Paul Revere Tribute

Generally, when your name is in the band, you are the front man, but with Paul Revere And The Raiders, Mark Lindsay was the perfect choice.  Revere was the keyboard player and visual comedian of the band.

Paul Revere was the perfect first introduction for teens into Rock Music, while British bands were the rage, they were modeled after an American hero.

In the 60s, it was more common for bands to be funny, perhaps in part, because the Beatles were funny.

Sadly, Revere passed away 4 years ago.

He's Still Around--Kirk Douglas 101

This picture is a  few months old but in case your wondering, Hollywood icon Kirk Douglas is still around.  Douglas, who as a child was an impoverished immigrant, he is hailed by Wikipedia as one of the last surviving members of Hollywood's Golden Age.
He has appeared in over 90 movies and has 3 Oscar nominations.  Of course his son, Michael won an Oscar as the iconic Gordon Gekko in Oliver Stone's Wall Street.
Douglas is 101.

Tahoma School Levy Passing

The Maple Valley Reporter reports that the Tahoma School District  Education Programs and Operations Levy is passing with about 60 per cent of the vote.  Three school district levies had failed last February.  

Various business in the area had signs urging the passage of the levy.
Thank  you to The Maple Valley Reporter for this picture.

Cosby Convicted

News sources say a jury has found veteran enyertainer Bill Cosby guilty of sexual assault.

My life in Tel Aviv (October 2016)

In honor of Israel's 70th birthday.  I watched this video a few weeks before my trip last fall.

Israel's 70th - Do You See The Miracle?

Happy 70th anniversary to Israel and her people. Below is a picture of Independence Hall, that I took from the inside of Independence Hall.

True Fiction--Lee Goldberg Tongue-In-Cheek Thriller

Readers can have fun figuring out what is truth and what is fiction in this crazy romp by TV writer author Lee Goldberg.  Goldberg used his former pen name, Ian Ludlow as a writer trying to escape what he believes is a government plot to destroy him and his unwitting accomplice.
Much of the action takes place in Seattle, but moves down the West Coast as Ian and Margo French try to escape their hunters. 
There are inside jokes such as Ian and Margo (a Seattleite originally from Walla Walla) hiding out in a house in the Laurelhurst remarkably similar to one owned by the author's uncle. 
The book seems to have a moral that today's social media and electronics can make life easier and connect us, but can also surrender our security and privacy.
There is plenty of the Goldberg observational humor employed in books by both Lee and his brother, Tod.  Both authors can see things that places and situations that most people can not.
According to Lee, the book hit the top of the  Washington Post Best Seller list.  I would highly recommend it. Click here to order.

Former Presidents-First Ladies Together For Bush Memorial

Once in a while, even political enemies can gather at certain times.   The Carters are the only living first family not represented in this picture as they are gathered for former first lady Barbara Bush's memorial service in Houston. 
Particularly striking is Michelle Obama and Melania Trump arm in arm.  Former President Carter was on an overseas trip and his wife is currently recovering from surgery.

From Lee Goldberg--Character Development For Bad Guys

Lee Goldberg, who went from a childhood summer playmate of mine (cousin too) to a wonderful career in writing TV and novels, give his perspective on writing the "bad guy" in his blog. I'm currently listening to his latest effort "True Fiction" on CD and will give you the full report, excluding "spoilers" upon completion.  Click here  In the picture above, Lee is on the left with a couple of colleagues.

Pilot who handled Southwest emergency landing hailed as 'true American h...

What a true hero.  It's sad that they lost one of the passengers.

Keith Jackson Has Memorial Celebration In Rose Bowl

A memorial service for ABC sports broadcasting legend Keith Jackson was held in the Rose Bowl Stadium last Sunday.  Jackson, a WSU graduate and former Seattle area sports anchor, was the nation's voice of college football.  Jackson, who worked 15 Rose Bowls is credited with coining the phrase "the granddaddy of them all", describing the New Year's game.  Jackson lived in nearby Sherman Oaks.
Women's basketball great and widow of  LA Dodger pitcher Don Drysdale, called Jackson "our Walter Cronkite of sports broadcasting" of course referring to the longtime CBS Evening News Anchor  with which most of us grew up.

Antique Radio

The Black Duck in Issaquah has these antique radios in their restrooms.

Harry Anderson--Played Judge In Night Court

Harry Anderson, who played the quirky but benevolent judge in the popular  NBC comedy Night Court, was found dead in his Ashville, North Carolina home. 
Anderson was a magician turned comedian and was a fan of Mel Torme. Anderson's character, Judge Harry Stone was also a fan of Mel Torme.
 Anderson was 65 at the time of his death.

Vote For Tahoma Schools On April 24th

I am a property owner and have no children in Tahoma Schools, yet I enthusiastically  endorse this levy.
Strong schools build strong communities.  More programs mean more student involvement in my opinion. It may mean fewer children dropping out of schools.  Failure to fund schools could be even more costly.  Finally, when selling property, buyers often ask about the quality of the schools. 
Vote YES on Tahoma Schools!

