So Long, JR!

Larry Hagman, whose iconic character, JR Ewing, invoked everything people dispise about the Texas oil industry, is dead at 81.He had been suffering from cancer.   Hagman originally played astronaut Tony Nelson in the comedy, I Dream Of Jeanie. 
Hagman's mother was broadway legend Mary Martin.  Hagman had recently been starring in a revival of the Dallas series, with most of the original actors, but featuring the rise of  the next generation of Ewings.  Ironically, Hagman's TV brother, Bobby is depicted in the show as suffering from terminal cancer.

Congratulations To Colin Cosell

Colin Cosell's weekly satire, SNM news, were he picks the hot topics and his favorite social media comments, has just taped it's 40th show.  Congratulations, Colin!

Maple Valley Hosts New Pizza Joint

Farrelli's Wood Fire Pizza opened in Maple Valley on October 31st of this year.  It is a family fun restaurant located by the Fred Meyer at 26642 Maple Valley Black Diamond Rd. SE.  We stopped over for dinner last Saturday and sat in the bar.  Our food server was named Nic, he was well versed on the history of the chain, it was started by the Farrell family in Lacey (near Olympia), there are also locations in Parkland, Tacoma, Dupont, and Sumner The Maple Valley location is the 6th of the chain and the first in King County. We ordered beer from a vast selection that included local micro brews and wines.  Diners can pick one of the Restaurant specialties or create a pizza of their own from the multitude of toppings. Although the place was busy, the food arrived right on time. 
I would highly recommend Farrelli's in Maple Valley.

Breakfast At The Testy Chef

The Testy Chef on the off highway 169 is worth visiting,  breakfast on the deck offers a breathtaking view of the Cedar River.  The food and service are excellent and affordable.  It is a wonderful break from fast food and one of the last remaining establishments that give Maple Valley it's rural character.

Yahoo Fantasy Football Suffers Blackout

As you may know, I have participated in fantasy football leagues for a few years.  This year, my team has been pretty successful riding the coattails of Green Bay star quarterback Aaron Rodgers.  Realizing that this last weekend , Green Bay was having a bye, I went to the computer to make some last minute changes before the game.  I noticed that the site was difficult to navigate, thinking it was a computer glitch, I went to my phone with no luck.  I soon got a text from another player and I knew the problem with with the Yahoo site.
Sure enough, the next day, I  received a letter of apology from Yahoo, I assume all the players did, that the site did indeed have an outage.   Possibly players from all over the world trying to find a suitable replacement for Aaron Rodgers.

WSU Football Controversy

When WSU hired Mike Leach as head football coach last year, the school  was hoping to put the program on the national "map".  It now is, but definitely, not the way it wants to be.  Premier wide receiver Marquess Wilson has left the team and shocked the sports world with accusations of "physical, emotional, and verbal abuse".  Reporters were already aware of how Leach handled a loss to Utah, marching selected players into a news conference to explain what he perceived as a lack of effort.  Cougar fans are questioning whether there is a method to the coach's madness or it it just madness.  WSU President Floyd has announced an investigation into Wilson's charges.  WSU football fans have seen their share of unusual coaches, but none as polarizing as Coach Leach.  Time will tell if he is the right player to turn the program around.

Inslee Elected Governor

The 2012 Election cycle for Washington State has all but come to an end as Attorney General Rob McKenna has conceded to Jay Inslee in the state gubernatorial race.  Inslee becomes Washington's 23rd Governor.

Senator Elect Mark Mullet

Issaquah City Councilman Mark Mullet has been a elected to the state senate, he becomes the first Democrat to represent Washington's 5th Legislative district in 20 years. Mullet, a former Bank Of America executive, is owner of  Zeke's Pizza and Ben And Jerry's Ice Cream franchises in the Issaquah Highlands.  He was written about in the Seattle Times a few years ago for being the first Washington resident to purchase a Tesla, an all electric car.

The President Meets Some Barers

Cousins Stan, Alta, and Aaron Barer pose with President Obama.  Thank you to Anea for posting this on the "Barer" Facebook page.

Mark Mullet For State Senate

Mark Mullet is the right choice for State Senator from Washington's 5th Legislative District.  Mark is a small business owner and an Issaquah City Councilman who bill himself as a fiscal Conservative and a social Liberal, those qualities define the make up of the 5th District.  Mark has an across the board apeal that can potentially bring together all sides.  Mark's opponent Brad Toft comes across as an ideologue with no experience of bringing sides together.  He was flung into the process when incumbent Cheryl Pflug left the Senate after taking a job with the State Growth Management Board,  anger by district Republicans at Pflug's sudden departure from the race hardly cannot be seen as confidence in Toft's ability to serve in that position.

