Washington State Democrats Meet In Lake Chelan

Deb and I went to Lake Chelan this weekend so I could attend the Washington State Democratic Central Committee meeting.  While many may associate politics with "hot air", it could not compete with the 50 mile per hour wind gusts that blew through on Saturday.  On a serious note, State Democratic Chair led the delegation in a moment of silence to honor late state committewoman Barb Gellar, Seattle political consultant Blair  Butterworth, and former Governor Booth Gardiner.  Pictured above, Todd Nichols leads the Rules Committee meeting. 
  Although the meetings were held at the Campbell Resort, we stayed at the nearby Lakeside Lodge.  The Lakeside is by a beautiful park (pictured below).  We also visited the Mill Bay Casino, the Tsillan Wine Cellars and finished by driving up to Wenatchee for the Apple Blossom Festival.  After leaving the festival, we went to Walla Walla Point Park by the Wenatchee River to let Dasher take a swim.  I did not know there were any other landmarks named Walla Walla that were not in the actual city.

Hansen Bid Shot Down--Kings To Stay In Sacramento

Seattle chance to regain an NBA team took a severe blow when the NBA Relocation voted unanamously to keep the Kings franchise in Sacramento.  It is unknown at this time what the next step will be, but it is clear at this time that the Chris Hansen group will have to entertain other options if it hopes to bring an NBA team here.  Hansen had put 30 million dollars down on a binding offer to buy the Kings from the previous owners, the Maloof Brothers.

Burl Barer Salutes Seattle's Heart

In his blog, Burl Barer remembers his Seattle radio days along seeing  the now Hall Of Fame rock group Heart in the group's early years. Click here

Dasher Meets Another Pup

Dasher playing with Charlie at The UPS Store

A Great Monent In Baseball

Boston Red Sox Fans traditionally sing "Sweet Caroline" at the 7th Inning stretch at Fenway Park.  After a harrowing day in which the city was in lockdown, a special guest leads them in song. 

42 Brings Jackie Robinson To Life

(warning--some spoilers)

This movie is about much more that baseball and even much more that Jackie Robinson.  42 gets it's name from the number that Jackie Robinson wore when he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers. 
Up to 1947, Baseball player were all Caucasian.  The players thought that it was because they were superior, but really it was because of deep prejudices of owners, players and America in general.  Although at the time, there were no teams in the Deep South, Spring training was held there and many of the players were from that region.  Branch Rickey is the owner of the Dodgers and it is his belief that it is time to sign a black baseball player.He scout out Jackie Robinson, a star in the "Negro Leagues"  His manager, Leo Dourocher loves the idea and agrees with Rickey to make it happen.  Trouble is, Dourocher is suspended for the year and the Dodgers have to find a new manager.  They wind up with a retiree who has nowhere near the fire of Duroucher.  The movie is simplified to a battle between the good guys vs the bad guys.  The vitriol aimed at Robinson is quite disturbing, but because of that, you root a lot harder for him. 
My guess is that this movie and many of the actors will get Oscar consideration.

Turtle Pokes Head Out Of Shell--Pens Book

 

When I was little, I used to love the teen dancing shows  The Beatles were emerging and bands had cool names like The Animals, The Grass Roots, The Byrds, and The Turtles.  I remember exactly were I was when I first heard the monster hit "Happy Together", a song that brighten  your day just by hearing it, I loved the phrase "no matter how they tossed the dice, it had to be", it conjures images of walking through the park in the sunshine.  The Turtles lead singer Howard Kaylan lives in the Seattle area and I was fortunate to meet him and his wife.
Howard's new book Shell Shocked chronicles his years as a giant in a very important era in the growth of Rock as an entertainment force.
Howard was also a member of "The Mothers Of Invention" and was performing when the Swiss casino burned down, an event that was referenced in the Deep Purple classic "Smoke On The Water".
He also returned to perform with fellow Turtle Mark Volman as Flo and Eddie as by contractual agreement at the time, they could not perform as "The Turtles" or even use their actual names.
From what I can see, Howard lives a pretty modest life in the area, you may have seen him in a store and not noticed, but his contributions to Rock And Roll are extraordinary.  You can order his book on Amazon by clicking here.  By the way, I would be remiss not to mention Howard has a cool golden doodle named Pouchifer who loves to come to our UPS Store in Crossroads.
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Pat Summerall Dies

It's probably not a stretch to say that Pat Summerall was to sportscasting, what Walter Cronkite was to news.  Summerall had been associated with sports broadcasting since 1962 when he was a color commentator along with Chris Schenkel  broadcasting Giants games on CBS.  His rich voice and dedication to his craft lead him to become lead announcer on NFL broadcasts, not that common for ex-players.  Summerall had been doing the games when I first started watching the NFL in the late 60s.  He remained active until only a few years ago.    He would work for CBS, Fox and ESPN.His partnership with John Madden made  both men bigger stars. A few years ago, Summerall, a recovering alcoholic, could be heard on a  Shick Shadel commercial with Pat O'Day on the radio.  Although Summerall played in the NFL, there is no doubt he was much more famous as an announcer.  He broadcast 16 Super Bowls, more than any other announcer.

WHY?

Baseball News From Walla Walla

I'm hoping to get back to Walla Walla for a weekend this summer to watch the Walla Walla Sweets play baseball.  Now, I realize I can watch Major League baseball here in the Seattle area, however cool things are happening for this organization is that is not even a minor league baseball team. 
The team has a new announcer, Howard Hoffman.  Hoffman is a nationally known radio voice talent. He is also now a resident of Walla Walla.  On May 2nd, the team will host it's season party with special guest Ken Levine.    Levine is a network sit-com writer with such shows as Mash, Cheers, Frasier, and Everybody Love Raymond.  He is also a former announcer for the Seattle Mariners.  His blog has been heralded as one of the best.  Undoubtedly, he will do a humorous and light hearted story on his blog about his visit to the "valley of the double Wallas".
The Walla Walla Sweets are a member of the West Coast League, a summer collegiate league.  Another former Mariner announcer, Ken Wilson, is the league president.

