Seattle Press on Line - Let It Snow!

Small Ideas for Seattle

Let It Snow!

By Dick Falkenbury

Jan 11, 2001 -- If it ever snows more than a couple of inches around here, the City of Seattle may have a plan. They may have one. I don't know. If they do have a snow emergency plan, it should be up on the city's web site. And it should be up on the web site before it snows. Partly so we'll know what to do when the snowstorm hits, and partly so we can comment on the plan before it's operational. Maybe we can make it better.

Speaking of snow, the city should designate at least one hilly street in each neighborhood as "the sledding hill." The site should be well marked and advertised. This street should have no parking, few if any telephone poles and (most important) no traffic allowed. Sledding should be fun, not fatal. In 1995 there were 5 deaths due to sledding accidents. We can save lives with just an ounce of forethought.

Remember the most helpful tip for driving in snow: "Don't." If you haven't had a lot of experience driving in snow, why do it? Do what I always do: Hitchhike. (This is not for everyone.) Someone in a four-wheel drive will always pick you up, because they just have to show off now that their gas guzzler is finally justifying itself. And if you're the one driving, offer to give rides or pick up hitchhikers--if nothing else, the hitchhikers are flesh-and-blood sandbags, and the added weight will increase your traction.

If you have elderly neighbors, offer to walk to the store for them. It'll look great on your Final Resume, and it'll get you out of the house. If you must be driven someplace and can't get a ride, call on the experts--your local cab drivers.

And by all means, get out and enjoy it. Go to a favorite park and see how great it looks all white and quiet. Make snowballs until your hands are dangerously close to frostbite. Stop and play with every kid you meet. Yell insensibly--a lot.

Snow is a great excuse. Use it to the maximum allowable by law!

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