Spring 2026

CITY OF REDMOND

We made it through the long dark of winter!

To celebrate, we’ve included a poem from Shakespeare below– because what’s spring without a little longing?

Sonnet 98

From you have I been absent in the spring, When proud-pied April, dressed in all his trim, Hath put a spirit of youth in everything, That heavy Saturn laughed and leapt with him. Yet nor the lays of birds nor the sweet smell Of different flowers in odor and in hue Could make me any summer’s story tell, Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew. Nor did I wonder at the lily’s white, Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose; They were but sweet, but figures of delight, Drawn after you, you pattern of all those.

Yet seemed it winter still, and, you away, As with your shadow I with these did play.

William Shakespeare, 1609

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Articles by Madeline Virginia

State of the City Recap

Mayor Birney speaks on connection and innovation in Redmond, with nods to AI

Mayor Angela Birney held the annual State of the City address on March 11 at City Hall.

This year, the theme of the address was broken down into four parts: Belonging, Connection, Innovation, and Spirit. Topics focused largely on the upcoming 2 Line light rail completion, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Seattle.

The event was preceded with a local business showcase organized by OneRedmond, which included catering from two Redmond bakeries, Cafecito Mexican Bakery and 100th Ave Cakes. The Mayor’s opening speech was opened by The Snoqualmie Tribe, who performed two songs.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology was mentioned a few times throughout the presentation, an industry that the City seems to be embracing. Though, the event’s messaging acknowledged that AI tech is not always viewed positively.

Mayor Birney opened a discussion with featured speaker Rahul Dodhia, Deputy Director of the Microsoft AI For Good Research Lab, saying, “It seems that everywhere you go these days, there’s talk of AI– and some concern, too.”

Dodhia reflected on the start of the Research Lab with a joke that fell flat with the audience, saying, “People were afraid, you know, ‘AI is going to start World War III, AI is going to destroy your way of life.’ Well, yes, it may do that. But in the meanwhile, before we get there, let’s see if it can do some good.”

The phrasing was odd considering the many protests and arrests at the Redmond Microsoft campus during 2025, which largely centered around Microsoft’s contracts with the Israeli military, and the use of AI technology in war. The mention of “World War III” may have also been in poor taste, with the State of the City address coming just days after U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran.

Dodhia spoke about bad actors in the AI industry, stating, “Along with AI for Good comes our other hat: AI for Bad. We have to think like the bad people do in order to make sure that our well-intentioned AI For Good technology doesn’t get subverted and used for ‘AI for Bad’”.

At this point, Mayor Birney quickly shifted the discussion with a laugh, saying “We’re going to stay on the positive today!”

Other Redmond businesses and nonprofits were also featured during the State of the City address, including the final panel which included representatives from AIM Intelligent Machines, the School Break Food Box Program, and Eastside for All.

Watch the full address at The City of Redmond’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@CityofRedmond

Further Reading:

“Protesters occupy Microsoft office as company reviews its work with Israel’s military”

August 27, 2025, By The Associated Press, published by NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/08/27/nx-s1-5518786/microsoft-protesters-office-israel

Redmond to Seattle Light Rail Complete

The two cities are now connected by one rail line

On March 28, Sound Transit celebrated the completion of the 2 Line Crosslake Connection, a light rail that runs from Downtown Redmond through Seattle.

At a press event announcing the opening of the line, King County Executive and Sound Transit Board member Girmay Zahilay said, “When the 2 Line opens, it will serve 26 stations and more than 35 miles, while knitting together five King County cities and two Snohomish County cities, creating new transit hubs throughout the region.”

Redmond Mayor and Sound Transit Board member Angela Birney also presented at the event, saying, “By linking Seattle and the Eastside, this long-awaited connection will improve access across the region and make the network more useful for everyone.”

Learn more!

Move Redmond is a non-profit that advocates “for better walking, biking, and transit in Redmond”. Visit MoveRedmond.org for maps, resources, and community connections

Redmond, Meet the 2 Line

Stop Highlights

Stop Highlight: #65 - Downtown Redmond

What to do: This is the last stop on Line 2, and will take you to the heart of Downtown right across from Redmond Town Center.

Stop Highlight: #50 - Westlake Station

What to do: The Westlake Station will put you within walking distance of the new Waterfront Park, Pike Place Market, and the Seattle Aquarium.

Or, transfer to the famous Seattle Monorail at this station for a short ride to Seattle Center, the Space Needle, and Climate Pledge Arena.

