Review--Top Gun Maverick No Spoilers

Like my other favorite 1980s movie Wall Street, it took over 30 years for a sequel to this iconic feature.  Unlike the Wall Street sequel, Money Never Sleeps, this one will not disappoint.  

Even with a plot with holes big enough to fly an F-14 through,  the movie does have a way of grabbing you.  It has edge of the seat do or die flying that left me gasping.  

Goose's son, who was a toddler in the original, is, of course, now a fighter pilot.  The movie jibes into Val Kilmer's struggle with cancer as Iceman, Maverick's Top Gun rival is seen as an ailing admiral.  Penny Benjamin, mentioned in the original in passing as a Maverick love conquest, emerges as a character.  

I would recommend this picture for all fans of summer "popcorn" movies. 

Memorial Day

 

Well Known Sports Radio Hosts Win Award

Congratulations to former Seattle radio talk show hosts Mike (the Gasman) Gastineau and Dave Grosby for winning the Keith Jackson Sports Media Excellence Award.   

The two popular hosts who had separated shows and then also teamed up for Groz with Gas on Sports Radio 95, helped keep Seattle's professional sports team on the front burner through good times and bad. 

World Class Drummer Alan White Dies

 Alan White, a longtime resident of the Seattle area and drummer for the progressive rock band, Yes, has died.

White also played for John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band and also George Harrison's iconic "All Things Must Pass" album. 

White had lived in this area for many years and was active in the community.  He was in the news last month when his drum kits, which he played on for the Lennon and Harrison albums, were reported to have been stolen from a Newcastle storage unit.  

Living in Maple Valley Washington PROS and CONS

I turn the con into a pro, the long commute allows me to listen to podcasts or talk radio.  It also gives me a chance to clear my head after work. 

Should Biden Run?

 Retired political columnist and now area resident Morton Kondracke writes on the Post Alley blog that running for a second term may not serve the Democrats well.  You can read his work by clicking here.

Texas Gov. Abbott: 14 Children ‘Horrifically’ Killed In School Shooting

Once again, a school shooting. NBC anchor Lester Holt has it right.

Linda Cohn sizzles as America's favorite female sportscaster

I had meant to post this, thinking that it was recent.  This video is actually 6 years old almost to the date, but everything here still holds true.

USA Farmer's Market - Maple Valley, Washington

Here's the Maple Valley Farmer's Market taken from somebody that I would guess is from outside this area. It really is a professional looking video, capturing the breathtaking tall trees.

UB Columnist Drops Names Of Celebrities With Walla Walla Ties

 A big thank you to retired Union-Bulletin columnist Annie Charnley Eveland for somehow working me, the blog, and my Old Walla Walla Radio Group facebook page along with famous Walla Wallans and Whitman graduates like Adam West and Kirby Grant (pictured in character, above), who played the 1950s action TV character, Sky King into her latest column. 

Also mentioned in the article was Patrick Page, who is married to the effervescent TV host, Paige Davis, A Team TV star, Dirk Benedict and some cousins that I admire, Burl Barer, Stan Barer, Jan Barer Curran, Lee Goldberg, and Tod Goldberg.  

Lee and Tod did not grow up in Walla Walla but were annual summer visitors in their childhood. 

You can the article by clicking here.

Maple Valley Farmers Market

The Maple Valley Farmers Market is up and running.  It will take place every Saturday from 9am until 2pm  all through the Summer until September 24th.  

This entertainer treated us to an A-Ha moment. 

The Maple Valley Market is located at 25719 Maple Valley-Black Diamond Rd. SE.  

Walla Walla Comes Up As Puzzle Solution

 Walla Walla, Washington apparently was the solution to a puzzle on Wheel Of Fortune.  I have no idea when this episode ran, but the picture is creating a good deal of "buzz" on Facebook.

Now, I have to wonder how many people who are contestants have even heard of the town, however, you would only really need a W, an L and an A to really get the answer. 

