Sunday, January 31, 2021

Lee Goldberg's Mail Mix-ups


 Lee Goldberg, who was inspirational in getting this blog started, is one of the few family members that still maintains a blog.   His favorite posts are the ones  lampooning emails that he has received.  

Lee Goldberg is also the name of a New York city TV weatherman.  Lee the writer appeared on Lee the weatherman's show a couple years ago.   The two Lee Goldberg's are pictured above.  

In Lee's latest post, he talks of emails that he has received that were intended for New York Lee.   Click here.

Saturday, January 30, 2021

Bellevue Native Sheila Houlahan Featured In New Release "The Little Things"


 Sheila Houlahan, whose parents are friends with my wife's family is headlined as  a "breakout star"  in the Warner Brother's release, The Little Things.   The just released film also features Oscar winners Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto.  She plays the part of Paige Callahan. 

Houlahan also is  a music career,  having attended the prestigious Manhattan School Of Music.   Some of her musical work is featured here.  

Houlahan has also done modeling work for companies such as Amazon and T-Mobile.

Friday, January 29, 2021

Roger Maris Also Took Down Ruth's Record


 The death of Hank Aaron reminded all of us about the pain that he faced when chasing and eventually breaking Babe Ruth's record of 714 home runs.  At the time, I was old enough to openly root for Aaron and his quest.  

Roger Maris also faced adversity when he was in the process of breaking Ruth's single season record of 60 home runs and in fact, his record of 61 was not even recognized by the baseball establishment.  Perhaps it was because Maris played for the same team that Ruth did and maybe a good many Yankee fans had clear memories of the Babe, still perhaps baseball's most treasured icon.

At the time the Yankees were the only MLB team in New York.  The Dodgers and Giants had left for California and the Mets wouldn't arrive until the next season. 

Maris is not in the Hall Of Fame.  This season will be the 60th anniversary of Maris breaking the record. 

Maris died in 1985.

WATCH: Inslee gives update on Washington's COVID-19 reopening plan

Numbers on COVID-19 seem to be improving in the Seattle area, and Governor Inslee seems to be ready to ease this area into Phase 2.

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Reports Say Waldron To Be Seahawks OC


 The Seahawks performance against the Los Angeles Rams, probably lead to the firing of Brian Schottenheimer, and now it looks like a member of that staff will take his place.

Shane Waldron, the Rams pass game coordinator, is reported to be the Seahawks choice to replace Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator.   Waldron is 41 and has been with the Rams since 2017.  He has spent 7 years in the NFL as assistant coach with three different teams.  This will be his first shot as OC.

The Bangles - Hazy Shade of Winter (Video Version)

I believe the Bangles did this for a movie soundtrack.  They hit this note for note.

Monday, January 25, 2021

Tampa Bay Becomes First Team To Play Super Bowl In Own Stadium


 Tom Brady, in his first year quarterbacking an NFL team not called the New England Patriots, guided the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to an upset win over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship.    The final score was 31-26, making the Bucs the first team, since the inception of the Super Bowl, to play on its home field.   A somewhat incredible statistic after 54 previous contests.  

The Bucs will face the Kansas City Chiefs, who beat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship in Super Bowl 55.

Sunday, January 24, 2021

Obama Cola

What ever happened to Jones Soda?  I don't know but this four pack in the garage.  It commemorates the election of Barack Obama as the first African-American president of the United States. 
I wonder if it's worth anything as a collector's item.

Saturday, January 23, 2021

Larry King Dies


 Larry King, pop culture phenomenon  who went from all night radio talk show host to CNN TV interviewer is dead at 87.   A former heavy smoker, King had faced health problems for decades.  

Larry King Live ran on CNN from 1985 until 2010 where he would interview the most influential newsmakers of the day.  King's everyman appearance and gravelly voice, made him easy to relate to. 

It had been reported that King was hospitalized with COVID 19.

Baseball legend Hank Aaron dies at 86 | WNT

I had been unaware about  Hank Aaron's racial struggles until I read it in the history books.  When I started following baseball, he was one of it's great star.   I read in my baseball book that the Milwaukee Braves won the World Series in 1957, the year that I was born.  That cemented his place as a hero to me. 
The game where he hit the home run was on national TV so I didn't get to see it live.  I watched the subsequent celebration. 
When I read about the hate mail that he received, also in a history book,  I made up my mind that I would write him and tell him what a hero that he was to me.  I eventually did write one. 

Friday, January 22, 2021

The Great Hank Aaron Dies


 Hank Aaron, one of the greatest baseball players of all time has died.  Playing for the Atlanta Braves, he broke Babe Ruth's career home run record in 1974.

Vaccinated!

