Earlier today, Kirkland Firefighter Michael Allan was joined by Sydney Hanson (RN) and Vincente Yu (RN) with EvergreenHealth, and Nicolas Lodeiro (Captain Seattle Sounders FC) in raising the flag above the Space Needle to launch All In WA, a coordinated, statewide relief effort that will support workers and families who have been acutely affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
We cannot adequately express our gratitude for our first responders and healthcare workers who courageously served our community when Kirkland was the epicenter of this pandemic and continue to serve our community every day. You'll be able to view footage of today's flag raising during the All In WA: A Concert for COVID-19 Relief on June 10, 2020 beginning at 7:00 p.m. local time (details below).
At launch, the All In WA effort had already raised $20 million toward a $65 million goal to be met in coming months. All
The relief effort, All In WA, is a coalition of philanthropic and community leaders, companies, community foundations, United Way organizations, frontline nonprofits, individuals, and public officials across Washington State.
Donations can be made to the All In WA Fund, an aggregate fund that will address funding gaps across the state, or directly to Community funds and Cause-specific funds across Washington, including those in need of housing assistance, small businesses, families and children, essential workers and more. Funds donated to the All In WA Fund will be distributed in the form of grants to nonprofit organizations across the state.
All In WA: A Concert for COVID-19 Relief by Presenting Sponsor Amazon.com, who will donate more than $10 million in cash and in-kind benefits, and Community Leadership Sponsor Microsoft, who will donate $2.5 million in cash directly to the relief funds. Additional Sponsors include
Laird Norton Family Enterprise, Seattle Genetics, Inc, Puget Sound Energy, Avista Utilities, Madrona Venture Group, Premera Blue Cross, Russell Investments, and Zillow.com.
The All In WA: A Concert for COVID-19 Relief will stream on June 10, 2020 beginning at 7:00 p.m. local time on Amazon Music’s Twitch channel ( www.twitch.tv/amazonmusic ) and through www.AllInWA.org and air statewide on KING 5 (NBC, Seattle), KONG (Independent, Seattle) KREM (CBS, Spokane), KSKN (CW, Spokane), KVEW/KAPP , and KGW Portland Subchannel 8.2 (Justice Network) .
The virtual benefit concert will include Pearl Jam, Macklemore, Brandi Carlile, Ciara, Russell Wilson, The Black Tones, Dave Matthews, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Pete Carroll, Mary Lambert, Joel McHale, Ben Gibbard, and Allen Stone with the full lineup to be announced at a later date.
To contribute to the All In WA Fund or directly to Cause and Community funds, visit
www.allinWA.org .
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Last week, Kirkland businesses were featured in the seattlepi.com, as an example of resiliency after being the first epicenter for the pandemic in the United States.
The article featured innovative approaches to providing entertainment, virtual styling, curbside delivery and more. Here are some of the highlights from the article:
The Kirkland Performing Arts Center Facebook page and Instagram account are putting out “Staff Picks,” which consist of playlists, comedy specials, previous performances and more for easy to access to entertainment from the safety of home.
Purpose Boutique, is a bit of a fashion icon in Kirkland. Due to the stay-at-home order, their brick-and-mortar store is temporarily closed, but they're keeping with all manner of personal styling. The boutique is adapting by offering their personal styling online through Virtual Styling. Visitors can take a free and easy style quiz, and connect with a stylist over Zoom, Facetime or text to receive a page of personalized looks. The items are then available for purchase online with free shipping and 15% off the entire order.
The community is giving back via the Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund...
The motto for the Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund, “We’re all in this together, and together we’ll get through this,” encapsulates the commitment Kirkland has developed for its community and local businesses. Google, The City of Kirkland and Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce announced the creation of a the Relief Fund, a new program intended to provide immediate grants to qualifying small businesses and nonprofits in Kirkland impacted by COVID-19. The fund has distributed the first round of grants to 250 qualifying businesses. The intention of the Kirkland Small Business Relief Fund is to offer a second round of funding if additional funds from donors becomes available. Donations can be made here.
EvergreenHealth Foundation is taking donations to help support its patients and community. Financial, personal protection and food donations are now accepted. You can join EvergreenHealth Foundation for their 2020 Evergreen Virtual Gala to build the Intensive Care Unit of the future, possible courtesy of community contributions. EvergreenHealth Foundation has also started the Employee Assistance Fund, which provides support to frontline EvergreenHealth staff impacted financially by the crisis.
Bored at home? BookTree Eastside’s independent bookstore, BookTree, is taking an untraditional approach. The store is temporarily closed, but is now offering curbside services five days a week. Though online or phone orders, the bookstore will gather your preferred reading material and handle payment while you stay safely in your home or car. You can also drive up to the store and meet an employee (with safe distancing precautions) and pick up your new reading material for quarantine.
