Is Black Diamond Labor Day Fest In Jeopardy?

The Maple Valley Reporter reports that the Black Diamond City Council has voted to hold up a permit for the nearby city to hold it's annual Labor Day Festival.  The festival has been an annual event for 102 years according to the Reporter.  Approval of the permit has until this year been routine.   However, it seems that the current council has been unable to put aside it's differences in a way to allow it to adequately conduct the business of running the city.

More Wa-Hi 40th Reunion

It was a couple of weeks ago, but thought it would be fun to post these picture. This is from the golf scramble on Saturday July 16th.  I'm the one in the orange polo shirt and the Mariners cap.

Deceased Classmates Class 0f 1976 720p

Every reunion, departed classmates are honored.  This year's tribute was especially poignant.

Seahawks Coach Agreees To Extension

ESPN reports that Seahawk coach Pete Carroll has agreed to have his contract extended to 2019.  In years, Carroll is the oldest coach in the NFL, however you would never know it by his energy level.  Carroll is the most successful coach in history by virtue of winning the team's first Super Bowl and nearly winning a second one.  They have also played in the post season in five of his 6 season. 
Seahawk General Manager John Schneider also has agreed to a contract extension of 5 years.

Watch first lady Michelle Obama’s full speech at the 2016 Democratic Nat...

An electrifying speech by our First Lady Michelle Obama.

Marni Nixon---"Stunt Voice" With Local Ties

Most people have heard of stunt men who fill in for stars on dangerous acts.  Marni Nixon was a ghost voice in movies like My Fair Lady, The King And I, and West Side Story,  in each case, she was behind the scenes, voicing the singing parts for the leading ladies.  The New York Times called her "American cinema's most unsung singer." Since she didn't get credit for her parts.  Nowadays, that could start a scandal as in the case of  Milli Vanilli, a musical act from the 1980s that used uncredited vocalists with behind the good looking "band  members" whose voices were not used in their video.
 She was also a former Mercer Island resident, who hosted a children's show known as "Boomerang" on KOMO in the late 70s and early 80s.  She was the mother of the late pop singer Andrew Gold, who died in 2011. Marni Nixon passed away last Sunday.  

Griffey Gives Emotional Speech At Hall Of Fame Induction

Ken Griffey, Jr choked back tears and thanked his parents, coaches, children, and teammates as he became the first player to be inducted as a Mariner. He also thanked former teammate Randy Johnson, a fellow Hall Of Fame player who entered as a Diamondback.  Not to be left out was Jay Buhner, who was Griffey's closest teammate. 
Griffey was so great, that you never wanted to leave your seat when he was up to bat. Of course when he was in the field, he made spectacular catches.  He wore the number 24, the same number of another great centerfield with whom he is also compared, Willie Mays.

Ken Griffey Jr.-The HOF Interview 2016

Ken Griffey, Jr joins the Baseball Hall Of Fame today!

Olympia Bat Mitzvah

The Olympia Golf And Country Club is where we had the reception for my youngest cousin's youngest daughter's Bat Mitzvah.  I drove to Olympia to see many family members and long time friends.

Hilary Picks Kaine

Kiro radio reports that Tim Kaine will be Hilary Clinton ' s choice for Vice President.  Kaine is a Democratic Senator from Virginia.

Former NFL Coach Dies

The football world is morning the death of former NFL Head Coach Dennis Green.  Green had coach 10 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and later, 3 with the Arizona Cardinals.  His last season was 2006. Green's passing was attributed to complications from cardiac arrest. He was 67.

TV Industry Mourns Garry Marshall

Several TV industry blogs are mourning the passing of TV producer Garry Marshall, who died Tuesday.  An actor, producer, writer and, director, Marshall is credited for such comedies as Happy Days, Odd Couple, Laverne And Shirley, and Pretty Woman.   Lee Goldberg remembers Marshall as a mensch in this article. Click here

Birthday Surprise--Don Henley Concert

My wife surprised my on my birthday with tickets to the Don Henley concert at the Chateau Ste Michelle Winery in Woodinville. Henley, the former Eagle lead singer brought a 20 piece band to play a 2 and a half hour set that combined new material, with some his classic solo hits and of course, his hits with the Eagles.  The concert venue was spectacular with a hot air balloon floating by in the twilight and the rise of a full moon (bottom picture),

Wa-Hi Class Of '76 Celebrates 40

 

 

 

 

A heart felt speech by Keith Elliott highlighted a weekend of fun, laughter, and great memories for Walla Walla High School's Class Of '76, reuniting last weekend to celebrate the 40th anniversary of it's graduation. Elliott, a star athlete during his time in the Walla Walla school system, spoke of how his predominately Caucasian classmates accepting him, an African-American as the great guy that his is, taught him about accepting and embracing diversity in his career at Boeing.  The charismatic Elliott earned a standing ovation from the full room at the Pete Reid Student Center on the Whitman College campus.
The previous night, we met other classmates at the Green Lantern, a venerable Walla Walla nightspot. 
Saturday morning, I played in the reunion scramble, an event that was perfect for me because anyone who could hold a club could play, the picture at the top shows my "fivesome" yes we had a fivesome relaxing after we finished playing 18 holes.  We had so much fun, we finished a few hours after the end of the tournament.
The middle picture was from a survey during the reunion presentation.

The bottom is the Wa-Hi class of '76.  I may post Keith's speech soon.

