Muir Beach

Today we ventured into the Muir Beach area to join the PRBO team, Ed and Megan, for a session of mist-netting and bird-banding.

The small bag that Ed is carrying is what is used to transport birds that are caught to the cataloguing site.

Megan is disengaging a Spotted Towhee from one of eleven mist-nets setup in the area.

Megan is about to release a Golden-crowned Sparrow after the cataloguing and banding process. Other birds we saw for banding today were the Lesser Gold Finch and a Bushtit.

Chess Picnic

We spent Saturday afternoon in Golden Gate park at a Chess Picnic held by one of Syd's friends.

Artseed Fun Run

Thursday night we attended the ArtSeed Fun Run 5k.  We walked part-way before heading back for the after-run festivities.

Syd's drawing entry won for the t-shirt design contest!

Jellies

Loved the jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, too!

These lobed jellyfish were new to me.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

We just had to see the latest Sea Horse exhibit.

Super cool leafy sea dragons were there!

Tunnel View

El Capitan to the left.

Bridalveil Fall to the right.

Half Dome straight ahead.

Bridalveil Fall

Just one of many other waterfalls in the area. Amazing!

Glacier Point

Syd and Kyra in front of a view of Half Dome taken from Glacier Point.

Mr. Bear

We had bear sightings each morning. Unfortunately he, didn't get anything from us as our stuff was safely locked away in the bear box.

Fireside

We stayed on the campgrounds of Tuolumne Meadows. 

In the evening, we were treated by a light show by Syd and her friend Kyra who joined us for the trip. Oh yeah, we also had the mandatory s'mores by the fire.

Yosemite

August 1-4, 2009 

We went on a car camping trip to Yosemite.

Hiked part way to Gaylor Lake.

Dana Meadow down below.

Wages Creek

July 23-28, 2009

Syd and Keith went up to Westport to visit with Thad and Donna.

Fiddlekids

Friday, June 26, 2009

Syd spent a week at the Fiddlekids camp as part of the Beech Tree group. She learned tunes of the Appalachia, Bluegrass, Scottish, Irish and Swing. We were treated to great sounds on the last day. 

CMC Violin Summer Recital 2009

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Sydney did two pieces for the CMC Violin Sprint Recital:

Theme and Variations by G. Papini

   with piano accompanist, Fred Nunnally

Etude in d minor by S. Van Bueren (yes! her own composition)

Sydney with instructor, Loretta Taylor

Sydney with last year's instructor, Paul Espinosa

and fellow buddy and violinist, Jesske

Artseed Video Fundraiser

Hello everybody.  ArtSeed, which Sydney and I are involved with, has an opportunity to win some money.  This requires people to vote for our video at the following website.  The video was on the first page but that may change.  It is titled "The SF Flagship Supports Artseed"  To vote the first time you will need to register.  They only require your e-mail and no other information.  You can vote once every 24 hours until 12 June.  If you are willing, please vote as often as possible up to once per day!

The video is located here:

 

http://www.volunteeringmakesyouhappy.com/happyhour/

Make sure to click on:  The SF Flagship Supports Artseed 

Thanks,

Keith

ps:  Syd appears at the beginning of the video with short hair and blue tie-dyed t-shirt... then again, in the Artseed Intensive section with long hair and red SF hoodie.

pps: please gooooo vote!

Presidio Panther Trio

Saturday, May 16, 2009

The Presidio Panther Trio participated at the SFUSD Young at Art Community Day at the De Young Museum. Because of their high rating at the Solo Ensemble Festival, the trio (formerly quartet) were asked to be a part of the Command Music Performances. They performed the same Hadyn piece they did for the festival with Nora on violin, Syd on viola and Kevin on cello.

After the group's performance we went outside to the Outdoor Cafe stage and were treated with a show by the San Francisco Taiko Dojo Youth Group. Afterwards, Syd and her friend Dina (not pictured) got to go on stage and bang on the drums.

School Spring Concert

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Syd with viola at the school orchestra concert.

Artseed Art-a-thon

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Syd hosted a Fairy-making table at the Artseed Art-a-thon this year. Syd's buddies, Jesske and Dina were her co-hostesses in the venture. 

Here are samples of Syd's fae and check out her fairy blog.

Presidio Panther Quartet

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Syd participated in the Solo Ensemble Festival held at Marina Middle School. She played viola with Nora on first violin, Luke on second violin and Kevin on cello. They did a piece by Hadyn. For their efforts, they received a Superior - Command Performance rating which is the top of the rating system for this event!

CMC Violin Spring Recital

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Syd and her instructor, Paul, doing a duo of a Bartok piece.

Sydney's cakes

We decided to extend Sydney's 12th birthday celebration over three weekends.

Saturday, March 7, 2009
Sleepover birthday cake is Strawberry Tall cake with Jesske, Kyra and Dina.

Saturday, February 28, 2009
Keith's home-made coffee heath bar crunch ice cream cake shared with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Thad and Aunt Donna.

Artseed Painting

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Syd's weekly art session took place in front of an old hospital in the Presidio which is slated for demolition.




Here are Syd and ArtSeed's Director, Josepha setting up.



Josepha instructs Syd on blocking the building. Syd will be painting over a previous painting.



The blocking was created in about 15 minutes by both Syd and Josepha. Syd will continue to fill in details at home using photos taken.

Syd's New Do

Thursday, Februay 19, 2009

Sydney got her first really short haircut. She's not so sure about it. But Keith and I think she's just too cute!

Year of the Ox

Saturday, February 7, 2009

We went to our first Chinese New Year Parade evening celebration in San Francisco's downtown. Lots of dragons to touch for luck!



The grand finale firecracker explosion was an earful.

Sparky

Keith and Syd did some dogsitting for our neighbor during their winter school break.

According to Syd, Sparky is quite active!

After the experience, Keith is not so keen on following the dog around with a plastic baggie and picking up its droppings.