When CHS first walked into Roy Street Coffee and Tea this morning shortly before 7 am, the place was bustling.

See pictures of the opening here.

According to Major Cohen, Senior Project Manager and a key proponent of these "inspired by Starbucks" cafes,  the first group to arrive were the coffee nerds (our characterization - not his).  Many in the group were excited to try the Panama La Esmeralda (CHS sampled this brew and it was one of the best cups of coffee we've had in a while) and other Clover beans.  As we searched for a table, a bunch of them were excitedly discussing coffee, machinery and methods at a communal table.  The morning crowd was composed of Starbucks corporate family members (those visiting from corporate included CEO Howard Schultz ), well-to-do older couples from North Capitol Hill, curiosity seekers, I-5 shores residents and those of us in search of good coffee and free wi-fi.

Starbucks PR agency Edelman emphasized to us that this is the second LEED certified<...

The man who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to likely spend the rest of his life in prison for stabbing Capitol Hill resident Shannon Harps to death now claims he was coerced to confess to the murder, CHS partner SeattleCrime.com has learned:

James Anthony Williams, who received a 35 year sentence for the the brutal slaying of Shannon Harps outside of her Capitol Hill apartment on New Years Eve in 2007, is seeking to withdraw his guilty plea and is asking the court to provide him with new legal counsel.

Williams on the day of his May 2009 sentencing (Photo: chrisdaniels5)

In court documents filed in King County Superior Court earlier this month, Williams claims he was "compelled...to plead guilty." While documents show Williams apparently believed he was in physical danger while in jail, prosecutors—who, naturally, are opposing Williams' motion—contend Williams made numerous declarations of his own guilt, prior to entering his plea.

SeattleCrime.com reports that prosecutors are citing multiple statements by Williams "that his plea was solely motivated by the fact that he was guilty" in their response to the claims.

Williams originally pleaded not guilty to the crime in February of 2008 and his mental competency was questioned. But after treatment at mental health facility Western State Hospital, Williams was determined fit to stand trial. The defendant then pleaded guilty and was subsequently sentenced to 35 years in prison. This is what prosecutors told CHS at the time of the sentencing about Williams' decision to plead guilty:

[Williams] pled as charged after our office worked to have him restored to competency to stand trial for the murder by sending him to Western State Hospital. He pled not guilty at arraignment in 2008 because every criminal defendant will enter a not guilty plea in order to consult with their attorney, discuss the various options they have and then chose either to plead, negotiate or fight the charge by gong to trial. Mr. Williams at first did not appear competent. The court sent him to Western State Hospital for evaluation at the request of the state and defense. He was found initially not-competent and then Western State doctors restored his competency. Mr. Williams returned to court and indicated he wanted to plead guilty as charged, which he did.

SeattleCrime.com reports that, along with his claims of a coerced confession, Williams also says his attorneys did not adequately represent him during trial and has requested new counsel.

Williams was convicted of murdering Harps in a bloody attack as the 31-year-old was about to enter her residence near 15th and Howell on the last night of 2007.

CHS contributor alk17000 posted this news first this morning but due to a technical issue, we missed the post. Thanks for sharing the breaking news alk -- much appreciated and sorry for the mix-up. (Photo: Alk17000)

Update by jseattle: We screwed up on this story and missed breaking news reported by a contributor. We have a system that alerts us when new posts are created -- but it didn't fire for this post because of a glitch. As the comment on alk17000's post indicates, that's a lot of cops at the scene. Could be due to the proximity to East Precinct headquarters at 12th and Pine but we'll give SPD a call on Friday to find out. Still no word on person who was hit's condition.

Update 2: Our commenters and CHS news partner Seattle Times has part of the story answered:

A Seattle police officer was taken to Harborview Medical Center this morning after her foot was run over by a vehicle at the intersection of 15th Avenue and East Madison Street.

Police spokeswoman Renee Witt said the officer suffered a broken ankle, but was in otherwise good condition after the 11:30 a.m. incident.

Witt said the circumstances under which the officer was injured are unclear; the matter is under investigation.

We'll follow up on circumstances that led to the accident. Also, when we first posted this article, the headline mistakenly identified the location of the accident as 17th and Madison, not 15th.

When we spoke with the fire department spokesperson about the accident, there were two different incident numbers being tracked at the location so it appears the officer was at the scene of an aid response before the second accident occurred.

Original report: We received the following report from a neighbor.  We will update with any information we receive from the SPD and/or SFD.  

