So a month has gone by, and no doubt you're all finished with the books suggested in the paper's last literary report.O.K., maybe not, but here are a few more titles that Magnolians have been picking up lately. Just in case. Karen Fisher's A Sudden Country was July's most popular book at Magnolia's Bookstore through July 13. The novel details a Hudson's Bay Company trader whose life falls apart when his wife deserts him and his children die. He eventually meets another woman with whom he develops a deep connection.The Last Days of Dogtown, by Anita Diamant, comes in at No. 2 on the store's bestseller list. "Dogtown" is inhabited by the very lowest of society-widows, whores,"witches", etc. Diamant follows a few select characters, in particular Judy Rhines, a girl who somehow creates a life for herself despite her surroundings. David McCullough's popular historical novel, 1776, still makes it onto the list at No. 3. He is accompanied by Rory Stewart and his very interesting book-The Places in Between. In January 2002, the Scotsman set out and walked across Afghanistan, surviving with his wits and knowledge of the language and culture. The book chronicles his overnight stays with villagers, encounters with various people in the country (teenage soldiers, tribal elders, etc.) and many other adventures.
I am old enough to have personally used a toilet where the tank was suspended on the wall and you pulled on a chain hanging down from the tank to flush it. I'm also old enough to have retrieved water at my grandfather's camp by priming a cast-iron, hand-operated pitcher pump.To illustrate to you just how far we've come in the 21st century, dear reader, I'm going to tell you about the restrooms at the company where I work-restrooms that would give wings to Bill Gates' heart and arrhythmia to my grandmother's. The toilets flush themselves. The soap squirts out on its own. The water flows when you put your hands under it. Wave at the sensor and a dispenser parcels out an appropriate amount of paper towel.It's damned spooky. I've promised myself that I can give notice if they install an automatic wiper.I do think that the sensors on my company's modern restroom marvels need to be re-calibrated, because the automatic toilet flusher is too sensitive, and the water faucet is not sensitive enough.Here's what happens. You sit on the stool and do your thing, and then you stand up. The toilet flushes. If you take too long putting yourself back together (primarily a female issue: underwear, panty-hose, slip, chastity belt, pantaloons, adjust, adjust, tug, zip) it flushes again. And if you fumble at the act of getting out the door, it flushes yet again!Three flushes for one visit! This is not good! It's a waste, so to speak, and I'm personally beginning to suffer from performance anxiety.
The Magnolia Neighborhood Planning Council is opposed to the proposed zoning overlay at Interbay, as proposed by the Interbay Neighborhood Association and the particular proponents of play. Our objection is not to development of the Dravus Street corridor in general; rather, it is the kind and quality of the development that we are opposed to. In regards to the kind of development, we have two objections. One, we object to the proposed density, which presumes that upwards of 1,300 people can be housed in this small area; and two, we object to the visual intrusion that the proposed 125-foot building heights will impose on the area. The potential visual impact the proposed height limit represents will allow buildings that will be out of scale with the immediate Interbay location as well as the surrounding areas. These height limits will destroy the aesthetics of the landscape and disrupt the balance between the hills on both sides as well as the valley between them.Not only is the height proposed out of scale with the immediate area; it is out of scale with the multi-unit development currently taking place across the city. Typically, developments around the city similar to this type of setting are at most six stories, with four stories being the most common.The second element we would like people to consider regarding the kind of development proposed: think of the implications of expanding the Interbay area to accommodate 1,300 residents-not to mention the additional business, retail and service establishments likely created to support those residents.
The following is an abridgement of a letter sent June 29 to Mayor Greg Nickels by Vic Barry, president of the Magnolia Community Club.The Magnolia Community Club (MCC) generally supports the application of the Interbay Neighborhood Association (INA) to create a special Overlay District near 16th Avenue West and West Dravus Street in Magnolia's Interbay neighborhood.This area is a true "urban node" on the vital transportation corridor of 15th Avenue N.W., with direct bus routes (and possible BRT route via the Transit Now initiative) to Seattle Center, downtown and Ballard.One of only three entryways into Magnolia, this area is also the only direct connection point between Magnolia and Queen Anne. It is a gateway spot that is an ideal location for workforce housing, light industry and manufacturing, as well as small businesses.There appear to be two main points being discussed regarding the INA's application: 1) a change in the area's zoning designation; and 2) an increase in the building height limits.Changing the zoning is clearly the correct move.
