Philip LaRose
@philaros.bsky.social
Editor, music lover, KEXP volunteer, board/role-playing gamer, Go Play NW organizer. He/him.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
A new exciting land use priority for @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social ?
This is a dream site for architects. As someone who helped with Affordable Talaris back in the day I strongly urge the city to allow denser housing here.
Affordable Talaris, a Share The Cities working group, has been demanding change at the Talaris parcel in Laurelhurst to build different & more affordable housing alongside trees, wetland, and a future daylit creek. We are heartened by the news that this parcel may have a different future!
December 17, 2025 at 9:31 AM
A new exciting land use priority for @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social ?
Reposted by Philip LaRose
On this, Jane Austen's 250th birthday, I will offer the gentle reminder that I authored a YA version of Pride and Prejudice in space that is available at many fine booksellers.
books2read.com/totravelthes...
books2read.com/totravelthes...
December 17, 2025 at 12:38 AM
On this, Jane Austen's 250th birthday, I will offer the gentle reminder that I authored a YA version of Pride and Prejudice in space that is available at many fine booksellers.
books2read.com/totravelthes...
books2read.com/totravelthes...
Reposted by Philip LaRose
This article is ten years old. www.engadget.com/2015-12-02-p...
December 13, 2025 at 5:53 AM
This article is ten years old. www.engadget.com/2015-12-02-p...
Suburban councils all like to use Ballard as the horrific example of what they do not want their communities to grow into; meanwhile I’m at Valentinas Cafe in Ballard which closes at 8:30 PM, looking at Google Maps for restaurants for dinner after that, and asking why so few are open past 9 PM.
December 12, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Suburban councils all like to use Ballard as the horrific example of what they do not want their communities to grow into; meanwhile I’m at Valentinas Cafe in Ballard which closes at 8:30 PM, looking at Google Maps for restaurants for dinner after that, and asking why so few are open past 9 PM.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
NEW STORY // Three Councilmembers Dissent as City Approves Controversial Seattle Police Guild Contract
Story by @amysundberg.bsky.social via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/11/t...
Story by @amysundberg.bsky.social via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/11/t...
Three Councilmembers Dissent as City Approves Controversial Seattle Police Guild Contract » The Urbanist
# In a 6-3 vote, Seattle City Council approved a police guild contract that falls short on officer accountability and continues to hinder civilian crisis responders. A parting gift from outgoing Mayor...
www.theurbanist.org
December 12, 2025 at 2:14 AM
NEW STORY // Three Councilmembers Dissent as City Approves Controversial Seattle Police Guild Contract
Story by @amysundberg.bsky.social via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/11/t...
Story by @amysundberg.bsky.social via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/11/t...
Reposted by Philip LaRose
Oh wow, CM Rob Saka has announced he will be voting AGAINST the proposed SPOG contract this afternoon. Unexpected!
www.thestranger.com/guest-editor...
www.thestranger.com/guest-editor...
City Councilmember Rob Saka: Why I’m Voting Against the SPOG Contract
Rob Saka announces that he will be voting against the SPOG contract.
www.thestranger.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Oh wow, CM Rob Saka has announced he will be voting AGAINST the proposed SPOG contract this afternoon. Unexpected!
www.thestranger.com/guest-editor...
www.thestranger.com/guest-editor...
Okay while Saka has also been largely terrible, I’m obliged to give him credit here. He’s right about the flaws of the contract and he did vote against approving it.
Rob Saka, experiencing what may be the first supportive snaps of his council career, says the "accountability provisions contained in that contract are too lightweight and do not at all close the gap" between the 2017 accountability ordinance and the contract.
December 10, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Okay while Saka has also been largely terrible, I’m obliged to give him credit here. He’s right about the flaws of the contract and he did vote against approving it.
Kettle is a fool of a tool and we cannot get him out of office soon enough.
Bob Kettle says "accountability is key" in the police contract, but that state law requires the city to include arbitration of discipline disputes and that is has taken "two years to get here. ... it's been an incredibly frustrating process." He's holding up a copy of the accountability ordinance.
December 10, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Kettle is a fool of a tool and we cannot get him out of office soon enough.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
This opinion is mostly correct, though it's not weird. Honkies are so boring we've /ruined the flavor attributed to us./
Does nobody else think it weird that "vanilla" has become a shorthand for safe, boring, clean, unadventurous? For a start, vanilla is fucking delicious, with a taste like no other spice. It's expensive, rare and only grows in a handful of places. Sensual on every level.
December 8, 2025 at 7:56 PM
This opinion is mostly correct, though it's not weird. Honkies are so boring we've /ruined the flavor attributed to us./
Reposted by Philip LaRose
A 14-Point Plan for Mayor Wilson
Channeling the original Wilsonian 14 Points, we offer 14 policy suggestions for the incoming mayor.
publicola.com/2025/12/08/a...
Channeling the original Wilsonian 14 Points, we offer 14 policy suggestions for the incoming mayor.
publicola.com/2025/12/08/a...
