Al Ovadia

Ric, thanks so much for all your recent postings. I remember well all of the shots of the old neighborhood. walking by St Edwards to get to school, going to the American Theatre for 25 cents, having a burger across the street at Betty's (I think). Any way great stuff.

Loved the shot of "The Shocker". Completely lost track of him. Alan, you look great. BTW, I have a bunch of pins that maybe would be nice additions to your collection, although it seems you have the market cornered.

All the best to all of you.

I am so jealous that most of you get to go to Seafair.As some of you may remember, I oved on Seward Park Ave, about four houses from the park. My one great Seafair story. We had a long driveway and so because parking was a challenge for Powwow, I charged people, I think $1.00 or $2.00 to park at my house. I was 9. about 9 cars or so were parked. Got onthe roof and watched the fireworks after spending the day marveling at the chameleon's for sale and the blueberry pie eating contest. 

People started coming back for their cars. I neglected to collect people's keys. Needless to say, people got a little upset.

The first but certainly not the last, idiot move.

Have a wonderful Seafair to those in the area.

Best,,

Al 

Peggy Johnson

Thanks Ric for all those FABULOUS pictures.  Those pics of when we were kids with all the old cars was so much fun to look at and to see what they are going to do with the neighborhood -very informative.  Loved the Blue Angels picture too.

Al - that story about parking the cars was so funny - ahh those were the days. lol!  Thanks for your post.

Peggy

Ric Rivera

Al O thanks for the confession :-) Sounds like I would of like too been with you enjoying all the festivities and mischief. Speaking of the area. I was coming home 2nd shift 10:30 pm on Wilson Ave S just before Orcas I gave a desperately flagging elder neighbor a ride to his friends house just blocks west to pickup his house key. He could not trek the hills anymore. I took him back to his home toward Seward Park. I don't recall but maybe a couple or so houses into Lakeshore Dr S south of Juneau St. He said he had built many of the homes in this area. 

And Peggy J thanks too.

Ric Rivera

Density

More Changes on the valley Columbia, Hillman City, Rainier ave corridor.... a study down to one lane!

These articles sums it up.

The latest meeting was July 30 

http://crosscut.com/2015/07/seattles-most-dangerous-street-will-see-changes-murray-announces/

The opportunities

http://crosscut.com/2015/03/sdot-plans-a-safer-rainier-ave-for-cars-and-pedestrians-not-bikes/

Ric Rivera

Scat a bay do we the night away with Rodes, Lubag, Johnson and Page. I know sounds like a lawyer firm. But instead can attest to the great musicianship and singing from our own Dorothy Rodes vamping away into the hot summer night. Whoops! Sorry about that Dorothy. I meant scatn' aday do day away not vamping. Bassist Johnson is smiling at that.

Thanks Dorothy! Music to put a skip, put a groove in yur step! It's summer! It's Dorothy!

Egan's http://www.ballardjamhouse.com Aug 1 2015

Barry Meyers

Great Seafare memories. I used to make the trek almost everyday down to the race pits during the hydroplane races to sell neewspapers, and even sometimes Seafare pins. Here's a couple from the Gold Cup races highlights alwats to remember:

1) 1955 I remember during the periods between heats on race day this large airplane roars down race course, rolls upsaide down then back up again and flys away.  Turns out this is Boeing's precurser to the 707 (KC135). Their lead test pilot Tex Johnson did a barrell roll over the race course to impress future buyers of the aircraft.

2) About 1958 a Blue Angel flew under the west end of the Lake Washington Floating Bridge. Only thing to say is "Amazing"!

Dorothy Rodes

Wow, Ric. It was a sweet surprise to see you. Thanks for coming out, bringing Deanne (however she may spell it) and for your kind words! Nice how my hair looks red 'stead of gray ... It was a blast last night. More gigs coming up.

One thing I don't miss about the old neighborhood is Seafair. Was an old fart about it once I got over jumping on the back of concession trucks for the thrill of hoping they hadn't made their last stop ... days gone by ...

Sylvia Lovegren (Petras)

Hi Scott/Charles!  Wow, what a flash from the past!  Hope you're doing well -- looks like it!

I miss Seafair.  My nephew got pit tickets this year and I was so jealous.  Had so much fun hanging out in the crowds looking for cute guys :)  -- sometimes finding them, too!  And my crazy dad built a platform on top of our house so we had a great view of the race.  My mom threw a big party which always drew a crowd with lots of wonderful food.  Sigh.  Great days.

Al Ovadia

My sisters used to drive me to the pits first thing in the morning all race week. Somehow, I befriended Bernie Little, the owner of Miss Budwesier. I think I yelled at him over the gate and begged for a job. I got to work on the boat for two summers, wiping it down when it came out of the water, and other stuff like throwing out the booster pins from the trailer door. As I remember it was throw ten, pocket two. Then run to the blackmarket pin selling area and trade those pins for others. And, showcasing my early entrepreneur days, I used to write to Harrah's casino in Lake Tahoe and claim I was the President of the Tahoe Miss Fan Club and we were 25 members strong. They then sent me 25 pins. I changed my name and got 25 more. Which, yes, i took to the pits and traded. Same for Gale Enterprises in Detroit for the Gale. Loved those days.Keith Jackson was with KOMO back then and used to cover the race. This, was I believe 1957 and 58.  Loved those days.

