On July 30, 2020 NASA launched the Mars 2020: Mission Perseverance Rover. On Thursday, February 18, 2021 NASA you to watch the live landing of the Perseverance rover as she arrives on the "Red Planet". Touchdown is scheduled for approximately 12:55 p.m. PST (3:55 p.m. EST). Live coverage and landing commentary from … [Read more...] about Virtual: NASA Mars 2020 Mission Perseverance Rover live landing
Hobbies & Interests
Free stargazing events
We regularly publishing stargazing events for the Puget Sound region when observatories and clubs host stargazing events. Unfortunately, all in-person stargazing events have been cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, should you wish to continue your interest in astronomy, below we're listing virtual … [Read more...] about Free stargazing events
How to start a vegetable garden in the Pac NW
It's easy to start vegetable gardening. Well, it can be. Read on for several ideas for getting started in small, easy ways. Vegetable gardening is a great family activity or for anyone. It's one of the most rewarding home projects you can do. Whether you own or rent a house, or live in a condominium or apartment, … [Read more...] about How to start a vegetable garden in the Pac NW
Annual bird count events
Bird populations are always shifting and changing. Bird count events help collect data that highlight changes in bird populations, such as the effects of warm weather on their migration patterns and other phenomena. Several important bird count events held throughout the year. Anyone can participate in these events, … [Read more...] about Annual bird count events
Virtual: The Global Game Jam Online 2021
The Global Game Jam® is an annual event usually occurring over a weekend in January. In today’s heavily connected world, GGJ brings people together to share creativity through video games. The GGJ is essentially a hackathon* focused on game development. It is the world's largest game creation event around the … [Read more...] about Virtual: The Global Game Jam Online 2021
Our big list of public gardens and garden tours
Know before you go Most gardens are currently open to visitors--however public tours are cancelled and indoor facilities such as visitor center, gift shops, and restrooms are mostly closed. Follow guidance for face coverings and group size. Also practice social distancing and follow directional signage such as … [Read more...] about Our big list of public gardens and garden tours
Summer camps & school break camps
We've updated our summer camps list for 2021 and indicated those that are cancelled and those that are accepting registration. There is a lot of variety in summer camps schedules and activities in the Seattle-Tacoma metro region. There are day camps, weekly camps, half-day camps, full day camps, and overnight camps. … [Read more...] about Summer camps & school break camps
800 donors/day needed to sustain our blood supply
There is an on-going need for blood donation to ensure the blood supply remains available for those who need it in our community as we weather this pandemic together. It takes 800 donors a day to sustain a blood supply for patients in our community. Donating blood saves lives. All types of blood are needed for … [Read more...] about 800 donors/day needed to sustain our blood supply
Where to order vegetable and herb seeds online
The seed companies listed below are those most often recommended by gardeners in the Pacific Northwest. They offer seed varieties suitable to the cool, wet, marine climate in the Puget Sound region where the growing season is later and shorter than other areas of the country. All these seed companies can ship your … [Read more...] about Where to order vegetable and herb seeds online
Bird Watching in the Puget Sound region
Bird watching is a popular activity for many residents and visitors in the Puget Sound region. More than 500 bird species have been observed in Washington State. It is relatively easy to see and study birds in the wild. Birdwatching is one of the fastest growing recreational activities in the country. Washington … [Read more...] about Bird Watching in the Puget Sound region
Walking labyrinths in Washington State
A labyrinth is a single, methodical path leading to a center point. Although a labyrinth is like a maze in appearance, unlike a maze it has only one path (unicursal) and no dead ends. There’s no getting lost in a labyrinth. These pathways have been used for thousands of years for various rituals and ceremonies. … [Read more...] about Walking labyrinths in Washington State
Find a tool library in the Puget Sound region
Like a traditional library, a Tool Library is a sustainable community resource that lends tools for short term use. Sharing tools helps save you money by not buying ones you will only use a few times. It also gives you access to many more tools as well as a "Do-It-Yourself" community. Each library offers tools for … [Read more...] about Find a tool library in the Puget Sound region
25 books to read aloud with family during the holiday season
Here are our suggestions for books to read aloud with family over the winter break. We've proposed a wide range of themes, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa stories. Some Christmas books offer Christian stories and others are secular holiday stories, tales about winter, and folktales from cultural … [Read more...] about 25 books to read aloud with family during the holiday season
