Easing the pain of expensive gas

Time magazine had an interesting article in a recent July issue: 10 Things You Can Like About $4 Gas.

The writer mentioned such things as less sprawl as people opt to live closer to their work, less pollution as we drive less, fewer deaths — again because we drive less and slower (to save fuel), etc.

All well and good.

But the high price of gasoline also pinches our pocketbooks.

While that hurts, there is a silver lining: it can make us look around for less expensive things to do. Fortunately, around here there is a lot to do that doesn’t cost much, if anything.

If you check the Redmond Reporter’s Calendar or Out and About listings, you’ll find plenty of activities for you and your family to do right here at home. No need to to gas up the SUV and head across the state.

For example, Movies @ Marymoor now has started. Each Wednesday at 7 p.m. you can catch a movie on the lawn at Marymoor Park. Next up is “Juno” on July 23. “Monsoon Wedding” follows on July 30 and the classic “Singing in the Rain” plays on Aug. 6. The movies continue through Aug. 27. The cost? Just a $5 donation per person or only $15 per family. Marymoor Park is at 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway N.E., just at Bellevue’s edge.

Live more on the west side of Redmond? OK. Try an outdoor movie at Carillon Point. These are at dusk Saturdays through Aug. 16. Up next: “Hairspray” tonight, “Wallace & Gromit: on July 26 and “Transformers” on Aug. 2. The cost is a $5 donation to Hopelink. Head to 4100 Carillon Point in Kirkland for the show.

Like music? Of course there is the annual Concerts at Marymoor, featured national bands and artists. Looking for something a little cheaper? Check out the free Redmond Concert Series at Redmond Town Center every Thursday night. How’s Bayou will be the next feature band.

Redmond has dozens of parks and miles of trails and greenbelts — all there waiting for you.

Check out the parks department webpage at www.redmond.gov/recreationarts/recreation_arts.asp to get maps, directions and more.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in the PNWLocalNews.com community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. So keep your comments:

• Civil
• Smart
• On-topic
• Free of profanity

We ask that all participants own their words by registering for an account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and drive-by commenters.

As a community site, we ask that the community help by using the "Flag" button on each comment if they feel the comment has violated the rules. You can also use the up and down arrows on each comment to voice your opinion about that particular comment.

Want to tell us something but you don't want it to be public? Talk to us privately.