Recorded this in the car driving to work...wishing you a very Happy New Year later tonight!
Happy New Year's Eve!!!
Recorded this in the car driving to work...wishing you a very Happy New Year later tonight!
Driving to work...running late!
This audioblog was recorded on my way to work after having breakfast with my Dad at McDonald's ;-)Ryan audioblogs from the car
Just a quick message from me while driving in the car; don't worry, I'm using hands-free (grin).
Totally Wired at the Mall
Greetings from the mall two days after Christmas...what a ZOO!!!I'm not really into shopping here today, but my kids wanted to use some of their gift cards...so here we are.
Ah, but not to worry, I am TOTALLY wired and prepared for the long haul: 1) Typing this blog entry on my new Acer Aspire One netbook (with built-in broadband Internet access), 2) Blasting music on my iPod Classic that is streaming wirelessly to my MOTOROKR S9 B luetooth headset, and 3) Ready for calls with my Blackberry Curve. LOL
As you can see from the picture, I'm enjoying myself and totally tuning this mall world out. I've already given a dirty look to some little kids who were jumping around my netbook bothering me with no parental supervision (hehehe)...yeah, I know, what a Grinch grouch (grin).
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season...I'm having a blast!
Meltdown fallout: some parents rethink toy-buying
RYAN'S NOTE: What do you all think about THIS? Do the parents have a point?Meltdown fallout: some parents rethink toy-buying - Yahoo! News
NEW YORK – In a season that inspires earnest letters about toys, one notable batch is being sent not by kids to Santa's workshop but by parents to the executive suites of real-world toy makers.
The message: Please, in these days of economic angst, cut back on marketing your products directly to our children.
The letter-writing initiative was launched by the Boston-based Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, which says roughly 1,400 of its members and supporters have contacted 24 leading toy companies and retailers to express concern about ads aimed at kids.
"Unfortunately, I will not be able to purchase many of the toys that my sons have asked for; we simply don't have the money," wrote Todd Helmkamp of Hudson, Ind. "By bombarding them with advertisements ... you are placing parents like me in the unenviable position of having to tell our children that we can't afford the toys you promote."
The Toy Industry Association has responded with a firm defense of current marketing practices, asserting that children "are a vital part of the gift selection process."
Ill. family thanks employees with surprise bonuses
Ill. family thanks employees with surprise bonusesCHICAGO – Even though employees at the Peer Bearing Co. no longer work for the Spungen family that recently sold the Waukegan-based ball bearings maker, they still received a turkey each this Thanksgiving in keeping with tradition.
But even better was the gift that came in mid-September, when the Spungens threw a party to celebrate the company's acquisition by a Swedish company.
They gave away $6.6 million in year-end bonuses to Peer's 230 employees, decided by a formula based on each worker's years of service.
"My grandfather was always charitable," said Danny Spungen, grandson of Peer founder Nathan Spungen. He said Laurence and Florence Spungen and their four children decided on a bonus formula a year before the acquisition closed.
He said the decision was "a gamble that we would come out OK as well."
Family members signed two thank-you cards to each employee, one in Spanish and one in English, expressing gratitude for "the loyalty and hard work of our employees over the years."
"They treated us like extended family," said Maria Dima, who works at the company along with her husband, Valentin. "We won the lottery."
RYAN'S NOTE: What a nice "feel-good" story...during these very tough economic times, it's so nice to read a story like this one. Wish more companies would take note ;-)
A Historic Week Indeed!
Whatta week, huh? No matter how you voted last Tuesday, you must admit that we've entered a historical moment in time with our first African-American President, Barak Obama. I taped the news coverage from 5 PM to 11 PM that night and captured the moment Katie Curic announced that California, Oregon, and Washington threw Obama over the top to 290 or so delegates. WOW, whatta moment ;-)In other news, I'm still broadcasting my show, NerdBoyTV. I found a really cool pen that records everything it hears and links it to the words you write down in the accompanying notebook. Checkout the show at NerdBoyTV.com. Be sure to subscribe to the broadcast while you're at it...gracias!
Maria's been working pretty hard lately, so we've had to coordinate our schedules a little bit better to make sure one of us is around the house. It's been a challenge, but having that second income after 13 or so years on one is VERY nice! ;-)
Can you believe that Thanksgiving's already here and Christmas is only weeks away at this point? Unbelievable...this year flew by in a flash. Hope you're all doing well and come back to RyanYee.net again soon. Post a comment here too if you'd like to...see ya.
P.S. This picture was taken about 5 minutes ago
Full review: T-Mobile G1
Full review: T-Mobile G1 : Ben Patterson : Yahoo! Tech"It's a bit raw, and the clunky hardware isn't too inspiring, but the Android-powered G1 is the first touchscreen handset I've seen that's a true iPhone competitor—and a good one.
While it lacks the iPhone's spit and polish, the G1 benefits from the peppy, easy-to-use Android OS, not to mention the open-source freedom that'll probably lead to a riot of inventive applications. Priced at just $179 and set to ship October 22 (you can pre-order it here), it's no wonder the G1 is already a hit."
