After beginning my current job as Director of Countywide Community Forums (CCF) in January 2010, I founded a blog meant to reflect the broader world of the work in which CCF is engaged; public engagement and collaboration in public spheres. Social Capital Review has featured writing by DeAnna Martin, Pamela Kilborn-Miller, Carrie Shaw and myself. As part of my work, I've also founded an independent initiative to help champion citizen engagement in open government, called Public Data Ferret. It's a database searchable by topic and jurisdictions, composed of neutral, blogged synopses of important public documents, and tutorials on user-friendly government databases. More background is available on the Ferret "About" page and the instructions/participation page. Shortly after Public Data Ferret's launch, I began a regular weekly live segment on KOMO 1000 AM, Seattle's leading news radio station, highlighting the latest work at the site.

The Ferret radio segments to date follow, each in the form of a blog article with an audio link and a full transcript, as well as a link to the original Ferret write-up.

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Washington State Race Horse Fatalities," 6/2/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Of Cockatiels And Collaboration," 5/26/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Police Misconduct In Seattle," 5/19/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: 'Transportation 2040,'" 5/12/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Consumer Product Recall Database," 5/6/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Smuggling Weapons & Explosives Into Federal Buildings," 4/28/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000" Seattle Database For Tracking Building & Land-Use Permitting," 4/21/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Restaurant Inspections Database," 4/14/10

I was also privileged to discuss Public Data Ferret, and Countywide Community Forums recently with other guests in a broader conversation titled "Technology And Civic Engagement" on one of Seattle's public radio stations, KUOW-FM. In addition, one of our recent Ferret scoops got a write-up in the Seattle P-I.com. And we've recruited University of Washington communication grad Andrew Hart as Contributing Editor to Public Data Ferret.

You can follow the Ferret on Twitter. And collaborate.

(Last updated 6/2/10)

From Social Capital Review: "Civic Intelligence At Open Government West." An excerpt:

Liberating public data and packaging it in useful ways is a must, but savvy advocates and enablers of transparency also heard today at the Open Government West conference in Seattle City Hall that intermediaries are essential too, for "last mile" delivery to community collaborators. Bill Schrier, Chief Technology Officer for The City of Seattle, said governments "must deputize the private sector, non-profits and academics to distribute data" and help drive public engagement around solutions. Bill raises an important point. And while the open government "deputies" include developers of some mighty practical mobile, location-based apps built off government data sets, and developers of online whiteboard tools to collect suggestions for governments, there's a danger of being too government-centric about open government.

Maybe what's needed even more than open government, is what Douglas Schuler of The Public Sphere Project called "civic intelligence," formed around emergent patterns of civic thought and activity in communities, and used to develop responses to social and policy challenges and opportunities. This isn't primarily driven by government but it can be a vital partner.

Here's the full article.

In Social Capital Review, some thoughts about crime-busting as civic engagement. All brought on by the 60th birthday of the FBI's "10 Most Wanted List." But there are a lot of other ways to engage around public safety, not the least of which might be with mobile devices and real-time reporting of criminal activity unfolding on the streets.

Another way community engagement might boost crime-fighting would be the use of Web-based systems similar to FixMyStreet.com (in the U.K.). Similar tools could also enable reports in real time on mobile devices to a transparent, official law enforcement Web site about open air drug markets, prostitution and other crimes being committed in public view. This capability would be especially welcome in crime-riddled Seattle locations such as North Aurora Avenue, Belltown, Pioneer Square and Downtown. Confidential registration of “reporters” could be required to protect against false submissions. Response times and outcomes could then be tracked – again, transparently – on these special, two-way law enforcement sites. That would raise the bar on performance and accountability, something increasingly vital in a time of sharply limited public resources. And sharply limited police manpower.

Stay tuned to Social Capital Review for a steady stream of news and analysis on civic engagement, community-building and collaboration, public disclosure and transparency.

Over at Social Capital Review, some thoughts about what's these days called "social entrepreneurship."

...cannot traditional entrepreneurs also contribute mightily to addressing social problems?...This broader definition of social entrepreneurship is especially salient at a time when the United States is suffering through a full-blown recession and high unemployment, with attendant stress and hardship for many families and individuals. Understanding that all entrepreneurship is social accents the need for governments to foster economic development and for all parents to insist on access to quality education for their children.

More about Social Capital Review.

After three years working as a Senior Fellow at a Seattle-based think tank focusing on surface transportation best practices, and, among other things, founding a blog there, I moved on in early January to a new position with a new organization. I'm now the Director of Countywide Community Forums, a privately-underwritten public engagement program which connects citizen advisors to King County government through small group meetings on designated issues, such as public safety, budget priorities, and transportation solutions. King County includes Seattle and another 38 cities, plus unincorporated areas. It's a geographically distinct region studded with beautiful mountains and water, abundant wildlife, and a robust economy including Boeing, Starbucks, Microsoft, Amazon.com, the University of Washington, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and countless other important enterprises, non-profits, and advocacy groups.

King County is also a place where folks are pretty passionate about politics and public policy, although in typical Seattle-area style, they manage to appear fairly dispassionate about their passion. And in my own view, that's actually a pretty good thing. Passion is wonderful, and energizing, but when it comes to politics and policy, too much of it leads to polarization. And political polarization is poison. More than ever, we need to be talking across the divide, not "narrowcasting" to like-minded brethren only.

King County provides regional bus service, law enforcement in many parts of the county outside Seattle, criminal and civil courts, prisons, public health and social services, wastewater treatment, parks, elections management, property tax assessments, and more. It's elected leadership is composed of a county executive, Dow Constantine, who happens to hail from my very own neighborhood of West Seattle, and nine county council members elected by district. They've got a lot of business to attend to, and they want to hear from you - not only in the usual ways such as e-mails, letters, phone calls, and through testimony at large public meetings, but also through the more considered and intimate dialogs - held at times and places convenient to you - that are CCF's stock in trade.

So, I'm glad to be part of this endeavor, which I've described in more detail in this post at the new blog I've founded for CCF, called "Social Capital Review." One other recent post is all about the "data liberation" movement beginning to sweep the halls of government. It's titled "Doing Government 2.0 The Right Way In Seattle." Another, by my colleague Carrie Shaw, a deputy citizen councilor coordinator for CCF, is titled, "Public Safety: A 'Paramount Duty' Of Government?" It reflects on new concerns raised about increased crime in downtown Seattle, and connects that with the work CCF councilors did just last autumn highlighting public safety issues in Seattle and elsewhere in King County. We're also looking forward to contributions by CCF's other deputy citizen councilor coordinator, John Spady, who like Carrie brings a wealth of experience and insight to the effort.

The main section at Social Capital Review is devoted to posts where we add some of our own perspectives, like the three linked above. Another section called "News Hub" helps keep track of some of the many stories flying by each week, in the public engagement and Government 2.0 spaces.

If these topics are of interest, come visit Social Capital Review. There will be fresh material several times weekly, and we'd welcome your comments on the articles. As well, if you live in King County, we'd love for you to register as a CCF citizen councilor, here. The next round will run from April 17 through the end of May. This time around, we'll be convening small group meetings to get feedback on how King County can improve trust in government, constituent service and public engagement.

I was snow-shoeing yesterday on the Snoqualmie Pass cross-country trail system. Cold Creek trail.

Keechelus Lake, from the trail.

Patricia and Ava on the chairlift at Summit Central.

It's called Reggie's Chair, a beginner's run.

Pat making her way down the hill.

Ava, working on her "tuck." Max was off on steeper runs, with his teacher.

Night falls on Summit Central.

