Bellevue art exhibit marks 100 years of Black History Month across two downtown venues: The city of Bellevue is hosting "Melodies of the Diaspora," a curated exhibition showcasing Pacific Northwest Black artists at both City Hall and the Bellevue Arts Museum throughout February. The show features paintings, photography, sculptures, textiles, and fashion arranged chronologically to trace the evolution of Black art, with an opening reception scheduled for February 1 from 3-6 PM at the museum that will include live performances and city officials. The exhibit is part of Bellevue's broader effort to promote cross-cultural understanding, and visitors can view the work during City Hall's regular hours or at the museum on Thursdays and Fridays. (info)

Bellevue expands affordable housing tax breaks and starts parking overhaul: The City Council approved changes to the Multifamily Tax Exemption program that will broaden property tax breaks to more types of housing developments, including a new 20-year homeownership option, commercial-to-residential conversions, and an eight-year program specifically for the Wilburton area. Separately, councilmembers kicked off work on parking reforms required by recent state laws that limit how much parking cities can mandate for small residential projects, affordable housing, and childcare centers—changes that must be finalized by January 2027. The council also got a briefing on the state's 60-day legislative session, which began January 12 and is expected to tackle the budget shortfall, housing affordability, and responses to federal policy shifts. (info)

Meydenbauer Bay Park expansion enters design phase, construction targeted for late 2029: Bellevue is moving ahead with Stage 2 of the Meydenbauer Bay Park expansion, currently conducting site surveys and computer modeling as part of a three-year design and permitting process that should lead to construction starting in late 2029. The project will demolish apartment buildings at Main Street and 100th Avenue NE to create a direct link between downtown and the waterfront park, while adding a new gateway plaza, improved intersections, expanded parking, better ADA access, and an interim pedestrian trail to the existing marina area. City officials are still working out parking logistics and remain focused on minimizing construction disruptions, preserving bay views, and keeping the community involved as the project develops. (info)

Amazon restarts construction on multiple Bellevue office towers after pandemic pause: Amazon has filed new permits to resume work on several stalled office projects in downtown Bellevue, including Tower 1 at Bellevue 600 and two remaining buildings in the West Main complex, plus interior work at the 25-story Artise tower and renovations at a 611,000-square-foot building on 106th Avenue NE. The construction push comes as Amazon's Bellevue workforce has ballooned from 2,790 to 14,300 employees, with plans to eventually hit 25,000, though the company laid off 2,303 Washington state workers in September 2025 and mandated a full return to office in January 2025. Amazon hasn't disclosed how many of the layoffs affected Bellevue specifically, but the permit activity suggests the tech giant remains committed to its major footprint in the city. (info)

Martin Luther King Jr. Health Fair on January 19th.

Small Business Workshop: Stop Chasing, Start Leading on January 28th. (info)

Expanding Neighborhood Connections Roundtable on January 29th. (info)

Former Bothell councilmember pleads guilty to killing girlfriend in 2024: James McNeal, a 59-year-old former Bothell city councilmember, pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree manslaughter and second-degree assault in the April 2024 strangulation death of his 20-year-old girlfriend, Liliya Guyvoronsky, at her Seattle home. Court documents reveal McNeal had been financially supporting Guyvoronsky with roughly $10,000 a month after meeting her at a strip club, but the relationship turned volatile and abusive, with investigators finding handwritten notes from Guyvoronsky warning herself to avoid McNeal and describing emotional manipulation. Prosecutors are asking for more than 10 years in prison, with sentencing left to the judge's discretion. (info)

Kenmore reelects Herbig as mayor, taps Sasson as new deputy mayor: The Kenmore City Council voted January 12 to keep Nigel Herbig in the mayor's seat for another two-year term, a role he's held since 2022, and selected Valerie Sasson as the new deputy mayor for 2026–2027. Sasson replaces Melanie O'Cain, who had served as deputy mayor since 2022, in a ceremonial leadership shuffle that's standard under Kenmore's council-manager system where the mayor and deputy are chosen from within the council rather than elected citywide. Both positions are largely symbolic, with day-to-day city operations handled by the city manager. (info)

Swamp Creek Habitat Restoration Project Work Party – Wallace Swamp Creek Park on January 19th. (info)

January General Meeting: State of the Chamber on January 22nd. (info)

City Council Meeting on January 26th. (info)

Kenmore Business Alliance Meeting on February 5th. (info)