A 14-Point Plan for Mayor Wilson - PubliCola
Channeling the original Wilsonian 14 Points, we offer 14 policy suggestions for the incoming mayor. By Erica C. Barnett and…
publicola.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:30 PM
A 14-Point Plan for Mayor Wilson
Channeling the original Wilsonian 14 Points, we offer 14 policy suggestions for the incoming mayor.
publicola.com/2025/12/08/a...
Channeling the original Wilsonian 14 Points, we offer 14 policy suggestions for the incoming mayor.
publicola.com/2025/12/08/a...
Co-signing this complaint by Emily Nokes: “I’m simply asking that a city of nearly a million people does not keep the same hours as a small-town bank.”
www.thestranger.com/the-complain...
www.thestranger.com/the-complain...
Seattle, Please Stay Open Later
A city this big that grinds to a halt by 9 p.m. feels like a sad HOA-run diorama.
www.thestranger.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Co-signing this complaint by Emily Nokes: “I’m simply asking that a city of nearly a million people does not keep the same hours as a small-town bank.”
www.thestranger.com/the-complain...
www.thestranger.com/the-complain...
Unfortunately we’re still saddled with a majority on the council who are shortsighted, small-minded reactionaries that firmly believe more money for more police is the answer to all Seattle’s troubles.
Seattle's proposed police union contract once again fails to deliver even the meager reforms and accountability promised eight years ago, opines Howard Gale. With the city council set to vote on the contract this month, here's a case for rejecting it.
Op-ed: www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/05/o...
Op-ed: www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/05/o...
Op-Ed: Seattle Council Must Reject Harrell’s Police Guild Contract, Demand Accountability » The Urbanist
# Seattle's proposed police union contract once again fails to deliver even the meager reforms and accountability promised eight years ago, opines Howard Gale. With Seattle City Council set to vote on...
www.theurbanist.org
December 6, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Unfortunately we’re still saddled with a majority on the council who are shortsighted, small-minded reactionaries that firmly believe more money for more police is the answer to all Seattle’s troubles.
Coming home from SeaTac last week, I noted how the only way for a visitor to be sure how to get to Seattle would be to find the area transit map and determine where Lynnwood and Federal Way are relative to Seattle. There are no obvious signs anywhere indicating the platform for Seattle. Absurd.
With three “downtown” stations and counting, Sound Transit must overhaul its station naming policy and name its stations less confusingly so that riders can easily navigate a growing system.
Op-ed by Stephen Fesler: www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/05/o...
Op-ed by Stephen Fesler: www.theurbanist.org/2025/12/05/o...
Op-Ed: Sound Transit’s Station Naming Policy Has Run Amok Again » The Urbanist
# With three “downtown” stations and counting, Sound Transit must overhaul its station naming policy and name its stations less confusingly so that riders can easily navigate a growing system.
www.theurbanist.org
December 6, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Coming home from SeaTac last week, I noted how the only way for a visitor to be sure how to get to Seattle would be to find the area transit map and determine where Lynnwood and Federal Way are relative to Seattle. There are no obvious signs anywhere indicating the platform for Seattle. Absurd.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
The government is not and should not be run like a business because it is not a business, it is the government
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
December 6, 2025 at 1:19 AM
The government is not and should not be run like a business because it is not a business, it is the government
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
I am so glad we will finally be rid of the feckless, reactionary, small-minded, shortsighted, incompetent, and ineffective council member Nelson. It’s a damn shame the city ever elected her in the first place. I cannot wait for the similarly worthless Saka, Kettle, and Rivera to also be voted out.
Shocked to discover that Sara Nelson is spending her lame duck period on the council going on conservative talk radio to frame budget legalization that she had ample time to amend as Council President as being "rammed down our throats in one budget session."
November 26, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I am so glad we will finally be rid of the feckless, reactionary, small-minded, shortsighted, incompetent, and ineffective council member Nelson. It’s a damn shame the city ever elected her in the first place. I cannot wait for the similarly worthless Saka, Kettle, and Rivera to also be voted out.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
A question for something I'm doing:
With what you know right now, without looking up anything or thinking too much, would you consider the band Rancid to be a ska band?
Share please, I'd like to see as many answers as possible. Thanks!
With what you know right now, without looking up anything or thinking too much, would you consider the band Rancid to be a ska band?
Share please, I'd like to see as many answers as possible. Thanks!
November 25, 2025 at 1:07 PM
A question for something I'm doing:
With what you know right now, without looking up anything or thinking too much, would you consider the band Rancid to be a ska band?
Share please, I'd like to see as many answers as possible. Thanks!
With what you know right now, without looking up anything or thinking too much, would you consider the band Rancid to be a ska band?
Share please, I'd like to see as many answers as possible. Thanks!
@bluishorange.bsky.social Highly relevant to your interests: the Stahl House, up for sale for a mere $25 million. www.themls.com/properties/v... See also this news article about it. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
1635 Woods Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90069 -2 Bed 3.00, (2,0,1,0) Bath
Case Study House #22 --- universally known as the Stahl House --- stands as one of the most important residential works of the 20th century: a museum-grade architectural artifact preserved with except...
www.themls.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:27 PM
@bluishorange.bsky.social Highly relevant to your interests: the Stahl House, up for sale for a mere $25 million. www.themls.com/properties/v... See also this news article about it. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
This seems like a thing some people I know (such as @tonydowler.bsky.social) would be into for its own sake as well as potential RPG use/inspiration. It might go well with the Stonetop RPG to help flesh out what daily life is like, since my impression is its (fantasy) culture has some similarities.
