Issuu

REDMOND MOMENTS

Edition #4

News, community and more from Redmond, Washington

Fall 2026

Xbox Hits a Hard Reset, Redmond Workers Lose the Game Plus...

From Shizuoka to Redmond, With Love World Cup Recap Downtown Redmond Gets Permanent Dog Park

HAPPY HOUR IS WAITING Daily from 3:00 - 5:00 pm

$2 off drafts 50% off bottles of wine food & cocktail specials

Our Ethics

Welcome To Fall!

I. Community first, always

Letter From the Editor

Our purpose is to provide meaningful information to those living and working in Redmond. We will approach each project with the benefit of the community in mind, and make sure we never add to division.

II. Report on facts, encourage learning

People in Redmond deserve a source of objective truth. Reliable sources will be the foundation of our reporting. Where possible, we’ll provide information for further learning.

III. No AI

We’ll never use AI in anything we produce. This newspaper is purposeful and “handmade”- meaning everything here is crafted by people. When we get the chance to expand our staff, we will pay local writers, artists, and photographers for their contributions.

IV. Keep It Free

No paywalls, no charge for the newspaper. We believe information should be available to everyone, and we will work intentionally to serve those who are typically excluded from accessing paid media.

Hello, Redmond! 2026 has been packed so far– the 2 Line light rail was completed, the World Cup came and went. After a frenzied summer of international attention and a seemingly endless stream of festivals, the clouds of fall settle on a quieter Redmond. Times of quiet offer an opportunity to focus inward on ourselves, and our community as a whole. There’s no doubt about it– tech layoffs have sent a shockwave through our city. I wanted this to be our feature story because the idea of Microsoft is so often disconnected from Redmond. The multi-billion dollar company makes international headlines with big decisions, but it affects us on a small scale here and now. In November, I urge you to vote in the general election. If you’re reading this newspaper, it means that you have some interest in participating in the community around you. Local elections are vital to shaping who we want to be collectively, and where we place our values. We’re coming up on the year anniversary of the newspaper in January, and I’m looking forward to sharing what we’ve learned. See you out there, Madeline

Redmond Moments - Fall 2026

Table of Contents News

Xbox Hits a Hard Reset, Redmond Workers Lose the Game Spain Wins World Cup, but Seattle Area Comes Out on Top

If you are able, please help us keep our local newspaper going!

Suggested Contribution:

$1 per issue Contribute via:

Venmo

@RedmondMoments

CashApp

@RedmondMoments

Ko-Fi.com/ RedmondMoments

PayPal

@RedmondMoments

City Installs Permanent Dog Park Downtown

Thank you!

City Council Terminates Flock Safety Contract

Founder and Editor, Madeline Virginia

City Continues Commercial Drone Research

Lead Designer and Photographer, Jason Miller

At A Glance

Community “I Come From A Tea Family”

In Case You Missed It: Marymoor Summer Concerts

A New Haven for Redmond Teens

At This Free Makerspace for Redmond Teenagers, the Building Never Stops

What Would You Do With $50,000 To Save the Planet?

Community Resources

Crossword

Redmond Moments - Fall 2026

News

A roundtable discussion at the Seattle Loves Indie Creators Expo. Photo: Jason Miller/Redmond Moments

Xbox Hits a Hard Reset, Redmond Workers Lose the Game The Redmond giant eliminates hundreds of jobs, braces for thousands more By Madeline Virginia The vibe was a little different this year at the second annual SLICE conference. Tim Cullings, Executive Director and Board President of Seattle Indies, greeted the crowd as they streamed into the auditorium at McCaw Hall in Seattle. He led the audience in an interactive live survey as they submitted answers via their phones. A question was posed to the audience: “Which specific industry topics do you find most concerning?” The crowd laughed as one answer on the word cloud grew bigger and bigger than the rest: LAYOFFS. The Seattle Loves Indie Creators Expo is run by the long-standing nonprofit Seattle Indies, an organization that brings the game development community together, and offers support to creators of independent video games. The industry conference offered unique insight into a part of the community that has taken hit after hit lately. Many of the 900+ people in attendance were recently laid off by major gaming employers, like the Redmond giant Xbox.

