New Year's Eve

Help Fund The Maple Valley Pocket Park

There is a kickstarter campaign to build a Pocket Park in Maple Valley, the plan is to build it in the Lake Wilderness Shopping Center between QFC and Starbucks.  This blog has contributed to the project.  If you would like more information or maybe you already wish to contribute, you can read about the concept and watch a short video here.

Seahawks Earn Number 1 Seed In Playoffs

After going scoreless in  the first half, the Seahawks roared back in the second half to defeat the St.Louis Rams 20-6.  Marshawn Lynch scored a 4th quarter touchdown and Bruce Irvin took an intercepted pass to to the end zone in the 4th quarter.
The victory earns the 'Hawks a first round bye in the playoffs and home field advantage throughout.

Barers Of Maple Valley Sets Record

The previous record for posts in a year was 314, set in 2008.  This will be the 322nd post for 2014

Holiday Light Show In Issaquah

We found a similar house to the Woodinville  one off Issaquah-Hobart Road.

Woodinville Wonderland

One thing that is not hard to take a picture of in the dark is the Woodinville Wonderland.  Located just a couple miles from where my in-laws live, it has become an annual visit for us.  Usually, we are able to chat with the home's owner, however this year, he is recovering from injuries from a fall, while he was decorating.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Hollidays

Snoopy's Christmas vs. The Red Baron - The Royal Guardsmen

The Royal Guardsman, an American group, made songs inspired by Snoopy the dog in the old Peanuts cartoon.

Joe Cocker Dead

Sadly, 2014 couldn't end without the death of a rock legend. British rocker Joe Cocker has died at 70.

This Year's Hutch Award Winner--Alex Gordon

Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon has been selected as this year's winner of the Fred Hutchinson Award.  The award is given to the player who best exemplifies the courage of Fred Hutchinson, a Seattle native and Major League manager whose life whose life was cut short by cancer.
Gordon, whose Royals made the World Series and where the Cinderella story of 2014, won his 4th consecutive Gold Glove.  He also won the American League's Platinum Glove Award as the best defensive player in the league.
Gordon will be presented with the award at a luncheon at Safeco Field on January 29th.  Dave Winfield will be the keynote speaker.

Seahawks Are In Playoffs

Without playing a down, the Seattle Seahawks are assured a playoff spot by virtue of the Dallas Cowboys defeating the Indianapolis Colts.

"White Christmas" - The Drifters

Bellevue Youth Theatre Construction In Final Stages

The construction of the Bellevue Youth Theatre  in Crossroads Park behind The UPS Store is nearing completion.  The facility was dug into a hill and the construction has taken a year and a half.

Adam Sandler - Hanukkah Song Part 2

Now for a little fun...

Happy Hanukkah!

Seattle Sportsnet Laments "Death Of A Rivalry"

One of the Seattle area's favorite bloggers, Alex of Seattle Sportsnet, speaks of what he sees as the fall of the San Francisco 49ers.     Media sources are all predicting the end of the Jim Harbaugh era.   Harbaugh of course, the Niners controversial coach, whose rivalry with fellow former Pac 12 coach Pete Carroll fueled local talk radio and sports blogs.  You can find the story by clicking here

The Great Shell Casserole

Cousins Linda Woods and Karen Dinino let you in on a pasta recipe that has been in our family for generations.  Click here

After 52 Years, Heisman Returns To Pacific Northwest

Marcus Mariota quarterback of the Oregon Ducks has been awarded the 2014 Heisman Trophy as college player of the year. Although there have been many winners of the trophy from what is now the Pac-12, he is the second Pacific Northwest player to win the trophy and the first since Terry Baker of Oregon State was award the trophy in 1962.  Since there is intense rivalry between the 4 Pac-12 schools from Washington and Oregon, only Duck fans and maybe a scattering of Oregon State fans see this as a victory, the way I see it though, as a graduate of Washington State and a lifelong Washingtonian, the two most sought after football trophies, the Heisman and the Vince Lombardi (World Champion Seattle Seahawks), at this moment, rest here in the Pacific Northwest.

