It’s good to know that the state legislature is working diligently on improving the quality of life for our four legged friends. First we had SB 5484 which would allow dogs in bars. My dog, Truman, was particularly excited about this because there’s nothing he’s enjoys more than a pint of porter and a game of darts. He prefers darts because he’s too short to play pool unless he stands on his hind legs. Plus since online poker is now a no no, he needs some new vice.

Now there’s also SB 5403 which will certify animal massage practitioners. No more sub-par massages for my dog only the finest swedish and deep tissue work. This does beg the question that when I pet my dog am I actually giving him a massage, and will I need a license?

Thank you Senators Rasmussen, Brandland, Kline, Murray, and Poulsen.

A double thank you to Senator Jacobsen, who was a sponsor on both bills.

But senators, you may try to say that you don’t have any pet projects, but you can not avoid the fact you have some pet bills.

Technorati Tags: Washington State, Senate, SB 5484, SB 5403, Dogs in Bars, Dogs, Jacobsen, Rasmussen, Murray, Brandland, Poulsen, Kline

Below is an interview I did with Rand Miller of Cyan Worlds which will be on GearLive shortly. Rand was one of the creators behind Myst and Riven. During this video Rand shows us URU and his thoughts on gaming.

You can download an AppleTV version (HD MP4)or iPod version (MP4) of this video.

Technorati Tags: Spokane, Rand Miller, Dobbins, Cyan, Cyan Worlds, Myst, Uru, Riven, Game Tap, Gametap

Abe Miller, the owner of Dick’s Hamburgers has died. Dicks, not the same as the chain in Seattle, has been a Spokane a landmark at Third and Division for over 40 years.

Mr. Miller must well into his 90’s

Technorati Tags: Dick’s Hamburgers , Spokane, Dick’s, Abe Miller.

Washington state has approved to issue RFID-equipped drivers licenses to facilitate cross-border traffic. The idea is to load the drivers license with information proving citizenship, so you don’t need to carry a passport. In 2009, the Department of Homeland Security will require a passport to re-enter the US from Canada.

To obtain one of these licenses, you must submit to an in-person interview and to show proof of citizenship. The pilot program in Washington begins January 2008. 2010 should see a spike in cross-border traffic because of the Vancouver Olympics

Technorati Tags: Washington State, Vancouver, Olympics, Passport, RFID, Border, US, Canada, Department of Homeland Security, Drivers License

In 2006, the Spokane 6th Legislative District elected Don Barlow (D), a member of the Ottawa Tribe, to the Washington state house by narrow margin that required a state-financed machine recount . He beat the incumbent Rep. John Serben (R), whom he lost to in 2004 when it was an open seat.

Now Councilwoman Mary Verner, Muskogee/Cherokee, may run for mayor. In 2004, Councilwoman Mary Verner was appointed to complete the unexpired term of Dennis Hession, who was elected as Council President. She was elected to the seat in 2005. Dennis then replaced Jim West as mayor after he was recalled from office. Mayor Dennis Hession, along with Councilman Al French are already fully entered in the race for mayor.

Ms. Verner is the executive director of Upper Columbia United Tribes which serves the five federally-recognized Indian Tribes with reservations in eastern Washington and northern Idaho.

Spokane has already had a African American mayor and a female mayor under the old city manager system where the mayor had less power than the mayor has today. Will the people of this area be willing to elect a Native American woman to represent tham as their mayor? They have already shown themselves to be fairly progressive by electing a gay mayor. Ok, most of the voters did not know at the time he was gay.

So I suppose that a mayor who is female and Native American is a natural progression. Way to go Spoke-a-loo!

Then again Al French and Dennis Hession may want us to move more slowly.

APRIL 2004 POPULATION BY RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN BY CENSUS BUREAU DEFINITIONS

Total: 432,000
White: 398,230
Black: 7,377
AIAN: 6,422 (American Indian and Alaska Native)
Asian: 8,940
NHOPI: 762 (Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander)
2 or More: 10,269
Hispanic: 13,181
Note: Persons of Hispanic Origin can be of any race.
**Source

Technorati Tags: Mary Verner, Don Barlow, John Serben, Al French, Dennis Hession, Jim West, Spokane, Mayor, Native American, Upper Columbia United Tribes