DC 23--Inside The Jefferson Memorial

Inside the Jefferson Memorial.

DC 22--The Jefferson Memorial

We hiked to the Jefferson Memorial, a must see on our trip.  It was a good distance from the other monuments.

Barers Of Maple Valley Turn 20

 Wow, 20 years ago, I made my first post on this blog.   Now, perhaps 10 years after most of my fellow bloggers have hung it up, we are going strong, sometimes getting well over 1000 hits in a day.  

When I started out, my cousins, who were accomplished writers, were writing incredible things as were their Mom. They have since gone on to bigger things.  In addition, my two brothers, as well as my dad, whom we lost in 2016, were turning out great material.

Somehow, I have yet to tire of it.  I found that if you share what's in your mind, whether it is interesting to most or not, someone will enjoy it.  

I found that with the many social media sights, it was easy to build an audience.  Reposting on related Facebook groups was an essential way to promote various articles, although administrators often grew weary on using their groups for self-promotion. 

This has been so much fun and there is no end in sight. 

Thank you so much!

DC--21--The Hope Diamond

The Hope Diamond can be seen at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. 

DC 20--In Front Of Murray's Office

Deb and I get our Congress gallery passes at Washington Senator Patty Murray's office.

DC 19--Watching Congress

No cameras or phones were allowed when watching the House and then the Senate in session from the Gallery of each chamber, so I post the pass to the Senate gallery.

DC 18--The Supreme Court

Due to time limitations, we were unable to tour The US Supreme Court, originally, part of the walking tour. 

When the president made a visit to the Capitol, the area had to be shut down.

DC 17--The Library Of Congress

We did a waking tour of the Library of Congress.

Observing Memorial Day

 

DC 16--Inside The Rotunda

On our tour of the Capitol, I took this video of inside the Rotunda. 

 

DC 15--National Harbor

National Harbor, Maryland, where we stayed is a vibrant suburb of Washington.  

These statues stand in their downtown.

DC 14--The Capitol

The  US Capitol is an impressive sight.

DC 13--The White House At Night

On the nighttime tour, a great shot of the White House.  As the tour was concluding, the guide was giving advice on how they can return to their hotels and homes

 

DC 12--St James Church

St James Episcopal Church is located near the White House. Since it was built in 1816, every sitting president since James Madison has attended at least once.

DC 11--Mr Lincoln

One thing we did that I had been really looking forward to, was visiting the Lincoln Monument.

Jewish Museum Shooting

 A tragedy happened Wednesday (May 1st, 2025), when two staff members of the Israeli Embassy were murdered. 

The shooting happened in front of the Jewish Museum in Washington.  That same day (hours earlier), we had visited the Holocaust Museum in DC (a separate place).

DC 10--The World War II Memorial

The World War II Memorial was indeed impressive. 

DC 9--Iwo Jima

The Marine Corp Memorial, one of the most iconic images.  Planting the flag at Iwo Jima.  

From the nighttime bus tour.

DC 8--Birdseye View

The view from atop the Washington Monument. The World War 2 Memorial.

DC7--Arriving At The Washington Monument

A little video I took upon arriving and waiting to go up on the Washington Monument, which pretty much affords a 360 view of the city

DC 6--The Whitehouse Outside

Deb snapped this great shot of the Whitehouse.

DC 5--Michelle Obama

I posed by this stunning picture of Michelle Obama at the Whitehouse.

DC 4--JFK

This painting speaks for itself.

DC 3--Obama

Pictures of past presidents hang in the Whitehouse.

DC 2--Line For Whitehouse Tour

Thank you to our Congresswomen Kim Schrier for passes to the Whitehouse.  Due to heavy security, the line to get in was very long.

Barers Of Maple Valley Goes To Washington

We flew to Washington DC last week. It was my first time in our nation's capital. 

This picture was taken from the plane as we  were landing. 

The Washington Monument stands tall and you can barely see the Capital in the background.

