Okay my little Kirkland Elves, let's see what is in store for us this holiday...feel free to comment with other fun things I may have missed that you want to share.

2nd Annual Holiday Lights Contest- But hurry! FREE registration closes Dec 6th at noon. Decorate your home and also submit a photo to [email protected] by 12/9 at 5pm. The top 3 winners will be announced on 12/16 and receive a victory yard sign so they will be the envy of all of Kirkland.

Ladies Night Out at The Village at Totem Lake- 12/9  4-7 pm: happy hour, a wreath-making or Santa painting workshop and food and beverages.  Grab a friend and buy your tickets here. The Village also has carols scheduled and of course, storytime with Ms. Claus at Barnes & Noble. 

Kirkland Winter Market- Dec 11th 10 am-2 pm at Kirkland Urban/Peter Kirk Promenade.  This is the last one, so be sure to check out these local vendors for winter produce, flowers, foods, and crafts. 

Make your own parade with Duffy Boat's Holiday Light Cruise- Carillon Point Marina thru 1/2/22.  4 nightly parades at 3:30, 5:00, 6:30, and 8 pm.  Be your own captain on an electric boat that is fully enclosed, heated, and fits 10 people. Book here. Our family did this last year- super fun!

Gingerbread House contest- on display at participating stores downtown.

"Sips & Snowballs" Wine Walk- Dec 17th 5 pm-9 pm for early admission. 21 and over. Buy your $25-$30 tickets here now so you can embark on a fun holiday adventure of shop-hopping and wine tasting.

Google Musical Holiday Lights on the Cross Kirkland Corridor- 12/8-1/1 nightly from 5-10 pm. Free show of 10,000 LED lights. You'll find this treasure at the Family Fitness and Play Area on the Cross Kirkland Corridor near the Google campus.

Visits with Santa- You can still catch the Big Guy at Kirkland Urban on Sat 12/11 11 am-2 pm and Sat 12/18 11 am- 2 pm.  Crafts and a selfie-station too.

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"- live performances at Studio East through Dec 19th. Tickets are $20 student/senior and $25/adult.

Argosy Christmas Ship Festival- 12/11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 22. $50/adults, $47 seniors, $37 youth, and under 3 are free.  This is always such a unique and festive way to enjoy the lake and holiday lights and carols.

Community Bonfires- Gather and watch the Christmas Ships by land!  Marina Park Sat 12/11 2:10-2:35 and O.O. Denny Park Sunday 12/19 2:35-2:55 pm.  Bonfires can be cancelled due to weather or burn bans. Call 425-587-3345 for 'day of' weather info.

The 12K's of Christmas is BACK- Registration is open for this Sun 12/12 festive run that starts in Marina Park.

Spa-La-La Still Spa Holiday Event- Tues 12/14 3-8pm at Still Spa at the Woodmark. Passport style with express treatments, complimentary wine, skincare and beauty advice, exclusive discounts, and special prizes.  Buy your tickets here before they're gone. 

(photo cred: Woodmark)
Carillon Kitchen (to-go holiday meals $85/pp)  and Beach Café (3 courses, $95/pp) both have amazing Christmas dining options. Take out orders must be placed by 12/18 by calling 425-739-6363.  Reservations for Beach Café are through Open Table ONLY. 

Santa's Mailbox- you will find it in front of the downtown Bank of America until Dec 18th.  Don't forget! Your little ones will get a reply! hohoho

Another Mother's Day in the books! My daughters pointed out that this may be the last one where they're home for a few years since they'll be heading off to college in the fall.  So with 18 of these under my belt and a tribe of moms that give me their MDay downloads, I thought I'd put together a few Mother's Day words of advice for families for next year while it's fresh on my brain. Oh, and this lady is hilarious. 

First I should say that for those that have lost a mother or child, this can be a very sad and reminiscent day, and for that, I am very sorry.  For all of the full-time moms and working moms and those in the thick of parenting triumphs and disasters right now, let's roll up our sleeves and take a look under the hood at this tricky May Sunday coined "Mother's Day." When Anna Jarvis first came up with this concept, she was focused on the true sentiment of appreciation for our mothers, and not the commercialization that it has ballooned into.  And I think this holds true today, that we mama's can be simple, but you still need to be smart in your approach. 

