During the 2010 Winter Olympics I enjoyed writing (one on the 2010 Winter Olympics and one on 2010 Olympics resources for parents, teachers, and kids). With the one year Open Weekend countdown starting in London this weekend, July 22-24, 2011, I thought this was the perfect time to start blogging for the summer Olympics!

When: July 27 through August 12 | 2012

Following the Torch

On May 18, 2012, the Olympic Torch will start the 70 day journey from Greece to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. During the trip, it will be handed off by 8,000 different people, each with their own inspirational story!

• Review each hand off location of the journey here
• December 2011, the Olympic Torchbearers committee will let the nominees if they’ve been selected as one of the 8,000
• Learn about the winning 2012 torch design here (designed by east Londoners Edward Barber and Jay Osgerb who won the design contest)
• FAQs here

Olympic Social Media Stars

Olympic Social Media Stars	Twitter	Facebook
London 2012 Olympics	@london2012	Become a Fan
London 2012 Festival The world’s leading artists in the UK’s biggest ever festival	@london2012fest	Become a Fan
Wenlock Official mascot of the London 2012 Olympic Games	@iamwenlock	Become a Fan
Mandeville Official mascot of the London 2012 Paralympic Olympic Games	@iammandeville	Become a Fan
Olympic Official account of the Olympic committee.	@olympics	Become a Fan
Seb Coe Chair of the London 2012 Organizing Committee and Olympic gold medalist.	@sebcoe	See how he convinced the Olympic selection committee to choose London for the 2012 Summer Olympics here! Decision awarded July 6, 2005!
London 2012 Torch Relay 8,000 inspirational people across the UK will be chosen to carry the Olympic Flame during the Torch Relay.	Email Updates	Become a Fan
London 2012 Games Maker Learn how to become one of the 70,000 volunteers and help make the games happen!	The journey to becoming a London 2012 Games Maker is a long one, so please be patient. Log in to the Games Maker zone regularly for news and updates to the status of your application, and get to know the thousands of other London 2012 Games Maker fans here on Facebook along the way.	Become a Fan

Olympic Park

Since winning the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, a previously lower end, industrial and contaminated section of London has been transformed into the perfect athletic setting for the summer games. Below are some pictures courtesy of the London Olympics press:

Designs showing how the Olympic Village will look when complete. The Athletes’ Village will accommodate athletes during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

An artist’s impression of how the Aquatics Centre will look inside during the Games.

A CGI rendering of the 80,000 seat Olympic stadium is unveiled, on November 7, 2007 in London, England.  Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell noted the focus of the project is based around legacy for the area, which is currently one of the poorest in London.

Summer Games Feature 26 Sports

The London 2012 Olympic Games will feature 26 sports.

Sporting Events Schedule:
http://www.london2012.com/olympic-schedule

• Archery
• Athletics
• Badminton
• Basketball
• Beach Volleyball
• Boxing
• Canoe Slalom
• Canoe Sprint
• Cycling – BMX
• Cycling – Mountain Bike
• Cycling – Road
• Cycling – Track
• Diving
• Equestrian – Dressage
• Equestrian – Eventing
• Equestrian – Jumping
• Fencing
• Football
• Gymnastics – Artistic
• Gymnastics – Rhythmic
• Gymnastics – Trampoline
• Handball
• Hockey
• Judo
• Modern Pentathlon
• Rowing
• Sailing
• Shooting
• Swimming
• Synchronised Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Taekwondo
• Tennis
• Triathlon
• Volleyball
• Water Polo
• Weightlifting
• Wrestling

Related posts:

1. 2011 Kids Summer Reading Programs

Start following the tweets of your favorite conference or become their fan on Facebook with this all inclusive list! Don’t search the internet; I have it all here, ready for easy following! I was curious so I found them for myself to stick in my sports tweet list:

http://twitter.com/geekettebits/sportstweeps

but you can start following from your own accounts…check back for my next round of NCAA tweeps to follow!!

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Next weekend is a HUGE weekend for Women’s Basketball! Of course you should support your favorite teams by watching the games…but there’s a LOT more to be done!

Check out the 2010 NCAA Tournament Women’s Bracket here. Find out who’s left and who’s still in! Sic ‘em Lady Bears!

NCAA Women’s Final Four

Next weekend is a HUGE weekend for Women’s Basketball! Of course you should support your favorite teams by watching the games…but there’s a LOT more to be done!

{ Complete Fan Guide }

Tickets

Buy your tickets on Ticketmaster.com!

