Somerset Sun March 2023

Somerset Community Association Board of Directors

Directors are elected at our annual general meeting and serve a three-year term. Our President, VP, Secretary and Treasurer are chosen aer election to the Board. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact us at info@somerset98006.org.

Leena Porwal President president@somerset98006.org

Shilpa Reddy Vice President

Allan Yeung Secretary

Marie Vieth Treasurer treasurer@somerset98006.org

Chloe Chen CRC crc@somerset98006.org

Kristen Iversen Membership, Volunteers volunteering@somerset98006.org

Francisco Brito Pride ambassador@somerset98006.org

Tim Zhuo Website webmaster@somerset98006.org

Johannes Grad Communications info@somerset98006.org

Sue Sander Landscaping

Yiyi Guo Events

Charles Bofferding Member at Large

Jeff Hu Social Media

Yiding Zhou Member at Large

Lida Li Member at Large

Calling

Somerset Sun Newsletter Advertising

CONTENT DEADLINES:

May 12, 2023 - Summer issue

August 11, 2023 - Fall issue

November 10, 2023 - Winter issue

We

February 9, 2024 - Spring issue

Sizes and Rates (same for Color or Black & White):

Business Card (3”w x 2”h) $25

Quarter Page (4”w x 5¼”h) $140

Half Page Horizontal (8”w x 5¼“h) $300

Half Page Vertical (4”w x 10½”h) $300

Full Page (8”w x 10½” h) $550

There is a 10% discount for Somerset residents or advertisers who make a 3 issue commitment. Thank you for your interest in advertising in the Somerset Sun. Together, we are neighbors helping neighbors.

Community Improvement Initiatives and More

Dear Somerset Residents,

My name is Leena Porwal, and am honored to serve as the President of the Somerset Community Association this year. I’m writing to introduce myself and share with you some exciting updates and events planned for this year.

SCA President’s Message

Events: We recently partnered with the Somerset Elementary PTSA to host the 2023 Lunar New Year celebration, and have an exciting slate of events planned for the rest of 2023, including a Color Run in May, a July 4th Picnic, a Halloween Trunk-or-Treat, and a Diwali celebration in November. We look forward to getting the community together to celebrate Somerset’s vibrant and diverse cultures.

Here’s a little bit about me: I moved to Somerset in 2017 with my husband, Anant, my son Bobby , and my special-needs daughter, Annika, and I quickly fell in love with Somerset’s beauty and warmth. I’m passionate about giving back to the community — I spent five years as a board member and trustee for the Bellevue Schools Foundation, volunteered for CRY (Child Relief and You) fundraisers for many years, and led various initiatives at TiE Seattle to support women entrepreneurs in technology.

Next, I’d like to thank the outgoing SCA board members, Gary Albert, Diane Fern, Pete Mansfield, and Muriel Mittelstrass, for their commitment to serving the community. I’d also like to thank Charles Bofferding for serving as SCA president last year and for his efforts to re-energize the Somerset community. Lastly, I welcome the new 2023 SCA board members: Chloe Chen, Jeff Hu, Lida Li, Shilpa Reddy, Yiding Zhou and Tim Zhuo.

Somerset is a vibrant and tight-knit community, and I am committed to working closely with all of you to enhance the quality of life in our neighborhood.

This year, the SCA focuses on several initiatives to improve the community. Here are a few that we have planned:

Block Groups: The block group program is key for ensuring emergency preparedness, getting residents to know one another, and building stronger ties within the community. This year, we plan to bootstrap more block groups in divisions that do not have one yet, and engage with existing block groups to run emergency preparedness training and help run social events.

Somerset Welcome Program: This year, we are re-energizing the welcoming committee to make new Somerset residents feel welcomed and connected when they move in. We are developing a new welcome packet containing details about community events, SCA meetings, volunteering and neighborhood involvement opportunities, and Covenant and CRC-related materials. This packet will be distributed to all new Somerset residents.

Collaboration with Neighborhood Organizations: This year, we plan to increase our collaboration with the Somerset Elementary PTSA and involve other neighborhood organizations to run events and engage the community.

