The River, Landmark Oak Trees, And Summer Fun

 

 Heritage Red Oak Tree in apparent distress during Senior Center construction.
(click to enlarge)

After a Vision Redmond 2050 meeting last night I joined Pam for some awesome "Hey Jude dancing" to the "Beatnicks." It was Rockn' on the River time!   

The Senior & Community building construction was nearby so we checked it out.  We first noticed the Heritage Red Oak Tree.  Not to alarm, but I'm concerned for its health.  Notice the mound of earth piled within the dripline root zone.  The roots are clearly disturbed.  Near the trunk a subsurface cement box is dug-out. Does the right side of the tree look somewhat shriveled/limp to you?  Why is the invasive work done in the heat of the summer?   

Worries out of the way, we then rushed to see if Council kept Red Oak 161. Yes, they did!  All three landmark Red Oaks are standing tall.  Three other good sized trees remain nearby.  

At a Council meeting (7/26) the Parks Director reported concerns that removing the tree will increase  impervious surfaces in the shoreline buffer.  In my opinion, pervious asphalt should be installed on the Center walkways within the shoreline buffer. Yes, it's expensive but if the city can install pervious asphalt on the entire Phase II Central Trail Connector they can certainly afford it on the State shoreline buffer.  

It was nice to see the white detention tanks for treating runoff.  They looked new, state of the art, and clean.  Only the best for the Sammamish River!

After Rockn' on the River was over we ran into Marty Boggs, Senior Center Administrator; he noted something extraordinary.  There wasn't a shred of litter on the lawns!  Said Marty, "It's like this every year, Redmond is a special place"   

-- Bob Yoder, opinion, 8/12/2022

Summer Fun Comes To Redmond

Derby Days/ Credit C.O.R. 

DERBY DAYS 

For two days this summer, it's GAME ON! Join us July 12 and 13 for Redmond's favorite summer festival. Rooted in the spirit of friendly competition, Redmond Derby Days features the world's longest-running bike criterium race, a carnival, parades, arts, music, and great food, with a unique Redmond twist! 

Enjoy free contests, games, virtual reality, a gaming arcade, battle of the bands, an action-packed kids zone and so much more! Feeling extra competitive? Sign your team up for our Derby Dash 5K or Derby Cornhole Tournament! 

Visit the Facebook pageOpens a New Window. for more information.

Rockn' On The River/ Credit C.O.R.

ROCKN' ON THE RIVER

Free Summer Concerts 

Spread out your blanket or set up your beach chairs and listen to the music on four Thursday evenings in Redmond! Enjoy the concessions provided by the Redmond Kiwanis Club as you rock out to original and cover bands from across the country. There's no better way to enjoy a warm summer evening in Redmond! Sponsored by Emerald Heights Senior Living. 

All concerts take on the Garden Plaza (located behind the Redmond Senior Center) on the Redmond Municipal Campus.  

Thursdays 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.  7/18, 7/25, 8/8

8703 160th Ave NE | Redmond WA 98052

So Bazaar, Credit/ C.O.R.

So Bazaar

Your imagination destination in Downtown Redmond, So Bazaar is held on three Thursday evenings in August. Join your neighbors for art, music, and food.

2019 Theme

Metamorphosis

• AIR - Thursday, August 15th; 5-9 p.m.
• WATER - Thursday. August 22nd; 5-9 p.m. 
• FIRE - Thursday, August 29th; 5-9 p.m. Opens a New Window. 

Location

Redmond Central Connector Park & Downtown Park

Along and around the Redmond Central Connector, an award winning urban trail, between 61st Avenue Northeast and Leary Way NE. New in 2019, the event has expanded to Downtown Park! 

Redmond Kiwanis embraces our community

"Kiwanis Is All About Helping Children"  

The Redmond Kiwanis Club is composed of men and women who, at the local level, take part in a variety of youth-focused service projects for the community and fund raising activities to support these projects. 

To raise funds to support their youth projects, Redmond Kiwanis are preparing and selling food and ice-cream for the "Rockn' On The River" (video) summer concert series.  The concerts are held on the Outdoor Plaza of the Senior Center.  Remaining concerts are Thursday evenings, 6 - 8:30pm on July 13, 20th, 27th and August 10th.  My wife and I have been to several concerts in the past.  It's a gem.  The music is lively and inviting to children and families wanting to dance.    

Many of their service projects involve serving food for the vulnerable.  On July 17th they will prepare and serve food for the homeless youth and young adults at the Landing, a
shelter run by Friends of Youth.  

Redmond Kiwanis hold their meetings at the Family Pancake House on Redmond Way every Friday at 7am.  Often they will host a guest speaker who talks about child-related organizations.  On Friday, July 14th the Outreach Coordinator for "ARC" will present.  ARC works with advocacy groups to educate people about the legislative process for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.   On July 21st a speaker from "Havens Community Connections" will describe how they help women in domestic abuse situations.  

Their website is robust and  updated every month with information about the club, their activities, speakers, and service projects.  Redmond Kiwanis embraces our community and welcomes new members.  If you'd like to be a guest at one of our meetings please call Pat Vache' at 425-883-2314.  

Bob Yoder