Xbox’s Hard Reset Both headquartered in Redmond, Xbox started as Microsoft’s answer to the gaming console twenty five years ago. CEO Phil Spencer acted as the long time leader of the company until his retirement in February of this year. With his departure, questions were raised about the gaming company’s future strategy. As it turns out, Xbox’s outlook may be as bleak as it gets. Just three days after Xbox’s yearly global celebration, the Xbox Games Showcase, newly minted Xbox CEO Asha Sharma shared an internal all-staff memo on Xbox.com, cosigned by Chief Content Officer Matt Booty. The message, titled “Next 100 Days: XBOX Reset”, laid out a clear warning: a major restructuring was coming. “For some of you, these realities will be surprising and even frustrating to discover.”

Redmond Moments - Fall 2026

A word cloud representation of an audience survey. Photo: Madeline Virginia/Redmond Moments

Check-in at SLICE. Photo: Jason Miller/Redmond Moments

Then, on July 10, the other shoe dropped. In another allstaff email posted to Xbox.com, Sharma wrote: “We are beginning the most significant restructure in XBOX history. After careful consideration, I’ve made the difficult decision to reduce our team by approximately 3,200 throughout FY27. This will include approximately 1,600 role eliminations today, and in addition, four studios will leave XBOX to new management.” These numbers had a massive effect locally. In the first round of layoffs in June, 605 Redmond employees were terminated. In the second round of layoffs on September 22, another 277. (Source: Washington State layoff and closure database, WARN) Sharma also outlined a 50% vendor reduction, along with many studio game closures and ownership transfers. “Our business today is not healthy . . . We must reset XBOX”. Xbox strategy in recent years leaned hard into studio acquisitions. Sharma explained that the bet on massive portfolio expansion did not pay off. “We believe we have been impacted more greatly than many of our peers due to the choices we made over the last half decade. . . In a typical year, we lost 64 cents for every dollar we invested.”

Uncertainty Meets Optimism This isn’t the first time Microsoft has made sweeping cuts– 3,199 local workers were laid off in 2023, and another 3,202 in 2025. The reality is that tech workers have experienced massive layoff waves for years. This fresh round of employees are being dropped into an already saturated pool of applicants, made bigger with each round of cuts. At SLICE, details hinted at the changing needs of the community. Convention passes were offered at a discount to those who recently lost their jobs. They offered panels like “You Got Laid Off, Now What?”, and roundtable discussions with industry veterans on how to market yourself in the job search. The gaming industry is in the middle of some dramatic changes, with a lot of uncertainty. However, it is worth noting there was an underlying optimism at SLICE, as well. Many people saw these changes as an opportunity, and were energized by networking with their peers. Seattle Indies also celebrated their tenth year as a nonprofit. In a recap of the event, the organization wrote, “SLICE 2026 proved once again what makes our regional community so vibrant, resilient, and uniquely supportive.” Transparency disclosure: In previous years, the author of this article and the photographer have both worked for vendor companies that provided work for Microsoft. Redmond Moments is committed to unbiased, independent research and reporting.

A panel introduction slide at SLICE. Photo: Jason Miller/Redmond Moments

Redmond Moments - Fall 2026

Spain Wins World Cup, but Seattle Area Comes Out on Top Redmond local businesses score big during the famous soccer tournament

After years of preparation and promotion, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded over the summer. The worldwide soccer tournament took place in 16 cities, with Seattle hosting six games at Lumen Field. The region prepared for the event for years, including the City of Redmond. The “Redmond Is Ready for the World” campaign was designed to encourage tourism and patronage of local businesses during the course of the tournament. The City also awarded more than $125,000 in grants to 28 local businesses and organizations to fund community watch parties. PostDoc Brewing, a grant recipient, reported phenomenal sales numbers for both their Redmond and Kenmore locations. The brewery wrote in an Instagram post, “On day 2 of the tournament, we had our best selling day ever. The best day in 11 years serving this community. But 1 week later, on June 19, you all broke that record again. And then you broke that record again for a third time on July 11.” The freshly minted 2 Line light rail was on full display, often packed to the brim with jersey-clad spectators on their way to the tournament at Lumen Field, or watch parties throughout the region. Local spots like Redmond Town Center were often standing-room only during televised matches in their courtyard. In an all-out celebration on July 19, the City of Redmond threw a final watch-party at Marymoor Park called “Meet Me At Marymoor”. Tickets to the free event were reserved at-capacity weeks before the big game, and about 4,500 spectators attended to watch Spain beat out Argentina. At the event, Redmond Mayor Angela Birney told Redmond Moments, “This sets us up for great success. I think about how many people I see here today for this event, which is amazing. It just makes me convinced that we need to continue to do things like this to bring the community together.” Though Redmond’s full economic impact results are not yet ready, Visit Seattle reported that the World Cup brought $889 million in economic impact to Seattle and King County, and supported 20,000 jobs.`

