Jay Rodne Won't Run

 

 

 

 

 

Republican Jay Rodne, the 5th Legislative District's longest serving legislator, is not seeking reelection to Washington's House Of Representatives.  Rodne has served in that position since 2004. 

Washington Legislature Under Fire After Swift Passage Of Senate Bill 6617

A bill to remove the Washington State Legislature from public disclosure laws passed overwhelmingly last week and the entire state government is under fire.   Liberals and Conservative alike joined together and passed the bill quickly with seemingly little debate.
The Seattle Times wasted no time in condemning the action and yesterday joined 8 other newspapers  asking Governor Jay Inslee to veto the action.  It ran a front page editoral for the first time in decades.
State legislators have replied with emails and texts to constituents.   Legislators who voted on the bill, say that the bill keeps conversations with lobbyists public, while allowing constituents to share concerns privately with legislators. 
I don't know what accountability the media has on what it can share, besides the libel laws. 
Governor Inslee has suggested that he won't sign the law, but would not veto it.  It seems to me, a bad way to go because that would allow the measure to become law.  He would still get bombarded by the public and press with negative comments. 
Having read much of the text, I would say that I'm a little more understanding.   You can read the entire bill by clicking here.

Motorist Bumps Into Channel 7 Traffic Team

Ever want to meet KIRO 7's Tracy Taylor?  A Puget Sound motorist did in a less than desirable way. 
The veteran traffic reporter was in the middle of an on the spot live report last Thursday when a car struck the rear end of the vehicle.  This was after snow had fallen in the Sound and roads were very icy.  Reports are that no one involved was injured.   Pugetsound.media has a video showing Tracy and her cameraman in the aftermath of the accident.

Old Walla Walla Radio Remembered Part 22--Broadcaster LeRoux and Cosby Become Tennis Buds

Recent accusations have changed his image, but in the late 1970s, Bill Cosby was one of the biggest stars, so it was a real big deal when it was revealed that the retired owner of K-HIT radio, Arch LeRoux had hosted the actor-comedian at his tennis court in Walla Walla.   Both were avid tennis players.  I had seen Cosby at Coordiner Hall, the Whitman College performing arts center in the late 70s.  About that time, Cosby and LeRoux, who I never met, but was a staple in local radio in the 60s and 70s, formed their friendship around the game of tennis.

Old Walla Walla Radio Remembered Part 21--Old KTEL Newspaper Ad

This ad ran in the UB in 1952.  Beven  Roth, 2nd bottom on the right, was still at the station when I worked there in the late 1970s.  He left after a disagreement with management.  Jack Keating, bottom center, still owned the station.  He was known to everyone as Mr. Keating.  You can also see the ad here or for more pictures, click here.

Seattle Potential NHL Team Sets Up Web Site

A potential National Hockey League team to be located in Seattle has begun advertising for it's new web site.  The web site at nhlseattle.com announces that the proposed team will take deposits for season ticket priority starting March 1st at 10am.   The proposed expansion team would play in the revamped version of what is now the Key Arena.

Snowing In Maple Valley

It may be late February, but Winter is not over yet.   An early evening snowfall has hit the region and it looks like it's going to stick around.

Billy Graham Dies At 99

Billy Graham, arguably the most visable figure in modern religion, has died after a decade long illness.  In the days when there were fewer TV channels, the Graham crusades would air on major networks and give his message the maximum exposure.  Graham was also known as a councilor to 12 presidents. 
When we went to the Indianapolis 500 in 1999, Graham delivered the invocation.  Graham was 99.

The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin Hails Burl's Return

 

Right before I graduated from college, Burl Barer moved back to Walla Walla with his wife and daughter.  He had been a DJ in Seattle for many years and operated a production company in Bellevue. 
Burl worked at B. Barer And Sons, and did consulting work at KUJ, a top 40 station at the time.  He would later set up a cable advertising business in Walla Walla and the Tri Cities.  Eventually, he would do consulting work at KEXI, at the time, an FM station in nearby Milton-Freewater. 
Just after he moved, the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin did a feature story in it's Friday TV supplement.
Burl currently resides in the Los Angeles area.  He also has a son. 

