Rant & Rave: Cheers for mentors, jeers for vandals

Rave To Boeing Co. mentors Duke, David and Ha for making the field trip to the Pacific Science Center for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday celebration so easy and enjoyable. The fourth- and fifth-graders at Roxhill Elementary send a big thank you!

Rant To all of the people who comment about my unsteady hands/voice/head. No, I am not "nervous." I have a progressive neurological disorder. I am fully aware that I am shaking; I don't need you to call attention to it.

Rave To the good Samaritan who found our 17-year-old, nearly deaf and blind dog, Charlie, who got out and was wandering in the cold and rain, and took him to the veterinary hospital. Rescuing Charlie and ensuring his safety was a lovely miracle since he will probably not be with us much longer. My whole family is so grateful!

Rant To the kids (I can't imagine adults this childish) who broke two of the windows on my car by shooting them with a pellet gun.

Rave To the Lincoln towing operators who removed a vehicle that an intoxicated driver plowed into my neighbor's meticulously manicured yard. They took great care to remove the minivan with no additional damage to the beautiful garden my neighbor works so hard on.

Rant To the mom at the athletic club who brought her son into the pool, then asked other moms if he looked like he had chickenpox, since she was "too busy" to take him to the doctor. Keep your kid out of the pool if he has oozing sores!

Rave To my 9-year-old for donating $55 of his birthday money to help the people of Haiti.

Rant To drivers who don't use their turn signals as the law requires. If we all let each other know when we are deviating from the flow of traffic we will all be better off!

Rave To the kind man that stopped in the dark on Stevens Pass to make sure I was OK after crashing my vehicle, and for following me off the pass after determining the car was drivable. Your compassion for my well-being is much appreciated.

Rant To the downtown parking attendant who quoted me evening parking prices of $12.50-$15, then charged me $19.50 when I picked up my car.

Rantandrave@seattletimes.com.