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Saturday, November 21, 2009 - Page updated at 10:37 a.m.

Today's updates

NEW - 10:32 AM

Landrieu to vote to move ahead on health-care bill

Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu says she will vote "yes" on a crucial test vote on the health care bill.

Review: 'Miscellanea II' is a mixed bag — far too much of one

Manifold Motion's "Miscellanea II" doesn't rise to the level of last year's soaring "Woolgatherer."

Both teams want the home crowd on their side

Players from both the L.A. Galaxy and Real Salt Lake look forward to a good atmosphere at Qwest Field in the MLS Cup final Sunday.

Conflicting blast reports reflect fear in Pakistan

A gas explosion injured one person and damaged a two-story building in northwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border Saturday. Police initially said it was a bomb but later determined it was an accident.

China says 42 dead, 66 trapped in mine explosion

A gas explosion tore through a state-run coal mine in northern China on Saturday, killing 42 people and leaving 66 others trapped underground as rescuers worked hastily to save them.

Man shot in chest on E. Union Street in Capitol Hill

A man was shot in the chest outside an apartment building in the 700 block of East Union Street on Friday evening.

Italian lead prosecutor argues Knox motive was hatred

Amanda Knox, a former University of Washington student who was studying abroad in Italy, had a growing hatred for her British roommate and fatally stabbed her in retaliation during a drug-fueled sex game, a prosecutor in Perugia contended Friday in seven-hour-long closing arguments at her murder trial. A verdict is expected in early December.

Prep Soccer | 1A Girls': Seattle Academy, Overlake in final

Seattle Academy shut out Bush 3-0 in a Class 1A girls soccer semifinal game.

Prep Football | 1A: King's loses wild one to Nooksack Valley, 54-47

The Knights couldn't hold a 40-13 lead and lost in the quarterfinals of the Class 1A playoffs.

NW Briefs

Hydros: Villwock scores a Qatar double

Dave Villwock of Auburn captured heats 1B and 2B on Friday as unlimited hydroplanes made their overseas debut in the inagural Oryx Cup UIM World Championship in Doha, Qatar.

Prep Soccer | 2B/1B: Bear Creek boys win in shootout, reach title game

The Grizzlies beat LaConner 2-1 in a shootout despite allowing a tying goal with 22 seconds left in regulation.

Prep Soccer | 2A Girls': Archbishop Murphy, Cheney in final

The Wildcats from Archbishop Murphy got two goals from Sam Pettinger in a 3-1 semifinal victory over Sehome of Bellingham.

4A football: Top-ranked Bothell stops Issaquah, 30-9

The Cougars' defense smothers the Eagles, paving the way for a trip to the semifinals at the Tacoma Dome next week.

Statewide football scores

Bothell 30, Issaquah 9 Skyview 34, Auburn 21 Liberty (Issaquah) 20, Lindbergh 17 (3OT) Ellensburg 28, Mark Morris 7 Nooksack Valley 54...

Women's College Hoops | WSU loses at Kansas State

Forward Ashley Sweat collected game-high totals of 33 points and 11 rebounds to lead Kansas State to a 70-63 victory over Washington State on Friday night.

UW Men's Hoops | Huskies defeat Spartans, 80-70

Friday night, Adrian Oliver, who transferred to San Jose State in 2007, looked comfortable inside his old digs. However, the Huskies overwhelmed the Spartans' front line in an 80-70 victory in front of 8,155 at Edmundson Pavilion.

Prep Soccer | 4A Girls: Skyline, Issaquah in all-KingCo final

Defending champ Skyline needs shootout to edge Kentwood, while Issaquah skates past Kamiakin 3-1 in semifinal games.

Prep Football: 4A: Skyview knocks out No. 3 Auburn, 34-21

Auburn fell 34-21 in a Class 4A quarterfinal game at Kiggins Bowl.

WHL | Thunderbirds thwart Kamloops at home

Lindsay Nielsen scored two goals Friday night to lead the Seattle Thunderbirds to a 3-1 victory over the Kamloops Blazers at ShoWare Center.