Ric Rivera

Yes! Oh our muse. Seafair! Daze of innocence gone by. Those are some memories. Yeah! Me too Al O on Miss Lake Tahoe. I believe the envelope is still around that they sent it in. Thanks for the memories.Although, I didn’t go as far as you did. Funny stories. Great reminisces all!

As for this Seafair free FridayI hadn't walk this way in ages. The walk down 46^th Ave to the pits was carefree seeing lots of Hawthorne-Sharples-Franklin classmates houses still standing. From Gorze, Lazara, Riddock, Epstein, Baldacci, Hale and Kremen they were not torn down for mega homes.

Sylvia L: There are Bicycle Sundays from May to September in which they close off Lake Washington Blvd from Mt Baker Park to Seward Park at Juneau St, a nice stretch. Just before Seafair I cut off from the Lakewood moorage up onto Genesee Ave. Your house is still standing I could just make it out on the now tree lined street.

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

Haven't thought about this in a long time, but I remember in the early years when I was still in grade school, it was a long walk back home after the races.  So, the night before my dad would drive our one car down to the parking lot at the foot of 50th street and park it there overnight.  The next day, we all walked happily down to the races, and we had the car there if someone got crabby, or needed to be away from the crowds for a bit.  Then after a long, fun and exhausting day at the races, we would drive home once most of the pedestrians had cleared out of the area.

Peggy Johnson

Nancy - that was a good idea! 

Enjoyed reading all of your posts about the Seafair! Such fun memories!

Erik Kimple

Seafair! Seafair! You guys are killing me. For a boy growing up in Seattle it was better than masterbation, well at least it latested longer. I walked over from Beacon Hill every day during time trial week, but we always watched the race on our giant 19" black and white TV. Remember when the boat lost its rudder and torpedoed the coast guard boat or the boat that did a full 360 flip in the air and came down perfectly. I always had pit passes because my sister worked for Greater Seattle. Got a lot of signature especially my hero, Bill Muncie. It was never the same when the jet engines came along, no more 16 cylinder Allisons, Rolls Royce or Rolls Merlind. But I guess nothing stays the same. Take care all enjoy the hottest summer ever and remember there is no such thing as global warming. 

Ric Rivera

A long ago picture Europe '66 Bel Canto Choir with our host choir having dinner.

Left to Right seated among hosts: '67 Steve Ticeson, '68 Ric Rivera, '67 Frank Raines, '66 Pauline Kashino,  and not sure if that is '68 Cheryl Carrabba pictured at the end.

Sylvia Lovegren (Petras)

Great picture, Ric!

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

I recently had a message from Tino Ganacias and I don't remember Tino.  If you remember Tino, please let me know, or post here.

THX

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

Thanks John.  I thought you might be the one to remember.....

Donna Amira

Michelle Goings (Steanson)

I believe his legal name, if it is who I think it is, was Valentino.   He and two other friends from our class were in a group that dated each other. I not sure but I probably missed the original post.   Did he pass away?

Ric Rivera

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

Thanks everyone for your info on Tino.  He contacted the class via this website, wanting to connect with people.  I didn't remember him, and am glad that some of the rest of you do know him.  I am checking to see if he wants me to post his contact info on the message forum.  Meanwhile, if any of you want to contact him, send me a message and I will get his contact info to you.

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

And a message from C Scott Harrison.

I went to elementary school(Hawthorne) with a lot of you. My dad was a Franklin grad. I would like to re-connect with a few folks I remember from those halcyon days. Thanks for your consideration Charles "Scott" Harrison

Ric Rivera has his contact info, so if you remember Scott and want to get in touch with him, message Ric.

Sylvia Lovegren (Petras)

I ran into  "Charlie" Harrison when I was living in Los Angeles in the late 70s/early 80s.  He was working at a record store in Hollywood and was very knowledgeable about classical music.  He recommended a recording of baroque horns to me for a gift to my dad -- turned out to be my dad's favorite record ever...and my mom's least favorite!

Charlie, now Scott, was a very nice guy.  

Nancy Raetzloff (Groth)

Just had info from Karen Kummerfeldt about the passing of Anita Mae Carter.  Sad to see another one gone.

Sara Thompson (Thompson)

The Franklin Alumni Association and Foundation held the annual Hall of Fame Celebration in May. Gregory Dean was inducted. He is now the Fire Chief in the other Washington, so he could not come but he sent an old picture, which took me back. We had a tableful to cheer his induction. I finally have a few pictures - Dave Azose, Sam Amira, Shirley Kiser, Vic Alfonso, Virg Descargar, Mayumi Tsutakawa and me.