May 2017 - Vuecrest View Newsletter
May 2017 Vuecrest View Newsletter
June Board of Directors Meeting
Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 1st at the offices of Coldwell Banker Bain, 150 Bellevue Way SE. The start time will be 7 pm. All Vuecrest residents are welcome to attend.
Thanks to the generosity of Mark von der Burg, our Directors meetings will be held at the offices of Coldwell Banker Banes. As always, it is preferable to hold our meetings at a home in Vuecrest. If you would like to volunteer to host a meeting, please contact Nyla Wang at secretary@vuecrest.netmailto:secretary@vuecrest.net. You may also contact any of the Board members at directors@vuecrest.netmailto:directors@vuecrest.net.
Moving on:
Phil and Brenda Greger at 9676 Evergreen Drive and their neighbors at 9668 Evergreen Drive are moving to Austin, Texas.
Carol Simpson and her daughter, Stacy, are moving from 9367 Sunset Way to 12 Central Square in downtown Bellevue.
Construction Update
Report from Compass Construction on their apartment project at 100th Ave NE and NE 10th Street: For the month of May they will be installing structural steel and wood framing for the 1st floor above grade. Wood framing for the 2nd floor above grade is scheduled for the end of the month.
Duck Alert!
Ducks have been spotted near the esplanade. Please drive carefully!
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Tidbits!
Tra-la! It's May, the lusty month of May!
That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray
Tra-la! It's here, that shocking time of year
When tons of little wicked thoughts
Merrily appear.
It's May, it's May, that gorgeous holiday
When every maiden prays that her lad will be a cad
It's mad, it's gay, alive, a lust display
Those dreary vows that everyone takes, everyone breaks
Everyone makes divine mistakes
The lusty month of May.
Whence this fragrance wafting through the air?
What sweet feelings does its scent transmute?
Whence the perfume floating everywhere?
Don't you know it's that dear forbidden fruit!
It's May, it's May, the lusty month of May
That darling month when everyone throws self-control away
It's time to do a wretched thing or two
and try to make each precious day
one you'll always rue.
It's May, it's May, the month of great dismay
When all the world is brimming with fun, wholesome or un-
It's mad, it's gay, alive, a lust display
Those dreary vows that everyone takes, everyone breaks
Everyone makes divine mistakes
The lusty month of May! ("Camelot"/ Lerner and Loewe / 1960)
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The month of May was named for the Greek goddess Maiahttp://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_greek_mythology.php, who was the goddess of fertility. The
Romans originally called the month Maius but the name changed to May in the 1400's, near the end of the Middle Ages. The birthstone of May, the emerald, symbolizes success and love, and its flower is Lily of the Valley. May was once considered a bad luck month to get married. There is a poem that says "Marry in May and you'll rue the day". In Old English, May is called the "month of three milkings" referring to the lactation-rich time when cows could be milked three times a day. The Indianapolis 500 car race is held each year during this month. The Kentucky Derby, the world's most famous horse race, is also held on the second Saturday of this month. In any given year, no month ever begins or ends on the same day of the week as May does.
The origins of May Day (May 1) are varied. In some countries, it is known as International Workers Day. This particular date was chosen by an organization of socialist and communist political parties in honor of the Haymarket affair in Chicago in 1886, when workers demonstrating for an 8-hour work-week were bombed and riots ensued. In 1887, an official American holiday was recognized for workers, however the date was moved to the month of September. In China, North Korea, Cuba and Russia elaborate work force parades are popular. For Europeans, May 1 is a traditional spring holiday which often includes dancing and singing around the well-known "maypole".
Another very popular holiday that seems to have taken serious root in American culture is "Cinco de Mayo" on May 5th. Though originally observed to celebrate the unlikely victory of the Mexican army over French forces in 1862, in America it is considered a day to honor American- Mexican relations...and could there be a better way than over a cold bottle of Dos Equis beer and a pile of chips and salsa? So, don your sombrero, grab your senorita and head for the nearest mariachi band! Ole!
