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🍽️ Is Seattle’s restaurant boom about to go bust?
Keep the snow day shots coming, Seattle. Use #theevergrey hashtag on Instagram or tag us @the_evergrey to see your photo featured here. 😍
What Seattle is talking about
Local lawmakers are back in session in Olympia this week. And a program called Capitol Classroom is helping young people throughout the state get real-world experience with the ins and outs of Washington’s legislative process.
A KNKX story recaps what happened last year when Capitol Classroom helped connect a group of incarcerated young men with a lobbyist. The group testified in Olympia and successfully pushed for a new state law that will allow them to remain in a juvenile facility until they’re 25, instead of having to transfer to an adult prison at 21.
The young men in the program said working on something that impacts them directly was an eye-opening and motivating experience. This year, they’re looking at policy solutions related to youth homelessness.
“I never thought I’d be doing this type of work,” Christian Salazar, 19, told the radio station. “Now I’m interested in that. I want to do it.”
In other news…
Is Seattle’s booming restaurant scene about to go bust? A front-page story from Sunday’s Seattle Times explores why some of the city’s most beloved eateries are calling it quits. With retail rents up 36 percent since 2010, many restaurant owners are finding they simply can’t keep up with rising costs. (The Seattle Times)
When Seattle restaurants do shut down, Cynthia Brothers is often the person to compile patrons’ memories and tributes. Now she’s taking the community storytelling she does with Vanishing Seattle and expanding it into a seven-part documentary film series. It all kicks off this Thursday at Wa Na Wari in the Central District. (Crosscut)
Talk about a snub for Seattle. Local grunge legends Pearl Jam will release their first album in seven years this March and kick off a 14-city North American tour. But if you want to see them perform, you’ll need to travel at least as far as California — no Northwest cities are included as of yet. (The Seattle Times)
New year, new connections
If your new year’s resolutions include being better informed and getting more involved in your city, we’re here to help!
For less than the price of a gym membership to workout your bod, you can support local journalism that boosts your intellectual muscle. For just $8 a month, you can join our membership community and help us help you reach your #goals to live like you live here. 💪
Today
📺 Catch the final Dem debate before the Iowa caucuses (Capitol Hill)
🍜 Pair noodles and flights at this Women Who Whiskey kick-off event (Central District)
😊 Build connections at a social impact networking happy hour (Capitol Hill)
Tomorrow
📜 Gain perspective on the history of exclusion and discrimination in Seattle at a free MOHAI event (South Lake Union)
👋 Network with tech workers at this mix and mingle event (Lower Queen Anne)
💌 Create a self-love time capsule with neighbors at Third Place Books (Ravenna)
Thursday
🏖️ Get beachy with marine animals at the aquarium's After Hours party (Downtown)
✊ Kick off MLK weekend at this King County celebration (First Hill)
🌱 Get ready for spring gardening and learn how to grow your own plant starts (Rainier Beach)
Friday
🎤 Hear poetry at the intersection of art and organizing by A Scribe Called Quess? (First Hill)
📽️ Catch the first in an ongoing series of short films from Vanishing Seattle (Central District)
🍸 Dry January-ing? Learn to create craft mocktails with dry soda at The Works (Central District)
Saturday
💪 Stand up for human rights at the Womxn's March on Seattle (Capitol Hill)
🎸 Enjoy an evening of David Bowie tributes at the Crocodile (Belltown)
🎤 Or pay homage to the one and only Dolly Parton at this birthday show (Ballard)
Sunday
🇮🇳 Catch a MOHAI exhibit about how Indian-Americans have shaped our region (South Lake Union)
🍺 Combine beer and barre at Lucky Envelope Brewing (Ballard)
📸 Explore the Black diaspora through the lens of female photographers (Capitol Hill)
Monday
🙌 Join the Seattle MLK Jr. Organizing Coalition for a full day of events, including a march to City Hall (Central District)
❤️ Make a difference on MLK Day by volunteering with United Way (All over)
🎭 Dive deep into difficult questions with "Reparations," a new play from Sound Theatre Company (Central District) —through Feb. 2
🌟 Enjoy a performance of "Wild Beauty" by four Black artists at Velocity Dance Center (Capitol Hill)
That’s all for today
Look out for one another, Seattle. We’ll see you tomorrow. ☃️
—The Evergrey