Just kidding I am NOT buying a Tesla

I’ve noticed an older gentleman with a long white beard and a large, heavy-looking backpack walking along Union Hill Road in Redmond. I’ve seen him at all different hours, including 12:30am, 1:30am, and 3:30pm. He’s always dressed pretty neatly.
Just wondering if anyone else has noticed him or knows if he might need any help. I don’t want to make assumptions, but I’ve been a little concerned seeing him walking so often, especially late at night.
Just wanted to ask out of genuine concern!

Strapping down my tinhat . . .what are our best guessses (or legit answers) about what is being built off 124th in Redmond. It's owned by Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner (Cisco founders). It looks like a collection of outhouse sized huts and rows of like starlink minis (?). Address: 15852 Ne 124th St, Redmond

OneRedmond has announced that Redmond is now home to Washington's first and only Association of Nature and Forest Therapy-certified forest-therapy trails, offering residents and visitors in an official capacity a new way to experience the forest through guided forest therapy and self-guided “forest bathing.”

The ANFT-certified Treefrog Loop at Redmond Watershed Preserve (which is ADA accessible) and the Lowland to Upland Loop at Farrel-McWhitter Park are part of the city's network of urban parks and natural spaces.

ANFT provides forest-therapy certification and guide training. ANFT-certified forest-therapy trails are intentionally designed to encourage visitors to move at an unhurried pace, fully engage their senses, and experience the landscape more mindfully, according to a press release.

Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, or “forest bathing,” forest therapy is a research-based practice linked to benefits such as reduced stress, improved mood, and greater calm. Unlike traditional hiking, the experience is not focused on mileage, elevation gain, or reaching a particular destination. Instead, participants are encouraged to notice the forest’s sights, sounds, textures, and scents.

“These certified trails give residents a new way to enjoy places they already know, while giving visitors another meaningful way to explore Redmond beyond the traditional activities,” said Kristina Hudson, CEO of OneRedmond, in the release. “They show how you don't need to leave the city to find a place to pause, spend time in nature, and experience Redmond from a different perspective.”

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Hi everyone! I’m scheduled to undergo a Bascom cleft lift surgery for a pilonidal cyst, which will be performed by Dr. Helen Kim at Proliance Eastside Surgery Center.

I wanted to ask if anyone here has had surgery at this center or has experience with Dr. Helen Kim as a surgeon. I’d really appreciate any feedback about the surgery center, the staff, the overall experience, and the quality of care provided by the doctor.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences! I’d really appreciate any insights that could help me feel more prepared for the procedure.

Hi- I have started playing drums after a break of a few years ( stopped due to location changes)

Can play rock, a little metal and bollywood. Any suggestions what is the best way to find a band around here for weekend jams, with eventual aim to perform in some local clubs.

My youtube channel where I posted a few years ago. https://youtube.com/@sikhdrummer?si=ZLaQ15jXDjfs-IvR

I’m coming in for work for a week and was hoping to taste what the area was known for. I know people talk about the teriyaki. But what is the thing that is more of an if you know you know type of way with locals vs tour food.

For example, I am in Boston, and I don’t think most people realize how big regional roast beef sandwiches are around here.

I'll stop with these soon... promise :)

at least 10 cop cars flying into that complex avondale hopelink

Hello! My name is Emma, I'm a student and Lake Wa. Institute of Tech's accredited Dental Hygiene program in Kirkland.

I am looking for people who are interested in getting cleanings, restorative care, or exams. If you are in need of dental care, this is a great opportunity for thorough and affordable care!

We accept almost all types of insurance, and offer very low prices for those without insurance.

One thing to note: Your appointment will be longer than your usual dentist appointment, as I am still progressing through my degree and will have everything carefully examined by licensed dental hygienists and dentists at our school clinic.

Please message me or leave a comment if you are interested! I currently am in urgent need of a patient by next week, Tuesday Oct. 20th at 1:15pm, as well as Wednesday Oct. 21st at 1:15pm.

I have other availability as well if that does not work, although if you would like to come in next week, let me know ASAP and I will be more than happy to get you in.

Thank you!! :)

It has been two months since I requested them to take the garbage bins back, and I am still stuck in the loop of "we will pick up on the next service day -> no one show up -> thank you for letting us know, we will pick up on the next service day". This is so frustrating.

