So what’s a boy to do except head to the web, right? Well, perhaps not every boy, but certainly this one seeing as I’m in front of the box almost all day anyway…

Simple enough, and my first inclination for where to look turned up a little treat: It’s a little, unassuming site that has what amounts to a short list of great and original ideas for things to do for Mom on Mother’s Day.

The site is at:

GiftIdeasForMothersDay.com

Well, that was easy enough, eh? This site, while unassuming, has a great (if short) list of great ideas for Mother’s Day gifts that I’d never thought of. I found a number of ideas on there that I know my Mom would just swoon over. In fact, I got a couple of ideas, which I plan to use for the next couple of years.

Short, Sweet, and to the point. Check it out at:

GiftIdeasForMothersDay.com

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) refers to operating a motor vehicle while affected by alcohol, drugs, or both. This applies to both legal and illegal drugs, including prescription medication and over-the-counter drugs.

How do the Authorities Determine DUI?

If DUI is suspected, the amount of alcohol in the driver’s blood is measured by a breath or blood test. The driver will be cited for DUI if the results are:

• .08 or higher for adults.
• .02 or higher for minors (under 21).

If I am pulled over for DUI, what happens?

The law enforcement officer can and probably will:

• ask if you’ve drank any alcohol or consumed any drugs.
• ask you to perform a roadside test.
• ask you to blow in a breathalizer. If you blow a .08 or higher, you can be arrested.

Can I refuse blood tests or breathalizer?

Refusing the test will result in a revocation of your license. Because of Washington’s Implied Consent law, when you operate a motor vehicle in Washington State, you automatically give consent to breath or blood tests if pulled over and requested to do so by a police officer. You don’t *have” to do the test, but if you don’t they can take your license away.

Suspensions for DUI

Do they immediately suspend my license if I’m stopped for DUI?

No. The amount of time depends on the offense.

And my license will be suspended for how long?

It can be suspended from up to 4 years, or as little as 90 days, depending on if you have priors and/or how high above the limit you were found to be.

I am licensed outside Washington State. What happens if I get a DUI inside Washington?

The Department of Licensing will:

• put the event on your Washington State driving record.
• begin action to revoke your ability to hold a WA Driver’s License.
• Notify your Home State. Your Home State may or may not take action, depending on the laws in that state.

I don’t have a driver license. Is it possible to suspend something that doesn’t exist?

If you are found to have been DUI, you will be treated as if you had a license. A Record will be created for you if you don’t already have one, and the DUI findings will be recorded in that record. If you were driving without a license, you will be charged with that particular infraction, and the DUI will prevent you getting a license for the determined amount of time.

Can I contest a License Suspension?

You can request a hearing within 20 days of being arrested:

• online, if you have a Washington State driver’s license and a Visa or MasterCard.
• Or, you can mail a completed Driver’s Hearing Request along with a$200 fee to the address on the form. you must make sure that the form is received or at least postmarked within 20 days of the arrest.

How much does it cost to appeal a suspension?

$200 fee for a  hearing. Not  refundable if you cancel the hearing or fail to appear.

Where can I get info about suspension appeals?

• In the The license suspension notification letter.
• The Hearings section of the DOL website.

What’s considered at a DUI hearing?

• Whether you were arrested lawfully.
• Whether the law enforcement officer was reasonable in believing you were in control of a motor vehicle or were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Whether you were told about Implied Consent.
• Whether you refused to take a breathalizer or blood test.
• Whether your blood alcohol was over .08 (or .02 if under the age of 21 or .04 if the driver of a commercial vehicle)
• Whether the BAC test was done in accordance with the law and Washington State Rules.

Can I get my license back?

Maybe. It depends on a few things like your blood alcohol content, or if you have prior offences. The letter of suspension lists all the requirements in reinstating your license. You can contact the DOL for more information:

• by phone at (360) 902-3900.
• by email at drivers@dol.wa.gov

Last year 81 workers died as a result of job-related injuries or illnesses in Washington State.

About 2,500 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in Washington State and throughout the nation. Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer, and can kill victims within months of diagnosis. Mesothelioma is attributed almost exclusively to asbestos exposure.

