October 13, 2000

After Hours

Hopscotch celebrates 'Scotchtoberfest'

SEATTLE -- Capitol Hill's Hopscotch bar and restaurant is adding a twist to the traditional Oktoberfest festivities with a special "Scotchtoberfest" menu, pairing classic German dishes with Scotch whisky tastings.

In celebration of Scotchtoberfest, Hopscotch will offer a traditional Oktoberfest menu, including smoked pork loin, smoked Bavarian brats, spatzel and kraut. Hopscotch is serving up the Scotchtoberfest package, which includes a choice of beer and a flight of Scotch whisky paired with each Scotchtoberfest meal for $45. The package will be available Oct. 18 through Oct. 31.

In addition to the Scotchtoberfest package, the restaurant welcomes representatives from Scotland's Glenlivet distillery on Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Abelour distillery on Wednesday, Oct. 25, to give Scotchtoberfest guests an in-depth education of traditional Scotch whisky.

Hopscotch is located at 332 15th Ave E. Call (206) 322-4191 for more information.

New parks make waves in BC

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- The British Columbia government has announced plans for 14 new parks, extending protection to the spectacular Stikine River canyon and other areas in the northern part of the province.

Announcing the decision Thursday, Premier Ujjal Dosanjh said he was balancing environmental protection with economic issues, but mining groups said the province would lose millions of dollars in revenue.

The Tahltan Indian Band has claimed about 60 percent of the roughly 1,700 square miles designated for parks in the Cassiar Iskut-Stikine land use plan, including the canyon, Iskut River Hot Springs and the Klastline River.

A spokeswoman said the band's council supports the idea of preservation but will continue to pursue its claims.

The land management plan that includes the new parks covers more than 20,000 square miles east of the Alaska panhandle. Some management zones are reserved for grizzly bear and salmon habitat and others are designated for mining exploration.

The Stikine, which supports a large sockeye salmon run, empties into the ocean at Wrangell, Alaska. The canyon is southeast of Dease Lake and north of Prince Rupert.

The newly protected lands bring the total within the provincial park system to about 46,000 square miles, an area nearly as large as the state of New York or roughly two-thirds of Washington state.

Provincial parks now account for nearly 11.6 percent of the land in British Columbia, compared with 6 percent in 1992. Dosanjh said his goal is at least 12 percent.

"This is a win-win situation for all British Columbians and a legacy for future generations," he said.

Garry Livingstone of the Mining Association of British Columbia said the province's land use planning failed to consider information on lost economic opportunities from the parkland additions.

"The people of the province own the mineral wealth, and proper economic studies have not been done to basically let them know what the cost is to isolating this wealth from any possible development," Livingstone said.

Gil Arnold of Friends of the Stikine praised the park plan.

"The Grand Canyon of the Stikine is now a Class A park and will never be dammed," Arnold said. "This puts to rest and crowns the efforts of thousands of people over the last 25 years to end that possibility."

Local bands jam against violence

SEATTLE -- Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) and Ad 2 Seattle have partnered with local area bands and Seattle Sounds, dr.Drew.com, Marcan and Flying Rhino to produce a new CD entitled "Drip." The CD, which is a compilation of the latest sounds in the Emerald City, will make its debut at the CD release party on Thursday, Oct. 19, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Big Picture in Belltown. For a $10 donation, guests will receive a free copy of the CD and a night of live music from the band Mset.

Space is limited. Interested persons must be at least 21 years old to attend. The Big Picture is located at 2505 First Ave. To RSVP, or for more information, call Ad 2 Seattle's hotline at (206) 989-9975 or visit www.ad2seattle.org.

Distracted drivers rule the roads

NEW YORK (AP) -- There's been a lot of talk lately about the danger of talking on a cell phone while driving. But that's just one of the distracting things people do while behind the wheel.

In a recent survey, 69 percent of the respondents confessed to eating while driving, and some -- 7 percent -- said they sometimes read a book or newspaper while on the move.

Asked if they ever shave or apply makeup while on the road, 12 percent said yes. And almost half -- 44 percent -- said they talk on a cell phone while driving.

The survey of the driving habits of 29,981 people nationwide, conducted by Progressive Auto Insurance between May 17 and July 1, also showed that 46 percent of the drivers express anger at other motorists by shouting, swearing, using hand gestures, cutting them off, or speeding.

The study showed men are twice as likely than women to flash an obscene gesture.

Respondents ages 18-24 are in the age group most likely to use hand gestures, cut off other driver, and speed, the survey showed. They are also most likely to talk on cell phones.

"It's a reflection of our society that we try to do more than just drive when we're on the road," says Dave Pratt, consumer marketing director at Progressive. "Perhaps our busy lifestyles, combined with more traffic and congested roadways, is why nearly half of the drivers express anger."

Montana presses Spokane-to-Denver rail route

LIVINGSTON, Mont. (AP) -- Montana's U.S. Senators are cosponsoring a bill that would help pay for passenger rail service between Denver and Spokane, Wash., that goes through southwestern Montana.

Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., introduced the bill Oct. 5 to help fund a new passenger train route that would pass through Livingston and Bozeman before reaching Missoula, Sandpoint, Idaho, and Spokane, Wash.

Amtrak discontinued the route in 1979.

James Green of Billings, the director of Montanans For Better Rail Passenger Service, said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., joined Burns in cosponsoring the legislation that would restore the service.

Supporters argue that passenger rail service would boost the local tourist economy and provide a reliable and affordable alternative to air travel.

Barrett Kaiser, a spokesman for Baucus, said a number of communities currently served by the Empire Builder, which runs through Montana, have expressed concern about the proposal.

Baucus has requested a study to ensure adding a southern route through the state would not be detrimental to the existing route, Kaiser said.

If approved, the High Speed Rail Investment Act would allow Amtrak or other rail companies to sell $10 billion in bonds over the next 10 years to fund establishing new high speed rail corridors. Under the legislation, states would also be required to provide 20 percent in matching funds. No date has been set for a vote on the bill.

Amtrak has not committed to providing passenger rail service through southern Montana should the bill pass.

"Right now that route is not on our drawing board, but that could change," said Kevin Johnson, an Amtrak spokesman. "We're always enthused when there is local support for train service."

Sausage festivals to giant peaches

EVERETT -- The Snohomish County Tourism Bureau's 2000-2001 Fall-Winter Calendar of Events is now available. The calendar features an array of events, performing and visual arts, festivals, music, crafts, markets and attractions from October 2000 through and including March 2001.

For a free copy, contact the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau at (888) 338-0976 or visit www.snohomish.org.