July 2016 Vuecrest View Newsletter

As their 2 children, Mark and Megan, grew older, more space was needed

From: David Pitkethly [mailto:dtpit@uw.edu] July 2016 Vuecrest View Newsletter Next Board Meeting There will be a Board Meeting in August. Due to summer vacations, it is currently scheduled on Tuesday, August 16th at 7 pm. More details and the location will be announced in a later email. Board Meeting Hosts Please share your home for a Board Meeting. It is an easy and pleasant opportunity to sit in and see how the board conducts its (and your!) business. It is usually scheduled on the first Thursday of every month, from 7PM to 9PM. And requires nothing more than some chairs and a table. If you would like to volunteer contact Nyla Wang, our secretary, at <mailto:secretary@vuecrest.net> secretary@vuecrest.net. Newsletter Information Our newsletter is distributed by email within the first 10 days of every month. If you know of any neighbors who are not receiving various Vuecrest announcements or the newsletter, please send the email address to Eric Passmore at <mailto:treasurer@vuecrest.net> treasurer@vuecrest.net. A Big Thanks for Volunteers Here’s a BIG thank you to Reina and Kaiya Jones, Hailey Hansen, and Baylie Bingham who helped us deliver those “Be Safe” booklets that were by left your door! They were published by the Bellevue Police Department and are an excellent guide for any emergency situation that might arise. Now every home in Vuecrest should have one. Party Time! Save the date! Our biggest event of the year, the Vuecrest Summer Party, will be held on Sunday, August 28th. So think about this: gorgeous weather, great food, delightful company….and oh yes…little furry animals! More details regarding the Summer Party will be forthcoming in the August Newsletter as well as future emails. (We’ll be calling for volunteers!) A Sad Goodbye On April 21st, longtime Vuecrest resident and former Vuecrest Director, Helen Marjorie Swanson Gibson died peacefully at home of natural causes, one month short of her 99th birthday. DTP TID-BITS!!! Welcome to July!!! Only seven months have 31 days, and this is one of them! The month was named in honor of the birth month of Julius Caesar, shortly after his death in 44 BC. Prior to that time this month had been called “Quintilis”, from the Latin word meaning “five” (for example: Said by passerby to new mom when approaching a mini-sized basketball team in a mega stroller: ”Did you really pop out ALL those babies at once?” “Yes, I had QUINTS …and if you say another word I’ll deck you” she replies calmly). Until that time the yearly calendar had been based on a 10 month cycle, of which July was the fifth month. The new calendar, instituted by Julius Caesar, and thereafter called the Julian calendar (no small ego-trip, do you think?), corrected certain astronomical errors and lengthened the year to 12 months …apparently Jules needed the extra time to get a few things done around the Empire. So here’s to July and in J.C’s very own words (known all too well by every 7th grade Latin scholar): “Veni! Vidi! Vici!” ( I came! I saw! I conquered!). May you conquer July with its Atmospherus-Magnificus and it’s Activitus-Abundicus… and don’t forget – it’s the Monthus Bar-b-queus-Burnupus! and, of course, Picnicnus - Creepycrawlerus! In Las Vegas vernacular: “Alea iacta est” – Yes, it is! Hail Caesar (are we talking salads?!) Time to get goin’! Food, glorious food, hot sausage and mustard… while we’re in the mood, cold jelly and custard! Food, glorious food, we’re anxious to try it, 3 banquets a day, our favorite diet. Just picture a great, big steak, fried, roasted or stewed, oh food, wonderful food, marvelous food Glorious food! Food! Foooood! (Oliver! 1960 / Lionel Bart) What is kielbasa?? Pierogi??? If you KNOW, then you’ll want to spend your Saturday, July 9th at the Polish Festival! If you DON’T know…then you’ll want to spend your Saturday, July 9th at the Polish Festival…so you can find out! Here’s a “cattle call” to all you carnivores…it’s time to join this annual “meat-and-greet”! ha ha ha! The Polish Fest is already a tradition in our Seattle area and every year it seems to be more popular than ever! There’s an abundance of food, dancing, crafts and music (and who knows…maybe you’ll even find out how many Poles it takes to screw in a lightbulb-) Get ready for some hand-clapping, knee-slapping fun; and what a fabulous way to learn more about this country, just in case you’re considering a future trip to Eastern Europe. (I can vouch for Krakow – one of the most charming smaller old-world cities I’ve ever visited). And about that kielbasa -let it wake up your palate with its perfect accompaniment – a healthy dab of hotter’n’blazes grainy mustard! Polish Fest is a one-day event. Details