PC shipments soar in first quarter

PC shipments soar in first quarter -Good news for Microsoft:

"Worldwide personal-computer shipments rose more than 24 percent in the first quarter, according to numbers released by the IDC research firm this afternoon, as the PC market continued to show signs of recovering from the economic recession.

Combined with strong quarterly results yesterday from industry bellwether Intel, the numbers are good news for Microsoft as the Redmond company prepares to report its quarterly earnings next week." Read more

By Todd Bishop
Tech Flash

Redmond High's MIke Town to Receive the Green Prize in Public Education

Mike Town to Receive the Green Prize in Public Education

Washington, DC (April 14, 2010) – The NEA Foundation will present Redmond High School Teacher Mike Town with the inaugural Green Prize in Public Education.   An award ceremony will take place at Redmond High School's Performance Arts Center on Monday, April 19th at 9:30 am.

Harriet Sanford, President and CEO of the NEA Foundation will be joined by Philippe Cousteau, CEO of EarthEcho International and Correspondent for Planet Green to present the award.

Mike Town was selected for the Green Prize for innovative efforts to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and spirit needed to be successful in the 21st century and to address the gauntlet of environmental challenges facing our planet. Mike will be awarded $25,000 and the recipients’ work will be shared with educators and students nationwide.

The NEA Foundation is an independent, public charity created in 1969 and sustained by contributions from educators, corporate sponsors and others. The NEA Foundation offers grants and programs that support educators' efforts to close the gaps in student achievement, increase classroom innovations, salute excellence in education, and provide professional development. Visit http://www.neafoundation.org/

Press Release
Posted by Bob Yoder

"Adopt - A - Neighborhood" - A new city litter program?

I found this new sign today driving home from Bella Bottega Shopping Center.  It's on NE 98th Street up the hill a block from Red-Wood Road in the Education Hill neighborhood. Map.  At first, I thought it was a city sign and some kind of a new "neighborhood program" the city was starting.  It was professionally installed; a locator service was used.  

But, where is the City logo?   Could this be a home-made sign?  I phoned a city neighborhood planner I know and sent her a picture.  It was news to her.  Come back soon.     

By Bob Yoder 

Photo by Yoder

City of Sammamish Schools Ranked Second in the U.S. for the buck by Forbes

City of Sammamish Ranked Second in the U.S. for Best Schools for Your Housing Buck

Forbes Magazine announced on Tuesday, April 6 that the city of Sammamish is ranked second in the United States for “Best Schools for Your Housing Buck.” To generate these ranking, Forbes worked with GreatSchools, an independent nonprofit,  to analyze 17,377 cities and towns from 49 states.  

The city of Sammamish ranked second, only behind Acton, Mass. in the $400,000-$599,999 median home price category. Here are the statistics from GreatSchools used in this comparison:· Number of Public Schools: 13 (eight in LWSD, five in Issaquah School District)

· Population: 35,242

· Education Quality Score: 95.88

· Median Home Price: $569,140

· Property Taxes as a % of Home Value: 0.81%

· Unemployment Rate: 5.9%

The Seattle Times earns Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News coverage of 4 officers' killings | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News The Seattle Times earns Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News coverage of 4 officers' killings Seattle Times Newspaper:

"The Seattle Times won its eighth Pulitzer Prize in the newspaper's 114-year history on Monday, earning the top prize in journalism for coverage of the shocking murders of four Lakewood police officers.

The Pulitzer committee, in awarding the Breaking News prize, cited The Seattle Times' 'comprehensive coverage, in print and online,' of the killings — the worst act of violence against law enforcement in state history — and the 40-hour manhunt for the shooter, Maurice Clemmons." Read More

Seattle Times Staff Report

Posted By Bob Yoder

Seattle Times Communities Partner

I was talking to the Seattle Times Communities Manager when the Pulitzer Prize announcement hit the News Room.  ROAR!!  

Redmond Region Orchestra sets a Guinness World Record

Bob - Just wanted to let you know that String Jam '10 was a huge success!  392 musicians - met all the criteria for a Guinness World Record(TM) for the world's largest string ensemble playing the same tune under one roof.  (Juanita High Field House).

The Redmond Region Orchestra is composed of Redmond High, Redmond Junior, Evergreen Junior and invited community members.