Longtime Friend--Tammy Dziak Running For Federal Way City Council

 We were happy to find out that Tammy Dziak, whom with her husband, Mike, has been our friend for over three decades, is running for Federal Way City Council.  

Tammy and my wife once worked together in a Renton nursing home and by coincidence, her  husband, Mike was a classmate of mine in the Communications department of WSU.

Baseball reinstates Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson, making them Hall...

Without any warning at all, history, while not changed, is being altered. 

Perhaps, the most polarizing baseball issue of all time is whether the ban could be lifted on Pete Rose, who is accused of betting on baseball including on games involving his own team.  

The other was the Black Sox Scandal of 1919, where members of the Chicago White Sox are accused of throwing the World Series for favor from gamblers.  

The Black Sox Scandal almost ruined baseball.  The accused received a permanent ban from baseball, including Shoeless Joe Jackson, an immensely talented, but seemingly naive player. 

Yesterday (Tuesday, May 13th, 2025), the ban on Rose and the accused in the Black Sox scandal, was rescinded by Commissioner Rob Manfred.  

Along The Lake Wilderness Trail

Near the take a book leave a book in the Arboretum.

Kaiya Buffelen Performs At Vintage Vino

 More great singing talent from Maple Valley.  Kaiya Buffelen, who has performed with Lucia Flores-Wiseman, a current performer on The Voice, appeared at Vintage Vino, one of our favorite local places on Saturday (May 10th, 2025).  

Kaiya, who had a number of schoolfriends in the audience, used her break to meet everyone in the place.

Happy Mother's Day

 

Mara & The Charm 2

 One more song from Mara & The Charm at Vino Bella.   The show was last night (Friday, May 9th, 2025).

Fun In Issaquah

We celebrated my friend Rick's birthday by going to Vino Bella in Issaquah.  We watched and danced to Mara & The Charm.  

Mariners Are Winning Lately

 Mariners took 2 games in the series against the A's, making it the teams 9 series win in a row. The team is currently 22-14.

The Mariners will begin a series with the Toronto Blue Jays, tonight (Friday, May 9th, 20025).

New Pope Elected

Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected pope and will be Pope Leo XIV.  He was born in Chicago.  Leo will be the first North America native to hold the position. 

Brandi Carlile Covers Crosby, Stills, & Nash’s “Helplessly Hoping” Live ...

Maple Valley's own Brandi Carlile on the Howard Stern Show with an anecdote about performing a Crosby, Stills, And Nash song, not realizing, until she performed, that Stephen Stills was in the audience.

In Memory Of Bob

Remembering my father-in-law Bob Hoagland, whom we lost one year ago, yesterday (May 6th).

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

 

CBS Mornings: Herb Alpert celebrates 90 years and a return to the stage ...

While growing up, Herb Albert's music was one of very few musicians in the 60s whose music could cross the age divide.  His music was lively, yet tame. 

His presence has a certain "cool".  

I'm glad to see he is still around and also performing. 

Man On Your Mind - Little River Band (Don Lane Show, 1982)

I just love this rendition of this Little River Band song. 

Come (Bo) - CHAVA MIREL & SHIMON SMITH

I've wanted to post this for a while, Chava Mirel, whom I know very well and Shimon Smith.  Though they are half a world away from each other, technology brings together wonderful duet.  

Lucia Flores-Wiseman Enchants the Coaches with "In My Life" | The Voice ...

With a unique ability to project emotion, Maple Valley's Lucia Flores-Wiseman has been chosen to advance to the live final.   Her rendition of "In My Life", a Beatles standard, earned her much praise.

Oliver On Canvas

Deb and I attended a "Paint Your Pet" event in Bellevue with a couple of friends.

I did this picture of Oliver. Maybe not bad for a rookie. 

Maple Valley Food Truck 2-- The Menu

For anyone wanting to preorder on the Wilderness Chevron food truck, this may help. To preorder, call 

 206 651-0124.