Killing time at Starbucks
Well, as you can see from the pic, I'm killing time at the local Starbucks waiting for four new tires to be installed on the Dodge Caravan (grin). It's kinda like a "clown car" in that all the dashboard lights are lit (they don't mean anything anymore, but it still scares folks who get in for a ride...LOL) and we've logged 280,000+ miles on it. I bought the car when Cameron was one...he's 13 now! Lots of memories in that old rent-a-wreck, but MOST importantly during this current recession??? It's 100% paid for...no car note (hehehe). I guess that's one thing to be thankful for. So I'm just logged into the Internet at Starbucks on this Columbus Day Holiday...yup, I got the day off...no one else does, but I do!! Go figure. You should see me hear at the cafe...1) Logged into the laptop, 2) Charging my Blackberry, 3) Listening to mp3s over wireless Bluetooth headset, 4) Drinking my "tall" coffee, 5) Webcam hooked to take this picture, and 6) Texting employees who ARE working today!You must admit that's QUITE a sight, huh? LOL! Have a wonderful day. Happy Columbus Day (whatever that means) to you... ;-)
Reggie & Alexandra at a wedding this past weekend
September_2008 102
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
Reggie and Alexandra took this picture at his sister's wedding over the weekend. The reception was at the local golf club, which I heard was spectacular!
Maria reading Sunday paper at Peet's Coffee
Maria reading Sunday paper at Peet's Coffee
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
Took this with the Blackberry Curve...just wanted to demo for Maria how QUICKLY I can post pictures onto this blog...VERY fast!
Yee Boys at Lawrence Hall of Science
Yee Boys at Lawrence Hall of Science
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
This whale has been lying in front of Lawrence Hall of Science since I was a little boy. Brandon and Nicholas had fun crawling all over it, however.
Happy Birthday, Brandon!
Today is Brandon's birthday...I took the day-off from work and Maria, Nicholas, Brandon, and I went to Lawrence Hall of Science. I haven't been there myself since I was a kid ;-) It was great to have the place all to ourselves, too. We built structures that could withstand heavy shaking, folded paper airplanes, redirected waterflow, learned more about our planet on a video globe (SEE videoclip), and experienced how turning wings in one direction versus another affects flight. We then celebrated at Blue Fin Japanese Restaurant with the whole family. A very fun day!
Brandon competes in Rock Band Contest
A couple weeks ago, Brandon (with a little help from his brother, Cameron) competed in the Playstation Rock Band Contest at Best Buy. The winners split $150 ;-) Even though they didn't win, the two Yee Brothers did GREAT! It was all for charity...the admission fee went to a local high school fundraiser. Notice Brandon all decked out in his "rockstar" duds . Yup, that's an actual bike chain that he's wearing around his neck!! Rock on, Brandon!
Playing in the backyard - Summer is over!
Alexandra, Nicholas, and Brandon smile goofy in our backyard. They really are growing up way too fast!
Apple event predictions: New Nano, Touch, price drops?
Apple event predictions: New Nano, Touch, price drops? : Ben Patterson : Yahoo! Tech
"A revamped Nano appears to be a lock, along with tweaks for the Touch and a new version of iTunes. We might have to wait on those rumored new MacBooks, however.
That's the word ahead of Tuesday morning's media event, which Apple finally confirmed earlier this week via a 'Let's Rock' invite decorated with that ubiquitous dancing iPod dude.
Of course, the rumors have been flying fast and furious in the past few days, and I've done my best to marshal them into some kind of order—starting with …"
"A revamped Nano appears to be a lock, along with tweaks for the Touch and a new version of iTunes. We might have to wait on those rumored new MacBooks, however.
That's the word ahead of Tuesday morning's media event, which Apple finally confirmed earlier this week via a 'Let's Rock' invite decorated with that ubiquitous dancing iPod dude.
Of course, the rumors have been flying fast and furious in the past few days, and I've done my best to marshal them into some kind of order—starting with …"
RyanYee.net has a new look!
Well, it's about that time again for me to tinker with my blog. I found a cool, Asian-themed template to use to revamp my longtime blog. Hope you like it. Blogger's added some pretty awesome new website tools, too. I haven't had a lot of time to play around with them, but I'm sure over the course of the next several weeks, you'll start to see me messing around with these widgets. Hope you had a nice Labor Day weekend. I'm watching the U.S. Open Tennis...GO Federer!
Riding horses at Half Moon Bay
Short video of Alex's competition season
Video put together using pictures from Alex's competition season with her high school's dance team.
YeeTube: Happy Fourth Of July
Our family had a terrific Fourth Of July BBQ with our neighbors in our cul de sac. Lots of food, laughs, and fun. Our holiday culminated with a trip down to the marina to watch the fantastic Fourth Of July fireworks. Enjoy!
NerdBoyTV GADGET: Samsung Helix XM Radio
In this episode of NerdBoyTV, Ryan Yee gives high marks to the Samsung Helix XM Radio Portable Player. This is one of the BEST gadgets that NerdBoyTV has reviewed with its easy-to-use features and seamless integration with XM Radio and Napster. Even compared to the ever-popular iPod, the Helix packs quite a lot of punch with over 170 channels and terrific one-button record capability. 5 stars, easy! For more videos and links, go to http://www.nerdboytv.com/.
