Coug Legend Bobo Brayton Dies

Bobo Brayton who coached Baseball at WSU for 33 years, has died at 89.  A World War II veteran,  Brayton coached the Cougar team from 1962-1994.  During his tenure, the Cougs won 21 conference titles, 10 NCAA postseason appearences and 2 trips to the College World Series.  The baseball field at WSU is named both for him and his coach and mentor during his playing days, Buck Bailey. 

Knox Saga Seems To Finally Be Finished

The murder conviction of Seattle's Amanda Knox has been overturned by Italy's highest court.  Knox an exchange student was convicted in the death of Meredith Kercher. After serving four years in an Italian prison, her sentence was overturned and she was freed.  Soon, after returning to Seattle, her acquittal was overturned.  Knox faced extradition to Italy, had her conviction not been overturned.  While we probably will never know the exact facts of the murder, we can be happy that this matter has been settled.

Gonzaga Gunning For Final 4

The Gonzaga Bulldogs (better known as "The Zags"), are advancing to the Elite 8, after a 74-62 victory over the UCLA Bruins.  This is the first time the Zags have been in the Elite 8 since 1999.   The little school out of Spokane faces Duke tomorrow (Sunday the 29th) afternoon.

Ready For The Game

The summer of 1969,  Walla Walla had a brand new Northwest League Baseball team known as the Bears, this picture was taken at Borleske Stadium and appeared in the Sunday paper.  I am in the back between my two parents.  My brother, Danny and sister, Debbie are in front.  My brother, Steve was born two years later.
Thank you to my brother, Danny for posting this on Facebook.

Long Illness Claims Cedic James

The Seattle broadcasting community was  saddened yesterday by the passing of Melkor McGuire Odom, who used the radio name Cedric James.
When I was at WSU, Mel was the morning man at KUGR, the student radio station.  He would often stop by our dorm to visit friends.  A tall, athletic, outgoing man, you couldn't miss him. He could often be seen playing basketball on the outside court of Stimson Hall, where he lived in his freshman year.
When I had a morning class at the Murrow building which also housed the KUGR studio, I would often come into to visit.  Even though he was just a Freshman, Mel could do his show, talk to me, and tease the news reporters.  Mel's voice was smooth and articulate.  It was obvious that a career in broadcasting awaited him.  He also had a tremendous knowledge of music. He was gregarious and also brutally honest. 
He would work in sales at KZOK and was on air recently at the smooth jazz station in Seattle.
Mel's health issues caught up to him in his adult life.  When I saw him in later years, he had gotten heavier.  I had seen him last in the mid 1980s at a party in Seattle.
I caught up to him when I joined facebook, we often chatted when playing online Texas Holdem. he alluded to his health troubles, but always in a smiling positive way.  A few years ago, a benefit was held to raise money for his medical expenses.
When Mel's health took a turn for the worst, he updated his friends on his condition by posting on Facebook, hinting he would be leaving us soon.  I  had just read his last status update, where he expressed his love for his friends,  when I learned of his passing.

Walla Walla's Jim Buchan Still Sports Writing

At least one name from my childhood is still around, Jim Buchan started at my hometown paper,The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, in 1968. That's before I was a teenager, I'm now 57.  Buchan still writes for the UB, on a part time basis.  Seeing his name on a sports column byline that my friend sent caught my eye.  When I used to read about the local baseball team and high school sports, I would see his writing along with the late Jim Redding, who went on to a great career here in Seattle.  He would also write with Skip Nichols and eventually, Don Davis.  He left briefly in the early 1970s to work in Phoenix.  I would think Buchan is ranked high in the nation amongst long serving sports writers.

America - I need you (from the first album "America", 1971)

Veteran News Reporter Linda Brill Retiring

Retiring King 5 TV reporter Linda Brill, reflects on her 37 year career.  Probably her most notable recent interview was Seattle's socialist councilwomen Kshana Sawant.
 

Dasher Resting

Dasher and his doll are somehow in the same pose.

Spring Has Sprung

Our street in Belmont Woods.

