02.23.2024

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Today’s Forecast

🌊 On the razor’s edge

What to know about razor clam digging in Western Washington

More than a dozen razor clams laid out on a beach as someone displays two in their hands next to a shovel

Pacific razor clams have thicker bodies than their straight razor-like cousins on the Atlantic coast. | Photo via Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

Slip on those rubber boots and dig this — razor clam season in Washington is in full force.

Anyone who’s been to esteemed Seattle seafood joints like Taylor Shellfish and Salty’s on Alki know the magic of razor clams. The meaty mollusks are larger than your typical Manila clam, with a subtle flavor profile between briny and sweet.

Razor clams are so popular that Washington lawmakers are considering making it the official state clam (sorry, geoduck lovers). Much of the appeal is in the sandy hunt on local beaches — here’s how to find those suckers yourself.

Where to dig

Razor clams are scattered around coastal beaches that are exposed at low tide, with several in the Ocean Shores/Aberdeen area a two-hour drive from Seattle. Digs have been announced for Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, and Mocrocks through Sunday, Feb. 25.

There are 17 more dates approved for next month and the Ocean Shores Razor Clams & Seafood Festival takes place March 15-17. The fest is free to attend, with live music, contests, and local shellfish as far as the eye can see.

Start prepping

As always — safety first. State officials regularly test for marine toxins that can find their way into clams and make you sick. Keep an eye on the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife’s WDFW) website to see if the coast is clear. Such alerts can sometimes arrive with just a day or two advance notice. (WDFW can help you with oyster harvesting, too.)

Diggers 15 years or older must get a license, which you can order online at a cost of ~$10-$17. The license will take 7-10 business days to receive, but you can print a temporary one if you need it ASAP.

To gear up, grab a clam gun and waterproof boots at local shops like Seattle Marine & Fishing Supply Co. or Big 5 Sporting Goods, and you’ll be good to go.

Asked

How big can Pacific razor clams grow?

A) 3 inches
B) 5 inches
C) 7 inches
D) 11 inches

Size it up

Events

Friday, Feb. 23

Tribute to the Cure | Friday, Feb. 23 | 6-7 p.m. | Sleight of Hand Cellars, 3861 First Ave., S. Seattle | $20-$30 | Watch tribute band the Lovecats rock black eyeliner and play hits from the famed 80s goth band.
50 Years of SIFF: “Poltergeist” | Friday, Feb. 23 | 6:30 p.m. | SIFF Cinema Egyptian, 805 E. Pine St., Seattle | $16.50 | Celebrate the Seattle International Film Festival’s special occasion with the 1982 horror classic — tickets also include a late screening of “The Babadook.”
“Luchadora!” | Friday, Feb. 23-Sunday, Feb. 25 | Times vary | Charlotte Martin Theatre, Second Ave. N., Seattle | $25 | In this family-friendly play inspired by Mexican lucha libre culture and the Chinese legend Hua Mulan, a young girl in 1960s Texas discovers a magical wrestling mask.

Saturday, Feb. 24

Sneaker Con | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 12-7 p.m. | Seattle Convention Center, 705 Pike St., Seattle | $30-$32.50 | Lace up for the 15th anniversary of the shoe-gazing show, featuring the hottest designers and eye-popping custom kicks.
Nate Jackson: Super Funny World Tour | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 7 p.m. | Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle | $39.50-$49.50 | You might recognize this comedian from his role as the Junkyard Dog on “The Young Rock.”
“X: The Life & Times of Malcolm X” | Saturday, Feb. 24-Sunday, Feb. 25 | Times vary | McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St., Seattle | $79-$205 | Learn more about the Civil Rights leader through biographical vignettes scored by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Anthony Davis.

