Being recognized as one of America’s Best Cities is a perfect and fitting recognition during the City of Redmond’s Centennial. We have much to celebrate as we reflect on our rich history of accomplishment and hard work. This legacy provides the foundation for Redmond’s 2030 Vision. It’s quite amazing to pause and reflect on our journey from a pioneering town focused on farming, railroads and timber to an internationally recognized leader in digital gaming, computer software, aerospace innovation and technology. In August of this year, the Today Show announced MONEY Magazine’s list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in America. Redmond ranked firth for cities with populations of 50,000 – 300,000. The raters look for cities with the optimal combination of economic strength, quality health care, low crime, great schools, and lots to do. It’s no secret that Redmond's proximity to Seattle the Cascade Mountains and 90-plus wineries to the north make it an ideal base for exploring the Northwest. Even earlier this year Redmond was named as the 2012 Sunset Magazine Best Places to Bike. Also this year, the City received two prestigious 2012 Governor’s Smart Community Awards for Tudor Manor and for the City’s Capital Investment Strategy (its capital blueprint for the community’s vision). Redmond was named as one of the 2011 Best Communities for Young People by America’s Promise Alliance and was also rated number one nationwide in 2011 by Forbes Magazine as the City with the Happiest Young Professionals. Additionally, the City received the Silver Award as a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of Bicycle Friendly Communities in 2011(a jump from a bronze 2004 award). Bloomberg Business Week also named Redmond as one of the 2010 Best Places to Raise Kids.

Our planned growth for downtown and Overlake Village combines residential, mixed use and business development with plans for the Redmond Connector, regional trail-ways, major parks, public art and major transit hubs. Together with the City's picturesque neighborhoods, low crime rate, and stellar schools, not to mention the miles of bike paths and routes for the recreational as well as serious riders, makes Redmond an ideal choice for residents and businesses alike. The City is extremely fortunate to be positioned to weather the recession as we continue to gain national recognition on many fronts. Our financial strength comes from solid financial policies for the past 25 years as well as strategic reductions made in the last four years. Redmond has both survived and thrived. You don’t have to take my word on it, Standard and Poor’s recently reaffirmed our AAA credit rating despite the current economic climate. However, we too face some challenges moving forward. Coming out the recession, we need to continue to think of news ways of doing business that are smarter, more cost effective and yield long lasting results. None the less, we will continue to maintain the high quality services Redmond has come to rely on while looking at new ways to innovate toward the City’s future aspirations. We can take pride in the course of decisions made and the path taken over our first 100 years. Sincerely,

John Marchione

Find more news and information at Redmond.gov

InsideCouncil Notes P2

Redmond Ready P2

City News P3

Environews P4

Impact Pledge P5

Savvy Seniors P6

View From History P7

Events at Senior Center P8

Redmond Lights P8

Volume XXVI No 3 Fall 2012

From the Mayor

Come see what's happening in

Downtown Redmond

Wednesday September 26 6:00pm-8:00pm

Redmond City Hall

Wednesday September 26 6:00pm-8:00pm

Redmond City Hall

2

Council NotesOn Tuesday night, August 7th, nearly 50 neighborhoods in the city of Redmond participated in the annual National Night Out. NNO is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and is aimed at reducing crime in neighborhoods.

In the Seattle area, NNO might also be seen as a way to help thaw the “Seattle Freeze.” That is, people can be friendly enough but perhaps not as eager to gather on a regular basis. We may know our neighbors by the occasional hand wave or casual conversations in the summer when we’re outside working in our yards. But many Seattleites are less likely to have dinner with our neighbors, share recipes, join a bowling league, or keep an eye on the mailbox while the neighbor is on vacation. My wife once said that she thought the electric garage door opener contributed greatly to neighbors interacting less - you can just pull into your garage, close the door behind you, and lose a chance to chat with your neighbor.

Councilmembers each attended five or six of the NNO events. Others making the rounds included the fire department, McGruff the Crime Dog, Vader the K-9 officer, and the Eastside Precision Drill Team. It

was a great opportunity for the council to hear resident’s concerns, answer questions, and just spend time getting to know each other. We saw neighbors sharing potluck dinners, doling out soft serve ice cream, swapping home brewed beer, and learning about home safety. It was a great opportunity to pause in our busy lives and connect with our neighbors. Research does show that better connected neighborhoods experience lower crime rates. Redmond residents have placed a high priority on community building and NNO is one way to foster its success. Let’s set another record in 2013 –instead of 50, how about 75 or 100?

