RSS feedsSunday, October 12, 2008 - Page updated at 03:37 p.m.
UPDATE - 03:05 PM
Fire burns 750 acres northeast of Los Angeles
Firefighters backed by water-dumping helicopters and planes gained ground Sunday on a wildfire that destroyed two homes and forced the evacuation of about 1,200 people in a rugged area 20 miles north of downtown.
UPDATE - 02:45 PM
McCain vows to whip Obama's 'you know what'
Republican John McCain vowed Sunday to "whip" Democratic rival Barack Obama's "you-know-what" when the two presidential candidates meet Wednesday in their final televised debate.
NEW - 02:29 PM
Gary Payton trying to get NBA team in Seattle
Former Sonics guard wants professional basketball team in Seattle by 2011
UPDATE - 01:35 PM
Ballesteros determined to fight brain tumor
After a career full of miraculous shots - including one from a parking lot during his first British Open win - Seve Ballesteros was preparing for the "hardest challenge" of his life Sunday after announcing he has a brain tumor.
UPDATE - 01:13 PM
Palin has mixed record as fiscal conservative
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican nominee for vice president, bills herself as a fiscal conservative. But her record is mixed: She increased to historic proportions the annual bonus each Alaskan receives from the government yet gained prominence by raising taxes on the oil industry.
All is forgiven; McCain returning to Letterman
David Letterman and Sen. John McCain will get a chance to make up.
'Silvering Path' a memorable collision of dance, music, film and art
"Silvering Path" is a three-part multimedia show — dreamed up by dancer Haruko Nishimura of the Degenerate Art Ensemble — onstage at the Free Sheep Foundation in Seattle.
Coast Guard douses shipping containers at Port
On Saturday afternoon, Seattle firefighters cut holes in the container and sprayed water inside. The Coast Guard believes the containers...
Central QB Mike Reilly sets NCAA record in 50-28 win over Western
Mike Reilly threw for 371 yards and four touchdowns, setting an NCAA record in the process, as Central Washington defeated Western Washington 50-28 in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference game Saturday night.
Pope creates 4 new saints, including Indian woman
Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday gave the Roman Catholic church four new saints, including an Indian woman whose canonization is seen as a morale boost to Christians in India who have suffered Hindu violence.
Ohio shooting puts face on foreclosure crisis
By the time deputies came to escort Addie Polk out of her home of 38 years, the 90-year-old had taken out her life insurance policy and placed it next to her pocketbook and keys in the neatly kept house.
Concert review | Rivers Cuomo and Weezer do best when they're unhinged
Rivers Cuomo, front man for Weezer, best when the band is silly and unhinged.
Despite reforms, Congress hides $3.5B in defense earmarks
An in-depth Seattle Times examination of the $459 billion 2008 defense bill found $8.5 billion in earmarks. Of those, 40 percent, or $3.5 billion, were hidden.
U.S. Border Patrol unveils high-tech Sumas station
The U.S. Border Patrol unveiled its newest tool in protecting the U.S.-Canadian border in Whatcom County on Friday — a 21,000-square-foot station.
Danny Westneat
Dale is waiting to play Texas Hold'em, in the coastal town of South Bend, on Willapa Bay. He's got something to say the minute I announce...
Bothell church sponsors anti-pornography weekend
About 300 women attended an anti-pornography church event known as "Porn and Pastries" Friday night.
Seattle high-schoolers can now get failing grades
Seattle Public Schools has changed its high-school grading policy to include E grades, a mark more commonly known as an F. In the past, students who did not pass a class earned an N, which did not affect their grade-point averages.
Whistle-blower to be paid $30,000 by American Power
Melodee Nixon accused an Auburn company that did repair work for Alaska Airlines of laying her off after she raised air-safety concerns. Now she is getting nearly $30,000 in back wages and medical benefits after filing a federal whistle-blower complaint.
Bard's genius slips through prison bars
The stage was a high-gloss tile floor and a couple of simple chairs. Security cameras adorned the ceiling and a prison guard's eyes roved the room. Deep inside Two Rivers Correctional Facility, an all-convict cast performed "Hamlet" for other prisoners.