Events

Check out a FULL list of events for the weekend of April 2^nd through the 4^th!

Tourney Town

Tourney Town is FREE to all and offers NCAA Women’s Final Four fans a chance to check out interactive basketball exhibits, music, food, contests, freebies, and more! Find more information on Facebook too!

Definitely a family-friendly festival celebrating all the greats in women’s college basketball at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Feel free improve your skills during the youth clinics, open play, and other games.

Friday, April 2 – Noon – 9:30 p.m.
Center Stage Highlights:
Family Pop Rock Concert with Kate Voegele, 4:30 p.m.
Live R&B and Soul Favorites with The Atlantics, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 3 – 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Center Stage Highlights:
Texas Talent Showdown® Refreshed By Coke Zero Finals, 1-3 p.m.
State Farm Coaches’ All America Team Autograph Session, 3:30 p.m.
AT&T Mascot Challenge, 5:30 p.m.
Tourney Town Hot Country Music Concert with Joe Nichols, JR Castillo & Unwound, and Charla Corn, 7-11 p.m.

Sunday, April 4 – Noon-5 p.m.

Center Stage Highlights:
Time Out in Tourney Town® Pre Game Party with performances by Ayla Brown, Sarah Lenore and DJMel

Social Media

Become a Fan of the NCAA 2010 Women’s Final Four on Facebook!

Become a Fan of NCAA Women’s Basketball on Facebook!

• Follow @NCAAWomensBKB‘s tweets – written by Sue Donohoe, Vice President of Division 1 Women’s Basketball!

Directions to the Alamo Dome

Whether you’re visiting San Antonio for the first time, or just have trouble heading downtown…here are some helpful directions to the Alamo Dome:

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Since I already made a couple of posts for Valentine’s Day sales and activities it would be discriminatory of me to exclude the 44th Super Bowl this Sunday, February 7th, 2010 at 8pm CST at Land Shark Stadium in Miami, Florida on CBS.

*May I also just wish Peyton Manning the best luck!  Cheers to a player who’s old-school, who plays each game with incredible enthusiasm and passion (and he still calls his own plays!)  I <3 Peyton!   Go Colts!

versus

Super Bowl Resources

• Espn
• @nfl follow the NFL tweets!
• NFL Players on Twitter - check out this list of 259 NFL players, leagues, and sports writers and follow their tweets during the big game!
• Sirius Satellite Radio lists tons of pre/post game stations
• NFL.com
• Martha Stewart offers a very nice Super Bowl 101 course for those less versed in football vernacular.  (My fantasy football team placed 2nd this year so I’m fluent. ;-D)

Restaurants & Food

Recipes

• Reader’s Digest
• Pillsbury Food Coupons
• Martha Stewart
• Food Network
  

Restaurants

• Roaring Fork is offering buy one entree, get one free with happy hour prices at the bar all night long on game day!
• Paloma Blanca is offering 20% off to-go, delivery, and off-site catering on Super Bowl Sunday!
• Aldacos is oferring party sized Super Bowl savings.
• Papa Johns is a proud official sponsor of the Super Bowl, sign up for their email specials!
• Pizza Hut is offering all kinds of local deals!

Party Supplies

Invitations could only be done by Pingg!  Not to late to keep track of your invitations and setup a Super Bowl party with super classy online invitations.

Supplies

• NFL Shop is offering 20% off when you use NFLWIN20 at checkout!
• Party City has all of your party supplies!

Super Sales

• Newegg is offering super savings on HD TVs, speakers, and everything else electronically enhancing!
• Pottery Barn has personalized gift options for the big Super Bowl fanatic in your life.

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Check out this candid, touching interview from Colt McCoy when interviewed a couple weeks after the devastating hit that left him unable to finish the game in Pasadena California, at the 2010 National BCS Championship Game.

After his eloquent post-game interview, immediately following the end of the Championships, Colt’s faith in God brought tears to my eyes.  The following interview given to Max Lucado (co-pastor of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio) continues to demonstrate Colt’s faith that God will continue to provide for him and Colt knows they plans for him will continue to be incredible.

Max’s sermon cleverly intertwined Colt’s story of his seemingly devastating loss, the moment he spent his whole life working towards, only to have to stop playing minutes into the most important of his college career, maybe even his life.  Although Colt didn’t expect to be unable to play, he understood that his testament would be even more meaningful and have the potential to lead more to God’s love under such extreme circumstances.

