By now, it's been a few weeks since the jolly fat man in the red suit broke into all those homes that have, reportedly, good little girls and boys. It will be another 50-some weeks before he pays a return visit.Also, by getting through these past weeks, you survivors who are reading this will have made it successfully past the annual orgy of eating, football and parades that are Christmas celebrations and New Year's television programming."We're five days into the new year," my partner, the Lady Marjorie, called from the living room as I rummaged in the refrigerator. I was collecting the components of a truly Dagwood-sized sandwich."How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions?" she asked smugly.I looked at the sandwich and thought about my promise to start eating more sensibly."Well, I'm easing into it," I replied. "You wouldn't want me to push excess and then starve, would you?"
The Port of Seattle Commission has selected industry veteran Tay Yoshitani as the Port's new chief executive officer, replacing Mic Dinsmore, who has announced his resignation. Yoshitani (pictured below right) has led ports in Oakland and Baltimore and was deputy executive director of the Port of Los Angeles. Born in Japan, he is a West Point graduate with a master's degree in business administration from Harvard University
At the northern fringe of Queen Anne Hill, a full-court pass from the wintry dark of the ship canal, sits Seattle Pacific University's Royal Brougham Pavilion. Royal Brougham, home to SPU's men's and women's basketball teams, is our neighborhood's palais de sport, where the maroon-white-and-gold Falcons rarely lose a home game.
THEATERSeattle Children's Theatre (SCT) is hosting the world-première stage adaptation of "GOODNIGHT MOON," Margaret Wise Brown's long poem of goodnight wishes. Production features fanciful song, dance and puppetry. Chad Henry is adapter, composer and lyricist; Linda Hartzell directs. Recommended for age 4 and older. Through March 10, Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays-Sundays 2 & 5:30 p.m. 201 Thomas St. Tickets: $16-$32, 441-3322 or www.sct.orgSeattle Shakespeare Company has teleported "THE COMEDY OF ERRORS" to the 19th century, to run through Jan. 28. Stephanie Shine directs a cast including M.J. Sieber, Alexandra Taveres, Ray Gonzalez, George Mount, David Goldstein and Don Darryl Rivera. Seattle Center House. Tickets: $16-$32, 733-8222 or seattleshakespeare.org "Shakespeare's bloodiest drama, set against Ameri-ca's bloodiest backdrop" is how Balagan Theatre describes its production of "TITUS ANDRONICUS" opening Thursday, Jan. 18, to run through Feb. 3 at Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave. The bloody backdrop in question is the Old West. Thursday-Saturday 7:30 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. Tickets: $10 general adv/$15 dos, $9/$12 students and seniors, www.brownpapertickets.com or 1-800-838-3006.Seattle Children's Theatre's world-première production of "THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE," on through Jan. 27, follows the trials and tribulations of Charles, a youth with attitude who aims to become apprentice to the queen of an enchanted forest. This interpretation of the fable is by OyamO, with music by Carman Moore, choreography by Donald McKayle. Recommended for ages 6 and older. Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 & 5:30 p.m. Charlotte Martin Theatre, 201 Thomas St. Tickets: $16-$32, 441-3322 or www.sct.orgSeattle Repertory Theatre has staged Edward Albee's rarely produced play "THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE," to run through Feb. 10. Cast includes Hans Altwies, Myra Carter, Paul Morgan Stetler, Carla Harting and Charlie Matthes; David Esbjornson directs. Bagley Wright Theatre, Tuesday-Sunday, 2 p.m. matinee Saturday-Sunday. (No performance Thursday, Jan. 18.) Tickets: $10-$48, 443-2222, 1-877-900-9285 or www.seattlerep.orgScience, money and morality clash in Taproot Theatre's 2007 season-opener "THE GOD COMMITTEE," wherein seven colleagues in a hospital must decide which of four patients in dire need will get the single heart available for transplant. Scott Nolte directs Mark St. Germain's play. Opens Feb. 2 (previews Jan. 31 & Feb. 1), to run through March 3. 204 N. 85th St. Tickets: $25-$27 midweek performances and Saturday matinees, $29-$32 Friday and Saturday nights, 781-9707 or 292-ARTS. LIVE MUSICThe Pacific Jazz Institute at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley in Belltown is hosting CLARK TERRY QUINTET through Sunday, Jan. 21. Cost: $22.50-$24.50. 