WSU Flag Is Back

Game Day is back on ESPN. I caught the white WSU flag.  The crimson one was also visible.

Suncadia

Here is a video from a few years back, the Suncadia Resort in Central Washigton. 

 

Lee Goldberg's Calico Review--Tough To Put Down

 First of all, do not read any reviews of this book until you have read it yourself!!  There are secrets that can be given away that could spoil the read.  

Calico, by Lee Goldberg, sat on my shelf for months because it was a western and those who know me, know that I'm not really into that genre.  

I bought this while attending the author's book signing last winter.  After months of collecting dust, I opened it and was hooked by the first page. 

Page turner may seem like a cliche, but Calico really fits the bill, it's imagery and imagination, so vivid, it is like going to a movie. 

It's hard to really write more without crushing the book's impact.  This may be Lee Goldberg's best work yet. 

You can find Calico on Amazon by clicking here.

Mariners Win Again

Julio Rodriguez rounds the bases after hitting a homer in the Mariners 6-2 victory over Tampa Bay.

It was the second homer that inning.

The Mariners have now won two series in a row under the helm of New manager, Dan Wilson.

That was the third game I've attended this season.

Maple Valley Town Hall

With the city council in smart matching blue shirts to his left, Maple Valley Mayor Sean Kelly addresses towns people at the Town Hall last night (Monday, August 26th, 2024). 

The meeting, which also celebrated the anniversary of the incorporation of the town, took place at the Legacy Site 

A good crowd showed up.  Other officials, including state house member Bill Ramos, were also present 

Attendees were treated to ice cream and cake 

Ice Cream Man

The ice cream man where's traditional white outfit with red bowtie at a music festival at Confluence Park in Issaquah.  

After a few days of rainy weather, it was a perfect sunny day.

Seahawks Get Exhibition Win

We went to our first Seahawk game of the season.  The Hawks beat the Cleveland Brown 37-33.  Although the game did not count in the standings, we saw some great plays on both offense and defense.

Dan Wilson Era Begins

 

Former Mariner catcher Dan Wilson is now the team's manager.   This will be Wilson's first time in that  position.  

The Wilson era got off to a good start last night (Friday, August 23rd, 2024), as the team overcame a four run deficit to beat the San Francisco Giants in extra innings 6-5

Performing At Carillon Point

Performing at El Encanto at Carillon Point in Kirkland, my cousin Joe Barer on guitar and Eddie Malakoff on keyboards, they are also members of the rock band, The Underhills.

Servais Reportedly To Lose Job As Mariner Skipper

King 5 TV reports the Seattle Mariners are firing veteran manager Scott Servais.

The move comes as no surprise as the team, once leading its division by 10 games, has seeming lost its footing. 

Parents of Israeli hostage address DNC crowd

A plea to send home the hostages taken in Israel on October 7th at the Democratic National Convention.  

Gimme Shelter Plays Last Issaquah Concert

Looking like the legendary rock band, Gimme Shelter played Rolling Stones music, thrilling the crowd at the last Concerts On The Green, a weekly summer feature at the Community Center in Issaquah.

Kirkland 4--Point Of Sail Easy Lover

 One more from last Thursday's concert at Marina Park in Kirkland.

Talk Show Pioneer Phil Donahue Dies

 Phil Donahue, whose daytime talk show broke new ground, has died.  His shows, featured a single topic and he would take his mic into the audience to allow them to question guests and express their opinions.  

The show, which originated in Dayton, Ohio, eventually moved to Chicago in the early 70s, were it became a national hit. 

Donahue was married to Marlo Thomas, another groundbreaking TV figure, who had starred in the ABC comedy, That Girl.  The marriage lasted 44 years, until his death yesterday (Sunday, August 18th, 2024).

Phil Donahue was 88.

Sunday Downpour 2--Front Yard

 I continued to video the storm in the front yard, where I actually was outside.

Sunday Downpour

 

It's been a stormy weekend. Last night (Saturday, August 17th, 2024), I drove though a rough thunderstorm.  Today was sunny and mild, this.  Taken in our backyard. 

What Really Happened To Seattle Supersonics

This is a great history of the Seattle Super Sonics.  They left in 2008 to become the Oklahoma City Thunder, but word is, they will be coming back in an NBA expansion in the next few years.

Kirkland 3--Brandy Point Of Sail

When of the older Yacht Rock songs. 