Likable Shark In Puget Sound Last Summer

He's billed on The Shark Tank as the son of immigrant factory workers.  Robert Herjavec, comes across as maybe the most personable of the 5 venture capitalists who sit on the panel of The Shark Tank.  Herjavec is good looking, stylish and polite, belying the millions that he has acquired through his security company.
It has recently been revealed that Herjavec has gone through personal crisis last year when his marriage broke up.  As a result, his children stopped talking to him.  He considered suicide. Herjavec's Pastor steered him to Seattle's Union Gospel Mission, where after volunteering in a "soup line", he seemed to get a new perspective on life.
This season, in addition to his Shark duties, Herjavec is currently a contestant on "Dancing With The Stars".  His teaming with Australian dancing beauty Kym Johnson has sparked rumors of a new romance.

Former Contestant On Food Network Star Slain

My wife and I are big fans of reality shows and one of our favorites is Food Network Star.  It offers contestants the chance to have a cooking show of their own on the Network.  It usually runs on the network during the summer.  This morning I was saddened to read about the murder of season 8 contestant Cristie Shoen Codd.  Codd, who was 5 months pregnant, has become a murder victim along with her husband, JT Codd.  A suspect is in custody, Robert Jason Owen, lived nearby and was a handyman for the couple. 
Although the couple lived in North Carolina, they both had jobs in the movie industry, Cristie did catering work on movie sets, while JT was a key grip.

Popular Sports Media Figure To Speak In Maple Valley

Mike Gastineau, who left Sportsradio 950 KJR a few years ago to pursue some independent projects, will speak this Saturday, March 21st at the Greater Maple Valley Community Center Benefit Breakfast, according to the Voice Of The Valley, this area's community newspaper.  Gastineau's book "Authentic Masterpiece" addresses the creation of the Seattle Sounders, considered one of the most successful expansion team launches of all time. The doors will open at 9am with the program starting at 9:30.  The Maple Valley Community Center is located at 22010 SE 248th in Maple Valley.  For information and tickets, call 425 432-1272.

Wear Your Green!

The UPS Store Call me Maybe

Working at The UPS Store can be fun, Maybe not this fun, but love this video.

GET INTO THE BOX

Burl Barer appears and does voice over in this TV spot.

Woodinville Baseball Auction

At the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue.

Sports Industry Spotlight Interview with Shannon Drayer of EPSN. Part 1

When I met Shannon Drayer last January at the Hutch Awards.  She surprised me by mentioning that she knew me from reading this blog.  Being a huge Mariner fan, it's only natural that I should dedicate a post to her.  Shannon's a Cinderella story in Seattle sports media, once a barista at Starbuck's who submitted a tape to enter a contest, much like Q-13's Aaron Levine was on the ESPN talent search show "Dream Job".  She is now the traveling reporter for Mariner flagship station 710ESPN.  She also writes a blog for the team. 

Former Walla Walla UB Editor Bill Asbury Dies

Bill Asbury became editor of The Walla Walla Union Bulletin in the 1970s.  He assumed a much higher profile than previous ones.  A native of Western Washington, his more Liberal views did little to endear him in a small town, at least as I remember.
Seattle mayor Wes Uhlman was a  good friend of my Uncle Arny.  When Uhlman announced that he was running for Governor of Washington, the UB carried a scathing editorial.  Although, I had not lived in Seattle at the time, I was a big fan of Uhlman's so I wrote my first letter to the editor.  I will always credit Asbury for inspiring me to write it.  I was so excited when it was published. 
During Asbury's tenure, the journalism staff of the University Of Washington newspaper, The Daily, came to Walla Walla to put out an edition of the UB.  They largely published a satirical look at some of the town's institutions that enraged locals.  In an e-mail several years ago, Seattle Times Publisher, who at that time, was publisher of the UB, hinted that this was Asbury's idea. 
Asbury would eventually leave the UB, and become news editor at the Seattle PI, where he eventually became executive editor.
He would later serve on the staffs of three Washington governors.

