For me, the highlight of the evening was a short film that they showed just before midnight. Apparently, it has become a tradition in Germany and a number of other European Countries to watch Dinner for One on New Year's Eve. The short embedded below starts after a 2:20 minute introduction in German.
Monday, December 31, 2007
New Year's Eve 2007
Leaving Jack with his cousins, Sharon and I went with Tommy, Becky, Tim and Kathy to the New Year's Eve Gala at the Sacramento Turn Verein. It was an odd evening. Tommy and Becky are taking German language classes and heard about the party in their class. Most of the people were either older German-Americans or transplanted German nationals. The night included dinner and dancing. Although I grumbled over the course of the evening [especially after several hours of German music], I enjoyed the company.
For me, the highlight of the evening was a short film that they showed just before midnight. Apparently, it has become a tradition in Germany and a number of other European Countries to watch Dinner for One on New Year's Eve. The short embedded below starts after a 2:20 minute introduction in German.
For me, the highlight of the evening was a short film that they showed just before midnight. Apparently, it has become a tradition in Germany and a number of other European Countries to watch Dinner for One on New Year's Eve. The short embedded below starts after a 2:20 minute introduction in German.
NBA Power Ranking 2007-2008 Week 9
With Artest joining Bibby and Martin on the shelf until at least the middle of January, I am expecting the Kings to continue to fall in Marc Stein's NBA power ranking. The Kings dropped from 17th to 22nd out of 30 teams this week. I expect that they will drop another 3 or 4 places by next week.
ESPN - NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association - The Kings are a passable 9-10 with Artest in the lineup. But now he might need elbow surgery, while Martin and Bibby remain out. So it's little wonder Sactown just dropped four in a row at Arco after starting 7-3 there.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
California Historical Landmark #157
This is the mission that Jack was assigned for this fourth grade project. We took a short trip to the San Fernando Valley between Christmas and New Year's.
Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana
California State Historical Landmark #157
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
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This landmark is located at 15151 San Fernando Mission Blvd, Mission Hills, California. There are 102 other California State Historical Landmarks in Los Angeles County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 34° 16.375 W 118° 27.699.
A list of California missions is here. The missions that I have visited are highlighted in red.
You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.
Mission San Fernando Rey de España was founded by Father Lasuén in September 8, 1797. A house belonging to Francisco Reyes, on Encino Rancho, furnished temporary shelter for the missionary in charge. An adobe chapel, built and blessed in December 1806, was damaged by the destructive earthquake of 1812 - a new church was completed in 1818.
California State Historical Landmark #157
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This landmark is located at 15151 San Fernando Mission Blvd, Mission Hills, California. There are 102 other California State Historical Landmarks in Los Angeles County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 34° 16.375 W 118° 27.699.
A list of California missions is here. The missions that I have visited are highlighted in red.
You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.
Mission San Fernando Rey de España was founded by Father Lasuén in September 8, 1797. A house belonging to Francisco Reyes, on Encino Rancho, furnished temporary shelter for the missionary in charge. An adobe chapel, built and blessed in December 1806, was damaged by the destructive earthquake of 1812 - a new church was completed in 1818.
California Historical Landmark #150
California State Historical Landmark #150
See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps
This landmark is located at 15174 San Fernando Mission Blvd, Los Angeles, California. There are 102 other California State Historical Landmarks in Los Angeles County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 34° 16.356 W 118° 27.724.
You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.
Brand Park, also called Memory Garden, was given to the city for a park November 4, 1920. It is a part of the original land grant of Mission San Fernando de Rey de España, and the colorful and picturesque atmosphere of the early California missions is preserved in Memory Garden.
