Viva La Cola!

Founded in January 2009, PubliCola is a blog about Seattle written by journalists who are dedicated to non-partisan, original daily reporting that prioritizes a balanced approach to news. Started by longtime local editor and award-winning reporter Josh Feit, PubliCola is the first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol.

PubliCola was off and running. In June 2009, PubliCola hired another award-winning journalist, super-sourced Seattle city hall reporter Erica C. Barnett.

People were afraid that blogging would change journalism. Instead, we believe journalism can change blogging. Twenty-first century journalism may look and feel different, and yes Erica isn't afraid to get cranky, but we're committed to making sure online news still delivers independent, reliable, even-keeled coverage. And most of all, we're committed to making sure the coverage sparks honest civic debate.

Bringing you cola for the people, PubliCola is named after Publius Valerius PubliCola, the alias for the authors of the Federalist Papers—the original bloggers.

The first online-only news site in state history to get media credentials to cover the state capitol and Seattle city hall, PubliCola has been called a “must-read” by the Seattle Post Intelligencer and a hot “New Media Mover and Shaker” by Seattle Magazine—which also cited our own Erica C. Barnett as the city's No. 1 news nerd.

World News Update

Wondering what’s going on in the world today?  One easy word: Football. It’s another World Cup qualifiers day, and many countries are hanging on edge.

Thus, its the leading story at Le Monde, where France teeters on missing out.

It’s also a lead in La Nacion where Argentina also faces failure.

Even the nerdiest paper in the world, the Frankfurter Algemein, with Germany all but qualified, it’s the fifth lead story.

I’m willing to bet it’s the lead story in Turkey, Bosnia, and most rest of the world.

Kind of odd there’s no mention of it in the NYT, and even NPR claims the major concern in these places is swine flu.

Sigh.

Obama (the Cairo speech version not the pending health care speech version) may be a step in the right direction, but no one’s going to take us seriously if we don’t give a rats ass of the major happenings in the rest of the world.

Speaking of seriousness, and lack there of, the US National team is in Trinidad, game’s at 4pm.  The fact we’re stuck playing these guys is one reason why we are an embarrassment on the international scene. Last time we played, we scored a handy 3-0 victory, featuring a hat trick by Jozy Altidore, who’s finally playing for a club in Europe (low level Hull, but better than being a bench warmer).  Today won’t be much different—Trinidad wallows in the bottom of the group. In fact, the top four of CONCACAF have been all but set, the only question remains: Who lands in fourth, and will their path to South Africa be detoured by Argentina?

PS: On Saturday, I made a weak solicitation for suggestions of bars showing the match (aside from G&D?). Once again, any takers?


  • Jason

    The Dray in Ballard rocks my face off. Only drawback is limited capacity and televisions. There’s only one big screen and one little ole box. Seats maybe 30, but only round about half that can sit facing the big telly.

    Other than that, they have a killer draft selection (unless you’re a total beer snob there will be a few selections you’ve never heard of) and maybe a hundred bottles on the menu. Plus they do espresso drinks if you’re not into yeasty things or need to recharge at halftime. I haven’t eaten (there), but I think the food is limited to panini-style sammies. Also, the bartenders are nice, knowledgeable, and—unprompted—bring you water when you’re done drinking. Lastly, and of import perhaps only to nutjobs like yours truly, the bathroom is a delight: it’s pristine, smells of nothing but coconut, has speakers to keep you up on the game/song, and even has one of those toilets where you press one button for #1 and another for #2. And did I mention the beer-drinking squirrel mural on the bathroom wall and ceiling?

    Actually, I hope no one reads this and the place stays perfect.

  • Jason

    The Dray in Ballard rocks my face off. Only drawback is limited capacity and televisions. There’s only one big screen and one little ole box. Seats maybe 30, but only round about half that can sit facing the big telly.

    Other than that, they have a killer draft selection (unless you’re a total beer snob there will be a few selections you’ve never heard of) and maybe a hundred bottles on the menu. Plus they do espresso drinks if you’re not into yeasty things or need to recharge at halftime. I haven’t eaten (there), but I think the food is limited to panini-style sammies. Also, the bartenders are nice, knowledgeable, and—unprompted—bring you water when you’re done drinking. Lastly, and of import perhaps only to nutjobs like yours truly, the bathroom is a delight: it’s pristine, smells of nothing but coconut, has speakers to keep you up on the game/song, and even has one of those toilets where you press one button for #1 and another for #2. And did I mention the beer-drinking squirrel mural on the bathroom wall and ceiling?

    Actually, I hope no one reads this and the place stays perfect.

  • Andrew Smith

    The Atlantic Crossing on Roosevelt and 65th has great crowds for these US team matches.

  • Andrew Smith

    The Atlantic Crossing on Roosevelt and 65th has great crowds for these US team matches.

  • SoundersNerd

    I ended up at the Dray, but not early enough for a good seat. I didn’t notice the, um, bathroom, though. Thanks for the heads up, I’ll check it out.

    Or the AC. What I really want is corporate sponsorship!

  • SoundersNerd

    I ended up at the Dray, but not early enough for a good seat. I didn't notice the, um, bathroom, though. Thanks for the heads up, I'll check it out.

    Or the AC. What I really want is corporate sponsorship!