Seahawks Beat The Niners

• Richard Sherman and Russell Wilson have turkey legs after the Seahawk 19-3 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Thanksgiving Day.  NBC's Michelle Tofoya is doing the interview.

Eagle's Play By Play Man Larry Weir Get's National Nod

One of the coolest people I have worked with in radio, Larry Weir can be heard doing play by play on this cut from ESPN radio's Colin Cowherd, himself a Washington native. It is play by play of the Eastern Washington Eagles upsetting Indiana University. Larry and I worked together at KTEL.

Sherman And Baldwin Protest

Seahawks Richard Sherman and Doug Baldwin got national sports headlines protesting the fine levied on teammate Marshawn  Lynch for not talking to the media.  Sherman appeared to be interviewing a cardboard cut-out of wide receiver Doug Baldwin.  At the end of the interview, Baldwin appeared from behind the cardboard cut-out.  The Seahawks take on the 49ers on Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving

Seager To Ink New Agreement

Mariner All Star 3rd Baseman Kyle Seager has agreed to a 7 year, 100 million dollar agreement with the team.      Seager also won his first Gold Glove.  He set career marks in batting average, home runs and RBIs in 2014 as the Mariners came within making the play-offs for the first time since  2001.
This marked the third off season in a row that the M's will sign a player for 100 million or more, earlier this year, they landed Robinson Cano from the New York Yankees and last year, Felix Hernandez was resigned.

Seahawks Make Statement--Beat Cardinals

The Seahawks showed that they were alive and well in the play-off hunt, beating the league leading Arizona Cardinals 19-3.  It was the best performance in weeks by the team, coming off a heartbreaking loss to Kansas City.
 The game marked the reemergence of the once fierce Seattle defense.  After weeks of struggles, the unit came back to life, limiting Arizona to a season low 204 yards of offense and no touchdowns. Part of that can be attributed to the return of Bobby Wagner.

30 Years of Great TV Farewells

This video begins with the late Walter Cronkite, calling his departure "..a passing of the baton.."

An Old Family Picture

My cousin, Bruce posted this picture of my Grandfather EdGranek in Okinawa. He was stationed there in the mid 1960s, then returned to Walla Walla in 1969.  He is pictured with my cousins, Bruce and Mark.  They are the sons of my Uncle Phil Granek, who was also living in Okinawa.  Uncle Phil was my Mom's brother.

Snow Hits Maple Valley 2012

Will we get a winter like this, From January 2012, the best and worst of a snowy winter.

Kurt DelBene Addresses Eastside Democrats

Eastside Democrats got to meet Kurt DelBene, a former Microsoft executive who is credited to saving Healthcare.gov.  Delbene, who is the husband of Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, was called to the White House when the web site for Affordable Care Act failed, putting the President's hard earned program in jeopardy.  DelBene put in understandable terms, his program to fix the ailing site. DelBene is now with Madronna Ventures, a Seattle based venture capital group.
DelBene was speaking at a joint meeting of the 5th and and 41st LDs at Tyee Middle School in South Bellevue.

Barers Of Maple Valley Places In Top 20

Thank you for voting Barers Of Maple Valley number 17 in the Best Of Western Washington's Best Neighborhood Blog.  It was a lot of fun, to see who rank where, click here.

Game Change --My Review

I began to read Game Change, thinking that it's focus would be on Governor Sarah Palin, the Vice President choice on the losing ticket who became well known in her own right, but really the McCain-Palin dynamic, interesting as it was, is not brought up until the last few chapters.
Game Change tells about the 2008 race, Americans have lost their faith in the Bush administration over both his handling of the Iraq War and a looming financial crisis.  The Democrats, after regaining the majority of Congress, are optimistic about recapturing the White House.  The favorites are former First Lady Hilary Clinton and 2004 VP candidate John Edwards.  Also in that race is our current president Barack Obama.  The book in it's early stages takes us to each of those campaigns and shows the personalities, not only of the candidates but each family and staff.  It shows how the Democratic establishment was not all in love with Hilary.  It shows the flaws in the Edwards campaign.  It shows how the Obama campaign snowballed into a national movement.
The book moves chronologically through the caucuses that were indeed game changers. Then at the conclusion of the Obama nomination, focuses on his VP choice and his courting of the Clintons.
It then covers the McCain campaign and the Palin choice, once thought to be the spearhead to get McCain back into the race, but what would later prove to be part of his undoing.
The McCain-Palin dynamic was the subject of the movie that was based on the book.  I hope to eventually watch that movie.

