Spring 2018

The blossoms are out on the trees.

Mark Rypien Out Of The Shadows: Uninterrupted Half Hour Special

Spokane station KHQ, did this outstanding piece on Super Bowl quarterback, Mark Rypien.   Rypien was one of Spokane's best known athletes. His landing at WSU was considered a recruiting break through for the school.  He did not disappoint.  He continued on to a success NFL career, mostly with the Washington Redskins.

Rypien seemed to lead the perfect life, but in this report, Rypien himself reveals the pain and sorrow  that has encompassed his pro football career. 

I applaud Rypien for having the courage to face his problems. 

Everytime a new mental illness is diagnosed, it probably is a victory for the patient.  They realize they are not alone.  They can also figure what help to seek. 

For football fans, it can cause a dilemma, we may not look at football in the same way.   Hats off for Spokane's venerable KHQ -6. 

On Stage

We saw the Clairvoyants, a mind reading act that competed on "America's Got Talent", performed at Snoqualmie Casino.  Deb got to be part of the act.

Happy Passover!

Go Mariners

Baseball season starts today and our Seattle Mariners hope to end a 17 year post season draught.  The M's will face Cleveland tonight at Safeco Field.

Suncadia 3-1000 Steps

The first thing you will notice is there are not 1000 steps in the !000 Steps staircase.  It must mean that there are 1000 actual steps to the River.  None the less, it is a breathtaking walk from the Suncadia Lodge to the Cle Elum River. 
Since Dasher is recovering from knee surgery, Deb stayed at the lodge with him and I took the journey alone.  All along the steps, there are signs talking about the animal that inhabit the area.

Suncadia 2

The Cle Elum River from near our room.

Weekend In Suncadia

Deb and I, along with Dasher, traveled across Snoqualmie Pass this last weekend to visit Suncadia.  It is about an hour's drive from Maple Valley, but a world away. Located in the Cascade Mountains, there is some of the most beautiful scenery that we'd ever scene. 
The lodge is located on top of a canyon overlooking the Cle Elum River.
We ventured into the town of Roslyn, where the TV series Northern Exposure was filmed in the 1990s. While there, we visited the Heritage Distilling tasting room. 
On Sunday, I walked the "1000 steps"  down the canyon to the river.  Deb stayed back with Dasher, who is recovering from knee surgery.  I may post more photos soon. 

University Of Washington Students Take Over Walla Walla Newspaper

In 1974, The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin allowed some journalism students to get "real life experience".  It  invited reporters at the University Of Washington campus newspaper, "The Daily" to vist Walla Walla and put out an edition of the UB. 
The results were maybe humorous to some, but many Walla Wallans were angered, not only by the political stance, but also felt that it had something of a mocking tone toward the town. 
Amongst the Daily group was John Snell, a Walla Walla native who would go on to work for newspapers in Seattle and Portland.

Arise Sir Ringo! Beatle knighted at Buckingham Palace | ITV News

He's now "Sir Ringo"!

Heroes From My Childhood--Kiki Cutter

I did not ski when I was  during my childhood, but it was fun to watch on Wide World Of Sports.  Wide World was on Saturday afternoons.  It would show many different sports in many different areas in one show.  One skier I remember well was Kiki Cutter, first was her unique name, the other was that she was from Bend, Oregon.  I grew up in Walla Walla,  practically on the State line.  Even though it is in Washington, it is easy to root for Oregon teams and sports figures in general.  
Cutter was also one of the best in her sport, in 1968, she became the first American to win a World Cup Event.  Also in 1968, she competed in 3 events in the Winter Olympics in Grenoble 
Cutter would eventually turn pro and then retire.  She would later set up a scholarship to encourage young World Cup competitors and helped publish a lifestyle magazine in her home town of Bend.
This year, I thought about her while watching the Winter Olympics on TV.   I eventually did start skiing for fun.

