• 17 minutes 55 seconds
    BONUS EPISODE: April 29 Gas Works Park Update with Barbara Swift - Demolition Underway
    Feliks Banel's guest on this BONUS EPISODE of CASCADE OF HISTORY is Barbara Swift of Gas Works Park Alliance with an update on the demolition currently underway at historic Gas Works Park in Seattle, and ongoing frustration with documents prepared by Seattle Parks and Recreation. Demolition began on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 with a ladder and cage being removed from one of the west towers just before 8:00am. Work has continued for two days, and the structures - the "cracking towers" - are noticeably different in appearance. Meanwhile, Barbara Swift of the Gas Works Park Alliance is trying to determine if the documents prepared by Seattle Parks and Recreation were adequate for the complexity of the demolition project. This conversation was recorded on the evening of Wednesday, April 29, 2026. For more information and context, listen to this BONUS EPISODE from April 13, 2026 with Eugenia Woo of Historic Seattle: https://soundcloud.com/cascadeofhistory/bonus-episode-gasworks-override Link to Historic Seattle web page mentioned by Barbara Swift with updates on Gas Works Park: https://historicseattle.org/seattles-own-east-wing/ Links to more information as well as images related to most topics discussed on the show are often available at the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/cascadeofhistory CASCADE OF HISTORY is broadcast LIVE most Sunday nights at 8pm Pacific Time via flagship station SPACE 101.1 FM in Seattle and gallantly streams everywhere via www.space101fm.org. The radio station broadcasts from studios at historic Magnuson Park – located in the former Master-at-Arms’ quarters in the old Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. "LIKE" the Cascade of History Facebook page and get updates and other stories throughout the week, and advance notice of live remote broadcasts taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.
    30 April 2026, 5:04 am
  • 54 minutes 41 seconds
    BONUS EPISODE: Sam Litzinger on Radio History and Saying Farewell to CBS Radio News
    Feliks Banel's guest on this BONUS EPISODE of CASCADE OF HISTORY is Sam Litzinger, longtime radio journalist who spent many years at the CBS Radio Network, and who happens to be an accomplished radio historian as well. Sam Litzinger grew up in Titusville, Pennsylvania and took his first job in radio at age 16 at a local station. He went on to a long career as a radio journalist, and someone who took great pleasure in studying radio history, and getting to meet and work with giants in the field, notably Richard C. Hottelet. With the end of CBS Radio News just a few weeks away, Mr. Litzinger joined Feliks Banel for a BONUS EPISODE of CASCADE OF HISTORY to look back and look ahead. CASCADE OF HISTORY spoke with Sam Litzinger on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Sam Litzinger's website with links to many of his documentaries: https://www.samlitzinger.com/ Sam Litzinger's recent audio documentary about the history of CBS Radio News: https://soundcloud.com/user-56559296/farewelltocbsnewsradiomixdown Links to more information as well as images related to most topics discussed on the show are often available at the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/cascadeofhistory CASCADE OF HISTORY is broadcast LIVE most Sunday nights at 8pm Pacific Time via flagship station SPACE 101.1 FM in Seattle and gallantly streams everywhere via www.space101fm.org. The radio station broadcasts from studios at historic Magnuson Park – located in the former Master-at-Arms’ quarters in the old Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. "LIKE" the Cascade of History Facebook page and get updates and other stories throughout the week, and advance notice of live remote broadcasts taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.
