LA Angels Are Sold

 Perhaps, this isn't the best news for our Seattle Mariners, but the Los Angeles Angels have been sold to Stan Kroenke, the man who purchased the St Louis Rams, moved them back to LA and brought a Super Bowl championship to the city. 

The team was sold at a valuation of 4 Billion dollars, a record for an MLB team. 

Under Arte Moreno, the Angels, who play in Anaheim have had 11 straight losing seasons. Kroenke, who built a stadium complex where his Rams play is sure to put the team back in contention. Where the team will play in the future is another concern. 

The Angels began play in 1961, originally playing in Los Angeles.  For 7 years, they were the only American League baseball franchise on the West Coast. There was no interleague play at the time, so the team had to travel 1500 miles to get to its nearest rival.  

The team began playing in Anaheim in 1966, renaming itself the California Angels.  The team would eventually call itself the Anaheim Angels, until it once again became the LA Angels, while staying in Anaheim. 

Attempt To Recall Seattle Mayor Stops

 A move to recall the recently elected Seattle mayor will not go forward. Recall is a way to subject an elected office holder to another election, before his or her term has expired. 

In Washington, a recall petition needs to be approved by the courts in order to go forward.  Many in Seattle are opposed to Mayor Katie Wilson's approach to governing.  But Wilson has only begun her term and there is no evidence of her misfeasance, malfeasance or violating her oath of office.  The Cascadian Advocate has more.  Click here.

Maple Valley Dishtowel

One of the cool Maple Valley souvenirs at the Tahona Store at the Lake Wilderness Shopping Center.

Former Cougar Coach Bill Doba

 Bill Doba, who guided the WSU Cougars from 2003 until 2007 has died. He was 85.  

Doba was 10 and 3 in his first year as Cougar head coach.  He would share coach of the year honors that season with Pete Carroll, then with USC.  

Doba would compile a 30 win 29 loss record during his tenor as HC.  That included 3 Apple Cup victories over the Huskies. 

Jaye P. Morgan Dies

 Jaye P. Morgan, a singer and actor who for the most part, has been out of the public conscience for decades, but gained the most fame as the saucy judge on the Gong Show has died.  She was 95. 

The Gong Show featured amateur entertainment, most of it bad, and three judges.  If the judges couldn't stand anymore of an act, they would hit the gong. 

Longtime game show producer Chuck Barris hosted the show. 

Her real name was Mary Margaret Morgan, but adopted Jaye P, after the historical banker, when she became class treasurer in school. 

Morgan's death was reportedly from a fall.  She was in a Longview Hospital at the time of her death. 

Final Concerts On The Green 2

 Atomic Pop does Come On Eileen in the final Concerts On The Green for 2026.

Concerts On The Green Has Season's Final Concert

 Atomic Pop did the last show for Issaquah's Concerts On The Green series.  This one is Walking On Sunshine. 

Dolly And Brandi Carlile Performing Together

 In honor of Dolly, here she is with Maple Valley's Brandi Carlile. 

Family Announces Dolly Death

I wanted to post this touching message from Dolly's nephew. 

Dolly Parton Dies

Reports say Country Music legend Dolly Parton has died 

Parton, considered by most an American treasure, was 80 

Cal Raleigh Has Three Homer Night

In what has seemed to be a nightmare year for Mariner Cal Raleigh, he may be back on track. Raleigh hit a career high 3 homeruns last night in a 9-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. 

 

Calkins Leaves The Seattle Times

Matt Calkins, a longtime sports columnist for the Seattle Times, has left the paper after one of his columns was not run.  Calkins had written about transgender athletes competing in women's sports. 

Calkins said that was one of several columns that the Times had refused to publish.  

Boogie Boulevard 3--Turn The Beat Around

 

Boogie Boulevard 2--Lady Marmalade

 Doing one of the more unique numbers from its time, Boogie Marmalade wows the crowd. 

Boogie Boulevard Entertains Maple Valley

 In what was sadly, the last in the season of  Maple Valley's Music & Movies In The Park series for this season, Boogie Boulevard played two great sets of 70s dance music for an adoring crowd. 

All that and to top things off, the rerun of the classic ET at Lake Wilderness Park last night (Thursday, August 20th, 2026),

Esther Barer Featured

One of brother, Steve's finds.  From the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin archives. An article about my Grandma Esther Barer.  This was from 1958, I was her only grandchild at the time.  Therefore, I get a mention by name, in the article.

