No Foolin'--I Gave Blood!

No, it's not an April Fools joke! Every other Tuesday, my father-in-law goes to volunteer at the Puget Sound Blood Center in Bellevue. It is one of several ways that he volunteers his service to the community. I had not ever given blood, in fact, the word, blood gives my stomach a funny feeling. But the other day, he suggested, out of the blue, that I should stop by and donate. I said that they did not need type ab blood, after all, that makes me a universal recipient, capable of transfusion of any blood type, but he told me that they do need ab blood. I said "why not" sometimes, you can't resist a challenge. The Puget Sound Center needs donations, which is one reason that for posting this. I entered that center Tuesday evening. I began by filling out a long questionnaire. I was then taken by a nurse into an office, where I was asked even more questions. She took my blood pressure and a small sample from my finger. After the screening process, I was lead to a chair, I was given a glass of juice and then was given a rubber ball to squeeze. They put the needle in my arm. There was no pain involved, but a feeling of exhaustion. If you plan to give blood, make sure that you drink plenty of fluids during the day and a good meal. I was feeling run down for most of the next day, but happy that I could contribute to something worthwhile. The best part was the free cookies and orange juice that they gave me when it was over.

Checking Out History

Thank you to my brother, Steve for this vintage check from our family business, B. Barer & Sons, eventually incorporated. The business was founded by my Great Grandfather, B. Barer and his two sons, IJ and David, early in the 20th Century. The business would last until the year 2000, allowing grandsons and great grandsons a place for summer employment. The business was sold to Oxarc in 2000. Steve still works at the location.

This check was signed by my Grandfather, IJ Barer in March 2nd of 1944. IJ Barer passed away in 1967, and my Dad bought into the partnership with my Uncle Dave. You can read bits and pieces of the company's history at my Dad's abarer blog

Washington State University Fight Song

Cougar Men's Basketball team plays Witchita State in the final four of the NIT tonight.

Arny Honored At 75

HELLO! A wonderful contingent of family and friends convened at the Golf Club At Newcastle last weekend to honor Arny Barer who had just turned 75. Although no golf was played, there was a lovely brunch and a seemingly merciless roast from his sons. Youngest son, Sam included his two daughter and his nieces in a hilarious round of "Arny jeopardy." Both of my brothers were in attendance along with their wives. My wife's parents were there as well as my Dad and his wife. A great time was had by all. This picture was taken of the course with a hint of the Seattle skyline. I was too busy having fun to get permission to photograph the party goers. For a more indepth report and more pictures, my brother, Danny posted this

Mary Hopkin - "Goodbye" (1969)

Welsh singer Mary Hopkin hit gold in the late 60s with this Lennon-McCartney song.

Pioneer Ferraro Dead At 75

It's never easy to be the first, Geraldine Ferraro, was a pioneer. In 1984, she was the Democratic Nominee for Vice President, the first woman to run on a major party presidential ticket when Walter Mondale (perceived by most as bland) picked her hoping to stir excitement and gain ground on the popular incumbent president Ronald Reagan. The choice angered many African-Americans who had hoped that Mondale would picked that year's runner up, the charismatic Reverend Jesse Jackson. Jackson, however was a potential liability, following reports of making Anti-Semitic remarks aimed at New York City. Mondale initially got a bounce in the polls after the Ferraro choice, but soon reports surfaced of alleged tax irregularities involving Ferraro and her husband, proving to be a distraction to the campaign. Ferraro, 75, passed away today after battling blood cancer.

Thank You Coug Fans!

Washington State University Cougar Men's Basketball Team thanks it's fans.

On To New York: Cougs Beat Northwestern

The Washington State Cougars have a date in New York this Tuesday after beating Northwestern 69-66 in Overtime. The Cougs will play Witchita State at Madison Square Garden. If the Cougs win, they will play the winner of the Colorado-Alabama game, also at the Garden.

Good Bye To A Legend

Elizabeth Taylor died today, she was 79.

Casto Suspension Lifted

DeAngelo Casto will play in the NIT Quarter final game tonight in Pullman. WSU Athletic Director Bill Moos lifted Casto's suspension in light of new information that has surface in conjunction with a marijuana bust at his apartment on Tuesday morning.

Cougs Trophy Hopes Go Up In Smoke?

For the second time it happened. WSU Cougar fans, high from a big victory, only to read about a star player getting suspended for a drug charge. Two weeks ago, Klay Thompson was arrested hours after a WSU victory over the USC Trojans. Today we learn that right after WSU beats Oklahoma State in the second round of the NIT, that DeAngelo Casto will be suspended for the quarter final game against Northwestern. The Seattle Times quotes sources saying that Pullman police have found small amounts of marijuana in Casto's apartment.

