Monday, August 31, 2009

Dream Xtreme Flowrider Videos Part 1

Using my Flip MinoHD video camera, I took some short videos at Jack's birthday party on Saturday.

Tim at DreamXtreme from heringermr on Vimeo.

Josh at DreamXtreme from heringermr on Vimeo.

Breyton at DreamXtreme from heringermr on Vimeo.

Niko at DreamXtreme from heringermr on Vimeo.

California Historical Landmark #296

Copperopolis
California State Historical Landmark #296

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This landmark is located at the State Department of Forestry Station, 375 Main Street, Copperopolis, California in Calaveras County. There are 40 other California State Historical Landmarks in Calaveras County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 58.758 W 120° 38.372.

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

California Historical Landmark #296

W. K. Reed and Thomas McCarty discovered copper here in 1860. The mines were utilized during the Civil War, when they were the principal copper producing section of the United States, and World Wars I and II.

California Historical Landmark #296

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Celebrating Jack's Birthday


We had a family celebration of Jack's birthday. With Tim and Kathy in Spokane dropping off Erin at Gonzaga, the group was smaller. It included Tom, Becky, Eric, Eileen, Sharon, Jack and I.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Jack's 11th Birthday Party

After finishing up the first flag football game of the season, Jack and I rushed off to meet a group at Laguna Pizza to Celebrate Jack's 11th birthday. In an attempt to keep the event manageable, we invited only four other boys (Tim, Niko, Breyton and Josh).

The boys spent an hour at Laguna Pizza having pizza and playing video games. Most of the games gave tickets for different scores. At the end of the hour, the boys turned their tickets in for an assortment of prizes; this was much easier than making goody bags for the party!


From there, we took the boys to DreamXtreme. They spent an hour playing dodge ball on the trampolines. DreamXtreme has a 75’ x 80’ arena surrounded by trampolines and padded frames.

They then spent an hour on the FlowRider. The FlowRider at Dream Xtreme is Northern California’s first indoor surf simulator.




I have videos of the boys riding the FlowRider that I will post over the next several days.

10th Birthday Party

9th Birthday Party

8th Birthday Party

7th Birthday Party


6th Birthday Party

5th Birthday Party

4th Birthday Party

2009 Flag Football Game #1


Jack scoring a touchdown from heringermr on Vimeo.

Jack played in his first flag football game of the 2009 season. This is the third season that he has played flag football in the Cosumnes Community Services District (CSD). Their team is named the Quick Silver.

They have ten kids on the team and can put 5 kids on the field at a time. The offensive set includes two wide recievers, a center, a running back and the quarterback. The game goes very, very fast. They play four 10 minutes quarters with a running clock.

Jack played defense in the first quarter. They used him exclusively as the pass rusher. In the second quarter, he played wide receiver on offense. Jack had two passes thrown to him. The first pass he caught and took the length of the field for a touchdown. Jack could not hold on to the second pass when he collided with a player on the other team.

The timing of the quarters got screwed up in the second half and Jack ended up playing most of the second half on defense. He played some defensive back and had one interception. Late in the game, Jack played two plays at quarterback. He rolled out and threw a nice pass into the end zone that receiver did not catch.

The Quick Silver won the game by a score of 34 to 0 against the Yellow Jackets. Their record for the season is 1 win and 0 losses.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Drew and Marlana on Capitol Public Radio

Drew and Marlana were on Capitol Public Radio this morning. You can find the segment here. They are in the last third of the segment.

They are appearing tomorrow night at 8:10 p.m. at the Geery Theater in Sacramento.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

First Day of Sixth Grade

First Day of Sixth Grade


First Day of Fifth Grade


First Day of Fourth Grade
 

First Day of Third Grade


First Day of Second Grade


First Day of First Grade


First Day of Kindergarten

Some of the Sixth Grade Boys

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Jack, Cole and Tim on the "Big Momma"

Jack, Cole and Tim on the "Big Momma" from heringermr on Vimeo.