On May 14th we observe Mother's Day. This holiday was established in 1914, during the Civil War, thanks to a campaign led by Anna Jarvis, in honor of her own mother, who had died in the month of May. President Wilson formalized the date, but Anna later became dissatisfied with the commercialization around this holiday. She believed the original sentiment of love and family had been sacrificed for profit. "A printed card means nothing," she said, "except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world." Though some countries link it to the final Sunday of Lent, most countries have adopted America's date.
No doubt, we all agree with Anna Jarvis' perspective that Mother's Day (as well as every other holiday!) has been a victim of over-commercialization - but how astounding to know Anna Jarvis had this concern 100 years ago! Well, we've certainly made great "progress" in that regard. Mother's Day spending in America ($21.4 Billion) has even surpassed Valentine's Day ($19.7 Billion) according to the National Retailers Federation. (Could it be there are more "guilty" sons and daughters than spouses and sweethearts?!) Since many a Mom is still in that pre-computer "time-warp" generation, a trip to Hallmark becomes a necessity ($800 million) for that perfect greeting that says the ever-so-sweet words on your behalf. Your precious mom did a good couple years of diaper changing -very possibly before disposables came on the market- so let's sweeten the smell of that memory with fresh flowers ($2.4 Billion). And how about those seemingly endless years (to her, I'm sure) that she fed and clothed you, deciding against a new winter coat for herself or an updated appliance so that you, her beloved offspring, had the latest trendy gadget. Why not take Mom out of the kitchen and off to brunch or a special outing ($4.1 Billion) and bedazzle her with bejeweled baubles ($4.2 Billion). Time to cut to the existential question: Is Mom REALLY happy with all this? YES! YES! SHE IS! She is thrilled! Excited! Joyous! Well, okay the truth is, she's probably really happy about "some" of it. She most likely could care less about the cards or flowers or plateful of cholesterol that disguises an arterial death-knell. For Mom, it's all about YOU - the way you look at her and see past the wrinkles, the way you touch her arm to steady her, the way you make that silly smile when one side of your mouth turns up. It's all about this very moment and just the way you are you, right now, at her side. Perhaps she's reminiscing about the day you brought home a misshapen and smudged paper heart with "I love you" written in orange crayon. She loved it all then just as she loves it all now. So, spend all you want - I'm sure she'll accept it with grace and a winsome smile. Just don't forget to show up - that's the truly precious gift every Mom wants the most.
As for me, I have spent more years of my life without my mother than I had spent with her, but she is never really so far away. I keep her beloved gold charm bracelets in my jewelry box, next to my own. I remember how they jingled on her wrist when she wore them "for special occasions". There were travel and zodiac charms, good luck charms of wish-bones, horse-shoes and 4-leaf clovers, gold discs with numerals for birthdays and anniversaries, a couple "I love you" spinner charms, several animal charms to honor our beloved pets and a few "mystery" charms whose meanings, if they ever had any, had long been forgotten (a gold web with a diamond dot for a spider? A miniature sardine tin? A ceramic evil eye in a gold cage? A lizard in a bucket??) But I remember the special ones - a gold palm tree from our family car trip to Florida, a round disc bordered with small diamonds and inscribed with "More than yesterday, less than tomorrow"- a gift from my father, and my favorite - a heart with baby footprints that had my name and birthdate on the back. My life was charmed then - I knew for sure that my mother was the most beautiful mother in the whole wide world and she would take care of me forever. Years later, one must be consoled with memories - but no one is really gone if their stories, or their charms, live on.
So, Happy Mother's Day, Mom, you were just the BEST Mom ever!
Memorial Day, always the last Monday in May is celebrated this year on May 29. It is a federal holiday when those who died in the service of America's armed forces are remembered. Typically, the day is celebrated by families gathering to place flags and flowers by gravestones. It is also considered the unofficial start of summer (and Labor Day, in September is considered the close of that season).
