Public Periscope

Just like Abbey Road

The look of crosswalks on some Spokane streets is taking on a European flair. Thin white lines spanning the street are out, replaced by a new zebra-stripe pattern on some of the recently resurfaced streets. … City officials say they’ll eventually replace the old crosswalks at other intersections as well. It’s not an aesthetic decision by someone who vacationed “on the continent” last summer. Drivers can see the new crosswalks from farther away.

A well-named street

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer was chronicling the poor state of that city’s streets last week, explaining why voters there are being asked to approve a $90 million bond issue tomorrow. “Drivers on South Spokane Street routinely brace themselves for the concussion of rubber against chuckhole,” wrote reporter George Foster. … We at Public Periscope are not sure whether the street was just living up to its patron-city name, or if the P-I worked overtime looking for a way to make fun of the folks back east.

A capital idea

Gov. Gary Locke will make good on one campaign promise this week when he brings his cabinet to Spokane for his “capital for a day” program. The pace may actually be a little more hectic than Locke’s average nonlegislative day in Olympia, starting with breakfast with the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, finishing with a town meeting/community dinner and a full plate of meetings in between. … The dinner is a “y’all come” sort of affair at the West Central Community Center, 1603 N. Belt. It’s free, but donations to the Spokane Food Bank will be collected. More information is available by calling 456-4417.

Are we there yet?

The Washington State Department of Transportation offers up the following bits of trivia for you to read, memorize and use to impress your friends during upcoming trips over Snoqualmie Pass. An average of 27,900 cars and trucks make the trip up and over each day. Average annual snowfall: 44 feet. Typical number of weather-related closures: 40. Sand on hand for winter use: 39,000 cubic yards. Chemical de-icer for same purpose: 2,500 tons. … Last year was a tough one for the pass, which is the state’s busiest. It received snow on 100 days and was closed a total of 254 hours.

Gelded tires always legal

Speaking of snow in the passes, studded tires became legal in Washington Saturday. They have to come off by April 1.

Getting involved

The city is looking for two people for the Arts Commission, which, according to the request for volunteers, helps promote “quality, accessibility and presence of the arts” in Spokane. … Applications available at the mayor’s office, 5th Floor, City Hall. Due by Dec. 3.

, DataTimes MEMO: Public Periscope is published each Monday and compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports. You can contact us by mail at Box 2160, Spokane, Wash. 99210, or by fax at 509-459-5482, or by e-mail at jimc@spokesman.com

This sidebar appeared with the story: HOT TOPICS Tuesday: No pun intended here, but the county commissioners will discuss possible new regulations on nude dancing and other adult entertainment in the county at 5 p.m. in the Public Works Building, 1026 W. Broadway.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Compiled by Jim Camden from staff reports