January 2007

City and county transportation officials are figuring out how to create a "bus rapid transit" system that will speed up Metro buses with traffic-signal control devices, in-lane bus stops and maybe more bus-only lanes in West Seattle and Ballard.

Bus rapid transit, or "Rapid Ride" as King County Metro calls it, is part of the county's "Transit Now" program, which voters approved two months ago. It includes money to start five bus rapid transit routes around the county.

The proposal to make four blocks of Southwest 98th Street in White Center a pedestrian corridor is getting traction so people checked out some of the preliminary ideas at a recent open house.

The concept is to create a pleasant walking and bicycling route on 98th Street between the sprawling new Greenbridge housing development and the White Center business district. A study by King County discovered that people who live in "walkable" communities are healthier.

A memorial is planned to honor Deputy Steve Cox, who was killed in the line of duty in White Center Dec. 2.

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council is gathering ideas from the public for the memorial. A task force is being assembled of community leaders and representatives of King County government and the King County Sheriff's Office.

Please submit ideas for the Cox memorial in writing, either by e-mail or postal mail. Include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address. Send ideas to Russ Kay, North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, P.O.

Tay Yoshitani is the new chief executive officer of the Port of Seattle, replacing Mic Dinsmore, who resigned after 16 years on the job.

Yoshitani previously led ports in Oakland and Baltimore and was deputy executive director of the Port of Los Angeles.

Sunday evening, at 21st and Juneau, officers stopped a car for excessive noise and mechanical problems. Inside they found a treasure trove of stolen items: cameras, laptop computers, stereo equipment, and jewelry. Meth pipes, baggies with suspected narcotics residue and pills were also confiscated. The driver (who had a suspended license) was booked into King County Jail for investigation of drug violations. His passenger was released from the precinct.

Three girls between the ages of 11 and 13 were caught after breaking into Roxhill Elementary School on Sunday afternoon.

In the Morgan Junction, loyal customers came together generously offering up generators to keep the doors open during recent wind storms. Friends gathered on communal couches in the English-style setting and toasted pints to the new year. Stories, laughter and the sound of clinking glasses from 'round the world filled the air.

Something's brewing at Beveridge Place Pub.

Pity the student who was asked this question in last week's geography bee at Madison Middle School: "Women traditionally wear an abbaya, over modern clothes, in Manama, the cosmopolitan capital city of which country?"

Worse, the question was not even multiple-choice.

Twenty-five students from all three grades entered the seven-round preliminary competition at Madison Middle School.

The decision by the Federal Way School Board to allow the showing of the documentary entitled An Inconvenient Truth only if it is balanced by the presentation of an "opposing view" was supposedly prompted by a parent's irate e-mail.

Seattle City Council President Nick Licata and Councilmember David Della released a plan last week, asking Seattle voters for their opinion on the best replacement for the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Licata is scheduling special meetings of the Full Council on Thursday, January 18 and Friday, January 19 in order to comply with Governor Christine Gregoire*s proposal that Seattleites vote before the scheduled end of the state Legislative session on April 22.

The only election date available before the Legislative session ends is on March 13.

Licata's ballot proposal cal

City and county transportation officials are figuring out how to create a "bus rapid transit" system that will speed up Metro buses with traffic-signal control devices, in-lane bus stops and maybe more bus-only lanes in West Seattle and Ballard.

Bus rapid transit, or "Rapid Ride" as King County Metro calls it, is part of the county's "Transit Now" program, which voters approved two months ago. It includes money to start five bus rapid transit routes around the county.