Summer Night

I love June for its clear Summer nights.

RIP Scott Pelleur--Cougar Football Standout

 

I was sad to read about the passing of Scott Pelleur, a WSU linebacker during my time at the college who went on to play for New Orleans in the NFL.  

His brother, Steve, would go to cross state rival Washington and play quarterback.  Pelleur also had three sons who would play college football, one at WSU, one at UW, and one at Montana.

A Familiar Sight

On yesterday's (Wednesday, June 28th, 2023) Mariner Game, they had a cutaway of a paraglider launching off Tiger Mountain. 

Since I pass the landing site driving to and from work, it was exciting.

The game was not so exciting, the Mariners lost to the Nationals 4-1.

America Concert 6--Sandman

I had forgotten about this song from America's first album, but in the concert, the performance, combined with the video footage, was perhaps the most moving part of the concert last Sunday (June 25th, 2023) at the Emerald Queen Casino. 

America Concert 5--Gerry And Steve

Steve Fekete (on the right) plays the lead guitar and keyboards.  Fekete, the latest addition to the band, is very entertaining and engaging, throwing guitar picks to the crowd.  He is shown here with founding member Gerry Beckley.  

America Concert 4: Woman Tonight

One of my favorites from Sunday's (June 25th, 2023) America Concert. 

America Concert 3--Dinner At The Venue

From the Slahal Restaurant Lounge on top of the Emerald Queen Casino Hotel.

We pose in front of the mighty mountain, while we wait for the America Concert.

Daisy Jane--America at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma June 25th, 2023--America Concert Part 2

We joined our friends Marjie and Rick to watch America in concert for the second time.  It was an amazing show at the newly rebuilt Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma.  

With seats on the third row, it felt like the band was singing right to us. 

With a little help from crowd noise, here is the band doing the classic hit, Daisy Jane. 

America Rocks It

Guitarist Gerry Beckley of America jams at the edge of the stage at the band's concert at the Emerald Queen. 

We had amazing seats for the event on Sunday June 25th.

Looking Down At Tacoma

At the Emerald Queen Casino, an amazing view from Slahal Lounge.

We are going to the America Concert.

Splashdown

A crazy moment at the Spokane Red Lion from June, 2014.  This picture came up on my Facebook memories.

Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen (Cover) Connie Talbot

I love this cover of the Queen classic.

Union Pacific: The Great Big Rollin' Railroad 2

Perhaps the most memorable railroad jingle, it took a folksong like approach. 

Air--Review Nike Biopic

 I love biopics.  Maybe it's the idea of knowing the ending that makes them so appealing.  

The movie, Air, takes us to a time that to our generation, seems recent, but so incomprehensible. 

Nike, based in Beaverton, Oregon, was not domineering in the world of basketball shoes   It was after all, a running shoe.  The brands, Adidas and Converse, dominated the sport. 

Michael Jordan was a name that could be mentioned in the same breath as players like Sam Bowie and James Worthy, who while awesome in their own right, would not epitomize the sport the way Jordan did. 

Sonny Vaccaro is the marketing director for Nike's basketball division, which was struggling at the time, the was the mid-80s, Symbols of 80s technology and culture are featured throughout the flick. Vaccaro knows that the company needs to sign high profile players to promote the shoe.  He decides to go after one player, a player who had not yet stepped on an NBA court, the player of course was Michael Jordan.  The decision is to market a show around Jordan.  The catchy name, which at the time, sounded more like an airline than a sneaker would be, Air Jordan.

The tough one to fathom was George Raveling.  George was coach of the WSU basketball team when I arrived, one of the first African-American coaches at a major university, his profile in Pullman was extremely high.  I even was able to interview him when taking the TV-news class at WSU. 

I picture Raveling as very cerebral and well spoken. The Raveling that was portrayed in the movie was prone to street slang.  The difference was very unsettling to me.  

Overall, Air works because you don't root necessarily root for Nike, as you root for Vaccaro and his marketing team.  Overall, I enjoyed this movie, which can be seen on Amazon Prime. 

Celebrating Juneteenth

 Juneteenth, celebrating the emancipation of the slaves is our newest federal holiday. 

Mariners Grab A Win

Bryce Miller takes the hill for the Mariners.

Miller had a great performance in a 5-1 Mariner victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Chicago pitcher Lance Lynn also had a brilliant performance with a franchise record 16 strikeouts.

Sunday Afternoon Baseball

Julio Cruz at bat as we watch the Mariners in the Chicago White Sox at T-Mobile Park 

Happy Father's Day!

 Have a great Father's Day!!!

Nuggets Win First NBA Title While Las Vegas Takes The Stanley

 Congratulations to two first time champions this week.  After 47 seasons, the Denver Nuggets beat the Heat to bring the city its first NBA title.  Then, the Las Vegas Golden Knights beat another Florida team, the Panthers to win the NHL Stanley Cup while playing in only the team's third season.  

