The Weekend Wrap: Arson Suspect Collared, McGinn Transitions, and Banks Under Stress

“Squirrel Mural” courtesy of The SunBreak Flickr pool member Great Beyond

The Greenwood arsonist may turn out to be…an arsonist. Seattle police have collared a 46-year-old homeless man with a long history of setting fires. The Seattle Times also reports that while there have been 17 arson-related fires in Greenwood in the past two months, there have been 68 in the past two years. Sleepy little Greenwood was wide awake–hundreds of residents and business owners packed an arson meeting earlier in the week, and a reward of $25,000 was offered.

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Mayoral candidate Mike McGinn broke out the whiteboard and YouTube to update Seattle on his transition plans. One side effect may be ruffling Redmond feathers: McGinn is soliciting your input via Google Docs, famously uses an iPhone, and now his staff wants to use Macs, not PCs. Former Seattle-Times political reporter, current-Vulcan-PR-guy David Postman is advising McGinn on transition communications–Publicola commenters fear the worst.

Commercial real estate news continued to go down like a doubleshot of skunk-infused castor oil. The Mastro bankruptcy isn’t going to be amicably settled. Calculated Risk calculated that 25 percent of Washington banks were “troubled,” and Seattle Bubble noted that in terms of assets, not just institutions, 38 percent of the in-state lending market is held by “troubled” banks.

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On The SunBreak, Seth talked the Mariners into resigning Ken Griffey, Jr., I exposed the sordid underbelly of the leafblower industry, Roger cast the McGinn election in a historic light, Josh previewed the Deck the Hall Ball, and Audrey recapped local chef Robin’s last appearance on that reality cooking show. Oh, and in other food news, Ivar’s lied to you. For chowdery shame!