Shaggy Sweet Entertains In Downtown Bellevue

Deb and I joined friends Marjie and Rick at Bakes Place in Downtown Bellevue, Friday, to watch the band Shaggy Sweet.  Shaggy Sweet is a four piece band consisting of 3 guitar players and a drummer.  They do a lot of shows around the Puget Sound area.  Their music consists of a lot of original Blues music, along with some Rock and a little Country, some Gospel influence and a few popular covers.   It was a great show.

Congratulations Edgar Martinez!

One of Seattle's most popular sports figures ever, Edgar Martinez, enters the Baseball Hall Of Fame.

50 Years Ago--Man Walks On The Moon

50  years  ago today, the nation was glued to it's TV set as Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the Moon.  Buzz Aldrin, would minutes later become the second.   I'm sure most didn't notice Armstrong's now famous words of " That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."  Those words reverberated in the news media soon after.  

I wonder if Armstrong was picked for the first walk because his name is more memorable than Aldrin's. 

 I was hoping at the time that July 19th would be the day, since it is my birthday.  July 20th, however is a round number so NASA, which was it turns out was very PR savvy at the time, may have decided that would be a more memorable date.   

While the nation, including myself had it's eye on the Spaceflight of Apollo 11, Massachusetts  Senator Edward Kennedy, the brother of slain President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, was involved in an auto accident, soon to be known to the world as Chappaquiddick.  The drowning of a passenger in Kennedy's car, may have been the reason that he would never get the Democratic nomination to be president.  Kennedy, however, was able to avoid prosecution and continue what history would point out as a very significant career in the Senate. 

By the way, while Armstrong and Aldrin were doing the actual moon walk (not the dance of a couple decades later),  Michael Collins continued to circle the moon in the main space capsule. 

Seattle NHL Team Picks Hall Of Fame Player For GM

With just two years to go until the first puck drops, the Seattle NHL expansion franchise has named Ron Francis as it's new general manager.  Francis, who played 22 seasons in the NHL and is 5th in all time points.

Francis has played on two Stanley Cup winning Pittsburgh Penguin teams.    He previously had been general manager with the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Seattle team has yet to pick a nickname, but getting a known general manager should get it on the right track to build a winning franchise.

Retired Supreme Court Justice Stevens Dies

Justice John Paul Stevens, who was picked by Republican Gerald Ford to replace the well known civil libertarian Justice William Douglas, has died.  Stevens served 34 years on US Supreme Court.
Stevens was one of a seemingly disappearing number of court appointments that were picked by Republican presidents, but whose decisions were mostly considered more to the Left.
Stevens voted to limit the death penalty, promote racial equality, and preserve abortion.
Stevens was a native of Chicago and a devoted Cubs fan.

Blazers Will Replace Radio Announcer Wheeler

The Portland Trail Blazers have announced that Brian Wheeler, the NBA team's radio voice for 21 years will not return for the 2019-20 season.  Wheeler, formerly a radio host on Seattle Sports Radio 95 KJR, had missed a good portion of this past seasons with health concerns.

20 Years Ago Today--A New Era Begins For Seattle Baseball

I attended what was then Safeco Field for the opening of Seattle's brand new outdoor baseball stadium. I had won the above ticket for the game in an office drawing and attended with co-workers.
 The future looked much better for the Mariners at the time then the Seahawks.  Well, the Mariners had one great season in 2001 at Safeco,  but since that season, they have not been able to put another play-off team together. Meanwhile the Seahawks have been to 3 Super Bowls, winning one.
Safeco Field is now named T-Mobile Park.

Inslee Quip Goes Viral

Jay Inslee says that he was half joking when he said that his first act if elected president would be select soccer star Megan Rapinoe as his secretary of state.  Rapinoe plays for the Seattle Reign, here in Inslee's home state.

