Author: Ellen Haas

A Big Dream for St Ed – Center for Nature Connection

A Big Dream for St Ed – Center for Nature Connection

Posted by | Apr 1, 2014 | , , |

Position Paper for St. Edward Center for Nature Connection As Kirkland creates a comprehensive plan for the development of Finn Hill, the green gem of the Lake Washington watershed, and St Edward State Park’s historic seminary languishes at our boundary calling for habitation, I have a dream.  Seize this moment to create a St Edward Center for Nature Connection, inspired and organized by Kirkland’s Finn Hill neighbors, supported by the City of Kirkland and regional and statewide partners, serving greater Seattle schools, and becoming a national center for the theory and practice of Nature Connection. Here’s my dream for...

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Don’t Miss the Christmas Ship!

Don’t Miss the Christmas Ship!

Posted by | Dec 11, 2013 | , , , |

Don’t Miss the Christmas Ship! The magnificent magical Christmas Ship with its sparkling elven entourage advents in late afternoon on the shoreline of Denny Park this year: 4 – 4:20pm,  Sunday, December 22. The firemen build us a rip roaring bonfire, the live music of The Dickens Carolers echoes across the water, the paths are lined with luminaries, hot chocolate warms the bellies, children’s eyes sparkle all along the waterline, and throngs of neighbors LOVE this annual event. Come one, come all, and bring your friends for the best Christmas Ship park party of them all. This year, the...

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Finn Hill Geography

Finn Hill Geography

Posted by | Apr 27, 2013 | , |

A long long time ago, Finn Hill was not as it is. 50 million years ago, we’d all have been swimming in the middle of a huge sea west of the Idaho coastline. 40 million years ago, we’d have risen above water as Cascades and Coast ranges. 17 million years ago, we’d have been embroiled in a lot of lava and swampy land. It would be balmy, and we’d be surrounded by balmy-loving creatures and balmy-loving trees. But after a long time we would have felt the cold come in.  Our familiar creatures would have migrated south and the...

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Community Voice

Community Voice

Posted by | Dec 10, 2012 | , |

One year old and ready to plan our future, a call out to folks on the eastern side of the hill November 21, 2012 One year. The Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance was born November 31, 2011, a year ago. We held a big meeting at the newly built Finn Hill Jr. High cafeteria, heard final voices pro and con, took a vote, and the Denny Creek Neighborhood Alliance emerged as the Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance, with a tripled membership and a commitment to rally residents on the eastern side of the hill into active participation with Kirkland’s largest and...

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Lake Effect

Lake Effect

Posted by | Aug 5, 2012 | |

I do not have a lake view.  But I know it’s down there at the bottom of my hill.  I breathe its frisky mineral air — brewed in the open expanse of fresh water — as it spills up the hill and shakes my tree tops. Living halfway up Finn Hill on the western slope means I get to enjoy the lake every time I drive home, winding along Juanita Drive slowly and sweetly – ever obedient to the new Kirkland cops –, watching Mt. Rainier burst in and out as the compass on my dashboard moves all the...

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