Scholarship Proposed To Honor Gina

A bill to honor the late Gina Grant Bull, a Walla Walla High School graduate, is on the floor in the state senate.  Senate bill 5346 would create a scholarship for pages.  Grant Bull was supervisor of pages while working in Olympia.  Her father, Bill Grant, represented Walla Walla in the state house. Grant Bull's sister Laura succeeded her dad after his death.  Their mother was a good friend and classmate of my cousin Jan Barer Curran.
Gina Grant Bull, a graduate of WSU, passed away last fall.

Tracy Taylor Takes This Blog To New Heights

No More Tracy Traffic On KING 5 Dec 13, 2016, 63 comments	17703
Meeghan Black Leaving KING 5 Nov 24, 2013, 9 comments	10593
Vancouver Canucks Going To NHL Finals May 25, 2011	8621

It's incredible, but in less than 2 months, the post on Tracy Taylor leaving King 5 has not only become the all time most popular post, it crushed the previously number one pos Meehan Black Leaving King 5, which is an accumulation of  three years and two months, by a landslide.  

Of course, this will eventually level off, but now it shows little sign of doing so.  Maybe by that time, we can report on Tracy finding a new job.

Washington State Democrats Replace Chair

Tina Podlodowski has been chosen as the new Chair of the Washington State Democrats. She replaces the outgoing Chair Jaxon Ravens whom she defeated.

Comedy Writer Ken Levine Podcasts A Hit

I'm not a fan of podcasts.  Who wants to sit down and listen to someone talking, usually for 20 minutes or an hour.  At the beginning of this year, Ken Levine, whose blog I've been reading for years, has started a series of podcasts covering his experiences in show business, radio, and everything related.  Although it is usually just him, his podcasts are fascinating.
The title of the series is Hollywood And Levine, on his first, he gave an entertaining behind the scenes recall of an award shows that he has been involved with.
Ken Levine has been blogging for over 10 years.  He is an Emmy winning comedy writer, baseball announcer, playwright, and book author.   He began his career as a top 40 DJ in LA radio.  He speaks in a very down to earth style but is never boring.
You can listen to Ken's podcasts here.

Television Icon Mary Tyler Moore Dead At Age 80 | NBC News

 I grew up with The Dick Van Dyke show and later the Mary Tyler Moore Show and both were funny as well as warm.  The Mary Tyler Moore took TV were it had never gone before, it featured a career woman at work.  One minor character died, and the situations were real.  Mary Tyler Moore will be missed.

Hutch Award Given To Marlin Pitcher

Once again, I attended the Fred Hutchinson Awards Luncheon at Safeco Field. This year's award winner was Miami Marlin pitcher Dustin McGowen (top picture), the soft spoken McGowen was interviewed by Mariner announcer Rick Rizzs, when it became clear that he was uncomfortable giving a speech.  McGowen has overcome Tommy John surgery and diabetes. 
The luncheon is to honor Fred Hutchinson, a Seattle Rainier pitcher and a Major League manager who died of lung cancer.  His brother Bill Hutchinson, a surgeon, help found the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.  Every year, the MC will ask everyone whose life was touched by themselves or someone in their family having cancer and nearly everyone stands. 
Hall Of Fame Red Son Left Fielder  Jim Rice gave the keynote speech and he broke tradition by taking questions from the audience.  Perhaps it was to contrast himself from last year's keynote speaker who gave a rambling, and what I thought, was a rather inappropriate speech.
Master Of Ceremonies Rizzs noted "this is the unofficial start of the baseball season."

Jim Rice At Hutch Awards

Hall of Famer Jim Rice addresses luncheon attendees.

MTM Dies

CNN reports the death of Mary Tyler Moore.  She was 80.

Tracy Taylor Radio Interview

Tracy Taylor is very much missed in this area. A post I made about Tracy leaving King 5 has gone viral.  In one month is became the all time most popular post on Barers Of Maple Valley, surpassing a three and a half year old one on Meeghan Black leaving that station.  It has still increased this blog's traffic 10 fold.  I'm posting this guest interview that Tracy on a Bellingham radio station.

