Puget Sound Journal Honors EvergreenHealth CEO Ettore Palazzo

 

EvergreenHealth CEO Dr. Ettore Palazzo on right/ credit Anthony Bolante, PSBJ

Last night, Puget Sound Business Journal (PSB) hosted a private Power 100 reception to honor the Puget Sound's most influential people who are making news, getting things done behind the scenes, or using their wealth and power for the betterment of their communities. These honorees, including Dr. Palazzo, were brought together for a celebratory evening to applaud their accomplishments and connect with other impactful businesspeople in the region.

Thank you to our sponsors for helping us recognize incredible leaders:
• Founding Sponsor: Bank of America
• Presenting Sponsor: Arnold & Porter
• Platinum Sponsor: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
• Signature Sponsor: Alaska Airlines
• Cocktail Sponsor: Washington State University
• Bronze Sponsors: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound & Laird Norton Wetherby

-- December, 2025

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

 Pam's creation.  Merry Christmas from the Yoder's!

Pam, Zoey, Bob;  Redmond Town Center, 12/3/2023

Redmond Historical Society Newsletter, Quarterly Edition

 

 Board Member Volunteers --BIOS

REDMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER  

Quarter 1, Vol 28, No 1

Highlights:

President’s Notebook: "Fire! Fire! Fire! History and Evolution of the Redmond Fire Department” by John Oftebro

Society Honors Legacy of Chinese Americans in Redmond

"Mom Phones Doctor Way" by Tom Hansen, Lifetime Member

"Redmond Historical Society Ice Cream Social & Membership Meeting"

January 10, 2 PM Happy Valley Range

by V.P. Laura Lee Bennett

Willomoor Farm: Clise Period, 1908-1915

 by Tom Hitzroth

Pagliacci Pizza Opens New Redmond Store

 

SEATTLE – December 15, 2025 – Pagliacci Pizza has opened a new pizzeria in Old Town

Redmond, bringing new life to a familiar corner near the light rail station. The company’s

ninth Eastside location provides neighborhood residents with an inviting place for slices

and whole pies, easy takeout, and expanded delivery in Redmond and nearby

communities.

Pagliacci has transformed the former gas station at 16311 Redmond Way into a warm,

light-filled neighborhood pizzeria that preserves the original post-and-beam structure

and distinctive roofline. The design takes cues from the Pacific Northwest and

Redmond’s historic core, with white brick, striped wood cladding, and large windows

looking into the dining room and open kitchen. New landscaping, street trees, and

outdoor seating make the site more walkable and welcoming.

On Saturday, January 10, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Pagliacci will host a grand opening

party with a live DJ, swag, and free slices (while they last). Local muralist and pop-up

artist Dozfy will be on site creating custom live drawings on tote bags (provided by

Pagliacci) from guests’ pet photos.

“This new location is way overdue,” says co-owner Matt Galvin. “We have looked for

many years and finally were able to find the right location with the right landlord.”

As part of Pagliacci’s Envision Zero initiative, an effort to move toward carbon-neutral

operations with zero waste, the company has added an e-bike fleet to complement

deliveries from the Redmond store.

UPDATE, 12/11/25: New School Board Deliberates on Electric Busses

 

(click pic to enlarge)

(l-r) Superintendent Dr. Jon Holmen, President Lisa Guthrie, VP Eric Laliberte, Angela Meekhof, Aspen Richter, Lindsey Yocum (government affaires) and two student representatives, Hoe and Reddy.  

BIO's HERE.

My wife and I went to the swearing in ceremony for Aspen Richter and Angela and stayed for their business meeting.  Sustainability was their focus and priority.  There was much talk about electric buses; and including them as part of their 136 bus fleet.  Grant money for four e-buses was awarded to serve four schools with low-income students. They are operating.  Apparently, no further grant money for e-buses will be available for LWSD;  ~ $300,000- $400,000/ bus was quoted.  There was no discussion of funding e-busses with the Capital Technology levy.  Though, in 2001 LWSD passed a transportation levy.  

LEVY UPDATE:

Every four years the Educational and Operations (EP&O) and Capital Technology and Facilities levies are up for renewal.  The board took formal action to approve a Lid-lift of these 2026 levies at their meeting on October 6, 2025. These replacement levies will be placed on the February 10, 2026, ballot.

Currently, 16% of the Lake Washington School District budget is funded by these two "replacement" levies.  The school board is proposing a special "excess" increase (that will be baked in for years) in the 2026 levy ask owing to: 

• loss of federal funding 5%. (total funding is currently $1.3M)
• new sales tax on services
• salary step increase
• increased compensation
• 8% inflation growth 

EP&O tax increases of $180/year on $1.5M assessed property value ($.97/$1,000 property value)   

Capital Technology and Facilities tax increase of $45/year on $1.5M assessed property value ($.44/$1,000 property value.)  

