Rick's Outdoor Neighborhood Art

 Rick with Scully On Education Hill
Happy Easter Neighbors!

Scully all suited up for Saint Paddy's Day

Rick launched Scully on Halloween dressing him up as a witch. He's done every holiday since....Christmas, Valentines Day, Saint Paddy's Day, and Easter.  I'll be posting Rick's future creations as each holiday comes!   

-- Bob Yoder, 3/22/26; photos
click pictures to enlarge 

Mayor Birney's 2026 State of City Address

 

This video leaves one with a sensation of pride for our City.  The address shows the essence of Redmond and will help put us on the world map. Seriously. Peal away from national news for an hour and enjoy the entertainment!  Mayor Angela Birney hit a home run on this.

-- Bob Yoder, 3/21 

Art Abstraction

 

Max Feingold, Redmond resident, 2017

"One of favorite things in a photograph is a quality abstraction that makes you stop for a moment and wonder exactly what it is your looking at." - Scot Bunk

Senior & Community Center Art

Dana Harrison

"The Leap," 2019

Acrylic, 30" x 20"

$300 dhari@gmail.com

Photographed by Bob Yoder

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

NEWS FLASH!! Council Passes Motion To Rebuild Teen Center At Same Location

Council decided on November 19, 2025 the OFH will be rebuilt.

"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."  - COR

"After an extensive community engagement process, study of financial and other implications of different options, and reviewing the stakeholder group recommendation and focus group results, the Council passes the following motion to provide formal direction on the Old Firehouse Teen Center facility: 

Rebuild the teen center on the same location. Prioritize expedience in construction, centering teen voices in the design process, and including music performance space and a dedicated recording studio to continue the Old Firehouse Teen Center legacy."

SOURCE:  AM No. 25-184 Business Meeting Agenda, 11/18/2025

AM No. 25-184

Type:

Consent Item

Status:

Agenda Ready

File created:

10/14/2025

In control:

City Council

On agenda:

11/18/2025

Final action:

Title:

Approval to Rebuild the Teen Center on the Same Location. Prioritize Expedience in Construction, Centering Teen Voices in the Design Process, and Including Music Performance Space and a Dedicated Recording Studio to Continue the Old Firehouse Teen Center Legacy

Attachments:

1. Agenda Memo, 2. Attachment A: Old Fire House Facility Recommendation Process, 3. Attachment B: Community and Stakeholder Outreach and Involvement, 4. Attachment C: OFH Stakeholder Group Final Report, 5. Appendix A - Stakeholder Group Charter, 6. Appendix B - Stakeholder Group Meeting Materials, 7. Attachment D: Redmond OFH Engagement - Community Focus Groups Summary

-

"Autumn Carpet"

 

Credit John Reinke, Redmond, WA.

Public Art Plan Update

2016 So Bazaar Art Installation 

The origin of this art installation ... 

The City of Redmond is updating its 2017 Public Art Plan to better reflect today’s community needs and priorities. The consultant, MIG ($100,000 cost) has been guiding the city through a collaborative process to create a strategic framework for future cultural art programming.

This update will integrate art into everyday life across parks, downtown, cultural districts, and neighborhoods. Reflect Redmond’s diversity, history, and innovation as both a tech hub and a creative, collaborative community.  It is long overdue though one must say the downtown station light rail art is fabulous and hard to beat.  

Public Art Plan Update

Council Study Session, February, 2026

Finalize Plan, March, 2026

Source:  Council Park Committee of the Whole memo, 9/20/2025

Menka Soni Projected Winner With 55% Of The Votes

 

Founder, 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐊𝐀 – My Mother’s Home, offering shelter and hope

15 years as Founder and President of AmPowering:

-Meals served (700k)

-Families sheltered (100) -Lives impacted (500k)

-Jobs created (1000)

-Volunteer hours (20,000) 300 volunteers

Redmond Arts & Culture Commission (two terms.)

One Redmond Foundation, V.P.

Listen to an interview with her sister here.

ENDORSEMENT: My wife and I spent 1.5 hours with Menka over coffee yesterday. She exudes compassion, sincerity, active caring for others (including her 2 daughters!) and high-spirited energy. She admits she's not "the perfect candidate." without budgeting and comprehensive planning experience and has no position on the teen center controversary. However, her strength is moving Redmond towards a "better experience" ... more unique art and cultural events, building trust through culturally competent public safety strategies, a gentle community perspective. Unlike her opponent, I trust she will participate in full, at meetings and be enthusiastic and committed in her Council responsibilities. We are voting 'yes' for Menka Soni in November.

-- Bob/Pam Yoder, 9/15/25

Historical Society Newsletter Jam-packed With Content

Couples enjoy a Saturday night dance organized for Nike battery personnel stationed in Redmond.

Sammamish Valley News, September 27, 1956

Redmond Historical Newsletter, Vol.27. No 6

 Redmond Historical Society SATURDAY SPEAKER SERIES September 13 

"Stomp and Shout": The Untold Story of Northwest Rock & Roll | Peter Blecha, Author and Historian 

Saturday, September 13, 10:30 AM, Old Redmond Schoolhouse, 16600 NE 80th Street, Redmond, WA 

Northwest rock history goes beyond grunge icons like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Explore the lesser known bands that shaped the “Original Northwest Sound,” tracing its roots through garage rock legends, early R&B pioneers, and forgotten scenes that paved the way for a musical revolution.

