Kirsten O'brien
seattlepi
Seattle, WA, United States
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Past articles by Kirsten:
Where Seattleites should escape to this summer
Seattle is expensive, and our traffic continually ranks among the worst in the world. Our weather is unpredictable, seasonally speaking. And despite our protestations otherwise, newbies keep flocking to the city and driving up the cost of houses, avocado toast, and -- well, everything. So maybe it's time to leave Seattle for greener pastures. → Read More
Cool geodesic dome house asks $525K in Friday Harbor
Homes come in all shapes and sizes, but they don't usually come with this many angles. → Read More
Modern Kitsap home with wall of glass asks $795K
You know this home in Kitsap is a show-stopper after seeing a single photo. With a large deck, a full wall of floor-to-ceiling glass windows and two rooftop decks, it's not difficult to imagine what views are possible from inside the home. And they are just as stunning as you'd expect. → Read More
Report: 2017 Seattle rent increase among the steepest in country
Seattleites know that buying a home in the city is tough. And, unfortunately, renting isn't any easier. → Read More
Picturesque Skagit estate overlooks valley, asks $2 million
This Skagit Valley estate is listed for $1,999,988. Take a tour here. Media: Andrew Webb, Clarity NW Skagit Valley is gem in the heart of Western Washington, and this gorgeous home is in the center of it. Situated on top of Cascade Ridge, this stately home overlooks all the valley has to offer. Every room maximizes picturesque views of the Olympic Mountains, and it's even positioned to capture… → Read More
More snow possible after rare White Christmas
The wet roads will refreeze Monday night and into Tuesday morning as temperatures are expected to fall into the mid 20s to around 30 degrees, the National Weather Service says. → Read More
Listed: 1916 home transformed into a contemporary gem
It's a common story in Seattle: A developer buys a turn-of-the-century home, levels it, and puts up a cookie-cutter house in its place. In the case of this Greenwood home, though, things went in another direction. The home underwent a complete makeover from the studs up, transforming it into a contemporary gem. The original structure is still there, but to say it looks a whole lot different is… → Read More
Accident involving semi closes I-5 express lanes
An accident involving a semi truck closed the Interstate 5 express lanes Monday morning. WSDOT tweeting about the crash at 11:16 a.m. and said the crash delay the opening of the northbound lanes. → Read More
Adorable cabin near Cle Elum is a steal at $145K
The cabin on the property was built in 1950 and features the original wood stove. The main home spans 481 square feet and is wired for electricity. The 2½-acre property includes an additional sleeping cabin and other buildings. → Read More
Watch: VICE gets stoned with Seattle seniors in new documentary
When recreational marijuana was legalized in Washington in 2012, it wasn't just twenty-somethings who flocked to newly-opened pot stores. Senior citizens came in droves, too. A new video released this week on pop culture site VICE documents the growing popularity of legal pot among Washington's seniors, with a special look at the "Cannabis 101" class at Vela, a Sodo marijuana retailer. In… → Read More
Special on VICE documents Seattle seniors getting high
When recreational marijuana was legalized in Washington in 2012, it wasn't just twenty-somethings who flocked to newly-opened pot stores. Senior citizens came in droves, too. A new video released this week on pop culture site VICE documents the growing popularity of legal pot among Washington's seniors, with a special look at the "Cannabis 101" class at Vela, a Sodo marijuana retailer. In… → Read More
Bremerton-Seattle ferry route down to 1 boat after rudder failure
Several trips on the Bremerton-Seattle ferry route were cancelled Thursday morning after a rudder failure on one of the two vessels that serve the route, officials said. A rudder failure on the ferry Kaleetan cancelled the 4:50 a.m. sailing from Bremerton and the 6 a.m. sailing from Seattle. Crews are working to repair Kaleetan and it was not immediately known when the boat could return to… → Read More
Secret chalet retreat in the shadow of Mount Baker asks $995K
The weather outside is frightful, but this home in Deming is more than delightful. → Read More
Seattle's cutest starter homes under $500K
Seattle home prices in November were up about 20 percent from the same time last year, putting the squeeze on prospective homebuyers hunting for that elusive "deal" in the city. A monthly report on King County's real estate market from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service shows the median sale price for Seattle homes in November hit $741,352, up from $615,000 a year ago. November's figure is… → Read More
Tour the new Starbucks Roastery in Shanghai
A new Starbucks opens in China every 15 hours, but not all of them look like this. Starbucks announced Monday it will open a Reserve Roastery in Shanghai, making it the first of the company's high-end cafes to open outside the U.S. Starbucks is opening a brand new Reserve Roastery in Shanghai, China. At 30,000 square feet, it is twice the size of the first Roastery Starbucks opened on Capitol… → Read More
West Seattle home features unique garage that opens to beach views
This home is in West Seattle, but its design will have you thinking you're in sunny Southern California. The property at 5421 Beach Drive S.W. is notable for several reason, but the primary one is what you can see from the curb. Instead of an enclosed garage, it has an airy, covered space that allows for sweeping views of the Puget Sound. The entire driveway is made of heavy plank cut at varied… → Read More
Travel guru Rick Steves: I was pickpocketed in Paris
There's a first time for everything, and Rick Steves found that out the hard way. The travel guru, who is known for his world-travel guidebooks and a travel service based in Edmonds, Wash., wrote in USA Today that he had been pickpocketed this past summer in Paris. These are the top 10 cities to visit in 2018, 1. Seville 2. Detroit 3. Canberra 4. Hamburg 5. Kaohsiung 6. Antwerp 7. Matera 8. San… → Read More
Multiple collisions snarl traffic near West Seattle Bridge
Multiple collisions snarled traffic on northbound Interstate 5 near the West Seattle Bridge Wednesday morning. One collision blocked two left lanes just before Spokane Street, while a second collision near South Forest Street blocked two left lanes as well. → Read More
Picture-perfect farm, world-class horse training facility listed in Snohomish
Situated on 17½ sprawling, beautifully maintained acres, Pumpkin Farms Dressage is a world-class horse training and boarding facility in Snohomish. And it's for sale. → Read More
Emergency phone restored near ice caves after outcry
In response to public outcry, a pay phone often used in emergency situations near the Big Four Ice Caves has been reinstalled. Frontier Communications confirmed Tuesday it reinstalled the pay phone at the U.S. Forest Service Verlot Public Service Center. The center is 11 miles east of Granite Falls and is often the best option for reaching 911 from the Mountain Loop Highway, which has poor… → Read More