For more information and pictures visit:  http://www.redmondorchestras.org/    

By Mary Bourguignon

Redmond resident and community volunteer

Source:  "Redmond Neighborhood Blog"  Fan Page

The City and Code Rewrite Commission seeks public participation

As part of the City of Redmond’s effort to rewrite its zoning code, the City (and Code ReWrite Commisioners) will host a drop-in Open Office Event on Thursday, April 15 from 3 to 6:30pm in the Trestle Room on the first floor of Redmond City Hall, 15670 NE 85th Street. The purpose of rewriting the City’s zoning code is to improve the clarity, conciseness and predictability of the Municipal code for all users.

Drop-by the Trestle Room to tell City staff how regulations for Downtown, Overlake, land division, telecommunications, performance bonding and design standards can be improved. Ideas now being considered include:

■Update Downtown and Overlake street cross-sections to be consistent with transportation study outcomes

■Emphasize the relationship between buildings and the street in the Downtown and Overlake urban centers

■Clarify when design standards are required vs. when they are encouraged

■Consolidate and streamline performance bonding, telecommunications and land division regulations

City staff seeks your input prior to review of these sections of the zoning code by the Code Rewrite Commission, which will begin its review in May 2010.

If attendance to the event is not possible, provide all ideas either through RCDGrewrite@redmond.gov  or by calling 425-556-2440. To subscribe to the weekly code rewrite e-newsletter, send an email to the above address. More information about the process is available at www.redmond.gov/rcdgrewrite .
-City Press Release

COMMENT:  I participated.  I think I've been the only citizen who has participated, to date.  (Will confirm with public record request).  My total effort was 25 minutes of speaking during three commission visits.  I showed the commission a 15 minute slide presentation on Camwest's Perrigo Heights development - addressed land use public notice failures, final plat deficiencies, and poor maps.  The City would probably get more public participation if they gave more thanks to citizens for participating.
By Bob Yoder

Redmond plans to hire urban designers for BNSF rail corridor

Redmond hiring for master plan

By JOURNAL STAFF

REDMOND — The city of Redmond plans to hire a team of urban designers, engineers and others to draft a master plan for its part of the BNSF rail corridor.

The city is buying a nearly 4-mile spur of the corridor, which bisects downtown. It wants to find a way to develop the corridor so land on both sides is reconnected. It's anticipated the corridor will have light rail, a recreation trail, utilities, new road crossings and pedestrian connections.  story link

Daily Journal of Commerce
Seattle, WA. 
4/9/10

New study says 8.4% of jobs in Wash. state depend on Microsoft.

New study says 8.4% of jobs in Wash. state depend on Microsoft

"Microsoft's growth and the decline of other industries have pushed the Redmond company's economic impact in its home state to record levels, according to a University of Washington report released today. The study, funded by Microsoft, says the company..."  Read More

By Todd Bishop
Tech Flash

LWSD will not run the bond measure again this year

Community Survey Shows School District Support, Economic Concern - Lake Washington School District:

"In the February election, the Lake Washington School District bond measure reached a majority of yes votes but did not get the 60 percent supermajority needed to pass. As a result, the District commissioned a survey of district residents to explore concerns around the bond measure and attitudes about the school district. The good news is that those surveyed generally are impressed with the district. Residents cited concerns about the economy and taxes as the most likely causes for less support for the bond measure.

“Given the cost of running a bond or levy election, it’s critical that we know what our community thinks,” noted Dr. Chip Kimball (left), superintendent. “What we heard from district residents is that now is not the time to ask for money for school construction, even though in general residents are very positive about the district. As a result, we will not run the bond measure again this year but will look carefully at the most cost-effective alternatives for dealing with the student population that will be coming in the next few years.”"   Read full press release

###

According to an email by Kathryn Reith, LWSD Communications Director:  

400 LWSD residents were surveyed at random.  "Residents of the district were surveyed and we have many staff members who live in the district, so they may have been part of the survey but there is no way to tell.  It was done by an independent research company. Some of the questions in the survey are ones that this group has used over many years with other districts in the state while others are very specific to this situation, of course."

Is this 400 resident survey of value if it is not statistically significant?.  Almost 100,000 voters populate LWSD.  Was the taxpayer money spent on this survey worth it?  

By Bob Yoder

Photo by LWSD

Redmond resident Andy Hill runs for State Senate

Andy Hill for State Senate -45th District   "'The only way to change government is to change the people we elect to represent us'

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I moved to Washington twenty years ago, and love the Pacific Northwest. But the state is headed in the wrong direction. After watching our government over the past few years, it’s apparent that our elected representatives have lost touch with the voters and their families. There is a fundamental disconnect between what the people want and need--- and how our legislators represent us."

Read Andy Hill's entire letter and website .