California Historical Landmark #281

O'Bryne Ferry
California State Historical Landmark #281

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This landmark is located on County Highway 48 (O'Byrne Ferry Road), 7.1 miles southeast of Copperopolis, California in Calaveras County. There are 40 other California State Historical Landmarks in Calaveras County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 53.960 W 120° 34.280.

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


California Historical Landmark #281

In 1852 a chain cable bridge replaced the ferries that once crossed here, to be supplanted in its turn by a covered truss structure in 1862. Some writers claimed this was the locale of Bret Harte's Poker Flat. In late '49 there was a large camp here, with miners washing gold out on both banks of the Stanislaus River.

California Historical Landmark #281

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Spartacus

On Saturday night after we got back from Lake Tulloch, Sharon wanted to watch a movie. We sent Jack upstairs with instructions to find something on the AppleTV that we could all watch. Jack came back saying that he had chosen Spartacus!

This 1960 film stars Kirk Douglas as rebellious slave Spartacus and Laurence Olivier as his foe, the Roman general and politician Marcus Licinius Crassus. The film also stars Peter Ustinov (who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as slave trader Lentulus Batiatus), John Gavin (as Julius Caesar), Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, and Tony Curtis.

It is runs 3 hours and 16 minutes. In a testament to the fact that the film is very watchable, we actually managed to make it all the way through in one sitting without falling asleep!

Simmons: Sporting emotions at the highest pitch

Bill Simmons is the only sports columnist who I read religiously. Additionally, I listen to most of his podcasts. This column is worth reading!
Sporting emotions at the highest pitch - Bill Simmons has experienced a lot of emotional sporting events, but nothing like a World Cup soccer qualifier in Mexico City.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Patrick Watson - Big Bird In A Small Cage

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!
Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Patrick Watson - Big Bird In A Small Cage

Monday, August 24, 2009

Jack on the Wakeboard

Jack on the Wakeboard from heringermr on Vimeo.

Jack & Drew


Jack & Drew, originally uploaded by heringermr.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

2009 Back to School Ice Cream Social

We spent part of the afternoon at a back to school ice cream social at Jack's school. It gave us a chance to meet his teacher and check out the classroom. Jack's home room teacher this year is the same teacher that he had for kindergarten. Jack ran around with his classmates, while we visited with a few parents.

California Historical Landmark #569

Mormon Island
California State Historical Landmark #569

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This landmark is located in the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area on the north side of theFolsom Point picnic area near the Mormon Island Dam, 3 miles northeast of Folsom, California in El Dorado County. There are 29 other California State Historical Landmarks in El Dorado County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 41.950 W 121° 07.650.

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

California Historical Landmark #569
California Historical Landmark #569

Early in March 1848, W. Sidney, S. Willis, and Wilford Hudson, members of the Mormon Battalion, set out from Sutter's Fort to hunt deer. Stopping on the south fork of the American River, they found gold. They told their story on returning to the fort, and soon about 150 Mormons and other miners flocked to the site, which was named Mormon Island. This was the first major gold strike in California after James W. Marshall's discovery at Coloma. The population of the town in 1853 was more than 2,500. It had four hotels, three dry-goods stores, five general merchandise stores, an express office, and many small shops. The first ball in Sacramento County was held here on December 25, 1849. A fire destroyed the town in 1856, and it was never rebuilt. Its site was inundated by Folsom Lake in 1955.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

2009 Lake Tulloch Day 4


We got up early cleaned up the house and packed up our stuff. Marlene, Sharon, Jack and I headed to the Saddle Creek Resort for breakfast, while the Cunninghams headed back to Elk Grove. Philip had gotten up very early and took off to get Tim back for a couple of basketball games.

Back at the house after breakfast, the stragglers finally headed for home about 11 am. Jack and I stopped at one waymark in Copperopolis and another in Milton. We finally ended up on Highway 26 heading west and then picked up Highway 99 back into Elk Grove.

