On December 20, 1966, Los Angeles businessmen Sam Schulman and Eugene V. Klein and a group of minority partners were awarded the NBA franchise for the city of Seattle. Schulman would serve as the active partner and head of team operations. Named the SuperSonics, they were Seattle’s first professional sports franchise. Beginning play in October of 1967, the SuperSonics were coached by Al Bianchi and featured All-Star guard Walt Hazzard and All-Rookie Team members Bob Rule and Al Tucker. The expansion team stumbled to a 23-59 record, and Hazzard was traded to the Atlanta Hawks before the start of the next season for future Hall-of-Famer Lenny Wilkens. Wilkens brought a strong all-around game to the SuperSonics, averaging 22.4 points per game, 8.2 assists per game, and 6.2 rebounds per game for Seattle in the 1968-69 season. Rule, meanwhile, improved on his rookie statistics with 24.0 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game. The SuperSonics, however, only won 30 games and Bianchi was replaced by Wilkens as coach during the off-season.

Wilkens and Rule both represented Seattle in the 1970 NBA All-Star Game, and Wilkens led the NBA in assists during the 1969-70 season. Early in the 1970-71 season, however, Rule tore his achilles tendon and was lost for the rest of the year. Wilkens was named the 1971 All-Star Game MVP, but the big news of the season came when owner Sam Schulman managed to land ABA Rookie of the Year and MVP Spencer Haywood following a lengthy court battle. The following season, the SuperSonics went on to record their first winning season at 47-35. The team, led by player-coach Wilkens and All-NBA forward Haywood, held a 46-27 mark on March 3, but late season injuries to starters Haywood, Dick Snyder, and Don Smith contributed to the team losing eight of its final nine games – otherwise, the 1972 team might very well have become the franchise’s first playoff team. The following season, Wilkens was dealt to Cleveland in a highly unpopular trade, and without his leadership the Supersonics fell to a 26-56 record. One of the few bright spots of the season was Haywood’s second consecutive All-NBA First Team selection, as he averaged a SuperSonics record 29.2 points per game and collected 12.9 rebounds per game.

The legendary Bill Russell was hired as the head coach in the following year, and in 1975 he coached the SuperSonics to the playoffs for the first time. The team, which starred Haywood, guards Fred Brown and Slick Watts, and rookie center Tommy Burleson, defeated the Detroit Pistons in a three game mini-series before falling to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors in six games. The next season, the SuperSonics traded Haywood to New York forcing the remaining players to pick up the offensive slack. Guard Fred Brown, now in his fifth season, was selected to the 1976 NBA All-Star Game and finished fifth in the league in scoring average and free throw percentage. Burleson’s game continued to strengthen, while Watts led the NBA in both assists and steals and was named to the All-NBA Defensive First Team. The SuperSonics again made the playoffs, but lost to the Phoenix Suns in six games in spite of strong performances from both Brown (28.5 ppg) and Burleson (20.8 ppg) during the series.

Russell left the SuperSonics after the 1976-77 season, and under new coach Bob Hopkins the team started the season dismally at 5-17. Lenny Wilkens was brought back to replace Hopkins, and the team’s fortunes imMediately turned around. The SuperSonics won 11 of their first 12 games under Wilkens, finished the season at 47-35, won the Western Conference title, and actually led the Washington Bullets three Games to two before losing in seven games in the 1978 NBA Finals. Other than the loss of center Marvin Webster to New York, the SuperSonics roster stayed largely intact during the off-season, and in the 1978-79 season they went on to win their first division title. In the playoffs, the Supersonics defeated the Phoenix Suns in a tough seven game conference final series to set up a rematch with the Washington Bullets in the finals. This time, the Bullets lost to the SuperSonics in five games to give Seattle its first, and so far only, NBA title. The championship team roster included the powerful backcourt tandem of Gus Williams and Finals MVP Dennis Johnson, second year All-Star center Jack Sikma, forwards John Johnson and Lonnie Shelton, and key reserves Fred Brown and Paul Silas.

