Redmond Lacrosse Club hosts "all day game day" on May 1

Redmond Lacrosse Club is hosting an all day game day for grades 3-12 at Redmond High school stadium this Saturday, May 1st from 10-7.

The 5/6 grade team plays from 11-12
7/8 grade team  plays from 1-2,
3/4 grade team plays from 3-4
 9-12 grade team plays from 5-6.
Please check out our website: http://www.redmondlacrosse.com/ .

The first four high school games are: 

Wed. 4/28   7:00 p.m. Redmond at Sammamish (Interlake High School)
Sat. 5/1       5:00 p.m. Gig Harbor at Redmond (Redmond High School)
Tues. 5/4     7:15 p.m. Liberty at Redmond (Redmond High School)
Sat. 5/8      3:00 p.m. Redmond at North Kitsap (North Kitsap High School)

By Mike Downey
Redmond Lacrosse Club
Public Relations

Graffiti art in "Edge Skate Park"

A few slides show a chipped "Free Wall" with about an inch of graffiti paint!  The wall has been painted over so many times that you can find layers of paint dating back 15 years.  The walls you see have been painted more than once in the last month.  

Graffiti art has been painted on the “Free Walls” of Redmond’s downtown Edge Skate Park from the day it was dedicated, over 15 years ago.  Anyone is free to paint graffiti on the walls.  These walls are special not only for their art, but for mitigating unwanted graffiti tags from migrating into the skate arena itself.

The skate board and BMX community and neighborhoods have great pride in Edge Park. Skaters say the creative graffiti art usually lasts on the Free Walls for 2-4 weeks before it has to be painted over again.  An unidentified community of passionate graffiti artists re-paint the walls.  According to Ken Wong of the Teen Center, the graffiti artists aren't managed by the City.

Redmond's one-of-a kind Edge Skate Park is located a stone's throw from the downtown Fire station and Metro Bus Park & Ride on 8420 161st Ave. NE.  The Free Walls facing the Park & Ride usually have the best graffiti art. Their tags are probably painted over more often owing to their visibility to commuters.  The paint thickness shows it.

Redmond Parks Operations Manager, Dave Tuchek, says the Park was conceptualized in the mid-1995's by Nick Lovell of the Redmond Police Department.  It was built during the Rosemarie Ives Administration. Dave says, periodically - less than 5-6 times/year - obscenities or graffiti are tagged in the concrete skating arena by outsiders.   Dave says, if the tags aren't removed within about 24 hours it gets worse and spreads.  He takes pictures of the tags for the police report.  Police and Fire have presence too; their refueling station is next door.  

By Bob Yoder
Seattle Times Communities Partner
Photos by Yoder (35 photos)

The Seattle Times graffiti story (4/26) is here 

OPINION: April, 2010: The city's new liquor store -- you can't miss it.

OPINION:  Look at the loud signage of the new liquor store on Redmond Way - smack in the middle of downtown Redmond on Redmond Way near Cleveland Avenue.  The liquor store is moving into this beautiful, brick building, a 1920's historic landmark known as mayor "Bill Brown Garage".

According to Rob Odle, City Director of Planning and Development "the Comprehensive Plan does not get down to describing the specific location of specific uses. Liquor stores are not singled out for special consideration and are considered to be general retail."  

Longtime resident Andrea Quenneville wrote city council and the mayor complaining about the large, tacky signs in front of the building, saying the signs were "offensive, 'ghetto' looking, and loud", and that "it doesn't present a good image for downtown Redmond".  She wrote "do we not want a clean, pleasant image for the city of Redmond since it's and right down the street from the park-to-be?". 

Jim Roberts, the city staffer in charge of  economic development replies:

"Believe me, we were disappointed about the proposed location right in the heart of downtown in a very prominent historic building. What a great restaurant site it could have been. I have no information about the lease arrangements. We're trying to get them to put historic information about the town in the store windows to make them more interesting for pedestrians than booze ads. Any other ideas of what could go in the windows would be appreciated. I'm not sure we can make it happen, but we could try." 

