Kirkland Weblog

My Exit Interview with Bill Vadino

Bill Vadino has stepped down as the Executive Director for the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce and Kirkland Downtown Association (KDA).  He will be moving on to become the Show Director for the Kirkland Concours d'Elegance.  He also has another mysterious Eastside consulting gig in the works which he will be announcing soon.  So, before Bill pushes out on his sleigh, I had a few questions and they went something like this... (I'm in bold)

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Pressing questions...Yes or No..

Is parking a problem in Kirkland? "Can you hold for a second? I am looking for a parking space"

Will the Antique Mall be there forever? "No--I just told Marilyn Dillard there will be a Santa Claus."

Are there too many spas and salons downtown? "Oh--are those all the places between the restaurants, coffee shops and consignment clothes stores?"

Is that you that dresses up the cow statue on Central every holiday? "I thought it was you and your kids--or PETA"

Too many political floats in the 4th of July parade? "Politicians in the parade? I am shocked, shocked..."

 Hard to believe, but not everyone in Kirkland knows Bill Vadino,  Director of the KDA and Kirkland Chamber of Commerce.  Tell us what the heck that means in 3 sentences or less. 

 "Well the Chamber is a membership organization of businesses that believe that "what is good for neighbors is good for business" by making Kirkland a great place to work, live and play.  Most importantly for me aside from the networking events, public policy advocacy, business assistance and downtown/community events is the community service aspect getting neighbors and business folks (sometimes  to volunteer to help the hungry, homeless, and those who need medical care.  The Kirkland Concours was (at least for me) the piece de resistance with it generating 1.5 million for uncompensated medical care for children over the last 9 years. 

 -Where are you scurrying off to and why?

"Well, I have four tasks and I am keeping two, shedding two and adding one.  After 10 years (combined) I will be leaving the Chamber and Downtown Association to focus on my two other tasks--the Kirkland Concours which, while is planned by volunteers here in Kirkland and on the eastside, will be at the new LeMay America's Car Museum in Tacoma as well as my "friends and family."  Another exciting position on the eastside will be announced eventually which I am looking forward to as well.  Good news is that I will be around as many of my friends are here"

 -Tell me why you think Kirkland is Super Cool.  And what would make it even cooler. 

 "It's the people and their volunteerism linked with the small town Mayberry with enough Peyton Place to keep things interesting.  What would be even cooler is to have a foundation that helps fund all of our community organizations from those who help the needy as well as the arts and event organizations."

 -Favorite event in Kirkland? (tough to pick one, I know) 

 Well...now that the Kirkland Concours is moving and I don't have to be "Switzerland" anymore I would say Summerfest and Moss Bay Days which may return in a new incarnation next summer.

 -Who will (try to) fill your shoes? Still looking for candidates? What unique skills are required besides looking snappy in a suit and having the balance to hang off of ladders while hanging holiday decorations? (photo)

 "Bond, James Bond.  With all his stunt work as the new Bond, Daniel Craig would be perfect on the ladders.  Or Charles Durning as the governor in the "Little W****house in Texas ("oh I like to dance the little side step...now you see me now you don’t) for all the moments when my successor tries to please all he people all the time.  Most of what happens will continue in exemplary fashion because of all the volunteers that have enabled success since 1935.  Are you available?"

 -If it was your last meal in Kirkland, where would you go?  

 "I would be a like a hobbit and have six meals (two breakfasts, lunches and dinners) so George's, Hectors, Sasi's, Bin, Crab Cracker, of course Trellis.  And dessert at Sweet Cakes."

 Good luck Bill! We will miss you (but we still know where to find you!) ~j 

 

 

 

 

 

A Word (many, actually) from Marsha

 
Marsha, our ex-Parking Enforcement Officer, had a few words for me after my post from Aug 23rd that she said I could share with you.  Thank you, Pretty Lady! Well said.