    29 April 2026, 9:30 pm
  • 37 minutes 5 seconds
    BONUS EPISODE: April 22 Gas Works Park Update with Barbara Swift of Gas Works Park Alliance
    Feliks Banel's guest on this BONUS EPISODE of CASCADE OF HISTORY is Barbara Swift of Gas Works Park Alliance with an update on plans by the City of Seattle to begin demolishing and removing portions of the historic "cracking towers" at the landmark park. This conversation was recorded on the evening of Wednesday, April 22, 2026. A visit to Gas Works Park earlier this afternoon revealed no apparent activity as yet by the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation or the company they contracted with for the demolition work. For more information and context, listen to this BONUS EPISODE from April 13, 2026 with Eugenia Woo of Historic Seattle: https://soundcloud.com/cascadeofhistory/bonus-episode-gasworks-override Link to Historic Seattle web page mentioned by Barbara Swift with updates on Gas Works Park: https://historicseattle.org/seattles-own-east-wing/ Links to more information as well as images related to most topics discussed on the show are often available at the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/cascadeofhistory CASCADE OF HISTORY is broadcast LIVE most Sunday nights at 8pm Pacific Time via flagship station SPACE 101.1 FM in Seattle and gallantly streams everywhere via www.space101fm.org. The radio station broadcasts from studios at historic Magnuson Park – located in the former Master-at-Arms’ quarters in the old Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. "LIKE" the Cascade of History Facebook page and get updates and other stories throughout the week, and advance notice of live remote broadcasts taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.
    23 April 2026, 4:51 am
  • 29 minutes 52 seconds
    BONUS EPISODE: Brown & Haley Merger and Mountain Bar History
    On this BONUS EPISODE of CASCADE OF HISTORY, Feliks Banel digs into the audio archives for his interview from October 28, 2020 with Kathi Rennaker, spokesperson for Tacoma-based Brown & Haley, longtime local makers of Almond Roca and Mountain Bars. On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the Seattle Times reported that Brown and Haley has officially merged with its “longtime import and distribution partner in China,” an entity known as BHM Group LTD. The Times also reported, “That company’s leader, Sam Meng, has been named Brown & Haley’s new CEO.” In this interview from 2020, Ms. Rennaker, who, according to the Times’ story, has been named Chief Operating Officer of the merged companies, goes into detail about the origins and history of the Mountain Bar, which had a few different names early on, and which remains popular in an era when many regional candy bars have gone away. She also lets us in on the unique distribution method she was planning to use on Halloween of that pandemic year to get Mountain Bars into the hands of the trick-or-treaters she expected to visit her house. Seattle Times article on the Brown & Haley merger: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/tacoma-candymaker-behind-almond-roca-announces-international-merger/ Links to more information as well as images related to most topics discussed on the show are often available at the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/cascadeofhistory CASCADE OF HISTORY is broadcast LIVE most Sunday nights at 8pm Pacific Time via flagship station SPACE 101.1 FM in Seattle and gallantly streams everywhere via www.space101fm.org. The radio station broadcasts from studios at historic Magnuson Park – located in the former Master-at-Arms’ quarters in the old Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. "LIKE" the Cascade of History Facebook page and get updates and other stories throughout the week, and advance notice of live remote broadcasts taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.
    22 April 2026, 1:20 am
  • 18 minutes 52 seconds
    BONUS EPISODE: Invisible Histories and "History Comes Alive at Harbor Island"
    Feliks Banel's guests on this BONUS EPISODE of CASCADE OF HISTORY are Elke Hautala and Cari Simson of Invisible Histories, a group that produces a monthly podcast and a series of history-themed performance events around Puget Sound. The pair spoke with CASCADE OF HISTORY on Monday, April 20, 2026 to share some of their origin story, as well as preview an event called “History Comes Alive at Harbor Island” taking place later this week - April 23-24, 2026 - on Seattle’s Harbor Island. The public is invited to take part in one or both nights of an open house and special performance-based tours – though, as of the recording of this episode, the tours were sold out (however, tickets for the open house portion are still available). Ticket info for "History Comes Alive on Harbor Island": https://ticketstripe.com/events/5027108399180724 More info about Invisible Histories: https://www.invisible-histories.com/ Invisible Histories on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisiblehistoriespnw Invisible Histories on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564862367790 Links to more information as well as images related to most topics discussed on the show are often available at the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/cascadeofhistory CASCADE OF HISTORY is broadcast LIVE most Sunday nights at 8pm Pacific Time via flagship station SPACE 101.1 FM in Seattle and gallantly streams everywhere via www.space101fm.org. The radio station broadcasts from studios at historic Magnuson Park – located in the former Master-at-Arms’ quarters in the old Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. "LIKE" the Cascade of History Facebook page and get updates and other stories throughout the week, and advance notice of live remote broadcasts taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.