###

Redmond Historical Society Newsletter Vol.27 No. 6 - Topics:  

• Join the Redmond Historical Society on Thursday, September 18, from 4:00–7:00 PM for the Downtown Redmond Art Walk. Meet the artist, and explore pieces from the Society’s collection, such as works by Doris Colvin and Russ Goetschius.
• SATURDAY SPEAKERS SERIES:  October 11 10:30 AM,| The Flora of Seattle in 1850 | Ray Larson, Associate Director and Curator, UW Botanic Gardens.  Before Euro-American settlement, Seattle’s landscape was shaped by native plants and natural scenery. Drawing from herbarium specimens, settler accounts, survey maps, and photographs, this talk explores the area’s original environment prior to its transformation.
• PRESIDENT'S NOTEBOOK:  "Redmond Transportation --From foot paths to Light Rail." by John Oftebro.  
• BUSINESS MEMBER:  "The Opportunity of Community - East Palmer."  by Paige Norman

###

... and don't miss the Redmond Historical Society blog! 

9/2/2025

Downtown Redmond Art Walk Coming Sept. 18

 

Celebrate Art at the Downtown Redmond Art Walk 

Join us for the annual Downtown Redmond Art Walk (DRAW), beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, in Downtown Redmond. This arts-centric event brings together Redmond’s local artists and businesses for an evening of art and togetherness. It’s a free opportunity, encouraging community members to support local artists, merchants, and vibrant arts organizations alike. Also, stop by Downtown Park to say hello to your City Council during the event.

Redmond Art Walk

 

Downtown Redmond Art Walk Returns to Downtown Park

REDMOND, WA - Redmond will host the Downtown Redmond Art Walk (DRAW) for a third year, beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, in Downtown Redmond. This celebration of creativity and beauty brings together Redmond’s local artists and businesses for an evening of art and encourages community members to support local artists, merchants, and vibrant arts organizations.

From 4 – 7 p.m., Downtown Park will feature art installations, performances, and live mural painting curated by the City’s Cultural Arts Program. There will also be opportunities for the community to connect with City Councilmembers, and share their perspectives on the importance of art that will be incorporated into the Public Art Master Plan. Participating businesses will join in celebrating local talent through exhibitions, poetry readings, live music, and more.

“Downtown Redmond Art Walk showcases our community’s talented local artists and businesses,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “I’m excited we are continuing this event for a third year as we celebrate the dynamic and creative spirit of our city.” 

In addition to the art in Downtown Park, the City will provide a map for self-guided tours of the participating businesses that will showcase artists that evening. This one-night experience is made possible thanks to a generous Arts Sustained Support grant from 4Culture.

For information about the event and how to get involved, visit redmond.gov/DRAW.

--Redmond.gov

Great Blue Heron, by Reinke

 

John Reinke / Redmond Neighborhood Blog 

"Great Blue Heron with fish." By John Reinke

Painting or Photo?  John Reinke's heron is foraging under the Leary Way Bridge in Redmond.  Great Blue Herons are celebrated as Redmond's "Species of Local Importance". They forage in the riparian habitat of Redmond's streams, wetlands and the Sammamish River. Redmond heron raise their young in the Cottonwood rookeries of Marymoor Park and Issaquah.

Photo by John Reinke, Redmond photographer
Source:  Cathy Beam, Principal Environmental Planner, City of Redmond.

Downtown Station Light Rail Mural

Light Rail Line 2 Downtown Station Art Mural / photo Yoder

This 8'x4' piece sits on a pedestal directly north of the light rail bicycle/pedestrian trail.  It visually screens some buildings.   

Downtown Station Light Rail Art

Downtown Station Light Rail Bicycle Mural Art

Julie Paschkis, J.PA, SCH

Glass mosaic / 2024

"Redmond is a good place for bicyclists.  It is sometimes called the Bicycle Capital of the Northwest.  On Derby Days there are bicycle races at the Velodrome."  

Julie Paschkis, J.PA, SCH

Glass mosaic / 2024

"During the days riders pedal along trails, meander through lanes, and commute on the streets of Redmond.  At night the bicycle constellation shines down on them." 

-- Sound Transit art mural installation, 166th Avenue NE / photos Yoder, 5/31/25

Senior Center Art And Activities

Alice Groaski

Flowing,2023

Watercolor on paper, Japanese  

woodblock print  26x20

$250 206-612-3260

Monthly Senior ENCORE Newsletter. - a must read - online or in print.  

Register for Senior Center Activities and Special Events HERE  ("Winter Whimsey" tickets are going fast.) 

Community Centers 

The Front Desk will help you sign up for activities. 

OR contact Karen Phillips, 425-556-2388, kphillips@redmond.gov for assistance OR email guestservices@redmond.gov.

- Yoder

  1/3/2025

Mayor Birney's 2024 Redmond LIGHTS

  " YOUR PLACE IN THE MYSTERIOUS UNIVERSE" 

Artist:  Karl Whiteside

(click picture to enlarge) 

Senior Center Art

 

Kae Bae, Chromatic Equilibrium 2016
Acrylic and Oil, 19x24, $300

SUSPENDED IN MOTION, Autumn Fall In Redmond, John Reinke

Credit/John Reinke 

On my way to the 90th Street Runoff Pond this afternoon, I spotted a small autumn leaf suspended in midair.  It was dangling from a single spider strand.  In the background behind it you will see the Sammamish River Trail.  The river itself is flowing behind the wall of foliage alongside the trail.  Who knows, salmon may be migrating upstream as I took this picture.

-- John Reinke, Redmond photojournalist  

   10/13/2024

Redmond Natural Art

 

90th Street Run-off pond near the Sammamish River. 

Photo by John Reinke