OPINION: What kind of Halloween decorations are these?

Opinion: What kind of Halloween decorations are these?

I’m not sure of the statement that is being made here, but I find it offensive to have this display on a very busy street in Redmond. Education Hill is home to several churches and schools with hundreds of children traveling by this address every day.

In speaking to some of my friends and neighbors, they find the display offensive and a bit scary. My friend’s daughter began crying when she saw the dolls hanging from the crosses.

The house has been reported to the Redmond Mayor’s office who reports that they have forwarded complaints to the Code Enforcement Officer. It may not be against the City code, but it ought to warrant a visit from local law enforcement to ask them to remove the dolls from the display.

One friend suggested that a knock on the door might be more appropriate than the publicity from the council, law enforcement and media agencies. I’m not sure I’d feel safe as a citizen making that request of a person who finds hanging baby dolls from crosses as an appropriate Halloween theme.

There are 21 crosses in this photo; 12 of them that have a baby doll figures attached to them.

Watch last night's KOMO 4 11pm News Report here. 

Opinion by Paige Norman

paige.norman@frontier.com
Photo Credit: Katie J. Redmond, Washington

Rebuttal by Brian Hansford, "Freedom of Speech and the "cross & doll" Holiday display"

"Parent's Role in Sports," by Tim Driver - two upcoming LW PTSA sponsored events

brought to you by LW PTSA Parent Education

LIFE LESSONS FOR ATHLETES: REDEFINING THE TERM ATHLETE. A program for parents and students on October 28th from 7:00-8:30 PM at the Eastlake High School Theater. Tim Driver of Proactive Coaching will lead a session on the life lessons one should attain from being part of a team and also how to apply these values to everyday decision making including combating the challenges and temptations that come our way.Sponsored by the Lake Washington PTSA Council. Questions? Contact Joanne Hall, Chair, Parent Education.

PARENTS' ROLE IN SPORTS. This presentation on November 16th from 7:00-8:30 PM at the Rose Hill JH Theater is for PARENTS only. During the presentation, Tim Driver of Proactive Coaching will outline the most effective strategies parents can use before, during & after the game to support their young athletes throughout their time in school. Learn what our kids would like to tell us about how to help their performance and create great memories, but probably won't. Sponsored by the Lake Washington PTSA Council. Questions? Contact Joanne Hall, Chair, Parent Education.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! More parenting presentations coming later this fall and winter: A to Z Toolbox for Successful Parenting on December 2nd and Great Conversations between Parents & Teens: Top Ten Talks to Have Together on January 24th. Sponsored by the Lake Washington PTSA Council. Questions? Contact Joanne Hall, Chair, Parent Education.

Mustang Weekly, October 18 issue

UPDATED: Please Vote NO on I-1100 and I-1105.

Drop off your ballot at City Hall !

UPDATED OPINION:  The City Council and Mayor worked their tails off last night - for over three hours.  A Budget Hearing took up a lot of their time.  (The final Budget Hearing is November 16).

Over six human services organizations lined up to request funds or thank Mayor Marchione for funds budgeted. Every presentation stirred emotions and elicited concerns. The one that touched me the most was Therapeutic Health Services (THS). They treat folks with severe drug, alcohol and mental illness. My younger brother, Rick, had all three, including prescription drug addiction, and died in his 40's.

Manager Joellen of THS rattled off some startling statistics:  A least 10% of the general population is afflicted with either mental illness or drug abuse (or both). Mothers Against Drunken Drivers say every 45 minutes someone is killed by a drunk; and for every one DWI conviction, the violator will have driven an average of 87 times without getting caught.

So how does the Council help fund these human services to treat the afflicted and get them safely back to a normal life?   One citizen*  recommended eliminating the 1% Cost of Living increase ($680,000) that's budgeted for 624 city staff -- to help fund requests (and keep down property taxes.)  This election offers another possible source of funding:  If voters defeat state liquor store privatization measures I-1100 and I-1105 the city will  save over $350,000 in tax revenue/year. 

