Monday, July 31, 2006

Bring Your Bike & Join BikeMania at Magnuson Park

Grab your helmet and bike, and wheel down to Magnuson Park for our bike extravaganza called BikeMania, on Wednesday, Aug. 9, noon to 3 p.m. in Hangar 30 the park, located at 7400 Sand Point Way NE.

This FREE event is produced jointly by Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation, Trips for Kids Seattle, and Seattle Parks and Recreation's Magnuson Community Center.

Join us for an afternoon of fun and excitement, including bicycling demonstrations, stunts. jumps and tips featuring BMX Pro Rider, Nick Halsey from MacNeil Bikes. Take a "skillz and thrillz" ride in the Rodeo Stunt Course or practice street riding skills in the Tour de Magnuson outdoor guided rides. You can also play bike games and win prizes or decorate your bike and join in our annual Bike Parade! Bikes and helmets provided for the Rodeo Stunt Course only or bring your own.

Activities are for all ages and skill levels and all types of bikes. Parents/guardians must sign waiver forms if you are riding in any of the activities.

For more information, please call Magnuson Community Center at 206-684-7026.

Fabulous Felines Available for Adoption

Seattle Animal Shelter showcases foster cats
at Garfield Community Center on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2006

SEATTLE — As part of its ongoing outreach efforts to find suitable permanent homes for foster animals, the Seattle Animal Shelter hosts a cat adoptathon on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2006, at Garfield Community Center at 2323 E. Cherry St. in Seattle. The event runs from noon to 3 p.m. and features numerous cats of different breeds.

“If you have room in your home and your heart for an orphaned animal, this is a great opportunity for potential adopters to come and see some of the wonderful pets available from our foster-care parents,” says Don Jordan, Seattle Animal Shelter Director.

Adoption prices range from $82 to $87 and include:
 Initial vaccinations
 Deworming
 Feline Leukemia testing
 Certificate for free health exam at local veterinarians
 Spay or neuter
 Microchip (About the size of a grain of rice, the microchip is injected under the cat’s skin, providing an identification number associated with that animal. Animal shelters can then “scan” a lost animal and retrieve its records from the microchip.)
 Seattle Pet License (if applicable)

Last year, approximately 2,700 animals were adopted from the Seattle Animal Shelter, but another 1,300 had to be euthanized. To help reduce the number of animals euthanized, the Seattle Animal Shelter has a foster-care program to rehabilitate sick and immature dogs and cats. Donations from the city’s “Help the Animals Fund” pay for veterinary care for these animals that would otherwise be euthanized.

The Seattle Animal Shelter is open every day, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for licensing, and noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions. It is located at 2061 - 15th Ave. W. The phone number is (206)386-PETS(7387). Animals available for adoption can be viewed online at http://www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

Pagliacci dishes up green pizza to launch City Light’s Green Up campaign

Public-Private partnership encourages City Light customers to go “green” with Green Power

SEATTLE- Think of all that dough you’ll save! At least that’s what one local pizzeria decided. Seattle’s homegrown pizza chain, Pagliacci Pizza, urges its customers to go green. Green electricity, that is. In fact, they’re so convinced it’s the right thing to do, they’ll give Seattle City Light customers a $15 gift card if they sign up for green power.

Starting Tuesday, August 1, Pagliacci Pizzas delivered in the City Light service territory will include a special promotion encouraging customers to sign up for City Light’s Green Up program. First time residential subscribers will receive a free $15 gift card, which can be applied to any future purchase of a Pagliacci Pizza. For a minimal $3 a month commitment, City Light customers can subscribe to the Green Up program.

Pagliacci is a Platinum Green Up business customer. That means they replace thirty percent of the electricity they use at their Seattle pizza stores with new renewable energy. Platinum is the highest level of business participation in the Seattle Green Up program. Pagliacci, voted “Best Pizza” for 19 years by Seattle Weekly readers has 10 pizza delivery kitchens and five Pizzerias in Seattle.

Pagliacci co-owner Matt Galvin says, "Each year, we ask every employee to tell us what they think would make Pagliacci a better company. The crew's feedback is always focused on finding ways to be more "green." Using green power and energy efficient lights are two of the great ways we are reducing Pagliacci's impact on the environment."

