Centro Cultural Mexicano invites you to join us at our annual Cinco de Mayo event at Redmond Downtown Park! This free, family-friendly cultural celebration highlights traditional Mexican culture, music, and food through seven hours of entertainment. We welcome you to be part of our event this year!
News and Opinion on Neighborhoods, Schools and Local Governments of Redmond, WA.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Redmond Downtown Park
Monday, April 22, 2024
Critical Area Ordinance, Public Hearing
Great Blue Heron "Species of Local Importance" Sammamish River, Redmond, WA. |
"I only caught part of your meeting last night, but it sounds like the State is requiring updates to the Critical Area Ordinance?
As a college educated biologist -- similar to Mayor Angela Birney -- Critical Areas are important to me. In the Ives Administration, I made "Species of Local Importance" and "Habitat of Local Importance" comments to the Planning Commission chaired by Mr. Snodgrass. After much discussion, the commission decided on the Great Blue Heron (GBH) and Riparian habitat, in which it lives.
Monday, April 8, 2024
"Bicycling in Redmond" -- Historical Society Speaker Series
A YouTube Video of the Meeting! |
Saturday Speaker Series - Bicycling in Redmond – Past, Present, and Future
Time & Location
Apr 13, 2024, 10:30 AM
Old Redmond Schoolhouse, 16600 NE 80th St, Redmond
Redmond is home to the headquarters of several major bike manufacturers. However, there’s not one thing that makes Redmond a great place for cycling, but many things put together that has earned Redmond the designation of "Bicycle Capital of the Northwest"―from Derby Days races to “Ride Around Mount Rainier in One Day” (RAMROD) to the Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome at Marymoor Park. Joe Matthews, President of the Redmond Cycling Club, will give a short history of that organization.
Speaker bio:
Joe Matthews only got into long-distance cycling after his brother challenged him to complete the Seattle to Portland (STP) bike ride in the 1990s. Matthews couldn’t back down, of course. After STP, the Redmond resident wanted more, so he embarked on the Ride Around Mount Rainier in One Day (RAMROD―a single-day event that celebrates the beauty of Mount Rainier National Park and features a challenging course of 150 miles and 10,000 feet of climb. He was hooked. Since then, Matthews has cycled in myriad races and challenges and now serves as president of the Redmond Cycling Club (RCC). RCC was founded in 1978 amid increasing popularity of cycling in the U.S. The club began from a core group of friends who were riding regularly. Within a few years, RAMROD founder John Dixon brought the RAMROD cycling event to RCC, which it now stewards.
Saturday, March 30, 2024
"Beat the Bunny" Event Was a Hopping Success
Pat Vache' (orange vest) working the water station / credit Pam Yoder |
The City of Redmond's 8th Annual "Beat the Bunny" 5k Run/Walk was a hip-hip hopping success.
There's Pat Vache' -- on the right -- working the water station at mile 3. Pat's the Founder of the Redmond Kiwanis Club (and renowned, past City Council President). The Kiwanians exhibited and volunteered at various stations along the Marymoor Trail.
Over a hundred must have turned out at the Marymoor Community Center for the start, with many families, young children and athletes "competing." Several sights along the way ... the Marymoor Park climbing peak, a cricket game, a goose nest high above, a light rail segment and of course, construction.
Thursday, March 14, 2024
UPDATED: Redmond Branded "Space District" - Video Presentation
Monday, January 29, 2024
UPDATED 1/29/24: Pearce PRD Deforestation Rivals the Devastation of Group Health's Tree Habitat
A Bobcat's "last stand" in Sigmund and Werner's backyard / credit Sigmund |
The photograph of this urban Bobcat was taken by Werner & Sigmund. Their home borders on a North Redmond 18-acre forest. Over 300 mature trees were cleared for 76 single-family homes with lot sizes ***4000 - 22,000 SF, according city documents. The project (178th Ct. NE & NE 116th St.) is known as "Pearce PRD" and is one of many environmentally sensitive projects in Redmond developed by Eric Campbell's Camwest Development, Inc. of Kirkland, WA.
According to a "Wildlife Study Report" filed by wetland , wildlife, and forest consultant Chad Armour, LLC on January 20, 2007 "the site may have the potential to support as many as 68 different species of wildlife". Sigmund has also observed coyotes and deer in her backyard and there have been neighborhood reports of *black bear. Where will they go?
Camwest paid an arborist for a tree preservation plan required by city permit. The arborist reported that 294 significant trees were clear-cut. That's 54% of the 489 significant trees on the project. 39 Landmark trees were presumed removed. Landmark trees are supposed to get special protections. (see Councilwoman Kim Allen's statement, below).
Chad Armour made two brief site visits. Among Mr. Armour's qualifications, he is a "certified wetland delineator" and has a certificate in commercial real estate. He was hired by Camwest to write environmental reports for the city land use permit.
