Earthquake, 6.0, Epicenter - American Canyon in Napa County

photo by: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, SF Chronicle

As many friends and family from outside the San Francisco Bay Area have already inquired, yes, we're OK. But at the quake's epicenter in American Canyon (Napa County), there was considerable damage. I'm sharing SFGate's Storify to show you some of the local social media feedback.

Many longtime residents have said this morning's quake was the strongest they've felt since the last "big" one, the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989. As I wasn't in town to feel the Loma Prieta earthquake, I have no comparison. This morning's was definitely a strong jolt. I suppose if I were still living in a 3rd floor apartment with older windows I would have been a lot more alarmed.

Marvelous Mo'ne

source: New York Times

She's 13 and caught the attention of many MLB and NBA standouts such as Jimmy Rollins, Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, and Kevin Durant.

Why? If you're 13, throw a baseball at 70 miles an hour, give up only 2 hits, and strike out 8 to throw a complete game shutout then maybe you'd get their attention too.

Meet Mo'ne Davis. She becomes the first female pitcher to win a game in Little League World Series history.

Poised, modest and articulate, her first love is basketball. The Philadelphia native's future goal is to play point guard for the University of Connecticut and then the WNBA.

Best of luck to Mo'ne and her Taney Youth teammates in Williamsport. It's a big deal when grown men travel hundreds to thousands of miles to watch her pitch and hold up "I Want To Throw Like A Girl" signs.

See the wonder girl in action.

Remembering Robin Williams: What Will Your Verse Be?

image source: Hollywood Reporter

On August 11, 2014, actor/comedian Robin Williams took his own life at his home in Tiburon (Marin County) California.

In his memory, I am reposting a February 23, 2014 blog entry. Rest in peace, Mr. Keating.

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As many of us know, the narrative in Apple iPad's latest ad is a scene from one of Robin Williams's finest films as English teacher John Keating in , "Dead Poets Society", directed by Peter Weir. The film was released in 1989.

For a film to be 25 years old and have "dead" in its title, Mr. Keating's powerful words are still very much alive.

The original scene from the film:



And, the same words used as powerfully, 25 years later:

Aaron Craft - former Buckeye, future Warrior

image source: ESPN

As reported this past week, the Golden State Warriors signed former Ohio State Buckeye defensive standout/point guard Aaron Craft to a partially guaranteed contract.

Undrafted, Craft played in this year's NBA Summer League. His play impressed new Warriors head coach Steve Kerr enough to sign the Findlay, Ohio native.

Whether or not Aaron's career will go far in pro basketball, his 3-time first team Academic All-American selections tell me he'll do well in whatever he decides to do. This Ohio State alum and San Francisco Bay Area resident is very excited he's here. Best of luck to you this season, Aaron.

Courtesy of David Allin, here's a video highlighting Aaron's career at Ohio State:

James Shigeta, June 17, 1927 - July 28, 2014

image source: NBC News

Earlier this week, actor James Shigeta passed away in Los Angeles at the age of 85 (some news sources listed his age at 81).

Mr. Shigeta's best known and biggest role was as Wang Ta in the film "Flower Drum Song". As I wrote when I shared his obituary from the Los Angeles Times on my Facebook page, Mr. Shigeta's role left a deep impression on me. It was the first time I ever saw Asian Americans speaking without exaggerated Asian accents.

"The Joy Luck Club" and "Flower Drum Song" were among the few Asian Ameican films that have had any mainstream success in the US. Which is why most of Mr. Shigeta's career after "Flower Drum Song" were mostly in support roles such as "Die Hard" and "Midway".

For cinephile and/or Asian American culture geeks, there are 2 documentaries that discuss this issue: Arthur Dong's "Hollywood Chinese" (September 10, 2012 blog entry), and San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi's "The Slanted Screen" (May 21, 2006 blog entry). I highly recommend them.