REF:  final pages of  the "Levy Renewals" slide deck

Redmond Celebrates World Cup Draw

Redmond FIFA World Cup Volunteers / Yoder

June 19, USA vs. Australia 12  noon

Redmond Celebrates the World Cup Draw

More than 120 people enjoyed their Friday morning at the Archer Hotel in Downtown Redmond to celebrate the World Cup Draw. The celebration, which was hosted by the City of Redmond in partnership with Amazon, featured Sounders legends James Riley and Brad Evans as emcees. They shared memories from their professional days, fun soccer facts both locally and globally, and even facilitated a juggling contest for attendees. Riley and Evans also provided commentary when the pots were drawn for each group and engaged with the audience to see who they were most excited to watch.

 

The City of Redmond is preparing to take full advantage of the generational opportunities coming to the region next summer by showcasing Redmond’s connectivity to the region, celebrating the City’s diverse culture, and fostering an atmosphere of excitement and hospitality. For more information about the City’s programming for the World Cup, visit redmond.gov/Soccer.

Local FIFA World Cup Art / photo Yoder
Do you see the ferry? Mt. Rainier?  The Seattle skyline? 

 

• June 19: USA vs. Australia, noon
• Seattle will also host a Round of 32 match that will feature the winner of Group G (Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand) vs. the third-place finisher from one of Groups A/E/H/I/J. That game will kick off at  July 1 at 1 PM.
• Seattle’s final match will be a Round of 16 match that features the winner of the Round of 32 match against the winner of the match between the winner of Group D (which includes the United States) and a third-place team from Group B/E/F/I/J. That game will be played on July 6 at 5 PM.

2025 Redmond Lights

 

2025 Redmond Lights

Dec. 6, 2025 - Jan. 5, 2026   |   5 - 11 p.m.

Downtown Park   |   Esterra Park

Enjoy glowing lights and illuminated art all month long.

Getting there / Parking

Live performances

Art 

Luminary walk from Downtown Park to Redmond Town Center

Redmond "Toys For Tots"

 

Toys for Tots is sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps. 

Looking for a festive holiday light display in Redmond (beyond "Redmond Lights"?)  Drive to the "Toys for Tots" drop-off station adjacent Costco-Redmond on 185th Ave NE and NE 76 Street and give a toy donation. 

Costco is a perfect place for buying affordable toys.  Pam and I found some good ones!  Drop-off times are Monday - Friday, 12/3 - 12/12 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.  Their holiday light display is amazing.  It runs three blocks.     

-- Bob Yoder, 12/2025

City News Now | December 1, 2025

Homeless Outreach, Redmond Lights, New Garbage and Recycling contractor

Recology Waste Store Opening at Bella Bottega

 

Recology Store Opening in Downtown Redmond

REDMOND, WA – Recology is opening a new store in Downtown Redmond, where customers can drop off difficult-to-recycle items, find Waste Zero products, speak with sustainability experts, get help with account issues, and pay their garbage bill in person. The Recology Store opening in Downtown Redmond is part of Redmond’s transition to a new waste hauler for the first time in over three decades and will be marked by a ribbon-cutting event from 1 – 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, at the new store located in the Bella Bottega Shopping Center, 8862 161st Ave NE, Ste. 104.

Osman Salahuddin Swear-in Ceremonies for 48th Legislative District

This week, I’ll be sworn in again to continue serving as your State Representative for the 48th Legislative District, and I’d love to have you there to celebrate with me!

We’ve got two events coming up: one official ceremony in Olympia, and one community swearing-in here at home. I’d be thrilled if you could make it to either (or both!). Details and RSVP links are below: 

 

Redmond City Council Elected Official Ceremony

December 2nd 2025 Redmond City Council ceremony and Business Meeting.  (Ceremony begins after 30 seconds.)

Former Governor Gary Locke read segments of the Declaration of Independence honoring our government and local Redmond councilmembers.  Retiring councilmember Jeralee Anderson described her accomplishments over 8 years of service and bid adieu.  Retiring Steve Fields was absent.  Councilmember Melissa Stuart was sworn in for a second term and Ms. Soni and Mr. Prakriya were sworn into their council positions. Many local dignitaries attended. It was a full house.  

The ceremony is 17 minutes long and I encourage you to listen. (The Business part of the meeting starts after the ceremony.)