Me and Maria at Gramma's Inn
June 2008 066
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
We stayed at this Berkeley bed and breakfast on our wedding night 19 years ago...great to visit them again. In perfect walking distance to the U.C. Berkeley campus and the Ashby Flower Shop owned by our friends, Marcie and Iraj. The accomodations were great and we had a really nice room. Came with a cooked breakfast the next morning, too. We can't wait to return.
The Bechet Family
June 2008 088
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
And here is a family picture of our friends, The Bechets: Sheryl, Marc Antony, Jean Noel, and Sophie. Nothing like terrific friends!
Sheryl and Maria
June 2008 091
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
In celebration of our anniversary, we dropped in on Maria's Maid-of-Honor, Sheryl Bechet and her family. Sheryl cooked us quiche and a terrific chocolate dream cake...oh, did I mention she and her husband own a successful bakery in San Rafael? Obviously, it was deeeeeeeeeeeeeeelicious! Thanks, Sheryl.
Frida Kahlo Exhibit at the SFMOMA
June 2008 040
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
Maria and I went to see the Frida Kahlo Art Exhibit at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art yesterday at part of our anniversary. Kahlo had some rather disturbing imagery in her paintings that included miscarriages, spinal problems, infidelity of Diego Rivera, and loneliness...still, her works are quite striking and beautiful. Go see the exhibit before it leaves the Bay Area. Well worth it...and don't forget to rent the audio tour for $3.00.
Me & Maria @ Father's Day Dinner
June 2008 015
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
We all took my Dad out for an early Father's Day dinner in Oakland. Two banquet tables worth ;-)
Our 19th Anniversary is tomorrow...going to the Frida Kahlo art exhibit today at the SFMOMA, then off to a B&B to relax (no kids...hehehe)!
Oprah gives advice to Stanford graduates
Oprah Winfrey tells Stanford graduates to harness their power to their passions. Chronicle photo by David Paul Morris
Calif. quake scientists detail impact of 'Big One'
NOTE FROM RYAN: I found this article rather disturbing having already been through the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. This predicted "Big One" sounds about 10 times more damaging!
Calif. quake scientists detail impact of 'Big One' - Yahoo! News: "The 'Big One,' as earthquake scientists imagine it in a detailed, first-of-its-kind script, unzips California's mighty San Andreas Fault north of the Mexican border. In less than two minutes, Los Angeles and its sprawling suburbs are shaking like a bowl of jelly.
The jolt from the 7.8-magnitude temblor lasts for three minutes — 15 times longer than the disastrous 1994 Northridge quake.
Water and sewer pipes crack. Power fails. Part of major highways break. Some high-rise steel frame buildings and older concrete and brick structures collapse.
Hospitals are swamped with 50,000 injured as all of Southern California reels from a blow on par with the Sept. 11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina: $200 billion in damage to the economy, and 1,800 dead."
Calif. quake scientists detail impact of 'Big One' - Yahoo! News: "The 'Big One,' as earthquake scientists imagine it in a detailed, first-of-its-kind script, unzips California's mighty San Andreas Fault north of the Mexican border. In less than two minutes, Los Angeles and its sprawling suburbs are shaking like a bowl of jelly.
The jolt from the 7.8-magnitude temblor lasts for three minutes — 15 times longer than the disastrous 1994 Northridge quake.
Water and sewer pipes crack. Power fails. Part of major highways break. Some high-rise steel frame buildings and older concrete and brick structures collapse.
Hospitals are swamped with 50,000 injured as all of Southern California reels from a blow on par with the Sept. 11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina: $200 billion in damage to the economy, and 1,800 dead."
When Mom packs a gadget - Forbes.com- msnbc.com
When Mom packs a gadget - Forbes.com- msnbc.com: "So goes life for mommy geeks.
Blecherman is one of the founding members of the Silicon Valley Moms Group, a collective of mom bloggers who divulge the various travails of modern parenting. Blecherman considers that her full-time, although unpaid, job. These moms started blogging for the fun of it, but run their network like a business — the site has expanded to four other cities (with more planned) and has a blog dedicated to mothers over 50."
Blecherman is one of the founding members of the Silicon Valley Moms Group, a collective of mom bloggers who divulge the various travails of modern parenting. Blecherman considers that her full-time, although unpaid, job. These moms started blogging for the fun of it, but run their network like a business — the site has expanded to four other cities (with more planned) and has a blog dedicated to mothers over 50."
Iron Man
Iron Man
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
Cameron and I saw Iron Man today at a matinee. Robert Downey, Jr. was terrific! If you haven't already seen it, do NOT leave the theater before the credits finish...the movie studio snuck in a preview of the next installment of Iron Man. You'll miss it if you leave...hehehe.
NerdBoyTV: Our 1-Year Broadcast - 04/26/08
Visit www.NerdBoyTV.com to view the links mentioned in this videoclip.
Celebration time! NerdBoyTV is 1-year old! On this anniversary broadcast, Ryan Yee reviews some of the Internet services that NerdBoyTV has reviewed over this last year, including Flock, Photoshop Express, Blogger, Oprah's Webinar, Slide, and Hulu. Also, you can now purchase the complete 1st Season Collection that includes all NerdBoyTV broadcasts in "iPod-ready" video format.
We took Dad out for his birthday!
