#thanks kennewick it was fun

[nolanhattrick]

i feel like only ever using mens restrooms in other cities has to be some sort of thing for me

[timemachineyeah]

ETA: The backpack is returned! We have our photos back! Thank you to everyone for all of your help!!!

“I need a million people to share this. I just went on a make a wish trip with my nephew and family. The trip started with disaster and luggage and medical equipment in Seattle which finally got to us in the middle of our cruise in the bahamas. On the trip home I sat down at gate b54 Denver. United to talk on the phone. I set my backpack down beside me. There were 2 young men sleeping right beside my chair. As my call ended, my backpack and the young men were gone. They most likely got on a plane with my pack. My camera with all our pictures are gone. I don't care about the cash, jacket, or personal items. I don't even care about my camera. I need the SD card back. Please please mail it to my office at. Vista ideal protein, 7201 W Grandridge Blvd, Kennewick, WA 99336. This is the only picture I have on my phone. All the Disney cruise pictures, as well as my family holiday pictures are on the SD card.”

ETA: The backpack is returned! We have our photos back! Thank you to everyone for all of your help!!!

Hey everyone, if you could boost this it would be really appreciated. 

My mom recently went along to help on a cruise with my cousin’s children. Both kids have INAD, a rare and terminal genetic disorder. The life expectancy for those diagnosed with INAD is 5-10 years old. 

They went on a carefully planned and very difficult Make A Wish vacation, a chance for the parents to take a break and the kids to have some fun. It takes a LOT of work with kids this sick for trips like this to be possible. My mother, who loves these boys like they’re her own, went along (along with the kids’ maternal grandmother) to help with the childcare.

On the trip back on February 17, 2017, my mother was in the Denver airport at Gate B54 around 5pm Mountain Time when her bag with her camera was taken. The SD card contained all the photos from this vacation (as well as our family Christmas). 

These little boys are going to have very short, very difficult lives, and there won’t be a lot to remember them by, certainly not a lot of happy fun memories. My mom isn’t asking for any of her belongings back, not even the camera. She just needs the SD card. 

She’s not looking to press charges or get anyone in trouble. We don’t know if the pack was taken on purpose or by mistake, and we don’t care. We would just really, really appreciate it if the SD card was returned.

Thank you and please boost. 

ETA: The backpack is returned! We have our photos back! Thank you to everyone for all of your help!!!

[kellicall-blog1]

Thank you #Chinook middle school in #Kennewick for a fun day of, reading, teaching, and answering questions! #amwriting #published #sensoryprocessingdisorder #SPD #autism #books #booktour #specialneeds #kidlit #picturebook #childrenbooks #authorlife #spreadawareness #childrenspicturebooks https://www.instagram.com/p/BwKw_Mkn2Gr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ptnn6k8gms8e

[owyheestar]

Roadtrip

     ~Coping with Excess Energy 

Pushkin and I are preparing for a long road trip to Arizona to move my mother into an assisted living facility. Once that has been taken care of we are going on to the Chaco Canyons of New Mexico.  It is the oldest Anasazi site in the U.S. In preparation for the trip to Arizona, we took a trip from Salem to Kennewick to see my grandchildren.

What I learned on the drive was that we had to stop quite often, not because Push had to “potty” but because he needed exercise. Once he was out of the car and we walked for a bit he settled right down when we started up again. At every rest stop, someone would comment on what a beautiful dog he is. I have attached some pictures for you. The man is my son, the children are obviously my grandchildren. I am not sure who that white-haired old woman is, could it be me?😏

What a great dog he is!

Marie

Breeder Comment

Thanks for the great share–we are excited you’re traveling together. That is fun. We loved your pointer on burning off the excess energy. It is good for humans as well.

One suggestion we might have is to be careful about dusty areas you visit while in the Southwest. Valley Fever in dogs is a thing. We would not want anything to happen to the lovely Puskin. Click here to read a bit about this potential risk. 

Pushkin Roadtrip      ~Coping with Excess Energy  Pushkin and I are preparing for a long road trip to Arizona to move my mother into an assisted living facility.

