Bread - Mother Freedom (Live)

Much like soft rock bands The Eagles and America, Bread could also uncork a rocker.

KIRO Anniversary Today

Today marks the 75th anniversary of KIRO Radio 710 boosting it's power from 1000 watts to 50,000 watts, becoming the first station west of Minneapolis and north of Salt Lake City to do so.    Feliks Banel, KIRO's historian had this report on the Dave Ross Show on KIRO 97.3 FM this morning. Click here

Latest Goldberg Evanovich Effort The Pursuit Released

Just in time for the summer beach season, the latest in the wildly successful Janet Evanovich-Lee Goldberg writing efforts "The Pursuit" was released on June 21st.  The series covers the wild adventures of FBI agent Kate O'Hare and her unlikely partnership with outside the law conman Nick Fox.  You can order your copy, click here.

Veep Season 5 Episode 10 Review & After Show | AfterBuzz TV

Another perspective of last episode of Veep....

The Veep Season 5 Finale (Spoiler Alert)

If you have recorded this show or plan to watch it on (On Demand) you should stop reading.
The last episode of season 5 gives many opportunities for a twist to allow Selina to stay in power.
After a tie in the House Of Representatives in the last show, Selina's chance to be elected president go out the window. According to the constitution, after a tie in the electoral college and the House, the issue of electing a president goes to the Senate where they pick amongst the VP candidates. Pretty strange.  Selina has come to despise her pick, the charismatic Tom James, but in a last desperate attempt to hang on to power, agrees to serve as his Vice President, after he refuses to consider her request to be Secretary Of State.
At this point, you figure that is how season 6 will open, however, James loses in the Senate.  When the tie vote goes to the sitting Veep, Andrew Doyle, he picks the opposition Vice President Laura Montez.  Selina has lost all power and position. 
A heavy drinking session with of all people,  goofy Richard, leaves the idea that she may wake up and the loss would be a dream, however, it's not the case. 
Selina's body man, Gary, goes on a shocking profanity laden diatribe on Selina's staff similar to Selina's many outbursts.  Times in the series when things were grave, only to have a twist.
Senator Montez is inaugurated and in shades of 1980, when the Iran hostages were released at the time of Reagan's inauguration, we learn that Tibet gets it's independence, an accomplishment that Selina had so badly wanted.
It was a surreal episode and you would think that would wrap up the series, however, the show has been renewed for season 6.  It should return in late April.

Bellevue Strawberry Festival

The Strawberry Festival takes place each year in Bellevue at Crossroads Park.  Deb and I, along with a couple friends attended yesterday.  Crossroads Park is just up the hill from where we work at The UPS Store. The festival is sponsored by the Eastside Heritage Foundation with help from the support from the City Of Bellevue.  It honors the days when strawberry farming was one of Bellevue's main activities. Attendees can choose from a variety of food booths, including ones serving such favorite dishes as strawberry shortcake.  There is also plenty of games for the kids and live entertainment.

Britain Says "See You" To The EU

Great Britain has voted to leave the European Union.  The implications remain to be seen.

1964 Lotus Elan Laps Around Pacific Raceways

Cousin Sam shows both his driving and reporting chops, while Uncle Arny rides along and provides commentary.  The pair took Uncle Arny's Lotus on a spin around Pacific Raceways.

Ex Sonic Announcer Calabro Gets Portland Gig

The Puget Sound Radio blog reports that the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers have tapped former Seattle Super Sonic voice Kevin Calabro to be the team's TV voice.  Calabro was with the Seattle NBA team for 21 years.  Recognized as one of the NBA's best voices, Calabro further endeared himself to Seattle sports fans by not following the team when it relocated to Oklahoma City.
While this keeps Calabro in the Northwest, this can be seen as a sign that the NBA's return to Seattle does not look imminent.

Crossroads Excitement

The smell of burning plastic sent the fire dept over to the Gamestop in Crossroads next door  to The UPS Store in Bellevue.  Just down the street, the firemen arrived in minutes.  After searching the store, they left.  The cause was determined to be a short in the air conditioning, apparently, no damage was done.

More State Democratic Convention

From last weekend's Washington State Democratic Convention.  I posed with Sarah Perry, whose husband, Bill Ramos is on the Issaquah City Council. Also this potential delegate has her Bernie Sanders puppets.

Gin Blossoms - Found Out About You

Here are the Gin Blossoms.....

Birthday Concert

We spent Deb's 50th birthday Saturday night at Snoqualmie Casino watching Gin Blossoms, a band that was popular in the 90s.  I had not heard of the group, but knew a few of the songs from the radio. 
The  group hails from Tempe Arizona. They had a lot  of energy and crowd interaction.  The band mentioned that they would have to leave to go to Kansas City to play a gig after the Snoqualmie show.

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day, Dad!  Bet the coffee is great up there!

Sights From Washington State Democratic Convention

The Washington State Democratic Convention is taking place in Tacoma.  I pose for a selfie with the "Sonic Guy" who is visible in the movement to bring the NBA back to Seattle.  A lady turns a pejorative into a positive but funny statement in favor of Hilary Clinton.
On the serious side, showing that Democrats are very patriotic, we are led in an a cappella version of the Star Spangled Banner. 
For lunch, some fellow Democrats on the Sounder train to a Mexican Restaurant in downtown Tacoma.

Working Toward Presidential Primary

Washington State Democratic Chair Jaxon Ravens told the state convention that the party may be open to supporting a presidential primary

Dawn Wells rides on the S S Minnow

Thank you to my Facebook friends for this.  Who knew about her great sense of humor?

