Redmond City Council is Podcasting their Committee Meetings

City of Redmond leads the eastside with innovative Open Government podcasts

The City of Redmond published their first Video Podcast of a Council Committee meeting this week. These Council Committee meetings are really the only time Council can gather as a whole to mingle and discuss business with staff.  The meetings are critical to city workings; and where the rubber meets the road.  Council committee meetings are held at 4:30.  The convenience of a podcast (video file) opens government.  I'll publish the podcasts as I can and they're available on the city website.

The Council Public Safety Committee meeting was their first audio-filed meeting.  It was chaired by CM Byron Shutz, with CM Stilin, CM Carson, CM Birney, and CM Margeson in attendance. 


Some interesting topics were discussed:  The glue truck spill, emergency preparedness for the snowfall, a new CPR system, School Resources Officers, the who's and what's of Fire personnel promotions and at the end of the meeting a funny chatter about "Police Badges."

Council holds four Committee Meetings a month at 4:30 p.m. 

--Parks and Human Resources (1st Tues of the month,) -- Parks and Public Works (2nd Tues of the month,) -- Public Safety (3rd Tues. of the month,) and -- Finance, Administration and Communication (4th Tuesday of the month.) 

Wouldn't it be helpful and healthy if the Lake Washington School District Directors would podcast their study sessions?   They meet with staff  at 5:30 over a catered dinner.   
  

Redmond Police Institutes Narcan Program To Decrease Deaths for Opiate Overdoses

Narcan Training

REDMOND, WA - The Redmond Police Department has now joined a number of departments across the country trained to administer Nasal Naloxone (also known as Narcan) in an effort to decrease deaths from opiate overdoses. Patrol and commissioned officers below the rank of commander have recently been trained by Redmond Fire Department paramedics and have been issued Narcan kits.

“Over the last few years, our officers, like many cities around us, have seen an increase in the number of people under the influence of opiates, especially heroin. We don’t expect to use Narcan frequently, but the kits are another tool officers can use. It's not a long-term solution for heroin issues, but is low-risk to use and saves lives," said Chief Kristi Wilson.

Educators, Community Members To Gather At Lake Washington Schools Foundation Spring Events

The Lake Washington Schools Foundation will host its 12th annual luncheon and 2nd annual breakfast at the Redmond Town Center Marriott hotel.

Emmy nominated journalist Roberta Romero will host this year’s luncheon on March 28th , 11:30-1:00PM and renowned sportscaster Tony Ventrella will host this year’s breakfast on March 30th, 7:-8:30AM. Guest speakers include LWSD superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce and LWSD students and teachers who will highlight innovative programs and educational opportunities made possible by the foundation.

Please join us to support a beyond-basic public education for all students in the Lake Washington School District. Register to attend or donate to support the event at www.lwsf.org or call (425) 936-1414 to be a table captain, corporate partner, or volunteer to help make the events a success.

Lake Washington Schools Foundation is a nonprofit organization raising funds from parents, business, local government, and community leaders to support academic excellence and success for all students in the Lake Washington School District. To learn more contact Executive Director Larry Wright at (425) 936-1317 or larry@lwsf.org, or visit www.lwsf.org. 

UPDATED: Bear Creek advocates hold meeting

Credit/ Water Tender John Reinke 

Water Tenders is a group of people who care about the wetlands and streams in the Bear Creek area and King county.

The torch of Water Tenders (WT) leadership was passed from President Eric Soshea to Susan Wilkins at the WT Annual Meeting last week.  Many of the of the original tenders were present, including a relative of the founder. Leader Terry Lavender and past president Dick Schaetzel were out of town. Gary Smith was present. Debbie Aftebro from Novelty Hill had never attended a WT meeting yet she collects and measures rainwater for Guy Baltzelle's program. She wanted to meet Guy but unfortunately he wasn't at the meeting.  Shirley Doolittle-Egerdahl was up front with Susan and Eric. Shirley was once President and is now the Treasurer, replacing John Reinke,who replaced Dick S.  One of the new board members, Heather Poe was president and secretary for WT in the Early 2000 - 2005 era (before Susan became a member.) Shirley Doolittle-Egerdahl was also once a president along with five others. 

