Despite Layoffs Seattle Still 3rd Most Popular City

According to MSN Seattle is still the 3rd most popular city to start over (link)

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The Future Of Green Collar Jobs Is In Seattle

Mayor highlights McKinstry expansion; 500 new jobs expected
Green jobs in a new 120,000 square foot facility

SEATTLE – Mayor Greg Nickels today presented McKinstry Company with a permit and approved plans for an expansion of its Georgetown facility in south Seattle. The company expects to hire an additional 500 people, a combination of professional and union craftsman, in the next two to three years. McKinstry is a construction and engineering firm, specializing in energy efficiency.

“One of our goals is to create new green collar jobs for those working to make our homes, offices and industry more energy efficient. McKinstry’s expansion illustrates there are many opportunities ahead in the new economy,” said Nickels. “This is just one example of ways Seattle supports local businesses and encourages family-wage jobs across all industries.”

With the permit issued today, McKinstry will develop 120,000 square feet of its property into additional office and manufacturing logistics space, as well as parking. The company’s future expansion plans include developing an additional 20,000 square feet for training center and offices to the south, and redeveloping the current parking area of 50,000 square feet into additional logistics support space.

“We are excited to be creating jobs in Seattle to support our national expansion in energy efficiency as we move toward a green economy,” said Dean Allen, chief executive officer for McKinstry. “Mayor Nickels’ leadership in energy and sustainability combined with
McKinstry’s commitment to the same values makes for a great partnership.”

Industrial businesses make up almost one fifth (18 percent) of Seattle’s total job base and are critical in maintaining a balanced local and regional economy.

The mayor launched his Industrial Jobs Initiative in August 2007 to continue his support for Seattle’s industrial and manufacturing businesses. At the heart of the mayor’s initiative were new land use recommendations with the goal to maintain existing businesses and jobs while encouraging new industries.

The initiative resulted in industrial zoning changes that protected family wage industrial sector jobs by placing new limits on non-industrial uses in our industrial centers. The McKinstry expansion is an example of a business adding office space and more manufacturing space to its headquarters, showing that industrial businesses can stay and grow in Seattle.

The city is committed to quickly reviewing and approving permits to support Seattle’s jobs, including the family wage jobs of our industrial and manufacturing businesses. The Mayor’s Industrial Permit Liaison works with these critical members of our community on a regular basis to facilitate the permit process.

Overall, Seattle’s industrial sector generates approximately 82,000 direct jobs, which does not include those in related fields supporting industry. On average, industrial jobs in Seattle pay $55,500 annually.

In January, McKinstry became one of 16 service companies to receive a United States Department of Energy Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) that could result in up to $80 billion in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation projects at federally owned buildings and facilities.

The IDIQ Award comes on the heels of McKinstry’s moment in the national spotlight last year, precipitated by comments from then-presidential candidate Barack Obama, who cited the company as a “model for the nation” for its leadership in energy efficiency.

In 2008, Nickels pledged that Seattle would become America’s “Green Building Capital” by improving energy efficiency in commercial and residential sectors by a minimum of 20 percent.

He formed the Green Building Task Force, a 50-member task force that will advise the city on how to achieve this goal, which will save Seattle residents and businesses money on their energy bills and create new jobs in the green economy. Recommendations from the task force process will be finalized next month.

Get the Nickels Newsletter and the mayor’s inside view on transportation, public safety, economic opportunity and healthy communities at mayor.seattle.gov

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Seattle's Economy Makes National News

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

These are sad times

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Matt and Kim This Thursday At Chop Suey

If your looking to have fun on Thursday go check out Matt and Kim, they are always a great time. Chopsuey Thursday 29th


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Street Bike Parking Coming To Seattle

New bike parking a first for Seattle

SEATTLE – Working to support the city’s growing number of bicyclists, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will create on-street bicycle parking in neighborhoods around Seattle. With a goal of having one to two per neighborhood, the department will install these unique bike facilities at three locations starting next week.

Taking the place of one to two motor vehicle parking spaces, on-street bike parking will be filled with bicycle racks and surrounded by a raised curb. Bicyclists can enter the parking area from the sidewalk and each car-sized space will accommodate up to eight bikes.

This new program addresses the expanding need for bicycle parking and is part of the ongoing implementation of the Bicycle Master Plan, which seeks to triple the number of people bicycling in Seattle over ten years.

