New Evidence May Be Surfacing On Rossi Fundraising

Campaign activist group FUSE is petitioning Attorney General Rob McKenna to investigate charges that Dino Rossi may be involved BIAW fundraising. That would be a violation of the law since the trade organization sponsors advertising that is not approved by political candidates.

A Little Campaign Fun

5th Legislative Democrats Starting To See Pay-Off

Democrats in Washington's 5th Legislative district are very familiar with the bitter taste of defeat. While Democrats have won at least one seat in every other district in King County, the 5th which includes Issaquah, Sammamish, North Bend, Maple Valley and Black Diamond, has continued to send an all Republican slate. According to an article in today's Seattle Times, Democratic gains on the Eastside may have finally filtered down to the 5th. The article recognized the efforts of District Chair Hank Thomas, a former Issaquah City Councilman.

When Thomas took the helm of the 5th District Democrats two years ago, he had fewer than 30 precinct committee officers — community members in charge of canvassing their neighborhoods and building support for candidates. That number has grown to nearly 70, and by the beginning of next year, Thomas expects to have more than 100.

The article mentioned legislative candidate David Spring. When Spring began his campaign he was traveling a lonely road, the House Democratic Caucus wanted nothing to do with the district. Spring was not deterred and ran with what little he had. He wound up taking 49 percent of the vote against seemingly entrenched GOP opponent Glenn Anderson. The 5th has two other outstanding candidates in Jon Viebrock running for Jay Rodne's House seat and Phylis Huster, running for State Senate.

David Spring will be holding a meet and greet tomorrow (September 28th) at Beaver Lake Lodge, 25101 SE 24th Street Sammamish.

America Loses Paul Newman

Paul Newman, one of Hollywood's greatest actors, died yesterday at 83.
I remember Newman was my Mother's favorite actor.

PJ Reports On Hurricane Ike

PJ of Galveston, Texas is a good friend, an excellent blogger and now, a survivor. In her blog (No Deep Thoughts), she talks about her ordeal with Hurricane Ike.

Democrats Dine In Luxury At Newcastle

Washington's 5th Legislative District hosted this year's 22nd annual Eastside Dinner. The dinner is usually held in a hotel in downtown Bellevue. This year tradition was broken as was bread at the Golf Club At Newcastle. The Newcastle course and clubhouse are about 10 years old. Just south of Bellevue, it affords striking views of the Seattle skyline.
Host Ross Hunter, a member of the Washington House of Representatives, mentioned that the dinner was started by the late Karen Marchioro. In those days, the Eastside communities of Bellevue, Renton, Kirkland and Redmond were seen as solid Republican communities. Today, except for the 5th, the representation in Olympia is solidly Democratic.
Governor Gregoire, in her keynote speech, sited all the transportation projects during her tenure including the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Candidate Darcy Burner and Congressmen Jim McDermott and Jay Inslee also spoke.
The evening was capped off by Liberal talk show host Ed Schultz. Although this clip was not from last night's dinner, it shows Ed Schultz at his fighting best.

Seahawks Finally Get Victory

The Seattle Seahawks were able to capitalize on a hapless StLouis Ram team and beat them 37-13. Julius Jones had 140 yards for the 'Hawks and TJ Duckett had his first two touchdown game in four years. Rookie wide receiver Michael Bumpus got his first career touchdown on a 10 yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck The Seahawks go into the bye week 1-2 and have a chance to get Bobby Engram and some other players heathy before the next game in 2 weeks.

Early 60s TV Dobie Gillis

Hopefully this will bring back a memory or two. From a much more innocent time.

Local Paper Endorses Obama

The Seattle Times today has endorsed Senator Barack Obama for president. You can read the editorial here

Last Year's Eastside Dinner

It's hard to believe a year has gone by, but last year's Eastside Dinner was highlighted by this unscheduled discourse.

Anea Barer is a frequent guest on Outlaw Radio. Heard Saturdays at 3:00 Pacific time. The program can be heard throughout the world on the internet. Anea's dad, Burl, is a regular on the program.

Details On Eastside Democratic Dinner

The Eastside Democratic Dinner, hosted by the 5th Legislative District Democrat of Washington, will take place this Sunday, September 21st. It will take place at The Golf Club At Newcastle, 1500 Six Penny Lane. Registration begins at 5:00 pm with Governor Gregoire scheduled to speak at 6:00 pm sharp. Tickets can be ordered at Brownpaper Tickets or purchased at the door.

An Old Face Returns To The 'Hawks

For the first time in 4 seasons, Koren Robinson will wear the Seattle Seahawks uniform. The 'Hawks signed Robinson after losing six wide receivers due to injuries. Robinson was the first round pick of the Seahawks in 2001 and showed flashes of brilliance. He was released in 2005 after running into trouble with the NFL's substance abuse program.

Ed Schultz Headlines 2008 Eastside Democratic Dinner

Democrats throughout the Puget Sound Region will get a chance to hear Air America Talk Show host Ed Schultz Sunday September 21st at the swanky Golf Club At Newcastle. Washington Governor Chris Gregoire will be keynote speaker at the event.

Tod Goldberg Talks About His Art

My cousin Tod Goldberg enjoys writing novels. Tod is interviewed by Jina Bacarr in this piece that I found on his blog.

Seahawks Fall To 0 And 2

The Seattle Seahawks showed that they could be as dysfunctional as any other Washington sports team after they blew a 14 point lead to the struggling San Francisco 49ers. The loss was at home and to a 49ers team lead by second string quarterback JT O'Sullivan who had over 300 yards passing against what has been billed as a strong Seahawk defense.

