Walla Walla Historical Figure

I've been back for a week, but still have more to share.  Peopeomoxmox, Chief of the Walla Walla tribe, has a statue across Rose Street from the city hall.

My Father 1979

From my cousin, Laurie.  My Dad enjoying the beach in Seaside, 1979.

Rick Rizzs To Be Hall Of Famer

 In a night that honored the 50 greatest Mariner players, one of the team's greatest broadcasters would get a big surprise.  In what seemed like a routine introduction, Mariner Chairman and CEO John Stanton announced that Rick Rizzs, Mariner announcer since 1983, save for a few years with the Detroit Tigers, would was unanimously selected to be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame. 

Rizzs, who will be retiring after this season, will join his former broadcast partner, the late Dave Niehaus, in the Hall. 

Walla Walla History 2--Jacques Bauer

This looks like something new in Walla Walla's Mountain View Cemetery. A plaque to honor Jacques Bauer as one of the first Jewish settlers to come to Walla Walla.

Although I didn't know about Mr. Bauer, I had read about Marion Bauer being a well-known music composer and a native of Walla Walla.

History In Walla Walla

The building in the foreground is empty these days, but once house a financial powerhouse.

Sherwood and Roberts, which some real estate, lending, and insurance, began in Walla Walla in 1932. It would operate until 1995, expanding, eventually across 9 Western states.

To the left, is Walla Walla's historic post office, still in great condition, at least, on the outside.

Buildings were across from the Marcus Whitman, where we stayed.

Huge Turtle In Pioneer Park

 We went to the Pioneer Park Aviary, Sunday, where I saw this amazing turtle.  His name is Nick. 

Reunion 5--The Mixer

I'm 4th from the left in this picture from the mixer on Friday (July 31st, 2026).  It was held at Hop Thief, a brewpub in College Place.

Catchy Room Phone

Landlines are rare these days, but with dials, even more so. 

This was in our room at the Whitman 

Reunion 4--Sunday Tour

On Sunday (August 2nd, 2026), Ron Higgins, a longtime Walla Walla educator, who eventually became principal of Wa-Hi,led us on a tour of the Wa-Hi campus, which has undergone extensive remodeling in recent years.

Higgins, who retired a few years ago, was very energetic and engaging.

Reunion 3--The Class Then

The Wa-Hi Class of 76, as it was getting ready to graduate.

Oxarc At Night

This building was so essential in my life.  Oxarc was B. Barer And Sons.  A business started by my great Grandfather, B. Barer and eventually owned by my father.  

It sold to Oxarc in 2000.

Reunion 2--The Class Now

The Walla Walla High School class of '76, meeting for its 50th reunion at the Walla Walla County Club.

Class Of '76 Returns

The Wa-hi class is '76 celebrated 50 years with a reunion this past weekend (July 30th-August 2nd).

The Whitman 2

Another view, this time from the West from our room at The Whitman Hotel.  Walla Walla's City Hall in the foreground.  Behind that is Oxarc.

Bird's Eye View Walla Walla

I've never stayed this high in Walla Walla.  We are staying in the Whitman Hotel tower.  Our room is on the 6th floor.

Dodger Stadium First Time Certificate

Fans who attend a Dodger game for the first time, can get a certificate.

Birthday Brother

Posing with my brother at Duke's in Malibu.  Steve was celebrate a 55th birthday.

Whale Watching Off Long Beach Coast

 On a boat tour with my brothers and their wives, we were able to run into a dolphin pod. 

Jackie Robinson Statue

A great man who easily transcended baseball, In Jackie Robinson''s statue looms large at Dodger Stadium.

Meeting Their Mascot

Even though I was wearing Mariner gear, the Dodger mascot was happy to pose with me.

Sandy Koufax Enshrined

Sandy Koufax statue at Dodger Stadium.  Go Mariners!

View Of A Queen

At Parker's Lighthouse Restaurant in Long Beach, you get a great view of the British Ship Queen Mary, which is permanently docked in the harbor.

