Mariners Hire Dipoto

The Seattle Mariners are hoping that the hiring of Jerry Dipoto to be it's General Manager will set the team on a course toward winning baseball.  Dipoto, a former Major League pitcher, was previously the GM of the Los Angeles Angels.  He spent 3 years with the team until a power struggle with field manager Mike Scioscia  and owner Arte Moreno led to his resignation from the post.
Dipoto is considered an expert at baseball analytics, the ability to look beyond tradition personal statistics in helping to create a winning program. 

Lunar Eclipse

This was what I could capture from Sunday night's lunar eclipse.  This was taken from our deck in Maple Valley with my cell phone.  We were able to observe a great deal driving from Woodinville, where we had watched the Seahawk game with family, through Duvall, Carnation, and Fall City. On the drive the red color of the moon was more apparent, however, I don't think my camera could really have done it justice.

Starring Adam West - Official Trailer

Adam West, a Walla Walla native who shot to stardom in the 1960s, faced the perils of typecasting after the run of Batman.  He alludes to his Hollywood journey in this video.

Chancellor Rejoins The Seahawks

Was missing Safety Kam Chancellor a factor in the Seahawks losing the first games of the season?  Last Wednesday, Chancellor decided to rejoin the team after holding out since the beginning of training camp.
  A scathing column by Seattle Times writer Matt Calkins, published the morning Chancellor announced his return, may or may not have been a factor. It just seemed a little too coincidental to me.  You can read that column by clicking here
The Hawks face the Chicago Bears this afternoon at Century Link Field.

Ron And Don Humanize Tragedy On 97.3

They are often derided as sophomoric, but Ron Upshaw and Don O'Neil, afternoon hosts at KIRO 97.3 have once again become the go-to people when tragedy hits the area.  Whether it's the Oso Landslide, the Marysville High shooting, death of firemen, or the horrible duck-tour bus crash, Don and Ron have a unique style of comforting the listeners.  They do not report facts like robots, nor do they shed phony tears.  In my opinion, they have a talent for displaying just the right demeanor, while giving information, such as how to help in ways such as giving blood.
Often thought Seattle's guilty pleasure, there is no need to feel guilty listening when disaster hits our area.

Tragedy Hits Seattle

A "Duck" tour vehicle has run into a charter bus on the Aurora Bridge in Seattle. Four people are known to have died at this time.

Yogi Berra Dies

The baseball world is mourning the death of Yogi Berra.  Berra, a catcher who played on 10 championship Yankee teams, also managed both the Yankees and the Mets to World Series appearences.  He was famous for catch phrases and non sequiturs like "it ain't over til it's over" and "when you get to a fork in the road, take it".   He reportedly inspired the cartoon character, Yogi Bear.   Lawrence Berra was 90.

After The Meeting--Wenatchee

We enjoyed the Wenatchee area after the State meeting.

Top picture  Abby's Pizza was a popular restaurant in Walla Walla decades ago. It had locations all over the Northwest.  It is still going in East Wenatchee.
2nd from top  We picked Apples at Stautzman Orchard in Wenatchee.
2nd From Bottom  The city of Cashmere, near Wenatchee.  Home of Aplets and Cotlets
Bottom picture: We stopped on the way home at Stillwater Cellars,. part of the Suncadia Resort, to watch the Seahawks play Green Bay.  The winery is dog friendy.

State Democratic Central Committee Meets In Wenatchee

The Washington State Democratic Central Committee met in Wenatchee this past weekend.  The area was recovering after a summer of near by wildfires.    Top picture was takenat  from the Coast Hotel sky bridge which leads to the Convention Center.  
The Yakima County Democrats raffled off a piñata of Donald Trump (center), unlike the real guy, this one had sweets inside.
Washington Commissioner Of Public Lands Peter Goldmark (bottom picture) addressed the issues of protecting the states from wildfires.  Goldmark is also a volunteer fireman.
The Maggie Dinner, the annual state Democratic fundraiser honoring the late Senator Warren Magnuson was held later in the evening.

Miller Lite, 1982 09 16, First Lite Beer Bowling Tournament

Now that football season has started, let's journey back to 1982 and Miller Light commercials.

