The need to develop alternative energy is one of the incoming Obama administration's talking points. Here in Washington, alternative energy looks a lot like huge wind farms east of the mountains; according to the Tacoma News Tribune, the state's wind farms are currently producing enough electricity to power two Seattles. more ›

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Governor Christine Gregoire has signed a statewide state of emergency to deal with a number of wildfires in Central and Eastern Washington. Fires are being battled in Chelan, Douglas, Stevens, Adams, Ferry, Okanogon, and Spokane counties. The Spokane Valley fire has already destroyed 13 homes and has consumed over 1200 acres since it started. A fire outside of Wenatchee has already burned more than 12 and a half square miles, and with high wind and hot temperatures, the fire danger is only increasing. Mandatory evacuations have been declared in several hotspots throughout the state. The state of emergency will remain in place until Governor Gregoire rescinds it and the fires have been controlled. more ›

Right on the heels of the announcement that the Mars Volta was added to the Sasquatch lineup, and right before tickets go on sale this Saturday, the three-day music festival has seen fit to delineate who will be playing on which day: more ›

After months of wild speculation, the official 2008 Sasquatch lineup has finally been announced: more ›

Tonight's sky should be just as active, though not nearly as much of a surprise. The last visible full lunar eclipse until 2010 takes place tonight and, weather permitting, should be in clear view for Seattle. The full eclipse will begin at roughly 7pm and should last nearly 50 minutes. Moon watchers are in for an extra treat, as Saturn should be visible too. more ›

Poets in particular seem to struggle with a bipolar mind, as discussed in Touched with Fire. But perhaps that visibility is just because they're poets, and inclined to make terrific material out of any experience. The new poetry anthology from Eastern Washington University, Living in Storms, shows no let-up to the harsh weather:

Schramm has collected more than a hundred poems by some four-score contemporary poets whose lives have been affected in various ways by bipolar disorder.... more ›

When last we checked in with Texas A&M, their fans were sending us insane emails after we wrote about that whole Seahawks/12th man dispute. (Texas A&M has a 12th man tradition too, they said the Hawks were infringing on it). Our favorite such email concluded thusly: "Keep your latte sippin, tree huggin, PETA lovin, flannel shirt, leg humping asses off our traditions." It's funny because it's true. Honestly, what is it with our asses here... more ›

When we tell people we’re a pastry chef, we always hope to be stumped; but invariably, we get the same question every single freaking time. How, people ask with desperation in their eyes, HOW do you make flaky pie crust? Pie Crust. Really? That’s what you want to know? Yes, they say imploringly, you might be our last hope. more ›

Swoop, the mascot of Eastern Washington University, was stomped outside a bar Sunday night and briefly detained by none other than police chief Gil Kerlikowske. Apparently. Reports the Seattle P-I:

Lt. Kenneth Hicks, shift commander at the precinct that includes Pioneer Square, was leading Kerlikowske on a closing-time tour of the club district when the senior officers witnessed a man-on-eagle fracas, according to police documents. more ›

Last year's immigrant rights protest was out of character with the well-publicized, poorly-attended quick hitter marches that seem to be de rigueur in Seattle currently. Thirty thousand people came out for that one and snaked through the streets of Downtown for hours. Yesterday afternoon we left the office a few minutes early to try and track down the 2007 version and after chasing 5th all the way back to Westlake Center and coming up empty we found exactly one dude in the square with some immigrant rights flyers. "Yeah, they're already back at Seattle Center. I stayed here." That was 5:15pm, when the picture to the left was taken across the street from Westlake Center. C'mon guys, can't you linger a little while you're Downtown. You got the permit, take advantage of it. Camp out in the street a little, double back, do something to let us know that a couple thousand immigrants were here looking for their rights. Don't fly down your route like Eastern Washington is a half-block behind simultaneously trying to deport you and employ you under the table. more ›

Kurt Vonnegut, up there with Twain and Melville and Kesey as the most original American novelists ever in the history of writing stuff, died tonight. He was 84. He'd been in the hospital since a fall a couple of weeks ago. Attention kids: this is what happens if you chain-smoke for 73 years. more ›

We were jazzed, and, it appears, overly optimistic, when we heard Seattle U might go D1 in basketball again. more ›

A double amputee robbed a Spokane bank branch Monday, one week after a single amputee did the same, according to the AP. more ›

Bothell High's head football coach was "clutching his chest and wiping away tears" after a 9-OT state quarterfinal Saturday in Bothell. And his team won. more ›

The hometown Portland Trailblazers make a special appearance in Seattle tonight, taking on the Oklahoma City Sonics. It's the season opener for both teams. more ›

Seattlest loves coffee. We would never do anything to hurt coffee and we're pretty sure the feeling is mutual. We were raised up in coffee, like Southerners are raised up in the church. more ›

Last week, Seattlest visited the KEXP studios, met some of our fave DJ's and spoke with one of the most influential voices in Seattle music. more ›

With the Seahawks' first Super Bowl three days away our local politicians have started wagering with Pennsylvania's elected officials on the outcome. more ›

National Champs!: The UW women's volleyball team swept favored Nebraska three games to none in the NCAA Championship game. The Huskies didn't lose a game the entire tournament--becoming only the second team to achieve that feat. more ›

Santa Claus is so f-bomb-ing yesterday. We all know he is coming to our town to watch us sleep, yadda yadda yadda...Thanks St. Nick, but been there, done that. This holiday season Governor Gregoire is coming to town. However, instead of presents for all the good boys and girls of the state, she will be bringing spending proposals for the upcoming legislative session. Ho-ho-ho. more ›

Under the Table: The Seattle Times is calling out the SPD and a few local businesses for routing around 911. The Edgewater was one of Seattlest's favorite hotels even before it was mentioned in relation to this story. more ›

In Western Washington, enjoying the water is a huge summer perk. more ›

his grand plan to fix local government and buy as much stuff as possible using his supporters' money; however, he is not behind the latest effort to get tax reform on the ballot. more ›

It's hot today and it's going to continue through the weekend, but think twice about cranking open a fire hydrant NYC style. Despite assurances from the Seattle Times, all is not well with our region's water supply after the extremely dry winter. Typically we count on mountain snow to melt throughout the summer and provide our rivers and streams with a constant supply of fresh water. This year what snow there was is already gone. more ›