La Vie en Redmond

The Redmond Firefighters’ Union began its annual “Santa in the Neighborhoods” food and toy drive on Dec. 11.
Santa and his volunteer helpers will continue cruising through Redmond neighborhoods on an old-time red fire truck for the next few evenings.
Tonight (Dec. 15) look for Santa and friends in Southeast Redmond, east of Bel-Red Rd.
Dec. 16, they’ll be in the South Education Hill area, from Northeast 90th Street to Northeast 116th Street.
Dec. 19, the destination is North Education Hill, north of Northeast 116th Street.
Dec. 20, Santa is headed to Redmond Ridge and Union Hill.
Look and listen for the festive truck, playing holiday music. Say hi to Santa and his pals, get a candy cane and if you can, donate some food, toys or cash for community members in need.
The Redmond Firefighters’ Union will match up to $500 in collected funds this season.
For more information, call (425) 556-2200.

When your kid is too old for Zhu Zhu Pets — and doesn’t want you to pick out his or her clothes anymore — consider giving gifts of knowledge.
Redmond’s Old Fire House Teen Center is accepting enrollment for several inexpensive January and February classes to broaden teens’ horizons. A few include:
• Thursday afternoon Silkscreen Co-op by appointment. ($5)
• Drumming 102 for drummers with a bit of experience who want to advance their skills. Tuesday evenings from Jan. 19-March 9. ($28 for Redmond residents, $31 for non-residents)
• Teen Toastmasters, for students who have a fear of public speaking. This one can help with school presentations, job interviews and more. Monday evenings, Feb. 8-March 8. ($15 residents, $18 non-residents)
For sign-up or information, e-mail ccullen@redmond.gov.

In last Friday’s Redmond Reporter, our editor Bill Christianson wrote about an effort between the Reporter staff and the Redmond Rotary to identify and honor a Community MVP of the Year.
In case you missed Bill’s column, a nominee for this award should be a shining star who has generously given a large amount of volunteer time to a worthy cause in Redmond.
From my experience as a reporter in Redmond, I can tell you that this community is blessed with many wonderful and talented people who care deeply about their neighbors and making Redmond a terrific place to live, work and play.
Choosing just one exemplary volunteer won’t be easy, but that’s where you, our readers, can play an important role.
Take a moment to think about someone here in Redmond, at your office, school, church or club, who consistently and cheerfully gives back to the community in a meaningful way.
E-mail that person’s name and contact information, along with your name and contact information — and a brief paragraph explaining why the nominee is special — to redmondrotary@yahoo.com.
Nominations are due by Dec. 15 and the winner will be given an award at the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon on Jan. 20, 2010.

Does the holiday season sometimes make you tense? Join the club!
Between pressures to shop, decorate, send cards and attend parties (sometimes with difficult relatives), all the “celebrating” can feel like too much work.
And the holidays can feel especially lonely for those who’ve lost a loved one or a job or are coping with chronic illness.
In this Friday’s edition of the Redmond Reporter, look for a wise and timely column by Patti Skelton-McGougan, executive director of Youth Eastside Services. She writes about letting go of crazy, unrealistic expectations for a “perfect” family holiday.
In a similar vein, a free presentation called “Surviving the Holidays with Your Health Intact” happens at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7 at Whole Foods Redmond Market, 17991 Redmond Way. Dr. Larry Silber, DC will offer tips to beat the blues and avoid weight gain between now and the New Year. For information, call (425) 881-2600.

• Redmond’s Northwest Totem Cellars will be among more than 30 regional wineries featured in the Woodinville Wine Country’s St. Nicholas Day Open House, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6.
I visited this award-winning local winery last summer and here’s a link to that story:
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/red/business/49115817.html
Only participants carrying a St. Nick’s booklet and tasting glass and their designated drivers will be allowed entry to the special tastings this weekend. The booklets and tasting glasses will be picked up at Columbia Winery, 14030 NE 145th St. in Woodinville. For ticket prices and details, call (425) 205-4394 or visit
http://www.woodinvillewinecountry.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=39&category=0
• Not far from Northwest Totem Cellars, in the lovely Sammamish River Valley, Theno’s Dairy, 12348 Woodinville-Redmond Rd. now has peppermint and egg nog ice creams for the holiday season and is offering free samples of holiday fudge. For details, call (425) 885-2339 or visit http://www.thenosdairy.com/