Hello,

I am no longer employed by Kirkland as a Parking Enforcement Officer so I figured I could send you a note.  Anyone that knows me knows, that I prefer being called "Pretty Lady" and I'm not nice, I'm fair but stern.....kinda like your favorite Mother.  

Parking isn't a problem in Kirkland.....but "bad attitudes" are.  If you were to describe the parking situation to any other city, employee, or company that sells parking equipment you'd be laughed at.

1 PEO a day, I worked 11am-9pm, 2 hour, 3 hour, 4 hour FREE Parking.  FREE ALL DAY parking usually 1 1/2 blks away, $1.00 an hour parking from 5-9pm which means $4.00 a night,  Leased Private Parking Lot which was $1.00 an hour from 9am-9pm.  FREE PARKING W/PERMIT for downtown business owners and employees. ALL DAY FREE PARKING on Sundays and holidays,  By the time I got around to ticketing vehicles on FRI or SAT it  would be 1:30pm-2pm which is plenty of time to get your now sober butt out of bed and retrieve you vehicle.  If you did receive a $35 dollar ticket it is still cheaper than a cab drive or DUI.  It's the price to play.   FREE ALL DAY Motorcycle Parking Spots

 Name one city anywhere in the world that has more lenient parking near a lake, w/awesome stores, and beautiful trees and flowers!?  I know you can't.  

 Stop whining about the parking to strangers and friends, start spreading the word on how wonderful the city is.  Employees and Regulars....  Start parking in places that respect the business owners and frees up spots for "new customers and soon to be "new friends".    Take responsibility for your parking tickets...sometimes you win and sometimes you must pay.  I'm pretty sure everyone has once come running and yelling and waving their hands to me and they got a win...at least once.  Getting a parking ticket is all about being part of a city.

 I loved my job, loved meeting people, loved giving directions, giving restaurant suggestions, returning keys, phones, dogs and children, I loved doing personal shopping on my off hours, loved laughing at funny moments, loved hugging at the sad.  I tried to treat everyone "equally the same" (only maybe not "red state" plates or convertibles in the summer)  if you didn't get a ticket from me (unless you yelled, lied, or called me fat)  you usually were given a lecture on how to be better and options on where to park next time.    ;)

 If you have any ideas that the Parking Board has not covered or thought of.....It's time to volunteer!

 Marsha the Meter-maid

 (ps. I don't stop in for coffee. I'm allergic)

Train to be an Angel

 
I never thought I would hear these words come out of my mouth, but, "I took a harp lesson!" And it was fun! The harp is one of the most ancient instruments, originating in the Middle East, and thought to be discovered by sheep herding boys with bows and arrows that started making music when they got bored (instead of wrestling? simply amazing).  Kirkland resident and Vice President of the American Harp Society, Alishia Joubert, has been playing the harp since she was nine years old and gives lessons out of her home and also plays at weddings and funerals.  "I hope the harp brings elements of emotions out during events and through teaching," says Alishia.  It is certainly a very expressive instrument as you can see on some video I captured.  I had my 8 year old girls with me and they were just fascinated.

There are two types of harps: the lever harp and the pedal harp.  As you may have guessed, one has levers to create different sounds and the other has pedals, which can create a wider range of notes such as a C sharp, C natural and C flat.   Harps weigh about 60-65 pounds. I used the lever harp for my lesson and learned how to pluck the strings - just the C's (red) and F's (black) for my beginner level, with the pad of my index finger while positioning my hand as if holding a coffee cup (that shouldn't be too difficult, Seattle!).  My music didn't sound nearly as moving as hers, but with some time I think I could train to be an angel. 