Brandi Carlile - The Joke (Official Video)

New stuff from Brandi's latest...

Dasher In Recovery

Dasher is recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right hind leg. 
For weeks, he will get only short walks and will not be able to climb stairs. 
Many thanks go out to the Companion Animal Hospital in Bellevue, where the surgery was performed.

Black Diamond Recall Appears Successful

An attempt to recall a city council woman in Black Diamond appears to be successful.  At last check, voters in the nearby town have voted in favor of the recall by a little more than a two thirds margin.
The city has gained attention for a controversy over a proposed local development allowing 6 thousand units.  Pepper and a couple other council members have been fighting the developers, claiming too much development will strangle the city. 
Two of  Peppers, allies on the council, Erika Morgan and Brian Weber, were voted in the election of November 2017.
Apparently, this will give a green light to the proposed development.  It's unknown whether it's the development itself or the means of the three council member that resulted in the removal of the two and the possible removal of Pepper.

Stan Barer Feature Found

On February 22nd, 1987, The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin ran a feature on natives of the town that succeeded on the regional and national level.  My cousin Stan Barer was featured in this article which was in a Sunday paper supplement.   Amongst those featured were Charles Luce, who would run Con-Ed, Ralph Coordiner, who would become president of General Electric, and William O. Douglas, who sat on the Supreme Court.  Also Adam West, perhaps Walla Walla's most famous native.  All in all, not bad company.

Sports Radio 950 Lands Sounder Games

 

Seattle Sports Radio 950 KJR announced Tuesday that it will carry Seattle Sounders soccer games  It's a big step for KJR which at one time carried the Seattle Super Sonics and University Of Washington football and basketball.  Since losing the Huskies and the Sonics leaving town, the station did not carry play by play of any of the local major sports teams. 
The station had received occasionally criticism for spending little time discussing the Sounders as compared to the Mariners, Seahawks, and Huskies.
Matt Johnson, a former KJR employee, will continue to do play by play for the team.

Happy Valentine's Day!

NHL In Seattle Gets One Step Closer

 

Seattle winters may be more exciting in the coming years as Mayor Jenny Durkan  has tweeted that OVG has completed the papers for requesting an National Hockey League expansion team.  Seattle has been without a major professional winter sports team since the NBA's Seattle Super Sonics left town in 2008. 
Of course, many Seattle sports fans are disappointed that the city didn't stay with the Chris Hansen plans to build an arena with the NBA as the primary tenant. 
The Oak View Group's plan is to remodel what is now Key Arena with the NHL as the primary tenant.  At this time, a new NBA team is not on the horizon.

Maple Valley Star Carlile Featured In The Seattle Times

Seattle rock music writer Charles Cross did a feature in this weekend's Seattle Times on Brandi Carlile, perhaps the best known Maple Valley resident.  Carlile, who has been known nationally for over a decade, has a new album to be released this week called "By The Way, I Forgive You".
Carlile is performing tonight (Monday, February 12th) at the Moore Theatre in Seattle and has additional performances scheduled at the Moore for March 30th and 31st. 

Ray Roberts Speaks At Benefit

Ray Roberts who began his NFL career as a lineman with the Seattle Seahawks in 1992, then finished with the Detroit Lions, spoke at a fundraiser for Home Court, a non profit facility and program to teach life skills, as well as athletic skills to young people using basketball.  My nephew and his girlfriend have been involved in the program.
Roberts took time to talk with some of the attendees including myself.

Vandal caught on camera

A car prowler was caught on camera in this video taken in the KIRO FM parking lot.  The sarcastic play by play announcing by John Curley (the station's midday personality helped make this video go viral.

