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.

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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.

Thoroughly Charming

News   November 18, 2009 at 5:19 pm Alexandra Bush

Last night marked the opening the New Italian Cinema Festival at SIFF Cinema.  Hosted by SIFF, the festival is in its 19th year, but visiting Seattle for the first time.

Opening night was packed, and for good reason:  Based on the strength of the opening film alone (Fortapasc, the thirteenth film from veteran Marco Risi), I’m dying to see the whole program.

Fortapasc

Fortapasc is a stunningly shot film about Giancarlo Siani, a 26-year-old fledgling reporter gunned down in 1985 for digging too deeply into the dealings of the Camorra, the infamous Neapolitan mafia.  Highlights include the a thoroughly charming performance by Libero de Rienzo, who bears uncanny resemblance to the real-life Siani.

Almost every film comes with an Italian visitor; if the rest of them are like Risi, who spoke last night, you’ll be treated to delightful Q&As that leap back and forth between Italian and broken English, with a translator who follows with all the skill of a linguistic trapeze artist.

Be sure to check this out if you get a chance:  We’re one of only three American cities (with New York and San Francisco) to get it.  Runs through November 21.