The Bellevue Diversity Initiative, adopted by the City Council late last year, seeks to leverage the city's growing diversity. "Cultural Conversations" is one program that has been doing just that over the last five years.

Cultural Conversations is featured in this month's It's Your City. Other stories in the resident newsletter include an introduction to our new economic development director and an update on the East Link project, focusing on efforts to limit the light rail line’s impacts on Bellevue neighborhoods.

The Bellevue Diversity Initiative, adopted by the City Council late last year, seeks to leverage the city's growing diversity. "Cultural Conversations" is one program that has been doing just that over the last five years.

Cultural Conversations is featured in this month's It's Your City. Other stories in the resident newsletter include an introduction to our new economic development director and an update on the East Link project, focusing on efforts to limit the light rail line’s impacts on Bellevue neighborhoods.

Fifty years ago marked the beginning of the Fire Department providing 24-hour, full-time fire protection to the citizens of Bellevue. You are cordially invited you to join us as we celebrate this milestone at our gala, "Everyone's A Hero," Saturday, March 14, at the Meydenbauer Center, 5:30 p.m.

The event, sponsored by Overlake Medical Center, will feature live and silent auctions to benefit Somerset Women for Medic One and the Bellevue Firefighters Community Support. The cost is $75 per person. Please RSVP by calling 452-5250 by March 5.

Big Chinook salmon still swim up Kelsey Creek, through the backyards of Bellevue residences, and the city is doing its part to make sure the threatened species continues returning to its native stream.

The City Council on Monday reviewed progress since Bellevue signed a 10-year agreement with 27 other local governments to support recovery efforts for Puget Sound Chinook salmon in the Lake Washington-Cedar River-Sammamish River watershed. Bellevue and other cities are being asked to renew the interlocal agreement for another 10 years.

Today the City of Bellevue announced four finalists for police chief -- an assistant chief with the Phoenix police; the Southlake, Texas police chief; a former assistant chief with the Montgomery County, Md. police; and a division commander with the Chicago police (full biographies below).

Recruited by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) during a targeted search, the candidates will come to Bellevue this week to meet with the community, City Council and city staff. The public is invited to a reception Thursday, February 26, 5-7 p.m., at City Hall, room 1E-112.

In the first Neighborhood Leadership Gathering of the year, interested residents can join in a conversation about economic growth and its effect on neighborhoods. The featured speaker will be James Henderson, the city's new economic development director.

The event, "How Bellevue's Economic Growth and Neighborhoods Can Prosper Together," takes place 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, February 26, in room 1E-108 at City Hall, 450 110th Ave. NE.