Byron Murphy II Selected By Seattle Seahawks Pick #16 In 1st Round Of 20...

Congrats to our new Seahawk, defensive tackle Byron Murphy II from Texas.  

Go Hawks!

Sue Bird Now A Co-Owner Of WNBA Storm

 The Seattle Times reports that Sue Bird, one of Seattle's most popular athletic figures of all time, is joining the Seattle Storm ownership group.  

Bird helped the team win 4 WNBA championships in her 20 years with the franchise. She is the all-time scoring assist leader for the Storm, where she spent her entire career. 

Tulip Season

Deb brought these from the Tulip festival in La Conner, WA

Passover Begins Tonight

 Happy Passover!

Mariners Find Snow On The Road

Football game, yea. But how many times do you see snow at a baseball game?  

This was, of course, Denver and it may be forgotten when the team plays the Texas teams in the middle of the summer.

The Mariners won that game (Saturday, April 20th, 2024) 7-0 over the Colorado Rockies.

RIP Roman Gabriel

 One of my childhood heroes has passed away, Roman Gabriel who quarterbacked the Los Angeles Rams from 1962-1972 passed away this morning (April 20th, 2024), according to son, Roman Gabriel III.  

When I first watched football in 1967, Seattle did not have a team (and wouldn't for another 10 years).  The Rams were on TV practically every week, so I quickly became a Ram fan.  I loved his name (perfect for the LA Colosseum  where the team played its home games.  

It was an era of great quarterbacks as Bart Starr, Johnny Unitas, and Joe Namath also played in that era. 

Gabriel was the NFL's first Filipino American quarterback.  A two time All-American at North Carolina State, he finished his NFL career as a Philadelphia Eagle in 1977.

Neighborhood Gets A Treat

A sign that summer is coming soon.  The ice cream man visited our cul du sac. 

It brought back memories of my childhood.

Noa Tishby Speech | FIDF on Oct 17 in NYC

It's tough to find a more motivated speaker and a more tireless advocate for the State Of Israel than Noa.

How Sweep it is! Mariners Take All Three Games from Reds

After a tough start to this 2024 season, Mariner fans got good news as they swept a three game series with the Cincinatti Reds.  

The team had a well deserved day off yesterday, but get back into action today (April 19th, 2024) against the Colorado Rockies in Denver. 

Weekend Update: Caitlin Clark on the WNBA Draft - SNL

Caitlin Clark, an outstanding college basketball player, maybe the best, shows that she is also media savvy, in this appearance on SNL.  

Ken Holtzman--Pitching Ace

 Former MLB pitcher Ken Holtzman has died.  He was 78. 

Holtzman played from 1965 to 1979. He retired as a Baltimore Oriole.  

Holtzman is a three time world series winner, and pitched 2 no-hitters.  Because of his Jewish faith, became known as "the next Sandy Koufax".  In a rather odd category, he was listed as the winningest Jewish Major League pitcher of all time.   

I had Holtzman's baseball card as a child in the late 1960s and he became a favorite of mine, just as all the Cubs had.  Finding out that he  was left-handed and Jewish became "icing on the cake". 

Holtzman was, in 1971, traded to the Oakland A's who proceeded to win the World Series in three consecutive seasons, from 1972-1974.

Holtzman was a native of St. Louis.

Amazing Race Season 36 - Team Walla Walla Pre-Interview

Hopefully, this can stay up!  Walla Walla (my hometown) people have turned up more often on reality programs, as well as Jeopardy. While a Tri-Cities radio personality was on the Golden Bachelor.  

Spring In Our Yard

This tree in our backyard had bloomed beautifully.

Brakeman Bill--Pacific Northwest TV Icon

 Brakeman Bill McLain, whose children's program on channel 11  in Tacoma was broadcasted across the Pacific Northwest via cable, passed away at 96.

McLain, whose show did the usual kid's program thing, cartoons and birthday shout-outs, would dress as a railroad brakeman while playing straight man to a wise cracking sock puppet known as Crazy Donkey.  Brakeman Bill had a very friendly demeanor, while seemingly exasperated by Crazy's antics.  