 Alishia would love to have more of Kirkland learning to play the harp, so if this is on your bucket list, here's the opportunity to make it happen!  She is patient and articulate and so contageously passionate about her instrument that the downstairs of her house  is dedicated to being a harp room.  Alishia recommends 1/2 hr lessons initially, which are $30.  And you don't have to go out and buy a harp to practice, you can rent one from Dusty Strings in Seattle. You can reach Alishiaat 425-821-1697. Happy harping! ~j

Iron Chef: Here comes Cafe Juanita's Holly Smith

Be sure to tune in to the Food Network THIS SUNDAY October 4th at 9pm for the premiere of The Next Iron Chef.  As if we didn't already love Excecutive Chef and Owner Holly Smith for her Cafe Juanita cuisine, now she's about to be sprung into super foodie stardom.  With many national accolades such as the Best Chef 2008 James Beard winner, and recognition in Gourmet Magazine, Top 50 restaurants and the Robb Report it's no surprise that they came knocking on her door.   She had passed on previous opportunities, but when this one came up she figured, "what the hell!"

She flew down to LA for an interview and ended up having an uncontrollable bloody nose that cut it short.  But the network clearly recognized her personality and skills as a great match for the show.  When I sat down with Holly yesterday I was delighted by how down-to-earth and funny she is.  It's a crack up to see those serious photos on Food Network's site because she is so positive and energetic in real life that you know she is doing everything she can to hold the shot without busting out laughing. 

We'll have to tune in on Sunday to see if she was laughing or not when she found out that her main ingredient was JELLYFISH.  This season is unlike others in that everyone will not have the same featured ingredient to make a dish with and compete.  All the chefs get something different- like grasshoppers, eel, egg yolks, or stinky tofu.  I'm not sure how they will adjust scores accordingly -- seems to me the yolks would be easier than jellyfish, but I'm no chef. 

Holly said the time constraints weren't a big issue for her as she's known for being speedy.  The challenge was definitely keeping focus in between all the waiting.  When filming the battle might be done but the presentation would be later.  So you had to be ready to have your game face on at any moment.  And she said you learn as you go--the chefs all judge each other in the first episode and she was really impressed with a soup that Jose made.  This gave them all a chance to size up the competition. Of course, she said there are things that will go wrong but she's sworn to secrecy.    Darn!

When I met Holly's son Oliver (photo left) I had to ask if there is a sort of stigma with being a chef when you are in your everyday life.  I mean, what do you pack for his lunch?  He was nibbling on a tunafish sandwich and an apple, so that was reassuring (even I can make that, whew).  But he already has a discerning palate too- all the kids at school know he's got the 'good' cheese (no cheese sticks!) and at his 5th birthday party they served beets and focaccia and hangar steak with chanterelles.  OK, maybe I've got some work to do on that part. Other fun facts from Holly:

Favorite Food and Wine Pairing:     Spit roasted goat and Barbaresco (or anything w/Barbaresco!)

Pet Peeve:     Knife tappers 

Fave Snack:     Cheese/crackers, or she'll whip up an easy and delicious soup

Fave Kirkland restaurant besides her own:     Izumi Sushi

You should head in to Cafe Juanita so that you can taste Holly's unique Northern Italian creations for yourself.  Don't worry, no jellyfish on the menu!   I have been there many times and never been disappointed.  Be sure to tune in on Sunday night to see Holly in action and cheer her on!  I was thinking.......maybe the Food Network should open up a location in Kirkland with all of our local talent.  Melissa D'Arabian just got picked up for a second season of her show. You go, girls!!! ~j 

'Mr. Kirkland' wants to Celebrate his Bday w/You!

Chuck Morgan, aka "Mr. Kirkland", will be celebrating his 98th birthday on Saturday September 5th from 5-7pm at Merrill Gardens and you are invited.

He's back in town, so put on a party hat and go congratulate him! I can tell from the red boa (photo left) that this man is a lot of fun. :-)
Chuck is a local icon and longtime community activist.  He was the owner/publisher of the Eastside Journal and helped create the Kirkland Performance Center.  He also helped with the construction of projects such as Evergreen Hospital and the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge and has served on many committees. Chuck's history and love for Kirkland since he came here in 1946 has been our gain.  Happy Birthday Chuck!  ~j

Kirkland has a Winner!

