Stories for Feb. 3, 2008

When high rents squeeze arts spaces, it's time to get creative

Sun, Feb 3, 10 p.m.

By Spider Kedelsky

Seattle's real estate boom is pushing out performance spaces. A recent panel discussion on Capitol Hill showed there's lots more to do besides whining. Here are some other ideas.

Is trend-setting Seattle starting a new fad: year 'round Christmas lights?

Sun, Feb 3, 10 p.m.

By O. Casey Corr

According to The Etiquette Answer, Christmas lights are supposed to be taken down "no later than Jan. 7, after the celebration of Three Kings Day." To do otherwise, was tacky. In Seattle, lights used to come down on or around New Year's Day. And in that, we were just as conventional as any other burb in America. But something happened. Now you notice more and more houses with lights left up longer.