2033 Sixth Ave., 441-9729.At Tractor Tavern tonight, Jan. 17, 9 p.m. it's "Seattle's gayest country band" PURTY MOUTH plus THE MOONDOGGIES plus MISS MAMIE LAVONA. ($6). Local alt-country takes over Thursday, Jan. 18, 8 p.m. with MEMPHIS RADIO KINGS and CARRIE CLARK & THE LONESOME LOVERS and LAURIE KATHERINE CARLSSON ($6). THE AVETT BROS. and THE STARLINGS supply country folk and bluegrass Friday, Jan. 19, 9 p.m. ($12adv/$15dos). Loveless Records recording artist TOM BROSSEAU is on Saturday, Jan. 20, 9 p.m. ($10). Next Wednesday, Jan. 24, 9 p.m. catch JAKE MARSH TRIO and RIVERBEND ($6). 5140 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599.Smokin' Pete's BBQ presents Thursday Night Live: live blues, jazz & roots music every Thursday, 7-9 p.m. No cover and all ages. Jan. 18: GEOFF KRAUS BLUES. 1918 N.W. 65th St., Ballard.CONCERTSYURI BASHMET and the Moscow Soloists will make a stop at Benaroya Hall on Monday, Jan. 22, 7:30 p.m. to perform Beethoven's String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Schnittke's "Monologue" for Viola and Strings, Britten's "Lachrymae" ("Reflections on a Song of Dowland") and Mahler's arrangement of Schubert's String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, "Death and the Maiden." Tickets: $15-$64, 215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org Music of Remembrance will present "A VANISHED WORLD," Jan. 27, 2:30 p.m., a free concert of chamber music by composers Lori Laitman and David Schiff evoking Jewish life in pre-WWII Europe. MOR artistic director Mina Miller supplies commentary. Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave. Free parking. Details: 365-7770 or info@musicofremembrance.orgVISUAL ARTSFountainhead Gallery launches its 10th year with an exhibit featuring local artists LOU WALL and WILLIAM HEWSON, running through Jan. 28. Wall's 20 new acrylic paintings capture the pockets of nature one encounters in the Seattle area; Hewson, a Gallery artist for some time, will be represented by a broad range of landscapes, still lifes and figure paintings. Hours: Thursday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and by appointment. 625 W. McGraw St., 285-4467, fountainheadgallery.com CINEMASeattle Art Museum-in-exile-at-Museum of History and Industry is presenting "Some Like It Wilder: A Centennial Celebration of BILLY WILDER," Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. through March 15. The Jan. 18 offering is a black comedy of post-WWII Berlin, "A Foreign Affair" (1948), with Marlene Dietrich, Jean Arthur and John Lund. Series tickets: $58 SAM, MOHAI and SIFF members; $65 others. 654-3121. Individual tickets at the door ... maybe.OTHER STUFFUW World Dance Series presents SHEN WEI DANCE ARTS Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 18-20, 8 p.m. at Meany Hall on campus. The troupe will perform "Rite of Spring" and "Folding." Tickets: $42, 543-4880 or uwworldseries.orgHerald and KUOW film critic ROBERT HORTON dis-cusses "Masters of Sound in Cinema: Kurosawa and Bresson" Sunday, Jan. 21, 2 p.m. in Frye Museum's Magic Lantern lecture series. 704 Terry Ave. Free.On the Boards (OtB) presents 12 Minutes Max (12MM), Sunday-Monday, Jan. 21-22, 7 p.m. Curated by choreographer Paige Barnes and Mikhail Kaschock, dance artist and co-creator of the dance company the Test Pilots, the program of new and experimental work features Erin Mitchell (solo dance work that explores insomnia), Vanessa DeWolf (performing "a disturbing investigation of motherhood"), Karla M. Santos & The Dance Company (creating an installation), spoken-word artist Josh Reisberg, an animated short by Stefan Gruber, a dance film by dancer/ photographer Michael Rioux, an invasion by peeps by dancer/choreographer Jenna Veatch and Kris Wheeler & Vanessa DeWolf in a performance art experience incorporating dance, visual art elements and theater. 100 W. Roy St. Cost: $7 at the door (no reservations).Legendary comedian BILL COSBY will do two shows Jan. 27, 4 & 8 p.m., at Benaroya Hall. Tickets: $25-$70, 215-4747 or seattlesymphony.org<b
The Progressive Animal Welfare Society is seeking nominations of local youths who have shown outstanding compassion toward animals for its annual Youth Helping Animals Award. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 16.Last year's recipient, Catherine Hannan, was awarded for creating an organization called Sun Puppies to host a fundraising walk that raised $750 for animals in need. The money paid for a homeless puppy's life-saving surgery through Rescue Every Dog, a support group for rural animal shelters.Nominations may come from any community member touched by the youth or the youth's project. Nominees must be 18 years old or younger and live in the Greater Puget Sound area. For complete details, guidelines and requirements for nominating a youth and to download a nomination form, visit www.paws.org. or call 425-787-2500, ext. 258.