Sock It To Me Girl Judy Carne Dies

Her catch phrase somewhat endured, but her career didn't.  Judy Carne, the lovely lovable cast member of NBC's Laugh-In from the late 60s has died.  The English actor was known for getting smacked or dunked with water everytime the phrase "sock it to me" was heard.  She was cast in the comedy variety show at a time when America was smitten with the British.  This was, after all, only a few years after the Beatles had come to America.  Carne had previously starred in the ABC situation comedy "Love On A Rooftop" with Pete Duel.
Carne left Laugh-In after the second season and did not enjoy the success that some fellow cast members like Goldie Hawn enjoyed. She eventually returned to her native England.

VANESSA WILLIAMS APOLOGY ACCEPTED Miss America Smooths Things Over. F N

While Vanessa has gone on to a great career. The pageant and the Miss America title seems slipped considerably in the American conscience.

The Mariners Last Sunday

Good seats in Safeco Field help us get to see Mariner Superstars Nellie Cruz (top) and Robbie Cano (bottom). Sadly, the M's could not overcome a poor start by James Paxton and wound up on the losing end of  3-2 decision to the Colorado Rockies.

Rosh Hashanah Shana Tova / שנה טובה

Taco Corp The League

You think they are trying to say something here?  Marshawn Lynch makes a cameo on "The League".

Barers Of Maple Valley Enjoy Friday Night Lights

Deb and I  went to Bothell last night to enjoy watching the Woodinville High School Falcons take on Skyview High Storm from Vancouver, WA.
   The High Schools in the Northshore school district play at Pop Keeney Stadium.  My nephew goes to Woodinville High, he does not play on the football team, but like me, is a sports enthusiast. He was watching the game with his friends and we took him back home.
 I had been meaning to get to a high school football game for some time. The cool thing was the enthusiastic crowd and the band.  Some of the things that I love about the college game. 
This game was really exciting.  Woodinville had been trailing from early on but staged an amazing comeback in the 4th quarter,  A last minute touchdown gave the Falcons a chance to tie the score, but the 2 point conversion failed,  Better luck next week to the Woodinville Falcons.

We Remember 9/11

Labor Day III

We finished our trip with lunch at Paradise Ridge at the Mount Rainier National Park  We saw a film at the visitor center and hiked a trail..

Labor Day II

We took Dasher down to Skate Creek near the cabin.

Labor Day Weekend Getaway

Deb and I and our friends, Marjie and Rick, rented a cabin in Packwood, WA over the weekend.  Packwood is an unincorporated town not far from Mt. Rainier in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  The A-framed cabin is pictured at the top.  Inside the skis are a permanent set-up near the stairs.  Deb and I stayed upstairs.   We frequently saw Elk wondering through town (third picture).
Every Labor Day and Memorial Day weekend, Packwood has a huge weekend long flea. market. (bottom picture)  The cabin, located at 144 Alpine, is located within easy walking distance of the town.

Scully calls Aaron's historic 715th home run

One of the greatest televised sports moments of all time.

Wall Street - Bud Fox Meets Gordon Gekko

He was cast as a villain, but did we all secretly admire him?  My guess is that his persona helped make The Apprentice with Donald Trump popular.  Fictional tycoon Gordon Gekko meets young stockbroker Bud Fox in the 1987 movie, Wall Street.

Goodell's Suspension Of Brady Overturned

A federal court has overturned the 4 game suspension of New England  Patriot quarterback for allegedly conspiring to alter game balls.  This is a move that could have a chilling effect on how professional sport leagues meat out future suspensions.  Federal District Court  Judge Richard Berman determined that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had delivered a much too harsh penalty. Of course, my feeling is that if Brady or any other player, no matter what team they played for, was accused of alter equipment, harsh discipline should be in order.  Of course, when all is said and done, neither Brady, nor Goodell will be viewed well in history. 
Goodell has been a punching bag for the sports media for years, even though it looks like his motivation seems to be noble.  Goodell has said that the NFL will appeal.
 

Dasher Brings The Paper

Dasher's mission is to keep me informed on the goings on in the world.  Every morning, he brings in the Seattle Times.