UPDATED: Events and Chatter at "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" Derby Days Booth overflows

Bob Yoder and John Reinke at "Redmond Neighborood Blog" Derby Days booth

How was your Derby Days?  Did you see the Centennial fireworks display by City Hall?   Or dance on stage in celebration of Redmond's 100th birthday?   I celebrated on Saturday by holding an informational exhibit for "Redmond Neighborhood Blog" joining scores of other exhibitors.  It was the best turn-out ever according to Patrick Hirsch, City Communications.

I and my exhibit partners worked hard to assemble the exhibit.  We decided to focus the exhibit on the city's "Neighborhood Matching Grant Program," residential housing remodeling options, like "Accessory Dwelling Units (great for rental income), neighborhood art, and neighborhood gateway improvements.  Over 1,000 walked by my booth and scores registered! 

A neighborhood art proposal on 166th AVE & NE 100th Street generated the most excitment.  A renovated residential home care business on the corner wants to work with the community to add art on their property and common area.  One 10-year resident living on Ed. Hill off of 116th registered:  "Big Native American Art - salmon/whales."  Several others wrote "bike cut-outs" and "painted fence art" along the antiqued fence.  What do you think?  Read More >>


City planner, Kim Dietz's neighborhood map stimulated discussion on "where we live." Quite a few neighbors living on Novelty Hill Road stopped by to discover they actually have their own neighborhood called SE Redmond! As you may know, the Redmond post office is moving here.

I was prepared with home business city licencing applications, but no one asked.  (It costs $92/employee for a license; don't worry, the city is not out to capture you with a potential fine when you file. Laura Pendergraft, city business license coordinator helped me when I filed this year). 

John Reinke, an established local nature photographer and budding tourism-journalist was on hand for Q&A on his Marymoor Heronry blog story and raffle.  His "Heron with Minnow" photo and Kim Cashon-Smith's "Coyote with Squirrel" were top draws. 

My location close to MAPS, the Ananda Mela Festival exhibit and the political parties added interest, knowledge and excitment!

Special thanks to Bob Morgan, Jr. at Washington Graphics LLC for my exhibit banners, table-top exhibits, and booth design ideas. I'm a happy customer and rate this company Five Stars. (9449-151st Ave NE Redmond, WA. 425-376-0877)

Redmond Neighborhood Blog serves as an outreach from my seedling company, "Yoder & Associates." The Derby Days exhibit was a pre-launch event for "Yoder & Associates" - a provider of facilitator services to greater Redmond commmunities and their organizations.