Issaquah Concerts--Stonesy

From our favorite vantage point in back, we enjoyed the Rolling Stones tribute band Stonesy.  The third performance in Issaquah's Concerts On The Green series. 

 

Alan Young--What's Up?

 Ten years ago in May, Alan Young, who played Wilbur in the classic TV show, Mr. Ed, passed away. 

As this was a favorite show of mine in my youth, I did a blog post on it.  

Why now, well, lately, I've inexplicably gotten an enormous amount of hits on that post, well over 10 years later.  

For the most part, Young lived longer than his fame, although reruns on various channels probably kept the name alive.  The question is, where are these inquiries on Alan coming from? 

Jimothy Joins The Race At T-Mobile

 How did they ever get the costume so quickly?  The Mariners added Jimothy, the Seattle raccoon with the spinal deformity that was discovered last week to the Salmon races.  

The salmons race during Mariner home games.  A funny and fun event. 

Pregame Meal

Diamond Club seats come with access to a buffet before and during the game.

We enjoyed great food before the start of Saturday's (July 18th, 2026) game 

Great Seats At Mariner Game

Mariners JP Crawford and Julio Cruz await their turns to bat at last night's (Saturday, July 18th, 2026), our friend were able to get Diamond Club seats two rows up behind home plate.

The Mariners were able to erase a 3-0 deficit and come back to beat the San Francisco Giants 4-3.

Murder By Design--Lee Goldberg

 If there is anyone who can develop unique characters, it's Lee Goldberg.  Lee's book teams an insurance investigator who has suffered a brain injury,  along with an aspiring actor. 

Edison Bixby, formerly a cop, is a crack investigator, whom as a result from survivor a gunshot wound to the head, cannot help putting his foot in his mouth.  New sidekick Wally Nash, a struggling actor, is charged with tagging along with Bixby to make sure his utterings do not get him in trouble.  

Bixby and Nash are convinced an escalator death at the mall was not an accident, but a murder, but they cannot get any help from the authorities.  

The unique Lee Goldberg combination of intrigue and humor, keep this book entertaining.  

Top Mike

Flight suit looks good on me.  A friend sent this AI rendering of me on an aircraft carrier, ready to pilot a fighter jet.

Brodie Brazil Weighs In On Seahawk Sale

You Tube sports commenter, Brodie Brazil, who is based in the Bay Area, gives his take on the Seahawk purchase.

 

Picture To Burn--Red Karma

 Red Karma brought the music of Taylor Swift to Issaquah's Concerts On The Green series. 

Red Karma Plays Issaquah

Having a great night at Issaquah Concerts On The Green, where Red Karma, a Taylor Swift tribute is playing.

Baker-Boyer Time And Temp

When I worked for my dad in the summers during the 70s, this is how I could know the temperature, often in three digits. On top on Baker-Boyer Bank, one of Walla Walla's signature buildings. The sign has since taken down, probably because it presented a hazard. 
 

Lindsey Graham--Senator From South Carolina

 Lyndsey Graham, senator from South Carolina, who was frequently in the headlines and known as one of President Donald Trump's closest allies, has died.  He was 71. 

To politically minded Washingtonians of a certain age will see parallels of Graham's death with that of legendary Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson.  

Both were 71, both seemed healthy, making their deaths a total shock. 

Jackson had held a news conference condemning the Soviet shooting down of a Korean Jetliner.  Graham had just returned from Ukraine, where he had a meeting with President Zelinsky. 

Seahawks Reach Sale Agreement

 Vinod Khosla is a name that is probably not well known in the area currently, but that should change soon, as sources say that the Paul Allen Estate has reached an agreement with his group to purchase the Seattle Seahawks. 

The deal is said to be worth 9.6 billion dollars.  It still needs to be approved by the other NFL owners. 

Is Seahawk Sale Imminent?

Seattle sports fans, frustrated with the Mariners, but probably elated with the Super Bowl win of the Seahawks, are wondering what the future holds for our football team.  

Reports are that the Hawks have narrowed down buyers to two parties. 

