2020 Concludes! Have A Safe New Year's Eve!

 

Earthquake Hits Maple Valley

An earthquake of 3.2 was felt here yesterday. I was at work, but my wife texted me to say that she had heard a rumble.

Covid Claims Castaway Mary Ann

Dawn Wells, who turned castaway Mary Ann into one of TV's most beloved comedy characters, has died of complications of COVID-19, according to various sources. 

Wells, a University Of Washington graduate and one time Miss Nevada, played cheerful Mary Ann on Gilligan's Island, the midwestern girl who liked to bake pies. 

One of the most popular baby boomer question was Ginger or Mary Ann? referring to who was the "hottest".

Ginger was the beautiful movie star, who would use her looks to try to get her way, Mary Ann was pretty and homespun, basically the most down to earth character on the show.

Coincidentally, Wells and Tina Louise, who played Ginger, were the last surviving actors from the show.

Now Louise is the only one of the cast who remains. 

Wells was 82.

Marc Martel - Don't Stop Me Now - Queen Cover

This artist was featured on Mitch Unfiltered, the podcast by former Sports Radio 950 morning man Mitch Levy.  Marc Martel sounds almost exactly like Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury and did some voice work on the Queen movie, Bohemian Rhapsody.

Jamal Adams on NFC West Title 2020-12-28

The Seahawks have won the NFC West.  Defensive phenom Jamal Adams raises eyebrows  (and laughs) by celebrating with a cigar. 

The Queen's Gambit Great Show

 Most reviewers can explain what makes a movie or TV series work.  With The Queen's Gambit, it was tough for me to really see why, but it kept me glued to the set for all seven episodes.   

I've never been a fan of so-called period pieces and even though watching chess on a TV series, sounds about as exciting as watching a bridge match, when the series ended on the final show, it caught me off guard, I wanted more. 

The series does follow a standard formula, a rags to riches rise of a girl (Beth Harmon) who is put in an orphanage with little hope or identity, and who climbs her way out of poverty by learning chess from the building janitor.  She is not close to being a perfect person, through little fault of her own.  She is given tranquillizers every morning until her state outlaws the practice.

A well written series, Beth Harmon becomes the Rocky of this era.   The Queen's Gambit is available on Netflix.  

Dick Curtis--Seattle Radio Icon

 Dick Curtis, veteran area radio voice and a friend, rival, and associate with Pat O'Day, has died, according to reports on facebook.  Curtis had worked on-air at KJR and also at KJR's arch rival, KOL.  

He worked with O'Day at Concerts West bringing national acts to the area.  Curtis was newsman at KYYX/KXA while I worked for that station.   He was later director at the Seattle campus of the Bailie School Of Broadcast.  

I believe his most recent work was as newscaster at KVI.  You can hear Curtis at 2:25 in this video.

KC Jones--One Of Two Boston Celtic Greats To Coach The Sonics

 KC Jones, who coached the Sonics from 1990 to 1992, is dead at 88.   He is pictured with Bill Russell (Jones is on the right), above, with whom he shares many parallels.  The two played together at the University Of San Francisco, where they won back to back NCAA titles in the mid 50s. 

Jones and Russell would play for the US Men's Basketball team that won a gold medal in the '56 Olympics in Melbourne, after which they would become teammates on the Boston Celtics in one of sports greatest dynasties.  The team would win eight straight titles.   While Jones retired in 1966, Russell would become player-coach for the Celtics, leading them to a title.  Jones would later coach the team, and lead it to two NBA titles. 

Seemingly by coincidence, both were at different times, head coaches for the Seattle Super Sonics.  Russell coached the team from 1973 to 1977.  Bill, thankfully, is still with us.

Christmas Day Explosion Rocks Nashville

 About 20 building are reported to be damaged by a morning explosion in Nashville.  Three people are reported to be injured in what is believed to be an intentional act.  The incident is under investigation. 

Merry Christmas From Maple Valley

 

Local Legend Delilah Featured In New York Times Podcast

 Seattle area's Delilah is featured on the New York Times Daily Podcast.  In a very personal essay, Times reporters speak of being on the road during 2020 and the comfort of listening to the nationally syndicated show, with the host taking calls from listeners and playing soft rock. 

The Puget Sound Media blog had this recap of the pod.  

