Beware Of The Dragon

Dragon on top of this nearby country house was the highlight of our evening.  The house, at the end of a haunted trail near Belmont Woods in Maple Valley, spit out candy for trick or treaters.

Happy Halloween!

 

WSU Honors Former Southeastern Washington Radio Executive

 This month, the Murrow College Of Communications at Washington State University is honoring Geoff Harvey, a 1974 WSU grad, who with his daughter Courtney, a 2005 grad, has set up a scholarship for students aspiring to a career in the entertainment field.  It is known as the Geoffrey L. and Courtney L. Harvey Endowed Broadcast and Media Production Scholarship

Geoff worked at K-Hit radio in Walla Walla beginning in the mid 70s.  The station had new ownership and was working hard to establish a better relationship with the community.  The station was modernizing and would add what I remember as the city's first commercial FM station.   As I have mentioned in earlier posts, Geoff took the time to mentor me as I was working to establish a career in broadcasting.  Geoff would later move to his native Tri Cities where he became operations manager for three Kennewick stations.

Courtney has worked for the E! Netwok in production.  She has been living in Southern California. 

Dori Monson Back On The Radio

 Local newspapers report that KIRO FM afternoon radio talk show host Dori Monson is back on the air  after serving a nearly three week suspension for what was perceived to be a transphobic  tweet.  

The move does not please everyone as some want him off the air for good, while others think he shouldn't have had been suspended in the first place.  

It is not known if he will return to his Seahawk duties.  Monson's show is reportedly the highest rated radio show in the market. 

Happy Birthday, Dasher

Everybody loves a party.  Espessally if it's for our dog's 9th birthday.

Seahawks Trade For Carlos Dunlap

 The Seattle Seahawks, whose defensive shortcoming were for the most part exposed in last Sunday night's first season loss to the Cardinals, have traded for Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap.  

To get Dunlap, Cincinnati's all time sack leader, the Seahawks gave up offensive lineman BJ Finney and a 7th round pick in the 2021 draft.  

Dunlap is 31 and was with the Bengals for 11 years. 

ESPN says the Seahawks have given up more yards through 6 games than any team in NFL History.  The Seahawks have only 9 sacks this season. 

Dan Quinn--Would He Rejoin The Seahawks?

 The Seattle Seahawks defensive woes were made apparent in the team's overtime loss to Arizona.  While the team's record is now 5-1, many of the victories were due to last minute heroics.  

Dan Quinn was recently fired by the Atlanta Falcons, Quinn was the Seahawks defensive coordinator during it's last two Super Bowl runs.  Although many fans are not satisfied with current DC Ken Norton, Jr., the idea that he will be replaced anytime soon seems unlikely.

Heart - Magic Man (Live on Second Ending)

Probably not even dreaming of the incredible run it would go on, Heart appeared on the KWSU show Second Ending for a full concert in front of a studio audience on the WSU campus in Pullman.  

I wonder what the show did for an encore. 

Seahawks Back In Prime Time

 The Seattle Seahawks take on the Arizona Cardinals in the Sunday Night Primetime game on NBC.  The Seahawks are coming off a bye week and are 5 and 0.   The game was originally a day game but was moved up when another game was cancelled because of  COVID 19.

Remembering Joe Saxon

 Three years ago, I took this picture of Joe Saxon and  the Tel Aviv skyline.  Joe passed away a month after returning from the trip.

Reign Man To Open Pot Store

 

Well, the times they are a changin'. Former Seattle Super Sonics Super star Shawn Kemp is opening a cannabis dispensary (pot shop) in downtown Seattle at 3035 1st Ave, not far from Climate Pledge Arena. 

The business will be known as Shawn Kemp's Cannabis.   According to a press release, it is Washington's  first Black owned marijuana business. 

A grand opening is scheduled for October 30th at 12:45 with Kemp's former teammate Gary Payton (with Kemp bottom picture) joining him for a green ribbon cutting ceremony. 

 

Review--Wild Card: Downfall Of A Radio Loudmouth

 This show is not for everybody, it is the story of  a New York Sports "shock jock" who teams up with well known former Quarterback Boomer Esiason to form the Boomer and Carton radio show on WFAN.

