Of all the things I expected to be doing last night, making espresso shots at 2am with one of the most popular lindy hop bandleaders in the country was not what I anticipated. Gordon Webster is a much celebrated swing bandleader based in New Jersey who travels the world sharing his unique take on swing…
The Best Seat in the House: Building a Virtual Audience for a Swing Dance Competition
A few months ago my team at Yehoodi.com began an audacious plan to broadcast live on the internet the International Lindy Hop Championships in DC, the most prestigious dance competition in the lindy hop world. This was a big first for the swing dance community. While other lindy dance contests have been live streamed before (notably…
Barry Joseph Leaving Global Kids, Leading Digital Learning at American Museum of Natural History
I'm excited to share the news that my friend, mentor and former boss at Global Kids, Mr. Barry Joseph, will be leaving his post after 12 years to take on the position of Associate Director of Digital Learning at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC. I could not be happier for him. Barry being…
Watch this Youth-produced Video on Coral Reef Bleaching from the Cal Academy! (video)
I invite you to check out this short science video produced by a group of teenagers during a program that I co-facilitated at the California Academy of Sciences called the "Science in Action Summer Intensive." Entitled "Fading Jewels of the Sea," this is the first of three science videos our team of 10 students produced…
The Gatsby Summer Afternoon: Visiting a World without Plastic
The Gatsby Summer Afternoon is a lavish 1920s era lawn party put on by the Art Deco Society of California. Hundreds of vintage hounds gathered yesterday on the lawn of the elegant Dunmuir estate in Oakland to be transported briefly into another time, bathed in warm sunshine and fresh air. I've been to "prohibition-era"…
The Lovely Decobelles Performing at Gatsby Summer Afternoon 2012 (video)
Check out this ridiculously cute video of the 18 "Decobelles" performing at a glorious Gatsby Summer Afternoon lawn party today in Oakland. Such great energy and choreography! More cool pics of the Decobelles in action here!
Q Ginger: My New Favorite Ginger Beverage
I have a six pack of Reeds ginger beer sitting untouched in my fridge. It's a decent beverage, but I can't drink it anymore after having "Q Ginger," billed as "a superior ginger ale." That reads to me like up-sell marketing, but in fact I have to agree. It's the best ginger beverage I've ever…
“SwingNation” #2 featuring Valerie Salstrom on Getting Kids into Swing (video)
Here's episode number two of the "SwingNation" live web talk show, featuring my buddies Spuds, Zuckerpunch and myself, talking about all the happenings in the world of swing. While not without its rocky patches, I think overall the show went well. The highlight for me was the chance to get to talk to Ms….
Biking from the Emeryville Marina to the Berkeley Marina
On Monday, I did an awesome bike ride from the Emeryville Marina to the Berkeley Marina and back. Part of the San Francisco Bay Trail, that winds it way all up and down the coast, it's an easy 10 mile trip that I highly recommend. Here's some pics from my bike journey.
Weinstein’s Department Store Footbridge in Downtown SF (pic)
Ran into this awesome bit of old San Francisco on Stephenson Street, between 6th and 7th street in downtown SF. It's apparently a covered walkway advertising the "Weinstein Department Store" on Market Street. Here's the story of this sign, according to foundsf.org: Spanning Stevenson Street midway between Sixth and Seventh, a covered footbridge connects what…