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In Seattle, let the people 'chill'
Is Big Nanny running your town?
Walkability is nice, but it's not making us skinny
Space tourism is nigh, but a new space age is not
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Vision 2040 for Pugetopolis
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In Seattle, let the people 'chill'
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Seattle's money madness
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Our balls on ice
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Is Big Nanny running your town?
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A bicoastal newspaper crisis
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Time for a bus-fare reality check
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Walkability is nice, but it's not making us skinny
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Space tourism is nigh, but a new space age is not
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Death by a thousand cuts
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Lisa Albers
Recent Stories
Where else but Seattle?
On a cloudy Sunday in early June, I spent the morning with poetry bookshop proprietors Christine Deavel and John Marshall. The results of our conversation were an article on the poetry bookselling biz for Crosscut and a Q&A for Poets & Writers about Marshall's first book, a poetry collection published by Oberlin College Press called Meaning a Cloud. The middle section of his book is called "Where Else," which takes on the subject of Seattle directly, for example:
Profits from poems
While poets are often advised to secure a good day job rather than try to support themselves as poets, two Seattle bookstore owners have done the unthinkable: They make a living selling nothing but poetry.
The newcomer name game
The Chinese have a saying: "One move is like two house fires." It's very disorienting to be in a new place, even if you moved within the U.S. and can therefore depend on the cultural differences between your previous burg and Seattle to be, relatively speaking, minimal. I've lived in the Northwest for nearly six years and Seattle for almost three, and I'm still doing double-takes over little things, such as proper nouns.
Rare butterflies in a war zone
The land around Ft. Lewis, or just "off post," as those in the military refer to it, has two competing identities. First and foremost, it has been set aside and used for decades as a training ground for war games. Students at neighboring Pierce College can hear the munitions detonations as persistent rumblings in the distance, a poignant, aural reminder of the war overseas.
Starbucks' Pike Place Roast is just OK, says Consumer Reports
Jim Romenesko's Starbucks Gossip blog today linked to a Consumer Reports story about the new Pike Place Roast blend, which tasters say is "a smooth cup of coffee with some bitterness, but not particularly complex." Because it is so mild, they recommend drinking it black, so one may appreciate "the subtle floral notes."
Alaska blogger Celtic Diva's identity is revealed
I got in touch by e-mail with Celtic Diva, who found out this week that she's been selected by the Democratic National Convention Committee for a press credential at the August convention. She'll join a corps of bloggers representing the 50 states, three territories, and interestingly enough, U.S. ex-pats in Argentina.
Guess which Northwest blogs will cover the Democratic National Convention
The Associated Press reported today on the list of bloggers selected to cover the Democratic National Convention. One from each state will form a "state blogging corps" who will be seated with state delegations during the convention in Denver this August. The group blog HorsesAss, led by "accidental activist" David Goldstein, was chosen from Washington state, and the choice for Oregon was BlueOregon, "the water cooler around which Oregon progressives will gather," another group blog.
Seattle is a ghost town for ghost bikes?
There's a new and growing effort to memorialize cyclists hit by motor vehicles — and in the process, raise awareness for bicycle safety and sharing the road. The first "ghost bike" reportedly appeared in St. Louis, Mo., when Patrick Van Der Tuin witnessed someone on a bike getting hit by a car.
Northwest travel: A quick escape to Whidbey Island
A mere 24-hour trip from Seattle can seem like a journey far away. For starters, all those lovely views ...
Seattle is not 'all about beer'
According to the writers at All About Beer magazine, when it comes to the top 125 places to have a beer before you die, Seattle doesn't much come to mind. London? Most certainly. Munich? Of course. Here's the big surprise: Denver, Colorado trumped European watering holes, coming in first place in this list of favorites, which the writers admit is "more art than science." Seattle, however, appears only once, and at a lowly No. 124 on the list, with Stumbling Monk, which also appeared on a reader blog list at the P-I.
On Sunset and Leilani
We're thrilled to bring a distinct new voice to Crosscut readers with today's piece on the closing of Sunset Bowl. I was introduced to the work of Seattle novelist Stephanie Kallos when writing a series for Seattle Woman on local women writers. Both Seattle transplants, Kallos and I discussed the importance of place in her work; her novel Broken for You is set in a fictionalized but quite recognizable Seattle.
11-7: Northwesterners cut gasoline consumption 11 percent in seven years
A report released today by Sightline Institute shows that per-capita gasoline consumption in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho decreased for the seventh consecutive year in 2007. That's an 11 percent decrease since 1999.
The Seattle swarm
No, it’s not the name of the new major league soccer team. It’s a phenomenon. It’s what happens when a restaurant, bar or other public establishment is deemed hip by Seattleites due to a series of write-ups in local publications, and hordes flock to it despite obvious deterrences such as long waits, harried service, deafening social noise, tight spaces, and strangers stepping on your toes and sucking up your air.
The truth about free toilets
I saw a post on the Seattle Weekly's blog that really got me going, as it promised free, energy efficient toilets from the city of Seattle.
