Alaskan Cruise – 2008

Alaskan Cruise August 2008

by kcmaul@kcmaul.com | Aug 11, 2008 | Travel | 0 comments

Fresno REALTORS, Ken and Carol Maul, experienced their very first cruise in 2008!!

We flew to Anchorage and
then to Bethel where Carol’s brother, Myron Angstman, is an attorney.   We
spent three days with his family.

Then we flew into Anchorage and hopped on a bus to Whittier where
we got on the Sapphire Princess for 7 days.

We disembarked in beautiful Vancouver, B.C., and spent a few
days there with Carol’s sister, Harriet, and her family.

What a wonderful trip!!

Carol’s Brother’s Home in Bethel, Alaska (a town of 6500 on
the tundra).  Bethel is about 400 miles west of
Anchorage, accessible only by plane.

Deck and view from Myron and Suzanne’s Home — on Kuskokwim River

Gardens grow big with almost 24 hours of daylight!

Loading lumber and supplies on plane to take to Wood-Tikchik
State Park in the mountains where Myron and Suzanne are building a cabin

Ken with dollhouse we put together for Myron’s Granddaughter, Mary,
for her third birthday.   The dollhouse was an all-day project!!

Mary, her mother, Dolly, and Grandma Suzanne on Mary’s 3rd birthday.

Ken, Carol’s Brother Myron and his wife, Suzanne, and
their daughter, Sarah and Fiance’, Ben

Carol with nephew, Andy

On bus going from Anchorage to Whittier to board ship 8/2/08

Icebergs

First glimpse of the Sapphire Princess — our stateroom
was on the highest level with a balcony — pretty close to the front.

Carol on our balcony

Ken on balcony

On the sea — VERY early 8/3/08

Passing a glacier — very cold.

By the pool on our level of the ship

Enjoying the views

Atrium area of the ship

Carol on balcony on Glacier Bay 8/4/08

Pretty glacier

Water running off glacier down to sea

Ken on very top level of ship in Skagway 8/5/08

Carol up on a lookout over Skagway

Ken and Carol celebrating 34th anniversary on ship

Arriving in Juneau – 8/6/08

We took a tram up to Mt. Roberts and then took a pretty steep
one-half mile hike!!   Going to the gym often paid off!

On the trail above Juneau

Above Juneau

This is the tram we took up to Mt. Roberts

Libby Riddles — the first woman to win the Iditarod Dog Sled
Race and a friend of Carol’s brother — came on board the ship and
told of her experiences as a musher.   She introduced us, as well!!

Arriving in Ketchican on a cold, foggy morning 8/7/08

A fleet of float planes ready to take tourists sightseeing

A creek running through Ketchican

A DeHaviland Plane ready to take off

Ken on the balcony on a rainy, chilly afternoon 08/08/08

Those are Orcas in the water!!   The narrator for the ship said that we
had the best show of the summer — 4 or maybe 5 Orcas!!

The captain, narrator and others on the bridge and people
on the upper deck (where Ken spent LOTS of time) enjoying
the orcas and porpoises along the way

Our final dinner on the ship — one couple missing

Arriving in Vancouver, B.C. – 8/9/08

Ken and Carol with gifts from Carol’s sister in Vancouver

Carol with sister, Harriet in Stanley Park, Vancouver

Stanley Park, Vancouver

Carol and Ken at park on road up to Whistler Mountain,
site of the snow events for the 2010 Olympics – 8/10/08

Beautiful waterfall and forest

Carol’s niece, Janet, and family camping

Driving back to Vancouver

Downtown Vancouver

Carol’s niece’s home – 8/11/08

Mt. St. Helen’s from airplane leaving Portland, OR.   We lived in
Portland when the mountain blew in 1980!!

Lake Millerton and San Joaquin River as plane
approaches Fresno

And, our Molli — the reason we always want to come home!

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Trip to Alaska May, 2007

by kcmaul@kcmaul.com | May 11, 2007 | Travel | 0 comments

In May, 2007, Fresno REALTORS®, Ken and Carol Maul, traveled to
Alaska for a family wedding at the Talkeetna Lodge just below Mt. McKinley.

Carol’s brother, Myron Angstman, flew us up a glacier toward Mt. McKinley,
and here are a few of the photos we captured.

It was an awesome trip!!

Ken ready to board train to Talkeetna

Carol on train

Moose!!

