LWSD holds "Yellow Bus Tour" for community

The Lake Washington School District Communications department is reaching out to the community with "Yellow Bus Tours" as a tool to help new families understand the District.  Nine Coldwell Banker Bain real estate agents were taken on a tour by Facilities Director Forest Miller to see Rush El, Rose Hill Middle, and Lake Washington High and then have lunch.  The district has scheduled a levy and bond measure for February of 2014.

By Bob Yoder

School Board postpones decision to authorize donation for a video scoreboard at Eastlake High

Updated:  Board approves scoreboard 4-1 (Pendergrass).  6/24

The LWSD school board and staff spent  a half hour of their last business meeting trying to decide if they should authorize acceptance of a video scoreboard donation to Eastlake High School.  Policy questions for advertising and donations arose, delaying their decision to the next meeting. 

President Jackie Pendergrass originally saw no value of the video scoreboard and focused more on the liability, maintenance and operational costs to the district.  After listening to Directors Egglington and Carlson she showed an interest in learning how other districts are benefiting and using video scoreboards.  Egglington said that technology is a driver in our economy and education and so he felt "this was a significant proposal" that deserved their time and consideration.  Carlson more than once stated this scoreboard could be an excellent educational opportunity for students - especially for replaying past and present game situations.  He and Jackie were concerned about ongoing maintenance costs for non-volunteers; and he suggested operational costs should be capped. Carlson said if the scoreboard was revenue neutral after advertising and costs and policies were compatible he was favorable.  Director Bernard asked about liability and insurance costs and to re-visit the advertising policy.  She also wanted to know which sports groups could use the scoreboard besides football. 

Staff said the video scoreboard has a 5 year warranty for parts and labor and maintenance costs are expected to be about $2000 per year at year six.  Insurance riders are unavailable.  Deputy Superintendent Janine Fogard said WIAA rules do not allow instant replay for officiating purposes and no panning of the crowd; but videos of the cheer and band at half time are allowed.  Students could edit in highlights from the previous games.  There is no sound. 

Director Carlson quipped he has never been to a high school football game but a video scoreboard "could even get out nerds like me to a game." 

Q&A with Redmond Police Community Faciltator Jim Bove

Our neighborhood had an attempted burglary and the person fled after the alarm went off. What do you all suggest we do if we hear a burglar outside? Should we pretend to sleep to avoid confrontation or make noise too to scare the burglar away?

 

Not sure if you have a Neighborhood Watch, but this is great information to circulate to all your neighbors as soon as it occurs. It’s not common for these to happen in the middle of the night as seen on TV/movies, it’s usually during the day. That said, you need to do what you feel comfortable with. Definitely call 911 asap, preferably from a landline—that way even if you can’t talk we’ll still be in route because it will show your address. Don’t wait for the alarm company to call us because that can take several minutes. These people aren’t usually armed; they are looking to get in and out as quickly as possible without being noticed. Sometimes something as simple as turning on a light can signal to the burglar that someone is home. Grant it, it doesn’t help us catch them because they’ve already taken off, but it does keep you safe which is priority #1. That said, you never want to assume that the burglar does or does not have a weapon-so don’t get involved.  Read More >>

New contract for Lake Washington School District, Lake Washington Education Association

School calendar set for next five years

 

Redmond, Wash. – The Lake Washington School District (LWSD) and the Lake Washington Education Association (LWEA) have tentatively agreed to a new contract for the next four years, the 2013-14 through 2016-17 school years. The contract was ratified by 96.8% of the members of the LWEA in an online vote that concluded May 29. The Lake Washington School District Board of Directors voted to approve the new contract on Monday, June 3, at its regular board meeting.  Read More >>

Tree Swallows at Marymoor BirdLoop

  

New bird houses installed by the Eastside Audubon Society on the Marymoor Park BirdLoop (Lot C) are attracting once uncommon Tree Swallows.   Photo by John Reinke

Redmond City Council approves Phase One of Funding to rechannelize Bear Creek away from SR520

             Council awards $3,414,472 to KLB Construction to rehabilitate Bear Creek 

 

Background

 

The Bear Creek Rehabilitation project will rehabilitate the lower, channelized part of

Bear Creek starting at the Sammamish River and going upstream on Bear Creek to the

Bear Creek enhancement work previously completed. About 3,000 feet of Bear Creek

will be completely relocated from the mostly straight, channelized “stream” to a

meandering, reshaped and re-planted channel in the existing open space.
 

The project will establish stream buffers consistent with the City’s Critical Areas

Ordinance with allowance for the Washington State Department of Transportation

(WSDOT) “Stage 3” widening of the SR520 freeway adjacent to Bear Creek. The

existing asphalt path will be relocated and augmented with a soft-surface parallel path and

“side-routes” that will allow people to walk over to the stream and to view and interact

with (a much improved) Bear Creek.
 