UW provost tapped for Nike's board

University of Washington Provost Phyllis Wise has taken on a second job — as a director on the corporate board of Nike, the ubiquitous athletic apparel and equipment company.

Food-bank donations pour in after theft in Rainier Valley

In the two days since burglars stole up to $2,000 worth of food from the Rainier Valley Food Bank, at least $100,000 worth of new donations rolled in.

Lynnwood is reinventing itself — again

Lynnwood is spending $80,000 on a consultant to develop a new brand and market itself to prospective businesses, tourists and residents.

Man gets 11 1/2 years in I-90 floating-bridge stabbing

A man who last year stabbed another man in front of motorists on the Mercer Island floating bridge then led police on a nearly eight mile chase was sentenced Friday to 11 1/2 years in prison.

Nonprofits get creative using Twitter and Facebook to make donation easier

Mindful of the tough times, nonprofits are downsizing their appeals, hoping that more people would be willing to give in smaller amounts. They're also making the most of free social media sites like Twitter and Facebook.

Constantine to trim personal staff and salaries

King County executive-elect Dow Constantine will have a significantly smaller personal staff and will pay them 10 to 15 percent less than their predecessors, his transition team announced Friday.

EcoConsumer

Some fresh new ideas for 'greening the holidays'

"Greening the holidays" began as a grass-roots movement, but it practically has turned into an industry. Thankfully, local resources for green holidays keep rising to the occasion with fresh new ideas.

Phoebe Bock, community activist, philanthropist

Phoebe Bock's story could start where her life did, in a poor neighborhood of Honolulu, where she was the youngest of 12 children in a Chinese family, and didn't even wear shoes until the fifth grade.

Large lessons in joy come in tiny packages

If being a parent is one long classroom in the school of life — and it is; we learned so much from our kids, and from raising them — then being a grandparent is like being in the graduate school of joy.

175 foster kids in Washington get 'forever families'

Families adopted 175 foster children on Friday in ceremonies at courthouses throughout Washington. The public celebrations of the typically private proceedings were held to recognize National Adoption Day and to raise awareness of the thousands of adoptable children living in foster care.

County asked to buy Eastside railway for $26.5 million

King County Executive Kurt Triplett asked the Metropolitan King County Council on Friday to authorize spending $26.5 million to buy most of the southern part of BNSF Railway's 42-mile Eastside rail corridor as a future route for a trail and passenger rail.

Judge: Seattle July 4 fireworks don't need review

A King County Superior Court judge says Seattle doesn't have to do an environmental review before July Fourth fireworks displays at Gas Works Park.

North Cascades Highways closes for the winter

The North Cascades Highway is officially closed for the season. It was temporarily closed last Friday afternoon because of snow slides.

Man sentenced for Wash. bank robberies

A 43-year-old California man has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison after pleading guilty to several bank robberies in Washington state. Robert Vincent Mendez has also been indicted in four other bank robberies in Oregon.

Washington to skip first round of Race to the Top

Gov. Chris Gregoire says the state of Washington is going to wait until the second round to compete for money from a new federal fund for education reform.

Zags Men's Hoops | Sacre, Bouldin lead Gonzaga over IPFW 90-55

Robert Sacre scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds as Gonzaga beat IPFW 90-55 Friday night.

Seattle U Womens Hoops | Seattle U stays close for a while in Purdue game

The Redhawks trailed No. 23 Purdue by a point about 12 minutes into the game.

Steve Kelley

David Beckham talks of ups, downs of game he loves

David Beckham's L.A. Galaxy plays Salt Lake for the MLS Cup at Qwest Field on Sunday. In his third MLS season, Beckham, an international star, has dealt with criticism from a teammate and from the fans, but he's not buckling. He's familiar with the idea that any publicity is good publicity.

Mariners to try Dustin Ackley at second base

The first-round draft pick played in the outfield and first base at the University of North Carolina but will get a shot at second base in the minor leagues.

2006 Cup ends in penalty kicks: Dynamo takes Revolution 4-3

Seattle will host the 14th MLS Cup on Sunday, at Qwest Field. This is the 11th in a series of stories about the first 13 MLS Cups.

