Newport Hills Community Club

19 responses so far ↓

• 1 Robin Bentley // Feb 11, 2012 at 7:43 PM

  Hi Lynne,
  So glad to hear you enjoyed the garage sale! I’d love to do it again this year–and perhaps we could have a section here on the website for garage sale items/announcements? Like a “hyper-local” Craigslist!

• 2 Lynne Commins // Feb 9, 2012 at 6:49 AM

  Hello,
  Do you have plans yet to coordinate the community garage sale like last year. It was a huge succcess for us and would love to do it again. Thanks.

• 3 Lisa Viereck // Oct 9, 2011 at 9:34 AM

  Hawiian Luau Recap ~ Mahalo nui loa Neighbors, COB Parks Dept. & COB Neighborhood Outreach, COB Cultural Dept., NHSTC, Newport Hills Community Church, Conerstone Dance Studio & Merchants.

  Mahalo nui loa for supporting and participating in the Newport Hills Inaugural Luau and community block builder! The Luau event was a successful community block builder w/ ~350 in attendance which conveyed a very positive message to the neighborhood at large ~ Community members all working together to build better and safer neighborhoods here in Bellevue!
  The Hawaiian Luau/Block builder was yet another great Newport Hills event where community support, partnerships, neighbors, the COB, friends all gathered to connect. The healthy attendance clearly supports these events and block builders in Newport Hills~ what an important message to deliver in Newport Hills and beyond! HUGE thanks to the partners and volunteers who helped made this event an success: Eric Bartleson/NHSTC, Pastor Paul/Bruce Young & Crew of the Newport Hills Community Church &Michelle Hilhorst & Xu Li of the NHCC

  A very special thanks to Robert Parish of the NHCC and Brian Krause of the COB Parks Dept. for their kind and neighborly polling for the new community park ~ Neighbors are definitely interested in learning more about the new community park in Newport Hills and sharing ideas. I was surprised to hear how many folks did *not* know the Tyler property is a community park. Take the survey on line via the link provided on this website. Thank you Robert & Brian for sharing your expertise and time!!

  The map provided by Ying in COB neighborhood outreach was a nice piece appreciated by participating neighbors. Thanks to Xu Li of the NHCC, people were able to use push-pins on the large neighborhood map of Newport Hills so we could count the number of residence in attendance as well as those living in neighboring communities. Many people enjoyed the interaction with the Newport Hills map. Thank you Ying/COB!

  The Friendly Island Floor Show cultural performance was a HUGE hit for the neighborhood. Our local performance group from Cornerstone Dance Company was inspired by the Hawaiian cultural theme and provided a live performance as well. The neighborhood performance group enjoyed having their picture taken w/ the partners of the Luau event. We will post some photos w/ the local Cornerstone Dance Company, Newport Hills Community Club, NHSTC, Newport Hills Community Church and BPD

  With the Newport Hills Swim and Tennis Club being the most frequented venue in Newport Hills we were able to provide a familiar gathering place for the neighborhood. Eric and I have would like to move forward with the 2012 Luau/Block Builder event in Newport Hills next summer and look forward to everyone’s return. The 2011 inaugural Luau/Block Builder event represents the second largest community builder in Newport Hills this year (~1,000 attended the 10th Annual July 4th Picnic/Parade). We expect the 2012 Luau/Block builder to be larger and better now that we have introduced the event to the community.

  The Bellevue Fire dept. was a SPLASH with their spectacular water shower over the pool ~ the kids had a blast in the pool and wished it lasted longer!

  Thanks to BPD (Ofc. Hanaumi & Ofc. Dill) and the BFD crew for helping protect our Bellevue neighborhoods and for being such important members of our community here in Newport Hills!

  Kudos to Eric & Staff of Newport Hills Swim and Tennis Club, Newport Hills Community Church volunteers, Newport Hills Community Club volunteers, Local businesses owners, Trish Carpenter of Bellevue Life Spring and the City of Bellevue for supporting this inaugural Luau community block building event.