Although the Brakeman Show had been off the air for decades, he still has a Facebook fan club with well over 2 thousand members.  Quite a testimony to the power of his personality. 

Breakfast At Black Diamond Bakery

The Black Diamond Bakery is one of the most iconic establishments in the area.  

It's a bakery, coffee shop, and restaurant.

It features a picture window with a spectacular vista of Mount Rainier.

It's about a 15-20 minute drive from Maple Valley.

OJ Simpson Dead At 76

 OJ Simpson, at onetime a national hero for his accomplishments as a running back for USC and Buffalo Bills, but whose legacy was changed by murder charges, has died at 76.

Simpson later went into acting and was a favorite in the comedic series Naked Gun series where he played bumbling cop Nordberg.  He was also a pitchman for Hertz.

Almost 30 years ago, he was accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown, as well as, her companion, Ron Goldman.  It became a polarizing moment in our history as Simpson's race became an issue.  

Simpson was acquitted , which brought up two issues, a separate justice system for the wealthy and famous and racial injustices for African-Americans. 

Plane Buzzes Our Yard

I didn't take this picture, but a huge military flew past our backyard yesterday at an amazingly low altitude.  Probably a C-17 cargo plane.

I had gardening gloves on and it disappeared before I could get a good shot 

This had happened before.  Last July,  I was at work when Deb told me about a huge plane flying low and shaking up the house.

Dasher Remembered

One my favorite tricks that I taught Dasher, as we remember him fondly, actually, my favorite trick, was to retrieve the newspaper in the morning.  

I would teach Oliver, except that I only get the Sunday paper now.  

Dasher left us in 2023. 

 

See the initial moment of eclipse totality in North America

Here in the Seattle area, we did not see any sign of the eclipse.  The skies were too cloudy.  

It was visible in other places and it made big news.

I remember the one from 2017.

National Championship Tonight

 UConn takes on Purdue for the Championship of NCAA Men's Basketball tonight (April 8th, 2024).  Tip-off is at 6:20pm pacific daylight time.

Did the Lost Tribe of Menashe End Up in India? | Unpacked

I had no idea of Judaism in India.  This video covers that and is very informative.

Oakland A's To Play In Sacramento For A Few Seasons

 It has been announced that the soon to be former Oakland A's will temporarily relocate to Sacramento while a planned new stadium is being built in Las Vegas.  The A's will have something in common with Sacramento's only major league sports team, the NBA's Kings in that they both spent time as a Kansas City team.  

The team will play in Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for three seasons with an option for a 4th. 

The park is currently home of the Triple A Sacramento River Cats. 

I wonder if the Players Association may protest this.  When the Mariners had tiles fall in the Kingdome in 1994, as memory serves, the American League would not let the team play in Cheney Stadium in Tacoma because it is a minor league field. 

City Buzzing Over Radio Stations Turning Country

 Some loved it, some hated it, and others thought it was an April Fool's joke.  Long time rock station 101.5 is now Hank 101.5, formerly Star 101.5, although I remember listening to it before I moved to Seattle and it was "The New KVI-FM" .

Fans weighed in their opinions on Facebook.

At the same time, KPNW, which had been playing adult album alternative (although I wasn't aware of it), has switched back to Country, now known as the Bull.  

Sadly, the switch also meant loss at both stations, including to two familiar Seattle radio names, Marco Collins and Marty Reimer. 

Maple Valley Workers Repair Sidewalks

Cheers to Maple Valley for repairing uneven points of the sidewalks in our neighborhood.  

A great thing for dog walkers like us.

Quality Time With Our Dog

Oliver and me.

The Electric Prunes - I Had Too Much To Dream (1967) 4K

Here is a memorable song, that you may have forgotten.  1967, psychedelic music came on the scene.  Here are the Electric Prunes.  This song gets little to no airplay, but out of the blue, I thought about it. 

It's April Fool's Day

 Don't get tricked!

Last Ski Outing Of The Season

Rick and I hit the slopes for probably the last time in the season on Friday (March 29th, 2024).

It's Easter

 Wishing you a Happy Easter!

Hawaiian Punch Commercial (1975)

Another commercial from the past.  We thought this was really funny back then.