at: www.polishfestivalseattle.org <http://www.polishfestivalseattle.org> . ***** So here’s how you need to plan the weekend: Polish Fest on Saturday, that’s to prime your party spirit – and then Redmond Derby Days on Sunday! Imagine this: it all started waaaay back in 1940, (when Redmond had a population of 530!!) as a bike derby and parade with the intent to raise money for holiday decorations and athletic equipment. Over the years it has evolved into a neighborhood festival that celebrates the town’s diversity. What’s going on there??? Well, everything, and it’s right next door! Races, contests, carnival rides, music, food, even fireworks…Derby Days has it all! Go either Saturday or Sunday, July 8 or 9 and why not bring a can of non-perishable food to donate to the local food bank (oh, puhleeze…doesn’t everyone have a can of creamed corn or sardines on the back shelf, just waiting to be re-homed??) It’s free, it’s fun and it will make you feel forever young … until you come home exhausted. Learn more at: www.redmondderbydays.com <http://www.redmondderbydays.com> . ***** Okay, you survived that first July weekend and it only cost you one more notch in the belt when you stopped by the cobbler (“what’s a cobbler, baked fruit with sugar??” asks everyone under 30!). You just know summer-time is food-time, but then so is every other American holiday…except maybe Groundhog Day (unless that falls under “National Road Kill Day”) and we all know that daily sustenance is necessary just to keep ourselves upright and in motion. So, that’s what the Bellevue ChowDown (Town) Food Truck Round-up is for…nothing but basic sustenance (of the wild, primal, irresistible, irrepressible, super-apportioned, rich, thick, and oh-so-darn-good variety that it makes the Neanderthal hunter + Cranial food synapse just POP right out of our mouths!) Fiddlesticks to those carrot-sticks, this event is only two times in the entire summer…so indulge a little. There’s live music, people with all kinds of colored sauces hanging off their grinning faces, and you know…oh, yes you do!...that your G.I. tract screams to be a part of it! This tantalizing gastronomical strip-tease starts at 4:30 on Wednesday, July 13, finishes by 8:30 (or whenever the edibles have been e’ten-) and won’t come back again until August 10. Any calorie concerns will be moot if you walk down Park or Belfair and back… like 283 times). Be at Ashwood Park, by the library and get ready to chomp! ***** I allotted you 2 days to munch on celery sticks and rice cakes, and now here comes the Bite of Seattle…the Food-a-Palooza Giganticus that has tested our ever-weakening power of abstention for 35 years!! It’s July 15-17 at The Seattle Center and you might as well bring your own napkin; it’s for sure you’ll get that long ugly drool hanging from the corner of your mouth way before you even get in line. On premise will be more than 60 vendors offering their “piece de resistance” (which is everything!) as well as 30 food product vendors. Celebrity chefs will cook (“perform” might be a better word) and share their culinary secrets (butter/wine/cream/salt) for making “ordinaire” into “extraordinaire”. And don’t forget about the craft beer and cider tasting, 5 outdoor music stages, and remember that Friday is Free Bite Movie Night. When the cute gal at the food stand asks you what you want, just eke out these 2 words: “FOOD!” and “NOW!” She’s sure to understand. Admission is free. www.biteofseattle.com <http://www.biteofseattle.com> . ***** There is one last food event worth mentioning, but this is more about “fixing” and less about “eating”…finally…my tum-tum says “ENUF!”! Williams-Sonoma is offering free classes on Sundays at their Bellevue store at the mall, from 10-11AM. On the 10th is “Knife Skills” (no, not fencing, but paring vs. ceramic vs. serrated vs. sharp vs. Mack (hahaha Bobby Darrin/ 1959); the July 17th class features grilling, the 24th is all about smoothies and the 31st teaches the culinary artistry of that traditional Spanish seafood dish Paella! This last class does have a $30 charge but cost includes a paella pan to take home. Enough with the food! You need to keep that bikini/thong body for at least another month, so here are some ideas where you can Go! Do! Be! Instead of Eat! Chew! Swallow! Ever been to Peace Park? It’s a small pocket of tucked-away greenness near Roosevelt Way NE and NE 40th St. in the University district. If you have been there, then I’m certain you have seen the small statue of “Sadako Sasaki and a Thousand Cranes”. Sadako was a Japanese girl who was exposed to radiation during the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. At the age of 12, she developed leukemia and after enduring long hospital stays, she was inspired by the Japanese legend, that