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Local NewsJerry Large
Issues of aging affect all
You are not alone. That message came through in most of the scores of messages I received after last Thursday's column about my brothers... Thu, 7/09
Seattle-area homebuilder losing projects to foreclosure
Conner Homes of Bellevue has lost one new housing development to foreclosure, and is close to losing another property. Other King County developers may be in trouble as well. Thu, 7/09
Trees vs. houses: Narrow, leafy street is last chance for two Madrona homes waiting to be moved
If a small group of Madrona homeowners don't agree to whack back an unusually large and soothing urban canopy, a pair of nearly 100-year-old Craftsman homes might be demolished — possibly sending around 100 trees' worth of lumber to a landfill. Thu, 7/09
Court rules partial fence not enough for burglary
OLYMPIA - A man who stole some aluminum auto wheels from a rural business was not guilty of burglary, because the property was only fenced on one side — meaning it doesn't qualify as a "building" under the law against criminal break-ins. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 03:11 PM
Driver killed, deputy injured in head-on crash near Monroe
A fiery head-on collision involving a pickup and a police car on Highway 2 near Monroe early today left one person dead and sent a sheriff's deputy and a prisoner he was transporting to area hospitals, State Patrol troopers reported. Thu, 7/09
Health-plan costs soar for individuals
Regence BlueShield is raising premiums for individual health plans by an average of 17 percent in August. It's the third consecutive year of double-digit rate increases by the state's largest insurer, coming after Group Health Cooperative and LifeWise Health Plan recently imposed similarly steep premium increases. Thu, 7/09
Pay parking in West Seattle?
West Seattle residents worry the city will add new parking pay stations — and end the days of free parking. Thu, 7/09
Tough fight coming up in Afghanistan, Petraeus says in Seattle
Tough months and "difficult fighting will be necessary" for U.S. troops in Afghanistan in the months ahead, Gen. David Petraeus, the head of the U.S. Central Command, told a Seattle audience Wednesday night. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 02:25 PM
Two bodies found in suspicious house fire in Pierce County
Authorities have detained a man in connection with a suspicious fire at a University Place home that killed at least two people early today, saying the fatal blaze may have been deliberately set as a retaliation to a protection order being sought against the man, a Pierce County sheriff's spokesman said. Thu, 7/09
Green River Valley plans ahead for possible flooding
King County and south county city officials said Wednesday they will need the help of businesses, volunteers, and the federal and state governments if the industrialized Green River Valley is flooded this winter because of water releases from the troubled Howard Hanson Dam. Thu, 7/09
DNA match leads to arrest in rape
A DNA match has led to the arrest of a man in the rape of a 13-year-old Mill Creek-area girl 6 ½ years ago. Thu, 7/09
Eddie Bauer gets bankruptcy court OK to borrow $100M
Eddie Bauer Holdings, the bankrupt U.S. outdoor-clothing chain, won court permission to borrow $100 million to help finance operations while it sells itself at an auction. Thu, 7/09
Bellevue man fatally shot by police reportedly charged officer with a knife
A 61-year-old Bellevue man, who was fatally shot Tuesday night after reportedly charging an officer with a knife, is the fifth Seattle-area... Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 03:18 PM
Chase will no longer sponsor Lake Union fireworks
The organizer of the Fourth of July fireworks display over Lake Union will have to find a new title sponsor after JPMorgan Chase & Co, which acquired longtime sponsor Washington Mutual last fall, said it was canceling the sponsorship. Thu, 7/09
Health costs going up for state employees
Health care costs will be going up in January for state employees, teachers and retirees. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 12:25 PM
Local Smith & Hawken garden stores to close
Smith & Hawken garden stores at University Village in Seattle and on Northup Way in Bellevue will close by the end of this year. Parent company Scotts Miracle-Gro... Thu, 7/09
Search fails to find suspect in Seattle motel shooting
A manhunt that included search dogs, a police helicopter and gang-unit detectives near a south Seattle motel late Wednesday failed to turn up an armed man whom police say shot another man twice during an argument inside a motel room. Thu, 7/09