Workers at shipyards, mines, schools, and other locations around the United States risk asbestos exposure on a daily basis if their workplace contains the deadly substance. Due to a long latency period, it can be up to several decades after the initial exposure until mesothelioma is diagnosed.

There were 13 cases of death by asbestos-related disease on the list of 81 people who perished. All were people who died long after their initial contact with the deadly material.

In a world where people are going crazy about finding masks to ward off the swine flu, it is chilling to note that the number of asbestos-related deaths may not peak until 2010. It has been suggested by health professionals that more people should wear the masks when doing home renovations, a growing risk for asbestos exposure.

The reality is that over the years, the State has collected funds from many different sources with the intent of holding the funds until the proper owner can be found. However, finding these individuals can be difficult. People pass away, or move without leaving a forwarding address. When this happens, the State retains the funds and begins the process of locating the original owner, or their heirs.

What many people don’t realize is that these funds could be disbursed faster if State residents would help by checking on the website created to help people find out if any funds are being held for them. The site is ClaimYourCash.org or http://ucp.dor.wa.gov/

What did I find out when I went to the site and put in my own name? I had paid a deposit for electric service to a rental home I lived in back in 2001. I moved, and forgot to claim back my deposit when I stopped service! So I am pursuing my claim now which is about $75.

Admittedly, this isn’t a windfall that I’m likely to write home about, but I will write here about it and mention that the State of Washington says that approximately 40% of all Washington residents are owed back something if not a large sum. But don’t think my results are necessarily typical: some folks are owed thousands of dollars, due to estates passing to them without their knowledge.

The only way to really know for sure is to visit the Washington State Unclaimed Propery website and find out.

Can’t hurt, right?

Spokane, Washington was the site of the 1974 World’s Fair. It retains the atmosphere and activity of a city honored with the presence of such a display. Riverfront Park, the remaining legacy of that year, was built on property that once housed a very busy rail yard. Spokane continues to grow and is the second largest city in Washington State and the biggest city between Seattle and Minneapolis. It has a population of almost 201,000 people.

History

Spokane is the largest city in eastern Washington State and the second largest in the entire state. A river with a spectacular series of falls drew the early natives, who were followed by the white settlers. This river is a tributary of the Columbia River and provided generous amounts of salmon as nourishment for the earliest natives. These early natives called themselves Spokanes. The nearest agreed meaning of this name is “Children of the Sun.” In 1881, the Spokane Reservation was established to the northwest of the present City of Spokane.

European Settlers

The first white settlers were of European descent, the largest groups being fur traders and missionaries. They traveled inland to an area we know as the “Inland Northwest.” Each settler had intentions that were not revealed until the plans reached fruition. These are just a few of those settlers:

> David Thompson, a fur trader and cartographer, came in 1807. He crossed the Continental Divide to explore the upper watershed of the Columbia River, eventually arriving at the Spokane River region. The falls had potential economic impact, which was not lost on white visitors to this region.

> The falls became the site of a sawmill which was built on the south bank of the river in 1871 by settlers James Downing and Seth Scranton. James Glover and his partner Jasper Matheney came from Oregon in 1873 seeking land with the specific intent of establishing a town. They were impressed with the potential of the falls as a site.

> Glover and Matheney successfully purchased Downing’s mill along with 160 acres that Downing held as a squatter. Glover eventually became known as the “Father of Spokane.” Glover managed to acquire Scranton’s claim and he bought out his partner, Metheney, in 1877.

> Frederick Post was a miller of German descent who was pursued and persuaded by Glover to build a gristmill at the falls – which Post did build. Glover quickly expanded that sawmill and he built a general store as well.

Spokane Becomes a Town

More families settled on the south side of that river when they saw that the area had benefits such as a store, sawmill and flour. Soon churches, schools, banks, hotels, newspapers and saloons began to appear. Frederick Post decided to relocate to a spot farther up the river and establish his own mill there. His area became the town of Post Falls, Idaho.

> Reverend S. G. Havermale replaced Post as the town miller in 1875.

> Anthony Cannon and John Browne bought a 50% interest in Glover’s properties and his store. Cannon became the town banker of Spokane Falls and Browne opened a law practice.