Health officials sue Zaina and The George & Dragon Pub
Public Health — Seattle & King County has filed suit against two Seattle restaurants which the agency says have violated the 2005 statewide smoking ban.
Reparations are theme of Seattle Race Conference
Reparations was the theme for the sixth annual Seattle Race Conference, held at Seattle Center on Saturday.
Competitive pumpkin growing: sport and addiction
Competitive pumpkin growers this month are are weighing off at events across the country. Walt and Brad Perham, a Bothell father-and-son team's pumpkin weighed in Saturday at a state-record 1,467 pounds to win the Pacific Northwest Giant Pumpkin Growers club event at Central Market in Shoreline.
Blind masseurs battle to keep job preference in S. Korea
By the time Lee Hye-gyeong received a diagnosis of glaucoma in 2005, she had already lost much of her vision. By now, Lee, a former shop...
What's open, closed on Monday, the Columbus Day holiday
All bank branches and federal offices will be closed Monday because of the Columbus Day holiday. That includes the Postal Service, which will not provide mail delivery or window service. All city, county and state offices will be open for business as usual.
Local Digest
Feds taped physical of VA fraud suspect
Qwest Communications International says it has tentatively agreed on a new, four-year contract with its largest union, representing about...
Calvin Pickard gets shutout in T-Birds win
Goalie Calvin Pickard made 20 saves against the Portland Winter Hawks on Saturday night to lead the Seattle Thunderbirds to a 4-0 win. Pickard stopped eight shots...
Central lives life of Reilly in win over Western
The "Battle of Seattle" turned into more of a "Showcase by the Sound" for Central Washington quarterback Mike Reilly. The Wildcats rode the...
World Cup Qualifying | U.S. men rout Cuba, secure final-round berth
The United States breezed into the final round of World Cup qualifying with unusual ease. DaMarcus Beasley scored two first-half goals...
Wounded Seahawks look to rebound against Packers
The Seahawks are coming off a bad loss and the season is not off to a good start, but they feel they can correct past mistakes, and remain confident that they can turn their fortunes around.
Steve Kelley
Central's Mike Reilly may be state's best college quarterback
Central Washington quarterback Mike Reilly shows on record-setting night against Western Washington that he may be the state's best college quarterback.
Bud Withers
Cougs sink further into football abyss
The low rumble of warming buses growled outside Gill Coliseum. The Washington State football contingent shambled toward them, angry, bitter...
Jerry Brewer
Norris Frederick: Looking back, leaping forward
On the screen of his laptop, Norris Frederick sees his life staring back at him. He almost cannot believe it as he reads his words, glowing...
Larry Stone
Red Sox's title streak was built on foundation of local players
When Red Sox fans think of Portland, it's invariably Maine that jumps to mind. And Seattle is just a faraway city with a lousy team for...
Danny O'Neil
Still a one-way street for Mike Holmgren's team
Holmgren Way is a street in Wisconsin that ends at Glory Road. Holmgren way in Seattle is something less concrete yet rigid. Very, very rigid. Something...
Danny O'Neil's NFL power rankings
Last week's ranking in parentheses Team Comment 1 New York Giants (2) Brett Favre may have advertised Wranglers, but Eli Manning is a true...
Prep Roundup | Eastside Catholic's Marion Bactol electrifies in Metro win
Marion Bactol scored on a 90-yard kickoff return as Eastside Catholic cruised to a 45-17 Metro League Mountain Division win at Bishop Blanchet's Mickey Naish Field.
Notebook | Late TD pass turns Cougs crimson
This one will be remembered for a while, for two reasons: Oregon State's 66-13 victory over Washington State marked its highest point total...
Outdoors Notebook | Alaska halibut plan would give more control to commercial fishermen
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council voted 10-1 to change the allocation of halibut between commercial and guided recreational anglers in southeast and south central Alaska. Based on halibut biomass projections provided by the International Pacific Halibut Commission, the change would allow southeast Alaska guided anglers to catch one halibut per day — down from the current two — with the opportunity to lease from a commercial fisherman the right to catch a second halibut. This is expected to take effect in time for the 2011 fishing season if approved by the secretary of commerce.
Play of the game: Lyle Moevao fires a 30-yard pass to Sammie Stroughter on a deep "out" route, and Stroughter sweeps into the end zone for...
