Bellevue, WA April 2024

PURSUING YOUR PASSION

EDUCATION ANGELS AMONG US ARTS + CULTURE

LIFE + CULTURE A MISSION OF INCLUSIVITY

PERSONALIZE YOUR NEW HOME THROUGH MN PRESALES PROGRAM

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You deserve a luxurious experience when selling or buying your next Eastside home. When the time is right, consider a broker with builder connections, market insight, and a connection to the community.

If you’re interested in hearing from industry experts, local icons, and special guests, follow my new series with the QR code below.

A discerning consumer has exacting standards and expects an elevated experience — which we deliver.

MIRIKEEN HOMES

MATTHEW GARDNER, CHIEF ECONOMIST

HIGHLANDS BUILDERS GROUP

ENFORT HOMES

EASTSIDE ELEVATED BLOG

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Investment

Investment by definition is the act of devoting time, effort, energy or finances to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result. We can invest in a lot of things such as our community, our relationships, our finances, and our health with the hope that the effort will have a positive impact. We can invest in our community by supporting our local businesses, schools and local organizations. We can serve the community through volunteerism and investment in future generations. On a larger scale, we can participate in public surveys and stay educated and involved with future city planning. Investing in our finances helps create wealth, meet long-term financial goals and secure our retirement. On a personal level, we can invest in our families and enrich relationships by giving time and effort to the people in our lives that mean the most to us. This type of investment has the most meaningful impact to the people closest to us, as well as ourselves.

One of my most worthwhile recent investments was my time as Editor of this magazine. There were many opportunities to apply my knowledge and education, but even more opportunities to learn new things and be inspired by the community in and around Bellevue. What an incredible experience, it was an absolute pleasure! After this month’s issue, I’ll be stepping back from editorial duties, though I’ll still be contributing as a writer.

While investing in ourselves, relationships, community and finances can look very different from person to person, the effort we put into these areas of our lives are done with the common goal of having a positive impact that yields measurable - or at least perceptible - results. In this inaugural "Investment" issue, we wanted to share about some of the ways that we can invest in our community, our finances and in wonderful causes. We’re so grateful that you invest your time in reading this magazine!

Enjoy!

BREE O’BRIEN, EDITOR @BELLEVUELIFESTYLE

April 2024

PUBLISHER

Caitlin Agnew | caitlin.agnew@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Bree O’Brien | bree.obrien@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Taylor Robinson | taylor.robinson@citylifestyle.com ACCOUNT MANAGER

Max Baker | max.baker@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Caitlin Agnew, Bree O’Brien, Carleton McHenry

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ronn CM Photography, Evgeniya Plotnikova, Konstantin Novikov

Schowengerdt

Perry

Jennifer Robinson

S E L L F O R T O P D O L L A R

B E F O R E

Have you previously tried selling and didn’t get the price you desired? With inventory as low as it currently is, there is no reason a house shouldn’t sell at market value or more. Despite being in a sellers’ market, it’s still just as important to focus on the 3 P’s - price, preparation, and presentation, for the most positive ROI on your home sale. Ask us about Leveraging the Compass Concierge program we offer, that helps sellers with the up front costs that come with prepping a home for market, such as painting, carpeting, home maintenance, etc. We are here to guide you through this process from start to finish. Get in touch with us today and let's make this spring your most rewarding yet!

A

city scene

1: Guests checking in and mingling before the Bellevue Downtown Association 50th Anniversary celebration begins. 2: Former Bellevue City Manager Brad Miyake accepts the John Boespflug City Builder Award. 3: BDA President Patrick Bannon presenting Fred Herman’s (Bellevue’s first planning director) story. 4: John Schoettler and Patrick Bannon have a fireside Q&A about Amazon’s growth and future in Bellevue.

5: John Schoettler, Amazon’s VP of Global RE&F, accepts the BDA Placemaking award from BDA Board Chair Trinity Parker. 6: 600+ business and civic leaders gathered at Meydenbauer Center to celebrate 50 years with the BDA. 7: Emcees Linda Hoffner and Claire Sumadiwirya, co-hosts of “Whatever She’s Having!” engage with the audience on stage. Photography by Ronn CM Photography

business monthly

A ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

Experience Bellevue!