May is also "Skin Cancer Awareness Month" and a great time to stock up on sunscreen for the summer! A quick overview: Check your skin regularly for any new moles or any changes in your existing ones. Remember the ABCDE's of possible skin cancer: A - if a mole is asymmetrical, that is, when one half of the mole doesn't match the other half. B - when its borders are irregular. C - when its color is not uniform. D- when its diameter is bigger than the size of a pencil eraser. E - when it is evolving, that is, changing. So, stay safe, stay screened, and stay cancer-free! If in doubt, call a dermatologist!
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QUIRKLES!!!
It seems there's a brand new "look" that is catching the eyes of nubile millennial women. Please - don't jump to any misguided assumptions. It's not that I have any particular interest in this; my days of effervescing nubility are long gone, as is my search for a perfect mate (winning!). Let me offer a quick primer to get you up-to-speed: In 2016 it was all about the "lumbersexual", you know, that hunk of a guy that smells like pine-needles, sports a bird-nesty kind of haircut and has finger tips filled with splinters. But all that is SO "last year"! Now it's the "Everyday Working Man" look - you know the look- we see these dudes on our very own Bellevue street corners at noon, sporting their hard-hats and orange vests like swarthy sex symbols. That's all because this is the NEW hot look that is making the ladies swoon! But, oh my, time to conjure up some sympathy for that poor lonely lawyer who must sport a coat and tie, or a dateless house painter in his white coveralls...or even a local aproned barista who yearns to be known for his "macho-atto". How can they ever compete??? Here's the answer: Coming to a Nordstroms near you! It's the brand new, "Barracuda Working Man's Jeans" that sell for a mere $425 (you'd BETTER be a working man to afford these!) As described on Nordstrom's very own website:
"These heavily distressed medium-blue denim jeans in a comfortable straight-leg fit embody rugged, Americana workwear that's seen some hard-action with a crackled, caked-on muddy coating that show you're not afraid to get down and dirty."
My first thought was that maybe I could make some money here but it's just not going to happen. That "down-and-dirty" look didn't show up anywhere in my husband's closet...hmmm...maybe I could act as a sales-broker for our gardener, Jose, or Jeff, our contractor, or Corey, our plumber. I'm sure they have lots of spare jeans to wear while I'm selling their "working" pair. Down and dirty doesn't come cheap - I should know, I pay their bills!
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Be A Volunteer!
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others"
Gandhi
People often say, with genuine sincerity, that they want to volunteer...somewhere...sometime... someplace but they just haven't found that perfect place that "speaks" to them. I tell them: don't wait for that perfect place to speak to you...go out and start doing the talking yourself! The wonderful thing about volunteering is that if it's not a good fit - you can always try someplace different! Living here in Vuecrest, there is no doubt you visit our beautiful library on NE 12th St. And it's even quite likely you may have stopped at their Little Corner Bookstore, in the hall just outside the main doors. What a sweet charmer that place is - with lots of books for sale, often in brand-new condition for maybe just a mere dollar and some pennies! Can you see yourself spending time there?...arranging books, chatting with visitors, showing children where they can find their favorite authors. And YES! they always need volunteers! You can work a short 4 hr. shift, or more, if you wish. You can be "out-front" where the action is, or if you're the more reclusive type, just pull up a chair in the "marking room" and price some of the donations. Or, if your schedule doesn't allow enough free time for a regular commitment, then consider signing up to help host Special Events, such as their yearly Children's Book Sale, or World Language or Rare Book Sales. Or, if you want to get dressed up a bit and see and be seen -you can volunteer at the Literary Lion's Gala, their annual fundraiser. All of these functions happen under the auspices of the Bellevue Friends of the Library, so sign up, join for just $15. ($7 for seniors) This just might be the perfect place that "speaks" to you! And don't be surprised if it's the start of a very fine conversation! Visit www.bellevuefriends.orghttp://www.bellevuefreinds.org for all the details.
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VINTAGE VUECREST
I enjoyed a delightful afternoon with Dick Oppfelt who lives at 9343 Sunset Way with his wife Olga. Dick's ancestors hailed from Sweden, the land of pickled herring and those ubiquitous eponymous meatballs, well known to every buffet table (as well as every "grazer").
