Meetings for the week of September 28th
Wednesday, September 30th
King County Regional Policy Committee (CM Robinson), 3pm (link) - briefing on energy resilience, acknowledgement of the 2025 health through housing annual report, and Best Starts for Kids 2025 annual report.
Deadline to appeal Koz on BelRed, with 139 micro-apartments and 49 1-2 bed units, 205 Tower with 142 units in 27 stories on 105th Ave NE, a pair of cottonwood tree removals, CALUP enforcement case, slope setback reduction, and noise variance for WSDOT work (link)
Budget Information session at City Hall, 6-8pm (link) - I have been told that my questions about the Grand Connection Crossing funding package (where is the money going to come from?) will not be answered until more documents are provided on Oct 1st (unfortunately following this info session) but this is still a good opportunity to ask questions. Some residents are pointing out that this includes a 1% property tax increase, sales tax increase of 0.1%, $20 per vehicle annually, and significant utility rate increases, even though there was already a recent Transportation Levy that passed.
Thursday, October 1st
Network on Aging meeting, 8:30-10:30am (link)
Creating stronger connections to other commissions/boards and City Departments
Sound Transit public hearing on 2027 Service Plan proposed changes, 9:30am (hybrid) (link)
BSD School Board meeting, 4:30pm (link)
Consent Agenda: HR report (8 hires, 6 resignations/retirement), Warrants and Transfers ($1.9M from general fund, $3.0M from Capital Projects, $50k from ASB), Student Travel (jazz band and orchestra), revisions to Big Picture School's ASB Constitution.
Public Comment (20 minutes) 4:55 - 5:15 pm Those who wish to provide public comment in-person or online may submit their request to make public comment (online or in-person) by 12:00 pm on the Wednesday prior to a Thursday school board meeting (link).
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department Report: Board will vote on approval of the Annual CTE Plan, which is used to show compliance with the Washington Administrative Code and federal law (to continue use of state and federal funds). It includes input from a general advisory and program-specific advisory committees. There is a schedule showing which school year each program area comes up for review. Work is expected on additional course offerings at the Evergreen Transition Program and identification/removal of barriers, data-based revision of IRC or dual credits, improve awareness of and participation in CTSO and CTE equivalency clubs, monitor enrollment and interest trends and respond as necessary, expand work-based learning, evaluate career guidance tool effectiveness, funding for teacher training and possibly conference travel, and coordination with local community colleges for higher course credit transferability
Study Session: Gap Closing Efforts and Results in the BSD (materials not yet provided)
Bids due for the Eastrail to NE Spring Boulevard Trail Link (link)
Environmental Services Commission meeting canceled (link)
Draft Minutes:
Video from Water System Plan virtual presentation (link)
BSD School Board, 9/17/26 (link) - multiple people commented on class size, including at least one who previously focused on ~K-3 class sizes.
Upcoming meetings:
10/5 Bellevue Utilities Long-Term Plans Open House (at Bellevue Library), drop-in from 3:30-5:30pm (link)
10/5 Human Services Commission Public Hearing on human services needs
10/7 Public meeting at 6pm (virtual) for Spring District MDP Revision 12 for North Blocks Multifamily (link)
10/8 Meydenbauer South Reservoir Community Meeting at Bellevue City Hall, 6:30-8pm (link)
10/13 Council: ESC recommendation (on budget and rates?)
10/14 State Legislature: Joint Transportation Committee meeting
10/14 Planning Commission: Great Neighborhoods: Introduction Lake Hills & West Lake Sammamish
10/15 BSD School Board meeting
10/22 Hearing on changes to Shoreline Management Act, 5pm open house, 6pm hearing (link)
10/28 Planning Commission: BelRed LUCA Public Hearing,Downtown Livability 2.0 request for hearing
11/5 BSD School Board meeting
11/5 ESC: Solid Waste Performance Update, Water System Plan Final Draft and Recommendation, Storm and System Water Plan Update
11/18 Planning Commission: Economic Development Plan Update, Wilburton Sustainable District Phase 2 update
12/3 BSD School Board meeting
12/9 Downtown Livability 2.0 Public Hearing
12/17 BSD School Board meeting starts at 2pm
Opportunities:
https://newbellevue.com/get-involved/ will be updated as items come in, and has items which are still open. Some surveys and new items:
The BelRed Neighborhood Park survey is open through September 30th (link). Do you think there should be a road through the park? What other features from the three proposals do you like?