Mary Ann Shows Up On New Day

 I had planned to go to the  Dawn Wells book signing at Black Rapid in Seattle, Wells of course played the iconic Mary Ann on the TV classic Gilligan's Island. However, just like the stranded crew, bad weather was predicted and the thought of navigating Seattle streets at night on a windy rainy evening in terrible traffic just did not sound worth it. Wells did make an appearance on KING 5's New Day, so I watched this clip and posted it here.

Old Family Picture

My dad's parents I.J. And Esther Barer, can be seen here in this picture from decades ago.  This was e-mailed to me by Walla Walla historian Joe Drazan.  This was taken in the living room of  their house at Isaacs and Bellevue Streets in Walla Walla.  Mr. Drazan said the picture was found in the archives of the Union-Bulletin, the local paper.
My grandmother would later move to Rustic Place in the Stubblefield Addition in 1970, a few years after my Grandfather's death.

Aaron Paul on Jimmy Kimmel - December 8th 2014

Actor Aaron Paul gives his wife Lauren a birthday surprise on the Jimmy Kimmel Show, my classmate from high school Debra Kelley Parsekian (Lauren's mom), is in the audience.

Heart - Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin - Kennedy Center Honors

I loved listening to this version of the rock classic

Richard Erwin Elected Chair Of KC Democrats

Richard Erwin (3rd from left) was elected Chair of the King County Democrats.  Erwin was chosen on the 3rd ballot in a 3 person race with fellow activists Betsy Walker (center) and Omaha Sternberg.  The first ballot saw the front runner ahead by one vote and a tie for second place.  About that time, the lights went out at the Machinist's Hall in South Seattle where the voting took place.  The meeting continued with flash lights cell phones and emergency lighting.  The members were informed that power would be restored at 5pm,  several hours away.
 On  the second ballot, the field was narrowed to Sternberg and Erwin, Sternberg was slightly ahead.  Erwin was able to win on the next ballot.  Almost on cue, during his acceptance speech, lighting was returned to the hall.

Advertising Blimp Goes Limp At Blazer Game

A remote control blimp in the shape of an Ford SUV crashed into a crowd at a Portland Trail Blazer game last week, causing no reported injuries.  The mishap was reported on The Today Show, sparking giggles from the hosts.  By coincidence, my Father-In-Law had traveled to Portland to watch that game, but was not affected by the mishap.

The Roof Is Finished

The results speak for themselves.  The roof is finished. Totally replaced in 3 days.  All that remains is to have the gutters replaced and then super dumpster can go.  Thank you to Tek Line Roofing.    You can reach Tek Line at 206-246-Roof.

Roofing Project Finished

After just two days, the roof was nearly finished as of yesterday morning.  The project was completed later in the day.  Thank you to Tek Line Roofing for a fast finish and for a quick clean up.  They also swept out the garage.

Old Walla Walla Radio Remembered Part 7--Arch LeRoux

Arch LeRoux owned K-Hit Radio in the 1960s and early 70s.  It was an easy listening station that had it's studios in downtown Walla Walla.  It had an automated format and only broadcast from daylight to dawn. LeRoux would later sell the station to an out of town group.
  An avid tennis player, LeRoux is pictured on the left with his brother LaSalle in the picture from the late 1930s.  LeRoux would later build a tennis court at his house on Clay Street in Walla Walla. A frequent guest at the LeRoux house was comedian Bill Cosby according to UB stories from the 1970s.  LeRoux had apparently befriended the comedian after an appearance at Coordiner Hall on the Whitman College campus.  Thank you to Walla Walla historian and blogger Joe Drazan for this picture.

M's Sign Cruz

For the second year in a row, the Seattle Mariners have a big free agent signing.  It was announced Monday that the team had agreed to a 4 year, 57 million dollar deal with Nelson Cruz.    Last year playing with the Baltimore Orioles, Cruz led the majors with 40 Home Runs. Still, the decision to sign Cruz was debated in the blogosphere, many saying that the signing was costly for a 35 year old power hitter .

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!