February 2021

I’m still recovering from a wild New Year’s celebration. On Saturday, hundreds of shellfish fans converged in a massive tent on Pier 56 for Elliott’s 20th annual Oyster New Year, a celebration of the beginning of prime oyster eating time. The high-energy event features 25 growers from around the Northwest, all hands on deck, shucking…

Age: 50 Occupation: farmer, author, maker of Dinah’s Cheese Neighborhood: Vashon Island Orientation: Gay Pets: Byron and Daisy, both dogs. I also have a herd of Jersey cows, but I wouldn’t really call them pets. Grew up in: Seattle Personal passion: I love great food; both growing and raising tasty fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy….

Age: 39 Occupation: Chef and co-owner, Boat Street Cafe, The Walrus & the Carpenter, The Whale Wins and mobile food truck The Narwhal Neighborhood: Ballard/Phinney Orientation: Straight Pets: Puppy named Arlo; one cat, Lucca; and eight chickens Grew up in: Woodinville, Washington Personal mission: To fill my life with beautiful people, spaces, food and events…

Age: 26 Occupation: Co-owner, Mr. Gyros Neighborhood: Ballard Orientation: Straight Grew up in: Bellevue Personal mission: Work hard now, play later. My goal is to hopefully be retired before 40. I figure if I work as hard as I can now, I can enjoy life with a family later. Best quality: Physically, my eyes. I…

Age: 40 Occupation: Wine writing, blogging, education and social media consulting. Also works at Bottlehouse Neighborhood: Capitol Hill Orientation: Straight Grew up: Outside of Chicago Why Seattle? I fled an IT job in Chicago in 1994 to pursue the wine business full-time and haven’t looked back. (Though I do miss riding the El everywhere.) Seattle…

Age: 29 Occupation: Fashion designer, Bri Seeley Designs Destined for occupation since: My grandmother taught me how to sew when I was 6.  Neighborhood: Olympia Orientation: Straight Pets: Two incredibly furry orange-and-white tabby cats Grew up in: Northfield, Minnesota Personal mission: Bring fashion back to the glamour and femininity seen in the 1950s Best quality: It is also the…

Age: 43 Occupation: director of Marketing & external relations, crosscut.com Neighborhood: Ravenna Orientation: Straight Grew up in: The Bay Area Why Seattle? I came to Seattle in ’92. I stayed because I loved the work I was doing (One Reel, Empty Space Theatre, STG, Crosscut) and how it affected and helped shape the cultural climate…

Age: 34 Occupation: Concert violinist, Seattle University professor Neighborhood: International District Orientation: Bisexual Grew up in: Park Forest, Illinois, a suburb south of Chicago  Personal mission: To be the very best person I can be. I try to treat people with respect and compassion and be a positive role model to the younger generation.  Best quality:…

Age: 53 Occupation: Freelance journalist and author Destined for occupation since: I started writing my byline all over my Pee Chee back in high school. Neighborhood: Queen Anne Orientation: Straight Children: No kids, but I’m a red-hot aunt Grew up: On a strawberry farm in Skagit Valley Personal mission: After being diagnosed with breast cancer…

Age: 37 Occupation: Actor, musician, member of the band “Awesome” (awesomeinquotes.com) Destined for occupation since: Elementary school, when they sent us home with a worksheet with pictures of musical instruments on it. I pointed at the trumpet. Then theater extroverted me in high school, and I’ve been discovering new occupations ever since.  Neighborhood: Fremont Orientation:…

No matter what side you’re on during this year’s election, let’s hope we can agree on two things: First, that an election night party just isn’t the same without a good cocktail (that fits both a winning and a losing mood). And second, that the following drinks are better than any other election night cocktails….