Remembering Jessica Savitch - www.NBCUniversalArchives.com

Anyone remember the NBC news updates that ran in the evenings?  Jessica Savitch found particular fame with that, sadly her life was shadowed with news of her personal problems.  She died in an auto accident in 1983.

Sports Radio 950 Carries Blazers

Sports Radio KJR 950, who for almost 2 decades has bashed the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a rivalry with the former Seattle Super Sonics, has started carrying some of their games.  It is a move that can make sense, since our area has been without NBA basketall since the Sonics departure.  Since almost all NBA games are at night, it is a  low risk move. 
The Portland Trail Blazers are owned by Mercer Island's Paul Allen, who also owns the Seattle Seahawks.

LA III: Fox Car Rental Hassle

Exactly two weeks ago we arrived in at LAX to start our trip.  We arrived on time and our luggage was with us in a timely fashion.  We waited for a shuttle to our rental car destination.  We had rented a car that we would share with the rest of the family with Fox Rent A Car.  I had never heard of them and now I wish that I hadn't. 
We waited two hours for a shuttle, not in a lounge but in the LAX street curb.  We had a daytime show to catch in Palm Springs with my dad and his wife the following day.  We tried to call but got only a recording.  The shuttle finally arrived a 1 in the morning.  It took us to a shabby building where there was a long line (see the picture above).   While we waited many of the clerks went off duty and were not replaced.  A very nice professional gentleman finally helped us.  We finally got to our hotel at 3:30.
Our car was fine, but the experience got our trip off to a bad start.
UPDATE  The Fox Rent A Car people responded to my YELP review and refunded most of our money, along with an apology for what we agreed was an unacceptable waiting time.

Seattle Sportsnet Blog Takes On Seattle Times On Arena

The Seattle Times has recently run a series of editorials opposing the proposed sports arena in the Sodo district.  A recent Alex Akita post in the Seattle Sportsnet suggests evidence shows the paper may be exaggerating some facts as part of a "personal vendetta" against Cris Hanson. and the project. You can read the article here.

Walla Walla's Whitman College To Change Newspaper Name

Whitman College, in my hometown of Walla Walla, is igniting controversy nationally by changing the name of it's on campus newspaper.  The paper, known as "The Pioneer", has been publishing since 1896.  The college, known for being much more liberal than it's surrounding town, claims that the paper's name honors "white invaders".   Many though say, that even though the area's pioneers were far from perfect, they made sacrifices to make better lives for later generations.  The paper is hoping that the name change will encourage such discussion.  No new name for the paper has been announced.

Cousin's Photo Appears On Popular Show

My cousin Linda Woods was watching an episode of Modern Family and noticed one of her paintings on the set.  You can find Linda's blog here

Two Democrats Vie For 5th District House Position

For the first time in years, two democratic candidates will face each other in a bid to turn a legislative seat from the 5th Democratic.  The 5th Legislative District which includes the rural, but fast growing Southeast King County.  Chad Magendanz, who currently holds the seat, will challenge Democrat incumbent Mark Mullet for the Senate seat.
Darcy Burner of Ames Lake came with in a whisker hair of winning a seat in Congress.  She is passionate and makes no bones on her positions.  She emerged through a group known as NetRoots, a group of bloggers who expressed through technology, views that they felt where ignored by the mainstream media. 
Matt Larson is the current mayor of Snoqualmie, which has experienced unprecedented growth.  Larson talks about bringing consensus in the legislature.  He is endorsed by most of his fellow Eastside mayors and many party leaders.

LA Weekend II

Deb and I in front of Sur at 606 Robertson in LA.

Barers Of Maple Valley Enjoy LA Weekend

We just returned from a few days in the LA area. We arrived last Thursday around midnight.  Friday morning, we went to Rancho Mirage to visit my Dad and Jean, we all went to McCallum Hall to watch the play Cannoli, Latkes, and Guilt.  We concluded the evening and visit with dinner at Pizza Vino in Palm Desert.  We returned to LA area to pick up Deb's sister and family at the airport. We stayed in Anaheim where we could see Disneyland from our room (third picture from top).
Saturday, we had dinner in lovely Newport Beach, where we watched the sunset (third picture from bottom).
On Sunday, we all went to Universal Studios.  We went on the back lot tour where I shot the staged crashed plane from War Of The Worlds (second from bottom).  We also went on rides like the soon to open Hogwarts Castle from Harry Potter (bottom picture). 
On Monday, we all went to Huntington Beach, a surfing mecca that was popular with teens (4th picture from top) we had lunch.
Monday evening, Deb and I drove to LA and had dinner at Sur, a restaurant made famous on the show "Vanderpump Rules"(second from top). Since it was Grammys night, we look up to see if there were any after parties.  We found that the Sony party was at the nearby Hotel Bel-Air (top picture).  The hotel was very welcoming although we did not actually attend the party, it was fun to people watch and enjoy the atmosphere. 
We had perfect weather during the entire visit.

