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Best of Redmond: Redmond Washington News, Events, Restaurants & Things to Do

Best of Redmond: Redmond Washington News, Events, Restaurants & Things to Do

By: Dan Schulz and Jennifer Davis – Eastside Seattle community podcasters with a passion for talking about all the amazing local businesses neighborhood news and weekly recommendations for Redmond WA residents.
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Best of Redmond is your insider guide to everything happening in town. Every Tuesday and Thursday, Dan and Jennifer share the best events, restaurant recommendations, new business openings, and neighborhood news... plus the Rumor Mill, where we share what we've heard might be coming next.© 2026 Best of Redmond, JenDanCo LLC Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Redmond's Tree Rules Are Changing, Turnpike Comes to Town & Best Ice Cream

    Redmond's Tree Rules Are Changing, Turnpike Comes to Town & Best Ice Cream
    Jul 2 2026
    Welcome to Best of Redmond! Redmond's twice-weekly newsletter and podcast about all the amazing things happening in Redmond for the next seven days!📰 Redmond’s Tree Rules Might Be Changing Okay, so Redmond is rewriting its tree code for the first time since 1998, and this one matters whether you own a house or just like living on a tree-lined street. The city is trying to figure out how to balance growth, housing, and keeping Redmond from turning into one giant construction zone with no shade. They’ve extended the public questionnaire deadline to July 31, so there’s still time to weigh in. If you care about what Redmond looks like ten years from now, this is worth a look.🎵 Turnpike Troubadours at Chateau Ste. Michelle Turnpike Troubadours roll into Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery on Thursday, July 2 at 6pm, and this one’s gonna pull a crowd. They’ve got Muscadine Bloodline and Dexter and The Moonrocks opening, so it’s basically a full night of country and rock without a weak spot in the lineup. Gates open about 90 minutes early, and if you’ve been to these summer shows before, you know parking gets messy fast. Get there early, bring water, and settle in.👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Funny First Friday at the Farm Remlinger Farms is trying something new Friday, July 3 from 6:30 to 8pm. Family-friendly stand-up comedy, which honestly sounds like a smart move. They’ve got pro comics, arcade games for bigger kids, and a play area for little ones, so it’s one of those rare things where parents can laugh and kids stay busy. Tickets are $10 online, $15 at the door, and kids under 12 get in free. Could be a sneaky good night out.🚲 Willis Tucker, Two Lakes, and Coffee Ride If you’re looking for a solid Thursday morning ride, this one starts July 2 at 9:30am out of Willis Tucker Park and runs about three hours. It’s a moderate pace, around 14 to 16mph, with rolling hills and a few climbs mixed in. The route cuts through Mill Creek and loops past Martha Lake and Silver Lake before a stop at Frost Donuts for coffee and sugar. Helmets are required, and registration closes at 7:30am, so don’t sleep on it.🐾 Dog-Friendly Patios Are Calling Looks like decent weather this weekend, which means patio season is fully on. If you’ve got a dog, this is prime time to grab coffee, lunch, or a beer somewhere they’re actually welcome. Around Redmond, plenty of spots with outdoor seating fill up fast once the sun hits, and dogs usually get treated better than people anyway. Bring water, keep them leashed, and maybe skip the hottest part of the afternoon. Easy weekend move.🐔 Farm Spotlight: Chicken! Farrel-McWhirter Park is doing a chicken-focused farm spotlight on Sunday, July 5 from 10 to 11am, and if you’ve got kids who love animals, this is easy. The volunteers and docents will be out there talking about the chickens, farm history, and answering questions while kids get up close instead of just pointing through a fence. It’s free, but they want registration so they know how many people are coming. Solid low-key Sunday morning plan.📚 Book Signing at SoulFood CoffeeHouse Leslie Barber is at SoulFood CoffeeHouse on Sunday, July 5 from 1 to 3pm for a reading and signing of her book Unemployable!. The book digs into the mental side of proving your worth, which feels pretty relevant right now. They’ll have copies there if you want one, and SoulFood’s the kind of place where these smaller events actually feel personal instead of awkward. Good option if you want something quieter that still gives you something to think about.🧘 Mindfulness at Redmond Library Redmond Library has a mindfulness session Sunday, July 5 from 2:30 to 5pm focused on body awareness and guided meditation. This isn’t one of those “sit still and pretend your brain is quiet” things. It’s more about noticing what your body’s doing and slowing down enough to actually pay attention. It’s aimed at adults and runs a couple hours, so expect something deeper than a quick workshop. Bring comfortable clothes and don’t rush in late.🔮 Redmond Rumor Mill Here’s one making the rounds: rumor has it a luxury picnic catering company might be taking over a small storefront in Old Redmond. We’re hearing it could be part prep kitchen, part retail shop. Charcuterie boards, flowers, blankets, the whole deal. Basically built for people trying to pull off a Marymoor date night without making three stops first. We don’t know if the lease is signed or if it’s actually happening yet. But if it is... which storefront do you think it is?If you've got a guess or have heard something, head to our Facebook page at facebook.com/BestOfRedmond and drop it in the "Redmond Rumor Mill Guesses" post.🗳️ Your Picks: Best Ice Cream in Redmond Alright, that's it for this week.Head on over to facebook.com/BestOfRedmond, find the post called "Your Picks," and drop your vote in the comments. We want to know who you think is the ...
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    8 mins
  • Is a Paddle Board Outfitter Coming to Marymoor? Plus Soccer & Dog Groomers