Redmond, Are You Ready? Have you really thought deep about what you would do in a real emergency or disaster? With the recent Cle Elum fire, we saw hundreds of families having to flee their home. When a major earthquake or flood hits, the same holds true. Every year we talk about “snow-maggedons” or the infamous wind storms blowing out power for days, leaving folks stranded to fend for themselves.

The City of Redmond is taking action to help you get prepared. Whether you live or work in Redmond, we want everyone to be prepared for one week, three weeks, three months or even longer regardless of whether you get caught at work ot strandef at home, or you have to evacuate with little or no time to plan, or you simply can’t get home safely.

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has one goal in mind: get “Redmond Ready.” In September, the City’s Office of Emergency Management launches an integrated public safety and emergency preparedness program, “Redmond Ready,” designed to prepare City of Redmond employees and citizens for emergencies and disasters.

With the knowledge obtained on these three subjects, you will be able to save not only your own life, but that of your family members, co-workers or neighbors. Plan ahead, think ahead, join us so that you too can become… REDMOND READY!

There are three facets to be considered “Redmond Ready”

1. Emergency Preparedness: A 2-hour seminar focusing on basic disaster response skills.

2. First Aid: Learn to recognize and care for a variety of first aid emergencies, such as burns, cuts and scrapes, sud-den illnesses, head, neck, and back injuries, and heat and cold emergen-cies. Register for classes through the Red Cross or American Heart Association.

3. CPR/AED Training: Learn how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscita-tion (CPR) for breathing and cardiac emergencies for adults and children. This training is sometimes offered in collaboration with First Aid training and is offered through the Red Cross and American Heart Association.

For more information: redmondready.org Janeen Olson: 425-556-2251 or Debbie Newman: 425-556-2259

3

SoutheaSt Redmond neighboRhood Plan uPdate undeRway

The City is now working with the residents of Southeast Redmond neighborhood to identify potential neighborhood plan updates.The neighborhood plan update encourages those who live, work or own property in Southeast Redmond to become involved and make recomendations to develop neighborhood priorities for the next 20 years.

General timeframe for the plan update process:

To help staff connect with the neighborhood regarding the update, the City wants to hear from you and learn your thoughts regarding Southeast Redmond: living, working, recreating, and traveling in the neighborhood and vicinity. Your ideas will inform policy and code updates, addressing the neighborhood’s next 20 years and help develop neighborhood priorities.

For additional information or to complete a neighborhood questionnaire, visit the Southeast Redmond neighborhood webpage: www.redmond.gov/SERedmond. You will also find links to the neighborhood’s Facebook page, as well as opportunities to sign-up for e-newsletters.

For more information contact: Kimberly Dietz 425-556-2415, kdietz@redmond.gov Jeff Churchill 425-556-2492, jchurchill@redmond.gov.

2012 2013 2014

QUARTER 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd

Preliminary neighborhood outreach

Identification of what needs to be updated

Formal kick-off and Neighborhood Meeting

Concept development

Alternatives development

Preferred alternative development

Planning Commission & City Council review process and action

Redmond debutS enhanced electRonic Zoning code and PRoPeRty VieweR

Looking for ways to improve access and exchange between City staff, developers, and citizens, the City of Redmond recently debuted its enhanced electronic Zoning Code and interactive Property Viewer. “Development of this unique interactive on line program sets Redmond apart,” states Robert Pantley, award-winning developer and member of Redmond’s Code Rewrite Commission. These products are on the cutting edge of how communities are leveraging investments in technology to increase transparency and improve customer service.

With the new e-Zoning Code, you can:• Link directly from a property to applicable

zoning regulations• Map where a use is allowed and link to

applicable regulations• Map zones, critical areas, and other key

code provisions• View and research commercial properties for

sale or lease• Share code citations through social media• View definitions as pop-ups• View embedded user guides & interpretations• Get better search results with “best bets”• Retrieve previous versions of the code• Export code to PDF• Trust that the code is up to date

Get started today! Visit www.redmond.gov/ZoningCode. For more information contact: Jeff Churchill 425-556-2492, jchurchill@redmond.govThara Johnson 425-556-2470, tmjohnson@redmond.gov

City News

Find a better use for your tires

goRTRIP.comgoRTRIP.com

4

EnvironewsKeep Storm Drains Clear of Fallen Leaves

Our rainy season starts about the same time leaves are falling on our lawns, park-ing lots and streets. Properly disposing of leaves and debris helps keep storm drains clear which prevents flooding and protects fish!