Friday, August 21, 2009

2009 Lake Tulloch Day 3

After spending the night and taking an early morning run, I took off for Modesto. I had a work meeting with customers at Memorial Hospital that I was loathe to try and reschedule given how hard it was to schedule.

I was back to Lake Tulloch in the late afternoon. Philip, John and I took Tim, Cole and Jack out on the boat. Jack wakeboarded and Tim skied on two skis. Picking up the Big Momma ski toy, we pulled the boys and ended up in the eastern part of the lake above the Highway 48 bridge. This section of the lake is all 5 mph. From our previous trip, I enjoy the scenery in this part of the lake; there are some great views of Table Mountain. We spent some time swimming and diving off the rocks. We spent some more time pulling the boys on the ski toy before heading back to the house. It was after 7 p.m. by the time we got back to the house.

The girls spent the afternoon in Murphys winetasting and having lunch.

Sharon with some help from me made cornflake chicken, scalloped potatoes, broccoli and green beans for dinner.

After dinner, we played the 8-ball. The dads and the boys played as teams. Jack and I won a couple of games and lost a bunch. By the time, we got to bed it was late!

California Historical Landmark #572

Condemned Bar
California State Historical Landmark #572

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This landmark is located 0.1 mile northeast of the El Dorado-Sacramento County line on Green Valley Road, 4 miles northeast of Folsom, California in El Dorado County. There are 29 other California State Historical Landmarks in El Dorado County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 42.030 W 121° 06.570.

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

 


This historic mining town, and other towns and mining camps of the gold rush era now inundated by Folsom Lake, are commemorated by the nearby Mormon Island Memorial Cemetery. Here were reburied the pioneers whose graves were flooded when the lake was formed by Folsom Dam.

Condemned Bar was situated along the North Fork of the American River 2.5 miles north-northeast of the confluence of the North Fork and South Fork.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

2009 Lake Tulloch Day 2

Sharon and Jack spent the morning on Lake Tulloch with Marlene, Deborah, Tim and Cole. We rented a wakeboard for Jack. He wakeboarded several times and continues to get more and more comfortable and bold on the board.

After work, I drove up to the lake. Philip, John and I took the boys out for a twilight run on an inflatable ski toy called the Big Mama. John and I also took some turns with the boys.

The nine of us finished the evening hanging out in the house. Marlene and Philip fixed a great late dinner of steak, baked potatoes, and corn.

California Historical Landmark #570

Negro Hills
California State Historical Landmark #570

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This landmark is located 0.1 mile northeast of the El Dorado-Sacramento County line on Green Valley Road, 4 miles northeast of Folsom, California in El Dorado County. There are 29 other California State Historical Landmarks in El Dorado County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 42.030 W 121° 06.570.

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

 

This historic mining town, and other towns and mining camps of the gold rush era now inundated by Folsom Lake, are commemorated by the nearby Mormon Island Memorial Cemetery. Here were reburied the pioneers whose graves were flooded when the lake was formed by Folsom Dam.

Negro Hill was founded in 1848 along the American River, east of Leidesdorff Ranch, near today's city of Folsom. By 1853, a multiethnic community of over 1,200 people lived in Negro Hill, bolstered by an influx of free people of African ancestry to California.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

2009 Lake Tulloch Day 1

Sharon and Jack took off for Lake Tulloch in the afternoon. They will be spending a couple of days with the Sanborn's at their house on the lake outside Copperopolis. The Cunningham's are also going. We spent a couple of days with Sanborn's there in 2007.

California Historical Landmark #571

Salmon Falls
California State Historical Landmark #571

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

This landmark is located 0.1 mile northeast of the El Dorado-Sacramento County line on Green Valley Road, 4 miles northeast of Folsom, California in El Dorado County. There are 29 other California State Historical Landmarks in El Dorado County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 42.030 W 121° 06.570.

