Hey, I’m Mike — the guy behind Eastside Insider and your neighbor here in Redmond.
I started this site and newsletter as a local resource for myself, but it quickly turned into something I wanted to share with others. I realized it one night when I was searching for a comedy show without having to drive into Seattle… and suddenly found a bunch of cool stuff happening right here on the Eastside. That moment sparked the idea: why not put it all in one place and make it easy for others to find, too?
I grew up in Washington — shout out to the Olympic Peninsula! — and now live on the Eastside, tucked between the water and the mountains. That’s one of the reasons I love this area so much. We’ve got big-city perks like shopping, restaurants, and events, but just minutes away you’ll find peaceful hiking trails, lake beaches, and a quieter, more hometown kind of vibe. It’s the best of both worlds.
When I’m not scouting out new things to do, you’ll probably find me hiking a local trail, checking out a festival, or browsing the booths at a weekend market. Over time, I became the unofficial “tour guide” for visiting friends and family — which only made me more motivated to dig deeper into what’s happening around town.
The vibe of Eastside Insider is simple: a well-researched, curated list of the best events, hidden gems, and things to do across Woodinville, Redmond, Kirkland, Bellevue, Issaquah, and beyond. Whether you’re planning your weekend or just looking for something new to check out, I’ve got your back.
My goal is to help build a stronger sense of community here on the Eastside — a space where people can connect, explore, and enjoy where they live without needing to cross the bridge into Seattle.
And for the record: yes, I did learn how to juggle in math detention.
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