Dow Constantine pulls out the big guns, a deadline is revealed for Washington's new congressional district proposals, and a health care worker's union calls out the state legislature. All this (plus accountants behaving badly) in today's headlines. more ›

• In addition to a $7.5 billion transpo budget, Gov. Chris Gregoire has approved a 40 percent tax break for the state's failing newspaper industry. While we tip our hat to help our fellow newsies, we have to ask, what about us? What about the other online news guys?
• An expected zoo of U.S. Coast Guard helicopters will descend upon Elliott Bay today from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. conducting a slew of low-flying exercises. Duck and take photos for us.
• King5 TV wins for best headline of the day: New weapon turns fire ants into headless zombies.

A Ballard woman died after injuries sustained in yesterday's head-on collision on the Fremont Bridge. West Seattle Blog has a photo of the White Center lotto-ticket bandit who may also be responsible for a Fauntleroy heist. If crime and death and taxes have you down, our hilarious college classmate Eugene Mirman is reading at the University Bookstore tonight from his faux self-help book, The Will to Whatevs. more ›

Last week, we linked to a map showing that North Highline is one of King County's few unincorporated areas, yet to be assigned to a city jurisdiction. Then, we noted Highline because the area is in need of more policing, yet will be losing some valuable coverage as a result of the county budget cuts against which King County Sheriff Rahr is fighting. Now, we're mentioning it because the Times finally brought a two-week-old piece of news (whoops) to our attention: Seattle and Burien have reached a "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU) on annexation boundaries for the neighborhood in the first steps towards incorporating the area into their respective cities. more ›

• While lightning may not strike the same person twice, getting stuck on the Monorail just might. Just ask Ballard resident Robert Baker.
• The cold weather and icy roads may be a hassle for the rest of us, but if you're selling chains or snow tires, it's been a boon. So much so, according to White Center Now, it's nearly impossible to find chains at area stores.
• It seems that public transportation in Seattle has always had a problem with the hills when it snows. Just check out this photo of a derailed Seattle cable car from 1929.

• 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.

• What's going on in White Center, you ask? Really, we can hear you. These walls are paper thin. White Center Now reports that King County Sheriff Sue Rahr (RAHR!) will not be closing the sheriff department's storefront there. We don't really know what that means, but they have video of it, Sue!
• Meanwhile, West Seattle Blog reminds you there's just one day left in the Elliott Bay Water Taxi season, so if you have not tried out the tiny ship yet, a sunny fall day is the perfect time.
• PhinneyWood reminded you a few days ago that this time of year, storm drains need help staying unclogged, what with all the leaves comin' down. *cough* The city will give you special Drain Unclogging Gear if you ask. *crickets*

• White Center Now reports that King County Executive Ron Sims has proposed two staggered fare increases for Metro buses on his blog. In other news--Ron Sims writes a blog?!
• Yesterday's late afternoon thunder and lightning struck a little too close to home for a West Seattle Blog reader. A cedar tree in their neighbor's back yard was split in two by a lightning strike, sending cedar chips flying everywhere.
• PhinneyWood wants to let you know that, if you've had trouble with getting a green building permit, there's a meeting scheduled just for you this Wednesday at the Phinney Neighborhood Association.

• My Ballard brought the best news we read all Monday, reporting that Cuban sandwich savior Paseo, is opening another location today. We have to admit to having dreamed of Paseo's sandwiches (they are that good), so news of a second location is like Christmas in August.
• The Big Blog gives you the 411 on Obama's VP. If you want to be the first on your block to know who Barack's running mate will be, sign up to be notified by text message. We can see it now--"OMG Guys! It's totes Joe Biden!!"
• Capitol Hill Seattle shares two uber-helpful bus maps of Capitol Hill, courtesy of a contributor named Uncle Vinny. Thanks Uncle Vinny!

Remember SimCity? Seattlest had some incredible towns built in that game, with commercial and residential districts packed full of shiny, tall towers and trains and street traffic all flowing as effortlessly as rivers. Scroll way over to the left to the edge of the city grid; now that is a healthy industrial district, perfectly bisected by a pollution-eating green belt. The landmarks sprouted everywhere and the money and accolades poured in. Of course, it took many hours to bring the little guys to the pinnacle of urban development, and then, since the game never ends, it took another many hours to tinker the place into slums and ruin, rezoning here, tearing out a transportation hub there, until finally you had to unleash natural disasters upon the land just to keep yourself interested. more ›

Are we in White Center? Baghdad? No! We're at the former Sub Pop Records headquarters, 4th and Vine. Some kinda home furnishings store, Medallion Imports, selling crap on the sidewalk, for God's sake. What has Belltown come to? more ›

We want to know where's the scariest place to live or hang out within Seattle city limits. (Sorry, Skyway and White Center. Check again after annexation.) more ›

The last time Seattlest was frisked... We can't remember. Apparently we're not going to enough big parties or Seahawks games, though, because we've seen frisking appear twice in the news recently. The Seattle Times brings up body searches in regards to the death of neighborhood hero and deputy Steve Cox who was killed at a house party in White Center when he was interviewing a party goer alone in a room. The article makes clear that it is not clear whether the shooter was searched for weapons before the fatal interview. more ›

--Miss Kirkland USA hangs it up and tips her hat to Miss Washington USA. more ›

Like so many others, we travel each week with Anthony Bourdain to the far reaches of the world—from the comfort of our couch. But after a recent episode in Peru tantalized us, we had to get up and get out to sample some ceviche. more ›

First they closed Leilani and you didn't speak out, because you didn't bowl. Then they closed Southgate Skate Center and you didn't speak out, because you didn't roller skate. Blah blah blah you know at the end there's no one left to speak out for you. Well, that and you can speak out all you want but ain't nothing but $1.8 million going to save the White Center roller skate place. Efforts are there, though. more ›

VALTRON 3000 is co-captain of Throttle Rockets, one of the four teams in Rat City Rollergirls. more ›

Most area bowling alleys have some form of state-sanctioned gambling: lottery tickets, pull-tabs, keno, etc. Four alleys south of Seattle also have casino-style gambling, with poker, blackjack and so on. We have mixed feelings, but since casinos seem to keep these alleys afloat, we’re not gonna complain. more ›

Richard Hugo is possibly White Center's most famous son. That's saying....something. He was, like, a writer guy or something. Anyway, he has this house up on Capitol Hill where they talk about writing a lot and teach people how to do it and stuff. Something like that. So you writer types know who you are. You need to go to some of these events. Seattlest has read your work and believe us, go. more ›