anyone who folds 1,000 cranes will have a wish granted. She folded 1400 but sadly, died on Oct. 25, 1955, eight months after she fell ill. The statue depicts Sadako holding an origami peace crane and most days is festooned with garlands of paper cranes, in memory of her passing. The statue is also a tribute to its original owner, the late Floyd Schmoe, who had it installed there in 1990. Floyd was born in a Quaker family in 1895 in Nebraska and fell in love with the NW when he was a UW student, where he studied forest ecology. A true naturalist from his early years, he wrote books about his life as a Ranger at Mt. Rainier, his years in Paradise (the actual name of one of his books) and his exploration of the San Juan Islands. Before his death at the age of 105, he was frequently seen with a small bag of garden tools, tending to the grounds near his beloved statue. (His books are avbl. at the Bellevue Library and are terrific reads). In the 1970’s, this kind and gentle man was a friend and neighbor to my husband, David. So, how does all this relate, you may be asking? Calling all Origamists and Paper-Folders (That’s ME! I fold cranes, hearts and boxes!) The Tanabata Festival, with origami and wish-writing will be held on July 9, 10AM to 7PM at the Seattle Japanese Garden, 1075 Lake Washington Blvd. Entry is $4- $6. This festival celebrates the legend of two separated lovers, represented by two stars, that only meet once a year in July. (Oh my…I need to fold a paper fan - quickly!) Learn to fold or enhance your skills, and delight in new origami creations being folded to adorn the bamboo entry gates. See you there! ***** Tuesday, July 19, Patti LaBelle will be in concert at Benaroya Hall. Known to be a dear friend of Oprah, her original claim to fame is her wondrous voice with its 3 octave range. She is a Grammy Award winner and an unparalleled performer. Listen to her belt out well-known rhythm and blues, popular easy listening hits, and of course, her signature trademark – those deep and soulful gospel tunes. She’s a classy lady with a first-class act. Her show is one-night only, starting at 8PM. ***** And speaking of a classy lady…here’s a classy young lady, very young, and certainly too young to have suffered such unimaginable hardships. You will probably recall her story. Malala Yousafzai, a 15 year old Pakistani student was by the Taliban while she was riding the bus to her local school on October 9, 2012. Since the age of 10, she had been blogging for the BBC about the dire life under such an unimaginably oppressive regime that denies girls the right to an education. This made her well-known to the Taliban. When the shooter commandeered his way onto the bus, and asked for her by name, she proudly stood up and replied “I am Malala”. He put his weapon to her head and fired 3 times. For days she remained unconscious until her condition improved enough for her to be sent to England for further treatment and intensive rehabilitation. She has often been called the “most famous teenager in the world” and has won numerous honors and prizes. In 2014 she became the youngest-ever Nobel Prize Laureate. Listen to her amazing story as she passionately recounts how her life was shattered, and hear her inspiring message for the future of all young women everywhere. Her presentation will be 1½ hours, without intermission, and the last part will be a Q&A forum. Proceeds will be donated to her own charity supporting education of young girls in countries at risk. “I am Malala”; Alaska Airlines Arena, Hec Edmundson Pavilion, Seattle. Sunday, July 24. 7:30pm. Tickets avbl. at 1-844-827-8118 or www.uniquelives.com <http://www.uniquelives.com> . ****** Calling all Book-worms! This is for YOU! Our wonderful Bellevue Library has quite a brain-bingeing program this summer! And how much more perfect can a day be than to walk down Park Lane, and stretch your own little leggies on a gorgeous summer day. Thursdays, July 14, 21 and 28 from 1:30-3PM will be a book fair, where you can trade in your “already read’s” for several “Nu-2-U’s”. All books are welcome, for all age groups, the idea is to “circulate” (I remember my mother reminding me of that before my first school dance: “Circulate! Circulate!”). ***** Our Bellevue library is also hosting a Chinese Book Discussion Group on Saturday, July 16 from 10:30- 12:30. (don’t know what the book is, even if I did, my keyboard can’t type those exotic Kanji doodles, but you can call for more info). ***** Then on the 17th, head to the library for a free “Sensational Summer Smoothie Workshop”. I know, it’s so “California”, but get hip, and get healthy! These fabulous and delectable cold drinks are made with fresh seasonal fruit and can be tailored to all palates: sweet, bitter, sour, happy (no, that’s not a flavor???Should be!) So, Come! Mix! Drink! 