Seastside #50

December 30th, 2024

Hello everyone! We have a very light week of news for you. Please stay safe and we hope you have a Happy New Year!

Check our mobile app for Washington news & events:

Check out our other newsletter focused on events for the greater Seattle area:

Today’s Seastside includes:

• New store opening in Bellevue

• Snoqualmie tree pickup

• Hyatt bankruptcy Renton

Enjoy and if you have any questions please reply to this email!! - Mac and Preju

Bellevue:

News:

• City of Bellevue Develops Curb Management Plan to Address Parking Challenges: The City of Bellevue is implementing a Curb Management Plan to manage parking in high-demand areas like Downtown, Wilburton, and BelRed. The plan proposes curb pricing to maintain 80-85% parking occupancy, improve turnover, and simplify pricing. (info)

• Bellevue Updates Economic Development Plan: Bellevue has begun updating its five-year Economic Development Plan to support small businesses, diversify industries, and grow the creative economy. Community input will shape the plan, which aligns with goals to add 35,000 housing units and 70,000 jobs by 2044, with completion expected by late 2025. (info)

• TravisMathew to Open First Washington Store in Bellevue Square: TravisMathew, a California-inspired golf and activewear brand, will open its first Washington store in Bellevue Square, occupying the former Timberland space. The 2,925-square-foot store will feature stylish men's and women's apparel, aligning with the brand's rapid U.S. expansion and plans to reach 57 stores by the end of 2024. (info)

Events:

• Overlake Medical Center Blood Drive on Dec. 31 from 10am-4pm. (info)

• Studio 31: Ascend Prime’s 2024 NYE Tribute Experience on Dec. 21 from 8pm-1am. (info)

• Treat the Root Cause: Functional Medicine and Functional Nutrition for Optimal Health on Jan. 8 from 6-7pm. (info)

• Lunar New Year Celebration at The Bellevue Collection on Jan. 25 from 11am-6pm. (info)

Bothell/Kenmore:

News:

• No news this week!

Events:

• Introduction to Yoga for Beginners on Jan. 4 from 12-2pm. (info)

• Intro to Vinyasa Yoga on Jan. 11 from 12-2pm. (info)

• After Hours Networking on Feb. 20 from 5-7pm. (info)

Fall City/Snoqualmie:

News:

• Snoqualmie Allocates $633,000 for Local Health and Human Services: Snoqualmie City Council has approved $633,000 in funding for local human services in 2025-26 to support children, seniors, and families in need. The funds will be distributed to organizations providing food, shelter, counseling, and safety services, with a focus on ensuring efficient use through a comprehensive review process. Key recipients include CarePoint Clinic, Mt. Si Senior Center, and Snoqualmie Valley Food Bank. (info)

• Snoqualmie Valley Scouts Annual Christmas Tree Pickup Fundraiser: Snoqualmie Valley Scout Troops are offering a one-day Christmas Tree Pickup service on Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Pickup is available for residents in Fall City, North Bend, and Snoqualmie (Downtown & Ridge). Trees must be clear of decorations and placed at the end of the driveway by 8 AM. If outside the pickup zone, trees can be dropped off at North Bend City Hall or Gateway Park. Donations of $20 are appreciated, with payment options including PayPal, Venmo, or check. (info)

Events:

• SnoValley Innovation Center Meet-up on Jan. 3 from 12pm-1pm. (info)

• Snowshoes & Brews with REI Co-Op on Jan. 10 from 12:30-4pm. (info)

• Mid-Week Tunes with Meghanne at William Grassie Wine Estates on Jan. 15 from 5-7pm. (info)

Issaquah:

News:

• ISD Lowers Bond Proposal Amid Mistrust Concerns: After the failure of its $642.3 million bond proposal in November, the Issaquah School District (ISD) has reduced its request by 63% to $231.6 million for the February 11 special election ballot. The revised bond prioritizes $39.9 million for safety and security and $191.7 million to address high school overcrowding through Liberty High School expansion and constructing a new high school. Community feedback cited mistrust stemming from prior mismanagement of 2016 bond funds, unclear communication, and rushed planning. While some residents question the need for the February vote, ISD emphasized avoiding permit delays that could increase costs by $75 million. Proponents hope the reduced request will balance public concerns and meet the district's needs. (info)

Events:

• First Day Hike at Lake Sammamish State Park on Jan. 1 from 10:30-11:30am. (info)

• Cooking Class: Vegan Indian Favorites on Jan. 5 from 4-6pm. (info)

• Free Guided Hike: Explore Grand Ridge Park on Jan. 9 from 9:30-11:30am. (info)

Kirkland:

News:

