Nuts and Bolts
I want to tell you all about my recent exploits and fun I've been having, but lack of internet access and crazy working schedules just don't find me heading off to the nearest internet shop. I just don't know of many places that offer free internet. I could go to Starbucks (eww) but they charge money. Those bastards.
In other news, I was the M.C. for the Yakima Downtown New Years Celebration. A great family event celebrated outside with 4 local bands, vendors and crazy hats and stuff. There were, I'd guess, a couple thousand people there. It went off well and I even got a small qoute in the Yakima Herald Republic newspaper. I'd love to put there web site on this blog, but they want to charge me $2.95 for the article. Ha! Like that's going to happen.
So the new year is going fine. I've been dating a really cute woman, Elise, who is funny, and smart too. Trifecta! We are having a grand time together.
I am still looking for a job in radio. I prefer to stay in the Northwest, but I am wanting a carreer in radio so badly that I dream about being behind the mic. It's only a matter of time.
posted by Thom @ 2:13 PM
2 Comments:
Happy new year Thom! sounds like new years was fun for ya. No dream, only Do.
Story:By ROD ANTONE
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
Twenty-degree weather was not enough to keep partygoers from ringing in 2007 in the streets of downtown Yakima on Sunday night.
The free festival put on by the Yakima Downtown Association began at 6 p.m. and lasted past midnight, with some people arriving before the music, food booths and portable heaters were even set up.
"We got here at 5:30 p.m.," said Yakima resident Andy Gamoa. "It got so cold, we had to warm up in the car for about 10 minutes, but we're enjoying ourselves."
Then with a laugh, he added, "They definitely need more heaters, though."
Events included three bands, concession stands and a short fireworks display at midnight.
This is the second year the downtown association has hosted the event, and many people decided to have dinner and drinks first at nearby establishments before venturing out into the festivities in front of the Capitol Theatre on South Third Street.
"I'd say we're 20 to 30 percent busier. It's more like a Saturday night for us," said James Mead, general manager at the Olive Garden. "People come in and have dinner and they'll come in later to have a drink, use the restroom, get warm. It's a good event."
Some businesses even featured their own entertainment to try to keep the crowds from leaving. Russillo's Pizza & Gelato featured jazz and swing music at 10 p.m., while the Sports Center hired a reggae band to play before the balloons dropped at midnight.
Over at the Kana Winery on South Second Street, general manager Katherine Vigil said she was so impressed with the crowds at last year's event that she reopened her doors at 11 p.m. for those who wanted to toast in the new year before midnight. Usually on Sundays, the winery closes at 5 p.m.
"I just wanted to be a part of it," she said. "Because what it was, it just seemed like, was that Yakima was really alive — people brought their kids, dancing and enjoying themselves. It was a true sense of community, something you want to feel all year long."
The cold weather and trouble getting the portable heaters turned on might have kept the crowds small at first. When the event started and the first band, Stagnant, hit the stage, they were playing to a group of about 20 people.
But by about 8 p.m., when members of the band Tragedy Within began to play, the audience had swollen to more than 100 people and kept growing steadily. As people danced around the heaters, it seemed they had little time to think about much besides staying warm.
Businessowners hope that by holding more events downtown, it will help convince people that the area is a safe place to have a good time.
People like Pam Bates brought her family out to celebrate her daughter's 20th birthday on New Year's Eve.
"We love celebrating her birthday because instead of adults going one way and the kids going another on New Year's, it's a family event." Bates said. "In fact, that's my resolution ... I'm going to dine out more with my family."
Event emcee and former radio disc jockey Thom Kokenge said his hopes for 2007 include "peace throughout the world and a large sack of money."
Other resolutions included not having resolutions, or just being happy with the way things were.
"My resolution is to just keep trying honey," said Pat LaPiere of Naches. "I get up every morning and thank the Lord I'm still cooking."
Dave Eastlick, co-owner of the Sports Center, said he vows to "keep smoking" along with all the rest of his bad habits. Seriously though, Eastlick said, this coming year he'd like to see the downtown area reach its full potential, when every night is an opportunity to see crowds as large as New Year's Eve.
"I'd like to see more people take risk and invest in downtown," he said. "People are doing it now but more need to get involved."
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