Jerusalem Farm Photo Album #2

What a powerful and productive week we just had hosting Jesuit High School Sacramento! Thank you all for coming way out here to serve others! Safe travels an we hope to see you again sometime!
Posted by Jerusalem Farm on Saturday, June 6, 2015

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Walbeck Baseball Academy Video Shoot

After working out with Matt in the cage in Folsom in the morning, Jack spent the afternoon at the Walbeck Baseball Academy Video Shoot.

Great day for our video shoot.

A photo posted by Walbeck Baseball Academy (@walbeckbaseballacademy) on Jun 14, 2015 at 8:11pm PDT

Graduation Party for Chelsea

Sharon and I went to a graduation party for Chelsea. Sharon has known Chelsea's mom, Mary, since first grade. Sharon and Mary went to St. Mary's parish school and St. Francis high school together. Liz showed up just as we were getting ready to leave.

Chelsea graduated from St. Francis and will be heading to Washington State University in Pullman for college.

The Matrix

Jack, Bridget, Sharon and I watched The Matrix. While I have seen pieces of the film over the years, I have never sat and watched the whole movie.

Released in 1999, the film stars Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne. It won Academy Awards for Film Editing, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing and Visual Effects.

Sharon didn't like the movie and wandered off in the middle to do something else...

Sacramento Bee's 2015 All-Metro baseball team

The Sacramento Bee’s All-Metro baseball team was selected by Joe Davidson of The Bee and Mike Finnerty of All-City Preps with emphasis on coach nominations and playoff impact.  The 2014 All-Metro baseball team is here.

Two Jesuit seniors were named to the Sacramento Bee’s 2015 All-Metro baseball team: Dodson and Cantelme. There were two Jesuit players last year: Dodson and Loeb. Although Loeb was on the Jesuit team this year, he was recovering from shoulder surgery and never played. Given Jesuit's lack of success in the play-offs over the last two years (missed in 2014, one and done in the 2015) and the fact that no Jesuit juniors made it this year, it is going to be interesting to see which, if any, Jesuit players make the All-Metro baseball team in 2016.

PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

* Nick Madrigal, Ty Madrigal, Srs., Elk Grove

FIRST TEAM

Catcher

* Caden Voges, Sacramento, Jr.

Infielders

* Dylan Carlson, Elk Grove, Jr.

* Isaiah Garcia, Lincoln, Sr.

* Hank LoForte, Franklin, Sr.

* Carlos Moseley, Elk Grove, Sr.

Outfielders

* Ryan Robards, Elk Grove, Jr.

* Isaiah Engman, Franklin, Sr.

* Tyson Solis, Oak Ridge, Sr.

* Matt Smith, El Dorado, Sr.

Utility

* Tanner Dodson, Jesuit, Sr.

* Matt Manning, Sheldon, Jr.

* Chris Roppolo, Oak Ridge, Sr.

* Josh Savea, Rio Americano, Sr.

* Logan Denholm, Oak Ridge, Sr.

Pitchers

* Adam Erickson, Roseville, Sr.

* Nick Frank, Granite Bay, Sr.

* Connor Davis, Oak Ridge, Sr.

* Tiegen Jones, Capital Christian, Jr.

* Ryan Sullivan, Oak Ridge, Sr.

SECOND TEAM

Catcher

* Spencer Lininger, Bella Vista, Sr.

Infielders

* Brooks Day, Elk Grove, Sr.

* Kody Gardner, Rio Americano, Jr.

* Drew Gnos, Davis, Sr.

* Joe McNamara, Christian Brothers, Jr.

Outfielders

* Jacob Alvidrez, Pleasant Grove, Sr.

* John Kidder, Roseville, Sr.

* Payton Simmons, Franklin, Sr.

* Zach Tresemer, Franklin, Jr.

Utility

* Grant Dragmire, Bradshaw Christian, Sr.

* Caden Goldby, Yuba City, Sr.

* Darren Nelson, Granite Bay, So.

* Jack Walsh, Laguna Creek, Sr.

Pitchers

* Caelen Bland, Vista del Lago, Sr.

* Nick Bonniksen, El Dorado, Sr.

* Dalton Gomez, Pleasant Grove, Sr.

* Micah Gunter, Valley Christian, Sr.

* Austin Southward, Yuba City, Sr.

