Message Forum

Century 21 plus 50 years. This is the 50th Anniversary of Seattle's Worlds Fair. Can't be, but the truth wins out and it has been 50 years. KCTS, channel 9 has run a program several times documenting the fair from its conception to the closing day. What a concept. We still have buildings and venues in operation. That was the plan and it worked. If you get a chance, be sure to watch it. Lots of interesting facts. Such as Pres. Kennedy was scheduled to be here for the closing of the fair on Oct. 21, 1962 but claimed he was ill and couldn't attend. Turns out he had more pressing things to attend to. He announced the Cuban Missle Crisis on Oct. 22.

Elvis, The Bubblator, The Space Needle, The Wild Mouse, The Food Circus, The Colliseum and the girl from Morton...Gracie Hansen with her not so risque Las Vegas style show. Gracie garnered more than her share of publicity for her show girls, Sid and Marty Croft and a dog act where the dog couldn't do any tricks.

Valerie Maekawa had a job there after Ice Cool working at the pick you own pearl place. Mikimoto's ??

I'm still waiting for my flying car..........

06/13/12 01:29 AM

#482

So nice to log on to the Forum and see some action! John is back and that is GREAT!!

Weather on Sunday and again last night in the South West of Western Australia has been anything but pleasant. Cyclonic winds reaching 135 mph. Fortunately my property escaped damage, although neighbouring properties are littered with fallen trees. Last night's storm passed quickly and the intensity of wind was not quite so great. I have been one of the lucky ones who went without electricity for 24 hours.......friends are still waiting to be reconnected. The good thing is that the rain is filling the dams, and the farmers should be smiling once they clear their paddocks of debris.

I well remember the Seattle World's Fair.......loved the Mongolian Steak Sandwiches follwed by a Belgium Waffle.........ah memories!

Hope you are all keeping well!!

06/13/12 07:42 AM

#483

Good news..........The heat wave is over. It reached 74F. The moss was turning mighty pale.

More good news. It seems that I have a long lost, unknown relative who has passed away and left me a considerable sum of money. His name was Mumbai Braunschweiger Johnson. All I have to do is send in $25.00 and 120 S&W Green Stamps to customs officials in an, as of yet, unnamed foreign country. I've just about raised the $25.00 but I'm having a heck of a time finding any Green Stamps. Any ideas?

Bumped my head the other day and a memory synapse occured. I seem to recall that Keith Gorze worked on the Midway at the Seattle Center sometime in the way early 70's. Pretty sure I was with Walt Rice when we talked with him. I think Keith was working the Skee Ball game or the basket toss. Took a ride or two on the Wild Mouse and the Octopus. The next day we were headed to Portland and managed to roll Walt's 56 VW bug about ten times, 10-15 miles south of Chehalis. Just like riding the Wild Mouse but we didn't have to pay.

John

06/13/12 02:35 PM

#484

That long lost relative sounds just like a long lost relative of mine. I couldn't come up with the green stamps either. Thanks for the memories of the World's Fair. It was a special time. BTW rumor has it that Mark Weaver will be moving back to the Seattle area at the end of the month. Be sure to welcome him back. He may need some time to get the moss back between his toes.

06/14/12 03:49 PM

#485

For those of you who follow Thoroughbred Racing, Black Caviar is Australia's answer to Zenyatta. So far she has won 21 consecutive races and next week, on the 23rd of June will be racing at Royal Ascot. Needless to say I will be severely sleep deprived by then as the racing during the week, starting next Tuesday, is top class.

06/14/12 05:28 PM

#486

As of 5 hours ago, Black Caviar was eating and resting peacefully at the Royal Ascot Racepark. She made the 30 hour flight without mishap on June 5th. She wore a custom made Lycra suit, for the flight. I imagine that cost a few sheckels, bucks, dinars, pesos or simoleons. She will running on Day 5 of the Royal Ascot in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. It is going to be broadcast on CBUT on the 23rd at 2:00 PM. CBUT is a Canadian station, so all you ex-pats living in the land of the Maple Leaf take a bow. (Susan, Marian, Lianne, Briana, Rick, Sylvia et al) Let me see. If it is 2:00 PM PDT that means it will be 5:00 AM on the 24th in Western Australia.

So, Susan. Will you be having an early morning meal of caviar on toast points and a Fosters?

John

06/15/12 03:02 AM

#487

And here she is!