According to Landmarks commissioner Miguel Llanos, a city planner from the Landmarks Commission asked the Redmond Historical Society if they would display some artifacts in the windows and the Society happily obliged.  The Bill Brown Garage was built in 1920 and used to be a 20-car repair shop.  Brown was Redmond's longest serving mayor (1919-1948).

I wonder if other cities have been able to influence the State Liquor Board on site location or signage.   Any thoughts on  Redmond's downtown signage? 

Opinion and story by Bob Yoder
Photos by Yoder

Tiny Redmond Pianist Wins Big Competition

Redmond fourth-grader Alex Lu, 10, plays the piano in his stocking feet in order to operate the pedal-extension box.

Tiny Redmond Pianist Wins Big Competition

Because he's just 10 years old, Alexander Lu's legs are too short to reach the piano pedals, and his hands are too small to play the chords in many classical music pieces. But he does have a secret weapon: his eyebrows.

When he plays, Alex gets so wrapped up in the music that his whole body moves expressively with the piece, weaving and swaying (see video).  Read More 

By Katherine Long
Seattle Times Eastside Reporter
Video and Photography By Ken Lambert, Seattle Times
Posted By Bob Yoder, Seattle Times Communities Partner

"Last Saturday" Special Needs Matinee

On the last Saturday of each month, the North Bend Theatre is proud to offer a Special Needs Movie matinee for families with children with special needs.  The next matinee is Saturday, April 24, 11 am - 1pm. 

The lights in the auditorium will be on and the volume will be lowered to make this an event the entire family can enjoy.  $5.00/person. Location: North Bend Theater, 125 Bendigo Boulevard North, North Bend. Phone: 425.888.1232

By Beth Angelo
Chairperson, LWSD PTSA Special Needs

Four vehicles involved in crash on Novelty Hill

This video from Air 4 shows a dump truck, pick-up truck, and two cars in a crash on Novelty Road this Tuesday, April 20. Two people had to be freed from their cars. Amazingly, no one was seriously injured. The video shows one person being loaded onto a stretcher.

The accident occurred just east of Redmond on Novelty Hill Road near the W. Snoqualmie Valley Road intersection.

KOMO News
Fischer Communicatons

Windows saves the day, but the rest of Microsoft business is mostly blah.

Microsoft's strong earnings report today was fueled by solid sales of Windows 7, but digging deeper into the numbers, it's clear that many of the company's businesses have seen better quarters. Despite a a big in advertising revenue, increased expenses pushed the company's online business ever deeper into the red. And Microsoft's business-software units continued to show the effects of sluggish corporate spending.
Here's a division-by-division breakdown of the results...Read More

By Todd Bishop
Tech Flash
4/22

Garbage and recycling resumes

Waste Management Service interruption

For Friday April 23, 2010 - Garbage and recycling service will  resume Friday on a normal schedule. Customers that were not serviced on Wednesday or Thursday should bring in your materials from the street. You may put out up to twice the regular amount on their next scheduled collection day.  Questions?  Call:  1-800-592-9995.  

Posted on http://www.redmond.gov/

Important Budget By Priorities Open House is Monday evening, May 3.

Budget By Priorities Open House for residents and businesses is Monday evening, May 3.

Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond is hosting an open house for residents and businesses to tell City officials and staff what programs, services or projects they would like to see either added or deleted to the City budget. The meeting is on Monday, May 3 beginning at 7pm in the Redmond City Hall Council Chambers, 15670 NE 85th Street.

Members of the six *priority teams will present guidelines for developing budget proposals. This information will guide City staff in determining what programs and services to request for the 2011/2012 budget. Following the presentations, those present will have time to discuss their budget preferences. The suggestions made at this meeting will be distributed to appropriate staff to evaluate alongside additional budget proposals.

City Press Release

Note:  * "priority teams" is probably another name for "results teams".