Choose your own “Experience!” By bus, you can tour affordable housing, city parks or have an inside look at the Porchlight Homeless Shelter. On foot, join a walking tour of Downtown development or the Wilburton commercial area. Some experiences are offered in Spanish or Mandarin. Saturday, May 4, 9AM – 12PM: All tours are free but require a reservation. Additional Experience Bellevue days on May 18 and June 1. For more information visit bellevuewa.gov/experiencebellevue

BAM welcomes Kate Casprowiak Scher as Executive Director

Casprowiak Scher has been serving as the Interim Executive Director at BAM for four months, and has now received an offer from the board to take on the role permanently. "I am honored to accept the invitation to guide Bellevue Arts Museum during these challenging times. It is a privilege to contribute to an institution that stands as a cultural cornerstone in downtown Bellevue," she says.

Bellevue Zip Tour Re-opens After Renovations

Looking for adventure in your own backyard? Zip through the trees at speeds up to 25 miles per hour and 80 feet in the air. Bellevue Zip Tour is opening for the season Saturday, April 20th, 2024! Pre-book your adventure online at bellevueziptour.com . Looking for something to bring your family, company, or social group together? Team building experiences are offered through Bellevue Zip Tour’s sister company, Northwest TeamBuilding. Learn more at nwteambuilding.com

Photography Courtesy of Bellevue Zip Tour

The Bellevue Chamber's Fourth Annual Eastside Real Estate Symposium

Each year the Bellevue Chamber brings together real estate economists, policy leaders, key developers, industry experts, and residential and commercial brokers who are at the forefront of the explosive growth on the Eastside. This year's event is Thursday, April 4 from 7:30-9:30 AM at the Westin Bellevue - Grand Ballroom. For further information and to register, visit bellevuechamber.org .

Pursuing Your Passion

AN ARTIST’S ADVICE ON SELF-DISCOVERY, OVERCOMING CREATIVE BLOCKS, AND GOING FOR IT.

ARTICLE BY CAITLIN AGNEW PHOTOGRAPHY BY EVGENIYA PLOTNIKOVA AND KONSTANTIN NOVIKOV

Evgeniya Plotnikova is a sculptor and stone carver whose works have exhibited internationally and locally.  What started as a simple interest grew into a passion that led to setting up a home studio here in the PNW to “play and clay”. Bellevue Lifestyle asked Evgeniya to share how she discovered and pursed her passion in the arts.

HOW DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR PASSION FOR ART?

When I first moved from Siberia to New York, I would pass by a pottery studio on my way to my architecture office. I would stare into the studio space watching people on pottery wheels, until one day I thought ‘Why don’t I sign up?’. Claying was for me just a meditative stress-release activity initially, but then I got fascinated with the material itself.  Working with clay helped me to rediscover a sense of childhood joy and simply play, and then it put me on the path of discovering myself as an artist and as a woman.

While creating my first ceramic series, I noticed a natural tendency towards sculptural designs. After moving from NYC to Washington, we bought a house with a garden and I started to make vases. As a vessel it has a function, but you have to pair it properly with the flower. I had an interest in making beautiful combinations.

My interest in stone began at my job in an architecture firm in NYC. We had a lot of high-end clients, and we would get request to design with specific rare stones, so I’d go to different stone yards to look. I would see the slabs of incredible material, and it just blew my mind how much the nature offers in the richness of the patterns. At some point I thought ‘Why not go to Italy to study sculpture and a craft of marble carving?’ So I did.  Exploring this different medium broadened my identity from a ‘ceramicist’ to an Artist, a Sculptor, not confined by a particular medium.

CONTINUED >

Evgeniya Plotnikova

“Working with clay helped me to rediscover a sense of childhood joy and simply play.”

HOW HAVE YOU OVERCOME CHALLENGES IN FINDING TIME FOR YOUR ART?

Prioritizing.  If there is no time for a good 5-hour long stone carving session, I still might carve out an hour to make a quick collage. Having a home studio has helped tremendously in finding time to make art.  And allowing myself to take breaks. Creativity comes in flows for me. I can work continuously on something, really be focused on it and then step away for some time until I feel a fresh pull back. It’s a natural process.

IN WHAT WAYS HAVE YOU INVESTED IN YOUR PASSION?

I have a full-time job in Architecture that pays my bills, and that allows me not to put a burden on my creative pursuits at this point. It is a joy to create from a place of unconstrained freedom and I would like to maintain it that way. I had to invest a lot of time and money to present my work (photography, website, materials, plane tickets) and use my vacation time to be able to travel for exhibits. At some point the initial efforts started to pay back in terms of financials and recognition as the work started to sell.

“Ultimately making art is about enjoying the process.”