Auto Racing | NASCAR, fighting drivers meet
Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson. Those were the three drivers considered the favorites to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title...
Briefs | Vitali Klitschko beats Samuel Peter for heavyweight title
Boxing Klitschko stops Peter: Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine won the WBC belt and fulfilled a self-proclaimed dream to hold a heavyweight title...
College Football Roundup | Georgia knocks off Vandy
Chase Daniel's Heisman Trophy stock just plummeted. Missouri's national championship hopes took a tumble, too. And how about them Cowboys...
Danny O'Neil's TV Clicks and Picks
Today's games Time Pick Oakland at New Orleans 10 a.m. (Ch. 7) Saints, 34-13 Reggie Bush leads Saints in both rushing and receiving yards...
Defense leads Trojans past Sun Devils
A convincing victory was of little consolation to Southern California quarterback Mark Sanchez, who reacted as if he was on the losing side...
Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli ran for 170 yards and a touchdown in the Ducks' 31-24 victory over UCLA on Saturday night. Masoli, who entered the...
Eastern Washington loses at home to Montana
Cole Bergquist tossed a pair of touchdown passes to Marc Mariani, and Montana made the most of two blocked punts in a 19-3 victory over...
Longhorns hook big win against top-ranked Sooners
The second half had been an afterthought for No. 1 Oklahoma this season. It became the Sooners' undoing. Texas refused to disappear as all...
NBA | Warriors' Monta Ellis will lose 30 games' salary
The Golden State Warriors suspended injured guard Monta Ellis for 30 games without pay Saturday for violating his lucrative new contract...
NFL | Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez on trading block
Tony Gonzalez, the most productive tight end in NFL history, will be traded to a contender if the Kansas City Chiefs get the right price...
Nick Price makes a major move to lead Senior Players Championship
Nick Price is poised to end his drought on the Champions Tour in major fashion. Winless in 30 tries on the 50-and-over circuit, Price shot...
NLCS | For the Dodgers, there's no place like home
Trailing 2-0 in the National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers have the Philadelphia Phillies right where they want them...
Rays stay late for ALCS victory
B. J. Upton and the Tampa Bay Rays won a game of home-run derby with a shallow fly ball. Pinch-runner Fernando Perez dashed home on Upton's...
Small Colleges | Linfield gets past Whitworth
Scott Birkhofer booted a game-winning 36-yard field goal, and Reggie Ford rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns to push Linfield past Whitworth...
Stanford drives home a victory against Arizona
Stanford has been wondering whether Alex Loukas would ever live up to his incredible potential. The junior finally did it against Arizona...
Between the Seams | As retirement looms, Pat Gillick still listening
Pat Gillick learns by listening. In his first dinner with his staff in Philadelphia, in 2005, Gillick took the time to hear a trade proposal...
NW Briefs | Huskies snap USC's volleyball win streak
The 10th-ranked Washington volleyball team snapped USC's 32-match winning streak Saturday at the Galen Center, defeating the No. 11 Trojans 22-25, 25-21...
Silvertips lose 5-1 in Spokane
The Everett Silvertips continue to struggle on the road this season after losing 5-1 Saturday to the Spokane Chiefs. Everett (3-4-1-0) is 0-4...
Saturday's detailed prep tennis results
L. Wilhelm, P, beat P. Weisbeck 6-0, 6-0; K. D'Olivo, P, beat D. Milat 6-1, 6-2. Doubles — K. Sanner-J. McCarthy, E, beat M. Lee-K Lee-K. Perkins 6-4...
Willingham can win if given a chance I do not believe that any coach could take the Huskies program from the bottom of the pile to respectability...
People in Sports | Mike Montgomery
Mike Montgomery: With Friday's first official practice quickly approaching, the table in the office of the new California basketball coach...
Saturday's detailed prep cross-country results
1, North Central 39; 2, Jackson 82; 3, Mead 138; 4, Seattle Prep 144; 5, Lewis and Clark 247; 6, Southridge 263; 7, University 269; 8, Eisenhower...
Bellingham 40, Anacortes 7 Eastside Catholic 45, Bishop Blanchet 17 Federal Way 21, Auburn Riverside 0 Kentridge 10, Tahoma 0 Lake Quinault...
