A Note on K-HIT Radio

K-HIT radio of Walla Walla was the radio station your father would listen to. If you lived in Walla Walla during the 60s or early 70s, you could tune it in at 1320. Most radios did not have an FM band or if you had it, chances are you did not use it. K-HIT played such artists as Dean Martin, Perry Como and Ray Coniff literally from sun up to sun down because it only had a daytime license. It also had a machine playing the music--it was automated. It had musical jingles as buffer between the musical selections and the commercials. At the hour and the half hour it had news read by the droning voice of the owner.

Why would I write about such a square radio station? The call letters KHIT were pronounced Kay-Hit, this was an era when top 40 radio was very much in vogue. With such distinguished call letters, you would think that a large market station would pay millions for them.

In the early 70s, KHIT was sold to a group of investors from Oregon, led by Carl Tyler, they modernized the station to a degree and even added a rock FM station, XT97. It too was automated but gave younger Walla Wallans more choices of what to listen to. Carl Tyler would later sell his interest in the station and enter politics, eventually becoming Walla Walla's mayor. The KHIT call letters were acquired by a Seattle radio station which soon folded.

North Bend Candidate's Forum

I went to North Bend last night to see all the candidates for King County Executive including former KIRO news anchor Susan Hutchison and Alan Lodbell. Even though the race is non-partisan (for the first time after a vote last November) it was clear that this would wind up with a Democrat going against a Republican.

It was evidently Susan Hutchison's first appearance in a forum and it was really clear that it was a less than comfortable situation for her. She was the last candidate to show up and may have even caused the session to start late which lead it to finish late. The candidates did not take any questions from the audience. She did not go into detail on any particular issue, preferring to speak in generalities about smaller government and dissatisfaction with Ron Sims (now gone to DC), softball opinions that play well in any part of the county except for Seattle. She referred to opponent Ross Hunter as "Hunter" obviously meaning to say "Ross" and a quip about putting viewers to sleep in their bedrooms came over as awkward.

Alan Lobdell on the other hand was a different type of Republican. He was unpolished, but sincere, with some smart observations. If the Rs are ever going to get some footing in the political stage, they would be wise to start listening to his type.

The four Democrats, Larry, Ross, Dow, And Fred stuck to the styles illustrated in other postings on this blog.

So Long Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson is gone at 50.

So Long Farrah Fawcett

Farrah Fawcett is dead at 62

King County Democrats Endorse Phillips, Constantine

The King County Democratic Central Committee, in response to Susan Hutchison's surging campaign, has made a duel endorsement for King County Executive. Council Members
Larry Phillips and Dow Constantine, were perceived to be the strongest of 4 candidates identified as Democrats. County Races this year are non-partisan for the first time. The duel endorsement angered supporters of Ross Hunter and Fred Jarrett, two Democratics who currently serve in the state legislature.
Former KIRO news anchor Susan Hutchison, perceived to be a Conservative, is running ahead in the race by an overwhelming margin.

Let's Whoopemup!

A lot of towns are spending money to be what Waitsburg, Washington has always been . 20 miles away from Walla Walla, timeless Waitsburg is getting a push from it's booming wine industry. The Whoopemup Hollow Cafe, on Main Street is getting rave reviews. It has menu of Cajun type food. Thank you to my brother Danny for this picture

Great Summer Beach Read

No, there isn't a list of 50 best Northwest Pro Sports titles, but

"The Great Book Of Seattle Sports Lists" is a fun read for any sports fan.

Written by Sportswriters Art Thiel and Steve Rudman, along with KJR Sportsradio Afternoon personality Mike "Gasman" Gastineau, the lists will make you laugh, educate and bring back memories. The book is availble at Amazon.

5th District Democrats Endorse Phillips For KC Executive

Veteran County Councilman Larry Phillips has been endorsed by the 5 Legislative Democrats for the position of County Executive in a meeting of the organization last night. Also endorsed were Lloyd Hara for County Assessor and Rob Holland and Max Vekich for Port Commission. Closer to home, Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger was endorsed for another term, as was Maple Valley Deputy Mayor Glenn Smith. Issaquah City Councilwoman Maureen McCarry was endorsed as well. Issaquah City Council Hopeful Tola Marts was also endorsed.

Politics Is In Our Blood

From Shelby Skates wonderful biography on Seattle's legendary Senator Warren G Magnuson, here is my cousin Stan with the senator reviewing papers.

Glenn Smith Seeking Second Term

Maple Valley Deputy Mayor Glenn Smith is seeking reelection for the City Council. In Maple Valley's council-manager system of government, the mayor and deputy mayor are members of the city council, picked by their peers on that body. The council also picks a manager, who performs much of the executive duties. This is a common form of government in small to mid size cities. Smith was picked as deputy mayor when the incumbent Jim Flynn was defeated 2 years ago. Flynn is now running to defeat Smith. In a statement to Barers Of Maple Valley, Smith says . "With proper leadership and direction, balance between profitable business and controlled home growth can be maintained. We must protect the wilderness atmosphere of Maple Valley, while decreasing the growth seen over the first 10 years of our incorporation."

Maple Valley Days

The Maple Valley Days festival is going on this weekend until tommorrow at Lake Wilderness Park 23601 224th Ave SE in Maple Valley, WA. There are plenty of rides, games and fun, and it is a chance to see one of King County's nicest cities.

Walla Walla Trip Highlights

The first sign that you see driving into Walla Walla is "Walla Walla next 7 exits". The joke used to be that when you visit the town, 7 exits isn't enough. But no longer, in the last decade or so, Walla Walla has exploded as a tourist destination town. Not only because of the explosion of the Wine industry, but also because has kept it's Main Street and downtown area vital. While we were over there last weekend, we stayed at the fabulous Walla Walla Suites Inn, where customer service was superb. We stopped did wine tasting stops at Ash Hollow Winery, Bergevin Lane, Dunham Cellars, L'Ecole No 41, and our favorite stop Basel Cellars, which we visited for the first time.

Located south of town, Basel Cellars is located on a hill that overlooks the Washington-Oregon border. It is a stunning setting so I included the three pictures above.

Steve And Dawn's Wedding

In no particular order, here are some of our pictures of the Steve Barer-Dawn Herrman wedding last Sunday.

300 Wins For Randy Johnson

Randy Johnson was able to get his 300th win today as his San Francisco Giants beat the Washington Nationals 5-1
The veteran left-hander will be remembered as one of the greatest players to put on a Seattle Mariner uniform. Seattle Times columnist Larry Stone pays tribute to Johnson.

Steve Barer Gets Married In Pioneer Park

This picture is from Steve's blog. We will put up our own in the not too distant future. Congratulations Steve!

30 Years Ago Today

1979 was a great year to be a Seattle Sports fan. The Seahawks were an exciting NFL team, the Mariners were in their second year in the Kingdome and on June First 1979, the Seattle Super Sonics beat the Washington Bullets for the NBA championship!