Is a Cider Taproom Coming Near Anderson Park? Plus Pi Day for Dogs & Best Sushi in Redmond?

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 Got a New Spot for the Eco-Conscious ShopperSo there's a new store in downtown Redmond worth knowing about. The Recology Store just opened, and it's focused on sustainable home goods plus those hard-to-recycle items you never know what to do with. Think spring cleaning with a conscience. It's a solid option if you've been looking to declutter without just tossing everything in a landfill. Good timing with spring coming up and that "I need to reorganize everything" energy kicking in. Worth swinging by if that's your thing.💻 Free Tech Help at the Redmond LibraryIf you've got a family member – or hey, maybe it's you – who could use some help with a phone, tablet, or laptop, the Redmond Library has you covered. On Wednesday, March 11 from 2 to 4 PM, they're hosting Drop-In Tech Assistance with one-on-one help from tech-savvy volunteers. We're talking Zoom, email, smartphones, downloading library ebooks – the basics that nobody ever actually teaches you. It's free, no appointment needed, and you can bring your own device. Redmond Library is at 15990 NE 85th Street.🥁 Drum the Stress Away at the Senior CenterThere's a Wednesday Drum Circle happening at the Redmond Senior & Community Center on March 11 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM and it's open to adults 18 and up. You don't need any experience – just show up and drum. They've got hand drums and percussion instruments ready to go, or bring your own if you have one. Science actually backs this up: drumming helps with mood, memory, and knocking out anxiety. Drop in for the week or register for the month. The Senior Center is at 8703 160th Ave NE.🚲 Bicycle BlingCascade Bicycle Club has some local rides running this week worth knowing about – including "A Step Up From Moderate: Lake Sammamish from Sixty Acres" out of Sixty Acres Park. Registration is open but filling up, so don't sit on it. On the trail side, the Sammamish River Trail and the West Sammamish River Trail are both fully open through Redmond right now, which means great options for after-work rides or longer weekend loops. One heads up: check your Cascade ride page the morning of your outing. Leaders can cancel or adjust routes close to departure if weather turns.🐾 Pi Day Party for Dogs at Pickles PlaylandPickles Playland is throwing a Pi Day party for dogs on Friday, March 13 from 10 AM to 3 PM at their Redmond location at 7330 164th Ave NE. Your pup gets a mini applesauce and yogurt pie made just for dogs, plus either a paw balm massage or a lavender aloe back massage. You'll get a photo update texted to you during the day. Add-ons like a printed photo or a mystery scratch card are $6 each. Reservation is strongly recommended since event days fill up fast. Dogs must be 35 lbs or under, and this one's 21+ for the humans.📚 Local Author Book Launch: Wayward Souls at Brick & Mortar BooksLocal author Susan J. Morris is launching her new gothic supernatural mystery Wayward Souls on Friday, March 13 at 6 PM at Brick & Mortar Books in Redmond. She'll be in conversation with fellow local author Sadie Hartmann. The book follows two women – one with the power to slip into the minds of monsters – on a case in Ireland right before Samhain. If you preorder a copy through Brick & Mortar's website you'll get a signed copy with personalization. It's a free event and runs until 7 PM. Good one if you're into gothic mystery or just want to support a local author.☘️ St. Patrick's Day Party at the Senior CenterThe Redmond Senior & Community Center is hosting a St. Patrick's Day celebration on Tuesday, March 17 from 1 to 3 PM in the Senior Lounge. It's free and open to adults 50 and up. There's an Irish music sing-along, shamrock crafts, a "Best Dressed in Green" contest, a raffle, and green-themed snacks and drinks. Spots are going fast – only 6 left out of 50 as of this writing. Register through the City of Redmond Parks and Recreation site or call Guest Services at 425-556-2300. Don't forget to wear green.🕰 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.Before it was called Redmond, what was this town's original name?A) Sammamish LandingB) SalmonbergC) McRedmond ValleyD) Mosquito FlatsAnswer revealed at the bottom of this newsletter.🔮 Redmond Rumor MillOkay so we've been hearing some chatter about a possible new cider taproom in the works near Anderson Park. Word is it's a farm-to-tap concept – PNW apples, outdoor fire pit situation, and zero IPAs on the menu. Sounds like it's still in the discussion phase, so nothing's confirmed yet. But if this actually happens, it could be a really solid addition to the Redmond scene. So here's our question for you: have you heard anything about this? Do you know who's behind it?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 Sushi 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 sushi in Redmond.📻 Don't Miss the PodcastIf you enjoyed this newsletter, you're gonna love the companion podcast. Find it at bestofredmond.com.We'll see you in the next one... or maybe before then, walking around Redmond.🎯 History Minute AnswerThe answer is B – SalmonbergThe salmon in the Sammamish River were so abundant that settlers could literally rake fish out of the water with their hands. They named the town Salmonberg. It changed to Melrose, then to Redmond in 1883 when postmaster Luke McRedmond pulled some strings and got it renamed after himself. Classic move.