“Meet Me at Marymoor” watch party at Marymoor Park. Photo: Jason Miller/Redmond Moments

The final match of the FIFA 2026 World Cup projected for the crowd. Photo: Jason Miller/Redmond Moments

“Meet Me at Marymoor” watch party, Marymoor Park. Photo: Jason Miller/Redmond Moments

Redmond Moments - Fall 2026

City Installs Permanent Dog Park Downtown City dogs rejoice! After three years of successful summer “pop-up” dog parks, the City will commit to the popular community feature year round. Luke McRedmond Park’s grass lawn will be converted into a permanent dog park with an anticipated opening of October 2026. Redmond is already known for a love of dogs, with the iconic 42acre unfenced dog park at Marymoor Park, managed by King County. The Luke McRedmond site is close to the denser housing of Downtown Redmond, and will provide a fenced area for city dogs to run and play off-leash. The location is also adjacent to the Sammamish River and Trail, which offers both scenic views and unique, car-free access. Permanent additions to Luke McRedmond Park will include 5 foot tall chain link fencing, picnic tables, shade structures, planted trees, and water fountains.

City Council Terminates Flock Safety Contract

Site of new dog park next to Sammamish River and Trail in Downtown Redmond. Photo: Madeline Virginia/Redmond Moments

City of Redmond’s project page: letsconnectredmond.com/dogpark

City Continues Commercial Drone Research On July 21, Redmond City Council held a follow-up public hearing regarding the land use of commercial drone ports. After hearing public comments, the Council voted to ratify the decision to hold off on development within the city until permanent regulation can be established. The City of Redmond describes commercial drone ports as, “Facilities where drones (also referred to as “unmanned aerial vehicles” or UAVs) load up, launch, and return after making deliveries of things like restaurant food or consumer goods.” Research and community feedback will be conducted through mid-2027, when Redmond City Council will review and adopt the policies. Upcoming dates:

A Flock Safety ALPR camera. Image Credit: Flock Safety

In July, Redmond City Council voted unanimously to cancel the City’s contract with automatic license plate reader provider Flock Safety, ending the Redmond Police Department’s ALPR program. The 21 cameras were suspended just months after installation in 2025, following deep privacy concerns from the community. Though the ALPRs owned by the City are now deactivated and in the process of removal, some businesses in Redmond still operate ALPRs privately. Examples within city limits include The Home Depot, Kroger, and Fed Ex.

• October 28, Planning Commission to review the Technical Committee’s land use regulation recommendation • November 18, Next public hearing during city council meeting Follow the development of these regulations, and learn more at the City of Redmond’s project page: www.letsconnectredmond.com/ droneport

Read our previous coverage on Flock Cameras and commercial drone development in Redmond at RedmondMoments.com

Redmond Moments - Fall 2026

At A Glance Emergency Need Local Election for Blood Donors Reminders Organization flags low local blood supply According to BloodWorks NW, there is an urgent need for blood donors in our community. BloodWorks NW is an independent organization that manages our region’s blood supply. According to the nonprofit, they supply blood to 95% of hospitals in the Pacific Northwest. “Patient need is outpacing donations, and our local blood supply has hit emergency low levels. We urgently need 1,000 donors every day to ensure patients in Pacific Northwest hospitals have immediate access to lifesaving transfusions for cancer treatments, trauma care, and birth complications. If you’re feeling healthy—especially if you’re Type O or a platelet donor—please book your appointment now… Same-day appointments and walkins welcome.” Learn more, and make your appointment to donate blood at: bloodworksnw.org

Election Day is November 3, 2026 Postmark or drop off ballot at ballot box by 8 p.m.