The Third Class FCC License

My goal as a child was to get into radio.  It may be because as I remember, the tower of KTEL, a few blocks away, was visible from the house on Leonard Street where we lived until 1965.   It could be that when we moved to a new house, I had the bedroom that once belonged to Bob Garred, who had gone on to become a national radio voice before his passing. It may have been the memory of  my dad taking me to KTEL, back when we lived on Leonard to visit Burl, who at the time, was working as a Rock And Roll DJ at night and on weekends, while going to high school during the day.
At the time, to get a radio job, you needed a 3rd Class FCC Radio Telephone License with Broadcast Endorsement.
When I started my Junior year of High School, I studied to get my license.  To get the 3rd Class License, I had to pass elements 1 and 2 which were very easy, but element 9 was rather difficult and I was not great at passing tests..
During Spring vacation, we went to the Seattle area, of course we were all in Walla Walla at the time.  We stayed at the Thunderbird in Bellevue, which eventually would become one of the two Red Lions in that town, it would eventually become the Doubletree and then, later, be torn down for high rises.  The test was administered on certain days at the Federal Communication Commission  on the 32nd floor of the Federal Building in Downtown Seattle.
Both my sister and I were dropped off at the Federal Building to take the course.  I knew that I passed elements 1 and 2, but was not sure about element 9.
I found out that I passed all three elements and received the license looking like the one above, my sister passed elements 1 and 2, but was unable to get a broadcast endorsement.  Her's looked like this

When I got my first radio gig, it was a KUGR at WSU.  The license was not needed because it was heard on the cable system, rather than the "air".  I remember that was so the station could play commercials, giving valuable experience to a radio sales force and to production engineers.
 I finally got a gig at KTEL where I did need my third phone, which I proudly posted, but I was mad to find out a few months later that operator licenses where being phased out and operated were getting a permit in the mail with no test needed.  I believe today, operators at any level are not licensed.

Traffic Jam On West Lake Sammamish Parkway

Traffic on the Lake Road, Wednesday evening on the home commute, was the worst that I had ever seen or at least, remember under normal conditions.  It must have taken at least half an hour to get where I turned onto the road from Northeast 8th until I got to the roundabout, normally a 10 minute drive.

Pitcher Author Jim Bouton Dies

Jim Bouton,  who pitched for the Seattle Pilots in the area's first go round with  Major League Baseball, then rocked the sports world with his tell all book, Ball Four, has died.  

Bouton began his career as a hard throwing right hander with the New York Yankees.  He pitched in 2 World Series with the team.  

After injuring his arm, Bouton made a comeback as a knuckleball pitcher.  He was picked by the expansion Seattle Pilots in 1969.  He took notes at the time and was able to publish Ball Four. A hilarious look at baseball players doing what they do off the field.  

The book seems relatively tame these days, especially after years of steroid scandals in the sport. 

Bouton would later pitch for the Portland Mavericks, an independent team in the Northwest League. Although, unlike Seattle, it was not Major Leagues, it was another Pacific Northwest baseball team with an interesting cast of characters.  

Nearing Completion

The finishing touches are being put on resurfacing of our deck.  It should be ready soon for the best days of summer.  We had the deck built, a few years after buying the house in the late 90s and has been fun place to enjoy warm Spring, Summer, and Fall days.

Perot Dead

CNN reports that billionaire H. Ross Perot, whose campaign for the presidency in 1992 had inspired many and may have opened the door for Donald Trump's later successful campaign, has died at 89.

Many will compare Perot with Trump, however, Perot did not seem to flaunt his wealth.  His appeal was more across the board than Trump, and Perot's anger seemed to be more toward traditional politicians than any ethnic group or citizen.

Outdoor Fireplaces Offered In New Homes

At the new Fox Pointe housing development, just a few blocks from our house, I was intrigued with the outdoor fireplace, allowing home owners to entertain on their decks during the area's sometimes cool, but clear Spring and Summer evenings.

Celebration!

We were married 24 years ago today at the Grand Atrium at 1201 Third Avenue in Downtown Seattle.

Heart crazy on you

Guitarist Nancy Wilson's pose and leg kick at 2:30 are classic.  Seattle's Heart doing Crazy On You.

Fireworks At Bellevue

We spent the afternoon on the 4rth Of July at Bellevue's Downtown Park enjoying the fireworks.

Mad Magazine To Stop Publishing

Mad Magazine, the monthly publication that satirized pop culture, is ending publication later this year.  The magazine poked fun of everything, usually in a relatively harmless way. Alfred E. Neuman, a gap tooth boy, whose catch phrase was "what, me worry", was the mascott of the magazine always on the cover mocking whatever was the  month's subject. 
When network TV was at the height of it's popularity, it was a badge of honor to have Mad to make fun of a certain show, with goofy character names and characturistic cartoons. 
It was sort of SNL in a comic book. Only it preceded the NBC show by about 24 years. 
The magazine began in 1952. 

