Debra Sinick

Archive for the ‘Exploring Kirkland’ Category

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A Tree(s) Grows in The Kirkland Highlands

In Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland WA on June 23, 2009 at 4:58 am

It’s amazing how easy it is to walk by things and not really “see” them. Last week I took my dog for a walk along 112th Ave NE in the Kirkland Highlands.


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and while he was doing his business, I happened to look up and notice the gorgeous canopy of the cedar tree I was standing under.

A beautiful tree canopy in The Kirkland Highlands

A beautiful tree canopy in The Kirkland Highlands

This gorgeous tree is just north of NE 95th along 112th Ave NE.  Seeing the tree for the “first” time got me noticing the other trees along  my walk.

Gingko Tree in the Kirkland Highlands

Gingko Tree in the Kirkland Highlands

A Gingko tree up close and personal? I hadn’t seen one since I was a kid traveling to the Connecticut shore with my family.  There was a huge Gingko tree in a town we’d pass through called Colchester.  We’d always battle to see who could spot it first.  The Gingko trees have beautiful leaves and the shape of the leaves is often used in art and jewelry design.  It’s also a very old species.  This tree is on the left side of 112th, just north of NE 97th.

The bark of a tree along 112th in Kirkland

The bark of a tree along 112th in Kirkland

I thought the bark of this tree was interesting, but I don’t know what it is.  Does anyone know what type of tree this is?

One of the wonderful things about the Northwest are its big, beautiful trees and if you look around, you really notice them.

Towering trees along 112th in the Kirkland Highlands

Towering trees along 112th in the Kirkland Highlands

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Local Icon,Yarrow Bay Grill, Is Closing

In Dining in Kirkland, Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland WA on April 20, 2009 at 7:47 pm

Run, don’t walk down to Yarrow Bay Grill on Carillon Point before it closes.

Yarrow Bay Grill

Yarrow Bay Grill

The restaurant is closing at the end of the month after a 20 year tenure on the Kirkland waterfront. It’s a great restaurant and I’ll truly miss it.  It’s been a wonderful place to get a terrific dinner in a nice, quite setting. I find there are few restaurants that fit that bill.  Rarely can I go out for a good meal and find a quiet, elegant, but not stuffy, atmosphere combined with good food.

I will miss the sunsets from the patio. It was always fun when I could snag a patio table in the summer.

Sunset View From Kirkland's Yarrow Bay Grill

Sunset View From Kirkland's Yarrow Bay Grill

Here’s what some of the staff from the restaurant told me to expect as the “new kid” on the block:  Bin Vivant, which opened last summer in the Woodmark Hotel, will take over the space after a remodel.  It’s name will be ” Bin on the Lake”. The space Bin Vivant now occupies in the Woodmark will become a special events venue.

Yarrow Bay Cafe, the more casual downstairs restaurant, shall remain with an expanded outdoor seating area.  I’m glad for that!  I do love those summer nights out on the patio by the lake.  It makes me realize how lucky I am to live in Kirkland.

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Green Kirkland Partnership and Kirkland’s Earth Day Event

In Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on April 15, 2009 at 4:47 pm

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Juanita Bay Park-Kirklands's Earth Day Event

Did you know there are 372 acres of natural undeveloped areas in Kirkland? I found this out when I met with Sharon Rodman, who is Kirkland’s education and environmental outreach specialist.  Sharon is one of the leaders in the Green Kirkland Partnership and has organized  many of the past events at Cotton Hill and Watershed Parks, among others.

The Green Kirkland Partnership is helping to reforest much of these undeveloped acres with native plantings. This year’s Earth Day event, which is part of this program, will be at Juanita Bay Park, and there’s a lot of work to be done. Besides pushing a wheelbarrows or planting trees, the Green Kirkland Partnership needs volunteers for all kinds of things.  So dust off your volunteering skills and help at Earth Day on April 25th or at many of the other events throughout the year. You can get down in the dirt and plant, rake, and haul stuff off or:

  • Bring snacks or drinks.
  • Register people who attend the events
  • Assist with advertising efforts
  • Write articles about the events.
  • Put posters up advertising the events
  • Photograph events
  • Create a scrapbook of an event
  • Secure business sponsorships of events
  • General administrative work

These programs can only be a success if people volunteer. You can contact Sharon Rodman for more information or to volunteer your services at: srodman@ci.kirkland.wa.us.

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Flowers, Shorts, and Boats in Kirkland-Is Spring Here?

In Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland WA on April 8, 2009 at 3:19 pm

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This is what I love about the Seattle area and Kirkland.  The minute it’s warm and sunny, we don’t waste a second!

