Live Music In Issaquah 2

 The Brian Nay Band with the Genesis classic, "That's All". 

Live Music In Issaquah

We got together with friends Marjie and Rick and enjoyed listening to The Brian Nay Band at Vino Bella in Issaquah.  

This was after a great meal at the Sunset Grill. 

The Famous CBS Radio News Jingle

 

CBS News Radio To Shut Down

 Say it ain't so, Joe! Sources say the radio news division at CBS, long a news source for the country will shut down on May 22nd of this year (2026). 

 Perhaps, the most prestigious news source over the years, it featured such luminaries as Edward R. Murrow (who went to what was then Washington State College), Douglas Edwards, and Walter Cronkite. 

I remember, in my childhood, hearing news reports on the hour on KUJ in Walla Walla,until it stopped network news in the late 70s.  More recently, KIRO, here in the Seattle area, where one of its reporters, Heather Bosch, was elevated to work nationally for the network.

The radio news department at the Columbia Broadcast System began in 1927.

 

Elk In Cannon Beach

From our trip to the coast, earlier this month.  Elk grazing in Cannon Beach.  

Tom Jones And Janis Joplin

We forget that TV in the 60s could be electrifying.  We remember Janis Joplin as an underground artist, usually, but here she is on network TV.  ABC, which marketed to a younger crowd then the two other networks, carried This Is Tom Jones.  

This duet with Jones and Joplin is widely considered the best act of the series 

 

Missing My Father After 10 Years

It was 10 years ago today (March 18, 2026) that my dad, Alan Barer passed away.  I still miss him.  
 

Mr Bojangles--Tom Jones Sings While Sammy Davis Jr Performs

I was only 12 or 13 when I watched the performance of Sammy Davis, Jr and Tom Jones singing Mr Bojangles on the Friday night variety show hosted by Jones.  It was such an amazing performance that it has stayed with me throughout the decades.

The actual name of the show was This Is Tom Jones.  It ran on ABC for three seasons. 

Davis sang the song as well as performed it in his live acts.

Tree Repair In Our Backyard.

The trees, that were damaged in the Friday the 13th snowstorm are back up, so we are hoping for the best.

Closing Of Redmond Institution

 

The Cascadia Advocate recently took a somewhat break from politics to lament of the closing of Blazing Bagels, which apparently closed its locations without warning, leaving its employees, suddenly, jobless

My memories of Blazing Bagels are when Bob brought them in for employees as a reward for working on Saturdays at The UPS Store.

The Cascade Advocate is a blog for the NPI, the Northwest Progressive Institute. For the full story click here

 

Happy St Patrick's Day

 

NBA To Finally Vote On NBA Expansion

 We could know next week, (March 24th and 25th, 2026), whether the National Basketball Association will once again have a Seattle team. 

Multiple sources are reporting that the NBA Board Of Governors will meet to vote on whether to consider granting expansion teams to Las Vegas and Seattle

The Seattle Super Sonics, which was the area's first major professional sports team, left town in 2008 after being sold to an Oklahoma City group. 

Since then, the area been teased, often cruelly about a return. 

While many area fans have turned a deaf ear to the NBA, many more have grown skeptical that this region will see a returns.

The target for a team to appear on the court, would be the 2028-29 season. 

Damage From Snowfall

We potentially have lost two trees from Friday's snowfall.  It really hurts to lose one. We are hoping one or both can be replanted.

Walking The Beach

 I enjoyed walking the beach with Oliver on our trip to the Oregon Coast. 

White Stuff In Maple Valley

I don't know what train it took, but winter finally arrived here.  On March 13 no less.

The first measurable snowfall is here, right when we are thinking "Spring".

Loving The Beach

"I love the Sea" was inscribed in the sand by a creative beachgoer in Seaside, Oregon.

Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve

On our way to the Oregon Coast, we visited the Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve, which was just South of Olympia. 

Walker Walks--Will Sign With Chiefs

 2026 Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III will be leaving the Seattle Seahawks.  Multiple sources are reporting that the running back is ready to sign a three year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.  The deal is said to be worth 45 million. 

Snackin

Elk grazing at the Cannon Beach Museum.

Serious Problem There

Wow, the Kelso Red Lion is on fire. We passed it on our way to the Oregon Coast.

MLB Expansion?

 

Portland has to keep the Blazers from leaving

Iran War

 We are in a war with Iran, I am all over the map on this.  Many moderate supporters of Israel say this was necessary.  I want to see more facts and find out if there is an exit strategy. 