By mid February the new bike facilities will be installed:

• Mid block of Broadway E between E Harrison Street and E Republican Street (by Broadway Market)/li>
• At the corner of 12th Avenue and E Spring Street (by Stumptown Coffee Roasters and Café Presse)
• At the corner of Woodlawn Avenue NE and NE 70th Street (by the Greenlake Condominium)

SDOT is planning additional on-street bicycle parking locations for 2009. For more information or to request bicycle parking in a neighborhood, please contact the Seattle Department of Transportation at (206) 684-7583 or bikeracks@seattle.gov. Get Blog Updates By Email
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David Letterman's Farewell to George Bush

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Season 3 Of Skins Is Here

I just watched Season 3 Episode 1 of Skins and it was pretty good. It wasn't amazing but if I remember correctly Season 1 took a few episodes to develop the characters. Season 2 left off with a major cliff hanger and for Season 3 they decided to go with a whole new storyline and cast. Check out the sneak peak video of the rest of the upcoming season.



Great use of Asobi Seksu

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Another Year At Sundance: 6 Movies To Watch Out For This Summer

It was 5 days filled with 11 Sundance Films, some snow & rain, bad food, minivans, magic taxis, my partners in crime Bruce Russo & Ryan Pfluger and made up stories about making out with celebrities in the bathroom. It's Sunday and I'm left in awe of what an amazing time I had at Sundance. The only thing missing was Matt who couldn't make it this year due to his MBA program.

Six Sundance Movies To Watch Out For

500 Days of Summer

Movie will be a huge hit this summer, both Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are cute and loveable and the movie had a great soundtrack. I can't keep the song "Sweet Disposition" by Temper Trap out of my head (partly Ryan's fault for playing it over and over again on his laptop). It's the kind of movie that will drop this summer witha lot of buzz and only grow as people blog and talk about it on facebook. Everyone will talk about it and Joseph Gordon-Levitt will be propelled into that next level of mainstream success and celebrity status.

Dare

Cute highschool coming of age movie. The thespian virgin, the James Dean character with confidence issues and the geek dealing with sexual identity issues.

The Vicious Kind

Mystery Team

This was a surpise hit at Sundance. There were so many people at the premiere that they added 2 additional screenings. During the movie is one of the funniest movies I have scene in a very long time. It's Napoleon Dynomite, Encyclopedia Brown mixed in with strippers, drugs, and lots of bad language. Well worth watching when it hits the big screen.

The Informers

A movie about Los Angeles 1983, Hollywood, wealth, drugs, sex and all kinds of over indulgence. This movie has one of the best opening sequences I have ever scene.

The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle

One of the most unique films I have ever seen, and the best part is that it was filmed here in Seattle with help from the Northwest Film Forum.

Look for these movies this summer.

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AIDS Action & Awareness Day

I am currently at the Sundance Film Festival but wanted to quickly remind everyone that AIDS Action & Awareness day is less than a month a way. Please join the facebook event page here.

Here is the info on the event.

Every two years, advocates from across Washington State gather in Olympia to educate state lawmakers about the need for HIV/AIDS prevention and care services in our state. 2009 will be a critical year for HIV/AIDS advocates - Washington State Legislature will be faced with a $6 billion budget deficit- the largest in state history.

This is the first year that organizations like Lifelong AIDS Alliance could actually be lose massive amounts of funding which means they will have to turn people away who really need help, support, health insurance etc.

So if you are free on 2/18/09, join us in Olympia

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Free Krispy Kreme Doughnut Inauguration Day

Here is the Press Release

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (NYSE: KKD) is honoring American's sense of pride and freedom of choice on Inauguration Day, by offering a free doughnut of choice to every customer on this historic day, Jan. 20. By doing so, participating Krispy Kreme stores nationwide are making an oath to tasty goodies -- just another reminder of how oh-so-sweet "free" can be.

"Krispy Kreme is taking the inaugural festivities nationwide," said Ron Rupocinski, executive chef for Krispy Kreme. "We're inviting our fans in cities across the country, including Washington, D.C., to commemorate this historic day with a favorite American treat."

The Inauguration Day promotional offer is good for one doughnut of choice per customer on Jan. 20. No purchase is necessary. To find a participating store near you, visit http://www.krispykreme.com/storelocator.html.