Sunday, Feb. 25

National Geographic Live: Hunt for Sleeping Giants | Sunday, Feb. 25-Monday, Feb. 26 | Times vary | Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle | $25-$50 | Listen to an explorer discuss the ways volcanoes have shaped civilizations.
Art Money with Bandturo | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 6-8 p.m. | Kenyon Hall, 7904 35th Ave. SW, Seattle | $10-$15 | Get inside info on how to make money in the music industry from local artists, promoters, event space managers, and other experts.

Monday, Feb. 26

Seattle Film Commission | Monday, Feb. 26 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Listen in on how Seattle’s group is trying to bring more movie-making biz to the city.
Dick & Angel: “Dare to Do It” | Monday, Feb. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle | $65-$125 | The stars of the hit DIY reality series “Escape to the Chateau” tell their story since reviving a rundown French estate.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Tech

Prominent startup accelerator program Techstars Seattle plans to shut down its local operation this fall. Techstars will instead focus its efforts in San Francisco, New York, Boston, and LA. More than 200 Seattle startups have been supported by Techstars over 14 years. (GeekWire)

Transit

Ready to park and ride? The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) wants your feedback on a street parking proposal near the future Judkins Park light rail station. SDOT is mulling over two new restricted parking zones at the transit hub scheduled to open in 2025.

Coming Soon

Local grocery chainlet Kitchen & Market plans to open a new Madison Valley location. The four-year-old shop specializes in meal kits and local products with outposts at Pike Place Market and Medina. Look for the 2,200-sqft space at 2811 E. Madison St. to debut on March 21. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

Eat

Hope you worked up an appetite — the CID Food Walk is happening tomorrow to celebrate Lunar New Year. More than 40 vendors in the Chinatown-International District are participating with discounts and specials. There will also be lion and dragon dances in the afternoon.

Open

Glass studio Artful Ashes has opened a new Ballard location at 5416 Shilshole Ave. NW. The shop helps customers honor deceased loved ones by sealing ashes in handmade glass art. It’s open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (My Ballard)

Sports

The Seattle Kraken are in the thick of the playoff hunt, but it won’t be easy skating from here on out. Hear from the local experts on the latest news with Locked On’s daily, Kraken-focused podcast.

Job

We’re hiring a City Editor to plan, write, edit, and publish the most relevant and engaging daily content about Seattle. This person is passionate about storytelling, news, and the city we call home. See details + apply.

Finance

These four credit cards offer 0% intro APR for up to 18 months — meaning that when life piles up (unexpected tax payments, medical appointments, picking up the bill for the whole table at Canlis...) — you could have almost two years to avoid interest charges.*

Trending

🏀 Sonics boom

Mayor Harrell and Kevin Durant get Sonics comeback talk going again

An old fashioned car carries Seattle SuperSonics coach Lenny Wilkens during a victory parade in 1979

Seattle had a parade when the Sonics won the NBA title in 1979. | Photo via Seattle Municipal Archives

Here we go again, hoop dreamers. There’s been another round of “the Sonics are coming back” excitement this week after pointed comments from some VIP fans.

During his State of the City address, Mayor Bruce Harrell said that he stands “ready to do whatever it takes to bring back the green and gold.” Since the NBA is already playing preseason games at Climate Pledge Arena, he thinks the city seems primed for a Sonics return and would add the item to his Downtown Activation Plan.

Meanwhile, former Sonics star Kevin Durant (who played his rookie year in Seattle before the franchise moved to Oklahoma City) also expressed renewed interest in a revival. Durant said he would love to “help run the team” when he retires — maybe his most emphatic endorsement yet.

With all that talk, it’s time to take a look at the Sonics comeback buzz-o-meter again — that needle is really starting to move.

The tension is killing us.
|
GIF via Giphy

The Buy

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Chips and salsa, because honestly, is there a better snack? Sobremesa’s salsa is well worth the chip dip with flavors including layered, complex Mole Poblano + spicy Smoky Salsa Oaxaqueña.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Gabe

From the editor

I have a razor clam trip on the calendar for late March and can’t wait to get digging. Hopefully you found our guide useful, but if you have any tips or tricks, send ‘em along.

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