Happy Friday, Seattle. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! In today’s edition: West Seattle light rail change, Holiday Tea, Providence O’Christmas Trees Family Treeview, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Neighbors report nausea and headaches: After weeks of complaints, South Park’s stench has been tied to hydrogen sulfide linked to Gypsum to Gypsum, a drywall recycler, while the Puget Sound air agency continues investigating — read the full story.

Public meeting reveals pivot: Sound Transit is considering dropping the proposed Avalon Station from West Seattle light rail to curb rising costs, potentially saving about 15% and reshaping design plans amid mixed neighborhood reactions — read the full story.

Retail-style dark store test: Permit filings reveal Amazon plans to test a rapid delivery hub at its shuttered Ballard site, using Flex drivers for sub-one-hour handoffs, part of an ultrafast delivery rollout — see how it works.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Scams are rampant: Last week, my step-dad got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Annual plans are 55% off until Sunday — check it out here.

Highlights this week

• See teen-designed visions for Seattle
• Discover local makers at Shop Seattle Yule
• Help weed Volunteer Park garden beds
• Cheer carolers, support neighbors in need
• Explore Seattle’s largest indie craft show
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals
• Pet parents: Don’t miss Chewy’s Black Friday sale

🫶 We got your back

E-bike battery safety showdown: Federal safety regulators have warned riders of certain Rad Power Bikes to immediately remove and dispose of two lithium-ion battery models that can ignite, citing 31 fires and property damage. Rad has declined an official recall and says its batteries meet standards. It offered discounted upgrades, which the agency rejected, as the company faces financial strain. See which models are affected.

Projection-powered culinary adventure: Le Petit Chef, a 3D-mapped dinner-and-a-show, is now at Seattle’s Kimpton Palladian, pairing a 90-minute multi-course meal with a tiny on-table chef and scene changes. The experience runs through 2026 with rotating menus, starting at $165, as executive chef Gabriel Quintero adds bold global flavors. Whimsical, kid-friendly, very Seattle. Read the full story.

Weekend crate dig: Ballard’s long-running standby, Sonic Boom Records, has fueled Seattle’s vinyl habit since 1997. Expect deep bins of indie, punk, soul, jazz, rap, and classic rock, plus occasional in-store sets that turn browsing into a small community moment…perfect for a quick mood reset.

Health drinks that don’t taste like grass: With tasty tea and matcha blends for everything from recovery and radiant skin to energy without the crash, a metabolism boost, and immune support, everything in Pique’s lineup tastes as good as it makes you feel. They’re clean, there are no additives, and all new monthly subscriptions are 20% off for liferight now. Yup… literally forever (or until you cancel).

📆 Around town this weekend

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

Today

👗 Sustainable Fashion Showcase @ Cedar Hall | Friday (11/28) at 5:00pm – Closet feeling a little fast-fashion guilty? SALVAGED brings Shunpike and Seattle ReStored artists together for a runway of upcycled looks, clever craft, and zero-judgment style. Expect inventive fits, local talent, and the smug satisfaction of saving the planet, one hem at a time.

🧶 GeekCraft Expo Seattle 2025 @ Magnuson Park Hangar 30 | Friday (11/28) at 6:00pm – Skip the mall and hit a curated holiday market stuffed with handmade geek goods from local makers. Offload that dirty, filthy money, feel virtuous, and find gifts your inner Trekkie, Dungeon Master, or science teacher will actually love. Supporting Seattle nerds since 2016.

This weekend

🌊 Waterfront Holiday Market @ Pier 62 | Saturday (11/29) at 12:00pm – Holiday lights are up, so let’s stroll Pier 62 for a waterfront market with crafts, local goods, and snacks, then wander the shops on Piers 54 to 57. Bundle up, sip something warm, and pretend the seagulls are carolers, not opportunists.

🍵 Holiday Tea @ Hotel Sorrento | Saturday (11/29) at 2:30pm – Take a breather from mall mayhem and settle in for Holiday Tea at the Sorrento, all tiered trays, clinking cups, and mischievous seasonal treats. Equal parts elegance, whimsy, and nostalgia, it’s a worthy new tradition, or a well-earned annual indulgence. No ugly sweaters required.

