Hello Eastside! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Databricks’ huge office lease, Hello Kitty Cafe Truck, and 100th anniversary midsommar + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Bellevue office momentum: Databricks signed a 160,000-square-foot lease at Four106 in downtown Bellevue, its largest Washington commitment, bringing its Puget Sound footprint above 270,000 square feet in the 2025-completed tower -- read the full story.
Regional art display opportunity: Snoqualmie seeks regional artists to exhibit at City Hall between August 2026 and September 2027. Each show features one 2D artist, with limited 3D display opportunities. Submissions close July 8 -- get all the application details.
Fire season rules continue: Eastside Fire and Rescue’s burn moratorium remains through September. Recreational campfires are allowed with a permit, officials may add limits, and North Bend’s yard waste recycling event takes dry brush -- learn what’s still allowed.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Where Bellevue kids spend July: Three weeks at Tyee and Chinook middle schools, Wise Camps* keeps ages 4-15 full days from 9 to 3:30 with hands-on STEAM rotations led by real teachers: rocket builds, robot coding, Shark Tank-style finance pitches, even a cow-eye dissection. Lunch is included every day, before and after care extends the window, and your weekday calendar gets the breather you've been chasing.
Your easy nature fix: Bellevue Downtown Park nails the quick reset vibe with a half-mile tree-lined loop, a 240-foot waterfall pouring into a mirror-still pond, and a ten-acre picnic green. Let the kids take over Inspiration Playground while you slip in skyline and Mount Rainier views on a quick after-work lap this week.
Upgrade your greenery game: Bellevue Nursery has been a locally loved, independent spot since 1955, with seasonal color, urban-scale trees and shrubs, and indoor plants that actually thrive here. Swing by for smart advice, organic solutions, and help repotting or building a personalized container garden so your porch finally looks intentional.
Small wins, big grins: Lucky Claww Bellevue turns claw machines into a sure-thing kind of outing, with guaranteed plushie points and a trade-in upgrade system so you leave with something you actually want. Perfect for a low-stress date, kid energy dump, or a ten-minute serotonin refill.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
📖 Summer Kick-Off Story @ Walls of Books (Issaquah) | Wednesday (6/24) at 10:30 AM – Nothing beats kicking off summer in a cool bookstore, with stories, crafts, and that new-chapter feeling. Walls of Books is hosting kid-friendly tales and activities, you get chairs, air conditioning, and a chance to sneak a browse, they get memories and glitter.
🎭 Guys and Dolls Jr. @ Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts | Friday (6/26) at 7:00 PM – Whether you can sing every word to “Luck Be a Lady” or just miss Broadway razzle, this pay-what-you-can Guys and Dolls Jr. serves classic gamblers-and-romance charm in a family-friendly, pint-sized package. Expect earnest vocals, big smiles, and stakes lower than a Sunday crossword.
🚚 Hello Kitty Cafe Truck West @ Marketplace at Factoria (Bellevue) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is popping back into Marketplace at Factoria with pastel pastries, merch, and enough nostalgia to short-circuit your minimalist streak. Parked by Panera, it works for treating the kiddos or your 80s soul, and for pretending this counts as errands.
🛟 Open-Water Safety Event @ Meydenbauer Bay Beach (Sammamish) | Saturday (6/27) at 12:00 PM – Afternoon at Meydenbauer Bay means Skwim, the toss-and-score water game the whole crew can actually play without bruises. Sign up for lessons, brush up on open-water safety, snag a free Skwim disk if you are quick, first twenty only, and PFDs are the dress code.
👜 “Pond” Theme Tote Endless Coloring @ Landscape Inspired Gallery (Redmond) | Saturday (6/27) at 1:30 PM – Crafternoon at Landscape Inspired Gallery means coloring a sturdy pond-life cotton tote, then tossing it in the wash when you change your mind. Ten wash-out pens, zero pressure, and a bag tough enough for library runs, farmers market hauls, and your intentions. $25, Redmond casual.
🎉 100th Anniversary Midsommar @ Vasa Park Resort (Bellevue) | Sunday (6/28) at 9:00 AM – Grab the family, and your inner Scandinavian, for 100 years of Midsommar at Vasa Park on Lake Sammamish. Think maypole twirls, pony rides, bounce houses, axe throwing, and food trucks. It’s wholesome chaos, charmingly old-school, and yes, adults are allowed to dance too.
🚗 Bumpers and Burgers Car Show @ Burgermaster (Issaquah) | Sunday (6/28) at 10:00 AM – Issaquah’s old Triple XXX lot lives on, now with Burgermaster flipping patties beside polished chrome. Roll in for the Bumpers and Burgers car show, swap road stories, and watch renovation chaos try to compete with the smell of fries, nostalgia, and fresh wax.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Eastside report Weather forecastToday — High: 89°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 0%
Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 1 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind around 6 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 72°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 30%
A chance of rain after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 55. This house is wildThis 3-bed, 3-bath beauty on coveted Waverly Way pairs timeless elegance with front-row lake and Olympic Mountain views. Coffered ceilings, a gourmet kitchen, and French doors to the covered porch keep the main level bright and inviting. The primary suite shines with a private deck, heated floors, steam shower, and a massive wine cellar below.
Take a peek inside → |
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