Texting While Driving Illegal As Of Jan 1st

As of January 1st it is illegal to text while driving. Fines can be as high as $175.

Seattle Housing Market Doing Well

The Seattle housing market is doing well when you compare it to the rest of the United States. While the nations housing prices fell 6 percent, Seattle experienced a 3.3 increase at the end of the year. (from the Seattle Business Journal)

10,000 Seattle Streetcar Riders in First Day and a Half

photo from Bejan from Flickr

Even with some early problems (link) over 10,000 Seattlites rode the streetcar around.

From the City of Seattle Press Release

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced today that an estimated 10,450 passengers rode the new South Lake Union line of the Seattle Streetcar in the first day and a half from December 12 through December 13. The numbers are even more surprising considering that the official launch of the Streetcar was at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12.

“The numbers tell us that we are off to a great start,” said Mayor Greg Nickels. “There is excitement all along the line as Seattle rediscovers how streetcars can bring communities together.”

Riding the streetcar is free through the month of December and retailers all along the line have teamed up on several promotions to celebrate the opening.

Seattle is the 8th Greenest City in the country

According to Earthlab Seattle is the 8th Greenest City in the Country right behind San Francisco. Damn you San Francisco....you always seem to beat us. (from the PSBizJournal)

Sigur Ros - Heima Screening in Seattle

Heima Trailer


Metro Cinemas at 4500 9th Avenue NE will be screening the new Sigur Ros DVD Heima on December 20th. You can buy tickets here

Pictures & Videos from my Gingerbread Party

Montage of Pictures and Video of the Gingerbread Party



Video of the after party (Eric eating the Frosting)



Some random pictures. All my pictures can be found Here







Me Making More Frosting

Sugar Bakery Preview

The Sugar Bakery & Cafe had a preview tonight. The place looks amazing and the pastries were yummy. It will be a welcomed addition to First Hill.

Here are some pictures I took. (they came out a bit blurry)

Artwork from www.CakeSpy.com

http://www.sugarbakerycafe.com/

Sugar Bakery + Cafe
1014 Madison Street (between Boren & Terry)
Seattle, WA 98104

COMMUNITY LATKE DINNER & HANUKKAH CELEBRATION

LATKE LARRY invites you and yours... Friday, December 7th Seattle (Capitol Hill) see entrance addresses below -FREE- Info: 206.323.8486 to the...
6:00 p.m. - Latke Dinner and Hanukkah Celebration Jaffe Auditorium - 1520 E. Union
7:30 p.m. - Hanukkah Services Alhadeff Sanctuary - 1441 16th Ave

Dreidles, Scrumptious Latkes with all the trimmings and one BIG Celebration! Join us for everyone's favorite Latke feast and musical extravaganza. Kids, don't forget to bring your most beautiful, most inventive and most creative Hanukkiah. Your handmade masterpieces may win some great prizes! Free & open to the public!

Free Lights for the Festival of Lights

In cooperation with Seattle City Light’s Twist & Save program, the Tikkun Olam Council will be giving away free Twist & Save Energy Star® compact fluorescent bulbs (donated by Seattle City Light) at this year’s annual Latke Dinner. The bulbs use one-quarter of the energy and last ten times longer than regular bulbs. Join “Latke Larry” for the annual TDHS Latke Dinner, and help our environment by reducing your carbon footprint! Celebrate the Festival of Lights, and bring some of that light home with you. Click here for more information on the Twist & Save program.