October 14: Ballots mailed to voters October 26: Deadline to register online or by mail November 3: Last day to register to vote in person

Upcoming Mobile Blood Drives In Redmond *Please double check dates, times, and locations with BloodWorks NW for most updated information* QFC Redmond (Bella Bottega) 10/09/2026 8 am - 2 pm 8867 161st Ave.

QFC Redmond (Bella Bottega) 11/27/2026 8 am - 2 pm 8867 161st Ave.

Church of the Holy Cross 10/16/2026 8 am - 2 pm 11526 162nd Ave. NE

Westpark Office Park 12/03/2026 9 am - 3 pm 8441-154th Ave. NE, Suite 100

Sequoyah Electric 10/27/2026 8 am - 2 pm 15135 NE 92nd St.

City of Redmond 12/08/2026 8:45 am - 2:45 pm 15670 NE 85 St.

Swedish Redmond 11/09/2026 8:30 am - 2:30 pm 18100 NE Union Hill Rd.

City of Redmond 12/9/2026 8:45 am - 2:45 pm 15670 NE 85 St.

Accenture - Redmond 11/20/2026 8 am - 2 pm 8383-158th Ave. NE, Suite 400 Opportunity Building

QFC Redmond (Bella Bottega) 12/18/2026 8 am - 2 pm 8867 161st Ave.

Digipen 11/23/2026 10 am - 4 pm 9931 Willows Rd. NE

Church of the Holy Cross 12/18/2026 8 am - 2 pm 11526 162nd Ave. NE

$10 OFF

Swedish Redmond 11/25/2026 8:30 am - 2:30 pm 18100 NE Union Hill Rd.

Swedish Redmond 12/23/2026 8:30 am - 2:30 pm 18100 NE Union Hill Rd.

Your next haircut with this coupon

www.melroseredmond.com 206-817-9916 7975 Leary Way NE

In the heart of Downtown Redmond

Redmond Moments - Fall 2026

King County Metro Rolls Out Major Bus Expansion

Redmond Lights Returns

On August 29, King County Metro rolled out a major expansion to their bus services, including nine new routes, 3,000 more bus trips weekly, and some route eliminations.

The annual Redmond Lights Festival will return this year, a month-long light-powered art gallery in Downtown Park. The festival will kick off with a free celebration on December 6, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with the light gallery continuing every night through the rest of 2026.

KC Metro’s announcement stated, “In response to feedback from riders, Metro is boosting frequency and expanding service earlier in the morning, later in the evening and on weekends, making transit more convenient, reliable and better connected to the region’s expanding Link light rail network.” The public transit service provider also stated that routes are adjusted twice a year, and more major expansions have been approved, and are planned for the coming years. Full List of KC Metro Service Changes: kingcounty.gov/en/dept/metro/routes-and-service/service-change#toc-route-revision Learn to ride Metro: kingcounty.gov/en/dept/metro/ rider-tools/how-to-ride

Light Rail Reigns Supreme Sound Transit is now the most used light rail system in the United States, and ninth busiest overall rail system in the nation.

Redmond Lights is organized by the Redmond Parks department, and the event supports and showcases many local artists of different mediums.

Another Brewery Moves Out of Redmond Big Block Brewery closed their Redmond taproom and brewery (NE 95th St.), and moved their operation to Black Diamond. In an announcement on Instagram, the company wrote, “Rising costs and decreased revenue have made it impossible to keep Redmond open.” This follows the move and closure of another long-time Redmond brewery, Mac and Jack’s, which moved their operation to Bremerton earlier in the year.

The data comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which collects ridership numbers monthly from regional transit systems. Yonah Freemark of the Urban Institute reported that, “Seattle’s light rail & streetcar lines carried 4.8 million riders in April—a 44% increase above March, after Link Line 2 was extended to connect Seattle & Bellevue across Lake Washington. Seattle’s light rail & streetcar lines are now the most-ridden in the nation, above LA, Boston, or San Diego.”

Community

Tea fields in Shizuoka, Japan. Photo courtesy of Sugimoto Tea.

