Rob Smith
Editor’s Note: An Experience That Lives Forever
The world isn't always as it seems
It was Friday night after a long week. I had just arrived home. The red light was flashing on my answering machine (remember those?). I was ready for the weekend. The call crushed me. My first love, my high school sweetheart, my partner in mischief, had passed away due to complications from Multiple Sclerosis. Gwen…
UW Launches Final Phase of Campaign to Restore Historic ASUW Shell House
Effort coincides with release of The Boys in the Boat on Christmas day
The race is on. The University of Washington has launched the final phase of an ambitious campaign to restore the historic shell house where the 1936 Gold-medal winning Olympic rowing team once trained. The “Pull Together” campaign is designed to encourage final gifts toward the renovation of the century-old ASUW Shell House on the Montlake…
‘The Answer is in Us’
Equity expert Erin Jones encourages everyone to ‘show up for one another’
Erin Jones has a unique perspective on race. She was put up for adoption after her white birth mother’s family refused to let the mixed-race child come home. She was adopted by a white couple whose parents also struggled to accept her. She was raised in Minnesota until age 5, and then moved with her…
Back Page: Not Making The Grade
Seattle Public Schools Was Under A Harsh Spotlight In 1968
Before the 2023-2024 school season kicked off, Seattle Public Schools had some big decisions to make regarding a $131 million budget deficit. Back in 1968, SPS faced similar challenges, as detailed in Seattle magazine’s cover story from November of that year. Staff writer Ruth Wolf cited a highly critical report that said students were being…
Love at First Spark
Redmond pizza joint earns another honor
Italy loves Spark Pizza. The venerable Redmond restaurant has been named one of the Top 50 Pizzerias in the United States for the second consecutive year by Italian publication 50topizza.it. The online guide recognizes the best pizzerias in the world and is updated annually. Spark last year finished No. 48. It finished No. 31 this…
Higher Ed’s Big Test
State’s Top Education Leaders Emphasize Transformation During A Time Of Great Upheaval
University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce and her colleagues are still trying to digest recent Supreme Court rulings that shook the foundation of higher education. In a matter of days, the High Court banned the use of affirmative action during the college admissions process and struck down President Biden’s student-loan forgiveness plan. It represented…
Westfield Southcenter launches Restaurant Row
The mall is in the midst of a culinary upgrade
Get ready for Restaurant Row at Westfield Southcenter. The entire north side of the Tukwila shopping center has established a new dining district. Dubbed “Restaurant Row,” the emerging culinary hub is introducing several new concepts, beginning with Mr. Dim sum this winter. Gen Korean and another new concept will open later next year. Each restaurant…
This is a barrel of fun
What’s believed to be the world’s first international whiskey trail has been created right here in the Northwest. The new Northwest Whiskey Trail features seven distilleries in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. It has two Seattle stops: Copperworks Distilling Co. and Westland Distillery. Visitors pick up a passport at the first distillery they visit and…
Is Bartell Drugs in Trouble?
Rite Aid’s bankruptcy raises questions
Rite Aid’s bankruptcy was, seemingly, a foregone conclusion. To no one’s surprise, Rite Aid filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection over the weekend. Company stock had been trading well below a dollar for months, and rumors had circulated that it was heading toward insolvency. In 2020, Rite Aid acquired Seattle institution Bartell Drugs and its…
Leisure & Luxury
Seattle fine-dining destination Canlis named to exclusive culinary travel membership group
Acclaimed fine-dining establishment Canlis is among only a dozen restaurants across the country on a new, exclusive list aimed at high-end travelers who enjoy upscale dining experiences. The Seattle restaurant, led by executive chef Aisha Ibrahim, is part of Taste Club, a first-of-its-kind dining and global luxury travel club. Memberships provide access to dining experiences…
Just out of college? Spokane’s the place
Zillow ranks the city as a top market
Move over, Seattle. Spokane has your number. Seattle online real estate company Zillow ranks the midsize eastern Washington city, home to private Gonzaga University, as the second-best market in the country for recent college graduates. Zillow analyzed rent, income, job growth, and share of the population in its 20s. “Typical rent is $1,563 compared to…
The Great Washington ShakeOut is Next Week
Annual event comes on heels of Sunday’s minor quake
You may not have even noticed the earthquake that happened Sunday night. Many Seattleites had no idea. Even those who knew what was happening didn’t seem concerned. For most, it was a soft shaking that was over in about two seconds. While the 4.3 magnitude earthquake that originated about 40 miles southeast of British Columbia…