From http://www.tdhs-nw.org

My Top 15 Albums of 2007

These albums are in no particular order. Takes a few minutes to load



Honorable Mention
Cassino - Sounds Of Salvation



Here are some videos from my top 15

Patrick Wolf - Magic Position


Stars - Take Me To The Riot


Tegan & Sara - Back In Your Head


Shout Out Louds - Impossible


Mummra - What Would Steve Do


Arcade Fire - No Cars Go


Singles That I Liked That Are Not Part Of The Top Albums

M83 - Coloring The Void
The Knife - Heartbeats (Silent Shout Version)
Junior Boys - In The Morning (Hot Chip Remix)
The Teenagers - Starlett Johansson
Band Of Horses - Detlef Schrempf
LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends (Remix)
Final Fantasy - Flare Gun
Rilo Kiley - Silver Lining
The Dykeenies - Clean Up Your Eyes
The Envy Corps - Wire & Wool
Maritime - For Science Fiction
The Pipettes - Guess Who Ran Off With The Milkman
Kevin Drew - Cocaine Skin
Saves The Day - Can't Stay The Same
Chromeo - Bonafied Lovin (Teeganers Remix)
Rooney - Where Did Your Heart Go Missing
Bat For Lashes - Sad Eyes
Bloc Party - Flux
The Shins - Phantom Limb
Voxtrot - Blood Red Blood
Scissors for Lefty - Ghetto Ways

Presents for Kids lost in flood. Miller Community Center Needs Help

Apparently The Miller Community Center and The Country Doctor (low income health clinic, 19th & Republican) had a ton of presents stored in the basement of The Country Doctor ruined by the recent flooding. The Toys were to be delivered to low income kids on December 15th. They need presents ASAP. If you would like to donate presents to help out low income kids then please call the Miller Community Center Director at (206) 684-4753

Could you live a green lifestyle and completely off the grid?

I know I couldn't. My favorite 30 days episode has two people go off to live in an almost 100 percent green community for 30 days. Growing their own food, recycling their human waste, solar power for electricity..etc. Though I know I could never live 100 percent off the grid and green, I would really like to adapt a lot of the green lifestyle to do my part for the environment.

The City of Seattle has set up an entire page filled with tips of how you can live green at home, in your yard, on the move & when you shop. Visit the site at http://www.seattle.gov/environment/cag/index.html

Watch This 30 Days Episode and see how the people of the Dancing Rabbit ecovillage in Missouri live?

Huge 6 Bedroom House in West Seattle

5203 45 Ave SW Seattle 98136
List Price 749,650
Listing# 27170788
Beds 6 / Baths 2.5 / Fireplaces 2
Year Built 1968
Covd Prkg. 2 Garage-Attached
Appx. SQFT 4800
Acreage 0.145
Lot Size 6300
*listed by Rich Bianchi

Huge 6 BEDROOMS and 4800 sq. ft. including garage. Great views of the sound, Olympics and territory. Slate entry, separate dining room, family room with fireplace off kitchen and 3/4 bath in large master suite. Finished basement with view, 3 bedrooms and rec room. Large double garage. Deck that's great for sunset view and BBQ's. Patio area and nicely landscaped yard.


If you would like to view this condo you can contact your agent, Me or Rich

Walk Or Take The Seattle Streetcar

Seattle was recently named the 6th most walkable city out of the major US cities

"Cities were ranked by their walkable urban places divided by population. Seattle scored high, even though it's the largest city in the rankings without a meaningful rail transit system." (PSBusinessJournal)

We might not have a rail system but we do have a Streetcar. The Seattle Streetcar opens on Dec 12th and will be Free. The Streetcar will run from Downtown to the Eastern Side of Lake Union. (PSBusinessJournal)

Hillary For President Rally Today at the SpitFire Grill

Rally in Seattle with Hillary for President Senior Advisor Ann Lewis

When

Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Where

Spitfire
2219 4th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98121
General Area: Belltown

Description

Meet Ann Lewis, former White House Communications Director and Senior Advisor to Hillary Clinton for President, join Hillary’s Women’s Council, connect with other Hillary supporters and learn how you can get involved!

