I have very fine black / dark brown curly hair (likely 2C/3A if anyone cares).

Looking for a fresh cut and some balayage, any recommendations? Kirkland area preferably. TIA!

Is this a good clinic? Anyone can share reviews?

Hey folks!

My colleague and I are visiting the area for the first time from February 10-17. We’ll be tied up with a conference in Seattle from the 11th to the 13th, but after that, we’re open to exploring! We’re willing to rent a car and even switch hotels to experience different parts of the area.

We’re looking for:

• Great food (hidden gems, must-try local spots, unique experiences)
• Off-the-beaten-path activities (something cool beyond the usual tourist stops)
• Opportunities to meet locals (chill bars, fun events, or places where people actually talk to each other)

We land and leave from SeaTac, so if there are any must-see places outside the city, we’re open to road-tripping for a day or two. Given the February weather, what’s still enjoyable this time of year?

Would love to hear your recommendations—thanks in advance!

See title. Preferably near Bothell but I'm willing to drive.

Bonus for anything that's extra garlicky but I'm after a nice melt gooey cheese bread or pizza.

Strange question, I know... I've been getting really into ecosphering recently, which is basically just putting mud, water and some grass or other biomaterial in a jar, sealing it, and then watching it fester and grow through glass. I tried to go hunting for bodies of water to make ecospheres with and made an extremely painfully average one (it was a flowing river in North Bend). In order to make a successful ecosphere, I need a stillwater pond that's muddy, dirty, probably has leeches and some undiscovered worm species, and that you would be afraid to approach. I don't think a lot of these ponds are going to have names or addresses, so even just links to pins on Google Maps or something would be good enough for me!

Vote YES for the Issaquah School District February Bond

Neighbors, the February 11, 2025, Issaquah School District bond is a direct response to community feedback, prioritizing the most urgent school needs without increasing the current tax rate. After the November bond measure didn’t pass, the district listened to voters and significantly reduced the bond by 63%, focusing only on the most critical improvements:

✅ Safety & Security Upgrades – Enhancing fire systems, security measures, and entry access at all schools to better protect students and staff.

✅ Targeted Overcrowding Relief – Constructing a new high school, a project previously approved by voters, to ensure students have the space they need to learn effectively.

✅ Financial Responsibility & Oversight – The Capital Projects Oversight Committee—made up of community volunteers—will monitor how every dollar is spent, ensuring full transparency and accountability. They are calling for community volunteers now: Application for the Capital Projects Oversight Committee If you're asking for transparency --- you can have a front row seat for it.

Why This Matters

Some argue that the district should focus on different priorities, but safe, well-maintained schools are essential for student success.

➡️ This bond does NOT raise the current tax rate. It maintains funding at the same level while addressing critical facility needs.

➡️ This bond is based on YOUR feedback. The district heard concerns about cost and scaled this bond down to the essentials.

➡️ Investing in schools BENEFITS the entire community. Well-maintained schools strengthen property values, attract great educators, and support student achievement.

A YES vote means safer, less crowded schools with strong community oversight—all without increasing taxes. Let’s invest in our schools and our community.

Ballots are due February 11—please vote YES!

An overhead photo shows the current and future westbound I-90 off-ramp to State Route 18/Snoqualmie Parkway (Exit 25). Marked by orange X’s is the closure of the current two-lane ramp, that will be closed as of Friday, January 30th. Marked by blue lines is the new one-lane ramp next to the closing one, that will open Friday and remain open until the diverging diamond interchange is put into place later in spring or summer 2025.

There’s no easy way to say this, so... Starting tomorrow, Jan. 31, and for the next few months, the westbound I-90 off-ramp to SR 18/Snoqualmie Parkway (Exit 25) will be squeezed down to just one lane while crews install a culvert for future improvements.  

The ramp will be closed from 9 p.m. tonight (Jan. 30) to 5 a.m., Jan. 31, to set barriers and stripe the road—so be sure to follow detours during that time.  

We know traffic at this exit is already a pain, and this change will likely add to those delays until we shift to the new diverging diamond traffic pattern later this year. But hang in there! We’re working on making this interchange better for everyone in the long run. We ask for your patience—give yourself extra time, consider alternate routes and be kind to fellow drivers. Most importantly, keep an eye out for our crews so they can do their jobs safely. For more info, check out the project page: https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/i-90-sr-18-interchange-improvements 

Orange and yellow construction equipment work along the new pavement for the westbound Interstate 90 off-ramp to State Route 18/Snoqualmie Parkway.

