Happy St. Patrick's Day

 

Slick Watts Dies

Slick Watts, one of Seattle's first pro sports heroes has died.

Watts was a guard for the Seattle Super Sonics in the early to mid 70s.  Pro sports at that level where somewhat new to the area at the time.

Watts, completely bald before it became fashionable, was easily identifiable by his colorful headbands. 

A guard, he led the NBA in steals and assists.

Watts stayed in Seattle after retirement, further endearing him to fans.

I met him about nine years ago at a pub in Redmond Ridge.  

Seahawks To Sign Yakima Native Cooper Kupp

 Cooper Kupp, the 2022 Super Bowl MVP for the LA Rams, is now a Seahawk.  Kupp will reportedly sign a three year 45-million-dollar contract.  

Kupp, a wide receiver is a native of Yakima.  He attended college at EWU in Cheney. 

Sunrise In Maple Valley

Bright Sunrise almost looks like a fire 

Under The Moonlight

Another great Google photo collage. 

Bob Rivers Dies

 Sources report the passing of retired Seattle radio personality Bob Rivers.  He was 68.  

Hired from a station in Baltimore, Rivers was perhaps amongst the last of creative radio figures, as the industry was on its way to becoming very homogenized and corporate minded.   

Rivers spent 25 years in Seattle radio starting at KISW.

He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2023.

Darnold To Sign As Hawk Signal caller

Quarterback Sam Darnold is headed to Seattle.  With Geno Smith gone to Vegas, Darnell comes to town after a career year with the Minnesota Vikings. 

Darnold is familiar with Northwest football fans as he played for the USC Trojans. 
 

DK Metcalf Traded To Pittsburgh

 DK Metcalf is heading to Pittsburgh for the 2025 season.  The Seahawks will obtain a second-round draft pick from the Steelers. 

Metcalf, a Seahawk since 2019, ranks high in almost every category for all-time team players at that position. 

Metcalf has been a fan favorite, but in recent years, has drawn fire for number of penalties called against the team. 

Geno Traded

 Geno Smith will reunite with former Seahawk coach Pete Carroll as he has been traded to the Las Vegas Raiders.   In exchange, the Hawks will receive the Raiders 2025 third round draft pick. 

Smith, whose performance with the Hawks has been up and down, has been subject for debate amongst fans as far as effectiveness. 

Sunsets Over The Years

Another great Google Photo collage.

 

Palm Springs 2025 8--Where We Stayed

The house that we stayed during our visit, could probably be classified as "mid-century modern". It is the style that the town is most famous for 

Officials give update on death of Gene Hackman and wife Betsy Arakawa

Gene Hackman and his wife, from what things seem to indicate, desired their privacy.  

From what the conclusions are, in this instance, it seemed to prove tragic.

Congrats To Tahoma Wrestling And We The People

 Your unofficial hometown blog congratulates you!  From the Community Of Maple Valley Wa group. 

On The Slopes

I had a fun day, skiing at Snoqualmie Summit.

Palm Springs 2025 7--Last Meal

The Chicken Ranch in downtown Palm Springs.

All dining is outdoors.

We enjoyed a great lunch with our friends and then it was on to the airport to fly back home. 

Palm Springs 2025 6--Buddy Hackett

Comedian Buddy Hackett is honored in this spot on the Walk Of Stars in Palm Springs.

Hackett was a familiar figure on daytime gameshows and talkshows in the 60s and 70s 

Lee Goldberg Unboxes Latest Work

 Lee Goldberg shares the unboxing of an upcoming novel. You can join the fun and excitement by clicking here.

Palm Springs 2025 5--Rock Hudson's Star

Because tonight (Sunday, March 2nd, 2025) is Oscar Night,I present one of the all-time classic movie actor Rock Hudson's Star n Palm Springs. 

Hudson did not win a single Oscar in the long career, but he did get a nomination.

Palm Springs 2025 4--Sunset

A beautiful sunset over the mountains, witnessed from the house where we stayed.

Palm Springs 2025 3--The House

The house where we stayed had the pool in the front yard. 

Palm Springs 2025 2--Cactus In The Yard

The yard of the house we stayed in Palm Springs had cacti of many shapes.

Burl Barer From Decades Ago.

Cousin Burl Barer appeared in this ad, from his days at Seattle rock station KOL.  Probably from the late 1960s or early 70s. Burl is on the right side. Thank you to Randy from Facebook. 
 

Palm Springs Golf

We just returned from a few days of R and R in Palm Springs, CA. A nearly annual excursion. 

My buddy Rick and I played golf at the beautiful Cimnaron Golf Club on Monday.

Esteemed Actor Gene Hackman Found Dead

 Gene Hackman, two-time Academy Award winner was found dead yesterday, along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa.  The actor, known for his everyman persona, was 95, his wife was 63.  

Reports say there was no immediate indication of foul play.

Oliver Meets Friends

Oliver plays with dogs on the pipeline trail.