How do moms really want to be celebrated on this day?

• LISTEN to what moms say.   Sounds simple, but sometimes you all are missing profound hints that occur in everyday life.  Don't go straight for the flowers..she might not even like flowers?!  Especially when she will have to water them each day and then toss them in the compost and clean the jar herself 5 days later.  Notice a way that you could make her life easier or better.  Holes in running socks? Get her a great new pair for $15 and you could custom-make her a playlist and block an hour where no family members will bother her for her next run.  Make her a healthy power smoothie afterward and remember to clean the blender and put the ingredients away.  Invite a few of her friends to join so she can be with her tribe.  At our house, my car was really dirty so I started cueing up those hints a few days prior---viola-- a sunny Mother's Day brings a freshly detailed car! And I reallllly wanted the power washing to not get postponed another weekend- easy!  This is the year my kids all wrote an actual heartfelt paragraph in my card filled with gratitude, kindness, and humor because they know their words and actions mean the most to me. Don't be scared to mention what you want moms, not everyone is sharp on de-coding hints. 

• REMOVE the monotony.  Make life easier for the mom (yes, this requires you to do some work). Think of what this lady does every day, and make sure she doesn't have to do it on Mother's Day.  Breakfast in bed doesn't win any prizes when you trip over laundry on your way to take your plate to the kitchen and there's a sinkful of dishes and a messy counter.   If she works at her laptop all day, keep that thing shut and drive her to a pedicure appointment you brilliantly scheduled the week prior.  If you have little kids, give her a four-hour reprieve from said beautiful angels, (and don't let her come back to a mess).  This Dad has it dialed in.  When kids are up in our grill all of the time, we crave peace.  A little later when they're teens and never around, we want their time.  I asked my kids for a 4-hour time block without technology where they would do what I want to do (perhaps a hike?), without complaining.  That's free. And priceless. 

• No COMPLAINING.  I can say this now that I finally have it figured out after some misses along the way.  The key, mamas, is to take ownership of your own destiny.  If you have a inkling that your family will forget Mother's Day or do something lame, remember, it's your day- do what YOU want.  Plan a hike or a walk or a shop hop and lunch.   Get up early and go do something fun, whatever that is to you... even reading a book in a park, and catch up with your family for dinner. Tell them what you'd like them to make or pick up for you to eat.    I know so many moms who have expertly planned birthdays and outings and driven to a million practices, but we need to remember that kids' (and spouses?) brains don't have our foresight so cue it up for them to avoid disappointments. 

As a wise father once said, "If mama's not happy, nobody's happy."  Feel free to file this away for Mother's Day 2022.  Or perhaps just celebrate your own random Mother's Days throughout the year. Now THAT would really make her smile. :-)

        

Are you tired of cooking? Do you wish a holiday meal would just magically appear this year? No kidding. I've got your back! Hearth at The Heathman Hotel is on-the-ready to help you make this year's Christmas delicious and festive at your home with their four-course feast that is packaged and ready for you to simply heat and eat. Stress-free sounds pretty perfect. But don't procrastinate, because your pre-order needs to be called into 425-284-5900 by this Fri 12/18. You'll start with wild mushroom bisque, then onto gem lettuce and roasted beet salad, followed by an entree choice of honey glazed natural ham OR braised beef short trib medallions, and finish it all off with an apple crisp.  This delicious spread is $55/per person, and there are also some festive fave kids' meals, extra sides, charcuterie, and wine pairings available to elevate your experience.  Supporting local business and not cooking for the holiday never sounded so good.  Pickup is available on December 23rd, 24th, or 25th. Even if you are cooking, what a thoughtful gift for Grandma, Uncle Fred, or other family members you may not be able to share your meal with in-person this year.