Here's my Christmas card to you. Selected YouTube videos of some of the best tunes I've posted to my Facebook page this year. You'll see rare live performances and hear some rare grooves. Plenty of r&b, funk, and soul, as well as some rock, Latin, and what all else. Now seems just the time to share some deeply meaningful song lyrics, so here goes, courtesy of the Motor City Mad Lad, Iggy Pop. "I've got a hard-ass pair of shoulders. I've got a love you can't imagine. And what I've got I double. I swear I'm keepin' out of trouble. I'm lookin' for one new value. I'm lookin' for one new value. But nothin' comes my way." So, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah (belated) and best wishes for the new year, from our family's corner of Seattle. (This takes a minute to load).

Let's get this party started with a rare live TV performance featuring Tony Joe White, doing an alternate take of his big hit, "Polk Salad Annie."

Tina Turner at her sassiest, in '70, live with Ike and the Ikettes: "Bold Soul Sister." Who's that short white boy in the horn section, anyway?

Nina Simone's daughter, the singer Simone leads the Chicago jazz-funk-soul group Liquid Soul through this bracing live performance on CBS-TV.

The queen of reggae, with a great rock-steady tune from the 60s....

Rufus and Chaka Khan, live on NBC, early-mid 70s.

Speaking of ladies who kick it......

Not to mention these ladies, settin' Soul Train in motion....

A favorite funky female folkie.....

From N'Awlins, The Meters wrote the book on 60s r&b melded with funk. Art Neville - keyboards; George Porter - bass; Zigaboo Modeliste - drums; Leo Nocentelli - guitar.

Chuck Carbo's 1970 classic, also from the Crescent City.

From the "Bay Area Funk" compilation.

In my book, Memphis-based Stax Records was THE primo soul label. This Isaac Hayes cut: a gem.

The Godfather Of Soul, and his totally BadAss band on Soul Train in '73 - "Get On The Good Foot."

Klezmer funk, really. Modern-day Yiddish music folklorist and clarinetist David Krakauer hooks up with James Brown trombonist Fred Wesley and a bunch of others in this live in-studio performance. (Some of the camera work gets a bit dizzying.)

Straight outta Caracas in '94 these guys escaped mad Hugo's clutch. Don't chu wanna red jumpsuit like that?

The late Pakistani kawwali master. What a majestic voice, and what slammin'beats. Here with dance-floor production by Bollywood's own Bally Sagoo.

Motown dons a Lunar Dashiki thanks to great producer-artist Norman Whitfield.

From the classic '70 Chicago blues recording. Released in '72, produced by Clapton.

This instrumental classic by Freddie King has been covered widely. Including by a band known as the Bluesbreakers, with a young Eric Clapton. In this live TV performance, I love the way Freddie's band is moving & grooving. Not to mention the white-booted go-go dancers.

Electric slide gee-tar? Here's a real piece o' the rock, from J.B. Hutto, on a mid-60s Chicago blues compilation from the Vanguard "folk" label. His nephew Lil' Ed, of Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials (Alligator Records), carries the torch today.

Chester Burnett, or Howlin' Wolf, was a blues great. Here's a rare filmed performance. Guitarist Hubert Sumlin adds some spice.

A Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame moment live on British TV. Fleetwood Mac, from their Time Of Testosterone. Peter Green singing, playing signature riff of song on his Gibson Les Paul. Floppy-haired turtle-necked Danny Kirwan with wrenching leads. Mick Fleetwood on drums, John McVie, bass. Love it, coz this just don't happen no more.

His real name was Ellis McDaniel and in '56 he sang: "I walked 47 miles of barbed wire; I use a cobra snake for a neck tie; I got a brand new house on the roadside made from rattlesnake hide; now come on take a little walk with me Arlene; tell me who do you love?"

Deep Latin soul of 60s vintage from percussionist and vocalist Willie Bobo.

Latin bandleader and pianist Joe Cuba gets kinda frenetic. Try not to bop to this.

El Timbalero! Modern-day salsa standard-bearer. Never misses.

You were just waiting for some Icelandic lounge jazz, right? Bjork, live on Rekjavik TV in '90.

Brother Jack McDuff on the Hammond B-3, breezin' in from Pittsburgh with some greeezy rare groove.

More rare groove - a blues-jazz kind of instrumental thing - from a fine Seattle band on a SF label, '93.

Toots & The Maytals, Bootsy Collins and The Roots, updating an old classic.

Fat Boy Slim w Lindy Layton. Just listen to this woman sing. And to the quavery trombone at end.

"Ain't nothin worse than some fool lying on a 3rd World beach wearing spandex psychedelic trousers, smokin' damn dope, pretendin' he gettin' consciousness expansion. I want consciousness expansion, I go to my local tabernacle and I SING, with the brothers and sisters."

The King of Okinawan pop-folk-rock, with Ry Cooder.

Boston's Remains were legendary one-hit wonders. "Don't Look Back" was featured on the noted "Nuggets" compilation of 60s punk rock and psychedelic oddities assembled by Patti Smith Group guitarist and rock historian Lenny Kaye.

Very groovy yet bone-crunching psychedelic hard rock tune from a San Antonio group, here enjoying their 15 minutes of fame. I remember this from AM radio in Chicago, back in the day, on "Ron Britain's Subterranean Circus," WCFL-AM.

The peerless country rock of the Flying Burrito Brothers with Gram Parsons; this song is also known as "Devil in Disguise."

A mello outro. The classic Charles Mingus tune, re-interpreted by one of my generation's great guitarists, here unplugged and fully Guru'd.

Looking west across Puget Sound from West Seattle, onto the Olympic Peninsula, at The Brothers. I snapped this shot a few weeks ago, taking an eight-mile walk north along Beach Drive and then back home to my neighborhood of Gatewood Hill. Why is it I never get tired of the Olympic and Puget Sound views? Must have something to do with the constantly shifting textures, shapes and colors. What a place to live!

Matt's earned media record dates back to the late 1980s when he helped engineer and shape high-profile media coverage for his then-employer - a coalition of suburban mayors concerned about O'Hare Airport expansion plans - on CNN, NPR, Chicago radio and TV, and in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, myriad community newspapers, and other outlets. Over the course of a long career in strategic communications, journalism and policy advocacy, Matt has not only worked at center stage, but more often behind the scenes with media for a wide range of clients and employers. More in Matt's in-depth bio.

This compendium includes some representative samples of: 1) placements he has helped to achieve through ongoing outreach and relationship-building with media; 2) - op-eds he co-wrote without a byline. The period covered is mainly from 2/07 to 12/09, during Matt's tenure with the Seattle-based West Coast transportation think tank, Cascadia Center For Regional Development, where he has served as a Senior Fellow doing writing, research, blogging and social media, media relations and providing strategic communications counsel.

Other portfolios: Matt's own published writing on a range of topics; additional speciality writing on transportation; and direct news coverage of Matt's work.

Matt can provide hard copy documentation of other earned media over the last 20 years. He can also provide details of exactly how he helped facilitate each of the following placements.