Ruderman Endorses Finkbeiner

Laura Ruderman, former legislator from Washington's 45th district has been heard on Robo calls endorsing Bill Finkbeiner for Lieutenant Governor.  Ruderman is known as a staunch Democrat.  Finkbeiner was once elected to the state house in the 45th in '92 as a Democrat, but switched to the Republican party a couple years later in a run for senate, allowing Finkbeiner's Republican opponent in '92, Dr Backlund to regain his seat.  Ruderman defeated Backlund a few years later.
Imcumbent Lt Governor Brad Owens is considered by some a Democrat in name only (Dino).  Many Republicans and Democrats think of Finkbeiner as a Republican in name only (Rino).  In spite of the low profile of the office, the Lt Governor has real power.  He presides over the State Senate and can vote in case of a tie.  He also assumes the governor's position when he/she is out of state.

Wandering The Parking Lot

I stopped to make a phone call last Monday in Issaquah and found this creature feasting on the greenery.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Birthday, Dasher!

Dasher turns 1 today!

George McGovern Dies

George McGovern will probably go down in history as the "face" of all the unrest of the 60s.  Student activists in the late '60 had grown disenchanted with President Lyndon B. Johnson and America's involvement in the Viet Nam War.  In 1968, a strong challenge by Minnesota Senator Eugene McCarthy,  an opponent of the war.  When Senator Robert Kennedy, another opponent of the war and the brother of slain President John F. Kennedy, joined the race, Johnson dropped out and it looked like America could turn a new direction.  When Senator Kennedy was also assassinated, Johnson's Vice President Hubert Humphrey had already joined the race and the establishment triumphed. Humphrey was beaten in the general election by Richard M. Nixon.
In 1972, supporters of George McGovern put together a challenge to Hubert Humphrey and Ed Muskie, who had run as Humphrey's VP in 1968.  McGovern, a Senator from South Dakota had entered the 1968 race briefly after Bobby Kennedy's assassination as a friend of the Kennedys and also an anti-war candidate.  This time the McGovern supporter were able to gain momentum by organizing in neighborhoods, providing one of the greatest grassroots campaigns in American history.  The fight with the Humphrey forces went right to the Democratic National Convention, leading to a split in the party that is still apparent today.  McGovern had to give his acceptance speech after midnight and had trouble finding someone who was willing to run on the ticket with him.  He picked a Senator from Missouri named Thomas Eagleton, who, it was soon discovered, suffered from depression and had received electro-shock treatments.  After promising to support Eagleton, McGovern finally dropped him from the ticket and the campaign was virtually over. McGovern supporters soon found out that Americans may not have been ready for McGovern's Liberal views and many Democrats turned to vote for  Nixon, even though they despised the man. On the campaign trail, McGovern was reported to be surly.  The McGovern ticket wound up winning one state (Massachusetts) and the District of Columbia. 
When the Watergate Scandal was in the process of taking down the Nixon administration, a common bumper sticker was "Don't blame me, I voted for McGovern".
In later years, McGovern gained a reputation as a man of principal and even struck up a friendship with former President Nixon

Ken Levine Should Be Full Time Mariner Announcer

Two years after the sad passing of  legendary announcer Dave Niehaus, the Seattle Mariners have announced they will begin the search for a full time replacement.  My choice would be the man who had the position in the early 90s.  Ken Levine replaced Rick Rizzs, who departed for a brief time to work for the Detroit Tigers.  Of course Rizzs was chosen to replace retiring Ernie Harwell.  When Harwell was talked out of retirement, Rizzs came back to the Mariners, where he has been ever since.  After the sudden death of Niehaus, the Mariners decided it was not a good idea to replace such an icon immediately, they instead, rotated amongst several former players and announcers, Levine was amongst those in the mix.
Levine is an author, a comedy TV writer and a blogger.  He loves the game of baseball and has a distinct descriptive style.  In a current poll on the Seattle PI web site, Levine is running ahead of other proposed replacements.  But first and foremost, he wants the job.

100,000 Visitors!