For updates on special promotions, exclusive offers and local events, join "Friends of Krispy Kreme" by visiting http://www.KrispyKreme.com.

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Open Casting Call For Survivor In Seattle

Here is your chance to get on Survivor. We need someone from Capitol Hill to represent.

What:	Survivor Auditions
Where:	Muckleshoot Casino 2402 Auburn Way South Auburn, WA 98002 (253) 939-7484
Date:	Saturday, January 17th, 2009
Time:	12pm-3pm

More information can be found here

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Pop Evil on KISW 99.9 Tonight.. Vote

My friends band, Pop Evil is up for a radio contest tonight on KISW 99.9.

The request line is 1800 783 ROCK.

It's a competition so if your a fan of Pop Evil or not call in and vote for them.
They battle ends at 9pm tonight, PST.


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King County To Give $30k For First Time Home Buyers In White Center

According to The White Center Blog, King County has released $36 million in housing grants and some organizations like Homestead Community Land Trust is giving away $30k to 8 first time home buyers in White Center. If your interested contact Sheldon

Contact: Sheldon Cooper, Executive Director, Homestead Community Land Trust, 206-263-1277 ext. 113


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Seattle #1 In Coffee and Chocolate Consumption

According to the 2nd Annual HealthSaver Caffeinated Cities Survey Seattle is the number one consumer of Chocolate and Coffee. Read The Study

I blame this on the fact that we have some amazing coffee & chocolate companies like Vita Coffee and Theo's Chocolates.

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Cupcake Royale coming to Capitol Hill in June

Artist Joey Veltkamp left me a message on my blog today letting me know that Cupcake Royale will be opening on up on Pike between 11th and 12th. This is amazing news for my cupcake cravings and bad for any future plans of weight loss.

Check out Joey's artwork

Update: Just got a message from Cupcake Royale owner Joey Hall

Hi Alex! ....time has come for Capitol Hill to get its cupcake on! We'll be opening a brand new café and bakery at 1111 Pike in June. We are super psyched to finally be on the hill! You can sign up on our website to get our email updates about opening day fun and cool cupcake events.

Sign up for the Cupcake Royale newsletter

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Tom Douglas talks the Palace Kitchen

Here is a random video I came across of Tom Douglas talking about his restaurant The Palace Kitchen.


For some reason I have never been to the Palace Kitchen but the video makes me want to visit

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Comcrash

Found this on the Stranger Slog

I really wish there was a better alternative.

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2 Songs For Your iPod - Blitzen Trapper & Bon Iver

Download Blitzen Trapper - Furr (via Subpop)

Download Bon Iver - Blood Bank off the upcoming ep (via rcrdlbl)

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What Capitol Hill Really Needs

Cupcakes Cupcakes Cupcakes

I always get a craving for cupcakes but aside from QFC I don't think there is a place to get cupcakes on the Pike/Pine corridor. Anyone know if Stumptown carries cupcakes? We need a cupcake royale or something along those lines. There is an idea for some Seattle entrepreneur.

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Seattle Viaduct Tunnel = Claustrophobic Mess

I never thought I would actually be unhappy about replacing the viaduct with a tunnel, but 2 lanes is just a disaster waiting to happen. Can you imagine being stuck in the tunnel for an hour during rush hour or during an accident? Two lanes doesn't give you much room to go around an accident or a stalled bus.

I am not against doing an tunnel it was actually my preferred option but 4 billion seems like an aweful lot for a 2 lane disaster waiting to happen. If we are going to go with a tunnel might as well go all out and spend 8 billion and make sure we build something that will last ease traffic(or atleast not create it) and might even allow room for a future light rail option to run through the tunnel as well.

Just a thought



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The End Of The Seattle PI

I always feel so sorry when any local business goes under but at the same time I have a hard time feeling bad for an industry that has been staring into the face of death for many years and yet fought against change. It's almost like many newspapers were really just hoping that the internet was a trend, and if they just waited long enough it would pass and things would go back to normal.

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Seattle Presidential Inauguration Day Viewing Party

Where you can watch the Presidential Inauguration on Tuesday Jan 20th

Southlake Union's Discovery Center
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 08:30 AM - 11:00 AM
This year, January 20 promises to be a day that all of us will remember forever. On that historic day, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th United States President.