Roberta Flack

Sadly, I've read about the passing of Roberta Flack who sang the soft rock classic, Killing Me Softly.

Beyond The Beach--Seaside, Oregon

A few random shots, compiled by Google Photo, of our favorite vacation spot, Seaside. 

 

Lucia Flores-Wiseman's Sneak Preview

I couldn't believe this would already be up.  If you don't like spoilers, you may not want to watch this until after the show.  

Still, a look at Maple Valley's Lucia Flores-Wiseman's performance on The Voice. 

Paul McCartney: Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End (Live) – SNL50

In a performance that will go down in TV history, Paul McCartney performed on the 50th anniversary of SNL.  

Adam Sandler's Song: 50 Years – SNL50

In just a few seconds, Jack Nicholson, in my opinion,, did the impossible.  He upstaged Adam Sandler. 

Mayor Harrell jokes about return of Supersonics

Mayor Bruce Harrell seemed to be the first mayor in a couple decades to make it through his first term without a raging controversy, until this moment raised eyebrows. 

Sports fans on social media are definitely speaking out, saying that this joke hit to close to home. 

Seattle 2024

 Here are some shots taken in the city over last year. 

Happy President's Day

 

America Concert 2023

Some great shots from the America Concert in June of 2023.

 

Happy Valentine's Day

 

Mentink To Become Mariner Commentator

 

Angie Mentink will make history as a Mariner commentator, according to an article in the Seattle Times. 

She is the first woman in the club's history assume that role.  The team needed to replace departing announcers Dave Sims, who left to become lead announcer for the Yankees and Mike Blowers.

Aaron Goldsmith will become lead TV play by play announcer , with a rotating group of color analysts, including Mentink, Dave Valle, Ryan Rowland-Smith, and the return of Jay Buhner. 

Rick Rizzs will continue to do play by play on the radio, joined in the booth by

Brad Adam and Jen Mueller will continue their roles on the TV broadcasts. 

Hanging With My Buddy

Oliver on his second birthday.

Eagles Fly In Super Bowl LIV

40-22 may seem like a blowout, but truly, the game was even more lopsided as the Philadelphia Eagles resoundingly defeated the Kansas City Chiefs.  Kansas City, attempting to become the first team ever to win three Super Bowls in a row, could not get even get a score in the first half.  

While many people watched hoping that the Chiefs could make history with a third consecutive Super Bowl victory, the tenacity and hard play of the Eagles was inspiring, at least, to me. 

Jalen Hurts, above, the Eagles victorious quarterback, holds the Lombardi trophy in the picture above. 
 

Beatle Seen At Seen At Super Bowl

Beatle Paul McCartney, enjoying the Super Bowl.

Happy Super Sunday!

 

Lucia Appears In Maple Valley

Contestant on The Voice, Lucia Flores-Wiseman performed here in Maple Valley at home furnishing store, House & Hazel. The kitchen served light dinners, as well as wine and beer.

The event was a packed house, and everyone enjoyed the local singer 

The Pine Box Before The Play

 

Before attending Hamilton, he stopped for dinner at The Pine Box, a funky Capitol Hill eatery, converted from an old funeral home 

Bruce Lee, the great martial arts icon with Seattle ties had his funeral there in the early 70s and is honored with the cardboard cutout above.

Coincidentally or not, it is on Pine Street 

A Night Of Hamilton

The set of Hamilton. Obviously, pictures won't be allowed during the show.

Lucia's Turn On The Voice Yet To Come

 Lucia Flores-Wiseman, did not appear on the season premiere of The Voice, February 3rd.  According to a video on Facebook, Lucia could be on either this coming Monday or the next.   For more, click here

More Backyard Snow

 This was also taken in our backyard yesterday (Monday, February 3rd, 2023).  It is mainly a repeat of the first video that I took that day. 

Happy Birthday, Oliver

Oliver turned 2 today (February 3, 2025).

Marni

Last week, I got sad news about my former co-worker, Marni Hickey.  Marni and I worked at ICON, a Seattle based long distance company, with a wonderful reputation.  It was a wonderful, professional fun, working environment.  

Marni was married to my boss, Tom.  She worked in the MIS department which handled billing, computer services (from my memory) and what not. 

She set up my computer and literally taught me how to use one. She was pretty, fun loving, and friendly. 

Sadly, well after we all left the company, Marni and her husband split-up.  She left Seattle to further her career.  

Marni, I found out last week from a mutual friend, passed away at the end of last year.  I did not find out the cause of death. 

A snowy day in February

Here's a fun video that I made in our backyard.

Snowy Maple Valley

 Here's a video of the snow falling, commonplace for winter almost anyplace else, but an even when it happens in the Seattle area. 

Winter Hits Maple Valley

While yesterday's fall was a light dusting. This morning, the ground is covered with white stuff.

Year's First Snowfall

Not much, but big flakes came down which did not stick.  Coincidentally, the first day of February.

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.