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Blood Moon to light up skies early Tuesday

A rare total lunar eclipse will turn the Moon a deep, coppery red early Tuesday. Here's when to look up.

News

Set an alarm. A rare <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="total lunar eclipse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/14/blood-moon-total-lunar-eclipse-photos" data-vars-content-id="10708e87-8b9c-4161-892b-f9d52e2e27ae" data-vars-headline="Blood Moon to light up skies early Tuesday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/14/blood-moon-total-lunar-eclipse-photos" target="_self">total lunar eclipse</a> will turn the Moon blood red early Tuesday in a spectacle visible across most of North America.The big picture: After this week, the Moon won&#x27;t fully disappear into Earth&#x27;s shadow again until New Year&#x27;s Eve 2028, marking a nearly three-year lull in total lunar eclipses, or Blood Moons, visible from North America, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per Space.com" data-vars-click-url="https://www.space.com/stargazing/lunar-eclipses/the-total-lunar-eclipse-on-march-3-will-be-the-last-until-new-years-eve-2028" data-vars-content-id="10708e87-8b9c-4161-892b-f9d52e2e27ae" data-vars-headline="Blood Moon to light up skies early Tuesday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.space.com/stargazing/lunar-eclipses/the-total-lunar-eclipse-on-march-3-will-be-the-last-until-new-years-eve-2028" target="_blank">per Space.com</a>.

Seattle readers share their takes on tipping

With $21.30 minimum wage and constant prompts, some Seattle readers are rethinking when to tip.

&quot;Tip fatigue&quot; has spread across America, and Axios Seattle readers are far from unified on what to do when the tipping screen is spun toward them.The big picture: A 2025 Bankrate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="survey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/news/tipping-culture-survey/#negative-views" data-vars-content-id="a2f31eb6-8800-41f3-9cfe-33c6035d4a09" data-vars-headline="Seattle readers share their takes on tipping" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/news/tipping-culture-survey/#negative-views" target="_blank">survey</a> found that 41% of Americans think tip culture is &quot;out of control&quot; and that request screens actually prompt many Americans to tip less, not more.

Sound Transit pushes debt fix as $35B shortfall threatens projects

A bill would allow 75-year bonds, a move officials say could ease pressure on light rail projects.

Sound Transit leaders are seeking a change in state law they say would help them finish voter-approved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="light rail extensions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/02/13/light-rail-lines-change-schedule-when" data-vars-content-id="2724b839-1e25-4870-9dc7-ceb0652dbf74" data-vars-headline="Sound Transit pushes debt fix as $35B shortfall threatens projects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/02/13/light-rail-lines-change-schedule-when" target="_self">light rail extensions</a> to West Seattle, Ballard, Everett and Tacoma.Why it matters: The agency faces a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$35 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/achieving-long-term-affordability" data-vars-content-id="2724b839-1e25-4870-9dc7-ceb0652dbf74" data-vars-headline="Sound Transit pushes debt fix as $35B shortfall threatens projects" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/achieving-long-term-affordability" target="_blank">$35 billion</a> shortfall through 2046 that officials say could delay or scale back some of those projects.

Seattle Mariners fans head to Arizona spring training

For many Seattle fans, the season begins not at T-Mobile Park, but under the Arizona sun.

Sports

Baseball fans from Seattle and across the country are flocking to the desert as the Cactus League season kicks off throughout the Phoenix area.The big picture: This year marks the 79th season of the Cactus League — Major League Baseball&#x27;s Arizona spring training circuit — with 15 teams playing at 10 stadiums just miles apart.

Washington state is a top grower of Christmas trees

The Evergreen State still produces fewer Christmas trees than Oregon, however.

Holidays

Nearly a million <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christmas trees" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/06/christmas-tree-prices-value" data-vars-content-id="a099c26c-1f1d-4852-b419-70b972f26147" data-vars-headline="Washington state is a top grower of Christmas trees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/06/christmas-tree-prices-value" target="_self">Christmas trees</a> were grown and cut in Washington in 2022, making the Evergreen State the nation&#x27;s fourth-highest producer of Christmas trees that year, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most recent federal data" data-vars-click-url="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25450288/2022-census-of-agriculture-table-35.pdf" data-vars-content-id="a099c26c-1f1d-4852-b419-70b972f26147" data-vars-headline="Washington state is a top grower of Christmas trees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25450288/2022-census-of-agriculture-table-35.pdf" target="_blank">most recent federal data</a> available.By the numbers: We&#x27;re far behind Oregon, where 4.8 million Christmas trees were grown and cut down in 2022, and North Carolina, which produced 3.2 million trees that year, per data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Gingerbread cities rise in downtown Seattle

Gingerbread displays re-create the skylines of four cities, including Paris and London.