Graphical illustration showing what the westbound Interstate 90 off-ramps to State Route 18 and Snoqualmie Parkway will look like when construction of the diverging diamond interchange is complete. Lanes of highway are shown with traffic arrows and overhead signs.

A render of what the future westbound I-90 off-ramp to State Route 18/Snoqualmie Parkway will look like once the project is complete. There will be two lanes on the left for State Route 18 traffic and one for Snoqualmie Parkway traffic.

https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/downtown-redmond-link-extension

Cannot cross post from another sub, but here it is. I know many people in Washington are very concerned about education quality of our children.

https://preview.redd.it/oqhz3t3on6ge1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=c80ad06e4cdcd53a5f8c840f7a264d5cd7e3c798

I’m hoping to find the best path (most efficient vs. safe being the two big trade-offs) between MC and Yarrow Point area. I have the option to stick to mostly bike paths (North Creek to Sammamish River to 520 (paved) / North Creek to Sammamish River to Eastrail (gravel), but I’m trying to also determine if there is a safe and more direct way to connect Kirkland and Bothell on surface streets. 100th looks to be the most efficient, but I am unsure what kind of bike infrastructure exists on that corridor. Does anyone ride segment that often and have input?

Hi all! My hair is growing back post-chemo & radiation. It was very fine before I beat cancer & now it’s straight up thin. I’d like to keep it like pixie short & neat think Emma Stone’s latest cut or Mia Farrow pixie. This way it can easily be hidden under a wig or look cute from the back/nape in a hat. The last cut I had was a disaster…I wanted a bit longer on top & shorter on the back & sides but not shaved. I ended up with a pretty dramatic & edgy fade. It was so not me & even my husband was like wow…

Haha not in a good way. Also happy to spend money but it would be really great if it wasn’t like $80 since I need to go in like every 5 weeks to maintain it. I’m in Bellevue but happy to go anywhere on the Eastside

I need a total reverse should replacement.

I’m in pain every day. Just having my arm hanging down to the side hits from the arm weight.

I’ve seen Dr Cameron. He says I need the surgery. He’s been recommended but I of course want to have the best with a good support staff. TIA!

I know this is rant-y but I sincerely do not understand how many of the drivers in this area passed the road test portion of their drivers licensure requirements. Are these testers being bribed??

This past week I’ve seen people drive the wrong way in a roundabout, blow their Yield signs, skip their turns at four way Stop signs, come to complete stops on the HIGHWAY, slam on the brakes in the HOV lane (bc apparently you will be shot dead if you are a solo driver), etc.

I imagine there's a smarter way to buy a bunch of firewood than to buy the $8-$10 bunches at the grocery store. Any suggestions?

Everybody clap your hands for this exciting news!

A screenshot from the Cha Cha Slide music video with white font lyrics at the bottom that say Cha Cha Now Y'all.

State Route 18 travelers will soon enjoy a smoother driving surface after tonight, as we reach a milestone in our Interstate 90/SR 18 Interchange Improvements project. We’re about to shift a mile-long section of eastbound and westbound SR 18 onto new pavement. This shift will occur between the Lake Creek and Raging River bridges (mileposts 28 to 26) south of I-90 and allows our crews to rehabilitate the existing lanes along this section of SR 18 to carry eastbound traffic once the highway is widened two lanes in each direction later this year. Westbound and eastbound traffic will slide…to the west south of the Lake Creek bridge, and slide…back to the east just north of the Raging River bridge.

Map shows area near the Interstate 90/State Route 18 interchange. A green line shows the area where a lane shift will occur and is pointed to by a white and green arrow and a green box that says “Eastbound & westbound SR 18 shift to new lanes”.

We’ll make the switch Tuesday night, Jan. 28, when we’ll set barrier and restripe the roadway. This work requires we reduce SR 18 to a single lane, with flaggers and a pilot truck alternating eastbound and westbound traffic from 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29. People traveling through the area Tuesday night should expect short delays, follow instructions from flaggers and signs, and cha cha real slow by following the 45 mph speed limit through the construction zone. This work is weather dependent and may need to be rescheduled.

Once we finish the shift to the new lanes Wednesday morning, drivers should stay alert, and cha cha real slow near the transition areas and enjoy the new, smooth pavement that soon will be home to two westbound lanes of SR 18.

Two steam rollers compact fresh asphalt placed next to a rural two-lane highway with concrete barrier along the edge. Orange fence lines a forested area, with a mountain in the distance.

Visit the I-90/SR 18 Interchange Improvements project webpage at bit.ly/I90-SR18Interchange

Hello.

Our wedding anniversary is coming up and is on a Monday. Some restaurants are closed on Monday. And none have live music or similar on Mondays. Any recommendations for venues to celebrate ? Preferably on the Eastside.