> Other enterprising settlers who arrived during the 10 years from 1870-1880 include Francis Cook – a newspaperman who established Spokan Times in 1879 and Willis Ritchie – an architect who created the county courthouse in 1895.

There was a definite need for hotels as more settlers arrived in this town. The Western House was built in 1877 and California House followed in 1878. Spokane County was established in 1879 and Spokane became the county seat.

Spokane Incorporates and Prospers

The incorporation of Spokane occurred in 1881 when its population numbered 1,000. Benefits of this area drew the attention of the railroads. The city’s future became brighter when the Northern Pacific railroad was completed in 1883.

Northern Idaho and the northeast corner of Washington State proved to be rich in minerals and this discovery started a domino-effect boom. First it was gold, then silver, followed by lead and zinc. The mines brought money and wealth to Spokane for many decades, making it the undisputed economic center of the Inland Empire. This town had wheat-producing areas to the south, irrigated farms in the nearby valley and railroads and timber nearby.

From 1880 and forward, Spokane became and remained the agricultural and industrial center, outshining both San Francisco (CA) and Portland (OR). Spokane hosts annual agricultural and industrial fairs, conventions and organizational meetings and has done so since the early 1880s.

Burn and Rebuild

On August 4, 1889, a fire destroyed 32 blocks of downtown Spokane. Because many of the buildings were insured, they were quickly replaced with durable structures built of brick or stone.

The Panic of 1893 caused unemployment and loss of wealth to the early enterprising settlers. Northwestern and Pacific Hypotheekbank, a Dutch financial institution, foreclosed on most of the buildings that it had financed during the rebuilding process after the fire. Valuable Spokane real estate suddenly came under Dutch control.

However, the post Panic recovery introduced a new generation of wealthy leaders, emerging from the mining or railroad activities.

Moving Forward

In 1900, the City of Spokane numbered 40,000 residents. By the end of that decade, it is said that there were 26 new millionaires. This introduced upscale neighborhoods west of the center of Spokane.

An enormous number of immigrants found their way inland between 1900 and 1910. The population of Spokane swelled from 40,000 to more than 100,000. These blue-collar workers settled on the north side of the river.

These settlers formed neighborhood clusters for each ethnic population: Italians, Germans, Chinese and Finnish settlers. Each group established a gathering center in order to maintain ethnic and cultural identities.

Government

Structure

The City of Spokane has a strong Mayor form of government, similar to that of state and federal government. The Mayor heads the executive level and has a role as the leader of the community working with city partners to make improvements to the City of Spokane. Spokane has a Chief Operating Officer in the form of a Deputy Mayor who supervises all of the operations departments.

Seven elected members of the City Council make up the legislative branch. They are responsible for forming and setting policies, declaring ordinances and generally guiding the growth and development of the city. The Council President is the only councilor elected by the entire city. The six remaining council members are elected by district.

Economy

The economic growth of Spokane is critical to the region, county and state. Spokane has what it takes to lure people: Riverfront Park, Spokane River and its Falls, the burgeoning University District, mountains, lakes and golf courses. Spokane recently started a new era of economic development.

Businesses that cater to tourists abound. New eateries, lodging, entertainment and family-style activities are contributing to the revitalization of this city. Other diverse businesses are starting to look seriously at relocating to the second largest city in Washington State. The Downtown Spokane Renaissance has attracted more than $3 billion investment dollars into the city.

Downtown Spokane is the regional center of education, healthcare, retail, business and finance. As a vital regional center for these sectors, its trade area stretches beyond the boundaries of the city of Spokane. It includes almost 2 million people in Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana plus two provinces in Canada!

People

Some well-known residents of Spokane include Bing Crosby (singer, actor), Craig T. Nelson (actor), Julia Sweeney (comedian) and Tom Foley (former Speaker of the House) are only three among the hundreds of famous people to claim Spokane birth or residency. They come from all walks of life: Arts, Music, Politics, Entertainment, Sports, Education and more.

An estimate of the current population places the number at more than 201,000 people within the Spokane city limits, which covers an area of 57.76 square miles. Median household income is approaching $39,100 as compared to the National average of $42,000.

27.9% of the population is under 18 years old and 14% are over 65 years of age. The remaining group of 58.1% makes up the Spokane workforce aged between 18 and 64 years. 48.2% of the population is male and 51.8% is female.

