Seastside Newsletter #17

May 13th, 2024

Hello everyone, and happy Monday! What an enchanting weekend it was, with sunny skies and the Northern lights dancing all around the night skies. It's been a weekend to cherish, and as we dive into the week ahead, filled with news, we're still in awe of the Northern Lights sightings—something truly unexpected for Washington. If any of you have your own Northern Lights stories or captivating photos to share, we would love to feature them in next week's newsletter.

Also, we wanted to add that our only goal is to improve the quality of the newsletter and we’re working on many ways to do so. If you want to support the newsletter beyond reading it, please consider donating at this link here. Each donation will be put right back into the newsletter to help grow it as well as provide you guys with more exclusive deals and discounts. We are not personally taking any money and will also be donating 10% to local charities!

Today’s Seastside includes:

• Ground breaking ceremony for the Sammamish Town Center

• Kirkland Police ending a crime spree

• A beautiful photo of the Northern Lights

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

Seastside Exclusive Deals:

• 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)

Bellevue:

News:

• The city council has laid out a bold new plan to tackle the city’s affordable housing crisis. They aim to create/preserve 5,700 units over the next decade. (info)

• Kosha Upadhyay, a Bellevue High School student is among five high school seniors in Washington named as a U.S. Presidential Scholar. (info)

• The city has just announced 35 free, cross-cultural events - ranging from celebrations of food and music to sessions focused on conflict resolution. These events will take place over the course of next year. (info)

Events:

• Eastside Startup Friends Meetup. Connect with local startup founders. May 16th from 5 to 8pm. (info)

• Spring District Family Festival will take place on May 18th from 11:30am - 2pm. There will be games, live music, food trucks and more. (info)

• Arts Workshop: Mokuhanga Japanese Woodblock Printing. This is a 2-day intensive workshop where you will learn the Mokuhanga tradition. May 18-19 from 12-5pm. (info)

• The Bellevue Beats & Bites Music Series starts on June 4th and runs to August 1st. The series will run from noon to 1pm. (info)

Redmond:

News:

• Local auto repair shop, Queen City Auto Rebuild, has been acquired by Crash Champions. (info)

Events:

• Exotic cars at Redmond Town Center. Enjoy all things cars on May 18th from 9 - 11am. (info)

• Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center has an open house showcase where the community is invited to learn about Little Bit’s mission. May 19th from 1:30 - 3:30pm. (info)

• Remlinger Farms Concerts: Portugal. The Man/ Bomba Estéreo. May 24th 6-10pm. (info)

Issaquah:

News:

• Barnes & Noble is returning to Issaquah. They plan to reopen in the former Bed Bath & Beyond by late October or early November. (info)

• State Route 18 has reopened between I90 and Issaquah Hobart Road SE after a fatal collision happened several weeks ago. (info)

• Issaquah Highlands wants to remind residents that you must get ARC approval before installing artificial turf in your yards. (info)

Events:

• Compete against your neighbors at the Issaquah Highlands chess club on May 15th from 6-9pm. (info)

• Join local fitness instructions from Infinite Taekwondo Academy at a free workout class on May 18th from 9-10am. (info)

• Bird-A-Thon Field Trip - Lake Sammamish State Park. Join a walk around the state park to learn about local birds. May 20th at 8am. (info)

Kirkland:

News:

• Kirkland Police have put an end to a weeklong crime spree with the arrest of two juvenile suspects. The suspects, both 16-year-olds, are accused of committing a string of crimes around the city. (info)

• The city has introduced a new support program for low-income residents to help with living costs. The program is in partnership with FORWARD and they offer various discounts and rebates on city services. (info)

Events:

• Co-work with fellow writers in Kirkland! Meet up at Zoka Coffee on May 15th from 2-3:30pm and collaborate with local writers. (info)

• Espresso 101 Workshop at Seattle Coffee Gear. Learn how to pull the perfect espresso shots. May 19th at 10am. (info)

• Downtown Connection Series: a business workshop designed to support local merchants for their business success. May 20th from 5:30-7:30pm. (info)

Sammamish:

News:

• The city will be hosting the Sammamish Town Center groundbreaking ceremony on May 18th at 10am. They will be showcasing the grand plans for the new city center. (info)

• The Sammamish farmers market is back! Every Wednesday from 4-8pm come to city hall to enjoy the market. (info)

Events:

• Sammamish Farmers Market on May 15th from 4-8pm. (info)

• Learn about pollinators and pollinator plants with Steve Marple at Big Rock Park on May 18th. (info)

Renton:

News:

• Renton's Public Works Department is launching a waste reduction assistance project to help businesses comply with new state waste laws by providing personalized outreach, tools, and expertise to reduce recyclable and compostable materials in landfills. (info)

• Stakeholder feedback is sought for Initiative 23-02, an ordinance setting labor standard requirements for employers and employees within Renton. The city invites residents to review and provide input on the drafted rules, available in multiple languages, before finalization. (info)

• Mayor Armondo Pavone designates May 6 as Professional Municipal Clerks Week in Renton, recognizing the vital role City Clerks play in administering democratic processes and ensuring transparency in legislative and administrative actions. (info)

Events:

• Free lunch pop up for the unsheltered and residents with food insecurity on May 15th from 12-1pm. (info)

