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. 

Is Seahawk Sale Imminent?

Seattle sports fans, frustrated with the Mariners, but probably elated with the Super Bowl win of the Seahawks, are wondering what the future holds for our football team.  

Reports are that the Hawks have narrowed down buyers to two parties. 

The report that the Paul Allen Estate was selling the team, came out right about the time that the team was entering the playoffs.  

My hope is that the only difference is who signs the paychecks. Hopefully, the management team, which has been extremely successful by most means, will remain intact.  

Oscar The Bird King Rules Maury Island

We took a ferry trip to Vashon Island yesterday to celebrate our 31st anniversary (Wednesday, July 8th, 2026).

Oscar The Bird King is an incredible wood sculpture in Point Robinson Park, on adjoining Maury Island.

Vashon has a very vibrant arts community 

Issaquah Concerts 2--I love Rock And Roll

 Another great tune from Prom Date Mixtape at Issaquah's Concerts On The Green. 

Bonnie Tyler Is Dead

 I loved Total Eclipse Of The Heart.  I'm sorry to hear of her passing, I didn't know she was Welsh. 

Bonnie was 75.

Issaquah Concerts Have Begun

 

Concerts On The Green, the Issaquah summer concert series has started.  Last night's (Tuesday, July 7th, 2026) first show of the season featured Prom Date Mixtape, an 80s tribute band. 

Concerts On The Green takes place Tuesdays during the Summer season at the Issaquah Community Center and are free.  Food is available for purchase. 

Kids Parade On Leonard Street

 My street growing up until 2nd grade, I have faded memories of doing this whether it was that year or not. This was early to mid 60s. I remember a float of a canoe and us dressing up as Indians and walking inside the converted cardboard box. It may be politically incorrect today. 

We lived on the corner of Leonard and Modoc.  

Steve still lives in Walla Walla and sent this to me. Coincidentally, he does not live far from this neighborhood. 

Logan Interviewed On Field

After pitching a one hit Gem, Saturday, Logan Gilbert is interviewed by Mariner broadcaster, Angie Mentink.

Maple Valley Celebrates

Maple Valley had its celebration on Friday the third.  

We watched from our car in a nearby hill.

Seattle Celebrates After Win

 The Seattle Mariners beat the Toronto Blue Jays 11-0, a great victory on the 4th Of July.  Leaving the park, a celebratory crowd, which included Blue Jay fans, danced to a combo featuring a drummer, guitar player and recorded music.  

Fourth At The Ballpark

Playing the Toronto Blue Jays, so we gotta win one for the USA.

Lake Boren 3--Rainbow

This wasn't a planned activity, but it grabbed attention. 

The mixture of sun and rain brought a beautiful rainbow.

Happy Birthday, America!!

 

Beloved Former Cougar Coach Jim Walden Dies

 Most Cougar football fans were down in the dumps when Jim Walden was chosen as head football coach in 1978.  The program has lost two head coaches in the past two season. Actually, three in three seasons counting the departure of Jim Sweeney, who had been with the program for eight seasons.  

Sweeney's successors, brought promise but both left after one year at the helm, including Warren Powers, who had promised to see the program through. 

 Walden, who had followed Powers to Pullman as an assistant from Nebraska, took over the reigns from Powers.  He not only stayed until 1986, but took the program, long often dismissed and disrespected, to new heights. He took the team, in 1981, to its first bowl game since 1931.

He also led to Cougar to three Apple Cup victories (games with cross state rival Washington) in four years, something that only happed two other times in history. 

Known for his colorful personality and for speaking his mind, Walden later became a commentator on the Cougar football broadcasts.  

Jim Walden died yesterday (Thursday, July 2nd, 2026).  He was 88. 

Lake Boren 2--Fireworks

 A great fireworks display.  The Lake Boren Park celebration has become an annual event for us. 

Celebration At Lake Boren

 

We enjoyed an early Fourth celebration at Lake Boren Park at nearby Newcastle.  Pioneer Square provided musical entertainment. 

