Show Biz Babies

There is a Las Vegas version of "The Price's Right." Deb with host Roger Lodge (better known for Blind Date), and the announcer, and a couple of Barker's Beauties.

What Happens Here...

Deb and Donna's birthday in Las Vegas. We're with Deb's Grandma, sister And Mother.

"Breaking Rank" A Book Review

If you mention Norm Stamper around anyone who has lived in the Seattle area during the 90s, you are bound to get at least one of a variety of opinions.
To the Conservatives--he was the mop top, granny glasses wearing New Age touchy feely ex Seattle Police Chief, who probably read Karl Marx while strumming "Kumbahyah" on his acoustical guitar.
To some political activist, he was a leaders of a group of Jack Booted Thugs that tried to abridge free speech with a "No Protest Zone" and violent arrests during the WTO demonstrations of 1999.
To most of the Seattle establishment, he was an innovative police chief, friend and appointee of former Mayor Norm Rice, who along with the late Seattle School superintendent John Stanford help make this area cutting edge during the go go '90s.
Norm Stamper's book Breaking Rank, is an interesting look at his career, both as a San Diego police officer, in which he rose through the ranks to be police captain on to his appointment and term as the chief of Seattle police.
Stamper writes a tough critique on police and their ability to handle certain situations as well as racism and corruption alleged in many departments. He present many new ideas, some as radical as decriminalization of all narcotics. Norm sees a difference between decriminalizing and legalizing drugs. I fail to see it.
The book has been controversial, with many officers believing that Stamper is a turncoat by mentioning the unmentionable. However the Oscar winning movie Crash presented situations simular to those outlined in the book. I don't think can agree with all of the ideas and reforms that Norm presents, but he does provide a forum from which we can all decide what can be done to keep the police, as protectors of the peace.

Cheap Gas Alert

If you drive in the Puget Sound, you may be happy to hear that the ARCO station at NE 8th and 116th Ave NE has regular gas at 2.99. That is the cheapest price for regular that I have seen in the past few months.

Interleague Play--How Could You Not Like It?

Interleague play is going on in the Majors, as the Seattle Mariners have just taken 2 games from the Dodgers and swept the San Francisco Giants. I have one big complaint--why don't they do this year round instead of at designated times, early in the season.
Interleague play give us the chance that Los Angeles, New York, Bay Area, and Chicago baseball fans have had for decades, the chance to see more baseball teams. Inter conference games go on without any fanfare in the NFL. You know what, the Super Bowl has only become more popular than when NFL teams and AFL teams would not play during the regular season. NBA teams play every other team in the league, and the league is better because of it.
Interleague Baseball is still getting bashed by talk radio, blogs and my peers. Baseball is a game of tradition. I consider myself a traditionalist when it comes to baseball. I also know that there is something real cool about bringing the National League game into SafecoField. It is fun to watch the Mariners play in a National League park and watch the pitcher bat. It is extra special if he can get on base.
So here is to continuing Interleague play and a hope that we someday soon see the Mariners in the biggest interleague game of the year--The World Series!

The Apprentice Will Have A Seventh Season

Apprentice fans know that the sixth season of the show will not start until January. The ratings for the show have been disappointing. However host Donald Trump has announced that NBC has picked up the show for a seventh season.
Season 6 will be the first show filmed entirely outside of New York. The shooting will be in Los Angeles possibly allowing the candidates to be photographed frequently relaxing at the pool. This is after all Prime Time TV.

A Ring For The Glove

One of the greatest sports stars to grace the Seattle landscape is finally a champion, though not for Seattle. Gary Payton (above) and his Miami Heat, who not long a go was left for dead, have beaten Dallas in the 6th game of the NBA Finals 95-92. Although Payton is not the dominant player anymore, he hit some clutch shots and seemed to be an inspiration to his team throughout the series.
Dwayne Wade and Shaquille O'Neal lead the way for the Heat. The partisan Dallas crowd booed as NBA Commisioner David Stern presented the trophy to the Miami team. A reaction due just as much to disciplinary action against Maverick owner Mark Cuban, as to the results of the game. Cuban was fined 250 K for indiscreet remarks made at the end of game 5.

Family From Long Ago

Brother Steve (left) with cousins Joe And Sam from Seattle. 2nd cousins Laurie and Eric from Portland are in front. This picture was taken from the condo in Seaside, Ore in '79. All are now grown and doing very well.

Milestones Passed Last Sunday

Last Sunday June 18th marked the birthdays of 2 very influential people in my life, former Beatle Paul McCartney (above), who's music I grew up with turned 64. Beatle fans remember his song some 40 years ago about reaching that age. My wife and her twin sister also celebrated their 40th birthday. We celebrated with our families in Las Vegas this past weekend. In addition, it was Father's Day. I hope to post some pictures soon!

Rothlisberger In Motorcycle Mishap

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ben Rothlisberger,Pittsburgh Steeler's star quarterback, seriously injured in a motorcycle accident this week. After 7 hours of emergency surgery, Rothlisberger is expected to make a full recovery. No word at this time how this will effect his football future, but after hearing the description of the accident and the fact that he did not wear a helmet it is indeed amazing that he is still alive.

M's Play Stretch Of Good Ball

Seattle Mariner fans can rejoice in the fact that the Seattle Mariners have won 9 of their last 11 games. Felix Hernandez (above) turned in his best outing of the season yesterday, throwing the first complete of his Major League career. The bats have also come alive so suddenly, things are'nt as dismal. Of course tommorrow they play the red hot Oakland A's who have manhandled us all season. 