Winter Olympics 2018

The Winter Olympics are up and running.  Opening ceremonies will air tonight. 
In the past, the Winter games would take place in the same year with the Summer ones, but in 1994, it was changed and the games were moved to the next even year. 
This year's games take place in PyeongChang South Korea.

Dasher Takes A Nap

Our retriever knows how to get comfortable

Please Mr. Postman ( BBC Version )

John Mahoney--Martin Crane On Frasier

John Mahoney, who played the cranky, but lovable father of Frasier and Niles Crane on the NBC sit-com Frasier, has died.  Mahoney played an ex-cop widower, injured in the line of duty.  Although, the sons were Ivy League type psychiatrists, Martin loved his beer, his sports, his dog, and his old chair.
Mahoney was born in England.  In reality, he was only 14 years older than Kelsey Grammer who played son, Frasier.  He was a long time member of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre.

Top 10 Best Super Bowl 52 Commercials (2018 Funniest Ads Superbowl LII)

Many years ago, former Seattle DJ and internet pioneer Lan Roberts did a review of Super Bowl commercials on his web site the Monday after the game.  I really appreciated it the year after he died and I tried to do the same on this blog.  So in honor of Lan, for as long as the youtubers let this video stay on the blog, here is a sampling of SB commercials.  There is also a really funny rundown of the game on Ken Levine's blog. Click here

Eagles Win Super Bowl In Game For The Ages

Yes, it's pretty clear that Tom Brady is the greatest NFL quarterback of all time, but he doesn't own the Lombardi Trophy.  The Philadelphia Eagles fought and clawed and used every weapon they had right down to the end to beat the reigning champion New England Patriots 41-33. 
No doubt, this will go down in history as one of the greatest Super Bowls in history.  The two teams combined set a record for most yards in a Super Bowl and that was before the 4th quarter started.    It was the first Super Bowl win for the Eagles. It denied New England it's 6th Super Bowl win.  The Patriots have played in a record of 10 Super Bowls. 
The Eagles lost their franchise quarterback Carson Wentz in the middle of the season and were thought to be dead in the water.  The Eagles quarterback, Nick Foles had considered retirement after last season.  Foles threw for over 370 yards. 
It was not a great day for defenses and both team's punter's got plenty of rest.  The Seattle Seahawks beat the Eagles earlier in the season. 

I, Tonya Movie Review

This movie gives context to the 1994 attack on figure skater Nancy Kerrigan by attackers associated with rival skater Tonya Harding. 
Now over two decades ago, Harding is one of the most despised figures in sports history, but in this picture, Tonya is shown somewhat as a victim and more stupid than evil. 
Margot Robey is totally convincing as Harding, even her portrayal of present day Tonya is spot on.  Allison Janney, a veteran actor accustomed to dark roles is totally convincing as Tonya's pure evil abusive alcoholic mother.
Tonya suffers violence from her mother as well as her abusive, hard lucked husband. 
The movie does a good job of being sympathetic to Tonya, but we must keep in mind that it is indeed, just a movie.

Jerry Kramer Will Be Inducted

Jerry Kramer, the Green Bay Packer guard who played in the first 2 Super Bowls, has finally been selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.  It was Kramer's 11th time on the ballot. 
The Packers, under legendary coach Vince Lombardi, won 5 NFL titles during Kramer's career, including the first two Super Bowl wins. 
Kramer is a member of the All Decade Team of the 60s and the Packer Hall Of Fame.  Kramer will be the 32nd Packer to be inducted.
Kramer played college ball at the University Of Idaho.

Lan Roberts KOL-AM Seattle 1970 Aircheck

One of Seattle's best DJs, Lan Roberts is remembered fondly here.  I got to know Lan through the internet in the late '90s.

Delilah Doing Middays At Seattle Station

A familiar voice can be heard middays at a new Seattle radio station.  Delilah, who hosted a nationally syndicate show and was recently inducted into the National Radio Hall Of Fame is now playing familiar baby boomer type music at The Sound at 94.1 
This is a real catch for a local radio station as she is said to be the most listened to woman on the radio.