Water-pipe break soaks tracks, building on Harbor Island
A water-pipe break near West Seattle's Harbor Island late Wednesday flooded railroad tracks and a freight storage building, a city utilities spokesman said. Thu, 7/09
NEW - 02:08 PM
World's largest solar plant may be built in Cle Elum
The sunny, Central Washington town of Cle Elum could be the site of the world's largest solar power plant, if Washington company Teanaway Solar Reserve makes good on plans announced today. Thu, 7/09
Local group launches investigative journalism Web site
A group of journalists who worked at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer have launched a Web site focused on investigative journalism. Called InvestigateWest, the site... Wed, 7/08
Motorcyclist killed on I-90 near North Bend
A 59-year-old motorcyclist from the Midwest was killed this afternoon in an accident on Interstate 90 just west of North Bend. Wed, 7/08
Purse snatch launches high-speed chase in South Seattle
A woman in her 20s was taken into police custody Wednesday evening for investigation of robbery, vehicular assault and eluding police after leading police on a high-speed pursuit in South Seattle from the scene of a strong-arm robbery. Seattle Police spokesman Jeff Kappel said officers responded just after 6 p.m. to a 911 call that an elderly woman had been robbed in a parking lot at Rainier Avenue South and South College Street. Wed, 7/08
Nation & WorldUPDATE - 03:02 PM
New General Motors about to roll off assembly line
The new General Motors is about to roll off the assembly line as a leaner, greener model, maybe even a profitable one, too. Once the world's largest and most powerful automaker, the troubled company was expected to emerge from bankruptcy protection by early Friday cleansed of massive debt and burdensome contracts that would have sunk it without federal loans. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 01:25 PM
Jobless claims indicate economy remains weak
Even though new claims for jobless benefits fell more than expected last week, dipping below 600,000 for the first time since early January, the number of Americans seeking this safety net points to an economy that is still very weak. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 04:07 PM
Worst violence since US pullback hits Iraq
Bombs killed nearly 60 people in Iraq on Thursday in the worst violence since U.S. combat troops withdrew from urban areas last week, and American forces released five Iranian officials suspected of aiding Shiite insurgents. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 12:31 PM
Afghan blast kills 25, half of them children
A truck filled with explosives that police believe may have been destined for Kabul blew up on a highway Thursday, killing 25 people - more than half of them children walking to school. Two American soldiers died in combat as the U.S. military reported the number of roadside bombs in Afghanistan last month was nearly three times the figure for Iraq. Thu, 7/09
2 million Pakistani refugees to return home soon
Pakistan will allow some 2 million people who fled an army offensive against the Taliban in Swat Valley to return home next week, the prime minister announced Thursday, saying the region was now secure and essential services restored. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 02:55 PM
A closer look at Palin finances as she steps down
Since Sarah Palin abruptly resigned as governor, she has repeatedly cited the bombardment of ethics complaints against her while conceding the financial burden of defending herself had taken its toll. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 03:21 PM
Chinese try to heal psychological wounds of unrest
Construction worker Zhang Binkun was seething over the death of his mother, whom he believes was killed by a mob of Uighurs with sticks and stones. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 04:05 PM
Ensign's parents gave mistress's family $96K
Sen. John Ensign said Thursday his parents gave his mistress and her family nearly $100,000 "out of concern for the well being of longtime family friends during a difficult time," providing his first public acknowledgment that the woman received payments tied to the affair. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 02:09 PM
Madoff won't appeal 150-year sentence
Disgraced financier Bernard Madoff will not appeal his 150-year sentence for a fraud that unraveled overnight last December when Madoff confessed to his sons that nearly $65 billion he promised investors was safe was actually only worth a few hundred million dollars. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 03:23 PM
Nationwide roundup nets more than 35,000 fugitives
