San Francisco Local

FALL/WINTER 2015

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local Your San Francisco Connection

M A G A Z I N E

MEET KEITH BRUCE

The CEO & President of the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee

INNOVATION. EDUCATION. HERITAGE. A HOME FOR 49ERS FANS OF ALL AGES. OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Monday through Sundays (10am - 6pm) Gamedays: Open - 2 hours prior to kickoff Close - 30 minutes prior to kickoff

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TEAM STORE

IN OUR LATEST GAMEDAY GEAR S H O P F O R G A M E DAY Y E A R - R O U N D AT O U R 4 9 E R S F L AG S H I P STO R E I N L E V I ’ S ® STA D I U M G A M E DAY H O U R S

N O N - G A M E DAY H O U R S

OPEN 2 HOURS PRIOR TO KICKOFF

MON-SAT SUNDAY IN-SEASON

9:30am-7pm OFF-SEASON

9:30am-6pm

YEAR-ROUND

10am-5pm

CONT ENTS CONT

ENTS

CONT Inside ENTS

SAN FRANCISCO ANNUAL EVENTS

DAVE RIGHETTI

A conversation with the Giants’ pitching coach

REVEREND CECIL WILLIAMS

of Glide Memorial Church and The Pursuit of Life, Love and Happyness

Inside

VACATION TRIPS & TIPS

ARE LIVE CONVERSATIONS Inside HISTORY OF MAKING A RIGHETTI HEALTH DAVE SAN FRANCISCO MEET KEITH BRUCE SAN AND FRANCISCO DAVE RIGHETTI COMEBACK? FITNESS FRANCISCOwith the ANNUAL EVENTS A conversation with the ANNUAL EVENTS A SAN conversation The & President of the Giants’ pitching coach Age is CEO Nothing REVEREND CECIL Super Bowl 50 Host Committee Giants’ pitching coach But a Number WILLIAMS VACATION TRIPS & TIPSCECIL REVEREND ARE LIVE 49ERS FOUNDATION SAN FRANCISCO WILLIAMS CONVERSATIONS

of Glide Memorial Church and The Pursuit of Life, Love and Happyness

A ANNUAL proud Tradition ONAand MAKING HEALTH EVENTS ANDOff FITNESS the Field COMEBACK?

of Glide Memorial Church Age is Nothing and The Pursuit of Life, But a Number REVEREND CECIL Love and Happyness HISTORY 49ERS FOUNDATIONOF WILLIAMS A proud Tradition ON and SAN FRANCISCO Off the Field Northern Californ

ia Chapter

2013-2014

of Glide Memorial Church HEALTH Pursuit of Life, AND FITNESS

HISTORY OF and The SAN FRANCISCO

Love is and Happyness Age Nothing But a Number

HEALTH AND FITNESS 49ERS FOUNDATION Age is Nothing ABut proud Tradition ON and a Number

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49ERS FOUNDATION

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DAVE RIGHETTI A conversation with the VACATION TRIPS Giants’ pitching coach

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2013-2014

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ARE LIVE & TIPS CONVERSATIONS MAKING ARE LIVE A COMEBACK? CONVERSATIONS MAKING A COMEBACK?

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y l on

Rich Borell Founder & CEO

Ken Packer Publisher & Executive Editor

BOARD OF ADVISORS Daniel Considine Founder, Boone Energy Rosanne Foust President & CEO, SAMCEDA San Mateo County Economic Development Association Harry Kellogg Vice Chairman, Strategic Relationships Silicon Valley Bank Gay Krause Executive Director, Krause Center for Innovation Foothill College Joe Parisi President, Therma Corporation Karen Tucker CEO, Churchill Club San Francisco Local Magazine is a community magazine published by Bay Area Mags LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text or photographs without the written permission from the Publisher is strictly prohibited. The magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork or photographs. The opinions expressed in San Francisco Local Magazine are of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Board of Advisers, Management or Owners. The magazine assumes no responsibility or liability for claims made by advertisers in the magazine.

All rights reserved. Publisher and/or Advertiser shall be held blameless for any and all pricing errors, along with any expired dates typing errors or trademark infringements. If any errors are found, we will correct when brought to our attention within 48 hours.

For advertising and editorial inquiries, contact us at info@bayareamags.com

Edwards Luggage has currently re-branded our 68 year old family business with the new name of Edwards Everything Travel.

Featuring more travel accessories than ever before, Edwards is the destination travel store in the San Francisco Bay Area. Along with the new branding, Edwards is currently updating our stores to a fresh, new, contemporary look. All NEW Shop-in-Shops from Tumi, Rimowa, Briggs and Riley, and Victorinox create a customer-friendly shopping experience.

If you are planning a trip,visit one of our stores for all your travel needs. Or, come to one of our Packing Seminars and learn how to pack in a carry-on for a 10 day trip.

Yes, it can be done!

See our website at EdwardsEverythingTravel.com for more information about the upcoming packing seminars. They're Free!

We hope to see you soon!

The Reininger Family Palo Alto

路

San Francisco

路

Walnut Creek

路

San Mateo

Are Live Conversations Making a Comeback?

By Caroline Moriarity Sacks Director of INFORUM

I

n the technology capital of the world, San Franciscans know better than most about the latest messaging or communication apps. In a city turning conversations more virtual by the minute, a phenomenon is also developing: its citizens are wanting more interactions offline, with real people. At INFORUM, The Commonwealth Club’s Innovation Lab, we’re constantly seeing the benefits that come from live interactions.

While some may argue that social media, forums, podcasts or live video streams are just as useful as the real deal, you miss the events that aren’t captured by film or social media. These are the experiences that can only be seen or heard firsthand. Notice the facial expressions on the executives on stage? Or, the way a panelist lights up because he/she noticed their family in an audience?

These cues provide more color and context that can

add to a person’s individual experience.

Let’s not forget the benefits of making real human connections. Sometimes the best part of an event is simply hearing the commentary from attendees. Conversations that happen before and after a program is just as impactful, if not more rewarding. Plus, these conversations often open up doors to meeting new people who can become a connection in the future.

There’s also a difference between witnessing it online vs. in-person. Yes, we can listen to audio from a conversation between Marissa Mayer of Yahoo! and Marc Benioff of salesforce.com, but being there to laugh with the audience, feel the tension or witness history is something that you can always look back on. That experience is one of a kind.

There are more benefits and we encourage you to see for yourself at our next INFORUM event.

Check out our site for the next program; we hope to see you there: inforumsf.org

Salesforce Chairman and CEO Marc Benioff and Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer photo by Ed Ritger

San Francisco Annual Events JANUARY:

APRIL:

FEBRUARY:

Cherry Blossom Festival http://sfcherryblossom.org/

San Francisco Union Square/Chinatown 5K Running Tour http://www.cityrunningtours.com/sanfrancisco.html

Chinese New Year Festival & Parade http://www.chineseparade.com/ Pacific Orchid Exposition http://www.orchidsanfrancisco.org/poe. html Union Street Has A Crush On You Valentine Wine Walk http://www.sresproductions.com/ union_street_valentine_wine_walk. html

MARCH:

St. Patrick’s Day Parade www.saintpatricksdaysf.com Cherry Blossom Festival http://sfcherryblossom.org/ San Francisco Flower & Garden Show http://sfcherryblossom.org/ Union Street Celebration & Easter Parade http://www.sresproductions.com/events.html

San Francisco International Film Festival http://www.sffs.org/sf-intl-film-festival. aspx

San Francisco Decorator Showcase http://decoratorshowcase.org/

MAY:

Bay to Breakers http://www.baytobreakers.com/ How Weird Street Faire http://howweird.org/ Cinco de Mayo Parade http://www.sfcincodemayo.com/ Uncorked – The San Francisco Wine Festival San Francisco Carnaval http://sfcarnaval.org/

JUNE:

San Francisco Pride Parade http://sfpride.org/ Union Street Festival http://www.unionstreetfestival.com/ Stern Grove Festival http://www.sterngrove.org/ Ghiradeli Square School KidsBash http://www.ghirardellisq.com/events/ annual-events/kidsbash North Beach Festival http://www.northbeachchamber.com/ site/

JULY:

Waterfront Festival http://www.pier39.com/Events/events. htm San Francisco Jewish Film Festival http://www.sfjff.org/ North Beach Jazz Festival http://www.sunsetpromotions.com/ Fourth of July Show @ Fishermen’s Wharf http://www.pier39.com/Events/events. cfm

AUGUST:

San Francisco Shakespeare Festival http://www.sfshakes.org/ Nihonmachi Street Fair http://www.nihonmachistreetfair.org/

OCTOBER:

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER:

Noe Valley Wine Walk http://www.sresproductions.com/noe_ valley_wine_walk.html

Fleet Week http://www.fleetweek.us/

SEPTEMBER:

Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/ringers.html

Holiday Festival of Lights @ Fishermen’s Wharf http://www.fishermanswharf.org/events. aspx

ACC Craft Show http://shows.craftcouncil.org/sf

Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival http://www.ghirardelli.com/chocolatefestival San Francisco Blues Festival http://www.sfblues.com/ Folsom Street Faire http://www.folsomstreetevents.org/ San Francisco Fringe Festival http://www.sffringe.org/ The Polk Street Blues Festival http://www.polkstreetbluesfestival.com/

Ockoberfest By The Bay http://www.oktoberfestbythebay.com/

Columbus Day Parade http://www.sfcolumbusday.org/parade/ San Francisco Jazz Festival http://www.sfjazz.org/ Union Street Wine Walk http://www.sresproductions.com/union_ street_wine_walk.html Fiesta on the Hill http://www.sresproductions.com/fiestaonthehill.html

Great Dickens Christmas Fair http://www.dickensfair.com/

Macy’s Union Square Tree Lighting http://www.unionsquareshop.com/ TreeLightingUnionSquare.html Guardsmen Christmas Tree Sale http://guardsmen.org/treelotparty/

Watching Your Health?

By Scott Budman

I

t will tell you the time. The weather. Your stock prices. You can book an Uber ride, a hotel room, or a pizza, all by touching the screen.

But, unlike your smartphone, you don’t have to expend the effort to take it out of your pocket.

After all the hype, the Apple Watch is here. My first impression? It’s an awful lot like an iPhone – not that that’s a bad thing – but with Budman a much smaller screen.

Now, to be honest, if you’ve already spent the money for a smartphone (and are spending more money on the monthly data plan), do you really need its mini-me?

Which brings me to my second impression.

Admittedly, I haven’t worn a watch since buying my first cell phone. But the Apple Watch will, eventually, be a lot more than just another way to check your text messages. It may take awhile, but this could be the next wave of devices: Connected, literally, to our bodies, and telling us a lot about what’s going on in our world.

And by “our world,” I mean a lot more than text messages and stocks. Before rolling out the Watch, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased a feature called ResearchKit that will collect health data from Apple devices. If you agree to it, your data would be collected anonymously and studied by doctors.

The possibilities here go way beyond ordering food or making a phone call from your wrist. It could soon mean a new way to fight diseases. Silicon Valley companies like 23andme have been collecting DNA for purposes like this.

Imagine if millions of us could learn about, and fight, a disease like Parkinson’s by wearing a watch. App makers are already working to help; Doctors and hospitals are already lining up to collect data.

We in Silicon Valley are always on the lookout for the next “New” thing. The Apple Watch is the next entry. Look for brisk sales in the beginning, and lots of imitators. But what happens next should be even more interesting.

And, dare I say, healthy.

Scott is the business & tech reporter for NBC Bay Area. He’s on Twitter: @scottbudman

LOCAL AGENT MAGAZINE NAPA/SONOMA EDITION • FALL/WINTER 2015

BAY AREA LEGENDS A WALK & TALK DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH

AL ATTLES W

e met in what was a different day and age. Yet, it seems like yesterday. I remember the team arriving … It was amid a lot of excitement back then. It was 1962. Professional basketball was coming to San Francisco and the Bay Area! Meet the NBA … Meet the Warriors … Meet Al Attles.

It was just a few years before, in 1958, Major League Baseball had just successfully moved the Brooklyn Dodgers to Los Angeles and the New York Giants to San Francisco, becoming the first two professional baseball teams west of the Mississippi. In 1962, the National Basketball Association (the NBA) followed, and successfully moved the Minneapolis Lakers to Los Angeles and the Philadelphia Warriors to San Francisco, becoming the first two professional basketball teams west of the Mississippi.

It was quite an era here back then. John Kennedy was President, no sign yet of the Beatles (and their concert at Candlestick Park coming just a bit later in 1964) and our San Francisco Giants, in just their 5th year here and playing in what was a “beautiful” new Candlestick Park, were playing the New York Yankees in the World Series. It would be two years later, in 1964, San Francisco would host the GOP National Convention here at the San Francisco Cow Palace, starring Barry Goldwater. It would be 23 years later, in 1985, for Super Bowl XIX at the older Stanford Stadium and 54 years later, in 2016, for Super Bowl 50 to return to the Bay Area. During this time, the 49ers have won 5 Super Bowls, the Giants have won two World Series and the Warriors have won one NBA Championship, in 1975, with Al Attles as the Head Coach.

Fast forward to the present day and it’s the same wonderful Al Attles. The same warm, friendly smile, the same positive endearing energy and the same unforgettable and most recognizable voice. And, now, there’s all this wonderful history, stories and people we can talk about, too. Al is everyone’s best friend and everyone is Al’s best friend. Case in point, to this very day, his North Carolina A&T basketball teammates are all still extremely close. They won championships playing together as a team some 50+ years ago and they still talk with one another, frequently, all the time, and as recently as just yesterday …

To read the rest of Coach Al Attles’ great article, please go to our Silicon Valley Talk website (www.siliconvalleytalk.com) and enjoy the balance under the category “Sports”.

HOW DOES SERVING OTHERS

Serve You?

By Holly Stiel Speaker/Trainer/Consultant/Author www.ThankYouVeryMuchInc.com

I

often pose this question in my workshops and keynotes. Those who serve others don’t always have it easy. Day to day, there are problems, dissatisfied people and looming burnout.

Discovering the inherent rewards of providing service—beyond the regular paycheck— has helped hotel service providers remain Holly Stiel resilient—and fulfilled—in the face of what can be very stressful work. The great concierges, however—those who create memorable experiences for their customers— are those who take joy in helping others.

I believe we can pay ourselves a “psychic salary,” every time we enjoy the gratification of serving others. We can also derive satisfaction from such things as sharpening our creativity by solving problems and knowing that making one customer happy can then cause a ripple effect for everyone he or she encounters.

This concept expands our thinking and allows us to appreciate our work in a more profound way. Instead of watching the clock, we’re present in the moment, allowing ourselves to understand the deeper meaning and noble purpose of our work.

And so I ask, “How does serving others serve you?” I also encourage anyone who oversees service providers to ask this question, both of their current staff and those they’re considering hiring. You’ll likely see an increase in job satisfaction, happier customers, more referrals and a healthier bottom line. Customer service requires various industry-specific skills, but the secret underlying all service excellence is taking gratification—even joy—in helping others. Whether this quality is innate or we “fake it ‘til we make it,” the rewards beyond the paycheck are priceless.

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All games are broadcast on KNBR 680/KGO 810, 107.7 The Bone and 860am ESPN Deportes.

Dates and times of all games are subject to change.

FERTILITY PRESERVATION 5 Things You Should Know

By Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh

Your fertility isn’t skin deep. It’s as simple as that. Just because you look like you’re 28 when you’re 42, doesn’t mean your ovaries are the same. Unlike men who don’t run out of sperm, it is totally normal and expected for every woman to run out of eggs by a certain age. The average age of menopause is 51 and it’s very difficult to get pregnant during the 10 years leading up to that age.

Some of us are born with more eggs or run out at a slower rate but at the end of the day most women are not fertile in their 40’s.

It’s unfair for women to be made to feel like there’s something wrong with them when they’re told they’re not fertile at the age of 40. Not many women are fertile in their 40’s. Empower yourself with knowledge about your fertility so you can learn more about your options.

Running out of eggs doesn’t mean you also run out of options. Women in their 40’s often turn to more creative ways to grow their family: donor eggs, donor embryos and adoption just to name a few. I find that most of my patients who see me over the age of 40 say they wish they had frozen their eggs when they could have. Women today sadly learn that they’re running out of eggs at the same time that they decide to start a family. Egg freezing technology has changed dramatically over the past 5 years or so.

Women don’t have to say that they wish they froze their eggs 10 years ago…..a time when egg freezing success rates weren’t as good as they are today. The time is now to ask your doctor whether egg freezing is for you. Here’s what you should know: 1. There are tests you can do to find

Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh Photos by Jennifer Crandall

out more about your fertility. Your doctor can order an Anti Mullerian Hormone level (AMH) as a guide regarding how much battery you have in your biological clock.

Cycle day 3 FSH and estradiol levels and an antral follicle count (ultrasound looking at your ovaries often done by a reproductive endocrinologist) can also be used clinically as a guide.

2. If your Mom or other female family members had fertility issues related to conditions like endometriosis or early menopause, you should strongly consider preserving your fertility and seeing a doctor

to talk more about your options.

3. There are some medical conditions that require drug treatments that can be what we call “gonadotoxic” ie result in damage to eggs or sperm.

Patients who are diagnosed with conditions like Lupus, blood disorders, and cancer are often put on chemotherapeutic Dr. Eyvazzadeh has been hosting “Egg Freezing Parties” designed to raise awareness of fertility issues since 2014. drugs. Freezing eggs/sperm Harvard Medical School, she completed a can give these patients a chance for pregnancy in the future fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at University of Michigan. She after their treatment is over if they run out also completed a Masters in Public Health in of eggs earlier because of the treatments.

Health Management and Policy at University 4. Freezing eggs for future use is best in of Michigan. She has a private practice in younger women because our eggs have a the SF Bay Area. higher chance of being viable the younger Each day she hears story after story we are. If you’re considering freezing your from women struggling to conceive. In her eggs in your late 30’s, you could still have a attempt to alleviate some of this heartbreak, good chance for pregnancy. Speaking with she has gone on a mission of “fertility a fertility specialist would be helpful before awareness”. Her hope is to empower you decide to freeze your eggs. women at an early age, making them more 5. Egg freezing involves a surgical aware of their own personal fertility levels procedure. Women have to take selfadministered shots in the skin of their lower and allowing them to be better educated about their options. Never again does she abdomen for about 10 days prior to the egg want to hear “If I had known 10 years ago extraction procedure.

To hear more about the process of IVF or that my egg reserves were running low, I would have done things differently”. egg freezing, please read Dr. Aimee’s next In 2014, she launched her message with article.

“Egg Freezing Parties”. These hosted parties Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is a native of offer women a chance to learn more about the Bay Area. She is a graduate of UCLA egg freezing and ask their questions in a School of Medicine. After completing her comfortable, safe environment with likeresidency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at minded women.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and

BayAreaMags.com Greetings to all, Welcome to our new website BayAreaMags.com! For your convenience, we’ve established a single gateway to the information you seek via our various publications that include Silicon Valley Local, Peninsula Local, San Francisco Local, East Bay Local and Finally Friday Weekend Magazine, with more to come.

We hope that you have shared in the excitement of some of our recent cover features that have included Jed York, Owner/CEO San Francisco 49ers, Larry Baer, CEO San Francisco Giants, Lew Wolff, Owner Oakland A’s and Congresswoman Jackie Speier. We simply couldn’t deliver without our terrific team of editorial contributors who lend their expertise and insight to what’s going on in the Bay Area.

And what about what our readers have contributed? When you’re wondering what to do on a weekend in the Bay Area, be sure to visit FinallyFriday.com.

Since October 2007, community members, like you and me, have been sharing what’s fun – old or new, refined or funky!

Be on the lookout as we begin publishing our network of Webzines in selected cities throughout the U.S. Read us soon, Rich Borell, Founder & CEO and our discerning mascot, Hailey

BayAreaMags.com

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Rotary World Leader Comes to Silicon Valley G ary C. K. Huang, President-elect of Rotary International for 2014-2015, came to San Jose recently to speak to several hundred upcoming club presidents at the Far West President–Elect Training Seminar (PETS). The Rotary year begins July 1, so Huang is traveling around the world to help train the 34,000 club presidents who will lead their clubs next year.

The greater Silicon Valley, known in Rotary as District 5170, includes 53 clubs from Oakland to Santa Cruz and from Palo Alto to Livermore. With the motto, “Service above Self’’ every club has community projects and international projects.

Rotary has about 1,200,000 members worldwide.

They meet weekly, hear wonderful speakers and have a lot of fun. Clubs are always looking for new members.

Huang will be the first Chinese president of Rotary International, a goal he set many years ago. He was born in southern China and grew up in Taiwan. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University and has an MBA from the College of Insurance in New York. He and his wife, Corinna, have three children. In 2004 Huang wrote a book about his business and his Rotary experiences called “Finding Solutions, Not Excuses.”

Local Rotarians honored Huang and his wife with a lovely reception in the Taiwanese Culture Center in Sunnyvale. Delighted by seeing friends he knew even as long ago as high school, Huang spoke to them in the Taiwanese dialect,

Presentation of artwork to President-Elect Huang. Lena Zee, Gary Huang, Jim Lechner, Arthur Ku (the artist) Henry Yin and David Sheen Photo by Steve Cho

encouraging them to become Rotarians. He then taught everyone his trademark “Happy Clap.”

“Eradicating polio has been a goal of Rotary for many years,” said Huang. “By partnering with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other organizations we hope the world will be polio free by 2018.”

He said he chose the theme Light Up Rotary for his presidential year because he was inspired by the teachings of the Chinese philosopher, Confucius, who said: “It is better to light a single candle than to sit and curse the darkness.”

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Greater Bay Area Chapter San Francisco Office 221 Main Street, Ste. 1650 San Francisco, CA 94105 Silicon Valley & Monterey Bay Office 675 N. First Street, Ste. 1100 San Jose, CA 95112

A SPECIAL CONVERSATION

WITH PAT WADORS, Senior Vice President of Global Talent Organization at LinkedIn

ful and fastest growing companies in Silicon Valley and the world. Pat joined LinkedIn in January 2013 “to lead its world-class talent (HR) team. In addition to hiring, retaining and inspiring top talent, Pat is also responsible for all employee related HR programs at LinkedIn, including compensation and benefits and performance management”. Since her arrival, the company has nearly tripled in size. All this, and more, is why she is one of the most respected voices in business. In this brief conversation, enjoy what is some of her vision and philosophies, as we indeed have …

SVL: How do you see HR evolving – from what it was to where it is and your vision of where you see it heading?

PW: HR is evolving from a function that is often viewed as process oriented to more of an innovative role. Typically, HR folks are not the first to deviate from the norm, but successful companies will have HR teams that are not only subject matter experts but they innovate at the same time. They are the ones in the industry that are making Human Resources hip and progressive. This is what we aspire to at LinkedIn. For instance, I am always looking to move the needle and to

yond their own boarders and think of talent issues that affect the world. They become game changers.

SVL: Regarding talent – What are some of the key elements looked for – How important are data analytics and PW: When it comes to talent I hire for humility and intellectual curiosity. The candidate needs to have a decent amount of the skills required for the role, but as long as they have humility and curiosity, then the rest can almost

The HR Organization of the Future … What Does It Mean?” nization at LinkedIn. LinkedIn is one of the most success-

ny culture. Typically, these are individuals who think be-

what can aspiring employees learn to improve?

“How LinkedIn Is Creating

Pat Wadors is Senior Vice President of Global Talent Orga-

have the ability to inspire leaders and influence compa-

gain a fresh perspective. What better way to do this, and tap into the collective brainpower, than by bringing together the best and the brightest interns from around the Bay Area? We did just that this past summer when we hosted our first ever HR Hackathon event. Teams comprised of technical and non-technical interns competed against each other to come up with the coolest, most creative, out-of-the box solutions to today’s toughest HR problems. Over 150 interns from companies across the Bay Area participated, and the energy level and breadth of ideas generated from each team was inspiring.

The future of HR is not about avoiding policies and processes, it is more about innovation and knowing what should be global vs. local, and creating unique experiences that differentiate your company. These leaders help evolve/create an amazing talent brand for their organizations and influence HR practices in their community. They are willing to experiment and compete for talent in new ways.

I meet with my peers and other HR and Talent Acquisition leaders every single week. What I am discovering, are more leaders are in that third bucket or are leaders who aspire to be in that space. It means taking more intelligent risks. They

Pat Wadors and participants of LinkedIn’s inaugural HR Hackathon.

Photo credit: Tony Chung

always be learned.

to work for. Connect with those employees and see how

I am also a strong believer in treating people beautiful-

they navigate the company. Remember – a company’s

ly. At LinkedIn we are in hyper growth and in order to

best hire is a referral from someone else at the company.

maintain our wonderful culture we need to continue to

If you really want to work somewhere try to find alum-

hire people who believe in this sentiment. We also need

ni from your alma mater that already works there, grab

to constantly reinforce our culture through our behav-

coffee with a current employee, follow the company, etc.

iors and decisions we make every

Leverage your network to help you get your next job.

day. Pulsing our employees twice a year on an employee voice sur-

SVL: HR is the catalyst - What

vey is one way in which we gauge

makes a good employee, man-

our culture and engagement.

ager, leader desirable and great

To help drive talent strategies

for the company and also for the

that truly enable our businesses

employee, himself/herself?

success – we need data. Talent Analytics is the new oil.

PW: I believe that a good em-

At LinkedIn we have built a talent analytics team to help

ployee is always learning, has a strong work ethic and is a

us find, engage, hire and retain the right people. The data

brand ambassador for their organization.

helps us understand things like where the candidates

Managers and leaders need to lead the way. They cre-

are, what skillsets they have, and who our competition is.

ate the vision that others aspire to achieve. They need to

This data also helps me keep an eye on our organization-

be authentic and treat people beautifully. They should

al health. What is our hiring pattern? Where do we have

ensure their teams are working on a good mix of proj-

the most effective leaders? What do they do different

ects that both stretches them in their skills and contrib-

that we can leverage in other teams? What are the key

utes to the success of the company. They encourage the

drivers to engagement? Data helps us solve problems

team to come to the table with solutions, not problems.

and improve as a company.

They realize that mistakes are just part of the necessary

Regarding aspiring employees they need to learn to build

learning curve and should not be hidden. They believe

out their network; connect with people who they went to

in transparency to build trust. They strive to be both em-

school with, or worked with. Add your friends and family.

powering while holding themselves and their teams ac-

Then learn about the companies and cultures you aspire

countable.

A SPECIAL CONVERSATION

WITH PAT WADORS, Senior Vice President of Global Talent Organization at LinkedIn

ful and fastest growing companies in Silicon Valley and the world. Pat joined LinkedIn in January 2013 “to lead its world-class talent (HR) team. In addition to hiring, retaining and inspiring top talent, Pat is also responsible for all employee related HR programs at LinkedIn, including compensation and benefits and performance management”. Since her arrival, the company has nearly tripled in size. All this, and more, is why she is one of the most respected voices in business. In this brief conversation, enjoy what is some of her vision and philosophies, as we indeed have …

SVL: How do you see HR evolving – from what it was to where it is and your vision of where you see it heading?

PW: HR is evolving from a function that is often viewed as process oriented to more of an innovative role. Typically, HR folks are not the first to deviate from the norm, but successful companies will have HR teams that are not only subject matter experts but they innovate at the same time. They are the ones in the industry that are making Human Resources hip and progressive. This is what we aspire to at LinkedIn. For instance, I am always looking to move the needle and to

yond their own boarders and think of talent issues that affect the world. They become game changers.

SVL: Regarding talent – What are some of the key elements looked for – How important are data analytics and PW: When it comes to talent I hire for humility and intellectual curiosity. The candidate needs to have a decent amount of the skills required for the role, but as long as they have humility and curiosity, then the rest can almost

The HR Organization of the Future … What Does It Mean?” nization at LinkedIn. LinkedIn is one of the most success-

ny culture. Typically, these are individuals who think be-

what can aspiring employees learn to improve?

“How LinkedIn Is Creating

Pat Wadors is Senior Vice President of Global Talent Orga-

have the ability to inspire leaders and influence compa-

gain a fresh perspective. What better way to do this, and tap into the collective brainpower, than by bringing together the best and the brightest interns from around the Bay Area? We did just that this past summer when we hosted our first ever HR Hackathon event. Teams comprised of technical and non-technical interns competed against each other to come up with the coolest, most creative, out-of-the box solutions to today’s toughest HR problems. Over 150 interns from companies across the Bay Area participated, and the energy level and breadth of ideas generated from each team was inspiring.

The future of HR is not about avoiding policies and processes, it is more about innovation and knowing what should be global vs. local, and creating unique experiences that differentiate your company. These leaders help evolve/create an amazing talent brand for their organizations and influence HR practices in their community. They are willing to experiment and compete for talent in new ways.

I meet with my peers and other HR and Talent Acquisition leaders every single week. What I am discovering, are more leaders are in that third bucket or are leaders who aspire to be in that space. It means taking more intelligent risks. They

Pat Wadors and participants of LinkedIn’s inaugural HR Hackathon.

Photo credit: Tony Chung

always be learned.

to work for. Connect with those employees and see how

I am also a strong believer in treating people beautiful-

they navigate the company. Remember – a company’s

ly. At LinkedIn we are in hyper growth and in order to

best hire is a referral from someone else at the company.

maintain our wonderful culture we need to continue to

If you really want to work somewhere try to find alum-

hire people who believe in this sentiment. We also need

ni from your alma mater that already works there, grab

to constantly reinforce our culture through our behav-

coffee with a current employee, follow the company, etc.

iors and decisions we make every

Leverage your network to help you get your next job.

day. Pulsing our employees twice a year on an employee voice sur-

SVL: HR is the catalyst - What

vey is one way in which we gauge

makes a good employee, man-

our culture and engagement.

ager, leader desirable and great

To help drive talent strategies

for the company and also for the

that truly enable our businesses

employee, himself/herself?

success – we need data. Talent Analytics is the new oil.

PW: I believe that a good em-

At LinkedIn we have built a talent analytics team to help

ployee is always learning, has a strong work ethic and is a

us find, engage, hire and retain the right people. The data

brand ambassador for their organization.

helps us understand things like where the candidates

Managers and leaders need to lead the way. They cre-

are, what skillsets they have, and who our competition is.

ate the vision that others aspire to achieve. They need to

This data also helps me keep an eye on our organization-

be authentic and treat people beautifully. They should

al health. What is our hiring pattern? Where do we have

ensure their teams are working on a good mix of proj-

the most effective leaders? What do they do different

ects that both stretches them in their skills and contrib-

that we can leverage in other teams? What are the key

utes to the success of the company. They encourage the

drivers to engagement? Data helps us solve problems

team to come to the table with solutions, not problems.

and improve as a company.

