Much has been written, a lot of it contradictory nonsense, about the reasons gas prices have gone through the roof. In the last three months in Seattle, the cost of gas at the pump has gone up nearly a dollar; since the most oil-drenched crew in modern history entered the White House in 2001, the cost of gas has tripled. (Huh.
It's that time of year again. By the hundreds at a time, civilians from all over converge on Capitol Hill and voluntarily spend hours in darkened rooms, all during (what's supposed to be) the start of the warm-and-sunny season.But that's just the ordinary weirdness surrounding the Seattle International Film Festival.
The following are selected reports from the Seattle Police Department's North Precinct. They represent the officers' accounts of the events described. SIGN THEFTSomeone stole the "Welcome to Wedgwood" sign from 25th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 70th Street between 6 p.m. May 16 and 10 a.m. May 17. The incident wasn't reported until May 30.According to the caller, the sign was pried from its two posts. The posts are still in the ground, though one is broken.The sign is carved with white lettering and green trees.
In college, I broke up with my first serious boyfriend; we'll call him Steve Jr., because he set a moth on fire. OK, so reality was a lot more complicated, but the moth's untimely demise was the final straw on my camel's back.Four months later, loneliness, fear of never meeting anyone half so good and rose-tinted memories overwhelmed my militant pacifist outrage. I swallowed my pride and good judgment and suggested we get back together. He answered, "No." I recall his reason as "Once something is over, it's over, and there is no going back," although not in his exact words.For years, I mentally railed against him. Eventually, though, I found I'd adopted his stance. For in all my imagined reenactments, I've never convincingly countered Junior's argument. He had a point.
Much has been written - a lot of it contradictory nonsense - about the reasons why gas prices have gone through the roof. In the last three months in Seattle, the cost of gas at the pump has gone up nearly a dollar; since the most oil-drenched crew in modern history entered the White House in 2001, the cost of gas has tripled. And the funny thing is, it costs no more today to extract a barrel of crude oil than it did in 2001 - about $20 a barrel. Nor is there a shortage. America has plenty of reserves at the moment. Yet, the price of a barrel of crude in the futures market is now topping $135 a barrel - all of it speculative and all of it pure profit for big oil.That said, the cost of gas is only going to go up, not down, in the future; what we're witnessing is speculation based in part on the knowledge that gas is going to get more difficult to come by - for reasons both political and geologic - in years to come.And what we're witnessing already in the Seattle area is drivers modifying their behavior as a result of the escalating prices.
The following is the menu for Seattle Public Schools' elementary students. All breakfasts include toast, fruit, juice and milk. Lunches include vegetables, fruit and milk. The menu is subject to change. MONDAY, JUNE 9Breakfast: Hot or cold cereal.Lunch: Turkey corndog or Italian Hot Pocket.TUESDAY, JUNE 10Breakfast: French toast sticks with or without maple syrup.Lunch: Breaded-chicken burger on multigrain bun or Cheese-pizza Munchable.WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11Breakfast: Egg-and-turkey sausage Tac-go with or without salsa.Lunch: Beef teriyaki dippers or Cheese-pizza Munchable.THURSDAY, JUNE 12Breakfast: Pancake on a stick.Lunch: Soft taco with or without seasoned beef, beans and cheddar cheese, or Cheese-pizza Munchable.FRIDAY, JUNE 13Breakfast: Lightly iced cinnamon roll.Lunch: Hamburger on multigrain bun or Fish nuggets.
Red, white and blue may be the school colors at Nathan Hale High School, but senior Christopher Barnes is going green.For his senior project, Barnes explored the possibility of getting solar panels installed as part of Nathan Hale's upcoming major renovations. Nothing is official yet, but Barnes continues to work with professionals across the board to make it happen.
CRITICAL CROSSINGS: Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata is taking nominations of intersections and crosswalks changes and improvements for his "Critical Crossings" effort.Seven North End intersections have already been submitted as "Critical Crossings": North 125th Street and Densmore Avenue North;Holman Road North, North 105th Street and Greenwood Avenue North; Northeast 50th Street and Ninth Avenue Northeast; Northeast 125th and 25th Avenue Northeast; Northeast 75th Street and 35th Avenue Northeast; Sand Point Way Northeast and Northeast 52nd Street; and Sand Point Way and Northeast 103rd Street.To submit new entries for "Critical Crossings" go on-line to www.cityofseattle.net/council/Licata/crossings.htm.
■ Ryan McCloud (left) and Willie Johnston weatherproof a piece of lumber for installation at the Green Lake home of Amada Fletcher, 94. Sound Seismic and Jackson Remodeling supplied 14 volunteers on May 17 to build a wheelchair-access ramp for the Master Builders Care Foundation's annual Rampathon event, which constructs ramps for low-income, disabled homeowners. photo/Bradley Enghaus
I've upset, angered and generally pissed off a lot of people over the years with stories I've written for this and other Pacific Publishing community newspapers. It goes with the territory.But judging from an e-mail I got at work on Memorial Day, I've apparently gone too far.
Seeing so many movies at the country's largest film festival might make you consider making one of your own.This weekend, SIFF offers a set of forums where you can learn about what it takes, as part of the Northwest Production Summit. Friday offers two panels on raising money and being an independent producer. Saturday afternoon opens the door to a "Pitch Slam" to producers seeking film ideas. The realities are sobering, however. Of the more than 400 films in this year's festival, around 70 percent had no
"Namaste Man" delivers an exotic but uneven travelogue to anyone with a yen for adventure. In Nepal, "Namaste" (Nah-mah-stay) can mean either "hello" or "goodbye." Ironically, in the world premiere of his solo show, Andrew Weems has trouble with both. Deftly directed by Bartlett Sher, writer and star Weems possesses wonderful timing and an energetic style. He cheerfully bounces between modern New York City and
"Namaste Man" delivers an exotic but uneven travelogue to anyone with a yen for adventure. In Nepal, "Namaste" (Nah-mah-stay) can mean either "hello" or "goodbye." Ironically, in the world premiere of his solo show, Andrew Weems has trouble with both. Deftly directed by Bartlett Sher, writer and star Weems possesses wonderful timing and an energetic style. He cheerfully bounces between modern New York City and 1970's Nepal, channeling "Namaste Man" through titled segments, including
Spokane comedian's latest spans life's many facets Nowadays, who takes God seriously enough to put faith to the test - leaving aside benighted folks who use religion as a bludgeon to smash others to smithereens?Julia Sweeney does. Born in Spokane, a graduate of the University of Washington, the Spalding Gray-class monologist who wowed us with "God Said, 'Ha!'" shares her passionate quest for a spiritual home in "Letting Go of God," screening this week in the Seattle International Film Festival
Spokane comedian's latest spans life's many facetsNowadays, who takes God seriously enough to put faith to the test - leaving aside benighted folks who use religion as a bludgeon to smash others to smithereens?Julia Sweeney does. Born in Spokane, a graduate of the University of Washington, the Spalding Gray-class monologist who wowed us with "God Said, 'Ha!'" shares her passionate quest for a spiritual home in "Letting Go of God," screening this week in the Seattle International Film Festival