My siblings and I (with family members) took my Dad out to dinner at Le Cheval in Oakland yesterday night. The food was fabuloso ;-) I tried to get Maria drunk with a Chocolate Martini, but it didn't really work LOL I'll post pictures soon on Flickr and here soon. Have to wait for Alexandra to download them off her camera. We all had lots of fun...just nice to get together for laughs and food and drinks. Okay, gotta run...I'm teaching Alexandra how to drive in a deserted parking lot. If this is my last posting, you ALL will know WHY! Enjoy the rest of the weekend...by the way, I'm sending this through my new favorite browser, Flock. Try it, it's GREAT!
Blogged with the Flock Browser
Have you ever used Flock?
Wow, what a KEWL social browser. Check it out at www.Flock.com. It really is a totally new browser experience. I love it. You can combine Flickr, Facebook, Yahoo!, GMail, and Blogger...among other Internet services. Try it, you'll like it!
Blogged with the Flock Browser
S.F. closing torch ceremony canceled - Yahoo! News
NOTE from Ryan: Awwwwww, too bad. I do understand what the Tibetan demonstrators (including Richard Gere) are trying to protest, but I do wish we could have enjoyed the majesty of the Olympic torch run all the same. Darn. By the way, this guy obviously protesting the protesters is NOT reflecting well on HIS cause.
S.F. closing torch ceremony canceled - Yahoo! News: "Officials say the planned closing ceremony for the Olympic torch at the San Francisco Bay waterfront is canceled and another one will take place at an undisclosed location."
S.F. closing torch ceremony canceled - Yahoo! News: "Officials say the planned closing ceremony for the Olympic torch at the San Francisco Bay waterfront is canceled and another one will take place at an undisclosed location."
Rich getting richer, poor getting poorer
NOTE from Ryan: I wish they would tell me something I don't already KNOW (or FEEL!). ;-)
Rich getting richer, poor getting poorer: "Economic data show that a huge swath of low- and middle-income families, both in California and across the nation, are barely scraping by. By many measures, their living standards are stagnating or declining as the prices of such necessities as food, fuel and medicine rise faster than wages."
Rich getting richer, poor getting poorer: "Economic data show that a huge swath of low- and middle-income families, both in California and across the nation, are barely scraping by. By many measures, their living standards are stagnating or declining as the prices of such necessities as food, fuel and medicine rise faster than wages."
3 layers of cops to protect torch
NOTE from Ryan: The Olympic torch arrives in San Francisco TODAY...bracing for the protests sure to come.
3 layers of cops to protect torch: "The safest folks in San Francisco today should be easy to spot - they'll be the ones wearing jogging shorts and carrying the Olympic torch on its run up and down the central waterfront. Police plan to shield the runners with no fewer than three layers of protection - cops on foot jogging at their side, cops on bicycles and cops on motorcycles - all to prevent an embarrassing replay of the attempted torch grabs in Paris and London earlier this week."
3 layers of cops to protect torch: "The safest folks in San Francisco today should be easy to spot - they'll be the ones wearing jogging shorts and carrying the Olympic torch on its run up and down the central waterfront. Police plan to shield the runners with no fewer than three layers of protection - cops on foot jogging at their side, cops on bicycles and cops on motorcycles - all to prevent an embarrassing replay of the attempted torch grabs in Paris and London earlier this week."
david beckham gets punkd' by rio ferdinand
This isn't actually from the MTV show Punk'd but David's teammate Rio Ferdinand plays a trick on David and makes Becks angry because he's going to be late for his meeting!
Ni-hao Kai-lan
My kids introduced me to THIS cartoon. How funny...this episode is about chinese new year.
7-year-old Alexandra Yee dances
Alexandra is 15-years-old now, but here she is dancing a jazz solo (Come On Over) as a 7-year-old...pretty awesome ;-) This is one of my all-time favorite performances...she is just sooooooooo cute!
Always buying sneakers? It's the sign of a leader: poll - Yahoo! News
Always buying sneakers? It's the sign of a leader: poll - Yahoo! News: "Got a passion for buying sneakers? It could be a good sign, with a poll finding that people who buy three pairs of sneakers or more a year are far more likely to be a leadership type that other people. Mindset Media, a media company that examines personality traits of different consumers, found that people who buy more than three pairs of sneakers a year are 61 percent more likely to have the qualities of a modern leader."
Maybe next year, Stanford...
They just lost...oh well, I'm off to Fry's and Target. Told you I wasn't really vested in this game (hehehe).
Watching Stanford Play Texas - NCAA Semi-Finals
Recorded a quick blog while watching Stanford play Texas in the NCAA Basketball Championships Semi-Finals. My last vacation day before going back to work on Monday, too...bummer.
Cameron and Ryan at the Warriors/Grizzlies Game
Warriors Game 031508 - 01
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
Cameron and I saw the Warriors play against the Memphis Grizzlies last night at Oakland Oracle Arena; awesome mainly because we WON! This was taken during half-time...thanks to my friend, Violett, for the tickets. Muchas gracias!
Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies
NOTE from Ryan: Cameron and I are going to see this game tonight...got free tickets from my friend, Violett.
