February 2017 Vuecrest View Newsletter

Friedhelm and Elizabeth Radandt have graciously offered to host the March meeting at their home, 9358 Evergreen Drive. The meeting will begin at 7 pm on Thursday, March 2nd. All Vuecrest residents are invited to attend.

Actually, I'm a fan of February, but I think it's an acquired taste; one that requires a certain level of maturity before it can truly be appreciated. The holidays are a distant (good/bad/indifferent/done!) memory and it's still too soon for serious consideration about what color petunias to plant in the window box. The weather is muddy/kaley and my "inner hausfrau" yearns for recognition. I check the expiration date of my yeast (Hey, I'm thinking BIG bread!), and move my chunky knits to the front of the closet. When food is required, my inner "hunter/gatherer" insists I buy enough to last for several days and, of course, include a big knot of celery root for our winter soups. I find my hidden stash of leftover holiday candy and occasionally indulge my need for dark chocolate with a small ration. And then I wait, patiently...for the BEST part of the day! It comes in mid-afternoon, when I head for my old upholstered crewel chaise, hot cup of tea in hand and a great book and - ooof-da - my feet go up, I throw my granny-square afghan over my legs...and I sigh, deeply. Such contentment! Such bliss! It is only moments later that my darling kitty-cat has suddenly found me! He demands to bury himself under and closer and deeper - I think he enjoys February as much as I do - and there, as the cold wind whips outside the window and the pages of my book turn gray with the late afternoon sky, we nestle in, jostling for space on the narrow cushion. The tips of his little pink paws (aka: "squishy beans") stretch in and out, rhythmically kneading for his mother's milk, and we purr. Both of us. February is a grand month, but too short. Extra day or not, it's still too short. The cat agrees.

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 "A-well-a ev'rybody's heard about the bird, bird bird bird
 B-bird's the word, oh well-a bird bird bird..."



    CUT! ENUF ALREADY! ... But since we're on the subject....

  A thief in Paris planned to steal some paintings from the Louvre. After careful planning, he got past security, stole the paintings, and made it safely to the van. However, he was captured only 2 blocks away when his van ran out of gas. When asked how he could mastermind such a crime and then make this very obvious error, he replied:

  Hisham Matar was born in New York City in 1970 where his father, Jaballa Matar, was a diplomat in the Libyan delegation to the United Nations. In 1973, when Hisham was three years old, his father left government service and the family moved back to Tripoli. Jaballa became a wealthy businessman by importing Japanese and Western goods, but at the same time he was a clandestine agent for the overthrow of the Qaddafi regime. With the threat of exposure, the family fled to Cairo in 1979. In 1986, at the age of 16, Hisham moved to London to continue his education.

After the fall of Qaddafi in 2011 there was a semblance of peace in Libya, and political prisoners were released from prisons. Hisham was able to return and pursue the search for his father. Several of his relatives who had been in prison with Jaballa were alive and able to give sparse details of what little they knew. With that information, and facts that he had uncovered during the Qaddafi regime, Hisham was able to solve, to his satisfaction, the mystery of his father's destiny.

Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a principled, gentlemanly widower, having served with honor in the Civil War, makes a good-enough living by travelling through Texas, reading carefully-selected news stories to a largely illiterate population. In 1870, Texas was under almost-militant rule; every day was fraught with danger from every side.   After one such reading, he is asked to safely escort a child to her relatives, four hundred miles south.  Ten-year-old Johanna had spent the last four years with the same Indian tribe who killed her parents; she remembers almost no English, and, in truth, did not want to leave her adopted people.

The story of this unlikely pair may sound a bit like "True Grit", but even John Wayne could not have had a more interesting, frightening, emotional, humorous, and downright lovely tale.  The writing is spare, but so, so lovely. Let News Of The World mosey along with you for a bit, and you'll find yourself falling under the spell of Captain Kidd, Johanna, and a very skillful author.     Melissa Hambleton

I knocked on the door at 9603 Evergreen Drive and introduced myself; they had been expecting me. A lovely young college student named Allie escorted me in to meet her grandmother, Lillian Heath. As I entered this warm and cozy home I felt like I was stepping inside the pages of a life-size photo album - every wall, every door, every cupboard, every table was covered, top to bottom, in smiling Kodachrome! There were large pictures, small polaroids, professional portraits as well as the "Quick! Look over here!" kind of snapshots; they all served as the wallpaper of Lillian's life.

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 Happy February to all! Let it be a month of caring, a month of love, a month of Valentine wishes and hearts and flowers for everyone you hold dear.

