constant and it has mattered.   

Terry Lavender, Founder, can be reached at tlavender2@frontier.com

Lake Washington Schools Foundation fundraising luncheon is a success!

The Lake Washington Schools Foundation received record-breaking support at its May 1 “Legacy for Learning” fundraising luncheon, raising over $216,000 to ensure academic success for all Lake Washington School District (LWSD) students. The event also broke an attendance record, with 562 parents, event sponsors, school district staff, and other community members enjoying lunch and speakers at Juanita High School.  

Corporate support for the event also reached a new high, with 24 sponsors from industries such as construction, healthcare, aviation and high tech, including 9 new companies.   Read More >>

Bear Creek School sweeps all school categories in Best of 425 Magazine 2012

                                                                                                                                                                                    
The voters have voiced their opinion and the results speak for themselves, as The Bear Creek School swept all categories for best Preschool, Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and best teacher on the Eastside in 425 Magazine’s annual “The Best of 425” contest.  Kindergarten teacher Pam Erickson was honored as best teacher, and has taught at Bear Creek for more than 15 years.  Months of online voting helped to create this ultimate, reader-generated list of some of the best places on the Eastside. This is the first time Bear Creek has received the honor of winning Best of 425.   

Founded in 1988, in Redmond, Washington, The Bear Creek School is an Independent Classical Christian School that believes only when faith, mind, and heart are fed together can someone experience the fullness of education, which produces leaders who think well and are compelled to engage the world.

The school serves students from the greater Eastside and is housed on four campuses.  Redmond Campus on Union Hill serves kindergarten to grade 12 students and Valley Campus, also in Redmond, serves preschool to grade 5 students.  Bear Creek has two Early Childhood campuses in Woodinville and Sammamish serving preschool and prekindergarten students. The Bear Creek School is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities, and the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools.  

Amy Goings Named Lake Washington Institute of Technology President

Kirkland, Wash.: Ms. Amy Goings was unanimously chosen as Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s (LWIT) ninth president by the college’s board of trustees Wednesday evening at a special board meeting. Goings most recently served as the Vice President of Operations and College Relations at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood. She will begin her position on July 1.

The LWIT board’s decision completes a 7-month inclusive and transparent public process which involved participation from college faculty, staff, and students and community members. Goings will replace Dr. Sharon McGavick, who has served as Interim President since November 2012.  Read More >>

Redmond Mayor Marchione gives "State of the City" address to City Council

Mayor Marchione gave a fascinating and thorough presentation to City Council of "The State of the City" last night.  With all the changes going on around town he felt it was time to summarize "Who We Are" and Where Are We Going.  Below is a summary of some of his talking points. 

Redmond currently has a resident population of 56,000 with a growth management target of 78,000 some day.  Redmond has more jobs than people at 79,000.  Most of them are skilled computer science jobs (48%) including some skilled machinists.  Some day the city expects to harbor jobs for 119,000 workers. 

Redmond is composed of 10 neighborhoods, 40 acres of  parks, and 40 miles of trails (and more trails if you count the myriad of informal trails between developments).  Redmond is a young town and getting younger with an average peak age between 20-34.  The largest group is between 5-44 years.   Redmond is 45% 'other than Caucasian' with 1/3 of residents speaking a language other than English in their homes.  Over 80% of our residents have an education higher than high school and the most prevalent household size grouping is two/household.

Redmond has won several awards from national publications for quality of life.  In 2012 the city won Money Magazine's Top Five "Best Places to Live" for cities under 300,000.  Redmond was also awarded best place for young people, young professionals and best place to raise a family.

According to the video tape applause as heard on www.redmond.gov of John's speech to One Redmond a few months back, the business community is supportive of the Cleveland - Redmond Way couplet reversal.  John said work will begin first quarter of 2016 to change Clevelend Street to 2-way with 3 lanes and change Redmond Way to 2-way with 4 lanes.   The second phase of the Downtown Park development will begin in the summer of this year and next.   John said it will be congested there owing to using the park development as a staging area for Cleveland Street improvements. 

