Rob Smith
Editor’s Note: Climate of Responsibility
Seattle takes the lead on environmental stewardship
Jeffrey Linn draws maps. Sloan Ritchie constructs buildings. Heather Trim influences policy. They have more in common than you might think. All have made environmental stewardship and responsibility their life’s work. They approach that mission in vastly different ways, but all are after the same thing: a just, equitable and sustainable future that emphasizes responsibility…
How The West Was Spun
Whatcom Museum exhibit seeks to correct enduring myths
Much of what you know about the Old West is a myth. A new exhibit at the Whatcom seeks to provide a broader and more historically accurate perspective. The nationally-touring exhibition, “Many Wests: Artists Shape an American Idea,” examines the perspectives of 48 modern and contemporary artists who offer a more inclusive view of the…
Seattle’s Surprising Food Hot Spot
Eat where the techies do
Seattle’s tech scene has become globally significant. Seattle’s culinary experience in the epicenter of that tech community? Not so much. Until now. Experience Hawaiian-meets-Korean cuisine at acclaimed restaurant Marination, Middle Eastern mezze at Mamnoon Street, hand-rolled sourdough bagels at Rubinstein and a perfectly balanced beverage from Rachel’s Ginger Beer at Eat Seattle’s “Street Food Tour…
To Good Health
A big thank you to the unsung heroes working to make our lives better
I could have died. I didn’t realize it at the time. All the medical professionals told me how “lucky” I was. I didn’t understand until later. For about a month starting around Thanksgiving, I began experiencing random moments when I was short of breath. I had to pause while walking up steep Seattle hills. I…
Seattle Magazine Cover 1969: Abortion Rights Fight
The state legislature in 1969 was embroiled in debate over a woman’s right to choose
Courtesy of Jade D’Addario, Special Collections, The Seattle Public Library Back in 1970, almost three years prior to Roe v. Wade, Washington voters became the first in the country to vote to legalize abortion. This “Seattle” magazine cover, from 1969, reflects the debate raging across the state at the time. According to Cassandra Tate on…
Seattle Magazine Cover 1968: Tumultuous Times
This ‘Seattle’ magazine cover from October 1968 reflects the turbulence of the era
In early October 1968, a Seattle police officer shot and killed a 17-year-old Black boy after he threatened them with a rifle. According to David Wilma, writing on Historylink.org, the very next day two Seattle police officers were ambushed and wounded in retaliation. Welton Armstead’s death was eventually ruled “justifiable,” but a headline in a…
Headed for Tomorrow. Future Seattle May Look Very Different.
No parking downtown. Office buildings repurposed for affordable housing. The Seattle of the future will look very different. Here’s why that’s a good thing.
Years before they became coprincipals at Seattle’s Spectrum Development, Jake McKinstry and Gabe Grant got a clear glimpse of Seattle’s future. McKinstry’s education came courtesy of a three-year stint as a member of Seattle’s Planning Commission. He became keenly aware of the city’s considerable challenges around zoning, transportation and urban density. Grant spent his time…
Carmen Best Is Doing Just Fine
How can we create the future we want?
Retired Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best was thrust into the national spotlight in the summer of 2020 when the city erupted in protests. Many devolved into violence, and resulted in the subsequent months-long occupation of six downtown blocks. Protestors called for the city to defund or abolish the police. The Seattle City Council threatened to…
Julie Stein and the Burke Museum. A Natural History Evolution.
Julie Stein calls it a career after launching the new Burke
In a distinguished career as a professor of geoarchaeology at the University of Washington and a three-decade stint at Seattle’s nationally renowned Burke Museum, Julie Stein is quick to identify one standout moment. “It has to be cutting the ribbon for the new Burke,” says Stein, who retired in March after 16 years as executive…
Photography: Three Days in Seattle
Photo essay explores the experience from a unique perspective
Madison Street has always fascinated photographer Eirik Johnson. It’s the only major thoroughfare that completely bisects the city, from the waterfront to Madison Park and Lake Washington. It traverses diagonally through Capitol Hill and Madison Valley. “There’s a lot you can dig into there,” says Johnson, a professional photographer who also serves as programs chair…
Sonic Blast From The Past
Popular Facebook site recalls the glory of the Seattle SuperSonics
In one photo, NBA Hall of Famer and former Sonics great Jack Sikma maneuvers to take his deadly accurate fallback jump shot. In another, Hall of Famer Gary Payton lobs a perfect pass as teammate Shawn Kemp slams yet another alley-oop dunk. Those are just two of the thousands of old pictures, game clippings, feature…