Bellevue Lifestyle Magazine voting for the Best of Bellevue 2026 is open through September 30th (link).
There are openings on the Bellevue Network on Aging to give older adults a voice in issues that affect their lives. Applicants must live, work, and/or serve older adults in Bellevue, and may apply online by Friday, October 23rd. (link)
Sharing again: A petition, "Demand an independent review of a bad energy plan" has been posted on Change.org https://www.change.org/demand-energy-review
The Creative Crosswalks survey is open through November 30th (link).
Events and Community Calendar:
https://newbellevue.com/events/
Help Requested: Hoping the Luma.com calendar for Bellevue events can become more visible if more people start following it. https://luma.com/newbellevue
9/30 Escape Velocity: Building an Investable Space Startup in Redmond, 8-10am (link) - Fun fact: Redmond-based companies produced almost half of the satellites in earth’s orbit, and are projected to manufacture more than 75% of the world’s satellites in the near future based on FCC approvals.
9/30 Cake Decorating cooking class at Whisk in Old Bellevue, $135, 10am-1pm (link) - Whisk offers 1-2 cooking classes every day
9/30 Drop-in pickleball at Hidden Valley Sports Park, for adults, $4 for residents, 10am-noon - Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 12:30-2:30pm on Fridays
9/30 LEGO Brick Builders at Bellevue Library, all ages welcome with adult, 1:30-2:30pm (link) - this may be the last of this event for awhile
9/30 Bellevue Referrals Group, free, 1:30-2:30pm (link)
9/30 Beginner Workout Essentials at SBCC, ages 13+, free, 3-4pm (link)
9/30 Fall RocksDB meetup at Meta, free, 3:30-8pm (link) - also accepting talk proposals
9/30 May Creek Walk/Hike with Women Outdoor Warriors, 4:45pm (link)
9/30 PyData Seattle: AI for Climate and Earth (hybrid event, in-person at UW in Seattle), 5-7pm (link)
9/30 Budget Information Session at Bellevue CIty Hall, 6-8pm (link)
9/30 Nihongo-English Language Exchange, pre-register, 6:30pm (link)
9/30 Hump Day Trivia Night at Forum Social House, 6:30-8:30pm - every Wednesday (link) - 2 to 6 people per team
9/30 Open Mic every Wednesday with Eastside Jams at BelRed Arts
10/1 Deadline to apply for the The Youth Climate Action Fund - this welcomes teams of Bellevue youth ages 15–24 to apply for microgrants up to $5,000 to lead projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build climate resilience, educate the community or advance sustainability in Bellevue. Applications will be accepted through October 1st. (link)
10/1 Seattle Cybersecurity Summit in Bellevue, 8am (link)
10/1 Bellevue Network on Aging meeting, 8:30-10:30am (link)
10/1 Coffee Meet Kirkland _South Asian Women Entrepreneurs_ CONNECT, noon-2pm (link)
10/1 Bellevue Farmers Market, 3-7pm - this is the last 'regular' season market, though there will also be markets on 10/31 and 11/21 (mid-day)
10/1 Electronics Mending Circle at Bellevue Library, free, ages 13+, 4:30-5:30pm (link) - items must be able to fit on a table and be safe to handle, recurs on 10/15
10/1 Powerful Voices Open Mic show in Lake Hills (Bellevue), 5pm (Eventbrite)
10/1 FareStart Guest Chef Night (from Canlis) in Seattle, three courses, $60, 5-9pm (link) - there are similar events on 9/24 and 10/15
10/1 The Role of Seed Banking in Native Plant Conservation talk at Bellevue Botanical Garden, free, 7-8:30pm (link) - learn about the Miller Seed Vault and the science behind it
