A festival celebrating the city’s only river won't happen this year. 

The organization hosting the Duwamish River Festival shut the August celebration down, due to concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in South Park, the neighborhood where the festival usually takes place. 

We talk about the decision with the head of the Duwamish River Community Coalition, the organization that usually runs the festival.

Guest

Paulina Lopez, executive director of the Duwamish River Community Coalition

Related links
Seattle festival canceled due to ICE concerns, The Seattle Times
Envisioning a cleaner Duwamish River in South Park, Soundside (2022)

A festival celebrating the city&rsquo;s only river won't happen this year.&nbsp;
The organization hosting the Duwamish River Festival shut the August celebration down, due to concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in South Park, the neighborhood where the festival usually takes place.&nbsp;
We talk about the decision with the head of the Duwamish River Community Coalition, the organization that usually runs the festival.
Guest
Paulina Lopez, executive director of the Duwamish River Community Coalition
Related links
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattles-duwamish-river-festival-canceled-due-to-ice-concerns/">Seattle festival canceled due to ICE concerns</a>, The Seattle Times</li>
<li><a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/envisioning-a-cleaner-duwamish-river-in-south-park">Envisioning a cleaner Duwamish River in South Park,</a> Soundside (2022)</li>
</ul>

Soundside

Amid aggressive ICE activity across the country, organizers canceled the August festival.

Why this year's Duwamish River Festival is canceled 

Every Monday on Soundside we catch you up on the top stories that are fascinating right now – and what they say about the Pacific Northwest.

It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.

GUEST: Former KIRO-FM host Dave Ross

TODAY'S TOPICS:
Flooding

Seattle Times: A damaged King County levee awaited fixes for years. Then it failed.
NBC News: Federal grants for flood mitigation work sat on hold as storms inundated Washington state
Affordability

NYTimes: How Democrats Used One Word to Turn the Tide Against Trump
NYTimes: These Young Adults Make Good Money. But Life, They Say, Is Unaffordable.
Dave Ross parody songs

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every Monday on Soundside we catch you up on the top stories that are fascinating right now &ndash; and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. It&rsquo;s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.
GUEST: Former KIRO-FM host Dave Ross
TODAY'S TOPICS:
<ul>
<li>Flooding
<ul>
<li>Seattle Times:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/times-watchdog/a-damaged-king-county-levee-awaited-fixes-for-years-then-it-failed/#:~:text=The%20Desimone%20levee%20has%20been,long%20after%20the%202020%20flood.">A damaged King County levee awaited fixes for years. Then it failed.</a></li>
<li>NBC News: <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/washington-state-floods-federal-grants-on-hold-rcna250132">Federal grants for flood mitigation work sat on hold as storms inundated Washington state</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Affordability
<ul>
<li>NYTimes: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/20/upshot/affordability-democrats-trump.html">How Democrats Used One Word to Turn the Tide Against Trump</a></li>
<li>NYTimes: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/20/us/politics/middle-class-us-economy-affordability.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share">These Young Adults Make Good Money. But Life, They Say, Is Unaffordable.</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="http://daveross.com/index.html">Dave Ross parody songs</a><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nfl/philip-rivers-colts-nfl-seahawks-rcna249182"></a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every Monday on Soundside we catch you up on the top stories that are fascinating right now – and what they say about the Pacific Northwest.

Front Page: Flooding, affordability and Dave Ross sings

The holidays: a time to gather with friends and family, to enjoy one another’s company as we light candles or sit by a tree and contemplate the year’s passing.

It’s also a time to argue with said friends and family about some really dumb stuff.

Is Die Hard a holiday movie? Should Mariah Carey officially be crowned “Queen of Christmas?” Has there ever been a good Hanukkah song? 

You’ll be debating hard hitting questions like this. And on Soundside, we’re here to help you win the argument.

It’s our gift to you.

Today – We’re pitting three movies, songs, and local events against each other to determine a winner, in a totally original game we’re calling “Kiss Merry Kill.”

And of course that’s merry like Santa is - with an E.