Pagliacci is definitely home grown. They look for ways to use local seasonal food everyday. And their employees are inspired to look out for the environment. They actively seek fresh ways to use less, and use wisely. This includes composting pizza boxes and food waste, saving water and energy, and purchasing green power for their facilities. Pagliacci is a company that is thinking globally, but acting locally.

"Pagliacci Pizza is a model business for sustainable practices," said City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco. "They worked with City Light to install energy efficient lighting in all of their Seattle locations, saving 127,729 kilowatt hours per year, and reducing their energy bills by $7,664 annually."

City Light’s Green Up program started one year ago. Today 2,146 residential customers green up a percentage of the energy they use in their homes. These customers purchase 25 million kilowatt hours of electricity, the equivalent of lighting 2,500 homes in Seattle.

City Light acquires its green power from the Stateline Wind Farm in Eastern Washington, one of the largest wind power farms in the country. Any net revenues earned through the Green Up program will be reinvested in additional renewable energy.

The promotion runs through September 30, 2006. Seattle City Light has a goal of 2,000 new sign-ups to the Green Up program. The promotion coincides with Seattle’s efforts to support the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Efficient Plan that recognizes conservation as a valuable energy resource.

Fresh, hot pizza slices will be served to press representatives covering the event.

Streaming Video b-roll and photos of pizza-tossing efforts will be available by noon Wednesday, August 2 at: www.seattle.gov/light

Friday, July 28, 2006

Traffic details for this weekend & Tullys to offer free WiFi

Tully's to offer free WiFi

Tully's will offer free WiFi in all of its 79 stores in Washington starting Aug 7th.
I am actually really excited about this. Being that I am always on the go and depend on WiFi, this will give me alot more choices.

=========


Lots of Traffic due to Seafair and other Festivities

Thursday, July 27, 2006

List of new Seattle Condo Projects and Seattle Conversions

Here is a list of every new condo project and conversions
From the MLS











Veer Lofts



Trace Building



Three 19



Enzo



Rollin Street



Queen Anne High School Condos



Parc



Mosler Lofts



Meritage



Martin



Madison Lofts



Lumen



Escala



Epic



Domaine



Cristall



Belltown Court



Bellagio



Asia Condos



2201



2200



1521



5th and Madison



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Reactions to the Washington Supreme Court's decision to uphold gay-marriage ban

Reactions to the Washington Supreme Court's decision to uphold gay-marriage ban

The Seattle Times asked readers to submit thier responses to the Washington Supreme Court's decision to uphold gay-marriage ban. Some of the responses where a bit shocking. Here they are with my responses.

from the seattletimes

"As a college student who's not married but does want to be married and have a family sometime, I'm grateful the court isn't redefining marriage."
— Cassie Crawford, 20

My Response: I really don't see how allowing a gay couple to get married would affect her ability to get married. According to her myspace she lives in Bellevue, would like to meet Abigail (King David's wife), Queen Ester, and the Apostle John, and has no gay friends on her friends list. I bet her life is pretty gay free, and never interacts with the gay community. So I dont understand how by allowing some same sex couple to get married is going to affect her future husband, marriage, and kids. Someone please enlighten me.



"The essential reality of marriage as a creative union for the protection and education of children is a long-held understanding not only by the [Catholic] Church but by virtually all civilized societies throughout history. In addition, the court has shown wisdom and insight in recognizing the separation of powers that grants authority to the Legislature for enacting legislation designed to promote the well-being of children and all persons."
— Alexander Brunett

Now this is just stupid. I love what Dan Savage posted today "Yates (Mother who killer her kids) was legally married to her opposite-sex partner, the father of her children, so her kids were reared by their biological parents and enjoyed the protections that legal marriage provides—until one of their biological parents decided to drown ‘em all in a bathtub."

