Chava Mirel Featured At Temple B'Nai Torah

Friday night's Sabbath service at Temple B'Nai Torah  was really special because Chava Mirel performed with her band.  Chava is the daughter of  our former rabbi Jim Mirel and his wife, Julie, both who were in attendence.  She often leads the musical portions of our services, but in this service she was featured. In addition to having an angelic voice she has released an album.
She did a combination of Jewish and popular music such as Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" and the Ben E King classic "Stand By Me".  She wound up the evening with a tribute to departed musical superstar Prince, singing "Adon Olom" to the tune of "Purple Rain".

Deep Divisions Trouble Black Diamond City Council

Maple Valley, Black Diamond, and Covington are close enough to where they share the same weekly papers. For weeks letters to the editor in both the Voice Of The Valley and the Maple Valley Reporter have reflected the deep divisions on the city council of Black Diamond. 
Apparently one side supports the mayor and the other side does not. 
The Maple Valley Reporter states one council member said the last meeting had the appearance of an SNL skit.  At the last meeting, a council member was censured and in the last few weeks, a city attorney was fired.  A city grant for $50,000 turned into $25,000.  You read more about this serious feud by clicking here.

Mercer Isand UPS Store Saves Senior From Scam

You've heard about phone scammers who call senior citizens and convince them of troubled grandchildren, bilking them of life savings. It's shameful and very real. KIRO 7 TV reports a smart associate at the Mercer Island UPS Store who acted and saved a senior from falling victim. Stories like this make me proud to be associated with a company that goes above and beyond!  The UPS Store in Mercer Island is located at 7683 SE 27th St.   I'm at the store in Crossroads, of course.

Mariner CEO Howard Lincoln Steps Down

Mariner CEO Howard Lincoln has announced his retirement after serving in that position since 1999.  John Stanton, who has been involved in the ownership group since the 1990s will replace him. It was also announced that Nintendo, whom Lincoln represented in the ownership consortium, would sell a majority of it's interest in the team. 
Lincoln, along with former club president Chuck Armstrong, have taken most of the heat for the team's dismal record.  It's last post season appearance was in 2001.  The team has never been to the World Series.

Libe Barer at the Premiere Screening of truTV's "Those Who Can't" #truTV...

Actress Libe Barer, who had a guest spot in Grey's Anatomy a while back.  Interviewed for a different project.

Felix Is Now Mariner Strike Out King

Congratulations to Seattle ace Felix Hernandez, who notched his 2163rd career strike out last weekend to become the all time leading Mariner in that category.  The King struck out Rafael Ortega of th Angels to get the record.  It allowed him to pass previous strike out leader, Mariner legend Randy Johnson, the "Big Unit".  Felix is now 59th on the MLB all time strike out list.

Ventrella Seeks Reichert's House Seat

Tony Ventrella, long time Seattle area TV sportscaster, has announced his candidacy for the U.S. House Of Representatives.  The 8th Congressional District, which covers Maple Valley and Issaquah, now extends east into Chelan and Kittitas Counties.  It is the only district in the state that has never elected a Democrat.
Ventrella, who describes himself as a moderate Democrat, has long been considered a potential candidate for Congress.  He has vowed not to take contributions from political action committees or big checks from wealthy donors.  His strengths are name familiarity from decades on the evening news and his likability.   He most likely would be thought of as a consensus builder who would reach across the aisle. 
Dave Reichert, the former King County sheriff, has held the seat since 2004.

Veep Season 5: Trailer (HBO)

The long wait for season 5 of the Veep begins tonight.  President Meyer is in an Electoral College deadlock with with his opponent when last season was completed.