  <--Yummy brunch shot: croissant bfast sandwich and the farm egg soft scramble
It's worth noting that Hearth also has the perfect pandemic-ready patio with plentiful heaters, widely spread tables, and gloved/masked staff.  I feel safe there. The building's architect must be patting him or herself on the back about now because nobody saw Coronavirus coming, but their design is keenly equipped for our current restrictions.  Steve and I were in for brunch and nestled ourselves in the outside corner fireside table humming along to the blissfully upbeat holiday music while wishing we could get waited on every day.  Check out our delish food photo from brunch (above, Sun 9-2). We also had a chance to chat with Executive Chef David Mitchell about the Christmas pick-up menu and he shared, "I want to make sure it's a good amount of food.  I really want people to be WOW-ed."  So if you're ready to be wowed with a stress-free holiday dinner,  call 425-284-5900 with your questions and pre-order by Friday 12/18.  Of course, Hearth To-Go and their Pie on the Fly program are also still available Weds-Sat 3-8pm.   And there's no shame in ordering a Hearth pizza for the holidays too, it is 2020 after all.  Note days of operation are Weds-Sat, reservations are recommended (and are required for the Christmas meal). Enjoy!

The Kirkland Kiwanis Tree Lot is open at Juanita Beach Park!  It's all lit up and loaded with inventory and fresh evergreen smells, but you know it won't be for long.  Spread your cheer! Your purchase and donations benefit local children's programs such as the Kirkland Teen Union, Special Olympics, Nourishing Networks, Student Scholarships, Attain Housing, Eastside Baby Corner, and Camp Casey.  You'll find trees 3-15 feet tall priced $40-190, wreaths, garlands and even candy treats.  They are staffed by Kiwanis volunteers and local Key Club teens will help you load up your vehicle.  And of course, you are distanced, masked, and outside! Hours are (pay attention they are tricky): Mon/Tues/Thur 12-7, Weds CLOSED, Fri/Sat/Sun 10-7.  This lot blows out of inventory every year so get in while the getting is good.

What's the brilliant idea? That's why you really clicked through, isn't it?  With all of the clicking and shopping and Black Friday and Shop Local Saturday and Cyber Monday I couldn't help but think about our local businesses and how we can help them.  Of course, you don't want to forget the new ShopLocalKirkland site, but I also remembered something I did recently that could maybe be applied more broadly.  A few months ago, when we were also up to our eyeballs in COVID cases, I called The Grape Choice and told them I'd like a case of wine, as any sane person would do when in the midst of a pandemic. I told them my budget and that we love Cabernet Sauvignons and Viogniers, but always avoid Sauvignon Blancs.  "Surprise me!" I said.  And they sure did- they even delivered! It has been a pleasure and delight discovering new wines since that delivery- tonight's was a Hightower Cab from Red Mountain that was excellent. My point being-- what if we called or emailed our favorite local businesses and gave them some creative leeway. I'll bet they'd love to hear from us and put together some surprise gifts for our family and friends.  Pick up the phone. I know they miss us, and we could all benefit from a little personal acknowledgment from our fellow sheltered community members.  Athina for your holiday floral arrangement? She's a creative wizard. How about a guy's gift from Seattle Thread Co or Asher Goods (they helped me with some awesome Yeti gifts last year). Perhaps some artwork- Gunnar would love to find for you? Or Vince at Lake St. Diamond can help you find your daughter her first pair of diamond studs.  Blingy masks from Via Lago? A beautifully delish array of macarons from Lady Yum?

Remember your local retailers.  Reach out and maybe something magical will happen. ~j

....and 2021 ( ooops, did I say that out loud?).  Here's an early rundown of some distanced holiday fun coming at you.  Because really, what else do we have to do? I am now wearing hoodies every day just like my teenagers. It's not a good look, but it sure is comfortable!  And I may or may not be losing my marbles over here. My kids tell me I'm repeating myself and then five minutes later I can't even remember what I was going to say. It may or may not come back to me a few hours later, but I do realize I'm forgetting something. Is this some kind of stay-at-home brain-melting dementia? Oh yeah, I know I know, holiday updates..that's what I was doing. Here you go:

Kirkland's tree- the tree is going up downtown, even if there will not be a tree-lighting ceremony as in years past.  The tree will be installed in Marina Park in early December, so head on over with your masks on for some family photos.

