8 Aberdeen

July 29, 2018

I have lost track how long this detour thing has been going on. Long enough for me to get used to seeing these orange signs be part of the normal landscape.

The detour has resulted in more people from out of town using the eccentric intersection of Simpson/Summit/Third/Main streets, which has now become a case study in anarchy.

The black "up" arrow next to a white silhouette of our first president which has a big "8" numeral in it on an orange background is something Marcel Duchamp would have loved.

The ol' McCleary vegetable tradition

July 28, 2018

McCleary has a second Food Bank other than the official one which operates out of the kitchen in Beerbower Park. This supplemental Food Bank is evident starting around this time of year when local gardeners who were ambitious in their plantings realize they produced more vegetables than they could use. So what to do with them? Leave them in the Post Office of course! A central place in town.

I don't if this would be allowed in Century 21, but back in the 1960s my brother and I would sell vegetables we raised to Ardy Lencioni and would resell them in his produce section. This was right after he sold the old Quality Market (located where Sam's Food Mart gas station is now) and revamped the grocery store that is now Gordon's.

Entrancing Entrance

July 26, 2018

The new sign inviting customers to Rain Country is terrific! It has a funky Old West welcome feeling to it that seems to reflect the positives of McCleary. Well done (which how I like my burgers).

Some locals prefer using the side door as a form of feeling part of an inside secret.

This is the first time I have noticed the restaurant no longer has outdoor tables in the front.

Accidental art

July 26, 2018

Seen at the western boundary of Rainbow Park.

Pink tape

July 26, 2018

Pink tape on the as yet to be inaugurated new mailboxes at Rainbow Park. I guess pink tape is better than cutting through a lot of red tape.

Buffoon & his money laundering partner

July 25, 2018

I always enjoy perusing the Post Office bulletin board. Occasionally a citizen will make their views on politics known before it is swiftly removed either by Post Office personnel or someone who disagrees.

Generally these political expressions are aimed at local governance. Milton Poulos has been gone for awhile now, but he was usually good for posting items regarding national issues as seen through a socialist lens. McCleary folks from all parts of the political spectrum have made their opinions known in this fashion over the years.

Here are the results of the Nov. 2016 presidential election in McCleary precinct 501 not counting write-ins:

663 votes
Trump, Republican: 344 - 51.88%
Clinton, Democrat: 252 - 38%
Johnson, Libertarian: 45 - 6.78%
Stein, Green: 14 - 2.11%
Castle, Constitution: 5 - 0.75%
Kennedy, Socialist Workers: 2 - 0.30%
La Riva, Party for Socialism and Liberation: 1 - 0.15%

What I found fascinating about McCleary and the 2016 election was the fact that as I walked around town I never saw one single yard sign for Trump, although I did spot a couple bumper stickers. There was only one yard sign I saw for Clinton. Jill Stein (Green) and Gary Johnson (Libertarian), on the other hand, had plenty of signs up in public intersections.

When it comes to third parties, I regard anything 5% or over as impressive, so the Libertarians did pretty well in McCleary.

Rock art

July 21, 2018

This rock art was found in a downtown alleyway.

Lost drone $5 reward

July 16, 2018

Posted at Gordon's

Elvis on the Hood

July 13, 2018

I've been waiting to catch the owner of this Ford pickup so I could ask permission to photograph the most awesome vehicle art in McCleary, and today was that lucky day. The owner of this truck created the image himself. I am impressed.

We had a nice talk about The King. I was able to share some of my stories from a recent visit to Graceland.

Anyway, I salute the owner of this pickup for being original and expressive. Way to go!

McCleary archaeology

July 12, 2018

The City crew today unearthed two railroad spikes while repairing the portion of Oak St. where the Henry McCleary Timber Company's railroad once crossed.

McCleary's microclimates

July 11, 2018. Looking north at Oak and 5th. The fog totally obscures the view of the Simpson plant.

For a city this small McCleary appears to have definite climate zones. This becomes especially apparent with weather involving fog, ice, snow, and even rain. There are times when one stands on the crest of the hills on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and Main streets and can see the visual border between the zones.

The parking strip that gathers no moss

July 10, 2018

Found alongside the long vacant tavern. I'm sure this is a metaphor for something but I need more coffee this morning before I can invent one.

Safe Medication Disposal

July 10, 2018

At some point in the last month this safe medication disposal box showed up at the Police Station.

Old railroad bed

July 9, 2018

Looks like the City is about to perform some road work on these odd depressions in West Oak Street. By coincidence, or not, this particular swath is where the Henry McCleary Timber Company's  railroad was until the 1930s. The railway ran south between present day 4th and 5th streets and then turned east all the way to Mud Bay, more of less following what is now State Route 8. Vestiges of the old railway bed can still be seen in the empty lot in the background of this photo.

Although the photo has failed to really capture it, this road marking is an inadvertent and wonderful piece of abstract art.

Float cockpit

July 8, 2018

A peek inside the McCleary Bear Festival float cockpit reveals what appears to be a highly modified 1980s era Chevrolet Cavalier.

The Day After

July 8, 2018

A close-up view of the McCleary Bear Festival float the day after the parade. Lots of hard work and dedication behind these rolling displays that must be labors of love for the volunteers.

1957 Plymouth

 July 8, 2018

A pristine and artfully customized 1957 Plymouth on display at the McCleary Bear Festival car show.

Haunted ambulance

 July 8, 2018.

This 1962 Pontiac served as an ambulance in the Raymond area many decades ago. The card describing this unusual vehicle during the McCleary Bear Festival car show claims the ambulance is "haunted."  Love the skeleton adornment.

2018 McCleary parade float

July 7, 2018

The McCleary Bear Festival had a safari theme this year.  I see a "wild bear" is also on the float.

Pastel set against drizzle grey

July 7, 2018

Royalty on their way to board their parade vehicle. McCleary Bear Festival.

Old Oaken Bucket

July 6, 2018

This rather unassuming SE corner of  Simpson Door Plant once served as the spot where a two-story wooden structure known as "The Old Oaken Bucket" stood.

That time of year

July 6, 2018.

When I see vendor canopies waiting to be unfolded and a lineup of portable toilets in the park, that is a sure sign the McCleary Bear Festival is about to begin.

A New Tree for Lindsey Baum

July 6, 2018

Lindsey Baum's tree was recently replaced. According to one news piece: in the place of the former Tree of Hope is now planted a Memorial Tree. Lindsey would have been 20 years old on July 7, 2018, the same day as the McCleary Bear Festival parade.

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/justice-for-lindsey-baum-saturday-event-marks-20th-birthday-of-murdered-washington-girl/281-571445815