Washburn Traded To Detroit

Jerrod Washburn, perhaps this year's best Mariner pleasant surprise, has been traded to the Detroit Tigers. After two dismal seasons on the pitching staff, Washburn has been a stalwart this year. Since his contract expires at this season, the Mariners are figuring to part with him at his highest value. Washburn was traded for two pitchers. You can read more about the trade here.

Happy Birthday, Steve!

Barers Of Maple Valley wishes my brother, Steve Barer, a very Happy Birthday!

Seattle Heatwave

Temperatures in the Seattle area topped 100 plus yesterday as Seattle is enduring it's worst heatwave in memory. Since Seattle is know for it's moderate climate, many houses don't have airconditioning, so hot weather is much more devastating here.

Joe Mallahan Makes Eastside Apearence

Seattle mayor hopeful Joe Mallahan met with some politically engaged citizens at the Sammamish home of Dean and Dorothy Willard. Even though many of the attendees

could not vote in the Seattle mayoral election by virtue of geography, Mallahan stressed that the city drives the region. He said that since King County is electing a new Executive, this would be a chance for a fresh start in leadership and cooperation for the area.

Mallahan grew up in the Northwest, one of nine children. He says that he went into business at the urging of political leaders who said that there was a perception that public officials do not see things from a business perspective.

Bob Rosenberger Announces Candidacy

Deputy County Assessor Bob Rosenberger announced his candidacy for King County Assessor today before the King County Democratic Central Committee. Although the job is now non-partisan, Rosenberger is well known as a Democrat. Also running for the seat vacated by the resignation of Scott Noble is Seattle Port Commissioner Lloyd Hara.

A Familiar Picture

My friend, Kathy sent me this picture. Until recently, it was my Dad's building on 4Th and Main. The billboard advertising was painted on the back.
At one time, my Dad ran a fabric store there. When the store closed down, the parking lot was used for the main family business, B. Barer And Sons.
This picture, taken by Greg Lehman, was used in an article in the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin.

On The Spot Reporter Tod Goldberg

San Diego recently hosted it's annual Comic Book Convention, known affectionately as "Comic Con". This account of the event by Cousin Tod Goldberg, appeared in the LA Times. Thank you to my brother Danny for bringing it to my attention.

Do You Know This Man?

This is Robert Pattinson. I had not heard of him, but People Magazine gave him top billing on the cover, rather than Walter Cronkite, who passed away last week. Cronkite was shown in a smaller "blurb" on the front.
There, no doubt, will be some "letters to the editor" questioning that selection.

Maple Valley Landmark--Part II

Here is the demolition. Thank you to the Maple Valley Reporter.

Maple Valley Landmark Falls

Thank you to D'Ann Tedford of "Voice Of The Valley for this picture. This building, once the home of Flynn's Wilderness Tavern was taken down this past week. Unfortunately, it did not show an "after" picture. The building had been vacant for nearly a decade. It was on the corner of Highway 169 and Witte Road here in Maple Valley. The owner of the property, Jim Flynn, is running for Maple Valley City Council.

40 Years Ago Today

American Neil Armstrong becomes the first man to walk on the Moon. Buzz Alrin becomes the 2nd.

"And Thats The Way It Is.."

Walter Cronkite, dead at 92.

Former Walla Walla Radio Voices Silent

In my research for the stories on Walla Walla radio stations KHIT and KUJ, I learned of the passing of 2 very notable players on the scene.

Verne Russell was owner of KUJ and the Walla Walla Padres until he sold both entities to Jim and Patricia Nelly in mid 70s. He died last month at 81.

Andy Harle had passed away in 2003, although I had learned of it until a couple of days ago. As a salesman/radio personality at KUJ in the 1970s, he helped to train me for a radio job by letting me come to the studio and showing me how to make an audition tape. It was a real learning experience for me and I appreciate it to this day. He later bought a Pendleton radio station and started K-Wheat, an FM country music station in the Walla Walla area. Andy was only 55 when he left us. Andy's picture is above.  Thank you to Dennis Deccio for providing the picture.

Happy 10th Anniverary Safeco Field!

This is an actual ticket from the first game ever played at Safeco Field on July 15th 1999! The Mariners played the first half of the season in the Kingdome.

KUJ--Walla Walla's Pioneer Radio Station Part II

I'm not going to go into Mr. Nelly's ownership of KUJ. It is probably still fresh in people's memories. To say that he changed the culture of the station would be an understatement. The station became a 24 hour all hit station. Suddenly, the KUJ salesman who was your buddy popping in, sitting on your couch and shooting the breeze with you, was now pulling at your sleeve, it was "sell to survive" Nelly's wife Pat ran the minor league Walla Walla Padres and their son Jim, Jr. worked at the radio station. He would later work a few days at B. Barer And Sons until he decided that there where better ways to make a living.

The Beatniks Rock Redmond Derby Days

Last Friday, all roads lead to Redmond Washington as we watched The Beatniks play at Redmond Derby Days. The Beatniks, while essentially a Beatles tribute band, have an expanded repertoire of pop hits from throughout the 60s and 70s. While they can do "spot-on" imitations of the Rolling Stones, CCR or whatever group they want to do, they take it farther with funny antics, like silly masks, drum stick twirling, and indescribable facial expressions guaranteed to engage the audience. By the end of the set nearly the entire audience was up dancing.

BOMV Gets 30,00

Barers Of Maple Valley got it's 30,00th visit today according to sitemeter.

This picture of Fred Jarrett talking the issues with me was in the Issaquah Reporter. It was taken at the North Bend King County Executive candidates forum.

KUJ--Walla Walla's Pioneer Radio Station

If you are entering the City Of Walla Walla from the west, the first thing you may notice is the twin radio towers of KUJ. KUJ is Walla Walla's oldest and most powerful radio station. At 1420khtz, it was between K-HIT and KTEL on the dial. If K-HIT was the station that your father would listen to, chances are, in the 60s and early 70s KUJ was the station that your mother would have on. It's soft adult contemporary music and low keyed radio hosts were probably perfect for a "stay at home" housewife. For many years, it carried the Arthur Godfrey show. The owners of the two other stations in town had both worked early in their careers at KUJ. It's owner, Verne Russell , was perhaps the valley's best broadcaster, known mostly for his recorded end of day sign off ("we will shake those watts and Kilocycles out of bed..."). While KTEL carried most of the high school sports play by play, KUJ carried the local minor league baseball team's broadcasts. Russell himself did play by play in his smooth broadcaster's voice. Eventually, he bought the team.
In the mid 70s , Russell sold the station as well as the baseball team to Jim Nelly.

Meet Joe Mallahan

Joe Mallahan wants to take on Greg Nickles to be Seattle's mayor, is he up to the task? I posted this so readers can get an idea of what he is about.

Good Bye Steve McNair

New Edition To Our Family

My wife has wanted a pet bird and today she bought one. This picture was taken from the internet because I did not want to spook the bird with a camera quite yet. This is about the closest image that I was able to find. More to come...

Mariners Win One In Fenway

The Seattle Mariners continued their red-hot road play tonight beating the Boston Red Sox 7-6. The Mariners were victorious over the Yankees last night although they lost the first 2 games of that series. The Mariners were also able to take 2 from the LA Dodgers last weekend, a remarkable feat since the Dodgers have the best record in baseball.

Entering Maple Valley

I call it the "Maple Valley Waterfall" it is the first thing that you see entering the City Of Maple Valley.