Northeast Seattle Wire — Week of March 22, 2026

Welcome to the second issue of The Northeast Wire. To my new subscribers, thanks for joining!

I'm Karen, and I live right here in Wedgwood. Every week I'll pull together the events worth knowing about, what's new in the neighborhood, and one local find you might have missed.

No politics. No crime. Just stuff happening around Northeast Seattle. (and sometimes beyond)

Know a neighbor who'd enjoy this? Send it their way!

Know about something I missed? A new business, an event, something worth sharing? Hit reply — I read every message.

📌 This week's newsletter is brought to you again by Janeen Joshi, Lake Real Estate. Janeen is a Wedgwood neighbor and local real estate expert. Thinking about buying or selling in Northeast Seattle? She knows this neighborhood inside and out! Get in touch → [email protected].

🌸 U District Cherry Blossom Festival — Still running through March 29. The fifth annual festival is in full swing all week! Over 80 U District businesses are offering cherry blossom-themed food, drinks, and retail specials (cherry blossom lattes, sakura ice cream, pink plant discounts, etc.). Right on the edge of our neighborhoods. Full festival info

🙋 The Bryant PTSA Online Auction starts Friday, March 27th and runs through Friday, April 3rd. It’s an online auction (the PTSA posts announcements here). The auction is open to anyone, not just Bryant families. Proceeds support students, teachers, and staff at Bryant Elementary.

🏀 March Madness continues! March Madness begins continues! 🐾 GO HUSKIES! The UW Women won their first match against South Dakota State (72-54) and their second match against TCU is coming up tonight at 7pm. (men's bracket here and the women's bracket here).

Wondering where to watch the game? I compiled a few fave local spots in this post.

🛶 Looking for Summer Camps? Seattle Parks & Rec Summer Camp Open Registration began earlier this week. Includes programs in Magnuson Park that have been popular (and often times more affordable) during previous seasons.

Sadly no new developments this week on the redevelopment at 35th & 85th. The property remains listed for sale, and the Rite-Aid building is still vacant. We're watching and will update you when something moves.

The Wedgwood Community Council says they remain committed to bringing grocery back to the neighborhood. Follow updates at wedgwoodcc.org.

The Seattle Times ran a beautiful piece this week on Derek Cockbain, the man behind the Wedgwood Broiler — and honestly, it's the kind of story that makes you love this neighborhood.

Derek started washing dishes at the Wedgwood Broiler in 1981 at age 19, just 10 blocks from where he grew up. He worked his way up over 15 years and bought the place in 1996. Thirty years later, he's still here — serving the same teriyaki steak, to some of the same families.

The uncertainty, though, is real. He's been on a month-to-month lease since COVID, and while the big six-story redevelopment proposal for the 35th Ave site fizzled, nothing rules out another attempt. Derek sounds like a man genuinely torn — ready to retire and travel with his wife Alycien, but not quite able to walk away from the neighbors and old friends who still fill those booths.

"The neighborhood doesn't want us to go," he told the Times. "I know everybody... and I don't want to close the doors."

Neither do we, Derek. Neither do we!

Here’s the Full story, posted March 19.

The biggest policy story affecting all three neighborhoods this spring is Seattle's One Seattle Comprehensive Plan and the Centers & Corridors zoning legislation.

•       What it is: The legislation updates zoning across 30 new Neighborhood Centers, expanded Urban Centers, and transit corridors city-wide — affecting the built character of NE Seattle.

•       Why it matters: Parts of Wedgwood and Ravenna may see new multi-family housing capacity. Phase 2 in 2026 addresses Frequent Transit Route zones, which includes stretches of 35th Ave NE and NE 65th St.

•       Key upcoming dates: March 31 public comment training • April 6 public hearing & rally • May 29 second public hearing

•       Get involved: Sign up for Futurewise's free volunteer training at futurewise.org or follow your neighborhood council for updates.

📅 Key Dates Ahead

If your kitchen knives have been quietly failing you, Brenda at A Better Edge Sharpening is your answer. She's a Wedgwood neighbor running a woman-owned sharpening service right here in NE Seattle — knives, shears, scissors, garden tools, you name it. She uses a whetstone system and gives each blade individual attention (no commercial disc machines here). I drop mine off and they come back feeling like new. Walkable from much of the Wedgwood neighborhood, affordable, and genuinely skilled. Text her at 206-627-0663.

 📌 Want to reach Wedgwood, View Ridge & Ravenna neighbors? Reply to this email to learn about sponsorship opportunities. I read every email!