Blogs, SeattleIAM Daily Blog Report: Tacoma Port Joins Homeland Security Program, New Housing Numbers Relea


by ANDREW RIDEOUT - Date: 2007-11-07 - Word Count: 954 Share This!

This is a selection of recent popular blog articles from SeattleIAM where you will find the best blogs from Seattle, Washington as well as video uploads, social networking, rumors, and blog authoring.

Tacoma Port Workers Receive Federal Security Cards

The Biz Buzz, a blog chronicling business in the South Sound area for the newstribune.com, has revealed that Tacoma port workers will be among the first in the region to enroll in the Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Worker Identification Credential. The post explains that “Under the program, the Transportation Security Administration checks the background of workers – including longshore and truck drivers – with unescorted access to secure areas of port facilities and ships to ensure they are not security threats.” The basic assertion is that by analyzing each worker in great detail in order to ensure that they post no risk, goods will be able to move cheaper as less time will be wasted dealing with security clearances during the actual shipping phase.

Participants in the program must submit biometric data, such a fingerprint, which is then stored in a smart card. The post also states that participants must “successfully pass a security threat assessment.” Spot checks will also be conducted at on-site, as well. A statement from the Transportation Safety Association declared, “a second rulemaking will propose enhanced access control requirements, including the use of electronic readers by certain vessel and facility owners and operators.” Tacoma, Baton Rouge and Honolulu ports are all officially entering the TWIC program today, which now boasts a total of 5 ports currently enrolled in the program.

New Housing Data Revealed

The latest post from Seattle Housing Buzz reveals some recent housing market data from the North-West Multiple Listing Service. Real-estate activity within King County has reportedly risen 44.3% since last year, however this is consistent with numbers for the rest of the year. The post also mentioned that Seattle and King County numbers are heading in opposite directions, “when compared to September, the inventory level fell 2% in October to 14,240 listings in King County. Seattle’s overall inventory inched up slightly by 2.6% to 4,197 listings.”

Additionally, the median closing price for a home within King County and Seattle “fell to $387,500 and $396,250, respectively.” One of the biggest fluctuations, when contrasted with last years numbers, is the absorption rate. “The inventory absorption rate decreased to 6.0 months in the county and 5.3 months in Seattle. What this means is that if no new listings come on the market, it will take 6 months to sell the current inventory in the county and 5.3 months to sell the inventory in Seattle.” The post noted that during the same period last year, Seattle boasted an absorption rate of 2.9, while the county's was 2.7. None of these statistics are especially troubling and the Northwest's real-estate market is certainly worker better than many others across the nation. “Currently, inventory levels in the county and city reflect a normal market environment.”

Sonics Un-Done by Freethrows

The Seattle Sonics Blog, which chronicles the Supersonics for the Post-Intelligencer, expressed disappointment as the team lost 104-98 against the Sacramento Kings. “This is indeed a game the Sonics should have won.” Gary Washburn declared that the Sonics outplayed the Kings for the majority of the game, even leading through most of the fourth quarter after the Kings rallied for a 20 point run. However, the post was insistent that the final few minutes undid what was a previously good performance by the Sonics. “the Sonics were 1-for-8 from the field for two points in the final 3:46 and once again, the opposing team came though with big shots or drew fouls and scored from the free throw line.”

Washburn was adamant that free throws have become a “major issue.” The post noted that “for the game, Sacramento out-shot the Sonics 37-18 from the line and were called for 10 fewer fouls.” In fact, it seems as though the Sonics just simply aren't taking enough free-throws, with Washburn observing that “the Sonics aren't getting critical calls down the stretch.” When compared to the rest of the NBA, the Sonics free-throw stats are especially concerning, “the Sonics' free throw leader in attempts so far is Damien Wilkins, who has a whopping 16 in four games. The NBA leader in attempts is Tracy McGrady with 43.”

Tri-Cities Wine Festival Celebrates 30 Years

The Wine Knows, a popular blog chronicling the wine scene in the Pacific Northwest, has revealed details around the 30th annual Tri-Cities Wine Festival in Pasco. The blogger, Andy Perdue, will be judging the event, for the 2nd year in a row. “Tri-Cities is now the longest-running festival and wine competition in the Pacific Northwest since the Seattle Wine Society opted not to hold its festival and judging this year.”

According to the post, events include a wine-pairing dinner, seminars, tasting, and a grand tasting involving more than 60 wineries. Additional notable judges include “Ann Littlefield of Napa, Calif.; Don Galleano of Mira Loma, Calif.; Coke Roth, an international wine judge from Richland, who now has vineyards on nearby Red Mountain; and Harry McWatters, president of Sumac Ridge Wine Group in Summerland, British Columbia.” Tickets can be purchased on line at the Tri-Cities Wine Festival’s website.

About SeattleIAM

SeattleIAM is part of a groundbreaking network of city-focused blog aggregation, user generated media and social networking websites currently rolling out across North America. Each IAM website filters and organizes blog content as well as offering video upload capabilities, social networking, blog authoring, favourites lists and rumours. The IAM Network is a division of SoMedia Networks Inc which also operates Inveslogic.com, Greenedia.com, Healthedia.com and Blabaloo.com. For more information or to register an account, visit SeattleIAM.com.


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