<---how cute are they?!?

Lots of questions and chatter about what is happening in the three spaces along Central Way that used to be Design Within Reach, X Gym (they moved a few doors down) and Promesse.  Bassline Fitness is preparing to offer Kirklanders a full sensory workout experience that isn't just about sweating it out on some state-of-the-art cardio machines but getting motivated by the music. Get it? BASSline.  The build-out is still underway, but think of a hip LA or NYC type gym with a kickin' sound system and workouts designed to climb and cool with the music. 

 <--Dave on the Woodway Curve (how fancy am I with the video now?  hope this works)

Dave and Angela Fox (photo above) have owned fitness facilities all over the country and are settled back in Kirkland. Angela is from the area and they loved downtown Kirkland for its community focus, walkability, neighbors and convenience.  Bassline offers two classes that are both total body workouts.  One class is called "Lean 425" which is instructor-led high intensity interval training.  This hour long challenge has you working on their Woodway treadmills (which are super fancy and minimize joint impact), and also going through resistance training stations.  The goal is to increase muscle and burn calories while have fun in this fast paced workout that can be tailored to your fitness level.  The second class, called "The Mashup" is back in what I call, 'the big room'.  Yep, that's the one with a stage and two super-sized video screens, 40 spin bikes, 12 Woodway Curves (non-motorized treadmills. YOU are the motor and therefore burn 30% more calories), 10 Krankcycles (get those arms going, thx Johnny G), and two rowers. In a 60 minute class you will have the opportunity to ride, run, krank and row as you (and your instructor.. insert my wicked laugh here) see fit.  You can challenge all the different muscle groups while being inspired by your instructor, the playlist and music videos.

The best part? There's a few.  You choose...

-you don't need  a membership. Drop-in's are $12

-childcare ($6/hr) and stroller parking available

-Open House & FREE CLASSES ALL WEEKEND Dec 13-15.  Drop by or sign up by calling 425-739-4444. Perfect timing to burn off some of that eggnog (Fireball w/eggnog, my new favorite holiday drink btw).  So get your jolly butt off the couch and check it out.

Right now the sales/info office is open M-F 9:30-11:30 & 3-6:30.  Sat 9-12.  126  Central Way.  Questions: contact@basslinefitness.com  or 425-739-4444.  They are also hiring trainers and childcare staff.

Blink! It's that time of year again. 

 


The Kirkland Downtown Association's  tree lighting event is this Saturday, December 1st, from 4-8.  This is always a fun community get-together to kickoff the festivities for the holiday season.   The tree has moved (see if you can find it...) and will be illuminated at 6pm.  I can't be sure if that is when it is being lit or when the speeches begin, but you get the idea. With hungry kids in tow, our family secret for this night has always been to get down there early,  eat and hang out and then watch the tree light up with a hot chocolate or tottie. Come on down and enjoy an evening of live music on two stages, caroling, a bonfire, kids' activities, hot cider, Santa (6-8), and even a Gingerbread House competition at Merrill Gardens (4-6).  The local shops would love for you to check out their holiday delights too.

If you're really feeling the holiday spirit and would like to help set up for the event in between 12:30-3:30 or take down (8-9pm) on 12/1,  please contact Nancy DeMond at ndemond@comcast.net .

Trying to decide if you should drive or walk? The downtown core will be pedestrian traffic only from 12:30-9pm. Just sayin..

Well, at least something is shining around here b/c it isn't the sun. 

Troy Longwith, GM
The Heathman Hotel in Kirkland won Conde Nast's prestigious Reader's Choice award of being ranked #1 in the Northwest and the 88th best hotel in the world.  Congrats!  Obviously already at the top of their game, we can cue a warm welcome for Troy Longwith, the new Heathman Kirkland General Manager (photo).  I had a chance to meet with him last week and asked what his  goals are for the acclaimed hotel.  "Right now my goal is to observe and learn and see what makes this hotel tick.  I don't plan on making major changes."  Troy is a seasoned hotelier with extensive experience at names you might recognize like The Fairmont Hotel and Tulalip Casino Resort.  He's enjoying the Kirkland community and the 91-room hotel and getting to know everyone here. 

