Republicans Complain
It was certainly ethically questionable for KIRO talker Dave Ross to remain on the air for two months after declaring his intention to run as a Democrat for Congress on the Eastside. Now Republicans are claiming it was illegal as well. On Monday, October 4, the state party filed a 55-page complaint with the Federal Elections Commission, claiming Ross broke the law by using his highly rated weekday talk show to promote his bid for elected office. “We believe these actions violate federal election law,” state GOP Chair Chris Vance said in a written statement. “In fact, they may merit criminal prosecution.” Ross campaign manger Marco Lowe dismissed the filing as a political stunt. Any decision is not likely to come before the election, which pits Ross against Republican King County Sheriff Dave Reichert. SANDEEP KAUSHIK
Gays Lament
Karaoke usually provides the entertainment in West Seattle’s lone gay bar, Guppy’s. But this Monday, October 11, the California Avenue SW spot–a typically mellow hang-out destination where domesticated thirtysomething gay couples go to play pool, listen to Christina Aguilera on the juke, and chat with the first-name-basis bartenders–will be “Fuck the Landlord Night.”
The evening is part of Guppy’s nine-day celebration “Ta-Ta for Now,” which will culminate with Guppy’s closing night on October 16. “Yep, we’ve lost our lease,” the post on Guppy’s website laments.
The landlord chose to rent the space to Ovio, a West Seattle bistro. JENN GREEN
Tribal Revenues
The campaign against Tim Eyman’s Initiative 892, which would legalize and tax video slots outside tribal casinos (with the revenue used to lower property taxes), is getting huge financial support from the tribes. The tribes have dumped $5,087,739.70 into the anti-892 effort, already a record, with the Puyallup Tribes donating the most, a whopping $1,497,835. The second largest contributor is the Tulalip Tribes, which have thrown in $1 million. Both operate lucrative casinos. SANDEEP KAUSHIK
Club Revenues
Pioneer Square club owners are reportedly revamping their popular joint-cover program, which currently lets partygoers into at least 11 crowded clubs for just $12 on weekend nights. The program was dissolved in September and is now being reformed. But at least one club–Larry’s Nightclub–isn’t being invited back to the party. “They threw us out,” says owner Larry Culp. The joint-cover group sent him a letter in July asking him to ease up on his early-evening drink specials, which Culp says made the club a popular starting point on the joint-cover circuit (the club that collects the joint fee keeps it). “I think there was a feeling that I was getting too much joint cover,” Culp says. “We are really popular and we’re getting more popular. When you get busy, people start to target you.” AMY JENNIGES