My second bad experience at Capitol Club

I don't understand how a bar can be to busy to open a tab for me and wont do
separate checks. I hate the Capitol Club

Ticket Giveaway - 2 Tickets to see From First To Last This Sunday

I have two tickets to see From First To Last to give away for the show this Sunday
Sunday, December 2 2007 • ALL AGES BAR W/ID
Infinite Productions Presents
From First To Last
Vanna
Four Year Strong
Pierce The Veil

If your interested just shoot me an email to alexgarcia@gmail.com
I will pick a winner by Saturday night

Thanksgiving Weekend Round Up (Scenes from around Seattle)

Holiday Parade
People lined up for the Holiday Parade

Husky Marching Band


(from Flickr user jiff89

(from Flickr user jiff89)

Black Friday
JC Penny's the day after Black Friday (Southcenter Mall)
Taken via Camera Phone

Alderwood Mall

Black Friday Line At Circuit City Bellevue


Macy's Tree Lighting & Fireworks


Holiday Nutcrackers
The Holiday Nutcrackers are out in full effect around Seattle


(Nutcracker Pictures from Flickr user kenbearbc)

Seattle Ranks 3rd in Online Holiday Shopping

According to a survey by Zogby Interactive
Seattle came in 3rd for online holiday shopping (Puget Sound Business Journal)

The Top Online Shopping Cities

Ranking	City	Percent Shopping Online
1	Philadelphia	79.3
2	Boston	78.6
3	Orlando	78.0
3	Seattle	78.0
5	Denver	77.6
6	Atlanta	76.9
7	Washington DC	75.7
8	Houston	75.4
9	San Francisco	75.1
10	Detroit	75.0

Who’s Spending Less this Year?

Ranking	City	Percent spending less on holiday shopping
1	Orlando	48.2
2	Washington DC	42.5
3	Miami	41.8
4	Detroit	40.3
5	San Francisco	37.6
6	LA	37.5
7	NYC	37.2
8	Boston	36.8
9	Tampa	36.6
10	Denver	35.1
11	Sacramento	34.7
12	Seattle	34.1

Graphs from Zogby

Washington State 4th Best Place To Start A Business

According to CNN Money, Washington is the 4th best place to start a business due to our "Low taxes and low electricity costs..."

Top 3 include
1. South Dakota
2. Nevada
3. Wyoming

I had no idea electricity costs played such a huge impact on start ups.

Movie to watch this weekend: "Southland Tales"

Southland Tales received a 4.4/10 on Rotten Tomatoes and only a 6.7/10on IMDB. Even with all those negative reviews, I still had to go see the movie. Two and half hours later I returned from the end of the world, a bit confused but satisfied. Richard Kelly (the director best known for the cult classic "Donnie Darko") is a genius who I am certain envisioned this huge concept in his mind, but I am just not sure he succeeded in bringing it to film. Kind of like how Julie Taymor took on "Across the Universe", both had big ideas but lacked the experience to completely bring them on to the screen.

The movie paints a brilliant, twisted, dark, cynical yet believable vision of our future and shows us the apocalypse through the eyes of an ex-porn star and a washed up actor. If you like artsy/sci-fi movies about the Apocalypse, I highly recommend you see this movie.

2 Bedroom Home with a View in West Seattle

Click To View Video Of Home


List Price $424,950
Listing# 27200195
Beds 2 / Baths 1 / Fireplaces 1
Year Built 1941
Appx. SQFT 1490
Lot Size 5650

View!! This new remodeled home has a nice westerly sound view from both living rm & kitchen. Kitchen has new tile floors/granite countertops,the french doors lead to gorgeous new 2 tier deck that is over 400 sq. Ft! Spacious bdrms w/ cedar lined closets. Family rm/basement has good ceiling height, could be 3rd bd? Garage, just off kitchen has huge potential for family/game rm. Great floor plan, a must see. Beautiful backyard w/ ALLEY PARKING for 2 cars. Great privacy hedge in front yard.