They realize that mistakes are just part of the necessary

Regarding aspiring employees they need to learn to build

learning curve and should not be hidden. They believe

out their network; connect with people who they went to

in transparency to build trust. They strive to be both em-

school with, or worked with. Add your friends and family.

powering while holding themselves and their teams ac-

Then learn about the companies and cultures you aspire

countable.

de Young Museum

Museums ASIAN ART MUSEUM 200 Larkin Street, 94102 (415) 581.3500 http://www.asianart.com/

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

55 Music Concourse Drive, 94118 (415) 379.8000 http://www.calacademy.org/

CONSERVATORY OF FLOWERS

100 J F Kennedy Drive, 94118 (415) 666-7001 http://www.conservatoryofflowers.org/

SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART 151 3rd St, 94103 (415) 357.4000 http://www.sfmoma.org/

THE LONG NOW MUSEUM 1 Marina Blvd, 94123 (415) 561.6582 http://longnow.org/

CABLE CAR MUSEUM

1201 Mason St, 94108 (415) 474-1887 http://www.cablecarmuseum.org/

RANDALL MUSEUM

199 Museum Way, 94114 (415) 554-9600 http://www.randallmuseum.org/

MUSEE MECANIQUE

Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 45, 94133 (415) 346-2000 http://museemecaniquesf.com/

WELLS FARGO HISTORY MUSEUM

420 Montgomery Street, 94104 (415) 396-2619 http://www.wellsfargohistory.com/

EXPLORATORIUM

3601 Lyon St, 94123 (415) 561-0360 http://www.exploratorium.edu/

WALT DISNEY FAMILY MUSEUM

Presidio of San Francisco, 95129 (415) 345-6800 http://www.waltdisney.org/

CARTOON ART MUSEUM 655 Mission St, 94105 (415) 227-8666 http://cartoonart.org/

SAN FRANCISCO RAILWAY MUSEUM

USS Pampanito

77 Steuart St, 94105 (415) 974-1948 http://www.streetcar.org/

CHILDREN’S CREATIVITY MUSEUM 221 4th St, 94103 (415) 820-3320 http://creativity.org/

SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MUSEUM

655 Presidio Ave, 94118 (415) 563-4630 http://guardiansofthecity.org/sffd/index. html

YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS 701 Mission St, 94103 (415) 978-2787 http://www.ybca.org/

LEGION OF HONOR

Lincoln Park, 94121 (415) 750-3600 http://legionofhonor.famsf.org/

THE BEAT MUSEUM 540 Broadway, 94133 (800) 537-6822 http://www.kerouac.com/

DE YOUNG MUSEUM

USS PAMPANITO

CHINESE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA

CONTEMPORARY JEWISH MUSEUM

GLBT HISTORY MUSEUM

THE MEXICAN MUSEUM

50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, 94118 (415) 750-7694 http://deyoung.famsf.org/

965 Clay St, 94108 (415) 391-1188 http://www.chsa.org/

4127 18th St, 94114 (415) 777-5455 http://www.glbthistory.org/museum/

Pier 45, 94133 (415) 775-1943 http://www.maritime.org/index.htm

736 Mission St, 94103 (415) 655-7800 http://www.thecjm.org/

Fort Mason, 94102 (415) 202-9700 http://www.mexicanmuseum.org/

RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT 175 Jefferson St, 94133 (415) 202-9850 http://www.ripleys.com/sanfrancisco/

THE WAX MUSEUM OF FISHERMAN’S WHARF 145 Jefferson St, 94133 (415) 202-0416 http://www.waxmuseum.com/

MUSEUM OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA 685 Mission Street, 94105 (415) 358-7200 http://www.moadsf.org/

GLBT History Museum

Offering a modern interpretation of the classic American steakhouse with hints of Japanese influence.

Alexander’s Steakhouse Redefining Seafood in the Bay Area The Sea By Alexander’s Steakhouse is the Bay Area’s premier seafood dining destination. The

Alexander’s Steakhouse is a fine dining interpretation of the classic American steakhouse with hints of Japanese influence throughout the menu. Featuring a variety of classic cuts such as Porterhouse, T-bone and New York, we specialize in Certified Angus Beef grain-fed from the Mid-West. We

restaurant distinguishes itself by focusing on rich sumptuous morsels from the sea, prepared with modern technique and flair. Chef Yu Min Lin blends contemporary cuisine with Japanese sensibility and ingredients to transform The Sea’s menu into the extraordinary.

also highlight dry-aged steaks and offer the finest and most luxurious products available including a tasting menu and an award winning wine list.

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Offering a modern interpretation of the classic American steakhouse with hints of Japanese influence.

Alexander’s Steakhouse Redefining Seafood in the Bay Area The Sea By Alexander’s Steakhouse is the Bay Area’s premier seafood dining destination. The

Alexander’s Steakhouse is a fine dining interpretation of the classic American steakhouse with hints of Japanese influence throughout the menu. Featuring a variety of classic cuts such as Porterhouse, T-bone and New York, we specialize in Certified Angus Beef grain-fed from the Mid-West. We

restaurant distinguishes itself by focusing on rich sumptuous morsels from the sea, prepared with modern technique and flair. Chef Yu Min Lin blends contemporary cuisine with Japanese sensibility and ingredients to transform The Sea’s menu into the extraordinary.

also highlight dry-aged steaks and offer the finest and most luxurious products available including a tasting menu and an award winning wine list.

CUPERTINO

SAN FRANCISCO

10330 N. Wolfe Road

448 Brannan Street

408.446.2222

415.495.1111

PASADENA

TAIPEI, TAIWAN

111 N. Los Robles Ave.

235 Sec 1, Dunhua S. Rd

626.486.1111

02.2741.8080

WWW.ALEXANDERSSTEAKHOUSE.COM

PALO ALTO 4269 El Camino Real • 650.213.1111

WWW.THESEAUSA.COM

Marina Gavric

Marina Gavric Health & Fitness Training www.marinagavric.com

Age is Nothing But a Number Y

ou don’t spend 20 years in the fitness industry without learning a few things about numbers. A valuable term I learned early on, and attest to, is the age old adage that “Age is nothing but a number”.

Each of us has a calendar age and a biological age. We’ve all seen this … Often I will see a 30 or 40 year-old who may look and feel considerably older than his or her actual age … or a 60 or 70 year-old who may look and feel considerably younger. How and why is that?

Good health and well-being, so much of it is in our mind. Also our diet and exercise. It includes an attitude, our habits, our way of life. Healthy and vibrant, the good news is we don’t have to be stuck, where we might not be happy. The choice is ours and there are things we can do to improve.

We should control our health rather our health control us. Health, fitness and wellness, no matter what our age, is a great recipe that works … and is everyone’s best reward.

When and how did those years get stuck within layers of unhealthy fat, lining our frames? Can you pinpoint the time you became older than you really are? Think back.

Was it when you were 12 trying to get out of gym class?

Maybe in college when all your time was spent studying and socializing over noodles

and cocktails? Perhaps your fitness years were lost when the children began ruling your world or work sucked you in to the career abyss? Is it possible you just haven’t found your way out. Resolving when you began losing those years is key to getting them back.

No matter what your current age or fitness level, taking action in changing your fitness age, to grow younger as you age, to become a fitter and wiser you, begins with some simple, clean life choices we can all make.

Ask yourself: How old am I? How old do I feel?

What is my fitness age? If I have lost years of vibrant life, when did I lose them? How can I get them back? And when do I begin taking action in the fight to take them back?

Don’t let your “real” age rule or get the better of you. You can do it ... let your fitness age take the spotlight! … Stay Hydrated, Stay Focused, Stay Fit!

Jeremy Affeldt

For the L and T

THE SAN FRANCISCO GIAN

Hunter Pence

Pablo Sandoval

Buster Posey

Love of the Game Their Community

NTS COMMUNITY FUND AND THE GIANTS COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

M

ore than the game’s box score is what we call the game of Life. And, also as big as life, you will find the Giants Community Fund and the Giants Community Relations Department. It is a spirit, an energy. They see it as a proud tradition, a way of showing mutual appreciation, and teamwork, that we are truly together – team and community. This is our special team off the field that always goes to bat for our community, our businesses, our organizations, our non-profits and our youth.

Throughout the year and in many countless ways, it seems as if every day they are out there always hitting a game winning walk off home run and pitching a perfect game. They are angels for all they do and the difference that they make for so many …

Who are these angels? They are Staci Slaughter, Senior Vice President of Communications, Shana Daum, Vice President of Public Affairs and Community Relations and Sue Petersen, Executive Director of the Giants Community Fund, their staffs and all those who are employed by the San Francisco Giants baseball organization.

What they are doing off the field, for our community, as well as on, is a story of champions.

It is all truly a reflection from the top on down,

complete with heart and devotion.

The Giants are enjoying a sell-out every home game in beautiful AT&T Park. Was it really just 15+ years ago, when maybe 5,000-20,000 people would brave the freezing cold and winds of Candlestick Park? Do you believe in miracles, for this was truly one … indeed, how things have miraculously changed.

How well do you know, or remember, just how close we were to losing the Giants first to Toronto and then a few years later to Tampa Bay? It was extremely close to happening, but thanks to the dedicated and determined efforts of Larry Baer and Peter Magowan for creating a very real “Dream Team” of ownership partners, the San Francisco Giants were suddenly and very fortunately saved. I

don’t think people realize just how catastrophic that would have been, and the ramifications it would have meant, had the Giants been taken from us.

What has come to fruition since: AT&T Park, a most beautiful new ballpark (arguably the best in all of baseball), sellout games, a revitalized SOMA and San Francisco, hundreds of millions of dollars that have gone to benefit local San Francisco and Bay Area community development, non-profits causes and two World Series Championships in three years (when not one in all the years prior since their arrival from New York in 1958); and the outstanding community programs that were born from this.

All this from a vision and great fortitude. From the top on down, led by President and CEO Larry Baer, the current ownership group has instilled a culture, a tradition, a legacy, if you will, within the San Francisco Giants organization that is indeed rocksolid and part of their own DNA. They believed strongly in their vision, their dedication and their hard work to build AT&T Park.

They also believed strongly in expressing the gratitude that the entire Giants organization feels for its community. They believe in their responsibility, to carry on the Giants legacy of giving back to the community and in turn the fans who support them. It is truly a love affair between the Giants and the community they serve – and it shows. It is so very evident.

In my conversation with Staci, Shana and Sue, I was enjoying every word they had to say. It was all with such enthusiasm, heart and passion. They love so much what they are doing … and they have each been doing this now for many years. We read in the news all that’s wrong about sports … that’s why I am happy to share this with you, all the GOOD that these Giants do off the field, because we don’t hear this; no, not near enough as we should, if at all.

The Giants take their off the field community programs very seriously. As much as they do well on the field, they do it off the field, as well. This is their arm where they can give back to community … and they do … and they have been doing, year in and year out, all these years, an extraordinary job.

Indeed, the Giants Community Fund and its

Junior Giants Program won a national award called the Steve Patterson Award for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy …becoming the first Major League Baseball team to have ever won this coveted honor.

And the great Giants announcers whose voices we have become so familiar with, and love listening to, are the voice of the Giants on the field, and also for the Giants organization and how it connects with the community off the field.

You will hear how they often talk about the team’s community endeavors and the results will beautifully speak for themselves. The Giants sellout all their games … and beyond the three million guests each year who joyfully are coming to the Giants games, there are hundreds of millions more, together with them in spirit, listening on the radio

Lou Seal

and watching on TV. No question, the Giants and the large community have been and are really enjoying this mutual love affair … and are seeing great direct benefits, and results, as well.

Are you possibly wondering what kind of participation there is by the Giants team, players, coaches and staff off the field? It is all voluntary and it is 100% - where the entire Giants organization, from the top on down - gladly participates. They make guest appearances, where they will visit and speak to schools, hospitals and non-profits. Indeed, they touch community always in a warm and sincere way. They, too, have and share this very special feeling between the team and community.

In addition to the many local causes and nonprofit organizations they help support, they also have been and are involved in helping with great humanitarian causes, such as raising literacy …

and funds to help support the victims of, for example, Katrina, Sandy and the Philippines … and they were the first professional team to help raise funds and build awareness in their support of what has become an annual event: “Until There’s A Cure Day” in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Through its Junior Giants Program, the Community Fund allows more youth to play baseball where it wasn’t possible - building fields, and creating leagues – all free to participate. They find coaches and work closely with the Positive Coaching Alliance, as they help in providing excellent coaching and training. They produce a wonderful handbook each year that is so well thought out and prepared for the parents and their children to read together … and discuss important and meaningful topics like teamwork, character, good health, non-violence and bullying prevention (Strike Out Bullying).

Positive role models do have an important place and do help make a big difference. Here, with the Junior Giants, 20,000 kids a year, more than 200,000 in the 20-plus years, have so benefitted.

Does it make a difference? For these kids, it surely has and still does.

Let’s for a moment talk Junior Giants. What’s it about? How about the 4 Bases of Character Development … 1st Base = Confidence, 2nd Base = Integrity, 3rd Base = Leadership, Home = Teamwork. You can’t score unless you touch All The Bases!

“Entering its 21st season, Junior Giants is a free, non-competitive and co-ed baseball program. Over 20,000 youth across California, Nevada and Oregon participate in Junior Giants. Junior Giants offers equipment, uniforms, enrichment programs and coaches Training. Junior Giants wants to help you lead, succeed and have fun! Anyone can play!”

Through this amazing handbook, in addition to Character Development, there is also Education – The Giants Community Fund is proud to offer a summer reading program for all Junior Giants players. There is also Health – Be A Healthy Junior Giant: Snack smart with healthy snacks, Exercise 30 minutes of physical activity a day, Enjoy a soda-free summer and Protect yourself by using

sunscreen. Then there is Violence Prevention – Where: I pledge to strike out bullying … Peace starts within you …

“I will build peace on the field, at home, at school and in my community each day.” And, then, there’s the Junior Giants Willie Mac Award – This will go to one outstanding Junior Giants player and coach that represents their league, as chosen by their League Commissioner.

The Junior Giants encompasses 87 leagues …

210 cities served … 21,558 Girls and Boys and 2,966 coaches.

George Kontos “The Giants Community Fund is a public charity with a tie to the great game of baseball, a sport that convenes people of all ages and from all walks of life. The Giants are honored to have played an active role in the community by providing programs for youth since 1991. They work all year-round to ensure that underserved populations are reached with important initiatives in Education, Health, and Violence Prevention.”

I cannot imagine what any of this would have looked like if the Giants were the Toronto Giants or the Tampa Bay Giants … and the San Francisco Giants a thing of the past and none of this - AT&T Park, two World Series Championships, the Giants Community Fund, Community Relations and Junior Giants programs, and the many millions of dollars each year to benefit community and youth programs, making a huge difference for our community day in and day out, all year long, every year - yes, none of this would exist for us today if not for “them” – this, our very special Team.

These are angels and our Giants are indeed Giant … indeed Champions on and also most definitely every year off the field. Far beyond the box score, it’s another walk off winning home run and perfect game the Giants perform in the game of life and what they do for community. Thank you for all that you have done, are doing and will do.

If not for them, it would be a completely different ballgame. There would be no game. Because of them, we are Champion. From the top on down, it is all by design, dedicated to making such a big difference. It really is an entire Team effort and a mutual love affair with the community … that is indeed very special.

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SFL: What is your title and what do you do? What has prepared you for this?

KB: My title is CEO & President of the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee. I think the body of work that I have had the privilege to be exposed to over the last two decades has prepared me for this role. I have worked a lot of Super Bowls and other major sporting events around the world, and have seen the explo-

Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara

sion of sophistication around how those events are produced and how they are delivered.

And there’s a lot interest in where this Super Bowl is being played

I think you need that kind of perspective to bring the best possi-

- in the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, at Levi’s Stadium -

ble group of professionals together and create the best possible

a place that’s so very attractive for so many people. We expect

plan for Super Bowl 50. We recognize that the Super Bowl is the

to see more than one million people come through the region

greatest television spectacle in the United States every year, but

during Super Bowl Week.

it’s also an amazing fan experience for those lucky enough to ei-

MEET KEITH BRUCE The CEO & President of the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee Super Bowl 50

– More Than A Game! In-

deed – A Super Bowl Like No One Has Ever Seen Before. That’s what this will be … and what undoubtedly will be the largest, most impactful and most beneficial Bay Area special event to date for our community in our lifetimes.

From the Super Bowl Bid Committee in 2013 … to all the planning

This is the ultimate of the ultimate. This is the San Francisco Bay Area. This is Silicon Valley, too. This is also the NFL and it is worldesque. This is by any stretch of the imagination (and that is what it takes, imagination) not your typical day at the office. This will be by far the biggest local event (and positive impact on our San Francisco Bay Area community!) to date ever in our lifetimes.

… and then the execution of it all. What does it all mean? It’s so BIG. How can the task be described? How can it be grasped?

There’s nobody who knows it better, or to hear it from, than Keith Bruce, himself, the CEO & President of the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee.

What’s it like, the thinking behind it all, as we approach Super Bowl 50? It takes a village? Hardly; far more, as we will see, for it’s a far grander stage than that. Until now, nothing has been THIS big. This is Super Bowl 50.

Super Bowl City to open January 30-February 7 in San Francisco

ther live in the host region or visit the region during Super Bowl

SFL: What has been so very special regarding everyone’s positive

week. If you think about an Olympics or a FIFA World Cup or a Su-

reaction since the Bid?

per Bowl or a Final Four, those are hugely passionate moments

KB: What has been really gratifying for me and our entire Host

when people are feeling the euphoria of being in that environ-

Committee is how everyone has really rallied behind all this Su-

ment. Super Bowl 50 is being planned to take the fan experience

per Bowl. Since that day when we were awarded the Bid, the re-

to the next level.

gion really has come together, from the municipalities and civic entities that are supporting our efforts, to the mayors who are all

SFL: From the inside view, just how big is this? What does this

working with us to make sure that this event is great, to the corpo-

all mean that people in general don’t know or can’t easily, really

rate community working together in an unparalleled way to help

grasp the magnitude?

us put on an unforgettable celebration.

KB: That’s a great question. You can only say so much to get peo-

Now, it’s up to our organization that we make sure we live up to

ple to appreciate this scale of what hosting a Super Bowl means

that and walk the walk and deliver opportunities for our entire

to a region. People can see renderings and they can look at pic-

region. It’s our goal to connect and glue these communities and

tures of past Super Bowls, but until you actually experience it and

regions together in a positive way. We’re just looking for the fin-

it unfolds in front of you, it’s very hard to grasp the magnitude of

ished product to be great; for everyone to enjoy it and say: “I had

it. And then you add on the fact that it’s Super Bowl 50.

a fantastic experience”.

It’s also been 31 years since we hosted Super Bowl XIX at Stanford.

There are a lot of people in the Bay Area who weren’t around to

SFL: Philanthropy plays an important role, a very important part,

experience that. So, this is all new. Our role is to really help peo-

of Super Bowl 50. How would you describe the Purpose behind

ple learn about all of the opportunities to participate and under-

this Mission?

stand that Super Bowl is more than a game.

KB: From the beginning, Super Bowl 50 has always been more

NFL is recognizing what a milestone moment it is all season-long.

than just a game; we see it as a powerful catalyst for our entire

That’s exciting because we’re going to benefit from that tailwind,

region. That’s why the opportunity to make a lasting impact on

with of all that promotional programming and everything they’re

our community drives every decision we make. And that’s why

doing to excite everyone about the 50th. This is going to be an

we charted a course from the very beginning to make ours the

extraordinary Super Bowl moment for the NFL and certainly for

most giving Super Bowl yet. The 50 Fund – our legacy fund –

the Bay Area.

aims to give more than $10 million to organizations that impact

SFL: What is your title and what do you do? What has prepared you for this?

KB: My title is CEO & President of the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee. I think the body of work that I have had the privilege to be exposed to over the last two decades has prepared me for this role. I have worked a lot of Super Bowls and other major sporting events around the world, and have seen the explo-

Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara

sion of sophistication around how those events are produced and how they are delivered.

And there’s a lot interest in where this Super Bowl is being played

I think you need that kind of perspective to bring the best possi-

- in the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, at Levi’s Stadium -

ble group of professionals together and create the best possible

a place that’s so very attractive for so many people. We expect

plan for Super Bowl 50. We recognize that the Super Bowl is the

to see more than one million people come through the region

greatest television spectacle in the United States every year, but

during Super Bowl Week.

it’s also an amazing fan experience for those lucky enough to ei-

MEET KEITH BRUCE The CEO & President of the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee Super Bowl 50

– More Than A Game! In-

deed – A Super Bowl Like No One Has Ever Seen Before. That’s what this will be … and what undoubtedly will be the largest, most impactful and most beneficial Bay Area special event to date for our community in our lifetimes.

From the Super Bowl Bid Committee in 2013 … to all the planning

This is the ultimate of the ultimate. This is the San Francisco Bay Area. This is Silicon Valley, too. This is also the NFL and it is worldesque. This is by any stretch of the imagination (and that is what it takes, imagination) not your typical day at the office. This will be by far the biggest local event (and positive impact on our San Francisco Bay Area community!) to date ever in our lifetimes.

… and then the execution of it all. What does it all mean? It’s so BIG. How can the task be described? How can it be grasped?

There’s nobody who knows it better, or to hear it from, than Keith Bruce, himself, the CEO & President of the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee.

What’s it like, the thinking behind it all, as we approach Super Bowl 50? It takes a village? Hardly; far more, as we will see, for it’s a far grander stage than that. Until now, nothing has been THIS big. This is Super Bowl 50.

Super Bowl City to open January 30-February 7 in San Francisco

ther live in the host region or visit the region during Super Bowl

SFL: What has been so very special regarding everyone’s positive

week. If you think about an Olympics or a FIFA World Cup or a Su-

reaction since the Bid?

per Bowl or a Final Four, those are hugely passionate moments

KB: What has been really gratifying for me and our entire Host

when people are feeling the euphoria of being in that environ-

Committee is how everyone has really rallied behind all this Su-

ment. Super Bowl 50 is being planned to take the fan experience

per Bowl. Since that day when we were awarded the Bid, the re-

to the next level.

gion really has come together, from the municipalities and civic entities that are supporting our efforts, to the mayors who are all

SFL: From the inside view, just how big is this? What does this

working with us to make sure that this event is great, to the corpo-

all mean that people in general don’t know or can’t easily, really

rate community working together in an unparalleled way to help

grasp the magnitude?

us put on an unforgettable celebration.

KB: That’s a great question. You can only say so much to get peo-

Now, it’s up to our organization that we make sure we live up to

ple to appreciate this scale of what hosting a Super Bowl means

that and walk the walk and deliver opportunities for our entire

to a region. People can see renderings and they can look at pic-

region. It’s our goal to connect and glue these communities and

tures of past Super Bowls, but until you actually experience it and

regions together in a positive way. We’re just looking for the fin-

it unfolds in front of you, it’s very hard to grasp the magnitude of

ished product to be great; for everyone to enjoy it and say: “I had

it. And then you add on the fact that it’s Super Bowl 50.

a fantastic experience”.

It’s also been 31 years since we hosted Super Bowl XIX at Stanford.

There are a lot of people in the Bay Area who weren’t around to

SFL: Philanthropy plays an important role, a very important part,

experience that. So, this is all new. Our role is to really help peo-

of Super Bowl 50. How would you describe the Purpose behind

ple learn about all of the opportunities to participate and under-

this Mission?

stand that Super Bowl is more than a game.

KB: From the beginning, Super Bowl 50 has always been more

NFL is recognizing what a milestone moment it is all season-long.

than just a game; we see it as a powerful catalyst for our entire

That’s exciting because we’re going to benefit from that tailwind,

region. That’s why the opportunity to make a lasting impact on

with of all that promotional programming and everything they’re

our community drives every decision we make. And that’s why

doing to excite everyone about the 50th. This is going to be an

we charted a course from the very beginning to make ours the

extraordinary Super Bowl moment for the NFL and certainly for

most giving Super Bowl yet. The 50 Fund – our legacy fund –

the Bay Area.

aims to give more than $10 million to organizations that impact

nity relations group, that’s really savvy about how to

Super Bowl City fan village and the NFL Experience will be open-

bring all that to life.

ing Saturday, January 30th, for an unprecedented 9 full days.

SFL: What can people expect … what will be so ex-

SFL: Seeing the big picture, as you do, with all that is being

citing?

planned, what overall do you look forward to?

KB: What gets us excited about coming to work every

KB: I am most excited about what this event can mean for the

day is working with our partners across the region and

Bay Area. Not only in terms of our philanthropic goal of mak-

the NFL to deliver a phenomenal event.

ing sure there’s a lasting impact of positive good that comes out

This Super Bowl is all about celebrating the Bay Area

of it, but also what the future holds by hosting an event of this

and the honor of hosting the 50th Super Bowl. We

size and scale. This will be the largest event in the history of the

have a tremendous heritage of winning Super Bowls

Bay Area and all of the eyes of the world will be on the Bay Area

with the 49ers and the Raiders. In fact, the Bay Area has

during Super Bowl Week. It’s just a phenomenal opportunity for

eight Lombardi Trophies - more championships than

the region to shine and show the world we can pull off major

any other NFL market.

sporting events and other massive cultural events that get peo-

This fall, we will have a mobile exhibit – 50 Tour: Cham-

ple excited about coming to this region.

low-income youth and their families with the goal of closing the

pions of the Bay presented by Chevron - that will take

It has been so gratifying to see the volume of people who have

opportunity gap, and we’re well on our way of accomplishing that

the eight Lombardi Trophies on a 12-week tour around the great-

reached out to us, saying: ‘How can we help you’, ‘We love what

goal by investing in high-impact nonprofits in the Bay Area that

er Bay Area region area to get people excited about Super Bowl

you’re doing’, ‘We are so excited to be hosting this Super Bowl’, ‘We

are really setting examples for the rest of the country.

50. What’s exciting is that this has never been done before. You’ve

want it to be great’. Whether we are seeking out help from others

The idea of putting community first is a novel concept for a Super

seen the five (belonging to the 49ers) or the three (belonging to

or they are seeking us out, there’s this amazing common theme of

Bowl in general, but certainly for a Super Bowl Host Committee,

the Raiders), but never the eight together. People can even have

pride and wanting to be there to help make it great for the region.

whose typical concerns are around the safety, the operational de-

their pictures taken with the trophies, plus we’ll have autograph

That’s quite rewarding.

livery, the fan experience, the programming, and fulfilling all of

signings with players and NFL Legends. We’ll also have the op-

the promises to the NFL. Those are all front and center for us, as

portunity to visit other activities such as the Chevron STEM Zone,

SFL: Please tell us about the impact this will have. Super Bowl XIX

well, but we also want this Super Bowl to reflect the values of our

our NFL Play 60, Play On kids zone and our early literacy area, The

was January 20, 1985 – 30 years ago. Many today weren’t even

region and put our communities first. We wanted this Super Bowl

Re(a)d Zone. We are so excited as a Host Committee to begin cel-

born or were so young then to remember. And, yet, Super Bowl

to do something that no Super Bowl has ever done before and

ebrating Super Bowl throughout the entire fall.

50 today will not be anything like it was then … it’s so much big-

leave more goodwill, more tangible results and more impact for

During Super Bowl Week, there will be activity around the entire

ger. Please describe what this will mean.

our communities.

region – from the South Bay to San Francisco to the East Bay and

KB: It’s a whole new era of Super Bowl … or any event. We are

beyond. We have amazing destination partners in Sonoma Coun-

clearly on a path - with this Host Committee working together

For example, our ‘Business-Connect’ program focuses on provid-

ty, Pebble Beach and Napa Valley, so the celebration will be felt

with all the entities here in the Bay Area with the NFL- to usher in

ing minority, women, disabled veteran and LGBT—owned busi-

throughout the region.

a new era of Super Bowl with Super Bowl 50.

nesses with the opportunity to bid on contracting opportunities

For example, in San Francisco, the Host Committee puts on a free-

The Super Bowl has kind of re-invented itself every 5 to 10 years.

with Super Bowl 50 and the NFL. We have almost 500 businesses

to-the-public fan village, which we’re calling Super Bowl City. Su-

It was a Championship Game for its first 10 years. Then it became

that are certified and registered candidates for contracts for Super

per Bowl City is really going to be this mega fan experience where

Bowl 50, and we are creating opportunities for these diverse busi-

people can enjoy everything that’s great about the Bay Area -

nesses to have a spotlight shone on them.

things that the Bay Area are known for and we’re very proud of

And we want to be the most giving Super Bowl ever. We are in-

– such as our food and our wine, our culinary prowess, our focus

vesting both dollars and resources in local nonprofits to not just

on innovation and technology, digital and social tools to enhance

make an immediate impact, but also a long-term one. Daniel Lurie

their fan experiences. So whether you live in Toronto or Kansas

(CEO and Founder of Tipping Point Community, as well as Chair-

or Pleasanton, you’re going to be excited about the opportunities

man of the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee) is such a visionary in

there, because there will be something for everyone.

philanthropy. So, I’m executing on his vision, and trying to make

The tradition and history of the Super Bowl will be inside “The NFL

sure that we deliver on the goals that he set forth in the bid. We

Experience”, the pro football’s interactive theme park. This annual

have a great team here at the Host Committee, a great commu-

display will be at Moscone Center and it’s a ticketed event. Our

Ronnie Lott, Daniel Lurie, Mayor Ed Lee, Keith Bruce and 49ers’ Paraag Marathe

Super Bowl City is a free public experience

a weekend. Then, in the 80’s, it became an advertising spectacle.

Then, in the 90’s, it became about the halftime show. Then, in the 2000’s, it started to become more than just a weekend, it became this cultural phenomenon that people were talking about. And, now in the last 7 or 8 years, it evolved even further to virtually this week-long experience.

And, so, now, we’re taking it yet to another level. There will be so many things that will be unique with this Super Bowl, with how

Levi’s Stadium, the home of Super Bowl 50

the NFL will do celebrating their golden anniversary all-season long, our extended Super Bowl City experience, and celebrations around the region.

SFL: Our San Francisco Bay Area coming together like this, like it never has before - what will this special feeling be like (for us and for all, our greater community, the nation and the world) afterward?

KB: Having all these entities come together – our Host Committee, the sports community, the business community, our local governments and leadership, our local police and fire and public safety officials, our corporate partners, our nonprofit partners, all of our partners and agencies who have pulled together - will be beyond a special feeling. I think there will a moment of pride that will probably be unrivaled in our lifetimes, and it’s because we will all have had such an important role in helping deliver such a special event not only for the Bay Area, but for the world. There’s really very few times in your professional career where you have an opportunity to do that or say that. As a Host Committee, there is nothing more rewarding than to have all these entities come together in the week after the Super Bowl and say that was such a phenomenal experience, there were so many good things about it that came out of it, and we want to do it again.

nity relations group, that’s really savvy about how to

Super Bowl City fan village and the NFL Experience will be open-

bring all that to life.

ing Saturday, January 30th, for an unprecedented 9 full days.