HONORABLE MENTION

* Infielders: Ryan Arruda, Pleasant Grove; Jackson Balantac, Christian Brothers; Vincent Byrd, El Camino; Taylor Doyle, Yuba City; Jack Filby, McClatchy; Taylor Garcia, Capital Christian; Terron Halverson, Rio Linda; Alex LeForestier, Christian Brothers; Carson Leber, Dixon; Tyler Malone, Woodcreek; Devin Orr, Roseville; Joe Raymond, Del Oro; Jake Rodrigues, Oakmont; Mike Shoenberger, Rocklin

* Outfielders: Dayton Anderson, Bear River; Chase Chamberlain, Bradshaw Christian; Miles Coffee, Lincoln; Nolan Dahler, Woodland; Mason Fong, Kennedy; Cedric Johnson, Granite Bay; Shawn Franklin, Burbank

* Catchers: Matt Cantelme, Jesuit; Xavier Christensen, Bradshaw Christian; Jake Hathaway, Oak Ridge; Kellen O’Brine, Pleasant Grove; Antonio Torres, Antelope

* Pitchers: Jaime Arias-Bautista, Woodland; Dace Asher, River Valley; Alex Barajas, Sacramento; Andrew Cisneros, Pleasant Grove; Austin Loeb, Woodcreek; Kyle Lucke, Oak Ridge; Chris Martin, Elk Grove; Tyler MacKenzie, Dixon; Jake Miller, Placer; Tyler Mortensen, Davis; Donovan Palma, Cosumnes Oaks; Polo Portela, Grant; Jacob Rath, El Camino; Craig Schmich, Lincoln; John Treat, Woodland; Kyle Yamada, Del Oro; Alex Zalasky, Elk Grove

* Utility: Kevin Baranowski, Granite Bay; K.J. Crump, Sacramento; Trenton Denholm, Oak Ridge; Tyler Gums, Placer; Ray Henry, Colfax; Carlos Paniagua, Sheldon; Davis Rodigo, Del Campo; Austin Roberts, River City; Tim Wieser, Oakmont; Daniel Vitoria, Galt

COACH OF THE YEAR

* Jeff Carlson, Elk Grove

Overcoming injuries, playing the Sac-Joaquin Section’s most difficult nonleague schedule and competing in the area’s top league, Carlson kept the Thundering Herd together and motivated. Elk Grove won its eighth Division I North title since 2002 and its sixth D-I section championship since 2003 under Carlson. The Herd finished 24-10, including 7-1 in the playoffs. Adding to Carlson’s joy was coaching his son Dylan, an All-Metro first baseman.

ESPN 30 for 30 Shorts: Ted Turner's Greatest Race

Grant land and ESPN Films have released the thirty-fourth film in their 30 for 30 documentary short series.

30 for 30 Shorts: Ted Turner's Greatest Race

The latest film, directed by Gary Jobson, tells the story of a dark and stormy night in one of the world’s most prestigious yacht races.

You can find Ted Turner's Greatest Race on the ESPN web site at http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=12991717 .

More about the film at: http://espn.go.com/30for30/film?page=tedturnersgreatestrace.

Walbeck Elite 18U versus SC Cats

Jack will be working out and playing some baseball with the Walbeck Elite 18U team in June. Given the fact that he gone most of July and the team is carrying a bushel of outfielders/pitchers, I am not sure how many at bats he is going to get. I am just grateful that he is getting a chance to work-out and get a few at-bats.

The Walbeck Elite 18U played the SC Cats at Sac City in their first game of the summer season.

At the plate, Jack was 0 for 1 with a strike-out, a walk and a run scored. Subbing into right field in the sixth inning, Jack walked on five pitches. He went to second on a wild pitch, to third on Whitney's walk and scored on a wild pitch. Jack came to bat again in the seventh inning. He struck out swinging on a full count to end the game.

Jack was also a courtesy runner for the catcher twice. He got caught stealing the second time.

In the field, Jack played the bottom of the sixth in right field. He didn't have a put-out or an assist.

The Elite lost to the Cats by the score of 9 to 7. The box score is here.

For the summer season, the Elite have a record of 0 wins and 1 loss. The game log is here.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Monument Valley

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!



Code Expiration: September 1, 2015

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - White Noise

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!



Code Expiration: September 1, 2015

Raven Black by Ann Cleeves

I finished reading Raven Black by Ann Cleeves. I heard the author interviewed on an NPR book podcast last year and ordered the book. NPR used to put together a Books podcast that was a compilation of all of their individual book and author interviews. At some point in the last year, they stop pulling these together. This book made me realize how much I miss finding books that I might not have heard about otherwise. I need to start looking for some book podcasts!

Raven Black is a murder mystery/detective novel set in the Shetland Islands. It won the 2006 Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award for the best crime novel of the year. The award is given annually by the United Kingdom Crime Writers' Association. The novel is the first in a series known as the Shetland Island series.

I enjoyed the book; it was a nice light change of pace. It is was interesting to read a little about the culture of the Shetland Islands. I give the book a solid "B" grade.

Jerusalem Farm Photo Album #1

This has been a great project with students from Arkansas and Jesuit HS California! New drywall, insulation, paint,...