Morrison Mural At Venice Beach

At a beach side cafe at Venice Beach in Los Angeles, this mural of Doors lead singer, Jim Morrison, caught my attention.

Dinner At The Quiet Woman

The Quiet Woman, a restaurant in Corona Del Mar, is famous for being featured in the Real Housewives Of Orange County.

Enjoying The California Coast

We enjoyed the sunset at Corona Del Mar.

Tragedy In Seattle

Three people are dead and four injured at the Bite Of Seattle Festival at the Seattle Center yesterday (Sunday, July 26th, 2026).

Nixon 3--The Oval Office

The Nixon Library has a scale mock up of the oval office.  Visitors like myself can get behind the president desk and either pose or dream.

Since our tour of the real White House didn't include access to that section,  this adds more knowledge of the presidential residence 

Nixon 2--Watergate Scandal

While the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum was built to honor the 37th president, it does give space to the scandal that ended his presidency.

Because it pays honest homage to his legacy, even people on the opposite side of the fence like myself can appreciate the project 

Nixon Library In Yorba Linda

I was never a fan of Richard M Nixon, who became president while I was in grade school. However, while driving down in Southern California, after landing in Ontario, CA, we "stumbled across" his library.  

As a fan of history and the American presidency, as well having time on our hands, we did the tour.

Ristretto Performance

 After a year and a half of voice lessons (one of my retirement projects), I was able to join other students and do a second Maple Valley performance.  This one was at Ristretto's Coffee and Wine.

Great Music At The Market

 I didn't get the name of this ensemble, but I enjoyed their playing at today's (Saturday July 25th, 2026) Maple Valley Farmers Market.  

The market runs 9am-2pm every Saturday until October 31st.

Calabro Leaves The Blazers

 The Media Maven blog is reporting that Kevin Calabro will no longer be play by play man for the Portland Trail Blazers.  

This raises much speculation. Some good and some bad

  Calabro was the announcer for the Seattle Super Sonics until they moved to Oklahoma City to become the Thunder. With the new owner, Tom Dundon taking over with his cost cutting measures, the team's future in the Rose City seems cloudy at best.  

The good is that it seems all but certain that the Sonics will return to Seattle shortly, (fingers crossed) and no doubt Calabro would be the top choice to do the play-by-play duties for the new version. 

It would indeed be sad if Portland lost its only major sports franchise, especially with the proposed new Seattle team on the horizon. 

My Sister From '65

From the Holiday season of 1965. Another article in the Walla Walla UB archives. 

The Little Theater, which my parents were very involved with, put on a style show.

My sister, to the immediate right of the snowman, got to participate. 

I believe my mother also got to be in the show.

Issaquah Concerts--Stonesy

From our favorite vantage point in back, we enjoyed the Rolling Stones tribute band Stonesy.  The third performance in Issaquah's Concerts On The Green series. 

 

Alan Young--What's Up?

 Ten years ago in May, Alan Young, who played Wilbur in the classic TV show, Mr. Ed, passed away. 

As this was a favorite show of mine in my youth, I did a blog post on it.  

Why now, well, lately, I've inexplicably gotten an enormous amount of hits on that post, well over 10 years later.  

For the most part, Young lived longer than his fame, although reruns on various channels probably kept the name alive.  The question is, where are these inquiries on Alan coming from? 

Jimothy Joins The Race At T-Mobile

 How did they ever get the costume so quickly?  The Mariners added Jimothy, the Seattle raccoon with the spinal deformity that was discovered last week to the Salmon races.  

The salmons race during Mariner home games.  A funny and fun event. 

Pregame Meal

Diamond Club seats come with access to a buffet before and during the game.

We enjoyed great food before the start of Saturday's (July 18th, 2026) game 

Great Seats At Mariner Game

Mariners JP Crawford and Julio Cruz await their turns to bat at last night's (Saturday, July 18th, 2026), our friend were able to get Diamond Club seats two rows up behind home plate.

The Mariners were able to erase a 3-0 deficit and come back to beat the San Francisco Giants 4-3.

