Richards No Longer Producer Of Jeopardy

Variety reports that Michael Richards has been fired as executive producer of the TV game show Jeopardy. 

The reasons are probably the same as what caused him to resign the hosting duties.

Remembering Ed Asner, TV's "Lou Grant" - Dead at 91, Rest In Peace!

Asner was 91 and having appeared in TV shows in parts of  5 decades.  One of the last surviving main characters of the Mary Tyler Moore Show. 

Chicago Concert Part 2

 Deb and I attended our first outdoor concert since watching the Doobie Brothers and Santana at White River in Auburn over two years ago.  We couldn't have picked a better one than Chicago.  

It was a full house as it took us about an hour to get through the line.   We were staying at a hotel in Bothell and got a Lyft ride to the venue.  We had a picnic on the grounds of Chateau Ste Michelle.  Concert goers complimented us on the spread that we put out.  

Chicago is a band that I have wanted to see for decades.   The band's beginnings were in the 60s, their hitmaking really began in the early 70s, at first as a horn heavy Rock band and evolving through the '80s as a pop ballad group.  

There are three original members in the band.  Keyboardist Robert Lamm, trombonist James Pankow,  and Trumpet player Lee Loughnane.    Two early key members are gone, Guitar player Terry Kath who died tragically in 1978 and Peter Cetera, who went on to a very successful solo career.  

It would take all night for the band to play their entire song catalogue, but they did cover what seemed like all of the bands most popular songs.  They played Make Me Smile/Color My World in the early part of the first set and 25 or 6 to 4 in the finale.  They included songs from the ballad heavy 1980s like Hard Habit To Break.

All told, it was a fun and memorable evening. 

So Long Lou Grant

CNN reports veteran actor Ed Asner has died. He was 91.  Asner portrayed Mary Tyler Moore's gruff but lovable boss Lou Grant, on the Mary Tyler Moore Show.  Asner would later play the same character on "Lou Grant", which was a drama.  He is perhaps the only actor to play the same character in both a comedy and a drama. 

With Asner's death, Betty White is now the only surviving regular character from the Mary Tyler Moore Show.  White is 99..

Chicago Rocks The Winery

Deb and I had a great time at Chateau Ste Michelle with friends Marjie and Rick watching Chicago in concert.

Sirhan Parole Approved

 Sirhan B. Sirhan, who snuffed out the dreams of so many when he shot Senator Robert F. Kennedy, could walk free after spending the majority of his life in prison.  

Sirhan, who was convicted of murder and originally sentenced to death, was found "suitable for parole" on his 16th attempt.  Sirhan's fate is now in the hands of California's governor. 

Kennedy had just exited a crowded victory party at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after winning the 1968 California Democratic Primary when he was gunned down.  This happened less than 5 years after the Senator's brother, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a Dallas Motorcade.  

Aftermath of Grassfire on Pipeline Trail in Maple Valley

Here is another look at the trail in Maple Valley after Wednesday's grassfire.  

Beyond Left or Right: Whose Fault is Antisemitism? | Antisemitism, Expla...

Although I'm don't remember facing blatant Antisemitism growing up, I have always noticed that there is a little bit of it on both sides of the political aisle.  As I have said, to the Left, we are thought of as bankers and industrialists.  To the Right, we are thought of  radicals and intellectuals.  Perhaps, both sides are correct in some ways, because as small as we are in numbers, we tend to fill every space.  

This video, from the "Unpacked" series on You Tube, provides more evidence to that theory. 

Fire In Maple Valley

At the pipeline trail behind Belmont Woods in Maple Valley, there appears to have been a grass fire 

It looks like it was brought under control quickly, a good thing because it could have destroyed our neighborhood had it not been contained. Coming home last night, I do not recall smelling smoke.

I'll post details if I can find them.

Dave & Busters To Open In Belllevue

 We were able to visit Dave & Buster's open house in Bellevue at the Wilburton Village.  It is scheduled to open later this month.  