DERUmarket has kickstarted the DERU Dinner Club, on top of their previously available takeout offerings of hearty pizzas, sandwiches, and salads. Once you join the club, receive a new menu in your inbox every week for ready-to-heat meals available for curbside pickup. Every week’s menu includes a new assortment of soups, salads, vegetables, sides, mains, and desserts.
Even the coffee shops are showing their support...
Kirkland Urban Cafe Ladro' has announced the release of their new coffee “We’re In This Together.” The specialty coffee blend is intended to help their friends and neighbors in the hospital industry, with $3 of every bag purchased benefiting the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. The coffee bag also features an original illustration courtesy of Seattle-based artist Christina Dean, showcasing a cup of coffee being enjoyed in front of a window showing the Seattle skyline.The coffee poses a reminder that it is important to remember in times like this we are all in this together.
You can read the article in its entirety on the SeattlePI online.
Juanita Friday Market
The City of Kirkland is excited to welcome you back to the Juanita Friday Market on Friday, June 5! There are big changes this year so before you go, be sure to pre-order your purchases, check-out the drive-thru plans, and see how we'll be handling health & safety issues. And while we'd love to see everyone, if you're in a high-risk group please stay home and send a friend to do your shopping.
 Kirkland Downtown Association Wednesday Market
The Kirkland Downtown Association Wednesday Market will open on Wednesday, June 3 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Marina Park. Please see the new market rules below. If possible, please order from market vendors in advance. More information about the Wednesday Market is available at http://kirklandmarket.org/.
The Kirkland City Council’s next “virtual” meeting takes place Tuesday, June 2. The meeting uses video conferencing technology provided by Zoom in response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order. The regular business meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. and is preceded by a 5:30 p.m. study session.
The agenda for the June 2 meeting will be available on the City website prior to the meeting at: Kirkland City Council agendas. The meeting can be viewed in real time via the live stream on the City website at: http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/council/Meetings/WatchCouncilMeetings.htm and is televised on Comcast Cable Channel 21 and Frontier Cable Channel 31.
Here are a few highlights from the upcoming meeting:
Bike Everywhere Proclamation:
The City Council will present a proclamation declaring June 2020 as “Bike Everywhere Month” in Kirkland.
Gun Safety Proclamation
The City Council will present a proclamation declaring June 5, 2020 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the City of Kirkland.
COVID-19 Update
City Manager Kurt Triplett will present an update on the City's response to COVID-19 and information on how the City is planning for long-term recovery.
Kirkland Youth Council Presentation
The City Council will receive a presentation from representatives of the Kirkland Youth Council highlighting their accomplishments of the 2019-20 school year.
Totem Lake Connector Bridge Rejection of Bids and Re-Advertising Project
The City Council will take action on a resolution rejecting all bids for the Totem Lake Connector Bridge (Project) and authorizing staff to re-advertise the Project in order to accept a $1.53 million Puget Sound Regional Council contingency grant. With approval, staff will re-advertise the new bid.
CKC Bridge Passive Warning System
The City Council will discuss a motion to install an enhanced passive warning system on Kirkland Way for alerting over height vehicles before reaching the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC) Bridge. The CKC Bridge is a former railroad bridge crossing over Kirkland Way that has been converted to a multi-use path. The vertical clearance is 11.5 feet, which is lower than current minimum bridge standards of 14 to 16 feet. The bridge was installed many decades ago by a predecessor to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Over the 14 years since 2006, the bridge has been hit by vehicles an average of four times per year. However, it has been hit more frequently during the past four years, and in 2019 it was hit 10 times. The City has been experiencing an increasing number of occurrences.
To alert drivers about the bridge’s low clearance, the City installed warning signage in advance and on the bridge span over Kirkland Way. Despite the warning signs, over height vehicles frequently hit the CKC Bridge, causing damage, getting stuck under the bridge, and blocking traffic.
Public Participation
As always, the Kirkland City Council welcomes public involvement at its meetings and would like to encourage community members to take advantage of its available options for remote participation. Comments can be provided through voicemail at: 425-587-3090, and email at: councilmeetingcomment@kirklandwa.gov. Comments received by 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, will be read into the record during the Council Meeting, with the following caveats:
- When and if a particular agenda item receives a large number of comments, the City will read into the record three (3) comments representing each side of the presented issue. The comments will be selected based on the date and time received, giving priority to the earliest received comments.
- City leadership will read submitted emails verbatim up to a three (3) minute limit, exactly as if the commenter was providing their testimony in person. (Comments from the public received during “Items from the Audience” in a typical meeting are limited to three minutes in length.)
- The deadline for comment submittal for inclusion in the meeting (provided the comment is not related to a heavily commented agenda item as outlined above) is 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2 NOTE: comments received after the deadline will be provided to the Councilmembers for their review at the City’s earliest convenience.