Median age of the population of Spokane is 34.7, which is younger than the average national age. This total population, as reported by ethnicity, falls into the following six groupings:

> White population 87.9%

German (22.9%)

Irish (13.8%)

English (12.1%)

Norwegian (6.1%)

French (4.3%)

U.S. Native (5.3%)

> Latino population 3.0%

> Other smaller groups 2.9%

Chinese

Filipino

Japanese

Korean

Hawaiian

Pacific Islanders

Etc.

> Asian population 2.3%

> Black / African American 2.1%

> Native Americans 1.8%

Families make up 58% of the total population of Spokane. There are 81,512 occupied housing units and another 6,429 (7.3%) are unoccupied.

Education

Spokane has an educated population (25 years and older) with 34.6% of its people earning a bachelor’s, post-graduate or professional degree. Another 88.1% earned a high school diploma or higher. Unemployment is reported at 9%.

The Spokane Public Schools is the largest employer in the city of Spokane. Spokane was cited by The Gates Foundation as a high achieving school district and the district was awarded a grant of $16.4 million. The funds have been targeted for individual schools to encourage professional development for teachers as well as personalized learning environments.

“Excellent for Everyone” is certainly a fit motto for this district that serves 30,000 pupils. There are 34 elementary schools, 6 middle schools and 6 high schools. No segment of school-age population is overlooked. Programming includes:

> Gifted education opportunities

> Special education

> Homeschooling assistance

> Alternative education

> Montessori

> Spokane Skills Center

There are several college, university and vocational education facilities in Spokane. This group includes:

> Spokane Falls Community College with 6,284 full-time students

> Spokane Community College with 5,564 full-time students

> Gonzaga University with 3,860 full-time students

> Whitworth College with 1,849 full-time students

> ITT Technical Institute with 390 full-time students

> Interface Computer School with 192 full-time students

There also are programs offered for vocational educational such as HVAC training, cosmetology, radiologic technicians and real estate.

Business and Industry

The Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce has about 1,400 business members who collectively represent 100,000 residents. 85% of the businesses have fewer than 25 employees and 70% have less than 10 people in their employ. The mission of the Chamber is to provide leadership in an environment where members, businesses and the community can be successful.

Financial

The financial services industry has a strong presence in Spokane. A quick look at the banks with the most branches reveals:

> U.S. Bank National Association has 14 branches

> Washington Mutual Bank has 12 branches

> Washington Trust Bank has 12 branches

> F&M Bank has 10 branches

> Bank of America, National Association has 9 branches

> Wells Fargo Bank, National Association has 8 branches

> Sterling Savings Bank has 7 branches

Besides those listed, there are eight other banks with a combined 20 branches.

Communications

Two newspapers serve the residents of Spokane by covering local news include:

The Spokane SiDEKiCK reports on local arts and entertainment and the Spokesman-Review, which covers and prints local, national news, sports and more.

Radio stations within Spokane city limits are scarce. However, stations with strong signals serving this area are numerous. There are 13 AM stations and these are the smaller ones that can be found within the city limits: KSBN (1230 AM) is 1 kW, KJRB (790 AM) is a 5 kW, as is KTRW (970 AM), KAQQ (1280 AM), KMBI (1330 AM) and KQNT (590 AM).

There are 19 FM stations available to Spokane residents. Several are broadcasting from college campus locations. The unexpected report concerns television access. Cable TV gives the residents a choice of viewing opportunities that include the three major broadcasting networks: ABC, CBS and NBC and a number of their affiliate stations.

Lodging and Food

Accommodations

Visitors to Spokane have a fine selection of accommodations that includes familiar chain names, inns and bed & breakfast establishments. There are at least 37 hotels and motels within Spokane city limits. Room rates range from a low of $60 up to a pricey $200 per night room.

> Spokane Valley Super 8 Motel (no phone # available), although super inexpensive, still offers amenities that rival those of pricier lodging. Some of the amenities include the following: Pet-friendly, handicap accessible, restaurant on-site, indoor pool, guest Laundromat, high-speed or wireless internet access, AM/FM alarm clock, exercise gym, air conditioning, room coffeemakers and hairdryers, refrigerator, satellite TV and a casino. Prices start at $61 nightly.