Heart--Let Me Roll It

As 50 years have gone by since my high school graduation, I heard this band  for the first time right about that time. Even though this video is over a decade old, the band still tours. 

Nancy Wilson handles the vocals on this number. 

Here is there cover of the Paul McCartney and Wings song, Let Me Roll It.  The song has great hooks. 

 

Diaz Bobblehead

By coincidence, last month when we visited Dodger Stadium, it was Edwin Diaz bobblehead night. The big coincidence is that he once pitched for the Mariners.

Diaz also closed the game for them 

Pitcher Who Underwent Pioneering Surgery--Tommy John Dead

 Tommy John, who old-timers like me, will remember as a great pitcher, but today is better known for undergoing an arm surgery that has prolonged his career and the careers of many pitchers to follow has died.  He was 83. 

To hear a pitcher is undergoing Tommy John Surgery is both good news and bad news, good news in that it can allow that pitcher to resume his career at a similar level and bad because of  the amount of time missed during the procedure and recovery. It generally sidelines a pitcher for 12-18 months. 

Maple Valley Concert 4--Just The Two Of Us

 

Maple Valley Concert 3--Lucia Flores-Wiseman Woman In Madrid

 A great look at last night's crowd and an outstanding capture of sound from last night's (Thursday, August 13th, 2026) concert at Lake Wilderness Park. 

I believe this is Lucia's signature song. 

Maple Valley Concerts 2

One of the cool things about Lake Wilderness concerts, is watching the wooden rafts float in the lake 

Ain't No Sunshine--Lucia Flores-Wiseman Plays Lake Wilderness

 It was a homecoming for Lucia Flores-Wiseman, who played to a large crowed at Lake Wilderness Park, in her hometown of Masple Valley.

Flores-Wiseman, last year was a finalist on the voice, wowing the judges with a four-chair turn in her first appearance.

The Maple Valley Music and Movie In The Park, is a limited summer series taking place in the summers on Thursdays. The setting is one of the best that I've seen for a park concert, the rising hill, and the view of the lake behind the stage. 

Seahawks Featured On Hard Knocks

Look familiar? That's the Seahawks practice field. It is featured on the HBO series, Hard Knocks, a reality show about NFL training camps 

The program features a different team each year. This is the first Super Bowl champion to be featured since 2001, when the Baltimore Ravens were coming off a Super Bowl victory.

Harmonious Funk Band Plays Issaquah

 After a week away, we were back at Issaquah Concerts At The Green, watching the funk rock band, Harmonious Funk Band.  Here they are playing the Stevie Wonder classic, Superstition. 

Walla Walla Historical Figure

I've been back for a week, but still have more to share.  Peopeomoxmox, Chief of the Walla Walla tribe, has a statue across Rose Street from the city hall.

My Father 1979

From my cousin, Laurie.  My Dad enjoying the beach in Seaside, 1979.

Rick Rizzs To Be Hall Of Famer

 In a night that honored the 50 greatest Mariner players, one of the team's greatest broadcasters would get a big surprise.  In what seemed like a routine introduction, Mariner Chairman and CEO John Stanton announced that Rick Rizzs, Mariner announcer since 1983, save for a few years with the Detroit Tigers, would was unanimously selected to be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame. 

Rizzs, who will be retiring after this season, will join his former broadcast partner, the late Dave Niehaus, in the Hall. 

Walla Walla History 2--Jacques Bauer

This looks like something new in Walla Walla's Mountain View Cemetery. A plaque to honor Jacques Bauer as one of the first Jewish settlers to come to Walla Walla.

Although I didn't know about Mr. Bauer, I had read about Marion Bauer being a well-known music composer and a native of Walla Walla.

History In Walla Walla

The building in the foreground is empty these days, but once house a financial powerhouse.

Sherwood and Roberts, which some real estate, lending, and insurance, began in Walla Walla in 1932. It would operate until 1995, expanding, eventually across 9 Western states.

To the left, is Walla Walla's historic post office, still in great condition, at least, on the outside.

Buildings were across from the Marcus Whitman, where we stayed.

Huge Turtle In Pioneer Park

 We went to the Pioneer Park Aviary, Sunday, where I saw this amazing turtle.  His name is Nick. 

