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‘We're not a whiteboard that you can just erase’ 🌲
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‘We're not a whiteboard that you can just erase’ 🌲

‘WE’RE NOT A WHITEBOARD THAT YOU CAN JUST ERASE’

Recently we asked a group of Seattle natives something that readers Emily Neitzel and Elyse Gordon told us they wanted to know:

“How can newcomers best respect the city’s character?”

Our group of natives gave some good tips: Get to know iconic businesses. Attend civic events. Find a way to give back. Stay curious. And above all, listen.

“One of the best things that transplants could do is not — even inadvertently — not be dismissive to things that may have an emotional tie to native Seattleites,” said Casey McNerthney.

Casey then tells a pretty revealing story about an old, well-loved restaurant called the Dog House, and a comment a friend who’s new to the city made about the building it was in. We’re not going to spoil it, though. Best hear Casey tell it himself.

>> Watch the full video for more tips and perspectives, then go to our Facebook page and share out: What’s one place in Seattle you’ve fallen in love with — whether you’ve been here forever or just a couple months?

And before we forget — a note on the word “native” from one of our interviewees:

“Even as someone who was born here, I think the only people who can truly claim native status are descendants of the Duwamish and Suquamish and Nisqually and Snoqualmie people. So I kind of try and veer away a little bit from that term because it’s like pretty much all of us who are not indigenous are on occupied land,” said Cynthia Brothers, who runs Vanishing Seattle. Cynthia refers to herself as a “native,” she said, “with a little ‘n’.”

Thanks to our sponsor, Seattle CityClub, for helping us have these conversations. Go check out their Seattle Civic Health Index for more on how we’re coming together. Thanks, too, to Casey, Royce Yuen, Anthony Shoecraft, Kjerstin Wood, Knute Berger, E.C. Parker, and Minda Brusse for sharing their thoughts. And also to James Andrews and Anika Anand for producing the video.

NOW HERE’S WHAT’S GOING ON IN YOUR CITY 🌲

  • Here come the body cameras. Mayor Ed Murray got a little impatient with how long it’s been taking to make a deal with Seattle’s police union and get police officers to wear cameras. So, he signed an executive order and some officers have to start wearing them by Saturday as they keep talking. (The Seattle Times)
  • How to use those dockless bike shares. New bike sharing companies are in town, but actually using them might be a bit confusing at first. Lost on how and where to park a bike when your ride’s done? Concerned about the helmet situation? Never fear, Seattle Bike Blog is here with a step-by-step guide. (Seattle Bike Blog)
  • For every person, Seattle’s got seven trees or shrubs. That’s kind of a lovely stat, right? Treepedia says we’re the second-densest city for trees in the country. 🌲 ❤️ (The Stranger)
  • Does this crosswalk button actually do anything? Well, it depends where you’re walking. If you’re on Mercer, maybe the button helps you out. But if you’re at Broadway East and East Pike Street in Capitol Hill, that thing’s on a timer. (The Seattle Times)
  • Keep your visitors happy. Feeling the pressure to give guests the quintessential “Seattle” experience? Summer is prime visitor season, and this list gives you ideas for how to make the most of a day in the city. (SeattlePI)

Like how we keep you posted on what’s going on in the city? Invest in us! For just the cost of a cross-country plane ticket, you can help us grow and take the mission to new cities. 🙌

PSST: CHAT WITH CHASE JARVIS IN SEPTEMBER 🍂

The world-renowned photographer and cofounder of CreativeLive is going to talk to us about what it takes to be creative in Seattle on Wednesday, September 6.

Chase had to postpone the event for a late breaking scheduling conflict, but here’s the good news: He’s giving CreativeLive gift cards to everyone who RSVP’d. And the selection of online classes is pretty stellar. 👍

We’ll see you in September!

AROUND TOWN

⚽️ 7/19: GeekWire Sounders Day
🙋 7/19: Urbanist Trivia
😂 7/20: One Laugh at a Time
🎶 7/20: JamFest
💉 7/21-23: $50 Tattoos!
🎤 7/21-23: Capitol Hill Block Party
🍴 7/21-23: Bite of Seattle
🌱 7/22: Urban Plant Shop Brigade Pop-Up
🛍 7/22-23: Renegade Craft Fair
🖼 7/22-23: Alki Art Fair
🐶 7/23: Dog Days of Summer Festival
🍫 7/23: The Seattle Chocolate Salon

Learn more about these events in our weekly roundup.

GET THOSE BALLOTS IN ✅

You can buy a first-class stamp and mail them in by the August 1 deadline, or save some cents and drop them in one of the handy ballot boxes on this mapThe boxes are open 24 hours a day until August 1 at 8 p.m. Fill ‘em out, folks!

Happy voting. — The Evergrey

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