Free Republic

It's just before 2 p.m. on a Thursday, and there's a line to get into the Blue Moon Tavern. snip As time goes on and Seattle's past is increasingly knocked down or painted over, places like this are looking less seedy and more romantic all the time. It may not have a kitchen and may need something close to sandblasting, but memories live here, in the walls and the echoes. And that should be worth something. The place also features the distinct smell of irony. Selling the Blue Moon was a last-straw decision by longtime owner Gustav Hellthaler, who refused...

A report that alleges sexual harassment at the San Mateo County Coroner's Office -- including an accusation that Coroner Robert Foucrault "mooned" two employees -- prompted county supervisors Wednesday to announce they will hire a retired judge to investigate. The board is retaining retired Justice Zerne Haning, who served on the state Court of Appeal in San Francisco, to provide an "independent assessment of the allegations," said Michael Murphy, chief deputy county counsel. "There have been allegations of misconduct," Murphy said. "But as is often the case, there are allegations that go both ways. This is a serious issue." A...

What's Up In Space EBONY MOON: According to modern folklore, when there are two Full Moons in a month, we call the second a Blue Moon. Question: what do you call it when there are two New Moons in a month? It's about to happen. On Dec. 31st, New Year's Eve, the moon will be new for the second time this month. (The first time was Dec. 1st.) Double new moons occur about once every 2.5 years, the same frequency as Blue Moons. There's no widely accepted name for a second New Moon, so we asked SpaceWeather readers to suggest...