MANY ARE TIMID WHEN EXPLORING THEIR CREATIVITY.  ANY ADVICE?

A few things I’ve realized on my art journey that helped me remove some of the blocks along the way:

• It does not matter what the world thinks of my art. The truth is no one cares about my art except me, and that’s okay.

• Creativity is a unique gift. Why not just open the box and see what comes next?

• You don’t need a “result” - meaning it does not have to sell, be liked by others, or even have to be ‘good’. Ultimately making art is about enjoying the process.

• Singers sing. Makers make. It is my nature to make things, to create, to express. So that’s what I do, and other considerations are less important than this act of making.

• Look at the creative project as a therapy and meditative activity worth investing your time into.  Art heals my head.

For more information about Evgeniya Plotnikova and her art, visit w www.evg.works .

“Creativity comes in flows for me. I can work continuously on something, really be focused on it and then step away for some time until I feel a fresh pull back.”

Navigating the Uncertainty of 2024

ARTICLE BY CARLETON MCHENRY, CFP® - MCHENRY CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CARLETON MCHENRY

We live in a very uncertain time right now with lots of unknowns, whether geopolitical, economic, technological, or environmental. These issues seemingly knock on our door on a regular basis. In fact this is probably what you are currently reading about in the news and is at the forefront of your everyday life.

It is in times like this you may wonder, what should I do with my money?  Or, isn’t this time different than before?  People are unsure and nervous about the future and what lies ahead.  I always tell people who ask me these questions that first and foremost I am not a soothsayer and I don’t have a crystal ball but I do have a list of 5 time-tested guidelines and principles that I believe everyone should adhere to.  These include the following:

1. Have a Written Financial Plan - have a plan that factors in your long-term goals and objectives.  This plan should show you where you are today in relation to where you want to be in say 5, 10, or 20 years.  Are you on track to reaching your goals? What happens if our economy goes into a prolonged recession?  Will you be okay?  Does your family understand the plan?  Is everyone on the same page?

2. Have a Plan B - always have a backup plan!  This may be as simple as cutting back on some expenses or it may be more drastic such as finding a new job or starting a new career.  Nothing stays the same forever and you need to be prepared ahead of time before things get too tight and force you to make decisions that you didn’t want to make.  You would be surprised how many people don’t have a Plan B.

3. Have Emergency Cash Flow - most people don’t have enough set aside in savings to cover a very modest amount of money needed if they were forced to come up with these funds. A recent study by Bankrate showed that 56% of people could not cover a $1,000 expense with their savings.  They would have to use other means including credit cards.  Don’t get caught in this same situation.  Build up an emergency savings threshold that would allow you and your family to be okay (cover your monthly expenses) in situations like this.  I like to see at least one month of savings built up but 2-3 months is much better.  This money can be set aside in a savings account and can still earn a fairly good amount of interest right now (4-5%).

4. Have a Diversified Investment Portfolio - make sure you don’t have all your eggs in one basket.  You need to own different things - stocks, bonds, commodities, real estate - to ensure you are not too heavily concentrated in one area.  Many people have a lot of their money tied up into the Magnificent Seven stocks right now.  Granted these companies have done really well recently but you need to be careful of being overly concentrated in just these 7 names.  The technology sector can and will sell off and these companies will not be immune to that when this happens.

CARLETON MCHENRY

“Nothing stays the same forever and you need to be prepared ahead of time before things get too tight and force you to make decisions that you didn’t want to make.”

5. Have Patience and Discipline - time in the market beats timing the market.  You have to be patient when investing and know that you are going to see periods of time when volatility is up and your money is down.  This is a fact and has happened throughout the history of the market.  Make sure you stay disciplined including doing things that will help you even more in the long run such as continuing to contribute to your retirement plans and paying off any outstanding debts you may own.

When life feels uncertain and you are unsure about your financial future, stick to these five principles and know that things are going to be okay!

Angels Among Us

ARTICLE BY BREE O’BRIEN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF INTERVIEWEES

Have you ever considered angel investing? The US Securities and Exchange Commission defines angels as “generally high-net-worth individuals who invest their own money directly in emerging businesses.” (sec.gov) They’re primarily accredited investors with a sole annual income over $200K, or income with a spouse of over $300K, or $1 million+ in net worth, excluding primary residence.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE AMONG THESE INVESTORS?

John Sechrest at SAC

“IN MY MIND, SOME PORTION OF ANYONE’S PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITY SHOULD BE ANGEL INVESTING WITH A MISSION,” SAYS SECHREST.