Snoqualmie swears in Mayor Mayhew and Councilmember Murphy, sets collaboration as 2026 priority: Snoqualmie formally installed Mayor James Mayhew and Councilmember Dan Murphy at its January 12 City Council meeting, with Jo Johnson selected as Mayor Pro Tem and council committees reshuffled for the year ahead. Mayhew, who previously served on the council from 2017 to 2023, has already been making regional connections by meeting with the Snoqualmie Tribe, attending a North Bend City Council session, and speaking with King County Councilmember Sarah Perry—efforts North Bend Mayor Mary Miller praised in person at the meeting. Murphy, sworn in to Position 1, brings planning commission experience on land use and development issues, and both leaders will focus on regional partnerships, transparency, public safety, and responsible budget management throughout 2026. (info)

One Eastside Economic Outlook Summit on January 21st. (info)

SVSD Technology Fair on January 22nd. (info)

Snoqualmie Valley Connect Business Networking on January 29th. (info)

Issaquah swears in two new councilmembers and elects Barbara de Michele as council president: Issaquah welcomed newly elected councilmembers Kelly Jiang (seat 1) and Kevin Nichols (seat 6) while reelecting Barbara de Michele, Russell Joe, and Tola Marts to new terms, then voted January 5 to name de Michele as council president and Marts as deputy council president. The moves come after Councilmember Zack Hall resigned December 31, leaving a vacant seat the council will fill by appointment. De Michele, who's served since 2019 and previously spent time on the school board and arts commission, will handle duties like setting meeting agendas with the mayor and representing the council at events, while Marts—first elected in 2009 with a focus on workforce housing and sustainability—will step in when she's unavailable. (info)

Issaquah starts construction on new Rainier Trail dog park, closes temporary facility: Construction crews have broken ground on the permanent Rainier Trail Dog Park, forcing closure of the temporary dog park and creating potential disruptions for trail users who should expect heavy truck traffic near the Community Center parking lot and 2nd Avenue SE through spring 2026. The new design includes separate small and shy dog areas, a central entry point with easy trail access, watering stations, seating, mulched play zones, and an internal walking path to maximize the available space. Anyone with questions about the project can reach out to Park Planning and Development Manager Robin Spear. (info)

Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery Opens at Village Theatre on January 20th. (info)

City Council on January 20th. (info)

Issaquah Pre-School Open House on January 21st, January 31st, and February 11th. (info)

Public Hearing: 2026 Docket of Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendments on January 22nd. (info)

Man charged with voyeurism after hidden camera found in Kirkland Starbucks bathroom: A suspect has been charged with first-degree voyeurism after a Starbucks employee discovered a hidden camera in a restroom at the 100th Avenue Northeast location in early October, with police finding the device within hours of it being placed. The defendant pleaded not guilty on January 14 and posted $50,000 bail while detectives investigate whether he planted additional cameras elsewhere. Kirkland police revealed the camera was hidden under the sink across from the toilet and are reminding the public to watch for unfamiliar objects, devices with lenses, or anything that looks tampered with in private spaces—noting that filming someone in a restroom without consent is illegal in Washington. (info)

Everest Park Forest Stewardship on January 19th. (info)

Kingsgate Park Forest Stewardship on January 19th. (info)

Certified for Success Workshop on January 22nd. (info)

Thursday TL RC Social Run/Walk on January 23rd. (info)

Mercer Island opens renovated First Hill Park playground with 20-foot climbing tower: Mercer Island just completed its second playground replacement under the 2022 Parks Levy, opening a revamped First Hill Park playground on January 8 that features a 20-foot Alpha Tower—now the city's tallest play structure—with dual slides, plus swings and nature-themed elements designed for ages 2-12. The project preserved over 60 mature trees by using engineered wood fiber surfacing instead of extensive poured-in-place rubber, though the team still managed to add accessible gravel and concrete ramps at the north entrance to improve access for all abilities. Construction wrapped up after three months, with a few finishing touches like improved parking and vegetation restoration still to come over the next few weeks. (info)

