Remembering Another Generation

October 7, 2009

“Remembering Another Generation” is the name of a great article written by Cory Farley, KBZZ (1270 AM) talk show host from 4-6 pm weekdays in Reno. I’ve written him for permission to reprint it but until I hear back from him, here is the Reno Gazette-Journal article. I really enjoyed the commentary – it put tears in my eyes and sent a flood of memories to Grandpa Ron! I hope you enjoy it, too!


Seal Beach 13th Annual Japan America Kite Festival

October 6, 2009

What a string of kites last Saturday! Jonathan Smith, Staff Writer for the Long Beach Press-Telegram, and Stephen Carr, Staff Photographer, had a great article “Winds of tradition” in Monday’s paper. The front page has a super photo of Grandfather Tony Kwon helping his grandson Clay fly a kite. Here is the link for all the pictures. Here is also The Orange County Register version by Jaimee Lynn Fletcher with photos by Michael Goulding. A blog post by Long Beach Family covers the festival. (This blog covers local family things to do.)

The festival was sponsored by The Japan America Society of Southern California (JASSC) and the Up Up & Away Kite Club. It’s free to the public and attracts around 10,000 visitors a year.

Japanese Kite Master Mikio Toki visited from his home and kite workshop in Chiba, Japan, to share his kites. Mattel sponsored workshops where kids could build their own paper kites. The Japanese Taiko drumming corp Daion Taiko performed a traditional drumming show to excite the crowd.

In spite of the strong wind, it was a lot of fun!


Healing Exhibit by Linnea Lenkus

October 5, 2009

Linnea Linkus has a very special exhibit called ‘Healing’ of 35 portraits of children with special needs displayed to benefit The Steel Magnolias, the fundraising group of Stramski Children’s Developmental Center at Miller Children’s Center in Long Beach, CA. I read about it in the Long Beach Press-Telegram in an article written by Sue Manning of The Associated Press. Linnea Linkus’ photography is absolutely beautiful. Do explore her website and her blog! Perhaps consider purchasing her special book Healing which will also benefit The Steel Magnolias.

The ‘Healing’ exhibit opened last Friday, October 2, at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. On October 10 the GLOBAL public debut of ‘Healing’ will be at the Phantom Galleries LA, 390 E. 3rd St in Long Beach at 8 pm.


Orange County Children’s Book Festival

October 4, 2009

Grandpa Ron and I went to the Orange County Children’s Book Festival today at Orange Coast College campus in Costa Mesa today. It was the sixth annual one. The weather was perfect – okay, a little windy. Lots of families came out to see the activities and authors, illustrators and other child-related booths. We had a lot of fun and learned a lot! I had the best time talking to the Barrio Writers from Santa Ana and their sponsor, Sarah Rafael Garcia – a writer in her own right! I look forward to the Barrio Writers’ first book to be released this winter. They even have a blog! Sounds like they have been having a lot of fun putting it all together! Bought Willa Robinson’s book for my niece who will be teaching soon after talking to Willa for quite a bit. I also got to meet Ashley Wolff, whose book I Call My Grandpa Papa I had pre-ordered on Amazon before it was published. We also met the co-founder of the festival, Pat Burns, in her booth for GrandparentsRock.com.

Next year we’ll look forward to it! This year we just happened to see it written up in the Orange County Register!


Soccer Bonds Generations

October 3, 2009

Today’s read from the Long Beach Press-Telegram had a great little story by John Canalis, a writer for the Long Beach Press-Telegram, about soccer as a bond between the generations. John gave me permission to reprint it here for your enjoyment. He explores his daughter’s love of soccer in comparison with his and his dad’s passion for the game.


Look Mom! No Training Wheels!

October 2, 2009

Austin has mastered riding his two-wheeler without training wheels! He’s 3 and a half years old. One more time, Austin says, “I Do It, Too!” Here’s his video! Enjoy!

See what else Austin has learned to do in Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too!


King Tut Exhibit at de Young Museum

October 1, 2009

The King Tut exhibit is back at the San Francisco de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. Marilyn Newton of the Reno Gazette-Journal wrote a great article about it and has some great photos posted.

Information for visiting King Tut!