JANUARY In spite of a losing season, the Seattle Seahawks win the division and got the daunting task of facing the 2010 Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints in round 1. My friend, Louie called with an extra ticket, so I was able to join him and his family at what was then called Qwest Field. Marshawn Lynch ran for an electrifying 62 yard touchdown and the Seahawks upset the Saints 41-36!
The 5th District Democrats reorganized and Jim Baum was picked to chair. I was picked again to represent the 5th on the State Central Committee.
For the second year, I attended the Hutchinson Awards at Safeco Field. Atlanta Braves pitcher Tim Hudson was the recipient.
FEBRUARY We will start with what was not on the blog, for the first time in six years, I did not blog episodes of The Apprentice. It was nice to where I could just watch and not have to worry about a write up. We took at winter trip to the Palm Springs area, where a cancelled flight made us arrive too late to see a show with my Dad and Jean. The weather was not great either, we did have the penthouse of the Trend West property and it had a hot tub on the deck.
I wrote on the guest book of "Outlaw Radio" and got my name mentioned several times by the host. It was during "Charlie Sheen" controversy time and I stated my opinion on the situation on the "so called" guest book, then I listened to the show. My Cousin, Burl, appears weekly on the show heard every Saturday at 3:00 pm Pacific Time.
I wrote about the Covington eatery 2Seven2, which had live music and great food. Unfortunately, the restaurant was gone in a few more months.
MARCH The Cougar Men's Basketball team did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament, but made accepted an invitation to the NIT, they went to the semi-finals.
The family got together at Newcastle Golf Course to celebrate my Uncle Arny's 75th birthday, the Sunday brunch was highlighted by a good natured "roast" by my uncle's two sons, Joe and Sam. Former Seattle Super Sonics owner and international billboard magnate Barry Ackerly passed away as did film legend Elizabeth Taylor.
April I get a letter from a reader saying he may have a tape of the KUJ sign off from the 1960s, I had readers asking about it since I had written a nostalgia piece about the station in July of 2009.
The Seattle Mariners won their opening day game.
For the second year in a row, a KJR traffic reporter left the station. Nina Hajian took a job as morning co-host in Sacramento. Seattle Seahawks tapped Alabama Left Tackle James Carpenter as it's first pick in the NFL draft.
May Word gets out the Osama Bin Laden has been killed by U.S. Forces, America celebrates. The coveted KUJ sign off is found and posted. We have a yard sales at the house and end the month spending an afternoon at the Mariners game with nephews Ethan and Connor.
June KIRO TV sent a crew to film at The UPS Store in Crossroads, Debra is interviewed, the segment is for a morning show known as "Better Northwest". The segment aired in early July.
Also Barers Of Maple Valley had a record 576 hits in one day as Hockey fans were excited about the Stanley Cup Finals.
July We watched the Little River Band at an outdoor concert at the Snoqualmie Casino.
My nephew Ethan's Little League team went deep into the play-offs.
My wife surprised me with a birthday party at Lake Sammamish Park.
The Seattle Seahawks announced that they will not renew quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's contract. Hasselbeck wound up going to the Tennessee Titans. Fans were not pleased.
August We watched the GoGos at an outdoor concerts at the Woodland Park Zoo. Vacationed in Long Beach Washington and attended Cousin Jessica's Bat Mitzvah.
September We took the in-laws for their first visit to the wineries in Walla Walla over the Labor Day Weekend, this blog adapts a new lay-out, and Rusty retains his title as "Savvy Senior" at the University Village "Fido Fest".
October Pop Culture Icons Steve Jobs and Al Davis pass away.
We visit the Cedar River Watershed and get a guided tour on a random Sunday drive.
I wrote several nostalgia pieces on Walla Walla.
November Connor Halladay turns in a brilliant performance to lead the Washington State Cougars to a victory over Arizona State, unfortunately, Halladay would suffer a serious injury in the next game. Sports Radio KJR announced that it would simulcast on FM, making it possible to hear the broadcast more clearly in Maple Valley. We watched the Beatles tribute band Creme Tangerine perform at the Crossroads Mall food court.
December The moment we dreaded, our precious Golden Retriever who brought us so much joy, got his angel wings. Customers at the store who adopted Rusty into their hearts, sent flowers, cards, thoughts, prayers and well wishes that gave us strength in a time of great loss. On Christmas eve, Deb surprised me and the rest of our family with a new Golden puppy and now we go into 2012 with a new beginning. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
