Welcome to the 1st day of the 1st full week of 2010!

BACK TO SCHOOL! Winter break’s over.

TRAFFIC ALERT: If you drive through SODO, reminder that several major traffic alerts kick in today – here’s the heads-up we published last week.

NEW COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER? Three weeks ago, we reported live as the County Council spent 7 hours deciding not to decide (then) who will fill the remaining almost-year of County Executive Dow Constantine‘s former council term (representing West Seattle, White Center, Vashon, and some turf north and south). When they meet at 11 this morning, they’re expected to try again. Here’s what the Seattle Times (WSB partner) says could happen. The agenda’s here; watch live online here.

NEW CITY LEADERS: It’s inauguration day for Mayor Mike McGinn, City Attorney Pete Holmes, City Councilmembers Mike O’Brien and Sally Bagshaw (and re-swearing-in for returning Councilmembers Richard Conlin and Nick Licata). It’s all at City Hall, 2 pm, followed by a public reception around 3. Watch live online at seattlechannel.org.

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU FESTIVAL MEETING: Last meeting (WSB coverage here), Hi-Yu members chose the 2010 float theme, “Dreams Do Come True.” Tonight – 6:30 pm at St. John the Baptist Church Fellowship Hall – they’re scheduled to choose the 2010 button design.

NEW NIGHT FOR TRIVIA AT CHRISTO’S ON ALKI: Tom Hutyler, also known as the voice of Safeco Field, sends word that Christo’s on Alki has moved the Trivia Night he hosts back to Mondays, as of tonight, 7 pm. (Other West Seattle trivia spots include Feedback Lounge [music @ 8 pm Tuesdays] and Skylark [6:45 pm Wednesdays], both WSB sponsors, and Beveridge Place Pub [8 pm Wednesdays].)

Even more happening today – see the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!

Westerly January 4, 2010 (8:54 am)

I hope that Jan Drago is appointed to Dow’s vacant seat in a caretaker position until the election later this year. I’m rather disgusted how a small number of individuals on the 34th District Democrats are trying to get a series of backdoor appointments for themselves instead of running in a democratic election. If Joe McDermott wants the District 8 Councilmember seat, Sharon Nelson wants the State Senator seat, and Tim Nuse wants the State Representative seat, then let them run in the elections slated in 2010 for all those positions. I’ve lost all respect for these people as a result of the bully tactics they have been using in this situation.

flowerpetal January 4, 2010 (10:16 am)

I wonder how we can make our voices heard. We are the constituents without a rep. on the council right now and are dependent on others to choose who represents us. I am opposed to Jan Drago being seated. Does she reside in our district? I haven’t seen her around here very often if she is. And she wasn’t liked enough to be voted in for the primary (and had a poor showing) so why should we be welcoming her to the council seat that represents us?

WSB January 4, 2010 (10:21 am)

FP – Yes, District 8, it turns out, includes the Pioneer Square neighborhood where she lives. You can certainly contact all the 8 county councilmembers – I’m literally running out the door downtown now to see what happens with this or I’d look up the addresses – they should be linked if you follow the council links from http://www.kingcounty.gov – TR

profiles of the less than courageous award January 4, 2010 (11:29 am)

I voted for Joe McDermott to represent me in Olympia, not to decided that he doesn’t like that job and now on to another position more to his liking. The same applies to Sharon Nelson. This should be a caretaker position, not musical chairs.

alki_2008 January 4, 2010 (12:00 pm)

Celtic Swell on Alki also has trivia night on Tuesdays @ 8:30pm.

WSB January 4, 2010 (12:05 pm)

Thanks! I went rooting around online and encountered some information that was quite clearly outdated, so I started with what I had firsthand knowledge of – will add this to the calendar! – TR