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

 


This historic mining town, and other towns and mining camps of the gold rush era now inundated by Folsom Lake, are commemorated by the nearby Mormon Island Memorial Cemetery. Here were reburied the pioneers whose graves were flooded when the lake was formed by Folsom Dam.

Salmon Falls was located on the banks of the South Fork of the American river, at the mouth of Sweetwater creek. The name of the town was derived from the cataract in the American river near the site of the town where the Indians used to come down from the mountains to catch salmon.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Never Say Never Again

Continuing my glacial quest to watch all of the Bond films in order, Sharon, Jack and I watched Never Say Never Again on Saturday night. Released in 1983 by Warner Bros., the film is a non-EON Productions remake of the 1965 James Bond film, Thunderball. It stars Sean Connery in his final film performance as British Secret Service agent James Bond 007. Although not part of the official series, it is the seventh "Bond" movie to star Sean Connery and was made 12 years after he started in Diamonds are Forever. It was the first Bond movie to use a non-Ian Fleming originated title.

In the story, a SEPCTRE agent infiltrates an American military base in England and orders the dummy warheads in two cruise missiles replaced with two live W80 nuclear warheads during a test. SPECTRE intercepts the cruise missiles and uses the warheads to extort billions of dollars from the governments of the world.

The film takes place in an alternative timeline compared to previously released films. It ignores the events of the previous six Sean Connery films. In particular, Blofeld is active and apparently previously unknown to Bond and MI6.

In addition to Sean Connery as James Bond, the movie stars Kim Basinger as Bond's primary love interest Domino Petachi, Barbara Carrera as Largo's henchwoman Fatima Blush and Klaus Maria Brandauer as Maximillian Largo.

I believe that this is the first Bond Film that I ever saw in the theater. I can remember seeing it in a packed theater in 1983 with Alison and spending part of the film listening to a crying baby. I am ambivalent about the movie; I don't really like it or dislike it.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Junior Boys - Dull To Pause

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!
@Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Junior Boys - Dull To Pause #potw #fb

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Outlaws Baseball Practice


Jack spent the morning at the first formal practice for the new Elk Grove Outlaws baseball tournament team. The team is currently scheduled to play in six tournaments in September, October and November.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

2009 Flag Football Player Clinic

I took Jack to the CSD flag football player clinic. Staff ran the kids in groups of 20 through a number of drills, while the coaches evaluated the kids' skill levels. After the clinic, the coaches will get together and draft the kids on to teams.

This is the third year in a row that Jack will be playing flag football in this league. The games start on August 29. Last year, Jack played both flag football and tournament baseball during the fall. This worked pretty well; he is going to try and do the same thing again this year.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Devil's Corral Bizz Johnson Trail Bike Ride Maps

On Friday when we were at Lake Almanor, Jack and I rode 11.3 miles on the Bizz Johnson Trail. Using data from my Garmin 305 GPS, I generated the following topo map, graph, views in Google Earth and Google Map. In addition to the 305, we both have handlebar mounts for a pair of large display Garmin 201s that we use as speedometers.

Last year, Jack and I rode a lower section of the trail starting in Susanville. At some point, I would like to ride the entire 33 mile trail at one time; maybe next year with Wallen.










View Larger Map

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Julie & Julia

Sharon and her sister-in-law Kathy went to see Julie & Julia. Sharon had read the book and enjoyed. Sharon loved the movie.

California Historical Landmark #747

The Coloma Road
California State Historical Landmark #747

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This landmark is located at 4222 Green Valley Road, Rescue, California in El Dorado County. There are 29 other California State Historical Landmarks in El Dorado County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 38° 42.670 W 120° 57.130.

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




Past this point on the old Coloma Road, running between Sutter's Fort and his sawmill on the American river, James W. Marshall rode with the first gold discovered at Coloma on January 24, 1848.