Pandemic Forces NBA To Rethink Expansion Stance--Seattle Could Benefit

 The Seattle Times is among sources saying NBA commissioner Adam Silver is speaking of maybe the league expanding beyond it's present 30 teams.   While Silver, it the past, has given a pretty hard "no" to the idea of expansion, the entry fee could benefit the present teams in the league, all missing out from revenue from fans attending games in the latter part of last season and expected throughout 2021.

Seattle, which is completing it's remodeled arena for the soon to be launched NHL Kraken,  could be the first in line for having a newly minted NBA team.  The Super Sonics left town for Oklahoma City in 2008.

Since the sale of the team and subsequent move, fans have had ups and downs of possible purchase of the team or of franchises relocating to the area, only to have had the ideas crushed.  Thus, NBA fans in the area, wanting a nearby place to attend a game, have often driven south to Portland to watch the Blazers.  A good number of sports fans in the area also seem to have turned a blind eye to the league. 

Alaska Safety Dance

Seattle based Alaska Airlines used this song from the 1980s to emphasize new requirements in a fun way.  

Maple Valley Lights

The Maple Valley Christmas Light Show is a great place to stop on an evening.  You can listen to Christmas music on a designated local radio channel.  The show is at 22629 SE 263rd Place Maple Valley, WA 98038.  Donations can be made on site to help the Maple Valley Food Bank.

Snoopy's Christmas -- Royal Guardsmen

This has been a Christmas standard since its release in the late 1960s.

Recount Sustains Margin--Mullet Beats Anderson

 In a race with two Democrats pitted against each other, moderate State Senator Mark Mullet, representing Washington's 5th district, will keep his seat in the Washington State Legislature.  Mullet, first elected in 2012, became the first Democrat elected to Olympia from the 5th in 20 years.  He was reelected after a tough battle with Republican State Representative Chad Magendanz in 2016.  The 5th now also now has two Democratic members of the state house. 

This year, Mullet was challenged by area nurse Ingrid Anderson, also a Democrat.  Many Democrats had been frustrated with certain votes by Mullet.  Anderson was endorsed by Governor Jay Inslee.  Other Democrats saw Mullet's accomplishments for the district and were happy with his middle of the road approach.   Some of Mullet's votes may have been from Republicans who saw Mullet as a better alternative.

Mullet is a former member of the Issaquah city council. 

Can Barers Of Maple Valley Top One Million Visits?

 

An amazing milestone in sight.   Right now, the number of visits to this blog is983038 , meaning, that 17 thousand visits are needed to top 1,000,000.    The total right now for this month is about 3600, so, at that pace, we could reach that total in the late spring.   This blog has been around for 15 years

 

Brandi Carlile “Total Eclipse of the Heart” Ryman Auditorium Nashville 0...

Maple Valley's Brandi Carlile and her band do a great job on this Bonnie Tyler song from the 80's. 

Six13 - Bohemian Chanukah (a Queen adaptation)

I thought that this was very creative.  

ONE ON ONE: Peter Yarrow - Light One Candle January 20th, 2016 City Wine...

I just love this song that Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, And Mary performs in celebration of Hannukkah.

Cleveland Drops "Indian" Nickname

 The Cleveland MLB team has followed the Washington NFL team in dropping "Indians" from its name. 

Although, maybe not as high profiled as the Washington controversy, pressure had been building for  years for teams adopting names many groups find offensive.  Other teams that may change names in coming years include The Atlanta Braves, The Golden State Warriors, The Chicago Blackhawks and The Kansas City Chiefs.

Biden Harris And Company

America's top two, President-Elect Joe Biden and VP Elect Kamala Harris are represented in my office, along with Ruth Bader Ginsburg and other political and pop culture figures.

Charley Pride Dies

 Charley Pride, country music's first African-American superstar has died of complications from COVID 19.  He was 86.  

Pride, who performed last November at the Country Music Awards,  was the first African-American member of the Country Music Hall Of Fame. 

Before making it as a singer, Pride had played professional baseball. 

Joe Biden And Kamala Harris Selected As Time Magazine Person Of The Year

 I think at one time, it was known as "Man Of The Year" and now two people share the singular title of  Time Magazine "Person Of The Year".  President Elect Joe Biden and Vice President Elect Kamala Harris share the title for 2020.

