🌱 Patch AM: Why are Renton Highlands mailboxes disappearing overnight?

Coffee in hand, Renton? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why are Renton Highlands mailboxes disappearing overnight?
• How a former Renton ballet director became America’s “Nutcracker Lady”
• How a Renton ballet sparked America’s biggest nutcracker collection

Also on today's calendar: Short-Term Rental (STR) Updates & 2026 World Cup Hosting Opportunities Webinar and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the alien say to the puzzle? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Downpours; windy in the a.m., with a high of 61 and low of 50 degrees.
• Thursday: Occasional rain, temps: high: 53, low: 49.
• Friday: Cloudy, with a high of 58 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Mail thieves steal multi-unit mailbox in Renton Highlands neighborhood (king5.com) — Neighbors in Renton’s Highlands and Maplewood areas are dealing with a string of brazen mail thefts, including thieves hauling away an entire multi-unit mailbox worth thousands of dollars. Residents are worried about stolen checks, packages, and potential identity theft as the holiday season ramps up, and are hoping that raising awareness will help stop the crimes before they escalate further.
   

2. A 101-year-old runs the largest nutcracker museum in the U.S. Here's a look inside (kpbs.org) — A century-old “Nutcracker Lady” who once directed a ballet company in Renton went on to build the nation’s largest nutcracker museum in Leavenworth. Her accidental collecting hobby has grown into a 9,000-piece attraction drawing visitors from around the world, and at 101 she’s still greeting guests, curating displays, and even selling a nutcracker carved in her own likeness.
   

3. < A 101-year-old runs the largest nutcracker museum in the U.S. Here's a look inside (npr.org) — A 101-year-old curator in Leavenworth runs the nation’s largest nutcracker museum, but her story traces back to directing a Renton ballet company staging “The Nutcracker” in 1976. That production sparked a collecting passion that grew into thousands of nutcrackers from around the world, now displayed for visitors while she continues working and training her successor.
   

4. Women's Division Champions Crowned at 2025 PGA National Club Championship (pga.com) — A Renton connection showed up on the national stage as Maplewood Golf Course golfer Tina Papatolis finished in the top five at the 2025 PGA National Club Championship’s Women’s Open Division. The three-day event in California crowned champions across Open, Senior, and Legend divisions, with amateurs from clubs nationwide earning multi-year exemptions and invitations to future championships.
   

📸 Around Renton

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Renton

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday December 11

• Short-Term Rental (STR) Updates & 2026 World Cup Hosting Opportunities Webinar
  Virtual Webinar,
  12:30 pm

Saturday December 13

• Historically Hip Artisan Market
  232 Front St N, Issaquah
  9:00 am
• PSCS Winter Maker's Market (in support of youth!)
  Puget Sound Community School, 660 S Dearborn St, Seattle
  1:00 pm

Sunday December 14

• Historically Hip Artisan Market
  232 Front St N, Issaquah
  11:00 am

Tuesday December 16

• 9 to 5 Artisan Pop-Up at the Holiday Shop
  232 Front St N, Issaquah
  1:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 11

• St. Vincent de Paul Assistance
  Renton Library , 100 Mill Avenue South , Renton
  10:00 am
• Community Connections with Agape Love of Renton
  Renton Library , 100 Mill Avenue South , Renton
  10:00 am
• Family Story Time
  Fairwood Library , 17009 140th Avenue SE , Renton
  10:15 am
• Toddler Story Time at Renton Library
  Renton Library , 100 Mill Avenue South , Renton
  10:30 am
• Baby Story Time at Renton Library
  Renton Library , 100 Mill Avenue South , Renton
  11:15 am
• Beaded Plant Art Workshop
  Renton Library , 100 Mill Avenue South , Renton
  1:00 pm

Friday December 12

• Hearing Loss Association of America Renton Support Group
  Renton Senior Activity Center , 211 Burnett Ave N , Renton
  1:00 pm

📣 Renton Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Holiday Burnout Is Real — Here’s How to Beat It —Swannee Rivers Read on Patch

• Please share & repost to help reunite this stray cat!
  FOUND on December 5, 2025 in Auburn, WA 98092 near 284th st auburn wa Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the finder,… (Nextdoor Upper Kennydale)
• Spotted: Black & white dog off leash w/o owner at Kiwanis park @ 630am-ish
  Was out with my dog for some early AM exercise at Kiwanis when a medium-big dog approached out of nowhere at 630am. Dog seemed well cared for but… (Nextdoor Queen Ave NE)

Ok Renton! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I come in peace. You come in pieces.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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