Last weekend, a few paternal units from the Bernal Dads Racing Team assembled at a secret local spaceport to do some amateur rocketry with the kids.

Overall the effort was a success. Many rockets were launched, and the kids demonstrated an exceptional talent for doing mission control-style countdowns (in unison).

“Ten… Nine… Eight… Seven… Six… Five… Four… Three… Two.. One.. LIFTOFF!”

Great altitudes were achieved. The barriers of space were tested.

But recovery of the rockets proved more challenging. Several of the Bernal spacecraft encountered significant arboreal interference shortly before touchdown:

Flight commanders wrote off the stricken craft as a loss.

But in the spirit of science and exploration, the days experiments were deemed a complete success. Gateways to the New Frontier were opened. “One small step for our children, one giant leap for Bernalkind,” and all that.

Indeed, with the space shuttle now in retirement and Uncle Sam’s space transportation strategy in disarray, it’s time for Bernal Heights to take matters into our own hands. We can do this. We have The Right Stuff. We need a new group to add to the roster of neighborhood civic organizations.

So, fellow citizens, please join me in welcoming the inauguration of the Bernalwood Aeronautics and Space Administration:

PHOTOS: Telstar Logistics