 Carton's big break is when he is chosen to replace legendary Shock Jock Don Imus who gets in trouble for comments about a women's sports team. 

Boomer and Carton rocket up to number one because of  Carton's unabashed and uninhibited style.  You either loved or hated him, but if you hated him, you want to hear what next he had to say.

Carton was open about his love of gambling but few people knew of what extent.  He got himself deep into debt and  it forced him into doing things that were unlawful.  He was arrested by the FBI, an event that shocked even those closest to him

This show was recommended by Mitch Levy on the Mitch Unfiltered podcast, Mitch, who went to Syracuse at  the same time as Carton, knew him in passing.  Levy, in years past, has had to wrestle his own demons. 

As Carton explains during the show, it seems like he has come to grips with his troubles. It would seem that the drive to become number one can often have unpleasant side effects if channeled in the wrong direction. 

Wildcard: Downfall Of A Radio Loudmouth can be seen on HBO. 

ESPN College GameDay goes to Pullman

Definitely a high point in WSU Football history. I saw this on You Tube and posted it sight unseen.  This is a fan/alumni who was able to attend the celebration of ESPN bringing Game Day, it's iconic college football program to Pullman. 

Back On The Course

I played golf for the first time in 4 years last weekend

Jay Inslee For Governor

 His call to close businesses was tough, but we feel in the end, it was the right decision and so, we feel it is in the best interests of the state to vote for a third term.

Wisdom To Consider During The Pandemic

 My dad, who passed away in 2016, used to blog whatever came to mind. Whether it was old stories about Walla Walla history or personal experiences.  

Although he was gone before the pandemic hit, I think this post that he did is still very relevent.  He is saying, in effect, that it is great to exercise our personal liberty, but we still must respect the rights of others. Click Here

Seahawks Go Into Bye Week Undefeated

 

The Seahawks are going into the bye week with the best start in the history of the franchise--5 wins and no losses.  The restful weekend is hopefully a chance to get healthy.   

The team is hoping to get Safety Jamal Adams (pictured above) back to bolster it's defense.  Adams, who has been out the last two games with a groin injury, could be ready for the October 25th game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Fall Colors On Display

Autumn is here as I took this picture at the entrance to Patrick's Faire.  Patrick's Faire is across SE 244th Street in Maple Valley.

Greetings From Seaside, Oregon Pt. 2 / High Life Adventure Park Aerial C...

We did this last summer.  High Life Adventure Park is a great place to spend an afternoon in Seaside, Oregon.  I thought that this video was done well.

Joe Morgan--Baseball Great Dies

Another Hall of Fame baseball player has died   

Joe Morgan, who was a 2nd baseman for the Cincinnati Reds from 1972 to 1979, passed away today.

This picture was taken at Safeco Field. Morgan was keynote speaker at the Fred Hutchinson Awards luncheon in 2011.

Morgan had also been a baseball broadcaster for ESPN on the Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts from 1990  until 2010

Other baseball greats passing away recently include Tom Seaver, Lou Brock, Whitey Ford, and Bob Gibson.

Go Seahawks

 Seahawks face Minnesota on Sunday Night Football.

Legendary Seattle DJs Meet Again--KJR Reunion From 1990s

KJR reunion from years gone by.

Veteran Conservative Radio Host Suspended

Dori Monson will not be heard on the Seahawks broadcasts for a while as the NFL team has suspended him indefinitely for posting a transphobic tweet during a debate of the candidates for governor.  Monson, was also suspended indefinitely by Bonneville Broadcasting, the parent company of KIRO, where he has had an afternoon talk show for decades.

When Governor Inslee said in the debate that we follow science in Washington, Monson tweeted  “Inslee: we follow science in WA. The state where I could go to Olympia tomorrow and change my birth cert to say I was a girl on 10/2/61 HAHAHAHAHA.”

Monson has been famous for espousing mostly Right Wing views, however, he has been apolitical on the Seahawk broadcasts where he has been on the pregame, post game, and halftime programs.  

