February 2021
Most Influential: Ethan Stowell
Restaurateur, Activist
Chef Ethan Stowell knows good food can change lives. You probably recognize him as the force behind more than 20 Seattle-area restaurants and cafes. Now, he’s taking on a new challenge: transforming what kids eat in public schools as a member of Eat Real’s chefs council. America’s school cafeterias serve 7 billion meals a year…
Celebrating Black Art and Culture
Ways to honor Black History Month across the city
Black art, culture, and history deserve the spotlight year-round, but February is when Seattle really steps it up during Black History Month. We’ve got everything from film festivals and discussions to art shows and candle pouring. Support Black-owned businesses while you’re at it, and use your Buy Black Card. Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) NAAM’s…
Most Influential: Uttam Mukherjee & Dr. Aakanksha Sinha
Co-founders of Spice Waala
When Spice Waala opened in 2019, husband and wife team Uttam Mukherjee and Dr. Aakanksha Sinha had two goals: bring authentic Indian street food to Seattle and give back to the community. Now, with three locations, Spice Waala is known for its flavorful chaats, kathi rolls — and its impact. Recently named King County Small…
Preston Singletary: The Harmonic Alchemist
Multi-talented Seattle artist fuses sound, cinema and glass artistry
In Tlingit lore the raven is a supernatural being who steals the moon, sun, and stars from a powerful man. Seattle artist Preston Singletary can be forgiven if he is confused for the modern-day manifestation of the raven, also described as a shapeshifter in mythology. Singletary has been enlightening audiences the world over for decades with his…
Most Influential: Hamdi Mohamed
Seattle Port Commissioner
Hamdi Mohamed arrived 30 years ago with her family, refugees fleeing war-torn Somalia. In 2024, the 34-year-old port commissioner became the first Black woman to chair the Seattle Port Commission, the public authority that manages Sea-Tac Airport and the Port of Seattle. Mohamed was not quite a year old when she fled Somalia with her…
The Pulse: Snow on the Horizon
A new MoPOP exhibition, Memorial Stadium’s future, and Pete Carroll in dad mode
Hey there, how’s it going? It’s been a busy week at the office. We’re gearing up for the next print issue — think stunning homes and killer photos. Also, they’re calling for light snow this weekend and possibly into Monday. Any bets on if it’ll actually happen? It’s been a dry winter, so any precipitation…
Valentine’s Day: How Suite It Is
Check out these eight romantic getaways
Valentine’s Day: Dinner, flowers, romance. Done? This year consider a new tradition: the perfect annual excuse to pamper, luxuriate, and staycate. Here are eight local options for cozying up with Valentines, Galentines, and Palentines of every persuasion. W Bellevue Bellevue makes for a delightfully nearby staycation — just pop across the bridge and press…
Must List: Six Fun Things to Do This Week
Strange brews, hip-hop history, and the perfect bowl of ramen
Wow, there’s so much happening in the city right now, it was tough putting the Must List together — which is not a bad problem to have. For instance, folksinger and songwriter Ani DiFranco takes the stage at The Moore this Saturday, Feb. 1. GRINDHAUS, a wild mix of drag and performance art, hits The…
Secrets of the Sound
A new mystery novel by local author Kirsten Sundberg Lunstrum draws from her personal experiences
Writer Kirsten Sundberg Lunstrum grew up surrounded by words. As children, she and her sister enjoyed falling asleep to their mother’s voice as she read books before bed, and their father — a Lutheran pastor and poet — spent every Sunday working on his sermons, reciting the words aloud as he wrote. “Being around a…
True Crime, Live
Yeardley Smith brings her hit podcast to Seattle for its first live tour
There’s no body, but there is a mystery: Why does Seattle love Small Town Dicks so much? Maybe it’s the brooding skies. The shadowy streets. The endless drizzle. Or the coffee-sipping, side-eyeing locals who can’t resist a good story. Or maybe it’s something deeper — an appreciation for the human-centered cases and compelling storytelling the…
Fave Five: Cold Weather Comforts
Where to cozy up for the season
Seattle winters aren’t just gray — they’re an excuse to find warmth in every corner of the city. From slurping pho and wandering a garden show, to gondola rides with mountain views, here’s how to make the most of the chill and maybe even love it. 1 Bowl Goals. Nothing beats a steaming bowl of…
Most Influential: Delaney Ruston
Physician, Filmmaker
Delaney Ruston made her first film when she was a resident at UC San Francisco. While the rest of her medical school classmates delivered their final presentations in typical PowerPoint fashion, Ruston was inspired by the “video camera revolution” and the capability of film to portray people’s stories, she said. In the film, she told…