        <--new library

Troy took me on a tour to see all of the improvements that have been completed since water damage closed the hotel over the summer.  There is a new library, plenty of business meeting spaces and the fitness center has moved to the lower level.  Kudos for  adding the extra 2 bathrooms on the main level.  And, of course, in true Heathman style there is more amazing art.  This Jerri Lisk is one of my faves.  Apparently, Chef Brian from Trellis even has a 'root cellar' on site where he has harvested root vegetables stored so he can bring them straight to your dining table.  Which brings me to this fabulous salmon/squash special I had for lunch ( I may have been photo happy on this particular day).

 

So, if you're in the neighborhood be sure to welcome Troy to Kirkland.  He's promised to keep his 9 and a half year old twin boys away from my 9 and a half year old twin girls. But seriously, this local Cougar fan loves his job b/c it's different every day and he gets to meet people from all over the world.  If you'd like to join him in celebrating their Readers' Choice Award, look for the celebration package online and enter "Conde88" as the promo code.  Bonus-this holiday season, they will have a 10  foot LIVE conifer tree in the lobby, that will later be re-planted in a local Kirkland park. See you there.  I will be the one at the Trellis bar quietly inhaling those dang (A-mazing) peanut butter cookies. ~j

The irony of this does not escape me.  Puget Sound Energy is doing a "Re-Energized by Design" challenge and we have a Kirkland resident that is a finalist! Making us proud!  Rosalie Wessels is one of 20 and needs your vote before November 18th so she can be considered for the final selection interview.  After that, six contestants will be chosen to participate in a room-by-room design challenge that will show you how you can bring energy efficiency to simple home projects.

I wish that Tom, the most energy-efficient Kirkland Blog reader on the planet, was in this contest too. I'll be he'd come up with some awesome ideas to win him the GE lightbulbs, Frigidaire appliances and $5k grand prize. I think Rosalie should call him in as her secret weapon.  Just sayin'.   Until, then let's rally for our Kirkland girl and get her some more votes.  I just checked and she has 34 votes while the person in the lead has 169. Feel free to share your energy-saving tips for her here too . ~j

That's right, we sometimes skip over Thanksgiving and head straight for the presents. And from the election results it sounds like you may each be receiving a bag of weed in your stockings this year?.  And some Doritos too. Huh.  It's amazing how close many of the races were, especially knowing that only 55% of our voters voted.  I am just glad to no longer have to tolerate automated political telephone calls and friends' empassioned facebook posts.  Enough of that..moving on... 

Help Decorate Kirkland!

If you are over 14 years old and available on Saturday 11/17, you can be part of a fun community event that helps turn Kirkland into Christmas this year.  Meet in the main lobby of Merrill Gardens at 8:30 am for coffee and pastries then head out at 9am in group of 3-4 people to decorate our downtown streets! Bring pliers, cutters, gloves, extensions ladders, any ladder really, gloves, and warm clothing.  It will make you smile every time you drive through downtown this holiday season knowing that you have made others smile too. They need 130 peeps, so spread the word.  RSVP to Patty Tucker pattyjustloveskirkland@kirkland.net 425-827-5542.

Check your Garage for Big Toys!

Sleeping in that morning?  Too scared to meet new people or climb ladders? We've got a job for everyone.  Remember how sparse the big Christmas tree was last year?  It was looking a little sad.  Let's act quickly and clean out our garages of large and gently used toys, wagons, trucks and dolls so they can liven up our tree this year. All items can be dropped off at The Grape Choice, Banner Bank or Hallmark Realty. Questions, call Penny at 425-765-5576. Hurry!

On an aside, I've been meaning to do reviews on LA Fitness, Barre 3 and Bassline Fitness (not quite open yet).  But with all the Halloween candy I've been eating (damn you Baby Ruth!) I may need a tow truck to get me there.  Couple that with the new darkness from 4pm-9am and the outlook is not good.  SOS SOS.

 

Get your gobblers moving, it's Turkey Trot time!  Sunday Nov 18th at Marina Park is Hopelink's 12th Annual 5K Run (11am) and Family Walk (11:05am).  Registration fees range from 30-40/per person and you can do make that happen here.  Strollers and pets trot for free. Registrants receive a tech shirt, race bib, and an entry into the drawing for prizes.  See you out there.  I'll be the one getting dusted by my nine year olds.