crosscut.com : Crosscurrent

Death by a thousand cuts

Crosscut — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:00:01 PDT

Pacific Northwest corporate history began with timber, and with the demise of Weyerhaeuser it's a fast-fading cultural heritage.

Boutique shopping guide

Crosscut — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 05:00:01 PDT

Our style expert says there are great fashion finds to be found in Upper Queen Anne. Here's a women's guide to a range of fun choices, and you only have to move the car once.

In the absence of an AIDS cure, prevention gains prominence

Crosscut — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:00:01 PDT

As vaccine research retrenches, scientists seek to provide a stopgap with new approaches to HIV prevention that were first explored with help from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Puget Sound triage

Crosscut — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:00:01 PDT

Cleaning up the Sound for real requires political will, not feel-good projects that play well in the media but have little ecological impact. It means focusing on rural, not urban, areas. But that's not where most taxpayers live. It will also take a monumental infusion of cash, which could come from a variety of sources, including a mitigation 'bank' for private polluters.

Seattle's money madness

Crosscut — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:00:01 PDT

The region is facing an economic slowdown, multiple budget crises, and big tax increases. Without a rapid, realistic response by voters and policy makers, November could be ugly.

Time for a bus-fare reality check

Cascadia Center — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:00:01 PDT

King County's Metro Transit service is under pressure from a surge in ridership and higher fuel costs. There are solutions to these problems, but they aren't painless, says this transportation analyst. Among other things, riders should be paying more — a lot more — and Metro should consider privatizing some routes.

Why Sen. Barack Obama's campaign has lost traction

Crosscut — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 17:00:01 PDT

Once regarded as an overwhelming favorite, the Democrat has been sucked into day-to-day campaign sparring and forced to prove himself in Sen. John McCain's comfort zone of foreign policy and security. Here's what Obama needs to do to turn it around, starting with a focus on his turf — economics and other domestic issues.

Tallis in Seattle

Crosscut — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:00:01 PDT

A not well-publicized but well-done chamber music concert featured Britain's Tallis Scholars.

Go eastward, young Americans

Crosscut — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:00:01 PDT

There's a reverse flow of population in the West, drifting from expensive coastal cities to interior boomtowns. It's definitely changing the politics of the Rockies, while also stirring resentments at "Aspenization."

Travels with Charley and GPS

Crosscut — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:01 PDT

A Depression-era book series is the ultimate road-trip must-have, a way of comparing past and present as you tool around the country like a latter-day John Steinbeck. And in Washington, a new version even links travelers to the digital age.

Sidewalk crack addict

Crosscut — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:00:01 PDT

As a public service, we bust a few myths. Suffice it to say that all roads do not lead to Rome.

Locals are in revolt against Puget Sound Energy

Crosscut — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:01 PDT

With Washington's biggest utility about to be bought by foreigners, public power advocates in four counties are hoping to switch their portions of the grid to local control. Voters will decide in November.

In Seattle, let the people 'chill'

Crosscut — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:01 PDT

Politicians have resorted to some some pretty childish arguments in defense of policies in recent days.

A bicoastal newspaper crisis

Crosscut — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:00:01 PDT

If the Seattle Times Co. can't sell its Maine subsidiary, the consequences could be severe — including closure of three of that state's biggest dailies and loan default for the parent company, according to newly filed legal documents. And while a deal might seem imminent, the Times Co. calls it "highly uncertain."

Seattle wades into the taxi tangle

Crosscut — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:00:01 PDT

Drivers, at considerable risk, have been telling the City Council how the industry really works. The City Council is now looking at making taxis greener, fairer to drivers, and better for customers.

Space tourism is nigh, but a new space age is not

Crosscut — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 03:00:01 PDT

Four years after Paul Allen won the X Prize with SpaceShipOne, Virgin Galactic has unveiled WhiteKnightTwo, bringing space tourism closer to reality. But in terms of achievement and fundamental technologies, we're merely watching a glitzy remake of the 1960s with private funding.

Choose your own adventure — in mating

Crosscut — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:00:01 PDT

Theater Schmeater's Adventures in Mating takes audience participation to the extreme, as they decide how it all turns out.

The Maine burden of the Seattle Times Co. might be soon lifted

Crosscut — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:00:01 PDT

A group that includes a former senator is negotiating to buy Blethen Maine Newspapers. But back home, the Seattle Times faces another fiscal challenge — the Teamsters and a possible labor action.

Seattle City Hall stares at $50 million in cuts

Crosscut — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:00:01 PDT

As the economy shrinks tax revenue, the mayor and City Council are making cuts, with more to come next year. One possible casualty would be 20 to 25 promised new cops.

Our balls on ice

Crosscut — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:00:01 PDT

Has the last Seattleite with local pride turned out the lights? A recent trip to Safeco Field makes me wonder.

Trader woes

Crosscut — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:00:01 PDT

The next president will inherit a tough U.S. economy in an increasingly complicated world marketplace. Both candidates have done their share of pandering to ailing industries and workers, but simplistic campaign rhetoric about protectionism isn't going to help the man who wins the White House. Here's why.

Vision 2040 for Pugetopolis

Crosscut — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:00:01 PDT

An urban geographer uses un-rose-tinted glasses in peering into the crystal ball. He finds that we will not be able to do much about growing income segregation, congestion, gentrification in Seattle, and leapfrog development. Nor will rail transit help make things better.

All the rage

Crosscut — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:00:01 PDT

What's to blame for all the anger as cyclists, drivers, and citizens fight over their rights on the streets? Is it $4 gas? Young punks? Class warfare? Poor urban design? It's time to theorize.

You can fight City Hall

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

Of course, you might not win. Dennis Saxman, a self-described thorn in the side of Seattle officials, has just lost one battle involving the design review process — and he's launched another.

The Fearmongers, Definers, Swiftboaters, and Borkers square off

Crosscut — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:00:01 PDT

It's the mother of all political battles. Anything can happen, and it probably will.