These are just a few of the many exciting things we have planned for this year. I invite all of you to get involved and help us positively impact our community. If you have any suggestions, ideas, or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any member of the SCA. I can be reached at president@somerset98006.org.

Lastly, I am leaving with you some thoughts on community and diversity. Jimmy Carter said of America: “We have become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.” The programs we have planned for 2023, like block groups, cultural events, welcoming new neighbors, and working with schools, will enrich and strengthen us to allow us to respect, value, and celebrate our differences but also bring the Somerset community together as one.

Sincerely,

Leena Porwal President, Somerset Community Association

Leena Porwal

City Council Update Council Corner

According to the Chinese Zodiac, last year (the year of the Tiger) was about making big changes. This year is the year of the Rabbit. Rabbits are quick, but gentle creatures, and 2023 will be a year when thoughtful action is rewarded more than huge risks. Aer all the difficulty and tumult of the last few years, 2023 is for cultivating peace and patience! We are meant to take a step back, and (if you can believe it) chill.

The City started off the year with a bang! We passed a $2.2 Billion budget for the next two years. Given Covid-19 and an uncertain economy, we are of course being vigilant. We are prepared to be agile when it comes to making adjustments, and will keep up with our history of prudent fiscal policy and practices. There are several items I believe worthy to report to you, my Somerset neighbors.

One is the Utility Department’s switch to monthly billing and charges for customers who pay with credit cards. This move brings several benefits: it encourages water conservation and makes it easier for customers to manage household budgets. In addition, it lowers credit card processing costs to the City, which will result in lower rates for all ratepayers. The city will begin notifying customers about the changes during the third quarter of this year.

Another issue of significance is the City’s response to State Legislature’s HB 1110 and SB 5190. These

bills are referred to as “missing middle housing bills.” They require cities to authorize middle housing in all residential zones with developments of different types. They also prescribe parking requirements. Cities have taken various positions regarding the bills:

“In Favor,” “Oppose,” and “Other.” The Council is not “In Favor” because there are various concerns about some specific requirements for the City such as minimum zoning, density near major transit, parking and affordability. The City needs to submit our comments and suggestions to the State Legislature. Some Councilmembers believe that land-use decisions rest with the City. We would be in a stronger position to get what is right for Bellevue if we “Oppose.” The Council voted 5 to 2 on “Other.”

Councilmembers and key staff members had a retreat to discuss how they can work together. It was productive and beneficial. We did not solve all the world’s problems, but we did have very good communication and developed steps to continue our communication with the goals of better managing the City with sound and responsive policies, and good and accountable execution for the people we are elected to represent and are accountable to.

Finally, a top priority for me is to bring people together. A divided community is a dysfunctional community. We must learn to communicate with one another. I am working on the City’s Cross-Cultural Center Project to let people of different cultures and backgrounds get to know one another. An example is the “Somerset Pride” project for neighbor to know neighbor, to make each other feel we are welcome, respected, that we belong, and can be proud to call Somerset home. We can do this city-wide. When we all work together, we shall prevail and succeed. Despite the difficulty and tumult of the past several years, we can, perhaps, then take a step back and chill.

Conrad Lee

2023 Real Estate Predictions

The last few years have seen record-setting home appreciation in Somerset. While many sellers are excited about the increase in the value of their home, it has created challenges for some sellers with the increase in property taxes, and housing affordability for buyers.

◆Housing inventory will continue to be low due to a lack of new construction options and some sellers postponing selling because they can’t take their low-rate interest rates with them.

◆Continued buyer demand and low inventory will result in home price appreciation between 6.5% and 8.37%.

◆The total number of home sales could decline up to 15% due to higher interest rates and low inventory.

◆Interest rates will come down mid to late year.

◆Homeowners are looking to diversify their investment strategies by purchasing a second home, an investment property, or helping their children purchase a home.

With over 200 sales in the Somerset community, my expert market knowledge, customized marketing and negotiation skills gives sellers a winning advantage in today’s market.

Let’s discuss your real estate goals in 2023!

Call for Volunteers!

