The Sonics Guy Will Live On In Sodo Mural

 Kris Brandon, the superfan known to Seattle sportsdom as "The Sonics Guy" is being honored in a mural painted in the Sodo district.  Brandon, who died earlier this year, was perhaps the most visible activist in the attempts to bring the NBA back to the area.  He would appear in gatherings in Sonics green and gold, at a towering 6'5, usually holding up clever signs. 

The mural is being painted by Seattle artist Jeff Jacobson in what is known as "Hall Of Fame row".  It will be next to murals of  Seahawks tackle Walter Jones, Sonics player Jack Sikma, and Mariners Designated Hitter Edgar Martinez. 

Daniel's Broiler Pianist Jim Washburn Visits Issaquah

 It had been a while since I had seen a live music performance, so I was happy to join my friends Marjie and Rick at the Vino Bella Wine Bar in Issaquah.  Jim Washburn, long time piano player at Daniel's played a three hour set in an adjoining tent, which allowed for considerable social distancing.  

Washburn's repertoire included song from Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, James Taylor, and other soft rock standards often taking requests and bringing in guest vocalists from the audience.  One of the guest vocalists is pictured below.

Gonzaga Heads To Elite Eight

 Gonzaga is on fire and the idea of a college basketball champion from this state is looking like it could be a reality.  The Zags easily beat Creighton yesterday 83-65.

 I'm just hoping that if Gonzaga does pull it off, Spokane can have some type of celebration.  The Zags have given the city a team to cheer on for over two decades.  It's sad that a celebration could be limited by a pandemic.  Especially after watching us in Seattle, across the state, celebrate a Super Bowl victory

George Segal Dies

 I was sad to read about the death of George Segal.  I remember him as the magazine publisher in the sitcom "Just Shoot Me".   At the time of his passing, he played to grandfather to the children in "The Goldbergs".  

Writing a great obituary, Ken Levine lamented on him getting most of his recognition from the string of sitcoms that he either starred or guest starred in and not emphasizing that he had a wonderful career in many classic films.

That is true, but it did show-off his talents to a mainstream audience.   You can read Ken's obit of Segal by clicking here.

Seder In Maple Valley

We had a very quiet but lovely Passover Seder at home.

Happy Passover!

 Passover begins tonight

My Cutout From 2020 Mariner Season

This was me last Mariner season.  Since fans couldn't attend games due to the pandemic, my cut out did.  

This year, fans will attend with restrictions.  

My cut out, I'm afraid, will be retired.

Nancy Sinatra Ends Nancy For Frank

 Nancy Sinatra has announced on social media that her weekly show, "Nancy For Frank" is ending it's 14 year run on the Seriusly Sinatra channel on Serius XM.   The channel will air the "Best Of Nancy For Frank" for an unspecified amount of time. 

On the show, Nancy, who herself made her own mark in the music world, would play favorites of her father, Frank and others, often fitting a weekly theme.  

Basketball Legend Elgin Baylor Dies

 One of the first of many Los Angeles Lakers Superstars, Elgin Baylor has died at 86.  Playing along side Jerry West, the Lakers have always been in the conversation as one of the most successful sports franchises of all time.

Around this area, Baylor is know as a former Seattle University player who lead the team to the NCAA Championship game in 1958, where the team lost to Kentucky.

Baylor would later become general manager for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Shooter Kills 10 In Boulder Colorado

 Another mass shooting has taken place, this time in Boulder Colorado.  Details are here.

Honorary Street For Carlile?

 A reliable source has told me the Maple Valley City Council may consider naming a street after Grammy Winning Singer Brandi Carlile in tonight's (Monday March 22nd) meeting.  The city already has streets named after former mayor,  Laure Iddings, former deputy mayor, Jim Flynn, and former congressman, Dave Reichert. 

Food Trucks In The Neighborhood

We have enjoyed the food trucks that have shown up in our area. This one was at the Patrick's Faire Park last Friday.  It featured Middle Eastern cuisine.

Road Trip 6--Maryhill Winery

From the lonely road, on the Washington side of the Columbia River, the Maryhill Winery, near Goldendale, does not look that impressive.  But once you are on the grounds, prepare for some of the most spectacular views.  

