Speaker to cover Eastside Aviation History: Air Defense, Airports, and Wishful Thinking

The Seattle area’s “Eastside” is known more for suburbs and traffic jams than airports and air defense, but not too long ago some of those neighborhoods had more planes than homes. Some even had NIKE missiles. Small air parks operated in Bellevue and in Kirkland’s Juanita area as well as in Issaquah and Kent. In the early 1970s, Redmond even contemplated building a commercial airport where today’s Watershed Park lies.

 “If you find Eastside traffic challenging during the daily commute, consider what it could have been like if SeaTac Airport had been built here,” notes Sherry Grindeland, editor of the SnoValley Star newspaper in Snoqualmie and a former Seattle Times and Bellevue American reporter.  She will examine that aviation history on Saturday, February 8^th at 10:30am at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center in Redmond. She is speaking as part of the Redmond Historical Society Saturday Speaker Series.   Read More >>

Setting Seller's Expectations

By Sinead Fennell

Redfin Real Estate Agent

It is much easier to sell a home than it is to buy one in Redmond, thanks to low inventory that has caused some heated bidding wars. But that doesn’t mean sellers have an advantage all of the time. Sellers’ expectations can determine if a house sells at all.   Read More >>

Puget Sound Energy to hold open house for their Energize Eastside Project

Redmond, WA - Puget Sound Energy (PSE) will hold the first open house for the Energize Eastside Project on Wednesday, January 29, from 6-8 pm at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center (ORSCC) at 16600 NE 80th St Redmond, WA 98052. At the event, attendees can learn more about why the project is needed and community involvement opportunities, and will have an opportunity to speak with PSE project staff.

PSE’s Energize Eastside project proposes to build new, higher capacity electric transmission lines on the Eastside to upgrade the existing transmission system and provide more dependable, long-term power. The project would build about 18 miles of new transmission lines between Renton and Redmond. PSE has narrowed the potential route options to 16 segments, and the next step is for communities to provide input on which segments best serve community needs.  Read More >>

Redmond High senior named semifinalist in Intel Science Talent Search competition

Cameron Akker, a senior from Redmond High School, has been selected as a national semifinalist in the 2014 Intel Science Talent Search (Intel STS) Competition. The Intel STS Competition, which began in 1942, is the nation's oldest and most prestigious science competition for high school seniors. Alumni of Intel STS have made extraordinary contributions to science and several of them have won Nobel Prizes.

Cameron’s research was entitled, “Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxide Coated Nafion Membranes For Enhanced Performance In Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells.” It involved the development of a procedure to coat emerging, carbon-based catalysts such as graphene oxide on the membrane inside hydrogen fuel cells to optimize fuel cell efficiencies.

Cameron is one of just two students from Washington state to be recognized as a semifinalist this year. Redmond High School will also receive an award of $1,000 in recognition of its excellence in science education. Read more about the Intel STS Competition.

$850,000 Rechannelization project of 166th Avenue moves forward

Redmond City Council approved $80,600 in supplemental spending with David Evans and Associates for final design and construction services for 166th Rechannelization.  Total estimated project costs are $850,000 with completion expected by year-end.

Background:  In August 2013, David Evans and Associates was selected to provide analysis and conceptual design of the 166th Avenue NE Rechannelization project.  In a Decemeber 10, 2013 Council study session Council directed staff to move forward with the final design and construction of the baseline project.  The baseline project consists primarily of restriping the corridor to a 3-lane roadway, minor intersection modifications at NE 85th Street, and adding pedestrian beacons at NE 91st Street and NE 95th Street. 

Environmentalist Of The Year Award Goes to Local Man

Tim McGruder’s Track Record Shows Hands-on Work and Behind-the-Scenes Influence

KIRKLAND — Tim McGruder will be honored this Thursday evening as the Eastside Audubon Society’s 2013 Environmentalist of the Year for his many years of activism on issues ranging from local land use to global population growth.

A residential remodeling contractor who resides in Redmond, Mr. McGruder has been directly responsible for many of the most visible improvements enjoyed by the public on the Audubon BirdLoop interpretive trail at Marymoor Park in Redmond.

Through a combination of hands-on work and advocacy during nearly 30 years, he has exemplified the Audubon chapter’s commitment to enhancing bird and wildlife habitat and taking action in support of conservation.   Read More >>

An Educational Forum on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Child Abuse and Neglect

Thomas Carter, M.D.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014  7 PM - 9 PM

Evergreen Hospital, Suite Tan 100,

12303 NE 130th Lane,

Kirkland, WA  98034

 

Dr. Thomas Carter is a psychiatrist who works with children, adolescents, and adults.  He moved here recently from Minnesota and was a former Board member here at NAMI.  He trained at the Karl Menninger School of Psychiatry and did a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry.  Dr. Carter also was in the United States Army Flight Surgeon Training Program.

 

Dr. Thomas Carter will focus on various aspects of PTSD in childhood and families including cause, recognition and response.  He will discuss myths and facts, risk factors and developmental perspective.  Also covered will be symptoms in infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and the impact on child suicides.

 

Nominations sought for King County's "Earth Heroes at School" awards program

Honoring outstanding efforts to educate youth, protect environment; program nominations are due March 10 for the 2014 awards 

King County wants to honor the very best students, teachers, staff, school volunteers, programs and even entire schools that contribute to student environmental education and environmental protection, through the County’s Earth Heroes at School awards program.
Nominations for the 2014 Earth Heroes at School are due March 10, and winners will be honored at an event this spring. Earth Heroes can be nominated by colleagues, classmates and the public. Self-nominations are also encouraged.  Read More >>

Brandi Carlile Headlines 2014 "Invest in Youth" Annual Breakfast

Youth Eastside Services Annual Breakfast • March 12, 2014
Bellevue, Wash. (January 7, 2014)—You should have taken a long break instead of a long drop from a high place. Ten years I never spoke your name and now it feels good to say it, "You’re my friend again."