Stop Highlight: #53 - International District / Chinatown

What It Costs, and How

To Pay

The fare for a one-way light rail ride is $3

Youth 18 and under ride for free with a Youth ORCA card!

Pay by: ORCA Card

Station Ticket Machines

Contactless “Tap to Pay”

Transit GO Ticket Apps on smartphones

The Art of Escape

Redmond Moments sat down with Conundroom owners and designers Alexei and TK Kniazev, to learn more about the art of escape room design

By Jason Miller

10 years ago, Alexei was looking for a change of pace. He had grown tired of working in digital advertising and wanted to start a brick and mortar business, something personal. Enlisting help from his programming brother TK, and their artist mother, the family opened up their first escape room in Redmond: “The Northwest Express”.

It was a room with a simple theme: You’re on a runaway train, and it’s up to you to stop it. The room was a runaway hit.

“After three months we already knew we had to make the next one,” said Alexei.

Nearly 10 years later, Conundroom has expanded to 3 locations with 8 escape rooms. From the surrealist wonderland style of the room “Alice”, to the mystic charm of “School of Magic”, each room is filled from floor to ceiling with elaborate details that invite you to take a closer look.

Every new room pushes the brothers and their team to explore new ideas, but the process of designing a new one is hardly straightforward. As the brothers explain it, a good place to start is at the end, then work backwards. For an escape room, that means the final door.

TK, the lead engineer at Conundroom, says design and testing for the door mechanisms can take up to 2 months alone to perfect.

From there, more puzzles and obstacles are added and refined. The brothers are careful to expand on past ideas and not to repeat themselves. But of course, designing the puzzle is only one part of the process. Next comes building it.

Conundroom has grown to include a team of professional artists and fabricators (and the brothers assure me their mother still helps with the occasional painting). An aesthetic is chosen early on, but TK explains that nothing is too concrete at this stage. Some complications don’t become apparent until after construction begins.

“It’s a very collaborative process” said TK, reflecting on the communication involved in building setpieces and props.

A quick preview of an upcoming attraction offered a glimpse into the engineering behind the rooms. Bundles of wires snaked

throughout the space, twisting inside and in between props. They connect lights, sensors, power, and microcontrollers called Arduinos. This nervous system of electronics is where the logic system for the rooms come in, and where much of the “magic” of the puzzles is created.

Throughout the testing phase, various tweaks and adjustments are made. Every mechanism will have to function reliably, and reset quickly between groups of guests. Even after a room has successfully launched, Alexei and TK are always looking for ways to improve the experiences.

The escape rooms at Conundroom are all marvels of design, and for the Kniazev brothers, they’re also spaces where the community can build experiences together, in person.

At A glAnce

City Council News

Sayna Parsi was chosen to finish State Rep. Osman Salahuddin’s Redmond City Council term. Rep. Salahuddin resigned from his council position when he won his State Rep election last year. Parsi holds council Position No. 1, and her term will expire December 31, 2027.

At the start of the year, Melissa Stewart (Position No 4) was chosen as the new president of the council, with Angie Nuevacamina (Position No 7) chosen as the new vice president.

Redmond Politicians

City council member Jessica Forsythe announced her run for the Washington State House of Representatives in the 2026 Midterm General Election on November 3, 2026. Forsythe is running against incumbent Amy Walen for Position 2 of the 48th District, which represents Redmond.

City council member Vanessa Kritzer also announced her run for the Washington State House of Representatives. Kritzer is running against incumbent Larry Springer for Position 2 of the 45th District, which represents unincorporated Redmond territory, like Redmond Ridge.

Leadership Shakeups in the Gaming Industry

Devon Pritchard became the new president and COO of Nintendo of America at the end of 2025, the first woman to hold the title at the Redmond-based company. She replaced Doug Bowser who had held the position for six years.

Nintendo of America named Satoru Shibata as the new CEO. Shibata has been with Nintendo since 1985 and has held numerous leadership positions within the company, like president of Nintendo of Europe and managing director of Nintendo Australia.

Long-time leader and face of Xbox Phil Spencer retired from Microsoft after 38 years with the company. He held the position of CEO of Microsoft Gaming from 2022-2026.

Asha Sharma replaced Spencer as CEO of Microsoft Gaming. She previously held the position of president of the CoreAI division from 2024-2026.

Mac and Jack’s moves brewery to Bremerton

Mac and Jack’s Brewing Company has moved from their flagship brewery in Redmond, where they had operated since 1993.

