In 2004, a permit was filed to demolish the building at 802 Seneca. Kitty-corner from Town Hall, the apartment complex known as both Park Seneca and, originally and then again later, the Alfaretta, was finally set to be leveled in 2006. And while it's still (partially) standing, changes may be on the way. more ›

We re-learned an important lesson this afternoon: when nearing overwhelm status, listen to some legendarily good music. You'll feel better. That said, put on "Seed 2.0" by The Roots and read today's music edition of Seattlest's local blog round-up. more ›

We had no idea Seattle Metropolitan even had blogs, but they do, and the fashion one (the first one we clicked on) by Laura Cassidy is fun. Cassidy was not enamored with Michelle Obama's white ball gown but really dug her lemongrass suit. Seattle Weekly's new music editor, Jonathan Cunningham, introduced himself over at Reverb ("I'm not a hipster. I pull no punches"). Over at Sound Politics, Stefan Sharkansky is freaking out about mail-in ballot signature verification. And the great debate about school closures continues, respectfully, at Crosscut: they've published the School Board's rebuttal of Dick Lilly's argument that the SPS shouldn't close any schools at all.
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Hi, Seattlest readers waiting bemusedly for your Neighborhood News and Local Blog Round-up. We're mixing it up and moving NN&LBR-u to the afternoon so we can deliver fresher links, rather than the day-old variety. So look for that later on today. In the meantime, you've got a few minutes, why not enjoy a doughnut? Also, this week, we've got Inauguration news coming from our sister site DCist (and the crazy kids at Chicagoist who road-tripped out)--and we've sent Seattlest Audrey off to Sundance to sneak a peek at a bunch of films that will no doubt show up later this spring at SIFF.God it's exciting. Now excuse us while we show our doughnut--a glazed old-fashioned, if you must know--who's boss. more ›

• West Seattle Blog has the latest on garbage pick-up, or lack thereof--a topic that, after two weeks with no garbage man, is near and dear to our hearts. City utilities say they hope to be caught up with pick-ups by this coming Saturday.
• Central District News, despite living "two level blocks from the post office," still hasn't had mail delivered since the first snow fall. Hopefully today the mail comes for everyone, CDN especially.
• Capitol Hill Seattle grades Cap Hill bus service during Snowmageddon 2008. We gotta agree with CHS that it was an epic fail.

• Cliff Mass Weather Blog has become a very good friend of ours over the past few days--he hasn't failed us like other local weather folk. He says this morning's commute may be worse than yesterday's, due to ice, and we are inclined to believe him...but we sincerely hope he's wrong about "Wednesday's potential storm." For once, we're really not dreaming of a white Christmas.
• We were going to try and post something non-snow-related from West Seattle Blog, but then they had to go and post these unmissable snow sculptures and a brand new West Seattle waterfront condo. Not quite as creepy as their bear with fish in stomach ice sculpture from Thursday, but awesome nonetheless.
• Sable Verity is right where the rest of us are: calling for rescue crews to save us from a serious case of cabin fever.

Unless you've fled the city for the holidays, you are well aware that Snowmageddon 2008 is the only story in Seattle right now. Here's what the neighborhood blogs are saying about the great 'blizzard' of 2008.
• We are not going to link to all ten weekend snow-related posts on West Seattle Blog, but we will tell you that at their latest tape measure, West Seattle snowfall clocked in just under a foot of snow.
• Hillku has been very inspired by the snow; they have five snow-related haikus.
• Ballard's latest measurement has over 7.5 inches falling. Must feel just like the fjords of Norway. Also, MyBallard warns you and yours: do not try to sled holding on to a car. It's a really bad idea.

• West Seattle Blog declares at least temporary victory against ice.
• The Central District News asks, what should replace the now infamous Lavendar Spa? Turns out the purple home that once housed happy endings with your pedicure is up for rent.
• One Seattle transit project that is on schedule? The Beacon Hill Light Rail Station. In even better news for the neighborhood the big blue wall that has blocked well, everything is coming down soon.

• A young man was shot in the head at the Garfield Community Center last night. Central District News has all the updates, including that two witnesses held for questioning escaped through a window.
• Do you drive a blue Kia Sentra? Did you abandon it, double-parked on a West Seattle hill recently? If so, your neighborhood would like you to move it...like, yesterday.
• In this faltering economy, Cap to the Hill has a great holiday present option as demonstrated by their photo-booth Tuesday entry.

There is one topic and one topic only dominating neighborhood blogs in Seattle this weekend, and that is...2 inches of snow! That's right, NYC and the Midwest, laugh all you want, but 2 inches of snow is big news and big excitement around these parts. So, we are pleased to present you snow-related updates from all your favorite local blogs.
• West Seattle Blog blogged the living hell out of the snow, ice, and winter weather this weekend. WSB had not one, not two, but seven updates on the weather yesterday alone.
• Capitol Hill Seattle was slightly less obsessive about their snow coverage, but nonetheless incredibly useful. CHS offers advice for how to get off the Hill this morning for work and news on emergency shelters opened to deal with the cold snap.
• Central District News warned us all about the slick neighborhood slopes before the snow hit, complete with a handy map--and then they posted video proof of cars not heeding their advice.