Greg Kihn--Pop Star Of The 80s

 Greg Kihn whose namesake band was popular in the '80s has died, reportedly of Altheimer's Disease, he was 75. 

Kihn sang the catchy "The Breakup Song", actually released in 1978. Also, a later hit simply titled "Jeopardy" 

During a period of either long hair or close cropped hairdo's, along with heavy synthesizers, Kihn had what I would call a California surfer look and a guitar and drum somewhat retro sound. 

He had a penchant for using puns of his last name for album titles like Rockkihnroll and Kihnspiracy. 

I got to see him perform at the '83 Wave Spectacular, which was actually held in 1982 (that's not an error) and was sponsored by KYYX. Since I worked for the station, I was able to get in free. 

Kirkland Concert 2 You Can Do Magic--Point Of Sail

More Yacht Rock from Point Of Sail.  More to come.

Saturday In The Park--Point Of Sail

We enjoyed the band Point Of Sail last night (Thursday, August 15th, 2024) in Marina Park in Kirkland.  They played an evening of Yacht Rock.

The Kirkland Summer Concert series was recently rated as one of the ten best concerts series in the US. 

This summer, we have also enjoyed free outdoor concerts in Covington and Issaquah.

Lewiston 3--Big Horn Sheep In Hells Canyon

 "Them are big", ha ha.  A great time and a chance to observe wildlife up close and personal.  More of last week's boat ride through Hells Canyon. 

Lewiston 2--Navigating Hells Canyon

 On Friday (August 9th, 2024), we took a jet boat tour of the Snake River, which ran through Hells Canyon.  We started in Clarkston, Washington, which is across the river from Lewiston, and went all the way past the Oregon border

On To Lewiston

This McDonald's in Lewiston has the golden arches.

At first, I thought it was original, but found out it was a retro design.  It is in the same parking lot as the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel, where we stayed. 

I found out to facts about Lewiston.  It is the most eastern West Coast seaport and also was once the capital of Idaho territory.

The picture is a little grainy because of the distance needed to take the picture and capture both arches.  

Levine Does Final Podcast

 

Ken Levine, TV comedy writer, cartoonist, and former baseball play by play announcer, ended his weekly podcast series last week (August 8th, 2024).

Levine began his podcast approximately eight years ago, while doing a daily blog. The blog was a daily read for me until he discontinued it on the Labor Day weekend of 2022. 

Ken explains his reasons and gives us the history behind the blog and podcast.  Just click the arrow.

The Lodge 2--Cruise Ship

Cruise ship rolling down the Columbia.

As we sat at our hotel room, we were surprised to see this huge ship go by.

The best thing about staying at The Lodge is watching all the activity on the river.  

The long walkway is a close second.  

Celebrated Rock Journalist Charles R Cross

 

Charles R Cross, Seattle's journalistic connection to the bigtime rock world has died.   Cross, who owned the Seattle Rock periodical, the Rocket, from 1986 to 1995, was known for writing biographies of Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and Heart. 

I read the Heart biography, Kicking and Dreaming and found it very enjoyable. 

He was also a contributor to the Seattle Times.  

Cross was 67. 

Return To The Lodge In Tri Cities

We went to one of our favorite places, The Lodge At Columbia Point in Richland, where we spent the night on our way to meeting friends in Lewiston. 

I snapped this shot of the sunset over the Columbia River.

Mike Barer Reporter

Thank you to Jackson Barokas, for this hilarious compilation of videos made after just about every visit with our Bellevue friends.  

For more of Jackson's work, you can find his previous compilation by clicking here.

Harris Picks Minnesota Governor Tim Walz

 The last decision of the 2024 Presidential campaign was made today as Kamala Harris has tapped Minnesota governor Tim Walz to be her running mate.  

The Walz pick has been largely well received and seen as perhaps a chance to bring much needed unity to the party.  

Highway to Hell Sh80s @ Covington Community Park August 1st 2024

Covington Community Park is a great venue, with its stage, children's playground, soccer field, and endless trails.  We watched the 80s band Sh80s this past Friday (August 2nd, 2024).

Pour Some Sugar On Me--Sh80s At Covington Community Park

 

We enjoyed a local group at Covington Community Park.  Sh80s played 80s music. 

In this video, the Def Leopard classic "Pour Some Sugar On Me".

Issaquah Troll

After Tuesday's concert in Issaquah, we walked by the Troll, one of 6 in the region.

You can find this troll by walking south from the community center on the Rainier Trail