Los Angeles County Landmarks
{GPS Coordinates of Site Location}
NO. 127 CASA DE GOVERNOR PÍOPICO
NO. 144 NUESTRA SEÑORA LA REINA DE LOS ANGELES
NO. 145 AVILA ADOBE
NO. 147 BANNING PARK
NO. 150 Brand Park (Memory Garden) - [map] - {34.2726,-118.462067}
NO. 151 CAMPO DE CAHUENGA
NO. 152 DOMÍNGUEZ RANCHHOUSE
NO. 156 LOS ANGELES PLAZA
NO. 157 Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana - [map] - {34.272917,-118.461650}
NO. 158 MISSION SAN GABRIEL ARCÁNGEL
NO. 159 PICO HOUSE (HOTEL)
NO. 160 PLUMMER PARK AND OLDEST HOUSE IN HOLLYWOOD
NO. 161 SITE OF MISSION VIEJA
NO. 167 LA MESA BATTLEFIELD
NO. 168 OAK OF THE GOLDEN DREAM
NO. 169 DRUM BARRACKS
NO. 170 HANCOCK PARK LA BREA
NO. 171 MERCED THEATRE
NO. 172 PIONEER OIL REFINERY
NO. 235 CASA ADOBE DE SAN RAFAEL
NO. 289 FIRST HOME OF POMONA COLLEGE
NO. 301 LUGO ADOBE (SITE OF)
*NO. 302 Old Mill - [map] - {34.119011,-118.1278}
NO. 362 RÓMULO PICO ADOBE (RANCHITO RÓMULO)
NO. 363 CENTINELA SPRINGS
NO. 367 E. J. BALDWIN'S QUEEN ANNE COTTAGE
NO. 368 HUGO REID ADOBE
NO. 372 ADOBE DE PALOMARES
NO. 373 OLD SALT LAKE
NO. 380 SITE OF HOME OF DIEGO SEPÚLVEDA
NO. 381 SITE OF OLD WHALING STATION
NO. 383 SITE OF ADOBE HOME OF JOSÉ DOLORES SUPULVEDA
NO. 384 TIMMS' POINT AND LANDING
NO. 385 RIO SAN GABRIEL BATTLEFIELD
NO. 386 LA CASA DE CARRIÓN
NO. 451 THE ORTEGA-VIGARE ADOBE
NO. 514 POMONA WATER POWERPLANT
NO. 516 WELL, CSO 4 (PICO 4)
NO. 516-2 MENTRYVILLE
NO. 522 SERRA SPRINGS
NO. 531 LUMMIS HOME
NO. 536 ORIGINAL BUILDING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
NO. 554 CECIL B. DeMILLE STUDIO BARN
NO. 556 RANCHO SAN FRANCISCO
NO. 567 ST. VINCENT'S PLACE
NO. 580 WELL, ALAMITOS 1
NO. 590 LANG
NO. 632 OLD SHORT CUT
NO. 637 CATALINA ADOBE
NO. 646 GRAVE OF GEORGE CARALAMBO, (GREEK GEORGE)
NO. 653 THE CASCADES
NO. 655 PORTOLÁ TRAIL CAMPSITE (I)
NO. 656 BELLA UNION HOTEL SITE
N0. 658 WESTERN HOTEL
NO. 664 HERITAGE HOUSE
NO. 665 PORTOLÁ TRAIL CAMPSITE, 2
NO. 669 GOVERNOR STONEMAN ADOBE, LOS ROBLES
NO. 681 PARADOX HYBRID WALNUT TREE
NO. 688 LYONS STATION STAGECOACH STOP
NO. 689 LOS ENCINOS STATE HISTORIC PARK
NO. 716 GRIFFITH RANCH
NO. 717 THE ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST
NO. 718 SITE OF THE INITIAL UNITED STATES AIR MEET
NO. 730 OLD PLAZA FIREHOUSE
NO. 744 THE MIRROR BUILDING (SITE OF BUTTERFIELD STAGE STATION)
NO. 753 SAN FERNANDO CEMETERY
NO. 789 SITE OF THE LOS ANGELES STAR
NO. 822 FIRST JEWISH SITE IN LOS ANGELES
NO. 840 OLD SANTA MONICA FORESTRY STATION
NO. 871 THE GAMBLE HOUSE
NO. 874 WORKMAN HOME AND FAMILY CEMETERY
NO. 881 SITE OF PORT LOS ANGELES LONG WHARF
NO. 887 PASADENA PLAYHOUSE
NO. 894 S.S. CATALINA
NO. 911 CHATSWORTH CALERA SITE
NO. 912 GLENDORA BOUGAINVILLEA
NO. 919 ST. FRANCIS DAM DISASTER SITE
NO. 920 CASA DE SAN PEDRO
NO. 933 SITE OF LLANO DEL RIO COOPERATIVE COLONY
NO. 934 TEMPORARY DETENTION CAMPS FOR JAPANESE AMERICANS-SANTA ANITA ASSEMBLY CENTER AND POMONA ASSEMBLY CENTER
NO. 939 Twentieth Century Folk Art Environments (Thematic)-OLD TRAPPER'S LODGE
NO. 947 REFORM SCHOOL FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS (FRED C. NELLES SCHOOL)
NO. 960 LOS ANGELES MEMORIAL COLISEUM
NO. 961 HAROLD LLOYD ESTATE (GREENACRES)
NO. 963 THE MOJAVE ROAD
NO. 965 POINT DUME
NO. 966 ADAMSON HOUSE AT MALIBU LAGOON STATE BEACH
NO. 972 NAVY AND MARINE CORPS RESERVE CENTER
NO. 975 EL MONTE-FIRST SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SETTLEMENT BY IMMIGRANTS FROM UNITED STATES
NO. 978 RANCHO LOS CERRITOS HISTORIC SITE