Multitasking on iPhone, at last

Multitasking on iPhone, at last:

"Multitasking on iPhone, at last. Down at Apple's Cupertino, Calif., headquarters this morning, CEO Steve Jobs announced something that many iPhone application developers have been waiting a long time for: Multitasking for third-party apps.

'Happy day,' said Bryan Trussel, the CEO of Redmond-based Glympse, when I called and told him the news. 'We’ve been lighting incense and worshipping at the altar of Apple to get that,' he joked." ....more

Todd Bishop
Tech Flash

Environmental teacher Mike Town and Congressman Jay Inslee brief City Council on student energy projects

BREAKING NEWS

UPDATED:  A video of Redmond High School teacher Mike Town and U.S. Congressman Jay Inslee addressing Redmond City Council on April 6 is here. 

Mike (on left) briefed the Council about student energy assessment projects with Redmond schools and the city Fire Department.  Redmond High with a few other schools has saved $30,000/year in energy and waste compared to three years ago.  

Under the suggestion of Mayor Marchione, Mr. Town's students audited six Fire Stations, all competing for 1st Place in energy savings.  Town said our Governor is impressed and now wants all state buildings audited for energy consumption.  The Bellevue EPA building is the first state building to be audited  for energy consumption and savings and waste.  Mike Town's students have been given the task.  

Congressman Jay Inslee proclaimed: 

"Redmond has two natural resources that have made it world famous, and that is Microsoft and Mike Town and the Redmond Mustangs."

Congressman Inslee lauded Mike Town for recently winning a highly competitive National Science Foundation fellowship to advocate in D.C.  Inslee said "local CO-2 reduction is being replicated nationally." 

Watch the video to learn more about Town and Inslee's briefing, Inslee's response to Downtown Park funding and Councilmember Kimberly Allen's remarks on reducing the city's carbon pollution.   

http://rctv.redmond.gov/ondemand/CC04062010.wmv

By Bob Yoder
Video by City of Redmond

UPDATED: Spicy Talk : stalking the Szechuan chef now in Redmond

Spicy Talk: Stalking the Szechuan chef now in Redmond

.... But early this year Cheng Biao Yang and his wife reappeared, quietly opening Spicy Talk Bistro at 16650 Redmond Way, in a Redmond strip-mall adjacent to Frankie's Pizza & Pasta. There, in addition to many of his signature dishes (plus a handful of Cantonese classics) he was serving -- gulp! -- sushi. That foray into exotic waters didn't last long, Hoang later explained, all but slapping herself upside her head for their momentary lapse of judgment.

A month in, it was out with the new (86 sushi!) and in with the old -- favorites, that is, albeit on a somewhat truncated menu offered every day but Tuesday. Two weeks ago, I got news of their whereabouts. And last week I high-tailed it to Redmond, where I treated myself to food every bit as good as I remember...

Read complete article

Posted by Nancy Leson
Seattle Times

Evergreen Hospital announces new emergency department in Redmond's Bella Bottega shopping center

Evergreen's Redmond Medical Clinic and Emergency Department to be located in Bella Bottega

"Evergreen Hospital is pleased to announce it will open a freestanding emergency department in downtown Redmond in 2011.  Ground breaking for the three level, 48,000-square-foot facility is set for May of this year.  (Thirty-six underground parking stalls and nearby parking is planned to service patients and 50 staff.)   

The emergency department will be part of a new Evergreen medical complex that will be built in the Bella Bottega shopping center. The facility will also house lab services and advanced diagnostic imaging; it will also merge Evergreen's two Redmond-based primary care practices - Evergreen Medical Group Redmond and Family Medicine of Redmond.

When completed, the emergency department will have the capacity to provide care for 35,000 patients per year and will open with 16 emergency care exam rooms. Open around the clock, it will be staffed by a team of board-certified emergency room physicians, trauma-trained nurses and social workers.

"Evergreen Hospital has provided exceptional care to the communities in our public hospital district for the past 38 years," says Al DeYoung, president of the Evergreen Board of Commissioners. "We have a responsibility to our rapidly growing service area to provide access to the highest standard of health care, including emergency and primary care."

Evergreen plans to invest approximately $15 million in the project.  An estimated 50 staff members will work the new Emergency Department and clinic.  Underground parking for 36 cars is planned within the building.  For more information go to http://www.evergreenhealthcare.org/.

Do you think there will be enough parking space for this facility and others around it? 

Posted and edited by Bob Yoder
Source:  Evergreen Hospital website

If you want to participate in the budget process, who do you contact?

