crosscut.com : Business / Technology

Another Teton Dam

Crosscut — Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:01 PDT

The golden age of dam building has long since passed, capped by the tragic failure in 1976 of the last big dam, an earthen structure on the Teton River of Idaho. Few new dam projects are being proposed these days, and many dams are being purposefully breached. But that hasn't stopped some from resurrecting the possibility of a new Teton Dam.

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.

Smells like ... Chanel No. 5?

Crosscut — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:59:01 PDT

In 1996, the album Grunge Lite featured Muzak-style versions of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Mudhoney classics, turning them into elevator music before anyone else did. It seemed like an attempt to inoculate the music's legacy by injecting a shot of irony before anyone else did. It didn't work. Today you can get a "Smells Like Teen Spirit" ringtone for your cellphone (just Google "Nirvana ringtones" and take your pick).

The city's own series of tubes

Crosscut — Wed, 07 May 2008 05:00:01 PDT

Would municipal broadband service for all residents be better and cheaper than what the free market is providing now? Seattle City Hall wants to find out.

Educated abroad, they are France's new foreign legion

Crosscut — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:00:01 PDT

Seattle's French Underground: Today's graduates are more likely to have studied abroad, and they're more open to leaving France for career opportunities — glamorous and humble. Many of them are settling in metro Puget Sound. Part 3

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.

For the French, Seattle's cachet is bio

Crosscut — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:00:01 PDT

Seattle's French Underground: There are thousands of emigrants in metro Seattle. They generally like our green and organic values, but the social norms here are an acquired taste. Part 2

Parlez-vous a software language?

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

Seattle's French Underground: Thousands have invaded metro Puget Sound, many of them in search of opportunities and attitudes in technology that simply don't exist at home in France. Part 1

Northwest travel: Five courses up the Inside Passage

Crosscut — Sat, 03 May 2008 00:00:01 PDT

Many Seattleites have either never traveled the Inside Passage or seen only parts of it, remotely, from the deck of a cruise ship. A trip through on a ferry is well worth the time.

Thousands trade four wheels for two during Bike to Work Month

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

Rising gas prices, crowded buses, concern for the environment, and the desire to squeeze in a workout are motivating more people to commute by bike. Here's what you need to know if you're thinking about joining them.

It doesn't look like WaMu Field is terribly likely, so ...

Crosscut — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:21:01 PDT

Some great alternative names for Safeco Field are turning up in the comments on Mike Henderson's recent blog post about the implications of the Seattle-based insurance company being swallowed by Liberty Mutual. Among the suggestions: Costco Park, Taxpayer Park, Starbucks Grounds, and a no-brainer: Boeing Field.

A writer's weekend: The case of the iffy stiffy

Crosscut — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:00:01 PDT

Sex, struggle, and the future of reading are fodder for famous writers at a Bainbridge conference.

It's safe to ask what's in a name

Crosscut — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:56:01 PDT

Notwithstanding assurances from their CEOs that the sale of Safeco Corp. to Liberty Mutual Insurance will result in little outward change, Crosscut sports writer Mike Henderson was right to ask "with Safeco gone, what will we call the Field?"

How about a nuclear museum on the UW campus?

Crosscut — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 05:00:01 PDT

I got a very interesting e-mail from Dr. Steven Gilbert, Phd., Vice President of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility (WPSR). He'd read my recent piece about the possible tear-down of More Hall Annex (the old Nuclear Reactor Building) on the University of Washington campus, and he has a great idea for the facility: Turn it into a nuclear museum. In fact, WPSR is already at work on the museum project, and it might be the perfect tenant if the UW will reconsider its destruction of this fascinating, historic modern structure.

With Safeco gone, what will we call the Field?

Crosscut — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:00:01 PDT

Locals may gaze across the landscape past the inexplicably lit-up-all-day-and-night Qwest sports facility and see that other Elysian field: Safeco, where the Mariners play. This week, in reference to the latter, we hear or read: "You will not be going to Liberty Mutual Field, I can assure you of that."

A study says the case for road tolling is 'compelling'

Crosscut — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:00:01 PDT

The Seattle Times has an overview of the long-awaited results of the federally funded, multi-million "Traffic Choices" study conducted by the Puget Sound Region Council (PSRC) to look at the viability of widespread road tolling throughout Greater Seattle. The PSRC describes the research as "the most comprehensive study of demand response to network tolling in existence." A summary of the study can be found here (pdf).

What made the Seattle style of business a success

Crosscut — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:00:01 PDT

As civic icons like Safeco drift away from their Puget Sound roots, here's a look at the components of a Seattle way of doing business that built up such brands. The key was motivated employees. The poison was rapid growth.

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.

Shanghai Surprise

Crosscut — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 05:00:01 PDT

A group with Northwest ties is aced out of a pavilion bid for Expo 2010 in China. Instead, the U.S. State Department has given the go-ahead to a team with connections to Warner Brothers and a major D.C. law firm. Now all they have to do is raise $80 million.

Mr. Ruckelshaus goes to Washington

Crosscut — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:00:01 PDT

Bill Ruckelshaus, well known in these parts for his leadership in efforts to save salmon and Puget Sound, is having his 15 minutes of national fame. The lifelong Republican has endorsed Barack Obama, with the timing meant to be helpful to Obama's primary efforts in Indiana, where Ruckelshaus is a still-revered native son.

Ruckelshaus has had his earlier moments of fame, notably when he joined Elliot Richardson in defying President Nixon by refusing to fire Archibald Cox. It was a moment of great integrity, typical of Ruckelshaus's principled character, and it may have cost him the White House. I can explain.