1.The Kirkland Downtown Association is putting on a free Open House event to give attendees the opportunity to step inside the Visitor Center and learn about how it can be a resource for the community and visitors (did you even know we have a Visitor Center?!). It's right on Central Way at 400 Urban Plaza Ste 135 (next to Restore).  Pop in and say hello on July 11th or July 18th from 4-6pm for light beverages, snacks, and bundtinis! You know I love a bundtini (lemon!)

2."National Night Out" is August 2nd, and is a national campaign designed to enhance the relationship between communities and first responders while promoting crime prevention, neighborhood camaraderie, and police-community partnerships. Sounds like a fun excuse to plan a block party ! If you would like to request City Council, police, corrections, and/or firefighters at your block party on private property, fill out the National Night Out First Responder Request Form. Members of City Council and first responders from the Kirkland Police and Fire Departments attend community events between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Events that include a road closure require a permit. To request a road closure, submit a National Night Out Block Party Permit Application. Block party fees will be waived for National Night Out events held on August 2, 2022. And ..remember the recent "KPD Guns for Gift Cards Exchange?" The KPD received 91 guns (including three AR-15 types, 32 handguns, 47 rifle/shotguns) and had 45 participants to which they distributed $11,375 in gift cards.  Nice work KPD! Hopefully you get lots of invites to block parties.

3.The City of Kirkland just launched an online community survey to help gauge community attitudes about the quality of life in Kirkland, satisfaction with city services, and priorities for the future.  All Kirkland community members are encouraged to take the online 2022 survey, whether they live, work, learn, or visit Kirkland.  This happens every two years, and results will be presented to the City Council in upcoming months. They use this survey to gauge community feedback and also help with the fall's 23-24 budget adoption. The survey is open until 12pm on July 20th.  Be sure to give your feedback in the survey here: www.kirklandwa.gov/communitysurvey.