There are a number of ways in which you can step up to support this vibrant community. If you’re a people person, consider becoming an Ambassador for your neighborhood. If you’re a numbers person, consider volunteering on our Financial Review Comittee. And if you’ve a bent for Marketing, we’d love your help! Read on!

Financial Review Committee Help Needed: Our Bylaws call for an annual audit of the previous year’s financial activities to make sure that the corporation’s funds are being spent appropriately and managed wisely.

The Financial Review Committee is responsible for reviewing the financial records of the Somerset Community Association. The committee ensures that the treasurer is following good financial procedures and practices, and that the books and financial records of the SCA are being kept in a well-organized and appropriate manner.

We are looking for volunteers for the 2023 Financial Review Committee to review the financial records of the Somerset Community Association for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2022.

We welcome non-Board members to participate and become familiar with our financial needs and activities. If you are interested in participating in this year’s review, please contact us at treasurer@somerset98006.org

Marketing Help Needed: We rely on advertising to continue publishing the Somerset Sun. If you’d like to help in this effort, consider becoming our new Marketing Chair. We have a healthy slate of regular advertisers, so there wouldn’t be a lot of cold calling involved, and you’d partner with our awesome treasurer. Please reach out to Marie (treasurer@somerset98006.com) if you’d like to learn more. Special thanks to Beverly Edwards for her service to the community in this role.

I’m here to help with your tax, wealth, and estate planning needs

Somerset Community Association 2023 Annual General Meeting

On Wednesday, January 25 2023, the annual general membership meeting was held in a hybrid format, with approximately 30 members attending in person at Forest Ridge’s Ackerly Room, and approximately 25 more joining virtually through Zoom. A quorum was present as proxies representing more than 10% of our 2022 membership were received prior to the meeting.

President Charles Bofferding called the meeting to order, introduced the current board members and gave a welcome address. He also thanked outgoing board members Gary Albert, Diane Fern, Peter Mansfield and Muriel Mittelstrass for their dedicated service.

Vice President Yiyi Guo led the election of new board members Chloe Chen, Jeff Hu, Lida Li, Leena Porwal, Shilpa Reddy, Tim Zhuo and Yiding Zhou. Johannes Grad was re-elected to a three-year term.

Treasurer Marie Vieth gave a review of the 2022 expenses and presented the 2023 proposed budget. Aer answering a number of thoughtful questions from the audience the budget was approved unanimously.

Next, outgoing landscaping chair Gary Albert, Community Events chair Yiyi Guo, CRC chair Diane Fern, Somerset Pride chair Francis Brito and Preparedness

and Block Groups chair Peter Mansfield reported on the activities and developments of the past year.

Guest speaker Michael Ketchum from the Somerset Rec Club gave an update on the reservoir removal and the process for getting a water slide installed.

The final speaker of the evening was Mark Heilman, Neighborhood Outreach Manager for the City of Bellevue.

The SCA Board would like to thank all residents who attended the meeting, whether in person or online. We look forward to connecting with each of you and energizing our community in new ways. Thank you for your continued support of the Somerset Community Association!

The Somerset Community Association Board for 2023. 6 current, 1 re-elected, 7 newly elected

Guest speaker Mark Heilman, Neighborhood Outreach Manager for the City of Bellevue

The 2023 Annual General Meeting was held at Forest Ridge School

Fast & Easy! Incorporate Gratitude and Self-Care into 2023!

The success rate for New Years’ resolutions is very low, due to unrealistic expectations, lack of planning, accountability and tracking for success, or negative attitudes due to past failures. But all is not lost! Spring is a great time to focus on two alternatives to resolutions that can still make 2023 a remarkable year – gratitude and self-care.

The next time you find yourself with a negative attitude, focus on gratitude. Science has shown that the simple act of expressing gratitude has a host of positive benefits, including improving your mood, lowering stress levels, strengthening your immune system and lowering blood pressure.

As you focus your attention on things you are grateful for, it just doesn’t leave any space for negative thoughts, and over time you’ll be able to retrain your brain to focus on the good things in life.

