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Betty Lennox spent a whirlwind 36 hours in Seattle last weekend, squeezing in an appearance at the Storm's Winter Warm-Up Event for season ticket holders, her theatrical debut in the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker and a community event taking youngsters ice skating at Seattle Center's Winterfest. Storm.wnba.com was there every step of the way.
Friday - Bank of America Arena at Hec Edmunson Pavilion
The question of the evening, as Storm season ticket holders are joined by Lennox, Head Coach 
Anne Donovan, Assistant Coach Heidi VanDerveer and Storm COO Karen Bryant at the Winter Warm-Up Event, has nothing to do with the Storm. Instead, it's, "Do you have power?"
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"When I saw Betty, I was so excited," says Donovan.
Donovan shares her disappointment at coaching the U.S. women to a third-place finish in the World Championships.
"It's the first time I've ever been handed a bronze medal," says Donovan. "I'm going to steal Lauren's gold when she comes back from Australia."
"I'm ready to bring back a gold medal (in the 2008 Olympics," Donovan later boasts, "and you can tell Lauren I said that."
Lennox, as she did in a recent Q&A with storm.wnba.com, shares how she's keeping busy in her off-season home in Kansas City - by working as an intern for Habitat for Humanity and staying in shape with boxing and kickboxing classes. Wearing long pants, Lennox is unable to demonstrate for everyone in attendance the roundhouse kick she's just mastered, but draws a big laugh - and some cheers - when she describes her plans to box Laila Ali in a couple of years.
Lennox is also celebrating her 30th birthday; fans serenade her with a rendition of "Happy Birthday." Lennox shares that she's heard that instead of looking older, she's actually looking younger as she enters her 30s.
The UW women play their part in making the night a success, playing some of their best basketball of the season to cruise past Gonzaga 75-61 with the Storm fans and plenty of staff in attendance. The loudest cheers from the Storm staff go to guard Cameo Hicks and forward Jill Bell, both of whom have interned for the Sonics & Storm.
Saturday Afternoon - McCaw Hall at Seattle Center
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Waiting outside the dressing rooms, Lennox signs autographs in waves for the young performers of the PNB, but the little boy who will dance with her is too shy to ask himself. Not all of the kids are quite sure who Lennox is, but they know she plays basketball and they know she's a star.
Lennox meets Mercer Island Mayor Bryan Cairns, who will play her husband, "Grandfather." Cairns, like Lennox, is performing the role for the first and only time, but he's got more experience with ballet - Lennox will be seeing Nutcracker for the first time - and gives her the lowdown on what they will be doing onstage.
"He's supposed to be leading me," says Lennox, "and I think I'm in good hands."
A small pack of photographers and video cameramen follows Lennox and Cairns up to the stage as she takes her first look at where she will be performing. Outside, the crowd is gathering, many of them there to see Lennox. The Saturday matinee showing was not sold out when the PNB and Storm announced on the previous Monday that Lennox would be performing, but tickets went quickly thereafter.
"I'm bringing all sorts of people out for the first time in years," Lennox remarks.
Lennox is asked if she's nervous at all about her impending performance.
"It's kind of like a big game," she says. "I don't ever get nervous. I'm excited to be a part of it and to see the kids perform."
While they wait for their time on stage, Lennox talks with the young performers about playing basketball. Then it's time. Lennox and Cairns - Grandmother and Grandfather - take their places in the back for the Party scene. Their primary role is to look like party-goers enjoying a Christmas Eve celebration, talking and pretending to drink.
Lennox's big test comes when the adults on stage pair up with children to dance. Lennox looks like a natural and is beaming as she heads into the wings, her part complete.
"I thought I missed a couple of steps on the dance floor, but everybody said I did really good, so I'm happy about it," she says.
Asked to wrap up the experience, Lennox says, "It was more than fun. It was an experience that I wouldn't mind coming back and doing another part. If I could rehearse it, I think I could do a really good job of it. It just felt a little out of my comfort zone because this is not me, but the partner I had and the little boy walked me through it.
"It was fun being a grandma. I can say that now."
 Lennox and Cairns onstage. Storm Photos |
Despite the best efforts of Storm Community Relations Coordinator Dallas Pride, Lennox will not take the ice. She's here with kids from several schools and organizations including Rotary Boys & Girls Club, Seattle Girls School and Asa Mercer Middle School who are enjoying an ice skating party thrown by the Sonics & Storm Foundation. Most of the kids have hit the ice, but Lennox demurs, wondering if ice skating has been approved by Anne Donovan and whether she might hurt her ankle.
Lennox is reluctant even to step too far out onto the ice for a picture with the kids, but she's happy to greet them from rinkside as they pass by on their trips around the ice. Despite a few falls, they're enjoying the evening. So too is Lennox - as long as she's not skating.
 Lennox and ice skaters pose for a photo. Storm Photos |
