Barers of Maple Valley

Burl Barer Gets Facebook Fan Page

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:54:00 +0000

In spite of being out of commercial radio for more than two decades, a facebook fan page honoring former Seattle disk jockey Burl Barer is growing in leaps and bounds. The page was established by former KJR DJ Kacie Sommers and myself. In addition to Burl is a published novelist. He can still be heard every Saturday from 2:00 until 6:00 on the internet.

Former Apprentice Candidate James Sun

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:22:00 +0000

Seattle area resident James Sun looked up until the very end, like the winner of Apprentice 6. Especially with talk that Donald Trump would be building in the region. However, Sun was not picked and nothing has been heard, since on Trump developing here. I got this piece from the Seattle Times.

Seahawks Win 2nd In A Row

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:21:00 +0000

For the first time this season, the Seattle Seahawks avenged an early season loss to a conference opponent. They also celebrated their 2nd win in a row--a 20-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. It was sweet revenge as the Seahawk had lost an earlier game to the 'Niners 23-10. That of course was the game where Matt Hasselbeck was knocked out with cracked ribs.

Holmgren Indicates Desire To Return To Seahawks

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 05:39:00 +0000

Mike Holmgren has indicated a desire to return to the now vacant Seattle Seahawks General Manager position
Holmgren, in an interview on his weekly radio show said that he is willing to talk to the Seahawk brass about filling the position vacated by Tim Ruskel's resignation. Holmgren, the only coach to take the 'Hawks to the Superbowl, left his coaching position after 10 years to take off some time from football. It is widely speculated that tensions between him and Ruskel lead to his leaving. When Holmgren first came to the Seahawks he held both the coaching position and the general manager's position. After a slow start, Holmgren agreed to concentrate only on coaching.

Radio Superstar Worked At Walla Walla Radio Station

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:14:00 +0000

I am in no means, a fan of Right wing windbag Glenn Beck. However I understand that he has a connection with my hometown that I was not aware of. Apparently, Beck worked for Walla Walla radio station KUJ in the early 1980s.
You may recall that I wrote about KUJ in a post from earlier this year. If you are aware of the political climate in Walla Walla, you would imagine that Beck would be popular in that area even without the connection. Also a thank you to Cheryl Hodgins for the tip.

Hunt For Maurice Clemmons Over

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:19:00 +0000

Maurice Clemmons was shot and Killed last night by a Seattle Police Officer. The officer was investigating a stolen car when he spotted Clemmons. According to the officer, Clemmons would not obey orders to put up his hands and freeze. Clemmons was accused of gunning down four Lakewood police officers in a coffee shop.

10 Years Ago--The Battle In Seattle

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:47:00 +0000

Today marks 10 years since the WTO came to Seattle. My experiences with that event have been documented on this blog.

Troyer Accuses Seattle TV Station

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:58:00 +0000

Pierce County officials have accused Sky-King of hampering a police investgation, in relation to the brutal slaying of 4 Lakewood police officers this morning. Pierce County Deputy Ed Troyer explains

Three Cousins Enjoy Feast

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:05:00 +0000

There is no Goldilocks, but you can see three Barers, all cousins of mine. Burl, his brother Stan, and sister Jan got together along with their children and grandchildren for Thanksgiving. Thank you to Burl and Jan who posted this on their blogs.

Neil Diamond Does The Chanukkah Song

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:59:00 +0000

I found this on cousin Lee Goldberg's blog a month or so ago. It's finally the holiday season.

Seahawks Beat The Rams

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:28:00 +0000

For the first time this season, and it has been a long one, the Seattle Seahawks were able to execute on the road, beating the St.Louis Rams 27-17. 'Hawk second year running back Justin Forsett had a break-out game running for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns. Josh Wilson intercepted a pass in the second quarter, running 65 for a Seattle score. Although the Seahawks are all but mathematically eliminated from the NFL play-off race, the victory should help the 'Hawks organization plan it's direction for the next few seasons. The victory was Seattle's 10th in a row over the Rams, who are also having a miserable season.

Rotten Apple Cup Results In Husky Win

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 06:11:00 +0000

Apple Cup 2009 will go down as a match where a win starved Washington Husky team trounced the even more inept Washington State Cougars 30-0. While the Cougar defense played with heart in the first half, holding the Huskies to 10 points, the offense could not rise to the challenge, playing 3 quarterbacks, two with injuries and never getting inside the Husky 33 yard line. Suddenly, Washington's record looks better at 4 and 7, while the WSU Cougars are in need of evaluating their program to see if their is a way out of this slump.

