Cardinals Shoot Down Seahawks

It took only seven days for the Seattle Seahawks to go from hero to zero in a 27-3 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Somehow, the 'Hawks lacked the fire that sparked a 41-0 drubbing of the Jacksonville Jaguars a week ago. The defeat can partially be blamed on the frustration of the defense, failing to halt the Cardinals on 3rd down five consecutive times. The inability to make the big stop helped take the "12th Man" factor out of the equation. After the Cardinals first touchdown they got the ball back on a Seahawk kick-off receiving miscue, resulting in another touchdown. The Seahawks were down 14 to nothing by the time Matt Hasselbeck and the offense took the field for the first time. The Seahawks also lost linebacker Lofa Tatupu for the remainder of the season.
Thank you to Dean Rutz and the Seattle Times for the picture.

Cougar Hoop Fans Meet In Bellevue

Enthusiastic Cougar Fans met Saturday night in the Grand Ballroom of Hyatt Regency in Bellevue for food, drink, and a preview of the upcoming WSU Men's and Women's Basketball season. The dinner, sponsored by Sterling Savings Bank, featured Women's Head Coach June Daugherty, Athletic Director Jim Sterk, and first year Men's Basketball Coach Ken Bone. Cougar stadium announcer, Communications Professor, and Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson was MC.

Both Coaches spoke of the need to upgrade facillities in order to compete in the Pac-10. Bone takes over a team that had made 3 consecutive post season appearences, including the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2007-2008 under departing coach Tony Bennett. Daugherty lead the Cougar woman to their highest finish in 10 years in her first year at the school.
Both coaches emphasized the youth of their programs and the need for fans to be patient.

Maple Valley's Brandi Carlile Has New Vid

5th District Democrats Sponsor Heath Care Forum

The 5th District Democrats held a panel discussion on proposed national health care reform last night. About 40 or 50 members of the community at large met at the Issaquah Senior Center near the city hall. The panel included Health Care Activist Robby Stern, Retired Physician Sidney Schwab, Planned Parenthood's Diane Bedwell, and Psychotherapist Karen Gorrin.

5th District Chair Jennifer Sutton was moderator. Dr Schwab started the discussion by speaking on the current state of health care. Mr Stern spoke about how close congress is to getting some type of public option passed, he eluded to the history of health care reform and how our system compares with other industrial nations around the world.
Stern said that with a public option available, workers would be able to have more options to seek employment, not having to worry about losing coverage. Dr Schwab spoke about the tremendous time and costs of billing and administration involved with the current system.
The forum was attended by Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger and two members of the Issaquah City Council. A buffet dinner was also served.

Scenes From My Dad's 80th

Friends of my Dad

Me, in a curious pose, probably unaware of the camera, also my wife

My Dad with his brother Arny on the left

My Dad and my brother Steve

My Dad and my brother Danny

My brother Steve and I

I want to the thank my brother, Danny for these great pictures, the top three from my Dad's 80th birthday party at Anthony's in Kirkland. The bottom three are from the brunch at the Kirkland Pancake House.

The Seahawks Run Away With It

In what has been a very frustrating season, the term "blow-out" is generally not associated with a Seahawk win, however they celebrated the return of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck with a 41-0 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Seahawk defense was dominating as Jacksonville failed to make a single big play. Hasselbeck threw 4 touchdown passes, 2 each to TJ
Houshmandzadeh and Nate Burleson. This was only the second victory for the 'Hawks who also shut out the Rams in the first game this season. Both victories were at Qwest Field.

And He's Proud Of It

Catch Burl Saturday at 3:00 Pacific Time on outlaw radio.

Golfers Will Tee Up At Olympics

After a long absence, Golf will be returning to the Summer Olympics in 2016. The International Olympic Committee approved the bid in Denmark after being lobbied by the International Golf Federation The last Olympics to host Golf was in 1904, when Canadian George Lyon shot a 77 to win the Gold. Rugby will also coming back to the 2016 Summer Games which will take place in Rio de Janeiro.

Mariners Celebrate Winning Season

Ichiro and Ken Griffey, Jr. are carried off the field as the Seattle Mariners become only the 13th team in Major League history to finish a season with a winning record one year after losing 100 games. Ken Griffey got a hit in what may have been the last at-bat in his career. A third place finish in the AL West may not seems like something to celebrate, but fans are hoping that it is the sign of better things to come. The Mariners 4-3 victory over the Texas Rangers, by the way, marked the 19th victory of Felix Hernandez.

