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SPORTS | Redmond High’s Milloy shines in fastpitch victory [10] CRIME ALERT | Redmond Police Blotter [3] COMMUNITY| Comcast Cares Day saddles up at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center in Redmond. [12]
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015
A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
Lake Washington teachers will walk out May 6 over state funding ANDY NYSTROM anystrom@redmond-reporter.com
Classes will be canceled on May 6 for Lake Washington School District (LWSD) students as teachers will participate in a walkout due to a Lake Washington Education Association (LWEA) strike
against the Legislature to protest the lack of state education funding. The LWEA, the organization of professionals and union that represents district teachers, voted to join in a statewide action over funding for smaller K-12 class sizes and professional
pay and benefits for educators, according to LWEA President Kevin Teeley and LWSD Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce. LWEA is the 11th teachers union to call a one-day strike to protest the state’s failure to fully fund K-12 public education, Tee-
ley said in a press release. Pierce added, in a letter sent to all LWSD families, that at least 15 other local teachers associations in the Puget Sound area have authorized votes by their full membership this week. “It is important for families to know that this LWEA
action is not directed at the Lake Washington School District or the Lake Washington communities. We share the LWEA’s concern that the Legislature should fully fund basic education,” Pierce wrote. “LWEA worked closely with the district to schedule this
action on a day that would minimize disruption for students and parents to the greatest extent possible.” Previously scheduled Advanced Placement tests and interscholastic competitions will still take place on May 6. [ more WALKOUT page 2 ]
South African ambassador speaks of inclusiveness during local speech SAMANTHA PAK spak@redmond-reporter.com
Rev. Larry Grounds, senior pastor at Redmond Presbyterian Church, stands in front of the church, located on Education Hill. The church is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a number of events in April and May. SAMANTHA PAK, Redmond Reporter
Church marks 50 years in town SAMANTHA PAK spak@redmond-reporter.com
Last Sunday, Redmond Presbyterian Church (RPC) welcomed back past church members as well as three of its former pastors in a special celebration event. The event was in honor of the church’s 50th anniversary and RPC has been and will be holding special
events throughout the months of April and May. RPC first opened its doors in April 1965, when the City of Redmond’s population was only about 5,000. The church’s current senior pastor, Rev. Larry Grounds, said things are a lot different nowadays. He said Redmond’s population is now about 55,000, with that number doubling during the day as workers make [ more CHURCH page 5 ]
At the Muslim Association of Puget Sound (MAPS) in Redmond, community leaders make it a point to bring in speakers of diverse perspectives, cultures and faiths. MAPS founder Hyder Ali said this is so people can learn from the speakers. The latest speaker event MAPS hosted was April 24 and featured Ebrahim Rasool, a South African ambassador who is also the founder of the World for All Foundation, an organization whose goal is to create a world that is inclusive, integrated and accepting of difference. Ali said another reason they brought him in is because Rasool is an antiapartheid activist and since
race is currently such a big conversation in the United States — from the shootings of unarmed black men such as Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Walter Scott, to the unrest and protests their deaths have sparked throughout the country — it was relevant to have Rasool come speak. Ali said South Africa had a long-running race conflict with apartheid — a system of racial segregation spanning 1948-94, enforced through legislation by the country’s National Party — but they have now moved past this. “(Rasool) was at the forefront of South Africa’s peaceful transition from apartheid to a modern, multicultural state,” Ali said. [ more RASOOL page 6 ]
City set to unveil ‘Recipe for Love II’ tomorrow afternoon SAMANTHA PAK spak@redmond-reporter.com
Spring is here and to welcome in the new season, the City of Redmond will be presenting “Recipe for Love II” in partnership with Lucia Neare’s Theatrical Wonders. The all-ages, interactive performance will be at 3 p.m. tomorrow at Redmond City Hall, on the Great Lawn. Lucia Neare’s Theatrical Wonders is the theater company of Lucia Neare, the
city’s 2015 artist in residence. Prior to her residency, Neare presented a number of live theatrical performances in Redmond, including “Professor Pomme’s Pomp and Pastry Paradoxicals” in 2012 and the first “Recipe for Love” performance last year. “She’s good at what she does,” said Joshua Heim, arts administrator for the city. He said this was one of the reasons they brought Neare back to Redmond. Heim said in addition to creating great performances and art, Neare is able to engage
the community in her productions — a rare combination. During previous Neare productions, Heim said the city has closed down roads as the performances would take place throughout the downtown. Tomorrow’s performance, however, will be contained on the City Hall campus. Heim added that while “Recipe for Love II” shares its name with last year’s performance, tomorrow’s production [ more RECIPE page 5 ]
The Giant Egg Parade rolls onto the scene at last year’s “Recipe for Love” event. Reporter file photo