Redmond Neighborhood Blog

Week in Windows: Fewer support calls, more tools for online help

2009-12-20T16:14:00.000-08:00

Week in Windows: Fewer support calls, more tools for online help

...The Redmond company has also launched a new site to help lead people through the process of installing, uninstalling and/or upgrading Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP. Net blogger Mary Jo Foley notes that the site could be particularly helpful and timely for people who get Windows 7 or a new PC -- or both -- as a holiday gift more...

Camwest's "Perrigo Heights" landscaping incomplete. (Part One)

2009-12-20T10:34:00.000-08:00

This photo shows a gaping hole in the greenbelt behind Camwest's 2-year old, 24 home "Perrigo Heights" development. The damage occurred when Camwest felled a Landmark Maple into the understory. According to a city planner, the greenbelt is supposed to be repaired with three evergreen trees. Camwest planted three low-growing pyramidalis shrubs in the wrong place, they died, and are now removed. Scores of additional plantings (and landscape fencing removal) is required but remains incomplete.

The City paid Camwest over $300,000 for the greenbelt to buffer Ashford Trail and Hartman Wetlands from the housing project. The greenbelt extends to the stone wall and a large concrete vault; all of
the significant trees here were removed. According to Steve Fischer, Principal Planner, the City Permit Center is withholding all three landscape performance bonds.

For a brief tour of the homes and greenbelt visit my video clip here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJPIIy8hiqI 2m.

Camwest's Perrigo Heights website is here.

photo and story by Bob Yoder

PTSA donations to LWSD schools for November

2009-12-19T14:54:00.000-08:00

November Donations...and a little bit more!

$8050 from Inglewood JH TSA to Inglewood JH for drug awareness and Think Tank programs.

$4100 from Kirkland JH PTSA to Kirkland JH for stipends for Homework Lunch and Power Hour.

$13,350 from Laura Ingalls Wilder PTSA to Wilder Elementary for teacher stipends, curriculum materials, sound system and instruments to support arts, phys. ed. equipment, field trip support.

$11,071.50 from Lakeview Elementary PTSA to Lakeview Elementary to provide teacher stipends.

$2288 from Albert Einstein PTSA to Einstein Elementary for new directories and a choir stipend.

$5000 from Heller Keller PTSA to Keller Elementary for special ed. materials, music, phys. ed., counseling, reading specialist and three homework club stipends.

$18,1777 from Emily Dickinson PTSA to Dickinson Elementary to provide teacher stipends for choir, school, technology, Technology club, Explorations in Math club, Outdoor Ed, and ASB.

$5000 from Community School Parent fund to Community School to support outdoor education.

$6322 from Norman Rockwell PTSA to Rockwell Elementary.

TOTAL NOVEMBER DONATIONS ACCEPTED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD IS $73,358.90

"A little bit more"

To read the complete report go to this link and click on the "Packet". All the School Board handouts used at Regular Meetings are here, too!!

Hot off the press! Toys 4 Tots!

2009-12-19T14:16:00.000-08:00

Hot off the press!

Any child that receives any kind of benefits from DSHS (Food Assistance, Medical Assistance, Cash Grant, Child Care) can receive a toy from the Toys 4 Tots Program.

Families can go to a DSHS office between 9:00am and 4:00pm on the date listed below to receive a toy.

Monday December 21, 2009

King North CSO: 907 NW Ballard Way Seattle, WA

Auburn CSO: 810 28th NE Auburn, WA

White Center CSO: 9650 15th Ave SW Seattle, WA

by Beth Angelo
Chairperson for the LWSD PTSA Special Needs Group

Redmond Police arrest suspect linked to 29 burglaries

2009-12-19T10:31:00.000-08:00

12/18/09 Redmond Police arrest suspect linked to 29 burglaries

Redmond Police arrested a 24-year-old Bellevue man thought to be responsible for at least 29 burglaries in the Redmond area alone. Property stolen includes laptop computers, televisions, and smaller electronic items totaling an estimated $60,000...more

press release posted on City of Redmond Facebook Fan http://bit.ly/77UP3C

Evergreen Hospital CEO Steve Brown to step down in February

2009-12-17T18:06:00.000-08:00

Steve Brown's Ribbon cutting ceremony: clip of "Santa and his elves" playing with their new $1,750,000 da Vinci robot.