Start by taking a deep breath.Think about someone or something that you're grateful for and just hang in that moment.

We both practice gratitude regularly. One of us faced an ordeal recently, a car break-in, and focused on the few things that were not stolen and how the damage could have been worse. Of course there were grumpy times, but gratitude did help!

Self-Care is another way to make 2023 a remarkable year

What exactly is “Self-Care”? The World Health Organization defines it as taking the steps to take care of your physical and mental well-being. Selfcare can reduce anxiety, depression, stress, frustration, anger and risk of illness. It can increase happiness, energy and concentration.

Self-care is unique for each person. A good start is to focus on basic healthy living. Do you have enjoyable ways to stay active? Do you have positive outlets for stress, nurturing relationships and ways to get rest? Is the food you eat delicious and nutritious, and does it make you feel good? If you are an extrovert, make sure you are getting time with your friend group –this is a way to increase happiness.If you are more of an introvert, make sure you get enough alone time

to reset. Try to do one thing you enjoy each day. Remember, there are no rules other than we all get to decide what it looks like for us to take care of ourselves. If we take good care of ourselves, we are best equipped to take care of others.

Gratitude and Self-Care are simple, easy, positive ways to make 2023 a remarkable year for yourself and your loved ones. If you’d like more help on your road to a healthier 2023, come see us! We are located in Eastgate Park at 14509 SE Newport Way.

You can also call us at 425-452-4240, or visit our website: simply search for “South Bellevue Community Center.” Our website has a link to the registration site, current fitness class schedule, drop-in sports schedules and all the details you need to orient you to the many opportunities we offer the community. Some of our new and exciting offerings include:

FOREST BATHING

Garner all the benefits of an outdoor activity and quiet time with nature on this 90-minute, guided walk in the forest of Eastgate Park. Relax into the beauty of nature while benefiting your physical, emotional, and mental health. Must be mobile on forest paths.

Offered on select Wednesdays 9-10:30am, April 26, May 31, June 21

Bellevue Resident Rate $25

Non-Resident Rate $30

Age 12+

SOUND BATH

Join a Sound Bath session to decrease tension and increase your mood and relaxation. An easy way to meditate! All you need to do is listen to the soothing waves from the instruments.This class does have some medical device restrictions so ask for details.

Offered Friday evenings 6-7pm and Saturday mornings 10:30-11:30am – varied dates April through June

Bellevue Resident Rate - $22.50 per class

Non-Resident Rate $27 per class

Age 13+

Hope to see you soon!

Joan Perugini and Andres Calderon, City of Bellevue’s South Bellevue Community Center Fitness Staff

Water, Water Everywhere…

The landslide in our neighborhood in January 2022, evidently precipitated by a leak in the city drinking water supply raised concerns among community members regarding the health of our water distribution network. Much of Somerset’s drinking water is supplied through piping installed as sections of the neighborhood were constructed. While these pipes are said to be within their rated life expectancy, there remain concerns that shiing earth, over time and particularly on slopes, could potentially destabilize pipes and lead to additional catastrophic events.

A significant additional water main leak occurred in our neighborhood along 133rd Ave SE on New Year’s Day. Water was discovered to be pooling on the street on an otherwise dry day. A repair crew was on site within a few hours to address and correct the problem.

While this latest leak did not lead to any known personal property damage, members of the Somerset Community Association wrote to the Bellevue City Council to request risk assessment. A city-wide risk assessment is in progress. City of Bellevue Neighborhood Outreach Manager Mark Heilman spoke on the subject at the Somerset Community Association Annual Meeting. If you have related questions, he can be reached at MHeilman@bellevuewa.gov.

To find out whether a city drinking water line passes near your home, search for “Maps and GIS City of Bellevue.” You’ll see a “Click to Launch App” button. In the app, select the “Water” layer under “Utilities” and zoom in to your home on the map.