Steve Find

 

Back when the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin printed the births of local residents, grandchildren, My Uncle Dave and Aunt Dorothy got a notice in the UB when their son, Stan and his wife, Shirley gave birth to daughter, Leigh Kara Barer.  

Today, Leigh is married and has a grown son. 

Steve, my brother, has found various historical notes while subscribing to the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin archives. 

NFL Possibly Absorbing Bigtime College Football?

 Don't ask me why, but these sound like scary concepts.  Maybe, by then, the Big 10 will have absorbed Washington State and Oregon State.  Brodie Brazil, a You Tube sports commentator, tries to predict the direction of College football.

Happy Belated Birthday, Mel Brooks

 Happy Birthday to movie funnyman Mel Brooks, who turned 100 yesterday (Sunday, June 28th, 2026). Brooks was the genius behind movies like "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein".  Also, TV shows like "Get Smart".  

Seaside Beach Sunsets

 Thank you to Google, here are some sunsets that I've captured over the years on the beach at Seaside, Oregon.

Cohn Signs Off

Linda Cohn, ESPN's longest serving anchor, has done her last show.  Cohn was on KIRO 7 in the early 90s.

More Walla Walla Baseball From 1969

 

I had previously posted the bottom picture that was scanned, obviously, from something we saved.  Steve, who subscribes to the UB archives, found the entire article in the feature section of the paper. 

I was totally crazy over what was then the Walla Walla Bears. 

In the picture,below, are my brother, Danny and sister, Debbie in the front row.  In the back, my Mom, myself, and my Dad.  Steve would come along in 1971.

Blood, Sweat, & Tears Lead Singer David Clayton-Thomas

 David Clayton Thomas, lead singer for Blood Sweat one of the pioneers of bands who fused jazz with rock, has died, he was 84.  

Clayton-Thomas, a Canadian, was the voice behind standards like Spinning Wheel, And When I Die, and You Made Me So Very Happy.  

The group was a virtual hit machine in the late 60s, but ran out of steam in the early 70s after some ill advised career moves.

Clive Davis--Music Executive Dies

 Along with Alan Greenspan, another giant passed away yesterday (Monday, June 22nd, 2026). Clive Davis, founder of Arista Records, and J Records.  He was also credited with discovering such pop music heavyweights as Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana, and Aretha Franklin, amongst many others. 

Davis was 94. 

Alan Greenspan Dead At 100

A long career as a powerful unelected figure in Washington and the country.

 

Veteran ESPN Anchorwoman Linda Cohn to Retire

 Linda Cohn, who has been with ESPN since 1992, has announced her retirement.  Cohn, who in the late 80s, worked on KIRO 7 TV here in Seattle, has anchored more Sports Centers than anyone else in history, according to the ESPN website. 

Cohn returned briefly to the airwaves in Seattle to do commentary on Kraken games. 

Kerry Park 2

Looking through the art piece,frames the Seattle skyline perfectly.

Have A Happy Father's Day

 

Welcome Summer Of 2026

 

The View From Kerry Park

We took our out-of-town guests to Kerry Park, up on Queen Anne Hill, it's known for its amazing view of the Seattle skyline.

In this picture, you can see the Needle, along with the downtown skyscrapers, as well as Mount Rainier.

The New Glass Bottom At Seattle's Space Needle

 The Loupe is the glass bottom floor at the Space Needle. 

Chicago Band Co-Founder Walter Parazaider Dies

 Walter Parazaider, Sax player and co-founder of the legendary band Chicago, has died.  Reports say that he died in hospice care.  He had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease.  

Space Needle Gift Shop 2--Robot Barista

 These use to pop up in science fiction movies and TV shows from my childhood, but now they are a reality.  This automated barista, will make a cup of espresso for customers who push buttons and pay.  

Space Needle Gift Shop

We took Deb's cousin from Massachusetts to see the sights in Seattle. It's their first time ever here

We saw this replica in the Space Needle gift shop.

Old Walla Walla Radio Remembered 39--Verne Russell Buys KUJ

 

Steve sent this old UB article from the late 60s, as V. B. R. Broadcasters, headed by Verne Russell, purchased KUJ.  The station would continue to play easy listening/adult contemporary music and CBS Radio programming. 

