We’ve reached the end of our first full week of 2026, and it’s time to get out there & do something FUN.

LINKS: 
2025 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour - Northwest Film Forum
David Horsey | Elliott Bay Book Company
OrcaCon Tabletop Games Convention 
Seattle Travel and Adventure Show
Great Train Show 2026 - Ridgefield, WA
Seattle Bach Festival
Jules Maes Saloon - Prohibition Party
Seattle Torrent vs Minnesota Frost
Official Watch Party at Rough & Tumble Ballard

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

We&rsquo;ve reached the end of our first full week of 2026, and it&rsquo;s time to get out there &amp; do something FUN.
LINKS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://nwfilmforum.org/films/2025-sundance-film-festival-short-film-tour/">2025 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour - Northwest Film Forum</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.elliottbaybook.com/events/49057">David Horsey | Elliott Bay Book Company</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.orcacon.org/">OrcaCon Tabletop Games Convention</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://travelshows.com/shows/seattle/">Seattle Travel and Adventure Show</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.greattrainshow.com/gts-show-landing-pages/ridgefield-01-26">Great Train Show 2026</a> - Ridgefield, WA</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://seattlebachfestival.org/">Seattle Bach Festival</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://tickets.venuepilot.com/e/jules-maes-prohibition-party-2026-01-10-jules-maes-seattle-68fe25">Jules Maes Saloon - Prohibition Party</a> </li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/game-center/252">Seattle Torrent vs Minnesota Frost</a>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Official Watch Party at <a href="https://www.roughandtumblepub.com/">Rough &amp; Tumble Ballard</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Our first Weekend Warmup of 2026 brings you an entire weekend's worth of events, including a couple of conventions, but no jazz...

Soundside's "Weekend Warmup" - Jan 8-11

If you’ve walked through Westlake Park recently, perhaps you’ve noticed the new statue of Swami Vivekananda, a philosopher and Hindu monk.

Vivekananda is credited with introducing yoga and the Vedanta philosophy to a global audience.

That statue is a gift to the city from the government of India.

People from India represent more than 10 percent of Washington’s foreign-born residents. As of 2024, nearly 95,000 King County residents were born there. 

The statue is part of a broader cultural diplomacy initiative, according to the consulate general in Seattle.

The diplomatic outpost opened two years ago, and India's consul general in Seattle joined Soundside to talk about the relationship between the Pacific Northwest and India. 

Guest


Consul General Prakash Gupta

Related Links

America's First Guru - PBS

Trump’s Changes Lock Some Employers Out of H-1B Visa Program & As H-1B Visa Program Changes, Skilled Foreign Workers Consider Leaving U.S.  - The New York Times

 

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

If you&rsquo;ve walked through Westlake Park recently, perhaps you&rsquo;ve noticed the new statue of Swami Vivekananda, a philosopher and Hindu monk.
Vivekananda is credited with introducing yoga and the Vedanta philosophy to a global audience.
That statue is a <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/new-statue-in-westlake-park-honors-indian-philosopher-swami-vivekananda/">gift to the city</a> from the government of India.
People from India represent more than <a href="https://www.migrationpolicy.org/data/state-profiles/state/demographics/WA">10 percent of Washington&rsquo;s foreign-born</a> residents. As of 2024, <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/share-of-wa-born-king-county-residents-at-lowest-point-since-1930s/">nearly 95,000 King County residents</a> were born there.&nbsp;
The statue is part of a broader cultural diplomacy initiative, according to the consulate general in Seattle.
The diplomatic outpost opened two years ago, and India's consul general in Seattle joined Soundside to talk about the relationship between the Pacific Northwest and India.&nbsp;
Guest 
Consul General Prakash Gupta <a href="https://www.pbs.org/show/americas-first-guru/"></a>Related Links
<a href="https://www.pbs.org/show/americas-first-guru/">America's First Guru</a> - PBS
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/10/us/politics/h1b-visa-program-changes.html">Trump&rsquo;s Changes Lock Some Employers Out of H-1B Visa Program</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/03/video/h-1b-visa-skilled-workers-trump.html">As H-1B Visa Program Changes, Skilled Foreign Workers Consider Leaving U.S.&nbsp;</a> - The New York Times
&nbsp;
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Despite a changing U.S. political landscape, ties between the Pacific Northwest and India remain strong, according to our region's top diplomat

The PNW-India relationship, from Cosmic Crisp apples to tech  

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

It’s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.

