Good Bye P-I

On the eve of its last day, it is hard to say good bye. The paper that helped spark my interest in sports will be no more as of this time tomorrow. And it won't be the last paper to go. I have many memories of the Seattle P-I, all the way back to my childhood when I learned to read. I probably could have shined more in school had I not focused so much on the sports page, but heck I wouldn't have the knowledge I have now either. When I grew up the P-I was a morning paper and the rival Seattle Times came in the afternoon. My Mom wasn't a morning person so we got the Times, but it didn't stop me from finding the P-I. She still gets the Times by the way, and she reads it cover to cover. I have spent most of my adult life in Eastern Washington and I can't imagine being without our hometown paper, the Tri-City Herald. I remember Sonny Sixkiller, D.B. Cooper, Warren Magnuson and Moon, and of course Dixie Lee Ray. Warren "Maggie" Magnuson once said about the former Governor, "She's cute, if she'd shave I might kiss her." I vividly remember former Husky coach Jim Owens and the three yards and a cloud of dust. Boy have things changed. Now they might get two yards. I probably should write books on serial killers like Anne Rule does, because it's somewhat of a passion for me to read about psychos like Gary Ridgway, Kevin Coe, and of course Rule's former friend and colleague, Ted Bundy. If it weren't for the Seattle P-I we probably wouldn't have the t-shirts that read, "Ted Bundy was a Husky". Although I read three to four newspapers a day on-line, there's nothing like reading the hard copy of a daily newspaper with a fresh, warm cup of coffee, at least for me anyway. While I'm writing this many of the journalists at the Seattle P-I are meeting deadlines for their last assignment with the legendary paper. I can't imagine their tears, their pain, their memories, and most importantly, how the Seattle P-I has made all of them better people, and me too. Thank you Seattle P-I, you will be missed. The coffee just won't taste the same anymore.

49 Years Young

He still has it. The swagger, and that magical sense about him. Smooth as silk. For 71 holes at the Northern Trust Open he was in the hunt. One errant shot means the difference on the PGA Tour and Fred Couples did something on Sunday you don't normally see. A seven-iron on the final hole sprayed dead right catching one of the towering Eucalyptus trees that line the right side of the 18th fairway at Riviera. Another huge check and more reason to hang out on his couch and count his money. Phil Mickelson was victorious in the end but Fred Couples still has it, at 49 years young.

Tribute to "A-Train"

We lost a good man here recently. A man that defined what is important in family. Al "A-Train" Nall passed away after Christmas, but not before making a lasting impression on a lot of people in a very positive way. Most importantly, that lasting impression will be carried on by his family, something extremely important to him. It was a very moving service for me and my wife as well. Richard, I commend you on an outstanding job of representing the family. I'm sure "A-Train" is very proud right now.

Your Friend,

T. Moore

Define Your Place

Define your place. Sounds a little deep but it's not. If you are struggling with a plan, or don't know exactly where you are with your business plan for 2009 give us a call. Sometimes it helps to get a third party opinion or some direction on "honing" in on a target audience, your customer. Another way of defining it is being more efficient. A simple 30 minute brainstorming session might be all you need. We focus on results with our clients. More people in the door. More people seeing your logo. Most importantly, more people knowing who you are, what you are doing, and what you are all about. I like to refer to it as branding 101. The results should follow.

Respectfully,

Tom Moore

One More Year!

The search for a replacement for Tyrone Willingham as Head Football Coach at the University of Washington has turned into a joke, and then some. Every name that has surfaced has disappeared just as quickly. Add Mike Leach to the scratch list this time. And there will be more. The university has slipped into the 'dork' mode, an enormous reason why nobody is interested in moving to Seattle, one of the nicest cities in the country. How about bringing Ty back for another year? He's already here and you are paying him anyway. It's starting to sound like a pretty good idea.

Hill Climbing To The Top

The names keep dwindling, much like the program. The job that used to be one of the most desirable in the country is showing little interest from anyone, except Pat Hill. Fresno State's 56 year-old coach reportedly met with UW officials Saturday about the head coaching vacancy for the bewildered program. He was all smiles at his team's annual awards banquet but said he had not been offered the job. What he doesn't know is he really is the only one that has expressed interest, according to many reports. With the pipe dream of a new stadium in the wood works, the big question is whether Hill will meet the demands and expectations of the old school donors who are hoping a high profile coach will succeed Tyrone Willingham. They are also hoping to meet with Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly, who many believe is waiting for the Notre Dame job, if it comes open. There is a lot of hope in Montlake right now. I hate to break it to you but hope is a belief that something outside yourself is going to save your butt. It will be a tough Hill to climb.

Mucho Grasu

Pullman, WA.

As the students were storming the field at Martin Stadium after the fourth victory in five years for the Cougars, I was heading down Grande Avenue listening to Bob. Bob Robertson that is. There may not be a better pair to listen to in an 'event' like the Apple Cup. Jim Walden said throw the records aside, put on your colors and support the 'event', because nothing else really matters. And what an event it was. For the young Cougars, it was an exercise for the future, learning to win a game in a tight situation, "definitely something to build on", according to Head Coach Paul Wulff. The Cougs haven't been in this situation all year, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Seven potential WSU recruits were in the stadium for the game, and if they are on the fence so to speak, they might climb down now. They might have witnessed the future of Cougar football and the definite low point for Husky football. For the first time all year the Cougs fought to the wire, this time with reason to celebrate. The Huskies left again 'bewildered' and with no explanation. "Don't ask that question again", said Tyrone Willingham when asked if he will coach against California in the final game. Another loss. Another week off and nothing to look forward to. Down and out. One more loss and they will own the worst record for a season for UW since 1890. In 2090 the record books for this one will include Karstetter, Mitz, Bland, and a kicker named Nico Grasu. Benched two weeks ago, he is now the hero. "If this guy makes this kick he will be a hero forever for cougar faithful", said a spirited Walden before the final attempt. "Good, the Cougars win"...yelled Bob Robertson. In the 'event', it's beginning to sound like a broken record. And there's a rainbow on the horizon. Mahalo.