Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Newsletter

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 01/13/2022 09:16 AM PST
The storefront of a shop named Coffee Messiah with a logo that says "Seattle Histories" in the top corner

Seattle Histories: The Coffee Messiah by Timothy White Eagle

The Coffee Messiah appeared on Seattle’s queer scene in 1995 and found its community in outsider artists and performers. On the door, owner Timothy White Eagle painted the word “Sanctuary.” And, for many, that’s exactly what it was: a place to find community, to be creative, and to feel safe. In this video, Timothy reflects on opening and running the quirky coffee shop and all the beautiful connections he made in the process. This story was produced for the Seattle Histories project which highlights places, people, and events that have shaped the history of Seattle’s communities. The stories, told by community members, emphasize experiences and narratives that may have been overlooked or misrepresented in our city.

What the video on the Front Porch Blog.

Other City News

Seattle MLK Organizing Coalition Sponsors Events to Commemorate Life and Work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: Virtual workshops will be hosted this week and include discussions about white supremacy, racism, anti-racism, and police brutality. The events will culminate with a march from Garfield High School on Monday, January 17. (more)

Link Light Rail Service Between SODO and Capitol Hill Temporarily Suspended: Due to scheduled maintenance, this service will be ceased Saturday, January 15 and Sunday, January 16. Link shuttle busses will transport riders between the two stations. (more)

New Vaccination Resources Available for Seattle Residents: Mayor Harrell has announced new partnerships with Virginia Mason and Othello Pharmacy to help expand vaccination opportunities for Seattle communities.(more) 

Mayor Harrell Extends Eviction Moratorium and Issues Executive Order Supporting Tenants and Small Landlords: With COVID cases surging, these Executive Orders are aimed at limiting the pandemic’s future negative impact on Seattle residents. (more)

Apply for Conservation Futures Funding to Add Parks and Open Spaces to Your Community: Grants are available to buy or conserve parks, urban greenspaces, natural areas, forests, community gardens, farms, and trails. Applications due March 8. (more)

Seattle Restored Connects Artists and Small Businesses with Vacant Commercial Spaces: The program provides space for independent artists, entrepreneurs, and small business owners to host visual installations and pop-up shops in an effort to revive Downtown Seattle with creativity and commerce. Applications due January 17. (more)

Request for Proposals Open for Organizational Development Work in the Duwamish Valley: The Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment is seeking a consultant to support the formation of a community entity focused on guiding climate and community resilience work in the Duwamish Valley. A pre-proposal informational meeting will be held January 21. (more)

Virtual Home Fairs Bring Helpful Information to Homeowners and Renters: The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections will be hosting online informational sessions covering topics that include permitting, code requirements, tenant rights, emergency preparedness, and more. Tune in January 29 and 30. (more)

Shaping Seattle Map Helps Public Find Information on Rental Properties: This new tool from the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections makes it easy to discover the registration and inspection status as well as violation information on rental properties throughout the city. (more)

In The Community

A man smiling and leaning up against a shed with a sign reading "Community Emergency Hub Site"

Emergency Hubs Help Neighbors Share Information and Supplies After a Disaster
A Community Emergency Hub is a pre-determined location where neighbors and community members can gather, share supplies, seek support, and report hazardous conditions nearby in the event of an emergency. The hubs are led and organized by volunteers like Ron Angeles, who started the Rainier Beach Ready Hub in 2012. In the event of an emergency, Angeles explains, he and other volunteers will first ensure their families are safe and then make their way to the emergency hub to greet neighbors, coordinate volunteers, erect a bulletin board to relay important messages, and share updates received by radio from the City’s Office of Emergency Management.

Read full story in the South Seattle Emerald.