I've lived in New York, Florida, Ohio, and Arizona where liquor sales were privatized and a bottle could be had at any street corner; please not here. The TV ads show giggling, liquor-toting youth, jumping into cars after tricking convenience stores into a sale. Yes, my brother would remember these times, if he were alive.

Please vote NO on I-1100 and I-1105.

Opinion By Bob Yoder*
CC:  Council
Letter to:  Redmond Reporter

OPINION: Thirty Education Hill neighbors attend the city Ed. Hill Network Meeting, By Bob Yoder

OPINION:  I spent two hours at the Education Hill Neighborhood Meeting last night.  I met up with some neighbors I hadn't seen in a while. Unfortunately, less than 30 neighbors showed up. CERT training, traffic on 166th and 104th, were big topics of discussion brought up by the neighbors (who sat around in three groups with staff). None of the staff running the small groups were from Education Hill. One was from Woodinville. Another from a rural city. Another from Idylwood. About four planning commissioners were present. Councilmembers Vache, Cole, Margeson, and Stilin attended, but Allen who lives on Ed. Hill didn't make it. The Mayor showed up for the intro and then left. Staff's big push was the $5000 beautification project available to the micro-neighborhoods (cul de sacs, etc.).  They were also excited about an attractive Ed. Hill web page and Facebook page coming out.  It's too bad city couldn't take us to the next level of engagement - Neighborhood Associations. With the exception of the Redmond Foundation, formation of public-private partnerships with the City appear to move slowly. The networking meeting would be so much more effective if the ratio of staff/elected (12) to neighbors (28)was less top-heavy. When all is said and done, this effort by the city was better than none and we should be thankful that they care so much about those few that attended.  

Opinion By Bob Yoder

The Salmon are still running on Bear Creek; Classic Nursery is a great spot to see 'em.

The photos on the right were taken behind Classic Nursery on Bear Creek.  Salmon were spawning on the left side of the log where the water pooled around a gravely bed.  

Watch the salmon run on Bear Creek until mid-November.  Excellent viewing stations are behind Classic Nursery, on Avondale Road. 

For details and directions to Classic Nursery click: 
http://www.govlink.org/watersheds/8/action/salmon-seeson/rose.aspx

Here's a picture of  a Sockeye salmon grouping left of the log.   They appear to be spawning.  A photographer told us ten years ago 10-20 salmon may have lined up here.  We didn't see any Chinook.  They are the large, federally protected salmon.

Does anyone know if the salmon run was good this year?   Did anyone see any Chinook?

Photos by Yoder
iPhone

Post Script:  from Linda and Leon:

Thank you for letting people know about the salmon run. I’m not sure if you know that Brian Healy's classes at the Lake Washington Environmental and Adventure School have been instrumental over 10 years in helping us develop, maintain and enhance the trail. Redmond Organization of Shared Environments (R.O.S.E.) is a 501c3 that has volunteer docents to lead groups to teach environmental education. We had over 20 groups this year from preschool to a graduate program that was docent-led. We appreciate you sharing this treasure.
Regards,

Linda and Leon
Classic Nursery landowners

King County 2010 General Election Resource for the Eastside

Redmond City Hall Ballot Drop Box is open 24/7.  15670 NE 85th St.  No stamps needed.  

King County General Election, ballots must be post-marked by November 2, 2010
League of Woman's Voters of Washington takes positions on statewide ballot measures...

• SUPPORT: R-52, I-1098
• OPPOSE: I-1053, I-1100, I-1105, I-1107
• TAKE NO POSITION: I-1082, HJR4220, SJR8225

Measures
http://www.seattlelwv.org/sites/default/files/ballot_issues10.pdf

County Charter / Proposition Issues - Ratings by Municipal League of King County
http://www.munileague.org/issues/ballot-issues

Candidates
http://www.kingcounty.gov/elections/elections/201011/contestscandidates.aspx
Ratings of Legislative Candidates -  Ratings by Municipal League of King County http://www.munileague.org/candidate-evaluations/previous-ratings/2010/king-county-executive

