Political Brief: Jan 30, 2013: Guns, arts and neighbors

By Michael Sarko
- The Capitol Hill Times -

The City’s new Gun Safety Initiative had a very successful first gun buy-back event on Saturday, with one, big, uncomfortable, ironic caveat. While the SPD can boast retrieving 716 guns, about half of them handguns, they also inadvertently staged an impromptu gun show that saw many weapons and dollars change hands in private transactions just feet away from the buy-back. Currently, it is still legal for gun owners to buy and sell weapons privately, which is the so-called “gun show loophole” to existing laws. These transactions do not require background checks or other safety measures imposed upon retailers.

Pat yourselves on the back, Hillizens. Your love of art and the places it’s made got the Pike/Pine corridor on ArtPlace’s annual list of Top Art Places in the United States. ArtPlace is a collaborative foundation involving many national arts organizations. The distinction of being a Top Art Place is based on a series of cultural and economic factors that help the foundation determine “vibrancy.” So, congratulations on being certifiably vibrant.

Speaking of vibrancy, Feb. 9 is Neighbor Appreciation Day in Seattle, an observance that seems made up on-the-spot but is actually a tradition stretching back 19 years. The City has a list of various activities and volunteer opportunities around town, but there are none currently listed on Capitol Hill. Any excuse for a party (or a litter patrol, or a chance to assist those in need in your community), right?