Proud that Barers Of Maple Valley received it's 100 thousandth visitor yesterday according to sitemeter.  This blog was started in May of 2005.

Seattle Times Gives Free Advertising To Republican McKenna

In  a move that has outraged everyone in this state who is not a supporter of gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna, the Seattle Times has granted unilateral free advertising to McKenna, who is currently in a neck and neck battle with former Washington Congressman Jay Inslee.  Washington State Democratic Chair Dwight Pelz (pictured above) said he had never seen anything like that in his 35 years in politics.  McKenna is currently Washington's Attorney General. The Times, the state's largest newspaper, also granted free advertising to R-74, the bill for marriage equality.  The Times has endorsed both McKenna and R-74 in it's paper.

Romney-Obama Debate Watch Party

For the 4th time in this campaign season, Bob and Robyn Scola will be hosting an on-line debate watching party on facebook Monday, October 27th.  No one will actually meet in person, but rather will watch on TV with their own friends and express their thoughts about the event by clicking to this facebook page.  Watch parties have already taken place on the first two presidential debates as well as the one between the  vice presidential candidates.  A lively discussion is promised. To reserve your spot, click here!

Dasher Meets Birth Family Member

We took Dasher to the leashfree park in Kirkland yesterday and by coincidence met a dog that with the same birthday, by coincidence we found out it was Dasher's twin brother!  His name is Barkley and the two played together for a long time.  You surely cannot miss their striking resemblance.  Their were many Golden Retrievers there, but Dasher went right up to this one.  We were in Kirkland to have breakfast with my Dad and with my brother Steve and his wife.  Steve was in town for the weekend.

Seattle Seahawks Shock The Patriots

The Seattle Seahawks have continued to "beat the unbeatable" as they overcame a 23-10 deficit and defeated the New England Patriots 24-23.  The team has beaten NFL strongholds Green Bay, Dallas, and New England at home and have beaten Carolina at home.  The Seahawk have usually had trouble winning in the East Coast time zone.  The 'Hawks' two losses have come against conference foes Arizona and StLouis.  In the picture above, Sidney Rice brings in the winning touchdown, a 46 yard pass from quarterback Russell Wilson.

Thiel: Exclusive — Mariners on their arena fight | Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners have taken plenty of heat for their opposition to the proposed NBA arena, considering the hoops that team itself had to jump to get Safeco Field built.  Veteran Seattle sports columnist Art Thiel posted his exclusive interview with Mariner CEO Howard Lincoln concerning the motivation of the baseball franchise.

thiel: Exclusive — Mariners on their arena fight | Seattle Mariners

Salmon Days Caps Off Festival Season

Sunny skies and near 80 temperatures made the 2012  Issaquah Salmon Days seem like a summer festival instead of a fall one.  Thousands of people crowded the downtown streets for the annual gathering held during the first weekend of October.  Top picture, I'm posing next to an unlimited hydroplane at the Snoqualmie Casino booth.  Bottom picture is local Beatles tribute band Creme Tangerine, who played at noon at the Main Stage.

Seattle Times Endorses Mullet For Senate

Washington's 5th Legislative District, one of the last of the totally red districts in King County, could be electing a Democrat for the first time in almost 20 years.  Incumbent Cheryl Pflug, a Republican, has left the race and endorsed what would have been her Democratic Opponent Mark Mullet, an Issaquah city councilman.  Mullet was also endorsed by the usually right-leaning Seattle Times.
Mullet own's a Zeek's Pizza franchise, along with a Ben And Jerry's Ice Cream franchise in the Issaquah Highlands.

Baseball Has A Triple Crown Winner

For the first time in 45 years, Major League Baseball has a triple crown winner, leading the league in batting average, home runs and runs batted in.  Miguel Cabrera has done it for the first time since Carl Yastrzemski won it leading the Boston Red Sox to the pennant in 1967.  The previous year, Frank Robinson won the triple crown leading the Baltimore Orioles to a World Series championship.   After the back to back winners it took a couple generations until the Cabrera feat. Cabrera's Detroit Tigers are Central Division champions.  The last National League triple crown winner was Joe Medwick of St. Louis in 1937.