Wanted to report that this am at around 11:00 am as I was driving down Madison, at around 17th Ave. near the Madison Market I saw an accident.  There was a fire truck and a man lying in the street.  He looked like an older man with gray hair and glasses.  They were getting a stretcher ready for him.  As I drove by 5 police cars drove up.  On my drive back home at around 11:30 there were still police cars there and officers directing traffic.

Another neighbor reports that traffic is being impacted at Madison & Pine - possibly as a consequence of this accident:

FYI - Not sure what's going on, but the police are routing all traffic traveling west on Madison off at Pine. Only one lane going east is open. It's been like this for at least an hour now. Seems to be really slowing down traffic on Madison going west.

First Hill Streetcar Map, originally uploaded by Oran Viriyincy.

As we've been reporting all along, the city and Sound Transit have been pushing toward a plan to have the streetcar running between Union Station and Capitol Hill in service shortly after the 2012 apocalypse.

The two agencies made Streetcar 2013 official with this announcement released Monday:

Seattle, Sound Transit execute agreement for expedited streetcar construction

November 16 , 2009

The City of Seattle and Sound Transit are moving forward with plans to build a new streetcar line linking the city's First Hill neighborhood with Capitol Hill and the International District.

The city and Sound Transit have executed an agreement that includes an expedited construction timeline - the line is anticipated to open in 2013 instead of the 2016 completion that was earlier planned. The City of Seattle will build and operate the new line, which voters approved as part of the 2008 Sound Transit 2 ballot measure.

"This line will be the first two of 36 new miles of rail coming to our region," said Sound Transit Board Chair and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, who today added his signature to the agreement following recent approvals by the Sound Transit Board and Seattle City Council.

The First Hill Streetcar will serve major Seattle work centers, including Swedish Hospital, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle University and Seattle Central Community College. The line will provide easy access to the Link light rail system that opened this summer and the Capitol Hill light rail station when University Link opens in 2016.

"First Hill is home to more than 22,000 jobs and the streetcar will be a great new option for the people who live and work here," said First Hill Improvement Association Vice President Jim Erickson. "We look forward to working with the City and Sound Transit to meet the transportation needs of First Hill."

Sound Transit will cover the project's costs up to $132 million, and the city will take the lead on design, property acquisition and construction of the two-mile line connecting downtown Seattle, First Hill and the Capitol Hill light rail station. Sound Transit will cover operating costs when the line begins service.

The First Hill line will be the second modern streetcar line in Seattle following the Sound Lake Union Streetcar line which opened in December, 2008.

The City plans to begin construction in 2012. The final route will be determined as part of the environmental review process over the next two years.  The Sound Transit Board included the streetcar line in the ST 2 expansion package after determining that a previously-planned light rail station at Madison Street and Summit Avenue on First Hill would be too costly.

With the passage of the Sound Transit 2 ballot measure in November 2008, light rail is targeted to reach all the way to Lynnwood, Redmond's Overlake area and the Star Lake/Redondo area near Federal Way by 2023.

Next for the process will be the public and political discussion about what route the line will take as it passes between the International District and Capitol Hill by way of First Hill.

Via the Seattle Times, we learned this morning that the War Room will close, unless it finds a buyer by 11/30.  This could have been the $800k nightclub for sale we noted a couple of months ago.  Marcus Lalario, the co-owner's statement, is puzzling - in light of the fact that a couple of War Room backed politicians (Michael McGinn and Pete Holmes) will soon be in power - and presumably be friendlier to nightlife on the Hill:

The Capitol Hill nightclub The War Room, on the corner of Harvard Avenue and East Pike Street, will close Nov. 30 unless a buyer is found.

In a written statement, co-owner Marcus Lalario said, "With so many issues still facing nightlife, we're ready to move on. The liquor tax increase, mounting pressures from the City and State helped us make the decision."

Among the bands to have played The War Room in the five years since it opened are Band of Horses, Cave Singers and Wolf Parade. The War Room is also known for its weekly hip-hop night, Yo, Son!

"We feel like we've had a good run of it,...

so maybe Capitol Hill residents shouldn't be put off by a little rain. I stopped by this afternoon at about 2, and was immediately struck by how few people were shopping at this Sunday's Capitol Hill Farmers' Market.

The vendors were there in force, almost as many as I've ever seen. Maybe some people will be off at grandma's house for Thanksgiving, but you'd think that others would be shopping for the holiday.

Maybe there's another explanation. However, it's been mobbed on recent sunny days, so I fear it is the weather.

I urge you all to make an extra effort on these grey drippy days to support the farmers. It really wasn't that bad out, and it actually got better (OK, not good enough to get something from Molly Moon's to eat on the way home).

