rita cipalla

In an industrial area just south of downtown Seattle, under the shadow of CenturyLink Field and down the street from several auto repair shops, sits a small nondescript brick building whose no-frills exterior belies its interior hidden treasures.  Known as …

Perhaps no single architect has had a more profound influence on the buildings and public places that defined 20th-century Seattle than Fred Bassetti. From the Seattle Aquarium to the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, from Woodland Park Children’s Zoo to …

The smell of freshly baked bread is arguably one of the world’s most sublime aromas. A British study last year found that the smell of baking bread topped the list of all-time favorite scents, beating out sizzling bacon, freshly mowed …

This is the story of two cities on two continents brought together by a visionary corporate executive and a mutual love of onions. In December, if all goes according to plan, Walla Walla, Wash., famous for the sweet onion that …

Pioneer Square is the heart of Seattle. Settled in 1852 by men and women who were drawn to its protected deep-water harbor, the area burned to the ground in 1889 when a fast-moving blaze consumed 29 blocks of mostly wooden …

Ask outdoor enthusiast Craig Romano what has most influenced his life and his answer comes quickly and confidently: his Italian heritage and his New Hampshire roots.   A resident of Mt. Vernon, Wash., about 60 miles north of Seattle, and …

For more than 45 years, Frank Isernio’s life has revolved around sausage.  As with many Italian families, food played a central role in the day-to-day life of this Seattle native. His mother Angetina prepared delicious meals with fresh ingredients from …

The very best in Italian contemporary film is the hallmark of Cinema Italian Style, a film festival that runs November 12–19 in Seattle. In just a few years’ time, this popular series has become one of the city’s most exciting …

The interplay between light and space fascinates Seattle artist Iole Alessandrini. Her complex site-specific installations use controlled environments to explore these elements, often incorporating custom-built lasers, mirrors and other optics. By adding video, music or computerized sound, she creates an …

The love of words has fueled much of Terry Tazioli’s 40-year career. He’s been a print reporter, newspaper editor, television producer and news assignment editor. He’s also co-author of a New York Times bestseller, “Volcano: The Eruption of Mount St. …