Police searching for fugitive sex offenders, violent criminals and gang members made more than 35,000 arrests nationwide during an annual monthlong crackdown - the most in the roundup's 5-year history and nearly double the number from last year - authorities announced Thursday. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 12:50 PM
Obama urges poorer nations to fight global warming
President Barack Obama said Thursday the global recession makes it harder to strike an international agreement to battle dangerous temperature increases, but he urged the poor emerging economies that rejected specific clean-energy goals to "fight the temptation toward cynicism" and embrace them soon. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 02:52 PM
Official says 7 South Korean Web sites attacked
The third wave of cyber attacks to hit South Korea caused little disruption Thursday, with six of seven Web sites affected quickly back up and running. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 04:19 PM
Thousands protest in Iran, defying crackdown vow
Thousands of protesters streamed down avenues of the capital Thursday, chanting "death to the dictator" and defying security forces who fired tear gas and charged with batons, witnesses said. Thu, 7/09
Geneticist picked to head NIH
President Obama on Wednesday nominated Dr. Francis Collins, a pioneering geneticist who led the government's successful effort to sequence... Thu, 7/09
Michael Jackson's final resting place a mystery
Michael Jackson's glimmering casket took center stage at the Staples Center, sitting for more than two hours as celebrities memorialized the King of Pop under the watchful eyes of millions. And when the ceremony was over, it was gone. Thu, 7/09
Study suggests abortion pills be taken orally
A large study of the pills used to induce abortion has found that infections are rare but can be made even less common if the pills are... Thu, 7/09
Netanyahu aide: There is no Palestinian leadership
There is no Palestinian leadership, one of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's closest advisers declared in a report published Thursday, raising new questions about how Israel intends to proceed with efforts to renew stalled peace talks. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 02:37 PM
Americans favor science, but less than before
The share of Americans who see science as the nation's greatest achievement is down sharply, even as the public continues to hold scientists in high regard. A new Pew Research Center poll indicates that 27 percent of Americans say the nation's greatest achievements are in science, medicine and technology, more than any category other than don't know. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 04:08 PM
Club: Racism accusations at Pa. pool untrue
A suburban Philadelphia swim club accused of kicking out a group of minority children visiting from the city denies any racial discrimination. Thu, 7/09
Dole sues `Bananas!' filmmaker, alleges defamation
Dole Foods sued a Swedish filmmaker and his film company for defamation on Wednesday, alleging he insisted on showing his documentary, "Bananas!" at the Los Angeles Film Festival after learning it was based on a fraud. Thu, 7/09
Getty Center, college evacuate due to LA fire
Visitors to the Getty Center art complex, which houses works by Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh, were evacuated as a fire burned in thick brush on the steep slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains. Thu, 7/09
Mass. files lawsuit against federal marriage law
Massachusetts has challenged the federal law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, calling it "discriminatory and overreaching," and supporters say other states could follow suit. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 03:45 PM
NTSB blames downdrafts in Steve Fossett crash
The aircrash that killed entrepreneur Steve Fossett, famed for his daredevil aerial feats, probably was caused by downdrafts that exceeded the ability of his small plane to recover before slamming into a California mountainside, federal safety officials said Thursday. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 01:55 PM
UNESCO: Invasion seriously harmed historic Babylon
Iraq's U.S.-led invaders inflicted serious damage on Babylon, driving heavy machinery over sacred paths, bulldozing hilltops and digging trenches through one of the world's greatest archaeological sites, experts for UNESCO said Thursday. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 04:07 PM
4 Ill. cemetery workers accused in grisly plot