• The Southlake has some bittersweet updates about the Cascade People's Center, which is fighting to continue to serve a community in more desperate need than ever. If you want to help save CPC, grab a bite or a pint at Paddy Coyne's this Saturday; 10% of your bill will go to Center.
• We think we can all agree on the fact that puppy-stealing is not cool. Sadly, some poor family in Magnolia is experiencing just how much that is true right now.
• Vintage Seattle was all about Seattle waterways yesterday. See the Duwamish when it really was mighty and help answer a burning question about an old wreck on a Ballard beach.

• They grow up so fast! The Southlake reminds us that the S.L.U.T.'s 1st birthday is this Wednesday.
• Speaking of Seattle streetcars and public transportation, the Central District News has some new details on the Rainier Avenue Light Rail Station.
• The West Seattle Blog wonders aloud a question we've been screaming in our head recently: how about a bailout for education?

• Vintage Seattle continued their fabulous series on the building of The Space Needle. Ever since VS started posting this series, we've been looking at the Needle with new eyes and appreciation.
• Mark our words, Cooper the Cat is about to be Seattle's next big star, but you can already track this local feline celebrity on Flickr and various local blogs.
• Thieves really are getting ballsier by the day, it seems. West Seattle Blog reports a classic Airstream Trailer was stolen off its double-locked parking pad this weekend on the west side.

• West Seattle Blog marveled over a pair of orcas playing off Alki Point yesterday.
• Both MyBallard and Fremont Universe are wondering if the streetcar will be coming to their neighborhoods.
• Capitol Hill Seattle warns that the most dangerous stretch of road for bicyclists on Capitol Hill is on E. Pine, between Summit and Melrose.

• We're going to start with good news, rather than bad today. One guess where the opening game of the coming MLS Season is going to be? That's right, Seattle: the first Sounders MLS game will be the season opener for the whole league. Maybe, just maybe, the Sounders will actually win that game.
• The West Seattle Blog reports a really lovely random act of kindness, with photo evidence. Basically impossible to not feel warm and fuzzy about this story.
• Central District News has what must seem an all too common refrain for parents and teachers of Central District Schools; this time the plea is why T.T. Minor should not be closed.

• The Beacon Hill Blog reminds us that this time last year, it was snowing.
• The Rainier Valley Post continued their personal-meets-professional coverage of the stabbing death of their neighbor, Noemi Lopez. The RVP is calling for their readers to boycott the Seattle Times for their lack of coverage of the story and invites readers to come to a candlelight vigil in Noemi's honor.
• Capitol Hillebrities spotted everyone's favorite tanorexic and Seattle Project Runway alum Blayne out and about this weekend.

• Our hearts and all our positive thoughts go out to Amber at the Rainier Valley Post and her neighbors. The RVP, which has been tireless about covering neighborhood crime, has had violence strike far too close to home. Amber's neighbor was stabbed to death yesterday by another neighbor, the victim's husband.
• Capitol Hill Seattle is still playing with Google Street View (no blame, we totally are too) and CHS stumbled upon an interesting scene on 12th Avenue street view. Looks like a parking cop is giving a lecture, surely an unpleasant moment for at least one party. It's frozen now for all to see.
• Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, West Seattle Blog is all about the next round of holidays. They have not one, but two posts about West Seattle Christmas lights, as well as a post about where in West Seattle to get your Christmas tree.

• Sable Verity wishes us all a Happy Thanksgiving, unless of course we get shot and killed before the holiday, which is becoming all too common in Seattle these days. The blog notes that this weekend, 11 people were shot in five separate incidents and one man was stabbed--all within a 36-hour time period.
• Seems like everyone in local politics has a blog these days, including Seattle City Council member Tim Burgess. Yesterday Councilmen Burgess talked about the city budget and youth violence in Seattle, a topic that desperately needs to be addressed, preferably last Friday before 11 people were shot in 36 hours.
• The Rainier Valley Post covered one of this weekend's shootings, which left two teenagers wounded. The shooting, which took place at Rainier Avenue South and South Cloverdale, is believed to be connected to the deadly weekend shooting at Southcenter Mall.

• If you haven't figured out by our continuous posting of Seattle Municipal Archive Photos and links to Vintage Seattle, we have an affinity for all things, well, vintage Seattle, as it were. So we were thrilled to see that the Central District News has started a feature called "CD Rewind," which takes a look into the CD's past. The first edition shows what 23rd and Madison looked like in 1957.
• We also really like alliteration...but Beacon Hill Blog may have taken it a little too far with this one.
• We had no idea there was such a job as seal sitter, but apparently there is and seal sitters are attentively watching West Seattle beaches.