Seahawks Land All Pro Cornerback

Yahoo Sports reports that the Seatttle Seahawks are about to sign veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield.  The 36 year old veteran is a three time Pro Bowl player and was selected all pro in 2008.
His contract with the Minnesota Vikings was terminated, reportedly to clear salary space. 

Annette Funicello Tributes

Seattle Radio Icon Pat O'Day is shown hear with Disney Star and Teen movie icon Annette Funicello who passed away a couple of days ago.  While I was a little young to get the full impact of her life and the mark that she made on her generation,  Ken Levine wrote a heartfelt blog post that captures it.
Click here.

Blossoms Cover The Driveway

It's pretty when the tree in the front yard blossoms, but quite a chore to clean up when they come down onto the yard, the driveway and the street.

Barers Of Maple Valley On National TV

Well, if you blinked you missed it, unless you have DVR, but our episode of The Price Is Right ran today.  You can see us in the left hand corner (me in green, Debra in a Price Is Right tee shirt) as I am dressed even sillier than these silly dressed people.  I was not trying to look like a lepricaun I had on a Sounders jersey and a Sounders hat.  Hoping to sway Drew Carey, who owns the Seattle Soccer team.  It didn't work.

Artisan Tails Shows Dasher In Water Color

Dasher is top dog on the home page of Artisan Tails, a site where Jeanne Romano can make a water cooler picture of your pet and ship it anywhere in the country.  Romano is also a network sitcom writer, but her true passion seems to be painting pets.  You can check out her site by  clicking here.  If you live in the Bellevue area, you can see Dasher's portrait, done by Jeanne at The UPS Store in Crossroads where it hangs proudly.

Sportsradio Morning Broadcaster Tapped By Seattle Met

Sportsradio KJR 950 morning man Mitch Levy was named one of Seattle's 50 most influential people in a list compiled by Seattle Met, a community magazine.  Along with Levy, the list includes state senators Ed Murray and Steve Litzow,  newly elected Congresswoman Suzan Del Bene,  and San Francisco Financier and potential NBA team owner Chris Hansen. 
The magazine credited Levy to stirring up the issue of bringing the fences of Safeco Field closer to the plate, making easier for batter to hit home runs and allowing the team more pull with free agent signings.
Levy, who is originally from Florida, has been with the station for nearly 20 years.

Seattle Times Retracts Story--Haywood Will Not Be Inducted

The Seattle Times is now reporting that ex-Sonic Spencer Haywood will not be selected for induction this year into the Naismith Hall Of Fame.  The Times based it's report on a statement that Haywood's agent gave to Fox Sports Florida.
Haywood is a former Olympian who began his career in the ABA with the Denver Nuggets where there were no requirements that his college class would need to graduate before he would be eligible to play.  NBA at the time did require that. 
The Seattle Super Sonics signed Haywood in 1970, still ineligible under NBA rules, however Sonic owner Sam Schulman challenged the rule, taking it to the Supreme Court.  The rule was struck down, paving the way for players like Moses Malone and Kobe Bryant to sign with teams before entering or finishing college.  Haywood played 5 seasons with the Sonics and led them to their first playoff berth.

It's Spring

Spring time has arrived and the trees on our street are in full bloom.  This lovely tree is front of our house.  When the buds fall, it looks like snow on the ground.

Ex Sonic To Join The Hall Of Fame

Gary Payton, one of Seattle's most popular professional sports stars, has been chosen to be inducted to the Naismith Hall Of Fame.  Nicknamed The Glove because of his stingy defense, Payton missed only 5 games in his 13 seasons as a Sonic.  Payton endeared himself  to Seattle not only by his outstanding play, but also his embracing of the community, however, he was unable to enjoy a warm relationship with the Howard Schultz ownership group and was traded to Milwaukee.
Payton, an Oakland, California native who went to college at Oregon State, was a nine time NBA All Star.

So Long Roger Ebert

Legendary film critic Roger Ebert passed away.  He was know for his witty repartee with the late Gene Siskel as they reviewed contemporary movies on the TV program Siskel And Ebert At The Movies.  The fact that the two were film critics for rival newspapers in Chicago helped fan their stardom. Ebert worked for the Chicago Sun-Times. He was the first film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize. He was also the first film critic to have a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.  Ebert had been battling cancer for many years.

Seatac Media Blog Covers Area TV And Radio

To those viewers and listeners who want to get the story behind the story, the Seatacmedia blog is a great place to visit.  If you heard it on radio or watched it on TV in the Seattle-Tacoma market, you will no doubt find it there.  It may be a little out of the Seatac area, but the blog picked up my story on the late Walla Walla DJ Dave "Rockin" Cochran.  Thank you blog editor Jason Remington and company for the recognition!

Matt Flynn Traded To Raiders

It was an April Fool's deal, but it will be next season before we see if either team winds up looking like a fool.  The Seattle Seahawks have traded Quarterback Matt Flynn, once seen as their probable started in 2012 to the Oakland Raiders for some draft picks in the next couple years.  Flynn was acquired by the 'Hawks in 2012 from the Green Bay Packers as the team was looking to find a better signal caller than Tavares Jackson.  Coach Pete Carroll, however, turned to rookie Russell Wilson and never looked back. In making the deal, the Raiders released Carson Palmer.

An April Fools Joke That Went Wrong

Great Report on how a stunt on the local comedy show that was on KING 5 in the 80s and 90s went horribly wrong.  Click here.