• The P-I reports that Washington unemployment hit 9.3% last month, up from 9.1% in May.
• The Big Blog says that Allstate has found what we all already knew: Seattle drivers are amongst the worst in the nation.
• The Magnolia Voice has info on the "Admiral's House" up above Smith Cove that the Navy plans to sell off. If you have need of a two-story, eight-bedroom house on four acres of land with one of the best views in the city, apparently you should look into it.

Now that the bridge at the Center of the Universe has reopened, things seem to be moving more freely. We'll be able to make it to the T.C. Boyle reading tonight at Barnes and Noble, and thanks to the Magnolia Voice, we know where to score pizza at late 1970s prices. It is an abundant universe, and in that spirit perhaps, the Seattle Times' Porsche-driving Frank Blethen is asking lawmakers to give newspapers a tax break. more ›

CHS is wonking on (and on) about development plans around the Capitol Hill light rail station because there are community forums coming up and if you don't go, you can't complain later that your ideas were ignored by "the Man." Also, Cap to the Hill pleads for you to stop in at Boom Noodle. West Seattle Blog noted Elliott Bay Brewing is pouring a chocolate porter. 'Nuff said. The Rainier Valley Post reminds us all that February 7 is Neighbor Appreciation Day. The Magnolia Voice hits a recessionary note, with news of a townhouse developer switching to apartments mid-stream. And The Southlake details why condo financing is such a touchy subject down in SLU. more ›

• Burien is busy branding--and the city is using très fancy technology to do so. B-Town Blog posted the latest video and offered a bullet-point summary of the very nice branding elements you will see, should you choose to spend minutes of your life watching a YouTube about all the wonders Burien has to offer.
• PhinneyWood would like you to donate your watches to charity via Jody Laine of the Tiempo Watch and Clock Shop. Why not? You probably use your cell phone for time-keeping already, anyway.
• Care for some Irish Knockers? Why, yes, thank you for asking! Magnolia Voice had the skinny on the new menu at Mulleady's, including photos of the restaurant's interior (they have a very inviting fireplace!).

• West Seattle Blog has been covering a weekend diving accident at Seacrest which left one man struggling for his life at Harborview.
• The Central District News also spent the weekend updating and covering a sad story of two youth shot near Garfield High School. One of the young men died at the scene, while another was taken to Harborview to care for his injuries.
• Oh no. Now that Halloween is over, the Christmas/holiday lights and decorations are arriving. Capitol Hill Seattle reports the lights are already being strung up and down Broadway.

• Yet another reason we love Seattle: a vendor was selling pasties at a Catholic School fundraiser/bazaar. We are pleased to report that Magnolia Voice has some photographic proof this actually happened and that the vendor received no ruler raps on the knuckles.
• Pedestrian safety is near and dear to our heart and to our rebuilt knee after experiencing life on the bumper end of our own car v. pedestrian equation. So we will certainly be applying to the Mayor's Pedestrian Advisory Board, and we think you should too.
• After all that anticipation for Zaw, Capitol Hill Seattle already has "5 Ways To Fix Zaw's Broken Pizza." Not exactly the glowing review a new business hopes to receive from the local neighborhood blog.

• Over in fair Magnolia, home of Discovery Park, residents and park lovers alike are gearing up to continue the fight over the Fort Lawton redevelopment plan. Magnolia Voice says that it seems a lawsuit might be in the works.
• Up on The Hill, we're wondering if the idea to let the SWAT Team train in the old Jack in the Box is a cruel joke or a brilliant proactive step ahead of the revolution.
• We're not afraid to admit it: We love a good Best Of List as much as the next blog. That's why we think you should go vote in Rainer Valley Post's Best of 2008 poll. It's good practice for November.

Construction on the Magnolia/Interbay Whole Foods will be delayed for up to a year thanks to the shaky economy and "cash flow problems" for the fancy grocery chain, reports Magnolia Voice. In four or five weeks the site's workers will pack up and head out, leaving behind a mostly-finished exoskeleton of what will ultimately be a 12,000 sq. ft. smaller grocery store than planned. The store was slated to open in three months, just in time for Magnolites to order conveniently pre-packaged and portioned organic Thanksgiving dinners. What a shame! more ›