"From Scranton To Seattle: A Contrast In Modern New Media Environments," Sustaining Democracy In A Digital Age, blog of New America Foundation, 5/18/10 (includes coverage of Public Data Ferret project founded by Matt)

"Bruce Agnew In Radio News Segment On Eastside Rail And Trail," KOMO-AM 1000, Seattle, 11/09

"Fast Train In The Fast Lane," KPLU-FM 89.3, Seattle, 10/09

"Cascadia's Bruce Agnew Discusses Electric Vehicles On Display At 'Beyond Oil'," KOMO-AM 1000, Seattle, 10/09

Coverage Of 'Beyond Oil' 2009, KIRO7-TV, Seattle, 10/09

"Electric Car Pulls In For Quick Charge At Microsoft," KING-5 TV, Seattle 10/09

"Seattle Expected To Be Key Market For Electric Cars," Seattle Times, 10/09

"Bruce Agnew In News Segment On Bremerton-Seattle Foot Ferry Trial," KOMO-AM 1000, Seattle, 7/09

"Light Rail Rolls And Commuter Rail Percolates," Lance Dickie, Seattle Times op-ed column, 6/09

Portland, Oregon TV Coverage Of Cascadia Rail Congress (KOIN, KATU, KGW), 5/09

"Portland, Vancouver, B.C. Mayors Pledge To Push For High-Speed Rail," The Oregonian, 5/09

"Regional Leaders Discuss High-Speed Rail," Daily Journal Of Commerce, Portland, Oregon, 5/09

"High-Speed Rail Dreams Depend On Dedicated Tracks," Seattle PI.com, 5/09

Federal Rail Administration's Karen Rae and WA State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen - "Federal Funds May Enable High Speed Rail In Pacific Northwest," KOMO-AM 1000, Seattle, 5/09

"Vancouver B.C. Mayor Gregor Robertson & Federal Rail Administration's Karen Rae Promote Cross-Border Passenger Rail," KOMO-AM 1000, Seattle, 5/09

"High-Speed Rail Supporters Meet In Portland," Oregon Public Broadcasting, 5/09

"Stimulus Funds Wanted For Improved Rail Lines," Seattle Times, 5/09

"State Hopes For $880 Million For Rail," Centralia Chronicle, 5/09

"High-Speed Rail Could Run From Oregon To B.C.," Everett Herald, 5/09

"Cascadia's Bruce Agnew On NW Inter-City & High Speed Rail," Dave Ross Show, KIRO-FM Seattle 97.3, 5/09

"Seattle Tunnel Would Be The World's Widest," Seattle Daily Journal Of Commerce," 4/09

"Yakima Valley Fruit Growers Support Deep-Bore Tunnel On SR 99," KOMO-AM 1000, Seattle, 4/09

"SR 99 Deep-Bored Tunnel Costs," Cascadia's Bruce Agnew On Dave Ross Show," KIRO-FM 97.3, Seattle, 4/09

"Cascadia's Bruce Agnew On Upsides Of Tunnel Decision," KOMO-AM 1000, Seattle, 4/09

"Bored Tunnel Technology Helps Option Advance," KUOW-FM, Seattle, 1/09

"Cascadia's Bruce Agnew Discusses Deep Bore Tunnel To Replace Alaskan Way Viaduct, On Dori Monson Show" w guest host Frank Shiers, KIRO-AM 710, Seattle, 12/08

"Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement, AM Radio Coverage," KOMO-AM 1000, Seattle, 12/08

2008 'Beyond Oil' Conference Media Coverage, Compendium, 9/08

"Are Privately-Operated Highways In Your Future?" KPLU-FM, Seattle, 6/08

"Ever-Rising Expense Of Driving About to Take A Toll On All Of Us," Joel Connelly, Seattle P-I, 6/08

"Cascadia's Bruce Agnew & Microsoft's Mark Aggar - Tolling, Traffic Technology & Public-Private Partnerships," Dave Ross Show, KIRO-AM, Seattle, 6/08

"The Big Story At Six: Regional Tolling Comes To Puget Sound," KIRO-AM 710, Seattle, 6/08

"Linking Speedier Ferries To A Cleaner Sound," Kitsap Sun, 5/08

"Conference Lifts Chamber Manager On Passenger Ferry," Peninsula Daily News, 5/08

"Foot Ferry Of The Future," KOMO4-TV, Seattle, 5/08

"What Austin Can Teach Seattle About Civic Planning," Puget Sound Business Journal, 4/08

"Drivers Ready To Pay Saturday When Highway 167 'HOT Lanes' Open," Seattle Times, 4/08

"A Lot to Gain From Passenger-Only Ferry Service," San Juan Journal, 4/08

"Railway Corridor From Snohomish to Renton To Keep Tracks," Seattle Times, 4/08

"Make Eastside A Proving Ground For Innovative Transportation Ideas," Seattle Times 3/08

"Imagine A Network Of Foot Ferries: Our Century's 'Forward Thrust' For Puget Sound," Seattle P-I, 2/08

"State Ferries: A Future Focus," Seattle P-I, 2/08

"Dave Ross Interviews Bruce Agnew On Eastside Rail," KIRO-AM 710, Seattle, 1/08

"Eastside Rail Forum Sketches Ideas For Commuter Line," Seattle Times, 1/08

"Watch For Plug-In Cars In Tacoma," Tacoma News Tribune, 12/07

"Tunnel Idea Emerges," Puget Sound Business Journal, 12/07

"Tunnel Returns to Debate Over Viaduct Options," Seattle Times, 12/07

"Defeat Of Transportation Package Spurs Talk Of Commuter Rail Line Along BNSF Corridor," Woodinville Weekly, 12/07

"Cascadia: Eastside Corrdior Can Support Interurban Rail," KUOW-FM 94.9, Seattle, 11/07

"Report: $37 Million Option for Eastside Train," Seattle Times, 11/07

"Regional Transport: Much Can Be Done Right Now," Puget Sound Business Journal, 11/07

"Preserve Eastside Rail Line for Snohomish Transit Link," Seattle Times, 10/07

"Roads, Fuel, and Funding," Tacoma News Tribune, Sunday op-ed, 10/07

"Less Gas Tax Revenues, More Tolls," Tacoma New Tribune "Inside The Editorial Page" blog, 10/07

"Rails And Trails Could Easily Co-Exist On Eastside," Puget Sound Business Journal, 10/07

"Group Pushing For Expansion Of Passenger-Only Ferries," KPLU-FM Seattle, 7/07

"Foot Ferry Network Urged For Metro Puget Sound," KIRO-AM 710, Seattle, 7/07

"6 p.m. News Coverage Of Water Transit Event," KIRO7-TV, Seattle, 7/07

"Momentum Building For Return Of 'Mosquito Fleet'," KING5 TV/KONG-6 TV, Seattle, 7/07

"Could Plug-In Cars End The Age Of Oil?" Crosscut, 5/07

"Fans Of Plug-In Cars Build Their Power Base," Seattle Times, 5/07

"Visions Of A Northwest Hybrid Car Future Abound," Seattle P-I, 5/07

"Plug-In Cars Are Close: Let's Address The Obstacles," Everett Herald, 5/07

"Green Wheels Spinning For Venture Backers," Puget Sound Business Journal," 5/07

"Beyond The Prius: Plugging In To Green Transportation," Seattle Times, 4/07

This archive includes many of Matt's transportation pieces from Cascadia Prospectus, the blog of Cascadia Center, the Seattle-based think tank where he has worked as a Senior Fellow the last three years. Also included are Matt's transportation pieces in other publications, including Crosscut, The Seattle Times, and The Oregonian. Related: Matt's journalism portfolio (mainly non-transportation topics); Matt's earned media work; in-depth bio; and consulting services.

