Kvi Radio Host Waxes Romantic

Big romantic news: KVI talk-show host John Carlson, 35, spoiled his reputation as a confirmed bachelor and proposed Saturday.

Carlson invited Lisa Jenney, a 25-year-old former staffer for Sen. Slade Gorton, to dinner at Serafina, a candle-lit restaurant on Eastlake. Afterward, he drove her around the University of Washington campus, parking near the outdoor Sylvan Theatre.

"Come on. I want to show you something," Carlson said. They strolled into the moonlit glade. Reluctant to kneel directly on the wet grass, Carlson slipped his wallet from his pocket and placed it under one knee. He asked, "Will you marry me?"

"Yes," she said. Fade for the clinch. They then went off to toast with Dom Perignon and watch "Casablanca."

It was Sunday morning before Carlson realized he'd forgotten his wallet. "The University of Washington police called," Carlson says. "A woman walking her dog found the wallet and turned it in. Intact."

The conservative Carlson, who writes a weekly column for The Seattle Times, describes his fiancee as "just about perfect." Jenney lobbies for the Association of Washington Business. She once worked for Republican Senate candidate Rod Chandler and the state GOP.

What could be wrong? UW grad Carlson laments, "She's a Cougar." Jenney, a Washington State University alum, disagrees. She says, "I count that as one of my assets."

Pit stop: Picture the scene in Port Orchard around 11 a.m. Thursday. Five float planes, bound for Alderbrook on Hood Canal but grounded by fog, landed in the harbor. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Melody Sapp was summoned by the harbor master to assist the party of 20, led by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.

Sapp was arranging for bus transportation to Alderbrook when word came the fog had lifted. The planes took off again.

Sapp says, "No truth to the rumor we're going to put up `Bill Gates Shops Here' signs."

Really Truly: The return of former Seattle Mayor Charley Royer, back after five years at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, neatly coincides with the birth of his second grandchild. Truly Estella McCone was born Saturday to Suzanne Royer McCone and J. Daniel McCone.

Truly already has a job. Her maternal grandmother, Annie Davis of Annie's Nannies, says, "Truly came along just in time to interview nannies. Gabriella (the baby's 5-year-old sister) is no longer interested." Davis' name for the 6-pound, 14-ounce newborn: Truly Scrumptious.

All that sparkles: Seattleite Coralie Swanson planned to fly to San Francisco today for a dream assignment: designing an engagement ring for Gail de Martini, fiancee of 80-something attorney Melvin Belli. Swanson will work on the design with de Martini, a 45-year-old San Francisco socialite and businesswoman.

Swanson says, "Mel is very romantic. He wanted to elope to Hong Kong. Instead they're going there for a post Valentine's vacation."

Drive time: The neo-conservative cabdriver was chatty and full of provocative opinions on the woes of the city and nation. When the passenger climbed out, she couldn't resist saying: "Watch out for Republicans!"

The driver didn't miss a beat: "And you keep an eye out for politically correct Democrats!"

Jean Godden's column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the Local News section of The Times. Her phone is 464-8300.