> The Ridpath Hotel (no phone # available) is an example of the pricier lodging. Located in the heart of downtown Spokane, this pet-friendly and handicap accessible hotel is the ultimate in lodging. Some of the amenities include room service, temperature control, air conditioning, AM/FM alarm clock, wake-up service, laundry/valet services, telephone safe deposit box, radio, over-sized rooms, internet access, guest laundromat, in-room iron, free newspaper, in-room computer, health club and exercise gym, coffee shop, continental breakfast or buffet are on the “short” list. This is the reason for the room rates that start at $179!

Bed & breakfast or inns are also available in Spokane. However, visitors are limited to Angelica’s Bed & Breakfast, Odell House Lodging, Hannah’s Garden Inn, 1908 Marianna Stoltz House B & B, EJ Roberts’ Mansion Bed & Breakfast, Geraldine’s on Grand, House Of Travel, On The Park Bed & Breakfast or the Waverly Place Bed & Breakfast.

Camping enthusiasts will be happy to note that there is a KOA campground IN Spokane with amenities worthy of a resort. Spokane KOA (509-924-4722) is close to almost everything offered within Metropolitan Spokane area.

Restaurants

Ethnic eateries are popular with menus featuring American, Asian, Chinese, Thai International, Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean and Mexican cuisines. Of course, the casual dining, pubs, bistros and sports bars are plentiful in Spokane. Fine dining is available at:

> The Scratch Restaurant & Lounge (509-456-5656) is located inside the historic Montvale Hotel in downtown Spokane. Local, organic ingredients accompany everything from Lobster, Crispy Duck Sushi Roll, steaks, pasta, seafood and some good homemade bread. This is one of four Regional food restaurant.

> Churchill’s Steakhouse (509-747-7463) is an elegant dining experience where only the very best Mid-Western corn fed USDA prime beef comes to your table.

Leisure Activities

Indoor

Shopping malls are a popular indoor experience and Spokane has two popular malls within its city limits. The Northtown Mall is one and River Park Square is the other. Other shopping areas include:

> Indian Trails Shopping Center

> Ash and Rowan Shopping Center

> Lincoln Heights Shopping Center

> Manito Shopping Center

> K-Mart Shopping Center

> Shadle Shopping Center

> East Town Shopping Center

> River Ridge Shopping Center

Museums and Galleries

The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture is the home of Native American artifacts and traveling art exhibits. It is located in a secluded setting near the center of downtown amid the 19^th century mansions of Spokane.

Armed Forces & Aerospace Museum is another popular museum housing collection of stories traced back through the generations of Inland Northwest American settlers. More than 7,000 items from every branch of the military are stored at this location.

Jundt Art Center and Museum is inside Gonzaga University. Visitors can peruse the growing number of art pieces at Gonzaga University.

Mobius Kids is a creative learning museum for children and families featuring hands-on experiences in the arts, culture and science.

The Chase Gallery has exhibits by local and regional artists and is open to the public during normal business hours.

Lorinda Knight Gallery and the Tinman Gallery also feature exhibits of regional artists and artisans. The focus is on paintings. Tinman Gallery also has a bookstore with a sizable selection of art books.

Breweries, Vineyards and Wineries

Attending a wine tasting or brewery tour is a sensual indoor activity. There are a number of vineyards in Spokane and they process their own products. These are the ones within the Spokane city limits:

> Arbor Crest Wine Cellars (509-927-9463) has a gift shop where you can purchase from their collection of award-winning wines.

> Barrister Winery makes small amounts of some Bordeaux wines. Visitors can participate in tastings on Friday and Saturday afternoons.

> Caterina Winery (509-328-5069) produces the Bohemian Series of “Artistic Affordable Blends” sold in a winery boutique. Live music provides a background for tastings as well as on the garden patio. Tastings take place afternoons on a daily basis.

> Grande Ronde Cellars (509-928-2788) is a recent enterprise having started operations in 1997.

> Knipprath Cellars (509-534-5121) is responsible for the first locally produced Port.

> Lone Canary Winery (509-534-9062) is owned by the former winemaker for Caterina Winery and two vineyardists who are fans of his wines.