A new year has begun. Unfortunately, the New Year in America looks, in many ways, a lot like the old year.For example, according to U.S. News and World Report, the vaunted American economic recovery touted by that great liar George W. Bush is only a revival for those folks who don't need one. Median family incomes for the average American household during the past 25 years have risen less than 1 percent annually for a 25-year total of 18 percent, way below cost-of-living increases once inflation is factored in. Most American families actually lost money
There is an abundance of personal trainers these days, Mark Goodman among them. But the Magnolia trainer offers something extra. Not to disparage other trainers-many are good," Goodman said, "but I think my medical background gives me a leg up. It allows me to work with people of many ages with a broad range of medical conditions."
ARMED ROBBERYWednesday 1/3, 10 p.m.A man, age 42, stopped by a gas station in the 7300 block of Rainier Avenue South to fuel up his car. After he finished at the pump, the man began driving his grey, 1993 Mitsubishi coupe out of the exit onto South Othello Street. He reached down to get something near the floor of his car when his passenger door was suddenly opened and a man in his late teens hopped inside. After sitting down, the man pulled out a silver revolver from beneath his grey, hooded sweatshirt and pointed it at the driver."Get out," the agitated robber commanded."You can have it!" replied the driver before stepping to the sidewalk.The armed robber slid over to the driver's side and closed the door. A second man, also in his late teens, sat in the car's passenger seat, and the pair drove westbound on South Othello Street for a short way before turning south on 48th Avenue South.COURT ORDER VIOLATIONThursday 1/4, 2 a.m.A 911 caller, age 24, living in the 7000 block of Rainier Avenue South reported her mother's ex-boyfriend, age 38, was in the apartment. The mother has a no-contact order against him for a strangling incident three months ago between the seven-year couple. Apparently he was just released from jail. The caller knew this but didn't think he would come to the apartment because he was on house arrest. On the scene, the officers questioned the man, who was so intoxicated on some unknown substance that he had trouble breathing while also acting hyper. Officers placed him into handcuffs and put him into their patrol car for the safety of all involved. Emergency medical personnel were called out to treat him for his increasingly erratic breathing. While officers were waiting for the medics to arrive, the man began kicking at the patrol car's back window, which he eventually kicked out. Officers learned the man was in therapy for anger and alcohol addiction, and he had police record detailing a history of domestic violence and violations of his no-contact orders. He was treated at the scene for his breathing and transported to the King County Jail.BURGLARYSaturday 1/5, 7 a.m.Officers were dispatched to investigate a residential burglary at a 50th Avenue South apartment. The owner, a 42-year-old woman, returned from being out of town for a day to discover her back door was unlocked and there were muddy footprints around her kitchen and the living room area. She also found that a window screen in her back door had been removed, but officers did not find evidence of a forced entry. The victim's son told officers the only thing he and his mother could find missing from the home was the boy's X-Box video game system, valued at $200.ASSAULTSaturday 1/6, 9:11 p.m.A disturbance in the 4800 block of Beacon Avenue South brought police to the door of a tavern. On the scene, officers learned the suspect, a 44-year-old man, was in the bathroom. They contacted the highly intoxicated man and placed him under arrest immediately.They had learned the man, who is a familiar customer, came in to the tavern to buy some food. He placed his order and began yelling at some patrons sitting at the bar after his chicken wings arrived and he paid the bill. The female barkeep asked him to leave, but he asked for a drink instead.The barkeep refused, telling