Current airport updates

Nonstop flights

• Papeete, Tahiti | Air Nui Tahiti | Wednesdays and Sundays, 12:30 p.m.
• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico | Alaska Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines | Daily, various times
• Nassau, Bahamas | Alaska Airlines | Three times per week, various times

Food and drink

• Lowrider Cookie Company | A Gates | Your sweet tooth is begging for cookie flavors like brown butter triple chocolate chunk, salted toffee pecan, S’mores, and birthday cake
• Neighborhood Cafe | D Gates | Sip delights like leche flan boba tea, Fulcrum coffee, and okazu pan from Umami Kushi.
• Bad Egg | N Gates | Enjoy breakfast all day with BBQ-inspired biscuit sandwiches and doughnuts.

• Merry Movie Matinees: “The Polar Express” | Tuesday, Dec. 19 | 12-2 p.m. | City Hall Park, 450 Third Ave., Seattle | Free | All aboard for an outdoor screening of the classic 2004 flick — coffee and cocoa provided.
• Donation Drive | Tuesday, Dec. 19 + Thursday, Dec. 21 | 12-2 p.m. | Freeway Park, 600 Seneca St., Seattle | Free | Bring any cold weather clothing and hygiene products you’d like to give away and they’ll be collected for social service organizations.

• Seattle U Men’s Basketball vs Louisiana Tech | Wednesday, Dec. 20 | 7 p.m. | Seattle University, 901 12th Ave., Seattle | $22-$35 | Hoop it up with the feisty Redhawks as they take on a Conference USA opponent.
• Grand Kyiv Ballet: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” | Wednesday, Dec. 20-Saturday, Dec. 23 | Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle | $30-$80 | You’ll be mesmerized by performers from the National Opera of Ukraine as they make their Seattle debut in a family-friendly production.

• Make Your Own Chocolate Bar Workshop | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 6-8 p.m. | Savage Brewing, 12815 NE 124th St., Kirkland | Who needs “Wonka” when you can be your own chocolatier with fine Belgian semi-sweet bars and lots of toppings?
• Macklemore: The BEN Tour | Thursday, Dec. 21-Friday, Dec. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Climate Pledge Arena, 334 First Ave. N., Seattle | $55-$109 | Grab your best thrift shop threads and get ready to party — the hometown hero is back.

• Arboretum Winter Solstice Walk | Friday, Dec. 22 | 3-8 p.m. | Washington Park Arboretum, 2300 Arboretum Dr. E., Seattle | $25 | Embrace the darkest time of year with luminous forest walk, crafts, holiday music, and drinks.
• Holiday Trivia + Ugly Sweater Contest | Friday, Dec. 22 | 7-10 p.m. | Olmstead, 314 Broadway E., Seattle | Free | Wear your tackiest duds while you test your knowledge of seasonal stumpers.

• Woodinville’s longtime garden shop + nursery Molbak’s announced it will soon close after plans to redevelop its property fell through. Molbak’s owners have been in a dispute with Green Partners LLC after the developer nixed plans for the Woodinville Gardens District. There’s no timeline yet for Molbak’s closure. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

• No more double-tapping — Sound Transit’s board officially approved a flat rate fare change for 2024. Rather than the current distance-based fare, all Light Rail riders will pay a $3 rate no matter where they’re going. The change will go into effect next fall. (The Urbanist)

• Ravenna’s critically lauded restaurant JuneBaby will close after its New Year’s Eve Onyx party. Chef Edouardo Jordan had reopened the Ravenna restaurant in 2022 after a hiatus in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations. His latest announcement hinted at future projects, but did not go into details. (Seattle Times)

• The Seattle Landmarks Preservation board recently voted to give protections to Capitol Hill’s Bloch House. The historic home near Volunteer Park was built in 1908 and originally owned by German immigrant bar owner William “Billy” Bloch. The Seattle City Council will vote to confirm the landmark designation in 2024. (Capitol Hill Seattle)

• UW women’s basketball team is having a ball, making the AP top 25 poll for the first time in six years. The undefeated Huskies have started the season 11-0, tying for the best start in the program’s history. They’re currently ranked No. 23 in the country. (Seattle Times)

• Bellevue will host its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Health Fair in-person at Crossroads Bellevue on Jan. 15. Look for health vendors, wellness presentations, and performances from local artists under the theme of “health equity.” You can register in advance.

• Attention, number nerds. Mayor Bruce Harrell released details of his One Seattle Data Strategy — an initiative that attempts to use different facts + figures to help guide policy. The three-year plan is Seattle’s first major effort to address how to collect, store, use, and share data outside and inside the city’s government.

• Luxe staycation plan? Downtown’s Thompson Hotel made the “gold” list of Conde Nast Traveler’s top hotels and resorts in the world for 2024. The hotel earned high marks for a first-rate concierge crew, fancy design details, and “dizzying” views. (Conde Nast Traveler)