crosscut.com : Neighborhoods / Communities

Your chance to join the Mod Squad

Crosscut — Tue, 13 May 2008 10:00:01 PDT

A number of events are coming up for people interested in preserving Northwest modernism, from Googie to Brutalism to starship chic. Here's a quick rundown and reminder of doings connected to stories I've been covering on Crosscut.

Seattle neighborhoods at one table

Crosscut — Sun, 11 May 2008 19:00:01 PDT

Chapter 3: Members of the City Neighborhood Council refer to the body's role as "holding the city's feet to the fire," but that expression is more incendiary than the reality. The role is advisory, but sometimes its influence can be seen in City Hall initiatives born or programs saved.

A Seattle software exec makes sure that the buffalo don't roam

Crosscut — Sat, 10 May 2008 15:35:01 PDT

In the 19th century, tourists used to slaughter bison herds from passing trains, blasting the big beasts into near extinction just for fun. That ugly tradition is echoed in the recent massacre of buffalo in Colorado, which has also touched off a classic confrontation over rights between two ranchers. The Northwest connection: The Seattle Post-Intelligencer's John Cook points out that the man behind the recent massacre is the chairman and CEO of one of Seattle's top software companies, Jeff Hawn of Attachmate. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The revenge of the resource economy in the Mountain West

New West — Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:01 PDT

Despite slowing growth, the Mountain West is driven by a strong, complex economy that includes a natural resources boom, with industries such as mining once again on the upswing, a continued construction engine that seems to be resisting the housing slump, and the new standby, tourism.

Greg Nickels' rebel yell

Crosscut — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:00:01 PDT

Seattle's mayor waves the flag of secession. In so doing, he may have waved goodbye to a future in state politics.

Mods versus snobs

Crosscut — Fri, 02 May 2008 05:00:01 PDT

Modernist architecture is for the elite, right? Not any more. The movement to preserve modern structures is finding new energy in populist appeal and as a counterbalance to today's McMansions and Viagra villas. The debate over a Ballard Denny's is just one squabble in a growing national discussion about preservation, proportion, and pedigree.

Does Seattle work any more?

Crosscut — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 01:00:01 PDT

A former mayor takes a critical look at Seattle's political culture, its past triumphs, and why it's so much harder today to make good decisions. One problem: We chew but do not swallow.

Fighting City Hall from the bottom up

Crosscut — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:00:01 PDT

Chapter 2: Neighborhood district councils are the starting point for citizen involvement in Seattle. At the bottom of the hierarchy, it is a world of long meetings and grinding process. You can have influence there, but it will require a great deal of patience.

Appraising the Deborah Jacobs revolution at Seattle libraries

Crosscut — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:00:01 PDT

They are changing fast, turning into neighborhood gathering places. Did we put too much emphasis on our glittering downtown branch, and does it have enough of the comforts of a bookstore?

On Sunset and Leilani

Crosscut — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 05:00:01 PDT

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.

The sun sets on another Seattle bowling alley

Crosscut — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:00:01 PDT

Sunset Bowl in the Ballard neighborhood has closed after 51 years in business. While some talk of a new bowling alley to be part of the development replacing it, others mourn the loss of a community institution that can't be easily replaced.

This little start-up went to Market

Crosscut — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:00:01 PDT

Crosscut turned one year old this month, and to celebrate, we hosted a party in our offices. As with most start-up companies these days, we wanted to host something festive, but not break the bank. So, we opted to host the event in our downtown Seattle headquarters, and to organize the food ourselves.

Some good Googie news

Crosscut — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 09:22:01 PDT

In the world of news related to Northwest Googie architecture and historic preservation, there are some new and interesting developments. They range from negotiations over a controversial Ballard diner, an upcoming lecture on Googie architecture by the expert on the topic, possible landmark status for popular a burger stand in Tacoma, and the announcement of the state's 2008 awards for historic preservation. Here's a quick rundown.

When Proust met Miss Bardahl

Crosscut — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:00:01 PDT

I happened to be down near Seward Park late Thursday morning. Weekdays are usually very quiet along Lake Washington, save on Thursdays when the model plane guys fly their buzzing aircraft over Andrews Bay. But today, I heard the unmistakable roar of the past, a familiar RUH-RHU-RHU-RHU of an old-time hydro. I could see the flying spray of a rooster tail and spotted KIRO's Chopper 7 hovering overhead. As I came around the corner to Stan Sayres pits, a crowd had gathered. There in all her glory was Miss Bardahl, the Green Dragon of hydroplane racing's glory years.

Seattle Process demystified: an introduction to neighborhood planning

Crosscut — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:00:01 PDT

Chapter 1: It's been almost a decade since 38 neighborhood plans were adopted by the City Council. The process is about to begin anew. Today Crosscut begins a series of articles looking at the bureaucracy and the process. Consider it a primer for you and your neighbors — and a call to action.

Did I assassinate Garfield?

Crosscut — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:01 PDT

When it comes to pissing off rural America, I think I'm one up on Barack Obama.

The Seattle Times' suburban retreat

Crosscut — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:00:01 PDT

First of a series: Publisher Frank Blethen sought to conquer the Eastside but helped turn the suburbs into a daily newspaper desert.

Addressing the rent crisis for Capitol Hill arts

Crosscut — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:00:01 PDT

The City Council convenes a meeting to explore special incentives, as rising rents threaten a lively arts scene on the Hill. Will a complicated Cultural Overlay District be the answer?

Conspicuous Seattle

Crosscut — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 05:00:01 PDT

A town of modest pleasures has become a city of cringe-inducing excess, even in the little things like coffee, booze, and movie tickets.

Washington's higher ed priority: posh dorms

Crosscut — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:00:01 PDT

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.