Maple Valley--Playful City USA

You see the sign entering town from highway 169, Playful City USA.  It is awarded to cities and towns across the nation who make their communities more playable.   Maple Valley Showcase Lake Wilderness Park and activities scheduled at the site played a huge part in that designation.  You can see more here. Maple Valley earned that designation for the first time this year.

Sad Football Weekend

Both the Cougars and the Seahawks lost their games this weekend :(

Florence Henderson TV's Mom

Americans eating Thanksgiving dinner were shocked to hear about the passing of Florence Henderson.  Henderson played the iconic Carol Brady, a widow with three girls who married a widower with three boys to form a single family in the 70s hit, Brady Bunch.  Much like June Cleaver in Leave It To Beaver, Mrs. Brady was a full time mom who was forever happy,  never revealing career ambitions.  The show centered around good natured children's problems of jealousy and parental rules.  ,
Henderson had appeared in the audience of Dancing With The Stars, as co star Maureen McCormick was one of the contestants.  There were no visual evidence of health problems.  Henderson was 82.

Fidel Castro Dead At 90

Fidel Castro, the Cuban strongman who brought Communism within striking distance of the US during the cold war era is dead.  Castro who had the longest rule of any non royal was an iconic figure in my lifetime, known for his military uniforms, his beard and cigar.  In 2008, he stepped down from the Cuban presidency, letting his brother Raul lead the nation.

Apple Cup

The 5th Brings Back The Mullet

Issaquah businessman Mark Mullet will continue to represent Washington's 5th Legislative district in the state senate.  Sources report that opponent Chad Magendanz has conceded in one of the closest races in the state.  Mullet becomes the first Democrat to be reelected in the relatively recently formed 5th.  In the 1990s, Kathleen Drew was elected to the senate but was defeated in her bid for a second term by Dino Rossi.
Magendanz, tried to portray Mullet as too liberal for the 5th, which by tradition has voted Republican.  Mullet emphasized his ability to compromise and to reach across the aisle.  Democrats has good showings in the two house of representative races, showing the 5th may be getting closer to being a swing district. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's Apple Cup Week

This Apple Cup really matters as The Cougars and The Huskies, both nationally ranked, face off this Friday.

Lloyd Thaxton Autographed Book

About 10 years ago when I was starting this blog, I came upon the blog of Lloyd Thaxton.   I used to watch his teen dance show in the 60s.  It was in the break out time of the Beatles.   I started e-mailing my memories of the show, he was really good about e-mailing  back.  I bought his book, "Stuff Happens" and he sent a personalized autograph plate. 
Sadly, not long afterward, Lloyd passed away. The fact that I had communicated with him, made it a crushing blow.
As far as having his autograph, a real Lloyd Thaxton fan would say, "So What!"

Seattle Based Radio Host Delilah Honored

Congratulations to Delilah Rene, who was inducted into the National Radio Hall Of Fame last night (Thursday November 17th).  The induction ceremony took place in Chicago's Museum Of Broadcast Communications.
Delilah only uses her first name on her show, which is based in the Seattle area.  She plays mellow music at night and takes calls from listeners who wish to dedicate songs and hear her advice.
Deb and I used to listen to her show at Warm 106.5. 
Listeners can now listen to her program on the I heart radio stream.

Wilson To Be Involved In Sonic Arena Effort

It was announced this week that Seahawk quarterback Russell Wilson will partner with Bay Area hedge fund manager Chris Hansen in an effort to bring NBA basketball back to Seattle. 
The CBS NBA site writes that there are rumors of a possible NBA expansion with the possibility of a new Seattle franchise.  That would probably be a much better scenario for the image conscious Wilson rather than being know for efforts to relocate another city's team. 
The association with Wilson, brings local respect to a group that has most recently gotten a cold shoulder from Seattle leaders.  Much of that due to word that Hansen was involved in efforts to stop the building of an arena in Sacramento, where a few years ago, Hansen was almost able to buy the Kings and relocate the team. 
Bringing an NHL franchise to the city was another goal of the Hansen group.

Cougs Lose Cracraft

The Washington State Cougars have lost wide receiver River Cracraft  for the year due to a torn ACL. Cracraft is the Cougar's leading receiver in catches for first downs.  He had scored 3 touchdowns in last Saturday's victory over the Cal Bears before leaving due to the injury.
The Cougars are currently 23rd in the nation.

The Big Y And Miller Supply

The Big Y Shopping Center was located in the west end of Walla Walla. It had a supermarket, a drug store, and a restaurant.  At the end of Rose Street, it was at a Y shape intersection.  Driving straight would go into College Place.  Veering to the right would go to Wallula Road which would take a driver to the highway to the Tri Cities.  The Big Y was eventually owned by my Uncle Dave Barer.  The Miller Supply building in the background was later purchased by my father.
I found this picture on the Bygone Walla Walla page.