• Christmas Tree Recycling Guidelines: Waste Management will collect undecorated, unflocked real Christmas trees up to 6 feet tall for composting at no cost during the first two weeks of January. Simply place the tree beside your cart on your regular service day during the weeks of January 6 or 13, 2025. Taller trees must be cut into 4-foot segments. After this period, trees should be cut into 3-foot segments and placed completely inside your yard waste cart for collection. (info)

• Ride Fare-Free This New Year’s Eve: On December 31, King County Metro, Sound Transit, and other regional transit partners will offer free rides across multiple services, including King County Metro buses, Water Taxi, Metro Flex, Sound Transit Link, Sounder trains, Community Transit, Everett Transit, and the Seattle Streetcar. Whether you’re attending the Seattle Seahawks game, the NHL Winter Classic Fan Village, the Space Needle fireworks, or other festivities, enjoy fare-free transit to get around safely and conveniently. (info)

• Weekend Closure of NE 85th St at I-405: All on- and off-ramps at the Northeast 85th Street interchange with Interstate 405 will be closed from 11:00 PM on January 10 to 4:00 AM on January 13 as crews from Graham Construction and Engineering establish support structures for the new bridge. Lane closures will begin as early as 9:00 PM on January 10, with detour routes posted for drivers. For the latest updates, visit the project webpage or consult WSDOT’s real-time travel map for travel planning. (info)

• Kirkland Road Construction Updates: Construction on multiple Kirkland road projects will pause through January 3, with work resuming January 6. Alternating traffic will occur on 100th Avenue NE between NE 137th and 145th Streets, with a speed limit of 25 mph. On 116th Avenue NE near Lake Washington High School, traffic will be reduced to a single lane from 9 AM to 3 PM for sidewalk and stormwater improvements. Right-turn-only access will remain in place on 124th Avenue NE between NE 116th and 124th Streets. On 132nd Avenue NE, sidewalk construction will reduce traffic to a single lane from NE 95th Street to Lake Washington Technical Institute. Juanita Drive will have periodic single-lane closures with flaggers between NE 124th and 128th Streets from 9 AM to 3 PM. Eighth Avenue West remains closed for sidewalk and curb repairs, with final paving planned for 2025. No construction will occur on December 24, 25, 31, or January 1. Visit Kirkland's project webpages for updates. (info)

Events:

• Kirkland City Council meeting on January 7th. (info)

• Kirkland Teen Union Building Open House on January 7th. (info)

• Co-Working and Business Advising Day on January 8th. (info)

• Blood Drive on January 15th and 16th from 9am to 4pm. (info)

Mercer Island:

News:

• Wind Advisory Issued on December 23-24, 2024: The US National Weather Service Seattle issued a wind advisory for Mercer Island from 6:00 PM on December 23 to 2:00 AM on December 24, with winds of 15-25 mph and gusts up to 50 mph. Puget Sound Energy (PSE) prepared crews to address power outages. Residents were advised to avoid downed power lines and report them to PSE or 911. (info)

Events:

• Storytime at the Garden for Preschoolers on January 3rd at 10am 

• Youth Nature Journaling Club on January 4th at 12pm

Redmond:

News:

• No news this week!

Events:

• Lunch & Learn: Leadership Edition on January 2nd at 12pm. (info)

• OneRedmond Chamber Cheers - Quarterly Happy Hour Networking Event on January 8th at 9am. (info)

Renton:

News:

• Hyatt Regency Hotel in Renton Sold Amid Bankruptcy, Lawsuit: The Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle's Southport in Renton was sold for $103 million following bankruptcy and legal challenges. SECO Development Inc., the hotel's owner, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September. The sale comes after a lawsuit filed by 49 Chinese investors who contributed $26 million through the EB-5 visa program, alleging fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. The investors claim they were promised repayment but were told sale proceeds would only cover $11 million of their $99.5 million investment. The lawsuit highlights financial mismanagement, including senior loans totaling over $250 million. A trial is set for March 10, 2025. (info)

• Junior College Sports Landscape Could See Major Changes: A court ruling in Tennessee has granted Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia an extra year of NCAA eligibility, challenging the "five years to play four seasons" rule. This decision, now backed by a blanket waiver from the NCAA, could impact athletes nationwide, including in Washington and Oregon's Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC). Junior college athletes, already popular among four-year schools, may become even more sought after due to their experience and readiness. If eligibility rules shift, athletes who play two years at junior colleges could compete equally with high school recruits, potentially reshaping college recruitment strategies and opportunities for NWAC athletes. (info)

• Federal Judge Sentences Bikini Barista Chain Owner for Tax Evasion: Assad Baragzai, owner of LadyBug Espresso bikini barista stands, was sentenced to 10 months in prison and fined $75,000 for failing to report $6 million in revenue between 2016 and 2020. Baragzai, 47, also agreed to pay restitution to the IRS. U.S. District Judge Tana Lin criticized his actions as motivated by "pure greed," noting the tax loss exceeded $1.3 million. Baragzai's brother-in-law, Rajesh Mathew, was previously sentenced for related offenses. LadyBug Espresso operates in Kent, Auburn, Renton, and other cities. (info)