To assess the risk associated with water you see coming out of the ground, Jessica Guthrie, City of Bellevue Utilities Communications Specialist responded to an

Rain, springs, and water leaks. We see it all in Somerset!

inquiry from SCA, saying that if necessary, the Bellevue Utilities department can test to determine if the water is drinking water or groundwater. In general, according to Ms. Guthrie, water coming up consistently in specific areas, as opposed to in an irregular location or at an abnormal rate of flow, is groundwater. However, if there is a concern or wish to safely rule out a leak, residents can contact 425-452-7840 to request a technician to test the water. There must be a sufficient amount of pooled water to collect a sample. In addition, residents concerned about soil stability can hire geotechnical engineers or engineering geologists to assess their particular site situation and give technical advice on how to minimize risks to their property that natural springs may pose.

Pete Mansfield SCA Preparedness

Water main repair on New Year’s Day along 133rd Ave SE

Confessions of a Somerset Housewife Renee Kipp

“It’s a boy!,” I beamed to my father on his last visit to our Somerset home. His reaction was a placid unsurprised smile, a chuckle I was used to from my dad. No, this was not said as blue confetti spilled from a popped balloon. No, this is not my strange way of sharing a new addition to my brood.

As I’ve shared with you previously, I grew up in Nova Scotia. My mom comes to visit regularly, but dad doesn’t make it out as oen. So, I was excited when he told me he’d be joining mom on her visit in September, but I wondered why. Aer spending a couple of days together doing the things you do with visiting relatives in Somerset (namely walking just far enough to catch the amazing view and talking about how amazing the view is), dad said he had something to tell me.

I looked at him with a smirk. Growing up, whenever he “had something to tell me,” it would be something ridiculous like “I was once a star player on the Edmonton Oilers” or “I’ve decided to sell the house and replace it with a single tiny yurt in which we will all live.” So I was braced for his brand of humor.

“Well, Renee, I recently joined Ancestry.com.” I stared back at him, getting slightly interested. Dad

was always hoping he’d find something interesting in his past. Like maybe that his great-greatgreat grandfather had been a Pharaoh in Egypt. There was no Pharaoh, but the truth was just as interesting. “I had a 50% match with someone.”

My eyes widened, and I nodded wisely, struggling to do the genetic calculation. I lacked the Math skill at that moment to figure out what the heck that meant. Did he have a brother? Wait, that isn’t right. “I have a son that I didn’t know about.”

My mouth dropped open and I stared back at him. He continued. I found out that he had unknowingly fathered a child more than 50 years ago when he was working in Goose Bay, Labrador. My brother (my brother!) grew up in the Inuit community in Goose Bay. Dad shared a picture with me of him and his brothers. I picked him out immediately. He looked exactly like my dad.

So I had an Inuit brother and a Métis Cree sister-inlaw, and two new nephews! They lived in Calgary, Alberta, Dad said, and were excited to get to know us.

Dad finished delivering his news and stared at me expectantly.

“It’s a boy!” I shouted with a grin. Later, I was nervous as I tentatively typed my first Facebook message to my new sibling. “So, I hear we have something in common.” I watched as the message sat unread, and I felt a glow of pleasure as I saw it change to read and saw the three dots that indicated his impending thoughts. Right away, it was clear that we felt the same way. I did not expect to feel immediately connected to my sudden sibling.

Spring Landscape Update

As spring arrives, both flowers and people begin to emerge around Somerset. There are great ways to connect with neighbors, like joining the SCA’s Block Groups, and so many ways to beautify the landscape.

During winter, we enjoyed holiday lights by Fleming Lighting. These were maintained from early December through Lunar New Year by Gary Albert, who has been on the SCA board for decades. In his time on the board, Gary has helped manage our Landscape Committee, lighting, fountain, irrigation system and more. As he steps down, we want to extend our gratitude to Gary for his longterm support of the community.

Dawn 'till Dusk Landscapes (dawntilldusklandscapes@gmail.com) will continue to maintain our entrances and other areas, as well as managing the irrigation systems for 2023. They have recently weeded and removed leaves and other debris from the Somerset entrances and areas adjacent to Somerset Elementary School, and have planted tulips and daffodils that will bloom as the weather gets warmer, making it a beautiful spring for us.

