Philip LaRose
@philaros.bsky.social
Editor, music lover, KEXP volunteer, board/role-playing gamer, Go Play NW organizer. He/him.
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.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
November 14, 2025 at 5:40 PM
So funny story: AAA owned GIG Car Share, which was the last one-way car-sharing service in Seattle. When GIG shut down a year ago, I had to at least briefly consider whether buying a car would be useful, but concluded since owning meant round trips, it was still cheaper to use Zipcar for that.
AAA estimates the average cost of owning a car is $12,297 a year, and recommends drivers spend no more than 10 percent of their income on car costs. This means you should make 120K to afford the average cost. Median *household* income in the US is $77K. The math just doesn't work.
November 15, 2025 at 2:21 AM
So funny story: AAA owned GIG Car Share, which was the last one-way car-sharing service in Seattle. When GIG shut down a year ago, I had to at least briefly consider whether buying a car would be useful, but concluded since owning meant round trips, it was still cheaper to use Zipcar for that.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
POLITICIANS: Here is how you answer that question: "King County sets the gold standard for ballot access, security and accuracy. The process includes multiple layers of quality control, tracking, and voter feedback to ensure every ballot is counted and the will of the people is upheld."
OK, "misunderstanding" is the wrong word here. There's a purposeful disinformation campaign from right wingers in WA to sow doubt about our elections. I honestly can't believe @mayorofseattle.bsky.social Harrell would say something like this, especially after the good stuff he said prior.
November 14, 2025 at 6:52 PM
POLITICIANS: Here is how you answer that question: "King County sets the gold standard for ballot access, security and accuracy. The process includes multiple layers of quality control, tracking, and voter feedback to ensure every ballot is counted and the will of the people is upheld."
Reposted by Philip LaRose
Reposted by Philip LaRose
Contrary to what some people *cough* the lame duck mayor and the still-in power police guild president *cough* say, there was nothing wrong with the Seattle election:
www.thestranger.com/news/2025/11...
www.thestranger.com/news/2025/11...
There Was Nothing Unusual About Seattle’s Election, or the Results
There was nothing odd, wrong, or suspicious about Seattle’s election results. They sure felt slow, but they weren’t. Someone tell that to outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell and Seattle Police Officer’s Guil...
www.thestranger.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Contrary to what some people *cough* the lame duck mayor and the still-in power police guild president *cough* say, there was nothing wrong with the Seattle election:
www.thestranger.com/news/2025/11...
www.thestranger.com/news/2025/11...
Yeah to be fair to @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social, I agree that in her speech she’s just trying to make this point, which is similar to my own. I’m sure she understands this is not a new change for Seattle. It’s just infuriating that we still have to deal with this reactionary suburban mindset.
I didn’t take it that way. I took it as her trying to point out that it’s a big city. And many people are living in the past. Especially given other speeches she’s done. It is mostly NIMBYs who want to treat Seattle like it’s a suburb and get upset anytime it becomes obvious they are in a city.
November 14, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Yeah to be fair to @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social, I agree that in her speech she’s just trying to make this point, which is similar to my own. I’m sure she understands this is not a new change for Seattle. It’s just infuriating that we still have to deal with this reactionary suburban mindset.
Watching now, @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social just said “and we are now a big city, with big city problems” and I am *enraged*. SEATTLE HAS BEEN IN THE TOP 25 US CITIES FOR DECADES. I swear the biggest problem in Seattle is this fucking pernicious pervasive mindset that somehow it’s not a big city!!!
Seattle Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson is speaking live. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6KJ...
November 14, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Watching now, @wilsonforseattle.bsky.social just said “and we are now a big city, with big city problems” and I am *enraged*. SEATTLE HAS BEEN IN THE TOP 25 US CITIES FOR DECADES. I swear the biggest problem in Seattle is this fucking pernicious pervasive mindset that somehow it’s not a big city!!!
Not to bring down the hopeful mood, but this is one of the things I was already concerned about. The current council’s already shown they won’t be any more responsible by reining the budget in, and undermining Wilson’s potential now sets up Seattle to be dragged back into the do-nothing mire.
if I HAD been in town today I probably would have asked outgoing Mayor Harrell why his budget for next year sets up a huge fiscal cliff for incoming ,ayor Wilson, using one-time funding for long-term needs and assuming nine-figure deficits starting in next year's budget cycle
November 14, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Not to bring down the hopeful mood, but this is one of the things I was already concerned about. The current council’s already shown they won’t be any more responsible by reining the budget in, and undermining Wilson’s potential now sets up Seattle to be dragged back into the do-nothing mire.
