Do you have an old digital point-n-shoot?

Many of you know that I volunteer at the Greenhouse – a Christian Community Enrichment Center located in the Gardenland/Northgate neighborhood of Sacramento, California. The Center offers after-school tutoring, mentoring, summer day camps, a youth group for teens, leadership development, and skill-building workshops. I help the kids there with math and answer lots of computer questions but I also conduct a photography workshop. I teach the kids the basic skills of taking photos and then we go out take pictures and create a slideshows and books of the their work. Many of the kids participate and they really enjoy taking photos.

This year we’d like to take the workshop to another level and create a photography program. The program is called Exposure and the objective is not only to expose the kids of the Greenhouse to photography but to expose them to experiences that may foster a greater interest in the arts. We plan field trips to the Crocker, Second Saturday, and trips specifically for taking photos. We’ll also have guest speakers so if you’re a photographer, you can expect a call from me. We would like to get the program started in late March and we need your help.

We need your digital point-n-shoot cameras that you don’t use any more. Doesn’t matter if you not sure if it works or not. We need it. If you have a camera that you can donate, contact me. I’ll come pick it up! If you’re out of town, drop it in the mail to me and I’ll reimburse you for the postage. So go through the drawers and closets of your house and find those old cameras. Thank you in advance for your help.

Dining with the Divas (Part 2 of 3)

OK, so that was Friday night... Saturday we were invited to join the Poswall's (Peg and John) for a 4th of July Celebration at their house north of Newcastle where they have 50 acres almost all of which has been beautifully landscaped. Anyway, Peg Tomlinson-Poswall is also one of the Dining Divas and cooks and entertains at their lovely home on a weekly basis.

For most of the day, we sat around the pool and laid on the sofas on the second level deck visiting and munching on a few snacks but when it came time to get serious about dinner, Peg disappeared into the kitchen where she began organizing an outstanding spread. About 3 hours before meal time, Peg put the ribs in the oven on about 225 for some slow cooking. The were pre-seasoned with a savory rub and served with droplettes (smaller than a drop) of Peg's special balsamic vinegar. Then came the vegetables... gazpacho was served before the meal and served with the main course were heirloom tomatoes with balsamic vinegar, corn on the cob, and Italian potato salad complements of Dani Luzatti (friend and neighbor) who was also at the get together. We also had beets and pasta salad prepared by Jackie (one of Peg's neighbors) that was as good a pasta salad as I've eaten.

In addition to the great food, Tracy, the resident wine expert was there to make sure the pairings were perfect.... as did John. After dinner, we all went up to the tower and watched the fireworks show presented by John and Zabi. Most lasted well into the night up in the tower under a full moon. Others sneaked off to dream land.... guess which one I chose :-)

One more post tomorrow on this incredible weekend... Come back and check it out. You won't be sorry.

Dining with the Divas (Part 1 of 3)

This is the first of a three part post of a most unbelievable weekend of good friends and phenomenal food. Mary and I had the good fortune to get invited to dinner on Friday and then an overnight invite on Saturday and Sunday. These were no ordinary invites I might add. We were invited to dinner by 3 of the Dining Divas from Sacramento.

Friday night we went to the newly remodeled home of Joan Lieneke. The kitchen was fabulous and Joan was gracious enough to give us the grand tour and talk about each cooking station and its features. Very, very impressive. The anchor of the kitchen was the wood burning oven in which almost the entire meal was cooked. We started with pizza appetizers that Joan put together at the baking station. We then moved to the table for a raw salmon kibbe that was to die for... The main course was oven baked quail and broccoli with gnocchi prepared by the 2nd of the 3 Dining Divas, Paulette Bruce.

The quail was baked to perfection, the broccoli had a smoky flavor and the gnocchi was rich and creamy. We were also fortunate enough to have a wonderful bottle of BV Private Reserve that was 23 years old (provided by Jim and Debbie). For dessert, fresh fruit cup that was perfect after such a wonderful meal. Thanks Joan and Jake for having us over and Joan and Paulette for a perfect night out. Check out some of the photos...

Diamond in the Dunes

On Sunday, I was invited to preview a documentary film, Diamond in the Dunes, directed by Chris Rufo who is part of the Documentary Foundation here in Sacramento. The film is about Parhat Ablat, a young Muslim minority from the deserts of Western China, who leads the fight against racial segregation through baseball. The 10 minute preview had me wanting more of the story not only because I love baseball but because of the passion for which these people embrace the game and what their only game of the season against a team of Tibetans from the Qinghai Province means.

The story documents the struggles between two ethnic groups in the Xinjiang Province that band together to learn the game of baseball and for the chance to play in one game a year. The two groups live in almost total seperation speaking different languages, praciticing different religions, live and work in different neighborhoods and even set their watches two hours apart from on another.

It's a story about breaking the lines of segregation through baseball.... sound familiar?

Stop by the Foundation's site to get more information and buy a pre-sale copy of the film. You won't be sorry.