The City of Bellevue (COB) continues to maintain the entrance at Somerset Drive and the center medians along Highland Drive. COB is funding a Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP) to the tune of $217,000. This program, the Somerset Area Greenbelts Invasive Vegetation Removal project, will involve the removal of non-native vegetation with a focus on blackberry and ivy, as well as the planting of native trees and shrubs in city-managed greenbelts in Somerset Park, Forest Part/Meadows, Eastgate Park, Westwood Highlands and the Coal Creek Natural Area. The new plantings will be watered and maintained by City Staff until they are established and self-sustaining. If you have any

But there it was, an ease and warmth that usually comes from years of sibling conflicts. We talk all the time now. I have been learning so much about my brother and his family. They are coming to visit me in Bellevue in April. Just in time for spring. Just in time for new beginnings. I am thankful that, at this point in my life, I can still be surprised.

Happy spring, neighbors. Here’s to new beginnings.

questions, please contact the COB Project Manager: Rick Bailey (425-452-6031); RIBailey@bellevuewa.gov.

Spring is the perfect time to trim trees, plant bulbs and plan your garden. Go for native and low-maintenance plants, ones that require less water and fertilizer and are resistant to insects and disease. For aesthetics, try roses, primroses, violets, lilies, and plants with red, purple or black leaves. Fruit and vegetable gardens add value to your yard and provide you with good produce (e.g., bok choy, mizuna, komatsu, lettuce, corn, carrots, raspberries, strawberries, etc. Weed and add bark to all planting areas, and eliminate the use of herbicides (weed killers) and pesticides that kill bees and birds too. If you’d like to cultivate bees instead, to generate income and help your plants thrive, let me know and I’ll put you in touch with some of the beekeepers in the neighborhood!

Lastly, Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd this year! We would like to encourage you all to volunteer at one of the region’s annual Earth Day events, such as the one at the Somerset Recreation Club. The Rec Club also has their Annual clean-up parties in April in preparation for their May Opening-Day Event.

The Somerset Community Association is committed to you and everyone in our community and works to preserve, protect, and enhance our environment. I hope all of you and your families have a wonderful 2023!

If you have any questions, please contact me at suesander1@gmail.com. Enjoy the Spring and remember to always be green! Thank you!

Sue Sander Landscape Chair

Somerset Ambassadors

The remodeling of the Somerset Pride Committee is well under way. Please note that the Somerset Map has been divided into eight Ambassador Groups, A – H. We currently have 3 Ambassadors in Group A, 1 Ambassador in Group B, 1 Ambassador in Group C, 1 Ambassador in Group E, and 1 Ambassador in Group F, for a total of 7 Ambassadors. We need Ambassadors for Groups D, G and H. To keep things focused, the remodeled Committee is being named Somerset Ambassadors.

The Ambassadors held our first committee meeting in mid-February. Takeaways from this meeting:

● The value of Ambassadors being knowledgeable on the covenants of the divisions in their Group, the SCA guidelines and the SCA bylaws.

● By focusing on their Group’s division covenants, Ambassadors can discuss the commonalities and differences between the various covenants.

● The value of a grass-roots Ambassador committee that reaches out to SCA members; the Ambassadors would help the homeowners get more comfortable with their division bylaws and guidelines for better protection of the look, feel and views of Somerset.

● The importance of informed homeowners to be a neighbor-helpingneighbor community. Our Association was incorporated in 1964. Today Somerset is a vibrant, diverse community. Due to the value of our homes and their age, we can expect significant remodeling and maintenance issues.

The next Ambassador committee meeting in March will be a “kick-off,” to which the SCA President and representatives of the CRC and Preparedness committees will be invited.

Finally, we need Ambassadors for Groups D, G and H; and more than one Ambassador in a Group are welcome.

Francis Brito Somerset Ambassadors Chair

Somerset Rec Club Summer Membership Is Open For All!

2023 Membership Pricing:

Family membership: $725

Adult couple membership: $415

Adult single (18+) membership: $270

Jr. membership (ages 14-18 + swim team): $210

Please see the rules of membership on our website.