Tight End Jimmy Graham Traded To Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks have acquired Tight End Jimmy Graham from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for Center Max Unger and a 2015 first round draft pick.  The trade gives the 'Hawks a real pass threat, Graham has had 46 touchdowns since 2011, third behind Marshawn Lynch and Dez Bryant. 

The Dogs of Pet Partners

Dasher, our Golden, makes a couple appearances in this video.  That is him pictured above.

Google Hangout with Dan Springer

Our family friend, Dan Springer is featured here, the Springers live near my in-laws in suburban Seattle.

Brandi Carlile "Closer to You"

Several years ago, I was in Bellevue CD store Silver Platters.  I was looking for a CD and picked Brandi Carlile's first (I believe).  I put it in my car's player and was sorry, it did not sound like my music at all.   But as luck would have it, I continued to play it.  Over the next few weeks it grew on me and soon, I became a big fan.
  She is from here in Maple Valley and I believe she still lives here when she is not on tour.  She recently released a new album, but this cut is from her first.

Breakfast At The Testy Chef

Maple Valley keeps changing,  but Maple Valley's unique cafe The Testy Chef is going strong! The deck overlooks the Cedar River. The Testy Chef does not take credit cards, so bring cash or check.

The Beast Will Return

Seattle Seahawks fans would like nothing better that to get back the Super Bowl Trophy and those hopes took a big leap today with the announcement that Marshawn Lynch has signed a new 2 year agreement with the team worth about 24 million.  Lynch is known as Beast Mode for his ability to run through defenses.  NFL analysts have consistently said that the Lynch signing was essential for the 'Hawks to make a Super Bowl run in 2015.
 

KING 5 TV Plans Move

It will still be at channel 5, but Seattle's oldest broadcasting station KING is planning to move it's offices and studios to the SODO area.  The station has been at it's Dexter Avenue location, not far from KIRO, KOMO and the Space needle for over 63 years.   The new location will be in the Home Plate Center, kitty corner from Safeco Field.  The new location will have a street level studio, where passersby can watch news casts, much like the Today Show, which airs on the station.  Two of KING 5's sister stations KONG 6 and NWCN will also have offices and studios at the new facility. 

Lake Wilderness

Taken from  Lake Wilderness Trail.

Paul McCartney "Eight Days A Week" - Out There Tour at Safeco Field in ...

My favorite concert of all time.  Paul McCartney at Safeco Field.

Meg Coyle Leaving King 5

Meg Coyle (center) announced this weekend that she is leaving King 5 for another job opportunity.  Coyle has been with King 5 since 2000, most recently anchoring the Saturday morning news, with Natasha Ryan.  Coyle said she is leaving to pursue a new opportunity. 
Many will remember Coyle as the reporter that had her report interrupted by an angry snow tuber.  Meg is married to Evening Magazine's Michael King.

Sunny Day In Maple Valley

Mt Rainier can be seen in the distance

So Long Mr. Spock

 

As the characters picked as TV Guide's Most Memorable Characters continue to leave us, each one, upon passing, will seem like the most memorable of the list.  Still, Leonard Nimoy's "Mr Spock" will be amongst the most missed, maybe because it seemed to me like he was always there. The show started in the mid 60s, when astronauts were American heroes. The show seemed like the continuation of something that was already taking place.  Space travel was our view of the future.  Popular shows of the time were The Jetsons and My Favorite Martian.
Star Trek was different, it was serious, with an underlying twinge of humor, it had philosophy, and it had a multi-ethnic crew, something very rare at the time. 
Spock (known also as Mr. Spock)  was an alien, but as he probably had the least human appearance of TV's interplanetary visitors, he also had maybe the most human qualities.  The idea of a character that was half earthling and half human was indeed a heavy concept for the time and may have caused Star Trek to be put in some of the worst time slots, perhaps forcing an earlier cancellation. 
The fact that Nimoy, who did not use a catchy stage name like many actors have, was able to imprint that character for life was a real tribute to his ability. 
It seems like throughout my life, Mr Spock was a character to talk about, to argue about and to analyze.   His death comes as a complete shock.  I feel a little older.

TV Icon Nimoy Dies

Leonard Nimoy,  who played Mr Spock on the interstellar 1960s TV drama Star Trek has died. More later.

