Seattle Culture

Costco Limits Gold Bar Buys
Issaquah warehouse retailer began selling the bars two years ago
If you’re thinking of adding gold to your financial portfolio during a time of economic uncertainty, don’t plan on making a big buy at Costco. The popular Issaquah-based warehouse retailer just put a limit on gold bar purchases. Costco began selling gold bars in 2023. It’s estimated that the company sells more than $100 million…

Trailblazing Women: Alesha Washington
President and CEO, Seattle Foundation
I grew up in Cleveland, where “grit” is a way of life. It’s the steel-forged resilience of a city that has seen its share of hardship. It’s a place where economic and political power is complicated by poverty, demanding that residents have incredible fortitude to survive. My life and work today are the result of…

Support Local, Savor Global Right Here in Seattle
Intentionalist looks to ‘Amplify’ businesses in the Chinatown-International District
A number of iconic and longstanding restaurants in the Chinatown- International District (CID) have closed within the last year. Social entrepreneur Laura Clise is looking to stem the tide collaborating with community partners to launch Amplify, a campaign to support and sustain 35 small businesses in the historic neighborhood. The campaign kicks off in the throes of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific…

Fave Five: Easing Into Summer
Pandas, Juneteenth, and the flavors of Spain
Seattle summer doesn’t arrive all at once — it trickles in, a little ore light here, a slightly warmer evening there. We’re not all the way in, but we’re close enough to start making plans. 1. Panda Fest I don’t usually trust anything with a mascot, but I’ll make an exception for the giant inflatable…

Backpage: Sonic Gloom
Excitement about the SST fades over environmental, noise worries
The much-ballyhooed supersonic transport (SST) never got off the ground, and back in March 1968 Seattle magazine weighed in on common concerns that the plane would create a “sonic boom” that would harm the earth’s ozone layer. Boeing had won the federal government contract over Lockheed to develop the plane, which the magazine noted could…

The Pulse: May Keeps Ghosting Us
Crabby Dogs are back and Barbie hits the symphony
It’s warm. It’s cold. There’s rain. The sun is out. Spring is strange no matter where you are, but especially here — where the moment the sun blinks at us, we’re in flip-flops at Green Lake. My kids are already in shorts. I’m still turning on the heater every morning and wearing sweaters. Welcome to…

Women Filmmakers Take Center Stage at SIFF
The 51st festival runs through May 25
The Seattle International Film Festival, now in its 51st edition, is breaking the filmmaking world’s notoriously sexist mold. More than half of the 245 films to be screened during the festival feature filmmakers who are female or nonbinary identifying. The festival kicked off Thursday night at The Paramount Theatre with a gala party and screening of Four Mothers, a…

Trailblazing Women: Dr. Joan Sung
Author, speaker
It wasn’t until I was in my early 30s that I realized I am the quintessential bias interrupter. I grew up being described as “rebellious” and “stubborn.” As an adult, I began renaming myself as “outspoken” and “assertive.” Indignance was in my blood as a hot-headed (excuse me, passionate) Korean American daughter of immigrants. I…

Must List: Six Fun Things to Do in Seattle This Week
May 15 - May 21
Street fair season and movie hopping
Hey Seattle, can you feel summer in the air? It’s still chilly, but that might actually be the sun showing up. Our new issue is all about Trailblazing Women and we’re kicking it off with Melinda French Gates. Hungry? Head up north to The Local 104. The ricotta fritters are incredible. There’s still time to…

Baby Bears, Sick Dogs, And A Mission To Help Animals
How PAWS helps make Seattle among the most pet-friendly cities in the nation
Several years ago, during a string of 95-degree days, we bought a kiddie pool to lounge in while sipping cocktails. That lasted half of one afternoon. Thirsty raccoons began hovering around the small backyard pool, even when we were in it. They became bolder, and we abandoned our plan. No way were we about to…

Still Time to Catch Camano’s Studio Tour
The long-running island art event returns for its encore weekend May 17-18
If you’re up for a scenic drive and love discovering art where it’s made, the Camano Island Studio Tour is worth the trip. Now in its 26th year, what began as a 14-venue event listed on a single sheet of paper has evolved into one of the North Puget Sound’s most beloved art experiences. If…

Reading the Economic Fault Lines
Washington’s recession anxiety leads the nation
Washington residents are Googling recession-related terms more than anyone else in the country. A new study from Techr, an online HR platform, ranked states based on Google searches like “Trump recession 2025,” “are we in a recession 2025,” and “layoffs 2025.” Washington tops the list with 56.33 searches per 100,000 residents — more than 200%…

Trailblazing Women
Resilience. Determination. Self belief.
These 10 women embrace challenges as opportunities, demonstrate courage in the face of adversity, and stay true to their values while breaking barriers. These are their stories of persistence and progress. Arts Dr. Joan Sung – Author, speaker Johnaye Kendrick – Grammy Award-winning professor of music at Cornish College of the Arts Tariqa Waters –…
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