SFL: What can people expect … what will be so ex-

SFL: Seeing the big picture, as you do, with all that is being

citing?

planned, what overall do you look forward to?

KB: What gets us excited about coming to work every

KB: I am most excited about what this event can mean for the

day is working with our partners across the region and

Bay Area. Not only in terms of our philanthropic goal of mak-

the NFL to deliver a phenomenal event.

ing sure there’s a lasting impact of positive good that comes out

This Super Bowl is all about celebrating the Bay Area

of it, but also what the future holds by hosting an event of this

and the honor of hosting the 50th Super Bowl. We

size and scale. This will be the largest event in the history of the

have a tremendous heritage of winning Super Bowls

Bay Area and all of the eyes of the world will be on the Bay Area

with the 49ers and the Raiders. In fact, the Bay Area has

during Super Bowl Week. It’s just a phenomenal opportunity for

eight Lombardi Trophies - more championships than

the region to shine and show the world we can pull off major

any other NFL market.

sporting events and other massive cultural events that get peo-

This fall, we will have a mobile exhibit – 50 Tour: Cham-

ple excited about coming to this region.

low-income youth and their families with the goal of closing the

pions of the Bay presented by Chevron - that will take

It has been so gratifying to see the volume of people who have

opportunity gap, and we’re well on our way of accomplishing that

the eight Lombardi Trophies on a 12-week tour around the great-

reached out to us, saying: ‘How can we help you’, ‘We love what

goal by investing in high-impact nonprofits in the Bay Area that

er Bay Area region area to get people excited about Super Bowl

you’re doing’, ‘We are so excited to be hosting this Super Bowl’, ‘We

are really setting examples for the rest of the country.

50. What’s exciting is that this has never been done before. You’ve

want it to be great’. Whether we are seeking out help from others

The idea of putting community first is a novel concept for a Super

seen the five (belonging to the 49ers) or the three (belonging to

or they are seeking us out, there’s this amazing common theme of

Bowl in general, but certainly for a Super Bowl Host Committee,

the Raiders), but never the eight together. People can even have

pride and wanting to be there to help make it great for the region.

whose typical concerns are around the safety, the operational de-

their pictures taken with the trophies, plus we’ll have autograph

That’s quite rewarding.

livery, the fan experience, the programming, and fulfilling all of

signings with players and NFL Legends. We’ll also have the op-

the promises to the NFL. Those are all front and center for us, as

portunity to visit other activities such as the Chevron STEM Zone,

SFL: Please tell us about the impact this will have. Super Bowl XIX

well, but we also want this Super Bowl to reflect the values of our

our NFL Play 60, Play On kids zone and our early literacy area, The

was January 20, 1985 – 30 years ago. Many today weren’t even

region and put our communities first. We wanted this Super Bowl

Re(a)d Zone. We are so excited as a Host Committee to begin cel-

born or were so young then to remember. And, yet, Super Bowl

to do something that no Super Bowl has ever done before and

ebrating Super Bowl throughout the entire fall.

50 today will not be anything like it was then … it’s so much big-

leave more goodwill, more tangible results and more impact for

During Super Bowl Week, there will be activity around the entire

ger. Please describe what this will mean.

our communities.

region – from the South Bay to San Francisco to the East Bay and

KB: It’s a whole new era of Super Bowl … or any event. We are

beyond. We have amazing destination partners in Sonoma Coun-

clearly on a path - with this Host Committee working together

For example, our ‘Business-Connect’ program focuses on provid-

ty, Pebble Beach and Napa Valley, so the celebration will be felt

with all the entities here in the Bay Area with the NFL- to usher in

ing minority, women, disabled veteran and LGBT—owned busi-

throughout the region.

a new era of Super Bowl with Super Bowl 50.

nesses with the opportunity to bid on contracting opportunities

For example, in San Francisco, the Host Committee puts on a free-

The Super Bowl has kind of re-invented itself every 5 to 10 years.

with Super Bowl 50 and the NFL. We have almost 500 businesses

to-the-public fan village, which we’re calling Super Bowl City. Su-

It was a Championship Game for its first 10 years. Then it became

that are certified and registered candidates for contracts for Super

per Bowl City is really going to be this mega fan experience where

Bowl 50, and we are creating opportunities for these diverse busi-

people can enjoy everything that’s great about the Bay Area -

nesses to have a spotlight shone on them.

things that the Bay Area are known for and we’re very proud of

And we want to be the most giving Super Bowl ever. We are in-

– such as our food and our wine, our culinary prowess, our focus

vesting both dollars and resources in local nonprofits to not just

on innovation and technology, digital and social tools to enhance

make an immediate impact, but also a long-term one. Daniel Lurie

their fan experiences. So whether you live in Toronto or Kansas

(CEO and Founder of Tipping Point Community, as well as Chair-

or Pleasanton, you’re going to be excited about the opportunities

man of the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee) is such a visionary in

there, because there will be something for everyone.

philanthropy. So, I’m executing on his vision, and trying to make

The tradition and history of the Super Bowl will be inside “The NFL

sure that we deliver on the goals that he set forth in the bid. We

Experience”, the pro football’s interactive theme park. This annual

have a great team here at the Host Committee, a great commu-

display will be at Moscone Center and it’s a ticketed event. Our

Ronnie Lott, Daniel Lurie, Mayor Ed Lee, Keith Bruce and 49ers’ Paraag Marathe

Super Bowl City is a free public experience

a weekend. Then, in the 80’s, it became an advertising spectacle.

Then, in the 90’s, it became about the halftime show. Then, in the 2000’s, it started to become more than just a weekend, it became this cultural phenomenon that people were talking about. And, now in the last 7 or 8 years, it evolved even further to virtually this week-long experience.

And, so, now, we’re taking it yet to another level. There will be so many things that will be unique with this Super Bowl, with how

Levi’s Stadium, the home of Super Bowl 50

the NFL will do celebrating their golden anniversary all-season long, our extended Super Bowl City experience, and celebrations around the region.

SFL: Our San Francisco Bay Area coming together like this, like it never has before - what will this special feeling be like (for us and for all, our greater community, the nation and the world) afterward?

KB: Having all these entities come together – our Host Committee, the sports community, the business community, our local governments and leadership, our local police and fire and public safety officials, our corporate partners, our nonprofit partners, all of our partners and agencies who have pulled together - will be beyond a special feeling. I think there will a moment of pride that will probably be unrivaled in our lifetimes, and it’s because we will all have had such an important role in helping deliver such a special event not only for the Bay Area, but for the world. There’s really very few times in your professional career where you have an opportunity to do that or say that. As a Host Committee, there is nothing more rewarding than to have all these entities come together in the week after the Super Bowl and say that was such a phenomenal experience, there were so many good things about it that came out of it, and we want to do it again.

Photo by Nicolas Genin/Flickr

Investing With the Stars

By Scott Budman

I

’m hustled down a hallway, for a secretive, exclusive one-on-one. No one can see, and the crowds are kept away. The handler says “You’ll have three minutes.”

This, as you might imagine, rarely happens when we reporters talk to Venture Capitalists.

This is no ordinary VC, though. It’s Jared Leto, heartthrob thespian and winner of this year’s Oscar for Best Supporting Actor (“Dallas Budman Buyer’s Club”), certified rock star (“30 Seconds To Mars”), and tech investor.

Within seconds of talking to him, you can tell that Leto is the real deal. Yeah, sure he’s handsome, famous, etc, etc. He also knows his technology, having invested in rising startups like Zenefits, Surfair, and Wish, while starting his own companies that blend art and technology.

“Artists deserve a seat at the tech table,” Leto says, to explain why an already stratospherically famous person would seek out tech startups. “I’m looking for creative opportunities, and I see a lot of creativity in technology.”

Leto joins a growing list of well-known entertainers jumping into tech with their wallets.

Ashton Kutcher invested in AirBnB. Jada PinkettSmith invested in a safety app called bSafe. Andy Samberg, T.I., Jessica Alba, Justin Timberlake, the list goes on. Clearly, tech is the hot spot for famous people.

They tweet, they show up to board meetings.

They’re clearly serious about learning and making money. Kutcher recently spoke at TechCrunch “Disrupt,” telling the crowd that he looks for creative people and good ideas, not “people talking about market cap and social media platforms.”

At a recent Consumer Electronic Show (think: geek paradise) in Las Vegas, I saw no fewer than three rappers talking up headphones. 50 Cent, insisting that sound quality made his ‘phones the best; Ludacris, talking about why his brand is aimed exclusively at the high-end listener; and of course, Dr. Dre, who started Beats Electronics, brought celebrities like Lady Gaga into the fold, and just sold his company to Apple for a cool three billion dollars.

So, again, why take the time to invest? Well, according to Forbes, Dr. Dre is now worth $620 million. Who wouldn’t want to play that role?

Scott is the business & tech reporter for NBC Bay Area. He’s on Twitter: @scottbudman

OCTOBER 2015

BAY AREA

501 (c)(3)

NONPROFITS

Meet Muhammed Chaudhry, President and CEO of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SVEF) The Foundation is dedicated to elevating scholastic achievement in the critical area of STEM CONNECTING VOLUNTEERS & DONORS TO LOCAL NONPROFITS

N

Marina Gavric

Marina Gavric Health & Fitness Training www.marinagavric.com

Commit to Balance, to Your Fitness Success and to Yourself S

taying committed to an exercise and health plan is not always the simplest task.

Breaking bad habits is never easy. “I have tried and tried!” … Yes, I know, I hear this, everyone’s story, all the time!

Regardless of what age you may be or at what point you are in your life, men and women, boys and girls … a corporate executive, a student, an employee, a stay-at-home parent … we’re all busy all the time. Please recognize that health & wellness, as well as fitness & nutrition, are interrelated. It’s all a good thing and it’s a choice we make in our busy lives.

Once you have resolved a priority to yourself of “health & fitness” in your life … make “finding balance” a key component. You can stay genuinely dedicated, enjoying your commitment, while not falling victim to excuses. What a positive difference in our lives and how we feel (the energy alone, perhaps meaning better sleep) we all seem to know it would make.

It’s a matter of doing. For example, Jane is a busy executive and, although Jane is a fictitious character, she represents a good number of men and women. She is up at 5am, by 5:15am has her coffee in hand and for the next hour, before she rounds up the kids for school, she reviews her yesterday and prepares for today. In no time, she then packs up her home team, briefcase in hand and is out the door. Finally, she’s at the office and sits with another cup of coffee, with breakfast in hand … whatever pastries there may be. The sodas come later.

Day in and day out, Jane reflects on making life changes to improve her well-being and feel good about herself, inside and out. Yet, day after

day, Jane’s willpower gives in and she seems to repeat the same old routine, a cycle, she wishes she could break. When? She feels too busy. She feels not up to it”. She believes there is no other way. She speaks for many, many people.

No matter the phase of the health cycle one is in, we all struggle with this … to get in that workout in or say no to an extra helping of our favorite foods. The first step is to find your balance … and to commit to change. It starts with that commitment … even if one step at a time to begin with and to win.

Regularly reflect on all your priorities … then decide on the commitments you can realistically make and stick with them. Whether this week it’s a 30 minutes for 3 days-a-week commitment or next week a 40 minutes 6 days-a-week commitment. A key is to write your commitments down. As you would keep your word to your boss or loved ones, keep your word to yourself.

Stay Hydrated, Stay Focused, Stay Fit

Dedicated from The City for The State A CONVERSATION WITH CALIFORNIA LT. GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SFL: What you know today, what would the Gavin Newsom of today like to say to the young Gavin Newsom?

GN: I would tell myself that success is not a place or a destination; it’s a direction. There is no “having made it.” As Winston Churchill said the secret to success is moving from failure to failure with enthusiasm. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Oh, and I would definitely tell myself to use less hair gel.

SFL: Who have been your role models and who has inspired you in politics and life itself?

GN: Sargent Shriver, Bobby Kennedy, Nelson Mandela, Cesar Chavez, Mahatma Gandhi, Vaclav Havel and Richard Branson to name a few. My wife and three children also inspire me every day.

The Lt. Governor is with Gina McCarthy, the head of the EPA, as she takes a look at San Francisco’s grease recycling program.

SFL: What prepared you for this path in politics and when did you discover this idea of being Mayor of San Francisco and Lieutenant Governor of California?

GN: For a life in politics you have to

be passionate, care about issues and most importantly people. My background in business, particularly in restaurants, certainly did not hurt.

The spark to get involved in local government came from the frustration of navigating San

Francisco’s bureaucracy when I opened my first business, Plumpjack.

SFL: What did you enjoy most about being Mayor of San Francisco?

GN: Cities are laboratories of innovation. A city shows the cause and effect, the good decisions and bad decisions in real-time and with immediate feedback. As mayor you have the ability to customize policy to address the needs of a diverse citizenry. You can have a two-way conversation with citizens that result in “bottom up” solutions without having to wait for the state or federal government.

The Lt. Governor is at an event with AT&T’s Futurecast.

SFL: What do you enjoy most about being Lieutenant Governor of California?

GN: Just as cities are a laboratory for innovation, the state is a laboratory for democracy.

To be a part of the most diverse state in the world, with the most diverse democracy, is an honor. Because of California’s size, diversity and economic power, we are the perfect place for scaling innovative ideas that can then become a model for the nation. Few places can boast the kind of dynamism and influence we enjoy here in the Golden State.

SFL: San Francisco went through a great renaissance with you as Mayor. Looking back, what are some of the proudest moments or accomplishments you saw during your term as Mayor?

GN: I am proud of many things we did in San Francisco. From implementing the first city wide universal health care plan in the nation, to getting 12,000 people off the streets and addressing the pressing issue of homelessness and poverty. We also raised the bar on environmental stewardship and helped pave the way for this new tech-boom.

Beyond anything else, I am most proud of representing citizens who not only tolerate diversity but also celebrate diversity. San Francisco

The Lt. Governor discusses how cities and metros are fixing the economy at the Milken Institute in Los Angeles.

is a city that celebrates its interesting differences but, at the end of the day, also unites around our common humanity - the fundamental idea that we are all in this together. It was this spirit that led to San Francisco opening up City Hall to same sex couples in 2004.

SFL: As Lieutenant Governor of California, you are as close to this Governor as anyone ... and the same is true with the relationships with other Governorships and politicians throughout the country. What have you learned from these relationships and this extraordinary experience?

GN: I’ve had the opportunity to work with some extremely gifted politicians from Willie

Brown to our current Gov. Jerry Brown, both of whom are two unique and distinct personalities.

I’ve also had the pleasure of working with former President Bill Clinton and when I was Mayor of San Francisco, I worked with mayors John Hickenlooper in Colorado and Martin O’Malley in Maryland, who’ve both gone on to be Governors of their states, and I am now honored to call them friends. The one thing I’ve been able to learn from all of these individuals is that the best politics is a better idea and that ideas matter.

SFL: What in these past four years as Lieutenant Governor are some of the greatest, proudest accomplishments?

GN: I’m proud of the economic development plan my office put out in 2011 and the resulting statewide economic summit, both of which articulate a vision for success in building the “Next Economy” in California. Additionally, last year I released a report on college education, Boosting California’s Postsecondary Education Performance, which has started a conversation around the changing needs in higher education. Additionally, I am an active member of the UC Board of Regents and CSU Board of Trustees, I have voted against tuition increases in order to keep higher education affordable and accessible. I am also proud of the work we do on the State Land’s Commission, particularly around making this important state agency more open, transparent and collaborative.

SFL: Presently, and looking ahead, what are some of the biggest challenges or concerns we’re facing, needing our attention?

GN: The rapidly recognizable and growing divide of income inequality and social mobility in our state and nation is of great concern. It’s real. Alan Krueger referred to it as the “Great Gatsby Curve.” As everyone knows, we live in two different worlds in the same state - a coastal California and an inland California - we must reconcile this growing economic divide. As I tell my business colleagues, businesses can’t thrive in a world that’s failing and all of us are better off when everyone is better off.

SFL: If you could wave a magic wand, what would you like to see happen these next four

The Lt. Governor is at Ross School in Marin County.

He is sharing the stage with 4th graders who have taken on the role of Lieutenant Governor for the year.

They get to interview him and hear his thoughts.

The Lt. Governor is at Long Beach City College for an event centered around his higher education report … examining California’s higher education framework and providing recommendations for improvement.

years?

GN: I would like to see a 21st Century governing model based on openness, transparency and collaboration, a system that is designed for participation, two-way conversations and active engagement with citizens. I’d like to see a system that treats citizens as partners, not as subjects.

Rather than doing things to you, we do things with you. An effective, flexible and accountable system of government where the short term interests of Sacramento do not get in the way of the long term interests of California.

SFL: What advice do you give to aspiring students, and young professionals, wanting to get ahead, wanting to make a difference?

GN: I would tell young professionals to learn from, don’t follow others. Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Be open to argument and interested in evidence and not to be ideological.

I would say that everyone’s expression is unique - no one else has it. Be sure to maintain your authenticity and stand on principal.

The Lt. Governor is visiting Yosemite National Park, celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the park.

SFL: Who are some leaders we should be watching for who are doing great things?

GN: Mayor Greg Fisher of Louisville, Kentucky, is doing some extraordinary things with citizen engagement; having just met Malala Yousafzai, who is changing the world for women and girls, there is no question her influence is growing every day. One thing is clear, leadership can be found anywhere – in our schools, our churches, our community centers, not just in our state capitals or legislative chambers.

SFL: What is your definition of leadership?

GN: There is no better definition then the quote by John Quincy Adams, “if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” Leaders are not born or “made,” they decide in a moment that now is the time to be and do more.

The Lt. Governor celebrates San Francisco Pride during the annual parade.

SFL: Are you encouraged with politics in Sacramento? In Washington D.C.?

GN: If you are referring to our nation’s capital where ideas go to die, then absolutely not. I’ve always believed that if you don’t like the way things are going when you’re standing up, then stand on your head and go local. Remarkable things are happening at the local level. While Sacramento has had its struggles, in the past few years we’ve been able to turn things around. At the end of the day, however, I look for inspiration at the local levels. It’s bottom up, not top down; regions rising together.

SFL: Are you an avid sports fan? Who do you root for? As Lieutenant Governor, who can you root for?

GN: I grew up a Bay Area sports fan watching the Warriors, 49ers, Raiders, A’s and Giants. I spent countless nights falling asleep to Giants.

SFL: If you were to have a dinner party and could invite anyone (living or not), who would you like to invite and what would you want to ask them or talk about?

GN: I would have Vaclav Havel, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez and Mother Teresa over and we’d talk about leadership. I envision the topic for the evening focusing on this question: “Which is more effective and long lasting, the application of one’s ‘moral authority’ or ‘formal authority’?”

Our

Private Cooking Lesson With Alex Tishman

Regional Head Chef, Big City Chefs

Perhaps you like to cook.

For my wife and I, cooking is the last thing we would ever want to do. Our feeling has been, if you want to eat good food, someone else needs to cook it- Boy was I wrong!

By Rich Borell, Founder & CEO of Bay Area Mags LLC

N

ow, you’re probably thinking I must eat a lot of junk food and be extremely overweight. Thankfully, I don’t indulge in junk food and I enjoy exercise - be it playing tennis or using my home gym. Still, it’s hard to believe I weigh 149 based on how I eat.

For us, and as it is for many, cooking can be frustrating. You spend good money on ingredients. You invest time and effort to put a dish together, and the end result just isn’t as good as you thought, or hoped, it would be.

Eating healthy can be a challenge. We have busy lives and are on the go all the time, so we don’t always set aside the time to prepare a healthy, flavorful meal.

That being said, we decided to bring Regional Head Chef Alex Tishman from Big City Chefs into our home for a Sunday afternoon and teach us how to prepare a couple of delicious meals. While this sounds very exciting, my first question to my wife, when she suggested we should have a private cooking lesson, was: “We’re spending how much to do what?”

Boy, was I wrong. If only I knew before what I know now … So, let’s get started.

Our planned menu was based on what we wanted to learn along with some valuable suggestions from Chef Alex. He came up with the following: • Hanger Steak with mushrooms pan jus • Chicken (one whole, which we will butcher and then cook the different cuts) • Salad with English peas, shaved carrots and radishes, and simple shallot mustard vinaigrette.

Preparing for Chef Alex was pretty painless. He requested that we take a few pictures of our cooking utensils, and simply make our kitchen counters, along with some space in the refrigerator, available to him.

Once Chef Alex arrived, we kicked back and let him get things rolling. It was awesome that the price included the shopping of food and other needed ingredients. He sure saved us a lot of time and frustration.

From the start, with his vivacious personality, you feel as if you’ve known him all your life. We knew right away we were in for a fun day of cooking, right in our very own kitchen.

Chef Alex came so well prepared with a delightful customized class for us. He fully understood our busy schedules and our desire to create some great food from our own kitchen. He would teach us what we would like and not what we wouldn’t like.

As we started, his friendly, informal teaching style put us at ease.

We immediately felt comfortable that we’ll be able to reproduce the same fantastic results later on.

As the class went on, Chef Alex engaged us in the preparation of the entrées and salad. Most importantly, we learned tips on how to do all those little touches that make a big difference in flavor, texture and presentation; like, how to make carrots attractive and crunchy in your salad.

Some of the items we went over during the three hour private-class included: • Proper cooking techniques along with presentation • A big concern of ours … timing of the entrée and side dishes • Some good tips on safety … those knives are very sharp – especially the “Mandoline” (a dangerous but highly efficient instrument) • We learned some tips on nutrition and other health information, including good answers to questions we had about Fish As time went on, we tested some of the Chicken, Hanger Steak, Mushrooms and sauce that we prepared. Delicious.

We were amazed also how good our kitchen could smell. Next, our jaws we’re dropping - we couldn’t wait to dive in and reap the rewards of the last three hours.

As the end of the class came, and my wife and I had just about finished everything we had cooked, Chef Alex had tidied everything up.

Our kitchen was left squeaky clean. It was all a wonderful experience.

In sum, indeed, for many people, cooking can be frustrating. We spend good money on ingredients. We invest time and effort to put a dish together, and the end result just isn’t as good as we thought, or hoped, it would be.

What we learned and experienced is, with a little help and guidance, we all can create successful dishes packed with flavor and nutrition that are a joy to create. I encourage you to treat yourself and invite Chef Alex Tishman of Big City Chefs into your home, as we did. You will learn to have fun in your own kitchen and cook some great meals.

Bon appetit!

Our

Private Cooking Lesson With Alex Tishman

Regional Head Chef, Big City Chefs

Perhaps you like to cook.

For my wife and I, cooking is the last thing we would ever want to do. Our feeling has been, if you want to eat good food, someone else needs to cook it- Boy was I wrong!

By Rich Borell, Founder & CEO of Bay Area Mags LLC

N

ow, you’re probably thinking I must eat a lot of junk food and be extremely overweight. Thankfully, I don’t indulge in junk food and I enjoy exercise - be it playing tennis or using my home gym. Still, it’s hard to believe I weigh 149 based on how I eat.

For us, and as it is for many, cooking can be frustrating. You spend good money on ingredients. You invest time and effort to put a dish together, and the end result just isn’t as good as you thought, or hoped, it would be.

Eating healthy can be a challenge. We have busy lives and are on the go all the time, so we don’t always set aside the time to prepare a healthy, flavorful meal.

That being said, we decided to bring Regional Head Chef Alex Tishman from Big City Chefs into our home for a Sunday afternoon and teach us how to prepare a couple of delicious meals. While this sounds very exciting, my first question to my wife, when she suggested we should have a private cooking lesson, was: “We’re spending how much to do what?”

Boy, was I wrong. If only I knew before what I know now … So, let’s get started.

Our planned menu was based on what we wanted to learn along with some valuable suggestions from Chef Alex. He came up with the following: • Hanger Steak with mushrooms pan jus • Chicken (one whole, which we will butcher and then cook the different cuts) • Salad with English peas, shaved carrots and radishes, and simple shallot mustard vinaigrette.

Preparing for Chef Alex was pretty painless. He requested that we take a few pictures of our cooking utensils, and simply make our kitchen counters, along with some space in the refrigerator, available to him.

Once Chef Alex arrived, we kicked back and let him get things rolling. It was awesome that the price included the shopping of food and other needed ingredients. He sure saved us a lot of time and frustration.

From the start, with his vivacious personality, you feel as if you’ve known him all your life. We knew right away we were in for a fun day of cooking, right in our very own kitchen.

Chef Alex came so well prepared with a delightful customized class for us. He fully understood our busy schedules and our desire to create some great food from our own kitchen. He would teach us what we would like and not what we wouldn’t like.

As we started, his friendly, informal teaching style put us at ease.

We immediately felt comfortable that we’ll be able to reproduce the same fantastic results later on.

As the class went on, Chef Alex engaged us in the preparation of the entrées and salad. Most importantly, we learned tips on how to do all those little touches that make a big difference in flavor, texture and presentation; like, how to make carrots attractive and crunchy in your salad.

Some of the items we went over during the three hour private-class included: • Proper cooking techniques along with presentation • A big concern of ours … timing of the entrée and side dishes • Some good tips on safety … those knives are very sharp – especially the “Mandoline” (a dangerous but highly efficient instrument) • We learned some tips on nutrition and other health information, including good answers to questions we had about Fish As time went on, we tested some of the Chicken, Hanger Steak, Mushrooms and sauce that we prepared. Delicious.

We were amazed also how good our kitchen could smell. Next, our jaws we’re dropping - we couldn’t wait to dive in and reap the rewards of the last three hours.

As the end of the class came, and my wife and I had just about finished everything we had cooked, Chef Alex had tidied everything up.

Our kitchen was left squeaky clean. It was all a wonderful experience.

In sum, indeed, for many people, cooking can be frustrating. We spend good money on ingredients. We invest time and effort to put a dish together, and the end result just isn’t as good as we thought, or hoped, it would be.

What we learned and experienced is, with a little help and guidance, we all can create successful dishes packed with flavor and nutrition that are a joy to create. I encourage you to treat yourself and invite Chef Alex Tishman of Big City Chefs into your home, as we did. You will learn to have fun in your own kitchen and cook some great meals.

Bon appetit!

The

San Francisco 49ers

Community Relations and

49ers Foundation

A PROUD TRADITION BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD

ncer sula with Breast Ca m To Jim h ac Co ad 49ers He r 2014 Warriors in Octobe

49ers Linebacke rs visit Good Samaritan Hos pital

H

ow do you define a Class Organization? From the very top on down. An organization that, internally, has everyone’s attention and 100% participation. Pride that’s felt everywhere and amongst everyone. Like one big family that cares. That’s the 49ers.

The Season is actually 12 months long for the 49ers – as they like to say, “There is no off-season” – both on and off the field. As the on-field football season ends, the Foundation gets to work, hosting charitable events that raise millions of dollars to benefit non-profit organizations in alignment with the 49ers Foundation’s mission to keep kids “Safe, On Track, and In School.” During the season,

ving dinner to Serving Thanksgi at Loaves & Fishes homeless families

each week on the players’ day off, the 49ers orchestrate community events that transform people’s lives.

The San Francisco 49ers Foundation is the non-profit community funding extension of the 49ers, now in its 23rd year.

TE Vernon Davis host ing kids a a Player t VISA Sho p With

49ers honor breast cancer survivors at an October home game

The Foundation supports programs for underserved youth that keep them “Safe, On Track and In School.” Over the past 23 years, the Foundation has donated nearly $30.6 million - $4.6 million in 2014, including a $1 million gift to launch the 49ers STEM Leadership Institute in collaboration with the Silicon Valley Education Foundation and the Santa Clara Unified School District with significant support from Chevron.

The philanthropic efforts of the 49ers Foundation are highly focused and strategic; remaining true to the well-developed mission statement and purpose and committed to creating measurable results through transformational grants and impact programs.

In 2014, 49ers players participated in more than 50 events, donating over 400 hours of volunteer time, impacting over Joanne Pasternack 80,000 people in Director of Community need annually.

Relations and the In 2014, 100% 49ers Foundation of the players participated in one-or-more community events.

Meet Joanne Pasternack, the Director of Community Relations and the 49ers Foundation for the San Francisco 49ers. Joanne attended high school in the Bay Area. Her father was a dedicated fan of the 49ers and Joanne grew up cheering for the 49ers as well. She went to college at the University of Pennsylvania, then to law school at Santa Clara University.

Following law school, she went to Washington, DC, where she worked with the Kennedy and Shriver families for the extraordinary non-profit, Special Olympics. At Special Olympics, she found a perfect marriage of her two passions – sports and philanthropy. It was the beginning of Joanne’s path towards a position that seems tailor-made for her interests and skills.

After working a World Winter Games for Special Olympics in Alaska, Joanne returned to the Bay Area where she secured a job with the City of Mountain View in the City Manager’s Office and the Police Department. While there, she co-founded the Mountain View Police Activities League (MVPAL), where she once again found a natural proclivity for event management, charitable outreach and using sports as a vehicle to transform perceptions and, in turn, a community. She was at the City of Mountain View in a variety of roles for over six years when, one day, she saw a job posting.

She remembers how her heart began beating with excitement as she read the position description. “Looking for the right person … The San Francisco 49ers … Community Relations.”

She couldn’t believe what she was reading. This would be her dream job and she wanted to go for it and boy, did she!

Joanne was interviewed extensively. It was a very thorough process - it was that important to them. They certainly knew that they found the right person and she certainly knew that she found the right organization! They complete each other, on and off the field. Her words: “I live this … I breathe this … and I love this job.”

Joanne told me about the 49ers and their overall commitment to charitable work. Their concept of Sports and Philanthropy was no afterthought. Leading by example, are John and Denise and Jed York and their entire family. John, Denise and Jed live and breathe philanthropy, vigorously engaging in activities and throwing considerable energy, effort and support towards the team’s charitable endeavors. John and Denise’s daughters, Jenna and Mara, are active participants in nearly every community event, sharing their zeal for transforming the lives of at-risk youth through hands on service. Their brother, Tony, is also involved and spent time with his father in New Orleans, visiting a school that had been ravaged by Hurricane Katrina and taking time to get to know the students, among other activities. Daughter-in-law, Danielle (Jed’s wife), is a former school teacher and worked for years in an underserved middle school deep in the heart of one of the most challenged parts of San Francisco. From the top down, it’s the

49ers honor troops aboard the USS America

culture, the fabric, the very spirit. Their desire has always been, and will always be, to see “Philanthropic change through sports.” Indeed, they want to be not just the best in the NFL, but in all sports. In 2013, they achieved this goal and were named the national recipients of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s prestigious Steve Patterson Award for excellence in sports philanthrophy. They were also one of four finalists for the Global Beyond Sport Award for outstanding sports team.

