Israeli Soldiers

Soldiers are visiting Holocaust Museum.

Independence Hall

This is where Israel gained it's independence.

Jerusalem At Night

Taken from our hotel in the Dan Panorama.

Looking At Jerusalem

From a high point, we can see the entire city.

Looking Down At The Galilee From The Golan

We could also see Syria and Lebanon.

On The Road To Galilee

An aquaduct built in ancient times by King Herod.

Sunset In Tel Aviv

Across from our hotel in Tel Aviv, the sun sets over the Mediterranean Sea.

Beautiful Tel Aviv

View from our hotel room in Tel Aviv.  My friend Joe and I are on a 10 day trip to Israel.  This is my first trip to the country.

Go Cougs

I watch Game Day on ESPN specifically to see the WSU Cougar flag.

Dasher Takes A Dip.

A few Sundays ago, on unseasonable warm day, we walked with Dasher in Bellevue Park where we let him cool off in the man made pond.

Griffey Statue Vandalized

The Ken Griffey, Jr statue at Safeco Field was vandalized yesterday. The bat was snapped off in the evening hours.
 Police were able to take a suspect into custody and recover the bat.  The vandal somehow took the bat from the statue, leaving the rest in tact. 
Reports say that Mariner officials are in touch with the artist to find out if a seamless repair can be made. 
The statue honors the Mariner Hall Of Fame centerfielder, who is credited to saving baseball in Seattle and is considered one of the best to ever play the game.

My Dad From 1986.

Another picture from B. Barer And Sons.  My dad poses near where the oxygen filling plant would soon be built.  This picture was taped in my dad's office.  A clean up in his and Jean's condo recovered many historical artifacts. Jean, whom he married in 2000, died earlier this year.  My Dad passed way in 2016.

Mount Rainier On A Beautiful Sunday

The Mountain was out and so were we on a perfect fall Sunday.  The Seahawks had a bye so Deb, Dasher and I  took the opportunity to go out and enjoy an autumn drive. 
We went to the pumpkin patch at Thomasson Family Farm  between Black Diamond and Enumclaw.  On the way out, we took the picture above.   We had lunch at Mint Ale House in charming downtown Enumclaw, then finished the drive with a stop at Rock Ridge Market.

Cougar AD Leaves For Nebraska

When it rains, it pours.  After being upset last Friday by the California Bears, the Washington State Cougars have learned the Bill Moos, who has been Athletic Director since 2010 is leaving the program to go to Nebraska.   Moos, formerly the athletic director at University Of Oregon, came out of retirement to guide the sports program at WSU, his alma matter.  He brought Mike Leach to coach Football and Ernie Kent to coach the men's basketball program.  The Cougar football team is 6-1.

California Burns

We mourn the victims of the California Wild fires.

It's Friday The 13th In The Spooky Season

KIRO Afternoon Drive Personality Bares Soul

KIRO-FM personalities Ron And Don have a certain chemistry that seems to work on the radio.  Every weekday I can't wait to listen to their show on the way home from work.  Don O'Neill is the outspoken one with the deep voice, while Ron Upshaw seems to be the more reasoning soft spoken one.
Although the show is generally light hearted, they don't avoid serious topics. 
Still it was shocking a couple nights ago when O'Neill launch into a very soul baring speech about what he referred to as a family secret.  He was talking about what he said was mental health issues that run in his family, possibly something that involves himself. I had never, in my decades of listening to radio of all kinds, heard an announcer speak so personally.  It was rather refreshing to hear what sounded as unrehearsed honesty in this day in age on the radio.  You can read O'Neill's  speech by clicking here.

Sunny Festival In Issaquah

Issaquah Salmon Days came much later in the season this year.  It occurs the first full weekend in October.  In spite of that, the weather Sunday was so perfect, it is like the city made a deal with Mother Nature.