Reunion 5--The Mixer

I'm 4th from the left in this picture from the mixer on Friday (July 31st, 2026).  It was held at Hop Thief, a brewpub in College Place.

Catchy Room Phone

Landlines are rare these days, but with dials, even more so. 

This was in our room at the Whitman 

Reunion 4--Sunday Tour

On Sunday (August 2nd, 2026), Ron Higgins, a longtime Walla Walla educator, who eventually became principal of Wa-Hi,led us on a tour of the Wa-Hi campus, which has undergone extensive remodeling in recent years.

Higgins, who retired a few years ago, was very energetic and engaging.

Reunion 3--The Class Then

The Wa-Hi Class of 76, as it was getting ready to graduate.

Oxarc At Night

This building was so essential in my life.  Oxarc was B. Barer And Sons.  A business started by my great Grandfather, B. Barer and eventually owned by my father.  

It sold to Oxarc in 2000.

Reunion 2--The Class Now

The Walla Walla High School class of '76, meeting for its 50th reunion at the Walla Walla County Club.

Class Of '76 Returns

The Wa-hi class is '76 celebrated 50 years with a reunion this past weekend (July 30th-August 2nd).

The Whitman 2

Another view, this time from the West from our room at The Whitman Hotel.  Walla Walla's City Hall in the foreground.  Behind that is Oxarc.

Bird's Eye View Walla Walla

I've never stayed this high in Walla Walla.  We are staying in the Whitman Hotel tower.  Our room is on the 6th floor.

Dodger Stadium First Time Certificate

Fans who attend a Dodger game for the first time, can get a certificate.

Birthday Brother

Posing with my brother at Duke's in Malibu.  Steve was celebrate a 55th birthday.

Whale Watching Off Long Beach Coast

 On a boat tour with my brothers and their wives, we were able to run into a dolphin pod. 

Jackie Robinson Statue

A great man who easily transcended baseball, In Jackie Robinson''s statue looms large at Dodger Stadium.

Meeting Their Mascot

Even though I was wearing Mariner gear, the Dodger mascot was happy to pose with me.

Sandy Koufax Enshrined

Sandy Koufax statue at Dodger Stadium.  Go Mariners!

View Of A Queen

At Parker's Lighthouse Restaurant in Long Beach, you get a great view of the British Ship Queen Mary, which is permanently docked in the harbor.

Morrison Mural At Venice Beach

At a beach side cafe at Venice Beach in Los Angeles, this mural of Doors lead singer, Jim Morrison, caught my attention.

Dinner At The Quiet Woman

The Quiet Woman, a restaurant in Corona Del Mar, is famous for being featured in the Real Housewives Of Orange County.

Enjoying The California Coast

We enjoyed the sunset at Corona Del Mar.

Tragedy In Seattle

Three people are dead and four injured at the Bite Of Seattle Festival at the Seattle Center yesterday (Sunday, July 26th, 2026).

Nixon 3--The Oval Office

The Nixon Library has a scale mock up of the oval office.  Visitors like myself can get behind the president desk and either pose or dream.

Since our tour of the real White House didn't include access to that section,  this adds more knowledge of the presidential residence 

Nixon 2--Watergate Scandal

While the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum was built to honor the 37th president, it does give space to the scandal that ended his presidency.

Because it pays honest homage to his legacy, even people on the opposite side of the fence like myself can appreciate the project 

Nixon Library In Yorba Linda

I was never a fan of Richard M Nixon, who became president while I was in grade school. However, while driving down in Southern California, after landing in Ontario, CA, we "stumbled across" his library.  

As a fan of history and the American presidency, as well having time on our hands, we did the tour.

Ristretto Performance

 After a year and a half of voice lessons (one of my retirement projects), I was able to join other students and do a second Maple Valley performance.  This one was at Ristretto's Coffee and Wine.

Great Music At The Market

 I didn't get the name of this ensemble, but I enjoyed their playing at today's (Saturday July 25th, 2026) Maple Valley Farmers Market.  

The market runs 9am-2pm every Saturday until October 31st.

Calabro Leaves The Blazers

 The Media Maven blog is reporting that Kevin Calabro will no longer be play by play man for the Portland Trail Blazers.  

This raises much speculation. Some good and some bad

  Calabro was the announcer for the Seattle Super Sonics until they moved to Oklahoma City to become the Thunder. With the new owner, Tom Dundon taking over with his cost cutting measures, the team's future in the Rose City seems cloudy at best.  

