Local Singer To Perform On The Voice

 I don't watch The Voice, the NBC reality show, seemingly similar to American Idol and America's Got Talent, however, I plan to watch Monday as Maple Valley native Lucia Flores-Wiseman will be one of the competitors. 

I watched Flores-Wiseman sing at the Maple Valley Farmers Market, a few years ago.  She also shared the stage with Grammy winner Brandi Carlile, during a performance at Tahoma High School.   Carlile, also has Maple Valley roots. 

Punches Fly At Kraken Game

I've been watching the Kraken play the San Jose Sharks tonight (Thursday, January 30th, 2025).  This fight broke out in the second period.  That's nothing new, but the punches flew for several minutes.

Right now, the Kraken lead the Sharks 4-1.

The game is at Climate Pledge here in Seattle and is carried on ESPN.

Down Memory Lane-- Another Garage Find

This house may not look like much, but at the time, it seemed like a palace.

My friend and I lived there in 1983-84.

It was located in the Gatewood neighborhood of West Seattle.

Our landlord was a West Seattle appliance dealer.

Kubiak Named Seahawk OC

 The Seahawks for the second year in a row, have hired a new offensive coordinator.  Klint Kubiak, son of former NFL quarterback and coach, Gary Kubiak will take over.  Kubiak moves over from the New Orleans Saints where he had the same position. 

Kubiak will replace fired OC Ryan Grubb.

Another Rock Star Autograph (Garage Find)

I was working at KXA (1982), the sister station of KYYX, when a new wave dressed lady walked in to the studio.

She asked where she could go for an interview. I thought she was a journalist there to conduct an interview, but it was Josie Cotton, one of the acts that would perform at the Wave Spectacular.

I introduced myself and offered her coffee, which she accepted.  I asked for get autograph, because this was the first rock star I had met. 

About then, Pat O'Day (The station owner and promotor of the Wave Spectacular walked by and took her to where she needed to go.

It's Eagles vs Chiefs

 No upsets today (January 26th, 2025) two of the NFL's run organizations, The Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs will face each other in the Super Bowl.

Maple Valley Entertainment

Saturday night entertainment at Vintage Vino & Espresso in Maple Valley.  Kaitie Wade performs with a member of her audience.

Vintage, in the Maple Valley Town Square, probably more commonly known as the Fred Meyer parking lot, is a great after dinner stop.  

They also brew great coffee 

Raiders Pick Carroll

The Las Vegas Raiders have named former Seahawk head coach Pete Carroll to lead the team.

Still Another Garage Find

From an old calendar.  This hung in our house for years. 

It's me as a three year old 

Don't Think Twice It's All Right - Bob Dylan (Jack & Daisy cover)

I heard this duo on You Tube.  You can learn about Jack & Daisy by clicking here.

Ichiro Elected To Hall Of Fame

 Ichiro Suzuki, one of the greatest Seattle Mariners in any discussion has been elected to the Baseball Hall Of fame. 

Ichiro, who joined the M's in 2001 after an all-star career in Japan, was one vote short of being a unanimous selection.  

The right fielder won MVP and Rookie of the Year in his first season in the MLB.  He had a record-breaking streak of 10 consecutive seasons with 200 hits or more.   

Ichiro retired in 2019 with 3,089 hits and a .311 batting average. 

Martin Luther King Day

 

The moment three Israeli hostages are reunited with their families

Hopefully more will follow soon!

QB Brees To Bring Indoor Pickleball To Seattle

 

Former NFL great Drew Brees is bringing indoor pickleball to the Seattle area according to various sources.   Brees is franchise co-owner and ambassador of Picklr which has facilities across the country.  

The sport, which I played once in a PE class has origins in the Seattle area suburb, Bainbridge Island has been said to be the nation's fastest growing sport. 

The center will be located in Fremont at the old Theo Chocolate Warehouse  at 124 N 35th Street. 

Queensryche Autograph

i really thought that I had lost this. 

When I worked at Unisea in Redmond, one of my co-workers was the mom of Queensryche bass player Eddie Jackson.  

This was about 30 some years ago. 

As it happened, this was a breakout time for the Seattle based band and the song "Silent Lucidity" was a monster hit. 

Mrs Jackson was able to get an autograph of Eddie for me.  

I would later meet him at a company party.

This was another find while cleaning the garage 

Bob Uecker--Mr Baseball

 

Bob Uecker, one of baseball's most beloved figures has died.  He was 90. 

Uecker became known outside of baseball from his appearances on Johnny Carson and Miller Lite beer commercials. His schtick was lampooning his perceived lack of baseball greatness.  He also was in a TV series and in the movie Major Leagues.