Here are other recent stories of crazy Mothers & Fathers killing their kids
Mother accused of killing her teen
Stratford Mother Charged With Neglect
Mother beheads girl

Father pleads guilty to killing sons
Child could be forced to see abusive father
Father charged in baby's death




"Twenty years from now, we will look back on today's decision and see that it was wrong morally, wrong ethically, wrong for our community."
— Robert Jacobs



"This isn't just a sad day for gay people but for all people in Washington state."
— the Rev. Monica Corsaro



"We are disappointed but not discouraged — this is a civil-rights movement, and time is on our side."
— Jennifer Pizer

It's only a matter of time



"We are pleased that this latest attempt by the homosexual agenda to radically redefine our culture has been stopped dead in its tracks. ... Today's decision upholding traditional marriage is a devastating setback to same-sex- marriage proponents. Today is a great day for marriage and the family."
— Mathew D. Staver

Looks like our(The Gays) plan to destroy families, marriages has been foiled again.



"My real emotion is bewilderment. Knowing my relationship with my partner — which is my miracle — can cause so much prejudice, I can't figure it out."
— Jo Palm, 70

I hear you. I had no idea that my relationship with Matt would ruin so many lives



"This is the right thing for our children, families and our communities. It is good public policy for the state to encourage marriage between a man and a woman."
— Sen. Val Stevens


"This ruling denies that we're capable of love and that we're capable of commitment."
— Brenda Bauer




"The Washington State Supreme Court had a chance to tear down another wall of inequity and prejudice that has long stained our society. Unfortunately, five of the justices chose not to grant gay and lesbian people access to a basic right that the rest of us enjoy — the ability to marry and share our lives in the eyes of the state with someone we love."
— Greg Nickels

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Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Huge 1 Bd 1 Bath on Capitol Hill with view of Downtown and Space Needle

Huge 1 Bd 1 Bath on Capitol Hill with view of Downtown and Space Needle

Price: $ 299,950
511 E Roy St Unit 409 Seattle
Sq Ft: 708
1 Bed / 1 Bath / 1 Fireplace
HOD 345

Location! Location! Location! Huge One Bedroom One Bath in the heart of Capitol Hill. Across the street from Top Pot Donuts in the lovely Arcadian Court. Huge Rooftop Deck with Party Room. On-site manager, pet friendly, secured parking, large storage space, wood burning fireplace, plenty of visitor parking available, three blocks to Broadway. Breath taking views of Queen Anne, the Olympic Mountains and the Space Needle from the Living Room.

Click for Larger Image





































City Unveils Vision for Seattle Waterfront

SEATTLE - The city today unveiled a look at how Seattle’s waterfront could be transformed into a place for parks, people, open space, views and the environment if the Alaskan Way Viaduct is replaced by a cut-and-cover tunnel.

Environmental, transportation and community leaders joined with Mayor Greg Nickels to praise the city’s “Central Waterfront Plan” as a guide to the once-in-a-lifetime chance to replace an aging, elevated freeway with new public space along the shore of Elliott Bay. The event marked the completion of the concept plan, which will be sent to City Council for consideration.

The plan envisions reclaiming the waterfront for civic space, public promenades, shoreline restoration, environmental improvements, historic preservation, education, arts and new connections to the city.

“This plan reflects the values we hold as a city,” Nickels said. “A tunnel unlocks a potential that has been hidden in the shadows and noise of an elevated freeway for 50 years. This plan shows how we can create a waterfront for people, with more open space, light, views and parks; a place for learning, exploring and enjoying the natural beauty of Elliott Bay, and a place where people can touch the water -- and get in touch with our past.”

An illustration of the major pedestrian promenade envisioned under the plan was on view. The promenade would be 70 feet wide along portions of the waterfront and would provide continuous, significant public gathering and viewing areas. Of equal importance are the plan’s shoreline improvements to support marine life and improved connections to the rest of downtown Seattle, including the Pike Place Market.

“This is our chance to make great history,” said Sally Bagshaw, a member of the Allied Arts Board of Trustees. “By embracing the principles of the waterfront concept plan, we can create an unparalleled waterfront for all.”

The plan is based on the state’s and city’s preferred tunnel option for replacing the aging viaduct, and includes the rebuilding of the failing seawall.

