Donations to LWSD on Record in the August Board Minutes

Superintendent Kimball reads the Donation List at the beginning of each Regular Board Meeting

$35,311 in Donations were recorded in the August.  The top three donors were:  Inglewood Junior High PTSA ($9377), Mark Twain PTSA ($4735), and Wilder PTSA ($5419).  To see all nine donations and how they are broken down click "Read More"

Puget Sound Energy tries to save the wildlife and wetlands during easement widening.

UPDATED:  Puget Sound Energy's power easement is being widened by 100 feet to make room for a new transmission line.   

As you can see from the long brown strip going up the hill from Bear Creek near Avondale, hundreds of trees were removed to make way for a new power line.  Along some sections, you'll see parts of the trees cut off.   As ugly as it looks, these trees were purposely cut this way to provide habitat for the remaining wildlife and to try to "save:" the wetlands.  Look at the woodpecker eating on the snag.  This snag was nearby in the cooler forest where there is shelter from the sun and protection and food from the forest.

According to Ron Ainslie of King County and Thara Johnson of the City of Redmond, there are seven wetlands in the 3 mile easement project; 36 acres in all.  The trees in these wetlands were manually cut into "snags" to keep heavy equipment off the fragile vegetation.  Two wetlands are high priority, Class 2 wetlands with permanent pools.  Even with these snags the wetlands will dry from the lack of shade and poor water retention.  The city project planner said the forested wetlands will change to drier "scrub-scrub" wetlands providing habitat for different species.

A PSE worker said their biggest concern is Summer and Fall rain storms.  With vegetation and trees removed, the dry, silty soil can easily flood into Bear Creek unless measures are taken.   Silt fences need to go up - black, permeable cloth and burlap rolls.  Have you been out there, yet?   My wife and I saw a Bald Eagle, this Hairy Woodpecker, and a hummingbird when I took these pictures. 

By Bob Yoder
Photos By Yoder

Emergency Response, Map your Neighborhood, and Neighborhood Watch Programs offered by City

Jim Bove says....

The Redmond Police and Fire Departments are pleased to offer an information session on three programs recommended in your neighborhood to make it safer and more prepared for emergencies and disasters. The session is Wednesday, August 25th at 6:00 p.m. at the RPD Training Room (8701 160th Avenue NE) and will focus on the following programs:

   o  Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

   o  Map your Neighborhood

  o   Neighborhood Watch

 Councilmember Dave Carson is a recent CERT graduate.  Read More about these programs.

Theno's Dairy is upgrading their facility after an inspection by the FDA

UPDATED:  The Redmond Neighborhood Blog received a tip from a neighborhood mom, who wished to remain anonymous, that Thenos was inspected by the FDA and warned on July 21 for "serious violations of the current Good Manufacturing Practice regulation for foods." 

 "I'm just a mom who wants to know...what they are doing about it etc....as my kids ask all the time "to go to the ice cream place with the cow."

I called Thenos owner, Doug Bloor for his response.  Doug said:  "Absolutely no food has been contaminated, tainted, or recalled. "

Doug went onto say:  The FDA letter was "boiler plate" and that the issues had nothing directly to do with the processing areas.  Remedies are underway and should be completed in a few weeks.  Ice cream will be loaded in closed containment vessels and carted on stainless steel wheels.  A bid is out to modernize the sink drains.  The bathroom is being re-painted and upgraded.  Terminix has inspected the area and taken any necessary measures.  

Mr. Bloor noted that "Thenos started on a farm 26 years ago and has been the same operation all along.  The State Department of Agriculture inspects the processing areas 4 times/year.  The County Health Department is out 1-2 times/year." 

Reported By Bob Yoder
Photo By Yoder

Source:
 FDA Warning Letter, dated 7/21/2010
"Food and Safety News"

UPDATED! Rebecca Meredith is Redmond's Poet Laureate; read her poetry!

This just in! Rebecca will be speaking to The Redmond Historical Society on Saturday, September 11, 2010, 10:30 to 12:00 noon at The Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 NE 80 Street,
Redmond, WA.  

Redmond’s Poet Laureate, Rebecca Meredith, lived in Redmond for more than 20 years.  She will be speaking September 11 about the power of place, and how poets’ works, as well as audiences’ responses, are shaped by their relationships to places in their lives, both past and present. Don’t miss this meeting. To receive the monthly RHS newsletter, contact the Society office at 425-885-2919, or email your request to info@redmondhistoricalsociety.org. 

