This sounds terrible! Jan wrote:
This passive aggressive behavior is getting out of hand. While at QFC someone sprayed the nice lady that sells Real Change with mace. Seriously, what is that about? The police were there. Not sure if they got a good description of the person.
That’s not passive aggressive behavior, that’s aggressive aggressive behavior. That woman has been there for years, greeting comers and goers with a smile and making her crafts. We hope she’s alright, that whoever is responsible is caught and that is just an aberration.
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This is awful. The woman’s name is MaryElva. She’s a darling, and I *think* that might even be my dog she’s watching in this picture. I hope they catch whoever it is, and that it doesn’t scare her away. She does sweet things like give my dog biscuits and even gave me a handmade baby bib when I had my 2nd kid (and I hardly ever have money to buy a Real Change–she just does it because she’s a nice person).
Does anyone know when this mace attack happened? What day, what time?
I wonder if QFC has any cameras that may have caught this?
This is horrible, and I hope the woman is alright. I like seeing her at the QFC almost every time I go there. She has even watched my bike for me when I forgot my bike lock. I hope she will be back. Anyone know how she is doing and where she is at right now?
Yesterday, June 11th about 4:40 PM.
Jan
Sad. I was trying to think of the least-difficult way for my 4th of July guests to bus back to Ballard after the Fireworks & considered suggesting they walk up to Wallingford & 45th to catch the 44. But that area seems to be a bit too dangerous for me to want to send them on foot after dark.
I hope MaryElva is ok, and that her faith in the neighborhood is soon restored!
I just talked to Mary…she’s fine. Essex Porter from KIRO interviewed her and it should be on at 5pm.
That lady is really nice, unless you happen to be another Real Change vendor. I’ve personally seen her yell at another vendor to get out of ‘her spot’. Wise up, cracker. She’s nice to you because you giver her money. Try throwing on an old flannel and standing by her with a sign asking for change and see how fast she offers to set the feds on you.
I think “Wise up, cracker” should be this blog’s new tagline.
An aggressive attack from behind on an unsuspecting, defenseless, 64yr old woman sitting under an umbrella in a lawn chair is adorable and must not remain tolerable. I fear for the safety of the people who engineered this act.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
@10 – I’m going to assume you meant the attack “…is deplorable”, and MaryElva adorable. This should be a lesson to watch our sentence structure as well as our backs.
That is “her spot.” Real Change never has 2 people at the same place at the same time. The guy she was yelling at had been fired by Real Change.
Peace.
MaryElva makes my day every time see her on my frequent trips to my local QFC. She is so very kind and reminds me in my busy world that sometimes all it takes to lift peoples’ spirits is a genuine smile and a few kinds words. It makes my heart hurt to know someone not only attacked her, but came at her from behind.
I REALLY hope that they catch the person who did this to her, but I also challenge Wallingford residents (myself and my husband very much included) to reach out to MaryElva to see what we can do to help her. It is the least we can do after she has been making our days for as long as I have lived here.
Thanks Forest, I got so worked up about Mary’s incident that I diluted my deplorable with an adorable, yikes. Either way, like Katy, I still care and glad to know I’m not alone. -BD
From KIRO7,
Thanks to the blog for letting us know what happened!
@Suich
It isn’t just other Real Change vendors. She doesn’t like anyone out there pan handling or for any other purpose from what I understand and she will threaten to call the cops on them or yell at them. Now I admit that anyone willing to pepper spray an old lady is an adorable (edit: I meant deplorable) monster, but considering she is the only person in the 4 years I’ve been bringing down the hygene standards of Wallingford that I have ever heard of who has been attacked pepper spray. I’m just saying the two might be related. Also, Real Change doesn’t assign corners or locations. The spot belongs to whomever gets there first. She isn’t the angel you think she is, but she didn’t deserve the spray.
Hi Flash,
I just wanted to clarify something that you posted about where people sell concerning selling locations: “Real Change doesn’t assign corners or locations. The spot belongs to whomever gets there first.”
While the first come first serve policy does apply to vendors who sell under 300 papers a month, spots are given to vendors who sell over 300 papers, which is the case with Maryelva. Maryelva has 600 status at the Wallingford location which means that she has the right to ask (politely) that another vendor leaves from her location when she would like to sell.
If someone is having a problem with a vendor I encourage them (and in this case you specifically), to call the Real Change office and I can take appropriate action. Thanks,
Tara Moss
Director of Vendor Services
Real Change
(206) 441-3247 ext. 211
[email protected]
@Tara
I stand corrected. Thanks for the clarification.