Plus, Seattle Public Schools may close 20 elementary schools.
 
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From our friends at KING

 
A Message From Our Team
A thermometer graphic showing how close we are to our fundraising goal + a city skyline.
Graphic by 6AM City
We can’t thank our readers enough for contributing to our fundraising goal. We’re just ~$300 away from our goal of $1,500 — and our fundraising campaign ends tonight. Help us by giving today and supporting our free, unbiased approach to local journalism. We promise, this is the last time this year we’ll bother you about donations.
 
☮️ Far out, man
A crowd of people looking very in-line for 1970s fashion watch a performance at Bumbershoot in 1974. A baby in the front row looks a little unnerved (in a funny way). Another person with an afro and a full denim outfit lounges comfortably in the front.
There’s no arguing that this photo was taken in the 70s. Here, a crowd seems entranced by a 1974 Bumbershoot performance. | Photo via Seattle Municipal Archives
Following in step with the rest of the United States, the 1970s brought a major cultural reset that gave us well-loved Seattle treasures like the Seahawks, the Mariners, Bumbershoot, the Kingdome, and more.

Let’s take a look at life 50 years ago.

Population (King County): ~1,156,633 people
Mayors: Wesley C. Uhlman (1969-1977), Charles Royer (1978-1986)

1970 — The Navy deactivated Sand Point Naval Air Station, leaving it open to eventually become our park. Jimi Hendrix played his last show in Seattle just two months before his death.

1971 — The real first Starbucks store opened at 2000 Western Ave. Bumbershoot made its debut on August 13. Voters made the choice to preserve Pike Place Market.

A rendering of a proposed plan for the Waterfront Park area shows some hexagonal pier constructions that never made it to fruition. The general geometrical style of the buildings generally represents a very 1970s architectural style.

This rendering shows what the Seattle Waterfront near the aquarium almost looked like.

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Rendering via Seattle Municipal Archives

1972 — Seattle City Council voted to build the Seattle Aquarium on the waterfront. King County voters approved creation of King County Metro Transit. Officials broke ground on the construction of the Kingdome.

1973 — The South Seattle Islamic Center was founded and the Seattle Samoan Center opened at Centro de la Raza.

4840938901_ea32858d74_c.jpg

Three years before Gas Works Park opened in 1974, it looked like this. Talk about a glow-up.

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Photo via Seattle Municipal Archives


1974 — Gas Works Park opened on Lake Union’s northern shore. Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community celebrated its first Pride week. The NFL selected Seattle for a new franchise, making way for our beloved Seahawks.

1975 — Seattle approved Sand Point as the site for NOAA’s new Western headquarters. Bill Gates and Paul Allen launched the biz that would later grow into Microsoft.

1976 — Seattle, King County, and the State of Washington suspended a lawsuit against the American League, paving the way for the Mariners to form. The Kingdome opened and hosted its first sporting event.

1977 — The Seattle Mariners played their first game against the California Angels. The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center opened. The Seattle Aquarium, Warren G. Magnuson Park (formerly Sand Point), and the Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) debut.

1978 — The original 12.1-mile section of the Burke-Gilman opened. Walla Walla produced its first successful premium wine, beginning Washington’s reputation for the product.

1979 — The SuperSonics won their first and only NBA championship. Ferry services between Port Townsend and Edmonds returned after 40 years.
 
Asked
 
Two of Seattle’s major sports teams were founded in the 70s, but when were the Seattle Supersonics founded?
A. 1967
B. 1960
C. 1972
D. 1977
 
