Boy Scout Troop Turns 50

Boy Scout Troop 550, sponsored by Redmond United Methodist Church, turned 50 years old earlier this year. In commemoration of that event there will be an Anniversary Celebration and Reunion Saturday October 11^th at 5:00 PM at Galley Hall in the Church basement.

Troop 550 has been continuously sponsored by Redmond United Methodist Church for all of its 50 years. In those 50 years Troop 550 has awarded the rank of Eagle to over 100 Scouts as well as building young men who are good citizens and leaders in their community.

All former and current members are invited to join us for this truly momentous occasion.

Redmond man complains about safety issues at Redmond Skate Park

A concerned Redmond man, Chris Wallman, spoke up at City Council during Items from the Audience last Tuesday about the dangers at the Redmond Skate Park.  This was his second presentation on the subject.  He complained of drug sales, a fight, loitering by the homeless and drug abusers within the park. 


He said he had to risk his life by breaking up fight where he encountered at-risk youth using brass knuckles fighting a man.  When he reported the incident to the City of Redmond the only response he got was from officer Bret Cambell but he said the city came up with no answers. 


He acknowledged Redmond Police Chief Ron Gibson's earlier concerns from his first presentation to Council but the Park remains susceptible "to tragedies that can be prevented."  A council member also responded to his earlier presentation.


Mr. Wallman said he would continue to address his concerns about safety within the Redmond Skate Park if nothing is done.  He left a paper for the record that addresses how other cities around the country address safety at similar parks.   

Candidates Forum On Mental Health Issues

                    Brightwater Center Meeting Room

22505 State Route 9 SE,

Woodinville, WA  98072

Thursday, September 25, 7 –8:30PM

 

Moderator – Jonathan Martin,

 editorial writer, Seattle Times

All candidates for the state legislature from districts 41, 45 and 48 have been invited to participate.

Public participation is strongly encouraged. 

 

Topics for Discussion at the Forum:

 

1. The costs of NOT providing care.
2. Changing language in the Involuntary Treatment Act.
3. Funding for housing for homeless/mentally ill.
4. Funding for more psychiatric beds/psychiatric units.
5. Assisted Outpatient Treatment programs and facilities.
6. Alternatives to incarceration for people living with a mental illness and have broken the law.
7. Others - - - - -
    

For more information:  Contact the NAMI Eastside Public Policy Committee at carolkoepp@comcast.net or call (612) 281-6701

 

 

 

Redmond Bike Park Now Open

Redmond, WA –   The City of Redmond Bike Park is now open for all skill levels of bike enthusiasts to enjoy. Located at Hartman Park; corner of NE 104th St. and 171st Ave NE. The dirt-jump style trails progress from beginner to advance and is designed to help riders develop their skills in a safe environment. The park covers about 2-acres of forested property and riders can easily spend a few hours riding the various trails that include the following features: · "Easy A" Beginner Jump Line - 8 table top & 3 roller jumps with an average 4 foot height and several berm turns. · "Shredmond" Intermediate Jump Line - 9 table top & 1 roller jump with an average 6 foot height. · "A-Line South" Advanced Line - 5 table top, 1 roller jump, 1 1/4 pipe jump with an average 6 foot height. · "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" Pump Track - 350 feet long, 13 rollers with an average 2.5 foot height and 7 berm turns. · "Walk it Off" Skills Loop - 200 feet long, 6 log rides and 16 berm turns. · "Outer Space" Perimeter Loop Trail - pedestrian and bike trail around three sides of the park that bi-passes the jump trails. A special THANK YOU to all the volunteers that dedicated many of their weekends this summer to help build the bike trails – a 176 in total putting in 1,670 hours! On average, each volunteer committed 7.5 hours of their time – a day's worth of work! And boy did they work! These bike enthusiasts performed hard labor by clearing the trails of vegetation and shaping the soil into large jumps. Using hand tools, rakes, shovels, and tampers to pack the soil; this was a very physical and difficult assignment. If you're interested in volunteering as a "Trail Steward" to help with ongoing trail maintenance, please sign up at www.redmond.gov/bikepark to register as a volunteer. For additional questions please contact David Shaw, project manager, at 425-556-2378 or dashaw@redmond.gov.

