Kirkland Weblog

Pace Race Photos

The weather decided to cooperate for the Pace Race this morning-hooray! Great fun for a great cause (Prostate Cancer). We had lots of fun on the one mile family walk, but told the kids they need to start training so we can do the 5K next year. Here are a few photos of the starts for the 5K and the kids fun run. ~j

Do you know who you're voting for???

I do.  But I'm not telling.  Well, maybe if you called me (just kidding, I won't pick up). Here's an opportunity to get informed: Kirkland City Council Candidate Forum, Monday Oct 12th @ 7pm, Holy Spirit Lutheran Church Sanctuary (10021 NE 124th St, Kirk, 98034).  This event will include all of the 09 Kirkland City Council candidates: Tom Hodgson, Doreen Marchione, Amy Walen, Karen Tennyson, Brad Larssen, Penny Sweet, Martin Morgan and Joan McBride.  We've got lot of issues on the table- annexation, taxes, budget woes and development challenges to discuss.  Kudos to the League of Women Voters for moderating the event.  Maybe they should come moderate some actual council meetings for us too (oooh- low blow!)

Let's check out what these brave-hearted candidates have to say for us and what they're all about. Also do your research at www.kirklandviews.com where there is some in-depth coverage on each of the candidates.  We need to get acquainted-these are the people that will be representing us and making decisions with our city money next year, so be smart and get informed. Questions about this event go to mathewpruitt@gmail.com. Feel free to chatter about it here... ~j

Pace Race 2009- Sign up Now

Get out there and move it for your man!

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men and over 220,000 men in the US will be diagnosed this year.  Kirkland's PACE Race (PACE=Prostate Awareness & Cancer Education) will happen on October 25th at Marina Park.  There's an event for everyone with a 10K Run/Walk (9am, $35 early reg), 5K Run/Walk (9am, $25), 1 mile Family Fitness Walk (9:10am, $25)  and a 1/2 mile Kids Fun Run (10am, free $10 for tee) .  Same day registration starts at 7am but the fees go up by then, so register now. 
The post-party will include music, vendor booths, awards ceremony, survivor recognition and giveaways, plus a special post-race breakfast and beer garden at Wilde Rover. Nothing like a big beer after your run! Oh yeah! I have a friend that is a recent survivor of prostate cancer (thankfully detected early) so look for my butt out there walking with the whole family. Besides, that way if I'm walking I have my four year old as an excuse ;-). ~j

Kirkland Remembers 9/11

American flags line our downtown flower pots and medians to honor the memory of those lost in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. A day that will never be forgotten. This is the first year I had to explain this tragic event to our children (six and four yr olds), which was no easy task. Each oversimplified answer I gave beckoned 3 more questions.  I finally had to tell them that it just didn't make that much sense to me either. ~j

PS- I promise tomorrow's downtown display will be much more light-hearted. ;-)

So Many Things, So Little Time.......

Alright, you got me--I'm attempting to empty my email inbox in one big post here.   Here's everything you need to know for the moment- quick and dirty style.  If you are savvy enough to be reading this blog, you're smart enough to pick which links you like. :-)

-KOMO News starts local blogging- check out their Kirkland site (are you cheating on me? haha) .

-Kirkland's New "Feet First" Walking Maps both north and south are here.  Pick up a hard copy at your neighborhood meetings (when are my nhood meetings?).

-New Roadway Markings for Cyclists (my kids get very upset when they see you w/o your helmet, btw)

-Second Annual Harvest Supper and Grape Stomp Weds 9/16. Proceeds benefit the Weds Market.

-Eat wings, watch football and win a man cave at The Wing Dome this season.  Why didn't we think of that before we remodeled?

-Kirkland Transit Center Community Open House Tues Sept 8th  5-7pm.

-Proposed Utility Tax Increase Information-  (Q2, page 3).

-7th Annual Phil Smart Kirkland Concours D'Elegance Sept 13th 9-4.

-Kirkland Triathalon Sept 20th @ 7am  (kids tri on the 19th). Register early to get a spot!

-Youth Eastside Services new Forbes House @ Juanita Park Location Celebration Sept 25th 4-6.

-Eastside's Month of Concern for the Hungry Sept 26- Oct 24th.

-Grand Opening of Hopelink's new Kirkland Center: one stop shopping w/grocery style foodbank.

-Bartell's is launching their flu vaccination program- be brave and get your shot now.

-Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound needs mentors for Kirkland kids. See how you can help.

-Shoreline Master Program- still a hot topic to find a balance for everyone- stay informed on the latest.