🎄 5th Annual Tree Lighting & Night Market @ Filipino Community Center | Saturday (11/29) at 5:00pm – Holiday season is switching on with the 5th Annual Tree Lighting and Night Market, free, and open to everyone. Expect twinkly vibes, local stalls, and the annual debate over which side of the tree is photogenic. Come for the glow, stay for the browsing.

🚜 Farm to Table Public Tour @ Seattle Art Museum | Sunday (11/30) at 1:15pm – If you’ve ever wondered why the French painted lunch like it was a national sport, this guided tour of Farm to Table serves it up. Explore the Age of Impressionism through cuisine, identity, and table talk. Free with admission, and zero pretense.

🐇 Good Luck Rabbits EP Release and Multilingual Reading @ The Royal Room | Sunday (11/30) at 2:30pm – Settle in for an EP release with a multilingual reading from good luck rabbits, the new project by composer Josh Hou and writer Shuxuan Zhou. Chinese songs about migration, diaspora, and longing, even if Duolingo keeps judging, wrapped in piano, accordion, strings, bass, and drums.

🧗 Girl Climber @ Nectar Lounge | Sunday (11/30) at 8:00pm – Whether you can trad climb or just climb onto a barstool, this film about Emily Harrington’s 24-hour El Cap push brings big-wall grit to Nectar. Expect awe, a benefit raffle for the Washington Climber’s Coalition, and plenty of Fremont chatter, 21+, obviously.

Next week

🎄 Providence O’Christmas Trees Family Treeview @ The Westin | Monday (12/1) at 4:00pm – Kick off the season at the free Family Preview of Providence O’Christmas Trees, where 13 overachieving firs compete for your vote, your photos, and maybe your heart. Crafts, cookies, Santa, and a raffle keep the kids busy while you admire “Christmas in Seattle.”

📚 Liz Tomforde @ Barnes & Noble Northgate | Monday (12/1) at 5:00pm – If the Windy City series has claimed a questionable amount of your free time, consider this your moment. Liz Tomforde is hosting a lively discussion and signing, with Giana Darling hopping in for the fun. Bring your best friend, your favorite dog-eared copy, and your willingness to fangirl freely.

🦒 Low Sensory Nights @ Woodland Park Zoo | Tuesday (12/2) at 4:00pm – Want a holiday outing that won’t leave you buzzing? This sensory-considerate night gives you a mellow way to enjoy the newest lantern displays with fewer crowds and softer stimuli. Come unwind among the wildlife and lights in the most relaxing way possible

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 11/28 Rebirth Brass Band @ Tractor Tavern – 10 pm
• 11/29 A Holiday Musical Extravaganza @ Unexpected Productions – 6 pm
• 11/30 See Me In The Stars @ The Funhouse – 8:30 pm
• 12/1 Flock of Dimes @ Barboza – 7 pm
• 12/2 Safe Mind @ Barboza – 7 pm
• 12/3 Gareth Reynolds @ Triple Door – 6:30 pm
• 12/4 Arthur James and more @ Hidden Hall – 7 pm
• 12/5 Dining Dead @ Clock-Out Lounge – 7 pm
• 12/6 The Dinner Detective @ Crowne Plaza Downtown Seattle – 6 pm
• 12/7 How the Queens Stole Christmas @ Queer Bar – 12 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Seattle edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Kyle Walker (COMPASS)

Updated Cape Cod in Bryant with 4 beds, 2.25 baths, and a mix of charm and fresh finishes. Quartz kitchen with soft close cabinets, fully renovated baths, and a theater and rec room. Paid off solar cuts bills, plus an expanded driveway, one car garage, and new entry and walkway add daily ease. Big fenced front and back yards plus an expansive deck and mature landscaping.

Blocks to Burke Gilman Trail, parks, and PCC, and a coveted school zone. Quick hops to U Village, UW, Green Lake, downtown Seattle, and light rail, with speedy links to 520 and I-5.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →