America Mourns Moore, Oklahoma

Doors Keyboardist Manzarek Dies

Ray Manzarek, who played one of the most electrifying intros in Rock and Roll history on "Light My Fire" has died at 73.  Manzarek who survived his more famous band mate, lead singer Jim Morrison by almost 42 years, had been suffering from cancer.  Born in 1939, Manzarek was slightly older than most of his rock contemporaries.  After his stint with the Doors, he turned to producing, working with the LA Punk band X.  He objected to the Oliver Stone Movie "The Doors" because it presented Morrison "as a violent, drunken fool.."  In recent years, he toured with Doors guitarist Robby Krieger.   Manzarek and Krieger had also been battling Doors drummer John Densmore in court on various issues.  Densmore and Krieger are now the only survivors from the group.

Congratulations, Dasher!

We are really proud of Dasher as he has passed his Certified DogTherapy Test.  This allows Dasher a chance to do service work when needed.

Constantine Speaks In Issaquah On Coal Trains

King County Executive Dow Constantine was the headline speaker Wednesday night as the 5th District Democrats held a discussion on why a proposal to have coal trains passing through the area would be harmful to both the economic climate and the environment.  Constantine, known a strong environmentalist, said that there are three proposed routes to transport coal from mines in Wyoming and Montana to be loaded at ports in Longview and/or Bellingham and shipped to China.  Constantine said that 18 trains a day, approximately a mile and a half long could be running through  downtown Seattle, causing serious traffic snarls.  That could seriously damage the economic health of the region.  The trains could also tie up the rails and ward off needed cargo for Seattle's major industries.
Constantine has said that King County government has made a commitment to clean energy sources and  that Coal is one of the dirtiest sources of energy.  Dust from the coal passing through could severely lower the air quality of the region, raising the human health issue.
Also, speaking was Tiffany McGuyer, from Power Past Coal, a group that opposes the trains on the grounds that cleaner and healthier energy sources are available.
5th District Chair Jim Baum addressed the group to say that more discussions on timely regional issues are now in the works.  The discussion took place at the City Hall in Issaquah, the largest city in Washington's 5th legislative district.

It's Final--No NBA In Seattle For 2013-14

Seattle's hopes of gaining an NBA franchise became dim as the NBA voted to keep the Kings in Sacramento.  The Kings have been on the verge of moving for the last few seasons, but a joint effort by NBA commissioner David Stern and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, himself a three time NBA all star has rescued the team each time.  By contrast, when a move by the Seattle Super Sonics took place, Commissioner David Stern rebuked Seattle's efforts to keep the team.

Maple Valley Entertains 4 Legged Guests

Goats have been hired to clean out brush and trim the grass at the Patrick's Faire Subdivision across from Belmont Woods in Maple Valley.  The curious heard of young and old goats have attracted quite a gallery of  spectators from homes nearby. 

Former Sonics Coach George Karl Wins NBA Coach Of The Year

George Karl, who like Mariner manager Lou Piniella was controversial during his time with the Sonics, has won his first Coach Of The Year award.  Karl has coached the Denver Nuggets since 2005 and this year coached the team to 57 wins. The most in it's history.  The team, however, had an early exit in the play-off against Golden States.  One of the knocks on Karl when he was with the Sonics is that he could rack up wins during the season, but only once could it go deep in the play-offs.
Karl is 6th in all-times wins amongst past and present NBA coaches.  He does not have a championship ring.  Karl's honor is the longest time a coach (25 years) has gone before winning that award.  He is a two time cancer survivor.