Road Trip 5--Lunch At Columbia Gorge Hotel

 

On the way home, we had lunch at the Columbia Gorge Hotel and Spa in Hood River.   The views were incredible and the interior was like something from a different era.

Road Trip 4--Hood River

 We visited Hood River,  known as the windsurfing capital of the world.  The picture above shows a kiteboarder, a similar form of recreation.

Like many Oregon towns, Hood River has many microbreweries.  The famous Full Sail Brewery was closed, but we enjoyed a visit to the Ferment Brewery. 

Road Trip 3--Crossing The Bridge Of The Gods

 

I remember seeing the "Bridge Of The Gods" from trips to Portland and Seaside with my parents in my childhood from Walla Walla.  My dad would often stop in Cascade Locks with us to get clam chowder at a certain restaurant in that town.   Back then, we always traveled on the Oregon side because of the better road. 

I had never crossed that bridge or really even thought about it until this last trip.  The bridge crosses the Columbia from the interstate highway into Washington.  It has a toll with a person taking the money, as opposed to the 520 bridge over here where tolls  are collected electronically.  

Road Trip 2--Bonneville Dam

 

After a great lunch in nearby Stevenson, we took a trip down the road to the Bonneville Dam.   That was  a few miles to the west of where we stayed.  Since the COVID pandemic, all tours are self guided. 

Remembering My Father

 My father, Alan L Barer, passed away 5 years ago today.  The picture above is taken in their winter home in Rancho Mirage, CA.  He is sorely missed. 

Barers Take Weekend Road Trip

 We left this weekend for a few days at the Skamania Lodge,  about an hour East of Portland on the Washington side of the Columbia River.  The area is known as the Columbia River Gorge.  We had a great view from our room, but this picture was taken from outside.

We will have more on the trip in future posts.  

Wear Your Green!

 Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

1976-Howard Cosell "Speaking Of Sports" Commentary On Chris Chambliss Ho...

On weekday mornings, my clockradio was set on the Walla Walla ABC affiliate KTEL.  Usually the first thing that I would hear was Howard Cosell--Speaking Of Sports.

Drew Brees Retires

One of the NFL's all time greats, Brees is often credited with saving the New Orleans Saints franchise.

Mr Blue Jay Brightens Our House

My artistic co-worker, Lyra gave us this picture.  You can see more of her work by clicking here.

Colin Cosell Brings Sports And Entertainment To New Project

 

Howard Cosell, could arguably be the most famous sportscaster of all time.  He was groundbreaking as he would say what was on his mind, inviting criticism, but bringing a certain kind of integrity to the field. 

Grandson Colin Cosell has announced that he is undertaking a new project to carry on that legacy.  Currently, the PA announcer for the New York Mets, Cosell will begin a new weekly radio show starting two weeks from this Monday (March 29th, 2021) on an internet channel called 365Sportscast..  Each show will then be available as a podcast on all major podcast platforms.  

The name of the show is called The Sport Of Entertainment and is said to look beyond the reporting of standings and ball games scores and more into the entertainment aspect of sports and probably pop culture. 

As I remember from my childhood, waking up on my clock radio to the elder Cosell's Speaking Of Sports daily morning radio show.  Like his grandfather, Cosell is opinionated, but unlike Howard, he appears to be excited about sports, projecting the fun of the culture. 

As I have mentioned in previous posts, Colin has a strong social media presence.  He is always good about connecting with fans who loved his famous grandfather. 

Early Picture Of My Mother

My cousin, who visiting her mom in Bangkok, sent me a picture of my mom.  Her dad was my Mom's brother.  I don't know the year this was taken.  My guess is that it was the early 1950s.

My mom passed away in 1997.

Capitol Policeman's Account Of January 6th

 In this very compelling episode of the New York Times Daily Podcast, Officer Harry Dunn recalls being on duty during the  invasion of the US Capitol.   To hear Dunn's harrowing account of events, click here.

