Challenge accepted 🚌

Seattle celebrates Week Without Driving

Have you thought about where your nearest bus stop is? | Photo by @lazy_shutterbug

This week, Washington is switching gears.

A Week Without Driving is an initiative organized by Disability Rights Washington that asks people to ditch their cars for a week. The purpose is to help build understanding for how those with disabilities, youth, and folks who don’t drive cars get around the city — which in Seattle accounts for about 55,000 people.

While it’s easy to understand how traveling via only bus can be a challenge or why dedicated bike lanes foster safety, it’s a whole different thing to experience for yourself. Disability Rights Washington hopes the week-long experiment can create a more robust advocacy network and in turn, a better community.

You won’t be the only one who’s trying it. Several Seattle + King County councilmembers, Sound Transit’s incoming CEO Julie Timm, Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson, and many other local officials are also jumping in on the challenge.

So, how does it work?

There are only a few parameters, since the point is to get people to think creatively and have a well-rounded experience.

You’re free to use whatever mode of transportation you want, but try not to drive your car at all.
Think about how using your mode of choice might affect your day-to-day in the longer term. How quickly does the price of Ubers add up? How would you repay a friend who drives you around for a month? How would your walk change if you had a broken leg or bad ankle?
Share your experience by using the hashtag #WeekWithoutDriving on social media, or by sending an email or voice memo. You can use the initiative’s prompt tool to get you started.

Want to give it a try?

Here are some resources you might find beneficial.

Public transit users can use the Transit app to help plan their trips and view real-time information. This can also be a good opportunity to try out the new ORCA card system.
Bikers can map out their route on the Seattle Department of Transportation’s website.
We also have some tips for getting around without gas and enjoying bike paths.

Use the links below to share this free newsletter with the folks in your life who like a good challenge.

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Today

Heilung | Tues., Sept. 20 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $78+ | The Northern European band bases its music on ancient prayers + runic texts.
Novo Amor | Tues., Sept. 20 | 8 p.m. | The Showbox | $60+ | This folksy, indie band will help jump start those cozy, sweater weather vibes. 🎶

Wednesday

Dee’s Nuts: A comedy show for us featuring El Sánchez and Jessica Hong | Wed., Sep. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Here - After, The Crocodile | $15 | If this comedy show is as witty as its title, you’re in for some belly laughs.
Silent Reading Party | Wed., Sep. 21 | 6-8 p.m. | Hotel Sorrento, 900 Madison St. | $8 | Bring a book or newspaper, reserve a spot by the fire, and drift away to the sound of a live pianist. 📚

Thursday

Yerbana Yoga in the Park | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Gas Works Park | Free | Relax and settle into some stretches. 🧘

Friday

Samantha Fish | Fri., Sept. 23 | 6 p.m. | The Crocodile | $63+ | The Kansas City singer-songwriter’s work spans country, funk, blues, and bluegrass.
The Stronks with Gonna Be Friends | Fri., Sept. 23 | 8 p.m.-12 a.m. | Substation, 645 NW 45th St. | $15 | Get ready to rock with these tribute bands of the Strokes + the White Stripes. 🎸
End of Summer Party and Silent Disco | Fri., Sept. 23 | 11 p.m.-2 a.m. | Hatch Cantina, 200 Bell St. | $15+ | Grab some headphones and silently dance the night away to Latin, house, hip-hop, and pop hits. 🎧

Plan Ahead

Trans Siberian Orchestra | Sat., Nov. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Climate Pledge Arena*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

75º | Sunny | 3% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 6:53 a.m.
Set: 7:10 p.m.

Ranked

Impress the in-laws with a dinner rez here — Columbia City’s Off Alley was just included on the New York Times’ Top 50 restaurants in America list. The article lauds the combination of Off Alley’s small bistro feel and urban edge. 🍽 (New York Times)
Well, duh — a ranking by Lawn Love put Seattle at the top of its Best Cities for Beer Lovers 2022 list. Qualities like access, beer quality, and affordability contributed to the each city’s placement. Second place went to Denver and third place went to Portland — better luck next time, neighbor. 🍻

Traffic

The Seattle City Council will vote today on whether private companies can share bus stops with public transit agencies on a more permanent basis. Seattle’s pilot program for “shuttle zones” has been used primarily by large companies like Microsoft and Amazon and has required businesses to pay a fee of $5,000 since 2017. 🚌 (Capitol Hill Blog)

Real Estate

Here’s a jaw dropper for you — one couple recently listed their Mercer Island home for a whopping $15.75 million. The house includes four bedrooms, four fireplaces, a deep-water dock that can hold a 90-ft yacht, and a wine cellar. 🏡 (Puget Sound Business Journal)

Community

More than a week after the Bolt Creek Fire began, firefighters have been able to contain 79% of the southern half of the blaze. Highway 2 remains closed to all but local residents. Information on where and how to donate can be found on the Snohomish County Public Safety Hub. (Seattle Times)

Festival

The Sustainable Ballard Festival returns this Saturday for its 17th year. The festival will feature hands-on exhibits + demonstrations that show how actions big and small can reduce our carbon footprint. The festival will be held at the Loyal Heights Community Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ♻️ (My Ballard)

Biz

Seattle recently gained another unicorn start-up — meaning the company is valued over $1 billion — after retail software provider Swiftly raised an additional $100 million. The company provides grocers with branded phone apps to improve in-store experiences. 🦄 (GeekWire)

Development

Make it picture perfect — nonprofit Photographic Center Northwest has a plan for its new, redeveloped space up for a design review. In addition to housing the nonprofit at 900 12th Avenue, plans include an additional 171 apartments + underground parking for 42 cars. 📸 (Capitol Hill Blog)

Eat

Don’t just eat better — eat the best. Sunbasket’s meal kit service delivers delicious, healthy meals created by award-winning chefs straight to your front door. Bonus: SEAtoday readers can get $100 off their first four deliveries and more when they sign up. *

Travel

Going on vacation this fall and need to learn a new language fast? With Babbel, you could be speaking a new language in as little as three weeks. Bonus: Get 55% off your subscription for a limited time. 🌎*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Nice to see you again, neighbors 💚

Seattle’s reaction to West Seattle Bridge reopening

One of the West Seattle Bridge signs just before it was installed. | Photo by SDOT

What do you do when you break a 900-day routine? You party and think about all the new things you can do.

Seattleites were certainly pumped when the West Seattle Bridge officially reopened at 9:23 p.m. Saturday night after a two-and-a-half year closure. A plethora of videos were sent in to the West Seattle Blog when the final barricades were removed and included footage of first treks across the bridge. Freedoooommm. 🦅

We also heard that some commutes from the Westside to downtown went from a 45-minute ordeal to about a 10-12-minute drive. Have a similar experience? Let us know.

Or, if you’re sticking with the Week Without Driving theme, buses are now also crossing the bridge.

THE WRAP

Alina	Today’s issue was written by Alina. Editor’s pick: So, here’s another reason that I personally think people should try out this Week Without Driving — I think you’ll be surprised about what sorts of places you discover in your neighborhood when you’re not focused on traffic. When I was carless for a few months, not only was it fun finding new parks and restaurants I never would have noticed before, but I felt more connected to my community than I ever had. Give it a try and have an adventure. Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Say goodbye to the Guild 45th Theater.
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Editorial: Alina Hunter-Grah, Gabe Guarente, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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