Palin Hides Out In Tri Cities

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:26:00 +0000

My brother, Steve, reports on the whereabouts of former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:40:00 +0000

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:43:00 +0000

This is what's happening a couple blocks from the Crossroads UPS Store where I work.

A Review: Pirate Radio

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:34:00 +0000

It's a fun movie, because everything is what you think it is. Pirate Radio takes you back to the rebellious 1960s when rock and roll music ruled. Add to the mix a "groovy" sound track and a crew of raunchy fun loving disc jockeys and you have a great movie.
The action takes place on a ship offshore from Great Britain. The government apparently would not license any radio station that played Rock music. By broadcasting from the boat, the station was outside the government's power. The government minister who was deadset on doing everything in his power (and beyond) to shut down the station was played up hilariously.

Other than being a little long, watching Pirate Radio (which was originally title "The Boat That Rocked") made for an enjoyable evening.

Old Walla Walla Radio Shows

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:54:00 +0000

Just to jog your memory and following up on my past posts on radio from the 60s and 70s, KUJ used to have a show called "Swapping Time", it was a cross between "Craig's List" and talk radio. Local listeners would call in to buy and sell their items and would be put on the air. A tape delays allowed the host to screen calls for suitable material. KTEL's answer was "Trading Post" however the DJ would read what were basically want ads over the air. KTEL also had "Pet Patrol" where listeners would could post lost and found for dogs and cats.
Another show that you may remember was the Men's Garden Club that would air on Tuesday mornings. On that show, the Walla Walla Men's Garden Club would answer questions fed from listeners. The radio station announcer would answer the phone and jot down the questions, to which a panel of experts would answer on the air.

Many of you may remember the "Hi Fi Show" change aired Monday through Friday at 8:00 on KTEL. DJ Dave Cochran would ask listeners to identify a record, the first caller to identify the record would win a 6 pack of Coca Cola. In order to play, you had to get a "Hi Fi" which for local teens, was as coolest thing to have in their wallet next to a driver's license.

November 22nd, 1963

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:34:00 +0000

A dark day in American history.

Seahawks Lose In Minnesota

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:23:00 +0000

After a scoreless first quarter, it didn't take long to see which team is play-off bound as the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Seattle Seahawks 35-9. There were times when it looked like the Vikes did not have an opponent as ageless quarterback Brett Favre was able to move the ball practically at will, throwing four touchdown passes to four different Viking receivers. The Seahawks did not even get past midfield until late in the third quarter.

Billy Joel-Elton John Rescheduled

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:12:00 +0000

Ticketmaster has been informing customers that hold tickets to the canceled Seattle Elton John-Billy Joel concert, originally scheduled for early Novemberthat the concert has been rescheduled for Wednesday February 3rd at Key Arena.

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:37:00 +0000

A great clip recalling the AFL's imfamous "Heidi Game" of 1968. A game that might have been unnoticed except for two things, number one, it involved the league's showcase teams, the Jets (who would go on that season and win the Super Bowl and the Raiders (at that time, the defending AFL champions) and also,it kept football fans from watching one of the greatest comebacks in professional football history.
41 years later, fans still remember the "Heidi Games". This clip says it all.

Another Mike Barer

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:59:00 +0000

Up in the "Great White North" there is another Mike Barer. He is the bass player for the Edmonton, Alberta based group, Grassroot Deviation. Grassroot Deviation is described as playing a "diverse spectrum of Roots, Rock, and Funk." They have a myspace page and Mike has a group page on facebook. I do not know whether nor how he is related.

This Commercial Is So Funny

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:37:00 +0000

Cardinals Close The Curtain On The Seahawks

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:06:00 +0000

If the Seattle Seahawks proved one thing today, it was that even at it's best, it cannot keep up with an Arizona Cardinal team playing at it's worst. The 'Hawks blew a 14-0 lead in a 31 to 20 loss to the division leader. The one bright spot was second year Seahawk running back, Justin Forsett. Forsett had 123 rushing yards and a touchdown. In spite of a series of Arizona penalties and some big plays by Matt Hasselbeck, the Seahawks could not muster a single touchdown in the second half. Cardinal quarterback Kurt Warner (above) threw for 320 yards and 2 touchdowns. Beanie Wells had also rushed for two touchdowns.

Another Rainy Day

mvbarer@gmail.com (Mike Barer) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:51:00 +0000

Rusty, in a classic pose in our kitchen the other day.