Seattle Living

How to Trim the Tree and the Waste
Ridwell CEO: Sustainability doesn’t have to be perfect. It just requires intention.
As we kick off the holiday season, it may not surprise you to learn that the most wonderful time of the year is also the most wasteful. People in the United States create 25% more garbage between Nov. 1 and New Year’s Day, which adds a staggering 4 million to 5 million tons to the…

Retail Crime in Washington the Worst in U.S.
Forbes Advisor report finds that retailers here are ‘most impacted’
A few years ago, a thief brazenly used a pair of bolt cutters to snip the wires securing several high-end purses at the former Macy’s department store in downtown Seattle. He then calmly left the store. Retail theft remains a driver of numerous store closures throughout the city — Target and Bartell Drugs are two…

What’s All the Fuss About?
Let these Seattle-area restaurants take the Thanksgiving cooking reins
The countdown kicks off earlier each year. Turkey window decals peck at the heels of the skeletons. Soggy brown leaves lay scattered across roads, sidewalks, and yards. From misty blue mornings to frigid evenings, we hear you, nature. It’s time to eat, drink, and be merry. If you’re looking to remove the stress from your…

A Light-Filled Oasis
Mercer Island residence embraces natural beauty by drawing it inside
When Kent and Lisa Sacia decided to put a bow on their latest remodeling triumph, they turned to a trusted collaborator, Sander Groves Landscaping President Dan Groves. He was more than happy to take on the project, a reimagining of a 1972 Northwest contemporary by a noted Mercer Island architect. “I am in a position to…

The Tinsel is No Longer in a Tangle
Seattle shoppers are ready to spend this holiday season
One iPad pro: $799. One 24” MacBook: $1,599. If those are on your holiday shopping list, chances are you’ve already busted your budget. The 2023 Deloitte Seattle Holiday Retail Survey finds that the “average” holiday spend in Seattle is $2,073, up a whopping 59% from two years ago. That’s not all. That $2,073 is 25%…

UW Launches Final Phase of Campaign to Restore Historic ASUW Shell House
Effort coincides with release of The Boys in the Boat on Christmas day
The race is on. The University of Washington has launched the final phase of an ambitious campaign to restore the historic shell house where the 1936 Gold-medal winning Olympic rowing team once trained. The “Pull Together” campaign is designed to encourage final gifts toward the renovation of the century-old ASUW Shell House on the Montlake…

The Gift of Experience
Think activities, not things
I’m reminded at this time of year to slow down and reflect on my life with gratitude. But the official Thursday of thanks ends abruptly, overshadowed by the frenzied Friday that starts the holiday shopping marathon. This is a dizzying prospect that you may also dread, so I offer an alternative: Consider the idea of…

His Own Man
Pete Carroll doesn’t always trust the analytics that have taken over sports
Socially liberal, but a football conservative. That description of Pete Carroll may come as a surprise to Seattle, which for the past 13 years has watched the coach defy the expectations of his profession. In other words, he’s not beholden to analytics. He does not use fear to motivate his players. He does not threaten…

Author Sadie Hartmann’s Halloween Reads
Some trusted classics and fresh finds
In the spirit of Halloween, Tacoma resident and author of 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered, Sadie Hartmann, recommends some of her favorite scary books and stories. It’s time to let the flashlight cast eerie shadows in the dark, listen for mysterious sounds outside your window, and immerse yourself in the world of…

For Your Halloween Listening Pleasure
Four spine-tingling short stories that go deeper than basic scares
This collection of audio stories features four narratives suitable for a wide audience that will raise goosebumps as well as attempt to understand the depths of our human experience. From a non-fiction exploration of generational impact to a supernatural encounter with a terrifying hat, these stories provide a listening experience that will linger in your…

One Family’s Topsy-Turvey Journey
The kids switch schools often. Here’s why.
My husband and I are among the lucky ones. Our careers have afforded us the resources and flexibility to meet our goal of having education options to choose from for our two young children, who are entering seventh and fifth grades this fall. Our story begins with my French husband, Jean Phillipe. From the…

Best of Seattle: 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards
Seattle magazine’s annual spotlight on the best of the city
In this annual tradition, we call out the businesses, services, and local establishments that have contributed to making our city truly unique. These awards represent the collective voice of our readers, who have cast their votes to recognize and appreciate the best of what our city has to offer. Food and Drink Best New Restaurant…

Back Page: Not Making The Grade
Seattle Public Schools Was Under A Harsh Spotlight In 1968
Before the 2023-2024 school season kicked off, Seattle Public Schools had some big decisions to make regarding a $131 million budget deficit. Back in 1968, SPS faced similar challenges, as detailed in Seattle magazine’s cover story from November of that year. Staff writer Ruth Wolf cited a highly critical report that said students were being…
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