The "Redmond Central Connector" spine that parallels Cleveland Street should be mostly developed with trails and art from the Red Robin to the Trestle Bridge over Redmond Way -- in time for a ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for September, 2013.  A Sound Transit Station is planned for the south side of the Connector in 2025 but it is not yet funded. 

Besides all the high rises and cranes you see underway the city has permits in review for an additional 437 residential units and 7,000 SF of retail.  It appeared John's slide show showed four or five additional buildings in the permitting plans.   A significant stormwater vault is planned along 85th Street across from Kentucky Fried Chicken.  It will clean stormwater before draining into the Sammamish River. 

5,000 new homes and 25,000 new jobs are expected in the Overlake Urban Center within the next 20 years.  A critical access ramp into the neighborhood from SR520 will relieve congestion brought on by high job densities.  Light rail service is planned by 2023.  Two parks are planned for the Overlake neighborhood.  One park will be built over a huge stormwater vault in the Sears parking lot.  Vault construction is 2-3 years out.

Marchione credited the council for their participation in regional matters...in particular the Sound Cities Association (SCA).   Pat Vache', Hank Margeson, Kim Allen, John Stilin, and the Mayor are all on one or two SCA committees.  The Mayor is also on four other regional committees (ARCH, NORCOM, EPSCA, and RPEC). 

John concluded that it appears Redmond is weathering the 2008-2012 recession with assessed property values back to 2008 levels.  He said "growth is marching to the vision for the city" even though it's a little shocking at times. 

Reported by Bob Yoder
  

Public meeting on managing aquatic plants in the Sammamish River May 9

Art comes in all shapes and sizes

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Rosanna,  King County Blog

We are excited to be working in partnership with 4Culture to do an artistic makeover of the Wayne Tunnel on the Bothell section of the Burke-Gilman Trail. More than 2 million people ride through this gray, concrete tunnel every year, which makes it the perfect place to spread a little joy across a 250 ft. long canvas!

Any artists interested in this unique public art opportunity are encouraged to apply before the May 20, 2013 deadline.

Now, if the job was yours, what kind of mural would you make? To help get your imagination churning, here’s a photo of Toronto’s iconic rainbow at the entrance of their CN Rail tunnel.

Redmond Mustang PTSA Weekly Community Digest

BELLEVUE COLLEGE SUMMER CLASSES. The Bellevue College Summer Program for Teens offers a great way to learn and have fun during summer. The classes are designed for 12-17 year olds, and are taught by experienced instructors. Most classes are held at the Bellevue College North Campus right off WA-520 and 148th Ave NE in Bellevue. Class times and days vary, but most run half-days for one week, so you can experience multiple classes throughout the summer. And best of all, there's a large variety of subjects to choose from: June 24 - August 16, 2013.

 

REDMOND'S GREAT DAY OF PLAY 5K RUN/WALK.Register now for our Great Day of Play 5K Run/Walk before price increases on 5/31!  The race is chip timed and the course is new this year! $25 gets you a technical fabric shirt and goody bag and donation to FeetFirst. Full race details and registration available at www.runsignup.com/greatdayofplay5k.

 

DERBY DAYS 2013. Save the Date! July 12&13. Redmond Derby Days celebrates its 73^rd anniversary in 2013. www.RedmondDerbyDays.com.

 

SIGN UP FOR SUMMER CAMPS NOW. Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center. 16600 NE 8oth St. 425-556-2300. www.RedmondRecreationGuide.com.

The ninth annual NAMI Walk of Washington takes place Saturday, May 18

The ninth annual NAMI Walk of Washington will take place on Saturday, May 18.   For the third year, the walk will be held at Marina Park in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland, and the route will follow the scenic shoreline of Lake Washington. The lovely location, a popular area for pedestrians and a well-traveled route for vehicles, brings needed visibility to the event.   The walk is the primary fundraising event for NAMI Washington and the state's 23 National Alliance on Mental Illness affiliates. The event also serves to promote mental health awareness and remind people that NAMI exists across Washington to help individuals with mental illness and their families.   This year, the walk aims to raise $225,000 to help the NAMI chapters across Washington continue to offer free classes, support groups, information and referral to places of assistance.   As usual, the event will include sponsor booths, prizes, free food and music.   Last year's event attracted over 1,000 walkers.