Dick grew up in Illinois and attended Cornell College in Iowa. He spente spentHe 3 years in the Air Force, then transferred to the University of Denver, where he studied speech pathology and audiology. After completing his Master's, he was hired by the Speech and Audiology Dept. at the University of Vermont (RAH! My old Alma Mater - Universitas Veridis Montis!). Cupid appeared as a member of the debate team, who was also taking a class in Consumer Economics, and knew that her pretty young teacher, Olga, had no escort for the Halloween party. A blind date was arranged with the "speech and hearing guy", Dick. It worked - and has for 62 years! Unfortunately, once those wedding bells pealed, Olga was no longer allowed to work at UVM since her new husband was also employed there. However, she soon found her "dream job" as the Vermont correspondent for Fairchild Publications (Women's Wear Daily, Style magazines, and many others).
Olga was a Canadian gal and had grown up in Winnipeg. Those Vermont winters already felt way too familiar to her, and she was ready to be done with them. In 1959 they moved to Chicago and after completing post-grad work at North Western V.A., Dick worked for the Chicago Board of Education. Olga was a busy housewife and took care of their 3 kids. She patiently tolerated 4 more brutal winters but then started checking out employment ads in the Seattle area. In 1963 they arrived in Bellevue and rented a small house in Enatai. Dick was no longer doing clinical service - he was hired by the Bellevue School District to be the administrator of the Audiology dept. He recalls his office was on the east side of the downtown park, now under reconstruction, and the Bellevue Junior High School was right across the street.
Their family was growing and when baby #4 (their 3rd son) arrived, it was time to find their own place. Every week-end they scanned the papers and finally found a lovely rambler in Vuecrest. Having attended 5 different schools as a youngster, Dick declared they would not move again - he wanted his kids to feel safe and settled. Their little 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home was a tight fit but the boys, Dann, Chris and Mark tripled up, while daughter Lisa had her own bedroom. Over the years they renovated the kitchen, bathroom, and made the "breezeway" into a family room. As if it wasn't crowded enough, it also became home to 3 beloved Siamese cats that just showed up - and stayed. These days it's just the 2 of them in their Vuecrest charmer but all 4 kids live nearby and keep in close contact.
Dick was a busy man. He was a clinical Professor at Western State, also teaching at Seattle U. and Bellevue College. He was president of the Washington Speech-Language-Hearing Assoc. and took CME's (continuing medical education) at UW to stay on top of his profession.
Dick served on the VC Board for 3 years, the last year as President. He recalls that dues were $35/year and there were times when he'd have to make "house calls" to collect the fee from some recalcitrant residents. He loved the 4th of July, when he and his family would hike up to 9605 Hilltop and watch the fireworks over Seattle from this last empty lot. He feels his greatest contribution during his time on the board was his annual solo climb to the top of the evergreen tree at the main entrance on Park Road to hang the colored Christmas lights. "And why did YOU always have to do it?" I ask. Dick replies - "I was the youngest of the board members; they figured, if I fell, I'd heal up the quickest"!
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BOOK REVUES
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Oh...to be wealthy, young and a free spirit in Manhattan in the late 1930's! This is the setting for the excellent first novel by author Amor Towles. Katey Kontent, a clever and engaging office secretary for a large law firm, is the raconteuse and protagonist in this captivating tale of decadence and betrayal. The story begins on New Year's Eve, 1937 in The Hot Spot, a mostly deserted night club in Greenwich Village. A jazz quartet plays softly in the background as Katey and her roommate Eve, sit at a small table and wait for something to happen. Eve's eyes catch a glimpse of a handsome, well-dressed, "man of means" entering the club. She kicks Katey in the shins under the table, announcing she's "got dibs!". He is Theodore "Tinker" Grey and as he approaches their table, the girls are thinking The Hotspot just might live up to its name. 1938 would be a grandiose year as our two beautiful ingenues and their new beau hit the social circuit, mingling with upper Manhattan's glitterati, and handling it all with unctuous aplomb. These 3 darlings are not only witty but oh, so intelligent as they quaff martinis, float smoke rings and banter about the arts and literature.