him to leave again. The man became enraged, grabbed some of his chicken wings and threw them at the barkeep, striking her in the chest and abdomen. The man then mentioned something about having a gun, and the barkeep said carrying a weapon inside a tavern was not legal. After his arrest, police found he was not carrying a weapon on his person, and there was none located in, or around, the premise that they could locate. He told officers his guns were at home before they read him his rights and booked him into King County Jail.DRUGSSaturday 1/6, 10:07 p.m.The South Precinct Anti-Crime Team conducted a narcotics-trade observation operation on a house located at the intersection of 61st Avenue South and South Bangor Street. The home had generated many 911 calls from people in the neighborhood complaining about suspected narcotics trade activity. During their one-hour stake out, officers witnessed several cars stop in front of the home and their passengers go inside for a brief time, and then leave again in the cars that had originally dropped them off. Deeming the activity suspicious and indicative of drug trafficking, officers stopped one of the vehicles and ordered the male occupants, both ages 43, out of their 2002 Ford Taurus. The driver had a suspended license and was taken into custody. The officers decided to search the sedan because it was spotted at the alleged drug house. A drug detection dog was brought on the scene, and it helped officers locate some contraband: 28.2 grams of crack cocaine below the dashboard along with 47 "Soma" pills, 3.1 grams of marijuana. In the trunk, officers located an electronic scale along with an additional 3.9 grams of marijuana. Officers estimated the crack to have a street value of $2,800 and the marijuana a street value of $60. Both men denied knowledge of the drugs. They were taken to the South Precinct and their car was impounded. STRONG-ARM ROBBERYMonday 1/8, 2:45 p.m.Two boys, ages 17 and 18, called police after four other teenage boys surrounded them took the backpack from one and an MP3 player from another as they were heading home from school on the bus. The victims had just got off the a bus at a stop along the 6600 block of Beacon Avenue South where they saw the group. One of them had a ski mask pulled over his face, which made him suspicious.As one of the victims walked away from the stop, the ski-mask boy approached, punching the victim in the face several times and forcing him to give up his backpack. The victim suffered some small abrasions and bruises to his face along with losing his calculator ($105), a 1-gig portable hard drive ($40) and his school papers. The second victim, who was listening to his MP3 player, was grabbed from behind by one of the four young thieves and placed in a bear hug while another grabbed his player that had fallen to the ground.The thieves ran away, but officers did a check for the area and caught two of them, males ages 16 and 17. The ski mask was also found along with the first victim's backpack and school papers.
With nine games left in the Metro 3A season, the Cleveland High School boys basketball team is spending many hours executing plays, and perfecting the precision of their fast-tempo offense in order to make a successful run at the playoffs this year under the current direction of varsity head coach Calvin Johnson and assistant coaches Leonard Simpson, Michael Fortson, Jerry Lyons and Corky Emerson.
Laura Neilson, a volunteer from the University of Washington, pulls one of eight tires out of the Cheasty greenbelt on Beacon Hill's eastside. Neilson was one of approximately 200 volunteers, including members of teh local Earthcorps chapter, that spent most of the morning and afternoon on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to clean up the area. The volunteers focused much of their efforts on Engish ivy, an invasive, noxious plant species that currently covers approximately 60-70 percent of Seattle's 3,700 acres of forested parks, according to Earthcorps officials. One of the volunteer organizer's goals was to transform MLK Day into one of community action. Their slogan was "A day on! Not a day off."