***For more more sermons and moving interviews, please check out Oak Hills Church on Vimeo!

Colt McCoy’s Interview w/ Max Lucado:

Towards the end of the sermon Max made such a powerful, yet simple statement.  Like parents who know exactly what their children need and want, so does God for us…and He will provide our greatest wants and needs…maybe in ways we don’t understand at first, or at times when we’re are not ready.

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If you’re looking for game schedules, freebies, athletes that tweet, and other details about this year’s Winter Games, check out my other blog post, 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.  As I was writing that post I ran into incredible education resources and fun stuff for kids…I wanted to keep it separate and figure out which was worth investigating.

This post is dedicated to the educational opportunities for teachers and kids being offered online!  I have found links to online games, printable worksheets and coloring pages, and also information that I definitely didn’t expect to find preschool aged children through the 12^th grade!  Emotionally connect your family and students to the 21^st Winter Olympics with these resources!

Meeting the 2010 Olympic Mascots

From left to right, meet snowboarding Miga, Quatchi who loves playing hockey, and Sumi.

***Find out when you can meet them LIVE!

Mascot	Meaning Behind Choice
Quatchi the Sasquatch	The sea bear is inspired by the legends of the Pacific Northwest First Nations, tales of orca whales that transform into bears when they arrive on land.The Kermode bear is a rare white or cream-coloured sub-species of the black bear that is unique to the central West Coast of British Columbia.
Sumi the Animal Spirit	Transformation is a common theme in the art and legend of West Coast First Nations. Transformation represents the connection and kinship between the human, animal and spirit world.The bear often represents strength and friendship. And the thunderbird — which creates thunder by flapping its wings — is one of the most powerful of the supernatural creatures.
Miga the Young Sea Bear	The sasquatch is a popular figure in local native legends of the Pacific West Coast.The sasquatch reminds us of the mystery and wonder that exist in the natural world, igniting our imagination about the possibility of undiscovered creatures in the great Canadian wilderness.

Online 2010 Olympic Games & Activities for Kids

Game	Details
Miga Moves	Mascot Rockband, match the letters V/B/N/M in time to falling starfish!Difficulty:  MediumThis one takes some keyboard coordination…older kids (and adults) will really enjoy!
Soaring Sumi	Keep Sumi flying across Canada by hitting the spacebar to move up!  Fly up or down to avoid obstacles and hit health points!Difficulty:  EasyEasier than most games, simple hit spacebar without worrying about other keys/mouse.
Shootout Shutout	Face off against Miga and Sumi in some fast-paced one-on-one hockey!Difficulty:  HardThis game takes the MOST coordination, not only do you have to use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to move back and forth as the goalie, you also have to use the 1-3 number keys that correspond with colored pucks.  Definitely for older kids.
Operation Recycle	Help Miga, Quatchi, and Sumi with their neighborhood recycling program!Difficulty:  Easy/MediumAlthough it does not require a lot of coordination it does require some thought.  Complete rounds by successfully finishing 5 levels.  Includes a little physics, test your trajectory skills by holding the mouse button down and dragging to aim towards target! *My 6 year old daugher enjoyed this game the most!
Which Mascot Are You Like	Take this quiz to see which mascot you’re most like…your child’s first personality test…next stop Meyer-Briggs!

Other Fun Activities:

Send E-cards	Select 1 of 4 mascot scenes, decorate VERY easily, add verbage, and send to family and friends!
Crafts and Color Printables	Download and print craft activities (make 3-d mascots!!) and get printable coloring sheets
Download Desktops & Wallpapers	Download (for Windows only…) an interactive desktop to decorate with stickers, information about the ceremony, add an Olympics countdown, and much more…Download static Wallpapers for those that desires less interactivity.

Paralympic Games

Sumi is officially the mascot of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Game…check out this printable passport activity book to track his and your journeys!  After printing out those, print out this printable coloring sheet to color your own Sumi!

Featured Programs

Check out these fun facts about the Paralympic Winter Games (pdf).  Although Paralympic School Week in School has already passed officially (November 2-6, 2009) you can still support the Paralympic Games any time.  Resources for educators found on the official games website here.  Here’s the link to the “Guide for Educators” to celebrating in your skills with informative details, activities, and other helpful stuff.

