Serving Queen Anne & Magnolia Since 1919 www.QueenAnneNews.com
AUGUST 20, 2025
VOL. 106, NO. 34
From Layup to Legacy: Sue Bird Immortalized in Bronze By Laura Marie Rivera
LAURA MARIE RIVERA
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Sue Bird stands before her newly unveiled statue outside Climate Pledge Arena
eattle made history today, unveiling a bronze statue of Sue Bird outside Climate Pledge Arena—the first statue honoring a WNBA player and the first in the city dedicated to a female athlete. The tribute recognizes Bird’s legendary career with the Seattle Storm and her lasting impact on the city, the league, and generations of fans. Bird, the Storm’s No. 1 draft pick in 2002, spent 21 seasons with Seattle, becoming the face of the franchise and one of the most celebrated athletes in basketball history. Over the course of her career, she secured four WNBA championships with the Storm, five Olympic gold medals with Team USA, 13 All-Star selections, and a place atop the league’s alltime lists for games and minutes played. Beyond her accolades, she became a symbol of excellence, leadership, and longevity in professional sports. The unveiling drew city and state leaders, fans, and former teammates to Climate Pledge Arena’s plaza, where Mayor Bruce
A New Look at Pansies Erica Browne Grivas
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Get Growing
ost people think of pansies and violas as cute but unremarkable shoulder-season fillers for containers. Think again. Pansies are getting a major makeover, and Camano Island flower farmer Brenna Estrada (@threebrothersblooms) wants us to see their true star power and elegance. Estrada, who trained at Floret Flower Farm after serving in law enforcement and the Marine Corps, began looking more closely at violas and pansies—and quickly became fascinated by their unique charms. After diving into texts from 1800s pansy enthusiasts, she started trialing varieties on her 2.5-acre island farm. She discovered that, contrary to popular belief, pansies aren’t just short-stemmed, partialshade workhorses—they thrive in full sun. “Sun yields the healthiest plants and the most spectacular flowers,” Estrada writes in her new book Pansies. In full sun, pansies stretch
their stems to 14 or even 20 inches, lending a lush, wild appeal. She makes the case that despite their modest size, pansies pack serious flower power. They bloom longer and are easier to grow in varied conditions—like containers—than dahlias, irises, or roses. Did you know pansies are the cultivated descendants of the romantic viola, or heartsease (Viola tricolor)? Famous for their painted “faces,” pansies and violas are also used in crafts and cooking—
"Sun yields the healthiest plants and the most spectacular flowers" from floral paper and botanical stamping to decorating cakes and cocktails. While once prized for bouquets and love potions, Estrada notes that modern breeding shortened them for bedding plants and containers. But these new varieties retain their toughness and adaptability (growing in nearly every hardiness zone), and many are excellent cut flowers, lasting up to two weeks with their full stems. Plus, many offer delightful fragrance.
Estrada’s enthusiasm has created a buzz in the floral community. Pansies showcases 50 varieties in mouthwatering colors, shapes, and fragrances that differ dramatically from the typical nursery offerings. Many are as ruffled as an Elizabethan collar, in hues as rich as a Medieval tapestry. Trialing 100 varieties annually, Estrada shares growing tips tailored for Pacific Northwest challenges—like slugs (she recommends ducks), wet springs, and dry summers. She grows mostly from seed, which promotes better stem length and lets her hunt down unusual varieties. Her favorites range from ruffled ‘Can Can’ to striking ‘Tiger Eye.’ There’s even a section of black pansies and violas—perfect for elegant contrast. Among the most fragrant are the honey-hued viola ‘Deltini Copperfield’ and the sweetly scented, charming cerise ‘Bunny Ears.’ Another scented standout is ‘Floral Days Morning Dew,’ with petite raspberry, lemon, or peach flowers that release a chocolatey aroma. Some varieties like ‘Matrix’— known for heat tolerance—‘Delta,’ and the ‘Frizzle Sizzle’ series can be found at garden centers, but many
GRIVAS, 4 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
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SEATTLE, WA PERMIT 1271
Harrell reflected on Bird’s influence both on and off the court. Harrell, who played football at the University of Washington, noted the shared experience of being a Husky—though Bird famously led the University of Connecticut Huskies to two NCAA championships. With a nod to her enduring legacy, Harrell officially proclaimed August 17 “Sue Bird Day” in Seattle. State Representative Julia Reed echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the groundbreaking significance of Bird’s honor. Representing Washington’s 36th Legislative District, which she noted has the only all-female delegation in the city, Reed declared it “Sue Bird Day” across the state of Washington. King County Council Chair Girmay Zahilay took the celebration a step further, bringing his young daughter on stage to witness the moment firsthand. He said he wanted her to look back and know she was a part of history, and to look forward and know that anything is possible. “That’s what Sue represents, and that’s what her statue represents.” He then proclaimed the day “Sue Bird Day” on behalf of King County.
When athletes are honored with statues, they’re often remembered in iconic poses—Michael Jordan’s dunk, Magic Johnson’s no-look pass. Bird got to choose her own. She selected a layup, a deceptively simple move that carried personal weight. Her first career points at Climate Pledge Arena came from a layup, and so did her final basket before retiring. The likeness was sculpted by renowned artist Julie Rotblatt Amrany, who has created iconic works honoring sports legends across the country. With Bird’s input, Rotblatt Amrany crafted a figure that captures not just the motion of a layup but the spirit of an athlete whose career spanned two decades in one city. Fans and teammates marveled at the likeness, praising how the sculpture captured not just her form but her essence. For Bird, the honor was equal parts humbling and affirming, “This statue will make sure a piece of me stays in this city forever, just like this city will always be a part of me.” Bird’s statue marks a breakthrough in representation—an acknowledg-
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Survey Names Washington’s Favorite Main Street Businesses
Dick's Drive-In is a Seattle institution
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ick’s Drive-In, the Seattle burger institution known for its simple menu, cashonly policy and tasty, relatively inexpensive food, has been named Washington’s favorite Main Street business in a statewide survey. The survey by MarketBeat.com, a financial media company, polled 3,004 residents about their favorite locally owned, independent businesses. Dick’s, founded in 1954, topped the list for its classic fare and cultural staying power. They now have 10 locations. The no-frills burger joint is a late-night stop for teens, a refueling station for musicians and a landmark where no one seems to mind waiting.
MarketBeat described the results as a celebration of “unsung heroes of hometown pride” - the kinds of businesses where the staff know customers by name, the recipes haven’t changed and the atmosphere feels as familiar as family. While the menu has remained simple (the popular Dick's Deluxe burger was not added to the menu until 1971), orange swirl ice cream was recently added to the menu. Chocolate, vanilla, chocolate chip mint, cookies and cream, huckleberry and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream is also available, as well as their hand-dipped chocolate, vanilla and strawberry shakes. Staff Report