Happy 4th Of July

Santana "Black Magic Woman & "Oye Como Va" @ White River Amphitheater 6...

Here is a video from last weekend's Santana concert.  You can actually see the performance in this one.

Unique Sign For Bellevue City Council Candidate

This seems like a normal candidate sign , which was posted at an entrance to the Crossroads Mall parking lot, but a close look indicates that Bellevue city council candidate is a Democrat.  That is great, except Bellevue city council positions are non-partisan.  

I applaud Mr. Bible for being a Democrat and being the first candidate I can remember stating party when running for a non-partisan office. 

Happy Canada Day!

Since Canada is just 2 hours away, we tip our hats to those celebrating Canada Day.

Doobie Brothers And Santana At White River

I knew that I wouldn't get a good shot of the performers, so between acts, I wanted to show how much fun the folks attending the concert were having.  We were even tossing a couple beachballs around.

The White River Amphitheatre opened in 2003.   Taking backroads, it is a relatively short drive from our house.

Santana At The White River

We had a very enjoyable afternoon  and evening at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, enjoying two classic rock bands, The Doobie Brothers and Santana.

Although the weather had been miserable for most of the week, it couldn't have been much better for the show.

Santana, who played at Woodstock is booked to join many other popular bands at a festival celebrating the 50th anniversary of the legendary rock event in August.

Former Seahawk Owner Behring Dies

Ken Behring, the former owner of the Seattle Seahawks, has died at 91.  Behring bought the Seattle Seahawks, at a time when the team's popularity was quite high.
Behring, however, was not well liked.  He lived in the Bay Area of California and was a real estate developer, at a time when Seattle did not have warm feeling toward developers or what was perceived as many Californians moving into the area. Behring was often shown on the Seahawk sidelines during the game in a golf shirt, while Seattle fans were used to the previous owners, who were seldom or never seen. It was not long that Behring became the symbol of California conspicuous consumption.
Owning the Seahawks from 1988 until 1997, the team went through some of it's worst years and fan support waned.  Behring decided he wanted a new tax supported stadium.  When it appeared he would not be able to get  that, he attempted to move the team to the LA area.  A move that failed when community leaders persuaded Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen to buy the team.  The rest is history.
Although Behring is remembered as one of the least popular sports figure in Seattle history, his charitable contribution are reported to be quite significant.

Big Weekend Concert

We will be watching legendary rock group Santana this week at the White River Amphitheatre.  The Doobie Brothers will also perform.

Walla Walla History For Today

The Royal Motor Inn as a brand new motel and restaurant in my home town of Walla Walla. This picture was taken in the Spring of 1967.
 It was considered a destination place upon opening, but eventually, the restaurant was torn down and the place had many different renditions.   I'm not sure if a motel is operating at the site today. You can find memories of Walla Walla at Bygone Walla Walla.

Whatever Happened to Judy Strangis from Room 222 and Electra Woman & Dyn...

Judy Strangis pulled off the remarkable feat of making a minor part memorable, at least to me.  Strangis played the shy teenage high school student, Helen Loomis in the ABC comedy/drama Room 222.

At an impressionable age, it was my favorite show at the time.

The show, about a teacher and his peers and students in a Los Angeles High School,  began it's run as a comedy with a laugh track and eventually transitioned into a drama with contemporary issues.  

Hotel California By Eagle Eyes

More from Saturday night, Eagle Eyes, an Eagles tribute band played Hotel California to wrap their performance.  Of course, they were called back for an encore.  

Word has been received that the band will return to Bake's Place in Downtown Bellevue in late September.

Eagle Eyes Plays Bellevue

Last Night Deb and I joined 8 other family and friends at Bake's in Downtown Bellevue to watch Eagle Eyes, an Eagles tribute band hailing from Vancouver Island in Canada.

The band, consisting of 4 members not only played the songs of the Eagle, but basically, transformed themselves into the band, arguably the most popular American group.

I found it amazing that a band could assemble, where each member can not only sound like, but can copy their appearance and mannerisms to the point that you forget the fact that they are indeed a tribute band.  It is indeed, a special skill.

