 |
| ~ 100 residents attended this Lisa Dupar Speaker Series |
Left to Right: John Oftebro (dressed in Cougar colors), Patsy Rosenbach, Halee Turner, Laura Lee Bennett, speaker Lisa Dupar
WA - Christine Himes passed away peacefully in her home in Monroe, Washington on
December 30, 2025. She was born on April 6, 1929 in Washington DC. She was
married to Jack Himes for 46 years. As long-time Eastside residents they raised five
children. She is survived by Craig and wife Barbara, Valerie and husband Ron Bennett,
Donna and husband Dave Bender, Carole and husband Brian Strong; 13 grandchildren
and 18 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter Darlene;
and her brother Georg B. Tennyson.
Christine was an active volunteer for local schools, church and community
events. She served on the Redmond City Council from 1975-1977 and later
served as the first full-time woman mayor from 1980-1984. She is known for
balancing growth and encouraging business while preserving open space
and creating and preserving 19 parks and a trail system in Redmond.
She continued to be involved through the Redmond Historical Society where she
served as President for six years.
A Celebration of Life will be held on February 28, 2026, at 12:00 PM
at the Monroe Community Senior Center, 276 Sky River Pkwy, Monroe, WA 98272
Remembrances may be sent to:
Redmond Historical Society -redmondhistoricalsociety.org
Service Dogs for Veterans Bellingham, WA paveusa.org
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Christine,
please visit our Tree Store.
Published on February 1, 2026
I have fond memories of chatting and giving hugs to Chris💕 at Redmond Historical
Society meetings. May she rest in peace. - Bob Yoder
 |
| Board Member Volunteers --BIOS |
REDMOND HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER
Quarter 1, Vol 28, No 1
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.
Council Study Session, February, 2026
Finalize Plan, March, 2026
Source: Council Park Committee of the Whole memo, 9/20/2025
The Redmond Historical Society presents ...
|
|
 |
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 |
"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:
REDMOND, WA - For the first time, the City of Redmond is launching a free tree giveaway to help grow the City’s urban forest and reach the goal of 40% tree canopy cover by 2050, as supported by the Tree Canopy Strategic Plan, Redmond 2050, and the Environmental Sustainability Action Plan.
“From enhancing the richness of life in Redmond and improving our health to protecting our streams and hillsides from erosion, trees provide countless benefits to our community,” said Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. “Trees are also an essential part of our City’s commitment to improve environmental sustainability and mitigate the impacts of climate change.”
Through this new event, Redmond is giving away 500 trees to Redmond residents, groups, and organizations, such as schools, faith organizations, nonprofits, HOAs, and small businesses with fewer than 25 employees within Redmond city limits. Educational materials will be provided to help participants choose, plant, and care for their trees.
The giveaway application is now open. A completed application is required before picking up a tree, as quantities are limited. The giveaway will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at the Redmond Municipal Campus.
Volunteer opportunities are available. For those who want to join the fun but don’t have a space to plant a tree of their own, there will be a community planting event with Green Redmond in October.
To learn more and apply, visit redmond.gov/TreeGiveaway. For questions about the tree giveaway, contact guestservices@redmond.gov.
Plans referenced above:
It all started with the first 3-minute testimony by Aeron H. He's a Redmond transgender and gave an horrific story of humiliation and death threats. He reported it to the police "with a picture, message, and name and the police did nothing, they did NOTHING!" Fearful, "I stayed locked in my apartment for two months. No wonder PRIDE doesn't trust the police."
At this point pro tem mayor, President Kritzer stated "in conclusion," signifying that Aeron's allowable 3-mintute speaking time was up. Councilmember Fields made a motion to suspend the rules and extend the time. It was seconded by CM Forsythe.
After 13 minutes of Council rules discussion and advice from the city attorney, they decided to suspend the 3-minute rule for this one meeting and allow 4-minute testimonies. Councilmember Stuart thanked Aeron for his patience. Aeron was annoyed, and then went on for over a minute about "targeted hate crimes" and his distrust for the police.
-- Bob Yoder, 8/13.25
Source: 6/3/25 Business meeting video of testimonies (Aeron's testimony starts at 8:00 min.)
(Historically, the comment period at Business meetings had been 4- minutes but the present council reduced it to 3-minutes; Councilmember David Carson had strong objections to this limitation.)
Affordable housing is desparately needed. Rebuilding and enlarging the firehouse to 6-stories may be the best solutionl. The two lower floors could be used for teen programs; the top four floors for work-force housing.
A resident gave testimony at the last council meeting, recommending re-opening the outside areas of the OFH center this summer until council takes action. The chairs, tables and 2 basketball courts could be put to good use for performing arts and social space.
_ Bob Yoder, 6/8/2025, opinion
Feel free to post (and read) a comment...
 |
| "Arnold / Redmond Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee" Look around the Downtown Light Rail Station and you'll see plexi-glass panal tributes like this one of Arnold Tomac. There's a whole lot more to Arnie than his leading the "PED/BIKE Advisory Committee." He was an early President of Redmond City Council, a Co-Founder of Redmond Town Center, to name a few. A kind and giving man ... -- Yoder, 5/16/25 |
Please join Redmond's teen community at City Hall this Tuesday, 4/29, 7PM to speak to the council and mayor about saving the Old Fire House (OFH) Teen Center. This historic building is now shuttered and Mayor Birney and her staff say they haven't decided what to do with it. Park Director Loreen Hamilton talks it up as a hazardous waste site.
Teens are now forced into using the distant multi-use Marymoor Community Center. While OFH is vacant, the city could be renovating and upgrading it for future use, not scrapping it for another cookie-cutter apartment building.
I certainly agree with the teens (and a few councilmembers!) the OFH is symbolic and worthy of landmark status. Please bring your families and friends to City Hall Tuesday, 4/29 to show your support. Plan to arrive early to sign-in if you plan to speak (up to three minutes.)
-- B. Yoder, 4/25/2025
The City may close down the Old Fire House Teen Center "for safety reasons" despite over 3,400 signatures to keep it open. Ironically, the Nelson Legacy Group (NLG) headquarters is directly adjacent to the Teen Center. NLG the largest landowner and developer in Redmond.
 |
| photo Bob Yoder |
From the COR Marketing Department: "Redmond is planning for the future of Redmond’s younger residents and wants to understand how to best serve the community of teens (approximately 13 to 19 years old), now and in the future.
Throughout spring 2025, the City will engage with the community to learn more about what Redmond teens need, how the City can best serve their interests, and where services are needed the most.
For more information on the project and the history of teen services in Redmond, visit redmond.gov/TeenServices."
-- redmond.gov 4/8/2025
###
On 04/15/25, twenty-two teens spoke pasionately to Council of the importance of the Redmond Fire House Teen Center, comparing it to how "sterile" and unwelcoming the Marymoor Community Center is. Hear their passionate testimonies at this link:
https://redmond.granicus.com/player/clip/3096?view_id=2&redirect=true
-- Bob Yoder, 4/18/25