“I Come From a Tea Family” From Shizuoka to Redmond, With Love By Madeline Virginia

In the city of Shimada, Japan, perfect rows of tea plants stretch out like endless waves in a deep green sea. Mt. Fuji towers over the scene, ever watchful of the lush landscape and the bright blue Oi River that cuts across it. Here in the prefecture of Shizuoka, tea is woven into the culture and identity of its people. The land has been cared for by generations of farmers, and what they produce is well known to be some of the best in the world. More than tradition, green tea has been the main economic export of the city since retired samurai cultivated the land after the Meiji Restoration. From Shizuoka, some of the precious harvest will be sent to Redmond, Washington. There, Kyohei Sugimoto and his team await it at Sugimoto USA headquarters. The boxes on the shelves hold 80 years of history, passed down across three generations. “I come from a tea family,” Kyohei explained to Redmond Moments in the warehouse among the pallets of hojicha, sencha, and matcha. Like the vast tea fields, Sugimoto family roots run deep within Shizuoka. It was Kyohei Sugimoto, though, who brought his family’s tea to America.

Zenichi Sugimoto Photo courtesy of Sugimoto Tea.

What Came Before Sugimoto Tea began on a bicycle. In 1946, Zenichi Sugimoto rode through Kanaya, Japan selling his handmade tea through the small city. In his written reflections, Kyohei wrote, “My grandfather, Zenichi Sugimoto, a founder of Sugimoto Tea, was always very nice to me. He remained working in the tea factory until his later years. Every time I visited the factory, he took me to a small neighborhood store and bought me snacks. Watching TV with grandpa and sleeping over at his house were my favorite memory.” Before he took over the company, Zenichi’s son Hiroyuki

Hiroyuki Sugimoto Photo courtesy of Sugimoto Tea.

Kyohei Sugimoto, President of Sugimoto USA. Photo: Jason Miller/Redmond Moments

Sugimoto traveled to Tokyo where he apprenticed for years selling tea at the famous Tsukiji Fish Market. He became the second generation to lead the family factory, continuing the legacy in Shizuoka. Kanaya has since merged with its twin city across the Oi River, Shimada. Sugimoto Tea headquarters is still on the western bank 80 years after Zenichi began his bike route. Kyohei wrote of his childhood there, saying, “Tea fields are everywhere in the area, and I could see tea farmers working on fields from my bedroom window. . . When spring comes to Shimada, the tea fields change color to bright green, and the city is fragranced by aroma of tea steaming. My father often said ‘if you smell this, you will live a long life’ when I was younger.”

In the early years, he learned English as a Second Language at Bellevue College. His weekends were often spent pouring samples of Sugimoto Tea for customers at Uwajimaya Market. With every pour, Kyohei tapped into another facet of his family’s history. His grandfather delivered tea to his neighbors in Shizuoka, his father served tea to endless streams of customers at the Tsukiji Market. “Personal touch, personal connection is everything.” Immigrating to America presented a unique set of challenges. Kyohei’s life was his business— a trip home to Japan meant risking everything if his reentry was blocked. It would be almost 10 years before Kyohei could return to Japan. “I think I felt a little lonely doing everything by myself. . . I wanted to go back to Japan. I missed many things. Parents, friends, food, everything.” In his years away, he introduced many to Japanese culture by hand. He also fell in love, and started a life and family with his wife, Yumiko. Slowly, with years of hard work, the new branch of Sugimoto Tea became successful. The new place that was once a risk for Kyohei became a home. He reflected on his accomplishments, saying, ”Whatever I do, I want to do well enough.”

In Seattle, a New Beginning It was the weather that first charmed Kyohei on a business trip to Seattle with his father in 2003. “Of course, September is beautiful in Seattle,” he recalled to Redmond Moments. Kyohei was 22 years old and rather aimless. He never intended to pursue a career in tea— his older brother Masaaki was already set to take over Sugimoto Tea in Japan. But Seattle called to him somehow. It was the city life he dreamed of as a kid growing up in the tea fields. America presented a new purpose for him, and a tempting challenge. “I never thought of selling tea outside of Japan, but people were appreciating it in Seattle. That changed my way of thinking about tea.” However, an American branch of the company was never a given. When Kyohei moved to Seattle in 2004, he did so on his own. There was no turn-key plan or instructions from his father. If he were to succeed, he would need to start from the ground up. And so, Kyohei began again with his family legacy— a familiar flame to guide him in a completely new place. “I worked hard for sure. But what I needed to do was simple. You have to sell, that’s it.”