LECTURES"The Adventures of a Real-Life History Detective," with "History Detectives" host and appraiser Wes Cowan, on Saturday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m. $15/$18. UW Kane Hall. 543-9681.READINGSPoetsWest, featuring Jean-nette Allee, James Rodgers and Francine Wall, on Saturday, Jan. 20, 4-5:30 p.m. Open mike. New-berry Books, 561 N.E. Ravenna Blvd. J. Glenn Evans, 682-1268.Ridge Readers, on Alai's "Red Poppies," on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 7:30-9 p.m. Santoro's Books, 7216 Greenwood Ave. N. 784-2113.MUSICTom May, presented by Seattle Folklore Society, on Saturday, Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m. $7/$14. Phinney Neighborhood Center's community hall, 6532 Phinney Ave. N. Reservations, 528-8523.Closing the Gap: Appalachian Baroque, presented by Baroque Northwest, on Saturday, Jan. 20, 8 p.m. $10-$22. Also, pre-concert lecture, 7:15 p.m. Bethany Luther-an Church, 7400 Woodlawn Ave. N.E. 368-0735.THEATER"Darfur Stories," presented by Book-It Repertory Theatre, on Jan. 25, 7 p.m. $5, to benefit humanitarian aid. Roosevelt High School, 1410 N.E. 66th St.EXHIBITSMorgan Sims: My Family is Weird, featuring prints inspired by family photos, through Jan. 26. Phinney Center Gallery, 6532 Phinney Ave. N. 783-2244.
For more than a year, Magic Monday has brought mystery and imagination to the Ravenna community. The free magic show started more than six years ago at the Lake Forest Park Third Place Books, where it continued until it closed on Nov. 10
The following information was provided by the city's Department of Planning and Development. Written comments on projects should be mailed to 700 Fifth Ave., Suite 2000, P.O. Box 34019, Seattle, WA 98124-4019.Appeals are made to the Office of the Hearing Examiner, Seattle Municipal Tower, 40th Floor (SMT-40-00), 700 Fifth Ave., Suite 4000, Seattle, WA 98104. Appeals must be accompanied by a $50 filing fee in a check payable to the City of Seattle.The project number is in parentheses. For more information, call 684-8467.PERMIT APPLICATIONS■ 935 N. 98th St. (3005229) for a Land Use Application to maintain an exceptional tree and allow three townhouse structures (one two-unit, two three-unit; eight units total). Parking for six units to be located within the structures, and two surface parking spaces will be provided on the site. Existing structures to be demolished. The following approval is required: Administrative Design Review. Written comments accepted through Wednesday, Jan. 24.PERMIT DECISIONS■ 2309 N. Northlake Way (3001687) on a Land Use Application to construct six finger piers (totaling 715 linear feet) and a 100-linear-foot extension to an existing pier accessory to marine retail sales and service (John Dumato & Co). Project includes modifications to existing pier and to the stormwater drainage system. Existing administrative office building to be demolished. The following appealable decisions have been made based on submitted plans: Shoreline Substantial Development to allow the construction of finger-pier extensions accessory to a marine retail sales and service use in an Urban Maritime environment conditionally granted; Declaration on Non-Significance with conditions (no Environmental Impact Statement required). Environmental review completed, and project conditioned as applicable. This decision is appealable to the Washington State Shoreline Hearings Board until at least Jan. 29.DESIGN REVIEWS■ 8606 35th Ave. N.E. (3006103) of a four-story structure consisting of retail and residential space at ground level and residential units above. Parking for 125 vehicles to be located below-grade. The meeting will take place Monday, Jan. 22, at 6:30 p.m. at University Heights Community Center, 5031 University Way N.E., in Room 209. For more information or to become a party of record, call DPD land-use planner Lucas DeHerrera, at 615-0724.■ 1400 N. 80th St. (3005863) of a five-story structure consisting of 21 residential units, ground-level commercial space and parking for 34 vehicles at and below grade. The meeting will take place Monday, Jan. 22, at 6:30 p.m. at Ballard High School, 1418 N.W. 65th St., in the library. For more information or to become a party of record, call DPD land-use planner Mark Taylor, at 684-5049.■ 6900 E. Green Lake Way N. (3004793) of a four-story building with 137 residential units, live/work (11 units) and retail. Parking for 241 vehicles will be located below and at grade. The applicant will present information about the proposed design and how it responds to the Design Guideline priorities established at the Early Design Guidance Board meeting on Aug. 28, 2006, regarding this site; the public may offer comments regarding the proposed design. The meeting will take place Monday, Jan. 22, at 8 p.m. at University Heights Community Center, 5031 University Way N.E., in Room 209. For more information, call DPD land-use planner Scott Kemp, at 233-3866.■ 3926 Aurora Ave. N. (3006019) of a four-story, mixed-use building with below-grade parking. Three levels of approximately 85 residential units over ground-floor commercial live/work units. There will be 107 parking spaces. The meeting will take place Monday, Jan. 22, at 8 p.m. at Ballard High School, 1418 N.W. 65th St., in the library. For more information or to become a party of record, call DPD land-use planner Bradley Wilburn, at 615-0508.