If you would like to view this House you can contact your agent Me or Bunny

Some "ElectroPop" Shopping at Alderwood Mall

Electropop

Add to My Profile | More Videos

ROCKIN' SHOPPIN' EVE
Alderwood Mall is opening early for shopping. Thursday Nov 22nd at Midnight. There will be Starbucks, Contests, Giveaways, and a concert by Jupiter Rising (best known for the single Electropop)

Click Here for a list of the 80 stores that will be opening at midnight. The anchor stores like Nordstroms, Macys & JC Pennys will be opening between 4am and 6am

Green Lake Staff Seek Volunteers For "Pathway Of Lights" Event

Seattle Parks and Recreation will once again sponsor the Pathway of Lights, the ring of luminaria that light Green Lake for one magical evening each year.

This year's event will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 8.

Parks is seeking volunteers to help place and light the luminaria. Individuals, businesses, community organizations, and school groups are welcome to participate. Setup takes place from 3 to 5 p.m., and the lighting of the candles takes place at 5 p.m.

Parks is also seeking choirs and musicians who play quiet instruments to provide music along the pathway during the event.

And finally, Parks needs helpers to clean up after the event, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

For more information and to volunteer, please call Barb Drake at 206-684-0780, or e-mail her at barb.drake@seattle.gov.

This Weekend Holiday Events

Winter Worldfest at Seattle Center
Celebrate the season with the best of the Northwest’s ethnic entertainment at Winter Worldfest, Nov. 23 – 25. Winter Worldfest kicks off Seattle Center Winterfest, which offers dozens of FREE and low-cost performances and activities through Dec. 31. Festivities begin Nov. 23 with opening ceremonies and a tree lighting at 1 p.m., followed by three days of dance and music from Asia, Latin America, Europe and more. And search the world for gifts at the Holiday World Market in Center House, with goods from countries including Russia, Turkey and Tibet. Holiday World Market is open on Nov. 23, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., through Dec. 23. (Seattlecenter.com)

Macy's Tree Lighting Celebration & Holiday Parade
8:45 AM Downtown
The parade begins on 7th Avenue, heads west on Pine Street, turns south onto 5th Avenue to University Street, west to 4th Avenue, and north on 4th Avenue to Macy's doorstep.
Holiday Tree Lighting at 5 PM followed by Fireworks (Macy's)

Snow at Pacific Place
Holiday Music and Snowfall every evening at 6 pm, November 23 through December 24
Holiday Performances Schedule (link)

Nutcracker
Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker starts on Nov 23rd (link)

A Christmas Carol
Starts at the ACT Theater Nov 23rd (link)

Snowflake Lane
For those that want to travel to the Eastside there is always Snowflake Lane
Snow falls nightly, toy soldiers, carolers, music and lightshow
Premiers 7pm Nov 23rd at Bellevue Square (link)

I am not a Republican..but if I were I would vote for this Guy

Via the Stranger Slog

4 Bed 3 Bath Home in Madrona

421 31st Ave Seattle 98122
List Price $680,000
Listing# 27192521
Beds 4 / Baths 3 / Fireplaces 1
List Price 680,000
Year Built 1908
Appx. SQFT 1820
Lot Size 5000
(Listed by Rosemary Pham)

Price Reduced by $25k! This light filled beautifully renovated home offers comfort, privacy and convenience in the desireable Madrona neighborhood. Enjoy views of LK Wash from the front deck and outdoor entertaining on the back patio. Custom kitchen opens onto a formal dining rm and features stainless appliances, copper counter tops and lots of storage. 2nd flr has Master Suite w/walk-in closet, roomy guest bdrms and skylights. Well maintained yard is beautifully landscaped. More information at www.LakeWashingtonView.com

If you would like to view this condo you can contact Me or Rosemary

97 out of 100 - What's Your Walk Score?

I heard about this website http://www.walkscore.com via the Slog
I currently live at the intersection of First Hill/Capitol Hill/Downtown. A great place to live for walking. What's your Walking Score? Check it out here