4PM-5:30 and be a “Smooth(ie) Operator” (Sade/1984). ***** How about a “Reading Party in the Park”? Sounds pretty cool! Just bring a blanket or lawn chair, and dig into that “must read” book that you’ve had on your nightstand since spring, as you listen to the low-tempo or classical music provided by the DJ! Good time to see what others are reading and share opinions! Meet at the front lawn of the library on Sunday, July 24, noon to 2PM. (…can’t help it! I feel a song coming on… “Groovin’ on a Sunday afternoon, really couldn’t get away too soon…can’t imagine anything that’s better, the world is ours whenever we’re together…” Little Rascals/ 1967) ***** The last offering from our wonderful library is “Tai-Chi in the Park”. A well-known form of exercise and spiritual discipline, Tai-Chi focuses on body relaxation, self-centering (but in a good way, not like teen-age “ME! ME! ME!”) and alignment. Master Yijao Hong will conduct the classes which will be held on 4 consecutive Saturdays, starting on July 30, 1PM-2PM in the library’s south courtyard. Step-by-step instruction makes this suitable for newcomers as well as experienced “Tai-Chingers” (or whatever they call themselves). Free! Free! Free Tai-Che! Che! Che!***** Have you been thinking lately what you have in common with Mozart? Well, no, neither had I, but YES! We ALL want to find a cure for cancer and even though it didn’t happen in Mozart’s lifetime (1756- 1791, think “Eine Kleine Nacht Musik”), let us hope it happens in ours! (And though over 118 reasons were suggested as his cause of death, cancer was not one of them; hunch was his brilliance had been silenced by trichinosis, a worm found and ingested in undercooked pork, such cutlets were his fave.) Bach and Beethoven are also show-cased at this charming concert “Mozart for a Cure”, which will be held to benefit Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Chamber violinist Eunice Nahon (Northwest Symphony Orchestra) teams up with other musical friends to present a summer evening of beloved works . It all happens on 7/30 at 7:30…(now, don’t those numbers line up sweetly??!) at the Seattle Town Hall, 1119 8th street, Seattle. Tickets are ONLY 10 BUCKS and avbl. at <http://www.townhallseattle.org> www.townhallseattle.org. or 206-652-4255. ***** Starting July 5th, enjoy the Live at Lunch Concert Series. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 1:30 where various bands with various styles will be playing at various downtown locations. What could be more convenient for us VC’ers than to stroll on down to perhaps, City Center Plaza, the Expedia Building or Bellevue Square Fountain Court (plus other sites!) and let our ears languish. There will be a total of 30 (yes! THIRTY!) free concerts over a 10 week period - What a great way to share the festive feeling, and frolic in the summer life style. Grab your spouse, kids or OOT Bestie-Guesties and get your jive on! Check out the schedule at www.bellevuedowntown.org <http://www.bellevuedowntown.org> . ***** Okay, time to mention that behemothian mega-event of the eastside: The Bellevue Arts and Crafts Fair!!! It made its debut in 1947 when it was held beneath the large madrona tree in front of Carl Pefley’s Crabtree Restaurant. Imagine…almost 30,000 people attended the first fair. That number almost doubled the following year and last year there were over 300,000 visitors (with 25% of the proceeds going to the Bellevue Art Museum). Since then, the Arts and Crafts Fair has become a Bellevue tradition and this month will mark its 70th year of grand-slam looking, shopping, snacking, chatting and just a myriad number of ways of flagrant self-enjoyment. Over 300 artists will be presenting their unique handmade artisan wares, and there is always something for everyone…yes, even you! The fair runs July 29th and 30th (Friday and Saturday) from 9:30AM- 9:30PM and Sunday, the 31st from 9:30- 6PM. Meander on thru, after all, it’s right in our own front yard. No parking? No problem! ***** Don’t forget Seafair! But you know ALL about it! July 30 – Remember that old log-boom?