All Stories - Bellevue Reporter

Eastside’s largest Independence Day celebration returns to Downtown Park

This Independence Day, more than 60,000 people are expected to gather from throughout the region in Bellevue Downtown Park to celebrate the 2008 Symetra Bellevue Family 4th, presented by Washington Square.

Retirement home bus catches fire; no injuries

The U.S. Department of Labor has reached a settlement to recover $660,000 in back wages for 70 employees of Malay Satay Hut restaurants in the Eastside’s Overlake area and in Seattle, for alleged violations of the overtime, minimum wage and recordkeeping requirements under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Body found near Overlake emergency room identified

A smattering of incident reports taken from the Bellevue Police Department.

Strike shuts several downtown Bellevue business projects

Many among the crowd did not hesitate to shout out the familiar line that the sound of galloping evoked. “Hi-yo Silver, away!” The group of nearly 100 people gathered last Friday at the Coast Bellevue Hotel where the Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound organization presented “A Grand Salute to Shows and Stars from the Golden Age of Radio.”

Seattle-area Malay Satay Hut employees to get $660K in back wages

The old man was lying in bed, asleep with mouth open and no teeth. A single light bulb hung over his head. It made John Stilz angry then, and it still motivates him 25 years later. As the East King County Ombudsman for Long-Term Care, Stilz and his team of 15 volunteers advocate and mediate for residents of assisted-living facilities and nursing homes. They currently resolve about 100 issues a year.

Bellevue Police Blotter | July 2

Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill will host a six-course dinner paired with six different Patron Tequila cocktails to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue.

Radio enthusiasts relive medium's Golden Age at Bellevue hotel

Eastside man solves assisted living issues, one at a time

Strawberry Festival rolls through Crossroads Park

Drinking tequila benefits Bellevue Boys & Girls July 15

U.S. lacrosse team stomps Northwest college all-stars

The popularity of lacrosse in the Northwest has led to more and more high school players going on to play in college. That popularity brought Team USA’s U-19 national team to Mercer Island Sunday for a clinic and an exhibition game against the Northwest college All-Stars.

Seafair Marathon’s start leaves 400 runners stranded

The sun was shining, the runners were trained and ready, but due to a organizational snafu, some participants in the Virginia Mason Team Medicine Seafair Marathon were left out of the race.

Bellevue grad plans basketball camp in tribute to fallen UW classmate

Alexa Linger wanted to do more. The Bellevue High grad and UW freshman had been volunteering with the Seattle Union Gospel Mission since November of 2007, and was looking for a way to do something bigger for the Mission, but struggled to figure out what that might be. After tragedy rocked both the Bellevue and University of Washington communities, Linger realized she could wait no longer. When Chase Anderson, an ex-boyfriend and friend of Linger’s from Bellevue High School, was tragically killed April 25 while longboarding on the university’s campus, it changed the way Linger approached life.

Nate Robinson to host Mercer Island basketball camp

New York Knicks guard and former University of Washington star Nate Robinson will host his first-ever “Nate Robinson Basketball Camp” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 29-Aug. 1 at Mercer Island’s Community Center at Mercer View.

Bellevue parks programs begin

Registration is under way for the Bellevue summer parks programs.

All-State softball squad includes 2 from Holy Names

Emily Nordhoff, an Eastside resident and Holy Names Academy graduate, was named to the Class 3A All-State softball team as an infielder. Nordhoff’s teammate Candy Button, a junior, earned honorable mention honors as an outfielder.

Newport little league squad takes tourney

A lot of boxes were packed in a three-day span at Safeco Field last week. With the Mariners sitting dead-last in the majors, the powers-that-be announced General Manager Bill Bavasi had been relieved of his duties early in the week. On Thursday, Seattle canned manager John McLaren, who had led the club to a lackluster 68-84 record since taking over for Mike Hargrove last season.

Mariners clean house, hard part will be replenishing it | Column

When the Bellevue Blue 7/8 lacrosse team traveled to Philadelphia last week, they were able to taste some authentic Philadelphia cuisine in addition to the competition of a large East Coast lacrosse tournament.