Monson's style is a very sarcastic, mocking tone that generally irritates those who disagree with him. Most of wrath is aimed at politicians, specifically, what he perceives as Liberal politicians and so called political correctness.  

There could be fall-out as many of the NFL's red meat followers had been starting to turn off to football after demonstrations by players during the National Anthem, but as far as long term effects, it is not yet known.  

WATCH: Gov. Jay Inslee and Loren Culp face off in only televised Washing...

The Inslee vs Culp for Governor of Washington debate may have gotten lost in the wake of the Pence vs  Harris clash on the same night.   The debate for the governorship was considerably more civil. 

You can see it here.

Van Halen Eruption Guitar Solo

Remembering the late Eddie Van Halen.

Seattle Storm Wins Again

Our Seattle Storm has done it again, won it's 4 WNBA championship. For veteran Sue Bird, above right with Breanna Stewart, it was her 4th title. Both Bird and Stewart missed last season due to  injuries.

Eddie Van Halen Dies

CNN reports Eddie Van Halen, lead guitarist from the group Van Halen, has died of cancer.  Lead guitarist of the band that bore  his name, Van Halen was originally one of two brothers who comprised half of the group.  Brother Alex played drums, Michael Anthony was bass player and originally David Lee Roth was lead singer.  Changes to the band's line up included bringing in Sammy Hagar to replace Roth, and Eddie son, Wolfie, who replaced Anthony on Bass. 

Mac Davis - It's Hard To Be Humble

In honor of the late Mac Davis, a fun little catchy tune.

This Blog Endorses Mark Mullet For 5th LD Senate

 When I moved to 5th Legislative District, it had only Republican Representation.  Our congresswoman (which is actually the 8th CD), our two state representatives and state senator were all Republicans. 

While Democratic trends came and went, the 5th was still unable to have a Democrat represent it.  That changed in 2012, when Mark Mullet ran against a Tea Party Republican.  It was the first Democrat elected in this district in 20 years.  Kathleen Drew had won a seat earlier, but lost to Dino Rossi in 1996. 

Mark has been a breath of fresh air for the district.  Soon after he was elected, I went to visit him in Olympia and watched a senate session and a house session.  I also got the full tour. 

Mark, who owned the Zeeks Pizza franchise in the Issaquah Highlands and also some Ben And Jerry franchises, has also been very generous about hosting the 5th for various functions.  

Mark was able to fend off a more main stream challenger in 2016, then member of the house, Chad Magendanz.

Once again, Mullet is in a tough battle for his senate seat, but this time it is a Democrat, a member of his own party.   Ingrid Anderson, a nurse has been running as a Progressive voice.  I can't kid you, I have not been in agreement with Mullet on every vote that he has taken. When I have disagreed with him, he has always been willing to discuss why he voted the way that he did. 

Because of Washington's top two primary system, two candidates of the same party can run against each other. 

Mullet's accomplishments include annexation of Maple Valley's Doughnut Hole, which became the site of the new Tahoma High School.  I believe that the 5th is still a swing district and that Mullet is moderate enough to withstand those swings.    Anderson, as a much more Progressive candidate, could be swept out in a Republican year.  

Even when we disagree with a candidate's position, it's still good to be able to have an open dialogue regarding that position which is why this blog recommends Mark Mullet to be reelected. 

 

St. Louis Pitching Legend Bob Gibson Dies

 Bob Gibson, perhaps the most dominant pitcher of the late 1960s has died.  He was 84.  When I started watching baseball in 1967, The Cardinals were one of baseball's best teams.  

In 1968, Gibson posted an earned run average of 1.12.     He also won 22 games that year, leading the St Louis to it's second straight World Series.  The Cardinals lost in 7 games that year. 

Gibson also played year with Basketball's Harlem Globetrotters .

In today's baseball world of the designated hitter, people have probably forgotten that Gibson was also a good hitter and hit a home run in both the 1967 and 1968 World Series

Trump And Wife Test Positive

 CNN reports that the president and his wife have tested positive for Covid 19.  This was after aide Hope Hicks tested positive. 

Nearby Project

City of Maple Valley workers were on a project at storm water pond for Belmont Woods, behind our cul de sac.