Seattleites can pick up the Amtrak Cascades train at King Station. | Photo courtesy of Amtrak
We’re rail-y excited about this one. Amtrak’s Cascades train service to Vancouver, BC has resumed after a two-year hiatus — just in time for fall vacay planning. 🍁
Tickets are as low as $34 one wayfrom Seattle’s King Station to our Canadian neighbor, with daily round-trip service that goes through Edmonds, Everett, and Bellingham. The leisurely chug-a-chug up the coast is a scenic journey, and may be a bit more appealing than waiting in security lines at the airport or sitting in I-5 traffic.
Maple leaf it up to us to prep your next cross-border trip.
Know before you go 🧳
Starting Sat., Oct. 1, Canada is lifting all its COVID-related travel restrictions, which means US travelers will no longer be required to bring proof of vaccination when visiting.
Carry-on baggage for the Cascades service is limited to two pieces — and seating is usually on a first-come, first-serve basis(small dogs + cats are welcome, BTW).
What to do 🗓️
If you’ve never been to Vancouver (or it’s been awhile), be sure to mark these sightseeing suggestions + events on your to-do list.
Granville Island | Open year-round | Free | Take a mini ferry out to this charming destination filled with food vendors, breweries, art galleries + theaters — and see if the popular main market measures up to Pike Place.
Vancouver International Film Festival | Thurs., Sept. 29-Sun., Oct. 9 | $10+ | One of the PNW’s most prominent cinematic extravaganzas has 100+ features to see — plus performances and panels.
Richmond Night Market | Through Sun., Oct. 9 | $6+ | The season is almost ending for this popular Asian foodie paradise — the largest night market in North America.
Where to stay 🏡
Here are some sweet crash pads around town — prices listed are US dollars per night.
The 42nd Annual Arts of the Terrace Juried Arts Show | Tues., Sept. 27 | 12-6 p.m. | Mountlake Terrace Library, 23300 58th Ave W. | Free | , From paintings to photos to miniatures, this show features 300+ works from 127 artists — all for sale. 🖼️
Bibliophilia | Tues., Sept. 27 | 7-8 p.m. | Central Branch, Seattle Public Library + virtual | Free | Local writer-actor Jekeva Phillips hosts this poetry + prose fest that incorporates improv theater.
Wednesday
Mariners vs. Texas Rangers | Wed., Sept. 28 | 6:40 p.m. | T-Mobile Park | $15+ | The M’s inch closer to a playoff spot. ⚾
Little Shop of Horrors | Wed., Sept. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, Issaquah | $40+ | The classic musical comedy featuring gardening gone awry + a sadistic dentist. 🪴
Thursday
Coffee in Community | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 8:30-10:30 a.m. | Beecher’s Loft, 1600 Pike Pl. | $75 | African Community Housing & Development hosts a tasting of African coffee led by Efram Fesaha of Boon Boona Coffee. ☕
Dvořák Symphony No. 7 | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 7:30 p.m. | Benaroya Hall | $25+ | This 19th century work by the legendary Czech composer is considered his greatest. 🎶
Friday
Great Pumpkin Beer Festival | Fri., Sept. 30 | 4-10 p.m. | Seattle Center | $30+ | Sip on 80+ pumpkin and seasonal brews, with proceeds benefiting the Vera Project. 🎃
What the Constitution Means to Me | Fri., Sep. 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Seattle Rep | $16+ | The funny + thought-provoking play from Tony Award-nominated playwright Heidi Schreck traces the founding document’s impact on four generations of women.
Saturday
BrickCon 2022| Sat., Oct. 1-Sun., Oct. 2 | Times vary | Seattle Center | Prices vary | Don’t miss out on seeing thousands of models created by adult LEGO hobbyists from around the world and the chance to purchase past, present, and custom LEGO parts.*
We have amonthly 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.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
From leaky faucets to clogged drains to running out of hot water, homeowners might encounter unexpected problems that come with homeownership. | Photo provided by South West
Welcome to homeownership. With homeownership comes the joy of creating a relaxing new space for making memories, hosting family gatherings... you name it. However, you’re now responsible for every upgrade and repair, like fixing a leaky water heater or clogged toilets, all on your own. Congrats. 😅
Here’s the thing: Whether you’re a new homeowner or have owned a home for years, you’re likely to have plenty of homeowner questions, like:
🚽 How do I unclog my toilet without calling for help? 💧 Is my water heater energy efficient? Should I opt for a tankless option? 😲 Why is my garbage disposal making that odd sound? 🚰 What can’t I pour down my sink… and why? 💧 My water bill is high, do I have a leak somewhere?