Happy Hanukkah

 The 8 days of Hanukkah begin tonight!

Mayor Durkan Will Not Seek Second Term

 Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has announced that she will not seek a second term next year.  The mayor has had an impossibly difficult year, as Seattle has faced a number of problems compounded by the COVID19 and the riots after the George Floyd killing last Spring.

The Riots, shown unedited on TV, garnered harsh criticism by both sides, with one side speaking of her actions as harsh and another saying that they were not harsh enough.  A group of protestors gathered at Durkan's house, whose address had been kept secret and a sit in was held at city hall.  It seemed like no one would stand up to support her. 

At the beginning of  the Durkan administration, the city had a rosy outlook with the expanding of Amazon and the granting of an NHL franchise to Seattle.  However, a televised expose on the city's homeless, although controversial, did it's share to dampen the optimism in the area.   

Sad Memory--40 Years Ago Beatle John Lennon

 On December 8th of 1980, former Beatle John Lennon was murdered in New York by a deranged fan. He would have turned 80 last October.  

Dick Allen Baseball Star Dies

Slugger Dick Allen has died.  He was 78. 

Allen was a 7 time all star and the 1964 Rookie Of The Year, playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, yet he was the subject of controversy for missing games and fighting with his teammates.  

He was eventually traded to St Louis for star centerfielder Curt Flood, Flood would gain fame for not reporting to Philadelphia, challenging baseball's reserve clause.  

Allen would play for the Cardinals for one season, then be traded to the Dodgers.  He would eventually wind up with the Chicago White Sox.  

Allen's troubles with Philadelphia where eventually traced to racial taunts in the stands,  He would where a batting helmet while playing in the field as Phillie fans would throw things at him.

None the less, Allen would return to play again for the Phillies in 1975.

Allen missed induction to the Baseball Hall Of Fame by one vote.  He is expected to be inducted posthumously by the veteran's committee on the next vote.

Every ing for the holidays

It's Christmas season at The UPS Store.  To find you closest, click here  Masks are required and please respect social distancing guidelines.

Olympic Champ Rafer Johnson Dies

 Rafer Johnson, who won the Gold Medal in the decathlon in 1960, died last week, he was 86. In addition to competing as an athlete, he was also an actor, a sports announcer and a community activist.  

He is credited to having helped organize the Special Olympics in California.  He is also known for subduing the assassin of Robert F. Kennedy, Sirhan Sirhan, perhaps saving lives.  He was also instrumental in bringing the 1984 Olympics to Los Angeles.   He lit the cauldron in the games opening ceremony. 

Late 1960s--Beatles Grow Moustaches

 As the Beatles were out of sight (literally) for a while in the latter half of the 1960s, I remember their reemergence and it was indeed, shocking! I saw the videos of Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever on American Bandstand.  The Beatles had moustaches!  John Lennon had glasses!

It's hard today the appreciate the gravity of this.  Along with the fab four the icons of the day included Frank Sinatra, Walter Cronkite, Elvis Presley, Andy Williams, and Bob Hope.  None of them altered their appearance.   Eventually, the Beatles would grow their hair longer and grow and shave beards, etc.  It set the stage for other famous faces to do more of the same.  The band members themselves went further into their own directions, splitting up, sadly, a few years later.

Seahawk Wide Receiver Josh Gordon Reinstated

ESPN reports that wide receiver Josh Gordon, who saw limited action last season for the Seattle Seahawks will be conditionally reinstated for the last two games of this season.  Gordon caught 7 passes for 139 yards last year as a late season replacement before being suspended unconditionally by the league for substance abuse.

Israel IDF Girls Military Motivation 2 CHAMPION!

A tribute to the women of the Israeli Defense Forces.  Israel is a small country with hostile borders on all sides.  Because of this, it has compulsory military service for both men and women. 

Seeing the woman with high power rifles, yet, outgoing and friendly in most cases, is indeed, fascinating when visiting the country.  

I join the makers of this video in saluting the women who put their life on the line to defend their country.

Aarons 50th Birthday Fire Dept Montage

I was really touched by the story behind this video.  I heard this report on the Unorthodox podcast.  Aaron Hartman has William Syndrome, a genetic symptom that causes him to be outgoing, to the point of interacting with and hugging strangers.  He has many friends in his hometown.