 Mara

February 2017 Vuecrest View Newsletter March Board Meeting Friedhelm and Elizabeth Radandt have graciously offered to host the March meeting at their home, 9358 Evergreen Drive. The meeting will begin at 7 pm on Thursday, March 2nd. All Vuecrest residents are invited to attend. Hosts Needed We seem to go month to month on hosts for our Board Meetings. How helpful it we would be if a few more neighbors would offer to host a monthly meeting! They are always held the first Thursday of each month, beginning at 7 pm and lasting about two hours. To get more information and volunteer, contact Nyla Wang at secretary@vuecrest.net<mailto:secretary@vuecrest.net>. Welcoming Committee Mara Pitkethly has assumed the duties of chairing this committee. She will be assisted by Stella Guo. We all applaud the terrific work on this committee in the past by Stella and Yumeka Soh!! We now have a supply of Vuecrest Handbooks and water bottles to distribute to our new Vuecrest neighbors. Traffic Issues and How to Resolve Them! We continue to have large construction projects in Vuecrest and there are cars and trucks parking on both sides of the road. At times this congestion can impede the passage of emergency vehicles. If you come upon this situation and no one is on site to move obstructing vehicles, call 911 (non-emergency) and request intervention by the Bellevue Police. Police Crack Largest Burglary Ring Case in Bellevue's History That is the headline we have been waiting a year to hear. With 123 incidents reported (some in Vuecrest), we have all been affected to some extent by this brazen group of three thieves. According to the Bellevue Reporter there has been nearly $4 million in losses and $300,000 recovered. Although the criminals responsible for these burglaries are now behind bars, we should continue our neighborhood vigilance! Construction Update Here is the update issued by Compass Construction as they work on the large apartment building at the old Sumiyoshi site: "Concrete slab on grade and elevated post tensioned slabs will be the major items this month. Concrete work and pours will continue until spring 2017. Wood framing will follow once the two levels of parking garage are complete. Compass will not be operating on Government Observed Holidays". TID-BITS! Thirty days hath September, April, June, and November. All the rest have 31, Except for February, Which got the short stick because it's cold and no one likes it. The Roman month Februarius<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Februarius> was named after the Latin term februum (yes, like "fever"), which means purification, via the purification ritual Februa<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Februa> held on February 15 (full moon) in the old lunar Roman calendar<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_calendar>....ah, takes me back to my 7th grade Latin class - remember SPQR? And "Veni, Vidi, Visa" (I came, I saw, I shopped) or how about Credo Elvem etiam vivere (I believe Elvis lives). Historical names for February include the Old English<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_English_language> terms Solmonath (mud month) and Kale-monath (named for cabbage<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabbage>). How fitting! Mud and Kale - both so plentiful, and not infrequently they even show up together in my sink, wedded at the stalk! Actually, I'm a fan of February, but I think it's an acquired taste; one that requires a certain level of maturity before it can truly be appreciated. The holidays are a distant (good/bad/indifferent/done!) memory and it's still too soon for serious consideration about what color petunias to plant in the window box. The weather is muddy/kaley and my "inner hausfrau" yearns for recognition. I check the expiration date of my yeast (Hey, I'm thinking BIG bread!), and move my chunky knits to the front of the closet. When food is required, my inner "hunter/gatherer" insists I buy enough to last for several days and, of course, include a big knot of celery root for our winter soups. I find my hidden stash of leftover holiday candy and occasionally indulge my need for dark chocolate with a small ration. And then I wait, patiently...for the BEST part of the day! It comes in mid-afternoon, when I head for my old upholstered crewel chaise, hot cup of tea in hand and a great book and - ooof-da - my feet go up, I throw my granny-square afghan over my legs...and I sigh, deeply. Such contentment! Such bliss! It is only moments later that my darling kitty-cat has suddenly found me! He demands to bury himself under and closer and deeper - I think he enjoys February as much as I do - and there, as the cold wind whips outside the window and the pages of my book turn gray with the late afternoon sky, we nestle in, jostling for space on the narrow cushion. The tips of his little pink paws (aka: "squishy beans") stretch in and out, rhythmically kneading for his mother's milk, and we purr. Both of us. February is a grand month, but too short. Extra day or not, it's still too short. The cat agrees. VALENTINE'S DAY QUIRKLES About 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year. This makes it the second largest seasonal card sending time of the year. ***** It is thought that the X symbol became synonymous with the kiss in medieval times. People who couldn't write their names