They'll be there, rain or shine, every Sunday from 11 - 3 till December 20th, in the parking lot behind the Bank of America on Broadway. Will you?

Back in September, we told you about a new retailer coming to Pike/Pine and joining the scene inside the Odd Fellows building. We noticed that the store was taking shape this week and a quick check of their Web site reveals Nube Green opens on Monday. UPDATE: It's open! From Josh in the comments:

Although their website says they aren't open until Monday they were actually open today and I think they will be tomorrow (the owner said the website is just hard to change).

Its a great little shop. Some really interesting stuff including some very cool cardboard lanterns made by a group just down the street.

The new retailer is targeting "ecologically minded consumers" and plans to "provide a strorefront for local artists." Nube Green is the creation of Ruth True. She and her husband Bill opened the nonprofit art gallery Western Bridge.

Here is a snippet from a press release explaining the new store's concept.

Also on the ground floor -- sandwiched between the popular OddFellows Café and Molly Moon's, and right next to flora and henri -- Nube Green plans to open the doors on its 2,300 square foot mercantile store in November. This retailer will carry a broad array of simple, fun and elegant gifts for the ecologically minded consumer.

The store will only sell products that have not crossed any oceans, including locally made items from recycled and sustainable materials. Nube Green will also carry its own line of products.

Top shelf children's clothier Flora and Henri also moved into Odd Fellows recently.

Meanwhile, down the street, CHS also noted 'sign' of an existing business doing some upgrades for the holidays. Looks like Seattle Running Company got a new sign for Christmas.

Pike/Pine isn't the only area on the Hill with some good biz news. CHS reported yesterday on some cool changes for the People's Republic of Koffee over on 12th Ave. Meanwhile, beloved Broadway bookseller Bailey Coy is officially no more.

While I wouldn't have picked it as the venue in which to discuss the issue, there was some healthy debate in the comments thread that accompanied the CHS coverage of the memorial procession for slain Seattle Police Department officer Timothy Brenton. On its surface, the debate centered around whether a public ceremony of that scale was justified by the killing of a police officer. But below, there were bigger questions of authority, respect and society. This won't end it -- and it may very well re-ignite some of it -- but CHS would like to share a letter sent out by acting Seattle Chief of Police John Diaz and new East Precinct Commander Jim Dermody thanking people for their support in the weeks following the Brenton murder:

Monday is the deadline for community suggestions to name the two new parks being built on Capitol Hill. An e-mail from Capitol Hill Community Council president Jennifer Power spells out the parks department rules:

The Park Naming Committee is comprised of one representative designated by the Board of Park Commissioners, one by the Chair of the City Council Parks and Seattle Center Committee, and one by the Parks Superintendent. Criteria the committee considers in naming parks include: geographical location, historical or cultural significance, and natural or geological features. A park may be named for a person no longer living (deceased a minimum of three years) who made a significant contribution to parks and/or recreation. The Park Naming Committee will consider all suggestions and make a recommendation to the Superintendent, who makes the final decision.

Suggestions should be sent to paula.hoff@seattle.gov

We've written about the naming process several times -- here are most of the suggestions we've seen on CHS. The only one we can endorse is the idea to name the 16th at Howell greenspace after Gray Lambert, the activist nearby Lambert House is named for. Some other ideas from CHS comments:

Summit at John An angled, sloped walkway separating a grassy grade and community garden plots. With skateboard element and picnic area	Howell at 16th A level turf area in the middle of the site, bordered by a collective garden to the north and a crushed rock plaza and allee to the south
Suggestions: Paradise Park Summit Slope Park Wayside Park Rest Stop Park	Suggestions: Shannon Harps Park Desmond Tutu Park Queen City Park Emerald City Park Parkcrest Park Maidan Park Flattop Park Mia Zapata Park Riot Park Seven Hills Park Capitolinus Park Second Hill Park Lambert Gray Park Obama's mother's park

Maybe we're not as tuned into the Hill's history as we should be but there aren't any ideas that seem like obvious choices. Honoring Cal Anderson at the time the Hill's park was being built, wrote community organizer Kay Rood, just seemed right:

State Senator Cal Anderson died of AIDS in August 1995, just as Groundswell was mobilizing on our first big grant project. One of our steering committee members suggested that we name the new park for him, and the idea seemed just right from the very beginning. I never knew Cal, but I know from all I have read and heard that he was an exceptional person. Widely praised for his work ethic and personal integrity, he worked tirelessly on behalf of the disenfranchised. A park in the heart of the 43rd District named for him would bring a pride of place to our community, a new name for a new future. We tucked the idea away. I figured we would know when the time was right to propose it, which was not until we had assurances that there would be a park worthy of Cal’s name.