John Sechrest, Founder of the Seattle Angel Conference among other ventures, tells Bellevue Lifestyle that about 15% of area households are accredited investors by law, but less than 1% of those actually invest in early stage startups. Now in its 13th year, SAC is a learn-by-doing cohort based class that was established to create new angel investors. Sechrest says, “It’s more about the chemistry lab class than it is about the chemistry lecture. A key learning for attendees is ‘What things are important to me about making investments? Am I interested in unicorns or clean tech, or helping my friends?’ They really need to come to clarity on that, so we put them on the road to that.”

Around 700 people have participated in the conference as investors, and all of the Seattle-area angel groups include SAC alumni. In SAC, each investor contributes $6K into a common fund, held in an LLC. Startups that have applied and been accepted to the conference make their pitches to investors, and the three-month process culminates in those investors deciding which companies they’ll invest in with the fund. Austin Brovick, a SAC24 Fund Organizer who has participated in the conference four times, says, “One great part of SAC is the extensive network you build over the few months. Many of the Seattle-based angel groups have SAC alumni, so it’s a great way to get an introduction to the angel investing ecosystem in Seattle.”

Brovick joined SAC as a future entrepreneur who wanted to know what investors are looking for in a startup, and to build a professional network. The self-study, workshops, and conversations with other participants helped him feel more confident in his progress toward starting his own company in the near future. “If you have the income to be an accredited investor, it’s pretty low barrier to get your feet wet. It’s $6K to start, and you get a lot of bang for your buck, like paying for a college course with the chance you’ll make money,” Brovick says.

CONTINUED >

Austin Brovick. Photo credit: Anna Letson

Yoko Okano

John Dex

ANGEL INVESTOR AND STARTUP ADVISOR

Seattle Angel Conference has been a spawning ground for new angel investors in our region for over a decade. As I left my work as a tech product manager and startup operator, and explored getting into angel investing, practically everyone I spoke with told me to start at SAC. I’ve found SAC alums all over our Pacific Northwest ecosystem. And I’m proud of being a part of SAC as a 3 time investor and 1 time fund organizer (SAC 21).

I decided to become an angel investor for two reasons: I love the energy and intellectual energy of tech startups; and, I wanted to add a “high risk/ high reward” asset class to my investment mix. Startup investing, done properly with diversification and methodical due diligence, has shown to deliver IRR* returns above 20%.

*IRR: Internal rate of return

As far as demographics, nationally the percentage of female angel investors is about 23%. “We average, in our program, 33% women, and we have an explicit effort to get to 50/50,” Sechrest says. He also mentions that African American and Hispanic people are underrepresented in angel investing. A “sponsored investor” program is designed to help facilitate underrepresented groups’ participation in SAC by providing opportunities to gain knowledge about the process before committing any funds.

Yoko Okano, Founding Partner of First Row Partners and SAC alumni, says “In my first round of SAC, I was one of 4 or so women in a room of 35 angel investors. During a subsequent round of SAC for which I served as a fund manager, we started an upwards trend towards 40-50% female investor participation. That round, we also noted an increase in female founder applicants.” According to Okano, Sechrest was instrumental in encouraging her business partner and herself in their investing journeys. “SAC is a good starting point because the process allows you to see more deals at a faster pace than you could as an individual investor starting out. We’re in such a special place from a talent and capital perspective. We have so many of the ingredients here in Seattle.”

“In my mind, some portion of anyone’s philanthropic activity should be angel investing with a mission,” says Sechrest. “The driving thing is: How do you want to see innovation make the world better? Whatever the answer is for you, you should build your thesis for investing around that. If you and 20 of your friends align on that, you can be transformative for a number of companies; that will not only change the companies’ arc, but will change your community’s arc.”

Sechrest emphasizes, “Everywhere, there are startups. There are founders that are curious and trying things, but how do you get them out of the garage? Well let’s put money on the table to get them out of the garage and into the community.”

To learn more about Seattle Angel Conferece, visit seattleangelconference.com

A Mission of Inclusivity

A LOCAL REALTOR’S JOURNEY IN AUTISM AWARENESS AND ADVOCACY

ARTICLE BY BREE O’BRIEN

Britt Wibmer clearly remembers when her son Gabe was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, in 2011. At the time, she didn’t know much about autism and the diagnosis felt quite scary. A specialist handed her a huge book put out by Autism Speaks, and Wibmer didn’t receive much else in the way of resources. “I was asking myself, ‘How can I survive this?’ Gabe’s behaviors were challenging at the time, and no one really knew what autism was, including myself,” she says. “Then autism awareness became a passion and a mission for me.”

