Maple Valley House To Get New Roof

The process of putting a new roof on our house has begun.  Tek Line of Seattle started the process of replacing our roof this week.  We will bring you updates as it continues.  For information on getting Tek Line to estimate repairing or replacing your roof, call 206-246-Roof.

Weekend In Seaside

Last Saturday, we headed to our favorite getaway spot, Seaside, Oregon.  We stayed at The Resort At Seaside, which is a great place, but does not allow dogs.  We were able to leave  Dasher overnights with Cindy, A friend that we met on our last trip (in September) that lives a few blocks from the condo.
We had dinner Saturday at the Seaside Brewery, where we watched the Apple Cup.  Although we were in Oregon, they were happy to change the channel from the Civil War (Oregon vs Oregon State) to the Cup.  Sadly both the Civil War and The Apple Cup were  one sided.
Sunday morning, after watching a beautiful sunrise (top picture), we collected Dasher and drove across the big bridge to Long Beach to visit the Cranberry Museum. We then took the dog to Loomis Lake State Park and walked him to the surf.  Afterward we drove back across the Astoria-Megler Bridge, an imposing structure, and walked downtown Astoria.  Before finishing the day, we drove to Cannon Beach and checked out the shops.  We had dinner at Mo's where we watched the sunset (middle picture).
Next morning, we had breakfast at the Osprey, then walked down the beach (bottom picture).

Seahawks Beat The Niners

• Richard Sherman and Russell Wilson have turkey legs after the Seahawk 19-3 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Thanksgiving Day.  NBC's Michelle Tofoya is doing the interview.

Eagle's Play By Play Man Larry Weir Get's National Nod

One of the coolest people I have worked with in radio, Larry Weir can be heard doing play by play on this cut from ESPN radio's Colin Cowherd, himself a Washington native. It is play by play of the Eastern Washington Eagles upsetting Indiana University. Larry and I worked together at KTEL.

Sherman And Baldwin Protest

Seahawks Richard Sherman and Doug Baldwin got national sports headlines protesting the fine levied on teammate Marshawn  Lynch for not talking to the media.  Sherman appeared to be interviewing a cardboard cut-out of wide receiver Doug Baldwin.  At the end of the interview, Baldwin appeared from behind the cardboard cut-out.  The Seahawks take on the 49ers on Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving

Seager To Ink New Agreement

Mariner All Star 3rd Baseman Kyle Seager has agreed to a 7 year, 100 million dollar agreement with the team.      Seager also won his first Gold Glove.  He set career marks in batting average, home runs and RBIs in 2014 as the Mariners came within making the play-offs for the first time since  2001.
This marked the third off season in a row that the M's will sign a player for 100 million or more, earlier this year, they landed Robinson Cano from the New York Yankees and last year, Felix Hernandez was resigned.

Seahawks Make Statement--Beat Cardinals

The Seahawks showed that they were alive and well in the play-off hunt, beating the league leading Arizona Cardinals 19-3.  It was the best performance in weeks by the team, coming off a heartbreaking loss to Kansas City.
 The game marked the reemergence of the once fierce Seattle defense.  After weeks of struggles, the unit came back to life, limiting Arizona to a season low 204 yards of offense and no touchdowns. Part of that can be attributed to the return of Bobby Wagner.

30 Years of Great TV Farewells

This video begins with the late Walter Cronkite, calling his departure "..a passing of the baton.."

An Old Family Picture

My cousin, Bruce posted this picture of my Grandfather EdGranek in Okinawa. He was stationed there in the mid 1960s, then returned to Walla Walla in 1969.  He is pictured with my cousins, Bruce and Mark.  They are the sons of my Uncle Phil Granek, who was also living in Okinawa.  Uncle Phil was my Mom's brother.

Snow Hits Maple Valley 2012

Will we get a winter like this, From January 2012, the best and worst of a snowy winter.