Deb and I received our COVID vaccinations last night.  I'm displaying the little sticker given out at the Overlake Hospital site, upon receiving the shot.  Our work at The UPS Store was deemed essential last Spring.
 I found the shot painless.   We will both need a second vaccine when it becomes available. 
For information on getting a vaccine, click here.

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Larry Scott Leaving Pac 12 Position


 Larry Scott, Pac !2 commission, is leaving his position at the end of June.   Scott, has been under fire over what is perceived to be indecisions that have left the conference lagging behind in money and stature.   

Under Scott's tenure, the Pac 10 added two new schools and a Pac 12 network was formed.  However, the network made reportedly bad deals and has never lived up to it's promise.


Wednesday, January 20, 2021

First Woman Vice President

Kamala Harris takes her oath of office.

Joe Biden Will Assume Office Today


 The Trump presidency is ending soon at this posting. 

 Joe Biden will be only the second Roman Catholic to be sworn in as president.   Sixty years ago, John F. Kennedy became the first of that faith,  at that time, it was a huge deal.  This year, it was rarely mentioned. 

Monday, January 18, 2021

Celebrating Dr King


 Today is Martin Luther King Day.

Doug Emhoff Makes History


 As Kamala Harris makes history as Vice President as the first woman Vice President, as well as other firsts, Doug Emhoff, her husband, still largely unknown, will make history of his own.

Emhoff will be the first husband to a president or Vice President.   He will also be the first Jewish person to serve as spouse to a vice president or president of the United States. The latter is of particular significance to me as I've watched barriers break. 

Upon Harris assuming office this Wednesday, Emhoff will have the designation of  "Second Gentleman"


Saturday, January 16, 2021

Jayapal Tests Positive For COVID-19


 It has been reported that Washington's 7th District House Representive Pramila Jayapal has tested positive for COVID-19.   Jayapal is the first Indian-American woman to serve in the US House Of Representatives. 

Jayapal said in a statement that during the attack of the capitol,  many Republican lawmakers refused masks that were offered as they were locked into a secured room. 

Jayapal's congressional district includes most of the city of Seattle as well as some outlying suburbs.

Thank you to the Cascadia Advocate for information. 

Friday, January 15, 2021

James Taylor: You Can Close Your Eyes (The Tonight Show: At Home Edition)

I thought that you may enjoy this.  James Taylor and family do a singalong the Tonight Show.

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Seahawk OC Schottenheimer Fired


 The Seattle Seahawks are looking for a new offensive coordinator after Brian Schottenheimer was relieved of his duties this week.  The sluggish offense took a good portion of the blame for the team's early loss in the post season.   

In the first half of the season, defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr was thought to be on the hot seat as the Seahawk's defense was the league's worst.     At the time the offense was "cooking" and the team would have it's best start.   

As the season progressed, the defense would improve, but the offense regressed, causing sports writers and fans to question play calling by the team and quarterback Russell Wilson's health.  

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Impeached Again!


 10 Republicans joined forces with Democrats to impeach Donald Trump for the second time.  

The votes was 232 votes for and 197 against in the most bipartisan impeachment in US history.  

Trump, who will leave office next week, becomes the first president to be impeached twice.  

Hurricane Force Winds Hit Area

A heavily weighted basketball hoop lays on the ground following an overnight windstorm in the Puget Sound region.  
Winds were reported up to 70 MPH, and at this time, thousands are without power.  Many roads are closed due to downed trees.

Review--Ken Jennings Hosting Jeopardy


 Ken Jennings has begun his stint as host of the game show Jeopardy for a 6 weeks.  My reaction after watching two episodes almost mirrors a USA Today article

At first, Jennings voice is at least to me, a put off as I had been accustomed to the late Alex Trebek's smooth deep tones.   Once I get used to it, which was the case in both yesterday and Monday's show, everything goes smooth enough for the game to roll.  Jennings, by watching and participating in the program, seems to have adopted both Trebek's intonation and inflection.  

Jennings started his second show mentioning that Trebek had told him that the host is not the star, and I paraphrase, but the contestants are.

Social media reaction to Jennings as host is pretty much split down the middle.

Jennings is considered the Greatest Of All Time after a couple of extremely successful runs on the program as contestant.  

Jennings has Seattle ties. 


Monday, January 11, 2021

Sunday, January 10, 2021

Tommy Lasorda Dies


 Tommy Lasorda, the longtime manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, passed away from a heart attack last Thursday.  Like his predecessor, Walt Alston, he managed the team for over two decades, but unlike Alston, Lasorda  became not only bigger than his team, but also his sport.   

Enveloping himself in the Los Angeles lifestyle and hanging with A-list celebrities, Lasorda was seen as a lovable bubble of fun and great quotes, but his life was not without controversy. 