With these lyrics, internationally-acclaimed and Seattle-based singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile came to accept and understand a high school friend’s suicide. As the song goes, it took 10 years before she could be at peace and once again enjoy the memories they shared.
Carlile will headline the Youth Eastside Services Invest in Youth Breakfast on Wednesday, March 12, at 7:30-8:45 am at The Hyatt in Bellevue. Her keynote remarks will resonate with the audience and Eastside community, where in the most recent Healthy Youth Survey, one in four Eastside teens reported feeling depressed, and more than one in six high school seniors said they had seriously considered suicide in the previous year. In many of the schools where YES has counselors, these statistics have been revealed in an increased number of suicides in the past two years.  Read More >>

Imagine Overlake, by Tom Hinman

Imagine Overlake –

Did you know that the Overlake Village Park being discussed at City Hall on January 15th is only the first of three parks to be developed in Overlake over the next 20 years?  More than 9 acres of parkland will eventually be built to provide the level of service needed as that neighborhood grows.  How these three community resources complement each other to create a “place” in Overlake should be considered as the first park planned for Overlake Village.  Read More >>

January is National Blood Donor Month

There are over 56,000 people living in the City of Redmond. One thing we all have in common is that blood is continuously circulating through our bodies, keeping us going every day.

 

There is no shortage of blood. Actually, there is a shortage of blood donors.

 

·         Subtract everyone under the age of 16- they can’t donate.
·         Subtract all the patients in our hospitals and clinics who are receiving blood transfusions, undergoing cancer treatment or recovering from surgery.
·         Subtract a chunk of our ever growing population of jet-setters and globe-trotters because visits to some countries or regions can render a potential donor temporarily ineligible
·         Subtract everyone with cold or flu symptoms
 
You are left with 35% of the population who are eligible to give at any given time. This is our potential. These are the people we reach out to, to say, “you are healthy, and we need you. Will you donate blood?”
 
Of those 35%, only 5% say yes.
 
JANUARY is National Blood Donor Month- a chance to celebrate the 5% of our population who ensure that blood is there for the 100% of us who may need it someday.  To you we say, Thank You!
 

Open House scheduled for Capstone's Overlake Village Park concept.

By Tom Hinman

 

In about a half a month, (January 15th at 6pm), there will be a second Open House in Redmond City Hall on Capstone's Overlake Village Park concept.  The graphics from the December 4th Open House were posted Monday at

http://www.redmond.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=67285.  This gives time for the community to review and digest some of the information provided earlier.  Public comments are still desired as design proceeds.

 

Besides recent photos of the site (see in particular views of the park parcel on Capstone pages 8-10) there are City infrastructure/context sketches of Overlake.  Note that nine acres of parks, 11 miles of trails and a community center will eventually be needed to provide the level of service to Overlake prescribed in City planning documents.  (These community amenities will occur in phases -- 3.5 park acres by 2020 inclusive of the 2.6 acre Capstone development and 5.5 acres more by 2030 as the neighborhood grows.)  Some of the newer parkland will be built over the stormwater vault currently being constructed west of 151st at Bel-Red Road as shown in a City concept sketch at the link above.  The Northern Stormwater Vault/Park west of 152nd between 26th and 27th will be built sometime in the future and contribute to the additional 5.5 acres of park space required.  

Nancy Pfaff Wins Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching

Redmond, Wash. – Elementary teacher Nancy Pfaff was named the Washington recipient of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) for mathematics. The PAEMST is the nation's highest honor for teachers of mathematics and science (including computer science).  Read More >>

Public meeting to discuss plans for new Eastside aquatics center

 

• by REPORTER STAFF,  Kirkland Reporter Staff 
• Dec 31, 2013 at 12:54PM

WAVE Aquatics runs the Juanita High School pool.

— image credit: Contributed Art

The public is invited to attend a presentation at the Lake Washington High School auditorium addressing the looming closure of Juanita Pool and the decreasing access to aquatics facilities, in general, on the Eastside at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 7.
Hosted by Wave Aquatics, this meeting is an opportunity for the public to hear the facts about this issue, see the vision of potential solutions that benefit the community, and ask questions or provide feedback.

At this meeting, the public will see an assessment of the current facilities which are increasingly falling short of the demand by the growing Eastside community for programs that provide:
· Water safety instruction
· Swim lessons for youth and adults
· Health and fitness programs
· Physical rehabilitation
· Competitive venues for multiple school districts and swim & dive clubs
· Open/unstructured time for all users  Read More >>

Redmond Home Prices Make Small Gains in November; Sales Decline

By Paul Siemering

Redfin Real Estate Agent

 

Redmond home prices slightly increased in November, but sales volume dropped, according to a recent Redfin analysis. Home prices were up 0.5 percent compared to the same time last year and the median home price was $502,500. Sales were down 13.1 percent with 113 homes sold. However, homes sold 26.5 percent faster than they did in November 2012, spending an average of 25 days on the market.

 

The drop in sales volume is partly due to a lack of inventory in Redmond. In popular neighborhoods such as Education Hill, there are currently only three houses for sale under $600,000.

 

Another cause for decreased sales is that there were fewer buyers shopping in November. There was no significant shortage of buyers because we were still seeing multiple offers on homes. But some buyers chose to pause their home search in November, many of them worn out from the spring and summer housing frenzy. These buyers were unable to get into a home in Redmond because of the lack of inventory and the intense competition during the spring and summer months.

 

If you’re in the market to buy a home in Redmond, do not be discouraged by the competition. Instead, strategize a way to set yourself apart from other buyers. Take advantage of the fact that there are fewer buyers in the market for a home right now, such as those who are reluctant to move during the holidays and those who do not want to move while their children are in school.

 

Another way to edge out the competition is to start looking at homes that are less expensive than the maximum you can afford. If you are in the market for a $500,000 house, start looking at comparable homes in the $450,000 range. That way you can compete against multiple offers on the home by submitting an offer above the list price.

 

For more information, visit Redfin.com

  

 

 

The Inspirational Story of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Washington State: Redmond Historical Society Speaker Series

During the Great Depression, President Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps to provide jobs for millions of out-of-work men. Thousands of desperate young men from the East Coast came to Washington State to work in the woods alongside local boys to build bridges, roads and park buildings.  Historian Janet Oakley will explore their legacy in her presentation, Tree Army: The Civilian Conservation Corps in Washington State 1933-41, on Saturday, January 11^th at 10:30am at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center in Redmond.  She is speaking as part of the Redmond Historical Society Saturday Speaker Series.

