The real estate sales report from Northwest MLS says median home prices are up 4.4 percent across the area, with King County coming in at just over $363K. Bargain homes are selling, but condos are still taking a beating. The main thing is that people are out making offers on houses, so realtors have a reason to change out of their pajamas--pending sales (offers made and accepted) are up, though a significant portion of those fail in the financing round. The Seattle Bubble has a good media-coverage round-up, and notes with some satisfaction that the rah-rah contingent is getting less play this time around. more ›

We're reluctant to spend this absolutely glorious sunny Monday morning writing about this weekend's horrific murders down in Graham, Washington. What Seattlest would rather do is watch web cams of Northwest wildlife, and we bet that's what you'd rather think about, too. The Hancock Wildlife Foundation has two live streaming web cams of bald eagle nests in British Columbia, and a handful of other recorded segments from years past of such wonders as the Chehalis salmon run. When will Dreamworks make a movie about talking, singing bald eagles and Chinook salmon? We'd buy that DVD/BluRay combo pack. Mornings and webcams like these remind us that we have the privilege of making our home in one of the world's most bountiful, beautiful areas. Sunshine, please stay! more ›

CELEBRATE THE SALMON: The Pacific Northwest is known for coffee, technology, and Boeing these days, but three hundred years ago we were known--if you'll allow us some leeway in the use of "known"--for salmon and trees. A group of Northwest Indian tribal organizations throws an annual, multi-ethnic, three-day party down on the Waterfront to celebrate the spiritual and ecological importance of salmon in our region, and the party commences today. Along with the music, dancing, pow wow, and usual vendors, there will of course be a salmon barbeque--so bring your appetite! more ›

OPERATION BRIGHT PINK FLAMINGO: If you were at Myrtle Edwards Park last weekend, you may have noticed a city-approved flock of plastic flamingos hanging out on the lawns. Lest you prematurely begin the spiral into "WTF, can't we just have normal public art," let us inform you that the flamingos were only visiting to remind everyone that real Chilean flamingos are available as of tomorrow to gawk at over in the Woodland Park Zoo. There will be free mini-cupcakes, music, and stilt-walking at the Zoo to mark the opening of the summer exhibit. more ›

On Wednesday officials decided to allow the Orca Relief Citizens' Alliance to place brochures in opposition to whale watching boats on those racks tourists use to find the Underground Tour, the Space Needle and, of course, whale watching boats. The tour operators are said to be upset. more ›