The Trick Or Treaters Will Be Out

 

The Eastgate Mall In Walla Walla

 The Eastgate Mall was Walla Walla's first covered shopping center and probably its most successful.  Perhaps the smallest mall in the region, it was just the right size for the town. Like most malls, it was extremely popular with teens and young families.  

This is from Joe Drazan's Bygone Walla Walla blog.  It was newspaper articles from August of 1972.

Matthew Perry Dies

 Two shows that my wife got me watching, right after we got married, were Friends and Seinfeld.  The two TV programs made me look forward to Thursday nights.  

Yesterday, I heard the sad news of Matthew Perry, who played the role of Chandler on Friends.  Chandler was the wise cracking corporate exec and roommate of Joey.  

Perry's history of drug and alcohol abuse are well known, but it has been reported that he was finally freed from his addictions.  

Perry's death was reported as an "apparent drowning". 

Looking Out From Rattlesnake

My Buddy, Rick and Hiked up Rattlesnake Ridge near North Bend yesterday (Friday October 27th, 2023).  It's a strenuous hike, but the view is worth it.

Why Israel Must Destroy Hamas | Explained | Unpacked

The Unpacked series of videos on You Tube are very educational and even handed.

Mike Barer Video Compilation

Well, this started out when I would get together with our friends Pam and Jerry.  Jerry's cousin, Leonard Barokas works odd hours and couldn't always hang with us.  

Jerry would ask me to make a video whenever we were out doing things for Leonard.  Leonard's talented son, Jackson put together a hilariously edited compilation of those videos.   

Dusty Street--Rock DJ Dies

 Dusty Street, whom listeners may have known through SiriusXM radio has died.  Street was on the satellite channel Deep Tracks but would do fill in work on other channels. 

Street was also known for her work on KROQ radio from 1979-1989.  You can read more about her incredible career by clicking here.  Street was 77.

Pullman Has Race To Replace Famous Mayor

 

The old axiom is "don't replace a legend' but, arguably, that's exactly what's happening in Pullman, Washington, the city of my Alma Matter, Washington State University.  

Glenn Johnson, WSU communications professor and public address announcer for Washington State Cougar football and basketball, has served the city in the position of mayor since 2004. According to his web page, he is the longest serving mayor in the city's history With a made for broadcasting voice, he has run 5 times unopposed.

Johnson is well known in the WSU Communications Department for bringing  hands-on experience from his days working in the Sacramento TV market

Portland Doughnut Shop Coming To Seattle

 The Seattle Times reports that Voodoo Doughnut, whose odd flavors and creative names, sort of captures the funky vibe of its hometown, Portland is slated to come to Seattle this coming Spring.

The shop is scheduled to be located at 1201 Pine Street in Capitol Hill, according to CEO Chris Schultz. It will be open 24 hours, seven days a week. 

Technically, it will be the second Voodoo location, since one is open in Vancouver, in the Portland metro area. 

The doughnut shop was a stop for us when we would visit Portland for Trail Blazer games. 

Go Cougs!

 WSU Cougars play the Oregon Ducks today (Saturday, October 21st, 2023) at 12:30 PDT.

Jake Bobo Meets Fans

Jake Bobo, rookie wide receiver for the Seahawks, was interviewed for Hawks Live on Seattle Sports 710 radio. The show with ex Seahawks Michael Bumpus and Paul Moyer was broadcasted from Bellevue Square as it is every week.

Bobo later signed autographs and posed for pictures.

Piniella Finalist For Baseball Hall Of Fame

 The Seattle Times has announced that former Mariner manager Lou Piniella, perhaps the most universally loved skipper in the history of the franchise, has been chosen as a finalist for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Piniella, who managed the Cincinnati Reds to a world championship in 1990, became manager of the Mariners in 1993.   He lead the team to four post season appearances, where previously, they had none. 

It could be argued that he saved baseball in the Puget Sound region and played a big part in getting, what is now T-Mobile Park, built. 

In addition to managing the Mariners and the Reds, He had managerial gigs with the New York Yankees, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and the Chicago Cubs.

He also had a long career as a player with Balimore, Cleveland, Kansas City, and the New York Yankees. He was also, briefly, General Manager of the Yankees.   He was known for his Fiery personality and demonstrative arguments with umpires.  

In 2013, I was able to meet Piniella at that year's Fred Hutchinson Awards luncheon. 

Ticket From A Memorable Trip

In 1999, we went to Indianapolis to visit my wife's twin sister, her husband, and my new nephew.

We also got to watch the Indy 500.

Then we went to Chicago to watch the Cubs play the Padres in Wrigley Field 

While cleaning my office at home, I found this ticket from the 500.

Nowadays, tickets are online, so it's hard to collect ticket stubs.

 

Rod Carew Autograph

While cleaning my office, I found my autographed picture of baseball great Rod Carew.

Carew was keynote speaker at the 2014 Fred Hutchinson Awards luncheon.

I attended the event with friend Joe Saxon for many years, meeting various baseball greats.

Tod Goldberg Speaks Out In Desert Sun Article

 I'm very proud of my cousin Tod Goldberg as I am with his brother and sisters.  Tod is talented, outspoken, and has an innate desire to heal the world.  