According to the 12/17 online edition of the Kirkland and Redmond Reporters:

"Steve Brown, chief executive officer at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center since 2002, has announced his resignation to become the President/CEO of the Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, Pennsylvania.

Brown announced his departure to the Evergreen staff via a personal e-mail. The move, Brown explained, will allow him and his wife to move closer to their families and their grandchildren while giving him a new career challenge.

In Brown’s eight years as Evergreen’s CEO, he has overseen vast expansion of both facilities and services. Evergreen Hospital added a new Emergency Department, an eight-story patient facility and the five-story DeYoung Pavilion along with the development of the Evergreen Neuroscience Institute...."

A press release of Brown's resignation wasn't found on Evergreen's web site, as of 12/17.

CEO Brown's total compensation in 2008 was: $819,728.01. Base: $558,578.40 and Incentive Bonus: $261,149.61 (Paid in 2009), as reported by Laurene Burton, Evergreen's Public Disclosure Act Officer, upon my request. Retirement and benefits are not included in the total.

Why would anyone want to step down from that salary? According to the Redmond Reporter, Brown explained he will have a new career challenge and be closer to his grandchildren.

Under the Freedom of Information Act I'm requesting additional information. Do you think Mr. Brown's salary is appropriate for his position? Evergreen is a Public Hospital, supported in part by a property tax levy.

by Bob Yoder

A new coaching era begins for Redmond Basketball

2009-12-17T13:48:00.000-08:00

A new coaching era begins for Redmond Basketball

Coach Coldie is seen talking to her team during a time-out at Wednesday's game vs. Inglemoor. Coach Sara Goldie is entering her 9th year of coaching high school girls' basketball. Coach Goldie grew up in the Redmond area and is a graduate of Eastlake High School more...

Photo by Bob Yoder

Take the New Year's Day "Polar Plunge" for the Special Olympics!

2009-12-17T12:52:00.000-08:00

New Year's Day event at Idylwood Park to benefit the Special Olympics!

PLAN TO TAKE THE POLAR PLUNGE! The 2010 Polar Plunge, sponsored by the Redmond Police Department and benefiting Special Olympics, will be held on the afternoon of January 1, 2010 at Idylwood Park. Mark your calendars and plan to attend,.or even better, join us in taking a dip into the warm water of Lake Sammamish. They're calling for warm, sunny temperatures that day, not necessarily here in Redmond, but somewhere. Bring in the New Year with Redmond Police Department and Special Olympics!

Email Jim Bove (Redmond Safety Facilitator) for the time: jbove@redmond.gov

How do I take the Plunge? Right Here!

Compliments of the Mustang News.

Windows 7 leaving Redmond's help desk less busy

2009-12-17T07:31:00.000-08:00

Windows 7 leaving Redmond's help desk less busy

There are many ways to measure how Windows 7 is doing. There are reports on new PC sales, tallies of boxed copy sales, and surveys of planned enterprise adoption, to name a few.

But one of the most encouraging signs for Microsoft is the lack of phone calls it is getting from people with problems. Overall, Microsoft said the volume of calls to its support lines is half of what it expected.
(Credit: Microsoft) "Overall we are finding our call center volume is down significantly more than we expected," said Barbara Gordon, vice president of customer support for Microsoft.

The drop in calls isn't just due to the fact that Windows 7 appears less problem-plagued than its predecessor, though. In the weeks leading up to and following the operating system's release, Microsoft also added two new ways to get help--through an online forum called Microsoft Answers and via the Microsoft Helps feed on Twitter.

"What we have found is we are seeing far more take-up of self-service...forums and Twitter to get responses," Gordon said in an interview this week.

