If King County Executive Kurt Triplett has his way, King County will see 39 county parks shut down and "mothballed" under lock and key come January 1, 2010. Currently the 2010 budget is in a world of hurt, with a $56 million budget shortfall. So for a quick $4.6 million, select parks in neighborhoods stretching from Federal Way to Bothell will be put out of commission. The new King County Executive better have tough skin--the toddler hatemail and crayon drawings are going to be ruthless--unless neighborhoods rally and create some sort of Adopt-a-Highway-Park program, or cities jump in and keep the taxpayer-funded parks open. more ›

• Did you know Seattle has the second-highest percentage of LGBT residents of any American city? Huh, did ya? Now the Seattle's Convention and Visitor's Bureau is trying to find the tourist gold at the end of the rainbow. They plan to introduce the cities first LGBT Travel Guidethis week with the hope to entice the traveling gays.
• We wuv those cute widdle itty-bitty tuxedo-wearing penguins, whom we can now see swimming in their new $6.5 million home.
more ›

The 16-member Blue Ribbon Committee has made the call and is sticking with their two recommendations for the interim office of King County Executive: former Seattle Mayor Charles Royer and interim County Executive and former Executive Chief of Staff Kurt Triplett (leaving former County Council members Steve Hammond and Louise Miller off their favorites). However, the King County Council has the final say on May 18, when they choose one of the four candidates to fill the seat of the newly crowned deputy secretary of HUD, Ron Sims. more ›