Wednesday, December 31, 2008

New Year's Eve Pic #1


New Year's Eve Pic #1, originally uploaded by heringermr.

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

IndieMonday.com Music Review - Big Tree

Morgan's band Big Tree is the featured artist this week on the IndieMonday.com web site!

It looks like the web site does not archive its reviews so I have included the write-up and the link to the song below.


Big Tree: Marshall Field
[Click here to download MP3]

Songwriting is a violent process. It’s an aggressive effort at least – to beat sense into experience. Words are the hardest part. They are the incarnation. The feeling conquered and retrieved from abstraction. A solid snatched from gases.

Big Tree is a band that wrestles with such precious particles in life. Every idea involves a struggle – the process of explaining virtually unexplainable moments or concepts.

“It’s like those unfinished sculptures by Michelangelo, you know, ‘The Prisoners,’” bassist Luke Bace explains. “You have to pull your project out of the world of forms.”

A marvelous idea, very difficult to do. For Big Tree this involves a lot of playing.

“We’ve come to the conclusion, sometimes, that we shouldn’t talk while we write music. We just play, exploring the songs together. It’s very difficult to talk about music.”

Even though there’s not much being said, progress is still being made. There is a bond between members that is organic and sinuous.

“These are four of the greatest musicians I know,” Luke said. “They really pull me up. We’re always pulling each other up on a musical level.”

This track, “Marshall Field”, is a particularly tender song. The harmonies are heart breaking. The acoustics are bare, natural, almost skeletal. The listener gets the feeling they are sitting in on a special conversation.

“In ways, Marshall Field is a stand alone song on the album,” Luke said. “It was recorded out on my porch in July – kind of an Animal Collective feel. You can even hear birds at the beginning.”

“Marshall Field” is a personal song. But the band invites other’s interpretations.

“It’s about a building on campus at our school,” Luke said. “It’s a spot we all know very well. Much of the song is a sensory exploration of that area. A lot of the songs on the album are love songs, in one way or another. This is a love song for a physical place.”

The words drip and slide from verse to verse, but the nostalgia is ubiquitous. “Brand new faces, or so they seem / Oh, I know you so, so well / I could not forget your smell.” It is something we all know, that way that places stick with you. Sometimes they are as alive as people.

“The recording was only the second take,” Luke said “During the second verse it started raining. It was so exciting. You can even hear the sound of Kaila, our singer and keyboardist, smiling. Truly amazing.”

Wonder is what comes out of this curious group. Wonder. Big hearted wonder. The immediacy of beauty. The feeling of the blindfold coming off. Big Tree reminds us that the world is ready for experiencing. -JM

*Big Tree plans to tour New England in March, further promoting the recent self-titled release album.

[Click here to download the MP3]

[Click here to visit Big Tree's Website]


IndieMonday 12.29.08

California Historical Landmark #715

Jack and I spent the Wednesday before Thanksgiving waymarking historical sites in Western Amador County in the rain. This was the ninteenth of twenty-one places that we stopped.

Astronomical Observatory
California State Historical Landmark #715

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps

This landmark is located on Consolation Street, Volcano, California in Amador County. There are 24 other California State Historical Landmarks in Amador County. The GPS coordinates for the plaque are N 38° 26.568 W 120° 37.878.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.

 

Here in Volcano in 1860, miner and amateur astronomer George Madeira built California's first astronomical observatory of record and operated it for two years. Using a three inch refractor telescope he studied the sun and moon, stars and planets, and other glories of the heavens, including the great comet of 1861.

 

The marker was moved in 2004. Originally, it was located on Shake Ridge Road at 38° 27' 57.31", -120° 38' 25.43".

 

 

On the knoll behind this marker, George Madeira built the first amateur astronomical observatory of record in California and there discovered the great comet of 1861 with a three-ich refractor telescope.

It appears that there is some debate about where the Observatory was actually located.