Brandi Carlile - Losing Heart

Maple Valley native Brandi Carlile rocks it out on this tune from her album "The Story"

Go Seahawks!

WSU Grad Covers Hollywood

The E! Network keeps America up to date on what happening in the entertainment industry and one of it's rising stars is a Southeastern Washington native and a graduate of the Murrow School Of Communications at WSU.  Courtney Harvey has been with the E! Network for about 3 years according to dad, Geoff Harvey, also a broadcasting graduate of WSU and a former manager of radio stations in Walla Walla  and the Tri Cities.
Currently Courtney's work is mostly behind the scenes as segment producer, but there is little doubt that she will soon be an on-air fixture.  She has also worked at KVEW in Kennewick, Washington.
Courtney has a fan page on facebook that you can join by clicking here.
Courtney's dad was a mentor to me in my college days, I was trying to break in radio and approached him at K-HIT where I was seeking a summer job.  Geoff always seemed to find time to talk radio with me and keep me up to date on the goings on in the field.

Seahawk Mebane Lost For Season

Even though the season is at mid point, the toughest part of the Seahawks schedule begins with games with the Chiefs, 49ers, Eagles, Rams, and Cardinals coming up.  These opponents have a combined winning percentage of .722.  Sadly, the Seahawks will have to play without Defensive Tackle Brandon Mebane.  Mebane, an 8 year veteran, is considered the heart of the defense.  Although he does not get the most sacks, he played a vital role in distracting blockers and has been a stand out in the locker room.  Mebane, one of my favorite players, is out with a hamstring injury.

Old Walla Walla Radio Remembered--Part 6

The late Jack Keating, owner of KTEL in Walla Walla, Washington, can be heard in this commercial.  Thank you to Hank Unck, who used the name "Lee Michaels", when he worked at the station. Mr Keating passed away in the mid 1980s.  Another thank you goes out to Joe Drazan for the historical print ads.
The owners of the Leading Fur Shop, Sadie and Gordon Paris were friends of my family.

More Maple Valley Windstorm

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In the next cul-du-sac from us, this tree looks awfully close to falling on this house.  At really looked scarier in person.

Wind Storm Punishes South King County

A look at some of the windstorm damage around the Belmont Woods area of Maple Valley.

High Winds Hit Area

Conditions are stormy in Maple Valley, lights are flickering in the house and much of the town is without power.  A high wind warning is in effect.  Temperatures are down in the 30s.

Happy Veteran's Day

From Joe Drazan's Bygone Walla Walla page, Veteran's Day parade from the late 1950s.

Final 'Huntley-Brinkley Report' on NBC / July 31, 1970

The Huntley-Brinkley Report, we got our news in the 1960s from either Walter Cronkite on CBS or Chet Huntley and David Brinkley on NBC.  ABC was far behind, although I remember Frank Reynolds and Howard K. Smith.  This video has Huntley and Brinkley doing their iconic sign off for the last time on July 3rd 1970.

Edward R Murrow's 1962 Commencement Speech

Edward R. Murrow, perhaps the most famous Cougar of all time, Delivered the commencement addres for WSU graduates in 1962.  Murrow was a World War II radio reporter for CBS radio.  He went on to TV, where he hosted shows like "See It Now" and "Person To Person".  He is often credited with the fall of Senator Joseph McCarthy.  The Edward R. Murrow College at Washington State University was named after him.

Cousin Interviewing Cousin

Best selling author Tod Goldberg and Rabbi Mark Borovitz (former crook) talk crime and transformatio by Burl Barer on Mixcloud

Burl Barer interviews fellow writer and fellow relative of mine, Tod Goldberg.