40 Years Ago-Washington Swears In It's First Female Governor

I had meant to post about this last November thinking the first woman president would be elected.  Dixie Lee Ray was Washington's first female governor and the second woman governor in the nation elected without succeeding her husband. She took office 40 years ago this month.
 Ironically, although a Democrat, Ray seems to have had more in common with Donald Trump than Hilary Clinton.  She was a non politician who ran against many polished candidates.  She was opposed by every newspaper in the state.  She had a hostile relationship with the press.  In addition, she sought to reverse environmental laws, wanted super tankers in Puget Sound, and was an unabashed supporter of nuclear power.
Ray was a marine biologist by trade. She was an associate professor at the University Of Washington.
She had served on the Atomic Energy Commission as part of the Nixon Administration.
Ray's birth name was Marguerite, but changed her name in honor of Robert E. Lee, something that may not fly today.  She legally changed it to Dixie Lee Ray.

Waitsburg--A Little Bit Of History

I found this in my phone.  I must have snapped it after eating at the "Whoop em Up" in Waitsburg.  My Grandpa and his brother, Uncle Dave owned the Waitsburg Welding Works, along with their main business, B. Barer And Sons at 11 N. 4th in Walla Walla.  I remember fondly riding along with my Dad on trips to Waitsburg, a charming little town about 20 miles north of Walla Walla.  My Grandpa and Uncle Dave would later sell the welding company to the manager.

It's Patriots Vs Falcons In The Super Bowl

This year's Super Bowl will feature the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons.  Super Sunday is February 5th at Houston's NRG Stadium. 

Jonathan Walker--KALE DJ From The 70s

Our friends at pugetsound.media sent me the aircheck of Jonathan Walker, the midday man at KALE, the top 40 station for the Tri-Cities in the mid 70s.  Even though it's been 40 years, it sounds so fresh.
 KALE was popular in Walla Walla because at the time, there was no music on the radio stations that school age people could listen, except at night.  The station was owned be SRO, which also owned KZOK in Seattle as well as theatres and bowling alleys throughout the Northwest.
  You can hear Walker on airchexx.com by clicking here.

Tragic Shooting As Controversial Figure Speaks

Demonstrations and counter demonstrations on the U-Dub campus resulted in a shooting last night.   The protest were over the Trump inauguration and the guest speaker for the evening.  Breitbart Editor Milo Yiannopoulos known for inflamatory rhetoric and attacks on Liberals, spoke at Kane Hall.  The speaker, upon hearing of the shooting paused briefly then continued his speech.  The Women's March on Washington is scheduled for today, hopefully free of violence.

SO LONG PRESIDENT OBAMA WE WILL MISS YOU

Leonard Street Parade

Don't know if I was in this parade, but I do know that I was at least one year. Leonard Street in Walla Walla would have a parade every year.  We lived on the corner of Leonard and Modoc at the time this picture was taken.  This picture is from the Bygone Walla Walla blog.

SI Writer Jaffe Builds Case For Edgar Martinez

He is one of the most popular former Mariners. Edgar Martinez delivered the double that beat the Yankees in the 1995 playoffs.  Sports Illustrated writer Jay Jaffe presents a case on why Edgar Martinez belongs in the Hall Of Fame. You can read the article by clicking here.  Until now, there had been very little national attention guided to Edgar's candidacy.  Many say that although his hitting credentials are solid, the fact that he didn't play in the field in his later career diminish his chances.  I believe that he does belong by the fact that he is first among equals.  Reports have been that Martinez has gather more support through the years.

Aaron Paul In Walla Walla Wine Country

My Wa-Hi classmate Bill Kelly poses with nephew in-law Aaron Paul in rural Walla Walla. Paul, famous for starring in the TV show Breaking Bad, was visiting  his wife's grandparents.  I reconnected with Bill at last year's 40th reunion.  Paul is married to Lauren, the daughter of Bill's sister Debra.

Farmiliar Face On CNN

Our friends, the Scolas, got to see their daughter Lindsay on National TV last week when President Obama delivered his farewell address.  Lindsay, who worked in the Obama administration during his first term, is in the black top on the president's left.

Dasher Relaxes

Dasher went on a hike with us on the Harvey Manning Trail on Cougar Mountain in Issaquah.  The weather was sunny.  The trail, however, was icy so use caution.