By spring the halcyon days are fading. There is an auto accident - Tinker was driving and Eve was severely injured. More than bones are shattered; alliances and lovers start to change, almost imperceptibly at first, and then - a startling disclosure renders the final deathblow. A year that started with such promise now sows only seeds of sadness. The curtain falls, heavily. But then - it's time for another round of Auld Lang Syne - 1939 heralds a new beginning as these wounded souls emerge from their somber fog and pick thru the shards.
This is a very well written, intelligent and thoroughly enjoyable read. My only very small criticism is that Katey is just so bright, so resourceful, and so talented, that at times, she truly appears "fictional". This does not detract from the overall quality of the book, however, and it was a pure pleasure to read. It is available at the Bellevue Library. By chance, my "co-reviewer", Melissa, has just finished this amazing author's second novel- her critique of that follows. David Pitkethly
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Yes, it is pure coincidence that David Pitkethly and I are raving about books written by the same author! Amor Towles, the author, obviously has great talent.
A Gentleman in Moscow is one of those rarest of books, a book that is SO good that I didn't want to finish reading it, so I wouldn't 'use' it up! I read slower and slower as I approached the end, and, upon finishing it, wanted to start over again! Oh, it is absolutely delicious - elegant prose, mesmerizing story, unforgettable characters, historical setting.
Count Alexander Rostov returned to Russia after the Russian revolution, and, as a Former Person, was exiled to the luxury hotel across the street (or be shot, should he step out the door). He certainly didn't expect to thrive in that restricted life, but thrive he did! Compassion, love, joy, loyalty, honor and happiness found him, as his world inexplicably expanded beyond every expectation.
In the best sense of the term, A Gentleman in Moscow is an old-fashioned, multi-layered novel. It is a hefty volume, but I WILL read it again, despite my enormous 'to read' list. Indeed, the reader learns so much from this gentleman; what a wonderful way to be taught a life lesson! This is a book NOT to be missed!! It has only been out for a few months, and will be in demand for some time. Put your name on the waitlist at the library, or make a worthwhile splurge on a great book! Melissa Hambleton
Book Club News - We had a wonderful discussion, on May 1, about News of the World, by Paulette Jiles. On June 5, we'll discuss Isabel Allende's The Japanese Lover, followed in July by The Ghost Map, by Steven Johnson. Great books, great book club members, great fun!!
Join us! Contact Melissa, at mhambleton@comcast.netmailto:mhambleton@comcast.net.
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Ha! Ha! Ha!
A husband and wife who worked for the circus went to an adoption agency. The social workers there raised doubts about their suitability.
The couple then produced photos of their 50-foot motor home, which was clean and well maintained and equipped with a beautiful nursery.
The social workers then raised concerns about the education a child would receive while in the couple's care. "We've arranged for a full-time tutor who will teach the child all the usual subjects along with French, Mandarin, and computer skills.
Then the social workers expressed concern about a child being raised in a circus environment. "Our nanny will be a certified expert in pediatric care, welfare, and diet."
The social workers were finally satisfied, nodding their heads in unison.
They asked, "and what age child are you hoping to adopt?"
"It doesn't really matter...... as long as the kid fits in the cannon."
Let's Get Out and About!