NBA Rookie Watch - Jason Thompson

ESPN - Rookie Watch: Greg Oden, Kevin Love having big impact
Jason Thompson, Kings

No rookie has dropped as far in one month as Thompson, who continues to struggle. It seems as if his mind is racing too fast and he's trying too hard to make plays. One month ago, Kings fans were thinking that they had their power forward of the future. Now, drafting Blake Griffin is a legitimate possibility. Such is the life of a rookie.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Morgan and Jack


Morgan and Jack, originally uploaded by heringermr.

NBA Power Rankings 2008-2009 Week 9

According to John Hollinger, the Kings currently have a 16.6% chance of winning the draft lottery.

The Kings fell to 29th in Marc Stein's weekly power rankings of NBA teams, down from 27th last week. They are now ahead of only the Thunder.

ESPN - NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association
The Kings' loyal subjects haven't even been able to enjoy the one thing they were promised this season -- Kevin Martin gunning for an All-Star slot -- because of an ankle injury that's cost him 22 games and counting.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Mikuni's

After Drew's show at the Cosmic Cafe, we stopped for a late dinner at Mikuni Sushi on Hazel on the way home. The Kings versus Celtics was playing on the big screens. Jack got a kick out of the fact that the Kings were getting blown out by 40 points.

Andrew Heringer at the Cosmic Cafe

Sharon, Jack and I went to see Drew's band perform at the Cosmic Cafe in Placerville. They are kicking off a West Coast Tour.

For the Saturday and Sunday shows at the Cosmic Cafe, they went to a different configuration. The venue was set-up as a theater in the round with the band in the middle and about 90 chairs set-up around the band. It was a very nice layout. We enjoyed the show immensely.

Morgan performed one of her songs and sang back-up on a couple of others. I got a copy of the Big Trees album from Morgan and I am looking forward to listening to it. Marlana Sheetz also sang one song with Drew.


Saturday, December 27, 2008

To the Sanborns for Dinner

The Sanborns invited us for dinner. The group included another couple with their two young boys and french exchange student that is living with the Sanborns. The four younger boys had a great time. We had a nice salmon dinner with crepes for desert.

Sacramento Kings Kid Clinic

In 2004 and 2005 [pic], Jack went to an event at Arco Arena called Practice Like the Kings. This year, the Sacramento Kings offered a Kids Clinic for season ticket holders. Four Kings players and two of the assistant coaches held a loose practice session with about 110 kids.

Jason Thompson ran a post position drill, Beno Udrith organized a passing drill, John Salmons did a ball handling drill, Assistant Coach Randy Brown ran a defensive position drill, Quincy Douby organized a shooting drill and Assistant Coach Rex Kalamian did a conditioning drill.

Jack was wearing a Jason Thompson jersey. His first drill was the station with Thompson. I think that Thompson was surprised and pleased that someone was wearing his jersey and made several comments to Jack about the jersey. Out of the more than 100 kids at the event, no one else was wearing a Jason Thompson jersey.




Friday, December 26, 2008

2008 Kings versus Raptors

Jack and I went to the Sacramento Kings versus Toronto Raptors NBA Basketball game. The Raptors won by a score of 107 to 101. Toronto won for just the second time in 13 trips to Arco Arena and the first since March 13, 1997.

With the Kings playing so poorly [they have lost 10 of the last 12 at home], I took a different approach to watching the game. Rather than watching the ball, I focused on watching Chris Bosh during the first half. Scoring 23.2 points a game, Bosh is eighth in the league in scoring. He missed the game that Jack and I saw last season with a knee injury. Bosh looks like his knees are stilling bothering him as he runs up and down the court.

Talking to Laskin at halftime, he was raving about how Jermaine O'Neal was playing. O'Neal had 16 points in the first half. I switched to focusing on watching Jermaine O'Neal and Andrea Bargnani in the second half. O'Neal had this way with the Kings. He ended up with 36 points on 15 for 19 from the field. Bargnani had 14 points on 4 for 5 from the field and 2 for 2 from three point range.

O'Neal looked much healthier than Bosh. It is amazing to think that O'Neal is 30 years old and has already been in the league 12 years.

Kings and Raptors at ARCO Arena

JibJab 2008 Year in Review


This is JibJab's 4th annual year in review. Here are 2007, 2006 and 2005.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Christmas Day 2008

 

 

Although not bouncing off the walls as much as last year, Jack was up about 6:15 a.m. and trying to drag us out of bed. We got him to go back to bed until a little after 7:00 a.m.

We had a nice Christmas morning. Jack got a couple of remote control planes: one from Lee Ann and Dean and one from Santa. His big present this year was a laptop.

Sharon made a great dinner of prime rib cooked in the rotisserie, baked potatoes and green beans.

We finished the night watching Home Alone on FXHD.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Eve 2008

Sharon, Jack and I went to the children's mass at Good Shepherd. Afterwards we headed to Tom's house to celebrate Christmas Eve.

This year's group included 14 people: Sharon's brother Tom's family [Tom, Becky, Kevin and Eric], her brother Tim's family [Tim, Kathy, Erin and Eileen], her mom [Rosemary], two friends of the family [Jim Dunn and Jim Gale] and us. Becky made minestrone soup and a macaroni casserole for dinner. Sharon's family are big Notre Dame fans. We watched the Notre Dame beat Hawaii by a score of 49 to 21 in the Hawaii Bowl. The Fighting Irish ended their NCAA-record nine-game bowl losing streak. This was their first bowl win in 15 years!

After the game, we exchanged gifts. For some reason, it seemed like there were more gifts exchanged between families this year. Combined wtih watching the end of the football game, it was late by the finished the gift exchange and headed home. It was after 11:30 p.m. by the time we got home and had Jack down for the night.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Nikka Costa - Stuck To You

The list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!
Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Nikka Costa - Stuck To You

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

A West Coast Tour for Two Thousand and Nine

music you need to hear

Posted by Andrew Heringer on myspace and facebook

Here are a couple of great bands/artists that you need to hear:

Marlana Sheetz

I produced this album which is Marlana's first record. We went up to a cabin in Shaver Lake this last August and recorded this 6 song EP. I play on it as well as Kellen and Jon. Marlana is a songwriter who is also originally from my hometown of Placerville. My personal favorite is "Mexican Escape". Marlana has a really beautiful pure voice, great melodies and lyrics.

Big Tree

This is my sister's band. You can hear her on backing vocals. They have been described as "Post-Rock Hippies." They just released their first record as well. My favorite tracks are "One Hundred and Four" & "Marshall Field". Great vibe. Great lyrics.

Max Haymer

Max can be heard on the Paradise Sessions on Piano, Rhodes and Hammond B-3. He is the most talented musician I have ever had the opportunity to write, play and record with. We have also been known to play lots of FIFA on Xbox. Max and I met at UC Irvine. This is his debut CD with his Jazz Trio. You might recognize the song "Goodnight" which he and I wrote together. He did a version of the song with his Jazz Trio. Also check out "Pickpocket Witness" - the melody line is ridiculous and Max's playing is spot on.

Links

Many of you know Eric Frank who has played shows with me over the last couple of years and can be heard on all my records. This is his band Links from Los Angeles. They are a dirty bluesy rock group. Curtis Marrero, who played drums on "It Seems So Long Since Yesterday" is the drummer for Links. They have some songs up on their myspace and are looking to record soon in the new year. The favorite track of theirs on the myspace currently is Jack Keroauc.

Simple Citizens

Featuring my buddy Dan Byers on Trumpet - The Simple Citizens are a Funk & Hip-Hop group out of Los Angeles. They have some reggae, latin and jazz in there too at times. Really cool mix of genres. I have yet to see them live but I have heard it is off the hook.

and if you haven't gotten a chance to hear the new Paradise Sessions make sure take a listen : myspace & andrewheringer.com. sign up for the email list at andrewheringer.com and get two free songs.

Hope you can make it out and see us on tour in the next couple of months.

-Andrew

Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church

Jack and I spent the Wednesday before Thanksgiving waymarking historical sites in Western Amador County in the rain. This was the twelfth of twenty-one places that we stopped.

Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church
National Register of Historic Places #1986000385

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps

This historic place is located at 724 North Main, Jackson in the county of Amador, California. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 21.365 W 120° 46.588.

