By Jeff Heinz I have a big huge “thank you” to the Juanita Bay Park Volunteer Rangers! I for one visit the Juanita Bay Park on a regular basis. I feel very fortunate to have such an amazing place available so close to home. On Sunday, my wife and I went to the free tour at the Juanita Bay Park, that is guided by Volunteer Rangers. Yes, Volunteer Rangers! Its my understanding that because... [Read more]
By Jeff Heinz The City of Kirkland may have canceled the New Years Day Polar Plunge at Marina Park, but that did not stop some from taking the dip. This was the first of these that I have witnessed and I gotta say it looked like lots of fun. I am officially committing to a “maybe” for next year! I have never heard of a, “Fourth of July Plunge”, but it sounds like a wonderfully warm way to... [Read more]
Relatively warm and (mostly) dry weather greeted the 12K’s of Christmas runners in Kirkland on Sunday morning. The 12K, 5K and children’s races started and finished at Marina Park where a host of vendor booths were set up. Please visit our Flickr page for more photos from this event. Or, mosey on over to view photos from last year’s 12K’s of Christmas which was cancelled at... [Read more]
People explore the ice on Lake Washington at Juanita Beach Park in Kirkland on Dec. 11, 2009. (Thom Weinstein, Seattlepi.com) The folks over at Seattlepi.com took this amazing photo of people walking on the ice at sunset (please do not attempt to walk on it as it is very dangerous). The extreme cold we have been experiencing has Juanita Beach Park into an ice rink for the birds. A sign at Marina... [Read more]
By Jeff Heinz The day after Thanksgiving started the same as most mornings. Large soy vanilla latte, from UCL in Juanita (MMmmm), in one hand, and my camera in the other. If you know me, this does not sound unusual. In fact you may ask, “Dude, what’s wrong?” if you ever see me without my camera. “Why does this guy from Norkirk always have his camera with him?” you may ask, if you don’t... [Read more]
Jeff Foster sent in this account of a collision at the Kirkland Costco Tire Center that involved a black Subaru and a tree on November 22nd. Kirkland Fire Department Ladder 26 and Aid Car 22 responded to an accident and took one injured person to the hospital. Jeff sent in these photos which he took with his Blackberry. This unfortunate incident is an opportunity for us to remember to be safe on the... [Read more]
Over the past week, scores of volunteer elves have toiled long and hard to hang wreaths, bows, garland and lights in preparation for the Annual Tree Lighting Festival on Saturday, November 28th from 4-8pm. From the KDA website: Each year, thousands of people come DOWN to hear festive music, enjoy the decorations and witness our beautiful 30 foot tree lighting. Bring your family and friends down to... [Read more]
Despite a little rain, an expected 750 people turned out to support Hopelink by participating in the 9th Annual Turkey Trot in Kirkland on November 15th. The walk started at Marina Park and made a journey along Lake Washington Bld to Carillon Point and back. Jeff Heinz, Kirkland resident, has provided us with these photos along with 177 more photos from the event posted on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/photoguyjeff/sets/72157622827729344/.... [Read more]
By Jeff Heinz On my way to the Turkey Trot on Sunday, I had to pull over and let this sink in a little. Are those ducks standing under the awning, in front of the Barber Shop, to stay out of the rain? I watched the couple for several minutes as it continued to rain. The only reasonable explanation for this……. Those ducks are not from around here! Yep….. Tourists! Read More →
Turkey Trotters help Hopelink Marina Park Construction crane on Lake Street Juanita Bay Park Park Lane Read More →
The KDA merchants competed in a Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest which helped make the downtown look spooky and ready for trick or treaters. The participating merchants’ jack-o-lanterns were scored by a group of volunteer judges.* The overall winner was The Kirkland Arts Center with their elaborate Halloween Dragon. Honorable mentions were Mermaid Hair Extensions, Vovina, Soul Ease, Urban ... [Read more]
Rendering of remodeled Houghton Center The Houghton Center is undergoing a major facelift as they prepare for the arrival of a new Metropolitan Market, hopefully in 2010. The old Houghton Market is long gone and only a shell of the building remains. This past week a rendering was posted shedding light on what the future holds for the site. Design work at Nelson Legacy Group’s Houghton Center in Kirkland... [Read more]
It seems that parking is so scarce in parts of Totem Lake that people have resorted to parking along side of the railroad tracks in what appears to be the rail right of way. These photos show cars parked along the unused BNSF railroad tracks north of NE 124th next to the Dodge Chrysler Jeep dealership. As the rainy season comes, it will be interesting to see if these “free” parking spaces... [Read more]
The 2009 Kirkland Wednesday Market season opened with rain-drentched pre-schoolers singing “You are my Sunshine” (See “Kirkland Wednesday Market opens season to singing in the rain”)and it ended in style with the 2nd Annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Fashion Show (accompanied by rain, of course). The event was hosted under the Pavilion to benefit Seattle Humane Society. Hot apple cider... [Read more]
Sights and sounds around Kirkland including fishing at Waverly Park, some store openings and relocations, cameras installed above Central Way at 3rd Street near the new temporary transit center, and some views of the market. The Bank of America construction site at the corner of Lake and Kirkland Ave. will soon be hollowed out for underground parking. Music provided by musicians John Ferrer and Ray... [Read more]
