George Gee is an artist, author, barista – and co-owner of Side Street Espresso in Downtown Anchorage. As a teenager in Texas, he was sentenced to 16 months in prison for resisting the draft. After his release, he attended college in Texas for a while, earned a graduate degree in economics at the University of Washington, then worked as an economic consultant in Alaska for 22 years. A few decades ago, Gee and his wife Deborah Seaton purchased their coffee shop on G Street – where he’s worked ever since, serving up lattes, befriending the homeless and finding an hour each day to draw an original portrait.

Sen. Tom Begich is a Democratic member of the Alaska State Senate, an accomplished musician – and a good friend to Side Street Espresso owner George Gee. He has represented District J since January 2017.