Memorial Day 2021

 

BJ Thomas

I had just heard of the passing of BJ Thomas.  Thomas had a string of hits in the late 60s and early 70s, including the iconic . Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. A song by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

Honoring Our Vets On Memorial Day Weekend

Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson joined two other volunteers to pass out poppies to honor veterans in front of the Crossroads UPS Store.  

Mickelson Wins PGA--Becomes Oldest Golfer To Win A Major

 

Congrats to Phil Mickelson, who at 50 years of age, won the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, South Carolina last weekend.  He is now the oldest professional golfer to win a major tournament. 

It was the 6th major tournament win for the lefty golfer. 

KNBC-TV Live On-Air Incident

This incident, from the August of 1987, speaks to the professionalism of a TV news crew.  I had not heard about this incident, but everyone playing their roles allowed a peaceful solution to a terrifying moment. 

Sadly, David Horowitz, the well known consumer advocate who kept his cool, has since passed on. 

Puget Sound Media Reports Shiers Retirement

 Congrats to Frank Shiers, longtimFMe Seattle broadcaster at stations like KLSY and KIRO.  Frank did his last newscast  for 97.3 KIRO, earlier this month according to Puget Sound Media.  

Frank was station manager at KUGR at WSU for the 1976-77 year, where I got my first broadcast gig.  

Former Walla Wallan Breaks Journalism Gender Barrier

 The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin reports that Sally Streff Buzbee  has been named executive editor of the Washington Post.    Buzbee will be the first woman to serve in that position in the 143 year history of the paper.  

Buzbee had previously been executive editor for the Associated Press.  The Washington Post was purchased in 2013 by Jeff Bezos.

Buzbee, a widow,  lived in Walla Walla with her family until 1977.  Her sister, Pam was a classmate of mine at Walla Walla High School. 

Cascadia Offers Stunning View

Looking out from the deck of Maple Valley's new Cascadia Wood Fire Pizza. It has taken over the building that used to house The Testy Chef.

Former Sonic Coach George Karl Interviewed On Gastineau Podcast

 

Mike Gastineau, former Seattle Sports Radio host,  has a podcast as part of  Sonics Forever, a web site featuring history of  the Seattle Super Sonics.  The Sonics, who were part of the NBA expansion in 1967, was Seattle's first major sports team in modern times.   The team sadly moved to Oklahoma City over a decade ago.  Recently, NBA talks of expansion have given fans hope. 

On the latest podcast, Gastineau interviews former Sonic Coach George Karl (pictured with Gary Payton above), George's son, Coby, who also coaches (lower picture), and former Sonic GM Bob Whitsitt.  The four conducted the interview at Dick's on Queen Anne, near where the team used to play. 

You can listen to Coach Karl, Coby, and Whitsitt by clicking here. 

Mitch Unfiltered Podcast Still "Must Listen" Material

 Mitch Unfiltered, going on it's third year, is still fresh and compelling.  The podcast, which features former Seattle Sports Radio 95 KJR morning host Mitch Levy along with Co-Host "Hot Shot" Scott Soden features stories with interviews and banter on subjects  some relating to and others of no relation to sports. 

A new episode is generally available on Mondays, that is recorded on Sunday and is free to all listeners .On Thursdays, a subscriber only podcast is available  on Patreon.   You can become a subscriber for as little as 5 dollars a month or 55 dollars a year.   If that interests you, you can find the button to subscribe by clicking here.   The so-called "P" or Patron episodes become available on Thurdays

With a subscription to Mitch Unfiltered on Patreon, Soden occasionally does a separate podcast featuring a Rock or Pop music artist.  Some of the artists featured include Phil Collins, Steve Perry of Journey, Heart lead singer Ann Wilson, and Stevie Nicks.

Levy, who built a reputation at KJR for his ability to conduct an interview,  will speak to guests from anywhere on any topic, solo.  Soden joins at the start and finish of the pod.  

To stay engaged with his listeners, Levy has held contests, personal appearances (pre COVID) and had Zoom discussions with his audience.  

Unlike some other former Seattle radio teams, who have gone into the podcast world, Levy's podcast has indeed aged well. 

.  

