By Karen Story It wouldn’t be summer without concerts at Marina Park. But when the Utility Tax failed in November, the City of Kirkland cancelled the concerts they’ve been organizing for 32 years. But there’s good news: a group of citizens and businesses have stepped in to save the concerts! The Kirkland Downtown Association will be the fiscal sponsor. The primary business sponsors... [Read more]

By Debra Sinick A trail now on the BNSF corridor? Over 40 people came out for last week’s Eastside Trail Advocates meeting to hear about the possibilities of a trail on the corridor now, with a train, if needed at a later date.  The  ETA supports the publicly funded studies that have concluded commuter rail is not appropriate in the corridor for at least the near to mid-term future, which... [Read more]

The sale of the BNSF corridor seemed like a done deal. The news media reported the sale of the BNSF line to The Port of Seattle at the close of 2009 with plans to sell the line to King County in 2010. But now some question how the sale will be funded. By Debra Sinick Keith Ervin of the Seattle Times said, After acquiring the rail line (which the Port has now done), the Port would sell the southern... [Read more]

The following essay on Kirkland was written by Rachel Walen, 11, of Golden, Colorado. Rachel turned in this work as a 5th grade homework project, and now she has shared it with us. Sometimes a child’s perspective helps us better appreciate the very special place in which we live. – Admin Kirkland, Washington By Rachel Walen As you walk down the long narrow hallway to anywhere but an... [Read more]

By Toby Nixon Last Wednesday in Olympia, the state House Committee on Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness held hearings on two bills regarding marijuana policy reform. These bills, HB 1177 (decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana) and HB 2401 (legalization of marijuana and sale in state liquor stores) will be voted on in the committee this Wednesday, January 20. Article... [Read more]

By Debra Sinick I always kid my husband that if we ever break up our dog is a real “people” magnet.  He’d have no trouble meeting people, especially the female kind, if he has Henry, our dog, by his side.  Dogs do that for their people.  Dogs are magnets for other dog lovers. People love to talk to other people who have pets.  Dogs help break down barriers between people,... [Read more]

Dave Ramsay, our current Kirkland City Manager is scheduled to retire spring of 2010. This interview was conducted during the Fall of 2009. By Julie Metteer How long have you been City Manager for Kirkland? “Well, actually since you mentioned it, today is actually my 12th year anniversary of being here in Kirkland. In fact I’ve been working for cities for the past 36 years, and 22 of them have... [Read more]

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 Robert L. Style The latest quarterly issue of the City Update illustrates why we should question what the city has to say.  Page 3 it talks about “Staff and Service Reductions in Effect.” Paragraph 2 is fabricated to help cover what is obvious to those who attended the budget discussions, the failure of the city to set priorities. Draft budgets were proposed, one with a $2.2 million... [Read more]

By Julie Metteer Pete and Athina Mangouras Athina – “Dad bought Georges in 1976, and we pretty much grew up here. The place started out as a donut shop called “The Hole in One”, then it was a short order restaurant, and then it was re-modeled into the restaurant.” “In the early days of the restaurant, orders were shouted through the kitchen window – nothing was written down. ‘Give... [Read more]

By Debra Sinick Hi Rob, Were you a Boy Scout or Girl Scout when you were a kid?  Do you remember how much fun it was?  The weekly meetings, making new friends, and working hard to earn badges.  I was a Girl Scout and a Brownie back in Connecticut where I grew up.  I remember how excited I was to earn those cherished  badges. The Scouts are alive and well in Kirkland and I’ve had a chance... [Read more]

A number of questions have arisen regarding “What’s Next?” for the annexation of Kingsgate, Finn Hill, and North Juanita. By Toby Nixon The annexation ballot measure combines three separate matters into a single question: the annexation itself, approval of the zoning code, and assumption of a proportionate share of the city’s existing bonded indebtedness. The annexation and zoning code matters... [Read more]

By Debra Sinick Signing in for the race Sunday was really cold. It was a bone chilling 39 degrees. I froze while standing outside for a couple of hours,  but a great day was had by those who participated in the PACE race in downtown Kirkland.  I’d like to tell you I was a runner or a walker, but I  volunteered to help direct traffic and the participants, so never the two would meet. On Sunday... [Read more]

By Debra Sinick In the point-counterpoint between those for and against the utility tax increase, Mr. Style, the opponent of the utility tax, uses the cost of living for seniors to bolster his argument.  According to Mr. Style, seniors could lose their homes because of the potential $72 tax increase.  But what Mr. Style does not mention is the cost to seniors if the tax increase does not pass. As... [Read more]

UPDATED King 5 ran a story on this incident on Wednesday night. You can watch the video here. By Terri Fletcher Here is a story for you if you want it. I think it is important for a couple of reasons. To start I spotted a duck at Juanita Beach on Friday night with a dart stuck in his feathers. I stayed, a lot of people tried to help me, my Momma Bonnie Fletcher was online looking for anything, she... [Read more]