-7th Annual KITH dinner on Oct 3rd with guest speaker, author Robert Fulgham.

-Lake WA School District is back in session! Yahooo! Don't forget to add $ to your kids lunch cards, check out vacation dates, etc.

Fire in Juanita!

About 15 mins ago my kids said they saw fire and lots of smoke.  So, as I began freaking out and searching our house, they then informed me that it was out the window.  If you live on the water in Juanita (north of Woodland Cove, but still visible to Juanita Bay) it might be a good idea to leave work early today.  Appears to be on the front part of the dock.  I thanked my kids for their assist and called 911.  Luckily, the rain picked up right when it started raging.    I took these pics- one is through our scope (rt)-I was surprised this actually worked. ~j

It's 2nd Thursday on Park Lane this week!

Get ready for the fun this Thursday night when the merchants of Park Lane host another "Second Thursday" celebration.  This means you should head on down there between 6-9pm for live music, artists, sidewalk sales and late-night shopping.  Park Lane closes to thru-traffic, so no cruising- park your car, get on out and take in some of the featured artists at Simplicity Decor (Diane Ahern, Bjorck Design, Global Daughter, A is For), Parklane Gallery with their exhibits ("The Wide, Wide West" and "Colors of Nature") and Lakeshore Gallery with Mary Gibbs's paintings of cats (%of proceeds benefit MEOW cat rescue in Houghton  Village).  Go ahead, please help fuel our local economy :-). ~j

Go Dog Go!

Kirkland's first canine festival, "Go Dog, Go!" will be on July 25th at Crestwoods Park from 10-3.  The City of Kirkland, Kirkland Off Leash Dog Group (KDOG) and WOOFD2 are throwing this event to raise money for the Mutt Mitts in Kirkland parks and to help build awareness around the efforts to create a local off-leash dog park. There will be lots of fun activities such as 'flyball demonstrations' and 'bobbing for tennis balls'  and contests for things such as 'best tail wag' and 'best kiss.'  It sounds like a doggie carnival to me!

Other cities are hard at work on similar efforts.  Renton opened theirs a few weeks ago and places such as Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Sammamish, Issaquah and Medina are all developing or recently opened new off-leash areas for their residents and furry friends. 

If you want to treat your dog to a fun day in the park and lend your support for a spot to un-leash in Kirkland, go check it out!   ~j

Fun Times Coming Up in Kirkland

What a great day we had for the fourth! My kids decided they didn't want to ride their bikes in the parade because that would prohibit them from picking up candy - a very critical and strategic move on their part.  Instead, we decorated our razor-boards so we could hop off and scoop up treats on a moment's notice.  Penny Sweet, who leads the effort for making that amazing day happen said she thinks it may be the largest attendance we've had so far.  She's guesstimating there were 30,000 people!  LOVE the patriotic enthusiasm!

Next up?  Concerts in the park start this week- always a fave!  Due to some budget cuts they will be only be on Wednesday mornings at 10 (kids' shows) and Thursday evenings at 7.  No more Tuesday night, fyi. Don't forget to throw a few bucks in the basket when you attend so they can keep this program going.  You can check out who's playing at Marina Park by clicking here.  This Thursday will be City Knightz - shout-out to Mac on bass- we were in our Kirkland Citizen's Academy class together.

Two weeks from now you should be heading down to "Kirkland Uncorked."  It's all there- wine, food, music, boats, classic cars, art, grilling competitions and an amazing setting that is our own Lakeshore Plaza at Marina Park.  You can buy tickets for the 'Tasting and LifeStyle Garden' on-line or when you get there ($20-25).  The rest of the festival is open to the public and free!  Check out the website for all the details. The dates are Fri July 17 through Sun July 19th.

See you around town! ~j

Good News on the 4th of July Celebration!!

After teetering on the verge of not being able to pull the fireworks together for this year, things have really turned around for us.  Not only are the fireworks covered, but the fireworks company is kicking in an extra $2K towards our finale because they thought it was cool the way Kirkland rallied to make this happen.  Way to go!

That's not it--as usual, the kids parade will start at 11:30 and the adult one at 12.  After that wraps up around 1, take the kids over to Heritage Park where there will be 4 FREE bouncy houses donated by the Church of the Nazarene.  Prior to the fireworks show, local band "The Ex Box Boys" will be playing music and doing a light show in the pavilion at Marina Park around 7:30.  Rumor has it they are the 2nd most downloaded MySpace band so get ready for a good show.  Kudos to Penny Sweet for working her magic and pulling this effort together for us! ~j