Roger Mudd TV Newsman

 Roger Mudd, one of the last of the "old school" TV newsmen, died yesterday (Tuesday March 9th).  Mudd was a longtime reporter and substitute anchor on CBS.  He would eventually anchor the Saturday news report.  He was often considered the heir to the legendary anchor Walter Cronkite.  The job instead went to Dan Rather. 

Mudd was famous for his interview in 1980 with Senator Ted Kennedy, who at the time was challenging a sitting president, Jimmy Carter for the Democratic nomination.  Mudd asked Kennedy directly why he wanted to be president, the senator, known for his eloquence, gave an awkward rambling answer.  It stopped the senator's momentum and pretty much halted his campaign.  He would go on to lose to Carter, who would lose to Ronald Reagan in a landslide.  

Mudd joined CBS in 1961 as a congressional correspondent.  After losing the spot to anchor the CBS Evening News, Mudd would to NBC where he would co-anchor the NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw. 

Roger Mudd was 93.

Barers Of Maple Valley Passes 1 Million Visits

 Yesterday, this blog, after 15 years, topped 1,000,000 visits.   Last night. upon checking, our number was All Time1000095.   I started this blog, after being inspired by various family members, most who stopped blogging after the growth of Facebook and Twitter and the advent of podcasts.  Two of my favorite bloggers are no longer around. 

Whereas most blogs are specialized, I have based this blog on whatever was on my mind at the times.  We have covered politics, sports, rock music,  TV and radio,  nostalgia, my city of Maple Valley, my home town of  Walla Walla, family and occasionally, news scoops.   

Thank you so much for everyone who has visited.  This is so much fun. 

Honored For 20 Years

This mug was amongst several gifts in honor of my 20th year with The UPS Store.  

New York Times Daily Podcast Speaks Of Gates Role In Vaccine Development

 While the COVID 19 pandemic is reported to have it's US origins here in the Puget Sound area, by coincidence, a well known area resident may be a major force to help end it.

In an episode of the New York Times Daily Podcast, this past week, the focus is on Bill Gates effort in the promising development of  anti-COVID vaccines.  You can listen to that episode by clicking here. 

James Donaldson "Dunks" Hat Into The Ring

 James Donaldson, a former Washington State Cougar men's basketball stand out and NBA player has announced his candidacy for Seattle mayor.  Seattle's current mayor, Jenny Durkan has already announced that she will not run for a second term.

The 7 foot Donaldson was a towering presence on campus at WSU when I attended in the mid-late 1970s.  Donaldson went on to be drafted by the Seattle Super Sonics where he played three seasons to begin a 16 year NBA career. He later would run a physical therapy business in the Seattle area. 

In recent years, Donaldson has become an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness.  

This will be Donaldson's second run for the position. He previously ran in 2009.

Sports Radio 950 KJR Will Carry Kraken Games

 Legendary Seattle radio station KJR and the city's NHL expansion franchise, the Kraken, are joining forces.  The station will broadcast Kraken games to it's Seattle audience and livestream games worldwide  on iheartradio.com and the iheartradio.com app.   The station will also do regular live broadcasts from Climate Pledge Arena and the Kraken Training Center.

Everett Fitzhugh is the new team's play by play announcer. The team begins play this fall. 

Seattle's mayor tells New Orleans' mayor 'eyes off' Russell Wilson after...

Seattle Seahawk fans have become concerned with growing talk of Russell Wilson's dissatisfaction with the team.  In a video on Twitter, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell invited Wilson to play for the Saints.  Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan tweeted back saying hands off or we will come after the NBA New Orleans Pelicans.

In reality, mayors don't trade players and take basketball teams, but it was free publicity for both. 

1996 Mariners-Indians Seattle Earthquake

I mentioned this in the previous post, Deb and I were in our Kirkland condo, where we lived until 1998.  At the time, the Mariners were good and must see TV.  Edgar Martinez had gotten a big hit and suddenly we heard banging, we thought that a couple of guys who lived above us were watching the game and stomping their feet, in reality, it was an earthquake, a fairly mild one, but the game was called and I had since forgotten this, but it was continued the next evening. 

This May 3rd will mark the 25th anniversary of that event. 

Dasher And I Say Good Morning!

One of my favorite coffee cups has a rough depiction of Dasher and me