Paul Anka singing Diana

Another song from Saturday's Paul Anka concert, I almost didn't post this because somebody

in our row was singing horribly off-key. (wink)

Paul Anka My Way

From last night's Paul Anka performance, My Way. this song was Frank Sinatra's signature song and was also famously done by Elvis Presley.

The melody was taken from a French song, with the words written by Paul Anka.

Pop Music Legend Paul Anka

Paul Anka is still touring at 81.  The multigenerational singer, not even a foot away from me, did a show at the Muckleshoot Casino.  

Anka wrote and performed an amazing number of pop standards including My Way, She's A Lady, Puppy Love.  Anka also wrote the theme song to The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. 

Seattle Times Sports Columnist Calkins On Russell Wilson Legacy

 

The thought of Russell Wilson returning to Seattle, long after retirement to be enshrined in the Ring of Honor amongst rousing cheers, may be only a pipe dream after continued revelations.  

Granted, he lead the Seahawks to its first and so far, only Super Bowl victory, but word has gotten out about attempts to get Coach Pete Carroll and GM John Scheider fired.  

Matt Calkins, of the Seattle Times writes that Wilson's legacy in Seattle, may be beyond repair. click here

Veteran Reporter Jean Godden--Letters To The Editor Are Fading Away

 Letters to the editor, a newspaper reader was to answer back to a paper's editorial views, or point out an inaccurate story, or say that a story should or shouldn't be run.  

In the past ten to 15 years, letters to the editor have taken a back seat to reader's online comments.  Former Seattle Times and PI columnist Jean Godden laments in the political blog, Post Alley, that letters to the paper are going the way of fax machines, phonebooks, landlines.   To read the post click here

5 Misconceptions About Israelis, Debunked

I think that the series of "Unpacked" videos on You Tube, show a pretty even handed look at Judaism, Israel, and the Middle East, although, obviously, some would disagree.  Either way, I think that I have learned much more from watching each of them. 

Brand New Record Player

 

LPs have made a comeback over the years and we got this record player over the holidays. So, actually not "brand new", but we set it up for the first time.

New For The Kiddies

The lovely park in Patrick's Faire, has new playground equipment.  

Sometimes, the best posts are the little things in the neighborhood.

Today Is Presidents Day

 

Former President Jimmy Carter To Receive Hospice Care

 Jimmy Carter will serve the remaining time of his life, apparently. in the peaceful way that he lived it.   It was announced to the sadness of those who lived through his presidency that he will be receiving hospice care at his home.  

The former president, the first that I was able to vote for, took office vowing to change politics as they were.  However, a series of mishaps and probably the lack of support from a congress of which his party was in the majority, in addition to a charismatic opponent in Ronald Reagan, swept him out of the Whitehouse in a Republican landslide not seen in years.

In the remaining decades, Carter has inspired even longtime opponents, by building houses for the poor and his low-key lifestyle.  He is the oldest living former president.  

John Lennon on Monday Night Football 1974

I found this on You Tube, Howard Cosell interviewing John Lennon at a Monday Night Football game.  It is surprising to see Lennon leave the door open to a Beatle reunion.  I remember John in interviews, adamantly against such an event.  

It was a sad irony, that 6 years later, Cosell would announce Lennon's death on Monday Night Football. 

Tim McCarver Dies After Long Baseball Career

I was shocked to hear of the passing of Tim McCarver.  McCarver is, perhaps, better known as a TV analyst than a player, however, when I started watching baseball, he was catcher of the St Louis Cardinals, who would go on to win the World Series in 1967.  As I became an instant baseball and sport fanatic, I had the Cardinal lineup memorized. 

When I hear of his death, I remembered this video that McCarver did with Colin Cosell, the grandson of broadcasting legend Howard Cosell.  The connection of McCarver to Howard is explained in the video. 

CBS 8's former weatherwoman Raquel Welch has died at 82

When famous people pass away, you can often learn new things about them.  

Raquel Welch started her onscreen career doing weather in her native San Diego. This is how her former station celebrated her life. 

Welch Dies At 82

Sources report that Raquel Welch, who was considered one of the "it" girls of the 1960s, has died. She was 82.

My cousin Lee Goldberg has a great anecdote of when he interview Welch for the Daily Bruin, the campus newspaper at UCLA, you can read it by clicking here.

The Snow Returns

Just when we started thinking "Spring", we got another dose of the "white stuff" last night (Monday, February 13th".

Valentine's Day 2023

 Happy Valentine's Day!

Chiefs Win

 The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 with a field goal in the last few seconds.  The team overcame a 10-point first half deficit.