Old Walla Walla Radio Remembered 40--Russell Sells To Jim Nelly

Jim Nelly bought KUJ in the mid 1970s, he did make big changes, bringing 24-hour Top 40 radio to the Valley. Because of the purchase, KTEL, which played rock at night, went all country, along with local sports. 

Seaside 5--Looking Down The Cliff Near Manzanita

 On a clear sunny day, a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. 

Knicks Win Title--First Since 1973

 I follow very little NBA since the Sonics left town.  Congrats to the New York Knicks, who have won their first title since 1973 and only the team's third overall. 

Jalen Brunson scored 45 points for the winning team, who took the series 4-1.  The Knicks overcame, in the entire series, 4 double digit deficits, a record. 

Maple Valley Days Feature--Dog Jumping

 It was fun watching the dogs jump at Maple Valley Days.  This took place at the Lake Wilderness Beach.  

The annual festival concludes today (Sunday, June 14th, 2026).

Seaside 4--Ecola State Park

 Ecola State Park, North of Cannon Beach, also has amazing views of the water. 

Seaside 3--Watching The Sunset

Once we got past the two cold, rainy days.  The weather warned and the sunsets were spectacular.

Seaside 2--Sightseeing

Driving down from Cannon Beach, views of the surf are nothing less than spectacular.

Taken from Oswald West State Park near Manzanita.

Seaside

The ocean looks beautiful!

Hymon & Parfunkel At The Village

Last weekend, we watched We Ain't Never Gonna Breakup The Hymon and Parfunkel Musical at the Village Theater in Issaquah.

It is not loosely based biography of Simon and Garfunkel, but an absurdist musical look at the 60s through the eyes of a fictional folk dou largely resembling the legendary folk duo.

Yacht Rock Revue 5--Takin' It To The Streets

 Takin' It To The Streets is an oldie, but it never sounds like one. 

A Day At Woodland Park Zoo 4--Bear Exhibit

 This was also fascinating. From last week's zoo visit.

Yacht Rock Revue 4--The Love Boat

 It's not often heard on Yacht Rock radio, but it perhaps, personifies the era.  Yacht Rock Revue, opened the show with the theme from The Love Boat.  

The Cover-up 2--Rainbow In The Dark

 The band reached into music that gets little play in performances.  Rainbow in the Dark was originally done by Ronnie James Dio 

Cover-Up Plays Maple Valley

We were back to rock n rolling this weekend as we watched Cover-up play The Lost Dutchman here in town.  The lead guitarist's son works at The UPS Store with Deb.  

Yacht Rock Revue 3--Everywhere

 

Yacht Rock Revue 2--My Old School

The band does the Steely Dan classic.

Yacht Rock Revue Plays The Zoo

 We joined our friends for the first Zootunes concert last night (Thursday, June 3rd, 2026).  Shown here, the are doing the I've Had The Time Of My Life.

A Day At The Woodland Park Zoo 3--Gorilla Exhibit

 This has to be one of the most popular exhibits at the zoo.  The humanlike traits of the gorillas are quite fascinating.

A Day At The Woodland Park Zoo 2--Toucan

 I've never seen a Toucan in real life.  The bird has a unique look and character.

The display is in the Rain Forest Exhibit at the zoo. 

A Day At Woodland Park Zoo

 We spent a day at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo today, partly to check out the zoo and also to see the Yacht Rock Revue Concert, part of Zoo Tunes.  

Here is the Yellow Anaconda. 

Russell Wilson Officially Retires

Former Seahawk quarterback Russell Wilson, who guided Seattle to its first Super Bowl victory, is now officially retired.  

It was already announced that he was joining the CBS broadcast crew for pregame analysis, but reporters stopped short of saying the 14 quarterback was ending his playing career permanently. 

1951 Jack Keating Takes Over At Walla Walla Station

June of 1951, Jack Keating takes over at KWWB, whom he would later have the call letters changed to KTEL.

Keating would own the station until his death in the mid 1980s. 