    Is a Paddle Board Outfitter Coming to Marymoor? Plus Soccer & Dog Groomers
    Jun 30 2026
    Welcome to Best of Redmond! Redmond's twice-weekly newsletter and podcast about all the amazing things happening in Redmond for the next seven days!📰 Redmond Wants Your InputThe City of Redmond just opened its full community survey, and this one’s for everybody — not just the small batch of residents they heard from earlier this year. It only takes a few minutes, and it’s your chance to tell them what’s working, what’s driving you nuts, and what actually needs fixing around town. Traffic, parks, housing, sidewalks, all of it. This is the stuff city leaders use when they decide where money goes next. If you’ve got opinions, now’s your shot.You can submit your feedback directly by accessing the online questionnaire at Redmondsurvey.com.👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 World Soccer Watch Party at Downtown ParkIf your house has soccer fans in it — or you just want a free excuse to hang outside Wednesday — there’s a big World Soccer Games watch party happening July 1 from 1 to 4 at Downtown Park. They’re throwing the Round of 32 match on a giant outdoor screen, and there’s more than just soccer. Kids can jump into activities, there’ll be food vendors, music, giveaways, and community booths all over the park. Bring a chair or a blanket because this one could get crowded.👶 Family Storytime at Farrel-McWhirter ParkIf you’ve got little kids and need something easy to do Wednesday, the Redmond Library is doing Family Storytime at Farrel-McWhirter Park from 12:30 to 1:30. It’s part of their summer run that goes through August, and it’s a good one because it’s outside. They’ll do books, songs, and the usual storytime stuff, but kids can move around without parents stressing about library whispers. Bring snacks and let them burn energy after.📚 Romance Book Club at Brick & Mortar BooksIf your Wednesday night sounds better with books than bars, Brick & Mortar Books has their Romance Book Club from 6:30 to 7:30. This month they’re reading Cosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon, which honestly might win for best title alone. It’s built around inclusive romance books and open to anybody, whether you read one romance a year or twenty. Good excuse to meet some people and talk books without it feeling like homework.♟️ Weekly Chess Club at SoulFood CoffeeHouseSoulFood has a weekly chess club every Wednesday from 4 to 6, and it’s one of those easy drop-in things where you don’t have to be good to show up. If you know your openings, cool. If you barely remember how the bishop moves, also fine. Grab coffee, sit down, and play a few rounds. It’s low-pressure and honestly a solid way to break up the middle of the week.🐾 Got a Nervous Dog? Fireworks Start This WeekQuick heads-up if your dog loses it every July. The neighborhood fireworks usually start before the Fourth, and they’re already starting around Redmond. If your dog gets anxious, now’s the time to prep. Longer walks earlier in the day help. Set up a quiet room. White noise helps too. And double-check tags and microchip info. Every year dogs bolt because of fireworks. Better to get ahead of it now.🚲 Bicycle Bling: GETMAD Ride Hits a RoadblockThe Redmond Cycling Club’s GETMAD 2026 ride is basically sold out, but now the whole thing might get derailed because of route safety concerns near Mowich Lake. WSDOT says debris and hazards along SR 165 need work before a big organized ride can safely roll through, but that work won’t happen until late July. The club says the route looked fine when they checked it in May, so now they’re waiting to see if WSDOT can move things around. Bit of a mess.🕰️ Redmond History MinuteOkay, it's time for the Redmond History Minute, where we share an interesting piece of history, trivia, or tidbit about life in and around Redmond.What is the current name of the road that used to be called "Main Street" in old Redmond?A) Cleveland StreetB) Redmond WayC) Leary WayD) Avondale RoadAnswer revealed at the bottom of this newsletter.🔮 Redmond Rumor MillOkay, here’s one we heard this week. Word is a small boutique paddle board and kayak outfitter might be circling a spot near Marymoor with direct water access. Think rentals, lessons, and guided sunset floats on Lake Sammamish. Supposedly this would be a smaller local setup, reservation-only, and not one of those giant chain rental places. We don’t know where exactly or how far along it is. But if this happens... where do you think it lands?If you've got a guess or have heard something, head to our Facebook page at facebook.com/BestOfRedmond and drop it in the "Redmond Rumor Mill Guesses" post.🗳️ Your Picks: Best Dog Groomer in RedmondAlright, that's it for this week.Head on over to facebook.com/BestOfRedmond, find the post called "Your Picks," and drop your vote in the comments. We want to know who you think is the best dog groomer in Redmond.📻 Don't Miss the PodcastIf you enjoyed this newsletter, you're gonna love ...
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    9 mins
  • New Indie Movie Theater Coming To Redmond? Plus Best Family Entertainment Spot