You can log your vist to this site at waymarking.com.



This was the first church in North America of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Jackson was home to a large Serbian population in the early 1890’s, but at that time there was no Serbian church on the continent. To address this situation, His Grace Nikolai of Alaska, the head of the Russian orthodox church of the United States, came to Jackson with Father Dabovich and on February 25, 1894 the Bright ranch parcel was consecrated. The first burial took place in May and the church was dedicated on December 16 of the same year.

After the 1922 Arhonaut mine disaster, 11 of its 47 victims were buried here.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas Card 2008


Although it is hard to read, the sign says "WARNING - Moose Calving Area - Grizzly Bears Hunting - BE ALERT"

See all of the Christmas Cards since 1997!

Kennedy Mine Tailing Wheels

Jack and I spent the Wednesday before Thanksgiving waymarking historical sites in Western Amador County in the rain. This was the thirteenth of twenty-one places that we stopped.

Kennedy Mine Tailing Wheels
National Register of Historic Places #1981000146

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps

This historic place is located on Jackson Gate Road north of Jackson in the county of Amador, California. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 21.804 W 120° 46.525.

You can log your vist to this site at waymarking.com.



In 1912, the California State Legislature passed an act which compelled mining companies to impound their tailings which had been polluting streams and river or cease operations. The fifty-eight foot diameter Kennedy Tailing Wheels were necessary to accomplish the task of lifting some 850 tons every 24 hours over two hills to an impound dam.

The ore from the Kennedy Mine was crushed in their one hundred-stamp mill on the south slope of Humbug Hill. The residue (tailings) from the mill was finely ground rock particles. The tailings were then mixed with water in the slime plant and allowed to flow downhill by gravity in a one thousand-foot-long flume to the base of Wheel #1.

Wheel No. 1's 208 stationary redwood buckets lifted the material 58 feet and dropped it into a flume which delivered it to the base of wheel No. 2 where the process was repeated. Wheels No. 3 and No. 4 performed the same function to move the material to an impound dam.

Amador County California Historic Places

Amador County
National Register of Historic Places

{GPS Coordinates of Site Location}

1981000146 - Kennedy Mine Tailing Wheels - [map] - {38.3634,-120.77542}
1986000385 - Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church - [map] - {38.35608,-120.77647}

Lois Chiles

Lois Chiles [not my favorite Bond girl]
as Holly Goodhead in Moonraker

NBA Power Rankings 2008-2009 Week 8

Rather than watching the Kings odds of making the play-offs, I am now watching their odds of winning the lottery for the first pick in the draft. According to John Hollinger, the Kings currently have a 14% chance of winning the draft lottery.

The Kings remained at 27th in Marc Stein's weekly power rankings of NBA teams, ahead of only the Wizards, Thunder and Timberwolves.

ESPN - NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association
How Kings prez Geoff Petrie must wish he had a Geoff Petrie on his roster. All of Roy's crazy scoring in Portland lately dredged up talk of the two 50-point games Petrie had for the Blazers in the 1972-73 season.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Moonraker

Continuing my quest to watch all of the Bond films in order, Sharon, Jack and I watched Moonraker on Friday night. Released in 1979, this is the eleventh spy film of the British James Bond series and the fourth to star Roger Moore as the British secret agent James Bond. The film takes its title from the third novel in Ian Fleming's James Bond series. The script for the film was significantly from the book to include outer space.

Bond is sent to investigate the mysterious theft of a space shuttle, leading him to Hugo Drax, billionaire owner of the shuttle-manufacturing firm. Along with space scientist Holly Goodhead, who later is identified as a CIA agent also investigating Drax, Bond follows the trail of clues from California to Venice, Italy, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the Amazon rain forest, and finally into outer space in a bid to prevent a genocidal plot to wipe out the world and re-create human existence with a master race.

In addition to Roger Moore as James Bond, the cast includes Michael Lonsdale as Sir Hugo Drax, Lois Chiles as Holly Goodhead and Richard Kiel as Jaws.