It was also a great season for the Seattle Kraken, who took down the NHL 2022 champion Colorado Avalanche. 

Oakland A's Fans Protest With "Reverse" Boycott

 One of the great baseball stories of the year, Oakland A's fans filled the ball park to protest the proposed moving of the team to Las Vegas.   

A crowd of 27 thousand plus showed up Tuesday (June 13th, 2023), more than three times the team's home average to yell "sell the team!".  The owner, John Fisher, had raised ticket prices and refused to sign free agents and promising young players in an attempt to justify the team leaving.  A trick we had seen in Seattle with the Seahawks, who wound up being purchased by Seattle billionaire Paul Allen, fortunately staying here, and by the Seattle Super Sonics, whom we lost to Oklahoma City. 

One Last Video From The Underhills

 

Here is a great rendition of the AC/DC standard, You Shook Me All Night Long.  From last Saturday's  (June 10th, 2023) performance.

Taylor Throws Hat In Auburn Council Race

Tracy Taylor has announced on Facebook that she is running for Auburn City Council.  Taylor, one of the area's most popular media figures, worked most recently for KIRO 7.  She announced that she was leaving the station in April of '22. 

Taylor probably was first known for working traffic at Sports Radio KJR. She worked there as morning man Mitch Levy's Traffic Reporter twice, as well as other radio stations for I Heart Radio, finally leaving for TV.

Tracy will be listed on the ballot by her married name, Tracy Taylor Turner.

 For more information on what she stands for and how you can contribute or volunteer, you can find her website by clicking here. 

The Underhills Rock Downtown Seattle--Rio

Another great tune from The Underhills performance last Saturday (June 10th, 2023).

The Underhills Baba O'Reilly

Another great song from last Saturday.  The Underhills do the Who classic Baba O'Reilly.

The Underhills My Old School

Deb and I along with family and friends, went to Madame Lou's in the basement of the Crocodile. last night (Saturday, June 10th, 2023) to watch The Underhills, which features my cousin Joe Barer, on the guitar (foreground).

We had seen the band last August in Mercer Island.   The band, which includes members of various ages, is Seattle based and does cover tunes from the late 70s, into the early 90s. 

The venue had the atmosphere of an early rock club, with a standing room, loud music and real warm temperatures. Even though it was a cool rainy June day in the area, everyone in the building was pretty much sweating up a storm.  The band was guzzling water and continually toweling off.  

I'll have a few more posts in the next few days.

With My Cousin

My cousin, the guitar player.  We watched Joe Barer and his band, The Underhills at the Crocodile tonight (June 10th, 2023)

Some highlights will be posted soon.

Relaxation Time

Oliver snuggles up on the sofa.

Maple Valley Days Are Here

 

Maple Valley Days, the annual parade and community festival is this weekend (June 9-June 11th, 2023) for a schedule of events, click here     Maple Valley Days has food and craft booths  and features musical entertainment.  The event takes place at beautiful Lake Wilderness Park. 

Bonaduce Surgery Successful

 With excellent doctors and the well wishes of much of the world, the brain surgery for Seattle radio and pop culture personality, Danny Bonaduce, is reported to be a success.

The former TV star is reported to be awaiting an immanent release from the hospital and several weeks of rehab.  

Bonaduce is reported to be suffering from hydrocephalus, which has prevented him from gaining balance and walking. 

Thank You, Readers!

Not even a week into June, we have more hits than all of May. 

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Official Trailer: Season 1 | Stars On Mars

Two of the great Seahawks, Richard Sherman and Marshawn Lynch are just a couple "celebronauts" starring in this "Survivor" type show, hosted by William Shatner. From reading this article, click here  The contestants are in a Mars-like environment in the South Australian town of  Coober Pedy. 

As you would expect, one celebronaut will be voted out each week until the last one is declared the winner.  

Bonaduce To Undergo Surgery

 Danny Bonaduce, the Partridge Family TV Show star, who is currently a Seattle DJ, is scheduled to undergo brain surgery.    The mystery illness that he was reported with a little over a year ago has been diagnosed as hydrocephalus.

Doctors will put a stent and a drainage port in his brain, hopefully allowing him again to regain his balance and to walk.  

Bonaduce has had an up and down career since his time on the sitcom.  He has seemingly found peace here in the area. 

Walking In The Moonlight

The Moon was full last night (June 2nd, 2023).  It made for a great effect when viewing through the trees 

Oliver Not So Little

Man, he is getting big! 

Mullet Joins The Race

State Senator Mark Mullet, an Issaquah Democrat, announced his candidacy for governor today (Thursday, June 1st, 2023).

Mullet joins Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz as Democrats for the open position.

Sound Transit Double Decker Bus

Double decker bus seem in Bellevue. I find them fascinating. They actually make sense in that they take up less room that the articlated buses, but carry more people, thus, better for navigation busy streets.