The Civilian Conservation Corps helped to shape parks, forests and infrastructure from forty eight camps throughout the state with the largest activity occurring at Mount Rainier National Park.  Oakley will address how the CCC was developed nationally, its impact our on state and its impact the men who did the work.  In the process of conducting her research at Western Washington University, Oakley met seven men who had been CCC boys.  According to Oakley, ”From their stories I began to appreciate their legacy here.   Projects were all over the state and all left this impression with the men I spoke to: They fed us, they gave us education, and they gave us hope for our families.”  Read More >>

BMX Bike Park Update

Dear Redmond Bike Park Followers,

As you may remember, both the Site Plan Entitlement and SEPA Decision were appealed in 2011.  The appeal process went through the Hearings Examiner, the Redmond City Council and ended up in King County Superior Court.  Before the court heard the case, the City and the appellants reached a settlement agreement.  The plans and permits that were submitted to the Technical Committee this month address the settlement condition terms.  The final plans are provided on the City website. After January 1, the Planning Department will issue a 21 day public notice and comment period on the project, per the zoning code requirements. 

 

If there are no comments or changes to the plans, the City would plan to begin trail building workshops and construction in May 2014.  Assuming we have sufficient volunteers and lead trail builders, it is possible that construction could be complete in two to three months.

 

If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact me.

Happy Holidays,

Carolyn Hope

Park Planning & Cultural Services Manager

City of Redmond, Parks and Recreation Department

15670 NE 85^th Street, Redmond, WA 98052

425.556.2313, cjhope@redmond.gov

www.redmond.gov/bikepark

King County buys threatened Snoqualmie Valley farmland, plans to return land to farming

 

Nearly 200 acres of rich Snoqualmie Valley farmland that was recently threatened with development is now officially owned by King County and will be returned to farming.

“Saving this fertile land for farming will create more jobs for rural residents, support a more robust local food supply, and ensure an even stronger wall against sprawl,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine, who today announced official acquisition of the 191-acre “Tall Chief” property.
King County purchased the land for $4.54 million, using Conservation Futures Tax funding. Now that the county owns the property it will begin working on returning the land to active farming. 

The Tall Chief property was home to one of the first dairy farms in the Snoqualmie Valley, beginning in the early 1900s up into the 1950s, when a golf course was built on the property. The golf course closed in 2009, and developers recently proposed a housing subdivision for the property.  Read More >>

Letter: Olympic and World Championship rowing medals stolen in Kirkland burglary

Hi Bob,

Do you think you could run something about my cousin's wife's Olympic and World Championship medals being stolen in your blog?

My cousin's Kirkland house was broken into and ransacked.  The police said there is an uptick in home burglaries during the holidays.  The burglars probably knocked on the front door realized no one was home and entered through the back door.  They were very quick, searching for, and taking jewelry and cash.  They left behind all the big items.

Unfortunately they also took my cousin's wife Olympic and World  Championship rowing medals and watches.   My cousin's wife is Betsy McCagg Hills, you may have seen her recently on both KOMO and KIRO.  The thieves took over two dozen medals representing decades of hard work, dedication, tears and joy.    The watches were from the Atlanta, Barcelona and Sydney Olympics.  None of them are very valuable except to her.  She is worried the thieves may discard them once they realize they are not valuable.   She is asking for anyone who may happen to find the box of medals to return them to any police department.  I am trying to get the word out in case anyone happens to hear of any of the medals being seen.

If you could please forward this it would be greatly appreciated.

I hope you have a wonderful, safe and joyous holiday!

Thanks,

Barb Lau 

Fifteen Lake Washington Teachers Achieve National Board Certification

Five teachers renewed their certification

Redmond, Wash. – Fifteen Lake Washington School District teachers achieved National Board Certification®, as announced by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). In addition to the 15 newly certified teachers, five teachers renewed their certification this year, for a total of 20 people completing the process. (Certifications must be renewed every ten years.) According to NBPTS, 246 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) earned their certification while at work in the district’s schools.

“The National Board Certification process benefits our students as it helps teachers analyze every area of their teaching practice to ensure maximum academic success,” said Superintendent Traci Pierce. “Lake Washington School District prides itself on the caliber of its teaching staff and we’re grateful to have so many teachers commit and re-commit themselves to excellence.”  Read More >>

Take a journey with Cavalia's "Odysseo" in Marymoor Park

Posted on King County Parks Blog by Frana 

Cavalia’s “Odysseo” comes to Marymoor Park, starting Feb 26

Who’s got horses, acrobats, and the White Big Top tent coming to their park? We do! We do!
Cavalia is back on Feb 26, bringing “Odysseo”, their second production, to Marymoor Park. Just in time for the holidays, get your tickets now, online at www.cavalia.net or at at 1-866-999-8111.
Hosting touring national acts like Cavalia generates revenue for King County Parks and directly supports operations and maintenance of all of our 200 parks, 175 miles of trails, and 26,000 acres of open space.
Psssst, just for you, click here for a sneak peek!

NAMI-Eastside Forum: What happens when I call 911 on a family member?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I CALL 911 on a Family Member?” 

 

Presenters: Redmond Police Commander Sheri Shovlin

 & Manka Dhingra, JD             

 Date:Tuesday, December 17, 2013 Time: 7-9 pm 

Location:  Red Auditorium/Evergreen Health Hospital, Kirkland, WA PLEASE SEE http:///www.evergreenhealth.com/documents/Visitor_Map.pdf  for exact location.

 

COMMANDER Shari Shovlin of the Redmond Police Department & Manka Dhingra, JD, Prosecuting Attorney for the Mental Health Court will be presenting information on what can happen after you call the police; what are the options?  What is Mental Health Court?  ITA? Diversion Center?

