Magnuson Park's Building 30 is a waltz away from being condemned, which means that Friends of the Library Sale and other city events are in jeopardy of becoming homeless, and Seattle Parks and Recreation is in danger of losing much-needed rent revenue as they cull annual events in the building from 35 to four. So this morning the mayor proposed on his blog (hey girl!) that the city use the $8.5 million loan it secured with MOHAI to pay for renovations to the building.

But would the city council approve the use of funds? "I doubt it," councilmember Nick Licata told Books Editor Paul Constant over the phone this morning. Licata says that the council has earmarked that money for social and human services affected by the city's $67 million budget deficit. "Our staff has just politely been pointing out that we have people on the streets needing food and that's a higher priority than a building in Magnuson."

Then Licata throws out another idea to keep Building 30 functional: Issuing a 20-year bond for its renovations. Building 30 generates $150,000 annually for Seattle Parks and Recreation, which rents the building out to a handful of organizations for events. But Parks staff estimates that a fully renovated building could host more events and generate up to $750,000 a year in operating revenue. "That's something we're interested in," says Licata. "We'd be able to do something like that by the beginning of next year if we had the votes on it."

Will Teach For America be good or bad for Seattle's public schools? Depending on who you listened to at last night's school board meeting, it could be either. Members of the Seattle teachers union, the Seattle Education Association, lambasted the Seattle school district for their plans to contract with TFA, which would allow their recruits to apply to Seattle schools next spring.

The SEA's qualms? They feel there's no dearth of qualified teachers right here in Seattle. "A five-week crash course with emergency certification is not a way to ensure quality education," said SEA President Olga Addae, attacking TFA's training process.

Addae stressed that 83 percent of TFA members go on to pursue professions outside classrooms after their two-year commitment to teach at a high-poverty school is over, which she said puts a big question mark on their longevity.

But the district's Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Susan Enfield, said that TFA members would create a more diverse pool of applicants.

Calling TFA an employment agency for private colleges, some SEA members recited studies and statistics skeptical of TFA's track record on improving student achievement. "To assign underqualified teachers to low-income schools is discrimination," said Dora Taylor, who co-edits the Seattle Education 2010 blog.

TFA alumni, who now teach in Seattle Public Schools and are SEA members (TFA recruits are treated exactly the same as any other teacher when they join a school), vociferously praised the program. Many stressed the need to close the achievement gap in Seattle. "We don't believe that [TFA] is a single solution, but hope it can be a powerful tool in the fight," said TFA alum Stephanie Foreman.

"I am really taken aback," said school board director Harium Martin-Morris. "We are looking at America's best and brightest and saying don't come here?" But board director Betty Patu said that many district teachers were "working in fear of their jobs," given all the budget cuts. "Bringing in other teachers into the district is almost a slap on the face of our teaching professionals," she said.

Other school board members were concerned about how TFA would be handling confidential student data to drive teacher development and asked TFA to clarify that further.

Posted by news intern Matt Luby

TONIGHT

State senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles is hosting her 17th annual post-election analysis fundraiser. Anti-liquor people take note: Dominic is one of the analysts on her panel, so here's your chance to razz him in person. There is also a silent auction to benefit the 36th District Democrats. Razzing is free! (Hale's Ales, 4301 Leary Way NW, 5 to 8 p.m., free)

FRIDAY

The best event of the night is the Lake Union Civic Orchestra's performance of Beethoven's 8th Symphony and (more awesomely!) Shostakovich's 12th Symphony at Town Hall. But I'm supposed to plug political events here, so share a painfully slow non-express bus ride downtown with homeless people and a picnic basket brimming with Four Loko and go debate a LaRouchie. (If you prefer classical to booze, Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave, 7:30 to 9 p.m., tickets $15 regular/$10 student and senior/free under 12 at the door)

SATURDAY

The man with the best eyebrows in city hall, Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, will hold an open conversation with citizens. His staffer told me the most popular topics at his conversation events last month were the city budget and community centers. For an early Christmas gift, I'd like see Will show up and troll the event with questions about the Billionaire's Tunnel just as aggressively as he does Slog. (Greenwood Library, 8016 Greenwood Ave N, 10 a.m. to noon, he should pay you to attend)

SUNDAY

Important reminder: Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday. Roll your clocks back and stay in bed an hour later, wheeeee!

The Thornton Creek Alliance is hosting a work party to get shit done at Thornton Creek Park. Bonus: you'll get done in plenty of time to see the Seahawks lose to the Giants! (Meet on the south side of NE 105th, between 5th Ave. NE and 8th Ave. NE, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., free plus snacks, beverages, and work tools!)

It's the second leg of the playoffs and true backs-to-the-wall time for Sounders FC versus the Galaxy. The game is in L.A., but Emerald City Supporters are hosting a viewing party at Beveridge Place Pub. This is a classic opportunity for fans to take a trip back to a simpler time when we used to expect Landon Donovan to choke under pressure. (6413 California Ave SW, kickoff is at 6 p.m.)