WARRIORS: preview_031508: "Saturday’s contest will be especially important for the Warriors. Two games ahead of the Denver Nuggets for the final playoff spot in the conference going into Friday’s action, Golden State will need to avoid losing streaks at all costs. The Warriors have done a solid job of doing such all season, as they have posted consecutive losses just once since starting the season 0-6.
After seeing their three-game winning streak snapped on Thursday with a 123-115 defeat in Phoenix, the Warriors will be anxious to come back home to ORACLE Arena. Golden State is 22-10 on its home floor this season, and has won each of its last four games there."
WARRIORS: preview_031508: "Saturday’s contest will be especially important for the Warriors. Two games ahead of the Denver Nuggets for the final playoff spot in the conference going into Friday’s action, Golden State will need to avoid losing streaks at all costs. The Warriors have done a solid job of doing such all season, as they have posted consecutive losses just once since starting the season 0-6.
After seeing their three-game winning streak snapped on Thursday with a 123-115 defeat in Phoenix, the Warriors will be anxious to come back home to ORACLE Arena. Golden State is 22-10 on its home floor this season, and has won each of its last four games there."
SLIDESHOW: Dinner With My Relatives (February 2008)
Thanks to my Auntie Mary bringing us all together, me and my relatives were able to gather in Oakland and share a belated Chinese New Year dinner ;-) Over the years, we get together less and less, but when we do, it's ALWAYS fun, laughs, and FOOD! Thanks, Auntie Mary!
ANIMATION: Arcade Game Stickmen by Nicholas Yee (6)
Here is an animation created by my son, Nicholas, using Cartoon Network's Clickbook. Good job, Nini!
Law News: No Constitutional Right to Homeschool
This is a very good presentation regarding the recent CA court ruling that parents do not have a constitution right to homeschool their children and parents must have a credential to homeschool their children.
Attorney Timothy Herr, Esq. discusses In re Rachel L., decided by the California Court of Appeal, on February 28, 2008, in a short web video. In summary: Parents do not have a constitutional right to home school their children. - Copyright 2008 www.DailyCaseReort.com
Nicholas at Chichibu Park
Me and the boys at Chichibu Park
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
Hangin' out at the park on Saturday...Nicholas' expression is priceless! LOL
The Yee Guys at home
The Yee Guys at home
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
Took this with my HELIO and immediately messaged it to Alexandra in LA who's competing at a National Dance Team Championship in Anaheim.
Ryan riding home on a Friday
Ryan riding home on a Friday
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
This is me on the BART train getting out of the airport as fast as I can...I have my headset on with music blasting. Took this with my trusty Helio cellphone ;-)
Anyway, just happy to be heading home for the weekend!
BREAKING NEWS: Court limits home-schooling to credentialed teachers
NOTE from Ryan: As you all know, Maria has homeschooled our children over the last 10 years. Alexandra and Cameron have now transitioned into public middleschool and high school, but we still homeschool the two younger boys. I was VERY surprised by this case and it's true...the homeschooling community did NOT see this coming. I'm not sure how the ruling affects our program, which is funded through the school district and all work is reviewed/supervised by a credentialed teacher assigned to us through the program. All paperwork and requirements are certified and legal...that's what we've always loved about the ENCORE Homeschooling Program. Not sure how this ruling will affect us, but I've seen the obvious benefits of homeschooling and I am absolutely against this ruling. When you send your kids to some private schools, many of those teachers are NOT credentialed and are under no obligation to get credentialed...what's the difference?
Bob Egelko,Jill Tucker, Chronicle Staff Writers
Friday, March 7, 2008 (03-06)
14:26 PST LOS ANGELES -- A California appeals court ruling clamping down on homeschooling by parents without teaching credentials sent shock waves across the state this week, leaving an estimated 166,000 children as possible truants and their parents at risk of prosecution.
The homeschooling movement never saw the case coming.
"At first, there was a sense of, 'No way,' " said homeschool parent Loren Mavromati, a resident of Redondo Beach (Los Angeles County) who is active with a homeschool association. "Then there was a little bit of fear. I think it has moved now into indignation."
The ruling arose from a child welfare dispute between the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and Philip and Mary Long of Lynwood, who have been homeschooling their eight children.
Mary Long is their teacher, but holds no teaching credential. The parents said they also enrolled their children in Sunland Christian School, a private religious academy in Sylmar (Los Angeles County), which considers the Long children part of its independent study program and visits the home about four times a year.
The Second District Court of Appeal ruled that California law requires parents to send their children to full-time public or private schools or have them taught by credentialed tutors at home.
Some homeschoolers are affiliated with private or charter schools, like the Longs, but others fly under the radar completely. Many homeschooling families avoid truancy laws by registering with the state as a private school and then enroll only their own children.
Yet the appeals court said state law has been clear since at least 1953, when another appellate court rejected a challenge by homeschooling parents to California's compulsory education statutes.
Those statutes require children ages 6 to 18 to attend a full-time day school, either public or private, or to be instructed by a tutor who holds a state credential for the child's grade level.
"California courts have held that ... parents do not have a constitutional right to homeschool their children," Justice H. Walter Croskey said in the 3-0 ruling issued on Feb. 28.
"Parents have a legal duty to see to their children's schooling under the provisions of these laws." Parents can be criminally prosecuted for failing to comply, Croskey said.