Dave & Buster's  is a national chain of combination, restaurant, sports bar and game arcades.  The one in Bellevue is located at 316 116th Ave NE. 

We wore masks to the event, although I temporarily removed mine for the picture. 

What's Up Doc!

Caught this rabbit hopping around our backyard yesterday.  

He was taking advantage of Dasher being at work.

Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts dead at 80

More on Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones.

Rolling Stones Drummer Charlie Watts Dies.

 Rolling Stone Drummer Charlie Watts is dead at 80. 

Statue Of Issaquah City Fathers

On the way to Formula Brewing in Issaquah, this statue depicting what are designated as Issaquah's city fathers, caught our eye.

I looked for information online, but so far, have not found it.

Remember These Images?

Advertising symbols from years gone by are plastered on this building behind the Shell station in Maple Valley.  

Richards Quits As Jeopardy Host

 Just days after being named permanent host of Jeopardy, Mike Richards has resigned that position after comments on podcasts revealing misogynist and anti-Semitic  statements were revealed.  Richards also garnered suspicion with his method of attaining the job.  He was executive producer of the  show and reportedly was in charge of picking the replacement for popular host Alex Trebek.   

Trebek died late last year after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. 

Bellevue Still Growing

Taken at Bellevue Way and NE 12th Street outside The UPS Store, cranes dot the landscape as Bellevue continues building high rises.

Seahawks Sign Adams

 The presseason drama for the Seahawks is over as Safety Jamal Adams has signed a 4 year deal.  Adams set an NFL record for quarterback sacks by a defensive back with 9 and a half in spite of missing 4 games due to injury.  

The Seahawks acquired Adams last year in a trade with the New York Jets.      In the trade, the Jets acquired from the Hawks 2 future first round draft picks, a Seahawk safety, a third rounder and a fourth round pick. 

Remembering My Sister

 My sister, Debbie, who went by Terri, would have turned 62 today.  She passed away in June of 2015.

Boeing Classic Senior Golf Tournement Returns To Area

 After last year's cancellation, the Boeing Classic,  for PGA players 50 and over is returning to Snoqualmie Ridge this weekend.   It had been cancelled last year due to the COVID pandemic.  The Snoqualmie Ridge course is just 14 miles from Maple  Valley. 

It recalled when I got to go to the practice round for the tournament in 2009 (pictured above). I got to see many greats like Gary Player and Hale Irwin in person. 

BrohamM Rocks Party

The local band BrohamM entertained at our friend Marjie's 50th birthday celebration at the banks of the Snoqualmie River in North Bend.

The band, which includes the Hammond brothers, did a wonderful performance playing R and B and funk.

A crowd of family and friends enjoyed dinner and dancing.

Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4 | REACTION

This You Tube regular gives his interpretation of the Chicago classic 25 or 6 to 4.

Mariners Honor Edgar

 No doubt, one of the the most popular Mariner players, Hall Of Famer Edgar Martinez has been honored with a statue outside T-Mobile Park. 

It's Friday the 13th!

 Whether or not you think Friday the 13th is unlucky, you can always have fun with it.

A Year Later--Remembering Pat O'Day

One year (and a few days)after the passing of Seattle radio legend Pat O'Day, I thought that I would share this autograph I got from him on his book, (It Was All Just Rock n Roll).

I had not made any of his autograph appearances, so I sent the book to his real estate agency in the San Juans.

Congrats To Seattle's Sue Bird

 Seattle is now home to a 5 time Gold Medal winner,  Sue Bird helped the US Women's basketball team win it's 7th Gold Medal in a row.  In doing so, Bird won her 5th Gold.

Add that to her Seattle Storm's 4 WNBA titles and you can see we have something really special in this town. 

This will be Bird's last Olympics.  She is shown in this picture with US Basketball teammate Diana Taurasi. 