Shari Shovlin has served the community of Redmond for the past 18 years.  She is a trained Crisis Intervention Team officer and has spearheaded the initiative to have all first responders trained in CIT, specifically for dealing with the mentally ill in Redmond.

Manka Dhingra is a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney who is assigned to the King County Mental Health Court (MHC).  She holds a JD from the University of Washington School of Law and Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley. 

Council gives green light for basic design work to rechannelize 166th Avenue

City council agreed to proceed with the general design work to rechannelize 166th Avenue NE from four lanes to three lanes by the end of 2014.  Public comment was reviewed.  Councilmember Margeson asked staff to look at the 100th Street intersection where drivers are getting out of their cars to push the crosswalk button so they can enter 166th.  There was quite a bit of favorable discussion on the idea of an expensive roundabout at the 95th Street intersection.  Traffic at the roundabout would slow to about 20 MPH.  A signal light is another option.  Councilmember Stilin thought some art sculpture would be nice on the roundabout.  Design work for the intersections did not get the green light from Council.  They will look at it at some later date.  The rechannelization will improve the line of sight for cars entering 166th and so improve safety.  Car speeds are expected to slow by 4-5 MPH. 

Reported By Bob Yoder
 

Holiday Safety Alerts, by Redmond Police Officer Dowd

Dear Redmond Community and Friends,

Happy Holidays to all!  I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday season.  I apologize for the length of this update but we had a lot on information to cover due to the holidays.

As you may imagine this is a busy season for all of us.  With the shopping and gift sending comes opportunities for our BAH-HUMBUG group of local criminals to get their “discount” shopping done.  I have listed a few of our holiday tips below.  The best advice is to be aware that these groups are out there.   Protect your gifts and property and make yourself a difficult target!

HOLIDAY TIPS

When leaving your car or home:

• Lock your doors!  It doesn’t matter where you are going or how long you will be there. 
• Secure valuables before you park—thieves may be watching you as you exit your vehicle.  If you purchase items or have valuables in your car, then put them in the trunk. 
• Avoid parking next to trucks, SUVs, or anything that may serve as a shield for thieves.  Read More >>

Broken water pipe leads to injured firefighter

17700 block of NE 90^th ST

  

Just before 3:30 PM yesterday, five firefighters were working on diverting the water leak on the third floor master bedroom of one of the buildings located in “The Heights at Bear Creek” complex. Due to water saturation, the entire plaster board ceiling of the bedroom collapsed onto the crew. When the crew members self-extricated their selves out of the debris, they realized one crew member suffered injuries to his left shoulder and leg. The injured firefighter was evacuated from the structure, then evaluated and treated by Redmond firefighters and paramedics from Redmond’s Medic One. The paramedics transported the injured firefighter to Evergreen Hospital; the firefighter is in stable condition.  Read More >>

Letter: How Green is the Greystone Development?

The Winter, 2013 issue of Redmond Focus spoke with pride on the tree retention plan and replacement trees to be planted as compensation for those lost during construction of the Greystone housing development in North Redmond.  In April, 2013 Sustainable Redmond presented the City Council with findings from a Natural Resources study of Redmond’s tree retention practices which included a statistical analysis of Greystone.  Here are our findings based on the public record:
Read More >>

Evergreen State's Best Cities Ranked: Seattle Takes Backseat to Redmond and Issaquah

Movoto released a ranking of the top cities in Washington based on its 50 most populous cities. According to our data crunching, Redmond is the 5th best city, while Issaquah is the best city in Washington based on the following desirable factors:

 -Amenities

-Cost of living

-Crime

-Education

-Median household income

-Commute time

 Here's the full report: http://www.movoto.com/blog/top-ten/the-10-best-cities-in-washington/

Submitted by Travis Sawrie of Movoto Real Estate Blog

 

"Find My Phone" App finds more than just a phone

Redmond, WA – Redmond Police have cleared multiple vehicle prowl investigations after a citizen successfully used a phone-finding application to locate his stolen property.  The citizen’s phone and wallet were stolen from his vehicle while he was working in Redmond on December 3^rd.  He was able to utilize a phone-tracking application to lead directly to a residence located in North Redmond later that day.  Read More >>

School Teachers Saves Co-Worker with CPR and Defibrillation At Overlake School

 Redmond, WA – A 54-year-old schoolteacher survived a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) today, thanks to the efforts of co-workers at the Overlake School in Redmond.  The 54-year-old music teacher was in class teaching music when he suddenly collapsed and became unconscious.  He survived because of the quick actions of staff at the school.  Read More >>

Lake Washington School District is asking for your feedback

As part of the Lake Washington School District's effort towards  “engageing our communities,” the district has launched a new page on its website called Your Voice that is designed to regularly ask the community for feedback on specific topics. Regular surveys will be posted there, with the results of the surveys shared there as well. Individuals can register with the Your Voice page to be notified when new surveys are launched.  Read More >>

Summary of City Council's mile long (25 item) Consent Agenda

The Redmond City Council's Consent Agenda had a list of items a mile long - some of which I will try to summarize here:

1.  The City accepted a $228,000 grant from King County for design services to relocate 3500 feet of Evan Creek in SE Redmond to open space to create spawning runs for salmon. 

2.  If you went to the Open Forum a few months ago to look at the five consultant finalists for the Downtown Park Master Plan we now know that PFS Studio won the consultant agreement.  They will have up to $500,000 in Master Plan monies to plan the downtown park.  The city touted PFS's "unique approach to recreation programming, a strong history of art and park integration, a far-reaching public involvement plan and a portfolio of well designed and detailed public parks." 

3. Over $6.2 million in construction bids were awarded to two companies to build out the Cleveland Streetscape - where Cleveland Street will be two-way with wide-sidewalks and connections to the downtown park and Central Connector. 

4. A new Human Resource Director was confirmed while at the same time 2% across the board salary increases were dished out to non-union, non-executive employees as well as police, fire and police support and non-bargaining units.  Executives will get merit increases the end of 2014 from the Mayor. 

5.  The city awarded $40,000 to LWSD for their School Resource Officer Program. 

This was Councilmember Pat Vache's last Regular Business Meeting and all councilmembers, the Mayor and past councilmembers Cole and McCormmick thanked him for his public service.  The Mayor presented Vache' with a plaque signed by the staff Directors.  