Remember years ago when your parents said to a much younger "you": It's time to HIT THE BOOKS! Well, it's STILL time to hit the books! Head down to our Bellevue Library, 10AM-4PM on Friday, May 5 or Saturday, May 6 and check out the many, many foreign language books, all lined up for your perusal at their World Language Book Sale. Take a few home so you can sprechen or parler or hablar or even govorit to your heart's content! And they're all on sale for mere marks, francs, pesos or rubles. ***** "Come on down to my boat, baby. Come on down where we can play. Come on down to my boat, baby. Come on down, we'll sail away" (Every Mother's Son/ 1967) Get ready...the playing starts on Saturday, May 6 because that's the official day of the Seattle Boating Season! Preceded by crew and sailboat races, the Grand Parade starts at noon with a cannon blast and the raising of the Montlake Bridge. And from then on, it's boats with their merrily-clad owners and pups, smiling and waving, arf-arfing to all on shore. Aye, Matey - it's always a great time and what fun to be "nauti" and nice at the same time!!!! ***** Sunday, May 7 - Alert: Major Food Decision! Will it be sushi or tacos?? Tacos or sushi?? Take your pick, they'll both be scrumptious! The Japanese Culture and Community Center of Washington (JCCCW) at 1414 Weller St. in Seattle is hosting its annual Japanese Children's Day. The day will be filled with karate and judo workshops, yoyo and water fishing, taiko drumming, tea ceremony and even a chance for the kids to try on a genuine samurai helmet and armor! And keep in mind that the Japanese resale shop will be open. 11AM - 5PM. Lots of food trucks... b-u-t...if Mexican food is what you're craving, best to head to get your fill at the Taco Libre Truck Showdown at the Fremont Sunday Market 10AM - 5PM where over 40 food trucks will meet and compete. It's a Taco-paloosa that you won't want to miss. And the Fremont market with over 100 booths of fresh produce, wares and art is always worth visiting. ***** May 13 is Polish Festival Day! Time for freshly made pierogis, you know that charming little dumpling with your choice of meat, potato, cheese or plum filling (only a buck each!). And don't forget a side of potato pancakes, sausage and sauerkraut with Polish beer to wash it all down! Folk group performances as well as Polish items for sale. "Witamy! Witamy!"!. Only on Saturday, 11:30 - 5PM at the Polish Cultural Center in Seattle and it's FREE! ***** If you brake for garage sales, then you'll have a LOT of brakin' to do! West Seattle is hosting its community garage sale on Saturday, May 13. Already almost 150 homes have signed up to participate so come with lots of green bills and a BIG car for hauling away all your new treasures! ***** "Someone told me it's all happening at the zoo. I do believe it, I do believe it's true" (Simon and Garfunkel/ 1967). What a terrific place to take Mom on Mother's Day - and all moms get in for ½ price!!! Woodland Park Zoo upholds its tradition of giving out potted dahlias or marigolds to the first 1000 moms on that day. Count on lots of family fun with bouncy houses, assorted crafts, and live entertainment including dance, clowns, martial arts and hula presentations. 9:30 - 3PM. ***** How about taking mom on a train ride?! All moms ride FREE when accompanied by a paid child at the NW Railway Museum on May 13-14. Trains depart from North Bend or Snoqualmie, 4 trips daily, each ride 70 min. long. www.trainmuseum.org<http://www.trainmuseum.org>. (Forgive this segue but I KNOW you want to learn more about that old classic song: "I've Been Working on the Railroad"! Its writer is unknown but it was first published in 1894 under the title: "The Levee Song". At that time, "Dinah" was the generic name for a female slave who, undoubtedly, spent a great deal of time in the kitchen.)***** Sunday, May 14 - The Color Run!! ("I see your true colors shining through, I see your true colors, and that's why I love you. So don't be afraid to let them show, your true colors, true colors are beautiful, like a rainbow" (True Colors/Cyndi Lauper/1986) Show your own true colors when you sign up for this famous run known as "The Happiest 5K on the Planet"! It is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness, and individuality. As the largest running series in the world, The Color Run has been experienced by over 6 million runners worldwide in 35+ countries. Packet and paint pick-up starts at 6:30 Sunday AM at Seattle Center. Be sure to wear a white t-shirt so your true colors shine thru! www.thecolorrun.com<http://www.thecolorrun.com>. ***** Bastyr College invites you to its 19th Herb and Food Fair on May 20, 