> Mountain Dome Winery (509-928-2788) does tastings during the afternoons on Tuesday through Saturday.

> Robert Karl Cellars (509-363-1353) is a boutique winery that produces handcrafted premium wines.

Laser Quest (509-624-7700) is interactive and fun for ages 7-77. This is live action laser tag unequaled by any other. It is a mixture of fog, music and special effects that combines tag with hide and seek.

Wonderland Family Fun Center (509-468-4386) is open seven days each week. This Fun Center includes the entire family and offers arcade, laser tag, indoor mini golf. Spend the day and experience the pizza and microbrews that appear on the food menu.

Outdoor

A carousel, hand-carved in 1909 by Charles Looff is a National Historic Landmark. Looff created for his daughter as a wedding present. It is still operating and features the old-time brass ring and ring toss. The rider who grabs the brass ring gets a free ride.

There are a variety of parks and playgrounds in Spokane. The list includes Byrne Park, Glass Playfield, Codur D’Alene Park, Gloven Field, Mission Park, Rochester Heights Park, Audubon Park, Audubon Playground and Webster Park.

The Spokane City Tours (509-456-2284) take visitors around the city in small buses with big windows. They stop at scenic and historic points of interest. This guided bus tour lasts 2.5 hours. The memory lasts a lifetime.

The Riverfront Park (509-625-6601) is a legacy left to Spokane by the 1974 World’s Fair. Rides, Spokane Falls Skyride, miniature golf, a tour tram, IMAX theater, the Ice Palace, Looff’s carousel, the rotary fountain and the biggest red wagon can all be found here in Riverfront Park.

Contacts

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Upcoming Shows:

Lilith	Sat, 07/03/10 02:30 PM	Find Tickets
Kings of Leon	Sat, 07/17/10 07:30 PM	Find Tickets
Vans Warped Tour	Sat, 08/14/10 11:00 AM	Find Tickets
John Mayer and Keith Urban	Sat, 08/28/10 07:00 PM	Find Tickets
Dave Matthews Band	Fri, 09/03/10 06:00 PM	Find Tickets
Dave Matthews Band	Sat, 09/04/10 06:00 PM	Find Tickets
Dave Matthews Band	Sun, 09/05/10 06:00 PM	Find Tickets
Brad Paisley	Sat, 09/11/10 07:30 PM	Find Tickets
Jack Johnson: To The Sea Tour 2010	Sat, 10/02/10 06:00 PM	Find Tickets

Below is a promotional clip from the 2007 Festival which has some pretty neat fly-bys of the event grounds:

Wow! What a day this was. There was lots of great talent, and no one could have guessed how the whole season would have ended. I don’t think the people voting for Adam Lambert thought they could lose, and it was pretty obvious that the judges didn’t think Kris Allen could win!

On the final night, it was pretty obvious that EVERYONE was stunned at the outcome. Congratulations go out to both Adam and Kris, who showed great showmanship and sportsmanship. It really was a great contest this year and even more reason to attend this years American Idols Live event at the Tacoma Dome on July 7th.

See all the runners up including Adam, Allison, Anoop, Danny, Kris, Lil, Matt, Megan, Michael, and Scott.

This event attracts an energetic crowd so be prepared for some fun.

For tickets, visit the American Idols Live site, via TicketMaster

Below is a clip from the 2008 event featuring David Cook:

Click Here For Tickets

The Gorge welcomes The Sasquatch Festival for another three days of entertainment, May 23rd, 24th and 25th. This year’s event offers a host of varied musical styles and flavors and includes a number of comedy acts. Musical acts include Nine Inch Nails, Janes Addiction, Ben Harper, Erykah Badu and Bon Iver. Comedians include, Zach Galifianakis,  The Whitest Kids U’ Know, Demetri Martin, Aziz Ansari, and Mos Def.

The entire list of acts is pretty huge, and one wonders how that many acts can be crammed into only three days. They do it however, much to the delight of the audiences. Camping facilities are available at the event for any night or for all three nights for the hearty attendees.

This event attracts an enerjetic crowd so be prepared for some fun. For those who wish to attend only one day of the event, parking is readily available.

