The Rain Run

http://www.therainrun.com

Welcome to The Rain Run, presented by GORE-TEX®!

This boutique half marathon is a great way start off the year.  January in the Pacific Northwest is typically wet but mild, which we think makes for fun running weather.  At the Rain Run, we believe it’s better to be running and wet, than sitting and dry.  So get out your rain gear and join us for a 13.1 mile romp through the rain, and go home feeling like you rocked the grey weather, it didn’t rock you!

Join us for this awesome run, 9 AM, January 21st, 2017 and you’ll get:

City Scheduled to Remove 42 Dead Street Trees

Redmond:   This time of year it is often difficult to tell a dead tree from a dormant tree. However, this past summer the death of several street trees along 185th Avenue NE came to the attention of the City’s Park Operations work group who manage the nearly 8,000 street trees along major arterials and downtown.

“Multiple seasons of extended drought have resulted in stressful growing conditions for both newly planted and established trees,” said staff arborist Chris Tolonen. These dry conditions have contributed to the death of 40+ trees on this street between NE 76th Street and State Route 202.

The removal of the dead trees will be accomplished with Park Operations staff beginning on January 17. Removals, including the grinding of the stumps, will be followed by the planting of replacement trees. Work activities should be confined to the parking lane; intermittent sidewalk closures will be required to maintain pedestrian safety.   

For questions and more information contact Lisa Maher, Communications & Marketing Manager, at lmaher@redmond.gov or 425-556-2427. 

We had a beautiful, 40-year old hybrid vine maple in our front yard.  It had incredible colors. We loved this tree. It died last year and we had to chop it down.  The arborist said the terrible drought in 2015 and another one in 2016 killed off many trees; he's never seen so many dead.  B.Y. 

Rep. Vandana Slatter appointed to 48th District Seat

Legislative News: Washington House Democrats - Olympia, Washington Rep. Vandana Slatter appointed to 48th District seat OLYMPIA – Last week, at a meeting of the King County Council, Representative Vandana Slatter (D-Bellevue) was appointed to represent the 48th Legislative District in the Washington House of Representatives. Rep. Slatter, a resident of Bellevue for more than 13 years, stepped in to fill the seat left vacant when former Representative Patty Kuderer was appointed to the Senate.  Slatter comes to the House serving on the Bellevue City Council.    “It has been an honor to serve the people of Bellevue,” said Slatter. “I am so grateful for this opportunity to represent the 48th Legislative District and continue advocating for this vibrant, innovative and diverse community. ” With a Doctorate in Pharmacy and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Rep. Slatter brings her experience as a health care professional to the House. She has over 20 years working in the biotech industry and four years of service on the Washington State Board of Pharmacy advising the Department of Health. “I believe that good government is all about removing obstacles and providing opportunities for people to succeed,” said Slatter. “I plan to bring my experience and unique perspective to address key issues that affect the families and communities in the 48th District.” In addition to her term on the Bellevue City Council, Slatter has served as trustee of the Overlake Hospital Foundation, a volunteer advisor to Bellevue College’s Science Department, a board member for NARAL Pro-Choice Washington Foundation and the Children’s Institute for Learning Differences, as well as on the advisory boards for Global Social Business Partners and Farmer Frog. ### Rep. Vandana Slatter, D-Bellevue (48th Legislative District), represents part of King County including part of Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and all of Medina, Clyde Hill, Yarrow Point and Hunts Point. I'm in the 48th.  Rep. Joan McBride, past Mayor of Kirkland  serves the 48th, too.  B.Y.

Lake Washington Schools Open Enrollment Is February 1-28, 2017

Some schools closed to those outside their area

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District holds an open enrollment period once each year for parents who want their children to attend a school other than their neighborhood school. Parents may apply between February 1-28 for a change to the school assignment for the 2017-18 school year for their student in grades 1-12. This option is also known as an In-District Variance.  

Kent Hay - Redmond's new Homeless Outreach Specialist

This is a video clip about Mr. Hay and his job of helping Redmond's homeless.

And, here's a link to resources and information on how you can help our homeless.

Mr. Hay is the City of Redmond's Homeless Outreach Specialist, a unique position initiated by Police Chief Kristi Wilson; and under the purview of the Human Services Department.

Bob Yoder

Benefit Concert: Voices from Standing Rock and The Music Resistance at SoulFood this Wednesday.

American Activist Livestreams will be presenting a benefit concert and speakers, this Wednesday night at SoulFood CoffeeHouse and Fair Trade Emporium, 7-10pm, in support of the Occupy Inauguration concert in Washington DC. 

On the SoulFood Coffeehouse stage, stories from the frontlines of Standing Rock and the valuable lessons of collaborative resistance will be shared. Along with these stories, local musicians (Clint McCune)  will be adding their voices to the night in the understanding that it is through these stories, music and community that we will be able to make an impact. 

With the intention of collective impact, we want to send support to those who are taking the fires of their communities to the inauguration in DC to speak truth to those in power.

Interfaith Dinner Dialogue on "Welcoming Refugees, Asylum Seekers & Strangers"

"Fostering Interfaith Relationships on the Eastside" invites you to the eighth in a series of Dinner Dialogues aimed at fostering interfaith relationships, on Sunday, January 29, 5PM to 8PM, hosted by St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, 13216 NE 100th Street in Kirkland (at the corner of 132nd Avenue NE).