Former Sonics Owner Dies

Barry Ackerley, former owner of the Seattle Super Sonics has died of a stroke, he was 76. Steve Kelley sums up Seattle's Ackerley years in today's column. Barry Ackerley acquired several local stations, including the legendary KJR, in which he turned into a sports talk station, one of the first in the country, if not the first. As the owner of Ackerley Communications, his name could be found on billboards in the area, as his company dealt in outdoor advertising.

KJR Sportsradio's influence can be seen in new stadiums for both the Seahawks and the Mariners, ironically, while the Sportsradio station may have staved off moves by our professional football and baseball teams, it could not stop the team that Ackerly once owned, the Seattle Super Sonics from leaving. Ackerley was instrumental in bringing the WNBA to Seattle. The Seattle Storm have been brought two championships to our city, something no other pro team has done.

A Little Background On The NIT

It's been jokingly called the "Not Important Tournament" or the "Not Invited Tournament", even the "Nobody's Interested Tournament", but the National Invitational Tournament or NIT is the oldest continuing NCAA basketball tournament. According to the wikipedia, the first NIT champion was the Temple Owls in 1937.

The NIT chooses the best teams that have not qualified for the NCAA tournament. There is a field of 32. The games are televised on ESPN.

The tournament was started by the Metropolitan Basketball Writer's Association of New York City. Originally, the entire tournament was played in Madison Square Garden, but since 1977, the preliminary rounds have been played on the campuses of the top seeded teams. The Semi-Finals and Finals are still played at the Garden.

Cougs Make Post Season--Will Play In The NIT

The Washington State Cougar Men's Basketball team may have been overlooked by the NCAA, but will see post season action as part of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The Cougs (seeded second in the Boston College Region) will take on Long Beach State (seeded 7th), Wednesday at home.
According to KREM-TV's web site, the first three rounds of the NIT will be played at the school with the highest seed. The semi-finals and finals will be played at Madison Square Garden, March 29th and 31st. I plan to write about the history of the NIT in the next few days.

Thursday Storm Causes Roof Damage

Heavy winds hit the area Thursday afternoon, a strong gust blew a huge chunk of our roof into the neighbor's yard, fortunately, we where able to recover the missing piece and have a friend patch it back on.

Thinking Of Japan

My brother, Danny, who has always had an interest in Japanese culture, expresses thought for the victims of the devastating earthquake on his blog, the Barercave

KXA Radio Seattle 1980 TV Commercials

Until now I had not seen this commercial nor had known of it's existence. I did, however, in the early 80s, work for Old Gold 77 KXA, a somewhat forgotten Seattle radio station that had been acquired by O'Day Broadcasting. It's sister station KYYX has much written about it including several web sites.
Most of the employees including myself talk of working at KYYX, but all of us started at KXA. Because of working there, I acquired a good knowledge of hit radio from the 60s and 70s (which where barely oldies at the time).
KXA had an extremely loyal following including a listener named Richard who would call daily and make requests. Richard would know the ID number of the songs. I remember him as being very insistant that his songs be played. KXA would eventually become a Christian Radio station and has since changed it's call letters to become a Conservative talk station.

Gary Locke To Become Ambassador To China

The Seattle Times reports US Secretary Of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke was chosen be President Obama to be US Ambassador to China. Locke, was elected Governor of the State Of Washington in 1996, becoming the first Chinese-American to govern a state.

Creativity In The Neighborhood

One of our neighbors in Belmont Woods got creative during last week's snowstorms. The structure has since given way to warmer temperatures.

Would The Cougs Have Won With Thompson?

To beat one of College Basketball's marquis teams, you need "all hands on deck" The Washington State Cougars, having a "roller coaster year", clearly had the momentum after beating USC last Thursday night to give the UCLA Bruins a run for their money. They sure did, it took an overtime for the Bruins, eliminated from any chance to win the Pac-10 title, to beat the Cougs, but it was without the Cougars' two star players. Reggie Moore was out due to an injury, his loss could not be helped, but Klay Thompson, who leads the Cougs in scoring, was suspended after being caught with marijuana after last Thursday's game. It was the Bruins 18th consecutive victory in on the Cougs home court. Would the Cougars have won if Thompson was able to play? We'll never know, but I'm sure he has learned his lesson.