It's that time of year again. Seems like, as I grow older, the time goes faster every 365 days. The year 2008 is upon us, and I am once again making New Year's resolutions.I am quitting smoking again. I quit from 1988 to 1992, and from 1997 to 2002. I have been starting and stopping ever since. Months off, then on again. Now is an on-again phase.
For a solid year now, people have been asking me who I'd like to see become president in 2009. For most of that time, I've offered the same unsatisfying response: t's far too early. A lot can happen between now and then. But as the fascination with the race among local political types I know has heightened leading up to the upcoming Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primaries, I have slowly begun to embrace a different response: Why do you care? Not that the question of who will try to clean up (or exacerbate) George W. Bush's, er, messes isn't important: On multiple fronts, it will influence nothing less than the future of humanity.
I felt it necessary to comment on the story re: the new Parks Superintendent which appeared in the last News ("New Parks Super sees opportunity for change; Tim Gallagher is happy to have his new job," Dec. 26).For a couple years now, many of us have fought to save Hangar 27 at Sandpoint Magnuson Park for the use of over 30 groups that have, for many years, rented it throughout the year. These groups include Rat City Roller Girls, NW Crafts Alliance, Cascade Bike Club, Lakeside Rummage Sale and many, many others. It's unfortunate that you chose to cast the takeover by Arena Sports in such a positive light. Arena Sports currently has discounted use of another hangar at Magnuson Park, but for some reason has decided to go after 27.
I felt it necessary to comment on the story re: the new Parks Superintendent which appeared in the last News ("New Parks Super sees opportunity for change; Tim Gallagher is happy to have his new job," Dec. 26).It's unfortunate that you chose to cast the takeover by Arena Sports in such a positive light. Arena Sports currently has discounted use of another hangar at Magnuson Park, but for some reason has decided to go after 27.
Once again we start a new year, a leap year in fact, and we're supposed to set some goals for it. Before you simply toss off a couple of easy ones - not that you would do that, I'm sure - or you say the hell with it, let me give you a list to choose from. A multiple choice, as it were.
Back a week or so ago, in between the snow flurries and the rainstorms, we went through a few hours of daylight that were, comparatively, some-what dry and sunny. As I drove around, through the neighborhoods, I couldn't help but notice that more than a few young people were out wobbling down the street on their shiny new bicycles. I guess it's like that every year.
If you're trying to place the provenance of the hifalutin title I just borrowed, it's Percy Bysshe Shelley if you go all the way back. I didn't go all the way back myself; I borrowed it from Graham Greene, who used it ironically (but of course) in one of his best novels, "A Burnt-out Case." I share a fondness for Greene with the columnist to my left (in more ways than one), and I read that book when it came out during my freshman year in college.
It's that time of year again. Seems like, as I grow older, the time goes faster every 365. The year 2008 is upon us, and I am once again making New Year's Resolutions.I am quitting smoking again. I quit from 1988 to 1992, and from 1997 to 2002. I have been starting and stopping ever since. Months off, then on again. Now is an on-again phase. Alcohol, unless I drink to excess, either doesn't much affect me or actually makes life seem a little more filled with ease. Cigarettes, even as few as three a day, scratch my throat and pull at my chest when I am walking up hills.
PERMIT APPLICATIONS: 221 W. Republican St. (3007374) for a Land Use Application to allow a five-story structure with 33 apartment units, four live/work units and retail at grade. Parking for 16 vehicles will be located within the structure. Review includes demolition of six residential units (three structures) . . . Written comments accepted through Wednesday, Jan. 9.
Welcome to my 12th year of selecting an annual list of the year's most over-hyped and underreported stories. As usual, there's plenty to unravel: stories that should never have been stories, stories whose reporting largely missed the point, and stories barely told at all.
Blue Scholar's Geologic's sweatshirt might have said it best. The Supersonic green charades-inspired top read, "WE [RUN] SEATTLE," and on the final night of The Program, a recently concluded five-day hip-hop event at Neumos, no one would have questioned the statement. On the last night of Blue Scholars 2007 season, the duo of Geologic and Sabzi were surrounded by a mass of friends, family and followers both on stage and beneath. And for the conductors at the helm of city's powerful hip-hop movement, the night could not have been more picturesque.
DESIGN REVIEW: 1205 E. Pine St. (3005929) of a five-story structure containing 61 residential units and retail space and office space at ground level. Parking for 36 vehicles will be provided below-grade...The meeting will take place Jan. 9 at 8 p.m. at Seattle Central Community College, 1701 Broadway, in Room 3211.
During the month of January, Seattle Shakespeare Company will run "CHAMBER JULIUS CAESAR" and "SWANSONG" in rotating repertory at the Center House Theatre, Seattle Center. "Chamber Julius Caesar," a fresh, condensed look at Shakespeare's play, is on Thursday-Sunday, Jan. 3-27. "Swansong," a play about the friendship and rivalry of Will Shakespeare and Ben Jonson having its West Coast première, runs Sunday-Wednesday, Jan. 7-23. Tickets: 733-8222.
As we embarked on our annual November-December process of catching up with the myriad films missed in the course of the year and zeroing in on our notions of the best, Kathleen Murphy remarked that 2007 hadn't been a year for great films. No, I agreed, only one or two seemed worthy of deeming great (an adjective we take pretty seriously), but there had been a healthy crop of really good, smart, ambitious movies that lingered in the mind. And in its way, that was almost as gratifying, and maybe more reassuring, than half a dozen masterpieces.
The Seattle Public Library board of trustees hasselected artwork created by Seattle artists Mary Iversonand Monad Elohim to display in the renovated Madrona-Sally Goldmark Branch, 1134 33rd Ave. The board made its unanimous decision at its Nov. 28 meeting.