 

HOLIDAY FARE DISCUSSED:

Movies
Deck the Halls (2006)
The Happiest Season (2020)
A Diva’s Christmas Carol (2000)

Music
The Christmas Shoes by NewSong
Mistletoe by Justin Bieber
Puppy for Hanukkah by Daveed Diggs

Events
The Bait Shop holiday light show
SantaCon
The Seattle Christmas Market
Sitting on Santa's lap at the Bellevue Square Mall

 

GUESTS:
Betty Wetter is a Seattle drag queen, and host of monthly drag variety show Tush! at the Clock-out Lounge
Juno Men is a comedian, and co-host of the Moth Storytelling Slam here in Seattle

 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The holidays: a time to gather with friends and family, to enjoy one another&rsquo;s company as we light candles or sit by a tree and contemplate the year&rsquo;s passing.
It&rsquo;s also a time to argue with said friends and family about some really dumb stuff.
Is Die Hard a holiday movie? Should Mariah Carey officially be crowned &ldquo;Queen of Christmas?&rdquo; Has there ever been a good Hanukkah song?&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ll be debating hard hitting questions like this. And on Soundside, we&rsquo;re here to help you win the argument.
It&rsquo;s our gift to you.
Today &ndash; We&rsquo;re pitting three movies, songs, and local events against each other to determine a winner, in a totally original game we&rsquo;re calling &ldquo;Kiss Merry Kill.&rdquo;
And of course that&rsquo;s merry like Santa is - with an E.
&nbsp;
HOLIDAY FARE DISCUSSED:
Movies
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0790604/">Deck the Halls (2006)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8522006/">The Happiest Season (2020)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0270317/">A Diva&rsquo;s Christmas Carol (2000)</a></li>
</ul>
Music
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJcPVB-we7g">The Christmas Shoes by NewSong</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUjn3RpkcKY">Mistletoe by Justin Bieber</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbxyZAduGvY">Puppy for Hanukkah by Daveed Diggs</a></li>
</ul>
Events
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/baitshopseattle/?hl=en">The Bait Shop holiday light show</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/seattlesantacon/?hl=en">SantaCon</a></li>
<li><a href="https://seattlechristmasmarket.com/">The Seattle Christmas Market</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bellevuecollection.com/tenant/snowflake-lane-factory/#/cat/all">Sitting on Santa's lap at the Bellevue Square Mall</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Betty Wetter is a Seattle drag queen, and host of monthly drag variety show Tush! at the Clock-out Lounge</li>
<li aria-level="1">Juno Men is a comedian, and co-host of the Moth Storytelling Slam here in Seattle</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

We’re pitting three movies, songs, and local events against each other to determine a winner, in a totally original game we’re calling “Kiss Merry Kill.”

Kiss Merry Kill: Holiday Edition

Seattle may have to say goodbye to a longstanding vintage shop in the new year. 

Red Light Vintage & Costume sits in the heart of the University District. It has been a fixture in Seattle’s fashion scene since it opened in the mid 90s.

Now the shop could close because owner Niz Marar is retiring.

He’s hoping to sell the business before his lease expires at the end of January. If he can’t find a buyer, fashion lovers will have to let go of this cherished spot. 

We talk to Marar about his final few weeks at Red Light... and hear from the person who's trying to keep it alive by buying the shop before the lease ends.  

GUESTS:
Niz Marar, owner of Red Light Vintage & Costume
Tacee Webb, co-founder of Red Light Vintage & Costume

RELATED LINKS: 
Red Light Vintage – vintage & costume
Red Light Revival: New classes, events, & memberships! — Kickstarter

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Seattle may have to say goodbye to a longstanding vintage shop in the new year.&nbsp;
Red Light Vintage &amp; Costume sits in the heart of the University District. It has been a fixture in Seattle&rsquo;s fashion scene since it opened in the mid 90s.
Now the shop could close because owner Niz Marar is retiring.
He&rsquo;s hoping to sell the business before his lease expires at the end of January. If he can&rsquo;t find a buyer, fashion lovers will have to let go of this cherished spot.&nbsp;
We talk to Marar about his final few weeks at Red Light... and hear from the person who's trying to keep it alive by buying the shop before the lease ends.&nbsp;&nbsp;
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Niz Marar, owner of Red Light Vintage &amp; Costume</li>
<li aria-level="1">Tacee Webb, co-founder of Red Light Vintage &amp; Costume</li>
</ul>
RELATED LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQslev3D-es/"></a><a href="https://www.redlightvintage.com/">Red Light Vintage &ndash; vintage &amp; costume</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DQslev3D-es/"></a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/redlight2026/save-red-light-iconic-seattle-shop-seeks-support?ref=238p7d&amp;token=56194c58">Red Light Revival: New classes, events, &amp; memberships! &mdash; Kickstarter</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Seattle may have to say goodbye to a longstanding vintage shop in the new year. An original co-founder wants to keep it going.

Why this year's Duwamish River Festival is canceled

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