signed in front of a witness with an X, which they then kissed to show their sincerity. ***** In 1537, England's King Henry VII officially declared Feb. 14 the holiday of St. Valentine's Day. ***** Richard Cadbury produced the first box of chocolates for Valentine's Day in 1868 when he gave his Beloved these decadent treats in a heart shaped box . Over $1 billion worth of chocolate is purchased for Valentine's Day in the U.S. and more than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold. ***** 73 percent of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, and 27 percent are women. (Cats just buy catnip, for themselves) ***** 189 million stems of roses are sold in the U.S. for Valentine's Day. ***** Teachers will receive the most Valentine's Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, sweethearts and pets (who snag 3% that is, $703 million!)). ***** 220,000 is the average number of wedding proposals on Valentine's Day each year. ***** Every Valentine's Day, the Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare's lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet. ***** The official world record for the longest marriage for a living couple<http://www.worldrecordacademy.com/society/longest_marriage_for_a_living_couple-world_record-set_by_Herbert_and_Zelmyra_Fisher_90163.htm> belongs to Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher, who were married for a total of 86 years and 290 days, before Mr. Fisher passed away. Now THAT'S a marriage that lasted a lifetime! Today's average marriage lasts just 1/10 of that time - 8 years.***** According to WSU research, proposals under moonlight are more likely to succeed. ***** FYI: A little nice kissing will increase your pulse to 110, which is GOOD for you - Ask your doctor if you don't believe me! and in the meantime...just pucker-up, for your own sake! Valentine's Day Gift Suggestion: The Bronx Zoo in NY is offering a "Name a pet" gift - and this year the pet is ...A ROACH! That's right, for only $10 you can name a roach after some special someone, or some "not-so-special-at-ALL" someone who really deserves to have a roach named after him/her! For a small additional donation, you can add chocolates and a signed certificate (perhaps with picture of said roach?) All proceeds go to benefit the zoo. Details at: www.bronxzoo.com/roach<http://www.bronxzoo.com/roach>. (See? Who needs Nordies personal shoppers when you have ME!?) ***************************************************** And now...a message from The Trashmen (1964)! "A-well-a ev'rybody's heard about the bird, bird bird bird B-bird's the word, oh well-a bird bird bird..." CUT! ENUF ALREADY! ... But since we're on the subject.... Have you been keeping up with your bird-feeders? And making sure all of our feathered NW residents, and "winter-overs" stay nourished? Each fall, the black-capped chickadee grows new brain neurons in its tiny hippocampus, enlarging it by 30%, and enabling it to remember where it collected seeds in different spots in trees and on the ground. So, if you see little Miss Chick-lette waiting longingly by your window, and you could SWEAR she's the same baby-girl who sat in that very spot last winter...you are probably right! She remembers you...so don't YOU forget HER! Feeding wild birds is immensely popular, and you should be pleased to know you are sharing this heart-warming past-time with some 50 million households in the U.S. and Canada (BTW, they are not "Canadian geese"; they are "Canada geese". Not that they care - they just want food). There has long been controversy about its efficacy (perhaps not unlike the national "food stamp" program). Are they truly hungry or just showing up for free food (haven't we all occasionally indulged in munching on those little free samples at Costco food carts on weekends??) By feeding the birds, are we encouraging them to stay in our locale rather than follow their own natural migratory path to "greener pastures"? Or, are we just putting out more feeders because we see more birds? Anna's hummingbirds, for example, have been increasing their winter range up the Pacific Coast and are found to be more prevalent in an area where there are more people, and therefore, more feeders. Check out www.feederwatch.org<http://www.feederwatch.org> where over 200,000 participants count various species, as well as generate data on the ornithological hegemony happening right in our own backyards! Worry not, feeding birds is a good thing - if you head OOT, birds are quick to forgive and after buffet-ing at your neighbors, they will come back with open hearts and hungry beaks as soon as your feeder indicates you have safely returned. Besides that, folks who love birds, love nature; if you love nature, you love our world; if you love our world, you'll love the people in it. And there you have it: Valentine's Day in a nutshell! ... or sunflower seed, cracked corn, millet, wheat or even a fat juicy cake of suet! Love can hide in lots of places. ("Take a good look around, and if you're looking down, put a little love in your heart. And the world will be a better place..." 1969/ Jackie DeShannon) Just a "petit" French joke! A thief in Paris planned to steal some paintings from the Louvre. After careful planning, he got past security, stole the paintings, and made it safely to the van. However, he was captured only 2 blocks away when his van ran out of gas. When asked how he could mastermind such a crime and then make this very obvious error, he replied: "Monsieur! That is the reason I stole the paintings! I had no Monet to buy Degas to make the Van Gogh!" (now, do you have De Gaulle to send this joke on to someone else?? I'm sharing it with you because I have nothing Toulouse-) Mon Dieu! Spare time is like spare change - you can afford to give it away "Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote everyday about the kind of community you want to live in, and the kind of person you want to be." So...what kind of community do YOU want to live in? What kind of person do YOU want to be? Don't just be a "taker" -be a "giver" too -And there are so many ways you can do that! A University of California study showed that people over 55, who volunteered for 2 or more organizations reduced their risk of dying in the next 5 years by 44%! (yes, please read that again!) regardless of factors such as weight, smoking and general health. Clearly, volunteering increases our sense of well-being! This month's idea for Volunteering: The Boys and Girls Club! Have you seen it? It's spectacular! I stopped by their beautiful facility the other day and spoke to Alex Sloan at the main Club on 209 100th Ave NE... right down the road. They have a large and airy new building, that was just completed several months ago after a massive fund-raising plan that brought in $26 million. They offer continuous programs and all kids of our community are served by over 500 volunteers. At this time, the after-school program, at this facility alone, serves about 100 kids daily. They also have 11 other sites in the Bellevue area. B&G Clubs provide snacks, as well as art, board games and play-time for Pre-school-8 grade; and Taek-won-do, ping-pong, foosball, pool and pick-up basketball for the middle/upper levels. And, of course, tutors are right there, ready to assist with homework (one hour minimum is daily requirement). At this time their most pressing need is for coaches at their Hidden Valley fields and recreation center. (How far is that from Vuecrest? Barely 2 miles!) The sports are seasonal, and if you're willing to donate just a couple hours a week, please, please do so. I can't begin to tell you how grateful Alex would be! And if you have a teen in the house, needing to fulfill his/her community service requirement, this is the perfect place. Please contact Stephanie Davidson at stephaniedavidson@bgcbellevue.org<mailto:stephaniedavidson@bgcbellevue.org>. She's ready to tell you all about how terrific you're going to feel! ...and besides, wouldn't it be really, really nice to live an extra 5 years!?? Check out their website: www.bgcbellevue.org<http://www.bgcbellevue.org>. BOOK REVUES: The Return: Fathers, Sons, and the Land in Between By Hisham Matar This is a wonderful memoir by a Libyan son searching to find his father who was imprisoned by the Muammar Qaddafi (Gaddafi) regime. Hisham Matar was born in New York City in 1970 where his father, Jaballa Matar, was a diplomat in the Libyan delegation to the United Nations. In 1973, when Hisham was three years old, his father left government service and the family moved back to Tripoli. Jaballa became a wealthy businessman by importing Japanese and Western goods, but at the same time he was a clandestine agent for the overthrow of the Qaddafi regime. With the threat of exposure, the family fled to Cairo in 1979. In 1986, at the age of 16, Hisham moved to London to continue his education. In 1990, Egyptian police arrested Jaballa at his home in Cairo, and handed him over to Libyan authorities. Jaballa, along with many dissidents (some within his own family) found themselves in the notorious Abu Salim Prison in central Tripoli. Physical and mental torture, starvation, and deprivation of human dignity were commonplace in Abu Salim. In 1992, Jaballa's family received a hand-written letter that had been smuggled out of prison; they now knew that he was still alive and where he was being held. On June 28, 1996, there was a large riot within the prison, and as guards were overpowered, prisoners escaped from their cells. A stand-off ensued until guards regained control. Many prisoners were shot, and those whose lives were spared were forced to return to their cells. Authorities promised that all prisoner injustices would be corrected. The next day, June 29th, 1270 prisoners were massacred, and prison life became almost unbearable for the survivors. After the fall of Qaddafi in 2011 there was a semblance of peace in Libya, and political prisoners were released from prisons. Hisham was able to return and pursue the search for his father. Several of his relatives who had been in prison with Jaballa were alive and able to give sparse details of what little they knew. With that information, and facts that he had uncovered during the Qaddafi regime, Hisham was able to solve, to his satisfaction, the mystery of his father's destiny. This book is a brilliant display of Hisham Matar's writing skills and storytelling. He gives his readers an insightful retrospective of Libyan history, particularly during the long, cruel and unpredictable reign of Muammar Qaddafi. His emotions of anger, grief, and love are compelling and unforgettable. I encourage every adult to read this magnificent book. It is available at the Bellevue Library. David Pitkethly News Of The World, by Paulette Jiles, is a small, unassuming-looking book. It has only been out a few months, but if you can get your hands on a copy, at the library or (sniff!) our soon-to-be-closing, wonderful UW Bookstore, read this book! Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a principled, gentlemanly widower, having served with honor in the Civil War, makes a good-enough living by travelling through Texas, reading carefully-selected news stories to a largely illiterate population. In 1870, Texas was under almost-militant rule; every day was fraught with danger from every side. After one such reading, he is asked to safely escort a child to her relatives, four hundred miles south. Ten-year-old Johanna had spent the last four years with the same Indian tribe who killed her parents; she remembers almost no English, and, in truth, did not want to leave her adopted people. The story of this unlikely pair may sound a bit like "True Grit", but even John Wayne could not have had a more interesting, frightening, emotional, humorous, and downright lovely tale. The writing is spare, but so, so lovely. Let News Of The World mosey along with you for a bit, and you'll find yourself falling under the spell of Captain Kidd, Johanna, and a very skillful author. Melissa Hambleton VINTAGE VUECREST I knocked on the door at 9603 Evergreen Drive and introduced myself; they had been expecting me. A lovely young college student named Allie escorted me in to meet her grandmother, Lillian Heath. As I entered this warm and cozy home I felt like I was stepping inside the pages of a life-size photo album - every wall, every door, every cupboard, every table was covered, top to bottom, in smiling Kodachrome! There were large pictures, small polaroids, professional portraits as well as the "Quick! Look over here!" kind of snapshots; they all served as the wallpaper of Lillian's life. And there was Lillian, sitting comfortably in a well-worn brown velour chair, with her walker on her right, telephone and more pictures on her left, and a calendar and pencil on her lap. Her mind was as sharp, as her words were soft and gentle. I had brought brownies and plum jam - both of which, she said, were her very favorite! (What a charmer at 92!) Lillian and her husband, Sherburne Jr. came from the mid-west and met at Bible study in Minnesota, "way back when". Lillian was completing her 5th year of nursing study at the University and Sherburne had finished medical school at Marquette, and was starting a residency program in St. Paul. They dated for 4 years and got married shortly before Sherburne started work in his field, physiatry, at the Seattle Medical-Dental Building. They bought a sweet little house in downtown Bellevue, on the hill behind the Pancake Corral, where they lived for 9 years. Lillian was a nurse-educator for 2 years but when their first baby boy arrived, she became a stay-at-home mom. Then there was Baby Boy #2, followed by Baby Boy #3, Baby Boy #4, then... hurrah! a Baby Girl, Mary, arrived on the scene, but...oh my, soon another Baby Boy followed! The little house by the Pancake Corral with 3 bedrooms and one bathroom seemed to be getting smaller and smaller! In 1959 they found their 6 bedroom, 3 bath home in Vuecrest, with a clear open view of the Olympic mountains. How perfect! Lillian and Sherburne took over the master bedroom and finally Mary had her own bedroom. The boys doubled up. And then - that last baby arrived - A boy! (could anyone be surprised?!). And did you make any changes to the home? I ask Lillian. "No", she replies with a sweet smile, "it was perfect then and it's perfect now. We've never changed a single thing; not the kitchen cabinets, not the long oak divider that separates the entry hall from the dining room, not the 2 entry doors so close together, not the deck, not the driveway. It's just the way it was the day we bought it!" Sherburne was spending 2 days each week running a clinic in Puyallup, as well as still practicing in Seattle, and Lillian was managing a very busy household. The kids headed off to Bellevue Elementary and then Bellevue Christian High School. Later, when the nest had emptied out, Lillian found time for reading and cross-stitch, a long-time hobby. Their big trips were mainly to Cameroon where their son (#6), a pastor, had relocated with his family to do missionary work. Lillian lost her beloved Sherburne after 63 wonderful years together, but she seems to have no time for loneliness. Two grandchildren live with her; Allie, a student of Horticultural Design at South Seattle Comm. College, and Ruth Anne, a single gal in her mid-20's who is a mechanical engineer. They keep a close eye on their beloved Grandma Lillian...as do all those other loving faces, taped to the walls. And just last summer along came little Peter Paul Rumbles, Lillian's 20th great grandchild. I say my good bye's and head out the kitchen door. On the edge of the driveway is an old basketball stand with a soggy tired net hanging on the hoop. No doubt, it used to be the center of so much activity long ago. After meeting Lillian I can vouch that she still has some good years left in her, and she just might see that little Peter Paul dunk a few fine shots. It seems the house really is perfect after all, just the way it is. And, by the way, so is Lillian. Heart of my Heart ("... I love that melody, heart of my heart, bring back that melody..." 