for an updated list, see : http://seattle.metblogs.com/2009/01/15/list-of-lists-inauguration-parties-tuesday-morning-drinks/ or http://seattle.metblogs.com/2009/01/19/celebrating-the-inauguration-in-seattle/

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As suspected, the delay in viaduct decision meant delay time to find money for a tunnel:

“After years of immobilizing conflict between the City of Seattle, King County and the state, elected leaders have agreed on a replacement for the earthquake-damaged Alaskan Way Viaduct – a deep bore tunnel under downtown Seattle.” [strangebedfellows]

At this point, it looks like it’s everyone against Frank Chopp (and the Seattle voters who “preferred” neither the tunnel nor viaduct option the last time they were on the open-ended ballot [mb]). Nevermind the “no, and hell no” interpretation folks, it’s time to get ready for years of digging and mole people! At least it isn’t the “hell no” option, right?

* 7:00 PM: U-District UW Bookstore presents William Iggiagruk Hensley to read and sign Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: a Memoir of Alaska and the Real People. Part memoir, part celebration of Inupiat culture, Fifty Miles… is a rich and fascinating read.
[LINK]

* 7:30 PM: After three sweeping novels of historical India, local writer Indu Sundaresan demonstrates her mastery of the short form with In the Convent of Little Flowers, her first, but hopefully not last, collection of stories. Elliot Bay Books is hosting Sundaresan to read and sign.
[LINK]

* 7:30 PM: Science writer Steven Johnson is at Town Hall Seattle to read and discuss The Invention of Air. In this most recent book, Johnson attempts to explicate the influence of iconoclastic chemist and theologian Joseph Priestly, perhaps the first science-exile to America, on the founding ideals of the new nation. Downstairs, $5.
[LINK]

* 7:30 PM: Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Anglican Communion, Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire, visits Town Hall Seattle to discuss his memoir, In The Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God. A fervent, but slightly awkward writer, Robinson’s enthusiasm and passion for his God of “radical inclusion” will undoubtedly transfer well to the Great Hall stage. Presented by the Diocese of Olympia, Integrity Puget Sound, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. $15
[LINK]

* 7:30 PM: If you were lucky (or smart) enough to know that Michael Pollan would be coming to Benaroya Hall months ago, you might have tickets to this lecture. If you hang out outside Benaroya before the lecture, you might even be able to score one or two. It could happen. Pollan has become something of a phenomenon in the last few years. The Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food are at the forefront of the current wave of evangelical-foodie texts, for good reason; however, Pollan’s earlier books are also excellent. It’s worth reading his works in chronological order to best appreciate the development of Pollan as a writer, journalist, parent, and activist.
[LINK]

7:30 PM: Hugo House hosts Octopus and Ontology, a reading with poets Bruce Beasley and Deborah Poe, as part of the Spontaneously Luminous Series. I am suspicious of luminousness. Also, spontaneity worries me.
[LINK]

Firemen – Pioneer Square by litratro at larawan via our group pool [#]

As mentioned previously, my goal for the weekend was to show four of my good friends around Seattle, along with two of their children- one six months old, and the other just over two months.

My original itinerary was scrapped early on, because of the flooding that shut down I-5 and delayed my friends in Portland for a day or so. But with six adults and two children on different schedules and with different interests, the only plan I had originally was to be as flexible as possible, and with the transportation difficulties, that’s really all I could do.

So, what do you do with six adults, two babies, and a day and a half to visit? Be flexible :)

In the end, we got Pike Place Market, good coffee (and cool coffee art!), the Troll and, most importantly, we satisfied a Jimmy John’s craving. You never know what your guests will enjoy the most, and sometimes it will surprise you, but if you’re flexible, even Jimmy John’s can be a memorable highlight.

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Since early 2007, to comply with a federal law requiring timely warning notification of crimes committed on or near campus, the University of Washington police department has been sending periodic e-mails to alert the campus community when wrongdoings are reported. Today brings notice of a bathroom-cruising would-be carnival barker in the undergraduate library:

The UW Police Department is investigating a reported case of indecent liberties that occurred on January 9, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. in a men’s restroom in Odegaard Library. A male victim entered the 3rd floor restroom and noticed the male suspect loitering by the sinks. The suspect started a conversation with the victim describing his own height and weight, and asked the victim how tall he was and how much he weighed. He asked several flirtatious questions while approaching the victim. The victim attempted to leave the area, but the suspect would not move. The suspect again asked the victim how much he weighed, said “let me check,” and grabbed the victim in several places. The victim stated that someone entered the restroom, which allowed him to escape. The victim was not injured in the encounter.

Condolences to the victim of this genuinely creepy encounter, without which we may have never learned the term “indecent liberties”. The rest of us should be vigilant for the suspect — a tall, dark-complected male with a “buzz” cut, strong accent of origin unknown — who was last seen carrying a small toiletry bag and using his apparent difficulty in judging size and mass from sight alone as a pick-up line.

Video of Steve Swartz making today’s announcement to the newsroom at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, in which he tells them that the paper has been losing money for years and they are now looking for a buyer to “continue this battle within 60 days”:

“journalism is a fabulous profession … but it is also a business.”

The Seattle School has a true knack for creating clever, fresh art projects, often utilizing unusual performance spaces. Like the bathroom.

Specifically, the bathroom of the Hideout at 1005 Boren in Seattle, the women’s bathroom to be precise, where they are presenting a piece called “Remember Me (Klaus Nomi bathroom)” that combines elements of the writings of Austrian architect Bernard Rudofsky, 20th century electronics, a colorful array of fresh carnations and 80s cabaret singer Klaus Nomi to create a three-minute one-person performance celebrated uniquely for each individual viewer.

“Remember Me (Klaus Nomi bathroom)” makes it debut tonight and continues weekends through the end of January.