"A primary purpose of the educational system is to train school children in good citizenship, patriotism and loyalty to the state and the nation as a means of protecting the public welfare," the judge wrote, quoting from a 1961 case on a similar issue.
Union pleased with ruling
The ruling was applauded by a director for the state's largest teachers union.
"We're happy," said Lloyd Porter, who is on the California Teachers Association board of directors. "We always think students should be taught by credentialed teachers, no matter what the setting."
A spokesman for the state Department of Education said the agency is reviewing the decision to determine its impact on current policies and procedures. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell issued a statement saying he supports "parental choice when it comes to homeschooling."
Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, which agreed earlier this week to represent Sunland Christian School and legally advise the Long family on a likely appeal to the state Supreme Court, said the appellate court ruling has set a precedent that can now be used to go after homeschoolers.
"With this case law, anyone in California who is homeschooling without a teaching credential is subject to prosecution for truancy violation, which could require community service, heavy fines and possibly removal of their children under allegations of educational neglect," Dacus said.
Parents say they choose homeschooling for a variety of reasons, from religious beliefs to disillusionment with the local public schools.
Homeschooling parent Debbie Schwarzer of Los Altos said she's ready for a fight. Schwarzer runs Oak Hill Academy out of her Santa Clara County home. It is a state-registered private school with two students, she said, noting they are her own children, ages 10 and 12. She does not have a teaching credential, but she does have a law degree.
"I'm kind of hoping some truancy officer shows up on my doorstep," she said. "I'm ready. I have damn good arguments." She opted to teach her children at home to better meet their needs. The ruling, Schwarzer said, "stinks."
Began as child welfare case
The Long family legal battle didn't start out as a test case on the validity of homeschooling. It was a child welfare case. A juvenile court judge looking into one child's complaint of mistreatment by Philip Long found that the children were being poorly educated but refused to order two of the children, ages 7 and 9, to be enrolled in a full-time school.
He said parents in California have a right to educate their children at home. The appeals court told the juvenile court judge to require the parents to comply with the law by enrolling their children in a school, but excluded the Sunland Christian School from enrolling the children because that institution "was willing to participate in the deprivation of the children's right to a legal education."
The decision could also affect other kinds of homeschooled children, including those enrolled in independent study or distance learning through public charter schools - a setup similar to the one the Longs have, Dacus said.
Charter school advocates disagreed, saying Thursday that charter schools are public and are required to employ only credentialed teachers to supervise students - whether in class or through independent study.
Ruling will apply statewide
Michael Smith, president of the Home School Legal Defense Association, said the ruling would effectively ban homeschooling in the state.
"California is now on the path to being the only state to deny the vast majority of homeschooling parents their fundamental right to teach their own children at home," he said in a statement.
But Leslie Heimov, executive director of the Children's Law Center of Los Angeles, which represented the Longs' two children in the case, said the ruling did not change the law.
"They just affirmed that the current California law, which has been unchanged since the last time it was ruled on in the 1950s, is that children have to be educated in a public school, an accredited private school, or with an accredited tutor," she said. "If they want to send them to a private Christian school, they can, but they have to actually go to the school and be taught by teachers."
Heimov said her organization's chief concern was not the quality of the children's education, but their "being in a place daily where they would be observed by people who had a duty to ensure their ongoing safety."
Online resources
The ruling: To view the ruling by the Second District Court of Appeal, go to links.sfgate.com/ZCQR.
E-mail the writers at begelko@sfchronicle.com and jtucker@sfchronicle.com. http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/07/MNJDVF0F1.DTL
This article appeared on page A - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle
Bob Egelko,Jill Tucker, Chronicle Staff Writers
Friday, March 7, 2008 (03-06)
14:26 PST LOS ANGELES -- A California appeals court ruling clamping down on homeschooling by parents without teaching credentials sent shock waves across the state this week, leaving an estimated 166,000 children as possible truants and their parents at risk of prosecution.
The homeschooling movement never saw the case coming.
"At first, there was a sense of, 'No way,' " said homeschool parent Loren Mavromati, a resident of Redondo Beach (Los Angeles County) who is active with a homeschool association. "Then there was a little bit of fear. I think it has moved now into indignation."
The ruling arose from a child welfare dispute between the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and Philip and Mary Long of Lynwood, who have been homeschooling their eight children.
Mary Long is their teacher, but holds no teaching credential. The parents said they also enrolled their children in Sunland Christian School, a private religious academy in Sylmar (Los Angeles County), which considers the Long children part of its independent study program and visits the home about four times a year.
The Second District Court of Appeal ruled that California law requires parents to send their children to full-time public or private schools or have them taught by credentialed tutors at home.
Some homeschoolers are affiliated with private or charter schools, like the Longs, but others fly under the radar completely. Many homeschooling families avoid truancy laws by registering with the state as a private school and then enroll only their own children.
Yet the appeals court said state law has been clear since at least 1953, when another appellate court rejected a challenge by homeschooling parents to California's compulsory education statutes.
Those statutes require children ages 6 to 18 to attend a full-time day school, either public or private, or to be instructed by a tutor who holds a state credential for the child's grade level.
"California courts have held that ... parents do not have a constitutional right to homeschool their children," Justice H. Walter Croskey said in the 3-0 ruling issued on Feb. 28.