Everyone is welcome to join the SRC. You do not have to live in Somerset to join, so please refer friends who live in neighboring communities. Sign up today!

SRC offers members a 4-lane outdoor heated swimming pool, summer swim team, summer swim lessons, toddler/wader pool, summer tennis lessons, and a newly surfaced pickleball, tennis and basketball court. We also enjoy fun social events for the whole family including pizza/bingo nights, movie nights, and more! Three poolside decks and multiple grills are available for members to enjoy spontaneously (subject to availability) or to reserve for events while enjoying the amazing views.

Please follow us on www.facebook.com/somersetrecclub to keep updated on SRC news!

Aquatics Update:

Kids of all ages can find the right program and have fun at SRC this summer. We offer competitive swim and pre-swim teams, and group lessons as well. Registration for our teams will likely open up in mid-March; exact date tbd. Follow the SRC Facebook page for updates. Learn more about these programs at www.somersetrec.org.

Summer Swim Team - Ages 7-18

The Somerset Stingrays, our summer swim team, looks forward to another competitive, yet fun, season. The team is committed to providing a wellrounded experience balancing community, sportsmanship, and overall enjoyment with high quality instruction, individual skill development, and a competitive team-oriented environment. If you’re new to the team, a coach assessment is required. Evaluations will be early March and a sign-up for evaluations will be posted on our website and Facebook and emailed to prospective families. Meet dates, practice times and more will also be posted on the Rec Club web site.

Sharkies Pre-Swim Team - Ages 5-7

If you have kids ages 5-7 who aren't quite ready for the Stingrays, but who would like to develop their aquatic skills and have some fun at the Rec Club this summer, check out our Sharkies Program!

Questions about our summer swim teams? Please contact our Swim Team Coordinators, Shannon Gregory-Lowe and Daryl Gazzard: SRCswimteam@gmail.com

Summer Group Swim Lessons

SRC offers group summer swim lessons. These are ideal for children ages 5-12. Group lessons are on weekdays for 30 minutes. Each session runs for two weeks. Kids are grouped according to ability. The SRC ratio of coach to student is very low for new swimmers and goes up slightly as kids become water safe. For more information check out somersetrec.org, and follow us on Facebook for updates.

2023 Season Facility Improvement

The board continues to improve SRC for our members and community at large! Many of these improvements are thanks to PSE and the City of Bellevue’s Somerset Reservoir Decommissioning Project. Here’s a quick review of the updates we’ve made since last summer:

• Entire hill relandscaped (previously members would stare at a large gray cement wall). We are hopeful that in the future we will be able to add additional decking on this hill for even more opportunities for members to take in the incredible panoramic vistas of Lake Washington!

• The trees on the property have been thinned out to open up the view from the pool deck

• The main pool and toddler pool both have new coping, or edges, and surface tiles

• We’ve installed new, gorgeous stone stairs and railing leading to the tennis and pickleball courts

• There’s new asphalt on the upper and lower parking lots

• We’ve installed new chain link fencing around the tennis and pickleball courts

• We’ve updated the landscaping throughout the property

And there are still a handful of projects that need to be completed before opening day, including adding new fencing around the pool area and potentially refreshing the gazebo. One item that is still on the list but will not be completed in time for the summer 2023 season is the

slide. Michael Ketchum, our club president, continues the charge on the replacement of the old slide and while it feels closer, it will not happen for our 2023 summer season due to another round of setbacks. This has been an ongoing challenge with engineering and City of Bellevue requirements, but we remain optimistic that we will have a new slide in place by next year. We will update membership on approvals and installation as more information is available.

Join us this year and make SRC your summer home! We’d love to have you!

Questions? Please email somersetrecclub@gmail.com.

My Vision as the New CRC Chair Covenant Corner

Hi Somerset neighbors,

I am pleased to introduce myself as the new Covenants Review Committee (CRC) Chair. I want to thank outgoing Chair Diane Fern for her hard work. Diane served for six years, and extended her term on the CRC for an additional year to help with my transition.