Full Circle Dance Company

So for those of you that don't know, this summer I followed the Full Circle Dance Company from Step One Dance Studio and took pictures during their practices that lead up to August 1st and 2nd performances at the Benvenuti Performing Arts Theatre in Sacramento. The show was called Emotions and it was awesome! So I took a little over 7,500 pictures over a four month period and now I'm putting together a book for them to document the experience. It was totally fun to be around the ladies and watch the energy, enthusiasm, spirit and passion they have for dance. And I have to tell you, I was totally in awe of what I saw them do between the long hours of practice to the choregraphy to the promotion of their event, these ladies are professionals.

So here's another fun clip I made with a cool on-line video maker called Animoto with some of the practice photos I took. Check it out...

Football is in the Air

If you've read the "Inside Info" on my website, you know that I've said that I think football is stupid even though I played the game in college. What I really meant was that at my age, it's silly to think you can still play. :-) But even so when I have an opportunity to get down on the field and close to the action, that's what happens... I want to put on the gear and get out there and bang some heads... see, isn't that silly.

I had the opportunity to go to Hornet Field, home of the Sacramento State Hornets to watch a scrimage. I was also at field level so I was able to get real close to the action. Then I stood next to some of the guys... they're a lot bigger than I remembered.

I happen to know the head coach, Marshall Sperbeck, so it's possible that I'll be able to go down to field level for the real thing and take some pictures. From what I saw on Saturday, it's much safer on the side lines... Check out some of the shots...

Saturday Night Salsa Dancing

OK. So Mary and I had a very busy weekend... major trip to Home Depot for lighting, Sacramento Rivercats Baseball, Dinner on Sunday with some really good friends in Granite Bay, but the highlight of the weekend was Saturday night. Bobby and Wendy Fresques invited us to a Court Party in their neighborhood. What a great turn out. There were 80 to 100 neighbors and friends and plenty food and drink. They even had a Latin Jazz band that ROCKED!! the neighborhood. As it started to cool down and folks were feeling a little less inhibited, a little salsa dancing broke out and started to liven things up a bit. But I think the best of the night goes to the Fresques Girls who were dancing in the street till the wee hours... talk about shakin' it up... Check out the slideshow...

Happy Easter!

So many of you know that Easter is one of the most important days of the year for Christians and there are many services during Easter week that Christians of all denominations participate in remembrance of the what Christ did for all. But one of the most moving services that Mary (my wife) and I attend is the Good Friday, Veneration of the Cross at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in midtown Sacramento. The service begins with the celebration of the Eucharist and then a huge cross is brought into the church where it is passed over the crowd where everyone has the opportunity to touch the cross symbolic of what Christ had to do as he carried His cross to Golgotha. After which the cross is laid on the floor of the church and people have the opportunity to step up to the cross, kneel, pray, and lay hands on the cross out of respect again to what Christ did for all in His death and resurrection. If you have never attended such a service, you are missing one of the most moving and emotional services of the season. Hope to see you at St. Francis next year on Good Friday. Halleluiah! He has risen!

Check out the rest of the photos here.

Breaking Bread

As many of you know, one of our favorite things to do is entertain. I believe sharing a meal is one of the most sincerest forms of friendship that people can do for one another. Over the holidays Mary and I had a few friends over and broke bread. I also had some fun with my remote timer and brand new 85 mm 1.2. What a sweet lens. The first few pictures were taken with the new lens and no flash with little more than candle light. The last picture was one in a series that I was taking with my remote timer and my 16-35 mm 2.8. I chose this one cuz I thought it was cool how 8 people were having 3 separate conversations.

Guest list includes Wendy (Mary's business partner) and Bobby, Stacy and Scott (I photographed their wedding in July '07), Jen and Michael (I will be photographing their new one due to arrive late Feb. '08) and Mary and myself.

A great time was had by all.

Run to Feed the Hungry

Happy Thanksgiving! It is usually the Daffin family tradition to run (or I should say walk) in the annual Run to Feed the Hungry race on Thanksgiving morning. This year was the 14th annual and what a turn out. Unofficial numbers were around 22,ooo participants. Officials hope to raise $500,000 in this year's event. The race originated in 1994 and was started by Gaylord Walker in conjunction with the Sacramento Food Bank. The inaugrual event had 800 participants. The race is a great success and shows the generosity of those that are thankful for what they have and are willing to share with those less fortunate. If you live in the Sacramento area, you should plan on running (or walking) next year. Hope to see you in 2008!

Nearing the starting line

Mary and Casey pacing themselves

Lots of entertainment

Elvis on Elvas (St.)

Blistering pace... but it was fun!

The Greenhouse Harvest Carnival

This past Saturday I had a an opportunity to take some photos for The Greenhouse in Sacramento. What great fun! The Harvest Carnival is put on every year the weekend before Holloween for the families in the area. Lots of activities for the everyone.... face painting, jump house, cake walk, pumkin bowling, and of course pumpkin carving. Another great event... Thanks Kacie, Rose and all that volunteered for this year's event!