COVID-19 and Seattle’s Nordic Businesses & Organizations: Who Will Be Left Standing?

With the full or partial closure of many businesses, institutions, and organizations in Seattle in late March 2020 due to COVID-19, we wonder how are our cherished Nordic haunts, restaurants, museums, and fraternal organizations making it through in Seattle. 
We talk with Erik Pihl of the National Nordic Museum, Bjørn Ruud of Scandinavian Specialties, Rachel Antalek of Byen Bakeri, and report on the Scandinavian Hour, Nordic Roots and Branches, the Swedish Club, The Dane Restaurant, Nordiska (Poulsbo), the 17th of May (Syttende Mai) Parade, and the Norwegian-American News, among others. If we value these outfits, how can we support them so they survive?
Links and pictures for Scandinavian Businesses in Seattle

Clothes Stories: A Visit with Fashion Designer Madison Leiren

Beyond keeping us warm and preventing public embarrassment, why do we wear clothes?  What does our dress say about us, who and what we are, and where we come from? Join Nordic on Tap for this dive into the world of fashion design with Seattle-based designer, Madison Leiren of Leiren Designs (https://leirendesigns.com/).  We sit down with Madison to discuss her path into fashion design and the influence of her Norwegian heritage and Norwegian culture in what she creates.  Madison talks about how she custom makes unique clothes such as wedding gowns as well as clothing for men. Finally, we talk about Madison’s experience as a designer in the greater Nordic community, especially in Seattle, and mention a few of our favorite haunts.  We conclude the show by listening to excerpts of songs and hymns derived from classic music, highlighting the inspirational hymn derived from Finlandia, the symphony written by Finnish composer Jean Sebelius.
Links
Leiren Designs, Madison's website and boutique, with examples of her unusual, lacy, Scandinavian-influenced bridal gowns. You can book an appointment right on her website for a consultation at her Seattle shop.
"Clothing with an adventurous spirit", an article about Madison's fashions in the Norwegian American News.
An article (2018)on Madison's work in the Seattle Sister City Association newsletter.
Leiren Designs is also on Instagram.
Check out this beautiful film (2011) of "Wild Scandinavia - Finland", showing the countries pastoral landscapes and dramatic shots of Finland's wildlife (from reindeer to flying squirrels, lynx, bears, and loons) and the beauty of the aurora borealis, all set to Jean Sebelius' Finlandia (full version) by Wildes Skandinavien/Gulo Film Productions.
This video of the Finlandia-hymni, the part of Jean Sebelius' Finlandia with words by Veikko Antero Koskenniemi, is sung in Finnish by the Ylioppilaskunnan- YL Male Voice Choir; shots of modern, mostly urban Finland, accompany the music.