Afternoon Edition: Reverbfest Relived, Nickelsville Reprieved

Grayskul performs at the Sunset (Laurie Pearman). See more photos here.

Like any good night of partying, Reverbfest leaves its mark. Relive the fun or see what you missed here.

Already over Reverbfest? Brickner previews tonight's best shows.

New Dynamic Duo (minus the tights, we hope): Greg Nickels and Larry Phillips?

The Indie Goddess Speaketh: Hobart interviews Liz Phair.

How Can You Keep on Movin'? The fine folks at Nickelsville get a reprieve.

How to Keep on Boozin': Forthcoming (courtesy of our own Hannah Levin) and recently arrived watering holes.

Happy Birthday, Hawks fans: Froehling, others, celebrate life anniversary, suffer Hawks at Firehouse.

For the Nickelodeons:

Topics: Afternoon Edition

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Tijuana Bloodbath

If you're a fan of "Scarface", "The Wire", "Traffic", and/or general drug war drama, you may find interesting this LA Times piece on a particularly bloody and gruesome turf war going on right now in Tijuana. All brought to you courtesy of our War on Drugs, where it's like Prohibition all the time! (Minus the fun speakeasies, of course.) Thanks to NPC for the link.

Topics: Dangerous Jobs

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Rolling Stone Chews McCain Up, Spits Him Out

I'm trying to remember the last time a major national magazine pummeled a Presidential candidate this ferociously and comprehensively. What makes this piece most damning is that 90 percent of the sources quoted in it are Republicans, all of whom basically consider McCain mentally unfit to lead the country in such a tumultous global political climate (remember what I said about WWIII). And about that "war hero" tag? His brothers-in-arms call bullshit on that in a big way, and we go on to learn that McCain was a comically bad pilot before his capture. What's more, the Reagans thought he was an asshole for dumping his first wife, to the point where they essentially cut ties with McCain — which sure punctures the credibility of McCain's relentless Gipper worship. Suffice it to say, this is a must-read, folks.

Topics: Campaign 2008

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Reprieve for Nickelsville 'til Wednesday

Two weeks after the Nickelodeons set up 150 pink tents before dawn in city-owned lot on West Marginal Way, the encampment remains alive and fighting. Over the weekend Nickelsville was given a reprieve by the city, which bumped the deadline for it to leave Discovery Park to noon Wednesday. (The city had previously said the homeless residents had to vacate by noon today.) A spokesperson for Nickels says the mayor agreed to extend the deadline at the request of the Nickelodeons' attorney. Encampment residents are pursuing possible legal action in an effort to stay on land adjacent the Daybreak Star Center until a permanent location can be found. Meantime, Nickelsville organizers have also written letters to 22 property owners— including the University of Washington, Washington Department of Transportation, Sabey Corp., Seattle School District, Port of Seattle, Burlington Northern Railroad, and Prescott Development LLC— asking for help in finding a site.

Topics: Campaign 2008

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Overheard on the Ferry (Kids Say Funny S*#%)

Moments ago, two kids looking out the window behind me:

Kid 1: "Where's Safeco Field?"

Kid 2: "It's up your butt and around the corner."

Topics: Transportation

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Who Would Nickels Endorse?

Seattle Steam kicked out a press release this morning announcing the ground breaking of a renewable energy storage facility. I don't really understand it, but it has something to do with converting waste wood into fuel. Alternative energy projects haven't been hugely successful of late—Propel's biofuel stations are pretty empty—but the most interesting thing that jumped out wasn't the fuel, it was the guest list for the event—Mayor Greg Nickels, running for re-election next year, and Council Member Larry Phillips, exploring a 2009 run against Ron Sims for his Executive post. Is it just a one-time joint appearance or a harbinger of campaign alliances to come?

It's been a rough week for Sims—the County Councilor unanimously passed a measure last week asking for more transparency with regard to the Metro funding gap with fare increases on the horizon. And yesterday, three people from the council, including Democrats Dow Constantine and Julia Patterson, announced they were pushing for privatization of the animal shelter—another Sims liability. “The current model isn’t working, and frankly hasn’t worked for years,” Patterson states in a press release yesterday.

Topics: Campaign 2009 and Environment

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Noon Monday Deadline for Nickelsville

Nickelsville, in its most recent incarnation near Daybreak Star Center in Discovery Park, has been given until noon Monday by the city to depart. (The encampment is on land the United Indians of all Tribes leases from the city Parks Department.) A few of the Nickelodeons, who are represented by the Northwest Justice Project, plan to meet with the city attorney Monday morning. If an agreement isn't reached at that time, they say they may pursue legal action to remain at Daybreak Star— at least in the near term. They'd still like to find a permanent location for the encampment.

Topics: City of Seattle

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Afternoon Edition: Veep Debate Hangover

What? You'd rather I posted a video of the actual debate? Sorry, this is far more hilarious.

Seel gets ready to be drafted.

McDermott is bangin', um... well, he voted against the bailout.

Poll shows Chris and Dino neck and neck.

State sets pot limits.

So now that news and politics got ya down, cheer up. This weekend is REVERBfest in Ballard. Be there!

