Food & Drink
Oil Rigs, Cuddle Clubs & More News
The top Seattle news stories you should be reading today
By Alene Bouranova May 13, 2015
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it: Pronto Cycle Share announced Monday that self-serve helmet bins will become a permanent part of its bike-sharing system. Previously, the helmet bins operated on the honor system; riders will now have to enter a code to receive a helmet. Annual Pronto users will be able to access helmets for free while 24-hour and three-day users will have to pay $2 per pass period. Pronto is the first bike-share company in North America to provide helmets at every station. For more information visit prontocycleshare.com.
Seattle vs. “Seattle”: Amazon’s “Life in Seattle” recruiting video is viral thanks to local efforts. The Northwest-is-best video is the subject of two parodies: one by Sub Pop Records and the other by Seattle rapper Spekulation. The orginal paints Seattle as a quirky, easy-going utopia full of smiles and sun-drenched outdoorsiness. The parodies are a little grungier. “If you’re rich in Seattle, you’ll love it!” says a Spekulation voiceover. Sub Pop’s version is particularly Seattle-esque: “The stress levels here are suuuuuper chill,” says one woman, taking a drag on her vape pen.
Harbor Wars: Royal Dutch Shell is parking two Arctic oil drilling rigs in the Seattle harbor, according to the Associated Press. The Noble Discoverer and Polar Pioneer will come to Terminal 5 despite protests from residents and concerns over appropriate use permits. The Port of Seattle leased Shell’s parent company, Foss Maritime, 50 acres of space in Terminal 5 in early January. However, city officials argue that the terminal’s permit only allows for cargo operations. Shell is parking the rigs regardless; both should arrive within the week.
Good news for soccer and LEGO fans: Toy company OYO Sports is now selling Sounders FC mini-figures. For $12.99 you can purchase a collectible “Mystery Fan” figure, complete with a miniature Sounders scarf, water bottle, and team logo stand. Each MLS-licensed package contains one of three figures. Collect all three at Amazon, Lids, or OYO Sports (heads up- they’re cheapest if you buy directly from the manufacturer!).
No more free hugs: West Seattle now has its very own Cuddle Club, according to King 5. Professional cuddler Lashanna Williams opened The Cuddle Club on Fauntleroy Way to create a space for people to feel safe and nurtured. Women’s Health Mag says cuddling can lower stress, raise serotonin levels, and even strengthen your immune system. If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, you can come and cuddle with Williams starting at $45 per session. For more information or to book an appointment visit cuddleclubseattle.com.
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Finding Place in Pictures
Artist Sky Hopinka’s first solo museum exhibit in the northwest showcases his creative approach to language and identity
“I had cassette tapes and workbooks, but it was hard because I was living in Washington, and my tribal language has roots in Wisconsin,” Sky Hopinka says. Learning alone, he could listen to prerecorded Hocak phrases and practice writing letters and words, but an essential component was missing — another person to speak with. Photo
Feeding Ghosts to Free Them
Artist Tessa Hulls creates a revealing graphic novel to help her deal with childhood trauma
Seattle artist Tessa Hulls’ new graphic novel Feeding Ghosts is a deeply stirring narrative of loss, mental illness, and intergenerational trauma. She says that she wrote it to answer this question: What broke my family? Much of the book is about repetition, and how three generations of women in Hulls’ family were emotionally crippled by
