This Week in Kirkland Podcast

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This Week in Kirkland podcast cast from 2024 Want to stay connected with your local government?
 Hosted by Deputy City Manager Jim Lopez, the official podcast of the City of Kirkland brings you timely topics and noteworthy news every week. It’s policy, parks, events, and democracy, so join us for the civic conversation straight from City Hall.

The TWIK podcast won an award! We won Second Place in the 2024 Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Award from the National Association of Government Communicators. This annual international awards program recognizes superior government communication products and those who produce them. Check out our news release for more info. 

Want to have your business or organization featured on the podcast? Apply here.

Got thoughts on This Week in Kirkland? Email us at communications@kirklandwa.gov.

 

Episode Show Notes

July 2026

Your Summer Side Quest: 8 Ways to Make Kirkland Better - July 9, 2026

It’s a no-guest week, and we’re highlighting 8 ways to better your community this summer from Green Kirkland volunteer events and City Hall for All to Conversations with Council, summer concerts, Rec-n-Roll, Heritage Park cleanup, the Civil Service Commission, and the RCR Community Advisory Board. Plus, we cover cold water safety, the Houghton Beach closure, NE 85th Street construction, and highlights from the latest City Council meeting.

E-Bike Safety 101, Plus a Chance to Win Free Mariners Tickets - July 2, 2026

We're joined by Kirkland Communications Program Coordinator and PIO Angela Brown and Kirkland PD Community Services Unit Sergeant James Hill to get the lowdown on summer safety, fireworks (and why they're not permitted in Kirkland), National Night Out, e-bike safety, and more. Plus, we share how you can have a chance to win a pair of Mariners tickets!

June 2026

Telling Stories and Building Community Through the Kirkland Initiative - June 25, 2026

City of Kirkland Community Engagement Coordinator Daniel Lazo and Kirkland Initiative alumni Grace Brown join the podcast to talk all about the power of community building and how it's the backbone of the Kirkland Initiative. Plus, we talk new City Hall for All programming, road safety, beaches reopening, and more!

Roundabouts Galore, Plus a Chance to Win $10,000 in Gas – June 18, 2026

The City's new Communications Program Specialist Danika Harrod joins the podcast for the first time and takes part in a fun new segment called 'The Roundabout.' We dive into beach closures, affordable housing, the final CKC connection, SEA26 transit options, and more. Plus, we talk all about how you can donate blood for a chance to win a $10,000 gas card.

Celebrate Kirkland Returns with Horse Dancing, Karaoke, and Endless Fun – June 11, 2026

Celebrate Kirkland's Maryke Burgess and Omar Mohamed hop on the podcast to give us all the deets about the upcoming July Fourth festivities and what you can expect at the 27th annual Celebrate Kirkland Parade. We talk Conversations with Council, cold water shock, volunteer opportunities galore, and there's even a recycling pop quiz — so get your thinking caps on!

Food, Fun, and Freebies at the Juanita Friday Market - June 4, 2026

Charlie Shannon and Kayla Robertson with the Juanita Friday Market stop by the studio to tell us all about the market magic, including how to get a free tote bag and win prizes on opening day. (Note: Prizes do not include free kittens.) We branch out with a tree survey, walk through the now-opened section of the Cross Kirkland Corridor, and dive into the Houghton Beach reopening. Plus, we talk about pet licensing, CPR training, the recent Council meeting, volunteer opportunities, and fun upcoming events like the Senior Art Show and Paint for a Cause.

May 2026

Mariners Tickets, $5000 in Rebates, and How to Be a True Winner - May 28, 2026

Kirkland Community Foundation Executive Director Carmin Dalziel tells us how Ignite Kirkland makes it easier than ever give where you live. We learn how to win Mariners tickets and lunch at the Terrace Club, chat about why we should both be wise about our waterways and water wisely, commiserate over a possible southbound I-405 closure and bacteria at Houghton Beach, and get excited for Celebrate Kirkland. Plus, we preview the upcoming council meeting and chat about celebrations of art and restrooms.