3A Girls Soccer | Mercer Island reaches title game, beats Camas 2-1

The Islanders slipped past the Papermakers and will play for their first girls soccer state championship today against Columbia River.

Auto | Enumclaw's Kasey Kahne intends to shop around for a new team

Kasey Kahne of Enumclaw said he is strongly considering leaving Richard Petty Motorsports.

Bremerton's Marvin Williams helps lead Hawks to win

The Atlanta Hawks won their seventh in a row, beating the Houston Rockets 105-103 Friday night to maintain the NBA's best record.

Briefs | WNBA: Sacramento Kings franchise folds

The Sacramento Monarchs folded Friday, a disappointing development for the league and one of its original eight franchises.

Central Washington goes on the defensive this year

This season, the No. 1-ranked Wildcats have put more focus on stopping other teams than outscoring them.

College football | Ohio State-Michigan series is in decline

The Game has lost a lot of luster. Ohio State has beaten Michigan five consecutive times, its best winning streak and the longest in the...

Deon Butler's Rookie Diary

Seahawks rookie wide receiver Deon Butler and Seattle Times sports columnist Jerry Brewer continue with Part 10 of their weekly diary about what life in the NFL is like for a rookie. Look for it every Friday.

Golf | Lee Westwood leads European Tour finale in Dubai by 2 strokes

Lee Westwood of England shot a 3-under-par 69 Friday to take a two-stroke lead after the second round of the Dubai World Championship, strengthening...

NFL | Neck injury sidelines Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce

Linebacker Antonio Pierce, who is the defensive captain of the New York Giants, is out indefinitely after an MRI exam Friday revealed a bulging disk in his neck.

Prep Football | 3A: Liberty outlasts Lindbergh in 3 OTs, 20-17

The third-ranked Patriots put four quarters and two overtimes of offensive frustration behind them to clinch the first semifinal appearance for longtime coach Steve Valach.

Seahawks CB Josh Wilson has not been cleared to play

Cornerback suffered a concussion in the first half of last Sunday's game against the Cardinals

UW Women's Hoops | UW's Lydia Young to have career-ending knee surgery

The senior forward has patellofemoral syndrome, which prevents her knee cap from sliding smoothly.

Vancouver Canucks rally past Colorado

Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff's second goal got Vancouver even in the third period, and Henrik Sedin netted the go-ahead score as the Canucks rallied to beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 Friday night.

Vizquel close to signing contract with White Sox

The Chicago White Sox are closing in on a contract agreement with free-agent shortstop Omar Vizquel.

WSU seniors prepare for final home game

Four players suiting up together for one final game in Pullman.

Men's College Hoops | Gonzaga dominates in second victory

Gonzaga coach Mark Few is not given to easy praise for his team, but he could find little to criticize after Friday's 90-55 win over IPFW.

All-league football selections

Updated all-league selections, as selected by players or coaches unless otherwise noted. Further selections will be published as they arrive.

SPU's Jessica Pixler fights through the pain

Seattle Pacific's runner aims for her third consecutive national cross-country title on Saturday

WSU-Oregon State preview

Washington State (1-9, 0-7 Pac-10); Oregon State (7-3, 5-2) Time: 2 p.m. at Martin Stadium (Pullman)

Washington state wines make annual best-of list

Washington state wineries produce nine of the top ranked wines on Wine Spectator magazine list.

Cool yule buzz on the latest in gift gear for your nerd

In the holiday stampede, it's all too easy to pick an outdated gadget or obsolete program. And mistakes can be costly. Not to sweat, here's a look at some cool items costing $100 or more.

BofA moves to take control of Mastro building in Fremont

Bank of America moved this week to foreclose on one of bankrupt real-estate magnate Michael R. Mastro's most valuable properties, a new office building in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood.

Busy week of IPOs sets stage for strong year ahead

The flurry of initial public offerings this week is confirmation that this fall's rebound in the market wasn't a fluke and sets the stage for more companies to raise money through IPOs in 2010.