Eastgate Country Store

Joe Drazan's Bygone Walla Walla blog had a great post on how Walla Walla's Iconic Eastgate Country Store got it's name.  Apparently, the store held a contest to pick a name in 1960.

Gasman To Return To Airways

One of the area's best loved sports talk radio hosts is returning to KJR.  It was announced today that Mike "Gasman" Gastineau was coming back to take do the mid day shift along with Jason Puckett.
Gastineau, a native of the Midwest, was with the station for well over 10 years.  He was known for being courteous to his callers and guests and having a positive outlook towards the local sports teams.
The move to bring him back is part of a shake up in the station's line up.  Morning man Dick Fain was moved to evenings with Dave "Softy" Mawler, while Chuck Powell will move to the mornings, where he will be joined by ex Mariner Bucky Jacobson. 
Gastineau hinted that this gig would be temporary, as a big name will join the station in the Summer.

 

 

Progress On Housing Development

Not one house is standing, but units are for sale at the new housing development near Belmont Woods in Maple Valley.

Walla Walla High School Grad Hoover Wins Oscar

Congratulations go to Richard Hoover, Walla Walla High School Class Of '75, for winning an Oscar for "Best Visual Effects".  Hoover (left), shared the award with (left to right)  Paul Lambert, Gerd Nefzer, and John Nelson for the movie "Blade Runner 2049".  It was the third nomination and first win for Hoover, who is visual effects supervisor for Framestore.   Hoover has previously worked for Disney and Sony Pictures. 

Top Seed Virginia loses To Unknown In Monster Upset

So that is why they call it March Madness.  The Virginia Cavaliers, who many had picked to win the national title were beaten 74-54 by the UMBC Retrievers.  Say what?  I have not heard of them.
The initials stand for University Of Maryland, Baltimore County. 
It was the first time in tournament history that a 16 seed beat a number 1 seed.
It may be the biggest sports upset since Buster Douglas knocked Mike Tyson almost 30 years ago.

Happy St Patrick's Day!

93KHJ-American Samoa with Phlash Phelps guesting

People say that radio is no longer fun to do and for most part it has changed.  But Phlash Phelps on Sirius/XM is a throwback to those days and as such is the morning man on 60s on 6.  He also travels the country and has trivia on every corner of the USA.

Hawking Dies

Stephen Hawking, the English physicist whose struggles with ALS all but overshadowed his brilliance, has died.   Hawking received the diagnosis in 1963 and was given 2 years to live.  He wound up living over 5 more decades, however, the public could witness his loss of motor skills. 
Hawking was best known for his theories on black holes in space.

Stormy In Maple Valley

After about 3 days of calm weather, winds are passing through the area.  Our power was out last night, but had since returned.

Sherman Will Play For Arch Rival 49ers

Seahawk fans haven't seen the last of Richard Sherman.  The all pro cornerback, who squashed the Super Bowl hopes of the 49ers with his tip of a pass to Michael Crabtree is now playing for that team.  Sherman signed a three year pact with San Francisco over weekend, which means he will play against the Seahawks twice each season. 

Bachelor Finale Cold Open - SNL

I was not as impressed with this week's SNL open, but thought I would post this for those who were.

Leonard Goldberg discusses the TV movie "Brian's Song"- EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG

I had to post this.  My favorite movie of all time is Brian's Song.   It is the story of the barrier breaking friendship of Chicago Bear running backs Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo.  
As in the late 60s, Sayers was the superstar running back of the NFL.  When he suffered an season ending injury, it was huge.  He was replaced by a running back with what I thought was a funny sounding name, Brian Piccolo.  Piccolo proved to be a good replacement, but until the movie was shown, it was not known that Piccolo had helped to nurse Sayers back to health and that Piccolo and Sayers were roommates, said to be the first interracial roommates in the NFL.  This was played up in the movie, but perhaps forgotten because of Piccolo's tragic death of Cancer at only 26.