Rebecca Meredith is the first Redmond Poet Laureate, a position established to promote the literary arts through workshops, public readings and special events throughout the city.  She is paid a stipend by the City to work part-time as our Laureate. 

Rebecca is a poet, writer, and psychotherapist, as well as a Redmond Association SPokenword (RASP) cofounder. She has performed at the Burning Word Poetry Festival, the Seattle Moon Viewing Festival, and on KUOW's The Beat. Her chapbook Intergenerational Delta Blues was published by Pudding House Press. She was a fellow of the Jack Straw Writers' Program and an alumna of Hedgebrook Women Writers' Colony.

Organizations interested in working with the Poet Laureate should contact rac@redmond.gov .

Click here to read The Seattle Times article and my news about Redmond's new Poet Laureate.

Three of Rebecca's poems are listed  "here"     Arts Commissioner, Tom Flynn's poetry site is well worth a visit, too!

Posted By Bob Yoder

Photo on city website

Commissioner Tom Hinman Leads Council Session On "Sustainability"

UPDATED (8/12):  At the Redmond City Council Derby Days booth our representatives weren't just handing out ice-cold  "Otter Pops" !   Councilmembers also listened to comments from passing citizens..

According to a Council report, one citizen wanted to learn more about the Planning Commission and how to connect to them.

Presto!   Wouldn't you know it?   Council invited the Planning Commission to their study session meeting last night - to address the value and need for "Sustainability" in Redmond.  Commission Chair Tom Hinman masterfully lead the thought provoking conversation.   Do you care to listen in?

Tom's 4+ minute talk begins right at the start of the meeting.  The entire council joins in.   This is one of the most revealing  Council meetings (video) I've seen.

Definition of "Sustainability": "to satisfy the needs of today without compromising the future's ability to meet its needs." The three components of sustainability are: environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Ref. United Nations.

Reported By Bob Yoder
Commission Photo on City Website - Tom Hinman (purple shirt)

Rough notes on the meeting  (read more)

UPDATED: Minutes from Evergreen Hospital's Public Meeting sheds light on the organization

>>  In a June, 2010 Public  Meeting CEO Rob Malte announced  Evergreen Medical Center has been recognized, as follows:   

o Seattle Business Magazine – one of the best places to work;

o King County – one of the best places for recycling;

o Seattle Magazine & 425 – Evergreen had over a 100 physicians listed as best doctors; and 

o Healthgrades – Evergreen Maternity Center was ranked inthe top 5% in the country

In addition, Administrative Director Laurene Burton  recorded the following  Minutes: 

>>  "Ms. Peterson, Executive Director of the Evergreen Healthcare Foundation, introduced Teddy Overleese, Chair of the Foundation Board.  Ms. Overleese provided an overview of the Foundation’s accomplishments, including the website redevelopment, inaugural Hospice luncheon, and the annual gala.  Events have raised over $900,000. It was noted that in 2009, there was an increase in major donors of 18% over 2008 and there were 970 first-time donors to the Foundation. Ms. Peterson closed by thanking Ms. Yamada (Dir. of Finance) and her staff for all of their assistance in helping with the finances of the Foundation. Commissioner DeYoung thanked Ms. Peterson and Ms. Overleese and offered appreciation for all the work they have done for the Foundation."

>> "The recent focus on RN specimen collection has demonstrated 100% knowledge of the correct collection process and consequence of errors, and Dr. Pheifer was pleased to see a declining trend in collection errors."

Why Every City Needs A Beat Reporter

This article starts out with an extreme example of  prolonged public apathy....

They are worth more than you think.  Just ask the residents of Bell, CA.

There’s a municipality in Southern California called Bell. Thirty-eight thousand people live there. It’s largely inhabited by Latino immigrants, and the per capita income is just $25,000 per year. It may be hard to believe, but had its residents banded together five years ago to hire a top-notch beat reporter, even paying him the handsome salary of $200,000 per year, the return on their value would’ve been immense. 
Read More.

By Conor Friedersdorf, 07/29
Forbes.com

Aug. 6: King County Primary off to Strong Start!

Aug. 6: King County Primary off to Strong Start!:

"King County voters are returning ballots at a greater rate than projected for the first week of the Primary Election. Over 100,000 ballots have already been returned and Elections officials are busy processing them. As in all elections, there are some ballots that can't be opened because of problems associated with voter signatures.

'It's really helpful that voters are getting their ballots mailed back to us early,' noted Sherril Huff, Elections Director. 'The top two reasons some ballots never get counted are due to being mailed back to us too late or the voter forgetting to sign the oath on the back of the return envelope.'

In the previous election, almost 6,000 ballots could not be counted for these reasons." Read More

King County website

Resources:  "Voting for Judges"
Municipal League of Women Voters recommendations
Posted by Yoder

Recovery Updates - Fundraisers continue to raise support for Redmond High graduate Chanel Cogan to pay for medical bills

IMPORTANT UPDATE:  12/29/2010: Click for Story  http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2010/12/redmonds-chanel-cogan-hospitalized-for.html

 Last night was a home run derby fundraiser.   Today, 8/7,  is a car wash fundraiser at the RAC from 8 - 3 p.m.   Future fundraisers and news of Chenal's recovery progress will  be posted here.

Chenal fell off a 100 foot cliff while hiking near Kachess Lake and was air-lifted to Harborview a few days ago.  As of last night she was in a medically induced coma for brain damage, her spleen was removed, and she has a severely broken arm.

Posted by Yoder, 8/7
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chanelcogan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORQAFjS5ZVw&feature=player_embedded

UPDATES:    Chanel Cogan's Support Group - Facebook Updates

Update:  August 11:  GOOD NEWS! MISS CHANEL WAS EXTUBATED AT 3:40PM TODAY!!!'


It feels so good not to have that tube down her throat, she's been sleeping ever since!!! Breathing away in dream land she rests peacefully, and so do we :)
Correction on the radial nerve surgery, the arm remains bent because the nerve is short and will heal stronger if not stretched out straight too early!

Chanel will probably not cough so much now, trying to get that tube out, her face is so beautiful without the garb and hardware on.

Now, with all possible tests done the elevated level of white blood cells remains a mystery??? She's been tested head to toe, inside and out for any type of infection. Her feeding tube was switched to the other nostril today too.

We keep our knees bent and one foot on the ground at all times. We couldn't be more proud of you today, Chanel !!!

I think you almost have a smile on your face :)      MeMe & Pat

Redmond is Restoring The Upper Reach of Willows Creek

Willows Creek

Have you ever been to Willows Creek?  Oh my!  It's probably one of the most beautiful, urban natural open spaces remaining in Redmond.   If you look hard you'll find an unmarked trail-head in Willows Creek Park that will take you to it.  We hiked the creek a couple of weeks ago and took a few pictures. 

Willows Creek is good size stream that drains the western "Rose Hill" watershed area.  It flows into the Sammamish River in the vicinity of Willows Golf Course.   According to Tom Hardy of the Redmond Department of Natural Resources Department, (DNR) federally protected Chinook salmon often find "safe harbor" in the cool waters of the mouth of Willows Creek.   Chinook linger in Willows Creek as they swim upstream toward Bear Creek to spawn.   But they no longer spawn in here owing to habitat destruction.

Years ago, the creek forests were severely logged  and the salmon stopped spawning to the upper reaches of the creek.  As you can see, it's a beautiful meandering stream with gravel beds, perfect for salmon rearing.   Tom Hardy's crew has a project underway this summer to restore the creek banks and improve the habitat for fish. 

UPDATED: Chanel Cogan, Redmond High graduate seriously injured in fall - Car wash fundraiser planned for Chanel on 8/7/10

12/29/2010 UPDATE:  http://redmondcity.blogspot.com/2010/12/redmonds-chanel-cogan-hospitalized-for.html

According to an article in the Redmond Reporter today, Chanel Cogan a recent Redmond High graduate fell 100 feet off a cliff near Kachess Lake, on July 31 and has been air-lifted to Harborview where she is in an induced coma.

My daughter played soccer with Chanel and they were classmates at Redmond High.  This is so sad.  If you'd like to support the Cogan family they are hosting a car wash on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at the R.A.C. between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. The donations will help pay for Cogan's medical expenses and, of course, the family appreciates your emotional support.  The car wash location is at the Redmond Athletic Club, 8709 161st Ave. NE. 