 
Events
 
Friday, May 10
  • Circus Etc. Cabaret: The Rise | Friday, May 10 | 8:30-10 p.m. | Emerald City Trapeze Arts, 2702 Sixth Ave. S., Seattle | $25-$35 | A whole troupe of flying trapeze artists and aerialists are ready to take you great heights.
  • Uncommon Threads: A Fiber Arts Experience | Friday, May 10-Thursday, June 13 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Lynnwood Event Center, 3711 196th St. SW, Lynnwood | Free | Six fiber artists weave their narratives through works in this exhibit including tapestries, textiles, and more.
  • Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics | Friday, May 10-Sunday, Sept. 29 | Times vary | T-Mobile Park, 1250 First Ave. S., Seattle | $15-$550 | Time to grab a hot dog and root, root, root for the M’s.
Saturday, May 11
  • The 502s - Great American Road Trip with Special Guest Zach Seabaugh | Saturday, May 11 | 8 p.m. | Neptune Theatre, 1303 NE 45th St., Seattle | $90 | This indie folk band loves putting words to that feeling of butterflies you get when dating someone new.
  • Battle the Blackberry | Saturday, May 11, Saturday, May 18 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | The Heron’s Nest, 4700 14th Ave. SW, Seattle | Free | Join a volunteer group in tearing out those invasive blackberry plants so other native species can thrive.
  • DIY & Sip Series: Charcuterie and Wine Pairing with Mom | Saturday, May 11 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Chateau Ste. Michelle, 14111 NE 145th St., Woodinville | $110 | Bring your mom for some wine + a charcuterie board making class — take home your new creation at the end of the day.
  • “Romeo and Juliet” | Saturday, May 11-Sunday, May 19 | Times vary | Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle | $37-$62 | In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, you’ll find a cast of lively actors spelling out a modernized Shakespearan tragedy — expect a soundtrack of Hozier, Dua Lipa, and American Authors.
Sunday, May 12
  • Nature’s Nurturers: A Celebration of Mothers | Sunday, May 12 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | IslandWood, 4450 Blakely Ave. NE, Bainbridge Island | Free | Learn about our local wild animal mothers (no, we don’t mean your mom), hike some trails, and enjoy an easy brunch in the park.
  • Soldering for Beginners | Sunday, May 12 | 2:30-4 p.m. | Sustainable Capitol Hill Tool Library, 1552 Crawford Pl., Seattle | Free | Soldering is a great tool when working with electronics — learn the skill in this hands-on workshop.
Monday, May 13
  • Salsa Practica | Monday, May 13-Monday, Dec. 30 | 8:15-10:30 p.m. | Century Ballroom, 915 E. Pine St., Seattle | $10 | Practice your moves in a free-flowing, non-judgmental environment — all ages and skill levels welcome.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Edu
  • Seattle Public Schools has proposed closing approximately 20 elementary schools as early as the 2025-26 school year to address a ~$100 million budget shortfall. Currently, elementary schools are only at 65% capacity, compared with middle and high schools’ 85%. The plan will be formulated and discussed in June. (KING 5)
Civic
  • Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has announced several additions and changes to his cabinet and office staff. Positions affected include director roles for the Offices of Public Safety, City Budget, Intergovernmental Relations, City Finance, Human Resources, among others.
Award
  • The Bellevue Transportation Department’s ego might have a new lift after the American Public Works Association awarded the agency with the 2024 Project of the Year Award for the Bellevue Transit Center. The project was praised for its achievement in design, construction, and collaborative efforts. (Downtown Bellevue Network)
Feel Good
  • Does the ending of “Homeward Bound” still make you cry? This probably will, too. A Texan family who recently relocated to Seattle has been reunited with their pup who went missing in Houston over two years ago. Nonprofit org Roams to Homes was able to help pay for Milo (the dog)'s airfare to Washington for a big homecoming moment. (KING 5)
Environment
  • Moths be gone — Governor Jay Inslee has issued an emergency declaration because of a spongy moth infestation within our state. The pesky critters can kill forests quickly if their population goes unchecked. Treatments will begin in Olympia and Skagit County soon. (KING 5)
Community
  • The Seattle Police Department (SPD) is looking for the community’s help in tracking down a cello worth $200,000 that was stolen from a Central District home. SPD is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone that has info on its whereabouts. (KING 5)
Ranked
  • While Washington may have dropped a couple notches in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of the best US states, we’re still in the top 10. Previously slotted in at No. 2, Washington is now at No. 8 with infrastructure, healthcare, and natural environment as our best qualities. (Seattle Times)
Sports
  • Seattle Seahawks’ third round pick Christian Haynes has arrived, and a lot of fans are curious about how one of the top guards in the country may help the team. Hear from the local experts on the Seahawks with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
    Wellness
    • Match with a licensed therapist on Betterhelp and talk anytime, anywhere — phone, video, or text. Get 25% off your first month.*
     
     
    Coming Soon
     
    🧀 You better brie-lieve it
    An interior shot of the new Cheese Room shows a very cozy red and black aesthetic with wooden features and wine already stocked on a shelf.
    The Cheese Room’s natural lighting and cozy atmosphere makes for a perfect transition from day to night-time vibes — someone took those tips from 2000s-era fashion magazines. | Photo by SEAtoday Staff
    Look, it ain’t easy being cheesy — so we’re leaving it up to Capitol Hill’s new Cheese Room to take the lead there.

    The new “cheese bar” is set to open Wednesday, May 15 with a menu of — you guessed it — rotating selections of various cheeses and wines from domestic and international producers. It also plans to have an Italian-inspired dining menu with dishes like veal ragu bianco + a grilled cheese sandwich with a tomato bisque.

    It’s moving into Macchiavelli’s former location at 1215 Pine St. and will be run by the same people behind Korean steakhouse Meet Korean BBQ — Chef Heong Soon Park and Scott Han.

    In addition to lots of tasty things happening in the kitchen and behind the bar, the new space also boasts windows aplenty (perfect for people-watching or making bypassers jealous of your cheese wares) and cozy vibes to fit most occasions.
     
    The Buy
     
    This bestselling cordless table lamp. No cord means it’s ideal for outdoor lounge areas and patios — the rechargeable battery lasts up to 48 hours per full charge. Snag it in black, antique brass, or brushed nickel.
     
     
    The Wrap
     
    Alina Hunter-Grah headshot Today’s edition by:
    Alina
    From the editor
    Hi everyone, Madeline was kind enough to step in for me the last couple of days while I battled some sort of weird cough/flu (it was so intense that it felt kind of personal). But I’m feeling a lot better now. Thankfully I had some frozen soup on hand and a kind staff member at my local corner store to hook me up with meds and popsicles.
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