Goldy just called with the news from City Hall that the Seattle City Council's Government Performance and Finance Committee Committee just approved a proposal for sports arena in Sodo by a 7-0 vote. Council Member Nick Licata abstained and Council Member Richard Conlin, an arena critic, was absent (at a Sound Transit Board meeting). The council is set to take a final vote on September 24. But with a supermajority of the council's votes secured, and what is seen as inevitable approval form the King County Council and the mayor (who started this whole thing with investor Chris Hansen), the arena looks like a slam dunk. Zing! Meanwhile, Hansen is celebrating with free beer down at F.X. McRory's.

Obviously, this is a huge win for Mayor Mike McGinn and for Sonics fans; now Hansen can begin recruiting a team.