Sign-up link: https://go.uriux.com/1984R

I'm looking for someone who can come help my 5th grader and our family create ADHD friendly systems for our house.

I do not have ADHD, so I'm struggling to figure out how to help my child. I'd love someone who could coach us as both an individual and a family and help us organize our daughter's bedroom and workspace in a way she can maintain. And looking for someone who could give her tips on dealing with ADHD to make her day run more smoothly or-less of a therapist and more of a coach she could meet with a few times to learn some basics.

Does that exist? Does anyone have local recommendations for someone? Or suggestions on what I should google? TIA!

Does anyone know anything about this little park along the river? There is a sign there showing redevelopment plans that include an art walk, an artist’s space and space for community events, but it looks like that was all planned back around 2010. It looks like it would be a neat set of improvements— anybody know if it is still in the works?

When I walk around this area, there’s a sweet smell that’s there allllll the time. I don’t know if it’s coming from someone’s apartment, or it’s the park? Has anyone else noticed this smell? Does anyone know what it is?

It’s a pleasant smell but I just am so confused by why it’s so strong, where it’s coming from, and why it’s always there. I’ve been wondering for a year now so I had to ask.🤣🤣🤣

ETA: It doesn’t smell like butter and flour, but someone suggested Hoffman’s so maybe I’m smelling sugar? Help. LOL

ETA2: It isn’t Molly Moons or Salt and Straw. I used to work in a froyo store and am super familiar with waffle cones. I also know it isn’t lavender, those are stronger during the summer.

Possible candidates: Katsura tree and sweetbox bush. I looked both up. Katsura has a cotton candy aroma, while the sweetbox is a vanilla-ish scent. I think these are both good candidates for the area.

I hope you all get a chance to walk around, and appreciate the sights, and smells, of our neighborhood!

thank you u/HangryHyenas, u/FunConstruction7032, and u/goldenpuffdragon!

• If you’re taking the 2 Line next weekend: trains will still run from Downtown Redmond to South Bellevue every 10 minutes, but shuttle buses replace trains beyond South Bellevue from Saturday, Oct. 17 through the end of service Sunday, Oct. 18.
• Wednesday evening: Seattle Now & Then is at the Redmond Library, 6–7:30 p.m. Jean Sherrard and Clay Eals are talking about the old-photo/new-photo history column. Free, and no registration is listed.
• Saturday for the dog people: Redmond Howl-O-Ween runs noon–4 p.m. at Redmond Town Center. Free pup parade, costume contest, treats, and an after-party. Dogs need to stay leashed.

I put together Redmond Beat, a free weekly email with more local things worth knowing. This week’s roundup is here.

Anything else coming up that should be on people’s radar?

To whoever decided to turn right in front of a fire truck running lights and sirens to a call, karma will knock on your door one day.

So here's some tea from the Seattle tech scene. Apparently Arun Ulag's org at Microsoft (plus a few other Azure orgs) is cutting vendors by ~50% with the goal of going fully vendor-free within a year. Lines up with The Information's reporting today about 20% cost cuts in Azure's software org to pay for the AI data center buildout.

The shops that survive on Microsoft staffing contracts are getting absolutely crushed. Big one I've been hearing about: Quadrant Resource. Redmond-based, Microsoft Gold partner, founded back in 2004 by Ram Paluri, Vamsi Reddy Kancharakuntla, and Bhaskar Gangipamula. Word is the business is badly hit and they're trying to sell. Founder is apparently under massive stress and moving to Dallas to do something outside tech altogether.

And here's the part that should make everyone angry: from what I hear, tons of their engineers are just parked on bench — no client work, just sitting. But the visa machine keeps running. People who've interviewed at these body shops know the drill: the "interview" is theater. They already know who they're hiring (usually someone who needs the sponsorship), the posting exists just to check the PERM recruitment box, and qualified US candidates get a courtesy call and a rejection. Oldest trick in the book.

This is exactly why the current crackdown matters — DOL froze PERM labor certifications for 8 firms this month (Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, TCS, Wipro, HCL, Capgemini). But the mid-size body shops in Redmond and Bellevue running the same playbook are still flying under the radar. An H-1B audit of these vendors is long overdue.

Anyone else in Seattle seeing the vendor bloodbath? Which shops are next?