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.

PubliCalendar: Real Estate, Class Envy, and Aspiration

Today’s calendar:

As Dan noted earlier today, the city council’s Committee on the Built Environment (COBE) will discuss changes to the city’s low-rise code, which sets design and size guidelines for low-rise multifamily housing, AKA townhouses and small apartment buildings.

Image via HugeassCity.

Tonight, 5:30 pm, Seattle City Hall, Council Chambers, 600 Fourth Ave.

Meghan Daum reads from Life Would be Perfect if I Lived in That House, her nonfiction book about real estate, class envy, and aspiration.

Tonight, 7:00 pm, Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 Tenth Avenue. Free.

Seattle Tilth offers an introductory class on raising free-range chickens in your yard.

Tonight, 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm, Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. $18 Tilth members, $25 non-members.

Tomorrow’s calendar:

The COBE meets again Wednesday morning, this time to discuss a proposed rental-housing inspection program that would require landlords to obtain a rental-housing permit and abide by 14 basic livability and safety standards in the city’s housing code.

Tomorrow, 9:30 am, Seattle City Hall, Council Chambers, 600 Fourth Ave.

The Seattle Office of Film and Music hosts its monthly happy hour and networking event at Spitfire in Belltown tomorrow evening.

Tomorrow, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Spitfire, 2219 Fourth Ave. Free. Happy-hour drink and food specials available.

The Metropolitan Democratic Club hosts a discussion about transportation issues currently before the City Council with Council transportation committee chair Tom Rasmussen tomorrow afternoon.

Tomorrow, 12:00 pm to 1:30 p.m. in the Tower Building at 1809 Seventh Avenue (7th & Olive), Suite 403.

Coming up:

Alleycat Acres, a recently formed urban farming collective, is holding a fundraiser on Thursday featuring DJs, door prizes, drinks, and food to help them expand their urban farming empire in Seattle. PubliCola cosponsors.

Thursday, 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Grey Gallery and Lounge, 1512 11th Ave. Suggested donation: $5 to $25.




  • Gomez

    Never mind townhomes or transit… I want Dan Bertolet's opinion on free-range chickens.