FUNDING OVERVIEW

"How To Pay For The Roads Still Traveled," Crosscut

"Smart Spending On Transportation Will Benefit U.S. Economy," Cascadia Prospectus

"LaHood, Obama, Congress Face Transportation Challenges," Cascadia Prospectus

"West Coast Mobility Solutions Key, Speakers Say," Cascadia Prospectus

"R-51 A Crucial Down Payment," Seattle Times

TOLLING

"SR 520 Funding Gap Now Pegged At $2.38 Billion," Cascadia Prospectus

"Time To Go 'All-In' On Tolls," Crosscut

"Flexible Tolling: The Key To Solving Our Congestion," Crosscut

"Tolls And Other Traffic Management Ideas Are Coming Back," Crosscut

"WashDOT's Paula Hammond: Tolled Express Lanes Key," Cascadia Prospectus

"U.S. Traffic Congestion Tab Of $87.2 Billion In '07; Record Costs To Seattle Region," Cascadia Prospectus

"Bay Area Looks to Future With Regional HOT Lane System," Cascadia Prospectus

"The Viaduct Decision's Next Step: Tolling," Crosscut

"En Route To A Bay-Area HOT Lane Network," Cascadia Prospectus

"Tolling Wyoming? Howzzat, Podnah?," Cascadia Prospectus

"Include I-205 In I-5 Columbia Crossing Mobility Council Planning," Cascadia Prospectus

Columbia River Crossing: A Bridge To The Future," The Oregonian

"Metro Portland, The I-5 Bridge Tolls For Thee," Cascadia Prospectus

"State Treasurer: Very Difficult To Fund 520 Bridge Without I-90 Tolls," Cascadia Prospectus

'Toll-Booth-Free Tolling On SR 520 And I-90," Crosscut

"HOT Lanes Advance In Houston, On I-10 'Katy Freeway'," Cascadia Prospectus

"Highway Congestion Pricing Advances On The West Coast," Cascadia Prospectus

"Steady Progress On Congestion Pricing, Tolling," Cascadia Prospectus

"Washington Legislature Advances Tolling For Puget Sound," Cascadia Prospectus

"Tolling, Finance Innovation Vital For Infrastructure Growth," Cascadia Prospectus

MILEAGE TAX/WIDE-AREA PRICING

"What Is It About Mileage Taxes Obama Doesn't Understand," Crosscut

"Mileage Tax Gets Boost From Peters, Mineta Institute," Cascadia Prospectus

"LaHood: Mileage Charge, P3s, Expanded Tolling All Possible," Cascadia Prospectus

"West Coast States Ramp Up Joint Transpo Agenda," Cascadia Prospectus

"State Rep. Carlyle: New Era Of Transpo Funding, Strategy, Looms," Cascadia Prospectus

"Vehicle Mileage Tax Push Alive And Well," Cascadia Prospectus

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

"Ready To Try Public Private Partnerships Yet?," Crosscut

"A Hard Road To Travel In Minnesota," Cascadia Prospectus

"No Federal Bailout: States, Regions Confront Transpo Funding Woes," Cascadia Prospectus

"Steve Heminger, Robert Poole: Context Trumps Ideology On Public-Private Partnerships," Cascadia Prospectus

"Chicago's New Parking Deal Accents Tricky Terrain For P3s," Cascadia Prospectus

"Obama's DOT Pick To Face Surface Transportation Crisis," Cascadia Prospectus

"A State Agency Eyes Public-Private Transportation Funding" Crosscut

"Sea-To-Sky Highway Under The Microscope," Cascadia Prospectus

"Sexy, Sexy Infrastructure," Cascadia Prospectus

"Private Capital Eyed For Transit, Roads," Cascadia Prospectus

"Public-Private Partnerships Boost Infrastructure In B.C., Canada," Cascadia Prospectus

"Puget Sound Mobility Requires Public-Private Partnerships," Cascadia Prospectus

GREENING TRANSPORTATION

"Global Car Fleet Growth Requires Electrification," Cascadia Prospectus

"MIT Tech Review: The Wait Will Be Worth It For Plug-in Hybrids," Cascadia Prospectus

"Microsoft's Rob Bernard On 'Zero, Shared and Efficient Miles'," Cascadia Prospectus

"Buzz Keeps Building For Electric Vehicles And Plug-in Hybrids," Cascadia Prospectus

"What's The Goal: Green Vehicles Or Gas-guzzler Subsidies?," Cascadia Prospectus

"Paul Roberts On The Promise Of Plug-in Hybrids," Cascadia Prospectus

"Plug-in Electric Vehicles Get A Charge," Cascadia Prospectus

"Greening The Highway From Baja To B.C.," Cascadia Prospectus

"New Study: PHEVs Could Help Slash Greenhouse Gas Emissions," Cascadia Prospectus

"Wanted" 'Alternative Fuels Highway' - Not 'Hydrogen Highway'," Cascadia Prospectus

Keep Powered Scooters Off City Bike Paths," Seattle Times

TELEWORK, & TECHNOLOGY

"More Telework Means Major Savings, Increased Productivity," Cascadia Prospectus

"Telework: An Employee Retention Tool," Cascadia Prospectus

"Translink Touts iMove Web Site As Congestion-Busting Tool," Cascadia Prospectus

"Slow But Steady 'Telework Revolution' Eyed," Cascadia Prospectus

TRANSIT

"Hurray For Mass Transit, But It's No Silver Bullet," Crosscut

"Time For A Bus-fare Reality Check," Crosscut

"Puget Sound Foot Ferries Migrate To San Francisco," Crosscut

"Expanded Passenger Ferry Service Could Ease Region's Traffic Congestion", Sunday opinion section cover, Seattle Times

"Murray Seals Deal On Fast Foot Ferry Trial For Bremerton-Seattle," Cascadia Prospectus

"Beyond 'Roads Versus Transit'," Cascadia Prospectus

"Low-wake Passenger-Only Ferry Plan Advances In Kitsap," Cascadia Prospectus

"Hot Rod Foot Ferry Wows In Seattle Demo," Cascadia Prospectus

"Willamette River Ferry Transit For Portland: Pipe Dream Or Not?," Cascadia Prospectus

"A Turning Point Approaches For Fast Foot Ferries In Puget Sound," Cascadia Prospectus

"Los Angeles County To Expand Bus Rapid Transit," Cascadia Prospectus

"Fewer Bus Routes, More Frequency," Cascadia Prospectus

"Get On Board With Eastside Commuter Rail," Cascadia Prospectus

DEEP-BORE TUNNEL TO REPLACE S.R. 99 ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT IN SEATTLE

"Fruit Growers Urge Deep-Bore Tunnel Option For SR 99," Cascadia Prospectus

"State Senate Bill Intro'd to Replace Viaduct With Deep-Bore Tunnel," Cascadia Prospectus

"Gregoire: Tolling 'Very Likely' For New Deep-Bored Tunnel," Cascadia Prospectus

"Gregoire Advisor: Tunnel 'Probably Most Viable Option' For Replacing Alaskan Way Viaduct," Cascadia Prospectus

"Consensus Grows For Deep-Bore Tunnel Option," Cascadia Prospectus

"Viaduct A Key Through Traffic Route; Tunnel Best Replacement," Cascadia Prospectus

"Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement: Keep Tunnel Option Alive," Cascadia Prospectus

"Pressure Buids To Keep Tunnel Option Alive," Cascadia Prospectus

"Cascadia-Arup Report: Deep-Bore Tunnels @ $200M-$700M Per Mile," Cascadia Prospectus

"A Deep-Bored Tunnel To Replace The Alaskan Way Viaduct," Cascadia Prospectus

"From Wuhan To Barcelona To Pittsburgh, More Deep-Bored Tunnels Are On the Way," Cascadia Prospectus

(Last updated 7/9/10)

Following is some web-posted coverage by newspapers, blogs and radio of Seattle-based policy analyst, writer and communicator Matt Rosenberg. This portfolio reflects only one aspect of Matt's communications work, as a newsmaker, and only the last several years of a long career. Other portfolios are of web-posted newspaper and magazine articles and commentaries authored by Matt, plus speciality writing on transportation, and earned media resulting from Matt's behind-the-scenes work for his employers and clients. More here about Matt, and his consulting services. Reach Matt at oudist (at) comcast (dot) net.