Jason Aldean Opens SNL

Once again, SNL showed it's expertise on integrating tragedy into a comedy show.  Jason Aldean was on stage during the Las Vegas shooting.  He also tied in the death of Tom Petty with his choice of song.

Seahawks At The Colosseum

When I started watching sports, this was one of the nation's premier sports venues.  Now, its the temporary home for the recently returned LA Rams. 
The Seahawks are playing the Rams there this weekend.

Mitch Levy Announces Departure From KJR After Court Date

After probably one of the longest stints in Seattle area radio, Mitch Levy announced his departure from Sports radio 950.  Levy, an East coast transplant, had not been heard on the radio since word went out of his arrest along with over 100 others in a Bellevue prostitution sting.
Levy had been known for off color comments about women and his show for years ran a contest based on rating woman, however, his "gloves off" opinions on sports related topics is what attracted and angered many listeners.
After Levy's arrest was made public, the show continued without him.  Show "bumpers" would say his name, but his co-host,  the more subdued Dick Fain took on Mitch's duties.
Levy's announcement and apology came following a court appearance Thursday where he entered an "Alford Plea".  Levy received a deferred sentence, 24 months of probation, and according to court records, entered a 10 week men's accountability program for buyers of sex and paid  1,974 dollars in court costs.

Former Wasington Congressman John Miller

John Miller, a former Seattle city councilman and a member of Congress has died.  He was 79.  Miller was a moderate Republican in the mold of former Washington governor Dan Evans.  He served in Congress from 1984 to 1993, he served my district from 1991 to 1993, a time when I lived in Kirkland.
Miller was instrumental in the rehabilitation of the Pike Place Market, building housing for the poor and the P-Patch garden program when he was city councilman.   Miller was living in California at the time of his death.

Seattle Skyline From Safeco Field

Even When the game is bad, Safeco Field can be a fun place to watch the Mariners. 
On a sunny day, you can get a spectacular view of the city skyline.

Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty - Stop Draggin' My Heart Around

In memory of Tom Petty, this is my favorite Petty effort.  Here with Stevie Nick in what may be the top rock duet of all time.

From The Wayback Machine

My Dad and his Uncle Dave at their business B. Barer And Sons.  Dave was one of the "sons" in B. Barer And Sons.  The other son was my grandfather who died in 1967,  The firm sold steel and industrial gases and bought scrap metal.  It was located on 4th and Rose in Walla Walla with a warehouse on West Main and yards on 4th and Sumac and Rees Avenue.

So Long Tom Petty

On a dismal day when America was mourning the Las Vegas shooting, word has been received that rock icon Tom Petty was stricken with a heart attack that would prove fatal.  I first heard of Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers on the underground University Of Idaho station, it wasn't long before he was a household name with songs like" Breakdown", "Refugee", And "Free Falling". 
His duet with Stevie Nicks, "Stop Draggin My Heart Around" became an almost instant rock classic.  Petty hailed from Gainesville, Florida.  He was 66.

Tola Marts Exits Congressional Race

In an email to supporters, Issaquah city councilman Tola Marts announced he was withdrawing from the race for the Democratic nomination to succeed Republican Dave Reichert for the 8th congressional seat in Washington.  Marts said that in a crowded field of Democrats, he was unable to secure the funding to allow his campaign to continue.If Marts would have been able to continue, he would have been the first Democrat in years to run for the seat while holding a public office.

Destined For Greatness

My Dad with his college roommate from the University of Washington, Tom Lantos, and a lady identified as Tom's future wife. 
Tom would eventually become an outstanding congressman representing the Bay Area. Sorry about the picture quality.

Monty Hall Let's Make A Deal Host

Monty Hall, who hosted the daytime gameshow "Let's Make A Deal" has died Hall was 96.  Hosting the show in the 60s, made Hall a household name.  It was TV's golden era. 
Hall is said to have raised over one billion dollars for charity in his lifetime.  His daughter said he never refused an autograph.