King Xxxxxxx

What is the “American character?” The recently opened production of John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” offers one view that reflects the mood of the 1930s.

Yet another show currently running across town suggests an opposite one, only two generations later.

The play version of the novel adheres tightly to this literary classic, as it was adapted by Steinbeck himself. The story of two drifters, George (Troy Fischnaller) and his “slow” partner Lennie (Charles Leggett), voices the vanquished hopes and frustrations commonly felt in the Great Depression.

When we first meet them, the pair are on the way to new work as hired hands on a Soledad, California ranch, having narrowly escaped a mob upstate that Lennie’s hulking missteps drew. The jobs offer the latest in a string of fresh starts, although George’s efforts to protect his disadvantaged friend will inevitably and tragically fail.

It’s George and Lennie’s partnership that makes them different from their fellow ranch hands, a peculiarity that all comment on. “What’s...

Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Specialized Programs Advisory Council will host the 6

Specialized Populations offers year-round programs and activities for people with disabilities, specifically designed and provided by staff trained to meet their needs. Activities include the Special Olympics, wheelchair basketball, weekend trips, after school programs, classes such as cooking, dance, and aerobics, and camping trips in the summer. 

The day’s events include:

• A yoga warmup from noon to 12:30 p.m. at the Nathan Hale High School track, 10750 30th Ave. NE
• Swimming from 1 to 2 p.m. at Meadowbrook Pool, 10515 35th Ave. NE
• Walking from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Nathan Hale High School track.  
• The Sounders, carnival games, face painting and other entertainment from 2:15-3:30 Nathan Hale High School track, 10750 30th Ave. NE
• Light refreshments provided by...

Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Specialized Programs Advisory Council will host the 6

Specialized Populations offers year-round programs and activities for people with disabilities, specifically designed and provided by staff trained to meet their needs. Activities include the Special Olympics, wheelchair basketball, weekend trips, after school programs, classes such as cooking, dance, and aerobics, and camping trips in the summer.

The day’s events include:

• A yoga warmup from noon to 12:30 p.m. at the Nathan Hale High School track, 10750 30th Ave. NE
• Swimming from 1 to 2 p.m. at Meadowbrook Pool, 10515 35th Ave. NE
• Walking from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Nathan Hale High School track.  
• The Sounders, carnival games, face painting and other entertainment from 2:15-3:30 Nathan Hale High School track, 10750 30th Ave. NE
• Light refreshments provided by the Specialized...

As I get out to more spring high-school practices and events I will be posting video interviews as often as I can.

I was out at Shorewood practice Monday and I talked to the Thunderbirds' talented trio of Kevin Moriarty, Blake Snell and Trevor Mitsui. If the weather holds, I'm heading out to watch Redmond play later this afternoon and I'll, hopefully, have some video to share on Wednesday.

On Friday, March 18th the Seattle Police Traffic Unit conducted enforcement around the city in accordance with their mission to promote traffic safety through the vigorous enforcement of city and state traffic laws.

In the 4700 block of SW Admiral Way, 12 speeding tickets were issued with a high of 45 mph in the 30 mph zone.  Additionally, tickets were issued for no proof of insurance and no front license plate. 

The Traffic Unit also worked the area from the 4200 to the 4700 block of 1st Avenue South.  Tickets were issued for 67 mph in a 35 zone, 69 mph in a 35 zone and a high of 70 mph in a 35 zone.

The West Seattle Bridge and Highway 99 were also patrolled. 

On the West Seattle Bridge, a 45 mph zone, 25 speeding tickets were issued for speeds over 65 mph.  Six tickets were issued for speeds over 70 mph, with a high of 84 mph in the 45 mph zone.

On Highway 99, a 50 mph zone, eight tickets were issued for speeds over 70 mph with a high of...

Today at approximately at 4:20 p.m., officers responded to the 9300 block of 51 Avenue S to a reported shooting. Upon arrival officers contacted the victim, a male 17-18 years old, who had a gunshot wound to his chest. He was treated on scene by Seattle Fire and subsequently transported to Harborview Medical Center with life threatening injuries.

According to witnesses the suspects were in a moving vehicle when they fired upon the victim. Two suspects, a male and female, were quickly apprehended by responding officers as they tried to flee the scene. Officers also recovered a handgun.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation.  More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Beginning in February, several street robberies have occurred in Ballard.  A Robbery detective was assigned the cases and developed information on a person of interest.  On February 25th, at approximately 10:40 PM, a man was confronted by the suspect who was armed with a handgun.  The suspect demanded the victim’s wallet, money and cellphone.  Just after the robbery, surveillance video at two ATM’s captured the suspect using the victim’s debit card in an attempt to get money.  The suspect images from the ATM matched the description of the robbery suspect.  Detectives were able to positively identify the suspect in the photos as their same person of interest. 