In her presentation, (video) Susan held up a map of the entire Bear Creek watershed. She was re-directing and expanding our attention to the entire Bear Creek watershed.  She states:

"The Bear Creek Basin is an exceptionally natural and healthy environment for our native salmon runs given that it is so close to a major metropolitan area.  We want to direct more community involvement into observing the stream habitat and collecting year-round data (such as rainfall, water temperature, stream flow) across the whole Bear Creek Basin.  We also want to carefully monitor land use planning by the local government jurisdictions to encourage preservation and protection of our land and water resources."

Five members who volunteered for the new Board met with Susan after the meeting.  The first order of business was to select officers.  Susan is the President, Mark Reynolds is the V.P. (he told a touching "avatar" story about the value of engaging children.)  Mark is a software engineer for Nordstrom and a "take charge" kind of guy.  He is working on a new website and very motivated for WT to make a difference for kids.  Me too.

Youth have been involved in WT over the years:

My daughter, Lexie Conley, was once a Youth Board member -- the first and last.  She wrote an article on the history of environmentalism that was published in the WT's 25th Anniversary Issue of the newsletter.  Terry recruited her to lead the Green Team in a Derby Day parade...and work the booth. Lexie recruited her Key Club members to help restore a forest in what is now the Redmond Bike Park site.  Notably, Dick S. attended that.  The Key Club also spent a day restoring a northern Bear Creek tributary -- an ongoing WT project.

Susan Wilkins actively engaged her children in the environment.  Her daughter was a docent for the annual WT salmon "SEEson" event.  In 2007 her children surveyed the Camwest Perrigo Heights preliminary plat's northern forest boundary ...in preparation for the citizen/council/mayor/Eric Campbell's woodland march to the proposed Steep Slope sewer location.

Colorful salmon cut-outs were made for children. (don't have the details.)  Kiosks were built to educate children and adults. Exhibits were held at REI.  Terry Lavender worked at the Redmond Medical Center from where the Derby Day Children's Parade started every year. She organized the kids and I think gave them a short education on salmon before they took off on their bikes. 

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A 5-minute YouTube of Susan Willkin's presentation at the Annual Meeting:  https://youtu.be/_SfMBTinhqg

A slide show of my daughter and her Key Club/ Bio-Chem classmates restoring the Bear Creek tributary.  

From failing to thriving: The Redmond Kiwanis Club story

Redmond Kiwanis is holding a "Prospective Member Meeting" on Friday, March 10th, at the Family Pancake House.  It's an informational meeting,  The City of Redmond's "homeless outreach specialist" will be our guest speaker.  Questions?  Please e-mail Ken Ormiston at: membership@redmondkiwaniswa.org 

The Formula
Jan 24, 2017

"The Redmond Kiwanis club has seen it all. From being a thriving, 50+ member club to extinction, to four passionate and determined Kiwanians 11 years later, to now, a club increasing its membership and impact on the surrounding community. Few would remember a time when the Redmond club experienced the higher membership numbers and a thriving community presence. And few would remember that what seemed like overnight, the members were gone. But current Redmond Kiwanis club members remember the turningpoint...when there were four.

Avondale Park Transition Home feed
(l-r) Raymond Wong (a Fab Four,) Don Horton, Ferrin Lauve, Ken Ormiston,
Chef Penny Arneson is making tamales in the kitchen.

Those members, dubbed the “Fab Four” by fellow Redmond Kiwanians, are credited with the turnaround that has reenergized the presence of Kiwanis in their community today. “From my perspective” says David Carson, “I think it came down to the sheer and utter will to resurrect our Redmond Kiwanis Club by the “Fab Four” as they’re known. The passion with which these pillars of our club have attacked the waning membership issue has been amazing to experience.”

Pat Vache' recalls how the transformation began. “We four started with our own networks,” he says. “We looked to city and county residents who were rooted in civic and community service. Our main focus was targeting like-minded individuals who want to serve our community as much as we do.”

It's not too late to be a "lunch buddy" mentor or tutor

One hour per week can help a student be successful in school

What are you doing during your lunch break? Running errands? Eating at your desk? Spending time mentoring a student in a local school?

Why not turn your lunch break into an opportunity to have a positive impact on the life of a child? Lake Washington School District’s (LWSD) LINKS Mentoring Program is looking for volunteers. In as little as one hour per week, you could positively impact the life of a child in our community.

