Happy Tuesday, Seattle. In today’s edition: Christmas Ship Festival, holiday tea, light rail opening, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

How one city stays chill: Seattle ranked third among the most relaxed large cities in a LawnStarter study, with top five physical and financial well-being and recreation rankings, despite weaker environmental and work stressors — read the full story.

More Link expansions ahead: Sound Transit confirmed I-90 floating bridge light rail will open by May 31, with pre-revenue testing expected mid-December and Judkins Park and Mercer Island stations linking Seattle and the Eastside — get all the details.

Urban wildlife concerns grow: Seattle has seen more daytime coyote encounters near Volunteer Park and the Washington Park Arboretum in recent weeks, with officials citing habituation to humans and food. No human injuries reported — get safety tips and contacts.

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.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Glide at Occidental Square’s free rink
• Help restore Golden Gardens Park
• Shop and skate at Holiday Trading Post
• Support Seattle Children’s with Bob Mould
• Shop unique gifts from LGBTQ+ makers
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A tiny hearing aid is taking the US by storm

🫶 We got your back

Sparkling seasonal showmanship: Seattle Men’s Chorus is in full holiday mode with its Holly Jolly Jingle concerts, now running through Dec. 23. Expect big energy and the debut of the cheeky “Notcracker,” The Nutcracker in four minutes with a blizzard of props. Miss a date? A livestream and digital recording will be available. Get tickets and show details.

End of an era: Seattle’s last roadhouse, The Shanty Tavern, is closing as 94-year-old owner-bartender John Spaccarotelli retires after more than six decades behind the bar. The spot now opens only on Fridays. The last regular show is set for Dec. 19, with a final farewell party tentatively in January. He may rent it for special events. Read the full story.

Winter beer gameplan: B‑Bomb, Fremont’s bourbon‑barrel‑aged imperial winter ale, returns in late November, and Fremont Brewing is also dropping a limited Double Barrel B‑Bomb. Bring a friend or the dog, linger over a slow, warming pour, and make Seattle’s long nights feel cozy.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy for regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify who you are and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 Around town this week

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.

This week

🚢 Christmas Ship Festival @ Argosy Cruises | Thursday (12/11) at 5:00pm – If you’ve been wanting a boat ride that isn’t a ferry, here you go. The Christmas Ship visits Edmonds and Tacoma, with 2 pm sails for cookies with Santa and kid coloring, and 8 pm Jolly Hour with discounted drinks for you, on standard sailings.

🍷 Capitol Hill Wine Walk @ KeyBank | Thursday (12/11) at 5:00pm – Take a stroll up 15th, sip local pours, and finish your holiday shopping. The Capitol Hill Wine Walk pairs local wineries with 14-plus shops and restaurants, so your errands come with tannins. $30 in advance, $40 day-of, includes 10 tastes, a glass, and a tote.

❄️ The 11th Annual Snow Globe Holiday Concert @ The Royal Room | Thursday (12/11) at 7:30pm – Seattle’s Snow Globe brings local musicians together for its 11th run, all to fuel Northwest Harvest. Expect Kristin Chambers hosting, jazz, classical, and pop carols, and after 150,000 meals and counting, goosebumps. Buy a ticket, feed a neighbor, and feel virtuous.

🍜 Taste of Chinatown International District Food Tour @ Wing Luke Museum | Friday (12/12) at 4:00pm – Eat your way through the Chinatown-International District with a guided tour of beloved staples, hidden gems, and the stories behind them. General admission to the museum is included, so make it a twofer, wander the exhibits, then congratulate yourself with one more dumpling.

🍻 2025 SAMPE Seattle Holiday Party @ Ravenna Brewing | Friday (12/12) at 5:00pm – Wrap up the year with your SAMPE Seattle family at Ravenna Brewing, where the vibes are easy and the snacks keep coming. It is an open house style hangout, so you can swing by after work or park yourself at a table and turn it into a full night of stories and laughs.

This weekend

🌱 2nd Saturday Work Party @ Volunteer Park | Saturday (12/13) at 10:00am – Take a break from errands and grab a trowel for a 2nd Saturday spruce-up at Volunteer Park, rain or shine. Weeding, cleaning, and neighborly banter, plus that smug satisfaction of doing good. Your knees will complain, your garden envy will not.

🎅 Diving Santa @ Seattle Aquarium | Saturday (12/13) at 11:30am – Whether you’re corralling grandkids or just need proof Seattle embraces the odd, Diving Santa is splashing around the aquarium with conservation tips in tow. Watch him cruise Window on Washington Waters, then grab a land photo, admission required.

🍹 Winter Mixology @ The Sound Bite Lounge | Saturday (12/13) at 2:00pm – Level up your cocktail skills with a festive lineup of classics dressed for winter. You’ll shake up everything from a silky Grasshopper to a cozy Hot Toddy while picking up pro tips that make you look like you’ve been behind the bar for years. Beginners welcome, taste-testing encouraged.

🍵 Holiday Tea @ Hotel Sorrento | Saturday (12/13) at 2:30pm – Trading in the holiday chaos for tea at The Sorrento, with tiered trays, clotted cream, and the sort of hush that makes you whisper your best stories. Make it a tradition, an indulgence, or both. Elegant, whimsical, and gloriously unhurried.

🧶 Learn the Basics of Needle Felting and Make a Holiday Ornament @ Shoreline Tool Library | Saturday (12/13) at 3:00pm – If you’ve been craving a calm craft that pairs well with tea and a podcast, try needle felting, and make a charming acorn ornament. You’ll learn the basic tools, avoid stabbing yourself, and leave with cozy winter decor that says, I made this.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/9 Doublecamp @ Barboza – 7 pm
• 12/9 Dream Show Cabaret @ WeRise Wine Bar – 7:30 pm
• 12/9 AJ Wilkerson @ Emerald City Comedy Club – 7:30 pm
• 12/10 Family Mystic and more @ Hidden Hall – 7 pm
• 12/10 Flür @ Sunset Tavern – 7 pm
• 12/10 Come From Away @ Bagley Wright Theater – 7:30 pm
• 12/10 Soft Blue Shimmer @ Funhouse – 7:30 pm
• 12/10 Vanilla Abstract and more @ Tractor – 8 pm
• 12/10 A Very Sinatra Christmas Special @ Olympic Rooftop Pavilion – 8:30 pm
• 12/11 Takuya Nakamura @ Barboza – 7 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Max Frame (Kidder Mathews)

1928 Spanish-Mediterranean by H.D. McKnight, wrapped in stucco and brick veneer, with distinctive architectural details on full display. Nineteen roomy apartments average 684 square feet, with hardwood floors and built-in storage, classic proportions and everyday function, keeping the period charm while earning its keep.

In the heart of Wallingford, adjacent to QFC and minutes to Fremont and Green Lake, with easy access to I-5 and Hwy 99. Strategic renovations could boost income, a rare pre-1940s asset in this tightly held submarket.

Take a peek inside →