By Bob Yoder
Courtesy photo

Public Records & Open Meetings Laws Forum, 8/11

City Council planning Downtown building heights up to eight stories. How would you know?

The Administration wants to hang this poster in City Hall to demonstrate the Downtown Urban Center plan for building height.   There wasn't a poster for the Overlake Urban Center.  Click

 

This Council-approved plan for the Downtown diagrams story heights between 3 - 8.  Bella Bottega is in the HL-5 district (five stories).  Heights at Overlake Urban Center go up to 13 stories.  Click.

The City of Kirkland has a large 3-D exhibit in their City Hall lobby.  It's readily noticed and easily understood.  Building heights are scaled and proportional to the topography.  Click 

The City is planning to add 23,000 new residents by 2022, according to the Mayor's 2010 Budget Workshop.  1/3 of the growth to the Downtown; 1/3 to Overlake Urban Center; and 1/3 to mostly North Redmond neighborhoods.   How do you want to be informed?

Sources:  2010 Budget By Priority March workshop / interview with Lori Peckol, city planner.

Development Guide.  20C.40.35 -020  Building Height Restrictions.

2D rendering and diagram from city documents library

City of Kirkland 3-D Exhibit photo by Yoder

"Waste on the Water" - Photo Journalism by John Reinke

In a July 30th post, Grist  (an enviro website headquartered in Seattle) presented their photo contest winners on the topic of: "Waste on the Water".

Now I ask your opinion, which photo is worse:

a)  the Grist contest winner at this link  or

b)  these  photos of Bear Creek near a park area in Redmond.

Well, maybe the Grist photo is still the champ, but these might have qualified for 'honorable mention'!    I took these creek photos on July 14, near NE 80th Street & Avondale Way.

Pretty nasty looking, huh?

Story by John Reinke
Education  Hill, Redmond

Photos by Reinke

The top photo shows an "island" of waste trapped within the clear waters of Bear Creek.  The bottom photo is an enlargement.

LWSD Seeks Comment on 2010-11 Budget Proposal

Barbara Posthumus is addressing the School Board and public during a June Work Study Session

At the June 21 Board of Directors meeting, Barbara Posthumus, Coordinator of Business Services, presented the draft budget for the Lake Washington School District for the next school year. Characterized as a “no cuts, no adds” budget, there were no major changes in programs funded for next year. However, the district would like to hear from parents and community members.

The draft budget has been posted on the school district’s website at http://www.lwsd.org/  since late June. Public comment on the draft budget is invited: community members can e-mail publiccomment@lwsd.org  or write to the district at P.O. Box 97039, Redmond, WA 98073-9739. The board of directors will hold a public hearing on the budget at its August 9 meeting, which will take place at 7 p.m. at the district’s Resource Center, 16250 NE 74th St., Redmond. Public comments will also be welcomed at that meeting.

A total of 342 more students enrolled in the district in 2009-10 than expected. The proposed budget for 2010-11 accounts for that increase and an additional 89 students expected, for a total of 431 more than last year’s budget planning. Since basic education funding from the state is provided on formula based on the number of students, the district’s revenue will increase accordingly. A 12% increase in the number of students in the special education program also triggered some additional funds to help pay for those services, although these services are not fully funded by the state.

The state legislature changed the formula that limits how much money the district can raise through local levy dollars. With this temporary higher levy cap and the amounts approved by voters in last February’s election, the district will be able to collect more in local levy dollars next year, for an increase of about $4.5 million.

Camping Equipment worth $50,000 stolen from Redmond Church

As of 7/29 Police were looking for the thieves who stole a rental truck loaded with camping supplies for 300 kids in a Redmond church youth group, said Jim Bove of the Redmond Police Department.

Volunteers at Redmond's Overlake Christian Church are scrambling to replace and pack more than a ton of kids' camping supplies, worth more than $50,000.

Camping supplies owned by the church were packed in a white Penske rental truck and stolen out of the church parking lot late Wednesday night. Also in the truck was electronics and kitchen equipment.

