The Times' Nicole Brodeur addresses the latest round of food-related conspiracy theories in her column today, with quotes from PCC's director of public affairs Trudy Bialic to help debunk the rumor that a current bill moving through Congress would somehow ban organic foods and decimate farmers' markets as we know them in one giant win for Monsanto. Some of our acquaintances went so far as to claim to us that HR 875 would outlaw nutrients. (What?) There is a Food Safety Modernization bill, HR 875, but it's not at all what the crazies are claiming. Thanks for doing our research for us on this one, Brodeur--we'll point people towards your article. more ›

Pity poor Pluto. In 2006, the International Astronomical Union reclassified the celestial body as a dwarf planet. Along with being totally emasculating, the IAU's declaration meant that Pluto was stripped of its rights as a full-fledged planet, including health insurance (medical, vision, and dental), a sweet parking space, and a Platinum American Express card. Well, now Pluto is fighting back, or at least it's found a group to take up the cause: more ›

Following the announcement that Seattle's crime rate is the lowest it's been in 40 years, Seattle Times columnist Nicole Brodeur has an article about how it doesn't feel that way, given the the shooting at the party downtown, the shooting of DéChé Morrison, the stabbing of Shannon Harps, the schoolteacher who got beat into the pavement on East Pine, and the woman hit in the head with a hammer.

I was glad to hear about the strides police have made on the streets of Seattle. But really, all it did was remind me there have been no arrests in the three recent murders, or in the two attacks. Police have a "person of interest" in the Harps case, but to be honest, the police sketch looked like every other 30-something white guy in Seattle: wool cap, beard, earring. I think I dated him last summer.

Air France 046 touched down right on schedule Monday--the first-ever nonstop flight from CDG to SEA, water cannons spraying the Airbus A330 in a festive salute, the pilot waving French and American flags from his cockpit window. Champagne toasts and official speeches followed, blessing this long-overdue of the Eiffel Tower and the Space Needle. more ›

A: What Ken Jennings writes when he autographs copies of Brainiac. more ›

European travel guru Rick Steves has reefer madness. His best girl is named Mary Jane and every once in while he gets a visit from Puff the Magic Dragon. Face it, people, the man you've relied on to guide you through the historic wonders of the old world is one lost Europass away from becoming this guy. more ›