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Communities across Washington State are preparing for another summer with poor air quality resulting from wildfires. Smoke from wildfires has become a recurring seasonal air quality hazard in the western United States and British Columbia. In the Puget Sound region in 2018, wildfire smoke led to 24 days of poor air quality, including nine days that were considered either unhealthy for sensitive groups or unhealthy for everyone.
Washington State has experienced more than 300 fires so far in 2019, with half of them occurring in Western Washington. Based on current drought and forest conditions, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources believes we may see a record number of wildfires in 2019.
Now is the time to prepare!
1. Consider getting an air purifier. Air purifiers with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter will reduce the number of irritating fine particles in indoor air. A HEPA filter with charcoal will help remove some of the gases from the smoke.
2. If you have asthma or another respiratory condition, make sure you have an inhaler or other medications that you might need. Make an asthma management plan with your healthcare provider.
3. Make plans for indoor activities for kids on smoky days. Consider what your children can do if they need to stay indoors when smoke levels are “unhealthy for sensitive groups” or worse.
4.Staying indoors with windows closed and air conditioning on (if you have it) is your best bet when air quality is poor. Masks don’t work for everyone.
The right mask and proper fit can reduce your exposure to wildfire smoke, but they don’t work for everyone. Wearing a mask may worsen existing medical conditions. Wearing a mask makes it more difficult to breathe because it takes extra effort to move air through the mask. If you have breathing problems (like asthma or COPD) or heart disease, check with your healthcare provider before using a mask.
Some masks offer limited protection. Only use a mask after first trying other, more effective ways to avoid smoke, like staying indoors and reducing outdoor activity. Respirator masks labeled N95 or N100 can filter out fine particles from smoke but not hazardous gases (like carbon monoxide). Cloth (wet or dry), paper masks, and tissues will NOT filter out wildfire smoke.
If you choose to use one, your mask must fit tightly to be effective. Straps must go above and below the ears and the mask should fit over the nose and under the chin. The mask should not let air in from the sides around the nose and chin. Masks do not work on people with beards or young children because they do not fit snugly on their faces. Questions about masks? Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider.
Get additional tips at: https://www.kingcounty.gov/…/toxins-air…/wildfire-smoke.aspx
Earlier this week the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) recognized Deputy Mayor Jay Arnold as an Advocacy All-Star. For the past six years, the AWC has recognized individuals who go above and beyond for cities during the legislative session. Advocacy All-Star Award winners lead the way in affordable housing, homelessness, and public safety. AWC had this to say about our Deputy Mayor:
"Jay Arnold, Deputy Mayor of Kirkland was a fixture in Olympia in the 2019 session, helping legislators understand how new resources and tools could be used by cities to be positive partners in addressing housing and homelessness. He led Kirkland’s efforts to provide enhanced flexibility and authority for cities to use existing tax resources to address contemporary problems."
Please join us in thanking Deputy Mayor Arnold and the rest of our Legislative Work Group including Mayor Penny Sweet, Councilmember Kelli Curtis, City Manager Kurt Triplett, Intergovernmental Relations and Economic Development Manager Lorrie McKay, Waypoint Consulting, and dozens of department staff members for their hard work supporting cities during the 2019 legislative session.
How do you think the City of Kirkland should address climate change? Should City buildings be equipped with solar panels? How do we create land use regulations that create affordable housing and protect our environment? If these types of questions are important to you then join us this Saturday (June 22) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to brainstorm actions the City might undertake to support environmental, economic, and social sustainability in Kirkland.
The City is creating a Sustainability Action Plan to coordinate all of the City’s efforts of environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Saturday's Sustainability Forum will be highly interactive and will be structured around the eight draft focus areas for the Plan:
-Energy Supply & Emissions
-Buildings & Infrastructure
-Sustainable Materials Management
-Land Use & Transportation
-Natural Environment & Ecosystems
-Sustainable Business
-Healthy Community
-Sustainable Governance
Free, optional registration for the forum can be done online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kirkland-sustainability-forum-tickets-62557300570 Light refreshments will be served. Questions about the Forum? Please feel free to contact David Wolbrecht at 425-587-3011 or dwolbrecht@kirklandwa.gov. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Kirkland should contact the ADA Coordinator, Chris Thomas (ADACoordinator@kirklandwa.gov), Director of Human Resources (425-587-3210), as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.
Eastside artist Magali Lenarczak has two watercolor pieces on display, one called “The Migrants” and another entitled “Takes 2 to Tango.” An artist for many years, Lenarczak paints on a synthetic, water-resistant paper called yupo, which adds an element of unpredictability to her work. Yupo is not absorbent, so the pigment stays on the paper’s surface, adding a textural component as it dries.
It leads to many “happy accidents,” Lenarczak said, and helps ensure that she never gets the same thing twice.
Lenarczak’s featured pieces tell an intricate story that reaches out and draws observers in. At first glance, viewers are dazzled by the beauty and vitality of “The Migrants,” but a closer look stops them in their tracks as the depth of the piece is gradually revealed. Through the layers of blues and reds, her subjects are vividly depicted as they bear the weight of their belongings, navigating barbed wire, language barriers, water and other challenges associated with their journey.
