Stories for Wednesday, January 07, 2009.

A December to remember  (A9)

On the Web  (A11)

Check our extensive online special section, where you'll find stories, photos, audio, video, blog posts and documents from December's storm coverage. Point your Web browser to spokesman.com/ sections/ winterstorm

Initiative a bad idea  (A17)

Out with the old Tim Eyman idea, in with the new.Yes, it's that time of year when the professional initiative peddler hatches his latest product. In Washington state, you can count on death, taxes and Eyman ballot measures calling for the death of taxes. Last year, he veered off course in a clumsy, unsuccessful effort to battle traffic congestion. Now he's back on track: unrealistic spending controls coupled with tax cuts. Though most Eyman initiatives are unwise and impractical, this one suffers from really bad timing, too. Here's how the "Lower Property Taxes Initiative," now known as Initiative 1031, would work:

Minimum rage  (A17)

The annual bump in the minimum wage for Washington state is accompanied by the usual complaints.

Social sensitivity still lacking  (A17)

Clint Eastwood has had it up to here with sensitivity."A lot of people are bored of all the political correctness," he recently told the New York Times. "… The country has come a long way in race relations, but the pendulum swings so far back. Everyone wants to be so" ... and here, he gave a make-my-day grimace … "sensitive."

Letters  (A17)

Blame misses the point
I share the pain and outrage that Jeanie Smith referred to in her letter to the editor ("Take a lesson from nature," Jan. 2) in regards to the loss of another child's life. It often seems like we are more concerned about animal abuse than child abuse.

Healthy eating for 2009 starts now  (D1)

Quillisascut puts 'local' on the menu  (D1)

The Quillisascut Farm School of the Domestic Arts and Lovitt Restaurant will serve five courses of local, seasonal food at a dinner Jan. 25.

A Bold vision  (D1)

She's ready to tell at least some  (D2)

Keen friend reads between the lines  (D2)

Dear Carolyn: I have a friend who I worry is drifting toward an affair. She's very flirty with a co-worker and talks about him in a crush-y way, while she and her husband seem to be going through a rough patch. The rough patch seems symptomatic of external stresses in their lives, not fundamental incompatibility.

Hints from Heloise  (D2)

Dear Heloise: I'm sure you have addressed this question many times, but I have missed the answers. What is the rule of thumb on discarding canned products? Stuff like canned pineapple, peaches, cherry-pie filling, etc., as well as mushrooms and chili. So many items have no "use/best by" date on them. I have nothing in bulged or ruptured cans, just some two years old and some not dated. I would appreciate any guidelines on when to throw away. Thanks for your column, I enjoy it very much. – A Reader, via e-mail

Horoscope  (D2)

Aries (March 21-April 19) ••••• You have a lot of bounce and can deal with many different and sometimes challenging situations. Tap into your leadership skills. Others are relieved to see you take charge. Brainstorm with a key person.

Tricks help you make thick soups minus the fat  (D3)

Thinking about how to fill up while on a diet? Think about soup.Soup as a main course is an excellent way to feel satisfied by eating low-calorie vegetables and liquid. And this is a good strategy for consuming fewer calories without feeling deprived.

Culinary calendar  (D3)

Women's and Children's Free Restaurant - Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4:15-5:45 p.m. and Fridays, 12:30-2:30 p.m. with takeout from 1-3 p.m. St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 1620 N. Monroe St. (509) 324-1995

"The person portrayed and the portrait are two entirely different things." - Jose Ortega y Gasset  (D4)

On this deal from the finals of the NEC tournament between The Latin and Israel in Yokohama last year, both tables played three spades. At the table we are focusing on, North cannot be accused of making an overbid. Both Wests led a heart, East taking the ace. What is next for the defense?

Close, Hurt team up for more 'Damages'  (D4)

"Damages" may be responsible for more cases of whiplash than a demolition derby.It's been more than 14 months since the last jaw-dropping episode of the FX series, but diehard fans are just recovering from the constant strain of twisting their necks to the rhythms of its unpredictable twists.

Pizza Hut Tuscani Pastas receive 'good' rating  (D5)

Sorry, Pizza Hut. No one on The Spokesman-Review's volunteer food panel was fooled by the Tuscani Pastas.

Movies  (D5)

In Spokane
AUSTRALIA - Spokane Valley Mall: 9:30. Village Centre: 9:10.

Births  (D5)

Sacred Heart Medical Center
ANNALYNN MALIA ALLEN - To Latoya Kahanu-Allen and Eric Allen of Spokane. She weighed 8 lb. 3 oz. and was 20 inches long (Jan. 2).