On the Economy
The Great Disruption hits Puget Sound hard
An entire business model that increasingly powered the American economy has collapsed. It was dependent not only on little understood financial schemes but also on mergers — instead of capitalizing companies that actually made things, especially advanced technological breakthroughs — and unsustainable earnings growth. It was based on debt and consumption.
History shows investors in stocks can bounce back in worst of times
Let's deal with your worst fantasies: the "D" word. Some people have bandied it about — the prospect that perhaps this is the big...
Sunday Buzz
Sunday Buzz: Real estate in play as WaMu and others shrink
In the Seattle area and elsewhere, the tumult of merging and downsizing companies — WaMu, Wachovia, Merrill Lynch, AIG, etc. — will likely redraw real-estate vacancy maps, so brokers are preparing.
Mountain bike motivates award-winning saver
Jeff Hoernemann's ability to save in our instant-gratification world won the 17-year-old a $15,000 college scholarship. The Andover (Minn.) High School senior is one of two grand-prize winners for the 2008 Citi Scholastics Essay Writing Contest.
Job Market
Protecting yourself in a bleak job market
The message is hard to miss: It's a grim job market. The latest marker came when the government reported that employers shed 159,000 jobs in September, far more than expected. That was the worst one-month drop in more than five years, and brings the number of jobs that have disappeared this year to 760,000.
What to do? Here is some expert advice
Market turmoil has investors losing sleep, asking for help. Experts give their advice.
Fidelity, Vanguard join money-fund insurance plan
Fidelity Investments have joined the U.S. Treasury's emergency insurance program for money-market mutual funds, pushing the participation rate to more than 95 percent of assets managed by the industry.
September marks a low for dividends
September was the worst month for dividends since Standard & Poor's began tracking them in 1956, and that's spelling tougher times for retirees and other income investors.
Ask the Headhunter
Video résumés are less user-friendly than written ones
Just because someone is peddling a new kind of résumé doesn't mean employers will find it useful. Imperfect as they are, written résumés are much more user-friendly than videos.
Your Funds
Your fund is not going to zero
In current market conditions, fund investors are questioning just about everything. Here are some of the most common questions from readers over the last few weeks.
A low-risk play: government bonds
U.S. Treasury notes, bonds and savings bonds have a long track record as a low-risk saving vehicle. Government securities come in many forms, ranging from inexpensive $25 savings bonds to larger notes with a $1,000 minimum.
Stupid Investment of the Week: Bank deposits earning below-average interest rates
MarketWatch columnist Chuck Jaffee's Stupid Investment of the Week is on deposits earning low interest rates.
Interpersonal Edge
Misery can empower you if you face it
Q: I've been reading several spiritual books that advise people to be present or "in the now. " I don't know about others, but my "now"...
Several key economic reports due this week
Heads up: Several key economic reports are out this week but may be overshadowed by turmoil in the global markets. Four reports are due Wednesday: September retail sales and producer price index, August business inventories and the Federal Reserve's Beige Book of regional economic conditions.
Job Market
Job fairs Eastside Job Fair Noon-5 p.m. Thursday at Pickering Barn, Issaquah. Those who cannot attend can e-mail their résum...
Looking ahead
Oct. 12 — 18 Monday • The government bond market is closed for the Columbus Day holiday. • Microsoft is scheduled to make...
Bush weighs new plan to halt financial crisis
As international leaders gathered Saturday to deal with the global financial crisis, the Bush administration raced to overhaul its strategy for rescuing the foundering financial system.
Extremist attacks drive Christians out of Mosul
Hundreds of terrified Christian families have fled Mosul to escape extremist attacks that have increased despite months of U.S. and Iraqi military operations to secure the northern Iraqi city, political and religious officials said Saturday.
GOP urges single McCain message
Republican leaders said Saturday they were worried Sen. John McCain was heading for defeat unless he brought stability to his presidential...
U.S. removal of North Korea from terror list raises ire
he Bush administration announced on Saturday that it was removing North Korea from a list of state sponsors of terrorism and said the country had agreed to adhere to concessions on its nuclear program, in a bid to salvage a fragile nuclear deal that seemed on the verge of collapse.