The plan is available online at: http://www.seattle.gov/DPD/Planning/Central_Waterfront/Overview/

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Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Everything you need to know about the Viaduct

Tunnel Alternative



Elevated Structure Alternative



The Washington State Department of Transportation Viaduct page
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/Alternatives.htm#funding
Its full of information

Is Seattle the new Vacation Spot?

Apparently Seattle has enjoyed a record breaking tourism.
Seattle PI Article



Does anyone own a shop downtown or work downtown in retail and experienced this for themselves(More tourists and increased sales)?

Red Light Camera Locations

CAMERA LOCATIONS
Seattle PI ran an article about the new cameras to catch red light runners

The new cameras catching red-light runners are focusing initially on four intersections:


  • Rainier Avenue South and South Orcas Street, with cameras facing north and south.

  • Denny Way and Fairview Avenue North, with cameras facing east and west on Denny.

  • Roosevelt Way Northeast and Northeast 45th Street, with one camera.

  • Spring Street and Fifth Avenue, with one camera.

Reminder: Friday "Office Space" at Cinema On The Lawn

Click Here for Details
http://www.cinemaonthelawn.com/

Monday, July 24, 2006

Broadway to get major makeover

From the SeattlePI

Aside from all the new multi million dollar developements coming to Capitol hill the City is also going to invest $345,000 in cleaning up Broadway on Capitol Hill

Some of the changes coming include

"$220,000 worth of city resources to remove graffiti and posters from all city signs, meters and power vaults; replace all Broadway street signs, trash cans and parking meters (the latter with pay stations); paint crosswalks, curbs and fire hydrants; help with tree maintenance; and help enhance the appearance and utilization of vacant storefronts."

"The city is also giving $125,000 to help form a Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, promote a revitalization of the retail mix on Broadway, and help create a Capitol Hill Improvement District of dues-paying business and property owners to finance maintenance, public safety and other improvements."

Whats happenening with the the old Safeway and QFC

"A $17.3 million development at 530 Broadway E., at the site of the old Safeway store, consisting of two buildings of six stories and five stories housing 140 residential units and 8,000 square feet of retail space.

Across the street at 523 Broadway E., at the site of the old QFC store, a six-story, $20 million project with 350 residential units and 25,000 square feet of retail."

These are only a few of the major changes coming to the hill. Others include many new condos, conversions, affordable housing, and the Capitol Hill Light Rail Station.

Need a car for $65 a month or less? Check this out

The Seattlepi ran an article on Working Wheels this weekend. A non profit that provides cars for less then $65 dollars a month. Here is more information in cased you missed it in the Seattle PI this weekend.

What is Working Wheels?
Working Wheels is a new non-profit program that sells affordable used cars to eligible candidates who are employed and are having work-related transportation problems, including:


  1. Working at a job that has no public transportation

  2. Difficult or long commute on public transportation to get to work, to get children to and from daycare, and to take care of other family needs

  3. Not being able to accept opportunities to make more money -- such as taking alternate shifts -- because of limited public transportation

  4. 4. Being unable to afford to repair a car that is unsafe or that does not run




Working Wheels is a multi-step program designed to ensure that its participants are successful car owners. Applicants are screened to ensure that they can afford the car, plus insurance and gas, and are connected with training opportunities, including financial skills education and car maintenance workshops.

How to apply for a car

Gas Prices to high for you?

Try asking your employer about offering a monthly transportation subsidy. I read an article this weekend in the Seattle PI that basically talked about how many local business's including Boeing, Starbucks, Microsoft, offer free bus passes and other transportation subsidies. It will lead to happy employees, help the envirnment and tax breaks.

Events This Week in & around Seattle

Tour De Terrace
Tour de Terrace is the Seafair-Sanctioned, summer festival for Mountlake Terrace & neighboring communities. Presented by the Terrace-Brier Lions Club, this festival was created to generate community pride and spirit. We invite families, businesses and visitors to celebrate in this family oriented, fun-filled festival.

Friday July 28 12 pm - 11 pm
Saturday July 29 9 am - 11 pm
Sunday July 30 9 am - 6 pm

http://www.tourdeterrace.org/

KiteFest 2006
SEAFAIR community evenT

Activities: Family FunFly, Candy Drop, Rokkaku Kite Battle, Fighter Kite Demonstrations, Team Stunt Kite Demonstrations, Kite Building, Book-reading, and Prize Giveaways.