Noem To Be Reassigned

 Well, it took over a year, but President Donald Trump has made the first change in his cabinet, replacing the embattled Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, with Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin.  

Noem, the former governor of South Dakota, was at one time, thought to be a rising star in the Republican party. Her speaking of shooting a family dog and her hardline approach, including an eye-opening TV advertising campaign, along with comments on at least two shootings by ICE agents, as well as an alleged affair, has soured her with Republican senators, along, of course, with Democrats.  

DC 25--More White House

v

 I just had to post this collage that Google put together of our White House tour of 2025, this even has some pictures that I had previously missed.  

It's hard to believe the trip was almost 10 months ago.  If you have any questions, put them in the comment section, since there is no narration.  

Steve Playing Jr Hockey

My brother, Steve from his hockey days in the mid 70s. My parents would drive him and his teammates all over the state to compete.

Great Review Of MLB Parks

One thing that distinguishes Major League Baseball from other pro sports is the personality and history of the ballparks.  In this video, You Tube sports commentator Brodie Brazil gives his ranking of every park in the two leagues.

 

Touring Frank Lloyd Wright 2

More from the Tallesin West museum, honoring Frank Lloyd Wright.  

The lush green grass really stood out in the desert.

Pop Music Writer And Performer Neil Sedaka

 

Neil Sedaka, a prolific songwriter and singer in the early 1960s, who is now better known for songs in his comeback in the mid-1970s has died. His 87th birthday was only weeks away.

Sedaka, a native of Brooklyn was famous for songs like "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do", Calendar Girl" and "Happy Birthday Sweet 16".

His later work would include "Bad Blood" which he sang with Elton John and "Laughter In The Rain". 

He also wrote the Captain And Tenille classic "Lov e Will Keep Us Together.

Spring Ball 6--The Wrap up

 A composite video of our visit to Mariner Spring Training.

My Parents Wedding 2

My parents with their bridesmaids and groomsmen.

My Parents Wedding

Steve posted this on Facebook. My parents with their parents and grandmothers in 1956 at my parent's wedding.

I would  meet both great grandmothers.  

On the left, my mom's grandma lived in New York. On the right, my dad's grandma lived in Walla Walla.  Both were mothers of my grandfather's.

Spring Training 5--Warm ups

 From Friday's game (February, 20th, 2026)

Mariner Spring Ball 4--The Padres

The Padres share the Peoria Sports Complex with the Mariners. They were also the M's first opponent this season. 

Mariner Spring Ball 3

Coming off an amazing 2025 season, we watched Cal Raleigh bat.

Mariner Spring Ball 2

Mariner starting lineup was posted.

Play Ball

We are in Peoria for Spring Training as the Mariners play the first exhibition game today 

Touring Frank Lloyd Wright

The Kiva Fountain at Taliesin West. This was the winter home for renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

Honoring Griffey

Numbers stand at the Peoria Springs baseball complex to honor past Mariners.  The number 24 honors Ken Griffey, Jr

Baseball Starts

Down in Arizona to check Mariner Spring Training.

Jesse Jackson

Civil Rights leader and two time candidate for the Democratic nomination for president, Jesse Jackson has died.  

He was 84.

NBA Expansion Including Potential Sonic Return Said To Be Addressed

 Are the Sonics returning? An increasingly skeptical fanbase is hearing NBA commissioner Adam Silver say the topic will be discussed and possibly voted on by the league's Board of Governors this summer.  

Seattle, along with Las Vegas, have long been considered candidates for expansion.  Of course, the Sonics left for Oklahoma City, in 2008.  Since the Sonics departure, the NFL Seahawks have won two Super Bowls, the Seattle area has grown, and Key Arena was remodeled into the state of  the art, Climate Pledge Arena. 

Super Bowl 10--Delicious Souvenir

Making this an even 10.  This tasty treat had LX, the Roman numerals for 60, which was this year's Super Bowl number.

Super Bowl Celebration 9--The Coach And His Wife

 A friend got this picture of Coach Mike Macdonald leaving Lumen Field at the start of the parade.

Happy Valentine's Day

 

Super Bowl Celebration 8--Parade Starts

Players,coaches, and retired players, along with their families, left the stadium in Army vehicles to start the parade.