All storm drains in Redmond empty directly into streams, rivers or Lake Sammamish. Leaves and branches that wash down storm drains can dam small streams and clog fish spawning beds. Decomposing leaves also reduce the amount of oxygen available to fish and other aquatic organisms.

Please never sweep piles of leaves into storm drains or onto drainage grates. Leaves and branches should always be placed in yard debris carts, or in a com-posting bin. For information about dis-posal options for large quantities of yard debris, call Redmond’s Recycling Program at 425-556-2832.

If you notice leaves accumulating, please sweep them clear of the storm drain or place them in your cart as part of your yard waste collection service.

Report clogged and flooded storm drains in streets: 425-556-2800.

Bear Creek Releaf Planting EventOctober 20, 9am-12:00 NoonPlant trees at Bear Creek Park with the City of Redmond and our partners at the Adopt-A-Stream Foundation. This work will improve fish and wild-life habitat and beautify the area people using the Bear-Evans Creek Trail.The City will provide tools, gloves, water, light snacks, instruction, and lots of gratitude. Dress for the weather and be prepared to get dirty. All participants must sign a waiver before working—those under 18 require guardian’s signature. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Groups are welcome, but please let us know you are coming so we can better accommodate you. City volunteer waivers are available at: www.redmond.gov/WaiverFormTo RSVP and/or get more information about this event, please contact Patty Estes at pestes@redmond.gov or 425-556-2825.

Free Savvy Gardner Classes coming to RedmondCascade Water Alliance and the City of Redmond have teamed up to bring you the Savvy Gardener Class series. Door prizes include a back yard com-poster, a worm bin, and outdoor water conservation kits! All classes are free, but space is limited and registration is required. To learn more visit www.savingwater.org/savvygardener or call 425-556-2832.

Natural Lawn Care - Ladd Smith, Owner of In HarmonySeptember 20, 6:30-8:00pm - Redmond Senior CenterBy working with Mother Nature, you can have a great looking landscape that’s easier to care for and healthier for families, pets, wildlife, and our great Northwest environment. Come learn what Natural Yard Care is all about and how to create a healthy, beautiful yard.Register through Brown Paper Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/236384 or call 1-800-838-3006.

Healthy Soils - Ladd Smith, Owner of In Harmony September 27 – Thursday, 6:30 - 8:00pm, Redmond Senior CenterHealthy, beautiful, long-lived plants are the result of healthy soil. Attend-ees will learn everything they need to know about soil to create an envi-ronment where plants will thrive. The class will cover what soil is made of, what lives in healthy soil, the importance of pore space, soil tests, and how to use mulch to improve and protect your soil, while conserving water.Register through Brown Paper Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/236386 or call 1-800-838-3006.

Redmond Businesses Recognized for Waste Reduction & Recycling Congratulations to Redmond businesses recognized as a 2012 Best Workplaces for Waste Prevention & Recycling! Redmond honorees are:

City of RedmondEastside Community Aid Thrift ShopEmerald Heights Retirement CommunityFCS GroupGolder Associates Inc.

Hot off the PressKeeney's Office SupplyLake Washington School DistrictMicrosoft Corp.Noetix Corp., PS Business Parks

Sammamish Montessori SchoolThinkspaceTogether CenterVMC Consulting

SuStainability PledgeTake the pledge to create a list of actions you’re willing to

take to make Redmond a cleaner and greener community for you, your neighbors, and wildlife. For more ideas about living

green visit www.ImpactRedmond.com

For a limited time, when you take the pledge you get a free EcoKit including:Reusable stainless steel bottle • Reusable shopping bag

Think Redmond discount card • Faucet aerator • Much, much more!

Complete the pledge, send in your information, and an EcoKit will be mailed directly to you.

Please circle all of the small, medium and large actions you are willing to take. (Please choose at least five, and the more the better!)

CuT hERE

Thank you for pledging! Keep the pledge above and post it where it will remind you of the actions you’ve committed to take. Send this portion to: EcoKit, City of Redmond, MS:2NPW, PO Box 97010, Redmond, WA 98073

I pledged: _______# of Small Actions _______# of Medium Actions _______# of Large Actions

Name___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address:__________________________________________________________________________ Zip Code_______________

Email:____________________________________________________________________________________________________

By receiving an EcoKit, I agree to take an email survey about my use of the tools in the kit.