Mt. McKinley on a gorgeous day

Carol outside Talkeetna Lodge

Ken enjoying the sunny weather

Beautiful Talkeetna Lodge

View from Carol’s brother’s plane

Carol’s Brother, Myron

Carol on the plane

Ken on plane

Alaska Trip – 2007

Trip to Alaska May, 2007

by kcmaul@kcmaul.com | May 11, 2007 | Travel | 0 comments

In May, 2007, Fresno REALTORS®, Ken and Carol Maul, traveled to
Alaska for a family wedding at the Talkeetna Lodge just below Mt. McKinley.

Carol’s brother, Myron Angstman, flew us up a glacier toward Mt. McKinley,
and here are a few of the photos we captured.

It was an awesome trip!!

Ken ready to board train to Talkeetna

Carol on train

Moose!!

Mt. McKinley on a gorgeous day

Carol outside Talkeetna Lodge

Ken enjoying the sunny weather

Beautiful Talkeetna Lodge

View from Carol’s brother’s plane

Carol’s Brother, Myron

Carol on the plane

Ken on plane

China Trip 2006

by kcmaul@kcmaul.com | Nov 11, 2006 | Travel | 0 comments

In November, 2006,  we were part of a trip to China sponsored by the Greater Fresno Chamber of Commerce.   There were 101 on the trip — in four buses.

We flew from Los Angeles to Beijing and upon arrival, met our tour guide and immediately started touring.    We visited the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Summer Palace.

Besides Beijing, we visited Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai.

The highlight of the trip, of course, was climbing the Great Wall of China!   “Unbelievable” seems to be the only way to describe that experience!

Our nine-day trip was full of activities.   We went to factories:   Jade, Pearl, Silk, Cloisonne, Carpet, Embroidery.   We had a Rickshaw ride to a private home where we enjoyed a wonderful lunch.    We toured a tea plantation and enjoyed many teas; we went to a natural medicine facility; we saw many beautiful parks; we toured “Chinatown” in Shanghai and we saw many peaceful gardens, pagodas and tea houses.

Wherever we went, we had many opportunities to purchase items — and most of us did just that!!

What an incredible experience!!

In November, 2006,  we were part of a trip to China sponsored by the Greater Fresno Chamber of Commerce.   There were 101 on the trip — in four buses.

We flew from Los Angeles to Beijing and upon arrival, met our tour guide and immediately started touring.    We visited the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Summer Palace.

Besides Beijing, we visited Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shanghai.

The highlight of the trip, of course, was climbing the Great Wall of China!   “Unbelievable” seems to be the only way to describe that experience!

Our nine-day trip was full of activities.   We went to factories:   Jade, Pearl, Silk, Cloisonne, Carpet, Embroidery.   We had a Rickshaw ride to a private home where we enjoyed a wonderful lunch.    We toured a tea plantation and enjoyed many teas; we went to a natural medicine facility; we saw many beautiful parks; we toured “Chinatown” in Shanghai and we saw many peaceful gardens, pagodas and tea houses.

Wherever we went, we had many opportunities to purchase items — and most of us did just that!!

What an incredible experience!!

Gathering at the Fresno Chamber of Commerce for bus ride to Los Angeles

Beijing Airport — lots of construction before 2008 Olympics

First glimpse of downtown Beijing

Tour guide, Mark, in the Forbidden City

Carol — happy she brought warm coat!!

Forbidden City — Restoration for Olympics

More restoration

Tiananmen Square

Tiananmen Square

Carol and Ken with Summer Palace in background

Summer Palace

From our hotel room — construction

Carol ready to climb Great Wall

Carol and Ken on Great Wall

Great Wall

Carol making progress

Ken making progress

Ken at top!!

Looking Down

Ken on way down

Lots of buildings in China

They have a leaning tower in China, too!!

Beautiful hotels

A street market

Very luxurious hotels

The financial district of Shanghai in the smog — we’ve seen photos of
this on a clearer day, and it is very colorful!

Carpet Factory

Silk Factory

Tea Plantation

“Chinatown” in Shanghai

Our beautiful hotel lobby

Rickshaw ride

Carol and Ken on bus

CLOVIS COMMUNITY BAND TO PRESENT MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT MAY 27, 2013

The Clovis Community Band, under the direction of Duane R. Weston, will be presenting a Memorial Day Concert on Monday, May 27, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. at the Clovis Veteran’s Memorial District Building.   Along with the traditional marches, the band will be playing a soulful arrangement of “Amazing Grace” with a bagpipe!!    Gary Deeter will be the guest conductor.

