I must confess: I have an addiction. It starts each year when I begin looking at home-decorating magazines in the middle of January and grows in intensity as the weather warms up. Yes, I admit it: I love garage sales. No, I should confess the whole truth: I love rummage sales, estate sales - in short, any sale that offers once-used treasures at a bargain price. But you see, finding that treasure is not really the problem: It is how to use that treasure in a new and creative way once I get it home.
Twins Audrey and Virginia VanVee, along with the rest of Girl Scout Troop 558, want to make a difference in their community. This weekend, they will be part of an annual event that encourages reading. On Saturday, April 22, the girls will host their third-annual book exchange at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., in Room 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. "It's a good way to promote reading and recycling," said Judith Wood, the twins' mother and Scout counselor.
A red door is all that distinguishes the otherwise simple, white building façade. The sizable "R" above the door is large enough for passers-by to notice, but it is merely the remnant of the previous business, Priceless Works. Since the Form Space Light gallery is hidden in the alleyway behind the PCC Market in Fremont, many probably don't know it exists. Endless possibilitiesOwner John Parkinson has moved into the space, which, despite its location, has proven by his predecessors to be ideal for a small, yet interesting art gallery. With a site full of potential, Parkinson, who opened his business in February, seems almost overwhelmed by the possibilities.
Perhaps you've seen them? Cars painted outrageously, covered in curious artifacts or simply rearranged into a shape no auto has been before. Art cars have limitless manifestations. The Sashimi Tabernacle Choir car visited here from Texas for last year's Seattle Art Car Blowout (SACBO). An engineering marvel, Sashimi features dozens of synchronized rubber Billy Bass and lobsters that "sing" the "Hallelujah" chorus and "Bohemian Rhapsody." M.S.B. is the name of Extremo the Clown's two-story vehicle, a sculpture made of resin that features gargoyles and a working fountain.The Red Stiletto, the Aero Car and the Radio Flyer draw stares wherever they go. The World's Largest Collection of the smallest replicas of the World's Largest Things travels in a converted school bus and gives visitors an education, as well as the shock and awe generated by most other art cars.
The Vietnam War ended in three decades ago, but for many children in the Southeast Asian country, the war continues.There is no gunfire to hide from, no soldiers to befriend or helicopters flying over. The new enemy is the mines and unexploded bombs left behind from years of combat. For these innocent children, the tools of war have taken their lives and limbs in a time of peace. Fortunately for them, Kids First, a nonprofit agency based out of Bainbridge Island, is dedicated to helping those in Vietnam's Quang Tri province not only survive, but flourish.
In the printing business, ink is as good as gold. Annual profits for Hewlett-Packard (HP), the leader in printer and ink sales, topped $8 billion in 2005. And according to analysts for Business Week, ink and toner supplies made up more that 50 percent of HP profits. James Kinskey, owner of Seattle Cartridge World, 400 N.E. 45th St., Suite 140, in Wallingford, is one of many who are waging a war against brand-name printer conglomerates."Get a cartridge, wrap it up in $15 and throw it in the trash because that's what's happening when you throw away an ink cartridge," Kinskey said.In fact, Kinskey pointed out that an ounce of ink found in brand-name cartridges like HP, Lexmark and Cannon, which typically sell for $34, is more expensive than an ounce of Chanel No. 5 perfume, which retails for $29."Can you imagine pouring Chanel No. 5 into your print cartridge?" Kinskey asked.He's even heard of stories where people will throw away their printers and buy new ones in an effort to save money on the high prices of ink. These stories are not surprising when an HP tri-color inkjet cartridge sold through the HP website retails for $29.99, while an HP color inkjet printer costs only $10 more.
With Pride just over two months away, time is starting to run out. Entries for the Gay Pride March Sunday, June 25, are limited to less than 200 and nearly 150 slots have already been taken. It is the earliest so many applications were received by the Gay Pride committee, and may mean the very first time in the 22-year history of the event that applications to participate in the march will have to be declined.This year the event, traditionally held in Capitol Hill's Broadway business district and in Volunteer Park, will take place in Downtown Seattle with the Gay Pride rally, with vendors, entertainment and educational opportunities taking place at Seattle Center."Right now we have twice as many response as last year to all forms of application," said Dale Kerschner, president of the board of directors and the Seattle Out and Proud marketing director. "It's kind of what we always thought, that there is a segment of the community that wanted to see us do something new."In fact, he said, the fear is that it is going to be too big,. The overwhelming response to this year's event is causing speculation that it may overwhelm facilities at Seattle Center.
It must be Spring, because there are more arts events on the Hill than soggy eggs left over from Sunday's Easter festivities.Hottest ticket in town, for those who like modern dance mixed with heavy metal, is "Buttrock Suites III" at Velocity. Previous outings of "Buttrock" mixed some serious choreography to the vintage music of Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne and Def Leppard. Diana Cardiff, Bob Gregory, Pam Gregory, Jana Hill, Left Field Dance Co., Alex Martin, Matt Mulkerin, Drew Smith, Crispin Spaeth and some other guilty conspirators have joined forces for "Buttrock Suites III," which ends its current run at Velocity this weekend. Since the idea began in 2003, the buzz around "Buttrock" has been growing. If you cannot drag your sweetie to the ballet, ask him if he'd rather hang around Velocity Dance Center instead.