In their announcement on Instagram, the company said, “We are now proudly being brewed at Silver City Brewery in Bremerton. The brewing location may have changed, but we will always remember where we are from. Redmond is where Mac & Jack’s began and it will always be part of who we are. It is still on our packaging and forever in our story.”

October 26, 2026

Online and mail voter registrations due!

November 3, 2026

Deadline for in-person voter registration

November 3, 2026 2026 Midterm General Election

Register online at voter.votewa.gov

Blazing Bagels abruptly closes all locations

On the evening of March 12, the long-time Redmond bakery closed all five Seattle-area locations with immediate effect, and laid off staff with a mass email.

Blazing Bagels and Bakery Inc. started in 2001 at their location on 176th Ave NE in Redmond. Last year, founder Dennis Ballen retired, and his daughter Whitney Ballen took over as CEO. The change in leadership marked a year of big changes implemented within the company.

In December 2025, Ballen made a similarly sudden announcement when the wholesale and distribution division of the company was shut overnight, and staff laid off. Affected employees were left frustrated, without severance or notice just two weeks before the Christmas holiday.

In a statement to Redmond Moments, Ballen said, “The company had plans to expand its operations across the Pacific Northwest, but due to a series of unforeseen circumstances, the company has made the excruciating decision to close its doors. The family is deeply saddened and appreciates the years of support from the community and its employees.”

Interview with Elaine Miles

The Redmond local shares reflections on life, art, and her decades-long acting career

Article by Madeline Virginia

Elaine Miles has the uncanny ability to cut through the bullshit while maintaining her charm.

“I come from a cowboy family. My first words were ‘sonbitch’ because I was always with my grandpa, and I heard him say it.”

At Woodblock on Cleveland St., she reminisced about life in Redmond over the past few decades.

“They treat me good here. It’s home,” she said, “I liked it because back then, it was the country.”

Miles originally moved to the city around thirty years ago after an unexpected turn in her life.

“I’m here for the job.”

Around 1990, Elaine drove her mom to an open audition for a new television show casting locals in Seattle. They checked in on their way to a powwow— it was supposed to be a quick stop.

While waiting, a casting director asked Miles if she’d be auditioning. At first, Miles was almost offended—the open call had been for women 35 years and older, and she was barely 30 at the time. But they insisted, and Miles obliged.

The audition was one line: “I’m here for the job.”

She read it again and again, and the casting directors liked the performance enough to invite her to a callback audition. Then, unexpectedly, she was offered the part.

As she recounts it, Miles attended the “cattle call” audition on a Friday, went to the call-back on Monday, and was working by Wednesday.

The show was called Northern Exposure, a fish-out-ofwater story about a New York doctor that moves to a small, fictional town called Cicely, Alaska. Newcomer Miles secured the role of Marilyn Whirlwind, the doctor’s local receptionist.

Miles was plunged into a new career. Not many people would agree to audition on a whim, fewer still would accept a role that would put them on an entirely different life path.

Her job on Northern Exposure finally allowed her to move away from home, on her own for the first time. That was when she came to Redmond, where a lot of the show’s crew lived for the production. The iconic external shots of Cicely were produced in Roslyn, while much of the interior scenes were filmed on a sound stage in Redmond.

Miles’ performance as Marilyn transformed the small role into a touchstone character of the series.

“I really learned a lot from you… You were so real and present.”

- Rob Morrow to Elaine Miles on his podcast, Northern Disclosure

Art and creation

At the time of her casting, Miles’ family lived in Renton, where her father worked as a machinist for Boeing. Acting was new to her, but she was no stranger to creativity.

“My calling actually was to be a designer. But my dad didn’t sign my papers to go to college. He refused because it was too far. He said I’d get lonesome, and we didn’t have that kind of money to bring me back home if I got homesick.”

Creativity is a connecting thread in Miles’ life. Dance and design were her first loves. She learned to weave and bead in the tradition of her Cayuse and Nez Perce ancestry.

“It’s just a part of me. Especially the beading and weaving. I only do it for family.”

When her father died, he was buried with a beaded pipe bag Miles made– something indescribably precious to him. Her mother was buried in a beaded outfit Miles carefully created by hand.

“When my mom had cancer, I kind of quit to take care of her. So, five years I took care of her. And when I tried to get back into it, it was hard.”

In the wake of loss, she remembered something her grandmother told her about acting, “You didn’t get to pursue your dream of sewing. You’re doing something different. You’re still creating. You get to be somebody different.” “I think that’s what I like about it,” Miles added, “I get to be somebody different.”