PLEdgE SIgNATuRE: ______________________________________________________________________________________

Check here ONLY if you DO NOT want to receive an EcoKit. Please note, EcoKits are available only to those residents living within Redmond city limits (zip code 98052). EcoKits are paid for in part by a grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology.

At Work

• Print double-sided to conserve paper

• Recycle

• go paperless whenever possible

• Bring reusable dishware and utensils from home

• Recycle office printer toner cartridges

Getting Around Town

• Register online at goRTRIP.com

• Research local transit routes

• Combine errands to reduce number of car trips

• Commute without my car a minimum of once a week

• Telework

My Lifestyle

• use a reusable bottle or mug for drinks

• Visit the website ThinkRedmond.com and buy local

• use fewer napkins

• Take a reusable bag to the store

• Buy fruits and vegetables in season

In the Homeand Garden

• Turn off the lights when I leave a room

• Turn off the faucet when I brush my teeth

• Compost food in my yard waste bin

• Swap incandescent bulbs for CFLs

• Start a food garden

Get aFree

EcoKit!

Sammamish Montessori SchoolThinkspaceTogether CenterVMC Consulting

$

$

$

$6

“I know, let’s put on a show!”We must be channeling Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland because there sure is a lot of singing and dancing going on around here. So, with all that talent available we decided to put on two new shows this fall.

Our first new show is “Le Cabaret.” You can plan on a lighthearted evening of song and dance with a combination of show tunes and music from the swing era. Mark your calendar for Friday, October 12, 7pm.

While you are marking your calendar, save the date for our new Holiday Des-sert Review running for two nights only on Friday and Saturday, December 7 and 8. A scrumptious dessert and a few other sweet treats will be served before an evening remembering all your old holiday traditions and maybe a few new ones, too.

Both shows are produced and directed by Tim Hickey. Call 425-556-2314 for ticket information or visit www.redmond.gov/50plus

Swingin’ at the RSCOur tap and swing dance instructor, Tim Hickey, loves to get people dancing. So, in addition to the classes that he teaches at the RSC and the Community Center, he is producing a series of new swing dances. Everyone age 18 and older is welcome to come join the fun.

The series will kick off with a special dance on Saturday, September 29 fea-turing Boogie and Swing pianist Carl Sonny Leyland. Come for a free dance lesson at 6:30. The music starts at 7 pm with the opening band, Nickel Pot Joe. Purchase your tickets in advance by calling 425-556-2314. Special advance prices: couples $25; singles $15. At the door price: $18 for everyone.

Regular monthly Third Sunday Swing Dances will begin on Sunday, October 21, 7-10pm with a free dance lesson at 6:30pm. Special advance prices: couples $20; singles $12. At the door price: $15 for everyone.All dances take place in the Fred Meitzer Theater at the Redmond Senior Center which features a 2000 square foot suspended hard-wood dance floor. The address is 8703 160th Ave NE, Redmond.

Call 425-556-2314 or visit www.redmond.gov/50plus Now there is no need to drive to Seattle for a great swing dance experience!

Savvy Seniors

Looking for a Way to Supplement Your Income?

The Recreation Department is always looking for new and interesting classes to offer. If you have a hobby or skill that

you would like to share with others please call Teri Burke at 425-556-2342 to discuss the possibilities and request a program proposal form. We are especially looking for

individuals interested in offering programs in the evening.

A Band Concert to Celebrate our VeteransEach year the RSC honors our military Veterans with a program before Veterans Day. This year the program will feature the Sophisticated Swing Big Band on Friday, November 9 at 1:30pm.

Everyone is invited to join us for a program of music and readings to honor the service so many have given our country. Get Ready for the Holiday Craft MarketOnce again the RSC will hold their Holiday Craft Market in conjunction with Redmond Lights on Saturday, December 1 from noon to 6 pm. We had a full house of over 45 craftspeople last year and hope for as many this year. So now is the time to start planning —either shopping or crafting!

Vendors wishing to participate call 425-556-2314 and ask for Karen.

Don’t Miss The Funsubscribe to the

RSC News. Only $12

for a one-year

subscription.

Call 425-556-2314

and we’ll sign you

up now!

subscribe to the RSC News Get the scoop on all the happenings at the RSC. Only $12 for a one-year subscription. Call 425-556-2314 and we’ll sign you up now!

holiday

craft

Come and shop for handcrafted items and holiday gifts before enjoying Redmond Lights

market

8703 160th Ave NE, Redmond WA 425-556-2314

Redmond Senior Center

Free admission & door prizes

7

• Flashing amber lights indicate caution. The bus is about to stop to load or unload children. Slow down and get ready to stop. The bus is going to stop in the roadway.