Questions? Gazala Uradnik, NAMI Washington Walk Manager gazala@gfsfund.com

Letter: Tree City USA?

Tree City USA?

An item in last week’s Redmond Reporter noted that Redmond has been designated a "Tree City" by the Arbor Day Foundation for the 14th year. To qualify for this honor, a city must "designate staff to care for trees, appoint a citizen tree board to advocate for community forestry, establish a tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on tree care and celebrate Arbor Day." Redmond is missing one critical element of these qualifications…a citizen tree board to advocate for community forestry.

The City of Redmond relies upon staff members to manage community trees and uses citizen volunteers for forest restoration manpower, but decidedly not for policy suggestions. We know because Sustainable Redmond has advocated for a citizen tree board consistently over the last year and has just as consistently been rebuffed. Read More >>

LWSD Superintendent Pierce addresses the Budget and other financial matters of the district

 

Superintendent's Message

Dr. Traci Pierce, Superintendent

Budget is always a hot topic this time of year. State budget proposals have been released from the governor, the Senate and the House. School districts are waiting for the legislature to complete its work so we can complete our local budget processes.

You may have heard that our state legislature has finished their work in the 105-day legislative session. Governor Jay Inslee announced that he will call legislators back to Olympia on May 13 to begin a special session. In his announcement, Governor Inslee said the legislature needs to focus on, among other things, "an operating budget that makes a substantial down payment on education," and "important education policy measures to ensure that new education funding will achieve results."  Read More >>

Doug Eglington - Lake Washington School Board Member decides not to run again

Member since 1989 decides not to run for additional term - term ends December 2013

 

Redmond, Wash. – Doug Eglington, a member of the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors announced today that he will not run for an additional term. Eglington has served on the board since 1989 and was board president in 2005 and 2006. He was first appointed in February 1989 to fulfill a partial term and was then elected in November 1989. He is a resident of Sammamish and lives in the district’s Director District Four. His current term on the school board will end in December of this year.

Eglington, who retired two years ago from a career in government policy work, noted that his wife, an Issaquah School District teacher, is getting closer to retirement age.

“It’s time for a change,” he said. “I will miss working with my fellow school board members but am confident Lake Washington School District is in good hands.”

“Doug was on the board when I was first elected,” noted Jackie Pendergrass, president of the Lake Washington School District Board of Directors. “His constant, knowledgeable presence has helped our board keep the best interests of students in mind. Doug has been invaluable to all of us by staying current on and tracking both state and federal legislation that could affect our district. We could be sure as a school board that we knew what legislation might affect the district and could think ahead. We will miss him very much.”

“By the end of his final term, Doug will have served the district for close to 25 years,” noted Dr. Traci Pierce, Superintendent. “A strong and stable school board is invaluable to any school district. Doug has contributed so much to the district throughout his years of service and I will greatly miss working with him.”

Evans Creek Preserve - A City of Sammamish gem

THE EVANS CREEK PRESERVE

"This is a great place to take your family, yourself, or a friend for a short hike in beautiful open space only 3 miles east of downtown Redmond."  B. Yoder

By Susan Wilkins

Redmond, WA. 

The Evans Creek Preserve, a new park and nature preserve east of Redmond was opened to the public in late 2011 after nearly a decade of planning and a year of intensive trail construction. The preserve is mostly gentle rolling hills with open meadows and forested uplands. It is located in the bottomland of the Evans Creek Basin, a few miles east of Redmond, in the deep southeast trending valley that connects Redmond and Fall City. Evans Creek runs through the north edge of the preserve in an undersized, meandering channel that routinely floods creating swamps and wetland ponds that cover much of the site during the winter. 

