October 2008

are unsafe

There are plenty of "safe" longboarders out there that don't zip in and out of traffic or even on busy roads at all. Don't use some apparently clueless girl without protective gear dodging around a road full of cars as an excuse to ruin an amazing new sport for everyone - yes there should be laws regarding skateboarding - but it should not be banned completely. City ordinances (give them the) right to do what they want so far.

Shoreline recently made it illegal to longboard anywhere in the area even the neighborhoods.

That girl had no idea what she is doing and was a danger to herself and others, but that doesn't mean there aren't safe longboarders out there. We need to look at this from a balanced perspective.

Steven Murray

Seattle

I think you're a complete idiot for thinking that complete idiot knew anything about proper skateboarding safety - and to ruin it for everyone would be also be completely idiotic!

Jessica Tierney

Seattle

Tough times call for strong relationships

By John Huey

Looming layoffs. Declining home values and residential construction. Mega-banks and Wall Street firms on the ropes.

The skittish national economy is beginning to give the Puget Sound jitters. And for business owners in Ballard and West Seattle, transportation issues add another layer of challenges and uncertainties.

The question is: What can you do about it?

The answer is: Plenty. And many of the strategies are just good business practices that make sense anytime.

Change it Up

I'm for change, how 'bout you?

We all could do with something new

But do we know exactly who

Or what this change will really do?

This word has trickled like the rain

Through every candidate's campaign

But I'm compelled to still complain

That I don't know how we will gain

Besides more change back from the store

The anticipation of Election Day offers more than hope and change to Americans because it also promises confusion and cynicism to many who will either vote or elect to stay home.

To navigate through the fog of spin, attack ads, and myth on both sides of the aisle, State Sen. Joe McDermott will offer a two-night, pre- and post-election course at South Seattle Community College's Continuing Education Department.

Next Monday, Oct. 27, he will explain the ins and outs of the national election process. On Nov.

When Joel and Nicole Donnelly look out at the view from their deck, five 10-foot-tall cellular phone antennas constructed on the roof of the apartment complex next door block what would be a sweeping view of the city.

Soon the Donnelly's could be looking out at 12 more on the same roof.

Verizon Wireless was granted a conditional use permit on June 30 to add eight new antennas to their existing three on the Sound Crest apartments at 6609 S.W. Admiral Way. That decision is being appealed by community members to a hearing examiner on Oct.

This year students at Seattle Public Schools are not only learning what they need to do to stay healthy, but also why.

The district has adopted the new physical education program, Five For Life, for students from kindergarten through high school.

For the past seven years no Seattle high school student has received a failing grade on a report card.

That's because since 2000 E grades, the equivalent of an F, were banished and instead students received an N signifying "no credit." But this year all Seattle Public Schools will be distributing the E grade once again.

The change is primarily logistical to comply with Seattle Public School Board Policy.

Placing third on Mayor Greg Nickels' priority of levies that should be passed this year is Proposition 2, a citizen effort to prolong the current Pro Parks levy, favored by many neighborhoods that benefited from money to create more parks and green spaces.

Nickels has endorsed and committed to the $73 million property tax levy to upgrade the seismic and core infrastructure of Pike Place Market and Proposition 1, the Sound Transit proposed expansion of light rail to South Snohomish County and the Eastside.

"Due to difficult economic times, the mayor didn't support putting