Temple Hires It's Interrim Rabbi For Permanent Position

Temple B'Nai Torah of Bellevue fell instantly in love with it's interim Rabbi, David Lipper.  Lipper was chosen for a one year assignment after the retirement of  Senior Rabbi James Mirel.  A committee was formed to find a permanent senior rabbi, but it's choices fell through.  Lipper was to be a fill-in with the understanding that he could not be considered for a permanent position.  However, the selection committee was able to find a loophole, and with the blessing of Rabbi Mirel, now the Temple's rabbi emeritus, and Cantor David Serkin-Poole.
Before a full house, Rabbi David Lipper was elected by an overwhelming vote to be the temple's senior rabbi.

1992 Seahawks Vs Patriots: A Different Battle

In the spirit of Throwback Thursday, in 1992, The Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots were involved in a different battle.  For number 1 pick in the NFL Draft.  The Pats were ever so slightly worst and were number 1 pick--they chose WSU quarterback Drew Bledsoe (above).  The Seahawks picked quarterback Rick Mirer from Notre Dame, who the following season, started better than Bledsoe, but soon was unable to stay at the level needed to QB in the NFL. Bledsoe, a native of Walla Walla, was instrumental in building the Patriots into one of the NFL's greatest franchises. 
Both teams are now considered the best in the league.

Sportsradio 950 KJR Adds New Voice

Sportsradio 950 KJR, an all sports radio station now for more than 20 years, has added a new host. This week, Chuck Powell has taken the 10am to noon weekday slot, previously held by Seattle Times Sports Columnist Jerry Brewer and long time "Twisted Radio" Bob Rivers sidekick Spike O'Neil.
Powell, who had worked in the Phoenix area, is the station's first major hire from outside the Seattle market in years.  According to his bio, Powell had been in radio for almost 25 years, starting at 19.  Besides sports he has done comedy radio, most recently on KTAR in Phoenix.  I managed to get this snippet from his first show on KJR.  We wish him the best of luck!

Giuliani's Remarks--Blown Out Of Proportion

Up until the last few days, Mayor Rudy Giuliani was well off the national radar.  A political speech supportive of any Potential presidential candidate by him would barely make the front page of the paper of the city where it occurred. Giuliani is the former New York prosecutor, known for being tough on crime, who would go on to become one of the country's most famous mayors.  he was also known as a moderate on many social issues.
Giuliani is back in the news, only because he crossed a line.  At a private fund raiser for Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin, he accused President Obama of not loving America.   We have always heard Republicans accusing Democrats of hating America, cops, servicemen, and the like, just because our views do not match the views that they have and that we tend to sometimes see both sides of a certain issue.  We also may have extremists who flat out don't love the country.  They don't reflect my views, though.
Guiliani's rant was re tweeted and re posted all over social media by progressives who were in an uproar, may not so much by the content, but who said it, perhaps we saw Giuliani as one of the wiser heads in the Republican Party.  I was amazed that Rudy included President Clinton along with Reagan as more patriotic Presidents.   Clinton endured much of the same criticism that Rudy pointed at Obama when he was in office.
My feeling is that the speech should be seen for what it is,a partisan speech to back a political candidate by a figure who has little relevance in today's political sphere.

At Post Alley

We are downtown to watch a show at the Unexpected Improv at the Pike Place Market.

George Raveling Tapped For Naismith Hall Of Fame

Congratulations to George Raveling for his selection to be in Basketball's Naismith Hall Of Fame.  George was the basketball coach when I was at WSU.   He was the first African-American coach in what was then the Pac-8.  That in it's self is rather amazing, considering it is in maybe the most Conservative area of any of  what was then an all  West Coast conference.  It was a much different world when Raveling assumed the head coaching position at WSU, but he stayed at the school for 11 seasons, which included 2 NCAA tournament appearances.  In addition to his coaching duties, he also wrote a syndicated newspaper column and was a popular banquet speaker.
 Raveling would later leave WSU for other opportunities, a serious accident forced him to step down as USC basketball coach.  He then went to work for NIKE.  Seattle Times columnist Bud Withers wrote a great article on what Raveling brought to WSU, click here.