Bellevue Blue lacrosse sticks it to East Coast competition

Ages 7-12

Parks lists sports, fitness programs

Kirkland Performance center lines up 2008-09 schedule

Kirkland Performance Center’s 2008-2009 season will include Natalie MacMaster, Taylor 2, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, jazz guitarist Jack Wilkins, the National tour of Broadway’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and more – 42 artists in all.

Out & About in Bellevue | July 2

Calendars are published Wednesdays and Saturdays on a space-available basis. Items for the Wednesday edition must be submitted by noon the previous Thursday. Items for the Saturday edition must be submitted by noon the previous Tuesday.

Out & About in Bellevue | June 28

A listing of arts and entertainment events in and around Bellevue.

Lighting up the sky

Seven students from the Bellevue area have won awards in the Washington State PTA Reflections Cultural Arts program.

Bellevue students win statewide awards

A listing of arts and entertainment events happening in and around Bellevue.

‘Dare alla Luce’

Tillicum Middle School 6th-grader Ezra Tores put down his scissors and held up a red paper dragon he had cut out.

Out & About in Bellevue | June 18

Tickets are now on sale for grandstand stage shows at the Evergreen State Fair. Here’s the lineup:

Chinese paper cutting artist demonstrates folk art

Fourteen Bellevue organizations have received grants from 4Culture for sustained support.

Evergreen State Fair shows announced

14 groups receive arts grants

Real estate giant Sotheby's lands in Bellevue

One of the nation’s biggest names in real estate, Sotheby’s International Realty, has launched a new office in Downtown Bellevue, tapping into the luxury Washington property market on the Eastside.

Safeway opens flagship store in downtown Bellevue

The ushering in of the flagship Safeway store on the corner of Bellevue Way and Northeast Second Street signified both a historical end and a new beginning. As the new store prepared for its grand opening to the public on June 27, the old Safeway located across the street closed its doors after 48 years of business.

Outlook good for Bellevue economy

Strong development activity and moderate job growth will fuel Bellevue’s economy over the next several years. That was the prediction delivered to the City Council Monday by City Budget Manager Jonathan Swift, who said Bellevue’s economic outlook is generally positive, but increased inflation and a slowing of the housing market could dampen growth.

Johnston Architects picked for library work

Johnston Architects has been selected by the King County Library System for the Bellevue Library Parking Expansion Project, which is part of the King County Library System Capital Bond Program.

Kopczynski wins award for building

Bellevue engineering firm Cary Kopczynski & Company has received an award from the Post-Tensioning Institute for work on the Cosmopolitan in Seattle.

Shomma Bohlman named clinic manager

Shonna Bohlman has been promoted to Clinic Manager at Apple Physical Therapy’s Bellevue clinic.

New Mormon president to oversee many south Bellevue congregations

Robert Johnson had heard the words spoken so vividly that he looked up because he thought somebody was in the room. He has heard smaller voices before. They have told him to do something, or go to someone’s house because they were in trouble - but nothing as distinct as the time he was called to be bishop for the Newport Ward of more than 350 people.

Bellevue teenager sheds 'Jewish-style afro' for Locks of Love

Wherever 15-year-old Robby Weltman goes, the bushy brown ball of hair nested on the top of his head has raised eyebrows. While in London with his family last summer, a tour bus pulled up alongside Robby and stopped. Tourists stared. “The tour guide said, ‘If you look to the left, you’ll see an example of London hair,” recalled Robby, an Interlake High School junior. “I’m the example of local flavor - no matter where I go.” Besides evoking curiosity, the curly 12-inch mass that Robby refers to as a “Jewish-style afro” also has been a source of annoyance.

There ought to be a law - or maybe lots of them There ought to be a law - or maybe lots of them

The other day, I thought of a new law that ought to be enacted.

Don’t burn extra electrons on that new TV

Thinking of buying a new television? Well, apparently you are not alone if a new jumbo-tronic video monster is calling your name. According to a consumer survey taken this May, more Americans than ever are thinking of getting a new TV.

