This weekend is the 13th Special Olympics Northern California Summer Games on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley.

Athletes from throughout Northern California will compete in aquatics, track & field, bocce, tennis and volleyball. Athletes trained for 6-8 weeks and then participated in a regional competition to qualify for the Summer Games.

A short list of events includes Aquatics: assisted swim, flotation race, individual medley, and relays; Track & Field: running & walking events, high jump, running long jump, standing long jump, softball throw, tennis ball throw; and wheel chair events.

Bocce is played with one small ball and eight larger balls, four for each team. The small ball is thrown first becoming the target. Then each larger ball is thrown with the goal of placing it as close to the small ball as possible. The 4-person team competition for bocce will take place at Martinez Waterfront Park.

On Friday evening, there will be an Opening Ceremonies that will include the traditional parade of athletes and the lighting of the Special Olympics Caldron.

Volunteers are a very important part of Special Olympics throughout the year. During the Summer Games, there will be more than 300 coaches accompanying the athletes and another 1,300 individuals will help at one of the five venues hosting a competition.

Schedule, maps and parking here.

Special Olympics Northern California Summer Games
University of California, Berkeley and Martinez Waterfront Park

Friday, June 6 - 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm - Opening Ceremonies
Saturday, June 7 - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm - Competition - event times
Sunday, June 8 - 8:00 am to 2:00 pm - Competition - event times

Admission: Free to all events

For information about Special Olympics Silicon Valley, including upcoming events in the South Bay, check here.

So I rushed onto the last car of the San Francisco BART train this morning and noticed some changes in the seat arrangements. Then, be still my beating heart, I saw a bright blue image of a bike on the wall usually reserved for wheelchairs. Then, I looked above this blue bike and saw these words: “Bicycle Priority. Strollers and Luggage OK if Bicycle not Present.” Take that! All you pedestrians who give me the stink eye during my commute. Take that! All those times I wasn’t allowed on the train because it was too crowded. That’s right. I. AM. A. PRIORITY.

If you’re in your 20’s and eagerly anticipating the upcoming Starcraft 2 game:

If you’re under 12 and can’t spell (or if you were born in the 80’s and can’t spell):

If you don’t know what either of the above pictures refer to:

Then, you’ll probably want to visit Koi Sushi in Union City.

Just a reminder to everyone that the Ducks for Bucks Benefit Race is this Saturday April 26th and the Hayward Ukulele Festival is on Sunday April 27th!

I’ll bet my duck is faster than yours!

If you know how to pronounce “ukulele” properly (and it’s not yu-ku-LAY-lee) then chances are, you’ll know about the Ukulele Festival of Northern California happening in Hayward.

When: April 27, 2008 10:30am-5:00pm
Where: Hayward Adult School, 22100 Princeton, Hayward
Suggested Donation: $5

But for all of you who have yet to come across this distinctive instrument, watch this video to see what a ukulele sounds like in the hands of a master.

Photo courtesy of DaSilva Ukulele Co: Custom Ukuleles for Sale