Friend's Son Victim Of Attack

This picture was taken by our dear friend Colleen Aylward whom we have met through our store in Bellevue. Colleen, a native of Walla Walla visits her home town regularly.  She was kind enough to take this picture of the  house on Palouse Street in Walla Walla, where I lived with my family from 2nd grade through High School.  She also has brought us Walla Walla onions and wine.
We were sad to find out last week that Colleen's son J.D. had been the victim of an early morning assault in Bellevue  last week and his been in the critical care unit of Harborview for 10 days now. We have been following JD's improving progress since. The Seattle media has since jumped on the story.  The Bellevue Police Department are investigating this horrible act of violence and we wish the best for JD.

Daughter Of Former Walla Wallan Is Red Carpet Sensation

Last week Aaron Paul won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in "Breaking Bad".  I don't watch the show and did not watch the Emmys, but there was a twist to the story.  He is engaged to Lauren Parsekian, the daughter of Debra Kelly Parsekian who was in my French class at Walla Walla High School.  Debra's brother Bill has been a friend of mine since childhood. 
The two (Aaron and Lauren) made a splash in the entertainment blogs when walking the Red Carpet at the Emmy Presentation.  Debra posted the  pictures on her facebook page.

Dasher Takes An Autumn Dip

Dasher enjoys a refreshing swim as we finish our walk around the lake at Nolte State Park, near the Green River Gorge. This is our third visit to the former resort, on the last day that it will be open this season.  We discovered the park 3 years ago, when we went on a drive to look at the autumn leaves.  The park is just 8 miles from Maple Valley. 

Huge Pumpkin Greets Shoppers

This pumpkin in front of the Rockridge Orchards  Market near Enumclaw weighs 1246 pounds according to the sign and won first prize at this year's Puyallup Fair.  Deb and I were on a Sunday Fall drive to Nolte Park and made our annual stop at the country store at 40709 264th Ave SE in Enumclaw.

Seahawks Get Victory--Not Respect

The Seattle Seahawks were not looking for controversy, they wanted to win a game in front of a Monday Night Football national audience.  The Seattle Seahawks beat one of the NFL's premier teams for the second week in a row by virtue of one  of the most controversial calls in league history. Noboby will remember the Seahawks' 8 sacks in the first half.  The Packers adjusted their offense in the second half and clearly gained control of the game.  In shades of the loss to the Cardinals in the first game of the season, Quarterback Russell Wilson could not put the ball into the endzone.  After turning the ball over, our defense came alive and made held Green Bay deep in it's own territory.  After what looked like another failure by the Hawks, Wilson found Golden Tate in the endzone and the rest is history.  Seattle 14  Green Bay 12.

Dasher Runner Up In Seattle Top Dog

For the third year in a row, we entered a dog in the University Village Fido Fest. Our dear departed Rusty won twice in Savy Senior and last year was voted fan favorite as well.  This year, we entered Dasher in the Seattle's Top Dog contest, where he finished second among 60 dogs.  He might have finished first had the judges not noticed that we brought a rather large and loud rooting section. Congratulations Dasher, on a smashing debut!

State Democrats Honor Late Former Chair

Secretary Rob Dolin (above) reads the role call as the Washington State Democratic Central Committee met in Yakima this weekend.  With representatives from every county and legislative district in the state, business was completed quickly.  The committee passed a resolution paying tribute to former state chair Charles Rolland who passed away earlier this year.  Rolland held the chair position from 1993-1995.  He was the first African-American to hold that position.
In other business, the committee formally nominated Suzan Del Bene for 1st District US House and Troy Kelley for State Auditor.
Smoke from nearby wilderfires was prevalent in the air on what otherwise would have been a perfect sunny day.
Thank you to Al Garman for the picture.

Cowboy Fan Disgusted By His Team's Performance

It's a lot of fun when it's our team making the other team's fans angry.  Here is a devoted Cowboy's fan sharing his disgust after the Seahawks pounded Dallas 27-7.  This video made the rounds in the Seattle media, but this is the entire video, raw and uncensored.

NFL Visionary Steve Sabol Dies

You can watch a football game on Sunday on the various networks and know the score of the game.  But watching a production of NFL Films, you'r part of the game.  Steve Sabol may not have had the best known name in professional sports, but sports fans knew his work.  Sabol and his father, Ed were the creators of NFL Films.  Most widely known for showing highlights of  games from past and present times.  While in football, players wear pads and helmets, they can seem like running robots, NFL Films had the magical ability to personalize the game. 
With the deep baritone voice of John Facenda (later Harry Kalas) narrating and a symphony orchestra in the background, you could feel the cold weather as you watched the vapor coming off of the players or watch the mud  on the players' faces as the camera scanned the sidelines on a rainy day.  You would soon realize that football is a game for all seasons with no rain outs. 
You soon learned that offensive lineman were more than nameless players, because slow motion could break down a play in a way that live action couldn't.  NFL Films put microphones on the players and the coaches, you could hear the players encouraging each other. Suddenly, you had an action movie.
With the vision of John and Ed Sabol, the NFL became the envy of professional sports.  Sabol was a camera man and producer.  He won multiple Emmys.  His father is in the NFL Hall Of Fame. Steve Sabol passed away this week from cancer.