For tickets, visit the Sasquatch Festival Tickets site, via TicketMaster

Below is a promotional clip from the 2007 Festival which has some pretty neat fly-bys of the event grounds:

We left behind the hustle and bustle of city life, and decided we’d really try to see Pioneer Square as it should be, as close to its 19th century origins as possible.  We started off with a ride in a horse drawn buggy, and the sound of the horse’s hooves on the street took us back to what the square must have been like with the sounds and smells of Victorian life rattling around, trapped between the imposing architecture. We were shown the Tlingit totem pole, told about the great fire of 1889, and were dropped off under the old pergola which has provided shelter to streetcar passengers since 1905.  As we walked under the intricate iron work and glass panels, I remarked that this is what it must be like to be in a birdcage.
We’d forgotten all about the antique shops, since we were walking right through Seattle’s history. There’s no evidence of the great fire here, except for a possibly coincidental but very fitting memorial to fallen firefighters, made of life size bronze statues of firefighters in action.  We sat on the square, sipping very modern lattés.  We marveled at the totem poles, which now seemed out of place in the city, but which somehow brought a sense of peace and tranquility.

Suitably refreshed, we set off to find some antiques.  Right on the square, down a few steps, looked like a promising shop.  What a surprise met us when we ventured inside!  It wasn’t a shop at all, but a great underground network of niches and cubbyholes, each one full of Victorian and art deco wonders, and some with treasures from the forties, fifties, and sixties.  They should have maps at the entrance; the caverns went on forever, going up and down levels and through crumbling brick doorways.  The deeper we got, the more the air began to smell of the unique combination of damp and old things that I remember from my great-grandmother’s.

As we travelled through the maze, we picked up treasure after treasure, some things really just junk, but striking either our nostalgia or curiosity enough to make us want to take them home.  Mixed among our trinkets, we also bought Native American crafts, pioneer woodwork, and Victorian silver.  I was beginning to wish we’d brought provisions, because I was sure we’d never find our way out.  I thought we should maybe start to lay a trail to find our way back when one of the antique dealers sensed our concern – and hunger – and directed us to Doc Maynard’s Public House, named for one of the area’s original mid-nineteenth century settlers.

We emerged from the deep into a restored Victorian-era pub, and the barman (a character from the past himself) informed us we had actually travelled through Seattle’s famous ‘Underground’. There are guided tours available, but we felt we had already experienced that adventure.  We did get a pass to visit the Rogue’s Gallery though, something of a pioneer museum, where the whole adventure began to make sense. Here we learned more of how Pioneer Square came to be, and interestingly, that here was the origin of the term ‘skid row’, although I thought Pioneer Square deserved a more respectful title.  Here horses and oxen dragged or ‘skidded’ logs down to the original sawmill that was the Square’s first industry.

As we stepped back out into the street, laden with a mix of plastic and paper bags full of all of our new found heirlooms, we decided to reserve the elegant galleries and antique dealers of the above-ground Grand Central Arcade and Occidental Walk for just window-shopping.  For us, antiquing is about getting close to history, and nowhere in Seattle can you do that better than in the Underground!

Crimes that fall under the category of gross misdemeanor include shoplifting. While civil liberties groups find the proposed legislation unconstitutional, others praise it for helping to prevent crime, saying that it is no different than collecting fingerprints, which can currently be done before a person is charged with or convicted of a crime. Currently, a person can only have DNA collected from them if there is a search warrant, or if they give their consent.

HB-1382 is not the only bill before the state that concerns DNA collection. Another bill before the Senate, SB-5026 also seeks to collect DNA from those arrested, but only after the filing of formal charges. It differs from HB-1382 in that it follows the current state statutes in regards to when DNA can be collected.

HB-1382 stipulates that the DNA collected from those arrested would be destroyed if the person was not charged, or if they were found not guilty of the charges. However some groups have questioned how oversight of this process would be handled, and suggested that without proper oversight, samples could be kept secretly, adding that the cost of collecting samples on every arrestee, only to throw thousands away, would be wasteful of taxpayer funds in the current economic climate.

The Senate bill is expected to pass through committee within a week. Unsurprisingly, the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys is in support of the Senate measure while the ACLU is opposed to both bills.