Reported By Bob Yoder 

Eastside Symphony Holiday Concert this Sunday

Eastside Symphony Holiday Concert    sold out

Sunday, December 8, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Redmond Performing Arts Ctr, Redmond High

Join us for our traditional Holiday concert, with a mix of classical and Christmas music and a visit from Santa. With our reduced Holiday prices of $5 a ticket for general admission, and youth 16 and under free, this concert will sell out quickly so buy your tickets now and reserve your free youth tickets on line at www.eastsidesymphony.org to guarantee you a spot at the concert. 

This will be a great performance for kids to attend as the concert is only one hour, so it’s a perfect concert for families to see together. Again, youth free tickets may be reserved on line and we recommend this to guarantee them a spot.
Gabrieli: Canzon duodecimi toni, arranged for brass ensemble by R. Kevin Paul

Beethoven: Romance No. 2 in F Major, Linda Vogt, violin

Bach: Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, 1st mvt, Linda Vogt and Cecilia Archuleta, violins

Handel: Selections from The Messiah

Tchaikovsky: Selections from The Nutcracker and more Holiday music  Read More >>

Community meeting on Downtown Regional Stormwater Facilities Plan

Redmond, WA - The public is invited to join the City of Redmond staff for a community meeting regarding the Downtown Regional Stormwater Facilities Plan. The meeting will take place Thursday, December 5 from 5-7 pm, at Redmond City Hall in the Bytes Café. Following a brief presentation at 5:30 pm, meeting participants can ask questions and share comments. City staff and project consultants will be available for the remainder of the meeting so participants can view and provide written comments on planned improvements. Light refreshments will be provided.

The community meeting will provide an update regarding the Stormwater conveyance and water quality treatment plan for the 500-acre downtown drainage area, which is funded by developers, stormwater ratepayers, state grants and state subsidized loans. The City has constructed four of the six planned facilities and is now poised to build the stormwater treatment facility on the Redmond Way outfall.  Read More >>

Redmond Parks and Trails Commission asks council to fund aquatics recreation center

A $60 million downtown "aquatics and recreation community center" proposal was brought up for the second time this month in City Council talks.  Last night the Redmond Parks and Trails Commission met with council to inform them they passed a resolution favoring the project.  In response to Councilmembers Margeson and Flynn's request to look for funding partners the Commission Chair appeared confident in this endeavor.  A proposed location for the aquatics center is planned in the vicinity of the Old Redmond School House Community Center.

The Parks and Trails commission plans to come back to Council in January to discuss the aquatics center further and ask to fund the PARCC Plan with $100 million.   This funding would be used for the aquatics center and probably to develop the North Redmond Park and SE Redmond Park.  The commission also wants to beef up mobile apps to help the public engage in parks and provide the city with user data.  The total funding gap in the PARCC Plan was quoted at $225 million. 

Reported by Bob Yoder

Redmond Reporter: Letter in response to LWSD Sup.Traci Pierce's rebuttal

Superintendent Traci Pierce offered a rebuttal in the Nov. 15 Reporter to my previously published letter (Oct. 11, Reporter) criticizing the Lake Washington School District’s policy of tearing down and replacing our schools instead of modernizing them as promised.

My letter also objected to spending hundreds of millions of dollars more to do so, using money that could have been better used to modernize the rest of our schools and provide for growth.

We spent more than $65 million more to rebuild Lake Washington High School than to modernize it. I asserted that we could have built six new elementary or three new junior high schools to handle growth with that money by state standards (allowable area and cost allocations). Read More >>

Youth Eastside Service Opens New Redmond Location

Expert team and easier access for clients

 

Crowd celebrates ribbon-cutting for Yourth Eastside Services-Redmond

REDMOND, Wash. (November 21, 2013)—Youth Eastside Services (YES) has moved to a new location in Redmond on Redmond Way at Bear Creek Pkwy. YES specializes in helping youth and their families overcome issues such as depression, anxiety, anger and trauma. Substance abuse assessments and treatment are also a key part of YES services.   Read More >>

Legendary Yeti Scavenger Hunt hosted by Redmond Town Center to benefit Hopelink

Letter:  We are organizing a community scavenger hunt in Redmond to benefit Hopelink Food Banks. 

 

The game is called the Legendary Yeti Scavenger Hunt and its being hosted by Redmond Town Center on Dec 14th from 10am to 4pm. We've set this up so groups of local families and friends can participate in a unique day of fun while also making a difference. Instead of a fee to play, we're asking each team to donate $20 or 20 requested food items, all of which will go to Hopelink. Registration is required by Dec 8th via the event website, which also has more information about the game: http://www.yetiscavengerhunt.com/ and we also have a facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/yetiscavengerhunt.

 

Now we are just trying to get the word out to those on the eastside who might be interested in joining the fun. We appreciate the work you do to share information with the community through your blog. Thanks for considering our request.

-Emily Rayson (and the rest of the event volunteers)

Meetings ahead for Metro bus cuts

 Nov. 20 starts three months of outreach on cuts in absence of stable funding

Due to inaction to date on stable funding for public transit, Metro must begin three months of meetings across King County to inform riders of proposed drastic bus cuts due to the absence of funding.

The Kirkland meeting is January 16.

Facing the proposed cancellation of 74 bus routes and revisions to 107 other routes, Metro is working hard to help riders understand the details and consequences of cutting up to 17 percent of the transit agency’s service. Thousands of riders have visited Metro’s website to see how the cuts affect them.

The question of whether these cuts can be averted is in the hands of the state legislature, which has not yet approved stable funding authority sought by King County. Metro must take steps to reduce costs in 2014 and in 2015 as temporary funding expires and reserves are exhausted.