Slide into Summer with Safety Tips from Kirkland Fire Department Experts - May 21, 2026

Kirkland Fire Department’s new Deputy Chief Gary Smith and new EMS Captain Doug Tomczak stop by the studio to celebrate EMS Week with us as well as share copious tips for staying safe at home and in water. We sound the alarm on a current blood shortage, give a shout-out to the Kirkland Public Works team, bask in the glory of the Recycler of the Year Award, and take roundabouts for a spin. Plus, we recap the recent Council meeting and look forward to the 7 Hills of Kirkland Bike Ride, a resource and career fair, and the upcoming tour of Cascade Recycling Center.

Get $100 to Talk Yard Care - May 14, 2026

Host Jim Lopez and podcast regulars David Wolbrecht and Nate Gettleman give the rundown on what Kirklanders need to know this week. We provide a brief recap of the recent Community Appreciation event, announce Kirkland’s next Fire Chief, alert listeners about a phishing scam, share summer safety tips, and preview the next council meeting. Plus, we learn all about a chance to share yard care insights and look ahead to upcoming events like Clean Sweep and the 7 Hills of Kirkland Bike Ride.

Your Garage Called: It Wants You to Visit This Free Recycling Event - May 7, 2026

We’re joined by Rukia Yosif, Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator for the City of Kirkland, to talk about the popular Spring Recycling Collection Event and how residents can make the most of it. We celebrate the return of the Celebrate Kirkland Parade, explain new school zone speed limit signs, share bike safety tips ahead of Bike Everywhere Day, recap the May 5 City Council meeting, and spotlight Wildfire Awareness Month. Plus, we cover the NE 85th Street interchange opening, a gun safety class, the Kirkland Heat Pump Workshop, Green Kirkland volunteer opportunities, Bloodworks Northwest’s Oahu giveaway, and upcoming events like the Downsize and Declutter workshop and the Crabby Old Pharts Pea Patch ribbon cutting.

April 2026

Free Leak Inspections and $250 to Fix Your Car - April 30, 2026

We’re joined by Ryean-Marie Tuomisto, Water Quality Program Coordinator for the City of Kirkland to get the scoop on free vehicle leak inspections and why they are so important for keeping our lakes and streams clean. We learn why the fire stations are glowing red, put the call out for a deep water exercise instructor, hear about honors for Kirkland’s International Night Market, boost Bike Everywhere Day, and share how to win a trip to Oahu by donating blood. Plus, we preview the next council meeting and other upcoming events like the Downsize and Declutter workshop and the Spring Recycling Event.

March 2026

Free Trip to Hawaii? How to Win a Dream Vacation - March 26, 2026

We share the mic with Karen Dawson, Community Engagement Liaison with Bloodworks Northwest, who busts myths about donating blood and explains how we can all be winners. Plus, we celebrate improvements to the Totem Lake Urban Center, dig into Earth Month, talk clean sweeps, and tee up “This Night in Kirkland.” Plus, we share upcoming events like the Parks Job Fair and Coffee with a Cop.

Check your eligibility to give blood by calling 425-656-3077, emailing eligibility@bloodworksnw.org, or visiting bloodworksnw.org/donate/eligibility

Kirkland Youth Talk AI, E-bikes, and No-Bake Cheesecake - March 19, 2026

We are joined by members of the Kirkland Youth Council, Layan Sattout and Devan Harbani, to learn all about the upcoming Youth Summit and what’s on the minds of Kirkland teens. We also put feelers out for a new fire chief, get festive about Fix a Leak Week, and provide a heads up about the Houghton Transfer Station. Plus, we recap the most recent council meeting and talk about Station Area Plan zoning, more Metro in Kirkland, ST3 updates, and upcoming events.

Release the Green with 4,700 of Your Neighbors + Win a Trip to Oahu - March 12, 2026

We are joined by Leslie Myers, Clean Energy Product Manager with PSE who energizes us over the Green Power Challenge.  We also share how to throw out that old couch, put feelers out for parade planners, talk FIFA, and celebrate Kirkland firefighters’ successful stair climb to raise money for a good cause. Plus, we preview the next council meeting and give a rundown of March events like the Shamrock Run, Coffee with a Cop, Conversations with Council, Kirkland Pitch, and the Kirkland Parks Job Fair.

