May 15, 2024

Today’s Forecast

🕒 History in the remaking

The refurbished Ben Bridge clock is painted a bright, forest green with gold accents in the rim's detailing and on the base.

A fresh coat of green paint and gold accents was part of the clock’s renovation. | Photo by SEAtoday staff

History is tick, tick, ticking again now that the Ben Bridge Jeweler’s clock has returned downtown.

The vintage street clock got some fresh paint before being moved to the front of Ben Bridge’s new flagship store at 501 Pine St. — close to where it originally was in 1928.

But why are we talking about a clock?

The front of the Ben Bridge flagship store displays white marble pillars and a cursive, illuminated sign spelling out "Ben Bridge." The interior of the clock tower out front obscurs the front right of the picture, giving a view of the inner gears that keep the clock running. — First restored in 1980, the clock is one of nine Seattle street clocks belonging to the Landmarks Street Clocks Thematic Nomination.
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Photo by SEAtoday staff

This specific model is a relic from when Seattle became known as the “City of Clocks,” a reputation started by three German brothers who immigrated to Seattle and founded jewelry and watchmaking business Joseph Mayer & Brothers Co.

Over the course of his life, Joseph Mayer assembled 100 of these street clocks — 46 stayed right here in the Emerald City.

A plaque on the Ben Bridge clock reads "Ben Bridge, Fine Jewelry since 1912" in gold font on black. — Fun fact: One year ago crews attempting relocate the clock accidentally punched a hole in the roof of Westlake Station, disrupting Link services for about two weeks.
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Photo by SEAtoday staff

Mayer’s clocks are defined by two key characteristics: the dramatic ~20-ft height + four dials at pedestrian eye level around the top of the base.

At the time they were made in the 1920s, the infamous clocks sold for at least $3,600 (over $60,000 today).

Fifteen of these iconic clocks can be still be spotted in Seattle — which is more than New York City has... just sayin’.

Asked

The Mayer brothers were in their early 20’s when they immigrated from Germany to Seattle.

A. True
B. False

It’s a 50/50 shot — you’re basically already halfway right, right?

Time's a-ticking...

Events

Wednesday, May 15

Coworking Accountability Session | Wednesday, May 15 | 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | The Living Room Cafe, 1008 N. 109th St., Seattle | Free | Cowork with other women in a supportive environment that encourages accountability.
History Café: Love and Modems | Wednesday, May 15 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Museum of History and Industry, 860 Terry Ave. N., Seattle | Free | Professor Avery Dame-Griff delves into the impacts of digital technology on finding love and resources for people living with AIDS.
Author talk: Kimberly King Parsons with Chelsea Bieker | Wednesday, May 15 | 7-8 p.m. | Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave., Seattle | Free | The author of “We Were the Universe” is visiting from Portland to discuss the book’s themes of family, guilt, grief, and desire.

Thursday, May 16

Sip and Paint | Thursday, May 16 | 6-8 p.m. | Gard Vintners, 19151 144th Ave. NE, Woodinville | $45 | Bring the beauty of nature inside at this event where you’ll paint flowers with a bouquet of wines available for sipping.
Author talk: Anastacia-Reneé with Gary Copeland Lilley | Thursday, May 16 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Third Place Books, 5041 Wilson Ave. S., Seattle | Free | The author of “Here in the (Middle) of Nowhere” shares how the work of fiction blends poetry and multi-dimensional worlds.
Winging It: The Evolutionary Journey of Birds | Thursday, May 16 | 7:30 p.m. | University of Washington’s Kane Hall, 4069 Spokane Lane, Seattle | Free | Birds — the relics of dinosaurs and the bane of our patio’s existence.
Gunna with Flo Milli | Thursday, May 16 | 8 p.m. | WAMU Theater, 800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle | $46.50-$59 | This concert’s “gon’ hit you like an edible.”

