CITY LIGHTS
By Al Hooper
The Beacon

Those were desperate times. Ed Aliverti was facing a recruitment problem. As choir director in the Edmonds School District, he was in dire need of bodies.
Warm ones, if possible.

So he approached the boys high school wrestling team and asked, Any of you guys sing?

The Muscle Brigade considered the question. Easy Ed looked harmless enough, except for that ton of black hair amid all the macho crewcuts.

Make you a deal, the team spokesman said. Well sing in your choir if you announce our wrestling matches.

And so Ed Alivertis avocation as a wrestling announcer was launched exactly 50 years ago.

In the decades since, he has crossed the country and circled the globe to announce countless major events for USA Wrestling from national championships to the Olympics to a veritable pandemic of mat summits.

Today Ed Aliverti is the only announcer in the USA Wrestling Hall of Fame. In the subculture of amateur wrestling, he is as much an icon for his announcing prowess as he is here in Edmonds for his lifelong contributions to the performing arts.

This weekend, however, his life will change.
Easy Ed is in Omaha for the World Team Trials, and it will be his final such appearance. USA Wrestling is flying him out, along with his wife and partner Shirley, for a special presentation.

Why step aside now? Well, theres all that traveling and hes 75. So? On Ed Aliverti, 75 could be 25 his zest for life never goes. It is who he is.

Heres what else he is: a three-time cancer survivor.
And the pancreatic cancer is back. Hes on chemo again. Second time in two years.

His physician said to him, How much can you handle, Ed?

Ed said, Gimme your best shot. Ill handle it.
He will. And he has. The bodily intrusions, the weight loss, the physical drain

Ed tells you, Ive lost my hair again.
You say, Well. Youve done that before.
His reaction? The famous Aliverti laugh, full-throated and unrestrained. Youre right! I think Im getting good at it.

Cancer isnt funny, of course pancreatic cancer least of all but Easy Ed Aliverti is not one to let it spoil the moment. Nor will he be leaving his day job.

He maintains his commitment to the SnoKing Chorale, which he founded sometime in the last century, and to the Fantastic Stardust Follies, who produce regional concerts showcasing mature song `n dance artists. Ed says some of the dancers, whose ages range into the mid-80s, make him feel like a mere tyro.

I want to be like them when I grow up, he says. Theyre inspirational!

If being inspirational is what its about, then Easy Ed can take a breather. Because hes already there

And lets not overlook the contribution of that choir of wrestling draftees all those years ago.
How did they do? Sang beautifully. Very virile larynxes. No trouble hitting the low notes.

Ed Aliverti still remembers them all.
And they will not forget Ed Aliverti.

Whatever became of ?

People who spend time in Washington, D.C., arrive at a singular conclusion. Its a small one-industry town.

Rita Flynn confirmed this the other day when she ran into Deanna Dawson at her bank on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Deanna Dawson, as my Constant Reader knows, resigned from Edmonds City Council last year to become director of the non-profit Federal Courts Program for Justice At Stake in the Other Washington.

Rita Flynn, formerly with the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, is known for managing Mauri Moores foiled mayoral bid two years ago. She and Ms. Moore have a history together. At one time both held key positions with NBCs foreign news bureau.

Following the election, Ms. Flynn fell from our radar. Which tells you how myopic radar can be in the wrong hands.

Now she reports from D.C. that Im working for a non-profit, too the Communications Consortium Media Center. We advocate on issues like the women's vote, raising the minimum wage, women and childrens health

All good issues but its a little all over the place. Washington can be like that. It's my third time here.

Any words for the folks back home?
She says, Im so happy to hear Yost Pool will be open this year after all!

A local issue. But shes tuned in. You can take the girl out of Edmonds butetc.