The 1979-80 season saw the SuperSonics finish second in the Pacific Division to the Los Angeles Lakers with a strong 56-26 record. Fred Brown won the NBA’s first three-point shooting percentage title, Jack Sikma played in the second of his seven career All-Star Games for Seattle, Gus Williams and Dennis Johnson were both named to the All-NBA Second Team, and Johnson was also named to the All-NBA First Defensive Team for the second consecutive year. The SuperSonics made it to the Western Conference Finals for the third straight season, but lost to the Lakers in five games. It was the last time that the backcourt of Williams and Johnson would play together in SuperSonics uniforms, as Johnson was traded to the Phoenix Suns before the start of the 1980-81 season and Williams sat out the year due to a contract dispute. As a result, the SuperSonics fell to last place in the Pacific Division with a 34-48 mark. Williams returned for the 1981-82 season, and Seattle managed respectable 52-30 and 48-34 records during the next two years.

In October of 1983, original team owner Sam Schulman sold the SuperSonics to Barry Ackerley, initiating a period of decline and mediocrity for the franchise. 1984 saw Fred Brown retire after playing 13 productive seasons, all with Seattle. His career reflected much of the SuperSonics’ history to that time, having been on the same team roster as Rule and Wilkens during his rookie season, playing a key role on Seattle’s first playoff teams, and being the team’s important sixth man during the championship series years. In recognition of his many contributions to the team, Brown’s number was retired in 1986. Lenny Wilkens left the organization following the 1984-85 season, and when Jack Sikma was traded after the 1985-86 season, the last remaining tie to the SuperSonics’ championship team (aside from trainer Frank Furtado) had been severed.

Among the few SuperSonics highlights of second half of the 1980s were Tom Chambers’ All-Star Game MVP award in 1987, Seattle’s surprise appearance in the 1987 Western Conference Finals, and the performance of the power trio of Chambers, Xavier McDaniel, and Dale Ellis. In 1987-88, the three players each averaged over 20 points per game with Ellis at 25.8 ppg, McDaniel at 21.4, and Chambers at 20.4. In the 1988-89 season, with Chambers traded to Phoenix, Ellis improved to his scoring average to 27.5 points per game and finished second in the league in three-point percentage. The SuperSonics finished with a 47-35 record, and made it to the second round of the 1989 playoffs.

Billy Bonds
http://www.articlesbase.com/Sports-and-fitness-articles/seattle-supersonics-a-history-108445.html

If you truly love the outdoors and all things that belong to nature then Seattle Washington is really a great place for you to visit. With the climate, the terrain, and the beautiful surroundings, this city truly has the best of most worlds. Mountains, volcanoes, trees, sand, and sea can all be found in and around this truly unique city.

In addition to the great scenery that abounds, there are many places you can go to get a better view of the local wildlife. This is, after all, an integral part of nature and the little ones that you’ve brought along (if you’ve brought little ones along) will thoroughly enjoy seeing all of the animals.

Seattle has the distinct benefit of having and/or being within easy driving distance of several zoos and aquariums as well as other unique opportunities to see wildlife in more natural habitats and surroundings. Below I will give a brief overview of some of them that will hopefully whet your appetite and encourage you to at the very least give these outings serious consideration.

The first wildlife exhibit I would like to point out is a bit of a drive from Seattle but well worth every mile. Northwest Trek is a 715-acre park, which offers a tram tour through 435 acres of land where animals are free roaming in their natural habitats. There are 30 species represented along the trek and more than 200 animals within those species. This is a great way to see American animals without cages and bars surrounding them.

The next one I’d like to mention is Wolf Haven International. This organization provides rescue and sanctuary for captive born wolves. Wolf Haven also offers education to the public at large about these great animals. 45 minute to one hour walking tours are offered daily and walking tours are the only way you can actually see the wolves. If you have even the most remote interest in these beautiful creatures, I highly recommend a visit to Wolf Haven as a potential highlight of your trip to Seattle.

Next on my list of unique opportunities to view wildlife is the Cougar Mountain Zoo. This zoo is unique because of its focus on endangered species. Perhaps one of the most fascinating things about this particular zoo is its focus on educating visitors about the animals it hold. The zoo hosts several lectures throughout the day on the various animals it holds. Not only is there the magic of rare and beautiful creatures but a profound lesson that can be learned about conservationism and the importance of each and every creature in the circle of life. I think this is truly a unique opportunity that would be a shame to miss.