    New Indie Movie Theater Coming To Redmond? Plus Best Family Entertainment Spot
    Jun 25 2026
    Welcome to Best of Redmond! Redmond's twice-weekly newsletter and podcast about all the amazing things happening in Redmond for the next seven days!🎵 Grab Your Tickets Before This One Sneaks Up on YouFriday, July 10 might feel like it's still a few weeks away, but Marymoor Live shows have a habit of selling tickets before people realize they're coming. Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms, and Spin Doctors are bringing one of the most '90s lineups imaginable to Redmond, with doors opening at 4 PM and the show starting at 6 PM.Between "Run-Around," "Hey Jealousy," and "Two Princes," you'll probably know more songs than you think. If this sounds like your kind of summer concert, now is probably a better time to buy tickets than the week before the show.👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 This Sunday, the Library Is Making Soccer More AccessibleThis Sunday, June 28, from noon to 3 PM, the Redmond Library is hosting a sensory-friendly watch party designed for neurodivergent community members and families. The event will feature lower lighting, lower volume, captioning, and flexible seating options, including space for blankets and sleeping bags.They'll also have snacks and activities available throughout the event. Even if soccer isn't your thing, it's nice to see the library creating opportunities that make community events more welcoming and comfortable for everyone.👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 This Weekend, Kick It in Redmond ContinuesThis weekend, Redmond Town Center is hosting another round of Kick It in Redmond activities as the city continues to celebrate with family-friendly events. While soccer is part of the fun, the bigger attraction is the atmosphere, with games, activities, and community gathering spaces for all ages.Even if nobody in your family can explain the offside rule, there will be plenty to enjoy. Think of it as a weekend family outing that just happens to have soccer in the background.🏆 Crossfire Surf Cup Takes Over Sixty AcresThis weekend, hundreds of youth athletes and their families will be heading to Sixty Acres Park for the Crossfire Surf Cup. The tournament brings teams from around the region and turns one of Redmond's busiest sports complexes into a hub of activity for several days.If you've got a player participating, you'll already know where you'll be spending the weekend. If not, just keep in mind that traffic around the area may be a little heavier than usual with teams, coaches, and families coming into town.🕰️ Redmond History MinuteOkay, it's time for the Redmond History Minute, where we share an interesting piece of history, trivia, or tidbit about life in and around Redmond.In 1960, a major recession in which industry caused Redmond's local ranches to close and forced farmers to switch to other crops?A) Dairy farmingB) Mink fur farmingC) Apple orchardsD) Wool productionAnswer revealed at the bottom of this newsletter.🔮 Redmond Rumor MillSources say a neighborhood cinema—not a megaplex, think 40 seats, curated programming, craft cocktails, and no popcorn smell—is in very early talks for a space in Old Redmond.What we don't know is whether a location has been selected, whether financing is in place, or how serious the discussions have become. We also haven't been able to confirm any timeline.The question is simple: where would a small independent cinema fit best in Old Redmond?If you've got a guess or have heard something, head over to our Facebook page and drop it in the "Redmond Rumor Mill Guesses" post.🗳️ Your Picks: Best Family Entertainment Spot in RedmondIt's time for another Your Picks!This week we want to know: What's the best family entertainment spot in Redmond?Whether it's a place your kids beg to visit, your favorite rainy-day destination, or somewhere the whole family enjoys together, we want to hear about it.Head over to our Facebook page, find the Your Picks post, and cast your vote in the comments. We'll feature some of your favorites in a future episode.📻 Don't Miss the PodcastIf you enjoyed this newsletter, you'll love the companion podcast where Dan and Jen dive deeper into each story with a little extra conversation, commentary, and fun.Thanks for spending a few minutes with us today. We'll see you in the next edition of Best of Redmond!🎯 History Minute AnswerThe answer is B – Mink fur farming.Redmond had mink ranches along Way 120 in the 1950s. When the fur industry crashed in 1960, the ranches shut down. Nationwide there were nearly 7,000 mink farms in the mid-1950s, but prices collapsed and the business quickly declined.Before Redmond became the tech hub we know today, it was home to a thriving agricultural community—and raising mink for luxury fur coats was one of its more unusual industries. It's another reminder that Redmond's history is a lot more interesting than most people realize.
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    8 mins
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