Other Capitol Hill parks followed a more random path to naming. Tashkent Park, for example, is named for Seattle's sister city in Uzbekistan. There's a Jimi Hendrix Park (not on Cap Hill) -- why not a Kurt Cobain Park?

Some other notables with Capitol Hill ties who died in recent years:

• AIDS activist Bill Lake
• playwright August Wilson
• philanthropist James Ray
• politician and pharmacist George Benson and his wife Evelyn Benson
• peace activist Richard Carbray

Some highlights from this second Thursday's Blitz Capitol Hill Arts Walk.  Live music at some of the venues this time:  Katherine Hepburn's Voice  at Cupcake Royale (7 pm),(KHV broke up! no band for Cupcake Royale!), Reji Lefleur at Retail Therapy (5 pm) and Lushy at Fetherston Gallery (6 pm). Note that  Seattle Asian Art Museum provides free admission during Blitz (5 pm to 8 pm). A few samples of what you'll see this month and a map of all the venues, below.

Maria Toro at Retrofit

Marion Resur at Caffe Ladro

Elizabeth Jameson at Fetherston

We won't have stats from East Precinct for months but, trust us, we're seeing a lot of car break-ins in the police reports for Capitol Hill. What we do have are anecdotes like this from neighbor Phobia in the CHS Classifieds:

I am trying to help my friend who was a victim of auto crime. Her car got broken into last night, Nov. 13, at the corner of Union and 11th. She lost her Coach tote bag with some important documents and a hard drive inside. All she wants are the things that have very little value to anyone. If you are out there, please take the cash and the bag but please send all other things back to her. I know it's really rare that a criminal would read a neighborhood blog, but I don't have other ideas. Thank you

The chances are very slim that Phobia's friend will get her stuff back but the incident can do some good. You can take a lesson from this and make sure you remove anything and everything of value -- and, really, everything -- from your car.

While we don't have the stats, we do have a powerful new tool we're continuing to build on at our partner site SeattleCrime.com.

Here's a map of the last 30-days of reported car prowls in the Capitol Hill area.

Click for latest map

Locations are approximate -- we only get block locations from SPD -- but you can see the Hill hot spots. And, of course, for every prowl reported, there are probably three that somebody didn't bother to call in.

So, time to clean up your car. Here's a comment from neighbor Lolalaptop to inspire:

Rash of car break ins in my neighborhood

I am sorry to hear that your friend lost her valuables.

My car was broken into a few weeks ago, 13th and Mercer, and thankfully nothing of value was taken, but the interior had been thoroughly torn apart in what was probably a quick, expert manner. I posted a note about it in my building, and learned that the same had happened up and down the block to many, many cars.

Yes, there were visible bags (of paper to recycle, nothing of value!) in my car that may have led them to bother breaking into my car.

Lesson learned: my car is now fastidiously empty and will remain so. People are desperate and while you can't stop them from breaking into your car, you can lessen the probability that they'll bother with your car by keeping it visibly empty.

Hiroko's outfit caught my eye outside of Velo Bike Shop on my way home from work.  The days are getting shorter and so is my picture taking window.  When I found Hiroko, the last bit of daylight was creeping behind the horizon.

From the color to the lovely bow I adore these clever boots.  Hiroko's look is a great mix of feminine and unconventional preppy style.  This combination makes for a unique outfit that doesn't feel overly put together. 

For more street style photos from around Capitol Hill and the rest of the city check out my website:www.itsmydarlin.com

(Photo: It's My Darlin)

Essex Property Trust Inc, the developer for Joule, an apartment building currently in construction across from the Brix, just announced a sculpture competition for local artists to submit sculptures to be featured on the development.  Here are the details:

Essex Property Trust Inc., is developing a new mixed-use, six-story building at the north end of Broadway on Capitol Hill named Joule. Joule aims to bring back energy and vitality to the north end of Broadway that has been missing for decades. With a mix of retail on the street level and apartments above, Joule occupies an entire block and will be a lively and iconic addition to Capitol Hill.

In an effort to include the community and showcase local talent, Seattle sculpture artists are invited to participate in a design competition to create two winning sculptures for the project site. The Grand Prize winning sculpture will be placed at Joule’s main entry along Broadway, while the Second Place winning entry will be part of a rooftop deck landscape plan.

The development name, Joule, was chosen for its definition as a unit used to measure energy/heat. Artists should consider this definition and create designs that embody the themes of heat, energy and movement. Entries should be visually appealing and portray a modern aesthetic.