10/1 Swan Lake - Symphony of Lights at Meydenbauer Center Theatre, 7-9pm (link) - also 10/2
10/2 Storytime at the Garden for Preschoolers at Bellevue Botanical Garden, free, 10-10:30am (link) - also 11/6 and 12/4
10/2 Pilates for Gardeners at Bellevue Botanical Garden, $25, discount for BBG members, 2-3pm (link)
10/2 Eastside Startup - Walk and Talk for Founders / Startup Enthusiasts / Investors at Downtown Park, 2:30-3:30pm (link)
10/2 Gather Bellevue Sunset Market with Peace Peloton, 4-10pm (link) - local makers, food, live performances, and a 21+ beer garden
10/2 한국어 스토리타임 / Korean Story Time at Newport Way Library, 4:45-5:30pm (link) - on Fridays through 12/18, but not on 11/13
10/2 KidsQuest Teen Workshop: Lacquerware Art with Jenny Wang, $50/student, $10/accompanying adult (adults can also pay $50 to participate) 5-7pm (link)
10/2 Woodfired Friday farm-to-table pizza night at Carnation Farms in Carnation, 5pm - casual and kid friendly
10/2 Bellevue Japanese English Language Exchange at Meet Fresh!, 6pm (link)
10/2 Girly Pop Gaming Game Night at Mox Boarding House, free, 6pm (link) - dedicated to being a safe space for women, also 10/16, 11/6, and 11/20
10/2 Puget Sound Concert Opera: 2026 Studio Artists Season Preview at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church (near Crossroads Mall), free, 7-8:30pm (link) - no tickets or reservations needed
10/2 Millennial Social Club's Board Games and Boba, free, 7-10pm (link)
10/2 Mattlock and the Keys at Bake's Place, 8-9:30pm (link)
10/3 Fall Edit Runway Show at Bellevue Square, $50, 8:30-10am (link)
10/3 Saturday Morning Walk at Downtown Park, 9-10am (link)
10/3 Journaling the Garden at Bellevue Botanical Garden, free, 9-11am (link)
10/3 WSU Extension Master Gardener Program at Bellevue Demonstration Garden for Soil Nutrition 2.0, 10am-noon (link)
10/3 Great Neighborhoods: Lake Hills Public Space Assessment, 10am-noon (link) - 90-minute walk with free doughnuts, coffee and hot chocolate! Participants will help conduct a public space assessment identifying opportunities to improve access to neighborhood gathering places, public spaces and the pedestrian and cyclist experience. There is another walk at 1pm.
10/3 Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and City of Bellevue Resource Fair at Crossroads Mall, 10am-2pm (link) - info about assistance programs (for both homeowners and renters) and accessing services; those who visit all the booths will be given a voucher to the food court
10/3 Bloodworks NW blood drive at the American Progressive Telugu Association (Crossroads area), 10am-4pm (link)
10/3 Seattle Bach Festival | Day of Historical Keyboards at UW in Seattle, $40, free for students, 10am-4pm (link) - lautenwerck, clavichord, harpsichord, fortepiano, and organ
10/3 Claude Builders Bellevue Monthly Event at Capital One Cafe on Bellevue Way, 11am-2pm (link)
10/3-10/4 Salmon Days in Issaquah, 10am-6pm (link)
10/3 Amazon's The Spheres in Seattle are open to the public on the first and third Saturdays, 10am-6pm (link) - a reservation is required
10/3 Bellevue Classical Piano Meetup Group @ St. Luke's Lutheran Church, free, 10am-noon (link) - non-performers do not need to RSVP, $15 to play
10/3 Kelsey Creek Farm Fair, 11am-4pm (link) - See event page for parking and shuttle details. Most activities are free, but you can pay for a child to ride a pony or do pumpkin decorating, and there will be a play patch with crafts and carnival games. Volunteers are needed for this event, ages 15+.