Afghan president reshuffles Cabinet
Under pressure from the United States and its coalition partners to shake up his government and curb high-level corruption, President Hamid Karzai named as his interior minister Saturday a former official of Afghanistan's communist-era secret police.
Chrysler merger may ride on GM cash
For General Motors to acquire Chrysler and all of its warts, GM would have to get desperately needed cash. Lots of it, according to industry...
Kenya is the first country to try elephant texting as a way to protect both a growing human population and the wild animals that now have less room to roam.
Palin's oil stance more mainstream than maverick
Challenging the oil industry may have been somewhat unusual for an Alaska governor, but Palin did it at a time when the public was clamoring for change. And she did so with the help of Democrats, even following their lead on a key oil-tax issue.
Report: Palin didn't fear for safety
One of the paramount reasons that Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband have given for voicing concerns to Alaska public-safety officials about former brother-in-law Michael Wooten is that they and their relatives live in fear of him.
Japanese man extradited in murder case hangs self
A Japanese businessman accused of conspiring to have his wife murdered 27 years ago in Los Angeles hanged himself in his jail cell, a few hours after he arrived in the United States to face charges, police said Saturday.
Low-rise D.C. skyline under pressure to look upward
As vacant land disappears in Washington, concerns about high real-estate prices are fueling debate over whether developers should be allowed to build taller, which is prevented under a century-old law.
Why China sits on sidelines of financial unrest
China sits on a huge pile of money, and its policymakers crave global assets. So why doesn't China spend a little and save the world from global financial meltdown?
West Virginia justice system is in turmoil
The justice system in West Virginia is broken and the U.S. Supreme Court should take steps to fix it, according to a pile of briefs in three cases awaiting the court's attention.
What should be done with excess frozen embryos?
There is a wide range of questions about what former infertility patients should do with excess frozen embryos that they have no plans to use.
Economics 101: Understanding financial lingo
Financial terms have become a part of the daily conversation as the worst financial crisis in decades has deepened, affecting companies, industries and ordinary people.
Saddam remains a hometown hero
In the hometown of Saddam Hussein, they still call the late dictator The President. Inside a hall that once held an office Saddam used once...
Lawmaker condemns McCain camp's "hateful" rhetoric
Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., a veteran of the civil-rights movement, said Saturday that the negative tone of the Republican presidential campaign...
Austria right-winger dies amid comeback
The sudden death of Joerg Haider, the controversial and charismatic far-right politician who transformed Austria's politics, occurred at a crucial political moment for the country.
Some Mideast critics see U.S. crisis as payback
America's opponents in the Middle East are gloating over the financial meltdown in the U.S., painting it as divine retribution for misdeeds against Muslims and the last gasps of a dying empire.
U.S. clout in Latin America at lowest in decades
As Washington, D.C., turned its attention to the Middle East, Latin America swung to the left and other powers moved in.
Irish feeling unlucky as property values tank
The financial meltdown that began in the United States last year has spread worldwide, slowing foreign economies where people bought bad U.S. mortgage debt and pushing local financial institutions toward insolvency.
Turkey's military attacks rebels in northern Iraq
Turkish warplanes and artillery bombed Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq following an escalation in rebel attacks, the military said...
Campaign Notebook
Obama gives nod to rival McCain
Democrat Barack Obama made a slight nod to his Republican rival Saturday. Even as he criticized John McCain's economic policies, Obama acknowledged...
Obituary
In Sainte-Mhre-Eglise, a small town in the Normandy region of France, is Rue Robert Murphy, a street named in honor of the Boston lad who joined the Army at 17, parachuted there on D-Day, and dedicated part of his life to maintaining the memory of the civilians and soldiers who died there on June 6, 1944.
Odds and Ends
Odds and Ends | Presley has twin girls
Celebrity gossip, famous birthdays and other tidbits, compiled from Seattle Times news services.
Nation Digest
Congress expected to revisit economy
Democratic leaders are likely to call Congress back to work after the election in hopes of passing legislation that would include extended...
World Digest
Hurricane sweeps into Baja peninsula
Hurricane Norbert swept across Mexico's southern Baja California peninsula on Saturday with torrential rains and screaming winds, forcing...
