The Weekend Wrap Gets Coal in Its Stockings

Trans Alta's Centralia electricity-generating coal plant, our local Smaug the dragon, is the state's top CO2 emitter, pumping out 11 percent of the state's total emissions. It's also tops in mercury and nitrogen oxide. And despite gas-powered plants increasing the power of our electric blanket, the state, led by Governor Gregoire, isn't pushing to quickly decommission the plant or up its scrubbing power. "How's that hopey, changey thing workin' out for ya?"

If Cliff Mass is right about another cold trough heading our way, we'll still be running our electric heaters in late May. If we still live indoors. Nationally, more of the safest mortgage holders were losing their homes to foreclosure (almost 40 percent of new foreclosures in Q1), while in Seattle, home depreciation is expected to continue through this year. That might sound grim, but what it means, graphs the Seattle Bubble, is that home prices are coming back into line with median income.

TechFlash reports that six months after their marriage, Amazon and Zappos are still using separate bank accounts. Nordstrom is doing so well, they increased their dividend. "If MSFT is a patent alley thug, then SFDC is a crack addict cat burglar." Starbucks is doing so well, they spent $180,000 in Q1 on lobbying. The Port of Seattle seems to be weathering the economic doldrums pretty well.

The other day a police officer stopped me in front of the East Precinct for jaywalking. (I jumped the light and was halfway across before the little walking guy appeared--it was a good bust.)

But I remember her asking me how it looked if I jaywalked in front of precinct house, and I had to bite my tongue about the chronic drug-dealing a block away near Cal Anderson, or the mugging that took place outside my office, a few more blocks away. Yesterday, an officer was assaulted by two men in a 1995 Lexus as she tried to leave the precinct.

In other 'hood news, CD News had updates on the Swedish expansion and Casa Latina expansion, and even strolled over to Madrona for a story on glassybaby. The belltownpeople blog worried about the exodus of businesses from the area, but gave Tom Douglas a huzzah for his salmon-bake-in-the-park plans. Belltown was also the site of the Great Flatpanel TV Coup of '10. Q13 stopped by Eastlake's P-Patch. Maple Leaf went underground. The U District Daily looked into the UW's search for a new president.

Wallingford finally got that sock shop they've been waiting for, Greenwood welcomed a New-York-style pizzeria, Ballard is in line for an oyster bar, and SLU will soon have more furniture options.

Here on TSB, the City Council had our full attention. Nick Licata had a plan to save $50 million on Mercer, Richard Conlin admitted the state could compel Seattle to pay for tunnel cost overruns, and for perspective I took a trip down due-diligence lane and stopped in at the self-cleaning toilets.

A drug task force took some I-1068 petitions with them in a raid--they say they're returning them. The zoo has a baby pudu. Legalize online gambling? McDermott says its for the children. Metro fare evasion ($3.2 million annually) brings up debate over the Ride Free Area.

I succeeded in my lifelong dream of enjoying a happy hour with Swedish meatballs and waxing esoteric. Jeremy was into play readings and upcoming dance performances. Audrey noted the Capitol Hill Block Party, "Now with Extra Day!" news, pointed you to SIFF's festival app, and SIFF's opening weekend. Clint previewed the rock art show at the Showbox. Dan went to see Oedipus at the Balagan, and Morgen loved the Ramona Falls show at the Crocodile.