So Long Aunt Serena

I had been planning to write a tribute post my great aunt Serena, She was my Grandmother Granek's younger sister and the last great aunt of uncle on either side of  my family.  She had just celebrated her 103rd birthday.  Today, I get word of her passing, which is sad because she is the last of her generation.  I hadn't seen her in decades, but I had heard that she stayed active until her late years delivering "Meals On Wheels" to seniors.

Russell Wilson, "Call Me Crazy": Players' POV

When Seahawk quarterback Russell Wilson talks, Seattle listens.

Palm Spinks Trip II

This beautiful Heron was always at the pond.  Sadly we couldn't get close enough to take a better picture.

Portland Star Found Dead

Jerome Kersey, who together with Clyde "The Glide" Drexler, provided a one-two punch for the Portland Trail Blazers has been found dead, he was 52.  Kersey, whose name is similar to Seahawk wide receiver Jermaine Kerse,  was a small forward drafted by the Blazers in 1984.  He spent his first 11 seasons with the Blazers, playing in the NBA final in 1990 and 1992.  He would later play for 5 other NBA teams including the Seattle Super Sonics.  He won a ring with the San Antontio Spurs in 1999. He retired in 2001.
Kearsey had appeared at Madison High School with ex Blazers Brian Grant and Terry Porter last Tuesday to celebrate African American History Month.

Palm Springs Trip

Deb and I spent the last four days with family enjoying the warm weather of the Palm Springs area.  Top picture, Dinner at the Marriott in Palm Desert Saturday, My nephew Ethan poses in the beautiful sunset.  We took the boat ride at The Mariott on Valentine's Day.  Bottom, I'm with my nephews on the grounds at the condo where we stayed.

Weekend In The Desert

We are returning four days in Palm Springs.

KIRO Loses Brandi Kruse To TV

Seattle TV station Q-13 has announced the addition of Brandi Kruse to it's news staff, assuming the title of in-depth reporter.  Kruse, the winner of 4 Edward R Murrow Awards at KIRO FM, has been one of the area's most respected broadcast journalists.
Kruse did her journalism studies at University Of Nebraska.  Thank you to SeaTac Media for tipping this story.

Nissan 2015 Super Bowl Commercial | “With Dad”

Howard Hoffman, a resident of Walla Walla, was the track announcer for this spot that ran during the Super Bowl

The Best Of The Best--So Long Gary Owens

LA Radio Personality Gary Owens has died at 80.  Owen became nationally famous as the announcer of the hit TV show, Rowan And Martin's Laugh In.

Old Walla Walla Radio Remembered Part 9

  He was an absolute local legend, David Herbert Cochran.  Known throughout the Walla Walla Valley as Rockin' Cochran.  We lost Dave in December of  2012,  but we can remember the voice of thunder by clicking here.  This is a snippet from a CD he made with Jeff Reynolds, another former KTEL DJ. I hope to post more cuts from the CD soon.  Thanks to my friends at the facebook group "Our Town Walla Walla, you can click here for Dave's soundbite

Old Walla Walla Radio Remembered Part 8

From Joe Drazan's Bygone Walla Walla page, back in the day, local radio personalities were a big deal.

CBS War Correspondent Bob Simon

Viewers and colleagues alike are saddened to hear of the passing of veteran CBS war correspondent Bob Simon,  Simon who was most recently with 60 Minutes was killed in an auto accident in Manhattan.  The graduate of Brandeis University was probably best remembered for being captured with his film crew in the first Gulf War.  Bob's daughter Tanya is a producer for 60 Minutes.

Bachelor Viewing Party At Lucia

While I have never been one to count myself as a fan of the ABC hit series The Bachelor, my wife and her sister are avid viewers.  Every Monday they visit their grandmother to watch the latest episode.  Lucia, an Italian restaurant in Kirkland has a viewing party every Monday featuring local former contestants Desiree and Chris Siegfried and Jason and Molly Mesnick.  Last night, the four of us attended and had a great time.  Pictured above, my Grandma-in-law Lillian with Jason, Molly, and Desiree.  Lower picture, Molly Mesnick with me.