Things to Do

<figure><img alt="A little boy points toward a gingerbread cityscape of London that features a Tower Bridge replica, Big Ben, the London Eye and more landmarks recreated with gingerbread and sweets." height="3024" id="067b2497-3f03-4f56-84e8-69fd9c9e6dc4" src="https://images.axios.com/hmTpM1Fuzms3KntkevOQt6fD-34=/2024/12/03/1733268361943.jpg" width="4032" srcset="https://images.axios.com/UiNGoN72jqU4f0Y0QAod32jHzLQ=/1920x1440/smart/2024/12/03/1733268361943.jpg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/os8LmX1Pg59QVlbIw1Ltmacnh8E=/1600x1200/smart/2024/12/03/1733268361943.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/HLYhImP0il50pGkxZL6ICVH-Qq4=/1366x1024/smart/2024/12/03/1733268361943.jpg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/pwP2poKG6J2gHtSHvHdjk0XC9F8=/1024x768/smart/2024/12/03/1733268361943.jpg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/2G1oft-Y8qzj4T1Y4ZB304TCw-U=/768x576/smart/2024/12/03/1733268361943.jpg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/Cc8rxUcdhb6eny8PpLZm73NNeOM=/640x480/smart/2024/12/03/1733268361943.jpg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/Vb1yZ-JCwF054e40QM_CNV8PiQs=/320x240/smart/2024/12/03/1733268361943.jpg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>The gingerbread cities were a hit with the kids. Photo: Melissa Santos/Axios</figcaption></figure>For a free bit of holiday fun while you&#x27;re wandering downtown this month, check out the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gingerbread Village" data-vars-click-url="https://www.breakthrought1d.org/pacificnorthwest/events/30th-annual-sheraton-grand-seattle-gingerbread-village/" data-vars-content-id="a4840a0b-7d9a-4c7d-abc6-f347eefeaf39" data-vars-headline="Gingerbread cities rise in downtown Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.breakthrought1d.org/pacificnorthwest/events/30th-annual-sheraton-grand-seattle-gingerbread-village/" target="_blank">Gingerbread Village</a> at the Sheraton Grand Seattle on Sixth Avenue.What to expect: This year&#x27;s edition of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual event" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2022/11/23/gingerbread-village-holiday-seattle" data-vars-content-id="a4840a0b-7d9a-4c7d-abc6-f347eefeaf39" data-vars-headline="Gingerbread cities rise in downtown Seattle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2022/11/23/gingerbread-village-holiday-seattle" target="_self">annual event</a> features four gingerbread displays re-creating the skylines of four cities: London, Sydney, Paris and Agra, India.

Washington residents volunteer more than the U.S. average

The rate at which Washingtonians volunteer has increased in recent years, and is above the U.S. average.

Washingtonians <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="volunteer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/20/americans-volunteer-rate" data-vars-content-id="29011a26-5273-40e4-a327-44722d926889" data-vars-headline="Washington residents volunteer more than the U.S. average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/11/20/americans-volunteer-rate" target="_self">volunteer</a> at a higher rate than the national average — and lately, we&#x27;re giving back even more. By the numbers: An estimated 32.8% of Washington residents engaged in formal volunteering at least once from September 2022 to September 2023, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new AmeriCorps report" data-vars-click-url="https://data.americorps.gov/stories/s/AmeriCorps-Civic-Engagement-and-Volunteering-CEV-D/62w6-z7xa" data-vars-content-id="29011a26-5273-40e4-a327-44722d926889" data-vars-headline="Washington residents volunteer more than the U.S. average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://data.americorps.gov/stories/s/AmeriCorps-Civic-Engagement-and-Volunteering-CEV-D/62w6-z7xa" target="_blank">new AmeriCorps report</a>.

Where to get Thanksgiving takeout in Seattle in 2024

If you don't feel like cooking from scratch this year, several local spots have you covered.