Office of Communications Anne Marie Peacock 425-556-2165 ampeacock@redmond.gov

---

 

Become a volunteer naturalist - Training starts September 11

Become a volunteer naturalist on the Cedar River and learn about one of the world's amazing wildlife migrations that runs through the heart of Seattle, Renton and on up into Maple Valley! Naturalists will receive 20 hours of training from fish and watershed experts in September. Then they'll spend three weekend days along the river, talking to the public about the spawning salmon and the natural and human history of the Cedar River Watershed.
 
Sponsors of the program, now entering its 17th year, include Friends of the Cedar River Watershed, Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Public Utilities, King County Flood Control District, City of Renton, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the WRIA8 Salmon Recovery Council.
 
Contact Dani Kendall at 206.792-5851 or at dani@cedarriver.org to sign up. Training starts September 11, 2014. For more info or to complete the volunteer application, visit www.cedarriver.org/salmon-journey.

Lake Washington Student Scores Improving on Standardized Tests

11 Schools meet federal standards

 

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District students improved their average scores on state standardized tests in many grades in reading, writing, math and science. Scores rose in close to two thirds of the grade/content area, continuing general upward trends.   Read More >>

Redmond Historical Society Speaker Series, September 13

Behind the Scenes: Hidden Treasures of Washington’s Museums

Ready for some well-kept secrets from Washington state museums?  Journalist and author Harriet Baskas, who researches the closeted collections of museums, will share some of her favorite finds at the Redmond Historical Society’s Saturday Speaker Series at 10:30am on September 13th.  Sponsored by Humanities Washington, the fast-paced, photo-filled and, at times, offbeat tour through Washington will be told through the stories of museum artifacts that are rarely – or never – shown to the public.  Read More >>

Lake Washington Schools Foundation Awards $220,000 to School District

  

When Lake Washington students return to school this fall, they will be able to build robots, use a 3-D printer and learn how to prevent bullying because of extra funding provided to the school district by Lake Washington Schools Foundation. For the 2014-2015 school year, the Foundation granted the district nearly $220,000 to support district-wide initiatives and provide classroom tools that will help students succeed.  Read More >>

Parents/Community Members Needed for LWSD Curriculum Adoption Committees

Science, math, visual arts under review

 

Each year, Lake Washington School District forms committees to determine new curriculum adoptions. Committees are made up of teachers, administrators and parents. They review standards, teaching practices and materials for specific courses and content areas. Committees take two years to develop a recommendation.

 

This year, four different adoption committees will review the following curricula:

·         9-12^th grade science

·         6^th-8^th grade science

·         6^th-8^th grade math

·         Kindergarten – 5^th grade visual arts

 

The district seeks parents/community members for each of these committees. If you are interested in serving,   Read More >>

Tragic Loss of Retired Chief of Police Steven R. Harris

                                                        

Redmond, WA – It is with great sadness the City of Redmond mourns the loss of retired Police Chief Steven R. Harris.  Chief Harris was tragically killed in a traffic collision yesterday.  His wife, Magi, was a passenger in the vehicle and was critically injured in the collision.  The Washington State Patrol is investigating and all questions related to the collision will be referred to WSP.  Read More >>

Redmond Bike Park Grand Opening is September 6

After months of work by city staff and hundreds of volunteer hours the Redmond Bike Park is complete and ready to ride!   A Grand Opening is planned for Saturday, September 6 and will include the following events:


10-11:30  Dirt Jump Skills Workshop
11:30-12  Site Tour
12-1:00    Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Mayor/Volunteer Awards/BBQ
1-2:00      Jump Jam


The BMX bike park includes the following jump tracks:  beginning, intermediate, advanced, skills track, and pump track.  Parking is available at Hartman Park at the corner of NE 104th Street and 171 Ave NE. 

Lake Washington students above state average on ACT scores

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington students who take the ACT, a standardized test used in college admissions, continue to show they are more likely to meet college readiness standards than other students in Washington state or in the U.S.  Compared nationally and statewide, far more district students score high enough on each of the four ACT tests to meet the college readiness benchmark that ACT has set for all four subjects – English, math, reading and science. While nationally only 26 percent of students met this standard for all four subjects and 41 percent met it statewide, 59 percent of the students in LWSD who took the ACT qualified, two percent more than in 2013. Read More >>