Google Lights- a classic Kirkland event postponed until 2021

Santa's Mailbox- coming soon! This will appear on the corner of Lake St/Kirkland Ave AND at Kirkland Urban this year! Email [email protected] to help with replies and help spread some cheer.

Holiday Lights Contest: Nov 16-Dec 18
The Kirkland Park's Dept is hosting the first annual city-wide Holiday Lights Contest for homes and businesses. People can register their home or business for free and decorate from November 16-December 18. A committee will drive to each location to judge and choose a winner for each category. Winners will be announced on the Park's Dept Facebook page and will win a victory yard/window sign. Participants can register at https://bit.ly/3nAeohR

Below is the event information, and the flyer is attached to this email. We hope to spread some joy this holiday season in fun and safe way.

Contest Rules:

1. Decorations must be visible from driveway.
2. Decorations must be available and lit up on December 19-20 between 5 to 8 p.m. for the judging.
3. Each category winner will win a victory yard sign (or window sign for businesses) to announce their special status to all who drive by!
4. Winners will be announced on December 21. Winners will also be announced on our Kirkland Parks Facebook page. 
5. Registration closes December 18 at Noon. 

Decorate and enter your home or business into one of the following categories:

• Best Home Display
• Best Business Display
• Best Apartment/Condo Doorway or Balcony Display

Assistance League of the Eastside 2020 Holiday Virtual Home Tour- Nov 28-Dec 6

It’s not too late to get your tickets. Get inspired by lovely holiday décor, creative stay-at-home holiday entertaining ideas and wonderful gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list. They are excited to share their virtual tour with you, and hope that you will join in celebrating the joy of giving back to those most vulnerable in our community who need our support, now more than ever.

Purchase tickets through December 6 at https://www.aleastside.org/holiday-event-2020.

Your $35 ticket allows unlimited access from November 28 through December 6.  

KIN Virtual Alternative Gift Fair- Dec 5th

For over 25 years, Kirkland Interfaith Network has (KIN) been organizing and hosting an Alternative Gift Fair. The Fair is an opportunity for community members to make a donation to their choice of local charitable agencies in honor of someone on their gift list. They receive a gift card that they can present to the person they are honoring. No wrapping, no boxes – just a simple and meaningful remembrance. Their gift gives twice – once to the charity to support their important causes, and again for the person being honored.

Participants are asked to register for the Fair in advance via Eventbrite at https://tinyurl.com/KINFair2020. Before the Fair starts, KIN will email the Zoom link to all registered participants, who can then come on December 5 anytime between 11AM and 3PM. After entering the online lobby, participants will choose which organizations they’d like to learn more about. KIN volunteers with send them to whichever breakout rooms they’d like to go, where they can chat with a volunteer or staff of the organization. There’s no pressure to make a donation right there on the spot – when they leave, they’ll have all the information needed to ponder on the right gift and then donate. Gift cards will be sent either via postal mail, or emailed or downloaded for printing at home. Please register now by going to https://tinyurl.com/KINFair2020. There’s no cost to attend.

After my daughter was sick for a full 2 weeks and I *thought* I was in the clear, lightning struck and I went down in a ball of flames.  Today is the first time I have dried my hair and stepped foot outside in 3 days.  The fresh air was pretty fantastic after previously feeling like someone removed the bones from my body and boiled me in a 102 degree pot of nauseous serum.   I had all sorts of interesting Kirklandy things to tell you but my fingers didn't have the energy to type and my eyes couldn't stay open for more than 30 mins at a time. Sad story, I know, but it was good to get that out of the way early this season.  And so thankful that my clothes don't make my skin ache anymore! 

It's a good reminder of the importance of our wellness. Hopefully you all are staying healthy and remembering to take care of yourself this season?? 

Here's what I've got (from my recently pretty limited point of view)...

