August 2007

Look around your neighborhood, and you'll see more rain-collection barrels popping up in yards as people find ways to conserve water. The 55-gallon drums collect rain from downspouts and homeowners use it to water their lawns and gardens.

Because the rainwater is recycled to grow plants that absorb carbon dioxide - a key greenhouse gas tied to global warming - it seems like an environmental win-win.

In fact, many local governments are encouraging citizens to capture rain for non-potable uses.

Tom Stewart moved his privately owned food services corporation Services Group of America from West Seattle to Scottsdale, Ariz. last year.

A controversial proposal placing more regulations on West Seattle's nightlife establishments has passed a Seattle City Council committee, but council member Sally Clark isn't sure the license component will pass a full vote.

The panel voted 2-1 to pass recommendations for a nightclub license, though not as stringent as Mayor Greg Nickels' proposed enforcement ordinance that would have affected an estimated 300 businesses.

Under the committee's proposal, businesses would be required to apply for a regulatory license if they serve liquor after 10 p.m., charge admission, hav

The Highline School District has decided to closely study proposed legislation that could determine whether White Center and other North Highline schools might leave the district if Seattle annexes the unincorporated area.

Evergreen High and Cascade Middle as well as White Center Heights, Mount View, Southern Heights, Hilltop and Beverly Park/Glendale elementary schools could be included.

Currently, attendance areas may be switched between school districts if the majority of both school boards agree or a petition is signed by more than half of the registered voters in the

Nearly all developments in Seattle's urban centers will be required to build sidewalks, according to a piece of legislation announced by Mayor Greg Nickels on Thursday.

Washington State Ferries asks that travelers allow for extra time over the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend.

The heaviest backups and overloading are anticipated 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31 on westbound routes.

Return traffic is anticipated to be heaviest Sunday, Sept. 2 afternoon and evening. Morning sailings on Labor Day, Sept.

PCC Natural Markets will stop using plastic shopping bags Oct. 1.

PCC officials say it will enhance the local grocery chain's current program to encourage shoppers to reuse their own bags by offering a selection of reusable totes at cost, while continuing to provide paper bags at no charge.

"While this decision to eliminate plastic shopping bags will entail some additional cost, it's simply the right thing to do," says Chief Executive Officer Tracy Wolpert.

Mayor Greg Nickels is looking for a new member to serve on the city's Landmarks Preservation Board in the real estate position.

The 12-member Landmarks Preservation Board makes recommendations to the City Council for landmark designation and reviews all proposed physical alterations to designated features of landmark properties.

The board is composed of two architects, two historians, one structural engineer, one representative each from the fields of real estate and finance, one member from the City Planning Commission, a "Get Engaged" member, and three members at-large.

The Metropolitan King County Council has unanimously adopted a five-year Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Plan that council members say demonstrates the county's continued high performance and commitment to equal employment opportunity, and adds new tools to measure diversity in the county workforce.

"In the past two decades, King County government has made significant strides in providing equal employment opportunities for historically disadvantaged populations," said King County Council member Larry Phillips, prime sponsor of the plan.

Tuesday morning, a young woman was down at the Duwamish shoreline doing research for a college paper when she discovered what she thought was a human bone. She dug a bit in the dirt and found other bones and decided to call 911. The bones were taken to the medical examiner's office to be analyzed.

Friday afternoon, a wedding party at Hamilton Viewpoint was repeatedly interrupted by four men wearing masks who drove by and yelled profanity. They also threatened to shoot and kill the partygoers.