Events:

• Polar Bear Plunge on January 1st at 10:30am (info)

• Comics and Crafts at the Fairwood Library on January 8th at 6pm. (info)

• Make Holiday Gifts with Plants at the Woodinville Library on January 9th at 4pm. (info)

• The Snow Queen at IKEA Performing Arts Center on January 10th at 8pm (info)

Sammamish:

News:

• Sammamish City Council Approves 1% Property Tax Increase for 2025: On November 25, the Sammamish City Council unanimously voted to implement a 1% property tax levy increase, the maximum allowable under Washington state law. The increase will generate $302,446 to support city operations and will cost the median homeowner approximately $11 more annually, raising the total to $1,543 for a property valued at $1.4 million. Despite the tax hike, the city’s levy rate will decrease by 12 cents per $1,000 due to a 12.3% rise in assessed property values. Sammamish retains 14% of property taxes collected, with the remainder distributed to schools, King County, and other districts. (info)

• Sammamish Parents Alarmed After Elementary Student Luring Incidents: Two reported luring incidents involving students from Mead Elementary School in Sammamish have sparked serious safety concerns among parents. On Dec. 16, a student riding his bike to school was allegedly approached by a man in a white van who attempted to lure him. A similar incident was reported by another student the following day. In response, Sammamish Police have increased patrols near the school, and additional staff have been deployed to enhance security. Parents are being advised to ensure their children travel in groups or with a buddy. Local families, deeply unsettled, are reconsidering transportation plans and increasing vigilance around school travel. (info)

• Sammamish Family Brightens Neighborhood and Honors Neighbor with Festive Holiday Display: The Wilson family, winners of Sammamish's holiday lights competition, have been perfecting their "wintery white" theme for over a decade with 12,000 lights adorning their home and yard. This year, they added inflatables to their display for the first time to honor a neighbor unable to decorate due to health issues. Their cul-de-sac joined in the effort, with six families incorporating inflatables in their yards as a tribute. The Wilsons' dedication to the holiday spirit, rooted in family traditions, culminates each year with their teenage sons flipping the switch to illuminate their Klahanie neighborhood. (info)

Events:

• Lego Club for Elementary Kids on January 2nd at 4:30pm. 

• Coffee with Council on January 4th at 9:30am. (info)

• Sustainability Commission Meeting on January 9th at 6pm. (info)

Woodinville:

News:

• No news this week!

Events:

• Thursday Burger + Beer Night on January 2nd (info)

• Wine Friday at Tinte Cellars on January 3rd (info)

• Yoga + Wine at Gard Vintners on January 4th at 10:30am

Volunteering Opportunities:

• Restoration Event | Luther Burbank South Shoreline Trail on Jan 25 from 10am-1pm. (info)

What we are currently loving!

• Kathakali in Kirkland: Nestled in the Juanita neighborhood, Kathakali brings the vibrant flavors of South India to the Pacific Northwest. Chef Ajay Panicker crafts authentic dishes like dosas—crispy rice and lentil crepes—and the palakkad avial, a spiced medley of vegetables wrapped in banana leaves. The warm, inviting atmosphere makes it a perfect spot for both newcomers to Indian cuisine and seasoned enthusiasts.

• Vivienne's Bistro on Mercer Island: Vivienne's Bistro offers a unique fusion of Asian flavors in a chic, modern setting. Known for their signature Peking Duck and innovative dishes like squid ink rice, the restaurant provides an upscale dining experience without being pretentious. It's an excellent choice for a special night out or a refined lunch with friends.

Vibes:

• Please try out Headline and let us know what you think!

• It will be rainy all week.

Final Thoughts!

Seastside Exclusive Deals:

• 50% off the first hour of personalized remote tech assistance for new customers at Issaquah’s GentleTechHelp.com. Bridget offers patient concierge tech assistance for seniors and the tech-uncomfortable. Mention the newsletter for the discount.

• 10% off every service purchased at KennyDale Exterior Washing. They provide comprehensive exterior cleaning services including power washing, window cleaning, gutter cleaning, and roof cleaning, ensuring your property looks its best. Mention the newsletter to get the deal!

• 10% off your next car, boat or RV detail with Detail Kings NW! Mention the newsletter!

• 10% off your first painting job from Liike Home Painting. Mention the newsletter!

• 20% off any gym membership at Hustle Fit in Redmond. Mention Seastside or use code HUSTLE when signing up!

• 10% off at Anchovies & Salt in Renton - mention code ‘Beehiiv’

• In need of a handyman, real estate repairs, damage restoration or home remodeling? We Honey Do has offered all you readers an exclusive 5% off their services. Mention the Seastside newsletter to Eric! (info)