…at least under-agers never got carded out there, I think it was considered to be “international waters”. Torchlight Parade, August 5-7 – Hydroplane Races. ***** Vroom-vroom! Vroom-vroom! Now this is GREAT fun! We been there several times and will be going again… and you don’t need to be a car-buff to enjoy it!!! You MUST plan at least a one-time visit to Redmond Town Center on a Saturday morning, 9AM-11AM, and see the very ultra-cool cars that gather…kind of like Hollywood starlets, all primped up and ready to see and be seen! It happens only in dry weather (too many rag-tops) but it’s a great opportunity to catch a glimpse of your future dream car, or even that old (but spruced-up) jalopy you once had as a teen. This is a free event and a terrific place to take the kids on a Saturday morning. It runs thru the whole summer. Details at www.exoticsat.com <http://www.exoticsat.com> . ***** I’m no car-buff but totally worth watching is the show “Jay Leno’s Garage” on CNBC, now in its 2nd season. If you loved Jay, then you know about his real passion: automobiles, and in this show he explores the old classics, the one-in-a -millions and all the automobile winners and losers. It is fun and entertaining for anyone who owns a vehicle! Catch it on Wednesday nights, 10PM. Do it! OK…that’s it for the comings and goings for the month. There’s certainly TONS more, but I’ll let you do some sleuthing for yourselves; this was just the warmup… Book Reviews: I’ve been pondering which book to choose, but decided that I’d pick my VERY favorite author. With all the amazing authors brilliantly turning out incredible books, it is with great pride that I share my VERY, VERY favorite author with all of you…….Ivan Doig. When he died in 2015, I felt that I had lost a great friend, and, as well, was devastated that I would never get to meet even more of his marvelous characters. A Montana native, Doig spent most of his adult life in the Seattle area; he always was generous with his public time, so many, many of his ever-so-faithful readers had the joy of hearing him read his work in person. With a PhD in history, his books were beautifully set in time, but no formal education could have taught him his keen ear for dialogue and perfect turn of phrase. He wrote very ‘human’ books – in just a few words, his many characters came alive on the page, many of them exceedingly funny, some poignant, all of them folks that you’d love to know, or at least people that you’d love to hate. Most of his novels were set in Montana, but never mistake them for ‘typical’ Westerns! My book clubs have read several of his books, always to great acclaim. Their appeal covers all demographics – really! There isn’t a bad one in the bunch, but two of them strike me as especially good introductions to Doig’s work. Remember the good old reading days, when you’d curl up with a really good book?? Do yourselves a HUGE favor, and read Whistling Season and A Bartender’s Tale! You’ll thank me. Melissa Hambleton Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow Although published in 2004, this bestselling book has had a revival thanks to the popularity of the Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway musical, “Hamilton”. It’s a good thing because this is a beautifully written biography of one America’s most interesting and influential Founding Fathers. Alexander Hamilton was born to an unwed mother in the British West Indies in 1757. He was abandoned by his father, and his mother died when he was 13 years old. For the most part self-educated, his brilliant mind was recognized at an early age, and he was able to complete his formal education at King’s College (now Columbia University). He studied law as an apprentice and passed the New York bar exam. His interest in politics brought him to the staff of George Washington, where he became the indispensable man to the “Indispensable” George Washington during the Revolutionary War (Washington: The Indispensable Man by James Thomas Flexner). His rise to leadership was meteoric by any standard. After serving and signing with the New York delegation to the Constitutional Convention, he wrote most of the “Federalist Papers” which defended and expanded the Constitution. He became the first Secretary of the Treasury, established the first national bank and the U.S. Mint. Every time we see a $10 bill, Hamilton is looking back at us. Most may remember Alexander Hamilton as the fatal loser (at age 47) of his duel with Aaron Burr. However, Ron Chernow brings him to life with this outstanding biography. The book is available at our Bellevue Library, and I give it my highest recommendation. David Pitkethly New to the Vue- Sherry and Forest Liu and their 2 sons Fred and William are now living at 9300 Vineyard Crest. They moved to the Seattle area from China in 2007 and are thrilled to have found a home here in Vuecrest, right next to a dear family friend. Sherry is a full-time mom and Forest has his own IT business, relating to internet recruiting and training. They both love reading and running, and Sherry enjoys gardening. Their 11-year-old son Fred will be a 6th grader at Chinook this fall and his favorite pastime is to read about history. William, 7, will be a 2nd grader at Medina and enjoys music as well as all sports but soccer in particular (he plays with the Crossfire Club). Sherry is eager to participate in community events. (Thanks Sherry! We’ll be in touch with you