Friday, May 17

Summer Concert Kickoff Party | Friday, May 17 | 6-8 p.m. | Chateau Ste. Michelle, 14111 NE 145th St., Woodinville | $32-$40 | The winery is celebrating 40 years of the summer concerts series with a live DJ, wine, food, and dancing
Twilight Zone Unexpected: Improvised | Friday, May 17-Saturday, May 18 | 7:30-8:15 p.m. | Unexpected Productions, 1428 Post Alley, Seattle | $12-$20 | Prepare yourself for a night of mysterious surprises and spooky situations at this comedy performance.
Noche De Verano Sin Ti | Friday, May 17 | 9:30 p.m. | Nectar Lounge, 412 N. 36th St., Seattle | $15 | This event is spinning Bad Bunny’s best hits showcasing why he’s known as the “King of Latin Trap.”

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Coming Soon

The Seattle Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion is slated to open this summer. The first three of four construction phases are complete and the finishing touches are being added as we speak (er... read? Whatever, you know what we’re saying). Last tasks include rooftop and elevator construction + finalizing animal support systems.

Trending

Gays Eating Garlic Bread in the Park — that’s it, that’s the trend. On Monday, May 13, Queer Seattleites gathered at Meridian Park for the BYOGB event. The organizer shared it on TikTok ahead of time, garnering 1.2 million likes + a pretty good turn out from the looks of it.

Tech

Amazon recently confirmed plans to open a new office in Everett. The Project Kuiper facility will serve as a receiving warehouse for the company’s low-Earth orbit satellite project and bring ~200 technician jobs to the area. Job listings for the Everett-based operations were posted as early as mid-March. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

Community

Seattle Parks and Rec is looking for vendors and performers for its Big Day of Play, an annual celebration of community, wellness, and fun. Showcase your local biz offerings or show your talent on stage. Applications to join the lineup on Saturday, Aug. 17, 12-5 p.m. are now open.

Arts

Experience MoPOP in a way that works best for the whole crew. The museum is hosting a sensory-friendly morning program on Saturday, May 25. Beat the crowds with early admission from 8 to 10 a.m. and lowered volume + light levels to keep stimulation at a minimum.

Closed

Milk Drunk is rebuilding its outdoor dining space, but don’t worry — indoor dining and takeout will remain available throughout the process. The patio will be out of commission for at least the next week, opening just in time for summer.

Sports

Luke Raley, Ty France, and Cal Raleigh led the offensive charge while George Kirby spun seven strong innings in a big 6-2 win over the Royals. Hear from the local experts on the Seattle Mariners with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Home

Did you know you could finance your fixer-upper with home equity? You could get up to $50K with a HELOC — calculate your payment.*

Wellness

Cornbread Hemp’s CBD Sleep Gummies are available in two strengths and made with high-quality USDA organic CBD extract. Get 30% off with code CBDSLEEP30.*

Announced

🌈 Pro athlete power couple is taking the lead

Megan Rapinoe is pictured on the left in a Seattle Reign soccer jersey holder her hands up and smiling toward the crowd as she walks off field. Sue Bird is pictured on the left in her Seattle Storm uniform with the basketball skimming her fingertips mid-pass.

The athletic power couple Megan Rapinoe (left) and Sue Bird (right) founded production company A Touch More. | Photos via Seattle Reign + Seattle Storm

Seattleites, start your engines — sports legends Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird will be this year’s grand marshals for the 2024 Seattle Pride Parade.

This lands just a few weeks after the couple announced their plans to adapt the BookTok hit romance “Cleat Cute” into a TV series. The book by Meryl Wilsner follows an enemies-to-lovers arc between rival soccer players Grace and Phoebe.

To give an idea, our favorite Goodreads review of the novel says to “imagine if Ted Lasso was about American lesbians instead of (predominantly) straight British men” — now take that, and add a little spice.

While the upcoming parade is free to attend, there are a few ways you can prep:

RSVP for free to get reminders + important details sent straight to your inbox
Check out the accessibility guide for transportation, routes, and parking info
For ADA priority seating, RSVP in advance to ensure a spot

The Buy

Graduation gifts. Celebrate the end of the school year with graduation gifts for the recent grad in your life.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Madeline

From the editor

I may or may not have cried when I woke up this morning and saw my peonies opening up on my windowsill. I love them so much.

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