Inspired by a similarly structured Dutch organization of the same name, Seattle’s VERA Project began in 1999 when Tacoma native JAMES KEBLAS and former Tri-City denizen SHANNON STEWART, both UW urban planning grads, decided that Seattle should have its own citizen-run, government-funded, all-ages music and arts venue. Keblas (now the executive director), Stewart (program director), and their headstrong team of board members persuaded the city of Seattle and a few other government and community organizations to pitch in, and with the help of a slew of teenage volunteers, on Jan. 27, 2001, the VERA Project had its first show. In the two and a half years since, VERAan acronym of the Latin Veri et Recti Amici, which means “true and sincere friend”has become one of the top venues in town for local and national bands. With a volunteer roster of over 600 Seattle-area youth, this dynamic duo isn’t just helping provide a sound stage or an arts hangout, it’s helping foster a creative, innovative, exciting future for the youth of our city. We should all have such good friends.Laura Cassidy SHANNON STEWART’S PICKS BEST VERA PROJECT MOMENT: “When the Hollowpoints smoked out the basement with their smoke machine and the fire department had to ax the door to get the alarm open.” BEST LOCAL BANDS: “Shoplifting, Chromatics, Hint Hint, Display, the Snacks, Schoolyard Heroes, the Dead Science, Source of Labor, Blue Scholars, Akimboand the Whip definitely remains a favorite.” BEST SHOW THIS YEAR AT ANOTHER VENUE: “The Black Eyes at CoCA.” BEST PLACE TO TAKE YOUR PARENTS TO SUNDAY BRUNCH: “Anything close to Hooters down by Lake Union usually suits them just fine.” BEST THING TO DO WITH THE EMP BUILDING IF THEY EVER DECIDE TO TURN TAIL AND VACATE: “Hostel/skate park.” BEST LOCAL POLITICIAN: “Nick Licata for president.” info@seattleweekly.com