Happy Friday, Tri Cities. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! In today’s edition: The Princess Christmas Market, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Letters to Santa, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Engineers revive community landmark: BLM’s rehabilitation of the century-old Umtanum Suspension Bridge in Yakima River Canyon won the New Life category at the 2025 Footbridge Awards, honoring safer access and preserved historic character — see why it won.

New push to accelerate discovery: The Department of Energy has launched the Genesis Mission, an AI effort with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, aiming to double productivity of U.S. scientific spending within a decade — read the full story.

City weighs tech overhaul: Kennewick police pitched a 10-year, $10 million Axon contract with body cameras, drones, AI report-writing, VR training, and translation tools aiming to boost safety with a council vote pending — see what’s in the proposal.

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: Last week, my step-dad 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. Annual plans are 55% off until Sunday — check it out here.

Highlights this week

• Honor loved ones with charitable gifts
• Help fill the bus with food donations
• Welcome Santa at Kennewick’s holiday parade
• Celebrate Winter Wonderland with Santa and fireworks
• Shop Tri-Cities Ski Swap and Gear Sale
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals
• Pet parents: Don’t miss Chewy’s Black Friday sale

🫶 We got your back

A new way to give: Tri-Cities just rolled out its first Giving Machines, vending-style kiosks where you buy services that go straight to five local nonprofits, like healthcare supplies at Grace Clinic. Built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they are at the Richland Fairchild Cinema through Dec. 10 with daily local performances. See where and when to visit.

Honoring a beloved island: With the Bateman Island causeway slated for removal, Tapteal Greenway bumped up its farewell walk, guiding residents through the island’s layered history and cultural significance. After the causeway comes out, access will be by water only, and locals are already planning kayak and boat trips to help clean and restore the area. Read the full story.

Spin-worthy treasure hunt: Between weekly drops of new pressings and a steady stream of used gems, Adventures Underground keeps crate-digging lively, and the in-house coffee powers your flip-through pace. It’s the spot for topping off the turntable without leaving town, whether you’re hunting a fresh release or a well-loved classic.

Health drinks that don’t taste like grass: With tasty tea and matcha blends for everything from recovery and radiant skin to energy without the crash, a metabolism boost, and immune support, everything in Pique’s lineup tastes as good as it makes you feel. They’re clean, there are no additives, and all new monthly subscriptions are 20% off for liferight now. Yup… literally forever (or until you cancel).

📆 Around town this weekend

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.

Today

🎨 Water Marble Workshop – For Kids! @ HAPO Center | Friday (11/28) at 10:00am – Let the kids make the mess somewhere else with a Water Marble Workshop in the Tri-Cities Holiday Expo Kid’s Zone. It runs both days, with guided, swirly fun that comes home fridge-ready. Grab tickets to lock a spot, then enjoy your cocoa, sanity, and shopping.

🌟 Crushed Glass Resin Nativity Class @ Art YOUR Way | Friday (11/28) at 6:00pm – Trade doomscrolling for something sparkly. We’re crafting crushed glass nativity scenes in resin, step-by-step with Art YOUR Way, colors galore, all supplies included. Bring a friend, grab a drink and snack, keep the kids 10-plus busy, and leave with holiday decor you’ll actually display.

This weekend

👑 The Princess Christmas Market @ Princess Theatre | Saturday (11/29) at 10:00am – Swing by the Princess Theatre’s Green Room for the annual Christmas market, a cozy crush of local makers and one-of-a-kind finds. Think art, woodwork, leather, quilts, candles, jewelry, soaps, and the satisfaction of finishing your gift list early. Admission is free, your restraint is not.

🎅 Letters to Santa @ The Lodge at Columbia Point | Saturday (11/29) from 11 am–2 pm – Swap mall Santa chaos for a cozy afternoon of real holiday magic on the river. The kids can write their wish lists, snag photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, get their faces painted, and refuel with Christmas cookies and hot cocoa.

📚 Sip & Silent Reading @ Barnard Griffin Winery | Sunday (11/30) at 2:00pm – Sip wine and read in blissful silence at Barnard Griffin in Richland. It is like book club, minus the homework, plus better pours. Bring your favorite novel, your reading glasses, and the quiet satisfaction of ignoring your inbox for once.

🎤 Sensory Sunday Matinee: Sing 2 Sing-a-long (2021, PG) @ Richland Public Library | Sunday (11/30) at 2:00pm – Skip the shush police and catch a sensory-friendly Sing 2 screening with lights on, volume low, and zero side-eye. All ages can wiggle, warble, and belt out the hits, while you enjoy light snacks, a forgiving vibe, and Bono’s animated debut.

🎶 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas @ Toyota Center | Sunday (11/30) at 6:00pm – Whether you’ve been blasting Mannheim Steamroller since the minivan had a CD changer, or you just want that sparkly holiday hit, this show delivers synth sleigh bells in style. Toyota Center is cashless with a clear bag policy, and kids 3+ need tickets.

Next week

🛡️ 7th Annual Safety Santa Event| Tuesday (12/2) at 2:00pm – Whether you’re wrangling grandkids or angling for a Santa pic, Safety Santa’s back with a kids’ gift giveaway, safety tips that go down easier than fruitcake, and therapy dogs. Expect a heated tent, twinkle lights, red-carpet backdrop, the Grinch, Otto, and a Toys for Tots drop.

🎅 Pictures and fun with Santa Don and Mrs. Clause! @ RE/MAX Northwest – Tri-Cities | Tuesday (12/2) at 4:00pm – Think your holiday card could use an upgrade? RE/MAX Northwest has free photos with Santa and the missus, plus face painting, cookies, snacks, and food trucks, because we need both dinner and dessert while waiting. RSVP, bring the kids, leave with proof you were festive.

🔔 Sips and Stems-Jingle Bell Vine & Evergreen Wreath @ Daisy Ranch Saloon | Tuesday (12/2) at 5:30pm – Holiday spirit is blooming at Sips and Stems, where you’ll sip something cheerful and build a jingle bell vine and evergreen wreath worthy of your front door. It’s cozy, crafty, and very adult. Pro tip: read the FAQs, accept the no refunds reality.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 11/28 Black Friday Brewtique @ Sage Brewing – 1 pm
• 12/2 Singing Strings Ukulele Club @ Richland Public Library – 6:30 pm
• 12/5 The Knockoffs @ Rattlesnake Mountain Brewing – 7 pm
• 12/5 Five Golden Rings: A Greeting Card Channel Holiday Musical @ The Richland Players – 7:30 pm
• 12/6 Handel’s Messiah @ The Uptown Theatre – 2 pm
• 12/6 TCSBA’s 29th Annual Christmas Concert @ Bethel Church – 6:30 pm
• 12/7 Christmas Jazz @ Country Mercantile – 1 pm
• 12/7 Karaoke Showcase Fundraiser @ Blackthorne Neighbourhood Pub – 5 pm

🏠️ Price is right – Tri Cities edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Shane Arnott (EXP Realty, LLC Tri Cities)

On a .32 acre lot in Canyon Lakes, this custom 4,300 plus sq ft stunner mixes modern lines with easy living. Sunlit main floor, soaring ceilings, a chef kitchen, and a private primary suite with boutique hotel vibes. Four bedrooms and 3.75 baths, a dedicated office, and a bonus room that handles movies, gaming, and kid chaos without breaking a sweat.

Professionally landscaped grounds go full resort with a sparkling pool and quiet corners for starry nights. Steps from Canyon Lakes Golf Course, close to hospitals, schools, shopping, and fast commuter routes.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →