Latest news with #Arneson
Eater
11 hours ago
- Business
- Eater
Seattle Is About to Get Its First-Ever Thai Coffee Shop
In drizzly February 2025, Emily Sirisup decided she wanted to take a trip. She's been in Seattle since she was a baby and grew up surrounded by the service industry; her parents both worked in Thai restaurants and she spent six years as a barista at Capitol Hill's bustling Starbucks Reserve Roastery. Feeling an urge to explore her roots, she went with her partner Cole Arneson to her parents' home country of Thailand. She followed an itinerary that reflected her deep love of coffee, meeting coffee growers in the northern province of Chiang Rai, including the team at award-winning Alexta Coffee Roasters. The couple left with a vision: to bring Thai coffee culture in Seattle. Nudibranch Coffee — an homage to the fluorescent sea slugs native to the Northwest and pronounced new-dih-brank — will open this summer. The business will roast and sell coffees from Thailand, distributing online and in local grocery stores. There's a Kickstarter set up to help secure Nudibranch's first cafe space in North Seattle, too. The hope is to open that space in fall 2025. That cafe, if it opens, will be a rare outpost of Thai coffee culture in the U.S. There are no Thai coffee roasters or coffee shops in Seattle, and Thai-grown coffee is a rarity in this country. (Coffee has been grown in Thailand for centuries; production ramped up when northern farmers were encouraged by the government to grow coffee beans rather than opium in the 1970s.) Due to the heat in Thailand, cooling coffee drinks blended with fruit are common. Orange juice with espresso, for instance, will be a mainstay at Nudibranch. Butterfly pea matcha, mochas made with the malted chocolate power Milo, and oliang (coffee brewed in brown sugar) will all serve as standard bearers, too. Sirisup and Arneson's beans will be roasted by Kuma Coffee, a Seattle roaster. The business's first roast, simply called the Single Origin Chiang Rai, boasts notes of apricot and plum with a clean finish. Sirisung anticipates sourdough bread made by friends who are local Thai bakers on the food side of the menu. The business's permanent location will also host latte art classes, hang local art, and serve fare from guest chefs. Nudibranch is a direct-purchasing coffee operation, which is often touted as much healthier for the supply chain than relying on negotiators and tertiary importers. The beans are grown by the seven-person Alexta team. The coffees are shade-grown and organic. This is the first time that group's beans have been served in the U.S. 'Emily has done really well with all those farmers in that region,' Arneson says. 'That whole community is not really connected to the U.S. in any sort of major way.' Sirisup and Arneson say there's a lot of room for their business to grow. The company's first batch of green beans arrived in May, and were roasted by Kuma in early June. While at Starbucks, Sirisup helped organize the Starbucks Workers United union. She says that experience helped her learn about the kind of cafe she'd like to run: one where the coffee is connected to its origins. 'We're Thai-inspired coffee,' Sirisup says. 'But we want to make it relevant to the Pacific Northwest, as well.' Nudibranch Coffee will open its first permanent location in October 2025. Follow the Kickstarter for updates. See More: Coming Attractions Seattle Restaurant News
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
After Her Mom Died From Breast Cancer, She Found a Creative Way to Include Her in Her Newborn's Life (Exclusive)
Mandi Arneson and her mom, Sandy Andreini, were super close before Andreini passed in October 2022 Arneson left her job to become her full-time caretaker in 2013 when her mom was initially diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer Despite her mother's passing, Arneson found a way to include her mom in the milestones of her child's lifeMandi Arneson and her mom, Sandy Andreini, were as close as two people could be. They talked on the phone multiple times a day, went shopping together and never missed an episode of The Bachelor on Mondays. So when Andreini was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2013, Arneson was devastated. Although Andreini underwent treatment, she eventually became seriously ill due to complications. Arneson ultimately left her nursing job and moved back home to care for her mom full-time, alongside her dad and three sisters. For nearly a decade, the family stood by Andreini's side. 'Being her caregiver was the greatest privilege of my life, and I would do it a thousand times over if I had the chance,' Arneson, 28, tells PEOPLE exclusively. 'Despite countless challenges, she remained positive and resilient. She always said she wouldn't let cancer win — she wanted to live for us,' the Milwaukee, Wis., native adds. 'One of her biggest goals that final summer was to build up enough strength to attend my wedding that September. She worked incredibly hard every single day — and she made it. She was glowing that day.' But just one month after Arneson's wedding, on Oct. 18, 2022 — which happened to be Arneson's birthday — her mom passed away at 59. While it was heartbreaking, Arneson says the greatest gift was knowing her mom was finally free from pain. As the years passed, the absence Andreini left behind continued to be deeply felt. That grief grew when Arneson found out she was pregnant in February 2024. 'I couldn't call my mom to share the news, and it broke my heart knowing she wouldn't be here to meet her granddaughter,' she says. 'I never imagined going through motherhood without her by my side. I always pictured her there, watching me become a mom.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Despite not having her mom physically present, Arneson found comfort in her husband, family and friends. She had a smooth pregnancy and welcomed a happy, healthy baby girl named Averie. Every day she spends with Averie, Arneson says she finds herself thinking about her own mom and the incredibly special bond they shared. 'It's in the little moments I share with Averie that I feel my mom's presence the most,' she says. Recently, a special idea came to the family — one that felt like a meaningful way to keep Andreini close. Arneson's niece and nephew had been leaving pictures and letters in her mausoleum since she passed, so the family knew there was a small opening near her casket where keepsakes could be placed. So, one day, when Arneson, her husband Connor and Averie were visiting her mom's grave, her dad suggested she print a picture of Averie and slip it to her through the crack. "That's when Connor had the idea to make it a tradition — monthly pictures of Averie, keeping my mom updated on how her granddaughter is growing," she says. "Averie was already five months old at the time, so we had some catching up to do, but now it's something we'll continue to do. Every month, we'll share new pictures of our sweet Averie with my mom, ensuring she's always a part of her life." 'It's definitely not the way I ever imagined updating my mom on how much my baby is growing, but it's so incredibly special to me,' the mom adds. 'It feels like our own little mailbox to heaven, a way for me to stay connected to her. Every time we do this, I know it will bring me a little closer to her, and it's a reminder that even though she's not physically here, she's still a part of our lives in her own way.' Not long ago, Arneson took to TikTok to share the new tradition, and to her surprise, the video gained the attention of TikTokers, garnering over 250,000 views. Despite her small following, she thought it was so cool how much attention the TikTok received and how the message touched so many people. 'I will never stop honoring and talking about my incredible mom," she says. "I want Averie, and all of my future children, to feel like they really know her and understand just how amazing she was.' 'I hope people can take away the importance of finding ways to keep the memory of loved ones alive, even when they're no longer here. Little traditions, like sharing pictures or updates, can help keep that bond strong. For anyone going through something similar, it's a reminder that it's okay to create your own rituals to help you feel close to those you've lost.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mitchell Technical College blood drive brings in 23 units
Feb. 28—MITCHELL — Organizers of the blood drive held Wednesday, Feb. 26 at Mitchell Technical College are touting the event as a success, with the drive bringing in nearly two-dozen units of life-saving blood. The 23 units collected, donated by 18 students and staff at the two-year college, are enough to save up to 69 lives. Young donors continue to be a vital resource for blood donation, said Abbie Arneson, territory representative for LifeServe Blood Center. Mitchell Technical College students are playing a large role in the local community by taking time to donate. Their efforts help maintain a stable blood supply for local hospitals, and faculty members serve as role models by demonstrating the importance of giving back, she said. "While only 3% of the population donates blood, an astonishing 90% of people will need a transfusion at some point in their lives. Many of our most dedicated donors are aging out of eligibility, which is why young donors are crucial in ensuring hospitals have the resources they need," Arneson said. In addition, event organizer LifeServe recognized several individuals for their contributions to the cause. Five individuals were recognized as first-time donors, including Connor Bender, Michael Gerving, Adam Kanable, Henry Putterbaugh and Autumn Marsh. Donna Appletoft was recognized as a Galloneer, as well. "It's inspiring to see new donors stepping up, as well as loyal donors reaching incredible milestones," Arneson said. "Every donation counts, and we are so grateful for the commitment of the Mitchell Tech community." Arenson stressed that although the most recent blood drive was another success, the demand for blood is constant. She said all eligible donors are encouraged to continue giving, noting that blood has a limited shelf life and hospitals rely on ongoing donations to meet patient needs. Those interested in contributing can schedule an appointment at the LifeServe Donor Center, located at 819 E. Spruce Street in Mitchell. The center is open Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Donors can schedule an appointment by visiting or by calling 1-800-287-4903.