Ratings for Judges
http://www.votingforjudges.org/10gen/rating/index.html
King County Bar Association ratings
http://www.kcba.org/judicial/ratings/2010_ratings.aspx

Rossi - Murray Seattle Times Debate, 10/10
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/flatpages/editorialopinion/webcastsenate2010.html

"Eyman's Initiative 1053 undermines the principle of majority rule" - Seattle Times Opinion
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2012990743_guest27carlyle.html

Public Disclosure Commission - campaign contributions
http://www.pdc.wa.gov/default.aspx

Mayor John Marchione's 2010 Budget Report and Interview



Mayor John Marchione



"Inside Redmond"  

Mayor John Marchione's
 2010 Budget Report  - a conversation with Deputy City Administrator Jane Christenson

The Mayor's 2010 budget interview with Deputy City Administrator Jane Christenson
The Mayor's 2011-2012 Preliminary Operating Budget Written Report

Redfin's King County real estate report

Prices continue their free-fall

for the month of September

"Seasonality is setting in on the Seattle real estate market, and just like the colorful leaves of fall, all of the numbers are dropping for the second month in a row. Inventory available in King County fell by 3.5% and sales volume is down by 16.6%.

Where does this leave prices? Last month, Redfin’s stats P.M. Tim Ellis predicted “another 2-4% drop in the size-adjusted median”, and he wasn’t too far off the mark. King County ended up dropping 2.3%. We are predicting median prices to hold steady over the next month to compensate for the last two months of drops and then take the inevitable fall as people bundle up and head into winter."

For a breakdown by city, Read More

By Michelle Broderick

Redfin

Who makes placement decisions for special education students?

from the desk of Julie Shalaby
LW School District - PTSA Special Needs Chair

Do you know who is responsible for making decisions about special educational placements? Do you know what factors they must consider? It's not unusual for parents and schools to disagree about appropriate placement. Some school districts develop "one-size-fits-all" programs that are not appropriate for children with disabilities.

Read More
Wrightslaw.com

How do we improve our neighborhoods? By Bob Yoder

OPINION:  As the Education Hill Neighborhood Meeting approaches on Monday, October 18, you may want to think about ideas to bring up with the city planners.   The city motto for the meeting is:  "We are listening...to you".  So, it looks like the city will be all ears.   The meeting hours are 6;30 - 8:30.  Location:  Redmond Junior High.

You'd think that emergency preparedness and safety would be at the top of the meeting list with all the burglaries recently reported and then El Nina expected to bring heavy rains and winds this year.

One of my pet projects is to encourage the City to adapt "Neighborhood Associations". Hundreds of cities across the country, including Kirkland, WA, organize Neighborhood Associations (N.A.) to engage their residents in city plans and bring vibrancy to their communities.

The City of Bend, OR residents explain what Neighborhood Associations mean to them: 

"Neighborhood associations greatly increase the two-way communications between the city and its residents by providing a clear and organized way for residents to speak to their city government.  Neighborhood associations draw people closer to their city government and closer still to their fellow neighbors.  Neighborhood participation gives residents a strong, united voice in civic life and joins them in shared neighborhood projects.  Neighborhood associations are inclusive, reflecting the diversity which enriches a community.  members include families singles, retired people, youths business owners, faith-based organizations, schools, homeowners, and renters.

N.A.'s operate much like a school PTSA, with officers, regular meetings, a web site, and committees, including fundraising.  The N.A. could select committees for:   emergency preparedness, crime prevention, streets & traffic and bike control patterns, fundraising, a school-linkage, GreenRedmond parks, R-Trip, Block Watch, ThinkRedmond business, Land Use planning for ADU's & Tent City, Leadership Institute, beautification gateways, and neighborhood picnic or holiday event.

READ MORE >> on the city's current position  on N.A.  .

City partners to build a "rain garden" at NE 40th & 172nd Ave. By John Reinke

Installation Site on NE 40th and 172nd Ave.

This report and photographs are contributed by John Reinke of Education Hill, Redmond.

