Area Jewish Community Gathers On Queen Anne

About one hundred of the Seattle area's Jewish community gathered at the lovely home of Washington State Representative Reuven Carlyle last night for an evening of progressive politics. The party was a fundraiser for Jewish members of and candidates for the State legislature. Also a chance for politically engaged members of the Jewish community to see old friends and make new ones. Along with State Senators Adam Kline and Randy Gordon, State house members included Sherri Appleton, Marcie Maxwell, and Roger Goodman. House Speaker Frank Chopp also spoke.

Also there where former Insurance Commission Deborah Senn , former Congressional candidate Jeff Coopersmith and Rabbi Jim Mirel.

Herbie Hancock Entertains Seattle

We saw Herbie Hancock at the Woodland Park Zoo last night. Part of the Zoo Tunes summer concert series.

Piniella Bows Out

Lou Piniella recently stepped down from his managerial duties with the Chicago Cubs. Seattle Times beat reporter Larry Stone had this excellent article about Lou's career. Click here

Epstein Patriarch Celebrates 80th In San Juans

The day began with Scottish Bagpipes as we celebrated Aaron (Andy) Epstein's 80th birthday. Andy has been a friend of our family since my Dad met him in the Sigma Alpha Mu (Sammy House) House at the University Of Washington. Although many of the participants were over or nearing the age of 80, there were no walkers, canes, or caregivers. The only sign of age their grown children and in a couple of cases Grandchildren as a group of family and friends who really are one family got together to do what we had been doing for decades.

We followed the bagpipe procession from the hotel where many were staying to the Kenmore Air terminal where we boarded three seaplanes to San Juan Island, the main island of a chain in Northwestern Washington known as the San Juans. We landed soon in Roche Harbor as we walked past fishing boats and yachts to board a tour bus. On the bus, we saw the Whale watching point (did not see any whales), a lavender field, and went through the lovely town of Friday Harbor. We learned that Roche Harbor had began as a lime factory and of the skirmishes between the Americans and British to keep to rule the islands which now are mostly known as a vacation escape.

After the bus ride, we went to the McMillin House for a beautiful lunch. Moving tributes were voiced from the group of friends and by the end of the lunch, you could not find a dry eye in the house. We all left to catch the plane home.

Top 2 Primary Ends Willard Candidacy

Dean Willard's attempt to finally have a Democrat representing the 5th LD in the State House came to an end Tuesday. Willard finished third to incumbent Republican Glenn Anderson and 2008 Democratic Challenger David Spring in last Tuesday's top 2 primary. Willard, in his first run for public office was ahead on fundraising and endorsements--he pretty much campaigned against Anderson rather than Spring, a candidate who generally runs on a shoestring budget.

Democrat Greg Hoover is challenging incumbent Republican Jay Rodne for the other State House position.

Baseball Is Sweet In Walla Walla

Baseball is alive and well in Walla Walla Washington. Jim Caple of espn.com went down there recently and filed this report. Top picture shows the view from the hand operated scoreboard in Walla Walla's Borleske Stadium.

Deer On Cedar Grove

Cedar Grove Road connects the outskirts of Maple Vally to the outskirts of Issaquah. I saw this deer skipping accross the road. To get a better view, click on the picture.

An Evening At Safeco Field

The Mariners are having a horrible season, but the ballpark is still a gem. We've been to three games this year including one where the M's played the Boston Red Sox. The Mariners have won all three. Of course, King Felix pitched in 2 of them. The above picture was taken about 9:00 pm from the 300 level last night. We watched the Mariners beat the Oakland A's 2-0. Felix Hernandez had a career high 13 strike outs.

Daren Brown Replaces Don Wakamatsu

Daren Brown will manage the Seattle Mariners for the rest of the season. He had been manager of the Tacoma Rainiers for the last four years. While I'm sure Brown would like to have the job permanently, speculation has been rampant a more high profile, experienced manager will take over next season.

A Sad Farewell To Mimi Arfin

There are people that you meet maybe once or twice and you remember for the rest of your life. Mariam (Mimi) Arfin was one of those people. Very pretty, very smart, she could bowl you over with her charm.

I met Mimi Arfin in 1970, her mom was a former schoolmate of my Father's at the University Of Washington. They had come from California to help celebrate my Bar Mitzvah.
 In 1972, I attended Camp Solomon Schechter. Most of the campers attending knew others through their youth groups. The year before, my sister attended with me so I had someone that I knew, in '72, I was in the older kids session so I would not be able to attend my sister. It was no problem because as I was to board the bus from the airport in Portland to the camp, Mimi Arfin stepped up. For the session, she  acted as a big sister for me. Mimi was very relaxed and had a gift of making people feel very comfortable and at home. While most girls that age focused on High School things, Mimi thought about world problems and faith. Even though I only saw Mimi once after that, she was in my heart forever. A few weeks ago my Dad gave me the sad news that Mimi Arfin had passed away from lung cancer. Mimi left behind her husband and two daughters.

Highway To The Danger Zone

Thanks to our friends, Paul and Cristy, we were able to watch the Blue Angels and a good portion of the Seafair Race from the deck of their house in Mercer Island.

The Saturday Morning Place To Be

The Maple Valley Farmer's Market takes place every Saturday from 9am-1:00 until October 9th. The Market takes place at Rock Creek Elementary School
25700 Maple Valley-Black Diamond Rd SE
Maple Valley, WA 98038

Check out beautiful Maple Valley, in the shadow of Mt Rainier and visit the Maple Valley Farmer's Market. In fact, since the market closes at 1:00, you could head over to nearby Lake Wilderness Park for a picnic or head a few miles South toward historic Black Diamond.

Going Down Memory Lane--Seattle's KOL

There was a time when radio's DJs were so sharp, you could not wait for the song to end just to hear what they would say next. In this riveting report, we go back to Colorful KOL, a rock and roll station that was the perennial bridesmaid to KJR in the mid to late 60s in the Seattle Radio Market. It was at KOL, that my cousin Burl first made a name for himself. Burl, as well most of KOL's staff would eventually wind up at KJR. In fact, the unstable nature of the radio biz had DJs continually pingpong from one station to the other.

Local Favorite Couples Beaten At Sahalee

We watched the final round of this year's US Senior open from the 17th hole at Sahalee Country Club. As it was with last week's practice round, free parking and shuttle buses made for a pleasant trip. The weather was overcast and pleasant as Bernhard Langer edged Seattle native Fred Couples for the win. One of the funnier moments was when Tom Watson was on the 17th Green, someone in the otherwise well composed crowd shouted at him "We need a birdie"! Watson putted the ball into the hole for his birdie, tipped his hat to the crowd and pointed in good natured way to the loud fan.

Apollo Ohno Headlines Seafair Torchlight Parade

Thousands of people gathered in Seattle's downtown to watch this year's edition of the Seafair Torchlight Parade. This year's parade featured Grand Marshal Apolo Ohno, Alaska Airline pilots and flight attendents, various military units, community leaders, the Budweiser Clydesdales, the Unlimited Hydros, and much more. We watched from the East side of 4th Ave between Union And Pike.