"Parents have a legal duty to see to their children's schooling under the provisions of these laws." Parents can be criminally prosecuted for failing to comply, Croskey said.
"A primary purpose of the educational system is to train school children in good citizenship, patriotism and loyalty to the state and the nation as a means of protecting the public welfare," the judge wrote, quoting from a 1961 case on a similar issue.
Union pleased with ruling
The ruling was applauded by a director for the state's largest teachers union.
"We're happy," said Lloyd Porter, who is on the California Teachers Association board of directors. "We always think students should be taught by credentialed teachers, no matter what the setting."
A spokesman for the state Department of Education said the agency is reviewing the decision to determine its impact on current policies and procedures. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell issued a statement saying he supports "parental choice when it comes to homeschooling."
Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, which agreed earlier this week to represent Sunland Christian School and legally advise the Long family on a likely appeal to the state Supreme Court, said the appellate court ruling has set a precedent that can now be used to go after homeschoolers.
"With this case law, anyone in California who is homeschooling without a teaching credential is subject to prosecution for truancy violation, which could require community service, heavy fines and possibly removal of their children under allegations of educational neglect," Dacus said.
Parents say they choose homeschooling for a variety of reasons, from religious beliefs to disillusionment with the local public schools.
Homeschooling parent Debbie Schwarzer of Los Altos said she's ready for a fight. Schwarzer runs Oak Hill Academy out of her Santa Clara County home. It is a state-registered private school with two students, she said, noting they are her own children, ages 10 and 12. She does not have a teaching credential, but she does have a law degree.
"I'm kind of hoping some truancy officer shows up on my doorstep," she said. "I'm ready. I have damn good arguments." She opted to teach her children at home to better meet their needs. The ruling, Schwarzer said, "stinks."
Began as child welfare case
The Long family legal battle didn't start out as a test case on the validity of homeschooling. It was a child welfare case. A juvenile court judge looking into one child's complaint of mistreatment by Philip Long found that the children were being poorly educated but refused to order two of the children, ages 7 and 9, to be enrolled in a full-time school.
He said parents in California have a right to educate their children at home. The appeals court told the juvenile court judge to require the parents to comply with the law by enrolling their children in a school, but excluded the Sunland Christian School from enrolling the children because that institution "was willing to participate in the deprivation of the children's right to a legal education."
The decision could also affect other kinds of homeschooled children, including those enrolled in independent study or distance learning through public charter schools - a setup similar to the one the Longs have, Dacus said.
Charter school advocates disagreed, saying Thursday that charter schools are public and are required to employ only credentialed teachers to supervise students - whether in class or through independent study.
Ruling will apply statewide
Michael Smith, president of the Home School Legal Defense Association, said the ruling would effectively ban homeschooling in the state.
"California is now on the path to being the only state to deny the vast majority of homeschooling parents their fundamental right to teach their own children at home," he said in a statement.
But Leslie Heimov, executive director of the Children's Law Center of Los Angeles, which represented the Longs' two children in the case, said the ruling did not change the law.
"They just affirmed that the current California law, which has been unchanged since the last time it was ruled on in the 1950s, is that children have to be educated in a public school, an accredited private school, or with an accredited tutor," she said. "If they want to send them to a private Christian school, they can, but they have to actually go to the school and be taught by teachers."
Heimov said her organization's chief concern was not the quality of the children's education, but their "being in a place daily where they would be observed by people who had a duty to ensure their ongoing safety."
Online resources
The ruling: To view the ruling by the Second District Court of Appeal, go to links.sfgate.com/ZCQR.
E-mail the writers at begelko@sfchronicle.com and jtucker@sfchronicle.com. http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/07/MNJDVF0F1.DTL
This article appeared on page A - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle
Brandon goofing around
Brandon's Drawings 008
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
Somehow, this little picture of Brandon is getting a LOT of attention on Flickr.com. I'm thinking they may have placed this picture on the main picture page because a lot of people are viewing it and making comments ;-)
Oprah and Eckhart Tolle Teach A New Earth in Live Webcast Classes
Oprah and Eckhart Tolle Teach A New Earth in Live Webcast Classes: "For the first time ever, you can join Oprah and Eckhart Tolle, the best-selling author of The Power of Now, as they teach A New Earth in Oprah's worldwide classroom live Monday nights on Oprah.com."
NOTE: I'll be taking this class starting tomorrow evening. Maria and I are BOTH reading this book. Should be interesting to say the least...this will no doubt be THE biggest online class EVER!
NOTE: I'll be taking this class starting tomorrow evening. Maria and I are BOTH reading this book. Should be interesting to say the least...this will no doubt be THE biggest online class EVER!
Pizza Showdown: The Best Delivery Pizza - Slice America on Yahoo! Food
Papa John's Pizza in Seoul
Originally uploaded by Alisha Hunt.
Pizza Showdown: The Best Delivery Pizza - Slice America on Yahoo! Food: "With all the options available from the nationwide pizza chains—thin crust, deep dish, stuffed crust, etc.—things can get a little confusing. Who better than Slice to coach you through the pizza playbook? Here is a careful analysis of the various crusts, toppings, and specialty pizzas from Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Papa John's."