Posted by Jerusalem Farm on Friday, June 5, 2015

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Back from his Christian Service Immersion

Traveling back from spending the week in Kansas City for his Christian Service Immersion, we picked Jack up at the airport about 9:30 pm. The flight landed almost 25 minutes early. Watching the group collect their luggage and say goodbye, they seemed very bounded.

Jack spent the week putting new drywall, insulation, paint, carpet and crown molding in a home and working in the garden. I am going to post a couple of photo albums and individual pictures over the next week [Album #1, Album #2].

The group spent Saturday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium watching the Texas Ranges play the Kansas City Royals. The Rangers won the game by the score of 4 to 2.

Kuleto Estate

Finishing up a couple of days of Sharon staying with me in Napa, I met her at Kuleto Estates. She bought a couple of boxes of fried chicken and sides from Addendum in Yountville. Given that Sharon is a wine club member at this winery, we were able to eat in the picnic area overlooking the vineyard.

After eating, we took a tour and a tasting. In a twist of fate, it turned out that Noel and his girlfriend (Kathleen?) were in Napa for the weekend. They joined us for the tour and the tasting.

Auberge du Soleil

Spending a couple of nights with me in Napa, Sharon and I had a fantastic dinner at Auberge du Soleil. I had scallops, risotto and duck, while Sharon had foie gras, ricotta and veal. We had a Merry Edwards Estate Pinot Noir with dinner.

When I was a kid, we often ate ducks that my Dad had killed. As a result, I rarely order it for an entree. The duck was very good.

Celebrating Wallen's Birthday

Up surprisingly early, I ran 6 miles on the treadmill and then had breakfast. The TownePlace Suites had a solid complimentary breakfast.

After getting cleaned up, I caught the shuttle back to the airport. I checked my bag for the day at a storage place on the baggage claim level.

There is now a train from SeaTac to the downtown. Finding my way to the train, I rode it to the last stop which is about a block from Wallen's office. After getting a quick tour of his office, Wallen and I walked the mile and a half to the stadium. We met up with his brother Bob who had flown in the morning.

With an early 12:40 first pitch, the stadium was opened at 10:40 am. Bob and I were essentially the first fans on the suite level and found our way to the suite. We took advantage of what the suite had to offer...



I enjoyed the day a great deal. There was a group of 25 in the suite, including: Wallen, Jill, Nate, Sam, Murphy, Becky, Tal (who I met for the first time), Bob, Jim, Allyn, Bailey, Scott and Gail, Gaston and Vic. I have to admit that I spent a lot more socializing than I did watching the game.

The event was actually a birthday celebration for Wallen, Nate and Sam. Wallen's birthday was last Saturday, Sam's birthday was Tuesday and Nate's birthday was that day.



Behind seven strong innings from Tanaka and home runs from Teixeira and Jones, the Yankees beat the Mariners by the score of 3 to 1. Making his first start in more than a month, Tanaka (3-1) was efficient and overpowering. Tanaka struck out a season-high nine and had zero walks.

After the game was over, a group made one more stop near the stadium. About 5:30 pm, I started to wind my way back to the airport. I caught the train back to SacTac, picked up my bag and breezed through security. I caught a 8:10 pm flight back to Sacramento.

Finding my car and car keys, I drove back to Napa to catch up with Sharon. She is staying the next couple of days with me while I am working in St. Helena. I crashed about 11:30 pm. A long day...

To Seattle, Washington

After spending the day in the SmartHospital/SmartRoom Visioning meeting, I wandered back to the Sacramento Airport. I caught an 8:35 pm Southwest flight from Sacramento to SeaTac. I am taking a very quick trip to Seattle to celebrate Wallen's birthday!

Walking off the flight, I called the hotel to pick me up. They had a complimentary shuttle. I am spending the night at the Marriott TownPlace Suites in Renton. I was in the room and crashed just a little after 11 pm.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Patrick Watson - Hearts

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!



Code Expiration: August 25, 2015

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Dawes - Things Happen

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!



Code Expiration: August 25, 2015

Milo Greene

Off on his Jesuit Christian Service Immersion

Up at 3:30 am, we got to the airport at 4:30 am. Jack is traveling to Kansas City for a week with a group of twelve other Jesuit students (including Jason) plus faculty leaders Joe Potulny and Paul LeBoeuf for his Christian Service Immersion.

The group will be spending the week at Jerusalem Farm. This service-retreat is focused around four cornerstones: prayer; community; service, and; simplicity. Service has a emphasis on home repair. This includes the construction or repair of wheel chair ramps, decks, roofs, siding and painting.

We went to a presentation of all of the different immersion options last October. The parent meeting for the Kansas City immersion was held in January.