Seattle Sunset

I snapped this picture from the Harbor Club on Second Street in Downtown Seattle.  We were attending a wedding.  You can see the sun setting behind the Olympic Mountains and the great wheel  on the right.

Commemorating 9/11

2001 Mariners had just clinched the NL West Pennent, but it was a somber occasion in the wake of 9/11.  From the Dave Niehaus Memorial Page on Facebook.

Chris Hansen-Seattle City Council Reach Agreement

The Seattle Times reports that the Seattle City Council has come to an agreement with Chris Hansen to build a basketball-hockey arena in the Soda area in hopes of bringing the NBA back to Seattle. According to the Times, the terms of the deal will be announced today.   It did say that the deal calls for Hansen to help fund road improvements to ease possible overcrowded streets, a concern of the Port Of Seattle.   The Hansen group also hopes the arena would allow an NHL team to relocate here.

A Very Stirring Moment At The DNC

This moment where former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords lead the Pledge Of Allegience at the Democratic National Convention was so powerful, I choked up watching it in a wrap on my DVR.  Giffords survived a gunshot wound to her head just a year and a half ago.

Seattle Storm Routs Tulsa--Barers Of Maple Valley There

I

I finally attended my first Seattle Storm WNBA game. My Father-In-Law got tickets for our family to watch the game. Because tickets were acquired through a service organization, we were able to watch the players warm up from the team bench (bottom picture).  In the top picture, Sue Bird.  The players move so fast during warm-ups, it was nearly impossible to get a good pictures.  The Storm soundly defeated the Tulsa Shock 101-74.

Walla Walla Fair Pavillion

 

While over in Walla Walla, we were able to visit the Fair, which always takes place over Labor Day Weekend. One of the towns most striking landmarks is the Fair Pavillion.  It has dozens of exhibits, from local businesses to 4-H projects, it is a good snapshot of the city's culture.

Cherry Cherry Closes 2012 Season At Pine Lake

The Pine Lake Summer Concert Series came to an end last Thursday with Cherry Cherry, a band that pays tribute to Neil Diamond.  Named after one of Diamonds early hits, the lead singer, Steve Kelly sang all of the audience's favorites like Song Sung Blue and Sweet Caroline with the trademark Neil Diamond rasp.  When Kelly took a break, the band continued with a blend of blues and hits from years gone by.

Another Labor Day Weekend In Walla Walla

Stops at Three Rivers (second from bottom),Charles  Smith (top)  7 Hills, Waterbrook (second from top), and Bergevin Lane wineries as well as golf and visits to the fair and the Whoopemup Hollow Cafe in Waitsburg  highlighted our trip. We also took Dasher to the Fort Walla Walla leash free dog park (bottom,Dasher is on the right).
A few comments, Three Rivers has the best grounds it also includes a three hole golf course.  It's tasting room is right at the vineyard.  Charles Smith located downtown seems to be the hippest, it's clientele seem young and worldly.  I believe it is one of the newer tasting rooms.  Mark Ryan is another new tasting room, located on Main next to Starbucks.  It has had a tasting room in Woodinville for years.
Seven Hills and Bergevin Lane are old reliables that were around before wineries in Walla Walla were cool.

Blue Devil Football

Thanks to "you tube" I can check in on my alma matter, The Wa-Hi Blue Devil football team.

Dasher On The Run

I took Dasher to Bellevue's Robinswood Park where he  could run leash-free with his pals.  My wife and I later took him to the Lake Hills Greenbelt for a long walk on the trail.

Saturday Night Figure 8 Races In Monroe

We went to the Evergreen State Fair to watch the figure 8 races. The races are exciting because the shape of the track forces cars to intersect in front of others causing collisions and breathtaking near collisions.

Godspeed Neil Armstrong!

First man to walk on the Moon is dead at 82.