Thumbs up to Kirkland Councilman Toby Nixon who visited Kirkland’s sister city in Germany on his own dime. He presented Mayor Johannes Diks of Emmerich am Rhein with a copy of Matthew McCauley’s book “A Look to the Past: Kirkland” that was signed by all Kirkland Council members and a box of candy from the Katjes candy company in Emmerich. He also purchased both of those items with his personal funds.

Thumbs up to the Kirkland Council for considering James Truhan’s column regarding ideas to improve Kirkland’s zoning process that the Reporter published last month. Truhan offered some helpful ideas that, if employed, would bring clarity to the process.

Thumbs down to the mother who was arrested for allegedly attacking her boyfriend because he refused to give her cigarettes. It’s sad and unacceptable that the couple’s 3-year-old daughter witnessed the encounter, according to the police report.

Thumbs up to Penny Sweet and a group of volunteers who have memorialized 9/11 for the past 11 years by putting out more than 1,000 flags in the medians and parks in downtown Kirkland. This year, the group did not put out the flags, but they will on the 15th anniversary of the horrific events.

Thumbs up to Kirkland’s thriving arts scene. In the past few years, we have seen galleries move out of Kirkland or shutter altogether. However, Ryan James Fine Arts just opened this week in Totem Lake due to the city’s strong sense of community, said owner Ryan James. The gallery has five artist studio spaces for rent and plans to schedule special events throughout the month, from open-mike poetry sessions to music performances. In addition, the Kirkland Performance Center is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. Since opening its doors, the center has welcomed more than 800,000 patrons who have enjoyed some of the nation’s top performers from the world of theater, music and dance.

Thumbs down to prostitution and other criminal activity that recently occurred at Motel 6 in Kirkland. The motel owner needs to come up with a better way to either screen tenants or staff should be more aware of any criminal activity and call police immediately.

Thumbs up to the Greater Kirkland Chamber of Commerce for recognizing that fashion has a place in Kirkland too.

Thumbs up to city for beginning work on removing rail from the Cross Kirkland Corridor.

Thumbs down to Summer Crush Shave Ice that a King County Public Health inspector closed down last month for being an imminent health hazard. The facility that was located near the public Peter Kirk Pool did not have up-to-date health permits.

Thumbs up to Google for doubling it’s Kirkland footprint and breaking ground on a second building here.

Thumbs down to the construction on Northeast 116th Street in the Totem Lake neighborhood that has caused traffic back-ups for nearly a month. Road workers and all involved need to find a better way to get traffic flowing during construction.