Beat The Steelers

 Go Seahawks!!

In 2023--We Lost

 

They will all be dearly missed. 

Maple Valley Christmas Lights 3

Maple Valley Christmas Lights will go a few more nights, according to what I've read on Facebook.

In Loving Memory | Tom Smothers | 1937 - 2023 | If I Had A Ship

Remembering the late Tommy Smothers of the legendary Smothers Brothers.

Singer-Comedian Tom Smothers

 Tommy Smothers, who have his brother Dick had a singing comedy act that endeared or angered a generation, has died.  He was 86.  

During the turbulent late 1960s, the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour aired on Sunday nights.  The act was Tommy goof balling or singing  a lyric wrong and Straight man Dick trying to get him back on track. Their songs were traditional folk music.

The show which was very edgy contained rock music and sketches containing political comedy, quite a stretch for the time.  

The show was inadvertently cancelled in 1969, leading to a lawsuit against CBS. 

Beautiful The Carole King Musical

Deb and I went to the Village Theatre in Issaquah last night (Wednesday December 27, 2023) to watch "Beautiful The Carole King Musical".  

It was fun and was like both a trip down memory lane and a pop music concert.

It depicted the life of Carole King, a shy, modest young woman with amazing talent.

It features her turbulent marriage with her composing partner, Gerry Goffin.  Also, the couple's competition and friendship with composing couple Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

The production is finishing its Issaquah run and will move to Everett, where it will be featured from January 6th to 28th.

Maple Valley Christmas Lights 2

Amazon was well represented at the Maple Valley Christmas Lights House.

A Very Merry Christmas

 

Maple Valley Christmas Lights

We visited the Maple Valley Christmas Lights display which took donations to Maple Valley Food Bank and other local charities. The display is at 226 SE 263rd Pl in Maple Valley.  Click here for dates and hours.

Andy Williams - Silver Bells (Official Audio)

A Christmas favorite!

Blue Friday--Go Seahawks

 Seattle takes on the Tennessee Titans this Sunday (December 24th, 2023) at 10am PST. 

Molbak's Plans To Quit Business

 It's been a Woodinville landmark for decades, but it has been announced that Molbak's, the city's home and garden shop will close for good in the coming year.  

Apparently, the store was unable to find way to fit in to a coming redevelopment by the landowners.   The store was started 67 years and ago and ownership of the business has stayed in the family.  It has brought attracted shoppers from throughout the Puget Sound region. 

Just last week, we visited the establishment while in Woodinville to dine with family. 

The Last DJ

In honor of the late Jim Ladd, this great Tom Petty song is said to be a tribute him.  

Iconic LA DJ Jim Ladd

 Los Angeles DJ Jim Ladd died this past weekend (Sunday, December 17th, 2023).  He was 75.   

Ladd, was famous nationwide  for his syndicated radio program, Innerview (spelled exactly like that).  It was a program where he did features on Rock Acts.  The show ran from 1974-1986  It ran on some 160 radio stations. 

During that time, Ladd worked for LA radio stations like KMET, where I heard him during my brief time in SoCal.

Ladd's genre was basically freeform, where DJ's play album cuts and choices are not necessarily based on what record where the top sellers during a given week.  Music was the star of that format, more than radio personality, although, it took a certain amount of talent on the part of the host to make the format work. The DJs, rather than clowning around, presented information about the music. 

The Tom Petty song, The Last DJ was said to be a tribute to Ladd.  

Ladd had been working for the SiriusXM station Deep Tracks.  

Seahawks 2--Lighting Up The Field

Lumen Field, where we watched the Seahawks upset the PhiladelphiEagles on Monday Night Football, is lit up by thousands of cell phone flashlights, creating a starry night effect

Seahawks Beat Powerhouse Eagles On MNF

The Seahawks, trailing the entire game, came back for an exciting victory over the Philadelphia Eagles last night (December 18th, 2023) on Monday Night Football.  The final score was Seattle Seahawks 20 Philadelphia 17.

. 

 

Woodinville Holiday Decorations

Oliver and I pose under the large Christmas ornament in Downtown Woodinville.

The city's Wine Alley has an artificial snowfall during the holiday season 

Ken Levine Goes Down Memory Road With Variety Of Radio Jingles

On his weekly podcast, TV writer Ken Levine played his collection of radio station jingles. It was a fun little trip down memory lane.  

