Nobody left a loser at Saturday night’s “Casino Classique de Monaco,” the 63rd Annual Gala and Auction for the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce.
That’s right, it was a win-win situation all around at The Hollywood Schoolhouse in Woodinville. The chamber got to raise money to help its efforts in stimulating and connecting the business community. And local business leaders got to network while having a great time gambling with fake money and knocking back a few.
And besides, where else can you throw down chips at the blackjack table with Redmond City Councilman Hank Margeson or catch Council Vice President Pat Vache sporting shades and a bow tie. Mayor John Marchione was also on hand for the festive fundraiser.
I wonder if gambling for the chamber was a priority in this recent budget cycle.
Everyone in attendance got $10,000 worth of fake chips and of course, I hit a hot streak right away before finally succumbing to the gambling gods.
On a serious note, it was a fun event at a gorgeous venue and raised money for a great cause.
Calling all fans
Redmond High Superfans, along with the rest of the community, had plenty to cheer about last Saturday night after the Mustangs clinched a a spot at the Class 4A boys’ basketball state tournament, which begins Wednesday, March 4.
The Mustangs, along with its Green and Gold herd, will gallop their way south to the Tacoma Dome, opening with a showdown against the high-flying Federal Way Eagles, one of the tournament favorites, at high noon.
“It’s a fun time,” said Redmond High athletic director John Appelgate.”(Going to state) is so much bigger than the 12 kids who get to play in the game. … We get great support from the community.”
You can bet the Redmond cheering section will be packed with spirit and energy, led by the Mustangs’ charged-up Superfans.
Appelgate said the school has secured up to 12 rooter buses to take fans down to the Tacoma Dome. The last time the Mustangs made it to state in 2007, eight rooter buses full of fans made the trip. Appelgate is hoping for at least nine.
So for all those non-students out there, take a long lunch or heck, just call in sick, and cheer the Mustangs on to victory. Check out sports on page 13 and the get full details of Redmond’s road to the state tournament.
Timing off for Microsoft?
Redmond-based Microsoft Corp. announced its plans to open its own line of retail stores, several days after announcing a huge layoff plan, which includes eliminating 5,000 jobs world-wide over the next 18 months.
Microsoft announced the company’s first large-scale layoffs followed by plans to follow Apple into the cut-throat retail world. The timing seems a little off, but I assume some of those out-of-work software engineers can handle retail clerk duties if times get desperate.
Well, I guess, time will tell if going retail right now will ultimately be a boost for the tech giant. Microsoft wants to hit the retail business, while malls and shopping centers are turning into ghost towns.
Microsoft will definitely get a good deal on rent during this recession. Going retail right now is more of a gamble, rather than investment.
However, it is Mighty Microsoft we are talking about.
Remember, this is a company so loaded they can overpay thousands of dollars in severance pay to laid-off employees and then tell them to keep the change.
Bill Christianson is the editor of the Redmond Reporter. He can be reached at bchristianson@redmond-reporter.com