 

$10,000 in Instant Rebates to Perfect Your Indoor Climate (and Help the Outdoor One, Too) - March 5, 2026

Kurt Hellmann from Energy Smart Eastside stops by to tell us all about often-misunderstood technological wonders known as heat pumps. We also learn how a Kirkland police investigation led to more than recovering a stolen bike, how to get your wellness on at PKCC, when spring and summer recreation registration starts, and what to watch out for when driving this weekend. Plus, we recap the latest council meeting and share exciting upcoming events like the Women in EMS & Fire Workshop, the Kirkland Shamrock Run, Wheels & Reels drive-in movies, and the Kirkland Pitch Competition.

February 2026

Smoots and Stories with the Police Chief - February 26, 2026

Kirkland Police Chief Mike St. Jean gives us the run down on what it’s like to be in law enforcement and all of the exciting ways the community can get to know their police department. We announce the much-awaited reopening of the Cross Kirkland Corridor, give a heads up on some upcoming weekend freeway closures, and share why filling the boot is so meaningful. Plus, we preview the next council meeting and talk about events like the Lunar New Year Celebration.

Get in the Know About Getting in the Know - February 19, 2026

Kirkland’s Communications Program Manager and mainstay podcast host David Wolbrecht does double duty as a guest of the show to tell us all about how to stay informed and engaged with your local city government. We also chat about adopting highways, job openings, steward orientation, stormwater, and stuff for teens and littles to do. Plus, we recap the latest council meeting and share all of the great events coming up over the next week. 

The Hot New Trend of BYOT - February 12, 2026

What’s on your mind, Kirkland? We’re joined by Community Engagement Coordinator Luana Hancock who is making it easier than ever to connect with your friendly neighborhood councilmembers. We also chat about virtually touring the local recycling center, the polite way to dump your cooking oil, ways to give some love to our parks, what’s coming up at council, and why we’re fans of vans. Plus, we share fun upcoming events that involve cocoa, French pastries, and dogs.

Of Markets, Muskrats, and Free Maui Trips - February 5, 2026

The City of Kirkland’s own Charlie Shannon tells how vendors can apply to join this summer’s Juanita Friday Market while we dream up fresh possibilities. We also learn about new firefighters, the upcoming orientation for Green Kirkland stewards, what happened at the last council meeting, and what events are coming up in February. Plus, we share our gratitude for Kirkland blood donors and announce how to enter to win a luxury hotel stay and roundtrip airfare to Maui.

 

January 2026

Why Kirkland is 35,000 Items Smarter + How to Get Rosetta Stone for Free - January 29, 2026

Kirkland library experts Meredith Selfon and Amy Faulkner give us the inside scoop on local library resources that might surprise you, from Mandarin story times and crafternoons to snagging bestsellers and accessing newspapers from around the globe. We also learn the importance of donating blood, why practicing a fire escape plan is critical for saving lives, and how to help kids through the LINKS program. Plus, we look ahead to the next council meeting and highlight fun upcoming events.

$10,000 for Your Business and Our Wine Tasting Winner - January 22, 2026

City of Kirkland’s own special projects coordinator Christian Lash tells us why the Kirkland Workshops and Pitch Competition offer a kinder, gentler shark tank and a prime opportunity for current and aspiring businesses. We also learn about Conversations with Council, the rules of the road for electric bikes and scooters, and how to reduce food waste. Plus, we get a recap of the latest council meeting, hear about fun upcoming events, and draw the lucky winner of Woodinville Wine Country wine tasting passports.

How to Win $1,000 in Wine Tastings, an Alaskan Cruise, and Free Garbage Service - January 15, 2026

Adam Acampora breezes in from nearby Woodinville Wine Country to talk all about the wine and wonders of the Eastside. We also talk emergency prep, the importance of donating blood, how to win with the Recycle Right Pledge, what’s coming up at Council, and look ahead to fun events in February.

Kirkland’s 2,300+ Superheroes and How You can Be One, Too - January 8, 2026

Special Projects Coordinator and This Week in Kirkland podcast regular Kate Ryan joins us to highlight the many volunteer opportunities in Kirkland including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service coming up on January 19. We also learn why it’s important to license Fido and Fluffy, how to send Christmas trees off to become compost, and why we “otter” look for wildlife in Kirkland’s parks. Plus, we recap the first city council meeting of the year and share some fun upcoming events including the winter drive-in movie series.

River Otters

Photo: River otters at Juanita Bay Park, Chuck Guilford 

 

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