In the pod, Levine explains how and why he acquired the jingles. 
 

Maple Valley Christmas Lights

From 2018, I'm hoping we get a chance to see the display this year. 

The Turtles - Lloyd Thaxton Show (1966)

Two people that I have been lucky enough to get to know are in this video.  

Lead singer of the Turtles, Howard Kaylan move just a few miles from our UPS Store in Bellevue.  Him and his wife were frequent customers.  They have since left the area.

Lloyd Thaxton, whose teen dance I used to watch in my youth, I met through his blog.  Our contact was purely through email. But he was kind enough to send an autograph sticker for a book that he wrote and that I purchased. 

Iconic Radio Personality Danny Bonaduce Retiring

 Our friends at the radio-TV blog QZVX reports that KZOK radio morning personality Danny Bonaduce is retiring from radio.  

Bonaduce, who played teenage pop star Danny Partridge in the early 70s sitcom, The Partridge Family, frequently made tabloid headlines as he battled substance abuse and other demons. 

His Seattle years have been relatively quiet and peaceful, really only making news after a battle with illness caused him to temporarily step away from the mic.

Bonaduce's new home will be in the Palm Springs area, though he says he will keep a Seattle residence. 

Maple Valley Menorah

Maple Valley has this Hanukkah Menorah standing at the Wilderness Village Shopping Center. 

It is right by the Village Inn on Witte Road.

Maple Valley Christmas Firetruck Visits The Neighborhood

Christmas adorned and music blaring, the Christmas firetruck came to our neighborhood.  The truck goes down every street, collecting food and donations.  

This is a tradition that we're happy to see continue.  

Our 10 month old puppy was able to get in on the action, taking a little attention away from the festivities.

 

Blue Friday For Seahawks Fans

 Seahawks face the San Francisco 49ers for the second time this season this Sunday (December 10, 2023). Go Hawks!!

Happy Hannukah 2023

 

Adam Sandler's Hanukkah Song Part 8 (rewrite/cover) 2023

First night of Chanukah is tonight (December 7th, 2023)!  My You Tube buddy presents his latest version of the Sandler classic. 

Norman Lear Shattered TV Boundries

 Norman Lear, who along with partner Bud Yorkin changed prime time TV forever, has died.  Lear was 101. 

Lear was the creative force behind All In The Family, which took viewers where TV had never been before. The show, about a working class man named Archie Bunker, lived in New York with his wife, and his activist daughter and son-in-law.  

Archie was a man of traditional values, with little tolerance for minorities or the changing American culture.  Son-in-law Mike Was an anti-war protestor, out to change the world, that was so comfortable for Archie. 

The frequent tension between the two made for great TV and the show became a hit on CBS.  Lear was also responsible for shows like Maude and Good Times, as well as a few other comedies.  

It also paved the landscape for MASH and Mary Tyler Moore, also hits for CBS.  

KOMO 4 Celebrates 70

Iconic retired KOMO 4 news anchor Dan Lewis (center) appears with current anchors Eric Johnson and Mary Nam to celebrate the station's 70th anniversary on air yesterday (Tuesday, December 5th, 2013).

How Did the October 7 Hamas Attack Change Israel? | Unpacked

Here is a heartwarming story about the state of Israel. I have learned a great deal from these Unpacked videos. 

Holiday Season Begins

Deb put Hanukah gnomes up in my office.

An Evening At Jazz Alley

We went to Jazz Alley last night (Saturday, December 2nd, 2023) with friends to watch sax player Boney James.  

James is a four-time Grammy winner.

It was Deb and I's first time visiting the Downtown Seattle nightclub.

We then went to desert at the nearby Palace Kitchen.

Sundown On Oregon Coast

Seaside from a few years ago

George Santos Expelled From Congress

 George Santos, left in the picture has been expelled from the House Of Representatives by vote of 311 to 114.    Santos, fodder for months for late night TV talk show hosts, was accused of campaigning with false information, as well as various ethical and legal violations. 

Santos, a Republican, represented New York's 3rd District. 

Kissinger Dies At 100

 Henry Kissinger, high profile National Security Advisor and Secretary Of State in the Nixon-Ford administrations is dead at 100.

Kissinger, a very polarizing figure, was one of the last surviving figures of power in that era. 

Although by most to be handsome in the traditional sense, he was famous at first for dating celebrities until he finally married. 