MIcrosoft Buys Linked In

While the media did not focus on the local implications, hometown Software giant Microsoft made headlines with it's purchase of popular social network site, linkedin.  I rarely go to linkedin, but find it a good networking tool and often use it to post my blog entries.  Tech sites attribute the purchase, reported at 26 Billion Dollars as a way for Redmond based Microsoft to enhance it's data base, as if companies with that amount of assets need any enhancement

Sarah Jackman

I love this version of the Allen Sherman song...

Blood Sweat & Tears - And when I die

Great Blues band from the 1960s, Blood, Sweat, And Tears.

Vegas To Get NHL Expansion Team

King 5 reports that Las Vegas will be awarded an NHL expansion team.  This in the aftermath of the Seattle City Council voting to not vacate a street for a proposed sports area, Seattle had been considered as an expansion site. It would be the city's first major sports franchise.  It has been reported 14 thousand season ticket deposits have aided the Las Vegas bid.

Rocker Steve Miller Selling San Juan Home

 

Rock and Roller Steve Miller is putting his 39 acre property and 12,000 square foot mansion up for sale.  Miller, now a member of the Rock Hall of Fame, has his property near Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in Northwest Washington.  Miller had previously lived in Medina, a wealthy suburb on the shores of Lake Washington.  No word on whether Miller would stay in the area.  The Miller estate is said to be selling for around $16 million dollars.

America Mourns Worst Mass Shooting In It's History

Pulse Nightclub in Orlando.

Gordie Howe Dies

When I started watching NHL in the late 60s, Gordie Howe was already a 40ish, 20 year ice hockey veteran, but he was no doubt, one of the best in the sport.  Howe, a Detroit Red Wing would retire in 1971, but returned to play in the upstart WHA.  He got the chance to play with his sons and when the WHA folded, he was back in the NHL where he would play until 1980.  He is the only Pro Hockey player to play in 5 different decades.  He was known as Mr. Hockey.  Howe died last night. 

HOWARD COSELL's tearful tribute to Muhammad Ali

This video speaks for itself...

Legendary Restaurateur Stuart Anderson Dies

Stuart Anderson, whose Black Angus Restaurants became familiar sights in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, has died in Rancho Mirage, Ca at 93.  At one time, he owned 100 restaurants in 19 states, at last count, there were about 47.  He had sold the chain years ago, but recently owned a restaurant in Rancho Mirage.  A familiar face in the Pacific Northwest with his western looks, he had recently been seen in the area in ads aimed toward seniors. 
In Walla Walla, the steak house was located in the iconic Whitman Tower.  In featured a motor inn and had a popular singles bar.  A Stuart Anderson cattle ranch was located off I-90 near Ellensburg. It was visible to travelers with the restaurant logo on the water towers.

A Colorful Evening

A brilliant red color appeared in the sky last night about 9:30 as the sun went down on a lovely Maple Valley day.  We snapped this picture in nearby Patrick's Faire neighborhood while we were walking the dog.  About 15 minutes later, a rainfall started.

Hilary Clinches Nomination

Once again, the Democratic Party has made history,  the party that put the first woman on a presidential ticket, first person of Jewish faith on a presidential ticket, had the first Catholic president, the first female speaker of the house, and the first Black president, will nominate the first woman to head a presidential ticket.  Sources report that Hilary Clinton has crossed the delegate threshold needed to assure her nomination.  '
With two major primaries today, Senator Bernie Sanders has not conceded the fight.

A Second Service For My Father

About 80 people gathered at the Woodcreek Swimming And Tennis Club in Bellevue to honor my father, Alan L. Barer who passed away last March.  Family friend and next door neighbor Gene Huppin lead a short service and a buffet lunch was served.  Most of attendees were Seattle based friends who where in the Palm Springs area for the winter at the time of his passing.  Both brothers and their wives attended as did my wife's parents.

Muhammad Ali - Funny Speeches, Interviews, Trash Talk

Memories! Muhammad Ali.

He's Gone

I was not initially a fan of Muhammad Ali, much like I didn't root for the New York Yankees or the Green Bay Packers.  He was America's anti-hero in the 60s.  A man you loved to root against. I was always rooting for the underdog.  Ali was the greatest, seemingly invincible and he did more than transcend his sport, he WAS his sport. 
You had to understand boxing back then.  Today it's a niche sport,but in the 60s it was  totally mainstream. It was as big as the NFL back then. Ali (or Cassius Clay as he was originally known)  ruled Boxing.
He shocked the world by refusing to step forward for the draft.  He was stripped of his title and not allowed to fight.  When he was finally allowed to return, the anticipation was immense.  He was also known for his give and takes with Howard Cosell.  Cosell unabashedly stood up for Ali when it was not the most popular thing to do and their mutual respect was clear amidst what looked like an attention rivalry.  If there was a figure that was most emblematic of the era where we grew up, it was Muhammad Ali.

Top 10 Muhammad Ali Best Knockouts HD

Another childhood icon may be slipping away!

Mariners On Right End Of 10 Run Comeback

The Seattle Mariners overcame a 10 run deficit last night to beat the San Diego Padres 16-15.  It was the biggest comeback in Mariner history,
The M's are tied with Texas on top of the AL West. 

Mullett Kicks Off State Senate Reelection Campaign In Issaquah

Washington State Senator Mark Mullett kicked off his 2016 campaign in Issaquah's Blakely Hall last night.  Mullett, who in 2012 became the first Democrat legislator elected in the 5th LD in 20 years, served Pizza and ice cream from his two local businesses, Zeeks and Ben and Jerry's. 
Mullett faces opposition from Republican Chad Magendanz, who represents the district in the state house.
Joining Mullett were fellow state senators David Frockt and Steve Hobbs.