Shooting Near Maple Valley Bar Leaves One Dead

 A man is dead following a shooting at the nearby Red Dog Saloon in Maple Valley.  Very little is known about the cause or what provoked the incident.  The Red Dog, a long time land mark on the outskirts of Maple Valley reported on its Facebook page that two cars had pulled into its parking lot, one was shot and ran into a telephone pole.   The post also said that neither driver involved was  a customer at the establishment. That post has since been deleted.  

It's unknown, according to sources at this time whether the man died from gunshot wounds or the crash.  The investigation into the crash was hampered by damage to the pole.

Fighting In The Middle East--Sides Must Be Taken

 In today's politics, if you don't pick a side of a certain issue, you will be vilified, from both sides.  This is even more prevalent during the horrific conflict in Israel.  

This very reasonable tweet pictured above by Israeli actor Gal Gadot  (famous for playing Wonder Woman), was met by scorn by both vocal supporters of Israel  and those who support the Palestinian cause. 

There is nothing in this that supports Hamas or any other cause, but just a wish for peace, similar to prayers recited in our temple or expressed in this video 

It's like if you don't pick a side, it's like standing the middle of a highway with two semis approaching from either direction. 

Mt. St. Helens Eruption May 18, 1980

An unforgettable moment.  I was at WSU, over 300 miles away, where the skies turned dark.  Then ash began falling like snow. For the next few weeks, the city of Pullman was bogged down in ash and students were allowed to leave campus, skipping finals.  The city was a ghost town.  

The eruption of Mount St. Helens was 41 years ago, today.

Lauren Jackson Of The Storm Going Into Naismith Hall Of Fame

 Lauren Jackson, who helped lead the Seattle Storm to 2 WNBA championships, is being inducted into the Naismith Hall Of Fame.  Jackson, a 7 time WNBA all star will enshrined amongst stars like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.  

Jackson has won 3 Olympic silver medals playing for her native Australia.  Her number 15 has been retired  by the Storm.

Eddie Mays Inn--Walla Walla Early 70s

 From the Bygone Walla Walla blog, I had forgotten that an addition was added to the Marcus Whitman Hotel in Walla Walla, the signature building in the city, in the late 60, early 70s.  It was known as the Eddie Mays Inn. It was sold in April of  1971, underwent an extensive remodeling and emerged as Stuart Anderson's Black Angus.

It's The Mountain

On a beautiful Friday evening, Mount Rainier pokes it's head over Maple Valley.

Whitesnake - Here I Go Again '87 (Official Music Video)

The late Tawny Kitaen at maybe her best and arguably her most famous moment, dancing on a car hood.

Karl Herrman's "No Smoking" Campaign

 Karl Herrman was a Washington State politician who served as our state's insurance commissioner from 1969-1977, during that time, whether it was part of the job or an additional job, he was state fire marshal.

At the time, No Smoking signs were very rare.  Except for schools, halls of worship, or combustible areas, people could and did smoke anywhere and everywhere, even in the houses of non smokers.  It was a different world. 

Therefore, No Smoking signs were very attention grabbing.  Insurance Commissioner  Herrman's name was on those signs.  So what, you ask?  Well Herrman held elective office and upon running for a second term in 1972, became the first candidate for elective office in this state to get one million votes.  

When Herrman ran for a third term in 1976, his  opponents saw an opportunity in presenting the observation that his name on the signs was essentially a campaign paid by the state.  Even many of his fellow Democrats thought it was quite fishy.

Karl Herrman, four years removed from getting the highest total of votes for a Washington state candidate, was defeated.

Walla Walla Baker In Food Network Competition

 Italian born baker Michele Pompei of Walla Walla has been making news for competing  on the 4th season of Best Baker In America, which is currently running on the Food  Network. The season has already been shot, but Pompei cannot divulge the results.    

 Pompei operates Walla Walla Bread, a bakery-restaurant in the town, located on Main Street in the building where Fancy Dan's was located in the 1970s.    

Deb and I ate there a few years ago in one of our  visits to my hometown.  

Kelenic To Join M's

 He is considered the number 4 prospect in Major League Baseball, Jarred Kelenic has been called up to join the Seattle Mariners.   Kelenic had gotten off to a great start with the AAA Tacoma Rainiers.