Kurt DelBene Addresses Eastside Democrats

Eastside Democrats got to meet Kurt DelBene, a former Microsoft executive who is credited to saving Healthcare.gov.  Delbene, who is the husband of Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, was called to the White House when the web site for Affordable Care Act failed, putting the President's hard earned program in jeopardy.  DelBene put in understandable terms, his program to fix the ailing site. DelBene is now with Madronna Ventures, a Seattle based venture capital group.
DelBene was speaking at a joint meeting of the 5th and and 41st LDs at Tyee Middle School in South Bellevue.

Barers Of Maple Valley Places In Top 20

Thank you for voting Barers Of Maple Valley number 17 in the Best Of Western Washington's Best Neighborhood Blog.  It was a lot of fun, to see who rank where, click here.

Game Change --My Review

I began to read Game Change, thinking that it's focus would be on Governor Sarah Palin, the Vice President choice on the losing ticket who became well known in her own right, but really the McCain-Palin dynamic, interesting as it was, is not brought up until the last few chapters.
Game Change tells about the 2008 race, Americans have lost their faith in the Bush administration over both his handling of the Iraq War and a looming financial crisis.  The Democrats, after regaining the majority of Congress, are optimistic about recapturing the White House.  The favorites are former First Lady Hilary Clinton and 2004 VP candidate John Edwards.  Also in that race is our current president Barack Obama.  The book in it's early stages takes us to each of those campaigns and shows the personalities, not only of the candidates but each family and staff.  It shows how the Democratic establishment was not all in love with Hilary.  It shows the flaws in the Edwards campaign.  It shows how the Obama campaign snowballed into a national movement.
The book moves chronologically through the caucuses that were indeed game changers. Then at the conclusion of the Obama nomination, focuses on his VP choice and his courting of the Clintons.
It then covers the McCain campaign and the Palin choice, once thought to be the spearhead to get McCain back into the race, but what would later prove to be part of his undoing.
The McCain-Palin dynamic was the subject of the movie that was based on the book.  I hope to eventually watch that movie.

Brandi Carlile - Losing Heart

Maple Valley native Brandi Carlile rocks it out on this tune from her album "The Story"

Go Seahawks!

WSU Grad Covers Hollywood

The E! Network keeps America up to date on what happening in the entertainment industry and one of it's rising stars is a Southeastern Washington native and a graduate of the Murrow School Of Communications at WSU.  Courtney Harvey has been with the E! Network for about 3 years according to dad, Geoff Harvey, also a broadcasting graduate of WSU and a former manager of radio stations in Walla Walla  and the Tri Cities.
Currently Courtney's work is mostly behind the scenes as segment producer, but there is little doubt that she will soon be an on-air fixture.  She has also worked at KVEW in Kennewick, Washington.
Courtney has a fan page on facebook that you can join by clicking here.
Courtney's dad was a mentor to me in my college days, I was trying to break in radio and approached him at K-HIT where I was seeking a summer job.  Geoff always seemed to find time to talk radio with me and keep me up to date on the goings on in the field.

Seahawk Mebane Lost For Season

Even though the season is at mid point, the toughest part of the Seahawks schedule begins with games with the Chiefs, 49ers, Eagles, Rams, and Cardinals coming up.  These opponents have a combined winning percentage of .722.  Sadly, the Seahawks will have to play without Defensive Tackle Brandon Mebane.  Mebane, an 8 year veteran, is considered the heart of the defense.  Although he does not get the most sacks, he played a vital role in distracting blockers and has been a stand out in the locker room.  Mebane, one of my favorite players, is out with a hamstring injury.

Old Walla Walla Radio Remembered--Part 6

The late Jack Keating, owner of KTEL in Walla Walla, Washington, can be heard in this commercial.  Thank you to Hank Unck, who used the name "Lee Michaels", when he worked at the station. Mr Keating passed away in the mid 1980s.  Another thank you goes out to Joe Drazan for the historical print ads.
The owners of the Leading Fur Shop, Sadie and Gordon Paris were friends of my family.

More Maple Valley Windstorm

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In the next cul-du-sac from us, this tree looks awfully close to falling on this house.  At really looked scarier in person.

Wind Storm Punishes South King County

A look at some of the windstorm damage around the Belmont Woods area of Maple Valley.