Start Of Baseball Season

Opening night 2024 Mariners season 

Dave Niehaus Welcomes Back Baseball for 2024

Go Mariners!  Baseball season begins tonight (March 28th, 2024)

Senator Joe Lieberman--First Jewish Candidate On A Presidential Ticket

 Joe Lieberman, the senator from Connecticut who became the first Jewish Vice-Presidential candidate, has died of complications from a fall.  

Lieberman was named by Al Gore to be his running mate in 2000, the first known Jew to run on a major party presidential ticket. He may have become the first Jewish vice president if the US Supreme Court would have allowed a recount of the Florida vote. He was later under consideration to run as a Republican VP by Senator John McCain. 

With moderate views on social issues and hawkish defense views, Lieberman found himself in a political no-man's land in the increasingly polarizing political landscape. He left the Democratic party after losing in the primary to retain his senate seat, he would run as an independent in that election and keep his seat. 

Joe Lieberman was 82. 

Cougars Name McCoy As Interim

 Washington State University has announced that Anne McCoy, senior deputy director of athletics and senior woman administrator, will take over the empty athletic director position at an interim basis at the school.  

It was announced yesterday (March 26th, 2024) that Pat Chun had resigned from the AD position to take the vacant spot at the University of Washington. 

Campus reaction to Chun's leaving has been predictably unfavorable, from Coug fans angry that he is going to the school's arch rival and those angry that he is leaving in the middle of a search for a new men's basketball coach   Kyle Smith, announced the day before (Monday, March 25th, 2024) that he will leave the school to coach at Stanford.  

Washington State president Kirk Schulz has announced a nationwide search to replace Chun as AD.   

Vintage Burger King Commercial - Have it Your Way - 1974

I can't believe this ad campaign by Burger King was 50 years ago.  

Kyle Smith Leaves Pullman For Stanford

 It's not shocking but sad for Cougar fans like myself, it's been announced that men's basketball coach Kyle Smith, who led the team to a surprising NCAA tournament appearance, and a victory in the first round is leaving the program for former conference rival, Stanford.   

Starting next season, Stanford, along with California will compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference, as part of a mass exodus, from the Pac 12.  

Cougar Dream Season Ends

 The 23-24 men's basketball season for the Washington State Cougars ended last night (Saturday, March 23rd, 2024).  The Cougs were beaten by the Iowa State Cyclones 67-56.

The loss was devastating as the Cougs now return to Pullman, but fans on social media saluted the incredible season that saw a team predicted to finish ninth or tenth in the conference, gain it's first NCAA berth since 2008.  This is certainly a season to remember for Coug fans. 

Go Cougs!!!

 Washington State faces Iowa State for the right to advance in the NCAA tournament.

Cougs Beat Drake In Tournament

 In a game that was too close for comfort, the Washington State Cougar men's basketball team defeated Drake 66-61.  The Cougs advance to play Iowa State tomorrow (March 23, 2024).

Oliver Enjoys The Sun

Oliver, posing next to a blossoming tree.

One More video from Snoqualmie Summit--3

Here is a much longer video.  Hopefully, soon, we can tackle tougher terrain.  

It's Spring

Our tree is now in full bloom!

Cougs Are Dancing Again

 The Washington State University Cougars are in the NCAA Tournament (The Big Dance) for the first time since 2008.  The Cougs were perhaps the biggest surprise of the year, going 24-9 in a year where they were picked, at the beginning of the season, to finish no higher than 10th in the Conference.

The Cougs earned the number 7 seed in the East Region and will play the 10th seeded Drake this Thursday (March 21st, 2024) at 7pm PDT.

Remembering My Father

 Today (Monday March 18th, 2024) marks 8 years since my father's passing. 

Familiar Names In Tod Goldberg Novel

 I just finished Gangsters Don't Die,  by my cousin, best selling author Tod Goldberg.  It was the third in a series about a fictional hitman who posed as a Las Vegas Rabbi. 