The rehabilitated overbank areas will address flood conveyance issues and will provide

other habitat improvements.

History   Read More >>

Census: Redmond has largest daytime population surge in U.S.

June 3, 2013 at 12:55 PM

Census: Redmond has largest daytime population surge in U.S.

Posted by Gene Balk, Seattle Times   

 

If Microsoft’s sprawling, 125-building campus in Redmond seems like a city unto itself, that’s because it almost is.

As the cubicle-dwellers arrive each morning, Redmond’s population bulges to more than twice its size.  In fact, newly-released Census data show that Redmond has the greatest spike in daytime population due to commuters, measured by percent increase, among all U.S. places with at least 50,000 residents.

During peak business hours, Redmond’s population jumps by 111 percent to about 110,000; that makes it, from 9 to 5, the seventh largest city in Washington.  But come nightfall, Redmond shrinks back down to about 52,000, or the state’s 19th largest city.

Just 26 percent of Redmond’s massive workforce live there.  Everybody else is commuting from somewhere else.  Is it any wonder the traffic is such a nightmare?  But take heart — light rail to Redmond should be up and running in a mere decade.  Read more >>

Updated, 6/2017, Redmond Bike Park Update - Unauthorized trail building must cease

Dear Redmond Bike Park Followers:  (from Carolyn Hope, City Parks Planner)

This week at the bike park, some of our staff and volunteer trail stewards will be making safety improvements to the existing features.  There has been a considerable amount of unauthorized trail building at the site, this needs to stop, please help spread the word on this.  The City has worked hard to try to maintain a safe park experience at this site for bikers and walkers. The development of this park is a pilot of a community/city partnership and we need your cooperation and assistance to make this project successful. If you like to build jump and bike features, please contact me so we can put your skills to work in a way that benefits the project.  However, until we have permits in hand, we are only maintaining what we have, not building out the proposed bike park plans.  For example,  this past weekend someone built a starting ramp/berm along the sidewalk from Hartman park to enter the main jump line – this is a completely unsafe condition, as it crosses the Ashford Trail, a major pedestrian route.  As a result, our staff and volunteers will replace the berm with a small start hill south of the Ashford Trail near the first jump in attempt to avoid having people riding from the Hartman Park entrance.

As you may know, the City is proceeding with a redesign on the Redmond Bike Park per the conditions of a settlement agreement with the appellants of the proposed project.  We expect to have the revised plans and permits ready in early August and if all goes well, we hope to build the park with your help in the fall, likely beginning in October.

Please contact me if you would like to volunteer as a trail steward or if you would like any additional information. 

Thank you!

Carolyn Hope

Park Planning & Cultural Services Manager

Editor's note:  Development of the park was not without controversy.  The Katz's house bordered the park site. They and other of their neighbors outcryed about tree loss and noise that would come with the proposed park. A website was even made to generate neighborhood support. On several occasions I noticed Councilmember Stilin having coffee at Soulfood with Mr. Katz.  Final project approval ended up at the Hearing Examiner level in City Hall with Mr. Katz and a neighbor talking for days and hours with the Examiner.  Litigation cost the city thousands and thousands. The result was positive for Mr. Katz and his neighbors.  The bicycle ramps and routes were smaller resulting a larger neighborhood buffer.  With a smaller, more youth oriented park with smaller launches the "bad elements" of the city were less likely to be drawn in.  Development of the park went far over budget....I think around $70M.

Washington ranks 30th in total school spending per pupil in 2011

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Ross Hunter on Ross Hunter's Blog  

      

Per-Pupil expenditures 1992-2011 not adjusted for inflation

Dick Davis at the The Washington Research Council posted about new Census data recently released on school funding.

Washington ranks 30th in total school spending per pupil in 2011

A new report from the U.S. Census provides a wealth of data on public school spending. (Links to all the data can be found here.)

A look at state revenues and spending per pupil can be found in this spreadsheet, Table 11 from the report. It shows that Washington spent $9,483 per pupil, ranking the state 30th, slightly below the U.S. average of $10,560.The table also shows that Washington ranks 30th in total revenues per pupil, $11,329. And, as we noted in our comparative analysis of education funding, we rank relatively high in state spending, No. 15, and lower in local funding, No. 36. (Read entire article here...)  Read More >>

Alliance of Eastside Agencies Ninth Annual Awards Recognizes Seven Heroes

 Public Invited to luncheon honoring outstanding contributions to human services in East King County

REDMOND, Wash. (May 30, 2013)—The Alliance of Eastside Agencies (AEA), a professional membership organization of human service providers, is honoring five individuals and two organizations at its ninth annual awards luncheon being held at Bear Creek Country Club on Wednesday, June 12 at noon. Keynote speakers will be David Bley and Marie Sauter of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation who will speak about the impact that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have on development. More information and reservations are available online at AEAawardsLuncheon.eventbrite.com.