Elements 8 is a snap for photographers of all skill levels

Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac manages to do something that's difficult to find in software: It caters as well to beginners as it does to advanced photographers.

Q&A

It's safe to delete restore points

Q: When Compaq partitioned the hard drive of my mother-in-law's computer, it configured the smaller partition to contain all the restore points that XP generates.

Boeing warns of 49 possible layoffs locally

Boeing notified the state Employment Security Department that 49 Puget Sound employees may be laid off effective Jan. 22, a department spokesperson...

B&N Nook sells out, too late for holiday orders

Consumers who haven't yet ordered Barnes & Noble's electronic book reader, the Nook, won't see one before Christmas.

Dollar keeps gaining as traders pare risk exposure

The safe-haven dollar further strengthened Friday and Treasury yields hovered around their lows for the year as worries about the economy in 2010 diminished traders' appetites for risky bets.

Calif. launches probe into scam targeting churches

California is investigating several companies suspected of bilking churches nationwide of hundreds of thousands of dollars through fraudulent computer leasing schemes, authorities said Friday.

Measure to change U. of Neb. stem-cell rule fails

The University of Nebraska's governing board on Friday voted not to place tighter restrictions on embryonic stem cell research than those outlined under federal guidelines, which were expanded after President Barack Obama took office.

UPS sets new rates for 2010

UPS Inc., the world's largest shipping carrier, is hiking 2010 rates for ground packages by an average of 4.9 percent.

D.R. Horton sees 26 perecent spike in 4Q orders

Homebuilder D.R. Horton Inc., saw new home orders spike 26 percent from a year ago in the latest quarter as buyers raced to close deals and take advantage of a federal tax credit. But a wider-than-anticipated loss fueled by write-downs sent shares tumbling more than 15 percent Friday.

Web sites cater to for-sale-by-owner home sellers

Selling a home without a real estate agent can save thousands of dollars in commission fees, but it can also be a painstaking, confusing task.

A holiday surprise, homes can sell; here is how to do it

The real-estate market really slows down over the holidays, but some say it actually can be a good time to sell a home because of the lack of competition. You just have to do it right.

Nation's Housing

Pressure on FHA to toughen terms

For the past several years, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has been the go-to financing resource for cash-strapped homebuyers...

Buying a home on (tax credit) deadline

House shopping usually slows down in the winter, as people put their home searches on hold to trim the tree, buy presents to put under it...

Failed lenders boost FDIC real-estate sales

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) has already sold the most real estate this year than in all of 1994 as the regulator takes over properties held by failed lenders.

Homebuilders still discouraged, national survey shows

U.S. homebuilders remained discouraged about their business in November, but were a bit more hopeful about future sales, according to a monthly survey.

Web sites specializing in real estate focus on standing out from the crowd

Real-estate portals seeking to differentiate themselves from their competitors are pulling onto their Web sites anything and everything from the growing universe of information that might conceivably be connected with a home purchase.

First key vote today on Senate health bill

After negotiating critical last-minute commitments, Senate Democratic leaders on Friday were on the verge of having the necessary 60 votes to begin consideration of the most expansive health-care legislation to go before the Senate in nearly half a century.

Genetics anti-bias law takes effect

The first federal anti-discrimination law in nearly 20 years takes effect today, prohibiting employers from hiring, firing or determining promotions based on genetic makeup.

Senate panel reveals more troubling e-mails from Fort Hood suspect

There may be additional e-mails that could have tipped off law enforcement or military officials to the Fort Hood shooter before he went on his deadly rampage, the chairman of the Senate Armed Forces Committee said Friday.

Floods ravage UK region

Raging floods engulfed northern England's picturesque Lake District on Friday after the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in Britain, killing a police officer and trapping dozens in their swamped homes.

Protests intensify at UC campuses over 32% tuition cost jump

Officials at the University of California Berkeley sent for help from police after protests intensified at that campus and continued on other UC campuses the day after University of California Board of Regents approved a 32-percent increase in tuition.