1926/Andrew Mack) February is National Heart Month. Keep in mind, 1 out of 3 women's deaths are attributed to heart disease or stroke every year. How to best take care of that one and only ticker you've got? Go easy on the salt! 89% of Americans consume more sodium than they should. Salt keeps extra fluid in the body, often leading to high blood pressure, which is a huge risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Avoid processed foods as much as possible (extra salt is added to extend their shelf life), and use fresh herbs and spices for flavor. Acknowledge your stressors and manage them; extra tension increases cortisol levels, which can increase inflammation in the body. Don't wear out your heart, give it a break! Create your own support group: exercise with a buddy, join our VC Book Club, take up yoga, set up a meditation corner! And puh-leese - don't smoke! It's so much easier to prevent heart problems before they start - and it's pretty tough to reverse the damage later on. Whatza Happening??!! By the time you read this newsletter you will KNOW, KNOW FOR SURE if we're due for 6 more weeks of winter or not. (OK, I've got to be honest with you, Punxsutawney Phil has only a 39% accuracy, so maybe you won't really "know". Ya know?) But did he see/or not see his shadow on Groundhog Day, Feb.2 in Pennsylvania? Would it matter? Nope. Our NW weather has little in common with the NE; when they use shovels, we open umbrellas, when they put on snow boots, we wear galoshes, and when they slap on the DDT, we merely light a citronella. For 128 years they have been guided by a rodent; we needn't be jealous. *****HURRY! HURRY! HURRY! The Lunar New Year<http://lunarnewyear.bellevuecollection.com/> celebration at Bellevue Square is from 11AM - 6PM on Saturday, Feb. 4. It includes music, dance, crafts, martial arts, and a lion and dragon parade 2-3:15 PM. Free. Join the fun, it's a great way to share in the wonderful diversity of our community. *****Any chance there is a birthday or anniversary you want to celebrate in a unique way? Or some special out-of-town visitors coming for the weekend? Consider a Champagne Brunch Cruise on Sunday, Feb 5 or Sunday, Feb. 26 at 11AM. This lavish buffet includes a 2-hour narrated tour of Lake Union and Lake Washington and leaves from the Kirkland Marina. More info: www.waterwayscruises.com<http://www.waterwayscruises.com> ***** Who could ever forget the bitter-sweet saga of poor Cinderella and her ruthless step-mother and homely, ok, ugly, step-sisters! (No wonder step-moms get such a bad rap!) I certainly wouldn't want to reveal any more than THAT, just in case you FORGOT the plot line, but let it be known that "To the scullery with you" was not said in jest! You can watch the whole dysfunctional family pirouette their little tootsies out on stage at the Pacific NW Premiere of Cinderella at Seattle Center's McCaw Hall, from Feb 3- 12. Call 206-441-2424 for details. ***** "The Pajama game is the game we're in and we're proud to be in the pajama game! I love it. I can hardly wait..." Can you? Can you wait? Hey, I'm talking to you...hey! "Hey there, you with the stars in your eyes. Love never made a fool of you, you used to be so wise..." Join the crazy fun and hilarious antics at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory when the new boss falls for the union rep. No one's worrying about the zzzzz's...it's the p's and q's that need minding! A truly great old-fashioned musical (1954) with plenty more sing-able tunes like: Steam Heat, Hernandos Hideaway and 7 ½ cents ("...doesn't buy a helluva lot...7 ½ cents doesn't by a thing..."). Really great fun! 5th Ave. Theater. Feb 10- March 16. Tickets at: www.5thave.org<http://www.5thave.org> ***** The Seattle Musical Theater will perform Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" - what a classic, I remember my own tired copy with dog-eared pages and jello stains! It is said Miss Alcott did not enjoy writing it, and that she did it in record time because she needed the money. When the first dozen chapters were completed and she showed them to her publisher, they both agreed they were "dull". However, the publisher's niece was greatly entranced, thus encouraging the book to be completed. The title "Little Women" was chosen to represent the period of a young woman's life as she leaves her childhood behind and embarks into young adulthood. Watch Meg (the "beauty"), Jo (the "tomboy"), Beth (the "musician") and Amy ("the artist") and their beloved Marmee come to life on stage. And take your kids or grandkids with you! Feb. 17 (to March 12) www.seattlemusical.org<http://www.seattlemusical.org> ***** Is it a circus? Is it a variety show? It's the Flying Karamozov Brothers who have been performing their zany nonsense since 1973. Do you dare sit close to the stage as they juggle and fly (well...yes...sort of) and perform their crazy hi-jinx?! If you've never seen their show, then you've missed their "danger" trick that involves a cleaver, a block of dry ice and a bottle of champagne! Come prepared for their "challenge" trick, where the audience provides the items for juggling (note: nothing bigger than a breadbox, nothing over 10#, and please, no live animals...Fluffy stays home). It all makes for a terrific and fun evening at the Kirkland Performance Center. Feb. 18, 2PM and 