Educational Resources

The Canadian Olympic School program seeks to inspire young students through Olympian stories, activities, projects, activities and more and offers:

• Teacher Resources for educators with printable PDFs, videos, pictures, and more!
• Student Lounge geared towards school aged kids
• Playground for Younger Kids means you don’t have to be in school to catch the spirit with additional games, puzzles, and contests.
• Library section to answer all your kids’ questions

School-Aged Kids: Additionally there are these printable Olympic Games Project Packs pdf.  Includes additional resources for teachers or your kids:

• Destination Vancouver - Planning a vacation to Vancouver
• Tough Call - Respond to tough situations as the Olympic Team’s communication staff
• Speedy Recovery - Create an athlete’s injury treatment plan
• Save, share, and Spend –  financial planning during tough economic times
• Own the Podium - Analyze data with probability and trig skills to find out what it takes to “Own the Podium”
• Financing the Olympic Dream – what it costs, how to budget, invest, and borrow to reach Olympic goals
• Design brochure – hired to develop the ultimate youth travel package, come up with the advertisement!

Passing the Torch Activities:

Make Your Own Peace

This is a wonderful opportunity to teach kids about practicing peaceful behaviors and making peace in their home and communities.  Starting on February 4, 2010, check out “Sharing the Dream” webcasts inspired by the Olympic Truce and led by children.

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The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics are here!

In celebration, I have posted everything you wanted to know about the 2010 Vancouver Winter games including information from the official website, the Olympic torch, freebies, schedules, athletes, and fan information!  I went through and found all of the links that I’d want to know about (but would NEVER have considered searching for on my own.)

The XXI Olympic Winter Games will be the 21^st Winter Olympics, starting February 12^th and continuing through the 28^th in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  This blog post includes information about all of the “official” websites, video games, following the torch, travel information and other details and freebies the 2010 games are offering!

There is projected to be over 80 nations represented during the 86 winter sports.  Ghana, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Peru, Montenegro, and Serbia will also make their winter Olympic debuts!

Official Website:  Vancouver2010.com

• Official schedule and results!
• Latest News
• Official Olympic Store
• Buy Fan to Fan tickets
• Photos
• Spectator FAQ
• Videos
• Athletes or this awesome map of metals won by country!

Official Broadcaster:  NBC Olympics

• TV Listing
• All-time Winter Metal Standings
• Countdown to Vancouver headlines
• All the athletes
• Photos

2010 Olympic Torch Relay:

Originating from Greek mythology, the Olympic Flame torch is a cherished symbol of the modern day games starting in the 1928 Summer games in Amsterdam.

The tradition starts several months before opening day, transports the flame from Greece to the center of the stadium and burns brightly throughout the duration of the games.

Starts	Oct. 30, 2009
Days in Transit	106 day run
Number of Torchbearers	12,000
Follow Torch on Twitter	@FollowTheFlame
Number of Stops	over 1000
Length of Journey	almost 30,000 miles
2010 Olympic Torch Relay Emblem	Entitled "A Path of Northern Lights"

Official Twitter & Facebook Accounts

Keep track of everything through the Olympics’ official social media channels…

Olympic Sized Souvenirs:

FREE Vancouver 2010 Journal: Worth $17.99, get yours FREE by signing up for your 160-page personalized journal to include photos, prompt Games memories, blank journal pages, and record your thoughts and experiences!

Mobile Freebies & Alerts

Official Video Game of the 2010 Olympics:

Check out information by click on the link above OR pre-order the games on Amazon or at Game Stop!  Even if you’re not a world-class athlete you can train your mind to be…

Amazon	Game Stop

***Also check out Mario and Sonic on for Wii and Nintendo DS!

Olympic Travel Information:

• Check out the official 2010 Olympics Spectator Guide which includes link to the different venues, ceremonies, transportation, accommodations, and other essential information.
• The US Department of State Travel includes information about passport travelling, games fact sheet, country specific information, customs information, and the 2010 US Olympic team.
• Not going by train or plane?  Check out this website for RV information:  Vancouver 2010 RV Park

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I did a rough, quick transcription of Colt McCoy’s class-act game interview after the 2010 BCS National Championship – full of strength and faith!

I love this game, I have a passion for this game, I’ve done everything I can to contribute to my team and we made it this far and it’s unfortunate that I didn’t get to play.  I would have given everything I had to be out there with my team.  Congratulations to Alabama, I love the way our team fought…Garrett Gilbert played as well as he could play, he did a tremendous job.  I always give God the glory, I’d never question why things happen the way they do.  God is in control of my life and if nothing else I know I’m standing on The Rock.

…You know I really have no pain in my arm, I just can’t feel my arm.  It wasn’t a painful hit, I’ve taken that hit over and over again in my life…playing this game I know I’m going to get hit…like I said, I’m not in pain, my arm’s dead.  It feels like I slept on my arm, woke up and my arm’s dead.