With the Microsoft Answers forums, which launched late last year, users submit questions and experienced community members offer answers that Microsoft workers later validate to make sure they are correct.

by Ina Fried, CNET
December 17, 2009
abbreviated

LWSD has 141 Board Certified Teachers.

2009-12-16T17:13:00.000-08:00

Redmond, Wash. – Forty teachers in the Lake Washington School District achieved National Board Certification®, as announced today by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. There are now 141 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) working full-time in the District’s schools.

“We are very proud of our teachers who have achieved this prestigious designation,” noted Superintendent Chip Kimball. “All staff members and students benefit when teachers achieve National Board Certification, as these teachers share their knowledge and expertise with those around them. In Lake Washington, we have exceptional faculty, and it is no surprise that so many of our teachers achieve this status.”

-LWSD press release, 12/16.

Rebecca Meredith is the City of Redmond's first Poet Laureate

2009-12-16T08:45:00.000-08:00

The City Council approved Rebecca Meredith for Redmond's first Poet Laureate.

Rebecca's Poetry Collection Journal

I am a poet and psychotherapist in Bellevue, Washington who conducts poetry therapy groups as a part of my practice. My work has appeared in The Forum, a psychoanalytic quarterly, as a part of Seattle's Jack Straw Writer's Program, and others. I am a Hedgebrook Fellow as a result of my work in short fiction as well. -Rebecca Meredith*

According to a city ordinance adopted this year, The Redmond Arts Commission has considered the position of Poet Laureate of the City of Redmond since 2006. The position is based on the concept of the Poet Laureate first established in America by the Library of Congress in 1985. Since then, States including Washington have established such positions.

The objectives of the program will be to broaden the awareness of poetry, express the spirit of Redmond culture through poetry, and raise the level of discourse during discussions and debates in the City.

Funding for the Poet Laureate will not exceed $5,000 a year and is part of the Arts Activity Fund budget. These funds would be used to contract for services from the Poet Laureate such as providing public writing workshops, poetry readings, or publishing poetry. - city ordinance.

Samples

posted by Bob Yoder

The December 15 City Council Meeting is eventfall and sets records.

2009-12-16T08:38:00.000-08:00

In order of significance:

Nancy McCommick retired tonight after 24 years of service as a councilmember, 8 years as Council President, 6 years as planning commissioner. She is currently on the Code Rewrite Commission.
The Mayor read a Proclamation about Nancy, Nancy gave a check to the Mayor for the Downtown Park Foundation. Richard Grubb faxed in a poem, a Safety Officer thanked Nancy during Items from the Audience, six councilmembers gave tribute (Vache' was absent), the RYPAC city youth group gave her a poster, and Parks Director read tributes from three citizens. Councilmember David Carson was dressed in a bow tie / tuxedo.
Council approved a record 20 consent agenda items, three salary ordinances (more on this later), an Rose Hill annexation ordinance and resolution. Redmond's Poet Laureate was approved.
"The Russians are coming"! City Hall chambers were packed for the second time with the Russian community defending their Special Edition business park. They said the Sears Parking Lot was a better location for the Overlake regional stormwater treatment facility. Comment: ...a no brainer.
Councilmember Hank Myers defended the city's 1% property tax levy increase.

Code Rewrite Commission: http://redmond.gov/insidecityhall/planning/RCDGrewrite.asp

by Bob Yoder

Bing surpasses 10%, but at the expense of Yahoo, not Google

2009-12-16T07:39:00.000-08:00

Bing surpasses 10%, but at the expense of Yahoo, not Google

Microsoft appears to be taking market share not from its nemesis Google but from its partner-in-waiting, Yahoo. Google's U.S. market share rose slightly, reaching 65.6 percent.

Work Study Sessions - The LW School Board's "Diamond in the Rough".

2009-12-15T11:50:00.000-08:00

Interested public, including PTSA members and board candidates may observe from seats to the right.

Have you ever wanted to know who your School Board members are and what they do?  Perhaps you're thinking of running for a school board office and want more information about the job? Perhaps a concerned PTSA member?  Or a member of the community at large.  Attending a "Work Study Session" is just the ticket!