NO. 984 CASA DE RANCHO SAN ANTONIO (HENRY GAGE MANSION)
NO. 988 PACIFIC ASIA MUSEUM (GRACE NICHOLSON'S TREASURE HOUSE OF ORIENTAL AND WESTERN ART)
NO. 990 CHRISTMAS TREE LANE
NO. 993 WATTS TOWERS OF SIMON RODIA
NO. 997 TUNA CLUB OF AVALON
NO. 1006 BEALE'S CUT STAGECOACH PASS
NO. 1011 FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT TEXTILE BLOCK HOUSES (THEMATIC), ENNIS HOUSE
NO. 1011 FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT TEXTILE BLOCK HOUSE (THEMATIC), FREEMAN HOUSE
NO. 1014 LONG BEACH MARINE STADIUM
NO. 1018 MANHATTAN BEACH STATE PIER
NO. 1021 LIBERTY HILL SITE
NO. 1038 Hay Tree
NO. 1041 Site of the Childhood Home of the Beach Boys
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Back from San Fernando
Up a little after 6 a.m., we were on the road by 6:45 a.m. heading back to Sacramento. Within an hour, we were back in the Central Valley. Along with two dozen other people, we made a stop at a Starbucks just off the Grapevine. We stopped again for gas at Santa Nella. We were back in Sacramento about 12:05 p.m.
After taking more than 7 1/2 hours to get there on Thursday, it took us 5 hours and 20 minutes to get home. Taking out the two short stops, the driving time was about 4 hours and 50 minutes.
After taking more than 7 1/2 hours to get there on Thursday, it took us 5 hours and 20 minutes to get home. Taking out the two short stops, the driving time was about 4 hours and 50 minutes.
Friday, December 28, 2007
French 75 in Burbank
After spending the day running around the San Fernando Valley, we had a late dinner at the French 75. This restaurant was recommended by the Hotel Amarano. Sharon had the fresh fish of the day which was blue nosed sea bass, while I had Filet au Roquefort. It was one of the best meals that we have had in a while. As critical as she is of restaurants, Sharon actually said "there is not one thing [about the dinner] that I can complain about." This is definitely a place where we would go again.
In the San Fernando Valley
After breakfast at the hotel, we headed towards the Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana. I am not sure that I have ever been to one of the 21 missions in California. I was impressed with the site. It is very well restored. The mission has an extensive collection of artifacts spread throughout the different buildings as well as a number of rooms decorated to represent the early 1800s. The Convento at the San Fernando Mission is the largest structure built at any of the missions in California.
We were surprised to find that Bob Hope is buried here. The Bob Hope Memorial Gardens are north of the church on the grounds of the San Fernando Mission.
After some debate, we ended up heading to the Los Angeles Zoo after we finished with the mission. This turned into a very successful afternoon; Jack had a great time. The zoo is touting its new Gorilla exhibit [The Campo Gorilla Reserve] which opened in November. One of the highlights of the afternoon was sitting and watching one of the female gorillas interact with the crowd. It is amazing how much intelligence there is in the eyes of a gorilla. Another highlight was watching the hippos being fed.
We left the zoo in the late afternoon and drove up to the observatory in Griffen Park. There was a huge amount of traffic so we just decided to head back to the hotel.
Jack and I went to the fitness room for a short workout on the treadmill and stationary bikes and a quick dip in the hot tub.
