Friday’s MISCmedia MAIL ponders the Fremont Solstice Parade’s meaning in a year when just about every public act has political import. Also: a beloved fabric-arts store closes; the co-owner of Seattle’s coolest hardware store dies; alt-right dorks come to Evergreen; and a strange floating mega-balloon appears on the Tacoma waterfront.

Snow in Seattle is rarely forecast. Those forecasts, in turn, often don’t come true. What will happen this time? Further topics today include a victory (for now) at Standing Rock; a big “March Against Hate;” Airbnb working with the Urban League; another longtime local biz asking for your help; and Husky and Seahawk football blowout wins (albeit the latter with a price).

Seattle’s supposed to now be a “brain magnet,” which means the zombies will likely attack here first. And WSU’s breeding super bees (you know how that story usually ends in films). In less speculative news, we observe those pushing for human rights by pushing for “cities’ rights;” the “Hamilton electors” on a last-ditch crusade to prevent the new dark times; and, alas, another stupid shooting.

Should we form an indie nation of western states? Join up with Canada? Do you know how darn-near impossible it’d be? In more real-world coverage, we view a settlement in the coal-train suit; EMP becoming “MoPOP” (no relation to KEXP’s show “WoPop”); King County’s aging homeowner population; and a wood-fueled jet plane!

Café Racer, a longtime friend of MISCmedia and a pivotal aspect of multiple local communities, needs help to survive right now. The rest of our work this day concerns the centennial of the Northwest’s bloodiest worker-rights event; the overheated Vancouver real-estate market’s crash; the usual scads of weekend stuff-2-do; and a non-religious college finally sheds its “Missionaries” team name.

Ivan, the late discount-store caged gorilla, now stands proud and free as a statue. Among further Thursday topics: Attack ads come to local political races at last; Providence hospitals stop using religion as an excuse to stiff worker pensions; some Sonics Arena opponents still oppose it; and “socially responsible” video games.

In our daily e-missive this day: Our state’s ex-first lady speaks out on sexual harassment and its apologists; the Ace Hotel founder’s kids demand their fair share; an architect suggests we put affordable housing on top of I-5 (instead of just a bigger Freeway Park); the landlord lobby successfully delays the move-in-fee cap; and a Pierce County institution comes to Seattle (spoiler: it’s a burger joint).

The big book party was such a success, we might hold another. (Watch this space for particulars.) For now, though, it’s back to the daily grind of local news digestin’, which this day includes some allegedly tacky actions by exhibit organizers against two Af-Am artists; a concept to help the environment by re-opening coal mines (?); a video game set at a space station called “Tacoma”; and lotsa local sports wins.

We begin with three lists totaling 100 all-time Northwest indie-rock records. We continue from there with (alas) false state-income-tax allegations; anti-Muslim bigotry hitting home; what the costly homelessness consultant didn’t directly look into; a former “Drunk of the Week” (or was she?) suing; and the Mariners’ streak continuing.

Seattle’s “queer friendly” auto repair shop aims to treat all clients (and vehicles) with their due respect. Our additional topics include an anti-squatter crusade; a Japanese-American internment survivor; a lake that makes people sick; and a piece of “political” art seen here and in many other places.

On the 10th anniversary of the sale that doomed the Sonics, here’s a modest proposal: Instead of waiting (potentially forever) for the NBA’s brass to approve of Seattle’s existence, let’s start our own league!

Other topics this in your (for today at least) GOP-free newsletter include a battle over water in and near Leavenworth; Central Co-Op’s sudden Tacoma closure; another cleared-out encampment; and Boeing’s switch to “the cloud.”

Now that the last amateur drinking day’s over, we return to news-digestin’ with attempts to save the sockeye; an unsung city park’s anniversary; a troubled trove of regional history; a church offering drug-assisted enlightenment; and great news for all Thucking-Funder haters!

Could Amazon be establishing a new techie beachhead in Portland? Besides that, we view the huge Tulalip fireworks bazaar; celebrations for the Supreme Court’s abortion ruling; more trouble for prosecutor Mark Lindquist; a bigger Panama Canal’s existential threat to our seaports; and a change of heart on the Viaduct park initiative.

On a palindromic date we view evidence of “reverse molecules” in space; Tacoma’s downtown falcons; more Orlando reactions here and in DC; jail inmates allegedly forced to take drugs; the state’s regressive tax system used as a selling point for zillionaire homes; and a creepy “joke” by the anti-trans initiative boss.

The Mariners win again! (Against the hapless Astros but it still counts.) We also observe reiterated allegations against Bellevue High football; a very partial resolution in the Troy Kelley case; the year-long wait to tell Tacoma school kids about lead in the water; housing hyper-inflation getting worse; and a big-name movie financed (but not made) in Seattle.