Wilderness Chevron Food Truck

If you have craving for Mexican food, the food truck at the Wilderness Chevron parking lot in Maple Valley is a great place to stop. 

You can order ahead at 206 651-0124.

As you know, food trucks have wheels, so it may be good to call before you set out or make a quick glance as you pass the station.

Lucia Flores-Wiseman Enters Playoffs

 The Voice begins playoffs this Monday (April 28th, 2025) and Maple Valley's Lucia Flores-Wiseman has a great shot in the competition.  

This clip is from her appearance at House And Hazel, which is down the road from us. 

Of course, Barers Of Maple Valley will watch and cheer her on!

Throwback Thursday--Marilyn McCoo And Billy Davis, Jr Scorch Palm Desert

 From March of 2022. We watched Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr at McCallum Theatre at College Of The Desert.

Tribute To Bill Ramos

 Bill was a great senator, and a wonderful person who wanted to serve the area. 

Kraken Fire Coach

 The Dan Blysma "era" in Seattle NHL hockey is over.  The Seattle Kraken have announced that they have fired their coach after only one year.  The team failed to make the NHL playoffs for the second consecutive season. 

The team also promoted Ron Francis, the team's only GM to president of hockey operations.   

In Memory Of Bill Ramos

 Our state senator from here in Washington's 5th LD has died.   I got the news from Facebook yesterday (Sunday,April 20th, 2025).  

Bill Ramos was running the Issaquah trails at the time of his passing.  

Pictured above is Bill with me in a picture that ran in the Issaquah Press.  We were at a Democratic victory party.  At the time, Bill was being elected to the Issaquah city council. He would later be elected to the state house of representatives.  Last year, he became a senator. 

Bill was soft-spoken and humble. He was easy to talk to.  His wife, Sarah Perry would be elected to the King County Council. 

I last spoke to Bill at a Maple Valley Town Hall, last summer.  Maple Valley is considered a Republican stronghold, yet, Bill, a Democrat received a warm applause when Mayor Sean Kelly introduced him. 

Bill Ramos was 69, he will really be missed. 

Pope Francis Dies

 Pope Francis is dead at 88.  He had been hospitalized earlier this year with repository problems. 

Easter 2025

 

Happy Easter!

Zak Is Back

 MSN announced that Zak Starkey, son of the probably the World's most famous drummer is back drumming for the Who.  Reports were out a few days ago, the legendary British band had fired Starkey, the drummer for nearly 30 years. 

The Band's original drummer, Keith Moon, died in 1978.

Love Song

Perhaps, not the best-known Elton John song, but no doubt, a great one.

From his Tumbleweed Connection album. 

Wink Martindale Dies

 Wink Martindale, host of gameshows like Tic-Tac-Dough and Gambit as well as many other shows and presentations for decades has died, he was 91.  

New Design Walla Walla Buildings From The 1960s.

 From a popular 60s design, First Federal Savings And Loan built this brand-new building in 1965.  I remember them giving away yardsticks to celebrate the grand opening.  I remember my First Federal bankbook which was needed to make a deposit or withdrawal.  

First Federal is now known Banner Bank.

In the same idea, Jackson Motors built a new showroom in 1968 near our family business, once again, architecture that seemed modern at the time.

Both designs seen passe now.  I found these in Joe Drazan's Bygone Walla Walla page.  

You can see great history of Walla Walla by clicking here.

My Way (cover feat. Lucia Flores-Wiseman)

At this writing, Lucia is still the contestant to beat on The Voice. In this video, she does this great cover with Kaiya Buffelen.

Pennsylvania Governor And Family Escape Murder Attempt

A suspect is in custody after an attempt to set the Pennsylvania governor's mansion on fire this past weekend (Saturday, April 12th, 2025).   

Governor Josh Shapiro and his family, along with some guests, were sleeping in their home after celebrating the first night of Passover.  

