Deb and I went over to the Oregon Coast early last month. I took this picture of the Sun setting over Tillamook Head from Deb's parent's condo.
The building on the near right was once our family business, B.Barer And Sons. It was purchased in 2000 by Oxarc. I snapped this picture last year during a trip to Walla Walla.
A caucus of 16th Legislative District Democratic leaders met yesterday to pick a successor to the late Bill Grant. Kennewick attorney George Fearing was the number one choice over Pasco Councilwoman Rebecca Francik and Grant's daughter Laura Grant-Herriot. The choices will now go to the County Commissions of the 4 district to which the 16 legislative districts is comprised. Although all 4 districts tend to lean Republican, it is tradition for the Commissions to honor the wishes of the Democratic leaders. Pictured above, State Chair Dwight Pelz leading the Caucus.
The Jan Curran Fan Club began several years ago. My Cousin Jan was diagnosed with lung cancer . Jan began taking her magazine with her when getting treatments and decided to donate her extras for patients and their families to read. I'm sure a few doctors and administrators enjoyed the visits and donations as well. Jan began a lunch group in Palm Springs and then started writing about it in her blog. In my case where we deal with the mail, we get a real surplus of magazines. I myself started to donate them to hospitals. 
The Arizona Cardinals, who beat Seattle twice this year, are this year's NFL Cinderella team. The Cards, once an NFL punchline and punching bag, beat the Philadelphia Eagle 32-25
For the second year in a row, Temple B'Nai Torah honored the Martin Luther King holiday by having a Christian minister speak at Sabbath Services. This year the temple honored long time Seattle civil rights leader Rev. Dr Samuel McKinney by awarding it's first annual "Hero Of Faith Award". The award was created to honor leaders of all faiths who inspire us to help heal the troubles of the world.
My Brother Steve has announced his engagement to Dawn. A late spring wedding is planned.
Representative Bill Grant of Walla Walla has died of lung cancer, Grant had served 22 years in the state legislature and was re-elected last November. Grant was one of a handful of Democrats representing conservative Eastern Washington in Olympia.
Senator Barack Obama of Illinois made history becoming the first American of African heritage to be elected President Of The United States.
Showing gracing and dignity to the end, fellow blogger and cyber pen-pal Lloyd Thaxton passed away last October. He gained fame with his early 60s rock and roll TV show.
We headed to Arizona in July, spending 5 days in Sedona, on our third day down there, we took the sunset tour of the Grand Canyon, you can see some awesome pictures here.
The Mike Holmgren era will close tommorrow as the Seattle Seahawks take on the Arizona Cardinals. After struggling to rebuild the team the first few seasons, Holmgren went from zero to hero in 2005 when he lead the Seahawks to their first and so far only Super Bowl appearence. Mike is shown here on a red Harley given to him as a parting gift from his team.
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Josh Wilson has been chosen as Defensive Player Of The Week for the NFC for his role in last Sunday's victory over the Jets.
Rock Creek Elementary School was loud and boisterous as I presided over hundreds of crazy Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton supporters last February. It almost made me long for the days when a handful of us met in the library. Thanks to everyone to helped me, it was a tough, but rewarding afternoon.
No doubt, in spite of the fact that football has only a fraction of the number of games that baseball or basketball have, an NFL season encompasses all seasons. When we went to visit Qwest last August for the 'Hawks second exhibition, the weather was scorching hot and there was talk about fans getting dehydrated. The last game this season, a 13-3 victory over the New York Jets, was played in near blizzard conditions. 
Today's Seattle vs. New York Jets games today, will be the last home game that Mike Holmgren will coach as a Seahawk.
Although winter sports are popular here, the mild climate Seattle area does not deal with snow very well as schools and business have closed today due to an ongoing snowstorm. Thank you to Mike Siegel of the Seattle Times for this picture.
The Seattle Seahawks turned it on in the second half and beat the St.Louis Rams 23-20. In the second quarter, the 'Hawks looked as listless as ever, failing several times to make third down stops. After half time though, the Seahawks were finally able to move the ball, setting a game winning field goal by Olindo Mare in the closing seconds of the game. It was the first Seahawk victory since October 27th in this nightmare of a football season.
Long given up for dead, former Patriot Deion Branch (above)l caught two touchdown passes, while a healthy quarterback Seneca Wallace passed for 212 yards. Still the Patriots were able to take care of business, beating the 'Hawks 24-21. The Seahawks lead all the way until the final minutes of the 4th quarter, for the 3rd time in 4 weeks, a Seahawk comeback was stopped by a turnover.
Reports are surfacing that Caroline Kennedy is interested in succeeding Hilary Clinton in the United States Senate. It would be the first political position held by Kennedy, the daughter of slain President John F. Kennedy. The irony in the appointment is that her early endorsement of Barack Obama may have been the beginning of the end of Clinton's own campaign. Clinton, of course has been tapped by the President-elect to be Secretary Of State. Kennedy would need to be appointed to the seat by New York Governor David Paterson.
Former child star Erin Murphy writes about a clothes encounter with Paula Abdul at the LA Airport in her funny blog "16 Minutes"