    21 April 2026, 7:32 pm
  • 1 hour 2 seconds
    Ep. 143: LIVE from BURGERMASTER in Issaquah
    Feliks Banel's guests on this special LIVE REMOTE BROADCAST of CASCADE OF HISTORY from in front of the soon-to-be-fully-open Burgermaster in Issaquah, Washington include the folk duo Larkwing (featuring Andrew and Bee); Alex Jensen, CEO of Burgermaster; Corby Casler, executive director of the Downtown Issaquah Association; Paul Winterstein of Issaquah History Museums; Hannah Rudin, board member of the Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park; and Jim Seiber of the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America, Puget Sound Chapter. This special live broadcast was a focus on Issaquah past, present and future – and a sneak preview of the old XXX ROOT BEER drive-in restaurant, which is soon to completely reopen as a Burgermaster after a major restoration and renovation. Burgermaster, the beloved Seattle-based local chain of drive-ins, is operating a drive-thru food trailer in the interim. Links to more information as well as images related to most topics discussed on the show are often available at the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/cascadeofhistory Links to additional info include: Acoustic folk duo Larkwing https://larkwingmusic.neocities.org/ Burgermaster’s History https://burgermaster.com/about-history/ Downtown Issaquah Association https://downtownissaquah.com/ Issaquah History Museums https://www.issaquahhistorymuseums.com/ Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park https://www.lakesammamishfriends.org/ Vintage Chevrolet Club of America – Puget Sound Chapter https://psrvcca.weebly.com/ Special thanks to Alex Jensen of Burgermaster for providing a venue for this live broadcast. Thanks also to Paul Winterstein for pitch-hitting as CASCADE OF HISTORY's field producer, to Nick Biermann of Remember The Ryan House for taking photos, and to Mark Patterson of SPACE 101.1 FM for running the board back at the station. CASCADE OF HISTORY is broadcast LIVE most Sunday nights at 8pm Pacific Time via flagship station SPACE 101.1 FM in Seattle and gallantly streams everywhere via www.space101fm.org. The radio station broadcasts from studios at historic Magnuson Park – located in the former Master-at-Arms’ quarters in the old Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. "LIKE" the Cascade of History Facebook page and get updates and other stories throughout the week, and advance notice of live remote broadcasts taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.
    20 April 2026, 5:47 am
  • 40 minutes 30 seconds
    BONUS EPISODE: History & Democracy Initiative - Can History Repair and Fortify American Civic Life?
    Feliks Banel's guest on this BONUS EPISODE of CASCADE OF HISTORY is John R. Dichtl, President & CEO of the American Association for State and Local History. On April 16, 2026, the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) announced the History & Democracy Initiative (HDI), an effort to help mobilize museums and historical societies to play a more intentional and robust role in putting history to work to strengthen democracy. These groups already do much along these lines and have for decades, AASLH says, but the opportunity – and the need - has presented itself to do more, and to do so in a more deliberate and visible way. “Now, more than ever, there is an urgent need to leverage the vital role our field plays in democracy and expand its impact,” says an AASLH press release. “HDI will provide inspiration, guidance, and connection from within and beyond the history community to help repair and fortify American civic life.” In this conversation, AASLH President & CEO John Dichtl candidly characterizes the challenges of the cultural and political landscape that many in the history field now face, and describes the opportunities presented by this particular moment in American history. The program will formally launch with the History & Democracy Virtual Summit, May 27-28, 2026. CASCADE OF HISTORY spoke with John R. Dichtl on Friday, April 17, 2026. More information about the AASLH History & Democracy Initiative and Summit: https://aaslh.org/democracy-summit/ Links to more information as well as images related to most topics discussed on the show are often available at the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/cascadeofhistory CASCADE OF HISTORY is broadcast LIVE most Sunday nights at 8pm Pacific Time via flagship station SPACE 101.1 FM in Seattle and gallantly streams everywhere via www.space101fm.org. The radio station broadcasts from studios at historic Magnuson Park – located in the former Master-at-Arms’ quarters in the old Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. "LIKE" the Cascade of History Facebook page and get updates and other stories throughout the week, and advance notice of live remote broadcasts taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.