Three gravediggers and a cemetery manager unearthed hundreds of corpses from a historic black cemetery south of Chicago, dumping some in a weeded area and double-stacking others in existing graves, in an elaborate scheme to resell the plots, authorities said Thursday. All four were charged with felonies. Thu, 7/09
At 84, Colorado man gets high school diploma
There's at least one guy with a new high school diploma who's not worrying about getting into college or finding a job. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 02:52 PM
FDA: Tollhouse cookie E. coli didn't cause illnesses
The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday the strain of E. coli found in a sample of raw cookie dough collected at a Nestle USA manufacturing plant does not match the strain that has been linked to a 30-state outbreak. Thu, 7/09
Frenemy, locavore among new words in Webster's
Do you use a sock puppet to secretly keep track of your frenemies? Thu, 7/09
H2-whoa: Australian town bans bottled water sales
Residents of a rural Australian town hoping to protect the earth and their wallets have voted to ban the sale of bottled water, the first community in the country - and possibly the world - to take such a drastic step in the growing backlash against the industry. Thu, 7/09
Indian police say toxic home brew has killed 86
At least 86 people, mostly poor workers living in slums, have died over the past few days after drinking tainted home-brewed liquor in western India, an official said Thursday. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 02:36 PM
Lawyers spar in Paris Hilton film contract dispute
Paris Hilton hated her 2006 movie "Pledge This!" and refused for months to make promotional appearances for it despite a contract requiring her to do so, lawyers for the film's investors said as trial opened Thursday in an $8 million lawsuit against her. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 12:57 PM
Mobster 'Rifleman' Flemmi takes stand in Boston
New England mobster Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi described his long tenure as an FBI informant during testimony Thursday in lawsuits by mob victims' families who say the agency failed to control Flemmi and fugitive gangster James "Whitey" Bulger. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 02:19 PM
More than 300 injured by strong quake in China
A moderate earthquake rocked southwest China Thursday evening, injuring at least 336 people and collapsing 10,000 homes, state media said. The magnitude-6.0 temblor, centered in Yunnan province's Yao'an county, damaged another 30,000 homes, the Xinhua News Agency said. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 01:39 PM
Report: UK tabloid hacked into voicemails
The tricks of the trade of Britain's rambunctious tabloid press came under scrutiny Thursday, after a newspaper reported that a tabloid owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch had illegally hacked into the mobile phones of hundreds of celebrities and politicians. Thu, 7/09
Running of the bulls leaves 5 injured in Pamplona
A lightning-fast running of the bulls in Pamplona left five people slightly injured Thursday but no one was gored. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 04:01 PM
Train hits car in Mich.; 5 thought to be teens die
An Amtrak passenger train carrying about 170 people struck a car that had skirted a gate at a road crossing near Detroit on Thursday, killing all five people in the sedan, authorities said. The victims were believed to be teens. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 03:27 PM
Woman sues, says NY school used her as 'plaything'
A fundraiser at an upstate university has sued two senior athletic department officials, accusing them of using her as a "plaything" and trying to make her ply big donors with her sexuality. Thu, 7/09
Business & TechnologyMicrosoft names Sinofsky to head Windows
Microsoft appointed Steven Sinofsky head of the Windows division on Wednesday, ending the triumvirate that ran the company's core business. Thu, 7/09
Costco, Nordstrom, other retailers report weak June sales
Escalating job worries and rainy weather dampened shoppers' appetite for buying summer staples like shorts and dresses, resulting in sharper-than-expected sales declines for many merchants in June and increasing concerns about the back-to-school shopping season. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 01:56 PM
Sprint Nextel signs networking deal with Ericsson
Sprint Nextel Corp. on Thursday announced it will transfer operation of its wireless and wireline networks to Swedish telecommunications equipment maker LM Ericsson. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 03:06 PM
Gains in financials, technology stocks lift market
Investors are finding some appetite for risk after a jittery week. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 02:02 PM