High Winds Hit Area

Conditions are stormy in Maple Valley, lights are flickering in the house and much of the town is without power.  A high wind warning is in effect.  Temperatures are down in the 30s.

Happy Veteran's Day

From Joe Drazan's Bygone Walla Walla page, Veteran's Day parade from the late 1950s.

Final 'Huntley-Brinkley Report' on NBC / July 31, 1970

The Huntley-Brinkley Report, we got our news in the 1960s from either Walter Cronkite on CBS or Chet Huntley and David Brinkley on NBC.  ABC was far behind, although I remember Frank Reynolds and Howard K. Smith.  This video has Huntley and Brinkley doing their iconic sign off for the last time on July 3rd 1970.

Edward R Murrow's 1962 Commencement Speech

Edward R. Murrow, perhaps the most famous Cougar of all time, Delivered the commencement addres for WSU graduates in 1962.  Murrow was a World War II radio reporter for CBS radio.  He went on to TV, where he hosted shows like "See It Now" and "Person To Person".  He is often credited with the fall of Senator Joseph McCarthy.  The Edward R. Murrow College at Washington State University was named after him.

Cousin Interviewing Cousin

Best selling author Tod Goldberg and Rabbi Mark Borovitz (former crook) talk crime and transformatio by Burl Barer on Mixcloud

Burl Barer interviews fellow writer and fellow relative of mine, Tod Goldberg.

Classic TV's Mary Ann Makes Seattle Appearences

One of the great baby boomer arguments has been "Ginger or Mary Ann?" That is, of course, a matter of preference and also a slight to Mrs. Howell.  Dawn Wells, the UW grad who played Mary Ann on the popular TV series from the 1960s, Gilligan's Island, has announced three Seattle area appearances next month.  Wells will be at the University Of Washington Bookstore in Seattle, December 10th at 7pm.  On December 11th, .  Finally, she will be appearing at Blackrapid in Seattle, also December 11th at 7pm.
The Dawn Wells site encourages you to call the stores in advance to get details..  Also, some venues may ask that you get wristbands or register in advance.You may also want to check in case there is a cancellation.

Largent Meets Fans In Bellevue

Seahawk Legend and Hall Of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent signed autographs at the Sports Authority in Crossroads (Bellevue, WA) today.  Fan were lined up for a couple of hours to meet and greet the local hero, who was a charter member of the team and whose career stretched from 1976 to 1989.  Steve Largent was inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 1995.

50 Years Ago--Dan Evans Elected Governor

On November 3rd, 1964. While the nation gave a landslide victory to Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson, our state elected a Republican Governor.  Dan Evans had an image as a straight arrow.  His popularity was such that he proposed a state income tax, something Liberal Democrats do not do.  He championed conservation, and education, and was behind prison reform.  In fact, when he finally left office, succeeded by Democrat Dixie Lee Ray in 1976, it was a shift to the Right, rather than the left.  He delivered the keynote address at the Republican National Convention in 1968, but also helped create and was later president of The Evergreen State College in Olympia,  a school with a reputation for Liberal ideas.
He would serve 3 terms as governor, defeating sitting two term Governor Al Rossellini in 1964. In 1968, he beat Attorney General John J. O'Connell and finally, in 1972 once again beat Al Rossellini.
Evans was later appointed to the US Senate to succeed the late Henry "Scoop" Jackson. He was elected in his own right in 1983, he would only serve one term.
He did have a couple of black marks on his career, although it can be argued that it was not his fault.  In his last campaign, bumper stickers came out attacking his opponent Al Rossellini's Italian heritage   He also had a young intelligent campaign aide named Theodore Bundy, who unbeknownst to those around him, had a notorious secret life.
Evans wife Nancy is a graduate of Whitman College.

Sad Donkey--Republicans Take Senate

Republicans regain the majority in the Senate and increase their majority in the House.   That's our democracy, some years we're up and some years we're down. I'm just happy it was a year where there were no statewide races in Washington other than initiatives.

"THE IMPROV" / A New Novel by M.J. McDermott

Channel 13 Weather Reporter M.J. McDermott tells about her book.