Musical Holiday Lights on the CKC

Join your Kirkland neighbors on December 13^th for an evening of caroling, hot cocoa, the Seahawks’ Blitz, alpacas, a photo booth, and the fifth annual musical holiday lights on the Cross Kirkland Corridor! The alpacas and photo booth will be ready starting at 5:00 p.m., and at 5:30 Mayor Penny Sweet will flip the switch to turn on a show featuring 25,000 LEDs custom-programmed to holiday music by Google Kirkland engineers. Parking is limited, so those who can are encouraged to take public transportation, bike or walk to the show.

The event is free and attendees are encouraged to bring donations in the form of unwrapped toys for LifeWire and non-perishable food for Hopelink.

What: Musical Holiday Lights on the Cross Kirkland Corridor

When: Friday, December 13, 5:00-6:30 p.m., Photo booth opens at 5:00 p.m., lights at 5:30 p.m.

Where: The Family Fitness and Play Area on the Cross Kirkland Corridor near the Google campus (Approximate address is 499 7th Ave S, Kirkland, WA 98033 - click here for directions:  https://goo.gl/maps/kWLez)

Kirkland Urban is doing a Winter Festival each Saturday approaching Christmas from 2-8pm.  Family fun, arts/crafts, Santa, music and more. 

The 12 K's of Christmas is Sun 12/15- You can still sign up and don't worry, there's a Kids' Dash, 5K or 12K. 

How was the Holiday Home tour on Fri? Did you go? I had to give my ticket away so I didn't contaminate everyone.  Missing Winterfest too, darn, fill me in please if you went. 

Tis the season to start queuing up lots of events! I'm feeling festive because a bunch of you are NOT kidding around and have already put your holiday lights up. How did you get so sneaky? And Sirius Radio has presumptively made my #2 station setting 'holiday songs?!'    Way to fire up the eggnog early.  Here we go..chronological-like...

THIS Friday Nov 16th 6-9pm is the Downtown Kirkland Wine Walk.  It starts at The Heathman Hotel and then you walk around town to various tasting locations at our participating local businesses.  Please leave your under 21 year olds and furry friends (the 4-legged type) at home. Tickets can be purchased online for $25 or $30 at the door. Or you can sign up here to work a 2 hour shift and get your tickets to participate for free! Don't drink too much wine because you'll need to get up bright and early SATurday....

Saturday Nov 17th 9-12 it's time to decorate downtown Kirkland for the holidays. This is a really fun community effort. Dress warmly, bring your gloves (and a ladder if you have one!) to light up the poles with holiday sparkle.  Meet at the back room on the main floor of Merrill Gardens at 8:45am for some breakfast goodies and then you'll be given a job and let loose on the town.  Lunch is at 12:30.   Sign up here- the more the merrier.  Questions? TExt 425-765-5576 or 253-444-8951

Sunday Nov 18th 9am-12, 186th Annual Hopelink Turkey Trot- fun starts at 8 (packet pickup etc)and the run begins at 9. You and 1500 of your new best friends will start moving at Marina Park in whatever way you see fit around this 5K course that hugs the shore of Lake WA.  Bring your dog, your kids, your Grandma, all are welcome. Register ahead of time here  or hope for the best on run day.  $40 per adult and don't forget to donate to this great cause. The weather forecast is cooperating for the moment!

Last week of Nov- Santa's Mailbox goes up right in the center of downtown Kirkland after Thanksgiving. Don't forget to send in your requests to the big guy at the North Pole. The Kirkland Downtown Association brings back Santa's mailbox to surprise and delight children this season.  Santa's mailbox will be located on the corner of Lake St & Kirkland Ave (by Bank of America).  Santa and his elves ensure that every child gets a letter back.  Be sure to include a return address.  Special thanks to Kirkland Kenworth for helping to support this project. Want more info, or interested in volunteering?  Contact [email protected]. 

Sat Dec 1st 3-6pm @ Marina Park, Winterfest. Get yourself ready for our tree lighting, llamas (yes, llamas!), food trucks, a sledding hill, bonfires and entertainment all to be followed up with Santa photos and an ugly sweater after party at Wilde Rover. Volunteer here if you'd like to help! You could be a 'llama photo assistant,' because dreams do come true.