After Miles returned to her acting career, she was offered a role 30 years in the making.

“Do

you remember me?”

Around 1991, Miles attended an industry event where scores of actors and producers gathered to promote their work. Miles was there with co-star John Collum (who played the character Holling) to promote the video release of Northern Exposure.

Elaine noticed someone meandering through the booths.

“This young kid came, and I would watch him. He’d try to talk to people, and they’d just kind of brush him off. I thought, ‘Wow, he wants to know stuff and they won’t even talk to him!’”

Miles and Collum agreed ahead of time to be nice to the kid. When he came by their booth, Miles took the time to have a conversation with the twenty-something aspiring writer.

She instructed him to call her when he was done with school. She recalls telling him, “Write me into one of your movies. I’ll come work for you.”

Around 2019, Miles received a phone call.

“Do you remember me?” the caller asked.

It was the young writer, named Craig Mazin, who had not forgotten their connection from decades before.

Miles laughed while recounting the conversation, “He goes, ‘You told me to call you when I made my movie. This is it!’”

The project was HBO’s The Last of Us, a video game adaptation co-created and co-written by Mazin and Neil Druckmann. The story follows survivors in a fungi-based zombie apocalypse, with the lead character Joel played by Pedro Pascal.

Mazin told Redmond Moments, “It took me 30 years to be in a position where I could write something for Elaine and cast her, and thank God she said yes, because there’s no one else like her! And of course, she managed to become a fan favorite with just one scene.”

On The Last of Us, Miles plays opposite Graham Greene as Florence and Marlon, an isolated couple in the wilderness. The two had worked together previously on Northern Exposure (Greene passed away in 2025).

Miles and Greene are in the show for less than five minutes, but the result is an episode-stealing performance. Their characters turn a hostage situation into an opportunity to poke fun at Joel (Pascal), who tries desperately to keep control over the situation. In a show with relentless stress, Marlon and Florence bounce off the tension with humor and ease.

Miles compared it to the way she approaches challenging moments on film sets, “I always am the one to break the monotony and start making people laugh.”

For Mazin, the full-circle moment of collaborating with Miles was worth the wait. “I consider myself lucky to have had the chance to work with her. A beautiful spirit and a wonderful actor.”

“…nothing can come close to what Greene and Miles are working with here as Marlon and Florence. Their tangible chemistry and easygoing, grumpy sense of humor reminded me of my grandparents, and it’s one of the only moments in the show yet where I felt like I recognized characters as real people I could encounter in our world. It’s humorous, but it resonates; it’s meaningful.”

- Pete Volk for Polygon.com

Article: “I would watch an entire show about The Last of Us’ grumpy old couple”

The roads ahead

Even now, Miles continues to adapt to obstacles that take her life to unexpected places.

Last year on November 3, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) came to Redmond. Miles was among the community members stopped by the federal agency. Miles described being questioned near Avondale Road, where officers kept her for about 45 minutes. She explained that when she showed her tribal ID, from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the ICE agents called it ‘fake’.

The encounter with ICE shifted the way Miles feels about Redmond after decades of calling it home. She speaks about it openly as a way to cope, but also to let others affected by immigration enforcement know that they’re not alone.

“You’ve got to talk about it,” she explained.

As Miles looks to the future, she sees more opportunities to perform in creative projects. Her career, which started by accident, has become a throughline in her life– acting is a part of her now, like her other works of art.

“My grandma said, ‘Always finish what you start’. And I’m still going.”

Get to Gardening!

The sun is back, and it’s the perfect time to plant your own garden

Redmond’s Hardiness Zone: 8B

In season:

Plants like rhubarb, peas, radishes, carrots, beets, and tulips

Learn more!

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife www.wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/living/habitat-at-home

Local nurseries and supplies:

Gray Barn Nursery

Redmond-Fall City Rd NE www.thegraybarnnursery.com

Sound Sustainable Farmstand & Cedar Grove Compost NE 124th St. www.soundsfarms.com

No Space? No Problem.

Local gardener Chelsea has chronicled her journey of growing and caring for the dream balcony garden. She shares content for aspiring gardeners, and hopes to inspire others to grow with the space they have. Her photos, videos, and articles are a great source of local knowledge!