My wife and I quietly celebrated with a high five, a hug and a kiss. We'd paid off our 30-year mortgage two years early, and we smiled contentedly.We also recognized that our hodge-podge of fences surrounding our lot needed replacement. Over past decades previous owners had installed six different models, which made our home look like a Nevada dude ranch gone wild.Seeing as we now owned our property, a decision was made to have the lot properly surveyed-I wanted not only to know accurately what I own but to make certain I place the new fence on a surveyed line.I had no idea what the cost might be for a professional survey. Calls made to several companies listed in the Yellow Pages soon educated me-it costs a lot! But what the heck, it had to be done, or else I'd be guessing where the real property boundaries are located. It just made good common sense.After analyzing several proposals, a company was hired and the lot surveyed. I enjoyed watching the two-man team work their tripods, lasers and reflectors. The four corners of my lot were located and permanent markers staked into the earth.As I suspected, the old fences were not quite on the line. However, my vinyl, maintenance-free fence will be placed with care on the newly validated borders. But I also learned that the boundaries for the front and back yard of my home on 35th Avenue West are offset from what everyone on the block has been using as their property line, which implies that every home on my street is in potential jeopardy from the city.
Yet again, it is suggested that Discovery Park is an ideal site for an off-leash area for dogs. Discovery Park has often been targeted as the easy solution and the ideal location for special activities because of its large open space.Since the park's creation there have been more than 100 proposals for "just a piece" of Discovery Park, and if just a few of those proposals had become reality the park would be so fragmented that it would not resemble the magnificent open space that it is today-or worse yet, our city would not have a Discovery Park at all.Finding a site for a neighborhood off-leash area is a difficult task indeed; not everyone will agree on the final location, and compromises must certainly be made. Discovery Park, however, must never be our compromise location for special activities.
Memorial benches private citizens pay to have installed are a common sight in Magnolia, and it's not that big a deal for most people. But a group of nearby residents is up in arms and talking about hiring a lawyer over plans to reinstall three memorial benches on park property in the middle of a busy intersection at the western end of West McGraw Street.The benches were originally installed in June on what looks like a large traffic median, but they were removed after just a couple of weeks because the three benches were misaligned, said Dewey Potter, a spokeswoman for Seattle Parks and Recreation.The Seattle Parks Foundation, which was responsible for the project, made a mistake on the design, she explained. But the benches will be back soon, and the Parks Department in all likelihood will have to eat the cost of reinstalling them, Potter said.
Interlopers from California loped unshod on the Hill last Saturday. From left: Apoorva Mallya, Barefoot Jon (sic), Billy Gard, Barefoot Margaret Everitt and Barefoot Todd Byers.
In the food realm, they are the good guys, protecting the body against dreaded free radicals and giving cancer cells the boot.These "super foods," as they are known, are powerful allies for any body, particularly one that's fighting cancer, because they boost strength and immunity and help rid the body of toxins. Or so say three naturopathic physicians at Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center.Mark Gignac, Heidi Lucas and Paul Reilly work side-by-side with oncologists at the Capitol Hill clinic, the only cancer center in the Northwest to integrate medical oncology and complementary cancer therapies under one roof.Here are their super heroes:Vegetables
I belong to a support group called Changes Parent Support Network, for parents of at-risk youth. Though I am not the support-group type, this one works for me. I attend Changes every week because of the actions of our younger daughter. In the spring of 2002, when she was almost 13, she morphed from a delightful child into someone unrecognizable. She became hateful and ran away, frightening my husband and me to the core. When she came home, things got worse. Weekly counseling was pitifully insufficient. We had to do something more drastic; we had to intervene.We sent her first to a wilderness camp in Idaho for a month, then directly to a therapeutic boarding school in Oregon for 18 months. Having her away for that long was a wrenching experience, but at the time we felt it was worth it. She worked hard for someone her age on many difficult issues. Her graduation was one of the most emotional experiences of our lives.After she came home she did well for several months. Teachers told us she worked hard in school and was a delight to have in class. Then she suddenly spiraled downward again. Soon we were going to her school almost daily in response to the latest report of abhorrent behavior. Finally, she ran away again, and was gone all summer.Thus began a long, depressing, sorrowful pattern of her running away for months (when we'd worry about her), and briefly appearing at home (when she was verbally abusive and untrustworthy). She was older - 15 - and the risks were greater.