The suspect, Cody Balmer is in police custody, he told officials that he planned to beat Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he had encountered him in the break-in. 

Balmer is being held on a number of charges. 

Congrats To Cal Raleigh

Smashed his way into the Mariner record books. Cal got the record for most homers by an M's catcher. The record was set in a Friday, April 11th game against the Texas Rangers.  

 

Passover Begins

 Happy Passover to all who celebrate. 

Sivan’s Kitchen and Noa Tishby make savory matzah brei for Passover

Passover begins tonight (Saturday, April 12th, 2025).  This is one of my favorite breakfast foods during the celebration.  

Bob Rivers Tribute | The Howard Stern Show | SiriusXM (2025)

Howard Stern recently gave a shout out to the late Seattle DJ, Bob Rivers.  I first saw this on the blog QZVX.

Springtime In Maple Valley

 A few pictures taken in Springtime. 

Jay North Played Dennis The Menace

 Jay North, who played the title role in Dennis The Menace has died, he was 73. The show was a favorite of mine as a kid, it would be cancelled in 1963.

Many years later, it became one of the first shows, (along with Leave It To Beaver and Highway Patrol) that I would watch in syndicated reruns. 

I would also watch North in the NBC show Maya from 1967-1968.  

Florida Edges Houston In Heart Pounding Men's Basketball Championship

 In a game that looked at one point like a Houston runaway, the Florida Gators took the lead in the game's closing seconds for a 65-63 victory in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. 

In what turned out to be one of the most exciting championships that I've ever seen, the Houston Cougars, who I was rooting for, failed to even take a last shot that would have either tied it or win it.  

Still, it was an amazing game and Congrats to the Gators. 

The Spring "Snow"

The tree was beautiful, but as in every year, the blossoms fall, creating almost a snow like effect.

Sue Bird Will Enter Naismith Hall Of Fame

Sue Bird, who led the WNBA Seattle Storm to four league titles been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.    This is THE basketball Hall of Fame with such greats as Jerry West and Michael Jordan.

Bird also led Team USA to five gold medals in the Olympics.  She was also a two-time national champion at UConn. 

Bird, one of the greatest and best loved area pro athletes was with the Storm for 19 seasons.  She retired in 2022 at 41 years of age. 
 

Oliver 2023

 I know you will enjoy this video of Oliver as a tiny puppy, it did not take long for him to grow into a big puppy. 

Three Head Coaches In Final Four Are Members Of The Tribe

It could inspire another Adam Sandler Hanukkah Song. The coaches of three of the Final Four teams in the 2025 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament are of the Jewish faith.  Of course, I'm very proud.  

In top, Florida Gators coach Todd Golden with Bruce Pearl of Auburn, names that really shine, pun intended. 

Bottom picture.  Jon Scheyer of Duke.  

Houston coach Kelvin Sampson, coached basketball at my alma mater, Washington State from 1988-1994.

Lucia Flores-Wiseman's Unique Voice Reinvents Benson Boone's "Slow It Do...

Lucia Flores-Wiseman keeps rolling on in The Voice competition.  The Maple Valley artist last Monday (March 31st, 2025), won her knockouts round against Grace-Miller Moody, who did an amazing rendition of the Fleetwood Mac standard, "Dreams". 

As this is my first season watching, I'm slowly learning how the competition works. 

Val Kilmer Dies

 Val Kilmer, who gained fame by playing Iceman in Top Gun and its decades later sequel Top Gun Maverick has died. 

Kilmer starred as the Top Gun flier Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, Tom Cruise character Maverick's chief rival, who morphs into his staunchest ally, most notably in the sequel.  

He also starred in the lead role of Jim Morrison in The Doors.  A biopic that is also a favorite of mine. 

You can find more about his body of work by clicking here. 

Kilmer was 65. 

April Fool's Day 2025

 Don't believe everything you see or hear today!