The San Francisco 49ers Foundation was honored by the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal for being No. 13 in corporate philanthropic giving in 2014. Not bad for a company that has only 250 employees. The No. 2 Company, by comparison, was Cisco, with 72,000 employees.

There are many examples of their contributions. The San Francisco 49ers Academy – a school for low income middle school youth in East Palo Alto – not only bears the name of the 49ers football team, but it is also indelibly stamped with the spirit of their storied franchise. The school focuses on the underlying socioeconomic situations that were barriers to the students’ success by collaborating with teachers, police officers and strong mentors.

Recognizing the challenges faced by youth in the economically disadvantaged community of East Palo Alto and seeing an opportunity to make a measurable difference for these youth, the 49ers Foundation has been a part of the Academy since 1996, giving grants while also providing

Coach Tomsula Greeting Football Camp for the Stars Participants - a camp for athletes with Down syndrome

49ers STEM Leadership Institute

hands on support through collaboration, 1000s of game tickets, mentorship, facility enhancement, and donations.

With an increase in obesity rates among our nation’s youth, the 49ers have incorporated the PLAY 60 youth fitness program into the Academy to increase the students’ overall health, building a $75,000 outdoor fitness zone and bringing national visibility to the school and its commitment to fitness through a partnership with Matthew McConaughey. With the 49ers involvement, test scores have skyrocketed to the highest level in the school district – on par with far wealthier ZIP codes. In 2014, the 49ers Foundation facilitated $750K in contributions to the Academy, hosted eight events and dedicated countless volunteer hours to assist the youth.

And there is so much more! Breast Cancer Awareness, helping feed the homeless, where Jed has been the Food and Fund Drive CoChairman for Second Harvest Food Bank for

LB Patrick Willis with Make-A-Wish recipient

QB Colin Kaepernick with a Make-A-Wish guest

two years. The Bayview Hunters Point YMCA near Candlestick Park is another place they love supporting. They are also strong supporters of City Year San Jose/Silicon Valley, Hedge Funds Care (eradication of child abuse), the Center for Youth Wellness, Fresh Lifeline for Youth (FLY), and the Football Camp for the Stars (a camp for athletes with Down syndrome), and many others.

The 49ers Taube/Koret Touchdowns for Kids program is another wonderful example of the giving spirit of the 49ers. For every Touchdown, Field Goal, Interception and Sack, in partnership

with the Taube Family Foundation and the Koret Foundation, the 49ers, philanthropist Tad Taube and Koret have raised $1.25 million to help support Bay Area charitable organizations.

Again, here is a collaborative commitment that helps improve the life, safety and educational opportunities for the children of the communities they serve.

The 49ers host two very popular — and philanthropically productive — fundraising events. One is the Pasta Bowl. This has become their popular annual kick-off to the new season, the night before pre-season training begins. All the players come together and literally serve their designated table of admiring fans with food and pictures and fun. All proceeds go to benefit the community. There is also the 49ers Foundation Winter Fest, held in March in Lake Tahoe. This event always sells out. It’s a fun time for all and in 2014, the 49ers Foundation brought in $2 million during the weekend to support local Bay Area charities.

That primarily is the Foundation side. There is also the Community Relations side. Each week, the players have one day off. Typically it is on Monday. On their day off, the Community Relations team organizes community events where players have an opportunity to participate in hands-on service events where they can directly impact those in need in the Bay Area.

From hosting a board game tournament for youth with serious illness at the Ronald McDonald House to building a playground in East Palo Alto, inspiring incarcerated youth to choose a different and more productive path and so very much more, for the 49ers philanthropic outreach efforts, it is always about the people and for those in need in our community. There are a good number of players who can relate to coming from hard upbringings and they pour their hearts into the events. FLY is a perfect example, where the players and students talk about issues and goals. The players inspire and make a difference for the kids they personally reach through such community visits.

Even on the road, like when they have traveled to Youngstown to train in between East Coast games, they made a huge difference visiting a local hospital, school, and community center. In October 2010 and 2013, when

dedication and passion. they traveled to London to play in the NFL “The key here is that the members of the International Series game, they had one day off. Instead of site-seeing, they arranged special 49ers family recognize that they have been blessed with a special opportunity - one that days with a hugely popular Premier League is not to be taken for granted,” Joanne said. team – Tottenham Hotspur – and together, in “The 49ers take this responsibility seriously. one of the poorer districts of London, they held That is why we do what we do. Whether it a collaborative event for 100 low-income youth is a rookie or a seasoned veteran, ownership showcasing the PLAY 60 movement and the or a 49ers alumnus, we are so very proud of importance of getting out to play, 60 minutes a day, through both football and soccer.

It was an amazing day. The 49ers were the first to host such a large scale event while playing the International Series game. The following year, another team repeated this warm, monumental gesture.

The 49ers are also very active in spreading the messaging of the NFL “Play 60” Campaign to inspire children to be active and keep healthy. Vernon Davis has been a 49ers spokesperson.

2014 49ers Foundation Contribution Announcement at Levi’s® Stadium One year, inspired by the youth’s our 49ers and their authentic commitment to commitment to the campaign, he hosted a transforming the lives of those in need.” team of 15 students from the 49ers Academy Indeed, when I visited with Joanne, there who participated in a competition to write a was definitely an energy, a spirit that touched commercial for “Play 60.” Vernon arranged for a Limo ride to a special evening held at his home everything and everyone there. It was obvious – all about helping benefit community – and with an Academy Awards Red Carpet look, plus infectiously and fantastically impactful. The Paparazzi and Oscar-like statues for the kids. A fun, memorable event for everyone for a life time! 49ers feel that community has done so much to benefit them as an organization and, as Another example of the tremendous a result, the organization in turn is happy player participation is Joe Staley who, with and proud to be able to give back to the a librarian for a mother, loves reading to community - as it has and will continue to in elementary students and was honored with perpetuity. If there were a Super Bowl Trophy a national accolade for helping build literacy among youth. It does make a difference. And given to the organization based on what they do off the field, as well, no doubt the San the list of what all the 49ers do, individually, Francisco 49ers would be winners of that one as a Team and as an organization is a very each and every year. long one. All without fanfare, but with total

Famous People from San Francisco When discussing famous people from San Francisco, probably the first person who comes to mind is Anthony Dominick Benedetto, or Tony Bennett as he is better known, who allegedly ‘left his heart in San Francisco’, in 1962, when he sang that most famous tune. The 86 year-old singer, who has won 17 Grammy Awards and sold over 50 million records worldwide, is still immensely popular and active in the entertainment industry … and his great song is often heard, and thoroughly enjoyed with Giants victories, at AT&T Ballpark.

If your taste runs more to the silver screen, the multitalented actor, producer, director, and former Mayor of Carmel, California, Clint Eastwood, was born in San Francisco back in 1930. Though Eastwood starred in some popular ‘spaghetti westerns’, he is probably best known for his portrayal of ‘Dirty Harry’ Callahan, a role which gave him not only worldwide fame, but a warm place in the hearts of the entire police sub-culture. In 1996 and 2004, Clint Eastwood took Academy Awards for both Best Director and Best Picture for his films “Unforgiven” and “Million Dollar Baby”, respectively.

And, of course, there is U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, who was born in San Francisco in 1933.

She graduated from Stanford - after winning her election for Student Body Vice-President – which helped inspire her storied road of dedication to Public Service that was to come. She became the first woman President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and then became the first woman Mayor of San Francisco. In 1992, she and Barbara Boxer both won their elections and became the first women U.S. Senators in California. Since then, Senator Feinstein has been re-elected four times. This last election, in 2012, she received more popular votes than anyone in U.S. Senatorial Election history – with 7.75 million votes.

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WHERE TO STAY AND WHAT TO DO

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O, SEE AND EAT ACROSS THE GLOBE

The

MagniFIcent

Wild Wild West

SATURDAY: Today was pretty much a driving day, with our destination being the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. After a long day, it was nice to have waiting for us a gorgeous roomy room, and an excellent fine dining experience. Now I know why this resort has such a wonderful reputation.

BY RICH BORELL

Hello Everyone, Well, with summer here, my wife and I were giving some thought to our bucket list. Yes, we do have a joint one. It’s to visit 50 countries and 50 states. Happy to say, we’re doing a good job so far, as we’re over half way on both. So, we thought to ourselves, let’s add a few more states to our list.

We mapped out a pretty cool trip that I want to share with you in case you desire to see some of this beautiful countryside of our amazing nation. Our journey highlights will include: Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore.

Our itinerary will take us to Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and South Dakota. Hold on … here we go!

Bear Country USA

FRIDAY: We started out with a 7AM flight from San Jose to Denver. We decided to go with Southwest Airlines.

They had the best schedule to get us there early. I had some business to take care of, so we needed to get there as soon as we could. Our flight arrived right on time. Avis was nice

Rockies were so far behind, we chose not to hang around for what seemed destined to be a lengthy rain delay. We headed back to the hotel … knowing we had a long drive ahead of us the next day … and a nice warm shower Old Faithful waiting for us before bed that night.

enough to upgrade us to a Mercedes E Class, which had navigation. After a brief meeting, my wife had us scheduled for a 2PM Tea at our hotel … The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa. I’ve had the pleasure of attending some tea functions with her in the past, I usually walk away hungry after eating bits and pieces of finger food. I will say this, however: this time The Brown Palace did an excellent job in filling me up with delicious finger foods and desserts. If you’re into being spoiled, you don’t want to miss this luxury hotel that comes with all the fixings like spa and salon and nice restaurants. You will want to check out The Brown Palace, conveniently located in downtown Denver. After our Tea, we strolled the 16th Street Mall for some delightful shopping.

This is when it got interesting. For our night time plans, we had great seats behind third base at Coors Field to see the Colorado Rockies play the Miami Marlins. At game time, the weather was picture perfect. By the 8th inning, the roar of thunder and hail came out of nowhere. From sunshine to being drenched … Fans in the upper deck were asked to vacate due to lightning. Unfortunately, the

SUNDAY: After breakfast at the hotel, we found a Starbucks … needed a good fix. Super, wherever we are. From there, we went to Teton Village to take the Tram. In no time, you will breeze up over 4,000 feet (actually just over 10 minutes) to the top of Rendezvous Mountain that stands over 10,000 feet. From there you can walk around and grab some awesome pictures. While up there I suggest you grab one of Mount Rushmore

their “Top of The World Waffles” - the scent alone will force you to eat one. Oh, did I mention, they also serve hot chocolate and Baileys … “yummy”!

We then drove for two hours to West Yellowstone, Montana.

We had plenty of daylight, so we paid a visit to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. While some may think it’s a zoo, it’s really animals who call the Discovery Center home due to injuries where they are incapable of living in the wild. We got to see birds like Bald & Golden Eagles and Peregrine Falcons. Of course, the Bears put on a great show. The guides at the Center are informative and will answer all your questions.

MONDAY: Today we had scheduled the “Lower Loop Tour” of Yellowstone National Park. One of the more popular tour guides is Buffalo Bus Touring Company. I was really impressed; our guide, Graham, was very informative; plus, the motor coach seated around 18 and was very comfortable. The tour isn’t inexpensive, but you will get a good 11 hours of education along with some fun humor. You can order a bag lunch or, as we decided to do, you can have a very nice lunch at The Village Lodge Mammoth.

The upper loop of the figure “8” circles Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower-Roosevelt and Canyon Junction and Norris Junction then back to Mammoth. It is roughly 70 miles in circumference. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is a must see. This is probably one of the most breathtaking sites in the entire park!

At the Lava Creek picnic area through the Blacktail ponds area watch for two large bull elk which are often seen in this stretch; many bison frequent this area, too. We also saw some coyote along the road.

We got back around 6ish, and based on a recommendation, we had a great dinner at the Madison Lounge. Fol-

The

MagniFIcent

Wild Wild West

SATURDAY: Today was pretty much a driving day, with our destination being the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. After a long day, it was nice to have waiting for us a gorgeous roomy room, and an excellent fine dining experience. Now I know why this resort has such a wonderful reputation.

BY RICH BORELL

Hello Everyone, Well, with summer here, my wife and I were giving some thought to our bucket list. Yes, we do have a joint one. It’s to visit 50 countries and 50 states. Happy to say, we’re doing a good job so far, as we’re over half way on both. So, we thought to ourselves, let’s add a few more states to our list.

We mapped out a pretty cool trip that I want to share with you in case you desire to see some of this beautiful countryside of our amazing nation. Our journey highlights will include: Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore.

Our itinerary will take us to Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and South Dakota. Hold on … here we go!

Bear Country USA

FRIDAY: We started out with a 7AM flight from San Jose to Denver. We decided to go with Southwest Airlines.

They had the best schedule to get us there early. I had some business to take care of, so we needed to get there as soon as we could. Our flight arrived right on time. Avis was nice

Rockies were so far behind, we chose not to hang around for what seemed destined to be a lengthy rain delay. We headed back to the hotel … knowing we had a long drive ahead of us the next day … and a nice warm shower Old Faithful waiting for us before bed that night.

enough to upgrade us to a Mercedes E Class, which had navigation. After a brief meeting, my wife had us scheduled for a 2PM Tea at our hotel … The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa. I’ve had the pleasure of attending some tea functions with her in the past, I usually walk away hungry after eating bits and pieces of finger food. I will say this, however: this time The Brown Palace did an excellent job in filling me up with delicious finger foods and desserts. If you’re into being spoiled, you don’t want to miss this luxury hotel that comes with all the fixings like spa and salon and nice restaurants. You will want to check out The Brown Palace, conveniently located in downtown Denver. After our Tea, we strolled the 16th Street Mall for some delightful shopping.

This is when it got interesting. For our night time plans, we had great seats behind third base at Coors Field to see the Colorado Rockies play the Miami Marlins. At game time, the weather was picture perfect. By the 8th inning, the roar of thunder and hail came out of nowhere. From sunshine to being drenched … Fans in the upper deck were asked to vacate due to lightning. Unfortunately, the

SUNDAY: After breakfast at the hotel, we found a Starbucks … needed a good fix. Super, wherever we are. From there, we went to Teton Village to take the Tram. In no time, you will breeze up over 4,000 feet (actually just over 10 minutes) to the top of Rendezvous Mountain that stands over 10,000 feet. From there you can walk around and grab some awesome pictures. While up there I suggest you grab one of Mount Rushmore

their “Top of The World Waffles” - the scent alone will force you to eat one. Oh, did I mention, they also serve hot chocolate and Baileys … “yummy”!

We then drove for two hours to West Yellowstone, Montana.

We had plenty of daylight, so we paid a visit to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. While some may think it’s a zoo, it’s really animals who call the Discovery Center home due to injuries where they are incapable of living in the wild. We got to see birds like Bald & Golden Eagles and Peregrine Falcons. Of course, the Bears put on a great show. The guides at the Center are informative and will answer all your questions.

MONDAY: Today we had scheduled the “Lower Loop Tour” of Yellowstone National Park. One of the more popular tour guides is Buffalo Bus Touring Company. I was really impressed; our guide, Graham, was very informative; plus, the motor coach seated around 18 and was very comfortable. The tour isn’t inexpensive, but you will get a good 11 hours of education along with some fun humor. You can order a bag lunch or, as we decided to do, you can have a very nice lunch at The Village Lodge Mammoth.

The upper loop of the figure “8” circles Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower-Roosevelt and Canyon Junction and Norris Junction then back to Mammoth. It is roughly 70 miles in circumference. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is a must see. This is probably one of the most breathtaking sites in the entire park!

At the Lava Creek picnic area through the Blacktail ponds area watch for two large bull elk which are often seen in this stretch; many bison frequent this area, too. We also saw some coyote along the road.

We got back around 6ish, and based on a recommendation, we had a great dinner at the Madison Lounge. Fol-

Grand Canyon

Yellowstone

Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota

lowing dinner, we still had some time, so we went and saw “Yellowstone” which was playing at the IMAX Theatre.

While in Yellowstone, we stayed at the Yellowstone Lodge, which is a few miles from the gate to the National Park.

We pulled in at the perfect time as a Ranger was about to give a 30 minute lecture on what happened that day in the field. Along with the monuments, you will see the gravesites of the soldiers who died on the battlefield.

TUESDAY: Today, we decided to drive the “Lower Loop” of the park.

We were able to get into some areas that the tour bus couldn’t. The Lower Loop is the more popular loop as it has the bulk of Yellowstone’s thermal features … Old Faithful being one of them … as hundreds of people gather around to watch.

We pulled in around 5:30PM at the Holiday Inn Suites & Gold Dust Casino. Once you make your way through the casino, and take the elevator up to the Hotel Lobby, it’s like stepping into another world. We didn’t expect the hotel to be so elegant. We reserved a suite that had a bar and kitchen. If I ever get lost and end up in Deadwood, South Dakota … I’ll be staying here again.

Some other areas of interest you won’t want to miss along the loop include: Firehole Canyon Drive, Fountain Paint Pots and the Lower Geyser Basin, Firehole Lake Drive and Midway Geyser Basin.

THURSDAY: Today, we spent some time in downtown Deadwood. We also took in some local sites in Deadwood that included the following: Adams House Museum: The memorabilia here has been very well preserved. Lots of history in this old Victorian house.

Mount Moriah Cemetery: About 100 yards from the opening you will find the burial place of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock and other notable figures of the Wild West.

Be sure to check out the Old Faithful Inn Resort, as well … there are great restaurants in the area.

Wednesday: Today, we’ll be doing a good share of driving … and we’ll end up in Deadwood, South Dakota. We decided on this route because we wanted to stop off and visit the Battlefield National Monument. This, of course, is where the Battle of the Little Bighorn took place … also commonly referred to as Custer’s Last Stand.

For lunch, we ate at a local restaurant owned by actor Kevin Costner called The Midnight Star. The food was excellent … if you can get in, I highly recommend it.

After spending most of the day in Deadwood, our journey continued to Rapid City, South Dakota, and the Marriott.

FRIDAY: Today, we set out about 20 miles from our hotel to see a site my wife has been wanting to see for quite some time … Mount Rushmore. It is such a beautiful site. Rangers are there to answer your questions, you won’t have a problem getting a good picture, as well. There is a little bit of a wait to get into the park. While there, you can enjoy checking out a film on the history of the monument, along with visiting the museum and gift shop. We had lunch in the town, just outside the park, called Keystone. I highly recommend eating at the Powder House & Lodge.

We also took a visit to Bear Country USA. Here, you will drive (with your windows up) through a park with roam-

Elk

ing bears close by. The drive will take about 45 minutes, and I predict you will get some awesome looking photos, right from your car. While there in the park, you may also see: Artic Wolf, Buffalo, Coyote, Elk, Grizzly and Black Bear, Mountain Lions, to mention a few. They boast around 20 species. The larger species roam freely throughout 250 acres of the drive-thru park.

SATURDAY: Today, we start out on our final road trip, driving back to Denver. We took, however, a small detour to stop in at the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota. Many mammoth remains, preserved in an old sinkhole, are shown off at this museum and research center.

Originally a sinkhole that trapped a lot of mammoths (and other animals) over the years, it is now one of the best excavation sites of mammoth remains on display.

Here we are, back on Southwest Airlines once again, heading home, looking back, our journey now behind us. Our trip was more than beautiful and fun, exciting and safe. It could not have been nicer.

If you’re planning to see some of the Western States, yes, the magnificent Wild Wild West, it’s a great experience that we thoroughly enjoyed. There are indeed many awesome reasons why I believe you and everyone else would, too.

Until next time …

Grand Canyon

Yellowstone

Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota

lowing dinner, we still had some time, so we went and saw “Yellowstone” which was playing at the IMAX Theatre.

While in Yellowstone, we stayed at the Yellowstone Lodge, which is a few miles from the gate to the National Park.

We pulled in at the perfect time as a Ranger was about to give a 30 minute lecture on what happened that day in the field. Along with the monuments, you will see the gravesites of the soldiers who died on the battlefield.

TUESDAY: Today, we decided to drive the “Lower Loop” of the park.

We were able to get into some areas that the tour bus couldn’t. The Lower Loop is the more popular loop as it has the bulk of Yellowstone’s thermal features … Old Faithful being one of them … as hundreds of people gather around to watch.

We pulled in around 5:30PM at the Holiday Inn Suites & Gold Dust Casino. Once you make your way through the casino, and take the elevator up to the Hotel Lobby, it’s like stepping into another world. We didn’t expect the hotel to be so elegant. We reserved a suite that had a bar and kitchen. If I ever get lost and end up in Deadwood, South Dakota … I’ll be staying here again.

Some other areas of interest you won’t want to miss along the loop include: Firehole Canyon Drive, Fountain Paint Pots and the Lower Geyser Basin, Firehole Lake Drive and Midway Geyser Basin.

THURSDAY: Today, we spent some time in downtown Deadwood. We also took in some local sites in Deadwood that included the following: Adams House Museum: The memorabilia here has been very well preserved. Lots of history in this old Victorian house.

Mount Moriah Cemetery: About 100 yards from the opening you will find the burial place of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock and other notable figures of the Wild West.

Be sure to check out the Old Faithful Inn Resort, as well … there are great restaurants in the area.

Wednesday: Today, we’ll be doing a good share of driving … and we’ll end up in Deadwood, South Dakota. We decided on this route because we wanted to stop off and visit the Battlefield National Monument. This, of course, is where the Battle of the Little Bighorn took place … also commonly referred to as Custer’s Last Stand.

For lunch, we ate at a local restaurant owned by actor Kevin Costner called The Midnight Star. The food was excellent … if you can get in, I highly recommend it.

After spending most of the day in Deadwood, our journey continued to Rapid City, South Dakota, and the Marriott.

FRIDAY: Today, we set out about 20 miles from our hotel to see a site my wife has been wanting to see for quite some time … Mount Rushmore. It is such a beautiful site. Rangers are there to answer your questions, you won’t have a problem getting a good picture, as well. There is a little bit of a wait to get into the park. While there, you can enjoy checking out a film on the history of the monument, along with visiting the museum and gift shop. We had lunch in the town, just outside the park, called Keystone. I highly recommend eating at the Powder House & Lodge.

We also took a visit to Bear Country USA. Here, you will drive (with your windows up) through a park with roam-

Elk

ing bears close by. The drive will take about 45 minutes, and I predict you will get some awesome looking photos, right from your car. While there in the park, you may also see: Artic Wolf, Buffalo, Coyote, Elk, Grizzly and Black Bear, Mountain Lions, to mention a few. They boast around 20 species. The larger species roam freely throughout 250 acres of the drive-thru park.

SATURDAY: Today, we start out on our final road trip, driving back to Denver. We took, however, a small detour to stop in at the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota. Many mammoth remains, preserved in an old sinkhole, are shown off at this museum and research center.

Originally a sinkhole that trapped a lot of mammoths (and other animals) over the years, it is now one of the best excavation sites of mammoth remains on display.

Here we are, back on Southwest Airlines once again, heading home, looking back, our journey now behind us. Our trip was more than beautiful and fun, exciting and safe. It could not have been nicer.

If you’re planning to see some of the Western States, yes, the magnificent Wild Wild West, it’s a great experience that we thoroughly enjoyed. There are indeed many awesome reasons why I believe you and everyone else would, too.

Until next time …

Forever Delightful CHRISTMAS IN LONDON … AND PARIS, TOO!

By Rich Borell

Hello Everyone, Ever think about having a jolly holiday in London, England one of the most beautiful cites during Christmas time? We have … we just did it … and we loved it!

Our trip starts Saturday, December 20th. It’s going to be a pretty quick turnaround trip; just a week, which will also include a night in Paris.

We’ll be flying out of the Norman Mineta San Jose International Airport. We had already upgraded our tickets, but decided we wanted to live a little and had them upgraded yet again. This time, into business class.

Booking through American Airlines directly, we were fortunate. It was a great price, only $499 per ticket.

For those of you who travel a few times a year, here’s a suggestion. Ever thought about getting approved by TSA? Yes, you need to fill out an application and have a personal interview (and write a check). But it was a pleasure.

You might think it’s worth it the first time you show your credentials … and are nicely directed through a separate line. This time, there’s nothing to take off … shoes, belt, etc. Plus, instead of waiting in the lines, we were promptly on board and on our merry way.

Saturday: We had a 12:55PM flight from San Jose to Dallas that was late in taking off. The pilot fortunately was able to make good timing. When we arrived in Dallas, there was still a plane at our gate. We waited for 10 minutes, and then they found us another gate so that we could de-plane. The only problem, though, there was no outside agent to assist, so we sat still yet for another 10 minutes. Some people were going to miss their connecting flights. We were very fortunate … we had another hour-plus as our flight to London was delayed.

On board once again, we fastened our seat belts - the champagne has been poured – and we toasted our trip ahead … on to London!

Sunday: We arrived in London about an hour late, which was fine. We didn’t have a lot planned other than getting on the

city tour bus. For our trip, we would be staying at the Marriott London Square, right near the world famous London Eye. This is our favorite place to stay when we visit London, one of our favorite cities in the world.

Here’s a few stops you may want to visit while on the city tour.

• St. Paul’s Cathedral • The world-famous London Bridge • London’s number one attraction “The London Eye” • Buckingham Palace • Big Ben • Westminster Abbey • The Tower Bridge Monday: Today started with a complimentary breakfast at our hotel. We had a few hours before our tour was to begin, so we took a long walk along the River Thames enjoying some really beautiful sites.

The holiday season is certainly in full swing as all the vendors were getting set up for the day.

Today we had an afternoon tour planned at the Warner’s Studio where the blockbuster film Harry Potter was filmed. If you’re a Potter fan, as we are, this is a must when in the London area.

The team behind the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter wanted to preserve and showcase these iconic props, costumes and sets so that Harry Potter fans could experience the magic of filmmaking first-hand.

Many of the original cast and crew returned to reassemble the sets and recorded their memories from filming, and on March 31st, 2012, the Studio

Tour opened its doors.

After a greeting in the Grand Hall, you have a self-guided tour seeing all of the sets and original outfits worn. On the set adjacent to the working film studios, where all eight Harry Potter films were made, the studio tour offers visitors the unique opportunity to explore two soundstages and a backlot filled with original sets, animatronic creatures and breath-taking special effects.

Here’s an interesting tidbit - The film studio where the Harry Potter film series was filmed was originally an old aircraft factory and runway where planes such as Mosquitos and Halifax Bombers were manufactured.

Tuesday: Today we again start with breakfast at the hotel. We’ve set up for an 8.30AM taxi pick-up to take us to the train station for our 10:25AM departure to Paris. A brief note about the taxi system in London: It seems only 30 percent accept credit cards … so, be sure to inquire when making your reservation … and have some cash (pounds) on you.

It was a quick two hour journey through the English Tunnel to Paris. For those of you who may not like the thought of taking a train underwater, rest assured, it goes pretty fast. The tunnel at its lowest point is 250 feet deep and it only takes about twenty minutes from end to end. Also, the good news is, they don’t even announce that you’re going through it.

We arrived in Paris around 2PM. Our accommodations were at the Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel. We didn’t have a lot of time today, so we strolled the Avenue des ChampsElysees, which is one of the main shopping streets in Paris. On one end of the street, it offers a nice view of the Arc de Triomphe; and, on the other end, it offers a nice view of the Place de La Concorde.

This evening we had tickets to see the world famous cabaret Moulin Rouge.

I assure you, visiting Paris can only be complete if you see a performance at the Moulin Rouge. The cabaret is spectacular - with excellent dancers in an array of stunning outfits. There are two shows offered - One which includes dinner & champagne (which I would recommend) and another show excluding dinner. Tickets can be

expensive based on your seats … but most tickets do include a nice bottle of Champagne.

Wednesday: Today we started out with a short walk to Starbucks for a lite breakfast. We had a private tour planned today to drive us through Paris. Although we’ve been to Paris previously, we wanted to capture more of the city. In our last trip we didn’t have time to visit the Pere Lachaise, which is the largest cemetery in Paris and is actually located right in the middle of the city. Although there are many famous people interred at this cemetery, the reason for our visit was to view Jim Morrison’s gravesite. We understood that there may be large crowds and also the site is regularly guarded; however, this day was neither.

Our tour lasted about four hours with our driver taking us to the train station for our trip back to London.

For some other site-seeing recommendations while in Paris, I can recommend the following: • The Louvre (I strongly recommend purchasing Fast Track tickets – lines can be rather long) • Versailles • Dinner at the Eiffel Tower • Notre Dame de Paris • Champs-Elysees • Disneyland Paris Thursday: For Christmas Day we had a 10 hour walking tour scheduled to start at 6AM. We arranged this several months in advance with our guide, Peter Berthoud. Peter is an excellent guideknowledgeable, perceptive and amusing. We met sharply at 6AM near the London Eye, along with 30 other people, who were also brave enough to get up this early morning in 35 degree weather … and it wasn’t going to get much warmer as the day progressed.

After meeting with Peter and his assistant, Lindsey, everyone was given a bag with lots of

Jane Seymour. The castle is usually closed for tours on the weekend since that is when the Royal Family stays.

Salisbury: Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England, and the only city within the county. This is definitely a “countryside” city that has much history.

goodies to munch on during our tour.

Despite the frigid cold weather, we really enjoyed it and found out lots of interesting facts and saw lots of interesting hidden bits of Soho and Picadilly. We also visited other interesting areas which we never would have known about.

This is definitely the best time to see London; there were empty streets, it was if we had the city to ourselves. We found out things that you would never discover in a guide book. Peter has a very good knowledge of London. We saw many interesting historical sites, plus having all these tidbits being thrown in. We also enjoyed making a few stops at some nice coffee shops, that were thankfully open on Christmas Day, as well as having a delightful lunch at a local pub.

Friday: Today we had an all day tour that would take us to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Salisbury and Bath. We were picked up at our hotel promptly at 8AM for our journey to our first stop … Windsor Castle.

Windsor Castle: Built high above the River Thames, Windsor Castle has been the home to the Royal Family for the past 900 years and is still the official residence of the Queen. You will enjoy strolling through the castle grounds and the fourteenth century St. George’s Chapel, the burial place of kings and queens, including Henry VIII and his third wife,

Stonehenge: Clouded in mystery, this ancient stone circle is the most pre-historic site in England. Going beyond its archaeological and even astronomical role, it’s a place of spiritual importance as early legends link it with Merlin and King Arthur, as it’s still one of Europe’s best known pre-historic monuments around. The stones are surrounded by several hundred burial mounds.

They have recently opened a fabulous, worldclass Visitor Centre that includes a museum with extraordinary exhibitions, along with a spacious shop and café.

Our tour included lunch at the Antrobus Arms Hotel located a few miles from Stonehenge.

This is a gorgeous boutique hotel featuring 20 individually styled en-suite rooms, one of which is the Beatles Suite, where the Fab 4 stayed while filming “Help” on Salisbury Plain.