Community members may also attend the meeting via Zoom. Instructions to participate via Zoom will be provided on the City Council webpage prior to the meeting. For more information about the Kirkland City Council, please visit the Council webpage.
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By 2025, Sound Transit and WSDOT are bringing a new Bus Rapid Transit station at 85th and I-405. The City of Kirkland is developing a Station Area Plan to look at how development, open space, and mobility connections in neighborhoods near the station can create the most value and quality of life for Kirkland. What can we include in the plan to make it work better for you? What are your concerns? Join us for a live online workshop on June 4th at 6 p.m. If you cannot make the live workshop, an online Open House” will be available for you to interact with and make comments between June 4th and June 16th, 2020. Learn more and register for the workshop at kirklandwa.gov/stationareaplan.
Public Health — Seattle & King County recently directed all residents of King County to wear cloth face coverings in public places. This seems like a good time to review the Do’s and Don’ts of wearing cloth face coverings.
DO cover your face with a couple layers of cloth while in public places.
DO wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before you put your mask on and after you take it off.
DO wash your cloth face covering in a washing machine after a day’s use.
DO take a cloth face covering with you if you are hiking or visiting a park. Although you do not need to wear one outside, you may find that you need to come within 6 feet of someone else on a trail. At that point, put your cloth face covering on, say hello, and carry on.
DO make sure the cloth face covering covers both your mouth and nose.
DON’T wear surgical-grade masks or N95 respirators. We need to reserve those for health care and other frontline workers.
DON’T think that wearing cloth face masks means we can gather in large groups of people. For most of the state, all gatherings are prohibited. For the counties that are in Phase 2, all gatherings of more than 5 people outside your household are prohibited.
DON’T think that wearing a cloth face mask makes it safe to come within six feet of other people. At best, a cloth face covering is just one added level of precaution. It doesn’t really help unless we are also washing our hands, staying home when we are sick, and practicing physical distancing.
DON’T wear a cloth face covering while exercising outdoors. It’s not dangerous, just annoying and not necessary.
DON’T put a cloth face covering on a child under age 2 or on a person with a disability that keeps them from being able to remove it.
DON’T touch your cloth face covering after you put it on. Try not to touch your face at all.
DON’T worry that a cloth face covering might restrict your oxygen. It’s not airtight. If you ever feel like you’re having trouble breathing, remove the cloth face covering and sit down. If the feeling persists, call 911.
Practice compassion. Remember, wearing a cloth face covering is an act of compassion. We cover our faces to protect others. There is no public health reason to wear a cloth face covering if you are alone in your car, in your own home, or around members of your own household. (Unless you just want to because it’s comfortable and looks awesome. That’s cool.)
Information in this blog changes rapidly. Check the state’s COVID-19 website for up-to-date and reliable info at coronavirus.wa.gov.
Answers to your questions or concerns about COVID-19 in Washington state may be found at our website. You can also contact our call center at
1–800–525–0127. Hours: 6 am-10 pm, seven days a week.
Department of Health call center: 1–800–525–0127, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m, seven days a week
Please check our website for the most up-to-date info on Washington’s response to COVID-19 at www.doh.wa.gov/coronavirus.
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116th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 70th Place
A City of Kirkland contractor will begin the paving process June 1 on 116th Avenue Northeast, between Northeast 73rd Street and the Houghton Park and Ride’s northwest corner.
To minimize its disruption to traffic flow and to maximize efficiency, Watson Asphalt’s crews will be working nights. The paving project will connect two sections of 116th Avenue Northeast that the City of Kirkland repaved in 2017 and 2018.
www.kirklandwa.gov/streetpreservation
Neighborhood Safety Program
Drivers should expect minor traffic delays at seven locations this month while Kirkland’s contractor implements the 2019 Neighborhood Safety Program.
NPM Construction is improving safety on Lakeview’s Lakeview Drive, Houghton’s 108th Avenue Northeast, North Rose Hill’s Slater Avenue, Kingsgate’s Northeast 132nd Street, Finn Hill’s 87th Avenue Northeast, Norkirk’s Northeast 87th Street and Juanita’s Northeast 120th Street.
NPM Construction will be building these projects until August.
Visit: www.kirklandwa.gov/nsp
Totem Lake
Marshbank is continuing to close all but one of Totem Lake Boulevard’s five lanes between Northeast 124th Street and 120th Avenue Northeast. The contractor expects to maintain that closure until mid-June. After June 15, Marshbank plans to re-open one northbound lane and keep open the southbound lane that is already open.
At 120th Avenue Northeast and Totem Lake Way, Marshbank has re-opened the sidewalks to travel.