Jennifer Sutton To Take State Department Position

Jennifer Sutton has announced that she will leave her position on the Issaquah City Council to serve in the State Department.  Sutton was elected to the council last November to fill the open seat in position 2.  According to reports, Sutton will leave the council on March 31st. 

A Commercial From Yesteryear

By strategic sponsorships, this commercial became so iconic, that it can be remembered clearly several decades later.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Justice Scalia Dies

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has died.  He was 79.

Moon Walker Edgar Mitchell

Former Astronaut Edgar Mitchell who became the 6th man to walk on the moon, died earlier this month.  Mitchell was a member of the Apollo 14 mission that successfully landed on the moon. This took place after the famous Apollo 13 disaster, a mission that failed to land but at least brought it's crew safely back to earth.  Alan Shepherd was Mitchell's crew mate.  Shepherd, one of the original 7 astronauts and the first American in space,was the 5th man to walk on the moon's surface.  Stuart Roosa was the third crew member and flew the command module. 

Sandie Shaw - (There's) Always Something There To Remind Me - HQ

This Burt Bacharach number would later become techno pop mega hit for Naked Eyes in the 1980s.

Dasher Shares Stage On Presentation

Our Dog, Dasher and Deb were happy to share the stage as Rover.com presented a check to Pet Partners.  Both are national companies based in Seattle dealing with pet services.  Rover.com is a commercial outfit dealing with pet boarding and walking, while Pet Partners is a non-profit specializing in training therapy dogs.  Dasher has been involved with the Reading With Rover program, helping children feel more comfortable learning to read.

Seahawk Marshawn Has Retired

Marshawn Lynch will hang up his cleats according to a tweet sent out during  the Super Bowl.  The above image was what Lynch tweeted.  Congrats to him on a great career.

Police Officer Killed In Seaside Oregon

In Seaside,Oregon, where strangers greet each other on a long wide sidewalk known as the Prom, the only danger seems to be the raging Pacific Ocean.  But in what seems to be a peaceful coastal tourist town, a police officer lost his life.
Jason Gooding, a 39 year old, 13 year veteran of the force was shot and killed last Friday outside the popular restaurant Pig N Pancake, Gooding was attempting to serve a warrant on 55 year old Phillip Ferry.  Ferry apparently shot Gooding, when the officer attempted to subdue him.  Another officer, on the scene, returned fire fatally wounding the assailant.  Clatsop County District Attorney Josh Marquis said it was the first killing of an officer in the line of duty in about 30 years.
Seaside has been a favorite vacation destination for residents of the Pacific Northwest.  It has been a summer destination for my family for generations, a tradition that I have passed on to my wife's family.

Local Caucuses Set For March 26th

Washington's Democratic precinct presidential caucuses for the 2016 presidential are set for Saturday, March 26th. This will be Washington voters  chance to have a say in the presidential selection process.  It will be good for voters to arrange to spend the bulk of their day at the events which will be held in schools and churches in neighborhoods around the state.  Locations for the precinct caucuses in the 5th Legislative District will be announced soon. 

Coca-Cola Classic ad: Mean Joe Green [Full Version] (1979)

This commercial featuring Pittsburgh Steeler Mean Joe Greene is considered by many to be the greatest of all time.

Earth Wind And Fire Founder Maurice White Dies

In an era jammed with hit makers and difference makers in the world of pop music, Earth, Wind, And Fire commanded a great deal of  radio airtime, and virtually ruled the Rhythm and Blues scene in the late 70s.  Band founder Maurice White, died in Los Angeles yesterday, after suffering for years from Parkinson's.

KING KONG Preempts Newscasts

SeaTac Media blog revealed the reason why you may have gotten the Today Show this week when looking for the local news on KONG.   The station is in middle of a move from it's long time home on Dexter to it's plush new studios across from Safeco Field.  The local morning news on KING 5 from 4:30-7am has continued as scheduled however, after 7, the Today show airs on KONG 6 as well as KING 5 at 7.  The KING 5 news at noon is also not airing until February 13th. 
The Sea Tac Media blog is a great read for broadcast developments in the area.  It also covers broadcasting's deep history.

Jefferson Starship - Count on Me

In honor of the late Paul Kantner...