Seahawks Drop 3rd In A Row

Taking on Peyton Manning and the Colts in Indianapolis would have been a tall order for a Seahawk team at full strength, let alone a banged up, squad missing 2 of it's greatest players.

Manning threw for 353 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-17 victory. Seahawk Quarterback Seneca Wallace threw for 257 yards and one touchdown in valiant effort. The Colts are now 4 and 0 on the season--Seattle is 1 and 3.

Happy 80th!

A contingent of family and friends filled Kirkland's Anthony's Homeport to help my Dad celebrate his 80th birthday. Many in attendance were friends from college coming as far as Los Angeles. Also there were my brother, Danny and his wife, my brother Steve, my Dad's brother Arny and his wife Carol, my cousins, Joe and Sam and of course my Dad's wife, Jean who planned the party. My Dad's friend Aaron Epstein made a beautiful presentation.
The birthday cake pictured above referred to my Dad's passion of world traveling. Lorrissa, a friend of my wife, provided piano music and lead a sing-a-long.

Issaquah Salmon Days

Pretty much the last outdoor festival of the season, Salmon Days takes place this weekend in Issaquah,Washington. It encompasses the entire downtown and has food, music,art exhibits, and much more.

A Fun Mariner Video

The Mariners just won their 82nd game of the season--that's 21 more victories than last year.
Since Felix Hernandez won his 18th game last night, it means that they somehow won 64 without the young pitching phenom on the mound. I want to thank former Mariner announcer Ken Levine for this piece showing the amazing prediction of current Mariner announcer Mike Blowers. Congrats to the Seattle Mariners on a winning season.

Wounded Seahawks Fall Short

With numerous key players like quarterback Matt Hasselbeck on the sidelines with injuries, the Seattle Seahawks squandered a 13 point lead and lost to the Chicago Bears 25-19. Olindo Mare missed two field goals and the Seahawks coughed up numerous oportunities to put the game away. The 'Hawks second loss in a row drops them to 1 and 3.

Walking Sports Tour A Hit

If you are a real sports fan, you would happily bid high at a charity auction for a beer with ESPN Senior writer Jim Caple. The ESPN senior writer has covered the best players in every sport and is full of amazing facts and anectdotes. Last night, I took the "Sports On Tap" tour with Mr Caple and it was so much fun. The tour starts with at the Pyramid Ale House and winds through the SODO area to FX McRory's. Jim explains the history of Seattle sports which he covered as a reporter for the Bellevue Journal-American and later the Seattle P-I. He later became a beat writer with the Minnesota Twins. He is a native of Longview and grew up a San Francisco Giants fan.

On most nights, Seattle columnist Art Theil joins the tour, but last night, it was just Jim and I. As we walked past Safeco Field, he told me about the late Newspaper reporter Royal Brougham to which the street that runs between Safeco and Qwest is named. We also talked about the old Seattle Pilots baseball team, which predates the Mariners. Jim Caple is very engaging and entertaining and the tour gets great reviews. It is part of three tours, offered by "Seattle By Foot." There is also a walking coffee tour and a regular downtown tour.

Alan L Barer Hits 80

My father turns 8o tommorrow, we will celebrate with a party next week. My Dad was born one month before Black Tuesday, an irony since he has always enjoyed following the stock market. He is a graduate of University Of Washington and Walla Walla High School. He retired about 10 years ago from the family business in Walla Walla to live up here in the Puget Sound area. He is a history buff and loves to share his experiences and the family's unique history on his blog.

Thank You City Of Maple Valley

Thank you to the City Of Maple Valley for fixing the sidewalk at SE 244th and 238th Place SE. It was a hidden tripping hazard before the city came out to repair it.

On a warm clear night, the Moon shines over Maple Valley

King County Democrats Endorse Mallahan For Seattle Mayor

He was largely unknown a year ago, even by political insiders, but Joe Mallahan tonight received the sole endorsement of the King County Democrats for Seattle Mayor. Mallahan, a T-Mobile vice president, along with his opponent, Mike McGinn, knocked incumbant Mayor Greg Nickles out of the race in the August primary. Mallahan was emotional in his acceptance of the endorsement, promising to bring a different style of politics to city hall. The endorsement was significant in the fact that Mallahan had come under fire from some Democrats who were not supportive of some of wireless provider T-Mobile's policies.

Glenn Johnson honored

WSU Communications professor Glenn Johnson is honored in his 30th years at WSU. In addition to his classroom duties, he is stadium announcer for the WSU football and basketball teams and the mayor of Pullman.