🌱 Patch AM: Why Houghton and Juanita beaches are temporarily unsafe for swimming

Hi Kirkland! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Houghton and Juanita beaches are temporarily unsafe for swimming
• Discover which timeless classics Bel Canto will bring to Kirkland.
• Discover why Everest Park is a perfect pre-Costco family stop

Also on today's calendar: Family Fun Nights including free dinner, games and teaching for the kids and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 83 and low of 59 degrees.
• Friday: Sunshine and a few clouds, temps: high: 80, low: 59.
• Saturday: Showers around; not as warm, with a high of 74 and low of 60 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Stay out of the water at these two Kirkland beaches (kiro7.com) — If you're planning to swim in Kirkland, avoid Houghton Beach and Juanita Beach for now, as recent tests found high bacteria levels that can cause rashes, stomach illness, and infections. Public Health – Seattle & King County will keep retesting in the coming weeks and recommends higher-risk groups, like kids and older adults, stay especially cautious.
   

2. Bel Canto Seattle presents: "Divine Beauty" (knkx.org) — A classical vocal concert, "Divine Beauty," is coming to Almost Famous Music School in Kirkland on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, from 6–8 p.m. Bel Canto Seattle's singers and pianist will present accessible favorites by Bach, Mozart, Donizetti, Tchaikovsky and more in an intimate, community-focused setting designed to be both fun and inspiring for local audiences.
   

3. It's a home run: Kirkland's Everest Park (seattleschild.com) — Looking for an easy afternoon outing close to Kirkland Costco? Everest Park in eastern Kirkland offers 23 acres of green space, baseball and pickleball courts, a renovated playground, and a paved loop perfect for kids' bikes, plus convenient parking and a volunteer-run snack shack during games. It's a handy spot to play before or after errands.
   

4. These are the best hospitals in Washington state. Do you live near one? (thenewstribune.com) — EvergreenHealth Kirkland is highlighted among Washington's top hospitals in new U.S. News & World Report rankings, putting high-quality care close to home for Kirkland residents. The statewide list compares 104 hospitals on specialties, procedures, and patient experience, with several Seattle and regional centers also earning top marks that may factor into where locals seek specialized treatment.
   

5. Auburn hires Kent city prosecutor as municipal judge (auburn-reporter.com) — Kirkland gets a nod in the background of Sara Watson, a longtime King County attorney just appointed as one of Auburn's two new municipal court judges. She previously worked as a public defender in Kirkland and later served as a judge pro-tem there, experience she says will help her shape Auburn's new court when it opens in January.
   

📸 Around Kirkland

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Kirkland

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★ Featured events ★

Monday August 24
• Family Fun Nights including free dinner, games and teaching for the kids →
  Woodinville Alliance Church, 13940 NE 166th St, Woodinville
  5:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday August 21
• STEM Symposium – Summer 2026
  University of Washington Bothell 18115 Campus Way NE, Bothell, WA 98011
  8:00 am
• Sponsored Research In-Person Open Office Hours
  University of Washington Bothell Library - LBA (Annex)
  10:00 am
• Sponsored Research Virtual Open Office Hours
  University of Washington Bothell 18115 Campus Way NE, Bothell, WA 98011
  11:00 am
• Campus Tour
  University of Washington Bothell Summit Hall
  11:00 am
• Summer Meals at Kingsgate Library
  Kingsgate Library 12315 NE 143rd Street, Kirkland, WA 98034
  12:00 pm
• Summer Chess Club
  Kirkland Library 308 Kirkland Avenue, Kirkland, WA 98033
  4:00 pm
• Kirkland Eagles →
  Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2681, 258 Central Way, Kirkland
  8:00 pm
Saturday August 22
• Outdoor Storytime
  University of Washington Bothell EERC in Saint Edward State Park 14445 Juanita Dr NE, Kenm
  1:30 pm

📣 Kirkland Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday August 20
• Audubon Bird Walk
  Bellevue Botanical Garden Garden Grounds, 12001 Main Street, Bellevue, 98005, United States
  9:00 am
• Talk Time: English Conversation Practice
  Kenmore Library 6531 NE 181st Street, Kenmore, WA 98028
  10:00 am
• King County Department of Local Services Office Hours
  Woodinville Library 17105 Avondale Road NE, Woodinville, WA 98072
  10:00 am
• Puppets Please Marionettes
  Renton Library 100 Mill Avenue South, Renton, WA 98057
  10:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Kirkland PatchAM possible:

• Peony Massage Spa Kirkland — (425) 406-4698
• Eastside Tree Works — 2063969998
• Crystal Carpet Cleaning & Restoration, Inc. — (425) 649-0908
• SD Framing — (425) 628-1326

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

🪧 Patch Classifieds

• Snowflake Lane Auditions
  The 2026 Snowflake Lane Audition Form is NOW LIVE! The form can be found at bit.ly/SFL-26. ... (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Hi neighbors!
  I'm looking for a skilled handyman to help with a straightforward deck update. I recently got a quote for this project that was much higher than I… (Nextdoor Finn Hill)
• Does anyone know what happened to family hour programming on TV that offered shows you could watch as a family.
  No sex, no swearing, no nudity, kids not smarter than their parents, parents who knew how to parent etc, (Nextdoor South Totem Lake)

• Goodwill Seattle posted a job opening for Material Handler - Full-Time in Kirkland. Apply here.
• Astronics Test Systems, Inc. posted a job opening for Material Handler, 2nd Shift (2026-091) in Kirkland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Kirkland here.

Ok Kirkland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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