• The Renton City Retro is a fun and engaging experience that celebrates retro gaming. There will be a community of gamers, collectors and enthusiasts. May 18th - 19th from 10am-5pm. (info)

• Join a tour of historic buildings in Renton. The tour will cover the center and southern part of downtown. May 18th at 10am or 1pm. (info)

Mercer Island:

News:

• The City of Mercer Island has approved a permanent ban on consumer fireworks that prohibits the sale and discharge of consumer fireworks, beginning in 2025. The Mercer Island Fire Chief prohibited the discharge of consumer fireworks in 2024 due to a water supply shortage. (info)

• Residents of Mercer Island now have access to flexible and contract-free internet and mobile services with the introduction of NOW Internet and NOW Mobile by Xfinity. These prepaid offerings promise reliable connectivity and affordability, catering especially to those transitioning from the Affordable Connectivity Program. (info)

• Go cheer on the Mercer Island High School girls lacrosse team in the State Semifinals Tuesday against Seattle Academy! (info)

Events:

• “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on May 16th from Mercer Island High School’s Drama 1 program. The event is on May 16th at 7pm. (info)

• Thrifty Fridays! On May 17th at 9am. (info)

Fall City/Snoqualmie:

News:

• Exciting news for downtown Snoqualmie as the Northwest Railway Museum announces plans for a new roundhouse gallery. This 35,000-square-foot expansion will feature a model railway, new exhibit space, and a working turntable, offering visitors immersive experiences in railroad history. (info)

• Snoqualmie City Council is contemplating a new ordinance proposed by Police Chief Brian Lynch to combat the misuse of emergency services. If approved, the ordinance would criminalize repeated non-emergent calls or using threatening language, aiming to curb behaviors endangering community safety. (info)

• Excitement brews in Snoqualmie as fifth-grader Declan Mallady gears up to represent Washington at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Declan will be the sole speller from the state, among 244 competitors from grades one through eight, showcasing his prowess in language on a national platform. (info)

Events:

• Community Origami Class. Learn to make children’s day themed origami pieces. May 15th from 3:30 to 4:30pm. (info)

• Live Music at Sigillo Cellars May 25th from 3 - 6pm. (info)

Bothell/Kenmore:

News:

• A fatal motorcycle crash in Bothell has left the community mourning the loss of a 41-year-old Mill Creek resident. The community is urged to exercise caution on the roads as authorities continue their investigation into the incident. (info)

• Parents in the Northshore School District are rallying to save the fifth-grade band and orchestra program, fearing its elimination due to a budget shortfall. With an expert's analysis suggesting potential long-term costs and declining participation rates, they're advocating for the preservation of music education at upcoming board meetings. (info)

Events:

• Stop by the Bothell Way NE Multimodal Improvements Project Open House on May 15th from 6 - 8 pm. (info)

• After Hours Networking Event on May 16th from 5pm - 7pm. (info)

Woodinville:

News:

• Even in prime salmon habitat like the Sultan River, Chinook numbers are declining, raising concerns among anglers and fishery managers, including those in nearby Woodinville. Warm water, extreme weather, and potential predation are cited as contributing factors, prompting proposed closures of popular salmon fishing areas in Western Washington to protect Chinook populations. (info)

Events:

• The Woodinville Farmers Market is open every Saturday from May - September from 10am to 2pm. The Market is located on Festival Street in the Schoolhouse District. (info)

• CPR/AED & First Aid Training on June 3rd from 4pm - 7pm. (info)

• Live music featuring Kristi Lynn on May 17th at 4pm. (info)

Volunteering Opportunities:

• Volunteer at the Lower Sammamish Commons Community Garden on May 16th from 5-7pm. (info)

• Join Green Kirkland for a fun day of habitat stewardship at Juanita Bay Park east. You will be removing invasive plants such as blackberry and ivy. May 17th from 10am - 12pm. (info)

• Wilburton Hill Park - Trail Restoration on May 23rd from 9 to 11:30am. (info)

What we are currently loving!

• Amarone Ristorante and Bar in Bellevue offers an exquisite dining experience with a cozy ambiance perfect for a special evening out. Their Osso Buco Alla Milanese is a must-try dish, boasting tender, slow-cooked veal shank served with saffron risotto that melts in your mouth. This is one of my favorite Italian places in the Eastside and a perfect date night spot.

• Gyro Makers, a hidden gem among food trucks in Renton, Washington, delivers a taste of authentic Mediterranean cuisine on wheels. Their classic gyro wrap is a flavor explosion, with juicy, tender meat, crisp vegetables, and amazing tzatziki sauce all wrapped in a fluffy pita—a delightful food truck that's sure to satisfy any craving for Greek food!

Vibes:

• We are looking to partner with local businesses to help grow our little community! If you run one or know of someone who runs please let us know and we would love to talk with them and learn more. 

• From Tuesday onwards we will have sunshine peeking out through the clouds. Summer is coming very soon!! Go attend a Mariners game the next three days at the ballpark!

Final Thoughts!

Wow, weren’t those Northern Lights gorgeous? That truly was a once in a life time experience - especially here on the Eastside. We hope you all have a fantastic week! Remember to share the newsletter with your friends!

Mac & Preju