We’re discovering many things to feel hopeful about as of late. In the good-news department, Intentionalist created a wonderful guide to help the local community celebrate and support AAPI Heritage Month, ZooTunes is making a return this summer, and Clipper Vacations has relaunched its day-trip whale-watching tours to San Juan Island (we’ve missed seeing its vessels push off from the downtown pier!).

Seattleites itching to go farther afield are booking trips to domestic spots like Monterey Regional Airport, since Alaska Airlines launched direct flights to that sunny destination in February. Local company Cloud Paper has released its strong, absorbent, eco-friendly paper towels (with a subscription box including 12 rolls). Also, have you tried Theo’s new Chocolate Cookie Bites? We can’t say enough good things!

GRAB-AND-GO GOODIES

Celebrate National Hamburger Day on Friday, May 28, with Fremont’s Uneeda Burger, who is kindly thanking the community for its support with a free burger. For one day, beginning at 11 a.m., walk-up customers can order a complimentary Classic Burger, which includes an all-natural beef patty on a sesame-seed bun, topped with lettuce, pickles, tomatoes and house sauce.

Looking for other ideal picnic ideas? Spice Waala serves delicious grab-and-go Indian street food. As an added bonus, everything on the menu is priced under $10 (their signature kathi rolls are not to be missed!). Locations in Capitol Hill (near Cal Anderson and Volunteer Park) and Ballard (close to Golden Gardens) mean diners can enjoy their spreads in delightful outdoor spaces.

LIVE MUSIC THIS EVENING

Tonight (May 20) at 6:30 pm, tune into the Place Place Market Foundation’s Rally Together for the Market! — a free live-stream event that celebrates the iconic site as it continues along its road to recovery. Enjoy local music from Brandi Carlile, The Black Tones, Whitney Mongé, Can Can Culinary Cabaret, plus Market buskers Carly Ann Calbero and Jeannie Rak.

How to Watch: Live stream on the Market Foundation’s Facebook and YouTube Live (@pikeplacemarketfoundation)

PICNIC SEASON MUSTS

For the ultimate picnic party, order a curated set from Whidbey Island’s Ciao Food and Wine. Fun and delicious collections (with names like Porch Party, Date Night and Picnic in the Park) showcase cured meats, cheeses, artichoke and bruschetta spreads, plus munch-worthy treats like olives and dessert fig bars. Ciao’s wine selection, available individually or in regular shipments through the venue’s wine club, is sourced from small-production, family-owned and mostly organic Italian wineries. These colorful boxes truly make any day feel like a joyful celebration.

TRAVEL NECESSITIES

As you head out on sun-kissed adventures, consider loading up on MyCHELLE suncare offerings; the company claims to be the original innovator of clean skincare, and we’ve had great luck with their products. They are committed to full transparency around ingredients, which happen to be vegetarian, cruelty-free and free of phthalates, parabens, petroleum, sulfates, ureas, artificial fragrances and colors. (We highly recommend their Sun Shield Liquid SPF 50, pictured above!)

After days spent outdoors, give your skin a little extra pampering with masks from EarthKiss, a Wales-based company that makes vegan, EcoCert, biodegradable and cruelty-free products. The company chose to use shilajit from the mountains of Altai because it contains 85 micronutrients that benefit the skin. Try their Miracle Clay Hydrating Certified Organic Bamboo Sheet Mask and White Clay & Aloe Vero Brightening Certified Organic White Clay Mask, for starters.

Lastly, we’re excited to learn about Goodwipes, individually-wrapped, biodegradable, hypoallergenic wipes that are made with natural tea tree oil, cooling peppermint, aloe and ginseng. These pocket-sized wipes will be tucked in our bags as we set out on upcoming hiking, camping and road trip adventures.

Here’s to getting safely and responsibly back out into our beautiful city (and world)!