Redmond Town Center "Chalk Fest" drew artists from all over the west

"The Flying Car"  - Artist Remko van Schaik with arms out enjoying the ride

The "Chalk Fest and Sidewalk Sale: in Redmond Town Center drew street artists from all over the west coast. Artist Remko van Schaik is pictured here with his art. (click to enlarge)

Remko van Schaik's Biography:  

Born in Amersfoort, The Netherlands in 1967 I had an early interest in drawing.
After successfully graduating ‘The School of Decoration’, followed by a job in Stand-Design, I started working for myself in 1992. Making murals, illustrations and 3D objects from polyester and concrete was my profession. Clients were fun-parks, swimming pools and restaurants.In the summer of 2007 I witnessed a group of street painters, making street paintings in my hometown Utrecht, and immediately I got very excited about this great art form!

Since my first my first drawing in 2008 street painting has been the focal point of my work and indeed life.Initially making traditional 2d-streetpaintings! I became more and more fascinated by the technique of 3d street paintings.

After making an increasing amount of these anamorphic paintings, I now specialize in this type of street painting. My 3d paintings are done primarily for commercial assignments and Street art festivals.

Not only is 3d Painting a great challenge of creativity and skill, it is also a fantastic social happening with plenty of interaction with the public. I truly feel blessed to be given the chance to express myself in this way and hope to be able to continue to improve and push this art form for many years to come.

3D Steet Painting features Rembro's art.porfolio

PS.  the cute lady on the car is my wife!

OPINION: An appalling experience at City Hall

I'm not sure if you know, or even care, but on the day after the Mayor's Annual "State of the City" address Councilmember John Stilin withdrew from the election by not filing for Position 6. Mr. Stilin had recently been promoted to Vice President of city council and everyone in the political community was shocked. Soon after, a brief Redmond Reporter article was published indicating Mr. Stilin felt it was time to move on and open the field to the rising stars in our community.

I've known Mr. Stilin for about ten years, beginning when he was an arts commissioner.  I've met John at community  meetings, watched him in scores of council meetings, and attended his publicized coffee chat sessions. I know him well, more than most citizens.  He's dedicated to the city and community and contributes significantly to how we "live, work, play and invest." in Redmond.  John's smart, ambitious, and politically savvy. He tends to have a "controlling" social style, and values power.

Now, finally my motivation for writing this opinion:

On August 8th I witnessed an appalling event in council chambers.  I  was attending a public Study Session in City Hall to hear council talk about their experiences at "National Night Out." Right after the meeting, Hank Myers, a friendly, tenured councilmember walked up to chat with me. Mr. Stilin closely followed, interrupted our conversation and without restraint, assailed, belittled and humiliated Mr. Myers right in front of me. As a member of the viewing public, I was shocked.. His attack had something to do with an opinion piece I'd written where Hank was footnoted as "inspirational." The incident opened Mr. Stilin's authentic political soul. I'm relieved he's not running for office.

Bob Yoder
, 
Hank Myers, Chair of the Planning and Public Works Committee. soon followed-up with this clarifying piece

Councilmember Hank Myers comments on the Master Builders and downtown development

by Hank Myers

I am pleased that my letter to the Editor of the Redmond Reporter has prompted you and others to speak out during this election.  Unfortunately, some have concluded that inspiring discourse also meant inspiring your opinion on the Master Builders Association.  My ten years of experience with the Master Builders has been consistently positive and helpful.  They have members from all phases of the building trades including small businesses such as electricians, plumbers, remodelers and painters.  In addition to providing technical expertise on construction matters, they run an excellent free campaign seminar.  All candidates who filed for Council positions were invited.  When it comes to the problems and dislocations caused by the recent increased development, the culprit is our cumbersome and costly process.  Projects take years from inception to completion, adding costs and jamming projects together.  The State’s Growth Management Act dictates that Redmond provide housing for significantly more residents by 2030.  Under the Act, it is not a matter of whether there will be development, but how effectively it is administered.  That is where Redmond has fallen down.

Editor's note: Hank wrote an excellent letter in the Redmond Reporter describing council  candidates as "City Hall" and "outsiders" which inspired me. My inspiration had nothing to do with the Master Builders.   