John, it will be about 9.50 pm on Saturday the 23rd, I believe, when she races in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and I think I will probably be toasting her with a stiff Scotch! (Too cold for a Crownie in my Black Caviar stubby holder.)

From reading your post it would seem you have become besoted by this beautiful creature, along with a great many of us in Australia and indeed, world-wide.

Here are a few more photos!

With Donna Fisher, who sadly has not travelled to England with her. Donna has spent the better part of the past two years caring for Nelly. She is her "strapper".

This is my favourite photo of her. She spends a lot of time in very cold water as she has issues with joints and that helps to keep her sound. She is a mare built like a colt and is definitely an elite equine athlete!

Along with her "connections" (owners, trainer and staff) all who love this amazing mare will be anxiously awaiting the outcome of her race. Should she be successful she will have won 22 races from 22 starts. Zenyatta won 19 out of 20 and was defeated by a nose in her final race. So bring it on..........

06/15/12 12:12 PM

#488

Thanks Susan for posting the wonderful pictures. Unfortunately, I will be in Mexico building a house for a homeless family while the race is going on so I am hoping someone will post the race information and results here.

06/16/12 07:14 AM

#489

Nancy.......Tell us a little more about the house building. Many of us "cub" reporters need to have the facts. Such as the who, what, where, when and I'm sure a few more W words. Perhaps a photo when you return.

Good luck and fair nailing......

06/16/12 07:57 AM

#490

Well..........another week is coming to a close in small town America. The bank had its barbeque for customers and friends on Friday. The UPS driver sped off and left her hand truck at the curb. Yours truly was spittin and grinnin with another contractor (Ben), on the corner a few doors down. Ben tossed it in the back of his truck muttering something about "when is that girl going to learn". He found her a few blocks away and strolled up to the back of her truck, asking if she needed some help.

I can say that I am one of the few people who has been displaced by a medical marijuana grow operation. The dispensary is on the main floor of the building and I had the lower portion. My lease term was up and they needed my space. Something to do with new state regulations. Hey, it was a win, win for me. They provided a U-haul truck, three strong backs for the move, bought out the last of my lease and saved me $220.00 a month in costs. I know that some of you "goat ropin, rope smokin buckeroos" are going to tell me what you have known for years. See John, marijuana is good for you.

John

06/17/12 06:47 AM

#491

Okay John, here are the basics.

Where: Puerto Penasco, Sonora Mexico on the Sea of Cortez (noted for great inexpensive seafood)

Who: with a team of at least 10 people ( our team is 20+)

When: travelling June 21st to 24th.

What: build an 11x22 ft single pitched roof house in 2.5 days.

Now you need to know that there are no power tools or cement mixers. We do a slab, the walls, roof, windows, door, sheathing, and chicken wire to hold the stucco and two coats of stucco. We work with the family and any community members that want to help. Before the family is qualified to be given their home, they must complete 200 hours of service to their community. We will probably not do any interior work and won't do any electrical or plumbing.

There are some great videos at www.1mission.org showing how it is done. I haven't been to Puerto Penasco before, but I know that it is the closest salt water resort get away for Phoenix (lots of toorist hotels). Around here the town is called Rocky Point. We will be bunking in the bunkhouses, although RV hookups are available at base camp.

The weather will be close to the same temperature as Phoenix and a lot more humid. I am hoping for cool marine breezes.

06/18/12 06:39 AM

#492

Nancy,

I had wondered about the concrete and stucco. I know that most of the building construction in Mexico use those two almost exclusively, along with brick. There are many parts of the world where the bugs can eat up the framing before you finish nailing it down. I was facinated by the concrete furniture during our first trip to Mexico.

Have fun...........

06/22/12 05:27 PM

#493

Susan,

Just in case there is a problem with Black Caviar or her jockey tomorrow, my dog has been in training and is ready to leap into the saddle.

John

06/23/12 07:22 PM

#494

The pictures tell the story. Black Caviar races into history having raced 22 times for 22 victories. Come home safely now, Nelly!

06/25/12 10:15 AM

#495

Absolutely stunning photos Susan. Thanks for sharing.

06/27/12 07:08 AM

#496

Passing...........I see where Jory Randles passed away on May, 28 after a long illness. He lived on Vashon Island. Had been a school teacher in Oregon and came back to Washington and worked for Boeing.