One of the activities people think of most when visiting Seattle is of course, whale watching. I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t include information about that here as well. There are several charter companies that offer whale-watching excursions leaving daily from Seattle. The most popular time of year to do so is from April through September and the San Juan Islands are a great general area in which to see these magnificent creatures. My recommendation is to make reservations early, especially during the peak whale-watching season. Not only do you get to see the great whales, but you also get to take a boat ride in the process. For me, being on the water is just as wonderful an experience was watching the whales.

These are some of the more uncommon and unique places to view animals in and around Seattle, Washington. If you are planning a visit to this area and you love animals, nature, and wildlife, each of these places has something special and extraordinary to offer its guests. Not only are these places to view wonderful and magnificent creatures but also receive an education about them as well. My fondest hope is that you will visit each of these places and find the experience as incredible as I do.

Janice Sherwood
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/the-wildlife-in-seattle-670996.html

If you truly love the outdoors and all things that belong to nature then Seattle Washington is really a great place for you to visit. With the climate, the terrain, and the beautiful surroundings, this city truly has the best of most worlds. Mountains, volcanoes, trees, sand, and sea can all be found in and around this truly unique city.

In addition to the great scenery that abounds, there are many places you can go to get a better view of the local wildlife. This is, after all, an integral part of nature and the little ones that you’ve brought along (if you’ve brought little ones along) will thoroughly enjoy seeing all of the animals.

Seattle has the distinct benefit of having and/or being within easy driving distance of several zoos and aquariums as well as other unique opportunities to see wildlife in more natural habitats and surroundings. Below I will give a brief overview of some of them that will hopefully whet your appetite and encourage you to at the very least give these outings serious consideration.

The first wildlife exhibit I would like to point out is a bit of a drive from Seattle but well worth every mile. Northwest Trek is a 715-acre park, which offers a tram tour through 435 acres of land where animals are free roaming in their natural habitats. There are 30 species represented along the trek and more than 200 animals within those species. This is a great way to see American animals without cages and bars surrounding them.

The next one I’d like to mention is Wolf Haven International. This organization provides rescue and sanctuary for captive born wolves. Wolf Haven also offers education to the public at large about these great animals. 45 minute to one hour walking tours are offered daily and walking tours are the only way you can actually see the wolves. If you have even the most remote interest in these beautiful creatures, I highly recommend a visit to Wolf Haven as a potential highlight of your trip to Seattle.

Next on my list of unique opportunities to view wildlife is the Cougar Mountain Zoo. This zoo is unique because of its focus on endangered species. Perhaps one of the most fascinating things about this particular zoo is its focus on educating visitors about the animals it hold. The zoo hosts several lectures throughout the day on the various animals it holds. Not only is there the magic of rare and beautiful creatures but a profound lesson that can be learned about conservationism and the importance of each and every creature in the circle of life. I think this is truly a unique opportunity that would be a shame to miss.

One of the activities people think of most when visiting Seattle is of course, whale watching. I would certainly be remiss if I didn’t include information about that here as well. There are several charter companies that offer whale-watching excursions leaving daily from Seattle. The most popular time of year to do so is from April through September and the San Juan Islands are a great general area in which to see these magnificent creatures. My recommendation is to make reservations early, especially during the peak whale-watching season. Not only do you get to see the great whales, but you also get to take a boat ride in the process. For me, being on the water is just as wonderful an experience was watching the whales.

These are some of the more uncommon and unique places to view animals in and around Seattle, Washington. If you are planning a visit to this area and you love animals, nature, and wildlife, each of these places has something special and extraordinary to offer its guests. Not only are these places to view wonderful and magnificent creatures but also receive an education about them as well. My fondest hope is that you will visit each of these places and find the experience as incredible as I do.

Janice Sherwood
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/the-wildlife-in-seattle-670996.html

Seattle Aquarium’s goal is to inspire people regarding marine environment conservation. They provide education regarding marine preservations and handling as an exciting adventure and a more fun discovery about the extraordinary Puget Sound.

Seattle Aquarium is under the support of a non-profitable organization promoting interests on aquarium hobbies, which provides interactions of information from aquarium hobbyists.

Seattle Aquarium provides a map of the marine sanctuary they are maintaining. Visiting Seattle Aquarium is the best destination for educators, parents, kids and visitors from other places searching for undersea information. You can see and enjoy real marine life adventures through availing of their specialized teachers programs, field trip events and opportunities and other marine resources. Everyone enables to learn so that their knowledge can be shared to more people cultivating their awareness about protecting marine environment.