DESIGN

Sculpture designs should be self supporting. Base must be no larger than 5 feet in circumference and overall height of sculpture should not exceed 10 feet.

Sculptures should be designed from materials such as metal, wood, stone, and any other permanent, weatherproof and vandal-resistant mediums. Light pieces, neon, and other energy works may also be considered.

Fabrication is the responsiblity of the selected winners and must be completed by April 8, 2010.

Designs must be the original work of the entrant.

ENTRIES

Entries must be submitted via email in pdf format no later than January 8, 2010. Entries may take the form of sketches, 3D renderings or photographed models. Please include your name, phone number and an explanation of your design concept along with your entry. Send entries to: ryan@alloypartnership.com

Costs incurred in the preparation of entries are the responsibility of the entrant.

Judging will take place the week of January 11. Judging will be based on overall visual appeal and relevence to theme. Winners will be notified by January 15, 2010.

PRIZES

(1) Grand Prize in the amount of $3,000 and (1) Second Prize in the amount of $1,500 will be awarded. Half of the prize will be awarded at time of selection and the remaining half will awarded upon completion of fabrication. ADDITIONALLY, up to $7,500 will be provided to each winner to cover fabrication costs.

OTHER

Essex Property Trust, Inc. reserves the right to cancel this competition at any time and for any reason. By entering this competition, participants agree to hold Essex Property Trust, Inc. and Alloy Partnership harmless from and against any and all claims and liability arising out of or in any way connected with the operation of this competition and use of a prize.

APPLY

Please email: ryan@alloypartnership.com to request creative brief and full details. No phone calls please.

Fast Food Lloyd Wright, originally uploaded by rutlo.

It is our sad duty to inform you that the Madison branch of the Taco Time fast food restaurant chain is about to serve its last batch of Mexi-Fries. CHS received the following tip from neighbor Westley:

I saw a sign on Taco Time. I don't remember exactly what it said, but I think it either said they are closing or moving. Not quite sure.

Note the panic -- Westley was so distraught he was unable to recount even what he had read on the heartbreaking sign.

A quick phone chat with manager Rodney Keith confirmed the worst.

The Madison Taco Time will close its doors on Sunday. Keith says he's moving on to a new gig. All other questions were referred to company HQ so no word on whether this was a surgical closure or part of a widespread downsizing for the chain.

According to the Taco Time Web Northwest site, the Madison location is one of 75 in the state. Wikipedia says the chain has more than 200 franchises in the US and another 75 in Canada and Japan.

The departure is also the latest in a long, slow exodus from the Hill for national fast food chains. Hill outlets of Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, and Kentucky Fried Chicken have all closed within the past three years.

This upcoming Wednesday there will be an Early Design Guidance Meeting for the mixed-use apartment complex proposed for Thomas and Broadway (details below). The site includes the properties that house Cafe Septieme, Noah's Bagels, Pho 900, Bank of America, the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, and the Broadway Farmer's Market, among others and will have approximately 24,000 sqft of commercial space, 235 residential units, and about 250-275 parking spaces. The project is being developed by SRM Development and the Merrill Gardens Company, a family-owned, Seattle-based company behind the Merrill Gardens Retirement Communities throughout the United States (and most recently at U-Village).

The project is pretty standard in terms of new Capitol Hill development. Ground floor retail will front Broadway and wrap around Thomas St with upper floors consisting of mainly studios and one bedrooms, with a few 2 bedrooms interspersed. The building will drop from 65ft along Broadway to 40ft along 10th Ave and 7 Live/Work units will front the ground floor of 10th. Since it is early in the design process there are no official designs for the facade but the proposal does include a few sketches of possibilities. In talks, SRM Representative Andy Loos has repeatedly mentioned Brix as something similar in scope and design.

First Floor Plan

While all the existing buildings will be demolished, Loos said that current commercial tenants have been contacted and offered space when construction was complete. Bank of America has already agreed to return to the new building and are currently looking for a temporary location in the vicinity. No others have confirmed. Loos also said that the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce would "certainly be welcome" when construction was completed but the Chamber's Jack Hilovsky said that they are looking for a new location for when their lease is up next Fall and don't have plans to return at this time.

The most intriguing part of the proposal is a community space that would be available to tenants as well as community groups and organizations. While nothing has been confirmed (entrance location, square footage, included equipment, etc.) I am told that Merrill Gardens incorporated a similar space in their U-Village development.

