Paul Harvey--Good Day!

He was a giant of the industry--longtime radio broadcaster Paul Harvey has died at 90.

From Sam Barer's Car Blog

While his two daughters near driving age, Sam Barer gives advice on buying your son or daughter's first car.

Cougars Beat Sun Devils In OT

In his last home game, senior Taylor Rochestie hit a miracle 3 point shot to help the Washington State Cougars nip the Arizona State Sun Devils 51-49

Washington's Newest Legislator: Laura Grant-Herriot

The Seattle Times did an article featuring the new representative from the 16th district to the Washington State Legislature--Laura Grant Herriot. Click here

Cabinet Position For Governor Locke?

A variety of sources have reported that former Washington Governor Gary Locke, seen here with his wife Mona and myself ,likely be President Obama's 3rd choice to be Secretary Of Commerce. Obama's first choice for the position, Governor Bill Richardson, quit because of a federal investigation. His second choice, Judson Gregg, found that he had irreconcilable differences with the administration and also resigned. Locke would be the second well known Washington official to be named to work in the administration. County Executive Ron Sims has been named to be Deputy HUD Secretary

Cougs Shock Bruins At Pauley

Taylor Rochestie scored a career high 33 points as the Washington State Cougars defeated the nationally ranked UCLA Bruins 82-81 at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles last weekend.

Laura Grant-Herriot Picked To Replace Bill Grant

The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin reports that Laura Grant-Herriot has been picked to represent the 16th district in The Washington State House Of Representatives. The Walla Walla Democrat was picked by county commissions representing the four counties in the Southeastern Washington legislative district. Grant-Herriot replaces her father Bill Grant who died late last year. The choices goes against the wishes of the area precinct committee officers who made George Fearing from Kennewick their number one choice. Grant-Herriot is a 5Th grade teacher at Walla Walla's Berney School.

Suzan Del Bene Announces Candidacy For 8th District

Local Businesswoman Suzan Del Bene has announced her intentions to oppose incumbent Dave Reichert to represent Washington's 8th District in the US House Of Representatives. The 8th, which comprises Seattle's eastern and southern suburbs was once a safe Republican seat, however, Reichert's last two victories came by slim margins over Democrat Darcy Burner. The 8th is the only congressional district in the state to have been represented by only one party since it's inception.

Ken Griffey, Jr Is A Mariner Again

It is a dream come true for Mariner's fans, although Ken Griffey, Jr may resemble Ken Griffey, Sr when he finished his career with the ball club, the fact that Griffey is returning to Seattle is great news for Mariner fans, heartbroken when he left for Cincinatti several years ago. Perhaps it was this heartfelt column by Seattle Times sportswriter Steve Kelly that persuaded him.

Kathi Goertzen Returns To Anchor KOMO News

TV viewers of the Seattle area are happy to see longtime news anchor Kathi Goertzen return to the anchor desk after her fourth surgery for a brain tumor.

A Moment Of Silence

Maple Valley's Rebecca Lynn Shaw was Co Pilot on Continental Connection flight 3407 which crashed last week in Buffalo, NY.

Sunset In Seaside, Oregon

Deb and I went over to the Oregon Coast early last month. I took this picture of the Sun setting over Tillamook Head from Deb's parent's condo.

Could Griffey Be A Mariner Again?

KIRO Radio Sports Reporter Shannon Dreyer reported this morning that talks that could bring Ken Griffey Jr. back to the Seattle Mariners for the 2009 season are serious. Griffey left the Mariners in 2000 in a trade with the Cincinatti Reds.

From Scaleyard To Upscale

Walla Walla's Upscale Vue 22 Condiminiums were built over B. Barer And Sons scrap and scale yard.

A Little Family History

The building on the near right was once our family business, B.Barer And Sons. It was purchased in 2000 by Oxarc. I snapped this picture last year during a trip to Walla Walla.

Safeco Roof Does Not Protect You From Snow

I snapped this picture at Mariner Fanfest'09 where we took our nephews. It was a frigid day and even though the roof was closed, the snow still fell on the field.

One Of My Favorite Landmarks

This picture doesn't do it justice, but I pass this old service station on Front Street in Issaquah on the way to work. The station is not in operation.

Friday Night Rambling

November 3rd, 1992 --it was election day and a happy one at that. Bill Clinton was in process of being elected President of the United States in what was about to become a 2 term stint. This was after 12 years of Ronald Reagan and George Bush,Sr. I was at the Lake Bellevue Cafe, a now long gone yuppie watering hole in Seattle's largest suburb with my friend, Garry and roommate, Walt. We had gone there to watch election returns. Little did I know a chance meeting would start a chain of events that would change my life. During the course of the evening Garry ran into Leslie, an old high school friend that he had not seen in years. They stayed in touch quite a bit for the next few months, that is, Garry and Leslie and I found that of little consequence as far as my own life was concerned. That is until late spring of the next year. Garry wanted to go to meet up with Leslie and they decided to get together at The Keg, in the Delridge section of West Seattle. It was near where Leslie lived and also near where Garry used to live. We all sat and visited in the bar, then she went home. It was Saturday night and we decided to check out the band at the Rock City. The Rock City has a common bar in the middle where friends and strangers sit together. We happened on that evening to sit across from a couple of girls who were originally from the East Coast. I started talking to the lady across from me who was wearing a Blue Harvard Sweatshirt and after 15 years later, we are still talking, I married the lady a little over 2 years later

Ron Sims Appointed To HUD

King County Executive Ron Sims has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Housing And Urban Development by President Obama. Sims has been King County Executive for 12 years, the first African-American to hold that position.

Steelers Beat Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinal's Cinderella story came to an abrupt end yesterday as the Pittsburg Steelers won the Superbowl for the 6th time 27-23.

George Fearing Top Candidate For Vacant House Post

A caucus of 16th Legislative District Democratic leaders met yesterday to pick a successor to the late Bill Grant. Kennewick attorney George Fearing was the number one choice over Pasco Councilwoman Rebecca Francik and Grant's daughter Laura Grant-Herriot. The choices will now go to the County Commissions of the 4 district to which the 16 legislative districts is comprised. Although all 4 districts tend to lean Republican, it is tradition for the Commissions to honor the wishes of the Democratic leaders. Pictured above, State Chair Dwight Pelz leading the Caucus.