Ozzie Smith--Walla Walla Padres

 

My brother Steve sent me an article from my hometown paper, The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin.  

Ozzie Smith played in Walla Walla for the Single A Minor League Baseball team.  Tony Gwynn also played for the Walla Walla team.  Both were Hall of Famers, but I think more was written about Smith during his playing days there.  

Smith, considered one of the best shortstops of all time, would go on to play for the San Diego Padres  from 1978-1981, then go on to play for the St Louis Cardinals from 1982-1996. 

I posted an article about Smith, when I had a subscription to the Union-Bulletin archives.  But the above is focused on Smith and his career ambitions. 

Tatiana Schlossberg--JFK Granddaughter Dead At 35

 Tatiana Schlossberg, the 35 year old granddaughter of the late President John F. Kennedy has died.  Schlossberg announced that she had been suffering from a deadly form of leukemia this past November. 

Now Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, how has seen the tragic loss of her father, mother, brother, and many uncles, aunts and cousins, is now faced with the loss of a child.  

Tatiana was a writer and a journalist. 

My Mother's Engagement Announcement--December 1955

 Steve has gotten into the "time machine" that is the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin archives and posted this announcement of my parent's engagement, according to Steve, in December of 1955.  They would be married in February of 1956 in a ceremony at the Marcus Whitman Hotel. 

May 2025--Visiting Washington DC

 One of the highlights of 2025 was visiting Washington, DC last May.  We saw the monuments, the White House, both houses of Congress in session, several museums, and this video, of touring the US Capitol. 

Brigitte Bardot Dies

French film icon Brigitte Bardot has died. She was 91.   She was recognized as an international sex symbol in the 60s and 70s.

The actress retired at 39 (1971), using her fame to become an animal rights advocate. 

 

Go Seahawks

 Playing the Carolina Panthers today (December 28th, 2025).

Entertainment Icon Turns 100

 A very late (two weeks) happy 100th birthday to Dick Van Dyke, one of a handful of stars still around from my childhood. 

Enjoy Your Holiday!!

Cougs Beat Utah State

 

Congrats to our Cougar football team, who in spite of losing its head coach for this past season, defeated the Utah State Aggies, 34-21 in the Famous Potato Bowl. 

Andy Williams - Silver Bells (Official Lyric Video)

Now, a little holiday entertainment. One of my favorite Holiday songs.  

From Thursday's Victory Over The Rams

 It was the craziest game.

The Christmas Song (Cover by Lucia Flores-Wiseman)

A tip of the hat to Lucia Flores-Wiseman, for reaching the finals on the voice, putting Maple Valley on the map.

Seahawks Do The Impossible

 In something that to Seahawk fans looked like a Rocky or Rudy movie and to Rams fans, a nightmare, the Hawks beat the LA Rams 38-37 with an overtime 2-point conversion.  

Seattle was down by 16 points in the fourth quarter and really did not seem to be playing with spark. Then Rashid Saheed, acquired by the Seahawks at this year's trade deadline, took a punt 58 yards to the endzone.  The Seahawks went for a two conversion by necessity.  

The Seahawks would score another touchdown with an improbable two point conversion to send the game into overtime.

The Rams scored a touchdown in the overtime, making a Seahawk comeback difficult if not impossible.

 With one possession to get down the field to get to the end zone, the Seahawks pulled it off, setting the stage for a kick for the tying one-point conversion.  However, the Seahawks, not known for gambling decided to go for a two-pointer, meaning a win or lose situation.    

As you know, regular one pointers are practically automatic, but two-point conversions are, perhaps, one of the toughest plays, requiring the team to run or pass it into the end zone. Darnold, luckily was able to hit Eric Saubert for the game winning play.  

The team clinched a playoff berth and currently is the number one seed in the league.  The victory was on a Thursday night, making it even more spectacular. 

Hanukkah Celebrated

Amid an amazing holiday light display is this beautiful Hanukkah menorah in the subdivision near Tahoma High School in Maple Valley.

Maple Valley Lights House

As we try to do every year, last weekend, we visited the Maple Valley Lights exhibit. It's going on throughout the Christmas season at 22629 SE 263rd Place, here in Maple Valley.

 

WATCH: King County officials give update after Green River levee failure...

A levee broke in South King County this morning (Monday,December 15th, 2025).  Our blog will continue to monitor the situation. 

Rob Reiner And Wife Found Dead

 He undoubtably was one of Hollywood's best-known figures.  Actor and Director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner,  were found murdered in their home.

Reiner became famous playing the Liberal son-in-law Michael Stivic in the iconic show "All In The Family". His directing credits include "When Harry Met Sally" and "A Few Good Men".

His father, Carl Reiner created the Dick Van Dyke Show, one of the best loved programs in TV history. 