Idea for 10th Ave Entrance

The least intriguing part is the parking. Even though the site will be less than one block from the new light rail station, the First Hill Streetcar, and bus routes 8,9,43,49, and 60 and is zoned with no parking requirements, the developers are still proposing more than 250 parking spots. I asked Loos if there was any chance that the parking could be reduced. His reply:

We have discussed the parking spaces and will do further review to determine how many we will provide.  We certainly don’t want to be under-parked since finding spaces on the street in Capitol Hill is virtually impossible today and if our residents were to have to find street parking in order to park their cars we’d be adding to an already significant parking problem.  There could be a segment of the residents that have cars but choose to use public transportation anyway.  They will still need a parking space even though they don’t use their car every day…we want to be able to accommodate them.  We certainly don’t want to build parking spaces that

I guess you can't win them all.

Project: 230 Broadway E  map

Review Meeting:	November 18, 6:30 pm
	SU Alumni Relations & Admissions Building
	824 12th Ave  map
	Meeting Room
Review Phase:	EDG--Early Design Guidance past reviews
Project Number:	3009249 permit status | notice
Planner: Lisa Rutzik

For the next month, a very large percentage of your daily Seattle news intake will be produced within a three-block radius on Capitol Hill.

CHS has new officemates today as the staff of Publicola are making their temporary home here at Office Nomads for a month before they move back to Belltown and into new office digs.

For 'Cola's Josh Feit and Erica Barnett, it's a return to their Capitol Hill stomping grounds from their days at the Stranger. With the Slog's nerve center still operating across from Bobby Morris playfield and Cal Anderson Park, Pine is suddenly the city's new, new media corridor. For a month, at least. But that's like three years in Internet time.

PoDog fits in with the gritty, industrial surroundings . . . and then there's the pug

We attended a friends & family event last night and can report that  Po Dog is ready for the public starting today .  We were pleased with our choice of a couple of Veggie Dogs (smartly - they are using field roast ) with a side of fries and PBRs on tap.  We then split a Chicago Dog (you can substitute a field roast dog in any of their offerings).  A great cheap meal for under $30.  Po Dog is located at 1009 East Union (next to the Lifelong Thrift Store) and hours of operation will be: Mon-Thu 11am-Midnight, Fri-Sat 11am-3am, Sun 11am-10pm

Po Dog already has a Happy Hour offering.  Hours will be 4:30 - 6:30 M-F.  Included food: Mini Dog Sliders ($4.97) and Homemade Chips & Fries ($1.75).  Included Drink: PBR Draft ($2), Manny's Draft ($3), Domestic Bottles ($2.5) and Import ($3).

Curtis Bigelow talks with a worker putting the finishing touches on the Lobby Bar

CHS was lucky enough to join co-owner Curtis Bigelow for a quick tour of the transformed space that was once King Cobra and will soon be the new Lobby Bar . But this picture was the only shot I could take -- the new project is still under construction and under wraps. The transformation is impressive. Bigelow says he and Paul Villa hope to create a space for members of the LGBT community who are interested in getting a good, reasonably priced drink in an comfortable, inviting environment -- and the people that love them.

An elegant seating area with black glass chandeliers greets you on entry to the new space. A massive, marble-topped bar dominates the center of the Lobby. Behind the bar is a mix of finished, glossy cabinetry and the rough exposed brick of the building's walls. Staircases to the left and and right invite you to the upper level where the railing will invite you to spy on the activities below.

Bigelow told CHS he and Villa hoped to open in early December but -- like most new businesses -- Lobby is facing delays in permitting. As for the newly announced next-door business The Money Tree, CHS had heard rumors that the location would house a sandwich shop, but Bigelow said the money lenders have been mostly good neighbors so far.

This might be the best e-mail tip we'll ever receive. A film crew? A new business finally open? Sex? Take it away neighbor Jeremy:

this house that's for sale at 17th and RoyNot sure this is blog-worthy, but a film crew is filming a commercial for Johnson & Johnson at . Filming is today only. Also, have you written about the new leather/sex store next to old school frozen custard? Don't think I've seen anything on the blog yet. Probably of interest to lots of folks on the hill.

Well, I think we've mentioned the opening of Doghouse Leathers' new store next to Old School Frozen Yogurt in passing here on CHS -- um, yeah, very much in passing. CHS Tweeted about it but we haven't given the opening of the new Cap Hill leather shop its due here on the news blog.

Sorry Doghouse. We're happy to see that owner Daddy Jeff is a member of the site. We'll follow up with something a little more in depth, but for now, know that upper Pike is now your source for frozen yogurt AND retailing services for "the greater Seattle Men’s Leather/Kink Community." You can also follow the action on Twitter @DogHouseLeatherSwing by the store at 1312 E Pike St. .