OH MY GOD, HE KNOWS AND CAN SAY HER NAME. Who knew?!?
Harrell says that he “spoke with Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson to congratulate her.”
November 14, 2025 at 12:56 AM
OH MY GOD, HE KNOWS AND CAN SAY HER NAME. Who knew?!?
Reposted by Philip LaRose
This did in fact age well.
I think that local and state gov in my blue city & state matter even more now. I need Katie Wilson to run for mayor here in Seattle. Or someone with her grassroots organizing chops, record, and understanding of the legislative system here.
November 13, 2025 at 4:07 AM
This did in fact age well.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
Wonderful news! 💙✊
WE WON! After 42 days of striking we have a tentative agreement in hand that protects our existing 4 day work week, establishes a minimum salary, and adds protections against AI replacing jobs at our workplace!
![Graphic with multiple picket signs that reads "[up arrow] Minimum Salary", "4 day Work Week", and a big cancel sign over "AI Replacing Jobs" and so much more. Go to kickstarterunited.org to see it all!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:gdife25rfr5drwr2nhncr3rf/bafkreidfgv3xytmgta3x35mjze22ojok7lwh3vlhgrcfbcwr7hjg6bb6eu@jpeg)
November 13, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Wonderful news! 💙✊
The Pike Place Market Historical Commission is actively harmful to the long-term health of the market and Seattle, and should be abolished.
This meeting is happening now, as expected, opponents of pedestrianizing Pike Place Market are pretty heavily represented when it comes to providing public comment on potential bollard installation at the Market.
URGENT BOLLARD ALERT.
SDOT is going to the Pike Place Market Historical Commission next Wednesday to get initial guidance on the "physical protective barriers" planned ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
The board is getting its temperature taken on a "hybrid approach" of bollards and vehicle barricades.
SDOT is going to the Pike Place Market Historical Commission next Wednesday to get initial guidance on the "physical protective barriers" planned ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
The board is getting its temperature taken on a "hybrid approach" of bollards and vehicle barricades.
November 13, 2025 at 3:45 AM
The Pike Place Market Historical Commission is actively harmful to the long-term health of the market and Seattle, and should be abolished.
Reposted by Philip LaRose
Wilson Wins In a Squeaker (That Should Not Have Been This Close)
Wonder if incumbent Bruce Harrell will call her "Mayor-Elect Wilson" or if he'll keep referring to his successor as "this person" and "she."
publicola.com/2025/11/12/w...
Wonder if incumbent Bruce Harrell will call her "Mayor-Elect Wilson" or if he'll keep referring to his successor as "this person" and "she."
publicola.com/2025/11/12/w...
Wilson Wins In a Squeaker (That Should Not Have Been This Close) - PubliCola
By Erica C. Barnett The voters have spoken: Katie Wilson will be the next Mayor of Seattle. On Wednesday, incumbent…
publicola.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:39 AM
Wilson Wins In a Squeaker (That Should Not Have Been This Close)
Wonder if incumbent Bruce Harrell will call her "Mayor-Elect Wilson" or if he'll keep referring to his successor as "this person" and "she."
publicola.com/2025/11/12/w...
Wonder if incumbent Bruce Harrell will call her "Mayor-Elect Wilson" or if he'll keep referring to his successor as "this person" and "she."
publicola.com/2025/11/12/w...
I literally could not be the expert editor that I am today if I’d learned the skill of reading through the “three cueing” method—at best, I’d still have had to learn phonics to move beyond its simplistic take and gain the advanced reading, writing, and editing skills I have.
how did i go so long not knowing we were literally teaching people to read wrong. i knew something wasn't right but jesus christ www.apmreports.org/episode/2019...
How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers
For decades, schools have taught children the strategies of struggling readers, using a theory about reading that cognitive scientists have repeatedly debunked. And many teachers and parents don't kno...
www.apmreports.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:15 AM
I literally could not be the expert editor that I am today if I’d learned the skill of reading through the “three cueing” method—at best, I’d still have had to learn phonics to move beyond its simplistic take and gain the advanced reading, writing, and editing skills I have.