NY official: Tagged site stole identities
New York's attorney general charged Thursday that Tagged.com stole the identities of more than 60 million Internet users worldwide - by sending e-mails that raided their private accounts. Thu, 7/09
May wholesale inventories fall, 9th straight drop
Wholesale inventories fell for a ninth consecutive month in May, a decline that has contributed to the longest recession since World War II as factories have been forced to slash production amid crimped demand. Thu, 7/09
Ticketmaster, Priceline.com form partnership
Ticketmaster and Priceline.com Inc. said Thursday that they will team up in order to give the ticket seller's online customers access to various travel services. Thu, 7/09
Analysis
Don't expect too much from 2nd quarter earnings
It's a four-times-a-year ritual: A company reports how much money it made in the quarter that has just ended. Investors check whether the profit per share was higher or lower than predicted by stock analysts who follow the company. But when a company beats the prediction, called an earnings forecast, it may not mean much. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 02:51 PM
Bill Gates, Google's Schmidt share laugh at Sun Valley
The escalating tension between Google and Microsoft didn't prevent the companies' chairmen from sharing a moment of levity Thursday at an exclusive media conference in the Idaho mountains. Thu, 7/09
SportsNEW - 12:35 PM
Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid to miss Saturday's match
Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid will miss Friday's practice and Saturday's match against Houston to attend his son Kurt's wedding. Thu, 7/09
NEW - 04:01 PM
Michael Phelps breaks 100-meter butterfly world record at U.S. nationals
Michael Phelps has broken the world record in the 100-meter butterfly at the U.S. national championships. Thu, 7/09
Disaster strikes Mariners in 5-3, ninth-inning loss to Orioles
Seattle blows 3-0 lead to lose after two errors by Jose Lopez. Thu, 7/09
During financial crisis, the business of college sports is complicated by Title IX
As college athletic departments struggle financially in tough economic times, they must keep Title IX requirements in mind when making decisions. Thu, 7/09
Lance Armstrong stays a split second off Tour lead
Lance Armstrong remained a split second behind leader Fabian Cancellara after Thursday's sixth stage of the Tour de France. Thu, 7/09
Jerry Brewer
Two straight bad outings by the bullpen will fuel the skeptics
The Mariners bullpen allows five runs in the ninth on Wednesday, the day after allowing 10 runs in two innings Thu, 7/09
NEW - 03:40 PM
Shaun Alexander taking "tour for Jesus" and hoping for NFL comeback
Shaun Alexander is on a nine-city tour speaking at churches, clubs and businesses -- anywhere that will let him share his Christian faith. He's also hoping a team will take a chance on him in 2009. Thu, 7/09
NEW - 04:28 PM
Sue Bird joins fight against cancer
Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird is joining other athletes who are supporting LIVESTRONG and cancer awareness this summer. Thu, 7/09
NFL | Steve McNair's case ruled murder, suicide
Sahel Kazemi was determined to be with her boyfriend, former NFL star Steve McNair — even in death. As he dozed on a sofa early Saturday... Thu, 7/09
Five post players create Storm logjam
Coach Brian Agler is still trying to find playing time for all of his inside players almost a third of the way through the WNBA season. Thu, 7/09
NW Briefs
Hydros driver Jean Theoret: "I drowned" after boat flip
Jean Theoret, 47, survived his flip in the Madison, Ind, hydroplane race but the tube connecting his air mask to the onboard oxygen system was broken upon impact. Thu, 7/09
Mariners Notebook | Pitcher Jason Vargas erratic but effective
The stat line reads that Jason Vargas pitched five scoreless innings for the Mariners on Wednesday in the team's eventual 5-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. But it didn't really feel like it to Vargas, who labored most of the game. Thu, 7/09
NBA | Shawn Marion is likely bound for Dallas
The Dallas Mavericks are close to acquiring forward Shawn Marion from the Toronto Raptors. The trade is not official, but a person told... Thu, 7/09
NFL commissioner Goodell climbs Mount Rainier
Seahawks coach Jim Mora, team CEO Tod Leiweke and famed climbers Peter Whittaker and Ed Viesturs were among the 12-member group Thu, 7/09
Thursday's Emerald Downs handicap
Tonight First race: 6 p.m. 1 1-1/16 miles, purse $5,950, 3-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, claiming $4,000 PP Horse Jockey Line Wt... Thu, 7/09
MLB Notebook | Lenny Dykstra files for bankruptcy in L.A.
