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Hello Seattle! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Weekend highlights, Magnolia Summerfest, and a massive Mediterranean estate + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today's sponsor, SmartAsset, is helping people around Seattle evaluate their retirement income strategy and plan for a retirement that could last decades. Their free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. Take the quiz and find your match.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Weekend plans in full swing: From Seafair Blue Angels, hydroplanes to Ed Sheeran at Lumen Field, 21+ All You Can Zoo, Umoja Fest, and Emerald City Short Film Festival, events will run July 31–Aug. 2 -- see the weekend highlights.
Roster shuffle continues: The Seahawks waived cornerback Tyrone Broden to make room for familiar tight end Nick Vannett, who returned to a crowded group featuring AJ Barner, Elijah Arroyo, and Eric Saubert -- watch the roster shuffle.
New offensive outlook: Jaxon Smith-Njigba praised new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, saying training camp emphasized fundamentals and yards after the catch, signaling a more physical, matchup-driven Seahawks offense after Klint Kubiak departed -- see Seahawks camp notes.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
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 $1,100 this year.1 Some users report saving up to 50% on their monthly rates -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*2
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.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor The free quiz matching 50,000 people a month with a fiduciary advisorIf you've saved $2.5 million, you're well ahead of most Americans. But how long it lasts depends less on the balance and more on the decisions you make with it. Take the 4% rule, a common benchmark. It suggests withdrawing about $100,000 your first year from a $2.5M portfolio, then adjusting for inflation over time. While it can be a useful starting point, it doesn't account for factors such as other income sources, taxes, spending goals, or changing market conditions. That's why many retirees choose to work with a financial advisor. A financial advisor can help build a tax-efficient withdrawal strategy around your situation, including how much to take from each account and when - so you have a clearer picture of how much you can spend each year. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area, each legally bound to work in your best interest. The quiz only takes a few minutes. No cost. No obligation. Find your advisor match.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Head bliss, unlocked: If your shoulders are still carrying last week, Dana Head Spa blends thoughtful scalp care with calming facials for a head-to-toe exhale. Founded by two sisters and big on serenity, it’s the midweek reboot your brain and hair will thank you for.
Bagel glow-up alert: Lake City’s Jaded Bagels is the kind of chewy, seed-studded carb therapy that turns a rushed morning into a small win. Grab a couple, pick a schmear that sparks joy, then try not to eat half the bag before you get home.
Candy-hunting, upgraded: Sweet Mickey's Candy Shoppe is Ballard’s plug for house-made fudge, creamy scoops, and a wall of retro goodies you forgot you loved. Bring a friend, pretend you’re “just looking,” then leave with an absurdly happy sugar stash that mysteriously disappears by Tuesday.
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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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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 →
65% of families have lost photos they'll never get back: One accidental delete, one dead hard drive, one phone that won't turn on, and the pictures of the kids, the trips, and the loved ones who've passed are gone. This photo stick makes sure that day never comes: plug it into any phone, tablet, or computer, press one button, and it finds and saves up to 120,000 photos and videos automatically, even clearing out the duplicates. No cloud, no subscription. *Save your photos →
A blown engine can cost more than your car is worth: And it almost never warns you. One day it runs fine, the next you're staring at a $7,000 repair on a car you still rely on every morning. That's the kind of bill an extended warranty exists to absorb, the engine, transmission, and electrical failures that wreck a budget overnight. You bring it to any certified mechanic, pay a deductible, and the rest is handled. Enjoy a free year of Elite Benefits and a 30-day money-back guarantee on top. *See everything it covers →
83% of burglars check for an alarm first: That's from a UNC Charlotte survey of 422 convicted burglars — and 60% said that if they found one, they'd skip the house and look for another target. ADT is the deterrent they're checking for: voted America's most trusted home security provider, with monitoring centers staffed around the clock. And if someone breaks in anyway, ADT's Theft Protection Guarantee reimburses up to $500 of your homeowners insurance deductible. *See how it works → |
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 Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🏖 Walk on the Beach | Summer Pinball Series @ Gary's Place | Thursday (7/30) at 7:00 PM – If your summer workout is counting steps on Alki between pinball machines, Thursday nights are sorted. A two-arcade shuffle at Gary's Place and West Seattle Arcade, $5 to play, pick-your-game, newbies welcome, jump in any week, and yes, the top folks actually get paid.
🎉 Magnolia Summerfest @ Magnolia Playfield | Friday (7/31) at 1:00 PM – Magnolia Summerfest is back, which means the kids bounce, you nurse a beverage garden pint, and everyone insists the vendor village counted as steps. Expect a parade, live music, and a dusk outdoor movie, plus a Sunday talent show that is delightfully brave.
🎉 The Lake City Free Summer Festival and Parade @ Bank of America Financial Center | Saturday (8/1) at 10:30 AM – Lake City’s free summer festival brings two music stages, a gleaming car show, local artists and vendors, a family zone with a free petting zoo, and enough food to cancel dinner. Then Lake City Way shuts down for the kids, dog, and Seafair grand parades.
💃 Prom Date Mixtape @ Magnolia Playfield | Saturday (8/1) at 8:00 PM – Grab your lawn chair and your best prom stories, then head to Magnolia Summerfest for Prom Date Mixtape’s Saturday night blast of bigger, better 80s new wave. Think singalongs, synths, and zero curfew. No corsage, no drama, just neighborhood nostalgia and grown-up beverages.
🛹 SOPASUPA x Duwamish River Fest x River City Skatepark @ Uncle Eddie's Public House | Saturday (8/8) at 12:00 PM – Grab your lawn chair and roll down to South Park for a full day salute to the Duwamish, with free entertainment, art, environmental justice, skateboarding, vendors, a kids zone, and lucha libre. Think neighborhood block party, but with kickflips, river pride, and fewer HOA rules.
🖼 West Seattle Art Walk August 2026 @ West Seattle Junction Association | Thursday (8/13) at 5:00 PM – Second Thursday in West Seattle means turning the Junction into your strollable gallery, with painters, photographers, and mixed-media wizards posted up in the shops you already love. Free, self-guided, and unhurried, it is prime time for neighborhood people-watching, art gawking, and quality catch-ups.
🌿 PlantCon Seattle 2026 @ Seattle Convention Center | Summit | Saturday (8/15) at 10:00 AM – Clear windowsill space and head to the Seattle Convention Center for the nation’s biggest plant and reptile fest, with hundreds of vendors. Meet growers, park your haul in the plant locker, keep the kids busy, and try not to overwater anything. Bring your self-control.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Your homeowners insurance has a blind spotIt covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old). *See what it covers → |
07 — Seattle report Weather forecastToday — High: 75°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 0%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. North wind 2 to 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 55. North northeast wind 1 to 7 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 77°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 77. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 56. This house is wildInnisfree is a Broadview landmark on more than half an acre of private, gated grounds, with sweeping Puget Sound and Olympic Mountain views. Designed by Jeffrey Loveless, this Mediterranean estate pairs hand-carved Honduran mahogany, soaring ceilings, and rich hardwoods with standout amenities like a 2,500-bottle wine cellar, 3-tier THX theater, indoor sport court, and chef’s kitchen.
Take a peek inside → |
1Average potential savings based on initial quotes received by 151,494 customers seeking insurance through Insurify. Savings and lowest rates do not reflect typical results. 2Estimated. |
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