Author Archives: CHS Staff

Friday? ‘NO WORK. NO SCHOOL. NO SHOPPING.’ — But Thursday you should go out to eat at ‘To Minneapolis with love from Seattle’ venues on Capitol Hill

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Things might be quiet around the neighborhood Friday as many across the country are planning a day of “NO WORK. NO SCHOOL. NO SHOPPING.” in a “national shutdown” against the ongoing ICE immigration crackdown as Congress battles over budget for Homeland Security.

Saturday will fill Seattle streets with demonstrators. Protest rallies are planned to begin around noon at Harborview and Swedish on First Hill before meeting up with other groups near Seattle Central for a rally organized by Seattle educators and endorsed by MLK Labor at Broadway and Pine.

Meanwhile, a group of Seattle food and drink venues are rallying around Capitol Hill-born Spice Waala for fundraisers across the city Thursday to support small businesses in Minneapolis. Continue reading →

Shikorina Bakeshop says Capitol Hill move hasn’t worked out

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Community support helped Hana Yohannes move her Shikorina Bakeshop and Cafe to Capitol Hill two years ago.

Now, she’s letting the community and Shikorina customers know E Pike isn’t working out.

“After two years of trying to make this new location work, I’ve made the decision to close Shikorina once we find someone to take over the space,” the announcement reads. “While we experienced incredible success and momentum in the Central District, this new location hasn’t unfolded in the same way.” Continue reading →

Saturday: Weigh in on ‘concept designs’ for $2M Miller Park playground renovation

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(Image: City of Seattle)

Seattle Parks and Recreation is holding its next meeting on planned upgrades to Capitol Hill’s Miller Park this weekend:

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites neighbors, families, kids and all community members to help shape the future of the Miller Playfield Play Area. Join us on Saturday, January 31st, 2026, from 11 AM – 2 pm at Miller Community Center (330 19th Ave E) to meet the project team and share your input on the play area concept designs.

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Seattle Council hears update on Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs

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A Seattle City Council committee is hearing an update on the city’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Wednesday morning as officials try to strengthen the city’s response to the ongoing federal immigration crackdown.

The Libraries, Education, and Neighborhoods Committee chaired by North Seattle’s Maritza Rivera is holding the information session. Continue reading →

CHS Pics | A Cal Anderson memorial to those lost to ICE violence

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Organizers have vowed to sustain a nightly candlelight memorial in Cal Anderson Park this week for Alex Pretti, Renee Good, and others killed during federal immigration enforcement.

The 5:30 PM vigils are planned to continue through Saturday, one week following Pretti’s killing in Minneapolis by federal agents. Continue reading →

‘Intervening party’ — Friends of Denny Blaine takes big step in legal fray over nude beach

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A crowd filled the park during a puppet show protest last August

The Friends of Denny Blaine group that has grown as an advocate for community solutions around protecting the Seattle park as a queer-friendly nude beach is starting of 2026 with new legal powers.

FoDB is now on its way to becoming an intervening party and is being represented pro bono by law firm Perkins Coie.

The group announced it has organized as a nonprofit and filed to formally intervene in the lawsuit brought by a group of neighbors against the city over the park. The legal filing will give Friends of Denny Blaine stronger say in the beach’s future. Continue reading →

After 10 years on E Jefferson, Peloton Cafe’s ride continues

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Earlier this month, CHS reported on the global cycling brand Rapha shutting down its Capitol Hill “clubhouse” as part of worldwide cutbacks for the London-based sportswear brand.

On E Jefferson, a much more local ride continues. January marks the 10-year anniversary for the Peloton Cafe Bike Shop. Continue reading →

Light rail milestones: Judkins Park Station to finally open in March, ORCA adding ‘tap to pay’ with RapidRide G test in February

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Pretty much ready and waiting since 2023 (Image: Sound Transit)

Light rail service across the I-90 bridge between Seattle and the Eastside via the Central District’s Judkins Park Station will finally begin in March.

Meanwhile, the region’s ORCA payment system is finally rolling out a long-awaited upgrade with a test on the RapidRide G line along Capitol Hill’s southern edges.

Sound Transit has announced the opening of the world’s first light rail on a floating bridge and “crosslake” service will begin March 28. Delayed six years by construction screw-ups and logistical complications, the milestone marks what will be a full transformation of the network into a two-line system — the original 1 Line serving the city and its north-south neighbors, and now the added 2 Line connecting Seattle to Bellevue and Redmond. Continue reading →

‘Sold out’ — Wilson’s arts and culture transition team meeting on First Hill is hot ticket

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A Monday final meeting of Mayor Katie Wilson’s “Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy” transition team has “sold out.”

Monday’s public session at First Hill’s Town Hall Seattle has seen all free tickets claimed. A standby queue will be formed at the venue’s west entrance. Continue reading →

This week in CHS history | Hill gay bars make liquor board pushback, coldest day in 23 years, E Union Tiny Houses

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Here are the top stories from this week in CHS history:

2025

 

Seattle anti-Trump protests including ‘PUNCH A NAZI’ illuminated display continue at Cal Anderson Park


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