Seahawks Cut Ties To Shaun Alexander

It is the end of an era here as the Seattle Seahawks have cut Shaun Alexander. Alexander, the Hawks first round draft pick in 2000 out of Alabama, was league MVP in 2005 when he ran for 1880 yards and scored 27 touchdowns. That was the Seahawks Super Bowl season. Injuries have forced a dramatic decline. Alexander has come under criticism during his career by fans who thought that he was selfish and a showboat.

Photo from the Seattle Times.

And Another Glenn Johnson Recovery

Sorry, inside joke. Sources say that Glenn Johnson has been released from the hospital and that he is doing fine. Johnson above left was rushed to Pullman MemorialHospital Sunday after his blood pressure spiked.

The long time Washington State University communications professor is arguably one of the nation's most colorful stadium announcers . He is known for such phrases as "that's another Cougar first down" and the deep voiced "No Gain".

Washington State University Professor Recovering

Communications Professor Glenn Johnson, known to most of the "Cougar Nation" as the stadium announcer for WSU football and basketball, is recovering from "stroke like symptoms". Johnson was taken by ambulance to Pullman Memorial Hospital Sunday according to the university newspaper, "The Daily Evergreen". In addition to his school duties, Johnson is also the mayor of Pullman.

From The Blogosphere:

Cousin Tod shows some very witty Obama ads

Local Figure On American Gladiator

I had not ever met anyone who had been on a reality show until Tanji Johnson, a Bellevue body builder apeared on NBC's American Gladiator. Johnson was nicknamed "Stealth"

Happy Sonics Memories

Steve Barer brings back some of the happier Sonics memories on his blog. Steve shows a couple of old 78-78 clips that he found on you tube.

Cuban Bucks Trend Votes Against Relocation

Dallas Maverick owner Mark Cuban voted against Bennett's proposal to move the Super Sonics out of Seattle. Paul Allen (who actually stopped the Seahawks from going to LA) also voted in the minority. Hats off to those two gentleman!

Dramatic Weather Change

It's April 19th and it's snowing here. Hopefully more information and pictures coming soon. Last weekend the temperature was up to 80. We have definitely had the extremes here in the Seattle area.

Sonics Move Is Approved!

The NBA has approved the Seattle Super Sonics move to Oklahoma City. According to the Seattle Times.

Bedard Scheduled For Friday Start

The Seattle Times reports that Seattle Mariner Lefty Eric Bedard may not be put on the disabled list. So far, Bedard, whom GM Bob Bavasi basically bet his career on during the off-season has been more headache than help missing a couple of starts. Time will tell if this acquisition will pan out.

Howard Schultz Sues Bennett--Wants Sonics Back

Seattle's Professional Sports teams sadly have one thing in common. No I'm not talking about their endless ability to not live up to expectations, it's that all have been on the brink of leaving town. The earliest team in my memory (actually Seattle's second major team), The Seattle Pilots skipped town after a year, becoming the Milwaukee Brewers. The subsequent lawsuit, brought about a new baseball team in 1977, the Seattle Mariners. The bitten Seattle fans were reluctant to support the baseball team more or less forced upon them, until sports radio and a likable group of stars and potential stars who seemed gel at just the right time to capture the hearts of the fans and cause Safeco Field to be built. Even the Seahawks were bought by out of town owners and put out to die, actually setting foot in what was to be there new town. Until software billionaire Paul Allen stepped up and bought the team after persuading the town to build Qwest Field.

The Sonics seemed to be safe, after all, the 1990s which were rough times for the 'Hawks and Mariners (although the Mariners saw their first post season action in '95), saw some of the better Sonics teams. When Howard Schultz bought the team several years ago, he assembled some of the best and the brightest in the area business world and the future for the team looked good in Seattle. Until July 18, 1996 when the Sonics were sold to a group from Oklahoma City. While the owners, lead by Clay Bennett, promised to put forth a "good faith effort" to keep the team in Seattle, Sonic fans where aware the city warmly greeted the New Orleans Hornets while Hurricane Katrina caused the team to temporarily relocate.

Now once again the city is suing to keep a franchise and suddenly Howard Schultz has is suing to take back the franchise. The lawsuit is in response to e-mails Bennett made to his partners insisting that he meant all along to move the franchise. Whether or not Schultz will be successful remains to be seen but after the beating that he has taken after his first go around owning a team, it is amazing that he would want anything to do with the franchise.

Jazz Under The Stars

Last night, Deb and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Druids Glen, the scenic golf course outside Maple Valley. We then caught the performance of Michael Powers, who is part of the "Jazz On The Green" series. KWJZ, Seattle's "Smooth Jazz" Station is sponsoring the series on the second Saturday of each month through September.

Mount Rainier On A Beautiful Night

We took this picture of Mount Rainier yesterday from the Druids Glen Golf Course about about 10 minutes from our house. Skies were clear as temperatures where in the 80s hopefully signaling the end of winter.

Kathi Goertzen 1977

Maybe this will cheer up fellow Kathi Goertzen fans--her Freshman year at Washington State University. This photo is from the 1977 Chinook. Kathy is second from right, third row up.

A Blast From The Past--The Old KYYX Magazine

This may have been what you were wearing in the '80s! This picture is from the KYYX tribute site

What's Going On My Family's Blogs

My brother Steve gives his insight on Pro Wrestler Rick Flair on his blog, wallawallabarer

Washington State Makes Preemptive Strike On Tony Bennett

It has been reported that Tony Bennett has agreed to a new contract that will keep him as Cougar Men's Basketball Coach. Bennett has been rumored for openings at Indiana, Marquette (whose coach took the job at Indiana), LSU, and California. Bennett had just signed a seven year contract last year about this time, but greater success has apparently forced Washington State to sweeten the deal. WSU made the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament for the first time in years.

Wishing A Quick Recovery For Kathi

The Seattle area wishes long time Channel 4 Anchor Kathi Goertzen a quick recovery. Goertzen has gone in for the third time for a brain tumor.
Kathi's unassuming manner always makes her a welcome presence in people's living rooms. Her 30 years in the Seattle television market, make her a dynasty. Kathi and I both went through the Com department at WSU during the late 1970 and early 80s.
This picture is courtesy of the Seattle Times.

Last weekend we went to the Rocksport in West Seattle for a night of Rock and Roll. It started out with local band "Gray Sky Falling" with guest keyboarding Goldie McJohn. McJohn was original keyboardist for the sixties psychedelic band Steppenwolf.
The next band was StraightOn, a Heart tribute band

Appropriate But Safe