Murder By Design--Lee Goldberg

 If there is anyone who can develop unique characters, it's Lee Goldberg.  Lee's book teams an insurance investigator who has suffered a brain injury,  along with an aspiring actor. 

Edison Bixby, formerly a cop, is a crack investigator, whom as a result from survivor a gunshot wound to the head, cannot help putting his foot in his mouth.  New sidekick Wally Nash, a struggling actor, is charged with tagging along with Bixby to make sure his utterings do not get him in trouble.  

Bixby and Nash are convinced an escalator death at the mall was not an accident, but a murder, but they cannot get any help from the authorities.  

The unique Lee Goldberg combination of intrigue and humor, keep this book entertaining.  

Top Mike

Flight suit looks good on me.  A friend sent this AI rendering of me on an aircraft carrier, ready to pilot a fighter jet.

Brodie Brazil Weighs In On Seahawk Sale

You Tube sports commenter, Brodie Brazil, who is based in the Bay Area, gives his take on the Seahawk purchase.

 

Picture To Burn--Red Karma

 Red Karma brought the music of Taylor Swift to Issaquah's Concerts On The Green series. 

Red Karma Plays Issaquah

Having a great night at Issaquah Concerts On The Green, where Red Karma, a Taylor Swift tribute is playing.

Baker-Boyer Time And Temp

When I worked for my dad in the summers during the 70s, this is how I could know the temperature, often in three digits. On top on Baker-Boyer Bank, one of Walla Walla's signature buildings. The sign has since taken down, probably because it presented a hazard. 
 

Lindsey Graham--Senator From South Carolina

 Lyndsey Graham, senator from South Carolina, who was frequently in the headlines and known as one of President Donald Trump's closest allies, has died.  He was 71. 

To politically minded Washingtonians of a certain age will see parallels of Graham's death with that of legendary Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson.  

Both were 71, both seemed healthy, making their deaths a total shock. 

Jackson had held a news conference condemning the Soviet shooting down of a Korean Jetliner.  Graham had just returned from Ukraine, where he had a meeting with President Zelinsky. 

Seahawks Reach Sale Agreement

 Vinod Khosla is a name that is probably not well known in the area currently, but that should change soon, as sources say that the Paul Allen Estate has reached an agreement with his group to purchase the Seattle Seahawks. 

The deal is said to be worth 9.6 billion dollars.  It still needs to be approved by the other NFL owners. 

Is Seahawk Sale Imminent?

Seattle sports fans, frustrated with the Mariners, but probably elated with the Super Bowl win of the Seahawks, are wondering what the future holds for our football team.  

Reports are that the Hawks have narrowed down buyers to two parties. 

The report that the Paul Allen Estate was selling the team, came out right about the time that the team was entering the playoffs.  

My hope is that the only difference is who signs the paychecks. Hopefully, the management team, which has been extremely successful by most means, will remain intact.  

Oscar The Bird King Rules Maury Island

We took a ferry trip to Vashon Island yesterday to celebrate our 31st anniversary (Wednesday, July 8th, 2026).

Oscar The Bird King is an incredible wood sculpture in Point Robinson Park, on adjoining Maury Island.

Vashon has a very vibrant arts community 

Issaquah Concerts 2--I love Rock And Roll

 Another great tune from Prom Date Mixtape at Issaquah's Concerts On The Green. 

Bonnie Tyler Is Dead

 I loved Total Eclipse Of The Heart.  I'm sorry to hear of her passing, I didn't know she was Welsh. 

Bonnie was 75.

Issaquah Concerts Have Begun

 

Concerts On The Green, the Issaquah summer concert series has started.  Last night's (Tuesday, July 7th, 2026) first show of the season featured Prom Date Mixtape, an 80s tribute band. 

Concerts On The Green takes place Tuesdays during the Summer season at the Issaquah Community Center and are free.  Food is available for purchase. 

