by Mark Van Streefkerk
Baja Bistro is coming back. For almost 25 years it was North Beacon Hill’s longest-running neighborhood Mexican restaurant — and eventually became its one and only gay bar. But Baja was forced to close last summer during the pandemic. Now they’ve secured a new location: the ground floor of the new Colina Apartments. “The ball is rolling,” said owner Oscar Castro.
Continue reading Mexican American Family Restaurant — and Only Gay Bar on Beacon Hill — Making a Comebackcurated by Emerald Staff
This Saturday, King County is sponsoring a free pop-up COVID-19 vaccine site accompanied by art activities and live musical performances in Occidental Square in the Pioneer Square neighborhood.
Continue reading NEWS GLEAMS: Vaccine Sites Moving (and Grooving!), Pandemic Aid for Foster Care Alumni, and More!by Elizabeth Turnbull
Following a year of economic difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the mayor and some Seattle City Council members have proposed that more than $100 million in federal recovery funds be designated toward critical areas of the local economy such as addressing houselessness and helping businesses recover.
The proposal, called the Seattle Rescue Plan, was released late last month by Mayor Jenny Durkan, Council President M. Lorena González, and Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda. It designates $128.4 million to focus on “homelessness, small businesses, direct assistance to workers and families, community health and equity” and the Council could vote on the measure as early as June 21.
Continue reading Mayor and Council Unveil Economic Relief Plan, CD Gets More Affordable Housingby Scarlett To
As the Washington State Legislature responds to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Washington families continue to struggle with multiple crises, and we need action from our leaders now. As a local mother and advocate, I am urging lawmakers to take bold and swift action to get immediate relief to communities and families.
Continue reading OPINION: A Mother’s Call to Action for State Lawmakersby Marilyn Watkins
COVID-19 has hit the hardest smack at the intersection of racial, gender, and economic disparities, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable amongst us. Black and Brown communities have been much more likely than whites to suffer illness and financial hardship due to COVID-19. The closure of schools and childcare facilities has put a whole generation of kids at risk while throwing a double whammy at women of all races, who provided the bulk of unpaid family care pre-COVID-19, and are now struggling to juggle work with full-time childcare plus supervision of schooling.
We need both our state and federal governments to commit to investments and policies that build health, economic security, and educational opportunity for women and children, with special emphasis on families of Color.
Continue reading OPINION: ‘Building Back Better’ Requires Big New Investments in Women and Caregiving