On March 8th, shortly after 4:00 PM, Robbery detectives observed the suspect and a companion in the Loyal Heights neighborhood.  The suspect was wearing some of the same clothing items he had on in the ATM photos.  Detectives took both men into custody and transported them to the Robbery office.  Detectives...

Last night, at a screening of "Red Riding Hood," the woman next to me fell asleep. I noticed when her breathing became loud, almost like a snore, and I turned to look and saw that her head was flopped over. Her friend nudged her and she woke up, but really, I would have let her sleep. There wasn't much to be awake for.

So far, it's been a terrible year at the box office: Revenues are down 20 percent from the same period last year, and attendance down 21 percent. Entertainment Weekly, a week or two

Ballard industrial businesses appealed a decision last week that would have allowed the city to complete the “Missing Link” of the Burke-Gilman Trail through Ballard, where bike riders must navigate poorly maintained roads with dangerous train tracks and heavy truck traffic north of the Ballard Fred Meyer. The businesses are challenging the city’s “determination of [environmental] non-significance”—essentially, a finding that completing the trail won’t harm the surrounding environment.

Seattle Bike

On March 6th at approximately 6:38 a.m. officers responded to a report of a man down and possibly deceased in a vacant lot on the northeast corner of East Republican Street and Federal Avenue East.  Officers arrived on scene and discovered a deceased 37-year-old male who had apparently sustained a head injury.  Homicide and CSI detectives were called to the scene to investigate further.  

The King County Medical Examiner responded to the scene and took custody of the body.  This remains an active and on-going homicide investigation.

Don’t even think about staying home and playing with the new iPad app, WSJ House of the Day, that you just downloaded for free from iTunes. I checked. The only Washington state homes you’ll find are in Mercer Island. Instead, get up-close-and-personal with Seattle properties by visiting one or two of the 119 condos and townhouses with open houses this weekend.

217 12th Ave E Unit B

Saturday and Sunday, 1-4PM

One of the modern design, NoJo Rowhomes, appeared on the listings last week and is hosting

We are updating the neighborhood plans in Rainier Beach and in Broadview/BitterLake/Haller Lake! It’s time to take a fresh look at those neighborhood plans. In the late 1990s, people worked together to create these plans, which are the communities’ plans to guide growth and change. Things have changed since 1999 when the plans were developed.

Is Broadview/Bitter Lake/Haller Lake or Rainier Beach your neighborhood? Then we want to hear from you. Come tell us what’s important to keep, what’s missing, and what needs attention. Together, let’s make these neighborhoods even better.

Be part of the conversation! There will be a series of community meetings to hear your suggestions on how to achieve your community’s vision. You will have the opportunity to help identify—and prioritize—goals and action steps for your neighborhood plan. The plan identifies actions that the community and the City should take to make your neighborhood a better place. You are the experts and your ideas will direct the work to update this important...

A bill by state Rep. Jamie Pederson (D-43) bill , which has more than 50 cosponsors, legalizes and regulates paid surrogacy—both adding protections to surrogates (such as giving the surrogate full control over all health care decisions during the pregnancy, mandating that she be over 21, and requiring that she have health insurance during the pregnancy, which can be paid for by the couple hiring the surrogate) and to the couple (such as establishing them as the legal parents prior to birth).

For

Enjoy the warm company of friends and neighbors with a stack of pancakes, eggs, and sizzling sausage at the annual Loyal Heights Pancake Breakfast from 8 to noon on Sunday, March 6 at the center, 2101 NW 77

This event is the community center’s major fundraiser. All proceeds are used to help families in need take part in programs and activities throughout the year. Come hungry for this all-you-can-eat event! 

Tickets:           $4 per person in advance (purchase at the community center)

                        $5 per person at the door

                        No charge for children 3 and younger

The center needs volunteers for the event, so interested people who are available to help either Saturday for setup or on Sunday,...

On February 22nd, at approximately 12:48 AM, East Precinct officers responded to a call of an armed robbery in the 500 Block of 23rd Avenue South.  Officers arrived and met with the victim.  She stated that she had been with both suspects earlier in the night.  As the suspects were dropping her off at a friend’s house, the victim asked one of the suspects for her cell phone back.  He refused to give it back.  The victim attempted to take the phone back, but the suspect slashed at her with a knife, cutting the sleeve of her jacket.  The other suspect then pointed a handgun at the victim and told her to get out of the car. The victim was able to call 911 from her friend’s phone.  Officers conducted an extensive area search but did not locate the suspect vehicle.  However, they did request that Communications broadcast a description of the suspect vehicle to officers in other precincts, as well as neighboring jurisdictions.  A short time later, Renton Police...