    19 April 2026, 1:35 pm
  • 29 minutes
    BONUS EPISODE: Gas Works Park Update - Did City of Seattle Staffers Override Volunteers of Landmarks Preservation Board?
    Feliks Banel's guest on this BONUS EPISODE of CASCADE OF HISTORY is Eugenia Woo, Director of Preservation Services for the non-profit preservation group Historic Seattle. An article in the Seattle Times on Monday, April 13, 2026 by Catalina Gaitán ("Seattle officials seek permit to fix Gas Works Park ‘hazard’") characterizes a move made by the City of Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections as a way for City of Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation officials to "sidestep" the work of volunteer members of the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods' Landmarks Preservation Board, and move forward with removal of elements of the historic towers at the popular park. Parks and Recreation has been seeking permission to remove "appurtenances" - walkways, ladders, etc. - from the historic towers preserved in the park as part of landscape architect Rich Haag's revolutionary design more than a half-century ago. We dive deep into the issue with Eugenia Woo of Historic Seattle about how we got here, and what this means going forward - and we ask if cynicism is warranted when examining the facts surrounding this move by the City of Seattle to effectively undermine its own volunteer Landmarks Preservation Board. After this conversation was recorded late Monday afternoon (April 13, 2026), Bryan Stevens from the Department of Construction and Inspections responded to an email question about whether or not Seattle Parks and Recreation needs to further consult with the Landmarks Preservation Board or seek any additional permission or approval before removing material from the protected elements of the towers. "[L]imited removal of landmark features may proceed without Landmark Preservation Board approval," Stevens wrote. Further, based on what Stevens also wrote, SDCI - not the Landmarks Preservation Board - now has permit authority over changes made to historic elements at Gas Works Park. "A permit application has been submitted and is under review now (7136018-CN)," Stevens continued. "Once reviews are approved, we will issue the permit and re-inspect the site to confirm the hazards have been removed. The timing of removal is best answered by Parks and Recreation." Historic Seattle website: https://historicseattle.org/ Seattle Times article "Seattle officials seek permit to fix Gas Works Park ‘hazard'" (paywall) https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattle-officials-seek-permit-to-fix-gas-works-park-hazard/ Links to more information as well as images related to most topics discussed on the show are often available at the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/groups/cascadeofhistory CASCADE OF HISTORY is broadcast LIVE most Sunday nights at 8pm Pacific Time via flagship station SPACE 101.1 FM in Seattle and gallantly streams everywhere via www.space101fm.org. The radio station broadcasts from studios at historic Magnuson Park – located in the former Master-at-Arms’ quarters in the old Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. "LIKE" the Cascade of History Facebook page and get updates and other stories throughout the week, and advance notice of live remote broadcasts taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.
    13 April 2026, 11:36 pm
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Ep. 142: Dr. Annie Russell House Public Meeting Preview; Saving Local History Roadshow; People's Wall in Seattle; Apollo 13 Vintage Audio
    Feliks Banel's guests on this LIVE BROADCAST of CASCADE OF HISTORY include Baxter Brugos and Phil Duff of Seattle's Save Russell House grassroots preservation group with a preview of a public meeting being held by the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections on Tuesday, April 21, 2026; Dylan High of the Washington State Historical Society with information about the "Saving Local History Roadshow" workshops being offered around the Evergreen State for heritage groups and museums; Stephanie Johnson-Toliver, President of the Black Heritage Society of Washington, on the upcoming Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board meeting this Wednesday, April 15, 2026 when The People's Wall in Seattle's Squire Park neighborhood may be designated a City of Seattle Landmark; plus, we listen back to some April 1970 CBS Radio Network coverage of the Apollo 13 disaster. More info about Save Russell House: https://www.saverussellhouse.org/ More info about "Saving Local History Roadshow" workshops: https://www.washingtonhistory.org/across-washington/local-history-services/workshops-and-trainings/ More info about The People's Wall: https://frontporch.seattle.gov/2026/03/24/landmarks-preservation-board-to-consider-nomination-of-the-peoples-wall/ Links to more information about most topics discussed on the show are often available at the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/cascadeofhistory This LIVE broadcast of CASCADE OF HISTORY was originally presented at 8pm Pacific Time on Sunday, April 12, 2026 via SPACE 101.1 FM and gallantly streaming live via www.space101fm.org from historic Magnuson Park - formerly Sand Point Naval Air Station - on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle. Subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. "LIKE" the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page and get updates and other stories throughout the week, and advance notice of live remote broadcasts taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.