Guest: Greg Kim, reporter for the Climate Lab at The Seattle Times who writes about the intersection of climate, energy and business.

Related links:
DOJ investigating University of Washington over antisemitism concerns - Washington State Standard
Five large data centers eyed for Seattle - Seattle Times
Gates Foundation to Cut 20% of Staff, Review Epstein Ties - WSJ
More than 30 pickleball courts in Seattle could be gone under Parks and Rec proposal - KOMO

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.
It&rsquo;s our chance to talk about the latest news with a rotation of plugged-in journalists and guests, taking a look at the headlines from the weekend and the stories that we'll be following as the week moves forward.
Guest:&nbsp;Greg Kim, reporter for the Climate Lab at The Seattle Times who writes about the intersection of climate, energy and business.
Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/04/21/doj-investigating-university-of-washington-over-antisemitism-concerns/">DOJ investigating University of Washington over antisemitism concerns - Washington State Standard</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/climate-lab/five-large-data-centers-eyed-for-seattle/">Five large data centers eyed for Seattle - Seattle Times</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/04/22/bill-gates-foundation-jeffrey-epstein-files/2d272686-3e73-11f1-bb46-ed564688d953_story.html">Gates Foundation to Cut 20% of Staff, Review Epstein Ties - WSJ</a></li>
<li><a href="https://komonews.com/news/local/30-pickleball-courts-in-seattle-could-be-gone-under-parks-and-rec-proposal">More than 30 pickleball courts in Seattle could be gone under Parks and Rec proposal - KOMO</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Every week we talk about the most fascinating stories in the news and what they say about the Pacific Northwest. We call it Front Page.

Front Page: UW investigated, data center drama, and pickleball pushback

Canada needs healthcare workers, but there just aren't enough of them in the country. So they've amped up their efforts to recruit medical professionals from other countries, especially the United States. 

And Canada is seeing quite a bit of success. Last year, the British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons reported licensing three times the number of American physicians than they had the year before.

One person trying to recruit Americans to work in Canada is Tod Maffin. Tod is a former national CBC radio host and producer. He now runs a newsletter and podcast called Mirror Falls. And he's one of the organizers of the Nanaimo Healthcare Infusion this weekend. 

Guest:

Tod Maffin, former national CBC radio host and producer. He now runs a newsletter and podcast called Mirror Falls

Relevant Links:

KUOW: US healthcare workers encouraged to consider the charms of Canada

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Canada needs healthcare workers, but there just aren't enough of them in the country. So they've amped up their efforts to recruit medical professionals from other countries, especially the United States. And Canada is seeing quite a bit of success. Last year, the British Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons reported licensing three times the number of American physicians than they had the year before.
One person trying to recruit Americans to work in Canada is Tod Maffin. Tod is a former national CBC radio host and producer. He now runs a newsletter and podcast called Mirror Falls. And he's one of the organizers of the Nanaimo Healthcare Infusion this weekend.&nbsp;
Guest:
Tod Maffin, former national CBC radio host and producer. He now runs a newsletter and podcast called Mirror Falls
Relevant Links:
KUOW: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/us-healthcare-workers-encouraged-to-consider-the-charms-of-canada">US healthcare workers encouraged to consider the charms of Canada</a>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Canada needs healthcare workers, but there just aren't enough of them in the country. So they've amped up their efforts to recruit medical professionals from other countries, especially the United States. 

Soundside's "Weekend Warmup" - Jan 8-11

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