Around the time of Gabe’s diagnosis, the real estate market crashed. Wibmer, a realtor, experienced financial difficulties but was still able to access therapies for Gabe on a sliding payment scale. When the market improved and she was back on solid ground, Wibmer wanted to give back. She involved herself with Washington Autism Alliance and Seattle Children’s Autism Center, chaired auction after auction, and helped found Best Buddies at Bellevue High School.

According to the Best Buddies website, “These programs build one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), offering social interactions while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded.” The organization also offers Integrated Employment and Leadership Development programs, allowing people with IDD to both earn an income and become leaders and advocates.

Britt Wibmer

Friendships and social engagement can be challenging for people with autism, and Wibmer cites Friendship Circle of Washington as a group that’s provided much-needed kindness and compassion in that arena. Inclusion for all is their mission, and Friendship Circle “leverages the positive impact of friendship, understanding, and shared experience to transform the lives of children and teens with special needs and typically developing teens.” (friendshipcirclewa.org )

Now that Gabe is 16, he’s participated in Special Olympics (soccer and swimming), created his own YouTube channel, and is particularly interested in cooking. Wibmer is working to help determine next steps for her son: Inclusive employment, supportive living situations, and opportunities to use his talents and gifts to benefit society.

Certain companies, MOD Pizza for example, really shine when it comes to inclusive hiring practices. Wibmer is hopeful that other companies can see the benefits of inclusivity and increase the number of job opportunities for autistic people that need supports or accommodations. As autism is truly a spectrum disorder, some autistic people need significant support structures in place to facilitate their success, while others require none.

The Els for Autism Foundation, established by golf champion Ernie Els and his wife Liezl, has a related Els Center for Excellence offering leading-edge programs and services for those on the spectrum. Outside groups are encouraged to observe the Els model in Florida and use it as inspiration for their own localities to enhance the lives of people with autism. As Wibmer says, “Every person is different, and their capabilities are different, and it’s important to meet and accept them where they are.”

“Wibmer is hopeful that other companies can see the benefits of inclusivity and increase the number of job opportunities for autistic people that need some supports or accommodations.

Gabe in a cooking class at Sur la Table in Kirkland

eat kind

EMBRACING A PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR BODY

Wellness isn’t about restricting — it’s really about giving. Giving to yourself and to your body in a way that allows them both to thrive. The cool part? The things that give to your body naturally give to your mind, your hormones, your earth, your relationships, and so on — it’s all beautifully interconnected in that way.

Eat your greens, cook at home, choose local produce and quality meats, don’t be scared of healthy fats — but also support local farmers, move in a way that makes your body and mind feel good, prioritize times of mindfulness and stillness.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 6 oz. filets of wild caught salmon

• 1 Tbsp. avocado oil

• 1 Tbsp. coconut aminos

• Zest and juice from one lemon

• 1 Tbsp. stone ground mustard

• 1 4 oz. container coconut yogurt, unsweetened

• 2 Tbsp. fresh dill, minced

• 2 Tbsp. capers, drained and minced

• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Marinate the salmon in the lemon juice, coconut aminos, and stone ground mustard for up to two hours.

2. Drizzle salmon with avocado oil, sprinkle with salt and ground pepper, and broil on high for five to seven minutes, until cooked to desired temperature.

3. Mix coconut cream, lemon zest, dill, capers, and ground pepper together.

4. Top salmon with coconut cream, serve with roasted or sautéed veggies, brown or cauliflower rice, or fresh greens. Enjoy!

simple roasted salmon with dill coconut cream

APRIL 2024

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

APRIL 6TH

Eid al-Fitr Art Cart with Hindi Time Kids

Newport Way Library, 14250 SE

Newport Way Bellevue | 2:00 PM

Create Eid cards and crafts with Hindi Time Kids. Eid al-Fitr, a widely celebrated Muslim festival in South Asia and beyond, marks the end of the Holy month of Ramadan. The event will also focus on the significance of Eid and teach you how to express Eid wishes. Ages 2 to 12.  Registration not required. Supplies may be limited.

