Thursday, August 31, 2017

Seattle Times: Sports Reporters To Be Read, Not Heard



My favorite sports blog, Seattle Sportsnet, reports that starting September 5th of this year, the Seattle Times will not allow it's sports staff to appear in other local media.  Sportsradio KJR 950 has routinely sought analysis from reporters from both Seattle Times and the Tacoma News Tribune.  I first heard of John Clayton from from former KJR host Mike Gastineau's afternoon show, Clayton at the time, was a reporter for the Tacoma paper. Clayton would eventually shoot to fame as an ESPN football analyst.
Presently, Seattle Times reporters Ryan Divish (baseball) and Bob Condotta  (football) are prominently featured on KJR. 
According to Sportsnet, this was an order from the Times publisher, perhaps in response to attacks from KJR talk show hosts attacking the paper's stance on the building of the proposed Sodo arena.  The Times editorially has been a critic of the Sodo Project and an advocate for a remodel of the Key Arena at the Seattle Center.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Old Barn

Sometimes when building something new, you discover something old. This old barn or garage became visible after new streets were built not far from our house.

More Evergreen State Fair

We had just entered the fair through the White Gate when we came upon the Clydesdale horses that had just finished a performance.  This coach caught my attention  because it reminded me of the Budweiser commercial. 
  
 
 

Monday, August 28, 2017

Whole Food Prices Expected To Drop

Locally based retail giant Amazon should get the green light to take over Whole Foods today. 
The organic foods chain has been nicknamed "whole paycheck" for it's high prices, but Amazon recently announced that it would cut prices on many items.  No telling on how this will shake out. 

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Adam West Day Has Facebook Page

Adam West Day in Walla Walla will take place on September 19th of this year.  The day, an idea of Walla Walla residents Jonathan Grant and Adam Lore now has a page on facebook. Clink here  The day was set up to honor West in his home town. 
West, whose real name is Bill Anderson, grew up with his family on a wheat farm near Walla Walla.
He gained international acclaim as TV's Batman.

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Evergreen State Fair

We're watching the figure 8 car races

Dasher Shops The Market

The Maple Valley Farmer's Market began allowing pets last summer, according to market volunteers, and continued doing so this year. 
The Market takes place on Saturday mornings during the summer months at Rock Creek Elementary at 25700 Maple Valley Black Diamond Road.
Before the summer of 2016, shoppers were asked to leave pets at home.
I believe this is Dasher's first time there.  

Our Thoughts And Prayers Turn Toward The People On The Gulf Coast


Friday, August 25, 2017

Gene Conley--2 Sport Athlete With Northwest Ties


Gene Conley, a professional NBA player and pitcher with Washington ties, died last month.  Conley,  was part of a 4 man pitching rotation for the Milwaukee Braves that included the legendary Warren Spahn, won the 1957 World Series, with sluggers like Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews. He was the tallest man to ever pitch in the majors at the time.  He was also part of the Boston Celtics team that won three consecutive world NBA championships beginning in 1959.  Although a little more than a handful of players have two major league sports, Conley is one of  only two to win a championship in both.  The other player is Otto Graham.
According to Walla Walla Union Bulletin sportswriter Jim Buchan, Conley grew up in Richland Washington after his family relocated from Oklahoma.  He pitched and played basketball for the Washington State Cougars.  He pitched for the semi pro Walla Walla Bears in 1950.  His son lives in Walla Walla. 


Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Legendary Rocker Goldy McJohn

Goldy McJohn, credited with founding 1960s rock group Steppenwolf and a long time Seattle area resident, has died. His passing was on August First.  McJohn played keyboards for what now would be referred to as a classic rock band.  The group's hits include "Born To Be Wild" and Magic Carpet Ride".
We were at a West Seattle nightclub in the Alaska Junction about 10 years ago when we watched him play as a warm up act to a Heart tribute band.  My friend told me his about his history and that he worked at the West Seattle Golf Course.
He had been a mentor in the cause "Stand Up For Music."

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

Monday, August 21, 2017

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Grand Finale For Jerry Lewis!