The Sugimoto Tea factory in Shimada, Japan. Photo courtesy of Sugimoto Tea.

From Shizuoka to Redmond, With Love Now, the Sugimoto brothers work in tandem across the Pacific. Masaaki is often in the tea fields overseeing the nuances of production. “We buy the tea from farmers, we know the farmers, we drink tea with the farmers. . . This kind of connection we don’t want to compromise,” Kyohei explained. These long-established partnerships with local farmers have proved invaluable. The tea industry has faced a years-long matcha shortage, contributed in part by the unprecedented global demand for a previously niche product. Sugimoto Tea’s position is highly coveted, but it’s also precarious.

Redmond Moments - Fall 2026

“There is a clear boundary between the winner and loser, I think we are fortunate to be still doing this. As the Japanese tea industry changes, the players are less and less,” Kyohei said. Despite the demand, a record number of Japanese tea producers went out of business in 2025. Challenges in recent years stacked up, like matcha cost rising over 300%, American tariffs, and crops affected by climate change. Sugimoto Tea holds strong to their identity though, and Kyohei is hopeful that the matcha shortage will calm down one day. “That’s what my family does. We focus on the quality, that’s why my family started the business. That’s what my father established. We don’t want to be just a normal tea company.”

“We like to be Sugimoto” Summer in Redmond means the first tea harvest of the season arrives from Shizuoka. Kyohei stands among the packed shelves of the warehouse, now host to a legacy of his own. The offices in Redmond have come a long way since he first arrived in Seattle decades ago. Sugimoto USA has operated out of Redmond for ten years now— it’s even listed on the back of their packaging alongside Shizuoka. Sugimoto Tea can be found on the shelves of shops like Uwajimaya and World Market, or whisked into lattes at local spots like SoulFood Coffee House. “Of course I’d like to grow, but I don’t think we need to be a big corporation in order to make money. We like to be Sugimoto.” Kyohei visited his hometown in 2021 with his wife and children, and wrote, “My life has changed drastically in the past 20 years, but I was glad to see not many things are changing in the Shimada city.”

Kyohei Sugimoto (left), and Hiroyuki Sugimoto (right) Photo courtesy of Sugimoto Tea.

The Sugimoto USA team in Redmond, Washington. Photo: Jason Miller/Redmond Moments

Redmond Moments - Fall 2026

In Case You Missed It: Marymoor Summer Concerts

Gin Blossoms perform on July 10, 2026. Photo: Madeline Virginia/Redmond Moments

St. Paul and the Broken Bones perform on August 19, 2026. Photo: Jason Miller/Redmond Moments

Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue perform on August 19, 2026. Photo: Jason Miller/Redmond Moments

Blues Traveler performs on July 10, 2026. Photo: Madeline Virginia/Redmond Moments

Redmond Moments - Fall 2026

A New Haven for Redmond Teens By Jennifer Zhu With the recent demolition of the Old Fire House Teen Center due to safety concerns, there has been an increased need for a safe, welcoming space where teens in Redmond can feel comfortable socializing or just winding down after a long day. The Teen Lounge at the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village provides just that, offering different activities throughout the week that any teen can participate in just by showing up. As a teenager who is eager to take on new experiences and be more involved in my community, I decided to attend two of these activities. When I arrived at the Redmond Community Center on a Tuesday and stepped through the double doors of the Teen Lounge, I was immediately captivated by the colorful decorations and relaxing vibe of the place. One of the teen recreation leads, Avery, gave me a quick tour and explained that a space like this is extremely important because, “It is the only third space for teenagers in Redmond . . . A place you can just go and hang out, and meet people, and just be your own person.” She also pointed out that, “There is an isolation you feel in being a teen, because you are still a kid. You don’t have as much context and time as older people might have, but you’re stepping into that space, and you want to be able to be around your community.” Since the center currently offers a movement arts program on Tuesdays, I was taught a fun Tai Chi game before leaving. I went back on Friday for Dungeons & Dragons, currently the most popular activity there. Even without any prior experience, it was easy to learn, and I immediately joined the fun. While there are specific activities for each day, teens are welcome to just hang out, have a snack (there are plenty of free snacks!), play one of the instruments on the walls (electric guitars, ukuleles, and more), or do something else independently. There is also WiFi, and all activities are free to attend unless otherwise stated on the website. If you are between the ages of 13 and 18, stop by the Teen Lounge at the Redmond Community Center (behind the stairs) from 2:30 p.m.

