Seahawks Win Final Exhibition

The Seahawks finished there exhibition season with a rather unconvincing victory over the long floundering Oakland Raiders 19-14. The victory came 5 short days after another win against Minnesota, which gave Hawk fans a sigh of relief after a thorough embarrassment in Green Bay. Neither game showed enough to make us confident for a return to the Super Bowl.
The two Seahawk victories, no matter how meaningless they were, where a welcome contrast to the sudden fall of the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners after pulling within three games of the LA Angels from Anaheim (they really are the Anaheim Angels from LA, but that's a different story), have lost 7 games in a row. Last Tuesday loss at Safeco after building a five run lead, seems to have ripped the heart out of this team.

Farewell To Karen Marchioro

Washington state politics are a little duller today, as Karen Marchioro died of cancer today. Marchioro was best known as chair of the Washington State Democrats during the 1980s. The Republicans also had a woman state chair named Jennifer Dunn. The two women reflected their parties well. Dunn was demure and stylish, Marchioro was outspoken and hardscrabble.

She was active with anti-Vietnam protests when she first got involved in politics. She most recently was our representative to the Democratic National Committee. I rubbed elbow with Karen many times at Democratic meetings and I was always a little wide-eyed running into her. I mean she had such a history. She was very cordial and always had time to share her opinion. We exchanged many e-mails discussing the issues of the time.

Thank you to washblog for the picture. (Karen with Senator Warren Magnuson)

Final Tune Up For Seattle Seahawks

It's do or die for many wishing to play for the Seahawks, as they play their final exhibition game against the Oakland Raider tonight in Qwest Field. After the game, it will be up to Coach Mike Holmgren to trim the roster to the regulation size. Many of the players that we have seen for the past few weeks will not be in the NFL.

Seahawks Slip Past Vikings

The Seahawks got back on the winning track last night beating the Minnesota Vikings 30-13. Matt Hasselbeck ran into his old nemesis EJ Henderson again as the Minnesota lineman sacked him on the second drive. Henderson was the player who last year rolled of a block and hit Hasselbeck's knee, putting the Hawk's star quarterback out for a month. While watching the game, I wondered why it is necessary to have instant replay in an exhibition game. Saun Alexander had a one yard touchdown run.

Walla Walla To Get Luxury Condos Over Former Scrap Yard

Over in Walla Walla, Washington, the Corner of North 4th Street And Sumac, once scale and Junk yard for B. Barer And Sons will soon be transformed, according to my brother Steve. For decades, the fenced enclosure had little but rotting truck bodies and high weeds. Now Windemere is developing an upscale living development. The name of the project is Vue 22. You may say that the yard has gone from scale to upscale!

2007 Sports Sad Summer

One True Media

Penticton 07

Thank you to Cindy Callinsky for introducing me to onetruemedia.com It can make anyone look like an expert. You can click on the picture to see some of my "work".

Mariners Bleach The White Sox

The Seattle Mariners kept up their slim lead in the American League Wild Card Race by beating the Chicago White Sox 11-5. Winning pitcher Felix Hernandez looked mortal in a 10 hit, five earned run outing, but had tremendous offensive support, as the M's had 10 hits as well.

Educated Or Whitewashed: Baird Changes Mind On Iraq

Washington's 3rd District Congressman Brian Baird has altered his stance on Iraq. Baird, who has opposed military involvement in Iraq, has just returned from a trip to the Middle East. He now says an immediate withdrawal would aid Iran and compromise US Security (paraphrase).

This view will no doubt bring heat from much of his constituency. Already there is a "told you so" attitude from Right Wingers. In fact, Baird may be the Right's new poster boy.

I think more likely it show that in policy, nothing is "black and white" We all view issues with our own prejudices and slant, believing that the villains were the black hats. It could be that Baird is showing that we in the Democratic Party can take a pragmatic approach to the problem. That while the invasion was not one of our best decisions, we need to take time to clean up any mess that we made. Time will tell where all of this will lead.

Seahawks Vs Green Bay: Glad It Does Not Count

I've never been a real fan of "exhibition" football. Generally, starters only play a fraction of the game, so by the middle of the second quarter, it stops being exciting or even pleasant to watch. The Seattle Seahawks can only hope that yesterday's 48-13 thrashing at the hands of the Green Bay Packers was not a sign for things to come. The Pack had over 30 points by halftime to put this game to bed early and the only consequence from this game was the round thrashing by Coach Mike Holmgren who said that the reason there were no major injuries in the game is his players did not hit anyone.

Happy Birthday, Debbie

My little sister's birthday is today.

New York Vinnie Leaves KIRO

I'm sure it was said at one time that noone could fill the shoes of former KIRO sportscaster Wayne Cody. In most ways, New York Vinnie comes close. The talk show host made his name at Sportsradio KJR, during the fight to save the Mariners. Sounding more like a New York cabbie than a cookie cutter sportscaster, Vinnie dazzled listeners with his anecdotes about baseball in the Big Apple and what sports can mean to a community. It may be said that New York Vinnie was just as important to saving baseball in Seattle as Lou Piniella and Ken Griffey, Jr. After losing his gig with KJR, Vinnie turned up at KIRO. Last week, he was let go along with Ron Reagan as the station revamped it's format. Here is wishing happy landings for Vinnie.

Lee Hazlewood Passes On

Lee Goldberg's blog A Writer's Life informed me of the passing of Lee Hazlewood. Hazlewood is said to be the artist behind the career of Nancy Sinatra. He wrote "These Boots Are Made For Walkin" and did duets with Nancy on Summer Wine, Jackson, and Some Velvet Morning.

It is a rather said irony that cigarettes which contributed to his trademark rough voice also may have contributed to his early death.

Pics From The Oregon Coast

At the end of last month, we spent a little time in Seaside Oregon

I thought that I would share a few pictures. It is often forgotten that the Necanicum River flows through the town, we rented a paddle boat (as scene above) with somewhat humorous results. Next picture shows the famous Seaside Prom. The last one was taken on the beach at Ecola Park.

Homerun 756*

Barry Bonds now has hit more homeruns than any other player in Major League history passing Hank Aaron. We can now get back to the baseball season and enjoy the tight pennant races.

It's Oh Boy Oberto!

The 2007 Chevrolet Cup Hydroplane Race concluded today as Steve David piloted the U-6 Oh Boy Oberto to an upset victory. The Chevrolet Cup race marks the grand finale of Seattle's anual Seafair. The win took place on the 80th birthday of U-6 owner Art Oberto.

More Pictures From My 50th!

A wonderful gathering of family and friends. July 14, 2007, Doc Maynards, Seattle WA. Thank you to everyone!

Seahawks Kick Off Their Regular Season September 9

The 2007 version of the Seattle Seahawks start their regular season Sunday September 9 in Qwest Field. The 2005 NFC champs will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Look here for another season of Seahawk blogging beginning August 12th when the Hawks travel to San Diego to play the Chargers in exhibition play.

A Moment Of Silence

We mourn the victims of the I-33 crash in Minnesota.

Burl Barer To Pass Threshold

Coming next Thursday (August 9th) it's "So Long F years" (40s and 50s) and "Hello S Years" (60s and 70s) as Burl Barer turns 60. You can read about Burl in the Wikipedia.