Date: Saturday, July 29th
Time: Noon-5pm
http://kitefest.net/index.php

Roosevelt Bull Moose Festival
Saturday July 29th 2006
2006 EVENTS AND VENUES

2006 SOUTHWEST AIRLINES TORCHLIGHT PARADE AT SEAFAIR
Location: Begins at Seattle Center and continues south down Fourth Avenue to Second Avenue and King Street
Date: Saturday, July 29
Time: 7:30 p.m.
http://www.seafair.com/x406.asp

Capitol Hill Block Party
July 28-29
http://www.capitolhillblockparty.com/

Greenwood-Phinney SEAFAIR Parade
Wednesday July 26th at 6 pm
http://www.greenwoodparade.com/

2006 Tribal Canoe Journey

2006 InterTribal Canoe Journey will take place July 31 - August 5 and for the first time in Canoe Journey history, the host tribe will be the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe of Auburn, Wash.

This year's event will welcome more than 70 canoes coming from four major routes for landing in Sand Point on July 31. Tribes will be canoeing from the North Central Coast of British Columbia / Inside Pass of Vancouver Island, Western Vancouver Island, Western Washington / Oregon, and the Puget Sound.

The Tribal Canoe Journey seeks to honor centuries-old traditions of transport and trade by the coastal tribes of the Northwest, many of which often traveled the waters to meet and gather for festivities.

Emmett Oliver, an 89-year-old Quinault tribal member, revitalized the annual canoe journey among Northwest tribes in modern times when he organized the "Paddle to Seattle" for Washington State’s centennial in 1989.

More information here

Friday, July 21, 2006

Lightrail on I-90...Disaster waiting to happen

Lightrail on I-90...Disaster waiting to happen

Seattle Times has an article about running the lightrail over the floating bridget
article

I think the idea is awesome but the more I think about it the more I feel it might be a disaster waiting to happen. What if we have a massive storm. Waves, or Wind could possibly derail the light rail.
This would be the first floating bridge to carry passenger trains.

Friday Music Shakedown

Friday Music Shakedown

Here are some bands worth checking out

Sugarcult has a new song "Do It Alone" off the album Lights Out in stores Sept 12

http://www.myspace.com/sugarcult

hellogoodbye has a new song "In Her Arms" off their new album Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! in stores Aug 8th

http://www.myspace.com/hellogoodbye

Seattle locals From Aphony
Some of you checked them out on the warped tour last week

http://www.myspace.com/fromaphony

Alexisonfire "Boiled Frogs" from their new album not sure when it comes out

The new album from what I have heard sounds amazing. I am glad to hear a more melodic touch on the album
http://www.myspace.com/alexisonfire

and my favorite album at the moment, I seriously have this on repeat is
The Early November

Its a 3 disc album out now. Definetly worth 9.99
Check out the song "Decorations"
http://www.myspace.com/theearlynovember


Over 200 free mp3s for your iPod
www.freemp3blog.blogspot.com

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Seattle Streetcar Open House

Seattle Streetcar Open House
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

July 20, 2006
Yesler Community Center
917 Yesler Way

This will be a time for interested members of the public to view possible streetcar alignments in Seattle Center City. Learn more about what direction Seattle hopes to take the streetcar.

http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/transportation/streetcarnetwork.htm

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation donate $287 million to AIDS vaccine development

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced 16 grants totaling $287 million to create an international network of highly collaborative research consortia focused on accelerating the pace of HIV vaccine development.

The grants will support a range of innovative approaches for designing an effective HIV vaccine, and bring together more than 165 investigators from 19 countries to tackle some of the biggest scientific challenges facing the field.


Read More

6 Month Old West Seattle Condo for Sale

Unit: 208 / 4752 41st Ave SW Seattle 98116 West Seattle
$257,000
Beds 1 / Baths 1 / Fireplaces 1
Appx. SQFT 603
1 Parking Space
1 Storage Space

If you would like to see this please feel free to CONTACT ME