Bath: The final stop of the tour is the beautiful Georgian City of Bath. We had a walking tour of some of the finest architectural sights in Europe including Bath Abbey, the Royal Crecent, the Circus, Assembly Rooms and the famous Pulteney Bridge. These Roman Baths, built around thermal springs, have been supplying water for over 2,000 years.

Saturday: Well, today it’s back home with a flight to Dallas and then our connecting flight to the Bay Area, getting us in around 11PM. Spending the holiday in London, and Paris, was everything we thought it would be. Beautiful, interesting and most enjoyable. It was indeed delightful. Stay tuned as we look forward to sharing more trip tips with you during the New Year!

Scandinavian Splendor & Many Memorable Smiles

By Rich Borell

G

reetings Everyone! I want to share with you our recent trip to Scandinavia that included stops in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. This trip actually came together just a few weeks before we left. We had tickets to fly into Copenhagen, then on to Finland. From that point, we were going to take the train and spend most of our time in Russia. We had our Russian Visa and were ready to go. Unfortunately, due to the most recent events, we were advised not to go. I want to thank our tour guide in Moscow for all he did and we look forward in seeing him on a future trip to Russia.

So, if you are considering a venture to Northern Europe, we certainly found it to be such a beautiful region. We loved all the natural scenery and European sights and, yes, the delicious food, too … and, what was extra nice, the people were always very friendly and hospitable.

Even though the Danish, Norwegian and Swedish languages are known as Scandinavian languages, you can be well-assured most everyone understands and speaks English. You should travel with a money converter, and if you carry an iPhone, you already have the app. Contrary to popular belief, not all countries have converted to the Euro. Finland has; however, the other three countries have not. You will need to convert your USD in Denmark to Danish Kroner, in Sweden to Swedish Kronor and in Norway to Norwegian

Kroner.

I also want to mention something about using your credit card. First, you should check with your credit card company to see if you have a foreign transaction fee. Indeed, it can add up. I can recommend Capital One Visa, as they currently don’t charge a fee. Since 2013, the EU went to a chip card and the US has not quite adapted to that as yet. Most businesses will accept your credit card; however, you need to let them know it’s a signature card … meaning you will need to sign.

Most will ask you for a PIN based on this chip …

I believe we will have new credit cards with chips sometime in 2015.

Here are some ideas from our itinerary:

Friday: First of all, we would like to thank Frank & Teri over at Wireless Rides for the limo service up to SFO. Our trip began on Friday with a relatively short, very nice three-and-a-half hour flight to Chicago O’Hare. Once there, we enjoyed a brief hour-plus layover. From Chicago, our transfer flight was with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), which departed on time. We had upgraded our seats and really enjoyed the plenty of extra leg room we had for the eight hour flight to Copenhagen.

Saturday: We arrived in Copenhagen early afternoon the following day on Saturday. We took some time and strolled the Copenhagen Town Mall. From there, we enjoyed walking to Nyhavn, the popular 17th century waterfront, canal and entertainment district, and then shopping along the long streets of Stroget, experiencing this pleasant traffic free district. We stopped for a bite to eat at the Hard Rock Café, and along the way, we enjoyed some more shopping. Next, we went to the Visitor’s Center for some helpful info that would fill our day for tomorrow. Of course, we were on the prowl for our first local Starbucks … you will find a new one that recently opened at the train station.

Our first night was at a boutique hotel … the Grand Hotel Copenhagen … in a nice city central location.

Sunday: Up early, we strolled back to Starbucks. We didn’t have a lot of time today, as most of our time in Copenhagen was reserved for when we would return towards the end of our trip. Today, we would have a 3:30PM flight to Helsinki, Finland, so we took advantage of our great location and enjoyed walking around.

Our flight to Helsinki was short. We grabbed a cab (you will get a cab inside of the airport), which was approximately 30 Euros to our hotel.

We stayed at Hotel Kamp, the only 5-star hotel in Finland. By the time we got in, it was time to find a place for a relaxing dinner. We didn’t have to go far, just outside of our hotel and about 100 yards to our left was an amazing restaurant called Kappeli. We had a fabulous two hour dinner … my only advice is that this may not be the place if you’re traveling on a budget. It boasted a great menu that included something for everyone … even that something special, if you wanted to try a plate of Reindeer. I went with their fresh Salmon, my wife enjoyed her Chicken mushroom and

stew dinner. For dessert, we had the traditional Blueberry cake and ice cream … everything was delicious.

Since it was Sunday, most retail businesses were closed; however, we did come across the Helsinki Hard Rock Café and were able to enjoy doing some shopping there.

Monday: Today, we started out with breakfast at the hotel and then took a nice walk through the city square in Helsinki. There was some light rain in the morning that later broke way for blue skies and sunshine.

Our tour took us to some cool places... while in Helsinki, you may want to visit a few of these spots: Olympic Stadium (site of the 1956 Summer Olympic Games) Sibelius Monument Nature History Museum Parliament House (the guards are very friendly and not camera shy) Uspenski Cathedral Tuesday: Today is another travel day, so we enjoyed

Helsinki, Finland

strolling the very popular Stockmann’s, the largest department store in Finland and all Scandinavia.

We had lunch back at our Hotel Camp … I’d highly recommend the Salmon Soup, and also a few other favorites, which were the Shrimp Sandwich and Club with Fried Egg. From our hotel, it was a 15-minute walk to the Viking Cruise Line Terminal. First stop was our Bon Voyage Picture, then going on board for our overnight cruise to Stockholm, Sweden.

For an overnight cruise, the ship had everything you could ask for … There were several restaurants, bars, casinos, theatre, a kid’s game room, live shows and much more. I had another fabulous Salmon dinner. We enjoyed a stunning sunset, the weather was perfect.

Our ship, the Marella, was filled with such the warm friendly staff. One red flag, going back to the credit card pin number situation, the ship is a stickler on the pin number. Good news, they do offer currency exchange, so as always, carry some cash with you.

During the night, the seas did get a bit choppy.

I’d suggest getting a room in the middle and upper floor.

Wednesday: Our ship arrived at 10:30AM, there were plenty of taxi’s at the terminal to take you to your hotel.

Even though we arrived several hours before check in, our room was ready. We stayed at the “First Hotels” centrally located on the waterfront in old town. Our room had a large window with great views of the pier area and amusement park.

We took a walk around old town, which looked a bit like Venice, once you’re away from the water. We stopped and had lunch at Sally’s. Service was a bit slow, they may not be used to the American’s fast pace. We had an authentic Swedish Shrimp plate with fish eggs.

After lunch, we bought our ticket and went on the “Hop on Bus” tour which will take you throughout Stockholm for two hours.

Stockholm, Sweden After our delightful city tour, Grenka, a chic hotel, comparable to the W Hotel in we put in another couple of hours San Francisco. on foot, enjoying going through the shops of old town. We wound our day down with a drink at our Friday & Saturday: hotel bar before turning in.

We started the day with what was a great buffet breakfast at our hotel. Our hotel was nice; however, Thursday: our room was very small. So first thing this mornWe started our day with Breakfast at our Hotel. ing, we checked out and went over to the Grand We had purchased a two-day pass on the tour bus, so we got back on. While in Stockholm, you might Deluxe Suite Hotel. The price went up, up, up … but was well worth it. want to check out a few of these sights: While in Oslo, we dined at Café Christiania a Vasa Museum few times, delicious seafood soup. If you’re into Drottningholm Palace Abba – The Museum (everyone on our tour real- Starbucks, like us, you will find plenty of them around Oslo. ly enjoyed this stop) Nordic Museum Oslo is a great city … it is very clean, which we Museum of Medieval (one of our favorites) enjoyed, also such friendly people. If you make it Rosersberg Palace up to Viking country, I can highly suggest stopping Skyview off at a few of these sights: Viking Ship Museum After our tour, our stay in Stockholm wouldn’t Akershus Fortress (a must see) be complete without another round of shopping Nobel Peace Center (where the Nobel Peace and grabbing a bite at the Stockholm Hard Rock Prize is given) Café. Next up would be our flight to Oslo, Norway.

Royal Palace We arrived in Oslo around 8PM. It was a long University Botanical Garden day, so we chose to take a taxi to our hotel. City Oslo Tramway Museum center is a bit distant from the airport, so expect a hefty cab fare... like $240 USD. Our hotel was the First Hotel Grims

Oslo, Norway

Sunday: Our day started with breakfast at our hotel. We then walked to the train station... Remember when I mentioned it was a $240 USD cab fare before?

For both of us to take the train, it was only $29.00 USD … Yes, for both of us! Norway is a beautiful country; however, it’s one of the most expensive.

Today, we flew back to Copenhagen, just a brisk 55-minute flight. We checked in at the Palace Hotel.

We took a short walk over to the Visitors Bureau to book our tour which we planned for the next day.

After that, we had a long leisurely dinner at the delightful restaurant, Il Petal.

Monday: Today, our day started early with breakfast at our hotel. Then off for our Grand Day Trip, which will take until early evening. Our tour stared with our guide Andersen picking us up near the hotel.

Our tour was with four other couples … Andersen was a very thorough guide and spoke English very well.

Our tour for the day included:

Roskilde Cathedral (the astonishing church with burial places of no less than 39 kings and queens) Kronborg Castle (an impressive fortification that guarded the entrance to the Baltic Sea for six centuries, and is where Shakespeare’s Hamlet lived) Frederiksborg Palace (this is the largest and most beautiful renaissance castle in Scandinavia) Viking Ship Museum (modern rebuilt models and excavated original ships from the time when the Vikings conquered much of Western Europe and ruled the North Atlantic) Tuesday: Our last full day was jammed to get in as much as we could. So our day started with breakfast, a quick bite at Starbucks. From there, we joined the Copenhagen Walking Tour, which would be for three hours. Some of our stops along the tour included: Copenhagen Town Hall Tivoli Gardens Danish Royal Palace Hans Christen Andersen Danish Parliament

Academy of Fine Arts Stroget Shopping Mile After our tour, we got back on the “Hop on Bus”.

While in Copenhagen, below are some places you might want to put on your list: Statens Museum for Kunst National Museum of Denmark Copenhagen Opera House Museum Erotica Royal Danish Playhouse We finished our day with what was again a delicious meal, this time at the Restaurant Barock in Copenhagen.

Wednesday: Today’s our day to return home, we admitted we were very much ready to get back. Our non-stop flight was from Copenhagen back to SFO. Our flight was perfect and again we arrived on time. SAS is a great airline to fly, excellent on time schedule and with very courteous attendants.

As always, I suggest paying to upgrade your seating, if you can, it makes a world of difference. Again, a big thank you to Wireless Rides for warmly welcoming us on time at the airport and taking us home.

Scandinavian Splendor … & Many Memorable Smiles, indeed. It was such a great trip and such a wonderful time. We enjoyed sharing it with you.

Until next time …

Copenhagen, Denmark

Europe’s LOW COUNTRY

HIGHLIGHTS

The triumphal arch at the Parc du Cinquantenaire, Brussels.

Story by Rich Borell, CEO & Founder

Hello Everyone, I want to share with you my itinerary from my recent trip to Europe. It was a whirlwind trip traveling to Belgium, Luxembourg, Amsterdam along with Hamburg and Berlin Germany.

We booked our trip 6 weeks in advance using European Destinations Travel Agency. They had a very good website to navigate hotel upgrades and get enough info to plan our trip. We also spoke with one of their senior travel agents to put the final touches with private drivers to pick us up as we arrived in each of our destinations. What we like about them is they are available 24/7 which was a plus for us.

Our trip started early on a Wednesday, with our flight originating from San Jose, our first plane change was in Denver, from Denver we flew to Chicago, then Chicago to Brussels. We had an uneventful flight, taking United Airlines along with their Star Partners. We arrived on time in Brussels the next day at 9:20AM. While in Chicago we checked in with United’s customer service and was able to purchase and upgrade for a modest fee for the long flight to Brussels … very cool.

Thursday: We had a nice driver waiting for us –the drive to our hotel was about 45 minutes. We stayed at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels; a luxury hotel that was once a Palace. The staff at the Metropole were very welcoming, the hotel is in a good location close to major shopping areas, the rooms are good size and very clean.

After lunch we took the hop on hop off bus to get acquainted with the city. Every two years the Grand Place comes alive in Brussels with a stunning flower carpet of begonias. They say there are over 100 volunteers and over a million begonias. This event brings out the locals and is a hot tourist spot.

For dinner we wandered around and checked out various menu’s and ended up at nice local restaurant, we took a table outside so we could

The Atomium, Brussels

do some people watching. I started out with a standard in Brussels, a bucket of mussels and Salmon. Our waitress spoke excellent English who lived in L.A. for a number of years. For dessert, of course, we shared a Belgium Waffle.

Friday: Our day started with breakfast which was included at the hotel. We started out getting back on the hop on trolley with our first destination being the Atomium, which was the main pavilion and icon of the 1958 World Fair.

Representing an iron crystal, magnified 165 billion times; The Atomium offers the only true 360° panoramic view of the 19 municipalities. The whole thing is made up of 9 spheres (one at each of the 8 points and one in the middle) connected by 20 tubes

(12 cube edges plus 2 tubes for the 4 diagonals): the structure rests on 3 pillars (or bipods).

After lunch we walked down to a park located at the foot of the Atomium called “Mini - Europe” Mini-Europe is the only park where you can have a whistle-stop tour around Europe in a few short hours.

A truly unique voyage! Stroll amid the typical ambiance of the most beautiful towns of the Old Continent. While there you can enjoy some great shopping to bring home.

For dinner we decided to check out the all new Hard Rock Café located in the Grand Place. The menu is complete with all your favorites like New York Steak, Twisted Mac, and Chicken & Anne Frank House Museum, Amsterdam Cheese to one of my stand by favorites, Grilled Salmon.

While there, you can enjoy an upscale Flea Market where everyone brought some great rock memorabilia with some pieces their treasures out to sell; it was interesting so from John Lennon, The Sex Pistols, Jimi Hendrix we spent a few hours browsing around. We also and Elvis Presley. bought a pass for the hop on hop off to get a feel of the area. We had a 5:30PM flight out to Saturday: Amsterdam with a brief layover in Munich. Our Our day started out with breakfast at the hotel travel agent suggested flying as opposed to the train before our train to Luxemburg. Our train arrived on to save time, however it would have been nice to time; our driver met us and drove us to the Le Royal see more of the country.

Resort Hotel. Our room was ready; the heat wave Our flight arrived on time around 10Pm we had we left in the U.S. has certainly followed us to Europe. a friendly driver pick us up; our drive was about Luxemburg was pretty warm, in the high 80’s.

30 minutes from the airport. Our driver gave us The hotel is ideally located, if you want to the low down on Amsterdam. We arrived at our walk around downtown to enjoy Plaza D’Armas, hotel around 11PM; fortunately, there were a few shopping on the upscale stores, sightseeing or for upgrades available so for our two nights we were eating at the numerous restaurants in the area. The able to get a nice room. breakfast buffet offers a great variety of choices of While in Amsterdam we stayed at the Convent fruits, cereals and breads etc.

Amsterdam Hotel in one of their suites which Le Royal Hotel comes with a five star Spa if provided ample space and comfort. The room was you’re looking for a great place to relax. There’s very quiet with a view of the street. The staff was also a pool and sauna along with a fitness room. very friendly and polite … nothing was too much Things to check out while in Luxembourg include: trouble. The hotel is centrally located with access to Cathedral Notre-Dame all the major sites and all forms of transport.

William Square Palace of the Grand Dukes Monday: St. Michaels Church Our day started out with breakfast at a nearby Starbucks, and a short walk where we stood in a Sunday: long line to get into the Anne Frank Museum. The We did a lot of walking today, they actually had museum opens at 9AM, if you get there around

8:30 the line goes pretty fast, again, even at 8:30 the line was quite long. If you remember the story of Anne Frank, you will enjoy the museum as there’s a large TV screen in most rooms that offers a narrative of the events.

On display at the museum is the Academy Award Shelley Winters won and later donated to the mueum for her character performance of Petronella van Daan in the Diary of Anne Frank. You can see the award as it’s displayed in a bullet-proof glass case in the museum.

After Anne Franks we found a quiet place for breakfast. After breakfast we – yes found the hop on hop off bus, bought a ticket and journeyed to the Van Gogh Museum.

This museum boasts the world’s largest collection of Vincent Van Gogh which features over 200 paintings and several hundred drawings. If you happen to be there on the weekends, it can get crowded.

Virtually across the street from the Hard Rock was the Heineken Museum. This was a cool attraction and a must see while in Amsterdam.

You get to know everything there is about the history of the Heineken family, how they brew and of course the best part, sampling. It’s about a 90 minute tour from start to end, lots of interactive activities. You also get a couple of drinks included with the price of your ticket.

During the evening after dinner we took in a guided tour of the Red Light District. We had a great time; all I will say is that the Red Light District of Amsterdam leaves nothing to the imagination.

and gives you a great feel of the city, you will stroll through some of the bombed out locations during the WW2. Steve was our tour guide, great personality and very informative. Here are a few places you may want to check out depending upon how much time you have in the area: Emigration Museum Warehouse District St. Michaelis Church Planten un Blomen (beautiful botanical garden) In case you got to Hamburg after Amsterdam and need another fix, there is a Red Light District in Hamburg.

While in Hamburg we stayed at the Marriott City Center. This is a great location as you’re only a few minutes’ walk to shops and some nice restaurants.

The rooms are above average on size, plenty of amenities.

For dinner we ate at the Restaurant Franziskaner. If you’re looking for delicious Bavarian Food, this is the place. The owner was real cool, spoke great English. The waitress thought there was a problem since we hardly touched our food, but it was just that the portions were too much for us. Maybe, we were also a little full from enjoying some shots of Schnapps?

Tuesday: Once again, our day started out at Starbucks, we had until around 2PM in Amsterdam before we took a flight to Hamburg Germany. We did some shopping and finished at one of the “coolest” attractions in Amsterdam.

For around 20 Euros you get to put on a large heavy coat and gloves to step into an ice freezing room with a bar and musical video. The price also includes a free shot of something that was pretty good. Did I mention your seat for the video is an ice block.

Our flight to Hamburg left on time; we had a brief layover in Copenhagen Denmark and enjoyed a nice dinner at the airport.

Thursday & Friday: Today we took the Ice Train which is the best way to travel; the trains are fast and comfortable.

Our trip to Berlin would be a pleasant two hours.

My only recommendation would be that they should have the stops also in English to alter tourists of their destination arrival.

Our driver was on time, met us at the deck and drove us to the Ritz Carlton where we will be spending the final nights of our trip. If you want to travel and really feel pampered trust me, the Ritz Carlton is the way to go.

While in Berlin, you will want to check out and get some pictures at Check Point Charlie. This was the famous crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. You will also want to check out the Berlin Wall Memorial. The memorial contains the last piece of Berlin Wall with the preserved grounds behind it and is thus able to convey an impression of how the border fortifications developed until the end of the 1980s.

Wednesday: Today, the heat wave finally left and it cooled down with a light rain as we did the “Great Walking Tour” in Hamburg. By the way this is a free offered

by Sandeman Tours. The tour is just over 2 hours

Saturday: Like all vacations, this one was coming to an end. We have a 7:45AM flight from Berlin to Frankfurt, with a short layover then non-stop to Denver and finally back in the Bay Area.

p i r T a s y a w l A the Ages 5 for

NO MATTER WHAT AGE YOU ARE!

Story by Rich Borell, CEO & Founder

R

ecently, my wife and I decided to take a trip to Orlando, Florida, over the summer. We planned to spend a few days at each attraction: The Walt Disney World, Epcot Center, Universal Studios, Animal Kingdom, Disney Studios and Downtown Disney. We also included a day tour to the Kennedy Space Center.

We planned our stay at the Waldorf Astoria for the week. Both the Waldorf and the Hilton Orlando are connected with a world-class convention center, creating a hip oasis in the middle of Orlando’s Theme Park magic. Truly convenient, the hotels are located inside the Disneyworld gates.

The name Waldorf Astoria is synonymous with luxury. If you have ever stayed at the Waldorf in New York, you will see that this Orlando property nicely brings together that New York style with the ever-delightful Floridian charm.

Whether you stay there, or not, I encourage you to dine at its legendary restaurant, Bull & Bear. This restaurant is definitely the area’s most popular go-to restaurant when it comes to fine dining. Along with this fabulous restaurant, be sure to also check out the spa, awardwinning designed golf course, state-of-the-art workout center … and our favorite: your own chic private cabana with a personal server.

Before I go any further, I want to wholeheartedly thank the management for their wonderful hospitality. Here’s the scoop on what I highly recommend: be sure to buy a planning app before you even arrive in Orlando to help you map out your day(s). Indeed, it’s well worthwhile.

Then, you can use the app on your phone, update wait times, re-optimize your schedule, etc. By having a plan, we were able to see every single attraction, including parades and fireworks. The longest we ever waited was 20 minutes. This was in the middle of the summer during peak days.

Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando.

The Magic Kingdom is a great place. This is a good combination of rides and, of course, you have to ride the coasters. The Castle draws everyone’s attention – this is where they play shows with all the characters. Space Mountain is where you must go first. Get yourself a fast pass early before the lines are long.

One of the four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, offers a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood-style action with live shows, thrilling attractions, backstage tours and star-studded

special events. Feel like the star in your own movie as you romp through the streets and sections of the park that blend together like a large, bustling movie set.

Immerse yourself in the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood heydays from the 1930s and 1940s, captured by the neon, chrome, art deco and modern architecture. Step into the action with exhilarating attractions and experiences inspired by television and silver screen favorites. Go center stage and into the spotlight with the American Idol Experience, stunt shows and more. Collect autographs and pose for photos at special events.

Another cool ride is the Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow and, of course, the Rock n Roller Roller Coaster staring one of my favorites – Aerosmith. When it comes to rides, be sure to check out The Great Movie Ride, the 18-minute tour of some of Hollywood’s most famous films.

Then there’s the 50’s Prime Time Café, which is located at the Disney Hollywood Studios. Bring your appetite and your sense of humor. The theme is Mom’s kitchen circa 1955. There are TV’s throughout the restaurant showing black and white sitcoms, from “Father Knows Best” to the original “Mickey Mouse Club”. You can’t help but smile when you see these blasts from the past.

Everyone is “family”. Your server will introduce you to your “cousins” while giving you warnings to keep your elbows off the table and remind you to eat your vegetables. It’s all in good fun and adds to the unique experience.

There are a lot of 50’s knick-knacks and the dessert menu is on a View master!

For people who have never been here before and who love animals, this is an ultimate great place to visit. We loved the safari ride and the different animals from all around the world that they had. The only downside is that it’s so far away from all the other parks. However, this park is still worth checking out, if you are here.

Disney gives you a unique look at nature and animals through Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Enjoy yourself and take your time in the Animal Kingdom. If you have time to spend extra days at any of the parks, I would recommend doing

The Waldorf Astoria and Hilton Orlando are connected with a world-class convention center.

this park and the Magic Kingdom for more than one day. I would recommend going to the park early or late afternoon. If you are staying at a resort, take advantage of “Extra Magic Hours.”

When you enter the Animal Kingdom, you will walk through what is called “The Oasis”, with animal exhibits, exotic plants, jungle habitat etc.- all of which is really cool. This park is divided into five parts: Discovery Island, Camp Minnie, Camp Mickey, Africa and Rafiki’s Planet.

Outside of the Animal Kingdom, I can recommend the Rainforest Café. Dinner was great; so, too, was the service. It was impeccable and you can also get in some shopping.

This park is fun and there is a lot to do. You can visit the world in less than a day … and the fireworks at night are amazing. From the food to the gift shops, you will have a blast. We were on the go all day and crammed just about everything in! The Future World was great, a few nice little attractions there. I really enjoyed the greenhouse … which is about one living with the land. I had read about ‘Soarin’ and was eager to see what this was. It was excellent.

The more popular rides, such as Soarin and Test Track, have long waits. It would be a good idea to get a fast pass for these, unless you don’t mind waiting an hour or more.

Epcot Center, the world showcase, was

brilliant! It was much better than what I thought it would be. It’s very well done. We really enjoyed going from place to place, different attractions from around the world.

There are different shows going on during the day that are very interesting.

The fireworks/ lights illumination, which start around 9pm, were truly amazing! It’s very well done. We also had a wonderful time eating at Les Chefs de France. Of course, always remember to make a reservation here 2-3 months before you go. But, hey, it’s in Disney, what can you expect? This is one of Epcot’s overlooked gems. Many of the tables overlook the ‘streets’ of France and give you a bird’s eye view of the comings and goings while you enjoy your delicious meal. The tables are covered in crisp white linens, the interior is light and airy and the service is always top notch.

I’m going to first talk about the ambiance. It really does make you feel like you’re dining at some French bistro in Paris. The wait staff is from France, with the accent, and they would speak with you in fluent French if you were to ask them to. When we first arrived, our server brought us French baguettes, and it was really good. Indeed, it was warm, crisp, but soft and fluffy inside. Then I ordered the Salmon dish (with red pepper sauce and chive mashed potato) - it was delicious. The fish was cooked to perfection … I was a real big fan of sauce. It had this light, tangy and tomato-based taste to it and it complemented everything very well.

After being out in the heat and crowds for a few hours, this restaurant in the French section of Epcot was a welcome respite. We were seated promptly, and the service was spot on from the moment we arrived throughout. We could not have enjoyed this experience more.

Downtown Disney, originally the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex at the Walt Disney World Resort. This 120 acre shopping, dining, and entertainment complex is loaded with great things to do, and consume, if you’d like to spend a day away from the parks.

Parking is free here.

Downtown Disney is awesome. This place

is what I call a mall outside. It has shopping, dining, and attractions - and you can spend a day here by itself. You must stop here even if you are not going to Disney. There are shows and many places to eat. My favorite part besides the giant pin trader’s tent was the candy store. Who doesn’t love candy? You must stop by Downtown Disney.

There are three main areas here.

Marketplace (East Side), Pleasure Island and West Side. Market Place (or East Side), Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop, Planet Hollywood - Reservations are highly recommended.

Rides are totally awesome. Shopping and food and beverage are nice. Rides not to miss: Harry Potter’s Forbidden Journey, Spider-Man, Poseidon, Popeye (water ride), and Simpson’s.

I’m not into roller coaster rides, but they have several. Also most rides are 4D with special effects … and you also get sprayed with water.

What an amazing park; from the moment you drive up to the park, you tingle, Rip ride rock it (AMAZING), Shrek, Mummy Returns, Simpsons are all great, but TRANSFORMERS is awesome (as the Americans would say), great shows throughout the day, must stay for the show at night - my advice buy a unlimited fast pass for both parks. If you are disciplined, you will ride them all over and over.

The Kennedy Space Center is a must-see attraction if you are visiting the Orlando area.

It’s about a two hour drive. We were very fortune to attend a lecture by Astronaut Sam Durrance, who flew on many Space Shuttle missions.

There are two museums there - including one that houses the actual Atlantis that went to space - with lots of information to educate you on the space program. There are two IMAX movies that will take you back into history. Be sure to make the Atlantis exhibition part of your plans.

The gift shop will have a lot of cool stuff – plus, lots of good places to eat. I also want to extend my thanks to the management at the Kennedy Space Center for making our visit such an enjoyable and memorable one.

SPOTLIGHT ON TRAVEL

r o d n e l p S & y t u a e B The that is Old Europe Prague

WHERE SIGHTSEEING IS A MAJESTIC WALTZ

By Rich Borell Hello Everyone, I wanted to share some of our recent adventures as my wife and I enjoyed what was a wonderful visit to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria.

If you are planning a visit to Prague, Bratislava or Budapest you can definitely cover a lot by walking. Vienna is a larger city, so you will need other forms of transportation to get around.

buildings. We continually caught ourselves saying to each other: “check out that building!”, because everywhere we looked, everything was so unique. The city was like an architectural museum, very much older Europe.

Here’s a brief list of some places you want to be sure to see while in Prague: • Charles Bridge • Prague Castle • Old Town Square • Church of St. Nicholas • Stalin Monument

Prague Let’s start with Prague. As we walked around (and I DO mean WALKED … yes, about 7miles per day) you will be mesmerized by historic

The heart of Prague, Old Town, is filled with many houses, churches and other structures dating back to the 13th century. When visiting, be sure to include the Old Town Hall

and Astronomical Clock, the Carolinum, the Municipal House and the Estates Theater.

Located in the center of Prague is a vibrant square surrounded by baroque buildings, lively cafes, street entertainers and craftspeople.

Situated at the Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral is the most important and largest church in Prague. The cathedral is the burial place of the former Czech kings and a home of the Czech Crown Jewels. You definitely want to include this stop when planning your itinerary.

Connecting the Old Town with Lesser Town, this popular pedestrian bridge is filled with musicians, painters, vendors and tourists during the summertime. Here you will be able to take some great pictures.

Once the initial charm of Prague has sunk in –I encourage you to take a trip to the Castle District and be even more amazed with some awesome sights.

This fairy tale castle on a hill overlooking the Vltava River is the most popular sight in the city, reflecting the city’s “Bohemian Baroque” architecture. The seat of Czech rulers for

Bratislava

1,000 years, today it houses the office of the President. Contained within the castle walls are three courtyards, beautiful gardens, shops, and restaurants. St. Vitus Cathedral, a Gothic landmark of the city since 926, that has always been the center of Prague’s religious and political life, is in this giant castle.

Bratislava Next we took the train to Bratislava, Slovakia.

I suggest purchasing a first-class ticket; it’s more comfortable and less crowded for your four hour journey. The first-class ticket will also get you access to the business lounge where you can relax and enjoy complimentary beverages and snacks before you depart. You will also be able to get assistance taking you to your train and loading your luggage up. Keep in mind … not a lot of English is spoken in these parts.

Here’s a brief list of some places you want to be sure to see while in Bratislava: • Bratislava Castle • Michael’s Gate • Primate’s Palace

Budapest

Old Town, Bratislava, was a delightful surprise to both of us … lots of shops, museums to see. One item I suggest seeing is the St. James Chapel. It’s the oldest sacral medieval structure in Bratislava. Be sure to take a walk downstairs.

A must-see on your trip is the Bratislava Castle. The castle was originally built as a frontier post for the Roman Empire; a later version was built by King Sigismund in the 15th century.

This castle burnt down in 1811, leaving only ruins … and it took until 1956-68 for the castle to be rebuilt to its current format. The castle is located on a hill overlooking the River Danube, the southern-most hill of the Small Carpathian Mountains. There are two ways to walk up to the castle - up Beblaveho Street from the Old Town or from Mudronova Street by the Slovak Parliament building up at the hill. You will find a museum along with a restaurant that has a full service bar. Weather permitting, I suggest eating outside and enjoying the beautiful views of the Danube.