Season Over For Seahawks

Seattle's season ended last night with a 36-20 defeat on the road to the Atlanta Falcons.  In a season where the balls didn't seem to bounce our way,  the 'Hawks won enough games to win it's division but never really seemed destined for this year's Super Bowl.  Injuries and player dissension seemed to hamper the season.  A high ankle sprain hampered Russell Wilson early in the year.  Earl Thomas was lost to a broken leg in the late season.  Richard Sherman seemed unmanageable.
The Seahawks started out with a bang in yesterday's game, scoring on the games first drive.  The momentum shifted when an 80 long punt return by Devin Hester was wiped out by a penalty.  This resulted in an eventual safety.  This put the Hawks in an insurmountable deficit on the road against the Falcon's.  The Falcon's have the league's most explosive offense.
Just like last year the Seahawks, the Hawks are out on the second round,  We'll hope for better results next season.

VERY EMOTIONAL: Vice President Joe Biden receives Medal of Freedom from ...

With grace that may never be seen again in the White House, President Obama awards the Presidential Medal Of Freedom to his Vice President Joe Biden.

Chargers Desert San Diego For LA Riches

Los Angeles, strangely without an NFL team for 21 years, now has it's second.  The Chargers team has announced it's relocating to LA, the place of it's birth leaving the San Diego fans with nothing.
The Los Angeles Chargers were a charter member of the AFL in 1960, but moved to San Diego the following season.  The fans got to know Lance Alworth, known as Bambi, and WSU alum Keith Lincoln, the moose of the Palouse.  Coach Don Coryell brought a passing attack known as "Air Coryell." According to the Seattle Times, the team won the AFL championship in 1963, giving the city it's only major title.  Those were the days before the Super Bowl.  The San Diego Chargers would later play in the Super Bowl in 1995. losing to the San Francisco 49ers. 

WSU's QB Luke Falk Returning

Luke Falk will stay in Pullman next season.  Falk was 5th in the nation in passing yards and there was speculation that he would skip his senior year to make himself available for the NFL draft.  The Seattle Times says Falk is 6th on the all time Pac 12 passing touchdowns.

Obama Farewell Speech Inspiring

Obama spoke last night in one of the most moving speeches that I have ever heard.  I only heard the last 15 minutes on KIRO 97.3 radio on the drive from work, but I heard him outline his vision of America, his awe of his job, and his love for his family.  He spoke kindly of his VP Joe Biden and thanked his supporters.  He spoke in the words of an American citizen, but in his unique tone, calling for all to participate in the democracy. The speech was delivered in Chicago.

Old Walla Walla Radio Remembered 17--KUJ Pee Chee Folder

Big Daddy Ray Hansen found this in his attic and posted it on facebook.  When KUJ went from middle of the road to top 40 radio,  this folder with all the schools listed was one of it's promotions.

Seahawks Get Big Playoff Win

Will the Seahawks go all the way? They took the first step last with a convincing 26-6 victory over the Detroit Lions.  Thomas Rawls, who had been rather unimpressive since coming back from injury up to the point set a team playoff game record with 161 yards.  Paul Richardson made a one handed touchdown grab on 4th down and Doug Baldwin made an impressive catch to get the team in scoring position in the 4th quarter. 
The team will travel to Atlanta, where they face an even tougher task.  They play the Falcons next Saturday.

The Playoffs Begin Tonight

Seattle Seahawks host the Detroit Lions tonight at 5!

Jaxon Ravens, Tina Podlodowski Appear In Snoqualmie

Washington State Committee Chair Jaxon Ravens and his opponent Tina Podlodowski spoke at the 5th District Democrats executive board meeting yesterday at the Snoqualmie Public Library.  Ravens has been under fire for what many considered a poor Democratic showing in this election cycle. 
Ravens said that lack of leadership in the Democratic National Committee was partly to blame although the party was able to keep it ground.  Podlodowski said that state Democrats had been steadily losing ground since 2010. 
The Washington State Central Committee will pick one of these two candidates at it's reorganization meeting on January 28th in Olympia.

KING 5 Viewers Miss Tracy

Traffic on this blog has increased 10 times since I posted on Tracy Taylor's departure from reporting traffic on King 5 morning news. On one of the most visited posts of all time, comments have reflected shock and outrage.  It is not known if anything more than staff cut backs were to blame for her leaving the station after almost 7 years.
In posts and live reports on her facebook fan page, Taylor has inferred that she may already have something new going on for 2017.

The Playoffs Begin

The Seahawks will face the Detroit Lions this Saturday in the first round of the Playoffs.  Seattle missed out on a first round bye by losing to Arizona on December 24th. 

Happy New Year!!