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.