ONLINE NEWS COVERAGE OF MATT'S WORK AND WRITING, '07-'10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Global Energy Use And Carbon Dioxide Emissions - 2005-2035," 7/7/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Beach Water Quality," 6/30/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Washington Hospital Infection Rates," 6/23/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Real-Time Crime Data, & Human Trafficking," 6/16/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: State Disciplinary Actions Against Professionals," 6/9/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Washington State Race Horse Fatalities," 6/2/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Of Cockatiels And Collaboration," 5/26/10

"Make King County Government Better, Without Running For Office, Phinneywood.com, 5/24/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Police Misconduct In Seattle," 5/19/10

"King County Ready For Government 2.0," Seattle PI.com, 5/18/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: 'Transportation 2040,'" 5/12/10

"Transportation System Could Be $64 Billion Short By 2040," Seattle PI.com, 5/11/10

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Consumer Product Recall Database," 5/6/10

"Technology And Civic Engagement," KUOW-FM 94.9 "Weekday," w Steve Scher, Seattle (Public Radio), 4/30/10. (Matt as one of several guests on 45-minute live talk show segment) (audio links on upper right portion of page)

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Smuggling Weapons & Explosives Into Federal Buildings," 4/28/10 (audio and transcript)

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000" Seattle Database For Tracking Building & Land-Use Permitting," 4/21/10 (audio and transcript)

"Public Data Ferret On KOMO 1000: Restaurant Inspections Database," 4/14/10 (audio and transcript)

"Road Tolling May Be A Necessary Evil for Vancouver," Metronews.ca Vancouver, 12/7/09

"New Cascadia Blog Article Highlights Telework Benefits," TMCNet, 10/16/09

"Ask Not For Whom The Road Tolls," Puget Sound Business Journal "Biz Talk," 9/30/09

"Traffic Congestion Down, But Costs To Commuters Still Up," Seattle PI.com, 7/9/09

Matt, Talking Highway Corridor Tolling With Dori Monson, (transcript and mp3) KIRO-FM 97.3 Seattle, 6/3/09

"Road Tolls: More Than Just 520 Bridge," MyNorthwest.com, 6/3/09

"Will More Washington Roads Take Their Toll On Drivers?" Seattle P-I.com, 6/1/09

"Is Cascadia's Train Coming In?" Crosscut, 5/12/09

"Training Pants For The 21st Century Motorist," Grush Hour, 4/3/09

"Ready To Try Public-Private Partnerships Yet?" Kitsap Sun, The Commute, 4/2/09

"Partnerships A Solution For Transportation Funding?" Seattle PI.com, 4/1/09

"Oregon Will Move To Tax Cars By The Mile," Crosscut, 12/30/08

"The Week In Transportation - October 25th Edition," Los Angeles Times, Bottleneck Blog, 10/25/08

"Down The Road," King County Executive Ron Sims' blog, 9/5/08

"The Bus Crunch," Seattle Transit Blog, 8/6/08

"Getting Bold About Bus Fares," Seattlest, 8/6/08

"Ready For Our HOT Lane Test?" Tacoma News Tribune, Inside The Editorial Page, 4/28/08

"Tracks To Remain Open On Trail-Rail Corridor," Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 4/14/08

"Congestion Pricing: What It Isn't," Seattle Times, Bruce Ramsey, Ed Cetera blog, 4/10/08

"What Skills Does It Take To Be A Good Blogger?" Tacoma News Tribune, Online In The South Sound, 11/29/07

"River-Oriented Transit," Orphan Road, 8/1/07

"Issues Of Commuting, Trade, The Focus Of New Blog," Tacoma News Tribune, Online In The South Sound, 5/29/07

"With Race Obsessed," Joanne Jacobs (leading education blog by former San Jose Mercury News opinion columnist), 4/12/07

"What's Wrong With Seattle Schools?" Olympia Business Watch, 4/3/07

ONLINE NEWS COVERAGE OF MATT'S WORK AND WRITING, '01-'06

"There's Still A War On," New York Times, Opinionator blog, 10/6/06

"Web Site Invites Political Dialogue," Seattle Times, 9/11/06

See 10th paragraph, re ACLU Suppression Of Internal Dissent, Slate, 5/24/06

"See 9th paragraph, "Seattle Writer Matt Rosenberg Reviews The Reviewers Who Whistle Through The Glamorization Of Terror," Slate, 3/17/06

"Senseless In Seattle" item, James Taranto, Wall Street Journal's Opinion Journal, 6/16/05

"Bloggers To Boeing: Your Journal Needs Work," Puget Sound Business Journal, 3/18/05

"Urge To Rant Propelling Blogs To Status Of Mainstream Media," Seattle Times, 2/14/05

"First Amendment Thrives In State," Mark Trahant, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 1/9/05

"Where Blogging Is Getting To Be Really Big," Steve Outing, Poynter Online E-Media Tidbits, 12/17/03

"Blogs And Freedom: The Big Story," Jeff Jarvis, Buzz Machine, 12/17/03

"Racial Justice Issues Spur Two-Day Forum," Seattle Times, 1/25/03

"Monuments To Ignorance," Edwin Feulner, Scripps Howard News Service, 8/16/01

"Red Alert" item in Wall Street Journal's Opinion Journal, 7/6/01

Here are some examples of Matt's work in professional journalism, presently limited here to articles and commentaries he has authored for newspapers and magazine, which are also available online. Last updated May 2010.

SOME RECENT PIECES

"Initiative Campaigns: Where's the Truth?" (Crosscut)

"Get Better King County Government By Offering Your Voice" (Robinson Newspapers - West Seattle/Ballard/Highline/Federal Way)

"Openness Can Make Citizens Collaborators With Officials" (Crosscut)

"Time To Go 'All-In' On Tolls," (Crosscut)

"Flexible Tolling: The Key To Solving Our Congestion" (Crosscut)

"Ready To Try Public Private Partnerships Yet?" (Crosscut)

"What Is It About Mileage Taxes Obama Doesn't Understand" (Crosscut)

"How To Pay For The Roads Still Traveled" (Crosscut)

"Time For A Bus-fare Reality Check" (Crosscut)

Columbia River Crossing: A Bridge To The Future," (The Oregonian)

"Hurray For Mass Transit, But It's No Silver Bullet" (Crosscut)

"Putting Politics Ahead Of Kids" (Seattle Times)

"It Isn't Racism That's Oppressing Seattle Public Schools Students, It's Inflexibility" (Crosscut)

"Thugs On Parade" (City Journal)

"Ample Water Potential, But a Leadership Drought: Toward a 21st Century Regional Water Policy for Central Puget Sound" (White Paper, Cascadia Center, Discovery Institute)

"It's Clear: Plan Today For Water Tomorrow," (Sunday op-ed) (Tacoma News Tribune)

"Blue City Conservatives - Meet Seattle's Biggest Closet Cases: The Republicans Next Door" (Seattle Weekly)

"Why Adopt? Couples Share Their Stories" (Parent Map)

SELECTED OP-EDS AND COMMENTARIES

Urban economic development
"Capitalism May Rescue Troubled City Turf" (inner city development) (Seattle Times)

"Jumpin' At The Junction" (West Seattle's boom) (Seattle Times)

"Bremerton Searches For Life And Leadership" (economic development/op-ed) (Seattle Times)

"Bremerton's Grand Plan To Revitalize Its Core" (economic development/op-ed) (Seattle Times)

"Kitsap Kicks It Up: ...Peninsula's 'Downtown' Aims To Pull Itself Out Of The Doldrums" (Sunday opinion section cover) (Seattle Times)

"Muckleshoot Tribe Pumps Up Auburn Economy" (Puget Sound Business Journal)

Social services
"Lending A Hand To Hard-luck Kids" (transitional living and guidance for formerly homeless minority teens) (Seattle Times)

"A Double Shot Of Lukewarm Logic" (proposed Seattle latte tax) (Seattle Times)