They provide animal guides through their educator’s presentations about the life activities of particular sea creatures such as their looks or eating behaviors. Everybody could ask questions and get the right answers for them.

Seattle Aquarium is an ideal place for marine Science camps. They are offering either a full or a half day camp programs for children ages six to twelve years old held during summer, spring or winter school breaks. Parents could find the right camping programs appropriate for their children’s interest regarding marine life.

Seattle Aquarium do their best to incorporate knowledge on people interested in marine world providing different opportunities for learning such as art contents for kids, aquarium classes or giving resources and workshops for teachers. They are also offering programs suitable for parents and children giving them the chance to explore and learn about marine life.

Your visit to Seattle Aquarium is well compensated. You can become a member to get an unlimited admission while supporting the Seattle Aquarium mission. Their admission fees are amazing and whether you regularly visit Seattle Aquarium, you can always find something new to explore because their exhibits are changing constantly. Seattle Aquarium has gift shops stores where you can find high quality products and books for enhancing your experiences regarding aquariums.

Seattle Aquarium focus is to stay green and clean by using energy efficient electricity, choosing biodegradable cleaning supplies, feeding animals with sustainable foods and using building practices which are environmental friendly when building new aquariums and exhibits.

Seattle Aquarium’s associations together with other organizations are keeping the conservation moving for maintaining a clean and green environment even in the future.

Low Jeremy
http://www.articlesbase.com/Travel-articles/seattle-aquarium-featured-advantage-86204.html

The keystone of Puget Sound’s commerce and the origin of many alternative American trends is none other than the bustling Emerald City of Seattle. Secure your airfare to Seattle with cFares and discover why Bill Gates, Starbucks, Nirvana and the Space Needle made this metropolis their home. Travel in Seattle is as dynamic and diverse as its inhabitants. Enjoy the theater, mountain biking and the fish market all in one day with time left over to indulge in some excellent seafood dining.

Seattle quickly capitalized on the Yukon Gold Rush that swept the nation by establishing itself as the banking center for the newfound funds of the Pacific Northwest. This trend did not cease over the centuries as Seattle has become synonymous with major tech firms such as Boeing, Microsoft and http://Amazon.com. The affluence is now visible in the many public arts and architecture projects that have been established in recent years as well as the proliferation of fine and modern arts museums and performance art funding.

Get Out and About the Rainy City

Just as much as Seattlites seem to work, they love to get outdoors, rain or shine. Seattle offers an incredible Parks System for such a metropolitan city. Get your bearings in Kerry Park with its infamous view of Seattle’s skyline. Locate the Space Needle against the backdrop of Mt. Rainier and the rest of the Olympic Range. Take a jog along the Puget Sound at Golden Gardens Park, one of the last beaches that still allows bonfires, or you can cycle around the serenely quite Elliott Bay in Myrtle Edwards Park. Seattle also provides easy access to Washington’s Olympic National Park, which offers all kinds of recreational activities amid breathtaking lush green scenery.

Several specialized tours are offered of Seattle’s many sights and sounds. One of the more interesting is the Seattle Underground Tour, which leads you through Seattle’s “basement” underneath Pioneer Square. Between the resistant swamp lands and a fire that completely destroyed downtown in 1889, Seattle rebuilt itself over the original city layout (this time using brick and steel) creating an actual underground network. Several cruise lines offer a tour of Seattle’s coast or you may choose to exert yourself a bit more with a kayak tour.

Garage Grunge and Conspicuous Coffee Consumption

Seattle’s prosperity may be due in part to the caffeinated cosmopolites buzzing around the city. Thanks to the establishment of Starbucks, Seattle’s Best and Tully’s, Seattle quickly became the coffee capital of the country. The first Starbucks store is still a block away from the touristy Pike Place Market, where the famed fish merchants will toss your order to you, giving a whole new meaning to flying fish.

Seattle is also the birthplace to the popular Grunge movement, spawning Nirvana and a whole string of bands with similar sound and style. Cafés spotlighting free-styling poets and off-beat monologue performances sprouted out of the Grunge scene and still fill the Seattle air with funky lyrics and indie beats today.

Seattle today is an eclectic mix of high-tech industry, commercial consumerism, counterculture trends and (thankfully) Bill Gate’s generosity.