Notes on last night's Evergreen Hospital Public Commission meeting.

OPINION:  Last night, I attended and spoke at the Regular Public Meeting of Evergreen  Hospital.   Many citizens don't know that Evergreen is a King County Public Hospital and district residents pay taxes to Evergreen Hospital. 

The most exciting news from the meeting came at the very end when our elected commissioners formally approved and announced their new CEO, Bob Malte.  (see my press release story).  Mr. Malte is replacing the popular Evergreen CEO Steve Brown.  Malte will start permanently May 10, though he will be attending the black-tie Evergreen Gala fundraiser on May 1.  According to the Evergreen website, the Gala is sold out. 

My favorite part of the meeting was Dr. Wechin's update on Resolution 1000 the "Death with Dignity Act."   Evergreen campus hosts a Hospice Center with family support services.  I attended their support classes when my mother passed from a prolonged battle with three cancers and congestive heart failure.  The support classes are taught by experienced volunteers.  It's advisable to seek professional help if your sadness turns to depression, which was my case. 

Dr. Wechin said 70% of  patients choosing to die under the Act are cancer victims.  20% have ALS, and 10% have heart failure.  The common reasons for their choice are:  1) loss of autonomy, 2) lost of dignity, and 3) loss of ability to participate and enjoy life.   My mother died in Florida.  I'm not sure about the Florida law at that time, but she died a tortuous, tramatic death, almost impossible for our family to endure.  After prayer and without hesitation, I voted for the Act in Washington.  

Less than 1% of Evergreen's hospice patients (10) were dispensed phenobarbital medication last year and 10 died.  So far this year, 6 patients were dispensed medication and 4 died.  Prescriptions cannot be ingested on hospital property.  Most choose to die in their homes.

                                                                                         ###

In my public talk,  I introduced myself as a citizen-journalist and hospital district taxpayer of 32 years.  I explained my public service mission of  "Open Government", bringing government closer to the People.  In light of health care reform (driving higher numbers of insured to hospitals), I questioned the hospital's need for taxes.  A brief chat with a commissioner and staffer afterwards was a helpful start for dialogue.     

We the People (and taxpayers!) are invited to speak to the commissioners at Evergreen Hospital on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The board of five elected-commissioners are receptive and friendly, though their experience with the Public and government reporters appears quite limited, so be patient.  (Disclaimer:  Use of recording devices for accurate reporting by the public and media are not allowed; this policy is under study .)

By Bob Yoder

High School Sports | Redmond girls risk golf win streak

High School Sports Redmond girls risk golf win streak:   Seattle Times Newspaper

By Ron Newberry
Special to The Seattle Times

The Mustangs have won 71 consecutive dual matches against KingCo teams.

REDMOND — Jake Crowley hasn't been sleeping well lately.

Any thoughts of sustained sleep ended when Crowley's newborn son, Elijah, arrived March 27. But that's not all that's kept the Redmond High School girls golf coach's mind a bit scattered recently. More.

Robert Malte Named CEO at Evergreen Hospital

ROBERT MALTE NAMED CEO AT EVERGREEN HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER

Bob Malte was formally appointed CEO during the Hospital Commission's Regular Public Meeting on 4/20.  It was announced he would be attending the Evergreen Gala event on May 1 in Marymoor Park. 

Kirkland, Washington – Robert (Bob) Malte of Littleton, Colorado, has been named CEO at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland. A committee that included the hospital board, physicians, and community members picked Malte after extensive interviews. More than 125 people applied for the position. He will begin May 10.

Malte most recently was president and CEO at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Prior to that he served as senior vice president at ThedaCare and CEO at Touchpoint Health Plan in Appleton, Wisconsin. He earned a Master of Business Administration at The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business in 1982 and bachelor degree in economics at Ripon College in Wisconsin.

“Many qualified candidates were considered but Bob stood out as the best fit for Evergreen,” said Al DeYoung of Woodinville, president of the Evergreen board. “We are pleased with his leadership expertise, experience and dedication to the community.”