Cuomo Resigns

 New York's governor Andrew Cuomo has resigned his position in the wake of sexual harassment allegations according to CNN.  The resignation will take affect in 14 days

June Daugherty Coached At Both U-Dub and WSU

 

I read in the Seattle Times last weekend of the passing at 64 of June Daugherty, who coached women's basketball at WSU for 11 seasons.  Daugherty had been a featured speaker at a banquet that I attended with friends several years ago honoring the Cougar men and women's teams. 

Daugherty led the Cougar women to 3 Women's NIT appearances.  

Previously, she had led Washington Huskie teams to 6 NCAA appearances.   

Daugherty began her coaching career with the Boise State Broncos.    

 

Rookie Jarred Kellenic Tossed In Mariner Victory

Mariner Jarred Kelenic was thrown out of the game for protesting a called strike. Manager Scott Servais also got the boot.  The Mariners defeated the New York Yankees in that game 2-0.

ירושלים של זהב- JVocals, חזניות העולם שרות לירושלים. Yerushalayim Shel Z...

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I was totally awed by this video featuring women Jewish cantors, all singing individually from living rooms, studies, and temples.  Yet they are able to blend together as if they were in one room.  

Even though they are from all over the country and world, the fact that they are singing in Hebrew makes it difficult to detect any regional or national accents. 

Happy Birthday, Burl!

Cousin Burl Barer, almost 10 years, my senior, turns 74 today!

Remembering Markie Post from TV's "Night Court" - Dead at 70, Rest In Pe...

I really liked Markie Post on Night Court.  Just minutes ago, I found out about her passing.  

May her memory be a blessing.

Thank you to Dave Sundstrom for the video. 

Mike Richards To Be New Jeopardy Host?

 There is word that Mike Richards is in "advanced negotiations" to be the successor to the late Alex Trebek as permanent host of Jeopardy.  

Since Trebek's death, a series of guest hosts, most well known have done one or two week stints as host of the show.  Richards also took his turn in the early going, probably the least known.  

Many thought that these were auditions for the job, although, I'm pretty sure that the series of different host were chosen to help smooth the transition between a beloved host and the eventual successor. 

Some revelations from Richards past work may complicate the choice.

Wa-Hi Blue Devil Class Of "76

 I didn't get to Walla Walla for our 45th reunion, but I did get the picture by email.  

Theatre Name Brings Back Memories

The movie space in the brand new Aegis assisted living facility is titled The Bel Vue, the name of an old theatre in Bellevue.  It was located in Belle Square before it's biggest remodel.

I remember  watching the movie, All The President's Men at that theatre in the 70s when we were visiting from Walla Walla.

I don't know if the their is a story to that.

Historic Family Picture

 This picture (above) was taken after my Grandfather Barer and his family escaped from Russia by crossing the Dniester River, the dad, B. Barer, had already left the country.  

From left, my grandpa, Israel, his brother, David (Uncle Dave),  his mother, Risa (my great grandma), and his sister, Sophie (Aunt Sophie). 

This was sent to me from my Uncle Arny, who apparently got the  picture from my Cousin Leigh's Facebook post. 

As the oldest of my generation, I have some memories of my great grandma. 

City Looks For Answers In Death Of Runner

 Residents of Maple Valley have come together to post signs and find out more information on the death of Greg Moore, an area resident who was struck  by a car on a Sunday jog a couple of weeks ago.  Moore can be seen with wife, Michelle in the picture above. 

Moore was a husband and father who worked as a contractor.   Signs asking for information can be seen in the doors of businesses around town and you can find this reader board  on the highway.

There is also a go fund me page  to raise money for a  reward on information to help find the driver.  

Steve Hits 50 With Maple Valley Party

 My brother Steve, on the left, turned 50 this weekend and we celebrated with a party in our backyard.  We included a DJ, and a visit from the ice-cream truck.  Everyone had a great time. 

DJ Jay "spun" great music with everything from Sinatra to AC-DC.

Steve got to pose in the ice cream truck. 

Although a little rain fell for the first time in weeks, it did not dampen the party and actually made things a little cooler.