Crime, public safety
"Grasping For Answers In The City Of Fear" (Mardi Gras '01 riots in Seattle, policing) (Seattle Times)

"The 'Silent War' Against Black-On-Black Violence" (Seattle Times)

Public education
"Why Some Walk Away From Seattle Public Schools" (Seattle Times)

"Seattle Public Schools An Academic Crapshoot" (Seattle Times)

""Technology Can't Bridge Seattle's Educational Gaps" (Seattle Times)

"Gripes, Hopes And Fears: Seattle Students Sound Off" (Seattle Times)

"School Reform's Missing Piece" (charter schools) (Seattle Times)

"Charter School Foes Are Running Out Of Excuses" (Seattle Times)

"Parents Who Raise Readers Open Door to Success" (Seattle Times)

"Don't Blame the Schools for Enforcing Boundaries" (Seattle Times)

"It Makes Sense To Help Sub-PAR Teachers" (Seattle Times)

Race
"Moving Race Discussion Beyond Cries Of Racism" (Seattle Times)

"Confronting White Guilt" (Seattle Times)

"Community Doesn't Need More Racial Posturing" (Seattle Times)

"The Stereotypes That Feed Seattle's Racial Tensions" (Seattle Times)

Culture, political and otherwise
"Woe To The Moderates On The UW Campus" (Seattle Times)

"Shame On Fremont For Its Tribute To Lenin" (Seattle Times)

"Lessons In Art Of Survival For Bellevue Museum" (cutting-edge "art" falls flat) (Seattle Times)

"Comparing Seattle To The City By The Bray" (Seattle Times)

"The Worm At The Core Of Cuba's 'Little Seattle'" (Seattle Times)

"Altered Consciousness In The City By The Bay" (Seattle Times)

"Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should" (technology run amok) (Seattle Times)

"Shun The Commercialism That Numbs Your Kids" (Seattle Times)

Local, regional, state politics and policy

"R-51 A Crucial Down Payment" (Seattle Times)

"Expanded Passenger Ferry Service Could Ease Region's Traffic Congestion" (Sunday opinion section cover) (Seattle Times)

"Carrying The Torch For Seattle's Lady Liberty" (Seattle Times)

"Keep Powered Scooters Off City Bike Paths" (Seattle Times)

"Uphill Battle In Bremerton" (Seattle Times)

"Sidran's 'Rocky Road' Runs Through The Eastside" (on '01 Seattle mayoral candidate & near-victor Mark Sidran) (Seattle Times)

"Meanwhile, The Auditor Keeps Democracy In Line" (Accountability Agenda Of WA State Auditor Brian Sonntag) (Seattle Times)

"More Money, Support Needed For State Parks" (Seattle Times)

Civic Engagement, Open Government
"Knocking Down Barriers To Civic Engagement," (Seattle Times)

"District Elections: Yes, To Shake Up The Council" (Seattle Times)

"City, County Must Close Lobbyist Disclosure Gap" (Seattle Times)

"Seattle Needs to Take The E-Government Plunge" (Seattle Times)

National & international
"Challenging Perspectives On AIDS and Gay Men" (Seattle Times)

"Gun-Control Advocates Should Change Their Tune" (Seattle Times)

"It's Time To Put An End To The Carnage Of Pit Bulls" (Seattle Times)

"Speaking Of Job Growth...." (Kerry vs. Bush on the economy) (Seattle Times)

*North Korea: Heads Up, Seattle (Seattle Weekly)

"The Bloody Hands Of The Weathermen" (Seattle Times)

"Risk in Iraq is Doing Too Little, Too Late"(Seattle Times)

"Global Democracy Needs Continual Push" (Seattle Times)

"Renton-based Mission Confronts Brutality In Sudan" (Seattle Times)

"Challenges For A Nation Poised Between Two Worlds" (Seattle Times)

Why blogs matter
"The Blogs Of Freedom" (Iraqi bloggers) (Seattle Times)

"Bill Cosby and the Blogosphere" (how blogs "give legs" to an "off limits" story) (National Review Online)

"Blog On!" (the growth of news and commentary blogs in and around Seattle) (Seattle Magazine)

SELECTED NEWS ARTICLES - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, REAL ESTATE

"Bad Blocks" (urban blight) (Puget Sound Business Journal)

"Sometimes It Pays To Be Destructive" (demolition business) (Puget Sound Business Journal)

"No Place To Park" (downtown Seattle's parking shortage) (Puget Sound Business Journal)

"Mechanized Parking May Ease Land Crunch In Future, (Puget Sound Business Journal)

"Public Property Blight Poses Challenge For City" (rundown city properties) (Puget Sound Business Journal)

SELECTED NEWS ARTICLES - BUSINESS

Cashing In:...PGA Championship A Windfall For Economy" (Puget Sound Business Journal)

TECHNOLOGY & INTERNET

Customers Begin To Demand More of Technology" (personal technology, mobile) (Puget Sound Business Journal)

"Get Ready For The Online Explosion" (e-commerce, incl. B2B) (Puget Sound Business Journal)

"Popularity of Internet Won't Peak For Years" (Internet metrics, usage) (Puget Sound Business Journal)

"Venturing A Risk" (venture capital, hi-tech) (Puget Sound Business Journal)

"Investors Look For Strong Management, Product" (venture capital/hi-tech) (Puget Sound Business Journal)

"Research Firms Aim to Reveal The Online Mind" (market research) (Puget Sound Business Journal)

CONSUMER

"Early Investing Helps Avoid College Sticker Shock," (Puget Sound Business Journal)

"Medical Advice Via The Internet Is Good Rx" (Phoenix Business Journal)

FAITH

"A Candle That Burns Brightest At Home" (teaching spirituality to children) (Parent Map)

TRAVEL

"Where The Waters Meet" (Enjoying California's "Mendonoma" Coast) (California CEO)

"Dropping In On B.C.'s Laid Back, Counter-culture Hornby Island" (Seattle Times)

"Dream Getaways" (see "Riding Off Into The Washington Sunset," "Winding Your Way Down The Oregon Coast" and "South Willamette Valley Wine Country") (Seattle Magazine)

"Finding Northwest Spirit On South Sound Tides" (Seattle Times)

MUSIC
(Features, plus concert previews and reviews)

"Love Or Confusion?," (review of Hendrix tribute concert in Seattle) (iFeminists.net)

"Tim McGraw Serves Up Spice Faith Hill Lacks" (TacomaDome concert review) (Seattle Times)

"Bellevue Man Stretches Limits Of Pedal Steel Guitar" (Seattle Times)

"One With The Drum" (Japanese taiko drumming group, Kodo) (Seattle Times)

"She's Free As A Bird - Ndegocello Won't Be Caged Into A Single Style" (Seattle Times)

"Ozomatli's Coming - Get Set to Sweat" (Seattle Times)

"Galactic Orbits Its Funk Around A New Orleans Sound" (Seattle Times)

"The 'Blues Highway' Detours to Winthrop" (Winthrop Rhythm And Blues Festival) (Seattle Times)

"What's A Texas Banjo Picker Doing Playing Rock On Hood Canal?" (Danny Barnes) (Seattle Times)

"Alison Krause Knows Her Way Around A Ballad" (Seattle Times)

"No Surprise To Robert Bradley's Rock 'N Roll Success" (Seattle Times)

"Wolff: An Appeal Beyond The Inner Circle Of Jazz" (Seattle Times)

Additional Matt consulting links

About Matt.
News coverage of Matt's writing and work.
Matt's earned media work.
Speciality writing on transportation.
Consulting Services.