Kids Parade On Leonard Street

 My street growing up until 2nd grade, I have faded memories of doing this whether it was that year or not. This was early to mid 60s. I remember a float of a canoe and us dressing up as Indians and walking inside the converted cardboard box. It may be politically incorrect today. 

We lived on the corner of Leonard and Modoc.  

Steve still lives in Walla Walla and sent this to me. Coincidentally, he does not live far from this neighborhood. 

Logan Interviewed On Field

After pitching a one hit Gem, Saturday, Logan Gilbert is interviewed by Mariner broadcaster, Angie Mentink.

Maple Valley Celebrates

Maple Valley had its celebration on Friday the third.  

We watched from our car in a nearby hill.

Seattle Celebrates After Win

 The Seattle Mariners beat the Toronto Blue Jays 11-0, a great victory on the 4th Of July.  Leaving the park, a celebratory crowd, which included Blue Jay fans, danced to a combo featuring a drummer, guitar player and recorded music.  

Fourth At The Ballpark

Playing the Toronto Blue Jays, so we gotta win one for the USA.

Lake Boren 3--Rainbow

This wasn't a planned activity, but it grabbed attention. 

The mixture of sun and rain brought a beautiful rainbow.

Happy Birthday, America!!

 

Beloved Former Cougar Coach Jim Walden Dies

 Most Cougar football fans were down in the dumps when Jim Walden was chosen as head football coach in 1978.  The program has lost two head coaches in the past two season. Actually, three in three seasons counting the departure of Jim Sweeney, who had been with the program for eight seasons.  

Sweeney's successors, brought promise but both left after one year at the helm, including Warren Powers, who had promised to see the program through. 

 Walden, who had followed Powers to Pullman as an assistant from Nebraska, took over the reigns from Powers.  He not only stayed until 1986, but took the program, long often dismissed and disrespected, to new heights. He took the team, in 1981, to its first bowl game since 1931.

He also led to Cougar to three Apple Cup victories (games with cross state rival Washington) in four years, something that only happed two other times in history. 

Known for his colorful personality and for speaking his mind, Walden later became a commentator on the Cougar football broadcasts.  

Jim Walden died yesterday (Thursday, July 2nd, 2026).  He was 88. 

Lake Boren 2--Fireworks

 A great fireworks display.  The Lake Boren Park celebration has become an annual event for us. 

Celebration At Lake Boren

 

We enjoyed an early Fourth celebration at Lake Boren Park at nearby Newcastle.  Pioneer Square provided musical entertainment. 

Steve Find

 

Back when the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin printed the births of local residents, grandchildren, My Uncle Dave and Aunt Dorothy got a notice in the UB when their son, Stan and his wife, Shirley gave birth to daughter, Leigh Kara Barer.  

Today, Leigh is married and has a grown son. 

Steve, my brother, has found various historical notes while subscribing to the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin archives. 

NFL Possibly Absorbing Bigtime College Football?

 Don't ask me why, but these sound like scary concepts.  Maybe, by then, the Big 10 will have absorbed Washington State and Oregon State.  Brodie Brazil, a You Tube sports commentator, tries to predict the direction of College football.

Happy Belated Birthday, Mel Brooks

 Happy Birthday to movie funnyman Mel Brooks, who turned 100 yesterday (Sunday, June 28th, 2026). Brooks was the genius behind movies like "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein".  Also, TV shows like "Get Smart".  

Seaside Beach Sunsets

 Thank you to Google, here are some sunsets that I've captured over the years on the beach at Seaside, Oregon.

Cohn Signs Off

Linda Cohn, ESPN's longest serving anchor, has done her last show.  Cohn was on KIRO 7 in the early 90s.

More Walla Walla Baseball From 1969

 

I had previously posted the bottom picture that was scanned, obviously, from something we saved.  Steve, who subscribes to the UB archives, found the entire article in the feature section of the paper. 

I was totally crazy over what was then the Walla Walla Bears. 

In the picture,below, are my brother, Danny and sister, Debbie in the front row.  In the back, my Mom, myself, and my Dad.  Steve would come along in 1971.