This fascinating learning experience isn't well known or attended because the public work session meeting times aren't announced during Chair Pendergrass's Regular Meetings.  The sessions are held in a back room from the Board Room.  Some of the study Topics from this year are:

1) Vision 2020, 2) Technology & Science, 3) Graduation Policies, 4) Special Education, 5) Quest & AP, 6) Bond and Levy "Advisory Committee" Recommendations, 7) Meet Bob Hughes, State Board of Education and past LS Board member, 8) Culminating Projects in H.S. and Beyond, 9) Culture. 10) Planning for a meeting with the legislatures.

Don't worry about having to speak. Public isn't allowed to comment. Superintendent Kimball usually does most of the talking in these sessions, while staff listens.  Sometimes he'll present slides with helpful handouts; the sessions aren't taped. These meetings are held during the dinner hour and last about an hour, so feel free to bring something to eat. The Board Members and staff eat while in session, too.

Work Study Sessions are held the 1st and 3rd week of the month at 5:30pm.  For exact times and room location go here.  Both study sessions and regular board meetings are held at L.E. Scarr Building in Redmond Town Center. 162050 NE 74th Street. The Regular Board Meeting usually follows at 7PM.

This meeting is a 'diamond in the rough' opportunity for anyone curious or wanting to know more about District governence and our elected. Three Board Members will be up for election in 2011.  Do you want to learn more?

Work Study Session - Agenda
Work Study Session - Minutes

Board Packet (budget items, Minutes, PTSA donation list, grants, agenda, etc.) Pick these up at the reception desk counter.    Quesstions:  contact Kathryn Reith at kreith@lwsd.org

Community Digest III

2009-12-14T16:59:00.000-08:00

Excerpts from MUSTANG NEWS, 12/14

NEW ACADEMIC & CAREER PLANNING RESOURCE. "Academic and Career Planning" is a new page on the Redmond High web site. The page contains information about college and career planning, Graduation Portfolio announcements and requirements, copies of important documents related to the Graduation Portfolio, links for post-secondary planning, resources and links for scholarships and financial aid, and information about colleges, careers, and much more. Be sure to check this page regularly for all the latest information about life after high school.

DIGIPEN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. Digipen is offering a series of four workshops exploring computer graphics and game programming careers. The workshops are held on the four Saturdays in January starting January 9th. If you are interested, please contact Elvin Bucu. Cost is $20.

LAKE WASHINGTON SCHOOLS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2009 GRANT AWARDS. LWSF awarded 38 classroom grants to our schools this year - 5 to high schools, 13 to junior highs, and 20 to elementary schools - resulting in over $63,000 awarded in 21 different schools in our district. LWSF Trustees and community members assisted in evaluating the grant proposals. RHS received two grants, one for reading materials for English Language Learners, and one for robotics club supplies. For more information about LWSF or to learn how you can donate to help our Lake Washington schools, check out the LWSF web site.

LITTLE LEAGUE REGISTRATION OPEN. Redmond West Little League and Redmond North Little League are currently accepting registration from boys and girls ages 5 through 18. Sign up now and get ready to play ball!

CITY OF REDMOND TEEN CLASSES AT THE OLD FIREHOUSE TEEN CENTER. Start the New Year by learning something new! (And don't forget, classes make great gifts!) All classes will be held at the Old Firehouse Teen Center at 16510 NE 79th Street. For more information or to sign up for any of these classes, please call 425-556-2300, e-mail Chris Cullen, or download the Old Firehouse schedule. The January classes are: Silkscreen Co-Op: and Drumming 102:

by Mary Bourguignon
Editor, Redmond Mustang News

Mustang News is published by the Redmond High School PTSA. To subscribe, please contact rhs.ptsa.news@gmail.com . For more information about the PTSA, please visit our web site at http://www.redmondhsptsa.org/ .