It was reported that he did not acknowledge a son, Tommy, Jr, who had come out as gay.  Tommy, Jr would later die of AIDS in 1991.

Lasorda led the Dodgers to two World Championships and at the time of his death was the oldest living Hall Of Famer at the time of his passing.

In a report on SB Nation,  a paragraph sites an unconfirmed report that Lasorda would later admit that his son's death was AIDS related and that he apologized  for his homophobia.


Saturday, January 09, 2021

Good Night Alex

The last Jeopardy episode with the late Alex Trebek was last night.  There was nothing out of the ordinary until after the credits ran.  
A tribute video following Trebek through the years went on, showing many of the lighter moments of the show. 
Trebek died late last year after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Here Comes The Rams--Part 3


 

Friday, January 08, 2021

Charlie's Angel Star Gets Her Wings


 Hollywood heartthrob Tanya Roberts, who replaced Shelly Hack on the iconic ABC show "Charlie's Angels", died this week.  Roberts had a starring role in the James Bond thriller "A View To A Kill" and later played a mom on "That '70s Show".  

Roberts had been hospitalized since collapsing after walking her dogs on  Christmas Eve.

Thursday, January 07, 2021

Football Great And Former Seattle Businessman Floyd Little


 Floyd Little, a Hall Of Fame running back, has died of cancer. He was 78.  

Little attended Syracuse, the school the great Jim Brown had attended as well as Ernie Davis.  At 5'10 and 195 pounds, his last name fit him well, but his statistics are incredible.  Little rushed for 6323 yards and 43 touchdowns.  He also caught 215 passed for 2418 yards and 9 touchdowns.  

Little played his pro ball for the Denver Broncos, a team which at the time he joined, was considering relocation.  Known as Mr. Franchise, Little is credited with helping to keep the team in Denver. 

He also had an auto dealership in the Seattle area for 32 years after his retirement.

Wednesday, January 06, 2021

Washington Governor's Mansion's Grounds Breached


 Trump protestors entered the yard of the governor's mansion in Olympia today according to The Seattle Times   Sources say Governor Inslee is in a safe location. 

Trump Supporters Breach Capitol


 Election protestors stormed the US Capitol causing an evacuation of  members of Congress. 

Lee Goldberg Returns To True Crime Uncensored

Burl frequently interviews family members on his show/podcast True Crime Uncensored.  On this recent episode, he welcomes back his nephew, also my cousin, writer Lee Goldberg.   They discuss Goldberg's TV writing, including the Show Monk

Monday, January 04, 2021

Seahawks Will Face Rams This Weekend

 

The Seahawks, winner of their division, will have to play on Wild Card Weekend.  Their opponent will be the always tough LA Rams.   The Seahawks are 4 and 2 against divisional rivals this season, splitting with the Rams and Cardinals, while sweeping the San Francisco 49ers.

Yesterday's victory over the Niners was a tough 26-23 contest.   Due to California COVID protocols, the game was played on the Cardinal's field in Glendale, known to many Seahawk fans as the house of horrors.  Jamal Adams injured his shoulder and Jarran Reed had an oblique injury.

The Seahawks will play the Rams at 1:40 pm this Saturday. 

Sunday, January 03, 2021

Paul Westphal Played And Coached For Seattle Super Sonics


 For the second time in last couple weeks, a former Sonic coach has passed on.   Hall Of Famer Paul Westphal, who played for the Sonics for a short time in the early 1980s, then would coach the team from 1998-2000 has died from a brain tumor.   KC Jones who coached the team in the early 90s, passed away last week.

Like KC Jones, Westphal also played at one time with the Boston Celtics, but he is probably better known from his playing days and later, coaching days with the Phoenix Suns.    He coached the Suns into the NBA finals in 1993.

Westphal played his college ball at USC. 

Barers Of Maple Valley Breaks Record


 In the busy pandemic year of 2020, Barers Of Maple Valley did a record 391 posts, shattering the previous record of 387 from 2018.

Friday, January 01, 2021

So Long To These People We Lost In 2020





 
A partial list of people that we will miss in the new year.  A few who you won't see in 2020 recaps and a few that you will.  Pictured here from top to bottom  

Cousin Aaron Barer

Grandmother-in-Law Lillian Eldridge

Seattle Rock Icon Pat O'Day

Former Spokane News Anchor Beverly Carr

Jeopardy Host Alex Trebek.

Others who we could include are Gale Sayers, Lou Brock, Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, Bob Robertson, Dawn Wells, Slade Gorton, Phyllis George, My High School Science Teacher Jim Tomlin, and many more.  

Happy New Year!!