Entrance of the Teen Center at the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village. Image Credit: Jennifer Zhu

to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Besides the activities I tried, they also offer things like board game days, craft sessions, and stress management workshops. A free Teen Lounge Pass can be acquired through online registration, though it is not required, and drop-ins are welcome. As Avery explained it, the goal of the Teen Center is to be “. . . a place for young people to be themselves, to not have to perform competence, where they can let loose safely.” Visiting may be the perfect opportunity to make new friends, discover a new passion, or simply find a space where you can let your guard down.

At This Free Makerspace for Redmond Teenagers, the Building Never Stops By Lindsey Kim The soft whir of a laser cutter blends with the steady buzz of 3D printers. Wood gives off a faint burnt smell as thin lines appear across its surface, while a heat press snaps shut over a T-shirt nearby. Scraps of vinyl and fabric spills across crowded work tables. Within this space, everything seems to be in the process of transforming into something else. At the Centro Cultural Mexicano Makerspace, the building never stops. The Makerspace is a corner of Centro Cultural Mexicano’s larger mission: giving the Hispanic community a place to celebrate its culture, while keeping the doors open for everyone. Its free tools, including laser cutters, heat presses, and 3D printers, give high school students with big ideas but limited resources a chance to bring their creation to life. The center also holds frequent workshops in both English and Spanish on a variety of creative skills. “We’re all very colorful here,” said Marisa, a Makerspace staff member. “Our culture is deeply woven into everything we do, and we’re able to introduce people to many of our traditions and celebrations, such as lucha libre.” I got to experience that welcoming atmosphere when Marisa guided me through making my own t-shirt. I watched in fascination as the machine transferred the ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ album cover onto a blank T-shirt in less than 30 seconds. Not only was I able to get a glimpse of the Makerspace in action, but I was quite thrilled to leave with a free Beatles souvenir. The Makerspace is not the only way Centro Cultural Mexicano gives shape to its mission, though. In its galleries, local artists are given walls where they can exhibit their work. In its youth programs, students learn traditional Mexican arts, from Huichol yarn painting and Oaxacan black pottery, to mariachi.

Student contributor Lindsey Kim at the Makerspace at Centro Cultura Mexicano in Downtown Redmond. Image Credit: Lindsey Kim

The tools change from room to room, from a paintbrush, to an instrument, to a 3D printer, to an application for assistance, but each offers a unique way for people to find a foothold. I left with my shirt in hands, the ink still fresh across its surface. Behind me, the printers continued to hum, and another piece of wood slid beneath the laser. After spending time at Centro Cultural Mexicano, it became clear that the most important thing being built here can’t really be carried home. It takes shape in a staff member teaching someone a new skill. In an artist finding a new place to display their work, and in the traditions being passed forward. At Centro Cultural Mexicano, the building never stops–especially when it comes to that of a community.

Redmond Moments - Fall 2026

What Would You Do With $50,000 To Save the Planet? By: Neha Veerepalli Imagine walking onto a stage, hearing your name announced, and realizing you just won the Nobel Peace Prize. Everyone is cheering, and you are about to accept an award for changing the world. Okay, maybe Redmond’s Youth Climate Action Fund is not quite the Nobel Peace Prize, but it is an exciting opportunity for people who want to make a difference in their community. The City of Redmond is set to award $50,000 in grants to youth-led climate projects, giving teams the money and support they need to turn their ideas into real action. The city plans to distrib- Student contributor Neha Veerepalli ute the fund through smaller with Redmond Mayor Angela Birney grants of $1,000 to $5,000. Proj- at the Youth Climate Action Fair. ects must be led by at least two Photo: Madeline Virginia/Redmond people between the ages of 15 Moments and 24, be in Redmond, and be completed by April 2027. Redmond is one of 300 cities in the Youth Climate Action Fund program funded through Bloomberg Philanthropies, a charitable organization that supports projects in areas like climate change, public health, and education. The city is looking for projects that are creative, realistic, and can involve members of the community. In September, Redmond’s Environmental Sustainability Department held a fair at the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village to meet with potential applicants and discuss their proposals. At the fair, Redmond Mayor Angela Birney explained to Redmond Moments that one of the most important parts of the program is giving young people the chance to bring their own ideas to the table. “I think one of the things I appreciate about people that are younger is that they haven’t had all of the, ‘you can’t do this, you can’t do that’ in their lives kind of overwhelming them,” she said. Having taught middle school, Birney said she remembers how creative students could be when thinking about problems. She also believes that young people experience the world differently from older generations. Birney gave an example of something that has changed over