City of Redmond Selects New Farrel-McWhirter Park Preschool Partner

Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond Parks and Recreation Department has offered preschool at Farrel-McWhirter Park for more than 20 year, and will continue to honor this tradition with its new partner, Nature Vision, for the 2014-2015 school year. Nature Vision will provide comprehensive preschool programs with a focus on preparing children for kindergarten; learning through play and developing social skills at the historic park in a unique farm, nature and forest environment.  Read More >>

Redmond Historical Society Announces Speaker Schedule

The Redmond Historical Society announced the schedule for its 2014-15 Saturday Speaker Series that   begins on September 13th at 10:30am at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center. The series features eight speakers addressing topics of local, state and Pacific Northwest historical interest.  Read More about the speakers >>

LWTech holds Redmond Campus open house for students and local business

Afternoon event boasts tours, free massages and free wine seminars

 

Redmond, WA – The Lake Washington Institute of Technology will hold an open house at the Redmond Campus on Aug. 13 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. to introduce students to Redmond Campus classes and local business to Redmond Campus partnership possibilities.

 

“Our campus is a great resource for students and the community,” said Christian Bruhn, LWTech’s Redmond Campus director. “It’s a beautiful, spacious facility with free parking and well-equipped classrooms.”  Read More >>

Help Finish the Redmond Bike Park

Help us finish the

REDMOND BIKE PARK

 

Redmond Parks & Recreation is seeking volunteers for our final push to finish the Redmond Bike Park. 

Our volunteers have made great progress in building Redmond’s first official dirt jump park but there is still more to do.  With the project at just over 60% complete and a Grand Opening goal of September 6^th, we are reaching out to let people know about this volunteer opportunity. 

Weekend Work Parties:

·        August 9 & 10

·        August 16 & 17

Work Parties are from 9am to 4pm.

Parking is available at Hartman Park off NE 104^th St, in Redmond.

All the tools, training, lunch and beverages you’ll need will be provided during the Work Parties.  Come build with us for a whole day, half-day or a whole weekend if you can.  All help is welcome. 

Visit the project website www.redmond.gov/bikepark and take a look at the plans.  To sign up, click on the Shiftboard button and register to be a Trail Builder or other volunteer.  Check out the Photo Gallery to see some great pics of the work that’s been done so far. 

There are a lot of jumps yet to build so come help us finish the Redmond Bike Park. 

Please contact me for more information. 

 

HELP BUILD the REDMOND BIKE PARK | www.Redmond.gov/BikePark 

LWTech's popular funeral parlor showcased in new "Mummies" show

Top embalming historian on site to deconstruct Seattle’s famous mummy “Sylvester”

 

An international film crew is coming to Kirkland’s Lake Washington Institute of Technology’s funeral service lab on August 6 to complete interviews for “Mummies Alive!,” a new international television series scheduled to debut in 2015. 

 

In this episode, embalming historian Jon Austin will demonstrate preservation techniques used to embalm Sylvester, Seattle’s own Ye Olde Curiosity Shop mummy. Legend has it that Sylvester was preserved by dry desert sands, but scientists have found evidence that he was actually embalmed with arsenic. He has been on display in Seattle since 1955 and is a key attraction at the Seattle landmark.  Read More >>

Redmond Neighborhood Blog re-joins Seattle Times Local News Partnership

I am pleased to report the Redmond Neighborhood Blog has been invited to join the Seattle Times Local News Partnership.  Below is the Seattle Times announcement.

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2024155386_newpartners728.html

Bob Yoder, Editor

Redfin Real Estate Report: Competition for Redmond Homes Slows Down

Competition for Redmond Homes Slows Down

 

By KC Brants

Redfin Real Estate Agent

 

Competition for homes was fierce in the spring, with intense bidding wars driving up home sale prices all over Redmond.  Homebuyers were willing to do whatever it took to win the house of their dreams. But as we headed into the summer, we began noticing a shift in the local housing market: Many buyers were either scaling back or stopping their home searches.

 

Tired of the spring bidding wars and escalating prices, many buyers are now being more selective about writing an offer on a home. A few months ago, it was common for a home on the market to receive 10 or more offers. But now, we’re seeing homes for sale receive about three to four offers instead.

 

Unfazed by the drop in competition, some Redmond sellers are continuing to price their homes above market value. They saw homes in their neighborhood selling quickly in the spring and want to get the maximum price for their properties, too.

 

What’s happening in Redmond is part of the disconnect between buyers and sellers happening in hot real estate markets across the country. The slowdown in competition means the market is shifting toward the buyer’s favor. 

