Bellevue Michelin-star chef dinner, lake ferry excursion, accessible zipline ride, Bastille Day celebration, Hood Canal oyster saloon, and more. 
Happy Friday, Eastside. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let Eastside Buzz serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead.
📰 In the news
Local happenings: Bellevue’s Michelin-star chefs, lake ferries, and accessible ziplines lure visitors, while homebuyers juggle half their pay for a house, and I-405 closes for paving — catch up here.
State-level stories: Rural hospitals brace for service cuts as Medicaid support wanes, ferry electrification falls years behind plan, and a Hood Canal oyster saloon lures visitors — see what else is brewing.
National headlines: Infrastructure to study post-viral syndromes, full retirement age to increase by two months, major food recalls, and a new study on asteroid deflection — peruse the best of the rest.
Highlights this week
- Explore native flora on a scenic plant hike
- Celebrate Japanese culture at Japan Fair 2025
- Help maintain Issaquah’s Miyawaki forest
- View Tuesday’s City Council agenda and video
- Explore Crossroads Bellevue’s Tuesday farmers market
- Unlock dozens of travel deals with AARP
🫶 We got your back
Drink: Your morning ritual deserves better than gas station swill and drive-thru disappointment. From baristas who remember your “usual” to pastry cases that whisper sweet temptations, these nearby caffeine sanctuaries know that great coffee is about way more than just the beans.
Home: Thinking of ditching your starter place or planting roots in a neighborhood that feels just right? Meet the top realtors across the Eastside — the ones who actually get you. After all, the right agent makes all the difference.
Music: Spotify playlists are handy for folding laundry, but if you’re craving something rowdier than your earbuds can deliver, these live music venues bring the energy that makes you remember why you used to stay out past 10 pm.
Community: There’s something magical about Sunday farmer’s markets, pop-up concerts, annual gatherings and block parties that turn strangers into neighbors. Such events don’t just entertain—they spark conversations and create a sense of belonging. Here’s a deeper look at why local events matter more than we realize.
Pets: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
👀 Why just read it when you could be in it?
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📆 Around town this weekend
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirey outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🎬 Movie on the Green @ Village Green Park | Friday (7/11) at 5:30pm – Whether you’re a fan of Veruca Salt or just here for the snacks, swing by the Highlands park for a free outdoor debut screening of Wonka. Expect lawn games, Swendini’s magic tricks, and hot dogs and ice cream, with all proceeds funding youth programs.
🎤 Prom Date Mixtape @ The Lime | Friday (7/11) at 9:30pm – If you’ve been pining for that neon nostalgia, this live ’80s New Wave throwdown is calling. Expect Bowie, Duran, Madonna, and plenty of synthy sugar spun by actual MTV vets, no cover, zero excuses, just sweet sweat, killer tunes, and judging your dance moves.
This weekend
🇫🇷 Bastille Day | Saturday (7/12) at 10:00am – Maison De France is turning its boutique into a Bastille Day bash, so grab your stripes and join us for Champagne, fancy bites, and people-watching that’s more refined than your aunt’s book club. Plus, everything’s 10% off and valet is on the house.
🔋 Electrify Expo | Saturday (7/12) at 10:00am – Nothing beats channeling your inner Bond villain by silently cruising around in an electric car, truck, or scooter while your neighbors fumble with gas pumps. Over a million square feet of cutting-edge rides, e-watercraft, and a colossal kids zone await your curiosity. Fuel up on street tacos, nod along to live tunes, and finally let that dad joke about battery life land. It’s peak Seattle, green tech, good eats, and the future parked right next to you.
🏺 Turkish Mosaic Lamp Workshop @ totem Lk | Saturday (7/12) at 10:30am – Spend an afternoon crafting your own Turkish mosaic lamp at that tucked-away studio in downtown Kirkland. No experience needed, they’ll hand you every colorful glass piece, all the grout and tools, plus Turkish delights and tea to sweeten the process. It’s the perfect excuse to skip another Netflix rerun and actually make something you’re proud of. Book online before all the spots vanish.