Award recipients in seven categories were chosen from several nominated by Eastside human service providers. Each has made outstanding contributions to health and human services in East King County. 

Elected official of the Year—Amy Walen, City of Kirkland Council Member 

Ms. Walen, who was elected in 2009, was nominated for her support of a variety of non-profits from Evergreen Hospital and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation to KITH (Kirkland Interfaith Transitions in Housing) and animal rescue organizations. She was also instrumental in passing a city ordinance to allow section 8 voucher holders to compete for housing units equally with those utilizing other sources of income to pay their rent. 

Youth Volunteer of the Year—Eila Studivant, Youth Eastside Services  Read More >>

LETTER: Bike Ride Coming to Redmond, WA

LETTER:  The first-ever Obliteride is going through your community this August. We wanted to let you know so you can alert your neighbors and also invite them to join in this movement to end cancer at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

 

Driven by the goal to end cancer, Obliteride is a new, community-wide effort to accelerate lifesaving cancer research at Fred Hutch. It culminates in a fundraising bike ride Aug. 10-11, 2013. Thanks to Obliteride sponsors, 100% of every dollar raised will directly benefit cancer research right here in our community. 

 

Obliteride participants will be riding through your community on Saturday August 10th, 2013. We are not planning to close any streets and we are securing permits to ensure we are following all of the necessary precautions to keep riders safe and reduce congestion in your community.  Read More >>

Police Blotter for May 30: Construction tools stolen from truck; Crystal substance found in business garage

RPD Public Info for 24 Hours preceding 05:54:01 on Thursday, May 30 2013

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VUCSA Other - Possession	11:50:29 05/29/2013	13-009343
CITYCENTER	177xx block of NE 65 ST
Crystal substance was found in a business garage. The substance was sent to evidence for destruction.

 

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Theft-From Mtr Vehicle	07:32:54 05/29/2013	13-009327
CITYCENTER	LEARY WY & BEAR CREEK PKWY
Sometime during the night an unknown suspect entered the unlocked construction area and opened the unlocked tool compartments on the construction truck. Multiple power tools were taken.

Spend National Trails Day in King County Parks

Spend National Trails Day, Sat, June 1, in Your Big Backyard

Posted on May 28, 2013 by King County Parks

   

Join us on National Trails Day, Saturday, June 1, to learn more about our growing network of 180 miles of backcountry trails spread across more than 16,000 acres of park lands.
Did you know that over our 75 year history, King County Parks has built an impressive legacy of natural lands? You know, the kind where you can experience lush Douglas Fir forests, wild-flower-filled meadows, and sweeping vistas of the Cascades and Mount Rainier? These close-to-home bits of nature offer diverse recreation opportunities – from hiking and horseback riding to paragliding and white river kayaking – and they protect water quality and habitat for fish and wildlife and contribute to our quality of life, helping make King County a vibrant and prosperous place to live, work, and play.
We’re always up for a celebration, so for American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day on June 1, we’re honoring our natural lands and the recreation opportunities they offer. Our lovely Parks and Trails Ambassador volunteers will host 9 information stations from 9 am to 11 am, where you can learn about various trails networks, recreation and volunteer opportunities, and native wildlife and habitat.
Stop by and say hi!
Eastside and North King County
•    Big Finn Hill Park*, 8106 NE 138th St, Kirkland.
•    Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park*, Sky Country Trailhead, 166th Way SE off of E Cougar Mountain Way, New Castle.
•    Marymoor Park*, Birdloop Trail, Parking Lot G (guided bird walk at 10 am), 6046 W Lake Sammamish Parkway NE, Redmond.
•    Moss Lake Natural Area, 10902 NE Moss Lake Rd, Carnation.
•    Soaring Eagle Park, 26015 East Main Dr, Sammamish.
•    Tanner Landing Park, approx. booth location at 44120 SE North Bend Way, North Bend.
South King County
•    Henry’s Ridge Open Space*, approx. booth location at Maple Valley-Black Diamond Rd and 241st Ave SE, Black Diamond.
•    Taylor Mountain Forest*, 276 Ave SE just past SR-18, Hobart.
Vashon/Maury Island
•    Maury Island Marine Park overlook, approx. booth location near 6030 SW 248th St, Vashon.
*Denotes volunteer work party.  Contact Laurie Clinton, Volunteer Program Manager, at 206-296-4452 or at laurie.clinton@kingcounty.gov to sign up or for more information.

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 form 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