Old Walla Walla Radio Remembered 23--Bob Garred

I had written about Bob Garred in a previous article.  He was one of many famous radio people from Walla Walla.  My parents bought there house on Palouse Street from his parents in the mid 1960s.  I  heard that I had his old room, which is quite coincidental because of my interest in radio history.  According to an article in the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin archives,  Garred started at KUJ in Walla Walla, then went on to CBS, he was with ABC when he died at 41 in December of 1956.

Tod Leiweke Named President Of Potential Hockey Team

Former Seattle Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke has been named President and CEO of a possible NHL franchise in Seattle.   Leiweke had been COO of the NFL.  His brother, Tim is  the CEO with the OVG Group, which is in charge of the remodel of Key Arena.  Leiweke  left the Seahawks to work in the front office of the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL franchise.
Word is that an announcement will be made in June on whether Seattle will be granted an NHL expansion team. 

Gangster Nation Captivating

It said that "truth is stranger than fiction" but Gangster Nation is fiction and continues the strange twist of a hit man hiding out as a Rabbi in a Las Vegas temple.  The book is  the sequel of Gangsterland, Tod Goldberg's story of Chicago gangster Sal Cupertine, who escapes both the law and disgruntled peers by undergoing plastic surgery and emerging as Rabbi David Cohen. 
In this edition, Cohen does both the Lord's work and his criminal business simultaneously.  Cohen has become wary of his role and begins to miss his wife and son, while worrying about their safety.
Meanwhile, an FBI agent, who has lost his partner is determined to find him and bring him to justice.
Writer Goldberg's talent really comes out in this multi-layered plot.  His frequent quotes from the Talmud, shows that either he did an amazing amount of research or is extremely creative. 
Gangster Nation is available on Amazon.

Iron Mike

Deb and her friends ran into Iron Mike Tyson at the Sugar Factory in Las Vegas.  I'll spare you any food jokes.

Embattled King County Democratic Chief Resigns

Bailey Stober, who last year defeated the incumbent King County Democratic Chair Richard Erwin to take that position, has resigned.  Accusations of mistreatment of volunteers and of his former executive director and mismanagement of funds have divided and plagued the party for much of this year. 
Stober's resignation came after a 13 hour trial by party leaders.  His contrite resignation speech was met with quiet applause.

Ducks On The Pond

It's been a wet weekend in the Puget Sound area.  The stormwater draining pond is full again and a couple of ducks can be seen floating.

Amazing! Bald Eagle lands on Seattle Mariners James Paxton as national a...

Seattle Mariners, leading MLB in "freak accidents"!

Growing Up--Editorial Launches My First Letter To The Editor

I'm still trying to find the letter, which I will eventually post. After Seattle mayor Wes Uhlman announced his plans to run for Governor of Washington, the Walla Walla UB criticized him in the above editorial, which you may be able to see by clicking on the image. 
As a fan of the young mayor, I was inspired to write the letter and it was printed.  Even today, I can see holes in the editorial and feel that it fails to back up it's pretense.

Sad Anniversary--King Shot 50 Years Ago

It was 50 years ago today that Rev Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated.  King was shot while standing on the balcony of his motel room in Memphis.  He advocated change through peaceful protest, also known as civil disobedience.
Riots broke out in major cities when word of the King shooting became known.  Robert F. Kennedy, who was campaigning for president, had to make an appearence in Indianapolis without police protection.
The King assassination,  brought more attention, in our country to the civil rights struggle and he remains a symbol for equality.

My First Precinct Caucus

My parents were deeply involved in Democratic politics in my childhood.  Although neither would run for office, they would take me to picnics and rallies to meet candidates.  One of my favorite places to go was the Strohmaier Ranch, about 20 minutes west of Walla Walla, where party activist Gary Strohmaier would have a huge barbeque. Anyway, I digress.
In 1976, I was finally old enough to vote.  This allowed me to participate in my first precinct caucus. This was, of course a presidential year.  The Republicans would hold their precinct caucus at the luxurious Lonneker estate.  The Democrats held their caucus at Sharpstein School in the teacher's conference room. 
I got mentioned on front page of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin for being chosen as a Scoop Jackson delegate.  It was kind of ironic, because in 1976, I supported one of his opponents (Carl Maxey) for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.  Senator Jackson, after all, was a "hawk" on the war in Viet Nam.   By 1976, however, the war was over and many of the hard feelings toward Jackson in the party had heeled.  I supported Jackson because he was from Washington, therefore the home team.  Because of his strong views of defense, his appeal spread beyond party lines.  After all, 4 years earlier, Senator George McGovern was soundly defeated while running on an anti-war platform.
I was able to attend my first county convention, but the party regulars squeezed me out and I did not get to attend the state convention. In later years, I was a delegate many times to the state convention. 

Family Business Mystery Maybe Solved

A mystery that was launched in Annie Charnley Eveland's Etcetera column of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin seems to have been solved  A picture was recovered showing an unidentified man in front of the steel warehouse of B. Barer And Sons, our family business.
 In depth research seems to point to a George Gibbs, a Walla Wallan who lived to be 110 Gibbs was frequently featured in articles in the UB as Walla Walla's oldest citizen.  He died in 1972.  According to the article, Gibbs lived alone, cooked for himself and chopped wood all the way into his 110th year.  Perhaps, age is just a state of mind.

Happy Easter