Budapest Our next train ride was just a little over two

hours and took us to the brightest jewel on the Danube: Budapest, Hungary. Budapest was created in 1873 from the separate towns of Buda, Pest and Obuda. Its population of two million resides in 23 districts.

Here’s a brief list of some places you want to be sure to see while in Budapest: • Buda Castle • Chain Bridge • Hungarian Parliament Building • St. Stephen’s Basilica • House of Terror We both felt Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities we have ever seen. Since we have traveled through Europe extensively, that says a lot. Between the view from Fisherman’s Bastion, the Matthais Coronation Church and the nighttime view of the five lighted bridges and Parliament Building, it’s a must tour … and, if you have time in the evening, so, too, is a cruise along the Danube a must.

We were very impressed with Budapest being the largest city and capital of Hungary. It’s clean, feels safe and it’s also very easy to get around by foot … and, best of all, the people of Budapest

speak good English. The cost of eating out is look into when planning your trip to Eastern inexpensive, with lots of options. There are also Europe. many Hungarian wines and beers to choose from.

Mamaison Suite Palace Hotel Prague: Vienna The hotel is clean and the hotel staff Our final two hour train ride took us to extremely polite and helpful. They were able to Vienna, Austria. The historic center of Vienna is help us with all our queries concerning tours and rich in beautiful architecture, including Baroque restaurants … and recommendations made by castles and gardens, as well as the late-19ththem all turned out fantastic for us. century Ringstrasse, that is lined with grand You can book your tours through them; buildings, monuments and parks. however, keep in mind they will charge, I believe, Here’s a brief list of some places you want to a 10% add-on fee; however, well worth it. be sure to see while in Vienna: You are within three minutes of walking and • Schonbrunn Palace being at the Charles Bridge.

• Hofburg Palace Choose a large or junior suite on the upper • St. Stephen’s Cathedral floors so you can have a great view of the river.

• Millennium Tower • Historic Center of Vienna Radisson Blu Carlton Hotel, Bratislava: Nice hotel located in Old Town. Pleasant staff, The most important fine arts museum in very good breakfast. Good views, you can see Vienna is the Kunsthistorisches Museum. It is not only the Hviezdoslav Square, but also the one of the most impressive museum buildings of Castle. the 19th century. The architects were Gottfried The old city center is a one minute walk Semper and Carl von Hasenauer and it opened away. The River Danube is two minutes away. in 1891. The museum shows the art collection of Overall the hotel has a welcoming and warm the Habsburg Dynasty, collected over centuries. atmosphere. Staff is happy to help, and most On the stairway going to the second floor is the speak very good English. Rooms are spacious sculpted group of Canova, Theseus Slaying the and clean.

Minotaur.

The number one tourist attraction of Vienna Marriott Budapest: is St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom), This property is beautifully located on the located at Stephansplatz, and is the most Danube - has the best staff and just the best important Catholic Church in Vienna. It has attention to detail. We were very impressed. a multi-colored tile roof with a diamond Rooms are typical Marriott, perhaps slightly pattern and two tall towers which are the most more spacious than in the average property. If recognizable symbols of the city. you qualify for the executive lounge, this is an If visiting museums is at the top of your list, excellent amenity. Not only is the view great you won’t be disappointed in Vienna. but breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres were I will briefly mention, if you do decide to visit ample and of a good variety. the Mauthausen-Gusen Concentration Camp, it’s about an hour train ride outside of Vienna … be Marriott Vienna: sure to schedule a private tour. Not much English The staff at the hotel was all very helpful and is spoken in this town. the rooms were comfortable and clean as you A word regarding currency: Austria and would expect.

Slovakia use Euro’s; however, the Czech Republic The hotel has a great location, within walking has their own called Czech Koruna, and Hungary distance to all of the major sites and near two uses the Hungarian Forint. Don’t worry, it’s metro stops. not that confusing, and if you have an iPhone, The breakfast was good, a big spread with there’s an app that does everything for you. fantastic quality.

Before I wrap this up, I wanted to suggest If it sounds like a delightful trip, it was. a few hotel accommodations you may want to Until next time … Bon Voyage!

Daniel Lurie:

A Man Who’s Wearing Two Hats & Making a Super Difference for Our Greater Community

Daniel in New Orleans for the Super Bowl.

I

sat down recently with Daniel Lurie, the CEO of Tipping Point Community. Before our meeting, I read and learned everything I could about him. Such a great story. I knew that there would be so much, and all of it fascinating.

Where to begin? … Where to end? … There is no end … thoughts I had and said out loud.

To which, Daniel simply smiled and said (right on cue): “It’s only just the beginning!”

That’s it. That’s the story! All of this is just the beginning. Great leadership and, as a result, a lot to be excited about and also very proud of.

A community effort based on such inspiration and talent.

What Daniel Lurie has done and is doing, is of epic proportions and, yet, humbly, not at all for fanfare or limelight. Daniel Lurie is

only 36 years old. He has done so much, and in such a short amount of time, is making a huge difference for our community - that is immeasurable, already legendary, and “just getting started”.

Daniel Lurie was born in San Francisco, the son of Rabbi Brian Lurie and the step-son of Peter Haas. Daniel grew up knowing very well the meaning of philanthropy and making a difference in people’s lives. He attended Town School for Boys and then University High School in San Francisco before attending Duke

University. Upon graduating, Daniel was set on a course of wanting to make a difference. He found himself working for Bill Bradley, who at the time, was campaigning for President.

From there, Daniel moved to New York City and from 2001 to 2003, his job there would undeniably impact his career, his life and his community – back East and then out West.

Daniel worked for the Robin Hood Foundation, considered THE MODEL for philanthropic community good will. The Board members are successful people, who want to help fight poverty and homelessness. Their support alone keeps the organization 100% self-sustained.

Everything raised goes directly to help non-profit agencies. The Robin Hood Foundation was just featured again on 60 Minutes. Last year’s Benefit brought in $57 million. That’s great! … and, yet, the announcement was made that this year’s Benefit surpassed that ... it brought in an extraordinary $81 million!

Daniel loved this concept and wanted to bring it home - to the San Francisco Bay Area.

He was advised that it wouldn’t work, that New York has much more wealth, and that it would lack for financial support here. Daniel was determined to take the challenge. He enrolled 2003-2005 to get his MPP at the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley – his thesis was to develop the Business Plan for a Robin Hood model – West Coast version. Thus, Tipping Point Community was born.

Daniel was 27/28 years old when he started Tipping Point Community. The four people who were instrumental in the starting of this venture with him, who became the first Board Members, are Ronnie Lott, Katie Schwab Paige and Chris James. Since then, in just a few short years, Tipping Point has raised more than $65 million for local non-profits to help fight poverty and homelessness. And, true, it’s only just the beginning!

It should come as no surprise that Daniel and Jed York, the 32-year old CEO of the San Francisco 49ers met and have become best of friends. Daniel and Jed are similar: both are extremely bright, both have great business acumen, and both have great hearts. They are products of a wonderful upbringing and share a deep personal commitment to philanthropy and community. If you are looking for a positive

With Leadership Council member Hosain Rahman

With Preston Smith, CEO of Rocketship Education

With 2012 Tipping Point honorees Jay Banfield and Markita Mays

With Tipping Point board member Tony Bates

story – both positive role models and positive with what he was being asked to do. Then again, it directions - it doesn’t get any better than this. was the Mayor asking, and Daniel said he felt that No coincidence, then, that Jed is on Daniel’s there was only one right answer). And what was board of directors at Tipping Point Community, to become one big joint effort began immediately. where he is one of a number of great people From the start, it was a lot of diligent hard work working to make great things happen for the – almost a year, in fact - before the actual, allbetterment of our community. important pitch would be made.

Such meaning - Here in the Bay Area, we I asked Daniel what the step-by-step process look around today and we see a lot of affluence. was – it was both interesting and fascinating.

Yet, there is plenty otherwise that should be a So much was riding on the outcome. Daniel’s cause for great concern. Despite all the success, thought was that in representing the San poverty and homeless has never been higher.

Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley, it should More than 1.3 million people living here in portray the very best of what our region has the Bay Area are too poor to meet their basic to offer. Initially, the fear was that there would needs. Two-thirds of lowincome minority students drop out of high school in some of our Bay Area neighborhoods. What does that mean for these youth, their families and also our community?

Tipping Point is set up to help in four distinct areas: education, housing, employment and family wellness. Its leadership and assistance in helping local non-profits is making a big difference. What is very exciting and encouraging is that we are seeing great support from community leaders and companies coming forward, Tipping Point staff at the 2012 Tipping Point Awards Breakfast stepping up and generating assistance, making a big difference in many of these very areas, where they can. And with be competition and discord among the various this leadership, this wonderful team effort, this cities; instead, the very opposite happened. support thankfully keeps growing.

Never before has our community come together A little more than two years ago, Daniel got as it has with this joint effort. The various cities, a phone call from San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and companies, and leaders – everyone - all and his Chief of Staff. It turns out that Jed York came together and contributed as a team, like had spoken with the Mayor and specifically never before. It was amazing and refreshing recommended to the Mayor that Daniel lead - and the presentation itself was an awesome, the effort and be the Chairman of what would Dream Team experience. become the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl Steve Young said it best: “The Greater L Bid Committee.

Bay Area has it all: the wonderful hotels and Daniel had only one response and it was: “Yes!” restaurants and weather – we just didn’t have (He said, at first he felt humbled and overwhelmed the stadium. Now, with a $1.2 billion state-of-

the-art stadium, it is what the NFL was hoping for. Super Bowl L, the 50th Anniversary, the San Francisco Bay Area … it was the desire of everyone that this be by far the best ever!”

The presentation? It was amazing. Imagine you’re the owner of your NFL team and the proposal comes to you, by FedEx. What is this? You open it up and it’s not pages and pages to read; instead, it’s a beautiful white box. You open it up, and it’s a … it’s an iPad? Yes, Apple (Laurene Powell Jobs herself being on the committee), donated the iPads! It turns on and opens up with a beautiful multi-media presentation – with a gorgeous Levi’s Stadium rendition … and a magnificent travel show that is the Bay Area … narrated by none other than Eric Schmidt of Google. It was indeed impressive.

Then, two weeks later, came the actual inperson presentation. Fifteen minutes in front of the 32 team owners and their three assistants each. There were nearly 125-150 people in all to hear the presentation. Everything was riding on these 15 minutes. The other two teams making presentations were Miami and Houston.

It was held in a Boston Hotel Ballroom. Daniel led the four member team representing the San Francisco Bay Area.

“Miami was up first, then the San Francisco Bay Area, followed by Houston. When it was our turn, it was just us doing the talking. ‘You now have 15 minutes. You’re on the clock’. There was the pressure, yes, and, yet, we felt like we were well-prepared. It was a great Team effort getting us ready for this moment.”

When Daniel made the presentation, the room was totally still. When the presentation was over; any questions? None. No one said a thing. That was it.

They were taken back to their ”hotel war room” and instructed to wait. Fifteen minutes went by, and then they would hear, like the rest of the country did, on ESPN. There he was, Commissioner Roger Goodell from the same Hotel Ballroom: “We heard: Super Bowl L … and Congratulations to the San Francisco Bay Area!”

It felt like they had just won the Super Bowl! In essence, they just did!

What does this all mean? This is by far the biggest event and revenue generator here ever – nothing else comes close. The Super Bowl

two-week period of activities will be something for everyone – and all encompassing, affecting much of the greater Bay Area. In revenue alone, it could easily mean hundreds of millions of dollars generated into the local economy.

The goal is to have this be the most favorable experience imaginable and, if so, it could be placed in a rotation to be here every few years.

And why not? Who would not love coming here – for this? The Super Bowl – the ultimate party!

Daniel’s face especially lit up when we talked about “philanthropy” being attached to this. As never before, this time 25% of the revenue will be designated to local non-profits to help fight local poverty. Already $30 million in revenue has been brought in, so that’s $7.5 million already designated to local charities. Before it was on average $2 million each year total. Indianapolis then raised $10 million to fight cancer. This time, our Super Bowl L Committee’ desire is a significant difference in revenue, generosity, and helping our Community … setting what everyone hopes will be a new precedent.

There is a lot of work being done, in the areas such as security and transportation, and the good news is they are continually working on these things and have a good two years more to get ready.

Indeed, Daniel Lurie is wearing two hats, one as the CEO of Tipping Point Community and the other as Chairman of the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl L Committee. I called Jed York’s article: “Meet Jed York - Born To Make Good Things Happen”. I can say the same about Daniel Lurie. Both men are certainly making good things happen here for our San Francisco Bay Area.

Daniel has been and is unifying people like we have never seen before. People active in areas such as philanthropy and sports are coming together and it’s refreshing and exciting – and certainly making a difference.

How much difference can one person make?

It is plentiful and we are all very grateful for Daniel Lurie and Tipping Point Community and now also Super Bowl L. Plus, everyone who has been and is part of these teams – it is all a job so very well done. Think of it, especially when advised “it would never work here.” I am so glad Daniel didn’t listen – and has instead responded with such great leadership and vision. And, the real good news – it’s only just the beginning!

A panoramic image of San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake.

History of San Francisco F

ounded in 1776, the Northern California City of San Francisco (Saint Francis in Spanish) is one of the most-visited tourist destinations world-wide, known for its picturesque rolling hills and unique landmarks and architecture. Renowned for its eclectic blend of liberal social culture and lifestyles, San Francisco is also at the forefront of environmental conservation, as well as being a banking and finance hub.

The first known settlers were the Yelamus of the Native-American Ohlone tribe. Spanish explorers arrived in 1769, and in 1821, the region came under Mexican rule. Because of its position as the major shipping port on the Pacific Coast, immigrants from the world over flocked there, especially during the 1849 Gold Rush. Today, San Francisco is a virtual melting pot, with Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic, African, Native American and Pacific Islanders making up the primary demographic.

Two iconic structures that were completed during the 1930s, the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges, are among the Bay Area’s most recognizable landmarks, annually attracting millions of visitors. Another major attraction is the island of Alcatraz, situated 1.5 miles off the city’s coastline in the San Francisco Bay. Called “The Rock,” Alcatraz served as a federal prison from 1933-1963, housing such notorious hoodlums as Al Capone, “Machine Gun” Kelly and many other infamous outlaws.

Other famous and familiar Bay Area landmarks

include Market Street, Fisherman’s Wharf, Nob Hill, Twin Peaks Tunnel, Telegraph Hill and the Mission District - and now also the AT&T Ballpark and SOMA. The oldest Chinatown in the North America is in San Francisco, and the ubiquitous cable cars do a brisk business transporting both commuters and tourists throughout the city.

San Francisco was nearly devastated by the Earthquake of 1906 which destroyed an estimated 75% of the city. The majority of the surviving buildings are largely in the Mission District, which

San Francisco in 1945.

was an early center of immigrant housing and churches. The Jackson Square district in downtown is believed to be the only area that survived virtually intact from the earthquake.

In recent years, the Bay Area has become known as one of the centers of the exploding hightech industry, with many startup companies from nearby Silicon Valley headquartered in both San Francisco and Oakland.

Love matters.

At GLIDE, we express our love by actively working to break the cycles of poverty and marginalization in our community. We feed the hungry, house the homeless, train the jobless, and are deeply committed to creating social justice for all. But our work depends on your generosity. Please, show your love by donating what you can at glide.org.

Thank you.

Please donate at glide.org Follow glidesf

Reverend Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani at the GLIDE Annual Holiday Jam, 2010 Photos: Alain McLaughlin

Janice Mirikitani, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Paul Pelosi with Reverend Cecil Williams at his 85th Birthday Celebration in Sept. 2014.

Janice Mirikitani & Cecil Williams at GLIDE in the 1960s

REV. CECIL WILLIAMS THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS … AND SERVICE …

A CHERISHED “WAY” ABOUT LIFE AND LIVING LIFE

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ost of us are very familiar with and love the real-life-story-made-movie, The Pursuit of Happyness. It is one of many examples, coming out of GLIDE Memorial Church that was and is very real, that touches our hearts. It also brings us all together with this extraordinary life purpose, The Pursuit of Service … which, for more than 50 years, has always included Love, Justice, Acceptance and Community.

For more than a half century, GLIDE Memorial Church and the entire San Francisco Community has greatly benefited under the illustrious leadership of its pastor, Cecil Williams, and also his wife, GLIDE’s founding president, Janice Mirikitani.

It brings us together with a very special love and marriage between Reverend Williams and his wife, Janice. He was “a black Texas minister with a solid upbringing” and she was “a Japanese American agnostic, graduate of UCLA and Berkeley and Poet Laureate to-be.” The common thread would be the Unconditional Love.

For all these years, it is Unconditional Love that wove them together and also this Methodist Church in San Francisco, known as GLIDE. It is Unconditional Love that transformed GLIDE from what had been “staid and empty”, at the time when they arrived and met in the early 1960s, to what quickly became “always a growing center of hope for the downtrodden and uplifter of the recovering.”

Ever since the early 1960s and the days of Martin Luther King, to the present, Reverend Cecil has been recognized as “a national leader on the forefront of change in the struggle for civil and human rights”. Janice became early on the founding president of the GLIDE Foundation, and together they have continually led the way for this vibrant 11,000-member strong congregation. This includes

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream march in San Francisco, early 70s

all ages, backgrounds, races, genders, ethnicities, social and economic rank, sexual preferences and religions. It didn’t matter. Everyone is welcome.

The common thread again has always been this very special theme, that of Unconditional Love.

Under the leadership of Reverend Cecil and Janice, GLIDE has long been the greatest provider of social services that San Francisco has seen. It serves nearly 3,000 meals a day and 850,000 meals a year.

GLIDE has also long been a loyal provider of Aids/ HIV screenings … and provider of adult education classes and programs for advancement … and

“Cecil and Janice took a dying church and turned it into one of the most important social institutions that I’ve seen in this country.” – Warren Buffett

provider of assistance to women challenged with homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health issues.

In 2000, at the age of 70, Reverend Cecil was forced to “retire” as Pastor, as this was the mandatory age of retirement for pastors employed by the United Methodist Church.

It was because of this, and the wish of the congregation and the affiliate non-profit GLIDE Foundation, that a new position was created for Reverend Cecil … namely, Minister of Liberation. In this official capacity, he has been able to continue his work in serving the community and the church.

Today, Reverend Cecil is 85 years old. He still is committed as ever to Unconditional Love and this Pursuit of Service. No one has done more to help Robert Friend, Tad Taube and Janice Mirikitani with the people physically, mentally and spiritually, as he Reverend Cecil Williams at his 85th Birthday Celebrahas these past 50-plus years. tion in Sept. 2014.

In August, 2013, the intersection of Ellis and Taylor Streets in front of GLIDE was officially prepared him for what would become … and, proclaimed “Reverend Cecil Williams Way” in thankfully, continues to be … of epic proportions. honor of him. Indeed, he has come a long way to Remember, Martin Luther King and Nelson achieve this. Here, then, from him, is more about Mandela and the Civil Rights Movement and unrest his continuing remarkable story of service … and the everywhere throughout the 1960s … “defiant” (was “Reverend Cecil Williams Way.” a label) … and how very difficult these times were.

Reverend Cecil was born September 22, 1929 in San Francisco was the capital of sorts, a haven, for San Angelo, Texas. He was one of six children going all those trying to find themselves … rock & roll … into the Great Depression and then World War II. His sexual revolution … drugs … political free-speech family was close; they would eat at the table together … freedom … hippies … Haight-Ashbury … ethnic as a family and talk. It may have been tough times, diversity … gays and lesbians (homosexuality). Prewhich it was, yet this fed them all courage and faith. AIDS. It was and would be a challenging time for He received his BA Degree in Sociology from many.

Huston-Tillotson University in 1952 and then fulfilled More than a Church … but a community. GLIDE his dream, when he became one of the first five Memorial Church became a symbol, a foundation African-American graduates of the Perkins School of for life, and it grew. It became what was needed Theology at Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, for a very troubled time and population. Since his in 1955. arrival in 1963, Reverend Cecil had been considered In 1963, at the young age of 33, he was assigned “controversial and radical”, in thought, in belief and to become the Pastor of GLIDE Memorial Church in action. here in San Francisco. Imagine what San Francisco “Radical, deviant” … you heard these words was like back then. It was unlike any place in … there was nothing normal or standard about the country … or the world. John Kennedy was this church. It was (and is) one of a kind, for these President and, August, 1963, was the Martin Luther past 50-plus years, a special spiritual haven. GLIDE King “I Have A Dream” speech.

Memorial became one of the fastest growing How would he be accepted? Would he be churches in the country. It was fully inclusive … accepted? This was the 60s … and no one was rich and poor, black and white, people from all familiar with this. What he brought was not walks of life, sitting together, seeking “something” considered ordinary, standard or acceptable. As … something special that GLIDE Memorial offered radical as it sounded - and it was - his childhood every day. upbringing, and then his formidable college years, Every Sunday, people came from near and

far … to hear the words and sing the songs of transformation … standing up for all people …

Reverend Cecil brought faith and hope to many when and where there was little or none to be found outside.

Important to Reverend Cecil was (and is) that GLIDE Memorial Church would always be “far more than a Church”. In fact, it became, as he calls it, an oasis. “We talked about God and it became this oasis. We turned it upside down for many … People were seeking a place and people, wanting to be able to relate. They were relating to us and we were relating to them,” he would say.

Reverend Cecil added, “My goal then was to make sure the Church was alive, always moving, always in motion. And we grew because of that.

Everyone would be welcome here.”

The congregation regularly heard diverse guest speakers, the likes of Maya Angelou, Angela Davis, the Black Panthers and Billy Graham, they all spoke there. And, yes, today, great speakers still come and speak to the congregation, some fifty-plus years later.

Such inspiration. By definition, Inspiration means “breathing life into” which, at GLIDE Memorial, it has done for many … and continues to.

In 1967, Reverend Cecil had the cross taken down from the Church Sanctuary. He had said that the cross represented death … and that the congregation should be celebrating life and the living. He would say, “We must all be the cross”.

Reverend Cecil has published No Hiding Place: Empowerment and Recovery for Our Troubled Communities and I’m Alive, An Autobiography.

Janice has published Out of the Dust: New and Selected Poems; Love Works (San Francisco Poet Laureate Series, where Janice became San Francisco’s second Poet Laureate); We, the Dangerous: New and Selected Poems; Shedding Silence: Poetry and Prose; Awake in the River: Poetry and Prose.

Janice arrived in 1964 and served as Reverend Cecil’s Executive Assistant. More than that, she also became his inspiration and shining light. They married in 1982. In 2013, having been married for 31 years, Reverend Cecil and Janice published together a special book, Beyond the Possible – 50 Years of Creating Radical Change at a Community Called Glide. It is exemplary and powerful in all the messages it shares.

Beyond the Possible is about coming to the oasis

… about a radical way in making things work. How people can come together and make the impossible possible … to work together in overcoming the powers that keep us down …

Speaking of which, it’s hard to imagine that the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, came to be in 2006, nearly 10 years ago. This had been the making and great success of the based-on-fact movie about Christopher Gardner and his son, Christopher.

Reverend Cecil played himself in the movie, and Will Smith and Will’s real-life son, Jaden, played the two Christopher’s, respectively. What Reverend Cecil portrayed had been real. This was … and is … real life. Every day … for many … for 50-plus years real.

This real life story took place in the latter 1970’s.

The close relationship they had back then was very special. It remains very special to this day.

Christopher will visit and spend hours at a time with Reverend Cecil; and over the years he has helped many people and continues to.

Reverend Cecil, if you could have your “Fantasy Dinner” and could invite anyone (living or not), who would you like to invite, what would you like to ask them and what would you like to talk about?

Reverend Cecil responded, “Janice, for sure, would be #1. I wouldn’t want to do anything without her.” He also added, “Indeed, Maya Angelou. And, yes, Oprah, too. That would be great. She knows how I feel about her … She is one of the most special people in my life; she is one of the most powerful women in the world. And, of course, Christopher, too. I would love for Christopher to be there, as well … plus someone who had been near and dear to me and GLIDE for many years, Leonard Bernstein.”

People always like to refer to Mother Teresa as having done so much in her lifetime, and she did.

We also have our own right here. When you talk about making a big positive difference in the lives of so many, each day, and every day, for 50-plus years … it is indeed very significant and extraordinary.

It’s as if Thanksgiving Day is every day. It’s the Unconditional Love. For all this, everyone is so grateful. The dedication in Beyond the Possible is perhaps a great place to begin and end, “To the people of the beloved community at GLIDE – you demonstrate what it is to go beyond the possible every day.” Indeed, such is the dedication … the Service and the Love … that’s behind “The Reverend Cecil Williams Way.”

HAPPINESS WITHIN REACH: The Open Secret

By Carole Pertofsky

“I want to be happier. I just don’t know how.”

In my work as faculty, presenter and leadership coach, I hear this confession from adults, 18-80.

We live complex, stressful and often disconnected lives, often bombarded by media that convinces us that buying all kinds of stuff will make us happy, beautiful, successful, prestigious, and even more loveable individuals. Sometimes it does, in the short run. The Pertofsky real problem, however, is that this media-created trance can blunt our quieter universal quest for deeper joy and kindness. But there is very good news. Deep happiness is within reach.

By peering into the lives of the happiest people, we can discover the research-based secrets about the quality of “happiness.” What makes the happiest people more joyful and kinder?

Let’s begin with your unique life. Take a “timein” and think about this: What makes you happy?

Stop reading, make your complete list, and when ready, place your experiences within these 3 categories: 1. SHORT TERM PLEASURES: Feeling the rush of sensory pleasures, such as great food and wine, great sex, sports, entertainment, is terrific.

The happiest people intentionally organize their lives so they have time to kick back and enjoy life. But here’s the catch- these experiences are fleeting. We want more, we crave more, and we’re bombarded by media that encourage us to get out there and grab “more” pleasure. But the problem is that our brains have faulty wiring. The

harder and stronger that we pursue that great rush of pleasure, the more we want. The more we want, the more unhappy we become. And as unhappiness soaks into our day, the more we seek to avoid the discomfort and find another pleasure jolt. Whether the rush comes from food or drugs; money or prestige; gambling or overwork, this downward cycle inevitably leads to discontent, social comparison, restlessness, depression and even addiction. Enjoy those healthy fun pleasures, but understand that they alone will not result in sustainable happiness and contentment. Sorry!

2. FLOW: Does your “this makes me happy” list include experiences that lead to that zesty feeling of a “YES” fist pump? Maybe you love untangling complex coding problems, mastering a new level of communication skill or fixing a gnarly machine? This great feeling of accomplishment, called “flow”, sparks curiosity, adds vitality and helps us thrive. The happiest people deliberately seek out engaging challenging experiences and they love achieving new levels of mastery. But here’s the secret: Those happy folks also know how to fail! Why? Inevitably, the “flow” urge prompts us to take new risks and step out of our comfort zone. And what do we find there? When we outgrow our current competency level, we hit the “don’t know how” zone, which feels like incompetence or a setback. If we stick with it keep trying, and keep failing, until finally comes the day when we master a new skill set and we experience the great feeling of flow. The happiest people understand that gaining mastery requires resilience- to bounce back after a setback or failure, and eventually enjoy that great experience of flow. Nelson Mandela reminds us that “the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Flow, being fully engaged, mastery. These are powerful ingredients

for deep life satisfaction.

MEANING: Did your list include connecting with others, offering compassion, being kind to yourself? Meaning is the real sweet spot for the happiest people. Happy people know how to notice and savor the good that surrounds us so often in our day. Think about this - if you hang out in the zone of negativity or threat or stress, you’ll find something to criticize in almost every second.

The happiest people chose to be happy - they deliberately focus on and seek the positive benefits of each moment. We call this a positive mindset.

But here’s the trick- life is never trouble free.

Even the happiest people also struggle and face disappointment and adversity. They understand that pain is part of life too, and deep meaning and purpose arise when we deliberately reframe life’s difficulties into opportunities for meaning and compassionate action. Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor, reminds us: “Everything can be taken from us but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

Meaning isn’t an abstract or general life principle.

It’s a vibrant, deliberate frame of mind that recasts life’s inevitable difficulties into purposeful thought and action. Almost nothing imbues our lives with meaning and purpose as intensely as when we contribute to the happiness of others and when we treat others and ourselves with kindness and patience. The Dalai Lama teaches,” If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

Happiness IS within reach. Enjoy life’s healthy pleasures. Challenge yourself to grow, engage with life and master new accomplishments and skills.

Above all, discover your unique capacity to bring greater joy and meaning to your personal life, as well as to the greater good of our world. When you seek opportunities to help others and heal the world, you’ll find that you will truly flourish as your days will be imbued with wonderful sensual pleasures, inner peace, meaning and purpose.

And that’s the open secret to deep, sustainable happiness.

The

Beautiful Wedding

By Julie Hart Conde

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y passion is bringing peace, joy and beauty into people’s lives. I especially enjoy doing this for brides and grooms, who often find it overwhelming when planning their wedding.

If the multitude of details involved in planning your wedding is starting to get you stressed, below are 8 ways to keep you at peace as you plan one of the most important days in your life.

1. Breathe: When things start to get overwhelming, breathe deep, take a look at your options and focus on the most pressing one.

2. Focus: Keep a notebook near you or use your notebook app to jot down the myriad of thoughts that distract you from the task at hand. This will help you to focus and give you reassurance that you won’t be forgetting something important.

3. Hit List: While the long list of details can be overwhelming, the key is to break your list down into smaller bites.

Find a wedding timeline online and use that to break down your list into separate monthly plans. Then focus on just one month at a time.

4. Stress Reducer: If you find yourself getting stressed, talk with a friend or call your wedding planner. It’s great to get a different perspective and encouragement from those who love you and those who have the expertise.

Similar to the point above, keep focused on the positive and the possibilities. Look to your future and keep people around you who want your true happiness.

6. Vendors: When considering working with any vendor, read their contract thoroughly. Make note of the specifics and ask questions if anything isn’t clear. If something doesn’t fit in with what you originally had in mind, decide now if it is a deal breaker or if you are willing to compromise.

7. Possibilities: You don’t have to do a wedding a specific way, anything is possible. This day should be all about the two of you coming together and your guests should leave feeling like they saw who you are and what you like.

8. Wedding Style: Pinterest is a great tool that can help define your style. Once you have pinned a set of pictures that you love of the various elements of your wedding, look for common themes among your selections. Next, pick 3 to 5 words that describe your style. Moving forward, if you have a question about whether something is right for your wedding, you can go back to these words and decide if it fits in.

Remember, at the end of the day you will be married to the one that you love and the one who loves you: deeply, completely and unconditionally. No matter what elements you put into your day … take joy in this and savor the moments that bring you the most joy during the planning process.

Julie Hart Conde, Wedding and Event Planner, is the owner of Celebrations by Heart. www.celebrationsbyheart.com 5. Positivity: Surround yourself with positive people.