Ballot Drop Boxes In King County

While we no longer visit polling places to vote, King County provides "Ballot Drop Boxes".  They not only save us a stamp, but pretty much assure that our ballots will have fewer handlers.  They won't be lost in the mail.  For locations around the county, click here.   By the way, don't forget to vote today!

LBJ Landslide 50 Years Ago

President Lyndon Johnson, barely in office for a year, after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, won election in his own right in a landslide over Conservative Republican Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona.  This election was special to me is it was the first one that I can remember.
Johnson, one of the great senator's of our history, was unhappy as vice president under Kennedy and it has been said that he had entertained thoughts of resigning when he was called upon to take the Oath Of Office, coincidentally in his native state of Texas after the assassination in 1963.
In the 1964 election, Johnson carried 44 states, while Goldwater carried only 6.  Goldwater's views scared many Americans.  Johnson, while not as charismatic as Kennedy, was seen as "middle of the road".   The next 4 years would be tough on Johnson, who would announce in 1968 that he was not seeking another term.

You Stole My Life!

Cousin Tod Goldberg's book hit close to reality when a fictional Rabbi shared the same last name as the real one..  Tod's new book is known as" Gangsterland".

Cougars Lose Starting Quarterback

Washington State Quarterback Connor Halladay's football career sadly ended today after he sufferered a broken leg in the first quarter against the USC Trojans.  The Cougars would lose the game 44-17.

Maple Valley Four Corners Starbucks Remodeled

The Starbucks at Four Corners in Maple Valley has undergone an extensive remodel.  In addition to being larger, it offers beer and wine along with it's coffee and tea selections.  Entertainment is also featured on the weekends.  The location is at 26910 Maple Valley-Black Diamond Rd SE, Maple Valley 98038.

Happy Halloween

The Giants Win The World Series

The Giants have won the World Series for the third time in five years, quietly making them every bit the force that the Yankees were in the late 1990s. The KC Royals put up a great fight, taking the series to 7 games.  What is striking to me is how low in stature the World Series has become.  When I was younger, kids would bring transistor radios to school, classroom TVs were turned on, and it would transcend baseball.  Today, it barely gets mentioned on the sports radio station.  I would imagine it's different in the host cities.  I hope to find out one of these years.

Monster Mash

It's Halloween!

Vintage 1960s Rock And Roll

I found this picture featuring the late Paul Revere and Phil "Fang" Volk on Facebook.  They were part of the memorable Paul Revere And The Raiders.  Revere died of cancer earlier this month.

Happy Birthday, Dasher

Dasher is turning 3!

Keith Jackson's life and legacy - Washington State University

More on fellow WSU Alum Keith Jackson.  Thanks to KOMO reporter Eric Johnson, who is so good at these profiles.  Jackson is probably amongst the greatest sportscasters of all time.  He is a man I have always hoped to meet someday.

Paul Williams, Rainy Days & Mondays ~ LIVE

I thought it would be kind of fun to share this.

Winemaker's Death Shocks Region

The Washington wine making community is shocked at the sudden passing of Eric Dunham.  Dunham co-founded Dunham Cellars in Walla Walla.  The winery is near the local airport and a must stop on any trip to Walla Walla.  It has one of the largest tasting rooms and gift shops in the area.  He founded the winery with his father Mike in the mid 1990s  Mike Dunham passed away in 2013.  Dunham was known for naming wine blends after his dogs.  The dogs are often seen on the grounds of the winery.
Since Dunham Cellars was founded, the landscape of the Walla Walla Valley has changed into a world renown wine producing region.  A tourism industry has arose and downtown is filled with new restaurants and tasting rooms.  It is without a doubt that Eric Dunham will be remembered as part of the area's history.

It Happened Again

Only a few months after a tragic school shooting last spring at SPU, another one has occurred in our area.  A Marysville Pichuck High School student shot 4 students, killing at least one.  Then killed himself..

Keith Jackson speaks at his building dedication ceremony

Arguably the best college football announcer of all time, Keith Jackson returned to Pullman this fall where he attended WSU where the Communications building was dedicated in his name.