I am eager to begin the year with a clear vision for improving the CRC process for handling complaints and reviewing projects within our community. My goal is to promote Covenant awareness, improve transparency and communication, and reduce case resolution times.

Promoting Covenant Awareness: One of the most important aspects of my role as chair is to educate community members about the covenants that govern our neighborhood. I want to ensure that all residents are aware of the CRC’s approval process for remodeling projects in most divisions and the guidelines for maintaining vegetation. I plan to work with the CRC to mail informational postcards to every home with information about our Covenants, and distribute informational brochures to new residents in the neighborhood as part of their Welcome Packet.

Increasing Transparency and Communication:

Another critical aspect of my vision is to make the approval process as transparent as possible for the applicant. This includes regular updates to the homeowner on the status of their project and timely responses to their questions and concerns. I also plan to provide regular updates of aggregated approvals in each Somerset Division in my newsletter articles.

Regarding neighbor complaints, the CRC plans to diligently reach out to all involved parties and collect inputs before a decision is issued.

Reducing Case Resolution Times:

I am committed to reducing the response time for all CRC cases. This means streamlining the review process, reducing bottlenecks and delays, and ensuring that the CRC runs efficiently and effectively. To achieve this, I plan to work with the CRC to review our processes, identify areas for improvement and make the necessary changes.

Finally, the CRC is here to serve as a supportive resource for members of the Somerset Community Association, and we are here to help community members achieve their goals within the bounds of the covenants. We believe it is vital to balance supporting growth and development with protecting the neighborhood’s look, feel and views.

Chloe Chen

Somerset Community Association, PO Box 40531, Bellevue, WA 98015

In case you’ve forgotten...

Please pay your 2023 Somerset Community Association membership dues!

The nominal annual fee of $75 provides the benefits that make Somerset the wonderful community in which we live. Your dues pay for the maintenance and upkeep of the entrance island on Newport Way as well as the various areas of landscaping throughout the neighborhood. They also help to support the quarterly publication of the Somerset Sun and our website. Your membership is critical as we continue our efforts to build Emergency Preparedness programs within our neighborhood, and our Covenant Review Committee works tirelessly to support the adherence of all Somerset residents to our established community Covenants that protect our property values.

You may pay online (without additional fee) by using the QR Code or going to our website Somerset98006.org, or mail your check (made out to Somerset Community Association or SCA) with the invoice below to:

Somerset Community Association

P.O. Box 40531

Bellevue, WA 98015

Please note your Property ID Number on your check if you know it.

Thank you for your support of the Somerset Community Association!

Name Telephone No.

Email Address (for SCA use only)

Somerset Community Association 2022 Dues

$ 75.00

I want to provide an additional donation to support community projects Including landscaping, neighborhood events, and improvements. $ _______

TOTAL enclosed $ _______

On Sunday January 29, 2023 over 250 neighbors gathered at Somerset Elementary to take part in a Lunar New Year celebration put on by the Somerset Community Association. Lunar New Year is the holiday celebrated by the most people on the planet and was a welcome community celebration.

Incoming Somerset Community Association president Leena Porwal was MC for the aernoon. Aer greetings from Yiyi Guo (Somerset Community Association) and Eileena Khattar (Somerset PTSA) students from Somerset Elementary performed a Masskara dance. The International Lion Dance Team performed an amazing lion dance and dragon dance. Children enjoyed feeding the dragons with red envelopes for good luck and prosperity. Aer that, students and teachers from the Seattle Shaolin Kung Fu Academy performed martial arts. The aernoon was rounded out by traditional Chinese dance and fashion.

The Somerset Community Association and Somerset Elementary PTSA would like to thank all of

the performers, students and volunteers who helped make this event possible, as well as everyone who attended.

If you would like to be involved in next year’s Lunar New Year celebration, or have ideas for other community events, please contact us at volunteering@somerset98006.org

See more great pictures on the back cover!

The Somerset Community Association and Somerset Elementary School PTSA partnered for this year’s Lunar New Year celebration.

Year of the Rabbit!

Lunar New Year celebration put on by the Somerset Community Association at Somerset Elementary.

See page 19 inside.