EvergreenHealth Named a "150 Great Place to Work in Healthcare"

EvergreenHealth is the only Puget Sound area health care system listed in Becker's Hospital Review

EvergreenHealth Medical Center "Silver Tower" 

Kirkland, Wash. – EvergreenHealth was recently named one of the country’s best places to work in the 2017 edition of the “150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare” list from Becker’s Hospital Review. EvergreenHealth is the Puget Sound region’s only health system to make this year’s list, which recognizes organizations committed to fulfilling missions, creating outstanding cultures and offering competitive benefits to their employees.

“Great people are what make great organizations. These achievements are only possible through the dedication of each employee, volunteer, and physician who serve our patients, community and each other,” said EvergreenHealth CEO Bob Malte. “Being named a ‘Great Place to Work in Healthcare’ is a direct reflection of our commitment to our culture and our values of compassion, respect, excellence, collaboration and accountability.”

Lake Washington School District evaluating course schedules and later start times

Weeks ago, Matt Manobianco, a Lake Washington School District superintendent e-mailed his "family" this video explaining a district task force's work to achieve 1) later start times and 2) increased flexibility in the high school course schedule. As you'll see in Mr. Manobianco's video the process is complicated, especially with the geographic challenges of our District.  So far, the District's been able to come up with three scheduling options all with 8:00 a.m. high school start times. 

Of interest, recent literature recommends "middle and high schools should aim for a start time no earlier than 8:30 a.m."

1)  In 2015 the CDC reported that adolescents who do not get enough sleep are more likely to be overweight (1); not engage in daily physical activity (2); suffer from depressive symptoms (2); engage in unhealthy risk behaviors such as drinking, smoking tobacco, and using illicit drugs (2); and perform poorly in school (3). However, insufficient sleep is common among high school students, with less than one third of U.S. high school students sleeping at least 8 hours on school nights (4). In a policy statement published in 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) urged middle and high schools to modify start times as a means to enable students to get adequate sleep and improve their health, safety, academic performance, and quality of life (5). AAP recommended that "middle and high schools should aim for a starting time of no earlier than 8:30 a.m."

2)  A study published in Pediatrics about five months ago evaluated sleep patterns of adolescents, documenting why students may benefit from later start times. 

The Seattle School District, and I think Issaquah, Bellevue and North Shore districts have already implemented later start times.  If you didn't get Mr. Manobianco's e-mail and you or your neighbors want to give the District feedback, you can e-mail the school board at board@lwsd.org or message them at 425-936-1257. 

Bob Yoder

Note:  I'm not a member of the school district's "family" and stumbled upon Mr. Manobianco's e-mail on a Facebook post.  I personally think it would be best practice for the district to be all inclusive with their constituents on these matters.   

Eastside mental health association quarterly newsletter

NAMI Eastside's 2017 1st Quarter Newsletter "Eastside Connect" is now available!! Click the button below to view. View Newsletter

Lake Washington "Community Truancy Boards" focus on chronic absenteeism

Cyndi Campbell (RHS,) Sandy Hearn (LWHS,) Marcia Chapman (JHS) Deanna Wells (EHS) 

Truancy is a big problem for all schools across the State so our legislatures passed a law requiring confidential "Truancy Boards" for all high schools by next year.  The Lake Washington School District is ahead of the game; late last year they took applications from the community and formed two boards -- one for Juanita/LW High and one for Redmond High/Eastside.

About twenty community members were selected to participate.  High school attendance coordinators Cyndi, Sandy, Marcia and Deanna trained us. Our job is mostly to 1) be good listeners, 2) help truant students and their parents open up, 3) and help the attendance coordinators customize solutions.  Board sessions are emotional. I learned besides being a good listener, objectivity is key.

The basic criteria for truancy is:  1) after 1 or 2 unexcused absences a conference is set up with the parents. 2) after 5 unexcused absences in a calendar month a "conference contract" is prepared and the attendance coordinators may file a petition with the juvenile court. 3) after 7 unexcused absences in a calendar month or 10 in a year the coordinators file a petition against the parent, the student, or both;  this is when the Board steps in.  

The Board process is straight forward. First we spend 15 minutes listening to the student, then about 20 minutes with the parents;  then the Board meets alone to prepare an "action plan." and finally both student and parents meet together with the Board to review the plan. (e.g. online courses and other educational plans, behavioral health counselling, etc.) A follow-up meeting is scheduled for the next month. The attendance coordinators are highly skilled and pretty much run the show.

