VUECREST Newsletter September 2019 In This Issue: Back to School Bellevue-Wednesday, September 4th Report Back on the Vuecrest Summer Party Bellwether Artfest Returns September 13-22, It’s FREE! What Did You Do on Your Summer Vacation? My Bellevue Service App Keep Your Contact Information Current Calendar Items: Vuecrest Monthly Board Meeting, Thursday September 5th Vuecrest Book Club, Tuesday, September 10th Save the Date: Vuecrest Annual Meeting, Tuesday, November 19th Back to School Bellevue-Wednesday, September 4th As a parent, I always enjoyed selfishly savoring the last bit of summer when the children returned to school. It gave me just enough warm weather to ease back into the normal structure and routine of the school year. Here are some safety reminders from the Bellevue police as we all return to “business as usual”. Slow down in school zones. The stopping distance of a vehicle traveling 30 mph is nearly twice the stopping distance of a vehicle traveling 20 mph. Pay attention while driving. Washington’s distracted driving law makes it illegal to use a handheld personal electronic device while driving, even when stopped at a traffic sign or signal or stuck in traffic. Fines are moving violations that are reported to insurance companies. Watch for pedestrians when entering a school driveway or turning a corner. Stop for children and other pedestrians getting on and off school buses. It’s unlawful to pass a school bus when the red lights are flashing. Stop behind the crosswalk at intersections to allow room for pedestrians. Pedestrians should use crosswalks and cross with the crossing sign or light. If your kids walk to school, make sure they know the rules of the road and your expectations. The Annual Vuecrest Picnic-Birthday Celebration! What a time! Our little neighborhood of Vuecrest turned 70 this year and we celebrated with a wonderful birthday party! Hope you were there to enjoy the fun as more than 100 of us gathered to enjoy the scrumptious cakes and ice cream from Chillz. The festivities included Jami, the super-charged balloon lady, and oldies music from a terrific trio called Deano’s Motel. There were also party favors and historical information for all who stopped by the welcome table! We also had the Bellevue Police Department and the Fire Department in attendance with two fire trucks giving tours and stickers to the kids. Even the weather was cooperating as morning clouds gave way to sunshine in the afternoon. A big thank you to Mara and David Pitkethly and Melissa Hambleton for all the time, hard work and dedication they put into organizing this event. And with much gratitude, it all came together because of the volunteers who helped with set-up and clean-up. Thanks to all, it was a special day. We’re already looking forward to next year! Bellwether Artfest Returns Sept. 13-22 Bellwether, the reimagined annual arts festival, will bring visual art, music and talks from 40+ artists to downtown Bellevue Sept. 13-22. Artwork and events, all FREE and open to the public, will be at the Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue Connection, City Hall, Doxa Church and Meydenbauer Center Theatre. A public opening celebration will be at BAM on Friday, Sept. 13, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Other highlights include the Soul Selections Showcase at Meydenbauer on Sept. 14, a pop-up art market at BAM on Sept. 14 and 21, and a reception and performance at City Hall on Sept. 21. The theme for Bellwether 2019 is “Taking Root.” As Washington’s largest “minority-majority” city, Bellevue is a place where people from communities all over the world have chosen to take root. But what does it mean to put down roots, to blend and merge cultures, to find oneself? Bellwether 2019 explores this theme through all art forms – from large-scale concerts to intimate talks and culinary events. More information about Bellwether, including a schedule of all events, is available at bellwetherartsweek.org <http://www.bellwetherartsweek.org/>. What Did You Do on Your Summer Vacation? Can you sum it up in two-three short paragraphs? Did you opt for a Bellevue staycation or travel to somewhere exotic? We’d love to hear about the memories you made this summer. So if you’re willing to share your perfect or not-so-perfect vacation experiences, the top two selections will be added to the Vuecrest Newsletter next month. Just forward to rebecca@vonderburg.com <mailto:rebecca@vonderburg.com> before September 20th for consideration. We’re excited to hear about your adventures! My Bellevue City Service App MyBellevue is a mobile app that makes it possible for people to request services and access city news, jobs and social media easily with their smart phones and other portable devices. Here’s a link to get you there… https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/finance/mybellevue <https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/finance/mybellevue> Keep your Vuecrest Contact Information UP TO DATE Please make sure that your contact information, renters information, and/or property management information is always up to date. Your information is not shared or distributed to any third party and is only used for your informational and safety benefit. Here’s how to update your information…Go to www.vuecrest.net <http://www.vuecrest.net/>, on the left click “Update Your Contact Information”, Input your information, and click Submit. CALENDAR ITEMS: Monthly Board Meeting Thursday, September 5th at 7:00P The location will be at Lincoln Square South at WeWork on the fifth floor. The address is 10400 NE 4th Street, Bellevue WA 98004. To get to the location… park in the underground parking garage at Lincoln Square SOUTH. Then, take the elevator to the second floor. Walk South through the Food Hall to the bank of elevators that will take you to floor #5. The floor is locked, so Rebecca von der Burg will meet you at the elevators from 6:50P-7:10P to unlock access to the fifth floor. If you arrive later than 7:10P please call 425.785.7050 for assistance. See you there! The usual monthly Board Meeting is held on the first Thursday of each month, but may be changed for holidays or Director’s schedules. Please check www.vuecrest.net <http://www.vuecrest.net/> for updates and contact directors@vuecrest.net <mailto:directors@vuecrest.net> with your questions. Vuecrest Book Club Tuesday, September 10th at 7:00P Dates are subject to change. Please use the emails below to check dates and reconfirm meeting locations. This month the meeting is planned at 914 Evergreen Drive, Nancy’s house. September 10th: The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates. A personal statement of passionate conviction, this book tells of Gates' journey from a partner working behind the scenes to one of the world's foremost advocates for women, driven by the belief that no one should be excluded, all lives have equal value, and gender equity is the lever that lifts everything. October 7th: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. a shocking psychological thriller of a woman's act of violence against her husband―and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive. Alicia Berenson's life is seemingly perfect. Vuecrest has its own Book Club and all residents are welcome to attend. We meet once a month at 7PM, usually on the first Monday at various members’ homes. It is a very relaxed atmosphere with light refreshments served. Feel free to join us to chat, laugh, nibble and meet new friends. Newcomers are always welcome whether you had a chance to read the book or not! Email Mara Pitkethly dtpit@UW.edu <mailto:dtpit@UW.edu> or Melissa Hambleton mhambleton@comcast.net <mailto:mhambleton@comcast.net> for details.