Washington Democrats Meet At Tulalip

The Washington State Democratic Central Committee made history this weekend with it's choice of meeting places. The brand new Tulalip Resort and Casino was the site, marking the first time that the committee has met at a tribal hotel.

Democratic National Chair Howard Dean, on a campaign swing through the Northwest spoke at the meeting. The committee also voted to keep it's sole endorsement of Randy Dorn for the Non-Partisan position of State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Washington's Newest Democratic National Committee Representative Lona Wilbur, a member of the Sinomish Tribe, also received special recognition.

A Moment Of Silence

We pay tribute to Skagit County Deputy Anne Jackson--an American Hero.

The 1977 song "Baracuda" by Heart has created controversy. Lead singer Ann Wilson and sister Nancy, were angry that the song was used at the Republican Convention without the permission of the group. However, in an interview on Seattle's KZOK with morning talk show host Bob Rivers, former Heart guitarist
Roger Fisher did not seem to mind the GOP's taking liberties with the song.

Seinfeld And Gates In Windows Commercial

It's getting bad reviews but I like it. Reminds me of when we saw Bill at a movie theatre in Bellevue many years ago.

Walla Walla V--One For The Road At Cougar Crest

We left Walla Walla on Labor Day, but first we had a Picnic at old Fort Walla Walla Park. Fort Walla Walla probably the city's crown jewel as far as parks go. It has a Military Cemetery, a Viet Nam Memorial and a museum. It is spacious and very rural, being on the outer west edge of town.

On the way out of town we stopped at the Cougar Crest Winery. They are putting the finishing touches on a brand new tasting room on Highway 12 (a designated driver is suggested). It is a very strategic location as it is the first Winery you see coming in from Seattle, except for the two in nearby Lowden. Cougar Crest was started by a couple of WSU graduates, one a pharmacist and the other, a veterinarian. No telling on whether they will change the name after the Coug's embarrassing 66-3 loss to the California Golden Bears this last weekend.

Seahawks Start 2008 Season With Thud

In what certainly can be described as a nightmare year in the Seattle sport scene, the Seattle Seahawks provided no relief losing to the Buffalo Bills 34-10 in the season opener. With Matt Hasselbeck returning after missing two weeks of practice and wide receivers Bobby Engram and Deion Branch out with injuries, the Seahawk's offence was not able to get off of the ground. Marshawn Lynch lead Buffalo with 76 yards and one touchdown.

Palin Video Should Be Sign Of Concern

I can respect Sarah Palin for holding to her religious beliefs, but this video shows that she has no trouble blending them into her political agenda and visa versa. Thank you to Tod Goldberg for this video.

Walla Walla IV--Walking Wine Tour

My cousins checked in to the Whitman Hotel for their last 2 nights in Walla Walla, Kevin and I began a walking tour of the wineries. Our first stop was the Hiney Winery on 2nd Street. It was based on a radio bit by renown DJ Rick Dees 25 years ago. The winemaker, Tom Hodgins, actually has owned radio stations in Walla Walla and had acquired the rights to name his product after Dees's

fictitious winery.

We met up with the girls (my wife and cousin C) at the Hiney and walked to the Spring Valley Winery, which was owned by the Derby family. Before the days of Drew Bledsoe (whom I have read also owns a winery in Walla Walla) Dean Derby was one of the few Walla Wallans who played in the NFL. Derby went to the University Of Washington and played professionally for the Minnesota Vikings and the Pittsburgh Steelers. There is quite a presentation at the tasting room where they give the winerie's entire history.

Still on foot, we turned the corner onto Main Street and went to the Waterbrook, which was one of Walla Walla's older wineries. We looked around, but did not participate in the tasting.

Our final tour stop was the Sapolil cellars. We sat with some other people at a piano bar where the owner was talking about all sorts of area history. We enjoyed the wine there although noone played the piano, we decided that it was a delightful place.

Walla Walla III--Bergevin-Lane Winery

We began wine tasting Saturday afternoon at the Bergevin-Lane Winery, west of downtown Walla Walla. It is run by Walla Walla native Annette Bergevin and Amber Lane. Bergevin made her mark in area high school athletics and is a Washington State graduate. Their Calico Red is one of my favorite wines and I try buy a bottle whenever I'm down there.

Walla Walla Part II

We arrived in Walla Walla Saturday night and went to the fair with Cherie, Kevin, Steve and Dawn. The Walla Walla Fair, formerly the Southeastern Washington Fair And Frontier Days, takes place over the Labor Day Weekend.

You can't help but love this song, it also has a special place in Washington politics.

Labor Day Weekend In Walla Walla

We are looking at Walla Walla's number one landmark--the Whitman Hotel. When I was born in Walla Walla, it was the tallest building in town. 51 years later, it still is. It has been through many incarnations, originally known as "The Marcus Whitman" it evolved in the early 70s into the Eddie Mays Inn. When that ran it's course, Stewart Anderson ran it as the Black Angus, with a remodeled look. The latest addition of "The Whitman" is part of a remodeling effort by Walla Walla entrepreneur Kyle Mussman.
I touched a little about the changes Walla Walla has gone through in the last ten years, what I would like to talk about in the next few posts is a look at some of those changes. Deb and I made the five hour drive last weekend and met up with my cousin and her husband who also journeyed down from Seattle. My brother Steve and his girlfriend Dawn still live there.

New Banner Picture

Lake Wilderness is in the center of Maple Valley. The park surrounding it is the hub of summer activities in the area. It has become the banner picture for this blog.