Steve Putz -- see also: Friends and Family

Community, Recreation and Hobbies

LEGO Robotics (LEGO and LEGO Mindstorms and FIRST LEGO League)

WORM Robotics TeamI teach LEGO Robotics classes full time.  See www.RoboticsLearrning.com.  I have coached kids for the FIRST LEGO League Robot Competition, where teams build robots using the LEGO Mindstorms robotics set.  Our FLL teams have won various awards.  I have directed the NCaFLL State FLL tournaments.  LEGO has an official web site, and there are also excellent unofficial sites (LUGNET, BrickShelf).  Many years ago my daughter Jennifer and I created some interesting LEGO models (no longer on the web).  My neice and nephew and I created a motorized ferris wheel when they were four.   See some other photos of my LEGO constructions and projects created for my robotics classes.  I also teach a Java programming class for kids.

Digital Video and AnimationMini DV Camcorder

I occasionally create and edit videos, e.g. documenting LEGO robotics classes and competitions. Some of my early videos are described here.  I also teach a LEGO Animation class and produce DVDs from the student projects.

Aikido Aikido 1st kyu exam (2001)

I spent years training in Aikido, a non-violent martial art that embodies the principles of nonresistance and harmony of mind, body, and spirit. The photo was taken at my 1st kyu brown belt exam in October 2001 (I'm the one on my feet).  I hope to start training again some day and advance to the next rank (black belt).
 

Play

In February 1999, I attended an awesome workshop on "Play", led by Fred Donaldson.  From countless hours spent playing with children and animals, Fred has learned to access and share a space of love, belonging and acceptance that resonates strongly with my inner values and my Aikido practice.  This may sound corny, but I have a sense that playing with Fred and the others in the workshop has altered my relationship to others and my life.  Any playmates out there?  Fred has a 1993 book (recently republished) called Playing by Heart: The Vision and Practice of Belonging.

SkiingAnimal Assisted Therapy Team (1997)

 I skied as a kid and teenager (remember wood skies, cable bindings, safety straps and leather boots?), but stopped for 10 years until 1996, with I started again with my daughters Sarah (skier) and Jennifer (snowboarder).  We have vacationed at Bear Valley, Squaw Valley, Northstar, Heavenley, Sierra at Tahoe.  We like similar speed and terrain, including an occasional "double black diamond slope" (when the conditions are forgiving).  However, I have not been skiing now for serveral years.

MusicPlaying folk music with my sister Sandy (1984)

I enjoy music most when I am making it together with others. I like traditional and contemporary folk music, and I grew up with the wonderful music of Peter, Paul and Mary. I have also enjoyed singing with concert choral groups in the past, and have also performed with the Foothill College Gospel Choir.  I have not

The Digital Tradition is a searchable collection of about 9000 folk songs. This site is not affiliated with me or Xerox, although I created the original (now closed) Digital Tradition web server at Xerox PARC.

SailingSailing in the British Virgin Islands (1993)

I enjoy sailing, especially larger crusising yachts. I used to own a MacGregor 21' sloop which I sailed on San Francisco Bay. My favorite sailing trips have been as skipper on vacations in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, most recently in July 1998.

SCUBA DivingDive Flag

I started SCUBA diving in 1984, but stopped several years ago.  On my family's 1998 vacation in the BVI, we all went on several dives.

Model RailroadingA train layout from long ago (1978)

Once upon a time, I built model railroads in N-scale (1:160). Maybe I'll get my trains out of storage in the garage when my grandsons are a bit older.
 
Updated 7/14/2007