We visited in early July and the wetlands were mostly grassy and dry. Evans Creek was running so slowly that we weren’t sure where it was and had to check the map. In the fall, Evans Creek will have native runs of chinook as well as runs of coho and sockeye salmon that will pass through the preserve and spawn upstream.

Owned and developed by the City of Sammamish, the Evans Creek Preserve is located about 3 miles east of downtown Redmond on Redmond-Fall City Road. The 180-acre property was once the farmstead of Newton and Kathryn Galley who passed away in the mid-1990s and willed their property to the University of Washington, Whitman College, Children’s Hospital, the Children’s Home Society, the Masonic Home and Redmond United Methodist Church. These 6 organizations collectively agreed to sell the property to the City of Sammamish in November 2000. The park/preserve was in the planning stage until 2011 when major development of the park and its trail system was undertaken. Old farm buildings were torn down and a new iron-works footbridge over Evans Creek was constructed. Washington Trails Association (wta.org) designated Evans Creek Preserve as one of its major lowland projects for 2011. Volunteer trail-building days were organized by WTA and 250 volunteers spent more than 7000 hours clearing brush, removing stumps, laying gravel trails and building boardwalks and bridges to create nearly 2 miles of trail loops.

To get there: The Evans Creek Preserve is located on the south side of Redmond-Fall City Road (SR202) about a mile east of the SR202/Sahalee Way intersection. Heading east on SR202, look for the sign on the right side of the road that says NE 34th Street – Private Road, turn right and go a short distance down the road. There is a 10-car parking lot with signs and maps.

Redmond celebrates National Preservation Month and 10th Anniversary of Downtown Historic Walking Tours

Redmond, WA - May is National Preservation Month and this year's theme encourages the greater community to “See, Save, and Celebrate” historic places. In Redmond, a great way to do that is by joining one of the Downtown Historic Walking Tours. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the tours, which provide opportunities to connect with the City’s past, present, and future.

The Downtown Historic Walking Tours season began in April and continues through September. The remaining tours will take place on Sunday, May 19 and June 16, 1:00pm to 2:30pm. A tour of Redmond’s Pioneer Cemetery will be provided on July 21^st at 11:30am; and the special September tour – Haunted History and Storytelling - will be provided on Sunday, September 15 during the early evening. Additional tour opportunities are also available by request.   Read More >>

City of Redmond releases "2013 Community Indicators" report

                                                                               

Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond has released its eighth annual Community Indicators report. The report describes Redmond’s progress toward achieving its community vision as well as actions the City is taking to implement its Comprehensive Plan.

Among this year’s key findings is that Redmond continues to be a safe community. The most serious violent and property crimes fell by 14 and 11 percent, respectively, compared to 2011.

For the tenth consecutive year, Redmond reached a new high in the number of licensed businesses, at 5,635. There are 1,458 Redmond businesses that have held a Redmond business license for at least seven years.   Read More >>

Lake Washington School District launches thematic, interdisciplinary block course use projects for "real world" learning

Lake Washington School District Launches High School “Signature Programs”

Thematic, interdisciplinary block courses use projects for “real world” learning

Redmond, Wash. – By 2014-15, all Lake Washington School District High Schools will offer “Signature Programs,” which are thematic, interdisciplinary three-period instructional blocks organized around career clusters and pathways. These courses combine rigorous academics and “real world” application of learning. They will engage students in problem-based learning and completion of industry-based projects. At the same time, students will earn academic credit in specified areas required for graduation.

                For example, Juanita High School’s STEM Signature Program will explore global health through the lens of literature, body systems and disease detection and prevention. Students will earn credit for Anatomy and Physiology, Biotechnology and English. The course will involve laboratory investigations, problem solving and a variety of public health-related readings.  Read More >>

Partners in Lake Sammamish Kokanee Work Group join with area residents in juvenile fish release

Earth Week Sammamish kokanee release caps off strong year for ‘little red fish’

 While full-fledged, basin-wide recovery of native Sammamish kokanee salmon might not be here yet, partners of the Lake Sammamish Kokanee Work Group have good reason to celebrate the recent and remarkable turnaround in kokanee salmon numbers.

