The Unfathomable

Our friend Joan was hit by a car on Friday, her birthday, as she waited for a bus outside her house about a block from ours--she was headed downtown to meet with friends to celebrate.

BELLEVUE, Wash. – A 70-year-old Bellevue resident standing at a metro bus stop was struck by a car that crossed the center line and went over the curb.
The accident happened Friday afternoon at about 3:45 p.m. in the 4700 block of 119th Avenue SE.
The 53-year-old Everett driver apparently blacked out losing control of the car.
The woman was hit and was carried about 50 feet into a yard. Medics found the woman unconscious and transported her to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
It was not immediately known if speed, drugs or alcohol were a factor in this accident.
The Bellevue Police Department is looking for any witnesses to the collision, and is asking for them to call the Bellevue Police Business line at 425-452-6917.

The "yard" Joan was "carried into" is her own backyard. She was waiting for the bus at a stop directly in front of her house. Knowing Joan, an avid reader, she probably never saw the car as she faced south in the direction of the oncoming bus. The car and driver, coming from the north, obviously didn't see her. At the bottom of the picture is her purse.

She'll be in the hospital for several weeks as she has pins and plates inserted surgically to help repair her broken right knee, tibia and pelvis.

Waiting for a bus on the sidewalk. You feel protected by an invisible "bubble." Doing the right thing, leaving the car at home. It's 3:45 on a sunny afternoon. On your birthday? Outside your house? I'm only beginning to take it in. Poor Joan. Thank goodness her family is here and friends and neighbors are poised to help speed her recovery.

And I'll be trying to figure out what recourse we have to ensure this never happens in our neighborhood again.

Pole Dancer

I'm still here! Just sort of enjoying the summer and redirecting energy toward Sustainable Bellevue and a Community Faire for Newport Hills.

This is Piper in full hiphop regalia--the "pi" sign on her shirt is her dancer-nym, courtesy of teacher Matt.

Unfortunately, the barber who has had his shop next to the dance studio for as long as I've lived here, has decided to move on. The Red Apple businesses continue to close, with a rumor that our beloved Sahara Pizza is next for the chop.