Welcome to Beacon Food Forest (BFF) — an entirely volunteer-run forest of mostly edible plants in North Beacon Hill.
With seven acres of land (about three of which are currently planted), this community garden is one of the largest in the nation — previously once THE largest — and a thriving ecosystem of nut trees, berry bushes, herbs + medicinal plants.
There are roughly 50+ different sections of the garden organized by plant or functionality (i.e. the pollinator plot), so it’s pretty dang big. Let’s go foraging…
BFF volunteers get digging. | Photo via Beacon Food Forest
🍎 All for food, food for all
Yep, you got it — anyone can come by and grab an apple for munching, dill for their salmon, or hazelnuts for their cookies. Food forests are specifically designed to be large enough that there are treats for all.
Many volunteers donate their own plants, seeds, materials, and money to the nonprofit.
Fun fact: The BFF has its own seed library with labels written in five languages where folks can donate or take their own pods home.
Good food forests also have snacks for the birds, bees, and squirrels. | Map via Beacon Food Forest
🍎 New growth
The Beacon Food Forest’s first trees were planted in 2012 after public meetings, test plots, and several thousands of dollars in support funds.
Now, leaders are shifting their sights a bit and intentionally creating spaces for diverse groups of farmers and farming techniques. Plots like the BIPOC Community Garden and the Native Guild are built to do things like:
Return land to Indigenous communities to tend it the way it has been historically
Give opportunities for culturally-diverse groups to use methods passed down through their heritage
Invite new volunteers who may have otherwise felt excluded from gardening groups
🍎 How do I get to planting?
The best way to get started as a volunteer is to check out one of BFF’s work parties held every third Saturday of the month at the S. Dakota St. farm. There, you can get your hands dirty and see if there’s a committee you might be interested in. The next work party is coming up on Sat., May 21 from 10-11 a.m. Tools and materials are provided.
If you can’t make it, but still want to volunteer, fill out an interest form on the BFF website.
Community Concert | Tues., May 17 | 7 p.m. | Benaroya Hall | Free | The Seattle Symphony’s free show — with music by composers like Mozart and Brahms — is intended to help give everyone a chance to experience the art. 🎵
Dr. Andrew Huberman: The Brain Body Contract | Tues., May 17 | 8 p.m. | The Moore Theatre | $32+ | The tenured Stanford University of Medicine professor + neuroscientist has a few things to say about brain function and neural plasticity — give that gray matter a workout. 🧠
Wednesday
Penny and Sparrow | Wed., May 18 | 8 p.m. | Neumos | $37+ | This folk duo performs songs from their new album “Olly Olly.”
“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus” | Wed., May 18 | 3 p.m. | Seattle Children’s Theatre | $40+ | Enjoy this zany musical adaptation of the best-selling children’s book, starring puppets. 🐦
Thursday
“Sweat” | Thurs., May 19 | 7:30 p.m. | A Contemporary Theatre, 700 Union St. | $27+ | This Pulitzer Prize-winning play follows two friends as they navigate economic hardships, layoffs, and racial + class inequities (this performance is ASL-interpreted).
Safe and Sound: A Conversation on Public Safety in Seattle | Thurs., May 19 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Town Hall Seattle, 1119 8th Ave. + Virtual | Donation-based | Grab a cocktail and chat with representatives from local nonprofits, health boards, and community groups about what public safety means for our city.
The Big Fake Wedding | Thurs., May 19 | 7-9 p.m. | Block 41, 115 Bell St. | $20+ | Prepare for your upcoming big day + meet local vendors while partying it up faux matrimony-style — complete with a vow renewal ceremony and dance-party reception. 💍
Friday
Dillon Francis and Flosstradamus | Fri., May 20 | 7 p.m. | WAMU Theater | $42 | You’ll definitely get your cardio in for the week with these two electronic dance musicians at the turntables. 🕺
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
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Hope you’re good at musical chairs. The Seattle Department of Transportation announced that it has resumed ticketing vehicles that stay in one parking spot longer than 72 hours, a policy that was put on hold at the beginning of the pandemic to encourage folks to stay home. Violations will result in a warning before a ticket is issued. 🚗 (KING 5)
Show
Let the shows begin. Seattle Repertory Theatre released the lineup for its 2022/23 season, which kicks off this September. On the calendar are plays ranging in theme from American history to family heritage, with “Where We Belong” first up on the program for Thurs., Sept. 8. 🎭
Outdoors
The Seattle Parks department is pushing to make Freeway Park an official city landmark right before the beginning of a $10 million improvement project. If approved, any changes made for the project would be consistent with the designation, and include improved lighting + architecture. Work is scheduled to begin in early 2023. 🌳 (Capitol Hill Blog)
Eat
Leave your brown bag lunch at home — Bellevue’s Spring District announced that food truck Tuesdays are back in business, baby. The food trucks, which park along NE 14th Terrence Street, will rotate weekly starting today with Taiwanese bento food truck Yumbit. (Downtown Bellevue Network)
Closing
In other Bellevue news,Barnes & Noble announced that its downtown Bellevue locationwill be making the move over to Crossroads shopping center in September. Its current location will eventually be the site of three 600-foot towers with hotel rooms, residences, and underground parking.. 📚 (Puget Sound Business Journal)
Arts
Local arts nonprofit ARTE NOIR is welcoming new staff, board members, and an executive director this week. Jazmyn Scott will be taking the reins as director after a long tenure with LANGSTON, another arts nonprofit, as its director of programs and partnerships. (Converge)
Announced
Dig out your cowboy boots and that Louisville slugger — Carrie Underwood is coming to town, y’all. The “Before He Cheats” musician will step out on the Climate Pledge Arena stage Friday, March 17, 2023 for her Denim & Rhinestones tour, which follows the release of her new album of the same name. Tickets go on sale this Friday. 💎
Biz
A new accelerator program for startups that aim to address homelessness has launched downtown. The 360 Social Ventures program is backed by City councilmember Andrew Lewis and already has some interest from Community Circle, a UW grad-founded startup. (Puget Sound Business Journal)
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You best believe that we’ve already got the garlic and butter sizzling in the pan.
This neat little video shows Taylor Shellfish’s teams pulling some manila clams straight out of the water after they’ve grown to market size. These kinds of clams are grown over netting on the ocean floor where they’re able to still bury in the sand and live their little clam lives. You can buy clams on Taylor Shellfish’s website or just head to one of their oyster bars.
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Editor’s pick: I think I’ve mentioned it before, but I was not blessed with the family’s green thumb gene. My grandma could grow anything and I’m lucky if my little air plant that I bought (and then appreciated) doesn’t die in the next month. But maybe hanging around with some plant people would help me pick up a few things.
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