  A hui hou,

  Lisa Viereck
  NHCC President

• 4 Kurt Springman // Oct 6, 2011 at 9:05 PM

  Hello
  I’m Kurt Springman, the mystery man from the blog posting above…
  I am a recent resident of Newport Hills, moving to 125th Ave SE in May, from Newport Shores. Our family is very excited to live in Newport Hills. We have a number of friends in the neighborhood, and our children enjoy the pool. My daughter Sami has participated on the diving team for the past two years, and is looking forward to competing on the swim team this spring. I am a Bellevue native, and my wife Cathy and I have two daughters, Chelsea and Sami, who attend Newport High School and Tillicum Middle School, respectively.
  Cathy and I have been very involved with the community. In the 1990’s, I organized a South Bellevue Neighborhood Association and was successful in getting Lakemont Blvd built, as well as many safety and traffic improvements in the area. During the 90’s I was very involved in the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, and Cathy was active with the Newport Heights YMCA Pre-school, which both of our children attended. We both coached Newport and Boys & Girls Club soccer teams for 10 years, and Cathy has been a Girl Scout leader for the past 8 years.
  I was elected to the Bellevue City Council in 1996, and served thru 2000. During my term on the council I was very involved with the City Budget and taxes, eliminating property tax increases for over 6 years. Other topics the Council dealt with in those years were Group Home zoning, Bell/Red traffic, Downtown Park, Lewis Creek Park, various master plan updates and neighborhood zoning changes, and partner programs with the School District.
  Our children attended the Spanish Immersion program at Puesta del Sol, and Cathy was the PTA chair for two years, leading the transition from a mixed program school to 100% Spanish Immersion program and doubling capacity. She also helped save the district-wide bus program, and chaired a number of fundraising campaigns.
  In 2003 we moved to Newport Shores, where we were involved with the Homeowners Association, chaired the 4th of July event, various holiday events and the swim team. I was the swim meet announcer for the past 4 seasons, and served on the Association’s Board of Directors.
  I was recently asked by the NHCC Board to discuss the Candidates Forum, and help with planning the format and questions. I’ve also been invited to run for the VP position on the board. I would be honored to serve, but I would also understand if the neighborhood members felt I need more “seasoning” before joining the board. The great thing about democracy is that the members get to choose.
  Regarding the Candidates Forum – I am never one to turn down help. If anyone would like to help with the planning and production of the candidate forum on Tuesday, please call or email me. I’d like nothing more than to have a dozen neighbors brainstorm on the issues and questions for the candidates. It will make for a fantastic event.
  Thanks
  Kurt Springman

• 5 Heidi Dean // Oct 4, 2011 at 8:49 PM

  I’ll come right out and say it… I have absolutely no desire to help with the candidates forum anymore. I don’t know anyone who is active with the club who does want to help with it. I’ve been completely turned off by how the arrangements for the forum have been handled. I’m not sure how you (Lisa) are expecting “positive energy” from people when you refused to answer questions about the planning of the forum at the last general membership meeting and have used Michelle Hilhorst and Patti Mann as an excuse to create an event that caters to the greater city of Bellevue versus the Newport Hills neighborhood. “High profile”? That would be Michelle’s and Patti’s opponents, John Chelminiak and Claudia Balducci. They are the candidates with the greater name recognition in the community. Most people in NH haven’t even heard of Michelle or Patti unless they’ve attended a club meeting or read the quarterly newsletter (and it’s not like either one of them have received so much coverage in the newsletter that their names would really stick with people). NH residents are more likely to be able to pick John Chelminiak and Claudia Balducci out of a lineup than Michelle or Patti, yet somehow these two women are going to draw such a huge crowd to the forum that it had to be moved outside of Newport Hills? I don’t think so.

  What “misinformation” has been posted about NH neighbors? Are you speaking about the questions surrounding Kurt Springman? You’ve never answered them. Why is that? I came late to September’s general membership meeting and you’d already bypassed that particular line item, but I was told by several people who were there that you glossed over that and never talked about this mystery addition to a not-yet-decided executive board. Unfortunately, nobody pressed the issue at the meeting and I didn’t notice that tidbit until several days later. I’ve asked you privately for clarification and you’ve refused to answer. Nobody’s posting “negative unfounded information about public servants” because 1. neither you (Lisa) nor Kurt are “public servants” (NHCC is a volunteer neighborhood organization… it’s not like you are on the city council or a member of Congress) and 2. people are asking questions because you have refused to be forthright about the nature of Kurt’s involvement with the club. Nobody is upset with Kurt, as he seems to be the innocent party in all of this. You, on the other hand, have some explaining to do and as president of the NHCC you have a responsibility to the residents of Newport Hills to answer the questions put to you.

