Friday, February 27, 2015

The Beekeeper's Lament, by Hannah Nordhaus- events about the theme in the California foothills

The Auburn, CA One Book, One Community Club is offering events and activities featuring local Auburn area beekeeper, John Miller.  The bestselling book, The Beekeeper's Lament, is a nonfiction portrait of John, who is a fourth generation beekeeper in Newcastle, CA  struggling to stay afloat among the recent honeybee crises.

Schedule of events:

March 26, 2015-
"More Than Honey"
State Theater
Auburn, CA
7:00PM

April 4, 2015
Beekeeper's Dinner
Blue Goose Event Center
Loomis, CA
5:30PM

April 9, 2015
"The Beekeeper's Lament," Panel
Placer High Auditorium, 6:30PM

April 16, 2015
"Evening with the author, hosted by Beth Ryak, 6:30PM
Placer High Auditorium

Auburn, CA One Book One Community
www.auburnoboc.org

John Miller
Miller Honey Farms
Newcastle, CA
http://www.millerhoneyfarms.com

The Beekeeper's Lament
Harper Collins
May 2011
by Hannah Nordhaus




The Sacred Bee In Ancient Times and Folklore
by Hilda M. Ransam




The Beekeepers Bible:  Bees, Honey, Recipes, and Other Home Uses
by Richard Jones


Monday, February 23, 2015

Blooming Plum Trees, California

While it snows back East, it almost looks like snow here in California with all the white plum blossoms:









It

Chinese New Year Celebration at Bay Street in Emeryville, CA


Calligraphy on silk fans:


Martial arts:


Lion dancers:







Balloon art:

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Fun Books



A 1953 "Golden Book" classic, The Little Red Caboose is still fun:



Two fun books with dogs:



Saturday, February 7, 2015

USS Potomac - the Floating White House for FDR - Berthed at Jack London Square

We visited the USS Potomac on my son's recent birthday.  During the winter months on certain days, the ship has tours, then in the spring there are sailings available.  Lovingly restored after it fell into disrepair, the Potomac is an extraordinary museum.





FDR's stateroom:


FDR's bathtub:


The fantail:


The Presidential Seal on the fantail deck:



FDR's elevator, hidden in a faux smokestack:


Air vents:







Engine room:


Radio room with teletype:




Engine room:




Secret Service quarters:


Crew quarters:



The Potamac is located at Jack London Square in Oakland, CA.  There are school tours, private tours, and homeschool tours available.

The Wildflower Show, April 17th through 19th, 2015, at the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum

The largest wildflower show in the Northern and Western hemispheres in happening Friday through Sunday, April 17,18, and 19th 2015, from 10AM to 5 PM.

Wildflowers are gathered from such places as Fort Ord National Monument!

Pacific Grove Natural History Museum
Wildflower Show
http://www.pgmuseum.org/wildflower
165 Forest Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA
(831) 648-5716



Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Plank Restaurant and Bar at Jack London Square in Oakland, CA

The new Plank restaurant is a fun place to eat, drink, bowl, and even play bocce ball.  They have a huge patio area that looks out to the bay, Jack London Square, and a fountain.  This place is a marriage between old and new decorations and it fits well into the historic Jack London Square.  We took our son there and it was a little overwhelming with all the choices of entertainment, but it is a great place for adults.