Stolen Pinnochio returned
The wooden Pinnochio sculpture that was stolen from the Northwest Puppet Center four months ago has been returned, reports Dmitri Carter, a spokesman for the center.

Carter said the center's house manager, Bre Pettis, found the sculpture wrapped in a blanket on the building's doorstep when she came to work on the morning of Sunday, Dec. 6.

The mystery of who took the sculpture from its perch above the center's entrance on Aug. 4, and why the culprits suddenly decided to return it will probably remain unsolved.

"Some people think it might have been some college kids doing a prank, but we don't have a clue," said Carter, who reports that his family, which owns the center, is glad Pinnochio's back.

Carter's dad, Puppet Center co-founder Stephen Carter, and a visiting Russian artist, Genadii Avenosov, hand-carved and painted the three-foot tall sculture to adorn the center when the Carters converted the former church building into a theater several years ago.

"We'll probably keep it (the Pinnochio sculpture) inside," said Carter. "We're thinking we'll hang it from the ceiling in the entry way and perhaps paint a mural behind it."

The Northwest Puppet Center is located at 9123 15th Ave. NE.

Forum on Northgate projects, Jan. 7
The Thornton Creek Alliance will sponsor a forum on Thursday, Jan. 7, to discuss upcoming developments in the Northgate area.

Representatives of neighborhood organizations will present information on the resulting impacts to surrounding communities such as increased traffic, reduced pedestrian amenities, lack of open space, siting for the new library, increased pollution, increased storm water runoff and flooding, no daylighting opportunities for Thornton Creek, and a general lack of public process.

The forum will begin at 7 p.m. at North Seattle Community College, 9600 College Way North, in the Rose Room.

Petition letters to the City Council will also be available for signing.

For more details, call the Thornton Creek Alliance at 367-4635.

Local programs get boost from King County
Human service and youth programs will get a helping hand from King County next year, announced Metropolitan King County Councilmember Cynthia Sullivan, who worked to secure funding for the community programs in the county's 1999 budget. The county council approved the budget on Nov. 23.

Local agencies and projects that will receive funding from the county in 1999 include: Elder Friends; Food Lifeline; Wallingford Boys and Girls Club; Fremont Public Association; Cedar Park Project; Maple Leaf community building; Partnership for Youth; the Fremont P-Patch; Pacific Science Center outreach programs; 1000 Friends of Washington urban development program; computer upgrades for senior centers; neighborhood projects in Sullivan's district and community newsletters.

Jacobsen to chair committee
A longtime advocate of enhanced outdoor recreational opportunities and protection for habitat and wildlife, state Sen. Ken Jacobsen (D-Seattle) has been chosen to lead Washington's upper chamber Natural Resources & Parks Committee.

Jacobsen, who represents the 46th District in North Seattle, sponsored legislation last year to create the Cascade Foothills State Park and increase community input on youth athletic facility grants spending.

He will officially assume chairmanship of the committee when the Legislature convenes Jan. 11 for a 105-day session.

GLPA celebrates anniversary
The Green Lake Park Alliance celebrated its third anniversary on Sept. 15 at the Green Lake Library. The alliance is a volunteer community-based group whose mission is to preserve and enhance Green Lake Park's useability and natural environment. The event included a presentation by the Seattle Parks Department, which bestowed the alliance with a congratulatory plaque.

On Oct. 9, the alliance received another honor: a 1998 Seattle Friends of Trees Award (community organization category) from a group called TREEmendous Seattle.

The alliance conducts a number of activities, including "habitat enhancement" work parties and hands-on nature projects, as well as bird walks and other educational programs. It also publishes both a quarterly newsletter as well as an annual Green Lake history calendar.

Chopp to serve as House Co-Speaker
By NICK SLEPKO

Rep. Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) of the 43rd District, will begin his third term in the State Legislature with a new title: Co-Speaker.

Chopp, a longtime North Seattle resident who holds a "day job" as executive director of the Fremont Public Association in Wallingford, landed the co-speaker position when November's election resulted in an even split of House seats in the state Legislature: 49 Republicans and 49 Democrats.

Maybe this will mean the voters will finally get a decent transportation plan since both sides can take credit.