  Bob Yoder, truancy board member  


 Seahawk's Jermaine Kearse encourages parents to make sure their students attend so that they 

can succeed in school. For more resources on increasing attendance, visit the OSPI Attendance website

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Redmond Kiwanis "Adopt A Road" Clean-up

(l-r) Dan Vache' (Service projects,)  Hank Myers, Pat Vache' (President,) Ken Ormiston (Board member/Membership,) Byron Shutz (Vice President/Fundraising) Arnie Tomac, Roger Tripanier, David Carson (Board member) Photo credit/Bob Yoder

Redmond Kiwanis "Adopt A Road" Clean-up of the Redmond Central Connector 

"With a cold morning start the sun came out and we cleaned the Connector of trash and plenty of cigarette butts!  The donuts (donated by QFC) were calorie free, bananas and citrus in their prime state of ripeness, the juice sweet and the coffee....well it was warm! We had good participation and even better camaraderie with a hearty thanks to the February Clean-up Crew for their time donated to our community."

  - Dan Vache'

    Redmond Kiwanis Club

Are you interested in joining Redmond Kiwanis?  E-mail  Ken Ormiston  at membership@redmondkiwaniswa.org

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A Sammamish River bird

Credit/ John Reinke

What's this bird?

It's a "Piebald Robin"

Credit/ John Reinke

John Reinke - 

This  piebald robin was close to the Opportunity Building.  I took the photo printouts to tonight's Eastside Audubon meeting, and showed them to the group of 50-55 who were present.  I asked if anyone had ever seen one (meaning specifically a piebald robin).  To my surprise, 3 or 4 persons said they had.  

One woman told me she had seen a piebald chickadee at her feeder.  Another woman said she'd seen a piebald towhee.  And yet another woman said she'd seen a piebald Oregon junco.

I first heard the word "piebald" as a child in reference to horses, whose coloration was referred to as "piebald".  Nowadays they might be more commonly be referred to as "pinto" horses.  A piebald robin would be more scientifically referred to as a "leucistic" robin. (See more about leucism below.)

Here is some info about the term "piebald", taken for the Wikipedia entry for that term:

1) The word "piebald" originates from a combination of "pie," from "magpie," and "bald", meaning "white patch" or spot.^[1] The reference is to the distinctive black-and white plumage of the magpie.^[2]

Credit/ John Reinke

2)The bald eagle derives its name from the word "piebald" in reference to the contrast of its white head and tail with dark body.

3) Many other animal species may also be "pied" or piebald including, but not limited to, squirrels and birds. Snakes, especially ball pythons and corn snakes, may also exhibit seemingly varying patches of completely pigmentless scales along with patches of pigmented scales. 

4) The underlying genetic cause is related to a condition known as leucism.

5) Leucism  is a condition in which there is partial loss of pigmentation in an animal resulting in white, pale, or patchy coloration of the skin, hair, feathers, scales or cuticle, but not the eyes.^[1] Unlike albinism, it is caused by a reduction in multiple types of pigment, not just melanin.

Finally, here is a link to a Seattle Times story about piebald deer that was published on August 2, 2015:

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/rare-piebald-blacktail-deer-fawns-spotted-in-clallam-county/

Accompanying the article is an excellent photo of a piebald deer.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ONE?  (comment below)

Arts-minded residents speak up

A fascinating city meeting took place at VALA Arts this Wednesday to get feedback from residents on the proposed Community Centers.  A diverse group attended, most notably Siri Bliesner LWSD director, Brian Carter of "4-Culture,"  Jane Wither, Vice-Chair of the Redmond Arts and Culture commission, Tanika Kumar Padhye, finalist for the city council appointment, Rosemary Ives, and Latha Anandamela (past Arts commissioner.)  We broke up in small groups to discuss the Centers.

Bear Creek student art on display at VALA

In my group we decided the re-purposing of Old Redmond Schoolhouse (ORSCC) was a top priority.   Siri took notes throughout our discussion; she indicated the district was very interested in trying to meet our needs! Siri had special interest in demographics. Most agreed the Center was highly used.  Brian Carter had interest in finding space for the Redmond Historical Society and education classes.  Latha said many East Indians are entrepreneurs and incubator space is needed. Several cried out for day care space. Of course, most of us wanted space for arts, not just digital arts, and some wanted a performance center.  I want partnerships for economy of scale so these centers will be affordable to all!