[kennymb]

Because Dairy Queen bathroom selfies are cool. Thanks for that fun road trip to Tri-Cities @kynzie_grace 😀 #roadtrip #bestfriend #selfie #biboy #myhairstartedoutnice (at Kennewick, Washington)

[bluesdoodles]

For the second time in 2018, the UKBlues Federation are back at the wonderful deco venue, Worthing Pier’s Southern Pavilion.  Earlier in the year for the inaugural UKBlues Awards sponsored by FORM Fit Out now back for the Fifth UKBlues Challenge.  All Five Band Rose to The Challenge in Worthing – each of the challengers, Greg Coulson, Carl North & The Loney Hearts,  Kyla Brox, Catfish and Tom C. Walker Band playing blues of many shades and tones that delighted the audience. Who though caught the Judge’s ears and are now excited knowing that in 2019 they will represent UK Blues at the 35th International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 2019 & 9th European Blues Challenge in Ponta Delgada in the Azores in April 2019.

What every organiser wants to see is a queue forming before the doors are opened. Tonight was one of those occasions as the sun began to dip tonight’s audience were waiting on the Pier for the doors to open and the event to begin. The atmosphere built as the venue filled. There was a buzz of anticipation front of the stage and nervous excitement backstage as the bands waited for the thirty-minute set that would decide their destiny tonight. The challenge every year has a special feel. This is not a traditional battle of the bands. The panel of five invited Judges, Sarah Reeve – Sarah’s Sussex Blues; Joe Cushley, (Music Consultant Radio 2 Blues Show, Presenter of Balling The Jack etc..) Alan White, (Early Blues and former board member); Malcolm Mills, (Chairman Proper Records) & Eric Nyberg (founder UnTapped Blues & Brews Festival in Kennewick WA; USA).

With the judges listening with extra care the evening got underway as the first note filled the venue.

Greg Coulson

Greg was the consummate showman as he delivered thirty minutes of fun loving Rock n’ Roll coloured with shades of blues and deepest soul. He divides his time between, guitar, keys and vocal duties. Greg opened the evening with warmth, smiles and a beguiling energy. This is a band you want to dance to.  Despite having to cope with gremlins in his amp his guitar gave the tracks a sting, the keys under his rapidly moving fingers and dramatic playing and his vocals that caressed the lyrics He delivered a set full of animation. With numbers from his current album including Stitch Me Up, and his tribute to Steely Dan’s Walter Becker, Someone Be There. Greg and his band stepped up to the challenge as they got the judges thinking and had the difficult to task of being the first band of the 2018 Challenge. He set the bar would it be overtaken. Now we had an engaged audience who realised the bands may only have thirty minutes but they would deliver excitement into every number they had chosen for this very special set.

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Carl North & The Loney Hearts

Carl and his band have had a whirlwind as only a fortnight before the challenge they filled the final set on tonight’s bill. They qualified to perform their 30-minute set, by winning a challenge on the Jessica Foxley Unsigned Stage at the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival in Colne.  This young six-piece band from Manchester were jubilant they had never played their music this far south. As they stepped on the stage the audience leaned forward as for the majority this was the first time of hearing this band live. The set was full of raw energy, and youthful joy as we heard the saxophone for the first and last time tonight.  With five numbers to impress the judges, they set off with Offguard. They certainly were on fire as the two vocalists took vocal duties and came together for some tasteful harmonies. The band’s drummer was superb as were all the musicians on stage. With Hard Times, (Not Stephen Foster’s Hard Times) a contemporary number delivered with a swirl of passion and they were weaving into their interpretation of the blues some country vibes. They may have been the wildcard having not been nominated by the nomination panel. Proving once again the depth of talent that often gets overlooked so it is a big thanks to all at Jessica Foxley for sending Carl North & The Lonely Hearts down South so we could enjoy the music.

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Kyla Brox 

The third band of the evening took the tempo down with a four-piece that delivers gospel-infused blues. Kyla leads from the front in a splash of red as her vocals filled the auditorium of this Art Deco venue. Everyone in the audience was hanging onto every glorious note. She wove soulfulness into the delivery, packed a punch with emotional dexterity. You are so mesmerised and enthralled by Kyla’s voice you can overlook the talent of the musicians that provide the blues-drenched bass guitar from Danny Blomeley, one of the unsung musicians in the U.K. Kyla’s set exuded class and the audience were appreciative once again of the music and left like after the first two bands wanting to hear more.