Malte has a strong commitment to community service. He has been a board member of the Colorado Hospital Association since 2007, and serves on the YMCA of Denver Metro board as well as a number of other organizations.

He is married and has two children, 14 and 12. His interests include skiing, long distance cycling, tennis and

Malte replaces Steve Brown who left in February to become President/CEO of the Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, Pennsylvania.

Evergreen Hospital Press Release
By Sherry Grindeland
Photo By Local Health Guide Online
Photo, Subtitle and Evergreen Gala announcement posted By Yoder

UPDATED: Notes on tonight's school board meeting

OPINION:   I walked into the School Board Chambers tonight to walls decorated with creative, colorful art drawn by elementary students from Benjamin Franklin Elementary in Kirkland.   The Principal and her staff gave glowing reports.

Award-winning Mike Town was on the agenda but couldn't make it.  His video was played. 

Three citizens spoke during the "Public Comment" period -- a Co-Chair of Lake Washington School Foundation advertising his Legacy Luncheon fundraiser, a new Council PTSA officer and myself.

Updated:  I urged the School Board (five elected officials) to work harder at selling the Capital Improvement Bond next time.  The few times Directors actively campaign are when they run for office and sell district funding measures to constituents.  Based on my observations at 4 input sessions, over 5 Work Sessions, and 4 Board meetings, the Board majority didn't appear to work hard or smart in selling the bond.  They relied heavily on a Levy Committee phone bank, chaired by Board President Pendergrass.  With the exception of Ravi Shahani and possibly Pendergrass, it appears from my polling of the Administration, that several dropped the ball.  Ravi assertively and effectively addressed the City of Redmond Council and Mayor.  He also attended a community input meeting at Redmond Junior High, though did not participate.   Clearly, Ravi demonstrates he cares about the District in which he lives - Education Hill, Redmond, WA. -- better than most.  Pendergrass met with the Levy Committee twice/month for several months.  I asked President Pendergrass to try to "speak as One Voice" in the next election (and work harder in their home-district).  Hopefully, the Board will write a joint Letter to local newspapers, attract TV media and hold a public forum.  What do you think they could do better?   Or, is something else needed?

Next, the Board reviewed an internal report on "governance process".   The results were hard "to read" and generated little enthusiasm.  However, one item kindled the Board to think about organizing additional constituent groups into a 2-way dialogue with the Board. 

Superintendent Chip Kimball gave insight into the District's budget needs.  The district will collect about $4.5 million more in the 2010-11 school year, based on the levy authorized in February’s election. That increased local levy revenue will restore the $3.5 million in state revenues lost and about $800,000 lost in federal Title I dollars. The result is a flat budget for next year.

Even though the District could collect an additional 1.5% next year from taxpayers if they wanted, Dr.Kimball recommended against it owing to survey results and the economy.  Dr. Kimball and his School Board made a prudent decision.  The City of Redmond had a similar choice last year but raised their taxes by 1% (the maximum) under the prodding of Mayor John Marchione.  Comments? 

Opinion by Bob Yoder

UPDATED: Mike Town celebrates his NEA award at Redmond High.

Redmond High teacher Mike Town receiving award from Phillipe Cousteau

UPDATED:  Excitement abounded at Redmond High School this morning.  The Performing Arts Center overflowed with students and citizens as dignitaries from the state and around the country were on hand to recognize and award Mike Town for his NEA Green Prize in Public Education.

The NEA Foundation presented Mr.  Town a $25,000 award and national recognition for his Cool School Challenge curriculum.  In addition to the NEA award, it was announced Mike won a 1-year Fellowship to work in Washington D.C. under the National Science Foundation.  His absence will be noticed in the Pacific Northwest community next year.