Lenny Dykstra filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a petition that says the former Major League Baseball All-Star owes $10 million... Thu, 7/09
Pacific Coast League | Portland hands Tacoma 7-1 loss
Portland's Brian Lawrence allowed five hits in seven innings of relief as the Beavers earned a 7-1 victory over Tacoma in a Pacific Coast... Thu, 7/09
Everett hands Yakima 4-2 loss in Northwest League
Chris Kirkland pitched six shutout innings, and Everett earned a 4-2 victory over Yakima in the Northwest League on Wednesday night. Kirkland allowed five hits... Thu, 7/09
Summer salmon fishing season is off to a good start, despite bad weather on the coast
The heat of the summer salmon fishing season is upon us, and depending on where you go success has been peppered with glory moments followed... Thu, 7/09
Tour de France | Lance Armstrong remains in second overall
In less than 48 hours, Lance Armstrong will have answered the last unresolved question about his capacity to win an eighth Tour de France... Thu, 7/09
Briefs | Swimming: Michael Phelps, Aaron Peirsol have big days at nationals
Swimming Phelps wins two races, Peirsol sets world mark: Michael Phelps, a 14-time Olympic gold medalist, racked up his second victory of... Thu, 7/09
EntertainmentSeattle Symphony looks to 'Final Fantasy' to help score points with young audiences
The Seattle Symphony, with guest conductor Arnie Roth, presents "Distant Worlds: The Music of 'Final Fantasy' " Thursday, July 9; Friday, July 10; and Saturday, July 11, at Benaroya Hall, with the composer of the video-game score, Nobuo Uematsu, in attendance. Thu, 7/09
NEW - 03:41 PM
Movie review
Well-acted 'Humpday' delivers fresh take on friendship
Lynn Shelton's beautifully acted film "Humpday" is about growing up, settling down and finding true friendship. Thu, 7/09
Movie review
"Brüno" struts his stuff to hilariously expose intolerance
"Brüno" brings Sacha Baron Cohen's über-gay Austrian fashionista character to Hollywood in search of global celebrity. Instead he finds bigotry, intolerance, stupidity — and lots of hilarity along the way. Thu, 7/09
NEW - 03:31 PM
Movie review
In 'The Hurt Locker,' a complicated hero addicted to the rush of war
"The Hurt Locker," Kathryn Bigelow's riveting Iraq war film, is told from the perspective of a weary bomb squad whose new leader (Jeremy Renner) is a wild card. Thu, 7/09
NEW - 03:33 PM
Movie review
"Management": A romantic comedy not living up to its potential
No romance, no comedy in the new Jennifer Aniston-Steve Zahn romantic comedy, "Management." But Portland, Ore., has a nice cameo playing Aberdeen, Wash. Review by Seattle Times movie critic Moira Macdonald. Thu, 7/09
NEW - 03:23 PM
Pearl Jam tour to start in Seattle in September
Pearl Jam will kick off its fall 2009 tour in Seattle on September 21 and 22 at KeyArena, in support of their new album, "Backspacer," coming out on September 20. Thu, 7/09
Q & A | Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinem, co-founder of Ms. Magazine, feminist icon and best-selling author, will lead Hedgebrook writers in a public dialogue at Seattle's Town Hall on Friday. Thu, 7/09
- Talk about it | What do you think 21st Century feminism looks like? Share your thoughts
- NYTimes Magazine | The Place of Women on the Court
- NYTimes | Opinion: Women are Never Front-Runners
- Hedgebrook | Women authoring change
Scarecrow suggests | Like 'Humpday'? Find more films about the changing nature of friendship on DVD
Other films about the changing nature of friendship, like the new "Humpday," include "Chuck & Buck" (2000), "Old Joy" (2005) and "Gerry" (2002). Thu, 7/09
Seattle's Central District Forum lineup announced
Seattle's Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas announces its 2009-2010 season. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 02:06 PM
Theater review | Quirks, physicality in wrenching tragedy 'Othello'