Museum recovers Galileo's fingers, tooth

Two fingers and a tooth removed from Galileo Galilei's corpse in a Florentine basilica in the 18th century and given up for lost have been found again, a Florence museum said Friday.

Swine-flu illnesses dropping for now, CDC says

Health officials say swine-flu cases appear to declining throughout most of the United States, but the specter of Thanksgiving gatherings makes it hard to predict what will happen next.

Kidnapped Britons fear Somali pirates will kill them

A British couple being held hostage by Somali pirates said in an interview broadcast Friday that they fear they will be killed or handed to a terrorist group if a ransom is not paid soon.

Gunman kills 4 in Saipan before shooting himself

After going on a shooting rampage that left a trail of victims on the Pacific resort island of Saipan, the gunman drove to a scenic cliff where Japanese men, women and children plunged to their deaths during World War II, according to police and witness accounts and fatally shot himself.

Afghan police force is weak link for country

A strong, unified national police force has long eluded Afghanistan, a country torn by occupation and warfare for hundreds of years. But with the West now attempting to help turn the country from a failed state into at least a functioning one, the police will play a crucial role in making cities safe places to live.

U.S. looks at own role in Afghan corruption

The United States will do its part to reduce corruption in Afghanistan by examining its own contracts and projects, even as it is demanding the same from the Afghan government, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday.

Iran urged to accept nuclear proposal

Representatives of six world powers urged Iran on Friday to accept a U.N. plan aimed at delaying its ability to build a nuclear weapon.

Study links ailments to global climate change

Kidney stones, malaria, Lyme disease, depression and respiratory illness all may increase with global warming, researchers at Harvard Medical School say.

Illinois Sen. Burris accepts rebuke by ethics committee

Sen. Roland Burris accepted a rebuke Friday by the Senate Ethics Committee, which issued the Illinois Democrat a "public letter of qualified admonition" for his actions in connection with his appointment by disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

U.S. to drop charges against Blackwater guard

WASHINGTON- The Justice Department intends to drop manslaughter and weapons charges against one of the Blackwater Worldwide security guards involved in a deadly 2007 Baghdad shooting, prosecutors said in court documents Friday.

Gates: US to do its part to slow Afghan corruption

The United States will do its part to reduce corruption in Afghanistan by examining its own contracts and projects, even as it is demanding the same from the Afghan government, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday.

6 world powers press Iran on nuclear issue

Representatives of six world powers urged Iran on Friday to accept a U.N. plan aimed at delaying its ability to build a nuclear weapon, as the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency warned Tehran not to miss the opportunity to resolve the dispute.

UN committee targets Iran's rights violations

A key U.N. committee approved a resolution Friday urging Iran to halt the persecution of political opponents following the country's disputed presidential election and release those still detained.

SC lawmakers to take up impeachment of governor

South Carolina lawmakers plan to formally consider impeaching Gov. Mark Sanford for the first time next week, the chairman of the committee beginning that work said Friday.

Researcher: Faint writing seen on Shroud of Turin

A Vatican researcher has rekindled the age-old debate over the Shroud of Turin, saying that faint writing on the linen proves it was the burial cloth of Jesus. Experts say the historian may be reading too much into the markings, and they stand by carbon-dating that points to the shroud being a medieval forgery.

Diocese: Pedophile priests should get benefits

The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington is obligated to pay retirement benefits to six priests who are confirmed pedophiles, church officials argued in a bankruptcy court filing seeking permission to keep making the payments.

Ethics committee: No punishment for Burris

The Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Democratic Sen. Roland Burris for misleading investigators about his maneuvering to get Barack Obama's old Senate seat from the governor who was ousted for trying to sell it.

Museum: Galileo's fingers, tooth are found

Two fingers and a tooth removed from Galileo Galilei's corpse in a Florentine basilica in the 18th century and given up for lost have been found again and will soon be put on display, an Italian museum director said Friday.

Sears Tower plot leader gets 13-year prison term

The ringleader of a group described by prosecutors as plotting terror attacks on Chicago's Sears Tower and FBI offices in hopes of sparking an anti-government insurrection was sentenced Friday to 13 1/2 years in prison by a federal judge.