Elyse Morgan
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/the-pearl-of-the-pacific-northwest-seattle-Travel-information-98186.html

Overall, the country’s housing values have dropped 9.7% from July to September of this year. Yes, it’s no secret that the housing and economic markets are hurting just about everywhere. Although, there’s positive news for Seattle Washington real estate owners: Seattle is among 27 markets with high housing value gains since 2003. The Seattle Times reports that the Bellevue-Everett-Seattle real estate area saw a 54.9% appreciation over the past five years.

In a national survey, 52% of real estate agents said they expected the market to bottom out in 2009. Another 16.5% expected the bottom to fall out in 2010 and 7% thought it has already leveled off in their areas. “If we had to pick three states in the country that are large states and where property prices really haven’t declined very much and employment has held up, the three states that would fit that criteria would be Texas, North Carolina and Washington State,” explained survey designer Thomas Popik at Campbell Communications.

There are other grounds for optimism these days, the Institute for Real Estate Management confirmed this month. Mortgage interest rates, gas prices and construction costs are all finally dropping in the Seattle Washington real estate region. For buyers, the location is desirable: Seattle real estate is hip, accessible and thriving. “Everyone wants to be in Seattle right now,” Matthew Gardner, Seattle land-use economist, said. For renters, the vacancy rate remains a low 5% and the newly appropriated taxes will bolster the city’s light-rail transit, reviving the suburbs. Boeing, Costco and Microsoft – the area’s largest employers – are all remaining stable and retail has only downturned 2% since last year, which is what the national retail sales have dropped each month.

While appreciation is remaining stable and slightly increasing, prices on Seattle Real Estate are still dropping. For instance, the average price for King County home listings dropped 9% to $395,000 in November. Builder desperation has led to some tremendous deals on Seattle Washington real estate, however. At a recent Real Estate Disposition auction, a brand new four-bedroom house in Everett sold for $295,000, a 1,865-square-foot house in a new Mill Creek development sold for less than $300,000 (down from $365,995) and sixty-two other homes sold for similar deals at an average sales price of $248,387. Typically, anything in these ritzy neighborhoods under $300,000 was considered “junk,” but given the buyer’s market, great deals can be discovered.

Prospective home owners in the Seattle Washington real estate region can expect a very competitive pool of agents, who are ready to educate, accommodate and facilitate. “The real estate agent of ten years ago is not the real estate agent of today,” explains Patrick O’Rourke, VP for Coldwell Banker. “We’ve become more of a resource for our sellers, rather than you just hire us to sell. The agents today know they have to come to the table prepared and if they don’t, it’s a challenge.”

Adam Morien
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/seattle-washington-real-estate-has-its-bright-spots-709998.html

When hiring a new employee you should evaluate what information is crucial to maintain on your employees. You may want to consider consulting a Seattle business attorney, or more specifically a Seattle employment attorney or Washington employment attorney for the exact legal information needed. The tables below are an example of the kind of information you need in your employees’ personnel files. Much of this information and certain documents are required by the Internal Revenue service (IRS), Department of Labor (DOL) and State Agencies. Keep in mind that state regulations vary and being in compliance with state laws is critical to reducing any exposure you may have as an employer. For that reason, seeking the legal advice of a Seattle employment attorney or Washington employment attorney for detailed state (and local) regulations is prudent. This should help you avoid any potential wage and hour disputes with employees.

Employee Master File

Employee Data
• Name (match with social security card)
• Address (with Zip code and apartment number)
• Sex
• Date of birth
• Work location
• Social security number
• Company-assigned employee number
• Occupation/classification
• State where employee works

Employment/Wage and Hour Data
• Hire date/time
• Termination date
• Payment date
• Exempt/nonexempt status per the FLSA (See additional comments below)
• Regular rate of pay
• Additions to and deductions from pay
• Shift differential or bonus
• Frequency of payment/pay period
• Hours worked per day
• Hours worked per week
• Workweek
• Straight time hours/pay
• Overtime hours/pay
• Tipped wages
• Form 4070 Employee’s Report of Tips to Employer
• Amount of Tip credit taken

