Getting chills yet? The 2022 Beijing Olympics start this week (Fri., Feb. 4-Sun., Feb. 20), and while we’re excited to cheer on Team USA overall — it’s even cooler to see local talent in the mix. So, as you might have guessed, we have a list of who they are and how to watch them.

Before that, though, check out the full schedule here + plan your Olympic viewing party in advance — maybe with some coffee from local spots like Moonshot + Fulcrum to help with those late-night start times. And, don’t forget the Paralympic Games from Fri., March 4-Sun., March 13.

Corinne Stoddard | Speed skating | Born in: Seattle ⛸️

Like local legend Apolo Ohno, Stoddard started out as an inline skater and trained at Pattison’s West in Federal Way. Look for her to appear in multiple races, including the 500-meter heats beginning Sat., Feb. 5.

Eunice Lee | Speed skating | Hometown: Bellevue ⛸️

The 17-year-old started out as a figure skater + gymnast before shifting gears when her family moved from Korea to the Puget Sound. She’s the youngest member of the US team in 24 years and an alternate for the relay that’s slated to begin heats Sat., Feb. 5.

Jean-Luc Baker | Ice dancing | Hometown: Edmonds ⛸️

The England-born figure skater has some strong Olympic roots — his parents competed for Great Britain in Calgary 1988 and still teach at Seattle Skating Club. Baker will hit the ice with partner Kaitlin Hawayek starting Fri., Feb. 4.

Katie Hensien | Alpine skiing | Hometown: Redmond ⛷️

After spending her formative years hitting the slopes at Crystal Mountain, Hensien made the US national team in 2018 and won the national championship in giant slalom two years later. Cheer her on Mon. Feb. 7 when the first runs begin.

ProTip: If you don’t have cable + are looking for ways to stream your favorite events, here’s how.

EVENTS

Today

John Darnielle | Tues., Feb. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | The Great Hall + virtual | $5+ | The Mountain Goats singer + novelist discusses his latest thriller “Devil House” with host Luke Burbank. 📖
Field to Table | Tues., Feb. 1 | 7 p.m. | Lumen Field | $109 | Enjoy outdoor dining at the stadium with a meal prepared by chef Jason Wilson of the Lakehouse. 🍽️

Wednesday

“Groundhog Day” | Wed. Feb. 2 | 4 p.m. + 7 p.m. | Central Cinema | $14 | Well, it’s Groundhog Day … again. So why not check out this 90s comedy classic? 🎥

Thursday

Chelsea Handler | Thurs., Feb. 3 | 7 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre | $45+ | The popular comedian and former TV host is returning to Seattle with a tour name that is a little too risque for our newsletter.
Honky Tonk Happy Hour | Thurs., Feb. 3 | 6-9 p.m. | Slim’s Last Chance Saloon | Free | The lively dive features a no cover live show with singer-songwriter Billy Joe Huels.

Friday

Sibelius One Untuxed | Fri., Feb. 4 | 7 p.m. | Taper Auditorium | $18+ | Kick off your weekend with a night of classical music in the Benaroya Hall with Sibelius's First Symphony. 🎻
Seattle Boat Show | Fri., Feb. 4 | Hours vary by location | Lumen Field + Bell Harbor Marina | $18+ | Check out new boat models, drool over fancy yachts, or attend one of the several seminars. 🛥️

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

70+ MORE FEBRUARY EVENTS

COVID-19 protocols are changing rapidly to curb the spread of the Omicron variant in Seattle. Please make sure to check event listing pages + venue websites for the most up-to-date information.

NEWS NOTES

Weather

41º | Mostly cloudy | 20% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:44 a.m.
Set: 5:11 p.m.

Coming Soon

Ready to jump for joysticks? A new arcade and bar hybrid called Time Warp is on its way to Capitol Hill now that a final liquor license permit has been filed. The spot will reportedly have retro games + a selection of instant noodle cups from around the world. 🕹️ (Capitol Hill Blog)

Arts

The 5th Avenue Theatre opened its curtains for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic this weekend with Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" — and earned a rave from The Stranger. Writer Rich Smith praised the "fun as hell" show and gave kudos to the theatre’s comfy, new seats. 🎟️ (The Stranger)

Sports

Scarves up for Clint Dempsey and Hope Solo, who will be among the six inductees to the Soccer Hall of Fame this year. Both players became international stars, but found glory on the pitch in Seattle as well — Dempsey with the Sounders and Solo with the OL Reign + UW Huskies. ⚽ (KOMO)

Eat

West Seattle restaurant Dumplings of Fury reopened this weekend after closing for renovations last May. Returning diners will find a more spacious interior with 30 extra seats + an expanded menu that includes potstickers, fried rice, cocktails, and beer. 🥢 (Westside Seattle)

Number

0.7. That was the percentage of Seattle’s population growth from April 2020 to April 2021, according to newly revised data from the Washington Office of Financial Management. The figure is pretty small when compared to the growth in areas outside the city, particularly Black Diamond’s 13.3% increase. (Seattle Times)

Cause

The Chief Seattle Club — a nonprofit that serves the city’s Native homeless community — officially opened its first permanent housing development in Pioneer Square. The building called ?ál?al (which means “home” in Lushootseed) has 80 apartment units + other areas devoted to healthcare and social services. (Indian Country Today)

Health

On Monday, UW Medicine reopened two COVID-19 testing sites in the area several weeks after shutting them down over capacity concerns. The locations in Ballard and Lake Sammamish State Park prioritize those who are symptomatic or had a close contact test positive. (Q13)

Today Is…

… the start of the Lunar New Year, an East Asian holiday celebrated by millions across the globe and here in Seattle. 2022 marks the Year of the Tiger, an animal symbolizing strength, power, and bravery. Check out one of these Lunar New Year festivities roaring across the area.

Job

Want to become a local expert in cities across the U.S. from the comfort of your home? 6AM City (our parent company) is hiring a Multi-City Editor to provide rotational support to 6AM’s Editorial Team — which means you’ll work with the City Editors in 24+ cities to engage local readers. See details and apply.

📸 @woodlandparkzoo

OMG — not sure if we can handle the tiny faces of these sloth bear cubs. The Woodland Park Zoo recently announced that the brother + sister, who don’t have names yet, were born on New Year’s Day to mom Kushali and dad Bhutan.

By April, the siblings should be big enough to walk around on their own and say hi to visitors. In the meantime, we’ll just have to coo at the video on the zoo’s blog.

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THE WRAP

Editor's pick: I always love the Winter Olympics, particularly all the skiing + speed skating events — how do they not wipe out every time? But perhaps the most relaxing Olympic sport to watch is curling, which you can do right here in Seattle at the Granite Curling Club. Look out, podium, here I come.

Missed yesterday's newsletter? Get all the details on celebrating Lunar New Year.