With great excitement, two weeks ago I joined three staff members from Stewardship Partners and two local citizen volunteers, in constructing a "rain garden" on city land near a busy intersection at NE 40th Street and 172nd Avenue.

The purpose of a "rain garden" is to divert rainwater runoff into a temporary "holding pond" where it can be absorbed and retained in the soil, rather than ending up in Puget Sound via the stormwater runoff system. This benefits the land by replenishing groundwater and it benefits the Sound by keeping out heavy metals.

Plants and gravel outflow area positioned on site

The idea for the rain garden came from Stewardship Partners, which obtained funding for it from the King Conservation District. Stewardship Partners is a local nonprofit that specializes in helping landowners to preserve the environment. The City of Redmond partnered on the project, and provided the necessary permits, as well as scooping out a depression in the ground for the rain garden and modifying the curb to permit rainwater to enter from the road. Planning for the garden was done by Zsofia Pasztor of Innovative Landscape Technologies. See the slide show of the installation. 

Stacey Gianas of Stewardship Partners oversaw our planting efforts. She explained how different species of plants were chosen, depending upon which of 3 levels they would occupy in the garden. Plants at the bottom level have to tolerate having their roots wet for extended periods of time. On the other hand, plants at the top level should be somewhat drought resistant. Plants in the middle level need to be somewhere in between in their water requirements.

READ MORE >> about the installation

Community Digest of October Events

COMMUNITY DIGEST  (scroll down to "Read More")

SWEDISH MEDICAL CENTER ART CONTEST - submissions due October 15
EASTLAKE VS. REDMOND BAND RIVALRY SHOW - October 15
TEEN TOATMASTERS. Tuesdays Oct 12 - Oct 26 from 5-6 PM
OPEN MIC NIGHT! - October 16 @ 7 PM
SAMMAMISH PLATEAU PARENT NETWORKING GROUP - Family Problems? - October 18
SKI & SPORT SWAP - SATURDAY, October 23, 9-2 PM
VOLUNTEER CLEANUP AT IDYLWOOD PARK - October 30 from 9 - 12 PM.
Read More >>

-- Mustang Weekly, October, 2011

DOCUMENTARY FILM, "A Chemical Reaction" followed by discussion and refreshements hosted by Sustainable Redmond.  Thursday, October 28, 7-9 PM  Redmond Library.
READ MORE >>

Education Hill Neighborhood Meeting at Redmond Junior High is coming up!

The Education Hill Neighborhood Meeting is scheduled for October 18, 2010.

6:30 - 8:30PM   at Redmond Junior High,

Details are here:  http://www.redmond.gov/intheworks/edhill/
Kimberly Dietz, neighborhood planner

"the city is listening...to you" 

Reporter story of the LWSD overcrowding needs clarification

Bob Yoder

OPINION:  "Reporter story on the LWSD overcrowding needs clarification"  By Bob Yoder

I think Mary Decker's October 6 story "Parents weigh in on overcrowding issue" is very well written,  except for a couple omissions, as follows:

1)  Error & Omission:   Two new District Superintendents (Pierce & Vaille) attended and participated in the October 6 input session.  The Reporter omitted them.

This summer Superintendent Chip Kimball initiated significant organizational changes to the District administration.  (see my earlier post).  One change, was to promote Dr. Traci Pierce to Deputy Superintendent of School Instruction and move Dr. John Vaille to Assistant Superintendent of Technology.  Pierce and Vaille now report directly to Superintendent Dr. Kimball rather than to Deputy Superintendent Janene Fogard.  Janene is now freed up to direct Administrative operations.  Dr. Pierce, Dr. Vaille, and Barbara Posthumus actively participated in this vibrant October 9th input session.  Their participation was absent in last year's feeder school and levy input sessions. 