Before delving into local news coverage as a Seattle freelance writer, and later, Seattle Times opinion columnist, Seattle-area news and opinion blogger, and Seattle-based transportation writer, Matt learned the local news business in suburban Chicago, covering three towns for a long-established chain, Lerner Newspapers. He covered the police and business beats, city government, public education, economic development, surface transportation, environmental issues including the O'Hare Airport expansion controversy, plus county, state and national politics of importance to his territory, and also wrote a wide variety of community-based features. In addition to penning local news and feature articles, he wrote police blotter items, opinion columns and editorials.

Matt continued writing, mainly op-eds and policy analyses for daily and community newspapers and trade journals during a 10-year stint working in public policy and strategic communications. In 1998 he resumed work in journalism, producing several hundred articles and opinion columns for a range of publications in the Seattle region, Washington state and nationally.

Following are samples of Matt's local online news and opinion writing and photography, from newspapers and blogs in the Seattle region.

Seattle-area Blogosphere
"Blog On!" (the growth of news and commentary blogs in and around Seattle) Seattle Magazine

Spot News
"Crawling Through The Wreckage" Sound Politics

Transportation, Infrastructure
"Hurray For Mass Transit, But It's No Silver Bullet" Crosscut

"Time For A Bus-fare Reality Check" Crosscut

"Flexible Tolling: The Key To Solving Our Congestion" Crosscut

"Keep Powered Scooters Off City Bike Paths" Seattle Times

Economic Development
"Bremerton's Grand Plan To Revitalize Its Core" Seattle Times

"Bremerton Searches For Life And Leadership" Seattle Times

"Kitsap Kicks It Up: ...Peninsula's 'Downtown' Aims To Pull Itself Out Of The Doldrums" (Sunday opinion section cover) Seattle Times

"Capitalism May Rescue Troubled City Turf" (inner city development) Seattle Times

"Jumpin' At The Junction" (West Seattle's boom) Seattle Times

"Muckleshoot Tribe Pumps Up Auburn Economy" Puget Sound Business Journal

"Bad Blocks" (urban blight) Puget Sound Business Journal

Cashing In:...PGA Championship A Windfall For Economy" Puget Sound Business Journal

Social Services, Non-Profits
"Lending A Hand To Hard-luck Kids" (transitional living and guidance for formerly homeless minority teens) Seattle Times

"Blue City Accountability" Sound Politics

"Renton-based Mission Confronts Brutality In Sudan" Seattle Times

Politics
"Uphill Battle In Bremerton" Seattle Times

"Sidran's 'Rocky Road' Runs Through The Eastside" (on '01 Seattle mayoral candidate & near-victor Mark Sidran) Seattle Times

"Jerry Brown's Oakland: A Work In Progress" Rosenblog

Race
"Moving Race Discussion Beyond Cries Of Racism" Seattle Times

"Confronting White Guilt" Seattle Times

"Community Doesn't Need More Racial Posturing" Seattle Times

"The Stereotypes That Feed Seattle's Racial Tensions" Seattle Times

Law Enforcement, Public Safety
"The 'Silent War' Against Black-On-Black Violence" Seattle Times

"Seattle Needs More Police, Not More Police Oversight" Sound Politics

"Seattle Could Take Lessons From New York, On Crimefighting " Sound Politics

"ICE Initiative Raises Bar For Locals, Feds" Sound Politics

"State Supervision Fails Again: Another Dead Cop" Sound Politics

"Time For A 'Susan Lynn West Law'" Sound Politics

"Car Thief Cop-Killer Had 20 Convictions" Sound Politics

"The Face Of Evil, In A Courtroom" Sound Politics

"Seattle Police Response Comes Under Fire - Again" Sound Politics

"Crime-Plagued Vancouver At Crossroads" Rosenblog

"Is There Any Fixing Vancouver's Gastown?" Rosenblog

"Anomie In Ashland" Rosenblog

"Uptight Gringo to The Rescue In Santa Ana" Rosenblog

Education
"Why Some Walk Away From Seattle Public Schools" Seattle Times

"Seattle Public Schools An Academic Crapshoot" Seattle Times

""Technology Can't Bridge Seattle's Educational Gaps" Seattle Times

"Gripes, Hopes And Fears: Seattle Students Sound Off" Seattle Times

"Break Seattle School District In Four," Sound Politics

"Putting Politics Ahead Of Kids" Seattle Times

"How To Start Fixing Seattle Public Schools" Sound Politics

"Seattle Gets NEA Grant for 'Culturally Relevant' Teacher Training" Sound Politics

"It Makes Sense To Help Sub-PAR Teachers" (Bellevue School District tries to aid at-risk teachers) Seattle Times

Local Flavor

"From Manny's To The Shedd, Via Chicago Sardine Authority" Rosenblog

"Seattle's Best Hot Dogs, At Matt's," Rosenblog

"Malay Satay Hut Rules!" (Casual, outstanding Malaysian restaurant in Seattle's International District) Rosenblog

"Mount Rainier, From Under The Aurora Avenue Bridge" Rosenblog

"Seattle September Sunset" Rosenblog

"In Seattle's Muck And Mire" (Low tide at Alki Beach) Rosenblog

"Touring Like A Local: West Seattle's Lincoln Park" Rosenblog

"I Ain't Got No Big Itch For Greenlake" (Seattle's Greenlake Park, and namesake neighborhood, from the perspective of a local, and a tourist) Rosenblog

"Cruising For Produce On Vashon Island" Rosenblog

"Marrowstone Musings" (Vacationing on Marrowstone Island, in Puget Sound) Rosenblog

"Washington State Ferries: The Good Wait" Rosenblog

"Northeast Tacoma's Hidden Gem: Dash Point Park" Rosenblog

"Finding Northwest Spirit On South Sound Tides" Seattle Times

"Family-Friendly Hike To Barclay Lake" (An excellent day-hike within driving distance of Seattle) Rosenblog

"Touring Like A Local: The Magic Of Mountain Loop Highway" Rosenblog

"Index, Washington Needs A Shot In The Arm" Rosenblog

"Middle Fork On My Mind" (A hike along the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River - and a trip back in time. Blame it on Ray Charles) Rosenblog

"God Bless America, And Western Washington" (A July 4 weekend photo essay of a Hood Canal circle tour) Sound Politics

"Whoppin' Good Eats In Southwest Washington State," Rosenblog

"Dropping In On B.C.'s Laid Back, Counter-culture Hornby Island" Seattle Times

"The Best And Worst Of Vancouver" Rosenblog

"Best And Worst Of Vancouver: Part Two" Rosenblog

"Lessons In Art Of Survival For Bellevue Museum" (cutting-edge "art" falls flat) Seattle Times

Carrying The Torch For Seattle's Lady Liberty" Seattle Times

"Something Smells About The Chinese Corpses On Display In Seattle" Rosenblog

"Shame On Fremont For Its Tribute To Lenin" Seattle Times

"Love Or Confusion?" (review of Hendrix tribute concert in Seattle) iFeminists.net

"What Makes Salsa Salsa?" (Layla Angulo concert at Triple Door), Rosenblog

"Tim McGraw Serves Up Spice Faith Hill Lacks" (TacomaDome concert review) Seattle Times

"What's A Texas Banjo Picker Doing Playing Rock On Hood Canal?" (Danny Barnes) Seattle Times

"Bellevue Man Stretches Limits Of Pedal Steel Guitar" Seattle Times

"Chicago, Chicago" (Promontory Point, Hyde Park, the Nile Restaurant, the Gold Coast) Rosenblog

"Rosenblog's Chicago Restaurant Guide, Vol. 2" (El Nuevo Leon, Gene & Georgetti's, The Mirabel, more) Rosenblog

"Notes From Chicago" (Art Institute, Wrigely Field, Lincoln Park, The Mexican neighborhood of Little Village; Los Candiles restaurant) Rosenblog