Apple Tree Blossoming

My favorite tree in the back yard, which we planted in memory of my father is now in bloom.

Hey Jude. Paul McCartney Seattle May 3 2022

 

 It's hard to believe that it was over two weeks ago, but I found another great video from the Paul McCartney concert at Climate Pledge Arena.

Golfing Great Bruce Fleisher Passed Away Last Fall

 I was sad to just learn that former PGA golfer Bruce Fleisher had died of cancer several months ago.  In 2009, Fleisher was in town for the Boeing Classic, a senior pro golf tournament. He had come into The UPS Store in Crossroads to ship some of his stuff. I had not heard of him, but he gave me tickets to watch the action at TCP Snoqualmie Ridge.  

I got to watch such golfing greats as Gary Player and Hale Irwin.  It was really a lot of fun and I was always thankful for his generosity. 

Seattle World's Fair Celebrates 60

 The Seattle World's Fair turned 60 last month   I touched on this on an earlier post on the Space Needle being painted its original color.    My parents took my sister and I to the exposition that summer, and I remember the Space Needle (of course), the monorail, and a clear elevator known as the bubbleator    I remember the next time we visited what was by then known as the Seattle Center, the bubbleator was sadly gone.  Many years ago, I was able to find a movie of my family riding the monorail. 

Jean Godden, former area newspaper columnist, wrote an excellent post on the history of the fair on the Post Alley blog.  You can read it by clicking here.

NBA Legend Bob Lanier

 RIP to retired NBA center Bob Lanier.  

 I remember watching him on TV when he played college ball for St Bonaventure, As I remember, it was a night game and on one of those independent networks that carried college basketball back then.  Either HSN or TVS.  I thought St Bonaventure was a cool name for a college and Bob Lanier was the dominant player.  

His NBA career took him to the Detroit Pistons and later to the Milwaukee Bucks.  He was a Hall Of Famer.  

Lanier died on May 10th. 

Pleasant Surprise--Biden Press Secretary Jen Psaki With Fox Reporter Peter Doocy

 Outgoing Biden press secretary Jen Psaki poses with her seemingly archrival, Peter Doocy, who covers the White House for Fox News.   Of course, this picture may anger some on both sides, but in an increasingly polarized political scene, it is nice for me to see.

Jackson Browne "The Pretender"

Far from the stage and bright lights, Jackson Browne released a series of videos from his home.  I love the down to earth feel of this video.

Space Needle Changes Color To Mark 60th

 The Space Needle has been painted its original color (top) to honor its 60th anniversary

Chris Ackerley Optimistic About Sonics Return To Seattle

 On his Iconic Sonics podcast, former KJR Sports Radio 950 host Mike Gastineau interviews Chris Ackerley, son of the late former Seattle Super Sonics owner Barry Ackerley and current Seattle Kraken executive.  

Ackerley speaks about the great Sonic NBA teams of the 1990s and gives his thoughts about the return of NBA basketball to our area.

Tracy Taylor--Auctioneer

 Tracy Taylor announced her new adventure on Facebook.  She will now be doing auctions and speaking engagements for fundraisers.  The former TV and radio talk show host, who really made a name for herself in the community, will work for another former well known traffic reporter, Stephen Kilbreath.  

I'm sure Tracy will enjoy the new hours and still be able use her superb communications skills to bolster some great organizations. 

Taylor also confirms that she is working on some other projects, which will probably be revealed in the future.  

Got To Get You Into My Life Paul McCartney Climate Pledge Arena Seattle ...

One week after the Paul McCartney concert, I've decided to share another clip from the event.

Backyard In The Spring

Falling buds create a red floor in the garden.

Happy Mother's Day

 Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Let It Be. Paul McCartney Seattle May 3rd 2022

Another great one from Tuesday!

Paul McCartney At Climate Pledge--Review

 I cannot say how blessed that I feel to have attended 3 concerts with former Beatles.  Starting with Ringo Starr in 2009.  I then saw Paul for the first time at Safeco Field in 2013.