2)  Clarification:  Not one School Board member attended  or participated in the Oct. 6 input meeting.  The Reporter omitted this.  When a parent questioned how LWSD planned to "advertise" its desire for community support for more funding, Fogard noted, " The district can only provide information.  It can not spend money to promote its agenda."  [Reporter]

What wasn't said is:  the School Board IS authorized to promote the agenda, so why weren't they there?  Board members Ravi Shahanni, Chris Carlson, and Nancy Bernard missed all three overcrowding input meetings.  Our Community needs the full support and participation of our School Board members if future levy and bonds are to pass.  Last year is a perfect lesson.

School Board members advertise and promote their candidacy to voters when they're up for re-election; why can't give the same level of support to our schools during bond and levy elections?

Opinion By Bob Yoder

What does a Pet Parade, Firehouse Chili and Apples have in common?

The Saturday Market!

October 9th - This Saturday - "The Redmond Apple Cup"

Come sample our apples, talk to the farmers,

and learn all the wonderful facts about Washington apples.

From 11 to 1 pm - at the Info Booth.

October 23rd - 10 to 2 pm

The Redmond Fire Department will be our chef demo with their Firehouse Chili.

Please come help us support their Benevolent Association

by trying a sample of their chili and leaving a donation with them.

October 30th - "Howl-O-Ween" Pet Parade

A costume parade for kids and dogs! Prizes for the top 3 four-legged winners.

Bring your kids in costume for the parade.

Bring your dogs in costume to compete for one of the three prizes.

Gather at the Gazebo at 11:45 - the Parade starts at 12 noon sharp, cause the dogs won't wait!

This is such a fun event and full of laughs!

Mark Your Calendars! 

Beware of the Latest Youth Drug Trend

Beware of the Latest Youth Drug Trend

Spice, K2 or "fake pot" is legal, but dangerous

There's a new drug trend among youth that you should be aware of--an herbal and chemical product which mimics the effects of marijuana. It's best known by the brand names K2 or Spice and some are referring to it as herbal incense or "fake weed." Whatever brand name it goes by, it's proving to be dangerous and I urge you to talk with your teens about the potential side effects.

Click Here to read more about the availability and side effects of Spice.

Read More about "One Family's Struggle" 

Redmond Senior Center is open to "any age adults"

Hank Margeson

At last night's City Council Meeting, Councilmember Hank Margeson noted that the Redmond Senior Center is open to "any age adult"  - including late teens to early 20's.  He said this is not widely known.   

Fifty years and up qualifies one as a Senior with full access to the Center.  However, for late teens there are still many activities.  Some require the presence of a Senior; others don't.  Sign-in at the Front Desk.   

According to Terry Burke, Senior Center Manager, the outside area along the Sammamish Trail is a city park and is open to all.  Volleyball, horse-shoes, and pickle ball, badmitten, and shuffle board are open to the public, as are the picnic tables.  Check into the front desk for balls, rackets and horse shoes.  The Center has four indoor ping pong tables and three billiard tables.

Center hours are M-Th, 8:30 - 9 p.m. and Friday 8:30 - 4:30 p.m.   The Center is interested in attracting more 30-49 year-olds and is expecting most teens will attend the Teen Center.  The Redmond Senior Center is located at 8703 - 160th Ave NE.  Their website is being updated but has contact information and a brief listing of services.

RNB reported on adult teen and low 20's access to the Senior Science Center in August of 2009.  My story and pictures of the "outdoor park play area" are here. 

UPDATED: Redmond City Council Will Vote To Confirm Salary Commission Appointments

UPDATED, 10/5 -  By Consent Agenda, tonight, 10/5, the Council silently voted unanimously "aye" to confirm the Salary Commission appointments.

In the October 5 City Council Meeting, Council will vote to confirm the appointments of seven citizens to an "independent Salary Commission." The Commission is charged with reviewing Council’s $850/month salary and benefits “to determine if an adjustment is needed.”  Council member Richard Cole estimates each council member works significantly more than ~672 hours/year.  2004 was the last time Council’s compensation was reviewed. What initial thoughts do you have?

Fifteen citizens applied for the seven-member Salary Commission, in response to city advertisements this September 2 - 24.  Senior council member Richard Cole wrote:

"We (council) have agreed that each council member will pick one person. The names will go to the Mayor who will make the appointment. The council will still have a confirmation vote just like the other commissions. There will be seven commissioners".