King County Files Lawsuit Against Trump Over Housing

 

NEWS: King County files lawsuit against Trump administration over unlawful restrictions to housing and homelessness services

Summary A national coalition of local governments and nonprofit organizations filed a lawsuit on Monday, December 1 challenging the Trump administration’s unconstitutional action imposing unlawful conditions on the Continuum of Care grant program that seek to limit or dismiss proven housing solutions like permanent supportive housing. Story On Monday, a coalition of seven local governments and four nonprofit organizations, including King County, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island against the Trump administration’s Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The lawsuit challenges the Trump administration’s unlawful and unreasonable restrictions to the Continuum of Care (CoC) grant program in order to receive federal funding for permanent supportive housing and homelessness services. HUD’s current CoC investments in permanent supportive housing are at risk if renewal grants are not protected, impacting an estimated 4,500 households in King County. The HUD Notice of Funding Opportunity released last month dramatically lowers the cap on longstanding funding for permanent supportive housing, a proven housing model, and requires King County to prioritize outreach services, temporary transitional housing, abstinence from substances, and mandatory behavioral health treatment. In addition, new awards will not be executed until May 2026. With previous grants expiring in January, the lag in new funding will likely create a large funding gap before new awards are made which could lead to program closures or interruptions.

Redmond City Council Votes to Rebuild Teen Center

 

Redmond City Council Votes to Rebuild Teen Center

Community engagement will be conducted as the rebuilding project progresses to ensure that the community’s voice is heard and that the voices of teens guide the creation of a new teen center.

REDMOND, WA - At their regular business meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, Redmond City Council voted 6-0 to approve rebuilding a new teen center at the same location as the existing building, which closed in March. In their approval, Council included prioritizing expedience in construction, centering teen voices in the design process, and including music performance space and a dedicated recording studio to continue the Old Fire House Teen Center legacy. The decision was informed by the recommendation of the Old Fire House Teen Center Stakeholder Group.

The Council decision followed a robust, multi-round community engagement process that included online questionnaires, event tabling, listening sessions, workshops, and focus group meetings. Council also formed the Teen Services Subcommittee and joined six meetings with the Stakeholder Group to observe the process. The Stakeholder Group was facilitated by a communications and community engagement consultant contracted by the City and composed of members representing a range of backgrounds and perspectives, including teens, parents, service providers, commission representatives, and other community members.

City News Now | November 24, 2025

EvergreenHealth and Seattle Children's Enter Affiliation For Neonatal and Specialty Care

 

Chris Bredeson, EvergreenHealth chief operating and strategy officer, left, and Jamie Phillips, president and chief operating officer at Seattle Children's, are seen July 1 at the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the launch of Neonatal & Pediatric Specialty Care Services at EvergreenHealth Medical Center.

Kirkland-based EvergreenHealth and Seattle Children’s have entered into a strategic affiliation for neonatal and pediatric specialty care services that will allow Eastside families to get specialized inpatient care from Seattle Children’s doctors at Evergreen’s Kirkland hospital, the parties announced today.

The affiliation took effect July 1, 2025 starting with pediatric cardiologists, neurologists, and general surgeons from Seattle Children’s, according to Chris Bredeson, EvergreenHealth's chief operating and strategy officer. More pediatric specialty services will be added over time, he said in an interview.

“It means a lot for patients to be able to have care in their community — and so we have a big initiative around improving access for people on the Eastside; and in the pediatric area, that's something we've heard from people over and over again that they don't like driving across the bridge to Seattle for all the reasons you can imagine,” Bredeson said. “They want to stay in the community, and so we're going to do everything we can to have as many babies stay as possible ... if they come through the emergency department, go to our pediatric unit, or if they're born at Evergreen.”

425 Business, 7/7/25

EvergreenHealth Executives Meet with State Legislators

 

EvergreenHealthEvergreenHealth18,052 followers18,052 followers3d • Edited • 3 days ago • Edited • Visible to anyone on or off LinkedIn

CEO Ettore Palazzo, MD:  "In November, we welcomed several state legislators to our Kirkland campus as they prepare for the upcoming session in Olympia!🎈 (Larry Springer was one.)

These visits allowed us to share our role as a public hospital district, highlight our services, and discuss community investments.

Like many hospitals across Washington, EvergreenHealth faces significant financial challenges due to recent state and federal policy changes. We appreciate the opportunity to engage with our elected leaders on these issues and are grateful for their continued support and commitment to quality care."

Pictured: 48th LD Representative Osman Salahuddin, CEO Ettore Palazzo, MD, FACP, Director of Women's & Children's Services Tessie (Hughes) Foley, Chief Operating and Strategy Officer Chris Bredeson, MBA, FACHE,  and Chief Financial Officer William Howe

[EvergreenHealth is now partnering with Children's Hospital of Seattle to facilitate and expand care on the Eastside.] by