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Mossback

When it comes to mayors, Seattle loves newcomers

Wed, May 22, 5 a.m.

By Knute Berger

Of the 52 mayors who've run our fair city in the last 144 years, how many do you think were Seattle natives? Precisely one.

The Chinese investors are coming

Mon, May 20, 5 a.m.

By Knute Berger

International interest in the Eastside real-estate market may pose the potential for zombie neighborhoods, already a worry in Vancouver. But trading ideas about the shape of urban life is a rich part of our history.

Isn't that special: Jay Inslee unveils his top 3 budget priorities

Mon, May 13, 3:09 p.m.

By Knute Berger

Inslee finally got down to business today about his top priorities for the special session. Does he have the leadership chops to get 'em done?

Seattle mayor's office: Hard to hold on to

Fri, May 10, 1 a.m.

By Knute Berger

Snowstorms, anarchists and gold rushes. It's not easy being Seattle's CEO.

Mountaineering: Still a few mountains left to climb

Mon, May 6, 5 a.m.

By Knute Berger

Conquering the Earth's highest peaks has been a predominantly white sport. Local heroes and a new expedition are making inroads.

Is Bellevue the new Vancouver?

Wed, May 1, 5 a.m.

By Knute Berger

The transformation of the Eastside by foreign immigrants creates an opportunity for a new discussion about the ambitions of a booming city.

Mayor debate: Where's the blood, the sweat?

Tue, Apr 30, 12:40 a.m.

By Knute Berger

There are hints of harder blows to come as a big crowd comes to Georgetown to hear the eight contenders for mayor.

Seattle Center: Is historic district designation ahead?

Tue, Apr 23, 5 a.m.

By Knute Berger

Balancing the needs of history and redevelopment is both a challenge and opportunity for Seattle Center.

How to build a better Seattle

Tue, Apr 16, 5 a.m.

By Knute Berger

To make civic change positive and exciting, try a lot of vision, a little inspiration and some intellectual jazz.

Does "centrism" have a future in Northwest politics?

Mon, Apr 8, 5 a.m.

By Knute Berger

The hijinks of Washington's 'moderates' are missing one key ingredient. What they could learn from the state's great centrists.

Getting down to business: Seattle's new trash district

Fri, Apr 5, 5 a.m.

By Knute Berger

With a new LEED Gold transfer station, Seattle's getting serious about garbage. Its composting system, though, still needs work.

Sh*t Blair Butterworth said

Tue, Apr 2, 5 a.m.

By Knute Berger

Seattle lost a political legend with the death of master strategist Blair Butterworth. In his memory, a compendium of his greatest quips.

Steinbrueck for mayor?

Mon, Apr 1, 1 a.m.

By Knute Berger

Can the architect-activist and former City Councilmember shed his rep as a rebel and lead the city?

Obama protects San Juans' beauty, mystery

Mon, Mar 25, 1 a.m.

By Knute Berger

The islands and the places being protected by presidential order are far richer than what we ordinarily think of.

What would the Pike Place Market do?

Mon, Mar 18, 5 a.m.

By Knute Berger

The model for a walkable, vibrant urban neighborhood for rich and poor is right under our noses. The Market is about more than flower stalls and history.

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Knute "Skip" Berger is Mossback. In addition to writing for Crosscut, he is editor-at-large and columnist for Seattle magazine and a regular guest of Weekday with Steve Scher on NPR affiliate KUOW-FM (94.9). In 2011, he was named Writer-in-Residence at the Space Needle and is author of Space Needle, The Spirit of Seattle (2012), the official 50th anniversary history of the tower. He won the Washington State Historic Preservation Officer's Annual Media Award for his coverage of heritage issues for Crosscut in 2008. He is the author of Pugetopolis: A Mossback takes on Growth Addicts, Weather Wimps and the Myth of Seattle Nice (2009). A Seattle native, Berger has long been a writer and editor for local magazines and newspapers. He was editor-in-chief of Seattle Weekly, founding editor and publisher of Eastsideweek, and editor of Washington and Adventure Travel magazines. He worked for the Hope Heart Institute and the Washington State Centennial Commission. He lives in Seattle.