“The tremendous return of adult fish to the spawning grounds indicates that our hatchery and critical habitat improvement work has us on the right path toward salmon recovery,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine, who took part in an Earth Week release of juvenile kokanee salmon this afternoon.   Read More >>

The Redmond Arts Commission meets with City Council to discuss the future of art and culture in Redmond

The Arts Commission was invited to a study session with the Redmond Mayor and Council last week.  Rob Leavitt, Chair of the commission and staffer Josua Heim ran most of the meeting.  Rob said the purpose of the Arts Commission is a "catalyst for Redmond's diverse and inventive community - and incubator for creativity."

Rob highlighted the diverse population Redmond serves.  He claimed one in three Redmond residents are people of color with 25% of the residents born outside the U.S.  Redmond is a young community with 25% of the residents between 20-34 years of age and 33% between 30-55 years. 

Rob wanted his Arts Commission to be known as the "Arts and Culture Commission" owing to the diverse ethnic populations within Redmond.  Councilmember Hank Myers said the diversity of Redmond gives Redmond "a lot of clay" to work with from which to build art works.  He recommended our arts and culture "be fun for our residents."  Councilmember Kimberly Allen said our niche appears to be in the digital arts and that we should celebrate our diversity with ethnic festivals.  She said outdoor festivals are our strong suit, alluding to Derby Days, summer events, the Bon Fire, Winter Lights, and Ananda Mela at City Hall.  Councilmember Tom Flynn liked the idea of Redmond being "a cultural arts town" saying "it brings good vibes." 

Councilmember John Stilin, a past Redmond arts commission chair said "we need to  put something out there - a little daring - we may have some misses - but the essence of a lot of art is it challenges people to think differently."   Council spent a lot of time giving staff feedback on the "Cultural Corridor 2030 Master Plan" in the downtown.  A large, manufactured "erratic" (glacial boulder) will be installed in the corridor as a centerpiece.  A center for the performing arts is in the 2020 plan for the Overlake area but the city is also working with Eastside cities for a possible regional center.

Councilmember Hank Margeson said "It's hard to be all things to all people.  We don't have to be a Park City, Utah (Sun Dance Film Festival) or an Ashland, Or (Shakespeare Festival).  We want to be Redmond...to find our own niche and piece of the puzzle."  Councilmember Carson said Redmond's  niche is in Digital Arts without even a seedling for a performing arts center.

Mayor Marchione challenged the commission to ask "What's the best Redmond we can be?  Who are we?  What's our soul?"  He said Redmond's roots are in lumber and agriculture.  

In my opinion, perhaps a mural could be painted on one of the old cinder block buildings on Cleveland Street attesting to our pioneer days. The City of Bothell has some good examples of quality murals.  Do you have any ideas for art or culture events in Redmond?  Is it time some new art was installed? 

By Bob Yoder

Councilmember Kathy Lambert supports giving voters more choices in the Parks Levy

Editor's Note:  this article was posted in 2013.

“In an era of reduced revenues and increasing needs, I think the voters should know that their tax choices impact many areas of government,” said King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert. ”The bigger issue here is how the proposed Parks Levy impacts our general tax priorities. The recent recession has changed the funding formulas in a new more complicated way and there are many other pressing needs in our County.  I love our parks and that is why I am proposing that we separate the proposed Levy, just as we did six years ago. We then need to give the voters of King County additional and updated information so they have greater clarity and transparency on how we fund our junior taxing districts and how that funding process impacts many junior districts such as fire, hospital and flood districts.” 

The Metropolitan King County Council is considering two options for renewing the six-year Parks Levy, which expires this December.  One option would increase the levy by 42 percent to fund major acquisitions to the King County Parks system. It asks for a property tax lid lift of 18.77 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, which translates into a yearly rate of $56.30 for the owner of a $300,000 home in King County. The voters’ only choice under this approach would be not funding parks or accepting a 42 percent tax increase.  Read More >>