TEAM STORE VISIT OUR OFFICIAL TEAM STORE LOCATIONS SAN JOSE

Westfield Valley Fair

SAN FRANCISCO Westfield SF Centre

PALO ALTO

Town & Country Village

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

there, the line was very, very long. It’s a big tourist spot. We moved on with our original plan to spend the day in Pioneer Square which was Seattle’s first downtown. You will see an area with character - lots of nineteenth century brick and stone buildings. You won’t find a shortage of things to keep you busy in this bustling district.

A visit to the Emerald City

By Rich Borell

About a month ago, my wife and I were thinking about a long August weekend. We’d already done an awesome road trip to South Dakota/Montana, so we thought this time we would maybe take a short flight. It didn’t take long for us to agree that we needed to go back to one of our favorite cities in the Northwest, Seattle Washington.

Thursday: Our flight from San Jose was a bit delayed, but we were still able to arrive in Seattle around 2PM. The only problem, was that with the flight delay we had to miss afternoon tea at the Fairmont – But no worries, we just did it another day.

We stayed at the beautiful Fairmont Olympic Hotel. It is a historic landmark and site of the original University of Washington.

After checking in we strolled down for a late lunch at the Crab Pot located along the waterfront. After lunch we walked along Pioneer Square and did some shopping.

In the evening, we attended a really cool dinner event. It’s a cirque comedy cabaret called Teatro Zinzanni. Along with a multicourse meal this is one of the most entertaining performances you will ever see. Everyone- including the wait-staff and audience are a part of the show. The price per-person can range anywhere from $99 to $174 and additions can be purchased the night of the show. . They also have a really great gift shop and old time bar. It was fun and well worth the price.

Friday: On Friday, I wanted to start my day at the very first Starbucks that opened in 1971 on Pike Street, but when we got

Most of the tourist attractions are within walking distance, so we walked to the Space Needle for dinner. The SkyCity Restaurant is located at the top of the Space Needle. If you ever want to dine there (and I do recommend you do) be sure to make prior reservations … they start taking them 3 months prior to your date. We had an awesome table, great service and excellent food. The restaurant rotates so you get excellent views of the city, waterways, landmarks and Mount Rainier. I had the wild salmon and my wife savored in the Prime Tenderloin. Thanks to Chef Jeff Maxfiled for a splendid dinner.

Saturday: Some of our highlights today included the famous Underground Tour. There’s a few different versions and since we hadn’t been in a while, we chose the history tour. Our guide was a very passionate and extremely detailed story teller. It was great walking the underground streets hearing stories of the past underground city.

We then walked back to our hotel and attended afternoon tea. This is one of my wife’s favorite things to do and I figured - if she was going to sit through a Mariners game with me on Sunday – that I’d have tea with her.

Well, what’s a trip to Seattle if you don’t ride the Duck Tour?

This is a combo land and water tour. Most likely your Captain will have a silly sense of humor and everyone on board will be blowing their quacker for the next 90 minutes. Highly recommended!

For dinner we went back to the waterfront to Ivar’s and had another great Wild Salmon dinner.

Sunday: Today we enjoyed a leisurely morning then went for a nice long walk to SAFECO Field to watch the Mariners take on the Chicago White Sox. It’s a pretty awesome stadium … the home team crowd was very pleased as the Mariners made a great comeback to win the game.

While walking back to our hotel, we remembered a great looking restaurant around the corner from the Fairmont called The Brooklyn Seafood Steak & Oyster House. They had availability and so we had another great dinner.

Next thing we knew – it was Monday and we had to go home. We had a great long weekend trip and love Seattle.

If you’re looking for a quick getaway, check out the Emerald City … it’s only a 2 hour flight from the bay area.

Cheers

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

there, the line was very, very long. It’s a big tourist spot. We moved on with our original plan to spend the day in Pioneer Square which was Seattle’s first downtown. You will see an area with character - lots of nineteenth century brick and stone buildings. You won’t find a shortage of things to keep you busy in this bustling district.

A visit to the Emerald City

By Rich Borell

About a month ago, my wife and I were thinking about a long August weekend. We’d already done an awesome road trip to South Dakota/Montana, so we thought this time we would maybe take a short flight. It didn’t take long for us to agree that we needed to go back to one of our favorite cities in the Northwest, Seattle Washington.

Thursday: Our flight from San Jose was a bit delayed, but we were still able to arrive in Seattle around 2PM. The only problem, was that with the flight delay we had to miss afternoon tea at the Fairmont – But no worries, we just did it another day.

We stayed at the beautiful Fairmont Olympic Hotel. It is a historic landmark and site of the original University of Washington.

After checking in we strolled down for a late lunch at the Crab Pot located along the waterfront. After lunch we walked along Pioneer Square and did some shopping.

In the evening, we attended a really cool dinner event. It’s a cirque comedy cabaret called Teatro Zinzanni. Along with a multicourse meal this is one of the most entertaining performances you will ever see. Everyone- including the wait-staff and audience are a part of the show. The price per-person can range anywhere from $99 to $174 and additions can be purchased the night of the show. . They also have a really great gift shop and old time bar. It was fun and well worth the price.

Friday: On Friday, I wanted to start my day at the very first Starbucks that opened in 1971 on Pike Street, but when we got

Most of the tourist attractions are within walking distance, so we walked to the Space Needle for dinner. The SkyCity Restaurant is located at the top of the Space Needle. If you ever want to dine there (and I do recommend you do) be sure to make prior reservations … they start taking them 3 months prior to your date. We had an awesome table, great service and excellent food. The restaurant rotates so you get excellent views of the city, waterways, landmarks and Mount Rainier. I had the wild salmon and my wife savored in the Prime Tenderloin. Thanks to Chef Jeff Maxfiled for a splendid dinner.

Saturday: Some of our highlights today included the famous Underground Tour. There’s a few different versions and since we hadn’t been in a while, we chose the history tour. Our guide was a very passionate and extremely detailed story teller. It was great walking the underground streets hearing stories of the past underground city.

We then walked back to our hotel and attended afternoon tea. This is one of my wife’s favorite things to do and I figured - if she was going to sit through a Mariners game with me on Sunday – that I’d have tea with her.

Well, what’s a trip to Seattle if you don’t ride the Duck Tour?

This is a combo land and water tour. Most likely your Captain will have a silly sense of humor and everyone on board will be blowing their quacker for the next 90 minutes. Highly recommended!

For dinner we went back to the waterfront to Ivar’s and had another great Wild Salmon dinner.

Sunday: Today we enjoyed a leisurely morning then went for a nice long walk to SAFECO Field to watch the Mariners take on the Chicago White Sox. It’s a pretty awesome stadium … the home team crowd was very pleased as the Mariners made a great comeback to win the game.

While walking back to our hotel, we remembered a great looking restaurant around the corner from the Fairmont called The Brooklyn Seafood Steak & Oyster House. They had availability and so we had another great dinner.

Next thing we knew – it was Monday and we had to go home. We had a great long weekend trip and love Seattle.

If you’re looking for a quick getaway, check out the Emerald City … it’s only a 2 hour flight from the bay area.

Cheers

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

The Presidio: It’s What’s Going On!

F

By Rich Borell

or many of us, the Presidio of San Francisco may only be 10-40 miles down the road.

Perhaps you drive through it from Lombard to get over the GG Bridge. However, ever since the Inn at the Presidio opened a few years back, my wife and I have spent a few weekends each year staying at this historic hotel … right in the middle of the Presidio of San Francisco.

This former military base has so much to offer - from its many hiking trails to enjoying the open space with your pet. This vast land has over 1,400 total acres and just under 1,000 acres of open space. If you’re looking for something to fill a day … or a weekend … or more, this vast open land sure has plenty to offer.

For you history buffs, you can check out over 400 historic buildings. A good place to start is the Presidio Officer’s Club. There, you will get a good

taste of history through multi-media exhibits.

One of our favorite pastimes is to hop on the PresidiGo Shuttle. One thing we really enjoy is seeing, and experiencing, the Presidio on foot.

Each time we stay, we explore a different route … our favorite is going down to Crissy Field – and observing the spectacular views of the bridge. You can feel free to get off the shuttle anytime, as it has 40 stops.

No matter what one’s age, one activity

WEEKEND GETAWAYS everyone would want to catch is The Walt Disney Family Museum. At the Disney Museum you will capture the true history and timeline of Walt Disney’s life and the Disney enterprise. I would suggest allowing at least four hours for this selfguided tour, as well as your hands-on experience with exhibits and taking in all the original artwork that’s there.

Wish you could stay here? Well, you can. You can keep the car parked and stay at the Inn at the Presidio. This Georgian Revival-style hotel, built in the early 1900’s, was once home for bachelor officers when the Presidio was a U.S. Army post.

Now you can stay here at this historic landmark.

When we stay, we always put a request in for a room on the third floor. From here you get incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge, also the fog rolling in and, on clear days, you can see many sailboats.

Each room is extremely spacious, offering Wi-Fi, flat panel screens and mini-fridges. For a bit more, I would suggest getting a suite on the third floor. This has a large sitting area and a gas fireplace.

The hotel offers an evening wine and cheese reception … usually there’s live music, as well. Or you can stroll outside with your wine and kick back on their outdoor deck that features a large fire pit with cozy rocking chairs. It’s truly delightful.

You’re also within walking distance to some nice restaurants on base. Recently opened is The Commissary, a new restaurant by the awardThe Inn at the Presidio

winning chef, Traci Des Jardins, featuring Spanishinfluenced California cuisine.

One of our favorite places to eat is the Presidio Social Club – which once was the home of the ex-military barracks. Inside the Presidio Officer’s Club, you can try out Arguello. This restaurant offers Mexican food with a contemporary bar.

If you still have a little time on your hands, there’s plenty more to do in the Presidio, such as: A beautiful stroll along Baker’s Beach … perhaps a round of golf at the Presidio Golf Course with its enchanted forest setting … and, yes, there’s even a bowling alley.

And think you might miss that latte or cappuccino at Starbucks? Not to worry, they have one of those, too.

People would love coming from all corners of the world to experience this, and do. A far away distant world that’s literally just a few minutes away. There’s the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow … for us, this is a gem at the foot of the Golden Gate.

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

town Palm Springs. The views and grounds are awesome of the Golf Resort, they have a large pool with two hot tubs. We were also able to enjoy a little tennis.

We had an early dinner reservation so we didn’t get too much activity in today. We did walk downtown and strolled the Palm Springs Walk of Stars … I heard that there are over 400 stars! Interesting and delightful to see and experience.

Palm Springs – Fun In The Desert Sun!

L

By Rich Borell

ooking to relax? Perhaps a nice getaway and some sun, some fun, some R&R? How about a nice quiet desert resort? Sounded great to us. Just 100 miles east of Los Angeles was our recent long weekend getaway destination … Palm Springs.

For this weekend destination we decided to do a road trip. Our journey started out early Friday morning with a quick cup for the road from Starbucks.

Along with its gift shop and Beef & Bakery store, it’s the best service along I-5 you can encounter.

Our first stop along the way was breakfast at the Harris Ranch, located in Coalinga, about two hours from Silicon Valley. If you’re traveling along Interstate 5, you may know the Harris Ranch is a welcome oasis for travelers.

After stopping off at a few rest stops to stretch a bit, our next encounter was going to be lunch. As we we’re driving, we saw a sign for a restaurant I didn’t even know still existed, so we pulled over and had lunch at Bob’s Big Boy... Yes, it was great to see them still around.

There are many amenities at this fine establishment including comfortable lodging, some of the best steaks you will ever enjoy, along with a café for that quick bite.

We arrived in the Palm Springs area around 2PM. Our stay for the next few nights was at the Desert Princess Inn. This Golf Resort is located about five miles from down-

If you’re in the Palm Springs area, then the Purple Room Restaurant & Stage is a must for dinner and a show. It all started in 1960 … The still popular venue is considered to be one of Palm Springs “Original“ Rat Pack Hangouts ... where Frank Sinatra would bring friends to Eat, Drink and Play.

Saturday morning we were up early to meet our group for the Desert Adventure Tour. This is an open Jeep tour that takes you along the San Andreas Fault. The tour was great and very informative.

You can experience the landscape of an active fault, walk between the steep canyon walls – we actually we’re able to have one foot on each of the two major plates in California. The tour took us through a natural Palm oasis. We also learned about the culture and lifestyle of the Cahuilla Indians and how they used the desert’s plants for food, medicine, tools, weapons, shelter and more.

Our tour was about three hours. We had lunch planned at the Peaks Restaurant, located on top of the San Jacinto Mountain, over 8,500 feet up. The aerial tram will take you up the mountain. The gondola floor rotates while ascending and descending so that everyone sees everything. Yes, this is a “must” if you’re in the Palm Springs area.

Ticket prices are reasonable if you only want to take the ride up for photos and get some great hiking in. There are a couple of cool trails anyone can enjoy, and also a couple of cafés that offer a different price range, being considerate of people’s budgets.

If you’re looking for entertainment in the evenings there certainly is no limit as to what’s available. You will find several high end Indian Casino Resorts close by. To fill our evening, we took in a few shows. At the Morongo Casino, we saw the very talented comedian, Lilly Tomlin. Saturday night at the Fantasy Springs Resort, we saw the very talented singer, Marie Osmond.

With many points of interest, the World’s largest rotating Aerial Tramcars, over 130 Hotels & Resorts, over 100 Restaurants and sunny days practically every day of the year … If you’re looking for a nice relaxing and fun getaway, plan on enjoying a nice weekend in sunny Palm Springs. We sure did.

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

town Palm Springs. The views and grounds are awesome of the Golf Resort, they have a large pool with two hot tubs. We were also able to enjoy a little tennis.

We had an early dinner reservation so we didn’t get too much activity in today. We did walk downtown and strolled the Palm Springs Walk of Stars … I heard that there are over 400 stars! Interesting and delightful to see and experience.

Palm Springs – Fun In The Desert Sun!

L

By Rich Borell

ooking to relax? Perhaps a nice getaway and some sun, some fun, some R&R? How about a nice quiet desert resort? Sounded great to us. Just 100 miles east of Los Angeles was our recent long weekend getaway destination … Palm Springs.

For this weekend destination we decided to do a road trip. Our journey started out early Friday morning with a quick cup for the road from Starbucks.

Along with its gift shop and Beef & Bakery store, it’s the best service along I-5 you can encounter.

Our first stop along the way was breakfast at the Harris Ranch, located in Coalinga, about two hours from Silicon Valley. If you’re traveling along Interstate 5, you may know the Harris Ranch is a welcome oasis for travelers.

After stopping off at a few rest stops to stretch a bit, our next encounter was going to be lunch. As we we’re driving, we saw a sign for a restaurant I didn’t even know still existed, so we pulled over and had lunch at Bob’s Big Boy... Yes, it was great to see them still around.

There are many amenities at this fine establishment including comfortable lodging, some of the best steaks you will ever enjoy, along with a café for that quick bite.

We arrived in the Palm Springs area around 2PM. Our stay for the next few nights was at the Desert Princess Inn. This Golf Resort is located about five miles from down-

If you’re in the Palm Springs area, then the Purple Room Restaurant & Stage is a must for dinner and a show. It all started in 1960 … The still popular venue is considered to be one of Palm Springs “Original“ Rat Pack Hangouts ... where Frank Sinatra would bring friends to Eat, Drink and Play.

Saturday morning we were up early to meet our group for the Desert Adventure Tour. This is an open Jeep tour that takes you along the San Andreas Fault. The tour was great and very informative.

You can experience the landscape of an active fault, walk between the steep canyon walls – we actually we’re able to have one foot on each of the two major plates in California. The tour took us through a natural Palm oasis. We also learned about the culture and lifestyle of the Cahuilla Indians and how they used the desert’s plants for food, medicine, tools, weapons, shelter and more.

Our tour was about three hours. We had lunch planned at the Peaks Restaurant, located on top of the San Jacinto Mountain, over 8,500 feet up. The aerial tram will take you up the mountain. The gondola floor rotates while ascending and descending so that everyone sees everything. Yes, this is a “must” if you’re in the Palm Springs area.

Ticket prices are reasonable if you only want to take the ride up for photos and get some great hiking in. There are a couple of cool trails anyone can enjoy, and also a couple of cafés that offer a different price range, being considerate of people’s budgets.

If you’re looking for entertainment in the evenings there certainly is no limit as to what’s available. You will find several high end Indian Casino Resorts close by. To fill our evening, we took in a few shows. At the Morongo Casino, we saw the very talented comedian, Lilly Tomlin. Saturday night at the Fantasy Springs Resort, we saw the very talented singer, Marie Osmond.

With many points of interest, the World’s largest rotating Aerial Tramcars, over 130 Hotels & Resorts, over 100 Restaurants and sunny days practically every day of the year … If you’re looking for a nice relaxing and fun getaway, plan on enjoying a nice weekend in sunny Palm Springs. We sure did.

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

A MEMORABLE WEEKEND TRIP TO JAMESTOWN AND YOSEMITE

By Rich Borell

Hello Everyone, I want to share with you a recent long weekend getaway my wife and I took. This road trip took us to the Gold Country, where we enjoyed fascinating historic Jamestown and the most breathtaking views of Yosemite National Park.

Our trip started out Friday around noon to beat the Bay Area getaway crowd. We had accommodations for Friday evening, just outside of Jamestown, at the Jackson

Rancheria Hotel & Casino. We really want to extend a warm thank you for a great room.

While driving up to Jackson, my wife always wanted to visit Daffodil Hill located in Volcano, CA, a few miles outside of Jackson. It’s the perfect time of year since all the daffodils are in full bloom. If you’re in the area traveling, this is a great place to get out and stretch and walk through the gorgeous gardens. You will see some rather loud and colorful peacocks, too, as you walk along the path.

WEEKEND GETAWAYS Daffodil Hill is open only in the spring, usually from the end of March through the first three weeks of April … best of all, admission and parking are free.

From there, we drove to the hotel to settle in for the evening, grab a bite; yes, pay our dues on the casino floor; and, of course, do some shopping in the gift shop.

Our Saturday morning started out with a quick bite in the café, and then it was on to the Gold Country. Our first stop was Angels Camp, also known as the City of Angels.

The story goes that Mark Twain based one of his short stories, “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”, from a story he had heard here in 1865.

Thus, a great reason to celebrate every year with the jumping Frog Jubilee each May at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds. Some say that Angels Camp other name is “Frog Town” – now you know why!

Angels Camp is a very historic town …

I’d suggest definitely stopping by the Angels Camp Museum to get the scoop on the town.

The hours are Thursday – Monday from 10AM – 4PM. From Angels Camp we drove to Jamestown.

This amazing town is filled with many historic homes and buildings near Main Street. The first gold here was discovered by Benjamin Wood, who had come from Oregon. The

crossing and also Woods Creek, which runs through Sonora and Jamestown, were named in honor of him. This was in the early summer of 1848; just a few months before, the famous gold discovery took place at Sutter’s Mill about 100 miles north, which started the Gold Rush. Jamestown is the home of the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park; and for you TV buffs, the TV shows, “The Wild Wild West” and “Green Acres”, were filmed in and near Jamestown.

If you visit the Gold Country, I’d definitely make time to visit Jamestown, park your car, step back in time and walk the street. I’d suggest dining at the Willow Steak House (established 1864), where the builders of the Sierra Railway once hung out in the bar. If you decide to stay in Jamestown, there are several historic hotels, including the Royal Carriage Inn, the National Hotel and the Jamestown Hotel.

After our stop in Jamestown, we continued for another hour’s drive to Yosemite National Park. There are several choices for lodging.

We decided to stay at the Yosemite Westgate Lodge. Normally, you would want to spend 3-4 days in the park; however, we didn’t have that much time. We did work in some of the most famous areas like Half Dome which is Yosemite’s most familiar rock formation. A “must” is getting a view from the viewpoint at Valley View; there, visitors can take in Yosemite Valley in its entirety. Clearly visible are the original lines formed by the glacier which carved out the valley. Of course, there’s Bridalveil Fall. It’s just a short hike on a paved trail and you’re right up to the front of the waterfall.

Another “must” is El Capitan – a giant granite rock that stands more than 3,000 feet from the base... a great thrill, I’m sure, for the rock climbers of the world.

The beauty of Yosemite is astonishing, whether you have a day or a week. One visit and you’ll gladly want to come back again and again!

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

WHAT HAPPENS IN

By Rich Borell

Hello Everyone, When we think about weekend getaways from the Bay Area, we may consider Monterey, Santa Cruz, Napa, Lake Tahoe … Ever think about parking the car and flying to Vegas?

That’s exactly what my wife and I did recently.

Our last trip there was very memorable since we spent New Year’s Eve celebrating with hundreds of thousands of people on the Las Vegas strip. This time we thought how fun to have a long weekend getaway there.

Our trip started out on a Friday late-morning flight via Virgin America out of SFO. Once we landed, you can feel the party starting … Indeed, this city radiates so much energy. Cab fares are posted so you will have an idea of what to pay.

With gratuity you can figure on $20, or a little more, for the fare.

Our stay was at Harrah’s Resort Hotel. They were very nice to work with, and we would like to thank them for the suite upgrade they gave us. We were early (about 3PM); yet, our room was ready and we could drop off our luggage.

We had a few hours before our 5:15PM dinner at The Strip Steakhouse located inside the Planet Hollywood. Dinner was early since my wife wanted to get some shopping time in at the Hard Rock Café prior to seeing the Kiss Concert at 8PM. For our short time before dinner, we strolled the mall next door to Planet Hollywood. The Strip Steakhouse is a chain; however, it’s a great place to eat with excellent service. I don’t usually eat red meat; however, tonight I had the urge to have a nice Rib Eye Steak. My wife had the Filet along with her two favorites, Lobster and Crab. If you have time for a long dinner, with the urge to

WEEKEND GETAWAYS be catered to, then this is the place to come. We also had the opportunity during dinner to chat with their Operations Manager and want to send a thank you to her. BTW, if you enjoy Ports, you may want to cruise their exclusive selection.

As I mentioned, the Kiss concert was at the Hard Rock Café - the band featured two of its original cast, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley – and they played to a delighted full house. If you have a chance to see them, they put on a great show.

On Saturday, we prepared a list of fun things we could choose from; however, since the weather was a sunny 70 degrees, we opted for a nice walk instead. Some suggestions of interest during the day might include: *An all-day visit to Area 51 *There are four thrill rides at the top of the Stratosphere Tower *At the New York New York you can hop on a 67 MPH rollercoaster *Drive a race car at Exotics Racing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway *Crime Solving at MGM’s Grand CSI – The Experience We spent some time at the Mirage at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, which defines wildness in a whole new way. You can also catch a glimpse of several white Tigers and

Lions along with the Dolphin Habitat. The shows were awesome!

Saturday, night we had two shows on tap, first, was a Murder Mystery Dinner put on by Marriage Can Be Murder. It was a great show and dinner was delicious. The cast of characters did a great job in getting the audience involved.

Our main show was at 10PM, at the Mirage, to see Ray Romano from the very popular TV Show, Everybody Loves Raymond. Kevin James opened the show, getting the audience involved, and was hilarious. Of course, Ray Ramano was himself, and everybody was in stiches. I’ve seen some great comedians, and I would put Ray high on my list as one of my favorites next to Jerry Seinfeld.

When he was closing the show and about to say good night, he said I have one more thing for you … He brought out Adam Sandler to sing a few songs. The lyrics we’re hilarious, so you guessed it, not your typical song to sing along to. After Adam played, Ray and Kevin came back out and, together, they did a Q&A with the audience. We also got to meet Ray’s twin sons, sitting near us in the audience.

So if you’re looking for a weekend getaway, and don’t want to drive, check out sin city! Yes, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas … except for the great experience of it all and good memories.

Farmers Markets 1. FARMERS’ MARKET @ CROCKER GALLERIA

50 Post Street, 94107 Thursdays 11AM – 3PM Year-Round Tuesdays June – September http://cafarmersmkts.com/markets/category/crocker-galleria

2. INNER SUNSET FARMERS’ MARKET

1315 8th Avenue, 94122 Sundays 9AM – 1Pm Year-Round http://www.pcfma.com/market_home. php?market_id=67

3. ALEMANY FARMERS’ MARKET

100 Alemany Boulevard, 94110 Saturdays 6:30AM – 2:30PM

4. FERRY PLAZA FARMERS’ MARKET

1 Sausalito - San Francisco Ferry Building, 94111 Tuesdays & Thursday 10AM – 2PM Saturdays 8AM – 2PM http://www.cuesa.org/

5. HEART OF THE CITY FARMERS’ MARKET

1182 Market Street, 94102 Wednesdays 7AM – 5:30PM Fridays 7AM – 2:30PM Sundays 7AM – 5PM http://www.hocfarmersmarket.org/

6. VALENCIA FARMERS’ MARKET 1299 Valencia St, 94110

7. DIVISADERO FARMERS’ MARKET Grove Street, at Divisadero Sundays 10AM – 2Pm http://pcfma.com/market_home. php?market_id=63

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9 10

12 7

16

5 13

15

2 14

4

8 6

11

8. CASTRO FARMERS’ MARKET Noe Street at Market Street Wednesdays 4PM – 8PM March – December http://pcfma.com/market_home. php?market_id=64

9. FERN ALLEY FARMERS’ MARKET

Fern Street & Polk Street Saturdays 10AM – 2PM June – September http://pcfma.com/market_home. php?market_id=82

10. FILLMORE FARMERS’ MARKET

O’Farrell at Fillmore & Fillmore Center Plaza Saturdays 9AM – 1PM http://pcfma.com/market_home. php?market_id=13

11. GLEN PARK VILLAGE FARMERS’ MARKET

Parking lot of the Glen Park BART Station at Bosworth & Arlington Sundays 10AM – 2Pm April – November http://pcfma.com/market_home. php?market_id=46

12. KAISER PERMANENTE SAN FRANCISCO FARMERS’ MARKET

Geary at St. Joseph’s Street Wednesdays 10AM – 2Pm Year-Round http://pcfma.com/market_home. php?market_id=10

13. MISSION BAY FARMERS’ MARKET @ UCSF

Gene Friend Way between 3rd & 4th Wednesdays 10AM – 2PM April – December http://pcfma.com/market_home. php?market_id=66

3

14. UCSF PARNASSUS FARMERS’ MARKET

505 Parnassus Ave Wednesdays 10AM – 3PM http://pcfma.com/market_home. php?market_id=35

15. UPPER HAIGHT FARMERS’ MARKET

Waller Street @ Stanyan Street Wednesdays 3PM – 7Pm April – October http://pcfma.com/market_home. php?market_id=41

16. VA SAN FRANCISCO

Veterans Drive, off Clement Street & 42nd Ave Wednesdays 10AM – 2PM Year Round http://pcfma.com/market_home. php?market_id=80

y r a n o i s i V ordinair5 e a r t x E

LARRY BAER

PRESIDENT & CEO SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

I

t’s A Wonderful Life, circa 2013. Imagine San Francisco without our beloved Giants and where everything south of Market would be nothing but old warehouses. Far fetched? Not at all. The Tampa/St. Pete Giants? It may not sound right, but it was so close to happening.

As I drove to meet with Larry Baer, the President & CEO of the San Francisco Giants, in what has become beautiful SOMA, it felt like a dream come true. Had it not been for Larry Baer, who back in 1992 partnered with Peter Magowan and a group of civic-minded investors, none of the San Francisco Giants, AT&T Park and two World Series Championships would be here today. Instead, we would have struck out and Larry Baer enjoying the San Francisco Giants 2012 World our City by the Bay would Series Championship Parade together with his family and have been the baseball another million very happy fans. equivalent of Mudville! diligently at creating a local ownership group Larry could not have to save the Giants. That was 1992 and, been more gracious. For all the Giants’ fortunately for San Francisco, they succeeded success, it’s always about everyone else. He – and the future since has been so very bright. genuinely prefers it that way, truly a Team With the sale behind them, the question effort. became “what were they were going to do?”

Larry is a native San Franciscan. He They poured money into Candlestick Park to attended Lowell High School and graduated improve the stadium for the fans. They lost Phi Beta Kappa from UC Berkeley with a money doing that, but felt it was the right degree in Business. He then in 1980 went thing to do. to work for the Giants as the Director of The Giants desperately needed a new Marketing before leaving to attend Harvard ballpark.

There was fear that a ballpark where he got his MBA. in SOMA would create a traffic nightmare.

Following graduation, he worked as a Larry again worked diligently to ease the special assistant to Lawrence Tisch, the neighborhood concerns in defense of this Chairman of Westinghouse Broadcasting valiant cause. He felt it was essential to have (CBS). In the early 1990’s, Larry was in New York, when he learned about the Giants being open communications and good relationships with all the potential neighbors. close to being sold and moving to Tampa/St. Under the previous ownership, public Pete. Larry promptly called Peter Magowan, financing for a ballpark was voted down his CEO friend at Safeway, and they worked

four times. What to do? In 1995, the Giants unveiled plans for the first privately-financed Major League ballpark. From 1992-on, this was the beginning of what Larry refers to as: “A Dream Sequence”. Larry and the ownership group had a vision of a special ballpark. With this in mind, Larry went to visit some of the newer ballparks. When in Denver, visiting Coors Field, he read an ad in the paper: “Beautiful condominiums just a block and a half from the ballpark.” What? A beautiful and vibrant residential area surrounding the ballpark? Could that be? - Hello SOMA. From his conversations, he envisioned a combination of Camden Yards in Baltimore, Jacobs Field in Cleveland and Coors Field in Denver. All beautiful ballparks. For San Francisco, the team also wanted to utilize what we had here – the Bay and such beautiful scenic views. Thus became what Larry likes to call: “Where Wrigley Field Meets Camden Yards”. Representing the past and present, a beautiful place we all can go, to escape the real world … and appreciate such a ballpark, community oasis … where every day and night, truly a special, fun and exciting experience and place to be.

The vision of AT&T Park (then Pacific Bell Park) became a reality and opened in April, 2000. It has drawn each year more than three million people in baseball attendance, nearly double the average yearly attendance at Candlestick Park. Currently, season tickets are at a maximum, all-time high.

Larry also talked about the joy that’s behind the Giants’ FOUR businesses. First, they are in the Baseball Business. They are the defending World Series Champions. Two times in the last three years. Currently, they are a young team, sprinkled with seasoned veterans. There’s much to be grateful for and to look forward to.

The Giants are also in the Entertainment Business. In addition to baseball, they host another 120 non-baseball events a year. This includes concerts, football games, corporate events, etc. A third business is that they own

one-third of Comcast Sportsnet. The Giants are extremely happy with this very popular network.

They’re also tremendously pleased with the Giants announcers — “they’re the best!”