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  Catfish

The fourth band and the rockiest tonight. Catfish delivered a set with a mix of new numbers including Ghosts from the anticipated upcoming album and the title track of the current album Broken Man. Catfish with guitarist Matthew Long and his father Paul on keys are renowned for long tracks at times whilst bounded by the blues and tip a hat at prog-rock. Many were intrigued by how they would cram their sound into a thirty-minute set. They did and the cheers for the local band were loud and warm. Many were disappointed that their personal favourite Let it Rain was dropped but that number is always long with its long guitar solos. We still had time to hear Matt’s guitar sing and his face make the varied gurning poses that characterises this young man who has a talent in making the guitar speak to you.  Enough to attract the attention of the judges we will have to wait and see or was it one of the earlier bands? Or was the best yet to come with the final band?

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Tom C Walker

The long wait was over for Tom Walker and his band. At last they could take their place on the stage and play for the judges. Tom C Walker’s power is a double whammy with his stunning guitar playing and soulful vocals. Tom C Walker delivers soulful blues with a large helping of funk. It is a vibe that makes you smile and dance. Tonight, Tom and his band were tight, they were smoking and on form. The double guitars from Tom and Jack Cooper work exceptionally well together adding extra layers of tones and textures. The strong rhythms that hold the band together with imagination are Deano on Bass and Jack Bowles on Drums.  The varied set was a delight and was a crowd pleasing collection. We all wanted to toast him when he finished his new number an ode to Tequila.  Tom C. Walker is a young band that is growing in stature shaping the sounds to meet his and the expectations of the audience. This is another exciting set.

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What a way to close the night the bar was set very high by all five bands and we had been entertained by five bands that loved every second they were on stage.

While we waited for the results the discussion was intense everyone had a favourite. But all that matters is what the judges say as the points are tallied and the winner decided we were kept occupied with the draw for the raffle.

Raffle Prizes

Four lucky people held the winning numbers for the prizes – A sleek White replica Fender Telecaster, donated by FORM Fit Out – Original Painting from the wonderful brush of Steve Pablo Jones:- UKBlues Federation Bag full of delicious CD’s and fourth prize pair of tickets any gig at Blues at the Woodlands in Gillingham, Kent donated by Andy Davies, who runs the club.

Results Are In!

Kyla Brox and her Band are of to represent the UK in 2019 at the 35th International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January 2019 & 9th European Blues Challenge in Ponta Delgada in the Azores in April 2019.

Her stunning bright Red dress is outshone by the beaming smile as she gives a warm hug to Ashwyn Smyth the Chair of UKBlues Federation. She turns and the audience is bathed in the warmth of blues love that radiates from Kyla as she invites her band on stage.

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Is that it? With the certificate now handed over, and an engraved Trophy sponsored by Proper Music to follow? No of course not this is live music, this is the blues. Kyla Brox sings a winning number and then invites the other guitarists on stage for a guitar fuelled jam. The audience would have liked this to have gone on into the night but as every venue’s curfew rules and the music fell silent and we left to walk down the pier discussing the evening and the power of live music.

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Have been at the four Challenges that the UKBlues Federation has organised, this is the best challenge yet, organisation, bands and pure blues music family vibe as musicians joined the winning band to celebrate UKBlues with the UKBlues Federation.

For all blues fans here is a Heads Up – Date for your 2019 Blues Diary – the weekend of 26th, 27th & 28th April 2019 for a weekend of live music and celebrations with the 2nd UKBlues Awards on Saturday 28th April 2019 at The Guild Hall, Preston…

  All Five Band Rose to The Challenge Worthing For the second time in 2018, the UKBlues Federation are back at the wonderful deco venue, …

[kellicall-blog1]

Thank you Lincoln Elementary in #Kennewick for a great day of reading and answering questions about #ItsNotEasyBeingASuperhero ! I had a lot of fun!! #kidlit #picturebook #childrenbooks #authorlife #spreadawareness #childrenspicturebooks #sensoryprocessingdisorder #booktour #specialneeds #SPD #amwriting #published #austimawarness #autism https://www.instagram.com/p/BwF34-uhS2W/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=omi5gwa5r9ug