Mercer Island City Council tackles state-mandated affordable housing plan overhaul with July deadline: The Mercer Island City Council kicked off work January 16 to revise the city's Comprehensive Plan after a state Growth Management Hearings Board ruling last August found it didn't adequately address affordable housing needs, giving the city until July 31, 2026 to fix the problem or face sanctions. The required changes include analyzing residential land capacity at different affordability levels, adopting incentives and mandatory measures to boost affordable housing supply, creating a subarea plan around the transit station, and implementing anti-displacement protections for residents affected by zoning changes. The council is exploring whether compliance with House Bill 1491 could help satisfy the board's order and plans to refine its strategy through February and March with regular public briefings until the work is complete. (info)

City Council Meeting on January 20th. (info)

Hopelink Mobile Food Market on January 21st. (info)

Restoration Event | Pioneer Park on January 24th. (info)

Redmond Way reopens after deadly motorcycle crash: A motorcyclist was killed in a late-night crash around 10 p.m. Thursday, prompting a five-hour closure of Redmond Way between 140th and 148th Avenues before reopening around 3 a.m., with police still investigating and seeking witnesses. (info)

Video of masked ICE arrest in Redmond prompts debate over officer identification rules: A resident-recorded video showing federal immigration agents detaining a man while wearing face coverings has led a Woodinville city councilmember to petition for clearer identification requirements for law enforcement, as Washington lawmakers consider legislation limiting when officers may conceal their identities, with supporters citing accountability concerns and opponents citing agent safety and federal authority. (info)

Happy Hour at Brown’s Stockyard Exchange today from 4-6pm. (info)

Fork & Spoke Comedy Show at Hilton Garden Inn on Jan. 23 from 6:30-8:30p. (info)

Cirque Du Soleil ECHO on Jan. 24 from 1-3pm. (info)

Man sentenced to life in prison for 1994 Renton double homicide: Jerome Frank Jones, 55, was sentenced to life in prison for the 1994 murders of a Renton woman and her young son after DNA evidence linked him to the case decades later, with his attorneys stating he maintains his innocence and plans to appeal. (info)

Renton updates commute reduction program to cut single-occupancy driving: The Renton City Council approved a four-year update to its Commute Reduction Plan, required under state law, focusing on transit, vanpooling, biking, and employer partnerships to reduce car commuting, with program adjustments reflecting post-pandemic hybrid work patterns and reduced state funding tied to fewer workplace surveys. (info)

Ribbon Cutting - Bindaas Indian Restaurant Sports Bar & Dukaan on Jan. 22 at 2pm. (info)

Sushi Roll Class on Jan. 24 from 11:30am to 1pm. (info)

Sunday Funday: Free concert with Super Sones on Jan. 25 from 3-5pm. (info)

Sammamish Police announce new community-focused officer assignments: The Sammamish Police Department named Kedrick Anderson as Community Resource Officer serving local schools and Matt Martin as Community Engagement Officer, highlighting their prior law enforcement experience and roles focused on school presence, public outreach, and community engagement. (info)

Story Sphere - Stories bring us together on Jan. 30 from 4:30-5:30pm. (info)

Lunar New Year Celebration 2026 on Jan. 31 at 1pm. (info)

Woodinville opens applications for wayfinding sign blades for local businesses: The City of Woodinville is accepting applications through February 19, 2026, for available wayfinding sign blades for qualifying in-city tourism and visitor destinations, with eligibility review by staff and an annual fee of $200 per sign. (info)

NPRSA opens community survey on proposed Northshore community and aquatics center: The Northshore Parks and Recreation Service Area launched a public survey, open through February 8, to gather feedback on three preliminary design concepts for a potential community center in Woodinville, with results informing a feasibility study, site selection, cost analysis, and future funding decisions expected by March 2026. (info)

Yoga + Wine at Prohibition Cellars on Jan. 25 from 10:30am-12pm. (info)

Sushi & Wine Dinner Date Night at L’Ecole N.41 Woodinville on Jan 30 from 6:30-8pm. (info)

Bark and Burbon on Feb. 1 from 2-5pm. (info)

Bindaas (Renton, WA)
Bindaas has opened in Downtown Renton out of what was formerly La Hacienda, and it’s already turning heads with bold Indian flavors served in a lively, modern space that feels right at home on 3rd Street. Locals can’t stop talking about its creamy curries, perfectly spiced biryanis, and flavorful tandoori plates that hit with feel-good heat and tons of personality.

The week of January 19th in Bellevue continues the winter groove, with overcast skies, cool temperatures, and intermittent rain keeping things calm and muted. It’s a good week for slow mornings, warm drinks, and taking advantage of any dry breaks for a refreshing walk outside.