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

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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

Stars, Travis & Maximo Park

I saw 2 amazing shows this last weekend.
On Friday November 16th Matt and I saw Miracle Fortress and Stars.
Josh from Metroblogging Seattle did a great write up of the show (Link)
Stars did a great job but the flower throwing was a little weird


Stars - Take Me To The Riot

Saturday we saw Maximo Park and Travis at the Moore.
Travis was great as always but the real star was the opening act Maximo Park.
Not only did they sound amazing but they were energetic as hell. Hopefully next time through they will be headlining their own tour. *who ever said hi to me in the lobby shoot me an email*


Maximo Park



Travis

The Writers of the Daily Show on the "Writers Strike"

What do the writers of the Daily Show think of the ongoing writers' strike?...Watch the video and find out.

Last Capitol Hill Farmers' Market of the Year

Sunday November 18th is the LAST Capitol Hill Farmers' Market of the 2007 Season.
The Broadway Farmers Market
Sunday, 11 am - 3 pm
In the lot behind the Bank of America at Broadway & E. Thomas.

"Last chance to shop at the Broadway Sunday Farmers Market this year! Stock up on fall goods including squashes, potatoes, root veggies, as well as frozen meats, tinned salmon, fruit preserves, cheeses and more. " (Farmers Market)

Gay Bingo Update

Lifelong AIDS Alliance released a press release concerning the Glamazonia situation and the future of Gay Bingo. You can read about it here

In short LLAA could not come to an agreement with Thom (Glamazonia) over the LLAA harassment policy.

"Our harassment policy covers all Lifelong employees, volunteers, board members, donors, and contractors with aim to create "an atmosphere where there is respect for all human dignity." We had asked him to treat our staff and volunteers with dignity. Thom didn't feel that "GLAM" could adhere to the policy."

Which is a fair statement for an organization to look out for its employees especially if there has been complaints in the past. I guess well find out soon enough what next years gay bingo will be like:

Here is the 2008 Schedule
January 12, 2008 Viva Las Vegas Bingo: What happens at Bingo, stays at Bingo.
February 9, 2008 Rock Star Bingo: Gay Bingo will rock you.
March 8, 2008 Revenge of the Nerds Bingo: Get your geek on!
April 12, 2008 Pillow Talk Bingo: Come to bed with Gay Bingo.
May 10, 2008 Broadway Bingo: Give my regards to Gay Bingo!
June 14, 2008 Big Gay Prom Bingo: Where everyone’s a king or queen!

You can purchase tickets Here

According to the NAR - Seattle Real Estate to continue to Soar

There is a great article in the Seattle PI that talks a little about the national real estate scene and the local Seattle scene

From the Article
"Yun suggested Seattle will continue as one of the bright lights, which it's been this year. Median year-over-year home prices have risen every month save October, when they were down slightly.

But Seattle's strength may go beyond the usual reasons: a strong local economy and good job growth propelling housing demand.

Yun suggested that Seattle may be joining such cities as New York and San Francisco as "superstar cities" whose desirability attracts affluent newcomers who bring the buying power to continue pumping up housing prices."

Read The Article Here

Glamazonia leaving Gay Bingo

I am sad to learn via the Stranger Slog that the Lifelong AIDS Alliance has let Glamazonia go and she will not be returning next season to host Gay Bingo. There are even rumors that Drag Queens might be gone all together.

I really don't know what LLAA is thinking but am waiting eagerly to hear what they have to say about this. There aren't to many good Drag Queens in this city and I don't know who they could possibly get to replace Glamy but if the rumors are true that Drag Queens are gone all together from the Gay Bingo Events then I will most definitely be staying home.