The good is that it seems all but certain that the Sonics will return to Seattle shortly, (fingers crossed) and no doubt Calabro would be the top choice to do the play-by-play duties for the new version. 

It would indeed be sad if Portland lost its only major sports franchise, especially with the proposed new Seattle team on the horizon. 

My Sister From '65

From the Holiday season of 1965. Another article in the Walla Walla UB archives. 

The Little Theater, which my parents were very involved with, put on a style show.

My sister, to the immediate right of the snowman, got to participate. 

I believe my mother also got to be in the show.

Issaquah Concerts--Stonesy

From our favorite vantage point in back, we enjoyed the Rolling Stones tribute band Stonesy.  The third performance in Issaquah's Concerts On The Green series. 

 

Alan Young--What's Up?

 Ten years ago in May, Alan Young, who played Wilbur in the classic TV show, Mr. Ed, passed away. 

As this was a favorite show of mine in my youth, I did a blog post on it.  

Why now, well, lately, I've inexplicably gotten an enormous amount of hits on that post, well over 10 years later.  

For the most part, Young lived longer than his fame, although reruns on various channels probably kept the name alive.  The question is, where are these inquiries on Alan coming from? 

Jimothy Joins The Race At T-Mobile

 How did they ever get the costume so quickly?  The Mariners added Jimothy, the Seattle raccoon with the spinal deformity that was discovered last week to the Salmon races.  

The salmons race during Mariner home games.  A funny and fun event. 

Pregame Meal

Diamond Club seats come with access to a buffet before and during the game.

We enjoyed great food before the start of Saturday's (July 18th, 2026) game 

Great Seats At Mariner Game

Mariners JP Crawford and Julio Cruz await their turns to bat at last night's (Saturday, July 18th, 2026), our friend were able to get Diamond Club seats two rows up behind home plate.

The Mariners were able to erase a 3-0 deficit and come back to beat the San Francisco Giants 4-3.

Murder By Design--Lee Goldberg

 If there is anyone who can develop unique characters, it's Lee Goldberg.  Lee's book teams an insurance investigator who has suffered a brain injury,  along with an aspiring actor. 

Edison Bixby, formerly a cop, is a crack investigator, whom as a result from survivor a gunshot wound to the head, cannot help putting his foot in his mouth.  New sidekick Wally Nash, a struggling actor, is charged with tagging along with Bixby to make sure his utterings do not get him in trouble.  

Bixby and Nash are convinced an escalator death at the mall was not an accident, but a murder, but they cannot get any help from the authorities.  

The unique Lee Goldberg combination of intrigue and humor, keep this book entertaining.  

Top Mike

Flight suit looks good on me.  A friend sent this AI rendering of me on an aircraft carrier, ready to pilot a fighter jet.

Brodie Brazil Weighs In On Seahawk Sale

You Tube sports commenter, Brodie Brazil, who is based in the Bay Area, gives his take on the Seahawk purchase.

 

Picture To Burn--Red Karma

 Red Karma brought the music of Taylor Swift to Issaquah's Concerts On The Green series. 

Red Karma Plays Issaquah

Having a great night at Issaquah Concerts On The Green, where Red Karma, a Taylor Swift tribute is playing.

Baker-Boyer Time And Temp

When I worked for my dad in the summers during the 70s, this is how I could know the temperature, often in three digits. On top on Baker-Boyer Bank, one of Walla Walla's signature buildings. The sign has since taken down, probably because it presented a hazard. 
 

Lindsey Graham--Senator From South Carolina

 Lyndsey Graham, senator from South Carolina, who was frequently in the headlines and known as one of President Donald Trump's closest allies, has died.  He was 71. 

To politically minded Washingtonians of a certain age will see parallels of Graham's death with that of legendary Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson.  

Both were 71, both seemed healthy, making their deaths a total shock. 

Jackson had held a news conference condemning the Soviet shooting down of a Korean Jetliner.  Graham had just returned from Ukraine, where he had a meeting with President Zelinsky. 

Seahawks Reach Sale Agreement

 Vinod Khosla is a name that is probably not well known in the area currently, but that should change soon, as sources say that the Paul Allen Estate has reached an agreement with his group to purchase the Seattle Seahawks. 

The deal is said to be worth 9.6 billion dollars.  It still needs to be approved by the other NFL owners.