Residents, including students and people planning home or yard improvements, now have access to essential information about their property -- background about the drainage basin they occupy.

Bellevue is divided into 26 drainage basins -- small watersheds in which all runoff drains to a particular stream, lake or wetland. The city has collected comprehensive data about those drainage basins and posted that data online.

Residents, including students and people planning home or yard improvements, now have access to essential information about their property -- background about the drainage basin they occupy.

Bellevue is divided into 26 drainage basins -- small watersheds in which all runoff drains to a particular stream, lake or wetland. The city has collected comprehensive data about those drainage basins and posted that data online.

Neighborhood groups that have launched donation drives or other projects to help residents in need during the recession will be honored at a community picnic on the lawn at City Hall on Saturday, Sept. 11.

Residents are invited to bring picnic blankets and lawn chairs to the Celebration of Service, noon to 2 p.m., on 110th Avenue Northeast between Northeast Fourth and Sixth avenues. The free event will feature live music from Eric Moore and Two Scoops and free burrito lunches from Chipotle Mexican Grill to the first 500 people who come. A "Kid Zone" with free activities for little ones and a volunteer resource fair will round out the day's activities.

The culture of one of Bellevue's largest ethnic groups took center stage at Crossroads Bellevue on Saturday during "India Day," a celebration of India's independence. Video

Fifteen percent of the state's Indian population -- more than 6,000 people -- live in Bellevue, 10 Indian firms have U.S. headquarters on the Eastside and 30 percent of the global workforce for Redmond-based Microsoft is Indian. The State Bank of India is even considering opening a branch in Bellevue. India will soon establish a consulate in Bellevue.

While the City Council plans for a wave of mass-produced electric cars expected to zap Bellevue soon, an employee with the Parks & Community Services Department already commutes to City Hall in one. Jim Bennett has been driving to work in an electric car ever since sockets for them were installed in the parking garage in January. Video

"I love it," said Bennett, forest management supervisor for Parks. "I like the simplicity, not having to get gas. It's fun to drive, and I like that I'm doing my part for the environment. I'll never go back to gas."

To mark the opening of the new Lake Hills Library, a ribbon-cutting celebration and open house will be Saturday, Sept. 11. Starting at 10 a.m., the event will take place at the new library at 15590 Lake Hills Blvd., just a few blocks east of the existing library.

Residents are invited to join community leaders, library staff and builders at the opening. After the ribbon-cutting, the public is invited inside to tour the new library and enjoy refreshments and a musical program.