Video by Oran.

It’s sort of obvious that congestion is bad and makes people’s lives worse. But what actually causes congestion? I promise you it isn’t bad drivers. I’m going to try to explain a little bit of the economic theory that shows just how it makes people’s lives worse – known in economics speak as “reducing welfare” – and why charging people to drive makes society better off.

Too many drivers trying to access a roadway at the same time – in economic speak, excess demand for a good in fixed

Video by Oran.

It’s sort of obvious that congestion is bad and makes people’s lives worse. But what actually causes congestion? I promise you it isn’t bad drivers. I’m going to try to explain a little bit of the economic theory that shows just how it makes people’s lives worse – known in economics speak as “reducing welfare” – and why charging people to drive makes society better off.

Too many drivers trying to access a roadway at the same time – in economic speak, excess demand for a good in fixed

[UPDATE: As pointed out in the comments, riders who access Link by bus will generally not be "new to transit", but will not count among the 1.2m "lost" from buses. For reasons described before, I don't think this is a particularly big group. Nevertheless, we should add this to the 7/36/39/106 riders described below and consider 5.8m rides to be a ceiling on the new riders figure.]

Towards the end of this Erica Barnett takedown of the Washington Policy Center was this tidbit:

Metro

[UPDATE: As pointed out in the comments, riders who access Link by bus will generally not be "new to transit", but will not count among the 1.2m "lost" from buses. For reasons described before, I don't think this is a particularly big group. Nevertheless, we should add this to the 7/36/39/106 riders described below and consider 5.8m rides to be a ceiling on the new riders figure.]

Towards the end of this Erica Barnett takedown of the Washington Policy Center was this tidbit:

Metro

The Washington Achievement Award:

• Is awarded collaboratively with the State Board of Education (SBE) and based on the Washington Achievement Index.
• Celebrates schools for overall excellence and special recognition in: language arts, math, science, graduation rate, improvement and closing achievement

The missing 25-year-old male subject was found safe and sound in downtown Seattle today.  He had been reported missing since the first week of February.

Yesterday, the senate labor, commerce, and consumer protection committee passed legislation that would require city and county police and fire departments to pay benefits to the families of law-enforcement officers who suffer a heart attack or stroke within 24 hours of  “non-routine strenuous or stressful activity.”

Some cities oppose the legislation because the money for survivor benefits would come out of their pockets. The Association of Washington Cities and the Association of Washington

On February 12th, just before noon, a suspect entered a cell phone store in the 12500 Block of Lake City Way NE.  The suspect looked at various cell phones to purchase and then suddenly grabbed several and started to leave the store.  He was confronted by an employee, who he pushed and elbowed out of the way.  The suspect fled the area in a green sedan.  Detectives learned later that the same suspect had entered another cell phone store in the 8300 Block of 15th Avenue NW on February 11th.  On that occasion employees observed him attempting to cut the cable securing the phone to the display.  When employees confronted him, the suspect menaced them with large shears and told them to get out of his way.  The suspect was able to flee the store with the stolen cell phone.  Detectives developed information about the suspect and in the early morning hours of February 17th, the 17 year old suspect was arrested in Renton.  He was interviewed by Robbery detectives and later...

The Seattle Master Plan Briefing Book is a high level look at factors that interact with Seattle’s transit system. It assesses the state of transit in the city and lays out how the process will arrive at its recommendations. It includes the travel demand and transit market analysis information we previously wrote about.

The Introduction gives a good overview of the document and discusses the timeline for the remainder of the project. What I found interesting

The Seattle Master Plan Briefing Book is a high level look at factors that interact with Seattle’s transit system. It assesses the state of transit in the city and lays out how the process will arrive at its recommendations. It includes the travel demand and transit market analysis information we previously wrote about.

The Introduction gives a good overview of the document and discusses the timeline for the remainder of the project. What I found interesting

1. What makes a great waterfront?
2. What is unique about the Central Waterfront in comparison to Seattle’s other waterfronts?
3. The Central Waterfront needs to achieve many

1. What makes a great waterfront?
2. What is unique about the Central Waterfront in comparison to Seattle’s other waterfronts?
3. The Central Waterfront needs to achieve many

Seattle Department of Transportation crews plan to pave NW 100th Street from Mary Avenue NW to 14th Avenue NW on Thursday, February 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Traffic flaggers will assist drivers through the area.