Tours & Special Events at Seattle Japanese Garden
Seattle Japanese Garden reopened July 14, 2020. As with other attractions, advance reservations are required and tickets have timed entry. Face coverings are required for all visitors and staff. Informed by Governor Inslee’s mandate, Seattle Japanese Garden requires all guests over 5 years old to wear face masks … [Read more...] about Tours & Special Events at Seattle Japanese Garden
Salmon spawning season in Western Washington
Beginning in summer and lasting well into fall is the salmon spawning season. Many people enjoy watching wild salmon as they swim upriver or navigate fish ladders to lay their eggs. There are also spring salmon runs, when young salmon migrate downstream to their life at sea. But the spring salmon runs are less … [Read more...] about Salmon spawning season in Western Washington
Free fun things to do at the library might surprise you
Libraries are a great resource for anyone looking for fun, free things to do, as well as someone who wants to learn a new skill or needs help with technology, learning, languages, and more. There is more to do at the library than you might ever imagine. Besides checking out books, you can take advantage of the … [Read more...] about Free fun things to do at the library might surprise you
Low power FM community radio stations in the Puget Sound region
Have you ever gone to the drive-in movies and turned on your radio to hear the audio of the film? Or tuned into a station listed on a highway sign for ferry, highway, or weather information? If so, you’ve used a Low Power FM radio station. These stations are becoming more popular as folks learn the benefits … [Read more...] about Low power FM community radio stations in the Puget Sound region
Free local livestream, virtual tours, and online classes
Listed below is local online content including livestreams and virtual tours at museums and other attractions around the Puget Sound region. We also have a list of free live music in the Puget Sound region, which these days is all online. Drop us a line if you know of any other online content: … [Read more...] about Free local livestream, virtual tours, and online classes
All about cloth face masks: wearing, making, donating
As of April 7, 2020, we’ve updated this information about the use of cloth face masks based on information published by CDC and Washington State Department of Health. Anytime you are in within six feet of someone, tiny droplets from talking, as well as from sneezing or coughing can land on nearby people and surfaces … [Read more...] about All about cloth face masks: wearing, making, donating
Independent bookstores are key to Seattle’s literary scene
Independent bookstores in the Seattle-Tacoma metro region are staffed by passionate, well-read booksellers. These neighborhood fixtures are the ultimate storytelling backdrop. They are places where you can quietly immerse yourself among the bookshelves, join a lively book discussion group, listen to an author reading, … [Read more...] about Independent bookstores are key to Seattle’s literary scene
Air shows in the Puget Sound region
Seattle made aviation history in 1916 when William E. Boeing and Navy Lt. Conrad Westervelt formed the Boeing Airplane company, and hired self-taught aviation tinker Herb Munter to build the company's first aircraft, the B&W seaplane. Read more about Boeing and Early Aviation in Seattle at historylink.org, … [Read more...] about Air shows in the Puget Sound region
FREE PAX online gaming convention in 2020
PAX West gaming convention is (usually) held in summer at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. The PAX video and tabletop gaming convention features major game publishers, independent developers, panels by industry experts, competitions, concerts, and parties. It's an expensive gig that we don't … [Read more...] about FREE PAX online gaming convention in 2020
Shakespeare summer 2020 events around Puget Sound
William Shakespeare was an English playwright and poet who lived the late 16th and early 17th century. He wrote dozens of plays; including histories about English kings, tragedies such as Macbeth and Hamlet, a long list of comedies, poems, and over 100 sonnets (a poem of fourteen lines). Known as "The Bard" (which … [Read more...] about Shakespeare summer 2020 events around Puget Sound
June 24, 7PM: All In WA Concert for COVID-19 Relief
Washington State was at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., and our state will be at the forefront of what it takes to support our communities, help those most at risk, and restart our economy in a safe and sustainable way. Be a part of a movement that is leading the way. About All In WA All … [Read more...] about June 24, 7PM: All In WA Concert for COVID-19 Relief
Best places to browse, buy, and trade used books
The following organizations are great places to buy used books in the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan region. Some also hold book fairs or book sales throughout the year--look for these in the calendar list below. It's a great way to donate or trade books you no longer want to the local economy. If the host group … [Read more...] about Best places to browse, buy, and trade used books