Washington Post Editor Ben Bradlee

Former Washington Post Editor Ben Bradlee has died at 93.  Bradlee was probably the most famous editor in the country, having assigned young reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein to cover and uncover a break-in at the Democratic headquarters at Washington's Watergate Hotel, in what would turn out to be a scandal that brought down the Nixon administration.  Richard Nixon became the first and so far the only president to resign his office.  Bradlee was portrayed by Jason Robards in the movie "All The President's Men", the role won an Oscar for Robards and help cement Bradlee into the nation's conscience.

World Series To Begin

The World Series begins tonight with the San Francisco Giants, the only survivor of 4 California teams to go to post season and the Kansas City Royals, a cinderella story that should give the Mariners hope.  Actually, I find it hard to believe that they're still playing baseball!

Sunday By The River

I couldn't resist snapping this picture of the Snoqualmie River from our friend's backyard in North Bend.  Temperatures were at a record breaking 70 plus degrees, making it pleasant to be outside.

Kerry Brock is inducted into the Murrow Hall of Achievement

A former Tri-Cities newscaster, a WSU graduate and a sister of my classmate Kathy Brock.  Kerry Brock gives a touching speech as she is honored at the Morrow Symposium.

Percy Harvin Trade Shocks Area

The Seattle Seahawks are now big news in this area outside the sports world, so fans and non-fans alike are in a state of shock at the news that Percy Harvin has been traded to the New York Jets.  I received the news on the Twitter feed on my phone while having coffee with my dad at Starbucks and spent a second wondering if it was a joke. 
Percy Harvin, although spending much of last season sidelined by injuries,  was probably the team's most exciting player, he will be remembered running back a kick-off for a touchdown in the Super Bowl, one of the most memorable moments in Seattle sports history.  It put an exclamation point on a great victory.  This year, while healthy, his numbers were less than exciting, but fans seemed to think a breakthrough was immanent. 
The Seahawks will receive a conditional draft choice from the Jets for Harvin.

Maple Valley Golf Course To Close

The Elk Run Golf Club, once, one of three Maple Valley Golf Courses, will soon be closing for good.  According to the Covington-Maple Valley Reporter, it is part of the "Donut Hole" land sale.  The Donut Hole entails a piece of land that is unincorporated within the city.  It has been a local controversy for over a decade as far as what to do with the land, most of which houses a county maintenance facility.  The area has been sold to private developers.  It includes 9 holes of Elk Run.   Golf course officials say that it would not be profitable to run the course simply as a nine hole facillity. 
Elk Run has always been my favorite place to play golf in town because of the beauty of the area and it's affordability.  It leaves the Lake Wilderness course as the only golf facility in town, although Druids Glenn and Maplewood courses are nearby.  Maple Valley's Taylor Creek Golf Course closed several years ago.

We Pack Collectables

We recently packed and shipped a baseball autographed by 1960s pitching legend Sandy Koufax at The UPS Store at 15600 NE  8th in Bellevue.

Paul Revere & the Raiders -The Smothers Brothers Show - 1967

In tribute to the late Paul Revere.

Severe Weather In Bellevue

After mild weather through most of the fall, a heavy rain downpour hit Bellevue.  The 15600 block of Northeast 8th Street where we work (Crossroads) was flooded.  If you look closely, a car was can be scene disabled by the deep water in the distance. 
The area also got the first tornado warning in 17 years  after a waterspout was sighted over Anderson Island.  A short thunder and lighting storm occurred in the evening.

Go Hawks

Fans around the Sound will be donning their Seahawk jerseys today for Blue Friday,  The Hawks take on the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday at Century Link Field.

Where Are They Now (1985)?: "Brakeman Bill" McLain (Part Two)

It's kind of  chilling think of a nostalgic "where are they now" piece on Brakeman Bill, running in 1985, almost 30 years ago.  The Brakeman Bill  aired in the afternoon on KTNT channel 11 out of Tacoma.  The station no network affilliation, so it ran mostly reruns, syndicated shows, news, and sports.  It became available by cable in the Walla Walla area, where I grew up, in the late  60s. The station was what was known in the business as a "superstation", since it had no network affiliation, it would run on cable stations throughout the state. 