Theater review: "Othello," Shakespeare's classic, is playing in a spare, stripped-down staging bursting with physicality, at Seattle's Intiman Theatre, July 2-Aug. 9, 2009. Thu, 7/09
Movie review
"Kabei: Our Mother": skillful, somber look at a war's losing side
"Kabei: Our Mother," directed by Yoji Yamada ("The Twilight Samurai"), is a sad and stirring drama about a family facing separation in Tokyo in 1940. Thu, 7/09
NEW - 03:35 PM
Movie review
'Pressure Cooker's' sizzlin' with class
"Pressure Cooker" is an inspirational documentary that focuses on a unique teacher's tough-love approach to teaching culinary arts at an all-black high school in Philadelphia. Thu, 7/09
NEW - 03:18 PM
Movie review
Crude, charmless "I Love You, Beth Cooper" is no valentine
"I Love You, Beth Cooper," with Hayden Pannetiere, is a miscast and misjudged graduation-night comedy that only occasionally wanders into "harmless" and much of the time just sends bad messages. Thu, 7/09
NEW - 03:26 PM
Movie review
"Blood: The Last Vampire" is full of cheese
"Blood: The Last Vampire," a live-action adaptation of a 2000 Japanese anime film, is more cheesy than bloody in its depiction of a "good" vampire on a mission to rid the world of evil. Thu, 7/09
Movie review
'Objectified' is a well-designed look at household items
"Objectified," Gary Hustwit's documentary about industrial design, is as sleek and handsome as any of the new and improved household items it exhibits. Whether the item is a potato peeler or a computer, there is a talking head to explain why it looks and feels the way it does. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 12:42 PM
Pelosi shuts down resolution on Michael Jackson
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shut the door Thursday to a resolution honoring Michael Jackson because debate on the symbolic measure could raise "contrary views" about the pop star's life. Thu, 7/09
The return of "Big Brother" to CBS is a Thursday TV pick
The 11th (!!) edition of this "strangers trapped in a house" summer reality show premieres at 8 p.m. on CBS. Thu, 7/09
A rain-garden workshop in Tukwila tonight
Create a rain garden and help save the planet. Thu, 7/09
German exhibit examines Nazi influence on music
Richard Wagner is the classical composer most associated with the Nazis, but Johann Sebastian Bach was the one the party dubbed "the most German of Germans" and whose music was played at rallies to stir up nationalist zeal. Thu, 7/09
Top cable programs for June 29-July 5
Rankings for the top 15 programs on cable networks as compiled by Nielsen Media Research for the week of June 29-July 5. Day and start time (EDT) are in parentheses: Thu, 7/09
8,000 artists celebrate in Panafrican Festival
From superstars to tribal dancers, thousands of African artists are celebrating their troubled continent's culture and potential in an epic festival - and looking back at what they've accomplished and squandered in four decades of freedom from colonial rule. Thu, 7/09
Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman set for Broadway
James Bond and the Boy from Oz are coming to Broadway. Thu, 7/09
Nielsen: 31.1 million watched Jackson memorial
Some 31.1 million people in the United States watched the Michael Jackson memorial on television, with millions more catching video streams on their computers. Thu, 7/09
LivingA good layer of natural mulch will save gardeners work
Garden writer Joe Lamp'l suggests a good layer of mulch will help the garden and make the gardeners' work easier. Thu, 7/09
In the Garden
Ciscoe Morris: Full sun keeps dahlias happy
Garden writer Ciscoe Morris discusses how to keep dahlias blooming, start seeds that will produce vegetables in the spring and the showing of garden-related works by George Little and David Lewis. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 12:43 PM
Monkeys live longer on low-cal diet; would humans?