Friday Dec 7th 5-6:30pm, Google Lights- come sip on cocoa and chow on cookies while Google's campus right on the Cross Kirkland Corridor puts on a display of 25,000 choreographed lights to music. Carolers and a photobooth and Blitz from the Seahawks will be there too.  Don't forget to bring an unwrapped toy to donate. 

Thank you also to all of the magical sponsors that make all of these fun Kirkland events possible! Looking forward to a festive season together. ~j

Kirkland Summer Concerts-start next week! It's worth it just watching happy people dance to the beat of their own drum.  Tuesdays 10-11am at Juanita Beach starting 7/10 - and Thursdays 7-8:30pm at Marina Park starting 7/5. Go get your groove on! Full schedule here. 

 KIrkland 4th photo circa 2008- thank you Penny Sweet for always making this an amazing event for our city!

4th of July Parade & Fireworks-  nothing is better than the 4th of July in downtown Kirkland. "Celebrate Kirkland, United We Stand" is this year's theme. The schedule goes something like this: children's decorating event starts at 10am in the Marina Park Pavilion.  The kids' parade starts 11:30 at Market and Central and the old fashioned parade begins at 12.  Grab a bite to eat and then roll back down for music in the park is at 5. 

Fireworks begin about 10:15 pm.  Leave your dog, personal fireworks, alcohol and vehicle at home.  DO BRING your patience for large crowds, your bike/scooter/bus pass, a flashlight and your love of country and appreciation for all things patriotic. Maybe even a device to listen to the STAR 101.5's live musical synchronization to the firework display.  The boat launch will be closed. I sometimes cry when I hear the national anthem or watch fireworks, so there's another weird quirk you know about me. 

Kirkland Art Walk- Friday July 13th 5-8pm. Galleries and businesses with a pink balloon are an easy way to spot who is participating. Enjoy local art and music around downtown Kirkland.

Summerfest-Mark your calendars for Aug 10th-12th.  Always a weekend not to be missed: music, art, kids stuff, food and beer gardens. Details evolving here.  

SeaFair Weekend- Aug 3-5th.  Hydroplane races, war planes, stunt planes, Blue Angels soaring over your head and inexperienced drunk boaters everywhere- this is notoriously a weekend to be remembered. Someone always loses a foot.  Did I say that outloud? Stay safe out there people- fun times. Who wouldn't want a front row seat?

Some little reindeer nuggets for you--

The Seahawk House is back- you can still find the holiday Seahawk lights on the 11000 block of NE 100th St in the Highlands neighborhood of Kirkland, after a carefully balanced plan was created to keep both neighbors and fans in cheerful spirits. Detailed and light display schedule can be found here. 

Christmas Ships- The Argosy is in full swing with their Christmas Ship Festival of Lights.  Looking for a boat ride or simply to watch the show? Find the schedule here. Don't fall in, that water is f-f-f-f-freeezing.

Carillon Point Holiday Happenings- cookie decorating, peppermint spa treatments, special holiday menus at Bin on the Lake and Beach Cafe and holiday brunch with Santa. So many things!

Kirkland Arts Center Holiday Art Market - free and open to the public shopping for unique and local handmade gifts and keepsakes. 12/6-23. Check KAC for details.

Letters to the Big Guy at the North Pole- find Santa's mailbox in the middle of downtown Kirkland in front of Bank of America. Don't forget to have you little one include their name and address so Santa can write back!  Get them submitted by Dec 22nd before the elves take it away.

And of course, mark your calendars for the Jan 1st Polar Plunge at 1pm at Marina Park so you can shock yourself with electric cold water straight into 2018! 

Happy Halloween!! Enjoy this montage of photos from the downtown door decorating contest. 

Bonus: There's a little "Where's Waldo" for you too- can you spot the doorstep where somebody left their lunch? (I swear it wasn't me...)

  Boo!     

Heathman (winner)---->                <------Via Lago (runner up)