Hats off to Kirkland's newest resident, Melissa D'Arabian, for taking the crown on "The Next Food Network Star."  Besides being the number one rated show on cable TV this past Sunday night with 4.7 million viewers,it was also the highest-rated most-watched telecast in food network history. Melissa won it all and will start her new show THIS Sunday August 9th at 12:30pm ET/PT: Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa D'Arabian.  She's on the fast track now (love the Kirkland shout-out )!  I've heard from a handful of people that have seen her around town so be sure to congratulate her if you see her . Don't worry, bubbly blondes with four small children are easy to spot.  Way to go, Melissa. BTW, can you bring your 4 kids over to play with my 3 kids and I'll help you make a $20 dinner?  ~j

You're Invited to "The Next Food Network Star" Viewing Party

 Let's rally to support a very new Kirkland resident (she just moved here this week!) named Melissa d'Arabian who is one of the remaining three finalists on season five of "The Next Food Network Star." (photo left courtesy of Food Network)

Wow-our city is really making it's mark on reality TV! Goodbye Jason , hello Melissa.  She and her husband and four daughters (yes, I said 4!!) just moved here from Texas.  They would love for you to join them at their viewing party  on Sunday July 26th from 5-8pm at Hector's where Chef Chris Nelson will be preparing a special appetizer dish inspired by one of Melissa's recipes.

Sunday's episode airs at 9pm on Food Network and you will get to see the remaining 3 finalists lunch with Emeril Lagasse and learn that they must create a three-course menu for a group of culinary elite inspired by a screening of Columbia Pictures' movie Julia & Julia.  One finalist will be eliminated, sending the other two on to the series finale on Sunday 8/2.  The winner receives a six-episode cooking show that will premiere in August. 

I checked out the videos of Melissa online and this woman has got some serious energy.  I thought I had lots of kids really close in age, but she has me trumped with 4 kids in 3 years AND she cooks.  AND moves across the country AND is about to have her own cooking show AND smiles/laughs a lot.  Darn it, you're making the rest of us look bad, Melissa!  But whatever-we love you anyway! Maybe you can share some of your secrets with us on Sunday night?  Welcome to Kirkland, Melissa. ~j

Kirkland, Meet Working Girl

Kirkland author, Karen Burns, has recently published her first book, "The Amazing Adventures of working girl." It's a fabulous, quick and entertaining read with many work situations we can all relate to and practical career advice.  Her matter-of-fact humor and short chapters make it an easy page turner with lots of lessons learned and laughs along the way.    I really enjoyed the "Boss from Hell" chapter and the brutal honesty of "Fake It till You Make It."  Many of the chapters have a quote at the end from somebody exemplifying when a particular lesson applied to their working life.  This book would make a GREAT gift- especially for a recent graduate or a friend ready to make a career change.  Park Place Books hosted Karen's book release party and sold out all of their copies! (that was a few weeks ago, I'm sure they've re-stocked by now)

I had the pleasure of meeting with Karen recently because I wanted to sit and learn a little more about these 59 jobs she's had over the past 40 years in 22 cities.  It took  4 1/2 years to make this book a reality (with a team of supporters, an agent, a patient husband) and it started just by chance.  She was at the Richard Hugo House in Capitol Hill which is a center for writers when she started writing about a few of her past jobs.  Then she became gripped to figure out how many jobs she had really had and her teacher encouraged her to turn her content into a book.  She's been a nanny, a doughnut girl, a ditch digger in Czechoslovakia, an editor and a 'corporate minion' just to name a few. 

