Wilson To Sign With the Seahawks

King5 TV has reported that Russell Wilson will sign a four-year extension with the Seattle Seahawks

Walla Walla Area Suffers From Fire

At one time, the nation's largest wild fire, reports are that the Blue Creek fire east of Walla Walla is over 70 per cent contained.  The fire, which started July 20th, is reported to have destroyed one home and to have caused evacuations.  11 people are reported to have been injured in the blaze which is reported to have been caused by man.  The fire is in the Blue Creek-Klicker Mountain area, Klicker Mountain is named after a family that has farmed wheat and fruit in the area for generations.  Firefighters from across the nation have lauded the community for it's support with restaurants like Mr. Ed's providing community sponsored free meals for them.

Mariners execute a 3-6-2 triple play

Mariners looked for a minute last weekend like they could turn the corner on the season, taking two of three from the Toronto Blue Jays.  Here is a very rare triple play they pulled off Sunday.

Legendary Seattle Writer Ann Rule

Seattle True Crime Writer Ann Rule has died after suffering from heart related problems.  Rule wrote over 30 true crime book including "The Stranger Beside Me"  An account of the murderous crimes of Ted Bundy, with whom she had worked with at a Seattle Suicide Hotline.  Perhaps the greatest true crime writer of all time, my guess is that she was an inspiration to my Cousin Burl Barer, himself a writer in the genre.
A former Seattle police officer, Rule was 83.

Congrats To Randy Johnson

Randy Johnson, who threw the Mariner's First No-Hitter, and was it's first 20 game winner, has been inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame.  Johnson retired with a 130-74 record and a 3.42 ERA.

Sly and the Family Stone Hot Fun In The Summertime - 1969

Another great song of the season
e as Draft

Ken Levine Writes Dick Van Dyke

Last Monday, comedy writer and popular blogger Ken Levine undertook a unique project.  He posted in 4 successive days, a script for an episode of the 1960s comedy Dick Van Dyke show that he would have written.  In other words, a fantasy episode.  It was written as if it were the early 60s when the show took place.  I was really impressed and entertained with how the episode turned out.  To see for yourself, click here    Actual shows that Levine has written for are MASH, Frasier, and Cheers.

Seattle Storm's Sue Bird To Start WNBA All Star Game

Sue Bird, who has helped the Seattle Storm win 2 WNBA championships, will start in the league's 2015 All Star Game. From my standpoint, Bird embodies every you would want in a professional athlete, she has played for Seattle her entire career, she is an Olympic Gold Medal winner and when she does get attention, it's for what she does on the court.
Bird has played for the Storm for 14 years.

New Lincecum Bobblehead

I got a new Tim Lincecum bobble head from the Giant Hurler's dad, Chris.  Chris is a frequent customer at The UPS Store in Crossroads in Bellevue.  Tim Lincecum is a two time Cy Young Award winner, a three time World Series champion and has so far, pitched 2 no hitters.

Old Walla Walla Radio Remembered 15

More from Walla Walla DJ Dave "Rockin" Cochran....

My Favorite Birthday Present

I received many fantastic presents on my birthday last Sunday, my favorite is this yet to be hung picture of the Beatles appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show, an historic moment for both the show and the group.  My wife was able to put a bid in on it at a silent auction at a Maple Valley wine bar.  The proceeds went to charity.

Seattle Pioneer Radio Voice Jaynie Dillon Jones

One of Seattle's first female radio hosts is Jaynie Dillon Jones. She was the first woman to be on air at KOMO-AM.  Jones is a native of the Walla Walla area.  She was kind enough to share her broadcast work.  Jaynie's brother, Dan Tory, also had a fine broadcasting career in the Walla Walla valley.  More on Jaynie here.  Tap the arrow to hear her airwork.

Summer in the City - Lovin' Spoonful

A song that is very appropriate......

More Cabo

More photos from our trip to Mexico, for the most part, I'll let them speak for themselves,  Top picture was taken from our resort, The Playa Grande. The 2nd one was taken at the One And Only Palmellia.  Third was the view from our 20th anniversary dinner at Cocina Del Mar.  Bottom picture was taken from The Office.

Veep Season 4: Episode #5 Clip #3: Amy's Moment (HBO)

My favorite show.  This scene from last season was one of the best played moments in the series history.  With a new producer taking over the show and new dynamics coming into play, it's hard to really predict the direction of next season.

The Job--Another Great Beach Read!

For the third summer in a row, I read the latest novel from Lee Goldberg and Janet Evanovich, The Job.  The chemistry between the two protagonists, Kate O'Hare and Nicolas Fox is so great, you wonder if they reflect the two authors.   With all characters developed in the two previous novels, this one jumps right in to the action.  This time, the two must hunt down a ruthless drug lord.  As clichéd as that may sound, the twists and turns along way will keep you on the edge of your seat. This book also has the ruthless sidekick to beat all other ruthless sidekicks.  The Job is available on Amazon.  The first two books in this series were The Heist and The Chase.

Old Walla Walla Radio Remembered Part 14

Walla Walla teens needed to get a "Hi Fi Card" to be eligible to win a 6 pack of Coke on the nightly local contest, "The Hi Fi Show."  Each night, the DJ would explain how to acquire the card, usually a trip to the KTEL studio "high atop the Book Nook Building".  Native Walla Wallan Jaynie Jones, who carved out an outstanding radio career in Seattle provided this.
When I got my card, in the early 70s, it had a number.   Eventually the station vacated the Book Nook and moved their offices and studio to the transmitter site at 2nd and Tieton.

Barers Of Maple Valley Return From Cabo

 

Deb and I celebrated our 20th anniversary in Cabo San Lucas in Mexico.  We stayed at the beautiful Playa Grande resort (middle and bottom pictures).  We toured the town, swam at the beach, snorkeled, and enjoyed the food. The top picture was taken at a restaurant known simply as "The Office", it was right on the beach and in spite of it's name, offered great Mexican food and entertainment.  I may post more pictures soon. 

Raider Great Ken Stabler Dies

Ken Stabler, the quarterback who lead the Oakland Raiders to their first Super Bowl has died of cancer.  The free spirited Stabler, was an All American at Alabama.  He was drafted by the Raiders but was a third string quarterback behind Daryl Lamonica and George Blanda.  He finally played in 1970.  Stabler was nicknamed "the Snake".  His lifestyle was flamboyant, much like another Alabama quarterback who was previously drafted into the AFL, Joe Namath.  After a falling out with Raider owner Al Davis, Stabler was traded to the Houston Oilers

Bud Namack Out As Voice Of Cougs

Bud Namack will no longer be the voice of Washington State Cougar Athletics,  according to several news sources.  Namack has been voice of the Cougar football for the last few seasons and the voice of Cougar Basketball since 1993.  IMG College has announced that Matt Chazanow, a manager for the college network will take over the play by play duties.  No reason has been stated for the change.

Mungo Jerry - In The Summertime ORIGINAL 1970

A fun summertime song since 1970.  I'll try to kind up with more to celebrate the season.

20th Anniversary

Mike and Debra Barer, July 8th, 1995!

Happy 4th Of July!

Barers Of Maple Valley Thanks You!

Thank you everyone for your warm thoughts, cards, prayers, facebook comments.  Thank you to everyone who came to the service yesterday, the Best Western in Walla Walla.  The Herring Funeral Home, and Rabbi Hahn (sp) for being with us during this tiime of need.