Knute Berger Column

9 Seattleites You Should Know

9 Seattleites You Should Know

Knute Berger weighs in on Seattle’s most iconic personalities, past and present, from popular musicians to historical figures

FATHER FIGURE: This bronze statue of Chief Seattle was created by artist James Wehn and unveiled in 1912

How Has Seattle Changed Since the 1999 World Trade Organization Protests

How Has Seattle Changed Since the 1999 World Trade Organization Protests

Twenty years after the WTO demonstrations, Knute Berger looks at how the far right came out ahead

Activists, union members and more participated in the WTO protest in 1999

There's More to PNW's Sky-high Aviation History Than Just Boeing

There’s More to PNW’s Sky-high Aviation History Than Just Boeing

Seattleites have been looking to the skies to innovate since the Klondike Gold Rush—Knute Berger explores our deep aviation roots

There were numerous attempts to invent flying objects, which coincided with UFO sightings in the late 1890s

Local Bird Population Decline Catches Birders by Surprise

Local Bird Population Decline Catches Birders by Surprise

Knute Berger reflects on how birds add richness to our surroundings

When I was a kid growing up in Seattle I was largely oblivious to birds. We had robins in the neighborhood and occasionally found their cracked blue eggs on the ground in the spring. There were seagulls aplenty. The garbage dump used to be at Union Bay near Husky Stadium where we dumped our trash….

The New ASUW Shell House Will Pay Homage to Its History Through a Restoration

The New ASUW Shell House Will Pay Homage to Its History Through a Restoration

An old UW building where the ‘Boys in the Boat’ hung out has many layers of history, says Knute Berger, who is all for the current effort to restore it to its former glory

Historic photos on the walls of the old ASUW Shell House, including this one, help tell the storied history of the UW crew. This team is from 1945

Human Composting Becomes an Option in Washington, But Is It for Everyone?

Human Composting Becomes an Option in Washington, But Is It for Everyone?

Human composting will soon be a choice in our state, but Knute Berger has a different end in mind

AFTER LIFE: Walking through Lake View Cemetery in Seattle is a walk through Seattle’s past; the cemetary holds the gravesites of the city’s founders as well as famous citizens

100 Hundred Years Later, Seattle Still Loves Hockey and Bad Baseball

100 Hundred Years Later, Seattle Still Loves Hockey and Bad Baseball

Seattle has always been sports town—Knute Berger notes how in 1919, hockey and baseball were both making headlines

I was dialing the way-back machine to 1919 and noticed a couple of interesting reminders of our times, a century later. Hockey was in the news, and so was bad baseball. Seattle had a Pacific Coast league baseball team, at various times called the Giants, Indians and Rainiers. In 1919, the team played at Dugdale…

Has the PNW Become the 'Silicon Valley of Space'?

Has the PNW Become the ‘Silicon Valley of Space’?

On the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, Knute Berger wonders where our space dreams will take us next

THE MAN ON THE MOON: Knute Berger, recreating a historic moment, courtesy of the Museum of Flight’s Destination Moon exhibit

What the Seattle Mariners Need Now

What the Seattle Mariners Need Now

A little more beer could make watching losing games a little more fun

There’s little dispute that this year’s Seattle Mariners suck. The team said that this would be a “step back” year—though stepping back from years of consistent failure suggests that they are stepping back into an abyss. A promising start proved an illusion. Yes, it’s a long season, but as we head into summer, that hope…

The Tall Order Facing Seattle's New City Council

The Tall Order Facing Seattle’s New City Council

We have a bumper crop of City Council candidates this year, notes Knute Berger. Are they likely to fare better than the current incumbents in solving the city’s problems?

VOTE FOR ME! ME! ME! ME! There is a bumper crop of City Council candidates this year; those elected will face a daunting slate of problems

Local Billionaires' Impact Is Seen in Seattle and Beyond

Local Billionaires’ Impact Is Seen in Seattle and Beyond

Seattle’s wealthy once liked to hide, but today’s billionaires, says Knute Berger, are openly impacting the city and beyond

EYE SPY: Seattle’s billionaires are throwing around more than a few Benjamins these days, changing the shape of the city

Why Seattle's KeyArena Matters

Why Seattle’s KeyArena Matters

Sports stadiums may not make economic sense, but they’re priceless in other ways

The Seattle Times recently reported that the private group, Oak View, which is remodeling the Seattle Center Coliseum (aka KeyArena) to host NHL hockey and, it is hoped, NBA basketball, has indicated that the costs to renovate and rebuild the facility will be upwards of $900 million—a third more than recent estimates of around $600…

What's Next for Our Car-Clogged Seattle?

What’s Next for Our Car-Clogged Seattle?

Cars shaped our city, but with clogged streets, we're looking for different options, says Knute Berger. What's next?

NEWSWORTHY: The automobile, first seen in Seattle around 120 years ago, was still a novelty in 1912 when E.J. Davis and E. Edward Reed completed their Chicago to Seattle drive, captured in this photo taken in front of the Daily Times offices

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