time: packaging. When she was younger, there were not as many individually packaged snacks and drinks. Today, plastic packaging is everywhere. The next generation who are living through these changes have ideas about what could be better. Redmond was chosen for the grant because the city already has a foundation of climate work. Birney said the city has staff support and a community that is committed to making environmental improvements, but having a plan is not enough. “What you really want to see is movement, and taking those plans, taking action, and making something happen . . . Ideally, what happens is that we end up with some really great projects, and then those projects are actually shared worldwide,” Birney said. The Youth Climate Action Fund will give people a chance to help shape the future of their community. And who knows? Maybe one of those ideas will eventually inspire something much bigger than a $50,000 grant.

Learn more about the City of Redmond’s Youth Climate Action Fund here: www.redmond.gov/2586/ Youth-Climate-Action-Fund

Kumon can help improve your child’s math and reading skills this school year! There is no shortcut to greatness. Mastery of skills takes practice. Your student can excel in math and reading … with practice.

Get up to $100

in Amazon eGift Cards!* Schedule a Free Assessment! Kumon Math and Reading Center of Redmond - Downtown 7430 164th Avenue NE, Suite B220 Redmond, WA 98052 redmond@ikumon.com • 425.869.3939

Redmond Moments - Fall 2026

Food bank, a free food market where members of the community can shop for themselves. Financial assistance, housing, and more.

One building with many community non-profits, centralized in Downtown Redmond.

Redmond Market: 8990 154th Ave NE, Redmond WA, 98052

www.hopelink.org

No-cost essential hygiene kits for the community! Include full-size household and personal hygiene items 16305 NE 87th St Suite 121A Redmond, WA 98052 (At the Together Center)

www.essentialsfirst.org

4 Tomorrow ARCH BrightSpark Early Learning Services Cascadia College Chinese Information & Service Center Disability Empowerment Center Eastside for All Essentials First Indian American Community Services

IKRON JFS NAMI Eastside Open Doors For Multicultural Families HealthPoint Medical & Dental LWSD Transition Academy Muslim Community Resource Center Kindering Sound

16305 NE 87th St. Redmond, WA 98052

TogetherCenter.org

ross the Bri c A d e ge d i r P Drive your career forward

JOIN HOPELINK AS A DART DRIVER

Scan our QR code for “The Big Book of All Things Queer“ a living document full of resources, educational materials, provider referrals and support for the queer community and beyond

• Competitive pay at $27/hr • Paid training at $25/hr • New-hire bonus of $4,500 • Full medical, dental, and vision insurance

Scan QR code or visit hopelink.org/ drive-for-hopelink

Creating events, providing resources, and opportunities for advocacy throughout East King County Events include Trans Nonbinary Swims Queer Figure Drawing Rainbow Elder Breakfast and HUNDREDS more to attend

@Pride Across the Bridge @Pride Across the Bridge

Redmond Moments - Fall 2026

Answers at: RedmondMoments.com/crossword-answers

–– friendly faces. friendly, helpful advice. At KeyBank Redmond Ridge branch, we’re excited to be part of the neighborhood. We look forward to sharing the advice and support you need to bank with confidence. Whether it’s for savings, investing, or more, our team is proud to offer personalized solutions, practical guidance, and real conversations to help you reach your financial goals.

I am thrilled to be part of KeyBank’s branch in Redmond Ridge. My team and I are deeply committed to helping our clients and communities thrive. Stop by and let’s talk! Michael Pham Branch Manager

Visit our branch at: KeyBank Redmond Ridge 23555 NE Novelty Hill Road, Redmond, WA 98053 Branch Lobby Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Get to know us at key.com Schedule an appointment with Michael or a team member.

NMLS# 399797

Edition No. 4 Fall 2026 - Redmond Moments Newspaper