Melinda Gates Joins Kraken Ownership Group

 She had been mentioned as a potential candidate to purchase the Seattle Seahawks, but various sources report that Melinda Gates, the ex-wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, is joining the ownership group of the Seattle Kraken.  The group is now known as One Roof Sports.

The news adds the speculation that the group is setting sites on the potential team in the proposed NBA expansion. 

Bob Garred--National Newscaster From Walla Walla

 There is very little information on Bob online, but not only was he from my hometown, he grew up in the house where my family lived from 1965-2000.  We purchased our house from the Garred's as they moved to the Trees apartments on Catherine Street. 

His father owned Walla Walla Drug, a downtown drugstore. 

Bob Garred would die in 1956.

Former Seahawk Super Bowl Champ Takes CBS Job

 Reports say that Russell Wilson, most recently a quarterback for the New York Giants has joined the CBS Sunday TV football crew as a pregame analyst.  Whether Wilson is retiring or just pausing his career has not been indicated, although, it would seem that the handwriting is on the wall. 

Once, thought of as one of the game's elite quarterbacks, Wilson's career has been seemingly less stellar since leaving the Seahawks, where he guided the team to its first Super Bowl victory, and a losing apearence the following year. 

Big Y Area Joined College Place In Early 1980s

The annexation of the Big Y area was successful, but not everyone was happy.

My Dad Helped College Place Expand

First off, this article from late 70s or early 80s contains a huge error, my dad, Alan Barer, never owned Miller Supply, but did own the building.  My Uncle Dave was owner to the Big Y, a retail center, between Walla Walla and College Place 

At the time, College Place had a small retai footprint, mostly businesses along College Avenue, many owned by Walla Walla College, which is now a university.

The eventual annexation, which would go all the way East to Myra Road, helped diversify the city's retail offerings.

Thank you to brother, Steve for sending this. 

Farmers Market Up And Running

We visited the Maple Valley Farmers Market today (Saturday, May 20, 2026. It runs Saturdays from 9am till 2pm until the end of October.

Stan Barer Was Sworn In By Supreme Court Justice

 I just learned this today (May 29th, 2026).  My cousin Stan was sworn in to the bar by legendary Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas. This is from an article in the Union-Bulletin archives, sometime in the early 1960s. 

 Douglas was a graduate of Whitman College in Walla Walla, while Stan graduated from Walla Walla High School before going on to the University Of Washington.  Steve posted this in the Barer Family Group on Facebook. Stan, himself, would have an amazing career in Politics, law, and business.

Issaquah Burgermaster Opens

We had dinner last night at the new Burgermaster.  It used to be the Triple X in Issaquah.

It was the second day, I believe, since its opening, but the food and service were great.

Tragedy In Our State

In Longview, a chemical explosion has killed a worker and left nine missing. 

Jack Nicholson Sings?

A memory of my senior year of high school.  Not necessarily, a high school thing, but that was the year the movie was released. 

Tommy, one of the first, if not the first Rock opera's had already played on stage, by the Who.  A movie version with Ann-Margaret, Oliver Reed, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Jack Nicholson, and Who members Roger Daltry and Keith Moon got  mixed reviews from fans of the band.

Jack Nicholson had this memorable singing solo in the production. 

Memorial Day 2026

 

Voice In The Valley Music School

So, just for fun, I've been taking singing lessons from this school down the street (so to speak) from us.  It's been well over a year, but this was just made, say a week ago. Enjoy!

 

Oliver Puppy Stuff

 

Gabbard Resigns

 Tulsi Gabbard, former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii, and one-time presidential candidate who left the party, has reportedly resigned as Director of National Intelligence under the Trump administration. 

Gabbard has said that she is leaving to support her husband's battle with cancer. 

Racing Star Kyle Busch Dead At 41

 

For a race car driver to lose his or her life in the prime of his or her career is a thing that happens all too often.  Kyle Busch, however, did not die in a high-speed crash, but in the hospital where he was rushed earlier in the day.  The cause of death was reported as an undisclosed illness.  He was only 41.

Although, I do not follow auto sports, Busch's name transcended the car world.  He was a two time NASCAR Cup Series Champion.  