DK Metcalf "Pro" Track Debut 10.36 in the 100m dash

DK Metcalf, Seahawk superstar wide receiver, tried his hand at track, pulling a 10.37 at the 100 Meter Dash. 

Tawny Kitaen--The "It" Girl Of The 80s

 Tawny Kitaen, who became famous for dancing on the hood of a car in the Whitesnake video "Here I Go Again" , has died, she was 59.

Kitaen was a co-star in the movie "Bachelor Party", she also had TV appearances in shows like "Married With Children" and "Seinfeld". 

 Kitaen was married to Whitesnake lead singer David Coverdale  and later MLB pitcher Chuck Finley.  

Tawney was born Julie Kitaen in San Diego in 1961.  As of this post, cause of her death is unknown.

Happy Mother's Day

 Happy Mother's Day!

Redmond Golfer Gets Two Aces In Single Round

A big congrats to August Leinweber, Jr. (above left), a golfer who lives in Redmond.  Leinweber was golfing with his son at Echo Falls in Snohomish when he got a hole in one.   That is a rare and remarkable feat in itself, but before the round was over, Leinweber got a second hole in one.  

The odds of a golfer having two holes in one, according to what I read in the Seattle Times, is 67 million to one.

No doubt, this will bring a tiny amount of  national fame to Leinweber,   

Lock Your Car

Our neighbors posted that after some cars including mine got hit.

I went to my car thinking that I was careless and left my glovebox open, when I saw both glovebox door were open, I knew what had happened.

Nothing of value was taken and no damage had occurred. Generally, I keep my car locked and in the garage.

In 20 some years of living in this neighbor, this is the first real crime incident that I can remember

King County Deputies called me later.

Go-Gos Seattle 8-14-11 06 Beatnik Beach

Sometimes, you run into a video that you are surprised that it is still posted.  We were at this concert at the Woodland Park Zoo, the annual series is known as "Zootunes" almost 10 years ago. 

Delilah Buys Hometown Station

 Like many others, Delilah started her career in a small town dreaming of becoming a radio star.  What she may not of dreamed of  is owning that first station.  Puget Sound Media reports that Delilah, area radio megastar, has purchased Oldies1030 KDUN in her hometown of Reedsport, Oregon. 

Happy Cinco De Mayo

 

Inslee Announces No COVID Roll Backs Anywhere In Washington At This Time

 

In spite of  thoughts that Governor Jay Inslee may have counties roll back into more restrictions, the Seattle Times reports that all  Covid phases across the state will remain as is for now.

The report by Times reporter Ryan Blethen says that Inslee will reevaluate in two weeks on which direction each county will go, whether it be forward, backward or stay put. 

The Gates Have Split

Word has been received that Bill and Melinda Gates have separated.   People Magazine reports that Melinda Gates filed for divorce in King County. This comes a little over 2 years after another Seattle Billionaire, Jeff Bezos divorced his wife.

Seaside's Amusement Park--Very Much Missed

 One of our favorite places to visit  is  Seaside, Oregon  Deb and I usually go twice a year, once in the winter and once in the summer.  Since my wife and her family are originally from the East Coast, they only discovered the town a couple decades ago. My memories go back to the 1960s, when there was a carnival with rides on Broadway.  This post tells us about the Gayway Park, as I learned that it was called and why it is no longer in operation, click here.

Allman Brothers Blues Band - Melissa - Acoustic - Live Music - Gregg & D...

There are certain songs that are so good they hit me in the heart, Melissa, often known as Sweet Melissa is one of them.

Virginia Mahan--Walla Walla Funeral Director

 I've learned that Virginia "Ginny" Mahan, of  the Herring Funeral Home in Walla Walla, has passed away  on April 16th.  Ginny had been there to console us through some very difficult, sad times.  

When my father passed away in 2016, Mahan said that it was one of the most difficult services that she ever had to arrange. 

Mahan, the daughter of funeral directors Norman and Beth Herring, had herself suffered tragic loss.   A brother was killed in the mid 60s in a fall from a moving ambulance.   Her Mom, who ran the funeral home after her father's death, died suddenly in 1985.

Mahan's sons, will continue operations of the establishment.  

First Day Of May