Her compelling use of swirling colors and poignant imagery makes a welcome addition to the show!
Art aficionados can still catch the Kirkland Senior Council’s 11th annual “Creativity is Ageless” art show, which is ongoing at Merrill Gardens Kirkland through Friday, June 28.
This year’s show offers over 60 pieces of original art in a variety of mediums, including oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings, photography, driftwood sculpture, quilts and more. Art lovers can stop by Merrill Gardens (14 Main Street S. in downtown Kirkland) from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week and on weekends to view the exhibit, which is free to browse.
For directions to Merrill Gardens, please visit: http://bit.ly/merrillgardenskirkland.
We need your help to protect Lake Washington and reduce waste! Your everyday choices can make a difference to the health of our streams, lake, and the wildlife that live there, and can prevent needless waste from heading to our landfill. Make this summer more sustainable by pledging to follow one simple habit all summer long:
- As many as 170 million straws are used every day in the US. If you don't need one, just ask your server, "No straw please!" when you order a soda or cocktail. Pledge to skip the straw.
- Like to grab a coffee on the go? Plan ahead to prevent waste, and bring your own travel mug or cup. Or if you’ll be drinking your coffee at the shop, ask for your drink “for here.” Pledge to use a mug instead of a paper cup.
- Keep pollution out of Lake Washington by washing your car at the carwash instead of in your driveway. Water on your street flows directly into the nearest stream without treatment. Even biodegradable soap kills fish! Pledge to use a professional carwash.
- Pesticides used in your garden can be washed into our stormwater system, which flows directly into the nearest waterbody without treatment. Protect our streams and lakes by choosing natural yard care methods. Pledge to go natural in your garden.
Take the Green Summer Pledge today, and invite your friends and family to join you!
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132nd Square Park Open House
Thursday, June 20, 6 - 8 p.m.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 13220 NE 132nd St.
Learn about three master plan concepts for 132nd Square Park. Your input will help inform the final master plan.
More information on the project web page.
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Hot Weather Awareness Class
Thursday, June 27, 6 - 6:30 p.m.
Kirkland City Hall
Now that the beautiful PNW summer is FINALLY here, it's time to break out the picnic blankets, floaties, and your hot weather preparedness plan!
Join a panel of experts from the Kirkland Fire Department, Police Department, and Office of Emergency Management to learn how you get prepared for sunny summer weather.
Topics will include general emergency preparedness, heat-related health concerns, water and boating safety, and pet safety.
Sign up online: bit.ly/HotWeatherPrep19
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Game on! Family Fun Day Event
Friday, July 12, 3 - 7 p.m.
Juanita Beach Park
Come get your game on at the Kirkland Game On!
Challenge your family and friends in large yard games like Jenga, Cornhole, Connect 4, and more!
Live music, food vendors and farmers market!
This event is FREE!
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Free Shredding and Styrofoam Recycling
Saturday, July 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
915 8th St, Kirkland
Recycle styrofoam and shred confidential papers for free! Event open to Kirkland residents only.
*SHREDDING DETAILS*
ACCEPTED: Confidential paper materials. Staples OK. No binder clips.
LIMIT: 4 file-size (12”x12”x16”) boxes or equivalent quantity (e.g. paper grocery bags OK).
Shredding will be completed by Confidential Data Disposal. Material shredded through the event will be recycled. Shredded paper is NOT accepted in your recycling at home, so using a service to shred is a better environmental choice than shredding at home.
*STYROFEST DETAILS* ACCEPTED: Clean Styrofoam blocks, EPE blocks and sheets, and plastic film. LIMIT: one carload per household. See flyer with photos of accepted items (pdf).
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Earthquake "Proof" Your Home
Tuesday, July 23, 6 - 7 p.m.
Kirkland City Hall
Is your home ready for the Big One? If a major earthquake shook your home today, would you still have a safe place to live?
This class will cover the basics of earthquake-"proofing" your home, from securing furniture to easy ways to check the structural integrity of your building.
Come learn how you can take practical, affordable steps to help protect your household in the event of an earthquake.
Sign up online: http://bit.ly/EQProof19
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Summer Sundays on Park Lane
Every Sunday June 2-September 22, 7 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Park Lane
All are invited to shop, stroll and dine on Park Lane in a car-free environment. Come down and enjoy the charming ambiance of a Summer Sunday!
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Juanita Friday Market
Every Friday June 7 to Sept. 27, 3 to 7 p.m.
Juanita Beach Park, 9703 N.E. Juanita Drive
A twelve-year Kirkland tradition, the Juanita Friday Market features fresh produce from local farmers, artisanal breads and desserts, locally-made honey, hot food, cut flowers, sustainable skin care products, hand-crafted jewelry, candles, natural soap, local art and much more. The weekly series is set against the stunning backdrop of Juanita Beach Park, which offers sandy shoreline, restrooms, swimming and a children’s play area.
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