The Alaskan Way Viaduct is closed forever tonight. Viadoom, we’re calling the traffic problems we’ll now have for a few weeks and months now that it is no more. Viaductpocalypse, we’re calling it....
Jazz Maniacs
There was much concern in the February 25, 1922 edition of the Town Crier. The writers were concerned of this thing called jazz music. They questioned, “Will the willingness of some musicians yield abjectly to the existing ‘jazz-craze’ even though momentarily financially remunerative, not eventually prove socially demeaning?” They thought most certainly it would prove socially demeaning.
What Are People Doing?
“A portrait of quality and distinction,” the ad reads in the January 4, 1919 edition of the Town Crier, “will always bear the name Curtis.” It continues, jovially, “We heartily solicit your patronage for the New Year.” The name Curtis is a famous one in photography circles.
Happy New Year
Many Seattle homes were open on New Year’s Day in 1912, according to the December 28, 1912 edition of the Town Crier. Miss Helen Starr, on 1208 Marion Street, the Crier noted, will give “an at home to the maids and bachelors of her acquaintance from three until six o’clock.”
What Are People Doing?
There’s an ad on page 11 of the December 28, 1918 edition of the Town Crier. It lists the faculty of the Cornish School of Music. Piano teachers include, amongst others, Miss Mabel Fett, Miss Fedelia Burgess, and Mr. Dent Mowrey. Voice teachers include Brabazon Lowther and Mrs. Sara Y.B. Peabody.
Happy Birthday, Moore Theatre
“Big houses at the Moore this week,” noted the January 11, 1919 issue of the Town Crier. “It might be added, ‘as usual,’” the story continued, “and the entertainers mostly come in pairs – pairs of peaches.” The story took note of Stanley and Birnes, who “sang a little and danced a great deal of absurd stuff,” and The Irish Barry girls with “clever variety stunts.” The Moore has had big houses since Seattle’s iconic theater house opened, on this day, in 1907. It is the oldest still-active theater in Seattle.
Happy Winter Solstice
Last night was the longest night of the year, and yesterday the shortest day. The seven days preceding and the seven days following the winter solstice are said to be halcyon days, deriving from the ancient tale of a fabled bird, the halcyon, that bred in floating nest on the sea at the winter solstice, charming the winds and waves into calm for the purpose.
What Are People Doing?
“One of the fastest growing sections of Seattle during the past few years,” the Town Crier reported on December 21, 1918, “is the Rainier Valley.” Indeed, “The Seattle Rainier Valley Railway Company has played an important part in the upbuilding and the steady march of progress of Rainier Valley.” The story goes on discussing improvements with an eye towards the future. “The next few years will undoubtedly witness an even greater growth.”
A Symphony of Women
The March 12, 1921 edition of the Town Crier had on its cover Madame Mary Davenport Engberg. She was a violin virtuoso and became director of the Seattle Civic Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra’s first concert was April 24, 1921, and they held their last concert on May 4, 1924. The Town Crier reviewed that first concert, writing, in part, “It was a novelty to see a smartly gowned woman on the conductor’s platform wielding the baton, which she did with emphatic manner.” By leading the orchestra she was thought to be the only female conductor in the world.