Community Gardens:

Open spaces at Redmond’s Community Gardens are sometimes hard to come by, but opportunities to register or join a waitlist can be found on the City of Redmond’s registration hub. www.redmond.gov/Register

• Juel Park Community Gardens

• Redmond Senior & Community Center Community Gardens

• Anderson Park Community Gardens

• Spectra Apartments Community Gardens at Marymoor Village

@chelsgrows on Instagram, Youtube, and TikTok

stuff to do!

Edge Skate Park and Graffiti Walls

This skate park in Downtown on NE 83rd St. is open from dawn until dusk. Skaters with an artist’s spirit are also welcome to practice their skills on the two graffiti walls at the park– anyone is welcome to paint on the “Free Walls”.

Redmond Reads 2026

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 - Thursday, May 7, 2026

An ongoing series that includes writing workshops, panels, and a book club discussion. Meetings take place at the Redmond Library, and the Redmond Senior and Community Center.

Program Description:

“Anchored by We Are Not Strangers by Josh Tuininga, this program series centers the importance of local history, the power of graphic novels, and the voices of the Jewish and Japanese communities here during the 1940s.”

Second Story Repertory continues its theater season at Redmond Town Center! Get tickets and learn more at www.secondstoryrep.org

April 3, 2026 – April 19, 2026 THE CAKE

April 24, 2026 - April 26, 2026 (Three performances only!)

KODACHROME

May 15, 2026 – June 7, 2026 A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE

June 26, 2026 – July 19, 2026

EMOJILAND: THE MUSICAL

Artists: Submit for the America 250 Poster Project

Submissions Due by 4 p.m. on April 10

Project Description: “Artists, designers, and creative people of all ages and backgrounds are invited to help represent our community through your creativity and skill. To mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Redmond is joining with the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in the America 250 Poster Project. Redmond residents are encouraged to create posters that visually celebrate Redmond, civic pride, and hope for the future. Some of the posters will be printed and displayed here in Redmond to celebrate America 250, and one poster will be selected by the Mayor to be shared nationally by the NEA and USCM at public events and in their official America 250 art book.” www.letsconnectredmond.com/America250

Volunteer Opportunities

Hopelink Food Bank

There are plenty of ways to volunteer here, including working at the Hopelink Market in Redmond where community members can shop for free. More info here: www.hopelink.org/ways-to-help/volunteer/

Essentials First

This org gives out packs of full-sized hygiene items and cleaning products free to the community. They have a location at the Together Center in Redmond, and then they also do street outreach. More info here: www.essentialsfirst.org/volunteer

Save a Forgotten Equine (SAFE)

For something a little different, this organization rescues horses and rehabilitates them. You can volunteer for barn chores, caring for the horses, or behind-the-scenes admin help. More info here: www.safehorses.org/volunteer-faqs/

Lunch Buddy Program - Lake Washington School District

This program lets you be a personal mentor for a child that needs a little extra attention. Volunteers stop by at lunch to eat, play games, talk etc. More info here: www.lwsd.org/get-involved/volunteering-in-lwsd/links-volunteer-program

financial assistance, housing, and more Redmond Market: 8990 154th Ave NE , Redmond WA , 98052

www.hopelink .org

Essentials First

No-cost essential hygiene kits that include full-size household and personal hygiene items

16305 NE 87th St Suite

121A Redmond, WA 98052 (At the Together Center)

www.essentialsfirst .org

How to use Redmond’s free rideshare program, RedLink

Redmond recently launched a complimentary van service in an effort to support car-free access to the city.

From the City of Redmond:

“The City of Redmond has partnered with Circuit to drive community connection through local microtransit! An on-demand, free, all-electric ride service is available to help residents and visitors get around Downtown Redmond, Southeast Redmond, and Education Hill easily, affordably, and sustainably. Whether you’re heading to local businesses, catching light rail, or running errands, this service makes local trips simple with no car required. This pilot program is expected to run through June 2027, thanks to funding from the City of Redmond, Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, and the Washington State Regional Mobility Grant. Rides are completely free! Riders must be older than 16 to ride. Download the Circuit app to request a ride!”

For hours, pick up locations, and more information: www.redmond.gov/2423/RedLink Or download the RideCircuit app on your smart phone

we’re celebrating our 2nd anniversary of serving you!

For more than two years now, our KeyBank Redmond Ridge branch has been honored to be part of this community. Our team is proud to help our clients and neighbors thrive.

Whether you’re interested in opening your first checking account, exploring options for buying a home, or planning for retirement, we’re ready to meet you in the moment.

Our doors are open, so please stop in!

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.