Yeah, you know what that rumble means — there’s a big Storm in the forecast. We mean the Seattle Storm, of course, who begin their regular season tonight at 7 p.m. at Climate Pledge Arena. And, whoaaa baby, are the cheers going to rain down for our star-studded WNBA team.
With Sue Bird’s triumphant return for her 19th season, and other vets ready to hold court alongside toutednewbies, this Storm season has the potential to be a truly memorable one as the team seeks its fifth championship. Here’s all you need to know to embrace the hoopla.
Sue Bird has over 6,500 regular season points in her career. | Photo by Jane Gershovich/Seattle Storm
Last hurrah for Seattle legends? 🏆
Look, expectations are always high for the Storm. But this year may have some extra oomph, since it could be the last time the “Big Three” of Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart + Jewell Lloyd play together. Sue + Stewie are signed for only one more season, with no guarantees that they’ll be back in 2023. And if this is truly the final go-around for Sue’s WNBA career, it’ll be important to savor this time with her.
Last dance for this duo? Sue + Stewie filmed b-ball science vids. | Video by Monica Arevalo/PacSci
Oooo, a shiny new home 🏟️
After playing all the way up in Everett last season at the Angels of the Winds Arena, the Storm are about to make their Climate Pledge Arena debut. Those who have yet to attend a Kraken game or concert at the venue should know that the place gets super loud + the sightlines from all seats are stellar.
Even if you can’t check the team out in person, the Storm’s opening night will air on FOX 13, which extended its partnership with the squad this season, broadcasting 28 games not carried nationally. For those who prefer to stream, Amazon also has a new deal with the Storm — airing 30 games for Prime Video customers throughout Washington. Click. Cast. And go wild.
Teen Night Out at SAM | Fri., May 6 | 7-10 p.m. | Seattle Art Museum | Free | All high school-aged kids are invited to explore the museum for this party that includes live figure drawing, an open mic + sweet snacks. 🖼️
BowieVision | Fri., May 6 | 6 + 8:30 p.m. | The Triple Door | $22+ | Let your inner Ziggy Stardust out + jam to some of David Bowie’s biggest hits. 🤘
Saturday
“Sweat” | Sat., May 7 | 2 + 8 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. 🎟️
Windermere Cup | Sat., May 7 | 10:15 a.m. | Montlake Cut | Free | The annual regatta features more than 800 athletes competing in two dozen races, with a parade following that has a “Roaring ‘20s” theme.
Sunday
Mother’s Day Brunch | Sun., May 8 | 3-8 p.m. | Red Lounge, 1212 E. Jefferson St. | $30+ | Feast on pineapple bowls washed down with rum punch + mimosas in honor of mom. 🥂
“The Marriage of Figaro” | Sun., May 8 | 2 p.m. | McCaw Hall | $62 | Acclaimed conductor Alevtina Ioffe makes her Seattle Opera debut for this Mozart classic. 🎶
An Evening with Yotam Ottolenghi | Sun., May 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Benaroya Hall | $38+ | The acclaimed chef + cookbook author chats with Seattle Times food critic Bethany Jean Clement.
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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Good news for Seattle Colleges supporters. According to the faculty’s union, several beloved programs — including the Culinary Academy at Seattle Central — will stay open at least through the fall in order to potentially resolve budget issues. Funding to keep them going beyond this year still needs to be secured.
Traffic
Time to buy a bike? Southbound I-5 near SODO will be severely clogged up this weekend — and nearly every Saturday + Sunday through the summer — as the state finishes up a freeway repair project. The southbound mainline will close at 8 p.m. on Friday and reopen at 5 a.m. on Monday. 🚧 (Seattle Times)
Shop
Adventurers have a new spot to gear up. Utah-based recreation retailer Backcountryrecently opened its first store in the PNW at University Village. The 8,200-sqft outpost sells various outdoorsy equipment + apparel, including a robust selection of footwear. 👟 (Puget Sound Business Journal)
Read
Ahhhh, it’s a fresh start for readers. The King County Library System has wiped all late fees clean this week — although, that doesn’t apply to materials considered “lost” (more than 30 days overdue). Procrastinators have until Thus., Sept. 15 to enjoy the reprieve — that’s when the system will start fining again. 📚 (The Seattle Medium)
Coming Soon
Have an appetite?Mexican-Korean fusion restaurant Arc is on the way to Phinney Ridge this month, opening in the space formerly occupied by Park Pub. Expect dishes like kimcheese fries with cilantro, pork mojo verde stew, and other items influenced by chef Brandon Lancaster’s LA roots. 🍽️ (Eater Seattle)
Seattleite
Talk about getting your daily steps in. 70-year-old North Seattle resident + ski instructor Peter Aberg has walked all 93 of Seattle neighborhoods in the past two years — which equals around 2,500 miles. The impromptu project was spurred by the pandemic, and he went through each area in alphabetical order. (Seattle Times)
Outdoors
Hey, break it up, bird brains. Earlier this week, two bald eagles were caught fighting in the backyard of a home in the Meadowbrook neighborhood — and the scuffle lasted for nearly five hours. Experts said it was likely a territorial dispute, which is actually a good sign as the species bounces back from the endangered list. 🦅(KING 5)
Development
Something’s blooming on the Eastside. Molbak’s Garden + Home center is ready to spruce up its 19-acre Woodinville property. The 10-year development project includes 400,000 sqft of commercial space, a new store, more than 1,000 multifamily apartment units + underground parking. 🏗️ (Puget Sound Business Journal)
Environment
Kelp is on the way. The Puget Sound Restoration Fund announced that it’s receiving $1.7 million from the Paul Allen Family Foundation to build on its marine forest preservation efforts. The money will go towards monitoring a vital part of the saline ecosystem via swimming robots + other tech. (Geek Wire)
Holiday
In need of a last-minute gift for Mom? Check out our Mother’s Day gift guide to see local gift ideas recommended by you — our readers — for all of the mother figures in our lives before the holiday this Sun., May 8.
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Raise a cup of java for Efrem Fesaha, the founder of Boon Boona Coffee who was recently named Washington Small Business Person of the Year. To add to the National Small Business Week fun, there was a caffeinated celebration for him at Boon Boona’s 1223 E. Cherry St. shop yesterday — and Mayor Bruce Harrell came, too. Woo hoo.
This is huge for Efrem, who left a career in finance after a visit to Africa inspired him to elevate the wonderful coffee of his Eritrean roots. If you’ve ever had Boon Boona’s roasts, you know they’re so money. ☕
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Editor’s pick: Seattle sportsball has been going pretty hard of late, if you haven’t noticed. The Mariners started up, the Kraken finished up, the Seahawks picked nine new players in the NFL Draft + the Sounders earned a historic victory in the Concacaf Champions League. So welcome to the party, Storm — let’s see what ya got.
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