This Sunday Aug 14th from 10 am - 4pm is the Kirkland Waterfront Car Show at the Marina Pavilion. Expect to see over 300 cars and 30 vendors to chat with about classic, antique, muscle, and high-performance vehicles.  And as you can see, I am a part-time racecar driver now, so I'm sure you will see me down there.  Vrroooooom!

Expect road closures in the downtown core from 5am to 6pm that day.  And maybe ride your bike? They are expecting over 10,000 car enthusiasts throughout the day.  This event helps raise money for the Kirkland Downtown Association, and you can donate here if you like. 

I was lucky enough to meet a talented local teen named Austin Picinich last summer when he had his own booth at Kirkland's Summerfest.  This young man is unstoppable with his amazing art that he pairs with community-focused and sustainability-centric messages.  Austin's next project is painting a 62-foot exterior wall mural on the side of SPUD Fish & Chips in Juanita to raise awareness for salmon in Juanita Creek. Austin is working with Urban Artworks to host a Community Paint Day this spring.  And, yes, that means you will be able to volunteer and get involved to help make his magic happen.  There will also be a plaque about salmon and the history of Juanita Creek.

In case your inner elf self would like to help support this project, Austin is also raising funds to help cover the cost of paint, permits, brushes, and other associated material costs.  He's a little more than halfway to his goal! Check out his pictures of the upcoming mural we will soon all be able to enjoy.  I'll let you know when they need volunteers this spring!

(where the creativity begins)

 (digital mock-up)

The Rotary Club of Kirkland has developed a collection of projects to be installed at the midpoint of the Cross Kirkland Corridor, at the site of the former Northern Pacific Railroad.  The centerpiece will be a Picnic Pavilion with picnic tables and illustrated signage describing the railroad's 100+ year history in Kirkland, with old photographs of trains and the two structures that once stood on the site.  Also included will be a 60-foot section of original rails, a native plants area illustrating original vegetation along the corridor, a railroad crossing sign, and split-rail fencing.  A detailed timeline and photos can be found here.

<-thx volunteers for clearing invasive plants in preparation for the native plant garden
The Kirkland Parks Foundation has approved sponsorship of the Native Plants Garden and fencing and is currently raising funding - but they are only 13% funded so far on their $3500 goal- Do you use the CKC often? Would you like to help support this project?  Here is the link to help make it happen.   

Parents---Oy! My relaxing summertime program needs to be put on the back burner so I can jolt myself into the back to school routine. Asap.  My kids were much more enjoyable this year than usual so it's a bit sad to get back to serious.  I have also been loving seeing friend's obligatory back-to-school photos on Facebook and Instagram so I can live in comfort knowing that my kids aren't the only ones whose idea of dressing up for the first day of school is wearing a hoodie sweatshirt.  

I know you are all busy signing emergency contact forms and master planning your carpools, but I am going to put a few more kid-friendly to-do's on your radar.

Strong Against Cancer at George's-108 Kirkland Ave- Pop in for dinner Monday Sept 10th from 5-9pm you can help raise money for the fight against childhood cancer.  George's will donate a portion of all sales to Strong Against Cancer and Kirkland company, Adaptiva, will match 100% of the donation.  Can't beat that- mom doesn't have to cook and it's a good cause supporting kids- everyone wins! Mark your calendar.

    <--Fred Lajvardi (the inspirational teacher in the book)

Kirkland Reads, Creating Conversations is a program happening in Kirkland this fall.  It's designed to bring people together to talk about  "Spare Parts: Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and the Battle for the American Dream," by Joshua Davis.  You can find it as a book, movie or documentary.  Expect to see discussions, movie nights, robotic events and talks with the teacher (above) who inspired the kids in the book.  Here is the calendar of events.  This could be a great way for you and your kids to explore themes of ingenuity, perseverance and collaboration.  And we all could use a little of that.  I'm actually  pretty excited my kids are waking up before noon these days. But anyway..

This program is sponsored by KirklandSafe and is supported by 4 Culture, the City of Kirkland, Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission, King County Library System, LWHS Robotics Club, The Book Tree, Friends of the Kirkland Library, Simple Concepts Consulting and Allegro Design.

9Round Fitness is getting ready to open at 314 Central Way (near T-Mobile and Emerald City Smoothie) on June 10th.  This organization was founded by world-champion kickboxers and has over 700 international locations.   There are no classtimes  (then you can't be late! yay!), so you can drop in whenever it is convenient for you to run through a 30 minute 9 station full body workout circuit.  Start on whatever station you like and get ready to burn 500-550 calories.  There's abs and core/strength training that includes cardio, weights, bag work and core.  3 minutes on followed by 30 seconds of recovery and the workout is different every day.  I think you can find some serious stress relief on those punching bags? 

