The tulips are here and regardless of the state of the world, I can’t help but feel a bit of serotonin hit my dome. Do you ever have moments- they can be moments small, medium, or large- where you feel that you feel you were meant to experience? I don’t necessarily mean fate, or prophecy, or divine intervention, or anything like that. But like the universal coincidence of so many infinite factors put you at a certain place, at a certain time, with certain environmental factors? I felt it yesterday- as I drove to the food bank. It was one of those beautiful Seattle spring days when the sun was out in full force and the weather was giving June and not April. I was listening to Raveena with the windows down, watching people just living their lives. Some had signs (part of the Hands Off Protest yesterday), some had dogs on leashes, some had houseplants. Or coffee. Or shopping carts. The convergence of the sights and smells of spring, with the sun out and Good Time (song by Raveena) just hit really hard. I couldn’t tell you why, but it just did. And damn I was grateful. I find myself feeling like the importance of living is built on those little moments, ya know? Those moments help me know that I am on a path that I’m supposed to be on. Or something like that. Anyways, I hope you’ve been feeling those moments too. Before I ramble too long, here is this week’s Sunday Slice selection:
Sunday Slice- 4/6/2025
Business Spotlight & Community Event: Black Coffee NW Hosts 23rd and Jackson Community Cleanup (Seattle)
Black Coffee NW is not only a black owned, woman owned , local coffee shop: They are a force of community building in a neighborhood facing rapid gentrification. When Dar’Nesha Weary founded the company (with her daughter, by the way!) they not only took on the complexities of being a small business in a city consistently squeezing them out, but also created Grounded: a 501(c)(3) focused on youth leadership development through free therapy, tutoring, and job training for middle and high schoolers (psst if you want to donate to help this program- their Venmo is @blackcoffeenw ). While they currently have their original coffeeshop open within the North Seattle College campus, they have been working on expanding to a second location at the corner of 23rd and Jackson in the Central District (psst- you can help them fundraise to finish opening this location here). Although the store isn’t open yet, they are using the space as a meeting place for community events, including a neighborhood cleanup on Saturday April 19th! Come spend Earth Day weekend with an amazing community organization helping make our city more beautiful (and so much more). As a side note for anyone who doesn’t know- the Central District is the historic center of Seattle’s black community which is currently facing rapid gentrification and pushing out so many people who have been there for generations. So at the very least- SUPPORT BLACK COFFEE NW AS A LOCAL BLACK OWNED BUSINESS. GET YOUR COFFEE THERE. FUCK STARBUCKS.
Community Event: Nisqually Land Trust Work Party and Planting Event
I think (correct me if I’m wrong) I mentioned Nisqually Land Trust a few months back- they are a local 501(c)(3) which works to acquire parcels of land along the Nisqually River between Tacoma and Olympia to hold in trust with the mission of restoring, remediating and preserving its intact riparian ecosystem on a watershed-level. It’s a fantastic org doing great work that partners with the Nisqually Tribe and Thurston and Pierce County landowners to create a truly cooperative experience. They recently announced an upcoming work party on May 17th at the Sound View Camp. The work will primarily be the removal of invasive species (a lot of scotch broom). It’s a bit out of Seattle so if anyone would like to get out of the city for the day to help a great group- let me know! I’m signing up for a spot- these groups tend to fill up pretty quick so feel free to RSVP here and let me know if you do (we can carpool?) It will also (almost) be my birthday so…..do it for me? 😉👹
Community Building and Volunteer Opportunity: Seattle Community Fridge
I’ve talked about Seattle Community Fridge a few times now- TLDR they help maintain a network of public refrigerators throughout the city to help fight food waste and hunger. I pick up food every first Saturday of the month to help distribute- if you’d ever like to join, please let me know! I have some friends interested in May (thanks friends- you know who you are 😉 ) but I would love to have company for June (6/7) or July (7/5) dates. As an aside- the org is looking for help with a variety of administrative tasks, including help answering emails, organizing events, and (for anyone who likes woodworking or other handyperson tasks) constructing additional pantries and fridge locations. If you’re interested- don’t hesitate to email seattlecommunityfridge@gmail.com and let them know that Matt sent you.
As an aside- if you or anyone you know is experiencing food insecurity, COME TO A FRIDGE LOCATION. I’m happy to drive you to any if you need it. I can guarantee that the Phinney Ridge and N Capitol Hill fridges are freshly stocked every Saturday afternoon. For a map of where all the fridges are located, click here.
Stay vigilant, y’all. Things are scary and I think they will get much scarier. Keep protecting each other. Keep standing up for each other. And also remember to keep treasuring those small, important moments. Even if it’s just Raveena on a sunny Saturday.
P.S. Here is a picture of Monty- the most adorable pup I got to dogsit this weekend.
- Matt/Vel 💖🧀
La Vida Veeta 