Time For The Big Game

 It's Super Bowl Sunday.  The Super Bowl is not what it used to be, but as a matter of fact, it has been this way for decades.  It is watered down with talk of the commercials and halftime show.  

The two-week interval from the conference finals takes me out of the football mindframe.

It's fun when a time you like is in the game.  Even more fun when the team that you put your heart and soul rooting for is in the game. Such is not the case this year, but I'll still watch.  It's a tradition, after all.

Sunset In The Puget Sound Area

The sunset Saturday night (February 11, 2023) was just gorgeous.  I took this picture from the passenger seat as we drove up 405 to Kirkland 

Carpenters Close To You

Another Bacharach-David Composition.  I heard that this was originally to go to Herb Alpert.  Alpert ws not comfortable with angel sprinkling gold dust, so he passed it on to the Carpenters.

Dionne Warwick I Say A Little Prayer 1967 Original Million Seller

In memory of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Dionne Warwick performs, "I Say A Little Prayer"

Burt Bacharach Dies

 Legendary easy listening composer Burt Bacharach has died. He was 94.  

Bacharach was the more famous member of the song writing duo of Bacharach and David. Hal David wrote the words and Bacharach wrote the melodies.

In the late 1960 and early 1970s, his music practically dominated music radio stations as well as variety shows.  Songs like "What The World Needs Now Is Love" and "Do You Know The Way To San Jose" became pop music standards. 

Bacharach's songs were covered by a variety of artists including himself, but his favorite singer and one who brought the most of his music to the forefront was Dionne Warwick.  

Deb and I were fortunate enough to see Warwick perform live in Las Vegas in 2019.

Jayapal With The President

Washington's 7th district Congresswoman Pramilla Jayapal congratulates President Biden after last night's (Tuesday February 7th) State of The Union address.

Wa-Hi Blue Devils Honor Former Coaching Great Thacker

Walla Walla High School honored former boys' basketball Coach Jim Thacker before a game against the Richland Bombers last month (January 2023). Thacker, became Wa-Hi Blue Devil coach my senior year at Wa-Hi (1975-1976) and stayed at the helm of the program for 30 years. 

Thacker, and a trio of other coaches came aboard after certain towns people felt the previous coaches did not put enough commitment toward competing with other conference programs, a feeling that can still be debated to this day. 

Perhaps, by design, the game pitted the Blue Devils against the Bombers, whose coach, Earl Streufert, played at Wa-Hi under Thacker. 

It could be argued that Thacker was the greatest coach in Wa-Hi history, with many state tournament appearances and in 1998--99, coaching the Blue Devils to its first state championship since 1952.  

Blue Devil and Cougar legend Drew Bledsoe, known nationally as Tom Brady's predecessor at quarterback for the New England Patriots,also played basketball under Thacker in his high school days and was present for the ceremony.  He is pictured above with the coach and other former players. 

BRANDI CARLILE Wins Best Rock Performance For ‘BROKEN HORSES’ | 2023 GRA...

Congrats to Maple Valley favorite daughter Brandi Carlile, who once again, won hardware at the Grammy Awards. Carlile, received 7 nominations, winning in 3 categories. 

Seeing someone from Seattle's smaller suburbs succeed like this, makes it real exciting for area residents like myself. 

Former Seattle Columnist Offers Advice To Perspective Political Candidates

 Jean Godden is name that longtime Seattle residents are familiar with.  Godden was a longtime columnist for the Seattle Times when she left that job to serve on the Seattle City Council. 

Godden would serve three terms on the council.  She is a contributor to the political/Seattle culture blog Post Alley   Having run for office successfully three times, Godden writes13 tips for anyone considering seeking political office.  You can see if you are up to the task of running for a position by clicking here.

Maple Valley Taco Time Gets Facelift

I noticed on my way out of town how good the local Taco Time looks after being closed several weeks for a remodel.  

The location is back in operation.

Dasher And Stuffed Friend

Sometimes the dog can have just the right pose.

Patriot Owner Robert Kraft Wants Tom Brady To Retire As A Patriot.

 CNN reports that New England Patriot owner Robert Kraft wants Tom Brady, who this week, retired from football, to sign a one day contract with the team so he can retire as a member. 

Brady, unarguably, the greatest QB in NFL history was the 199th pick in the 2000 draft.  He got his chance to play after a catastrophic injury to Patriot starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe.  It began a reign of 6 Super Bowl wins for the team.  Brady would notch a 7th win with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  

This Is It: Boeing Hands Over The Last 747 To Atlas Air

Big news around the Puget Sound area and perhaps, around the world as the very last Boeing 747 was delivered.     The plane upon its introduction, helped define the region.

The 747 was nicknamed "the queen of the skies", although I first heard that nickname while watching the news yesterday.