Oh. By the way. Here's the house from the Johnson & Johnson comercial. Watch for it on a television set near you.

capitol hill fixie, originally uploaded by banter.

Like my dad used to follow me from room to room turning the lights out behind me, the city's parks department is pinching pennies this winter by turning out the lights on Seattle's tennis courts. Luckily for Capitol Hill, Cal Anderson's courts will be one of five in the city that remain lighted through winter. Earn it, fixie bike stunt guy. Earn it.

MOST PARKS TENNIS COURT LIGHTS GO OFF FOR THE WINTER TO SAVE ENERGY

As an energy-saving measure, for the winter months Seattle Parks and Recreation lights the tennis courts only at five major locations:

• Lower Woodland Park, Aurora Avenue N and N 59th Street, 10 courts

• Bobby Morris Playfield at Cal Anderson Park, corner of 11th Avenue E and E Pine Street, two courts

• Rainier Playfield, 3700 S Alaska, four courts

• Solstice Park (formerly Lincoln Park Annex, 7400 Fauntleroy Way SW, six courts

• Meadowbrook Playfield, 10533 35th Avenue NE, six courts

Lights will return to all lighted courts when Daylight Savings Time returns on Sunday, March 14, 2010.

Parks offers indoor courts at the Amy Yee Tennis Center, 2000 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way S, from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Please call 206-684-4764 to make reservations, or visit the web at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/Athletics/Tennisct.htm for information about the Tennis Center.

A small patch of First Hill on the edge of Capitol Hill has been without power today after underground equipment failed during this morning's heavy rain. This person reported hearing a large bang before the power failed. It might be the most localized power failure we've ever reported -- those in the dark live in the area between Union and Seneca and Summit and Boren.

View 11/20 Power Outage in a larger map

According to Seattle City Light, about 267 customers will be without power until around 6:40 PM tonight when repairs are expected to be completed. 300 customers were affected by a power outage earlier this week caused by a tree branch damaging wires in north Capitol Hill.  Despite the outages, the city has come through this week's wind and rain storms mostly unscathed though the forecast calls for more rain and wind through the weekend.

Autumn Cupcake,
originally uploaded by sea turtle.

There are enough loose ends and followups to warrant a news round-up. And a picture of a cupcake. Happy Friday the 13th.

• Sound Transit says light rail airport service to start December 19th
• Ben Hills memorial party tonight at Vermillion, 6-10 PM
• Approve 71 victory rally Saturday at Westlake
• Also Saturday: Out for Sustainability conference
• Person of interest in Greenwood arsons arrested
• Accused cop killer Christopher Monfort: paralyzed

Oh My Vampire Weekend, originally uploaded by jaycoxfilm.

I just report this stuff. I don't get to decide what happens. Corporate mega chain Blockbuster has decided its Capitol Hill outlet makes the perfect host for a Friday night celebration of teen girl cinema.

SEATTLE AREA BLOCKBUSTER INVITES TWILIGHT SAGA FANS

TO FRIDAY THE 13th CELEBRATION OF "NEW MOON"

Hundreds of Seats for Special Nov. 19 Advance Screening To Be Given Away At the Blockbuster Capitol Hill  Store On Broadway

WHAT:  Some Twilight Saga fans, eager for the new feature film "New Moon,"

won¹t have to wait until the movie¹s release on Nov. 20th to sink their

teeth into the next installment about Bella and Edward.  The BLOCKBUSTER

store on Capitol Hill is hosting a special celebration of ³New Moon² on the

night of Friday the 13th.  Hundreds of tickets to a special advance

screening of the film, to be held on Thursday, Nov. 19 courtesy of

BLOCKBUSTER, will be given away at the event.

The Friday the 13th celebration of ³New Moon² will feature:

·      Two free tickets to the advance screening for the first 100 fans at

the event.

·       Dozens of additional advance screening tickets given away during the

event held 10 pm - Midnight

·      Screening of "Twilight" at 10 pm

·      More "Twilight" and "New Moon" prizes, including posters and DVDs, as

well as BLOCKBUSTER rental cards so fans can watch ³Twilight² again before

heading to the theater for ³New Moon.²

WHEN: Friday, November 13, 10 pm - Midnight

WHERE: Blockbuster on Broadway 1514 Broadway Ave (206) 324-6012

WHAT: "New Moon" Celebration & Ticket Giveaway

 Select tickets given away to the first 100 fans at the event.  (More given

away throughout the evening.) Also a 10 pm: Screening of the movie

"Twilight"

Artwork at Capitol Hill Library,
originally uploaded by javacolleen.