Ron And Don Interview Barefoot Bandit

I debated whether or not to post this.  Society has a penchant for glamorizing crooks.  Characters who harm others for their own benefit are made to be heroes, while the victims and law enforcement who work hard to protect us are ignored.  D,B. Cooper who hijacked a plane has been described as a folk hero, while Hollywood makes movies that want you to root for Bonnie And Clyde, Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, and Thelma And Louise.
That said, Colton Harris Moore, known as the "Barefoot Bandit" has carved a narrative.  He is also is the subject of an upcoming movie.  Harris-Moore was sought in an intense manhunt after stealing of seaplanes in the San Juan Islands and beyond.  He was finally arrested in the Bahamas after risking not only his own life but of innocent people on the ground by flying airplanes that he was not trained to fly. 
Last week, he was featured in an interview on the Ron And Don show on KIRO-FM.

Have A Happy Passover

Prince, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne and others -- "While My Gui...

In memory of Prince, one of my favorite Beatles songs, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", in this video by Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Steve Winwood, and George Harrison's son Dhani, Prince does this amazing guitar solo.

Pop Singer Prince Dead

1980s pop  singer Prince has been found dead.  No details available yet

Summer Temperatures In April

Depending on who you talked too, the Seattle area either enjoyed or suffered through 4 straight days of 80 degree weather.  This has never happened before at this time of year.

Welcome Back Brandon Browner

Popular Cornerback Brandon Browner is a Seahawk again.  Browner was one of the original members of the Legion Of Boom along with Cam Chancellor, Richard Sherman, and Earl Thomas. After the Seahawks Super Bowl victory, the salary cap forced the team to cut many valuable players.  Browner wound up with the New England Patriots, where he play a large part in the Pats Super Bowl victory over the 'Hawks. Last year, Browner played with the New Orleans Saints.  He was slowed by injuries, but is said to be healthy for the 2016 season. Browner rejoins Chancellor, Sherman, and Thomas on the team.

Democrats Pack The House At Mount Si High School

It was a beautiful day, but Democratic delegate for Bernie Sanders and Hilary Clinton packed Mt Si High School in Snoqualmie for the 5th Legislative District Caucus.  The LD Caucus is the 2nd tier of the process of picking delegates to the Democratic National Convention in July.  Supporters of both Clinton and Sanders made passionate speeches, while a committee worked behind the scenes to credential the delegates.  The delegates then broke into the three Congressional districts that make up the 5th LD.  From each sub caucus, delegates for each presidential candidate picked delegate for the Congressional caucus and state convention, in proportion to the votes each candidate received in the precinct caucuses last month.  Simple enough?
Top picture is the 2 long lines to get into the caucus.  Middle picture is inside the caucus.  In the bottom picture,Democratic candidate for 5th district State House, Jason Ritchie addresses the delegates.  Ritchie is running against incumbent Jay Rodne.
Also speaking were 5th LD Senator Mark Mullet and 5th LD candidate for State House Darcy Burner.  Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson, who is also running for State House was also present.

Paragliders Above Issaquah

When the weather starts warming, paragliders dot the skies, south of Issaquah.  They jump off Tiger Mountain and land in a field off Issaquah-Hobart Road. 

The White Rock

The city of White Rock,B.C., was named after this giant stone that lays on it's beach. The rock figures prominently in the lore of the local Salish people's narrative.  I didn't post this at first because I thought I had put it up in a post from an earlier visit a couple years ago. One our visit to Canada, we also stopped at Crescent Beach.

More Tulips At LaConnor

I think this picture really captures the beauty of the Tulips at Roozen Gaarde.  The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival takes place every April in LaConnor.
LaConnor is located about 70 miles north of Seattle. 

Barers Of Maple Valley Visit Birch Bay

We spent the weekend at Birch Bay (bottom picture).  On the way up, we looked for a good place to eat and wound up at the Fireweed at Eaglemont Golf Course in Mt. Vernon (2nd from top).  We visited nearby White Rock, BC and also dined outside at sunset  (top picture). On the way home, we stopped in LaConnor  to see the tulips (second from bottom).  We stopped at Roosen Gaarde, a local tulip farm where we saw this windmill.  The tulips in full bloom are one of Washington's most beautiful sights.