For more information: (206) 684-ROAD (684-7623)

Media contact: Marybeth Turner, (206) 684-8548

This is a repost from a Washington State Patrol media release sent on February 4th:

In January 2011, the Washington State Patrol initiated the Roads and Rails Safety emphasis in partnership with local and rail industry law enforcement.  This year-long project is aimed at reducing commercial motor vehicle collisions and traffic violations in the Port of Seattle area.

It is a part of the commercial vehicle safety enforcement and education effort that will increase freight mobility and commercial motor vehicle safety throughout the state. Other areas of focus include railway crossing safety, ensuring the safe transportation and documentation of hazardous materials within intermodal containers, and checking both vehicles and drivers for appropriate documentation.

The State Patrol will lead the first joint enforcement emphasis, and will take place in the latter part of February in the Port of Seattle vicinity. Details and times to follow.

Law enforcement agencies involved in the partnership include the Washington...

Monday’s notice about Bellevue’s open house for the future NE 15/16th Street arterial in the Bel-Red corridor didn’t go unnoticed by Bellevue planners, who’ve asked me to clarify the design options on the table for the arterial.  I’ve been a bit mouthy about one of the options, a 177-foot wide cross-section along NE 16th where Link would run along the center of the arterial in what is referred to

Monday’s notice about Bellevue’s open house for the future NE 15/16th Street arterial in the Bel-Red corridor didn’t go unnoticed by Bellevue planners, who’ve asked me to clarify the design options on the table for the arterial.  I’ve been a bit mouthy about one of the options, a 177-foot wide cross-section along NE 16th where Link would run along the center of the arterial in what is referred to

This Saturday, January 29, the Chinatown-International District celebrates the 2011 Lunar New Year – the year of the Rabbit!  This celebration is the most important festivity in the Chinese Lunar Calendar and brings thousands of families together to participate in authentic cultural activities featuring calligraphy drawing, Chinese yo-yo and games and activities throughout the district.  Meanwhile, at noon,  more than a thousand people will make like polar bears and plunge into the cold water at Alki Beach – they’ll be “Freezin’for a Reason” – raising funds to benefit the Special Olympics of Washington.  Also on Saturday, the doors will swing wide open to the public at City Hall, where not only will there be tours behind the scenes, but also food, music and more. The Mayor will highlight his plans for an Engage Seattle initiative.  For more details about the events, please see the following schedule.

Saturday, January 29
Chinatown/ID Lunar New Year Celebration – Year of the Rabbit : 11...

Here is a look back at the high-school hoops action from Thursday night.

Skyline 55, Roosevelt 32

-- Kasen Williams scored a game-high 16 points and Lucas Shannon added 13 in the Spartans' win.

Arlington 56, Edmonds-Woodway 53

-- Arlington's Griffin Ginnis scored 17 and Eric Carlson added 13. Edmonds-Woodway's Zack Berg scored a game-high 25 points.

Jackson 74, Monroe 55

-- Brett Kingma, who is averaging 29.6 points, led all scorers with 20. Austin O'Keefe added 17 and Jason Todd finished with 15.

Kamiak

I have to admit that the toughest girls basketball conference for me to get a handle on this season has been WesCo 3A, and that's why none of the teams are currently in The Times' 3A state rankings (although Lynnwood was ranked earlier and could well be back soon).

I haven't seen one team separate itself. About the time I lean toward someone, they lose.

The Meadowdale Mavericks are making a case for themselves again. Thursday night's 70-63 victory over Shorewood pulled them into a first-place tie

Seattle City Light contractors identified five instances of contact voltage of at least 30 volts related to streetlights and associated equipment in its latest round of safety testing Tuesday and Wednesday night. In each case, City Light crews immediately cut off power and started repairs. No people or pets were injured in any of the incidents.

Inspection teams are close to completing testing on all metal streetlight poles and associated facilities. Completion will depend on weather conditions.

The final count of streetlights and associated groundcover facilities will exceed the original 30,000 estimate by about 10 percent.  A final count will be available once all testing of our service territory is finished.

The inspections are part of City Light’s ongoing safety testing efforts. City Light initiated testing after the death of a dog that stepped on an energized groundcover plate in Queen Anne in November and two other unrelated reports of energized metal streetlight equipment. Two contractors – Davey Resources...

Seattle City Light crews are working to repair a power outage in West Seattle.  Approximately 2,027 customers are being affected.  The cause is a car-pole accident.  The approximate boundaries are: Alki Point on the north, SW Findlay Street on the south, 29TH Avenue SW on the east, and 53rd Avenue SW on the west.  Not everyone within these boundaries may be without power.  An estimated time of restoration is approximately 6-8 hours.