Ken plays trombone in this band.

This will be a special concert because the band has been invited to participate as one of five bands throughout the United States in an honor band for the 70th Commemoration of D-Day in Normandy, France.

The D-Day 70 Memorial Wind Band will be conducted by Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Emeritus of the United States Air Force Band.

There are about 45 members of the band planning to go on this trip to France and then on to England.   They will play with the Honor Band on June 6, 2014 at the American Cemetery and will also be presenting concerts in France and England.

The band is seeking donations and sponsorships to help with expenses such as the rental, transportation, insurance of instruments and assistance for some of the band members who need financial assistance to make this trip.

There will be an opportunity to make donations for this trip at the Memorial Day concert on Monday, May 27, 2013.    The concert is free.

Clytee Ramsey Sparkles in Clovis CenterStage’s Hello, Dolly!!

CenterStage of the Clovis Community Theatre is presenting Hello, Dolly! featuring veteran Fresno theatre icon, Clytee Ramsey.     Just days before the opening performance, the woman who was playing the role of Dolly Gallagher-Levi had to drop out, and Clytee, who has played the role several times but who now lives in Cayucos, stepped in.

The show is directed and choreographed by Greg Grannis who is also a veteran of theatre groups in the Fresno/Clovis area.    Brent Moser is the CenterStage Artistic Director.

The production is accompanied by a 21-piece orchestra under the direction of Pete van der Paardt.

CenterStage Clovis Community Theatre is a community-based non-profit (501c3) organization dedicated to bringing fine live theatre to the valley community.   Since 1991, under the direction of a volunteer Board of Directors, CenterStage has provided theater opportunities for local actors and audiences to enjoy.   Open auditions are held for each production and interested community members are invited to participate.   A highly accomplished production staff works together with cast and crew to create fine comedy, musical and dramatic productions.   CenterStage is supported through community donations, sponsors, and theater box office revenues.

Carol Maul with Hanna Nielsen as Irene Molloy

Hello, Dolly!  runs at 7:30 on July 23, 28, 29 and 30, as well as a 1:30 matinee on July 30.   To purchase tickets and more information,  go the CenterStage.

Get your tickets now for a truly great, fun-filled evening of song and dance!

Fresno State Sweet Corn Big Hit

Fresno and Clovis Realtors, Ken and Carol Maul, joined the hundreds of early risers to rush to the Fresno State Farm Store to buy sweet corn on the second day it became available.

The corn, grown  on Fresno State’s many-acre farm, is in demand every year.    Last year over 700,000 ears were sold; this year they are planning on selling over a million!    Friday, June 10, 2011, was the first day that sweet corn was available, and over 11,000 ears disappeared within the first 3 1/2 hours the store was open.

 

Besides corn, the market sells Fresno State award-winning wines (produced from the vineyards on the Farm), ice cream, milk, cheese, seasonal fruits and vegetables, quality meats, raisins, nuts, plants and much more.

 

Sweet corn is expected to be available into September.  The price for the corn is 4/$1, and there is no limit to how many each person can purchase.   The store is open from 7 to 7, Monday through Friday, 7 to 6 on Saturday and 11 to 5 on Sunday.

For much more information, see Fresno State Farm Market.

City of Fresno to Celebrate Fresno Chile Festival

On June 18th, the city of Fresno is celebrating the Fresno Chile Festival promoting all things Fresno and all things Chile pepper.   Heat is the theme of the day with hot food, hot rods, hot technology, and hot talent.

There will be World Music all day.   Cerro Negro, Espacio, Kemaya, Lance Canales, Patrick Contreras, and the Ray Moore Experience will be featured on two stages.

Food contests will also be featured, including a solar cooking contest, a chill zone and kidz fun zone.  Sustainable technologies will be demonstrated using the sun to improve our valley’s quality of life.

More information is available at Fresno Chile Festival.

Admission is free, and the event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the Fulton Mall, downtown Fresno.

Fresno Realtors attend Art Museum Fundraiser in Exquisite Smittcamp Gardens

Fresno and Clovis Realtors, Ken and Carol Maul, recently attended an Art Museum Fundraiser in the lovely, exquisite Smittcamp Gardens in Fresno.

Featuring large grassy areas, many flower beds, a Koi Pond with walking paths around it, waterfalls, bridges, dramatic lighting and gorgeous, gorgeous flowers, plants and trees, the garden was a delight to all senses.