I met recently with Mike Storie, producer and guiding light of the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society, for an interview in the Society's rehearsal hall on Dexter Avenue North. This warehouse location also serves as costume shop, administrative offices, storage facility and scene shop where scenic designer Nathan Rodda, abetted by a dedicated team of carpenters, painters, engineers and technicians, creates and builds the fabulous sets. For four months of the year, the warehouse is a hive of creative activity involving costumers, stitchers, cutters and designers. The facility is also shared with at least 20 other local community and high school theater production companies.Storie, a modest man and a knowledgeable G&S; buff, has been associated with the Society since 1968. This is his 10th year as producer, starting with "Iolanthe" in 1997. From 1987 to 1997, he was the editor of Paragraphs, the Society newsletter; he has also served as treasurer, trustee and vice president and president of the board. Storie, who was instrumental in taking the company to the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Buxton, England, in 1996 and 1999, is also very proud of the production of "Pineapple Poll" and "HMS Pinafore" for the Society's 50th anniversary celebration.Currently the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society is celebrating its 52nd season with a production of one of the most popular and silliest of G&S; collaborations, "The Pirates of Penzance." The group last produced "Pirates" in 1998. Storie, director Christine Goff and music director Bernard Kwiram have brought together a very talented cast including some of the Society's favorites from past productions as well as several outstanding newcomers.
Saturday, July 15 dawned with harmless clouds that, by mid-morning, yielded to blue sky and mild temperatures - right weather for a footrace and parade.This year's Crown of Queen Anne Fun Run/Walk, which benefits the Queen Anne Helpline, featured nearly 250 participants and raised more than $5,000.Those who have grown accustomed to the colorful cast of runners and walkers were not disappointed.There were barefoot runners from California, families running or walking together, personages sporting funny hats, kids and seniors, strollers and leashed dogs and some highly focused runner types....Walkers set out at 8 a.m.. from Fifth Avenue West and West Halladay. Runners took off 20 minutes later with Seattle Police Department motorcycle cops leading the way. More than 40 community volunteers monitored the intersections along the 3.3-mile course, which ended at Coe Elementary School.After the race an awards ceremony and random drawing for prizes among race participants took place on the lawn of Queen Anne Lutheran Church hosted by former Queen Anne News editor Jack Arends. Numerous yard sales sprang nearby up for the occasion.
'Oldest to finish' was awarded to David Danbom, 71.
With an emphasis on peace and unity, the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation (UIATF) is throwing open its doors to what CEO Phil Lane calls "the whole human family" to kick off its 21st annual Seafair Indian Days Powwow on Friday, July 21, at Daybreak Star Cultural Center in Discovery Park.According to Lane, the free admission being offered on the first night of the powwow is a gesture of goodwill and coming together to the community at large. "On Friday evening we're going to take special time to invite all members of the human family to learn how to dance and to share the different sacred protocols of the powwow so everybody can understand the whole process."Seafair Indian Days, which runs Friday through Sunday, July 23, will include such events as dancing and drumming contests featuring more than 500 dancers and 25 drum groups, arts and crafts instruction, a princess contest, food booths and a salmon bake ($10). Harold Belmont of the Suquamish/Songhees will serve as master of ceremonies, and Claudia Kauffman (Nez Perce) and Joseph Mellon Jr. (Colville/Coeur D'Alene) will be the head woman and man dancers, respectively.Other special events will include a ceremony honoring veterans; the Bernie Whitebear men's traditional special; Victoria Black Horse teen girl's Jingle Dress Special; Mellon's Veteran's special; Bert Peters Golden Age Men's special; a Tiny Tots special; and a Golden Age women's special sponsored by the UIATF powwow committee.
All it takes is a stroll through a mainstream convenience-store toy aisle to realize what seed is being planted in the minds of our children: that warfare is commonplace, fun, an acceptable way to play on. Presumably, the toy aisle I find myself in is the boys' toy aisle. One perk of not having children is the luxury of avoiding such aisles; also why I probably sound pretty naïve to parents familiar with toy arsenals. Yet, the visual assault bowls me over. And the startling I feel is much bigger than my capacity for understanding why toy makers would want to promote plastic Repeater Rifles complete with "reliable rifle sounds" and "eject play bullets." I read over this line and wonder if I'm the only one connecting the dots here, or is there something overly responsive, or too exact about the way my mind interprets the world? Am I caring too much? I know it takes a lifetime for boys to figure out what being a man is all about, but maybe, just maybe, if we didn't jump start them with miniature F-5 Freedom Fighter Jets, they wouldn't have lodged somewhere deep in their brains, like the scent of Sunday pancakes, the myth that fighting is some kind of fun.