06/27/12 07:26 AM

#497

Profile updates...........I see where we have some new updated profiles with pictures. Thanks Susan, Laurie and Shirley Faye. If I remember correctly I took Laurie out on a date about a bazillion and half years ago. It was a double date along with Walt Rice and unknown. Went somwhere (malt shoppe, game, dance) I truly don't recall. I didn't get slapped so I must have been on my good behavior. I hope this doesn't embarrass anyone, if so drop a line and I will redact the names in order to protect the innocent.................

06/27/12 11:10 AM

#498

John, thanks for the info on Jory. I have updated his information for this website. It is really sad that we have lost yet another one much too soon.

06/27/12 11:12 PM

#499

John Hein

I didn't know about Jory Randles. Anybody know the circumstances? In hi skewl, he had a better stock of Chevy parts than all those wrecking yards on Empire (now MLK Way). Jory, RIP.

06/30/12 04:15 PM

#500

Esther Fisse (Abouaf)

Every now & then I check in with you John. Love your style of writing. Journalism major?

It's 118 here in the desert so I'm staying cool. Heading north for the summer to see family,

especially excited to be with grandchildren.

Not sure how many followers you have but it's a hoot to read your funny memories of those

years when we were kids. I think I must have selective memories. I can remember playing 4-square at Graham Hill but forgot what I did yesterday. Ever happen to you?

Keep writing ...... I think your hilarious!

07/01/12 01:00 PM

#501

Esther......Thanks for the kudos. I got my degree in Environmental Biology along with a double minor in two other sciences,,,,,however I seemed to have majored in Smart Alec-ology. Over the years I have honed that to a fine state of professionalism.

We've had high temps in the 70's. Hurry up and get to Portland to see the gkids before they know everything and you and Opa were born old. Speaking of Portland, wife unit and I are taking a lunch cruise on the Portland Spirit sternwheeler on 7/3.

I remember Graham Hill quite well, even when it was East Brighton. Four Square, Kickball and Tetherball at which virtually no one could beat Marion Sunde. Marion went to Rainier Beach. Ran into her a couple times over the years (no major injuries). She worked for Pacific NW Bell.

I remember you, Barbara S., Lianne Givens and at that time your favorite line "Oh, John, knock it off." Often followed by a discreet scolding by Miss Telban on the porch of the portable. She was my all time favorite teacher. She was 89 when she passed away. That's okay. Mr. Heggen, Mr. Aussie and Mrs VonNorman had those same talks with me. Took my first walk to the principal's office in the first grade at Whitworth. I was a little scared that time. I had been informed by certain people in the know that he had an automatic spanking machine. Sound familiar Johnny Hein or Tom Balestrasei? My delicate little psyche has taken a lot of hits and keeps on ticking.

John.............

07/01/12 01:18 PM

#502

First jobs...........Anybody have any good tales?

Soooo...I come home, from school, in the third grade. We always ate dinner at the dining room table. Dad always asked what had gone on with our day. Well, I had learned from someone that they got an allowance. Huh? After it was explained to me, I thought it was a pretty good idea. When Dad asked, I figured what better time to broach the subject. Man was he dumb. Had no idea what an allowance was and made me explain the whole thing to him. Asked a few pointed questions. Such as why I needed this money, what was I going to do with it. After we got past the clothes, food and roof over my head I figured that maybe it wasn't such a good idea. Two weeks later I had my first paper route. Delivered for the Rainier District Times, Shopping News and Seattle Times for the next 8 years.

Dang, my Dad sure could be dumb sometimes................yeah like a fox.

John.......

07/02/12 07:34 AM

#503

Nancy.......We are waiting for our Peurto Penasco debreifing. Hopfully it was a successful mission, without too many aching backs, smashed thumbs and sunburns. Do you and Ron have a trailer/camper or are there motel facilities nearby? As Jack Webb aka Sgt. Joe Friday used to say "Just the facts maam".

John..............

Ps.

Mr. Holt would be proud of us, still typing after all these years. For those of you who took typing in Ice Cool. However I was disabused of that typing term by one of my nieces several years ago. We don't type anymore, we keyboard. Yeah, okay, whatever...........................

07/03/12 07:07 AM

#504

Heat Wave........It's on its way. In the low 80's the next week or so. For those of you who have been suffering with the 100 degree weather try to take solace in the fact that it is a dry heat. Still hotter than blazes, but dry blazes.

Cool as a cucumber...................

07/03/12 02:45 PM

#505