It looks like it is a research vessel but I can’t tell what they are doing. Anyone know?

I love firm tofu, but don’t like plastic packaging. I learned that some grocery stores in the US sell tofu unpackaged. Example:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ZeroWaste/s/xRUgS90rGy

Anyone know of a place on the eastside that does this?

Specifically looking for uncooked/plain tofu. I plan to check out the Asian markets, but figured I’d ask if anyone already knew of a place. TIA!

Is there anybody who could stitch a saree blouse for me? My mother in law gifted me a few sarees with unstitched blouses and I’m not sure where to get them made here.

Hi all, looking to take beginner woodworking classes. I am in bothell. Anyone have good recs?

Or frankly, any fun beginner classes (any topic) you would recommend? Need something to do lol

Does anyone know of any open studios on the east side. Not looking for a class just to book in time to use equipment

Thanks!

A WSDOT traffic camera video shows a maintenance truck blocking access to northbound I-5 from westbound I-90.

FINAL UPDATE: 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28: CLEAR: The westbound I-90 off-ramp to northbound I-5 has reopened.

==================================

Heads up if you're heading from the eastside toward downtown Seattle or north!

Our Maintenance crews have closed the westbound I-90 off-ramp to northbound I-5 (Exit 2C) in Seattle for urgent expansion joint repairs. There is currently no ETA for when the off-ramp will reopen.

Crews will work as quickly and safely as they can to make repairs and reopen the ramp. This will be an extended closure, at least through the evening commute. Please plan ahead and seek alternate routes! There is no official detour, and it will take a lengthy amount of time to navigate around the closure.

A WSDOT traffic camera photo shows the right lane of westbound I-90 near the off-ramps to I-5 blocked.

A WSDOT traffic camera photo shows signage for the exits to I-5 and Rainier Avenue South along westbound I-90 in Seattle. There is a variable message sign that says that there's maintenance on the exit to northbound I-5 blocking the exit and travelers should use alternate routes.

Hey everyone!

I moved out of my 2BHK apartment at Avalon Bothell Commons, and I’m looking for someone to take over the space.

The apartment is super spacious, has 2 bathrooms, in-unit laundry, and is in a great location close to everything you need. The community also has awesome amenities like a gym, pool, and a chill resident lounge.

If you’re apartment hunting or know someone who is, feel free to DM me for more info!

Link to the rental unit

Any recommendations for an airport parking service at SEATAC that’s self park but guarded and preferably covered? Tired of paying uber charges but have a nicer car.

Hi,

I am 6 weeks pregnant and trying to find an OBGYN in the Eastside area. I live in Issaquah so my first choice is Swedish Issaquah. However, it seems they only have 1 doctor that is available and taking new patients and she is a new doctor who just completed her residency last year (Dr Lydia Gill). Is it better to go with another hospital (like Overlake/Bellgrove) that have more doctors available, or is it still recommended to prioritize convenience of location over Doctor’s experience? I've had some gynecological issues in the past and this is my first pregnancy, so I am concerned it might be a bit complicated.

Thanks in advance!

The article below says that Mayuri will offer special promotions during the opening weeks. Seems these are only for Indian looking customers. My spouse went with two colleagues, one Indian looking, spouse and other colleague not indian looking. The promotional products were offered only to the Indian looking customer even though all three made individual purchases.

https://whatnowseattle.com/mayuri-will-soon-debut-in-issaquahs-pickering-place/

I will be coming from North Bend and would be picking up a friend at Maple Valley. Is there any resto or bar that has an awesome view of Mount Rainier preferably near Enumclaw (or even Green water though I believe highway 410 is closed now for the winter?)

Please vote YES for the February 2025 bond. The Board and District listened to the community and decreased the size of the bond by nearly 2/3 so that this bond is narrowly-focused on the two most urgent items and does not result in a tax rate increase.

This bond would add a 4th comprehensive high school to serve the 1604 students overcapacity today and will allow every student to have the opportunity to thrive, not just academically, but in athletics and extracurricular activities. Many more students will be able to engage in the full high school experience when they are not competing with 2500 students for everything, including a seat at lunch.

If you have not seen the Bond presentation, I would encourage you to review the slides here: https://apps.issaquah.wednet.edu/documents/events/1473/ISD%20Feb%20Bond%202025%20-%20Jan172025%20Revised.pdf

Hey all. I organize a weekly Sunday morning pickup basketball game. We will be playing tomorrow morning at 9AM at Stipek Park. You don't have to be good - we're all just dudes in our 30s and 40s that are just playing for fun and for exercise. Join us!