Essex’s over-the-top-epic Sunday burger now available Wednesdays through Sundays: Delancey’s charming little sister may be the perfect place for a made-from-scratch cocktail and plate of pickles and pretzels before gorging on pizza next door, but Essex, in the east Ballard pocket neighborhood of Whittier Heights, has developed into a destination of beauty all its own. Owners Brandon Pettit and Molly Wizenberg continue to develop—and expand—the menu, which now includes a burger that you’ll want to show up for as soon as doors open at 4:30 p.m.; it’s that popular. Each hefty patty is cooked in the wood-burning oven, giving it a pleasing char and retaining perfect medium-rare juiciness. Already $15, you’ll want to add on (and pay extra for) the cheddar, bacon, and pardon peppers, and just roll with the fact that this may be one of the city’s priciest burgers—but also one of its best. Wednesdays through Sundays from 4:30 p.m. (full menu also available); 1421 NW 70th St.; 206.724.0471; essexbarseattle.com.—Chelsea Lin​

Ladies, Gear Up: In an effort to increase female ridership and raise the profile of women who bike, Pronto Cycle Share is declaring March Seattle’s first Women’s Bike Month. The month will kickoff with a lady-driven bike ride March 5 alongside some on Seattle’s most influential women in bike advocacy. Participants in the the Pronto #WomenWhoBike Ride will share a lane with leaders from WABikes, Cascade Bicycle Club, Commute Seattle, BikeWorks, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, Sound Transit, Seattle City Council, and more. Starting at 5:30 pm, the ride begins at the Pronto Cycle Share Operations Center at 2229 Seventh Avenue in South Lake Union, and ends at Pronto’s City Hall on 4th and James. Women are encouraged to bring a Pronto bike or one of their own. Read further for a full list of participants along with details on Women’s Bike Month events and promotions, and be sure to use the hashtag #WomenWhoBike for the month of contests, discounts and giveaways from national women-owned, mission-driven businesses. 

A Step Towards Affordable Housing: Seattle is making strides to offer more housing options to the homeless. At Thursday night’s City Hall meeting, plans to open a space for 300 homeless residents were fine-tuned and discussed. The plan, spearheaded by Mayor Ed Murray’s office, would change Seattle law to allow three homeless encampments on city or private land in non-residential areas, the Capitol Hill Blog reported. Committee Chair Mike O’Brien said the plan will go to vote March 9, making camps under these new regulations set to open late summer or early fall. This is a pressing issue in Seattle, as the most recent “One Night Count” of homeless people sleeping on the streets tallied 3,772 people. O’Brien recognizes these new camps are not a long-term solution, but rather a step towards the greater goal of more affordable housing. 

Rain Means Snow: After a week of blue skies, this Friday morning’s rain is less than ideal, however The National Weather Service reported today’s rain across much of the state is falling as snow in the Olympics and Cascades. Snow level will be around 3,000 feet and 2 to 5 inches of snow is forecasted in the mountains, according to MyNorthwest. Another system could bring a chance of snow again Monday, sending those who have yet to get their winter fix of snow happily into the weekend. 

Pop-Up Putt Putt? Thats right, thanks to Smash Putt — a madhouse themed, mini-golf bar set to open for a limited time on 23rd and Union, the Capitol Hill Blog reports. After vacating its large SoDo space two years ago, owners of Smash Putt are back to open a “mechatronic robot art miniature golf-themed pop-up nightclub.” So, what exactly can one expect? To “putt on, launch and load cannons, survive an earthquake, challenge a poppin’ lowrider, dodge real lasers, and frustrate your friends with interactive, destructive games galore,” according to the website. Still curious? Starting March 20 through July weekend evenings, Seattleites will have the chance to see and experience for themselves.