08.28.2024

Today’s Forecast

🕷 Arachnid alert: Don’t be bugged out

Your web-based guide to spider season in Seattle

Daddy long-legs spotted on a window above a building casting the shadow of the Space Needle roof

Gah, they’re attacking the Space Needle — oh, wait. | Photo via @walkaboutjoewilly

In case you couldn’t tell by all the eight-legged creepy crawlies around the neighborhood, we’re smack dab in the middle of Seattle spider season — a grand addition to our wacko local calendar.

Early fall is typically when we see certain Western Washington arachnids more prominently, but there are a few misconceptions around our web-slinging friends. So let’s untangle some of the spin.

Spidey senses tingling

Spiders didn’t just arrive now. They’ve been here in similar quantities throughout the whole year, if that makes you feel better (or worse, oops).

Around this time, two local species reach maturity: the European orb weaver and the giant house spider. Both sound a little scary, but don’t freak out — neither are harmful to humans. They’re more visible these days because the male members of both species are at the end of their lifespan and doing everything they can to go out and find a mate. Awwww. Do you feel bad about washing them down the drain now?

More local spider facts:

There are 960+ spider species in Washington, more than every other state except Texas + California.
Around 25-30 species live in Seattle.
The giant house spider can grow to four inches in size — about the size of your palm. Try not to think about it.

How to deal

Experts say that the best thing to do is just leave indoor spiders alone. But if you feel you absolutely must get rid of them, don’t just carry the little critters outside in a cup — that’s actually harmful to them.

Instead, you can relocate house spiders to a garage, shed, or crawl space. That way, they can be away from your couch but still snack on tasty pests like flies or mosquitoes — and you can all sleep in peace. Win-win.

Events

Wednesday, Aug. 28

Yoga with Atlee Treasure | Wednesday, Aug. 28 | 6-6:50 p.m. | Waterfront Park Seattle | Free | Stretch and relax during this all-ages yoga class at Pier 62’s park.
Author Talk: Brendan Shay Basham with Dawn Pichón Barron | Wednesday, Aug. 28 | 7-8 p.m. | The Elliott Bay Book Company | Free | Basham is celebrating his new fiction novel “Swim Home to the Vanished,” a haunting folkloric tale about grief and mystery.

Thursday, Aug. 29

Keiko Matsui: “Euphoria” | Thursday, Aug. 29-Sunday, Sept. 1 | Times vary | Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley | $42 | This composer, who has worked with the likes of Stevie Wonder and Miles Davis, has a new show dedicated to the hope we all carry in our hearts.
Mountain Road Paint & Sip | Thursday, Aug. 29 | 7-9 p.m. | The Heart Gallery Paint and Sip | $40 | Have a drink and paint something nice for your wall.
Glass House Dinner Concert | Thursday, Aug. 29 | 8-9:30 p.m. | 13113 Burma Road SW | $85 | Prepare for quite the fancy evening that has a live quartet and an expertly paired meal.

Friday, Aug. 30

PAX West 2024 | Friday, Aug. 30-Monday, Sept. 2 | Times vary | Seattle Convention Center | $66-$250 | This video game convention includes meet-and-greets with the voice actors of “Final Fantasy VII,” “Baldur’s Gate 3" panels, and unreleased game testing.
I Saw You: A Comedy with Heart | Friday, Aug. 30-Saturday, Sept. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | Unexpected Productions | $12-$20 | Inspired by “The Stranger’s” version of “Missed Connections,” this improv acts out real submissions from Seattleites.

Events calendar here

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Learn

Culture

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Explore the world

News Notes

Maritime

Fast ferry sailings between Seattle and Kingston have been canceled until further notice. Kitsap Transit said this is due to a mechanical failure on one of its vessels. Passholders can still get a ticket to ride Washington State Ferries by checking in with an agent at the Seattle passenger-only dock. (KING 5)

Civics

The State of Washington is in the middle of a statewide ballot recount during what is its closest primary election since 1960. Just 51 votes separate the No. 2 + 3 candidates for the Commissioner of Public Lands race. Most counties will need about a week to finish counting. (Seattle Times)

Watch

A Big Ten Network Carrier dispute with Comcast might mean some UW fans won’t be able to stream the games this season. While the Big 10 Network expanded to cover new university additions, Comcast has refused to expand along with it so far. Other distributors will still stream the games. (Seattle Times)

Open

Seattle’s first hockey bar The Angry Beaver has reopened after shuttering back in January 2024. Now under new ownership, the Greenwood spot now has more TVs, the same ol’ poutine, and a broader focus on sports instead of just hockey. (Eater Seattle)

Community

Residents and community leaders in Capitol Hill are working to revive the Capitol Hill Community Council after it dissolved during the pandemic. The council’s first meeting, where organizers hope to nail down its functions, is set for Tuesday, Sept. 10 at the Capitol Hill Public Library branch. (Capitol Hill Seattle)

Traffic

The Ballard Bridge will be closed overnight during several weekends in September and October while Seattle Department of Transportation crews work to replace several of its parts. The bridge will remain open for pedestrians and bikers. Dates and times may change in flux with weather conditions.

Sports

Yesterday was cutdown day for the Seattle Seahawks — 31 players were cut from the team to make up their 53-man roster. Hear from the local experts about who’s sticking around with Locked On’s daily, Seahawks-focused podcast.

Travel

Our favorite travel hack? Flykitt by Fount. It’s trusted by Navy SEALS and pro athletes to conquer jet lag. Try it for yourself — use code NOJETLAG for 10% off.*

Arts

🎨 Check this out

Seattle Asian Art Museum premieres Korean art exhibit + new hours

Guest curator of the exhibit Hyonjeong “HJ” Kim Han stands in front of ten large panels displaying scrolls that have characters scribed on them in black ink. HJ is wearing a black suit and bright blue top, walking in front of the display as she shares its significance.

Hyonjeong “HJ” Kim Han, who works as a curator at the Denver Art Museum, is the guest curator for the “Meot” exhibit. | Photo by SEAtoday Staff

Two big updates are launching today for Seattle Asian Art Museum — its new “Meot” exhibit is making a debut + the museum will once again be open on Wednesdays.

To celebrate the schedule change, the museum is offering free admission on Wednesday, Aug. 28 — its first Wednesday of operation since 2020.

Enthusiasts can also stop in and explore “Moet,” a 60+ piece series from the late Seattleite art patron Frank Bayley’s personal collection and works from a few of his close Korean artist friends. Comprised of ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, and wooden works, “Moet” — a Korean term meaning charm, style, and refined aesthetic sensibilities — blends traditional artworks and contemporary artistic expressions for a seamless exploration of creativity and Korean identity.

The intentional mixing of historic Korean art — dating as far back as the 12th century — with contemporary works showcases how current artists engage with past techniques while creating new expressions.

The Buy

🛍️ Labor Day weekend sales have begun. Check out some of the best markdowns we’ve found on Amazon:

This walking pad treadmill is 63% off.

Snag a Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner while it’s 26% off.

These pretty lab-grown moissanite earrings are 50% off.

Great for kitchen prep, this mixing bowl + air-tight lid set is 54% off.

Get a weighted blanket 50% off.

This multiple device USB charging station is 48% off.

Shop Amazon's Labor Day sale

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Alina

From the editor

Growing up in the Tennessee woods meant growing up around wolf spiders + brown recluses, so I got my “big, scary bug” chops in at a young age. I also still see far less spiders in Washington than I did back home. They’re kinda like seeing an old friend these days.

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