Sources have reported the death of veteran comedian Jerry Lewis.  He was 91.

One Year Since The Flood

It was one year last Friday since coming home from work and discovering that our house had flooded.  At this time last year, we had began a two and a half week stay at the Silver Cloud in the Eastgate area of Bellevue.  It was a very pleasant stay considering the circumstances.  I used the gym and we would occasionally catch a cocktail in the lounge.  I wish I could say the same about the Kent Howard Johnson's.  That place was miserable.
  We also spent a couple of weeks at Deb's parent's new house while they had left town.  One night with Deb's sister and brother-in-law.
We could not be happier with the results of the remodel. 
Thank you to Farmer's Insurance Group for all the help to find a place to stay and supporting our fixing the house.

Friday, August 18, 2017

Maple Valley Will Celebrate 20

Maple Valley will have a celebration this month of 20 years of incorporation.  On August 28th, a street will be dedicated to the city's first mayor Laure Iddings.   The celebration will continue at Lake Wilderness Lodge after a brief city council meeting.  A formal ceremony will begin at 6:30pm.  There will be awards and speeches.  There will also be kid friendly activities and the Lions club will hand out hot dogs.   Maple Valley incorporated only a few months before we moved here in 1998,
Maple Valley's neighbor, Covington, will celebrate it's 20 year as a city on August 25th.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Go Walla Walla Little League

Walla Walla's Little League team, now known as Washington, will start play in the Little League World Series in Williamsport tomorrow (Friday August 18th). 

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Dasher Time

We have now been back from the Oregon Coast for a week, but I've been happy to keep the trip going through pictures.  Here is a selfie that I took of Dasher and I in Cannon Beach.  It's easy to get him on the bench. 

Monday, August 14, 2017

A Tribute To Glen Campbell

Ken Levine does a great job of paying tribute to Glen Campbell who passed away last week.  I agree that social media embraced Campbell in the way it did, being that he may have been on the North side of the so-called generation gap of the latess1960s and early 1970s.
Of course, much of that is probably due to the grace in which he faced Alzheimer's Disease.  You can read Levine's tribute by clicking here.

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Edgar Gets His Number Retired

Mariner great Edgar Martinez and his wife, Holli greet the cheering crowd as the team retires his number 11 in a pre-game ceremony.

Seaside History III


A plaque on the beach wall (above) honors the Keltys who owned the apartments at 710 Prom, where we often stayed.
 The picture in the middle (which I have posted before) is me on the wall in probably 1967. My grandfather is at the doorway. The Kelty's lived in a similar looking house to the left.  Further left, you can see the Boxer house, which I mentioned in a previous post, it was green at the time.
At the bottom is the apartment house as it looks today.  The house where they lived is clearly visible on the left. 
I'm not sure what exactly was involved in renting for as short of time as we stayed. Our apartment was bottom left as you walk into the door. 

Friday, August 11, 2017

The Pig'N Pancake

Remodeled recently, the Pig, located on Broadway, is probably Seaside's most well known restaurant. It is primarily a breakfast place, as the name would suggest, but also serves lunches and dinners.
  According to it's website, it was established in 1961.  It now has 5 additional locations throughout the Oregon coast and Portland. 

Seaside Memories

This house across 7th street from the apartment where we usually stayed is where my Grandmother Barer's friends from Portland had a summer place.  I became friends with the son who was close to my age and my sister was friends with their daughter.  They also had a teenage daughter

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Enjoying A Summer Concert

We're at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery enjoying Boz Scaggs. Michael MacDonald is also playing.

Seaside History II

Located on Broadway in Seaside, Phillips Candies has seen two centuries turn.

Wednesday, August 09, 2017

Orange Moon

This captures the color of the moon if not it's beauty.  The color comes from the haze that has hung over the area for the past week.

Raymond Washington Statues

The city of Raymond on Highway 101 in southwest Washington has amazing statues along the highway and throughout the town depicting people and wildlife.
We pass through on the way to Seaside and back.  This picture was taken in the park.