Kim Lowe Guest columnist No doubt you’ve seen the headlines warning of potential swine flu outbreaks as flu season approaches. After an August 25 article in the Seattle Times reported “swine flu could infect half the U.S. population this fall and winter,” a report on September 8 suggested a third of Washington residents could become sick. While some may brush aside the warnings as over-zealous... [Read more]

// < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ google_ad_client = "pub-5049538877929924"; /* 300x250, created 6/23/08 */ google_ad_slot = "1748785083"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; // ]]> UPDATED By Scott St.Clair Kirkland City Councilman Bob Sternoff used city e-mail resources while the council was in session to conduct an intimate personal relationship... [Read more]

It’s campaign time. The sun is in the sky, the nights are warm and lovely, and the streets are full of campaign signs. I really don’t like campaign signs. They certainly don’t add to the beauty of our roadways and neighborhoods. But more than my dislike of the signs, I like – in fact, I highly value – freedom of speech and political expression. The signs for the primary... [Read more]

Kirkland Resident Mistakenly Removed from County Voter Rolls On Thursday when the rest of my family received their primary ballots …I didn’t. // < ![CDATA[ google_ad_client = "pub-5049538877929924"; /* 300x250, created 6/23/08 */ google_ad_slot = "1748785083"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; // ]]> I believe this primary and upcoming general election may be one of the... [Read more]

On June 23, 2009, San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors passed a mandatory recycling and composting law that requires all residents and businesses to separate their recycling, food scraps and waste into three separate bins – or risk a $100 fine. The law goes into affect October 21. The tough legislation is an aggressive step toward San Francisco’s ultimate goal of zero waste by 2020.... [Read more]

  And That’s the Way It Was   Walter Cronkite, a true icon of journalism passed away yesterday. His passing immediately made me think about a fateful day in November 1963. Many of us heard the news from Dallas from him, with a remarkable blend of information and emotion, as he took off his glasses and broke the bad news to us. And we shared his sense of amazement as he reported the landing of... [Read more]

An Opportunity to Protect King County’s Open Spaces By Bob Ferguson and Reagan Dunn // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ google_ad_client = "pub-5049538877929924"; /* 300x250, created 6/23/08 */ google_ad_slot = "1748785083"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; // ]]> Our region is filled with majestic places. As two kids growing up in King County, the trails and backcountry of Washington... [Read more]

// < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ google_ad_client = "pub-5049538877929924"; /* 300x250, created 3/18/09 */ google_ad_slot = "1792911233"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; // ]]> In Kirkland, our dogs can tag along while we dine al fresco at Cactus or another restaurant with sidewalk seating. We can take our dogs on Metro busses. And if we choose to get away... [Read more]

Kirkland Neighborhood joins effort to feed teens at KTUB Call me sheltered and naive, but my view of family life in Kirkland is pretty rosy. My son plays t-ball with kids who all come from two-parent families. The parents I know are highly engaged in their kids’ education and activities. It’s all happy suburbia to me. So imagine my surprise when I learned recently about a “squat”... [Read more]

Kirkland has many quality dining options to consider When planning to eat out, where do you go? Do you head for the popular spots in Bellevue – Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano’s or P.F. Chang’s? Or maybe you venture over the bridge to a hot spot in Seattle. Judging by the crowds at a couple of Kirkland restaurants on a recent weekend night, not many of you are choosing to eat... [Read more]

On Election Day, there were pictures of Barack Obama and his family: A very attractive African American father, a wife and two kids. However, before there was Barack, there was a Mr. Backstrom, Mr. Splane and Mr. Hunter. Fathers, especially black fathers, are in short supply. In this society dominated by feminists, fathers don’t seem so important. In the black community, where 70 percent of... [Read more]

  One virtue that separates America from the rest of the world is our commitment to public education for all. Education has always been the great equalizer between rich and poor, black and white. And whether you went to a rich school in the hills or a poor school in the ghetto, you still have a chance. Working in those schools is a group of people we call teachers. They shape the minds and nurture... [Read more]

Kirkland Views is proud to welcome Walter Backstrom as a guest columnist. I recently spent five days living, sleeping and eating with the homeless. I talked to Metro bus drivers, the homeless and people who work with the homeless. It was one of the most gut-wrenching and moving experiences of my life. An experience I will never forget. The first two nights I spent riding Metro bus route 174, also... [Read more]

 Debra Sinick, an author for this blog and owner of the Kirkland Highlands Real Estate Buzz and The Eastside Real Estate Buzz has done a fantastic job of summarizing her impressions of some of the events that took place during Sustainable September. She wrote two articles, both full of links that are helpful for those looking to learn more about sustainability. Debra has been kind enough to allow... [Read more]

  UPDATE: Debra Sinick has posted her impressions of a Sustainable September course she attended on her Eastside Real Estate Buzz blog. Sustainable September is coming on strong this year with a calendar full of events. If green is your thing then Kirkland is the place to be this September. Visit www.sustainableseptember.org for a calendar of all of the events.  Go Green at Downtown Kirkland Street... [Read more]