Wildlife on display at Bellevue Sympony of Gardens tour | Photo

Among the sights I have yet to see is that of a protester marching in front of the corporate headquarters of Raid, carrying a placard that says, “End the killing of spiders, fleas, houseflies, chiggers, mealworms and cockroaches!” As far as I know, there is no PETA-like group that speaks out in defense of stinkbugs, snout beetles and termites. It’s not only insects that receive a lack of support. Everybody loves a baby bunny; fewer love baby nematodes. Ugly creatures don’t have a lobby. So it’s no surprise that plenty of folks in Texas – especially ranchers – have little regard for buzzards.

A wagging tail beats good looks every time | Pat Cashman

A Fourth of July quiz | John Carlson

How well do you, your family and friends know your country’s history? Take the following quiz and find out. Could make for some interesting conversations during the July 4th holiday weekend.

Airport security blunders not as bad as people fear | From the Editor

If you ever wondered where you may have misplaced say, oh, a Swiss Army knife, I’m here today to tell you how to find it. My revelation came as I sent my carry-on duffle bag through the screening machine at Portland International Airport. Suddenly, the TSA workers were very interested in my bag. Finally, one of them said to follow him over to another counter. Uh-oh.

Bellevue CC president: Teachers weave living fabric of society

To a great extent it is teachers who instill the passion to pursue one’s dreams and the zeal to continue learning which, combined with academics and practical skills, are key to a successful life. I see the profound and enduring impact of teachers every day at Bellevue Community College.

Life lessons from Tim Russert

What makes someone great at what they do? What propels them to the top of the pack? Tim Russert was one of America’s most trusted television journalists before being struck down by a heart attack last week at 58.

Celebrate the Fourth, but please be safe

With Fourth of July just around the corner, it’s time to celebrate.

Words for the grads

It’s graduation season and time for all that advice designed to send students on in life with something to think about.

Seniors should plan for disasters — natural and otherwise

If you’re a longtime local, you may remember the Columbus Day Storm of 1962, otherwise known as “The Big Blow,” or recall what you were doing when that 6.5-magnitude earthquake rocked Puget Sound in 1965. How about the December 2007 floods? Fact is you don’t have to be an old-timer to know the kind of emergencies we face around here. If you’ve weathered just one Northwest winter, chances are you’ve experienced a power outage, flooding, or worse. Then there are those personal disasters – like fires and falls – that can happen anytime of the year.

Maybe youth athletes have better idea what sports are all about

What is it about sports that makes adults go crazy? More often, it seems, kids - the players - have the right idea of what’s right and wrong.

King County Metro burning money on biodiesel

This may surprise you. King County Metro is buying a fuel that is significantly more expensive than diesel, may be worse for the environment, may increase local food prices, may lead to global hunger and potentially cost King County more as a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange. That fuel is canola-based biodiesel.

Bellevue man to Carlson: You're killing me, John

I am afraid my wife is going to cancel our subscription (free, though it is) to the Bellevue Reporter. Every time I read John Carlson’s commentary, my blood pressure shoots up. I’m too old for this kind of stress, John. You have to stop tormenting me.

Cancer survivors: Thanks, Relay supporters

On behalf of my wife, a cancer survivor, and myself who is surviving cancer, I would like to thank everyone who participated in Bellevue’s second annual “American Cancer Society Relay for Life” on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8. We were deeply touched by the respect shown all of us in the purple “Survivor” T-shirts and surprised to see the large amount of young people (teenagers) in attendance.

Blackstrom’s words touched me

I have just read Walter Blackstrom’s opinion, “No Excuses in 2008,” which is in the June 18 edition of The Bellevue Reporter and I want to say “thank you” to Mr. Blackstrom.

Letters Carlson misses boat on cars, mileage

John Carlson seems to have missed the BTU boat when he cites Wired’s “Inconvenient Truths” in “WIRED magazine: going green perhaps not all it’s cracked up to be.” When a used vehicle is traded for a new one, the carbon debt already been amassed. Happened as soon as the new Prius or Hummer or whatever got built.