Uecker was radio announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers.  His running comedy line was his desire to be inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame.  A seeming absurdity that actually came true when he was in 2003 came true when he won the Ford C Frick Award, baseball's highest announcing honor.  That got him enshrined into Cooperstown.  

Uecker earned the nickname Mr. Baseball.  He will truly be missed. 

Gus Williams--The Wizard For The Sonics

 Gus Williams, point guard for a Super Sonics team that etched itself into the conscience of Seattle by winning the NBA Championship in 1979 has died.  He was 71.

A second round pick by the Golden State Warriors out of USC, Williams earned the name "The Wizard" for his ballhandling and athleticism. 

He signed as a free agent with the Sonics before the 1977-78 season. 

Williams was selected twice to play in the NBA All Star game. He was also selected to 1982 All NBA First Team.

Williams had suffered a stroke in 2020.  

Ceasefire Agreement Reached?

Sources have said that a deal for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been reached and the hostages from October 7th will be released.  Details coming

Walla Walla Firetruck Gets National Recognition

I did a double take when I saw this on The Jimmy Kimmel Show last night (January 13th, 2025). Jimmy was showing fire departments from different states who came to battle the LA wildfires, this picture, showing a truck from my hometown of Walla Walla came up on the screen when he mentioned Washington.

Bad Start To 2025

 

The New Year's started with a truck attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans that killed over a dozen people and now we have the LA fires, which have gone on for almost a week.  

We haven't even gotten to the halfway mark of January and two horrific event mark the beginning of 2025.  We wish peace and comfort and recovery to victims, and a turn for the better in the year. 

Flagstaff Trip

 From 2022, this Google Collage is from our trip to Flagstaff, Arizona.

Lake Tahoe 2018

 Just for fun, this recently showed up on my Google Photos App.  Our trip to Lake Tahoe on Labor Day Weekend in 2018, with photos from a car show, a music show and a sunset cruise.

Thinking Of LA

 Family and friends live down there, hopefully, the firefighters get a handle on it soon.

Another Garage Find

Living in Seattle, mid 80s 

Ticket For Rev

Another garage find.  KING 5 TV had a show in the 80s known as REV which, as I remember, showed Seattle rock bands in local clubs.

I don't remember attending, perhaps I didn't make it to that show. I just can't remember.

Astor Park, the venue for this performance, was one of Seattle's premier clubs.  Located Downtown on 5th and Lenora, it has since been torn down.

Seahawks Fire Offensive Coordinator Grubb

Ryan Grubb, probably the highest profiled Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator, has been fired after only one year, sources say.  

The Seahawks hired Grubb after hiring head coach Mike Mcdonald. Grubb was the mastermind behind a Washington Huskie offense that took the team to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, where it was beaten by Michigan. 

Macdonald said that he and Grubb did not share the same vision on how the team's offense should be run. .

Steve Miller Band 1977

Now going even farther in time, another find while cleaning the garage. My friends and I saw The Steve Miller Band at WSU while I was a student there.  

This was 1977 and the concert venue was then known as The Performing Arts Coliseum.  It's now the Beasley Coliseum. 

I remember Norton Buffalo was the opening act.

I would see the band again decades later with my wife and friends at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn.

Seahawks Finish 2024-25 Season Against Rams

 Now, eliminate from any post season play, the Seahawks will play the LA Rams to close out the season. 

Go Hawks!

Seattle's Science Guy Awarded

The Seattle Times reports President Biden has awarded former Seattle media personality Bill Nye The Science Guy, the Presidential Medal Of Freedom, the highest award a civilian can win. Nye was awarded yesterday (Saturday, January 4th, 2025). 

Nye, an engineer at Boeing, began working at the KING 5 comedy show almost live.  He then hosted a PBS show "Science Guy" from 1993-1999, earning him national renown. 

David Bowie Concert--1983

Another great find while cleaning the garage.   One of the first big concerts I've attended as a Seattle resident.  David Bowie at the Tacoma Dome.  The venue was brand spanking new, and this was the first rock concert held there. 

It's hard to believe it was 41 years ago. I think the 16.00 admission price included a third-party ticket fee.

Bowie has since passed away 

Living In Suncrest Apartments

Upon cleaning our garage, yesterday, I stumbled across this picture of my apartment in Walla Walla, where I lived from 1985 to 1989.

I moved back to the Seattle area in 1989, where I have been ever since.

Seaside From Over The Years.

 Some random pictures from visits to Seaside, Oregon, our favorite getaway place.  Our family also vacationed there in my childhood. 

Gal Gadot and Noa Tishby Light Candles for the Eighth Night of Hanukkah

The end to great Hanukkah.

It's 2025!!

 Happy New Year!!