Tax and Payroll Data
• Form W4 – Employers Allowance Certificate
• State withholding allowance certificate, if state does not accept the federal Form W-4
• Local withholding allowance certificate or certificates of residence or non-residence. If required by the local jurisdiction where the work is performed or the employee resides
• Additional withholding requested
• Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.
• Filing Status
• Exempt from withholding

As noted above, the classification of employees as exempt or non exempt is an important Business decision that can have far reaching consequences if an error is inadvertently made in this area. The job title of an employee is not nearly as relevant as those duties or job responsibilities performed by the employee. Therefore, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the Federal Labor Standards Act to determine whether the various positions at your company will be/are subject to overtime pay. If you are not clear, it is strongly suggested that you contact a Seattle business attorney experienced in employment law and seek appropriate legal advice. There are many Seattle law firms that can provide the guidance you need to insure your company’s compliance with the FLSA, thus avoiding potential wage and hour disputes with your employees.

Although not specifically mentioned above in our tables of information, one of the most valuable tools a business can implement is the employee handbook. While it is not a federal or state required employee document, an employee handbook is an outstanding way to clearly explain the employment rules and policies as they relate to your company. Employee handbooks promote consistency in the administration of a company’s HR policies and procedures. They act as a summarized version setting forth the company’s expectations as well as what the employees can expect from their employer. An employee handbook facilitates stronger communication between the company and its employees and it makes a positive first impression on newly hired employees.

While the employee handbook does present many benefits to your Seattle business, including legal protection if an employee attempts to file an employment claim against your business, there are a few important things to keep in mind.

1. There may be organizational, local, or state guidelines that could affect the legality of your handbook. It is wise to seek the legal advice of a Seattle business attorney to verify your presentation of any state specific regulations as well as to seek out any relevant provisions that you were unaware of and should include in the content of your handbook. An experienced Seattle employment attorney would be an invaluable resource in this area.

2. Once you document these policies and procedures in your employee handbook, it is critical your business adhere to them. The legal system views the contents of your distributed employee handbook in the same fashion that they approach federal and state regulations. If you do not feel your business is in a position to consistently apply a policy or procedure as outlined in your handbook, then do not include it there.

3. While the specific details of a company’s employee handbook will vary depending upon the industry, your marketplace, the complexity of your organization, the company’s size and of course your state location there are a few items that should be included “at a minimum”. They are: (1) Statement/section addressing the “at-will” employment relationship, (2) a policy on sexual harassment, and (3) statement of compliance with federal and state anti-discrimination statutes (equal employment opportunity).

Employee personnel files are an important component of any business. There can be exposure when employee contracts and personnel formats are not handled properly, creating the potential for wage and hour disputes. The internet can serve as a valuable resource for locating relevant information to set up documentation for your company’s personnel files. However, if you want to insure that you are actually in compliance with all federal and state regulations, it would be wise to have a Seattle business attorney or Seattle employment attorney review your employee information.

Mansi Gupta
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/seattle-business-owners-tips-for-employment-files-and-employee-handbooks-694902.html

Seattle is the largest Washington state city, located between the Puget Sound bay and the Washington Lake. Founded in 1850-s and named after Noah Sealth, the chief of the two tribes that lived in the area, Seattle is however not a very big city. Its population is about half a million people only, but still, it is a well known place as Microsoft and Boeing main plants are found here.

It will take you no more than 20-30 minutes to cross Seattle downtown area on foot. You can do that by bus as well and it won’t cost you a thing as the payment is charged outside the downtown. Seattle transport is something amazing. Some buses “pretend to be” trolleybuses, but when they get outside the city, they take their “horns” down and move around the area without any cables. As for the exotic means of transport, street car which goes along the embankment and a monorail that connects downtown with a suburban district (which is for some reason called the Seattle Centre) can be found here.

The Seattle Centre meets you with its world know city symbol and a landmark – Space Needle tower. Contrary to what many people say, the tower is not that high – only 160 metres – and it isn’t the highest construction nor in Seattle, neither in it’s downtown. Probably this misbelief appeared because of lots of photographs made from the Queen Anne Hill, located farther from the skyscrapers than from the tower. The tower has an observation deck, a restaurant and a gifts shop and was built just as a tourist attraction.