Tuesday, August 08, 2017

Pop Icon Glen Campbell Dies After Battling Alzheimer's


Glen Campbell, a singer whose music blended pop and country with appeal crossed generational lines has died.  Campbell was the voice behind hits like "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" and "Witchita Lineman".  Also, "Gentle On My Mind" was a favorite for those maybe not into hard rock or the psychedelic music that dominated the charts at the time. 
He hosted "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour", show that began as a summer replacement for the Smothers Brothers in 1968 and would go on to be a hit show on it's own.   My most vivid memory from the show was a clip of the Beatles from their famed "Rooftop Concert" singing "Get Back".  At the time, it was rare to see the Fab Four on TV.
Many know that Campbell also temporarily replaced Brian Wilson while the Beach Boys were on tour in 1964. 
In 2014, suffering from Alzheimer's, he brought a camera crew to film his "I'll Be Me" tour.

Seaside History

This was Mr Boxer's house on the Prom in Seaside.  In the 60s and 70s he would hold Shabbat services on Satuday morning for Jewish residents and visitors in the area. 
The services were held in a room in his garage.  They were entirely in Hebrew and were attended by men only.  My Grandfather would often attend.  I attended on time in the later years. I found it too orthodox for me.

Monday, August 07, 2017

Unlimited Hydroplane World Water Mile Speed Record Run



I met Russ Wicks when he was a customer at The UPS Store in Bellevue. He autographed an edition of Wired Magazine where he was on the cover.

Sunday, August 06, 2017

Kam Signs Extension

The Legion Of Boom will stay intact this season as Safety Kam Chancellor has signed a 3 year 36 million dollar extension to his contract that should keep him a Seahawk through 2020.  Chancellor, of course polarized 'Hawk fans two years ago when he began a hold out that extended into the first two games of the season.

Friday, August 04, 2017

Josh Kerns Leaving KIRO FM



 


Long time KIRO 97.3 news reporter Josh Kerns has announced on his Facebook page that he is leaving the station.  He is starting a consultancy firm  known as Cypress Point Strategic.

Seattle Haze

Smoke from wild fires from Canada have cast a haze over the Puget Sound area, but has added a spectacular copper color to the Moon.

Thursday, August 03, 2017

Seattle Will Elect Woman Mayor This Year

Seattle has always been known as a cutting edge town.  In 1926, it elected the first woman mayor of a major city in America, Bertha Landes (pictured above).  Amazingly, now that women mayors are fairly common, not one has served the city since Bertha's single term. 
That will change this year as former federal prosecutor Jen Durkan leads a field of three other women after last Tuesday's primary.  Durkan, the daughter of a well known state legislator is in a big lead over Cary Moon, with Nikkita Oliver behind by a couple percentage points.  Former mayor Mike McGinn and veteran legislator Bob Hasagawa finished far behind the pack.

Wednesday, August 02, 2017

Signing Books

Seattle area author musician spoke to a full house last night at the University Book Store in Seattle. about My Oh My The Dave Niehaus Story
The book was a labor of love covering the life of the late Mariner announcer. 
I read the book and would recommend it to every Mariner fan.

Costco Founder Jeff Brotman

Jeff Brotman, founder of the Issaquah based retail giant, Costco and community leader has died.  Brotman, 74, died in his sleep at his Medina home.
 He was a major contributor to the Democratic party and held a fundraiser last fall for Hilary Clinton.  He was also a benefactor of the University Of Washington.   Brotman and his wife were major donors to the Seattle Art Museum and the Pacific Northwest Ballet. 
Brotman was serving as Chairman Of The Board of Costco at the time of his death. 

Tuesday, August 01, 2017

Cousin Tod Goldberg's Book Sparks TV Series

Tod Goldberg has announce that the folks behind the British Gangster Series "Peaky Blinders" have created a TV series based on his Gangsterland book.  The book's sequel "Gangster Nation" is to be released this fall.  No details have been released on the proposed series.  Tod is a son of my Dad's cousin Jan.  He would visit us in Walla Walla in the summers as we were growing up.