Hanukkah Has Begun

 Happy Hanukkah!

Seahawks Host The Colts!

 Go Seahawks 

More Of The Christmas Firetruck

 

Maple Valley Christmas Firetruck

 It's actually Jerry Woods Holiday Engine and it was in Maple Valley last night (December 13th, 2025). This was taken as it roared into our cul-du-sac. 

Lake Red Dog

Maple Valley landmark the Red Dog is totally flooded in this picture from Thursday (December 11th, 2025).

Kirby Moore Announced As New Coug Football Coach

 Sources say, that Kirby Moore, a native of Prosser (167 miles from Pullman), has been chosen to be the head coach of the Washington State Cougars. For the past three seasons, Moore has been offensive coordinator at Missouri.

Moore's older brother, Kellen is the head coach of the New Orlean Saints. 

A press conference will be held Tuesday, December 16th to introduce Moore. 

Drainage Pond Full

A little closer to home.  The stormwater draining pond, normally dry, is resembling a lake.

Snoqualmie River Rages

 From our friends, Rick and Marji, dramatic footage as the Snoqualmie River swells after several days of rain. 

Rainstorm Brings Flooding

Cedar River outside the banks.

Retired Seattle News Legend Bryan Johnson

 

Seattle area broadcasting blog Media Maven reports that retired news reporter Bryan Johnson has died. He was 89.

Johnson, who stayed with KOMO 4 in Seattle until 2012 was a trusted and well-respected source, as well as a connection between the old and the new. He began with KOMO, working mainly radio news in 1959.

Neuheisel Rumored To Be Considered For WSU Football Post

 WSU football fans seem to be divided on unconfirmed rumors that TV analyst and former college football coach, Rick Neuheisel is being considered to run the program.  

Neuheisel is known for his charisma and telegenic appearance, points that could win over recruits and donors.  

In addition, his son Jerry is an offensive play caller at UCLA.  It is thought that he could arrive with Rick as a package deal, with the proposition of Jerry becoming offensive coordinator and possibly take over eventually as head coach when the senior Neuheisel retires. The Cougars were successful doing this with the basketball program when Dick Bennett was hired as head basketball coach, son Tony, was his assistant, eventually taking over and starting a stellar college coaching career.  

Not every Coug fan is on board with a possible Neuheisel hire as many remember him as the brash Husky football coach.  If that wasn't enough, Neuheisel is not known for having a spotless record at his coaching stops.

However, the rules to the college game have changed and many think that Neuheisel is the man to navigate the waters. -

No Hard Feelings (2023) - Maneater on Piano

Caught this on You Tube before actually seeing the movies.  

By slowing down the song, you really understand the words.  The line "she's sitting with you but her eyes are on the door" kind of describes the Washington State Cougar football coach situation.

The Snowy Season

Usually, around this time we see a snow game and today was no exception.  The Cincinnati vs Buffalo game came on TV right after the Seahawks great victory over the Falcons.

Rogers Leaves WSU For Iowa State

 After one year one season with a .500 record, word is out that Washington State head football coach is leaving Pullman for Iowa State.  

Matt Campbell, the previous coach at Iowa State, has accepted the head coaching position at Penn State.

The Cougs became bowl eligible with their win over Oregon State in the last game of this past season.  Jesse Bobbit, this past season's defensive coordinator, will take over as interim coach if the Cougs accept an invitation to a bowl game. 

Taylor Chosen As Auburn Deputy Mayor

 

Former Seattle TV and radio traffic reporter and current Auburn City Councilwomen Tracy Taylor has been chosen by her fellow members to be the city's deputy mayor.   

Taylor was chosen by a 4-3 vote over the incumbent deputy Cheryl Rakes.

Taylor promised to work to bring unity to the council as they work to better the community. 

The deputy mayor assists the mayor of the town and would assume the position if the mayor becomes unable to fulfill her duties. 

Auburn is 16 miles from Maple Valley. 

Why Erin Andrews' HOLIDAY Comments Struck a Nerve

Erin just repeated what our WSU professor said in his intro speech for TV news class. 

Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me)

A little music from the 80s today.

Gabriela's Now Open

Gabriela's, which used to be Stocton's until it closed, is open now for breakfast.

We ate their last Saturday (November 29th, 2025) and the food and service were great. 

Eventually, I would expect, the establishment will have a full opening for all three meals.

Cougs Kill It Saturday--Then Seahawks Crush Vikings

 Great weekend for my favorite football teams as the Washington State Cougars avenged an earlier loss this season and, Saturday (November 29th 2025), soundly defeated the Oregon State Beavers 32-8.

Not to be outdone, Sunday (November 30th, 2025), The Seahawks shutout the Minnesota Vikings, 26-0.  It was Seattle's first shutout since the 2015 team beat the Bears, also 26-0.