Rave To the Seattle Police Department and planners of the Seafair Torchlight Parade for having a few officers stationed at every block. Not only did the event feel safer, it also provided a nice sense of community by having the officers be part of the event.

Rant To the dad who was screaming at his teenage son at the Department of Licensing office. Everyone in the parking lot heard your obscenity-laden tirade, and my heart broke for your son. I don't know why you were berating him so viciously, but nobody deserves to be treated like that. Also, you set a poor example to the teens waiting to take the driving test by speeding out of the parking lot. You provided an example of how not to parent and how not to drive. You owe your son an apology.

Rave To our wonderful neighbors who spent hours digging deep in the mud when our main water line broke. What a wonderful community we live in!

Rant For the guy using his huge truck to terrorize me during a road-rage attack, driving inches from my bumper until I finally reached the safety of my workplace, where he unleashed a tirade of filthy name-calling.

Rave To the wonderful young man who helped unload my trailer at the transfer station when he noticed my gray hair and my husband with a cane. What would have taken me at least half an hour, he did in 5 minutes.

Rant For the 25 mph speed limit on the Spokane Street viaduct during construction. I try to observe the limit and everyone gets irate at me. What's the point of posting such a low speed limit if it's not enforced? If the SPD ticketed the speeders here, Seattle would have no budget problems!

Rave For the kind people who stopped to help an injured crow: the girl who sat beside it and trickled water over its beak to ease its last moments, the man who covered it with leaves when it died and the person who took the bird's body and disposed of it. Thank you all for your humanity.

The Seattle Times publishes reader rants and raves on a space-available basis. We reserve the right to edit for length or content. Send yours to rantandrave@seattletimes.com