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Gas Prices on the Rise

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Gas prices are going up nearly a penny a day. According to a USA Today article, "Nationwide, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline was $2.825 Thursday, up more than 2 cents from Wednesday and 31 cents higher than a month ago."

I'm paying more than $3 a gallon at some places, and I'm up here by the Cherry Point refinery!

Want to know where the cheapest gas prices are? Check out http://www.washingtongasprices.com. Today, Bellingham is ranging between $2.87 and $3.09 a gallon.

California just became the first continental state in 2006 to see average gasoline prices go above $3 a gallon. Hawaii's averaging $3.15 a gallon. Prices are jumping so fast, I feel like I'm witnessing an auction.

"$3? $3 claims the state of California! Do I hear $3.50?!"

New Music in the Mix

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Dear God,

I've been digging a lot of new rock music over the last year from the likes of James Blunt, Amos Lee, Death Cab for Cutie, etc. Yet, we both know what kind of music I find most copacetic. Thank you for bringing back Red Hot Chili Peppers, Goo Goo Dolls, Pearl Jam and Tool. I really appreciate this.

-Paolo

A Red Light District in Seattle?

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Forget Amsterdam. The city of Seattle is working on creating a "Red Light District" south of Safeco Field. It'd be Mecca for silicone enthusiasts.

For years, the city enforced a policy that amounted to just short of a ban on new clubs. This policy was ruled unconstitutional by federal courts. As a result, Seattle's commercially zoned areas became fair game to strip clubs. Late last year Mayor Greg Nickels proposed the city establish a club district in the largely industrial area in South Seattle.

This, of course, angered South Seattle residents who are already working toward a "Southside Revival." They logically fear that the proposed "Red Light District" would turn the area into a slum.

City Councilman Peter Steinbrueck hears these South Seattle residents and has stalled a vote for the proposed 310-acre strip club district. Steinbrueck would like to explore an alternative that would allow such clubs city-wide, with some restrictions, according to the Seattle P-I.

The city of Seattle should allow adult entertainment venues to be dispersed throughout the city, rather than try to create a concentrated location for these businesses. Creating this "Red Light District" would be detrimental to surrounding South Seattle neighborhoods, including Beacon Hill, South Park and Georgetown. All areas of the city should be eligible to shoulder the "burden" of hosting strip clubs. If anything, North Seattle strip club patrons would be happy to avoid a commute.

Working on Easter

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Those were the good old days - hunting for plastic, primary-colored eggs filled with candy, all while being chased by parents snapping photos like paparazzi.

This Easter I'm working, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to be exact. It's my own fault. I need to gain some vacation days. You may all feel bad for me at this time and can call me if you're bored because business is slow as molasses. Grant it, people should be spending time with their families today, not writing 300-word press releases about their start-up businesses.

Congratulations to all of you who made it through Lent without whatever vice you gave up. I don't know if Jesus died for this particular aspect of Easter, but kudos to all of you who played the game anyway. You may now proceed to eat chocolate, drink Diet Coke, resume swearing, etc.

Happy Easter everyone!