Aaron works as a greeter in different in different stores.  A huge 50th birthday party was planned for him, but needed to be cancelled because of COVID.  However, Aaron has a love of firefighters and firetrucks. His family set up a birthday video with fire fighters from all 50 states.  

The result is amazing!

Full Moon On A Tuesday Morning

The Moon very visible at 7:30 this morning.

Seahawks On Monday Night Football

 The Seahawks, now at 7-3  and alone at the top of the NFC West, will take on the 6-3-1 Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. 

Levine Blog Celebrates 15 Years

Ken Levine's blog has just celebrated it's 15th, as they say, blogaversary.  Ken is probably known around the Seattle area as a former radio broadcaster for the Seattle Mariners, but he is also a TV writer for shows such as Frasier and Cheers.  He also was a former top 40 DJ.  

When Ken started, not long after I did, blogging was very common, a way to express one's self through sports, politics, news or art.  Now, with social media platforms as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as new media such as podcasts,  as well as writer burnout, most have disappeared.  

The majority of blogs that I link no, no longer publish, but like a good book, they retain excellent content. 

The picture above, was taken from Ken's 15th year post. 

Elk Crossing At Belmont Woods

Just one of a herd of Elk having Thanksgiving feast at the entrance to Belmont Woods in Maple Valley.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Stay Safe!

Iconic Car Wash Sign Removed

 One of the most enduring reminders of old Seattle, the Pink Elephant Car Wash sign is being removed. 

The Pink Elephant Car Wash announced it was closing it's location on Denny Way near the Seattle Center due to homelessness, drug activity, and business costs.  

The sign will go to Western Neon for restoration work and then donate the the Museum Of  History  And Industry.

In my early days of living here, the sign along with the Pink Lincoln "Toe" Truck were two of the most unique signs I would come across when going to the Center for festivals and basketball games.

Jennings Tapped As Interim Jeopardy Host

 Ken Jennings, Jeopardy's biggest money winner according to various sources, will be its first interim  host.  The popular evening game show is planning to use a series of interim hosts until a permanent one is chosen.  Jennings has been speculated to be a candidate for host since the death of Alex Trebek earlier this month.  

The show will resume filming Monday.  The first episode with Jennings as host will air January 11th. 

Jennings lives in the Seattle area. 

Biden Begins To Pick Cabinet Members

 Anthony Blinken has been tapped by President Elect Joe Biden to be nominated for US  Secretary Of State. 

Blinken, though not well known to the public, served as President Obama's deputy secretary of state, he also at a time, Obama's deputy national security advisor. He also served on the National Security Council during the Clinton adminstration.  His charge will be to rebuild trust  of America's allies.  

Blinken attended schools in New York and France.  He is a graduate of Harvard. 

According to the Wikipedia, Blinken also plays guitar and has two songs on Spotify. 

Apple Cup Cancelled

 The annual Apple Cup between the Washington State Cougars and the Washington Huskies has been cancelled.  The reason being that WSU does not have enough scholarship players available due to positive test and contact tracing. 

There is a chance that the teams could play a make up game in December. This is the first season the cross state rivals have not faced one another since 1944.

No Cougar Football Today

 

Sad, but true today's WSU vs Stanford game has been cancelled because a number of players including quarter Jayden de Laura (pictured above) have tested positive for COVID.  Friday's Apple Cup game pitting the Cougs against Washington is also in jeopardy. 

Barers Of Maple Valley wish a quick and safe recovery for all members of the team. 

Familiar Face To Leave KOMO 4 TV

 Congrats to Connie Thompson!  The Puget Sound Media blog reports she is calling it quits after 46 years at the station.  

Even 10 years is like an eternity in the broadcasting profession.  You could probably make a TV mini-series out of her career.  

I met Connie at the Space Needle when we had our wedding rehearsal dinner in July of 1995.  No, she wasn't at our dinner but at some banquet with other KOMO broadcast people in an adjacent room.  She was very down to earth and friendly.  

Thank you to Puget Sound Media for breaking this!

Century Link Field Gets New Name

Numerous sources report Century Link Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks, will now be called Lumen Field.  The name has gotten the approval of the Washington State Public Stadium Authority, which owns the property.