10-5 PM. There will be cooking and gardening demonstrations and workshops, tours thru their gardens and forests, keynote speakers including nutritional consultants, plant sale with medicinal and herbal plant starts from their organic garden center, plus lots of wild and wacky stuff for the kids...and it's all FREE! Their theme this year is "Plants as Partners: Grow, Adapt, Transform". Forget about the plants - sounds like the perfect theme for all of us humans in our everyday lives! Let's DO IT! Grow! Adapt! Transform! YES!! ***** May 20th is Aviation Day in Everett. Watch the vintage planes fly from 12 - 1:30, then head for the Paul Allen Flight Heritage Museum. What a treat for kids! ***** May 20th is also the day of the Pet Festival at the Game Farm Park in Auburn! 10 AM- 5PM, Dog trot 3k/5k starts at 9:30, then watch the roving reptiles, leaping lizards, flying dogs and racing pigs, pony rides and lots of fun vendors! Bring your own pet, leashed, of course. ("Who let the dogs out? Who...who...who...who? Who let the dogs out?" /Baka Men/2000). And puh-leeze...NO pussycats...they do NOT like festivals! ***** May 20 -21: Time for the 48th annual University District Street Fair, kicking off the spring-summer season - food, vendors, arts & crafts and music! Fun and Free! ***** Also happening that same weekend: The Seattle Mineral Market at Lake City Community Center, 10-6PM. Maybe you have an old ring that needs a stone, or you want to design a pair of special earrings - this is the place for you! You'll find jewelry, gems, books, tools, fossils as well as world-wide and NW minerals. Keep your eyes open for malachite from Zaire, watermelon tourmaline from Brazil, then check out the amber, jade and quartz -there's plenty of sparkly stuff to go around! Free! Should you go??? Of QUARTZ you should! Hahahaha ***** May 26-29: NW Folklife Festival at Seattle Center - the Mother of ALL paloosas! Folklife is about the discovery of arts and cultures that inspire celebration - and what better way to celebrate than thru dance, music, food, art and just sharing that "gesthalt" of inter-nationality! Free (but a $10 donation at the door would be nice...) ***** Memorial Day, May 29, the day we honor the men and women who perished while serving in our armed forces. Join this honorable tribute at the Museum of Flight which will commence with a musical performance of patriotic music by the Boeing Employee Concert Band at 11AM and a special Memorial Day presentation starting at 12. Free admission for those with military ID. ***** And here's a great way to close out the month! Listen to top national and regional jazz musicians at the Bellevue Jazz and Blues Fest, May 31 - June 4. This terrific event, sponsored by Bellevue Downtown, hosts many free jazz events in public areas, open to all; other events have a nominal cover charge with limited seating. Find out more at www.bellevuedowntown/events/bellevue-jazz-blues-festival<http://www.bellevuedowntown/events/bellevue-jazz-blues-festival>.
Channel 9..is fine! Have a glass of wine..or dine...as you exercise your mind! Ain't free time...sublime?! Tuesday, May 9, 10PM- Frontline: Poverty, Politics and Profit. *** Wednesday, May 10, 9PM - Nova: Arctic Ghost Ship/ The story of the Franklin Expedition which vanished 160 years ago. *** Thursday, May 11, 3:30PM - American's Test Kitchen: Korean Feast (YUM!) *** Thursday, May 18, 5:30PM- Martha Bakes: Chocolate Ganache (remember; watching is a calorie-free zone). *** Wednesday, May 31, 3:30PM - Martha Bakes: Sponge Cake (you didn't really think you'd get to just eat all that ganache out of the bowl, did you??!!) *** Wednesday, May 31, 9PM - Nova: Troubled Waters of Flint, Michigan.
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PS/ A friend of mine is a "Cabi" rep and will be hosting a "Wine and Fashion Event" in her home to show the new spring line of Cabi clothing. She is donating her entire commission to help educate a family of 6 young orphans in Kenya. If you would like to join us on Saturday, May 20, 3-5PM, enjoy first class munchies and make some terrific new friends, just send me an email and I'll tell you all about it. dtpit@uw.edumailto:dtpit@uw.edu
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So, there you have it- Frankly, I was more than ready to see April in my rear-view mirror! Did you read we had more rain this spring season than in this same time frame for the past 100 years?! Mara
(Maybe a song will help...)
"Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes
Will soon be turning red
Crying's not for me 'cause,
I'm never gonna stop the rain
By complaining,
Because I'm free
Nothing's worrying me." Burt Bacharach/1969