Cathy, Barkley (a Wheaten Terrier) and Herb Weisbaum, a member of the Board of Directors of the Seattle Humane Society and is a long-time supporter. Cathy Handfelt of Little Monarch Studios sent us some photos of the 100 Hounds voting that took place Thursday night on Park Lane as a part of the 2nd Thursdays on Park Lane. Cathy included the following note about the event which filled the street with... [Read more]
UPDATED It was over as quickly as it had begun. The Bank of America building at the corner of Kirkland Ave. and Lake Street was demolished this week to make room for phase two of SRM Development’s projects (Phase One was Merrill Gardens). The new building will be mixed-use with residential above retail including a new Bank of America on the ground floor. Please visit http://www.kirklandviews.com/tag/bofa/... [Read more]
This past week we saw new beginnings and some signs of change. Zoka Coffee Roaster & Tea Company opened its doors on the corner of Lake Street and Central Way. Across Lake Street between Starbucks and Lake Street Diamond, a new vitamin/supplements store called The Minus Shop is opening soon. Around the corner on Kirkland Avenue, the Bank of America has moved one block east to a temporary location... [Read more]
What could possibly be more fun for family visiting from England than participating in Kirkland’s 4th of July parade? Actually, nothing. They had the time of their lives… dressed as fruits and veggies. After a spectacular 4th of July celebration (check out the parade and Duck Dash photos), Kirkland was cleaned up in a jiffy. By 4:oo pm you could hardly tell that practically half... [Read more]
Views of Kirkland from the past week As Kirkland readies itself for the Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks, downtown is decorated in red, white and blue. Both the Kirkland Wednesday Market at Marina Park and the Friday Night Market at Juanita Beach enjoyed spectacular weather. News from Houghton Beach: Kayak rentals from Agua Verde are now available and the beach volleyball court renovations... [Read more]
The long awaited installment of traffic signals at the intersection of Kirkland Avenue and 3rd Street took place Tuesday. Crews worked most of the day erecting the poles and placing the signal lights in front of the Kirkland Library and Heathman Hotel. ... [Read more]
The longer days and warmer weather leave no excuse not to enjoy some of the many wonderful events Kirkland hosts throughout the summer. This last week, 2nd Thursdays on Park Lane was filled with live music, artists, a fashion show, outdoor dining and shopping until 9:00 pm. The Kirkland Wednesday Market, located on the waterfront at Marina Park, is an idillic setting for grocery shopping, sightseeing,... [Read more]
Emilia Simpson, age 7, and Francis Horey, age 2 ,enjoy some shave ice at the Kirkland Wednesday Market The Kirkland Wednesday Market finally saw the sunshine and it was a glorious day at Marina Park. If you haven’t had a chance to visit, come down for a bite to eat along the waterfront and take home some fresh local fruits and vegetables (as well as countless other things offered for sale).... [Read more]
The event season has begun in Kirkland. Mother’s Day weekend launched the Kirkland Artist Studio Tour and the Kirkland Half Marathon. The Kirkland Wednesday Market bustled at its new location at Marina Park. The Art Walk on Second Thursdays has changed to become Second Thursdays on Park Lane with live music artists and festivities on the street. Also this past week, Park Lane Gallery hosted... [Read more]
Four brown bears have been spotted on the corner of 6th Street and 7th Avenue The four bears (as far as we can tell, they are yet to be named), are actually statues, installed earlier this week by the business occupying the property, Brown Bear Car Wash. The mother bear and her two cubs greet drivers as they travel between downtown and the Norkirk neighborhood. Read More →
The Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop on Lake Street was abuzz on Tuesday as the franchise celebrated their annual Free Cone Day. Many smiling faces were seen throughout the day as an expected 5,000 to 6,000 cones were distributed to Kirkland citizens. Our local Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop is located at 176 Lake Street South. You can reach them at 425-576-1609 ... [Read more]
Look at what we found today during a visit to the BeachHouse bar + grill… A crew is hard at work preparing the west side of the restaurant for an outdoor boardwalk. The rumored outdoor dining option at Houghton Beach will soon come true! The boarwalk should be open before summer hits. That’s right. Casual, outdoor dining literally on Lake Washington. This is going to be a good summer. Visit... [Read more]
On this very sunny and somewhat warm Thursday afternoon, Cjay was spotted “commuting” along the Kirkland waterfront riding her skateboard while being towed by Ryu and Akane (or is it Akane and Ryu? Sorry, guys!) Read More →
Some historic photos of Kirkland’s past have been mounted along the east wall of the Heathman Hotel on 3rd Street. The photos show the history of the site, the various buildings that once stood at the corner of 3rd and Kirkland Ave. Areal photos and historical information are included as well. The plaques were created in conjunction with the Kirkland Historical Society. Print... [Read more]
One of Kirkland’s most visible works of public art, Cow and Coyote, was dressed up again for Valentine’s Day. This statue, located at the intersection of Lake Street and Central Way, can often be seen festooned for the season by local merchants. The tradition is a whimsical addition to our commutes and walks about town. Seattle has a somewhat more elaborate tradition with their Waiting... [Read more]