    13 April 2026, 4:22 am
  • 2 hours 2 seconds
    BONUS EPISODE: US Trade War's Early Days LIVE from Vancouver, BC in April 2025
    Feliks Banel's guests on this BONUS EPISODE of CASCADE OF HISTORY – originally broadcast LIVE from the Museum of Vancouver in Vancouver, British Columbia in April 2025 in the early days of the Trump Administration’s trade war on Canada – include Vivianne Gosselin, director of the museum; Coll Thrush, University of British Columbia (UBC) professor and author of "Wrecked: Unsettling Histories from the Graveyard of the Pacific" from University of Washington Press; and a panel conversation with John Mackie of the Vancouver Sun; historian John Atkin; and Andy Yan, professor at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Special thanks to field producer/roving correspondent Ken Zick for his invaluable assistance with this broadcast. Links to more information about most topics discussed on the show are often available at the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/cascadeofhistory This special two-hour LIVE broadcast of CASCADE OF HISTORY was originally presented at 11am Pacific Daylight Time on Friday, April 4, 2025 via SPACE 101.1 FM and gallantly streaming live via www.space101fm.org from the Museum of Vancouver in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. CASCADE OF HISTORY programming also airs on affiliated stations around the Pacific Northwest via the CASCADE OF HISTORY RADIO NETWORK. To stay connected, subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. Also, be sure and "LIKE" the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page to get timely updates and other stories throughout the week, as well as advance notice of special LIVE REMOTE BROADCASTS taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.
    9 April 2026, 2:01 pm
  • 1 hour 59 minutes
    BONUS EPISODE: First World Flight Centennial LIVE from Magnuson Café & Brewery on April 6, 2024
    Feliks Banel's guests on this BONUS EPISODE of CASCADE OF HISTORY – originally broadcast LIVE from the 2024 First World Flight Centennial Celebration at Magnuson Park - include guest co-host and aviation historian Lee Corbin; Elisa Law of Friends of Magnuson Park; General Frank Goodell of the Centennial Committee; and longtime Lake Washington underwater explorer and aviation historian Matt McCauley. This program also includes live coverage of the special event presented by the Friends of Magnuson Park to mark the centennial of the departure of the flyers on April 6, 1924. Special thanks to field producer/roving correspondent Ken Zick for his invaluable assistance with this broadcast. Links to more information about most topics discussed on the show are often available at the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/cascadeofhistory This special two-hour LIVE broadcast of CASCADE OF HISTORY was originally presented at 2pm Pacific Daylight Time on Saturday, April 6, 2024 via SPACE 101.1 FM and gallantly streaming live via www.space101fm.org from Magnuson Café & Brewery at historic Magnuson Park, site of the old Sand Point Naval Air Station in Seattle. CASCADE OF HISTORY programming also airs on affiliated stations around the Pacific Northwest via the CASCADE OF HISTORY RADIO NETWORK. To stay connected, subscribe to the CASCADE OF HISTORY podcast via most podcast platforms and never miss regular weekly episodes of Sunday night broadcasts as well as frequent bonus episodes. Also, be sure and "LIKE" the CASCADE OF HISTORY Facebook page to get timely updates and other stories throughout the week, as well as advance notice of special LIVE REMOTE BROADCASTS taking place in your part of the Old Oregon Country.
    6 April 2026, 4:43 pm
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