This past week we saw Paul McCartney again at Seattle's newest venue, Climate Pledge Arena.  McCartney has launched his tour in our state.  He performed last weekend in Spokane.  

Paul comes across on stage as genuine and likable.  The picture above, which I found on Twitter, is of his arrival at Climate Pledge.   His window is down and he is acknowledging his fans, many who are probably not going to his show. Paul did a delightful mix of  songs from the Beatles and Wings, as well as his solo work.

There are some "talking heads" online that talk of his voice giving out. Indeed there are notes that he cannot hit like he used to but hey, the man is nearly 80 years old.  I  don't believe that  he has to tour, he has enough money to last a lifetime and more, but he is still at it.  When he performs, he always entertains.  

Paul was one of four individuals who came together (no pun intended) to create a cultural shift in the World.  It can be argued that he may be the greatest entertainer of all time.  He is a singer, bass player, composer, and even occasionally, a comedian. 

To watch this man perform live is truly a privilege. 

Paul McCartney - Lady Madonna - Seattle May 3 2022 - Climate Pledge Arena

I used this person's video to a song that Paul did real well in his Tuesday show, Lady Madonna!

Happy Birthday, Willie Mays

 

My childhood idol, Willie Mays turns 91 today (May 6, 2022).  Mays was the centerfielder of the San Francisco (originally the New York) Giants and basically wrote the book on how to play the position.  

When started watching baseball on TV, he was pretty much in the twilight of his career, but there was always a certain excitement when he was up to bat. 

According to my source, Mays is the oldest living player in the Baseball Hall Of Fame.

Happy Birthday, Willie! 

Live And Let Die McCartney Seattle 2022

One thing that you can count on is that when I go to a concert that I love, I will post as much of it as I can.  

Live And Let Die, I remember, was the theme to the James Bond picture of the same name.  Many people probably watched the movie on the basis of the song.  When I saw McCartney for the first time, it was an outdoor concert at what was then, Safeco Field.  There were fireworks shot during the song.   This time, the concert was indoors, yet there were still pyrotechnics.

 

Celebrating Here

Having Mexican food tonight to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Maple Valley.

Blackbird Paul McCartney Seattle 2022

Perhaps, my favorite Beatle song.  Paul McCartney performed it masterfully the other day at Climate Pledge Arena 

Happy Cinco De Mayo

 Have a great Cinco De Mayo!

Wynonna & Ashley Judd accept The Judds Country Music Hall of Fame induct...

The inductions of  The Judds into the Country Music Hall Of Fame was indeed a touching moment in the wake of  mother Naomi's death the day before. 

Can't Buy Me Love-- Paul McCartney's Opening Number at Climate Pledge Arena

Paul opens with a Beatle song!

Paul McCartney Plays Climate Pledge In Seattle

Better pix coming 

DESTROYED: Julio Rodríguez Crushes First Big-League Homer

Congratulations to Mariner rising  star Julio Rodriguez on his first home run.  A blast to deep center. 

Hope to see plenty more. 

Country Legend Naomi Judd

 We learned yesterday (Saturday, April 30th) of the passing of Naomi Judd at 76.    Naomi sang with her daughter Wynonna in the legendary Country duo, The Judds.   

The Judds had 14 hits together and had won 5 Grammy Awards before Naomi's premature retirement from hepatitis in 1991. Naomi was also the mother of actress Ashley Judd, who went to high school with my wife in Tennessee.  

Naomi and Wynona had announced last month a farewell tour.

Danny Bonaduce Stuns Fans with Mystery Illness News

Danny Bonaduce, who has worked in area radio since 2011, announced he was stepping away from his morning show on KZOK.  An undisclosed illness was given as the reason. 

Of course, Bonaduce made his fame in the early '70s ABC sitcom "The Partridge Family" where he played a musician in a fictional family band.  The show was loosely based on the real family band, The Cowsills.