Seattle is located by the sea, however numerous piers at the sea embankment do not fulfill their main function any more and are now occupied by shops and restaurants. One of the piers is occupied by Seattle Aquarium, which is currently being expanded and is to be opened in summer 2007. From the sea coast, the shore line rises sharply and if you want to get to the central market all you have to do is to get into a lift found right on the coast. The main market’s attraction is the merchants that throw fish all around the place. For some reason, they prefer not to pass it on to their colleagues carefully for packing and payment, but throw it to them from rather a big distance. However, their colleagues manage to catch the fish, and the customers are in raptures over this.

On the embankment, take a motor ship and go to the island the main attraction of which is the Tilikum Place – an Indian village. The inhabitants don’t look that natural, however, the island is a nice place to see and is inhabited by the deer.

The University of Washington is the other Seattle attraction. It might be called a separate city inside the city with its own culture, medieval castles and ideally green lawns. The University libraries are really impressive: there are 5 million catalogues, more than 10 million items settled on endless shelves, and a free access for everybody.

Seattle is also the capital for grange music, the most famous representative of which is Nirvana band.

And, finally, Seattle citizens are real coffee lovers – the city is the leader in coffee consumption.

Tatyana Kogut.
http://www.articlesbase.com/Travel-articles/make-a-visit-to-seattle-102761.html

Seattle Washington real estate has much to offer, whether you’re looking for your first home or hoping to relocate to a thriving city with steady job and housing value increases. Seattle is the sort of place where LEED-certified “green” buildings abound, couriers ride bicycles rather than trucks, and the local government puts cultural preservation above profit. Fishermen on Puget Sound reel in the catch of the day, while engineers work on giant Boeing jet planes. It’s a hotbed of music (most notably the 1990s grunge movement) and the home of Starbucks and Seattle’s Best coffee. You can pick up homemade cheese and fresh grown vegetables from the Pike Place Farmer’s Market or check out the futuristic Space Needle on Broad Street. Traveling by ferry will give you a breathtaking view of the Olympia and Cascade mountain ranges or you may want to cruise in style aboard the Victoria Clipper. History buffs will enjoy a tour of Tillicum Native American Village or one of Bill Speidel’s underground boat tours, which shows the Seattle storefronts of 1889 before the great fire. From trendy villages to distinguished symphonies, it seems Seattle real estate has it all. Yet there are a number of suburbs to accommodate the growing number of people looking to move here.

East Side Seattle real estate encompasses all the cities between Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish: Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Newcastle, Mercer Island, Redmond and Sammamish itself. These cities were once the home of the local logging and mining industry, due to their close proximity to the water, but expanded to farm berries and dairy cows just before World War II. Once the post-war housing boom hit, these communities housed many of the new residents. The growth of East Side Seattle Washington real estate has been propelled forward by the growing number of high-tech companies roosting here. For instance, Microsoft, T-Mobile, Nintendo, AT&T Mobility, InfoSpace and Expedia all have centers locally. Additionally, the major regional offices of Boeing, Verizon Wireless, Google, Yahoo, Walt Disney and Fox Sports are situated in East Side communities. Biotech and medical companies like Amgen, Icos and Merck offer numerous jobs to area residents. Video game and Media companies are plentiful too – like Warner Brothers, Sony Online, Monolith Productions, Sucker Punch, Valve Corporation and Bungie. It’s no wonder that many successful business moguls – Bill Gates (Microsoft founder), Paul Allen (Microsoft co-founder), John Stanton (Western Wireless), Craig McCaw (AT&T) and Steve Ballmer (Microsoft CEO) – made their homes in some of the more prestigious East Side neighborhoods.

Just off the coast of Seattle Washington real estate are a number of wondrous islands that offer a vacation atmosphere. For instance, Bainbridge Island has grown from a farming community to a high-class suburb. If you dream of driving down country roads past Gardens, strolling through historic towns full of quaint cafes and one-of-a-kind retail shops, then Bainbridge is the place for you. While there are many country things to do – hiking through Bloedel Reserve, biking, horseback riding and golfing – you can also enjoy big city arts at the Performing Arts Center and the Arts & Crafts Gallery. Vashon Island also offers shops, art galleries, cottages and beautiful views of Puget Sound. Langley Island and Whidbey Island are two other options for enjoying the Seattle vibe, while partaking in both nature and artistic revelries. For the adventurers, the San Juan Islands are just a hop, skip and a jump away, where you can watch the amazing Orca whale migration, explore your surroundings via sea-kayak and comb the sandy beaches.