The band pretty much covered the Eagles songbook, save for Desperado,  the band saying that a piano would be needed to cover that classic.

Work Continues On Maple Valley Highway

Work has been going on for most of the spring on widening and improving Highway 169 in Maple Valley.  The work on the city's main arterial, will add an additional lane in each direction from Witte Road Southeast in the Lake Wilderness shopping area to Southeast 240th Street.
The work also includes sidewalks, a bike path, turning lanes, and a retention wall.  There is also a bike path.
While the work may make a quicker commute for now, work is taking place to build at Southeast 240th Street (below), which may continue the cycle of growth and the problems it brings to the city.

Parents brawl at Little League game after call by 13-year-old umpire I ABC7

Youth baseball is a huge commitment, however, hopefully things like this are rare.

Benicio Bryant Singer sings "The Joke" AWESOME | America's Got Talent 20...

This Maple Valley native has some "pipes" as they say in the business.

Walla Walla Elks Building Meets Wrecking Ball

This will really make me feel old.   The Elks Club on Rose Street in Walla Walla has been torn down. This is the same Elks Club that forced our house of worship to relocated in the very early 70s. I remember when it was brand spanking new, having just moved from it's location on 4th street, downtown.  

The building was torn down to make way for a new housing development.   At last report, the Elks are looking for a new location.  The forced relocation of Congregation Beth Israel, led to a better synagogue on Alder and Roosevelt. 

Thank you Joe Drazan, blogger at Bygone Walla Walla for the picture and the tip on this story. 

Happy Father's Day

Maple Valley Farmer's Market

The Maple Valley Farmer's Market has started and will run every Saturday from 9am until 2pm throughout the Summer.  It is located on the  playground at the Rock Creek Elementary School.
 Not only can you buy great stuff, but you can meet your neighbors.  My wife and I were there yesterday and I snapped this picture.

Meeting Washington Icon

At Alta Barer's memorial, there was a man that I could not wait to meet.  Dan Evans was governor of Washington from 1964 to 1976, basically, from when I was in 1st grade almost through my freshman year at WSU.  

He is a Republican and I'm a Democrat. I always wanted to see him defeated.  After 3 terms, he declined to run for a 4th term.

He would later serve a US Senator, replacing the iconic Scoop Jackson after his sudden passing.

Time passes and I now consider Evans one of our state's greatest public servants.  By meeting him, I later realize that I have met or seen in person, every person who has served as Washington governor during my 62 year lifetime.   I thought for a while that I had met every US Senator from Washington that served during my life, but later remembered that I had not met the late Brock Adams, who served one term.  Adams, ironically, was once law partners with my cousin, Stan Barer.

Jay Inslee To Debate

Washington Governor Jay Inslee has qualified for the Democratic Presidential Primary Debate to be held on June 26th.  Inslee, the first serious presidential candidate from this state in over 40 years, qualified by hitting the 65,000 donor threshold.

Area Experiencing Heatwave

Temperatures spiked to 94 degrees in Maple Valley as the area experienced a record breaking heat wave.  Cooler temperatures are predicted for today.

Hard to believe only 4 months ago, there was a heavy snowfall.

Bob Robertson Honors Featured On Puget Sound Media

For many years, Bob Robertson, known as the voice of the Washington State Cougars, also was the radio announcer for Tacoma Minor League baseball.  Last August, he was honored at Cheney Stadium for his service to Tacoma baseball.
A report on the event was recently featured on the Puget Sound Media blog.    You can watch the heart warming video by clicking here.

Puget Sound Media Blog Has Branded Merchandise

My newest coffee mug is emblazoned with the Puget Sound Media insignia.  Yes, the Puget Sound Media blog has "merch".  You can check it out by clicking here.
My guess is that soon, they will have a weekly podcast.

Maple Valley Celebrates

We enjoyed the last hour or so of Maple Valley Days.  The rides continued a little after the festival closed.  This year the weather worked in it's favor.

Alta Barer Honored At Fairmont

Former KING 5 TV anchor  and Stan Barer family friend Jean Enersen, pictured above, was emcee at a beautiful tribute to my late cousin, Alta Barer.  Alta, who was married to my cousin Stan, passed away last month after a long, but quiet, battle with cancer.
The service began with an incredible singing performance by the Puget Sound Company. Speakers included, University Of Washington President Ana Marie Cauce, Washington Senator Maria Cantwell, Former Governor and later US Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, and Changdong Xu, chairman of the WRSEA.
Both my brothers and their wives were among the guests.  Also attending were my cousin Lee Goldberg and his sister, Karen Dinino, from Los Angeles.
The Tribute took place at the Fairmont in Downtown Seattle.