Topics: Afternoon Edition

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Poll: Gregoire and Rossi Tied

photo by Kevin P. Casey

The latest Rasmussen Reports poll has Gov. Christine Gregoire tied with challenger Dino Rossi at 48 percent apiece— an improvement for the incumbent over last month's numbers, which had Rossi ahead by six. Gregoire may have gotten a small bump due to strong performances in the three debates since the last poll took place. The numbers may also be a sign that voters aren't necessarily blaming her for the bleak budget numbers. Yet. But the latest poll shows Rossi's popularity with unaffiliated voters growing. He leads Gregoire by 20 points with this group. Still anybody's game.

Topics: Campaign 2008

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New Medical Pot Rules: 24 Ounces Smokable, 15 Plants

www.garon.us

Lennon Garon, the son of Tim Garon who rather famously and sadly died of Hepatitis C after being denied a liver transplant, is facing a felony charge in Snohomish County for growing his father's pot. (Read this week's story here.)

Under Washington law, someone like Garon has been allowed to grow pot, but only a 60 day supply. The law never defined how much marijuana that would be—until Wednesday. The Department of Health finalized their rules after a series of public hearings, according to a press release. Patients and agents providing them with medical marijuana will be allowed to possess 24 ounces of usable pot and 15 plants in any stage of maturity.

The rule falls well below the amount of pot found in Lennon Garon's Mill Creek home—69 plants in various stages of growth and 2.72 pounds of processed marijuana. Medical marijuana advocate and attorney Douglass Hiatt says he plans to fight the rule.

Topics: State of Washington

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McDermott's Unemployment Bill Passes House

McD, who withdrew his proposed economic stimulus package to focus on the less fortunate, is "down there bangin' for Main Street," says spokesperson Mike DeCesare. The Congressman has had a whirlwind 36 hours since attending the Robert Plant-Alison Krauss concert in Seattle on Wednesday night. " When he got on the plane [back to D.C. Thursday morning], he was going for the stimulus," explains DeCesare. "When he got off the plane, he got word that they were pulling his UI bill out to vote on it, so he withdrew his stimulus package." It's the second time McD has pushed a bill extending unemployment benefits through this year; a press release summarizing McD's latest House-clearing legislation is available after the jump.

Continue reading "McDermott's Unemployment Bill Passes House"

Topics: Business

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Congress Approves Bailout, Finally

Wall Street — and Main Street — can rest a little easier now. Or so we hope.

Topics: Business

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Howland Moving to Seattle Channel

After two years as the city council's communications specialist, George Howland Jr., former long-time Seattle Weekly City Hall scribe , is leaving. But he's not going far. Howland will take over as communications manager for the Seattle Channel. His last day at council is Monday.

Howland says there aren't many jobs that could've lured him away, but that he loves the Seattle Channel "because of its great public affairs programming... and because it shows all council meetings and forums and all mayoral press conferences— a necessary and vital link in keeping our city's politics healthy and vital."

Sounds like he won't have any trouble getting on his new message.

Topics: Campaign 2008

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Palin Clears the Underground Bar, But Biden Still Clobbers Her

Yes, the Republican's Vice Presidential nominee, Sarah "Margie Gunderson" Palin, exceeded expectations last night, a pretty easy trick when the proverbial bar is so low as to be buried underground. But that doesn't mean people shouldn't still be scared shitless by the prospect of this immensely unqualified, intellectually shallow woman's ascent to the second highest office in the land — and while Palin didn't embarrass herself, Joe Biden still creamed her in last night's debate. Of all four candidates, in fact, Biden's performance was far and away the best. By the way, I'm pretty sure Palin's chilly reaction to Biden's choking up was somewhat innocent, in that she likely spaced on the fact that Biden lost a child in a tragic car accident many years ago. When you're too busy trying to pull off the political equivalent of pulling an all-night cram session for the most important mid-term in your life, these sorts of details tend to slip the mind.

That said, I actually felt as though McCain narrowly won last week's Presidential debate, if only because, in sharp contrast to Palin, Obama fell short of clearing his ridiculously high bar for success. In winning the debate, however, McCain also made it very clear that World War III will commence within the first two years of his Presidency. That's really what it comes down to, folks: Are you psyched to fight World War III and see the enthusiastic reinstitution of conscription? If the answer is yes, by all means, vote McCain-Palin.

Topics: Campaign 2008

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Afternoon Edition: Classing Up Canlis

Congressman McDermott dons bolo tie, parties at Sluggers, rocks out to Robert Plant (sort of) at theater named in honor of now-defunct thrift at center of fiscal crisis, flies back to D.C., introduces economic stimulus package.

Nickelsville decamps to Magnolia.

Now serving brunch: Cremant. Now serving SPU grads with silver hoop earrings and charcoal around the eyes: Canlis.

Kornelis comes up with the Veep debate drinking game that Laura "Gigli" Onstot could not.

No Depression magazine relaunches...online.

"You have a search warrant, officers? Okay, here are the keys. Wait, you want to bust down the door anyway? Well, alright."

Topics: Afternoon Edition

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