The Friends of Seattle Libraries group is documenting the impact of today's City Council vote approving a plan that will allow the city's library system to maintain service levels despite a citywide budget crunch:

Central:

    •    Hours remain at the current seven day, 62 hour weekly schedule

Ballard, Beacon Hill, Broadview, Capitol Hill, Douglass-Truth, Greenwood, Lake City, Northeast, Rainier Beach, Southwest and West Seattle:

    •    Open 7 Days per week (60 hours per week):

    •    Monday – Thursday, 10 am – 8 pm;

    •    Friday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm;

    •    Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm

Columbia, Delridge, Fremont, Green Lake, High Point, International District/Chinatown, Madrona-Sally Goldmark, Magnolia, Montlake, NewHolly, Northgate, Queen Anne, South Park, University and Wallingford:

    •    Open 5 Days per week (35 hours per week, closed Friday and Sunday):

    •    Monday – Tuesday, 1 pm – 8 pm;

    •    Wednesday – Thursday, 11 am – 6 pm;

    •    Friday:  CLOSED;

    •    Saturday 10 am – 6 pm;

    •    Sunday:  CLOSED

You'll note that the plan actually calls for the hours at the Capitol Hill branch to be increased -- the Harvard Ave facility currently doesn't open until 1 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays. Other areas of the city -- West Seattle, for example -- saw service at some branches reduced to 5 days per week.

The City Council earlier today approved a 13.8% increase in electricity rates to help offset the city's budget issues.

Over the past few months it has become somewhat of a ritual for my girlfriend and I to take a late afternoon stroll down Broadway; gazing upon the familiar, and the not-so-familiar faces that make the street one of the most lively in Seattle. The destination of our walks is always Bailey/Coy where we stop out front and my girlfriend records Bailey/Coy's quote of the day in her journal. When we learned here on CHS that Bailey/Coy would be no more, it was devastating.

As a way to honor Bailey/Coy's presence in our lives, my girlfriend decided to assemble 40 of her favorite quotes into a short story. Remember, every single sentence below is the beginning of a different book, and graced Bailey/Coy's sandwich board at some time in the last 6 months. So Bailey/Coy, this one is for you; you will truly be missed.

Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy.  My legal name is Alexander Perchov.  When I was six I saw a magnificent picture in a book about the jungle, called true stories.  We tell ourselves stories in order to live.  Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board.  Dr. Weiss, at the age of forty, knew that her life had been ruined by literature.  There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.

My name was salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie.  I was born with water on the brain. 

Air-conditioned, odorless, illuminated by buzzing florescent tubes, the American supermarket doesn’t present itself as having very much to do with nature.  Once there was a tree…and she loved a little boy.  All children, except one, grow up.  There was once a boy named Milo who didn’t know what to do with himself-not just sometimes, but always. 

Harriet was trying to explain to Sport how to play town.  In a city called Stonetown, near a port called Stonetown Harbor, a boy named Reynie Muldoon was preparing to take an important test.

1801-I have just returned from a visit to my landlord-the solitary neighbor that I shall be troubled with.  Ours is essentially a tragic age, so we refuse to take it tragically.  “Marx has completely changed the way I view the world,” declared the Pallieres boy this morning, although ordinarily he says nary a word to me.  Claire: it’s hard being left behind.  Horselover Fat’s nervous breakdown began the day he got a phone call from Gloria asking if he had any Nembutals.  Mr. Jones, of the manor farm, had locked the hen-houses for the night, but was too drunk to remember to shut the popholes.  “It’s a pretty good 200,” said young Gerald McGrew, “and the fellow who runs it seems pretty proud of it, too.”  

A is for Amy who fell down the stairs.  When he was nearly 13, my brother Jim got his arm badly broken at the elbow.

In fairy tales, witches always wear silly black hats and black coats, and they ride on broomsticks, but this is not a fairy tale, this is about real witches.  True!-nervous-very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?  Don’t get me wrong: I love the restaurant business.  The human head is of the same approximate size and weight as a roasted chicken.  I’d been waiting for the vampire for years when he walked into the bar.  The “red death” had long devastated the country.  In Paris we eat brains every night. 

Are you there God? It’s me; Margaret.  I wish Giovanni would kiss me. 

There were ninety-seven New York advertising men in the hotel, and, the way they were monopolizing the lines, the girl in 507 had to wait from noon till almost two-thirty to get her call through.  Two boys stood in the Prince Consort Gallery and looked down on a third.  124 was spiteful.  No one is staring at you.  It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer electrocuted the Rosenbergs, and I didn’t know what I was doing in New York.  Then there was the bad weather.  It was a pleasure to burn.