Of all the Bond films that we have seen to-date, these are probably my least favorite villain and Bond girl. Michael Lonsdale's biography indicates that he has appeared in over 180 films and television shows, but I thought that his performance was wooden and uninspiring. Lois Chiles performance as the Bond girl left me cold.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Christmas Shopping, Church and Dinner

For the first time in the fourteen years that we have been together, Sharon picked out her own Christmas present. We picked it up this afternoon: a set of All-Clad Copper Core pots and pans.

From there, we took groceries to Sharon's mom and then took her mom to reconciliation and mass at Sacred Heart.

We finished the evening going out to dinner at Piatti's. Although we used to eat there a lot, it has been a long time. They changed the menu about four or five years ago and neither of us think the food has been as good ever since. Sharon had the Pappardelle pasta, while I had the halibut special.

Friday, December 19, 2008

2008 SEAS Christmas Program

From Heringer's Blog

We went to the SEAS Christmas program in the morning. Jack's class sang Silent Night. Jack was buried in the second row in the middle of the group.

California Historical Landmark #29

Jack and I spent the Wednesday before Thanksgiving waymarking historical sites in Western Amador County in the rain. This was the eighteenth of twenty-one places that we stopped.

Volcano
California State Historical Landmark #29

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This landmark is located the intersection of Main and Consolation Streets, Volcano, California in Amador County. There are 24 other California State Historical Landmarks in Amador County. The GPS coordinates for the plaque are N 38° 26.552 W 120° 37.893.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.

 

The spot was discovered in 1848 by Colonel Stevenson's men, who mined Soldiers Gulch in 1849. By 1853 the flats and gulches swarmed with men who named them picturesquely. Hydraulic operations, begun in 1855, brought thousands of fortune seekers to form a town of 17 hotels, a library, a theater, and courts of quick justice. During the Civil War, Volcano's gold served the Union - Volcano Blues smuggled the cannon 'Old Abe' in by hearse to quell rebels.

 

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Lethe

I finished reading Lethe by Tricia Sullivan. I bought this book from Amazon in March of 2002 (more than six years ago!) and it has been sitting in my pile of books to read ever since. I am making a conscious attempt to clear some of the older books out of pile. I was reading novels by several other female science fiction writers about this time and can only assume that there was a pointer to this novel.

Lethe is a post apocalyptic novel set in the second half of the twenty-second century [2160's]. In this case, the worldwide disaster is a war with competing genetics corporations unleashing kill viruses. The corporations were also experimenting with genetically altering humans with a variety of results. The wide ranging plot includes collective intelligence among dolphins, mutant one-eyed humans that provide the labor force, a gateway on the fringe of the solar system to other parts of the universe, an alien planet and the integration of human brains into computer systems.

I generally prefer science fiction that focuses on technology, while this novel focuses more on biology and life sciences. It is a solid book. I enjoyed it, but it is not a book that I personally strongly recommend.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

5th Grade: Art Lesson D

Sharon spent Monday afternoon as the art docent for Jack's class. The lesson compared how different artists portray the Holy Family. They looked at The Holy Family by Nicolas Poussin, The Alba Madonna by Raphael and The Presentation in the Temple by Hans Memling.




For their art project, the class sketched a live model of Mary holding the baby Jesus and painted it using watercolors.

Drew's Car at Pollock Pines


Drew's Car at Pollock Pines, originally uploaded by heringermr.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Dinner with Becky, Jill and Hunter


Sharon, Jack and I met Becky, Jill and Hunter for dinner. We were originally planning to met at the Cosmo Cafe, but it is closed on Mondays. We wandered down the street to Ella's.

Jill and Becky are in Sacramento looking for an apartment for Becky. Becky's company is transferring her to Sacramento in the couple of weeks.

Becky will be working within about 5 miles of where John and Jill lived when they were in Sacramento twenty five years ago.

NBA Power Rankings 2008-2009 Week 7

On the strength of beating the Lakers, the Kings climbed one spot in Marc Stein's weekly power rankings of NBA teams from 28th to 27th, ahead of only the Warriors, Timberwolves and Thunder.