Issaquah Landmark Closes

 Not to wear out a cliche, but it truly was the symbol of a bygone era.  The Triple XXX Root Beer Drive-In has closed.  The owner has retired, according to a KING 5 report.

Deb and I would enjoy a dinner and a frosty mug of root beer, once every summer, although this past summer we were not able to make it.  

The establishment also was the location for various car shows. 

Another throw-back once a summer visit was the Valley 6 drive-in theatre in Auburn.  That closed for good about 10 years ago.

I haven't heard anything official but I have heard rumblings that it may reopen in the future with a new owner.  We'll keep you posted. 

First Ladies Attend Carter Memorial

 Four of the five surviving first ladies attended the funeral of Rosalynn Carter in top picture.  All five in the front row of the bottom picture. Current first lady Jill Biden is to the right of former president Bill Clinton.

The service was also attended by former president Jimmy Carter.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra 5--Pyrotechnics

More from Saturday's concert at Climate Pledge Arena.

Lee Goldberg Returns For Book Signing

Almost 18 years to the day I watched Lee and his brother, Tod at a book signing at U Village, Deb and I got another book signed, this time at Third Place Books in Seattle suburb Lake Forest Park. 

 Lee, my cousin, appeared with fellow author and friend, Robert Dugoni to promote his latest book, Calico.

Dugoni, a mystery writer (right in lower picture) interviewed Lee in the presentation.  

Calico is Goldberg's first Western. It is a story taking place in the late 1800s.  Lee lives in the greater LA area. 

Trans-Siberian Orchestra At Climate Pledge 4

Players went into the crowd to connect and personalize the show. 

Trans-Siberian Orchestra 3--Human Music Box

It reminded me a little of the bubbleator at the Seattle World's Fair, some 61 years ago, but a sphere resembling a huge old fashion music box, rose up with a woman dancing inside.  

Definitely,a sight to behold at the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert last Saturday (November 25th, 2023) at Climate Pledge Arena.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra 2--Carol Of The Bells

Hopefully, I can show enough to make you want to go to next year's show. 

Trans-Siberian Orchestra At Climate Pledge Arenna

 

We went to watch the Trans-Siberian Orchestra yesterday (November 25th, 2023). It is a laser show, somewhat acrobatic multi-instrumental Christmas music presentation.  It was a real sensory experience and well worth attending.  O Holy Night was one of the clips that I'm posting. 

Go Cougs!

 

Last Apple Cup with Washington as a member of the Pac 12.

Former KOMO Weatherman Steve Pool Dies

 Steve Pool, weatherman on KOMO 4 in Seattle for decades, has died.  The announcement was made by his wife this morning.  Pool, who retired in 2019, had a very easy-going friendly TV style that made him one of this area's favorites.  

Barers Of Maple Valley sends its condolences to family and friends.  

Thanksgiving 2023

 Happy Thanksgiving to you!

The Eagles 2021

Two years ago this month.  Watching the Eagles in our first visit to Climate Pledge Arena.

Husky Departure Will Not End Apple Cup

 The rivalry will go on, sources say that the annual match-up between Washington and Washington State will continue, at least for another 5 match ups after this the one this week.

The playing of the annual match had been threatened last August when Washington and Oregon agreed to leave the Pac-12 and join the Big 10.

This year, the Cougs are looking to upset the Washington Huskies, who are having a dream season at 11 and 0 and are ranked number 4 in the nation.  

Next year's contest will be played at Lumen Field, which is the Seahawks stadium, on September 14th.  Traditionally, the game takes place in November around Thanksgiving. 

Legion Sports Bar Is A Winner

 Last Saturday night (November 18th, 2023) we met up with some friends at the new Legion.  It is a new restaurant in Downtown Bellevue owned by former Seahawks Richard  Sherman and Kam Chancellor, along with another partner..  They were principal members of the Seahawks legendary Legion Of Boom, a defense that helped take the 'Hawks to two Super Bowls. 

We were able to get a table right away (the restaurant does not take reservations).  The room was filled with TV screens, all but one tuned to the Oregon State-Washington game, of course. 

We were happy with our food.  I had the jerk chicken dish.  The restaurant is loud, but fun (or, you could say, loud and fun), and the prices are reasonable.  I would be happy to return. 

Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter

 Rosalynn Carter, First Lady from 1977-1981 has died.   She was 96. She was the wife of Jimmy Carter, a Democratic governor from Georgia who was elected president in 1976, only to be defeated in a landslide in 1980. 

Both Carters grew up in the small town of Plains, Georgia. 

Cougs Beat Colorado And Coach Prime

 Congrats to the Cougars, who were able to beat the Colorado Buffaloes 56-14.   It was the first win for the Cougars since September 23rd, as the team followed up a 4-0 with an inexplicable 6 game losing streak.  

The game got extra attention because Colorado were coached by Deion Sanders, whose nickname is Coach Prime.  

Go Cougs

 

Fall Colors Abound

Looking at the trees that have turned color in our neighborhood 

Sen. Markwayne Mullin challenges Teamsters leader to a fight. Bernie San...

The mainstream media has to love this.  Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin challenges the Teamsters President to fight right in the capitol.  

Senator gets his 15 minutes of fame, while Bernie Sanders lectures both parties. 

Enjoying A Seahawk Game

Watching the Seahawk Dance Team perform at halftime at yesterday's (November 12th,2023) game.

The contest was a nail biter, with the Seahawks beating the Washington Commanders 29-26 with a last second field goal 

Go Seahawks

 The Seattle Seahawks will play the Washington Commanders this afternoon (Sunday, November 12th, 2023).  Barers Of Maple Valley will be there!

It's Veterans Day

 

Kilmer Retiring From Congress

 Derek Kilmer, who represents Washington's 6th District in the US House Of Representatives, has announced that he will not seek reelection according to the Post Alley Blog.

Kilmer, a Democrat was first elected in 2012, succeeding long time Representative Norm Dicks. The district includes Bremerton and the Olympic Peninsula. 

Washington Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz has dropped her bid to become Washington governor in order to run for Kilmer's congressional seat.  Franz is also a Democrat.

Candidate With Autism Wins In Walla Walla City Council Race

 A candidate with Autism, has apparently won a seat on the Walla Walla City Council defeating a one term incumbent.  Jeff Robinson, whose record of public service is quite impressive is leading Susan Smiley Nakonieczny.  

Robinson is currently a member of the Walla Walla City Planning Commission and is a case manager in aging and long-term care.

Susan, whose late brother was a friend of mine decades ago and whom I consider a wonderful friend, showed class in apparent defeat, wanting to be the first to congratulate Robinson. Robinson praised Nakonieczny for her service.  

There is no doubt that Robinson will be an inspiration to many.  

Taylor Turner Wins In Auburn

 Tracy Taylor has most likely defeated incumbent James Jeyaraj  for position 3 of the Auburn City Council. Jeyaraj has been serving as Auburn's deputy mayor. 

 Taylor, who was listed on the ballot by her married name of Tracy Taylor Turner, became known for reporting traffic both on radio and TV for several stations in the Seattle area. 

Although name recognition was a factor, Taylor wore out shoe leather doorbelling voters in the city and waved signs in rainy fall weather.  

The Beatles - Now And Then (Official Music Video)

In case you hadn't heard the latest Beatles release.  

Walla Walla's Unique Record Store Owner Featured

 In the Conservative relatively, clean-cut town of Walla Walla, Washington, Jim McGuinn happily stands out.  He is the owner of what is reportedly the oldest independent record store in the state of Washington, Hot Poop. 

Hot Poop, in 50 years, has gone from a small record store on the outskirts of town, to a prominent Main Street landmark.

McGuinn is now a beloved mainstay of the town.  I have pleasant memories of McGuinn, who had knowledge of seemingly everything related to music and loved to talk.  We had many long conversations.  

As a teenager, I learned of Hot Poop in, of all things, an ad in the Wa-Hi Journal (our high school newspaper).  Soon, they were advertising on KTEL, which played rock music at nights, Monday through Saturday.

Annie Charmley Eveland, the great feature writer of the Walla Walla Union Bulletin wrote a wonderful feature on the store.  click here

It's Not As Late As You Think

 Daylight Savings Time has ended.  If you haven't already, turn your watches and clocks back one hour.

Wear Your Blue

 Seahawks take on the Ravens, Sunday (November 5th, 2023) at 10 am PST.

Rangers Win It All

 Congrats to the Texas Rangers for winning the World Series in 5 games over a pretty darn good Arizona Diamondback team.

With the last two World Series champs coming from our own division, our Mariners will need to make some big changes in the off-season.