Eat less, live longer? It seems to work for monkeys: A 20-year study found cutting calories by almost a third slowed their aging and fended off death. This is not about a quick diet to shed a few pounds. Scientists have long known they could increase the lifespan of mice and more primitive creatures - worms, flies - with deep, long-term cuts from normal consumption. Thu, 7/09
UPDATE - 03:52 PM
Swine flu shots at school: Bracing for fall return
U.S. swine flu vaccinations could begin in October with children among the first in line - at their local schools - the Obama administration said Thursday as the president and his Cabinet urged states to figure out now how they'll tackle the virus' all-but-certain resurgence. Thu, 7/09
Tests reveal some pet supplements skimp on meds
Arthritis supplements bought by millions of pet owners for their dogs, cats and horses sometimes skimp on the ingredients the makers claim can help aching paws and aging joints, and some contain high amounts of lead, an independent laboratory found. Thu, 7/09
Paris couture shows end after sad adieu to Lacroix
Screen siren glamour, sexy, lacy bodices and a frothy collection of endless would-be bridal gowns brought Paris' winter 2010 haute couture displays to an uneven conclusion on Wednesday, capping three emotional days that saw what's likely to be the last show by Christian Lacroix. Wed, 7/08
Travel & OutdoorsGrab the kids and hop on Amtrak for a stress-free getaway to Portland
Taking the Amtrak to Portland is a great weekend getaway for Puget Sound families. Thu, 7/09
Seafair officially kicks off with Pirates Landing, Milk Carton Derby
Seafair kicks off with the Pirates Landing at Alki Beach, the Milk Carton Derby at Green Lake and the Wallingford Kiddie Parade and Street Fair. Thu, 7/09
Lavender tour on Vashon Island leads round of festivals
Vashon Island's Lavender Farm Tour this weekend kicks off a spate of lavender events around Western Washington. Thu, 7/09
Pix From My Weekend
Seattle Times reader Yoshiki Nakamura's photo of mollusks at low tide in Carkeek Park. Thu, 7/09
Seal Sitters offer training to help protect pups
Seal Sitters, a volunteer organization that protects harbor-seal pups found on Seattle beaches, is offering training for new volunteers. Thu, 7/09
Walkabout
Look for woodpeckers in the woods of Southwest County Park
A walk through Edmonds' largest wooded open space is a pleasant forest stroll. Thu, 7/09
Getting in Gear
GoLite sleeping bag lets you go light on the trail
Dan Nelson reviews GoLite's Adrenaline 20 sleeping bag. Thu, 7/09
Travel notes
Sand-sculpture contest on Long Beach Peninsula
Sand-sculpting contest on Washington's Long Beach Peninsula will feature prizes, free hot dogs. Thu, 7/09
Best bets for the weekend
Best bets among weekend events around Seattle and Western Washington. Thu, 7/09
Climbers may be barred from Australia's famed Uluru rock
Aboriginals have long wanted climbing to cease on Uluru, which they hold sacred: now a park service report suggests climbers be barred from the famed red monolith Thu, 7/09
More A-list weekend festivals
A lineup of fairs and fun. Thu, 7/09
Museums celebrate Apollo 11, 40 years after first moonwalk
Seattle's Museum of Flight is among those marking the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11, when astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to walk on the moon Thu, 7/09
Weekend calendar
A listing of weekend events and activities. Thu, 7/09
Coming attractions
Here's a roundup of best bets among coming events. Thu, 7/09
OpinionNEW - 04:30 PM
Ellen Goodman / Syndicated columnist
Sarah Palin's midlife meltdown
The only job left for Sarah Palin is to pretend to be a candidate for president, writes columnist Ellen Goodman. In the middle of a midlife meltdown, the quitter is now the teaser. Thu, 7/09
E.J. Dionne / Syndicated columnist
Welcome to the Vatican, Mr. President
Conservative bishops and the Catholic right have insisted on judging President Obama only on the basis of his support for legal abortion and stem-cell research, writes columnist E.J. Dionne Jr. But the Vatican sees Obama as a potential ally on such questions as development in the Third World, the quest for peace in the Middle East, and the opening of a dialogue with Islam. Thu, 7/09
Nicholas D. Kristof / Syndicated Columnist
World leaders letting too many children 'drown' in poverty and disease
If a girl were drowning in a pond near the G-8 leaders, they would surely spring into action and save the child, writes columnist Nicholas D. Kristof. Why, then, he asks, are they so far behind in meeting humanitarian aid pledges to save other children? Thu, 7/09