Kirkland Company Makes Deal with Google, Are Your Assets Being Protected this Election? SeattleIAM

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Great Execution by Sonics in Loss to Lakers

Gary Washburn over at the Seattle Sonics Blog writes that even though the Sonics lost to the Lakers last night at KeyArena (123-121), it was a game they could be proud of. “The Sonics are the type of team that needs most things to go perfect down the stretch to win,” and it didn’t quite happen. Kurt Thomas missed both chances to “put the Sonics up six with just over two minutes left,” allowing Kobe Bryant to score “the final six points of the game for the two-point victory.” Kevin Durant tried to match Bryant basket for basekt, “but he found the defense tough and he was unable to get off a clean shot.”

Washburn says in his post that “this was the Seattle team that we saw earlier in the season.” They never backed down and they executed their offense. “They shot 48 percent, had seven players in double figures and out-rebounded the Lakers 55-45.” The factor last night was simply Kobe Bryant, who took 44 shots. “He got enough rest in the fourth quarter to have enough energy to win the game by himself.” The Sonics could have done a little better defensively “to prevent him from getting the ball,” but Bryant has “beaten many teams with his amazing fadeaway with hands in his face.”

Kirkland’s Clearwire Makes Deal with Google

Today on John Cook’s Venture Blog, Cook reveals that rumors around Google getting into the wireless business and making a bid for the Kirkland-based Clearwire have turned out to be less than true. There’s no acquisition planned at this time, however, “the two companies announced a partnership by which Clearwire will distribute some Google applications -- including Gmail and Google Calendar -- to its customers.”

Even though it wasn’t the acquisition people thought it would be, writes Cook in his post, and “Clearwire's stock is barely moving on the news,” it could be a step towards “a deeper relationship.” The Chief Strategy office at Clearwire, Scott Richardson, said in a press release that “the companies share a similar mission.” Richardson says that both companies believe in “providing a simple to use, rich and open Internet experience and… these communications tools will be a tremendous benefit to Clearwire's customers.”

November Elections Can Impact Your Personal Assets

Katrina Munsel, blogging for Redfin, Seattle Sweet Digs, says that we should pay more attention to how political trends and decisions affect our local realestate. “You do not have to look far,” she says, “to see the serious impact from past election cycles.” It’s easy to get distracted by issues like Eyman fighting over $40 car tabs, arguing about whether to build monorails, and equally important issues. But while the monorail argument was happening, “Ron Sims introduced and passed a county land use provision which severely limited how Eastside property owners could build on the land they already owned.” 

In addition, she writes in her post, while we all debated a replacement plan for the Alaskan Way Viaduct, “a property tax freeze enacted as part of initiative 747 was overturned by the state surpreme court,” which required a special session “to enact some reform to limit regional jurisdictions from broadly raising taxes well beyond the means of many individuals to pay.” Now a proposal has been released to start collecting tolls for the 520 and 90 bridges. As we head into this November election, she cautions, “don’t forget that the decisions we make on the rest of the ballot can affect our lives and our pocketbooks just as much–or even more.”  

Remodeling Key Arena Not Top Priority for Seattle

According Eric Williams of the Sonics Insider, state house speaker Frank Chopp thinks the new session of the Legislature is all about issues that “affect everyday people.” This “does not include public funding for a $500 million arena for the Seattle SuperSonics.” When the legislatue opened for its 60-day legislative session “Chopp said securing public funding for a remodeled KeyArena or a new venue for the Sonics is not a priority.” They are focusing on the issues voters want them to: education, health care, jobs, environment and government reform.

Chopp did meet with Seattle mayor Greg Nickels a few weeks ago. He said “Nickels made a proposal for a revamped KeyArena during the meeting, and later followed it up by e-mailing a preliminary plan for financing the proposal.” But according to Chopp he “hasn’t had a chance to review the numbers.” Williams states in his post that Chopp will “meet with other legislators in Olympia to talk about how they will respond should the city of Seattle submit a proposal this session for a remodeled KeyArena.” Majority leader Lisa Brown says she’s “heard nothing” about a proposal. She also said the timeline is short, so if it’s going to be proposed, it better be soon.

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