It's no surprise that his hometown newspaper, The Desert Sun (representing Palm Springs and neighboring communities), featured an article he wrote about the need for our fellow Jews to speak up in the wake of the October 7th Hammas invasion and massacre.   Tod speaks of a horror that his Grandmother lived through in the early 20th century in context on how history can repeat itself.  

Tod's thesis is that people cannot be silent and must speak up to bring justice to those who commit these acts and do whatever is humanly possible to prevent these acts going forward.

You can read the article by clicking here.

Suzanne Somers--70s TV Star

 

Suzanne Somers, TV star, entertainer, and entrepreneur is dead at 76. Somers was probably best known for playing giggling blond Crissy Snow on the 1970's monster hit TV show Three's Company.  Like fellow 70s, TV actor Farrah Fawcett, who starred in Charlie's Angels, Somers left her show before the end of its run (actually word was, she was fired), yet was probably the most memorable star, next to the lovable John Ritter. 

Somers had been married to Alan Hamel since 1977

Sommers had breast cancer. 

 

Go Seahawks!

 Hawks play the Bengals today (Sunday, October 15th, 2023),

Beat Arizona

 The Arizona Wildcats visit Pullman today (Saturday, October 14th, 2022). Go Cougs!

Seahawks Vs Cincinnati On Sunday

 It's Blue Friday if you see this on Friday, October 13th, 2023!  Wear your blue!

Standing With Israel

More Fletcher Farms

The Countryside around Fletcher Farms in Issaquah is just gorgeous.

Oliver At The Pumpkin Patch

After attending the Issaquah Salmon Days festival, we made a stop at the pumpkin patch at Fletcher Farms near Issaquah.  This is the second year in a row that we have visited this patch, which is an easy drive from Maple Valley.  

Oliver was happy to pose with the pumpkins.

Hatikva: The Song of Hope

We hope for an end to this conflict and a lasting peace.

Israeli PM Netanyahu says "we are at war" following deadly Hamas attacks...

We hold our breath and pray for a lasting peace!

The Cougars Take On UCLA

 Go Cougs!

Old Walla Walla Fire Station Picture Also Shows Barer Property

 

This is the old fire station in Walla Walla. It had upstairs sleeping quarters for the firemen and a pole to slide from the sleeping quarters to the trucks.  I don't know how much time was saved by sliding down the pole, it probably saved space, too.  

In the background, you can see the old Richfield service station which I believe was already out of business, that was on the corner of 4th and Rose, along with the B. Barer And Sons steel warehouse. 

Not long after the service station went out of business, it served as a storage facility for our family business, until it was torn down.  The area was fenced in and incorporated into the main yard for B. Barer And Sons, now Oxarc. 

Just a note, before the fire department starting running the ambulance service, Duckworth company operated the service in that gas station on the B.Barer property.  At that time, I believe that ambulances only transported patients. Because of that, I'm aware that the service station was not operating at the time this picture was taken

This is one of many great pictures on the Bygone Walla Walla blog. 

Dick Butkus--Middle Linebacker

 Reports are that Dick Butkus, who virtually invented the position of middle linebacker and served as the symbol of the Chicago Bears' ferocious defense in the md 1960s to early 1970s has died.  Butkus was invited to eight Pro Bowls and was All-Pro 6 times.  He was twice named NFL Defensive Player Of The Year.

Butkus was 80 years old.

Beloved Sports Reporter Jim Caple

 When the internet was practically brand new, I went to the ESPN website and read a report from a Jim Caple.  It included his email so I sent him my opinion on a story.  To my complete shock, he replied.  I was excited to get a response from an ESPN reporter.  

Many years ago, I received for my birthday, a walking tour of Seattle sports places, it entailed walking by what was then Safeco Field, the Seahawks stadium (both brand new at the time) and a couple of sports bars.  It was conducted by Jim Caple, who was still an ESPN reporter at the time. 

Caple had also been a reporter for the Minnesota Twins from 1989-2000. 

Jim was very personable and engaging and was happy to give me his inside sports knowledge at the time.  I would never see him again but didn't forget him.  His nephew, Christian Caple is a well known sports reporter in the area, whom I recently heard on the Mitch Unfiltered podcast. 

I read this week that Caple had passed away at 61   He had been battling ALS and dementia.  

Posing With The Cougar

 A little late to post this, but here are Deb and I posing with the WSU Cougar when we went to the OSU-WSU game on September 23rd. 

Seahawks Look Good On Monday Night

 Before a national audience, the Seahawks soundly defeated the New York Giants 24-3.  

The victory was on the Giants home field and featured a pick 6 by Devon Witherspoon.  

The 'Hawks recorded 11 sacks, the most since a 37-0 blowout of the Raiders in 1986.

1960s Rock Star Gary Lewis Interviewed

I was a fan of this band Gary Lewis And The Playboys "growing up" although I was still in grade school when it disappeared from radio and the rock scene. The band to me was an American version of Herman's Hermits. Playing music that younger fans can enjoy.  

 The leader and focal point of the band was Gary Lewis, a lookalike, soundalike version of his father, legendary comedian Jerry Lewis.

I remember seeing the band on the Lloyd Thaxton Show.  

While Jerry Lewis had been the target of some unfavorable press in his later years, Gary, in this interview seems very honest and down to earth.  

I got to see the band (actually, just Gary Lewis, I think) as part of the Happy Together Tour, years ago.