We were surprised to find that Bob Hope is buried here. The Bob Hope Memorial Gardens are north of the church on the grounds of the San Fernando Mission.
After some debate, we ended up heading to the Los Angeles Zoo after we finished with the mission. This turned into a very successful afternoon; Jack had a great time. The zoo is touting its new Gorilla exhibit [The Campo Gorilla Reserve] which opened in November. One of the highlights of the afternoon was sitting and watching one of the female gorillas interact with the crowd. It is amazing how much intelligence there is in the eyes of a gorilla. Another highlight was watching the hippos being fed.
We left the zoo in the late afternoon and drove up to the observatory in Griffen Park. There was a huge amount of traffic so we just decided to head back to the hotel.
Jack and I went to the fitness room for a short workout on the treadmill and stationary bikes and a quick dip in the hot tub.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
To San Fernando
With Jack working on a California Mission project for school, I talked Sharon into a short trip to Southern California to visit his assigned mission. He is working on a report and model of San Fernando Rey de Espana.
We left home in the morning and made a stop for lunch at the Harris Ranch Restaurant. I can not remember the last time that I actually drove to Los Angeles. Probably due to the holiday week, there was a lot of traffic. The traffic would speed up and then aburptly come almost to a stop as it bunched up on the two lanes of I-5 behind trucks and slower traffic. I had expected to be able to make great time, but we didn't. With a stop at a rest stop, the lunch stop at Harris Ranch, a gas stop, the traffic on I-5 down the valley and then the traffic coming down into the San Fernando Valley, the trip took about 7 1/2 hours.
We are staying at the Hotel Amarano in Burbank. After getting settled into the room and relaxing for a bit, we took off for the Citywalk at Universal Studios. We wandered around, Sharon did some shopping and ended up having dinner at the Wolfgang Puck Cafe [I had pumpkin ravoli and Sharon had roasted chicken]. Although we have had some great meals at some of other Wolfgang Puck restautrants, the food was nothing special.
We got back to the hotel about 10 p.m. and Jack crashed from all of the late nights of the last week.
We left home in the morning and made a stop for lunch at the Harris Ranch Restaurant. I can not remember the last time that I actually drove to Los Angeles. Probably due to the holiday week, there was a lot of traffic. The traffic would speed up and then aburptly come almost to a stop as it bunched up on the two lanes of I-5 behind trucks and slower traffic. I had expected to be able to make great time, but we didn't. With a stop at a rest stop, the lunch stop at Harris Ranch, a gas stop, the traffic on I-5 down the valley and then the traffic coming down into the San Fernando Valley, the trip took about 7 1/2 hours.
We are staying at the Hotel Amarano in Burbank. After getting settled into the room and relaxing for a bit, we took off for the Citywalk at Universal Studios. We wandered around, Sharon did some shopping and ended up having dinner at the Wolfgang Puck Cafe [I had pumpkin ravoli and Sharon had roasted chicken]. Although we have had some great meals at some of other Wolfgang Puck restautrants, the food was nothing special.
We got back to the hotel about 10 p.m. and Jack crashed from all of the late nights of the last week.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
2007 Kings versus Celtics
Jack and I went to the Sacramento Kings versus Boston Celtics basketball game. The Celtics won by a score of 89 to 69. For a number of reasons, it was a more interesting game than the score might suggest.
We are in the south end zone (Section 121, Row F, Seats 3 and 4). The Celtics were on defense at this end in the first half. I was amazed at how aggresive they were on defense. Not just Garnett, everyone of the Celtics players worked hard on defense. I am not sure that I have seen any other team work as hard on defense at Arco Arena this year. The Kings only scored 29 points in the first half.
The Kings actually led 24 to 20 with 9:00 to go in the second quarter. The Celtics then went on a 33 to 5 run to lead 53 to 29 at halftime. The Celtics were helped in this stretch by the fact that the Kings looked like the Keystone Cops.
Amazingly, the Kings came out in the third quarter and played pretty well. They clawed away at lead. With 11:10 to go in the fourth quarter, the Kings pulled within 5 points; the score was 66 to 61. The Celtics immediately hit two three pointers (House and Posey) to put the lead back to 11 points. From there, the Celtics applied pressure and the Kings scored only 8 more points in the quarter.