  What “credibility” does this blog have? Who are we trying to impress? Are you worried that people at City Hall will see this and our standing as Bellevue’s “golden child” neighborhood will be ruined? Who cares! People have tried to address their concerns and issues with you in private, Lisa, and you’ve refused to talk or danced around the issues. You’ve FORCED people to go public and the blog is the only means of getting you to respond. DO NOT delete these entries as you have in the past when I posted the truth about Bruce sending me a bullying email on behalf of the executive board this summer (I’ll be bringing a copy of that with me to the meeting on 10/18 for anyone interested). This blog was created for the residents of Newport Hills as a means of discussion and sometimes discussions are not always “rah rah, we’re so awesome!”. You, Lisa, do not get to tightly control the content of this blog and delete anything that you feel casts you in a bad light, especially when your actions are directly responsible for the negativity that you are desperate to keep off the blog. I think you have lost sight of the fact that this is a *community club* and not the “Lisa Viereck show”.

  For those reading this, I encourage you to come to the 10/18 meeting to cast your vote and get involved in the club. If you know someone who would make a great NHCC VP nominations can be made from the floor on the night of the election. Anyone who wants to contact me privately may email me at technogeekswife@yahoo.com.

  Thank you,

  Heidi Dean
  10+ year Newport Hills resident
  Area 9 trustee & active (and concerned) NHCC member

• 6 Lisa Viereck // Oct 4, 2011 at 6:41 PM

  The NHCC needs and welcomes volunteers to help out with the candidate’s forum. I encourage people to get involved with positive energy and help out instead of posting misinformation on the NHCC blog about their neighbors. Posting negative unfounded information about public servants can very damaging to their reputations as well as the credibility of the NHCC blog. Thank you, Lisa Viereck NHCC President

• 7 Marlo // Oct 3, 2011 at 11:58 AM

  @post #11, The questions and comments you’ve raised are quite concerning. Considering the fact, You are one of the most active volunteer within NHCC. It appears, the power-to-be (current) did not think your inputs for this election forum are of positive value. One of the nice thing about this NHCC leadership is that it’s temporary. Wait a few more months and you will have a different head/brain to deal with. I hope that will bring some comforts in knowing.

• 8 Sandi Tampa // Oct 2, 2011 at 11:30 AM

  I feel the same about the forum not being in Newport Hills (I always loved that the club brought the candidates to the people). I spoke with Lisa and she said there was no other space available. There must be an event at the community church that night.

• 9 Heidi Dean // Oct 1, 2011 at 7:07 PM

  On behalf of myself and other NH residents who’ve been asking I am going to pose these questions and hope they will be answered:

  1. Why was our candidates forum moved across town instead of being hosted at the NH Community Church as it has always been? The church can hold just as many people as the Lexus of Bellevue site and more NH residents will attend when the forum is hosted within our own community. The idea behind the forum has always been to bring the candidates to NH so residents could meet them, not for the Newport Hills Community Club to put on a show for the rest of Bellevue while our own residents stay home.

  2. Who is Kurt Springman and why is he allowed to be involved in putting together the forum while long-time, active community club members are being kept in the dark about the whole thing? I asked to help with formulating questions for the candidates but have not received an answer, yet apparently this man is heavily involved in that. Who is he?? Nobody who comes to club meetings knows who he is so apparently he’s never even attended a meeting. Dumping the layout of the candidates forum section in the newsletter addendum on me at the last minute is not what I consider valuing my help, especially when I can’t get any straight answers to the questions I’m posing here.

  3. Who is Kurt Springman and why was he listed on the last general membership meeting’s agenda as being part of the 2012 executive board when the 2012 board elections will not even take place until October 18th? Is there something we should all know? The bylaws state that officers will be elected *by ballot* at the last general membership meeting of the year, at which time nominations will be presented by the chair of the Nominating Committee and nominations will also be accepted from the floor with the permission of the candidate. What office has Kurt filled for him to be listed as part of a “full” 2012 executive board?

