The Art Miles Mural Project

On February 4th, 2009, Renaissance High School for the Arts had the opportunity to engage in an amazing project hosted by the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. My students and I, were part of an attempt to break the Guinness Book of Records for the Longest Painted Mural of the World (10,912 feet of Environmental Murals). I was fortunate to meet Joanne Tawfilis, Co-Founder and Director of Art Miles. She shared her vision with me, to have children and adults ingaged in an activity which takes them aways from everyday nuisances and frees their creative spirit. A form of expression free of bigotry and hate, encompassing and integrating music, science, history and language. Our students worked on two, 5 x 12 foot canvases, that will be displayed on one of the great pyramids of Giza, Egypt, in the year 2010. For more info on the Art Miles Mural Project visit: http://www.the-art-miles-mural-project.org/

The Surf City Half-Marathon 2009

Sunday, February 1st, was a "Super" Sunday for many in this great nation of ours. It was even a sacred holiday for many, who skipped church and found a seat in front of their flat screens, with a beer in one hand and a chip in the other. As for myself, undoubtedly a football fan, a chose to wake up at 5 am and get ready to run 13.1 miles along the Southern California coastline. Steve, my only fan, accompanied me to the race. It was a chilly 53 degrees, and over 11,000 runners from 5k and 10k to Marathoners, gathered on Highway 1 "Pacific Coast Highway". The race began at Huntington Drive and headed north on PCH, weaving it's way up through the luxurious neighborhoods of Huntington Beach. Around mile 7, I was feeling the ache in my ankles, so I decided to stop and stretch, something I didn't properly do initially, prior to the race. With my bottles of Gatorade, water and chewy Sharks, I pushed for the last 5 miles. I finished in approximately 2:30, and received my medal at the finish line! This was the 2nd half marathon for me, the first being one I ran in November 2007, for my brother and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Will I run again? Yes, without hesitation! Will I ever get Steve to run with me? Chances point to "No", I already asked. Hehehe