Come join us at the South Lake Union Discovery Center to celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event at our Presidential Inauguration Day Viewing Party. We’re hanging a massive screen in the Discovery Center to broadcast the inauguration live, and will have some breakfast refreshments for guests to enjoy.

We’ll open the doors from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (inauguration is set to start at 9:00 a.m.), so feel free to come by at any point during that time. It will be a great opportunity to share in the excitement with friends and enjoy the company of some new acquaintances.

We’d love to know if you’re dropping by, so drop us a line if you plan to come. Please contact Noelle Smithhart at NoelleSm@vulcan.com or (206) 342-5900 to RSVP. (via The Southlake)

Central Cinema 21st & Union

Join us for a Champagne toast and Brunch for the Inauguration of Mr. Barak Obama as President of the United States. Watch it happen live on our big screen and enjoy a lovely Brunch.

You have a couple of different options for Brunch. Coffee, a fresh Scone and admission is $10. We will also be serving a full Brunch of baked Egg Strata, Scone and Coffee for $19. (prices include tax and gratuity) Choose either Vegetable Strata with broccoli, mushrooms, red peppers and Jarlsberg or Sausage Strata with Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, spinach and cheese. An elegant dry French bubbly "Blanquette de Limoux" and Mimosas will be available during the event. (via CHS)

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Microsoft Might Actually Have A Winner With Windows 7

I actually can't wait to try all these things out.

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8 Reasons Why The Palm Pre Is Better Than The iPhone

I am still in awe over the Palm Pre coverage coming in from CES. Here is a great video I found by Stuff Magazine. 8 Reasons why the Palm Pre is better than the iPhone.

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Meg Explains "The Art of a Short Sale"

My friend Meg explains all about the short sale.

"Short Sale" are the buzz words in real estate right now. But what is it? A short sale is when the owner of a home is behind in payments and close to foreclosure. He wants to sell the home but owes more money on the home than the home is worth. Following is a real case study of a home that is on the market right now. (Read More)

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Video: Palm Pre CES Demo

I think I am in love


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Scrabulous Is Back As Lexulous

I am happy to see that Scrabulous is back only it's been renamed Lexulous. Who cares I just want to play some scrabble. You can find the game on Facebook under apps.

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New Music From Morrissey

New Morrissey single off the new album 'Years of Refusal' will be released on 16th February 2009. Listen to 'I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris' on Myspace

Moz is also headed out on tour but sadly no Seattle dates as of yet. Damn you Morrissey, why must you make me fly out east to catch you on tour...


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Opening This Weekend: The Wrestler

I have been waiting for this movie for months. The movie plays at Seven Gables starting this Friday.



Reception:

Rotten Tomatoes reported that 98% of critics gave the film positive write-ups based upon a sample of 108, with an average score of 8.2/10.^[15] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film has received an average score of 81, based on 27 reviews.^[16] Mickey Rourke, in particular, has received considerable critical acclaim for his performance in the film.^[17] Alonso Duralde, of MSNBC, said, "Rourke's work transcends mere stunt-casting; his performance is a howl of pain that seems to come from a very real place."^[18] The movie currently holds a ranking of 8.7 on IMDB and is #66 on that websites Top 250.^[19] Todd McCarthy, of Variety, said, "Rourke creates a galvanizing, humorous, deeply moving portrait that instantly takes its place among the great, iconic screen performances." (from Wikipedia)

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Sundance Film Festival Fast Approaches

The 2009 Sundance Film Festival is less than a month a way and my movies have been selected. I didn't get all my first choices but here is what I did get:

• Mystery Team
• Dare
• Immaculate Conception Of Little Dizzle
• Unmade Beds
• The Informers
• Adam
• Brief Interviews With Hideous Men
• Lymelife

Movies I am hoping to get into via standby include

• Shrink
• Five Minutes To Heaven

Anyone from Seattle going to Sundance this year?

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Have Lunch And Tour The Light Rail Project

Sound Transit is offering a guided tour of the light rail.

Ride the Lunch Bus

Sound Transit Link light rail would like to invite you to tour the entire initial segment construction. The tour is part of Link light rail’s on-going effort to mitigate construction impacts on local businesses. This is a guided bus tour that will take you to and along the current construction sites. At any time during the tour, please feel free to ask questions. The tour is then followed by lunch at a local eating establishment. You are responsible for buying your own lunch. 

You can RSVP by emailing Linkconstruction@soundtransit.org

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