Oregon court says teacher can't take gun to class

The Oregon Court of Appeals has rejected a request by a high school English teacher to carry a handgun at school, the latest legal setback for the teacher who says she needs the gun for protection from her former husband.

Charles Krauthammer / Syndicated columnist

New York trial a propaganda coup for terrrorists

Khalid Sheik Mohammed has been presented with the greatest propaganda platform imaginable, writes columnist Charles Krauthammer. The 9/11 mastermind gets a civilian trial in the media capital of the world, New York, from which to proclaim the glory of jihad.

An urgent need for action on the state's budget

State revenue projections are grim. All the more reason for state political leaders to act quickly and decisively to trim the budget gap.

Salish Sea speaks to a shared natural heritage

Adoption of the name Salish Sea better describes a common natural heritage for a vast international water system for which political boundaries are not real. Local names are kept, but a richer, complex setting is recognized and celebrated.

The mammogram debate

An expert panel's recommendations on mammograms ought not undo the decades of work empowering women to be proactive in detecting breast cancer.

Joni Balter / Seattle Times editorial columnist

Our team in D.C. — Locke, Sims and Kerlikowske

Three of Washington's veteran politicians now work in high-profile jobs in the Obama administration, while newer pols try on their training wheels in preparation for top local jobs.

Guest columnist

A way to get around Karzai in Afghanistan

There is a way to circumvent the Karzai problem in Afghanistan, writes Trudy Rubin. It's a bottom-up strategy that deals more directly with effective governors and ministry officials in troubled provinces. Smarter diplomacy might even bring President Haqmid Karzai on board.

Ryan Blethen / Times editorial columnist

Block NBC/Comcast deal to protect consumer choice

The Obama administration ought to flex some regulatory muscle to protect the variety of media choice consumers enjoy, writes Editorial Page Editor Ryan Blethen. For starters, the administration should block the sale of NBC Universal to Comcast Corp.

Guest columnist

Stop blaming Grandma for cruddy Christmas presents

Tired of receiving gifts you don't value from family members who don't know you well? Guest columnist Joel Waldfogel offers a better idea — take the time to reach out to Grandma and other family members and nurture those relationships.

David Brooks / Syndicated columnist

Timothy Geithner not most of it right; his critics are mostly wrong

The evidence of the past eight months suggests that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has been unfairly criticized, writes columnist David Brooks. The financial sector is in much better shape. TARP money is being repaid, and the debate now is what to do with the billions that were never needed.

'So You Think You Can Dance' tour visits Everett

"So You Think You Can Dance" brings its nationwide tour to Everett Nov. 21.

Wing Luke Family Day and other weekend community events

Create origami crafts inspired by the Japanese rice-harvest festival with local artist Mizu Sugimura at the Wing Luke Asian Museum.

Freeloader alert: Free fries, free hot drinks, free donuts

Free boats of fries at Pike Street Fish Fry on Nov. 20. Complimentary warm drinks at the Bravern every Wednesday in December. And Mighty-O has free donuts for kids dressed as pirates on Saturday, Nov. 28. Seattle Times Freeloader: When cheap isn't cheap enough.

Review: Pianist Gabriela Montero shimmers with silken improvisations

Pianist Gabriela Montero and guest conductor Arild Remmereit gave a rousing concert with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. There are repeat performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Turn a fireplace mantel into a holiday masterpiece

Tips on how to decorate your fireplace mantel for the holiday season from home-decorating author Mary Carol Garrity.

Prepare your car for winter

Are you ready for winter driving? Here's a checklist for preparing your vehicle for cold-weather conditions.

Select the right tree to accent your garden

Yardsmart: Maureen Gilmer, a horticulturist, offers gardening tips. This week's topic is on accent trees.

Home construction trends; plus what to do when your well water changes

Ed the Plumber offers his views on building trends and what to do when well water smells musty.

Use caution when replacing a water heater in a manufactured home

Homefix: Dwight Barnett answers home-improvement questions. This week's topic is on installing a water heater in a modular home.

 

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