Maria and me at the NCS Division 1 Basketball Championship
Maria and me at the NCS Division 1 Basketball Championship
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
Here we are at the Oakland Arena...we were surrounded by all these De Lasalle fans waiting for the Division 1 Boys Championship Game...that reminds me, I'll have to check the news to see if they beat Newark.
Maria and me at Barney's
Maria and me at Barney's
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
Having hamburgers before the BIG GAME at the Oakland Arena...Deer Valley High (our school) vs. Berkeley High for the Division 1 Championship...sad to say, we loss 45 to 62. The Berkeley High girls really turned it on in the final half (and especially the final 5 minutes of so). Still, Deer Valley had a terrific season and were No. 1 going into this final! It was also Alexandra's 15th Birthday, so we picked up a strawberry cake at Merritt Bakery and our celebration will continue today, Sunday! ;-)
Alexandra turns 15 tomorrow!
Alexandra and Reggie
Alexandra and Reggie
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
My daughter (soon to be 15 this weekend) with her boyfriend taken with my trusty Helio cellphone.
Cameron maintains a 4.0 GPA
Yay, Cameron! He did it again...Cameron maintained a 4.0 GPA for this last quarter (one of 57 in the school). Maria and I attended the award ceremony yesterday and needless to say we are both very proud. I'd like to take the credit for all of this, but Cameron is very self-motivated and disciplined...we never have to tell him to do his homework or stay at school to work on extra credit...he just does! Yup, he's definitely a keeper!
Maria and me at competition in Cupertino
Maria and me at competition in Cupertino
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
This is me and Maria taken with my trusty Helio cellphone at a dance competition over the weekend. Alexandra is on the DVHS Dance Team and they competed in Cupertino at the USA Dance Competion...the girls did GREAT! They've been competing EVERY weekend and have another competition next week. Everything culminates at the 2008 Dance Team Competition in Anaheim on 3/6 at the Anaheim Convention Center next to Disneyland.
Chris Botti with Maria and me at Yoshi's
Chris Botti with Maria and me at Yoshi's
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
Chris Botti's new CD is "Italia." He use to be the trumpeter of Sting and now he's having great success on his own. In the intimate setting of Yoshi's Jazz Club, he put on a terrific 90 minute set. Afterwards, Maria and I were able to take this picture with him and he signed our Italia CD for us. Lots of fun.
Read It In My Eyes
This is me singing a loooooooooooong time ago. I flew to NY (I just like saying that...hehehe) and recorded this for a three-song demo. I think my voice is a LOT deeper now, but all-and-all, it's still me. Fun to hear it after all these years...found it in my clutter of MP3s ;-)
Produced by Jason Darrow
Recorded in New York City in 1987
Produced by Jason Darrow
Recorded in New York City in 1987
Me & Maria at Forte 2008
Forte 2008 008
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
Here we are after the Forte 2008 Dance Competion that Alexandra participated in over the weekend. If was freezing cold and as I upload this to the blog, I'm at home sick for the third straight day. :-(
Well, at least the girls did GREAT! Was well-worth the freezin' cold...
DVHS Dance Team Competes (and wins) at Forte 2008
Forte 2008 005
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
Here is the Deer Valley High School Dance Team after winning first place with their character routine at the Forte 2008 Dance Competition in Cupertino on 1/26/08. BTW, Alexandra is 2nd from the left on the top row. ;-)
Peter Cincotti sings "Rainbow Connection"
Found this on YouTube...if you've never heard of Peter Cincotti before, you'll really like this performance on a late night television show. I've always liked "Rainbow Connection" from the original Muppets Movie, but this version is probably my favoritie. Kinda melancholy, but sweet.
Martin Luther King Day: I Have A Dream Speech
In celebration of Dr. King's birthday (and today's holiday in his honor), I wanted to post the following video pulled from YouTube by Bryant Simons of Romanaz Productions; VERY well-done! Still meaningful even today...
RyanYee.net revised!
I spent a LOT of time revising my blog today. Got a new template that looks more like a newspaper layout. I like it. Has a lot of information, links, and pictures on it. Now, it truly IS Internet-central for me. Along with my other main blogs (www.NerdBoyTV.com and www.YeeTube.net), I'll be pretty busy keeping everything all up-to-date!
Dinner at the Sheridons 01-06-2008
Dinner at the Sheridons 004
Originally uploaded by Ryan Yee.
Here's a picture of our kids and the Sheridon kids as we got together for a post-holiday celebration at Tim and Lori's house in San Francisco. It was a blast to see all of our longtime friends from high school (and even futher back). Thanks Tim and Lori!
My New Favorite Song...
I blast this song on the bridge in the mornings ;-)
My new favorite song by fellow Oakland native, Keyshia Cole, entitled "I Remember." She's got an awesome voice! No doubt about it; this girl can SANG!!! I found this "live" version on YouTube.
My new favorite song by fellow Oakland native, Keyshia Cole, entitled "I Remember." She's got an awesome voice! No doubt about it; this girl can SANG!!! I found this "live" version on YouTube.
On my Helio!
Trying Mail-to-Blogger on my Helio. Not sure I like this on my cramped Qwerty keyboard, but let's see how it goes...
--
Sent from my Helio Ocean
