“Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?”
For many in Redmond and across America, 2009 won’t be warmly remembered. Yet even in a year of recession, a year of crisis, or whatever you might call the past 12 months, there were lessons learned and rich moments, too. As we hope for a peaceful and prosperous 2010, here’s part one of a two-part look at some of the people and events that were the talk of Redmond in 2009.
JANUARY
Redmond and the region were still reeling from the 2008 holiday season’s battle with Mother Nature. King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who lives in and represents Redmond, vowed to seek better snow preparedness for her constituents, while the City of Redmond added new winter storm information to its Web site at www.redmond.gov/DisasterPrep/wintersnowice.asp.
The Redmond Regional Library, one of the busiest in the King County Library System, re-opened after a remodeling project. But it was closing time for Barcelino, a high-end clothing store at Redmond Town Center, just half a year after opening — a victim of the poor economy. Plus, Underhills Fine Wood Furniture, which had previously announced the closing of its Redmond store, now stated that it would also close its Bellevue, Totem Lake and Lynnwood stores, due to a credit crunch, but later re-open as one store called Josh Underhill’s. Even the mighty Microsoft Corp. announced that it would cut 5,000 jobs over the next 18 months.
The Children’s Eye Doctors, The Family Eye Doctors and Woodlawn Optical re-opened in a shiny new office space after a suspicious fire had destroyed the businesses the previous April.
FEBRUARY
St. Jude Catholic Church announced plans to host Tent City 4 for a second time. Unlike early 2007, when many anxious residents adamantly opposed bringing the homeless encampment to Education Hill, the only responses received by the church were messages of support.
Redmond-based Magellan Architects was honored with a University of Washington Business of Tomorrow Award for its success as a minority-owned firm. Tree House Consignment Shop celebrated 30 years of selling gently used clothing for kids in downtown Redmond. Redmond-based Keeney’s Office Plus won the Port of Seattle’s first annual Small Business Champion Award for its commitment to customer service and cost control. Microsoft announced plans to open its own line of retail stores.
The Lake Washington School District launched an online survey to ask community members what they’d cut in an anticipated budget shortfall.
MARCH
The City of Redmond cut 14 jobs because of halted Microsoft construction projects.
Redmond High School Theatre Arts presented “Urinetown,” a satirical musical about environmental issues and government bureaucracy.
The Redmond High boys’ basketball team won the fifth-place trophy at the Class 4A state tournament.
Redmond youngster Connor Burshears raised $100,000 to buy wheelchair-accessible buses for Camp Korey, which serves medically fragile kids.
Longtime Redmond Police Chief Steve Harris talked about retiring at the end of the month. Redmond City Council President Nancy McCormick announced she would not seek re-election. And planning began for a new, pedestrian-friendly park in North Redmond.
The new Redmond Clay Studio opened in the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center.
Jessie Follett, a Redmond High School cheerleader, was critically injured when her car collided with a Lake Washington School District bus.
APRIL
Students at Emily Dickinson Elementary and Explorer Community School rallied to restore a natural wetlands area adjacent to their shared campus and Explorer students won a greenhouse and garden grant money in a “Kids Are Growing” contest.
In a “State of the City” address, Redmond Mayor John Marchione spoke positively about plans to revitalize the Downtown and Overlake neighborhoods and the search for a new police chief, while Fire Chief Tim Fuller filled in as Transition Team Leader.
Marchione and Councilmember Kim Allen visited Redmond Elementary for a PEACEopolis event, designed to teach kids about municipal government.
In a coma at the beginning of the month, Jessie Follett was, by late April, ready to begin an intensive rehabilitation program, following her serious car accident.
MAY
Redmond Teen Programs Director Ken Wong was honored as the Outstanding Teen Professional at the Washington Recreation and Park Association’s conference in Spokane.
The Black Raven Brewery opened in the Willows corridor, as a “neighborhood brewery” and taproom.
Redmond High School established a confidential “RHS Help” program to assist students whose families were financially struggling.
Redmond Assembly of God presented a “Town Hall for Hope” event for citizens worried about debt.
Digital Double in downtown Redmond became the first, full-body, markerless motion capture studio on the West Coast.
Sunrise Elementary teacher Paula Cautrell was named Washington State History Day Teacher of Merit.
The City of Redmond welcomed eight new firefighters.
The Redmond High School fastpitch team became the Queens of Kingco and earned a trip to the 4A state tournament.
Overlake High School senior Chloe Wilson climbed Mt. Rainier and raised $4,600 for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, in memory of her grandmother.
JUNE
Beloved Redmond High security guard George Jannusch retired, but ended the school year with a emotional presentation about his daughter who had died young in an alcohol-related accident.
Redmond’s Becky Underwood, a dedicated volunteer for Eastside Domestic Violence Program, was honored by the Alliance of Eastside Agencies.
Orchestra students from Redmond High and Redmond Junior High returned from a dazzling trip to New York City, highlighted by their performance at the famous Carnegie Hall.
Sally J. Chen, a relative newcomer to Redmond, challenged incumbent Kim Allen for the Position 4 seat on the Redmond City Council.
St. Jude Catholic Church drew praise for its “Special Needs Masses,” open to developmentally disabled people of all faiths and their families.
Phase one of the Legacy at Riverpark Apartments opened in downtown Redmond.
In its second year of business, Redmond-based Northwest Totem Cellars was winning wine accolades.