Veteran Reality Host Make News With Error

For those who watch the Survivor TV show, which is just completing its 50th season, one of the most dramatic moments in the final show is the fire making challenge.  Two contestants attempt to start a fire without a lighter or matches, the winner has joins the final three to make a case to the "jury" a panel of contestants who have been voted out of the game, and the loser is out. 

Jeff Propst, in a live broadcast, mixed with the taped game, which was being played in sequences accidently gave away the results during a routine contestant interview in the live show.  

Jeff made the best of it, and the show went on with viewers knowing the results.

The season winner was kept secret in the end, preserving some suspense. 

For a more, click here. 

1977 Letter To Walla Walla Paper

Brother Steve uncovered this letter to the editor from my Great Aunt Dorothy Barer.  This was from 1977. 

Since her husband, my Great Uncle Dave was a refuge, her seeing a Swastika displayed was especially infuriating 

Since 

Northwest League Baseball Incident In 1969

1969 was a great year for me being a baseball fan. Seattle got, what would be it's first MLB team.That would be the Seattle Pilots, who only played one year before moving to Milwaukee and becoming the Brewers.  

Walla Walla, where I was growing up got a Minor League baseball team, known as the Bears They were a Single A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies and would play in the Northwest League.  The Northwest League played a much shorter season, from approximately mid June to mid August and was made up of teams around the Pacific Northwest comparable to Walla Walla. 

This was very exciting and I went to as many games as I could, I bought a program at each game, which I saved for many years.

I also followed them in the local paper, The Union-Bulletin.

During a road game,late in the season, a bizarre incident took place.  Pitcher Mike Cobel  was caught smoking behind the team dugout. Being a violation of league rules, he was ejected from the game.  Apparently, this so insensed his teammates that the umpire kicked the entire team out of the game.  When manager Howie Beddell complained, he was ejected as well.  The team had to forfeit.

Ever since, I had not heard of that happening at any game, Major or Minor League.

Thank you to my brother Steve for finding this article.

Weekend Getaway--Suncadia

The view from our room in Suncadia, where we spent a weekend celebrating our friend, Rick's,  70th birthday 

Vintage Wine Performance By BOMV Writer

Students at Maple Valley's Voice Of The Valley music school, performed at Vintage Wine and Coffee in the Four Corners area Thursday, May 14th

I have been taking singing lessons at the school and was one of the performers.

I wasn't able to post the video because of technical issues (perhaps copyright), so I'm posting the program.

I was last is 29 performers, I sang Sinatra's Fly Me To The Moon.

Deb and some of our friends were there, as well as my teachers.

It was a lot of fun.

Fly Me To The Moon

 Yesterday marked the 28th anniversary of Frank Sinatra's death.  This was also the theme to Wall Street.  

By coincidence, I also sang this last night at the Vintage Wine and Coffee bar here in Maple Valley, as student of the Voice Of The Valley music school did a recital there.  There is a video of my performance, but it wouldn't post because of copyright issues. 

Claudine Longet Dies

 Claudine Longet, the French singer who gained notoriety as first the wife of popular singer Andy Williams and later killer of her lover, famous skier, Spider Sabich, has died. 

The beautiful Longet, was a fixture on the Williams Christmas specials with their children until her divorce from the singer in 1975.

The trial of her shooting of Savich at their Colorado home in 1976 attracted national attention. Longet was convicted of criminally negligent homicide. This sparked outrage as it was felt that her celebrity shielded from a murder charge.  

Longet was 84 years old. 

Linda Ronstadt And Bobby Darin--Long Long Time

Another song from a variety show of the 70s. I got this idea from a post I did on Facebook several years ago.

Linda Ronstadt, along with the late Bobby Darin, singing, perhaps, her most heartwrenching song.

Super Bowl Quarterback Craig Morton

 Another great quarterback from the late 60s, early 70s has passed away, Craig Morton, who guided the Dallas Cowboys to the team's first Super Bowl appearance, then years later guided the Denver Broncos to it's first Super Bowl, died May 9th. 

Morton played 18 years in the NFL.  

The Brandi Stage

Located at Wilderness Village. It's a reminder of Brandi Carlile's contributions to our town.