One Bedroom First Hill Condo Close To Downtown

Click For Larger Images




Pictures of Building Lobby, Entertainment Room, Meeting Room & Fitness Center




412 11th Ave Seattle 98122 (unit 403) First Hill

List Price $295,000
Listing# 27139707
Beds 1 / Baths 1
Year Built 2002
Parking 1 Common Garage
Project Epic Condominiums
Appx. SQFT 712
(listed by JB Webster)

A bright and clean upper level one-bedroom unit with a nice balcony in a newer building recently converted to condos and loaded with special site features. Close to Freeway, Capitol Hill and Downtown

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

Newly Refinished 1 Bedroom Condo (Beacon Hill)

Click For Larger Image






2810 16th Ave S Seattle 98144 (Unit 204) Beacon Hill

List Price $259,950
Listing# 27187080
Beds 1 / Baths 1
Year Built 1930
Appx. SQFT 723
(listed by Rosemary Pham)

Great opportunity to own a newly refinished condo. One of the few classic brick buildings left in the heart of Beacon Hill! The interiors are impeccably retouched while maintaining all of their old world charm. Spacious and light filled, this corner unit has new appliances, refinished hardwoods, coved ceilings, original woodwork, and fun built-ins! Located across the street from future Light Rail, next to the Beacon Library and within minutes of downtown, I-5, I-90, 99. Stop by today!

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

Seattle/Tacoma - #1 Consumser of Coffee in the Nation

According to a new survey by HealthSaver
These are the most caffeinated cities when you take into consideration all caffeinated products

Most Caffeinated Cities:
1. Chicago
2. Tampa
3. Miami
4. Phoenix
5. Atlanta

Least Caffeinated Cities:
1. San Francisco/Oakland
2. Philadelphia
3. New York
4. Detroit
5. Baltimore

If you just look at coffee alone, the Seattle/Tacoma area tops as the number one coffee consumer in the nation, followed by Boston & Houston.

Most Coffee Consumption, Regular coffee & specialty coffee drinks:
1. Seattle/Tacoma
2. Boston
3. Houston
4. Chicago
5. Miami

From NeedCoffee & HealthSaver

Reminder:: Free Parking Downtown on Monday

SEATTLE-The Seattle Department of Transportation reminds motorists that Monday, November 12, is a legal parking holiday. As printed on the parking meters and pay stations, Veteran’s Day, November 11, is a holiday. The Seattle Municipal Code states that when the designated holiday, as in this case Veteran’s Day November 11, falls on a Sunday, then the following Monday is the parking holiday. The pay stations will be shut down on Monday and will not accept payment; however, the old parking meters cannot be shut down and will continue to accept coins.

Please note: Although parking is free, peak-hour transit parking restrictions will still be in effect.

The Seattle Department of Transportation builds, maintains and operates Seattle's $8 billion transportation infrastructure. To further Mayor Nickels’ goal to get Seattle moving, the department manages short- and long-term investments in streets, bridges, pavement and trees, that better connect the city with the region.

Northgate Mall Grand Opening This Weekend

If your free this weekend stop by the new Northgate Mall for the Grand Opening. The mall has added 100,000 sqft, two plazas and a ton of parking. The Grand Opening will include Christmas Concerts both Saturday/Sunday and hourly give aways.

My Thoughts On Election Results

Dan Savage pretty much sums it up for me.

"Locally, well, the results pretty much suck. I’m sorry to see that Bill Sherman lost to that GOP hack. And while I’m thrilled Della lost—who isn’t?—I’m bummed that Burgess won. And, like I told the douches from the Sierra Club, I didn’t care if they paved all those new roads with baby mice, I wanted 50 miles of light rail. But Roads & Transit went down. Eyeman’s idiotic initiative won, schools lost, Venus’ DUI cost her the election. I could go on." From The Slog

Here is a good quote from the CSMonitor
"Blame the multiplicity of viewpoints on Seattle's high levels of education, commitment to debate, and large numbers of engineers"

To many viewpoints, solutions, debating and we hate to compromise.

Some people voted against it because it included roads
Some people voted against it because it included light rail
Some people voted against it because it wasn't environmentally friendly enough

I thought prop 1 was a good compromise but apparently everyone disagreed. It will be interesting to see what happens in the future.

COUNCIL PASSES SEATTLE BICYCLE MASTER PLAN

Press Release:

SEATTLE – The Council, today, unanimously passed the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan in order to increase bicycling and improve bicyclists’ safety in the City. The Bicycle Master Plan was an 18-month collaboration between the City and a Citizen’s Advisory Board that included representatives from the Cascade Bicycle Club, the Bicycle Alliance of Washington, and many more. Councilmember Jan Drago, Chair of the Transportation Committee, said, “Bicycling has great benefits for personal, public, and global health. It is a form of transportation that the City must support and make safer and easier to do.”

