Hi all,  thought you might appreciate an update from my request a while
back about a rebuilt player piano in the Seattle area for my niece,
Arwen.  We had a great visit and she had a list of pianos to go to
see (somewhat shortened, as her hard drive crashed, losing many of the
contacts she had noted).  Well, we went out looking, and one meeting
was arranged in the parking lot of a Burger King.  I told Arwen, "This
feels like a drug deal!"

The seller drove up and shouted "follow me" and we headed to a storage
facility; I told Arwen, "This definitely feels like a drug deal!"  (Like,
"Psst -- hey buddy, wanna buy a piano??")  Inside the storage facility
were player pianos and player parts and a Conn theatre organ -- a virtual
candy store for someone like me! I even found a part for my Welte!

Well, she fell in love with the piano's case style, and I liked the
looks of the workmanship, so we talked a bit.  Found out we had a lot
in common, including knowing the same folks from the Theatre Organ
world, and he had heard of me from them -- that was scary!  The piano
needs some work, and wasn't quite finished, so the debate then was to
have it finished or take as-is.

Arwen chose the have-it-finished option, which we all think was a wise
one.  Soon she will have her piano (the location is already prepared).
I may "have to" go up and help her with some touch-up on the piano
case.  Gee, what a bother; have to go up where there are so many more
things to go see, and people to visit.

Of course, we were there on the hottest day of the year!  Also, we
had only one day to go downtown and that was the day the U.S. President
chose to do the same thing.  We lucked out, the only thing we saw of
the entourage was a helicopter buzzing us when we went up in the Smith
Tower.  And the Underground Tour of Seattle is a must-do -- what fun!

So thank you all for your help, it was much appreciated!

David Dewey
Oroville, California, USA