Rob Smith

Filmmaker With Seattle Ties Debuts New Movie
Escape from Extinction: Rewilding includes both the Seattle Aquarium and Woodland Park Zoo
His brother lives in Kirkland. He has shot several commercials here, including promos for Monday Night Football. And you may remember his 2012 movie, Grassroots, based on the true story of former local journalist Grant Cogswell, who helps his friend run (unsuccessfully) for Seattle City Council. It was shot in Seattle and featured several iconic places, including the Space Needle and the Comet Tavern. For that, he was given a key to the city…

PCC to Reopen Downtown Seattle Store
Smaller-format store will feature prepared foods and a deli
The Seattle-based co-op grocer will return to its former location at Fourth Avenue and Union Street in the second half of next year. The new store will be smaller, occupying only a portion of its former space. The grocer says it is “contractually obligated” to its long-term lease obligation. The former store was open for two years before PCC shuttered it last January.

Sonic Gloom
The NBA delays its much-anticipated announcement of the return of the Sonics
I had never seen my friend Carter so perturbed. “This is a load of crap,” he said, reflecting the views of NBA fans across the city. “I’m starting to wonder if this is ever going to happen.” Carter — who remains an avid NBA fan, unlike many other Sonics loyalists — was reacting to an announcement this week by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who said the league would deal with expansion at some point in the season…

Editor’s Note: So Common, Yet So Underappreciated
Most of us have been, are, or will be caregivers in our lifetimes
My mother’s voice was calm, even more measured than usual. “Your father’s breathing tube came off last night while he was sleeping,” she said over the phone from Portland. “I had to take him to the hospital. He’s doing fine.”
This was almost three decades ago, and I still vividly recall not being surprised that something had happened.

Starbucks CEO Vows to Reduce Wait Times, Reestablish ‘Community’ Focus
Brian Niccol writes an open letter in just his second day on the job
It’s only his second day on the job, but new Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol isn’t wasting any time as he seeks to revitalize the Seattle coffee giant. “We aren’t always delivering,” Niccol said in an open letter on the Starbucks website. “It can feel transactional, menus can feel overwhelming, product is inconsistent, the wait too…

Seattle’s Influence Grows Across the World
International Downtown Conference welcomes almost 1,400 visitors
Seattle is truly on the global stage this week. Starting Sept. 11 and running through Sept. 13, the International Downtown Association convenes in Seattle for its 70th annual conference. The event features almost 1,400 community leaders, urban planners, and elected officials from 46 states and 10 countries. “This conference is an annual highlight for urban…

Uncommon Thinkers Welcome
Editor’s Note: This series is a partnership between Seattle magazine and Greater Seattle Partners, designed to recognize some of the region’s boldest Uncommon Thinkers — the inventors, artists, leaders, and entrepreneurs who are transforming communities and driving positive change throughout the world. Greater Seattle has deep cultural and economic ties with the Indian diaspora, with…

Less About Nostalgia, More About The Music
Seeing a favorite band takes you back, but it’s about so much more
While waiting to enter the Earth, Wind & Fire/Chicago double bill at Climate Pledge Arena recently, I asked a stranger if they used to be a big fan of the bands. “What do you mean ‘used to be?’” he said. “I know every Earth, Wind & Fire song there is.” That’s truly impressive if true, given that the ‘70s-era funk-pop band released 23 albums. It was my first concert at Climate Pledge, and the music filled every corner of the venue. And then I started thinking about nostalgia…

From The Editor: It’s Always A New Age
The new issue of Seattle magazine is out now
The September-October issue of Seattle magazine is centered around meaning in aging, and the challenges and triumphs we all face as we get older. Finding purpose in aging can be a fulfilling and empowering process and, as with so many things, Seattle and Washington state are the places to be…