 

Here is a snapshot of the market in Redmond in June compared with the same time last year:

•                    Home prices were up 3.2%, and the median home price was $568,000.

·                     The median price for single-family homes was $673,500; for condos it was $314,000.

·                     Sales were up 4.9%, with 148 homes sold.

•                    Homes spent a median 7 days on the market.

Forum: Proven Strategies for Overcoming Depression

NAMI Special Summer Educational Forum On:

 

PROVEN STRATEGIES FOR OVERCOMING DEPRESSION

                                                                      

 

Guests Speakers:  

   Graeme Cowan, International author, survivor of depression and mental health advocate 

&

Lora Inman, Certified Recovery Peer Specialist, mental health advocate and renowned author

 

Date:                         Tuesday, August 26, 2014, 7 PM - 9 PM

Location:                  Brightwater Center

          22505 State Route 9 SE, Woodinville, WA  98072

 

Graeme Cowan is Australia’s leading speaker and author in the area of mental health at work.  He has worked with elite level athletes, the armed forces and business professionals of all levels.  He is best known for his award-winning Back From The Brink book series.  Graeme has interviewed hundreds of people including Lora Inman, who contributed to his book.  To find out more information about Graeme and his book visit  http://www.iambackfromthebrink.com/   Read More >>

Redmond High School PTSA News

REDMOND HIGH SCHOOL MUSTANG WEEKLY EXTRA

School News: Back to School Photos and Fees Days Seniors August 18 Juniors August 19 Sophomores August 20 Freshmen August 21 PTSA Scholarships and Volunteer Awards RHS PTSA Award Recipients for 2013-2014 Golden Mustang - Grace Lawrence Outstanding Advocate - Ruth Schemmel Outstanding Educator - Holly Appelgate and David Peabody Golden Acorn - Sheila Zambrowsky Honorary Life Membership - Matt Loschen   RHS PTSA Scholarship Recipients for 2013-2014 Kelley Koeppen Yen Nguyen Athena Gordon  Tyler Yen Kristian Koeppen Elaine Wang          Read More>>

Donate Blood on Education Hill, August 6

Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. Every day, the Puget Sound Blood Center needs to collect 900 units of blood. But while that need is constant, the number of people donating blood isn’t. During the summer, we see a 22% decline in donors yet the need increase due to more elective surgeries & more people out on the roads!

 

**DONATE BLOOD!**

Wednesday, August 6^th

ST JUDES PARISH

Lower Level Parish Hall

10526 166^th Avenue NE

1:00 pm – 7:00 pm

(closed 3:00pm-3:45pm)

 

 

 

Please schedule a time to donate by

emailing our coordinator, Don Petersik, at sea1dxp@comcast.net

 

*Photo ID or PSBC Donor Card required for all donors!*

 

 

EvergreenHealth Provides Real-World STEM Learning Experience for Local High School Students

EvergreenHealth recently celebrated the first class of local high school students who gained experience in health care through a new STEM Global Health program in partnership with the Lake Washington School District. The students studied STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and math) through a year-long collaboration that provided hands-on education and learning opportunities at EvergreenHealth.
As part of the Lake Washington School District’s new Signature Programs, these courses engage students in problem-based learning and industry-based projects across a range of professions. These thematic, interdisciplinary, three-period instructional blocks combine rigorous academics and real-world application of learning in areas like global health and sustainability. The program at Juanita High School, part of the Lake Washington School District, combines courses in anatomy and physiology, biotechnology and 11th or 12th grade English.  Read More >>

Last Chance to "Claim Your Stake" in Redmond's Downtown Park

Redmond, WA - Final opportunity to vote on Redmond’s Downtown Park design ends Monday, July 28. Community members can log onto the City web site at www.redmond.gov/downtownparkconcepts and select their favorite concept that will determine the look and character of Redmond’s new signature park.