6PM, www.kpcenter.org<http://www.kpcenter.org> or 425-893-9900 ***** Here's a sure-to-please dance program - it's called "Chop Shop Dance Festival" and it's in its 10th year, so if you've missed the past 9, here's your chance! It will be at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue on Feb 18 (7:30PM) and Feb. 19 (3PM only). Chop Shop provides a unique opportunity to sample work by a wide range of artists from diverse backgrounds and with different styles, offering insight on contemporary dance and its creative process. Read more about it at www.chopshopdance.org<http://www.chopshopdance.org> ***** The Harlem Globe Trotters are returning to Showare Center in Kent. WOW! This outstanding exhibition basketball troupe combines athleticism with theater and comedy. They have played 26,000 games in over 122 countries. They are inspirational for any young soon-to-be athlete, as well as memorable for those whose "days of action" are behind them. Check them out: Feb. 17-20, tickets start at $27. 866-973-9613 ***** It's the Seattle Home Show! Feb. 18 -26 at the Clink (Century Link Field), next to Safeco Field (Mariners baseball). If you're looking for an idea - stay home and read Family Circle... but if you're looking for a gazillion ideas - then this is the place for you! The Seattle Home Show is the Northwest's largest consumer home show with everything for the home - indoors and out. The spring show presents hundreds of exhibits including builders, remodelers, the latest appliances and fixtures, decorating, landscaping...everything from floor to ceiling and beyond. You can also enjoy special features including seminars and wine tasting. Hours, parking and tickets: www.seattlehomeshow.com<http://www.seattlehomeshow.com> ***** "Get out of town! Quack, quack, get out! Quack, quack, get out! Quack, quack, get out of town (so he went with a quack and a waddle and a quack in a flurry of eiderdown". (The Ugly Duckling/Danny Kaye/1952). Feb. 20 is FREE National Park day! So, get out of town and think about whom we are honoring that day (Civics Quiz: We have only 4 holidays named after individuals, can you name those 4??) ***** Think Flower-Power! The NW Flower and Garden Show will be held Feb. 22 - 26 at the Wa. State Convention Center in Seattle. See spectacular show gardens, 300 exhibitors and gardening vendors, outstanding exhibits, attend seminars, talk to experts, channel your inner "green thumb" and start thinking "Spring!". Info at: www.gardenshow.com<http://www.gardenshow.com> ***** David and I had not heard of "Wintergrass" until a couple years ago when a friend invited us to join him for this amazing and outstanding bluegrass musical "buffet". When is it? Feb 23-26 at the Bellevue Hyatt. What time? What if I say: all day long! Any time! Does it matter??? If you've ever hummed a tune or tapped a foot, then this if FOR YOU! It is magnificent entertainment for anyone who likes music! It's that simple - you like music? Then GO! You will NOT, NOT, NOT be disappointed -and it's time you found that out! Details at www.wintergrass.com<http://www.wintergrass.com>. I hope to see you there - and you'll be SO happy! ***** Feb. 25, 9AM it's the Pacific Regional Yo-Yo Championships at the Armory in Seattle Center ! It's free, it's fun! So, what do you know about yo-yo's?? (admit it - not much...) OK, here's the skinny - Yo-Yos are known to have existed since 440 BC, as we have seen them depicted on ancient urns. They then entered a rather extended quiescent cycle of a mere 2368 years until they had a resurgence thanks to Pedro Flores, a Filipino immigrant. Pedro set up a manufacturing plant in 1928 in Santa Barbara, Ca. They were such a hit he immediately opened 2 more factories and produced 300,000 daily. He was soon bought out by a fellow named Duncan who trademarked the name "Yo-Yo", and eventually earned a spot in the National Toy Hall of Fame (between View-Master and the Hula-hoop). So, Yo! Bro! Go! No slo-mo!*****Here's another very cool deal for ALL 4th - 12 graders!!! On Feb 25th It's Math Fest, 12:30 - 4PM at UW Husky Stadium. This is a non-competitive celebration of great ideas and problems in mathematics. There will be several dozen tables of rich math problems and activities led by volunteers, who are lovers of mathematics from different disciplines, representing mathematicians, teachers, engineers, programmers, graduate students and more. www.mathforlove.com/julia-robinson-festival<http://www.mathforlove.com/julia-robinson-festival>. It's all about STEM: science/tech/engineering/math. (have you read that book about anti-gravity? I hear it's impossible to put down!) ***** Tube-Time: Great things on Ch 9! Saturday, Feb 4 at 1PM: Driving Miss Daisy followed at 3PM: Live from Lincoln Center: 50 Years of Mostly Mozart. ***** Wednesday, Feb 8 at 9PM: Nova: Ultimate Cruise Ship ***** Friday, Feb 10 at 9PM: Smokey Robinson - Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song ***** Saturday, Feb. 11 at 10:30 PM: Masterpiece Mystery - Sherlock ***** Friday, Feb. 17 at 9PM: Great Performances - NYC Ballet in Paris ***** Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 8PM: American Masters presents Maya Angelou. ***** Saturday, Feb 25 at 2:30PM: Carol Burnett's Favorite Sketches followed at 4PM: Ed Sullivan's Rock and Roll Classics. ***** "Superbowl Sunday", Feb 5 is a time for every American male to go NUTS over football! For those of you with more refined tastes, don't forget to check out the "Puppy Bowl" on Animal Planet (Ch. 667), where over 78 pups from 34 various rescue organizations have found their "forever homes", thanks to viewers. Get ready for some serious "squeaker toy" entertainment, it will be paws-itively adorable! The fun starts at 3PM. ***** And speaking of pups: It's Westminster Dog Show time at Madison Square Garden! Feb 12-14 on Fox Sports Go (Ch. 620) starting on Friday at 5 PM. But wait...this year there will be CATS!! Not to be judged, of course...