Classic TV's Mary Ann Makes Seattle Appearences

One of the great baby boomer arguments has been "Ginger or Mary Ann?" That is, of course, a matter of preference and also a slight to Mrs. Howell.  Dawn Wells, the UW grad who played Mary Ann on the popular TV series from the 1960s, Gilligan's Island, has announced three Seattle area appearances next month.  Wells will be at the University Of Washington Bookstore in Seattle, December 10th at 7pm.  On December 11th, .  Finally, she will be appearing at Blackrapid in Seattle, also December 11th at 7pm.
The Dawn Wells site encourages you to call the stores in advance to get details..  Also, some venues may ask that you get wristbands or register in advance.You may also want to check in case there is a cancellation.

Largent Meets Fans In Bellevue

Seahawk Legend and Hall Of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent signed autographs at the Sports Authority in Crossroads (Bellevue, WA) today.  Fan were lined up for a couple of hours to meet and greet the local hero, who was a charter member of the team and whose career stretched from 1976 to 1989.  Steve Largent was inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 1995.

50 Years Ago--Dan Evans Elected Governor

On November 3rd, 1964. While the nation gave a landslide victory to Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson, our state elected a Republican Governor.  Dan Evans had an image as a straight arrow.  His popularity was such that he proposed a state income tax, something Liberal Democrats do not do.  He championed conservation, and education, and was behind prison reform.  In fact, when he finally left office, succeeded by Democrat Dixie Lee Ray in 1976, it was a shift to the Right, rather than the left.  He delivered the keynote address at the Republican National Convention in 1968, but also helped create and was later president of The Evergreen State College in Olympia,  a school with a reputation for Liberal ideas.
He would serve 3 terms as governor, defeating sitting two term Governor Al Rossellini in 1964. In 1968, he beat Attorney General John J. O'Connell and finally, in 1972 once again beat Al Rossellini.
Evans was later appointed to the US Senate to succeed the late Henry "Scoop" Jackson. He was elected in his own right in 1983, he would only serve one term.
He did have a couple of black marks on his career, although it can be argued that it was not his fault.  In his last campaign, bumper stickers came out attacking his opponent Al Rossellini's Italian heritage   He also had a young intelligent campaign aide named Theodore Bundy, who unbeknownst to those around him, had a notorious secret life.
Evans wife Nancy is a graduate of Whitman College.

Sad Donkey--Republicans Take Senate

Republicans regain the majority in the Senate and increase their majority in the House.   That's our democracy, some years we're up and some years we're down. I'm just happy it was a year where there were no statewide races in Washington other than initiatives.

"THE IMPROV" / A New Novel by M.J. McDermott

Channel 13 Weather Reporter M.J. McDermott tells about her book.

Ballot Drop Boxes In King County

While we no longer visit polling places to vote, King County provides "Ballot Drop Boxes".  They not only save us a stamp, but pretty much assure that our ballots will have fewer handlers.  They won't be lost in the mail.  For locations around the county, click here.   By the way, don't forget to vote today!

LBJ Landslide 50 Years Ago

President Lyndon Johnson, barely in office for a year, after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, won election in his own right in a landslide over Conservative Republican Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona.  This election was special to me is it was the first one that I can remember.
Johnson, one of the great senator's of our history, was unhappy as vice president under Kennedy and it has been said that he had entertained thoughts of resigning when he was called upon to take the Oath Of Office, coincidentally in his native state of Texas after the assassination in 1963.
In the 1964 election, Johnson carried 44 states, while Goldwater carried only 6.  Goldwater's views scared many Americans.  Johnson, while not as charismatic as Kennedy, was seen as "middle of the road".   The next 4 years would be tough on Johnson, who would announce in 1968 that he was not seeking another term.

You Stole My Life!

Cousin Tod Goldberg's book hit close to reality when a fictional Rabbi shared the same last name as the real one..  Tod's new book is known as" Gangsterland".

Cougars Lose Starting Quarterback

Washington State Quarterback Connor Halladay's football career sadly ended today after he sufferered a broken leg in the first quarter against the USC Trojans.  The Cougars would lose the game 44-17.

Maple Valley Four Corners Starbucks Remodeled

The Starbucks at Four Corners in Maple Valley has undergone an extensive remodel.  In addition to being larger, it offers beer and wine along with it's coffee and tea selections.  Entertainment is also featured on the weekends.  The location is at 26910 Maple Valley-Black Diamond Rd SE, Maple Valley 98038.