Growing up without newspapers
Sixth of a series: The youngest member of the Crosscut editorial team weighs in.
Seattle fails the button test
In the absence of SWAG (stuff we all get) from official Obama campaign channels, a bounty of homemade political buttons has surfaced in Seattle. Certainly they lack the slick messaging of Clinton's campaign, or even Obama's advertorially smart O logo, but they characterize well a campaign that has relied on true grassroots momentum, to historic effect.
Washington's higher ed priority: posh dorms
Officials at Washington State University announced last week that the school plans to build new dorms. On the face of it, the initiative seems long overdue: The school hasn't built dorms in 37 years. However, the $26 million dollar residence hall adds only 229 beds, at a cost of $113,537 per bed. The residence hall is part of a larger plan to upscale the dorm experience.
It's stormy, and the Pacific coast beckons
While it's customary for Northwesterners to flock to the beach in summer, an off-season visit stays with you longer.
Women write where you live
I just finished writing a three-part series for Seattle Woman on local women writers. As requested, I interviewed two sets of writers in the area of genre fiction — romance and mystery — and one in literary fiction.
Skeptical at first about the genre fiction, but willing to question my own snobbish predilections, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found to be strong arguments in both romance and mystery's favor.
Readers riff on Russell Investments and Tacoma's aroma
Although finance as a discussion topic tends to get yawns or groans from most people, my profile on Tacoma's Russell Investments, little-known outside the investment world, drew many readers and comments. Here on Crosscut, Scottacoma says this:
Russell Investments: Tacoma's global high-roller
Having outgrown its headquarters building, the company needs new digs for 1,100 employees. A bigger issue, though, is the possibility Russell has outgrown Tacoma. State and local politicians are scrambling to keep the 72-year-old company there, but Russell's employees live in a big world.
Sound Transit survey, take 2
As reported in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Sound Transit received complaints about their regional transportation survey, also criticized by some Crosscut readers.
Sound Transit is accused of push-polling
The widely promoted Sound Transit survey has more bugs than bang, say critics. My blog linking to the survey gleaned excellent critiques posted by our Crosscut readers. I just got word that Will Knedlik, state-rep-turned-transportation activist, has asked Sound Transit to shut down the survey, charging that it constitutes push-polling and calling for disciplinary action. This happened at a Sound Transit board meeting on Feb. 28, and you can watch the action here. (It's about 15 minutes in, after a Link safety report.)
A rush 'hour' that lasts all day?
The folks at Sound Transit really want you to take an online survey to help them do what voters said shouldn't be done via Proposition 1. To get you into proper survey-taking mood, the entry to the survey page states: "Studies show that by 2030, rush 'hour' could last all day in many places." A startling statistic, no doubt, but one begging several questions: What studies? Which places? How are they defining 'rush hour,' and what does that mean, really, that it would last all day? A few links to more information would go a long way here.
Sound off on Puget Sound
The agency tasked with saving Puget Sound wants your input. Puget Sound Partnership will hold public forums throughout the region to glean citizen opinion on what is wrong with the Sound, and how to fix it. Says David Dicks, executive director of the Partnership, "It's important that the people who live and work on Puget Sound play a role in bringing it back to health."
Each forum is structured as two sessions: One for those inclined to participate in hands-on workshops, followed by a general public discussion.
Washington caucuses: Casting about for Obama
Last in a series: Women are favoring Sen. Barack Obama, even if they think getting a woman in the White House is long overdue. Here's one's reasoning.
Report from a neighborhood
It's not the youth who are speaking today in Ballard, but citizens there are speaking loudly for Sen. Barack Obama. The crowd at Calvary Lutheran in Seattle was mainly the over-30 set, representative of this neighborhood of single-family homes. The pews were packed; Calvary Lutheran — which a neighbor told me is going "belly up" — probably hasn't seen this much action since the 1950s. One woman I spoke with said that in 2004, the caucus was "a few people sitting at a cafeteria table." Today there was no parking to be had, but most folks walked. As I headed down there around 12:45 p.m., I found the sidewalks filled with my neighbors.
Obama, Missouri, and God
I wanted to find out what liberals of religious conviction think about Barack Obama's expression of faith, so I had to go outside Seattle. Not a single person I know here attends anything remotely like a house of worship, unless you count yoga studios, and since you have to pay to attend those, they shouldn't count. I contacted my friend Bridgett Wissinger, who is very active in her Catholic parish in urban St. Louis, Mo.
Washington caucuses: Neck and neck, door to door
Third in a series: Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are just about even in the delegate count as Super Tuesday results continue to trickle in after record turnout. Last weekend, Obama's supporters hit the sidewalks in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood, as optimistic as ever. This Saturday's caucuses in Washington will be key in the pitched battle between the two Democratic candidates.
Caucusing in five easy steps
Caucus participation on Feb. 9 in Washington is well within the grasp of the average citizen. Here's how to do it.