(It's the cats who judge US, not the other way around-) But they'll have their guest appearance at the "Meet the Breeds" segment. Check local programming for weekend hours. ***** Small Stuff: All at our local Bellevue Public Library: Free tax help available on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10AM - 4PM, Feb 1 - April 13. No age or income limits, electronic filing avbl, assistance provided by trained volunteers. ***** Feb 18 at 10:30AM is the Chinese Book Discussion Group (All in Mandarin!) ***** Enjoy a free "preview" of Wintergrass with the Downtown Mountain Boys on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 1:30 - 3PM. ***** Seen Totem Lake Shopping Mall lately? Nope, I haven't either...it's GONE! In its place is a massive 2-story construction project, headed by a California developer. Here's what you can expect: Several hundred high-end apartments, luxury movie theaters, restaurants, retail and Whole Foods (they say...don't hold me to it; it could be "fake news"!) as well as some lovely walking areas with a community park. Congrats, you lit'l ole mall - you deserve it!***** UW Bookstore in Bellevue is closing on Feb.15. It will be rented to another tenant, certainly a prime location, right across from QFC. ***** Free "swing" dance lessons at Crossroads on Feb.24, 6:30 - 7:30PM. ***** A BAD "BOO"! There I was, typing away at my little computer, I send off an email and return to my desktop. All of a sudden a large flashing message takes up the entire screen with a loud voice-over announcement: "This is Microsoft security systems informing you that your computer was just hacked and all personal information including passcodes, bank accts. and social security numbers are being downloaded AT THIS VERY MOMENT into a hacker's computer". My desktop screen is gone, the booming voice continues to barrage me with its insistent warning: I "must call the 800 number on the screen immediately. Failure to do so, at THIS moment will result in continued hacking of even more information and this computer will be immediately shut down and rendered inoperable". Again, I am told to call the number on the screen. Well, I'm not such a newbie; I figure it's a hoax, even though such a thing has never happened before. There is no way for me to turn off my computer, as all my icons have disappeared, and there is just a bright flashing screen in front of me. I push "escape", nothing happens, I try the "back" button - again nothing. My computer really is inoperable! So, I unplug it and wait a good 10 min. then I turn it on - the same voice booms thru and the screen continues to flash. I turn it off again, wait half an hour; when I turn it on again, nothing has changed. Now, I'm beginning to get nervous. I leave it unplugged and make an apt. with Microsoft for an hour later. So, here's the scoop - it's called "Scare Ware" - really good name, and it can happen to anyone. After a lengthy virus scan (which showed no breach), the Microsoft tech advised me, that if this happens again I must push the "off" button on the side of my computer and hold it for AT LEAST 30 sec. to reset it, and the scareware will disappear; don't do less, it must be the full 30 sec. in order to reset. And what about that 800 number? Just some computer crook, ready to take my credit card, and for a $49.99 fee, he would handle the "reset" remotely. Now you know; hope it doesn't happen to you but if it does, you're prepared to render it "NO-Scare-Ware"! ************************************************************* Happy February to all! Let it be a month of caring, a month of love, a month of Valentine wishes and hearts and flowers for everyone you hold dear. I recall many years ago, when I was only about 9 or 10 years old, my father gave my mother a gift for Valentine's Day at the dinner table. It was all wrapped up in red paper with a hand-tied bow. My sister and I were so anxious to see what was inside and as my mother slowly unwrapped it, we got more and more excited. Suddenly, we could see it - a small silver transistor radio, not much bigger than the palm of her hand! She turned it on and the familiar voice of Rusty Parker at WDEV crackled thru the airwaves! "I want one! I want one!" I exclaimed! My sister echoed my words. We jumped up from the dinner table and asked to hold it. "Could we turn it on and off? Can it play other stations? Could we borrow it sometime?" Our heads were bent over this delightful small apparatus; the only radios we had seen before had a cord and a plug. But this one, this one - you could take anywhere!! Caught up in the excitement, I barely noticed my father leaning over me; that is, until he gently placed an identical little radio in my hand, as well as one in my sister's. "Happy Valentine's Day", he said and gave us both a big hug. Make Valentine's Day a family holiday- Mara