The event also featured a silent auction, wonderful catered food and wines and champagnes of all types.

For more information on the Fresno Art Museum, go to Fresno Art Museum.

Fresno’s Aquarius Aquarium Awaits Word on Grant Request

Planned Phase I of Aquarius Aquarium

Fresno Realtors, Ken and Carol Maul, attended an  Aquarius Aquarium Institute event at Appellation California.    The Aquarium hosted the afternoon event for its charter members to thank them for their past support and to update them on a request for a grant that is available through the State of California.

This grant is a result of Proposition 84 which the voters of California approved in 2006 for nature education and facilities.     The Aquarius Aquarium is a finalist in this project, and if approved for the $7 million grant, work can start immediately on  Phase I of the building which has been designed by award-winning architect, Arthur Dyson, AIA, dean emeritus of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture.

The Aquarius Aquarium was founded in 2000 by Tom and Aletha Lang who have worked tirelessly for the past 11years to raise funds and public awareness for a public Aquarium in the Fresno area.    To that end, the Roy and Betty Jura family donated 10 acres  located adjacent to Highway 99 and overlooks Reach 1 of the San Joaquin River Restoration.

The Aquarius Aquarium will feature the San Joaquin River.    It will be a major regional tourism destination and an educational resource for students of all ages.   In addition, it will offer employment opportunities for our Valley, it will serve to beautify the Highway 99 corridor and it will be an entertainment and recreational center.

The following discusses the many programs that are currently available through the Aquarius Aquarium:

Teaching Tidepools is our highly-popular original outreach program further developed with First 5 Fresno County to give San Joaquin Valley preschool and kindergarten children the opportunity to see and touch our living California tide pool animal collection and interact with two of our staff educators right in their own classrooms. Students experience the sea creatures along with an entertaining, interactive standards-based curriculum teachers love. Fees are $175 for the first 45 minute preschool or kindergarten class (up to 30 children) and $75 per additional class on the same day at the same school site and we gladly accept most school district purchase orders. Mileage and additional time fees apply to classes outside the Fresno/Clovis metropolitan area. Please email us today for more information or to schedule your class. Click here to view our flier (PDF).

We also come to birthday parties which makes learning with family and friends really fun! Birthday parties are $250 for a two-hour visit with presentation, game, Tidepools! sing-a-long and party favors all designed for children 10 years old and under. A personalized, ocean-themed cake is available at additional charge. Please email us today for more information or to schedule your party.

AND… if you have a swimming pool or access to a pool, our PADI certified SCUBA instructor can also be booked along with Teaching Tidepools birthday parties to take kids on a safe underwater SCUBA adventure right in their own backyard! All SCUBA gear, air tanks and digital underwater photos are included for an additional $125.00.

Other current programs

 
• Institute research is focused on water quality control in large recirculating land-based systems and sustainable aquaculture technologies for both marine and freshwater fishes. In 2009, we worked in collaboration with Frederick Goetz, Ph.D. of the Great Lakes WATER Institute in establishing broodstock for a new Tambaqui (Black Pacu – Colossoma macropomum) breeding program. 

• Our 2008 William F. Noli award-winning mentoring program at the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART) is now helping to teach Central California high school students the necessary techniques to raise corals and even salmon in classroom aquariums. Through hands-on experience, the students learn about the fragility of our planet’s most precious aquatic resources. 

• Aquarius Aquarium Institute’s Aquatic Life Presentations give our Charter Members, students and the general public opportunities to meet guest biologists, aquarium experts, SCUBA divers and underwater photographers who are well-recognized in their respective fields. 

• Aquarius Aquarium Institute is home to and primary sponsor of The Breeder’s Registry, which is working to take the pressure off wild ecosystems by collecting and freely disseminating vital technical information about aquarium propagation of imperiled marine fish and corals. With the help of a worldwide network of professional and amateur aquarists, we are documenting the aquarium reproduction of many of the familiar species that have become recognized as staples in the marine aquarium industry. 

• The Institute has also been a local sponsor of the daily broadcast of Our Ocean World, a nationally-syndicated radio feature that brings listeners news and information about issues related to the ocean.

 

To become involved in the Aquarius Aquarium, to make a donation or to attend the many events and educational opportunities, contact Tom and Aletha Lang at 559/490-FISH (3474) or go to Aquarius Aquarium Institute on the web.