The fourth business is another vision they are also very excited about. It’s called:

Larry Baer living a life-long dream. It’s about team, community and joy - coming together. We are in the Happy business, Larry would say. Indeed, we are truly very happy, proud and grateful.

Mission Rock. This soon will be a beautiful development – a 27 acre, $1.6 billion and sixyear project in the making. Just south of AT&T Park, this creation will be: (1) A spectacular Waterfront Park that can accommodate 5,000 people for outdoor movie nights or community festivals. (2) An energetic and inviting environment with wonderful shops,

cafes and galleries. meaning, literally (3) Anchor Brewing and figuratively. will expand its None of this would operations in a have been, had it restored historic not been for Larry Pier 48. (4) An Baer’s vision and exciting place to leadership. As work with some Larry, however, 1.7 million square would be the feet of office first to say, it’s all space for nearly about everyone 7,200 employees. … the players, (5) A dramatic organization and waterfront living fans alike …it’s a experience with total Team effort. new homes for up Lastly, we to 2,000 people. talked further Larry Baer, with Peter Magowan, Barry Zito and This will about the 2012 Lou Seal, enjoying the moment and creating generate 7,000 Playoffs and something special, including many special jobs, hundreds of World Series. The moments, that we’d be celebrating together for millions of dollars Giants had SIX many years to come. each year in tax elimination games revenue for the in the playoffs City and for the businesses located at Mission vs. Cincinnati and St. Louis. Lose any one of Rock. As Larry said: “We want this to become those six games and, it would be over, we’d be another beautiful hub for the City.” out. Larry said: “It’s a good metaphor for what Larry then talked about the meaning of we are as an organization. We never gave baseball and what in particular the Giants up. We purchased the team … then we built mean to the community. He loves how he AT&T Park…… now we are two-time World sees people everywhere wearing their Giants Series Champions! We have worked hard, yes, jersey or shirt or cap with pride. Larry, in fact, and will continue to do so. We look forward has his own Giants jersey. I saw it hanging on to more successes for our faithful and adoring the inside of his office door. fans.”

Special moments? There are many. In Like in the Field of Dreams: “Build it and particular, he expressed how heartfelt it was to they will come” - they have. Millions each experience the two World Series Parades. He year. For Larry, it certainly has been, and is, thought of how special it must have been back a dream come true. He lives it and loves it … in 1958 when The City welcomed the Giants every day. He has always loved his City and to San Francisco. And, now, how great it was his Giants and you can certainly sense that to experience the nearly one million fans special spirit that’s centered around 24 Willie who came out to cheer them on – twice. He Mays Plaza. It’s such a wonderful vision that rode in both parades with his family and how has become an ongoing tradition … it’s a lot happy and proud he was, and is, for everyone. more than just a game … “we’re in the Happy “We are indeed so very grateful.” business” … so glad the Giants are here to stay Together We Are Giant … Together We … for all of us to enjoy … and for generations Are Champions… has taken on a special to come.

3 ! s g a

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A CONVERSATION WITH DAVE RIGHETTI, PITCHING COACH OF THE THREE-TIME WORLD CHAMPION SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

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hey call him “Rags”. Dave Righetti was born and raised locally, in Willow Glen, San Jose. He enjoyed a 16-year major league pitching career and is currently in his 16th season as the extraordinary pitching coach of our three-time World Series Champion San Francisco Giants. Three World Series Championships in the last five years. It’s very special, as was our conversation.

What’s It Like Being Dave Righetti?

I’ll be honest with you, it feels good. You get in this mode, coaching in baseball, and fortunately it’s easier to stay in the game longer as a coach than as a player. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.

It’s great, but there’s also the heartache. If you don’t win the World Series, you’re considered a loser.

Unfortunately, many don’t have this gratification of

winning at the end. There’s only one team in 30 each year that does.

The Giants moved to San Francisco in 1958.

There have been many great players and many great teams. In all those years prior to 2010, they hadn’t had this great experience of winning it all, not like we have, in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

“The Giants Win The Pennant!” What Does That Feel Like?

To see the faces of Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry, each time when we won the World Series, it’s been priceless, so gratifying. When I was with the Yankees, the old-timers all had rings. These past five years, when relaxing during our off-season and watching a 49ers or Warriors game, the thought, the feeling would come over me, ‘Gosh darn it, we won it!’ It’s such a great feeling. You win as a team, as a city … something everyone will remember and they so appreciate.

Is There A Magic Formula To Winning?

There are people who have been here, it seems, forever. Somewhere along the line, you’re grateful for that longevity. With the Yankees, I saw 14 different managers come and go … Billy Martin four of those times! Lou Pinella twice! Just in my time.

It just doesn’t work well; it wears guys down.

The reason the Yankees started winning again, was Joe Torre came in to manage. The core got good and stuck together. And you build around that … fill in for players that don’t fit. It became good when Joe Torre came around. He calmed the boat, things settled down, and together they kept the pieces together. Sounds a lot like us, with Boch, and where we are as a team and an organization, today.

This Attitude of Winning It All, Where Does It Come from?

Here, we thought it was going to happen even sooner than when it did. With Larry Baer and Brian Sabean and the scouting team … the fabulous ownership group that’s put money into this team, starting back in1992, and the building of our beautiful ballpark … I’m very happy for these folks.

It’s an amazing organization. They treat people really well. They understand the team, the

organization, the community. I cannot believe the stamina of Larry Baer and everyone in the front office. It’s a love affair between the team and the community and the community with the team. It’s working out, I can tell you that.

A Special Moment, What Was It Like Throwing Your No-Hitter?

It was July 4th, 1983. That day, that moment, made me feel very good, and over the years you just don’t forget it. It was against our rival, the Boston Red Sox. It was Yankee Stadium. It was Lou Gehrig’s Day … AND it was also George Steinbrenner’s birthday.

And the YES Network (the Yankees TV Network) plays it every year, all the time. Now, it’s a good thing. But then, I was kind of afraid. You know if George saw your name in the paper too much, it wasn’t a good thing. There was a mentality there for a young guy, ‘Don’t get too big for your britches’. It was a ‘They could send you out of here’ kind-of-thing. I was leary of that when I did it. I was happy we won the game and we beat the Red Sox, but I was still afraid.

It was also the All-Star “Getaway Day”; it was like ‘Spring Break’, where everyone immediately took off following the game. After my interviews, everybody was pretty much gone.

They got three days off, they had their packed suitcases with them at the stadium and they left.

When I walked into the clubhouse, there weren’t many guys left.

So, too, the team record for saves. It was something that just felt natural, not like today, where everything is so celebrated. I held the record for a long time (it was not until years later when Mariano Rivera broke it). But if we lost, if we didn’t win the World Series (which happened each year I was there), it was awful.

I didn’t have a family there, I didn’t have kids, yet, back then; so, who could I enjoy it with?

Over the years you finally start to appreciate it. But until then, when you’re not winning championships, there wasn’t all that much to celebrate.

Your Greatest Moment?

Indeed, by far, my marriage to my wife, Kandice and the birth of our three wonderful kids, beautiful triplets. It was hard when the triplets were born. I was with the Giants then, and we were on the road in Montreal, about ready to come back home. It was early yet when I got the call that the babies would soon be born, I would be back in time for everything, or so everyone thought.

The moment came, and proceeded, quickly. Our three came prematurely, and to this day, it’s painful for me that I wasn’t there. And also you always want the very best for your kids. Being triplets, it was a challenging delivery. Today, they are all doing awesome. To see them doing their things and finding their niche, it’s so very wonderful. I couldn’t be happier or prouder.

What’s It Like Being At The Ballpark?

The coaching staff, and in particular, Gardy (the Giants Bullpen Coach, Mark Gardner) and I, are all very close and work very well together. You know this family thing we talk about? When you are together for such a long period of time, you are lucky.

There’s no story book ending all the time. You know, the Brady / Belichick winning / success tandem is what everyone strives for.

In our game, it’s about consistency and being good. I’m happy to be around that and coach that.

If not being able to share that, then it’d be just a paycheck. For me, for us, it’s all so much more, so much about everything else. I feel we couldn’t be more fortunate or love more what we do.

Do You Have Heroes?

Yes, my parents … and the people I grew up with. For example, the mailman, the milkman.

These are the people I saw all the time, they were our friends. These were my role models. I ‘lived’ at the bowling alley. My parents bowled and I kept score. My father was a truck driver and my friends

from school all went to community college or trade school. It was a simple life … that’s all I thought of being. Once I got to New York, the dynamics changed. It was the largest city in the world … and with so much going on.

Were You Close With Anybody In Particular?

Yes, everybody. I got drafted at a young age, at 19, by the Texas Rangers. There were a lot of guys from my home, from the Bay Area and California, on the team when I got drafted. “Paddy” Cottrell was the scout for the Rangers and was from here. He was the outstanding baseball coach at Santa Clara University (and had also been my father’s Quarter Master in World War II). He wanted to draft me, and people like that, of course, you listen to. They have been around and they have seen a lot. Back then you didn’t have many people telling you things; but, bits and pieces from someone like “Paddy”, for me, it was big.

If you got any advice, it was helpful. Remember, there was no video. My father had been an exminor league player (with the San Francisco Seals!).

He played for 14 years. He couldn’t tell me how to pitch. But what he did do, ‘You know this fellow at that school, he’s pitched, go ask him’. My parents were my role models.

In a funny way, George Steinbrenner was, too. You wondered how he did so much of what he did, but you had to admire him. In the sports world when you think of greatness you think of

achievement, and in society you have to earn it. You feel you have to keep your eye on it, or someone will come along and take away your job. Those mentors stayed that way for me. People like Don Mattingly, Willie Randolph, Ron Guidry were like brothers.

Guidry was my locker mate.

Who Can You Talk To … Anyone?

Can you talk with Don Mattingly? We’re very close and, of course, Don is now the manager of the rival Dodgers. We’d love to, but the players don’t like it if we talk before a game. We’d love to talk … and, of course, we wouldn’t share anything. We have the highest respect for each other and that will never change. Another is Matt Williams, now the manager of the Washington Nationals. We were locker mates for three years with the Giants. Mike Matheny, manager of the St. Louis Cardinals is, yet, another; I coached Mike here with the Giants, and Mike Aldrette, his bench coach. We were teammates and close friends. Bob Melvin, manager of the Oakland A’s is, yet, another; he, Bob Brenly, Matt Williams and I have always been very close … we still are and always will be. When we won our championships, yes, I heard from my former Yankee teammates … and many others, as well … from all around. Yes, a ton!

A Love and Appreciation For The Game …

When the old timers came in for Old Timer’s Day at Yankee Stadium, we let them share our lockers.

Mine, I shared with Lefty Gomez. It was such a thrill for me to see him and everyone there. For a young guy, and being a Yankee, it was a huge thing!

I wish the Giants held an annual Old Timer’s Day. The Giants do a lot for their alumni, but I think this would be great, much like it is every year in New York … for the players and the fans. In New York you had two wants – One was to make the team and be there for Opening Day because Opening Day at Yankee Stadium is something you just can’t explain.

And two, Old Timer’s Day, you need to be there for that. Indeed, having your picture taken on Opening Day and for Old Timer’s Day, there’s nothing quite like it.

You know, when we won our three World Series Championships, all three were on the road. It’s too bad that we couldn’t do it in front of our fans. But, each time, with the ballpark afterward being empty, it allowed us to come back to the field and soak it all up – which I would do. This last series, vs. the

Royals was especially meaningful for me. The Royals were our big rival when I was with the Yankees.

Those were the George Brett years, so to beat them is always big. And the Royals pitching coach, Dave Elland, was my teammate from the Yankees.

What’s This About The Energy, The Magic, The Particles?

How do you explain how the team keeps coming back, there being such magic in the air, particles?

Tell me sports aren’t important. They are. We all know they are.

Speaking of “Pep Talks” … They’re not easy.

They have gotten bigger perhaps because of football and TV. But in baseball you have been at it for 162+ games, working together for eight months, and how to keep everyone’s attention? Do they really need to be motivated at this point? Maybe a meeting to come together and relax?

It’s an art. Boch does it as well as anybody I have ever seen. Whatever Boch does, it’s always very good. Hunter Pence? The players encourage Hunter to speak. It’s motivating. It’s not boring… that’s for sure. It might take some needling from his teammates, like Buster, for example, ‘Come on, come on, we need you to do this.’

Buster Posey, What Can You Say About Buster?

He’s truly amazing. I felt when he came up, he was young and great from the start. He replaced Bengie Molina, which was huge, because Bengie was very popular. There was room for only one regular catcher. Buster, along with Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Madison Bumgarner, formed quite a core of young starters … and Buster brought a kind of energy and confidence that inspired everyone around him. Our relievers have been a constant.

They have all stayed intact all these five years and have been stellar, working so very well together with Buster.

Since Buster arrived, he always sits next to me on the bench and he vents. He says, ‘If I can’t vent to you, there’s no one else I can vent to’. Our relationship is solid … as it is with everyone here.

There’s a rhythm. There has to be a rhythm, if you’re going to do this over and over and over again.

If we can stay healthy, we have that rhythm.

Are You As Excited As Ever?

Yes. Quite honestly, I feel we can do this again, that we’re on a good run. I hope so. We all do.

Jean-Michel Cousteau

President, Ocean Futures Society www.oceanfutures.org

The Great Ocean Adventure S

ince first being thrown overboard by my father, Jacques Yves Cousteau at the age of seven in 1945, I have been compelled to explore, to discover, to understand the secrets of the sea. An oftquoted fact is that we know more about the surface of the moon than we do about our own ocean. How can we protect what

We protect over 14 percent of our land and less than one percent of the ocean. It is time to demonstrate the same stewardship for the ocean.

we don’t yet understand? This is what has made me want to continue to support the philosophy of my father through our efforts at the Ocean Futures Society, my non-profit marine conservation organization based in

Santa Barbara, CA. Today we have the knowledge and technology to admit that we, humans, are the biggest threat to our oceans; but we are also 100% responsible for its long-term preservation and protection. Overfishing, pollution, climate change, ocean acidification are all impacting the oceans because of the misuse and abuse caused by humans. The ocean is our life support system. We need to stop harming it because what we do to the ocean we ultimately do to ourselves.

It is ironic that the depletion of our ocean resources has accelerated at the same time we were personally donning dive masks and witnessing the richness of the ocean first hand over 50 years ago. Just as we started to dignify and appreciate the ecological role of individual marine species and how they contribute to the sustainability of the marine ecosystem they call home, we were improving our fishing technology to remove them faster than they were replenishing their populations. From an ecological standpoint, we now understand how everything is connected. We now appreciate the need to set aside protected areas in the ocean just as we have done on land. But we are over a hundred years behind terrestrial conservation measures when it comes to protecting our marine assets. We protect over 14% of our land and less than 1% of the ocean. It is time to demonstrate the same stewardship for the ocean and recognize the importance of marine protected areas as a way to increase

Photo: © Carrie Vonderhaar, Ocean Futures Society

abundance, improve biodiversity and provide a nursery for species that will spill over into areas open to fishing. It is a win-win situation for us all. Ninety percent of all large fish populations are at risk from overfishing and most commercial fisheries are in decline.

The problem is enormous but the solution is clear, quickly effective, and costs little.

But this is where the heart comes and where we must remain hopeful for the future; otherwise I would not keep traversing the planet, sharing the mission of Ocean Futures Society, empowering people to take personal responsibility for the long-term sustainability of our oceans. It starts with the individual; it starts with the heart and a desire to care.

The more I learn about the ocean, the more I realize how little I truly understand it. Even after all these years, a sense of exploration and wonder still fills me each time I dive into the ocean’s depths. We owe it to ourselves--we owe it to our water planet—to do all that we can to protect our life support system.

We must connect the ocean to the existence of every human being. This is the only way for people to understand that the quality of each and every one of our lives depends on water, depends on the ocean. My father said, “People protect what they love,” and so we want more people to fall in love with water. And I say, “Protect the ocean and you protect yourself.”

HOW TO PERFECT YOUR GOLF SWING

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he search for the perfect swing is the Holy Grail for golfers all over the world as they strive to ďŹ nd an action that will permit them to play the game to a high standard. Grooving a golf swing that is repeatable and dependable can only be achieved through practice, and this will require time and patience.

Trying to perfect a swing while playing in competition is never advisable as you cannot possibly give your full concentration to the areas that need attention. Professional golfers will work tirelessly on their swings, some even hiring teachers who will give advice on elements of the swing. For recreational golfers, perhaps securing the services of a club professional will help, but for most golfers, it is a case of trial and error on the practice range. What can you do to improve

you swing?

The starting point for anyone who hopes to improve their game is to ensure that the fundamentals are in place. These include a good grip, proper stance, correct alignment and tempo of the swing. When the basics are in place, you will be in position to hit golf shots that are reasonably good. Your next step is to experiment with things that may improve your swing allowing you to hit the ball longer, straighter and with more spin. For example, ball position is something that can have a real impact on your swing as it often determines the angle at which you approach the ball and how this affects your arms and shoulders on the downswing. If you position the ball too far toward your front foot, this can encourage an over-the-top pass at the

ball, probably resulting in a pull or a slice. On the other hand, if you position the ball too far back in your stance, you may find you are blocking the ball to the right or hooking it wildly.

Experiment with ball position and you will most likely find that placing the ball in the middle of your stance or just fractionally toward your front foot will reap dividends. On longer clubs like the driver, the ball will be further toward your front foot.

A tip you will find helpful when working on grooving your golf swing, is to experiment on the practice range with different tempo swings.

Some recreational golfers swing very hard and fast in order to attempt to hit the ball further. You may be surprised to find that with a more leisurely, smooth swing, you will actually achieve greater distance. In reality, you want to hit the ball better, not harder. Fast swings tend to pull the arms into play too quickly and this often results in cutting across the ball, leading to a slice. The tempo of your swing is possibly the most crucial element you can work on as it will promote a repeatable swing you can rely on under pressure. In fact, you can groove such a swing in the garden at home without the need to hit golf balls. Find the tempo that works best for you, and make this part of your golf game.

Another element that impacts on your swing

is how you stand to address the ball. This can make a real difference to the quality of your shots and determine how high or low your ball trajectory will be. It can also influence how you bring the club head to the ball. Are you possibly stretching for the ball at address? Or is your stance too upright causing you to slice? Again, take time on the practice range to experiment by hitting shots while taking a variety of address positions. A tall person will naturally stand more upright to the ball while a shorter person will reach more for the ball and have a flatter swing. On that subject, if you are serious about grooving a solid, repeatable golf swing, you would do well to make sure you are using golf clubs suited to your height.

Badly fitted clubs will have you swinging on an arc that is unnatural and will inevitably result in hooking or slicing.

As is true for even the best of players, grooving a good golf swing is a matter of practice. You may find that there is a great deal of trial and error involved until you find a swing that suits you individually. Do not treat this as a chore, but enjoy those times you spend on the practice ground, realizing that it will result in a better golf swing that will in turn, allow you to derive greater enjoyment from the game and improve you score. stories@svlocalmag.com

As is true for even the best of players, grooving a good golf swing is a matter of practice.

War Memorial Opera House

Performing Arts SAN FRANCISCO WAR MEMORIAL PERFORMING ARTS 401 Van Ness Avenue, 94102 (415) 621-6600 http://www.sfwmpac.org/

THE WARFIELD

982 Market Street, 94102 (415) 345-0900 http://www.thewarfieldtheatre.com/

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA 301 Van Ness Avenue, 94102 (415) 861-4008 http://sfopera.com/Home.aspx

HERBST THEATER

401 Van Ness Avenue, 94102 (415) 392-4400 http://sfwmpac.org/herbst/ht_index.html

CURRAN THEATRE

445 Geary Street, 94102 (888) 746-1799 https://www.shnsf.com/online/

1 Taylor Street, 94102 (415) 551-2000 https://www.shnsf.com/online/shngoldengate

500 Sutter Street, 94102 (415) 345-0900 http://www.performances.org/

701 Mission St, 9410 415) 978-2787 http://www.ybca.org/

859 O’Farrell Street, 94109 (415) 885-0750 http://www.slimspresents.com/venue_ detail/gamh/

GOLDEN GATE THEATRE

SAN FRANCISCO PERFORMANCES

YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS

GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL

ORPHEUM THEATRE AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER 405 Geary Street, 94102 (415) 749-2228 http://www.act-sf.org/site/PageServer

1192 Market Street, 94102 (888) 746-1799 https://www.shnsf.com/online/

MARINES MEMORIAL THEATRE

609 Sutter Street, 94102 (415) 771-6900 http://www.marineclub.com/theatre/ about.php

THE RED POPPY ART HOUSE 2698 Folsom St, 94101 (415) 826-2402 http://redpoppyarthouse.org/

ASIAN AMERICAN THEATRE COMPANY 1695 18th St, 94107 (415) 913-7366 http://www.asianamericantheater.org/

DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL 201 Van Ness Ave, 94102 (415) 864-6000 http://www.sfsymphony.org/

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY (201 Van Ness Ave, 94102 415) 864-6000 http://www.sfsymphony.org/

CROWDED FIRE THEATRE COMPANY 1695 18th St (415) 255-7846 http://www.crowdedfire.org/

SF PLAYHOUSE

450 Post St, 94102 (415) 677-9596 http://www.sfplayhouse.org/

Davies Symphony Hall

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Reasons to Shop at Local Stores

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ou may already shop locally because it is convenient, or perhaps you don’t shop locally at all. There are however, many excellent reasons why shopping at local stores is very beneďŹ cial to you and the community in which you live. Here are the top ten reasons why you should do more local shopping: Better Customer Experience

Are you tired of being served by a grumpy, miserable, or even downright rude checkout operator? If you shop locally you are more likely to be received with a smile and have a very pleasant customer experience. At your local shop you are not just a faceless money-carrier, you are a person. Building a friendly relationship with the local shop owner makes for a much more relaxed atmosphere and a nicer shopping experience allround. Rather than making your day worse, shopping at a local store might just brighten your day.

Helping to Local stores are owned and Maintain the operated by local people. The Community very same people as yourselves who care about the neighbourhood they live in.

Local businesses donate to local charities and causes and improve the surrounding area. Why? They care about the area in which they live, just like you. Support local stores and you are supporting your local community.

Local Economic Properity

Money you spend at local shops and businesses is money that is kept in your community, enriching it for all. When you spend at a superstore the profits are taken by the corporation, whereas when you spend locally your whole community indirectly benefits, since that money will be re-invested in your region.

Unique Nothing destroys a region’s Community character like the imposition of Charactor an all-purpose megastore store.

Local communities are unique places that have their very own culture, history and individual quality. Local stores are a part of this rich history and culture, having usually been around for several decades serving as pillars of the community. By supporting these local businesses you are ensuring the maintenance of the tradition and character of your area. A traditional diner or grocer is part of a town’s identity, and you would do well to support them with your custom.

Unique When you shop at a local store, Products and you get to buy unique, local prodQuality ucts of a diverse range that you Produce would not find at a superstore.

The stock has been carefully picked by the owner, rather than the dictates of market research and profitability. Especially when it comes to fruit and vegetables, shopping locally is superior to supermarket shopping in every way. The produce is fresher and tastier than supermarket goods, often picked only a day or two beforehand.

Fresh, organic, locallygrown food is also not only healthier for you, but it is also healthier for your community, as you are sustaining local agriculture.

Using local businesses encourLocal ages healthy competition. This Competition ultimately brings you, the consumer, and a cheaper, wider range of goods.

Multiple companies competing in individual markets is much better for everyone than one huge conglomerate selling a narrow range of every type of product.

More Local Jobs

Small local companies create a wide variety of local jobs which help sustain community economies. By shopping at local stores and using local businesses you are ultimately creating a supply of jobs in your local area, through increasing demand for goods and services.

Supporting Regional Agriculture

Through buying your fruit and vegetables from local outlets there are multiple positive effects. Aside from cheaper food bills and fresh produce, by supporting local farmers you are reinvesting money into your community and also helping the environment by reducing transport pollution.

Helping In the world today everyone wants the to do what they can to help conserve Environment the environment and the planet’s natural resources. Shopping locally serves this cause in several ways.

Major road congestion is reduced, as is general transport pollution. Buying goods from local stores also reduces fuel and energy consumption by bypassing the need to import from around the world. Local shops require little infrastructure, further decreasing our impact on the environment.

Local Decision Making

Important decisions made by local stores and businesses ought not be harmful to the community since the owners are part of the community too – they have a vested interest and are committed to the area’s future themselves. Decisions affecting the community are not made in corporate board rooms hundreds of miles away, they are made by fellow members of the community who appreciate their impact. Happy Shopping! stories@svlocalmag.com

History of The Presidio of San Francisco T

he Presidio is a former military outpost located in San Francisco. The land the Presidio stands on was inhabited by Native Americans of the Ohlone-Costanoan tribe for thousands of years. In 1776, Spanish forces built a fort made out of adobe here and named it the Presidio. Between 1776 and 1821, the Spanish military used this outpost to guard the harbor and prevent other settlers from using its resources. The soldiers’ families lived there too, and they spent much of their time farming the surrounding land.

An 1812 earthquake damaged the Presidio, but shortly thereafter it was not only rebuilt but expanded. When Mexico announced, in 1812, that it was seceding from the Spanish Empire to become an independent nation, the Presidio switched from being a Spanish fort to a Mexican fort. However, all of the Spanish

soldiers who were stationed there simply stayed put. Instead of being Spanish soldiers, they were now Mexican soldiers.

The Presidio lost most of its soldiers, however, when General Mariano Vallejo of Mexico decided, in 1835, to move them north to Sonoma. One soldier was left behind just to watch over the Presidio. During the Mexican War, a volunteer regiment from New York took over the fortress in 1846; by that time it was falling apart.

From that point on, the U.S. Army worked to expand the Presidio, bringing in cannons and adding Letterman Hospital, Crissy Army Air Field, and several more state-of-the-art facilities. In the late 1800’s, they also planted trees on surrounding hills to reduce wind. The American soldiers stationed at the Presidio fought Indian warriors and helped supply troops who went on to establish outposts throughout the Pacific Islands.

In 1994, the Army no longer needed the Presidio, and it became a tourist attraction run by the National Park Service.

Northern California Chapter 2014-2015

2014 SuperBowl of Golf The Northern California Chapter of the NFL Alumni was well represented by team captain Jim Otis from Iguana Design and Print.

The Super Bowl of Golf is the Annual NFL Alumni Golf Championship played by the winning teams of the Nation’s NFL Alumni Chapter’s local Golf Tournaments. This year the SBOG was played in Las Vegas. The 2015 SBOG will be played in April 2015 at the TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Verde, Florida.

This world renowned golf facility is the home of the PGA Tour Player’s Championship.

Jim Otis, Team Iguana

Ron Jaworski, Larry Schreiber, Joe Pisarcik

SBOG SUPER BOWL OF GOLF

Ricky Ervins

Steve Thurlow, Larry Schreiber

2014 2011 LEGENDSMAGA ZINE

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NFL Alumni

Strides for Life Freddie Solomon Scholarship Awards NFL Alumni Allan Kennedy and Gary Weaver participated in presenting local youth the Freddie Solomon Scholarship Award at the Strides for Life Annual Fundraiser in March. Strides for Life is a Burlingame, CA based colon cancer awareness organization that began giving scholarships in honor of the late 49er receiver after he passed away from colon cancer.

Chapter Vice President, Allan Kennedy, Gary Weaver, Scholarship Winner Megan Dickerson from St. Ignatius Prep, Larry Cappel, Board President of Strides for Life

Scholarship winner Issac Straznickas from Mission High School talks to NFL Alumni Executive Committee Member and former Raider, Gary Weaver at the Strides for Life, Dinner and Auction

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2014 LEGENDSMAGA ZINE

31st Annual

Golf Classic The NFL Alumni had a spectacular day at the Olympic Club where they raised money for their Caring for Kids program. The event had an extra tournament flair attached to it with the addition of a new electronic scoring system that players used with their cell phones. A dinner, silent and live auction closed another great experience at the historic Olympic Club.

Team Captains

John Taylor, Cliff Branch

Guy McIntyre

Gordy Soltau, Larry Schreiber, Skip Vanderbundt, Frank Nunley

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Jim Plunkett

Dave Fiore

2014 LEGENDSMAGA ZINE

Dennis Brown

NFL Alumni

Salvation Army

The Chapter teamed up with the Salvation Army’s Redwood City branch to distribute food for the holidays. Hundreds of local families were provided meals at the facility. Many local companies and stores contributed the groceries for these meals.. The Chapter collaborates annually with the Salvation Army to serve families and continue giving in the holiday spirit.

Henry “Model T” Ford, Allan Kennedy

2014 LEGENDSMAGA ZINE

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Red Ribbon

Drug Awareness Day The NFL Alumni Northern California Chapter held its 12th Annual Red Ribbon Drug Prevention and Education Clinic on October 22, 2013, at St. Pius School Gymnasium in Redwood City. The theme for the event was “Make Good Choices to be Healthy and Drug Free, and Your Future Will Be Bright.”

The keynote speaker was the amazing Eason Ramson, former SF 49er, who once again captivated the audience of 400 students from over 12 Bay Area schools. Also speaking about the perils of drugs and alcohol were Karl Nichols from the DEA, Captain Mike Maskarich from the California Highway Patrol, and representatives from DARE and San Mateo County Sheriffs Department.

Former 49ers Dennis Brown and Allan Kennedy and former Raider Gary Weaver were also there to support this important program that was coordinated by NFL Alumni Executive Committee Member Carolyn Hoskins.

A special thanks to Rick and Janice Lozoya who donated the backpacks to all students who attended the Clinic.

The 2013 Award Winners were: Laly Madera – The Eason Ramson Celebrate a Drug Free Life Award Our Common Ground – R.C. “Ally Oop” Owens Don’t Quit Award Woodside High School – Coach Ben Parks Community Service Award West Bay Christian Academy – SF 49ers Gordy Soltau Special Recognition Award Henry Ford Elementary School – Caring for Kids – Henry “Model T” Ford Award If you would like more information about this program or to become a sponsor, please contact Jeff Bayer @ 650-533-4949

Dennis Brown, Gary Weaver, Mike Dotterer

Eason Ramson

Henry “Model T” Ford, Carolyn Hoskins

2014 LEGENDSMAGA ZINE

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Sherman White

Mike Merriweather, Annika Sorenstam

Michael Pritchard, Gary Weaver

Dan Bunz

Allan Kennedy receives Community Service Award

Ted Kwalick, Len Rohde

Jesse Sapolu, Dennis Brown

Mike Dotterer, Alonzo Emery, Gary Weaver, Ray Mueller

In the Community The NFL Alumni prides itself on being active in the Northern California Community. Our members attend and enhance many local fundraisers throughout the year. From scholarship presentations to being celebrity captains, the NFL Alumni remains committed to our mission of Caring for Kids.

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2014 LEGENDSMAGA ZINE

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