• Red flashing lights mean drivers must stop to let the bus load or unload children. The bus driver will extend a stop sign or stop paddle from the left side of the bus.

• Drivers on a two-lane roadway must stop in both directions for a bus stopped with its red lights flashing. On a multiple lane roadway, stop only if you are traveling in the same direction as the bus. Vehicles

traveling in the opposite direction on multiple lane roads need not stop.

• Drivers in a left-turn lane traveling in the same direction as a stopped school bus with flashing red lights must stop.

• A school bus may pull completely off the road to load or unload students. When the bus does this, it will have its amber hazard lights flashing, located next to the red brake lights. Drivers don't have to stop in either direction, whether on a two-lane or multiple lane roadway, but they must slow down.

Do You Know School Bus Safety? Nationwide more children are killed or injured due to a dramatic increase in school bus loading zone accidents, largely due to drivers who either don’t know the school bus laws, or choose to ignore

The citation for illegally passing a school bus comes with a $394 fine that will not be waived, reduced, or suspended. More info:

Susan Byszeski, Traffic Safety Specialist, sbyszeski@redmond.gov

What to do in the vicinity of a school bus:

A Ghostly View of the PastTo believe or not to believe..., history offers a possibility for lingering. This lingering can be the memory of a lost loved one, the compelling nature of tracing ancestry, or the shock of tragedy. Redmond is not immune to tragic incidents and some believe these occasions may have resulted in spirits holding fast to a place, time, or event. Could that chill on the back of your neck be one of these spirits?

As the season changes with the temperature dropping and trees losing leaves, thoughts turn to the American celebration of Halloween. Whether you feel drawn to movie theaters for accounts of gore or you shiver in your boots from the tale of a certain Sleepy Hollow, the rustle of dry leaves and the creaking of floorboards help your mind wonder whether voices from another time might attempt making a connection.

Several historic places in Redmond’s downtown are reported to have experienced mysterious activities and we wonder whether there is a connection with a previous occupant, proprietor, or victim. In some instances, our mind naturally links these mysteries with known tragedies yet in other cases, no significant events from known history occurred at these sites. Could the incidents be the result of a presence that chose to remain connected with their own favorite “haunt”?

Please join local historian, Tom Hitzroth on September 30, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Justice White House (southeastern corner of Leary Way and NE 76th Street) for a narrated tour of Redmond’s Haunted History. Together, we will visit places of mystery – where un-melted ice cubes resting on dining tables meet early morning managers of a restaurant, where chandeliers fall from the ceiling, where a spirit appears to hang from the second floor, and more. For additional information and to make a reservation for this special 1912-2012 Centennial tour, please refer to www.redmond.gov/government/historicpreservation or contact the Redmond Historical Society at 425-885-2919. We look forward to meeting you at this unique and family-friendly exploration of Redmond’s ghostly past.

This tour is one of many activities to celebrate Redmond’s Centennial. The Centennial celebration began at Redmond Lights 2011 and will culminate in a special celebration at the end of 2012. Throughout the year, special new events will augment Centennial celebrations incorporated into existing community events —the manner of which to be determined by the committee. Visit the special Centennial website at www.100years.redmond.gov.

The City of RedmondOffice of the Mayor - Communications15670 NE 85th StreetRedmond WA 98073-9710

E C R W S SPostal Customer

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Services Inc.

A publication of the City of Redmond

Events at the Redmond Senior Center

For all community events visit redmond.gov

Fall Prevention Awareness DayFriday, September 21, 10am – 1 pmFree information table in the Lobby

Walkin’ Redmond 5K – Arthritis Day WalkFriday, October 12, 9:30 am – 11 amMeet at RSC Lobby.

World Arthritis DayCo-sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation, Great West RegionFriday, October 12, time to be announcedFree public education event

Afternoon Delight ConcertWednesday, October 17, 2 – 3:30 pmMultipurpose roomSponsored by Madison House

Veteran’s CelebrationFriday, November 9, 1:30-2:30pmMultipurpose room

Thanksgiving LunchWednesday, November 14, 11:30 am - 1 pmMultipurpose roomAdvance tickets required.

8703 160th Avenue NE Info: 425-556-2314

www.RedmondLights.com

WINTER FESTIVALby Night 4-8pm

www.100years.redmond.gov

by Day 12-4pm

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All events take place at the RSC. More details on each event are available in the RSC News.