Food and Drink

Don&#x27;t feel like cooking your <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thanksgiving" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/11/22/best-thanksgiving-2023-favorite-sides-washington" data-vars-content-id="47b8bd00-6941-4ac1-a758-2305187c9cfe" data-vars-headline="Where to get Thanksgiving takeout in Seattle in 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2023/11/22/best-thanksgiving-2023-favorite-sides-washington" target="_self">Thanksgiving</a> feast this year? Several restaurants and grocery stores in the Seattle area have you covered.Why it matters: Less time in the kitchen can mean more time relaxing and enjoying time with family and friends.

Washington's trick-or-treat hotspots, mapped

King County has a lower-than-average population of potential trick-or-treaters.

In most of the years I&#x27;ve lived in Seattle, not a single <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trick-or-treater" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/10/17/best-trick-or-treat-neighborhoods" data-vars-content-id="cbfd92f3-7b97-42fa-a033-a74a01e33d7f" data-vars-headline="Washington&#x27;s trick-or-treat hotspots, mapped" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/10/17/best-trick-or-treat-neighborhoods" target="_self">trick-or-treater</a> has come to my door on Halloween. Recent population data may help explain why. By the numbers: In King County, children ages 5-14 make up 11.1% of the population, according to data from the Census Bureau&#x27;s American Community Survey.

How Indigenous land acknowledgements can miss the point

Recognizing Seattle's original Native inhabitants is only the first step, many local institutions say.

Land acknowledgements — the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recognition that Indigenous" data-vars-click-url="https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/land-acknowledgment" data-vars-content-id="63fec03d-1df7-4161-8f81-99fb193948cd" data-vars-headline="How Indigenous land acknowledgements can miss the point" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/land-acknowledgment" target="_blank">recognition that Indigenous</a> people were the original inhabitants of American land — have become more common among academics, nonprofits, companies and celebrities and even in social media bios.Why it matters: The well-meaning attempts to educate non-Indigenous people can fail to make their desired impact if they aren&#x27;t paired with more concrete action to support Indigenous communities.

Getting around during Seattle's holiday travel surge

Plan for busy highways, long lines and congestion.

AAA is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="predicting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/11/christmas-travel-new-year-record" data-vars-content-id="b6ba1c0e-8911-4326-8836-72fb5056295b" data-vars-headline="Getting around during Seattle&#x27;s holiday travel surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/11/christmas-travel-new-year-record" target="_self">predicting</a> the second-busiest year-end travel period since it began tracking holiday travel in 2000.Why it matters: Plan for busy highways, long lines at airports and ferries, congestion and delays at the end of a year that set holiday travel records in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="July" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/TSA_Northeast/status/1675848174383013888" data-vars-content-id="b6ba1c0e-8911-4326-8836-72fb5056295b" data-vars-headline="Getting around during Seattle&#x27;s holiday travel surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/TSA_Northeast/status/1675848174383013888" target="_blank">July</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="November" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/27/tsa-air-travel-record-passengers-us-airports" data-vars-content-id="b6ba1c0e-8911-4326-8836-72fb5056295b" data-vars-headline="Getting around during Seattle&#x27;s holiday travel surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/27/tsa-air-travel-record-passengers-us-airports" target="_self">November</a>.

Thanksgiving travel tips for the Seattle region

6.5 million people are expected to flee the Seattle area for mostly warmer climes, AAA Washington says.

Carve out some extra time for the journey this weekend, as the number of travelers on ferries, in airports and on the roads is expected to rival pre-pandemic figures.Why it matters: With AAA projecting 55.4 million people traveling over the long weekend this year, it&#x27;s wise to plan for delays whether traveling locally or beyond.

Readers' best dog Halloween costume pics

We asked for photos of dogs in costumes, and Axios Seattle readers didn't disappoint.

There&#x27;s nothing better than pictures of cute dogs (and other animals) in costumes to help smooth the &quot;ruff&quot; edges off life. <ul><li>So here are some photos of adorable local dogs dressed for Halloween sent in by Axios Seattle readers. </li></ul>

Holidays

Puppy love

Washington state is a top grower of Christmas trees

Gingerbread cities rise in downtown Seattle

Washington residents volunteer more than the U.S. average

Where to get Thanksgiving takeout in Seattle in 2024