One. Whole. Year.
On March 23, 2020, Gov. Inslee declared a statewide 'Stay Home, Stay Healthy' requiring everyone to stay home for two weeks, only going out for essential services. Nobody knew then that the COVID-19 health crisis would evolve into a pandemic much bigger, longer, and more consequential than any of us ever expected.
For over a year, KING 5's Evening has told stories of businesses pivoting to stay alive, communities uplifting each other, and people innovating like never before. To mark the occasion, we're looking back at the past 12 months -- from food, to family, to fun.
Keep reading to check out some of our stories from the past year.
Tamales with a side of fresh flowers in Seattle
Frelard Tamales is a Seattle eatery that was still going strong during the COVID-19 pandemic, selling tamales through their walk-up window, and giving their community far more than a handmade meal. | READ THE WHOLE STORY
Free Lasagna from Gig Harbor's Lasagna Lady
When we first met Michelle Brenner at the start of the pandemic, the Gig Harbor woman was spending hours every day baking homemade lasagna she'd leave outside her brightly decorated home. “So there is no charge to pick up a lasagna,” she told us in April. “If somebody wants something or needs something there's no charge.” | READ THE WHOLE STORY
Yelling Bike Messenger in Tacoma
Laid off and frustrated, Matthew Fleming started a new business that keeps him busier than ever. For $1, he will shout anything at anyone from his bike. | READ THE WHOLE STORY
Celebrating high school seniors in Quilcene
It's cap and gown handout day for the Quilcene Rangers' class of 2020. And it's been a senior year like no other. In fact, it's been a banner year for the whole class. Drive through town, and you'll see. | READ THE WHOLE STORY
Free headshots for job-seekers in Lynnwood
Photographer Mike Nakamura has been hit hard by the pandemic. His business is operating at about 10 percent of where it was pre-COVID. For this session, he's working for free, snapping photos to change lives. Nakamura and 7 other Seattle-area photographers are part of a nationwide effort to take 10,000 professional headshots, for free, in a single day. | READ THE WHOLE STORY
Dive bars go to-go in Seattle
Many bars started making and offering cocktail to-go kits -- turning normal people into home-bartenders. But Screwdriver Bar in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood found a fun & unique way to sell their booze: through a sidewalk lemonade stand. | READ THE WHOLE STORY
Pulley-system takeout in Seattle
Customers of the Tin Table are big fans of the unique takeout service: orders are lowered out a window in a basket. | READ THE WHOLE STORY
Teachers helping teachers
Highland Middle School teacher Angelica Rodriguez uses Peromiss to share teaching tools, resources, and conversation. It's an Instagram account that's all about teacher collaboration. | READ THE WHOLE STORY
Free performances by the Seattle Dance Collective
Live stage performances may be on hold right now, but a local dance company made sure the show could go on - virtually - and it doesn't cost a thing to watch. Seattle Dance Collective was founded by Noelani Pantastico and James Yoichi Moore, who are also principal dancers with Pacific Northwest Ballet. When the pandemic hit, all performances were canceled. | READ THE WHOLE STORY
Quarantine Musicals from a Ballard apartment
All the world's a stage, and Tavo Gutierrez is making the most of it inside his Ballard apartment. He’s producing, costuming, singing, and editing together Broadway musical medleys for his YouTube followers and Facebook friends. | READ THE WHOLE STORY
Silly walks in Tacoma
There is something screwy happening in front of a big blue house in Tacoma. Something loopy. Something funny. And if you're on their side of the street you might find yourself coerced by some young girls chanting “Silly walk, silly walk, silly walk” into doing something ...silly. | READ THE WHOLE STORY
Couldn't find what you're looking for? KING 5's Evening celebrates the Northwest. Contact us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Email.