Sherman Gone

Sources say Seahawk Cornerback Richard Sherman has been traded to the Dallas Cowboys.  Rumors were unconfirmed as of Friday.  Seattle Times, though, reports Sherman could be released today.  It's now official, the Seattle Seahawks have released Sherman.

 

Ozzie Smith Played In Walla Walla

If there is a list of great athletes to play with Walla Walla's Borleske Stadium as a home field, you may see names like Dean Derby, Bobby Cox, Drew Bledsoe and maybe, this Hall of Famer, Ozzie Smth.
 In 1977, Ozzie Smith played for the Walla Walla Padres, as indicated in the above Walla Walla Union Bulletin story above, he also made an impression on the local baseball fans. He was voted most popular member of the team that season.
Smith would play for the parent San Diego Padres the next season.    It was there that started a string of winning 13 consecutive Golden Glove awards.
After a trade to the St Louis Cardinals, he would lead the team to a World Series victory.  His statistics are staggering, including 2460 career hits and a 15 time All Star. 
He was elected to the Baseball Hall Of Fame on the first ballot.

1969--Professional Baseball Comes To Walla Walla

In 1969, Walla Walla was granted a Northwest League Franchise.  The team was a Class A farm club for the Philadelphia Phillies.  They started as the Walla Walla Bears, but the next season, they became the Walla Walla Phillies.  Their tie with the Phillies meant that many potential Major Leaguers were with the team.

Russ Solomon Tower Records Founder

 

 

 

Russ Solomon, the founder of the iconic chain of Tower Records died last weekend while watching the Oscars.  Just like any other viewer, he was commenting on someone's dress then asked to have his whisky refilled, he then died suddenly.Solomon turned Tower into the largest music chain.  Both Seattle and Bellevue had Tower locations.  The location on the Sunset Strip became a rock star hang out.
The ability to download music online spelled the end of Tower.

Mariners Bring Back Ichiro

As the Mariners have done many times in their history, they are bringing back one a great one.  Like Raul Ibanez, Mike Jackson, Jeff Nelson, and Ken Griffey, Jr., word is that the team is working out a one year deal with Ichiro Suzuki.  The Mariners brought the Japanese superstar to the United States in 2001. He was traded to the Yankees in the midst of the 2012, after it appeared that some of his skills had diminished.  His last three years have been with the Miami Marlins.

Ken Levine Does Great Review Of The Oscars

For the second  year in a row, TV writer Ken Levine gives his snarky (biting comedy) review of the 2018 Academy Awards.  You can hear it by clicking here.   

Season Tickets For Seattle NHL Are Sold Out

It's now too late to put down a 500 dollar deposit on season tickets to the proposed, and so far unnamed, Seattle NHL team.  The sales reached 33,000 last Friday at 5pm.
The ownership group received 10,000 deposits for tickets in 12 minutes when it began accepting them on Thursday, the first of March. 

Beautiful Day In Maple Valley

First time this year that I could walk my beloved Lake Wilderness Trail.  Could take my walking partner,  Dasher as he is recovering from knee surgery.  Maybe in a month or two.

Walla Walla In 1964--Kiwanis Club Constructs Mock Berlin Wall

This is a project that my Dad was involved with, in February of 1964, a  model of the Berlin Wall was constructed in Walla Walla, by the Marcus Whitman Kiwanis Club to demonstrate what how precious freedom is to us.  As I remember, it went across Main Street.
  As my parents told me, it made national news.  I've tried many methods to make this picture and the previous one clearer, so I apologize .
25 years later, Germany was unified.  Could Korea be next?

Inslee Vetoes Controversial SB 6617

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has vetoed the controversial Senate Bill 6617, aimed at shielding law makers open meeting provisions.  Inslee's veto comes after a barrage of angry press coverage and emails from citizens about the bill, passed overwhelmingly by both parties in the House and Senate.

Season Ticket Sales Start For NHL In Seattle

At 10 this morning, season ticket sales start for the proposed Seattle NHL Ice  Hockey team.  Click here for more info.