The Times recommends ...
Dave Reichert, Jay Inslee, Rick Larsen in the 8th, 1st and 2nd congressional districts
The Seattle Times endorses for re-election Republican Dave Reichert for the 8th Congressional District race; Democrat Jay Inslee for the 1st District; and Democrat Rick Larsen for the 2nd District.
Joni Balter / Seattle Times editorial columnist
Greg Nickels and Ron Sims: the power of "no"
Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels opposes the Seattle parks levy. King County Executive Ron Sims is not supporting the Sound Transit light-rail package. Who would have thunk it?
Guest columnist
A formula for lifting Washington out of its math mess
"Reform" math, which Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson supports, is a failure, says a Ballard High math instructor.
Leonard Pitts Jr. / Syndicated columnist
Sarah Palin's recent campaign attacks have grown increasingly strident and divorced from reality as John McCain's poll numbers have gone south.
Tony-winning musical "Spring Awakening" comes to the Paramount
Theater preview by Misha Berson: "Spring Awakening" tours to Seattle's Paramount Theatre, Oct. 14-19, and is one of those rare, periodic Broadway musicals that expresses the yearnings and angst of a generation of youth.
Northwest architect Brad Cloepfil feels the heat in NYC
Portland architect Brad Cloepfil is getting scrutiny from both coasts for his remodel of the Museum of Arts and Design building in New York. The premier exhibitions, including many Northwest artists, are among the attractions drawing travelers to Manhattan this season.
Celine Dion's voice will go on - in a very big way
Celine Dion brings her Taking Chances World Tour 2008 to the Tacoma Dome, Saturday, Oct. 18.
Number 13 may be lucky for Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Fest
To mark its 13th anniversary, the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival places an emphasis on gay horror films, including "Scab," "Watch Out" and a shorts program called "Camp Blood."
In the documentary "Trouble the Water," lives intersect to tell a very personal Katrina story
Film directors Tia Lessin and Carl Deal talk about their Katrina documentary "Trouble the Water," which won the Grand Jury Prize for top documentary at last year's Sundance Film Festival. It was produced by Danny Glover, and opens Oct. 17 in Seattle.
"Elektra" a display of passion, drama
Richard Strauss' "Elektra," soon to take the stage at Seattle Opera, takes its story from the Greek myth of the doom-stricken house of Atreus and intensifies its impact with music of unprecedented violence and complexity.
A synopsis of Richard Strauss' "Elektra," which opens at Seattle Opera Oct. 18.
The Short List
Three things our writers love this week
TV "Project Runway" The fifth cycle of Bravo's fashion-designer reality competition has been full of drama (designers Keith, Stella and...
TV | "Arthur" and friends don't grow older, just wiser
As always, Arthur the aardvark is funny, charming and full of bright ideas. One of five new episodes of season 12 of "Arthur" premiering...
Van Gogh, Morandi and, yes, Babar, at New York museums
This year's New York museum season includes knockout exhibitions of paintings by Vincent Van Gogh and Giorgio Morandi — plus a tribute to everyone's favorite little elephant, Babar.
Prozac-like antidepressants can lead to lingering sexual dysfunction
Q: I have been taking Prozac for five years. I've noticed a downturn in my ability to achieve a climax. My doctor recently switched me to...
Rave "To an anonymous customer at the Queen Anne post office. My wife went there last Thursday to mail a parcel. The postal clerk was deaf...
Taste
Domestic caviar pleases the wallet, the planet and the palate
Domestic caviar offers a delicious, sustainable alternative to the diminishing supply of caviar imported from around the Caspian Sea.
Plant Life
Books revel in the pleasures of gardening and the glories of garlic
From the long line of 2008 gardening books, several stand out as unique and worthy, including "Gardens: A Literary Companion" and "The Complete Book of Garlic."
Local designer Jenny Longley uses vintage aircraft fabrics to evoke memories of aviation's glamorous yesteryear.
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Stock up on hot deals for cool weather with savings of 30 percent on outerwear, boots, clothing and more fall gear.
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Best Northwest Employers
Vote for your favorite Northwest employers in the 2008 NWjobs People's Picks contest. Vote now.