Updated: LittleFreeLibrary in neighborhood remnant

Pam's behind the succulents planted on this "LittleFreeLibrary."  Ben Franklin beading booklets and Half-Priced books were inside. The library is on downtown's 170th Ave. NE (Adair Street) in front of this rented cottage, a few houses from a 1920's Craftsman.  Three six-story apartment box buildings surround it.  I'm thinking of proposing of a mini-library to the Kiwanis  for children and their families in an affordable housing neighborhood on Avondale.

Bob Yoder
Photo BY

"We Dig Downtown"

Conversion on Redmond Way.  Kringles bakery and it's four "gateway" cedar trees are jammed into the background.  David Carson and Ps. Robroy Ranger of Redmond AG frequent this cute little bakery. The sidewalks are a disaster.  I almost got run over today.

Oh, do WE dig downtown!  (King 5)

Bob Yoder
Photo by

Construction of downtown mixed-use box building

This is a 1 minute clip.

Will the trees in the background one day be leveled?  I think so.  In the least, they won't be visible from 166th.

Messy Redmond Way conversion spills over to side streets

I think this mess is on 168th.  Anderson Park is to the right.  A real estate appraiser Mr. Pope has an office nearby in a 90+ year-old Craftsman house; said Sleep Train was once a Chevron station.

Bob Yoder
photo by 

Iconic Frankies on it's death bed

Pam in front of iconic Frankies restaurant on 166th and Redmond Way last month.  This place is the heart-throb of our city...right up there with REI.  It rests on a strip mall which will be removed to build the "Anderson Park Hotel."  The hotel will create a "cave effect" on 166th once two 6-story apartment box buildings are built across the street.

Bob Yoder
photo by

Kindergarten Registration begins February 2

Register at your neighborhood school

Redmond, Wash. – If you live in Lake Washington School District (LWSD) and your child will be five years old on or before August 31, 2017, it is time to register them for Kindergarten. Registration takes place at your neighborhood school.

Registration details

"Redmond Way/Cleveland Street Two-Way Conversion" Public Notice

Total taxpayer cost:  $5,715,224

Purpose:  To install water, sewer, stormwater and transportation infrastructure to service the new downtown mixed- use box buildings and hotels. 

Expected Completion:  4th Quarter 2017.

Visit www.Redmond.gov/Downtown for more information.

As of January 6th, Redmond Radio 1650 AM for continuous construction and community advisories is not broadcasting

Updated: The Redmond Rotary Picnic Area -- believe it or not

Greg Woods standing in front of the Redmond Rotary Picnic Area

I put some "Fitbit" steps in yesterday walking off Education Hill to the downtown and then along the Sammamish River Trail.  I ran into Greg Woods (in the picture.) Greg's a "tree collector" and talked on and on about all the fruit and nut trees he's planted on his lot. He pollinates them with Mason Bees. Greg lives in a mobile home on a one acre plot near Redmond Ridge. He's a retired sheet rock worker and inherited the land. He lives next to million dollar homes; a 1-acre lot recently sold for $450,000.

Interesting, but my reason for this story is the patch of grass you see on the knoll across from Bear Creek.  Luke McRedmond Park is adjacent to us.   If you enlarge the photo you'll see a sign that says "Redmond Rotary Picnic Area."  Noisy West Lake Sammamish Blvd. runs behind it.

Have you ever seen anyone picnicking here?  The only way to get to it is from the north on a very long, wet, rutty trail.  If you can believe it, the trail head is near apartments close to Bella Bottega a couple miles away!

Yet, the grass is always cut; there's no evidence of use.  How on earth does the Rotary Club cut the grass?  Well, they don't.  I went to a the Rotary meeting at noon today.  A respected member said the city takes care of it.  A picnic area that no one can get to.   Huh?

The Parks Dept. should install native shrubs to enhance the riparian or develop the trail, not throw tax dollars on something nobody uses.

Bob Yoder
photo by

UPDATED 2/2: City to reach out to Faith-based groups

On December 7th, the new Deputy Parks Directer Rachel VanWinkle,addressed the Planning Commission on specifics of the proposed community/recreation center.  Commissioner Phillip Miller wanted to know why the 25-year old Senior Center had $1.5 M in observed deficiencies, indicating he thought the number was high.

Of interest, Ms. VanWinckle said the city will be reaching out to "all the faith-based groups" and other groups to build awareness, seek their needs/wants and gain acceptance of the proposed community/recreation center.

Some of Redmond's faith-based groups are:  Hindu Temple (there are 3 Temples within 5 miles of my house.)  Washington Cathedral, Buddhist Temple, Redmond United Methodist, Redmond Assembly of God, Timberlake, Revive, Armenian Apostolic, First Baptist, Egyptian Coptic, Faith Lutheran,  Mormon Stake, Redmond Presbyterian, Muslim Assoc. of Puget Sound (MAPS,) Meadowbrook Baptist, St. Jude Parish, Evangelical Chinese, Overlake Christian, United Pentecostal, Episcopal Church  Holy Cross Redmond.

The city will have their work cut out for them.  Focusing on the Hindu Temples would be a good start.

Bob Yoder

A Year-end Salute And History Of Blog Development

With the year-end upon us, I want to thank a few of my friends for helping me start my blog:

Paul Dillon - 11 years ago blogs were "new" and facebook wasn't even in the picture.  Paul told me about them and their many different uses, when we were watching our daughters play soccer at 60 acres.  He was using the first version of the I-Phone. Wow! Was that ever cool!


Korby Parnell, City planning commissioner advised me to write a blog to daylight the pollution of Evans Creek by All Wood Recycling.  He appreciated the value of linking.  At the time he had his own blog.

Doug Pratt - Doug came up with the name "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" when we were watching our daughters play Select basketball.