UPDATED, 8/31 Speak up on how school district tax dollars are spent -- Budget Hearing August 14th

Lake Washington School District is the now 3rd largest district in the State and has a $625,000,000 budget -- exceeding the City or Redmond's budget.  Some of you may have a burning desire to learn and speak your mind on how and where our tax-dollars are spent or learn about how our district runs.   Now's your chance:

Superintendent Dr. Pierce has scheduled a very important Monday, August 14th Board meeting and Public Hearing to help walk us through the budget and give you a chance to comment for or against any part of the budget. I'm personally concerned about the number of administrative FTE's in the Resource Center and the poor public notice of this budget.

The meeting start at 7 pm in the School District Resource Center (16250 NE 74th Street) located in Redmond Town Center..

THE HEARING IS OVER - HERE'S AN UPDATE

The District's user-friendly, readable, summary budget was released after 10AM on Friday, August 11th.  It's unfortunate we didn't t have more time to study it in preparation for the August 14th Hearing    http://www.lwsd.org/.../Draft-2017-18-Budget-Summary.pdf

The day after the Hearing I had coffee with the CFO and Director of Communications & Pubic Engagement.  They explained the intricacies of the budget and answered all my questions.

The front doors to the District Recourse Center were locked with no Hearing notice on the door. This action is unconscionable and the Administration said they'd never let it happen again.

If you didn't make it to the Hearing  you may still comment  at BoardMembers@lwsd.org

RESOURCES:

A video of the Finance Director presenting the budget during the June 26th Board meeting  HERE. 

The official F-195 budget draft is  HERE. 

***Before the Hearing, Traci and the Board met at 5:00 in the Hugh's Room next to district chambers, first floor to discuss the budget.  You're not aloud to speak but it's a pleasant opportunity  to learn see the Board and executives interact and discuss issuers.

E-mail addresses:
All members of the board: boardmembers@lwsd.org
Chris Carlson, President, ccarlson@lwsd.org
Siri Bliesner, Vice President sbliesner@lwsd.org
Nancy Bernard, nbernard@lwsd.org
Eric Laliberte, elaliberte@lwsd.org
Mark Stuart, mstuart@lwsd.org

Washington State governs budget noticing and delivery. 

Bob Yoder

CC:  Dr. Pierce. / Board members / Barbara Postumous, Chief Financial Officer

The Dudley Manlove Quartet to play at "Rockin' on the River" this Thursday night

Last week's, "The Blues Power Review"

This Thursday evening, August 10th, 6:00- 8:30 pm is the last of the "Rockin' on the River" concert series. Concerts are held at the Senior Center.

The Dudley Manlove Quartet will be performing.  You don't want to miss this one!

The Redmond Kiwanis will be selling hamburgers, hot dogs, and fresh-squeezed lemonade. 

LETTER: New area code needed to keep up with Western Washington growth.

The State of Washington population is booming and state regulators will soon be adding area code 564 to keep up with our growth.  

Here is an article that describes the new requirement in Western Washington requiring that all ten numbers have to be used (including the area code) for all calls...even for local calls. This affected me personally because I had a few pre-set numbers on my home phone stored for local Redmond calls as only seven numbers.   

It's important to update all stored local phone numbers to include the area code (if not already stored that way).  

I was just thinking that in the rare case of someone having an emergency trying to dial a family member/friend/organization in the local 425/206 area code locations and having the number stored as 7 digits only.

The new requirement does not affect 911 calls.

David Spackman
Redmond, WA.  

EvergreenHealth Opens Neuroscience, Spine & Orthopedic Institute

Two new floors in the DeYoung Pavilion provide comprehensive musculoskeletal services

Kirkland, Wash. — EvergreenHealth is pleased to announce the grand opening of its Neuroscience, Spine & Orthopedic Institute on the health system’s Kirkland campus. The Institute spans four levels of EvergreenHealth’s DeYoung Pavilion and includes two newly constructed floors to house the system’s musculoskeletal and orthopedics practices, providing patients with the convenience of complementary services in one location.

The two new floors on levels four and five of the DeYoung Pavilion combine innovative design and technology to enhance patient care, while also accommodating the integration of EvergreenHealth’s musculoskeletal and orthopedics services. Now, from a single location, patients receive in-clinic evaluation and diagnostic care, imaging, minimally invasive procedures, surgical consultation and rehabilitation within orthopedics, spine surgery, physiatry, podiatry, neurosurgery and pain management.

UPDATED: Design Review standards: Point - Counterpoint

The opinion piece:"Vote for future-minded candidates" stoked this discussion with Planning Commissioner Sherri Nichols:

POINT:

I serve on the Planning Commission, and I've never met anybody from the Master Builders Association. Design review standards are not part of our purview; that's the Design Review Board. The designs for the buildings downtown were approved long ago, prior to appointments by our current mayor, so blaming anybody serving today for the "look and feel" of the buildings downtown is wrong.