Seahawks Hang On For Huge Victory

The Seattle Seahawks put themselves back into the Super Bowl conversation with a 31-24 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football.  New England had been 7-1 and were a heavy favorite.  Rookie Seahawk running back CJ Prosise had 66 running yards and 87 yards receiving.  The Seahawks also took advantage of the return of Kam Chancellor, who had some key stops.

Election Week Cold Open - SNL

Last night's SNL. Kate McKinnon pays tribute to Leonard Cohen and Hilary Clinton.

Leonard Cohen Dies

Singer songwriter Leonard Cohen has died at 82.  Cohen was a native of Canada.  Like Bob Dylan, he is better known for his songwriting than singing, unlike Bob Dylan, he kept his Jewish sounding last name. 
Probably, Cohen's best known song is Hallelujah, a song which Maple Valley area singer Brandi Carlile closes her shows.  His other well known hit "Suzanne" was made popular by Seattle native Judy Collins.

Trump Will Be President In Huge Upset

Billionaire Donald Trump pulled the biggest upset in American history.  Trump, at 70, is the oldest man ever elected to be to a first term of the presidency.  Trump's insult ridden campaign turned off some Republicans as well as Democrats, but apparently resonated with groups alienating by the Obama administration, Clinton trust issues and what they feel is a Washington establishment that turns a deaf ear to their plight. 
The Trump victory put a dark cloud over what otherwise was a pretty good night for Washington Democrats.  Incumbent Governor Jay Inslee was easily elected as was incumbent Senator Patty Murray.  Closer to home, 5th District Democratic Senator Mark Mullet appears to have beaten his challenger Republican House member Chad Magandanz  5th House races appear to be too close to call.

Janet Reno Dies

On the eve of what could be the election of the first woman president, the first woman Attorney General, Janet Reno has died.  Reno served in the administration of Bill Clinton from 1993-2001.  She won major convictions of domestic terrorist Ted Kacynski, know as the Unabomber and Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols for their roles in the bombing of the Oklahoma City Federal Building. 
She was widely criticized for the Branch Davidian raid and for the raid that sent 6 year old Cuban refugee Elian Gonzalez back to his father in Cuba.
Reno had suffered from Parkinson's Disease for 20 years.

Seahawks Play Buffalo Bills

The Seattle Seahawks will play the Buffalo Bills tonight on Monday Night Football.  The Bills are unique in that the city name and team name combine to depict the name of a person.  Buffalo Bill Cody was a scout, buffalo hunter and showman.   Both the Seahawks and the Bills have 4 wins this season. 

A Movie Star Relative?

Do we have a lot of relatives in Hollywood?  We talked about Libe Barer.  Now here's Ariela Barer, who also seems to have some acting chops.

WSU Wallops Wildcats

Cougar quarterback Luke Falk threw 4 touchdown passes in spite of playing only 3 quarters as WSU rolled over the Arizona Wildcats 69-7.  The Cougs 69 points was a team record against a Pac 12 opponent.   Falk was allowed to rest late in the 3rd quarter in favor of red shirt freshman Tyler Hilinski.  Hilinski added two touchdown passes. 
It was the Cougs 7th win in a row.  They are undefeated in Pac 12 play.   The Cougs will play California and Colorado before what could be an epic Apple Cup game with Washington on November 25th.  The Washington Huskies are currently ranked 5th in the nation while the Cougs are 25th.  From how it looks now, for the first time in years, there will be national interest in the game.

The Cedar River From The Testy Chef

The covered deck at Maple Valley's most Iconic Café, The Testy Chef makes outdoor dining possible everyday.  Deb and I enjoyed a great lunch today.

Eastside Lawmaker Andy Hill Dies

Andy Hill, state senator from the 45th Legislative district covering northeast King County has died after a recurrence of lung cancer.  He was 54.
Hill, a former Microsoft executive, was elected to the senate in 2010.  He became chairman of the Ways and Means Committee after some dissident Democrats crossed the aisle to give Republicans control of the senate. 
Hill was a non smoker.  He was praised by both sides of the aisle.  He leaves behind a wife and three children.

Cubs Win World Series

For the first time in over a century, the Chicago Cubs are World Series champs.  General manager Theo Epstein, holds the trophy.  My guess is the trophy that the Cubs won in their previous World Series looked much different.

Cantwell Issaquah Visit II

US Senator Maria Cantwell poses with 41st LD State Senate candidate Lisa Wellman (left),  41st State House member Tana Senn, and 5th District State Senator Mark Mullet.  Cantwell headlined a Meet And Greet fundraiser at the Issaquah Brewhaus last Sunday.