July 22, 2022 1. Upcoming Events and Competitions September 3 & 4: Pleasanton Highland Games: Pleasanton, CA, https://thescottishgames.com/ ________________________ 2. July Featured Band Member: Erik Leiken Original hometown: Davis, California Current hometown: Vacaville Occupation and/or other hobbies: Full-time piper, teacher, reed maker, repair tech, gradually a maker - - I've been slowly working towards making my own pipes. I've got a whole shop setup in my garage and I'm getting very close! Past pipe bands: Prince Charles, Dunvegan, Alameda Co. Sheriffs, Blandford, LA Scots, City of Sacramento, Peel Regional Police, then Stewart Tartan Number of years playing: 28 Favorite tune: All the Bluebonnets Are Over the Border A fond memory from my piping career thus far: Too many. I could write a book. I guess after getting out of the hospital after nearly three months in September 2021, and playing "All the Bluebonnets Are Over the Border" in the hospital's parking lot. I was still in my hospital gown, not even five minutes out the door, still bandaged up and everything, not caring about how much pain I was still in, not caring about how weak I still was. I still could barely walk. I barely was able to even eat then. The first thing and the only thing that I had to do after everything I went through was play my pipes, no matter how messed up I still was. I am grateful a video exists of that moment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfPGspVZToA ________________________ 3. Too Good To Miss Piping and Drumming down an escalator? This happened in May when the San Jose Police Emerald Society traveled to DC for National Police Week, and it’s too good to miss if you haven't seen it. Thank you to Sue for sending it in. In attendance from SVPS were Sue, Burr, Vince, Adam, Neil, Brian H, and Alex B. - - too cool!! https://www.instagram.com/tv/CdkFnkaDqeu/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= ________________________ 4. Piedmont 4th of July Parade Thanks to Brandon and Paul Olson for sending in photos from the 4th of July parade. Dave Kelly stood up and led the band as PM for the day and we had a guest Drum Major - - Pierce Thongpeth from Fairfield High School. These 4 (Laura, Celeste, Ignacio, and Brandon) all work at Google together! 5. SVPB Makes a Clean Sweep At Monterey The Grade 3 and Grade 4 bands came in first both days at Monterey, and the Grade 3 won first place in Dress and Deportment on Saturday and Sunday. Congratulations to everyone who competed for putting in the time and making the commitment to perform at this level. Look out Pleasanton - - the SVPB is comin’ for ya! Monterey Photos (courtesy of Brandon): https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMtTp_I1D1dR0U-HEb_km6sTKTdQYCcZoID8heXUoSpfPPDvWHmankAyuhFVusRbA?key=aFVnd1VYOHRJLXZCS1dBNGdMSDI3N0hPTERsRGZn 6. July Birthdays Hot summer months breed talented musicians. Marie Rude and Tim Wu - July 3 Neil Williams - July 7 Malachi Johannsen - July 10 (NEW MEMBER!!!! Welcome, Malachi!!) Dave Kelly - July 14 Jeff Gordon - July 28 ________________________ 7. Musician Humor