De Ja Vu For Washington's Jr Senator

In 1970 Washington Senator Scoop Jackson ran for reelection to a Senate seat that he had held for 17 years. Although Jackson was a Democrat and had a stellar environmental record, his support of the Viet Nam war made him many enemies in his own party. Carl Maxey, a Spokane Democrat, tried to challenge him in the primary.
Fast forward to 2006, Maria Cantwell is seeking reelection, her election prospects should have been bolstered by her stand against oil drilling in the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge. However Maria's support of the Gulf War has also alienated her from members of her own party.
Senator Scoop Jackson hailed from Everett. Cantwell has made her home in Mountlake Terrace, both in Snohomish County. Both have been percieved as very focused politicians. Both were Washington Junior Senators.
By the way, Scoop Jackson won his reelection that year and won a couple more elections before his sudden passing in the early 80s.

Not Really Engaged

Tammy Trenta didn't get the job, but she won the man that did get the job. However, there are no plans for marriage at this time according to my friends at Orthodox Apprentice!

The Apprentice: Finale Falls Flat

The last three live finales for the Apprentice have been disasters in some shape or form. In this show, every step was taken to avoid any of the last disasters but it still was bad in spite of or because of that.
First, the task, Lee's team of misfits seems to be struggling to put this together. Maybe Lee can be forgiven for picking Lenny to his team. But letting him pick team members is totally inexcuseable. To remind you, Lee (above) has the task of organizing a celebrity hocky match at Chelsea Pier to raise money and awareness for the Denis Leary Fireman's Fund. I learned 2 things, that Denis Leary smokes cigars before a hockey game and that Jaime Pressley is a BFH.
If you are one of the 7 people who still watch the Apprentice, you know it is crucial that Mr Trump be greeted when arriving at your event. As in every other time, Goldrush does not have someone to greet the Donald. "They never learn" Trump says, mindful or not that they were probably shooting this season's episode when the last mistake was made. Lee's best move was to rescue the auction from a very lackluster performance by Jaime Pressley.
Sean has the task of putting on the Bare Naked Ladies concert at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. This would benefit the World Wildlife Federation. You know, the folks who forced the Wrestling people to change their name. Sean is worried about Andrea who had fallen ill suddenly and their are some minor missteps, missing music, but he creates a big role for Trump (which Donald likes), before the concert, Trump drives up in a brand new Pontiac (who by the way, sponsored both events. The concert goes on as planned and Sean feels like a million bucks.
Back to live, Trump asks audience members who they thought the next apprentice should be. All of those asked say diplomaticly that both candidates are outstanding (which they are). Everyone knows that they want to avoid the fiasco from the final episode of Apprentice 2 where Jennifer was undeservably trashed in favor of winner Kelly. Finally Trump, for only the second time in a finale, fired Lee. He then said the words to Sean that every candidate wanted to hear, "Sean, Your Hired.

Sean Is The New Apprentice

British immigrant Sean Yazbeck has become the 5th person named Donald Trump's apprentice. Sean was picked over 23 year old New York native Lee Bienstock in a final show that lacked any suspense in spite of attempts to make it look close. More details coming up!

Wa Hi Class Of '76

Pictured is the School's mascot, the Blue Devil. Tuesday will mark the 30 anniversary of our high school graduation (there is a little irony there). The day before, we had a dress rehearsal. We were supposed to give our name to the class president and he would announce of as we took our diploma. We all gave fake names (only during the rehearsal, thank God)
That afternoon, we had did not have any classes. Many of us went up to the mountain cabin of one of our classmates for an afternoon reminiscing of our high school experience.
Our Graduation was a well done event outside at the Wa Hi campus. It was a beautiful summer evening. Before we received our diplomas, ASB President Mike Clark took out his guitar and sang a song that he had written for the occasion.
Some of the songs that were popular at the time were Dream Weaver by Gary Wright, Crazy On You by a brand new Seattle based band called Heart, and Show Me The Way by Peter Frampton.
Starsky And Hutch and Saturday Night Live were the most popular TV shows at the time. The president was Gerald Ford and Dan Evans was our Governor.

Times Sportswriter Stone Hits A Round Tripper

Seattle Times Baseball Beat writer Larry Stone has written an excellent piece on Baseball radio announcers in today's Seattle Times.

Darcy Burner For Washington's 8th Cng. District

In 1992, Democrats elected congressional candidates in 8 of Washington districts including returning Tom Foley in Eastern Washington and bringing newcomer Jay Inslee to DC for the first time from Central Washington. The exception was the 8th district comprising Bellevue, South King County and some of Pierce County.
This year seems right for a change as Democrats rally behind newcomer Darcy Burner. A grassroots effort has netted Burner over 320 thousand dollars, enough to qualify her for matching funds from the national party.
Once a solid Republican district, the majority of the 8th supported the Kerry-Edwards ticket and elected new Democratic Legislators to replace Republicans in Bellevue and Mercer Isand.
As a resident of Washington's 8th Congressional distict, I think Burner's background in the high tech market and her support the grassroots of this district make her the right choice to represent our district.
Please join me in helping elect Darcy Burner to Congress.

Bush And Reichert To Meet In Medina

President Bush will appear in Medina on June 16th to help raise money for Washington's 8th District Congressman Dave Reichert's reelection campaign. While Democratic challenger Darcy Burner has raised a phenomenal amount of money in small contributions from throughout the district, Congressman Reichert has chosen another way. Incidentally, Bush did not get Washington's electoral votes, nor did he carry the now moderate 8th Congressional.