Top Foods was more than a grocer

Top Foods on Redmond Way is closing on Sunday.  What a bummer.  Today, one of our blog readers emailed they are giving 25% off on everything this weekend.  It was a good excuse & reminder to visit the store for the last time.  Top Foods is special from the rest.   The short-order restaurant atrium - with it's garage doors -  will be a sorely missed gathering place.  Sports teams and parents would meet-up before, and after.  Families.  Business workers.  I loved to bike the Bear Creek Trail, snack and rest-up.  Quite a few visited the Creek - you can see the Cottonwoods - from here.  (photo)

I bumped into the Manager today. With a strained smile he said he'd take a week off and go to Hawaii for two weeks; not certain what to do next. Others were offered jobs at nearby Top Foods stores or lost their unemployment insurance by saying "no".  One self-stocker was happy about his new job in the Kent store. He commutes from Puyallup.  The workers are all friendly.

I had heard rumors why Top Foods was closing. The Manager filled me in. It was a combination of things: 1) Traffic is excellent to the Plateau but the store is set-back and unseen. 2) The city wouldn't permit a "pillar sign" on Redmond Way. 3) Redmond Town Center owns the property; many leases tripled.

I'll miss this place: it was more than a grocer.  I wonder what will replace it?

By Bob Yoder
IPhone photo

Budweiser Clydesdales visit Redmond en route to SeaFair

This afternoon a couple of long Budweiser vans appeared in the QFC parking lot at Bella Bottega. I happened on the scene just as the last of the famous Budweiser Clydesdales was being unloaded. They were brought up here for this weekend's SeaFair Parade. A QFC employee said the company had arranged for the horses to be put on display at the store for a 3 hour appearance, ending at 6 pm. She said they had recently been handing out flyers about the event.

These horses are huge! The trainer told me they are 18 to 18.1 hands high at the shoulder. (A "hand" is 4 inches.) They weigh a ton or more each, I was told. The fully assembled rig of 8 horses marched around the parking lot a few times, pulling the famous red Budweiser wagon, complete with accompanying Dalmatian dog. Naturally, a large crowd clustered around and took lots of pictures. The horses stood by, quite unperturbed by all the attention.

By John Reinke
Photo by Reinke
Education Hill, 7/30

150,000 golf enthusiasts expected in Redmond area for U.S. Senior Open

"Home town favorite" Fred Couples on left with Tom Watson

Visit this Senior Open Website to buy tickets, look up tee times, read the course map and get tips on attending and etiquette. 

Tickets - Multiple ticket options are still available. Buy your tickets online or at the main admissions gate. Kids 17 and under are admitted FREE with a ticketed adult.

$45 admission for one day.  This Friday - Sunday

Parking is complimentary at Marymoor Park.

Shuttles are complimentary to and from Marymoor Park from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Spectator Info - All the facts on attending the Senior Open, including the prohibited items list

Source:  KING 5
Posted By Yoder, 7/29

Political Signs growing like city weeds

Election 2010 is upon us and the campaign signs are 'growing like weeds'.   This intersection of 166th AVE NE  and NE 104th St. is one good example.

If you think the signs are abundant for Election 2010, just wait til next year.   Election 2011 will feature 9 local elections!   This blog will help you learn about the candidates.   The following positions are up for election in November, 2011: 

• City of Redmond - Mayor John Marchione and Councilmembers Hank Myers, David Carson, and Hank "Dayle" Margeson are all up for election in Novermber, 2011.  In addition, Richard Cole will retire from his 24 year city council career.
• Lake Washington School District:  School Board members Christopher Carlson, Ravi Shahani, and Jackie Pendergrass terms will end and their districts are up for election November, 2011
• Evergreen Public Hospital Commissioner Augie Kempf  term ends 2011.

As of today, my blog will report more specifically on these candidates and their actions throughout 2010 and 2011- and their challengers.  I gather much of my information by watching and attending their meetings and corresponding.   To report fairly, comprehensively, with balance and color, my blog depends on your input, comments and opinions!  So, please send in those cards and letters!  If you want to write a specific Letter about a candidate (and include your photo), please do! 

As for the city weeding this roadside island?   You might try Mayor John Marchione.  The Mayor is over all City Operations.  Hank Margeson is a good bet, too.  Both John and Hank live about 1/4 from this intersection.  

Posted by Bob Yoder
Photo by Yoder
7/29