I ran into Norma Udell at the back of section 121 and stopped and talked to her briefly.
It was the first sell-out of the year with an announced attendance of 17,317. The arena was definitely full. I bought our tickets on-line about a month ago when the Celtics got off to their hot start.
American League Rookie of the Year Dustin Pedroia watched from courtside and was given a Kings jersey with his name. Pedroia, who grew up in nearby Woodland and plays for the Boston Red Sox, did not wear the jersey.
Kevin Garnett
Paul Pierce
Ray Allen
We are in the south end zone (Section 121, Row F, Seats 3 and 4). The Celtics were on defense at this end in the first half. I was amazed at how aggresive they were on defense. Not just Garnett, everyone of the Celtics players worked hard on defense. I am not sure that I have seen any other team work as hard on defense at Arco Arena this year. The Kings only scored 29 points in the first half.
The Kings actually led 24 to 20 with 9:00 to go in the second quarter. The Celtics then went on a 33 to 5 run to lead 53 to 29 at halftime. The Celtics were helped in this stretch by the fact that the Kings looked like the Keystone Cops.
Amazingly, the Kings came out in the third quarter and played pretty well. They clawed away at lead. With 11:10 to go in the fourth quarter, the Kings pulled within 5 points; the score was 66 to 61. The Celtics immediately hit two three pointers (House and Posey) to put the lead back to 11 points. From there, the Celtics applied pressure and the Kings scored only 8 more points in the quarter.
I ran into Norma Udell at the back of section 121 and stopped and talked to her briefly.
It was the first sell-out of the year with an announced attendance of 17,317. The arena was definitely full. I bought our tickets on-line about a month ago when the Celtics got off to their hot start.
American League Rookie of the Year Dustin Pedroia watched from courtside and was given a Kings jersey with his name. Pedroia, who grew up in nearby Woodland and plays for the Boston Red Sox, did not wear the jersey.
Paul Pierce
Ray Allen
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas Day 2007
Even after getting to bed at almost 11:00 p.m. the night before, Jack was in our room a little before 5:00 a.m. ready for Christmas morning to start. We got him to go back to bed, but by 6:15 a.m. he could stand it anymore and we all got up. Starting in mid-November, Jack has been saying that he wanted a Wii for Christmas. Santa obliged. More on where Santa got the Wii in a future post.Jack spent the loin's share of the morning trying out the different games. It was very cute to watch him play tennis on the Wii. We were able to get him outside for a while to enjoy a skateboard from Lee Ann and Dean and a dragonfly copter from his cousins.
Drew joined us for a late dinner. Sharon made a great dinner of prime rib cooked in the rotisserie, roasted potatoes and asparagus. After a couple of late nights, Jack started to fade during dinner. Drew and I ended up sitting and talking until after 11:30 p.m. while he worked on setting up his Christmas gift. I enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with Drew.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Christmas Eve 2007
Sharon, Jack and I met her mom, Sharon's brother Tim and her niece Eileen at St. Mary's for Mass. Afterwards, we headed to her parent's house in River Park. Traditionally, Sharon's family gets together for Christmas Eve. This year, the group totaled 13, including both of her brothers' families and Jim Dunn.
We had take-out from Buca di Beppo for dinner. After dinner, we exchanged presents. It is a nice size group. The kids' excitement makes it a very festive and enjoyable evening.
By the time we got home, it was after 10:30 p.m. and Jack was literally bouncing off the walls. He is very excited about Christmas tomorrow.
We had take-out from Buca di Beppo for dinner. After dinner, we exchanged presents. It is a nice size group. The kids' excitement makes it a very festive and enjoyable evening.
By the time we got home, it was after 10:30 p.m. and Jack was literally bouncing off the walls. He is very excited about Christmas tomorrow.
NBA Power Rankings 2007-2008 Week 8
After last night's Christmas gift from the Kings to the Nuggets which I had the pleasure of witnessing in person, I am not in the mood to talk about the Kings. Nevertheless, the Kings climbed from 21st to 17th out of the 30 teams in Marc Stein's weekly NBA power rankings.
ESPN - NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association - Another less-than-flattering advertisement for the Eastern Conference? The Kings were 0-8 on the road when they left for Boston on Dec. 11 and wound up posting a 3-2 trip after Ws in Philly, Jersey and Milwaukee.
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