It is not known at this time which council member picked which candidate. According to document AM-No.10 194  the following citizens are appointed by the Mayor:  Mary Bourguignon, Sally Chen, David Chicks, Rand-Scott Coggan, Karin Duval, Marilyn Rice, Sheri Sanders.   It's expected commissioners will begin their work mid-October with a decision by December 1, 2011.

The Mayor’s compensation will be reviewed this year, as well, but not by the Salary Commission.  READ MORE >>

NAMI Mental Health Week has something for everyone!

NAMI MENTAL ILLNESS WEEK IS THIS WEEK - sponsored locally by NAMI-Eastside, with offices in the “Together Center” (formerly the Family Resource Center),  425-885-6264

from the desk of Barbara Thompsen, Office Manager, NAMI-Eastside 

One in five families will have a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year.  More than 54 million Americans have or will have a mental disorder in any given year.

Remaining Events: 

NAMI “BASICS”, a 6 week class for the parents and caregivers of young children with a brain disorder has been postponed. We will continue to take names for our wait list and will be rescheduling the program for this spring. Please contact the NES office at (425) 885-6264 or info@nami-eastside.org  for more information.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR March 3, 2011.

Don’t miss the Broadway Musical “NEXT TO NORMAL” NAMI support night at the 5th Avenue Theatre on Thursday, March 3, 2011. The 5th Avenue will donate $10 of each ticket sold to sustain vital NAMI Statewide and Eastside efforts to support, educate and advocate for those and their families and friends who suffer from a mental illness.

“NEXT TO NORMAL” is an “emotional powerhouse—a story about the stop/start life of a bipolar mother and the hell her unreality wreaks on her family as she rides the sharp edge between coping and insanity”. Come early for an educational presentation at 7:00 pm by Dr. Delaney Ruston on her film, “Unlisted: A Story of Schizophrenia”.

When ordering tickets, use the promo code “NAMI”. For information about how to order tickets, check out the NAMI Eastside website at http://www.nami-eastside.org/

Please share information about this performance with everyone who should see “NEXT TO NORMAL” and support NAMI.

By Barbara Thompsen, Office Manager,  Nami-Eastside, 425-885-6264

LETTER: Give parents incentives to bus their kids rather than drive

As a regular Metro bus commuter, I can't help but notice the daily commuters entering Redmond Junior High School. There is another traffic "hot spot" just around the corner at Horace Mann Elementary... I am a regular participant of Redmond R-Trip.  R-Trip gives incentives for using alternate forms of commuting.

Thinking "out side the box", what if a similar program could be launched for rewarding parents to put their kids on the school bus?

Here is how it could work. Using Redmond R-Trip as a model, parents would record the daily use of the school bus for their child. After completing 60 round trips, the parent would be rewarded. In my case, I received a $50.00 gift card for Amazon.com

It is ironic that we expect our schools to teach something about "going green." Then, we parents drive our kids over to the school house and completely cancel out any kind of "green" commuting by dismissing the school bus.

By Richard Morris

Education Hill neighbor

"Living Voters Guide" Stokes Debate On State and Local Ballot Measures

Living Voters Guide Stokes Debate On WA Ballot Measures

With a grant from the National Science Foundation, The Living Voters Guide for Washington state has been brought to life. It educates and involves voters in a series of Washington state ballot measures to be decided this fall. Election Day is November 2.

Old-fashioned voters guides have always been useful, but static. Utilizing easy online tools, the Living Voters Guide lives up to its name. You’re able to get a synopsis of each ballot measure, read the full text if desired, and then review brief arguments pro and con, and add your own.

Other than an important requirement to be civil and constructive, there is no gatekeeping, opening up the conversation to a broader group than in letters to the editor, and with a more welcoming bi-partisan approach than many online political sites.

The Living Voters Guide:   http://www.livingvotersguide.org/

Living Voters Guide Facebook Page

By Matt Rosenberg
Social Capital Review