Happy Tuesday, neighbors — and a special welcome to everyone who found their way here this past week. I didn't expect such a big influx in a short time, and I'm genuinely grateful for it. Glad you're here.

🍺 Before I get into the good stuff: I'd feel remiss not mentioning Growler Guys. They had a very difficult situation last weekend — I won't get into the details here, but if you're not familiar, you can read about it here. As of yesterday, they’ve just reopened & I hope we all stop by for a pint of beer, soda, or kombucha.

Kathryn Michie and Chris Engdahl, left, and the stolen ashes flyer

🐾 You may have seen this one making the rounds — a Seattle man experiencing homelessness found a stolen bag, realized it held a family's beloved dog's ashes, and returned it without asking for a reward. The community found out, donations poured in, and he moved into his own apartment for the first time in seven years.

🏠 Closer to home: housing inventory is up significantly this month, which means buyers actually have options right now — a real shift from where we've been. And Barnes & Noble is back in downtown Seattle after six years away, with a new flagship at 520 Pike. If you haven't had a reason to head downtown lately, now you do.

🏀 One more thing: the Sonics comeback just got a lot more real. Kraken owner Samantha Holloway hired JPMorgan Chase to structure an NBA expansion bid — and if it goes as hoped, we could have basketball back by 2028. Not counting our championships yet, but it's fun to imagine.

🌻 My family checked out Day Joy Studio's grand opening this weekend — my daughter made her own bouquet to take home, and it was a hit. They're also announcing summer camps on May 21st. If you're still figuring out your summer camp plans, I put together a last-minute guide that might help.

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📅 This Week's Notable Events

🎶 Northwest Folklife Festival — May 22–25, daily (Seattle Center, free/$20 suggested donation)

This year's theme is Ubuntu — the African philosophy that translates as "I am because we are" — which feels exactly right for a festival that's been bringing Seattle together every Memorial Day weekend since 1972. Expect 400+ performances across 26 stages and 200+ craft and food vendors. It's free to get in, endlessly wanderable, and one of those days where you show up for an hour and stay for four.

🏔️ Spring Gear Grab — Tuesday, May 26, 6–8pm (The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center, 7700 Sand Point Way NE)

If your garage is hiding gear you haven't touched in two seasons, this one's for you — or for whoever snaps it up. The Mountaineers' Spring Gear Grab is open to members and non-members alike: come to shop (no registration needed, just show up between 6–8pm) or sign up to sell your gently used outdoor equipment. A great way to score a deal on quality gear before summer hiking season kicks into full gear.

🎵 Pinehurst Community Choir at Shorecrest — May 30 & 31 (Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, 15343 25th Ave NE, Shoreline)

Linda Freeman, a neighbor from Pinehurst wrote in about this one — her community choir is performing two shows of familiar pop songs from the late '60s and '70s. Shorecrest is just over the border in Shoreline, but the singers are ours. It’s outside of Northeast Seattle but worth the short drive! → Get tickets

Got something happening in the neighborhood? I want to know about it! Submit your event here. I review submissions each week before sending.

🏟️ More Seattle Sports

🏈 Seahawks Schedule Is Out

The defending champs open at home September 9 against New England — a Super Bowl rematch — and close the regular season in LA against the Rams, the team they beat in the NFC Championship. In between: a franchise-record six primetime games, five of them at Lumen Field. Oh, and they host the Rams on Christmas night too. Mark your calendars. → Full schedule

⚽ World Cup Fan Zone — Right on the Waterfront

Starting June 11, you can watch World Cup matches on a massive LED screen at Pier 62 on Elliott Bay — part of a distributed free fan experience running through July 6 that also includes Seattle Center and Pacific Place. Free, open to the public, and a genuinely great excuse to get down to the waterfront this summer. → seattlefwc26.org

🏗️ Wedgwood Center Update

There's movement on the redevelopment at NE 85th & 35th. The original deal with Security Properties fell through back in January — financing issues, not uncommon in today's market for mixed-use grocery-anchored developments. But as of mid-May, a new party is in the middle of due diligence, with the intent to pick up where Security Properties left off and continue with the same plan currently before the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspection. The Wedgwood Community Council expects the new developer to be identified by mid-summer. We'll keep watching. → Full update from WCC

🏪 Open for Business

🍱 Ooshiba Yakitori & Sushi | Wednesday evenings in the Growler Guys parking lot (8500 Lake City Way NE), 6–9pm. Yakitori skewers and fresh nigiri from the family-owned team behind the beloved Figurehead Brewing residency in Fremont. No reservation needed — just show up.

🎨 Day Joy Studio | A new age-inclusive art studio right across from Top Pot on 35th (6850 35th Ave NE, Suite S) — open studio time for all ages, workshops, birthday parties, and kids' summer camps announcing May 21st.

🀄 The Women's Collective | Mahjong is having a moment! Three NE Seattle women building community through mahjong nights, private events, and instruction — 150 women taught in their first 8 weeks. Near U Village on NE Blakeley St. → Book here

🔍 Karen's Local Pick

This one's my husband's pick, and he'd want you to know about it. He's been borrowing power tools from the Northeast Seattle Tool Library for home projects — which means we're not buying a drill we'll use twice and store forever in the garage. The concept is simple: pay a small membership fee, borrow what you need, return it when you're done. No clutter, no "where did we put that" conversations.

It's one of those neighborhood resources that sounds too good to be true and then turns out to just be… good. If you've got projects on the list this summer and a garage that's already full, worth a look. (Open Tue & Thu 3–8pm, Sat 9am–2pm, Sun 2–5pm.)

🏡 What's This Home Worth? Brought to you by Janeen Joshi, Lake Real Estate

Can you guess the price of this real estate listing based on just one photo? Hint: 5 Bed, 3 bathroom

📅 Also Happening

Every Tuesday

📅 Key Dates Ahead

Date

Event

May 25

❤️🤍💙 Memorial Day

June 8

Seattle pauses major road construction for World Cup until 7/7

June 12

Last day of school for ASB

June 15

First Seattle World Cup match: Belgium vs. Egypt (Group G)

June 18

First Day of Seattle Public Schools Summer Break

June 19

🇺🇸 Second Seattle World Cup match: United States vs. Australia (Group D)

June 21

Father’s Day

Aug 4

Seattle Night Out!

Sept 9

🏈 First Seahawks game (NFL opener)

📌 Stay Connected: Neighborhood Resources

Seattle Nest Community Group

Seattle One Seattle Plan / Zoning

Futurewise (Zoning Advocacy)

Maple Leaf Community Council

Ravenna-Bryant Community Association

View Ridge Community Council

Wedgwood Community Council

🏟️ Seattle Sports Schedules

Team

League

Schedule Link

Mariners

MLB (Baseball)

🏈 Seahawks

NFL (Football)

Seattle Reign FC

NWSL (Soccer)

Sounders FC

MLS (Soccer)

🏀 Seattle Storm

WNBA (Basketball)

🌍 FIFA World Cup 2026

International Soccer

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