🛍️ 2nd Annual Summer Market | Sunday (7/13) at 12:00pm – Patio weather calls for artisanal truffle samples, locally made jewelry, and suspiciously good deals on ceramic mugs while sipping a crisp rosé. Roll through Sparkman Cellars’ Summer Market for handcrafted treasures, live tunes, and zero entrance fee, your wallet might protest, but your heart won’t.
🎶 Live Music @ Crossroads Bellevue | Sunday (7/13) at 12:30pm – Live music is filling Crossroads Bellevue’s market stage every weekend through the end of the year, showcasing acoustic guitar, Cuban rhythms, jazz, and neighborhood choir numbers, all free of charge. It’s the perfect excuse to upgrade your dinner plans without shocking your wallet. Just grab a bite, snag a spot by the stage, and marvel at how cultured you suddenly look.
🎹 Musical Journey from Bach to Jazz @ Teatro Canzoni | Sunday (7/13) at 7:30pm – Ditch your usual weekend soundtrack and join Sergei Govorov for a soulful set at our downtown concert hall, traversing Bach’s baroque elegance to jazz’s off-kilter grooves. Brace for top-notch precision, playful stage banter, and a playlist you didn’t know you needed.
Next week
💜 Lavender Wand Workshop @ Bellevue Botanical Garden | Tuesday (7/15) at 9:30am – Nothing says “I’ve got my life together” like a lavender wand workshop with Erin Cox guiding you through Provence’s old-school craft. Choose hand-dyed ribbon or go rogue with dandelion stems to weave scented sachets that one-up every dryer sheet in your linen closet.
📚 Nadia Salomon and Michelle Jing Chan @ Brick & Mortar Books | Tuesday (7/15) at 6:30pm – Swing by for a book celebration welcoming our hometown author and illustrator as they launch a sibling showdown over a rakhi ritual and a 100-day baby party doubling as a lesson in love. Expect charming tales, banter, and nods to family traditions.
🎷 Concerts on the Green: Boogie Boulevard @ Issaquah Community Center | Tuesday (7/15) at 7:00pm – Swing by the green for a night of pop, R&B, and disco madness that’ll remind you why you loved dancing in the first place. It’s like a greatest-hits workout, sans Lycra, but with all the fun. Pack your coziest blanket, round up your favorite dance partner, and savor that rare combo of community spirit and great tunes. Sponsored by Rubicon Spirit of Kiwanis, because even fundraisers deserve a soundtrack.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
🎶 Live music & entertainment
- 7/11 Music in the Park @ Bothell Landing Park – 6 pm
- 7/11 Victims of Love: Eagles Tribute @ Bothell Landing Park – 6 pm
- 7/11 Live Music @ Crossroads Bellevue – 7 pm
- 7/11 Magnetic Grey @ Redmond Eagles – 7:30 pm
- 7/12 Japan Fair 2025 @ Meydenbauer Center – 10 am
- 7/12 Hawaiian Hula Eyes @ Highland Community Center – 4:30 pm
- 7/12 Mehfil Nights @ Chateau Ste. Michelle – 6:30 pm
- 7/12 Latin Dance on the Lake @ The Crab Pot – 8:30 pm
- 7/13 Sergei Govorov @ Teatro Canzoni – 7:30 pm
- 7/15 Switzer Duo Sonata | Robert Schumann’s Romantic Piano @ Crossroads Park – 3 pm
Price is right – Eastside 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).
*This 👇 could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Listed by: Linda Wagner (Windermere Real Estate/PSR Inc)
This Craftsman keeps things interesting with a chef’s kitchen that’s ready for a cooking show, thanks to its slab granite, Viking and Sub-Zero appliances, and an island big enough for a team of sous-chefs. The great room’s fireplace and built-ins add character, while French doors lead to a heated deck that laughs in the face of bad weather. Formal dining and a butler’s pantry bring a dash of old-school flair.
Upstairs, four bedrooms and fresh carpet mean no one gets stuck in a shoebox, and the primary suite scores its own fireplace and private deck access. Downstairs, the game room’s extra-large projector and wet bar set the stage for movie marathons or in-law visits. The backyard is fully fenced and ready for anything, all tucked away near tech hubs, waterfront paths, and a tempting lineup of restaurants.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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