Coming Soon! The Lost Voice Of Walla Walla Radio Icon

Jeff Reynolds, himself a former KTEL night time DJ, has sent a CD with the voice of Walla Walla radio legend Dave "Rockin'" Cochran.  We should have Rockin' on the blog and every social media outlet known to man in the next week or so.  So put on your crash helmet and buckle your seatbelt, he may be gone, but he's not done with us yet!

Brian Williams To Step Down

Brian Williams, who has admitted to fabricating a story, has announced that he will temporarily step down from his anchor chair at the NBC Nightly News. Williams had said on-air that he was on a helicopter that was down from enemy fire in Iraq.
Questions have also started about Williams reporting of Hurricane Katrina.  When a reporter in any field including blogging is caught reporting anything other than the facts, it shadows the entire organization for which he or she works.  Even though Williams is a successful presence in the field, I really doubt that he will return.

Edgar Martinez Speaks At Ricoh Seminar

Ricoh Copiers held a seminar for people from The UPS Store and other perspective customers.  The event was held at Safeco Field where the Mariners play.  Edgar Martinez (top picture with Deb and myself) was the guest of honor. Edgar opened himself up to questions from the audience.
We also took a tour of Safeco, the middle picture was taken from the press box which our guide said was the largest one in the country.  the bottom picture was taken in the Mariner Dugout.

Seattle Sportsnet Blog Puts Last Sunday's Loss In Perspective

Alex Akita, blogger at Seattle Sportsnet, compares the Seahawks loss last Sunday with the shocking Seattle Super Sonics loss in 1994.  Seattle had the best record in the NBA and faced the lowly Denver Nuggets in the first round.  The Nuggets beat the team in the 5th game rubber match.  It was at the time, the most painful moment in Seattle sports.   Especially, because at the time, Michael Jordan had retired, so the Sonics were widely thought to be the favorite to win it all.  You can read the post here

1969 Year Of The Mets And Jets

The Mets and Jets were emblematic of the era, the 1960s was known for a generation gap and of the emergence of youth as a voice.  Neither team was in existence ten years earlier.  The Jets were part of a brand new league the AFL, that challenged, before it became part of the NFL.  The Mets  were an expansion team, a consistent cellar dweller, that shared a town with the storied New York Yankees. The Jets shared the spotlight with the New York "Football" Giants.  Many noticed that the two teams had names that rhymed.  Both teams played in Shea Stadium.  A field that was also famous for hosting the Beatles.
In  the Super Bowl of 1969, the Jets pulled off one of sports greatest upsets beating the Baltimore Colts. In the two previous Super Bowls, the NFL's Packers easily beat the 2 best AFL entries. The top picture is of Joe Namath, the Jet's brash, outspoken but talented quarterback. Namath was unlike any sports figure at the time. A mod dresser and a lover of the night life.
In the World Series, the Mets upset Baltimore's Orioles, also a heavily favored team.  On a related note.The NBA New York Knicks would beat the Baltimore Bullets on their way to the championship in the upcoming NBA season. Of course the Knicks had been around for a while, but can be tied to the Mets and Jets by the year, the city, and the fact that it also beat a  team from Baltimore in the post season.  Not long afterwards, New York would get the Nets, who would play in the ABA, a team with a rhyming name with the city's two hottest clubs.
In a year that saw Woodstock and a man walk on the moon.  The respective championships of the Jets and the Mets, would put a definitive cherry on top of a decade, forever known for the explosion of the youth culture.

Dream Dies With Curious Play

Once again, we battled back after a poor first half, but in the end, the ball did not bounce our direction.  After losing a 10 point lead to the New England Patriots, the Seattle Seahawks were able to make magic happen, battling to the 1 yard line with less than a minute remaining, but instead of giving the ball to Marshawn, a pass to the end zone was picked off, preserving the Patriot victory.
Bad end, but there's always next year.

SNL Spoofs The Hawks

The opening of SNL last night made fun of our Super Bowl bound Seahawks!