Open Government: Collaboration, Transparency, and Participation in Practice

The next Budget by Priorities meeting is 7-9 p.m., Monday, May 3 at City Hall.   It may be the last.

The Budget Priorities and Results Team contacts are listed below.  (I had to fill out a  Public Records Request for this contact information).  The Mayor appoints the team members and Executives oversee them.  The Results Teams rank and screen citizen and staff proposals and make recommendations to the Executives and Mayor.  If you have a specific budget need or budget request, you can email the Results Team leads:

INFRASTRUCTURE AND GROWTH
"I want a well-maintained city whose transportation and other infrastructure keeps pace with growth."

Joel Pfundt  (lead)  Traffic Planner, jpfundt@redmond.gov
Jamie Aspach, Human Resources
Carolyn Hope, Senior Parks Planner
two other low profile staff.
Dianne Needham (citizen)

CLEAN, GREEN ENVIROMENT
"I want to live, learn, work, and play in a clean and green environment."

Dave Tuchek (lead)  Parks Operations Manager, dtuchek@redmond.gov
other four members are low profile staff
Kerry Smith (citizen) presently a Human Services commissioner

COMMUNITY BUILDING
"I want a sense of community and connections with others."

Jean Rice (lead), city management analyst for parks, jrice@redmond.gov
Charlie Gorman, police lieutenant
other three members are low profile staff
Siri Bliesner (citizen)
       [Arne Tomac was the citizen on 2008 Results Team, past councilman, Bike Advisory Committee chair]

SAFETY
"I want to be safe where I live, work, and play"

Colleen Kelly (lead) Director of Human Services, ckelly@redmond.gov
Nancy Chang, Teen Center
Kurt Seemann - Transportation planner.
other 2 members are low profile staff
Val Merrill (citizen)
    [Sue Stewart, was the citizen on 2008 Results Team, past Parks Commission chair, CRC commission]

BUSINESS COMMUNITY
"I want a diverse and vibrant range of businesses and services in Redmond"

Erika Vandenbrande (lead), Transportation manager, evandenbrande@redmond.gov
Brain Coats - police
Jim Roberts - Development planner
other 2 members are low profile staff
Ralph Kleim (citizen)
     [John Stilin was the citizen on the 2008 Results Team, past Arts Commission chair, present councilmember]

RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT
"I want a city government that is responsible and responsive to its residents and businesses."

Kelly Wood (lead), Treasury Manager,  kwood@redmond.gov
Ken Wong - Teen Center
other 3 members are low profile staff.
Ray Smalling (citizen)   newly appointed a parks and trails commissioner

You can also send feedback to: BPquestions@redmond.gov.

Did this information help?   Do you or your neighbors have a budget need or want? 

March 22: Constantine signs order reaffirming public access to King County's public records

Open Government: Collaboration, Transparency, and Participation in Practice

March 22: Constantine signs order reaffirming public access to King County's public records:

"Update to Executive Policy designates a management sponsor for each department and reinforces citizens broad rights of access to public records

King County Executive Dow Constantine today signed a new Executive Policy that affirms public access to public records and commits the county to an open and transparent government. The policy update expands and details existing policy and incorporates model rules issued by the state attorney general.

“Under the law, public records belong to the public,” said Executive Constantine. “This policy reaffirms my commitment to open government, transparency, and customer service, and provides guidance to our public records officers in support of their duties to respond to requests under the Public Records Act.”" read more

#####

The focus of Open Government on this blog is on Lake Washington School District, the City of Redmond and Evergreen Public Hospital.
 
Is "open government" important to you?   Do you think you would ever need to send in a Public Records Request?  Do you know where to find the request forms?  .

Bullying: case study of a 15-year old student

Dear Bob,

Judy and her husband were reluctant to move between states because it meant a new high school for their 15 year old daughter Emma at a sensitive time in her life. But with a stylish new haircut and the perfect pair of jeans, Emma did everything she could to fit in at her new school. Six months later she felt so alone and frustrated that she begged her parents to let her move back to her old town and her old school. "I finally found out that a group of girls were actively excluding and bullying my daughter because she somehow got on the wrong side of a very popular classmate," says Judy.

Emma's life took a turn for the worse when the group's cold shoulder treatment turned into more active bullying. Kids were calling her vile names in the hallways, via social network sites and in text messages. Some were even threatening physical violence.

"I felt helpless," says Judy. "She had great teachers but they couldn't do much either." Judy turned to Youth Eastside Services where Emma worked with a counselor to re-gain her self-esteem and learn techniques to safely stand-up to bullying. YES also introduced Emma to her local teen center so that she could widen her social circle.