Super Bowl Celebration 7--The Coach

 Coach Mike Macdonald addresses the happy crowd

Super Bowl Celebration 6--Cooper Kupp

 Native of Yakima, wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who was cast-off by the LA Rams, Joined the team and showed he still had it. 

Super Bowl Celebration 5--John Schneider Addresses The 12s

Seahawks president of football operations, John Schneider, now the architect of two Super Bowl winning teams, spoke to the crowd.

 

Super Bowl Celebration 4--The Team Appears

 

Super Bowl Celebration 3--We Are The Champions

Confetti, fireworks with blue and green smoke, cheering and singing marked the celebration!

 

Super Bowl Celebration 2-- The Ceremony

Steve Raibel hosted the celebration, which featured players and coaches, as well as general manager John Schneider 

Super Bowl Celebration

At Lumen Field for trophy celebration.

Macdonald With Lombardi Trophy

 This is what it's all about.  Our coach posing with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, winner of Super Bowl XL. 

Maple Valley's Brandi Carlile Super Bowl Performance

Brandi Carlile, whom this blog has followed throughout her career, sang a beautiful and moving version of America the Beautiful at the Super Bowl, just before the national anthem. In addition to the Seahawks, another great representative of this area at the event.  

We Did It

Seahawks beat the Patriots. We are the Champions!

It's Super Sunday

 Go Seahawks!

Go Seahawks--Super Bowl This Sunday!

It's Blue Friday (February 6th, 2026) and time to ramp up your spirit!

 

Detroit Tigers World Series Hero Mickey Lolich Dies

 

In 1968, I followed the World Series for the second time on TV, it was only the year before that I became a sports fanatic.  It was a pitcher-oriented season and Detroit Tiger ace Denny McLaine helped lead his team to a World Series appearance with 31 wins, the last MLB pitcher to win over 30 in one season.  However, the star pitcher in the Series was Mickey Lolich, who won three times in including the deciding 7th game, playing against the defending world champion St Louis Cardinals, a team loaded at every position. 

Sadly, Lolich died yesterday (Wednesday, February 4th, 2026), he was 85.  Lolich, a left hander, was a native of Portland, Oregon. 

Survivor 50 Challenge 4--Interviewed

Someone from Survivor interviewed people waiting in line at Owen Beach.  This was mine. Deb filmed me during the interview. 

 

Survivor 50 Challenge 3

Three-time Survivor contestant Kelley Wentworth, a Seattle native was there. She posed with fans.  

Survivor 50 Challenge 2

At Owen Beach at Point Defiance, Survivor fans stood in line for over an hour to get a picture taken with this backdrop and to enter the contest.

Survivor 50 Challenge Comes To Washington

 The TV reality show Survivor is celebrating its 50th season with a 50-state promotion.  An "idol" was put in each of the 50 states, with a chance for viewer to find it using published clues.  

It was actually a photo op.  We attended the Washington one yesterday at Owen Beach in Tacoma. 

Happy Birthday, Oliver!

 Our Doggie turns three today!

Three Dog Night Singer Dies

Chuck Negron, one of three lead singers of Three Dog Night, a hit machine in the early 70s, has died.  He was 83.  

I got to see Chuck sing, twice as a solo act, on the Happy Together tour concerts in 2014 and 2017.  Both at Snoqualmie Casino. 

Fabric Outlet 2

An cooler ad in the paper for the Fabric Outlet.

What was even cooler were the radio ads during the evening on KTEL.

One was over Sly and the Family Stone.

Fabric Outlet Ad

The Fabric Outlet.  A Walla Walla business on 4th And Main, run by my Dad on the 70s. 

This was in addition to our family business, B. Barer And Sons.

Reports Of Seahawks Going On The Market Rain On Fan Super Bowl Joy

 In the week following the conference championship games and before the Super Bowl, there is generally little news as far NFL teams, however, a report has the city buzzing and it's not about the game itself. 

Sources such as ESPN and the Wall Street Journal are reporting that the team will go up for sale after the game.  The Seattle Times reports that the organization is denying the reports, however, that is common during any entity's possible sale.   

Paul Allen bought the team in 1997, eventually taking the team to three Super Bowls, including a victory.  

Allen's sister assumed control of the team after his death in 2018.  It has been common knowledge that Allen's sports teams (including the Portland Trail Blazers) will eventually be sold, as requested by the estate. 

Seattle will play in its fourth Super Bowl on February 8th (2026). 

Wear Your Blue Today!

 9 days until the Super Bowl.  Keep your spirit up!