This Week in Kirkland
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. Made in Kirkland, Washington.
Episodes
143 episodes
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, ...
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...
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 fi...
A Night of Gratitude, Community, Surprises, and Prizes - April 23, 2026
Special Projects Coordinator Kate Ryan dons her “guest hat” to paint a vivid picture of what to expect at the upcoming State of the City and Community Appreciation Night. We talk about what’s next for the Houghton Park and Play, how you ...
Why Kirkland’s Senior Art Show Is a Must-See - April 16, 2026
We explore art, emotion, inspiration, and the world with Kirkland Senior Council member and Senior Art Show organizer, Scott Emmons along with past art show winners, Heather Ebey and Kathy Coart. We learn all about submitti...
Don’t Miss the Scoop on Free Ice Cream - April 9, 2026
We sit down with Molly Moon Neitzel ahead of her ice cream shop’s opening in downtown Kirkland. Plus, we discuss tips for safer driving, removing trees on your property, and how to save time and money on ADUs.Shownotes:
Bingo! How One Kirkland School Could Win Over $2,000 - April 2, 2026
We’re joined by Eva Odderson and Tanushri Goyal with Sustainability Ambassadors who lay down the facts on school commute carbon emissions and provide winning tips for Transit Bingo. We also talk about Conversations with Coun...
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 ...
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 fes...
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 Kirk...
$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 ...
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 southe...
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 adoptin...
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 rec...
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 s...
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 g...
$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 ab...
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 ...
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 lea...
Favorite Podcast Moments from 2025 - December 31, 2025
Our amazing podcast production team pulled together some of our favorite interview moments from 2025. Hear harrowing tales from a wildland firefighter, quirky stories about animals on the loose in Kirkland, and what it took to become icon...
12 Baby Chicks, 2 Happy Ducks, and Composting Your Holiday Tree – December 18, 2025
Education and Outreach Coordinator Marisa Allison from Kirkland’s Public Works Department joins us to talk about rainwater, water quality, counting bugs, and her flock of fowl. We also share tips for preventing porch pirates, take ...
3 Lessons for Life and Legislating with Rep. Larry Springer - December 11, 2025
We’re joined by former Kirkland mayor and current state representative Larry Springer who gives us a full-bodied look at what happens in the legislature. We also hear why people are flocking to cross the street with the Seahawks mascot, get tip...
Get $10 in Kirkland Ca$h, Cookies, and a Free Light Show to Boot! December 4, 2025
We are joined by Dave Tomson of SRM Development who illuminates us on Google Lights which opens December 5 at Feriton Spur Park. We shine light on the many festivities brightening Kirkland including a “ribbon scramble,” ice skating...
2 Free Tickets to the Must-Go Festivity of the Season - November 20, 2025
Cassie Joyner and Leanna Thomajan of the Kirkland Downtown Association tell us all about Winterfest wonders including ice skating, tree lighting, hockey cameos, carolers, alpacas, line dancing, and, of course, hot chocolate. We als...
37 Ways to Make Kirkland Better PLUS $500 in Rebates for Your Yard - November 13, 2025
Carmine Dalziel, Executive Director of the Kirkland Community Foundation, explains how this month’s Ignite Kirkland campaign is one-stop shopping for supporting local nonprofit organizations. We’ll also reflect on the new outdoor s...