as we plan our Summer Vuecrest Party!) Vintage Vuecrest Lee and Jan Stout were enchanted with their Vuecrest rambler at 9632 Hilltop in 1969, and they’re still crazy about it all these years later! They are both originally from Grants Pass, Oregon, knew each other in high school and married while students at Oregon State College. Jan earned a degree in home economics which she later taught, while Lee pursued his PhD in Theoretical Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin. He then accepted a faculty position at Yale where they stayed for 5 years before making plans to return to the NW and be close to family. By coincidence, the wife of the chairman of the English Dept. at Yale had a dear friend, Ruth Grant, who sold Real Estate out of a small office on 4th and Bellevue Way, where the Oriental rug store was located (and which also housed a mortuary in the back part of the building). Ruth was living in a downstairs apartment in the home currently occupied by Tom and Annalee Luhman on Hilltop Road. Ruth was eager to show and sell the little Vuecrest charmer right down the street. Much to the delight of Jan and Lee, it fulfilled their wish-list with a formal dining room, a garden and a view! Paul Mackie, the original owner had it beautifully appointed and they easily envisioned recreating the traditional style of the stately professors’ quarters they had admired while at Yale. The asking price was $35,000; there were no bidding wars in those days, and prices were negotiated. How many people remember the date they moved in? The Stouts do! Waking up after the first night in their new home they heard Apollo 11 had landed on the moon! History was being made…but where, oh where was their little black and white TV? Somewhere in all those boxes! And so the unpacking began at a feverish clip- As their 2 children, Mark and Megan, grew older, more space was needed beyond the original 1800 square ft. They expanded the kitchen, and added a laundry area and a large family room. While Lee was a mathematics professor at UW, Jan was not one to sit at home idle. She spent 20 years as a volunteer with the Bellevue School District administration, then was hired to administer an Atlantic Richfield grant to develop a high school improvement program that prepared students for a life of work and community involvement. She developed an internship program with students spending time at corporations such as Boeing, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Puget Power. A community service program was developed at the same time; the first in public schools in Washington. Now community service is a requirement for most high schools state wide. In 1997 she moved to United Way of King County doing community development that increased access to human services for people living in North King County. Jan retired from United Way in 2005, and was then appointed to the City of Bellevue Human Services Commission where she served an 8 year term. While on the Commission she was appointed to a position on the Downtown Livability Study to begin plans for the next 20-30 years of development on the Central Business District. This was the second time she had served on such planning efforts for the City. Each time she was not afraid to show her feisty side in show-downs with Kemper Freeman, fearlessly expressing the need for rapid transit on the eastside. Although retired, Lee, a Professor Emeritus, maintains an office on campus which he visits weekly to meet with colleagues and students. He and Jan enjoy their home, their garden and their sweet kitty, Gabby. What they miss most are the days when they would see neighbors in rocking chairs on the front porch, the days when everyone knew everyone else’ name, and the days when baby-sitting was almost generational, that is, the kids who once baby-sat your own kids, now have kids babysitting your grandkids. Jan is quick to say, “Progress is good”, and she truly believes it, but admits to occasional nostalgia about those early years when downtown Bellevue had only one stop light, at NE 8th and 104th as it was known then! (for the newbies: 104th is now called Bellevue Way). Quirkles! I noticed a new sign affixed to the construction site at 116th and NE 4th, just down from Home Depot. It read “HomeGoods”! For those not familiar with this store, it is one of the largest sellers of all things essential for the home including rugs, lighting, bedding, bath, furniture and anything else you can think of! (Do we NEED anything new?? Probably not. Will we BUY anything new??? Hmmm, anything’s possible-) HomeGoods is a subsidiary of TJMax. It was established in 1992, has close to 500 locations and sells current quality merchandise at discount prices. ***** Our next door neighbor: Redmond! If you haven’t been