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Where’s This Pond Located in The Kirkland Highlands?

In Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate on March 24, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Kirkland Highlands "secret" pond

Kirkland Highlands "secret" pond

Every once in a while, I stumble on something new in the Kirkland Highlands.  Something that’s almost on my doorstep, but is a little hidden.  This pond is right near my home in the Highlands and is normally hidden amongst the surrounding trees.  One day while out walking my dog, the sun (remember that yellow orb we occasionally see?) was shining on this small body of water. Do you know where this is located?

The Kirkland Highlands is a mix of natural areas with  wetlands, ravines, and parks.  It also has a  variety of housing styles and prices.   What I love about the neighborhood is this variety.   It’s an eclectic  and interesting neighborhood with its balance between the natural settings and the  homes, not to mention being located within walking distance to downtown Kirkland!

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Kirkland Dining-Have You Tried Cafe Harlequin?

In Dining in Kirkland, Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland WA on January 6, 2009 at 3:53 pm

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One of the reasons I love living in Kirkland is the fact that I can walk (sometimes) or drive (most of the time)  to downtown in just a few minutes and I’ll find a nice restaurant.

Have you been to one of the newest restaurants 107 Lake S. in downtown Kirkland?  Cafe Harlequin has been open for a few months.  I haven’t had a chance to test it out yet, but here’s The Seattle Weekly’s take on Cafe Harlequin.

I love the convenience and the number of choices we have in Kirkland, from Japanese to Thai to Italian to Mexican to seafood and more. It’s important for me to support these local restaurants and services.  Having unique restaurants helps us to stay interesting as a city and keeps people excited about living in Kirkland.

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Sunset From The Kirkland Highlands

In Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland WA on December 4, 2008 at 9:56 pm

A terrific sunset from Kirkland’s Highlands neighborhood tonight:

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A New Website For Kirkland, Washington Restaurants

In Dining in Kirkland, Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on November 11, 2008 at 9:51 pm

Kirkland, Washington and food seem to be on my mind these days.  Most of my last posts on this blog have focused on Kirkland’s efforts to help Hopelink and the Kirkland Food Bank raise money and collect food to help those in need. 

This post focuses on information about the great restaurants in Kirkland.  Dining in Kirkland can be a fun, tasty experience.  The abundance of great restaurants is one of the reasons I love living in Kirkland. There are great restaurants all over town, from the much celebrated Juanita Cafe to the local teriyaki spot.  Here’s a new website I found on the Eastside Life blog called Kirkland Restaurants.  The site rates restaurants in Kirkland and offers some specials if you sign up.

I would love to find out more about the rating system as Cafe Juanita, a nationally recognized restaurant with a James Beard award winner, Holly Smith, as its chef only received 3 out of 5 stars.  This was a bit surprising to me.

 

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The Kirkland Highlands 15 Minutes of Fame in The Seattle Times

In Exploring Kirkland, Extreme Makeover Home Project, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA, Kirkland, WA Real Estate on September 15, 2008 at 1:20 pm

Did you see the article in last week’s Seattle Times highlighting the Kirkland Highlands?  I was out of town at the time, but have managed to snag a copy.  I thought the reporter, Linda Hughes, did a great job communicating the wonderful flavor of our community.  There’s a wonderful synergy here with neighbors helping neighbors with the development of Cedar View Park, the Extreme Makeover Home, and the work on the Cotton HIll Park trail.  

Plus, our quiet part of Kirkland is only seconds from downtown restaurants and galleries and the all important Lake Washington.

Here’s a copy of the article: Seattle Times Kirkland Highlands article

The highlights of the neighborhood  for me are:

  • The camaraderie of the neighborhood.
  • The eclectic feel of the streets and the homes.
  • The variety of housing styles and price ranges.
  • The proximity to downtown Kirkland restaurants, shops, galleries, and other conveniences.
  • Lake Washington nearby.
  • Easy commute to Bellevue, Redmond, and Seattle.

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Kirkland Washington Was Hopping With The Three Day Breast Cancer Walk

In Exploring Kirkland, Kirkland News, Kirkland WA on September 14, 2008 at 12:17 pm

Saving the Coconuts! Kirkland was alive with the footsteps of The 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk yesterday.  These guys added a sense of humor to a great event with a “Save the Coconuts” sign by Juanita Bay Park on Market St. 

 

A lively group of supporters and musicians capitalized on the coconut/tropical theme.

Walkers were on the move.

For more photos and stories, check out Kirkland Views blog and the 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk official site.  Congratulations to all who participated with the 3 day 60 mile walk, fund-raising, and volunteering to help fund breast cancer research and outreach programs.

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