Rant & Rave: Traffic circle confusion in White Center

RANT to the two traffic circles in White Center that drivers have no idea how to use. They are ignoring the yield signs and entering without stopping when there is traffic in the circle. Pickups and buses are just driving across and over the circle. 

RAVE to brown bears Fern and Juniper at Woodland Park Zoo for being the cutest ambassadors for grizzlies and the effort to repopulate them in the North Cascades. The National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced their intent to reintroduce grizzly bears to the region. Where grizzlies thrive, so do the other wildlife, plants and people — and we can’t wait to welcome them home!  

RANT to people who think dogs shouldn’t be dogs. Where on earth should a dog be able to do its business if not on grass, trees and bushes? I have a dog and am very respectful of others’ plants, trees and grass, but for crying out loud let my dog be the dog she is!

RAVE to those who take a moment to appreciate good people and occurrences in their lives.

RANT to the department or individuals who are tasked with picking up road construction, detour or parking restriction signs. These are now littering many streets, sidewalks and intersections. Many are a walking or tripping hazard (potential lawsuits for the city, I would think), and many have become so damaged by traffic running over them that they are no longer able to be collected and reused. Are these signs now disposable? Who is responsible for the pickup?

RAVE to the mom and two school-age children who were so supportive and sweet to my 5-year-old after she threw up as we were landing at Sea-Tac Airport after a 12-hour flight. It was her first international trip and their calm kindness, words of support and lots of wipes were so appreciated. Raising young children in the age of the internet can feel like you are doing everything wrong and this family made both me and my daughter feel so supported by perfect strangers. 

RANT to restaurants that impose a 4% “surcharge” at the end of the meal, saying something about employees and other costs. Please just price your menu items to cover your costs and a profit, like every other business. 

RAVE to my mail carrier for bringing my mail up the driveway to my door as I am 78 years old and on oxygen. Beyond that, without ever asking, they haul my garbage, recycling and yard waste bins up to my garage as well.

RANT to the young adult bus riders who occupy two seats. One with their bottoms and the other with a backpack or large purse. Less personal entitlement and more communal goodwill, please!

RAVE to Ridwell for helping me recycle odd things like plastic, Christmas lights, charger cords and other items not taken by the city. Rave also to the person at my workplace who collects wine bottle corks and periodically puts a giant batch into their Ridwell collection.