The Bicycle Master Plan is a policy that plans to increase the number of bicyclists that bike to work daily from the current 6,000 to 18,000. The Bicycle Master Plan identified the locations and recommendations for a 450-mile bicycle system that includes bike lanes, shared land markings, bicycle boulevards, signed local street connections, and multi-use trails. The Plan also includes developing a bicycle education, enforcement and encouragement program and securing funding to implement the infrastructure improvements. All of this should help increase the safety of bicyclists and reduce the rate of bike crashes by one third between 2007 and 2017.

Bridging the Gap, a voter-approved levy passed in November 2006, provides $10 million a year to implement recommendations in the Bicycle Master Plan over the next nine years. Councilmember Drago said, “The generosity of Seattle voters will help us realize the goal of a City where bicycling is an accessible and safe form of transportation.”

Dine Around Seattle - 30 for $30 is back

The popular 25 for $25 is back as 30 for $30(blame it on inflation).
Nov 1st thru Nov 29th
30 Restaurants 3 Course Meals for $30
The list of restaurants can be found here

Washington State Ranked 12th For Overall Health

According to the United Health Foundation Washington State Ranks 12th over all for Health. We also earned the title of the "Most Improved State" Download the entire Report Here

"In Washington, strengths include a low prevalence of smoking, a low percentage of children in poverty, a low infant mortality rate and a low rate of preventable hospitalizations. The state dramatically decreased childhood poverty rates, moving from 21st to fourth since last year, according to the report, and also improved childhood immunization rates, moving from 42nd to 37th. The percentage of Washington residents with health insurance also increased, moving the state from 23rd to 14th." (SeattlePI)

So apparently we are both Healthy and eat alot of Candy

Seattle Refugee Stories: Two free documentary film screenings on Capitol Hill

Showing at the Capitol Hill Public Library
Capitol Hill Branch -- 425 Harvard Avenue E, Seattle, WA 98102

Sentenced Home
Thursday Nov. 1, 6 p.m.
After settling in Seattle in the 80's, three Cambodian refugees were drawn to
gang life and ultimately ended up in jail. Years later, facing deportation back
to Cambodia, they find themselves caught between a tragic past and an uncertain
future by a system that doesn't offer any second chances.

Many Uch will be on hand to answer questions about the film and his experience.

A Great Wonder
Thursday Nov. 8, 6 p.m.
This film traces the extraordinary journey of three Sudanese youth, "Lost Boys"
of Sudan, who fled war and lived in refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya. Having
navigated the hazards of warfare, disease and starvation, their arrival and
resettlement in Seattle is a fascinating immigration story.

Cast member Moses Lual and co-producer Leigh Kimball will be on hand to discuss
the film and where the Sudanese youth are today.

Refreshments provided * Limited free parking available in underground garage

Protect Yourself and Vote Yes on R-67

From Approve67

About R-67
"Referendum 67 would help to ensure that the insurance industry honor their commitments to treat all policyholders honestly by making it against the law to unreasonably delay or deny legitimate claims.

Referendum 67 covers claims related to homeowner’s insurance, auto insurance, long-term care insurance, property insurance and small business insurance."

Endorsed by over 100 Organizations including Gov. Chris Gregoire & Commissioner Mike Kreidler
View Complete List

Newspapers
Kitsap Sun: “Similar laws have been enacted in 45 other states; we recommend that voters enable Washington to join them.”
Read the endorsement.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: “The more we learn about it, the more we favor a yes vote on R-67. If insurance companies behave fairly, and pay out deserving claims, they need not fret over getting dragged to court.”
Read the endorsement.

The Daily World: “Endorsed by State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kriedler and a bipartisan cross-section of groups that stand for fair play for consumers, Ref. 67 would create an incentive for insurance companies to treat you fairly.”
Read the endorsement.

The Olympian: “Consumers deserve more accountability, more protection and a quicker response to their legitimate claim for damages. They can achieve all three by supporting Ref. 67 on Nov. 6.”
Read the endorsement.

The Stranger: “You should vote Yes to prevent insurance companies from gaming the system by unreasonably denying claims.”
Read the endorsement.