• West Seattle Blog has the "final, FINAL" numbers on usage of the Elliott Bay Water Taxi. Our West Seattle compatriots promise these aren't fake final numbers and that they are larger than the previous final/unofficial numbers.
• We've always wondered how they built the Space Needle and Vintage Seattle has given us the answer, posting some truly jaw-dropping photos of the construction of The Needle.
• We don't know whether to laugh loudly or shake our heads and cry about the latest local blog--Capitol Hillebrities. Like the egos of Capitol Hill hipsters aren't big enough on they're own. Still, it was only a matter of time before someone started taking party photos on The Hill....apparently that time has come.

• "Gross!" is right. The Rainier Valley Post explores reports of mouse droppings at the Mount Baker Safeway and wonders rightly, "Where is the health department?"
• While the Mount Baker Safeway is having rodent problems, the neighborhood's Rainier Grocery Outlet is shutting down next week just in time for Thanksgiving.
• Hooray! We will be keeping at least de facto nudity at Seattle area parks.

• Tucked amidst some mundane park board's order of business today is a titillating issue indeed: a new proposal about nudity at public parks. West Seattle Blog has all the details.
• We're not too keen on hate speak and "Jesus Hates Sin" signs up here on Capitol Hill, especially parading in front of one of the few late-night diners. So, just a warning: come here with the "God Hates ...." placards, and you might get maced in the face.
• The Rainier Valley Post celebrates some gorgeous new statues who moved into the neighborhood seemingly overnight.

• During an election season that touted change and tolerance, the passage of Proposition 8 in California is a painful reminder that intolerance and hatred still have electoral support in this country. Saturday is a national day of protest against Proposition 8, and the Seattle protests begin at Volunteer Park at 10:30 a.m.
• West Seattle Blog is wondering if any of these stolen items belong to you.
• Speaking of theft, the gentleman in these video stills definitely chose the wrong house in Mt. Baker to break into... i.e. the house fully wired with surveillance video cameras.

• Darcy Burner commented on The Daily Weekly this weekend and on Seattlest yesterday, which has us wondering if the person posting as "sir-mix-a-lot" on the Central District News is indeed the Sir Mix-A-Lot. Curses! Just that thought alone, and "Baby's Got Back" is already stuck in our head.
• Watch out, West Seattle: with the wet weather here and more on the way, there's an elevated risk for landslides.
• Violence in Central and South East Seattle is getting scarier by the day. The Rainier Valley Post reports of a seemingly random mid-day shooting with no arrests made.

• Capitol Hill Seattle has the sad news that north Broadway deliciousness El Tajin has closed their doors for good, rather than for renovation. We happened to think El Tajin had some of the best Mexican food in Seattle and we're tres triste we didn't get to have one more molé before they closed their doors.
• Happily, not every good family restaurant in Seattle is shutting down. The West Seattle Blog has an interview with the Otis of the OK Corral, the latest and greatest BBQ joint west of Harbor Avenue.
• Georgetown got a grocery store! Hip hip, hooray!

• The Slog brings the sad news that The Cascade People's Center is set to close after the City Council cut funding. The People's Center has been a bastion for the neighborhood that we once called Cascade before Paul Allen took over the place and decided to call it South Lake Union. The CPC will close its doors on December 31st if it cannot come up with $75,000 in funding.
• Capitol Hill Seattle is excited that CNN decided to show a little love to Seattle and their neighborhood, recommending hill hangouts like the Cha Cha and Elysian Brewery. Even more exciting to all of us neighborhood bloggers, it was one of our very own, Scott of Central District News, who helped CNN with the list.
• Speaking of Central District News, they are recommending you secure your Obama yard signs and such, as the now 'commemorative memorabilia' is being stolen from yards all over to be sold on eBay.

We all know the results of last night's election, however it is what all the blogs were talking about yesterday... So, we hope you enjoy your very last (for this cycle) election-heavy neighborhood news.
• West Seattle Blog hunkered down at The Skylark Cafe and made it Election HQ to watch the results roll in last night.
• The support for Obama moved over from Basset Hounds to dogs in general, according to the Capitol Hill Seattle Blog.
• The Central District News faced long lines when voting yesterday at TT Minor. Our busy busy friends, the Geeky Swedes of My Ballard, PhinneyWood, and The Magnolia Voice also reported long lines and lots of voters in their respective neighborhoods.

• Since doing your civic duty (not to mention voting in a historical election) might not be enough to get you to vote today, the Big Blog brings you 7.5 things you can get for free on Election Day.
• Capitalizing on tragedy, local gangs are in the midst of a string of retribution shootings, presumably in response to the shooting we mentioned in yesterday's Neighborhood News. What's that saying? It seemed so trite, but now so true: "two wrongs don't make a right."
• If you live in Phinney Ridge, Wallingford, or Fremont, and you didn't have power yesterday morning, you can blame it on a goose. The bird paid the ultimate price for flying too close to your neighborhood power lines.

• Mid Beacon Hill Blog, as well as Beacon Hill Blog and this very blog you are reading--are all wondering if Seattle will follow Denver's example. In the Mile High city, proximity to light rail raised the value of a home. Will the same be true in the Emerald City? North Beacon Hill residents certainly hope so.
• PhinneyWood tackles an age-old Seattle question, where does Phinney end and Greenwood begin?
• Unhand Boogie, you West Seattle thieves!

• 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.