The proposed cuts could mean a loss of an unprecedented 14 million rides annually, and would revert Metro’s service to levels not seen since 1997 – even as ridership nears all-time highs. Metro provides about 400,000 rides each day and is nearing the annual record of 119 million riders reached in 2008.  Read More >>

EvergreenHealth raises Regular Property Tax Levy .68% in 2014

UPDATED:  The EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners signed Resolution 859-13 authorizing a .68% increase in the Regular Property Tax Levy for 2014.  The 2013 Levy of $15,823,178 will increase $106,999 to $15,930,177 in 2014.  In addition, taxpayers will pay $8,733,350 in 2014 for the Excess Property Tax Levy that was passed in May 18, 2004 to serve debt for the Silver Tower and ER.

Allocations to community-based programs increased 2% over last year.  33% of total levy taxes are allocated to community-based programs while the remaining 67% is allocated to debt services in paying off the Silver Tower and campus ER facilities. 

Healthline is by far the largest community-based program at $2,133,225.  Healthline is the organization's 24/7 nurse triage phone line, physician referral line and call center for health class registrations. 

Senior Health for treating patients with dementia and behavioral health is second in dollars allocated at $1,725,951.   Community Health Education ($470,500) provides the annual health fair, various educational seminars, safety and wellness classes.  CHATT ($392,218) supports clients facing barriers to accessing healthcare services with social workers.  Notably, $30,000 is allocated to the three school districts within EvergreenHealth's district.  The hospital district supports several other lesser programs.

Reported By Bob Yoder      

Letter: LWSD impact fees on apartments are too low

LETTER:  Hi Bob - I'm a concerned citizen, but not an "activist", who has been researching the impact fees paid by apartment real estate developers in Redmond / LWSD.  The documents I've found are disturbing in both the minimal cost for school impact for an apartment developer, and the very, very cheap prices in LWSD vs the surrounding school districts right in King County.  This is very relevant to the bond issue as it is driven by multi-family dwelling population growth that is rapidly accelerating, yet not being paid in any meaningful fraction by the developers.

The fees for multi-family school impact fees in LWSD are ridiculously low at $197/unit.  I also have no idea how these fees are set, by what governmental body, or the process to influence them to reach a "parity" level to sensibly fund growth in multi-family on the Eastside.

According to King County Department of Permitting (21A.43.050) the following impact fees apply to various school districts:

LWSD 414:   Single Family - $7005    Multi-Family (apartment) $197
Renton 403:   Single Family - $6395    Multi-Family $1308
Issaquah 411  Single Family - $3738    Multi-Family $0
Highline 401: Single Family - $7958    Multi-Family $3101
Snoqualmie 410 Single Fam - $8668    Multi-Family $3220

This reader wishes to be anonymous...

Youth Eastside Services Celebrates Founders and More

Serving Youth in Crisis for 45 Years

 BELLEVUE, Wash. (Nov. 5, 2013)—Youth Eastside Services (YES), formerly known as “Heads Up,” officially turned 45 on Nov. 1 and threw quite a celebration. The event, which took place in YES’  main office in Bellevue, specifically recognized the early founders whose foresight created an organization that to this day serves as a lifeline for kids experiencing emotional distress and substance abuse.

(l-r) Toby Nixon (Kirkland Councilman), Kim Allen (Redmond Councilwoman), Conrad Lee (Bellevue Mayor),
Jane Hague (King County Councilwoman) reads a Proclamation / BAKER RAWLINGS

Among the more than 140 guests in attendance at the Founders Day Celebration were early founders, volunteers and staff who joyously greeted each other and remembered the work they did years ago on behalf of kids and their families.  Read More >>

Lake Washington School District seeking authors for voter's pamphlet statements

Lake Washington School District is seeking potential authors for the voter’s pamphlet statements opposing the two Lake Washington School District replacement levies and one bond measure that will appear on the February 11, 2014, ballot.

Election regulations require Lake Washington School District to appoint members to “pro” and “con” committees who are willing to write statements for the local voters’ pamphlet. Since there is an organized promotional campaign committee, the Lake Washington Citizens Levy Committee, the district has asked that organization to name the three individuals who will serve on the “Pro” committees.

The district is soliciting members for “con” committees for the voter’s pamphlet. If you would like the district to consider you for appointment to one or more of the committees who will be asked to write a statement in opposition, please email your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address to Diane Jenkins, djenkins@lwsd.org, no later than Friday, November 22. Please identify which of the three committees you would like to participate in:

• Con Committee: Replacement of Existing Educational Programs and Operations Levy
• Con Committee: Replacement of Existing Capital Projects Levies
• Con Committee: General Obligation Bonds

You may apply for membership to more than one committee.  Read More >>

Citizen activist rebuts LWSD bond measure at Redmond City Hall

UPDATED:  The City Council voted 5-2 to endorse the two proposed LWSD levies and bond but not before Susan Wilkins, citizen activist, spoke up to warn them to act carefully, as follows: 

Ms. Wilkins said that 23 of 30 elementary schools are already overcapacity and the new bond wouldn't fully resolve the overcrowding problem.  Alcott has the most dire overcrowding with 227 students in 8 portables. 

The scope of portable usage in elementary schools is significant with  91 portables district-wide.  Wilkins said 1822 elementary students use portables for their classrooms.  The 2014 bond, if it passed would create 1615 seats by 2016 which is still below present and mid-term needs.  The three new elementary schools do not completely address the crisis with portables and modernization of Meade, Kirk, and Rockwell won't happen for 7-8 years.  And by that time the schools will be severely overcrowded, Wilkins said.

Wilkins also said the District has understated the cost of the two Levies and Bond.  She conceded that while the measures may cost the average $450,000 home $30/month in 2014 total costs for the measures will escalate to $80/month by 2018.  "People deserve to know what they're voting for", concluded Wilkins.

Byron Shutz,of the Bond and Levy Committee and now Redmond Councilman-elect, was present but had nothing to say.  All councilmembers made positive remarks about LWSD in support of the measures. 

Reported by Bob Yoder

 

So what are the proposed LWSD Bond and two replacement levies all about?

These Minutes from an August Lake Washington School District Board meeting explain details of the proposed $755 Bond and two replacement levies.  Confusion over the Bond and  Juanita Pool plans are clarified: 

Resolution No. 2161, Replacement of Existing Educational Programs & Operations Levy, authorizes a four-year levy:

$63.0 million in 2015, $64.9 million in 2016, $66.8 million in 2017, and $68.9 million in 2018. This levy would pay part of the general fund expenses for educational programs and operations.

