Dinner At 26 Brix Makes Evening Great

Deb and I spent last weekend in my old hometown of Walla Walla and it was clear that with the sudden growth of the wine industry there, Walla Walla is no longer a "hick" town. The remaining historical buildings have been restored, a farmer's market takes place on Main Street and the city now offers an incredible choice of Restaurant's.

Saturday, we had dinner at 26 Brix, located across in the historic Dacres Building on West Main, once Walla Walla's skid Row. We arrived with my brother and Dawn for our 8:30 reservation, while we were waiting, one of the owners explained the meaning of the name, 26 Brix (a measurement used in wine making) and some of the history involved in the area.
The dining area was well done in hardwood. Frank Sinatra was playing in the music season. Deb and I both had wine samplers with 2 local wines and one French wine. I was taken aback with the attentiveness of the wait staff. I would strongly recommend any trip to Walla Walla should include dining there.

My Three Cousins

My Cousin Jan has been an inspiration in doing this blog. Here she is with brothers Stan,
and Burl in this rare photograph off her blog.

Barers Of Maple Valley Turns 2 Today

What began on the fly, has gotten bigger and in my opinion better. This blog started 2 years ago today, when I had to sign up to comment on a different blog. I cannot tell you what a fun and rewarded project this has become and we're not done yet!

King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng Dies

Norm Maleng, Republican King County Prosecutor since 1978 has died. Maleng collapsed at the University Of Washington campus this evening.

"An Inconvenient Truth" To Be Screened In Issaquah

Readers In the Maple Valley-Issaquah area and beyond are invited to a free showing of Oscar winning movie "An Inconvenient Truth" this Friday at 7:30 pm. It will take place at the
King County Library Service Center960 Newport Way NWIssaquah, 98027. Although the showing is sponsored by the 5th District Democrats, everyone is welcome regardless of political stripe. Refreshments will be available for a charge. A discussion will take place after the show.

Super Sonics Get Second Pick In NBA Draft Lottery

It certainly has been a roller coaster ride for fans hoping to keep the Seattle Super Sonics in Seattle. Today's news as reported by Percy Allen in the Seattle Times is certainly an up note, the Sonics drew the number 2 choice in the draft, earning them the chance to possibly pick Texas freshman Kevin Durrant (above).

Donald Trump Quits The Apprentice

It comes as no surprise but The Apprentice is officially no more. Sources say the Donald Trump, who turned "your fired" into probably pop culture's favorite phrase, announced Friday that he will not do another Apprentice. The show, originated by Survivor's Mark Burnett, took off in it's first season, due in part with good looking, intelligent, but somewhat dysfunctional candidates, and what seemed like hard headed but fair Trump exec's like Caroline and George. Candidate Omarosa, who seemed to have the ability to create a fight from nothing and the tough love of "The Donald" seemed to rocket the show in the ratings. Successive seasons showed a real ratings decrease, along with the revelations of possible financial problems in the Trump Organization.
It has indeed been a pleasure for me to blog the last three seasons of the Apprentice. No doubt, new material on the Apprentice and candidates will continue.

Hilary Shows A Lighter Side

Hilary Clinton shows her self deprecating sense of humor in this YOUTUBE video, only trouble is, it may actually get you to not vote for her.

Issaquah Gliders Dot The Sky

I have never gone paragliding but get to watch them, as they fill the sky on my way home to Maple Valley. They are usually out in force on warm sunny days jumping off Tiger Mountain in Issaquah. They land on a strip off Issaquah-Hobart Rd about 5 miles south of Issaquah.

Northwest Tire Icon Les Schwab Dies

The Northwest has changed radically from when Les Schwab started in the tire business in the early 50s, but Les Schwab never did. Still, looking like a figure from a different era, apearing in commercials with a simple message "If we can't guarantee it, we won't sell it" Les Schwab became one of the largest independent tire dealers in the world. According to the Seattle Times, Les Schwab tires did 1.6 billion dollars in sales last year. In the last couple, a Maple Valley store opened up. Mr Schwab died yesterday after being in ill health for a number of years.

Shoot! Where Do They Get These Teachers?

The Seattle Times reports that a Lake Stevens High School Teacher has been placed on administrative leave after threatening to "shoot" misbehaving students. Apparently a student had been daydreaming in a literature class when teacher Gary McDonald picked on her, when other students intervened, McDonald threatened to line them up and shoot them, with the Virginia Tech tragedy only a month ago, I wonder how a teacher could find any humor in a remark like that. If McDonald cannot control his student, what is he doing teaching a high school class anyway? The article, written by Times reporter Lynn Thompson, said that McDonald's class started with 30 students, but has dwindled to just 17.

From You Tube

One of my favorite vacation spots is Seaside Oregon. I have so many lifetime memories from there

Blake In Town This Weekend

American Idol Finalist Blake Lewis is back the area to make a number of appearances. One will be singing the National Anthem at Safeco Field at the Yankee-Mariners tonight, of note to me because I will be attending that game. Blake is a native of Bothell. After watching a couple of his performances on the show, I'm pretty sure he will put an interesting "spin" on the anthem.

He's Writing Again!!

After a 2 month hiatus, my Dad is writing again. This story about his old employee Matt is a scream!

So What?!

When I was little, around the time The Beatles were a new and fresh act, The Lloyd Thaxton Show was on TV. Lloyd Thaxton had a dance show similar to American Bandstand with guests who went on to become musical legends, the difference was that Lloyd was part of the show. He had a "what me worry" sense of humor that was as entertaining as the musical acts, crowd participation was a must. At the end of the show, Lloyd would always say "this is the Lloyd Thaxton Show and I'm Lloyd Thaxton" to which the teenagers in the audience, would yell "so what" watching Lloyd, it made me feel that being a teenager was the coolest thing in the world. Well Lloyd is putting together a dvd of his old shows. It is bound to bring back a lot of memories.

Summer Is On It's Way

Coming home from work, the view of Mount Rainier was spectacular. It looked like it was in the backyard. When the sun sets behind the tall evergreens, it is amazing.

Does Maple Valley Need "Big Box" Stores?

Does Maple Valley need big retail stores? A feature in the Seattle Time's Sunday
SE Living supplement examines that question. Our close proximity to Covington and Issaquah provides expanded shopping options. Are we missing out on Sales tax revenue. Most residents speak about the possibility of losing our "small town feel" However new housing is built consistently.
Without the option of curtailing or stalling population growth, it may be imperative to encourage more retail options. Perhaps we can look at neighbor Issaquah, which has allowed the stores and still kept it's attractiveness.

Spokane Chosen For '08 Democratic State Convention

Delegates attending the Washington Democratic State Central Committee meeting in Bellingham have chosen Spokane for their state convention over King County. I believe that this is a smart move, the party has been pushing lately to win voters from across the "Cascade Curtain". To turn down Spokane's bid in favor of Seattle would work against everything in that plan. To King County, quit picking on the little Spokane and go after the National Convention.
Incidentally, Spokane has a brand new convention center, the National Figure Skating Championship has already been held there.