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Happy Tuesday, Seattle. In today’s edition: Digital cognitive training for cognitive decline, the Christmas Ship, the Giving Marketplace, and more.
Let’s get to it — Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Digital cognitive training arrives: Seattle-based NewDays AI has launched a program to help people facing cognitive decline, deploying an AI called Sunny in Washington, California, Florida, and Texas, with high customer satisfaction reported — read the full story.
City’s education milestone: Seattle has surpassed 70% of residents 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree, leading major U.S. cities, with about 416,000 adults holding degrees, according to newly released 2024 Census data — see how Seattle compares.
Local ingenuity on wheels: Volunteers in Kirkland are tackling leaf-clogged bike lanes with a bike-pulled sweeper. Said to be the first in Washington state, it clears debris on streets and paths as they ride — read how the sweeper 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.
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🫶 We got your back
Holiday kindness starts here: Seattle’s Child teamed up with Doing Good Together to round up family-friendly ways to give back this month. Highlights: host a Winter Drive for foster youth at Treehouse, and Mary’s Place needs $25 to $50 gift cards by Dec. 12. Also: Jingle Bell Run Dec. 14, toy, coat, and food drives, nature work, card-making, and pet fostering. Find local ways to help.
Pickleball pride on wheels: Washington has officially served up a pickleball license plate, honoring the state sport. Released Nov. 19 as the second of seven new specialty plates, it costs $157.25, with proceeds to the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association to build and maintain public courts. Dibs on the first plates were auctioned to boost funding. Get all the details.
Burrito craving, solved: Seattle’s El Camión rolls seriously satisfying burritos, from a saucy burrito mojado to rich pollo mole, plus El Bombero for a spicy kick. Comfort or heat, wrapped in a warm tortilla; big flavors, no fuss.
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.
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📆 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
🎨 Nuestra Euforia @ Seattle Central Library | Tuesday (12/2) at 10:00am – Celebrate the brilliance of Seattle’s trans and gender non-conforming creatives in this bilingual exhibit curated by Vaquero Azul. From powerful portraits to a moving Trans Pride Ofrenda, every piece honors community, history, and unapologetic joy. It’s free, it’s vibrant, and it’s absolutely worth the elevator ride to Level 8.
🔔 Providence O’Christmas Trees Silver Bells Luncheon @ The Westin Seattle | Tuesday (12/2) at 11:00am – Kick off the season at a proper luncheon at The Westin, where you can judge 13 designer Christmas trees, shop for gifts, and let the Louis Pettinelli Jazz Group handle the mood. Eat well, support Providence patients, and call it holiday prep with benefits.
🚢 Christmas Ship @ Argosy Cruises | Thursday (12/4) at 5:00pm – Take a break from mall parking wars and board the Christmas Ship as it sails into Edmonds and Tacoma. Bring the kiddos for 2 pm cookies with Santa, and a coloring surprise, or reclaim your sanity at 8 pm Jolly Hour with exclusive, discounted drinks.
🎁 Giving Marketplace @ Gates Foundation Discovery Center | Friday (12/5) at 10:00am – Skip the big-box madness and swing by the Discovery Center’s Giving Marketplace, where your holiday haul does some good. Shop 30-plus vendors, enjoy family-friendly activities, and line up early for live portraits, including you as your spirit animal, your pet, or a doodled photo strip.
🌙 Park in the Dark @ Washington Park Arboretum | Friday (12/5) at 6:00pm – Craving a little childhood wonder after dark? Park in the Dark serves up the same kid-approved activities, the fun ones they make staff do in training, no kid chaperone required, just $10 per person, curiosity, comfy shoes, and your inner 10-year-old.
This weekend
🎁 Kids’ Holiday Swap Shop @ Keller Williams | Saturday (12/6) at 9:00am – Give your gently used toys a second act at this cheerful, eco-friendly holiday exchange. Kids get to “shop” for new goodies without spending a dime, and you get a cleaner closet out of the deal. Anything unclaimed heads to charity, spreading the joy even further.
🧶 Urban Craft Uprising 21st Anniversary Winter Show @ Seattle Center Exhibition Hall | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Ready to swap the algorithm for actual artisans? Seattle’s big indie craft show turns 21 with 150-plus juried vendors, demos, and free browsing. Show up early if you’re chasing the famous swag bags, then conquer your gifting, your decor, and your conscience.
🌲 Arboretum Holiday Sale @ Washington Park Arboretum | Saturday (12/6) at 10:00am – Head to the Arboretum’s annual holiday sale at Graham Visitors Center for handcrafted botanical decorations, nature-inspired gifts, and local, seasonal specialties, plus live music while you browse. Cross off your list, feel virtuous supporting tree care, environmental education, and volunteerism, and pretend you planned ahead.
🎄 Hometown Holidays @ California Ave SW | Saturday (12/6) at 4:00pm – Nothing beats a night market with a tree lighting, carolers, entertainers, live music, and Santa to seal the deal. Wear layers, bring a reusable bag. Consider it your annual ration of small-town sparkle, minus the mall tantrums.
🚜 Farm to Table Public Tour @ Seattle Art Museum | Sunday (12/7) at 1:15pm – Whether you can tell Monet from Manet or you just like to eat, this guided tour serves up the Age of Impressionism through food. Art, history, and national identity on a silver platter, zero calories, minimal pretension. Free with admission.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🎶 Live music & entertainment
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🏠️ This house is wild
Listed by: Susana Musi (COMPASS)
Mid-century brick bungalow on Alki Beach with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths on a 4,800 sf lot, built by homesteading carpenters. New roof, beaming wood floors, and original old-growth cabinetry. The kitchen shines with quartz, new appliances, and dining that opens to a patio.
Finished basement adds a big rec room, proper laundry, bath, and a separate entrance for conversion. Outdoors, a Japanese-inspired garden brings NW plantings, mature trees, a fish pond, patios, and a fully fenced yard. Covered carport today, potential addition tomorrow. Steps to beach, biking, trails, water sports, schools, cafés, and dining.
Take a peek inside →
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