We met at the Urban Coffee Lounge and I had to coerce her to come out from behind the counter before she got herself a job there too (photo left).  She's a go-getter!  So I knew that since there are so many people out of work right now that she'd have some thoughtful advice to share.  She says there are 2 things you need to do.  First....... DO LESS.  Stop job hunting for a day and go somewhere you've never been.  Take a walk, evaluate what you've been doing and think unfamiliar thoughts (Kinda like this fact-checker turned race car driver).  Ask yourself, "Is what I'm doing working?"  Then........DO MORE.  Do whatever it takes because it's a numbers game.  Have you really tapped into your network? Are you cold calling?  Start doing more of the right things that will yield you results.  And then she adds, "....and don't forget to be near people that make you feel good about yourself." :-)

Karen Burns will be giving a talk about "The Most Important Thing You Need to Know to Get and Keep a Job," this Thursday May 7th at 7pm at Third Place Books.  You should go grab a signed copy and get it into the hands of your closest job seeker.  Maybe it will save them the angst (or enjoyment?) of 59 jobs.  ~j

Kirkland's Dream Date, Jason Mesnick, Turns into a Nightmare

I've been festering over this whole thing since I watched "The Bachelor" finale and more importantly the 'after the rose' ceremony last night.   There's Jason crying (photo left)- BOOHOOO!  I didn't want to be hasty and write a nasty-gram blog post right when I got home because my outrage was still fresh.  So, after about 14 conversations, 25 text messages, and a gazillion emails later(you guys crack me up, btw),  I'll write you my I-can't-even-believe-it post now instead.  Because my feelings haven't changed even with time to stew over it.  And I know there are a lot of seething women out there-many with a renewed appreciation for our normal and stable husbands.

Our hometown sweetheart that convincingly charmed America with his nice guy persona has quickly delivered a swift but deadly stab to our hearts.   There's no turning back now, Jason.  We were so disappointed to learn that you're THAT guy.  We've all known one of THOSE and now you're the poster boy.  Branded for life- I hope Molly keeps you around b/c every other woman with a TV knows to run in the other direction.  

My problem isn't with that fact that it didn't work out with Melissa- that's ok- things happen, things change.  But to dump Melissa publicly and then be swooning over Molly 5 minutes later was just in poor taste.  I realize you have to live this saga out in the public eye, but you can still have some decency and consideration for others.  Couldn't you have broken up with Melissa privately and then updated us on the show?  I can't believe the network could force you to do that.  It was like a Jerry Springer episode.    I'm suspecting that the threesome knew this was happening ahead of time which doesn't make it any better.  That would make you just actors reaching for ratings in a publicity stunt that happens to be your twisted real life.

I couldn't stay awake for the Jimmy Kimmel episode w/Jason that followed the show, but you can find it here on you tube.  Kimmel is a crack-up poking fun at Jason who's clearly spent some time prepping with PR.  I was listening to the radio this morning and there was a guy that called in to thank Jason for lowering the bar for the rest of the men.  Friends of Jason's seem to be surprised and confused and hopeful that there is more to the circumstance that what we all saw last night.  Everyone who knows him insists he 'really is' a great guy.  Well then, he's got some serious explaining to do. And for her sake, I hope Jillian has changed her phone number.  ~j   

The Bachelor: My Jason Predictions

Jillian is on her way out tomorrow night and Melissa is just one step closer to winning herself a Kirkland man.  There.  I said it. 

I don't believe all the other over-edited crap.  So maybe DeAnna will come back, but she won't be begging for forgiveness, she'll be doling out some advice.   Jason doesn't need it- he's making good choices.  Especially since he unleashed the crazies (Megan, Shannon) and uncovered a few more- like Naomi's parents.  Sweet Jesus.  Literally- that dad was over the top with the religious messages on our poor little shell-shocked Jewish boy.  And I'm not sure about that crying scene, but I think the only thing that would make him sob like a baby on national TV (aside from happiness) would be Ty.  Maybe he misses him, maybe Ty broke an arm or wants to go home, I dunno, but you get my drift.

What are your predictions? 

And would you be up for a finale party at a local Kirkland restaurant if we could pull it together?