Balloons Aglow: The Brightest of the Redmond Lights

2009-12-14T13:41:00.000-08:00

Balloons Aglow: The Brightest of the Redmond Lights

One of the most spectacular events of Redmond Lights 2009 was the lighting of the hot air balloons next to Redmond Town Center.

by Redmond Library blog

MONSTER TRUCKS are in the neighborhood!

2009-12-13T20:43:00.000-08:00

MONSTER TRUCKS are in the neighborhood! This one is an EVAC truck - a giant sucking machine. PSE was using it to vacuum out 5 feet of soil to install new street light poles. These toys cost $275,000.

The City of Redmond has a number of them to vacuum debris from stormwater drains, catchments, and vaults. 200 feet of stormwater piping can be cleaned at time. Last winter, the roads had to be sanded and EVACS were busy sucking out sand and pebbles from the stormwater pipes. This winter they won't be as busy, because the city will be spraying a brine-sugar beet solution to de-ice, rather than sand. Yes, sugar beets! So, expect to see some "blood" on the roads when they "sand"! Sanding the roads was a problem last year because silty suspensions drained straight into the streams - past the catchments. (As you know, street stormwater in Redmond drains into Bear Creek and the Sammamish River.) Silt is not healthy for the salmon and stream habitat. The brine-beet de-icer is more enviro-friendly - and less abrasive on our cars! (picture of right is a PSE truck vacuuming light post holes.) MONSTERS! What do ya say?

-- photos and story by Bob Yoder

Sports participation fees at LWSD schools

2009-12-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

During the LWSD - Redmond City Council Study Session of 12/8, Commissioner John Stilin raised the question of sports participation fees.

Superintendent Kimball answered:

A renewed levy will still not cover the full cost of sports participation fees. The total cost of one sport/kid/year is $600. Parents will still pay $275/year/sport and the levy will subsidize the remaining $325. Recent State budget cuts necessitate the use of levy fees for basic education rather than sports fees, and the like.

reported by Bob Yoder

Eastside residents invited to join virtual town hall with Rep. Ross Hunter on December 15

2009-12-12T07:21:00.000-08:00

Washington State House of Representatives
Rep. Ross Hunter – 48th Legislative District

December 11, 2009

Online or on the phone - Eastside residents invited to join virtual town hall with Rep. Ross Hunter

Rep. Hunter will take questions about state budget, education reform, SR 520 and more on December 15

OLYMPIA – At 6:30 p.m. on December 15, households across the 48th Legislative District will receive a phone call from state Rep. Ross Hunter (D-Medina). Those who pick up will be invited to participate in a one-hour telephone town hall during which they can learn about the upcoming legislative session and share their thoughts and questions with Hunter.

Hunter will also be live blogging the town hall and residents have the option of logging on and following along virtually.

To participate by phone: Only those with land lines will receive a phone call on December 15, so those wanting to participate via cell phone can call toll-free 877-229-8493. Participants will be prompted to enter an ID code which is 15390. The number will be available about ten minutes before the town hall begins.

To participate online: Click through from Hunter’s website at www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/hunter or on Twitter by following @rosshunter or searching #huntertownhall.
# # #
Contact: Rep. Ross Hunter: (425) 453-3064 or hunter.ross@leg.wa.gov

A Streetside View of Redmond, from Bing Maps

2009-12-11T14:44:00.000-08:00

A Streetside View of Redmond

You can now see a street-level view of downtown Redmond using the new version of Bing Maps. While you might have used the bird's eye views in Bing Maps, the new beta version provides a ground-level, or Streetside, view.

by Redmond Library Blog

U.S. News and World Report awards two Lake Washington district High Schools.

2009-12-11T14:10:00.000-08:00

International Community School Ranked in Top 100 Schools, Achieves Gold Rating

Redmond High School receives a silver rating

Redmond, Wash. – U.S. News and World Report magazine named International Community School (ICS) in Kirkland, Wash. number 29 out of the top 100 high schools in the nation in their annual America’s Best High Schools rating, and gave the school a gold ranking. Redmond High School (RHS) received a silver ranking.

