Thumbs up to the City of Kirkland for hosting the free Summer Feeding Program for the first time this summer. It will help feed many Kirkland kids who otherwise may not have access to full meals.
Thumbs up to all those who stepped up to save the Kirkland Fourth of July parade and fireworks event.
Thumbs up to Houghton Bartell Drugs in Kirkland. Eighteen years ago we decided as a family that we had been blessed in many ways and needed to do something that might make a difference for those who were not so fortunate. We picked a charity and for every year since that time we have raised funds through small auctions, donations, pledges and grants to try to make a difference for the unfortunate.
There has been a long list of business contributors, but we want to single out one in particular that has for many years gone above and beyond all others. Besides frequenting their store, the only way we know to pay them back for their generosity is to give them some recognition.
The Houghton Bartell Drugs has bent over backwards to help us. It is merchants like the Houghton Bartell Drugs that makes us proud to be residents of Kirkland. There is no law or ordinance that says anybody has to do anything for those not so fortunate, but we found in Kirkland people want to help. We all live in a special place. Be proud to live in a great community and support your local merchants, especially the Houghton Bartell Drugs because they care about you.
Thumbs up to those who support same-sex marriage and condemn bigotry.
Thumbs up to the Washington State Department of Transportation for finally opening the right-turn lane from the west-bound Northeast 116th lanes to north-bound 120th Avenue Northeast. It is nice not having to wait 17 minutes just to get through the intersection.
Thumbs down to the lack of signage at the Northeast 116th and 405 interchange. I drove by yesterday and saw someone driving down the wrong lane. When coming off the freeway and turning left, the outside lane no longer turns, but goes straight. Hey WSDOT, why not put up some signs and let drivers know to avoid a traffic collision?
Thumbs down to the dirty transit center. I wait for buses at the Kirkland Transit Center almost daily and can state that it has NEVER been cleaned or maintained in any way. Recently, I contacted the Public Works Department, the city manager, Sound Transit, and Metro on this issue, and no agency will accept responsibility for this important job. Garbage, spittle, cigarette butts, and so on remain lying around week after week. In a lovely town like Kirkland, these two blocks have become our honorary slum.
Thumbs down to those who block the fire station driveway. Everyday I commute past the Fire Station at 6602 108th Ave. N.E. in the Houghton neighborhood, near the shopping center with the Metropolitan Market and Bartell Drugs.
When I come home between 6:15-6:30 p.m. the traffic can be heavy; I am heading north into Kirkland. Many times cars will be backed up past the fire station, most often blocking the driveway. Although there is a sign posted “Do Not Block Driveway” people do it anyway. I don’t and I have been honked at, sworn at and the latest is drivers have gone around me and blocked the drive.
I know that the Kirkland Fire Department is aware of it because someone has placed a homemade sign asking drivers not to block the drive. There is an urgent necessity to keep this drive open for emergency vehicles to exit as needed. I think they need a bigger sign but maybe even to post it on the new electronic reader board would help? Not sure but I find it most disturbing that people cannot see the need to keep this drive open.
Thumbs down to Kirkland, which allowed a developer to raze a farmhouse that was built around 1900. Coming from the east coast, I have a deep appreciation of history and find it absolutely reprehensible that such an historic building was allowed to be destroyed. The home sat across from Juanita High and was absolutely gorgeous.
From the cherry wood paneling in the dining room, to the dumbwaiter, the original push-button light switches. The kitchen had the most incredible wide plank hardwood floor and a stove from about 1910. What is it about this area that people are so willing to bury the past rather than embrace it? I can all but guarantee that the houses that are being built on the property won’t have the character, longevity or quality of craftsmanship that the farmhouse had.
Thumbs down to annoying neighbors. I cannot wait until summer is over and the rains are here again! You’ll be closing your doors and windows, which means we won’t have to listen to your cute lil kick-a-pile all day and all night.
Don’t get us wrong, the flea-infested little varmint really is cute, but we’ll enjoy it a lot more when we don’t have to listen to the constant barking, yapping and whining. We haven’t said anything to you because we really want to get along. We try to be good neighbors. And we know you want that too. But if you want to get along with us and make friends with your pooch, spend time training them. That’s what they want too – some attention, some discipline and some consistency.
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