  I tried asking these questions privately (Lisa) but the response I received sidestepped answering them. I would like some answers. Thank you.

• 10 Heidi Dean // Sep 30, 2011 at 12:09 AM

  One other question about the candidates forum: will it be following the same format as years past? Will attendees be able to submit questions to the moderator or will there be a time for attendees to ask questions themselves? Is there a committee putting together questions? If so, I would like to be part of that committee. Who do I contact about that?

• 11 Heidi Dean // Sep 30, 2011 at 12:04 AM

  Hi Lisa:

  Question about the candidates forum: why all the way across town at Lexus of Bellevue? The NH Community Church has always been an ideal location for this community event and Pastor Paul has always graciously accommodated it. I am concerned that some of our older residents who would normally attend at the church will not make it across town. Actually, I’m concerned that people of all ages who would be motivated to come to an event held in the neighborhood will not drive across town to attend the event. It seems like in the past the whole idea of having a NH sponsored candidates forum was to bring the candidates here to Newport Hills, not for us to sponsor an event somewhere else in the city where many of our own residents will not (be able to) attend. Is this location set in stone? Any chance of changing it? If not, why? I guess I’m not understanding the motivation behind the choice of venue.

• 12 Lisa Viereck // Sep 29, 2011 at 9:43 PM

  Hi Judy & Heidi & Sandi,

  The NHCC is mailing out a follow up addendum to our previously mailed NHCC Fall Newsletter. This will be mailed out early next week and will include important information such as the October 11th Candidate’s forum (6-9 @ Lexus of Bellevue), volunteer recognition, the upcoming NHCC elections in September/October and neighborhood stats. the NHCC would be happy to help NHS students promote their holiday fund raiser. Go Newport HS! Please email the information to lisav@windermere.com or call me direct @ 206-852-2289.
  The NHCC is here to serve the neighborhood and help promote community events! Sounds like a great fundraiser… I know where my family will be buying Poinsettia’s and Wreath’s this year!

  All the best!

• 13 Heidi Dean // Sep 28, 2011 at 9:00 AM

  Hi Judy:

  I was at the meeting on 9/20 when the next quarterly newsletter was discussed. I don’t think the next newsletter will be out in time for your fundraiser. However, you can make a posting on the Newport Hills Community Club’s Facebook page to advertise. Also, if you want a blurb on the club’s blog you can submit the information to webmaster@newporthillscommunityclub.org and someone will hopefully post it for you. Best wishes for a succesful fundraiser!

• 14 Judy Carr // Sep 27, 2011 at 2:06 PM

  Hey Sandi, Can we get something up on the website and/or in the next newsletter if the timing is right on our fund raiser for Newport HS. We are selling Poinsettia’s and Wreath’s fro Squak Mountain. Orders have to be in by Nov 5th and deliveries will be Nov 28th. Let me know

• 15 Sandi Tampa // Sep 27, 2011 at 9:04 AM

  Will there be a Newport Hills hosted candidate forum this year?

• 16 Lisa Viereck // Jul 16, 2011 at 9:06 AM

  Hi Nancy,
  Thanks to the donations from our membership and newsletter advertisers, the NHCC can afford to mail/provide additional NHCC newsletters to Newport Hills residents. We hope the 247 condominium cowners enjoyed receiving their NHCC summer newsletter in June. The next (quarterly edition) NHCC newsletter will be mailed/delivered to Newport Hills residents in late August/early September.

• 17 Nancy Reilly // Mar 12, 2011 at 8:37 AM

  Does the club include the large community of Newport Hills Condo owners in their mailings?
  This community, right in the heart of Newport Hills, has 247 owners and about 70% are residents.

• 18 Grace Whiteaker // Aug 15, 2010 at 12:04 PM

  Hi Claire,
  All the details on the proposed NH Community fair will be posted when the location has been secured. At the moment I don’t think there is a lock on the Stod’s space.

• 19 Claire // Aug 14, 2010 at 7:02 PM

  Are you going to publish the neighborhood fair on Sept 25th at Stods? I just found out about this tonight from attending a neighborhood party.

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