ESPN - NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association
Don't tell me that all the goodwill Theus generated from the Kings' momentous upset of the Lakers was undone by a one-sided home loss to the Knicks on Saturday night. (I asked you not to tell me that.)
ESPN - Sacramento Kings fire Reggie Theus; Kenny Natt is interim coach

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Lexus RX400h Day 168

Jack and I took the Lexus RX400h in for the 10,000 mile service on Saturday morning. I am on a pace to drive 22,500 miles in the first year. I am averaging 24.9 mpg since I brought the car, down slightly from 25.1 after 3 months. The EPA rating is 24 on the highway and 26 in the city. My calculations show that I have saved roughly $750 in gas over driving the Explorer with an average gas price of $3.41 over the last six months. With gas prices now less than half of this average, the savings will obviously be a lot smaller for the foreseeable future.

I continue to be very satisfied with the vehicle. I was particularly pleased that the we were able to fit a seven foot flocked Christmas Tree inside.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Cunningham's Christmas Party

Sharon and I spent the evening at the Cunningham's Christmas Party. The group included the Sanborn's and the Murphy's.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Big Tree CD Release Party

Morgan's band, Big Tree, is having a CD release party tonight on the Sarah Lawrence Campus. You can find the notice here [requires facebook registration].

Event Info Host: The Teahaus & Big Tree
Type: Music/Arts - Opening
Network: Global
Time and Place Start Time: Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 9:00pm
End Time: Friday, December 12, 2008 at 12:00am
Location: THE TEAHAUS
Street: North Lawn
City/Town: Bronxville, NY
Email: bigtreesings@gmail.com

Come one, come all! Big Tree is so so so excited to finally be done with our album. We would like to share it with you, and are looking forward to packing all our sweaty bodies in a tiny space to dance and jam and listen.

We started this past summer, recording bass and drums at Luke's house, drinking Brooklyn Summer Lagers outside on the porch. Now it's f!@#$%^& cold, but the memory of that lovely hot, humid air remains. We spent hours hot glue gunning 500 recycled cardboard CD cases together. I'm pretty sure we burnt off our fingerprints in the process.

NOW THE CDs ARE READY. Months and months of work and sweat and tears and even a little blood have all led us to this victorious point. Please come celebrate with us.

CDs will be $10 each. Come with some dough! They make great christmas presents ;-)

Samples of their music can be found on myspace at:

http://www.myspace.com/bigtreesings

The band has a web site:

http://www.bigtreesings.com/

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Christmas Tree 2008

 

After Jack's basketball game on Saturday, we went to the Christmas tree lot at Cal Expo. This is the fifth time in sixth years that we have bought a tree there.

We started in 2001 getting flocked trees. I actually like this year's tree more than some of the trees that we have gotten in the past. The flocking looks more like snow on the branches than a tree spray painted white...

California Historical Landmark #41

Jack and I spent the Wednesday before Thanksgiving waymarking historical sites in Western Amador County in the rain. This was the seventeenth of twenty-one places that we stopped.

Big Bar
California State Historical Landmark #41

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This landmark is located on State Highway 49 at county line, 4.0 miles south of Jackson, California in Amador County. There are 24 other California State Historical Landmarks in Amador County. The GPS coordinates for the plaque are N 38° 18.770 W 120° 43.229.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.

 

The Mokelumne River was mined at this point in 1848. Established in 1849, the Whale Boat Ferry operated until the first bridge was built, about 1852.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

She's Suddenly with Deceptive Cadence

California Historical Landmark #39

Jack and I spent the Wednesday before Thanksgiving waymarking historical sites in Western Amador County in the rain. This was the sixteenth of twenty-one places that we stopped.

Butte Store
California State Historical Landmark #39

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This landmark is located on State Highway 49, 2.6 miles south of Jackson, California in Amador County. There are 24 other California State Historical Landmarks in Amador County. The GPS coordinates for the plaque are N 38° 19.539 W 120° 44.107.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.



This is the only structure remaining of Butte City, prosperous mining town of the 1850s. As early as 1854 Xavier Benoist was conducting a store and bakery in this building. Later Ginocchio had a merchandise business here.