Dasher On The Hill!

Dasher climbed on a mound on Maple Valley's pipeline trail to survey his land.

A Sign Of The Times?

This is no joke, it may be fun, but it actually exists. A new version of the old board game Monopoly encourages players to cheat to win, as long as you don't get caught.

It comes with handcuffs, so it looks like fun, but what does it say about our culture?  

Trip To Sunriver 6--Vistiting Oregon Colleges

I had never visited the campus of either Oregon's Pac 12 Universities, University Of Oregon (top picture) nor Oregon State  University (bottom picture).  One difference between Washington and Oregon is that in Washington, the two largest Universities are on opposite sides of the state.  In Oregon, they are very close.  

We decided to check out both campuses on the return from Sunriver.  Students were getting graduation pictures taken at both campuses.  Students also loved Dasher.  

In spite of the proximity, you can sense the difference in philosophy between the two institutions.  

I can now say that I have visited campuses of all the original Pac 8 schools.  

Now, only University of Arizona is the only school of the Pac 10 that I haven't visited, as I have been on campus at ASU.  

After it was the PAC 10 for about 3 decades, the conference became the Pac 12, after admitting Colorado and Utah, so that leaves 3 colleges in the top western athletic conference that I have not been on campus or have driven past  (as in the case with USC).

Holzhauer Reign Comes To An End

James Holzhauer's incredible run on Jeopardy has ended.  A Las Vegas sports gambler, Holzhauer won 32 consecutive games, amassing almost 2 and a half million dollars. He lost to librarian Emma Boettcher, who bet even bolder in the final Jeopardy round.  He was very close to breaking the 15 year record of all time money winner Ken Jennings.
Holzhauer's run and unorthodox style, made Jeopardy compelling television and for the first time, I set Jeopardy on our DVR.
Now, I'll watch tonight to see if Boettcher will go on a similar run.

Mitch Delivers Touching Interview With Author Steven Elliott

Mitch Levy, once the host of Sportsradio KJR's morning program has once again shown that he can deliver a great human interest interview on his now, once a week podcast.
On this week's show, Levy interviews Steven Elliott, the author of War Story.
To back things up, there is a sports angle to this story.  In 2004, Pat Tillman of the Arizona Cardinals, quit football to volunteer for US Army.  Of course, at the time, the country was mourning 9/11.   He was later reported to have been a war casualty.  First reported to be a victim of an enemy ambush and then revealed to be a victim of "friendly fire."
Steven Elliott is reported to be one of two soldier that may be responsible for Tillman's death.  Elliott has gone through life carrying the guilt of someone who most likely snuffed out the life of someone considered an American hero.
You can hear Levy interview Elliott, now a resident of Olympia about 40 minutes into the podcast by clicking here.

Trip To Sunriver 5--An Evening In Bend

After a day at the pool, we went down to the road to Bend.  It is a charming town that has experienced a lot of growth.  We had dinner at the Deschutes  Brewery.
The Deschutes River flows through the town and is surrounded by a variety of parks.

Trip To Sunriver 4--The Lava River Cave

Monday was cold and rainy, in other words, a great day explore the Lava River Cave, just outside the Sunriver Resort.  It is the longest such cave in Oregon at 5211 feet.  

 It has some narrow passages and  low ceilings, so it can be challenging.  There is a metal walkway at the beginning, but that ends quickly.  

The bottom picture is at the end of the cave.  The walk back is much easier because you know what to expect.

40 Years Ago, Sonics Win The NBA Title

I working at KTEL the station carrying the Seattle Supersonics in Walla Walla, when the team won it's only world championship.  I was so excited, I broke open the mike and yelled "Alright Sonics!" at the final buzzer.

Trip To Sunriver 3: Arrival At The Resort.

Scenes from Sunriver Resort, near Bend, Oregon.  Dasher is right at home on the deck overlooking the golf course. Bottom, the resort had stunning views of Mt. Bachelor.