Happy Tuesday, Eastside. In today’s edition: Holiday home tour, build your own wreath class, holidays on the hill, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Corporate footprint recalibrates: Meta has surrendered rights to five Spring District sites in Bellevue, ending expansion plans. Developer Wright Runstad may convert them to apartments as Meta occupies about half its leased space — read the full story.

Smarter signals to ease congestion: Renton approved adding vehicle detection and adaptive signal control at seven more signals, expanding to 34 intersections. Installations will focus on NE Third, Sunset Boulevard, and Maple Valley Highway corridors — see which intersections are included.

Neighborhood fixers get rolling: Volunteers in Kirkland have started clearing leaf-clogged bike lanes with a bike-powered sweeper, reportedly Washington’s first, drawing curiosity and hopes that neighbors will borrow it to keep routes safer — 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: My step-dad recently 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. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• See IBT’s Nutcracker at Meydenbauer
• Celebrate with horses in a holiday drive-through
• Honor 20 years of arts-driven healing
• Experience $5 nights at Garden d’Lights
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

Lifestyle-centric expansion announced: The Agency Seattle is relocating to a new Old Bellevue office on Main Street this month and plans a Madison Park outpost in 2026. The 1,600-square-foot space will double as a cultural hub, hosting events and gallery installations with The Agency Art House, led by CEO Mauricio Umansky and art adviser Arushi Kapoor. Get all the details.

Boosting downtown accessibility: Headed downtown Renton? The City Center Parking Garage stays free for visits up to 10 hours through Dec. 31, 2026, to help businesses during construction. The city also brought in Pacific Security during open hours and repaired the arson-damaged elevator to improve safety and usability. No overnight parking. Get all the details.

Eastside burrito upgrade: Grilled burritos at Nick’s Grill come loaded with basmati rice, black beans, cheddar, and fresh salsa, plus your pick of mild, medium, or spicy. Choose chicken, steak, combo, or vegetarian. Avocado is the right call.

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.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 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

🥂 Bubbles Jam – Two Days to Sip, Sparkle & Celebrate @ Village Wines | Tuesday (12/2) at 5:30pm – If your idea of holiday prep is quality bubbles and zero craft glitter, Village Wines is hosting a two-day sparkling romp with 10+ pours. Come sip, compare, and toast neighbors, because December deserves a little fizz and friendly faces—no potluck required.

🎅 Belle Harbour: A Very Merry Open House Featuring Santa Claus @ The Park at Belle Harbour Assisted Living Community | Wednesday (12/3) at 5:00pm – Need an excuse to sip cocoa with Santa and enjoy some low-key holiday cheer. The Park at Belle Harbour hosts an open house with cookies, families, and a display of trees, wreaths, and menorahs, plus card writing and a silent auction benefiting Puget Sound Honor Flight.

🎻 Rock The Holidays @ Kirkland Performance Center | Wednesday (12/3) at 7:00pm – Aaron Meyer cranks the holiday spirit up to eleven with a mashup of classical showpieces and full-throttle rock. A playful mix of Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Aerosmith, and more. If you vibe with Lindsey Stirling or Trans-Siberian Orchestra, consider this your new December tradition.

🏠 Holiday Home Tour @ Friends of Assistance League of the Eastside | Friday (12/5) at 10:00am – Nothing says holiday spirit like snooping, politely, through five gorgeously decked homes, two in Kirkland, three in Woodinville. The beloved Holiday Home Tour is back with inspiration, twinkle lights, perfect inspiration for your own holiday decorating—bring a friend and make a day of it.

🔨 Holiday Finale Soirée & Silent Auction @ The Park at Belle Harbour Assisted Living Community | Friday (12/5) at 4:30pm – Holiday sparkle with a purpose: a finale soirée and silent auction where the designer trees are stunning and festive. Dress up, sip something festive, bid freely, and call it philanthropy, shopping, and community in one.

This weekend

⛰️ Holidays on the Hill @ South Bellevue Community Center | Saturday (12/6) at 8:00am – Bring the crew for pancakes with Santa, an indoor snowball fight, live reindeer, festive crafts, and music. It’s $10 per person, kids 3 and under free. Pre-register at Register.BellevueWA.gov, pick your breakfast slot, and feel like you actually planned ahead.

🌿 Build Your Own Wreath Class @ Bellevue Botanical Garden | Saturday (12/6) at 9:30am – Skip the flimsy store wreaths and build your own with the BBGS crew, natural greens, and a bow that says you tried but also have standards. They provide everything, you can bring cones, rose hips, or holly to flex. $35 members, $50 non-members.

🎨 Painted Wine Bottles: Christmas Edition @ 425 Cellars | Saturday (12/6) at 1:00pm – Holiday craft night meets wine night at 425 Cellars, where you’ll paint a Christmas wine bottle, sip something lovely, and try your hand at simple calligraphy-inspired designs. Easy, social, festive, and you leave with décor that doesn’t shed glitter all over the house.

🎄 Winterfest Holiday Fair & Tree Lighting @ Deyoung Park | Saturday (12/6) at 3:00pm – Bundle up and wander between DeYoung Park, the Schoolhouse District, and Woodin Creek Village for Woodinville’s Winterfest holiday fair and tree lighting. Think twinkle lights, carols, and take a break from cabernet for a cozy mug of cocoa.

🛒 Winter Holiday Market @ The Lucky Pen | Sunday (12/7) at 10:00am – Skip the mall migraine, this cozy holiday market is packed with handmade ornaments, jewelry, ceramics, pastries, teas, and candles, all by local artisans. Snap a pic by the tree, find gifts that aren’t from a warehouse, and support Ukrainian makers and resettling neighbors.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/2 Forum Does Funny @ Forum Social House – 5 pm
• 12/3 Rock the Holidays @ Kirkland Performance Center – 7 pm
• 12/5 The Super Tonix @ Rollin Log Tavern – 9 pm
• 12/6 Altered 90s @ The Lime – 9 pm
• 12/7 Holidays in Sammamish @ Eastlake Performing Arts Center – 2 pm
• 12/8 Phantogram @ Marymoor Park – 6 pm
• 12/11 Brian James @ Village Wines – 7 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Samuel Hankin (John L Scott Westwood)

Mid-century charm with southeastern panoramas of Lake Sammamish and the Cascades, making a rare debut after 40 years. Vaulted ceilings, sun-soaked great room, fireplace, and a snug dining nook keep the vibe classic. Neighborhood covenants protect the views. A rebuilt 310 sq ft deck pulls the outdoors in, and the yard stays easy-breezy.

In a coveted neighborhood, the architecture stays clean and airy. Morning light pours in, and evenings lean cozy by the hearth.

Take a peek inside →