Happy weekend, Eastside! In today’s happening-today edition: Beach closures, record transit ridership, and a tea cheese and chocolate pairing + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around the Eastside protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
A new local banking option: United Development Bank received FDIC conditional approval, advancing plans for a new Bellevue community bank. Organizers say it will pursue Minority Depository Institution status and expand services for diverse businesses -- see the bank’s next steps.
Beach closures in King County: Swim areas at Juanita Beach Park and Waverly Beach Park were closed Tuesday after high bacteria levels. Officials urge people and pets to avoid water for at least a week -- check the beach closure details.
Strong transit momentum: Sound Transit reported April 2026 record ridership on Crosslake Connection, with Judkins Park and Mercer Island leading boardings. Link boardings rose 52% year over year and 35% month over month -- see the ridership surge.
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The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Summer plans, sorted? If "what are the kids doing in July" has been low-key haunting you, Wise Camps* runs three weeks of full-day STEAM camp in Bellevue for ages 4-15, with rotating stations like rocket builds, microbit robotics, graffiti art layering, and Magic Math puzzles, all led by an experienced teaching team. Lunch is included, scholarships are available, and your kid comes home wanting to talk about their day.
Close-to-home reset: Need a quick breather without going far, Blue Sky RV Park tucks you at the base of Tiger Mountain with level paved full-hookup sites, 30 and 50 amp power, and a community room plus laundry. Trails and fresh air nearby... city errands still within easy striking distance.
Straighten that slice: Bellevue Golf Course Driving Range is the easy Eastside reset when your 7 iron is auditioning for yard-work duty. Grab a quick bucket, find one simple feel, then head home feeling two clubs better and 30% more ready to brag on your weekend round.
Seafood night, sorted: Craving sashimi-grade fish, buttery ikura, or properly briny caviar without crossing the bridge? Local Market has the good stuff plus smoked fish and butcher picks, with easy pickup in Bellevue and next-day delivery around Washington... perfect for an upgraded weeknight or that I-cook-now phase.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🥕 Issaquah Farmers Market @ Pickering Barn | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Skip the big-box run and wander the Issaquah Farmers Market, where local growers, bakers, and makers prove fresh tastes better. Every Saturday, rain or shine, stock up on veggies, flowers, and neighborly gossip, then reward yourself with coffee, a pastry, and smug civic pride.
🌱 Green Issaquah: Restoration Event @ Park Pointe | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – Feel like trading the gym for blackberry wrestling? On the third Saturday each month at Park Pointe, we yank Himalayan blackberry thickets, clear space for fall planting, and chip away at Issaquah’s 55 percent tree canopy goal. Low on glam, high on neighborly satisfaction.
🧀 Tea, Cheese, and Chocolate Pairing Experience @ Experience Tea (Issaquah) | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Give your wine glass the night off and settle into Experience Tea for a proper trio of tea, cheese, and chocolate. Taste four chocolates and four cheeses with thoughtful pairings, trade smug tasting notes, and call it self-care, science, or both.
🌿 Summer Solstice Wreath Workshop @ The Aaron Education Center at the Bellevue Botanical Garden | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Trade yardwork for a creative detour at the Summer Solstice Wreath Workshop at Bellevue Botanical Garden. Maria Ochoa Vazquez shows you how to wrangle garden bits into a sunny, durable wreath, beginners welcome, materials included. It’s festive, soothing, and wonderfully grown-up arts and crafts.
🚗 Fenders on Front Street @ Historic Shell Station (Issaquah) | Sunday (6/21) at 8:00 AM – Treat Dad on Father’s Day to a roll through Issaquah as Front Street fills with classic cars and motorcycles. Expect live music, food trucks, a scavenger hunt. He talks carburetors, you nod. It is free, and donors snag dash plaques at the Historic Shell Station.
🌿 Summer Solstice Celebration @ The Lavender Farm and Flower Market (Woodinville) | Sunday (6/21) at 11:00 AM – Celebrate the solstice among first lavender blooms and wildflowers, with leisurely wandering and a build-your-own u-pick bouquet. Expect local vendors and treats, stay for golden hour, which flatters everyone; tickets go on sale next month, and full-day admission is $9 for ages 12+.
🐟 Solstice @ Issaquah Salmon Hatchery | Sunday (6/21) at 4:00 PM – Solstice at the Salmon Hatchery is lighting up downtown Issaquah with live music, hands-on art, and eco-friendly fun, free, family friendly, and accessible. Expect festive vibes, curious kids, and salmon with better navigation than our GPS, plus a little seasonal wisdom by the water. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Eastside report Weather forecastToday — High: 78°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. South southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. South southwest wind 2 to 6 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 83°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 83. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. This house is wildThis refreshed Bender Custom Home on Lake Washington Boulevard spans more than three-quarters of an acre in coveted West Bellevue. Pacific Northwest Contemporary architecture pairs bluestone, mahogany, cherry, steel, and glass with soaring interiors and southwest-facing lake views. A covered pavilion, fireplace, heaters, private guest house, and manicured grounds add major wow factor.
Take a peek inside → |
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