January/February 2026
Floating with Friends
The benefits of sauna go beyond the physical, and Seattle’s newest wellness experience—which glides around the waters of Lake Union—equally taps into the non-tangible positives.
It only took a few minutes to settle in before I knew—these are my people. I met Emma Griffith, one of the founders of Wild Haus Floating Saunas, on a crisp, clear, late-summer morning to chat about the project she helped start last January. In simple terms, the team of eight created two saunas on…
From the Archives: Most Influential—Before That Was a Thing
Remembering the kind of leadership that built Washington—and still echoes today.
Washington state once had Dan Evans, a leader whose impact still endures, and who governed with a sort of principled presence that helped shape the soul of our region. A three-term governor and later U.S. senator, Evans embodied a kind of civic leadership that feels both mythic and arguably elusive now. He was pragmatic, optimistic,…
Supporting Roles
Three women in the Northwest are helping local artists through newly launched residencies outside of Seattle. Here, we take a look inside these thoughtfully designed spaces, and learn what drove their founders to become cornerstones in the creative community.
Iolair Artist Residency Eastsound, WA Years ago, after studying photography and earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Washington, Pacific Northwest native Linda Lewis realized that she didn’t want to spend the rest of her life behind a camera. “The minute I graduated from school, I was far more inspired by the…
Artifacts: Ink Queen
Known as Seattle’s First Lady of Tattoo, Vyvyn Lazonga paved the way for women in the industry—both as artists and clients.
Upon my arrival at Madame Lazonga’s Tattoo parlor, I can’t help but notice that one of the windows is boarded up. After welcoming me inside the corner space on Western Avenue, just across the street from Pike Place Market, owner Vyvyn Lazonga informs me about a recent burglary. The thieves spared most things of monetary…
Umbrella Policy
Northwest threads.
Nine years after meeting at Bumbershoot, Cam Russ and Marcus McFall launched a clothing company with Northwesterners on their minds. Called It’s Always Wet in Seattle, the line of sweats and beanies is available in colors reflecting the locale—Orca Black, Lake Union Blue, and Cascade White. Fun details include upside-down umbrella zipper pulls (a wink…
Photo Essay: Steady Trails
Words and photographs by Tiffanie Yang.
Every friday, I get the same text message from my parents: “Where are you hiking this weekend? Don’t forget to send us photos!” It’s a simple reminder of how deeply living in Washington has defined who I am today. Hiking, backpacking, and photography have become more than just hobbies—they’re the driving forces behind my personal…
The Coach: Sonia Raman
The history-making coach leading the Seattle Storm into the future.
In the early 2000s, Sonia Raman was on the traditional track to a successful career in law, but coaching basketball kept bouncing back to her. A lifelong fan of the sport, Raman—who played at Tufts University and coached throughout her collegiate and post-grad career—eventually heeded the call, making a pivot that would change her life….
The Civic Spacemaker: Tommy Gregory
A next-gen curator improving your airport experience.
“I love the saying, ‘sleep when you are dead.’” Few embody it like Tommy Gregory—tireless artist, curator, and connector who seems to be everywhere at once, installing work, throwing receptions, or plotting the next show. Gregory joined the Port of Seattle as senior project manager in 2019, just as airport art collections were gaining global…
To Skate Like A Girl
The Professional Women’s Hockey League expands to Seattle with the Torrent, a talent-filled team poised to sweep the ice.
When Danielle Serdachny was growing up, she dreamed of playing professional hockey. This wasn’t unusual, given that she’s from Alberta, Canada, where hockey is as much a passion as a sport. Her dad teaches skating and hockey skills, and he’d even worked for the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers at one point. Her older sister…
The Piano Teacher: Payam Khastkhodaei
The instructor rethinking the approach to music lessons.
When Payam Khastkhodaei began teaching piano to a family friend’s daughter in his Bothell home at 16, he relied on the same method he had been taught as a kid—classical songbooks, rigid practice, and pieces he never connected with. It didn’t take long to see she was losing interest. “I had learned from the Alfred…
The Scientist: Dr. Mary E. Brunkow
The Nobel Prize-winning molecular biologist is a UW alum.
When the Nobel Assembly called Dr. Mary E. Brunkow around 1 a.m. on October 6 to deliver the news that she had been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine, she did not answer the phone call. When they called immediately a second time she set her phone to “Do Not Disturb” and…
The System Smashers: Seth and Zach Pacleb
The brothers taking risks to disrupt capitalist restaurant models.
For brothers Seth and Zach Pacleb, all you need to know about their new eatery is in the name: Pidgin Cooperative. The employee-owned, pan-Asian restaurant and bottle shop that opened last fall in Fishermen’s Terminal represents a level playing field where people come together to fulfill a collective culinary vision. Fittingly, it’s inspired by the…