neighborhood villages

Two long rows of "scooters" blanket a plaza in Sorrento credit/ Pam Yoder On July 23, our family burst out of the Redmond bubble for an eye-opening visit to Ireland and Italy.  After 40 years of life in Redmond it was about time to gain new perspectives! Our trip was instigated by my nephew, playing the Irish in a  Aussie Rules Football. tournament.  We lost both games but the Guinness, Jamison and lively pubs made up for it. I had my eye out for the McRedmonds in Ireland.  None to be found.   Luke McRedmond  immigrated to America during the potato famine and homesteaded here in 1850.  Upon becoming postmaster in 1882 he renamed the town from "Salmonberg" to Redmond.  [Click on the hyperlink to read a fascinating accounting of the early development of Redmond up to Microsoft's presence.] My daughter Lexie, and her boyfriend had to leave after the tourney.  Pam and I extended our trip to visit Venice, Rome, Sorrento and Capri.  Grea...

W Internet photo Council reviewed the draft  "bike share pilot program"  at their last study session.  Staff made the following recommendations for the pilot project.  As I read it: 1)  The total fleet (composed of 2 bike share companies) will initially be 400 bike shares. Council member Margeson said "this is a very conservative number."   A minimum amount of electric-bike shares (e-shares) will be 10%, because as Mr. Margeson says "We have a lot of hills in Redmond."  Council member Hank Myers said this regulation is unneeded.  I agree. Internet photo 2)  "Bike shares shall not be parked  within the 5-foot  pedestrian walk zones of a sidewalk." Thus, they won't be allowed to park on our neighborhood sidewalks.   However e-shares can climb our neighborhood hills to all of our city parks and park there. In all likelihood, we can expect bike shares legally available in our city by late August.  These bike sha...