Jane Wither moderated our group.  She did a great job opening our eyes to possible locations for the centers, particularly for art and a performance center.  In four years light rail will come to Overlake and it's anticipated the Overlake Urban Center will be the most populated "neighborhood" in our city. I think Overlake is a good location for a performance center.  Jane mentioned developers might agree to install art on the lower floors of their buildings if they were given incentives to "build up."  A performance center with art could be a strong "pull" of visitors to Redmond, bringing economic vitality.  And, of course it would be nice to have more art space for us.

My wife participated in a different group.  She learned from "the tall lady," Carolyn Hope that LWSD was meeting with the city in March to discuss plans for ORSCC.  She thought VALA looked like a private club from the outside "scaring" people away.  Marlene Katz, the new VALA Manager told us they'll be putting in a few tables and chairs to make it look more inviting.

Bob

Letter: Local neighbors contest building of mosque

Minaret (internet)

by Eugene Z.

Those of Redmond residents that follow the city development beat might remember the 2014 project to build a mosque across from Microsoft campus on 51st Street. Back in 2014, I and other residents brought up multiple concerns and the city organized community meetings to gather the comments (see 

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/proposed-redmond-mosque-faces-opposition-over-growth/ for coverage).

Fast forward to 2017, and the application to build 22,657 sq. ft. community complex at 15252 NE 51st Street is back! The complex will include a mosque prayer hall, classrooms, kitchen, assembly hall and parsonage and will provide 36 parking stalls.

The city staff is confident that all questions are answered (please see the city document with answers at http://www.redmond.gov/common/pages/UserFile.aspx?fileId=200548) and the project is ready to be approved.

Unfortunately, the majority of the neighborhood residents do not believe that in two years since our engagement neither the city or the applicant addressed our concerns as evident from the answers given by the city and the lack of changes to the project.

A sign of the times

Redmond Way

Open for Business on Redmond Way 

Community invited to Juanita High School project open house

This LWSD YouTube clip was released in 2016 explaining the need for a new Juanita High.  

Redmond, Wash. – Lake Washington School District (LWSD) is “Building on Success.” (video) That’s the district’s plan to build schools and to provide quality learning environments. It is based on a set of recommendations  from a community-based Long-Term Facilities Planning Task Force. An April 2016 bond measure funds the first set of projects in that plan. One of those projects is to rebuild and enlarge Juanita High School to accommodate 500 more students.

Community members are invited to join LWSD staff for an update on the project. Plans to house classes during the construction will be covered. The meeting is scheduled for:

March 1, 2017, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Juanita High School
10601 N.E. 132^nd Street, Kirkland, 98034

An open house format is planned. Posters that illustrate various aspects of the project will be set out around the room. LWSD staff and architects will be available to answer questions and gather feedback.

Updated design plans for the school incorporate community feedback gathered in September 2016 and the work of the School Construction Input Team (SCIT). The SCIT is comprised of parent, staff and community representatives; a student; and principal Gary Moed. They met four times with architects to develop values and design goals. They considered the many factors that make an excellent learning environment for students.

VALA Art: "The Great Fisherman"

A Gaul Culley
"The Great Fisherman"
Mixed Meida - Collage
$1200 each panel

The City is holding a meeting at VALA  this Wednesday, 2/22 at 6:30 to seek input on what to do with the Hartman Pool, ORSCC, the Teen Center, and Senior Center.  The public is encouraged to come.

Blood Drive! - Redmond Presbyterian Church

BLOOD DRIVE MON., FEBRUARY  27TH 1-7PM (BREAK 3-3:45pm)

REDMOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (across from Redmond Jr. High) will be hosting a drive on Monday, February 27th between 1-7pm.  YOU TOO, can save a life! 

Your donation can help 3 people because they can use it whole or subdivide into plasma, platelets and red blood cells.  To meet the needs of the 90 hospitals/ medical facilities that Bloodworks supplies 1000 donors need to offer to donate every day.  Walk-ins are welcome. Or Call  206-605-1933 to save your time.