What’s new about this loo?

• Cleanliness | The coating of the bathrooms makes them particularly easy to clean, and all cleaning + maintenance supplies are located in a cabinet within the unit.
• Price | While installation can be on the pricier side, the loo utilizes common components that are typically easy and cheaper to replace. Plus, each bathroom can be solar-powered, making it good for the earth and the city or organization’s wallet.
• Aesthetic | The stainless steel paneling of the bathrooms features graffiti-proof coating, and the simple, sleek design fits in with most environments.
• Safety | Created with input from Portland authorities, the bathroom was specifically designed for safety. Angled louvers (slats) in the walls allow for loud noises to escape while maintaining the occupant’s privacy.
• Durability | The fixtures used are meant to be durable. If they do need to be replaced, they’re sourced from Portland rather than abroad, making the repair process quicker.
• Ease of use | Hand washing stations are attached to the outside of the bathrooms, encouraging quick use to serve more bathroom-goers. Plus, each facility is ADA-accessible.

Where these latrines can be seen

• Rainer Beach, 8825 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle
• Ballard Commons Park, 5701 22nd Ave. NW, Seattle
• Feriton Spur Park, 509 Sixth St. S., Kirkland

• Anoushka Shankar | Tuesday, Oct. 17 | 7:30 p.m. | Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle | $35-$55 | The nine-time Grammy Award-nominated sitar player (daughter of legend Ravi Shankar) performs with a new quintet.
• John Malkovich in “The Music Critic” | Tuesday, Oct. 17 | 7:30 p.m. | Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle | $78-$138 | Being John Malkovich means starring in stage shows like this one, which combines classical music, theater, and comedy.

• Nicola Griffith: “Menewood” | Wednesday, Oct. 18 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park | Free | The local author talks about her second fantasy book with sci-fi writer Neal Stephenson.
• Wu-Tang Clan and Nas: NY State Of Mind Tour | Wednesday, Oct. 18 | 8 p.m. | Climate Pledge Arena, 334 First Ave. N., Seattle | $109.50-$179.50 | Nas is a hip-hop giant and Wu-Tang ain’t nothing to... well, you know.

• Haunted Soiree: A Macabre Cocktail Party | Thursday, Oct. 19-Friday, Oct. 20 | Various times | The Rainier Chapter House , 800 East Roy, Seattle | $69-$94 | Sip on Halloween-themed drinks as you watch a variety show that takes inspiration from Slavic folktales + Rasputin (costumes encouraged).
• Ramy Youssef: More Feelings | Thursday, Oct. 19 | 7 p.m. | Neptune Theatre, 1303 NE 45th St., Seattle | $53 | The award-winning actor, comic, and writer broke out with his semi-autobiographical series “Ramy.”

• Crochet a Mini Cactus | Friday, Oct. 20 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Monster, 1716 NW Market St., Seattle | $75 | The hands-on workshop covers amigurumi basics to help you make an adorable desk decoration.
• OL Reign: 2023 NWSL Playoffs | Friday, Oct. 20 | 7 p.m. | Lumen Field, 800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle | $15-$200 | Give a salute to Megan Rapinoe as she leads the Reign against Angel City FC in this quarterfinal match.

• $19.97 per hour. That’s how much Seattle’s minimum wage for most workers will be starting on Jan. 1, 2024. The figure marks a 6.8% increase from the previous minimum and makes it one of the highest rates in the US. (KING 5)

• Friends of Little Saigon just purchased property on South Jackson Street for a new culture + economic center. The project will include affordable housing, retail spaces, art exhibitions, and cultural programs. The nonprofit hopes to break ground on the facility in 2025. (Seattle Times)

• Rite Aid, owner of Seattle’s longtime pharmacy Bartell Drugs, has filed for bankruptcy. The company plans to sell part of its business to mitigate losses. Several Bartell locations have closed since Rite Aid bought the brand in 2020, but it’s unclear if more will shutter after the filing. (KING 5)

• It’s been announced that late civic leader C. David Hughbanks directed his entire estate to benefit Seattle education organizations. Assets include a $2 million home in Sunset Hill, the sale of which will go toward the Seattle Schools Scholarship Fund and the Ballard High School Foundation. (My Ballard)

• Are other venues green with envy? Climate Pledge Arena is now the first arena in the world to get Zero Carbon Certification. The designation recognizes buildings that are energy efficient and reduce their carbon footprint through features like the arena’s solar panels + electric Zamboni.

• Boeing is coming in for a landing in Kent, recently leasing 705,000 sqft of industrial space across two sites. The company decided to leave the same amount of biz space in Bellevue in 2021, but it remains the fifth-largest office tenant in the Seattle area. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

• Whew, we’re winded just thinking about this. 52-year-old Ellensburg teacher Jeff Hashimoto and his pal Langdon Ernest-Beck reached the top of 100 of Washington’s tallest peaks in 107 days this summer. They also did it by biking to every trailhead. (Seattle Times)

• Hi, Barbie — Seattle virtual reality startup Peeka is releasing a collection of interactive storybooks based on the toy. In “Barbie: You Can Be a Fashion Designer VR” kids can design clothes with characters Brooklyn and Malibu. It’s available now in Google Play and the Apple App Store. (GeekWire)