  <-- say hi to Tammie
There's free parking in the garage and hours are M/W 8-8, Tues/Thurs 6:30-8, Fri 806 and Sat 8-12.  Owner Tammie Freeman (photo) thinks you should be able to try it out for free before you commit. And I agree. So get yourself in there and register to try it out while she holds charter member pricing for you at $99/mo (plus $25 reg fee) which never increases.  After that you are looking at $129-159/mo depending on what options you choose.  [email protected] 

In other eventful news, when you prefer swinging to punching, you can head out to Inglewood Golf Club on Monday June 4th to support two great causes.  Tell the boss you'll be sick that day. The Kirkland Police Dept has been putting on this event for almost 20 years and all of the proceeds go to the Special Olympics of WA and Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS).  Watch out because Captain Ursino is emcee'ing the event which means it is a guaranteed good time. He even convinced me to play on his team, which brings an altogether new level of sporting entertainment to the golfing community. It's an 11am shotgun start and a scramble (thank goodness).   Entry fee is $175 and includes green fee/golf cart, valet bag drop, range balls, box lunch, catered buffet dinner, goodie bad and auction/raffle prizes.  Register here to come out and play with us! Or if you can't make it, you can still  sponsor ([email protected] )  or donate ([email protected] ).  UPDATE- this tournament is now FULL but you can still sponsor or donate raffle prizes (or come laugh at me that's always free, I"ll buy you a beer)

This sidewalk expansion project is complete at the corner of 98th Ave NE and Juanita Drive.  You can finally walk next to your friend instead of single file from Juanita Bay Park to Juanita Beach Park.  My fear of getting run over by a distracted driver has been reduced by well over 50%.  Also, Juanita Drive has some improvements of protected bicycle/pedestrian lanes on the uphill which was very much needed (lifesaver, literally). 

 <---If that doesn't make you want to do it, I don't know what will. My girls at the Turkey Trot circa 2008.

Hopelink's 17th Annual Turkey Trot 5K is coming up on Sunday November 19th at Marina Park at 10am. New this year- timing chips! Run, walk or trot to help support emergency services and holiday assistance to low-income families in north and east King County.  Register here.

Want to help turn downtown Kirkland into a Winter Wonderland this weekend? Say that 5 times fast.   It's this Saturday- all elves are welcome-here's the sign up genius. Speaking of elves, Santa will need some help responding to all of the children of Kirkland's letters that go into his downtown mailbox starting the end of November. Would you like to help his team of writers? Volunteering and holiday cheer at its best! 

My next post will be even colder than it's been outside lately. Negative 229 degrees to be exact. And there might even be a present involved.....

How many of you are heading to Kirkland Uncorked at Marina Park this weekend?  It's looking like good weather to pair with wine, cocktails, a burger brawl, food trucks, music on the main stage, a boat show and craft market. Uncorked 2017 is is a benefit for the Homeward Pet Adoption Center. TIckets are still $25 if you hurry- buying options are here and it the event is July 14-16 (timing details are here at the very bottom).

 (photo credit: Stephanie Sharpe Photography, 2016)

Another one to get on your radar before it sells out is the "Kirkland Farm to Table Dinner" at Carillon Point Plaza on Saturday August 26th 6-10pm.  Foodies! Get your palates ready for this amazing five-course menu and locally sourced beverages created by an all-star line up of local chefs that are coming together with the ICON Foundation to benefit Food Lifeline. Food Lifeline believes "hunger doesn't have to happen" and every day they feed 90,000 hungry neighbors in Western Washington by rescuing millions of pounds of surplus food from farmers, manufacturers, grocery stores and restaurants and delivering it to food banks, shelters and meal programs.  

The Kirkland Farm to Table Dinner will have live music while you dine out on the Carillon pavilion on creations prepared by local superstar chefs such as James Beard Award-winner Jason Wilson (The Lakehouse, Civility & Unrest and Miller's Guild), Chris Weber (James Beard restaurant The Herbfarm), Roy Breiman (Culinary Director for Columbia Hospitality), Frank Rog (Woodmark Bin on the Lake and Beach Cafe), and Jamie Casady and Jordan Cooper (DERU and Little Brother). The menu is in development now and it makes me hungry just thinking about it.  TIckets are sold here, but even if you can't make it to the event and wanted to donate to Food Lifeline, here is the link. See you there.

Whirling? Yes. Whirling for Liberty, of course. 

The Kirkland Downtown Association is announcing a special event, “Whirling for Liberty”, an auction and live music event at the Fraternal Order of Eagles on June 16^th from 7-11PM.  All proceeds from this event will go to the 2017 Kirkland Fourth of July Festival. The KDA and local volunteers including Terri Fletcher, Glenn Peterson, Cindy Reynolds and Penny Sweet are providing a fun filled evening of auctions, prizes, raffles and LIVE music with Kirkland's own "The Whirlies with Michael Conner". 

The cost for the event is a $20 donation which includes a free drink ticket, and raffle ticket.  Auction items range from tickets to the Seahawks 2017 season, all day spa treatments, and weekends at luxury hotels to even bidding on “The Whirlies with Michael Conner” for your own summer backyard party!  Register for the event today to reserve your table.  Remember seating is limited to 150 people and expectations are that this will sell out fast.

