A Paradoxical End?
According to a post on the message board at www.nwhardcore.com (a popular website for local hardcore fans), Seattle's music scene will soon suffer a heavy blow. Rumor has it that the Paradox, an all-ages venue in the University District, might be closing its doors in early February 2003. Though no one affiliated with the club could be reached for comment, reliable sources confirmed the rumor, but said the club will continue to host shows through the winter. MEGAN SELING
The Unkindest Cut
Hundreds of people packed into the Seattle City Council chambers on November 7 to implore members not to go along with some of Mayor Greg Nickels' proposed budget cuts. Facing a $60 million shortfall for 2003, Nickels is proposing to slash about eight percent from the city's human services budget. That means less money for homeless shelters, food banks, and free clinics, at a time when more people need those services.
"When the economy gets tough, it is not the time for responsible leadership to abandon its people," said Susan Champion, who spoke on behalf of the Pike Market Medical Clinic. The plea may be having an effect; Barbara Clemons, an aide to council budget committee chair Jan Drago, says many of the mayor's cuts will be reversed. "The council is really upset about all of those cuts, especially given the state of the economy and given that this state is number two in terms of hunger of its citizens," Clemens said. The council will vote on their version of the budget on November 18, probably nixing Nickels' $3 million sidewalk allotment, which siphoned social service money. ELI SANDERS
Bad Walgreens
Capitol Hill residents are crying foul over the development of a new Walgreens store currently underway on 15th Avenue East, claiming Walgreens and property owner JSH Properties, Inc. are violating zoning codes by planning a drive-through pharmacy and a loading dock that will lie too close to residential areas. The residents have banded together in the past week to fight the development, even hanging makeshift banners that cry "Bad Walgreens" from nearby windows.
But Steve Hansen of JSH says he's working to accommodate neighbors' concerns. "Hopefully we'll get some screening up and keep these guys happy," he says. "And there won't be a drive-through." Hansen says that the sign advertising a drive-through was mistaken, and has been removed.
Neighbors, however, haven't taken the "Bad Walgreens" signs down yet. Residents and area merchants have scheduled two meetings in the next week to discuss the Walgreens project. SEAN REID