You’re bored, you’re broke and your blood pressure is out of whack.
Walking is a no-nonsense, no-cost way to relieve stress, improve your health and help you to appreciate some local sights that you’re not going to see when you’re stuck in traffic or zoning out in front of the TV.
And the City of Redmond has just published two new “Walk Redmond” brochures (one for the East side of town, including Education Hill, North Redmond and the Sammamish Valley and the other for the West end, including Downtown, Grasslawn and Overlake).
These free publications include maps and facts about a variety of scenic walks, whether you’re only free for a quick jaunt or have time for a leisurely stroll.
Descriptions of each route include noteworthy landmarks or natural features. For example, do you want to shop along the way, check out historic buildings or gaze at wildlife?
Also included are icons showing which routes are wheelchair accessible, as well as caveats about routes which are very hilly or potentially muddy.
“Walk Redmond” brochures are available at Redmond City Hall, 15670 NE 85th St.; the Redmond Senior Center, 8703 160th Ave. NE; and at the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, 16600 NE 80th St.
For more information, call the city’s Parks and Recreation department at (425) 556-2311 or e-mail redmondparks@redmond.gov.
If you choose to walk in a commercial area of Redmond, look for a Redmond business directory and discount information at www.thinkredmond.com.

Last December, we told you about a valiant effort to make Redmond’s live music scene more vibrant:
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/red/news/36391054.html
In this economy, most of us have cut way back on entertainment, but the good news is that the venues we told you about in late 2008 are still standing — and yes, still serving up some great live music with either no cover or a modest cover charge.
Not all have professional bands on a nightly basis. Sometimes there’s an open mic, a community drum circle or other diversion.
But in this season of good will, getting out of your house, mingling with neighbors and supporting the local talent is a way to strike back against the pervasive doom and gloom.
Keep those good vibrations happening.

On your marks, get set, start shopping. Redmond Town Center has extended hours on Black Friday (Nov. 27) and some merchants will open much earlier than usual, offering “door buster” discounts or free product giveaways as incentives.
Overall Town Center hours will be 8 a.m.-10 p.m. this Friday. Macy’s will be open 5 a.m.-11 p.m.
Check out the list of Black Friday deals at http://www.redmondtowncenter.com/sales.asp

The Redmond Regional Library’s 2009 “One Book, One Redmond” program is coming to a dramatic conclusion — culminating with an author appearance by Timothy Egan at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3.
Librarian Andy McClung urges, “Arrive early to get good seats!”
Egan will answer questions about his award-winning book “The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived The Great American Dust Bowl.”
If you’ve not yet read the book, a limited number of copies are available for check-out at the Redmond Library, 15990 NE 85th St.
Or you can pick up a coupon at the library, for a 20 percent discount on the book purchase, redeemable at Borders at Redmond Town Center.
In conjunction with the “One Book, One Redmond” program, there are two more free movie screenings at the library, related to the themes of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression.
This Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2 p.m., the movie is “Sullivan’s Travels.”
The following Sunday, Nov. 29 at 2 p.m., it’s “Black Blizzard,” featuring Egan.
Three more book discussions are still to come:
Tomorrow night (Nov. 19) at 7 p.m., the discussion is at the library.
At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24, it’s in the City Hall lobby — with coffee and snacks! That’s at 15670 NE 85th St.
Last but not least, another book discussion will happen at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30 at the Redmond Senior Center, 8703 160th Ave. NE.
In other King County Library System news, the Kirkland branch is re-opening on Saturday, Dec. 5.
Need more info? Contact Andy McClung at andrewm@kcls.org or call the Redmond branch of the library at (425) 885-1861.

Everybody loves Fridays and now there’s even more reason to rejoice as Redmond Town Center has scheduled several “Freebie Friday” activities during the holiday season.
• On Nov. 27, Redmond Town Center is picking up the tab for SecondStory Repertory’s “Drop and Shop” service. Parents can get two hours of child care while they shop, at no charge on the 27th. Space is limited and the service is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call SecondStory Repertory for details, at (425) 881-6777.
• Also on Nov. 27, get a free plush bear when you visit Santa (you can’t miss his house, in the Center Street Plaza) between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. The free bear offer is “one per child,” while supplies last.
• Dec. 4, Gold Class Cinemas will provide one free ticket per person, for any show, at any time, while supplies last. The offer is available in the Center Street Plaza at noon.
• Also on Dec. 4, get a free 5 X 7- inch photo with Santa, while supplies last.
• Dec. 11, holiday train rides around the Town Center are free between noon and 8 p.m. The “train station” is located near the Guest Services office at the corner of 164th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 74th Street.
• Dec. 18, 19 & 20, get free horse-drawn carriage rides from noon- 8 p.m.
Also at Redmond Town Center, from Friday, Nov. 27 through Thursday, Dec. 24, enjoy the “Community Showcase,” featuring free musical entertainment by local school and church groups. Performances take place in the Center Street Plaza every hour, on the hour, from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
From past years, I can tell you there’s some great local talent and it’s always fun “people-watching” at the Town Center, too.