The Brakeman Bill Show ran in the afternoon, about the time children would come home from school, it featured Bill McLain as a railroad worker with the Puppet Crazy Donkey. As a grown-up, you wonder what a Brakeman would have to do with a donkey.  

My favorite show at the  time on channel 11 was the "Dennis The Menace" reruns.  The show had actually been cancelled years earlier.  Eventually, the station would be known as KSTW, while still remaining a superstation.  It showed the Tacoma Cubs, Puget Sound Loggers, and later on the Seattle Super Sonics and the Seattle Mariners.    We still have channel 11, hear in Maple Valley, but rarely watch it.

Front Street In Issaquah Before Salmon Days

Taken at 9:45, Sunday I was headed to the 5th district Democratic Booth at Issaquah Salmon Days, Front Street looked quiet and deserted in this shot, but within minutes, the streets would fill with thousands of people enjoying the area's last outdoor festival.  It was reported that a total over 150,000 people enjoyed the two day event, held annually in the first weekend of October.  It celebrates the return of the salmon to the local streams.

Rock Icon Paul Revere Dies

Paul Revere, the founder of 60s rock group Paul Revere and The Raiders has died, he was 76.  Sources say that Revere had been suffering from cancer although no official cause of death has been released.  The band, with Northwest roots, was formed in 1963.  They were often featured on Dick Clark programs, "American Bandstand" and "Where The Action Is". Although their music was aimed at the teenage set, their 1970 hit "Indian Reservation", had political implications.  Another one of the band's hits was "Kicks", an anti-drug song.
Revere, who had a name from American history, was the organist and main comedian.  Mark Lindsay was the band's lead singer and sex symbol until he left the group in the early 1970s. 

Radio Exec Kevin "O'Brien" Metheney Dead At 60

The Seatac Media Blog  reports the sad new of the passing of Kevin Methenyy.  Metheny used the name Kevin O'Brien when he was brought to Seattle by Pat O'Day as a teen age prodigy to work evenings at KJR.  He worked as a radio executive in Cleveland, Chicago, and other major markets, but was perhaps best known as the Program Director at WNBC who tried to reign in Howard Stern.  Metheny was loosely portrayed as a composite character  Kenny Rushton, whom Stern called Pig Vomit in on the air ridicule.  I e-mailed Metheny from an old KJR tribute site after watching the Stern movie and he sent this reply

Metheny, Kevin

Mar 28, 2003

To

• mdbarer@yahoo.com

It's a MOVIE.

Not a historical text.

Bears SOME resemblance to fact. But not too much.

(It only required 10 years or so of therapy!)

You related to my old friend Burl?

KM


Kevin Metheny,
Regional Vice President of Programming, NE Ohio,
Clear Channel Radio
Metheny was program director at KGO-KSFO at the time of his passing.

Double Down--Game Change 2012

 

Double Down is Mark Halperin And John Heliemann's look at the 2012 presidential election.  In 2012, the economy was in bad straights and Obama was campaigning on what seemed a dubious new health care plan that exhausted nearly all of his political capital.  Mitt Romney was the former governor of a very Liberal state, a man who seemed to present a fatherly image, he was successful in business  and was seen as the force behind the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.  Needless to say, this was not going to be an easy ride for the administration.
There really is not much risk of adding spoilers,  because all of you should know the final result, however, for a really good insight in to the race and the strategy and the pitfalls that befell both campaigns,Double Down is an excellent resource.  It offers analysis on  all the candidates as well as how bringing Obama's old rival Bill Clinton aboard at the last minute proved effected the direction of the race. 
I have read that HBO has bought the rights to do a movie or mini-series on the book. 

Coach Borleske Featured On Walla Walla Page

Joe Drazan's Bygone Walla Walla page today, included pictures of Legendary Whitman College football coach Raymond Vincent Borleske.  Walla Walla's athletic field is known as Borleske Stadium.  After coaching, Borleske managed the Marcus Whitman Hotel and was later elected mayor of Walla Walla.