The bronze plaque reads:

Constructed by Italian stone mason in 1857. Served pioneer settlers and miners as post office and general store later. Later known as Ginocchios.

Monday, December 08, 2008

SNL: Obama Plays It Cool

California Historical Landmark #118

Jack and I spent the Wednesday before Thanksgiving waymarking historical sites in Western Amador County in the rain. This was the fourteenth of twenty-one places that we stopped.

Jackson Gate
California State Historical Landmark #118

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This landmark is located on North Main Street, 1.3 miles northeast of Jackson, California in Amador County. There are 24 other California State Historical Landmarks in Amador County. The GPS coordinates for the plaque are N 38° 22.078 W 120° 46.529.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.


Jackson Gate, on the north fork of Jackson Creek, takes its name from a fissure in a reef of rock that crosses the creek. In 1850 about 500 miners worked here and the first mining ditch in the county was dug here - its water sold for $1 per inch.

NBA Power Rankings 2008-2009 Week 6

According to John Hollinger's NBA Playoff Odds, as of today, the Kings have a 0.3% chance of making this year's play-offs.

The Kings dropped one spot in Marc Stein's weekly power rankings of NBA teams from 27th to 28th, ahead of only the Grizzlies and Thunder.

ESPN - NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association
The race is on between the Kings and the Grizz, now that Minnesota has sacked Wittman. Which Western Conference straggler can keep its coach employed longer? Sactown or Memphis, who you got?

Sunday, December 07, 2008

2009 PAL JV Rec Basketball Tournament #1 Game #3

DOUBLE OVERTIME!

Jack's basketball team played its third game of the season, the championship game of a three day tournament. They played against St. John Vianney at Holy Cross in West Sacramento.

After yesterday's game, I thought that we had seen the biggest kids that we would face in the tournament. I was wrong. St. John Vianney had an even bigger kid. I looked on the web for the school after the game. St. John has one JV team of 5th and 6th graders. Jack's team is made up of all 5th graders.

Jack started the game and played all of the first quarter. It was a strong starting group, combining Jack with Joe, Connor, Jake and Andy. Nevertheless, they seemed out of sync. Struggling offensively and defensively against the big kid in the middle, the Eagles fell behind 11 to 6.

St. John did not play their largest player for most of the second quarter. On the strength of David's shooting (he had 6 points for the quarter and 8 points for the game), the Eagles pulled ahead 14 to 13 at halftime. Jack went in and played about 2 minutes of second quarter.

Jack started the third quarter with the same group. They just could not get going and had a number of double dribbles and turnovers. The center for St. John scored 6 straight points, while the Eagles could not manage a basket in the whole third quarter. St. John's led by a score of 20 to 13 at the end of three quarters.

St. John's got another basket early in the fourth quarter to stretch the lead to 9 points at 22 to 13. Jack and Joe came back into the game with about 4 minutes to go in the fourth quarter. The Eagles finally started to cut into the lead. Jack drove the baseline with about 1:50 left and was fouled; he made both free throws.

The Eagles scored with 2 seconds left in the game to make the score St. John's 24, Eagles 22. The Eagles pressed on the inbound pass. St. John's tried to make a bounce pass along the baseline to get the ball inbounds. Jake stepped in front of the pass and made a lay-up to tie the score at 24 as the clock expired.

They played a three minute overtime. When the Eagles missed four straight foul shots and St. John's made two foul shots, I thought the game was over. Nevertheless, the Eagles tied the score with another basket. With 2 seconds left in the overtime, Jack made an inbound pass 3/4's the length of the court to Jake who turned and put up a shoot that bounced off the back of the iron.

They played a one minute double overtime. The Eagles scored two points in the overtime to win 28 to 26!

It was wild. After yesterday's game, I would not have believed that the Eagles could play a more exciting, closely fought game.

This was not Jack's best game of the tournament. He was 0 for 2 from the field and 2 for 3 from the free throw line for 2 points. Jack had two rebounds, two steals, one block and only one assist. Late in the game, Jack fought the biggest kid on St. John's for a rebound to create a jump ball and win the ball on the possession arrow.