Through Cool Schools Challenge and Wild Sky Wilderness efforts, Town has developed strong relationships with Congressman Jay Inslee and Governor Gregoire.   A Keynote speaker, Phillipe Cousteau commented that Mike has an ability to reach out to legislatures.  "In talking to Mike last night, he knew more about congressmen and staffers than I did", said Cousteau drawing a chuckle from the audience.  Phillipe lives in D.C. and frequents the Hill.   Phillipe is Correspondent for Green Planet and the grandson of Jacque Cousteau.

Town competed with 38 applicants for the award.  Town's Cool School Challenge curriculum has helped students, teachers, and school districts from over 150 schools nationwide reduce over 1.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.  Through infrastructure changes and the students' work, Redmond High School has saved over $30,000 per year in electricity and waste costs and reduced their carbon dioxide emissions by over 200,000 pounds.

In addition to the success of the Cool School Challenge project, Town has the highest enrollment of an AP Environmental Science class in the state, with approximately half of every of the Redmond High School graduating class taking his course.  Town thanked Principal Jane Todd and acknowledged ex-Mayor Rosemary Ives for her support.    

Video clips of Mike and from Governor Gregoire were played.  Mike has always lived in small towns outside of cities.  He said "the single biggest point source for green-house gas is local high schools.  And, ""the best way of mitigating environmental problems has and always will be education."   Governor Gregoire praised Town for his work to reduce the carbon footprint at Redmond fire houses and she plans to take Mike's program to schools statewide.   

Congressman Jay Inslee will join Mike Town and other panelists in Bellingham, Saturday, May 15th to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Western Washington's Huxley College of the Environment.  Town is a graduate.  According to Manca Valum, Director of Development, Huxley is "probably the oldest college in the country with the sole purpose of studying the environment."  It was founded in 1969.  Ms. Vahum was in the audience.

The teaching curriculum can be freely downloaded from the Cool School Challenge web site.  It helps student teams gather data about the carbon footprint of each class and, based on their findings, create an action plan to reduce their impact.

Reported by Bob Yoder

Pictures by Yoder

Redmond Chamber of Commerce members renewing in April

Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce April Renewing Members

Platinum 30+ Years

Precision Press 1978

Western Industrial Tooling Inc.1978

Gold 20 - 29 Years (1980 – 1989)

Evergreen Healthcare 1980

Genie Industries 1982

Silver Cloud Inn - Redmond 1982

McDonald’s Book Exchange 1983

Overlake Christian Church 1988

Redmond Wekshop 1989

Silver 15 - 19 Years (1990 – 1994)

Family Resource Center 1993

B.E. Meyers & Co, Inc. 1994

Bronze 10 - 14 Years (1995 – 1999)

Strobe Data Inc. 1996

Julin & McBride, PS 1997

J E Cumming Corporation 1999

Redmond Endodontics 1999

Sound Mental Health 1999

Renewing

Redmond Self Storage 2001

Habitat for Humanity East King Co.

US Healthworks 2002

Speedware Motorsports, LLC 2005

Edward Jones 2006

Send Out Cards 2007

Essential Moves Inc. 2008

White Coyote Technology 2008

Eakins Insurance Agency 2009

Express Employment Professionals

Heart of the Clutter, LLC 2009

Hilton Valve Inc. 2009

Rubbish Truck 2009

Source:  Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

By Bob Yoder

"Lake Washington School District Will Not Cut Next Year’s Budget
More local levy dollars will fill in for state cuts

Redmond, Wash. – While the final state budget, adopted yesterday, includes cuts to state funding of K-12 education, Lake Washington School District has analyzed the impact to its budget and determined that expected cuts will not be needed for the 2010-2011 school year.

The legislature’s local levy authority package as enacted will allow the district to collect enough in local levy dollars to make up for those state cuts. Because the budget will be flat for next year, the district will not hold budget input meetings this spring.

“We’ve gotten a reprieve,” noted Dr. Chip Kimball, superintendent. “I’m relieved that cuts ended up being less than anticipated in the proposed budget packages. However, I’m concerned about the state’s increasing reliance on local taxpayers to pay for what the state should provide, and am concerned about the loss of federal stimulus dollars in another year.”"