APRIL 13TH

Light Up A Signal: Dinner & Live Auction

CPCS Bothell Campus High School Gym, 16300 112th Ave NE, Bothell | 5:00 PM

An invitation to every person who is part of our community to come together for dinner and live auction to help to continue to make Christian education affordable for this generation of students and Christians to change the world. For tickets go to  https:// rb.gy/21elds or www.cpcsschools.com

APRIL 14TH-27TH

Seattle Restaurant Week

Various area restaurants

Seattle Restaurant Week invites diners to explore our diverse and innovative local food scene, through curated menus for $20, $35, $50, and $65 at restaurants, bars, cafes, food trucks, and pop-ups across greater Seattle. Join together with us to celebrate and support the craft and resilience of Seattle’s culinary community, and to strengthen our local economy over good food. srweek.org

APRIL 18TH

Low Sensory Afternoon at KidsQuest

KidsQuest Children's Museum, 1116 108th Ave NE, Bellevue

The museum limits attendance and turns down the ambient noise and light to provide an even more inviting place to explore, play, and learn. Low Sensory Afternoons are especially appropriate for children with autism and/or sensory processing disorder, are open to children with any type of special need and their families. Free. Pre-registration is required. kidsquestmuseum.org

APRIL 19TH

Cultural Crossroads

Month presents Global Heat @ Market Stage

15600 NE 8th St, Bellevue | 7:00 PM

Global Heat brings on positive Soul/ R&B vibes with a mix of original songs and covers from Stevie Wonder, Dua Lipa, Michael Jackson, James Brown, Earth Wind & Fire, Black-Eyed Peas, Chaka Khan, and more. One World… One Beat… Feel the Heat! global-heat. com and  crossroadsbellevue.com for more info.

APRIL 20TH

EarthFest 2024

Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St, Bellevue | 9:00 AM

The City of Bellevue and the Bellevue Botanical Garden are thrilled to be hosting this event. Keep Bellevue Beautiful kicks off EarthFest with a Wilburton litter cleanup event! Join KBB from 9:00-11:00am at 12025 NE 5th St. Then head over to the Bellevue Botanical Garden for a drop-in educational nature-based programs, creative arts activities, and environmental resource booths. bellevuewa.gov

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events

APRIL 27TH

TLS Auction: Every Piece Matters

Liljebeck Farms, 9009 222nd St SE, Woodinville | 5:00 PM

Please join us at The Little School’s 2024 Auction to support financial aid for TLS families and celebrate with friends and faculty. This year’s theme, Every Piece Matters, acknowledges how we can all come together to further our school’s commitment to access, belonging, equity and inclusion. Visit thelittleschool.ejoinme.org/ everypiecematters for further info.

APRIL 27TH

Sergei Govorov- Mini Concert for Children

Teatro Canzoni, 1919 152nd Pl NE Suite 3B, Bellevue | 4:30 PM

As a performer, Sergei Govorov thrives both as a soloist and ensemble/collaborative player. His repertoire stylistically ranges from classical saxophone to avant-garde to jazz and pop. Govorov’s performances consistently receive high acclaim. Tickets on eventbrite.com

APRIL 27TH

Sound Transit's East Link Starter Line Grand Opening Celebration

Bellevue Downtown Station, 571 112th Ave NE, Bellevue | 10:00 AM

Everyone is invited to celebrate opening day with Sound Transit and its partners! The festivities will start with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 am. Link service will begin operating after the ribbon cutting at approximately 11 am. Following the ribbon cutting and throughout the day, all eight of the new stations will feature different activities, exhibits and entertainment. soundtransit.org/discover2line

INVESTING IN THE ARTS

The BAM, like most American museums, has been affected by revenue losses amid drops in attendance, fundraising, and retail sales since the end of the pandemic. Despite these uncertainties, the museum has a longstanding commitment to providing exceptional exhibitions, cross-cultural programming, and events, including the iconic Bellevue Arts Fair.   “I am heartened by the dedicated staff, board, docents, and extended BAMFam as we face persistent, systemic financial challenges,” said Executive Director Kate Casprowiak Scher. “While our story may not be unique, I think it

The Bellevue Arts Museum is fundraising to cover immediate operating expenses

would surprise my neighbors in Bellevue and beyond to realize we are so massively underfunded. I hope people hear this fundraising call and help us shepherd in a new cultural era for the greater Eastside.”

The museum is launching a campaign to build an endowment for long term financial sustainability. As a 501(c)(3), BAM is eligible for a number of avenues of support including cash donation, employer matching, gifts of stock, donor advised funds, IRA charitable rollover, and planned giving. Visit bellevuearts.org to learn more.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BAM

Pre-K Summer Camp at Bellevue Arts Museum

Architect deforest architects