Seattle TV Traffic Reporters Use of Social Media – Audience Building?

My name is mentioned in passing in this blog, which covers TV traffic reporters and their use of social media... The article mentions the Tracy Taylor Fan Page, which was started on facebook earlier this year.

A Visit To The US Senior Open

I was lucky to enough to win tickets last week to watch yesterday's practice round of the US Senior Open. The Open is taking place this week at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish. I would have taken some pictures, but cell phones were not allowed. I was able to get yesterday afternoon off, so I took my 11 year old nephew.
We parked at Marymoore, a big park in Redmond, where shuttle buses where running. The bus took us directly to the entrance of the course. Since the tickets allowed us entrance to the "Trophy Club" we stopped there to have lunch. We had heard that Fred Couples, a golfing sensation who grew up in the area, would be holding a youth clinic at the practice range. As soon as we finished our lunch, we headed out to find the range. There was plenty of signage to make finding it easy, so we watched players warm up both on the range and the putting green until it was time for the Couples thing.
King 5 Sports announcer Paul Silvi interviewed Couples who spoke about his background in the area and how he picked Golf over other sports. Couples has a very relaxed demeanor that played very well with the young spectators. He spoke of liking golf because it is more individually oriented rather than team oriented. He answered questions from the children such as whether he has ever hit a hole in one (he has hit three) and how he keeps his cool on the course. Then he hit some shots and had two of his students hit a few shots. Although a golf pro was also present, it did not look they needed any advise. My nephew was able to get a few autographs and then it was time to head back.

Pinelake Concerts On Thursday

About a half hour from Maple Valley, Pine Lake Park in Sammamish has live music on Thursday nights every week until the end of August. Last week, the Ricky Venture Review played 70s music until dusk. The concerts are free and there is plenty of room to bring a picnic, toss a frisbee or take an evening dip in Pine Lake.

State Park Tragedy Doesn't Stop Eastside Democrats

One of the 5th District Democrats most successful fundraiser was the Summer Picnic, this year the 5th planned a bigger, bolder picnic, teaming up with other neighboring legislative districts. The plans were ready to roll, but a terrible shooting in Lake Sammamish closed the park and threatened to cancel the picnic. However swift action by the planning committee and a generous act by 41sth district State House member Marcie Maxwell of donating her house and yard allowed the picnic to take place. The picture was taken there of my wife and I talking to some partiers on Marcie's dock.

Piniella Will Retire

Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella has announce that he will retire at season's end. Piniella, of course, is best known for turning around the Seattle Mariners, leading them to several post season appearences. Piniella will be remember for his angry outburst which included throwing bases, kicking his cap and loud arguments with umpires. There will be many that will hope that Piniella will be talked out of retirement and manage the Mariners again.

Barers Of Maple Valley Hits Milestone

According to sitemeter, Barers Of Maple Valley just received it's 50,000th hit today. Exactly 6 months and 4 days after receiving hit number 40,000.

5th District Picnic Moved

This note from 5th District Chair Jennifer Sutton.

"Due to the tragic shooting at Lake Sammamish State Park, the park is closed today. We will be moving to the home of Rep. Marcie Maxwell, who has generously offered to let use her home. Rep. Maxwell's addresss is 2827 Mountain View Avenue North in Renton. Marcie lives in Sunnydale on the waterfront of Lake Washington. The times are the same: 11:30-4pm. "

Jay Inslee To Visit The 5th

Congressman Jay Inslee, who represents Washington's First Congressional District in the U.S. House Of Representatives, will the the guest speaker at the 5th District Democrats Annual Summer Picnic. This year, nearby legislative districts, the 41st , 45th and 48th districts will participate in the extravaganza. The picnic is this Sunday, July 18th from 11:30-4 at

Lake Sammamish State Park
at S-1 Kitchen Shelter

2000 NW Sammamish Road, in Issaquah

Tickets can be purchased at the event.

A Weekend In Las Vegas

I just returned from Las Vegas where my wife is still attending the MBE (The UPS Store) convention. We flew over last Friday, our plane's landing was delayed because President Obama has just spoken and all air traffic was held up. We arrived by taxi to Caesar's Palace, when we entered the registration area. Deb, who was several steps behind me yelled "Mike, it's Shaq!" I looked behind and saw a huge man, Shaq was scheduled to box at the Palace and was roaming the gaming area.

We were given a beautiful room, but while we were unpacking, Deb found dried fecal matter on the walls in the bathroom. Although housekeeping arrived upon call, we decided to get a change of rooms. The second room lacked the amenities of the first, so we asked for another change of rooms, we did not think that we should be downgraded for something that wasn't our fault. We were given a newer, larger room with a sweeping view of the strip. We were also given a free pass to the Palace Spa. All in all, we were happy with customer service at the Palace. The top picture was taken from our room.

We spent the days at the pool, there are about seven pools at the palace, our favorite was the Jupiter, which was in the back corner. There was also a pool where blackjack tables were set up, although I rarely play at tables when I'm in a casino, this was just too cool to pass up, I managed to finish a winner.

On the second night, we went to the Paris and went up the Eiffel Tower. That is where we took the second picture from the top.

On my last night, we visited Pure, a nightclub in Caesar's Palace, that was made famous by being frequented by celebrities like Paris Hilton and such. That is from where the bottom picture was taken.

Mariners Trade Ace

In hopes of building for the future, the Seattle Mariners have traded Cliff Lee to Texas Rangers.

In return, the Mariners receive 4 minor league prospects including Justin Smoake. In a move for insurance to the Rangers, Mariner reliever Mark Lowe, also went to Texas.

Lee had pitched like a star this season, but with the M's weak hitting, it was clear that they would not even smell a pennant race.

Lost Audio? Verne Russell's KUJ Sign Off

Almost exactly a year ago, I wrote a series of articles about Walla Walla radio stations. I went in depth on the city's oldest, most powerful, and most well known, KUJ. I also touched on the late Verne Russell and his memorable daily sign-off.
"And so we come to the end of another broadcast day." Russell, the station's owner, was able to use his voice as a paintbrush as he described the area where the station was located at. Last weekend, I received an e-mail from someone who read the piece and was wondering if the recorded sign-off was still in existence in some dusty attic. I sent a few e-mails, and heard a few suggestions, but so far, no answer. Stay tuned, because if it turns up, I will try to put it on the blog.

M's Talking To Twins About Lee?

The USS Mariner reports that rumours are swirling regarding the Seattle Mariners talking to Minnesota about trading all star pitcher Cliff Lee to the Twins in exchange for Catcher Wilson Ramos and outfielder prospect Aaron Hicks.

Money Never Sleeps

The sequel to "Wall Street" will be released soon.

Seattle Celebrates With A Bang

From the shores of Lake Union, we were able to watch the 4th Of July fireworks, shooting up from Gasworks Park. We had just finished a delicious dinner at Dukes.

Barers Of Maple Valley Go Back To Oregon Coast

We just returned from our second trip this year to the Oregon Coast. We stayed at the Seaside Turnaround. We visited the Astoria Column (bottom picture) climbed to the top (second from bottom) of the column. Also, Cannon Beach, where I took this picture of a rabbit under a parked car (middle picture). We returned home going up Highway 101, going over the big bridge in Astoria. We stopped at Cape Disappointment State Park and took a picture of the lighthouse in the top picture.

Happy 4th Of July!