The estimated tax rates per $1,000 of assessed valuation for 2015, 2016, 2017and 2018 are $1.85, $1.88, $1.90 and $1.92 respectively.

Resolution No. 2162, Replacement of Existing Capital Projects Levies, authorizes a four-year levy: $31.20 million in 20115, $31.5 million in 2016, $32.0 million in 2017, and $32.5 million in 2018. This levy would pay for upgrades and improvements to district buildings, sites, and technology. The estimated tax rates per $1,000 of assessed valuation for 2015, 2016, 2017and 2018 are $.91, $.91, $.91 and $.91 respectively.

Resolution No. 2163, General Obligation Bonds, authorizes the sale of bond totaling $755 million. It authorizes the board to levy additional property taxes annually to repay the bonds. These

funds would be used to "modernize" (tear down and rebuild) Juanita High School; Kirk, Mead and Rockwell elementary schools, and Evergreen and Kamiakin middle schools; acquire land for new buildings; construct and equip three new elementary schools, a middle school, an east-side international- focused Choice school and a west-side STEM-focused Choice school; and construct and equip additions at Lake Washington High School and Eastlake High School.   Read More >>

Maximum salary ceiling for eight city Executives is standardized and set

City Council passed an ordinance standardizing Executive pay for eight city officials and they raised the maximum payout (not counting bonuses) to $155,184.  Median pay grade was set at $132,732.  The eight officials are:  Finance Director, Fire Chief,  Police Chief, Public Works Director, Parks Director, Depty Administrator, Planning Director, and Human Resources Director. 

Below is a history of Executive salaries and merit bonuses as collected from earlier public record requests.  Most 2010 executive salaries are at or above the new standardized median salary of $132,732. 

2010 SALARY QUOTES ARE BASE W/O BENEFITS: 
$148,101 Finance Director - Michael Bailey - $142,000 + $6101.18 Bonus  
$149,712 Fire Chief/Acting Police - $139,000 + $10,712 Bonus
$142,008 Police Chief - Ronald Gibson - $142,008 (Starting Salary, hired on 6/1/10)
$140,813 Public Works Director - - $135,000 + $5813 Merit Bonus
$138,228 Parks Director - Craig Larsen - $132,000 + $6,228.82 Merit Bonus
$137,947 Deputy Administrator - Jane Christianson - $132,000 + $5947.56 Bonus.
$134,803 Planning Director - Rob Odle -$129,000 + 5,802.84 Merit Bonus
$133,763 H.R. Director - $128,000 + $5763 Merit Bonus

Across the board:  1% base increase, 2011   Compensation for 2012 unknown.   

NOTES:  Maximum annual bonus is 15% once Directors reach the salary ceiling. Most have reached the ceiling, according to the Mayor (2/11).  Benefit package is ~30% of salary and is non-taxable.

2008 executive lump sum bonuses averaged 8.5% of base salary.  2008 Base salary merit increase averaged 2.2%.  In 2009 no base salary merit raises were awarded.

Reported By Bob Yoder

Schools Receive $300,000 in Grants from Lake Washington Schools Foundation

 Redmond, WA.  Lake Washington Schools Foundation has awarded over $300,000 in grants to teachers and schools across the Lake Washington School District for the 2013-14 school year. The foundation is funding the school district’s New Teacher Support Program for the first time, while it continues to support the rollout of the new STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) -based Signature Programs and to fund long-standing programs such as Reaching for Success classroom innovation grants, the LINKS mentoring program and the Access Fund for low-income middle and high school students. Grants awarded to the school district from the foundation included a $49,000 Aspire grant from the AT&T Foundation to support high school completion and college-readiness for low-income students.   Read More >>

Parks Commission meets with Design Review Board to flesh out Overlake Urban Park

On November 7th, 6:30PM at Redmond City Hall, the Design Review Board will meet with the Parks Commission to discuss the proposed Overlake 2.7 acre Urban Park.  Below is some background on the meeting:



In December 2011, the City Council approved a Master Plan for the redevelopment of the former Group Health Overlake hospital property. The Master Plan envisioned a complete transformation of the 28-acre site, with approximately 1,400 new residential units, 1.2 million square feet of commercial uses, a hotel, as well as 2.7 acres of parkland in the middle of the site. Read More >>

Low inventory fuels competition for Redmond homes

By KC Brants

Redfin Real Estate Agent  

 

It’s still a seller’s market in Redmond where low inventory has caused an influx of buyers competing for fewer homes. In September, 260 homes were for sale, down from 270 the same time last year and 541 in September 2011.

 

A number of factors have contributed to Redmond’s lack of inventory. When the real estate market turned in 2007, several would-be buyers decided to postpone purchasing a home. With the market regaining its strength now, these buyers have resumed their search. Many of them have solid credit and sizeable down payments, thanks to years of saving. It is not uncommon to see buyers put down $120,000 on a $700,000 home or even pay in all cash. And among Redmond buyers are Microsoft, Google and Amazon employees, whose desire to be near their jobs has only added to the influx of home seekers.

 

With this type of demand, there just aren’t enough homes to go around.  Traumatized by the last real estate decline, many sellers are anxious about listing their homes. Some of them want to continue to wait for home prices to increase.  And many of those underwater are relying on price increases so they can afford to sell their homes. Developers are nervous, too. After the real estate slump, new construction came to a screeching halt. Developers in Redmond now test the market by building and selling a handful of homes at a time rather than releasing all of the lots in a development.

 

This lack of inventory has lead to a steady rise in Redmond’s home prices. The current median home price is $599,000. And homes here are selling faster. On average, homes sold in September spent just nine days on the market, compared to 31 days the same time last year, and 47 days in September 2011.

 

If you’re looking to buy a home in Redmond, here are some tips on competing against multiple offers:

·       Get pre-approved with a local lender and get underwriter approval. This is a must to prove your finances are solid when competing against multiple offers. Working with a local lender or one preferred by the listing agent can also gain you an advantage.