"Savor The Flavor Of Chicago's Puerto Rican Epicenter - Humboldt Park" Rosenblog

"The Sphinxes See All, From Chicago's Willoughby Tower" Rosenblog

"Making The Most Of The Oregon Coast: Newport" Rosenblog

"Salem? Fuggedaboudit!" Rosenblog

"Boring: Not For Long" (Boring, Oregon) Rosenblog

"Where The Waters Meet" (Enjoying California's "Mendonoma" Coast) California CEO

"Hello, Coronado" (on the "disintermediated" tourism ethos; Playa Coronado flava; historic landmark hotel pix) Rosenblog

"San Diego's Point Loma And Ocean Beach" (big high views of S.D.; history; nature; a great hippie 'hood; foodie fun) Rosenblog

"Living Large In Orange County" (recreational sociology + Laguna Beach tidepooling, Dana Point) Rosenblog

"Touring Like A Local." (San Francisco's neighborhoods - not its' stale tourist attractions - are what make for a great visit. Same deal in Seattle) Rosenblog

"A Polebridge State Of Mind" (the less-seen scene in Glacier) Rosenblog

"Montana's St. Ignatius Frescoes, And Mission Falls" Rosenblog

"Mystery Blogger Stalks Grand Rapids" Rosenblog

"Beach Pole-Vaulting In Grand Haven" Rosenblog

RELATED:

Here is Matt's professional bio, as well as speciality blogging and writing on transportation, and earned media resulting from Matt's behind-the-scenes work for his employers and clients. Another portfolio is Matt In The News.

(copyright 2009 Matt Rosenberg)

Who's really that important?

Certainly not you

All photos by Matt Rosenberg, copyright 2008

Waikiki Beach was still dusted with the last night's late March snow when we arrived. That'd be Waikiki Beach in Washington's Cape Disappointment State Park, (left). A loop route takes you back out either way into Ilwaco, Washington. It's a fishing village in the state's far southwest corner, perched at the nexus of the mighty Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean, on the famed Lewis and Clark Trail.

Offshore are harvested Dungeness crab, salmon and halibut, while northeast is Willapa Bay, known for fresh oysters. Big tankers going between the Port of Portland and the ocean traverse this stretch of the Columbia; and the harrowing bones of many lesser ships lie scattered in the deep, roiling waters. Ilwaco is just a few miles south of the city of Long Beach and eponymous peninsula, a worthy if overrun vacation destination favored by some Washingtonians.

After exploring the state park, head to the Port Bistro at the east end of Ilwaco's waterfront promenade and prepare for a heaping slice of foodie nirvana. The intimate space is graced with water views taking in the marina and Cape, plus white tablecloths, hammered brass counters and muted pastels, with sightlines into the kitchen. Your well-behaved kids will be welcome.

A clam chowder far exceeded the serviceable yet goopy norm proffered at so many Northwest establishments. A medium-thin, fresh-made creamy broth was kissed with white wine and garlic, and studded with achingly fresh whole Willapa Bay clams cooked open in their shells, and potatoes, bracketed by thick, savory slices of garlic toast. Another fan of the bistro's chowder is Seattle Times travel writer/blogger Brian Cantwell.

But there's quite a bit more. An exquisite special of fresh Ahi was dusted with cumin, and plated astride a red pepper puree and a smooth, avocado and green chile-spiked creme fraiche. Lissome bites of halibut with chipotle sour cream, fire-roasted tomato salasa and julienned green and red cabbage informed the fish tacos, served with a white rice timbale and black beans. Our daughter's burger was savory and perfectly cooked, as were the accompanying Yukon Gold fries. A homemade truffle, sorbet and biscuit assortment - shared by all for dessert - was revelatory.

It's certain we'll find our way back to Ilwaco to delve further into Cape Disapointment's beaches, trails, Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, lighthouses (right), the town's waterfront shopping district, and the Port Bistro's menu. It features light and inventive salads with market-fresh regional ingredients, local fish and seafood appetizers and entrees, as well as meat and vegetarian dishes.

Some of the choices on the current, spring menu:

Read more on the bistro in this 2007 feature and 2006 review, both in the Daily Astorian.

We happened upon the Port Bistro en route to a week-long stay in Manzanita on the north Oregon Coast, having decided to spend the previous night on the Long Beach Peninsula in Seaview, at the Shelburne Inn bed and breakfast.

On the way back home to Seattle from Manzanita, again traversing the Astoria-Megler Bridge across the Columbia, we set off in the direction opposite Ilwaco, east toward Cathlamet, declining the opportunity shortly thereafter to eat under a mossy-roofed picnic table at the Dismal Nitch rest area, seen (left) with the bridge in the background. The spot, where Lewis and Clark's exploration party sat out a storm for six days in 1803, was later home to a dock for the Astoria ferry until it was demolished upon completion of the bridge in 1966.

Continuing east on State Route 4, we came upon Duffy's Irish Pub, a funky roadside gem. Confronted with signs announcing smoked salmon chowder and red beans and rice, plus Irish stew and homemade pie, resistance was futile.

What food! What atmo. What a back story.

Chef and owner Al Salazar in the 70s and 80s ran one of Portland's premier live music venues, the Pine Street Theater, and for 30 years operated Salazar's restaurant in Zig Zag, near Mount Hood, Oregon.

He later opened Duffy's 1.0 in Portland, but seeking the country life, bought an old and then-badly-neglected road house in tiny Gray's River, Washington, that he remembered as a vibrant joynt from childhood hunting trips with his father. Purchased by Salazar in 1996, Duffy's 2.0 finally opened in 2001 after extensive renovations and a major go-round with the Environmental Protection Agency over rendering the river's edge drainage field sufficiently salmon-sensitive.

It's a homey feel outside, what with the antique ornamental outhouse perched above the town's namesake river (below, right).

Inside are vintage lamps, wood everywhere, a pool table, Christmas lights, and on the cluttered small live music stage, Pine Street Theater rock concert posters covering ceiling and walls. They're hyping shows of yore by West Coast-based acts such as Camper Van Beethoven, Los Lobos, The Wipers and Fetchin' Bones.

Kids are allowed in the dining room, while it's adults-only in the bar, where Guinness and a host of other fine beers and Northwest wines are served. There's a back deck for use in warmer weather, looking directly onto Gray's River.

Our lunch was relished by all four in our group; two parents and our often-finicky-eater kids.

An impressive if meal-sized opener was - as at Port Bistro - a made-to-order, light-touch chowder, this one liberally studded with moist, superbly-flavored morsels of smoked salmon. Perfectly moist, freshly-baked cornbread redolent of melted butter came on the side. Also starring in the Sunday repast were red beans and rice with grilled sausage, a Reuben with mustardy, eggy homemade potato salad on the side, a half dozen breaded pan-fried Willapa Bay oysters, and finally, homemade apple pie topped with vanilla ice cream. Other choices include the afore-mentioned Irish Stew, catfish, grilled T-bone steaks, burgers, and daily specials.

Service was warm, informative, attentive and prompt. A steady stream of lunch customers kept the kitchen busy.

Everything was fresh and made to order. It's hard to recall a more satisfying yet relaxed meal out.

Places like Duffy's are exactly why you want to get off the Interstate highways and meander a while. Especially in the Pacific Northwest, where there's no better way to go local than trawling through the great landscapes and the great, off-the-beaten-path eats.

Port Bistro, in Ilwaco Harbour Village, 235 Howerton Way, Ilwaco, WA; 360-642-8447.
Duffy's Irish Pub, 3779 State Route 4 West, Gray's River, WA; 360-465-2898.

TECHNORATI TAGS: ILWACO, WASHINGTON, GRAY'S RIVER, PORT BISTRO, DUFFY'S IRISH PUB, CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT STATE PARK, LEWIS AND CLARK, COLUMBIA RIVER