We’re asking you to send us all of the questions + concerns you have about plumbing and home maintenance, and South West will answer your questions in an upcoming newsletter. Keep in mind there’s no such thing as a stupid question. So, what do you want to know?*
The Seattle Department of Transportation begins construction for a revamped Pier 58 this week. When finished, there will be a new playground area with a giant jellyfish, event space, and a tree grove. The project is expected to be completed by 2025. 🌊
Closing
Little Saigon’s Viet Wah market will close on Fri., Sept. 30 after 41 years in business. The grocer first opened in 1981, providing the community with access to Vietnamese ingredients and other Asian goods. It expanded to a Renton location, which will remain open. (Vanishing Seattle)
Outdoors
Looking to make some moves? Detective Cookie Chess Park is now open in Rainier Beach. Named after a 35-year veteran of the Seattle Police Department known for youth outreach, the urban community space features a large chess board and smaller built-in ones for visitors to learn. ♟️ (KING 5)
Environment
King County executive Dow Constantine announced a proposal that would give loans to locals for making clean energy improvements to their home. Examples might include installing solar panels, upgrading windows, or buying more efficient water heaters. 💚
Seattleite
Local real estate agent Doreen Alhadeff will be awarded Spanish knighthood in October for her work with a diaspora Jewish population. Doreen has helped Sephardic Jews in Seattle and around the world navigate the process to becoming Spanish citizens. (Seattle Times)
Eat
Lynwood is sizzling over Korean barbecue restaurantBaekjeong, which recently opened at the Alderwood Mall. The meaty franchise — started by a pro wrestler in 2003 — has been praised by critics as one of the best in the US, serving prime tableside-cooked eats. 🥩 (Eater Seattle)
Traffic
The Lower Arrivals Drive at Sea-Tacwill be closed overnight from 12-7 a.m. until Thursday. Courtesy vehicles will be relocated to the northeast ground transportation lot, and a single lane closure will continue until 8:30 a.m. each day. ✈️ (KING 5)
DYK
Calling Ben Affleck. Yesterday, NASA smashed a spacecraft into an asteroid as a test for future planetary defense. Locals might remember a close call in 2018, when a meteor the size of a minivan splashed down off the Washington coast — so let’s hope this test rocks. 🚀 (Seattle Times)
Festival
Oh my gourd — for the first time in three years, the West Seattle Junction Association will host a full-fledged version of its Harvest Festival. The Sun., Oct. 30 event will include standbys like the costume parade along with new features like live music + a cornhole tournament. (West Seattle Blog)
Coming Soon
New seafood spot Sailfish will open on Fri., Oct. 7, taking over the space formerly occupied by Bunsoy. Head chef Zach Lake — who worked at Ray’s Boathouse — will serve a variety of shareable plates, alongside a drinks list of white wines + bubbly cocktails.🐟 (My Ballard)
Shop
Football season is in full swing. If you’re headed to a game this fall, don’t forget to pack your gameday essentials in a stadium approved bag. This clear crossbody with 8,000+ positive reviews is a must + we also love this trendy fanny pack option.*
Eat
Skip the meal hassle with Sunbasket, a meal kit delivery service that makes healthy eating beyond easy. Sunbasket offers 10 different meal plans that work for those with dietary preferences and specific restrictions (think: paleo, gluten-free, veg, diabetes-friendly + more). Bonus: Sign up for $100 off your first four deliveries. 🥕 *
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While in town to promote the coda to his slacker-comedy trilogy “Clerks III,” famed indie director Kevin Smith recently stopped by U District’s retro movie rental emporium Scarecrow Video — and had his “brag humbled.” 📼
Kevin was clearly impressed with Scarecrow’s vast library of 140,000+ titles, calling it “cineaste heaven.” But when perusing the forest of films, he was a little bummed when he didn’t see his name anywhere among the director-dedicated sections. Whoopsie.
Scarecrow fixed the oversight later, giving Kevin his due with shelves full of the movies he starred + directed in. Kevin soon tweeted back that it was all good — and said he appreciated the gesture.
We hope Scarecrow keeps up with a list of visiting Hollywood-types. But just in case they need to work up some shelving adjustments down the line, our calendar of events should help ‘em out.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Gabe.
Editor’s pick: Getting train service back to Vancouver from Seattle is exciting — but you can also plan some cool shorter trips on the same line.
Sound Transit’s Rail Plus system can get you to Everett + Edmonds for free if you have a monthly ORCA card. Cool conductor cap not included.
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