There is a school of thought among those who run local journalism - as opposed to the bigger, sometimes better, sometimes not, national papers - that readers of local rags only want to read about their own neighborhoods and their own cities.I can't argue that point scientifically, not having commissioned a poll or anything, but I can say from a personal point of view that people who read this paper regularly seem quite interested in things national.Just the other day, while I was visiting a local tavern to down a semi-powerful libation with a friend from Olympia who stopped by to see the city sights from inside a bar, a youngish fella sort of sidled over. (By "youngish" I mean younger than moi.) He was wearing that "I think I know you look" that readers sometimes get. I assume their confusion is that in person I look a little like the Halloween picture gracing this space, and a little like Brad Pitt might look if he lives long enough. In other words, they think it might be me, but I seem sooo much more sauveish in person that they just aren't sure?After introductions, this fella got down to it. He liked the column, but he felt, despite my many disclaimers about voting once for the elderly Bush back in the day, that I must be a Republican hater.No, I assured him, it's Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Condi and their evil minions, like Tom DeLay, that stir the hairs on the back of my neck.
The news of a proposal to build a new, multi-use building on the site of the B&O; Espresso has come as a shock to many Capitol Hill residents. "Everybody seems upset," said Majed Lukatah, who has owned the B & O for 30 years.He explained that regulars as well as out-of-town customers have all come forward and expressed their concern for the future of a business close to their heart. B&O; Espresso, at 204 Belmont Avenue East, not only serves coffee, desserts and an diverse food menu, but also serves as an important cultural landmark and gathering place in the heart of Capitol Hill.
The Seattle Police Department often fields calls from community residents about sex offenders living in their neighborhoods. Sex and kidnapping offenders have always lived in our communities, but it wasn't until passage of the Community Protection Act of 1990 (which mandates sex and kidnapping offender registration) that law enforcement even knew where they were living. There are three classifications of sex offenders. Approximately 70 percent of all sex offenders are Level 1 - those at low risk to re-offend. Level 2 are those at moderate risk to re-offend, and Level 3 are those at high risk to re-offend. Washington state law requires community notification when level 2 and 3 sex offenders are released from custody into the community. These offenders must register their address with police and have release conditions they must follow. If they fail to register, or fail to follow their release conditions, they can be arrested. Currently, no community notification or registration is mandated for Level 1 offenders.
The Central District's Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center will kick off its third annual African American Film Festival this Saturday with the premiere of three locally made short films, a panel discussion with the filmmakers, and a reception.The festival will showcase 40 films by and about black people for nine straight days, closing on April 30 with a spotlight on Brazilian film.Langston Hughes' artistic director Jacqueline Moscou said the festival's selection committee chose films that gave a voice to African-American experiences that aren't often seen in the media."The arts can break down a stereotype of arbitrary violence. Other movies and media are showing stereotypes, but I want this festival to start a dialog, to be a breath of fresh air, and to show what our culture has to share," Moscou said.The committee selected films based on their "quality, content, and positivity," Moscou said. "We're giving the audience something smart. We do have films with violence, but they have a context for it."
Everyone loves Beacon Hill. We love our community and its incredible diversity. We love the views from our neighborhood, which is close to Seattle's urban core. But we're in danger of becoming a place people want to get through on their way to someplace else. We're an intersection of arterial roads, bordered by superhighways, with no real town center. In this difficulty may lay our opportunity. If we want people to spend their hard-earned money in our community, we have to get them out of their cars. If we want to see more successful merchants up here on the hill, then experience around the world has shown that pedestrian oriented development is the key. Beacon Hill, long neglected, now has a chance to influence the direction of development at the center of our neighborhood. We can build the open space the community needs, surround it with retail opportunities and create an active town center for Beacon Hill, if we are willing to use one block of Lander Street for something other than auto traffic.
There is a school of thought among those who run local journalism - as opposed to the bigger, sometimes better, sometimes not, national papers - that readers of local rags only want to read about their own neighborhoods and their own cities.I can't argue that point scientifically, not having commissioned a poll or anything, but I can say from a personal point of view that people who read this paper regularly seem quite interested in things national.Just the other day, while I was visiting a local tavern to down a semi-powerful libation with a friend from Olympia who stopped by to see the city sights from inside a bar, a youngish fella sort of sidled over. (By "youngish" I mean younger than moi.) He was wearing that "I think I know you look" that readers sometimes get. I assume their confusion is that in person I look a little like the Halloween picture gracing this space, and a little like Brad Pitt might look if he lives long enough. In other words, they think it might be me, but I seem sooo much more sauve-ish in person that they just aren't sure.After introductions, this fella got down to it. He liked the column, but he felt, despite my many disclaimers about voting once for the elderly Bush back in the day, that I must be a Republican hater.No, I assured him, it's Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Condi and their evil minions, like Tom DeLay, that stir the hairs on the back of my neck.
Victor's a rather hip 60-something with his frayed salt-and-pepper hair cinched back in a pony tail and accentuated with a silver hoop earring. Hovering around 6feet tall, 6-feet-4 if he could stand erect, Victor displays his meticulously lettered placard proclaiming he's a homeless disabled vet seeking assistance. Having observed this intriguing fixture at the corner of Rainier and Dearborn for the past two years prompted me to get to know him and hear his life story. Raised in rural Washington and British Columbia, at the age of 13 Victor's parents split up, which resulted in his mom and siblings moving to Tucson, Ariz. The combination of the divorce, relocation and general teenage malaise led Victor to quit school and move out on his own. This independent and resourceful teenager then landed a job selling magazines. His charming personality proved successful in the sales world.