The following are selected reports from the Seattle Police Department's North Precinct. They represent the officers' accounts of the events described.WOMAN VIOLATES ORDERA woman was in a cafe in the 2200 block of North 56th Street the afternoon of Jan. 5 when a man who has an anti-harassment order against her entered. He told police he waited 15 minutes, affording the woman an opportunity to comply with the order and leave, then called police. The woman argued vociferously with responding police that since she was there first, the man should have to leave the cafe. The officer told the woman the order doesn't work that way and that she needed to leave, which she did.EXPENSIVE WATERWhen he asked, a 19-year-old woman let a male acquaintance into her residence in the 1100 block of 14th Avenue Northeast at 10 p.m. Jan. 9. While she was getting him a glass of water, he took $150 from her purse. The woman told police that although she could not remember the man's name (she had met him several years ago), she would know him if she saw him again.EXPENSIVE LUNCHA woman sitting in a cafe in the 3400 block of Fremont Avenue North at 2:10 p.m. Jan. 9 saw a man approach a nearby bicycle rack, look around, cut the lock securing one of the bicycles, then ride off northbound on Fremont. She alerted police. While the responding officer was speaking with the woman, the victim, who hails from Mountlake Terrace, approached and said she was having lunch.The mountain bike was worth about $400.FURNITURE HURTSAt 2:43 p.m. Jan. 9, a man moved some furniture that was in the alley outside a residence in the 8100 block of Aurora Avenue North, so the two residents approached the man. The man, who works at a business on the other side of the alley, punched one of the residents in the face, causing his glasses to fall to the ground. When police arrived, they arrested the man for assault and took him to jail.RUBBED WRONG WAYA woman in the 5000 block of 17th Avenue Northeast was awakened in her bed at 1:47 a.m. Jan. 10 by a man who was rubbing her lower back. She asked him who he was; he silently demurred. She demanded he turn on the light, but instead he walked to the door. She then grabbed his jacket, and he snickered and left. The woman's roommate called police, who searched for the man with a K-9 unit, but to no avail.INTENSE INTERACTIONOn Jan. 8, a couple who had been evicted from a temporary encampment in the 7500 block of Greenwood Avenue North threatened the man who evicted them with bodily harm, so the man called police. Police told the parties to not have any contact with the other.
■ LANGUAGE INITIATIVE: Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center, 4800 Sand Point Way N.E., is one of 10 hospitals nationwide selected to participate in a program to improve communication with patients who speak limited English.The hospital will receive a $60,000 grant and technical help and training for 16 months to help establish federal guidelines.Children's Hospital, which currently provides interpreters for more than 45 languages, is one of only two pediatric hospitals to take part in this initiative. It will focus on cardiac care and emergency services.■ HONOR: In its February 2007 issue, Child magazine has named Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center among the country's top children's hospitals for the fourth consecutive year. The hospital's oncology program also received special recognition.Children's Hospital placed 15th overall, and its oncology program ranked ninth.The results were based on survival rates, the number of complex procedures and surgeries conducted, volume of research studies, efforts to reduce medical errors, the training of doctors and nurses, child-friendliness, support for families and community involvement.The magazine surveyed 116 member hospitals of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions.