Hi Seattle, hope you’re having a great weekend! In today's in-case-you-missed-it edition: World Cup watch parties, Bush Garden’s return, and forest bathing + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.
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 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing Most popular stories this weekThe three top stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
World Cup fan excitement: Downtown Seattle’s Pacific Place will host free, all-ages FIFA World Cup watch parties as Seattle’s first match approaches, with a lively fan celebration planned to light up the mall -- see what’s planned downtown.
Debate over transit priorities: Seattle council members questioned Mayor Katie Wilson's plan to double the transit sales tax, citing Ballard service gaps and concerns over free ORCA pass usage and streetcar funding -- follow the transit tax debate.
A beloved landmark returns: After six years dark, iconic karaoke bar Bush Garden has reopened in its Chinatown-International District home, honoring its history with restored shoji screens, ranma carvings, and the original roof -- tour Bush Garden's revival.
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.*
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade*. All the crowd favorites: |
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03 — On our radar
This week's top findsLocal spotlights your fellow readers loved last week.
Ready for liftoff: If your brain needs a turbo boost, The Museum of Flight delivers with towering aircraft, space hardware, and stories that make Seattle’s aviation roots feel personal. Stroll the galleries, geek out at the exhibits, then leave looking up at the sky like it just texted you back.
Serious candy nostalgia: Sweet Mickey's Candy Shoppe serves house-made fudge, scoops of ice cream, and the retro candy wall you swore vanished with your Tamagotchi. Recently named one of America’s best by Travel + Leisure, it’s a perfect Ballard stroll stop to grab Jelly Belly favorites and a little joy to-go.
Skip the streamer's scroll: Let The Beacon Cinema pick your brain with lovingly curated series, repertory gems, and the occasional fever-dream theme week. Perfect excuse to hop to Columbia City, sink into a cozy seat, and remember why watching with strangers beats scrolling at home.
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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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Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address: It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up. Incogni gets it taken down. It contacts 420+ data brokers on your behalf, uses privacy laws to legally demand deletion, and keeps resending requests so your information doesn't creep back online. No hours of opt-out forms, it runs quietly in the background. *Remove my data →
Your plastic cutting board sheds 100 to 300 microplastic particles per knife stroke. Half of them wash down the drain, but the other half end up in your food. And if you're thinking about switching to wood to avoid it, that grain soaks up bacteria you can't scrub out. We found a cleaner solution to tackle these two issues. *Check it out →
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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 Sneak peek at next weekPlan ahead for the next seven days. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
💍 Wire Wrapping and Earring Making 101 @ Fusion Kung Fu | Friday (6/19) at 6:45 PM – At Fusion Kung Fu, you will throw no kicks, just loops and coils. This beginner wire-wrapping class covers simple design, plier basics, and sends you home with one self-made pair of earrings. A tidy $45, and a new party trick.
🧘 Solstice Celebration: World Chants & Kirtan @ Center for Spiritual Living Ballard | Friday (6/19) at 7:00 PM – Head to Ballard for a Solstice sing-along of world chants and kirtan with global vocalist Gina Salā, tabla maestro Anil Prasad, Stephen Metcalf on bass, and friends. Expect call and response, big-hearted vibes, and serenity that outlasts the Ballard Bridge wait.
🎶 Juneteenth: Winter in America @ The Royal Room | Friday (6/19) at 7:30 PM – Whether you wore out your copy of Winter in America or just know the revolution will be live, this Juneteenth tribute brings Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson’s grit, groove, and poetry to life. Top-shelf PNW players, spoken word, deep grooves, and goosebumps. Admission by donation.
🌲 Forest Bathing @ Washington Park Arboretum UW Botanic Gardens | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Take a deep breath and try forest bathing in the Washington Park Arboretum with UW Botanic Gardens. A slow, less-than-a-mile stroll that lowers stress, boosts immunity, and proves trees are better therapists than apps. Advance registration required, $25 first ticket, $15 each additional.
🥋 Full Basic Self Defense Workshop - June 20th, 2026 @ MKG Martial Arts | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – This half-day self-defense workshop in North Seattle shows you how to spot trouble early, avoid it when possible, and handle it wisely when not. Expect practical awareness and de-escalation training, plus safe, full-force reps with padded-suit instructors, so the skills stick without the macho nonsense.
🔄 June Puzzle Swap @ Ravenna Refills | Sunday (6/21) at 12:00 PM – Whether you finally conquered that 1,000-piece lighthouse or discovered a 999-piece surprise, bring one or two to Ravenna Refills to swap, and maybe find a gem. The Third Sunday Puzzle Swap is free, friendly, and gloriously low stakes, no kids’ puzzles, please.
🎬 Community Screening: The Wizard of Oz @ SIFF Cinema Downtown | Sunday (6/21) at 12:00 PM – See the Emerald City in the Emerald City at SIFF Cinema Downtown, a family-friendly matinee of The Wizard of Oz with peak nostalgia and zero tornadoes. Bring the kids, your inner film buff, and a few bucks, tickets are $7 adults, $5 children.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — Announcement In case you missed itWe opened The Insiders’ Club last week and hundreds of folks have already joined (seriously… can’t thank you enough!!). For a few bucks a month, The Club gives you every newsletter ad-free on your schedule, plus members-only updates to help you stay connected to your community. The Weekly Events Roundup is my favorite feature. You get one email a week with all the best events and nothing else cluttering it up. Want only that? Skip the daily emails and turn the rest off. Join the club → |
07 — The Seattle report Weather forecastToday — High: 86°F — Low: 62°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind 3 to 9 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. North wind 1 to 8 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 89°F — Low: 62°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. North northwest wind 0 to 8 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Northeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Most popular house this weekThis Seattle penthouse delivers front-row views of Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, and Pike Place Market through floor-to-ceiling glass and a nano window system. An open layout pairs hardwood floors, a gallery-style entry, and a chef’s kitchen with Wolf, Sub-Zero, and Miele appliances. A private rooftop deck, heated spa bath, and 24/7 concierge complete the scene.
Take a peek inside → |
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