However, the contractor’s crews are still preparing on Friday to repave and restripe the repaired section of 120th Avenue Northeast. They will also re-pave Totem Lake Way Project engineers expect striping to begin early next week, weather permitting.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlakegateway or www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlake
Cross Kirkland Corridor
A short Totem Lake section of the Cross Kirkland Corridor re-opens Thursday after being closed for nearly a month.
Marshbank Construction is requiring cyclists to walk their bicycles through the 250-foot stretch while its crews complete a few remaining tasks along the 250-stretch of the corridor northwest of its intersection with Totem Lake Boulevard.
Visit www.kirklandwa.gov/totemlakegateway or www.kirklandwa.gov/ckc
108th Avenue Northeast
Drivers should continue to expect minor traffic impacts this month on 108th Avenue Northeast while a Kirkland contractor upgrades an aging water and sewer main along the north-to-south arterial.
Marshbank Construction is replacing the two systems—both more than five decades old—to increase their capacities to serve Kirkland’s growing population and to reduce the systems’ needs for maintenance.
That need is most urgent in the sewer line, which runs from Northeast 68th Street to Northeast 53rd Street. Settling soil has created a sag in the sewer line, allowing sewage to accumulate there and requiring maintenance crews to periodically flush the line.
The contractor is also replacing the water main between Northeast 68th and 60th streets.
Marshbank expects to complete the upgrades by December.
Visit: www.kirklandwa.gov/108thavewatersewer
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Green Kirkland Partnership Online Plant Walk
7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, May 28
Join the Green Kirkland Partnership for an online plant walk and natural area tour on Thursday, May 28, from 7 to 8 p.m.
You’ll see fun plants, cool habitat features and learn about steps that volunteers are taking to restore a natural area at one of your local Kirkland parks. Visit the Green Kirkland webpage for more details and to register.
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7 Hills of Kirkland: Shifting Gears
May 1 through May 30, 2020
Virtual Event
7 Hills of Kirkland is now virtual!
Visit the Attain Housing website today to learn more about digital participation in 7 Hills of Kirkland, and to experience firsthand what can be done to transform a negative situation into an opportunity! Rather than just a one-day event, 7 Hills of Kirkland takes place throughout the entire month of May, featuring cycling challenges, weekly mileage and elevation goals and community support.
Riders who join the challenge will enjoy GPS routes, rider leaderboards (to spark your competitive edge), games, contests and amazing prizes from all your favorite Kirkland businesses, To register, visit the website!
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KU Kids at Home by Kirkland Urban
10 a.m., Saturday, June 13
Virtual Event
KU Kids is now virtual! This free, family-friendly series takes place on the second Saturday of the month from now through August! Join in the fun at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, as Julie from Clown Buggie Entertainment takes over Kirkland Urban’s Facebook page to host a craft-a-long creating melted crayon art on canvas and answering questions along the way. To participate, guests can pick up a free craft kit on Thursday, June 11, from Shake Shack, Mud Bay or Restore at Kirkland Urban. Follow Kirkland Urban on social media (@kirklandurban on Instagram and Kirkland Urban on Facebook) for more details as they are announced, or visit the Kirkland Urban website!
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Kirkland Arts Center is excited to share their first virtual exhibition! Step into the KAC gallery from the comfort of your own home and be transported into Reflections: From 1962 to the Future, curated by Donna Lindeman Porter. Find out more at: www.KirklandArtsCenter.org/Reflections
This retrospective is an ode to the many creatives and community members who have been part of the legacy of Kirkland Arts Center. This rich exhibition spanning more than four decades of work exemplifies the lasting difference individuals can make when we come together. This show features the work of more than sixty artists, including the renowned Patti Warashina and Tip Toland, and is a tribute to our community and the creative spark within each of us.
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Because continued physical distancing is critical to halting the spread of COVID-19, the following events are cancelled:
The Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce All Chamber events are cancelled until further notice For more information, visit: https://kirklandchamber.org/
Kirkland Performance Center All Kirkland Performance Center shows have been postponed until further notice For more information, visit: http://www.kpcenter.org
Parks and Community Services Closures
• The Peter Kirk Pool shall be closed for the summer season.
• The North Kirkland Community Center and the Peter Kirk Community Center shall be closed for public use through September 1, 2020 except to provide selected senior services and support for human service needs.
• All public, private and non-profit special events that use City facilities and infrastructure are cancelled through September 1, 2020. Special events may be rescheduled after September 1 if authorized by the Governor’s “Safe Start” reopening plan.
• Green Kirkland Partnership restoration events are suspended until September 1, 2020.
• All current parks recreational programming is cancelled through September 1, 2020 to allow City recreation staff to prepare for COVID-19 modified programming after September 1.
For more information on programs and facilities that will be opened in a future phase of the Governor's Safe Start plan visit the City website.
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