KDA is a 501-3C organization.  For more information, please contact: Glenn Peterson, (206) 660-8424

And here are some fun photos from Opening Day of the Kirkland Wednesday Market on June 7th.  Lots of great booths down there! Hours are 2-7 at Marina Park. 

Downtown Kirkland Holiday Wine Walk- I know, I had you at 'wine' didn't I?  21+ only, THIS Fri Nov 18th 6-9pm, check in at the Heathman. Advance tickets $25, at door $30 and includes 14 wine tasting tix and you'll have fun hopping from merchant to merchant for your tastings.

Kirkland Turkey Trot- Hopelink's 16th Annual 5K Family fun run and walk.  Sunday Nov 20th, 10am at Marina Park. Register here.

Heathman holidays- afternoon tea, and special dinners for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve can be found here.  Call 425-284-5900 for reservations.

Thanks to "A" at Simplicity Decor for throwing a super fun holiday shopping party to get us all in the spirit. Yes, Christmas is around the corner.  For reals. Enjoy the wonder.

Holiday volunteering in downtown Kirkland- check out the sign up's here so you can jump in and help on Nov 17th, 19th or 26th.  Tis the season for lending hand.

Carillon Point- 12/15-31 is the Gingerbread Display in the Woodmark Lobby.  And don't forget the Argosy Christmas Ships 12/18-23 which is always a favorite tradition.

Santa's Mailbox is coming to Kirkland! The Kirkland Parks Foundation has secured funding for our very first mailbox that sends St. Nick's letters directly to the North Pole.  And, yes, your letters will be answered!  hohoho.  Thank you KPD and merry donors. The mailbox will be found in front of the downtown Bank of America right after Thanksgiving until Dec 24th. 

 .....to VOTE!  Ballots need to be postmarked by Nov 8th.  So no more dinking around.  Steve and I just completed ours yesterday.  Dropping those envelopes in the mail felt like I had finally handed in a term paper I've been procrastinating on submitting for weeks.  Whew.  Lot of reading, discussion, research, and thought sprinkled with a side of confusion and uncertainty.  I have to thank candidates that run unopposed, because it feels especially good to fill in the little bubble next to those names where there is no decision to be made (hello Larry Springer!) .   There are 24 hour drop boxes if you don't want to mail yours in (City Hall, Kingsgate Library, and others)- no stamp required. Set aside the time to do this.  It's important. 

 photo credit: Carolyn M

.....Booktree is officially opening this Saturday Nov 5th.  A neighborhood book club stopped by to toast the owners, Mary Harris and Christopher Jarmick (photo center). Full article here. Go visit.  Buy books locally at 609 Market St.

.....to think of others.  Drop food off for those in need this season!  Waxing the City is hosting a Fall Food Drive through Hopelink this holiday.  Bring in 5 food items and get 10% off your service.  The client who brings the most food gets a $25 WTC gift card. Deadline is Nov 15th.  Also, Kirkland Nourishing Network will be having their Thanksgiving Foodbox Drop-off Day coming up.  The need is great in our community.  There are still hungry elementary school students showing up at school.  The free/reduced price meals help during the week.  Pantry Packs helps most weekends, but nothing covers the school breaks besides the Food Bank and this program.   

 SIGN UP TO DONATE A BOX:
Thanksgiving break drop-off:  Tuesday, November 22, 2016,  8:30am-12:30pm
http://nourishingnetworks.net/kirkland-food-boxes

You may also sign up to help receive and distribute boxes at the site:
North Kirkland volunteers: 
South Kirkland volunteers: 

Locations for Food Box Donations: 
NORTH Kirkland: LDS Church - 13220 NE 132nd St, Kirkland
SOUTH Kirkland: LDS Church - 7720 126th Ave NE, Kirkland

.....to get all of that candy out of your house! My kids have over 20 lbs of it here. Not kidding. 2-0.  That's a small child or a decent kettle-bell workout's worth.  And now that I've picked out the Heath Bars and Baby Ruth's it's time to cash it in! Dr. Michelle Neal is going to 'save a tooth and treat a troop.'  Bring your candy in to her orthodontic office on Nov 10th and 11th from 8am-5pm for CASH. You'll earn $1/pound and they will match the $1/pound donation to your school's PTSA. The candy goes to US Military deployed in combat.  Call for details: 425-823-1234

.....to listen to my ramblings.  There are a few other things on my mind. Like how come when I excitedly went to try the 'new' Cactus all I could notice was the horrible stench that slapped me in the face when I walked in the door?  It was a combo of bathroom stink and bar rot (those of you who have waited tables know what I'm talking about- soggy wet floor drain/spilled drinks paired w/food odor).  We had a drink at the bar that was acceptable but not worth writing home about. Couldn't eat with that smell, but menu looked the same as before. Inside decor was way different, however seemed to be missing a certain cozy essence I was connected with previously.  Maybe the stink made me grumpy.   Will try again.  Not giving up on this one. I also tried Reunion.  And Jersey Mike's.  Posts soon.  Still need to get to the Pokie place where Plume used to be, but heard some good things!  ~j