Tod, much like his brother, Lee, also a writer, often uses real names in his work for fictional characters.  This is something that I have come to expect.  However, in this book, I was shocked to see the names of both my grandmothers, Esther Barer and Marie Granek, as well as names from my childhood, Clara Jaffe, Leona Siegel, and Violet Epstein, all members of the Walla Walla synagogue in the 60s.  Their characters, mentioned in passing, were part of a widows' coffee klatch.  In reality, I think they were featured in an old Walla Walla newspaper as part of the B'Nai Brith Women.  The BBW put on an annual rummage sale. If you have the book, you can find the names on page 342.

Also in the book, there was a "Cousin Mike".  Was I the inspiration for that character?  I'll probably never know.   

Happy St Patrick's Day

 Wear your green!

More Skiing at Snoqualmie--2

This one is actually the first one that Rick took.  I'm still getting used to recently purchased skis.  

The conditions were sunny and warm.  A great day to be on the slopes.

Thursday on the Summit

My buddy, Rick and I had a great time skiing at Snoqualmie Summit.  Rick was able to shoot me going down the hill.

Eric Carmen--Rock And Pop Artist

 The death of Eric Carmen was shocking.  He was 74.  His band, the Raspberries did the hard rockin' "Go All The Way" before going solo with soft rock classics like "All By Myself" and "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again". He totally reinvented himself.

I was surprised of the outpouring of grief on social media (the bulk of his work was in the 70s) and also that he was of Jewish origin.  May his memory be a blessing. 

Carmen's death was announced Monday (March11, 2024) by his wife.

Dog Time

Oliver and I share a moment.

Russell Wilson Now A Steeler

 Russell Wilson, the only quarterback to lead the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory, will have a new address. 

After two unsuccessful seasons with the Denver Broncos, Wilson is slated to play quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Wilson left Seattle in a 2022 deal that was thought by some to be a fleecing of the Seahawks.  As it turned out, Seattle seems to have gotten the best out of the deal. 

Oscars 2024: 'Oppenheimer' wins Best Picture at the 96th Academy Awards

Well, I did watch the Academy Awards last night (March 10th, 2024), actually, I usually watch bits and pieces.  The program ran twice, so I could watch most of the program.  

Congrats to Oppenheimer, seemingly a well deserved best picture winner.   For other winners, click here.

Maui 10--Close Up On Our Whale Watch Journey

 We purchased this picture taken by a professional photographer on our trip. 

Maui 9--Gekko Sighting

Saw this little fellow crawling on the wall near the pool at the Worldmark.

Steve Lawrence--Singer From Yesteryear

 

A singer the  grown-ups listened to, legendary crooner Steve Lawrence has died. He was 88.  Lawrence, with telegenic looks and a smooth voice, was a staple on variety shows in the 60s, often teaming up with his wife Eydie Gorme.  Sadly Gorme died in 2013.

In 2006, Deb and I went with my dad and Jean to see Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme in Palm Desert.  It would be the first of many concerts that we would enjoy at McCallum Hall. 

Maui 8--Where We Stayed

We had a great pool at the Worldmark in Kihei.

Maui 7--Whale Watching

We went on a boat tour, Sunday to watch the whales. Although, they were easy for us to see, they were nearly impossible to photograph with a phone camera. We still had a great time, as there was lunch served on the boat. 

 I Hope to have better pictures of the whales soon.

Maui 6--Relaxing On The Island

 I took this from our balcony.  Our second day there.  

Maui 5--The Grand Wailea Resort

We had dinner and explored the grounds at The Grand Wailea Resort, a luxury hotel, not far from where we stayed.

Maui 4--More Sunset

We did one sunset video.

Maui 3--The Sunset

This was taken from our room at the World Mark in Kihei, Hawaii.  

We welcomed great views each night.

Maui 2--Funny Signs

Fun signs at Moose McGillycuddy's where we had our first meal. 

It was down the street from where we stayed in Kihei.

The bar and grill afforded a great view of the beach across the street.

Fun Trip To Maui

Deb and I enjoy a cocktail on our 6 hour flight to Hawaii.  

More photos to come.

Cougs Beat Bruins

The Washington State Cougars kept their winning ways up with 77-65 victory over the longtime basketball powerhouse UCLA Bruins.