Amazing oversize book bursting with art, info & great design, all about being a Pict in 690CE. Is an academic text, an illustrated all-ages book & a TTRPG sourcebook all at once. (Hepped to me via @kierongillen.bsky.social's lap.) carvedinstone.scot
Carved in Stone
A storyteller's guide to Pictland. Available now!
carvedinstone.scot
November 23, 2025 at 10:16 AM
This seems like a thing some people I know (such as @tonydowler.bsky.social) would be into for its own sake as well as potential RPG use/inspiration. It might go well with the Stonetop RPG to help flesh out what daily life is like, since my impression is its (fantasy) culture has some similarities.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
Better than totally empty space. Now add a daily hot dog, snack, and refreshment cart on the mezz. 😎
November 22, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Better than totally empty space. Now add a daily hot dog, snack, and refreshment cart on the mezz. 😎
It sure would be something to have a competent, sensible, pro-transit person as the chair of the transportation committee. We haven’t tried that in YEARS.
Hearing a rumor recently I hadn't been hearing a few weeks ago: transportation committee chair Alexis Mercedes Rinck?
November 22, 2025 at 2:27 AM
It sure would be something to have a competent, sensible, pro-transit person as the chair of the transportation committee. We haven’t tried that in YEARS.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
Turns out we were right not to let Amazon be the fourth branch of our government!
When Amazon 1st announced they would open a 2nd HQ outside of Seattle, the usual WA conservatives gloated that progressives making wealthy corporations pay what they owe in taxes had backfired.
Flash forward 8 years and Amazon's HQ2 is a bust & Seattle's Jumpstart tax is keeping our services afloat
Flash forward 8 years and Amazon's HQ2 is a bust & Seattle's Jumpstart tax is keeping our services afloat
November 20, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Turns out we were right not to let Amazon be the fourth branch of our government!
Reposted by Philip LaRose
My latest on how the 2026 Seattle budget (final Council vote on Friday) is not setting Katie Wilson up for success, between its accounting tricks, one-time funding, and CM provisos. Also some details about the federal Continuum of Care changes, which I know many of you have been concerned about.
NEW STORY // Katie Wilson to Inherit Seattle’s Budget Woes
Story by @amysundberg.bsky.social via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/19/k...
Story by @amysundberg.bsky.social via @theurbanist.org // 🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/19/k...
Katie Wilson to Inherit Seattle’s Budget Woes » The Urbanist
# Katie Wilson may have won the mayoral election, but her challenges are just beginning. Outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell is leaving a budget mess behind him.
www.theurbanist.org
November 19, 2025 at 10:01 PM
My latest on how the 2026 Seattle budget (final Council vote on Friday) is not setting Katie Wilson up for success, between its accounting tricks, one-time funding, and CM provisos. Also some details about the federal Continuum of Care changes, which I know many of you have been concerned about.
At first glance, I read that as “pizza lane”, and while that’s not correct, I’m also not wrong.
E43rd Shared Street in Manhattan
🅿️ lane
🚗 🚴♂️ travel lane
🪑 plaza lane
special signage: 5MPH
cc @qagggy.bsky.social
🅿️ lane
🚗 🚴♂️ travel lane
🪑 plaza lane
special signage: 5MPH
cc @qagggy.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 2:58 AM
At first glance, I read that as “pizza lane”, and while that’s not correct, I’m also not wrong.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
When you ask voters to choose between corporate profits and protecting our neighbors – it’s not even close. This year, Seattle voters chose the tax corporations to fund social housing (63%) and to pass the Seattle Shield Initiative to protect our neighbors (71%). Let’s keep it going!
November 16, 2025 at 9:47 PM
When you ask voters to choose between corporate profits and protecting our neighbors – it’s not even close. This year, Seattle voters chose the tax corporations to fund social housing (63%) and to pass the Seattle Shield Initiative to protect our neighbors (71%). Let’s keep it going!
With GIG and other one-way car-sharing services gone, scooter/bike share is now filling some gaps for me. Some people will always treat them carelessly, but I think providing corrals and enforcing use through the app would help a lot to make shared use of public space better for everyone.
Seattle's scootershare and bikeshare program continues to boom, setting a new ridership record in 2025. At the same time, the program could be at risk of falling victim to its own popularity, with increasing calls to beef up regulations.
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/15/s...
Story: www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/15/s...
Seattle Scootershare Ridership Continues to Surge, as Critics Make Regulatory Push » The Urbanist
# Seattle's scootershare and bikeshare program continues to boom, setting a new ridership record in 2025. At the same time, the program could be at risk of falling victim to its own popularity, with i...
www.theurbanist.org
November 16, 2025 at 2:22 AM
With GIG and other one-way car-sharing services gone, scooter/bike share is now filling some gaps for me. Some people will always treat them carelessly, but I think providing corrals and enforcing use through the app would help a lot to make shared use of public space better for everyone.