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🏔️ What we mean when we say ‘the mountain is out’
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🏔️ What we mean when we say ‘the mountain is out’

Aerial view of the West Point Treatment Plant and Discovery Park.
(📷: Washington State Department of Ecology)

What Seattle is talking about

Discovery Park’s beaches remained closed to swimming or other water contact on Monday, three days after a power outage caused 3 million gallons of sewage to flow into Puget Sound.

The spill happened when pumping systems at the West Point Treatment Plant — which is located next to the park — lost power on Friday morning. Untreated sewage flowed into Puget Sound for 30 minutes before plant employees were able to restore operations.

The plant, part of King County’s regional wastewater treatment system, was the location of a major spill in 2017 that resulted in the state fining King County $361,000. The county was also required to spend approximately $1.35 million to replace equipment and do more training with plant operators.

In a news release, county officials said “this investment paid off” as Friday’s spill could have been much worse without the upgrades in place. The 2017 spill totaled 235 million gallons.

Updated beach closure information and monitoring data are available on the state Department of Ecology website.

In other news…

Young professionals aren’t the only ones flocking to Seattle’s urban core these days. Wildlife experts say we have a “bunny boom” on our hands, and that access to food has made the downtown area a hotspot for rabbits. (The Seattle Times)

Seattle’s oldest skyscraper, Smith Tower, is now one of its greenest. The 105-year-old building was recently awarded LEED platinum status from the U.S. Green Building Council. (Curbed)

Lizzo stole the show at Capitol Hill Block Party, and now she’s coming back for more. The folks behind Bumbershoot just announced that the infectious, self-empowering hip hop artist will headline the first day of the festival on Aug. 30. Maybe it was the biscuits that convinced her to plan a repeat trip so soon? (The Stranger)

Calling all morning people

Yesterday, we told you about our team’s morning rituals. Now, we’d love to hear yours.

We are kind of hoping it is us, though! And you know what, you can support your fave morning habit, err… local newsletter, for less than your monthly coffee routine. Join our member community today for just $8 a month. 

Hit reply to tell us about your morning habits, and we’ll share ’em in the newsletter later this week. 🌅

"The mountain is out" — commonly heard while crossing Lake Washington. Thanks for using #theevergrey tag, Albertine!

Talk like you live here

Know your weird and wonky Seattle terms? Let’s fill you in. Today’s entry… “the mountain is out.” 

WHAT IS IT? In the Seattle area, announcing that “the mountain is out” is another way of saying that the weather is clear enough to see Mount Rainier on the horizon.

WHY DO WE SAY IT? Seattle is the cloudiest major city in the Lower 48, so we’ve got to celebrate those sunny days when we can. And, as the tallest peak in the entire Cascade range, Rainier has a dominating presence that can take your breath away no matter how long you’ve lived here.

WHERE DID IT COME FROM? It’s not 100 percent clear who coined the phrase, but one story sources it back to syndicated columnist Bennett Cerf. Its popularity has grown in recent years with the introduction of an “Is the Mountain Out” Twitter account, and a South Sound community group even adapted it into a marketing slogan: “Live like the mountain is out.”

Got a Seattle term you’re curious about? Hit reply to let us know.

Let’s get together

👋  Save the date: Our next Evergrey Monthly Meetup is right around the corner. To kick off our neighborhood spotlight series on the downtown waterfront, we’re heading to Indi Chocolate on Aug. 5 for a chocolate-making tour and tasting. Don’t miss it! (Downtown)

Want to unlock big discounts at Evergrey events? Support The Evergrey with a membership.

Our Partner Events

🏙️ Aug. 3: Come together in civic community to reflect and connect with other passionate Seattleites (Beacon Hill)

Want to see your event listed here? Hit reply or email [email protected] to chat about a promotional partnership.

Want to unlock big discounts at Evergrey events? Support The Evergrey with a membership.

Around town

Today

📄 Get some help with your job search at this professional workshop (Fremont)

💥 Blow your mind at this special Pac Sci synchronized laser show (Queen Anne)

🏖️ Put your sandcastle building skills to the test at this free event (Edmonds)

🏃 Work up a sweat at the Seward Sizzler trail running race (Seward Park)


Tomorrow

😂 Laugh it up with the Crazy Woke Asians comedy tour (Downtown) —through Friday

📽️ Tune into “The Secret Life of Muslims” and take part in a discussion (Downtown)

⛵ Join Seafair’s oldest parade full of floats, pirates, bands, and more (Greenwood)


Thursday

🎶 Expand your musical horizons at the Olympic Sculpture Park (Belltown)

🍽️ Drink, eat, and support a local food bank at Red, White, and Brew (Queen Anne)

🎧  Dance the evening away at this disco-themed deck party (SoDo)

🍻 Venture through Pioneer Square during a progressive happy hour (Pioneer Square)


Friday

🚲 Break out your bike lights for this night-time community ride (All over)

🍷 Explore the zoo with a glass of wine in hand (Fremont)

🎉 Celebrate summer on the Kirkland waterfront (Kirkland) —through Sunday


Saturday

🔪 Join The Evergrey community for our volunteering trip to FareStart (Downtown)

⛵ Enjoy lawn games and live jazz at Lake Union Park (South Lake Union)

🎈 Celebrate Sesame Street’s 50th anniversary at this family festival (West Seattle)

🌞 Help build a more sustainable future at the NW SolarFest (Shoreline)

⛱️ Party at Alki Beach and celebrate local arts and culture (West Seattle) —through Sunday


Going to one of these? Take us with you! Email a pic to [email protected] or tag #theevergrey on Instagram.

Is an event sold out? Hit reply to let us know and we’ll update the listing in the next newsletter.

That’s all for today

We’ll see you tomorrow. ✌️

— The Evergrey

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