The Seattle Historical Society is preparing a new exhibit and a charity gala dinner. The Seattle Seahawks re-signed wide receiver Rashid Shaheed to a favorable deal and brought cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles back to the roster.
Big plans for the future of our past: Southwest Seattle Historical Society invites you to a charity gala dinner
History is not just dusty archives, but the living fabric from which we weave our future. The Southwest Seattle Historical Society (SWSHS) vividly demonstrates this approach, combining memory preservation with dynamic development. One of the key events to support this mission will be the annual spring gala dinner and auction "Tides of History," scheduled for April 10. The event will take place at Salty’s on Alki and will bring together those who appreciate the unique heritage of the Duwamish Peninsula.
As reported in the announcement on West Seattle Blog, the evening promises to be lively: guests can expect live performances, gourmet hors d'oeuvres, a bar, and an exclusive live auction. But the main goal is not just to have a good time; it is to raise crucial funds to support the Historical Society and its flagship project — the Log House Museum. This year’s special emphasis is on the large-scale installation of a new permanent exhibition.
The museum plans to open an interactive exhibit this summer, the result of more than two years of meticulous preparation. Its concept is impressive: it will not simply display artifacts but will “connect the stories told in the museum to the waterfront,” creating an immersive experience. The exhibit will extend beyond the building, occupying the exterior grounds as well, and will intentionally highlight the histories of the various communities that have lived on the Duwamish Peninsula. This is an ambitious step, allowing visitors not to passively observe but to actively engage with the historical context.
A key part of the gala program will be a presentation by guest speaker Roger Evans, curator of the Washington State Black Heritage Institute and director of the “Seattle Griot Project.” That project focuses on preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of Black Americans. The term “griot” requires explanation: in West Africa it refers to a keeper of oral history, storyteller, and musician, underscoring the project’s deep connection to storytelling traditions and memory preservation. The SWSHS partnership with the Institute, which began after the latter moved into the Sanctuary at Admiral building, enriches the region’s historical narrative, making it more inclusive and multifaceted.
The event will also honor special guests whose stories will form the basis of the future permanent exhibition. Among them are the Tengu Club, likely representing the Japanese-American community, and Carol-Ann Thornton, who became one of the first students of color to desegregate Alki Elementary School. Desegregation is the process of ending racial segregation — separate education, housing, etc. — an essential milestone in the U.S. civil rights struggle. Mentioning her name is a powerful symbol linking personal stories to the larger history.
Beyond the main museum project, the society continues other initiatives: developing the Native Plant Garden, rebranding, participating in the America250 program (a nationwide initiative for the 250th anniversary of the U.S.), and collaborating with local art galleries and youth organizations. The latter is especially valuable because it engages a new generation in documenting and reflecting on the history of their neighborhood.
Thus, the upcoming gala dinner is not just a fundraiser but a statement about the future. It symbolizes a shift from passive preservation to an active, interactive, and inclusive storytelling of the past. Supporting this event is a contribution to keeping the history of the Duwamish Peninsula alive, accessible, and meaningful for all its residents, continuing to grow and evolve with the community itself.
Why Rashid Shaheed’s re-signing was good value for the Seahawks
In the NFL world, where wide receiver contracts soar to astronomical sums, re-signing Rashid Shaheed by the Seattle Seahawks might seem like a modest deal. However, as former NFL player Michael Bumpus explains, this decision is an example of smart roster management and an investment in a specific but extremely valuable skill set. Shaheed, acquired midseason in a trade with the New Orleans Saints, has already made his mark on the club with several electrifying returns, but his modest receiving numbers played a key role in shaping a team-friendly contract.
As Michael Bumpus notes in his segment on Seattle Sports, Shaheed’s value to the Seahawks isn’t limited to raw reception stats. His primary weapon is incredible speed, which makes him a constant threat to opponents. “If he’s even with the defender, he’s gone,” Bumpus quotes a common receiver axiom that perfectly describes Shaheed. His ability to get off the line, shake coverage, and catch deep passes has already impressed analysts. Those traits were on display in the playoffs when, according to an article on Seattle Sports, Shaheed opened the divisional-round game against the San Francisco 49ers with a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown, setting the tone for the contest. Earlier, he had also dazzled with 100- and 58-yard returns in key regular-season games, directly influencing outcomes.
Bumpus also candidly points out the player’s weaknesses. The main issue is a lack of chemistry with quarterback Sam Darnold, particularly on routes across the middle. Sometimes, Bumpus argues, Shaheed “sneaks past open zones,” disrupting offensive timing. That’s understandable, given he joined the team midseason and didn’t have a full preseason to work through the playbook. Paradoxically, this lack of established rapport became leverage for the Seahawks in negotiations. While other free-agent receivers landed huge contracts — for example, Alec Pierce of the Indianapolis Colts got about $26 million per year, and Van’Dale Robinson received $78 million over four years — Shaheed couldn’t command similar sums due to his modest stat line: just 18 receptions for 266 yards and no touchdowns across 12 games, including the playoffs. His new three-year, $51 million contract with $34.7 million guaranteed looks, in that context, like a measured investment.
Bumpus is confident that with a full offseason to work with Darnold and learn the schemes of new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury, Shaheed can unlock his potential as a receiver. The analyst forecasts the player could record roughly 700 receiving yards next season simply through repetition and a better grasp of the offense. Thus, the Seahawks gain a unique player who has already proven he can decide games on special teams and has a chance to become a legitimate vertical threat in the passing game without blowing the team’s budget. It’s a classic example of finding value in less obvious but critically important aspects of the game.
Seahawks bring back cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles
In the offseason, NFL teams actively shape their rosters, and the Seattle Seahawks are no exception. As reported to The Seattle Times, the club agreed to a one-year contract with cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles, who was already in the team’s system last year. This move appears to be a logical step to strengthen the defensive backfield, which lost several players this offseason.
Shemar Jean-Charles spent the 2025 season on the Seahawks’ practice squad, not appearing in any regular-season games. After the season, he did not receive a futures contract and became a free agent, but the sides have now reunited. For context: the NFL practice squad is a group of players who practice with the team but are not part of the 53-man active roster and can be elevated in case of injuries or need. The 27-year-old defensive back’s NFL career began in 2021, when the Green Bay Packers selected him in the fifth round of the draft out of Appalachian State. He has played in 37 NFL games, starting two for the New Orleans Saints in 2024. His experience includes 451 special-teams snaps (game moments like kickoffs, punts, and extra-point attempts — key but often underappreciated elements of the game), which could prove useful for the Seahawks. In Seattle’s current roster, Jean-Charles becomes the fourth cornerback, joining Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, and Nehemiah Pritchett. The position needed reinforcement after Rick Woulen signed with the Philadelphia Eagles last week in free agency, and Tyler Hall, who spent the final two months of last season on the practice squad, was released. Jean-Charles, listed at 5 feet 10 inches (about 178 cm) and 184 pounds (about 83 kg), had previously signed a one-year deal with the Seahawks last year and competed for a roster spot but suffered an early training-camp injury that kept him out of preseason games, leading to his release and subsequent return to the practice squad. Now he has another chance to prove his value, especially given the Seahawks’ need for depth at the cornerback spot — a key defender responsible for covering opposing receivers. This signing isn’t a headline-grabbing acquisition, but it reflects the team’s strategy of building reliable depth and bolstering special teams, which can play a significant role in the coming season.
