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🍔 How far would you drive for In-N-Out?
What Seattle is talking about
A main entrance to the King County Courthouse is temporarily closed, after a judge issued an emergency order citing safety concerns on Third Avenue.
The closure follows a random attack there last week, where an attorney was punched and knocked to the ground. Nearby business owners told Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat that they don’t understand why local officials aren’t addressing the problem head on.
“C’mon, they are the law,” said Flame Café owner Sid Tran. “And they’re saying they’re afraid? … What does that say to the rest of us?”
The entrance is closed through Jan. 1, and courthouse employees and visitors are being directed to enter the building on Fourth Avenue instead. (Folks who are physically unable to get to Fourth may still use the Third Avenue entrance.)
County officials will meet next week to discuss next steps.
Judges raised similar concerns back in 2017, and a city-county workgroup was formed to address the issue. At the time, Seattle Police said assaults were less common near the courthouse than in some other parts of the city.
In other news…
The 2020 election is just around the corner, and a pair of UW professors say now is the time to start the fight against fake news. The university’s new Center for an Informed Public has some weighty goals: resist strategic misinformation, promote an informed society, and strengthen democratic discourse. Its first public event takes place at Town Hall Seattle on Jan. 23. (KUOW)
Use your bike to get to or from light rail? A heads up that bikes won’t be allowed between the University Street and International District-Chinatown stations during 10 weeks of construction that start next month. Check out this earlier newsletter for more about the changes coming to all light rail commuters. (Seattle Bike Blog)
The Washington State Supreme Court is about to welcome its first Native American justice. Raquel Montoya-Lewis, currently a superior court judge in Whatcom County, was appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to replace Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst, who is retiring in January due to health reasons. (KNKX)
A quick correction: In yesterday’s newsletter, we highlighted an essay that appeared in Crosscut and also in a new book called “Spirited Stone: Lessons from Kubota’s Garden.” Alex Gallo-Brown wrote the featured essay, but not the entire book — it’s a collection of essays written by various authors.
Our newest membership perk
By now, you’re probably familiar with our Seattle-themed illustrations. Like that time we made Seattle’s hierarchy of needs, or when we shared ways to survive the zombie apocalypse.
As a new, exclusive member benefit, we’re illustrating our members’ life stories. That’s right, we’re helping our members become the hero of their very own digital comic book. It’s not too late to join the fun! All you have to do is become a member here.
Today
🎨 Shop for the art-lovers on your list at this holiday market (Pioneer Square)
🎬 Watch big mountain adventures on a big screen (Downtown) —starts Wednesday
🍿 Catch a holiday flick and donate to our neighbors in need (Ballard)
Tomorrow
🎺 Take in a "darkly comic musical portrait" about class, race, family, and love (Lower Queen Anne) —through Dec. 8
💃 Get in the holiday spirit with Seattle drag legend Dina Martina (Downtown) —through Dec. 24
🍺 Sample winter brews from 50 local breweries (Northeast Seattle) —through Saturday
Saturday
🎅 Meet Asian-American Santa and pick up some holiday gifts (International District)
🛍️ Shop Seattle's largest indie craft fair (Lower Queen Anne) —through Sunday
💀 Break out your best costume for the Nightmare Before Christmas Ball (Capitol Hill)
🙌 Disrupt isolation and disconnectedness at Civic Saturday's 3 year celebration (First Hill) Everyone is welcome! (Partner)
Sunday
🎶 Bring the kiddos to KEXP's holiday dance party (Waterfront)
😂 Laugh it up at a Die Hard Christmas comedy show (Green Lake) —through Dec. 28
🖌️ Join a holiday paint party at Wa Na Wari (Central District)
Monday
❓ Treat yo self to some Parks & Rec trivia at the Crocodile (Belltown)
🎄 Trim your tree with El Centro de la Raza (Beacon Hill) —through Dec. 20
⚖️ Learn about the history of immigration imprisonment in the U.S. (First Hill)
Tuesday
💭 Reflect on the major issues and headlines of the past year with Seattle City Club (Downtown)
🎬 Watch this SIFF film celebrating renowned dancer Ian Horvath (Lower Queen Anne)
👭 Take the first steps to getting "unstuck" at this interactive event (Pioneer Square)
Wednesday
😂 Bring your best dad jokes to this pun slam (Ballard)
🧗 Climb to support two conservation nonprofits (SoDo)
🌈 Meet out and proud tech professionals at this Dropbox meetup (Downtown)
🐈 Cozy up with a paintbrush and some puurfect subjects (Wallingford)
One more thing...
In-N-Out is about to get a whole lot closer to Seattle. The California-based burger chain opens later this month in Keizer, Oregon — roughly a four-hour drive from the Emerald City.
What’s that you say? No In-N-Out convenience could ever make you turn your back on the fresh (never frozen) patties and floppy fries found at your neighborhood Dick’s Drive In? We hear you, and you’re not alone. 😋
— The Evergrey