Lastly, the Queen Anne Seattle real estate region boasts some of the most affluent homes on the market. Queen Anne Hill offers stunning views of downtown, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, Lake Union and the Cascade Mountains. The homes of upper Queen Anne are traditional Victorians, while lower Queen Anne Seattle real estate overlooks the lovely Lake Union. This self-contained suburb just five minutes North of Seattle Washington real estate seemingly has it all: the Space Needle, the Pacific Science Center, the Experience Music Project, the Science Fiction Museum and the Key Arena, where the Seattle Storm and the Seattle Thunderbirds play.

Whether you’re new to town or unsure where you’d like to relocate, ask your local Seattle Washington real estate agent to show you around.

Raz Barr
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/seattle-washington-real-estate-welcomes-you-726274.html

A personal injury is described as any harm caused to a person, such as a broken bone, a cut, a bruise or slander. Any type of bodily injury as a result of an attack, negligence, or accident can also be categorized as the same, and you can file a lawsuit to recover damages from whoever is responsible for your injuries.

Get – Free Seattle Personal Injury Lawyers Case Review

Personal Injury – Statistics

• On average, 11,200 disabling accidental injuries take place every hour each year.
• Falls are the most common accident at construction sites.
• Each year, nearly 11,000 Americans suffer
  a traumatic spinal cord injury. Many of them suffer permanent disabilities.

Workers Compensation claims are also handled by seattle personal injury attorneys . The purpose of workers’ compensation, is to provide assistance when a worker is harmed (including a worsened preexisting condition) that arises in the scope of employment. This means that anyone personally injured while working or through work-related matters. If payments from workers comp run out and you still need financial help contact our attorneys for areas of personal injury and wrongful death . Our attorneys have been protecting the legal rights of accident victims throughout Seattle for more than 30 years

Personal injuries can also be any injury resulting from libel, slander, malicious prosecution, or false arrest, any bodily injury, sickness, disease, or death sustained by any person and caused by an occurrence for which the state, or anyone else may be held liable.

Common causes of injuries include:

• Medical Malpractice
• Defective Products
• Automobile Accidents
• Animal Bites
• Slip and Fall
• Workplace Injuries
• Catastrophic Injuries
• Aviation Accidents
• Trucking Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Boat Accidents
• Nursing Home Abuse

What are Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries are serious injuries to the head often resulting in severe and permanent damage to the brain. The skull may crack, break or fracture when the force applied against it is greater than the strength of the bone itself. The severity of the fracture depends on several factors including the victim’s overall Health, age, and type of impact.

Seattle Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. represents a new approach to the handling of personal injury cases. It is dedicated to giving its clients the best representation for each of the wide variety of possible injuries and claims which fall under the ambit of the general title of Personal Injury.

Seattle Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc.’s strength is in its revolutionary process for handling claims. Seattle Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. begins the representation literally from the moment of the accident onward. Our expert Pre-Litigation Staff gets involved from the moment you come to our Office, contacting the insurance company to get your vehicle repaired as quickly as possible as well as starting the process for the injury claim. We also make sure that our clients get to the right doctors to make sure that you recover fully from your injuries and to try to help minimize your future suffering. As part of our commitment to our clients, Seattle Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. works only with the top medical professionals to insure that our clients get the very best medical care.

Seattle Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. applies this same level of dedication to its Slip and Fall accidents clients as well. These claims are usually strongly contested by the insurance companies, but Seattle Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. has the knowledge and expertise needed to negotiate the obstacles to settlement that the insurance companies normally place in front of Slip and Fall Plaintiffs. We also employ the best experts in the field to bolster our claims and to help us put forth the best possible case in the event that a resolution cannot be reached and the matter moves to litigation.

Seattle Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. handles hundreds of personal injury claims per year, fighting for the best possible settlement for each of our clients. With our experienced attorneys and staff, we can provide our clients with strong representation while minimizing the burden on the client.

To get things started, all you need to do is either fill out the easy to use free consultation form located on this site or call us at our toll free number. Either way, you will reach one of our talented seattle personal injury attorneys and they will help you on your way to the personal injury settlement you deserve.

Elisha Watson
http://www.articlesbase.com/personal-injury-articles/seattle-personal-injury-lawyers-for-the-accident-victims-of-seattle-748603.html