More NIMBY

To augment the previous post, a few other NIMBY topics:

toddstanfield.com
cascadiareport.com
seattleworks.typepad.com
seattletimes.nwsource.com
seattlest.com
seattleweekly.com

Obviously, it is an issue AND we do tend to navel-gaze on this topic.

NIMBY

We folks in the greater Seattle area like to be nice. Generous, caring, proactive… we like to think of ourselves this way and have this ideal reflected in our community: support of a wide range of social safety net services, tolerance of diverse lifestyles, environmentally sound urban planning (e.g. “density”), mass transit. We also, however, like our lives to be nice: pretty, quiet, safe, comfortable… with nooooo threat to our property values.

As a result, we often find these two goals to be mutually exclusive, or at least we perceive them to be. We say (and we vote) that we want such services as housing for chronic alcoholics, methadone treatment centers, domestic violence shelters, and temporary, sanctioned camps for the homeless. But it can be a struggle to find a neighborhood that will welcome such a service with a warm embrace. We don’t want to think of ourselves as prudes, so don’t outright ban strip clubs. But, there is a push to corral all the existing strip clubs into one low income neighborhood. In a misguided effort to protect the delicate sensibilities of the local children, there was even an outcry about the name of a new pet store in the Wallingford neighborhood, called High Maintenance Bitch. (Honestly, if there is any appropriate use of the "B" word, this would be it!)

The zoo (the ZOO, of all non-controversial organizations) is getting severe push back from its neighbors because it wants to build a few outbuildings on its property and a parking garage to prevent parking sprawl into the neighborhood. When the proposed garage was to be on the south end of the park, the neighbors on the north end supported the proposal, but the southern neighbors fought it bitterly. Then, the plan changed for the structure to be on the north end. Well, surprise, surprise… now the north end neighbors are up in arms and the south enders think a garage is a splendid idea.

Granted, it is not as pure and simple as this. But, it is the gist. And it is the hypocritical tradition of this otherwise progressive town. We support all things good as long as our own neighborhood is not impacted. "Not In MY Back Yard!” is the common hew and cry.

Oy. As Popeye used to say, “This is embarrasking.”

Get to Know the Locals

This blog, as well as Seattle Song, are changing a bit. A blogroll of personal blogs by Cascadians is now added to the sidebar. Each is a blog I have found to be thought provoking, funny or otherwise worth a glance or more. Although not necessarily reflective of my own views or interests, each seems to be thoughtfully (or at least earnestly) written relative to its purpose. Some are philosophical, some political, some pursue a hobby, and others are purely personal. The list is composed to provide readers a smattering of perspectives and experiences of the folks who live in this region. The blogroll will be growing, so keep an eye out for new additions.

The Seattle Blogsphere is a-Yapping...

...about the proposed state legislation to allow bars & liquor-licence-holding restaurants the option to allow dogs (see prior post):

West Seattle Blog
Seattle Metroblog
Seattlest
Horse's Ass

It seems the vote is rancorously divided. (Yes, we have a lot of energy around our pets here.)

A-grrrrrrr.

A Dog's Life in Cascadia Might Get Even Better

In an earlier post, I described many of the ways in which Cascadia is a dog's paradise, from dog parks to chic boutiques to specialized medical care. It seems that canine quality of life here may get even better, if a piece of proposed state legislation is passed.

It was reported in the Seattle Times today that state Senator Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, submitted a bill to the legislature which would give bars and restaurants with liquor licenses an option to allow well-behaved, leashed dogs on premises, providing they stay next to thier owner. Currently only service dogs are allowed.

The bill may face an uphill battle against current code barring animals in eating establishments, which is based on a national food-code standard set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Despite this, there are already a few renegade pubs and cafes in the area that allow dogs in on occasion, particularly in outdoor areas, provided no other patrons complain. Generally, as long as the pooch is well-behaved, Cascadians don't mind.

Hopefully, most of our state Senators and Representatives feel the same. Remember, there is a toll free phone line to your state legistators to voice your opionion on matters such as this: 1.800.562.6000 . You can find out who represents you here.

"Solar Power"

Every Cascadian, when emerging from his or her home today, peeked up to the sky then danced gleefully in the street. The sun is out again, making it two days in a row of blue sky. Moreover… sun is forecast for the entire next week. Hallelujah. We haven’t had a week of sun for months. Literally.

Left: Early morning blue sky over Bellevue and the Cascade Mts.

In terms of light, this is a tough time in the Pacific Northwest. The sun rises late and sets early. Thick cloud cover is the sky-du-jour just about every “jour” of the winter season. Magnifying the deprivation is that most folks arrive to their offices before sunrise and leave them after sun set. We end up a city of moles, squinting into the glare of the occasional sunny day, sunglasses long misplaced in the weeks of dreary grey. It’s a bit of a shock to the system, albeit a welcome one.

Many folks up here feel the effects of this. SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) sets in with a mild case of the blues, lethargy and a general desire to hibernate. Many of us take a sun trip sometime between January and early March to off set this. It doesn’t have to be warm (although that is the ultimate winter escape). A ski trip to Idaho or Utah can off set the withdrawal. All those sun rays reflecting off all that snow. Some of us get full spectrum light boxes or sunrise alarm clocks Some of us just tough it out.

In the glory days of July and August, when the days are long, warm and lushly green it’s easy to forget this time of year and to remember why we stay. Last week we dared not dream of the sun, it seemed so remote. Today we revel in it.

You Know You're a Seattlite When.....

The best of the "You know you're a ________ when" jokes mix self-depricating humor with right-on truth. This is the case for Seattle PI blogger Christina Hyun's list of astute observations about Seattlites. I saw myself in most of these, including:

5. You take your dog to play at a special park just for dogs.
18. You go to a small concrete/glass enclosure on an annual basis to watch fish desperately swim against the current.
23. You stop for pedestrians because you know they don't even look before stepping into traffic.
26. You know which house is Bill's.
31. You recycle everything possible and think people who don't are criminally irresponsible.
33. You don't wear high heels/hose or neckties, pretty much ever.
42. You think beaches are just fine at 65 degrees with ankle-numbing water.
52. You don't need to call a computer specialist for home computer problems because you or someone you know can fix it.
53. You give directions like this: I can't remember what that road's called, but it's just past the hill, after the Shell station. If you start going up another hill, then you've passed it. I think there's some kind of plant nursery across from where you turn, so look for that.
59. You eat at least one kind of Asian food on a regular basis.
61. You do one or more of the following: catch rainwater in rain barrels, compost, and/or use organic pesticides/weed killer.
74. You're polite with people but not too personal.
75. You email way more than you phone anyone.
76. You've visited The Troll, Lenin, and Hendrix.
79. You own your own tent and about a hundred other camping supplies.
84. You've "met The Man".
99. You think the recently suggested state slogan, "Say-Wah" is about the dumbest thing you've ever heard.

Some of these may be cryptic to non-Seattlites. Just ask... I will explain.
Enjoy.....