Goertzen Hall On WSU Campus

One of  Seattle's most beloved media figures, Kathi Goertzen is remembered at the Murrow College of Communications.  Kathi Goertzen Hall stands on the Pullman campus to honor the KOMO TV anchor who won the hearts of viewers with her brave fight against a brain tumor.  My sister-in-law snapped these pictures while taking my nephew to a WSU school visitation.
Goertzen was a 1980 graduate of WSU.

Beatles - Ticket to Ride (Live at Wembley Stadium 1965)

One of my favorite Beatles songs.

Advice From My Father

No, my dad wasn't General Patton, but he did use a phrase from either the General or the movie or both.  It was in paraphrase "no one ever won a war dying for his country, you win by making the other guy die for his" what he meant is to not sacrifice what belongs to you in an effort to get ahead.

Signs Of Spring In Our Backyard

This tree in full bloom in our backyard caught my attention.

Edward M. Kennedy 1980 Democratic National Convention Address

In 1980, Senator Ted Kennedy became the third of the brothers to run for president. Kennedy was disenchanted with the sitting Democratic president Jimmy Carter. After an interview with TV journalist Roger Mudd, it was perceived that he was the articulate and inspiring of the 3 brothers.  Kennedy also was plagued by a scandal and revelations of the darker side of the Kennedy dynasty.  Appearing at the Democratic National Convention in New York City, President Carter was already the party's nominee. Knowing that his ambitions to be president were probable gone forever,  Kennedy made the speech of a lifetime.

Robert F. Kennedy's Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination Speech

I saw this touching video on "The Last Word With Lawrence O'Donell" on MSNBC, On April 4th , 1968, Senator Robert Kennedy was in the midst of his campaign for president when he received word that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr had been assassinated.  Making an appearance in Indianapolis, Kennedy was told that under the circumstances, the city could not afford to protect him. 
A happy crowd, unaware of King's assassination had gathered to greet the senator.  It was up to Kennedy to tell the crowd.  Perhaps Kennedy's well chosen words prevented Indianapolis from having the riots that took place nationwide.  Two months later, Kennedy would also fall to an assassin's bullet.

Pastime Cafe To Reopen As Taverna In Walla Walla

The townspeople of Walla Walla are buzzing with news that the landmark Pastime  is planning to reopen this summer as the Passatempo Taverna.  Not everyone is pleased.  During the wine boom, the Pastime stood as the one symbol of Walla Walla, the way it used to be.  Having it now operated in conjunction with a winery, as a place for pretty people, does not sit well with everyone.  One of the partners is Mike Easton, who is behind Italian restaurants in Seattle.  Also involved is Jim German, who had previously set up an upscale restaurant in Waitsburg and Walla Walla winemaker Ali Mayfield.  Now, if they could just bring back the Red Apple.

Peter Jordan Live

Local Jazz artist Peter Jordan performs in Renton.

Maple Valley Reporter Covers Caucus

The Maple Valley Reporter, one of two weekly feature papers here, did a great article on the Maple Valley precinct caucuses.  Reporter Anna Karen Perez Guzman writes about her caucus experience, click here.

Seattle Storm Great Lauren Jackson Retires

Seattle Storm fans may wish it was an April Fool's joke, but Lauren Jackson has announced her retirement from basketball. The 6'5 center and 4 time WNBA MVP winner teamed with Sue Bird to lead the Storm to 2 WNBA championships.  One of the most visable figures on the Seattle sports scene, she perhaps deserves credit for saving WNBA basketball in Seattle.  The Storm was sold along with the Sonics to an ownership group led by Clay Bennett from Oklahoma City.   While Bennett was able to move the Sonics to his hometown, he would sell the Storm to a Seattle ownership group that has kept the team located here.
An Australian, Jackson's team won 3 Olympic Silver Medals and one Bronze, competing ironically 3 times against Storm teammate Sue Bird's U.S. team.  In 2004, Bird's team and Jackson's team won Gold and Silver in the Olympics, then teamed up to win the first WNBA championship for the Storm.
Jackson had been plagued recently with injury problems and had not played for the Storm since 2012.