They’re cracking down:

Beginning Jan. 15, parking guidelines will be emphasized for vehicles parked:

• Over 24 hours
• In emergency lanes, “no parking” and loading zones
• In ADA-designated spaces, where a vehicle is not marked by a state-issued disabled parking placard or license plate
• In more than one parking space
• In a manner blocking other vehicles and/or pedestrian pathways

Sound Transit will provide a one-week grace period for transit lot users. Between Jan. 15 and

They’re cracking down:

Beginning Jan. 15, parking guidelines will be emphasized for vehicles parked:

• Over 24 hours
• In emergency lanes, “no parking” and loading zones
• In ADA-designated spaces, where a vehicle is not marked by a state-issued disabled parking placard or license plate
• In more than one parking space
• In a manner blocking other vehicles and/or pedestrian pathways

Sound Transit will provide a one-week grace period for transit lot users. Between Jan. 15 and

Probably the most significant revision to B7 that Bellevue’s current study would be the addition of a new park-and-ride near the Bellevue Way on-ramps, which would substitute for bypassing the South Bellevue P&R.  The general principle of moving an existing commuter node to a freeway orientation just to avoid places where people live is pretty absurd, in my opinion.  Nonetheless, it’s obvious that this revision is simply attempting to make up for lost ridership

Probably the most significant revision to B7 that Bellevue’s current study would be the addition of a new park-and-ride near the Bellevue Way on-ramps, which would substitute for bypassing the South Bellevue P&R.  The general principle of moving an existing commuter node to a freeway orientation just to avoid places where people live is pretty absurd, in my opinion.  Nonetheless, it’s obvious that this revision is simply attempting to make up for lost ridership

The past year brought massive movement in the restaurant business. And I mean that literally, given the new-digsification of Flying Fish, Mamma Melina, Marjorie, Szechuan Bean Flower (recently re-opened in Issaquah), Sitka & Spruce, Tidbit and Tat's Delicatessen -- with more in store in the coming weeks (hello, Lunchbox Laboratory South Lake Union!).

In 2010 we witnessed the closure of a trio of Seattle originals (the original Red Robin on Eastlake, the original Alki Bakery in West Seattle and the

You may have gone on vacation, but STB didn’t. Highlights since just before Christmas:

• ST whittles down the choices for North Link.
• A detailed look at not sending buses up I-5.
• Ridershipnumbers.
• Metro reroutes thanks to viaduct work.
• Security on Metro buses.
• Oran brings his graphic design skillz to critique the new Link schedules.
• Seattle agrees on transit, but not on how much to accommodate cars.
• TOD in Redmond.
• How to take transit to go skiing.
• Adam gets ST to add Link service in only 29 minutes. And they

You may have gone on vacation, but STB didn’t. Highlights since just before Christmas:

• ST whittles down the choices for North Link.
• A detailed look at not sending buses up I-5.
• Ridershipnumbers.
• Metro reroutes thanks to viaduct work.
• Security on Metro buses.
• Oran brings his graphic design skillz to critique the new Link schedules.
• Seattle agrees on transit, but not on how much to accommodate cars.
• TOD in Redmond.
• How to take transit to go skiing.
• Adam gets ST to add Link service in only 29 minutes. And they

On December 31st at approximately 9:25 a.m. officers responded to a 911 complaint of a domestic disturbance in the 12000 block of 33rd Avenue NE.  Shortly after officers arrived on scene the female victim was able to run outside the residence to the safety of officers.  She was uninjured.   

Responding officers quickly set up containment and attempted to establish contact with the suspect, who refused to come outside.  Information indicated that the 38-year-old male suspect was alone inside the residence and was believed to be armed with a handgun. 

The SWAT team and negotiators responded to the scene.  Negotiators were successful in getting the suspect to surrender peacefully at approximately 3:30 p.m.  Officers did recover a handgun from the suspect.

The suspect was taken into custody without further incident and will be booked into the King County Jail.

On December 28th at approximately 5:50 p.m. a 63-year-old woman was walking home from a bus stop in the 1700 block of South Angeline Street.  An unknown adult male suspect came up from behind the victim, covered her mouth and proceeded to punch her repeatedly on the face.  He then threw her to the ground and sexually assaulted her.  The victim fought with the suspect who eventually fled with the victim’s purse containing the victim’s personal items and cash. 

Responding officers conducted an extensive area search however, the suspect remains at large. 

The victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of her non-life-threatening injuries. 

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 30′s to 40′s, 5’10” to 6’0”, brown complexion, medium build, clean shaven, wearing a beige or light colored jacket and a beige-colored hat.  (See the above sketch).

It is unknown if this attack is related to any of the other recent attacks.  While a connection is...