there lately, you’ll find big changes going on, with lots of orange cones everywhere (and clearly, it will be a long time before Bellevue is done with the gazillion of its own and send them to the Conehead Boneyard). There are 7 new large apartment building projects under construction, which will bring 500 new rental apartments; some of substantial size, others offering life-in-one-room dimensions with communal cooking areas. There will also be re-directioning of Cleveland Street and Redmond Way, the 2 main downtown corridors, so that each is 2 way, again. The downtown park (east of the QFC end) has been doubled in size by razing the small strip-mall and appropriating the land for green space. I moved to the NW when Redmond was just a “cow-town” and a poor cousin to Bellevue. “Put ‘er there, Pardner, times have sure changed”. ***** This comes from the “So Dumb It’s Ingenious Department” – a sure-fire way to snap that essential selfie with you and Fido, when Fido has other things on his mind (that is, if dogs actually have a mind…) It’s a plastic attachment, called a “Poochselfie” that holds a tennis ball atop your phone, so…pant, pant, pant… With lots of good luck, Fido will wait for that say-cheese click, before he lunges and devours the whole deal (new Smartphone: $200; tennis ball: $3., vet bill with x-rays, surgery, anesthesia: over $1000…no, NOT priceless!). Did someone really think this was such a great idea?? Sold at Amazon for $10., it’s your call (pun intended). What can I say - I’m waiting for a teenie weenie tweetie-bird in an itsy bitsy cage that attaches to my old flip-phone…then my cat might actually pay attention when we digitally “immortalize” ourselves.) - ***** Not a whole lot happening around these parts on July 14 but to those who may have studied French history or once enjoyed Proust or Voltaire, it is a very famous French holiday: Bastille Day! Watzdat?? History Lesson in a Nutshell: It marks the day of French Independence, the end of the monarchy and the start of the French Revolution! People were fed up with all the taxes and new laws causing them to be hungrier and poorer (sound familiar??), and even though King Louis XVI (yes the very one who made famous those lovely chairs) and his trophy wife Marie Antoinette (allegedly having shouted to the starving masses “let them eat cake!”… which in those days was brioche…YUM!) did their darndest to appease the common folk…it was not to be, in fact - au contraire. The K. and Q. had made it a habit of using the large Bastille prison as a “lock ‘em and block ‘em” for underlings with differing opinions. The Bastille (its name comes from the word “bastide” meaning stronghold) had come to symbolize everything corrupt and malicious about the monarchy…and Mon Dieu! there was certainly plenty to gripe about! On July 14, 1789 a large angry mob stormed the Bastille, freed the prisoners (local rumor had reported “hundreds” locked up but once inside, only 7 petty crooks were found, and boy oh boy, weren’t they happily surprised!). However, a large cache (ah-ha…there’s an old French word for you: 1585 / from the verb “cacher” meaning to hide) of weapons was found, so the mobs seized the munitions and exited with a big bang plus 7 new recruits…and Voila! the revolution began. K. and Q.? Chop-chop, and not in a good way… head and neck were disenFRENCHised. Perhaps we can conjure up a wee bit of sympathy for chere Marie? She was the 13th of 15 siblings, engaged at the age of 10, betrothed at 14 and at the age of 37 was found guilty by the French Tribunal of treason, promiscuity and even brotherly incest -ooh-la-la. But she was said to have walked bravely to the guillotine, dressed in a long flowing white garb, and those luscious locks that had been poufed and powdered and pompadoured to heights greater than 3 feet above her diminutive head were now shorn to a short stubble. But enough about that silly French Revolution. How best to celebrate? Try a little French food! Oui! Oui! Perhaps French toast? French fries? Mais non, just kidding. How about some brioche with truffle oil and BBQ snails?? Liberte! Egalite! Fraternite! (and Chardonnay!) That’s better – now you’re showing a little “esprit de corps”! Here’s a great joke my husband just told me: A patient goes to his doctor and complains: “Doc, I can’t stop singing that Green, green, grass of home song. “Oh my”, replies the doc, “It sounds like the Tom Jones Syndrome to me!” The patient looks clearly troubled and he asks: “Is this common?” “Well” says the doc…”It’s not unusual...!”…(to be loved by anyone / 1965) That’s it for my July “recco’s” (as the younger generation says) and assorted nonsense. Got some Tid-bit ideas for me? Send them on! Have a SWELL month; Julius (and your mother) would have wanted it that way! Mara