Excerpt from LWSD press release

Green Redmond "Last Saturday" volunteers needed to restore local parkland forests.

Redmond, WA – The City of Redmond and the Cascade Land Conservancy joined together to form the Green Redmond Partnership. It is the Partnership’s goal to bring 1035 acres of Redmond’s forested parkland into active management over the next 20 years. Active management allows Redmond’s forests to remain an important element of the native ecosystem.

To ensure our forests stay healthy, volunteers are needed to work in the parks removing non-native invasive plants. The first work party of 2010 is Saturday, April 24 from 9am to noon at Viewpoint Park, 1840 NE 24th Street. No prior experience is necessary and tools and gloves are provided.

This event is part of a series of work parties – “Last Saturday” of each month through October. To plan ahead, following are the dates and locations for 2010:

May 29 – Westside Park, 5810 156th Avenue NE

June 26 – Grass Lawn Park, 7031 148th Avenue NE

July 31 – Farrel-McWhirter Farm Park, 19545 Redmond Road

August 28 – Idylwood Park, 3650 West Lake Sammamish Parkway NE

September 25 – Hartman Park, 17300 NE 104th Street   (near Redmond Bike Park)

October 30 – Idylwood Park, 3650 West Lake Sammamish Parkway NE

BREAKING NEWS: LWESP bargaining unit overwhelmingly ratifies agreement.

LWESP bargaining unit agreement goes to LWSD administration on May 3 for school board approval.

 UPDATED:  The Lake Washington Educational Support Personnel (LWESP) bargaining unit met this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. in the Redmond High cafeteria and overwhelmingly voted to ratify the package agreement.

It didn't take long for the approximate 90 LWSD office managers and support personnel to discuss and vote on the agreement.  The union has 160 - 170 members.  The meeting lasted one and a half hours.    

Donna Lurie (left), chief negotiator for the LWESP bargaining team, stated "the ratified package agreement: 1) includes improvements to contract language, 2) clarifies procedures, 3) provides wage increases, and 4) resolves issues of the sick leave use on March 8." The agreement is retroactive to August 16, 2009. 

Ms. Lurie praised the mediator team of John and Carol Glaser.  "They were very skilled facilitators and helped create a safe environment.  They were enormously helpful, I think, to both parties."  The team was brought in several weeks ago.  Donna said "she was very thankful it's settled and we look forward to a more respectful and productive relationship in the future."   The agreement lasts three years, ending 8/31/2012.

Negotiations for LWESP started in February 2009 and came into loggerheads.  Ms. Lurie stepped in early January 2010 and moved the negotiations forward with tangible proposals, according to Kathryn Reith, LWSD Communications Director.  Donna Lurie has been negotiating for 28 years. She works out of the Bothell Washington Cascade office covering Shoreline, North Shore, and LWSD.

The tentative agreement is now in the hands of the District Management Team.  Deputy Superintendent Janene Fogard and Communications Director Kathryn Reith will recommend the agreement  on May 3 for ratification by the School Board.   

By Bob Yoder
Seattle Times Communities Partner

Photo by Yoder

High School Sports Blog | Redmond knocks off Bishop Blanchet

High School Sports Blog Redmond knocks off Bishop Blanchet Seattle Times Newspaper:

"Redmond's Matt Kimmel went 3 for 3 with a two-run homer and an RBI single to lead the Mustangs past the Braves, 11-5.

'He had been scuffling a little bit and struggling and getting a little bit anxious at the plate,' Mustangs coach Dan Pudwill said. 'We talked to him about being patient and getting his pitch and he really did a good job of that. We talked to him about hitting with two strikes and being great with two strikes and he was. He hit a ball over the right-field fence with two strikes. It was something else.'" Unabridged story here

By Mason Kelly
Seattle Times "High School Sports Blog"

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