ICS had a College Readiness Index of 89.3 and RHS had a score of 42.6.

This is the third year that ICS has been recognized in the top 100 schools. Last year, it was number ranked number 24. In 2007, it was ranked number 17 and was the highest-rated school in Washington. This is the second year that RHS received a silver rating.

“We are honored to once again be recognized as one of the nation’s top 100 high schools,” noted ICS Principal Cindy Duenas. “It is truly a reflection on the students and staff at our school that we have achieved this ranking for the third year in a row.”

“We are so proud to once again be recognized with a silver ranking,” noted RHS Principal Jane Todd. “This recognition helps to support our students and staff in their efforts to reach high standards every day.”

“It is always an honor to see our schools recognized nationally for the level of success that the students and staff have achieved,” noted Lake Washington School Superintendent Dr. Chip Kimball. “I am consistently impressed by the hard work of our students, staff and parents in schools throughout the district.” [I'm guessing the School Board will probably recognize ICS and RHS at a Regular Meeting. B.Y.]

ICS was one of only four schools to receive a gold ranking in Washington state. RHS was one of only nine schools in King County to receive a silver ranking, and one of only 17 in the state.

Thanks to LWSD Communications for their press release.

Evergreen Healthcare scheduled to occupy a new building in Redmond's Bella Bottega

2009-12-11T10:36:00.000-08:00

Update, 12/12: Evergreen Healthcare is on schedule to complete a new three-story medical office building by summer 2011. The project site is near RED-WOOD Road and Northeast 90th Street in Bella Bottega shopping center. The building will include Evergreen's family practice, urgent care and radiology clinics. Construction is planned for this spring where Gray Barn Nursery used to be at the Bella Bottega shopping center, which includes Regal Cinemas, QFC and Bartell Drugs.

Do you have any thoughts or comments about this proposed development? If so, please share your comments here. Or, email or call city project planner, Gary Lee, at glee@redmond.gov or 425-556-2418.

Comments sent to the city by 12/16 will receive special privileges.

site plan map

by Bob Yoder

Google, Microsoft jockey for position on the environment

2009-12-10T23:45:00.000-08:00

Google, Microsoft jockey for position on the environment

As the world gathers this week at the International Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, there's an interesting subplot playing out between Microsoft and Google. Both companies are trying to position themselves to supply technology that scientists can use to better understand the environment, and they're using the event to talk about their efforts

Sonic Forest at Redmond Town Center - Last Night is December 15!

2009-12-10T13:19:00.000-08:00

Play and dance in the Sonic Forest until December 12, at Redmond Town Center!

This is an innovative and exciting interactive sound and light sculpture. Children love it, too! It was created by internationally known artist/architect, Christopher Janney. This is one of Janneys urban instruments played by people waving their hands over different parts of the sculpture. Brought to Redmond Town Center, December 2009 by the City of Redmond and the Redmond Arts Commission.

Video by Eva Moon
Facebook

The Rotary Club and Redmond Reporter partner to award a Community volunteer MVP

2009-12-10T12:59:00.000-08:00

The Redmond Reporter and the Rotary Club of Redmond want to honor a star volunteer in our community with the Rotary Community MVP of the Year Award. E-mail your nominations for a Community MVP who has committed an extraordinary amount of volunteer time in Redmond to redmondrotary@yahoo.com . The deadline for nominations is Dec. 15. The winner will be honored with an award at The Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon Jan. 20, 2010.

The nominations must include the name and contact information for the nominee and the name and contact information for the person making the nomination. The nomination also must include a brief paragraph about what the nominee has done to help out in the community through volunteerism.

So as we celebrate the holidays with family and friends, let’s provide a helping hand to those who might need an extra boost — and highlight those people making a difference in Redmond.

Bradley D. Lehrer
Bannersonaroll/Lehrer & Van Allen, Inc.
17509 NE 31st Court
Redmond, WA 98052
425.883.7400

http://www.bannersonaroll.com/

My nomination is Miguel Llanos. (below).