With the discovery of gold, Coloma Road became one of the primary routes to the gold fields of El Dorado County. The road started at Sutter's Fort (New Helvetia), then proceeded to Willow Springs (near Folsom), Mormon Island, Green Valley (near Rescue), Rose Springs, turned north at Tennessee Creek, crossed Dry Creek and then Weber Creek, and continued on to Coloma. Soon thereafter, a connection to Uniontown (Lotus) was built and the present-day general road alignment for Green Valley and Lotus Roads completed.

Traveled by thousands to and from the diggings, this road became the route of California's earliest stageline, established in 1849 by James E. Birch.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Boy Scout Troop 59 Weekly Meeting (#3)

Jack went to the weekly meeting of Boy Scout Troop 59. I am still working to try and get him engaged in Boy Scouts. With tournament baseball, flag football and school all starting up over the next three weeks, this may be a struggle.

The scouts worked on getting ready for the upcoming overnight camping trip at Silver Creek. Tim worked with the group finalizing the menu and the shopping lists, while Jack helped organize and check the gear the boys will be using.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Madelle (Sally) Elizabeth Abbott

My aunt passed away last week; she was my mother's brother's wife.

Madelle (Sally) Elizabeth Abbott of San Dimas, California died on August 6, 2009 from pneumonia due to Leukemia.

Sally was born, July 3, 1932 in Seattle, Washington. Sally grew up in Seattle and spent her summers on Harstine Island in Washington. Sally attended UC Davis and graduated UC Berkley with a BA degree in Sociology. In 1955 she married Spencer Earl Abbott and they moved to the Charter Oak/San Dimas area to build their life together.

Sally was a perpetual volunteer. She spent 16 years as a Camp Fire Girl Leader with 5 years on the training committee specializing in teaching the leaders how to cook outdoors with the girls and received many awards. She volunteered at Charter Oak School District for over 6 years concentrating in instructional aides and bulletin boards. Additionally, she volunteered for Boy Scouts, La Verne YMCA and 4-H. She enjoyed judging the baking and sewing entries entries at local 4-H fairs and the Los Angeles County Fair.

Sally was an excellent seamstress from sewing clothes for her children and grandchildren to constructing fine suits, luggage and ski clothes. Anywhere she would travel would include a stop at a fabric store. Sewing lead her to a wonderful group of friends after she retired.

Sally was a Home Economics Teacher at Chaparral Middle School in Diamond Bar from 1976 to 1990. Her love of cooking and sewing was infectious to all. The smell of food baking would permeate the school and her love of travel would lead her to Europe chaperoning student tours.

Sally was a major contributor for the acquisition and management of the the rental property that would become their retirement fund.

Sally traveled the West Coast and Mexico for over 50 years joyfully with her husband and family in their motor home every summer visiting family and friends. She also enjoyed spending a month every year in Smoot, Wyoming on her ranch.

She collected iris which brought a rainbow of colors to her garden every spring which she shared with all. Everyone that knew her will remember her every time they see an iris.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents; Charles James and Madelle Elizabeth Widrig and her brother James Murrin Widrig.

Sally is survived by her husband, Spencer Abbott. Her sister, Carol Widrig of Seattle, WA and sister in-law, Patty Widrig of Gig Harbor, Washington. Her three children: Kathleen Bennet and husband Ed of San Dimas, Raymond Abbott of San Dimas, and Jill Serna of Henderson, Nevada. She is also survived by three grandchildren; Bryce Hulet, Danielle Serna, Kevin Serna and two great-granddaughters; Taylor and Trinity.

