Family Activity: Maker Faire is Mythbusters meets Burning Man

Earlier this month, my wife and I took our girls to the Maker Faire at the San Mateo Fairgrounds. This was our third visit in three years. The faire motto is “build, craft, hack, play, make” and in that spirit, the faire is a mighty gathering of people who like to [...]

Volunteer Spelling Dad at the Livermore Valley Charter School

One option for public education that is available to students in Livermore, California is the Livermore Valley Charter School. The school serves about 900 students in grades K through 8. Both of my daughters go to the School. Kayden is just finishing up the 3rd grade with Miss Apodaca. We [...]

NASA Phoenix Lander prepares to dig for Ice on Mars

NASA achieved an incredible milestone Sunday, with the successful landing of the Phoenix probe in Mars’ Arctic Circle. The Phoenix is equipped with a robotic shovel. Once it starts digging, scientists hope that the probe will find water in the form of ice embedded in the soil samples that it collects. A quick [...]

A Really Cool Science Fair Project for your Elementary School Student

My kids used to play the “floor is acid” game, (sometimes known as the “floor is hot lava” game). It’s a classic. To play, you jump from the sofa to the coffee table to the ottoman to the La-Z-Boy and so on, without ever touching the floor. If your foot touches the acid (aka [...]

Product Review: Summer-Kickoff BBQ-Sauce Taste-Test Challenge

Memorial Day marks the tradiitonal start of summer, so “Gentlemen, Start your grills.” Your family and guests are expecting some incredible burgers, breasts, chops, tri-tip, ribs, wings, steaks and kebabs. Do not disappoint.
I enjoy grilling, but I’ve never made much of a science of it. While some guys live and breathe their [...]

Family Activity: View WWII Aircraft on Memorial Day

Update for 2009  !!!
5/24 – 5/26      Livermore, CA (B-17, B-24 & P-51)
Airport: Livermore Municipal Airport
Location: General Aviation Terminal
Several WWII-era bombers and fighter planes will be on display at the Livermore Municipal Airport on May 25th, 26th and 27th, 2008. The aircraft are brought to you through the efforts of the Collings Foundation, an organization [...]

Clinton upsets Obama! (with remark in South Dakota)

Speaking before the editorial board of the Sioux Falls Argus-Leader, Senator Hillary Clinton defended her decision to remain in the Democratic Presidential Primary. Her comments referenced the assassination of Democratic front-runner Bobby Kennedy in June of 1968. On the face of it, her comments were easily and cynically misinterpreted as something along the [...]

Walking with a Pedometer Simplifies Exercise (and life)

Swimming, biking, and running have always been my favorite sports. I have also dabbled in weight-lifting, gymnastics and golf.
Each of these sports has a lot to offer, but each has its unique drawback. To swim you need convenient access to a pool. To bike, you need daylight and open roads with a [...]

Movie Review: Don’t fuhgetabout ‘The Fly Boys’ (2008)

Over the course of my life, I’m sure I’ve managed to see an independently made film or two, but I’m also sure that at least 95% of the films I’ve seen comes straight out of Hollywood. Lucky for me, the 10th Annual California Independent Film Festival was held in Livermore, California last month. [...]

It’s OK to Win in Speedo’s LZR Racer Swimsuit

The Speedo LZR Racer swimsuit was introduced to the marketplace a little over 3 months ago, and since then, has been a factor in at least 37 new world records. The suit is far more efficient at reducing drag than any suit made previously. Elite coaches and swimmers estimate that the suit results [...]