Rant and Rave! | Setting a good example (or not)

Rave "To the Rainier Beach library Urban Chess Club kids. Thank you for arriving early because you were excited about being interviewed by a TV station last Saturday. Extra big thanks for taking the news so well when the TV station didn't show up. You will forever be my heroes. Urban Chess Club rocks!"

Rant "It was Thursday, Jan. 17, a little before 7 p.m. and you (5-foot-10, late 30s, wearing glasses) and your son came into Pagliacci Pizza in Kirkland and picked up three pizzas. While you were backing up your big, dark Hummer, you slammed into my Acura and drove away. Redeem yourself and set an example for your young son. Please e-mail hummerhitme@yahoo.com.

Rave "To the United Way of King County and the tax-preparation volunteers who gave their time Feb. 2 during Super Refund Saturday. Their work returned more than $119,500 in tax refunds to 57 working families."

Rant "To parents who play ball in the street with their children — not in front of their own homes, but in front of the homes of neighbors. They hit cars and houses and cause damage to plantings in parking strips. Is this really necessary when there is a lovely park a few blocks away?"

Rave "On Feb. 5, we'd been waiting for two hours for a taxi from two different taxi companies. My lady friend was late for her heart medicine. The manager of Old Country Buffet on Aurora found a couple from the Seattle-Lake City Lions Club to drive us home. Thanks to both the manager and the couple."

Rant "To those who don't flush toilets in public. Not only do I not want to see what came out of your body, it contaminates the air. Flush the toilets!"

Rave "To my co-workers who chipped in to help me out when my paycheck was short due to being off work two weeks because of illness. You are all truly like family to me. Thank you!"

Rant To local TV weatherpeople who over-hype snow potential. It either contributes to over-exciting or over-worrying us all! Chill out and give it to us straight."

Rant "To the other cyclist who ruined my morning bike ride to work by yelling, 'It's a one-way street.' Yes, I was traveling the wrong way for half a block on a quiet, otherwise empty, Montlake street. You were not in danger or inconvenienced, nor was anybody else. Apparently, you have earned the right to be the cycle police. In the future, unless you or another person is in danger or inconvenienced, please keep your thoughts to yourself."

More rants, more raves in our online forum, Sound Off, seattletimes.com/living. Or e-mail to rantandrave@seattletimes.com.