Over half the Planning Commissioners currently serving have served less than two years. Next time, why not talk to one of us before calling us tools of developers.Our meetings are public, and we're always happy to talk to people.

-- Sherri Nichols, 
   Planning commissioner

COUNTERPOINT .

Thanks Sherri for your comment and you're volunteerism on the commission, I've watched Planning Commission meetings for years  Early in the Ives Administration I recommended adding an e-mail address to your website page to encourage participation. It was done, and I've used it a lot over the years. (planningcommission@redmond.gov.)  However, in this case it shouldn't take a formal e-mail or public presentation to know design standards are outdated... just look around: read the Redmond Reporter. 

You've twisted my words.  Never once did I accuse your commission as a tool for developers. In my opinion piece I called out the The Master Builder PAC not you. 

Even if, existing design standards were made years ago, as you say, this doesn't preclude standards can't be improved and updated now or  could have been updated at anytime during Marchione's terms.. It's disingenuous to blame the Ives Administraton for the design damage we have today.  

Many impactful projects are still  cueing up for land use and design approval -- the most immediate and significant being Marymoor Village, two 2-4 story Avondale projects, The Town Square District and who knows what  else.   The council-approved planning  commission  needs to adapt with the times to advise council on design improvements. In addition, the Design Review Board is atrociously non transparent and needs airing.

  - Bob Yoder

Steve Fields thanks community for high voter turnout

Credit:  down pour coffee bar

When I went to "down pour coffee bar" this morning I ran into Steve Fields, winner of the Primary for City Council Position 2. He asked me to thank everyone for the high voter turnout. The turnout  was over 35%!  Steve's wife, Roni, owns the cafe. I enjoyed an indescribable americano. The taste was something I've not found at "Charbucks" or any other cafe in Redmond. (Councilmember David Carson would love it.) Roni looked hard and wide to find the "Sleepy Monk" coffee roast from Cannon Beach, OR. It's a must sip!

Besides enjoying an awesome americano, down pour is a good place to meet Steve and tell him what's on your mind.  Steve's usually at the shop on Thursday's between 2 -4.  He can also be reached at 425-444-3188 or by e-mail at sjf13@comcast.net. His candidate website is www.ElectSteveFields.com.  He has an impressive site.

Byron Shutz is in the General Election as well. He's facing off to Steve for Position 2. According to the city website, Byron's e-mail is bschutz@rdmond.gov and phone number is 425-556-2143.  His website is: www.ShutzForCouncil.com. His vision for the city may catch your eye. Byron's very active with the Redmond Kiwanis; you can find him at most of their meetings and fundraisers.

Bob Yoder

UPDATED: "Ballotpedia"- Candidates Jinyoung Lee Englund and Manka Dhingra

Ballotpedia is an objective source of facts and news on the 45th District election and candidate

Jinyoung Lee Englund

https://ballotpedia.org/Jinyoung_Lee_Englund



Ballotpedia is also an objective source of facts and news for candidate
Manka Dhingra

 https://ballotpedia.org/Manka_Dhingra

UPDATED,6/19 Opinion: Vote for future-minded candidates

UPDATED:  Redmond City Council  is gripped by "The Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties."  50% of the spend in the City Council Primary thus far has been sourced by the Master Builders PAC...all of it spent on campaign mailers and services supporting two "City Hall" candidates. 

The "Master Builders PAC states "There are many timely issues that directly impact the homebuilding industry - critical areas regulations, design review guidelines, permitting processes....etc."  Of course these "timely issues" ultimately revolve around profit (that's okay) but sometimes at serious compromise to our city look and feel.

With the Master Builder's concerns for the "timely issue of design review standards" it's no wonder our downtown is built-out with inexpensively designed "row-house" apartment buildings fronting our signature Leary Way Gateway.  We'll be living with and seeing this wall of box buildings for the next 100 years.

We need to elect candidates who are independent of developer "timely issues" and to support those few sitting council members willing to sacrifice their standing with the development community to do the right thing.

Bob Yoder

I was inspired to write this post by Jason Antonelli Position 6 and Steve Fields Position 2.   Councilman Hank Myers wrote an excellent letter in the Redmond Reporter defining the candidates as "City Hall"  and "outsiders." which inspired me.