Washington caucuses: Team Ballard gets down to work
Second in a series: Week two for supporters of Barack Obama who are preparing for the Feb. 9 caucuses in the Seattle neighborhood. Nationally, their candidate is not exactly cruising to the nomination — at once discouraging and motivating.
Washington caucuses: Obama's magic rubs off in Ballard
First of a series: Former cynics find each other in a living room where inspiration and perspiration meet. Their charge is to get out the vote, one doorbell at a time.
Ed Hansen's other UW involvement
University of Washington athletic boosters and regular fans have inundated President Mark Emmert, Athletic Director Todd Turner, and football Coach Ty Willingham with hate e-mail over the Huskies' abysmal performance. So found the Seattle Times from a public records request.
Of the 1,000 or so e-mail messages was Ed Hansen's pledge of $100,000 to fund a law school scholarship if Willingham was terminated and another $100,000 to also fund a law school scholarship if Turner was terminated.
Time to take note of Ed Hansen's other tie to UW.
2007 in review: The University of Washington at Everett
What's it going to take for the U.W. to decide where to place another campus?
2007 in review: Tacoma's growing arts scene
There are signs of a nascent community, but the City of Destiny is still looking for its place in the world of artists and collectors.
How the Christmas cookie crumbles
An e-mail fracas at North Seattle Community College hits on why "the most wonderful season of all" causes us so much angst.
A tree falls in Oregon
They might be dwarfed by architecture, but nothing we've built has transcended time the way big trees have. The "Klootchy Creek Giant" lived long and large. It took a record-setting windstorm to bring it down.
Lisa Albers is deputy editor of Crosscut and a Seattle freelance writer. She can be reached at lisa.albers@crosscut.com.
Land rush on top of the world
The search for the Northwest Passage spurred the European exploration of the Pacific Northwest. With global warming, Arctic land claims are heating up as the U.S., Canada, Denmark, Russia, Iceland and Norway vie for sea lanes, the seabed and once ice-bound islands. Finally, there's a great visual to sort out these competing claims.
Seattle's money madness
Travels with Charley and GPS
The visual iconography of 'Yes we can'
Tallis in Seattle
Former Seattle Symphony violinist Ralph Heino is dead at 91
Sausage Links, money for nothing edition
Was the latest Elway poll a little off? Released Monday, Aug. 4, the poll showed Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire leading Republican challenger Dino Rossi by a whopping 16 points. Today, Seattle Post-Intelligencer columnist Joel Connelly says Elway "may be wrong." Meanwhile, both candidates are still sparring over Gregoire's recent accusations of racism in a Republican attack ad. Rossi, however, has responded by saying: How could the ads be racist? I'm part Native American myself. ...
In outsourcing baggage handling, Alaska Airlines violated a union contract, an arbitrator rules
The U.S. Commerce secretary stumps for John McCain at Piecora's Pizza in Seattle
John Edwards: I had an affair and lied about it, but I didn't father that child
Sausage Links, money for nothing edition
People for Puget Sound responds
Ron Judd at the Olympics: 'I'm a ceremony geek, through and through'
Visit Oklahoma City!
An Everett Herald columnist apologizes for plagiarism and resigns
Sidewalk crack addict
The Fearmongers, Definers, Swiftboaters, and Borkers square off
Losing your favorite Starbucks? The five stages of grief
Private beach
Sheriff: 'Matter of time' before someone was killed due to lax forest safety laws
The Navy Blue Angels return to an Air Force town — landlocked Spokane
BC Ferries offer better fare
Even though I'm a Washingtonian, if I had to choose between the Washington State Ferries (WSF) and the BC Ferries, the Canucks win by a kilometer. Granted, BC Ferries has had its share of mishaps. In 2006, the Queen of the North sunk while cruising the Inside Passage on its 18-hour journey between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert. One hundred and one passengers were on board, and two are still missing and presumed dead. Human error was blamed for the sinking. Two years later, the Queen of Oak Bay lost power and plowed through dozens of boats at a marina in West Vancouver while attempting to dock at the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal.
Boutique shopping guide
Princeton Review confirms Evergreen's status as a tree-hugger's school
Ron Judd at the Olympics: 'I'm a ceremony geek, through and through'
Visit Oklahoma City!
In outsourcing baggage handling, Alaska Airlines violated a union contract, an arbitrator rules
BC Ferries offer better fare
Even though I'm a Washingtonian, if I had to choose between the Washington State Ferries (WSF) and the BC Ferries, the Canucks win by a kilometer. Granted, BC Ferries has had its share of mishaps. In 2006, the Queen of the North sunk while cruising the Inside Passage on its 18-hour journey between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert. One hundred and one passengers were on board, and two are still missing and presumed dead. Human error was blamed for the sinking. Two years later, the Queen of Oak Bay lost power and plowed through dozens of boats at a marina in West Vancouver while attempting to dock at the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal.
How good a deal is Costco, really?
Must be a recession: Whole Foods now stresses bargains
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