By the numbers

• -37% | Percent change in walking trips in Washington
• -38% | Percent change in walking trips in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
• 74 | Seattle’s score out of 100 on Walk Score’s walkability meter

Where to walk the walk

• Myrtle Edwards Park, 3130 Alaskan Way | The scenic waterfront stroll offers great views of the Olympics.
• Queen Anne Stairs, Various locations | Get your steps in while learning a little history.
• Washington Park Arboretum, 2300 Arboretum Dr. E. | Visit the lush botanical gardens.
• Lincoln Park, 8011 Fauntleroy Way | There’s now a giant troll along the way.
• Seward Park, 5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S. | Enjoy lush old growth forest and an easy 2.4-mile loop.

• Embroidery Class: Blooming Wildflowers | Monday, Feb. 12 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Monster, 1716 NW Market St., Seattle | $75 | Stitch yourself a pretty floral decoration — the workshop includes beginner-friendly techniques and a full kit.
• Skip the Small Talk | Monday, Feb. 12 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Locust Cider Market Place, 2003 Western Ave., Seattle | $17 | No need for awkward convos with strangers — this event provides conversational prompts to get the socializing started.

• Linda’s 30th Birthday Party | Tuesday, Feb. 13 | 7 p.m. | Linda’s Tavern , 707 E. Pine St., Seattle | Free | Time sure flies — celebrate three decades of the popular Capitol Hill dive with drink specials, free t-shirts, and surprise DJs.
• Eliades Ochoa | Tuesday, Feb. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle | $25-$65 | Hear masterful strumming from the Cuban guitarist who was one of the founding members of the Buena Vista Social Club.

• Love is in the Air | Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 5-7 p.m. | Washington Park Arboretum, 2300 Arboretum Dr. E., Seattle | $20 | Take a romantic stroll through a pink-lighted path and create Valentine’s cards — then get cozy with hot cocoa, cider + tea at Wisteria Hall.
• Northwest Flower & Garden Festival | Wednesday, Feb. 14-Friday, Feb. 16 | 9 a.m.-8 p.m. | Seattle Convention Center, 705 Pike St., Seattle | $13-$27 | Discover 20+ stunning display gardens, attend 96+ seminars with global gardening luminaries, and more at the ultimate celebration of spring and gardening.*

• Puppy Love Sugar Cookie Decorating Class | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 6-8 p.m. | Ancestry Cellars, 13590 NE Village Square Dr., Woodinville | $55 | You’ll learn sweet baking basics in the two-hour class focused on doggone cute creations.
• “Once More, Just for You” | Thursday, Feb. 15-Friday, Feb. 16 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Seattle Public Theater, 7312 W. Green Lake Dr. N., Seattle | $10-$100 | See this time traveling production from Seattle playwright Maggie Lee.

• Time to say goodbye to a beloved Capitol Hill Italian joint. The 36-year-old Ristorante Machiavelli will close after one more night of service this Thursday, Feb. 15. Machiavelli’s new sibling restaurant up in Edmonds will stay open. (Capitol Hill Seattle)

• Tune in to “Shark Tank” on NBC Friday, Feb. 16, when local inventor Steve Gray is scheduled to present his smart birdhouse to the panel of judges. The sleek-looking design includes a monitor, climbing wall for fledglings, and an elevated nesting platform. (GeekWire)

• Seattle Parks and Recreation has begun construction on the new South Park Plaza Park at 8456 Dallas Ave. S. Elements of the park include multi-colored tile installations, landscaping, a play area, Lushootseed language etchings, and more. Expect it to open at the end of the summer.

• Designs for a hotel project on Denny Way show how closely the Monorail may pass around it. Developer Da Li Properties is working on the project in the former space of Fat City garage. There’s no timeline for completion, but plans call for a 15-story tower with 185 rooms. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

• The Seattle Department of Transportation announced that construction on the RapidRide G Line is almost finished. The line will run more frequent buses through downtown, First Hill, Capitol Hill, Central District, and Madison Valley. King County Metro plans to start up service in the fall.

• Well, this name sounds familiar. The Seattle Mariners recently signed Canaan Smith-Njigba — the older brother of the Seahawks’ star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Canaan is an outfielder who made his MLB debut last year with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

• No. 7. That’s the spot Providence Regional Medical Center earned on U.S. News and World Report’s list of the Best Hospitals in Washington. The center has been recognized as “high performing” in 11 types of care, including diabetes, heart bypass surgery, and kidney disease.^

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• Island Soul Rum Bar & Soul Shack | It’s a party every night at this Columbia City hot spot, but there’s a special menu on Tuesday, Feb. 13, with crawfish Monica and jambalaya.
• Where Ya At, Matt | The food truck is baking up king cakes — grab a slice through Fat Tuesday.
• The Royal Room | The South Hudson Music Project takes the stage at this jazz venue Tuesday for an evening of festive tunes.
• Ivar’s Salmon House | Enjoy a Cajun + Creole buffet, drink specials, live music, and prizes at Seattle’s longtime seafood staple.