10/3 Youth Nature Journaling Club at Bellevue Botanical Garden, free, ages 6-11 must be accompanied by an adult and 12+ can participate independently, please be on time for 12pm start, noon-1pm (link)
10/3 The Wisdom of Leaves watercolor painting experience at Bellevue Botanical Garden, $80 (discount for BBG members), noon-2pm (link)
10/3 Mini Runway shows at Bellevue Square Mall for Fashion Week, noon-4pm (link)
10/3 Starberry jewelry, Thuc Cafe, and Bakery Based pop-ups at Je T'aime Blooms, noon-6pm (link)
10/3 Fiesta del Maiz at Crossroads Park, free, noon-5pm - Storytelling, folklore crafts, and interactive activities for kids. Demonstrations/education showing traditional preparation, nixtamalization, and cultivation, Dance, poetry and traditional music, and many food and art vendors!
10/3 The Bellevue German Language Meetup group is going to Oktoberfest on Bainbridge Island, 12:30-9:30pm (link)
10/3 Great Neighborhoods: West Lake Sammamish Public Space Assessment, 1-3pm (link) - 90-minute walk with free doughnuts, coffee and hot chocolate! Participants will help conduct a public space assessment identifying opportunities to improve access to neighborhood gathering places, public spaces and the pedestrian and cyclist experience. There is another walk at 10am.
10/3-10/4 Youth Workshop: Learn to Crochet an amigurumi pumpkin, ages 9+, ages 12 and up don't need to have a parent present, $112, discount for members, two-day class from 1-3pm (link)
10/3 Autumn Moon Night Market at the Spring District, free, 2-7pm (link) - annual lion dance at 5pm, family friendly, 50+ vendors
10/3 Bellevue Library Author Talk for Intemperance by Sonora Jha, 3-5pm (link) - This is a hybrid event; register if attending online, and there will be a sensory friendly watch party at Newport Way Library (also 3-5pm, link). Another event related to this book is on 10/20.
10/3 Lonely Hearts Club: The Music of the Beatles at Bake's Place, 8-9:30pm (link)
10/4 lululemon Center Court Sweat with Charmaine at Bellevue Square Mall, free, 9-10am, tickets go on sale 9/16 (link) - class full
10/4 Willow Bird Feeder/Garlic Holder basketry workshop at Bellevue Botanical Garden, $115 (discount for BBG members, 10am-1pm (link)
10/4 lululemon Center Court Sweat Mat Pilates with Maddie, 10am (link) - sold out
10/4 SF & F Reading and Hangout at Lincoln Square, free, 11am-1pm (link) - this week's discussion is on Harrison Bergeron
10/4 Pokemon TCG League Cup at Mox Boarding House, 11:15am
10/4 Greener Living class on Castile Soap 101 at Bellevue Library (Downtown), 1-2pm (link) - additional classes on 10/7, 10/13, 10/21, 11/12, 11/16, and 11/24
10/4 Crochet, Coffee, and Chat at Woods Coffee in Hotel 116, 1pm (link) - waitlist
10/4 Play with Plants Woven Vessel basketry workshop at Bellevue Botanical Garden, $115 (discount for BBG members, 2-6pm (link)
10/4 Call and Response #4, community painting and live music at Crossroads with artist Brenda Loukes-Johnson facilitating, free/donation and registration is required, ages 15+, 3:30-5:30pm, arrive by 3:15 (link)
10/5 Bloodworks NW blood drive at the QFC on 8th (north of Bellevue Square Mall), 9am-3pm (link)
10/5 Plugged In: EVs, Charging & Mobility at The Eight, $30, 9:30am (link) - kick off event for Transportation Week, includes guided tour of The Eight charging infrastructure and coffee and donuts
10/5 Bellevue Utilities Long-Term Plans Open House (at Bellevue Library), drop-in from 3:30-5:30pm (link)
10/5 Photography Workshop: Hues of Red and Gold in the Garden, $115, discount for BBG members, 5-7pm (link)
10/5 Human Services Commission Public Hearing on human services needs
10/5 Firefly Social for Tech Professionals at Tapster, 6pm (link)
10/5 LD 45 & LD 48 Housing Equity Candidate Forum – General Election, 6-7:30pm (link)
10/5 Continuing the Conversation: Welcoming Neighbors Through Stories at Crossroads Community Center, 6-8pm (link) - light refreshments provided, registration (link) encouraged