I thought this was so great and I looked for it immediately after the game…here for anyone who’s been dealt a rough hand…may you handle it with the graciousness that he did.

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UPDATED: (2/6/2010) Volunteer for May 2010 Valero TX Open, details on Facebook.

Will work for golf?

Last year, raising $8.5 Million dollars, the Valero Texas Open is the 3^rd oldest PGA tours tournament and a San Antonio ritual.  They have an Aquafina Family Fiesta Day where you can bring the kids to pick up lots of golf related goodies and play golf-related games.

Did you know volunteers for this event receive the following:

Total Value – $405*

*Those benefits are in addition to the priceless gift bestowed to volunteers in general…

Feel like signing up for the numerous positions available – something for everyone to do, they even ask who you want to work with!  I volunteered a couple years ago AND have gone to the kids’ event numerous times…I’ve never been disappointed!

Speaking of kid-friendly golf events, kids 6 and older are encouraged to join the First Tee San Antonio golf program.

“To register your child, stop by the Polo Field Golf Center and complete a Parent Permission Form, or download the form and return to the Polo Field Golf Center (click on ‘Learn More’ for form). We are located at 915 E. Mulberry, near Brackenridge Park and the S.A. Zoo. The program is free and equipment is provided.”

Very informative website, http://www.thefirstteesanantonio.org offers opportunities for children and families to get excited about golf!

*Check out part 1 in this golf bit series…

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The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course.
~Billy Graham

Although the misnomer we call winter is gone, spring brings not only heat waves but more opportunities to hit the driving range, the golf cart, and eventually the 19^th hole…

Here are some bits of advice on the San Antonio golf scene (apologies in advanced non-local golfers…)

My San Antonio – Keyword: GOLF

I plan to post a review about local San Antonio websites, so I don’t want to focus too long on the My San Antonio website…in the search bar, if you type “golf” you’ll be redirected to their Golf section:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/golf/

Here hosts newsworthy golf headlines, course reviews, and a couple quick glances at San Antonio golf courses (their 2009 edition).

Gimmies in Golf

Golf’s not a cheap sport…and people are willing to pay…

However, if there’s a deal, I’ll find it and now I’m sharing it with you!  Some of the best bargains I’ve gotten (besides tutoring computer science students in exchange for free golf clubs…) were from online offers/mailing lists.

Although I’m sure to have other posts about the benefits of online mailing lists, this next section focuses on local deals to be had.

Course Mailing lists

I recommend going down the list and middle-clicking the “ONLINE” website for the courses you’re interested in or already regularly frequent.  As soon as you go to their homepage look for the invitation to join their mailing list (“Are you interested in hearing from us?”…something along those lines.)  I have subscribed to many golf courses, and many send out regular offers:

Free sleeve of golf balls

Later tee time = drastically discounted price

2 for 1 deals, ladies’ nights

…free beer at the 19^th hole

And that’s just a few of the great offers.  Some send almost daily emails…come today and pay only $12 dollars, $9 if you walk the course.  Last year, the Quarry sent out an email for a cart, unlimited range balls, AND all 18 holes for any tee time after 2 for only $22 in the month of July!

*Middle-clicking:  Use your middle finger to click the middle button on your mouse (if it has a wheel).  This will open the link to a new page)

Entertainment 2009

Look for another post on this coupon monster book alone!!  Within these pages, there are great discounts for golf equipment AND green fees:

Discounts on Golf Equipment:

Dick’s, FogDog Sports, & Sports Authority all offer various discounts on total purchases (to include golf equipment) – 15% to 18% off

2-for-1 Deals:

Alamo Golf Course – buy one, get one bucket of balls free

Silverhorn – 2 for 1 breakfast

Blossom – golf fee

Polo Field Golf Center – bucket of balls

Rolling Oaks Golf Center – bucket of balls

Woodlake Golf Club – green fee

*more deals found on entertainment.com or in the book!

Golf Store Mailing Lists

A quick Google search of “golf store San Antonio” returned a list of local golf merchants.  Go to the familiar sites, like Golf Galaxy to sign up for their “Golf Galaxy Advantage Club” as well.  Not only will you immediately receive a discount off your first purchase but you’ll also be alerted when golf pros are stopping by, advanced notification for sales, and insight into “Member Only” events…

Stay tuned for parts two and three in the Geekette Bits Golf Series…next we’ll take a look at courses I’ve hit at and also other ways to play for free and introducing kids to the game…for free!

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