Sarah Stackhouse
A Big Win for Pioneer Square’s Small Businesses
New grants fuel neighborhood establishments as downtown changes and pressures mount
The federal government is pulling funding from important community services, research and nonprofits. Across the region, organizations are scrambling to stay open — or closing for good. Small businesses are getting hammered by tariffs and recession fears. But in Seattle’s oldest neighborhood, there’s a different story unfolding. The Alliance for Pioneer Square, a nonprofit focused…
The Pulse: Smells Like Spring
Surveillance debates and a Jurassic-sized surprise
It’s been warm enough to eat outside, so we did: enchiladas and cucumber salad on the deck last night, with a light chicken manure breeze for ambiance. No shade to the neighbors — it’s garden season, and I support it 100%. Here’s what’s going on around town… Spice Waala’s soft serve flavor this week? Turmeric…
Must List: Six Fun Things to Do in Seattle This Week
Apr 24 - Apr 30
Music in the air
Bring it, Seattle. You are stunning under blue skies. If you’re looking for something to check out between iced coffee runs, this art show about climate change looks incredible. The annual City Nature Challenge is back. Log a bug, animal, or plant and help scientists track biodiversity. The state’s trying to hit our bar tabs…
Spot. Snap. Identify.
Help Seattle win a worldwide wildlife challenge just by taking pictures
Grab your phone, open your camera, and start looking for bugs. Or birds. Or that weird plant you always see but have no idea what it is. Seattle-Tacoma is back in for the world’s largest bioblitz, kicking off April 25. Around here, spotting an eagle during the afternoon commute or a strange mushroom on the…
Calling All Soccer Fans
FIFA needs Seattle volunteers
Seattle is about to host some of the biggest soccer matches in the world. This summer, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup comes to town. It’s the largest club soccer tournament ever held in the U.S. — 32 teams, 63 matches, 12 cities. The tournament kicks off June 14 in Miami. Lumen Field gets six…
The Pulse: Too Nice to Work
An elk who knows he's hot and a vending machine that understands us
It’s been offensively nice outside this week. We’re all acting like the past six months of rain never happened and won’t happen again. I love it. I had a colleague once tell me, “No one works past 3 p.m. on Fridays in the Northwest when the weather’s nice.” I’ll be observing that sacred tradition today….
A Disco-Inspired Love Story
A Bellevue wedding, 27 years in the making
A chance meeting. A long love story. One unforgettable night. Randy Gantenbein, who once managed Paul Allen’s properties and has spent decades in hospitality, and Ernie Vigil, a Navy veteran and longtime nurse, first met in a San Diego Starbucks on Easter Sunday. Randy was sipping coffee and flipping through his horoscope. “It said, ‘You’ll…
Must List: Six Things to Do in Seattle This Week
Apr 17 - Apr 23
Phish, foodies, freedom
Hey, how’s it going? There’s a lot happening right now, nationally and here in Seattle, and not all of it’s easy to watch. Humanities Washington is fighting through federal budget cuts, trying to protect the kind of community programs we usually take for granted. Earth Day is coming up, but this year it feels heavier….
Why Text Therapy Works for Teens
Seattle’s free therapy program meets teens where they are — on their phones
When teens in Seattle need someone to talk to, many are starting with their phones. The city launched a free virtual therapy program for teens and young adults in December. It’s open to residents ages 13 to 24 and includes unlimited messaging with a licensed therapist, one live video session per month, and access to…
The Pulse: Chasing Sunbreaks
Snow leopard cubs and rogue stop signs
The sky is so bright and blue. On days like this, everyone I run into seems especially peppy. I’ve always loved that about Seattle. We don’t take it for granted, do we? It’s a perfect time to practice my favorite Kurt Vonnegut lesson: “If this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.” Here’s what’s happening…
Must List: Six Things to Do in Seattle This Week
Apr 03 - Apr 09
Big sounds, bold films, taco truck showdown
Looks like we’ve got ourselves a pretty spring day. While you’re out and about, there’s plenty happening around town: a new Filipino-Hawaiian spot is taking over the old Highliner space, and Sabine is heading to the Eastside. Seattle U. just unveiled plans for a new museum, and the Storm scored a major national TV deal….
Curvy Cactus, Chub Rub Launch Seattle’s First Fat Mall
The new pop-up marketplace highlights local makers and body-affirming fashion
Seattle Fat Mall — the city’s first-ever — will turn the Curvy Cactus storefront on Fourth Avenue into a monthlong pop-up marketplace for plus-size fashion, art, and gifts from local makers. “We envision Seattle Fat Mall as more than just a retail space. It’s a celebration of our community,” say Amber and Alyss Seelig, sisters…
New Federal Rules Hit Eastside Youth Services
The Kirkland nonprofit is forced to scale back in response to shifting federal policy
In a region already struggling to meet the needs of unhoused youth, one of the Eastside’s most prominent youth service providers is cutting key programs in response to a rash of federal funding restrictions. Friends of Youth will no longer accept certain federal funding, citing recent executive orders and new restrictions tied to U.S. Department…
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