The names reflects Century Link's rebranding to Lumen Technologies.

Seahawks vs Cardinals--The Rematch

 The Seattle Seahawks will face the Arizona Cardinals at 5:30pm pst on Thursday Night Football.  The Seahawks, who were once 5 and 0, have lost 3 of the last 4, including an overtime loss to Arizona. 

710 ESPN Trims Staff

 Lack of advertising due to COVID restrictions and changes in consumer habits are said to be a factor in 710 ESPN laying off three of it's daytime personalities.  

Tom Wassell, John Clayton, and, Jim Moore (pictured above) have left.  

Both Moore and Clayton originally worked for local Newspapers, Clayton for the Tacoma News Tribune, and Moore for the Seattle PI. 

Clayton is known nationally as The Professor from his days at ESPN.  

Moore is a proud WSU graduate, who frequently interacted with listeners, talking about his family life and his love of Cougar sports on social media. 

Wassell was co-host of the midday show. 

Sad Football Weekend--Cougs And Hawks Go Down

 Not much happiness on the sports front as the  Washington State Cougars lost to Oregon. 43-29 and the Seahawks were beaten by the Rams by a score of  23-16.

New Restrictions For Washington

We believe these are reasonable and will get us headed in the right direction on this.

Cardboard Minshew At Coug Game

 During last night's  Oregon vs WSU match up, cardboard cutouts were shown of WSU fans.  This one almost needs no introduction, former Cougar quarterback Gardner Minshew. 

Sadly, Minshew is reportedly out of action in Jacksonville.

MLB's Miami Marlins Make History

 It's a record that's bigger than it's sport.  The Miami Marlins of Baseball's National League have chosen the first female general manager in any of the four major sports in the US with the pick of  Kim Ng.

Ng is also the first Asian American to hold that position in Major League Baseball.  She has a long, successful record, working in the sport.   

Congratulations to Kim Ng!

Go Cougs Go Seahawks!

 Both teams looking for wins this weekend!

Yoko Ono Passing Business Interests To Son Sean

 Signaling the passage of time, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono has passed her business interests including many involving the Beatles to her now 45 year old son, Sean.  

Sean, John Lennon's only child with Yoko and half brother of first son, Julian, is now 45.   He recently interviewed Sir Paul McCartney about the early days of the band. 

Ono is now 87 and reportedly in a wheelchair much of the time. 

Olbermann vs. Trump #24 - Relax! Trump's "Re-counts" Are Just Another MO...

Keith Olbermann is back or at least has been found.  Yes, I take him with a grain of salt, but he is able to bring up things that aren't discussed in the so-called mainstream media.  Thank you to Ken Levine for bringing this up. 

Mariner Kyle Lewis Wins Rookie Of The Year

 Mariner Center fielder Kyle Lewis has been unanimously chosen as the AL Rookie Of The Year for the 2020 season.   He is the first Mariner to win that award since Ichiro in 2001.

The accomplishments of Lewis have been somewhat obscured by the shortened pandemic plagued 2020 season and the fact that the Mariners have the longest playoff draught in professional sports. 

Hopefully, this is the start to great things in the future.  A first Mariner appearance in the World Series would do wonders for our area. 

 

'Jeopardy' host Alex Trebek dies at 80 after pancreatic cancer diagnosis

I found this tribute to Trebek, especially touching.

Biden And Harris Address The Nation

Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris and President-Elect Joe Biden stand with their spouses at the end of their victory speeches.

Popular TV Host Dies

CNN reports the death of Alex Trebek, 80. host of TV game show Jeopardy. 

Trebek had been battling pancreatic cancer. 

Trebek continued to host the show after his diagnosis in March of 2019, showing few signs of  being hindered by the disease.

Ken Levine, pays tribute to Trebek , click here

The 46th President

 Sources have declared former Vice President the winner in very close race.  Kamala Harris will become the first female vice president and the first woman of color to serve in that position. 

Go Cougs

 Pac 12 Football begins tomorrow with it's latest start in memory, due to the pandemic.  The Washington State Cougars will face the Oregon State Beavers in Corvallis. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30pm. 

This will be the first game for new head coach Nick Rolovich.  Bring on the Rolo era!