Mr. Armour reported: nine wetlands and 20 State Priority habitat tree snags, ideal for Pileated Woodpecker nesting. He identified a foraging P. Woodpecker, and a Great Blue Heron "in the vicinity". The Great Blue Heron is valued by the State and Redmond as a Priority Species of Local Importance. Nesting P. Woodpeckers are potentially endangered and have protections when nests are present. I was told by a resident Armour spent only several hours during each of his two visits to the site.
Mr. Armour stated a heron rookery is located about one mile SE of the site. City planner Cathy Beam indicated months ago these eastern rookery nests were vacated. Mr. Armour also noted a stream map indicating coho salmon migrate to within a few hundred feet of the project site. A tributary to Bear Creek and two ponds are present.
Obviously, significant and devastating deforestation of "urban open space" has occurred. Habitat destruction was far more extensive than Camwest's Tyler's Creek and Perrigo Heights developments. Fortunately, Camwest does a good job restoring and enhancing their streams, wetlands, and forest buffers. However, according to the neighbors, the development will be setback only 20 feet from their properties and exposed neighborhood trees will be endangered by resultant high winds.
Councilwoman Kim Allen is to be commended for speaking up for the neighborhood during Werner's Landmark Tree Exception appeal. Councilman Richard Cole appeared insensitive during reconsideration of the Landmark Tree appeal stating Werner was slowing down the project. Ms. Allen is a qualified lawyer and is a strong council advocate for "green" protections and standards. ** Ms. Allen's statement urging amendments to city tree preservation standards are below. The city is holding a Community Meeting on Thursday, 7/28 to ask for ideas on how to improve Residential Development permitting. Contact Jeff Churchill for more information by emailing: jchurchill@redmond.gov.
*** The City Neighborhood Map and Notice of Application quote different lot size ranges.
**'Councilmember Allen read a written request to the staff as follows, 'Tree retention is an expressed value of the citizens of Redmond articulated in the Comprehensive Plan, Neighborhood Plans, and community meetings. Redmond’s tree retention law reflects that a detailed and thoughtful analysis by the Administrator of what should be a detailed and written account of extraordinary circumstances is required to justify the felling of any landmark tree or drastically reducing our declining canopy. In this case there is no record of that detailed analysis by staff which does both the staff and the citizens a disservice. Our Code Administrators should begin to provide a written and detailed analysis of their reasoning on all of these exceptions to our Tree Retention Ordinance and that the code should be amended to provide notice to adjacent property owners when such a request is made.' - contributed by Werner
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QUESTIONS: Was off-site mitigation required? It not, how where were they replaced? PRD' appeals are Quasi-Judicial. Was there adequate notice? Tom Hinman, a respected planning commissioner, influenced the city years later to map significant and landmark trees on the Notice of Application. Why did it take so long? In 2022, Tree Regulations were updated to protect/preserve Redmond's remaining trees on private properties. It's 2024 and the updated tree regulations still haven't been implemented owing to legal issues Kirkland is facing. No comment.
Opinion and report by Bob Yoder, ~ 2007, updated 1/29/2024
Additional "land use" articles are found using the blog search engine.
Monday, December 4, 2023
Thursday, November 30, 2023
UPDATED: Redmond Lights Festivities, No rain, Good Times!
The Ukrainian carolers at Redmond Town Center |
Underneath the RTC Christmas Tree Merry Christmas from Bob, Pam and Zoey Yoder! |
Monday, November 27, 2023
Emotions fly at LWSD Board Meeting
The Board members of the Lake Washington School District held a very emotional public meeting on November 20th in their chambers.
- Superintendent Holmen gave Board member Siri Bliesner high praise, gratitude and recognition for her 11 years of community service on the Board.
- During Public Comment over eight parents gave very emotional talks about the Israelis - Palestinian tension at LWSD and in their families.
Redmond Lights Holiday Haiku - Michael Dylan Welch
Redmond Lights Kick-Off Event Schedule, December 2, 4 - 8 p.m.
Getting Around Redmond Lights 2023
Redmond Lights Kick-Off Event Schedule
Saturday, Dec. 2, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Family Activities
- Light Fashion Show, 6:00 p.m. at Downtown Park
- Family Light Promenade, 6:30 p.m. at Downtown Park
- Redmond Town Center Kids Coloring Activity, all month long at Redmond Town Center
- Photos with Santa, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Redmond Town Center
- Face Painting, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Downtown Park
- Crafting, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Downtown Park and Redmond Town Center
- Performances
- Downtown Park, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. (details below)
- Redmond Town Center, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. (details below)
- Luminary Trail, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. (details below)
- Luminary Trail, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. (route below)
- Silent Disco, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Downtown Park
- Community Activity Booths, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Downtown Park and Redmond Town Center
- Free glow items (with an original $10 receipt from any Redmond Town Center tenant), 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Redmond Town Center
Saturday, November 25, 2023
City Hall Protest: "Bring Them Home Now."
Bob, Around noon today, I was on my way to River Trail Roasters for a cup of coffee, when I spotted a demonstration in front of Redmond City Hall, just across the street. I quickly crossed the street and fished out my cell phone camera and discretely snapped a few photos.