The report that the Paul Allen Estate was selling the team, came out right about the time that the team was entering the playoffs.  

My hope is that the only difference is who signs the paychecks. Hopefully, the management team, which has been extremely successful by most means, will remain intact.  

Oscar The Bird King Rules Maury Island

We took a ferry trip to Vashon Island yesterday to celebrate our 31st anniversary (Wednesday, July 8th, 2026).

Oscar The Bird King is an incredible wood sculpture in Point Robinson Park, on adjoining Maury Island.

Vashon has a very vibrant arts community 

Issaquah Concerts 2--I love Rock And Roll

 Another great tune from Prom Date Mixtape at Issaquah's Concerts On The Green. 

Bonnie Tyler Is Dead

 I loved Total Eclipse Of The Heart.  I'm sorry to hear of her passing, I didn't know she was Welsh. 

Bonnie was 75.

Issaquah Concerts Have Begun

 

Concerts On The Green, the Issaquah summer concert series has started.  Last night's (Tuesday, July 7th, 2026) first show of the season featured Prom Date Mixtape, an 80s tribute band. 

Concerts On The Green takes place Tuesdays during the Summer season at the Issaquah Community Center and are free.  Food is available for purchase. 

Kids Parade On Leonard Street

 My street growing up until 2nd grade, I have faded memories of doing this whether it was that year or not. This was early to mid 60s. I remember a float of a canoe and us dressing up as Indians and walking inside the converted cardboard box. It may be politically incorrect today. 

We lived on the corner of Leonard and Modoc.  

Steve still lives in Walla Walla and sent this to me. Coincidentally, he does not live far from this neighborhood. 

Logan Interviewed On Field

After pitching a one hit Gem, Saturday, Logan Gilbert is interviewed by Mariner broadcaster, Angie Mentink.

Maple Valley Celebrates

Maple Valley had its celebration on Friday the third.  

We watched from our car in a nearby hill.

Seattle Celebrates After Win

 The Seattle Mariners beat the Toronto Blue Jays 11-0, a great victory on the 4th Of July.  Leaving the park, a celebratory crowd, which included Blue Jay fans, danced to a combo featuring a drummer, guitar player and recorded music.  

Fourth At The Ballpark

Playing the Toronto Blue Jays, so we gotta win one for the USA.

Lake Boren 3--Rainbow

This wasn't a planned activity, but it grabbed attention. 

The mixture of sun and rain brought a beautiful rainbow.

Happy Birthday, America!!

 

Beloved Former Cougar Coach Jim Walden Dies

 Most Cougar football fans were down in the dumps when Jim Walden was chosen as head football coach in 1978.  The program has lost two head coaches in the past two season. Actually, three in three seasons counting the departure of Jim Sweeney, who had been with the program for eight seasons.  

Sweeney's successors, brought promise but both left after one year at the helm, including Warren Powers, who had promised to see the program through. 

 Walden, who had followed Powers to Pullman as an assistant from Nebraska, took over the reigns from Powers.  He not only stayed until 1986, but took the program, long often dismissed and disrespected, to new heights. He took the team, in 1981, to its first bowl game since 1931.

He also led to Cougar to three Apple Cup victories (games with cross state rival Washington) in four years, something that only happed two other times in history. 

Known for his colorful personality and for speaking his mind, Walden later became a commentator on the Cougar football broadcasts.  

Jim Walden died yesterday (Thursday, July 2nd, 2026).  He was 88. 

Lake Boren 2--Fireworks

 A great fireworks display.  The Lake Boren Park celebration has become an annual event for us. 

Celebration At Lake Boren

 

We enjoyed an early Fourth celebration at Lake Boren Park at nearby Newcastle.  Pioneer Square provided musical entertainment. 

Steve Find

 

Back when the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin printed the births of local residents, grandchildren, My Uncle Dave and Aunt Dorothy got a notice in the UB when their son, Stan and his wife, Shirley gave birth to daughter, Leigh Kara Barer.  

Today, Leigh is married and has a grown son. 

Steve, my brother, has found various historical notes while subscribing to the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin archives.