Sarah Stackhouse
Little Ways to December in Seattle
A few (mostly) local things worth picking up, wandering through, or falling into as the year wraps.
December always sneaks up on me even though every year I convince myself I’m going to be organized (I’m not). So I’ve been collecting these simple outings and local spots that feel like unwrapped gifts. If you’re looking for a way to escape or lean in, here are some recommendations. A sip of history You…
Going to the Mountains This Winter? Read This.
A new online tool breaks down avalanche basics for anyone planning snowy fun off the beaten path.
I’m a rule follower when it comes to the outdoors. This summer, my family did some backcountry hiking in Whistler and made sure to do everything by the book—texting friends our plan and location, and wearing a bear bell even though it felt a little dorky. It’s reassuring to know you’ve covered the basics before…
Back to Gander
Seattle Rep revisits its original world premiere with a new staging that pulls you straight into the heart of the story.
When you walk into the theater, the cast is already onstage in what looks like a Gander high school gym—setting out dishes for a potluck, chatting, and then cleaning up. It feels like you’ve arrived in the middle of a reunion, which is the point. This run marks 10 years since Come From Away first…
Driftwood Dreams
Cascadia Art Museum uncovers the lost Surrealist who spent 40 years painting in Seattle.
One of the most compelling parts of Objects of the Elements: The Art of Elsa Thoresen at Cascadia Art Museum in Edmonds is a display case filled with the actual pieces of driftwood artist Elsa Thoresen used as source material, mostly in the 1930s and ’40s. They’re ordinary enough at first glance—knotted and gnarled by…
Seattle’s Call to Protect the Endangered Species Act
A key wildlife law faces major rollbacks as the public comment period ticks down.
There’s plenty to do this season—lights, shows, markets, food—but here’s one more important thing worth putting on your list. The Endangered Species Act (ESA), the federal law that helped bring back the bald eagle and gray wolf, is now facing changes that could weaken its protections. The Trump administration has proposed updates to four ESA…
How a Local Teen Explained Auto-Tune to the World
High school senior Jason Zhou is among 30 teens recognized for a standout science explainer video.
A two-minute film on the math behind Auto-Tune has put 17-year-old Jason Zhou of Redmond in the running to win the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, an international contest where students explain complex scientific ideas with clarity and creativity. The challenge is open to students ages 13 to 18, and each video must come in at two…
Holiday Hunt in Pioneer Square
A daily ornament drop turns December into a neighborhood-wide scavenger hunt.
The holidays tend to bring out the kid in all of us. And if opening presents and eating too many treats weren’t enough, there’s also a scavenger hunt in Seattle’s oldest neighborhood. Pioneer Square’s Holiday Ornament Scavenger Hunt has returned for its third year. Twenty-five handblown glass ornaments—all made at Glasshouse Studio—are hidden across 25…
Barnes & Noble Is Coming Back to Downtown Seattle
The bookseller will open a new flagship at 520 Pike, marking the largest retail lease in downtown Seattle since 2020.
Barnes & Noble is returning to downtown Seattle for the first time since early 2020. The national bookseller has signed a 10-year lease for a new flagship at 520 Pike Street, a 29-story tower, taking over 17,538 square feet on the corner of Pike and 6th Avenue. The store is expected to open in the…
Seattle-Based Agency Brings Real Voices to NBC’s New Campaign
DNA&STONE built the project around candid conversations to understand what audiences want from reporting.
“I turned off news altogether. I want to be able to form my own opinions. Just tell the truth.” These lines open NBC News’ new national campaign, a 60-second ad that drifts over forests, farms, neighborhoods, and cityscapes while Americans talk about how worn out they feel by the news. The landscape carries the conversation…
Local Businesses Step Up Against Rising Hunger
As food insecurity grows, Seattle organizations respond with coordinated meal distributions and support.
Food bank visits are up 70% since 2019, and even with SNAP benefits reinstated, many families still struggle to keep food on the table. Costs continue to rise, donations have dipped as everyday expenses increase, and the loss of federal support has left a system that was already stretched pushed even further. “Right now, we’re…
Totes Secondhand
Evergreen Goodwill teams up with Seattle artist Stevie Shao for a post-Thanksgiving push toward sustainable shopping.
Have you heard of Secondhand Sunday? It launched in 2022 as the calmer follow-up to Black Friday—a day built for browsing at secondhand stores instead of racing for deals at the mall. It also happens to land right when thrift stores are at their best. Racks are full of cold-weather staples and holiday decorations, and…
Fave Five: Jazzy and Merry
From twinkling lights to Viking bonfires, here’s how to celebrate the season.
For me, it all starts when Lou Rawls sings. One song into Merry Christmas, Baby, and I’m ready to give in to the whirl of it all. Hearing it also means the pace is about to pick up, and sometimes it does feel like too much. But that’s just the holidays—the joy comes tucked inside…
A New Place to Ice Skate by the Water
Hyatt Regency Lake Washington’s dockside rink offers lake views and eco-friendly synthetic ice.
Skating season has officially arrived. There’s a particular joy in gliding—or trying to—on cold days. I always go for the outdoor rinks, especially the ones strung with twinkling lights. It can be so romantic. And this year, there’s a new place to lace up. A 71-foot by 38-foot covered Glice rink is up and running…
Join The Must List
Don't miss a thing.
Get Seattle's best events,handpicked
and delivered to your inbox weekly.