Mazel Tov!

We celebrated Cousin J's Bat Mitzvah at the posh Olive 8 ballroom in Downtown Seattle!  There was plenty of snacks, games, and dancing for all ages.  The brand new high rise, afforded some spectacular views and the atmosphere was electric.  The service had occurred earlier in the day at the Hertz Ner-Tamid.

Long Beach X: The Voyage Home

We stopped at historic Oysterville, one of Washingtons oldest cities.  This old church is one of their historic landmarks.

Long Beach IX: Go-Cart Racing

This whole trip was just four days and yet we are up to our ninth post.  Last day (last Monday), we raced go-carts with my brother-in-law and nephews.  I took this picture after the race.

Long Beach VIII: Last Night In Long Beach

We made a bon fire on the beach, with my Wife, Mother-In-Law, Grandmother-In-Law, Sister-In-law, Brother-In-Law, and two nephews on our last night in Long Beach.  Afterwards, Deb and I took a walk on the beach and came up on this dragon figure at the spot where the Kite Festival originated.

Long Beach VII: Jake The Aligator Man

Marsh's Museum in Long Beach houses Jake The Aligator man.  You can see my reflection as I take the picture

Long Beach VI: Cannon Beach

Some familiar shots around a familiar place, Cannon Beach is just down the road from Seaside.  With small shops, ice cream parlors, and lack of fast food chains, not to mention a beautiful beach, and of course, Haystack Rock  (top picture), it never fails to charm.  We went there on Sunday.

Long Beach V: A Visit To Seaside

This house on 7th and Prom in Seaside hold a special place in my heart.  My Grandmother would rent the lower right hand apartment.  The landlord, Mr Kelty, lived in a similar house next door.  The top picture shows me at 10.  My Grandfather is in the doorway.

Long Beach IV: Kite Festival

Kites of every color, shape and size litter the sky at Saturday's Kite Festival.

Long Beach III: Lunch At The Lightship and Indoor Kite Demo

A lunch at The Lightship, a high rise restaurant and lounge, provided excellent views of the surf (pictures 2 and 3).  We also attended the Windless Kite Demonstration (top picture) in the gym of the local elementary school.  Although we arrived too late to see his act, the star attraction was Connor Doran, who last year, auditioned on America's Got Talent.

Long Beach II Back Country Horse Rides

I went horseback riding for the first time that I can remember.  The Back Country Stable is across the Street from the World Mart where we were staying.

Long Beach, Washington--A Change Of Pace

We spent the last Weekend in Long Beach, WA, just up the road from Seaside and Cannon Beach, where we usually go in the summers.  They were having their yearly International Kite Festival at the time.  You can see the Kites in the background.

Coffee To Go, Please!

A simple picture of former Washington Governor, now U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke has sent China going ga-ga and has even increased hits on this blog.  The picture was taken at our own Sea-Tac Airport.  The Chinese are used to seeing diplomats treated with privilige.  A man walking through the airport, saw Ambassador Locke, with a backpack ordering at Starbucks with his daughter in tow and snapped the picture.

Well Written Book By Seattle's Towing King

The Hilarious Pink "Toe" Truck was a familiar sight to anyone exiting I-5 at Fairview in Seattle.  Ed Lincoln, in this folksy book tells the history of how he built his father's auto salvage yard into a multi million dollar business. His writing style is very folksy and engaging, often bringing memories to the reader of years gone by.  A promoter at heart, Lincoln always had a need for speed and a desire to stay ahead of the pack.  I would highly recommend "Life Through The Rearview Mirror".

Sunset On Pine Lake

Pine Lake is the Jewel of Sammamish, Washington.  This was taken from the park after one of the summer concerts.

The Go-Gos Rock The Seattle Zoo

It's been 30 years since it's megahit, Beauty And The Beat, and they have a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, but LA "girl band" The Go-Gos burst into the Woodland Park Zoo tonight like they had stepped out of a "time machine". Lead singer Belinda Carlile, looked young, fresh, and had a charisma that engulfed the the entire  concert area,  not an easy task as the meadow area of the zoo is flat and many picnic on the grounds.  An audience of all ages was standing, dancing,clapping, and singing (above picture) as the group played their hits, "We Got The Beat", "Vacation",  "Our Lips Are Sealed" as well as covers like the Rolling Stone's "Mother's Little Helper" and "Cool Jerk". 
The warm up band was San Antonio, TX based "Girl In A Coma" , another all girl group that played angst ridden rock to mixed reviews from the crowd. 

Brother Danny Featured In Report

My brother Danny, an LA attorney is featured in this report on the National Public Radio morning program All Things Considered, you can hear the audio here

Happy Birthday, Burl Barer

BOMV wishes Seattle radio personality turned writer Burl Barer, a very happy birthday.

Walla Walla's Top All Time Sports Broadcasters

I was asked by a friend to name the top 5 Walla Walla sports announcers.  Having not lived in Walla Walla in the last 22 years, I picked 5 who stood out in my memory, they are:

1. Roy Elia--Local guy, did sports reports on KHIT-XT-97.
2. Verne Russell--Owner of KUJ, play by play man for Walla Walla Phillies, Islanders, Padres.
3. Bevan Roth--KTEL  Wa Hi Blue Devil Football and Basketball.
4. Bud Bowman KTEL Wa Hi teacher and Bevan's sidekick on local sports broadcasts.
5. Larry Weir  KUJ, KTEL  Play by play Wa Hi Sports, then I believe, became announcer for EWU.
Honorable mention Pat Gillette, Chuck Boyk, Mike Cherry,Dana Wagner, Sherm Mitchell. Anyone you wish to add?

Local Woman Featured On CNN Heroes

Regular customer at the Crossroads UPS Store, Debbie Cantwell is featured on this segment of CNN Heroes. Cantwell started The Pink Daisy Project, a Breast Cancer support group.

East Meets West At The Hydros

Washington is lucky to have 2 Hydroplane racing events, one on either side of the state.  In this picture, one of my radio mentors, Geoff Harvey from Tri Cities (formerly Walla Walla) poses with Seattle radio icon Pat O'Day, a couple days before this year's Tri City race.

The UPS Store May Be On CNN Heroes

Tommorrow, CNN Heroes will air a feature on The Pink Daisy Project, a Bellevue based Breast Cancer support group.  Part of the footage was shot at The UPS Store in Crossroads where we work.
You can watch the segment Friday, August 5th at the following times.  8 am, 11 am , 2 pm, and 11 pm. It will also appear on some of the other CNN networks at various times. 

Grandson Decries Howard Cosell Hall Of Fame Omission

When Colin Cosell posts on his blog, it's usually a light hearted look at issues in the world of sports. In his latest one, however, he is dead serious as he rails against the omission of his grandfather, the legendary Howard Cosell from the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. Also on the fact that Mr Cosell has not received the Pete Rozelle award for excellence in sports broadcasting. Remember that along with Don Meredith and Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell was part of the original Monday Night Football broadcasting team that changed American Culture. Much like Jackie Robinson, he was a pioneer who paved the way for the more articulate sportscasters and for sports talk radio personalities who "tell it like it is".

More Torchlight Parade

I thought that I would drop in some more highlights from last Saturday's parade.  Top picture is a Dragon float. Middle picture is the old"Miss Thriftway" Hydroplane and the bottom picture shows the Sea Gals (Seahawk cheerleaders), and Blitz, the Seattle Seahawk's mascot.   We were also celebrating my brother, Steve's 40th birthday as he and wife Dawn were up for the weekend.