Read More >>

Video: RHS football team at Derby Days parade

Hi, Here's a short video that my son made for the RHS football team at the Derby Days parade talking about the upcoming season and how important support from the community is. Please take a look and the Booster Club would appreciate if you'd post it on your blog. At the end of the video we have listed the home game schedule. Thank you, Julie Byrnes Redmond Football Boosters http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCmAdgBb1w8

Stabbing Victim Dies of Injuries: Suspect Remains In-Custody

                                                     

Redmond, WA – On July 18, 2014 at 10:50 pm, Redmond Police responded to reports of a fight near a business at 15700 Redmond Way, Redmond, WA. Officers and Fire personnel arrived, provided first aid to a 17-year-old female victim with a stab wound to the chest and arrested a 25-year-old male, Daniel J. Haggart. The suspect and victim were acquaintances and both are residents of Redmond. Haggart remains held at King County Jail on charges of Attempted Murder.
On July 23, 2014 the victim died as a result of her injuries; an autopsy is pending. Redmond Police Detectives, working with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, anticipate amending charges.
The family of the victim has requested privacy. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this tragic event. Case #14-013591.

GeoCaching the Redmond Historic Downtown Core with Eagle Scout Sean Gallacher

One of Redmond's local Eagle Scouts, Sean Gallacher will help you connect with the Historic Core this weekend -- through geocaching! We look forward to seeing you at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center for the kickoff.

Historic Preservation - City of Redmond

www.redmond.gov

GeoCaching with Sean Gallacher, July 26, 10am to noon, begins at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community...

LWSD Sup. Pierce: "Likeliest earliest scenario for a facilities bond measure is February 2016"

Lake Washington School District Superintendent Traci Pierce concluded in her Monday Superintendent's Report to the Board "The likeliest earliest scenario for a facilities bond measure is February 2016."    She said, "we need to comprehensively and very intentionally re-engage with our community at large on this issue of school facilities to inform any potential plan for a future bond measure."  Pierce said "we need to do it right and we need to do it well and it will take time." 


Beginning in the Fall she plans to form a large, representative stakeholder group to serve as an advisory committee.  The committee will be composed of community members, business representatives, local government representatives, parents, staff and students and will meet monthly during the 2014-2015 school year.  The goal of the group is to complete an assessment of future facilities needs and develop options and processes of community engagement.  Ultimately the committee will present recommendations to the Board for a future bond measure. 


Between January 2015 and June 2015 time will be taken to develop a consensus recommendation to engage the wider community.   August 2015 is the earliest time for a recommendation for a measure with  February 2016 the likely earliest scenario for a future bond measure vote.  The earliest new schools could be built are in 2018.   In the meantime boundary adjustments will have to be made district-wide and other facilities accommodated. 

Personnel changes at LWSD

Redmond, Wash. – When schools open on September 2, there will be a number of new faces in Lake Washington School District schools, including five new principals, two transfers, and six new associate principals. Openings resulted from replacements for retirees in schools or the district office or principals accepting positions in other districts.

New principals for 2014-2015   International Community School / Community SchoolGregory Moncada is the new principal at International Community School (grades 6-12) and Community School (grades 1-5), Kirkland, Wash. Gregory served as the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) coordinator for the Bainbridge Island School District. Previously, he was the high school principal at the American International School of Vienna, Austria. He was also the assistant director and middle school principal at the American International School of Johannesburg, South Africa. He taught in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Bilbao, Spain. Gregory began his career as a teacher in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Zoology and his Master of Arts in Science Education from Louisiana State University. He earned his administrative certification from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and his Doctor of Education from the University of Minnesota. Gregory replaces Matt Livingston, who has been selected to serve as the new director of school support for the Eastlake Learning Community (see below).

Evergreen Middle School

Robert Johnson is the new Evergreen Middle School principal. Robert comes from Edmonds School District, where he has been associate principal at Edmonds-Woodway High School for seven years. Robert earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and Communication at Western Washington University, and a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction from City University. He received his administrative certification from Western Washington University. Robert replaces Sean Cassidy, who accepted a position as the principal of Tahoma Middle School.  Read More >>

The location of the Redmond Saturday Market is threatened - Public speaks up

Owners of the Redmond Town Center, JHS, want to move the Saturday Market from it's present location on Leary to Center Court and the public was up in arms about it at last Tuesday's Council Meeting.  City Hall was packed with Saturday Market supporters.  The VP of the market asked Council to codify the market's location as an historic city Icon OR give options to relocate it to: 1) the parking lot on Art Hill, 2) the Senior Center parking lot, or the 3) Leary parking lot.  He said without options they cannot negotiate with JHS and are at their mercy.  The VP presented over 2,000 signatures petitioning the termination of the 2015 lease with JHS.  Ex Mayor Rosemary Ives, and urban planner from Kirkland, and three others spoke up during Items from the Audience to preserve the Saturday Market location.