Northwest Wine Maker Charles Smith

At the Charles Smith tasting room, I was able to meet the winemaker himself.   The tasting room was located on the corner of Spokane and Alder in Walla Walla.  Deb and I  were in town for the Wa-Hi 40th Class Reunion.  Charles Smith will soon open the largest tasting  room in the state in Seattle.

Commercial - Humphrey 1968 Election Ad ( Laughing at Spiro T.Agnew )

Attack ads didn't start in the 1990s.  This ad is what looks like a rather clumsy attack on Richard Nixon's running mate Spiro Agnew, at that time, unknown on the national scene.  I remember little about the context of the ad, if it was based on Agnew's name or him being unknown.  This was brought up on last Wednesday's Rachel Maddow Show.

Walla Walla High School Class Celebrates 40th

Members of Walla Walla High School's class of '76 will congregate this weekend to celebrate it's 40th reunion.  A no host mixer will take place tomorrow night at long time Walla Walla nightspot, The Green Lantern starting at 7:00 tomorrow.  A golf tournament will commence Saturday at Veteran's Memorial Golf Course.  A dinner will be held Saturday at the Whitman College Student Center. 
For Me, this will be my fourth class reunion and the third that I have attended with my wife.

Terrorist Attack In France

Once again, France suffered a major terrorist attack when a semi plowed into a crowd in Nice.

Big Plans For Camp Solomon Schechter

A Jewish youth camp in Tumwater is planning a 12 million dollar upgrade, according to the Daily Olympian.  After this summer session Camp Solomon Schechter will construct four new buildings including a new dining hall and sports facility. 
I attended the camp in 1971 and 1972, and it was truly a life changing experience.  Coming from Walla Walla, I had little exposure to Jewish youth my age.   With daily services, it gave me more exposure to Jewish customs and ritual, helping to shape my identity.  About 20 some years ago, I revisited the camp with Deb. 
Camp Solomon Schechter was established in 1954 on Whidbey Island, it has been at it's present site since 1968.

Steven Tyler Does Janis Joplin Classic

My wife took this from Friday's concert at McCaw Hall.  Steven Tyler with his current band "Loving Mary", His current tour is called "Out On A Limb."  Here is part of his amazing cover of the Janis Joplin classic "Piece Of My Heart".

Steven Tyler Rocks The Opera House

Deb and I spent our anniversary evening watching former Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler at McCaw Hall the opera house at the Seattle Center.  I had won tickets to the event on the Ron And Don show on KIRO radio back in May.
Tyler looked exactly the same as he had for decades.  The 68 year old had boundless energy with his trademark mike stand twirling.  Using his multi-ranged voice, Tyler did a spot on version of the Janis Joplin classic "Piece Of My Heart" , the sincerity and his admiration for the fallen rock star was clear.  He also did a medley of Beatles songs including "I'm Down", "Oh Darling", and "Come Together".  Of course, Tyler had a hit with the remake of "Come Together" with Aerosmith.
To the delight of the crowd, Tyler did his Aerosmith material including the classic "Dream On" where he played piano.
  He also did "Janie's Got A Gun", the crowd stood in rather stunned silence, knowing the seriousness of the subject matter and maybe also because of recent gun violence events around the nation.

We Mourn Dallas Police Officers

Celebrating 21 Great Years

July 8th, 1995

Congrats Russell Wilson And Ciara

Russell Wilson, who went from a low drafted underdog quarterback to megastar before our eyes is now a husband.  It was revealed that the Seahawk married his long time girl friend Ciara in a ceremony in an English castle.  It was Wilson's second marriage.

GOP Resorts To Hit Piece In Attempts To Take Down Mullet

In a desperate attempt to defeat 5th district State Senator Mark Mullet, negative ads are turning up in area mailboxes.  Rather than touting opponent Chad Madendanz's record, area Republicans have found it necessary to send the above hit piece, showing that anyone hoping to get away from politics as usual will be disappointed.

Tree Pays Tribute

This recently planted apple tree in the foreground pays tribute to my father, Alan L Barer, whom we lost last spring.  It is a gift from my wife's side of the family.  It is in our backyard next to our deck. 

Maple Valley 4th Of July

The tall trees make a beautiful backdrop as we watch the Maple Valley 4th Of July celebration at Lake Wilderness Park. 

Turnabout Is Fair Play--Durant Leaves Thunder

Kevin Durant, who lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to NBA contention, is leaving to join the Warriors  Durant was the first Seattle Sonic to win the Rookie Of The Year award, but there was little joy in Seattle as it was clear at the time, the team was leaving town.  The following year, the team moved to Oklahoma City where a few bad seasons led to other high draft picks.  The Thunder soon became a playoff staple. No doubt most Seattle NBA fans, who for the most part, did not hold hard feelings toward Durant, are generally pleased.

Happy 4th!

Maple Valley Farmer's Market

A sure sign of summer, the Maple Valley Farmer's Market is in full swing.  You will find food, crafts, entertainment, and maybe even your neighbor at the weekly event.  The market goes from 9am until 2pm every Saturday until mid September on the grounds of Rock Creek Elementary School 25700 Maple Valley Black Diamond Road
Maple Valley, WA 98038

Ventrella Withdraws

With his name on the ballot and the primary around the corner, area sportscaster Tony Ventrella has apparently withdrawn from the 8th Congressional District House race.  In a long statement on his facebook page, Ventrella said that in his quest to get big money out of politics, he was unable to raise the needed amount to stage a race.  The Eastside Democrat had flirted with running for the position for years.