·       Start the conversation early. When you tour a house you like, let your agent know so you can begin a conversation with the listing agent about which terms matter most.

·       Write a letter and appeal to the seller. Often sellers have an emotional as well as financial investment in their home. It can really make a difference to write them a one-page letter explaining why you love the home and what it would mean to you to buy it.

·       Know your limits. Determine your target price and calculate what each price increase means for your monthly payment.

For more information, visit Redfin.com

Public Meetings planned for proposed Overlake urban park

Redmond, WA - Seattle-based development firm Capstone Partners and the City of Redmond are hosting a series of public meetings to develop and discuss conceptual designs for an urban park to be constructed at the center of a master planned development on the former Group Health site.

Meeting schedule:

November 7, 6:30 pm, City Hall: Capstone Partners will seek input from the Redmond Design Review Board and the Parks and Trails Commission on the vision and programming for the park.

December 4, 6 pm, City Hall: Capstone will conduct a general public meeting to discuss the project vision, and programming goals.

Following the December meeting, Capstone will develop design options for the park site and will share their concepts at a public meeting tentatively slated for early January 2014. In late January, Capstone will present a preferred option to the community for feedback before creating plans for City approval.

Details on the 2014 meeting schedule will be available in December.

For more information, please visit www.redmond.gov/overlake, or contact the project manager, Dennis Lisk, at 425.556.2471.

Redmond Police warn of potential scams

Redmond, WA – In the last week, the Redmond Police Department has received complaints from victims reporting that suspects are using a phone number associated with the Redmond Police to extort funds from victims.

The complainants reported that they received calls from a subject claiming to be from the IRS.  The caller told the victim that they owe the IRS money and the money needs to be paid or they will be arrested.  The phone number that is associated with the call is 425-556-2500.  This number is associated with the Redmond Police Department, but it is not a number that is displayed when calls originate from the Police Department. 

This is a continuing trend where citizens are being contacted by suspects claiming to be government employees.  The citizens are told they need to pay the government agency to avoid arrest or deportation. 

Redmond Police is advising everyone to be aware of these types of scams.  Government agencies do not initiate calls to collect funds over the phone.   If you receive these type of calls please notify your local agency.

RPD Press Release

 

 

Happy Halloween in the neighborhood!

Happy Halloween! 

LETTER: Can Lake Washington School District taxpayers afford another $755,000,000 in bond debt for school construction?

By Susan Wilkins

 

In 2006, voters approved the sale of $436,000,000 in 20-year bonds to pay for school modernization.  The ballot measure that voters approved, Proposition 3 (see below*), specifically said that bonds would be sold to pay for the "modernization" of the schools. The school district tore down and rebuilt every school on the modernization list calling the teardowns "new-in lieu" construction. The district claimed that the remodels would cost 90% of what new construction would cost and thus justified tearing the buildings down rather fixing them. 

Ten schools were torn down and rebuilt including 6 elementary schools (Frost, Muir, Keller, Sandburg, Bell and Rush), 2 middle schools (Finn Hill and Rose Hill), Lake Washington High School and International Community School. Only one new school, Carson Elementary, was built as part of the 2006 bond measure.  Rebuilding these schools from the ground up was far more expensive than remodeling them.  The school district sold $417,000,000 in bonds between September 2006 and September 2010 to pay for all the construction.  Together with 1998 construction bonds sold for Phase 1 modernization and bonds sold in 2012 to pay for additions at Eastlake and Redmond High Schools, the Lake Washington School District now has $486,000,000 in outstanding bond debt.

In 2013-2014, the district will spend $51,500,000 on bond principle & interest payments for bonds issued in 1998, 2006 and 2012. And taxpayers will continue to pay $50,000,000 per year until 2020 and then $40,000,000 per year until 2025 in order to pay off these construction bonds. This will cost the median homeowner $57.00 per month through 2020 then $44.00 per month through 2025.

The district is proposing the 2014 bond measure to sell another $755,000,000 to pay for more "modernization" construction plus 3 new elementary schools, a middle school and more high school space.  They tell us it will only cost $30.00 per month for a median priced home assessed at $450,000.  In fact, the owner of a median priced home will pay about $60 per month - if the bonds are issued with 4% interest.  This is ON TOP OF THE COST for the 1998, 2006 & 2012 bonds and the EP&O and Capital Projects levies.  Read More >>

Obliteride Sets Northwest Fundraising Record Raising Nearly $2 Million for Cancer Research

Organizers say thank you to the people of Redmond for their support

SEATTLE, Oct. 25, 2013 – The inaugural Obliteride was a huge success. In its first year, Obliteride

raised more money for a local organization than any other bicycling fundraiser in the Northwest. The

inaugural ride raised $1.9 million that will go directly to lifesaving research at Fred Hutchinson Cancer

Research Center in Seattle.  Read More >>

Letter: Hall responds to Superintendent Pierce's letter on the proposed bond

"Dear Dr. Pierce,

 

      Please consider the following with regard to your recent response to my letters questioning the LWSD policy of replacing schools instead of modernizing them.  You provided much detail confirming that our buildings are built larger than the state allowable area for the number of students housed.   As a result, any new schools we build will require the use of 100% local funds with no state support.    

 

      However, you don’t mention that the state will still provide almost 25% of the cost to modernize any or all of our schools.  You also didn’t explain why the major share of the proposed $755,000,000 bond issue next year is earmarked to replace 6 more of our schools with 100% local funds instead of modernizing (remodeling) them with 25% state support for hundreds of millions of dollars less.  Read More >>

Bomb Threat Investigated at Redmond City Hall Campus, Nothing Suspicious Found

Redmond, WA – Redmond Police investigated a bomb threat at the Redmond City Hall Campus today.  The threat was received around 10am and Redmond Police and Fire responded to the scene.  A King County Sheriff’s Office Explosives Trained Canine responded to the scene and conducted an area search.  Nothing suspicious was found and business is continuing as normal at the City Hall Campus. 

As always, Redmond Police and Fire encourage people to call 911 to report suspicious activity.