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Homeless Hotel Will House 35-65% Adults With Local Community Ties
Redmond Silver Cloud Homeless Hotel credit Kirkland Reporter |
King County is partnered with Redmond to provide emergency and permanent housing for up to 100 individuals experiencing, or at risk of chronic homelessness. Redmond's "Homeless Hotel" will open in early Winter 2024 after ramping down its temporary use for the refugee resettlement project.
Q: Who will be considered to live in the building?
A: The target population is adults whose income is at or below 30% of the area median and who are experiencing or at risk of chronic homelessness. 35-65% of units are prioritized for individuals with local community ties.
Q: Will the building have 24/7 staffing?
A: All Health Through Housing buildings have 24/7 on-site support staff and comprehensive, wraparound services, including: • Employment navigators • Behavioral health services available on-site • Connection to physical and behavioral health care • Assistance in enrolling in Apple Health and other public benefits
Q: Will The Salvation Army provide these services?
A: The Salvation Army will provide property management and 24/7 support staffing services in-house. The Salvation Army will also partner with King County’s Department of Community and Human Services and local service providers to provide the wraparound services.
Q: Will there be security?
A: The Redmond Homeless Hotel will have experienced, 24/7 on-site staff who are trained in trauma-informed care, crisis support, and de-escalation techniques. As an evidence-based model, permanent supportive housing does not feature security guard services, but it does call for clinically trained staff to be on-site and on-duty around the clock. Further, The Salvation Army will be responsible for developing a Safety and Security Plan as required by Redmond Zoning Code
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Bird's Eye View -A Poem by Redmond's Poet Laureate
The Redmond Historical Society invites the community to an exciting conversation with Redmond Poet Laureate, Laura Da’, on the topic of “Currents of Time and Place: Poetry that Engages with History and Image in Cascadia.”
Saturday, 10:30 AM, October 14, 2023. Doors open 10:00 AM.
Location: Old Redmond Schoolhouse, 16600 NE 80th St., Redmond, WA 98052.
Monday, October 2, 2023
Redmond Poet Laureate Laura Da' Events, October 6th / 14th
Redmond Poet Laureate Laura Da' |
Join Poet Laureate Laura Da’ at Idylwood Park on the shores of Lake Sammamish to celebrate the debut of her "Poetry Walk" inspired by the ecosystem within Redmond that supports the kokanee salmon.
- Friday, October 6th, 6:00 - 7:30PM
- Idylwood Park
This unique and important environment has carried life in the region since time immemorial and is at the heart of this year’s projects by Da’. The Redmond STEM Center and the Seattle Design Nerds will also be creating a one-night-only projection in the park inspired by the Poetry Walk prompts, poems by Da’, and the workshops hosted by the Poet Laureate at Old Firehouse Teen Center.
The projection is made possible by a grant from the Academy of American Poets for Laura’s recognition as one of the 2023 Poet Laureate Fellows.
-- Redmond Parks and Recreation
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Redmond Historical Society - Saturday Speaker Series
On October 14th, the Redmond Historical Society invites the community to an exciting conversation with Redmond Poet Laureate, Laura Da’, on the topic of “Currents of Time and Place: Poetry that Engages with History and Image in Cascadia.”
Date/Time: Saturday, 10:30 AM, October 14, 2023. Doors open 10:00 AM.
Topic: "Currents of Time and Place: Poetry that Engages with History and Image in Cascadia”
Speaker: Laura Da', Redmond Poet Laureate
Location: Old Redmond Schoolhouse, 16600 NE 80th St., Redmond, WA 98052.
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Tendril Pat Receives Humanities Washington Award.
Tendril Pat |
"Tonight I received the 2023 Humanities Washington Award, the Highest Award in Washington state for Public Humanities . This award recognizes my contributions over the years to Living traditional Arts and folk life in the state of Washington.
Sunday, September 10, 2023
"Together Center" Grand Opening, Part Three
The Together Center, Redmond, WA. (photo courtesy of Inland Group) Kiro 7 News Grand Opening clip Seattle Times coverage |
500 people were in attendance at the "Together Center" September 9th to celebrate the completion of its two-year, $106 million campus transformation project that includes:
> A 49,000 sq ft ground floor hub with 20 nonprofits providing critical services
> Coworking spaces for nonprofits to collaborate on client care
> A nonprofit conference and event center
> A community kitchen
> A public art gallery
-- posted by Yoder, 9/10/2023
Together Center press release
Saturday, September 9, 2023
UPDATED: "Together Center" Grand Opening Celebration, Part One
Janet Richards Together Center Board Member - Equity Advocate |
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Thursday, August 3, 2023
Great Night and Band for Rock 'in on the River
Photo by Rick Zucker, posted on Café Chat Facebook group. Band is singing and playing "Chicago" songs. Lots of dancing, too! Line Up Two more free performances. August 9th and 16th. Redmond City Hall lawns. 6-8 p.m. |