"Inter-personal bullying is more of a problem than parents and even teachers suspect and the damage it does is far reaching. I'm so grateful to my courageous daughter for standing up to the bullies and to YES for helping her find her way."

Thank you for helping YES help kids like Emma.

Sincerely,
Patti Skelton-McGougan
Executive Director,  YES

Peter Chee's thinkspace holds second annual thinkcamp

Peter Chee is owner of thinkspace in Redmond.  Thinkspace provides reasonably priced shared office space and services to help start-ups and entrepreneurs launch their business.  His phone is 425-629-6204.  Peter held a 2nd annual ThinkCamp seminar early this week.  I attended and was totally impressed by the quality of speakers, the topics, and energy of the audience.  Below, are introductions of ThinkCamp's speakers.   Email  Peter for more information, peter@thinkspace.com     

Twitter for Business
Steve Broback
The Parnassus Group (@sbroback)

Twitter is a great platform for engaging with your customers and generating new business. In this session Steve Broback will show some of his favorite tools, techniques, and sites that are helping organization of all sizes grow their revenues. steve@parnassusgroup.com

Protect Your Business Assets
Stacie McClure
Stacie McClure, CPA, PLLC (@staciecpa)

Join tax expert Stacie McClure, CPA, for her information-packed session on things you should do to protect your business assets. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn business tax do’s and don’ts from one of thinkspace’s resident CPA’s! stacie@staciecpa.com

Start-Up: The Non-Profit Way
Jeni Craswell
The Redmond Foundation (@RedFound)

We’ll explore the steps to forming a non-profit organization that are particularly effective in setting the stage for success and discuss how this approach differs from a traditional entrepreneurial project. jeni@theredmondfoundation.org

Building Brand Advocates through Influencer Engagement
Sean O’Driscoll
Ant’s Eye View (@seanodmvp)

This session explains how identifying and fostering deeper connections with a company’s most loyal and respected fans – influencers – can help to infuse the customer’s voice back into the business and empower customers to become advocates in speaking on behalf of the brand. sean@antseyeview.com

Getting Back to ‘Business as Usual’ After an Unusual Disaster
Sam Shmikler
Resilient & Tested (@resilienttested)

If a major disruption stopped your business in its tracks how would YOU quickly recover your: a) physical location b) computer systems c) staff (e.g. Pandemic) or d) business processes? This session will cover what should be planned, where to look for recovery options, and how to calculate the cost of impact of disasters. sam@resilientandtested.com

Psychology of Sales
Paul Anderson
Prolango (@prolango)

Utilizing his background in business psychology and communications, Paul will be teaching you how to learn how to close more sales and increase your chance of success during these tough economic times. paul@prolango.com

Local Search Optimization
Shannon Evans
Practical Local Search (@shannonevans)

Shannon will explain what Local Search Optimization is and how you can make it work as a web hub for your business. shannon@practicallocalsearch.com   http://www.practicallocalsearch.com/    Shannon is a boys lacrosse coach!

Caffeine Awareness Month brought to you by the people with the caffeine calculator

Caffeine Awareness Month brought to you by the people with the caffeine calculator

Not everybody buys the new research that caffeine is good for you.

Read more..

Posted by Melissa Allison
Seattle Times

All School District Budget Input Meetings Posponed Pending State Budget

Remainder of School District Budget Input Meetings Postponed Pending State Budget


Redmond, WA – Last week, Lake Washington School District postponed budget input meetings for March 16 and 17 pending determination of school funding in the state budget. The range of potential budget cuts for the district based on different proposals remains from no cut to as much as $15 million. There is still no word from Olympia on how state funding for Lake Washington School District will change next year. As a result, the budget input meetings scheduled for March 24 and 25 at Redmond High School and Eastlake High School also are being postponed.

The legislature continues to meet in an extended session and final budget numbers for K-12 education are still in limbo.

“We continue to wait for the numbers, from Olympia,” noted Deputy Superintendent of Operations Janene Fogard. “Once we know, we are prepared to move quickly.” Fogard noted that the district’s spring break takes place March 29-April 2. If the final state budget numbers translate into significant budget cuts for the district, meetings will most likely be scheduled during the weeks of April 5 and 12. An online input page will be open around the same period.

Information on a new schedule for these meetings will be posted on the district web site, http://www.lwsd.org/ as soon as it is available.

By Kathryn Reith, Communications Director
LWSD
March 22.