Go ahead. Pick it up.

You may be surprised to see what looks like a brand new newspaper on your doorstep next Wednesday, but I assure you — it’s still us.

The Kirkland Reporter will undergo a major redesign, beginning with our Feb. 4 issue. You can expect a whole new look and feel to your community newspaper, complete with new typography, front-to-back organization and new icons directing you to the Web or asking for your feedback and more. Even the Kirkland Reporter flag will wave high and proud on the front page in its new two-tone magenta/maroon.

We are getting rid of our split ends, trimming up our look and hope to keep your focus and interest growing.

So what does this mean for you?

Besides a change in the physical layout of our pages, what you’ll notice is more consistency week to week.

You will no longer see syndicated columnists or regional humorists and political commentators. Columnists will be local and inform you of what’s going on around Kirkland.

You can expect regular coverage of our business and arts, which will include merchants of the week, business profiles and faces in the arts.

So sit back, read and enjoy. And if you like or dislike any of the new or old features, please let us know.

Out with the old

Speaking of changes, it’s time to get our readers thinking about the new. When the Kirkland Reporter took over the Courier in May 2007, we changed our name to the Kirkland Courier-Reporter to transition long-time readers of the Courier.

We have since dropped the Courier from our name.

We are now phasing out e-mails using @kirklandcourier.com and @reporternewspapers.com.

For those of you still getting used to the idea, you will have until April 1, at which point the e-mail domains will cease.

Farewell, St. Clair

All good things must come to an end and next month so too will our Columnist Scott St. Clair. An Evergreen Freedom Foundation consultant, the Kingsgate resident and bagpiper will soon move to Olympia, where he will work full-time for Evergreen.