Sally will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother and friend to all that she met. We who loved her are grateful for her life and her example. She will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to your favorite charity.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, August 30th at Todd's Memorial Chapel in Pomona at 570 North Garey Avenue with lunch following at the Sheraton Fairplex.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Anjulie - Boom

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!
Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Anjulie - Boom

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Time Capsule

With the passing of both of her parents, Sharon and her brothers have been fixing up their parent's house as a rental. The improvements include rebuilding a section of fence. When they were kids, their dad suggested that they put a time capsule in a brick fence post that was being built. This post is going to be replaced by the new fence. Tom wanted everyone get together and open the time capsule. It contained the front page of the Sacramento Bee from Friday, October 22, 1971, a letter that their entire family signed and a 1971 penny.





Saturday, August 08, 2009

2009 Lake Almanor Day 8

A set of group photos to end the week... These photos capture less than half of the people who made an appearance during the week!











I spent the morning packing the car and cleaning the cabin. Tomasin took two short runs in the boats with first his boys and then Craig. Hunter also took his boat out for a short run.

Everyone rolled from the Dorado Inn about 12:30 p.m. I followed Tomasin and Hunter down Highway 32. We made the traditional stop for lunch at The Graduate in Chico. Jack and I were back into Sacramento about 4:30 p.m.

Friday, August 07, 2009

2009 Lake Almanor Day 7



With the weather still very unseasonable cool, Jack and I took off for the Bizz Johnson Trail with our bikes. Last year, we rode from the start of the trail in Susanville up past both of the railroad tunnels. This year, we started at the Devil's Corral. We hiked east from here to the railroad tunnels six years ago...

Jack and I headed west. The terrain is much different than the section that we did last year. This section climbs away from the river up on the ridge, while the lower section runs along the river. We covered about 11.3 miles round trip.

We got back to the cabin in the early afternoon. Tomasin's brother, his girlfriend, three of their kids and Tomasin's mom showed up for the day. Tomasin took them out in the boat. Although still fairly rough and cool, Snipes and I followed them out on the lake. While they wakeboarded, Snipes and I drifted and tried to solve world hunger. Hunter also brought his boat out on the lake with Debbie and Tyler.

Jack finished the afternoon playing catch with Nate and cribbage with me.

We took a group of 22 to dinner for chinese food at Happy Garden. We finished the night back at the cabins watching the Giants blow a two run lead in the eighth and lose to the Reds by the score of 10 to 5.

Biking on the Bizz Johnson Trail

Thursday, August 06, 2009

2009 Lake Almanor Day 6


After a long, busy day on Wednesday, today turned into a slow day with funky weather.

Wallen and I went over to Lake Almanor Recreation Trail for a run. I have often said that one of the reasons that I train hard is so that I can run with Wallen a couple of times a year. We ran a 8:30 mile in the first mile. I then started to struggle with the rolling terrain and the slight uphill. Wallen ran with me to the our 2.5 mile middle point and then left me behind as we headed back.

When we got back to the cabins, the lake was very choppy. It was getting colder, windier and cloudier. Tomasin and Snipes took their boats out on the lake looking for some smooth water, but it was too rough to ski.

A large group spent the late morning and early afternoon playing horseshoes. Tomasin and Bachman beat David and Drew repeatedly.

With Bachman and Anna heading home, a group started for Carol's to get a late lunch. With Carol's closing at 2:00 p.m., we ended up at Anna's Cafe in Greenville. I was very pleased with the food and the service; I would definitely go back.

We finished the afternoon playing hearts and cribbage. Snipes and I made a fire in pit to try and keep warm while we helped Tomasin barbecue.

The Tomasins made pork loin, baked beans and coleshaw for dinner. As we were sitting down at the picnic tables it started to rain hard. We were chased back into the cabins to finish dinner.

A group including Tomasin, Snipes, Hunter, Tyler, Danny, Robbie, Becky, Debbie and I finished day at Chuck's Railroad Room in Westwood playing pool and darts. After last night's fiasco at Plumas Pines, this place was perfect. We had a great time. By the time, we got home and to bed it was after midnight.

Playing pool in Westwood


Playing pool in Westwood, originally uploaded by heringermr.